: , , . Roger Shawyer, SPR Ltd, invented the EMdrive and recently gave an EMdrive presentation to the UK Defence Academy Shrivenham. EmDrive is the first true Propellantless Propulsion technology. High frequency electrical energy is directly converted to thrust. It is a resonant microwave cavity, shaped to obtain different group velocities at each end, and thus achieve a force difference as the EM wave reflects off each end plate. EmDrive is not a reactionless thruster, it is simply a new class of electrical machine. Conventional microwave technology limits the maximum Q of resonators to around 50,000, giving a specific thrust of 200 mN/kW at 3 km/s. This technology will be utilised in first generation engines where typical applications will be the orbital transfer and orbit maintenance of communication satellites and the primary propulsion for science missions. Classic Physics can answer all questions about EmDrive How is Momentum Conserved? EmDrive obeys Newtons Laws How is force produced? Radiation Pressure. Maxwell. Why are the end plate forces different? Different group velocities due to different diameters. Cullen 1952 How is the force multiplied? EmDrive is a Resonant cavity with a multiplication factor Q. Bailey 1955 Why is EmDrive an Open System? Einsteins theory of Special Relativity Why are there no side wall forces? Thrust due to travelling waves not standing waves. How is energy conserved? EmDrive is an electrical machine. What limits thrust in high Q thrusters? Internal Doppler shift. How is thrust calculated? Thrust equation. How is thrust measured? With great care. If the science is sound why is it not universally accepted? EmDrive theory requires the convergence of a number of basic laws of Physics in an unfamiliar way. Understanding the theory requires knowledge, patience and the ability to do the maths. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence EmDrive is a difficult technology to design, build, test and thus difficult to prove to exacting standards. Design requires special software Build requires precision engineering Test requires expensive test equipment and sophisticated facilities. (e.g. NWPU) EmDrive thrusters giving significant thrust(100s mN) are potentially lethal. Magnetron or TWTAs require High voltage power supplies High Q, high power thrusters store significant energy levels. High power microwaves cause blindness and can kill. Proof of EmDrive theory and operation takes time, money and intellectual effort, which requires significant funding. It is much easier to limit funding and criticise the level of experimental proof. In Dec, 2016 an image appeared on the internet illustrating how an 8GHz EmDrive thruster would fit into a modern, off-the-shelf, 3 unit Cubesat. Shawyer claims that any country with LEO capability will be able to deploy low cost orbital mines to GEO. Superconducting EMDrive work Any analysis of missions incorporating microwave engines will need to take into account the second important equation. This equation results from consideration of the principle of the conservation of energy and introduces the concept of the loaded Q of the engine. The Q of any resonant circuit can be defined as the stored energy divided by the energy loss per cycle. Thus as soon as kinetic energy is extracted from the engine, the stored energy, and hence the Q, falls. A second generation engine using similar technology would however be subject to equation 2, and the effect at these high values of unloaded Q is dramatic. An average velocity of only 0.1 m/sec will reduce the specific thrust to 0.93 Tonne / kW. Equation 2 therefore constrains the applications of second generation engines to those where the kinetic energy output is limited. We have defined the maximum Q of the engine, under static thrust conditions as Qu, the unloaded Q. Under acceleration, the Q of the engine at an average velocity of is defined as Ql, the loaded Q. In orbit testing of EmDrive has been reported by CAST, suggesting commercial use of EmDrive has now been authorised by China Implies military applications of first generation technology are now operational. Western space assets vulnerable. January 2014. Information from US (AIM) and China (NWPU) reveal they both have a detailed knowledge of EmDrive theory, and a solution to the High Q Acceleration Problem. Further work at SPR Ltd has also solved High Q acceleration problem (3G design). 2015. Gilo Industries Research + SPR Ltd New superconducting cavity design YBCO thin film technology LN2 and LH2 cooling Supertanker Emdrive proposal Batillus class supertanker 555,000 tonnes, 64,800 bhp Approximate thrust 648 tonnes, (100bhp/tonne) Conventional Electrical Specific Thrust = 0.13kN/kW(e) 2G 900MHz LH2 YBCO thruster gives estimated microwave specific thrust 10kN/kW(m) Closed cycle cooling system (e.g. Turbo-Brayton type) efficiency 4% Thus predicted 2G EmDrive Electrical Specific Thrust = 0.4kN/kW(e) Use of LNG boil-off in a total loss cooling system would enable much higher specific thrust. 1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process. 2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive. 3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents. 4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance. Vote View Results Predicted damage, 2080 to 2099 Percent of county G.D.P. per year 5 0 +5 10 15 Predicted damage, 2080 to 2099 Percent of county G.D.P. per year 5 0 +5 10 15 Predicted damage, 2080 to 2099 Percent of county G.D.P. per year 5 0 +5 10 15 Predicted damage, 2080 to 2099 Percent of county income per year 5 0 +5 10 15 Predicted damage, 2080 to 2099 Percent of county G.D.P. per year 15 5 0 +5 10 Predicted damage, 2080 to 2099 Percent of county G.D.P. per year 15 5 0 +5 10 As the United States confronts global warming in the decades ahead, not all states will suffer equally. Maine may benefit from milder winters. Florida, by contrast, could face major losses, as deadly heat waves flare up in the summer and rising sea levels eat away at valuable coastal properties. In a new study in the journal Science, researchers analyzed the economic harm that climate change could inflict on the United States in the coming century. They found that the impacts could prove highly unequal: states in the Northeast and West would fare relatively well, while parts of the Midwest and Southeast would be especially hard hit. In all, the researchers estimate that the nation could face damages worth 0.7 percent of gross domestic product per year by the 2080s for every 1 degree Fahrenheit rise in global temperature. But that overall number obscures wide variations: The worst-hit counties mainly in states that already have warm climates, like Arizona or Texas could see losses worth 10 to 20 percent of G.D.P. or more if emissions continue to rise unchecked. The reason for that is fairly well understood: A rise in temperatures is a lot more damaging if youre living in a place thats already hot, said Solomon Hsiang, a professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and a lead author of the study. You see a similar pattern internationally, where countries in the tropics are more heavily impacted by climate change, he said. But this is the first study to show that same pattern of inequality in the United States. The greatest economic impact would come from a projected increase in heat wave deaths as temperatures soared, which is why states like Alabama and Georgia would face higher risks while the cooler Northeast would not. If communities do not take preventative measures, the projected increase in heat-related deaths by the end of this century would be roughly equivalent to the number of Americans killed annually in auto accidents. Higher temperatures could also lead to steep increases in energy costs in parts of the country, as utilities may need to overbuild their grids to compensate for heavier air-conditioning use in hot months. Labor productivity in many regions is projected to suffer, especially for outdoor workers in sweltering summer heat. And higher sea levels along the coasts would make flooding from future hurricanes far more destructive. Rising Temperatures May Exacerbate Inequality Counties grouped by income per person. Median Likely range Poorest 10% counties Richest 10% 0% 5 10 15 20 25 Damage as percentage of county income Likely range Median Poorest 10% counties Richest 10% 0% 5 10 15 20 25 Damage as percentage of county income The authors avoided delving into politics, but they warned that climate change tends to increase pre-existing inequality. Some of the poorest regions of the country could see the largest economic losses, particularly in the Southeast. That pattern would hold even if the worlds nations cut emissions drastically, though the overall economic losses would be considerably lower. Predicting the costs of climate change is a fraught task, one that has bedeviled researchers for years. They have to grapple with uncertainty involving population growth, future levels of greenhouse-gas emissions, the effect of those emissions on the Earths climate and the economic damage higher temperatures may cause. Previous economic models have been relatively crude, focusing on broad global impacts. The new study, led by the Climate Impact Lab, a group of scientists, economists and computational experts, took advantage of a wealth of recent research on how high temperatures can cripple the economy. And the researchers harnessed advances in computing to scale global climate models down to individual counties in the United States. Past models had only looked at the United States as a single region, said Robert E. Kopp, a climate scientist at Rutgers and a lead author of the study. They missed this entire story of how climate change would create this large transfer of wealth between states. There are still limitations to the study. It relies heavily on research showing how hot weather has caused economic losses in the past. But society and technology will change a lot over the next 80 years, and people may find novel ways to adapt to steadily rising temperatures, said Robert S. Pindyck, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who was not involved with this study. Urban planners could set up cooling centers during heat waves to help vulnerable people who lack air-conditioning, as France did after a heat wave killed 14,802 people in 2003. Farmers may adopt new crop varieties or shift planting patterns to cope with the rise in scorching heat. Notably, the model also does not account for the effects of future migration within the United States. If Arizona becomes unbearable because of rising temperatures, more people may decide to move to states like Oregon or Montana, which would largely escape intolerable heat waves and could even see an increase in agricultural production. Such migration could reduce the countrys overall economic losses, said Matthew E. Kahn, an economist at the University of Southern California. Other outside experts praised the study, but cautioned that it may have underestimated certain kinds of damages. Economic losses on the coasts could be far higher if ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland disintegrate faster than expected. And climate change could bring other calamities that are harder to tally, such as the loss of valuable ecosystems like Floridas coral reefs, or increased flows of refugees from other countries facing their own climate challenges. The study also does not factor in how reduced labor productivity could compound over time, leading to slower rates of economic growth, said Frances C. Moore, a climate expert at the University of California, Davis. The researchers at the lab plan to expand their model to include more possible impacts and provide a detailed view of what individual counties can expect, so policymakers can begin to prepare far in advance. Portions of President Trumps travel ban went into effect at the end of June, after the Supreme Court temporarily lifted legal blocks on the ban and agreed to review the case this fall. The court granted an exception for people with bona fide relationships in the United States. Last week, a federal judge in Hawaii challenged the Trump administration's definition of the term, opening the gates for grandparents and other close relatives, as well as thousands of refugees who have been cleared to enter the United States. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court weighed in again, rejecting part of the Hawaii judges order and allowing the administration to temporarily enforce its restrictions on refugees. ALLOWED People With Bona Fide Relationships in the U.S. In June, the Supreme Court lifted the suspensions that federal judges had put on Mr. Trumps travel ban order in March, but only partially: People from the affected countries who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States will still be allowed to enter the country. The justices said their intention was to not burden American parties who have relationships with foreigners. They offered some examples of who would be allowed, including close family, students and workers offered employment. But the court did not precisely explain the meaning of bona fide relationship. According to a diplomatic cable obtained by The New York Times, the Trump administration has defined close family as a parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling, whether whole or half. This includes step relationships. The administration later added people who are engaged to be married to the list of sufficient connections. But the federal judge in Hawaii said that the administration could not exclude other extended family members, including grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court temporarily let that portion of the Hawaii court order stand. BARRED Everyone Else From Six Countries Europe ASIA Iran Syria Libya Yemen Sudan Somalia AFRICA Syria Iran Libya Yemen Sudan Somalia The presidents order prohibits for 90 days the entry of travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The Supreme Courts action in June means that this ban will only apply to those without bona fide relationships in the United States. Meanwhile, American officials will conduct a review into screening procedures in place to prevent threats. Travelers from countries that do not provide sufficient information for screening by the end of the review may still be barred from entering the United States. In its opinion, the court said the administration could complete its review over the summer, so it is possible that the case could become moot by the time it is argued in the fall. DEPENDS Refugees The presidents order also includes a ban on all refugees to the United States for 120 days. After that, the administration will determine from which countries it will reinstate admissions. Mr. Trumps order allows case-by-case exceptions for some refugees, and refugees already admitted to the country will be allowed. The courts exception for those with a bona fide relationship also applies to refugees, but according to independent estimates, about 40 percent of refugees who come to the country have no family ties here. A State Department official originally said that refugees ties to a nonprofit organization that helped them resettle was not sufficient to qualify as a bona fide relationship. The federal judge in Hawaii ruled that the administration could not exclude refugees with ties to a resettlement agency that was committed to receiving them, but the Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily blocked that part of the ruling. The presidents order cuts the refugee program in half, capping it at 50,000 people for the 2017 fiscal year, down from the 110,000 ceiling put in place under President Barack Obama. But the cap will not apply to refugees who can claim a bona fide relationship. ALLOWED Students and Workers Without Current Visas Mr. Trumps order applies to people who do not have current visas, including temporary, non-immigrant visas for students and workers. But these groups already get those visas based on relationships the administration has defined as bona fide, so they will be allowed in. There were about 13,000 temporary visits by citizens from the six targeted countries in the 2015 fiscal year in those categories. DEPENDS Tourists and business travelers Like students and workers, most visitors coming to the United States for recreational and business purposes must obtain non-immigrant visas. Those from the six countries will be allowed only if they already have a qualifying bona fide relationship in the United States. That includes close family or a relationship with a U.S. entity; for example, the administration said that a lecturer invited to address an audience would qualify. There were 49,412 visits by citizens from the six targeted countries on the B-1 and B-2 visas in 2015. DEPENDS New Immigrants Mr. Trumps order also applies to people from the six countries newly arriving on immigrant visas. But most of these visas are granted based on employment or family status that would qualify them to enter under the courts opinion. A small percentage of new immigrants are awarded diversity visas through a lottery, so it is possible that they would not have bona fide relationships that would allow them to enter. People issued immigrant visas become legal permanent residents on arrival in the United States and are issued a green card soon after. In 2015, green cards were issued to 31,258 people from these six countries. In general, about half of recent new legal permanent residents have been new arrivals to the country, and the other half have had their status adjusted after living in the United States. ALLOWED Green Card Holders, Dual Nationals and Diplomats Mr. Trumps order explicitly says green card holders from the targeted countries will be allowed. From 1999 to 2015, 2.6 percent of new legal permanent residents were from the six affected countries. The presidents order also does not apply to American citizens, or to dual nationals who enter the United States presenting their passport from a country not under the ban. People on certain types of diplomatic or government visas are also still allowed. Nearly 1,400 admissions from the six countries were made on these visas in 2015: Diplomats and other officials Diplomats and officials (and their families) on A-1 and A-2 visas International representatives Representatives of foreign governments or international organizations holding G-1, G-2, G-3 or G-4 visas Visitors to the United Nations People with C-2 visas to travel to the United Nations or officials in transit with C-3 visas NATO officials Officials (and their families) on North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas How the Ban Has Evolved After a panel of federal judges blocked key parts of a January order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Mr. Trump issued a narrower revised version in March, which, among other changes, removed Iraq from the list of barred countries and took out language prioritizing refugees in minority religious groups. Amaya Prepares for a Fresh Reboot in a New Location Published June 29, 2017 by Lee R Shareholders have approved relocation and restructuring to launch the new Amaya era. Amaya has a new look, and a new venue within its home country of Canada as it looks to the future. Rebranding Amayas new plans for a rebrand as The Stars Group Inc. were finalised at its last annual general meeting in Montreal on Wednesday as shareholders approved the new name to reflect the dominance of the groups flagship PokerStars brand. Moving On With the switch officially scheduled for August, the rebrand will also put further distance between the unsightly association with David Baazov. The companys former CEO is currently under indictment for insider trading in Amayas 2014 acquisition of PokerStars parent company Rational Group, charges for which he will be tried in November. Toronto Tabbed Toronto was chosen over Quebec as the spot where Amaya could more effectively manage its business and affairs. The first stage of Amayas new office implementation includes the placing of 20 key staff in the office in downtown Toronto in July, with another 300 Amaya technology staffers currently working in the northern Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill. Amaya will leave a minimal 15-person finance team in Montreals Griffintown. Expansion Plans At the shareholder meeting, CEO Rafi Ashkenazi, who replaced Baazov, also alluded to a poker deal with the emerging market of India in the works, calling India quite an exciting market based on the scale of its billion plus population of 1.3b souls and high smartphone penetration. Ashkenazi further projected Indias online poker market to be worth as much as $150m in a few years. Ashkenazi also has his eyes set on Asia and the United States. Restructuring Amaya has also brought on former Playtech and Scientific Games veteran Jerry Bowskill as the companys new chief technology officer. While some other senior level new hires are expected in the transition, the general personnel structure will remains stable, with senior executives Divyesh Gadhia, Harlan Goodson, Alfred Hurley Jr., David Lazzarto, Peter Murphy and Mary Turner all retaining their roles as directors within the company. Gadhia will continue as chairman of the board; Lazzarto will chair the Audit Committee, and Hurley the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee. CEO Sets Course Via conference call, Ashkenazi said of the moves: "As we undergo this transformation, we look to embrace the future of our business while also recognizing the incredible consumer goodwill and loyalty associated with our primary brand." As for that primary brand, since its founding in 2004, Amaya has risen to become the largest publicly listed online poker brand in the world after purchasing PokerStars parent for US $4.9 billion. Outlook Amaya seems to be doing what it takes to move on from the Baazov incident, and investors and industry insiders keeping an open mind may yet see a true Phoenix rise from the ashes for one of iGamings earliest stars and pioneers. It is obvious that as soon as the terrorism problem comes to the fore, NATO (first of all the US) diverts attention to other matters, such as the necessity to boost defence expenditures because of Russia, Syria, Afghanistan and other "annoying" countries. It can be easily explained by the burden the country has in NATO. Washington wants and does all possible things to reduce the burden at the expense of European NATO member states. By and large it does not really care of what is happening with Europeans. Apparently at this particular moment terroristic threat is not so actual for Washington as for Europe. Competing for supremacy with Russia the US persistently call on NATO member states to increase defence spending. This issue was on the agenda for NATO Defense Ministers meeting on June, 29. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that defence spending across the Alliance is expected to grow by 4.3% in 2017. It is too much for Europe. Who will benefit? Definitely - the US. But most European countries will stay alone with terroristic threat and lack of money to solve their domestic problems. But there are three European countries that have their own interest in this matter. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will benefit either. Deducting insignificant sums they receive NATO support and continue to ask for more and more foreign troops on their territories. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg conducting a visit in Lithuania this month praised Lithuania for increasing defence spending and efforts to strengthen security in the region. The Baltic States feel their importance in confronting of superpowers and intend to extract all possible benefits. In other words most European countries got into trap. They are forced to help the Baltic States to the detriment of their own interests. Sooner or later this state of affairs will lead to tension in relations between European NATO member States. Help and support within the organization should be equal for all members. Helping the Baltic States other European countries themselves have the right to expect help and understanding of their problems. It could happen so that making their neighbors' life safer they endanger their own people, leaving it face to face with terrorists, without capabilities to counter them because money has gone somewhere else. One-sided collective defense, is in it? From Smirking Chimp The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the first major test of the scope of executive power to protect national security since Neil Gorsuch joined the Court as associate justice. Monday morning, the high court announced it will determine the legality of Donald Trump's executive order establishing a Muslim travel ban when it reconvenes the first Monday in October. In the meantime, the high court allowed parts of the ban to go into effect. Trump can now exclude foreign nationals who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity, such as a school, in the United States. The high court's majority ruling was signed "per curiam" (by the court), meaning that no justice took responsibility for writing it. Three justices -- Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch -- dissented from the majority ruling, saying they would have upheld the exclusion of everyone covered by Trump's ban without limitation. Gorsuch's dissent, while perhaps not unexpected coming from a person who obediently defended torture, warrantless surveillance and runaway executive power under the Bush administration, portends a far-right tilt for the court's newest justice. Trump's initial travel ban, issued by executive order on January 27, was subsequently struck down by lower courts. On March 6, Trump issued a second, slightly narrower executive order (EO). It said that nationals of six predominantly-Muslim countries "present heightened risks to the security of the United States" and some of those who have entered the US through the immigration system "have proved to be threats to our national security." The EO directed that the entry of nationals from the six countries be "suspended for 90 days from the effective date" of the order, to give the administration time to establish "adequate standards ... to prevent infiltration by foreign terrorists." Two Appellate Courts Had Halted the Travel Ban Two federal appellate courts stayed the implementation of the ban on travelers from the six Muslim-majority countries -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen -- but on different grounds. In May, the Fourth Circuit ruled in a 10 to 3 decision that the ban on nationals from these countries violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause because it was motivated primarily by a desire to exclude Muslims from the United States, not by considerations of national security. The appellate court wrote that the EO "drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination," citing Trump's campaign statements calling for a "Muslim ban." Trump "expressed anti-Muslim sentiment" during the presidential campaign, Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory wrote for the majority. It is entirely plausible, Gregory added, that the EO's "stated national security interest was provided in bad faith, as a pretext for its religious purpose." The Ninth Circuit, on the other hand, didn't reach the constitutional issue. A unanimous three-judge panel concluded earlier this month that the ban on nationals from the six countries, the suspension of all refugee admissions for 120 days, and the cap of 50,000 on refugees for 2017 exceeded the president's authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). As the panel stated, "the [EO] does not provide a rationale explaining why permitting entry of nationals from the six designated countries under current protocols would be detrimental to the interests of the United States," which is what the INA requires before the president can "suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens" to the US. Moreover, the panel wrote, the EO "does not tie these nationals in any way to terrorist organizations within the six designated countries" or "identify these nationals as contributors to active conflict or as those responsible for insecure country conditions. It does not provide any link between an individual's nationality and their propensity to commit terrorism or their inherent dangerousness." "National security is not a 'talismanic incantation' that, once invoked, can support any and all exercise of executive power," the panel added. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Protest against Islamophobia and hate speech (Image by Fibonacci Blue) Details DMCA The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) said Wednesday (June 28) it received a letter threatening extermination, torture, and rape just hours before receiving an award from the New York City Council for the civil rights organization's work helping hate crime victims, mobilizing against President Trump's 'Muslim Bans,' and fighting for social justice. CAIR-NY says the NYPD is investigating the threatening letter as a potential hate crime. The New York City Council award was presented to CAIR-NY at a celebration of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. "We are humbled by the recognition of the New York City Council for our civil rights work, and simultaneously determined to forge ahead despite the deplorable threat we received," said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. "This threat will not intimidate us or detract from our unshakeable resolve to ensure American Muslims and all targeted communities can practice their faith freely as ensured by our laws." "We're outraged to see our staff targeted, but we know we're just one of many other Muslim institutions that have been threatened or attacked in recent months," said CAIR-NY Legal Director Albert Fox Cahn. "This threat and the threats against other Muslim New Yorkers, show why recognition from the City Council is so vital to our mission. As long as our Muslim brothers and sisters are being attack, all New Yorkers must come together to vocally support their right to practice their faith. Despite this threat, we remain committed to the proposition that no New Yorker should have to choose between their religion and their safety, and we're honored to have the City Council recognize the importance of our work to make that a reality." It appears that the threatening letter originated in the United Kingdom, and it bore similarities to recent threats against New York's Masjid Manhattan. According to police, the letter received last week by Masjid Manhattan threatened a massacre "on a scale never seen before." The NYPD is currently investigating the threat. The threat against CAIR came days after the Supreme Court partially unblocked President Trump's ban on visitors' from six Muslim countries - Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Sudan, Yemen. President Donald Trump was quick to celebrate the Supreme Court verdict by saying that the court's unanimous decision was "a clear victory for our national security". "It allows the travel suspension for the six terror-prone countries and the refugee suspension to become largely effective," he said in a statement. "As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm. I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive. During the 2016 presidential race, Trump campaigned for "a total and complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the United States. The travel ban was a signature policy of Trump's first few months as president. There has been substantial increase in hate crimes against Muslims since President Donald Trump became president in January this year. Since the beginning of the year, CAIR has called for investigations of possible bias motives for dozens of other incidents targeting mosques in Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Texas, and a number of other states. By comparison, in the January-March period in 2016, CAIR recorded 19 such incidents. CAIR-NY recently released a report showing a 560 percent increase in 2016 anti-Muslim incidents in New York compared to the previous year. The same report showed that more than half of 2016 anti-Muslim hate crimes in New York occurred in the last 7 and a half weeks of the year, following Donald Trump's election as President. According to the former Congresswoman, Barbra Lee, Donald Trump rode racism and fear all the way to the White House, and since his inauguration he has doubled down on his bigoted rhetoric. He's given members of the alt-right a seat at the table by appointing Steve Bannon as chief strategist and Jeff Sessions to head the Justice Department. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Four Horsemen of Apocalypse 01 (Image by Waiting For The Word) Details DMCA ************************* As I am writing this, the Republicans in the Congress are trying to pass a bill that would strip some $800 billion away from health care for middle and working class Americans and transfer that money to the wealthiest Americans (and some large corporations). This, at a time when the inequalities of wealth and income are already the widest they've been in living memory. This central piece of the Republican agenda -- the other major priority being a tax cut bill that would transfer still more wealth from those who have less to those who have more -- can stand as emblematic of the Party's moral quality. All of which leads to the question: how did one of America's two major political parties go so far toward the dark side? Here is what I believe is a big part of the answer. America's two major parties have been the Republican and Democratic since the end of the Civil War. The Republican Party was "the Party of Lincoln" and, as the party of the winning side, it dominated American politics for well over a generation after that War. During that time, it became the Party of the emerging class of industrial capitalists--the Party of the Robber Barons. (There was only one Democratic president between 1856 and 1912.) Defending the interests of the increasingly powerful corporate system tainted the Republican Party with corruption and injustice. Until the time of the New Deal in the 1930s, the Republican Party, and the corporatist Supreme Court it appointed, assured that the interests of wealth would prevail over the interests of working people. Laws to protect workers were struck down, unions were forbidden, and the U.S. Army would sometimes step in to break strikes. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party had its own dark side. From before the Civil War, the Democratic Party was the political arm of the slave-owners. After the Civil War, as white supremacy re-established itself in the former Confederacy in the form of the "Jim Crow" system (in which blacks were relegated to second class citizenship, and deprived the right to vote), the "Solid South" consistently sent Democrats to Washington to protect its arrangements of racial oppression. Thus, the two darkest, most unjust forces in American civilization -- the worst of the Union side, and the worst of the Confederate side --were arrayed in opposition to each other across the partisan divide. This division of the darkest American forces continued all the way up until the 1960s. But over the years, from the time of FDR through the time of LBJ, the Democratic Party changed on the issue of race. When President Johnson signed the major Civil Rights bills in 1965, he recognized that this would lose the Democrats the South (for a generation he thought). Richard Nixon saw the opportunity, and capitalized on it in 1968 with his (in)famous "Southern Strategy." By the 1990s, the Solid South had switched parties--from solidly Democratic to virtually solidly Republican. (Strom Thurmond--once a Democrat who'd run for president in 1948 as a "Dixiecrat" to protest President Truman's drive to integrate the U.S. military -- spent his final years in the U.S. Senate as a Republican.) The "Party of Lincoln" had become the political home to the heirs of the Slave Power. At the same time, that same Republican Party continued to be the Party of corporate America. The unbridled quest for wealth that had marked the age of the Robber Barons maintained its dominant power within the GOP, even as that party also gained the allegiance of white voters of all classes throughout the former Confederacy. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Paul Craig Roberts Website For 16 years the US has been at war in the Middle East and North Africa, running up trillions of dollars in expenses, committing untold war crimes, and sending millions of war refugees to burden Europe, while simultaneously claiming that Washington cannot afford its Social Security and Medicare obligations or to fund a national health service like every civilized country has. Considering the enormous social needs that cannot be met because of the massive cost of these orchestrated wars, one would think that the American people would be asking questions about the purpose of these wars. What is being achieved at such enormous costs? Domestic needs are neglected so that the military/security complex can grow fat on war profits. The lack of curiousity on the part of the American people, the media, and Congress about the purpose of these wars, which have been proven to be based entirely on lies, is extraordinary. What explains this conspiracy of silence, this amazing disinterest in the squandering of money and lives? Most Americans seem to vaguely accept these orchestrated wars as the government's response to 9/11. This adds to the mystery as it is a fact that Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Iran (Iran not yet attacked except with threats and sanctions) had nothing to do with 9/11. But these countries have Muslim populations, and the Bush regime and presstitute media succeeded in associating 9/11 with Muslims in general. Perhaps if Americans and their "representatives" in Congress understood what the wars are about, they would rouse themselves to make objections. So, I will tell you what Washington's war on Syria and Washington's intended war on Iran are about. Ready? There are three reasons for Washington's war, not America's war as Washington is not America, on Syria. The first reason has to do with the profits of the military/security complex. The military/security complex is a combination of powerful private and governmental interests that need a threat to justify an annual budget that exceeds the GDP of many countries. War gives this combination of private and governmental interests a justification for its massive budget, a budget whose burden falls on American taxpayers whose real median family income has not risen for a couple of decades while their debt burden to support their living standard has risen. The second reason has to do with the Neoconservative ideology of American world hegemony. According to the Neoconservatives, who most certainly are not conservative of any description, the collapse of communism and socialism means that History has chosen "Democratic Capitalism," which is neither democratic nor capitalist, as the World's Socio-Economic-Political system and it is Washington's responsibility to impose Americanism on the entire world. Countries such as Russia, China, Syria, and Iran that reject American hegemony must be destabilized and destroyed as they stand in the way of American unilateralism. The third reason has to do with Israel's need for the water resources of Southern Lebanon. Twice Israel has sent the vaunted Israeli Army to occupy Southern Lebanon, and twice the vaunted Israeli Army was driven out by Hezbollah, a militia supported by Syria and Iran. To be frank, Israel is using America to eliminate the Syrian and Iranian governments that provide military and economic support to Hezbollah. If Hezbollah's suppliers can be eliminated by the Americans, Israel's army can steal Southern Lebanon, just as it has stolen Palestine and parts of Syria. Here are the facts: For 16 years the insouciant American population has permitted a corrupt government in Washington to squander trillions of dollars needed domestically but instead allocated to the profits of the military/security complex, to the service of the Neoconservative ideology of US world hegemony, and to the service of Israel. Clearly, American democracy is a fraud. It serves everyone but Americans. What is the likely consequence of the US government serving non-American interests? The best positive outcome is poverty for the 99 percent. The worst outcome is nuclear armageddon. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Wallwritings Bibi Netanyahu and Donald Trump have one thing in common: They both have as much credibility as the man who killed his parents and then begged the judge for mercy because he was an orphan. Why should we believe what they say? President Trump is an accomplished prevaricator in a job he is clearly not qualified to hold. But we know that already. What concerns me at the moment is the way in which Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu follows the classic colonial playbook by living a lie and inducing the colonized to fight among themselves. The current internal Palestinian conflict involves a severe drop in medical care and adequate electrical power in Gaza, two essential elements which must be provided for a civilian population. Instead of providing, Bibi Netanyahu greatly reduces these elements from Gaza and then lies that he is not to blame. The harsh truth is that Israel has occupied the West Bank and Gaza for fifty years. Occupiers are responsible for the occupied whether for one year or fifty years. If you feel as though you are just now arriving to see a movie that has been running for an hour, its because this current movie, a Gaza-West Bank blame game, has been evolving on the screens of the Israeli and Palestinian media. Preoccupied with the Donald's twitters and threats, the American press has largely ignored the story of lies about Gaza. To our media, it is a conflict waged within a distant land between "long-time foes." To Palestinians, it is not a conflict. It is an occupation that blames the occupied. To catch you up on the latest set of Bibi lies, here is some background: Israel's occupiers "withdrew" from Gaza in 2005. But the occupiers did not "withdraw" Israel's control over what is now an outdoor Gaza prison in which essential ingredients of life -- food, water, medical care, and electrical power -- remain completely in Israeli hands. To remind Gazans who holds the power, Israel stages vicious military attacks and periodic wars against Gaza citizens. The 1993 Oslo Accords looked at the time like a good stop-gap measure. It was, in reality, a moment in history when Israel sold the world and occupied Palestinians, a package of wampum disguised as a "peace process." Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Consortium News The New York Times has finally admitted that one of the favorite Russia-gate canards -- that all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies concurred on the assessment of Russian hacking of Democratic emails -- is false. On Thursday, the Times appended a correction to a June 25 article that had repeated the false claim, which has been used by Democrats and the mainstream media for months to brush aside any doubts about the foundation of the Russia-gate scandal and portray President Trump as delusional for doubting what all 17 intelligence agencies supposedly knew to be true. In the Times' White House Memo of June 25, correspondent Maggie Haberman mocked Trump for "still refus[ing] to acknowledge a basic fact agreed upon by 17 American intelligence agencies that he now oversees: Russia orchestrated the attacks, and did it to help get him elected." However, on Thursday, the Times -- while leaving most of Haberman's ridicule of Trump in place -- noted in a correction that the relevant intelligence "assessment was made by four intelligence agencies -- the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency. The assessment was not approved by all 17 organizations in the American intelligence community." The Times' grudging correction was vindication for some Russia-gate skeptics who had questioned the claim of a full-scale intelligence assessment, which would usually take the form of a National Intelligence Estimate (or NIE), a product that seeks out the views of the entire Intelligence Community and includes dissents. The reality of a more narrowly based Russia-gate assessment was admitted in May by President Obama's Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Obama's CIA Director John Brennan in sworn congressional testimony. Clapper testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on May 8 that the Russia-hacking claim came from a "special intelligence community assessment" (or ICA) produced by selected analysts from the CIA, NSA and FBI, "a coordinated product from three agencies -- CIA, NSA, and the FBI -- not all 17 components of the intelligence community," the former DNI said. Clapper further acknowledged that the analysts who produced the Jan. 6 assessment on alleged Russian hacking were "hand-picked" from the CIA, FBI and NSA. Yet, as any intelligence expert will tell you, if you "hand-pick" the analysts, you are really hand-picking the conclusion. For instance, if the analysts were known to be hard-liners on Russia or supporters of Hillary Clinton, they could be expected to deliver the one-sided report that they did. Politicized Intelligence In the history of U.S. intelligence, we have seen how this selective approach has worked, such as the phony determination of the Reagan administration pinning the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II and other acts of terror on the Soviet Union. CIA Director William Casey and Deputy Director Robert Gates shepherded the desired findings through the process by putting the assessment under the control of pliable analysts and sidelining those who objected to this politicization of intelligence. The point of enlisting the broader intelligence community -- and incorporating dissents into a final report -- is to guard against such "stove-piping" of intelligence that delivers the politically desired result but ultimately distorts reality. Another painful example of politicized intelligence was President George W. Bush's 2002 National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq's WMD that removed State Department and other dissents from the declassified version that was given to the public. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). You bees make honey, but not for yourselves. Virgil Our crimes continue in Yemen. Saudi Arabia is fighting the Houthis. The United States is backing the Saudi-led coalition. Are we ever. Obama did it. Trump does it. We back the Saudi coalition as they bomb hospitals, as they block aid ships, as they pour down death on innocent people. And now, the Associated Press reports, we are helping run secret prisons in Yemen as well. Per Maggie Michael: Hundreds of men swept up in the hunt for al-Qaida militants have disappeared into a secret network of prisons in southern Yemen where abuse is routine and torture extreme including the grill, in which the victim is tied to a spit like a roast and spun in a circle of fire, an Associated Press investigation has found. How @mokhbersahafi uncovered black site prisons in Yemen: First-hand accounts and an ex-detainees sketch. https://t.co/zPOd50L9Zrpic.twitter.com/SMz8wn2Z62 The Associated Press (@AP) June 22, 2017 The image in the AP article depicts an assembly line, like in a packing plant. And it reflects the principle of the division of labor: the United Arab Emirates handle the torture, the Americans handle the interrogations. You know how it is; this is how friendship works, between people, and between nations. When your buddy needs your help moving his couch, he calls you. And when your geopolitical confederate needs help breaking human rights in dark corners, you rush in where angels fear to tread. Senior American defense officials acknowledged Wednesday that U.S. forces have been involved in interrogations of detainees in Yemen but denied any participation in or knowledge of human rights abuses. Interrogating detainees who have been abused could violate international law, which prohibits complicity in torture. The AP has evidence of eighteen hidden lockups, usually hidden in base; one is in an airport, one is in a private villa. Even a nightclub, if reports are to be believed. Did you know that there are ten to fourteen inmates per cell? Imagine you, or someone you know, is caught up in a dragnet, no habeas corpus, no presumption of innocence, just thrown into this four-walled hell. Imagine the eye of the world turned away from you. Your country is being bombed by rich and powerful princes in far-off cities, and here you are. According to the detainees, in these prisons, you can hear the screams of your fellow prisoners. Fear and sickness are your constant companions. Sometimes you are flogged by wires. Fires are set underneath the metal shipping container you call home. Inside war-torn Yemen, however, lawyers and families say nearly 2,000 men have disappeared into the clandestine prisons, a number so high that it has triggered near-weekly protests among families seeking information about missing sons, brothers and fathers. It is not enough for the American state to back the Saudi-led coalition, which has caused the death of ten thousand people, aided a cholera outbreak, and is helping to starve two million children. We must compound misery with our own special brand of hypocrisy. Did you know the UAE was a big-time participant in the CIAs old torture and rendition plans? Did you know that after Obama ended the black sites, the UAE underground prison system was set up during his administration? It was. At one main detention complex at Riyan airport in the southern city of Mukalla, former inmates described being crammed into shipping containers smeared with feces and blindfolded for weeks on end. They said they were beaten, trussed up on the grill, and sexually assaulted. According to a member of the Hadramawt Elite, a Yemeni security force set up by the UAE, American forces were at times only yards away. He requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter. America is the leader in outsourcing. We outsource our factories to the developed world. We outsource our wars to proxy forces. And now we outsource oppression, too. We used to run torture sites directly, under our own frameworks, on foreign landGitmo, of course, but also our bases in Iraq. But now, we have gone one step further, and are outsourcing our production of misery to independent contractors. How ingenious, how American it is to insure that the models of late capitalism are applied with rigor and managerial competence to the agony of the human face. I wonder if Henry Ford and Adam Smith could have foreseen the day that their practices would be applied to extracting screams from foreign throats, to drawing the rictus of agony from a prisoners mouth. If modern industry is the story of our increasing alienation from work, and modern eating is the story of our increasing distance from the barnyard, then the so-called rise of human rights in the West is the story of our increasing alienation from oppression. Let me be clear: we have not stepped oppressing people. We just do it at an arms length now. We keep our slaughterhouses at a distance, thank you very much. No need to get our hands dirty. The right hand does not know what the left hand is making another right hand do. To put it another way, governments used to publicly execute people, and factory towns used to make things. We still do a little of both, in America. But mostly we keep it away from the front lawn. We dont need to do it ourselves. We have the help for that. Vietnam makes our shoes, and the UAE tortures our enemies. Obama made peace with detaining prisoners forever, but he preferred to do it in Cuba. American boardrooms still want the production of goods, they just prefer them to be distant from actual Americans. The American state still wants the oppression of human beings, it just prefers it be distant from cameras and watching eyes. Laundering oppression is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Our tax dollars and our flag fly overseas, to strengthen cages for lonely faces we will never see. The third race of Central European Enduro was held in the Enduro Trails mountain bike trail complex located next to the city of Bielsko-Biaa in Poland. The nice, medium-sized city is surrounded by mountains which hide an impressive network of freshly built, natural and quite gnarly singletracks. Most of the trails were built for the enduro racing events over the last few years but besides race tracks, there are also many kilometres of trails for all kind of bikers (from beginners to experienced bikers). Simply it is a great location for Enduro riding and racing.This year the race in Poland was hard with four long and demanding special stages. The weather wasnt really ideal for racing, it was a very hot and sunny day and it was really difficult to pedal up all of the transfers. The stages had some challenging numbers with nearly 1,500m of elevation drop and the total length was about 10km. They were really fast and also very technical in few places (e.g. sections of steep rocks on the trails called Dziabar and Kamienioom or riders could enjoy also famous rooty section on Stary Zielony trail).It was great to see top riders from Poland, Czech, and Slovakia at the start as they made super exciting racing. Only one rider finished the whole race below 20 minutes, Michal Prokop from the Czech Republic set the time on 1957. He was chased during the whole race by Robert Piekara from Poland, who won two special stages but crashed on the last one and in the end finished second, just in front of Milan Mysik, who was third.Figura Ela was the fastest woman, Vojtech Blaha won Junior category and Wojtek Koniuszewski won the Masters Category.The next stop of Central European Enduro is in Spicak, Czech Republic (on 1617th September, registration is already open on this link ) and the final edition is held in Treuchtingen, Germany (on 1415th of October, registration can be found here ).Full results from Giant Enduro Trails 2017 are here If you want to check out more info about this great bike trail center in Poland, just visit their website where you will find all information: endurotrails.pl . There is also opportunity to attend one more race in Bielsko this season (the last edition of Enduro Trails is on 23rd of Septemberthis race is not included in Central European Enduro series but you can try some great local trails anyway). What would a French Enduro be without quaint little French towns? It's going to be two big days on the bike. Stage 5 and Stage 9 are down the same track and will be raced to close out both days. With the town of Millau directly below and crowded for the ongoing Natural Games Festival, this stage will be packed with spectators Friday and Saturday. T-Mo is ready to get out on some raw French trails. Tracy Moseley will be presenting during the EWS video and television productions this week, so keep an eye out for her on the other side of the tape for a change. The first victim of the week. It's always a pleasure racing in France, where the trails lead in and out of the quaint old villages that dot the landscape. Stages 6 and 7 start at the top of a cliff overlooking Millau. High-speed and loose. Stage 2 rolls like a freight train rather early. The Hoff with all 80lbs of his camera gear, smashing his way through Stage 2. Brake baked clay in the woods. Dry and dusty woods make for lots of drifting about in the greenery. If the rains come as forecast, some of these steep sections will be extra tricky. The hills above Millau are steep and rocky, and will offer a lot of variety for racers this round. Stage 2 has a little of everything. Dave, on a roller coaster of steep chutes nearing the finish. Nico readying the camera on Chris Ball before he follows T-Mo down a run. A long 12-kilometer liaison out of town brings riders to a tricky dried up riverbed and Stage 8. It's wouldn't be an EWS without some lush greenery surrounding the trails. Below the open ridge lines are some seriously thick forests. There's a rider in this shot, somewhere. Matthew Delorme drops into Stage 6 while one very famous bridge keeps an eye on things from afar. Sharp rocks lurking everywhere just waiting to catch riders out when they make their all-out assault down the tracks here in Millau. Matthew Delorme's shooting hand was the second victim of the week. We anticipate quite a few tires will meet a similar fate over the next few days. Poo emojis in steel point the way to something. Not sure what. Not sure we want to find out. Dave dives in on Stage 8. Keep the momentum up, and huck to flat on Stage 8. Stunning views from most of the upper tracks on day two. Things get awfully twisty from here on out on Stage four. A cabbage butterfly of some sort rest on French lavender. T-Mo out there doing her best to bring you the best in course previews. Beautiful turns in the woods of Stage 6 give a reprieve from the loose over hard pack up top. EWS director, Chris Ball getting out amongst it through some loose and marbly corners. Fast in most spots, rough in some, and awkward in others. Throw in a few power climbs and the stages here in Millau have it all. It's been baking hot and dusty in this region recently but with the daily threat of rain and cooler temps on the way, a whole lot might change by race day. Tracy Moseley trying her best to float over all the sharp stuff. Stage 6 plummets to the city on some rather loose over hard pack. Could it be that we got a properly a hot day? Indeed we did, but it likely isn't going to last. After four rounds and visits to four islands in the process, the 2017 Enduro World Series finally makes landfall on solid ground this week in Millau, France. And with stages beginning and ending in the city's urban setting this will be a unique venue in comparison to some of the more remote locations visited thus far. Adding to the excitement is the Nature Games Festival running in conjunction with the Enduro World Series that will create a large festival atmosphere intended to showcase a plethora of outdoor sports. Just adjacent to the pits one can find a climbing wall or white water rapids being navigated by kayak, as world class athletes from an assortment of disciplines descend on Millau.While the venue itself is a rather large French city, the hills surrounding the region are steep, remote, and full of trails. As is par for the course in the South of France the terrain is quite rocky, either crushed up as gravel or embedded in large slabs. Unique to this region, however, is the clay dirt that sits just below. When dry it packs in hard and rolls fast but get it wet and you'll be sliding down the hill upside-down in the blink of an eye. Add that slick clay to the rocks and roots and you're in for a wild ride.We set out to inspect the nine race stages as the heat wave currently hanging around Europe was in full-effect, and with the tracks in super dry and dusty condition. So dry it seemed like a little rain would actually do them some good. But after the amount of moisture we have seen on the EWS circuit this year, it's likely racers would prefer things loose and dusty. Will it last? Likely not, as the forecast calls for thunderstorms in the area daily. Everyone already knows the best way to break a heat wave is to hold a mountain bike race like the one we have here in Millau. 2017 News Archive This page includes links to all the news articles published on pokernews.com during 2017. For your convenience, the articles are segmented by month. In 2007, there was no emo revival snaking its way through the Spin Media bastions of Stereogum and Spin proper. Instead, there were empty garages and still-full shopping malls, blasting the latest from Fueled By Ramen like Panic! By the Disco on the cover of Rolling Stone and deliberating over their exclamation point. A small band of high school grads, lead by a preacher's son named Andy Hull, had, after years of passing CDs around the Atlanta suburbs with titles like You Brainstorm, I Brainstorm, but Brilliance Needs a Good Editor, released their first album. It was cute folk and frustrated angst and it was yelling about spiritual concerns and it was rolled into one package with a photograph of a sad woman on the cover and a song called "I Can Feel Your Pain." The band came with the equally opulent name of Manchester Orchestra. They would never quite fit into emo's narrow sense of what kinds of quiet had to follow by what kinds of loud, but they shared its earnest interest in the eclecticism of what teenagers were listening to, both New Jersey pop punk and the singing ghost of Elliot Smith, both British import indie and its Las Vegas imitations. It was an approach that lead to some unsure shrugs back in '07 but got itself heard by friends in all the right places."Brand New meets Band Of Horses," roared a blog I downloaded punk albums from back in the day. Brand New would, in fact, invite the band on one of their first tours of the American heartland and midway through that banger they played the former tombstone store that was now the 250-capacity Mercury Lounge, a place they returned to last night for a surprise show before headlining the imposing antechambers of Terminal 5. Ceaselessly reverent to that history, they pulled from all over their decade-old setlist, jarring barroom anthems with the spiked guitar hits as well playing some of material from their upcoming fifth full-length, A Black Mile To The Surface, for the first time in front of a paying audience. Manchester Orchestra feel like an endangered species in today's new version of the music scene. Shut the fuck up," a drunken heckler roared midway through "Colly Strings," one of their debut's pieces of delicately laden acoustic angst. Hull's music forces these confrontations onto today's Spotify-curated crowd. Their last album, Cope, was eleven heavy-hitting punches of mosh-pit worthy guitar stabs into a night as dark as the album's cover, Hull's vocals hanging in pitch black dark. There are few bands like Manchester Orchestra anymore, the kind who will rip a roomfilling rock banger out one moment and tear into the emotional devastation of the empty bedroom the next. With smart, high-grade punk often in one room (The Hold Steady, Titus Andronicuses, etc.) and the stripped bare stuff saved for the British barnstormers (Mumford and all his sons), Manchester Orchestra feel like an endangered species in today's new version of the music scene. A Black Mile, they've told Uproxx, will be "nothing like" Cope and has been described, instead, as their "version of a Wilco or Radiohead record," two of the few old school rockers still capable, it seems, of pulling anything off. Which is to say: instead of being angry or confused, these are songs about being middle-aged and married. At its most indelible, like "The Parts," which they closed on, Hulls sings about his wife in the voice of a hushed raconteur, dismissing the band's drummer and keyboardist from the room. The sweat that had dripped off his brow all night felt frozen. There was a thin, you-could-barely-hear-it bass line throbbing in behind him. It ended with a gorgeous suddenness. (Andrew Karpan) (Andrew Karpan) (Andrew Karpan) (Andrew Karpan) Manchester Orchestra at Mercury Lounge 6/28/17 Setlist: (Andrew Karpan) The Gold Shake It Out Pale Black Eye Pensacola I've Got Friends I Can Barely Breathe Colly Strings Cope Simple Math Everything to Nothing The River The Alien Where Have You Been? The Parts A Black Mile To The Surface comes out July 28th. Pre-order here. Andrew Karpan is Popdust's chief of all music that is live. He probably pushed you aside to get a better shot because he is large while you are small. Make his Twitter large also, by following him. More concerts you missed: LIVE | These photos prove The Orwells are definitively rock gods LIVE | Deerhoof remain joyously in a language all their own LIVE | LCD Soundsystem plays the hits You do not have a good reputation with talking with, to, about, or around women. Wow. Today represents a new low in the public communications legacy Donald Trump will one day (hopefully soon) leave behind. In apparent response to what Trump describes as rumors alleging the hosts of MSNBC daily political talk show, Morning Joe, speak "badly" of him, Trump decided to decided to act very presidential, and go on twitter. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 ...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 Okay then... it's time for a tweet breakdown, in a new segment I'm calling "come the fuck on, dude." 1. What is your obsession with ratings, dude? The only ratings you should be concerned about are you own approval ratings, which are the worst in history for a president at this point in his term. And let's not forget the abysmal approval from the general public for your party's heartless "healthcare" act. You are the embodiment of bad ratings. 2. "Low I.Q. Crazy Mika." Do you not have the slightest awareness that this is not how a president of the United States is supposed to speak? Why are you attacking a journalist calling her crazy and being of low intelligence? Does that really seem appropriate for a President? You are the tackiest person that has ever lived. 3. Stop calling people stupid and in the same body of text display how terrible your own vocabulary, grammar, and general writing ability is. "Then how come..." - let's ignore for a moment that you sound like a 7 year old, and first remind ourselves that questions end with question marks! 4. "She was bleeding badly from a face-lift." Even if factual, how is that relevant here, dude? You do not have a good reputation with talking with, to, about, or around women. This is not a topic you should willfully lead with. BTW - look in a mirror you miserable, deep-fried orange. 5. "I said no!" Aw, how impressive Mr. Bigboy stood up to these pesky people that allegedly wanted to hang out with you (which is about as believable as your claim that Comey invited you to dinner). You told them no! Like a real brave boy. And apparently you did it because she was bleeding? You're horrible. Luckily, a lot of people, including other Republican politicians are publicly denouncing Trump's disgusting comments! Check it out, here comes GOP Sen. Ben Sasse with a short, sweet, and perfectly appropriate response: Please just stop. This isn't normal and it's beneath the dignity of your office. Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 29, 2017 Oh shit, and here comes Sen. Lindsey Graham with the smackdown! No way son, he just brought up that "America, great" stuff and turned it around on your ass! Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America. Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 29, 2017 Hopefully, responses like these will keep coming from both sides of the aisle. In the meantime we all need to remind ourselves what is and is not okay. An Iowa sex offender who failed to register with local authorities when he moved to Guam last year will serve less than eight months in federal prison, following his sentencing in District Court earlier this morning. Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood denied James Dean Transgrud's request for a reduced prison term and sentenced him to 12 months plus one day, with credit for the approximately 4 1/2 months he has already served. Transgrud did not sign a plea deal, but rather pleaded guilty directly to the charge of failure to register as a sex offender. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. According to the judge, Transgrud arrived in Guam on Aug. 12, 2016, and resided on the island for six months before he was caught and added to the sex offender registry in February 2017. During his six-month stay in Guam, Transgrud resided in the villages of Yona, Inarajan and Santa Rita. Tydingco-Gatewood said the defendant seemed, based on the facts, like an absconder and that she found his departure from Iowa to be "very suspicious," given that he not only failed to register in Guam, but also did not notify authorities or his job in Iowa when he left. Transgrud's attorney, John Gorman, asked for a reduction of four months in his sentencing recommendation, citing "unique circumstances" in his client's case. The Guam Sex Offender Registry, which listed Transgrud in February this year, described him as having committed sexual abuse of two girls, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. In addition to the sexual abuse case in Iowa, he's accused of "lewd or lascivious acts with a child in Guam," according to the registry. Gorman said Transgrud has been sober for 10 years. Tydingco-Gatewood ultimately denied the request for the reduced sentence, saying there was no valid reason for it. While not stated in any of the testimony submitted to the court, Gorman said Transgrud's wife had expressed culpability for her husband's failure to register with the Guam Sex Offender Registry during his arraignment when she told him, "It's all my fault, I told him that he didn't need to register (in Guam)." The judge said the court did not find the excuse that his wife had misinformed him to be a viable defense for a reduction, adding that Transgrud appeared to know how the laws work in Iowa and that he should have verified his wife's claims. Transgrud told the court he wanted to apologize to the people of Guam for any "shock and outrage" his failure to register may have caused. The judge admonished the defendant, saying Guam children and families deserved the same kind of protection from sex offenders as those in Iowa. Transgrud will serve out his sentence at a federal institution in Iowa, where his wife has returned and where he will remain following his release. PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 15:01:02 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 385 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Black Iron Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Black Iron Inc. (TSX:BKI). has issued a press release with the following headline:Black Iron Becomes Member of the 8020 Connect CommunityTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Black Iron Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Black Iron Inc.Source: Black Iron Inc. (TSX: BKI)Date: June 29, 2017Time: 9:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Black Iron Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 10:00:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 400 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Canada Zinc Metals Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Canada Zinc Metals Corp. (TSX Venture:CZX). has issued a press release with the following headline:Canada Zinc Metals Commences the 2017 Drill Program at AkieTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Canada Zinc Metals Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Canada Zinc Metals Corp.Source: Canada Zinc Metals Corp. (TSX Venture: CZX, ISIN: A0RAQJ, WKN: CA1353061080)Date: June 29, 2017Time: 4:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Canada Zinc Metals Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) Cyber Security Market PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 08:07:40 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States 3479183531 email Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 519 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United States3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Cyber security is related to information technology security, which focuses on protecting networks, computers programs and data from unauthorized access. Defense and military, government, financial institutions and corporation etc. collect and store confidential information on computers and transfer that data across networks. In order to protect this data and information from cyber attack cyber security becomes necessary. Increasing threats such computer intrusion (hacking), virus deployment and denial of services are increasing the demand for cyber security solutions and services. The governments of various countries such as U.S., Canada, Germany and China etc. are increasing their investment in cyber security due to expansion in computer interconnectivity and dramatic in computing power of government network.The cyber security market report contains the global scenario of this market discussing detailed overview and market figures. The research report analyses the industry growth rate, industry capacity, and industry structure. The report analyses the historical data and forecasts the cyber security market size along with key factors driving and restraining the market growth.Ask For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-57 The Cyber security market can be segmented into four major types into security, services, solutions and applications. The Cyber security market is segmented on the basis of types of security which includes six major categories namely network security, application security, endpoint security, cloud security, content security and wireless security. The services segment includes consulting services, risk assessment services, designing and integration services and training services. On the basis of solutions, ten major categories namely risk and compliance management, identity and access management, data loss protection, firewall, IDS, Unified threat management, encryption, antimalware and antivirus, web filtering and others (security and vulnerability management, DDOS mitigation and disaster recovery). The cyber security market can be segmented on the basis of applications into six categories namely defense and military, BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), public utilities, healthcare, telecom and IT and others (retail and manufacturing). The market can also be segmented geographically into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (Latin America, Middle East and Africa).The cyber security market across the globe is a multi billion market and is expected to show a substantial growth in CAGR, from 2013 to 2019. There is a significant increase in the cyber security market because cyber security solutions increase cyber speed and offers number of options to save data.Ask For Table of Content@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-57 The key drivers of this market include Government regulation on data privacy, increasing cyber threats and increasing number of data centers, which are the biggest revenue generators for Cyber Security Market. The key restraints to this market are lack of awareness and availability of pirated security software.Some of the key players in the Cyber Security Market are IBM International, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, McAfee, CA Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Trend Micro, Symantec and SOPHOS among others.Cyber security market offers various benefits such as improved security of cyberspaces, increased cyber-defense and faster response time to national crisis. These benefits of cyber security market automatically increase value of service to the end-users. PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 14:38:03 TRANSACTION HIGHLIGHTS Endeavour to acquire Avnel, which owns the Kalana Gold project in Mali, in an all-share transaction Transaction values Avnel at US$ 122m (C$ 159m), representing a premium of 48% to the closing price of Avnel's ordinary shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") on 29th June 2017, and a premium of 52% to Avnel's 20-day trailing VWAP on the same date With robust project economics, the transaction will be value accretive on a Net Asset Value basis to Endeavour shareholders The Boards of Directors of both Endeavour and Avnel have unanimously approved the transaction Transaction is expected to close in September 2017 Adding the Kalana Gold project strengthens Endeavour's construction pipeline following the completion of the Hounde and Ity CIL projects and leverages its operational synergies in the region Kalana is a high-quality project that fits Endeavour's strategic portfolio criteria Feasibility-stage project based on a 1.2Mtpa CIL plant and a single open-pit with proven and probable reserves of nearly 2.0Moz at 2.8 g/t 18-year mine life, with expected annual production of 148koz at an average AISC of US$561/oz over the first 5 years, based on the optimization scenarios pursued by Avnel The same optimization scenarios, if adopted, could provide an after-tax NPV5% of US$ 321m and an after-tax IRR of 50% based on a gold price of $1,200/oz Endeavour intends to re-design and optimize the current feasibility study and anticipates expanding the plant capacity, which would increase the average annual production and shorten the mine life based on current reserves Endeavour also intends to launch a new exploration program to capture additional potential GEORGE TOWN & ST. PETER PORT, Guernsey, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Mining Corporation (TSX:EDV) (OTCQX:EDVMF) ("Endeavour") and Avnel Gold Mining Limited (TSX:AVK) ("Avnel") are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement under which Endeavour will acquire Avnel in an all-share transaction for a total consideration of approximately US$ 122 million (CAD$ 159 million). The terms of the transaction have been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Avnel holds an 80% interest in the Kalana Gold project ("Kalana") in Mali and holds significant exploration permits in the surrounding area. Kalana is a fully permitted feasibility-stage project based on a 1.2Mtpa carbon-in-leach ("CIL") plant and a single open-pit constrained reserve of approximately 2.0Moz grading 2.8 g/t. According to the feasibility study, it has an 18-year mine life and an expected production of 101,000 ounces per year at an average All-in Sustaining Cost ("AISC") of $784/oz (with 148,000 ounces on average during the first 5 years at an average AISC of $589/oz). The initial capital cost is forecast at $196.3 million and Kalana demonstrates robust economics with an after-tax NPV5% of $257 million, an after-tax IRR of 38% and a payback of 1.2 years based on a gold price of $1,200/oz[1]. Avnel has pursued optimization scenarios that, if adopted, could provide Kalana with an after-tax NPV5% of US$321 million and an after-tax IRR of 50%. In addition, such optimization scenarios could reduce average AISC to US$730/oz over the 18-year mine life and to US$561/oz over the first five years. Endeavour expects to take advantage of its construction expertise, operating synergies and exploration experience to re-design and optimize the current feasibility study, which is expected to increase the annual production profile and improve the project economics. Sebastien de Montessus, President & CEO, said: "We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Avnel. We believe that Kalana fits well within our strategy of building a high quality portfolio of long-life, low AISC assets with exploration upside. Furthermore, this acquisition expands our footprint in Mali and reinforces our project pipeline, which will allow us to continue to leverage our in-house construction expertise. Kalana adds a third high-quality project to our portfolio, which we intend to develop following the completion of our Hounde and Ity CIL projects. In the interim, we look forward to optimizing the current feasibility study which should unlock further value for both Endeavour and Avnel shareholders, as well as benefiting our partners, the State of Mali and the local communities around Kalana." Howard Miller, Chairman and CEO of Avnel, said: "This transaction with Endeavour will deliver many benefits to all our stakeholders. Avnel's shareholders will receive an immediate premium and benefit from the Kalana project being part of a diversified West African gold producer with significant growth potential and an experienced operational team. With a strong track record of successfully building mines on time and on budget in West Africa, we are confident that Endeavour is the ideal partner to develop Kalana. As such, this transaction will benefit our shareholders, the local community and our partners in the Malian government." A compelling Transaction for all shareholders Benefits For Endeavour Shareholders Kalana is a high-quality project that fits Endeavour's strategic portfolio criteria of having assets with the potential to: produce more than 150,000 ounces per year; produce at an AISC of below $850/oz; and have a mine life of above 10 years with significant further exploration potential. Following the completion of the Hounde and Ity CIL projects, Kalana will become the next priority in Endeavour's development pipeline and will benefit from Endeavour's proven construction expertise. Potential to unlock further value at Kalana as the project is successfully advanced. Endeavour's West African presence will benefit Kalana and provide opportunities to draw on operating synergies in a country where Endeavour already has a producing mine, in addition to leveraging corporate synergies. With already robust economics, the transaction is value accretive on a Net Asset Value basis to Endeavour shareholders. Benefits For Avnel Shareholders Delivers a significant premium for their current investment in Avnel. Provides Avnel shareholders with continued exposure to Kalana through their interest in Endeavour, providing access to an experienced management team with a proven track record of building and operating mines in West Africa. Gives Avnel shareholders exposure to Endeavour's financial strength and flexibility to develop Kalana. Avnel shareholders will benefit from diversifying their exposure from a single pre-construction asset in a single geography to a multi-asset, multijurisdictional portfolio of high quality assets. Avnel shareholders will also gain exposure to the value upside in Endeavour's growth portfolio, with material near term development growth and exploration potential. Summary of transaction Endeavour will acquire 100% of Avnel's issued and outstanding common shares under a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (the "Scheme"). Under the terms of the Scheme, Avnel shareholders will receive 0.0187 of an Endeavour share for each Avnel share held, which represents a value of C$0.42 per share based on Endeavour's 5 days VWAP (C$ 22.58 per share) on the TSX on 29 June 2017 and a total transaction consideration of approximately C$159 million (US$122 million). This represents a premium of 48% to the closing price of Avnel's ordinary shares on the TSX on 29 June 2017, and a 52% premium based on Avnel's 20-day trailing VWAP on the TSX for the period ending on 29 June 2017. The number of Endeavour shares to be issued under the Scheme will be approximately 7 million based on the issued and outstanding shares of Avnel as of the date of this announcement. Following the completion of the transaction, Endeavour will have approximately 103.6 million ordinary shares in issue, with former Avnel shareholders holding approximately 6.8% of Endeavour's pro forma share capital. BMO Capital Markets and Cormark Securities Inc. have provided opinions to the Avnel Board of Directors that as of the date of such opinions and subject to the assumptions, limitations, and qualifications stated in such opinions, the consideration to be received by the Avnel shareholders under the transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Avnel shareholders (other than affiliates of Elliott Management Corporation (the "Elliott Group")). The Scheme has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of Avnel and Endeavour and will be subject to, among other things, the favourable vote by a majority in number of the Avnel shareholders voting at the Guernsey Court Meeting, either in person or by proxy, representing at least 75% in value of the Avnel shares voted. Avnel's Directors intend to recommend that Avnel shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme, and directors holding shares have irrevocably undertaken to Endeavour to do so in respect of their holdings of, in aggregate, 1,000 Avnel shares. Fern Trust has irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the Scheme in respect of its holdings of, in aggregate, 33,602,022 Avnel shares, representing 8.91% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Avnel as at the date of this announcement. In addition to the irrevocable undertakings from the Avnel Directors and Fern Trust, Endeavour has also received irrevocable undertakings from members of the Elliott Group (and their nominees), subject to certain exceptions, to vote in favour of the Scheme in respect of their holdings of, in aggregate 238,839,089 Avnel shares, representing 63.35% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Avnel. The total irrevocable undertakings represent 72.27% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Avnel as at the date of this announcement. A copy of the Arrangement Agreement, the Scheme circular (once published) and ancillary documents required to be filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities will be so filed and made available for viewing on the System for Electronic Documents Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") website at www.sedar.com. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including shareholder approval, as well as sanction of the Scheme by the Guernsey Royal Court. Subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, including the receipt of the requisite approval of Avnel shareholders and sanction by the Guernsey Royal Court, the transaction is expected to close in September 2017. Details concerning the review and approval process carried out by the Special Committee and the Board of Avnel, together with a copy of the fairness opinions prepared by BMO Capital Markets and Cormark Securities Inc., will be contained in a management information circular to be provided for the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Avnel. The Avnel management information circular is expected to be filed and mailed to Avnel shareholders in late July 2017 and will be available on Avnel's website and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. QUALIFIED PERSONS Adriaan "Attie" Roux, Pr.Sci.Nat, Endeavour's Chief Operating Officer, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release relating to Endeavour and Roy Meade, Avnel's President, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release relating to Avnel, except where noted otherwise. Both are Qualified Persons under NI 43-101. ADVISERS Endeavour's financial adviser is Gleacher Shacklock LLP and its legal advisers are Linklaters LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Mourant Ozannes LP. Avnel's financial advisors are BMO Capital Markets and Cormark Securities Inc. and its legal advisors are Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP and Carey Olsen. ENDEAVOUR CONTACT INFORMATION Martino De Ciccio VP - Strategy & Investor Relations +44 203 640 8665 mdeciccio@endeavourmining.com DFH Public Affairs in Toronto John Vincic, Senior Advisor (416) 206-0118 x.224 jvincic@dfhpublicaffairs.com Brunswick Group LLP in London Carole Cable, Partner +44 7974 982 458 ccable@brunswickgroup.com AVNEL CONTACT INFORMATION Howard Miller Chairman and CEO +44 207 589 9082 howard@hbmiller.co.uk Ian McDonald Vice-President, Corporate Development +1 647 407 2515 imcdonald@avnelgold.com ABOUT ENDEAVOUR Endeavour Mining is a TSX-listed intermediate gold producer, focused on developing a portfolio of high quality mines in the prolific West-African region, where it has established a solid operational and construction track record. Endeavour is ideally positioned as the major pure West-African multi-operation gold mining company, operating 5 mines across Cote d'Ivoire (Agbaou and Ity), Burkina Faso (Karma), Mali (Tabakoto), and Ghana (Nzema). In 2017, it expects to produce between 600koz and 640koz at an AISC of US$860 to US$905/oz. Endeavour is currently building its Hounde project in Burkina Faso, which is expected to commence production in Q4-2017 and to become its flagship low-cost mine with an average annual production of 190koz at an AISC of US$709/oz over an initial 10-year mine life, based on reserves. The development of the Hounde and Ity CIL projects are expected to lift Endeavour's group production to +900kozpa and decrease its average AISC to circa $800/oz by 2019, while exploration aims to extend all mine lives to +10 years. Corporate Office: 5 Young St, Kensington, London W8 5EH, UK ABOUT AVNEL Avnel Gold is a TSX-listed gold mining, exploration and development company with operations in southwestern Mali in West Africa. The Company's focus is to develop its 80%-owned Kalana Main Project from a small underground mine into a low-cost, high-grade, open pit mining operation. The Company is also advancing exploration on several nearby satellite deposits on the 387 km 30-year Kalana Exploitation Permit. On January 9, 2017, the Company reported the results of an Optimized Feasibility Study ("OFS") prepared by Snowden Mining Industry Consultants. The OFS outlines an 18-year open-pit mine life at the Kalana Main Project recovering 1.82 million ozs of gold at an average "all-in sustaining cost" of $561/oz over the first five years of steady state production and $730/oz over the life of mine with an initial capital cost of $171 million. Utilising a gold price of $1,200/oz and a 5% discount rate, the OFS reported a net present value ("NPV") of $321 million after-tax and imputed interest, and an internal rate of return ("IRR") of 50% on a 100% project basis. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Except where indicated, the disclosure of an economic, scientific or technical nature relating to Kalana contained in this release has been summarized or extracted from the Feasibility Study (as defined below) and the National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") compliant technical report titled "NI43-101 Technical Report on Kalana Main Project", dated effective 30 March 2016 (the "Kalana Technical Report"), prepared by Snowden Mining Industry Consultants (Pty) Ltd. ("Snowden"), Denny Jones Ltd ("Denny Jones"), DRA Projects SA (Pty) Ltd ("DRA") and Epoch Resources (Pty) Ltd ("Epoch Resources"). The feasibility study prepared by Snowden, Denny Jones, DRA, and Epoch Resources (the "Feasibility Study") and the Kalana Technical Report was prepared under the supervision of Mr. Allan Earl (Executive Consultant - Mining Engineering of Snowden), Mr. Ivor Jones (Executive Consultant - Applied Geosciences of Denny Jones), Mr. Glenn Bezuidenhout (Principal Process Engineer of DRA), Mr. Sybrand van der Spuy (Civil Engineer of DRA), Mr. Guy Wiid (Principal Consultant - Tailings and Waste Rock Facilities of Epoch Resources), and Mr. Stephanus (Fanie) Coetzee (Principal Consultant - Environmental and Social of Epoch Resources), all of whom are independent "Qualified Persons". Readers should consult the Kalana Technical Report to obtain further particulars regarding Kalana, which contains the Kalana Main Project, the underground Kalana Mine, plus a number of mineral exploration prospects. The Kalana Technical Report, which constitutes the current technical report for Kalana, was filed on SEDAR on May 6, 2016 and is available for review at www.SEDAR.com. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, Endeavour's expectations regarding its ability to increase annual production profile and improve project economics of Kalana and the receipt of the required shareholder approval and court sanction of the Scheme. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including the future plans and objectives of Endeavour and Avnel, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Endeavour's or Avnel's expectations include, among others, risks related to international operations, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as future prices of gold and silver, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Endeavour's and Avnel's most recently completed Annual Information Forms, which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Although Endeavour and Avnel have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES Avnel's audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and the accounting policies adopted by Avnel in accordance with IFRS. Management uses both IFRS and non-IFRS measures to monitor and assess the operating performance of Avnel's operations. In this press release, certain non-IFRS performance measures are used to provide additional information, as Avnel believes that certain investors use these measures to assess the performance and prospectus of gold mining companies. These non-IFRS performance measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS performance measures do not have standardized definition under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other organizations: - "All-in Sustaining Cost" or "AISC" is defined in the feasibility study as mine site cash operating costs, which include costs such as mining, processing, administration, plus transport and refining of metals, stamp duty, and royalties, mine management fees to be earned by Avnel, plus sustaining capital costs, which includes community and environmental. These costs are then divided by the number of ounces of expected production to be sold to arrive at "On-site All-in Sustaining Cost per Ounce Sold". [1] Readers should refer to Avnel's press release dated Jan. 9, 2017, available on Avnel's website. Attachments: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bbe2c674-a35d-4d3c-a06a-c8aef407948c This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Avnel Gold Mining Limited via Globenewswire Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Microfluidics Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026"report to their offering PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 08:04:11 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com email Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 593 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: www.futuremarketinsights.comAbhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Applications of microfluidics in drug delivery and diagnostics will continue to fuel the market for microfluidics over the next few years. The US$ 2.9 Bn microfluidics market will possibly cross US$ 11 Bn by the end of 2026. North America is expected to contribute over US$ 3 Bn to the total revenues in 2026. The collective share of North America and Asia Pacific will be over 40%, states Future Market Insights in a recently published market report outlook, titled Microfluidics Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026.The report by Future Market Insights analyses the global market for microfluidics over a 10-year forecast period, 2016-2026. The market is likely to witness a robust CAGR of 14.4% over the assessed period.Key Insights: Market DynamicsIncreasing discretionary funding from national labs for R&D in the developed regions will remain a primary factor driving the growth of market through 2026.Improving healthcare infrastructure and wide availability of affordable microfluidic devices or kits are also foreseen to boost the market growth in near future, especially in developing countries.Expansion of drug delivery sector will favour the market growth in near future.Consistent advancements in the fields of genomics and proteomics are also expected to benefit the sales of microfluidics-based devices and kits.Dynamic collaborations between key market players and active involvement of government entities will collectively foster the market through 2026.Request For Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-398 Key Insights: SegmentsCeramics will remain dominant material typeBased on material, ceramics will continue to be the most sought after material for microfluidic device or kit manufacturing. Ceramics segment is expected to remain dominance, accounting for over 42% market value share in 2026, followed by glass, polymer, and silicon. While ceramics is likely to witness the fastest growth, polymer segment is anticipated to exhibit a significant CAGR of over 15% over 2016-2026, driven by PVC.POCT will be dominant application segmentBy application, POCT (point of care testing) segment is projected to retain dominance through 2026, accounting for over 33% share in terms of revenues. Clinical diagnostics and analytical testing will remain the next major segments in the global microfluidics market.In-vitro diagnostics industry will hold maximum revenue shareOn the basis of industry, in-vitro diagnostics, life science research, and pharmaceuticals are likely to be the key segments. In-vitro diagnostics segment is estimated to hold a share of over 35% in the total market revenues. The fastest growing segment will be in-vitro diagnosis.APEJ will be the most lucrative regional marketGeographically, North America, followed by Western Europe are expected to remain the dominant regions for microfluidics, capturing respective market value share of over 26% and over 21% share by 2026 end. Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) will possibly represent the most lucrative market, expanding at a significant CAGR of over 14% throughout the forecast period. This growth is attributed to growing use of microfluidics devices and kits for in-vitro diagnostics. North America and Western Europe will also exhibit significant growth rates over 2016-2026.Send An Enquiry@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-398 Key Insights: Leading Market PlayersSome of the most prominent players in the global microfluidics market, include Agilent Technologies, PerkinElmer Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Qiagen NV, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Fluidigm Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.Almost all the leading companies serve point of care testing application and survive the competition with an individual differentiating strategy. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Abbott Laboratories, through active engagement in agreements and collaborations with leading regional companies, highlight a growing trend of strategic mergers and acquisitions among the top companies.Browse Full Report@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/microfluidics-market PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 17:10:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 393 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Mountain Lake Minerals Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Wolfville, Nova Scotia (FSCWire) - Mountain Lake Minerals Inc. (CSE:MLK). has issued a press release with the following headline:Mountain Lake Minerals Inc. Announces Revocation of Cease Trade OrdersTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Mountain Lake Minerals Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Mountain Lake Minerals Inc.Source: Mountain Lake Minerals Inc. (CSE: MLK)Date: June 29, 2017Time: 11:10 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Mountain Lake Minerals Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 15:47:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 387 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for ParcelPal Technology Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - ParcelPal Technology Inc. (CSE:PKG). has issued a press release with the following headline:ParcelPal Begins Cannabis on Demand DeliveryTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on ParcelPal Technology Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/ParcelPal Technology Inc.Source: ParcelPal Technology Inc. (CSE: PKG, FWB: PTO, OTC Pink: PTNYF)Date: June 29, 2017Time: 9:30 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of ParcelPal Technology Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 15:00:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 385 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Sokoman Iron Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Puslinch, Ontario (FSCWire) - Sokoman Iron Corp. (TSX Venture:SIC). has issued a press release with the following headline:Sokoman Iron Corp. Encouraged With Exploration FindingsTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Sokoman Iron Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Sokoman Iron Corp.Source: Sokoman Iron Corp. (TSX Venture: SIC)Date: June 29, 2017Time: 9:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Sokoman Iron Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-29 13:00:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 394 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Theralase Technologies Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture:TLT). has issued a press release with the following headline:Theralase Technology Proven Effective for the Treatment of ArthritisTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Theralase Technologies Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Theralase Technologies Inc.Source: Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture: TLT, ISIN: CA88337V1004, WKN: A0DLB7, OTCQX: TLTFF)Date: June 29, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Theralase Technologies Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. By: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties Nicole Tomlinson Media Contact Sarah Thornton Public Relations Sarah Thornton sarah@sarahthorntonpr.com Sarah Thornton Public RelationsSarah Thornton End -- Shapiro & Sher Group, Nevada's most successful luxury real estate team, has appointed Nicole Tomlinson to head its High Rise Division, specializing in Las Vegas high rise real estate properties.Tomlinson sold $25 million in Las Vegas real estate last year, and has been involved in more than $800 million in real estate transactions since she started working in the industry in 2004. Prior to joining Shapiro & Sher Group, she was president of Northcap Residential where she oversaw the company's residential division. During her tenure there, she managed sales for Palms Place Condominiums and made it the top-selling high rise building in Las Vegas from 2015-2016."Nicole's deep knowledge of the Las Vegas high rise market made her a perfect fit to head up our new High Rise division," said Ivan Sher, principal of Shapiro & Sher Group. "We have some of the most phenomenal luxury high rise units in the world in Las Vegas and are thrilled to have Nicole representing our buyers and sellers from around the world." Sher's firm represents many of the top luxury and ultra-luxury properties in Las Vegas, currently listing the most expensive home for sale in Southern Nevada. Sher also represented both the buyer and seller of the most expensive residential real estate transaction in Las Vegas last year.Tomlinson began her real estate career in 2004 at American Invsco, a large condominium developer, where she worked in their West Coast acquisition division. She then joined Scripps Resources International, Inc. and later formed her own company as a DBA to Scripps. Her company closed more than 400 transactions in two years providing services primarily for the residential market, including dispositions for Fannie Mae, short sales, traditional sales and property management.The Nevada native holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She supports the Marty Hennessey Inspiring Children Foundation and has been a board member since 2010. Last year, she opened Operation North Pole at Tivoli Village, a 3,000 square foot interactive holiday experience. Operation North Pole allowed many underprivileged children in Las Vegas to experience the magic of the holidays.Shapiro & Sher Group is an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties, the country's largest independently owned Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise. For more information, visit www.shapiroandsher.com. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties is a part of Americana Holdings, which also includes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. The firms are leaders in their respective markets with 25 offices and 2,200 agents, comprising the largest independently owned Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise in the world. Combined, the companies sold $3.7 billion in real estate in 2016.For more information, visit www.bhhsnv.com or call 702-796-7777. Contact Cristina Pettersen Carpio ***@visitecuadorandsouthamerica.com Cristina Pettersen Carpio End -- Cristina Carpio Pettersen explores the wonders of South America on her blog "Travel to South America highlighting Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands" which details her travels and discoveries on the continent and the enchanted islands that inspired Charles Darwin.STAVANGER CITY, Norway June 14, 2017 PRLog In her new self-published ebook "Travel to South America highlighting Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands", Cristina Carpio Pettersen narrates her travel recommendations for Galapagos and South America from the eyes of an Ecuadorian expat. Additionally, the 44 page guide provides the reader with an unusual blend of sights, food musts and travel tips both for people who have never visited the region and seasoned travelers that may have missed some of Galapagos and South America's treasures. Several issues are addressed that are of interest to regular travelers, backpackers, travel guides, and those who have always wanted to know more about a the enchanted islands and the mainland attractions for tourists. "I was born in Ecuador and got my first taste of travelling at a very young age, partly due to my familys keen interest in history, nature and their love for travelling and meeting new people" says Carpio Pettersen. "I am keen on learning about other cultures, meeting new people from all walks of life, tasting different flavors and all that comes along with traveling. The guide reflects this wanderlust feeling and serves fellow travelers and travel guides to better profit from their travels down South""Travel to South America highlighting Ecuador and Galapagos" has been met with favorable reviews and high applause from early readers and is being hailed as a "unique guide to the islands and the mainland travel treasures." The hindsight perspective aims to educate the reader into making better decisions in their own travels to the South.Carpio Pettersen is also the author of "Living Healthier Ideas", a holistic lifestyle blog and studies a Master in Hotel and Tourism Leadership Universitetet i Stavanger Stavanger, Norway. She has also attained a Communications and Public Relations Masters Degree Programme from University of Barcelona (Spain) an Associate of Arts (AA), Sales and Marketing Operations from University San Francisco of Quito (Ecuador) and is a certified tourist guide in English, Spanish and French with GuideCompaniet, Stavanger, Norway. She is married to Kjell Anders Pettersen, a Norwegian musician and festival organizer, and currently travels from Norway to Ecuador and the US, exploring flavors and sights for her incoming travel guides. For more information or to acquire the (free) ebook, visit http://www.visitecuadorandsouthamerica.com . You can learn more about Cristina Carpio Pettersen by visiting, http://www.visitecuadorandsouthamerica.com/ about , or on Twitter @carmencristina According to Indian Philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti regarded globally as one of the greatest thinkers & teachers of all time, "Education can be transformed only by educating the educator and not merely creating a new patter, a new system of action." Contact Mrs Booma Natarajan, Principal ***@yahoo.co.in 91-1596-242314 Mrs Booma Natarajan, Principal91-1596-242314 End -- Oxford University Press (OUP) a department of the University of Oxford furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. OUP is the world's largest university press with the widest global presence. It publishes in many countries, in more than 40 languages, and in a variety of formats print and digital. OUP products cover an extremely broad academic and educational spectrum, and it aims to make content available to users in a format that suits them best. Established in 1912, OUP India has grown to be one of the largest publishers in the region, with a strong presence in India and the neighboring countries, including Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.JMA which is one among the top ranking schools in Pilani has long standing relationship with OUP India and on 29 June 2017, OUP deputed well known teacher trainer, counsellor and motivator Mrs Ritu Kumar to conduct a workshop for the teachers of JMA Pilani. Mrs Ritu has degrees in N.T.T., B.Ed, M.A. in Social Work with specialization in Psychiatrics, B.A. (Honours) English, and a Diploma in Russian Language. She has been the Chairperson for the South West Command Education Con1mittee in the Army and has been closely involved with training the teachers, in the Army pre- schools also known as Shaurya. She had worked in the International School of Lusaka and the Italian School in Zambia in Africa apart from the City Montessori School, Lucknow in India.Principal Mrs Booma Natarajan highlighting the need for continuous teacher training welcomed Mrs Ritu Kumar and introduced her to the team of 35 teachers of JMA Pilani. Mrs Ritu Kumar covered various aspects which included syllabus planning, teaching strategies, technology based teaching, class room management, class interaction techniques, child psychology, role of assignments, evaluation techniques, counseling weak students etc. The workshop was followed by a lively question answer session and vote of thanks.For more details about JMA Pilani see http://www.jmapilani.org/ About JMA Pilani: Smt. Jamuna Mishra Academy (JMA) established in the year 2004 is presently one of the most sought after schools at Pilani considered as Oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan well known in India today for top ranking institutions like BITS Pilani University as well as CSIR Laboratory CEERI and globally renowned Birla Science Museum. JMA Pilani is a Co-educational English Medium School with Experienced Teachers, Spacious Classrooms and Modern Amenities designed to impart Quality Education combined with All Round Personality Development and lay the Best Foundation for the Child's Future. While the school admits both boys and girls, the girl student enrollment has been steadily rising every year and is presently nearly 50% of the total strength. The school has boys NCC, girls band which has been winning laurels every year too. Yoga and Fine arts are not just part of school routine but a way of life for the students. Aroma Bravo Coffee has an enhanced flavor profile thanks to its mellow chocolatey and nutty taste. Contact Charles C Harmon Co LLC ***@gmail.com 888-582-6650 Charles C Harmon Co LLC888-582-6650 End -- When customers are asked what flavors they love about Aroma Bravo Coffee, many of them will often mention the tones of chocolate and nuts. Coffee lovers seem to enjoy this mellow chocolatey and nutty flavor the most because it greatly enhances the taste of the Honduras coffee.Aroma Bravo thinks that this fondness for gourmet coffee with a slight chocolatey and nutty character must be refreshing to consumers. "Most coffees from the same region tend to taste very similar, so it can get quite boring. To make our Honduras coffee stand out from the rest, we added subtle notes of luscious chocolate and nuts to give it an interesting twist," said a company rep.Aside from these two central flavors, Aroma Bravo also included little hints of caramel, cocoa and honey to produce an even more irresistible cup of coffee."Classic Honduras coffee already tastes great on its own, but we wanted to kick it up a notch and elevate the features of this remarkable coffee. The best way to do that is to find flavors that complement each other and balance them well so that the resulting coffee won't come off as bitter or overbearing. Fortunately after numerous trials, we were able to achieve the taste we want and create the Aroma Bravo Honduras Coffee that you know today," the representative added.And all the hard work paid off, indeed. The Honduras coffee is regularly praised for its delicious outcome and overall enhanced flavor profile. Rich, smooth, well-balanced with its signature mellow chocolatey and nutty flavor, the coffee is now quickly becoming a favorite by coffee lovers online."One of our main goals is to become the ultimate customer favorite when it comes to Honduras coffee. So for our customers to say that they really enjoy our roasted coffee is a huge honor to us. We will always give our best in providing the most flavorful Honduras coffee beans to every gourmet coffee lover out there," the representative concluded.More details about Honduras coffee beans are available at https://www.amazon.com/ review/RGT39IQ3MMSYJ/ ref=cm_cr_rdp... Aroma Bravo offers certified organic Honduras coffee beans. Grown in organic farms and roasted in small batches, Aroma Bravo Honduras Coffee is highly recommended for coffee lovers. AXA Investment Managers - Real Assets has completed the acquisition, on behalf of its clients, of a residential portfolio in Finland, which comprises three core assets in Helsinki and one in Tampere, from LocalTapiola General Mutual Insurance Company, for 22 million. This acquisition, made on beh... [] There is very little creative down time for Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, siblings who have published novels separately (Jennifer is a three-time Newbery Honor recipient for Our Only May Amelia, Penny from Heaven, and Turtle in Paradise; and Matthew co-wrote Marvin and the Moths with Jonathan Follett) and have collaborated on a number of childrens books series. Their first joint project was the graphic-novel series Babymouse, starring a headstrong young mouse with messy whiskers and a wild imagination. Launched by Random House in 2005, the 20-book series has more than three million copies in print worldwide. This summer and fall, the Holms have multiple pub dates to celebrate, beginning with the July 4 debut of Babymouse Tales from the Locker #1: Lights, Camera, Middle School! In this graphic novel,Babymouse, who is now in middle school, makes a calamity-filled attempt to write and direct a sweeping cinematic epic. Also due from Random on Independence Day is the siblings Comics Squad #3: Detention, and the publisher will release Im Scared, the fourth installment of the My First Comics board-book series, in August. In September, Scholastics Graphix imprint will publish Swing It, Sunny, a sequel to the Holmss 2015 middle-grade novel, Sunny Side Up. The prolific duo talked to PW about how they came to collaborate, how that process works, and about their new Babymouse endeavor. Looking back, would you say the seeds for your creative collaboration were sown in your childhood? Jennifer L. Holm: In a way, I guess they probably were. We are two of five children, and Im the only girl, born right in the middle. Matt is the baby. From an early age, I loved to read, and Matt was always drawing and cartooning. When he was in fifth or sixth grade, he began drawing aliens from outer spacelots of them. At the time, it was a thing for kids to decorate their doors to reflect their personalities, and Matt would post his comics of space aliens on his door. Since my bedroom was right across from his, Id be the first to see them. Did your big sister give you favorable reviews, Matt? Matthew Holm: Yes. Jenni seemed to like them, and hers was the only feedback I really got. Our parents were medical peopleMom was a nurse and Dad was a doctor. They both enjoyed reading, and Dad was a big comics fan, but they both were really unsure about anyone going into the arts and being able to make enough money to live. Still, they were always encouraging me, and let me take whatever art classes I wanted to in high school. But theyd ask, What are you going to do when you get to college? I ended up double majoring in English and art at Penn State, and was the political cartoonist for the newspaper there. And did you continue on an arts path when it came time to launch a career? MH: After I graduated from college, I moved to New York City and was working as an editor for Country Living magazine. Jenni was also living in the city, and when she was working on her first Boston Jane novel in 1999 or 2000, she asked me to do some proofreading and historical fact-checking, so I started helping out with that. JLS: Yup, I sucked him in! And then a couple of years later, I started working on another book project, Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf, and I wanted to have the protagonists brother draw comics to communicate with herso I asked Matt if he wanted to draw those comics for the book. MH: I wasnt sure about doing it, since it was the first time Jenni had art-directed me. But it went really smoothlyand that started her wheels turning about what else we might work on together. And did that something else become Babymouse? JLH: It did. I was a broadcast producer for TV commercials at Ogilvy and Mather at the time, and one day Id had a bad time at work. It was one of those days that I now think of as a Babymouse daywhen you forget your umbrella and it rains, and then you realize youve forgotten your lunch at home. I came home very grumpy, and an image popped into my head of an irritable mouse with crazy whiskers, standing with her hands on her hips. I called Matt and said I had a new book ideaand asked if he wanted to work on it. Matt, did you immediately warm to the idea? MH: Yes, it seemed like a good idea. Since college, Id been trying to figure out a way to make some kind of a go with cartooning. I had done a webcomic, again about space aliensI was very into them!but really wanted to find a way to do cartoons for a living. When Jenni came to me with the Babymouse idea, I thought this might be a chance, and I thought it was an interesting angle, doing cartoons through a traditional childrens book publisher. Did it take you long to place the series? JLH: It was not an easy sellit took us three years. At the time, most childrens publishers didnt have art department pipelines in place to create graphic novels, or marketing pipelines in place, and no one really knew where to put the books on store or library shelves. So we felt as though we were saying, Is it okay with you guys if we create a new genre? and we were turned down a lot. Then I decided to go around to publishers to pitch the idea in person, and Random House got it right away. They had done well with Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House, so they understood that audience. They bought the series in January 2004, and the first two Babymouse books came out in December 2005. Would you say that the mechanics of your collaborative process fell into place easily? JLH: Yes. Our style of collaborating on Babymouse partially grew out of Matts own writing background. We always collaborate on the general gist of a story, and then split up responsibilities. I do more of the writing, and Matt does all of the art. I create a story using a storyboard, and he revises my first draft. The beauty of collaborating is that you dont have to have all the answers yourself. Ill send a manuscript to Matt and leave big spaces blank, and tell him, I need something funny here or Im not sure this is really working, and hell help fill in the gaping holes. Matt, did you find your experience collaborating with Jonathan Follett on Marvin and the Moth a different kind of challenge than working with your sister on the Babymouse books? MH: I did. Marvin and the Moth involved a totally different work style and collaborative relationship. We literally co-wrote the thing together. Wed get on the phone, open a Google doc, and talk through it as one of us typed. The book took us about 10 years to finishpartly because I was so busy doing the Babymouse books as well as books in Jenni and my Squish seriesand he had two kids during that time. JLH: Kids really do ruin everything! MH: But they are so necessary to our business! Speaking of children, Jenniferhave your two at all inspired Babymouse storylines? JLH: My son is now 13 and my daughter is 10. Matt and I sold Babymouse to Random House when my son, Will, was three months oldso he has literally grown up with Babymouse! Historically, my children havent inspired any of the Babymouse stories, but Will did a little bit with Lights, Camera, Middle School! Part of the plot came from my previous life working in TV production, but another part came from Will and his best friends obsession with making movies on their iPads. They are both determined to be the next Steven Spielberg! Have your own childhood memories come into play while creating the Babymouse books? JLH: Absolutely. I pretty much am Babymouse. I really loved elementary schoolthose were the best years of my life, and it all kind of went downhill from there! I really love remembering all that happened in elementary school. And what was the catalyst for sending Babymouseand her friendsto middle school? JLH: Well, since she first appeared in 2005, Babymouse has been in elementary school for 20 booksthats a very long time for anyone to be in elementary school! Now, as she enters middle school, shell be growing up with some of her readers, and being a good friend to them during the hardest years of their lives. I remember reading Peanuts comics all through middle school as my comfort read. MH: It is so much fun to see these characters move on. Some parts of their personalities are the same, and some aspects are amplified. In Lights, Camera, Middle School!, Babymouse becomes tyrannical as the movie director and bosses all her friends around. In elementary school, she got away with that kind of behavior. Her best friend Wilsonwho was always very put uponwould just sigh at her and go back to whatever he was doing. But now, in middle school, her friends call her on her nonsense and dont let her get away with itthey quit and walk off the movie set! Did ushering Babymouse into the next chapter of her life present you with any new challenges? MH: We switched up our procedure a bit. Lights, Camera, Middle School! is more like an illustrated chapter book than a traditional graphic novel. Jenni wrote the whole thing first, and then I pretty much did the illustrations on my own. Normally with graphic novels I do sketches, she does page layout, and I go back and redraw. This book was a bit of a different process. One thing that has helped us while working on books together is that earlier we had both worked in industries where our work was heavily edited and critiqued, and where we learned that its important to be pragmatic and let a person who knows how to do a specific job do that job. JLH: Yes, you have to realize and have faith that the person responsible for a certain aspect of a project knows how to do itand do it well. As a writer, I dont believe in art directing too closelyI think you can cramp your artist if you over-direct. If you give artists freedom, perhaps they will take it in a different directionand perhaps in a better one. Whats in store next for Babymouse? JLH: Were working on Tales from the Locker #2: Miss Communication, which is due in July 2018, and a third book will come out the following July. The second story is all about having a cell phone in middle school and about social media. Its something Ive experienced with my own son, and its on everyones mindkids and parents. Given the Babymouse series sales tally, your heroine has obviously kept kids coming back for more. Is it gratifying to know that youve found the right mix of words and cartoons to engage readers, and that graphic novels are being widely credited for hooking more kids on reading? JLH: It is quite amazing how the genre has taken off. Matt and I experienced the power of comics first-hand as kids. Our father had bound collections of classics like Prince Valiant and Flash Gordon, and we read them all, along with monthly comic books. With a graphic series like Babymouse, reluctant or casual readers can easily whip through the 96-page books, and that helps boost their confidence and build their reading chops. And that is gratifying. Babymouse Tales from the Locker #1: Lights, Camera, Middle School! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. Random House, $13.99 Jul. ISBN 978-0-399-55438-4 UNITE 2017, the trade show formerly known as the International Christian Retailing Show (ICRS) hosted annually by the The Association for Christian Retail (CBA), took place in Cincinnati, OH from June 27-30, drawing publishers, retailers, literary agents, authors, and more. In recent years, the Christian retailing show has struggled to maintain its position as a must-attend event for the industry, but it continues to provide a rare opportunity for publishers to meet face-to-face with retailers, distributors, and authors. The show is absolutely trying to reposition itself; its an unenviable position to be in. They are scrambling like we all are in publishing, said Dave Hill, executive director of sales and marketing at Kregel. But it has remained a constant for international buyers, and its a fantastic meeting place that unites people in the industry. Paraclete Press, which exhibited at UNITE for the first time in 10 years, took orders and hosted book signings for Everbloom (April) and At Home in This Life (May). Its been a good show, said Sister Antonia, director of marketing for the press. We came to reestablish relationships, look for new business, and connect with rights agents. Curtis Riskey, president of the CBA since 2010, said the organization is not releasing official attendee or exhibitor numbers this year. Releasing numbers sends the wrong message; numbers mask the importance of attendancelessened attendance does not mean lessened importance, said Riskey. Attendance has been in decline, dropping 43% from 2014 to 2016, and observations from the floor indicate that 2017s turnout may have continued to fall. Also, a PW count of exhibitor listings totaled 173; a nearly 14% drop from 201 exhibitors in 2016. It felt surprisingly small, said Dave Lewis, executive v-p of sales and marketing for Baker Publishing Group. All the years Ive been doing this, it seems like a small room with very light traffic. Its always good to come and meet people, but its quiet, said Ken Peckett, sales director at Charisma House. Larry Carpenter, president and CEO of Carpenters Son Publishing and Clovercraft Publishing, has been attending the show since 1987. The show is a little more compact; it gets a little more compact every year. He has no plans to stop attending, however. Our business is tracking the same as last year, and its a good opportunity for our new authors to network with bookstores, he said. UNITE is more important for us and our authors as a small house. Despite its problems, UNITE 2017 remains a place for retailers to peruse books and gift products for their stores, while also networking with other retailers. Publishers also use the show to promote new books and products, and trading partners can come together to do business, address common challenges, and learn. According to the CBAs State of the Industry report, released just before the show, 45 Christian stores closed in 2016, while 20 new stores opened, for a net loss of 25 stores. Within the same time period, there has been a 6% decline in sales of Christian retail, according the CBAs analysis. To combat declines in the number of Christian stores, last year Riskey introduced a plan for strategic partnerships with studios, artists, and others in order to source products exclusively at CBA stores. Weve learned a lot this year, we didnt see the success wed hoped for but we have the right strategy, said Riskey. Exclusive products going through the brick and mortar stores and driving traffic to stores is effective, and we will have more to come soon. A new addition to the show this year was the CBAs Retail Academy Online, a subscription service offering training to bookstore staff members through workshops at UNITE 2017 and online year-round. Better training equals better sales; Ive seen it, said Riskey, who had 40 people graduate from six courses during the show. We hope more stores sign up. As for the future of Christian retailing, Riskey and others interviewed at the show said CBA staff, publishers, and retailers are looking beyond the usual. Theyre looking at omni-channel customer caremeeting consumer needs in a variety of formats and waysand outreach to customers via pop-up stores and increased online presence. All retailers need new ways to compete, said Carlton Garborg, president of Broadstreet Publishing. They need to partner with communities and bring people into stores. The impulse nature to buy is still there, but its hard to make people aware of productsonline doesnt have the same impact as shelves. Next year's UNITE will be held from July 8-11 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. One year on from the UK's historic vote to leave the EU, and with negotiations kicking off in earnest, many now find themselves looking to Belfast not to Westminster or Brussels for answers as to what Europe's uncertain future might hold. After Theresa May's unexpected failure to win a majority in June's snap election, the Prime Minister finds herself reliant on the small and outside of Northern Ireland, little known Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to shore up a minority Conservative government. This is symbolic, as arguably Northern Ireland could stand to lose the most from the UK's decision to leave the EU. Presented with a moment of unprecedented profile and leverage, the DUP have made it clear they will seek a number of assurances around the economy, border arrangements with the Republic of Ireland, and security. As Brexit negotiations begin, how might this affect the issues on the table? On economic matters, the DUP remains wary of any special deal for Northern Ireland that might undermine its ties to the rest of the UK, but aware of the acute challenges facing the region. The Northern Irish economy is uniquely exposed to Brexit due to the subsidies it receives from the EU, its reliance on public sector employment, and close proximity with the Republic of Ireland. In the agricultural sector, for instance, EU subsidies account for some 82 per cent of local farm revenues. There are are stories that that the DUP will demand extra financial support for farmers to help them cope with the abolition of Common Agricultural Policy support once the UK leaves the EU. Many fear the Irish economy could end up as collateral damage to the UK's Brexit decision. There are similar heightened concerns in Dublin, where many fear the Irish economy could end up as collateral damage to the UK's Brexit decision. The UK is the Republic of Ireland's largest trading partner, receiving 17 per cent of exports. In return, the UK sells more to Ireland than it does to China, India and Brazil combined, with much trade and investment flowing through Northern Ireland. Irish leaders are thus concerned about the knock-on effects if the UK does not have some access to the EU Single Market, which the Republic of Ireland will remain a part of due to its EU membership. Arrangements at the post-Brexit border are another significant concern for Northern Ireland. Any hard Brexit that limits freedom of movement and takes the UK outside the customs union would in theory require the re-imposition of security and custom checks on Northern Ireland's border with the Republic of Ireland. This would present practical and economic challenges with 300 formal crossing points and 30,000 people commuting to work across the border every day. There is no appetite to see a return to fences, towers and armed patrols across open fields and down country lanes. A softer Brexit, reportedly preferred by the DUP, could mean that the border remains open, for instance if the UK stayed a part of the European Economic Area. Others have urged those around the negotiating table to consider far more imaginative options: maintaining an open land border in Ireland, for instance, and shifting security and customs checks to those travelling by air or sea to the rest of the UK. Patience and creative thinking will be crucial to agreeing any such bespoke solution. Security is also a priority issue for the DUP, both in terms of addressing the ongoing Islamist threat and preventing any further breakdown of the peace process already under stress after the Brexit vote and the collapse of more than a decade of joint rule by unionists and republicans in Stormont. How real are concerns about the security dimension, however? Does the Conservative-DUP deal, as former Prime Minister John Major has suggested, present a threat to hard-won peace in the region? A hard Brexit could certainly heighten political and security tensions in Northern Ireland, which are currently strained due to the collapse of the power sharing agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein in the Northern Ireland assembly. Sinn Fein leaders have already called for a border poll on Irish reunification after the Brexit vote, while peace groups have cautioned that any wider attempt by the UK to also leave the European Court of Human Rights could tear up the Good Friday Agreement. A hard Brexit could certainly heighten political and security tensions in Northern Ireland. Exiting the EU also poses more immediate practical and financial challenges for security. Northern Ireland has for instance received 1.3 billion of EU funds for mitigating violence and dealing with the legacy of conflict in 19952014. An additional 229 million has been allocated for the PEACE IV programme. In the event of Brexit, the long-term future of both forms of funding remains uncertain. Setting Brexit aside, it may be the politics of a Conservative-DUP deal that pose some of the trickiest challenges for the peace process, as the Irish government has warned. A central part of the peace agreement is the idea that the UK government must act as an honest broker in talks between the DUP, Sinn Fein and other local parties. Striking a deal with the DUP could place this objectivity under threat (though the fact Theresa May heads the Conservative and Unionist Party, to use its full name, means the government's natural sympathies were hardly a secret in the first place). The outgoing Irish Prime Minister Enda Kerry expresses concern that the DUP-Conservative deal could thus undermine the talks aimed at restoring the devolved power-sharing arrangement in the Northern Irish Assembly. Sinn Fein and others have been quick to cry foul. As Brexit negotiations begin, then, many in Westminster and Brussels face an unexpected crash course in the unique concerns, tensions and peculiarities of Belfast politics. The new Northern Irish centre of gravity in British politics is yet another dimension that must be considered if these intricate, challenging talks are to be made a success. Frantic attempts by European politicians to refresh their knowledge of Northern Irish politics may do no harm to negotiating teams meeting in Westminster and Brussels. Northern Ireland's leaders can share valuable, hard-fought lessons: the importance and difficulty of building consensus between hostile factions; the need for patience, compromise and creative solutions; and the fact that developing a new political and economic settlement will be a process, not an end-state. A little more consideration of Northern Ireland's past may be no bad thing for the UK and Europe's future. James Black is a senior analyst at RAND Europe. He was one of the authors of Defence and Security after Brexit, which included a chapter on Northern Ireland. This commentary originally appeared on HuffPost UK on June 28, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. The recent Levada Center poll on whom Russians view as the world's all-time greatest historical figures is revealing. And this is not just because Josef Stalin came out on top and Vladimir Putin came in second -- although these things are revealing. It's also revealing because not a single foreigner even made the top dozen and only three made the top 20. The highest ranking foreigner was Napoleon Bonaparte, who ranked 14th. Albert Einstein came in 16th and Sir Isaac Newton came in 19th -- both behind Leonid Brezhnev, who ranked 15th. Moreover, of the top 10 people Russians view as the world's greatest historical figures, five -- Stalin, Putin, Vladimir Lenin, and tsars Peter I and Catherine II -- are Soviet or Russian leaders. And other than Napoleon, not a single foreign leader even made the top 20. Now any poll of this type is going to naturally be skewed toward the country where it is conducted. But these results show a particularly inward-looking country that is in a particularly nationalistic mood. As political analyst Aleksei Makarkin writes in the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets, the poll shows that at this point in their history, Russians "undoubtedly see themselves as the center of the world, and foreign history doesn't interest them very much." And I would add that this lack of interest is something Putin's regime counts on as it allows the Kremlin to spin, twist, and propagate history in a manner that suits its needs. Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page. NOTE TO VIEWERS: The Daily Vertical will not appear from June 30-July 7 as I will be traveling to Riga for a series of speaking engagements. MOSCOW - A Russian jury has found five Chechen men guilty in the killing of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, as Nemtsovs relatives criticized authorities for not identifying the real masterminds of the 2015 murder. The jury at Moscow's military court issued the verdicts on June 29 after two days of deliberations. A former deputy prime minister, Nemtsov was a vocal opponent of President Vladimir Putin and a critic of Kremlin-installed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. He was shot in the back while walking on a bridge near the Kremlin on February 27, 2015, and his death sent chills through Russias beleaguered opposition. After the hearing, defense lawyer Artyom Sarbashev told journalists that all five defendants would appeal the convictions. Vadim Prokhorov, a lawyer representing Nemtsov's family, said his clients were in general agreement with the jury's findings with the jury's findings, but he also criticized authorities. "They still haven't found any of the persons who ordered the attack or any of the organizers. This is a complete fiasco of course, he said. It is completely obvious that the government did not have any intention over these past two years to find the real organizers and instigators." The five defendants -- Zaur Dadayev, Anzor Gubashev, Shagit Gubashev, Khamzat Bakhayev, and Tamerlain Eskerkhanov are all from Russia's North Caucasus republic of Chechnya. All were charged with carrying out a murder for hire. Prosecutors said Dadayev, a former soldier in Chechnya's notorious Sever battalion, fired the fatal shots, and Anzor Gubashev drove the getaway vehicle. The other three defendants helped plan the murder and helped the others hide. Prosecutors said the men committed the crime because they were promised 15 million rubles ($254,000). All five defendants pleaded not guilty, a position they reaffirmed in their closing statements on June 21. "Equality and the right to defense have been clearly violated in this case," said Anna Burchieva, a lawyer for Eskerkhanov. "So I believe there is ground for cancellation of this verdict. It is too early to put a full stop here. Because there is still higher court in front of us." Meanwhile, Russia's Investigative Committee said that a sixth man charged in absentia in a separate criminal case with organizing the killing was being sought by police. He has been identified as Ruslan Mukhudinov, the personal driver of a top military commander of the Sever battalion. Nemtsov's family has asserted the murder was ordered by Mukhudinov's boss, Ruslan Germeyev, the deputy commander of Sever. Investigators told the court that they went to Germeyev's home in Chechnya to question him, "but no one opened the door." All five defendants pleaded not guilty, a position they reaffirmed in their closing statements on June 21. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is up to the Investigative Committee to determine if further legal action is required in connection with the case. "This is not a matter for the Kremlin," Peskov said. Nemtsov, who was a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a critic of the Kremlin-installed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was shot in the back on a Moscow bridge just outside the Kremlin on the night of February 27, 2015. Nemtsov's eldest daughter Zhanna Nemtsova, said the trial failed to name the organizers of the crime or their motive. "The case remains unsolved," she wrote in a message posted to her Facebook page. "The investigators and then the court did everything possible to prevent the establishment of a motive because it was obvious to everyone in Russia, as well as to people in Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world that this was a political murder," Nemtsova said in an interview with VOA. Nemtsova criticized Putin for not compelling Kadyrov to testify at the trial. "I suspect that Vladimir Putin knows much more than I do about the circumstances of this murder and that he has a complete picture of it," she said. The killing of the charismatic and outspoken Nemtsov shocked many Russians, particularly the country's fractured and beleaguered opposition. Many Kremlin critics and opposition politicians viewed him as a figure with the experience and skill to potentially challenge the Kremlin. With reporting by the BBC, AP, Gazeta.ru, VOA, and DW German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called on Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to extend a harvest-related cease-fire, saying it could help pave the way for a political solution. Gabriel, speaking at a news conference in Krasnodar with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, said it did not make sense that the parties to the conflict could enforce a cease-fire during special times but not at other times. "Strangely enough, it seems to work when both sides have a mutual interest, namely getting the harvest done," Gabriel said. "The question is, why does one have to go back to violating the cease-fire once it's over?" Gabriel said he realized the two sides were far apart on political issues, such as holding elections in eastern Ukraine, but a solidification of the truce could lead to more progress on those issues. He said Germany is ready to provide financial aid to improve living conditions for all sides in the Donbas region if the cease-fire could be extended. Gabriel is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin on June 29, Russian news agencies report. At least 10,000 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine over the past three years, despite the Minsk cease-fire agreement signed in February 2015. Based on reporting by Reuters, TASS, and Interfax Toomaj Salehi's lyrical support for protesters in Iran has landed him behind bars before, but this time the popular rapper's fortune-telling has fans and family members fearing for his life. Just days before his September 30 arrest, the 32-year-old Salehi released his latest music video, in which he makes foreboding predictions about the future of Iran's clerical regime if it continues its violent crackdown against ongoing anti-government demonstrations. "I am the predictor, the fortune teller," he raps in the video for Omen, which shows him reading the patterns left in his coffee cup and warning that brute force will not prevail. "I saw a cage in the coffee grounds -- a lion was hunting a jackal," he explains, alluding to a fairy tale about wisdom defeating physical strength. "We will rise from the bottom and target the top of the pyramid." Salehi goes on to warn that the regime's protectors -- including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the Basij paramilitary forces, the Intelligence Ministry, and the state media -- will all get their day in court. Salehi followed up on the new video by posting on social media images of him standing alongside protesters and chanting against security forces in his native city in Isfahan Province. The rapper, an ethnic Lur who was arrested last year after releasing other songs critical of the government, offered to turn himself in if protesters detained in his hometown of Shahinshahr were released. In subsequent posts, he called the provincial authorities "cowardly vermin" and "scum who suppress and arrest [innocent] people." Shortly afterward, Salehi went missing and has not been heard from since. State media reported on September 30 that Salehi had been arrested, and a news agency close to the IRGC published a photo of the blindfolded rapper inside a car. A short video later released by a press club associated with Iran's state broadcaster purports to show the rapper admitting he made a mistake. But the reports' claims he had been caught while "illegally exiting the western borders of the country" have been fiercely disputed, and the video confession has been labeled a fake by some and a coerced confession by others. Family members as well as Salehi's official Twitter account have said the rapper was, in fact, arrested in the southwestern Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, hundreds of kilometers from Iran's western border. In a statement, Salehi's uncle Eghbal Eghbali said his nephew was in the province's city of Borujen on the morning of September 30 when he wrote saying "suspicious things" were happening outside his home. Soon after, Salehi stopped communicating. Eghbali said he learned from Salehi's neighbors and friends that security personnel had arrived to take the rapper away. Later on September 30, a prosecutor in nearby Isfahan Province was quoted by the Meezan news agency, which is close to Iran's judiciary, as saying Salehi was arrested "in one of the provinces of the country." The prosecutor alleged the rapper had played a key role in "creating disturbances and inviting and encouraging the recent disturbances in Isfahan Province and in Shahinshahr." The official IRNA news agency, meanwhile, quoted a judiciary official from Isfahan Province as saying Salehi stood accused of "propagandistic activity against the government, cooperation with hostile governments, and the formation of illegal groups with the intention of creating insecurity in the country." Thousands of Iranians, many of them from the younger generation, have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest the September 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died shortly after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran's hijab law requiring that women cover their hair. As the protests have continued, the authorities have intensified their crackdown, resulting in the deaths of at least 305 people, including 41 children, according to the latest figures released by the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) on November 6. Salehi is among the hundreds of prominent young voices, including activists, artists, and athletes, who have been arrested for speaking out against the states bloody crackdown on the protests. Overall, activists estimate thousands of people have been arrested by the authorities since the rallies erupted. Faced with a potential existential threat to Iran's clerical rule, 227 of 290 Iranian lawmakers this week called for even greater force by urging the judiciary to "deal decisively" with those behind the protests. In recent years, Salehi has gained notoriety for his open opposition to the country's leadership, using his music and social media presence to take on issues that resonate with Iranian youths. In the song Normal, he highlights the effects of poverty, saying "Our children sleep hungry at night" and asking Iran's leaders how their conscience can let them sleep. The song Rathole, released in 2021, accuses members of the media and art community both inside and outside Iran of being an "ally of the tyrant," a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In another song, he blasts Tehran's close relationships with Moscow and Beijing, asking: "Haven't you robbed us enough? Now, you want to give away half [of our resources] to China and the rest to Russia." Salehi was detained in September 2021 after security agents raided his home in Isfahan, with Human Rights Watch decrying the detention of the artist for "exercising his right to freedom of expression." Salehi was charged with "spreading propaganda against the state," but after more than a week was released on bail. In January, he was sentenced to six months in prison but was released on a suspended sentence in February. While out, he continued his work and released Omen amid the states increasingly violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. "Someone's crime was dancing with her hair in the wind," he raps. "Someone's crime was that she was brave and criticized." Listing a litany of violent acts carried out by the authorities against protesters, Salehi asks, "How many young people did you kill building a tower for yourself?" and predicts that next year, the 44th year of the clerical regime's rule, will be its "year of failure." Salehi's arrest has led to widespread condemnation inside and outside Iran, and his advocates have spread the #FreeToomaj hashtag on Twitter to shed light on his situation. His family has said they do not know Salehi's whereabouts or health, leaving them wondering if he is even alive. But the authorities have shed some light on the fate of another Iranian rapper arrested shortly before Salehi. The judiciary announced on November 7 that Saman Yasin, a rapper from Kermanshah Province -- a northwestern region with a significant Kurdish population and that has been a focus of the government crackdown -- has been accused of waging "warfare" against Iran and acting against the country's security. Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, with contributions by RFE/RL senior correspondent Michael Scollon Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has declared an end to Islamic States (IS) self-declared caliphate -- three years to the day after it was proclaimed by the militants at a landmark mosque in Mosul that the extremist group has since destroyed. Abadis comments on June 29 come as his U.S.-backed Iraqi special forces captured the compound around the ruins of the centuries old Grand Al-Nuri Mosque, which was blown up by IS extremists on June 21. It was at the Grand Al-Nuri Mosque on June 29, 2014, that IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance, declaring an Islamic "caliphate" over territories then held by his extremist militants in Iraq and Syria. As for Baghdadi himself, a senior Russian diplomat on June 22 said he had likely been killed in a recent Russian air strike, although the claim has not been confirmed. On June 29, Iran's state news agency quoted Ali Shirazi, a representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying Baghdadi was "definitely dead." Iraqi and coalition officials said the end is near for the estimated 300 IS militants who are making their last stand in the crowded, narrow streets of Mosul's Old City. "We are seeing the end of the fake [IS] state. The liberation of Mosul proves that," Abadi said in a Twitter posting. "We will not relent. Our brave forces will bring victory." Coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon concurred, saying, "I can't put a timeline on that for them, but I see it closer to days than a week or weeks," Nevertheless, a BBC reporter who was traveling with Iraqi troops said the mosque compound was still exposed to sniper and mortar fire, and the Associated Press reported heavy clashes taking place in other parts of the Old City. As Iraqi forces clear the city of IS extremists, the death and destruction that the area has suffered has become visible. "There are hundreds of bodies under the rubble," Iraqi special forces Major Dhia Thamir said. Special forces Major General Sami al-Aridi acknowledged that some civilians had been killed by air strikes and artillery in the Old City. "Of course, there is collateral damage -- it is always this way in war," he said. The United Nations says some 50,000 civilians are thought to be trapped behind IS lines. IS captured large swathes of territory from Iraqi and Syrian government forces in 2014 but have been pushed back since then in both countries by U.S.-backed forces. IS has been blamed for atrocities in both countries, along with terrorist attacks in Europe and elsewhere. With reporting by AFP, AP, the BBC, and IRNA The Iraqi military says it has captured the ruins of a landmark Mosul mosque that was destroyed by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group last week. Lieutenant General Abdul Wahab al-Saadi said special forces on June 29 entered the compound of the Grand Al-Nuri Mosque and took control of the surrounding streets as they pushed through the last IS-held neighborhood in Mosul, the Old City. On June 21, IS militants blew up the mosque and its iconic leaning minaret, built more than 800 years ago. The mosque was where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi commanded allegiance in July 2014 following the IS group's declaration of a "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq. Three years later, Baghdadi's fate and whereabouts remain unknown, and IS militants have lost much of the territory they overran in 2014. A senior Russian diplomat on June 22 said Baghdadi was likely killed in a Russian air strike, but the U.S.-led coalition battling the IS group says it has no concrete evidence on whether the IS leader is dead or alive. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP WASHINGTON -- Kremlin leaders believe the United States wants regime change in Russia, a worry that is feeding rising tensions between the two former Cold War foes, a U.S. defense intelligence report says. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report, which was released on June 28, says Moscow has a "deep and abiding distrust of U.S. efforts to promote democracy around the world and what it perceives as a U.S. campaign to impose a single set of global values." Despite Russia's largely successful military modernization since the Cold War, the report says "Moscow worries that U.S. attempts to dictate a set of acceptable international norms threatens the foundations of Kremlin power by giving license for foreign meddling in Russia's internal affairs." "The Kremlin is convinced the United States is laying the groundwork for regime change in Russia, a conviction further reinforced by the events in Ukraine," the report says, noting that President Vladimir Putin's government has accused the United States of engineering the popular uprising that ousted Ukraine's Russia-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovich, in February 2014. Russia responded by illegally annexing Ukraine's Crimea region in March 2014 and by supporting a separatist war in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,000 people since it began in April that year. Moscows actions in Ukraine led to rapidly deteriorating relations with the United States and its NATO allies, which imposed sanctions on Russia in retaliation. While the report does not forecast a new, global ideological struggle akin to the Cold War, it cautions that Moscow "intends to use its military to promote stability on its own terms." The 116-page intelligence document, titled Russia Military Power: Building A Military To Support Great Power Aspirations, offers a comprehensive assessment of Russian military power, saying the Kremlin has methodically and successfully rebuilt Russia's army, navy, and air force since the collapse of the Soviet Union. "The Russian military today is on the rise -- not as the same Soviet force that faced the West in the Cold War, dependent on large units with heavy equipment," the report says. It describes Russia's new military "as a smaller, more mobile, balanced force rapidly becoming capable of conducting the full range of modern warfare." Speaking on June 28 at a graduation ceremony for military and police academy graduates in Moscow, Putin said that the Russian Army has become significantly stronger in recent years. "Officers have become more professional. This was proven in the operations against terrorists in Syria, he said. We are intending to be growing further the potential of our army and fleet, provide balanced and effective ground for development of all kinds of military units based on long-term plans and programs, improve the quality and intensity of military education. "Only modern, powerful, and mobile armed forces can provide sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country and protect us and our allies from any potential aggressor, from pressure and blackmailing from the side of those who don't like a strong, independent, and sovereign Russia," Putin said. The DIA report portrays Russias intervention in Syria since 2015 as largely successful at "changing the entire dynamic of the conflict, bolstering [Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's] regime, and ensuring that no resolution to the conflict is possible without Moscow's agreement." Besides boosting Assad's fortunes in his six-year civil war against Syrian rebels, the report says the Syria intervention was intended to eliminate Islamic extremist elements that originated on the former Soviet Union's territory to prevent them from returning home and threatening Russia. As Russia continues to modernize and encounter military success, "within the next decade, an even more confident and capable Russia could emerge," the intelligence agency's director, Marine Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, said in the report's preface. The report was prepared before the election of President Donald Trump and reflects the Pentagon's view of the global security picture shifting after nearly two decades of heavy American focus on countering terrorism and fighting small-scale wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. With its focus on the modernized Russian army and Russian insecurities about U.S. intentions, the report is sure to fuel debate over how to deal with Putin in Congress. With reporting by AP KYIV -- A court in Kyiv has decided to hold the treason trial of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in absentia. Presiding Judge Vladyslav Devyatko made the announcement on June 29 after Yanukovych, who is in Russia, repeatedly failed to show up in the courtroom. His lawyer, Vitaly Serdyuk, said Yanukovych could not attend the hearings due to threats to his life. The next hearing is to take place on July 6. During the preliminary hearings, Yanukovych's defense insisted that the court must formally ask Russia for assistance to set up a video link for his client. The court has rejected the request, saying Yanukovych can take part via any video link available on the Internet -- meaning that a formal request is not needed. Dozens of people were killed when his government attempted to clamp down on the Euromaidan protests. Prosecutors are seeking life imprisonment for Yanukovych, who is accused of treason, violating Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and abetting Russian aggression. After he fled, Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and fomented separatism in eastern Ukraine, where a war between the government and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 10,000 people. Defense ministers from NATO member states vowed to provide more forces to help train Afghanistan's embattled military, although they did not set out exact numbers ahead of any U.S. announcement on its planned increase in troops. Following a NATO meeting in Brussels on June 29, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told a news conference that, "looking back on it, it's pretty much a consensus that we may have...reduced the numbers [of troops] a little too rapidly." Since drawing down from a peak of more than 130,000 NATO troops in 2011, current troop levels are at about 13,500 in what is known as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, of which half are from the United States. Officials said Mattis pressed NATO allies and nonmember coalition partners in closed-door meetings to provide more personnel to help train the Afghan armed forces. "I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," he said. "We will look into how we together can...have enough troops to help the government and break the stalemate and so lay the ground for a political solution." NATO currently has about 13,500 troops in what is known as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, of which half are from the United States. Stoltenberg did not give precise figures but said that 15 NATO members "have already pledged additional contributions to Resolute Support Mission, and I look forward to further announcements from other nations." British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon told reporters ahead of the meeting that London would provide just under 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. U.S. media reported that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is weighing sending another 3,000 to 5,000 troops to Afghanistan in order to break what Mattis has called a "stalemate" between Afghan government forces and the Taliban. After the NATO meeting, Mattis would not predict when military operations in the war-torn country might end, saying that wars were fundamentally an "unpredictable phenomenon." Mohammad Radmanish, a spokesman for Afghanistans Defense Ministry, welcomed NATO's decision to increase troop numbers in the country and told the Associated Press that Afghan forces were in need of "expert" training, heavy artillery, and a quality air force. But lawmaker Mohammad Zekria Sawda expressed skepticism, saying NATO and the United States were unable to bring peace to Afghanistan when they had more than 120,000 soldiers deployed against Taliban militants. "Every day we are feeling more worry," Sawda said. Allies are also expected to announce individual figures for defense expenditures, after approval by NATO ambassadors, with the overall spending for 2017 at some $280 billion. Stoltenberg on June 28 announced that NATO allies -- with the exception of the United States -- will increase defense spending by 4.3 percent this year, marking a cumulative $46 billion increase since 2014. "After years of decline, in 2015 we saw a real increase in defense spending across European allies and Canada," Stoltenberg said. NATO sets a goal of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense for each member, but only the United States, Britain, Estonia, Greece, and Poland now meet that guideline, leaving the United States shouldering about 22 percent of the alliance's expenditures. During a meeting with EU leaders in Brussels on May 26, Trump sharply criticized many NATO members for failing to meet military spending targets. Stoltenberg said that the alliance expects three other member states -- Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia -- to reach the 2 percent threshold this year and in 2018. Following Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in March 2014 and its backing of separatists in the country's east, NATO has embarked on its largest military buildup since the end of the Cold War to counter a more assertive Moscow. Defense ministers are discussing progress just as four battalions totaling some 4,000 troops complete their deployment in the three Baltic states and Poland. Stoltenberg on June 28 called the deployment "a historic achievement," and a "clear demonstration" of NATO's unity. Ministers are also tackling the global threat of terrorism as well as cyberdefense, after computers across the world were struck by major cyberattacks this week and last month. NATO agreed in 2016 that a cyberattack could warrant invoking Article 5 -- the alliance's mutual-security guarantee. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels The Moscow jury decision finding five Chechen men guilty of murdering opposition leader Boris Nemtsov is the latest chapter in a series of high-profile killings that have punctuated Vladimir Putins 17-year presidency. Nemtsov's 2015 killing also put him on an even longer list, stretching back into the wild 1990s, when assassinations and gangland killings of politicians, business people, and other public figures were commonplace during Boris Yeltsins term. Theres one notable difference in the list of murders, Yeltsin-era vs. Putin-era. While the motives for the killings in the 1990s tended to be more diffuse -- just as the Russian state and political elite were more fragmented -- in the Putin era, they appear to be more straightforwardly directed at critics of the regime. Here are a few of the prominent, Putin-era cases: Valentin Tsvetkov October 18, 2002: Valentin Tsvetkov, the governor of Magadan Oblast in Russia's Far East, is shot dead by a sniper just blocks from the Kremlin. Tsvetkov, who earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first regional governor assassinated in post-Soviet Russia, had been trying to crack down on crime in his Pacific region's gold and oil industries. Sergei Yushenkov April 17, 2003: Sergei Yushenkov, a veteran politician and leader of the anti-Kremlin party Liberal Russia, is shot in front of his Moscow home. Yushenkov had been at the forefront of efforts by liberal lawmakers to investigate the possible involvement of the Federal Security Service in a series of deadly apartment bombings in 1999. The bombings, which killed some 300 people, were blamed on Chechen rebels and used by Moscow as a pretext to launch its second Chechen war. Yury Shchekochikhin July 3, 2003: Yury Shchekochikhin, a liberal lawmaker and investigative journalist, dies after suffering a mysterious illness. Authorities blamed his death on an allergic reaction, but many suspected Shchekochikhin was deliberately poisoned because of his muck-raking reporting into sensitive cases including the 1999 apartment bombings. Nikolai Girenko June 21, 2004: Nikolai Girenko, one of Russias leading experts on racism and xenophobia, dies after being shot through the door of his St. Petersburg apartment. Paul Klebnikov July 9, 2004: Paul Klebnikov, the American editor of Forbes-Russia, is gunned down outside his Moscow office. Klebnikov had written at length about corruption, and Forbes had published a list of Russia's richest people. A Chechen businessman and boxer, Kazbek Dukuzov, was linked to the killing, but was later acquitted by a jury. In 2013, Dukuzov was among 18 people blacklisted by the Untied States under the Magnitsky Act, law aimed at punishing Russians implicated in rights abuses. Anna Politkovskaya October 7, 2006: One of Russia's most prominent journalists and a dogged chronicler of rights abuses in Chechnya, Politkovskaya is shot dead in her apartment building, in an execution-style killing. Two men were sentenced to life in prison and three others to long prison terms in 2014 for their involvement, but her family said officials failed to bring the masterminds to justice. Earlier this month, relatives of Lom-Ali Gaitukayev, one of those convicted for Politkavskaya's killing, said he had died in prison. Aleksandr Litvinenko November 23, 2006: The former Russian security agent-turned-Kremlin critic dies in London after being poisoned with highly radioactive polonium-210. Litvinenko had fled to Britain in 2000 after publicly accusing the Federal Security Service of plotting to kill oligarch Boris Berezovsky. He later co-authored a book blaming the agency for the 1999 apartment bombings. The British investigation found Litvinenko drank tea laced with polonium during a meeting in a London hotel several weeks earlier with two Russians, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun. Moscow has refused to extradite them. In January 2017, the United States blacklisted both under the Magnitsky Act. Stanislav Markelov, Anastasia Barburova January 19, 2009: Markelov, a leading human rights lawyer, is shot dead in broad daylight in central Moscow as he left a news conference. Baburova, a young reporter who had been interviewing Markelov for the muck-racking newspaper Novaya Gazeta, attempts to protect Markelov and later dies of her gunshot wounds. Markelov had been fighting against the early release of Russian military officer convicted of killing a young Chechen woman. In April 2011, two nationalists, Nikita Tikhonov and his girlfriend Yevgenia Khasis, were convicted of murdering Markelov and Baburova. Natalya Estemirova July 16, 2009: The body of the renowned human rights activist, with bullet wounds to her head and chest, is found in Ingushetia, hours after her abduction in the capital of Chechnya, Grozny. Natalya Estemirova had been personally investigating hundreds of cases of rights abuses in Chechnya including kidnapping and murder. The rights group she worked for, Memorial, said initial investigation pointed to the possible involvement of local law-enforcement officers. Memorial's head, Oleg Orlov, was later sued for defamation after accusing Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov of orchestrating Estemirova's killing, but he was eventually acquitted. Sergei Magnitsky November 16, 2009: The whistle-blowing lawyer who had implicated Russian officials in a $230-million tax fraud dies one year after being jailed on similar charges. Sergei Magnitsky suffered from pancreatitis and was denied medical care in pre-trial detention and -- according to the Kremlin's own human rights council -- was badly beaten before his death. The United States in late 2012 passed the Magnitsky Act, which targets Russians implicated in rights abuses with visa bans and asset freezes. In July 2013, a Russian court found Magnitsky guilty of tax evasion in a posthumous trial. Mikhail Beketov April 8, 2013: A crusading journalist who had reported on large-scale corruption, Mikhail Beketov dies five years after being savagely beaten in the Moscow suburb of Khimki. Beketov had been left severely brain damaged from the attack. Supporters linked it to his work uncovering corruption surrounding the construction of a controversial highway through a protected forest. Compiled by Kathleen Moore. An earlier version of this article was published in February 2015. Tens of thousands of people gathered for a sit-in protest in the town of Parachinar, Pakistan, on June 29 to demand better security a week after a double bombing in a market killed 75 people. The demonstrators many of them from Pakistans Shi'a minority -- are angry about what they say is the failure of authorities to provide security. They have become more enraged by the reported shooting deaths of three protesters by police during the past week. Arshad Umerzai, a former provincial government minister, said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan's army chief should visit Parachinar a town in the Kurram tribal region close to the border with Afghanistan in response to the violence there. Sharif announced a 1 million rupees ($10,000) compensation package for the families of each victim of the blasts, and 500,000 rupees for the wounded. But demonstrators have dismissed that, saying victims of attacks in other places have received more money. Sajid Toori, a lawmaker from Parachinar, said on June 29 that the sit-in protest will continue until Sharifs government announces greater compensation and additional security measures for Shi'a who dominate the Kurram tribal region. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Four more people injured in last week's oil tanker fire in Pakistan have died, raising the death toll to 173, a doctor says. Abdul Basit said on June 29 that the four men were among dozens of injured who were brought to a main government hospital in the city of Multan after an oil tanker overturned and burst into flames on June 25. Doctors are still treating 37 other patients, he said. The highway explosion took place outside the city of Bahawalpur when the driver of the tanker lost control and crashed about 100 kilometers southwest of the city of Multan, the countrys fifth-largest city with just over 3.1 million people. The tanker burst into flames when villagers were collecting the leaking fuel, after ignoring warnings from police. Based on reporting by AP and dawn.com Hundreds of residents of Kherson cheered and waved flags as the first Ukrainian troops reached the center of the recaptured provincial capital, marking another dramatic battlefield success in Ukraines drive to liberate territory occupied by Russia since its unprovoked invasion in February. Ukrainian forces cautiously entered Kherson in the morning hours of November 11. Russia earlier said it had completed the withdrawal of its troops from the strategic southern city in another embarrassing blow to Moscow's war effort, which it refers to as a "special military operation." "Kherson is returning to the control of Ukraine," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said. "Units of the armed forces of Ukraine are entering the city." "The Russian occupiers' routes of retreat are under the direct fire of the Ukrainian Army," statement added. "Any Russian soldier who resists will be killed." Earlier, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet that "Ukraine is gaining another important victory right now and proves that whatever Russia says or does, Ukraine will win." The tweet included a video purporting to show Kherson residents removing a billboard that proclaimed "Russia is here forever." Serhiy Khlan, a deputy for the Kherson Regional Council, said a Ukrainian flag had been raised in Kherson, as multiple videos circulating on social media purportedly showed Ukrainian soldiers planting their yellow-and-blue flag on administrative buildings in the city and local residents celebrating. The Russian Defense Ministry said it had finished the pullout from Kherson city and region at 5 a.m. on November 11 and that no military equipment had been left behind. "In total, more than 30,000 Russian servicemen, about 5,000 pieces of hardware, and military equipment and materiel have been withdrawn," the ministry said. "Not a single piece of military equipment or weaponry was left on the right (western) bank," he added, although the report could not immediately be confirmed. Khlan said some Russian soldiers had been unable to leave the city and had changed into civilian clothing and urged local residents to stay at home while Ukrainian troops cleared the city. "The number of these people is not known," he told a news briefing, without citing evidence for the claim. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Khlan also said, without citing evidence, that many Russian troops had drowned attempting to flee across the river. The head of the joint coordination press center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, Natalya Humenyuk, said Russian troops "have been changing into civilian clothes for two weeks." "This should focus our forces as it means saboteur operations cannot be ruled out," Humenyuk told a separate briefing. "Because of this, we are not rushing to announce our successes in other directions and in other towns." Russia did not immediately comment on Khlan's or Humenyuk's remarks. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on November 10 that it would take Russia at least a week to withdraw, telling Reuters in an interview that Russia had 40,000 troops in the Kherson region and that it still had forces in the city. Kherson 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 with a launching pad for supplies and troops to try to win back other lost territory in the south. Meanwhile, Ukraine's public broadcaster quoted local residents as saying on November 11 that the Antonivskiy Bridge, the only nearby road crossing from Kherson city to the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the Dnieper, had collapsed. The Suspilne broadcaster published a photograph showing whole sections of the bridge missing. The next road crossing across the Dnieper is more than 70 kilometers from Kherson city. It was not immediately clear what had caused the collapse. Recapturing the city could provide Ukraine a launching pad for supplies and troops to try to win back other lost territory in the south. The Ukrainian General Staff said retreating Russian forces have been looting homes and destroying critical infrastructure, while forcibly evicting residents from the settlements still under their control. "The Russian invaders continue to loot the settlements from which they are retreating. The enemy is also attempting to damage power lines and other elements of the transport and critical infrastructure of the Kherson region as much as possible," the military said, adding that Russian mines continue to wound civilians. Elsewhere, six civilians were killed in a Russian rocket attack on Mykolayiv overnight, the mayor of the southern Ukrainian city said on November 11, as Ukrainian troops continued their advance in the direction of Kherson. The mayor of Mykolayiv, Oleksandr Sienkovych, said on November 11 that the people were killed when Russian rockets hit a residential area of the city, destroying a five-story building. "As of 10 a.m., six people were killed by the impact of the attack on the residential building," Sienkovych said. Fierce fighting continues in Bakhmut and Soledar in the eastern Donetsk region as well as in the adjacent Luhansk region, the military said, adding that heavy Russian shelling pounded about 20 settlements in the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Mykolayiv regions. In his nightly address late on November 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr 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 added that 41 settlements had been liberated. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa Moscow is preparing measures to retaliate against Washington's decision to seize two Russian diplomatic compounds in the United States last year, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on June 28. In December, the United States seized two Russian diplomatic compounds in the New York and Maryland countryside and ordered the expulsion of 35 Russians and their family members in retaliation for harassment of U.S. diplomats in Moscow and alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election campaign. Moscow, which denies the alleged offenses, did not retaliate immediately, saying it would wait to see if relations improved under President Donald Trump. "Retaliatory measures are being prepared. As you understand, such a decision on the issue won't be made only by the Foreign Ministry," ministry spokswoman Maria Zakharova said on the state-run Rossiya 1 channel. Zakharova said Washington realizes that Moscow will retaliate, as Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov demanded the return of the diplomatic compounds in talks with his counterpart, U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon, recently. Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported this month that Moscow may seize U.S. diplomatic property in the Russian capital and complicate life for an Anglo-American school unless Washington hands back the two diplomatic compounds in the United States before July. Based on reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and TASS ON MY MIND When Ukraine was hit with a massive cyberattack earlier this week, suspicion quickly fell on Russia. And why not? Russia is widely believed to have been behind a series of attacks that hit Ukraine in recent years, most notably attacks on the country's energy grid in 2015 and 2016. But when the attack spread to other countries, including Russia, and appeared to be a ransomware outbreak, it appeared that this time Moscow was not the culprit. But now cybersecurity experts are beginning to take another look. According to a piece in Wired (featured below) by Andy Greenberg, who has written extensively about cyberattacks in Ukraine, security experts (and not just in Ukraine) think the attack may have "originated as a state-sponsored, Ukraine-focused disruption campaign rather than a moneymaking venture." There is still a lot we don't know and odds are that this was a ransomware attack aimed at making money. But the experts are not yet ruling Russia out as a culprit. And due to Russia's recent history of cyberattacks in Ukraine and elsewhere, Moscow has put itself in a position where it is going to be a natural target of suspicion every time something like this happens. IN THE NEWS Kremlin leaders believe the United States wants regime change in Russia, a worry that is feeding rising tensions between the two former Cold War foes, a U.S. defense intelligence report says. Moscow is preparing measures to retaliate against Washington's decision to seize two Russian diplomatic compounds in the United States last year, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. Ambassadors from the European Union's member states have officially extended the bloc's economic sanctions against Russia by another six months. The FBI has questioned several U.S.-based employees of the Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab as part of its investigation into the company's operations. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of making international "mischief." German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called on Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to extend a harvest-related cease-fire, saying it could help pave the way for a political solution. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he assumes Vladimir Putin will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the July 7-8 Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. Former U.S. and European diplomats and other political experts are warning that Russian interference in European elections is continuing unabated and that both Washington and Brussels need to cooperate more closely on the issue. The head of Russias telecommunications regulator says social-networking entrepreneur Pavel Durov's Telegram Messenger app has provided all the data required to be registered as an information distributor in Russia. Russia's Federation Council has approved controversial legislation to demolish thousands of Soviet-era apartment buildings in Moscow. Ukraine says a Security Service colonel was killed and three others injured when a car exploded in the Donetsk region on June 28. A court in the Czech city of Ostrava has shut down the representative office of Russia-backed separatists from the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk because it was illegal, Ukraine's Ambassador to the Czech Republic Yevhen Perebyinis said. A court in Kyiv is scheduled to hold a hearing in former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovychs treason case on June 29. Four activists who were charged with preparing mass disturbances in Belarus have been released from custody by authorities in Minsk, a day after three others facing similar charges were freed. NEW POWER VERTICAL BLOG In my latest Power Vertical blog post, We're All Russia's Neighbors Now, I argue that it is a good idea to pay close attention to what Moscow does in it's so-called "near abroad," because it often foreshadows things Moscow will later try out farther to the West. WHAT I'M READING The Cyber-Battlefield NPR interviews Wired's Andy Greenberg about his recent widely circulated article (featured earlier this week in The Morning Vertical) about how Ukraine is a testing ground for Russia's cyberattacks on the West. Greenberg has a new piece in Wired on lingering suspicions in Ukraine and among cyberexperts about a Russian hand in this week's ransomware attack. The Christian Science Monitor has a piece about how Russia uses cybercriminals as proxies. Russia's Army Of Bots According to a new study by the Computational Propaganda Research Project, which is housed at the Oxford Internet Institute, approximately 45 percent of the Twitter accounts tweeting regularly about Russia in 2014-15 were bots. Andrew Roth has a write-up of the study in The Washington Post. Finland's Hybrid Defenses Katri Pynnoniemi of the University of Helsinki and the National Defense University and Sinikukka Saari of Finland's Foreign Ministry have a piece in NATO Review on how Finland has countered hybrid warfare. Revolution Interrupted Andrew Foxall and LIncoln PIgman have an essay in Foreign Affairs on Ukraine's Stalled Revolution. Moscow's New Man In Washington In The Daily Beast, Anna Nemtsova takes a look at Anatoly Antonov, who will be Russia's new ambassador to the United States. Germany In The (Kremlin's) Crosshairs The Brookings Institution's Constanze Stelzenmuller testified before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the Russian interference on the upcoming German federal elections. The full transcript of the testimony is available on the Brookings Institution's website. NOTE TO READERS: The Morning Vertical, The Daily Vertical, and all Power Vertical products will not appear from June 30-July 7 as I will be traveling to Riga, Latvia for a series of speaking engagements. The White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet for the first time on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Hamburg, Germany, next month. General H.R. McMaster, the White House national security adviser, told reporters on June 29 that there was "no specific agenda" for the meeting with Putin. McMaster said Trump would emphasize "whatever the president wants to talk about." The G20 summit is scheduled to take place on July 7 and 8. It will bring together the heads of state and government from the world's leading economic powers to discuss the fight against terrorism, climate change, free trade, and other issues. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on June 28 that he assumed the Trump-Putin meeting would take place on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Lavrov said it was especially important for Putin and Trump to discuss the war in Syria. Lavrov also said there were no plans to hold a summit in the near future on Ukraine's conflict under the so-called Normandy Four format -- which would bring together the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa, and Interfax Estonians were getting hacked by Russia long before it was cool. Ukrainians had to deal with Kremlin interference in their elections before it became trendy. Georgia and Moldova had to live with disinformation, fake news, and active measures before these things became fashionable catchphrases. It's a good idea to pay very close attention to what Russia does to its neighbors, because it often foreshadows things Moscow will later try out farther to the West. "To try to understand Russias intervention and undermining of the U.S. election, you have to first understand Russias use of active measures to undermine Russia's own neighbors," Mark Simakovsky, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Snopes. "The most recent examples of that are not only in Ukraine but also in Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, and other countries in Russias periphery." And in this sense, we've all become Russia's neighbors. We've all become Ukrainians, Georgians, Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians. We're all part of Russia's so-called "near abroad." Cyberharbingers Take cyberattacks, for example. A U.S. Homeland Security official told Congress last week that Russian hackers targeted 21 state election systems during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Over the past two years, in addition to breaching the U.S. Democratic National Committee's e-mail servers, Kremlin-backed hackers have also been accused of targeting the Polish Stock Exchange, a German steelmaker, the Bundestag, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. State Department, and a French television station, just to name a few. Estonians, however, got a taste of all this a decade ago, in February 2007, when a massive Kremlin-backed DDoS attack hit the websites of Estonian banks, media organizations, corporations, and government ministries. Simultaneously, ethnic Russians, encouraged by Moscow, rioted in the streets of Tallinn, and members of the pro-Kremlin youth group Nashi blockaded the Estonian Embassy in Moscow. The cyberattacks and the rioting were ostensibly in response to Estonia's decision to relocate a Soviet World War II monument from the center of Tallinn. But in reality, the Kremlin was sending a message that it was ready to play hardball -- and was road-testing strategies that would later be deployed farther to the West. More recently, Ukraine has been Russia's cybertarget of choice. Despite lingering suspicions of Russian involvement, it is still unclear who was behind this week's ransomware attack there and elsewhere. But nevertheless, in a recent article for Wired, Andy Greenberg notes that cybersecurity experts "believe Russia is using" Ukraine "as a cyberwar testing ground -- a laboratory for perfecting new forms of global online combat." Over the past three years, Greenberg writes, the country has been subject to "a digital blitzkrieg" and "a sustained cyberassault unlike any the world has ever seen." "A hacker army has systematically undermined practically every sector of Ukraine: media, finance, transportation, military, politics, energy," he writes. "Wave after wave of intrusions have deleted data, destroyed computers, and in some cases paralyzed organizations most basic functions." In the most brazen assault, what appears to be a Kremlin-backed cyberattack cut off electricity to nearly a quarter of a million Ukrainians just before Christmas in 2015. Another attack hit Ukraine's power grid in December 2016. Foreshadowing Election Meddling Russia's attempts to interfere in foreign elections also didn't begin in the United States in 2016 or in France this year. In Ukraine's 2004 presidential election, for example, a team of political operatives with ties to Vladimir Putin's Kremlin launched a massive campaign to discredit pro-Western opposition figure Viktor Yushchenko and assist pro-Kremlin candidate Viktor Yanukovych. According to a paper by Taras Kuzio, a senior fellow at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta, "they sought to undermine Yushchenkos credibility by producing fake leaflets, critical books, and pamphlets and by launching inflammatory television attacks." Additionally, they "paid extreme nationalists to claim they supported Yushchenko and used the same groups to carry out terrorist attacks that were then blamed on Yushchenko." Russia also attempted to disrupt Ukraine's 2014 presidential election when a pro-Kremlin group called CyberBerkut hacked the website of the Central Electoral Commission and altered its data to show far- right candidate Dmytro Yarosh -- who actually won less than 1 percent of the vote -- as the winner. The hacking group, Greenberg writes, has "links to the Kremlin hackers who later breached Democratic targets in Americas 2016 presidential election." For decades, the Baltic states, Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova have lived with an onslaught of disinformation, fake news, and active measures aimed at destabilizing their societies. In Georgia and Moldova, pro-Kremlin groups and the Russian Orthodox Church have long used so-called traditional values, such as opposing LGBT rights, to drive a wedge through society and isolate pro-Western elements. It is a tactic that would later be replicated in Europe, with Moscow's backing of xenophobic and Euroskeptic forces like Marine Le Pen's National Front in France. What happens to Russia's neighbors is often a harbinger. As Thomas Rid, a professor in the War Studies Department at Kings College London, told Wired: "Theyre testing out red lines, what they can get away with. You push and see if youre pushed back. If not, you try the next step." The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL. Yet another report of highway horror from Uttar Pradesh, following last months incident when one man was shot dead and four women were gang raped at gun point on the highway near Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. This time it was a newly married couple Aditya Kumar and Vijaya Lakshmi, residents of Ramapuram in Chennai who were attacked by bike borne men on NH 58 in Muzaffarnagar. This couple from Chennai was touring North India and had hired a Royal Enfield motorcycle. They visited Haridwar from Delhi, were returning from Haridwar and were on their way to New Delhi to catch a flight back to Chennai, when they were accosted by the goons on bikes. The incident occurred at around 4 pm in an area under Nai Mandi police station in Muzaffarnagar. The attackers shot Aditya Kumar in the neck while his wife, Vijaya Lakshmi sustained serious injuries. The goons then fled the spot. The injured couple was being accompanied by a friend Shyam Teja, who informed the police while a passer-by took the injured duo to a nearby hospital. Later they were admitted into a hospital in Delhi. Earlier today it was revealed that the husband died in the hospital. Vijaylakshmis statement to the police Both men had full-face helmets so we could not see what they looked like. We have no idea why they targeted us. They did not try to harm me or take our cash and belongings. There was also no cause for road rage. Perhaps it was a case of mistaken identity. As I fell from the motorcycle, I saw that my husband had been shot. Everything happened in less than 20 seconds. I could not note down the registration number of the attackers motorbike. Shyam was there to help us and passersby soon came to our assistance. Police investigating the case state that it could either be a case of mistaken identity or road rage while other angles are also being probed. CCTV footage from hotels and markets in the vicinity are being scanned for clues of the killers. This indeed is a shocking incident. There are hundreds of bikers across India who love the freedom of biking across the country. This incident puts a huge question mark on the safety of bikers on a road trip in Uttar Pradesh. Stem cells are considered biological allrounders because they have the potential to develop into the various body cell types. For the majority of stem cells, however, this designation is too far-reaching. Adult stem cells, for example, can replace cells in their own tissue in case of injury, but a fat stem cell will never generate a nerve or liver cell. Scientists therefore distinguish between multipotent adult stem cells and the actual allrounders -- the pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Epigenetic marks determine potential for development Differences exist even among the true allrounders, however. Embryonic stem cells that grow in laboratory cell cultures are in a different state than the pluripotent cells found inside the embryos in the first days of development. In a study in the journal Nature Cell Biology, researchers led by Paolo Cinelli of the University Hospital Zurich and Raffaella Santoro of the University of Zurich have now demonstrated the mechanism by which natural allrounders differ from embryonic stem cells in cultures. At the center of their discovery is a protein called Pramel7 (for "preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma"-like 7) found in the cells of embryonic cell clusters that are just a few days old. This protein guarantees that the genetic material is freed from epigenetic marks consisting of chemical DNA tags in the form of methyl groups. "The more methyl groups are removed, the more open the Book of Life becomes," Cinelli says. Since any cell of the human body can develop from an embryonic stem cell, all genes have to be freely accessible at the beginning. The more a cell develops or differentiates, the stronger its genetic material is methylated and "sealed closed" again. In a bone cell, for example, only those genes are active that the cell requires for its function, the biochemist explains. Protein is responsible for perfect pluripotency Despite its short action period of just a few days, Pramel7 seems to play a vital role: When the researchers headed up by Cinelli and Santoro switched off the gene for this protein using genetic tricks, development remained stuck in the embryonic cell cluster stage. In the cultivated stem cells, on the other hand, Pramel7 is rarely found. This circumstance could also explain why the genetic material of these cells contains more methyl groups than that of natural embryonic cells -- the perfect allrounders, as Cinelli calls them. Using the stem cell function to regenerate bone tissue His interest in stem cells lies in the hope of one day being able to help people with complex bone fractures. "Bones are great at regenerating and they are the only tissue that does not build scars," Paolo Cinelli says. The bone stumps must be touching, however, in order to grow together. When a bone breaks in multiple places and even through the skin, for example, in a motorcycle accident, the sections of bone in between are often no longer usable. For such cases, a bone replacement is required. His team is studying carrier materials that they want to populate with the body's own stem cells in the future. "For this reason, we have to know how stem cells work," Cinelli adds. Religious participation is linked to lower suicide rates in many parts of the world, including the United States and Russia, but does not protect against the risk of suicide in sections of Europe and Asia, finds new research by a Michigan State University scholar. In Catholic-dominant Western and Southern Europe, residents appear to be placing less importance on God and religion and have less confidence in religious institutions. In East Asia, traditional faiths such as Buddhism and Confucianism focus on individual spirituality rather than collective spirituality, which entails social support and moral guidance. "Secularization and the individual pursuit of spirituality are two important factors that weaken the strength of local religious communities, and this reduces the protective nature of religious participation against suicide," said MSU sociologist Ning Hsieh, whose findings are published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. Suicide is one of the 20 leading causes of death worldwide. While the religion-suicide relationship is hotly contested among researchers, the current study is one of the first to examine that relationship outside Western industrialized countries. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study analyzes data on suicides and religious participation from 1981 to 2007 in 42 countries encompassing seven regions. Religious participation is measured by the percentage of people attending religious services at least once a month Hsieh found that religious participation is related to higher suicide rates in: Southern Europe, which includes Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain Western Europe, which includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Netherlands. East Asia, which includes China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The regions are classified by geography except for English-speaking countries, which are grouped based on shared cultural values. Those countries are Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Religious participation protected against suicide in many countries in the English-speaking region as well as in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Northern Europe. Hsieh said the United States and other Western countries outside Europe, including Australia and Canada, have also experienced secularization, albeit more slowly than Western and Southern Europe. The United States in particular remains more religious than most Western societies, she said, in part due to immigration and more decentralized political and educational systems that are inclusive of religious views. Although suicide is a global health concern, Hsieh noted, suicide prevention should consider regional and local norms, values and religious institutional circumstances. "Without a careful consideration of context, a policy that is effective in one country or region may aggravate suicide risk in another," she said. Scientists have closed in on specific genes responsible for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) from a list of over 600 genes that were suspects for the disease. The team from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the GIGA Institute of the University of Liege combined efforts to produce a high resolution map to investigate which genetic variants have a causal role in the disease. In the new study, published today (28 June) in Nature, scientists examined the genome of 67,852 individuals and applied three statistical methods to zoom in on which genetic variants were actively implicated in the disease. Of the regions of the genome associated with IBD that were studied, 18 could be pin-pointed to a single genetic variant with more than 95 per cent certainty. The results form a basis for more effective prescription of current treatments for the disease as well as the discovery of new drug targets. More than 300,000 people suffer from IBD in the UK. IBD is a debilitating disease in which the body's own immune system attacks parts of the digestive tract. The exact causes of this disease are unclear, and there currently is no cure. To understand more about the genetics underlying IBD, researchers have conducted genome wide association studies and previously found hundreds of genetic variants linked to the disease. However, it was not certain which specific genes were actually implicated by those variants. Dr Jeffrey Barrett, joint lead author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute said: "We have taken the biggest ever data set for IBD and applied careful statistics to narrow down to the individual genetic variants involved. Now we have a clearer picture of which genes do and do not play a role in the disease. We are zooming in on the genetic culprits of IBD." The high resolution map of the disease enabled scientists to see which variants directly influence disease, and to separate them from other variants which happen to be located near each other in the genome. Dr Hailiang Huang, first author from the Massachusetts General Hospital and Broad Institute said: "An issue with studying complex diseases is that it can be hard to move from genetic associations, usually including many genetic variants of similar evidence, to knowing exactly which variants are involved. We need to be careful in deciding when we are sure we have the right variant. This new technique helps us to pinpoint which genetic variants are implicated in IBD with greater confidence." Professor Michel Georges, joint lead author from the GIGA Institute of the University of Liege said: "These results will help towards rational drug discovery for complex human diseases like IBD, and possibly for the development of personalised medicine by finding biomarkers for more effective prescription of existing drugs." Researchers at the University of Southampton have captured unprecedented data about some of the coldest abyssal ocean waters on earth -- known as Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) -- during first voyage of the yellow robotic submersible known as Boaty McBoatface, which arrived back in the UK last week. The team, which also involved scientists from British Antarctic Survey and engineers from the National Oceanography Centre, captured data on temperature, speed of water flow and underwater turbulence rates of the Orkney Passage, a region of the Southern Ocean which is around 4,000m deep and roughly 500 miles from the Antarctic Peninsula. In order to visualise the progress of Boaty and place the data in the context of the complicated terrain in the region, the team have created an animated fly-through of the Orkney Passage. The information collected will now be analysed to understand the complex process of ocean mixing and how it affects climate change. The information was gathered as part of the DynOPO (Dynamics of the Orkney Passage Outflow) seven-week expedition, with the RRS James Clark Ross returning to Southampton last week. The DynOPO programme is funded by a grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It was the first Antarctic voyage of Boaty McBoatface, one of the Autosub Long Range (ALR) class of unmanned submersibles, the latest type of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) developed by the National Oceanography Centre. The Autosub was named following last year's campaign by the NERC to name the UK's new polar research ship. While the ship will be named after famous naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, the popular suggestion of the contest -- Boaty McBoatface -- lives on in the form of an unmanned submersible that will support the research ship to explore parts of the polar regions inaccessible to humans. Welcoming Boaty McBoatface back from its first mission, Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson, said: "Fresh from its maiden voyage, Boaty is already delivering new insight into some of the coldest ocean waters on earth, giving scientists a greater understanding of changes in the Antarctic region and shaping a global effort to tackle climate change. advertisement "Future Boaty missions and the new RRS Sir David Attenborough research vessel will ensure the UK continues to punch above its weight and lead the way in polar science, engineering and technology as part of our Industrial Strategy." Researchers used a combination of specialised instruments including those deployed from the ship as well as instruments moored to the seafloor and measurements made by Boaty. The submersible completed three missions during the expedition, the longest lasting three days, travelling more than 180km and reaching depths of nearly 4,000m. It travelled back and forth through an abyssal current of Antarctic Bottom Water along the Orkney Passage, sometimes in water colder than 0C and in currents up to 1 knot, while measuring the intensity of the turbulence. This current forms off the coast of Antarctica as cold winds off the ice sheet cool the sea surface. The resulting cold, dense water sinks and moves northwards, forming an important part of the global circulation of ocean water. The Orkney Passage is a key chokepoint that AABW has to navigate on its way from Antarctica's Weddell Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Current evidence suggests that changing winds over the Southern Ocean affect the speed of seafloor currents carrying AABW. The speed of these currents determines how turbulent their flow around underwater mountain ranges (submarine topography) is. Faster flow is more turbulent, and in this turbulence more heat is mixed into AABW from shallower, warmer ocean layers -- thus warming the abyssal waters on their way to the Equator, affecting global climate change. advertisement Professor Alberto Naveira Garabato from the University of Southampton, the lead scientist of DynOPO, said: "The Orkney Passage is a key chokepoint to the flow of abyssal waters in which we expect the mechanism linking changing winds to abyssal water warming to operate. Our goal is to learn enough about these convoluted processes to represent them (for the first time) in the models that scientists use to predict how our climate will evolve over the 21st century and beyond. "We have been able to collect massive amounts of data that we have never been able to capture before due to the way Boaty (Autosub Long Range) is able to move underwater. Up until now we have only been able to take measurements from a fixed point, but now, we are able to obtain a much more detailed picture of what is happening in this very important underwater landscape. The challenge for us now, is to analyse it all." But the expedition was not without its challenges. Povl Abrahamsen, Physical Oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, explained: "At the start of one mission, whilst diving, Boaty encountered a swarm of krill so dense that the sub's echo sounders thought it was approaching the seabed although it was only at 80m depth, and returned to the surface. However, the upside was that we did see lots of whales near the ship! In spite of the occasional hiccup, and in increasingly cold and dark conditions, Boaty has gathered a unique and exciting dataset that we look forward to studying in more detail in months and years to come." Steve McPhail, Head of the AUV Development at the National Oceanography Centre, added: "Although these recent deployments tested the technological capabilities of Autosub Long Range, we are extremely pleased with the results and the data that we have been able to provide to the scientific community. In the near future, we are looking forward to expanding and developing the fleet on the success of this last mission." Video: https://vimeo.com/217386697 Tel Aviv University archaeologists have revealed that cloth samples found in the Israeli desert present the earliest evidence of plant-based textile dyeing in the region. They were found at a large-scale copper smelting site and a nearby temple in the copper ore district of Timna in Israel's Arava desert and are estimated to date from the 13th-10th centuries BCE. The wool and linen pieces shed light on a sophisticated textile industry and reveal details about a deeply hierarchical society dependent on long-distance trade to support its infrastructure in the unforgiving desert. The study was published in PLOS ONE. It was led by Dr. Erez Ben-Yosef of TAU's Department of Archaeology and Near Eastern Cultures and Dr. Naama Sukenik of the Israel Antiquities Authority; and conducted in collaboration with Vanessa Workman of TAU's Department of Archaeology, Dr. Orit Shamir of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Dr. Zohar Amar, Dr. Alexander Varvak and Dr. David Iluz of Bar-Ilan University. Textiles suggest significant social stratification "This was clearly a formative period, with local kingdoms emerging and replacing Egyptian hegemony in Canaan," Dr. Ben-Yosef said. "These beautiful masterpieces of weaving and dyeing -- the first evidence of industrial dyeing at the time, of wash-resistant color on textile -- support the idea of a strong, hierarchical Edomite Kingdom in Timna at the time. "It is apparent that there was a dominant elite in this society that took pains to dress according to their 'class,' and had the means to engage in long-distance trade to transport these textiles -- and other materials and resources -- to the desert." The research suggests a sophisticated dyeing process involving cooking colorful plants in water, then adding fleece fixed with alum to create a chemical bond between fabrics and dye. The result is a wash-resistant colorful fabric. advertisement The researchers radiocarbon-dated the textile pieces and harnessed gas chromatography to identify the cloth's organic molecules. They found "red" molecules produced from the madder plant and "blue" molecules from the woad plant. "Both plants were known in antiquity as sources of organic dyes," said Dr. Ben-Yosef. "We know that these plants were used to create elaborate costumes during the Roman period, more than a thousand years later. Now we have evidence in the region of an Edomite society wearing textiles produced the same way, versus an earlier 'primitive' smearing of color on fabric." "We can make many inferences according to this discovery," Dr. Ben-Yosef continued. "To force a large group of people to work in dangerous mines in the desert, you need a strong ruling party -- an elite that probably wore exquisite clothes to further distinguish themselves. The smelters, working in furnaces, were considered 'magicians' or even priests, and they probably wore fine clothing too. They represented the highest level of society, managing a sensitive and complex process to produce copper from rock." Evidence of long-distance trade The textile dye presents evidence of long-distance trade, Dr. Ben-Yosef noted. "Clearly this is not local. These plants require a lot of water and probably hail from the Mediterranean regions. The dyeing required special craftspeople, an entire industry that could not have subsisted in the desert. If Jerusalem was indeed opulent in the time of King Solomon, and the Temple covered in copper, we can assume a link to that kingdom." The textiles are currently being stored in special facilities at the Israel Antiquities Authority and will one day be presented in museums in Israel and elsewhere. Scientists are a step closer to understanding how DNA, the molecules that carry all of our genetic information, is squeezed into every cell in the body. How DNA is "packaged" in cells influences the activity of our genes and our risk for disease. Elucidating this process will help researchers in all areas of health care, from cancer and heart disease, to muscular dystrophy and osteoarthritis. DNA is a long, floppy molecule, and there's more than three feet of it in every cell. Our DNA is housed in structures called chromosomes, which condense the DNA to fit into the cell's tight quarters. Scientists from the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry worked with colleagues in France and Japan to describe the first step of DNA packing in a cell. They provided the first-ever detailed picture of the most basic building block of chromosomes, known as the nucleosome, and found that a protein known as H1 (for linker histone H1) helps DNA become more compact and rigid within the nucleosome. In contrast, when H1 isn't present, the DNA is loose and flexible. The tight structure that H1 creates helps shield our DNA from various factors that can activate or "turn on" certain genes. Without H1, DNA is more accessible to factors that could trigger disease-causing genes. Published in the journal Molecular Cell, this finding will inform research on all processes that involve chromosomes, such as gene expression and DNA repair, which are critical to the understanding of diseases such as cancer, according to Jeffrey J. Hayes, Ph.D., senior study author and the Shohei Koide Professor and chair of the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The teams in France and Japan used specialized microscopes and X-rays to capture pictures of DNA molecules interacting with H1 and other key proteins. Because of the size of the DNA and protein molecules, the pictures generated by these techniques were fuzzy and difficult to analyze. Lead study author Amber Cutter, a graduate student in Hayes' lab, put all of the components -- DNA, H1, and other proteins -- together in tiny test tubes and conducted various biochemical experiments. Her tests, coupled with the X-ray images, confirmed H1's role. Cutter, who is entering her fifth year in Hayes' lab, admits that the science is complex and that a lot more research needs to be done before this work can inform clinical treatment. But, the importance of understanding the most basic biological processes should not be underestimated. "In order to determine what happens when things go wrong in diseases like cancer, we need to know what happens when things go right." When a woman walks into the oncologist's office, she's usually not alone. In fact, a new study finds that half of women have at least three people standing behind them, sitting next to them or waiting at home to help. In most cases, these support people are going with the patient to appointments, taking notes, finding additional resources and helping talk through treatment options. "People just diagnosed with cancer are often scared and overwhelmed. Having another person to help them process information is important," says Lauren P. Wallner, Ph.D., MPH, assistant professor of general medicine and epidemiology at the University of Michigan. Wallner is the lead author of the paper, published in the journal Cancer. "Physicians need to recognize that women involve other people in their treatment decisions. These people represent an important group to provide information about treatment options," Wallner notes. The study surveyed 2,502 women with early stage breast cancer about two months after they had surgery. Women were asked to list specific individuals who were involved in helping them make a treatment decision. Half of the respondents listed at least three people and 20 percent listed two people. Only 10 percent said they had no personal decision support network. Nearly three-quarters of women said their support network talked with them about their treatment options and frequently attended their appointments. advertisement African-American and Latina women reported larger networks than white women. Women who were married or partnered also reported more support. Even among women without a partner or spouse, many had large support networks. Women reported children, friends, siblings, parents and other relatives were involved in their decision-making. "Minority women tend to have larger networks, so clinicians should also be aware that there could be differences in the number of people patients might be involving. And these networks go beyond just a partner or spouse," Wallner says. Larger support networks were associated with more deliberation about treatment, which the researchers suggest could be critical as treatment options become more complex. More deliberation suggests patients are thinking through pros and cons, discussing it with others and weighing the decision carefully. "When patients are diagnosed with cancer, there's this rush to get through the treatment process. But for patients with early stage breast cancer, they have some time to decide on their treatment choice," Wallner says. advertisement "The idea that women are discussing their options more with their family and friends and potentially thinking through that decision more carefully is reassuring. Engaging these informal support networks could be a way to prevent women from rushing into something," she says. The researchers recommend physicians incorporate family and friends into the conversation, delivering information and decision aids to everyone in the room, as well as providing information that can be shared with those back at home. Typically, decision aids and other materials are written for the patient. Wallner says this study suggests the need to broaden these materials to include family and friends who play a role in helping a woman understand her treatment choices. "When considering these complex treatment options and going through these complex decisions, it's beneficial to have the support of other people. This helps women feel supported in their decisions," Wallner says. At the same time, women without a support network may need extra help or information during the decision process, Wallner points out. "It starts with something as simple as physicians asking patients who is helping them make their treatment decisions. That can then guide the conversation, such as the amount of resources the physician provides and to whom they communicate that information," she says. Wherever you find people, you also find bacteria and other microorganisms. The International Space Station is no exception. That generally is not a problem. For one thing, the space station is kept cleaner than many environments on Earth. Routine cleaning activities are included on astronaut task schedules. Cargo sent to the station, and the vehicles that carry it, undergo a rigorous cleaning process and monitoring for microorganisms before launch. Crew members assigned to the space station spend 10 days in pre-flight quarantine. For another, scientists regularly monitor the interior of this and other spacecraft, a process that started with the Apollo missions. "Once every three months, we sample from two locations in each module of the U.S. segment of the station," says Mark Ott, a microbiologist at Johnson Space Center. Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, monitors its segments. Samples collected from surfaces and from the air are cultured on plates containing a growth medium, one specific for bacteria and another for fungi. Those plates return to the ground and scientists identify each organism that grows on them. Drinking water on the station is treated similarly to the water we drink on earth to kill and keep microorganisms from growing. Regular monitoring also keeps an eye on the station's drinking water system. For years, scientists conducted this monitoring once a month, but samples kept coming back so clean that the schedule changed to once every three months. The astronauts' drinking water is, microbiologically speaking, cleaner than just about anything they drink on earth, says Ott. This environmental monitoring is driven by the ISS medical requirements, and has consistently shown the space station contains the same types of microorganisms commonly found in most offices and homes here on Earth. Microorganisms are found everywhere, but very few types are medically significant, or capable of making someone sick under the right circumstances. The medical staff keeps a particularly sharp eye out for those, though, and when any turn up, the space station gets a more-thorough-than-usual cleaning. advertisement Ott adds that the mere presence of such microorganisms poses little risk to the health of the astronauts. "It may be something typically found in a bathroom, for example, but that you wouldn't want in an office space," he says. Finally, a microorganism found on the station may initially look like something risky, but, on closer examination, turn out to be a slightly different type. NASA scientists use DNA to identify specific microorganisms, but it can still be difficult to distinguish between closely related species. That was the case with a recent investigation that verified 11 strains of bacterium belonging to what microbiologists call the Bacillus anthracis, cereus, thuringiensis group, or Bacillus cereus group that had been previously reported in 2014. While this large family of microbes includes some bad bugs, Bacillus is extremely common on Earth and around humans, so finding this type of bacteria on the space station is not unusual. Using DNA hybridization, researchers identified individual species in the samples and, while some were a close match to Bacillus anthracis type strains, they did not have the physical characteristics or the toxin-producing plasmids required to consider them a potential risk. Continued research is being done to understand what organisms grow on the space station. There have been many studies of the microbial environment on the space station. These investigations often use different techniques and have different objectives from the required environmental monitoring conducted by NASA, but can support the goals of that program. "We should be investigating new and different ways of monitoring spacecraft for microorganisms," says Ott. "But we must be careful when we interpret the results. NASA has and continues to closely monitor the International Space Station to ensure it provides a safe and healthy environment for our astronauts." This study that has been ongoing since 2013, Study of the Impact of Long-Term Space Travel on the Astronauts' Microbiome, Microbiome for short, investigates how space travel affects the human immune system and an individual's microbiome, which is the collection of microbes that live in and on the human body at any given time. Researchers will take periodic samples from different parts of the astronauts' bodies and from the station for analysis back on Earth. In addition, NASA and the Sloan Foundation recently partnered on a program to support research on the microbiome of the built environment, or the microbial ecosystem of human-made environments -- in this case, the space station. In April, five post-doctoral fellowships were awarded for experiments using NASA's archive of more than a decade of microbes collected from the NASA modules of the space station. These experiments will improve understanding of how microbial communities colonize, adapt, and evolve on the space station, contributing to its ongoing use as well as to future space exploration vehicles. Because when humans go to space, microorganisms go with us. Higher intelligence (IQ) in childhood is associated with a lower lifetime risk of major causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, smoking related cancers, respiratory disease and dementia, finds a study published by The BMJ today. It is the largest study to date reporting causes of death in men and women across the life course, and the findings suggest that lifestyle, especially tobacco smoking, is an important component in the effect of intelligence on differences in mortality. Previous studies have shown that, on average, individuals with higher IQs tend to live a little longer than those with lower IQs, but these are largely based on data from male conscripts followed up only to middle adulthood. So a team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh set out to examine the association between intelligence test scores measured at age 11 and leading causes of death in men and women up to age 79. Their findings are based on data from 33,536 men and 32,229 women born in Scotland in 1936, who took a validated childhood intelligence test at age 11, and who could be linked to cause of death data up to December 2015. Cause of death included coronary heart disease, stroke, specific cancers, respiratory disease, digestive disease, external causes (including suicide and death from injury), and dementia. advertisement After taking account of several factors (confounders) that could have influenced the results, such as age, sex and socioeconomic status, the researchers found that higher childhood intelligence was associated with a lower risk of death until age 79. For example, a higher test score was associated with a 28% reduced risk of death from respiratory disease, a 25% reduced risk of death from coronary heart disease, and a 24% reduced risk of death from stroke. Other notable associations were seen for deaths from injury, smoking related cancers (particularly lung and stomach), digestive disease, and dementia. There was no evident association between childhood intelligence and death from cancers not related to smoking. The authors outline some study limitations which could have introduced bias. However, key strengths include the whole population sample, 68-year follow up, and ability to adjust for important confounders. They also point out that significant associations remained after further adjustment for smoking and socioeconomic status, suggesting that these factors did not fully account for mortality differences. And they say future studies "would benefit from measures of the cumulative load of such risk factors over the life course." This study is the largest to date reporting causes of death across the life course, and it provides us with interesting results, say researchers based in Sweden, in a linked editorial. "Importantly, it shows that childhood IQ is strongly associated with causes of death that are, to a great extent, dependent on already known risk factors," they write. And they suggest that "tobacco smoking and its distribution along the socioeconomic spectrum could be of particular importance here." In conclusion, they say: "It remains to be seen if this is the full story or if IQ signals something deeper, and possibly genetic, in its relation to longevity." A molecular test can pinpoint which patients will have a very low risk of death from breast cancer even 20 years after diagnosis and tumor removal, according to a new clinical study led by UC San Francisco in collaboration with colleagues in Sweden. As a result, "ultralow" risk patients could be treated less aggressively and overtreatment avoided, leading to fewer toxic effects. "This is an important step forward for personalizing care for women with breast cancer," said lead author Laura J. Esserman, MD, MBA, a breast cancer specialist and surgeon with UC Health. "We can now test small node-negative breast cancers, and if they are in the ultralow risk category, we can tell women that they are highly unlikely to die of their cancers and do not need aggressive treatment, including radiation after lumpectomy. "Oncologist have discussed the existence of ultralow risk tumors and expressed concern that they might be exacerbated by screening. But, Esserman said, this is the first evidence that it is possible to run a diagnostic test at the time of diagnosis and identify them. The study appears June 29, 2017 in JAMA Oncology. "This is an exciting advance because approximately 20-25 percent of tumors diagnosed today may be ultralow risk," said Esserman, a UCSF professor and director of the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center who also co-leads the breast oncology program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC). The medical community for many years has focused on identifying cancer early so that it can be cured or more easily treated. While this can benefit some patients, screening also can detect cancers that are extremely low risk and not life-threatening, which could lead to patients being overtreated. The issue is compounded because breast cancer can recur many years after diagnosis -- for low-grade tumors, the majority of the risk occurs after five years. Until now, tools that could reliably identify ultralow risk tumors at the time of diagnosis have not been available because physicians lacked the assurance that late recurrence could truly be avoided. In the new study, researchers sought to determine whether a 70-gene test could accurately and reliably identify tumors with indolent, or slow-growing, behavior to assess the risk of cancer recurrence up to 20 years after diagnosis. The same test had shown last year that nearly half of early-stage breast cancer patients, who met traditional criteria for high risk, could safely skip chemotherapy based on the biological makeup of their tumors. advertisement The authors disclosed that the test, called MammaPrint, was devised by UCSF cancer researcher Laura van 't Veer, a co-author on the new study. Produced by Agendia, a company co-founded by van 't Veer, MammaPrint tests for a 70-gene signature that can predict whether cancer will recur in early-stage breast cancer patients. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007. In the new analysis, the investigators sought to assess breast cancer patients over 20 years, and to find cancers with no- or almost no-risk for metastatic progression. As such, they collaborated with the Stockholm breast cancer study group (STO), to evaluate patients who have been tracked for decades and were part of a randomized clinical trial of tamoxifen vs no systemic therapy. The STO-3 low-risk trial included 1,780 lymph-node-negative patients with tumors less than or equal to 3 centimeters in diameter, randomized to two years of adjuvant tamoxifen (40 mg. daily) versus no adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant therapy is a treatment provided after the initial surgery or treatment, with the intent to suppress recurrent tumor formation. All the women had their tumors surgically removed. The researchers used these tissues to profile a total of 652 women, of whom 311 had received tamoxifen, and 339 had not received adjuvant systemic therapy. The majority of the women (79 percent) had received mastectomies and lymph node removal -- the data did not include cases with less aggressive local therapy. All women had tumors detected in the era prior to the use of screening mammography, so none were detected via mammograph. The multigene test classified 42 percent of the patients as high-risk, and 58 percent as low-risk. The investigators found that low-risk patients had a 95 percent survival rate at 5 years, but many later died from their disease. The test classified 15 percent (98) of the cases as ultralow risk, showing that such tumors are an inherent part of the spectrum of breast cancers, even in the era before screening. Not all low-risk tumors were ultralow risk -- in fact, only a quarter met the molecular definition. The women with ultralow risk tumors had an excellent prognosis, whether or not they used tamoxifen for two years, said the authors. "This emphasizes the role that early detection can play, and how we can improve the impact of screening by focusing on those most likely to benefit," said Esserman. The results suggest that the 70-gene test can be used to help physicians and patients determine their treatment course, and to inform choice of systemic therapy as well as local therapy. In an unscreened population, 15 percent of women will have ultralow risk tumors, said the authors. With widespread screening, approximately 25 percent of postmenopausal women could have ultralow risk breast cancer that would rarely be associated with recurrence or death, they wrote. For ultralow risk elderly women over age 75 who have other conditions and face a life expectancy of less than a decade, simple excision may be sufficient, they said. "There are breast cancers that pose little or no systemic risk," said Esserman. "Women who have a tumor that is classified as ultralow risk by 70-gene signature can be reassured that their long-term outcome is expected to be excellent, with or without endocrine therapy. Having a test that accurately identifies a population of women, who have very little risk to begin with, should be welcomed by patients and clinicians alike. These tools will enable doctors to better personalize therapy to safely minimize treatment and reassure women if a cancer is ultralow risk." The Entire Team NASA On June 3, 1966, two NASA astronauts blasted off on the three-day Gemini 9 mission to rendezvous with another spacecraft and test out the Air Force's Astronaut Maneuvering Unit essentially a rocket-powered jet pack. But not everything went according to plan as the rendezvous, docking and spacewalk encountered some hiccups during the mission. Here: the prime crew of astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, command pilot (on the left) and Eugene A. Cernan, pilot, stand behind the original prime crew of astronauts Elliot M. See, Jr. and Charles A. Bassett II for an official NASA photo on Jan. 5, 1966. Bassett and See were killed in an unrelated plane crash on Feb. 28, 1966. For Safety NASA The Gemini 9 EVA spacesuit was designed with seven layers of protection versus the Gemini 4 with five. [Gemini Program: Two-Man Prep for Moon Missions] For Practice NASA For simulation purposes, the adapter equipment section of the Gemini 9 spacecraft was mocked-up by NASA. The device provides volume and attach points for multiple system modules including the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU) backpack at center. Other systems served include the Orbit Attitude Maneuver System, Environmental Control System primary oxygen supply, batteries, coolant, and electrical and electric components. Getting to Know the Mechanics NASA On Feb. 8, 1966, at the McDonnell plant in St. Louis, astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, Gemini 9 prime crew command pilot, trains to familiarize himself with the Gemini 9 spacecraft. Learning Curve NASA On Feb. 19, 1966, in Chamber B of the Environmental Test Laboratory in Building 32, astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Gemini 9 pilot, practices on the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit. The AMU incorporates a chest pack and a backpack and will be used during extravehicular activities during the Gemini 9 mission. Space on Earth NASA At LTV Corp. in Dallas, Texas, astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Gemini 9 pilot, sits inside a unique manned Aerospace Flight Simulator. The device replicates the sensations and visuals of actual spaceflight, allowing the astronaut to work out procedures, solutions and simulated missions with great accuracy using complex computers. The astronaut sits in a gondola resembling a spacecraft which maneuvers in response to his controls, replicating roll, pitch and yaw. In this version of the machine, the controls were removed and the AMU backpack installed. Cernan wears an inflated pressure suit and an Extravehicular Life Support system. On and Off and On and Off NASA Inside Building 5, astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., backup crew pilot for NASA's Gemini 9 mission, practices getting into the AMU. The device will be used by astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, prime crew pilot for the Gemini 9 mission, during the EVA. Training in the Ocean NASA In the Gulf of Mexico on April 9, 1966, astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Gemini 9 mission prime crew pilot, stands on NASA's Motor Vessel Retriever, ready for water egress training. Fashion Model NASA Fred Spross of the Crew Systems Division, acts as test subject for spacesuit assembly configured for extravehicular activity. Spross also dons the Extravehicular Life Support System chest pack. A cloth woven from stainless steel fibers, Chromel-R, covers the spacesuit legs. New Materials NASA Chromel-R , a cloth woven from stainless steel, protects the astronaut from the hot exhaust expelled by the thrust of the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit backpack. The AMU, made up of the Gemini spacesuit, backpacks and chest pack, are essentially a miniature manned spacecraft. Safety First NASA Chromel-R protects the astronaut from the heat expelled by exhaust related to the thrust of the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit backpack. The AMU is essentially a miniature manned spacecraft and includes the Gemini spacesuit, backpacks and chest pack, are essentially. Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, prime crew pilot for the Gemini 9 mission, will utilize an AMU during the extravehicular activities. Paul Sutter is an astrophysicist at The Ohio State University and the chief scientist at COSI Science Center. Sutter is also host of Ask a Spaceman, We Don't Planet and COSI Science Now. Sutter contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. The Earth is mediocre, but not in the way you might think (the food is too bland, pop music is soulless, architecture is boring, etc.). In the cosmological sense, the Earth does not enjoy a special vantage point in the universe. There's simply nothing special about our particular location. We orbit a typical star, in a typical spiral galaxy, in a typical branch of a typical supercluster. Our planet and its evolutionary leap to intelligent beings could've occurred in any old spot around the cosmos and we ought to have come to the same conclusions about the big science questions: the Big Bang, dark energy, the cosmic web, the works. [The Universe: Big Bang to Now in 10 Easy Steps] Look this way This "principle of mediocrity" (also sometimes dubbed the Copernican Principle in an effort to salvage our ego) is baked right into the very mathematics that cosmologists use to understand and model the universe: general relativity. The equations of GR arecomplex, to say the least, so to make any headway at all physicists must make some simplifying assumptions. When it comes to cosmology, two assumptions make the difference between a world of math-pain and math-paradise: that our universe is homogenous and isotropic. Homogenous means that, at big enough scales, one patch of the universe is roughly like any other patch. Obviously you have to go to beefy enough scales to make this work (for example, the Earth is very different than the sun), and for our universe that happens at around 200 million light-years. Isotropic means that the cosmos looks pretty much the same no matter what direction you look in again, over sufficiently large distances. With these two assumptions in place, the math of GR is slightly less torturous and progress (i.e., generating testable hypotheses and confirming/refuting them with experiment) can be made. But being good little scientists, not only do astronomers test their hypotheses, they also test their assumptions. Is the universe really homogenous and isotropic? A ball of light The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is a relic of the very early universe. Released when the cosmos was barely 300,000 years old, that light has been traveling the great expanses of our universe for 13.8 billion years until it collided with our telescopes. That light surrounds us on all sides, giving us an unprecedented look at the state of the infant universe, equivalent to a picture of you when you were a mere handful of hours old. What a wonderful testbed for our cosmological assumptions. We can ask, "Is the universe isotropic?" to the CMB, and it can answer. The response: Yes! The CMB is perfectly uniform all across the sky to one part in 10,000. Mission accomplished. But the devil, as they say, is in the details. [Cosmic Microwave Background: Big Bang Relic Explained (Infographic)] Pole position There are subtle, tiny differences in the temperature of the CMB light from place to place. Those minuscule variations offer a wealth of information on many pressing cosmological questions, like the geometry of the universe, the amount of dark matter and the growth of the largest structures. To mathematically quantify the statistical properties of the CMB's characteristic bumps and wiggles, cosmologists turn to a technique called multipole expansion. This expansion looks at ever-smaller patches of the sky and analyzes the variations at only that scale. The first scale is the average CMB temperature across the whole sky the monopole. The second is the dipole, or two hemispheres. The next is a quadrupole (the sky cut into quadrants). Then octupole (eigths), hexadecapole (sixteenths), dotriacontapole (thirty-seconds) and so on all the way up to. Well, we kinda run out of names, so just go with 4,000-pole. The total CMB signal is the sum of all these contributions at various sizes, and in an isotropic universe these should all have random orientations. The dipole's hot patch may be over here, but the octupole should be directed over there, with no connection between them. And it turns out there are! From the 2-pole to the 4,000-pole, the European Space Agency's Planck mission (which observed the CMB from 2009 to 2013) verified that all the multipoles point in all sorts of random directions. Except. A curious coincidence Except for the quadrupole and octupole, which are just a few degrees away from each other. This coincidence was first noted by NASA's early WMAP mission, but many dismissed it as a statistical fluke that would surely go away with better measurements. It didn't go away with better measurements. And it gets worse. It seems that the CMB is slightly cooler when viewed through the "top half" of our solar system, and slightly warmer on the opposite side. I'm not talking much; just a handful of microKelvin difference, but it's measurable and definitely there. Plus, this peculiar relationship to our solar system is aligned with the quadrupole and octupole. Around the axis That's odd. It's one thing for two of the multipoles to be aligned maybe that's just random coincidence but it's another for them to be associated with our solar system. Hence the nickname "Axis of Evil," a tongue-in-cheek reference to President George W. Bush's labeling of Iran, Iraq, and North Korea in 2002. What's going on? The CMB shouldn't give two photons about our solar system it was generated before the sun was a twinkle in the Milky Way's eye. And we can't find any simple astrophysical explanation, like a random cloud of dust in our southern end, that might interfere with the pristine cosmological signal in this odd way. Is it really just coincidence? A chance alignment that we're conditioned to find because of our pattern-loving brains? Or does it seductively point the way to new and revolutionary physics? Or maybe we just screwed something up with the measurements? At this early stage, it's tough to say. There aren't a lot of data, and it's easy to get excited. We'll just have to wait and see; eventually the universe will.wait for itpoint us in the right direction. Learn more by listening to the episode "The Axis of Evil" on the Ask A Spaceman podcast, available on iTunes (opens in new tab) and on the web at http://www.askaspaceman.com. Thanks to @Censored_No_More, Peter B., Hayward Z. for the questions that led to this piece! Ask your own question on Twitter using #AskASpaceman or by following Paul @PaulMattSutter and facebook.com/PaulMattSutter. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. Colorado School of Mines students worked on their concept for the Mars Ice Challenge on June 14 at NASA's Langley Research Center. While Mars has water ice beneath its surface, extracting the liquid for future human missions will be a challenge. A recent NASA competition tasked university student teams to mine simulated Martian subsurface ice. The RASC-AL (Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts Academic Linkages) Mars Ice Challenge took place between June 13 and 15 at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia. The goal was to demonstrate which technology was best for in-situ resource utilization, referring to the practice of "living off the land" on another world, NASA officials said in a statement. The process could allow missions to reduce the inherent cost of shipping water and other materials to other worlds, because the future colonists could instead use the resources available at their landing site. [How Living on Mars Could Challenge Colonists (Infographic)] "NASA has really been focused on trying to get all the pieces in place to get to Mars," Richard Davis, assistant director of science and exploration at NASA's Science Mission Directorate's Planetary Science Division, said in the statement. An October 2016 study indicated that Mars boasts a deposit of subsurface ice that is likely larger than New Mexico, providing a valuable source of water for future colonists on the planet. "There's a lot of resources on Mars, but water is the driver," Davis added. "There's a ton of water on Mars." Fierce competition The students' task was to drill through about 16 inches (0.5 meters) of simulated Martian soil (regolith) to get to solid ice blocks that were about the same depth. Each team used a combination of drills, augers and an excavator to get the work done. The students also submitted a technical paper discussing how their system could be used on Mars, considering the planet's different gravity and environment from Earth. To make sure they were working within real-life constraints, the students had to be mindful of mass, volume and power restrictions that are common on Martian missions. The students were further warned that during a real mission, drills would have to work for months or years in a cold and challenging environment. Martian gravity is only about 38 percent the strength of Earth's, its atmosphere is thin and largely made up of carbon dioxide, and the surface is baked in radiation, among other challenges. "It's all about learning and adapting," Patrick Troutman, human exploration architecture integration lead at NASA Langley, said in the same statement. The projects are "based in reality to what NASA wants," added Shelly Spears, director of education and outreach at the National Institute of Aerospace. The institute administers the event. "When we give those challenges to students, they're able to start solving them in their unique way," Spears said. The Mountaineer Ice Drilling Automated System from West Virginia University in Morgantown took home the win. "Engineering really prepares you for this stuff," said Eric Loy, a team member. "It's just problem solving." The full list of competitors included two teams from West Virginia University, and one team each from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, the University of Texas in Austin and Alfred University in Alfred, New York. Langley held the Mars Ice Challenge as part of its centennial celebrations. The center was the first civilian aeronautics laboratory in the United States when it was established in 1917. Langley was created under the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which was reformulated as NASA in 1958. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May (left) and filmmaker Grigorij Richters are two of the founders of Asteroid Day. Tomorrow (June 30), astronauts, celebrities and planetary protection researchers from around the world will come together in Luxembourg for a 24-hour webcast to celebrate Asteroid Day, and you can watch the action right here on Space.com. The 24-hour broadcast will feature discussions on a variety of asteroid-related subjects, including the impact undiscovered asteroids can have on the Earth, how scientists spot new asteroids, and the importance of current asteroid missions like NASA's OSIRIS-REx and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA)'s Hayabusa-2. Dust and rocks shed from asteroids constantly bombard Earth. While most of the debris attracts little attention, sometimes it can have significant consequences, as was the case in 2013 when the Chelyabinsk meteor erupted in the sky over Russia, damaging buildings and injuring bystanders. International Asteroid Day was established in 2015 to help the public better understand the potential threat asteroids can pose. [5 Reasons to Care About Asteroids] "The more we learn about asteroid impacts, the clearer it became that the human race has been living on borrowed time," Brian May, an astrophysicist and a guitarist for the rock band Queen, said on the Asteroid Day website. May co-founded Asteroid Day with Danica Remy and Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, who are both leaders of the nonprofit group B612 that encourages the early detection of asteroids, and film director Grigorij Richters. Working with other astronauts and researchers, the four also helped develop the 100X Declaration, which calls for increasing the asteroid discovery rate by a factor of 100 over a decade. "Asteroid Day and the 100X Declaration are ways for the public to contribute to an awareness of the Earth's vulnerability and the realization that asteroids hit Earth all the time," May said. "Asteroid Day would [be] the vehicle to garner public support to increase our knowledge of when asteroids might strike and how we can protect ourselves." Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart speaking at an Asteroid Day event. He is a cofounder of the nonprofit group B612 that encourages the early detection of asteroids. (Image credit: Max Alexander) The broadcast will kick off with a review of NASA's OSIRIS-Rex asteroid sample-return mission, followed by a segment about JAXA's Hayabusa-2 mission, which will also bring a piece of an asteroid back to Earth. A science fiction movie written and directed by Richters called "51 Degrees North," about an asteroid impact on London, will begin at midnight EDT (0400 GMT). "Man vs. Asteroid," a documentary that features May and renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, will be broadcast at 3 a.m. EDT on June 30 (0700 GMT). It will be followed by "Scientists Rock," a seven-part video series narrated by astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson. The all-day broadcast will also include live panels from NASA and the European Space Agency on how the agencies discover and track asteroids, and how they plan for planetary defense. "At NASA, every day is an asteroid day, but we value the international collaboration for a designated day to call attention to the importance of detecting and tracking hazardous asteroids," Lindley Johnson, NASA's planetary defense officer, said in a statement from the agency. At 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT), the Asteroid Day committee will begin broadcasting its 6-hour conference, which will include multiple panels. [The full schedule is available here.] Researchers will discuss ongoing asteroid research, the history of Asteroid Day, and the history and origin of asteroids. A panel of astronauts will talk about why space explorers love asteroids. Several panels will examine concerns about potential asteroid collisions with Earth, including the role of governments, space agencies and private industries in planetary protection. The meeting will conclude with a conversation on asteroids as resources for both space exploration and profit. Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. As NASA makes plans to one day send humans to Mars, one of the key technical gaps the agency is working to fill is how to provide enough power on the Red Planets surface for fuel production, habitats and other equipment. One option: small nuclear fission reactors, which work by splitting uranium atoms to generate heat, which is then converted into electric power. NASAs technology development branch has been funding a project called Kilopower for three years, with the aim of demonstrating the system at the Nevada National Security Site near Las Vegas. Testing is due to start in September and end in January 2018. The last time NASA tested a fission reactor was during the 1960s' Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power, or SNAP, program, which developed two types of nuclear power systems. The first system radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs taps heat released from the natural decay of a radioactive element, such as plutonium. RTGs have powered dozens of space probes over the years, including the Curiosity rover currently exploring Mars. [Nuclear Generators Power NASA Deep Space Probes (Infographic)] The second technology developed under SNAP was an atom-splitting fission reactor. SNAP-10A was the first and so far, only U.S. nuclear power plant to operate in space. Launched on April 3, 1965, SNAP-10A operated for 43 days, producing 500 watts of electrical power, before an unrelated equipment failure ended the demonstration. The spacecraft remains in Earth orbit. Russia has been far more active developing and flying spacecraft powered by small fission reactors, including 30 Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellites, or RORSAT, which flew between 1967 and 1988, and higher-powered TOPAZ systems. TOPAZ is an acronym for Thermionic Experiment with Conversion in Active Zone. A photograph of the SNAP-8 generator from the Lewis Research Center, part of NASA's Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP) program. Here, engineers exposed the system to shocks and vibrations expected to occur during a launch into space and subsequent maneuvering. (Image credit: NASA) Nuclear power revival NASA has funded several nuclear power technology efforts in the 50 years since SNAP, but financial, political and technical issues stymied development. Three years ago, the agencys Game Changing Development program backed Kilopower, with the goal of building and testing a small fission reactor by Sept. 30, 2017, the end of the current fiscal year. The project is costing about $15 million. "It'll be the first time that we operate a fission reactor that could be used in space since [the] 1960s SNAP program," said Lee Mason, who oversees power and energy storage technology development at NASAs Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The tests in September are designed to validate Kilopowers design and performance. After that, NASA would be ready to proceed with developing a higher-fidelity system for testing on Mars or elsewhere, Mason said. The test reactor, which is about 6.5 feet tall (1.9 meters), is designed to produce up to 1 kilowatt of electric power, but to keep costs down, the test unit does not include a full array of Stirling engines to convert energy generated by the fission process into heat. Thermal simulators will be used for the balance of the engines to verify the reactors power output, Mason said in an interview with Space.com. NASAs interest in fission resurfaced after a 2010 study that looked at options for RTG systems. "At that point, we were trying to find a small fission reactor that could provide similar power output as the radioisotope power systems," Mason said. NASA engineers figure human expeditions to Mars will require a system capable of generating about 40 kilowatts of power, which is about what is needed for "about eight houses on Earth," according to the agency. Curiositys RTG was designed to supply about 125 watts less energy than what is needed to power a microwave oven though power levels fall as the radioactive plutonium decays. [How Will a Human Mars Base Work? NASA's Vision in Images] Solar power is another option, but that would restrict power generation to regions that are exposed to enough sunlight to charge batteries. Inside the moons Shackleton Crater, for example a prime candidate for lunar sorties due to its water resources it is completely dark. The sunniest spots on Mars receive only about one-third the amount of sunlight as Earth does. "If you want to land anywhere, surface fission power is a key strategy for that," Michelle Rucker, an engineer at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, said during a presentation in December to NASAs Future In-Space Operations working group. A SNAP 10A spacecraft system being tested in preparation for launch. (Image credit: NASA/DOE) Fission reactors also can continue working in adverse weather conditions, such as Mars ubiquitous dust storms. "Weve landed some really cool things on Mars and theyve had some pretty remarkable power systems but theyre not going to cut it for human missions," Mason said during last months Humans to Mars Summit in Washington, D.C. The biggest power requirement for future human expeditions is running the equipment to produce fuel, air and water, plus running the habitat and recharging batteries for rovers and science equipment. NASA envisions sending four or five small fission reactors, each capable of generating about 10 kilowatts of power, to Mars, Mason said at the Humans to Mars Summit. The units would be launched cold and activated once they reach their destinations. "Theyre not operating at launch, whereas once you fuel an RTG, its operating, and you have to process the thermal output," Mason said. "The reactors also have a very low radiological inventory at launch less than 5 curies so its benign There are no fission products until the reactor is turned on, and thats when there will be some radiation." Partners in the Kilopower project include NASAs Glenn Research Center, the Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Lab and the Y12 National Security Complex, which supplies the reactors uranium. Irene Klotz can be reached on Twitter at @free_space. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Decades before the Zinger 1 mission lifted off into the stratosphere (and Rob Lowe sported a spacesuit to play Colonel Sanders), KFC sponsored the "Chix in Space" experiment, which really flew into outer space. A spicy, crispy chicken sandwich riding in an animatronic "bucket satellite," mounted to a steerable platform, is now soaring into the stratosphere carried by a giant helium balloon. The Zinger 1 mission serves as both a shakeout cruise for World View Enterprises' Stratollite high-altitude vehicle and a commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken's newest menu offering. The earlier has applications for science, disaster response and telecommunications; the latter is a fast food marketing campaign complete with Rob Lowe appearing in TV commercials as a spacesuited Colonel Sanders. The Zinger 1 mission lifted off Thursday morning (June 29) at around 8 a.m. CDT (1300 GMT) from northern Arizona. The sandwich-loaded Stratollite ascended upward at a rate of about 1,000 feet per minute (305 meters per minute), to reach altitude after approximately an hour and 20 minutes. [As Seen on TV: These Commercials Were Filmed in Space!] Despite it being billed by KFC as a "space mission," the Zinger chicken sandwich is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) shy of leaving the atmosphere. The planned four-day flight might set a record for the longest controlled stratospheric balloon flight of a commercial cargo in history, but it is not the first KFC-sponsored space payload. For that, you need to look back three decades. Egg before the chicken (sandwich) John Vellinger was in the ninth grade in Lafayette, Indiana, when he came up with an idea for a space-based chicken embryo incubator. Egged on by the interest his concept attracted at a NASA-sponsored science fair, Vellinger continued to work on the project through high school, until, as a freshman at Purdue University, the space agency reached out to him with news that a corporate sponsor had taken an interest in flying his experiment. Kentucky Fried Chicken would not only underwrite building a flight-qualified incubator, but would provide its engineer, Mark Deuser, to help Vellinger do it. The experiment, formally referred to by NASA as "Chicken Embryo Development in Space," but affectionately dubbed "Chix In Space," would fly 12 White Leghorn chicken eggs fertilized immediately prior to launch to see if any changes in the developing embryo could be attributed to radiation or microgravity effects. Eight of the eggs would be exposed to weightlessness and radiation in orbit, while the remaining four would have lead shields to minimize their radiation exposure. A dozen eggs would remain on Earth as a control, tended to by Vellinger "much as a mother hen would, turning them five times a day to counter the effects of Earth's gravity on the yolk," as NASA's press release described at the time. A mission patch created for the project featured a yellow cartoon chick wearing a space helmet while riding atop a space shuttle orbiter circling an egg-shaped ringed planet labeled "Kentucky Fried Chicken." At the base of the planet, under its yolk core, was KFC's iconic Colonel Sanders logo. By launch day, Vellinger was a sophomore at Purdue. He had trained STS-51L payload specialist Christa McAuliffe and her Teacher-in-Space backup Barbara Morgan how to operate the "Chix in Space" unit aboard the space shuttle Challenger and he was one of the last people, other than the astronauts themselves, to climb into the orbiter on the launch pad to check on his experiment on Jan. 28, 1986. Tragically, 73 seconds after their launch, McAuliffe and her six crewmates were lost when Challenger broke apart, the result of a cold weather impaired solid rocket booster. In the wake of the disaster, Vellinger returned to Purdue and Deuser resumed developing specialized equipment for KFC restaurants. STS-29 astronaut John Blaha works with the "Chix in Space" egg incubator aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1989. (Image credit: NASA) 'Chix in Space' It was not long though, before Vellinger and Deuser were teamed up again to fly an advanced version of the "Chix in Space" experiment. This time, the incubator would support 32 chicken eggs 16 fertilized just two days prior to launch and the other 16 fertilized nine days prior to study if any changes in the developing embryo could be attributed to weightlessness. "I'm very excited to be here," Vellinger told NASA's STS-29 crew at a pre-flight training session. "Imagine this chicken egg in the back of the barnyard. Gravity is causing the yolk to fall down to the bottom of the egg. Now, the hen has a natural instinct of turning that egg around, so therefore the yolk will go back to the top and gravity pulls it back down to the bottom again." "Now, what would happen to that egg up in space when you don't have gravity pulling that yolk back down to the bottom? How would that embryo develop?" Vellinger said, describing the hypothesis that inspired the "Chix in Space" student experiment. The locker-sized flight unit was loaded onto space shuttle Discovery. On the front of the device, which was golden in color, was inscribed, "John Vellinger, Chix in Space," and in the lower right corner was KFC's Colonel Sanders logo. Launched March 13, 1989, the first KFC-sponsored space payload orbited the Earth 80 times, traveling more than 2 million miles (3.2 million kilometers) over the course of five days. It reached a top altitude (aboard the space shuttle) of 185 miles (297 km), 12 times higher than the Zinger 1. The original "Chix in Space" mission patch produced by Kentucky Fried Chicken for the experiment's 1986 launch. (Image credit: collectSPACE.com) 'Kentucky' is born Even more exciting than KFC reaching (real) space were the results of the "eggs-periment" (to cite a NASA-quipped pun). Less than a week after Discovery landed, at 8:29 p.m. EST on March 24, 1989, the first space-flown egg hatched. The 1.5 ounce (41.8 g) male chick, named "Kentucky," broke through its shell at KFC's headquarters ("Colonel Sanders Technical Center") in Louisville. "The first space chicken, Kentucky, will be donated to the Louisville Zoo to be put on display," said Gregg Reynolds, then the vice president for public affairs at KFC. The other space chicks hatched would live out their normal lifespan for scientific observation. "This project may yield data [to] help scientists understand the loss of bone mass in astronauts, prospects for human reproduction in space and chicken's potential as a food source in space,' Vellinger said in 1989. Today, the "Chix in Space" STS-29 flight unit is on display at the Cosmosphere museum in Hutchinson, Kansas. And Vellinger and Deuser are still working together, though no longer with KFC. The two cofounded a Louisville-based company to develop payloads for space-based research. Techshot, Inc. devices flew on later space shuttle missions and today continue to fly on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, including supporting NASA's Rodent Research hardware that studies mice on board the International Space Station and partnering on the development of the first zero gravity 3D bioprinter. See more photos of the "Chix in Space" KFC experiment, including how it is displayed at the Cosmosphere, at collectSPACE. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2017 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. Bir Lahlu, June 24, 2017 (SPS) - President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, sent a congratulatory message to the President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , Abdelaziz Bouteflika, on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr Eid Al-Fitr. "I would like on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr to extend, on behalf of the Government and people of the Saharawi Republic and on my own behalf, my warmest congratulations and best wishes to your Excellency and through you to the brotherly Algerian people, wishing you great health and Algeria people greater progress and prosperity," said the President of the Republic in his message. The President of the Republic wished that this Eid al-Fitr will bring blessings, peace, unity and prosperity to the great Muslim Community. (SPS) 062/090 A London pubs group chaired by Luke Johnson has agreed a deal to snap up the Grand Union chain of trendy bars, which the serial entrepreneur also backs. Draft House, which has 10 boozers in the capital, said it is buying the Grand Union Group, which comprises six venues, from Johnson and founder Adam Marshall. A price of around 3 million is believed to have been agreed. The purchase includes sites in areas such as Camden, Paddington, Kennington and Wapping. Existing staff will be kept on and up to 50 more people recruited. The pubs will be converted into Draft House sites. Charlie McVeigh, founder of Draft House, said: This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire a key site in Camden Town and five other beautiful pubs in prime central London locations. Johnson took a 50% stake in Grand Union in 2013, two years after he acquired a stake in craft beer specialist Draft House. Coffer Corporate Leisure advised on the deal. F ancy a car tyre that never punctures, whose particles biodegrade before washing into the environment, whose tread pattern can be re-shaped in minutes to suit the road conditions? Its on its way now, thanks to cutting-edge technology from Michelin. Unveiled at the tyre giants MovinOn sustainable mobility conference in Montreal, the total package is some years off, but aspects of it will be incorporated into tyres coming to the market within years. The lightweight Vision concept tyre will last the lifetime of the car, be made of entirely recyclable material and will be airless. Sensors buried inside the wheel will monitor its and the roads condition, sending data to an app, which will also be capable of making an appointment with a tyre firm, perhaps if snow or ice are forecast. The tyre will then be re-shaped in a drive-through service using digital printing techniques, without the tyres being removed from the car, re-forming the tread depth and pattern. Terry K Gettys, executive vice president of research and development at Michelin, told me: It will take 10 to 20 years for us to develop the tyre. You might think its a dream and youre right it is a long-term dream, but a realistic dream. A police officer was threatened with a shotgun in a south London alleyway while his colleague had a moped driven at him. Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information following the incident involving two plain clothes officers in the Betts Park area of Bromley on Wednesday night. While carrying out patrols just off Anerley Road at 11.30pm, a moped rider pulled up opposite them with a passenger on the back. The two men got off and approached the officers before seemingly realising who they were and fleeing, police said. One officer chased after a suspect on foot into Seymour Villas and then into an alleyway. The suspect then pulled out a shotgun and pointed it at the officer before escaping. No shots were fired. Seymour Road: One suspect was chased down an alleyway where he produced a shotgun / Google Meanwhile, the other male PC chased the second suspect along Anerley Road before he got back on the moped, a black Honda, and drove it at the officer. The PC stuck out his baton and knocked the man off, forcing him to flee on foot. The suspects, described as black and aged 16-20, could not be tracked down although a loaded shotgun was recovered in the alleyway along with a knife. Detective Inspector Ed Facer, the investigating officer from Trident, said: "This was a very serious incident with two police officers threatened, it was incredibly lucky given the circumstances that they were not badly injured. "We would appeal for any witnesses to what happened or who saw the suspects making off or anyone else with information to please contact us as soon as possible. "These are dangerous individuals who were out that night heavily armed with a loaded shotgun and a knife. We need to take them off the streets." Any witnesses, or anyone with any information, are asked to contact Trident on 020 8247 4863, or contact police via 101 or Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. A quarter of all GP appointments are "avoidable" with doctors forced to waste millions of hours a year on "inappropriate or bureaucratic" consultations, according to a leading medic. One in four patients who visit their doctor could care for themselves at home, be seen by another health professional or does not need treatment, said Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the new head of the British Medical Association (BMA.) He warned GP services were on the "brink of collapse" amid a record rate of closures last year, when nearly 200 practices shut their doors, despite a stark rise in patients seeking care. Speaking at the BMA's annual conference in Bournemouth on Wednesday, Dr Nagpaul called for the Government to help "liberate" doctors from needless appointments. He said: "Every wasted GP appointment is an appointment denied to a sick patient." The doctor, who is to take over as chair of the BMA council later this week, accused ministers of turning a "blind eye" to patients by ignoring pleas from the profession. He told delegates: "The individual GP practice unit is frighteningly vulnerable, with one in 10 practices surveyed saying they're not financially sustainable. "A record number of practices closed last year - not surprising with one in three practices unable to fill GP vacancies." He added: "General practice remains on the brink of collapse, since fundamentally demand totally outstrips our impoverished capacity. "We're seeing 50 million more patients annually in general practice compared to five years ago, with increasing care moving into the community and a growing older population - yet latest figures show that today we have fewer GPs per head than then. "This mismatch has resulted in unmanageable workload with over eight in 10 GPs saying they can't provide safe care, which is an indictment of government policy that promotes safety in the NHS. "We know that one in four GP appointments are avoidable - that's for patients who could have self-cared, or seen another professional, or appointments taken up for inappropriate or bureaucratic purposes. "The priority must therefore be to liberate these appointments - that would in effect increase GP capacity by 25 per cent, far greater than the political mirage of 5,000 more GPs - remembering that every wasted GP appointment is an appointment denied to a sick patient. "Not wasting GP appointments is also key to addressing hospital pressures, since just a six per cent reduction in GP appointment capacity would double the number of patients attending A&E if they went there instead - highlighting why under-resourcing general practice is so damaging for the NHS." Medics at the conference also unanimously passed a motion calling for more money to be made available for GP surgeries "as a matter of urgency". They also called for a "rapid" expansion of the workforce. The motion, presented by Dr Richard Vaughtry, who is to become acting chairman of the union's General Practice Committee later this week, said that "the current workload pressure in general practice is unsafe and unsustainable". He added: "General practice is in crisis and the facts speak for themselves. "Patients are waiting longer and longer to get a routine GP appointment and yet 200 practices closed last year." Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe In mid-2017 the U.S. received its first export order for the new AN/TPQ-53 artillery spotting radar system. Saudi Arabia bought 26 of them for $25.5 million each, including training, spare parts and tech support. What does Saudi Arabia need with so many artillery spotting radar systems? Its all about the Iranian threat. More specifically Iran backed Shia rebels firing rockets and mortar shells across the 1,450 kilometer Yemen border into Saudi Arabia. Since 2014 that has caused several hundred casualties in Saudi Arabia and that includes more than a hundred dead. The American manufacturer and the current largest user (the U.S. Army) assure the Saudis that the TPQ-53 is combat proven, debugged and can get the job doen. This comes in the wake of several years of testing and tweaking the TPQ-53. The end of all this additional work was marked by an early 2017 U.S. Army orde for another hundred TPQ-53 systems, after having delayed that order until some problems with the first batch were diagnosed and fixed. Back in 2012 the army finally began replacing its older AN PQ-36/37 FireFinder artillery spotting radar with the new and improved AN/TPQ-53. While the new system was an improvement the army began getting more and more reports from users in combat zones of false positives (the radar showing something incoming when there wasnt anything) as well as difficulty distinguishing between artillery shells, rockets and mortar shells. There were also reports that the new system did not handle multiple incoming shells well, being unable to provide data on where it was all coming from. The army halted distribution after 38 of the new systems went into service and delayed production of another hundred until the problems could be fixed. A series of tests were conducted in 2015 to document the problems so the manufacturer could fix them. These fixes have been completed and verified by more tests so now manufacturing can continue. Despite the problems the new system was seen as an improvement. Troops in Afghanistan continued to call the new version "FireFinder" or "counterfire radar" even though the new TPQ-53 is a visibly new and different looking system, each consisting of two trucks (one for the radar the other for the control center and backup generator). For the troops in Afghanistan the TPQ-53 was a success because the most common threat was individual mortar shells being fired at a base. The TPQ-53 was faster and more reliable at dealing with that. The AN/TPQ-53 had been sent to Afghanistan for final testing in 2010. In early 2012 the army ordered 51 AN/TPQ-53 systems. Easier to use and repair, as well as more reliable than its predecessor (the AN/TPQ-36/37), the TPQ-53 could also scan all around (360 degrees), rather than just 90 degrees (as with the older system), and was faster as well. The army wants to buy at least 180 TPQ-53s, for about $9 million each. The older FireFinder is cheaper and still gets the job done. This is why some countries (like Iraq) want it. Many Iraqis have seen the older FireFinder in action. They know it works. The older FireFinder (AN/TPQ-36/37) radar had to overcome a bad reputation it acquired when it first came to Iraq. That was often for failing to detect incoming mortar fire. These were problems that were fixed. FireFinder was developed in the 1970s, based on Vietnam experience with enemy mortar and rocket attacks but didn't get a real combat workout until after September 11, 2001. Both the old and new FireFinders are radar systems which, when they spot an incoming shell, calculates where it came from and transmits the location to a nearby artillery unit, which then fires on where the mortar is (or was). This process takes 3-4 minutes (or less, for experienced troops). FireFinder worked as advertised but got little use until U.S. troops entered Iraq. After that FireFinder was very effective and heavily used. Too heavily used. There were not a lot of spare parts stockpiled for FireFinder and several hundred million dollars-worth had to be quickly ordered. The manufacturer also introduced some new components that were more reliable and easier to maintain. There were still problems. Some FireFinders failed to catch incoming fire because the enemy was using tactics that fooled the radar. For example, in Iraq American bases were generally on higher ground than the mortars firing at them. Putting bases on the high ground enables you to watch more of the surrounding terrain. But FireFinder needs a line-of-sight to get a good fix on the firing weapon's position. If the mortar was too far below the radar, FireFinder could not accurately spot where the fire was coming from. Another problem was that if the mortar was too close FireFinder was much less likely to quickly determine where the fire was coming from. So the enemy mortar teams got as close as they could before firing. This still made the mortar teams vulnerable to counterattack by coalition troops but not the immediate (in a few minutes) artillery fire that FireFinder can make happen under the right conditions. At first, the army was going to halt further upgrades on FireFinder, which, after all, was developed back in the 1970s, and begin developing the TPQ-53, a new system that can better deal with the kinds of problems encountered in Iraq. But FireFinder had been so useful that new upgrades were pursued anyway, while work continued on the TPQ-53. The upgrades have also been made available to other users of FireFinder (including allies in the Middle East, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey). FireFinders are still doing most of the work out there, and TPQ-53 wont replace a significant number of them until the 2020s. South Sudan admitted that it had recalled ambassadors or heads of mission in seven countries (Britain, Sudan, Uganda, Germany, India, Eritrea and Egypt) and said this was a normal rotation. Irate suppliers in most of the 29 countries where South Sudan has established embassies or foreign missions complain that the South Sudanese are not paying their bills. South Sudan is short of cash and this is another indication of how bad it is. June 27, 2017: Famine is once again a weapon in South Sudan. In Unity state 90,000 people are facing famine conditions as more displaced people has arrive at the Bentiu refugee camp in obvious need of food.. The Bentiu camp now has around 125,000 refugees but about five million people in South Sudan are in areas where crops have failed because of fighting (disrupting planting season) or transportation difficulties because the roads and river routes are too dangerous to move farming supplies or anything else (like food, medicine and consumer goods). Food supplies are being used up and the next crop will be reduced or absent in areas where the hunger is expected to be worst. June 25, 2017: The U.S. and Sudan are working out the details of lifting sanctions, some that have been in place for two decades. The U.S. eased some of those sanctions in January 2017, before a new government took over and further progress depends on verifying progress in five areas. These include ending support for rebel groups in South Sudan and ending the endless skirmishing in the west (Darfur) and south (South Kordofan and Blue Nile states). Sudan must also give humanitarian aid groups improved and secure access to conflict areas. The U.S. also wants Sudan to cooperate with U.S. agencies in Americas counter-terrorism effort. Critics point out that Sudan has failed to provide humanitarian access in several areas, but South Kordofan and Blue Nile in particular. June 21, 2017: Sudanese media report that 17 Sudanese soldiers were killed in a battle on June 10 in northwestern Yemen. The Sudanese soldiers were fighting Yemeni Shia rebels. Their bodies were returned to Sudan and they were buried today in an official military ceremony. In South Sudan foreign aid workers accused the government of using scorched earth tactics against the Shilluk tribe in Upper Nile state. Details were provided on incidents that occurred between January and May 2017 during which soldiers and pro-government Dinka militias systematically burned and pillaged villages. Troops also ntentionally shelled civilians areas. The objective was forced displacement of the Shilluk from their homes. The evidence supporting the accusation is impressive. June 20, 2017: Diplomats have begun describing South Sudans civil war as a fragmented war. When it started in 2013 there were two distinct sides. Now there are several factions. Some of the new factions are collections of minority ethnic groups who live in the same region. They have formed a loose grouping to defend themselves against the Dinka-dominated government and the Nuer-dominated rebels (SPLM-IO). The fragmentation became noticeable in the early summer of 2016. June 19, 2017: Several more firefights have erupted in South Sudans Upper Nile region. The government blames the firefights on rebel attacks. At least one of the incidents took place near the town of Renk (now in Eastern Upper Nile state). The area has oil fields and is close to the Sudan border. Throughout South Sudan tensions have dramatically escalated in recent days in the northern region of the country after a series of rebel attacks. A senior government official warned that the clock has now run out and that all options are on the table to provide security in the country. June 18, 2017: In late May Japan completed the withdrawal of its troop contingent serving with the UN South Sudan peacekeepers for five years. A total of 3,854 Japanese troops served with UNMISS. They built 210 kilometers of roads. They also constructed 94 facilities. Japan is still analyzing the mission. One goal was for soldiers to gain experience cooperating with foreign militaries. June 15, 2017: In Sudan the U.S. has confirmed that SPLM-N rebels opposes an American proposal for providing humanitarian aid in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. The rejection was known because a senior U.S. diplomat had accused SPLM-N leaders of pursuing their own private political agendas. The SPLM-N is struggling with internal political conflicts generated by ethnic rivalries. June 14, 2017: UN officials are trying to muster enough support to change the mandate for the African Union-UN Hybrid peacekeeping Operation in Darfur. The UN wants key member states (the Security Council) to reduce the Darfru force by almost 50 percent to 8,735 troops and 2,360 armed police. The force is currently authorized 15,845 military personnel and around 3,000 policemen. UN officials said most of the fighting in Darfur now is confined to the Jebel Marra area and that current levels of violence do not justify the size of the current force. June 12, 2016: In South Sudan rebels claim to have defeated governemtn forces in the town of Kwet (Northern Upper Nile state). The government acknowledged the attack and said its forces in Kwet had withdrawn to the town of Kwek. The rebels are portraying the fight at Kwet as a significant victory. They claimed they killed 134 soldiers and captured three tanks, several other vehicles mounting machine guns, and a mortar. Two of the tanks were T-55s, one was a T-72. The rebels also accused government forces of attacking rebel positions in the area on June 9. The leaders of Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia, and diplomats from Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia are publicly encouraging the government of South Sudan and the main rebel group (SPLM-IO) to revive the August 2015 peace agreement. For several months the U.S. and Great Britain have been trying to get Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia to exert more pressure on the South Sudan government. The U.S. and several other key donor nations appear to be concluding that South Sudans president is an impediment to peace. June 9, 2017: The government of South Sudan said that it will deploy a new security force to Gogrial state. The force will establish and patrol buffer zone between the Aguok and Apuk communities. When South Sudan had ten states instead of 28, Gogrial was part of Warrap state. June 8, 2017: In South Sudan 15 passengers were killed when their bus was ambushed on the highway between the capital and Uganda border. Five of the dead were Ugandans and 35 other passengers suffered injuries. The gunmen have not been identified. June 5, 2017: Battles between the Apuk and Aguok clans near the town of Gogrial have left at least 38 people dead. The clans are fighting over water holes and pasturage. The South Sudan president is a Dinka from Gogrial and the clans fighting are Dinka clans. The Apuk clan also claims that county services in the new state of Gogrial are unfairly distributed. They also say the power structure in the state discriminates against them. June 4, 2017: In South Sudan a rebel faction in Yei River state has agreed to a ceasefire with the government. Uganda mediated the agreement. However, several senior rebel officials say that they do not recognize the agreement as valid. The faction that agreed to the ceasefire is led by a former army general who claims to have 16,000 soldiers on his side and is considered hostile to SPLM-IO, the main rebel organization. June 3, 2017: Representatives from Egypt and Sudan met in Cairo to discuss economic and territorial disputes. However, the talks concluded with the statement that no concrete progress had been made. There will be more discussions at a later date. The biggest issue is control of the Halayeb Triangle on the Red Sea. Egypt has also accused Sudan of giving refuge to radical members of the Muslim Brotherhood -- members Egypt regards as Islamist terrorists. Sudan denies the accusation. Sudan has accused Egypt of providing supplies for rebels in Darfur. Egypt says that is completely false. First Name First Name must have at least 0 and no more than 256 characters. The value of the First Name field is not valid. * Dignity Home Care gives seniors a range of choices to customize their care. In home care is offered in New York (Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester), New Jersey and Connecticut through Dignity Home Care. To locate a dignity home care health aide near you, please call any of our direct lines: 973-226-6450 201-313-9879 908-707-2068 732-974-0912 856-541-5736 516-222-6001 631-271-2211 914-337-3038 203-661-1834 New JerseyNew YorkGreater Metropolitan AreaWestchester CountyConnecticutConnecticut Homemaker/Companion Agency # HCA.0000864 Personal Evaluations Our Dignity Home Care Registered Nurses conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine physical, social, emotional and environmental needs. Call today to schedule your personalized evaluation. Our trained and certified home caregivers provide: Care under the 24-hour supervision of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Home Health Aides Both hourly and live-in care Bathing and personal grooming assistance Light housekeeping, home cooked meals and laundry Errands and shopping services Companionship Medication Management Program and assistance Coordination with skilled nursing, therapies and hospice care Occupational and Physical Therapy Geriatric Care Management Welcome Home Program or post-hospital care Caregiver Relief and Support Our respite care services can support In Home and Dignity Home Care by having professionals care for your loved one while you are away. Whether its an unexpected situation, an extended vacation or needed relief, we can provide immediate care without disruption. Dignity Home Care Notice of Privacy Practices Personal Care Thats Actually Personal We meet with each resident and their family prior to moving in for a special care assessment. Based on each residents unique care needs and preferences, the Sunrise team develops an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) to provide personalized assistance with certain tasks such as bathing, dressing, medication management, grooming and other activities, depending on the specific needs of the resident. Each residents plan is regularly reviewed for any necessary adjustments as personal care needs evolve. See How Sunrise Works for You Contact us today to schedule a tour at a Pennsylvania or Kentucky community near you. First Name * must have at least 0 and no more than 256 characters. The value of the First Name * field is not valid. Were welcoming brighter days as our residents have the chance to enjoy group activities, communal dining, social events, and indoor visitation, subject to community operating status. Community & Location Highlights: Convenient location in Palo Alto, CA Near MayView Community Health Center and Stanford hospitals and clinics Easy access to Stanford University, theatres, Palo Alto Art Center, shopping and dining Sunrise of Palo Alto in Palo Alto, California, offers personalized senior living services and continuing care options that enable seniors to live life on their own terms. Our designated care managers are here to carry out each residents individualized service plan, based on their wants, needs and preferences. Residents participate in activities to stimulate their mind, body and spirit and they also enjoy home cooked meals from our dining team. And of course, our housekeeping staff keeps the community tidy and clean so residents have plenty of time for enjoying life instead of doing household chores. We are conveniently located close to shopping, dining, theaters, Palo Alto Art Center, Stanford University and Stanford Hospitals and Clinics. Independence, fun, and friends. Contact us about booking a tour. We look forward to speaking with you! RCFE License 435294227 Caregiver Support Groups Support groups for caregivers foster the setting for sharing information, insight, advice and encouragement. They provide an opportunity to learn from others who face the same challenges, and allow you to talk about your experiences. Caregiver support group meetings can give you new approaches to caregiving, including ones that worked for others in a similar situation. You can also gain perspective and caregiver stress management tools that come from hearing others talk about their experiences. Every year in conjunction with World Alzheimers Day Sunrise communities host Resources to Remember, a series of events highlighting the services and resources available to Alzheimer's caregivers and seniors with Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss. Through the Resources to Remember community events, learn the next steps to take after a memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer's diagnosis and meet other Alzheimer's caregivers. Share this important event with other caregivers, and sign up to receive our Caregiver Guide featuring information for supporting a loved one experiencing memory loss. Contact your local Sunrise Senior Living community about joining a regular support group for caregivers. Finding the Right Support Group Every support group is different, and you may not know where to begin your search. A good place to start is with recommendations from friends, spiritual leaders and the staff at your communitys Department of Social Services. Look for established caregiver support groups that are moderated by someone who also has experience as a caregiver. Ask about support groups for specific conditions. Find memory loss and Alzheimers support groups if your loved one is experiencing Alzheimers symptoms. Learn the top 10 Alzheimers symptoms here. Local vs. Online Support Groups Because local and virtual support groups each offer unique advantages, many caregivers explore the benefits of both. Face-to-face community support groups are great if you can take a break from your caregiving responsibilities for a short while. If not, an online support group offers similar help available at your convenience. Typically, community Alzheimers caregiver support groups meet in person on a set schedule. One advantage is that members from the same area are familiar with local resources and may better understand some of the challenges you face. In addition, taking time off to attend an Alzheimer's support group breaks up your routine, exposes you to new people and allows you time to unwind. Online support groups are accessible any time, day or night. And since anyone can join, you benefit from an extremely wide range of experience and expertise. ElderCare Online presents regular support groups with experienced moderators, set but flexible topics and supportive peers. In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld a lower court's ruling that Google must remove search results for websites and domains associated with Datalink Technologies Gateways. The controversial decision comes after Equustek Solutions, a company specializing in network interface devices, sued the company over the theft of "trade secrets" and for selling Equustek's products branded under Datalink's own name. Datalink denied any wrongdoing, but when the court date arrived to hear the case, the company left Canada and failed to appear in court. Equustek received a default judgment in the case, but Datalink continues to operate outside of Canada. Even though Google was not named in the lawsuit, Equustek did request that the search company de-list any search results associated with the fugitive corporation. Google voluntarily removed over 300 Datalink websites, but only from its Canadian search index. This action was not good enough for Equustek. The company sought an injunction against Google in British Columbia that would require the search engine to completely de-list Datalink on a global scale. Although the search giant defended itself on grounds that the order prevented freedom of expression, the BC court ruled in favor of Equustek. "Such a broad injunction sets a dangerous precedent, especially given that it is likely to conflict with the laws of other nations." Google appealed the ruling to the Canadian Supreme Court, but the decision was ultimately upheld. As the highest court in the country, there are no further appeals to be heard in the case, and the ruling is final. According to CBCNews, Justice Rosalie Abella said in her opinion that by not de-indexing Datalink websites, Google was "allowing harm" to come to Equustek and that it was not a matter of freedom of expression. "This is not an order to remove speech that, on its face, engages freedom of expression values, it is an order to de-index websites that are in violation of several court orders. We have not, to date, accepted that freedom of expression requires the facilitation of the unlawful sale of goods." Several organizations have spoken out against the ruling. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), for one, said that the decision disregards foreign laws and "[intrudes] on internet users' free speech rights." The EFF added, "This framing results in Google being ordered to remove speech under Canadian law even if no court in the United States could issue a similar order." "They have an affirmative duty to take steps to prevent the internet from becoming a black market." Others have supported the decision. Graham Henderson, president of Music Canada, said, "Today's decision confirms that online service providers cannot turn a blind eye to illegal activity that they facilitate; on the contrary, they have an affirmative duty to take steps to prevent the internet from becoming a black market." Currently, the search engine is still returning results for Datalink. When or if Google will comply with the court order is unknown. A spokesperson said that the company is still "evaluating [its] next steps." In the meantime, Equustek is awaiting further hearings against other defendants from the original trade secrets lawsuit. Those proceedings are scheduled to start early next year. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Donald Trump, Mika Brzezinski. Photo: Getty Donald Trumps tweets have long been inappropriate for someone who holds the job of president of the United States, and most other jobs for that matter. On Thursday morning, he took to the platform to address the pressing national issue of Mika Brzezinskis alleged face-lift. The impetus was a Morning Joe segment that criticized him, though Trump is quick to point out that, nope, he absolutely was not watching the show before sending out his angry tweets. .@morningmika: "Nothing makes a man feel better than making a fake cover of a mag about himself, lying every day and destroying the country" pic.twitter.com/r30Acu5y2P Tom Namako (@TomNamako) June 29, 2017 (Brzezinski and co-host Joe Scarborough have been criticized in the past for having an overly friendly relationship with Trump, but how times have changed.) I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (dont watch anymore), he wrote. Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Years Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 ...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 Brzezinski, for her part, has not responded directly, though she did send out a tweet of her own shortly afterward. Update, 10:04 a.m.: An MSNBC spokesperson also responded, saying, Its a sad day for America when the president spends him time bullying, lying, and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job. Poor President Trump was bullied by a television host, apparently. Photo: 2017 Getty Images When the president sent out two tweets Thursday morning mocking Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinskis alleged face-lift in the midst of a fierce internal debate about the Senates health-care bill, many peoples first thought was, Um, why? Luckily, just an hour after the tweets were posted, Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders appeared on Fox News to explain that the president of the United States lashed out because he felt bullied. There have been an outrageous number of personal attacks, not just [on] him but [on] frankly everyone around him, she said of Morning Joes recent content. She went on, This is a president who fights fire with fire and certainly will not be bullied by liberal elites within the media. When asked if she thought the tweets were called for, she replied that it is necessary to push back against unnecessary attacks on the president, who, again, isnt going to be somebody whos bullied. Deputy WH Press Secretary VIGOROUSLY defends Trump's ad hominem attacks on Mika Brzezinski, saying he won't be bullied pic.twitter.com/Wcf8913PAQ Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) June 29, 2017 When asked whether there was anything else that could possibly explain the presidents tweets, Sanders said she was not aware of any extra backstory on that front. Sadly, Trumps fellow conservatives dont seem to care that a TV host hurt his feelings many have condemned his tweets, and House Speaker Paul Ryan called them inappropriate, and said they do nothing to improve the tone and civility of debate. Mohammad El Khatib and Joseph Vieira are trading memories of what its like to immigrate to a country 50 years apart. El Khatib, 27, arrived from Lebanon in March, making the difficult decision to leave behind his stepmother and siblings after finding out they couldnt all be sponsored as a family. Just days after his arrival, he was adding his name to a panel of a giant 150th birthday card to Canada in the lobby of Mississauga City Hall, which he wandered into on a walk. He went home and told his uncle, I signed for Canadas birthday, to which his uncle replied that he had been here for 24 years and never had an opportunity to do something like that. I said I did, says El Khatib, laughing. At 27, Vieira came to Canada from Portugal in the midst of Canadas 100th birthday celebrations, which had been in the works for years. A centennial commission had been struck; a centennial logo was designed; each province was constructing a centennial memorial building; and Expo 67 in Montreal would be the climax. Everybody was talking about the Centennial, said Vieira, who wasnt fluent in English at the time. And I was asking, What is centennial? And then thats when they told me about this story we are celebrating 100 years, says the 77-year-old. I ended up coming to Canada on that privileged year. The Star has brought the two men together to talk about being a newcomer to Canada then and now. They meet in the lobby of the YMCA headquarters at Yonge and Eglinton, where El Khatib has just finished his first day of training for a job working with refugee youth in Thorncliffe Park. He never expected the milestone to be reached so quickly, but employee training with the Newcomer Centre of Peel helped him land the job. Skipping the pleasantries, Vieira is quick to point out that there were no settlement services when he came. Immigrants would come over but they were not helped by the government at all, he says. They had to fend for themselves. But despite their cultural and religious differences, and a 50-year age gap, the experiences of the refugee and the immigrant hardship, sacrifice, success are not so far apart that they cant find common ground. Both men say coming to Canada is a dream for many, although El Khatib said in an earlier interview that I heard a lot about the Canadian experience, that you will not find any jobs here. El Khatib first learned of the country from his uncle, who immigrated here in 1994 and sent the family postcards showing attractions such as Niagara Falls. El Khatib says he dreamed of going there. He went this spring, on his second day in Canada. At one point, Vieira is struck by just how new to Canada the younger man is. Oh, you are young, like me at the time. I remember, he tells El Khatib, as the two men talk in the YMCAs boardroom. You are going to do well, you see, he says. With hope and with the entrepreneurial spirit you are going to be able to do well. Believe in yourself that you can do what the others do. El Khatib was born in Damascus and grew up in the now bombed-out Yarmouk refugee camp as one of the more than 160,000 Palestinian refugees who lived there. His family fled to Lebanon in 2012 when fighting broke out. Two months later, his father a UN worker and his brother went back to Damascus so that his sibling could write the last of his second-year med school exams. They were killed by a bomb. I saw the news on the (Yarmouk) Facebook page, says El Khatib. I was struggling to find a job and resettle in Lebanon and that happened, he says. I broke down for three or four months. He says life in Lebanon was tough. Syrian refugees make up a quarter of the countrys population, but they arent allowed to work in many sectors. El Khatib worked in a gas station until a friend told him about a possible job with the humanitarian aid organization Caritas. The organization liked him so much that it created a workaround so it could hire him a job contract negotiated through a lawyer and El Khatib became an education officer. Six months later, when his boss left Caritas, he moved into her position as education field co-ordinator for southern Lebanon. He moved to another NGO, Mercy Corps, two years later. El Khatibs family decided to apply to Canada as refugees more than a year ago. His uncle was one of five sponsors, necessary under Canadas G5 program, which allows citizens and permanent residents to apply to bring in refugees who have been officially recognized as such by organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. But El Khatib was over the cut-off age of a dependent child and his family made the difficult decision to send him first. His stepmother, Hanady, 14-year-old sister, Abeer, and 18-year-old brother, Malek, remain in Lebanon. Joseph Vieiras quest to become a Canadian citizen was a much simpler process. His family emigrated from the island of Madeira in 1966 during a wave of Portuguese recruitment by the Canadian government. Vieira came to visit them a year later, after three years of mandatory military service in Angola. Once here, he went to Canadian immigration and told them he wanted to stay. They said OK, says Vieira. Six months later he received his landed immigrant status. Once in Canada, he worked for a year at a printing press and took English courses at night, giving all of his earnings to his parents. Vieiras father couldnt read or write, and as a builder, had been made fun of by an engineer at city hall in his native Portugal because he couldnt sign his own name. He vowed that his children would go to school and university, although Vieira was the only one of 11 siblings who attended Lisbon University before military service cut his education short. After learning English here, Vieira enrolled at U of T to pursue his dream of teaching. But he had to drop out in his third year when his three sisters were laid off from their factory jobs and there wasnt enough money for his father to pay the mortgage on their house. Vieira got a job in the investment industry before moving to insurance sales in 1974. He started his own company, Vieira Insurance, which is now an independent branch of Jones Deslauriers insurance. He married (hes now divorced) and had two children Christine, an interior designer, and Patrick, who works with him. Canada will be the first country where Mohammad El Khatib will live as a citizen. Although he was born in Syria, he had only a permanent ID card. Im a Palestinian refugee who was living in Syria for 20 years as a refugee. Then I lived in Lebanon for five or six years, struggling and being different from people there, says El Khatib. Youre not Syrian, youre not Lebanese. He contrasts that with his treatment here. When you arrive to Canada it feels like you are Canadian, says El Khatib. People said to you Welcome to Canada from the first day. As the two men stand beside each other in the boardroom Vieira looking up at El Khatib, who has a height advantage they both say they chose careers where they could help their fellow migrants. Vieira turned down a better-paying job at Sun Life to start his own business. I felt the (Portuguese) community was growing, was becoming part of Canada. And I said I can speak both languages, he says. Im going to take this opportunity to be part of the community, help the community, which in turn will help build the Canada that we have today. He says he even managed to work in an element of the career hed initially wanted by advising people on insurance and investments. They listened to my story, they listened to what I was saying, he says. So I was teaching. El Khatib says he came to Canada with the idea that he could help other newcomers. This is my career, he says of his new job. This is my passion. By the end of the interview, you can see that Vieira is impressed by the warmth and energy of the younger man. As everyone says goodbye, he hands out his business card and tells El Khatib they should have a coffee sometime. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWAA contracting company that does millions of dollars in business with Canadas federal government and military agencies has been hacked, the Star has learned. Valcom Consulting confirmed Thursday morning that its website was recently defaced, and officials said theyre conducting an internal investigation into the incident. The initial indication is no information was compromised or stolen by the hacker or hackers, said Lyle Best, a sales manager with the company. But Best said it was too early to confirm that. I dont know if its a cyber attack or a hack or whatever else at this time, Best told the Star Thursday morning. Were still looking at it, so I mean I cant really comment because theyre still looking at it and theyll tell me what the results are later on. A screenshot of Valcoms website sent to the Star late Wednesday night shows the hack attributed to MuhmadEmad, a hacker that reportedly defaced hundreds of thousands of WordPress websites in February. The hacked by MuhmadEmad campaign used a vulnerability in the WordPress platform to post anti-Daesh (ISIS) messages, in support of the Kurdish Peshmerga fighting the terror group. According to security company WordFence, the campaign targeted a wide range of websites in the United States and the UK. Other reports indicate Irish and Japanese websites were also defaced. The company traced the IP address used in many of the hackers attacks to Montreal although the hacker could be hiding their actual location. Given the wide variety of websites hit by the hacks, its unlikely that Valcom was targeted for its contracts with the federal government and Canadian military. Over the last decade, Valcom has received government contracts worth millions, including hundreds of contracts with the Department of National Defence, according to public procurement records analyzed by the Star. Valcoms defence clients include Canadian Forces Bases Trenton, Valcartier, and Gagetown. The company has also done work for National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, and has won contracts with the Communications Security Establishment, Canadas sophisticated electronic spying agency. A government official told the Star that its unlikely Valcom would have sensitive information stored on their servers, even if the hack did more than just deface the companys site. Daniel Lebouthillier, a spokesman for the Department of National Defence, said that while the department doesnt have cause for concern about the incident, they are tracking this issue closely. Protecting our systems and information is of the utmost importance and we have safeguards in place to ensure the integrity of our data, Lebouthillier said in an emailed statement. SHARE: OTTAWAMany Indigenous people wont be celebrating Canadas 150th birthday, and with good reason, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Thursday as he called for the so-called reoccupiers to be treated with respect and understanding. While Canadians across the country fly flags from porches and don red and white face paint, Indigenous groups are planning protests and ceremonial events to drive home the point that for them, there is nothing to celebrate. The Bawaating Water Protectors, an Indigenous group from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., attempted to set up a teepee Wednesday night on Parliament Hill but clashed with police securing the site for Saturdays Canada Day festivities. After a few hours, police released nine people who had been arrested and the teepee was allowed to be set up on the edge of the parliamentary grounds, fenced off from the rest of the site. Read more: Teepee on Parliament Hill highlights pain of Canada 150, activists say The group is not there to protest, but to make people aware of the truth of Indigenous history in Canada and to witness Indigenous ceremonies, said organizer Brendon Nahwegezhic. Getting Canadians to understand that history and to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples is a main goal of the four-day reoccupation event, Nahwegezhic said. Were here to make people aware of the genocide that went on, the assimilations that went on, he said. That is a part of the history and that is the truth of Canada, unfortunately. Trudeau, speaking at an event in Charlottetown, said he understands and hears clearly the messages being sent by those behind the reoccupation. We just have to make sure that we deal with both what are going to be historic crowds on Canada Day on the Hill but also deal with people in a respectful and a responsible way, he told a news conference. Thats what I expect of our security services and thats what I am expecting to see. Security is higher than usual in Ottawa as an estimated half a million people are expected to descend on Parliament Hill for Canada Day this year. Canadians need to understand not everyone will be celebrating Canada 150 the same way, Trudeau said. We recognize that over the past decades, generations, indeed centuries Canada has failed Indigenous Peoples. The intention is to spend the next four days engaging in Indigenous ceremonies including sharing circles and sacred fires. Nahwegezhic said his group plans to eventually move their teepee right onto the main grounds of Parliament Hill. It currently sits on a slope leading up to the building known as the East Block. When Trudeau talks about truth and reconciliation, we wont be able to get to the reconciliation part until the truth is exposed and in the open and told properly, he said. Unfortunately, it seems to be getting misconstrued by politics and whatnot. Nahwegezhic pushed back several times at the notion that the group is staging a protest. Rather, he said, its a call on people to stand with them, and raise awareness. We are on Algonquin territory and we do have that right to practice our traditions. Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas said in a statement Thursday as an Indigenous woman from the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, she is not celebrating this weekend. Our history predates colonization yet we are still being treated like third class citizens even though treaties were signed in good faith on our part, she said. We are of the opinion that we will celebrate when all treaties are settled, all First Nations children enjoy equality in education, health care, safe drinking water, quality housing and governance in our own land. Social media hashtags like #UNsettleCanada150 and #Resistance150 are all over Twitter and Facebook, as people post their reasons for not celebrating. Flyers posted on telephone poles in some cities described the Canada 150 festivities as a celebration of Indigenous genocide. In May, the Indigenous group Idle No More called upon Indigenous people to rise up on July 1 with a National Day of Action Unsettling Canada 150. Among the plans are a protest event at Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennetts Canada Day picnic in her Toronto riding, and an event in Winnipeg to draw attention to the disparities between the city and life on Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. That community hasnt had clean running water for two decades, despite the fact that it is situated on the side of the lake where Winnipeg gets its water. SHARE: Advocates of what has been called an ambitious climate change action plan fear Mayor John Tory and allies want to pull the plan apart to fund just pieces of it. That debate on the TransformTO plan will unfold at council next week, where the rising cost of lost revenues and flood repairs on Toronto Island and along the waterfront is also on the agenda. We have to make sure that our climate change TransformTO plan prioritizes the work that will give us the greatest immediate impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction of those emissions, Tory told reporters at a press conference Thursday on the citys preparedness for extreme weather events. As a city, we need to set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Asked if he had cost concerns about the plan, which requires $6.7 million in 2018, Tory said it was a very broad plan and said its not possible to do everything at once. But council critics and environmental advocates say the plan before council is already prioritized based on more than two years of work that included consultations with the community and experts. Its like saying, Which of the legs in a three legged stool are we going to get rid of? said Franz Hartmann, executive director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance. He said not moving forward with the plan as presented would undermine the overall goal of achieving an 80 per reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050. What council is looking at is the result of a priority-setting exercise, Hartmann said, adding $6.7 million is a drop in the bucket relative to the citys billions-dollar budget. In the meantime, Hartmann said the city continues to pay the severe financial consequences of extreme weather. After unprecedented flooding this spring, a separate staff report to council next week estimates a loss of $5 million already in revenues related to the ferry and island park closure. That is assuming the island becomes more accessible to the public as of Aug. 1 and regular ferry service resumes. That cost does not include daily expenses related to flood management or necessary repairs to infrastructure that is largely still under water, and beach clean-up. Staff have also requested the authority to temporarily suspend rent collection and fees for island tenants that are paid to the city, including Centreville and several boat clubs, while the city considers whether to partially or fully forgive those costs what would contribute to the citys overall losses. Councillor Gord Perks, a former Greenpeace campaigner, said the TransformTO plan was deferred from the last council meeting because of behind-the-scenes discussions that prioritization was required to see any funding approved. This is very explicitly a consequence of the mayor trying to set a budget direction without having clear policy goals, such as protecting the climate, protected from his budget freeze, Perks said, referring to an initial budget target of zero increases across divisions. Perks said the plan is designed with different elements working together for example a future that is more reliant on electric cars means the need to reduce electricity consumption elsewhere. The climate doesnt care if we make a good try. The climate cares if we are able to keep the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere below a certain level. You cant do that if you cut the plan up. Read more about: SHARE: Federal Science Minister Kirsty Duncan says there is no quick fix for plugging Canadas scientific-funding gap as a new report confirms that fundamental research needs an infusion of $459 million just to return to 2005 levels. The report, released Wednesday by the Global Young Academy and led by scientists Julia Baum and Jeremy Kerr, also found that 40 per cent of Canadian scientists changed the direction of their research program in the past 10 years usually away from basic science. Less than 2 per cent of researchers reported that they pursued only fundamental research in 2011-15 compared to 24 per cent in 2006-10. The $459-million gap, created over the past dozen years as new funding flatlined and existing funding was diverted to industry partnerships and priority areas, is in line with the findings of another major review led by former University of Toronto president David Naylor and published in April. The Naylor report made its top priority a $485-million increase for investigator-led, curiosity-driven research. Duncan said she agrees with the majority of the recommendations in the Naylor report but warned that weve got to be realistic. Theres no quick fix. Its been 10 years of cuts and its going to take time to make up lost ground. She added that the report allows me to make a case. My cabinet colleagues understand how important science is and fundamental science, that its the beginning of the pipeline to innovation. Katie Gibbs, executive director of Evidence for Democracy, said that among Canadian scientists there is unanimous support for the (Naylor) report, and really a desire from the research community to see it fully implemented. The advocacy group launched a campaign Tuesday called Rebuilding Research, which encourages scientists and supporters to urge their MPs to implement the reports recommendations. Beyond the cash infusion, the campaign also rallies behind recommendations that address the yawning gender gap in science and the development of a plan to support Indigenous-led research. In May, Ottawa announced an equity, diversity and inclusion action plan to address the lack of diversity in the Canada Research Chairs program, including requiring universities to develop their own plans to address under-representation and withholding funds if the schools fail to meet their targets. Imogen Coe, dean of the faculty of science at Ryerson University, said Duncan has made a very good start. There been a shift in culture, but it definitely needs more of a push, more engagement, more intentionality, more investment. We need to catch up to what some of our comparators are doing in other countries. Kerr, a co-author of the Global Young report and a professor in the department of biology at the University of Ottawa, said these changes are going to take time. I am sympathetic to that Im an ecologist and we think about ecosystems with a lot of moving parts. On the other hand, the research community and Canadians are expecting that the government will get its house in order and begin to make this happen. SHARE: It began with what seemed like any other tip called in to the Toronto Stars 24-hour news desk. But the man on the line his voice steady, at times upset but never once raised would soon reveal he had made a desperate move. He was at a breaking point. He needed to be listened to. This is what it would take, he said. Over the phone, a womans desperate screams could be heard I have family! she cried. It was clear this was unlike any other call into the newsroom. What unfolded beginning around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday was a daylight hostage-taking in an Eglinton West massage parlour tucked into an industrial area strip mall. Heavily armed members of Toronto polices Emergency Task Force soon descended on the area, patrolling the area with guns and taking position on top of nearby buildings, according to witnesses. The more than hour-long negotiation beginning first with a call to the Star, and ending with a Toronto police negotiator would end shortly after noon with the safe rescue of a woman who was being held inside Studio 9 massage parlour, and the arrest of a burly man dressed all in black. Michael Storms, 35, was charged Wednesday with forcible confinement and uttering threats. Read more: Do you need help with that? How a Star editor ended up handling a crisis call Transcript: How the hostage-taking unfolded after the Toronto Star became involved The man on the phone had told the Star he had converted to Islam when he was 20, and also went by the name Muhammed Islam. The caller said his motivations for the kidnapping were related to years of being surveilled and monitored by the RCMP, and that he was desperate for it to stop. The RCMP did not return a request for comment to the Star by press time. In a 2014 article in the National Post, a Toronto man identified as Muhammed Islam was named as one of approximately 90 high-risk travellers whose passports were seized to prevent them from travelling to take part in extremist violence abroad. In a YouTube video posted in 2014, a man called Michael Storms identifies himself as Muhammed Islam and says he had a difficult childhood, grew up with family that were very bad people that was a my upbringing, crime and violence, drugs. I was never alone, but I felt lonely, he says in the video. Throughout Wednesdays incident, the man on the phone stressed that his actions were not motivated by terrorism and he staunchly did not support it. Below is an account of events on Wednesday, based on interviews with witnesses and police and a recording of more than an hour of the negotiations. The incident began inside Studio 9 spa, when a regular who staff knew as Mike walked in. Immediately, he began by giving instructions to the receptionist: cover the massage parlour windows with paper and duct tape, which he had brought in his bag. According to a woman who identified herself as Nyla, who did not want her last name used, she and another woman working inside the parlour were told they could leave, but the man prevented one woman from leaving. Nyla said the man she knew as Mike then told them the situation had nothing to do with them, but he needed someone to listen to him. Inside the Toronto Star newsroom, the phone rang in the Radio Room, the 24-hour news desk. Reporter Fakiha Baig took the call. Baig thought it was another call alerting the Star to a story idea, and listened as the man began speaking about how he was being surveilled. Then she heard a woman shouting. I could hear her crying in the background, saying something like why are you doing this, and asking for help, Baig said after the incident. The caller, who identified himself as Michael, began telling Baig that he needed to do something drastic to be heard. Ive needed help for a long time, OK? And nobody will listen. The only way to do this is to create a situation. A crisis, OK? Which is what Im doing. So I took a hostage. Are you listening to me? Yes, sir, where are you exactly? asked Baig, who had begun recording the call. Michael tells her exactly where he is, then goes on, insistent on explaining his motivations. This is being done out of desperation, Michael says. Because I dont know what to do, right? Nobody will listen, nobody will help me, right? As more crying can be heard in the background, Baig realizes she needs to get someone else involved Im not hanging up sir, can you give me one second? she tells him. Baig leaves, rushing through the newsroom to tell Star editor Jennifer Quinn what is going on. Baigs voice recorder, still running, then captures an exchange between Michael and a female voice, a woman he has been holding inside the parlour who he calls Hannah. Hannah, Ive told you what theyve been doing to me buddy. Remember, when I was stressed out, Michael tells her. Everyone has problems! the woman, hysterical, responds. You dont have these kinds of problems, though, Hannah, right? So whyd you take me with you? she responds. I dont know. All I can say is I apologize I cant let you go. Quinn has meanwhile dialed 911 and learned that police have already been contacted about the hostage. Officers are on their way to the scene, she is told. Overhearing the discussion about a hostage taking, Star editor Doug Cudmore offers to help. He joins Baig in the Radio Room, introduces himself to the caller, and begins what will become 45 minutes of conversation. Meanwhile Star staff liaised with police to have an officer join Cudmore at the Star newsroom. A police officer needed to come to the Star because Michael was open to speaking to one, but did not want to get off the phone with Cudmore and did not want to speak to an officer outside the massage parlour. In a calm and measured tone throughout, Cudmore reassures Michael that hes listening, there to help and concerned for everyones safety. Im a little bit upset. Like I said, no one will listen to me. And Ive tried, many times, to get help. Ive gone to the hospital, Ive talked to them about whats been going on, Michael tells Cudmore. Im really interested in hearing your story, he responds. And we do want to get you help. We dont want you to get hurt. I dont want to get hurt, I dont want to hurt Hannah, Michael says. I really care about this woman. Shes one of those people whos been super nice to me. Im not joking. Whats going on really actually breaks my heart. Michael then notices that police are arriving outside the cops are pulling up right now, he says. We just wanted to let them know, so nobody gets hurt. Do you have any weapons that they need to worry about? Cudmore asks. I do have weapons, yep, Michael responds. OK. Can you tell us what you have? Just because we dont want anything to happen , Cudmore says. Listen, all you need to know is that I am armed, Michael interrupts. Police later said the man claimed to have scissors, but that did not appear to be the case and no weapons charge was laid. On the phone, Michael instructs Cudmore to tell police not to approach. Cudmore attempts to keep the caller calm, reminding him that hes going to help. I understand that you guys are going to be sympathetic and youre going to try to help me. And I appreciate that and I want it. I do need it, OK? Im at a breaking point, Michael says. Cudmore invites Michael to tell him more about whats going on thats making you feel this way. Its the police. Its CSIS. OK? Michael alleged that RCMP surveillance had resulted in him losing his job and not being able to get an apartment. He claims he has been on the national security watchlist for 15 years, being followed and monitored believe me, theyve been doing it. I need people to know that Ive been targeted because Im Muslim, right They want to tell me that Im a terrorist, or potential terrorist. I dont support terrorism or any of that stuff, Michael says. Staying calm, Cudmore remains on the phone with Michael, attempting to steer him toward topics that calm him. Michael, who occasionally starts to cry, occasionally tells the woman to stay close you know Im not going to hurt you, he tells her. Michael tells Cudmore he can see police outside, via the massage parlours security cameras. Now theres three, four of them? Well, theres definitely way more than that. Another ones coming up by the sign, hes crouching down, looking out the door, using his little radio, Michael says. The police presence is also being noticed throughout the neighbourhood. I was outside when they came, I was doing some work and I saw a cop . . . just kind of tell me to get out of the way, said Peter Mastrangelo, who works nearby at Premium Auto Sales Inc. Earlier, when he was arriving for work, hed noticed that the parlour sign was not on, as usual, a white piece of paper was taped to the inside of the door saying it was temporarily closed. On the phone, Michael says he is concerned about police coming in guns blazing I dont want Hannah to get hurt, K? I dont want to get hurt, do you understand? Im going to stay with you on the phone until theres a cop here with me, does that work? Cudmore asks. Then, a few minutes later, Cudmore gives an update. They just told me that the police are on their way here to chat with you on the phone, so itll just be a minute or two until we can get them talking, Cudmore says. It looks like weve just had a police officer come in the newsroom here. Would you like him to come in and join? Michael says yes, and Toronto police Sgt. Sean Thrush soon joins the conversation for what will become 25 minutes, before ultimately directing Michael to place a call to an ETF officer stationed outside the parlour. Thrush tells Michael that he doesnt want anyone to get hurt. So you need to understand, Im at the Toronto Star building right now, so I cant see what you can see so I understand youre telling me that theres officers right now at the building? Yeah, theyre uh, theyre creeping around, I can see them on camera, right? Michael responds. In a calm voice, Thrush tells Michael he is hearing his concerns. Obviously you want some help, and I want to give you that help, but I need to know what it is I can do for you, Thrush says. Look man, I dont know. When I say I need help, I need help, right? And jails not going to help me, even though I know Im going there, Michael says. Thrush asks if he has weapons. I do have weapons. I do. But I wont use them if you dont threaten my life. Is that fair? Thats fair, and no one wants to threaten your life but you have to understand that we have a duty to your life and Hannahs life, right? Thrush responds. Thrush continues talking calmly, soon telling him he needs to contact a Toronto police sergeant who is on the scene, just outside the massage parlour, to continue the conversation. So well disconnect now, Ill call him right now, Michael says. OK, thank you Michael, Thrush responds. OK. See ya, Michael says. The call ends around noon. Toronto police spokesperson Const. Victor Kwong tweeted soon after that a rapport had been built with the man in crisis, that he had been apprehended, and that no one inside the massage parlour had been injured. This was part Toronto Star the person who dealt with the call part the officers who attended Toronto Star and then part the negotiators who ended up showing up from Emergency Task Force, Kwong said in an interview Wednesday. We cant pin this on one persons help throughout the day. This one was a multitude of different people doing things well. SHARE: The morning after a dramatic hostage scene unfolded in Toronto at a massage parlour and on the phone to The Stars newsroom the man at the centre of the incident made a brief but turbulent appearance in court. Though the woman hes been charged with taking hostage is safe, Michael Storms insisted that he isnt. Im just telling you, my life is in danger, he said in an appearance at Finch Ave. court, asking the judge to put him in segregation in jail. My life has been threatened by the RCMP. The story began on Wednesday, when a man entered the Studio 9 massage parlour in the Eglinton West neighbourhood. He took three women hostage quickly freeing two of them, but keeping one of the women with him. He then called The Stars 24-hour news desk, said nobody would listen to him, and that he had been driven to create a situation. A crisis, to draw attention to his problems. The man talked with The Star for about an hour before he would speak to the police. Storms, 35, was arrested around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Originally charged with one count of forcible confinement and uttering threats, police said Thursday that he would face three counts each of forcible confinement and uttering threats. During his phone call with The Star, the caller said he had been monitored and surveilled for 15 years by the RCMP and CSIS, and that his passport had been revoked. In 2014, the National Post reported that a Toronto man named Muhammed Islam the name Storms said he adopted after converting to Islam at age 20 was named as one of around 90 high-risk travellers whose passports were seized to prevent extremist violence. Read more: I took a hostage. Are you listening to me? Do you need help with that? How a Star editor ended up handling a crisis call Transcript: How the hostage-taking unfolded after the Toronto Star became involved Thursdays court appearance was only meant to schedule Storms bail hearing for next week. He entered the courtroom distressed, shuffling in and adjusting the black hoodie he wore and wiping sweat from his forehead. But when the judge and members of the court began to speak about publication bans, distress turned to anger. I dont want it banned. I dont want it banned, Storms repeated twice, raising his voice. The court immediately dropped the issue at Storms wishes, but he remained agitated as the minutes went on. Storms was remanded in custody and ordered to have no contact with the victims. The judge gave an order for medical attention with regard to suicidal ideation. At a moments pause, Storms looped back to the earlier conversation. I have a question, he interjected. Is that okay if I ask a question, just to be sure? He then asked, again, whether a publication ban had been established. The court assured him it had not. I want it all known, he insisted, before being led back out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Shortly after, the court realized they hadnt established a ban to protect the identities of victims and witnesses, and Storms was called back. When he was informed a partial publication ban would be imposed, he crossed his arms over his chest, breathing heavily. Do I have to agree to that? he asked. The judge said she was imposing the ban to ensure the proper administration of justice. Again, Storms pushed to clarify whether this meant anything would be published about his case. You do understand this is a national security issue right here, right? he said, raising his voice again. He spit out final words to the courtroom as handcuffs were clicked back into place. You guys know exactly whats going on, he said as he was led away, shouting towards the prosecutor. Howre you doing over there, Crown? You good? Storms will next appear in court July 4. SHARE: Toronto Police announced Thursday that an arrest has been made in connection with the murder of Samatar Farah, 24, who was found shot to death on April 15 on Chester Le Blvd., near Finch and Victoria Park Aves. Police have arrested and charged Taufiq Stanley with first degree murder. Stanley is also facing several firearm-related charges, and three counts of attempted murder in connection with an incident that occurred on April 13, in which three people from the Chester Le neighbourhood were shot. Trevor Barnett was also arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder in connection with the April 13 incident, said Det. Jason Shankaran of the homicide unit. Shankaran said police are looking for two more suspects and have issued warrants for the arrest of Alexander Fountain, who is wanted for murder and three counts of attempted murder, and Shaquan McLean, who is wanted for three counts of attempted murder. The arrests and warrants are the result of information collected from CCTV footage in the area of Chester Le Blvd. and the execution of 11 search warrants in Toronto and Ottawa. The investigation began with Farahs murder of April 15, but was then linked to the shooting incident on April 13, Shankaran said. The four accused are residents of the Parma Court housing complex, and are alleged to have a feud with some residents from the Chester Le neighbourhood, according to Shankaran. Shankaran would not elaborate on the nature of the feud, but said that Farah was in no way connected to it. The only thing he did was be a resident of Chester Le Blvd., said Shankaran. He also said that calling Farahs death tragic was inappropriate. Tragic would mean somehow he had something to do with his death, which is false, Shankaran said. His life wasnt senseless and pointless, but his death was. Police believe Farah was killed by two attackers at around 1:30 a.m., although his body wasnt found until 8 a.m. SHARE: Toronto police are asking for the publics assistance in identifying suspects of two separate gunpoint robberies at TTC collector booths this month. Police say the first reported incident took place June 18 at around 9:15 a.m., when two men approached a collector booth at Woodbine subway station. One of the men pointed a black handgun at the TTC employee, demanded money, racked his gun and then ejected a live round. Police say the suspects fled the scene after being handed cash. One suspect is described as five-foot-five, with a beard and a moustache. The second man is described as five-foot-seven. Security images released by police show both men with their heads covered with a hood and a red hat. On Sunday, police received a report of a similar gunpoint robbery at Victoria Park subway station. At around 10:30 p.m., a man approached the collector booth with a silver handgun as a second man watched on. After receiving cash, police say both suspects fled. The man demanding money in this incident is believed to be five-foot-nine with a moustache and a beard. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). SHARE: A major new study conducted in Ontario and Quebec corn fields has found that neonicotinoids, a widely-used and controversial class of pesticides, hurt the health of honey bees, and comes as provincial, federal, and international regulators wrestle with reining in the use of these agrochemicals. The Canadian research, led by biologists at York University, is published in the journal Science along with another ambitious study conducted in European fields. Together, they address a major gap. They are putting these bees into landscapes where farmers are really farming, says Professor Nigel Raine, Rebanks family chair in pollinator conservation at the University of Guelph, who was not involved in the research. The key message thats coming out of both of them is that they found impacts on honey bee colonies. Previously that has not been found in the field, and that has been a source of confusion. Both honey bees and wild bees have suffered dramatic declines in recent decades. Bees are critically important pollinators for many crops and most wild flowering plants; estimates of the benefits they provide humans through these ecosystem services is measured in the tens of billions of dollars. Lab experiments have shown that neonicotinoids the most widely-used class of insecticide worldwide have negative effects on bee life spans, foraging behaviour, the production of new queen bees, and other measures of health. But evidence from the real world has been scant and conflicting. Bees are beset by environmental ills, from climate change to loss of habitat. Thats where the controversy lies, says Christy Morrissey, an ecotoxicologist at the University of Saskatchewan. If you look at the lab studies, theyre highly conclusive. Neonicotinoids have a range of affects on all sorts of organisms, both honey bees and wild bees included. But when you start moving out into the field, you get messier responses. The two new studies sought to rectify this. The Canadian group, led by York Universitys Amro Zayed, studied five apiaries close to corn fields four in Ontario and one in Quebec and in six apiaries located far from agriculture, most in urban settings like Toronto and London. The researchers returned to 55 colonies across the 11 sites throughout the planting season, collecting dead and live bees, larvae, pollen and nectar. The team found neonicotinoids in all the different types of samples from the sites near corn, especially in the pollen, and found them all throughout the growing season, a period of nearly four months. But most of the pollen brought back by the bees wasnt coming from the treated corn or soy it was coming from native plants surrounding the fields. The next year, Zayeds lab took honey bees housed at Yorks research apiary and fed them pollen dosed with the field realistic levels of neonicotinoids they had observed the previous season. The exposed bees had life spans reduced by 23 per cent, were less likely to identify and remove diseased larvae, and were more likely to lose their queen. These combined effects can cause a colony to deteriorate. Researchers also found that the toxicity of neonicotinoids nearly doubled when honey bees were exposed to them along with a commonly used fungicide, boscalid, which on its own did not affect the bees. You get a prescription from your doctor and there is a list of other medications you shouldnt take, says Zayed by way of comparison. We go from bad neonicotinoids on their own to worse neonicotinoids with the fungicide. The European study looked at how three bee species fared the honey bee, bumble bee, and solitary bee near 33 oilseed rape crops in Germany, Hungary, and the U.K. The team found varied outcomes. Honey bees in Hungary exposed to one type of neonicotinoid were less likely to survive the winter, but in Germany fared fine. Bumblebees exposed to high levels produced fewer queens, while solitary bees produced fewer eggs. The geographic context seemed to play a role in what effects were observed, but most effects were negative. Some critics called the European study inconsistent. But more praised the study, saying that variation is what you would expect in nature. The EU placed a moratorium on the use of neonicotinoids in 2013 because of concern over the risks to bees and is weighing a total ban, which France has already announced. In Ontario, nearly 100 per cent of corn seed and 60 per cent of soybean seed are sold pre-treated with neonicotinoids. Two years ago the province became the first jurisdiction in North America to curb the number of corn and soy field acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated seeds, aiming for an 80 per cent reduction by 2017. In 2016 the province reported a 24 per cent drop from 2014, well short of the target. Health Canadas Pest Management Regulatory Agency published a preliminary risk assessment on one neonicotinoid, imidacloprid, in January 2016 and found that it did not present an unacceptable risk to bees. Later that year, it did find risks to aquatic environments, and proposed phasing the agrochemical out over three to five years. Special reviews of two other neonicotinoids are underway. These are both very strong papers and will certainly have an impact, says Morrissey. We think weve made that link between neonicotinoid exposure and declines in bee health very clear, says Zayed. Yes, honey bees are exposed to sublethal doses of neonicotinoids for a long period of time, and that exposure has negative effects on bees. SHARE: Before Monday, before the 911 call and police investigation, Pedro Ruiz III, an aspiring YouTube star in rural Minnesota, spent considerable time convincing his girlfriend to shoot a gun at his chest. There would be a thick encyclopedia book between the barrel and his body, authorities say he told 19-year-old Monalisa Perez. The pages, he reasoned, would stop the bullet. He even had evidence that it had worked once before a different book with an entrance hole but no exit. So on Monday evening, the young couple positioned two cameras outside their home and prepared for their breakthrough stunt. They wanted fame, family said, and danger often brings it. Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever, Perez teased in a tweet at 5 p.m. HIS idea not MINE. It had been three months since the young couple added their vlog, La MonaLisa, to YouTube, where they posted clips of their daily lives and their 3-year-old daughter. They live in Halstad, Minn., a tiny town on the North Dakota border between Grand Forks and Fargo. Episodes featured shots from their home, the car or at the doctors office, which is where Perez revealed in May that she was pregnant with a boy. Their shtick, though, was pulling minor pranks: doughnuts with baby powder instead of powdered sugar, feigning paralysis from a grocery store wheelchair, hiding hot peppers on an egg salad sandwich. Just this week, Perez posted a video of Ruiz doing a handstand inside a rotating fun house tunnel at the county fair. But the bullet and book stunt was supposed to be their breakthrough. I said, dont do it, dont do it, Ruizs aunt, Claudia Ruiz, told her nephew when he shared his idea, according to Valley News Live. Why are you going to use a gun? Why? His response, she said, was simple: Because, we want more viewers. With one camera attached to a ladder and the other propped on the back of a car, the couple staged their stunt, according to authorities. Ruiz held the book to his chest and Perez held the gun, a gold Desert Eagle .50 calibre pistol considered one of the most powerful semi-automatic handguns in the world. From a foot away, court documents say, Perez fired. This time, the bullet didnt stop in the book but instead pierced Ruiz in the chest. Medics tried to revive him, authorities said, but he was declared dead at the house. Neighbours told ABC affiliate WDAY-TV that they watched the scene unfold from afar. Everyone was crying, neighbour Wayne Cameron told the TV station. I was standing behind that tree over there. And that was it. I just couldnt take it anymore so I had to go back home. When Perez called 911 at 6:30 p.m., she told dispatchers the shooting was accidental and explained the YouTube plan. Later, according to court documents, she said that her boyfriend had been trying to convince her to shoot the book for awhile and she finally relented. She told them about the other book Ruiz had shot, the one that blocked the bullet, and described the gun she fired. A sheriffs deputy found it in the grass outside the home. Perez was arrested Monday on a charge of reckless discharge of a gun. On Wednesday, that charge was upgraded to second degree manslaughter. She was released on $7,000 bail after her initial court appearance and ordered to wear a GPS monitor and stay away from firearms, reported KVRR TV. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years behind bars. They were in love. They loved each other, Ruizs aunt, Claudia Ruiz, told Valley News Live. It was just a prank gone wrong. It shouldnt have happened like this. It shouldnt have happened at all. Claudia Ruiz described Perez as a loving girlfriend and mother who had been with her nephew for six years. According to Perezs social media accounts, the young woman was a stay-at-home mom. It appears she controlled the camera for many of their YouTube vlogs and often shared intimate, personal details with viewers. Our Vlogs will show you the real life of a young couple who happen to be teen parents, the description on their channel reads. From highs to lows. Achievements to struggles. Join the fun, Follow our journey! In a Facebook post last week that included the vlog post from their trip to the fair, Perez wrote that they were in the process of making Ruiz his own YouTube channel. His would focus on all the crazy stuff, she wrote. La MonaLisa would be about their family life. Oh man is it going to be sweet!, she wrote. Perez had discussed the book stunt before the shooting, family members told KVRR. Along with Perez and friends, they had tried to talk him out of it. I wish they wouldnt have done it, Claudia Ruiz told WDAY-TV. I wish he wouldve just done another prank. He was so young. He had so much going for himself. Another aunt, Lisa Primeau, said she pretty much raised Pedro Ruiz after his mother died in Texas when he was a child, reported the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Ruiz was always putting a dangerous twist on everything he did, Primeau told the newspaper, like jumping off the top of the house into the swimming pool. We called him our little daredevil, Primeau told the Star Tribune. The aunts said they all are supporting Perez. They want to name her unborn baby Pedro, after his father. Its a tragic incident. What she did ... she has to live with that, Primeau told the Star Tribune. Its the worst punishment she can get. SHARE: PARISThe cyberattack that has locked up computers around the world while demanding a ransom may not be an extortion attempt after all, but an effort to create havoc in Ukraine, security experts say. There may be a more nefarious motive behind the attack, Gavin OGorman, an investigator with U.S. antivirus firm Symantec, said in a blog post. Perhaps this attack was never intended to make money, rather to simply disrupt a large number of Ukrainian organizations. The rogue program landed its heaviest blows on the Eastern European nation, where the government, dozens of banks and other institutions were sent reeling. It disabled computers at government agencies, energy companies, cash machines, supermarkets, railways and communications providers. Many of these organizations had recovered by Thursday. The program, known by a variety of names, including NotPetya, initially appeared to be ransomware, a type of malicious software that encrypts its victims data and holds it hostage until a payment is made, usually in bitcoins, the hard-to-trace digital currency often used by criminals. But OGorman and several other researchers said the culprits would have been hard-pressed to make money off the scheme. They appear to have relied on a single email address that was blocked almost immediately and a single bitcoin account that has collected the relatively puny sum of $10,000. Read more: Massive new cyberattack hits Europe, U.S. with widespread ransom demands Global companies struggle to recover after massive cyberattack with ransom demands Others, such as Russian anti-virus firm Kaspersky Lab, said clues in the code suggest the programs authors would have been incapable of decrypting the data, further indicating the ransom demands may have been a smokescreen. The timing was intriguing too: The attack came the same day as the assassination of a senior Ukrainian military intelligence officer and a day before a national holiday celebrating the new Ukrainian constitution signed after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Tensions have been running high between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow seizing Crimea in 2014 and pro-Russian separatists fighting government forces for control of eastern Ukraine. Russia has long been suspected of engineering earlier cyberattacks against Ukraine, including the hack of its voting system ahead of 2014 national elections and an assault that knocked its power grid offline in 2015. Ransomware or not, computer specialists worldwide were still wrestling with its consequences, with varying degrees of success. Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk, one of the global companies hit hardest, said Thursday that most of its terminals are running again, though some are operating in a limited way or more slowly than usual. Problems have been reported across the shippers global business, from Mobile, Alabama, to Mumbai in India. At Mumbias Jawaharlal Nehru Port, several hundred containers could be seen piled up at just two of the more than a dozen yards. The vessels are coming, the ships are coming, but they are not able to take the container because all the systems are down, trading and clearing agent Rajeshree Verma said. We are actually in a fix because of all this. Dozens of major corporations and government agencies have been disrupted, including FedEx subsidiary TNT and Ukraines banking system. Even small businesses otherwise unaffected by the malware are beginning to feel the pain. Steffan Mastek of Petersen & Soerensen, a Danish ship repair company, said he had been forced to re-order engine parts because TNTs track-and-trace system for parcels was down. Read more about: SHARE: Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the subway system Thursday and said he would sign an executive order to accelerate efforts to improve service, including undertaking badly needed repairs and obtaining new cars and equipment. Cuomo said the dismal performance of the system was no longer acceptable and said he had ordered Joseph J. Lhota, the new chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subway, to provide a reorganization plan for the agency within 30 days, to design an organization that performs a function rather than continuing as it has, he said. Read more: It was frightening, passenger says after train derails at NYC subway station NYC subway derailment caused by improperly secured rail, 2 supervisors suspended: officials Lhota must also review the agencys capital plan within 60 days, the governor added, pledging that he would direct an addition $1 billion for capital improvements. Cuomos comments came two days after a subway train derailed in northern Manhattan, injuring about three dozen people and raising concerns among commuters that the system had become not only unreliable, but unsafe. The governor said the executive order would make it easier for the transit agency to focus on its most urgent needs. It will no longer be a tortured exercise to do business with the MTA, Cuomo said at a meeting in Manhattan where entrepreneurs were gathered for a competition unveiled by the governor for ideas on how the fix the problems plaguing the subway. We need new ideas, the governor said. Delivered faster. SHARE: VATICAN CITYPope Francis suffered a major blow Thursday when his top financial adviser, Cardinal George Pell, was charged in his native Australia with multiple counts of sexual assault from years ago, bringing a criminal case in the long-running abuse scandal inside the frescoed walls of the Vatican for the first time. The 76-year-old Pell the highest-ranking Vatican official ever implicated in the scandal forcefully denied the accusations and took an immediate leave of absence as Vatican finance czar to return to Australia to defend himself. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me, Pell told reporters in the Vatican press office. News of these charges strengthens my resolve, and court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name. The pope thanked him for his honest work and collaboration, and set about trying to ensure that the financial reforms he had entrusted to Pell would continue in his absence. Read more: Pope Francis tells bishops to maintain zero tolerance for child abuse But the case creates a thorny image problem for the pope, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised zero tolerance policy about sex abuse in the worldwide scandal. In 2014, Francis won cautious praise from victims advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about the best practices to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left in frustration. Francis also scrapped the commissions signature proposal a tribunal to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse after Vatican officials objected. That one of his top advisers now stands charged with abuse himself increases the pressure on Francis to get the abuse commission back on track and press ahead with the financial reforms that he was elected pope to enact. Its a big crisis for Pope Francis, because Cardinal Pell was the man he called from Sydney to Rome to reform the Vatican finances, noted Christopher Lamb, correspondent for the British Catholic magazine, The Tablet. Pope Francis has said zero tolerance for abusers, that he was going to sack bishops who cover up, but at the same time there have been number of cases where hes been accused of having not taken strong enough action. Notably, Francis didnt force Pell to resign his post. He has said he would wait for Australian justice to run its course before making a judgment himself. The developments also posed a new obstacle for Francis as he tries to overhaul the Vatican bureaucracy and bring its finances up to international accounting and transparency standards. If the case drags on, he will be pressed to ensure that the economy secretariat can work effectively. Reforms already were strained by Pells repeated clashes with the Italian-dominated bureaucracy, mired by delays, resistance and the complexity of bringing order to the Vaticans financial fiefdoms. Just last week, one of Pells top allies, the Vatican auditor general, resigned without explanation two years into a five-year term, raising questions about whether the reform effort was doomed. The charges against Pell were announced in Melbourne by Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton, who said the cardinal Australias senior Catholic was ordered to appear in court July 18 to face multiple counts of historical sexual assault offences meaning offences that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but he gave no other details. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the Holy See had learned with regret of the charges and that the work of Pells office would continue in his absence, albeit only its ordinary affairs. In a statement he read to reporters while sitting next to Pell, Burke said the Vatican respected Australias justice system but recalled that the cardinal had openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable acts of sexual abuse against minors. He noted Pells co-operation with Australias Royal Commission investigation of sex abuse and that as a bishop in Australia, he worked to protect children and compensate victims. Pell said he intends to return to Rome eventually to resume his work as prefect of the Vaticans economy ministry. The Vatican said Pell would not participate in any public liturgical events during his leave. The charges came while many of the worlds cardinals were in Rome for a ceremony a day earlier to elevate five new cardinals, and Pell did not participate in a Mass in St. Peters Square on Thursday. For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse as archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican to interview him last year. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. Pells actions as archbishop came under scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. The Royal Commission found shocking levels of abuse in Australias Catholic Church, revealing that 7 per cent of priests were accused of sexually abusing children in the past several decades. Last year, Pell testified to the commission that the church had made enormous mistakes in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. He vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his hometown of Ballarat. But he also became something of a scapegoat in Australia for all that went wrong with how the church handled the scandal. Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of abuse who resigned from the popes advisory commission in March, said Pell never should have been promoted to his Vatican job, given how he mishandled abuse cases in Australia. It was, she said in a statement, a slap in the face to all those he had let down so badly, not only victims but Catholic people who have spent years now hearing assurance from the Catholic Church that it is taking the issue seriously. Proving the charges may be difficult. The prosecution must prove the sex offences occurred beyond a reasonable doubt, which can be difficult when so much time has passed, said Lisa Flynn, national manager of Shine Lawyers abuse law practice in Australia. It was unclear if Pell would face a church trial stemming from the accusations. The Vatican has clear guidelines about initiating a canonical investigation if there is a semblance of truth to sex abuse accusations against a cleric. In the case of a cardinal, it would fall to Francis himself to judge. Penalties for a guilty verdict in a church trial include defrocking. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher stood by Pell, calling him a man of integrity in his dealings with others, a man of faith and high ideals, a thoroughly decent man. He added that the archdiocese wouldnt be paying Pells legal bills. Anne Barrett Doyle of BishopAccountability.org, an online archive of clerical sex abuse documents, said she was surprised by the charges simply because of their boldness. While Pell undeniably is the poster boy for the Australian churchs wrongdoing, false allegations are relatively rare, she said in an email. SHARE: WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump will convene a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit of industrial and emerging-market nations in Germany next week, the White House said Thursday, amid swirling allegations about Moscows role in the 2016 elections. National security adviser H.R. McMaster confirmed that Trump will meet with Putin along the sidelines of the annual Group of 20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany, part of an itinerary that will include meetings with several world leaders. Trumps first in-person encounter with Putin has been highly anticipated as Trump pushes back against allegations that some of his associates may have had contact with Russian officials during the 2016 campaign and the transition. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump END All 17 U.S. intelligence agencies have agreed Russia was behind last years hack of the Democratic Partys email systems and tried to influence the 2016 election to benefit Trump. Members of his campaign are also under investigation for possible collusion with Russia in the lead-up to the campaign. Trump has staunchly denied that he had any contacts with Russia during his campaign. Russian officials have denied any meddling in the 2016 election. Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies after the White Houses announcement that Putin is expecting to meet with Trump in Hamburg. They will meet at the summit in one way or another. We have said it before, he told state-owned RIA Novosti news agency. McMaster and White House economic adviser Gary Cohn would not say whether the president intends to address accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, saying that the agenda is not finalized for this or any other meeting. Our relationship with Russia is not different from that with any other country in terms of us communicating to them really what our concerns are, where we see problems with the relationship but also opportunities, McMaster said. The U.S.-Russian relationship deteriorated during Obamas eight years in office and Trump frequently said that he was hopeful of improving American ties with Russia. But major disagreements remain over Ukraine and Syria, and Trump said in April that U.S-Russian relations may be at an all-time low. The meeting will also come as Congress considers legislation that would impose economic penalties against Russia and Iran, legislation that has stalled after it cleared the Senate. Read more: Trump to celebrate Bastille Day in France after invitation from Macron Ex-Trump campaign chair discloses $17 million in payments from pro-Russian party, registers as foreign agent Do no harm, U.S. industries plead with Trump administration at NAFTA hearing Trump will be under pressure to side with the U.S. intelligence agencies and press Putin on the issue of election meddling, something he has thus far been reluctant to do. Trumps promise of closer co-operation with Russia has prompted concerns that the U.S. will have diminished leverage over global issues and he could be more sympathetic to Russia. Putin is all about optics and symbolism, said Julianne Smith, a National Security Council and Defence Department official under President Barack Obama. He wants the meeting and the photo more than the discussion. Russia has sought to put itself on an equal footing with the U.S. since the collapse of the Soviet Union, extending its territory where it can, countering U.S. military action and positioning itself as a rival to the worlds biggest economy. McMaster said that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is taking the lead on the discussions and has been engaged in a broad, wide-range discussion about irritants, problems in the relationship but also to explore opportunities, where we can work together, areas of common interest. So it wont be different from our discussions with any other country. Trump will kick off his second foreign trip in Warsaw, Poland, where he plans to deliver a major speech at Krasinski Square, the site of the memorial to the 1944 Warsaw Uprising against the Germans during World War II. In Warsaw, Trump will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and attend a summit with a dozen European and Baltic leaders devoted to the Three Seas Initiative. The initiative is an effort to expand and modernize energy and infrastructure links in a region of Central Europe from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Adriatic and Black seas in the south. In addition to Putin, White House officials said Trump would meet with the leaders of several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, China, South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia and Singapore. It will be Trumps second trip abroad as president following his initial foray to the Middle East and Europe in May. Read more about: SHARE: NICOSIA, CYPRUSTurkeys foreign minister on Thursday scolded Greece and Greek Cypriots to wake up from their dream that Ankara will withdraw all of its troops from Cyprus and give up military rights there as part of any deal to reunify the ethnically divided island. Turkish troops and security guarantees are at the core of United Nations-sponsored negotiations between Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci now underway in Switzerland. The top diplomats from the islands guarantors Turkey, Greece and Britain also are participating in the talks, which Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned Thursday were the last chance for Cyprus reunification. This is the final conference. We cannot be negotiating these issues in this way forever, Cavusoglu told reporters at his hotel in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana. At the same time, he strongly rejected one of the top terms sought by Anastasiades and Greece: removal of the more than 35,000 troops Turkey keeps in the islands breakaway northern third. That is their dream. They should wake up from this dream and they should abandon this dream, said Cavusoglu, adding that Greek and Greek Cypriot negotiators should come up with more reasonable proposals. Turkey has kept its soldiers deployed in the islands Turkish Cypriot north since 1974 when it invaded after a coup led by supporters of union with Greece. Ankara invoked military intervention rights accorded to the guarantors under Cyprus 1960 constitution to initiate the military action. Greek Cypriots see the troops as a threat and want them to leave as part of any deal reunifying the island as a federation. They also want the military intervention rights of Turkey, Greece and Britain rescinded. However, the minority Turkish Cypriots want the troops to remain because they see Turkey as their protector. Anastasiades has renewed a proposal for an international police force backed up by the UN Security Council to keep the peace. He says outside military forces have no place on Cyprus, arguing that European Union statutes guarantee ample security measures. Cyprus is an EU member, but only the Greek Cypriot southern part that is the seat of the islands internationally recognized government enjoys full benefits. Earlier Thursday, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said that nothing new was presented in morning talks that would bring the sides closer to a breakthrough agreement on security. The Turks are repeating positions theyve held for the last decade and they think that theyre new, Kotzias told reporters after emerging from the talks. Officials are hoping the presence of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres at the negotiations on Friday will help nudge the sides closer to agreement. Parallel discussions on other issues including power-sharing at the federal level and how much territory will make up the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot federated zones are also being held. This conference is not just about security and guarantees, Cavusoglu said. Either there is an agreement on all issues or there is no agreement at all. Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTONThe United States blacklisted a small Chinese bank accused of illicit dealings with North Korea on Thursday, escalating the pressure on Beijing to rein in its wayward ally amid increased signs of frustration among President Donald Trump and his top advisers with Chinas diplomatic efforts. The Treasury Department declared the Bank of Dandong a primary money-laundering concern, proposing to sever it entirely from the U.S. financial system, pending a 60-day review period. Although Trumps treasury secretary said the move didnt target China, it comes a week after the president lamented that Chinas promise to help with North Korea has not worked out. Trump had been leaning on President Xi Jinping to help stop the Norths development of nuclear weapons before they can threaten the U.S. homeland. A main focus of the co-ordination has been getting China to fully enforce international sanctions intended to starve North Korea of revenue for its nuclear and missile programs. The U.S. action is likely to anger China, which handles about 90 per cent of North Koreas external trade, and whose banks and companies are said to provide Pyongyang access to the U.S.-dominated international financial system. Read more: North Korea warns U.S. and the rest of the world it will keep building nuclear arsenal China needs to put much greater pressure on North Korea: U.S. officials The sanctions bar Americans from doing business with Bank of Dandong, which is based in a northeastern Chinese city on the North Korean border that serves as a gateway for trade with the isolated nation. The U.S. also slapped sanctions Thursday on a Chinese shipping company and two Chinese people that it said have facilitated illegal activities by North Korea. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the U.S. still wants to work with Beijing on combating the North Korean threat. We are in no way targeting China with these actions, Mnuchin told a White House news briefing. The punitive steps were presaged by a tweet from Trump last week reflecting dissatisfaction with Beijings efforts. While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried! Trump tweeted on June 20. The Trump administration may be struggling to maintain international pressure on Pyongyang. The president was to meet for the first time Thursday with South Koreas new leader, President Moon Jae-in, who has long advocated outreach to North Korea. His predecessor had staunchly backed Trumps harder line. Mnuchin said the Bank of Dandong has facilitated millions of dollars of transactions for companies involved in North Koreas weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Anthony Ruggiero, a sanctions expert and former Treasury Department official, described it as a small Chinese bank sitting at the heart of trade between North Korea and China. This is a strong message to Chinese leaders that the Trump administration will act against North Koreas sanctions evasion in China, he said. The other targeted Chinese entities are: Dalian Global Unity Shipping Co., which Treasury accused of transporting 700,000 tons of freight annually, including coal and steel products, between China and North Korea. It cited a UN expert panel as saying the company has violated a ban on trade in luxury goods with the North. Chinese national Sun Wei, said to have been running a cover company for North Koreas Foreign Trade Bank, which is already subject to U.S. sanctions. Chinese national Li Hong Ri, said to have established several front companies that end up benefiting Koryo Bank, a U.S.-sanctioned conduct for financial transactions on behalf of North Korea. Read more about: SHARE: BRUSSELSMore than 16 years into the Afghanistan war, the United States and its NATO allies wrangled anew on Thursday over how to meet the need for more troops to counter a resurgent Taliban and help Afghan forces break a stalemate in the fight. At a meeting in Brussels, NATO agreed to send more forces in response to commanders requests for as many as 3,000 troops to train and work alongside Afghan security forces. That number does not include an expected contribution of almost 4,000 American forces, divided between the NATO mission and Americas counterterrorism operations against Taliban, Al Qaeda and Daesh militants in Afghanistan. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said 15 countries have already pledged additional contributions. He expected more commitments to come, but confusion about Americas plans may have held back some countries. Read more: U.S. senators scold Pentagon leaders for delays in new Afghanistan war plan U.S. military officials suggest Russia has been arming Taliban in Afghanistan In Afghanistan, Mattis sees 'another tough year' ahead in fight U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said at a news conference after the meeting that he was pleased by allies willingness to contribute more. We still have a few gaps and nations are stepping up, Mattis said. Weve filled 70 per cent of those gaps right now and Im very, very optimistic that based on what I heard here well be filling the rest. Mattis added that upon returning to Washington, he will consult with U.S. Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and then will submit a recommended new Afghanistan strategy to U.S. President Donald Trump. We will refine U.S. troop numbers at that time, within that framework, he said. Asked how much longer the war is likely to last, Mattis said it is not sensible to predict. I dont put timelines on wars. Its that simple, he said. War is a fundamentally unpredictable phenomenon. Every effort to try to create a pat answer to something like that is probably going to fail. He added: Its not like you can declare a war over or want it over or say Im going to quit, and youre not going to pay a price for it. The most important answer to that is, What is the price of not fighting this war? And in that case were not willing to pay that price. Considering that Britain said it would contribute a bit less than 100 troops in a noncombat role, its unclear how NATO will muster several thousand new forces. To hit that mark, the other allies would need to average more than 100 troops each. Britain is the alliances most powerful member aside from the U.S., though Germany contributes the second most forces. Were in it for the long haul. Its a democracy, British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said, referring to Afghanistan. He said the Afghans asked for our help and its important that Europe responds, and said extremist groups there a threat to Western Europe. Mohammad Radmanish, an Afghan defence spokesperson, welcomed NATOs decision to send more troop trainers. He said Afghan troops were in need of expert training, heavy artillery and a quality air force. We are on the front line in the fight against terrorism, Radmanish said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press in Kabul, the Afghan capital. But Afghan lawmaker Mohammad Zekria Sawda was skeptical. He called NATOs offer a show, noting the alliance and the U.S. were unable to bring peace to Afghanistan when they had many more soldiers deployed against Taliban insurgents. Every day we are feeling more worry, he said. If they were really determined to bring peace they could do it. European nations and Canada had been waiting to hear what Mattis would offer or seek from them. U.S. leaders havent publicly discussed troop numbers yet as they complete a broader, updated military and diplomatic strategy for the war. Stoltenberg said what happens on the battlefield will affect the diplomatic strategy, adding that as long as the Taliban believe they can win, they will not negotiate. On Thursday, details on the still-forming war strategy appeared murky. Its for the Americans to decide the exact numbers that they are putting in and where theyre going, whether theyre to plug holes, if you like, in Resolute Support and ensure that the spokes of the wheel dont collapse, or whether theyre putting additional direct effort into counter-terrorism, Fallon said. Its for them to decide. But were clear. Weve got to stay the course in Afghanistan. Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said she expects allies will come around and make additional troop commitments. She didnt expect the new U.S. strategy to come out until next month. Dunford, the U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman, was in Afghanistan this week, meeting with commanders. The expected deployment of more Americans is intended to bolster Afghan forces so they eventually can assume greater control of security. Stoltenberg said the NATO increase does not mean the alliance will once again engage in combat operations against the Taliban and extremist groups. There are now about 8,400 U.S. troops based in Afghanistan, with an additional 2,000 or so on temporary deployment. Some 6,600 troops from NATO and partner forces also are there. Read more about: SHARE: In response to criticisms that the term terrorism is applied almost exclusively to violence by Muslims, political leaders have been quick to describe recent acts of violence against Muslims as terrorism too. Justin Trudeau condemned Alexandre Bissonnettes shooting spree at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec in January as a terrorist attack; British Prime Minister Theresa May likewise denounced Islamophobia as a type of extremism after Darren Osbornes fatal assault on Muslim worshippers outside a mosque in Finsbury Park last week. These pronouncements have been hailed as strikes against Islamophobia but they are more likely to exacerbate the problem than exorcise it. Framing Islamophobic violence as terrorism leads to the dangerous conclusion that state anti-terrorism powers which have been wielded disproportionately against Muslims, Indigenous peoples, and other communities of colour should be strengthened in the name of protecting Muslims. For the last sixteen years, Western liberal democracies have used the statistically minuscule risk of Muslim terrorism to rationalize sprawling systems of Kafkaesque counterterrorism: preventive arrests and indefinite detentions without charge; surveillance of schoolchildren for radical ideology; entrapment of vulnerable people in terrorism plots developed by state informants; criminalization of dissent and other forms of previously free expression; use of secret evidence in trials; torture and complicity with torture outsourced to other regimes; and extrajudicial killings (by the U.S. and the U.K., including against their own citizens). Now, attacks against Muslims are being similarly exploited to further entrench and inflate counterterrorism programs. The Quebec mosque shooting was spun into a vindication of Donald Trumps draconian national security measures by the White House: its a terrible reminder of why ... the president is taking steps to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to our nations safety, said press secretary Sean Spicer. One of these proactive presidential steps was the Muslim ban announced just a few days before Bissonnette went on his anti-Muslim rampage in Quebec. Following the attack in Finsbury Park, Prime Minister May pledged to combat hatred of Muslims by possibly increasing the counterterrorism powers of police and security services (even though an official review recently concluded that these powers are already adequate), and by establishing a Commission for Countering Extremism that will work to stamp out extremist ideology in all its forms (including non-violent ones). The expansion of state efforts at ideological surveillance and control will not correct counterterrorisms abuses, but compound them. The equalization of unfreedom is not progress toward justice. In any case, Islamophobic and White-supremacist ideologues are unlikely to experience the kind of collective suspicion and pre-emptive intervention suffered by Muslims stigmatized en masse as security threats. Even after Bissonnettes act of anti-Muslim mass murder, which alone killed three times as many people as Muslim terror ever has in Canada, Islamophobia remains publicly marginalized on the national security agenda. In May, the mayor of Quebec City opposed a proposal to extend the provinces deradicalization program, which is currently focused predominantly on Muslims, to address the radicalism of the far-right. Earlier this month, the RCMP responded to a Vice report on an armed anti-Islam patriot group called the III%, which has hundreds of members and conducts live fire paramilitary training exercises, by stating that it does not investigate movements or ideologies, only criminal activity. It neednt be said how immensely different ... law enforcement would view a few dozen Muslim men and women doing similar training and/or making shows of force, said Vice journalist Mack Lamoureux. The branding of individual murderous Islamophobes as terrorists attempts to deflect charges of racism against security practices that continue to target Muslims. But it is hardly surprising that Darren Osborne and Alexandre Bissonnette would hate Muslims, when political leaders, such as Theresa May, have trafficked in unfounded theories that Muslims are plotting to take over British schools; when laws like Canadas Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act inaccurately imply that Muslims are uniquely, barbarically oppressive towards women; when official public safety reports fixate almost entirely on Muslim threats while largely overlooking far-right groups, responsible for many more deaths and assaults; and when counter-radicalization programs like Britains Prevent legitimize the belief that Muslims need to be monitored by their fellow citizens for signs of violent extremism. This is the fundamental problem with calling Islamophobic violence terrorism: it represents state counterterrorism as the solution to anti-Muslim extremism, while ignoring the role of the state itself in propagating the myth that Muslims are the ultimate menace. A counterterrorism apparatus built around the idea that Muslims are dangerous cannot be used to make Muslims safe. Azeezah Kanji is a legal analyst based in Toronto. She writes in the Star every other Thursday. SHARE: We write as two Parliamentarians one long retired and the other about to retire whose careers have both involved legislative initiatives on the issue of justice and sexual assault. In 1991, when Kim was minister of justice, she led a comprehensive revision of the sexual assault provisions of the Criminal Code. In addition to revising the rape shield law to make it consistent with a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision, the new law provided clear definitions of when consent could be found as a matter of law and put limitations on the defence of honest but mistaken belief in consent. The bill also included a preamble to allow courts to take judicial notice of the circumstances in which Parliament had enacted this law. So, it seemed, there was admirable clarity to guide the courts in adjudicating this complex issue of criminal law that touches so closely the lives of women. As a male MP remarked during the parliamentary debate, the fear of sexual assault is a constant part of the backdrop of a womans life and determines a great deal of what she does and where she does it. Thus, the law was important to ensure that women could seek justice in these cases. In the 25 years since the No means no law was passed, there have been numerous examples of courts failing to honour its provisions and of erroneous and prejudicial attitudes being expressed from the bench in sexual assault trials. Sadly, examples like the recent case in Alberta where a judge asked a woman in a rape case why she couldnt just keep her knees together? happen too often. This has led to a lack of confidence in our justice system by victims of sexual assault. As a consequence, 90 per cent of victims of sexual assault do not report to police. This is even more tragic when we realize that 1-in-3 women will experience some form of sexual violence in her life. And the statistics for Aboriginal women are far worse. Earlier this year, Ronas private members bill, C-337, also known as the JUST Act, was tabled in the House of Commons. This bill would require that all lawyers who are federally appointed judges undergo training in sexual assault law. The JUST Act would ensure that any judge who presided over a sexual assault case would not only have proper training in the law, but also in rape mythology, stereotypes and bias. After extensive committee meetings and a great deal of hard work by all political parties, the JUST Act was passed unanimously in the House of Commons. As the first woman to be minister of justice, Kim convened a National Symposium on Women, Law and the Administration of Justice in June 1991. A number of judges were among the participants. Several remarked that while they thought they were rather liberal on womens issues before they came, they realized they had a great deal to learn. The symposium stimulated a wide range of activities relating to judicial education in gender issues but clearly more needs to be done. We cannot assume that all judges are knowledgeable about the destructive attitudes that often constitute barriers to sexual assault complainants. We assume that judges want to do justice in their courtrooms and we need to support their understanding of issues that might not have constituted part of their education or experience. Recent failures have not only been disastrous for complainants and humiliating for judges, they have also brought the administration of justice into disrepute. We cannot claim to have gender equality when discriminatory attitudes constitute a barrier to justice. Parliaments unanimity in supporting the JUST Act is an important declaration of that principle to Canadian Women. This fall, the JUST act will have the chance to pass into law. We urge the Senate to consider this bill carefully in committee and help our judges give the women of Canada the justice they deserve. Hon. Rona Ambrose recently served as Canada's Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for the rights of women and girls and will continue to be a leader in this area in her post-political life. Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell served as Canada's 19th Prime Minister. As Justice Minister, she brought about the most important reforms to sexual assault law in Canada in a generation. She continues to be an outspoken advocate for the rights of women around the world. SHARE: It would have been a fine gift for Canadas 150th, but a group of recalcitrant senators has ensured that women and girls will have to wait beyond the sesquicentennial celebrations for a national anthem that includes them. A group of about 20 senators used procedural delay tactics to prevent a vote from taking place before summer recess on a private members bill that seeks to change two words in O Canada to make the anthem gender neutral at last. Our elected Members of Parliament rightly approved the change more than a year ago. Senators should get out of the way of progress. The bill, put forward by the late Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, proposes to change the words from in all thy sons command to in all of us command. The dissenting senators claim the proposal is an affront to tradition. But as the Star has argued before, our attitude toward women has substantially evolved over the century since the English words of O Canada were written. Only extremists would contend this process has not been for the better. Surely the anthem, a symbol of our national values, should evolve with us rather than harden into a permanent, exclusionary anachronism. Indeed, as Ramona Lumpkin, the president and vice-chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, and a strong proponent of the bill told the CBC: Its not as if the words were brought down from Mount Sinai on stone tablets like the Ten Commandments. They are words created by humans and subject to change as our social and cultural conditions change, and thank goodness they do. She is right. In any case, its not as if the words have never been altered before. In fact, theyve been tweaked at least 25 times. Ironically, the very words in all thy sons command were absent from the original English lyrics of O Canada, which included the gender-neutral phrase thou dost in us command. Years later, Robert Stanley Weir reshaped the line into its more mellifluous but less inclusive current form. The arguments against the update are feeble, yet for the last quarter-century, a growing chorus of critics has failed to convince Parliament to make our anthem more inclusive. What message does this send? I talk to students and young women regularly who still feel their voice doesnt carry as strong as the voice of the male friends, Lumpkin said. I think the gesture, even though its symbolic, would say a lot to these young women. These lyrics are sung by hundreds of thousands of us every day; we demand that our children learn them by heart. The notion that we would choose to exclude half the population simply because we have always done so, especially when we have not, in fact, always done so, is shameful. As Belanger argued before his death, we ought to continually test our assumptions, and indeed our symbols, for their suitability. The exclusionary language of O Canada is no longer suitable. The Senate is now the last obstacle to correcting this. The Upper House should get out of the way and let our 150th birthday be the last on which we celebrate with a song that leaves half of us out. Read more about: SHARE: Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Free Report has good reason to believe its financials this year will be rather buoyant. Higher stock prices, strong employment gains and overall confidence in the economy are likely to power Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Free Report to a strong vacation season, chairman and CEO Richard Fain told TheStreet in an interview. The plunge in crude oil should also help the bottom line, too. "There seems to be enthusiasm in the public, confidence that this is here to stay -- this is probably the best tone in the market I have seen in 29 years," Fain said. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean's sister brand Celebrity Cruises is getting ready to launch its newest class of ships called Edge. The brand's CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo shares what will set the new brand apart. Visit here for the latest business headlines. Western Digital Corp.'s (WDC) - Get Free Report bitter spat with its flash memory joint venture partner Toshiba Corp. (TOSYY) just got a whole lot worse. The Japanese company is blocking some Western Digital employees' access to shared databases and, in certain instances, to the JV facilities themselves, Western Digital said Thursday, June 29. "This action will have the consequence of harming not only Toshiba's stakeholders, but also our respective customers," according to a statement. Toshiba stock fell 3.7% Thursday to close at 277 ($2.46) per share. Western Digital stock ended Wednesday at $93.67, up 2.5% on the day, and traded marginally higher in the after hours market. The claim comes a day after Toshiba said it had filed to sue Western Digital for 120 billion ($1 billion), alleging that the San Jose, Calif. chip maker had illegally interfered in the sale of Toshiba's memory chip business. It also claimed that Western Digital employees had stolen proprietary information from the JV and said it will block Western Digital employees from accessing sensitive information. Tokyo-based Toshiba, last week, named a Bain Capital LLC-led consortium as its preferred bidder following an auction of its Toshiba Memory Corp. business. Bain, backed by South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix Inc. and Japanese state-backed investors Innovation Network Corp. of Japan and Development Bank of Japan, offered about 2 trillion ($18 billion) for the world's biggest maker of NAND flash memory. Toshiba on Wednesday missed a self-imposed deadline to finalize the terms of that deal. The Japanese firm's filing was a tit-for-tat response to Western Digital's request for an injunction on the sale of Toshiba Memory Corp., which includes the NAND JV that is part owned by Western Digital's SanDisk subsidiary. The injunction, if upheld, could block a sale of the until an arbitration hearing, which Western Digital expects will support its claim that the unit can't be sold without its consent. "We believe the actions taken by Toshiba are continued attempts to both pressure Western Digital to relinquish its previously agreed upon and legitimate consent rights, and to distract Toshiba's stakeholders following its annual general meeting," said Western Digital. "It is surprising that Toshiba would take such actions given the implications for its employees, customers, shareholders and creditors." The San Jose, Calif. chip maker declined to comment Toshiba's filing, made in a Tokyo District Court, claiming that it had not received no information on the case. Western Digital is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells WDC? Learn more now . Updated 10:07 a.m. ET, Thursday, June 29. Strong gains in the financials sector weren't enough to buoy all of Wall Street on Thursday, June 29, as another tech selloff weighed on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 slipped 0.27%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.14%, and the Nasdaq declined 0.8%. Financials were the best performers on Wall Street after the dividend and stock-buyback plans of all 34 of the country's biggest banks won approval from the Federal Reserve, but it was a close call for some. Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) - Get Free Report was asked to resubmit its proposal to address "weaknesses" in its planning process. A number of other big banks came close to failing a new test that considers its balance-sheet assets as well as its off-balance sheet exposures, including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) - Get Free Report , Morgan Stanley (MS) - Get Free Report , State Street Corp. (STT) - Get Free Report and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) - Get Free Report . The "stress tests" of the 34 large financial institutions, known as the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, were set up in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, when a number of financial institutions increased payouts despite rising defaults in the $15 trillion U.S. mortgage market and dour assessments from analysts. The Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) - Get Free Report was up 1.4% on Thursday. Tech stocks took another dive on Thursday, another downswing in a series of selloffs that has plagued the sector in recent weeks. Tech names, particularly the FAANG stocks (Facebook Inc. (FB) - Get Free Report , Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) - Get Free Report , Apple Inc. (AAPL) - Get Free Report , Netflix Inc. (NFLX) - Get Free Report , and Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) - Get Free Report ), have been under pressure after a steep run-up in the year to date. The FAANG stocks had contributed a hefty portion to the S&P 500's gains in the year to date. The Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) - Get Free Report slipped 1.1%. Facebook, Apple and Alphabet are holdings in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells FB? Learn more now. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) - Get Free Report and Rite Aid Corp. (RAD) - Get Free Report called off a merger agreement but struck a new deal. As part of the new deal, Walgreens will pay $5.175 billion to Rite Aid in cash and receive 2,186 stores in return. Walgreens will also pay Rite Aid a $325 million termination fee for the cancelation of the deal. Walgreens will be an even bigger drug-selling beast, with more than 15,000 stores spanning 11 countries. Walgreens expects synergies of $400 million from the deal and for the new stores to increase its adjusted earnings within the first year of the deal's closing. As for Rite Aid, it will be left with about 2,300 stores once the deal closes in six months. Walgreens Boots Alliance is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells WBA? Learn more now. The original merger agreement struck in 2015 was called off. The deal had been under intense scrutiny from antitrust regulators and doubts swirled that the agreement would gain approval. The original deal was first announced in October 2015 with amended conditions in Janunary 2017. Fred's Inc. undefined stock crashed more than 26% as it will be shut out of buying 865 stores the combined company planned to divest. This new deal could hurt one of Walgreens' biggest rivals CVS Health Corp. (CVS) - Get Free Report , said Brian Sozzi over at our premium site for investors, Real Money. Get his insights with a free trial subscription. Separately, Walgreens topped earnings and sales estimates over its fiscal second quarter. The pharmaceutical chain earned an adjusted $1.33 a share, 3 cents higher than consensus. Sales of $30.1 billion exceeded estimates of $29.7 billion. The company now anticipates full-year earnings guidance of $4.98 to $5.08 a share, increasing the lower-end of guidance from $4.90. The U.S. economy grew at a slightly faster pace than previously estimated over the first three months of the year, according to the final print of first-quarter GDP. First-quarter GDP was increased to 1.4% growth from the original estimate of 1.2%. Consumer spending was bumped up to 1.1% from 0.6%, largely driven by increases in healthcare spending. Export growth was increased to 7% from 5.8%. Wekkly jobless claims rose in the past week, though remained near multi-year lows. The number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 2,000 to 244,000. The less-volatile, four-week average fell by 2,750 to 242,250. Crude oil prices extended gains achieved on Wednesday, June 28. West Texas Intermediate had surged 1.1% a day earlier even after an increase in domestic stockpiles. The Energy Information Administration reported a 100,000-barrel build in crude oil inventories over the past week, while gasoline and distillate stockpiles fell. Crude has been under pressure lately on worries over global oversupply and stubbornly high production. Crude reached its lowest level in 10 months on Wednesday, June 21. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 1.5% to $45.42 a barrel on Thursday. Blue Apron Holdings Inc. (APRN) - Get Free Report opened for trading in its market debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. The groceries delivery service opened at $10 a share, its issue price. The company lowered its listing price to $10 to $11 on Wednesday from a previous range of $15 to $17. Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG) - Get Free Report fell 1.9% even after reporting higher quarterly profit than a year earlier. Earnings of 36 cents a share came in higher than 27 cents a year earlier. Adjusted profit of 37 cents came in as expected. Revenue declined by 9.3% to $1.86 billion, but met consensus. Fiscal 2018 adjusted profit guidance of $1.84 to $1.89 a share was in line with estimates. Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ) - Get Free Report climbed 6.4% after a better-than-expected quarter. Net income of $2 a share was 45 cents higher than a year earlier. Adjusted earnings of $2.34 a share came in far higher than $1.98 consensus. Sales of $1.94 billion fell shy of estimates. Beer sales improved 8%, while wine and spirits sales decreased 4%. Other earnings of note include HB Fuller Co. (FUL) - Get Free Report , Pier Imports Inc. (PIR) - Get Free Report , Worthington Industries Inc. (WOR) - Get Free Report , McCormick & Co. Inc. (MKC) - Get Free Report , Lindsay Corp. (LNN) - Get Free Report , Acuity Brands Inc. (AYI) - Get Free Report and Greenbrier Cos. (GBX) - Get Free Report . Office supply company Staples Inc. (SPLS) agreed to be acquired by private-equity firm Sycamore Partners for $10.25 a share, or $6.9 billion. The sale comes a year after a federal judge, citing antitrust concerns, blocked Staples' proposed $6.3 billion merger with rival Office Depot Inc. (ODP) - Get Free Report . The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. It's the final week of the second quarter and benchmark indexes are expected to post solid gains. Strong fundamentals and a positive earnings season have given markets a boost over the past three months even as volatility held at multi-year lows. The Dow is on track to end nearly 4% higher for the quarter, adding to the 4.5% growth seen in the first quarter. Likewise, the S&P 500 is on track to end with gains of roughly 3%, slowing from the 5.5% increase seen in the first three months of the year. Visit here for more of the latest business headlines. Read More Trending Articles: Beverage maker Coca-Cola (KO) - Get Free Report has reached agreement with the government of South Africa regarding package conditions, Reuters reports. The deal comes as the company looks to finalize its acquisition of a controlling 54.5% stake in its joint Africa venture with Anheuser Busch Inbev NV (BUD) - Get Free Report . "We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the South African government which demonstrates our alignment with the government's national imperatives for inclusive social and economic development," Coke CEO James Quincey said, Reuters added. Shares of Coca-Cola were slightly lower in early Thursday afternoon trading What's Hot On TheStreet Happy birthday iPhone: Apple's (AAPL) - Get Free Report iPhone turns 10 years old today! What an amazing product Steve Jobs and his team created. But, as TheStreet's Natalie Walters points out, the next five years for Apple could be radically different. Sales could well be boosted by new, non-iPhone products such as smart glasses and autonomous car technologies. Walters also mentions that iPhone demand may peak in 2019. Blue Apron falters: Blue Apron (APRN) - Get Free Report plans an initial public offering on Thursday seeking a valuation of about $2 billion. That's down significantly from a $3.2 billion valuation it had previously hoped to achieve. In the public sphere, the New York-based meal kit delivery service's IPO comes at an unsettling time, points out TheStreet's Ron Orol, as the markets begin to digest Amazon Inc.'s (AMZN) - Get Free Report mega $13.4 billion acquisition of Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM) . Moreover, investors have questioned Blue Apron's business model -- it hasn't turned a profit since 2012 due to rising marketing and distribution costs. Regulators outsmarted: With questions swirling whether its combination would get approved by regulators, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) - Get Free Report and Rite-Aid RAD struck a clever deal on Thursday. Walgreens will pay $5.175 billion to Rite-Aid in cash and receive 2,186 stores in return. Walgreens will also pay Rite-Aid a $325 million termination fee for its planned buyout of the company. Walgreens will be an even bigger drug-selling beast, with more than 15,000 stores spanning 11 countries. As for Rite-Aid, it will be left with about 2,300 stores once the deal closes in six months. Apple and Walgreens Boots Alliance are holdings in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL and WBA? Learn more now. Visit here for the latest business headlines. Editors' pick: Originally published June 29. The New York Times (NYT) - Get Free Report editorial staff is staging a 15-minute walkout on Thursday afternoon to let the top editors know they're unhappy with planned job cuts. In a letter to Executive Editor Dean Baquet and Managing Editor Joseph Kahn, the reporters and copy editors said that cutting the copy editing staff down to 50 to 55 people from 100 while demanding the same quality of work is "dumbfoundingly unrealistic." Baquet and Kahn responded to the letter by pointing out that they were getting rid of a free-standing copy desk rather than eliminating copy editing. "A majority of people currently employed by the copy desk will find new editing jobs," they wrote to the disgruntled staff members. The company's stock traded down 1.3% to $17.75 in trading, compared to a 0.8% dip in the S&P 500. According to TheStreet's media columnist Ken Doctor, the Times faces a difficult balancing act. "Even with the Times' great subscription bump, it is still struggles with an ever-tough ad environment," Doctor said. "It's dependent on print for 2/3 of its revenue, and print ads continue to fall. Digital advertising, while recently good for the Times, is uncertain quarter by quarter. So the barely profitable Times must continue to prune, and to move on a long-term strategy to create more high-quality content. The Washington Post is nipping at the Times heels, on audience and in subscription, and story volume is a key part of its strategy." The Times newsroom staff peaked in early 2008 at about 1,332 employees, but layoffs happened soon after as media companies dealt with plummeting print ad revenue, as well as fallout from the recession. While a number of layoffs and buyouts have occurred since then, the Times has also continued to hire in some areas, which means it still employs about 1,300 in its newsroom. The company is under pressure to keep costs down in order to hit its goal of doubling digital revenue to $800 million by 2020, as print advertising revenue continues to fall. "To secure our future, we need to expand substantially our number of subscribers by 2020," an internal committee at the Times wrote in their 2020 report released in January 2017. Here's a quick rundown of the layoffs at the New York Times since the 2008 recession: February 2008: The Times cuts 100 jobs, including 15 to 20 journalists, in the midst of the December 2007 to June 2009 recession. March 2009: Newsroom salaries are cut by 5% and 100 jobs are slashed from the business side of the company. The company sent a memo to employees that said, "The company, regrettably, must take even more aggressive steps to control our costs. Clearly, our course is not getting any easier." October 2009: The Times announces another 100 jobs will be cut through buyouts or layoffs by the year's end. October 2011: The Times plans for another 20 buyouts for the first big job cut round since 2009. In a note to employees, executive editor Bill Keller wrote, "I won't pretend that these staff cuts will not add to the burdens of journalists whose responsibilities have grown faster than their compensation. Like you, I yearn for the day when we can do our jobs without looking over our shoulders for economic thunderstorms." October 2014: The Times announces plans to eliminate another 100 jobs through voluntary buyouts or layoffs. May 2016: The Times offers employees voluntary buyout packages but refrained from saying how many they were offering. "I also know there is anxiety about cuts," Baquet said in the memo to employees. "While no layoffs are planned in the newsroom for this calendar year, the company is planning other measures to cut costs, including in the newsroom." May 2017: The Times announced that it wants to shrink its editor pool and increase its reporter pool. The company said it will resort to layoffs if not enough buyouts are accepted. "Our goal is to significantly shift the balance of editors to reporters at The Times, giving us more on-the-ground journalists developing original work than ever before," Baquet and Kahn wrote in a memo. Visit here for the latest business headlines. Alibaba (BABA) - Get Free Report is developing a connected voice speaker that communicates in Chinese to rival Amazon.com's (AMZN) - Get Free Report Echo device, according to CNBC. A Chinese-language speaker that understands voice commands like the Amazon Echo could hit the market as soon as next week, sources told The Information. It will likely connect to Alibaba's website to allow users to purchase directly via the speaker, just as Amazon's does. The Chinese e-commerce giant's CEO Jack Ma has likened his company to a small business ecosystem and told American firms to be "careful, not afraid" of Alibaba. Alibaba shares traded down over 3% Thursday afternoon. What's Hot On TheStreet Happy birthday iPhone: Apple's (AAPL) - Get Free Report iPhone turns 10 years old today! What an amazing product Steve Jobs and his team created. But, as TheStreet's Natalie Walters points out, the next five years for Apple could be radically different. Sales could well be boosted by new, non-iPhone products such as smart glasses and autonomous car technologies. Walters also mentions that iPhone demand may peak in 2019. Blue Apron falters: Blue Apron (APRN) - Get Free Report plans an initial public offering on Thursday seeking a valuation of about $2 billion. That's down significantly from a $3.2 billion valuation it had previously hoped to achieve. In the public sphere, the New York-based meal kit delivery service's IPO comes at an unsettling time, points out TheStreet's Ron Orol, as the markets begin to digest Amazon Inc.'s (AMZN) - Get Free Report mega $13.4 billion acquisition of Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM) . Moreover, investors have questioned Blue Apron's business model -- it hasn't turned a profit since 2012 due to rising marketing and distribution costs. Regulators outsmarted: With questions swirling whether its combination would get approved by regulators, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) - Get Free Report and Rite-Aid (RAD) - Get Free Reportstruck a clever deal on Thursday. Walgreens will pay $5.175 billion to Rite-Aid in cash and receive 2,186 stores in return. Walgreens will also pay Rite-Aid a $325 million termination fee for its planned buyout of the company. Walgreens will be an even bigger drug-selling beast, with more than 15,000 stores spanning 11 countries. As for Rite-Aid, it will be left with about 2,300 stores once the deal closes in six months. Apple and Walgreens Boots Alliance are holdings in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL and WBA? Learn more now. Visit here for the latest business headlines. Deutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through five segments: Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, and Group Development. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers. The company also provides mobile voice and data services to consumers and business customers; sells mobile devices and other hardware products; and sells mobile services to resellers and to companies that purchases and markets network services to third parties, such as mobile virtual network operators. In addition, it offers internet services; internet-based TV products and services; and information and communication technology systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions with an infrastructure of data centers and networks under the T-Systems brand, as well as call center services. The company has 242 million mobile customers and 22 million broadband customers, as well as 27 million fixed-network lines. Deutsche Telekom AG has a collaboration with VMware, Inc. on cloud-based open and intelligent virtual RAN platform to bring agility to radio access networks for existing LTE and future 5G networks; and partnership with Microsoft to deliver high-performance cloud computing experiences. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Bonn, Germany. NextEra Energy, Inc. is the largest electric utility holding company in the US. It operates a network of power generation and distribution facilities that include fossil-fuel-generated and green energy. As of mid-2022, the company was capable of generating 58 GW of electricity with nearly 60% of the load produced by green sources including wind and solar. In their view, going green isnt an option, its the solution. NextEra Energy has been recognized multiple times as a leader in clean energy and ESG practices and was ranked the #1 electric and gas utility on the Forbes list of Most Admired Companies. The company is the result of several mergers that begin with FPL Group. FPL Group is now a subsidiary of NextEra Energy and the third-largest provider of electricity in the US servicing nearly half of Florida. FPL and its affiliates are the single largest provider of renewable energy generated from wind and sun. The group changed its name in 2010 following a decision to shift focus onto renewable energy sources. Today, NextEra Energy, Inc through its subsidiary FPL serves about 12 million people in eastern and southwestern Florida. The company employs nearly 14,900 people who service 5.8 million accounts. The company is in business to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to retail and wholesale clients. Electricity is generated through wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, and coal-fired facilities. The company is also engaged in the construction and operation of new facilities, specifically renewable power generation, storage, and delivery facilities, and can offer custom solutions tailored to any need. Offerings include tailored services to assist businesses with their transition to clean energy. NextEra Energy also owns and operates 7 nuclear power stations in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin generating power for the wholesale market. Unlike other companies that are targeting net-zero emissions, NextEra Energy has a plan to reach real zero and is investing heavily to reach that goal by 2045. The company had invested nearly $50 billion in green energy infrastructure and initiatives by mid-2022. The plan is to first work on reducing its own emissions and then take its knowledge and expertise to the world. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. - Four KDF soldiers have been killed in an attack in Somalia - The four died when their vehicle hit a remote controlled bomb near El Wak town in Gedo region - The Kenyan government is yet to comment on the attack Four Kenya Defence Force (KDF) soldiers have been confirmed dead in a deadly attack in Somalia. The soldiers died when their vehicle hit a remote controlled bomb near ElWak town in Gedo region on Tuesday, June 27. TUKO.co.ke has learnt that the soldiers were in a convoy patrolling the region when the attack occurred. READ ALSO: Pupils, police officers killed in deadly explosion in Lamu Four Kenya Defence Force (KDF) soldiers have been confirmed dead in a deadly attack in Somalia. READ ALSO: 5 dead as al-Shabaab attack Equity Bank Read According to reports, the Kenyan soldiers engaged in heavy gunfire with the attackers said to be from terror group al-Shabaab. Radio Shabelle reported that several al-Shabaab militants died during the attack in Gedo region. ''The explosion followed by a heavy exchange of gunfire between the KDF forces and al-Shabaab fighters, with reports that both sides have suffered deaths from the fighting,'' Radio Shabelle is quoted. The Kenyan ministry of defence is yet to comment on the attack on its soldiers. READ ALSO: 9 dangerous places you should never walk alone in Nairobi Radio Shabelle reported that several al-Shabaab militants died during the attack in Gedo region. Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE Al-Shabaab emerged in 2006 from the now-defunct Islamic Courts Union, which once controlled Somalias capital of Mogadishu. The militant group launched its own insurgency on major Somali cities in 2009, taking control of Mogadishu and southern Somalia. In 2015, the militant group launched a deadly assault on Garissa University College. Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke Watch PLO Lumumba speak about the Raila conspiracy in the video below: Source: TUKO.co.ke - Rumours have been going round that Mike Sonko is broke hence the absence of his flamboyant campaign rallies - Apparently, his empty pockets have also affected Rachel Shebesh and Johnson Sakaja's campaigns - However, Sonko said he is not broke and that his team is operating on a new strategy - He told those who think he is broke that they are in for a rude shock considering his campaigns are being run out of a five star hotel presidential suit in Nairobi Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has responded to claims that he is broke and that is the reason why neither his campaigns, nor those of his other Team Nairobi colleagues, Rachel Shebesh and Johnson Sakaja, have been non-existent for the past two weeks. Apparently, word has it that the team has not held a high profile rally in those two weeks because he is cash-starved, and according to insiders who spoke to the Standard, Shebesh and Sakajas campaigns have also been affected. Sonkos campaign has been reportedly paralysed by what is perceived as infighting within Jubilee where some of those close to the presidency are unwilling to support his bid as the trademark Sonko for Governor and Sonko Rescue Team branded vehicles disappear from frequent view, published the news site on Thursday, June 29. READ ALSO: William Ruto shouted down in Tharaka Nithi Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and his running mate Polycarp Igathe are campaigning to unseat Governor Evans Kidero on August 8. READ ALSO: Uhuru feels the wrath of Kenyans after claiming Raila is making Kenya a begging nation However, Sonko denied those claims saying his campaign team is undergoing a strategic transformation to take on incumbent Governor Evans Kidero ahead of the August 8 poll. Yes, we have scaled down on rallies and road shows. It is more tactical than informed by a shortage of funds. Those who think Sonko is broke are in for a rude shock. I have deliberately opted to for house-to-house, to businesses and estates to campaign while Igathe meets business and professional groups, said Sonko. READ ALSO: Akothee shocking message to any man who will impregnate her Some of Sonko's fleet of cars at his Mua Farm ranch. Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE According to the nominated gubernatorial candidate, the new strategy was implemented following incidents where thugs took advantage of his rallies to harass, mug and rob the public. To end this, his only option was to conduct low-profile campaigns. Sakaja was also quoted as saying that they are planning to execute a different campaign strategy that is more granular and the time for road shows and rallies will come. The Senator's gubernatorial campaigns are being run out of a five star hotel presidential suit in Nairobi. READ ALSO: This is a disaster, NASA rubbishes Jubilee's manifesto His secretariat has been operating out of a five star hotel presidential suit for the past one week, casting doubt on how deep his pockets run. Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke Watch Siaya residents publicly differing with Raila Odinga below: Source: TUKO.co.ke - Ten people believed to be members the popular Bunge La Wananchi have been arrested for plotting a coup against Uhurus Government - The ten were arrested outside the Kenya National Archives where they were holding an illegal meeting - According to the Kenyan Penal Code, anyone who is found guilty of the offence of treason shall be sentences to death TUKO.co.ke has learnt of the arrest of ten people who were brought in by the police on Wednesday, June 28, for holding an illegal meeting in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD). The ten, four women and six men were arrested by officers from the Central Police Station who held them for hours under charges of committing treason. The ten,who are said to be members of the popular Bunge La Wananchi have been identified as,Benjamin Mzevu,Caroline Wanja Kuria,John Gitonga Kihenya, Members of Bunge La Wananchi READ ALSO: Controversial Kenyan blogger exposes Raila Odinga's son as a con Livingstone Omari Amgoza,Winfred Mbithe Ndome,Kevin Ochieng Odhiambo,Esther Chebet Ngeno,Lilian Chepchumba Sang,Jonathan Tito Rukindo and Nicholas David Kimanzi. The arrest comes barely a week after Central OCPD Robinson Thuku banned all political group debates in the city center as they were causing tension within the country and crippling business in the CBD. READ ALSO: Former Vice President loses his house to the government, TUKO.co.ke has the details READ ALSO: Bobocha's gang takes to the streets of Mombasa on revenge mission, residents warned to remain indoor The individuals were arrested outside the Kenya National Archives where they were holding their illegal meeting. According to the Kenyan Penal Code, Any person who, owing allegiance to the Republic, in Kenya or elsewhere compasses ,imagines, invests, devises or intends the overthrow by unlawful means of the Government is guilty of the offence of treason and shall be sentences to death. Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE With that said,their fate rests in the hands of the court. Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke Watch Siaya residents differ with Raila Odinga below: Source: TUKO.co.ke - Joseph Nthenge was a shining light in the 2007/08 post-poll anarchy after he talked charged youths into aborting a deadly mission - He has now urged Kenyans to maintain peace before ,during and after the 2017 general election, and shun leaders who will promote violence - He reminds ordinary Kenyans that they have no other place to call home, and should thus guard this country jealously In the heat of the bloody 2007 post-election violence, one police officer stood out; for all the right reasons. While his colleagues were engaging armed youths in running battles, guns cocked, Officer Joseph Musyoka Nthenge, then attached to the dreaded General Service Unit, singlehandedly convinced rioting youths to drop their weapons and keep peace. Why should we destroy property? We have built this country together for a long time. Why do we want to destroy it in one day? Why? We are the one who will benefit tomorrow, he was recorded on camera reasoning with charged youths in Nairobis Huruma area, a violence hotspot. READ ALSO: Controversial Kenyan blogger exposes Raila Odinga's son as a con The youths, visibly dazed by Nthenges words of wisdom, nodded in agreement, cut short their march to Nairobis city centre and retreated, a move that earned the officer local and international recognition from among others the United Nations. READ ALSO: 10 arrested in Nairobi CBD, to be hanged for plotting a coup against Uhuru's Government As the country heads closer to another election, Nthenge, now Kirinyaga County Police boss, has made a similar appeal to the citizenry, pleading with Kenyans to make their political decisions without risking the peace they are currently enjoying. During this period, Kenyans must decide to stay away from anything that may breach the peace. People should politic, vote for the person they love and more so the leader who will help them in future, and the one who will not bring chaos in the country, he said in an interview with Capital FM News. READ ALSO: Former Vice President loses his house to the government, TUKO.co.ke has the details Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE My appeal to Kenyans, please decide who will be your leaders in a peaceful manner. This is our country and we dont have any other place to go. Noting that peace is priceless, and the effects devastating when provoked, the officer urged Kenyans to shun leaders propagating violence. He cautioned that while political leaders can fly out of the country in case of trouble, many ordinary Kenyans have no other place to call home. Where else can we go? he posed. Have anything to add to this article or suggestions? Share with us on news@tuko.co.ke Do Kenyan women know how their men make money? Source: TUKO.co.ke -Dida has confirmed that IEBC invited and demonstrated to all presidential candidates all the steps taken to ensure the tendering process was not compromised in favour of any single party -He said he did not find anything mischievous in the awarding of the KSh2.5 billion tender to Al Ghurair Printing & Publishing Company -Raila Odinga has been accused on deceit, with some arguing that his previous meetings with IEBC chairman could as well mean the voting process will be compromised in NASAs favour Sharpshooting presidential candidate Abduba Dida has countered claims that IEBCs tender for ballots papers was tainted, insinuating this is a far-fetched allegation by the opposition alliance NASA. Dida confirmed that IEBC invited and demonstrated to all presidential candidates the steps taken to ensure the process was not compromised in favour of any party, and that he personally did not find anything mischievous in the awarding of the KSh2.5 billion tender to Al Ghurair Printing & Publishing Company. NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga has claimed that officials of the Dubai-based firm met President Uhuru Kenyatta before the IEBC awarded the tender, meaning the process could have been compromised. READ ALSO: 10 arrested in Nairobi CBD, to be hanged for plotting a coup against Uhuru's Government Presidential candidate Abduba Dida READ ALSO: Sonko 'Governor Nehemiah' starts 40 days and 40 nights of prayer to capture Kidero's seat But Dida feels such an argument holds no water, even if it is proved that such a meeting ever took place. When you visit a home [Kenya] you have a right as a visitor to see the father [Uhuru], so that you also feel at home in the new place. It is common knowledge, the liberal Alliance for Real Change candidate told The Star. Its not bad for Uhuru to meet investors, since they were coming to his country. Odinga has been widely accused of dishonesty in his claims, since the fact that he has met IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, the referee in the August elections, on several occasions could as well be interpreted to mean the voting process could be skewed in NASAs favour. READ ALSO: Video of Betty Kyallo and Dennis Okari's adorable daughter sing and dance will make your day NASA Presidential candidate Raila Odinga READ ALSO: Have you met this 21-year-old who looks like your grandfather? (PHOTO) In fact, Chebukati served as an ODM member and contested the Saboti parliamentary seat in 2007 on the partys ticket, losing to water Minister Eugene Wamalwa. At the same time, Dida wittily stated that Odinga loves teargas and cannot survive for three months before looking for a chance to confront the government. I know Raila loves teargas and he cant go three months without it. If he tries, he will be sick, Dida said. Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke Watch Siaya residents differ with Raila Odinga below: Source: TUKO.co.ke - Siaya IDPs are a happy lot after they received KSh35 million from the National Treasury - IDP Nyanza chair Nelson Owegi confirmed the transaction and promised to follow through distribution to avoid ghost names on the list - This comes after President Uhuru gave KSH828 million to Kisii and Nyamira IDPs during campaign rounds More bad news follows the National Super Alliance (NASA) party after the government disbursed KSH35 million to Siaya. The Siaya County government received the money as compensation to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the area from the National Treasury. IDP Nyanza chair Nelson Owegi confirmed the transaction made by the Treasury to Siaya County Commissioners office. READ ALSO: Diamond Platnumz' artist welcomed like a president(photos) NASA leaders READ ALSO: Video of Betty Kyallo and Dennis Okari's adorable daughter sing and dance will make your day This is the first phase of the the payment, the second and third phase is currently being worked on," the chair said. Owegi also added that Siaya has over 30,000 IDPs and promised to follow the process of distributing the money to ensure no ghost names will be on the list. This comes after President Uhuru gate KSh828 million to Kisii and Nyamira IDPs. READ ALSO: Dont mislead Kenyans on ballot tender, Dida warns Raila Uhuru handing over cheques to Kisii IDPs READ ALSO: Don't protect Joho, police in Mombasa get orders Uhuru defended his decision on June 7, to compensate IDPs after some NASA leaders claimed he was bribing them. The President said the coalition government during its time did little to help IDPs while they were in power. Have something to add to this article or suggestions? Send to news@tuko.co.ke PLO Lumumba speaks about the Raila conspiracy Source: TUKO.co.ke The Women's League of the People's National Movement notes with deep pleasure the decision of the Honourable Prime Minister to appoint Mrs Marlene McDonald as Minister of Public Utilities. This decision is gratifying to the League as Ms McDonald, who serves as the Deputy Political Leader Legislative, was asked to step down as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development whilst investigations proceeded, continued to work assiduously in the Party, the Constituency of Port-of-Spain South and the Parliament. We of the League say without fear of contradiction that it is excellent that she has been returned to the service of the citizens in the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago. We congratulate Ms McDonald. +5 Cabinet reshuffle - Marlene McDonald returns to Cabinet Port of Spain South MP Marlene McDonald, who was fired from the Cabinet by Prime Minister Dr The League also extends congratulations to Ms Nicole Olliverre and congratulates and welcomes Ms Allison West who is moving from the Private Sector to the Public Sector in the service of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. The League is proud to witness the continuation of the PNM's legacy of consistently elevating women to the political arena in the service of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. The League takes this opportunity to also extend heartfelt congratulations to the Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds on his movement to the Office of the Attorney General, Mr Hinds is beloved by the League and he continues to exhibit his value to the government of Trinidad and Tobago. We support the decision of the Prime Minister to utilise Mr Hinds' skills and experience in the Attorney General's office. As Ms Ayanna Leeba-Lewis departs the Senate we congratulate this young professional and member of the Heliconia Movement on the contribution she made to the fabric of the debates on the government bench in the Senate. We wish her continued success in her future endeavours. Again the Women's League congratulates all the appointees and looks forward to them working in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. One Ukrainian soldier was killed and four were wounded over the past 24 hours in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Defense Ministry's Spokesman on ATO issues, Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk stated this at a press briefing on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "As a result of combat actions over the past day, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and four were wounded," he said. ish The National Energy Company Ukrenergo at the General Assembly of the European Network of Transmission System Operators ENTSO-E on June 28 signed an agreement on the terms of Ukraines accession to the European energy system. Head of Ukrenergo Vsevolod Kovalchuk posted this on his Facebook page. The agreement on the terms of accession was signed today [June 28] in Brussels during the General Assembly of the European Network of Transmission System Operators ENTSO-E Several years of joint work of Government, the National Commission for State Energy and Public Utilities Regulation, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry, Ukrenergo and energy generating companies are ahead. The draft roadmap has been developed, all of the requirements for the modernization of our energy system are envisaged in the Agreement, he wrote. He also added that accession together with the implementation of a new law on the electricity market will allow markets to be united with neighboring countries; it will create real competition, and it will defeat monopoly." iy Today, June 29, the chairmanship of Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) will be handed over to Ukraine. Today Ukraine will take over the chairmanship of BSEC. First Deputy [Foreign] Minister Vadym Prystaiko will head the Ukrainian delegation, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry posted on Twitter. According to the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Ukraines main slogan during its chairmanship will be To peace, stability and prosperity. BSEC was established in 1992 to ensure economic development and prosperity in the Black Sea region. iy The State Enterprise "Boryspil International Airport" must conclude an agreement with the Ryanair airline within the next two weeks. Infrastructure Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Omelian stated this, the Infrastructure Ministry reports. "The Lviv International Airport has already signed a contract with Ryanair, the contract between the Boryspil Airport and Ryanair will be signed within the next two weeks. We significantly reduced the airport fees in Boryspil for all airlines," the minister said. According to the official, the state policy is aimed at making cheaper tickets for Ukrainians and tourists. ish Chairman of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Volodymyr Ariev spoke during a speech in Strasbourg about a new round of Russian terrorist activity in Ukraine. He informed this on Facebook. "Terrorism in Europe is a topic of the morning meeting in the PACE. I informed colleagues about a new round of Russian terrorist activity in Ukraine and urged not to divide the manifestations of terrorism into very unacceptable and not very unacceptable. I gave examples of what countries do to defend themselves against terrorists, including an example of France that presented legislation in 2014 that allows blocking Internet sites, which promote anti-Semitism, terrorism and hatred," he wrote. ish Volodymyr Horbulins speech at the Forum Dawn of Europe: Historical patterns of civilizational choice Speaking about Ukraine in modern global dimensions, I will start from bitter and unpleasant part our national lessons. We must admit that Ukraine was too passive for all 25 years of its independence. We were balancing between the development vectors, waiting for good proposals from the East and the West, avoiding making responsible and radical decisions. In some ways, this policy was justified and even comfortable. However, the most important thing to be said about the previous period is that such a policy was forced. We could not take the liberty of sticking to a decisive foreign policy course in view of the internal weakness and immaturity of our statehood. After all, since 1991, we have begun to build our sovereignty without having many necessary qualities and resources for this. People express various assessments now, saying Ukraine achieved its independence too easily. I would say that we were in the imperial servitude but got liberty only after the prison collapsed. At the same time, many Ukrainians missed that prison and the first decades saw the struggle between the old and the new, between the need to build a new state and an instinctive desire to return to the past or at least to keep its main attributes. For 25 years, we have been talking about reforms, and we have just come to reform the Soviet system of pensions, health care, education, self-government and many other areas. Our foreign policy was also unwise and inconsistent. The vectors changed, the motion was mimicked, and in the end, the resulting vector turned out to be zero. We also should mention the destructive activities often carried out in relation to the security and defense sector the constant reformation without a clear goal, the sale of all possible property, the degradation of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, and special services. This also includes a sharp decrease in the personnel of the Armed Forces, the aging of most armaments and military equipment. Ukraine suffered all those problems when the Russian aggression started in 2014. We were forced to test out our national maturity by rebuilding the army, upgrading intelligence and counterintelligence bodies and carefully launching the economic growth process in an extremely short period of time. I would like to emphasize that we had to do all of that amid the difficult war with an opponent, which had been preparing for it for a long time, and which we considered to be our friend and brother. The latter led to the most important "loss", having shattered our illusions. We no longer believe in the brotherhood and equal partnership with Russia as we see instead the revenge policy of the reviving empire, which considers the existence of the independent Ukraine to be unacceptable. We no longer believe in treaties and memoranda on security guarantees, but we are aware of the need to build our own armed forces and mobilize domestic resources to defeat the enemy. We understand that it is impossible to infinitely discuss the vectors of integration and the foreign policy strategy of the state, especially if our opponents clearly play an external opponent's hand. Finally, we clearly understand that there is simply no alternative to the development of the independent Ukraine other than the European one. However, the European path should not become another firm illusion for us, and another, mutual, disappointment. To avoid this, we need to clearly and objectively understand what happens in the world around us, as long as we are standing at the beginning of this path. What is present-day Europe? What is present-day Ukraine? Can we help each other? What are our goals and strategic priorities? I would like to offer some of my insights into these issues. The first one relates to my traditional topic the global security and hybrid threats to the existing world order. I have already published several articles on this subject, and our Institute [the National Institute for Strategic Studies] prepared a fundamental monograph on the world hybrid war. However, I would like to focus not only on threats faced by the civilized world but on the opportunities that are opening up. First of all, we must understand clearly which global challenges have changed and which of them remained immutable. It would seem that we live in the epoch when the incredible became obvious. The United Kingdom leaves the united Europe, while Turkey conducts its referendums in the EU member states. That communist China is now the main driver of the liberal economic globalization, and the United States is turning to a policy of self-isolation and trade protectionism. Moscow awards the medals "For the return of Crimea", and the warriors of the new Caliphate massively execute hostages in the Middle East. The UN Security Council has become a controversial club owing to the consistent efforts of the Russian diplomats. European far left political groups unite with the far right ones to support Putin and a common hatred for the European integration. The regional parliaments in northern Italy now discuss the possibility of recognition of the Russias annexation of Crimea, while Iran organizes the delivery of food to the blockaded Qatar. This could have seemed fantastic just a few years ago. Now the world has long gone beyond the traditional understanding, beyond the limits of traditional logic. However, not everything is lost! We must understand that the current crisis is not the doomsday of the civilized world. Its only a temporary loss of course and favorable wind. Some provocateurs and blackmailers try to benefit from the current situation, but their successes are temporary, and long-term prospects are obviously disappointing. The concept of a hybrid war initially meant that the aggression is waged in a comprehensive manner and includes an informational and propagandistic component, the so-called organizational weapons, economic and diplomatic pressure, the military operations are carried out secretly, using illicit armed formations. The boundary between war and peace disappears before our eyes. You think you live in a state of peace, friendship and strategic partnership, while you have already become a target for the large-scale military operations against you. You can never be sure that the war is over, no peace treaty or cease-fire agreement can no longer be accepted in all good faith. If you resist, the aggressor will sincerely resent but simultaneously wage a war to completely destroy you. Do not be misled with the adjective "hybrid" as it is a full-fledged war, which uses an extremely powerful arsenal of methods to destroy the enemy. Currently, hybrid weapons are used not only against Ukraine but against the West also. Unfortunately, we should admit that such weapons are used successfully. Why do I say so? The signs of "success" are manifested in the fact that the victims of hybrid aggression are not ready to admit that they have indeed fallen victims to the hybrid war. The United States is a striking example. Of course, the victory of the incumbent president was reasoned by many factors, including the desire of citizens to have new politicians who offer simple solutions to complex problems. However, what was the most important result of those elections? First, it became apparent that Russia is ready to intervene and do intervene in the elections in other states. This seemed impossible just 5-10 years ago. However, having revived the practices of the Soviet Union and realized that the democratic model of the state is limited in its capacities to respond to hidden threats to its security, Russia has embarked on a large-scale and generously financed offensive. The United States, as well as other democratic states, came under pressure. Extremely insignificant expenditures on such activities at the level of 4-5 billion dollars produce a totally explosive geopolitical effect. And this effect led to the second consequence of the American elections the chaoticization of political space of the democratic states. We see that the United States cannot get out of the process that began last year. Regular reports of the U.S. intelligence and counterintelligence bodies show how much Russia did to cast doubt on election results, to erode trust between political leadership and its main institutions and, if possible, to corrupt / bribe certain officials. Russia will continue to use such a scheme as it is not complex, but extremely effective. The same is about Europe, which is also under attack. However, the vulnerability of Europe is reasoned by its civilization specifics. Europe has got used to playing by the rules, its position is always open, formed on the basis of free exchange of thoughts and rational argumentation. This is the strength of European politics, the attractiveness of the European home for many people, including Ukrainians. However, democratic procedures, pluralism of thoughts and political competition often become a weakness amid a total war. The experience of the Second World War proved that when relatively democratic countries such as Czechoslovakia and France became an easy prey to the aggressor, and the European continent became a battlefield between the totalitarian systems. The current hybrid aggression, either from Russia or from the side of Islamic radicals, is well adapted to the European liberal environment, it parasitizes democratic institutions, shamelessly enjoys the freedom of speech, complementing it with violence and the instigation of fear. We should not even look for prophecies about the consequences if Europe does not do anything about this. We should just look at Ukraine. An example of Ukraine three years ago is precisely what awaits Europe if it does not admit living in the new reality. However, I would not like to be totally pessimistic as some countries of Europe succeed not only in defending but moving on to a cautious offensive as well. The victory of Emanuel Macron in the presidential election and the loss of the Kremlin-supported party of Marie Le Pen in the parliamentary elections in France are vivid examples. The same is the loss of the Italian party Five Stars Movement, another proponent of Vladimir Putin, in the regional elections. While meeting with Putin, Macron firmly debarred the representatives of the Russian foreign media the right of being identified as journalists, calling them propagandists, in fact, the ones they have actually been for a long time. So there is a progress, which inspires good hopes. We look forward to the elections in Germany. Another topic I would like to touch on is Ukraine's role in overcoming the current crisis in Europe. Recently, our Western partners have been seeing Ukraine as a problem for Europe. In fact, now Ukraine is more likely to contribute to solving many problems, including in relations between Europe and Russia. In order to realize this, Europe needs to get rid of illusions about Russia the same as Ukraine did. When military units of the Western Military District of the Russian Armed Forces massively receive the status of the strike forces, and 200,000 troops are being trained for the West-2017 drills, then Europe must probably wake up from its complacency and to understand that the loss of 1-2% of the market of European products due to sanctions is the smallest of the problems that the Old Continent will face, and the increase in defense spending is payment for the right to preserve their countries. We highly appreciate the consolidated position of the European community in supporting our civilized choice, state sovereignty, and territorial value. We are grateful for the concrete measures, which are being taken by our European partners despite the internal contradictions and the unfavorable situation: approving the economic part of the Association Agreement and the visa regime liberalization. At the same time, we can not but worry about the main problem of the modern Europe, which is the loss of some of the landmarks of development and the variability of the remaining ones. The White Paper on the Future of Europe provides for 5 scenarios: The first is the continuous development of the current course; The second is "nothing but a single market"; The third is "those who want more, do more". This scenario reflects the idea of Europe of different speeds; The fourth is "to do less, but more efficiently"; The fifth is "to do more and more together". It is difficult to predict what course Europe will choose. However, we are confident that relations with Russia, relations with America, the place of Europe in the modern world and its mission are the issues that require a new qualitative level of European consciousness and European solidarity. Finally, I would like to say a few words about our priorities. The first and foremost priority is the European integration of Ukraine, which is an integral part of the overall course towards the Euro-Atlantic integration. The recently adopted amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the Principles of Internal and External Policy" open up new opportunities for the implementation of the Euro-Atlantic course of our state. And although the political situation is not very favorable for the integration of Ukraine into NATO, there are topics of particular interest both for us and NATO. First of all, it is the Ukrainian experience (including combat one) against the Kremlin hybrid aggression. The second priority is the development of strategic partnership with the United States of America as a key priority of Ukraine's foreign policy. This issue remains to be a priority in spite of the political problems the United States currently faces. The integration into the European Union, rebuffing Russian aggression, ensuring stable peace and economic development of our state cannot be achieved without a successful interaction with the world's largest power and the most authoritative global player. Currently, the most urgent task for bilateral relations is the restoration of the effective intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, such as the former Kuchma-Gore intergovernmental commission. The updated commission could discuss granting Ukraine the status of a strategic non-NATO ally of the United States and providing Ukraine with comprehensive military assistance, including the lethal weapons. As the meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States clearly showed, we can rely on the support of the United States on many issues. The third priority is further cooperation with Europe on the issue of counteracting Russian aggression. The peculiarity of this aggression is that Ukraine, Europe, or any other world power cannot stop it on its own this is possible only through joint efforts. Further consolidation of efforts on the European continent, precise analysis of the situation and coherence of action are the guarantees that the world will not further immerse in the chaos. The fourth one is to become a security "donor" for the entire European community. The new European security system should take into account the experience of our response to the hybrid aggression as a new type of threats and challenges. The Ukrainian struggle and the European solidarity will help to clearly identify the masked enemy and expose its subversion. And this is not only about the obvious threat from the East, but also about the internal diseases of European democracy, the symptoms of which we clearly see in our own experience. The fifth priority is the maintenance of the sanction regime. For its part, the United States has taken new important steps, realizing that the Kremlin has crossed the boundaries of the international order. Fixing sanctions at the level of the US law, if it happens, will be an important signal to the world that the United States is ready to engage in a struggle for the world peace, despite all the political turmoil. The position of Europe remains a problem. Each time the process of sanction extension turns into a rigid European debate. And although Europeans are still able to solve this problem, there is a risk that sanctions will be lifted at a certain point. Abolition of sanctions will surely hurt Ukraine, but Europe will lose much more as it will thereby recognize the right of the aggressor to rebuild the world. The sixth priority is strengthening Ukraines positions on the international platforms. UN, OSCE, regional security structures remain critical to defending our interests. The achievement of these priorities, their strict observance in an increasingly changing world, a reference point for cooperation with our traditional and new partners in the face of hybrid threats is not only an important guarantee of effective counteraction to the aggressor but also the formation of solid foundations to secure a decent place for Ukraine in the new system of the international relations. This is the path of Ukraine's historic civilizational choice. I believe we will travel this path. Volodymyr Horbulin, Director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies June 22, 2017 * The point of view of the author may not coincide with the agencys standpoint Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has invited Minister of National Defense of Canada Mr Harjit Sajjan to visit Ukraine in August. This has been reported by the press service of the Defense Ministry. "Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak invited Mr Sajjan to visit Ukraine in August and participate in festivities on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine," the report reads. During the meeting, General Poltorak briefed Mr Sajjan on situation in the east of Ukraine. He focused on discussion of prospects of defense cooperation and possibility of procurement of defense equipment in Canada next year. Today, in the framework of the working visit to Brussels, Poltorak participated in the meeting of the ministers of the NATO member countries and held a range of bilateral talks. ish UNICEF/Chudeau KHARTOUM, Sudan, 28 June 2017 - Over the last few months, Sudan has faced multiple emergencies with the rapid spread of suspected cases of acute watery diarrhea across 12 of its 18 states, a significant influx of South Sudanese refugees, and high rates of malnutrition, especially in the Jebel Marra Area of Central Darfur. Over 16,600 cases of acute watery diarrhea in the past 10 months alone, were reported with 317 deaths, which is a rate double than the alert level. White Nile State in central Sudan is the most affected with over 5,800 reported cases. Almost 20 per cent of the affected population are children. The current number of weekly reported cases is similar to levels we had at the peak of the rainy season last year. In the White Nile State, with almost 100,000 refugees living mostly in camps, the situation could worsen as the rainy season begins. This is deeply worrying, said UNICEF Sudan Representative, Abdullah Fadil. In addition, over 155,000 refugees from South Sudan have taken refuge in Sudan since the start of the year including about 100,000 children. With the continued conflict in South Sudan and widespread food insecurity, Sudan expects to receive three times as many refugees in 2017 than what was expected at the beginning of the year. The most affected states are East Darfur, North Darfur, South Darfur, White Nile, South and West Kordofan. The growing influx of refugees from South Sudan and over 2.3 million internally displaced people, increases the burden on the already stretched resources of host communities. Children continue to be the hardest hit. Immediate and sustained support is crucial to provide them with timely and lifesaving humanitarian response, especially in the water, sanitation, health and nutrition sectors, Fadil emphasized. According to recent assessments in the newly accessible Jebel Marra area in Central Darfur, there are high levels of malnutrition, with severe acute malnutrition levels at 5.4 per cent. Immunization rates are also very low with children as old as seven years having never been vaccinated and an estimated 23,000 school aged children in need of education support. UNICEF in cooperation with State authorities and NGOs is currently on the ground, providing multi-sectoral nutrition , health, water, sanitation, hygiene promotion and protection response through an ongoing Find and Treat Campaign in the north, west and central Jebel Marra area. As of mid-June the Humanitarian Action for Children is only funded at 33 per cent including only 14 percent for refugees. ### Notes for editors: UNICEFs Response: South Sudan Refugees 90,000 children have been screened for malnutrition and 1,713 treated for severe acute malnutrition. Some 60,000 school aged children are in need of education support and UNICEF is currently reaching 10,000. 5 sustainable water treatment systems were constructed in five South Sudanese Refugee camps in White Nile which benefited over 118,000 persons (comprising both refugees and members of the host community). Around 8,560 SSR children are receiving child protection services, including psychosocial support in White Nile, West Kordofan and East Darfur states, through more than 90 trained animators, social workers and teachers. Acute Watery Diarrhea 4,394 suspected AWD cases (including 1,243 children under the age of 18) in White Nile state have been treated through 22 oral rehydration therapy (ORT) corners established Essential health supplies, including, 100 cartons of oral rehydration salt (ORS) and 25 Primary Health Care (PHC) kits were also provided and health care providers trained on AWD standard case management and treatment. Lifesaving water supply has also been provided to about 800,000 people at risk in the AWD affected areas in White Nile State, through chlorination, water trucking, installation of 15 tanks and three emergency water treatment units. Cumulatively over 650,000 emergency affected people were reached with hygiene promotion interventions in all the affected areas. Jebel Marra Central Darfur A UNICEF led Find and Treat Campaign is ongoing in Nertiti, Golo and surrounding villages recently open to humanitarian assistance in Jebel Marra Central Darfur in collaboration with state authorites and NGOs on the ground. More than 23,000 children have been screened over the last five days in Nertiti and Golo environs with initial indications of high levels of acute malnutrition and Oedema. 32 Outpatient Therapeutic centres are operational across North, West and Central Jebel Marra to provide lifesaving nutrition services. 24 boxes of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) have been prepositioned targeting 240,000 population. Thanks to the EU, the Governments of Germany, Japan, Sweden and the United States, as well as contributing donors to the UN-Darfur Fund, the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Sudan Humanitarian Fund for supporting the ongoing UNICEF emergency response in Sudan. UNICEF/UN070228/Chisiza LILONGWE/NEW YORK, 29 June 2017 The Government of Malawi and UNICEF today launched an air corridor to test potential humanitarian use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. The corridor is the first in Africa and one of the first globally with a focus on humanitarian and development use. It is centred on Kasungu Aerodrome, in central Malawi, with a 40km radius (80km diameter) and is designed to provide a controlled platform for the private sector, universities and other partners to explore how UAVs can be used to help deliver services that will benefit communities. Malawi has over the years proved to be a leader in innovation and it is this openness to innovation that has led to the establishment of Africas first drones testing corridor here in Malawi, said Malawis Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango. We have already used drones as part of our flood response and we can see the potential for further uses, such as transportation of medical supplies, which could transform lives in remote rural communities. The Humanitarian UAV Testing Corridor will facilitate testing in three main areas: Imagery generating and analyzing aerial images for development and during humanitarian crises, including for situation monitoring in floods and earthquakes; Connectivity exploring the possibility for UAVs to extend Wi-Fi or cellphone signals across difficult terrain, particularly in emergencies; Transport delivery of small low weight supplies such as emergency medical supplies, vaccines and samples for laboratory diagnosis, including for HIV testing. The UAV corridor will run for at least one year, until June 2018. Since the announcement in December 2016, 12 companies, universities and NGOs from around the world have applied to use the corridor. This includes drone manufacturers, operators and telecom companies such as: GLOBHE (Sweden) in collaboration with HemoCue and UCANDRONE (Greece), and Precision (Malawi), all of which were present at the launch to demonstrate connectivity, transportation and imagery uses respectively. This humanitarian drone testing corridor can significantly improve our efficiency and ability to deliver services to the world's most vulnerable children, said UNICEF Office of Global Innovation Principal Adviser Christopher Fabian. The success of these trials will depend on working in new ways with the private sector, government and local entrepreneurs and engineers who can ensure that technologies deliver appropriate solutions for the people who need them the most. UAV technology is still in the early stages of development. UNICEF is working globally with a number of governments and private sector partners to explore how UAVs can be used in low-income countries. All projects adhere to a strict set of innovation principles, with a focus on open source and user-centered design. The launch of the UAV testing corridor follows a pilot project in Malawi in March 2016 on the feasibility of using drones for the transportation of dried blood samples for early infant diagnosis of HIV. This study showed that UAVs are a viable addition to existing transport systems, including those used to help with the diagnosis of HIV. UNICEF has also deployed drones to support the Government of Malawis response to recent floods. UAV flights went out in Salima, Lilongwe and Karonga between February and April 2017 to provide aerial footage to help assess the needs of affected families. The aim of the flights was to conduct faster, more efficient and cost-effective assessments of the situation of communities and families. UNICEF is also exploring the potential for drones to be used to support immediate search and rescue efforts. Malawi has limited road access to rural areas even at the best of times, and after a flash flood earth roads can turn to rivers, completely cutting off affected communities, said UNICEF Malawi Representative Johannes Wedenig. With UAVs we can easily fly over the affected area and see clearly what the impact has been on the ground. This is cheaper and better resolution than satellite images. ### Notes to Editors: Multimedia content is available here: http://uni.cf/2tmkv08 The Testing Corridor The air corridor details were determined in consultation with the Malawi Department of Civil Aviation and in line with the governments new regulatory framework. Specifications include: Maximum distance of 80km (to efficiently test transport drones) Altitude limit at 400 metres above ground The UAS corridor will run for 1-2 years. All UAV projects tested in the corridor will have to abide by the UNICEF innovation principles - meaning open source, open data, sharable, designed for scale. President Donald Trump has met with relatives of Americans who were killed by alien criminals. The meeting Wednesday was aimed at eliciting support for two immigration bills that are expected to go for a vote in the House of Representatives this week. One would increase penalties imposed on criminals convicted of illegal reentry into the United States, and the other would withdraw federal funds for cities that give sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. VOA'S Zlatica Hoke has more. The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee approved 4,000 more visas for Afghans who worked for U.S. forces as interpreters or support staff on Wednesday, an effort to preserve a program that had been at risk of shutting down. The committee included the additional visas in its version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass piece of legislation that sets priorities for the Department of Defense budget for fiscal 2018, which will be about $650 billion. The Senate and House of Representatives are currently working on separate versions of the legislation, which must be reconciled and passed by both chambers and signed by President Donald Trump before it can become law. The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program allows Afghans who worked for the U.S. government, often risking their lives, to move to the United States after a rigorous vetting process. Bipartisan pushes by U.S. lawmakers this year for more SIV visas have come against the backdrop of efforts by the Trump administration to clamp down on immigration from majority-Muslim countries. In March, the U.S. embassy in Kabul said it had stopped scheduling interviews for SIV applicants because it had nearly run out of visas, but lawmakers included 2,500 more in a spending bill in April to preserve the program. "Our nation owes a great debt to the civilians who have provided essential assistance to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, and I am very pleased that this legislation authorizes the necessary visas for these brave men and women," said Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who led the push for the legislation with Republican Senator John McCain, the Armed Services Committee's chairman. A wildfire burning Wednesday through a dense Arizona forest has forced thousands of people from their homes, closed a major road and created a huge plume of smoke over the same area devastated by a blaze that killed 19 firefighters four years ago. The fire is burning in communities around Prescott, a mountain city about 100 miles (160.9 kilometers) north of Phoenix that draws a mix of desert dwellers escaping the heat, retirees and visitors to its famed Old West-themed Whiskey Row. The fire has charred 32 square miles (83 square kilometers) while being fanned by winds ranging to 35 mph (56 kph) winds. More than 500 firefighters were battling the blaze. A firefighter suffered a minor injury. The fire forced the evacuation of Mayer and Dewey-Humboldt along with several other communities, and one of the main roads into Prescott was closed. Dewey-Humboldt has about 4,000 residents; Mayer has about 1,400. Many residents have painful memories of the 2013 wildfire that killed 19 members of an elite firefighting crew. "It's scary because we're coming up on the four-year anniversary of the Yarnell Hill fire there's still a lot of fresh memories,'' said Arizona state Sen. Karen Fann, who lives in Prescott and represents the area where the fire is burning. Across the western US Elsewhere across the western U.S., a fire in the foothills north of Los Angeles was burned right up to homes before the blaze was beaten back. Fifty homes were put under mandatory evacuation orders on the suburban edges of Burbank, where flames raced uphill through tinder-dry grass. No homes were destroyed, and most evacuations were canceled after a few hours. In Central California, a wildfire destroyed the home of Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki on a ranch in the San Luis Obispo area. In Utah, firefighters braced for more high winds as they tried to slow a stubborn wildfire that has burned 13 homes and forced the evacuation of 1,500 people from a ski resort town. Firefighters in Washington state were battling three fires near Wenatchee that had grown to about 37 square miles (95 square kilometers). And in Idaho, fire officials say quick responses by ranchers and others to more than 20 wildfires sparked by lightning have kept the small fires from becoming major blazes like those that scorched the region in recent decades. In Arizona, Jennifer Johnson of Phoenix was driving into Prescott Valley Tuesday for a meeting and noticed smoke on the way in. By the time the meeting wrapped up a few hours later, things had changed dramatically. "Getting closer to Mayer, it looked like we were driving into some alien sort of invasion, like the whole sky was on fire,'' she said. Video she took along the freeway shows huge clouds of smoke colored red by flames. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency in Yavapai County that directs $200,000 in emergency funds to fire suppression efforts and reimbursements for emergency response and recovery costs. It's also is a key requirement should federal aid resources be requested. The blaze is burning in thick chaparral that has not seen a fire in more than 40 years. The steep, rugged terrain makes it difficult for firefighters to reach. Mayer resident Jill Baker fled town after learning of evacuations on Tuesday while filling up her tank at a gas station. She grabbed her three dogs and rushed to a nearby high school in Prescott Valley, sleeping on a cot and eating Subway sandwiches. As she left town, she said, residents were pulling off on the side of the road and discussing what to do about their belongings, pets and horses. "It looked like five fires,'' Baker said. "We were probably seven miles from the actual fire and it was pretty scary.'' Yavapai County Emergency Management Coordinator Denny Foulk said there are about 2,000 residents in the area affected by the fire and 3,000 structures in the evacuated area were at risk but officials were not immediately sure how many are homes. "Fires are a very, very personal thing,'' Foulk said. "When you lose memories, when you lose homes, that affects you for a very, very long time.'' The county's Animal Disaster Services shelter said it was housing more than two dozen dogs and 11 horses. "Yesterday you could not smell it, which means it was probably blowing away from us,'' Dewey-Humboldt resident Zerril Perkins said. "Now you can smell it so that's a little worrisome because it might be blowing toward us.'' He and his wife were packed and ready to head to Phoenix if necessary. In Utah, firefighters hoped residents could return to homes in the town of Brian Head that have been evacuated since June 17. The fire has become the largest wildfire in the nation at 78 square miles (201 square kilometers). Australia's new national census shows for the first time that more migrants are now arriving from Asia than Europe as the country's demographics change rapidly. Among the findings: almost half of all Australians were either born overseas or have a foreign-born parent. Australia is becoming less white and has never been as culturally diverse. More residents are living in capital cities than ever. The national census is held every five years and gives an in-depth look at how the country is changing. The census shows Australia is more culturally diverse than ever before with almost half of Australians either born overseas, or with at least one parent born overseas," said David Kalisch of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which conducted the survey released Tuesday. "Australia is growing, particularly in our capital cities, where more than two-thirds of Australians live. For the first time more migrants are arriving in Australia from Asia -- mostly India and China -- rather than Europe. The 2016 census has revealed that 40 percent of the overseas-born population were born in Asia, compared to about a quarter in 2001. Fundamental changes Rebecca Huntley, a social researcher, says Australia is undergoing fundamental changes. We've always been a migrant nation. What's interesting to see is the changing make-up of that migrant community, and so what we know is that we're becoming very broadly less Anglo and more Asian," Huntley said. Since 2011, 1.3 million new migrants have moved to Australia, including 163,000 from India, and more than 190,000 from China. Mandarin continues to be the second-most commonly spoken language in Australia after English, according to Liz Allen, a demographer at the Australian National University. Mandarin and Arabic are really featuring this time around, which, I think, would be no surprise to many people around the country, and that reflects our change in the guard... away from the more traditional sources of overseas migration that we have had in the past," Allen said. The Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 prompted the Australian government to grant permanent visas to 42,000 Chinese students. It would become part of the biggest wave of Chinese migration to Australia since the gold rush of the 1800s. Jason Zhus parents were among thousands of new Chinese settlers who moved to Sydney. The quality of life is a lot better, a lot more peaceful, but a lot more easy-going than probably China, where it's very competitive," Zhu said. " My family came around, I think, the 1990s, just before I was born, they came here. My dad came here first in the 1980s and then my mum came over a couple of years later. Desired destination Ramesh Sharma came to Australia from India in 1995 and runs a restaurant in Sydney. He would not live anywhere else. I have not met anyone who doesn't want to come here and doesn't want to live here," Sharma said. "Things are getting tighter and tighter. Everybody wishes to come here and live. This is a beautiful place, and we are fortunate that we are here. The census was carried out last August, but computer glitches forced the official website offline for almost two days. Despite the problems, statisticians insist that the census data is reliable and accurate. Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, the Vietnamese blogger who received the International Women of Courage Award from first lady Melania Trump in March, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Hanoi government for the activities that earned her the honor, her laywer says. The government found Quynh, also known as Mother Mushroom and Me Nam, guilty under Article 88 of the 1999 penal code "conducting propaganda against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam." She faced a maximum prison sentence of 12 years under the vaguely worded law that has drawn international condemnation for the range it allows the government in suppressing dissent. Quynh, 37, had been detained on the current charges since Oct. 10, 2016, after posting about people dying in police custody. Nguyen Kha Thanh, one of Quynh's three defense attorneys, called the verdict "too harsh, much more than a verdict to murder offender." "It's not fair for Mother Mushroom from the beginning, based on two points," lawyer Ha Huy Son, whose request to assist Quynh's defense was denied by court officials, told VOA's Vietnamese Service. "First, the court doesn't respect defendant's right of having her lawyers. Second, the court used surveyors report to conclude the defendant guilty before trial." In Vietnam, surveyors are government employees, tasked to review materials, especially "abstract materials," such as books and blog entries, to determine whether the content runs afoul of the legal code. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan, Quynh's mother, recounted her daughter's last statements at trial: "She [said she] has the right to express her thoughts on Facebook because she has sent many suggestions for better [society], but did not receive any reply from the authorities." Lan then told VOA that her daughter called the charges biased and requested continued supervision by any international rights organization. "I'm sorry, Mum. But if given a choice, I'd still do it the same," Quynh announced to the court, aware that her mother was in attendance. In March, she was one of 13 women to receive an International Women of Courage Award from the United States, which the first lady presented. "Together, with the international community, the United States must send a clear message that we are watching. It is therefore our duty to continue to shine the light on each miraculous victory achieved by women all capable of trying, truly leading the change to fight for those that cannot fight for themselves," said Trump. Quynh, a founder of Vietnam's influential Human Rights Bloggers Network, was the only honoree unable to attend the Washington, D.C., ceremony. She spent the day in a Khanh Hoa Province prison. The United States recognized Quynh for her bravery for raising civil society issues, inspiring peaceful change, calling for greater government transparency and access to fundamental human rights, and for being voice of freedom of expression," said Grace Choi, a spokeswoman for the State Departments East Asia-Pacific Office, at the time of the award. Despite major reforms in Vietnam's economy and a growing acceptance of social change, the ruling Communist Party retains tight media control and exhibits zero tolerance for criticism. Quynh, who began blogging as Mother Mushroom in 2006, has been a persistent critic. Among her recent campaigns, she blogged about the government's handling of a chemical spill at the Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation. The April 2016 Ha Tinh fish kill is widely seen as having raised environmental awareness and activism among Vietnamese. In March 2009, Quynh spent nine days in police detention for receiving funds from Viet Tan, a California-based activist group, to print T-shirts carrying slogans against a major bauxite project in the Central Highlands, police said. Hanoi declared Viet Tan "a terrorist organization" and warned that any Vietnamese found to be involved with the group would be regarded as co-conspirators and punished. In March 2016, Hanoi's People's Court sentenced Nguyen Huu Vinh, founder of the news website and aggregator Ba Sam, and Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, his editorial assistant, to five and three years respectively for "abusing democratic freedoms." The trial lasted less than one day. That same month the court sentenced blogger Nguyen Ngoc Gia, also known as Nguyen Dinh Ngoc, to four years in prison and three years of probation for "propagandizing" against the state. In March 2014, a court in Danang, Vietnam's third-largest city, sentenced prominent blogger and human rights defender Truong Duy Nhat to two years in prison for "abusing democratic freedoms." Cameroon authorities forced nearly 900 refugees back to northern Nigeria against their will this week, violating an agreement between the two countries to shield thousands from Boko Haram violence, the United Nations said on Thursday. The Cameroonian government denied force had been used to send refugees home and said repatriation had taken place with the refugees' consent. About 887 Nigerians, most of them children, were ferried across the border on Tuesday night in trucks provided by the Nigerian military and Cameroonian police, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) said. "The involuntary return of refugees must be avoided under any circumstances," U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a statement. "Returns to Nigeria put a strain on the few existing services and are not sustainable at this time." If done forcibly, the move counters an agreement signed by Nigeria, Cameroon and the UNHCR in March stating that Nigerian refugees in Cameroon will not be forced back to a remote region ripped apart by violence and where humanitarian efforts are severely stretched. "There was no forced repatriation of 887 Nigerian refugees from Banki to Borno State in Nigeria. It happened with their consent," said Cameroon's government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary. "Cameroon respects the law and its international commitments." The Nigerian official responsible for humanitarian activities in the Boko Haram-affected northeast was not immediately available for comment. Boko Haram has forced more than two million people to flee during its seven-year campaign to create an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. More than 85,000 Nigerian refugees reside in Cameroon's Far North region. Over 11,000 have returned to Nigeria this year as camps in Cameroon struggle to accommodate them. It is unclear how many of these have been forced to leave, but the U.N. has warned against repeated attempts to send refugees home against their will. In the midst of a growing outcry, China appears to be responding to criticism that prison authorities failed to provide sufficient care to ailing Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo, saying that he received regular health checks but nothing abnormal was detected until May. Liu, 61, has been released from prison on medical parole after being diagnosed earlier this month with late-stage liver cancer and is being treated in a hospital in the northeastern city of Shenyang. He had been more than half-way through an 11-year sentence after being convicted in 2009 on subversion charges. A statement released overnight Wednesday by Shenyang's judicial bureau said doctors found suspicious symptoms during a routine physical checkup on May 31. It said a 22-member medical team was convened and a week later diagnosed Liu with liver cancer that had metastasized. Defending Liu's care, it listed the steps taken and medical units involved. Liu Xiaobo and his family expressed their satisfaction with the treatment work undertaken by the prison and hospital, the statement said. Liu's wife, Liu Xia, who has been living under house arrest despite not being charged with any crime, was accompanying him in Shenyang, the statement said. Meanwhile, a video clip without a clear provenance emerged overnight on YouTube in which Liu thanks wardens for taking care of him. The clip, released anonymously, appears to show Liu receiving checkups, medical consultations and undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging procedure. Since I came here, both Captain Dai and Captain Jin truly have taken good care of me, especially of my health, said Liu, wearing a gray prison uniform. He appears relaxed in the footage, which seemed to have been shot over a period of time and edited together. It is unclear when the footage was taken and by whom, though it is likely that only prison, police and other officials in the security apparatus had such close access to Liu during his incarceration. Also unclear is whether the footage had been manipulated and whether it accurately reflected the conditions of his eight-year detention. The video spread after the popular dissident news site Boxun.com posted it on its YouTube account with a comment: This must have been released by the authorities. Watson Meng, who runs Boxun, said he had noticed the video elsewhere on YouTube but didn't know its source. Keep in mind, the clip has been edited to show Liu happy and smiling, Meng told The Associated Press. Attempts Thursday to independently verify the video with officials at the Shenyang government and judicial bureau were either met with rejection or claims of ignorance. We cannot comment on Liu Xiaobo case, said a person who answered phone at the Shenyang judicial bureau and who refused to give his name. Liu, a literary critic and vocal opponent to China's one-party political system, was convicted of incitement to subvert state power, after he co-authored a document known as Charter `08 calling for democracy and political reforms in China. He was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 2010. Liu's illness has drawn worldwide attention. Human rights groups and the United States have called for his unconditional release and accountability for his health care while incarcerated. China has rejected all outside appeals over Liu's case, and foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Wednesday said Beijing had no intention of discussing the fate of one its incarcerated citizens. This issue is China's domestic affair. As we have said repeatedly, no country has the right to make irresponsible remarks on China's domestic affairs, Lu told reporters. Following the revelation Monday of his deteriorating health, Liu's supporters questioned whether he'd been neglected or abused while incarcerated. Chen Bingzhong, a former health ministry official and ex-head of a health education research institute, alleged negligence on the part of the prison in the small city of Jinzhou. Among all cancers, liver cancer is the easiest one to detect and diagnose, and early detection can lead to early, effective treatment, Chen said. It's a chronic illness that does not develop overnight, but has ample time and shows sufficient symptoms for earlier diagnosis. The prison has inescapable responsibility for having failed to check him, to detect the cancer and offer timely treatments, Chen said, adding that the apparent negligence amounted to another form of persecution. Wu'er Kaixi, a Chinese dissident in exile, also blamed the authorities for Liu's illness. We believe that the reason why his health deteriorated so badly was because of the Chinese government's barbaric and cruel treatment over the past eight years, he told reporters in Taiwan. In its official statement, the city of Shenyang's judicial bureau said Liu had hepatitis B before going to jail. It said he had been receiving an annual physical exam, supplemented by bi-monthly checks. The prison added screenings for hepatitis and cancer in 2012, but detected no abnormality until May 31, it said. After the diagnosis by the 22-member group, the hospital summoned eight specialists from top hospitals around the country for seven rounds of consultations and, upon family request, added traditional Chinese medicine doctors with experience treating tumors, the statement said. The statement offered no prognosis, although a brief video clip has been circulating of a deeply distressed Liu Xia telling a friend that no treatment - surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy - would be effective at this stage. Supporters have called for Liu to be allowed to seek medical treatment abroad, but it's unclear if Liu and his family - apparently under tight supervision - so desire. Friends say they are unable to get in touch with them. They are really cut out from the outside world, said family friend Liao Yiwu, who released a handwritten note from Liu Xia in April that expressed the couple's desire to leave the country. My biggest fear is that Liu Xiaobo dies, and Liu Xia remains under house arrest in China, Liao said. One day before President Donald Trump's temporary ban on all refugees and travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries is scheduled to take effect, there is still widespread uncertainty about how the administration will implement it. The confusion follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision on Monday that allowed the long-delayed executive order to take effect, but significantly narrowed its scope. It exempted travelers and refugees who have a "bona fide relationship" with a person or entity in the United States. As of Wednesday, the main federal departments and agencies responsible for implementing the ban had not issued official legal guidance to staff in the field or to the public. Among the questions to be resolved are what qualifies as a "bona fide" connection and how pending and future visa and refugee applications will be handled during the period of the ban. Many immigrant and refugee agencies say they need more details in order to prepare their clients for what to expect. Without guidance from the administration, "it's easy to game out a number of ways this could go off the rails," said Johnathan Smith, legal director of legal advocacy group Muslim Advocates. The U.S. State Department on Tuesday said it was waiting for legal guidance from attorneys at the Department of Justice. Treading carefully U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Wednesday he told DHS employees he wants to tread carefully in implementing the order. "I told my folks I didn't want to come anywhere near close to getting crosswise with the court. I think that's the right way to be a public servant," Kelly said, adding that he expects the government will win the case when it is heard this fall. David Lapan, a DHS spokesman, said additional information will be released on Thursday, the day the ban is to start. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment. The ban's looming enforcement against nationals of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen stirred anger and confusion in parts of the Middle East on Wednesday, with would-be visitors worried about their travel plans and their futures. Kiyanoush Razaghi, an immigration attorney in Maryland with primarily Iranian clients, said he has received a flurry of messages from Iranians wondering what it would mean for their plans to enter the United States. Family ties, education, employment The Supreme Court specifically mentioned family ties and job or university offers as reasons to exempt someone from the ban, but did not mention such issues as business or professional conference travel. Airlines in the region said they had not received a directive from the United States, and there were few people at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, where there is normally a line out the door of people waiting to process visa applications. The State Department has said it does not plan to cancel previously scheduled visa appointments for residents of the six countries. Trump issued the ban in a March 6 executive order, saying it was a temporary measure needed to allow the administration to review the vetting process for immigrants from those countries. Travel from the six countries was banned for 90 days and for all refugees for 120 days. But lower courts in Maryland and Hawaii blocked the order, saying it was a pretext for targeting Muslims and violated the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on favoring one religion over another. The Supreme Court then narrowed the scope of the lower court injunctions. Refugees in limbo Refugee advocates are struggling to understand what the court ruling will mean to applicants in the pipeline. The State Department on Tuesday said the United States has already admitted about 49,000 refugees for the fiscal year ending in September, while Trump's executive order set a cap of 50,000. The high court's decision allowed the cap take effect, but only against those who do not have a "bona fide" connection. Refugee resettlement agencies are poised to argue that their relationships with individual refugees, which entail coordination with the U.S. government, sometimes over the course of years, meets the Supreme Court's standard. If the government accepts that view, it would likely mean that every refugee already cleared for resettlement would be eligible to enter the United States. A narrower approach limiting entry only to refugees with U.S. family members would shut out some of the most vulnerable populations, said Eleanor Acer, from the organization Human Rights First. Many refugees being resettled in the United States already have U.S. ties, but those that do not include children in need of urgent medical care and women who are victims of human trafficking, she said. The State Department has told refugee resettlement partners abroad that they should proceed with resettlement of refugees scheduled to travel to the United States through July 6. Unspooling the rope tied to a metal bucket, Shylet Nhari listened to the repeated clangs of the tin striking the walls of the well as her bucket made its way down. When she pulled the container back up, she found it filled with undrinkable, muddy water. Water levels in the well are dwindling fast and not being replenished, she said. Nhari, 46, lives in Westlea, a middle-class suburb of the Zimbabwean capital and an area built on wetlands. Like many residents, she has no piped water and relies on the well, which has become more erratic in the face of longer drought. "Since 2015, our wells here started having problems in storing groundwater for longer periods as they began to dry up quickly," she said. Residents like Nhari, and a growing number of newcomers to Harare, find themselves in a bind. They need somewhere to live, and developers are all too ready to sell them land in wetland areas. But as construction covers more wetlands, water sources are drying up. Wetlands which include bogs and swamps are essential to the well-being of the city, environmentalists say. They can ease the impacts of a changing climate by helping maintain groundwater levels, and protect areas from the worst impacts of floods by absorbing excess water. Permit needed By law, anyone intending to build on a wetland must apply for a permit from the government's Environmental Management Agency (EMA). In January, EMA threatened to evict wetland residents in Masvingo, one of the country's oldest towns, saying their homes had been built without government approval. But in Westlea, Nhari is skeptical about the likelihood of enforcement. "I have lived here for close to 10 years and have not seen any resident being questioned for building on this so-called wetland," she said. She added that she didn't know how wetlands function and why they are important. According to EMA spokesman Steady Kangata, 27 wetland areas in Harare and Chitungwiza, a town 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Zimbabwean capital, have been partially built on. In Chitungwiza, 14 out of 15 wetlands have been built on, and 13 of Harare's 29 wetlands have been taken over for construction, Kangata told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Approximately 60 percent of Harare's and Chitungwiza's wetlands have been invaded or taken over for construction purposes. All these constructions on wetlands are unlawful," Kangata said. The Westlea wetland is an area of 123 hectares (304 acres). It has 87 houses, the first of which was built in 2008, according to the Harare Residents Trust, a nongovernmental organization. Nhari moved into her home in 2009 with her husband, after he bought a 600-square-meter plot from a private landowner. She says she has a deed of sale to prove it, but what she doesn't have is water. Less water absorbed Environmental experts say residents like Nhari are the source of their own problems. "A wetland acts like a sponge which absorbs water and then recharges underground water so that the water table remains high. Construction disrupts this process," said Sandra Gobvu of Environment Africa, a nongovernmental organization that works in southern Africa to promote sustainable development. When wetland areas are concreted over, much less water is absorbed, Gobvu added. Wetlands also help control flooding by absorbing excess water and releasing it gradually into water bodies, she said. "If we preserved them in their natural state, wetlands would actually help us adapt to the changing climatic conditions," said Barnabas Mawire, Environment Africa's Zimbabwe country director. He thinks that while Zimbabwe's widespread water problems are due to a number of factors, wetland destruction plays a role. "Climate change will make future efforts to restore or rehabilitate wetlands more difficult, especially if we continue to destroy them at this rate," said Mawire. Environmental activists in Zimbabwe say they are struggling to keep up with the rate of wetlands encroachment. "It is hard to measure the proportion of construction work occurring on wetlands here, because daily we wake up to new building activities emerging around many wetlands," said Liberty Chiura, a member of the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association. Meanwhile, landowners say they are not acting illegally by selling wetlands plots. "We don't just wake up and start pegging land at wetlands for people without binding permits from local authorities," said Elton Javangwe, a private landowner based in Harare. "This is part of a farm I bought and later decided to subdivide before selling housing stands, after local authorities and EMA regularized it," Javangwe said. Uninformed, defiant Mawire said that some construction on wetlands is authorized. "Developers know they have to apply to the Environmental Management Authority for permits to build, and they do get these permits at times," he said. "However, there are many other people who invade pieces of land without any knowledge that there are wetlands and start construction. And there are others who know but deliberately ignore what the law says and go on to build," Mawire added. He said that as people migrate from the countryside and demand for land in urban areas increases, new residents are unlikely to be aware of the risks of building on wetlands, to themselves and the broader community. "The developer might know, but sadly for many people, they only realize the consequences once they finish building and start experiencing floods, cracks and collapse of infrastructure," said Mawire. Failure to abide by Zimbabwe's laws governing wetlands can result in a fine of up to $500, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri has the power to serve a written order to stop development on any wetland. "As government, we are accountable for handling wetlands and we have to accept accountability where we would have failed," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "We now have an interministerial task force to investigate the building of properties on wetlands and take possible action in order to protect our threatened wetlands, [which are] crucial to restoring water basins," Muchinguri added. Police and aid groups say more than 60 percent of illegal prostitutes in Belgium are trafficked from Nigeria. Many are only teenagers and almost all come from Benin City, a city in the south of Nigeria. Rosa was sexually exploited by Nigerian traffickers and had to prostitute herself on the streets of Spain, Norway, France and Belgium. But Belgian police saved her after two years. "The police took me and asked me question if I want to talk. If I talk they are going to make a better way for me. They will give me document, I say yes because the stress is too much," she said. Rosa - not her real name - was struggling in Nigeria, making ends meet for herself and her daughter. She was told she could marry a man in Europe. After crossing Morocco and reaching Spain by boat, she was told to repay a $55,000 debt and forced into prostitution. Europol said last year that Nigerian human trafficking rings are one of the biggest challenges for European police forces. Police now see those who were trafficked as victims, whether they have documents or not. After speaking to the Belgium police, Rosa ended up in Payoke, a shelter for victims of sexual exploitation. There are three similar shelters in Belgium. Payoke has helped at least 4,000 women and witnessed a rise in Nigerian women from the early 1990s. Payoke founder Patsy Sorenson says the shelter only helps victims who agree to file charges against the traffickers. The reason also that we ask their cooperation, is that we like to fight also against the traffickers," she explained. " It is a win-win situation also for them. When they cooperate we are able to offer them a lot of things. So that they are able to start a new life. Citizenship offered A court case usually takes about two to three years. In that time, the shelter helps the girl get her life organized and after five years the victims can apply for Belgian citizenship. Police commissioner Franz Vandelook says another big challenge is that most Nigerian illegal prostitutes end up trafficking and exploiting other girls once they have paid of their debt, meaning they will no longer be seen as a victim. They know very well what they have suffered in the past, and of course at a certain moment they decide to transform themselves to a madam too, because of the money of course," he said. "And they need money to feed the family who is still in Nigeria. So I can understand the situation, but in our society, in our European society, we can not accept the situation. Sorensen of Payoke says the women still face many challenges once they have decided to start a new life. Their family in Nigeria still needs money, their health is often a concern, many are still scared of the traffickers, and they often feel lonely while dealing with their traumatic experiences. Rosa says when she started the court procedures, friends of the traffickers in Nigeria would beat her mother so badly she needed hospital treatment. Despite the challenges, Rosa feels it was worth it. I can say now I am very happy because I am getting a good life now. Because before I was having a lot of stress, but now my stress is gone down. I can really say that I am very OK," she said. The International Organization for Migration says last year about 37,000 Nigerians arrived by boat in Europe, about one-third of them women. It is estimated more than 8,000 of them will end up in prostitution. European security officials are increasingly worried that Islamic State's reach will not fade even as the terror group loses its grip on Mosul and Raqqa, the twin capitals of its now-collapsing, self-declared caliphate. Instead, they warn of an organization that has carefully reinvented itself in order to take the fight directly to the West, with Europe in the crosshairs. "Despite the recent setback for the Islamic State on the battlefield, the group has reached a new level of capability," Manuel Navarrette, the head of Europol's European Counterterrorism Center, warned during a recent visit to Washington. "ISIS has shown the capability to strike at will, at any time, at almost any chosen target," he said, using an acronym for the group. Making the situation even more ominous, according to Navarrette, is that IS appears to be able to turn potential recruits into operatives faster than ever. "We have never seen this before," he said. "Most of them pledge allegiance just the day before," added European Union Counterterrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove. "They mount attacks close to the places where they live." This is a view shared by many European officials, some of whom have been taking their message directly to their counterparts in the U.S. They describe a terror organization that has found a way to become more capable, leaving those responsible for stopping them with almost no room for error. These officials point to recent attacks in Manchester, London and Paris, and attempted attacks in Belgium, as a sign of what is to come. "ISIS is renewing itself, modernizing continuously," said Dick Schoof, the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism for the Netherlands. Growing online presence And perhaps nowhere has IS's drive to evolve been more worrisome than online where, according to Schoof, the group's supporters and recruiters have been getting "more professional," moving beyond social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. "They are even more effective in the dark web, in the hidden part of the internet," Schoof warned, building on what he described as already "strong and effective media apparatus and marketing apparatus." Also worrisome for European security officials is that many of these online efforts appear to have increasingly downplayed IS's brand of extremist Islamist ideology and even Islam itself. Rather, the "initial push factor," as some officials call it, has been heavy doses of peer pressure, with the ideology coming into play late in the process, if at all. 'Terror diaspora' Such concerns seem to contrast with the steady warnings by U.S. officials of a looming "terror diaspora" in which foreign fighters who once flocked to the Islamic State turn their wrath on their homelands, especially in the West. "The so-called caliphate will be crushed," former FBI Director James Comey told U.S. lawmakers in September 2016. "The challenge will be that through the fingers of that crush are going to come hundreds and hundreds of very dangerous people." While not trying to minimize the dangers, European counterterrorism officials say such fears have yet to manifest in their countries. "The more I look at this, the more I believe we won't have a massive return. We won't have a high number of returnees," said EU Counterterrorism Coordinator de Kerchove. European officials say of the approximately 5,000 citizens and residents who traveled to Syria and Iraq to join Islamic State, about half are believed to be dead. And they think many others will fight for IS in Iraq and Syria until the very end, or leave for new territories outside the West in which they can fight. "Most of them will be killed, I think," de Kerchove said, further describing efforts by IS to sneak fighters into Europe with migrants as "not very significant." There also is high confidence that the vast majority of Europeans who went to fight with IS are now known to the various intelligence agencies, their identities entered into the EU's Schengen Information System, making them available to local police and border agencies. Fears persist But there are concerns that despite the progress, Europe remains vulnerable. "Some foreign fighters are still coming back," one European diplomatic official told VOA on condition of anonymity, given the sensitivity of the intelligence. And many more already have successfully returned. The EU estimates as many as 1,400 foreign fighters, nearly a third of those who left to fight, are already back in their countries of origin, although at least some of them are thought to be women and children who accompanied would-be jihadists. "This is one of the main factors that helps explain the wave of attacks, both thwarted and successful, that have hit Europe," said Seamus Hughes, deputy director of the George Washington University Program on Extremism, during a congressional hearing Tuesday. European officials say many of the plots have been foiled, and studies note there has been a decrease in the number of attacks involving foreign fighters following the November 2015 attacks on Paris. "Law enforcement, intelligence officials in the West have been very good at trying to disrupt attacks by the foreign fighters," according to Kim Cragin, a senior research fellow in counterterrorism in the National Defense University's Center for Complex Operations. "The question is whether or not these law enforcement officials can actually sustain this level of effort." The majority of hate crimes experienced by U.S. residents over a 12-year period were not reported to police, according to a new federal report released Thursday that stoked advocates concerns about ongoing tensions between law enforcement and black and Latino communities. More than half of the 250,000 hate crimes that took place each year between 2004 and 2015 went unreported to law enforcement for a variety of reasons, according to a special report on hate crimes from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Hate crimes were most often not reported because they were handled some other way, the report said. But people also did not come forward because they didnt feel it was important or that police would help. Based on survey The report, based on a survey of households, is one of several studies that aim to quantify hate crimes. Its release comes as the Justice Department convenes a meeting Thursday with local law enforcement officials and experts to discuss hate crimes, including a lack of solid data on the problem nationwide. Attorney General Jeff Session is scheduled to speak. The new survey shows the limits of hate crime reporting, said Brian Levin, the director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, California State University. Many victims dont report hate crimes because of personal and institutional reasons, Levin said. For example, some Latino immigrants may be reluctant to call police after an apparent hate crime for fear of deportation, he said. Advocates fear that problem is worsening as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement. No increase in number The report says Hispanics were victimized at the highest rate, followed by blacks. I think this report shows the kind of fear that is going on in our communities, said Patricia Montes, executive director of the Boston-based immigrant advocacy group Centro Presente. She worries Latinos will be more reluctant to report hate crimes in the future. The new report said there was no significant increase in the number of hate crimes between 2004 and 2015. It cites racial bias as the top motivation, representing more than 48 percent of the cases between 2011 and 2015. Hate crimes motivated by ethnicity accounted for about 35 percent of those cases, and sexual orientation represented about 22 percent. Almost all of those surveyed said they felt they were experiencing a hate crime because of something the perpetrator said. Law enforcement officials have long grappled with how to catalog hate crimes. While some victims distrust of police keeps them from coming forward, Levin said, some LGBT victims may opt not to report a hate crime for fear of losing a job or being outed to family. Levin said many large cities are claiming they had no hate crimes, calling into question the reliability of federal hate crimes data that are based on voluntary submissions from police departments. We have Columbus, Ohio, reporting more hate crimes than the state of Florida, he said. Committed to prosecution Eric Treene, the Justice Departments special counsel for religious discrimination, lamented the lack of solid data on hate crimes during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in May, saying incomplete numbers stymie officials ability to fully understand the problem. But he said the department is committed to prosecuting hate crimes, even as critics have blamed the Trump administrations tough rhetoric and policies for a spike in such offenses. Civil rights groups said investigating and prosecuting hate crimes alone would be insufficient. Its past time for the Trump administration and the Sessions Justice Department to demonstrate, through action and its megaphone, its full and unflagging commitment to preventing hate-based violence and harassment that hurts our communities and destroys the fabric of our nation, said Vanita Gupta, the top civil rights official in the Obama Justice Department and president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Serbian lawmakers voted on Thursday to elect the country's first gay woman Prime Minister. The 250-seat Serbian Parliament voted overwhelmingly to elect 41-year-old Ana Brnabic Prime Minister following the proposal by President Aleksander Vucic. Brnabic's election as the first openly gay prime minister is of particular note in Serbia, as the Balkan region is known as a hostile place for gays. She made her entrance into politics last year, serving as a public administration minister, after a career in business and development programs. Vucic's nomination of Brnabic was seen throughout Europe as a signal that Serbia is distancing itself from Russia after the country proclaimed its goal of joining the European Union. Brnabic has said she would make joining the EU one of her top priorities. A Moscow court on Thursday found five Chechen men guilty in the 2015 murder of Russian opposition leader and former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down just meters from the Kremlin and Moscow's Red Square. After an eight-month trial, the jury ruled by majority against brothers Shagid and Anzor Gubashev, Ramzan Bakhayev, Tamerlan Eskerkhanov and Zaur Dadayev, who was found guilty of shooting Nemtsov six times in the back. Dadayev initially confessed to the crime but later recanted, saying he was tortured into the confession. The men face from eight years to life in prison when the sentences are announced next week. While the verdicts were welcomed by supporters of Nemtsov, the investigation and trial were condemned for failing to uncover the masterminds of the killing or addressing the motive, which is widely believed to be political. Nemtsov's daughter: 'Case unsolved' Nemtsov's daughter Zhanna Nemtsova, a journalist with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, called the case unsolved. In an exclusive interview with VOA's Russian Service on Wednesday, Nemtsova noted that while there was motive for the perpetrators $250,000 allegedly promised for the murder there was no attempt to establish who wanted Nemtsov killed and why. "So the investigators and the court are doing their best to hinder establishing the motive," she said. "It is obvious for Russians and for Europeans and Americans and for people all over the world that it was a political murder, it is a murder of the former deputy prime minister of Russia that has never happened in contemporary Russian history. And they are cowardly denying it. They are denying an obvious thing without offering any other convincing motive," Nemtsova said. Investigators had initially claimed the accused men were motivated by Nemtsov's support for the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo, which controversially depicted Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Chechnya is a conservative Muslim republic of Russia run by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, who rules virtually independent of federal authorities because of his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I suspect that Vladimir Putin knows much more about the circumstances of this murder than me and he possesses a complete knowledge of this murder and I, as an injured party, don't," Nemtsova said. "Why hasn't Ramzan Kadyrov been summoned to court?" Kadyrov connection? Nemtsov's family demanded investigators question Kadyrov, but it didn't happen. Kadyrov, who denies any connection to Nemtsov's murder, had infamously praised Dadayev as a "true patriot" just after his arrest. And, a month after Nemtsov's death, Putin awarded Kadyrov for his service to the nation. Dadayev was a former member of Chechnya's elite Sever police force and his commander, Ruslan Geremeyev, was supposedly being sought for questioning. However, investigators claimed they could not find him. Another wanted man blew himself up in the Chechen capital before he could be questioned, according to Russian media reports. Last year, the Chechen leader released a video showing other Russian opposition leaders in a sniper's crosshairs. "Still they haven't found any of the persons who ordered the attack or any of the organizers," Vadim Prokhorov, Nemtsov family lawyer, told the Associated Press as he was leaving the courthouse. "This is a complete fiasco, of course. It is completely obvious that the government did not have any intention over these past two years to find the real organizers and instigators. Even though we said that it is needed to investigate at least in the closest circle of Mr. Kadyrov, and we will continue to ask for this." Russian police are still looking for Geremeyev's driver, Ruslan Mukhudinov, who investigators say was the mastermind. Many critics, including Nemtsova, are dumbfounded by this claim. "It is mind blowing that the ringleader would be a driver of Ruslan Geremeyev," she said. "And what's his motive? How did he come up with 15 million rubles [$250,000]? These are, you know, absolutely discrediting details of how this investigation is going." Process could take years Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday noted those who ordered the killing had not been found, but that such a process could take years. After the verdict Thursday, he said it was up to the Investigative Committee not the Kremlin to decide on any further legal action. However, few believe those behind the killing will ever face justice as a number of Kremlin and Kadyrov critics have been murdered, but only the hitmen were jailed. Nemtsov's murder took place in one of the most heavily policed and videotaped areas of Russia. But, suspiciously, no video has ever been found of the killing and the perpetrators were able to escape the area before their arrest. "Russians were polled by the Levada center in March 2015 and more than 50 percent of them, when asked whether the case would be solved, said 'No,'" Nemtsova noted. "So, we understand too well what kind of a state we live in. Political murders are not solved here." Gunmen fired at a United Nations convoy in Libya on Wednesday and seized seven U.N. observers. A U.N. spokesman said the convoy was traveling between Tripoli and the town of Surman in western Libya when the gunmen started shooting. One vehicle was damaged, but the seven staffers who were detained briefly were released unharmed. The U.N. thanked Libyan government officials and local authorities for helping to ensure the workers' safety, and said the U.N. staff in Libya remain committed to supporting peace and security. The identity of the gunmen is unclear, but militias are believed to be widespread across parts of western Libya. Libya is split between an internationally recognized government in Tripoli and rival administrations, all jockeying for power and control over the country's oil wealth. Hong Kong will mark the 20th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty with a show of military might, tight security and the presence of Chinas leader Xi Jinping, but also with lowered expectations among activists about the core democratic values of the former British colony. In addition to the anniversary celebrations, July 1 also marks the swearing-in of the fifth administration to take office here since 1997. While people are hoping for a better performance than that delivered by outgoing leader CY Leung, it is a hope tinged with concern over what the next 20 years might bring. None of the three previous leaders has been a rousing success and one, Donald Tsang, is out of jail on bail after a conviction on corruption-related offenses. Future of democracy is not bright But beneath the pomp and an array of events designed to portray enthusiasm over Hong Kongs reversion to China after 150 years of British rule, there is sentiment among many activists and pro-democracy supporters that Hong Kongs glory days are in the past and that its key values, like the rule of law and personal safety, are under pressure. One of the Umbrella Movements key leaders, Alex Chow, said the citys mood is pretty low. Asked to explain, Chow said people not just the students who staged mass protests in 2014 feel helpless and powerless. In 2014, Chow was the head of the Hong Kong student unions and was arrested for leading demonstrators over a fence and into the streets, sparking the Umbrella protests. He was charged with taking part in an illegal assembly and convicted. He received a three-week suspended jail sentence that expires in August. Chows analysis is at odds with other activists who say they care only about democracy in Hong Kong and not about democratic movements on the mainland or in Taiwan. A few even call for independence. But he says those who want democracy have to look more widely. Asked why, Chow said because Hong Kong cannot work on all the issues by itself. It has a unique role in China, but it also has a big connection with the external parties, as well as to push for Chinas democratization. I think it is the only away that Hong Kong could reform, as well as safeguarding values that are intrinsic to Hong Kong. On the surface all seems fine A visitor might have a very different impression of Hong Kong than Chow. Trendy entertainment areas have customers spilling into the streets, and old factories are turning into incubators for digital entrepreneurs. But scratch beneath the glitz and there is an uneasiness that Chinas increasing involvement in just about everything spells trouble for Hong Kongs rule of law, personal freedoms and core values. Workers wages cannot keep pace with skyrocketing property costs. The increasing influx of mainland immigrants and torrents of cash pouring out of China combine to make the city unaffordable and almost uninhabitable for ordinary people. The era is gone when someone like tycoon Li Ka-shing could open a little plastic flower factory, work hard and grow into Asias richest man. Doubts about economic and human rights future Before the handover to China, the city had known nearly four decades of unbroken economic growth. Now, optimism for the next 20 years seems short on the ground, especially in key areas like the rule of law, political reform and the future of Hong Kongs cultural identity. Chip Tsao, a cultural commentator, writer and radio host, says his hopes in 1997 have been sharply reduced over the intervening years. Tsao says hes worried about the rule of law under China. Their (Beijings) interpretation of the Basic Law is fundamentally different from that understood by the West, and by Westerners and by Hong Kong people, he said. They want the rule of law to be under the sovereign power of China. And that has been made clear recently by the chairman of the (National) Peoples Congress, the top ranking guy in the Chinese Communist Party for Hong Kong affairs. Tsao said a free press here is endangered by owners who cozy up to the Chinese leadership, and the remaining hope is for online media, but only if giants like Google and Facebook stand firmly for free expression. Like many young people here, Chow, the student radical, is headed abroad. Hes seeking a Ph.D. in human geography. Thats the study of how people react to a physical environment, a logical pursuit for someone who occupied and transformed a city center for nearly three months. Xi visit Chinas president Xi Jinping is making his first visit to Hong Kong. In 1997, then-President Jiang Zemin presided alongside Britains Prince Charles at the official handover ceremony. For the 10th anniversary in 2007, President Hu Jintao made a brief visit. But Xi is a very different leader than any since Mao Zedong and is seen as the unyielding leader of a government ever more deeply involved in the governance of this territory, even ruling on the Cabinet nominees of the incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam, a career civil servant. Pro-democracy forces view Beijings ever-more-granular involvement as a violation of the promise of a high degree of autonomy made to Hong Kong before the handover and included in its constitutional document, the Basic Law. Security for Xi will be unprecedented. Police have been practicing what they call appropriate counterterrorism security measures. They are appealing for the publics understanding and patience. The steps include a large personal motorcade that will whisk Xi down the same road which, three years ago, more than 200,000 student demonstrators occupied for 79 days during the Umbrella Movement pro-democracy protests. U.S. immigration officials are waiting for guidance on how to enforce President Donald Trump's revived travel ban, which could be implemented as early as Thursday morning. Officials at the departments of State, Justice and Homeland Security were still unclear on exactly who is to be allowed in from six Muslim-majority nations and who is to be kept out. Those six nations are Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The Supreme Court on Monday partly reinstated the travel ban, which was blocked by two lower courts on the ground that it is unconstitutional. The justices ruled that until they hold hearings on the ban, only visitors who can prove that they have a "bona fide relationship" in the United States will be admitted. But the court did not spell out what constitutes a bona fide relationship, leaving government lawyers to spell it out and U.S. customs and immigration officers scratching their heads. The Department of Homeland Security assured travelers Wednesday that they would not see any of the chaos that ensued when the travel ban was introduced in March. It promised it would implement the revised ban "professionally with clear and sufficient public notice." Some U.S. immigration lawyers said many of their clients from the six affected countries were still filled with uncertainty. A number of attorneys planned to set themselves up at international airports, ready to offer help. Trump signed an executive order in March temporarily barring travel to the U.S. and refugee resettlement from the six nations plus Iraq, which was later dropped when the order was revised. The White House said the pause was to give authorities time to strengthen vetting procedures. Trump has said he has the authority to impose a travel ban as part of his obligation to keep the American people safe. But federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland ruled the ban targeted Muslims and violated the U.S. Constitution's prohibition of religious discrimination. The Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments for and against the travel ban and partially reinstated it until the case can be scheduled. Iraqi forces on Thursday retook control of the destroyed historic mosque in the city of Mosul, where three years ago the head of the Islamic State group declared the establishment of a caliphate. Militants blew up the 850-year-old Grand al-Nuri mosque and its leaning 45-meter minaret last week, furthering the devastation of Mosul during eight months of fighting. A spokesman for the U.S. military operation against IS said the Iraqi military had liberated the mosque in "a dawn assault," furthering the Iraqi military's push into the Old City. Fighting continued Thursday in Mosul, but members of special forces fighting militants in the city told VOA they thought they would be in control of the Old City section of western Mosul the Islamic State's stronghold by Friday or Saturday. The Iraqi security forces, who have been backed by airstrikes and ground support from a U.S.-led coalition, "continued their advance on the remaining two ISIS-holdouts: the Old City and the al-Jamouri Hospital complex," said the military spokesman, Army Colonel Ryan Dillon. Dillon called the eventual liberation of Mosul "imminent" and said the so-called IS caliphate was crumbling "from the outside and from within." "ISIS cannot stop the progress that Iraqis and Syrians have mounted in the last two years," Dillon wrote on Twitter. "As ISIS continues to lose territory, their morale plummets and ISIS leaders have abandoned fighters to die." Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said capturing the mosque in Mosul amounted to an acknowledgement of defeat by Islamic State. "We are seeing the end of the fake Daesh [Islamic State] state, the liberation of Mosul proves that. We will not relent, our brave forces will bring victory," he wrote on Twitter. The militant group has lost control of the other major Iraqi cities it once held, and while it controls more areas in Syria, a collection of forces there is focused on recapturing the de facto IS capital of Raqqa. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb contributed to this report. Italian officials say their government has told the European Commission in Brussels it is considering stopping ships that are not Italian-registered from disembarking at its ports migrants who were rescued while trying to cross the Mediterranean from Libya. The dramatic move comes after nearly 11,000 asylum-seekers and economic migrants, mainly from African nations, arrived on Italian shores in a four-day period from war-wracked Libya. In a letter to the commission, Italy's ambassador to the EU, Maurizio Massari, said the situation has become unsustainable. In a meeting Wednesday, Massari informed Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EUs commissioner for migration, that his government is now considering denying landing rights to any ships that arent flying the Italian flag or are not part of the EU interdiction and rescue mission in the Mediterranean. Libya as migrants' gateway to Europe Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has accused fellow EU nations of looking the other way, and not doing enough to assist Italy with the surge in migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Libya has become the main gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees from across sub-Saharan Africa, and also from the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Syria and Bangladesh. Many are fleeing war and persecution, but most who are using Libya are seeking to escape poverty. Italy has become the main point of arrival for all of those rescued off the coast of Libya. Stranded refugees often are picked up by boats operated or funded by private charities and non-government organizations. An intense debate has erupted in Italy about whether ships operated by mainly international NGOs have effectively been in league with the people-smugglers, and thus inadvertently enabling the trade to continue Nearly 11,000 arrivals in four days There has been a dramatic rise, partly thanks to good weather, in the number of migrants attempting the short but perilous Mediterranean crossing. In the four-day period through Tuesday (June 24-27), 8,863 migrants landed in Italy, including more than 5,000 on Monday alone, according to the International Office for Migration. Another 2,000 landed on Tuesday. In the first five months of this year, 60,228 migrants arrived in Italy by boat. The IOM reported that 1,562 died at sea. At the current rate, and with months of good sailing weather ahead, the number of migrants is on track to exceed the 200,000 who landed in Italy in 2016. Around 15 percent of those arriving this year are Nigerian. Twelve percent are Bangladeshi; Guineans account for 10 percent and nine percent are Ivorians. Other EU nations have closed their borders to migrants, hoping to block them from moving north. Poland and Hungary have refused to host some asylum seekers to help ease the burden on Italy and Greece, another front line country. Greece has seen a huge decline in asylum-seeking numbers since the EU concluded a deal with Turkey to curb refugees and migrants using Turkish territory to head to Europe. The surge in migrants this week prompted Italys interior minister, Marco Minniti, to cancel a trip to Washington to address the growing humanitarian crisis, which is quickly morphing into a political one for the country's left-leaning coalition government. In municipal elections this month the coalition lost ground to center-right parties such as Matteo Salvinis Northern League, which has called for a stop to the invasion. Domestic opposition growing Italys right-wing Forza Italia party has campaigned for the denial of landing rights to ships carrying migrants. And even the maverick radical Five Star Movement is moving to a more anti-immigrant position, calling for a halt to any new migrants being lodged in Rome. Italy is now asking for the European Commission to change EU asylum procedures and allow Italy to stop new migrant landings or reduce them dramatically. But it is not clear whether a denial of landing rights would comply with international seafaring law or commitments Italy made when it signed the 1951 Refugee Convention. After meeting Ambassador Massari on Wednesday, EU migration commissioner Avramopoulos praised Italy's exemplary behavior to date and agreed: Italy is right that the situation is untenable. Other EU member states must step up and contribute financial support to Italy, Avramopoulos said, along with aid to African nations like Libya to try to reduce the numbers of people leaving for Europe. Now is the moment to deliver, and we will hold them to this," the commissioner said. Avramopoulos made almost exactly the same remarks in February, and similar promises have been made by other EU officials. The bloc's 28 national leaders also agreed last week that "front line" countries Italy and Greece should receive more help with the arrivals. Last month, the interior ministers of Germany and Italy urged the European Union to set up a border mission along Libya's frontier with Niger in a bid to stop mainly African migrants from reaching Europe. In the past, the EU has tried to curb the migrant flow by working with various authorities in Libya, which is divided between rival governments and their militia backers, but to little avail. In a sign of the deepening chaos in the north African country, a five-vehicle United Nations convoy was ambushed Wednesday 30 kilometers from the Libyan capital Tripoli. Several U.N. employees were held for a while, then released. Local media reported the ambush was staged in an attempt to gain the release of three drug-runners arrested by a vigilante force in Tripoli. For Shalini Gera, a rights lawyer in India's Chhattisgarh state, it was the searing testimony of tribal activist Soni Sori that drew her attention to atrocities in the mineral-rich state. Sori, who was arrested in 2011 on charges of aiding Maoist rebels in the state, accused the police of torturing and sexually assaulting her while in prison. Her crime? Defending the right of indigenous people to live in an area rich in minerals in what is one of India's poorest states. Police officials, who have since been moved to other locations, deny any mistreatment. Stirred by Sori's call for justice, Gera and a couple of other lawyers left Delhi to set up office in the state's restive Bastar region in 2013. It wasn't long before they were targets. The lawyers said they were followed, had objects thrown into their home, and were accused of helping Maoist rebels. They say they were harassed for defending villagers and indigenous people. They were finally evicted by a fearful landlord last year, and relocated to Bilaspur about 400 km (250 miles) away, where they continued to pursue their cases. Mineral-rich, rights-poor The lawyers have angered plenty of people in high places. A top police official recently said they should be crushed on the highway for going against the state to protect villagers. "Parts of Chhattisgarh are like a war zone," said Sudha Bharadwaj, a lawyer in Bilaspur who backed Gera and set up a legal aid group, Janhit, for farmers and indigenous people. "There is violence against people who insist on their rights and we are perceived as anti-development for helping them," said Bharadwaj, 55, who took up law at the age of 40 to help local people. One of India's least developed states, Chhattisgarh sits atop some of India's biggest reserves of coal, iron ore, bauxite, dolomite, limestone, tin and gold, and accounts for nearly a fifth of the total value of minerals produced in India. At least 25 conflicts are raging in the state over coal and iron ore, power projects and steel plants and they affect 70,000 people, according to research firm Land Conflict Watch. The race for resources to spur India's economic growth has pitted some of its most vulnerable people against the state, stalling industrial projects worth billions of dollars. There are at least 332 land conflicts nationwide, affecting more than 3.5 million people, according to Land Conflict Watch. Nowhere are these conflicts more violent and bloody than in Chhattisgarh, part of the "Red Corridor" stretching across eastern and central India that has witnessed a Maoist rebellion for more than three decades. The rebels, who say they are fighting for the land rights and empowerment of indigenous people, accuse the government of plundering mineral resources while ignoring the villagers. Adivasis, or "original dwellers," and lower-caste Dalits make up more than 40 percent of the state's 28 million population and traditionally lived in its forests and hills. After the opening of the economy in the early 1990s, tracts of forest land were handed to companies including Adani Group, Jindal Power, Essar and Tata Steel for mines and power plants. Backed by the state, an anti-insurgency militia called Salwa Judum meaning "Peace March" or "Purification March" began cracking down on the Maoist rebels from 2005 to free up land. A pitched battle ensued, in which hundreds were killed and tens of thousands displaced amid accusations of mass rape, illegal detentions, torture and extra-judicial killings. Activists are caught "between two sets of guns" in the conflict between Maoist combatants and government security forces, Human Rights Watch said in a 2012 report. "The original inhabitants are seen as road blocks that they have to get out of the way to do more mining, build more plants, more industry," said Bharadwaj. Murder, treason The fight for land and the environment is "a new battleground for human rights," according to British-based watchdog Global Witness, with India chalking up at least six deaths in 2015 related to land conflicts. In Chhattisgarh, villagers spoke of giving up land at gunpoint while activists faced charges from murder to treason. Lingaram Kodopi, a tribal activist, fled to Delhi after being shot in the leg in 2011. Binayak Sen, a physician, was convicted of treason and sedition in 2010 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Ramesh Agrawal, who received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2014 for leading a protest that shut down a proposed coal mine, was wounded by masked gunmen in 2012. Sori was attacked again last year with chemicals. Delhi University professor Nandini Sundar was among those charged last year in the killing of an indigenous man in Bastar shortly after she published a book on the conflict. "People opposing the state are not treated as citizens. The state sees it fit to tackle them only through the military," said Gera, a co-founder of Jagdalpur Legal Aid Group. "Would there be less violence if there were no resources? Perhaps." 'Iron fist' Laws that protect the rights of farmers and indigenous people including a 1996 law on tribal areas and the 2006 Forest Rights Act giving traditional forest dwellers access to forest resources are poorly implemented, activists say. Meanwhile, state officials say resource-based industries are needed to spur growth and generate jobs for the state. "We have settled forest rights where requested. If there is any complaint of rights violation, we look into it," said Subodh Kumar Singh, a senior official in the mines department. "There may be a few displacements, but the people are resettled. The industries are bringing good development." The Supreme Court in 2011 called Salwa Judum "illegal" and ordered its disbandment. The top court said it was dismayed the only option for the state was "to rule with an iron fist." But a battle is still raging. Among the cases that Bharadwaj is handling is that of Janki Sidar, who is fighting the unauthorized takeover of her land. The case is 14 years old. Bharadwaj is her 10th lawyer. "It is necessary for us doctors, lawyers, journalists to be involved," said Bharadwaj. "We have to help them confront the power of the state and industry. We have to become their amplifiers to carry their voices to the outside world." A militant group in Nigeria's oil-rich southern Niger Delta has withdrawn its threat to launch attacks on oil facilities beginning this week. Early in June, the New Delta Avengers, a previously unheard of group, issued a statement saying it would fight for a greater share of proceeds from crude oil sales to go to the impoverished region. But in an open letter, the group withdrew its threat Wednesday. "NDA has decided to shelve our planned attack on major oil facilities in the region from June 30, 2017," said the group. "We have decided to give peace a chance," it said, stating that its decision was made to help local community leader Edwin Clark continue efforts to end regional violence. The New Delta Avengers were apparently named in a nod to the Niger Delta Avengers, who last year crippled the OPEC member's oil production. Crude oil sales account for two-thirds of government revenue. The attacks last year deepened a recession in Africa's biggest economy that was largely caused by low oil prices. The government has been holding peace talks with Niger Delta communities to end the violence, and there have been no major attacks this year. Minnesota has had 78 cases of measles so far this year, eight more than in the entire United States in 2016. There have been no new cases in the state since June 16, but health officials are waiting for two 21-day incubation periods to pass without new infections before they declare the outbreak over. The virus broke out in the Somali-American community in Minneapolis. No one knows how measles came to Minnesota, since the disease no longer occurs naturally in the U.S. State health workers identified nearly 9,000 people who were exposed to the measles infection. Those people had to be watched, immunized, if they were not vaccinated, and isolated if they became sick. Most of those who were exposed had already been vaccinated. "It tells us that the vaccine works really, really well," said Patsy Stinchfield, an infectious disease nurse practitioner who said she worked in "the eye of the storm" at Children's Minnesota hospital. Previous outbreak Stinchfield has been involved in vaccine work since a measles outbreak in 1990 claimed the lives of three children, two at Children's Minnesota. "Measles is such a highly contagious disease; all you have to do is be in the same room with someone who is breathing it," Stinchfield said during an interview with VOA via Skype. Ninety percent of those exposed will go on to develop the disease unless they have been vaccinated or have already suffered the infection. Stinchfield described efforts at Children's Minnesota to contain the infectious disease. She said nurses wearing face masks met people at the doors of the hospital emergency room and at the facility's clinics. They also required the patients to do the same. All but two of those who contracted measles were children. Twenty-one were hospitalized, mostly for dehydration. There is no treatment for measles, only for its symptoms. The virus broke out in the mostly Muslim Somali-American community so health workers met with the community's religious leaders, who invited Stinchfield and others to provide information to their followers about the vaccine and measles itself. The imams also encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated. Stinchfield said Somali-Americans, at one time, had the highest rates of vaccinations against measles in the entire state. Then, she said, the vaccination rate dropped dramatically after anti-vaccination groups told the community that the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, could cause autism. "I would say almost exclusively the whole responsibility lands on the anti-vaccine movement, and the reason is misinformation and myths spread about a link between MMR and autism, of which there is none, and science has proven that not to be true," Stinchfield said. In interviews with Somali mothers last month, VOA's Somali Service found that anti-vaccine views in the state are widespread. Known history with measles In Somalia, measles is widespread, Stinchfield said, and those in the Somali-American community are familiar with the disease and know that it can kill. "They did not think that measles would be in the United States, and so the level of fear was greater for autism," Stinchfield said. "This has now shifted, because the level of fear and the level of fear for measles is great because these families know measles. Theyve had loved ones die of measles in Somalia." Measles can cause a number of medical problems. "The people who decline vaccines are actually increasing their risk for neurological problems ... encephalitis, brain infections, developmental delay, and it is absolutely taking a risk to do nothing, to decline vaccines," Stinchfield said. Some researchers, such as Daniel Salmon at the Johns Hopkins University's Institute for Vaccine Safety, maintain that the rubella vaccine can prevent autism. Rubella, which is also prevented by the MMR vaccine, is generally a mild disease, but 90 percent of infants suffer complications, including brain damage, if a pregnant woman contracts it during her first trimester. Members of anti-vaccine groups, however, say that vaccines expose children to health risks and can cause harm. But, Stinchfield cites the higher health risks of not being vaccinated. "Anything that can cause neurological impairment should be avoided and so, for example, with measles disease, one in a thousand cases from measles can have encephalitis with permanent brain damage, whereas one in one million doses of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine can have anaphylaxis," a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine, "and so it really is important to prevent the disease, which is a greater chance of having brain issues." Less than a day after a monument of the Ten Commandments was installed outside the Arkansas Capitol, it was destroyed. Authorities said Michael Reed drove his car into the nearly 6,600-pound (3,000-kilogram) granite slab shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday. A video that appeared to have been taken from inside the car was posted on Facebook by an account in the name of Michael Reed at about the same time. In the video, the sky is dark and the capitol's dome is visible. Music is heard, followed by a female voice, likely on the radio, saying, "Where do you go when you're faced with adversity and trials and challenges?'' The driver is then heard growling, "Oh, my goodness. Freedom!'' before accelerating into the monument. The vehicle's speedometer is last shown at 20 miles per hour (33 kph), and then a collision can be heard. The monument broke into multiple pieces as it hit the ground. Arkansas' granite monument was installed Tuesday on the southwest lawn of the capitol grounds with little fanfare and no advance notice. A law passed in 2015 required the state to allow the display, and a state panel last month gave final approval to its design and location. "Obviously, I'm very disappointed that someone would carry out an act of violence that's actually against the people of Arkansas,'' said Senator Jason Rapert, the state lawmaker who led the push for the monument. Rapert, a Republican, said he was confident he could quickly raise funds for a replacement. Reed was arrested in 2014 for driving a car into a Ten Commandments monument at the Oklahoma Capitol, a sheriff's spokesman there told The Associated Press. Reed was admitted to a hospital for mental treatment and was not formally charged at the time. Reed, 32, was arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, early Wednesday and booked on three charges, including defacing an object of public interest. NATO allies have agreed to send more troops to Afghanistan, and U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the alliance has filled nearly three-fourths of the gaps in requirements for its mission in the war-torn country. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that 15 nations had already pledged additional contributions to Resolute Support, the NATO mission to Afghanistan, and further announcements from other nations were expected. Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels that thousands of troops had been requested to help train and support Afghan security forces, but he did not say how many would deploy. Later in the day, Mattis said nations were stepping up to fill the requirement gaps needed to carry out the international mission to stabilize Afghanistan. "We've filled 70 percent of those gaps right now, and I'm very, very optimistic that based on what I heard here, they'll be filling the rest," Mattis said. Finalizing strategy He said that he was finalizing his strategy proposal to take to President Donald Trump based on what NATO allies offered in Brussels and what General Joseph Dunford, the top U.S. general, recommends upon his return from Afghanistan. "That decision will be made, obviously, by our president. It will be informed by what I picked up here by our allies for our military commanders in the field," Mattis said. Mattis told reporters that the international coalition in Afghanistan "may have pulled our troops out too rapidly." Former President Barack Obama cut American military support in the country from about 100,000 U.S. troops in May 2011 to fewer than 10,000 American troops over four years. "Mattis and Trump are just repairing a mistake, in effect, that I think President Barack Obama made. And it is, in a sense, more properly carrying out Obama's own strategy than Obama himself did," Michael O'Hanlon, a senior defense analyst at the Brookings Institution, told VOA. O'Hanlon added that by restoring just a few thousand more international troops, the coalition could get enough advisers into the field with some of the key Afghan units to "hopefully really stabilize the situation." Beside a quiet stream on Maryland's Eastern Shore, a 19th century brick house that once served as a way station on the Underground Railroad can bring present-day visitors to tears as they gaze at the path where escaped slaves made their way to freedom. The Jacob and Hannah Leverton house is among 36 sites along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. The 125-mile route has been getting fresh attention in recent months as the nation and the world take more notice of Tubman's heritage as a hero of freedom. Tubman, who escaped from slavery in antebellum Maryland to become a leading abolitionist, helped other slaves escape by guiding them north on the Underground Railroad and served as a Union spy during the Civil War. "It's hard to identify with George Washington, unless you're an older white male. But when it comes to Tubman, there's so many ways that people of all backgrounds and races ... can find something that they can see in themselves that she has carried forward or she held herself,'' says Kate Larson, an author and historian who has written about Tubman and worked as a consultant on the byway. Fresh Attention The famed Underground Railroad conductor is drawing admiration from new generations. Plans to put her on the $20 bill have received prominent attention, stirring debate about the representation of old white historic figures on the nation's currency and the lack of women and minorities. This year, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution's new National Museum of American History and Culture in Washington acquired a rare photograph of Tubman in her late 40s. In March, the $21 million Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center opened, not far from her Maryland birthplace. Long Road The designated sites and nearby landscapes offer a comprehensive look into Tubman's life and journeys along the Underground Railroad, an informal network that helped escaping slaves evade capture and reach free states such as nearby Pennsylvania. After about 18 years of planning, the first stops along the byway were designated in 2013 to coincide with the centennial of Tubman's death. "This is just an opportunity for the world to know that Harriet has been a major part of our history in the United States of America,'' said Victoria Jackson-Stanley, the first black woman elected mayor of Cambridge, the county seat, not far from where Tubman was born and raised a slave. "She's a local home girl, as I like to say, but she's an icon for freedom.'' Television Revival Tubman was featured recently in "Underground,'' a WGN television drama about the Underground Railroad. Actress Aisha Hinds, who played Tubman, attributes the abolitionist's increasing prominence partly to the divided times of the present. "I feel like, contextually, what we're living now is sort of a modern day manifestation and articulation of the times that Harriet Tubman was living and the obstacles that she transcended,'' Hinds said at a conference on Tubman in Cambridge, Maryland. Meanwhile, an HBO movie with Viola Davis starring as Tubman is in the works, based on Larson's book, "Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman: Portrait of an American Hero.'' Act of Defiance The site of Tubman's first known act of defiance against slavery is one of the most popular stops on the Tubman byway. The Bucktown Village Store has been restored at a rural crossroads believed to be where Tubman refused a slave owner's orders to help him detain another slave. When the other slave ran, the owner grabbed a 2-pound weight and threw it at him, hitting Tubman on the head and causing an injury that would trouble her for the rest of her life. The inside still looks like a 19th century shop. The owners have some Tubman-related items, including a newspaper advertising a reward for Tubman and two of her brothers. Susan Meredith, who owns the site with her husband, says people have been stopping more frequently since the visitors' center opened nearby. "We see people from all over the world that come to see and step in the place that she was in,'' Meredith says. Still Developing Some areas with significant links to Tubman's early life are neither open to the public nor designated on the byway but could one day be purchased by the state. Some related sites have inconsistent hours, depending on when property owners are home, and are still developing under the added attention. The Jacob and Hannah Leverton home, which is on the byway, offers mixed signals. A sign with the words "Private Drive'' and "No Trespassing'' stands at the foot of the drive, next to an interpretive marker that designates it as a byway stop. Still, Michael McCrea, who bought the house in the mid-1980s, is enthusiastic about the byway and accommodates visitors, even though the sign remains. "It's fine,'' he says, mentioning that visitors have been undeterred by the sign to get a closer look. McCrea has shown people around the property. Some have cried, he says, while others solemn rub the bricks of the house. "They just can't believe that it's here,'' McCrea says. A 25-year-old Ohio man pleaded guilty to allegations he was involved in a terrorist plot in 2015, according to newly unsealed legal documents. Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud was charged by a federal grand jury with providing material support to terrorists, providing support to a designated terrorist organization, and of lying to the FBI about international terrorism. His guilty plea was sealed until Thursday because of an open investigation. Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana J. Boente said Thursday, "Mohamud admitted to traveling overseas, providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and receiving training from terrorists. He also admitted to returning to the United States and planning to conduct an attack on American soil. He will now be held accountable for his crimes." Mohamud was born in Somalia and came to the United States when he was two years old. According to court records, his brother was fighting in Syria by 2013, and Mohamud provided material support to him from the United States. Mohamud became a naturalized citizen in 2014, promptly submitting an application for a passport, and buying a one-way ticket for Athens, Greece, with a layover in Istanbul, Turkey. When he landed in Istanbul, instead of flying on to Athens, he travelled to Syria and joined the al-Nusrah Front, with the help of his brother. In Syria, he trained with weapons and engaged in combat. Court documents indicated that he "expressed a desire to die fighting in Syria." Instead, he was instructed by al-Nusrah to return to the United States and commit an act of terror. He recruited several U.S.-based people to help him carry out "something big," before being questioned by the FBI. Boente said, "We will remain vigilant in our efforts to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations and seek to conduct attacks on our homeland." A year after witnessing the murder of his friend by a gang of farmers in Brazil's agricultural heartland, indigenous activist Elson Gomes still fears for his life. Plus he misses his friend. "He was a strong guy," said Gomes, 30. "I miss him, and his commitment to our cause, every day." Last June, Gomes and hundreds of other Guarani-Kaiowa people gathered for a protest demanding formal ownership over 55,600 hectares of land in Mato Grosso do Sul state in southwestern Brazil. The flat, dry, expanse of savannah - ideal for growing soy or grazing cattle - sits near Brazil's border with Paraguay. Historically, the indigenous activists say it belongs to them. Gomes said Brazil's National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), the government agency responsible for protecting the land rights of indigenous people, had missed its own deadline to demarcate the land, or in essence to ring fence it for indigenous people. "We had gathered to protest our treatment, the human rights violations we suffer," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "That's when the farmers arrived in many cars. They opened fire," the activist said. Gomes' friend, community leader and healthcare worker Clodiode Aquileu Rodrigues, 26, died in a hail of bullets at the rally, which was held in Caarapo municipality, 273 km (170 miles) from the state capital Campo Grande. "The government only thinks about agribusiness, not us Guarani-Kaiowa," Gomes said. "We don't have enough land or a place of our own to survive." Killing Fields Conflicts between indigenous peoples and other land users are by no means unique to Brazil - similar disputes are common in Australia, Mexico, North America and other western countries. However, the scale of recent violence, along with the key role played by farming in Brazil's economy, the often hazy nature of property ownership and what activists consider high levels of impunity make the situation particularly dangerous in South America's largest country. Clodiode Rodrigues was one of 61 land rights campaigners killed across Brazil last year, the highest level of violence since 2003, according to the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), a Brasilia-based advocacy group linked to the Catholic Church. "Land conflicts in Mato Grosso do Sul and the murder of indigenous leaders are realities that go hand in hand," Dourados Marco Antonio Delfino de Almeida, a federal prosecutor in the state, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Almeida said the number of killings aimed at indigenous groups in Mato Grosso do Sul has been increasing. Since June 2015, he said, prosecutors had been made aware of at least eight attacks against indigenous communities in the southern region of Mato Grosso do Sul alone. "Since mid-2015, organized groups have been perpetrating violent evictions of indigenous communities," said Almeida, whose office is responsible for investigating the killings. Farmers groups have formed "private militias" in the state, the prosecutor said. And the tight-knit nature of farming communities makes it particularly difficult to find witnesses. Despite this, more than 40 people have been prosecuted for attacks against indigenous communities in the last five years, he said. Landed Elite The rise in deadly conflicts pitting indigenous people against large farming interests in Mato Grosso do Sul coincides with Brazil's worst recession on record, though agriculture has been one of the few bright spots. In the world's top exporter of beef, soy, chicken and orange juice, agriculture accounts for about 23 percent of Brazil's GDP, more than seven times the global average of 3 percent, according to the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The country's 900,000 indigenous people - who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and other social problems - control about 13 percent of Brazil's territory. And that's more than enough, according to some critics. In Mato Grosso do Sul, farmers say the Guarani-Kaiowa are the ones who occupied their land, not the other way around. Indigenous campaigners are responsible for the violence as they illegally entered private land en masse, say the farmers, who stand by the decision to defend their properties. Belly Full Politicians urge the indigenous campaigners to move on. "Land doesn't fill anyone's belly," Brazil's justice minister Osmar Serraglio said in March, urging indigenous people to "stop this discussion about lands" and focus on economic opportunities. In his first two months in office, Serraglio held more than 80 meetings with agricultural lobbyists and none with indigenous representatives, according to an analysis by the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper published in May. The lobbying power of agribusiness interests speaks to a dangerous dynamic, said Wendy Wolford, a professor at the U.S. Cornell University who studies land conflicts. "In Brazil, there is sufficient land and food for everyone," Wolford told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "A political system that keeps some from accessing those resources is institutionalized discrimination with deadly consequences - necropolitics," she said, referring to the use of power to dictate who lives and who dies. Impunity These power imbalances, coupled with billions of dollars at stake from farm exports, hinder prosecutions, campaigners say. Of more than 1,300 deadly land conflicts in Brazil since 1985, less than 10 percent of cases reached a final conclusion at trial, according to the CPT. Part of the problem in securing convictions is that police officials and land owners in rural areas often move in the same social circles and are hesitant to target each other, said Jeane Bellini, the CPT's national coordinator, who has tracked land violence in Brazil for more than 20 years. In the past decade, the most common victims of rural violence were activists who occupied farmland near big ranches, particularly the well-organized Landless Workers Movement (MST), she said. But that has shifted in the past few years with indigenous groups and other traditional land users now more affected than ever, said Bellini. "Since the government has slowed down the recognition of indigenous lands, communities have found themselves in direct conflict... with modernized agribusiness who are intent on using the land for soy or other monocultures," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Following the killing of his friend, Gomes said federal officials arrested five men thought to have ordered the attack. "Now they are all free," Gomes said. "It's an ongoing threat to our community." The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have fully encircled Raqqa, which serves as the de-facto capital of the Islamic State group in Syria, cutting off the jihadist groups last route out of the city, according to a monitoring group. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Thursday that SDF forces captured two villages on the southern bank of the Euphrates River, effectively cutting off the last IS escape route. "They thereby cut the last route IS used to withdraw from Raqqa towards territory it controls in the Syrian desert and in Deir Ezzor province," the Observatory said. A spokesman for the U.S. mission to defeat IS said on Twitter the SDF had this week cleared nearly 20 square kilometers of territory once held by IS jihadists, and that the SDF "now control all high-speed avenues of approach" into Raqqa. "[IS] fighters, abandoned by their leadership, are being pressured by the [SDF] from multiple axes around the city," he wrote. Watch: US-led Forces Tighten Ring Around IS Stronghold in Syria The SDF, backed by U.S. airstrikes, has been battling the Islamic State fighters along the outskirts of Raqqa for several months. It first entered the city in early June and has since captured districts throughout the city. IS jihadists took control of Raqqa in 2014, claiming it as the capital of its self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq. The city became notorious as the site of some of the extremist group's most heinous atrocities, including public beheadings, and also is believed to have been a hub for planning international attacks. United Nations estimates say that up to 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the city. Islamic State uses civilians as human shields, and kills those trying to escape. In New York, U.N. Humanitarian Chief Stephen O'Brien told the Security Council that reports from inside Raqqa are "extremely dire" and that the remaining civilians have "limited access to food, water and basic services." O'Brien said residents fleeing the city face personal danger, including retaliation from Islamic State fighters, threats from land mines, and forced recruitment, including of children, at checkpoints. "People are terrified and they do not know where to go for safety," O'Brien said. "We must do more to see civilians caught up in this fight protected." Many civilians are heading north as they leave the city, toward the Turkish border, where there are U.N.-supported transit sites inside Syria. From there, most find shelter with relatives or friends in safer areas of Syria. Chinese President Xi Jinping began a three-day visit to Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 20 years since the city returned to Chinese rule after being a British colony. The trip will culminate with Xi overseeing the inauguration ceremony for Carrie Lam, who is due to be sworn in Saturday as Hong Kong's first female leader. Security was heavy throughout the city and police arrested a group of pro-democracy protesters ahead of Xi's arrival. More demonstrations are expected, including an annual march Saturday that in the past has drawn huge crowds. China has ruled Hong Kong under a principle known as "one country, two systems" that is meant to give the city certain civil liberties and autonomy, but incidents such as the recent arrest of five booksellers have raised fears about the erosion of that arrangement. Xi said Thursday China wants to look to the future and "ensure the stable development of 'one country, two systems.'" Hong Kong watcher Felix Patrikeeff, the master of Kathleen Lunley College in Adelaide, Australia, told VOA that activists who instead want a vote on sovereignty will not achieve that goal. "The Chinese government is making sure that it takes greater and greater control of the place. Its doing so in a very quiet way," Patrikeef said. South Korean President Moon Jae-in Wednesday defended his countrys free trade agreement with the United States, which U.S. President Donald Trump denounced in the past as a job killing deal. Moon addressed a pro-free trade audience of business leaders and lawmakers at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the first day of his presidential visit to Washington. He will meet with Trump at the White House Thursday and Friday. The South Korean president stressed the 5-year-old U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (KORUS) has been good for both countries, especially in the auto industry, where now half of all Hyundai and Kia cars are built in the United States. South Koreas carmakers are creating investment and employment in production factories in the U.S. Outstanding U.S. companies are also creating jobs in South Korea in industrial innovation and research and development, Moon said. In the last three years, Korean direct foreign investment in the U.S. almost tripled to $40.1 billion, and last year Korean companies in America employed 45,000 people and contributed $138 billion to the U.S. economy, according the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Foreign steel However Trump has threatened to renegotiate or terminate KORUS for creating a $27 billion U.S. trade deficit with South Korea last year. A White House official told reporters Trump would raise concerns about the enormous amount of steel that sometimes ends up being surplus Chinese steel that comes to the United States via South Korea. The Trump administration is considering whether to impose tariffs or quotas on steel imports. In April, Trump ordered an investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 that allows restrictions on imports for reasons of national security. Foreign steel companies have been concerned the investigation may be aimed at shoring up American producers and cutting out foreign competition. Unfair trade Trump is also expected to raise unfair trade practices in the auto industry that account for nearly 80 percent of the bilateral trade deficit. The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea faults confusing and difficult to meet environmental and safety standards being imposed by South Korean agencies for the trade imbalance, and has urged the Moon administration to resolve these issues. Failure to follow these remedy mechanisms of the KORUS free trade agreement and achieve closure on these outstanding issues puts the entire KORUS free trade agreement at risk, said David Ruch, United Airlines country manager in Korea. On Wednesday Moon said his government would work to eliminate unfair trade practices. For the most part Moon focused on the positive side of the economic relationship between South Korea and the U.S. noting, While world trade has decreased by 12 percent for the last five years due to global economic depression, trade between two countries has increased by 12 percent. North Korea President Moon also stressed economic prosperity on the Korean Peninsula is linked to security. The liberal South Korean leader wants to increase dialogue and economic engagement with the Kim Jong Un government in Pyongyang to peacefully end North Koreas continued testing and development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Reducing regional tensions through outreach and investment, Moon said, will maintain economic stability and create the conditions to improve business ties with North Korea after the nuclear issue is resolved. During the process of realizing my governments plan, you will be able to invest in Korea with no concerns. And furthermore, you could also gain an opportunity to invest in North Korea at some point in the future, he said. Moon also supports strong military deterrence and sanctions, and has said his pro-outreach polices are in line with Washingtons maximum pressure and maximum engagement policy on North Korea and Trumps comments that he would be willing to meet with Kim Jong Un over hamburgers. But Trumps foreign policy team has emphasized increasing pressure through sanctions and has indicated North Korea must first agree to halt its nuclear program before talks can take place. Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report. Solomon was just 7 years old when he woke up missing a leg. And he was one of the lucky ones. Weeks later, Solomon was back on two feet with the aid of an artificial leg, fitted at a hectic hospital, turned into a limb-making factory, in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. The hospital is in horribly high demand in a country born of war that remains littered with mines and explosive devices, with civil war still raging all around. Most of South Sudans estimated 60,000 amputees have suffered war-related injuries, be it gunshot or landmine wounds. As civil war devastates the worlds youngest country it celebrates its sixth anniversary next month it has become increasingly difficult for amputees to gain good treatment. Second chance Solomon came to his first artificial limb after an open fracture turned into a life-threatening infection, which forced doctors to amputate. When he woke from surgery in a remote hospital in South Sudans Bentiu, he was far away from the capital with little chance of rehabilitation or help adjusting to his new life. I was put on a flight to Juba, where I am receiving a new, artificial leg, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from his current home at the Physical Rehabilitation Reference Center. It is the countrys biggest hospital for prosthetic orthotic treatment, treating about 30 patients a day. Amputations have gone up since the beginning of the civil war in 2013, but even with increased need, access to some areas is impossible due to active fighting and many people who have lost limbs might never be able to get out and receive help, said Emmanuel Lobari, who as head of technicians oversees the production of all the prosthetic limbs. Both hospital and factory, the center produces an average of 50 prostheses each month all hand-made and custom fit. Durable, affordable We use polypropylene to make the limbs, a material that has proved to be both durable and affordable, physiotherapist Daniel Odhiambo said. A Kenyan, he is one of a handful of expatriate staff at the hospital, employed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The prostheses last for an average of two years and its usually the foot, made out of a softer material, that wears out the fastest. The leg itself can last up to 10 years. Making a limb from melting the plastic-like polypropylene to shaping it into a leg is a quick process in the hospitals small, modern factory and can be done within a day. Its the fitting and the patients adaption that take up to 10 days, Lobari said. Lobari is South Sudanese, like most of the hospitals 30 staff, all of whom received Red Cross training. The organization first started treating amputations in 1979 during Ethiopias civil war, and developed the polypropylene technology that has since spread across all conflict zones. Odhiambo has worked in many places, including Afghanistan, Yemen and Iraq. He recently took up his second mission in Juba. Here in South Sudan, I mainly see war wounds and they are very different from civilian wounds, he said. Nearly 250,000 mines and explosive devices were found and destroyed in South Sudan so far in 2017, according to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). South Sudan slipped into civil war in 2013, two years after becoming independent from Khartoum, and some 4 million people, one third of the population, have fled to neighboring countries in its wake. For those left behind, risk is part of daily life. The worst case Odhiambo has seen is an 18-year-old boy, who was brought to the clinic with both legs blown off by a landmine, pieces of muscle hanging out of the wound and shrapnel fragments stuck deep in his flesh. He was in consistent pain and it took months to build the right prosthesis, but I stayed with him through the whole process. I told him not to give up. He had his whole life ahead of him still. A resilient nation Simon has been coming to the hospital for several months and can still vividly recall the day he was attacked, when several bullets were shot through his leg. I thought I was going to die, but my family took me to a small hospital where my leg was amputated, he said. Simon is from the north of the country then moved to Juba to get better care. Three in four patients at the center are male. The women and children at the hospital underwent amputations after suffering different traumas, such as war injuries, crocodile bites, road accidents or infections. It helps patients such as Solomon, just starting a new life with his first prosthesis, to meet older patients like Simon. The boy is still young, but he can see that hes not alone with his injury, Odhiambo said. The one difference Ive noted working in South Sudan is that people here accept their fate easier than any others. They are resilient and want to go on with their lives. I even see it in Solomon, Odhiambo said. People have suffered, but they dont lose their drive and motivation. Two major studies into how bees are affected by a group of pesticides banned in Europe gave mixed results on Thursday, fueling a row over whether the chemicals, called neonicotinoids, are safe. The studies, one conducted across three European countries and another in Canada, found some negative effects after exposure to neonicotinoids in wild and honeybee populations, but also some positives, depending on the environmental context. Scientists who conducted the European research - in Britain, Hungary and Germany - told reporters their overall findings suggested neonicotinoids are harmful to honeybee and wild bee populations and are "a cause for concern." But scientists representing companies who funded the work - Germany's Bayer AG and Switerland's Syngenta AG - said the results showed "no consistent effect." Several independent experts said the findings were mixed or inconclusive. The European Union has since 2014 had a moratorium on use of neonicotinoids - made and sold by various companies including Bayer and Syngenta - after lab research pointed to potential risks for bees, crucial for pollinating crops. But crop chemical companies say real-world evidence is not there to blame a global plunge in bee numbers in recent years on neonicotinoid pesticides alone. They argue it is a complex phenomenon due to multiple factors. A spokesman for the EU's food safety watchdog EFSA, said the agency is in the process of assessing all studies and data for a full re-evaluation of neonicotinoids, expected in November. EFSA's scientific assessment will be crucial to a European Commission decision in consultation with EU states on whether the moratorium on neonicotinoid use should remain in place. The two studies published on Thursday, in the peer-reviewed journal Science, are important because they were field studies that sought to examine the real-world exposure of bees to pesticides in nature. Researchers who led the Canadian study concluded that worker bees exposed to neonicotinoids - which they said often came from contaminated pollen from nearby plants, not from treated crops - had lower life expectancies and their colonies were more likely to suffer from a loss of queen bees. On the findings of the European study, researchers told a briefing in London that exposure to neonicotinoid crops harmed honeybee colonies in two of the three countries and reduced the reproductive success of wild bees across all three. They noted, however, that results from Germany showed a positive effect on bees exposed to neonicotinoids, although they said this was temporary and the reasons behind it were unclear. "This represents the complexity of the real world," said Richard Pywell, a professor at Britain's Center of Ecology and Hydrology who co-led the work. "In certain circumstances, you may have a positive effect ... and in other circumstances you may have a negative effect" Overall, however, he said: "We are showing significant negative effects on [bees'] critical life-cycle stages, which is a cause for concern." Several specialists with no direct involvement in the study who were asked to assess its findings said they were mixed. Rob Smith, a professor at Britain's University of Huddersfield, said the results were "important in showing that there are detectable effects of neonicotinoid treatments on honeybees in the real world", but added: "These effects are not consistent." Lynn Dicks at the University of East Anglia said the findings "illustrate the complexity of environmental science." "If there was a really big effect of neonicotinoids on bees, in whatever circumstances they were used, it would have shown up in both of these studies," she said. Norman Carreck, an insect expert at Britain's Sussex University, said: "Whilst adding to our knowledge, the study throws up more questions than it answers." New research suggests that the ability of children in Africa to perform well in school could be dramatically improved through the provision of basic malaria education and treatment. Most malaria prevention programs focus on children under 5. Infections are less fatal among older children, but many harbor malaria parasites without displaying any symptoms of the disease. If such a condition is left untreated, a young victim's health often deteriorates, said lead researcher Dr. Sian Clarke of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Watch: Simple Malaria Intervention in African Schools Leads to Big Improvement in Students' Performance "The malaria parasites destroy the red blood cells, and as a consequence of that you get chronic anemia in children," Clarke said. "Generally, children who are anemic feel weak, they're tired, they're generally lethargic, they are going to be less active and less fully engaged." The research involved nearly 2,000 schoolchildren in Mali, led by Save the Children and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, alongside the National Institute for Public Health Research in Mali. About half the children were given a malaria control package delivered by their teachers, which included prevention education, insecticide-treated nets and anti-malarial treatment. Malaria infection rates fell from 80 percent to just 5 percent, and cases of anemia were almost halved compared with the control group. "And the children's capacity to pay attention for longer was increased," Clarke said. Save the Children has helped expand the program to 400 schools in Mali. It was the second African country to host the trial. "The first study was done in Kenya, an area of year-round [malaria] transmission," Clarke said. "This study was done in Mali, an area with malaria concentrated in just a few months. And the fact that we saw similar results in both settings would suggest that where malaria is a significant problem and the levels of infection are high, then you might expect to see a similar impact in other settings." Aid workers say preventing anemia in Malian schoolgirls is particularly important because of high teenage marriage and pregnancy rates. Anemia during pregnancy can lead to a low birth weight and a higher risk of child mortality. For about four years, Sarah has gone around her community in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon speaking with fellow female Syrian refugees who have been victims of sexual violence, comforting them and telling them about local services. Her advice comes from the heart having been raped twice herself but Sarah, like many other women, has kept these attacks secret. Many victims are too traumatized to speak out, so women like Sarah are being trained to step in and give support. Sarah, 34, described a day in the first year of the Syrian civil war when she had to leave the Homs apartment she shared with her four children and husband to seek shelter in a basement with her daughters, then aged 11 and three, and 20 other women. But at first light, after a night of intense gunfire, a group of about a dozen armed men stormed the basement, ordering the women to take off their clothes and line up. "My daughter was telling me 'Please mom, for God's sake please take off your clothes,'" Sarah said her 11-year-old daughter begged her, fearing the men would kill them. Her daughter started to undress but Sarah stopped her. "I took off my clothes then came my turn," said Sarah, her eyes welling up as she described the first time she was raped. Homs, then Syria's third-largest city, was an early center of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011 that turned into a civil war, killing an estimated 465,000 people and forcing more than 11 million from their homes. Sarah whose name has been changed for security reasons said in the middle of the attack a loud noise distracted the men and they ran out, allowing the women to escape. Sarah found her husband and two sons and her family fled but, with gunfire surrounding them, a bullet struck one of her sons in the head, killing him immediately. "I held his hand. My husband was saying 'leave him.' ... I left him there on the ground and ran. I kept looking back, but I had to flee," she said. Her family left Syria a month later. An unexpected life in Lebanon The former clothing store owner arrived in Lebanon hoping for a safer life but, shortly after moving to the Bekaa Valley, Sarah was raped again. This time the attacker was a Lebanese man who came to the door offering financial services when she was alone at home a warehouse shared with other families and he forced his way in. "When he was done, he started to spit on me. He told me 'You Syrians are cheap,'" Sarah said, who was distraught at having been raped twice. "I wanted to kill myself at first. Drink chlorine, cut my veins," she said, but knew she had to be strong for her children. Sarah didn't tell anyone about the rape, not even her husband, fearing he would blame her and maybe even kill her to clean their family name a so-called "honor killing." She lived in silence for about three months, but then sought help from an international nongovernment organization in her community that gave her counseling and eventually trained her on how to talk to survivors like herself. Roula Masri, a senior program manager at Abaad, a Beirut-based resource center for gender equality, said there were many reasons why women did not report sexual violence or rape, ranging from honor killings to cultural shame. Abaad last year recorded 861 reports of sexual violence in Lebanon based on security force figures, but campaigners fear the number is much higher, with thousands of vulnerable female refugees living in Lebanon. Masri said Abaad now has approximately one dozen women like Sarah who volunteer with them and believe it creates a greater impact when the support comes from a peer who has faced a similar struggle. Making a difference Sarah said she found that other female refugees struggling to deal with sexual assault really listened to her as she encouraged them to be strong and not feel guilty. As well as giving one-on-one support, Sarah passes on information to them about groups like Abaad that provide services such as additional counseling and safe shelters. "Our ultimate goal is to have women not only survive violence and then continue their lives as individuals, but have them mobilized in this driving force to really address violence against women," Masri said. Sarah said she has kept in touch with many of the women she has helped, saying they call her a role model and tell her they would have killed themselves if it wasn't for her strength. Personally, she finds it hard to believe she's moved past her pain by counseling others, but she has no plans to stop. "I feel like I did something good and I have to spread this message to every woman that is in need of this," Sarah said. "These words give me power. I really live by these words." Three videos from a mobile phone that described the beatings of an Indonesian crewman aboard a Taiwan-flagged vessel led Allison Lee to find her role as an advocate for those afflicted: migrant fishermen. Lee, the co-founder of the Yilan Migrant Fishermen Union, was recognized by the United States for safeguarding the rights of foreign fishermen working in Taiwan. In accepting her award in Washington on Tuesday, she made one appeal: to end slavery on the open sea. To know the path from ocean to consumers' dinner plates is to know the story of floating sweatshops, Lee told VOA on Tuesday. Migrant fishermen are vulnerable to exploitation, she said. State Department award Flanked by President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday, Lee was one of the eight men and women to receive Hero Acting to End Modern Slavery Award at the State Department, where the 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report was released. Lee is the first Taiwan citizen to receive the honor. Migrant workers aboard Taiwan-flagged fishing vessels that operate in international waters are not covered by the so-called Labor Standards Act, the laws governing employer and employee rights. Therefore, they do not benefit from Taiwan's minimum-wage regulations regarding overtime pay, Lee said. In a tweet on Wednesday, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen reaffirmed her government's pledge to battle against human trafficking. Taiwan is committed to working with all stakeholders to fight human trafficking, Tsai tweeted. For eight consecutive years, Taiwan has been ranked in the Tier 1 category, the best ranking in the human-trafficking report. While acknowledging Taiwan's serious and sustained efforts, Washington urged Taipei to increase efforts to prosecute and convict traffickers under the anti-trafficking law. 'Vigorously investigate' infractions The State Department also urged Taiwan to vigorously investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute the owners of Taiwan-owned or -flagged fishing vessels that allegedly commit abuse and labor trafficking on board long-haul fishing vessels. The TIP Report is a symbol of the U.S. moral and legal obligation to combat tragic human rights abuses and as well as to advance human dignity around the world, said Susan Coppedge, the U.S. Ambassador-at-large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Tier 1 countries meet the minimum standards to combat trafficking, but that's just the minimum. They don't rest on their laurels, so to speak, Coppedge told VOA on Tuesday. They need to continue their efforts to combat trafficking, and one of the areas where Taiwan can make additional progress is in labor trafficking, she added. On January 15, 2017, the Act for Distant Water Fisheries took effect in Taiwan amid growing pressure on Taiwan's seafood industry to crack down on modern-day slavery and abuses for migrants working on the island's fishing vessels. Lee told reporters that being a Christian gave her strength to withstand the pressure from government officials and the industry. Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal Thursday with multiple counts of historical sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis chief financial adviser and Australias most senior Catholic, said in an early morning appearance at the Vatican that he would take a leave of absence as the Vaticans finance czar and would return to Australia to fight the charges. He denied the accusations and denounced what he called a relentless character assassination in the media. Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police have a summons for Pell to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of historical sexual assault offenses, meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court July 18. The charges were announced on a major Catholic feast day, when many of the world's cardinals were in Rome for a ceremony Wednesday to elevate five new cardinals. As Pell spoke to reporters, preparations were underway in St. Peter's Square for a huge Mass that Pell had been expected to concelebrate, but he stood down after the charges were announced. Allegations denied Pell, 76, has repeatedly denied all abuse allegations made against him. The Catholic Church in Australia, which issues statements on Pells behalf, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges. It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal Pell have, obviously, been tested in any court yet, Patton told reporters in Melbourne. Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process. The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised zero tolerance policy about sex abuse. Mishandled cases For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australias Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the nations highest form of inquiry, has found shocking levels of abuse in Australias Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7 percent of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the past several decades. Last year, Pell acknowledged during his testimony to the commission that the Catholic Church had made enormous mistakes in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. Cardinal himself accused But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview the cardinal. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican, but the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney issued a statement on behalf of Pell, saying he would return to Australia to clear his name. When Francis was asked last year about the accusations against Pell, he said he wanted to wait for Australian justice to take its course before judging. The Blue Knot Foundation, an Australian support group for adult survivors of childhood abuse, said the decision to charge Pell sent a powerful message to both abuse survivors and society as a whole. But actually proving the charges may be difficult. The prosecution must prove that the sex offenses occurred beyond a reasonable doubt, which can be difficult when so much time has passed, said Lisa Flynn, national manager of Shine Lawyers' abuse law practice in Australia. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday evening hosts South Korean President Moon Jae-in for cocktails and dinner, a prelude to talks the next day on the very urgent threat posed by North Korea, according to a senior White House official. Itll be the first time the two leaders meet. Moon, a liberal, took office early last month, succeeding the impeached Park Geun-hye, known for her tough stance toward North Korea. Its going to be a meeting with a lot of uncertainty about whether the two presidents can agree on a common policy toward North Korea in terms of the specific tactics, said Gary Samore, research executive director at Harvards Belfer Center. For the Trump-Moon meeting, building a rapport will be as important as anything else, considering how closely they will be working together, the senior U.S. official told reporters at a background briefing. My biggest concern is that President Moon will want to dive into tough policy challenges, rather than focusing on building a rapport with President Trump, said Mansfield Foundation President Frank Januzzi. Moon and North Korea I believe Moon is coming to Washington with a very specific proposal if (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un agrees to pause nuclear and missile testing, that should open the door to a diplomatic engagement, which would try to create a negotiation for eventual nuclear disarmament, Samore, a non-proliferation and arms control official in the Clinton and Obama administrations, told VOA. But I dont know that Trump is going to be in a position to accept that proposal. Taro O, adjunct fellow at Pacific Forum CSIS, concurred. I dont think Moons messages and various protests in South Korea help to set a positive tone for the summit, O said. But O expressed hope the long-standing alliance would have a soothing effect. U.S. officials are downplaying any potential disagreement. Were comfortable with where the two governments are right now, the senior U.S. official said. Increasing pressure The Trump administration desires to substantially increase pressure on Pyongyang to change its calculus in order to have substantive talks with us when they reduce the threat, the official said. Moon and Trump, he added, both want North Koreas nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development programs completely dismantled. Moon might want to adopt an approach that asks Trump for dealmaking advice, even as he expresses the clear will of the South Korean people that dialogue be a key part of any diplomatic strategy to reduce the threats posed by North Korea, Januzzi, a former East Asia policy director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told VOA. The U.S. president had hoped that Chinese President Xi Jinping would quickly bring into line North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. But Trump acknowledged recently that Beijings influence has failed to dissuade Pyongyang from its provocative course. We very much want to see China do more, the U.S. official said. We are adding pressure and have really only begun to do so, the official added, rejecting criticism that pressure has not worked. THAAD Moon also has put the brakes on his predecessors move to quickly deploy the U.S. Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea. China strongly objected to the presence of THAAD on its neighbors territory. It is not unreasonable for the U.S. to be perplexed when South Korea appears to disregard a real missile threat from North Korea, succumb to Chinas bullying, and portrays THAAD as a U.S. infringement of South Korean sovereignty, O, a retired U.S. Air Force officer who worked at the Pentagon and intelligence agencies on Korean security issues, told VOA. Administration officials discount the differences. THAAD will be a routine point of housekeeping" in the Trump-Moon talks but it is not being treated as a major issue, the senior White House official said. Seoul diverging on security matters could marginalize South Korea as a key player in dealing with North Koreas nuclear weapons program, especially when Pyongyang is getting closer to developing a nuclear-tipped ICBM that can strike the U.S., O said. Trade issues There also are trade disagreements between Seoul and Washington, but itll be a friendly, frank discussion, the senior U.S. official predicted. Trump has repeatedly termed the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) horrible. In April he threatened to terminate the decade-old pact because were getting destroyed in Korea. The senior White House official diplomatically acknowledged there are aspects of the trade relationship that are not in balance. Particular irritants: The lack of sales of American-made cars in Seoul and Chinese steel coming into the United States via South Korea. Moon should have in mind Trumps job creation agenda and inform him about the great contributions that Korean companies are making to the U.S. economy, employing hundreds of thousands of Americans, both directly and indirectly, Januzzi suggested. President Donald Trump voiced optimism Wednesday that fractious Republican senators would be able to reach agreement to overhaul national health care policies, but he concedes it will be "very tough." "I think were going to get at least very close, and I think were gonna get it over the line," Trump said. He offered his assessment the day after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell dropped plans to vote this week on a Republican proposal to dismantle much of the seven-year-old U.S. law popularly known as Obamacare former President Barack Obama's signature domestic legislative achievement. Republican leaders and their colleagues huddled in their U.S. Capitol offices to discuss changes to McConnell's proposal, looking to craft new provisions ahead of next week's Independence Day recess, and then vote on it when lawmakers return to Washington the following week. But reaching a compromise remains difficult, with nine of the 52 Republican senators opposing various parts of the plan. Some are against it because they think it would curb by too much spending for the government's health program for the poor, and others alternatively because they believe the proposed changes do not go far enough to undermine Obama's law. Legislation of this complexity almost always takes longer than anyone would hope. But were pressing on," McConnell said Tuesday after dropping plans for a vote this week as he had hoped. An independent analysis of the Republican plan by the Congressional Budget Office concluded this week that 22 million people would lose their health insurance over the next decade compared to Obamacare. But Trump said the Republican plan "will be great for everybody." He said the Republican proposal "would be so good, would be far better than Obamacare, and would be much less expensive for the people, and actually much less expensive also for the country. So those are a lot of good factors. National surveys show Obamacare winning new popularity even as Republicans try to keep their campaign pledge to get rid of it. Meanwhile, several polls show that Americans do not like the Republican proposal. Quinnipiac University on Wednesday said its survey in recent days shows U.S. voters, by a 58-16 percent margin, disapprove of the Republican plan. The survey shows that Republicans favor the legislation by a 37-23 percent edge, but there was overwhelming opposition from every other identity group, whether it was by political party, gender, education, age or racial group. "Call it a dressed-up retread of the last [Republican] health care plan, or simply a wolf in sheep's clothing," said Quinnipiac pollster Tim Malloy. "Americans aren't buying this latest version of the plan to kill Obamacare." Senate Republicans hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate. With all Democrats opposed to repealing the existing law, Republicans can lose only two supporters in order to pass their proposal, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the deciding vote in the event of a 50-50 deadlock. The House of Representatives last month passed its version of the health care overhaul, a measure that Trump at first celebrated with Republican lawmakers at a White House rally, only to later call the legislation "mean." He has said he wants "heart" in the Senate plan. Both the House and Senate proposals would end the requirement that Americans buy health insurance or pay a fine. It would phase out subsidies to help lower income people buy insurance, curb taxes on the wealthy, and cut hundreds of billions of dollars in funding over the next several years for the government's health care program for the poor and disabled. U.S. President Donald Trump will have his first face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 Summit next week in Hamburg, Germany, according to National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. McMaster would not say at a White House media briefing Thursday whether the two leaders will discuss Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election when they meet on the sidelines of the summit. "There is no specific agenda," McMaster said, adding, "It's whatever the president wants to talk about." The meeting comes amid several U.S. investigations into allegations that Russia meddled in the election through efforts that included cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia engaged in widespread interference with the intent of helping Trump win the White House. Last week, former Homeland Security agency chief Jeh Johnson and other U.S. officials confirmed Russias meddling, but in testimony on Capitol Hill, said there was no evidence that Moscow was able to change the vote count. Putin has rejected claims of Russian government involvement in cyberattacks on the United States. He has said, however, that "patriotic" hackers might have carried out the attacks. Some Trump administration officials want the U.S. to remain wary of Russia while the investigations are under way; but, Trump and others in his administration are eager to meet with Putin and have been pushing to arrange media access and other protocol typically associated with full bilateral meetings. A new dispute between Ankara and Berlin has arisen, with the Turkish president being refused permission to hold a rally for ethnic Turks while he is attending the G20 summit next week in Germany. We don't have the police forces available to ensure security, given the G20, said German Foreign Minister Sigma Gabriel. But I also told them [Turkey] openly that such an appearance was not appropriate, given the conflict situation that exists with Turkey, and that it would not fit into the political landscape at this time. Relations between the two NATO members are at an unprecedented low. But Gabriel's announcement appears to have taken Ankara by surprise. We are following the statements from Germany carefully, said an anonymous presidential source, quoted in the Turkish media. Attempts to get an official comment met with no success. The Turkish foreign ministry, in a statement Thursday, slammed Social Democratic Party of Germany leader Martin Schulz for his demand that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan be prevented from speaking during his German visit. Particularly, the approach of someone who held the position of the presidency of the European Parliament towards imposing restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression once again reflects the true face of the mentality that we confront, as well as the double standard of those who aim to lecture the others, declared the Turkish Foreign Ministry statement. Influenced by election campaign There is a perception in Ankara that Erdogan's visit has fallen victim to the German general election campaign. Analysts said standing up to Erdogan will likely play well with German voters, given the current crackdown in Turkey that continues to draw growing international criticism and the fact the Turkish president accused German leaders of behaving like Nazis during his April referendum campaign to extend his powers. German authorities have raised concerns related to Erdogan's body guards who are wanted by U.S. authorities for allegedly beating protesters during the Turkish president's visit last month to Washington. I have reason to expect that these people [bodyguards], who have been incriminated by the American criminal justice (system) will not step onto German soil in the foreseeable future, including during the G20 summit. said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer. Tensions stoked Pro-government Turkish media slammed the decision claiming Erdogan will be visiting Germany unprotected. Erdogan stoked tensions before his German visit, warning that three million or so ethnic Turkish voters could be decisive in the forthcoming German polls. "The Germans are very unhappy with UETD,[United European Turkish Democrats]. This is a Europe-wide organization of Erdogan's AKP Party. One of their aims is to get into the European political system through different parties," points out Professor Cengiz Aktar, an expert on Turkish European relations. "We've seen this in the recent French elections and the German officials are very unhappy about any interference in their elections." Real consequences Bilateral relations are still recovering from political fallout after German authorities banned some Turkish Cabinet ministers from campaigning for ethnic Turk votes in Germany during the April referendum. With Germany in the midst of its own election, there is little expedition of any improvement in ties soon. We have to wait for the German elections and this going to take place in September so this summer will not give an opportunity for a new momentum [in German-Turkish relations], warns retired Turkish ambassador Unal Cevikoz, who now heads the Ankara Policy forum research organization. But towards the end of Autumn this year we may see a new momentum. The current bilateral strains are having real consequences. Berlin is relocating its forces in the coalition against Islamic State from the Turkish Incirlik air base, in response to Ankara's restrictions on access to the base. This week, German daily Die Welt reported Turkish intelligence is collecting information on members of the German parliament. 'Boy who cried wolf' Ankara accuses Berlin of providing sanctuary to people involved in the July 2016 coup attempt. Erdogan and his ministers routinely threaten Berlin with ending a refugee deal with the European Union that has slowed the exodus of immigrants into Europe and Germany. But there is skepticism Ankara would ever take such a dramatic step. You can only use leverage up to point otherwise it becomes the story of the boy who cried wolf, observes Semih Idiz of al-Monitor website. If you keep saying you are going to do it, you are going to do it, but in the end nobody takes you seriously, and I think that's the problem facing Turkey at the moment. Ankara's reticence to play the migrant card is a sign that pragmatism on both sides will likely control the current tensions. German Turkish relations are very tense, points out analyst Aktar, but Germany has huge economic stakes in Turkey so they will never sever the relationship similarly for Turkey. A Ukraine official claimed Wednesday that Russia was behind the previous days cyberattack that crippled computers in government ministries and power grid facilities, banks, even at Kyivs international airport. Oleksandr Turchinov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, made the allegation after Tuesdays cyberattack that ultimately hit companies around the world in an incident that was similar to a ransomware attack last month that targeted hospitals in Britain. The cyberattack, which Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman called unprecedented, was caused by a variant of a computer virus known as Petya, which threatens to wipe the infected computer clean of data unless the user pays a ransom in untraceable bitcoins. But the ransomware was just a ruse, according to some experts; the real goal of the hackers was to destroy data, they say. No proof or claim of responsibility While there is no proof or claim of responsibility behind Tuesdays attack, Ukraine officials cited strong circumstantial evidence linking the widespread assault to Russia. Russia was blamed for a massive cyberattack on neighboring Estonia in 2007, and U.S. authorities, as well as private firms, have blamed Russia for carrying out a number of cyberattacks in connection with United States 2016 presidential election. Kyiv has blamed previous cyberattacks on its infrastructure and power grid on Russia, which annexed Ukraines Crimea peninsula in 2014. The attacks also followed the assassination Tuesday of a Ukrainian military intelligence officer in a car bomb in Kyiv. Authorities have called the bombing an act of terrorism. That Wednesday was Constitution Day, a public holiday in Ukraine, led some to speculate that the Petya cyberattacks were a present from Russia. Other experts have noted, however, that the attacks hit targets in other European countries. Russian state oil giant Rosneft reported it had fallen victim to the same ransomware virus. Burden of proof Anton Nossik, often called the father of the Russian internet and the founder of Lenta.ru and many other known Russian news sites, has doubts about links to Moscow. The burden of proof lies with the Ukrainian authorities, who never bothered to provide any evidence before voicing accusations, Nossik said. He said Ukrainian authorities should have listened to information technology experts warnings about ransomware threats, such as the so-called WannaCry cryptoworm that attacked computer systems worldwide in May. Exploit tools are out there in the open, any school kid can use them against whoever forgot to patch his OS. If some government offices happen to neglect the very basic safety measures, they are vulnerable, and Kremlin is not to blame, Nossik said. Doubts expressed Alexander Litreev, a Russian internet security expert, also expressed doubts that the attack was state-sponsored. I do not know why the Ukrainian authorities have drawn conclusions about Russias involvement in this cyberattack, at the moment, there is no information to confirm or deny these statements. There are no signs of Russian involvement yet, Litreev said. While Litreev said he did not yet see signs of state involvement, he did say the code was written by professionals. The primary purpose, in my opinion, was to hit the largest number of devices possible, he said. According to Litreev, fraud was the primary goal for the WannaCry ransomware, but not for Petya. As for the origin of the attacks, Litreev said it is too early to determine what person or group might have been involved. We cant tell for sure if this is the work of a state, a small group of people, or even a single person. We are looking into it, he said. Its been a tough stretch for Illinois farmer Wendell Shauman. His costs for everything from fertilizer to seed have increased, but the price for his crops have not. During the last four years, Shaumans income has dropped, and he was hoping that ending the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba would give his bottom line a little boost. Cubas a logical market, he explained to VOA on his farm in rural Kirkwood, Illinois. Something thats 90 miles away should be your market. Politics has had that thing tied up, probably since I was in high school. Politics will keep it tied up, for now, as President Donald Trump seeks to limit trade with Cuba, reversing President Barack Obamas efforts to ease restrictions with the Caribbean island nation. Walking away from a Cuba market is just nonsense too, says Shauman. Its a market that is in our backdoor, you want to take advantage of that. Shauman voted for Trump in the 2016 Presidential election. But like many voters living in rural communities, Shauman voted for Trump despite his stance against current U.S. trade agreements. While Shauman still supports the President, and understands how trade agreements can hurt American factory workers by sending jobs overseas, he is at odds with some of the administrations trade policies. Never walk away from a trade deal, never walk away from a market, says Shauman. The last increase in price is going to be the guy who will come from someplace else around the world and buy my product and pay the freight to get it to his market. And the more of that we do, the higher the price is going to be. So trade is hugely important. I think the positions of the current administration on trade has been a little bit of a yo-yo for most farmers, Tamara Nelsen, Senior Director of Commodities for the Illinois Farm Bureau, told VOA. Farmers dont like to be told where they can sell food, so they have long been opponents to the embargo, or any embargo that includes food products. They believe the best way to change a government in a foreign country is to engage with them, not to take away their food. The Illinois Farm Bureau is one of a number of organizations critical of the Trump administrations efforts to roll back trade with Cuba, but Nelsen admits it is a small market. Its maybe 25, 30 million dollars a year, at best for a state like Illinois depending on what we are exporting in a given year. The Illinois Farm Bureau reports that income from U.S. corn and soy exports to Cuba reached an all-time high of $331 million in 2008, with Illinois representing about $66 million of that figure. However, by 2014 the U.S. total had dropped to $120 million, with Illinois receiving about $24 million of that total. But Tamara Nelsen says trade with U.S. partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, involved much bigger numbers, and is a larger concern for farmers. Trade with Canada and Mexico for our agricultural exports have quadrupled since the signing of NAFTA. Which, says Nelsen, translates into about 35,000 jobs in Illinois. NAFTA partners are also the primary destination for Wendell Shaumans crops. Mexico is our number one corn market now, he told VOA. You cant walk away from that. Which is why he was relieved when the Trump administration announced it wanted to renegotiate not abandon NAFTA, something Illinois Farm Bureaus Tamara Nelsen says could help the United States. NAFTA renegotiation is probably fine, she explained. Modernization of NAFTA really due to technology and some of the changing standards for health and sanitary requirements for animals or fruits and vegetable trade, or the use of technology to improve border crossings, thats all going to be welcome changes to NAFTA, and it is far better than scrapping it completely or having the United States pull out. And if farmers can be engaged in helping the U.S. get a better NAFTA agreement, even for our rural friends and neighbors who work in manufacturing, were all for that. But Wendell Shauman wants to go a step further. He wants to see the United States join the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, the multi nation trade agreement President Trump officially withdrew the United States from earlier this year. Thats, in my mind, a huge mistake, says Shauman. If we get back into it, maybe we can salvage something. With his crops now planted, Wendell Shauman plays the waiting game - waiting to see what changes in NAFTA the Trump administration seeks, and how Mother Nature will either help or hinder his harvest and ultimately his bottom line - later this year. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty against a Guantanamo Bay detainee accused of orchestrating the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings in Indonesia and other attacks, a U.S. military official said Wednesday. The detainee known by the single name Hambali was notified last week that prosecutors are preparing to try him before a military commission at the U.S. base in Cuba on charges that include terrorism and murder in violation of the law of war. He is accused of conspiring with leaders of al-Qaida in a series of attacks, including the bombings in Bali in October 2002 that killed 202 people. A Pentagon legal official known as the convening authority must still approve the charges before the case can proceed to an arraignment. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John Baker, the chief defense counsel, said in an email that he was notified that prosecutors do not intend to seek the death penalty even though some of the charges are potentially capital offenses. Baker said he would be submitting a request for additional resources to effectively represent Hambali but the decision to not seek the death penalty means he will not have to find experienced capital attorneys. Such lawyers are typically civilians. The chief prosecutor did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press and the rationale for the decision was not publicly known. There are two military commission death penalty cases pending at Guantanamo and both have been bogged down for years in pretrial litigation. One case involves five men charged with planning and aiding the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack. The other is for the alleged mastermind of the deadly October 2000 bombing attack on the USS Cole in Yemen. Both have stalled largely due to issues related to the fact that the defendants were held for years in clandestine CIA facilities and subjected to treatment now widely regarded as torture. Any trial of Hambali, whose full name is Encep Nurjamen, would involve similar issues. The 53-year-old Indonesian was also held by the CIA and also subjected to what the U.S. government has called its enhanced interrogation program. He is accused of being the operational mastermind of the Southeast Asia-based Islamic extremist group known as Jemaah Islamiyah, an affiliate of al-Qaida. Charging documents provided to the AP allege he orchestrated the Bali bombings, whose death toll included seven U.S. citizens, as well as an August 2003 attack on the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta, which killed 11 people, and other plots. Hambali is one of 41 prisoners still held at Guantanamo. If the case against him moves forward, he would be the first charged since President Donald Trump took office. Once expunged from its official history, documents outlining the U.S.-backed 1953 coup in Iran have been quietly published by the State Department, offering a new glimpse at an operation that ultimately pushed the country toward its Islamic Revolution and hostility with the West. The CIAs role in the coup, which toppled Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddegh and cemented the control of the shah, was well-known by the time the State Department offered its first compendium on the era in 1989. But any trace of American involvement in the putsch had been wiped from the report, causing historians to call it a fraud. The papers released this month show U.S. fears over the spread of communism, as well as the British desire to regain access to Irans oil industry, which had been nationalized by Mosaddegh. It also offers a cautionary tale about the limits of American power as U.S. President Donald Trump, long suspicious of Iran, weighs the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran reached under his predecessor. 'Milestone event in Middle East' It exposes more about what we know about this milestone event in Middle East history and especially U.S.-Iran history. This is still such an important, emotional benchmark for Iranians, said Malcolm Byrne, who has studied Iran at the non-governmental National Security Archive at George Washington University. Many people see it as the day that Iranian politics turned away from any hope of democracy. The 1,007-page report, made up of letters and diplomatic cables, shows U.S. officials discussing a coup up to a year before it took place. While America worried about Soviet influence in Iran, the British remained focused on resolving a dispute over the nationalization of the countrys oil refinery at Abadan, at the time one of the worlds largest. Many also feared further instability following the 1951 assassination of Premier Ali Razmara. Nationalization of the oil industry possibly combined with further assassinations of top Iran officials, including even the shah, could easily lead to a complete breakdown of the Iran government and social order, from which a pro-Soviet regime might well emerge leaving Iran as a satellite state, one undated CIA analysis from the report warned. Fears of Soviets Out of that fear grew TPAJAX, the CIA codename for the coup plot. Papers show the CIA at one point stockpiled enough arms and demolition material to support a 10,000-man guerrilla organization for six months, and paid out $5.3 million for bribes and other costs, which would be equivalent to $48 million today. One CIA document casually refers to the fact that several leading members of these (Iranian) security services are paid agents of this organization. The CIA also described hoping to use powerfully influential clergy within Shiite Iran to back the coup, something that would be anathema by the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It offers no definitive proof of that, though several documents show American officials in contact with Ayatollah Abol-Ghasem Kashani, an anti-British leader in the Iranian parliament who turned against Mosaddegh. The agency faced problems, however, chief among them Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi himself. Diplomats and spies referred to him as a weak reed and petulant. His inability to take decisions coupled with his tendency to interfere in political life has on occasions been (a) disruptive influence, the U.S. Embassy in Tehran warned in February 1953. Ultimately, his twin sister Princess Ashraf and a U.S. general helped convince him. Mosaddegh was tipped off about the coup, and it appeared doomed as the shah fled to Baghdad and later Italy. But protests supporting the shah, fanned in part by the CIA, led to Mosaddeghs fall and the monarchs return. Report fills in gaps The report fills in the large gaps of the initial 1989 historical document outlining the years surrounding the 1953 coup in Iran. The release of that report led to the resignation of the historian in charge of a State Department review board and to Congress passing a law requiring a more reliable historical account be made. Byrne and others have suggested the release of the latest documents may have been delayed by the nuclear negotiations, as the Obama administration sought to ease tensions with Tehran, and then accelerated under President Donald Trump, who has adopted a much more confrontational stance toward Iran. Byrne said the new administration needed just two months to agree to release the documents. That kind of speed is unheard of in the government unless there is some sort of political foundation, he said. Playing with fire Die-hard opponents of Irans current government might look to 1953 as a source of inspiration. But the Americans involved in the coup acknowledged at the time they were playing with fire. Widespread Iranian anger over the heavy-handed Western intervention lingered for decades and fed into the 1979 revolution, when Iranians seized control of the U.S. Embassy and held those inside captive for 444 days. To this day Irans clerical leaders portray the U.S. as a hostile foreign power bent on subverting and overthrowing its government. As President Dwight Eisenhower wrote in his diary in 1953, if knowledge of the coup became public, We would not only be embarrassed in that region, but our chances to do anything of like nature in the future would almost totally disappear. Venezuela's Supreme Court has frozen the assets of its attorney general and barred her from leaving the country because of alleged "serious misconduct" in office. A public hearing for Luisa Ortega Diaz has been set for Tuesday morning. Wednesday's decision by the court stocked with appointees of embattled President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez came at the request of National Assembly lawmaker Pedro Carreno. Ortega, a Chavez protege, has distanced herself from the current government. At a news conference hours earlier, Luisa Ortega said her country is facing "state terrorism" and promised to "defend the constitution and democracy even with my life, I swear." "What I think is that we have a state terrorism, where the right to protest is lost, where demonstrations are cruelly repressed, where civilians are tried in military" court, Ortega said, calling for restored constitutional order. She also declared herself an enemy of Maduro's government. Maduro and the ruling Socialist Party have called her a "traitor" since March, when she denounced the Supreme Court's efforts to wrest legislative powers from the opposition-led National Assembly. Ortega did not refer to the unusual incident Tuesday in which a police helicopter buzzed the Supreme Court and Interior Ministry buildings. Maduro labeled the helicopter incident a "terrorist attack" and coup attempt. His political rivals and others have questioned its authenticity, suggesting it might have been staged to give the president an excuse to take even tougher positions against protesters. Ernesto Villegas, communications minister, said the incident would not impede the socialist government's plans for a July 30 constituent assembly to redraw the constitution. During three months of near daily anti-government protests, at least 79 people have died in clashes among Maduro's foes, fans and security forces, according to the prosecutor's office. On Friday, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on judicial independence issued a statement challenging the Venezuelan courts moves against Ortega. Diego Garcia-Sayan was quoted as saying, This is yet another step against the democratic institutions and autonomy of the Venezuelan public prosecutor. This year's World Food Prize has been awarded to African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, for his work to improve the lives of millions of small farmers across the African continent especially in Nigeria, where he was once the agriculture minister. Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation, based in Des Moines, Iowa, said the $250,000 award reflected Adesina's "breakthrough achievements" in Nigeria and his leadership role in the development of AGRA the nonprofit Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. For example, Quinn said, "our laureate introduced the E-Wallet system, which broke the back of the corrupt elements that had controlled the fertilizer distribution system for 40 years. The reforms he implemented increased food production by 21 million metric tons and led to and attracted $5.6 billion in private-sector investments that earned him the reputation as the 'farmers' minister.'" Adesina is the sixth African to win what some consider the Nobel Prize for food and agriculture. He will accept the prize in October in the Midwestern state of Iowa, where farming is a mainstay of the economy. Challenges ahead As president of the African Development Bank, the 57-year-old economist said he is honored by the recognition of decades of work, but he noted to VOA that the challenges ahead in Africa are quite immense. "The big issue is how we're going to make sure that 250 million people that still don't have food in Africa get access to food," Adesina said. "The other one is, we still have 58 million African children that are stunted today and, obviously, stunted children today are going to lead us to stunted economies tomorrow." Almost 30 percent of the 795 million people in the world who do not have enough to eat are in Africa, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. While Africa imports $35 billion worth of food every year, Adesina says the money spent on food imports should instead go into food production. "Our task ahead is to make sure that Africa fully feeds itself," the bank president said. "That Africa conserves that $35 billion and Africa transforms its rural economies and creates new hope and prosperity for a lot of the young people." Agriculture as 'cool' career Adesina said he has worked to promote agriculture as a "cool" career for young people, so they can see their future in agriculture as a business, not just a way of life. Gold lying in the ground in the rough can look like a clump of dirt, and won't look like the extremely valuable metal it is unless it is cleaned and polished, Adesina said, and "that's how it is with agriculture." "The size of the food and agribusiness market in Africa will rise to $1 trillion by 2030," he added, "so this should be the sector where the millionaires and billionaires of Africa are coming out of." The African Development Bank launched an almost $800 million initiative last year called "Enable Youth." The aim, Adesina said, "is to develop a new generation of young commercial farmers in both production, logistics, processing, marketing and all of that, all across the value chain." More than two years of civil war have led to continually compounding disasters in Yemen. Fighting rages on in a deadly stalemate. The economy has been bombed into ruins. Hunger is widespread, and a new misery has been added: the world's biggest current outbreak of cholera, with more than 200,000 cases. The south, meanwhile, has seen the growing power of the United Arab Emirates, which is part of a coalition meant to protect the internationally recognized government in the war with Shi'ite rebels while also fighting al-Qaida. But at the same time, the UAE has set up its own security forces, running virtually a state within a state and fueling the south's independence movement. An Associated Press investigation last week documented 18 secret prisons run by the UAE or its allies, where former prisoners said torture was widespread. The UAE denied the allegations and said all security forces were under the authority of President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi. The Emirati role reflects how the Yemen conflict has been regionalized from the start. With U.S. backing, Saudi Arabia launched its coalition, contending that Iran was behind the rebels, known as Houthis, who overran the north and the capital, Sanaa. The coalition's air bombardment averted the complete fall of the Hadi government and prevented the Houthis from taking over the south. But now both sides are locked in. The north remains in the hands of the Houthis, backed by army units loyal to Hadi's predecessor, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was removed by a 2011 uprising. The south is ostensibly under the authority of Hadi, but he spends most of his time in exile in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Here is a look at the multiple levels on which the war has devastated the country of 26 million, which even before the conflict was the Arab world's poorest nation. Humanitarian disaster In May, a senior U.N. humanitarian official declared that Yemen was site of "the world's largest food security crisis." More than 17 million desperately needed food, and nearly 7 million of those were "one step away from famine." Last week came the newest horrible superlative. The World Health Organization said Yemen faced "the worst cholera outbreak in the world." More than 1,400 people, a quarter of them children, have died of cholera the past two months. Those nightmares come on top of other intertwined effects of the war. More than 3 million people have been driven from their homes. More than 10,000 people have been killed. There are major fuel shortages caused by a coalition blockade. Health services have collapsed. One million civil servants have not been paid for months, including 30,000 health workers. The cholera outbreak spread with startling speed after two months of heavy rains in the north, exacerbated by the pileup of garbage in streets trash collectors are among those who have gone unpaid and the lack of access to clean water for millions of people. Around 5,000 new cholera cases are reported daily. Aid officials fear it could pass a quarter-million people by September. The U.N. is sending 1 million doses of vaccines, the largest since Haiti's outbreak in 2010. Dealing with cholera is pulling away resources and food meant to go to battling famine, warned the U.N. humanitarian chief in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick. Yemen long struggled with malnutrition. But the coalition embargo and the fighting have wrecked distribution systems and tipped the country into near famine. A child under the age of 5 dies every 10 minutes of preventable causes, and 2.2 million babies are acutely malnourished, with almost half a million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a 63 percent increase since late 2015, according to Stephen O'Brien of the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance. Devastated north Coalition warplanes have pounded the north relentlessly, hitting military camps, weapons storehouses and armed compounds. But they have also hit hospitals, schools, outdoor markets and residential areas to a degree that rights groups have said may amount to a war crime. One of the deadliest strikes, in October, hit a Sanaa funeral hall, killing and wounding hundreds. The U.S. has backed the coalition with intelligence, satellite imagery and billions of dollars in weapons sales. This year, American drone strikes targeting al-Qaida have mounted dramatically. The main battle zones are along the western coastline, on the mountainous outskirts of Sanaa and around the city of Taiz. But front lines have not moved significantly in months. Multiple peace initiatives have fallen apart. Meanwhile, the Houthis have clamped down against dissent. The opposition says they hold thousands of political prisoners in secret prisons, including in private houses. Detainees are often accused of supporting the coalition or belonging to Sunni extremist groups. Journalists have been arrested, tortured, and forced to flee to the south or abroad. Critics accuse Houthis of profiting from the crisis by imposing extra tariffs and taxes for "the war effort" as well as engaging in fuel smuggling. The north has seen a severe cash shortage after Hadi's government moved the Central Bank to the south. The government bureaucracy has been largely paralyzed since the Houthis set up their own parallel institutions, called "Revolutionary Committees." Southern divisions Billboards and posters praising the UAE are all around the streets of the southern city of Aden, ostensibly the headquarters of Hadi's government. Often pictured on the posters as well are leaders of Emirati-backed security forces alongside flags of the former independent nation of South Yemen, which secessionists dream of creating once more. After the Houthis were pushed back, the UAE created security forces such as the Hadramawt Elite in the city of Mukalla and the Security Belt in Aden, better armed and trained than Hadi's forces. The UAE-backed forces have been key in fighting al-Qaida's branch, which held Mukalla for a year until it fled before an assault by the Elite. The security forces have also arrested hundreds in anti-terror raids. Human rights activists accuse them of abuses, illegal detentions and extrajudicial killings. Many of the UAE-backed officials belong to the Southern Movement, or Hirak, which seeks the south's independence. That has fueled tension with Hadi, an advocate for a six-state federation in Yemen. A sign of the power struggle surfaced two months ago when Hadi ordered to removal of two top UAE allies Aden's governor, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, and a Cabinet member, Hani Bin Braik, the founder of the Security Belt. In response, al-Zubaidi and other powerful Emirati allies including the head of security in Aden and the governors of Hadramawt and four other provinces launched a "South Transitional Council," aimed at working toward secession. Some in Hadi's camp have branded the move as a virtual coup attempt. Former Industry and International Trade Minister, Dr. Nkosana Moyo, says he will contest in the 2018 presidential election against his former boss President Robert Mugabe and several others. Moyo made the announcement in Harare on Thursday and indicated that he will contest under a new opposition party called the Alliance for the People's Agenda. He noted that he was not interested in joining or forming a coalition of opposition parties, saying in most cases such moves were counterproductive. Some opposition parties, which include Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T, Joice Mujuru's National People's Party and the MDC formation led by Professor Welshman Ncube are in the process of forming a coalition ahead of the 2018 general polls. The former Zimbabwean cabinet minister resigned his post under protest in 2001 and left for South Africa after claiming that he was unable to work under Mr. Mugabe, whose party lacked vision and trust of the electorate. President Mugabe called him a coward, noting that Moyo was spineless. Mr. Mugabe, who will be aged 94 next year, is the ruling party's sole candidate in the 2018 presidential election. The United States is set to implement new rules requiring visa applicants from six majority-Muslim nations to have a close relationship with a family member or business in the U.S. in order to be eligible to be admitted to the country. A State Department cable seen by the Associated Press and Reuters late Wednesday, but not made public, outlined how consular officials should proceed with the visa applications for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The acceptable close family relationships include a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling who is already in the United States. Relationships that do not meet the requirement include grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, fiancee or other extended family. An acceptable business relationship has to be "formal, documented," and not created for the purpose of evading the travel ban. The cable said something like a hotel reservation would not meet the requirement. The Associated Press said the new rules were due to go into effect at 8 p.m. Washington time Thursday (0000 GMT Friday). The guidance comes days after the Supreme Court partially reinstated a travel ban ordered by President Donald Trump that had been held up by lower courts on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. The court will hold its own hearing on the legal challenges in October. In their decision announced Monday, the justices said only visitors who can prove they have a "bona fide relationship" in the United States could be admitted, but did not give a definition of what an acceptable relationship was in terms of who should be exempt from the ban. The Department of Homeland Security assured travelers Wednesday they will not see any of the chaos that ensued when the travel ban was first introduced in March. It promised to implement the revised ban "professionally with clear and sufficient public notice." Some U.S. immigration lawyers say many of their clients from the six affected countries are still filled with uncertainty. A number of attorneys plan to set themselves up at international airports ready to offer help, reminiscent of what happened when the original executive order was put in place barring issuance of new visas for 90 days. The first version of the ban Trump signed included Iraq among the prohibited countries, but a revised version dropped the country. The revised order also dropped an indefinite ban on Syrian refugee admissions, leaving in place a 120-day freeze on entry to all refugees. Trump says the order is necessary to protect national security, with the entry freezes meant to give the government time to strengthen vetting procedures. Federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland have ruled the ban targeted Muslims and violated the U.S. Constitution prohibition on religious discrimination. Before the Supreme Court ruling this week, those courts both at the district and appeals level had barred the government from enforcing Trump's executive order. Churches in Zimbabwe have launched a campaign to promote tolerance and peace as the country prepares for next years elections. A pro-democracy coalition of NGOs in Zimbabwe says it is worried by tensions building in the southern African nation. In an interview after the launch of a 12-month program to promote peaceful elections, Reverend Kenneth Mtata, the secretary-general of Zimbabwe Council of Churches said his organization notes Christians make up the majority of the countrys population. He was polite in responding to critics in the pro-government media who say the church is meddling in politics. Yes that is true we have no business in party politics. But every Zimbabwean has responsibility over what happens to them," he said. "If you define politics as a way of distribution of power, of resources, then it is a concern for everyone. The only reason why we enter into this discussion because our nation has not healed. There are many problems in our nation and if we do not address these problems, people come to church every Sunday, we are hosting 80 percent of the population, if we renege on this responsibility I think we would have failed the citizens of Zimbabwe." He says the churches are saying no to violence and violent candidates, no to corrupt candidates, no to incompetent candidates, and no to abuse of Zimbabwes constitution. Director Jestina Mukoko of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, a coalition of pro-democracy NGOs, says that is not all. "The media is awash with hate language. What that does at a local level, it translates to physical violence," she said. "For me, what I would want leaders to be speaking about and also the media, is basically against political violence. And reduce this hate language rhetoric that is all over the media because it does not do us any good. We are months from the elections, but at the rate we are going, it is a bit concerning." In 2008, the African Union nullified results of an election in which President Robert Mugabe had declared himself winner. That was after the main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn from the contest citing deaths of his supporters at the hands of suspected members of the ruling Zanu-PF. A court in Zimbabwe granted bail Wednesday to a clergyman opposed to President Robert Mugabe's government who is facing charges of inciting public violence with protesting university students. Police arrested Pastor Evan Mawarire after he addressed University of Zimbabwe students protesting rising school fees on Monday. Since then, he and his driver, who also was arrested, had been in police custody. On Wednesday, the court granted him $200 bail. After the court ruling, Harrison Nkomo from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who is representing Mawarire, said his client had done nothing wrong. "The [state] papers are a bit confusing in terms of the manner in which they were charged by the police," Nkomo said. "But what actually transpired is that the University of Zimbabwe medical students were registering their displeasure over the hike of school fees by the responsible authorities, and when violence broke, one of the students decided that there was need for divine intervention and called Evan for a prayer. So it was after he went there to give a prayer, on his way out, that he was detained by the police." That matches what the clergyman posted on his Twitter account from his police cell that he had "essentially been arrested for praying." He returns to court July 19 for his trial date. Since his arrest, rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have been condemning Mugabe for "persecuting" the clergyman. Dewa Mavhinga, the Southern Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, Wednesday of Mawarire's release, "We welcome this development and urge the courts to be respectful of Pastor Mawarire or other citizens' rights, in terms of rights to peaceful protests and the rights to due process of law. We hope that going forward, Zimbabwe will be respectful of these fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe and in a number of international conventions that Zimbabwe has ratified and is party to." Despite the fact that Zimbabwe came up with a bill of rights in 2013, which many rights groups cheered, Zimbabweans continue to be arrested for exercising them. Rights groups fear the situation might get worse with elections due next year. Pianist Simone Dinnerstein in rehearsal with conductor Jose Antonio Mendez Padron and the Havana Lyceum Orchestra. (Geoff Sheil) The National Orchestral Institute is celebrating 30 years of bringing together young professional classical musicians from across the country at the University of Maryland. Guest conductor Manuel Lopez-Gomez, a product of Venezuelas El Sistema music education program, helped lead a concert hosting the Havana Lyceum Orchestra on Wednesday night at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. [A Brooklyn pianist brings a Cuban orchestra to the United States.] The young Cuban group took the stage for the first half, concluding its North American tour marking the release of its new album, Mozart in Havana, with the American pianist Simone Dinnerstein. In Punto y Tonadas, by Cuban composer Carlos Farinas, the lead cellist struggled with intonation in high-set solo episodes, but the groups founding music director, Jose Antonio Mendez Padron, led confidently. Dinnersteins take on Mozarts Piano Concerto No. 23 was capable but disappointingly precious. She played Mozarts first-movement cadenza, but left the rather skeletal slow movement almost entirely unornamented. The horn players struggled with the high writing in the piece, and the flute intonation was often off. [Dinnerstein rehearses the Mozart and talks about the project with Anne Midgette] Dinnerstein, center, and the Havana Lyceum Orchestra in Cuba. Dinnerstein recruited the group for her just-released Mozart in Havana album, and they have been on a North American tour. (Arianna Dominguez) Lopez-Gomez led the second half, with the HLO musicians dispersed among the much larger NOI orchestra. If the point of this collaboration was cultural diplomacy, a piece by an American composer might have made more sense than Tchaikovskys Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture, although perhaps it was an allusion to the famous Cuban cigar. Lopez-Gomez helped the amassed musicians create a lovely stillness in the Friar Laurence music, and the loud duel scene was impressively crisp. Arturo Marquezs Danzon No. 2, which concluded the program, didnt have the same rhythmic ease as the HLOs encore at the end of the first half, the Cuban song El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor). As arranged by Jenny Pena Campo, the groups principal second violinist, El Manisero featured some flashy solos, a bit of singing, significant nods to Mozart and the group dancing off the stage. The gesture recalled El Sistemas Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, except that here, there were no Cuban flag-colored jackets. From left, Malcolm Mays as Kevin, Damson Idris as Franklin and Isaiah John as Leon in "Snowfall." (Mark Davis/FX) The new FX series Snowfall opens on a neighborhood block in South Central Los Angeles in the summer of 1983. The afternoon sun shimmers through the palm trees. Sprinklers hiss on green lawns. Children congregate around an ice cream truck. And through it all, the infectious groove of Ronnie Hudson and the Street Peoples funk single West Coast Poplock floods the soundtrack, hailing the party vibe of Compton and good old Watts. The sequence ends with a crane shot that extends above the trees, peering down on a community that teems with vitality. Consider that the before photo. The series is about getting to the after photo, following a crack epidemic that ravaged the streets in short order. A year later, that ice cream truck may reappear, but it will be offering highs more potent than frozen treats. For co-creator John Singleton, it was important for viewers to understand that South Central underwent a dramatic transition from the place where he came of age. The opening of the show is the hood the way I remember it, says Singleton. South Central has parts of the ghetto, but its beautiful. Its Los Angeles. There are palm trees. The colors are very vibrant. There are always kids playing in the streets, especially in the spring and summertime. I remember those times as being some of the best times of my life. Singleton also recalls the perils of his youth, and how he learned to stay within certain unmarked borders for fear of stepping into the line of fire. These were very dangerous times for me as a teenager, because they were my formative years, he says. You had people who were just coming into adolescence that were trying to make money and had access to guns. People were very impulsive at the time. The juxtaposition between the beauty and the pathos of the neighborhood is something I wanted [Snowfall] to show. Snowfall represents a homecoming for Singleton, returning to the site of his electrifying 1991 debut feature, Boyz N The Hood, which he made shortly after graduating from film school at the University of Southern California. At age 24, Singleton was both the youngest person and the first African American ever nominated for the best-director Oscar, and the film touched off a wave of black filmmakers who shined a light on urban neighborhoods that were either little seen or woefully misunderstood. Though much of Boyz N The Hood takes place around the time it was released, it opens in 1984, the year after Snowfall begins, with a home invasion that the young heros powerful father, played by Laurence Fishburne, has to fend off. South Central had already taken a turn. John Singleton at the 2017 American Black Film Festival in June in Miami Beach. (Donald Traill/Donald Traill/Invision/AP) Among the shows diverse cross section of players in the drug trade, Franklin Saint (Damson Idris) could be a character out of Boyz N The Hood, a 19-year-old pot dealer who seizes the opportunity to expand his business but slides down a slippery slope. In the early episodes, Franklin offers himself as the middle man between a cocaine supplier and an eager distributor, but circumstances challenge his essential decency and distaste for violence. Hes not Scarface, says Singleton. Hes just a little kid whos trying to make his way into a business that could kill him at any moment. The coarsening of Franklins soul gives Snowfall a compelling moral center, but the show expands into other intersecting worlds, too, including a Mexican American crime family in East L.A. and a CIA operative (Carter Hudson) who is trying to use the cocaine trade to funnel money and weapons to the Nicaraguan contras. Singleton and co-creator Eric Amadio initially took Snowfall to Showtime before setting it up at FX. After a pilot was shot two years ago, FX made some changes and turned the series over to showrunner Dave Andron, a longtime writer and producer on Justified, the networks hit Appalachian crime series, and the veteran executive producer Thomas Schlamme (The West Wing). The result feels like a fusion of Androns and Singletons sensibilities, a crime thriller thats sharply attuned to the realism of a city in transition. For his part, Andron likens the crack epidemic to a bomb being dropped. I was very surprised to learn that even in 1983, [South Central] was still just a working-class neighborhood. Everybody Ive talked to, including John, can attest that things were still relatively okay. By the summer of 84, by the time the Olympics showed up one year later, it was a war zone. How did something turn that violent, that ugly, that quickly? Damson Idris as Franklin. (Michael Yarish/FX) Snowfall explores the many facets of that central issue, from the malice and fecklessness of politicians and police to the families and individuals ripped apart by addiction and violence. For Singleton and Andron, it all feeds into a historic continuum of assaults on the black community, of a piece with slavery and Jim Crow laws. Cocaine doesnt come from Los Angeles, after all, and even in those early episodes, external forces are bearing down on the characters. Had crack not landed, what would have happened? wonders Andron. Would that next generation have been more educated, have broken down more barriers? Instead, what we had was the complete opposite, where literally a plague was unleashed on a neighborhood that probably set that community and others like it around the country back maybe generations. Thats something that was really shattering to me and difficult to get my head around. Crack was kind of like the hammer on the anvil, Singleton says. They say crack is the only drug that could make a black woman leave her children. Then [the government] created unjust laws to punish small amounts of crack cocaine, as opposed to powder cocaine, he adds. Were not straight pointing the finger at the CIA on the show, but we are saying they looked the other way. It wasnt like a diabolical plot to destroy the black community, but we know that was the aftereffect. The role the CIA did or did not play in the crack epidemic remains a source of tremendous controversy, one that Andron admits has fostered a ton of conspiracy and fringe notions on either side of the line. The early episodes of Snowfall tread lightly over the subject, following a CIA operative whos painted as more of a freelancer than the tip of some larger spear. But the general feeling of exploitation of profits being made off the suffering of the most vulnerable people is a driving force on the show. Whatever debate there may be about crack and its origins, says Andron, I think you cant debate that it affected people in poor, more urban areas more than it affected folks in, say, Beverly Hills. To that end, Andron makes one broad connection among the various characters and groups that intersect on Snowfall: Id like to believe that if any of these people knew what crack ultimately would do, they would choose a different path to better their life. But obviously they, like real people at the time, had no idea whats coming. Chucho Perez, from left, Ross Taylor, Tyler Davis and Angela Alise in the part-skit, part-improv Divided We Stand, Second Citys latest edition of Almost Accurate Guide to America, last performed at the Kennedy Center in the throes of the presidential campaign. (Teresa Castracane) Can North Korea Be Stopped? next months Atlantic magazine asks. No! says Chicagos comedy troupe Second City. A running joke in the troupes new Almost Accurate Guide to America: Divided We Stand is that North Koreas missiles have launched and caught us off-guard. We have 15 minutes til doomsday. The panic leads to quickhitting routines and upbeat improvisation in the Kennedy Centers Theater Lab, where Second City brought a chapter of Almost Accurate Guide last summer. That version, performed during the summer heat of the election, seemed to have more of an edge. Despite the occasional profanity and even a gently confessional abortion statement, this show seems light as lemonade. Not like Beyonces Lemonade something that tangy would come from the much more daring wing of Second City that will bring its second all-black show (after Black Side of the Moon) to Woolly Mammoth in December. Even here, Second City is not so much a troupe anymore as a hydra-headed franchise. Katie Kershaw and Chucho Perez in the Second City show, at the Kennedy Center through Aug. 13. (Teresa Castracane) This Kennedy Center show isnt for kiddies, yet one of its cheerful improvs lures a high school volunteer onstage. During the performance I saw, the banter stayed frothy between Katie Kershaw and Ryan Asher, playing talk-show gabbers and their bright young audience member. This cast seems to have an especially good time playing together, and they blend well embodying a bunch of stereotypes at a pre-protest meetup. Okay, guys, someone says, only to be greeted by a protest: Please dont gender the group. This is why we lost, Angela Alise declares at a junction that is pointed and hilarious. Alise is awesome slinging race-based trash talk as she plays the sister of Tyler Daviss character black siblings watching a Cubs-White Sox game with Ross Taylor and Chucho Perez as nonblack friends acutely tongue-tied by the jibes. Kershaw is splendid, too, spewing an awkward rap alongside the rapid-fire Davis in a potent bit the group has used before. Trump jokes? Not so much, although Mike Pence is a target and the whole show is plainly being surveilled by Russia. And while the group still excels at drive-by potshots (look out, Fox News), this show has some unexpectedly pensive passages. A ginger blind-date skit is almost breakable in its vulnerability, and Alise and Asher have monologues that challenge audiences to listen and empathize. My date wanted bigger, sharper comic pay dirt more explosive laughter. This isnt electric material; its genial. But outright dud skits are rare during the hour and 45 minutes (with intermission), and director Billy Bungeroths ensemble ringleads the audience like jolly camp counselors. Rather than fuming at Americas divisions, Divided We Stand mocks and unites because dont forget North Koreas about to put us all out of our misery. The summery spirit is a balm. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts in The Lovers . (Robb Rosenfeld/A24) Earlier this year, I wrote a column about awards season as a crucial, often profitable way to draw attention to smart, well-made films that cater to adult, non-comic-book-obsessed audiences. The advantage of that business model has been the preservation of the kinds of movies that, in the absence of earned awareness award campaigns and Oscar prestige, Hollywood might not make anymore. The downside, as I noted, is a dramatically lopsided movie year, wherein filmgoers are starved for quality material at the multiplex until October, at which point keeping up with good movies is akin to drinking from a fire hose. The reason studios hold back the good stuff is that theyre afraid movies that appear early in the year will be long forgotten by the time academy members submit their nominations. And its true: Every year, worthy movies that open in the late winter and spring are denied the box-office boost of their late-breaking brethren. Last year, the Colonial-era thriller The Witch, the drone-era thriller Eye in the Sky and erotic comedy-drama A Bigger Splash became deserved art-house hits, each of them superbly crafted and featuring memorable performances from the likes of Helen Mirren, the late Alan Rickman, Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes. But they opened before summer, meaning that, by Oscar-time at least, they were nonstarters. The academy has largely washed its hands of the backloading problem, insisting its up to studios to realize that the calendar has 12 months. Thats true but, as we head into the second half of 2017, what more perfect time to hold a midyear mini-Oscars, if only to recognize work that will deserve to be considered six months hence? Ladies and gentlemen, herewith are my humble nominations for the years best so far, proffered in the hopes that, come next January when the final shortlists are decided, they wont go unnoticed. Best screenplay: For wit, clever structure and genuine surprise, weve been spoiled for choice so far this year, with such winning comedies as Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway as a woman coming to terms with her own anarchic power, and the World War II satire Their Finest, about a British propaganda team staging a dramatization of Dunkirk. The actress Zoe Lister-Jones already a seasoned writer delivered a breakout directorial debut working from her script for Band Aid, about a couple working through grief and estrangement by making music together. Azazel Jacobs cast a similarly observant eye on the challenges of long-term intimacy in The Lovers, a rueful portrait of infidelity starring Debra Winger and Tracy Letts. Gal Gadot in "Wonder Woman." (Clay Enos/AP) Best director: Although superheroes and effects-driven spectacles are often overlooked in this category, at least three such films this year have been executed with exceptional chops, taste and ingenuity: James Mangolds Logan, Patty Jenkinss Wonder Woman and Matt Reevess War for the Planet of the Apes. I would add James Gray to the list for The Lost City of Z, an engrossing, fascinatingly dreamlike portrait of British explorer Percival Fawcett that deserved far more attention from viewers than it received. Best actor: Along with the aforementioned Letts, who portrays a wandering husband with just the right mix of oblivious humor and infuriating narcissism in The Lovers, lets please not forget Richard Geres on-point portrayal of a noodgey New York fixer in the Manhattan bagatelle Norman, or Liev Schreibers touching portrayal of a bruised boxer in Chuck or Sam Elliotts one-man master class in screen acting in The Hero. Chris Pine embodies the term supporting actor in Wonder Woman, as does the sublimely funny Bill Nighy in Their Finest. In Colossal, Jason Sudeikis performs a crafty take on the millennial cool guy that went from sunny to subversive at the pop of a beer. Nicole Kidman in The Beguiled. (Ben Rothstein/Focus Features) Best actress: Cynthia Nixon imbued the poet Emily Dickinson with lit-from-within spirit in the otherwise starchy A Quiet Passion. Continuing a magnificent run including her nominated turn in last years Lion and the HBO series Big Little Lies, Nicole Kidman once again proves her bona fides in Sofia Coppolas Civil War-era horror film The Beguiled. Rachel Weisz elevates the otherwise humdrum My Cousin Rachel with a tricky performance thats both sympathetic and quite possibly malign. Hayley Squires is shattering in Ken Loachs British drama I, Daniel Blake, in which she plays a desperate single mother navigating poverty and punishing public bureaucracy. And no one will forget Betty Gabriels unsettling, astonishingly well-calibrated interpretation of Georgina, the domestic worker with a stunning secret in Jordan Peeles breakout February horror hit Get Out. Best picture: Fans of Get Out will note that I havent mentioned that movie so far. Thats because I believe that, along with the bracingly funny and sensitive romantic comedy The Big Sick, it has genuinely strong chances of being rewarded next year. Both films at least deserve recognition for their smart, novel screenplays but, considering Get Outs impressive commercial success and The Big Sicks similarly promising prospects, it looks like they might go the distance to compete for the biggest prize of all. Lets hope that, as they fill out their ballots, academy members sharpen their memories along with their pencils. President Trumps relationship with the hosts of the MSNBC program Morning Joe which devolved into cringeworthy tweets about facelifts and the size of the presidents anatomy on Thursday has a long and ugly history, careening from collegiality to hostility, followed by even deeper hostility. In the earliest days of the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump was a semiregular guest on the show, hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. He seemed to accord it near-equal status to its direct and higher-rated cable-news competitor, Fox & Friends. The three of them appeared to be on friendly terms: Trump thanked Scarborough and Brzezinski for being believers in, if not outright supporters of, his candidacy after he won the New Hampshire Republican primary last year. Scarborough, a former Republican Florida congressman, seemed to enjoy a particular rapport with Trump, addressing him by his first name on the air. But that seemed to change last year when Scarborough dared to criticize Trump on the air and in print. In an op-ed for The Washington Post in May last year, Scarborough questioned whether Trumps campaign had what it took to win: Unless the Trump team figures out how to build a campaign operation that focuses more on fundamentals than flashy PR tricks, the next deal Donald Trump will be negotiating will be his return to The Apprentice, he wrote. Trump responded as he often does when criticized, hitting back harder. He called Scarboroughs show rapidly fading in one tweet, and in another remarked, Wow, I hear @MorningJoe has gone really hostile ever since I said I wont do or watch the show anymore. They misrepresent my positions! This prompted Scarborough to respond that his show was generating our best ratings ever and to taunt, Define rapidly fading, Donnie boy! Last August, their feud moved from nasty to nuclear. After the Morning Joe hosts criticized Trumps immigration proposals, Trump called the show unwatchable in a tweet, adding @morningmika is off the wall, a neurotic and not very bright mess! Scarborough, who is engaged to Brzezinski, came to her aid in, of all things, a music video. Backed by a country-music beat, he sang and semi-rapped about a soft and flaccid man who was liable to grant amnesty to undocumented aliens despite his campaign promises to the contrary. The song went on to suggest that Trump suffered from psychiatric abnormalities and was a sociopath [and] a psychopath. The reasons for Trumps latest pique at Scarborough and Brzezinski arent clear, but in recent months Scarborough and Brzezinski have called Trump a jackass and repeatedly questioned his mental health. Last week, Scarborough released another music video, this one to promote his new rock album. It features images of Trump amid scenes of nuclear war, drug use and riots. Trump on Thursday was more than happy to respond in kind. [President angrily lashes out at Morning Joe hosts on Twitter] In one of his usual early-morning tweet storms, Trump said, I hear poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (dont watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came . . . to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Years Eve and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Its unclear what exactly set Trump off Thursday morning. But the hosts had discussed a Washington Post story about a fake Time magazine cover of him that has hung in several of his golf clubs. Nothing makes a man feel better than making a fake cover of a magazine about himself, lying every day and destroying the country, Brzezinski said. Its a good feeling. The tweet was the first known instance of a president of the United States commenting on a womans supposed facelift. Brzezinski replied a few minutes later on Twitter with a photo of a box of Cheerios that carried the slogan, Made for Little Hands a reference to the presidents supposed anatomical deficits. MSNBC sought to capture some of the high ground, if any is left, by releasing a statement tacitly defending Brzezinski: Its a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job. If not for the small sign and festively attired crowd out front, Id worry that Ive goofed up the address and wound up at a welding shop or plumbing supply depot. Were welcomed inside by an amiable guy with a salt-andpepper beard who introduces himself as Troy Roberts, Drum Circle Distillings founder and head distiller. I soon realize that Im hardly the first visitor to have such thoughts. We appreciate everyone who came out today to the scary industrial park, Roberts says and winks. How many of you thought you were lost when you saw this place? Most of us several dozen visitors raise our hands. Just north of downtown Sarasota, Fla., Drum Circles facilities may not have the ad-worthy looks of a liquor distillery in the Scottish Highlands or hills of Kentucky. But what this little Florida rum maker lacks in picturesque digs, it more than makes up for in the quality of its hooch and hospitality. Doesnt hurt that its barely an hours drive from my home in Tampa. Drum Circle Distilling head distiller Troy Roberts leads a tour group through the rum-making process. (Paul Abercrombie/Special to The Washington Post) Despite its thriving craft-beer scene, the Sunshine State is a relative newcomer to the nations craft-distillery boom. A handful of licensed distillers a dozen years ago have grown to 35, stretching from the Panhandle to Key West. Whats more, some are winning big-time accolades. According to the American Craft Spirits Association, as of 2016, there were 1,315 craft distillers nationwide. California led the way with 118. Eager to experience my states spirits beyond just buying a bottle or two at the local liquor store, I decided to hit Floridas nascent distillery trail. Tampa has several distillers, though I chose to start with Drum Circle after hearing booze-geek pals gush about its Siesta Key rums. Unlike many distilleries that open their doors to visitors, Drum Circle mercifully begins hour-long tours with a trip to the tasting room. It makes the tour so much more enjoyable to drink some first, dont you think? Roberts says, as if reading my mind. From behind a Tiki-style bar in a cramped tasting room, Roberts, joined by his stepmom, wife and mother-in-law, pours sips of various rums and shares stories about them. His teenage son, he tells me, is the assistant distiller. His dad has built much of the distillerys insides. Its really a family affair, Roberts says. St. Augustine Distillery's Amber Atteberry serves tasting room customers. (Paul Abercrombie/Special to The Washington Post) Like many Florida distillers Ill meet in the coming weeks, Roberts came to it after other careers. Following stints as a computer-software exec in California and most recently as a builder of websites for car aficionados, the Sarasota native hankered to make more tangible products. A longtime rum fan, he began toying with home stills. Several years later, he launched Drum Circle. Now a decade old, its something of the granddad of Florida craft distilling. As I join my fellow Saturday morning tour members in tasting a handful of rums, I discover why his spirits are winning admirers and a growing number of national and international awards. The silver rum, typically little more than an ingredient in my beloved daiquiris, is wonderful on its own. Doubly so for the gold rum, which has just the right hint of vanilla. More surprising are the flavored rums, a category Ive avoided since college because I overindulged on cheap stuff such as Captain Morgan. I cautiously sip the toasted coconut rum, expecting something like alcoholic suntan lotion. Unsure my tongue is functioning correctly, I taste again. Its delicious. Roberts smiles knowingly. The trick, he explains, is infusing the rum with in-house-toasted coconut. I have a similar experience with the spiced rum. Anticipating boozy potpourri, I instead find a rum with delicate and complex spiciness. Infusing the rum with spices and adding a little honey makes all the difference, Roberts says. As our tour wraps up, the next group gathers outside in the parking lot. Its amazing that so many people will come out to the middle of nowhere, Roberts says with a shrug. For those with a taste for tours with more pizazz and a broader menu theres St. Augustine Distillery, located in its namesake city in the states northeast corner. A family road trip to the city one weekend doubles as a chance to visit the distillery. In a place saturated with history, it seems only fitting that its housed in a century-old former power plant and ice factory. As cheerful as our afternoon tour group is when we arrive, by the time weve made our way through a breezy but informative talk and short video presentation and landed in the tasting room for a trio of sample-size cocktails, were downright chummy. Although tours may be geared toward tourists, staff members are happy to nerd out with more hardcore enthusiasts. When co-founder and chief executive Philip McDaniel happens by the gift shop, I pester him about his bourbons and gins, my preferred poisons, in what soon turns into an impromptu second tasting. Florida, I learn, can be a source of inspiration and frustration for distillers. As with most better producers in the state, St. Augustine favors local ingredients, and that explains the bright notes of citrus in its wonderful New World Gin. Were letting Florida make the spirits it wants to make, McDaniel says. With spirits such as bourbon, that can mean fresh challenges. The cavelike room where St. Augustine ages its 2,000-odd bourbon casks may look like anywhere else, but Floridas year-round heat and humidity accelerate the aging process. We joke that our bourbon ages in dog years, McDaniel says. Tinkering with different types of barrels and grain recipes seems to have fixed any ill-effects of superannuation. The result is a distinctly rich and spicy Florida Double Cask Bourbon. Floridas climate has even been a motivation for at least one distillery. Weary of long winters in their native Poland, Jacob Kozuba and his brother Matthias convinced their master-distiller dad to move to St. Petersburg, where they soon started Kozuba & Sons Distillery. That its barely half an hours drive from my home makes a midweek visit criminally easy. In a tasting room decked out in a kind of cartoon-speakeasy motif, I start with a sip of vodka. Made from wheat, its curiously complex. An aged vodka, named Starkus, is more interesting. Its whiskey-like at first sip before seeming to vanish on my tongue. We use this one as training wheels to introduce folks to whiskeys, explains my enthusiastic tasting companion, Katie Hale, the distillerys marketing and events director, who has since left the company. Which reminds me how eager I am to get to the brown spirits. With a sip of the rye malt whiskey, dubbed Mr. Rye, Ive found what I was after. Spicy, with hints of orange and cinnamon, its good stuff. The Kozuba clan is also experimenting with bourbon and a single-malt whiskey, which they hope to unveil in a couple of years. When Hale invites me to taste their cordials, I hesitate, imagining treacly liqueur. Of course, Im dead wrong. The quince cordial turns out to be delicious, with lip-puckering tartness and warm spice. Ditto for the cranberry cordial, a nice balance of sweet and tart. Other flavors are being considered, including Florida fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit. Im pushing for ginger, Hale says. Me, too. Abercrombie is a writer based in Tampa. His website is paulabercrombie.com; find him on Twitter: @paulabercrombie. More from Travel: U.S. anglers seek out the infamous Bay of Pigs for an exclusive fly-fishing experience Quebecs Mont-Megantic National Park is one of the best places on the planet to stargaze Italys overlooked heel has a wealth of food, wine and unique architecture Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled the names of K-Beauty brands InnisFree and Sulwhasoo. This version has been updated. Inside an Olive Young store, the South Korean equivalent of Sephora. (Dina Mishev/Special to The Washington Post) Checking in for a facial at the flagship store of the South Korean beauty brand Sulwhasoo, I am surprised to see that the intake form asks if Im claustrophobic. I mentally note that Ive never seen that particular question from a spa before, check no and then move on to more expected pre-facial questions, such as what kind of skin-care routine I use at home. Im not easily intimidated, but I was nervous walking into Sulwhasoos spa precisely because I knew it would ask about my at-home skin care. Full disclosure: I wash my face with soap I buy at the grocery store and apply the same SPF15 moisturizer I use elsewhere on my body. Im even worse with makeup. I dont buy that at the supermarket, but I have, several times, applied eyeliner to my lips and lip liner to my eyes. I am able to poke myself in the eye using both. I supplement my supermarket soap with an occasional spa facial. Mine is the antithesis of South Korean skin care, which is generally taken very seriously. It is estimated that the country has nearly 2,000 skin care brands, collectively called K-Beauty. I know this because its impossible to flip through any fashion or tabloid magazine my guilty pleasure during pedicures without seeing a story with a celebrity raving about some K-Beauty product. I didnt pay these stories much attention until I noticed that my own skin looked unhealthy; it was dull and uneven in tone. Having come through some serious illnesses over the past decade, at age 41 I am finally interested in and also have the energy to think about making my skin healthy. My curiosity is piqued further when I notice that many of the K-Beauty products favored by celebrities include snail mucus as an ingredient. Pedestrians throng a street in Myeon-dong, one of Seouls main shopping areas. (Dina Mishev/Special to The Washington Post) I arrive in Seoul with appointments lined up for treatments at Sulwhasoo and Kwangdong Hospital of Traditional Korean Medicine and a shopping date with Joan Kim, a Korean American YouTube beauty and fashion vlogger. The deal I make with myself is that I will try anything that isnt permanent or surgery, even if it involves snail excretions. I will be a blank slate. Its Kim who draws the initial broad brushstrokes on my slate. She grew up in Southern California and has lived in Seoul since 2014. Her skin is a great advertisement for the benefits of K-Beauty. I emailed her before I arrived with general K-Beauty questions and eventually asked if shed meet with me while I was in Seoul. Kim doesnt normally do personal skin-care shopping, but figured she could turn our time together into something for her YouTube channel ; as of the time Im writing this, nothing has been posted. Kim walks with authority into a boutique run by InnisFree, a mid-level skin-care brand founded in 2000 that now has about 200 stores throughout the country. I, however, get sidetracked by the shops exterior one of the most lush living walls Ive ever seen. Its a tangle of vibrant green vines. The entire interior of the first floor, about 1,500 square feet, is a happily crowded mix of products and shoppers. There are several dozen of the latter, men and women ranging in age from 20s to 60s. None of the products bears any resemblance to my supermarket soap and moisturizer. There are product lines made with extracts from orchids, green tea and volcanic soil from the slopes of South Koreas tallest mountain, Hallasan, on the island of Jeju in the Korea Strait. Everything Joan identifies as one of her favorites goes into my basket and, because Ive always been bothered by the large pores on my nose, I buy about half of the products in the Jeju volcanic line, which purports to minimize pore size. Joan disappears to do some shopping of her own and I find myself drawn to the wall of products made from orchid essence, if only because I like the purple color of their various containers. Before I even pick something off the shelf to read about it everything is labeled in Korean and English a dimpled, English-speaking InnisFree staff member is at my side. (I learn that its normal for skin-care shops to have staffers specifically on the lookout for Western shoppers who might need help.) I ask if its okay to mix volcanic clay products with orchid essence products. I really like the smell of the orchid eye cream. (Not that Ive ever smelled, or looked at, any other eye cream in my entire life.) With the verdict that its fine to mix lines beneficial even, so your skin doesnt get habituated to any specific product the eye cream is the last thing I toss into my basket. Thirty minutes after walking in Im checking out, buying more skin-care products than Ive bought combined in my entire life. Theres orchid eye cream, pore-cleansing foam, blackhead-out balm, both a super volcanic pore clay mask and a regular volcanic pore clay mask, and volcanic pore toner. Because a saleswoman tells me that snail mucus hydrates skin while helping reduce fine lines and the appearance of dark spots and blemishes all things that Im looking for and she promises that it doesnt smell bad, I get one dozen sheet masks saturated with the miracle ingredient. Handing over my credit card, I realize that some of my prior reluctance to pay much attention to my skins health might have been the cost of doing so. Twelve years ago, after a facial at a spa (paid for by someone elses expense account) in Scottsdale, Ariz., left my skin glowing for a week, I plunked down close to $200 for a two-ounce jar of the mud mask used by the spa. And then, because it was so expensive, I used it only for the most special occasions. The jar is still half full. At InnisFree, the sheet masks thin pieces of face-shaped fabric with holes cut out for your eyes and mouth and saturated with a variety of ingredients depending on what youre trying to achieve cost between $1 and $3 each. The Jeju volcanic pore clay mask costs less than $13. A six-ounce bottle of Jeju volcanic cleansing foam costs $9. These are prices I can afford on a regular basis. Around the corner from the jungly InnisFree at the ALand boutique, which sells clothing, hipster home-and-lifestyles accessories, and a small selection of skin-care products, I get a blemish cream that Kims brother loves, even though he only started using it under duress. Hes totally hooked on it now, Kim reports. While I spend most of my time shopping in stores that sell their own brands, Kim and I finally wander into Olive Young, Seouls version of Sephora. Its as busy as Walmart on Black Friday, which exhilarates me. I feel like Im a part of this skin-care thing. Here, I find the face sunscreen Ive been looking for my entire life silky, non-greasy, SPF50 and affordable and sheet masks with the face of an otter printed on them. (The idea behind these is that you look like an otter when youre wearing one.) There are also sheet masks with tiger faces, panda bear faces and Shrek. Since skin care has never before made me laugh out loud, I am compelled to buy several of each. For skin-care devotees in South Korea, its often not enough to merely take care of your skin at home, no matter how fun the sheet masks are. Kim gets a weekly professional facial. These dont usually happen in fancy spas like Sulwhasoo facials there are on par with facials at a spa in the United States, so it would get pretty expensive pretty fast but at no frills medical hospitals, which often offer services for all sorts of health-related issues. Inside InnisFrees flagship store in Seoul; InnisFree is one of the most popular South Korean skin care brands. (Dina Mishev/Special to The Washington Post) At Kwangdong Hospital of Traditional Korean Medicine, services include everything from MRIs to neurological exams, acupuncture, massages and facials. Kwangdong has a website in five languages and offers cell-rejuvenating acupuncture in addition to more usual procedures. My appointment is for a traditional detox treatment that will clear and energize the skin on my back and legs while generally helping me relax. Im met by an iPad-wielding, English-speaking medical assistant who stays with me for the next 90 minutes, explaining what the doctor is doing to me: first cupping, then acupuncture and finally pouring warm sludge over my legs, which are covered in a thin plastic to allow the warmth and essences through while keeping the sludge itself off my skin. The treatment relaxes me. Sometime during the sludge part, I doze off. And then its Sulwhasoo time. The place is more a shrine to skin care than a store. Products are displayed on pedestals and there is no excess inventory anywhere in sight. Never before have I been nervous about getting a facial, but it turns out my nerves are for naught. Without judgment of my skin-care regimen and with care, an aesthetician leads me into a room where I disrobe and lie down on a table and cover myself with warm blankets. From the beginning, the facial smells better than any other Ive ever had. (I later learn almost all of Sulwhasoos products contain ginseng.) Other than that, and some facial-massage techniques used by the aesthetician, theres no difference between it and facials at home. But then comes the step that is undoubtedly why they ask about claustrophobia: a rubber mask. I love the feeling of the warm, weighted paste on my face imagine a hug from a Play-Doh pancake but I can see how it might freak someone out. Even if it did freak me out, after I see how healthy and radiant my skin looks at the end of the facial, Id make myself get over it. A month after returning home from South Korea, comments about my new glow make me stick to using my new products. My favorite so far? The snail mucus sheet masks. Mishev is the editor in chief of Jackson Hole magazine and editor of Inspirato. More from Travel: For a decidedly French experience, visit Buenos Aires At the Grand Canyon, a cancer survivor rises to the challenge of a rim-to-rim-to-rim hike Jackson Holes first Nordic ski resort has 25 kilometers of cross-country ski trails Decor in the guest rooms at Radisson RED is a far cry from traditional hotel beige. (Courtesy of Radisson RED) Hotels, they are achangin, as hoteliers develop properties that cater to the younger, tech-savvy generations. New and older brands are making moves to do away with the beige, interact via apps, double as co-working and social spaces, and score shareable selfie love along the way. But dont call them millennial hotels. While many of the perks and amenities are inspired by research on the group, the properties included below Hyatt Centric, Radisson RED, Hotel EMC2 and Residence Inn by Marriott aim to appeal to guests of all ages. Scott Greenberg, president and chief executive of Smashotels, a hospitality management company near Chicago and also the owner and founder of Hotel EMC2, a smart, new Chicago hotel with an art-and-science theme in Marriotts Autograph Collection says he knows that if he develops a hotel that his three millennial-aged children will love, older generations will follow. If we attract young people, old people will show up. But if you build a hotel for old people, young people never show up, Greenberg says. Rose Anderson, vice president of global branding and innovation with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which owns Radisson Red, says she is less interested in resonating with a particular generation and more with a mentality. In keeping with its art and science theme, the Hotel EMC2 restaurant is decorated with books and microscopes. (Courtesy of Hotel EMC2) Its not so much about the age; its more about the behaviors that have been kind of pegged to the millennials: very social, online, connected. We are very much targeting a millennial mind-set versus a generational audience, Anderson says. Even long-standing brands such as Residence Inn are putting research into uncovering what millennials want. [Historic firehouse to hot hotel: Repurposed buildings revel in their colorful pasts] You dont want to be alienating some of your customers in order to appeal to some of your other customers, says Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager of Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Protea and Marriott Executive Apartments. So, if you can find things that maybe are millennia- driven but that have universal appeal, thats the holy grail. While amenities such as free WiFi and stellar bar programs are practically a given now in hotels looking to woo younger audiences, here are some other trends to look for on your next getaway (millennial-driven or not). Aspiring to be Instagram-worthy: There was a time when beige ruled the roost and hotel room design was rather #milquetoast. Many hotel developers now know that a piece of cool art doesnt just have the potential to appeal to a guest, it has the potential to appeal to everyone who follows that guest on social media. Residence Inn properties host social events three nights a week called Residence Inn Mixes. (Courtesy of Residence Inn) From a design and art standpoint, weve got a lot of very bold art that creates backdrops for people to take selfies and share online, says Anderson, of Radisson RED, which has locations in Minneapolis and Brussels, as well as Cape Town, South Africa, and Campinas, Brazil. The colorful and creative design of Hotel EMC2 banishes bland and is irresistibly shareable. The hotel commits deeply to its art-and-science theme, and is punctuated with antique books, vintage microscopes and nods to great scientific and artistic minds, such as Albert Einstein (the restaurant is named the Albert) and Leonardo da Vinci (one of the patron saints of the hotel, Greenberg says). In the rooms, dramatic and photogenic showers which are inspired by laboratories of the 1920s are a centerpiece, and are translucent on three sides (with an optional curtain), while mirrors have an infinity effect and beg for selfies. Connecting guests with local favorites: At Hyatt Centric which is targeting the millennial-minded traveler and has 15 locations, with plans to nearly double that number globally by 2019 staffers are encouraged to share their favorite local spots with guests. Its no longer just the job of the concierge to give you recommendations, says Sandra Cordova Micek, Hyatts senior vice president of global brands. Our colleagues are constantly being asked what their hidden gems are and what they would recommend. In addition, the hotel places original local guides in rooms (and publishes them on the hotels website). It also highlights local art and food; some properties offer area tours. At Chicagos Magnificent Mile location, for example, guests are invited on neighborhood and brewery tours, and a hotel manager leads guests on morning runs. Residence Inn partnered with Under Armour Connected Fitness to offer its extended-stay guests at more than 700 properties at least one running map, via the app MapMyFitness. A lot of people like to run or walk because it helps them be in the place they are, even if they dont get to be a tourist, Mayer says. [They arent just for backpackers. Poshtels boast chic decor and the chance to be social. On the social side, Residence Inn properties host events three nights a week, dubbed the Residence Inn Mix, which include visits from local food trucks; gatherings with appetizers, desserts and premium beer (Goose Island, Stella Artois, Leffe, Shock Top and some local offerings, depending on location); barbecues; and tasting and educational events that bring in chefs from local restaurants. Mayer says that those offerings were inspired by research Residence Inn conducted that found that millennials traveling for business were looking for fun, social events that connected them to the city where they were staying. Revamping room service and menus: Some hotels are moving away from the stodgy, old room service trays with silver domes. Hyatt Centric tailors its room service to on-the-go guests looking to explore the city, Cordova Micek says. Were sort of turning room service on its ear and thinking about it as restaurant-to-go delivery. So, its not room service on the big silver tray rolling out. Its actually having your food delivered in environmentally friendly packaging that comes in a paper bag that you can take with you if youre going to run around and see the city, she says. At Radisson RED, guests can order grab-and-go food (such as a Belgian waffle with mac and cheese, and fried chicken) from on-site restaurant OUIBar + KTCHN using the RED app, then take it back to their room or out on the town. At Hotel EMC2, multiple vegan options are available on the menu. Greenberg says those meat-free options were inspired by his millennial daughter. I think back to my daughter, who was raised on salami and eggs, hamburgers and T-bone steaks, and she comes home on vacation and marches off to the grocery store to get her vegan ingredients, he says. Changing the form and function of lobbies: In these days of laptops and mobile offices, people like to work alone together. Hotel lobbies are accommodating that, offering lots of work spaces as well as plugs and free WiFi with easy access to snacks, caffeine and cocktails. At the Hyatt Centric on Magnificent Mile, for example, the lobby is the kind of place where you could spend days on end. Its filled with playful local art, and includes a library and dozens of comfortable chairs and tables, all of which spill into the bar, which spills into the restaurant, with no walls or barriers separating the spaces. Gone is the traditional lobby at Radisson RED: The brand banished the front desk. Its creating this immediate barrier between you and the guests, and I think the younger audiences are a lot more informal by nature, Anderson says. At the Minneapolis location, guests can check in using the app on their phone, then use the phone as the key to get into the room. Should someone need help with checking in, Anderson says, staffers are walking around with iPads in hand. [Cant decide where to stay in Paris? A guide for every type of traveler. Adopting a high-tech or all-tech approach: That Radisson RED app doesnt just give you access to your room its your key to communication at the hotel. Its possible to spend a night, or week, there and not physically talk to anyone but still manage to order food at the on-site restaurant, call a cab, check in, check out, request more towels and even chat with other guests. You want things when you want it and how you want it. The app allows them to control this and do everything, Anderson says. Across many brands, in-room technology is making stays more personalized and convenient. At Residence Inn, Radisson RED, Hyatt Centric and Hotel EMC2, guests can stream Netflix (and in some cases other accounts) onto the television. Hotel EMC2 guests can also control the lighting and thermostat using the TV remote control, and each room has an Amazon Echo unit that streams music, reads the weather report, looks up info on the Web or does other tasks via voice command. At Hotel EMC2, two robots, Leo and Cleo, bleep and bloop up the elevator and down the hallway to deliver bottles of water, toothbrushes and extra linens to rooms, upon request. Prioritizing social consciousness: At Radisson RED, you wont find any paper except toilet paper in the rooms. We have paperless rooms and were very proud of that, says Anderson, adding that millennials are very eco-conscious as a generation, and the hotel embraces that. When Greenberg came up with the Hotel EMC2 theme, he wanted to inspire dialogue about art and science. (Theres even a resident scientist at the hotel.) He also wanted to make a difference. The hotel provides financial support from direct bookings to Project Syncere (an acronym for supporting youths needs with core engineering research experiments), which helps pave a path for students in underserved communities to pursue science, technology, engineering and math careers. Millennials want to feel like theres something of value, that somebody cares about something and that their money is going to serve the greater good, Greenberg says. Silver is a writer based in Chicago. Find her on Twitter: @K8Silver. More from Travel: Hotels that offer over-the-top amenities for your pets Why you should visit Columbus, Ohio How many states have you been to? Here we go again. Congress is trying to pass yet another Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, a rare opportunity to help airline passengers by enacting meaningful consumer protections. Its fast-moving legislation that may be all but decided by the time you read this. But the drafts of both the House and Senate bills offer a flight plan for air travelers during the next six years. If youre holding your breath for your elected representatives to stand up for airline passengers in the wake of the David Dao dragging incident, its time to exhale. Nothing of the sort will happen. There are some good provisions for passengers in the bill, says Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights.org, an advocacy group for air travelers. But the language, as drafted, is toothless and unlikely to be effective. Lets start with the Dao effect. Dao, youll recall, was hauled off a flight from Chicago to Louisville earlier this year, an incident captured on video and widely shared on social media. It sparked outrage among travelers that led to congressional hearings and promises by airline executives to do better. Heres how Congress defines better: Under the current bill drafts, it would be unlawful to remove a passenger from an aircraft as long as that person holds a confirmed reservation and is checked in on time. [New artificial intelligence promises to make travel a little smarter. Does it?] Airlines would be banned from capping the maximum level of compensation to passengers who are bumped from a flight. Congress would also require airlines to proactively offer compensation to a passenger who is either voluntarily or involuntarily denied boarding from a flight, rather than waiting for the passenger to ask. Consumer advocates have applauded these incremental moves. Safeguards against being bumped after boarding a plane are a good step, says Kevin Mitchell, president of the Business Travel Coalition, which advocates for corporate travelers and travel managers. There are other noteworthy pro-consumer measures. For example, Congress wants to authorize an advisory committee on issues related to the air-travel needs of passengers with disabilities, which would recommend consumer protection improvements related to the air travel experience. It wants to fund a long-overdue study that would review of airport accessibility, too. But the good is offset by the bad and the bizarre in the reauthorization bill. For instance, Congress seems set on banning phone calls on planes, even though passengers arent exactly clamoring for such a law. Both the House and Senate bill would forbid passengers from engaging in voice communications using a mobile device during a flight, but exempts members of the flight crew, flight attendants and federal law enforcement officials from the law. Another proposed change would do the opposite of what it claims. Congress, supported by airlines, wants to pass a full fare advertising rule that would allow air carriers to disclose government-imposed fees and taxes associated with the air transportation separately from the base fare. That would give airlines a license to quote a price that appears dramatically lower than it is. The provision has been called toxic by consumer advocates and has repeatedly failed to pass in previous FAA reauthorization bills. Theres hope that pro-passenger forces will prevail. The Senate version of the bill, which is more consumer-friendly, would require a study on airline seat size, long a burr under the saddle of economy-class passengers. Passenger-advocacy groups fear that smaller seats could make flying not only uncomfortable but unsafe. The Senate also wants airlines to refund fees for extra services such as seat reservations if a service isnt provided. All of this remains unresolved for the moment. No matter what happens, the hope that legislators will enact strong airline consumer laws has all but disappeared. And consumer advocates say that if youre flying this summer or anytime in the next six years youll have to be ready. [The travel industry is finally ending discrimination against solo travelers. Or is it?] Too many consumers dont know their rights as airline passengers, and the big airlines take advantage of that, says John Breyault, a vice president of the National Consumers League, an advocacy organization. Breyault says most passengers arent aware that they can complain directly to the Transportation Department. While a single complaint may not lead to a regulatory change, the grievances as a group can have a significant effect on policy. Nor do most air travelers know that the few rights they do have are outlined in the DOT Fly Rights brochure, which is available on the agencys website. Overall, theres a sense among passengers and passenger advocates that this FAA reauthorization process wasnt as terrible as it could have been, considering the prevailing political winds. But its also a call to action for airline passengers: If you want your rights, youll have to fight for them yourself. Elliott is a consumer advocate, journalist and co-founder of the advocacy group Travelers United. Email him at chris@elliott.org. MARYLAND Would-be thieves falter at ATM Prince Georges County police are looking for three men who tried to steal an ATM by wrapping a chain around the machine and tying the other end to a van, then driving away in an attempt to yank it from the ground. It didnt work. The attempted theft occurred about 3:15 a.m. Monday in the 5000 block of Marlboro Pike in Capitol Heights, police said. In video police released from a gas station surveillance camera, two men are seen wrapping the chain around the ATM before another person pulls away in a white box van. The chain damages the top of the machine before the van jolts to a stop, the video shows. The van backs up and the men try twice more. But each time, the base of the ATM doesnt budge and the money inside remains secure. After about two more minutes, the men give up, pile into the van and drive off. Lynh Bui Police shooting in bus incident ruled justified Baltimore County prosecutors have ruled police were justified in shooting a man who opened fire while on a bus in Dundalk this month, an incident captured by newly released video footage from police and MTA cameras. Blaine Robert Erb, 35, was killed in the shootout with police June 7. A dramatic cellphone video that showed Erb shooting from the bus was widely viewed on social media after a bystander posted the footage. Police body-camera and MTA surveillance footage was released for the first time Tuesday to the Baltimore Sun in response to a public-information request. The new videos show the incident from different angles from inside the MTA bus, which was equipped with security cameras, and from the body camera worn by one of the four officers who shot at Erb. The videos greatly contributed to our ability to make a quick decision in this case, Shellenberger said in an interview Tuesday. Its clear that several officers were in danger and civilians were in danger. The officers had to protect themselves and the community. Baltimore Sun VIRGINIA Transgender teen honored by DOJ group A transgender teen who sued to be able to use the boys bathroom was honored Wednesday by members of a Justice Department group. DOJ Pride, an organization of LGBT Justice Department employees, recognized Gavin Grimms outstanding contributions to the LGBT community at a ceremony in the buildings Great Hall, where department attorneys and employees lined up to hug him and offer congratulations and thanks. Grimm sued the board of his eastern Virginia high school for the right to use the boys bathroom, in a case that was destined for the Supreme Court. But the high court decided not to hear it after the Trump administration in February abandoned an Obama-era directive telling schools to allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their chosen gender. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said at the time that the transgender bathroom access issue is best left for states to decide. The ceremony was first reported by BuzzFeed News. Associated Press THE REGION Red Line shutdowns affect four weekends Metro will shut the Red Line between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Friendship Heights stations for four consecutive weekends in July and August part of an effort to triage the water infiltration problems that continue to plague the system and cause disruptive electrical arcing incidents such as the two that struck Fridays morning commute. Bus shuttles will replace trains between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Friendship Heights July 15-16, July 22-23, July 29-30 and Aug. 5-6. A smaller segment of the Red Line, between Medical Center and Friendship Heights stations, also will undergo single-tracking weeknights after 9 p.m. from July 10 to Aug. 11. Metro officials said they need extensive access to the tracks to test a method theyre hoping will help mitigate leaks in tunnels. The technique involves drilling hundreds of deep holes into the ceiling of the tunnel and filling them with a sealant that will eventually cover the tunnel roof. Metro compared the process to the way chocolate syrup cascades down an ice cream sundae. Martine Powers Civil disobedience protests were held inside and outside Republican senators offices concerning the health-care bill. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) It seems everyone at the various health-care protests in Washington this week brought a story. The Pennsylvania man who relied on the Affordable Care Act for his dialysis and was willing to get arrested so his senator understood the legislation was life and death. The D.C. woman who feared that her 27-year-old, nonverbal, autistic brother would be forced into an institution without Medicaid. And the Arlington father, Rick Hodges, who wondered if the Republican-proposed health-care bill would afford his teenage daughter with Down syndrome the opportunity to live a semi-independent life as an adult. Its about so much more than health insurance, Hodges said. She has a preexisting condition. The country has chosen Medicaid to be the source of funding for people with disabilities. Thats terrifying for people with disabilities and their families. Hodges joined a rally Wednesday in front of the U.S. Capitol urging the Senate to reject health-care legislation curbed in the Senate, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates would leave 22 million more people uninsured by 2026. It was one in a string of legal and illegal protests on Capitol Hill this week decrying the bill. [How the push for a Senate health-care vote fell apart amid GOP tensions] (The Washington Post) On Wednesday, U.S. Capitol Police arrested 40 people who blocked hallways in Senate office buildings demanding to meet with their senators. Please Mr. Toomey, dont let me die. Sen. Toomey, will you kill me? a group of about 10 Pennsylvania protesters with severe illnesses chanted in front of the office of Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.). U.S. Capitol Police officers dragged protesters away in handcuffs as they chanted, Kill the bill, dont kill me. Similar protests were staged in the offices of Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Eva Malecki, a spokeswoman for U.S. Capitol Police, said officers responded to numerous incidents of protests in office buildings, making arrests if demonstrators did not leave when asked. After officers arrived on the scene, they warned the demonstrators to cease and desist with their unlawful demonstration activities, Malecki wrote in a statement, saying that protesters were charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding. Those who refused to cease and desist were placed under arrest. Later in the afternoon on Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the Capitol for a rally organized by Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and other progressive groups. The Senate bill would block federal funding to the womens health organization. Protesters said the fact that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delayed a vote on the legislation until after the July 4 recess meant protests were working. People protest the health-care bill. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) Its a sign of how powerful peoples voices can be, said Erica Sackin, director of political communications at Planned Parenthood. But its too soon to claim victory. The bill is moving fast, and it may have been delayed, but we know that the fights not over. [In the Trump era, a D.C. group has formed to help activists plan their protests] Several high-profile Democrats spoke at Wednesdays rally, including Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), Rep. John Lewis (Ga.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), and Sens. Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Cory Booker (N.J.). If there is no struggle, there is no progress, Booker said, quoting a famous line by Frederick Douglass. At a 23-hour interfaith prayer vigil nearby, clergy members and community leaders prayed that Medicaid would be preserved and the Senate would reject the health-care legislation. The vigil was to end Thursday afternoon. Earlier in the week, protesters dressed as women from The Handmaids Tale stormed Capitol Hill as part of a protest organized by Planned Parenthood. In the novel and subsequent TV series, a right-wing religious group rules the country and fertile women are forced into reproductive servitude. Last week, more than 40 disability advocates were arrested in front of McConnells office after the protesters, most of whom had a disability, removed themselves from wheelchairs and staged a die-in. Raquel Bernstein, a policy intern for the National Council for Independent Living who attended Wednesdays rally in front of the Capitol, said the bill would devastate many in the disability community who rely on Medicaid to live independently. Bernstein, 22, has arthrogryposis and is covered by her parents insurance. The last thing people want to do is go to institutions, she said. They would go without care and die before going to an institution. A bronze statue of 19th-century orator and writer Frederick Douglass was placed in the Capitol Visitor Centers Emancipation Hall in 2013. (Carolyn Kaster/AP) Theres little that Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.s firebrand nonvoting representative, and Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), a conservative statehood opponent, agree on. But the unlikely duo paired up recently to introduce a bill to establish a commission commemorating the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist who is claimed as a native son by both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Douglass, who was born a slave in 1818 on Marylands Eastern Shore and lived most of his adult life a Victorian gentleman in the District, took a star turn earlier this year when President Trump seemed to imply he was still alive. That awkward moment aside, Norton and Harris said the bill they are sponsoring is as noncontroversial as they come. They hope it will pass, free of the drama that has been a hallmark of their relationship on Capitol Hill. It is critical that members of Congress find areas of agreement and work together where we can, Norton said. D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) and Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) (Pete Marovich for The Washington Post) Harris is a vocal critic of Nortons No. 1 goal D.C. statehood and jumps at chances to remind city leaders their power is limited. He led a congressional effort to quash legal pot shops in the nations capital in 2014. He wants to block the citys assisted-suicide bill. Hes even trying to thwart a law intended to keep disposable wet wipes from clogging the citys sewer system. The list of times Norton has condemned him in news releases is long. Yet Harris took notice as Norton tried in vain for three years to pass a bill honoring Douglass, who was born in what is now Harriss district. This year, Harris asked Norton if she would like to join forces. She agreed and said she could live with stripping out of the legislation references to Douglasss calls for D.C. voting rights and self-government. Buoyed by the prospect of good PR for Harris and a majority members backing for Norton, they filed the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), the new chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction over the District, is generally supportive of the idea of a commission and will review the bill, a spokeswoman said. The aide added that Gowdy looks forward to working with Norton and Harris on D.C.-related issues. A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) did not return a message seeking comment. [Opinions: Five myths about Frederick Douglass] Harris, who thanks in part to gerrymandering is the only GOP member of Congress from Maryland, speculated that Douglass, were he alive today, would align himself with Republican values of liberty and freedom. The bottom line is Frederick Douglas was a Republican, the congressman said. He was born in what is now a Republican district. Never mind that the partys platform has changed quite a bit since Douglass bonded with President Abraham Lincoln. The Norton-Harris bill would create a 16-member commission, including two members appointed by the president; three by the House speaker; three by the Senate majority leader; two by the House minority leader; and two by the Senate minority leader. The governors of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York and the mayor of the District the places where Douglass lived during his 77 years would each appoint one member. They would serve as volunteers and hire a paid director and staff as needed. The commission would report back to Congress by Dec. 1 on such issues as whether to issue a postage stamp commemorating Douglass, convene a joint session of Congress and preserve artifacts of the abolitionists life. Visitors to the U.S. Capitols Emancipation Hall take pictures during the dedication of the Frederick Douglass statue there. (Linda Davidson/THE WASHINGTON POST) A seven-foot-tall bronze casting of Douglass, unveiled in 2013, is the first and only statue representing the District on Capitol Hill. Norton and others fought for the honor for more than a decade. Douglass was born a slave in Talbot County on the Eastern Shore and spent part of his childhood and teenage years enslaved in Baltimore before escaping to New York. He lived in Rochester, N.Y., for more than two decades and moved to Washington in 1872. His relationship with Lincoln is credited with helping persuade the president to make emancipation a cause of the Civil War, the legislation says. After living in a home on A Street NE, near where the Supreme Court is today, Douglass purchased a house in Anacostia, across the river in Southeast Washington. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washingtons Anacostia neighborhood. (Evy Mages/FOR THE WASHINGTON POST) Today, that house, Cedar Hill, is part of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, where Kamal McClarin is museum curator. McClarin said his favorite object in the museum is a pen marred by teeth marks that Douglass used to write words that would inspire others to nonviolent protest. You can envision him sitting at his desk in his study trying to understand the nations past and present. A bill designed to increase the power of small donors in local politics and open the field to candidates who arent backed by big campaign contributors gained support from the public at a D.C. Council committee hearing Thursday. The Fair Elections Act would allow qualified local candidates to opt into a program in which they would forgo large campaign donations in exchange for an initial grant from the city as well as a 5-to-1 match on smaller donations. More than 70 people from residents to representatives from organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Brennan Center for Justice and the Sierra Club spoke in support of the bill at the hearing, which ran for more than seven hours. An individual who believes in a candidate should know their $5 is going to matter, said Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), who chairs the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, which held the hearing. We also want to make sure that candidates dont have to spend their time locked in a windowless room calling rich voters and are really engaging with their communities. Speakers repeatedly noted that donors supporting local candidates do not reflect city demographics. White residents make up 37 percent of the Districts population, but they represented more than two-thirds of donors to D.C. Council candidates between 2012 and March 2016, according to a report by the liberal think tank Demos. And while just a quarter of District residents earn more than $100,000, residents in that income bracket represented more than 60 percent of campaign donors, according to the report. The voluntary Fair Elections Program which would be in place for the 2020 elections if passed by the D.C. Council would be available for candidates up and down the city ballot. The 5-to-1 matching program would mean a $50 contribution would be matched with $250 for an effective donation of $300. The Fair Election Program would cost taxpayers $5 million per year a tiny fraction of the citys $13.8 billion budget. It would be run by the Office of Campaign Finance. Last year, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) who is heading into her 2018 reelection campaign opposed measures to limit the influence of big donors in campaign fundraising on the grounds they might contradict the Supreme Courts ruling on Citizens United, in which the court ruled the government cannot restrict independent political expenditures by companies, nonprofit groups, unions or associations. Former mayor and current D.C. Council member Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) said in January that he would support fundraising restrictions. But Gray, who is a possible contender in the 2018 mayoral race, is not co-sponsoring the Fair Elections Act. Nine of the councils 13 members are listed as sponsors, including Allen, David Grosso (I-At Large), Robert C. White Jr. (D-At Large), council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), Elissa Silverman (I-At Large) and Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 8). Council member Anita Bonds (D-At Large) has signed on as a co-sponsor. Both Bowser and Gray have been accused of pay-to-play politics. Shortly after her election in 2014, Bowsers allies created a political action committee to advance her agenda that accepted contributions from individuals and companies seeking contracts with the city; the PAC was shut down amid criticism. Grays 2014 reelection bid was overshadowed by allegations that a disgraced city contractor ran a $653,000 shadow campaign to support Gray, spurring a federal investigation and guilty pleas by six people, including some Gray associates. Gray was not charged, and he has consistently said he was not aware of the illegal activity. Neither Bowser nor Gray responded to requests for comment on the Fair Elections Act. Attorney General Karl A. Racine, who is a possible long-shot contender in the 2018 mayoral matchup, has been a vocal advocate for curbing the influence of donors on government. Racine did not respond to a request for comment. To be eligible for the program, mayoral candidates would agree not to accept donations greater than $200. Candidates for attorney general or chairman of the council would have a cap of $150. At-large council members would face a cap of $100, candidates for ward council and the at-large seats on the board of education would have a cap of $50, and candidates for the ward seats on the board of education would have a cap of $20. Dexter Williams, 29, who chairs the D.C. Fair Elections Coalition for Ward 7, said public financing of local elections is particularly important for residents east of the Anacostia River. Politicians ultimately answer to the people who have the money to put them in office, and many in Ward 7 which has a 10 percent unemployment rate do not have the funds to compete with wealthy donors and big developers for political sway, Williams said. The Fair Elections Act could give more political influence to residents in Wards 7 and 8 who feel left behind by current policies, Williams said. People in our ward feel like our voices are never heard and that we are the last ones to get our fair share, Williams said. A program like this will amplify our voices and give us the influence we need to demand policymaking that reflects the needs of everyday people. In Maryland, Montgomery County launched a public financing program for candidates this year, and lawmakers in Howard County are scheduled to consider a vote Monday on whether to override the recent veto by County Executive Alan Kittleman (R) of a similar bill. Qualified contestants in contested races in the District would also be eligible to receive a base amount of money to launch their campaigns. Candidates for mayor would receive $160,000. Candidates for council chairman, council member and the office of attorney general would receive $40,000. Candidates for the state election board office would receive $10,000. To qualify for the matching program and the initial grant, mayoral candidates would be required to collect 1,000 contributions from District residents totaling $40,000. Candidates for attorney general and council chairman would need 500 contributions from D.C. residents totaling $20,000. Candidates for at-large council member would need 300 contributions totaling $12,000, while those seeking ward council seats would need 100 contributions totaling $2,000. At-large school board candidates would have to have 100 contributions from D.C. residents totaling $2,000, and ward school board candidates would be required to collect 50 contributions totaling at least $1,000. Every public school in Maryland will be judged on a five-star rating system beginning next school year, under a plan the state school board approved this week. The rating system, which will award one star to the lowest-performing schools and five stars to the highest-performing, is designed to give parents and others a simple guide to the quality of a school. For the first time, schools will be judged not just on test scores but on a broad list of factors including academic achievement, parent surveys, attendance rates and student enrollment in a range of subjects. We have a new way of providing information to the public on school and district performance, Andrew Smarick, president of the state board, said after Tuesdays vote. He said he hopes the new rating provides more clarity to parents. Maryland will also identify the bottom 5 percent of all schools in the state based only on academic indicators, including the percentage of students passing tests and whether student achievement improved over a school year. The state will give those schools more attention and could require that they make changes. The grading system is part of a much larger plan the state board will send to the governor and the legislature for review. The lawmakers input is considered advisory, but the board can choose to make changes to the plan before it must be submitted to the U.S. Education Department in September. Under the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA, every state is required to submit a school accountability plan that spells out the guidelines for how schools will be judged through 2030. This will set the direction and priorities of local school systems for the next 10 to 15 years, and it is important, said Cheryl Bost, vice president of the Maryland State Education Association, which represents the majority of teachers in the state. Under ESSA, elementary and middle schools will get points based on whether students are enrolled in fine arts, social studies, physical education and health classes. Middle schools also will be judged on how their students score on social studies and science tests that the state is introducing over the next several years. High schools will be judged on the percentage of students who complete advanced classes, master various career skills, meet University of Maryland entry requirements and get a high enough SAT score. The majority of the school rating system 65 percent will be based on academic measures, including students annual academic growth and the percentage of students who pass the state English and math exams. Currently, less than half the states students pass those tests. An additional 35 percent of the school grade will come from nonacademic measurements, including whether students are enrolled in a broad curriculum, surveys of parents and teachers, and the percentage of chronic absentees. Basing just 65 percent of the weight on academics may be deemed too low by the U.S. Department of Education. The department has already told Delaware that its 80 percent weight for academics is too low. I wonder if they wont raise a red flag for Maryland, said school board member David Steiner. State school board members expressed frustration that they could not count test scores and other academic measures more heavily in the scoring, but the General Assembly passed a law this year that limits the role of testing to 65 percent. ESSA replaces the No Child Left Behind Act, which was in effect for more than a decade and was widely criticized for being too punitive because schools were judged almost solely on test scores. ESSA was designed to give more authority back to the states for how schools are held accountable. Giant food sculptures spell the word love outside Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School in Fairfax County. On June 28, the school hosted a kickoff event for a summer barbecue program that will feed any child under 18 free of cost. The program aims to reach those who rely on schools for free, nutritious meals during the school year. (Calla Kessler/The Washington Post) All summer, when his students in Northern Virginia are supposed to be enjoying time away from the classroom, Clint Mitchell worries about whether the children who rely on free lunches during the school year are getting enough to eat. Every day, we think about it, said the principal of Mount Vernon Woods Elementary. You dont know what happens when they go home. More than 90 percent of the students at his school in Fairfax County qualify for free or reduced-price meals. How they eat in the summer could be crucial not only to their health but also to their future academic success. This week, the county school system launched an expanded effort to address that need through an old-fashioned method: community barbecues. Of the millions of students nationwide eligible for subsidized school meals, only about 16 percent receive free summer meals, according to No Kid Hungry, an advocacy group. The problem also exists in Fairfax. More than 50,000 children in the county schools are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, but many cafeterias shut down when school is out or serve only children in short-term summer programs. [Majority of U.S. public school students are in poverty] The free lunch served at the summer barbecue at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School in Fairfax County on June 28, 2017. (Calla Kessler/The Washington Post) Rodney Taylor, the school districts director of food and nutrition services, aims to change that by moving the summer feeding program out of cafeterias and onto front lawns, hosting outdoor barbecues at 11 schools, four apartment complexes and a community center. We wanted to provide a festive atmosphere, not one that says Youre poor, come and eat with us, Taylor said. It takes away the stigma of feeding a meal to the poor. He can relate: He said he grew up in Southern California without enough to eat. [He grew up hungry. Now he wants to revolutionize school lunch.] Taylor began the barbecue program last summer, as schools began to cut back summer programming during which many children had received meals. School cafeterias served nearly 192,000 meals last summer, about 34,000 fewer than in summer 2015. Taylor aims to reach a broader population with the barbecues. The program served 64,000 meals to children last summer at 10 sites and expanded to 16 sites this summer countywide. All children, regardless of whether they are eligible for free meals during the school year, eat free, while adults pay $2. The lunches will be served every weekday until Aug. 26, except for Monday and the following day, the Fourth of July. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which funds the school lunch program when schools are in session, shoulders some of the cost, providing partial reimbursements to the school district for summer meals. The district contributed a little more than $200,000 to the summer barbecue program last year, with the rest supported by adult meal sales and $233,000 in USDA funds. On Wednesday, Taylor and a bevy of public officials held a festival to kick off the summer meals program, drawing dozens of families to the front lawn of Mount Vernon Woods Elementary. Virginia first lady Dorothy McAuliffe, an advocate for funding to encourage more eligible children to eat school breakfasts, commended Taylor for helping to set a new standard in summer meals programming for community engagement, a model that is beginning to be replicated across the commonwealth. Every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy of summerhood, McAuliffe told the crowd. And thats really what all of the grown-ups standing here today want for our kids. McAuliffe said there is still work to be done; 5 in 6 children in Virginia who are eligible for free and reduced-price school lunches do not get free summer meals, and only 91 of the states 132 school divisions serve food in the summer. During the afternoon, people shimmied on the lawn to pop and hip-hop music pumped out by loudspeakers, while the smells of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs wafted through the warm air. Boisterous children bounced from hula hoop contests to a bike obstacle course, while grown-ups collected free produce from the local food bank. The lunch menu featured hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, black bean patties, hot dogs, baked beans and a helping of baby carrots or sliced apples, all served on disposable paper trays. Adam Kottir, a 9-year-old who will be in fifth grade next school year at Mount Vernon Woods, sat on the grass, munching on carrots, and gave the cheeseburger an enthusiastic thumbs-up. His father, Mostafa Kottir, a crossing guard in Arlington County, said he took his two sons to the event not just to collect a free meal, but also to socialize. Its not about the money for the food. Its about the people getting together: the children, the parents, Kottir said. Its like a picnic. A 14-year-old kept a close eye on his younger sister as she cautiously navigated the bike obstacle course. He cares for two younger siblings while his mother works. The rising Mount Vernon High School freshman said there is sometimes not quite enough to eat at home. This summer, hell spend weekday afternoons at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary with his two little sisters to eat lunch free. I come here every day now, he said. Ana Garcia attended the program kickoff with her daughter Sophia, 10, who will be in fifth grade at Mount Vernon Woods. Garcia, who works at Chuck E. Cheeses, showed off the fresh fruits and vegetables she collected from a stand set up by the food bank, and the new T-shirt she got at the event. Its beautiful, because everyone gets together, Garcia said. Carl R. Wagner, a Democratic Party strategist, organizer and adviser for 40 years who counseled and worked for President Bill Clinton and Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and George S. McGovern, as well as a corps of other Democratic officeholders and office seekers, died June 23 at his home in Washington. He was 72. A spokeswoman for the D.C. Medical Examiners office said determination of the cause of death is pending further investigation. His daughter, Alex Wagner, a co-host of CBS This Morning: Saturday, said he had heart and lung ailments. Mr. Wagner co-chaired Clintons victorious 1992 presidential campaign and was a longtime friend of the former president. They met in 1972, when both were working on the Democratic presidential campaign of McGovern, the South Dakota senator who lost in a landslide to incumbent President Richard M. Nixon. Mr. Wagner was helping run the McGovern campaign in sections of the Midwest. Clinton, fresh from Yale Law School, was directing McGoverns efforts in the Southwest. For so many years, Carl was there with clear-eyed analysis of a tough problem, honest advice in a tough spot, and unflinching support in a tough fight, Clinton said in a statement. He played a big role in helping us think through my decision not to run for President in 1988. . . . [He] was one of the finest organizers and one of the best political minds of our generation. Mr. Wagner was serving as director of political activities for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) when Kennedy, the Massachusetts senator, hired him in 1978, two years before Kennedy attempted to wrest the presidency from incumbent Jimmy Carter, a fellow Democrat. He was Kennedys field general and a palpably brilliant strategist and tactician, David M. Axelrod, a top political strategist in Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, said in an email to The Washington Post. To Les Francis, deputy chief of staff in the Carter White House and a former executive director of the Democratic National Committee, Mr. Wagner was a hot type political tactician, very intense, high energy . . . could push, demand, got things done. Mr. Wagner tended to side with the underdog and was not one to play it safe, said political columnist and commentator Mark Shields, describing him as someone who played hardball . . . with a devilish grin. In negotiations over whether Kennedy should address the 1980 Democratic National Convention, Shields said Mr. Wagner once suggested to the Carter camp that 5,000 Kennedy partisans could be armed with handheld clickers to drown out pro-Carter speeches if Kennedy were not allowed to speak. After working for Kennedy, Mr. Wagner launched and managed his own consultancy, continuing to specialize in Democratic Party politics, but also branching out into other issues, including environmental causes. Over the years, he advised, managed or promoted the political ventures of Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado; Ronald H. Brown, the Democratic National Committee chairman and secretary of commerce under Clinton; and Michael S. Dukakis, the Massachusetts governor who lost the 1988 presidential election to George H.W. Bush. In 2008, Mr. Wagner supported then-Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois for the Democratic presidential nomination. He directed get-out-the-vote efforts in local and state contests around the country. Carl Robert Wagner was born on Jan. 14, 1945, in Lansing, Iowa, a small town on the banks of the Mississippi River. His father was a rural letter carrier. He graduated in 1967 from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a degree in political science and did postgraduate study in politics at the University of Iowa. Afterward, he worked in Madison, Wis., as an economics specialist in the office of Gov. Patrick Lucey before coming to Washington in the mid-1970s as a political operative for AFSCME. His marriage to the former Swe Thant ended in divorce. Survivors include their daughter, of New York City. In 1988, when Clinton was governor of Arkansas, Mr. Wagner was summoned to Little Rock along with other Clinton loyalists for what many thought would be Clintons announcement of a presidential candidacy. What finally decided the question for me, Clinton wrote in his autobiography, My Life, was the one part of my life politics couldnt reach, Chelsea. Carl Wagner, who was also the father of an only daughter, told me Id have to reconcile myself to being away from Chelsea for most of the next 16 months. . . . Chelsea asked me where we were going for summer vacation. When I said I might not be able to take one if I ran for president, Chelsea replied, Then Mom and I will go without you. That did it. I went into the dining room of the Governors Mansion, where my friends were eating lunch, [and] told them I wasnt running. Fairfax County police say they have found no credible information that the accused killer of a Muslim teenager has gang affiliations. The announcement came one day after The Washington Post reported that a woman said the suspect, Darwin Martinez Torres, 22, was a member of the MS-13 gang and that he had sexually assaulted and beaten her one week before allegedly killing 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen. The woman made the claim June 12 after showing up at a Loudoun County hospital emergency room, according to two people familiar with her report. The woman said the attacks occurred in the presence of a 4-year-old, which prompted hospital officials to call Loudoun Countys Child Protective Services. The agency filed a report with the Loudoun sheriffs office. The woman did not want to pursue charges, so no further action was taken. Hassanen was killed June 18 after she and a group of other teens allegedly encountered Martinez Torres while walking back to a Sterling-area mosque after a late-night meal. A Virginia man was fatally shot in Northeast Washington early Thursday, police said. About 12:15 a.m., officers responded to the 800 block of 46th Street NE for the report of the sounds of gunshots, D.C. police said in a statement. They found 33-year-old Jeffery Lawrence King, of Woodbridge, dead at the scene, having suffered from gunshot wounds. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 202-727-9099 or send a text to 50411. A reward of $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction. Washington, DC - June 27: Flor Andrade, 30, looks through a wet Passport that her husband found in their apartment Tuesday June 27, 2017. The family was displaced by a fire in the building. (Ellie Silverman/TWP) (Ellie Silverman/TWP) Everything was dark, the walls were falling apart and the apartment his family had called home reeked of smoke from the three-alarm blaze that tore through the D.C. building, Josue Diaz said Tuesday as he emerged from inside. Diazs family had narrowly escaped the Saturday morning fire, leaving belongings behind as his wife, Flor Andrade, 30, passed 4-month-old baby Sofia and three older children out a second-floor window to firefighters on ladders. When Diaz, 29, was allowed back in this week, for just a few minutes, he hoped to recover the babys passport. But all he could find to salvage was a charger, some purses, a yellow construction box and a wet passport, which he threw into a black trash bag to carry to his wife across the street. Anything I could find was broken or burned, he said. The family was among the former tenants who on Tuesday lined the sidewalk across the street from the burned building in the 1300 block of Peabody Street NW. A 34-year-old man died in the fire, and about 200 other people were displaced from the 55-unit brick complex. [Fuego! Witnesses describe scene of massive Northwest apartment blaze; 1 body recovered] D.C. police identified the man who died as Edwin Romero and said they are still working to determine the cause of his death. D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Vito Maggiolo said the department handed the building over to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs on Tuesday, but the cause of the fire is still unknown and the investigation is ongoing. The D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate is providing hotel rooms for 47 families, or 142 people, and the Department of Human Services assigned case workers to each family, Larry Handerhan, chief of staff at the citys Department of Human Services, said in an email. Those outside Tuesday afternoon waited hours for a chance to return to their rooms and gather valuables, important papers and keepsakes. They emerged with family photos, jewelry, passports and Social Security cards. One resident per apartment was permitted inside at a time, for a suggested 10-minute interval, and Borger Management, which oversees the building, provided masks and hard hats. Obviously, my heart goes out to them, and my main objective was trying to make sure I supported them and to work with them through this difficult situation, said Arianna Royster, executive vice president of Borger Management. Families watched their loved ones come out holding trash bags stuffed with whatever was found, and some soon realized that the items they were praying to recover were destroyed or no longer there. One mother began wailing as she walked away. She could barely stand and needed to sit by the sidewalk as her daughter stood silently nearby. Among the rubble visible from outside the apartment were clothes, papers and a page from the childrens book series The Berenstain Bears. The sidewalk glistened with shards of glass, apparently from shattered windows. After exiting the building, Selam Hagos, 34, was bitter. She couldnt find her iPhone, jewelry or the cash she kept inside of a shoe box. Hagos told a volunteer that she feared someone had stolen her valuables she doesnt know how else they would disappear. They dont feel our pain, Hagos, from Ethiopia, said as her eyes welled with tears. We work hard. All our stuff, its not easy, we work hard. . . . I dont know whats going to happen next. Other residents approached the volunteer, who declined to give her name, as she jotted down a list of who said they lost what and which apartment they lived in. D.C. police said they have not received any reports of theft from the site of the fire. Royster said security guards have been at the building round-the-clock since Saturday night. [For immigrant residents displaced by Silver Spring fire, finding new home may not be easy] As resident Jacqueline Ochoa spoke about the gold necklace shed had since she was born, she started to cry. The necklace that always brought her good luck wasnt found inside her apartment, and the 17-year-old didnt understand why. With her hand lingering on her neck, she looked at the damaged building and said, we have nothing left. Ochoas mother, Cruz Ochoa, 51, from El Salvador, said she lost rings and that her 22-year-old brother, Christopher, couldnt find the engraved Tiffany bracelet he bought as a present for his girlfriend. Sonia Hernandez, 29, brought her sick 6-year-old son, now taking amoxicillin for the fever, irritation and inflammation that surfaced after escaping through the smoke, to wait with her outside the apartment. When it was her turn to enter the building, she found ruined toys and destroyed belongings. Not everyone left despondent. A firefighter had carried Irene Vanegas, 73, out of the building Saturday and although she was grateful that she was safe, she couldnt stop thinking about her two parakeets. Her daughter Claudia Martinez, 39, was afraid her mother would faint when she saw what was left of the birds, so she insisted on going with her to the apartment Tuesday. Once inside, they discovered one of the birds, named Mariposa, was still alive, along with a pet turtle. Driving away from the scene, Vanegas sat in the back seat, picked up her turtle from its container and smiled. Alejandra Matos contributed to this report. An Amtrak employee waits for the arrival of passengers to board a train in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Two CSX workers who were fatally struck Tuesday night by an Amtrak passenger train near Union Station had gotten off their freight train to inspect a problem, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. Amtrak train No. 175, which had 121 passengers on board, hit the two men a conductor and a conductor trainee as the pair tried to identify what triggered an alarm that something was wrong with the wheels, causing the train to stop, NTSB officials said. The crash caused major delays along parts of the busy Northeast Corridor on Wednesday morning, with Amtrak service between Washington and Philadelphia suspended for nearly 10 hours. Service resumed midmorning, but trains were running at reduced speeds while investigators were at the scene. MARC commuter rail lines in and out of Washington also were suspended for a time. Part of New York Avenue, a busy commuter thoroughfare, was closed for the morning rush hour, and Maryland transportation officials warned that there could be more delays for the evening commute. [Amtrak restores service after two rail operators are fatally struck on tracks in D.C.] NTSB officials said an investigation is underway to determine what happened Tuesday night. NTSB member Earl F. Weener said it was unknown Wednesday what communication, if any, there was between CSX and Amtrak before the crash. The CSX freight train, coming from Baltimore, was approaching Union Station when a detector that looks for abnormalities was triggered, officials said. The dispatch was notified that there was probably something wrong with one of the wheels, and the train came to a stop for the crew members to take a look and identify the problem before continuing, Weener said. He said the process is a routine part of train operations. The engineer remained on the locomotive, he said. But the conductor and a conductor being qualified on the route stepped outside. At some point, they crossed onto an active track on which Amtrak was running its passenger trains, Weener said. The Amtrak train, headed to Union Station, hit and killed the two CSX crew members. It was unknown Wednesday whether the Amtraks engineer saw the men and tried to stop, Weener said. Train 175 was coming from Boston and New York. The Northeast Corridor is the busiest in North America, with approximately 2,200 Amtrak, commuter and freight trains operating over some portion of the Washington-Boston route each day, according to Amtrak. The crash happened in an area where four sets of tracks come together two of which are Amtraks and two of which belong to CSX. Weener said the CSX train was crossing from one track to another and the Amtrak train was on an adjacent track. The crash happened near New York Avenue and Ninth Street NE, about a mile and a half northeast of Union Station near Gallaudet University, according to fire and rescue officials. Our mission here is to understand not only what happened, but why it happened so that similar events can be prevented in the future, Weener said. The identities of the workers who were killed have not been released out of respect for the privacy of their families, CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle said. The CSX train was traveling from Baltimore to Chicago, carrying intermodal containers with paper products, machine parts, clothing and grain, Doolittle said. He said the train consisted of two locomotives, 49 loaded rail cars and nine empty cars. No one aboard the Amtrak train was injured, and the passengers eventually were transferred to another train. The Federal Railroad Administration is assisting in the investigation and is launching its own. Officials with the NTSB said they will look at several things, including the condition of the tracks, cameras in the area and other recordings, along with communications between CSX and Amtrak. An Amtrak spokeswoman said normal service had resumed by Wednesday afternoon. One track was still closed for the investigation, but trains were operating at normal speeds, spokeswoman Kimberly Woods said. Service is expected to operate on a normal schedule Thursday, she said. At Union Station, the lines to board trains were long by noon, and many frustrated passengers complained to Amtrak workers about the delays. Some didnt know the cause of the delays. Got to roll with the punches, Lori Finkel said as she stood in line to board a train to Philadelphia around 12:30 p.m. She had waited awhile to board, she said, and was getting impatient until she found out what caused the delay. Thats terrible, Finkel said. Peter Hermann and Lori Aratani contributed to this report. Correction: Earlier versions of this story misstated the number of Republican incumbents in Virginias House of Delegates who will face Democratic challengers this fall. The number is 48. This story has been updated. Former congressman Tom Perriello (D) arrives at a polling station to vote in Virginias gubernatorial primary June 13 in Alexandria. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post) Former congressman Tom Perriello, who drew national attention in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Virginia governor but came up short at the polls, will lead a new political action committee aimed at ending the GOPs longtime majority in the commonwealths House of Delegates. The Win Virginia group has already raised $260,000 from four wealthy donors, three of them longtime Democratic supporters from Fairfax County. The fourth is from California. Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville), the House minority leader, said the donors, including financier Edward Hart Rice and tech executive Shashikant Gupta, were motivated after the election of President Trump to find a way to shore up Democrats at the state and local level. It was the Trump election that led them to say, We have to up our game a bit, Toscano said. And the first chance to really do that is in the Virginia House races. The group reached out to Perriello to lead the effort after his surprise run for the nomination this spring. He had attracted big money from outside Virginia but lost to Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who spent years lining up support within the state. Northam will take on former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie in the November election. [Northam, Gillespie win nominations for Virginia governors race] Running with the endorsement of two national progressive icons, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Perriello made the Virginia race a referendum on the policies and style of Trump and Republicans in Washington. His strategy was to attract young people and voters in rural areas who dont usually participate in primary elections during a year outside of a presidential election. Theres some irony in his new role: Perriello cast his campaign as a call for a new direction for the states Democratic Party, but now hes working with the party machinery to try to take back the statehouse. Its a unique opportunity because we have such dynamic candidates up and down the ticket and such an enthusiasm gap in our favor, Perriello said in an interview. We think this is the year to break some of the normal rules of the political landscape in Virginia. The organization will not only raise money, he said, but also will help candidates find ways to use technology to campaign more effectively. Perriello cited his own campaigns use of Facebook Live events to reach thousands of voters at little cost. Republican House leaders derided Win Virginia as an outside liberal activist group and said it showed Virginia Democrats are now beholden to Sanders and Warren. They push an extreme, out-of-touch agenda thats failed in Washington and wont work for the Commonwealth, said Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), who Republicans selected as their majority leader for next year. We know the communities we represent, and well continue to fight for them in Richmond. Republicans enjoy a commanding majority in the 100-seat House of Delegates, with 66 seats to Democrats 34. All 100 seats are on the ballot this fall. Just a few months ago, Democrats were talking of picking up a handful of seats, at best. But with Trumps approval ratings at historic lows only 36 percent of Virginians approved of his performance in a poll last month by The Washington Post and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University the party is feeling energized. It has fielded an unusually large slate of candidates, challenging 48 Republican incumbents. Democrats also boast what may be a historic number of female candidates 42 for the House of Delegates, in which women held only 17 seats in the most recent legislative session. [Women running: Number of female candidates for Va. House has jumped] Democrats have done well in Virginias statewide races in recent years the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and both U.S. senators are Democrats. Virginia also was the only Southern state to go for Hillary Clinton last fall, as changing demographics especially in vote-rich Northern Virginia paint the battleground state increasingly blue. But Democrats lost control of the House of Delegates years ago, and redistricting since then has helped Republicans increase their edge. Republicans also control the state Senate, 21 seats to 19. Those seats are not up for election this year. Calling the election an uphill battle against a legislative map rigged by Republicans, Perriello said the party has a chance to pull off an upset. Toscano credited that momentum to the election of Trump: Ironically, it has created an energy within the Democratic electorate that we think is going to be good for us this fall. Clinton won 17 House of Delegates districts that are represented by Republicans. Those districts now form the heart of Democrats plan to retake the House. Such a big swing in the balance of power is a long shot. But so was Trumps victory in November. Once the Virginia primary ended, the big question was whether Perriello and the progressives who came out for him with such fervor would stick around for Northam and the rest of the party. Perriellos quick moves to endorse Northam and to lead Win Virginia, and the fact that one of the PACs initial donors was a Perriello supporter during the primary, suggests that at least some of them will. Rice gave $100,000 to the PAC; Gupta gave $60,000; and government contracting executive Dario O. Marquez Jr., also from Fairfax, gave $50,000. Marquez supported Perriello in the primary. The fourth, San Francisco venture capitalist and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, gave $50,000. If you visit Washington National Cathedral on Wisconsin Avenue NW, you can get a brochure that lists some of the features of the grand, Gothic Episcopal church. The text referring to Item G on the little floor plan printed inside the brochure reads: Windows in LEE-JACKSON BAY contain scenes from the lives of these two Civil War generals. Those scenes dont involve slavery or sedition and dont reference the uglier aspects of the Civil War, the conflict in which both men fought on the losing side. If all you had to go by was the brochure, you might say, Huh. Wonder why there are windows celebrating two Confederate generals in an Episcopal cathedral. Of course, if youve been following the news, you know the stained-glass windows are controversial. The windows unveiled in 1953 and gifts of the United Daughters of the Confederacy originally featured the Confederate battle flag that has become symbolic of white supremacy and the display of which became untenable for many after the 2015 massacre at a black church in Charleston, S.C. Until that massacre, Washington National Cathedral didnt seem to give the windows much thought. Now its giving them a lot of thought: a years worth of study immediately after the Charleston massacre and a two-year dialogue inspired by the windows. For Raymond Blanks, thats too much thinking and not enough doing. The windows are a contradiction to Christian values, Blanks said. They are symbolic of the fact that unfortunately, white Christians have not always been holy about the issue of justice. Blanks, a retiree who lives in Northeast, is an African American Episcopalian. If I happen to have a bench near those windows and Im looking up to heaven, you can imagine how disturbed Im going to be if Im praying to God and those guys are looking over my shoulder, he said. Its just not going to work. Kelly Brown Douglas said she knows just how Blanks feels. Shes an African American Episcopalian, too. Shes also Washington National Cathedrals canon theologian. It would be easy, she said, to simply take the windows down. We saw a greater challenge to face into the windows, she said, to face into the history that the windows themselves tell in terms of the Confederacy, and of Robert E. Lee and Jackson. The cathedrals two-year process, she said, is not simply a discussion about how to adjudicate the windows, but a process of deeper discussions in terms of racial justice, a deeper discussion in terms of trying to begin to really do what the nation itself has been, I should say, reluctant to do. To that end, the Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas led a Lenten series on racial justice, and the cathedral has so far hosted three panel discussions on the windows. Blanks wonders how much talking is required about something that seems so obvious to him. He points out that when Georgetown University was made aware of the details of the enslaved families its priests once sold to the Deep South, it worked very quickly to investigate and make amends. And communities all over the country are confronting Confederate monuments, with politicians speaking eloquently about the need to remove them. The church should be a moral leader and not following the secular lead, Blanks said. Thats my problem. I mean, wait a minute: You mean to tell me Im going to get my morality from Mitch Landrieu? Landrieu, the New Orleans mayor, may have delivered a fabulous speech in May on taking down Confederate monuments, Blanks said, but shouldnt those sentiments be coming from the church? Blanks thinks the windows should be covered up during the remaining year of the two-year dialogue theyve inspired. At the end of that time, they should be removed and installed at the new National Museum of African American History and Culture so, Blanks said, they wont go to waste. I confess Im captivated by the thought that people who want to venerate Thomas Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee would have to walk past the Oprah Winfrey Theater and the Spirit of Tuskegee biplane to see those stained-glass windows. While the cathedrals brochure makes no mention of the windows controversy, a sign has recently been erected near them explaining that a final decision on their disposition is expected in 2018. Last August, the two Confederate battle flags were removed from the windows, one replaced with a piece of red glass, the other with a piece of blue glass. Still, another Confederate flag remains. Its whats called the first Confederate national flag, adopted in 1861, and in each window its crossed with the American flag. I guess that symbolizes the dichotomy we still struggle with today: Which country are we? Twitter: @johnkelly For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly. President Trump on Thursday nominated Indiana Health Commissioner Jerome M. Adams to become the next U.S. surgeon general, a move that would place Adams in the symbolically important post while the presidents bid to replace the Affordable Care Act tops his agenda. Adams would succeed Vivek H. Murthy, who was appointed during the Obama administration and was fired in April. If confirmed by the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans, Adams would become another prominent health official from Vice President Pences home state to take a high-profile post in the Trump administration. Seema Verma, a former health policy consultant who crafted Indianas unusual Medicaid expansion rules, now heads the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. An anesthesiologist, Adams may be best known in recent years for responding to an HIV outbreak soon after he took his post in late 2014. The outbreak left 181 people infected in a sparsely populated rural Indiana county. The outbreak in Scott County was traced largely to needle-sharing among people who were illegally injecting the prescription opioid Opana. Adams and Pence came to see the value of needle exchange programs in fighting the outbreak, despite a state ban on the practice. The governor declared a public health emergency in March 2015 and dropped the prohibition temporarily. The ban was later ended, and other Indiana counties have adopted needle exchanges. Adams tweeted Thursday that he was truly honored to be nominated for the post. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Adams would not be speaking to the media before his confirmation hearing. The American Public Health Association said in a statement that Adams has worked on the front lines of public health in Indiana, and his status as a working physician will serve him well in leading our nations health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Sometimes known as the nations doctor, the surgeon general has little power beyond the ability to call attention to serious public health problems and offer information and policy suggestions. He or she oversees the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, more than 6,600 uniformed public health-care personnel who work in various parts of the federal government. Some surgeons general, like C. Everett Koop, who rallied the country against smoking and AIDS in the 1980s, became influential. Murthy produced a landmark report on drug and alcohol addiction in November that placed it alongside other public health crises of the past 50 years. Adams would serve a four-year term if confirmed. As part of efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Trump and the GOP are seeking to reverse the expansion of Medicaid, which Indiana adopted before the passage of the ACA and later continued after the passage of the law. The expansion extended coverage to many of the people in Scott County who otherwise would not have had it, according to a study published in July, 2016 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Adams also worked to tamp down panic in the United States over the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which Trump stoked with inaccurate tweets and demands to halt flights from the affected region to this country. Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams has been holding the surgeon generals post on an interim basis since Murthys departure. SYRIA U.S.-allied forces seize last route into Raqqa U.S.-backed fighters have seized the last road into Raqqa and are moving eastward along the river south of the city, almost completing the siege on the Islamic States de facto capital, U.S. officials and a Syria war monitor said Thursday. A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said the Syrian Democratic Forces are in control of all high-speed routes into Raqqa from the south. The fighters had been advancing from the citys east after they seized a major stronghold in May, and from the west and north. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an SDF unit had seized villages across the river in a strategic advance that completes the siege around Raqqa. The Islamic State has no other choice now but to surrender or fight to the end, said the Observatorys director. Tightening the noose around Raqqa is another symbolic development in the fight against the Islamic State. It effectively seals the territory and denies the group an escape route to its other stronghold, Deir al-Zour. Associated Press Sarin was used in attack, watchdog says An investigation by the international chemical weapons watchdog has concluded that sarin or a sarin-like substance was used in an April 4 attack on a Syrian town that killed more than 90 people, diplomats said Thursday. The report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on the Khan Sheikhoun attack was not publicly released, but two diplomats who saw its contents confirmed the key finding. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, issued a statement expressing confidence in the report, which confirms what we already knew: chemical weapons were used against the Syrian people. Now that we know the undeniable truth, we look forward to an independent investigation to confirm exactly who was responsible for these brutal attacks. The OPCW investigation did not have a mandate to apportion blame. Its findings will be sent to a United Nations-OPCW mission to establish who was responsible. The attack led President Trump to launch a strike on a Syrian government-controlled air base from where U.S. officials said the Syrian military had carried out the chemical attack. It was the first direct U.S. assault on the Syrian government. Associated Press BRITAIN Mays agenda passes after abortion move British Prime Minister Theresa Mays Conservative minority government secured lawmakers backing for its legislative plans by a narrow margin Thursday, but only after making a sudden concession on abortion funding. The House of Commons voted 323 to 309 to approve the governments agenda for the next two years. The package jettisoned several policy pledges made by the Conservatives before Britains June 8 election, in which Mays party was stripped of its parliamentary majority. Rejection of its legislative plan would have been a major blow to Mays weakened administration, which struck a deal with Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party this week to ensure that it can win key votes. In a sign of the governments fragile hold on power, ministers were forced into a major concession hours before the vote. Fearing defeat on an opposition amendment, government ministers said they would pay for women from Northern Ireland to travel to England for abortions. Abortion is banned in Northern Ireland unless a womans life or mental health is in danger, and hundreds of women travel to other parts of the U.K. each year to terminate pregnancies. They must pay for the abortions and the travel costs. Associated Press 5 found guilty in killing of key Putin foe: A Moscow jury convicted five men in the assassination of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, near the Kremlin in 2015. The jury found Zaur Dadayev, a former officer in the security forces of Chechnyas leader, Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov, guilty of killing Nemtsov. Four other men were convicted of involvement. Egypt raises fuel prices again: Egypt has raised fuel prices by up to 55 percent, the second such increase since the local currency was floated seven months ago, as the country struggles with economic woes. The move comes as part of economic reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund for a $12 billion bailout loan. From news services Theres bad news from Seattle for advocates of a $15-an-hour minimum wage law. Turns out the measures costs to the citys low-wage workers have outweighed benefits by 3 to 1, according to a new city-commissioned study by University of Washington researchers. The average low-wage worker has lost $125 a month because of the higher-wage decree, the study found even before it is fully phased in. David Autor, a leading labor economist at MIT, told The Post the study seemed very credible and suggested that it might have enough statistical power to change minds in the perennial argument over the minimum wage. Autor was wrong not about the studys credibility, but about its potential for moving people off their priors. The Seattle study met a furious counterattack from proponents of a $15 minimum. Defenders of the law came armed with a much rosier assessment of its impact by economists at a pro-labor University of California at Berkeley think tank, produced a few days before the more skeptical one came out. It seems that Seattles mayor, a big advocate of the $15 minimum, had gotten a heads-up on the impending negative study and asked the Berkeley group to weigh in. Seattle Weekly called it an object lesson in how quickly data can get weaponized in political debates like Seattles minimum wage fight. We need a more intellectually honest minimum wage debate, one that acknowledges both the intuitive moral appeal of preventing exploitation of the least-skilled, lowest-paid workers and the countervailing risk of a wage so high that it harms the very people its supposed to help. Years of contention have established two points: Very high minimum wages would be counterproductive economically, and a $0 minimum is impossible politically. Between those realities, economists, activists and politicians haggle endlessly. Meanwhile, better-targeted policies for rewarding work by low-income people such as the earned-income tax credit wage supplement get short shrift. And so perhaps we should change the subject, from how high we set the wage to how we set it, period. The goal: a relatively objective process, as opposed to just picking a number that sounds good to Bernie Sanders or, for that matter, the restaurant lobby. Undemocratic, you say? The author of the federal minimum wage, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, believed that this was an issue best left to technocrats. His first proposal for a minimum wage called on the Labor Department to fine-tune it, industry by industry. Congress rejected that idea, sparing the country a bureaucratic nightmare while creating a political one: a federal minimum wage that can be changed only if lawmakers act. FDRs methods were clumsy, but his instinct was sound: If government is going to make a rule for the labor market, the least it can do is base it on facts about the labor market. Congress should benchmark the minimum-wage level to historical data, then connect it to an independent adjustment factor, so that when it rises, it does so consistently and in response to shifts in the economy not the political winds. Consider: Since 1938, the federal minimum wage has not exceeded 54 percent of average private-sector hourly wages, a level it hit in 1968, nor fallen below 28 percent, which is where the $7.25 federal minimum ranks today. The midpoint between those extremes is 41 percent, a number that felicitously resembles ratios between minimum and average wages in other advanced industrial countries. Multiplying 41 percent by the current average hourly wage, $26.22, yields a new federal minimum of $10.75. Phase it in over a few years, index it to wage growth or an equivalent factor and move on to less contentious topics like health care, or how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. It would require Republicans to make a huge ideological concession. But the payoff for them would be significant: the immediate, and permanent, defusing of an issue that naturally favors Democrats. Businesses might complain. But a 41-percent-of-average-wage minimum wage would not be that big a hit to them, given that more than half of all workers already live in states or cities, such as Seattle, that have raised the minimum wage above the federal level, in response to political campaigns that sprouted in the absence of congressional action. Indeed, to account for local labor markets, Congress might grant states waivers to set their own minimum wages higher or lower than the federal one, provided that they do so by applying the federal methodology to state wage levels. Heaven knows our states and cities could do with one less thing to argue about, too. Read more from Charles Lanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Kudos to Michael Gerson for his June 23 Washington Forum commentary, Trumps oppression first policy. I believe President Ronald Reagan in his Evil Empire and Tear Down This Wall addresses was holding up the rights proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence as applying to all mankind: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. As Mr. Gerson so wisely stated, this is, or was, the great example and message of the United States: that there can be hope for a life of freedom from tyranny, oppression and corruption. With each passing day under the current administration, I feel this message being muted and worry that we no longer set the moral example that other Americans and I would wish to show the rest of the world. I recall when Khizr Khan offered President Trump a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Perhaps someone should provide him with a copy of the Declaration of Independence as well. Mary Z. Darne, Falls Church Jerry A. Coyne is professor emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago. He is the author of Why Evolution Is True and Faith vs. Fact: Why Science and Religion Are Incompatible. Some of the greatest benefactors of our species are not the recognized do-gooders but those paid to satisfy their curiosity: the scientists. Such pure and unsullied inquiry has yielded thousands of valuable byproducts, including antibiotics, vaccinations, X-rays and insulin therapy. Jennifer Doudna and Samuel Sternbergs A Crack in Creation describes another fortuitous discovery, a method that promises to revolutionize biotechnology by allowing us to change nearly any gene in any way in any species. The method is called CRISPR, pronounced like the useless compartment in your fridge. In terms of scientific impact, CRISPR is right up there beside the double helix (1953); the ability, developed in the 1970s, to determine the sequence of DNA segments; and the polymerase chain reaction, a 1980s invention that allows us to amplify specified sections of DNA. All three achievements were recognized with Nobel Prizes. CRISPR developed largely by Doudna and her French colleague Emmanuelle Charpentier also has a strong whiff of Nobel about it, for its medical and practical implications are immense. The story of CRISPR is told with refreshing first-person directness in this book. (Sternberg was Doudnas student, but the book uses Doudnas voice.) It is not often in science writing that the actual discoverer puts pen to paper rather, the story is usually told by a science writer or colleague so this insider account is especially engaging. CRISPR, an acronym for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, is a way to edit DNA. With CRISPR, we can change a sequence from ATTGGCG to ATTGGGG or to CCCCCCC, or to anything else. There are other recently developed ways to do this, but they are uniformly unwieldy, time-consuming and inefficient. The joy of CRISPR is that it allows us to edit genes painlessly: It is easily applied and seems to work well in whatever species or cell type we choose. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ) The history of CRISPR is a prime example of the unexpected benefits of pure research, for it began with a handful of curious scientists not intent on changing the world. In the late 1980s, scientists observed a bizarre section of DNA in some bacteria, consisting of short, identical and repeated palindromic sequences that read the same way backward and forward (e.g., CATGTTGTAC). The repeated palindromes were separated by 20-letter segments of unique DNA, segments eventually found to come from viruses that infect bacteria. People soon realized that the CRISPR region was the bacteriums immune system against dangerous viruses. CRISPR helps bacteria remember previous viral attacks and thus prepares them for future attacks by the same virus. This is analogous to our immune system, which also remembers intruders: If you have had measles once, you wont get it again because the first exposure preps the immune system for subsequent exposures. The way bacteria do this is by storing a segment of the viruss DNA from the first attack. When the same kind of virus strikes again, the bacterium recognizes that the alien DNA segment has reappeared by matching the stored segment to the intruder DNA. Having identified the intruder as a bad guy, the bacterium can snip up, i.e., destroy, the intruders DNA, guided by the same stored-DNA/intruder-DNA match. Doudna and Charpentier realized that it was possible to subvert the CRISPR system: Instead of viral intruder DNA, we can use the DNA sequence were interested in (say, one causing a genetic disease), with the result that CRISPR snips up any and all DNA molecules with the target sequence. Once DNA is snipped up, there are ways to repair it using a different sequence, including a version of the gene that does not produce disease. Presto: gene editing and a path to designer genes. Rewriting genes has the potential to cure many genetic illnesses. People suffering from sickle-cell disease, for instance, have just a single mutated letter in the DNA coding for their hemoglobin . It shouldnt be hard for CRISPR to replace that letter in embryos or bone marrow, curing the millions who suffer from this devastating malady. But thats just one of myriad possible edits. CRISPR can in theory cure any disease caused by one or a few mutations: not just sickle-cell but Huntingtons disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or color blindness. We could cure AIDS patients by editing out the HIV viruses that hide in their DNA. By editing early embryos, we could reduce the incidence of genetically influenced diseases such as Alzheimers and some types of breast cancer. We could make cosmetic changes in our children, altering their hair and eye color or even, in principle, their height, weight, body shape and intelligence. None of this has been tried in people, but since CRISPR works well in human cell cultures, it seems just a matter of time. Turning to other species, we could genetically engineer either pigs or people so we could transplant pig organs into humans without activating our immune response. Weve used CRISPR to make virus-resistant farm animals, and we can now engineer insecticide-making genes into the DNA of crops, eliminating the need for dangerous sprays. As the book title implies, CRISPR allows us to bypass or undo evolution without relying on the hit-or-miss methods of selective breeding. But of course DNA editing also raises ethical issues, and these occupy the final quarter of the book. Doudna worries about the return of Nazi-style eugenics and even had a dream about Hitler asking her for CRISPR technology. Should we engage only in somatic gene editing: changing genes in affected tissues where they cant be passed on to the next generation? Or should we also do germline editing, changing early embryos in a way that could be transmitted to future generations? While that conjures up the bad old days of eugenics, it is in fact the only way to repair most disease genes. But if we do that, should we stick to fixing genes that would debilitate the offspring, as with sickle-cell disease, or should we also change genes that merely raise the possibility of illness: those that could produce high cholesterol or heart disease? Things get even more slippery. Should we edit the embryos of deaf parents to produce deaf offspring, so that their children can participate in deaf culture? And the ultimate taboo genetic enhancement: Should we give our children a leg up in looks or intelligence? That, after all, will provide genetic advantages only to those who can afford the technology. Finally, how do we keep the technology out of the hands of bioterrorists? Cheap and simple CRISPR kits are now sold on the Internet, allowing anyone to edit the genes of bacteria. The nightmarish prospect of engineered diseases looms. While its good to consider all these questions before the technology is widely available, Doudna and Sternberg come to few conclusions, and their extended vacillating is the books sole flaw. Alongside the ethical quandaries come commercial ones. There is a great deal of money to be made through the licensing of CRISPR technology. We have already seen a protracted patent battle between Doudnas employer, the University of California, and Harvard/MITs Broad Institute, home to Feng Zhang, who was largely responsible for converting CRISPR from a device for editing bacterial genes into a lab-friendly tool that works in human cells. There is a lot at stake. And this brings us to an issue conspicuously missing from the book. Much of the research on CRISPR, including Doudnas and Zhangs, was funded by the federal government by American taxpayers. Yet both scientists have started biotechnology companies that have the potential to make them and their universities fabulously wealthy from licensing CRISPR for use in medicine and beyond. So if we value ethics, transparency and the democratization of CRISPR technology, as do Doudna and Sternberg, let us also consider the ethics of scientists enriching themselves on the taxpayers dime. The fight over patents and credit impedes the free exchange among scientists that promotes progress, and companies created from taxpayer-funded research make us pay twice to use their products. Finally, let us remember that it was not so long ago that university scientists refused to enrich themselves in this way, freely giving discoveries such as X-rays, the polio vaccine and the Internet to the public. The satisfaction of scientific curiosity should be its primary reward. REPUBLICAN SENATORS are regrouping after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) put off a vote on his Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill. The stumble was for the better. The bill was drafted in secret. Not a single hearing was held. Democrats were not consulted. With only a single week afforded to absorb the legislations contents before a vote, the timetable was absurd. Mr. McConnells attempt to jam it through stank of legislative malpractice and hypocrisy. Republicans should treat this as an opportunity to step away from the brink and reevaluate their foolhardy push to rush through an ill-wrought overhaul of the nations health-care system without any input from the other side. Despite President Trumps claims otherwise, GOP leaders have not engaged Democrats seriously on the health-care issue, as Democrats did for at least a time as they drafted Obamacare. Republicans have instead advanced coverage reductions and tax cuts that Democrats and, indeed, most of the public could never embrace. The Congressional Budget Office has repeatedly exposed these ideas to be abjectly cruel, finding that they would result in north of 20 million more people uninsured in a decade, as government health-care assistance was rolled back to finance a large tax cut for the wealthy. Mr. McConnell has reportedly argued, however, that pressing forward would be better than negotiating with Democrats. What does it say about the Republican Party that even this bill is more appealing than reaching out to moderates on the other side of the aisle? Not all feel this way. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of the Senate bills skeptics, this week suggested fixing Obamacare markets in cooperation with Democrats. She and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) released a compromise health-care proposal before Republicans began their mad repeal-and-replace rush. For his part, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged Republicans Wednesday to start over and find a new, bipartisan way forward on health care. If Mr. Schumer wants to show that he is interested in doing more than trolling his GOP counterparts, he could appoint a group of moderate Democrats to serve as credible negotiators. If both sides sat down in good faith, there would be a wide range of possible compromises. Senators could work off the Cassidy-Collins plan, which is not preoccupied with cutting taxes and allows states that want to keep the Obamacare system to do so, while letting others try a different course. In any compromise scenario, Democrats would seek commitments that health-care markets would be properly subsidized and administered, and Republicans would seek some loosening of Obamacare regulations, particularly if doing so allowed younger people to buy bare-bones coverage. That is grounds for an obvious trade. Both sides have expressed interest in reinsurance programs, which would backstop insurance companies in cases of catastrophically large medical costs. Both may be interested in automatically enrolling everyone in a basic insurance plan unless they opt out. Both should seek a stronger and more durable mechanism to compel people to buy insurance, perhaps by withholding government tax benefits from people who refuse. Reforming the health-care system with Democratic buy-in would also mean the Senate would not have to worry about complex parliamentary rules relating to the reconciliation process, which Republicans are currently using to avoid a Democratic filibuster. That greatly expands the reforms that bipartisan negotiators could consider. What should be off the table, permanently, is the Senates bad bill. The unilateral effort to cram it through must end. AT A stroke, Republicans in Texas enacted a law this spring that undercuts law enforcement chiefs in the states biggest cities and amounts to a frontal assault on the Hispanic population, which accounts for 4 in 10 Texans. The law, rammed through the GOP-dominated legislature in Austin and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R), threatens police chiefs, sheriffs and other officials with fines, removal from office and even imprisonment if they take steps to impede officers from questioning the immigration status of people they arrest or detain, including those stopped for minor traffic violations even if theyre not charged with a crime. Texass new statute, which takes effect in September, is in some ways more draconian than Arizonas notorious show me your papers law, enacted in 2010. Under the guise of cracking down on so-called sanctuary cities and counties, it effectively wrests control of police departments and sheriffs offices from commanders whose priorities, in some cases, include cultivating good relations with Hispanic communities. The measure dealt a blow to good policing in a state that prides itself on law and order. That was made clear in a public statement drafted by a group of police chiefs from around the state, led by those in Houston and Dallas, who warned that it would discourage Hispanic victims and witnesses from reporting crimes and interacting with officers, for fear they could be asked about their immigration status and risk deportation. The chiefs called the measure political pandering that will make our communities more dangerous. In addition to endangering community policing efforts, the law is a blow to social cohesion in a state with an estimated 1.7 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom have been in the United States for more than a decade and have children or other relatives who are U.S. citizens. Now, police chiefs and sheriffs determined to cultivate closer ties with Hispanic communities would be hamstrung in dealing with freelancers on their forces who might prefer to detain day laborers for loitering. Powerless to prioritize more serious crimes over immigration violations, local police chiefs and sheriffs would be stripped of their authority. Many Texas sheriffs, especially in rural counties, support the new law, which they say imposes uniformity on enforcement statewide. In fact, it does the opposite: The law does not require officers to inquire about immigration status; it blocks their superiors from prohibiting it. The effect is that even within the ranks of a single police force or sheriffs office, commanders would be powerless to enforce consistency. The law faces legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, which hope federal courts will regard it as an affront to civil liberties and an invitation to racial profiling. A federal judge in San Antonio heard arguments on the case Monday. Coupled with a recent federal court ruling that found that lawmakers in Austin had intentionally gerrymandered congressional districts to dilute minority voting power, it suggests that state officials are eager to keep Texas a bad place to not be white. Craig Becker is general counsel to the AFL-CIO. He represents the employee party in NLRB v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc. before the Supreme Court. I am your voice thats what Donald Trump promised American workers at the Republican National Convention last July. Yet this month, the Trump administration took an unprecedented step toward quelling the voices of workers. In an extraordinary about-face, the solicitor generals office informed the Supreme Court that the United States had switched sides from affirming employee rights to defending employer authority in three pending cases. The question in each case is whether employers can force workers to contract away their rights to collectively mount legal challenges against workplace abuses. Under such contracts, employees lose the right to sue in court and can only bring individual claims in arbitration. They are not entitled to act in concert to assert common rights such as earning a minimum wage, being free from discrimination or securing re-employment after military service. If the Trump administration persuades the Supreme Court to uphold the forced waiver of employee rights through mandatory arbitration agreements, it will spell the end of class-action employment litigation. No well-counseled employer will forgo the opportunity to both privatize and atomize enforcement of its legal duties. Already, employers across industries such as United Health Care, AT&T Mobility, Ernst & Young and Hooters have imposed such contracts stopping workers from cooperating to protect their rights. Standard agreements forbid even two employees from banding together, even in seeking arbitration. The restraint on concerted action revives the ghost of the yellow dog contract, which once barred workers from joining unions and has been unenforceable since the New Deal. Now mandatory arbitration agreements inhibit claims against employers by placing the risk of vindicating rights on individuals acting alone. Workplace arbitration is not simply a privatized alternative to adjudication in the courts. Recent research reveals that it can enable employers to erode enforcement of legal protections and minimum standards when its terms prohibit employees from joining together to challenge violations. Mandatory arbitration reduces workplace claims to a minuscule number, reported Jean R. Sternlight, a law professor at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. While millions of employees are bound by compulsory arbitration agreements nationwide, fewer than 2,000 file arbitration claims annually. In a 2012 ruling, in which I participated, the National Labor Relations Board held that arbitration agreements requiring employee waivers of rights to bring claims collectively violate the National Labor Relations Act. The NLRB held that these yellow dog-like contracts interfere with the right of employees to join together for mutual aid or protection and particularly to undertake concerted pursuit of workplace grievances in court or arbitration. That is the ruling at issue in the workplace arbitration cases pending in the Supreme Court, and those are the cases in which the solicitor generals office has reversed position. Last September, the solicitor generals office petitioned the court to uphold the NLRBs expert interpretation. But this month the same office filed an amicus brief arguing the NLRB was wrong. Acting solicitor general Jeffrey B. Wall now argues that all terms of workplace arbitration contracts must be enforced under the 1925 Federal Arbitration Act. But that law was enacted to ensure that courts respect voluntary arbitration agreements, primarily involving commercial contracts between business parties. Such agreements have little to do with workplace arbitration contracts barring workers from acting in concert. As the solicitor generals office told the court last fall, contracts that are unlawful under the NLRA are unenforceable under the Arbitration Act. Now the office candidly ascribes its contrary view to the change in administration. In other words, it was the advent of the Trump presidency that prompted such a peculiar reversal. The closest parallel occurred when the Reagan solicitor generals office switched sides to defend Bob Jones University, which had lost its tax exemption due to racial discrimination. In that instance, the university brought the appeal to the Supreme Court. In this instance, however, the solicitor generals office petitioned on behalf of the NLRB, then flipped to oppose the agency. Through its troubling reversal, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to expand upon a series of recent decisions limiting the right of consumers to sue companies and upholding mandatory, individual arbitration. These decisions not only restrict the right to seek redress for harm, but have also insulated powerful economic interests from liability, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg explained in a 2015 dissent. The Trump administration would similarly insulate employers from responsibility for violating workers rights. Does the president believe a construction worker owed wages will dare individually to seek redress through arbitration? Or a hotel maid denied promotion based on race? Will he speak for those workers? So far, it does not appear so. MORE THAN three decades after Catherine Fuller was savagely bludgeoned to death in one of the Districts most notorious murders, the legal case appears to be over, with the Supreme Court refusing to grant a new trial. That, though, doesnt put to rest questions that have been raised over the years about the killing and the possibility that innocent men might have been wrongly convicted. In a 6-to-2 decision handed down last week, the court determined that while the prosecution withheld information from the defense, it wouldnt have made a difference in the outcome. Too little, too weak, or too distant, said Justice Stephen G. Breyer of evidence, suppressed by prosecutors, about another man (later convicted of killing a woman in a manner similar to that in Fullers case) being spotted at the crime scene. Prosecutors, arguing Fuller was the victim of a frenzied group attack on Oct. 1, 1984, by a gang of young people known as the Eighth and H Street Crew, brought charges against 13 people. Of the 10 who went on trial, eight were convicted. Six men remain in prison. The courts determination that it is not reasonably probable that the withheld evidence could have led to a different result at trial was challenged by Justice Elena Kagan in a powerful dissent joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The undisclosed evidence about a possible alternative perpetrator, Ms. Kagan wrote, would have changed the whole tenor of the case. She attacked the notion that the government had, as the court majority suggested, a slam-dunk case, noting there was no physical evidence tying any of the defendants to the crime and the serious credibility deficits of government eyewitnesses. It took the jurors in this case more than a week with dozens of agonized votes to reach verdicts. So is it reasonable to assume that evidence presenting an alternative theory of the crime with an alternative suspect would not have caused reasonable doubt in one or more jurors? We will never know the answer, and that reinforces the need for reforms that give defense attorneys open access to all evidence collected during the investigation of a crime. Barring new evidence in the Fuller case (unlikely after all these years), there appears to be no legal recourse for the defendants other than seeking parole, which generally involves an admission of guilt that they have been unwilling to make. The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, which led the effort to reopen the case, is studying options. The Trump administration on Thursday announced new sanctions on a Chinese bank accused of laundering money for North Korean companies and approved a $1.4 billion arms sales package for Taiwan, a pair of measures that is certain to ruffle feathers in Beijing. Officials said the actions were unrelated and emphasized that the administration was not targeting China. But the moves are likely to raise concerns among Chinese leaders who had sought to get off to a good start with President Trump. Trump has shown signs of losing patience with China after personally lobbying President Xi Jinping to put more pressure on North Korea to halt its nuclear and ballistic-missile weapons programs. Trump wrote on Twitter last week that Chinas efforts have not worked out, a declaration that came after the death of American college student Otto Warmbier a few days after returning to the United States following 17 months of detention in North Korea. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the administration was moving to cut off the Bank of Dandong from U.S. financial markets in an effort to block millions of dollars of transactions that funnel money into North Korea for use in its weapons programs. Under the sanctions, U.S. citizens also will be generally prohibited from doing business with Sun Wei and Ri Song Hyok, who are accused of establishing and running front companies on behalf of North Korea, and Dalian Global Unity Shipping Co., which is accused of transporting 700,000 tons of freight annually, including coal and steel products, between China and North Korea. The administration announced the sanctions just hours before South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, arrived at the White House for a two-day summit with Trump. Moon campaigned on a platform of greater engagement with Pyongyang, and he has questioned the need for the U.S.-backed THAAD missile defense system that is being installed on the peninsula, which Beijing and Pyongyang have opposed. Mnuchin said that the United States is in no way targeting China with these actions and that U.S. officials look forward to continuing to work closely with the government of China to stop the illicit financing in North Korea. Mnuchin added that this very significant action sends the message that the United States will follow the money trail leading to North Korea and continue to crack down on those assisting the country. North Koreas provocative, destabilizing and inhumane behavior will not be tolerated, Mnuchin said. We are committed to targeting North Koreas external enablers and maximizing economic pressure on the regime until it ceases its nuclear and ballistic-missile programs. China has repeatedly made clear it opposes unilateral sanctions in addition to those agreed to by the United Nations Security Council. Only last week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said his country opposed the "long-arm jurisdiction" of the United States in this matter. We have repeatedly stressed this stance in our communication with the United States, and the U.S. side is also clear about it, he said during a regular news conference. In a separate announcement, administration officials said they had approved an arms package for Taiwan that includes advanced rocket and anti-ship missile systems another measure China has repeatedly said that it firmly opposes. The package is slightly larger than one that was put on hold at the end of the Obama administration, the officials said, but includes largely the same weapons capabilities. The sale is considered relatively modest compared with past arms packages. Still, China views the self-ruled island as part of the country and is likely to oppose any such arms transfers. As president-elect, Trump broke with protocol and accepted a congratulatory phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in December, angering Xi. Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, Trumps national security adviser, said Thursday that China had significant economic leverage over North Korea and suggested that it could put more pressure on Pyongyang. The Trump administration had long signaled that it wanted to move forward with an arms sale to Taiwan but held off because officials worried the sale would make it harder to secure Chinas cooperation on North Korea. It shows, we believe, our support for Taiwans ability to maintain a sufficient self-defense policy, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday of the arms deal. Theres no change, I should point out, to our one-China policy. Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinas Xi on the sidelines of an economic summit in Hamburg next week, White House officials said. Simon Denyer contributed reporting from Beijing. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) accused Senate Democrats on Wednesday of being Russias best friend for refusing to approve a measure making technical corrections to a bill on sanctions for Russia and Iran until they get assurances that the House will pass the measure. Senate Democrats do not trust that House Republican leaders will put the measure on the floor in its current form, according to a senior Senate Democratic aide, who explained that many of them suspect House leaders are using the procedural complaint as a delaying tactic or an excuse to alter the bill in deference to President Trump, whose administration opposes the measure. The bill steps up sanctions against Iran for its ballistic missile tests and against various sectors of the Russian economy for Moscows aggressive moves in Ukraine and Syria, and charges that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. elections. The Senate passed a version of the bill last week, 98 to 2, before House leaders complained that the bill had the potential to affect government revenue and constitutionally had to be tweaked before they could take it up. The measure is controversial for the White House because of a provision giving Congress the right to review any attempts the president makes to change the Russia sanctions before he can go ahead restraining him, in effect, from rolling back existing sanctions against Russia. Its in that section of the bill that the Houses technical complaint arose and although members of both parties say they have found an acceptable fix, some Democrats are still suspicious. Corker, however, has lost his patience with Democrats. Its a ridiculous position to take that youre not going to let our bill go to the House in an appropriate manner until you know exactly how the House is going to deal with a bill that weve passed. That is a losing strategy, he said. The added delay, Corker continued, is actually accommodating Russia. House leaders have not offered to take up the sanctions bill without the Senate acting first, although House committee leaders have indicated they are eager to move ahead with the legislation. In an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Edward R. Royce (R-Calif.) said: Our goal is to pass this measure as soon as possible. We need to send this message to Putin and to Russia that there will be consequences. Not all Senate Democratic leaders seem worried that the House wont make good on its word. Wed love to see them do it, we want to get them into a position where they can do it, said the committees ranking Democrat, Benjamin L Cardin (D-Md.), who added that there was never a request for a commitment. Cardin speculated that the Senate could repass the new version of the sanctions bill by weeks end, cuing it up for the House to vote on the measure shortly after Congresss week-long Independence Day recess. Read more at PowerPost Republican negotiations over how to overhaul the Affordable Care Act centered sharply Thursday on a divisive and ideological question: How much money should the Senate health-care bill spend on protecting vulnerable Americans, and how much on providing tax relief to the wealthy? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), in an effort to strike a balance between centrists and conservatives, is making concessions to both factions of his caucus, according to lawmakers and aides. McConnell is rewriting his proposal to provide tens of billions more for opioid addiction treatment and assistance to low- and moderate-income Americans, in part with a major policy shift that has already alarmed conservatives who oppose it potentially preserving a 3.8 percent tax on investment income provided under the ACA that the current draft of the Senate bill would repeal. At the same time, the Republican leader hopes to placate the right by further easing the existing laws insurance mandates and allowing higher tax deductions through expanded health savings accounts , several Republicans said. By Thursday afternoon, Senate leaders had agreed to dedicate $45 billion to opioid funding, according to GOP aides a concession that Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) had been seeking for weeks. The draft released last week included only $2 billion. Where the Obamacare exchanges might have zero insurance options in 2018 Many have said theyll leave the marketplaces, citing rising costs and Trump-fueled uncertainty. It remains unclear whether these changes, if adopted, would garner enough support for the bill to pass. But they may represent the most viable path forward if Republicans want to rewrite the 2010 health law known as Obamacare without any help from Democrats. We will, it appears to me, address the issue of ensuring that lower-income citizens are in a position to be able to buy plans that actually provide them appropriate health care, said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). And with that, my sense is that the 3.8 percent repeal [in the current draft] will go away. On Friday, Trump added to the confusion by suggesting that GOP senators switch gears and seek to immediately repeal Obamacare if the impasse for the new health care plan cannot be broken. The tweet by Trump was his first public statement since taking office in favor of bringing down Obamacare with no replacement system in place a move that could send the U.S. health care system into deep turmoil. If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date! Trump wrote. Trump call also at odds with the fallback plan McConnell has threatened should the current effort collapse which is to work with Democrats. Either Republicans will agree and change the status quo; or markets will continue to collapse and well have to sit down with Sen. Schumer, he said after a meeting with Trump on Tuesday, referring to the top Senate Democrat. (Jenny Starrs,Daron Taylor/The Washington Post) But at least one GOP senator quickly lauded Trump. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has advocated a repeal-first approach if GOP senators cannot reach agreement on their current plan, retweeted the president Friday morning. Later, he fired off a second tweet saying he had spoken to Trump and Senate GOP leadership about this and agree. Lets keep our word to repeal then work on replacing right away. Asked for the majority leaders response to Trumps tweet, a McConnell spokeswoman said she didnt have any new announcements. In a sign of the sharp disagreements that continue to plague Senate Republicans, Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.) disputed Corkers notion that the tax cut would be jettisoned, calling the proposal a very bad idea. Im not at all convinced that thats where its going, Toomey said. The 3.8 percent tax applies only to individuals making more than $200,000 a year and married couples earning more than $250,000. Repealing it as of Dec. 31, 2016, as the bill does now, would cost the federal government $172 billion in revenue over the next 10 years, according to a recent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The effort was complicated by the release of a new CBO estimate that showed significantly deeper reductions in Medicaid spending after the proposed legislations second decade than at the end of its first decade. The new analysis specifically looked at the legislations effect in its second decade, adding to an analysis of the first decade released at the start of the week and showing that 22 million fewer Americans would be covered by 2026. By 2036, the new analysis said, the government would spend 35 percent less on Medicaid than under the current law, compared with a 26 percent decrease in the first decade. The updated Medicaid estimate from the CBO, showing how spending would shrink over the next 20 years, underscored the extent to which McConnells plan would squeeze the long-standing public insurance program. The current draft already cuts $772 billion over 10 years from Medicaid, which covers poor and disabled Americans as well as the elderly, children and pregnant women. The updated analysis, requested by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and other Senate Democrats, calculated the effects of pegging the programs inflation rate to the consumer price index for urban consumers, as opposed to the current practice of following the medical inflation rate. According to analysts at the health consulting firm Avalere and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, this would translate into a cut of at least $330 billion in 2036. The report suggested that as the spigot of federal funding constricted over time, there would be increasing pressure on more states to cut costs or commit more of their own money to serve their Medicaid populations. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said in an interview that the CBO score makes it harder for Republicans to say that the legislation would improve coverage decades into the future. In many ways the bill was deceptively structured to try to hide this long-term effect in the traditional CBO analysis, Van Hollen said. Republicans are decimating the program by more than one-third, and it gets progressively worse. McConnell spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier dismissed the long-term forecast as speculative. CBO says the 20-year predictions are almost impossible, she said in an email. But they have confirmed the increased spending in Medicaid (rather than cuts) over the next ten years. With senators leaving town Thursday for a 10-day break over the July Fourth holiday, Republicans are not likely to reach an agreement until after their return next month. That would give time for the CBO to analyze the new proposals and for senators to hear from constituents, setting up a few more days of haggling when they return July 10 and a possible vote the week after that. Corker, who met with GOP leaders Wednesday, said he believes the route being pursued is to preserve the tax and use that money to provide subsidies for lower-income people. He added that he voiced directly to President Trump his unease with the idea of slashing taxes for the wealthy while increasing the burden on lower-income Americans. Minutes later, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Tex.) acknowledged that keeping the tax was being discussed, but he underscored that no final decision had been made. [If these two Republicans cant agree, the Senate cant pass its health-care bill] Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said that while he thought it was a bad idea to use the investment tax to help fund the ACAs existing programs, lawmakers may need to keep the tax. Scott said there is clear pressure from at least three senators to preserve it, and their votes are critical to passing the bill. Keeping it now is a whole new conversation, Scott said. particularly when you have three senators already heading in that direction. The dispute underscores the challenge Senate leaders face as they reexamine the tax portion of their Better Care Reconciliation Act. One bit of wiggle room in their negotiations is the CBOs analysis of the bills effect on the federal deficit, which allows them to spend as much as $198 billion without violating Senate budget rules. The draft bill that stalled this week would also repeal or delay $541 billion in taxes, primarily on wealthy Americans and insurers. While the cuts in Medicaid help offset these cuts, the idea of making them while easing the tax burden of corporations and the better-off has made some centrists uncomfortable. The measure eliminates every tax imposed under the ACA except the Cadillac tax on employers offering generous health plans. That tax is suspended until 2026 to comply with congressional budget rules. With Vice President Pence prepared to cast the tiebreaking vote, Republicans need the support of all but two of their 52 senators. In the Capitol on Thursday, Pence said that he and others were working hard to change minds on the bill. Cornyn said leaders would hopefully send a revised version of the bill to the CBO on Friday, but he was not certain it would happen. [How the Senates rapid push to rewrite Obamacare fell apart] Meanwhile, according to lobbyists briefed on the matter, negotiators are looking at how to provide states with more ways to opt out of the ACAs insurance mandates a key demand of conservatives. These rules include an essential-benefits package that any ACA-compliant plan must offer, such as maternity and newborn care as well as preventive care and mental-health and substance-use treatment. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) have indicated they could support the bill if leadership tacked on an amendment, offered by Cruz, allowing insurers to opt out of all ACA insurance requirements as long as they provide one fully compliant plan. A growing number of senators have said they back the Cruz proposal, but leaders met Thursday to determine whether it would run afoul of Senate rules. McConnell is using the budget process to pass the health bill with a slim majority of 51 votes, rather than the 60 votes needed for most other legislation. But that also restricts the legislation to policies that have an impact on taxes, spending and the deficit. Lee spokesman Conn Carroll said he also wants a provision to ensure the executive branch cant single-handedly block states from revamping their ACA marketplaces. The current measure makes it much easier for states to use an existing federal waiver system, under Section 1332 of the law, to make changes as long as they are approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). While the Senate bill gives states wide latitude to alter the marketplaces through this system, it would preserve a requirement that CMS has to determine that the changes would not increase the federal deficit. Lee wants an independent agency to make that determination, but Carroll said that if leadership added the Cruz amendment, I think that would be enough for us to back the bill. The main tax change conservatives are now seeking allowing people to put more money into health savings accounts would also benefit wealthier Americans. Families earning over $60,000 made up nearly 65 percent of the total that contributed to HSAs in 2014, according to recent data from the Treasury Department. Nearly two-thirds of those people earned between $75,000 and $200,000. Paige Winfield Cunningham, Amy Goldstein and Mike DeBonis contributed to this report. House Democrats are asking the Justice Departments inspector general to launch a special investigation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and whether he violated the terms of his recusal from probes related to the 2016 presidential campaign by being involved in the firing of James B. Comey as FBI director. In a letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz on Thursday, Democrats on the House Judiciary and Oversight committees asked the inspector generals office to investigate whether the Attorney General violated his recusal by participating in the Presidents decision to fire Director Comey and whether administrative disciplinary procedures including and up to termination are warranted. Democratic lawmakers said the Justice Departments silence after several inquiries about Sessionss involvement in Comeys termination prompted them to write the letter. Because Sessions recused himself from matters related to the Trump campaign and the investigation into the hacking of the Clinton campaigns emails, they argue that Sessions probably violated his recusal in the course of firing Comey, regardless of the true reason President Trump ordered the FBI directors termination. [Sessions refuses to tell senators whether he spoke to Trump about Comeys handling of Russia investigation] Their letter comes as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) is making a renewed push to call into question the scruples of acting FBI director Andrew McCabe. In a letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein this week, Grassley listed public complaints about McCabe, including donations made to his wifes political campaign by close associates of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and an allegation of sex discrimination made against him in which former national security adviser Michael Flynn supported the FBI agent making the claim. Grassley questioned why McCabe had not recused himself and whether he had any retaliatory motive against Flynn for being an adverse witness to him in a pending proceeding. The competing letters highlight the deepening partisan divisions in Congress as committee investigations and special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election reach a new stage of intensity. The House and Senate Intelligence committees are in the process of scheduling interviews with various surrogates of Trump, including his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and the Senate Intelligence Committee is expecting copies of the memos Comey kept of conversations with the president that he said made him uncomfortable. But as those committees have intensified their probes, other committees pursuing lines of inquiry against Russia have sometimes turned their attention in different directions. In recent days, Grassley has redoubled efforts to look into how Comey handled the Clinton email server scandal, while the new House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), said he did not plan to have his panel investigate allegations of Russian election meddling or possible collusion between the presidents surrogates and the Kremlin. Trumps nominee to take over as FBI director, Christopher A. Wray, was on Capitol Hill on Thursday, meeting with senators about his nomination. Read more at PowerPost The House on Thursday passed two hard-line immigration bills that would penalize illegal immigrants who commit crimes and local jurisdictions that refuse to work with federal authorities to deport them. Both bills, Kates Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, passed on largely party-line votes amid heavy promotion from Republicans, starting with President Trump. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN! Trump tweeted as the House debated the bills Thursday, one of five tweets he pushed out to his 35 million followers highlighting the legislation. Before the vote, Trump urged lawmakers to pass the bill during remarks at the Department of Energy, calling them vital to public safety and national security. Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly appeared on Capitol Hill ahead of the vote Thursday with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.) and other Republican leaders to promote the bills. (The Washington Post) Kates Law, named after a 32-year-old woman shot and killed in 2015 by an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times, steps up prison sentences for criminals who reenter the United States illegally after being convicted and deported. The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act bars sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement from receiving many federal grants and leaves them vulnerable to liability lawsuits from victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Kelly cast the bills as common-sense measures that would uphold our nations immigration laws and help make our communities more safe. President Trump has been clear that our borders are not open to illegal immigration, that we are a nation of laws, and we will no longer look the other way, he said. Well, we will no longer look the other way in the interior, either. Kelly said Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has deported nearly 66,000 people known to be or suspected of being in the country illegally representing a spike under Trump administration policies. Nearly half of those, he said, were charged with crimes or had gang affiliations. On the House floor, the lead sponsor of the bills, Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said the legislation would provide better immigration enforcement and the peace of mind that no criminal will have sanctuary from our immigration laws. For years, the lack of immigration enforcement and spread of sanctuary policies have cost too many lives, he said, citing Obama administration policies that encouraged or at the very least turned a blind eye to jurisdictions nationwide that implemented sanctuary policies. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post) The bills prompted sharp attacks by Democrats, who said the legislation would have a deleterious effect on public safety and would ramp up fear among law-abiding immigrants. The ultimate experts on community safety are communities themselves, and hundreds of them have determined that as community trust increases, crime decreases, said Rep. John Conyers Jr. (Mich.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. Some highlighted a new study published by a University of California at Irvine criminologist that concluded that immigration levels do not have a meaningful effect on crime. The study, published this month in the Annual Review of Criminology, examined 51 studies published between 1994 and 2014. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus rallied on Capitol Hill ahead of the vote and framed the bills as part of an anti-immigrant campaign led by Trump. These are Trump-inspired measures, said Rep. Julian Castro (D-Tex.), who accused the president of using immigrants as a scapegoat for about everything wrong in the United States. Ahead of the bills House passage, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, urged immigrants and allies to immediately call their senators. Were in a better position there, she said. The House bills face a major obstacle in the Senate, where Republicans have only 52 seats and need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. A version of Kates Law introduced last year by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) failed on a 55-to-42 vote. On Thursday afternoon, the House passed Kates Law 257 to 167 and the sanctuary cities bill 228 to 195. Opposing these bills, and allowing dangerous criminals back into our communities, our schools, and the neighborhoods where our children play, puts all of us at risk, Trump said in a statement following the bills passage. Now that the House has acted, I urged the Senate to take up these bills, pass them, and send them to my desk. In an unusually discordant moment on Thursday, Kelly told reporters he was offended when members of this institution exert pressure and often threaten me and my officers to ignore the laws they make, and I am sworn to uphold an apparent reference to congressional Democrats who have confronted Kelly in closed-door meetings and open hearings about the deportation surge. Kelly left the news conference, held on the day before the Trump administrations revised travel ban was set to take effect, without taking questions. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said it was strange that Kelly, a former Marine general, would level that accusation. Generals are used to a level of deference that members of Congress are not necessarily used to bestowing on cabinet officers, she said. And so perhaps being asked questions and a follow-up question seems threatening to him, but thats the democratic way. Read more at PowerPost A medical malpractice bill that limits attorney fees and some patient damage fees in civil lawsuits was passed by the House on Wednesday by a narrow margin of 218 to 210, with numerous Republicans voting against the measure. The biggest point of contention was over a provision that places a cap of $250,000 on noneconomic damages awards to victims, which includes for pain and suffering. Nineteen Republicans voted against the bill, many of them citing this as a key reason, saying it would trample on states rights because it would take away their ability to establish their own laws on the matter. At least two dozen states do not cap noneconomic damages, and several state supreme courts including Washington and Florida have determined they are unconstitutional. This represents a massive expansion of federal authority, said Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.), who voted against the bill. Its a power grab by Washington, said Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), who also voted against the measure. The opposition from Republican members is a break from the past, when conservative lawmakers have consistently united in their support of similar measures. Several conservative groups, such as Frontiers of Freedom and the Institute for Liberty, also opposed the bill. And former U.S. attorney general Edwin Ed Meese, a Republican, announced his opposition Tuesday, calling the bill constitutional malpractice. In a letter sent to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), Meese said the bill was a sweeping effort to federalize tort law with our system of federalism, which reserves that province solely to the states. The $250,000 cap for noneconomic damages is separate from damages plaintiffs receive based on future economic losses. Noneconomic damages are meant to compensate victims for pain and suffering, as well as permanent disfigurement or other serious disabilities that may not interfere with their ability to work. The caps would apply broadly to all manner of medical malpractice, including errors in surgery, side effects from unsafe drugs, abuse and neglect in nursing homes, and sexual assault by doctors. The issue will probably decrease the odds of the Senate taking up the measure, opponents and proponents of the measure said. The Senate has routinely declined to vote on previous tort measures passed by the House, but with Republicans in control of both chambers, some are more optimistic about this bills chances. Democrats did not break from tradition. They have consistently opposed tort legislation. Republicans have accused them of being swayed by large campaign donations they get from trial lawyers. Democrats have said, and continued to say Wednesday, that they are against such measures because people who have been harmed would be unable to seek justice. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called the bill cruel and heartless as he made this argument against the measure. A Washington Post article earlier this month examined the case of a Pennsylvania man, Steven Hanes, who underwent surgery in 2013 to have a testicle removed that was causing him pain. After a doctor removed the wrong testicle, he filed a medical malpractice suit and was awarded $630,000 in noneconomic damages more than twice the amount that the new bill would allow. The limits on lawyer fees was not debated Wednesday. That provision would limit fees based on a sliding scale, in some cases cutting by half the amount a lawyer would receive from malpractice awards. On average, lawyers receive between 30 and 40 percent of the award, according to several medical and legal groups who follow tort policy. In a statement released just after the vote, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons a major proponent of the bill said it applauded the bills passage, calling it common sense, proven, comprehensive medical liability reform that will help contain health care costs. The Center for Justice & Democracy a major opponent of the bill said it strongly condemned its passage. Joanne Doroshow, the centers executive director, called it a harsh and mean-spirited bill that will harm the most vulnerable and severely injured Americans. This includes brain-damaged children, quadriplegic workers, and seniors in nursing homes. Read more at PowerPost House appropriators set in motion Thursday a repeal of the congressional authorization underpinning the U.S. military effort against the Islamic State and recent strikes in Syria, a move that serves as a rebuke of President Trumps foreign policy and a demand that he present Congress with a plan for how he intends to proceed. The repeal still has to survive a vote by the full House, as well as the Senate, before it becomes law a set of hurdles the measure may not be able to clear. But the inclusion of a proposal by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) to strike down the 2001 authorization for use of military force (AUMF), which she has offered in years past to no avail, marks a potential turning point for Congress in its ongoing struggle with the White House for a say in how the U.S. military fights extremist groups. Like the Obama administration before it, the Trump administration has claimed legal authority to conduct strikes and support operations against the Islamic State under the AUMF that Congress passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to greenlight the war against al-Qaeda and affiliated groups in Afghanistan. Congress has long been divided on the legal argument a split that has doomed several previous attempts to build momentum behind a new AUMF for fighting ISIS and its affiliates. But members are finding new common ground in their disdain for the Trump administrations latest argument: that recent strikes against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are also covered under the 2001 AUMF. That to me is going way thats something that has to be addressed, legally, by Congress, said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Corker is among lawmakers who have supported the administrations argument that the president has the power under the 2001 authorization to conduct strikes against extremist groups but who now also say the authorization does not permit operations against the Syrian government. According to the Pentagon, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 shot down a Syrian government fighter jet shortly after the Syrians bombed US-backed fighters in northern Syria on 18 June 2017. (Jake Cannady /Us Dod Handout/EPA) Corker added that he was also uncomfortable with the idea of scrapping the existing authorization with nothing in hand to replace it. If you were to do away with the 01 AUMF and not have one relative to ISIS then youre naked; there is no authority, Corker said. You have to deal with it simultaneously. Most proposals on a new AUMF for fighting the Islamic State do away with the 2001 AUMF and seek to replace it with language more closely tailored to the Islamic State, as well as al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Two of the better-known ideas, a proposal from Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), and another from Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), would sunset that new authorization after a few years. Lees proposal would give the administration eight months to come up with a new AUMF before the repeal goes into effect sufficient time, Lee argued, to decide what measure would replace it. There were indications Thursday that Lees provision could be snuffed out before it even hits the House floor. Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Tex.) said the provision could run afoul of House rules prohibiting policymaking in spending bills. This is by and large policy on an appropriations bill, but its an idea we need to understand, he said, adding that Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Edward R. Royce (R-Calif.) would be a co-decision-maker in evaluating the provision. Lawmakers in both houses of Congress have argued that to pass an AUMF, the administration must approach Congress with a proposal, however unsatisfactory it may be. The Trump administration has not approached Congress with a proposal, but Corker said he expects Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to at least speak to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee soon about the administrations global ISIS strategy. Kaine said Thursday he thinks the Foreign Relations Committee may take up his and Flakes AUMF proposal as soon as next month. Lee stressed, however, that as long as Congress lets the 2001 AUMF linger, Trump has little or no incentive to seek new legal approval for any military action he orders. She pointed out that in the past 16 years, it has been used 37 times in 14 countries . Let me be clear: With the 2001 AUMF still on the books in its current form, any administration can rely on this blank check to wage endless war, Lee said. Read more at PowerPost They came to the Senate together amid less fanfare than some of their 2010 classmates, with lower profiles that didnt lead to presidential bids. But Sens. Rob Portman (Ohio) and Patrick J. Toomey (Pa.) were intellectual forces inside the Republican caucus from the moment they took the oath in January 2011. Portman, a former White House budget director, and Toomey, a former Wall Street executive who ran the anti-tax Club for Growth, got picked seven months into office for a special committee to cut the debt. They sit next to each other on the Finance Committee, the crown jewel of tax and health-care policy. And they both found ways to win reelection from neighboring states by building a unique coalition that included suburban professionals and rural conservatives, latching onto niche local issues that resonated through the din of President Trumps boisterous campaign. Now, six months into their second term, Portman and Toomey stand apart on the most critical issue preventing a deal to repeal the law that helped launch their careers, the Affordable Care Act. (Whitney Shefte,Rhonda Colvin,Malcolm Cook,Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Both men ran sharply against Obamacare. But now, Portman has become the de facto leader of moderates and mainstream conservatives from states that accepted the laws expanded federal funding for Medicaid coverage. Toomey has galvanized conservatives behind his proposal to cut that program and provide what some consider the most dramatic curtailment of an entitlement program in a generation. The dispute between Portman, 61, and Toomey, 55, has grown contentious behind closed doors. Neither senator lacks for self-confidence, and they have jousted over both the policy and the political fallout of those ideas, often talking past each other in a bid to win support from their fellow Republicans. There are other issues that could still derail the proposal from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has delayed an initial test vote on the nearly 150-page draft until at least mid-July. But there is simply no path for victory unless these two senators, so similar in many ways, bridge their divide on this core issue. The two senators seem to have emerged from their 2016 reelections with vastly different outlooks. I continue to have real concerns about the Medicaid policies in this bill, especially those that impact drug treatment at a time when Ohio is facing an opioid epidemic, Portman said this week, citing the issue that became his personal rallying cry last year. What were trying to do is free the states and free the marketplace to discover ever-better ways to deliver services, Toomey said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation, returning to his core, economically conservative roots. Democrats are accusing Republicans, particularly Toomey, of shading their views last fall to win reelection in swing states without explaining how their opposition to the ACA would affect voters. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) It would have been devastating for him, theres no ifs, ands or buts about that. Thats the problem with this election there were promises made and everything that was promised is not being lived up to, Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.), who ran the upper chambers Democratic campaign arm last year, said of Toomey. Pennsylvania has more than 700,000 residents benefiting from the expanded Medicare provision. Ohio has almost the same number. Well see what the end result is, Tester said of Portmans hesitancy to support McConnell. I mean, talk is cheap unless you can back it up with a vote. Allies to the two senators reject the idea that they hid their views of Barack Obamas signature accomplishment as president, having cast many votes to repeal the legislation during their first term in the Senate. Toomeys opponent tried to make his fiscally conservative views a focus of the campaign. But Toomey blunted that conservative portrait by co-writing gun control legislation that was popular in the Philadelphia suburbs, where he far outperformed Trump and wove together a different coalition to win by less than 100,000 votes out of more than 6 million cast. In Ohio, Portman became the face of the effort to defeat the heroin epidemic that has ravaged his state and has now spread to every corner of the country. That cause blunted questions about his views on trade and budgets against a stumbling opponent, helping him win by more than 20 percentage points. Neither senator publicly supported Trumps candidacy last fall. Portman withdrew his endorsement after The Washington Post unveiled a video of Trump discussing groping women. Toomey never told voters whom he supported until polls had closed. Yet its Toomey, never having won by more than two percentage points, who has taken up the conservative mantle. In the proposed phaseout of the Medicaid expansion that McConnell has floated, Toomey won a significant, long-term cap in the programs spending. Remarkably, its a more conservative position than the House-passed bill which Trump has publicly called mean in its treatment of the working poor. That in turn has prompted heated discussions between Portman and Toomey, with the Ohio senator believing the position is a political loser in the Midwestern states that provided the foundation for Trumps presidency and McConnells Senate majority. Portman has long been described as a moderate, but often in a mistaken way. His demeanor is collegial, and hes long enjoyed a good relationship with the Capitols press corps. But on policy, he has been a regular McConnell ally until now. Portman opposed the 2013 bipartisan immigration bill, and during the 2011 special debt committee deliberations, Democrats privately gave up on Portman as a lost cause not looking for a deal while they continued to pursue Toomeys support. They viewed Toomey as slightly more conservative and, therefore, more valuable. If he agreed to a deal, it would have attracted more buy-in from other Republicans than if it were Portman. On Monday, as Reuters first reported, McConnell dressed down Portman over his current position and reminded him that as George W. Bushs budget director, he had supported entitlement reform and Portman shot back that he still did but said McConnell had overreached in this bill, sources said. Portman has requested a $45 billion fund to battle opioids, citing a Harvard study in which $4.5 billion a year from the Medicaid expansion goes toward drug treatment. I still have many of those same concerns. So the Senate draft falls short and therefore I do not support it in its current form, Portman said. Read more from Paul Kanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) right, and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) confer on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, as the panel conducts a hearing on Russian intervention in European elections. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) The fate of stiffer sanctions against Russia and Iran is once again in the hands of the House, after the Senate unanimously approved technical fixes that should clear the way for the House to pass the legislation. But even if House lawmakers move relatively quickly, it may not be fast enough to satisfy Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Thursday that he and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had hoped that Congress would approve the bill stepping up sanctions against Iran and Russia before President Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Germany. Its critical, critical that Congress speak in a loud and clear and unified voice to President Putin: Interfering in our election, the wellspring and pride of our democracy, will not be tolerated, Schumer said. The Senate passed the bill by an overwhelming 98 to 2 vote, one day after expressly approving the comprehensive Russia sanctions portion of the measure by a vote of 97 to 2. In addition to codifying existing sanctions and imposing new ones, the bill takes the rare step of giving Congress at least 30 days to review any steps the president wants to take to change sanctions policy effectively a chance to bar the president from rolling back existing punitive measures. The presidents warm approach to Russia, and his reticence to accept the intelligence communitys conclusion that Russia was behind a series of hacks and disinformation campaigns that colored the 2016 U.S. elections, have given many lawmakers in both parties pause. But in the last week, Democrats began to suspect that House Republicans were intentionally slowing the sanctions bill down at Trumps behest. The overwhelming vote in the Senate, as well as sentiments toward Russia in the House, suggested that there would be veto-proof support for the measure in Congress. But senior administration officials said last week that the presidents team planned to step up its lobbying against the measure, objecting especially to the provision that restricts Trumps moves absent congressional approval. Against that backdrop, the Houses request that the Senate make technical changes to get around a constitutional problem arising from the bills potential to affect government revenue struck many Democrats as an excuse. Some resisted approving the minor changes the Senate passed on Thursday until they felt they could get a guarantee from the House that the measure would be immediately put on the floor. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), a chief negotiator on the bill, charged Democrats with stalling, accusing them of being Russias best friend by slowing matters down. It is not clear whether Senate Democrats ever got that guarantee, but on Thursday, Schumer announced his support for the measure with a threat directed at House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). I want to put the House on notice: If they water down the bill, weaken the sanctions, add loopholes to the legislation, they will find stiff resistance here in the Senate, Schumer said. House leaders bristled at the accusation but have not offered many assurances that they will, in fact, move the bill to the floor instead of putting it before the four committees of jurisdiction for formal debate. Democrats believe that such a process would end up diluting the bill. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), a Trump ally, said Thursday that I never try to go around the committees concluding that they would let the bill go through regular order. Meanwhile, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) said Thursday he would defer to the Foreign Affairs Committee for guidance on timing and process. That deference may be a good thing for Democrats, as the chairman of that committee, Rep. Edward R. Royce (R-Calif.), has long called for stiffer measures against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and support for the Syrian regime. The sanctions bill covers both, and imposes new measures to punish Russia for its alleged meddling in the 2016 election. In an appearance on Fox News this week, Royce said: Our goal is to pass this measure as soon as possible. We need to send this message to Putin and to Russia that there will be consequences. Read more at PowerPost The Catholic Churchs child sexual abuse scandal ensnared one of Pope Franciss top lieutenants on Thursday, underlining the halting progress the reformist pontiff has made in addressing decades of abuse by the clergy, even as Cardinal George Pell declared himself innocent of the charges against him. Pell, one of the most powerful officials in the Vatican, said he would return to his native Australia to fight multiple charges of sexual assault. He became the highest-ranking Vatican official to be formally accused by law enforcement when Australian police charged him Thursday. Advocates for victims of child abuse said that allowing Pell to face charges in Australia, rather than keeping him inside the walls of Vatican City, was a major step for a church that might have shielded him in earlier years. But they also said that the cardinals ability to remain in his post until Thursday, despite controversy about his role in the Australian churchs years of abuse, was a sign that Francis had not fully reckoned with one of the most painful chapters in modern Catholic history. The case pulls Franciss papacy back into the abuse scandals that have battered the church for nearly two decades and led to demands for sweeping changes on monitoring, selecting and training the clergy. In the United States and elsewhere, groups continue to press for full accountability within the Catholic Church for alleged abuse of children and others going back generations. Many recommendations of a flagship reform commission impaneled by Francis, meanwhile, have been endorsed by the pope, then ignored by the Vatican bureaucracy. Speaking to reporters at the Vatican, a subdued Pell denounced relentless character assassination in the media. I repeat that I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me, said the 76-year-old cardinal, who until Thursday was in charge of reforming the churchs antiquated and opaque finances. Australian police earlier Thursday announced that Pell faces multiple charges of historical sexual assault offenses, that nations term for charges related to past conduct. Australian officials did not offer details of the alleged crimes, saying that Pell has a right to due process. Pell, Australias most senior Catholic prelate, has faced questions for years about his role in the Australian churchs staggering scale of sexual abuse. But he had never been directly charged. He is scheduled to appear before a Melbourne court on July 18. The Vatican, meanwhile, said that it learned of the charges with regret and that Francis appreciated the cardinals honesty and commitment during his three years in the Holy See. [Cardinal Pells rise in the church] Spokesman Greg Burke noted in the statement to reporters that Pell has repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable acts of abuse against minors. Francis has a mixed record on dealing with abuse, according to survivors and their advocates. He has done far more than his predecessors to try to prevent further crimes, but some critics say they are disappointed that he has sometimes appeared reluctant to punish priests for past abuses. The pope certainly does understand the effects of abuse, the horrible damage it does to victims, and he has made an effort. But on the other hand, we havent seen an enormous amount of change, said Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of clergy sexual abuse who quit Franciss commission in March because she was frustrated that few reforms were taking hold. I was more hopeful a few years ago than I was now, because Ive seen close up how difficult it is to get change, Collins said. It cant all be laid at the feet of Pope Francis. Defenders of Francis say he has held priests accountable, including as recently as last month, when he defrocked, or ejected from the priesthood, an Italian man, Mauro Inzoli, who was convicted of child sex abuse in an Italian court. The decision was announced Wednesday. Still, perhaps emblematic of Franciss record, the decision came only after he had reversed a previous move by Pope Benedict XVI to defrock the priest. Pells decision to face charges in Australia was seen as another positive signal by some Vatican watchers. These facts pertain to abuses that have been too long underestimated by the churchs mentality, and its only fair that they should not be downplayed, said Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican journalist who has co-written a book with Francis. The papal commissions work also has been moving forward, if slowly. One current member said she felt pleased about the recommendations the panel has made on the training of priests and the treatment of abuse victims. I am optimistic. Perhaps I am wrong. But I came to the commission with hope that we will be able to learn lessons from historical survivors and then to improve the protection of minors every day, said Catherine Bonnet, a French psychiatrist. But critics said that the charges were a sign that significant change at the Vatican will come only through outside pressure, not from within. Given the decades, maybe the centuries, they have known about these child sex crimes and have done so very, very little to make changes, I dont see them changing, said Barbara Dorris, the managing director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), an organization for victims. I think whats changing is society. Peter Saunders, a British abuse survivor who also served on the papal commission, agreed. The charges against Pell will probably rock the Vatican like nothing else has ever done, he said. Pell, who entered the priesthood in 1966, was an adviser to the bishop of Ballarat through the 1970s before becoming the archbishop of Melbourne, then of Sydney. One victim of sexual abuse in Ballarat, Peter Blenkiron, said Thursday that he did not feel any happiness about the charges against Pell, who oversaw education in the district in 1974, when Blenkiron was abused by a member of the churchs Christian Brothers order who was later convicted of pedophilia. [Pell grilled last year about absolutely scandalous abuse over the decades] There are so many families that have lost a parent and brothers and sisters. It is so raw in Ballarat, he said. Critics said they were unsure whether any changes will take hold. Francis has done some very important things, said Emiliano Fittipaldi, a journalist who has written about abuse. But the fight against pedophilia is not his priority, Birnbaum reported from Brussels and Patrick reported from Sydney. Anthony Faiola in Miami, Paul Schemm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. Read more: Top-ranking Vatican cardinal charge with sex offenses in Australia 2016: Top Vatican cardinal grilled about sex abuse by priests in Australia 2015: Vatican cardinal trailed by Australia sex abuse scandal Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news In forceful remarks before Germanys Parliament on Thursday, Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed to defend the international climate agreement spurned by the Trump administration, anticipating a difficult meeting of the leaders of the worlds major economies next week in Hamburg. Despite the withdrawal of the United States, the worlds second-largest polluter, the European Union remains committed to the Paris climate accord, Merkel said. But she was blunt about the obstacles posed by the American retreat from the deal, which was signed by 195 nations in an attempt to forge global consensus around limiting greenhouse gases. Since the U.S. announced that it would exit the Paris agreement, we cannot expect any easy talks in Hamburg, Merkel said, referring to the Group of 20 summit scheduled for July 7 and 8. The dissent is obvious, and it would be dishonest to cover it up. Without naming him, Merkel appeared to lament President Trumps uncertainty about human-induced climate change, saying, We cant, and we wont, wait until the last person on Earth is convinced of the scientific evidence for climate change. She said talks in Hamburg must serve the substance and aims of the Paris accord and insisted that she would not countenance calls to revise the agreement. She deemed the pact irreversible. Her pledge echoed a rare joint statement from Germany, France and Italy rebuking Trumps call to revise the agreement, which he said would have paralyzed American businesses and prevented the United States from conducting its own domestic affairs. [Inside Trumps climate decision: After fiery debate, he stayed where hes always been] A chasm separates Merkel and Trump and not just on climate as they head into the conference in the northern German port city of Hamburg. The German leader has said she also intends to make free trade and the shared burdens of managing the global refugee crisis focal points of the discussions. These principles stand in uneasy relationship with the America first doctrine that guides Trumps foreign policy. One of her goals, Merkel said, will be to send a clear signal for free markets and against isolationism, adding, Whoever believes that the worlds problems can be solved by isolationism and protectionism is making an enormous error. Merkel, who heads Europes most powerful economy, was preparing for the annual summit by hosting European heads of state in Berlin. In her speech Thursday morning, she reviewed the results of the European Council meeting last week in Brussels, where leaders began the protracted process of cutting Britain loose from the E.U. But she looked past that undertaking to affirm the strength of the European bloc the longevity of which has been tested over the past year and other multilateral institutions. The long-serving German chancellor was adamant that the business of strengthening the continent would not be bogged down by negotiations over the terms of the British exit. Especially important, she said, were avenues opened up by Franco-German cooperation, including new ideas to stabilize the euro zone. Merkel has said she is receptive to some of the ideas offered by French President Emmanuel Macron, such as installing a single finance minister and common budget for the euro zone. Elmar Brok, a member of the European Parliament and a close ally of Merkels, said working with France is critical to each of her European objectives from changes to the economic union to greater cooperation in security and defense. [NATO allies boost defense spending in the wake of Trump criticism] Trumps election and the decision of British voters to leave the E.U. were repudiations of Merkels vision of a liberal, integrated West. But they may end up giving new impetus to her longer-term European aims, Brok said. She has a great chance right now, said Brok, a member of the European Parliaments Committee on Foreign Affairs and its former chairman. There is a new European consciousness that we have to be stronger. At the same time, these efforts must be coupled with a sustained commitment to a close partnership with the United States, said Jurgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman for Merkels ruling coalition in Parliament. Hardt said Merkels speech was not a rejection of Trumps government but a rebuttal of his idea that the American people are best served by an inward-looking policy. Its not a fight against the U.S. but a fight for common values, he said, noting that Germany still depends on the United States to buy its exports and defend it militarily. We want a trustful partner in the U.S. on security but also on trade and economic issues to the benefit of U.S. citizens and European citizens. Read more Merkel calls U.K.s offer on post-Brexit rights of E.U. citizens a good start Trump faces his biggest trade decision yet Merkels pivot boosts hopes for gay marriage in Germany Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte holds a Chinese-made rifle during a ceremony for a gift of military weapons from China to the Philippines at the Clark air base in Pampanga province on Wednesday. (Presidential Photographers Division via European Pressphoto Agency) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is ending his first year in power the same way he began it with a call for crackdowns at any cost. Duterte swept to power on a promise to kill all drug users in the Philippines and eliminate drug use in a matter of months. Then in May, a flare-up of violence involving entrenched Islamist factions in the southern Philippines prompted him to declare martial law on the island of Mindanao. An estimated 9,000 people have been killed in his first year in office, earning him warnings of an investigation by the International Criminal Court and testing the Philippines close ties with the United States. [Gallery: Heart-wrenching scenes from the Philippine drug war] The deaths, rights groups say, occurred in late-night police raids with few witnesses or in shootings by masked gunmen on motorbikes often targeting people whom police had identified as suspects. In a statement ahead of the first anniversary Friday of Dutertes presidency, Human Rights Watch called his rule a human rights calamity. On Wednesday, as Philippine soldiers fought militants in the besieged southern city of Marawi on Mindanao, Duterte told troops to shoot without fear of consequence. Soldiers should not hesitate to engage just because there are civilians, he said. It is the duty of civilians to flee or seek cover. We will face charges, sometimes massacre, he said. You know a bullet hits through and through; one squeeze of the Armalite [rifle], it bursts out about three, four. Keep on pressing it. Duterte recently made headlines for rallying soldiers by talking about rape. He later claimed it was a joke. His latest comments were made as Washington and Beijing step into the battle against extremist groups operating in the southern Philippines. The fighting in Marawi on Dutertes home island of Mindanao has left about 400 dead. [Duterte plays a winning hand with foreign policy, but will his luck run out?] Although Duterte vowed early in his term to expel U.S. Special Operations forces from Mindanao, he has yet to do so. The U.S. military reportedly sent a P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft to Marawi at the request of the Philippine military. Now China is stepping in. On Wednesday, at a ceremony at a former U.S. air base north of Manila, Beijing presented Dutertes government with 3,000 Chinese-made assault and sniper rifles and about 6 million bullets. The donation is not big, but it is big in the sense that it marks a new era of relations between our two militaries, and it comes at the right time, said the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua. This is only the beginning, he added. The rush to fund Dutertes fight in Marawi comes despite widespread international criticism of his governments human rights record, most notably his calls to slaughter drug suspects. President Duterte took office promising to protect human rights, said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch. But [he] has instead spent his first year in office as a boisterous instigator for an unlawful killing campaign. Read more: Philippine police use chaos of Dutertes drug war to extort families in distress Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news They have come to pray for the health of loved ones. They have come to ask for help to pass a tough exam or just to get by in hard times. But mostly, they have come to be part of a once-in-a-millennium spiritual event: Saint Nicholas has come to town. Since relics of Russias most beloved saint were brought to Moscow on May 21, more than a million people have waited in line as long as 10 hours to spend just an instant at the gilded ark that holds one of his ribs. This mass act of devotion provides a snapshot of how important the Orthodox Church has become to Russians contemporary sense of identity. Lines to see the saint Russians call the miracle worker have stretched up to five miles from the giant, onion-domed Christ the Savior Cathedral, a reconstruction of a cathedral demolished by the Soviets in 1931. Some waited to ask for a miracle from Saint Nicholas, whose life inspired the legend of Santa Claus. But for many, the arrival of the relics, on loan for the first time from the Italian city where they rested for 930 years, is in itself a miracle worth witnessing. Its important to be close to the grace of Saint Nicholas, said Denis Knyazyev, 32, who drove four hours from his home west of Moscow to stand in line for Saint Nicholas last week. All saints are special, but this is the one most dear to us. What they see at the ark is an icon of Saint Nicholas, under a panel of bulletproof glass, with a crescent-shaped opening in the middle through which a bone is visible. As priests and burly security guards look on, a choir chants a harmonious prayer that echoes through the cavernous, ornate cathedral. But the music is drowned out by the stentorian instructions of volunteers in fluorescent-green vests. They warn worshipers to cross themselves before they reach the ark and to have their prayers ready, to avoid backing up the line. As soon as the faithful bend to kiss the glass, a volunteer grabs them by the shoulders and nudges them, usually lightly, toward the exit. Those who linger get a special shove and an order to move on. Another volunteer wipes the glass with a cloth. But if this brusque treatment bothered anyone, it did not show. People coming out of the cathedral on a recent Friday expressed something resembling a combination of bliss over what they had seen and relief that they had survived the ordeal. We were so afraid we wouldnt make it, a pregnant woman said through tears, as her husband comforted her. Danila, a 14-year-old Muscovite, said he had a magical feeling. His mother, who like many of the people visiting the relics did not give her name to an American reporter, added that it was like God had heard me. More than 70 percent of Russians identify themselves as Orthodox Christians, more than double the number at the time of the 1991 Soviet collapse. President Vladimir Putin, who has aligned his vision for his country as a bastion of conservative values with that of the Russian Orthodox Church, visited the relics the day they arrived in Moscow. [Putin searches for Russias national idea] But many Russians consider themselves only partially religious, said Natalya Zorkaya, a researcher for the Levada Center, Russias independent pollster. The interest in the relics represents a desire to become part of the process, to participate in an event organized not just by the Orthodox Church but also by the state. Russia is slowly starting to come out of a recession, and people frustrated by low living standards or corruption-ridden government are always looking for somewhere to turn. About 2 million wrote to Putin for his annual Direct Line call-in show in June to ask for things such as higher salaries, better roads and improved health care. But people go to see Saint Nicholas not just because they are frustrated and hoping for a miracle that Putin cant give them. The experience really appears to make them feel like they are part of something bigger. Zorkaya agreed, saying, This is a manifestation of a certain state identity with religious coloring. VTsIOM, a government-linked polling agency, found that only 10 percent of visitors to the relics ask for something more specific than good health for themselves and loved ones. One of those was Ruslan, 20, a law student who said that he had come because Im in the middle of exams and I hope it goes well. Another woman who rushed by quickly said that she was praying to get by in times like these. Russians have stood in lines by the hundreds of thousands before to witness religious relics. When a belt thought to have belonged to the Virgin Mary came to Russia in 2011, more than 3 million people saw it. [Russians wait in the cold to see a belt believed to have been worn by the Virgin Mary] But Saint Nicholas is special, said Maria Korovina, head of the Orthodox Churchs media center for special events, because of the role he plays in Russians lives and the way these relics got here. For 930 years, no one has seen them, she said. This is as though Saint Nicholas himself has come to Moscow. Nicholas, who died in A.D. 343, was the bishop of Myra, which is now in southern Turkey. One legendary attribute that led to the story of Santa Claus was his habit of giving gifts in secret. Believers say his remains produce a liquid called manna, or myrrh, said to have healing powers. In 1087, Italian sailors spirited the bones to Bari, Italy, where the remains have been kept in a crypt ever since. The decision to remove a rib and send it to Russia was a result of a historic meeting last year between Pope Francis and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill the first such encounter since the 11th-century Great Schism that divided Christianity. The remains will be taken to St. Petersburg on July 12 and returned to Italy at the end of the month. On a recent Sunday evening, as the line meandered along a fenced-off sidewalk on the Moscow River embankment, through well-guarded police checkpoints and past well-stocked food kiosks and portable toilets, people wrote down prayers for the health of their loved ones as they whiled away the hours. Some fretted over whether they would get in before the cathedral closed for the night. But there was no need to pray for a miracle. The doors stay open until the last worshiper in line has made it inside. Natalya Abbakumova contributed to this report. Read more: Russian found guilty of religious hatred for playing Pokemon Go in a church Pussy Riot members found guilty of hooliganism for concert in Russian church Putin takes heat from broke and angry Russians in call-in show Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Iraqs prime minister on Thursday declared the end of the Islamic States grip on Iraqi territory as government forces recaptured the site of a historic mosque in Mosul that had once been the symbolic center of the groups self-declared caliphate. Counterterrorism troops retook the area of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri and advanced through the remaining contested streets of Mosul, Iraqs military said in a statement. The mosque itself was reduced to little more than rubble by the militants last week, but Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said retaking it signaled the demise of the groups state in Iraq. The 12th-century mosque, famed for its leaning minaret, holds huge significance for the Islamic State as the place where, in July 2014, the organizations leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, made his only known public appearance, calling on Muslims around the world to obey him as leader of the groups newly created caliphate. Just weeks before, the militants had scored a stunning victory over Iraqs armed forces in Mosul. The militants had captured the city within days. Iraqs battle to retake it has stretched on for nearly nine grueling months, and the military and the citys civilians have suffered heavy casualties. [ISIS blows up historic mosque in Mosul, Iraqi military says] Once home to more than 2 million people, the city was by far the largest the militants ever controlled. Now, only about half a square mile of winding narrow streets in the ancient Old City has yet to be recaptured. Iraqi commanders say they are facing stiff resistance as they fight house to house with militants who now have no way of escape. We will keep following Daesh until we kill and capture the last member, Abadi said in the statement, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. But even as the battle of Mosul nears an end, the group is far from being eradicated. The Islamic States black flag still flies over the towns of Tal Afar to the west, and Hawijah to the south. The militants also control stretches of the border with Syria, where U.S.-backed forces are battling to oust the fighters from Raqqa, their main stronghold there. Mosul has witnessed two major counterattacks in recent weeks, assisted by sleeper cells in areas supposedly long cleared of the militants, an indication of the remaining challenges. Hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced, with the International Rescue Committee warning that many difficult months lie ahead for those who were forced to flee or lived under the Islamic States rule. Even once all territory has been cleared of ISIS fighters and unexploded mines, ISIS will continue to terrorize lives of people across Iraq, said Wendy Taeuber, the groups Iraq country director. The horrors ISIS inflicted on the residents of Mosul left huge wounds, not only in the social fabric of the city but also in the minds of people. After a dawn assault, Iraqs counterterrorism troops moved past the mosque but have not entered the remains of the building yet because it may be rigged with explosives, said Lt. Gen. Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, head of the force. Asadi said he expected the battle to be over within a week. Counterterrorism forces were about to launch an offensive to retake the Nuri mosque a week ago when it was destroyed. The Iraqi military released video footage that it said showed the moment that the militants detonated explosive charges in the building and its minaret nicknamed the hadba, or hunchback, for its distinctive tilt. The Islamic State-affiliated news channel Amaq maintained that a coalition airstrike was responsible for the destruction of the mosque. Experts say that footage released by the Iraqi military appears to show a blast emanating from the building rather than an airstrike from above. Read more: Mosuls Old City waits for salvation amid death, death, death Final stages of Mosul battle will be extremely violent, U.S. commander says Inside the battle for Mosul Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Employees read a ransomware demand for the payment of $300 worth of bitcoin on company computers infected by the Petya software virus inside a retail store in Kiev, Ukraine, on June 28. (Vincent Mundy/Bloomberg News) The cyber attack that crippled computer systems in Ukraine and other countries this week employed a ruse the appearance of being ransomware that seems designed to deflect attention from the attackers true identity, security researchers said. And many companies initially fell for it. The first reports out of cybersecurity firms on Monday, when news of the attack hit, was that a new variant of WannaCry, a virus that encrypted data and demanded a ransom to restore it, was on the loose. In fact, a number of researchers said this week, the malware which researchers are calling NotPetya does not encrypt data, but wipes its victims computers. If the data is not backed up, its lost, they said. It definitely wasnt ransomware and wasnt financially motivated, said Jake Williams, founder of Rendition Infosec, a cybersecurity firm, which has analyzed the virus. The goal was to cause disruption in computer networks. Moreover, the email address to make a payment to retrieve data is no longer accessible, said Matt Suiche, a hacker and founder of Comae Technologies, a cybersecurity firm. He said in a blog post this week that the ransomware feint was probably a way to make people think some mysterious hacker group was behind the attack rather than a nation state. The fact of pretending to be a ransomware while being in fact a nation-state attack . . . is in our opinion a very subtle way for the attacker to control the narrative of the attack, Suiche said. Security researchers cautioned that it is too early to know for sure who is behind it. But some say that the targeting and distribution method of the malware point to Russia. More than half the victimized computers were in Ukraine, including banks, energy firms and an airport. Russia, which has annexed Crimea and has backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, has carried out an aggressive campaign of cyberattacks and harassment there. In December, Russian government hackers disrupted the power grid in Kiev. A year earlier, they knocked out power in western Ukraine. In this case, to get into victims computers, attackers infected a financial software program in Ukraine, called MEDoc, that delivers software updates to businesses through the Internet. Thats called a watering hole attack, which targets users who navigate to the site for updates or to browse. It is also a tactic that Russian government hackers have used in the past to compromise industrial control system networks, Williams noted. MEDoc is one of only two software options Ukrainian businesses have to pay their taxes, noted Lesley Carhart, an information security expert. This was a clever choice for several reasons, she noted in a blog post, including that the distribution base within the country was extremely comprehensive as many companies used the software. NotPetya did not spread across the open Internet, she said in an email. Its tactic was to compromise a few computers inside a network once the hacker got in, say, by delivering the malware through MEDoc. Then it could rapidly spread to other computers in the same network using a variety of other methods. While most patient zero computers were in Ukraine . . . the corporate networks those computers [connect to] could potentially span the globe, and infection could also spread to any customers, partners, or vendors with whom they had unrestricted network connections and shared accounts, she said. That might explain how U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck, the Danish shipping firm Maerskeven and the Russian oil company Rosneft became infected. The Rosneft infection might be an unintended consequence collateral damage, Williams said. Valentyn Petrov, head of the information security service at Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said that the attacks timing, on the eve of Ukraines Constitution Day, indicated this was a political attack. We are in an interesting test phase in which Russia is using modern cyberweapons, Petrov said, and everyone is interested to see how it is working and how threats can be countered. David Filipov in Moscow contributed to this report. Williamson, WV (25661) Today Rain. High 68F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Cloudy with light rain this evening. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Welcome to The Independent Herald E-Edition! Check back each week on Tuesday to see our[Read More] It was March 2020, and the world was closing down as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. At first, the news of... Best Buy Co., Inc. retails technology products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Domestic and International. Its stores provide computing products, such as desktops, notebooks, and peripherals; mobile phones comprising related mobile network carrier commissions; networking products; tablets covering e-readers; smartwatches; and consumer electronics consisting of digital imaging, health and fitness, home theater, portable audio comprising headphones and portable speakers, and smart home products. The company's stores also offer appliances, such as dishwashers, laundry, ovens, refrigerators, blenders, coffee makers, and vacuums; entertainment products consisting of drones, peripherals, movies, music, and toys, as well as gaming hardware and software, and virtual reality and other software products; and other products, such as baby, food and beverage, luggage, outdoor living, and sporting goods. In addition, it provides consultation, delivery, design, health-related, installation, memberships, repair, set-up, technical support, and warranty-related services. The company offers its products through stores and websites under the Best Buy, Best Buy Ads, Best Buy Business, Best Buy Health, CST, Current Health, Geek Squad, Lively, Magnolia, Best Buy Mobile, Pacific Kitchen, Home, and Yardbird, as well as domain names bestbuy.com, currenthealth.com, lively.com, yardbird.com, and bestbuy.ca. As of January 30, 2022, it had 1,144 stores. The company was formerly known as Sound of Music, Inc. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota. The Australian Greens lurched closer toward an open split when the majority of its parliamentary representatives voted on Wednesday to suspend New South Wales (NSW) left Senator Lee Rhiannon from its party-room discussions and decision-making. Rhiannons suspension is unprecedented in the Greens history. It is the outcome of furious recriminations over her public vow to join with the Labor Party and vote against the Liberal-National Coalition governments school funding legislation, which copied but substantially modified a 2016 Labor election promise. She made her statement despite the Greens being engaged in back-room negotiations with the government to support the measures. The Coalition holds only 29 of the 76 seats in the Senate, the upper house of the Australian parliament. To pass legislation, it needs the support of at least 10 senators from other parties. The Greens have nine. Apart from Labor, other parties and independents have 12, so the government can bypass the Greens altogether. Rhiannons opposition prevented the Greens from offering the Coalition a united front. Instead of continuing to talk with Greens leader Richard Di Natale and education spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young, the government made a deal with the right-wing populist One Nation and Nick Xenophon parties and three other senators. The legislation passed in the early hours of June 23, without any kudos flowing the Greens way. Eight Greens senators, as well as its single member in the lower house, Adam Bandt, filed a bitter letter of complaint against Rhiannon to the organisations National Council last weekend, accusing her of disloyalty and disruption. One of the factions immediately leaked the letter to the media. It provoked public denunciations of the Greens leadership by the NSW state branch, which said Rhiannon opposed the legislation in line with state policy that she was bound to uphold. With talk of a potential split, Di Natale and the others backed away from expelling Rhiannon. Instead, they said she will not be re-admitted to the party room until the NSW branch changes its constitution to remove clauses that bind members of parliament to support its program. Indicating that the conflict is far from resolved, Rhiannon and Bandt, who also identifies as a left, voted against the disciplinary action. At stake is the Greens political orientation. While claiming to be an alternative to the big business partiesthe Coalition and Laborit has promoted the notion that Labor is the lesser evil of the two. It has built up a base of support in urban middle-class areas with the argument that Greens control of the Senate, known as the balance of power, can pressure Labor governments to enact more progressive and environmentally friendly measures, or help Labor block legislation proposed by conservative Coalition governments. The Greens parliamentary highpoint thus far came between 2010 and 2013 when it served as the de facto partner of the minority Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. In return for access to the corridors of power, the Greens assisted Labor enact reactionary legislation such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which privatises disability services. The Greens-backed government also adopted a militarist anti-China foreign policy stance and signed new strategic agreements with the US, including expanded basing arrangements in Australia for American troops, aircraft and warships. Since 2013, when Labor lost office, the Greens fortunes have declined. It has not benefited from the growing hostility to the major parties. Instead, its vote has fallen. In the 2016 election, the Greens openly stated it would form a coalition with Labor and take ministries in the cabinet. The outcome, however, was a debacle. The Greens lost a senate seat, while other third parties increased the number of seats they hold, depriving the Greens of the balance of power. For several years now, debate within the Greens has centred on how to demonstrate its parliamentary relevance. Di Natalesupported by former leader Bob Brownhas indicated a desire to repudiate its antagonistic stance toward the Coalition. The education funding issue presented another opportunity for the Greens to prove it was prepared to defy Labor and conduct pragmatic negotiations with the government. Labors school-funding model, known as Gonski after the businessman who proposed it in 2011, sought to justify pouring billions of dollars into the private school sector via a supposed needs-based criteria. Resources are allocated to schools regardless of whether they are publicly-run or private fee-charging institutions. The model was intended to dovetail with the gradual privatisation of education, which is seeing more private schools open in direct competition with the cash-starved public school system. Needs criteria notwithstanding, Gonski was crafted to ensure that elite private colleges continued to receive annual injections of millions of dollars. The Gonski model was revived this year by the federal government of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull but with some $22 billion less funding over 10 years than Labor promised during the 2016 election. The Coalition and the Greens education spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young responded to Labors agitation over the issue by accusing it of making promises it had no intention of meeting. Labor nevertheless signaled that it intends to make the alleged cut to education funding a key issue in its campaign to regain office. The Australian Education Union (AEU) and other trade unions, which have collaborated in the running-down of public schools and slashing of teachers working conditions, are cynically using their resources to promote Labor as defenders of greater equality in education. Rhiannon personifies a minority within the Greens who are firmly orientated to Labor and the trade unions, but try to present themselves as further to the left on most issues. Their greatest concern is that the entire political establishmentincluding the Greenscould be by-passed by an eruption of the seething discontent in the working class over ever-widening social inequality and declining living standards. The Left Renewal faction of the Greens, formed in NSW late last year, has proposed that the party adopt more explicitly anti-capitalist language, echoing the demagogy of figures such as Bernie Sanders in the US and British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. While Rhiannon is not formally a member of Left Renewal, its public representatives are close to her politically. Such left posturing is viewed with hostility by Di Natale, Brown and others in the parliamentary and organisational hierarchy of the Greens. The membership and voter base of the Greens does not come from the working class, but privileged sections of the middle class. It receives much of its financial support from green business figures, in fields such as clean energy and transport, information technology and agriculture, who view the Greens as a pressure group on behalf of their corporate ambitions. They have no interest in the promotion of pseudo-socialist rhetoric that could generate expectations in the working class for genuine social change. The antagonism between the two factions has only intensified since Rhiannons suspension. The NSW branch declared the actions of the parliamentary majority to be unconstitutional and an attack on the rights of Greens members. Bruce Knobloch, a NSW member of the national council, publicly called for Di Natale to resign as leader. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has protested to its mighty neighbour China over road building in disputed territory that set off new frictions between Beijing and the Indian government on Thursday. China made a new demand on Thursday that Indian troops return to their side of the border between India's Sikkim state and Tibet on the Chinese side. Highlighting the widening tensions over the remote mountain zone, Bhutan's ambassador to New Delhi, Vetsop Namgyel, said his government had called on China's People's Liberation Army to stop building the road near where the Bhutan, Indian and Chinese borders meet. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here," Namgyel told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency. He said the road was "in violation of an agreement between the two countries." Bhutan, which has a population of less than 800,000, and China do not have formal relations but maintain contacts through their missions in New Delhi. "Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquility should be maintained," the ambassador said. There is a dispute over the sovereignty of the district, which China calls Donglang. The showdown is, however, part of a wider dispute between India and China over the 4,057 kilometer (2,520 mile) border through mountain passes. India's army chief, General Bipin Rawat, travelled to Sikkim on Thursday, just days after Beijing accused Indian border guards of crossing into its territory to stop the construction of the road. - Border 'scuffle' - Indian media reports said there had been a "scuffle" between Indian and Chinese troops after PLA soldiers damaged two old Indian bunkers. China has since stopped pilgrims crossing into Tibet to visit a mountain revered as the home of the Hindu god Shiva because of the showdown, the reports added. The Indian government has not commented on the tensions. Story continues India and China have long disputed parts of their frontier in the Himalayas. In 1962 there was a brief war over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. In 2014, Chinese troops moved into Sikkim territory claimed by India sparking a two week standoff. Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest of India's states, but its location gives it strategic importance. While India has remained silent over the dispute, China has angrily reinforced its claim that it has every right to build the road despite Bhutan's protests. Lu Kang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, made a new demand on Thursday that Indian troops withdraw from Chinese territory. India has not acknowledged that its soldiers are across the border. "The reality is that the Indian troops illegally trespassed into the territory" of China, Lu told a Beijing briefing. "Truth cannot be covered up, and we again urge the Indian side to abide by the historical boundary convention, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops back to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid any escalations." Lu said China would release photos of Indian soldiers in Chinese territory. China says the Sikkim-Tibet border was decided under a 1890 accord with Britain. burs-tw/cc/ceb Liquid water comes in two forms low density and high density, scientists have found. The findings add to the anomalous properties of this ubiquitous, life-giving liquid, which is like no other on Earth. "The new remarkable property is that we find that water can exist as two different liquids at low temperatures where ice crystallization is slow," Anders Nilsson, a chemical physicist at Stockholm University in Sweden, said in a statement. [The Mysterious Physics of 7 Everyday Things] Essential element for life Water is essential for life (at least on Earth). And wherever liquid water exists whether it's in icebound lakes or scalding hydrothermal vents tiny microbes have been found. That is why scientists have been excited by the possibility of salty water flows and other evidence of ancient water on Mars it means there may well have been life early on in the Red Planet's history. It turns out that water has strange physical properties found in no other liquids known to scientists. For one, it can exist in all three phases at Earth-like temperatures and pressures. For another, its molecular configuration two hydrogens mated to an oxygen molecule creates strong polarity, or a highly positively charged region and a highly negatively charged region. That, in turn, allows almost any substance to be dissolved in it; in that way, substances such as calcium ions can travel (dissolved) within water into and out of a cell, for instance, Brian Glazer, an oceanographer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, who has studied astrobiology, previously told Live Science. Already, scientists have identified 70 properties of liquid water that differ from other liquid substances. Researchers have long known that ice can exist in two solid forms: a highly ordered, crystalline form with individual molecules neatly lined up in a repeating pattern, and an amorphous version, where the molecules are scattered more haphazardly. In fact, this amorphous ice is the most abundant type on our planet, and can transform between both a low- and high-density version. Story continues Two phases of liquid water Scientists wondered whether a similar transition may occur in liquid water. To find out, Nilsson and his colleagues used X-rays to track the distance between individual molecules of H20 at low temperatures. Using this technique, they watched as the water transitioned from an amorphous, glassy, frozen liquid state (essentially, uncrystallized ice), to a viscous liquid, and then almost immediately to another, more viscous liquid with a lower density, the researchers reported today (June 26) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings shed new light on the bizarre behavior of liquid water. "The new results give very strong support to a picture where water at room temperature can't decide in which of the two forms it should be, high or low density, which results in local fluctuations between the two," study co-author Lars G.M. Pettersson, a theoretical chemical physicist at Stockholm University, said in the statement. "In a nutshell: Water is not a complicated liquid, but two simple liquids with a complicated relationship." Originally published on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations By Kim Palmer CLEVELAND (Reuters) - An Ohio man convicted of fatally shooting his brother, a pastor, during a Sunday morning church service in 2016 was sentenced on Wednesday to 31 years to life in prison, prosecutors said. Daniel Schooler, 69, was sentenced to a range of 15 years to life for murder and an additional three years for using a firearm in the crime after a jury found him guilty earlier in June, Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr said in a statement. Schooler had been charged in the death of Reverend William Schooler, 70, at St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton. Daniel Schooler's attorney, Jay Carter, could not be reached to comment. In a separate trial, for which Schooler also was sentenced on Wednesday, he received another 13 years for his conviction on a second weapons count and a repeat violent offender charge, Heck said. Montgomery County Judge Steven Dankof ruled the sentences in both cases would be served consecutively. The pastor was shot four times on Feb. 28, 2016, with a stolen .380 caliber handgun in the church office, with the final shot witnessed by Helen Schooler, his wife of 49 years, according to court documents. In 2011, Daniel Schooler filed a lawsuit against his brother, seeking $25,000, in a dispute over their parents' estate, according to court documents. The case was eventually dismissed by a Montgomery County judge. In 2001, Schooler was convicted of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and given five years' probation, according to court documents. The following year, Schooler was also charged with kidnapping and felonious assault with a weapon, according to court documents. He was eventually convicted of the assault charge and sentenced to two years in prison, according to the documents. (Editing by Ben Klayman and Matthew Lewis) China on Wednesday donated thousands of guns to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to help Manila in its battle against Islamist gunmen who are holed up in a southern city. The small shipment of assault and sniper rifles and ammunition is the first example of Chinese military aid since Duterte threatened to move away from Manila's traditional ally America and seek Beijing's support. The weapons shipment, worth some 50 million yuan ($7.35 million) "highlights the dawn of a new era in Philippine-Chinese relations", Duterte said. Hours earlier, the military said they had found the bodies of 17 civilians killed by the Islamists, self-styled followers of the Islamic State movement (IS) who have besieged the city of Marawi since May 23. Philippine troops, backed by airstrikes and artillery, have battled for over a month to drive the extremists out of Marawi but the militants have fought back. Nearly 400 people have been killed, including 290 militants and 70 troops, according to official figures. Most of Marawi's 200,000 residents have fled and much of the city is in ruins. "We are almost on bended knees sometimes because of lack of equipment. It is a good thing we have a good friend like China who is very understanding," Duterte said. Duterte has been reluctant to acknowledge American help, saying recently that he had no knowledge about US technical assistance to the troops fighting in Marawi. The Philippines, which has a mutual defence treaty with the United States, has long relied on US-supplied arms. But in a swipe at America -- which has criticised his flagship war on drugs -- Duterte has said he will seek more weapons from China and Russia. Chinese ambassador Zhao Jianhua, who formally handed over the weapons, said a "second batch" of weapons would soon be delivered. "The donation is not big but it is big in the sense that it marks a new era in relations between our two militaries," the ambassador said. "The Chinese side would like to explore the possibility of joint training, intelligence sharing and joint military exercises in the area of fighting terrorism," he added. Duterte, who had declared martial law in the southern Philippines due to the Marawi siege, said he would not lift it until the military and police said conditions were safe. Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo was released from prison on medical parole after being diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer, the Chinese government confirmed in a statement released late Monday. Sixty-one-year-old Xiaobo was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer in May, and was hospitalized soon after. Read: Democracy Is Nothing To Fear, Taiwan Tells China On Tiananmen Anniversary "The No. 1 Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University (in Shenyang) has formed a medical team comprised of eight nationally renowned oncologists and drawn up a treatment plan," the statement said, CNN reported. Xiaobo was the first Chinese citizen to win the Noble Peace Prize in 2010 for his long and peaceful campaign for human rights in the country. However, Xiabo could not receive the award in person as he was in prison at that time. He was represented by an empty chair at the ceremony. Xiaobo first came into public prominence in 1989 during a suppression of protestors at Beijings Tiananmen Sqaure. He was arrested for two years and was released in 1991, according to a BBC report. During the agitation, Xiaobo was offered asylum in the Australian embassy. But he refused the offer and chose to stay in China to continue his fight for democracy. "The massacre in 1989 made a very deep impression on me," he said in an interview he gave to the BBC in 2008. In 1996, he was sentenced for three years in a camp for speaking out about China's one-party political system. He, however, continued to discuss a range of taboo subjects including criticizing China's treatment of Tibetans. He received several recognitions for his work over the years. Xiaobo was again arrested in 2008 after he co-authored a manifesto, "Charter 08". He called for a political change in China with his charter demanding freedom of expression, an independent judiciary and freedom of association. It was signed by over 300 Chinese human rights activists, reports said. Two days before the charter was due to be published, the police made a late-night raid on Xiaobo's home and took him away. His wife Liu Xia, at that time, said she could not initially find out what happened to him because the authorities did not initially agree that they took him. Story continues Liu Xia has been under house arrest since her husband won the Nobel Prize in 2010 but she has never been charged. A video in which she can is seen crying and talking about her husband's condition was shared online late Monday. "(They) cannot perform surgery, cannot perform radiotherapy, cannot perform chemotherapy," Liu Xia said in the video. It was not clear when the video was filmed, Reuters reported. Read: Did China Hack The CIA In Massive Intelligence Breach From 2010 To 2012? While Xiaobo has earned several acclaims for his work around the globe, most people in China have not heard about him due to the censorship of news in the country. His transfer to hospital by no means guarantees that his family and friends family will be able to visit him, the BBC report said. U.S. has also called for Xiaobos release. "We call on the Chinese authorities to not only release Mr. Liu, but also to allow his wife, Ms Liu Xia, out of house arrest," Mary Beth Polley, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, was quoted as saying in the Reuters report. Related Articles BEIJING (Reuters) - Australia has been spying on China's embassy and "harassing" Chinese people to provide intelligence, an influential state-run newspaper said on Thursday, citing a security source. China and Australia have close business and economic ties, but Beijing is deeply suspicious of Canberra's defense relationship with Washington. Quoting an unidentified official with "China's national security department", the Global Times tabloid said the Australian government was spying on China and monitoring Chinese people in Australia. "The national security department staffer said Australia's agents in disguise would get close to Chinese people working or living overseas to collect information or even encourage them to subvert China," the report said. "Meanwhile, in the name of avoiding 'Chinese spy threats', Australian intelligence operatives are closely monitoring Chinese people and the Chinese Embassy in Australia," it said. The report said "many" Chinese people had been interviewed or harassed and were being required to give information about Chinese communities and the Chinese Embassy. "Some of the Chinese people were even sent back to China to gather information," it said. Chinese authorities have found "many eavesdropping devices at the embassy", which had forced the government to renovate it, the employee told the newspaper, which is published by the official People's Daily. "We are highly vigilant against any country that attempts to endanger China's safety and will take the necessary steps in response," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said when asked about the Global Times article. Lu did not confirm the accuracy of the report, but said: "Recently some Australian media reports have hyped so-called Chinese spies in Australia. I am interested to hear what those media think about the Global Times article." It was not possible to reach China's Ministry of State Security for comment as the ministry has no publicly available telephone number or website. Neither the Australian foreign minister's office nor the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded immediately to a request for comment about the Global Times article. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook in SYDNEY and Christian Shepherd in Beijing; Editing by Paul Tait and Nick Macfie) Former police officer Oscar Perez piloted a stolen helicopter from which four grenades were dropped on the Venezuelas supreme court building on Tuesday. Perez, whose location is currently unknown, said in an Instagram caption that he and his cohort are a coalition of military employees, policemen and civilians who are looking for balance and are against this criminal government. In addition to dropping grenades on the court, the group also appears to have fired multiple shots at the Interior Ministry and flown a banner over Caracas emblazoned with the words, 350 Freedom, a reference to clause 350 in the Venezuelan constitution that guarantees the right of the Venezuelan people to oppose an undemocratic government. President Nicolas Maduro denounced the incident as a terrorist attack. But Maduros regime, which has postponed elections and aims to rewrite the constitution, is taking heat not just from thousands of protesters whove been in the streets for months, but also more prominent figures, namely state prosecutor Luisa Ortega. Protests against the Maduro government began in earnest in April after the Supreme Court, widely seen as an extension of the regime, tried to usurp the duties of the National Assembly, a last bastion of the opposition. That decision was mostly reversed, but the opposition has not been moved, even as Maduro digs in his heels and the Organization of American States proves unable to come to a resolution on what to do about Venezuela. Perezs helicopter stunt is significant in that some experts expect the military will take the first steps to oust Maduro. And while Perezs faction appears, at least so far, to be tiny, meaning the move was more of a demonstration and less the attempted coup Maduro quickly said it was, it could perhaps represent the first flutterings of discontent within the military. Maduro has maintained that he has complete loyalty in the barracks, even while detaining at least 65 soldiers, including many junior officers. Story continues The former bus driver seemed determined to avoid any contagion. I have activated the entire armed forces to defend the peace, he said. It appears no one was injured in Tuesdays activities, but, Maduro warned, There could have been dozens of deaths. Where there actually have been dozens of deaths has come in the streets, in clashes with Maduros security forces: At least 75 people have died in the anti-government protests. Photo credit: FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images After President Trump spent part of his Thursday morning attacking MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski, his wife, Melania, defended the actions despite stating during the campaign that she would make the fight against cyberbullying her priority as first lady. President Trump called Brzezinski low IQ and said he refused her entry to a New Years Eve party when she was bleeding from a face-lift. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 As First Lady has stated publiclywhen her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder, Melanias communications director said in regards to the latest online insults hurled by the president. Melania Trumps stance is a departure from her attitude during the campaign, when she focused on children but noted the overall dangers of online attacks. She specifically singled out people who criticize looks or intelligence. Technology has changed our universe. But like anything that is powerful, it can have a bad side, she said during a rare speaking appearance at a November rally. We have seen these already. As adults, many of us are able to handle mean words, even lies. Children and teenagers can be fragile. They are hurt when they are made fun of or made to feel less in looks or intelligence. This makes their life hard and can force them to hide and retreat. Our culture has gotten too mean and too rough, especially to children and teenagers. It is never OK when a 12-year-old girl or boy is mocked, bullied, or attacked. It is terrible when that happens on the playground. And it is absolutely unacceptable when it is done by someone with no name hiding on the Internet. Story continues We have to find a better way to talk to each other, to disagree with each other, to respect each other, she continued. We must find better ways to honor and support the basic goodness of our children, especially in social media. It will be one of the main focuses of my work if Im privileged enough to become your first lady. Melania Trump and President Trump (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters) The disconnect between Melania Trumps promise and her husbands campaign tactics were quickly noted. Lady Gaga, the pop star and antibullying advocate, tweeted at her, saying, to say u will stand for anti-bullying is hypocrisy. Your husband is 1 of the most notorious bullies we have ever witnessed. And through five months of a Trump White House, there has been no movement on Melanias program as the president continues to use his platform to attack everyone from his predecessor to a union leader in Indianapolis to Snoop Dogg. Mrs. Trump is being very thoughtful when it comes to building out her initiatives, said spokesperson Stephanie Grisham in a May statement to USA Today, adding that she values quality over quantity in assembling her staff. However, a White House official told Politico earlier this month that the issue was no longer a priority. According to that story, Its still not clear exactly what initiative Melania Trump will make her platform during the campaign, she said she would use the role of first lady to speak out against cyberbullying. But that initiative has since been cast aside, another White House official said. It went on to say, Her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, claimed Melania Trump is still passionate about the issue, even though she has yet to highlight it in any public appearance. While cyber-bullying is something she speaks out against, that is but one subset of her focus around the overall wellness of children, Grisham said in an email. The first lady has not mentioned bullying of any kind since taking office and has not outlined any other planned proposals. Read more from Yahoo News: On the safest route James and Rachel Sillivan Cabin, Pennville [formerly Camden], Indiana. (Photograph by Jeanine Michna-Bales) The Underground Railroad has been described as the first civil rights movement in the United States because it blurred racial, gender, religious, and socioeconomic lines and united people in the common cause of ending the injustice of slavery. Andrew J. Young (from the book foreword) _____ They left in the middle of the night often carrying little more than the knowledge to follow the North Star. In the decades prior to the Civil War in 1865, an estimated one hundred thousand slaves became passengers on the Underground Railroad, a journey of untold hardship, in search of freedom. In Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad, a traveling exhibition which opened June 23 at the Griot Museum of Black History American photographer Jeanine Michna-Bales presents a remarkable series of images taken in the dead of night that reveal historical sites, cities and places that freedom-seekers passed through, including homes of abolitionists who offered them sanctuary. Michna-Bales haunting photographs follow a route from the cotton plantations of central Louisiana, through the cypress swamps of Mississippi and the plains of Indiana, north into Canada a path of nearly fourteen hundred miles. They evoke the constant fear these night travelers must have felt of being killed or recaptured as they traversed harsh terrain and ominous river crossings guided from one secret, safe location to the next by the ever-changing clandestine group known as the Underground Railroad. The culmination of a ten-year research quest, Through Darkness to Light imagines an epic journey to liberty as it might have appeared to any freedom seeker. Framing the powerful visual narrative in the accompanying book is an introduction by Michna-Bales; a foreword by noted politician, pastor, and civil rights activist Andrew J. Young; and essays by historian and author Fergus M. Bordewich; Robert F. Darden, a professor of journalism, public relations, and new media at Baylor University; and Eric R. Jackson, author and associate professor of history and director of the Black Studies Department at Northern Kentucky University. The photographs in the monograph are punctuated by the powerful voices and testimonies of slaves and abolitionists, including Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, as well as excerpts from African-American spirituals that evoke freedom and escape. Story continues A slave referred to as William, Slave and Half Brother to a United States Senator is quoted as saying: The man I called Master was my half brother. My mother was a better woman than his, and I was the smartest boy of the two, but while he had a right smart chance at school, I was whipped if I asked the name of the letters that spell the name of the God that made us both of one blood. Harriet Tubman, who saved dozens of slaves while risking her own freedom is quoted as observing: I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person now I was free. There was such a glory over everything, the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in heaven. Jeanine Michna-Bales is a Dallas-based photographer whose work explores the relationships between what has occurred, or is occurring, in society and how people react to those events. She meticulously researches each topic considering different viewpoints, causes and effects, and political climates and often incorporates found or archival text and audio into her projects. Images from her Underground Railroad series have appeared in group shows around the U.S., including Moving Walls 23: Journeys at Open Society Foundations in New York City and Southern Exposure: Portraits of a Changing Landscape at MOCA, Jacksonville, Fla. Michna-Bales was most recently awarded the 2016 Documentarian of The American South Collection Award from the Archive of Documentary Arts at Duke University. She was given the top Portfolio Review Prize at PhotoNOLA 2015, resulting in a solo show at the New Orleans Photo Alliance Gallery during PhotoNOLA 2016. She was also part of Critical Mass Top 50 of 2014, among other honors. The book is available at Princeton Architectural Press. Through darkness to light by Jeanine Michna-Bales traveling exhibit on view June 23 August 11, 2017 at The Griot Museum of Black History in St. Louis, Mo. See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr. Death Note is a popular manga property that, over the past decade-plus, has spawned an anime series and three Japanese movies the first of which, directed by Shusuke Kaneko in 2006, is downright awful, with arguably the worst CGI in the history of cinema. Thus, Netflixs upcoming English language adaptation can only be an improvement on its predecessor and that expectation is bolstered by the films latest trailer, which has now arrived ahead of its late-summer release on the streaming service. Directed by Adam Wingard (Blair Witch, the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong), Death Note stars Nat Wolff as Light Turner, a teenager who discovers a notebook that grants an unholy supernatural power: If you write in its pages the name of a person whose face you know, they promptly die. This ability comes courtesy of Ryuk (voiced, creepily, by Willem Dafoe), a death god who becomes Nats spectral sidekick as he embarks on a quest alongside his girlfriend Mia (Margaret Qualley) to rid the world of its worst elements, all under the deity-like moniker Kira. Those efforts dont go unnoticed, however, as he finds himself pitted against a computer-genius detective named L (Keith Stanfield), whos soon hot on Nats trail. More of a horror-ish cat-and-mouse game than an outright thriller, Death Note will look to kick-start an Americanized version of the franchise when it arrives exclusively on Netflix on August 25. Willem Dafoe Role Recall: His Memories of Platoon, Spider-Man, Finding Nemo (I Never Thought Id Be a Talking Fish): Read more from Yahoo Movies: Mr Trump has had something of a love-hate relationship with the hosts of 'Morning Joe': Reuters Just when you think Donald Trump's Twitter feed cannot sink much lower, he proves everyone wrong again. In his latest messages, posted shortly after the conclusion of the "Morning Joe" breakfast show on MSNBC, the President fired off an unpleasant attack about its hosts, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (dont watch anymore), he wrote. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 Then how come low IQ Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Years Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! A White House spokeswoman is defending President Donald Trump's tweets attacking two cable television hosts, saying he fights fire with fire. Defending the tweets - White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Fox News the president has never been someone who gets attacked and doesn't push back. Ms Sanders said "Morning Joe" has made an outrageous number of personal attacks on the president and says Trump fights fire with fire and certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by liberal media and the liberal elites within the media or Hollywood or anywhere else. Reaction to Mr Trumps comments was immediate and strident. NBC journalist Katy Tur, wrote: Doesn't the President of the United States have anything better to do? Mark Kornblau, the head of PR for NBC News and MSNBC, also weighed in, saying: Never imagined a day when I would think to myself, 'it is beneath my dignity to respond to the President of the United States'. Yet the best response was almost certainly from Ms Brzezinski, the daughter of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, the national security advisor to Jimmy Carter. Story continues She tweeted a photograph of the back of a box of Cheerios cereal, bearing the phrase Made for little hands. During the campaign, Mr Trump was mocked after he got angry when it was suggested he had small hands, and perhaps small genitalia. Look at those hands, are they small hands, Mr Trump said during a Republican primary debate, raising them for viewers to see. And, he referred to my hands - if they're small, something else must be small. I guarantee you theres no problem. I guarantee. For a number of months when Mr Trump was campaigning for the White House, the New York tycoon appeared on the morning show several times. Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America. Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 29, 2017 Mr Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, was criticised by a number of people for being too close to Mr Trump. Among the things he found himself having to defend, was the anchors presence at Mr Trump New Years Eve party at his Florida estate. Well, we did what anybody at CNN or the New York Times or 60 Minutes or any other news agency would do, he said. We talked about an interview, that wed like to set up an interview with him around the time of the inauguration. Obviously there have been a lot of tough things said on both sides. Brussels (AFP) - The European Union on Wednesday formally rolled over damaging economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, saying Moscow had failed to live up to its Ukraine ceasefire commitments. EU leaders endorsed the move last week, charging that Russia had not halted its support for pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine nor put pressure on them to respect a ceasefire brokered by France and Germany which was meant to help end a deadly conflict dating back to early 2014. The European Council, which groups the EU's 28 member states, said the decision followed a summit briefing on the situation by French and German leaders Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel. "This paved the way for the renewal of sanctions for a further six months," a statement said. "The Council formalised this decision today by written procedure and, in line with the rule for all such decisions, unanimously," it added. The sanctions, which target Russia's finance, oil and defence sectors, will run to end-January 2018. The EU imposed them after the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014 with heavy loss of life, blamed by the EU on the rebels. Up to that point, many European Union member states, especially France and Germany, had been reluctant to make such a move which would cost them as well as Russia. The Minsk accords, agreed by Moscow and Kiev, were first reached in late 2014 and then re-worked in early 2015 but they have been breached almost daily. The death toll in fighting between government forces and the rebels has mounted steadily to above 10,000 since the conflict broke out following the ouster of a pro-Russian government in Kiev in early 2014. The EU insists Russia must be held to account for its support of the rebels but Moscow says Brussels is at fault for aiding and abetting the overthrow of a legitimate government. Earlier this month, the EU also formally extended for another year sanctions imposed over Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, which the bloc deems illegal. In addition to the economic and Crimea measures, the EU has also imposed asset freezes and travel bans on Ukraine and Russian figures held responsible for supporting the rebels. Moscow says all the EU sanctions, along with extensive US measures, are both ineffective and counterproductive. Planned Parenthood supporters participate in a rally on Capitol Hill on April 7, 2011 in Washington, DC. Anti-abortion activists also held a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) When it comes to womens health, this week the hits just kept on coming. Not only is Congress going on recess for the 4th of July break without any sort of resolution with regards to what the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act may look like and whether its going to take away womens access to no-fee contraception, Planned Parenthood, and prenatal care coverage in one fell swoop but several states are also making moves to restrict womens reproductive rights, while others are fighting back to protect womens access to the care they need. Below, a recap on whats happening where this week in terms of American womens reproductive rights and why you should be paying attention. Restrictions to Reproductive Health In Ohio, the State Senate voted yesterday on S.B. 145, a bill that would further restrict abortion access in the state by banning dilation and evacuation (D&E), the procedure most commonly used to perform abortions in the second trimester, after the 13th week of pregnancy. In attendance in the State Senate chambers were Ohio Handmaids, a group of pro-choice activists who have taken to dressing like the handmaids from the seminal Margaret Atwood novel The Handmaids Tale (and current popular TV adaptaiato protest the states attempts to limit their reproductive autonomy. #Ohio Senate GOP giving shockingly unscientific description of the safest & most common type of 2nd trimester #abortion. Handmaids in room. pic.twitter.com/ebbJo01cpE Rachel Coyle (@RRuby44) June 28, 2017 HAPPENING NOW: the #OHHandmaids are in the Ohio Senate in opposition to the Abortion Method Ban. pic.twitter.com/tBiX7VsOc5 NARAL ProChoice Ohio (@ProChoiceOH) June 28, 2017 The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio has also come out against S.B. 145, calling the bill unconstitutional because of the undue burden it places on women seeking abortion care, which remains legal and constitutionally guaranteed according to the Supreme Court. Story continues Since becoming governor in 2011, former Republican presidential candidate John Kasich has already signed 18 new laws into effect further restricting abortion access in the state. Meanwhile, in Texas, Governor Greg Abott has asked State Rep. Drew Springer and State Sen. Charles Schwertner to author legislation that would prohibit all local and state government funding for any healthcare provider that also performs abortion care. The governor has asked for the Legislature to take up this issue during the special session he has called, which begins on July 18. 1 yr after @WholeWomans SCOTUS victory, Texas lawmakers are putting abortion rights in danger. We cant back down. https://t.co/rn0aCxZYWn CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) June 28, 2017 According to the Texas Tribune, the proposed legislation is largely motivated by lawmakers attempts to ensure that Planned Parenthood health centers in the state have no access to any state dollars. In February, a federal judge blocked Texas attempts to block Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood, citing his fear over the disruption of care for the over 12,000 Texans who get their Medicaid-funded health care through a Planned Parenthood health center. Texas State Rep. Matt Rinaldi who was involved in the first iteration of this proposed legislation last year has called the total ban on state and federal funding for all abortion providers in the state the biggest prohibition Texas has ever passed and certainly the strongest statement against taxpayer-funded abortion. In Texas, and every other state in the U.S., the use of federal funding is already barred for the use of abortion care as a result of the Hyde amendment. In 2016, Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas received $3.6 million in reimbursement for family planning services rendered under Medicaid including contraceptive services and pregnancy testing. The reproductive and sexual health care provider also received an estimated $4.4 million for a combination of HIV services, breast and cervical screenings, and preventative care services through Medicaid reimbursements. The group also received additional state grants for its breast and cervical cancer program and for HIV prevention services. Previous efforts to bar Planned Parenthood from state and federal funding reimbursements in 2011, a quarter of all family planning clinics in Texas were forced to shut their doors, two-thirds of which were not Planned Parenthood clinics. As a result, the state saw not only a reduction in the use of the most effective forms of contraception IUDs, implants, and injectibles but an increase in the number of unplanned births among low-income women. In Missouri, the State Senate will be reconvening after the Fourth of July holiday to consider legislation that would further restrict access to abortion there in response to a special session called by Republican Governor Eric Greitens. Already, there is only one abortion provider in the entire state. Greitens has asked the state Legislature to not only pass additional regulations on abortion providers and the process of accessing abortion, but has also asked lawmakers to undo the current laws in St. Louis the location of the states sole abortion provider that ban employment and housing discrimination based on reproductive health decisions made by an individual, including abortion and pregnancy. This is as insane as Missouri bill where women can be fired/lose rental house lease for using birth control. Same if she has an abortion! MzSphalerite (@SphaleriteMz) June 28, 2017 Last year, the Missouri State Senate moved to hold the president of the St. Louis-area Planned Parenthood affiliate in contempt of court and under threat of jail time for refusing to turn over patients private medical records to the state. Wins for Reproductive Health On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Courts ruling in the case of Whole Womans Health, which found Texas HB2 law and its restrictions on abortion providers to be unconstitutional, the Center for Reproductive Rights filed suit against the state of Louisiana, saying the laws there are likewise unconstitutional. Louisiana sham laws are nothing but an attempt to shame and demean women who seek abortion care. Were taking a stand. pic.twitter.com/HaUOLEpNJt CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) June 27, 2017 Amongst other restrictions to abortion care, Louisiana makes abortion providers seek special licensure, requires providers to submit to the state for review the medical records of all women who have an abortion, requiring vaginal exams for all women seeking abortion care even when such an exam is not medically necessary, and require abortion providers to give their patients misleading or false information about abortion. Counsel for the Center for Reproductive Rights represented Whole Womans Health in their victory against the state of Texas before the Supreme Court last year. 1 yr ago, SCOTUS struck down a Texas law designed to close most of the states abortion clinics via medically unnecessary restrictions. CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) June 27, 2017 In New Jersey, the State Senate recently voted in favor of a bill that would let women in the state fill a 12-month supply of birth control pills at one time. The bill now heads to the desk of Republican Governor Chris Christie, who will make the final decision on whether to sign the bill into law. Earlier this month, Colorados governor signed a similar bill into law. A 2011 study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found that dispensing a one-year supply of birth control at once resulted in a 30 percent drop in the likelihood of conceiving an unintended pregnancy and a 46 percent drop in the likelihood of a woman seeking an abortion when compared to accessing birth control pills in either one-month or three-month supplies. And in California, the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA) has passed out of committee in the State Senate, which seeks to accomplish the opposite of whats up for discussion in Missouri, instead preventing workplace discrimination on the basis of a persons reproductive health care decisions. The bill has already passed the California Assembly and is headed to the State Senate Judiciary Committee with the support of more than 50 external organizations, including 16 different faith groups. Pro #AB569 b/c #ReligiousFreedomIs making reproductive health decisions w/o someone imposing their beliefs on you https://t.co/kHwTsZWWHI Catholics for Choice (@Catholic4Choice) June 26, 2017 RHNDA was sponsored by NARAL Pro-Choice California and California Latinas for Reproductive Justice. Laura Jimenez, Executive Director of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, said in a statement this week, Latinas have the largest pay gap across the U.S., where a Latina working full-time, year-round in California is paid 43 cents for every dollar paid to a white, non-Latino full-time, year-round male worker. This extraordinary pay gap and over-representation in low-wage industry jobs makes achieving economic security more difficult for Latina workers and their families. The passage of AB 569 out of the Senate Labor Committee is a step toward passing a good policy and a matter of survival for Latinas whose precarious economic stability relies on California strengthening labor workplace protections that dont hinder our reproductive autonomy. Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and@YahooBeauty. A 62-year-old Vermont farmer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for murdering his daughters boyfriend and dumping him in a manure pile. Stephen Pelletier had previously pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the killing of Michael Wisell, 25, who was shot in the back and the head and had his throat slit, authorities said. Read: The Other 'Keepers': How a Priest Got Away With the Murder of a Nun for 2 Decades The farmer said his daughter was locked in an abusive relationship with Wisell that was fueled by violence and heroin addiction. Judge Cortland Corsones accepted Pelletiers plea agreement and sentenced him to 20 years Tuesday, with 10 years suspended. Corsones admonished Pelletier for taking the law into his own hands and not reporting the victims abusive behavior toward Jessica Pelletier, his daughter. The plea agreement followed two days of emotional testimony in Pelletiers sentencing hearing, the Rutland Herald reported. Read: Parents Who Reported 5-Year-Old Daughter Missing Now Charged in Her Murder His daughter testified that Wisell introduced her to heroin, to which she also became addicted, and frequently threatened to kill her and her family. The victims family members denied those claims and said Wisell was a kind man who was trying to get his life back on track. He was killed in 2014. Pelletier acknowledge shooting Wisell in the back on his farm. He turned Wisell over and shot him in the forehead, then cut his throat after he was dead, he said. "I gave into anger and did something terrible, Pelletier told the court this week. I understand I must be punished." Watch: Father Charged With Murder of Son After He Claims the Boy Went Missing Related Articles: The acting head of the French air force is in the line of fire for allegedly borrowing a fighter jet at weekends to fly from his base in Bordeaux to his home in Provence. General Richard Reboul reportedly used an Alpha Jet at least 10 times since last August but last weekend changed his mode of transport to a six-seater military plane, complete with pilot and a co-pilot, to head to his weekend retreat. The allegations were the first hint of scandal to hit Frances new Defence Minister Florence Parly, who on Tuesday night ordered an investigation after the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine broke the story. That inquiry will run alongside an internal air force investigation that was launched last Friday, the day General Reboul allegedly took off from an air force training base at Bordeaux-Merignac in the TBM-700 single-engine plane to fly to another military base at Salon-de-Provence, near Marseille. The plane dropped him off, then flew the roughly 300 miles back to Bordeaux, before returning on Monday morning to pick him up in Provence and take him back home, said the Canard Enchaine. His alleged usual means of weekend transport, the Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet, is a light attack jet that in France is mostly used for training purposes and in the Patrouille de France, the countrys equivalent of Britains Red Arrows aerobatic display team. The flight time between the two air bases which lie on opposite sides of the country is less than an hour in an Alpha Jet, and could be as little as 30 minutes if the plane flew at its maximum speed of 1,000 kilometres per hour. Driving between the two points would would take at least six hours and a train trip would take around seven hours and involve two changes. Using a commercial flight for the cross-country hop would involve flying to Marseille, which would take an hour, and then a roughly 30-minute trip to the generals home which French media said was in Les Alpilles, a picturesque range of low mountains between Salon-de-Provence and Avignon. Story continues General Rebouls alleged misuse of military planes came as the French air force has been ordered to drastically limit the use of Alpha Jets, which are manufactured jointly by Dassault in France and Dornier in Germany, and other training aircraft due to funding cuts. Le Canard Enchaine said that the Alpha Jet guzzles around 800 litres of kerosene an hour. French media estimated that with kerosene for fighter jets costing up to eight times more than fuel for regular jets, the generals weekend getaways may have cost the air force, and French taxpayers, tens of thousands of euros over the past year. The general, a former fighter and test pilot, was number two in the air force but took the helm as an interim measure last month after the death of his superior, General Serge Soulet. The defence ministry said it had launched an inquiry after information about an abusive use of air force assets by a senior military official has been handed to the minister of defence. Disciplinary proceedings would be launched if an abuse of resources was proven, it said. The defence minister also ordered a report into the use of military jets so she could have clarification on when exactly they can be used. German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at a meeting of the Economic Council of the German Christian Democrats Party (CDU) on 27 June 2017 in Berlin: RAINER JENSEN/AFP/Getty Images The US Commerce Secretarys speech was cut off for going too long and a German audience cheered and applauded the move. Wilbur Ross was addressing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) political party conference in Berlin via video when his feed abruptly ended after 20 minutes due to time constraints. The crowd laughed and cheered at the organiser's decision to cut him off as they waited for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, sitting on stage in front of the video screen, to speak. [He] had promised us a 10-minute statement, said Werner Bahlsen of the CDU, adding that Mr Ross spoke a bit slowly, according to Bloomberg. Mr Ross parroted Donald Trumps criticism of the German trade surplus with the US, but did agree with Ms Merkel that negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) trade agreement should begin again. As your biggest customer, we hope to obtain a larger share of your market[and as partners] should have a free-trade agreement, he said. The two countries have had a more tense relationship since Mr Trump and Ms Merkels White House visit in March when the President chastised Germany for not spending a fair amount on defence as an ally in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) military alliance. Ms Merkel later lambasted Mr Trump for his withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change after urging him to remain in it when the two met in Brussels and Sicily for Nato and G7 meetings. The pair will meet again for the G20 leaders summit in Hamburg o n 7-8 July where Ms Merkel said there will be controversial discussions. Related: Germans are sticklers for keeping on schedule. And those rules apply to the U.S. Cabinet, as well. While speaking via videoconference to a business conference of German Chancellor Angela Merkels Christian Democratic Union Tuesday evening, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was cut off after 20 minutes. The reason given by Werner M. Bahlsen, head of the CDU Economic Council? That was the U.S. secretary of commerce, who had promised us a 10-minute statement. As you saw, he spoke a bit slowly, so it took a bit longer. But its hard to believe the content of Rosss speech didnt play a role in the shutdown. He repeated the familiar Trump critique about Germanys trade surplus with the United States. He also blamed the World Trade Organization rules for favoring exporters over importers while calling for a free-trade agreement between Washington and Europe. As your biggest customer, we hope to obtain a larger share of your market, Ross said. We, as major trading partners of each other, should have a free-trade agreement. (The United States and the European Union were in talks under the Obama administration on a big trade pact, but those are stillborn now.) In her speech, Merkel rejected Rosss criticisms. She also called for German companies to invest in America. The crowds reaction to the cutoff was telling. When it happened, the blank screen was met with laughs and cheers. And its hardly a sign that relations between Germany and the United States are improving ahead of the upcoming G-20 summit in Hamburg, where Merkel and Trump will cross paths; the German chancellor has already warned the talks with be controversial. Photo credit: SEAN GALLUP/Getty Images A Southern California girl is feeling lucky to be with her family after two men allegedly snatched her from the front of her home Monday. Whittier Police say the unnamed 12-year-old was grabbed and placed inside a green 2000 Chevy sedan on Monday. Read: 'Good Samaritan' Trying to Help Lost Toddler Attacked by Child's Father: Cops The girl was then driven a few blocks away from her home as she says the men told her she would never see her family again. "[One of the suspects] started touching her face and telling her she was very pretty and that she was never going to see her family again. She was just quiet and then he kind of tried to start touching her in her upper body," according to one of the girl's parents. But then the girl says the men stopped and exited the vehicle. While they were away, the victim was able to flee. While on her way to her grandmother's nearby home, the girl's parents say she was spotted by a family member, who picked her up. While their daughter is now safe, her parents say they're still reeling from the traumatic experience and the girl's lucky escape. Even more chilling is the fact that the girl says she recognized the men from outside her school, where she saw them talking to young girls. The younger suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20s with black hair and a beard. He had a shaved line across his left eyebrow and was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, cops say. Watch: Romanian Woman Tipped Off Cops to Whereabouts of Missing Teen: Police The other suspect is believed to be a Hispanic male in his 30s with a shaved head. He was seen wearing a white tank top and tan pants while sporting a dragon tattoo on his right bicep. If you have any information about this case, the Whittier Police ask you contact the on-duty watch commander at (562) 567-9255 or the Crime Tipline at (562) 567-9299. Watch: Video Shows Cops Rescue Alleged Kidnapping Victim Found Chained in a Van Story continues Related Articles: The spectacular flameout of Republican efforts to kill the Affordable Care Act is a humbling moment for Washingtons ruling party. But it doesnt signal GOP feebleness on every issue. In fact, there may now be a greater likelihood Republicans, backed by President Trump, pass tax cuts by the end of 2017. Trump, with typical moxie, has promised massive tax cuts. And unlike healthcarean issue Republicans still dont have a coherent plan onlow taxes are a staple of the Republican agenda. And it just got more important for Republicans to prove they can accomplish something before the 2018 midterm elections. They need to prove to their core constituency theres a reason they elected Republicans, says Tom Block, Washington policy strategist for investing firm Fundstrat. Tax cuts are very much alive. On July 27, the White House published a statement on behalf of leaders in the House, Senate, White House and Treasury Dept., outlining tax-reform principles they all agree on. Details were scarce, but this is a running start compared with the GOPs health reform breakdown. And theres one important bit of momentum: Republicans have agreed to drop the border-adjustability tax that House Speaker Paul Ryan supports, removing what up till now has been the biggest source of friction between the House and Senate on tax cuts. Congress actually has a lot of work to doon a limited schedulebefore they can get to tax cuts. But the end of Obamacare repeal clears the slate, to some extent, since some analysts had speculated that Congress could be dickering over competing health bills in the House and Senate well into October. President Donald Trump, flanked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., right as he speaks during a meeting with House and Senate leadership in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, March 1, 2017. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP) Tackling the debt ceiling and budget With health care out of the way, the next priorities for Congress are raising the debt ceiling, so the Treasury can borrow more money, and passing a budget for the governments fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. Those will both be contentious issues generating plenty of headlines. But odds are good that the Republicans who control Congress will have deals in place in time. Story continues That would leave the fall for negotiating a tax-cut bill. Similar efforts in the past have taken years. But Congress might decide quick, modest tax cuts are preferable to deep, complex reforms, simply because they require less work and can pass more easily. And they might be able to make faster progress on tax cuts than on just about any other issue. If theres a core issue uniting Republicans, its tax cuts, says Block. They could come up with a bill that the full spectrum [of Republicans] could agree on. Theres broad agreement that the top corporate tax rate, 35%, is too high, since the rate in most other developed nations is considerably lower. Thats one reason some US companies have relocated their headquarters to other nations, such as Ireland. Trump wants to slash the corporate tax rate to 15%, but that might cut federal revenue too sharply. A new rate around 25% seems more plausible. Its also likely there will be a tax repatriation holiday meant to encourage US firms to bring home nearly $2 trillion in profits that are stashed overseas, to avoid high US taxes. That money could be taxed at a temporary low rate of 10% or 15%. Corporate groups such as the Business Roundtable and US Chamber of Commerce strongly support such moves, creating momentum for tax cuts that didnt exist for repealing Obamacare, which many powerful interest groups opposed, contributing to its downfall. The tax plan Trump published as a candidate included massive tax cuts for the wealthy, but Trump has wavered on that recently, suggesting he may focus more on middle-class tax cuts and perhaps leave the top tax bracket in place. That would lend a more populist bent to his tax plan and raise the odds it can pass. Republicans hoped that repealing Obamacare would provide budget savings they could use to offset large tax cuts. Without those savings, tax cuts could end up much more modest than Trump has promised. But if Congress can pass a bill, it would still let Trump claim he did something he promised to do. And if it helps suppress memories of the Republicans disastrous foray into health care, that would be a fringe benefit. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Encrypted communication available. Read more: Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman Anna Sweetland shut down a classmate who called plus-size models disgusting. (Photo: Anna Sweetland) Anna Sweetland is a 16-year-old girl from Wilsonville, Ore., who recently encountered a critic of the body positive movement and responded in the most epic, educated way. As part of an online health class, the teen and her peers engaged in a virtual classroom debate regarding the societal effects of digital manipulation and whether the use of it in advertising and campaigns should be legal or not. Each of the classmates read articles as research in order to prompt their responses, and a screenshot on Twitter later revealed a comment thats receiving more attention than others. The comment, made by a male student in Sweetlands class, goes beyond the intended assignment and indulged in body shaming going so far as to call plus-size models disgusting. In a part of article 5, it talks about how Target is starting a body positive campaign, and are also using plus-size models, which is disgusting, the comment reads. Theres no problem with not being ashamed of your body, but its an entirely different thing when youre obese. The problem with campaigns like these is that they encourage obesity, unhealthy habits, and they say that youll be happy no matter your size. This is wrong, and no one wants to look at an obese model. The harsh critique stood out from the rest, which otherwise took a stance against Photoshopping and for body acceptance. But the issue Sweetland had wasnt with his difference of opinion, but instead with his choice of words. @annasweetland 's response to someone calling plus size models "disgusting" pic.twitter.com/Tse1RwcF0h Sam (@SamWettstein) June 27, 2017 I would like to start by saying that calling anyones body disgusting, isnt really called for, and you should be careful with your choice in adjectives. I agree with you that obesity is a bad thing, and it is a problem that our world is dealing with right now. However, I do not believe that plus size models are contributing to this disease, part of Sweetlands response reads, before explaining many other factors that contribute to obesity in America. Not all plus size model are obese or unhealthy. It is possible to simply be larger just from genetics. Story continues In the final address to the body shamer, Sweetland wrote, Every body type needs to be portrayed in media, because everyone needs to be represented. Lastly, I would to like to inform you that your statement saying, Nobody wants to look at an obese model, is false. You know who wants to see a plus size model? The 67 percent of women in America who are plus sized, and want to open a magazine and see somebody that looks just as beautiful as they do. The impassioned response never received a direct reply, Sweetland tells Yahoo Style, but she has come to understand that her classmates hurtful comment might have come from a lack of experience and empathy. I think he just doesnt seem to understand that people in our society are constantly comparing themselves to one another, she says. He doesnt seem to see the harm in only displaying one body type in the media. I guess he just isnt grasping the severity of the issue. While men are often left out of conversations dealing with body image, it seems logical that teen boys might not have a clear perspective on the topic. For Sweetland, shes all too familiar with the subject. Growing up as what she calls a bigger kid, the teen ended up struggling with obesity during her freshman year of high school. At that time I just felt disgusting and insecure. I never took photos of myself, and I was always the one who offered to take pictures because I never felt pretty enough to be in them. I really ever only wore baggy clothes, and when I did have the occasional boost of confidence, I wanted to buy cuter clothes. But when she went to look online for clothes her size, she never encountered a model that looked like her. This experience directly relates to the comment that she responded to, as it disrepected the appearance of the models that Sweetland has been waiting her whole life to see. It wasnt until plus-size models, like Ashley Graham, made their way into mainstream media that Sweetland began to feel more confident in herself. And conversations that celebrities like Chrissy Teigen have encouraged about stretch marks and other imperfections have aided in increasing her self-esteem as well. But if these inspirational women arent reason enough to believe in the need for more diverse types of beauty, Sweetland is here to reassure you that there are more important things than plus-size models to worry about. There are a lot of bad things going on right now in our world, she says, but I dont consider the change in our models to be one of them. Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty. A New Jersey woman got a terrifying surprise when cops say a man broke into her home and crawled into her bed as she slept. And if that wasn't enough to make her skin crawl, the woman says the home invader than asked her if he could spend the night. Watch: Miranda Kerr Beefs Up Security After Intruder Is Shot at Her Mansion The woman's screams scared the intruder away, police in Palisades Park say. Cops added that the suspect has likely stalked women before. The potential serial stalker is alleged to have followed a woman into her building earlier this month before knocking on her door while making sexually charged comments. A third woman told cops she was walking down the street when a man stalked her and then stood next to her house. And finally, another woman said she was walking down Roosevelt Place near a Shop Rite when the same man reportedly stalked and stood outside her home. The woman's brother got in his face, prompting the perpetrator to claim he was lost, police say. The incidents all occurred in the same immediate area and each woman described the suspect as a white male in his 20s, approximately 5'10" tall. Watch: Naked Intruder Breaks Into 'Million Dollar Listing' Star's Home: Cops The women helped police create a sketch, which has been released to the public. Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call the cops. Meanwhile, police believe the suspect was able to enter the woman's home June 18 through an accessible open door or window and have asked women in the area to make sure their residences are securely locked. Watch: Former 'Real Housewife' Robbed by 2 Masked Intruders in Her New Jersey Home Related Articles: Hong Kong student pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong was detained by police on Wednesday after an anti-China protest ahead of a visit by President Xi Jinping. Wong was among at least 20 protesters who had staged a three-hour sit-in at a harbourfront statue and were led away into police vans. Xi's visit this week marks 20 years since Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain and comes at a time when fears are growing that Beijing is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city. Protesters had encircled the sculpture of a golden bauhinia flower which became the emblem of Hong Kong in 1997. The statue was given to the city by China as a present to mark the handover. Some activists chained themselves to the sculpture while others climbed into its petals. Police cleared the area and surrounded the statue, leading away protesters one by one. Most walked but Wong and young legislator Nathan Law lay down and were carried away from the scene. Police had warned the protesters they were causing a public nuisance and would be arrested if they did not move. Some demonstrators remain on top of the statue, with at least one chained to it. As Wong was carried away to the awaiting vans, he shouted: "Protest on July 1!" -- the anniversary of the handover. Xi is due to land in Hong Kong on Thursday for a three-day visit to attend anniversary celebrations and swear in the city's new leader Carrie Lam. The city is ruled under a "one country, two systems" deal, enshrined in the handover agreement, which allows it rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. But there are concerns that China is increasingly interfering in a range of areas, from politics to education and the media. Protesters at the bauhinia statue chanted "Long live the Umbrella Movement!" and "I'm a Hong Konger!" The Umbrella Movement was the name given to mass rallies in 2014 calling for democratic reforms. Wong and Law were among the student leaders of those protests, which ultimately failed to win concessions. Story continues Activists on Wednesday also called for the release of Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo who was granted medical parole this week due to late-stage liver cancer but remains in the mainland. The writer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, now 61, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for "subversion" after spearheading a bold petition for democratic reforms. The bauhinia statue stands outside the convention centre where Xi will attend anniversary events and is a stone's throw from the hotel he will stay in. The spot is popular with mainland visitors. Some of the demonstrators, including Wong, had already draped the statue with a black flag on Monday during an early morning anti-China protest. It was removed by police. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel said it attacked a Syrian military position on Wednesday after a stray mortar shell from fighting in Syria's civil war landed inside the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. The Israeli military said the Syrian shell hit an open area in the northern Golan Heights, causing no injuries, and in response, the army "targeted the Syrian military position that fired the mortar". Israel's strike was in the village of Samadanieh al Sharqiyah in Quneitra province, close to territory where rebels have been engaged in heavy clashes with the Syrian army for the last week, Lebanese broadcaster al Mayadeen and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The mortar fell while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Katzrin, a town in another part of the Golan Heights about 20 km (12.5 miles) from the area that has experienced most of the recent stray fire from Syria. "While I was speaking, I said here that we will not tolerate errant shooting and we will respond to all firing. During my speech, there was errant fire from the Syrian side that landed in our territory and the army has already attacked," Netanyahu said. "Whoever attacks us, we attack them. This is our policy and we will continue to implement it." There has been an increase in such fire from fighting in Syria hitting the Golan in the past few days. On each occasion Israel has responded by targeting Syrian army positions. Israel has largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria's civil war, keeping watch over the Golan Heights frontier and occasionally carrying out air strikes or returning fire if there is a specific threat. Israel captured the Golan, a strategic plateau, in the 1967 Middle East war. (Reporting by Ori Lewis; and Suleiman al-Khalidi; editing by Andrew Roche) A Massachusetts man has been convicted of second-degree murder, Monday after he was found guilty of murdering his partners two-year-old daughter, reports said. Identified as Michael McCarthy, the accused was charged with the murder of Bella Bond, nicknamed as Baby Doe after her unidentified body washed up on a Boston beach on June 25, 2015. Nearly three months after Baby Doe went missing, her decomposed body was found wrapped in a plastic bag on the shore of the Deer Island, Boston in September 2015. Her body was kept unidentified in a morgue, making her the subject of a national campaign, during which she was given the name Baby Doe. Read: 'Baby Doe' Bella Bond Murder Trial Update: Everything We Know As Closing Arguments Begin Baby Doe's case went a step further when her mother, Rachelle Bond, along with the McCarthy was arrested in September 2015 after she confessed to a friend about killing the toddler, the Boston Herald reported. Her friend, who recognized Baby Doe as Bella Bond informed the police about her, following which they registered a case against both Rachelle Bond and McCarthy. After her arrest, Rachelle pleaded not guilty stating that McCarthy had gone to the toddlers room on the night of her death to lay her down. However, five minutes later when she entered the room, she saw McCarthy punching the baby in the stomach. I saw her bounce on the bed, Rachelle said in her testimony, adding that she tried to perform CPR on her daughter. She also told the court that Baby Does head was swollen and gray after McCarthy hit her. She also told the court how McCarthy violently attacked her when she tried to rescue her daughter from him, ABC News reported. During the trial of the case, prosecutors said that McCarthy was dating Rachelle at the time of the murder. They argued that McCarthy punched Baby Doe to death at the victims home accusing her of being a demon and stuffing her body in the refrigerator, before abandoning it on the beach. Story continues Read: Who Is Michael McCarthy? Alleged Killer Of Demon Toddler Bella Bond On Trial After the jury convicted McCarthy, his attorney, Jonathan Shapiro, said he will appeal against his clients conviction in a superior court. However, he declined to further comment on it. An innocent man is going to prison for the rest of his life for a crime that she (Rachelle) committed, Shapiro said. The verdict was a travesty of justice. Shapiro, while presenting his clients case in the court, accused Rachelle of lying in front of the jury and called her statements a web of lies. "Rachelle Bond made up the story she told you," he said. "The story she told was clearly made up to cover her own guilt, CNN reported. Col. Richard D. McKeon, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police too testified in the court during the trial. "The verdict cannot bring Bella back, and cannot change the fact that she was failed colossally and tragically by the adults in her life. But the verdict is right, and justice has been rightly served upon the person who took this beautiful childs life," he said in a statement. McCarthy faces life in prison and could be eligible for a parole after 15 years, the Boston Herald reported. Related Articles Brussels (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's warning to the Syrian government not to carry out a chemical weapons attack appears to have worked, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said Wednesday. "It appears that they took the warning seriously," Mattis said, referring to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. White House spokesman Sean Spicer warned Monday night that if "Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price." The warning came after US intelligence noticed suspect activity at the airbase used to launch a suspected chemical strike two months ago. "I think the president speaking about (these preparations) says how seriously we took them. He wanted to dissuade them," Mattis told reporters as he flew into Brussels for a NATO defence ministers meeting. The April 4 attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun was reported to have killed at least 87 people, including many children, and images of the dead and of suffering victims provoked global outrage. Washington launched a retaliatory cruise missile strike days later against the Shayrat airbase -- the first direct US action against the regime, which denies any use of chemical weapons. When asked how he knew Trump's warning had worked, Mattis said: "They didn't do it," a reference to the fact no chemical strike had occurred since Monday. At the same time, he cautioned that "Assad's chemical programme goes far beyond one airfield." Melania Trump on Wednesday at a fundraiser. (Photo: billy_v_ via Instagram) Melania Trump looked pretty in pink wearing a lace high-necked gown on Wednesday night at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. Despite being in New York hours earlier, the first lady showed up for the fundraiser, where her husband, President Trump, raised $10 million for his 2020 reelection campaign. For the party, which brought out bigwig lobbyists and financiers, the first lady displayed her often-praised sense of fashion by putting her ongoing devotion to the color pink on display. From blush to fuchsia, the 47-year-old first lady has turned to the shade on many occasions. Just on Saturday, FLOTUS wore a J. Mendel gown to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchins wedding, where she almost outdid the bride. That light pink piece featured similar effects as the Herve Pierre dress that Melania wore to the Easter Egg Roll in April. However, she switched the Manolo Blahnik stiletto heels for matching flats for a more casual look. First lady Melania Trump hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. (Photo: MediaPunch/AKM-GSI) Melania doesnt shy away from a stronger shade of the color. She sported a fuchsia gown in May during her visit to the Murabba Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Saudi Press Agency handout/Rex/Shutterstock While abroad, the former model cut an elegant figure in a floor-length dress that incorporated a cape-style silhouette with structured shoulders and draped sleeves. Sparkling crystal detail around the high-necked collar pulled the look together. In February she attended the Red Cross Gala at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. For the occasion, she opted for a hot pink curve-hugging gown with a V neckline. It was simple, but she accessorized with emerald and diamond earrings to make a statement. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images And who could possibly forget the ensemble she wore to a town hall debate in early October, featuring a $1,100 hot pink pussy-bow blouse from Gucci with matching pants? Photo: Getty Images Its pretty clear what Melanias favorite color is can you see why? Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty: Story continues Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty. Nancy Grace joined Hollywood Medium Tyler Henry, who connected to the spirit of Graces college fiance, Keith, who was tragically murdered in 1979. Connecting to the tragic event, Tyler said, This comes across like a robbery that ends up being a homicide. Grace said, Im sure youre referring to my fiance who was murdered. We think it was a mugging. Grace went on to explain that Keith was working in construction when a fired employee returned to the job site. She said, He unloaded the whole gun on Keith, around his face, neck, and back. And thats what happened. It was not an argument; they didnt really know each other. But he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Tyler felt that Keith had remained very connected to Grace, saying, Your fiance did try to come through, actually, interestingly, after he passed away, and he really tries to make strong appearances in dreams. Grace was quite taken aback by what Tyler said because of a profound dream she had had, saying, He came to me in a dream and told me to finally move on. To go on were his exact words. That dream changed Graces life. She was able to move on from the tragedy, marrying her husband, David, and having her twins. She said, I wouldve continued grieving for Keith, and never married and known what have now been the happiest years of my life. Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on E! Check out Portia de Rossi receiving a message from deceased father on Hollywood Medium: Read more from Yahoo TV: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. After many delays that disappointed space fans around the U.S., NASA finally managed to launch its mission early Thursday to, for the first time, create ephemeral, glowing clouds. In other words, NASA created human-caused auroras, of sorts. The suborbital sounding rocket took flight at 4:25 a.m. ET Thursday from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia and released its payload which consisted of 10 vapor-filled canisters shortly afterwards. SEE ALSO: Here's why NASA keeps postponing its really cool mission to make glowing clouds Once at altitude, those canisters produced green-blue and red artificial clouds that should allow scientists to learn more about how particles move through space. The wait is over! The Terrier-Improved Malemute launched this morning, June 29, at 4:25 a.m. An early Independence Day fireworks display!! pic.twitter.com/Y5x6Oz2hu8 NASA Wallops (@NASA_Wallops) June 29, 2017 The artificial auroras were seen by skywatchers up and down the East Coast of the United States. "Wallops received nearly 2,000 reports and photos of the cloud sightings from areas as far north as New York, south to North Carolina, and inland throughout Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and points in-between," NASA said in a statement. If you were out for an early morning stroll and happened to look up as the artificial clouds were created, you could probably be forgiven for thinking that you actually spotted a UFO. The bright clouds created by this mission look somewhat eerie in video footage. The blinking auroras started off as a bright blue-green color and then fade to a deeper hue of blue in the sky. It took NASA 11 launch attempts to get this mission off the ground, in part because of strict weather requirements. Mission controllers needed totally clear skies for this launch in order to be assured that they would see the colorful vapor when it was released from the canisters. Story continues And luckily, they got it on Thursday. Finally. In NBCs Parks and Recreation, Nick Offerman rocked one of the most iconic mustaches in pop-culture history as Ron Swanson, the red-tape-hating, red-meat-loving civil servant and reluctant friend to Amy Poehlers Leslie Knope. In case you havent noticed, that impressively groomed stache has been MIA since the shows teary 2015 finale, even as Offerman has become an increasingly prolific presence in TV and film. The mustache was so utilized and well received in Parks & Recreation that its gonna be on the bench for a while, Offerman told Yahoo Movies at the Los Angeles press day for his latest movie, the poignant comedic drama The Hero starring Sam Elliott as an aging movie star coming to terms with his mortality. Its hard to see me with a mustache and not immediately think of that character, which is a disadvantage. Yes, facial hair is very much a matter of art for the 47-year-old actor and native of Minookia, Ill., and it always has been. Even before Parks & Rec, thats always kind of how I start with a director, whether its a play or film or TV. They say, I want you to play this role, and I say, OK, Im thinking Fu Manchu and Mohawk, Offerman explained. I read the script and I envision knowing the tool box that I have visually I then strategize. I say OK, I see this guy wearing this kind of stuff and this kind of facial hair.' The hirsute approach dates all the way back to Offermans early days in the Chicago theater scene, manifested in the earliest stages through his first pair of muttonchops. It has continued in the days since he left Pawnee. He points to his five-episode arc in the FX hit Fargo in 2015: I had the C. Everett Koop Amish beard also known as a Donegal beard. Just the cheek and jowls. In films like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) and The Little Hours, his other new indie movies out this summer, Ive been working some different beard lengths and whatnot, and its something I appreciate. Story continues And then there was last years The Founder, in which he had the gall to go clean-shaven. I get a lot of angry reactions from Parks & Rec fans where they say, Please dont ever shave your mustache again. But in my head I say to them, If I did that McDonalds movie with a mustache everyone wouldve said, Well that didnt work because I just kept seeing Ron Swanson telling Michael Keaton that he wanted real milk in his milkshakes. In The Hero, Elliott stars as Lee Hayden, a septuagenarian actor inextricably tied to his most famous role in a Western who now relies on voicing ads for barbeque sauce to pay the bills. When Lee is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he attempts to make things right with his estranged daughter (Krysten Ritter), while also striking up a romance with a standup comedian around the same age (Laura Prepon). Offerman plays Jeremy Frost, a failed actor-turned-weed dealer and Lees closest confidant. Jeremy, who wraps himself in the type of velvet sweatsuits Offerman refers to as Ray Liotta Casual, is content with a life of rolling joints, listening to reggae LPs, and watching Buster Keaton comedies. I think I have a Jeremy, a potential Jeremy, within me that I have fortunately known better than to let out, the actor said. Prudence prohibited me from allowing my own life to atrophy that way, and Im very grateful. When I met my wife [actress Megan Mullally], I knew pretty soon that I wanted to marry her Shes 11 years older than me, and so she had quit smoking and she had cut down her drinking So I was in my early 30s and I had to quit smoking. I had to start behaving more like a grown-up if I wanted to be responsible to my relationship. And in hindsight I realized that I was unwittingly saving my own life by getting into that relationship. It was actually a Parks and Rec connection that brought Offerman into The Hero. Elliott, you may recall, played a sort of Bizarro World Ron Swanson named Ron Dunn from Pawnees rival town of Eagleton. When [Sam] came to work on Parks & Rec, we immediately hit it off and became close friends, Offerman said. After directing Elliott in 2015s Ill See in My Dreams, filmmaker Brett Haley set out to craft a film specifically for the actor to star in, so he wrote The Hero. And so Brett, I mean I think through watching Parks & Rec, he became aware of that affinity that we had for one another, Offerman added. Elliott, the 72-year-old character best known for Westerns like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Tombstone, war films like Gettysburg and We Were Soldiers, and his memorable cameo as The Stranger in The Big Lebowski, is receiving the best reviews of his career for his nuanced turn in The Hero, in which he brings a vulnerability thats endearingly antithetical to machismo image of his iconic gunslinger. Its the only time that hes really gotten to carry the main emotional arc of a film, Offerman said. He was a lead in that movie Lifeguard, but thats not nearly as deep a cut as this film. Sam is so magnificent in his usual genre as the tough-as-nails, Harley rider, cowboy, military general, that its sort of understandable that hes never been given the chance to be the emotional center of the film because hes so good at filling his character slot But here he delivers so powerfully. In The Hero, Elliott also achieves something as rare as a hug from Ron Swanson: With his own trademark thick white bristles, he out-staches Nick Offerman. I happily sit on the bench of his mustache team, Offerman laughs. The Hero is now in select cities. Watch the trailer: Read more on Yahoo Movies: MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, who served as George W. Bushs communications director, issued a call Thursday afternoon to women working for President Trump: Call him out. As someone who once proudly called myself a Republican, the party will be permanently associated with misogyny if leaders dont stand up and demand a retraction, she said. Earlier in the day, Trump fired off a pair of bizarre tweets attacking MSNBCs Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. He denigrated Brzezinskis intelligence and claimed that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift while visiting his Mar-a-Lago estate six months ago. The comments drew widespread condemnation as sexist, including from congressional Republicans. On her show Deadline: White House, Wallace said women in the White House needed to join the chorus of criticism. She singled out deputy national security adviser Dina Powell, top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. As a woman who was fortunate enough to work in the White House as a public servant, all the women collecting paychecks from the U.S. taxpayers Dina Powell, Kellyanne Conway, Elaine Chao, Betsy DeVos you should all go on the record and condemn your boss comments, Wallace, a frequent Trump critic, said. And you should work behind the scenes to educate him just how offensive they are. She finished off her remarks by appealing to maternal instincts. And finally, most importantly, as the mother of a son, I ask any woman whos defending these comments how they plan to raise good men if the most powerful man in the world gets away with this, Wallace said. As a former WH comms director, my thoughts to the President's tweets: https://t.co/hhDNMWeAmL Nicolle Wallace (@NicolleDWallace) June 29, 2017 White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders repeatedly defended Trumps tweets. During a media briefing earlier in the day, she praised Trump as a tough counterpuncher who pushes back when media figures like Scarborough and Brzezinski criticize him. Story continues Trump fights fire with fire, she said. Read more from Yahoo News: US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley testifies on Capitol Hill: AP Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the United Nations, stunned Democrats when she told a congressional committee that she and Donald Trump haven't discussed Russias meddling in the 2016 US election, currently one of the most prominent issues facing the US. Ms Haley testified that she has told the President she thinks Russia interfered in the presidential race last year, but that their discussion has not gone much further beyond that. It's not something that's on my radar, Ms Haley told the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. Russia is one of the permanent members of the UN's Security Council with veto power. Other administration officials have testified that they havent spoken with the President regarding Russian interference in last years election, said Democratic congressman Brad Sherman. Have you talked to the President about this? I have not talked to the President about that, Ms Haley replied, later telling the panel that the issue has also not come up at the UN, as its not something she focuses on. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks later commented that he was actually stunned by the response she gave to Mr Sherman's question given the nature of the issue. While Mr Trump appears to have recently acknowledged that Russia meddled in the election, he had previously labelled the interference as an apparent fiction created by Democrats to explain away their unexpected loss. Jeh Johnson, Homeland Security Secretary under Barack Obama, said last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the cyber attacks aimed at disrupting and discrediting the presidential race. Congressional and federal investigators are also probing whether Trump campaign officials colluded with Russian operatives to secure Mr Trumps election. While Mr Trump has proven to be reluctant in criticising Mr Putin and Moscow, Ms Haley has denounced Russia as an unreliable ally. She has also departed from the President by endorsing the need for special prosecutor Robert Mueller to investigate the Trump campaigns Russia ties. Story continues We absolutely need the investigation, she told MSNBC last month. I think all these questions need to be answered so that the administration can get back to work. Trump, in comparison, has dismissed the need for a special prosecutor, saying the appointment of Mr Mueller hurts our country terribly. What I appreciate is that this administration does not tell me what to say or what not to say, Ms Haley told the House committee on Wednesday. They allow me to say what I think and they support me. But despite early signs that shes a maverick attempting to form her own foreign policy path, Ms Haley declared that she wont go rogue on the President. During the hearing, she asserted that many innocent men, women and children were saved as the result of Mr Trump's warning to Syria this week not to launch chemical attacks. In a surprise statement, the White House said it had evidence Syria was preparing to begin another chemical attack and cautioned that Bashar al-Assad's regime would pay a heavy price if it did so. I can tell you, due to the presidents actions, we did not see an incident, Ms Haley said. She also defended Mr Trumps controversial withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change arguing that it was in the best interest of the country as well as the Trump administrations proposed cuts to key programmes including the UN Childrens Fund, or Unicef, which provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. Mr Trump, meanwhile, hopes to massively boost the USs military spending. The President is making the point that we need to build up on military, and people who are having to pay the price for that are children who are at risk for malnutrition? said Democratic congressman Gerry Connolly. Ms Haley asserted that based on conversations she has had with Mr Trump, there is working room in the budget to support Unicef. You are a loyal member of the administration, Mr Connolly replied somewhat sardonically. Good for you. When the White House announced new South Korean President Moon Jae-ins visit to Washington, D.C. earlier this month, it described the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea as ironclad. But as Moons visit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, draws closer, one thing to watch will be the relationship between the Korean leader, who campaigned on a platform of more engagement with Pyongyang, and his American counterpart, who has pushed a hawkish line on North Korea since he took office. North Korea, obviously, will dominate the visit, a senior White House official said in a call with reporters on Wednesday, stressing that the two would discuss coordinating their approach to dealing with Pyongyang. The official also said that the two countries share the goal of complete dismantlement of North Koreas nuclear program. Also sure to come up: A new U.S. missile defense system recently deployed to South Korea, which Moon has suspended on environmental grounds. While the White House official said South Korea in many respects is the model ally in terms of defense spending, Trump himself said as recently as April that South Korea should pay for the billion dollar THAAD system. But the real real test will be how the two leaders deal with North Korea. The left-leaning Moon, elected in May after his predecessor, the conservative Park Geun-hye, was ousted for corruption, has long been an advocate for dialogue with North Korea. Moon was chief of staff to then-President Roh Moo-hyun from 2003 to 2008, which means he was part of an administration that actively pursued sunshine policies that is, policies of greater political and economic engagement with the North. Moon has changed his tune a bit since taking office, talking tougher than he had been in response to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Uns bad behavior, notes Michael Mazza of the American Enterprise Institute, though he still calls Moon a pro-engagement kind of guy. The White House, for its part, made clear that it wants a unified front to pursue engagement only when the conditions are right. And even then, we must maintain and increase pressure in North Korea. Story continues Also on the agenda: Trade. There will be a friendly and frank discussion about the trade relationship, the administration official said. Trump will likely look to pave a path toward the renegotiation of the U.S. free trade deal with South Korea, which he described in April as unacceptable. The South Korean Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding their expectations for the trip, which will include a visit to the Korean War Memorial and lunch with Vice President Mike Pence. Photo credit: AHN YOUNG-JOON/AFP/Getty Images North Korea threatened Wednesday to execute South Korea's former president Park Geun-Hye over an alleged plot to assassinate Kim Jong-Un, according to a statement pushed by officials and prosecutors in North Korea. "We declare at home and abroad that we will impose the death penalty on traitor Park Geun Hye," the statement said, according to a report by The Guardian. It alleged that Park had "pushed forward" with the attempted plot by Seoul's intelligence services. North Korea also said that former director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), Lee Byung-Ho, would also be executed along with sympathetic groups. The statement threatened the accused with a brutal "dog's death." They "can never make any appeal even though they meet miserable dog's death anytime, at any place and by whatever methods from this moment," the statement read, adding that the accused ex-president and former director should be handed over as "organizers of the hideous international terrorist crimes." READ: Will North Korea Attack Japan? Government Tells Citizens How To Survive Nuclear Missile Park is currently in custody and on trial in Seoul for charges of bribery and abuse of power related to the corruption scandal that got her impeached in December 2016. The first woman president of South Korea, Park was voted to be impeached by the South Korean National Assembly. The vote was 234-56, with six abstentions, according to CNN. "I solemnly accept the voices of the National Assembly and the people and sincerely hope that the current confusion will come to an end in an orderly manner," said Park. "I will respond to the impeachment judgment of the constitutional court and the investigation of the special prosecutors, following the procedures set by the Constitution and the law with [a] calm mind-set and then will accept its decision," she added. READ: North Korean Media Calls Trump A 'Lunatic,' Threatens South Korea; 4 Other Similar Instances Story continues South Korea intelligence agencies denied involvement and said that the North's accusations are without merit. In a statement, the Souths NIS said, As we have repeatedly clarified, the Norths allegations are groundless. It added, It is intolerable that the North openly threatens the lives of our people. In February, Kim Jong Un's estranged half-brother Kim Jong-Nam was killed by two women at Kuala Lumpur International Airport using a banned nerve agent. They were caught on camera. One of the women shown applying the deadly nerve gas had "LOL" emblazoned on her shirt and stood in plain view of the camera. Malaysia and South Korea both blamed North Korea for the assassination. North Korea has denied any involvement. In May, Pyongyang's ministry of state security said it stopped a plot by the US and South Korean spy agencies to kill Kim using a biochemical weapon. GettyImages-660358870 Photo: (Ahn Young-Joon-Pool-Getty Images) Related Articles Barack Obama took his wife and daughters to the ancient Borobudur temple on Java on Wednesday on a family vacation to Indonesia, where the former US president spent part of his childhood. The Obamas arrived in the city of Yogyakarta in central Java and headed straight to explore the Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist temple built in the 8th and 9th centuries. "Obama is fascinated by Borobudur, and he remembers that he has seen this temple when he was a child," said Edy Setijono, head of the temple management complex, who accompanied the family at the site. Obama spent four years in Indonesia in the late 1960s in the then-sleepy capital Jakarta after his mother married an Indonesian man, following the end of her marriage to his Kenyan father. During those years, his mother and Indonesian stepfather sometimes took him to Yogyakarta during school holidays. Prior to their arrival in Yogyakarta, the Obamas had visited the resort island of Bali, where they toured a Hindu temple in sarongs, walked through terraced rice paddy fields and white water rafted. On June 30, Obama and his family are expected to visit Jakarta. Many Indonesians feel a strong bond with Obama because of his early exposure to Indonesian culture, with a two-metre (six-foot) bronze statue placed in his former school. The statue of "Little Barry" -- as Obama was known to his Indonesian school friends -- depicts the boy Obama dressed in shorts and a T-shirt with a butterfly perched on his hand. While in the capital, Obama will meet President Joko Widodo on June 30 and give a speech at an Indonesian diaspora convention the next day. NASAs Curiosity rover has sent back a pair of very curious photos since March that have resurfaced in conspiracy circles as evidence of a genuine spaceship and thigh bones visible on Mars. Alien hunters and UFO enthusiasts are celebrating after two photos appear to show distinct signs of life on Mars. The first photo causing jaws to drop in the reddit conspiracy theorist group Martian Archaeology shows what appears to be fossilized bones or petrified wood protruding from the red planets surface. The photo dates back to 2014 and NASA responded to the online uproar then by acknowledging -- but dismissing -- that the "alien thigh bone" could be linked to extraterrestrial life. The debris pile from the Curiositys photograph already has convinced some wishful-thinking alien enthusiasts of extraterrestrial activity on Mars. nasa bones Photo: NASA "After years of research and study, I'm convinced now, more than ever, that there is much more to Mars than what NASA admits to," a reddit user named TJ Devereaux remarked. I'm certain life, including water, and intelligent life forms, once occupied the planet, and ... big leap here ... that both still exist, in much smaller quantities." Read: NASA's Mars Rover Looks Like It Came From The Future To Explore An Alien Planet Images of the same bone-like object taken 10 days apart show it had grown larger, causing many to speculate it could be a fungus formed on the supposed "alien bone." The second image from NASAs robotic Opportunity rover, also known as MER-B or MER-1, appears to show a shiny, metallic object on Mars surface that provoked speculation that it is an alien spacecraft. But several commenters in reddits UFO forum point out that, like most NASA images from the Curiosity and Opportunity, its difficult to gauge the actual size or details from the grainy photo. Story continues Mars Curiosity Photo: NASA Curiosity Rover's Findings After Five Years On Mars: NASAs Curiosity rover landed in Mars Gale Crater on Aug. 5, 2012, using a complex and never-before-attempted maneuver involving a giant parachute, a jet-controlled descent vehicle and a bungee-like apparatus labeled a sky crane. NASA says Curiosity's mission is to determine whether the Red Planet ever was, or is, habitable to microbial life. The rover, which is about the size of a Mini Cooper, is equipped with 17 cameras and a robotic arm that features several specialized laboratory-like tools and instruments to analyze objects on Mars surface. The Curiosity mission has produced more than 4,700 usable images from Mars surface, including 26 new images posted Wednesday. An ancient Martian lake and other indications of Earth-like microbes are among the findings revealed by the rover. But not everyone is convinced the photos show definitive signs of life on Mars. The object certainly appears to be artificial. We know that the rover was taking pictures of its own entry debris at that time. There's nothing particularly alien about the object in question it could easily be entry debris, Reddit user Once Returned suggested. Others noted that regardless of the shiny objects significance, it could be labeled an Unidentified Landed Object. Read: Curiosity Rover Left 5 Years Ago, Here Are The Top Mars Images One explanation is that the object is a piece of debris from the Mars rover itself or from its sky crane landing system, Nigel Watson, author of "The UFO Investigations Manual," told the Daily Mail. Unless we get more detailed information this is another case of wishful thinking. Related: Related Articles Islamabad (AFP) - Pakistan Tuesday strongly criticised the US decision to impose sanctions on Syed Salahuddin, senior leader of the Kashmiri militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. "The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified," the foreign office said in a statement. Kashmir has since 1947 been divided between India and Pakistan but is claimed in full by both. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen is one of several homegrown militant groups that have for decades been fighting troops and police deployed in the Indian sector, calling for independence or a merger with Pakistan. The Pakistani statement complained of "gross and systematic violations of human rights" in Indian Kashmir. "Over the past one year the world has witnessed an intensification of the brutal policies of repression being pursued by the Indian occupation forces." The sanctions move means the United States now considers Salahuddin, also known as Mohammad Yusuf Shah, a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist", the State Department said in a statement. US officials said Salahuddin last September vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, and threatened to train more suicide bombers and to turn the disputed valley "into a graveyard for Indian forces". The new sanctions mean American citizens are generally barred from doing business with Salahuddin, and all his assets subject to US jurisdiction are blocked. The State Department said that under Salahuddin, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several attacks. The designation was announced just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was due at the White House for his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump. The parents of a Pennsylvania teen who had his murder captured in a "selfie" spoke out for the first time since their sons death Wednesday. Ryan Mangan, 16, was shot and killed by another teen in 2015, who then took a smiling self-portrait with Mangan as he was dying. Maxwell Morton, also 16 at the time, took the photo in front of Mangan and then left him to bleed to death as he fled the scene. Morton never called for help, according to reports. "Ryan deserved justice," Mangan's mother, Rebecca Murtland, told People Wednesday. "He could have been saved." Read: Teenage Boys Allegedly Shot 14-Year-Old Girl Over 'Annoying' Snapchats Morton was convicted of third-degree murder in May and sentenced to at least 15 years in prison. Prosecutors used the selfie as a key piece of evidence in the trial, though they were unsuccessful in getting a conviction for first-degree murder. Mortons defense team argued the shooting was an accident that it occurred when the teenagers were playing with a gun. "It was like my son died all over again a second time," George Mangan Jr. said of the verdict. "And I just feel that this isnt justice for him." Both parents attended the trial in which the jury was shown the selfie Morton took. "No trial is fair when the victim cannot participate," Murtland said, noting she was "thankful the judge realized the audacity of the crime." Morton reportedly sent the selfie to a friend via Snapchat. The friend saved the picture and showed it to his mother, who then took it to police. The photo and its contents led police to Mortons doorstep. "[Police] received a copy of the photo which depicted the victim sitting in the chair with a gunshot wound to the face," a police affidavit stated. "It also depicts a black male taking the 'selfie' with his face facing the camera and the victim behind him. The photo had the name 'Maxwell' across the top." Story continues Morton confessed to police after they found a handgun inside his home, officers said. District Attorney John Peck told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in 2015 that hed never encountered a situation like it. "Ive never seen it before," Peck said. "But it was a key piece of evidence that led investigators to the defendant." Westmoreland County Detective James Williams first interviewed Morton about the killing and the photograph and said Morton alleged he wanted to take a photo while the two were playing with the gun and accidentally shot Mangan. "He had a little smirk on his face," Williams said of the interview, according to local WTAE-TV. "And said, 'I didnt really care either.'" Read: Timothy Piazza 'Looked Like A Corpse' Before Fraternity Hazing Death In May, Morton said during the trial that he didnt want to be remembered as a "savage" and that Mangans death was "messed up," according to KDKA-TV. "No one will understand," said Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio, "the thought process of taking that photo." Related Articles By Kanupriya Kapoor MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Reuters) - Five decapitated civilians were found in a Philippine city occupied by Islamist rebels on Wednesday, the military said, warning the number of residents killed by rebel "atrocities" could rise sharply as troops retake more ground. The discovery of the five victims among 17 bodies retrieved would be the first evidence that civilians trapped in besieged Marawi City have been decapitated during the five-week stand by militants loyal to the Islamic State group, as some who escaped the city have previously reported. Some 71 security forces and 299 militants have been killed and 246,000 people displaced in the conflict, which erupted after a failed attempt on May 23 to arrest a Filipino militant commander backed by Islamic State's leadership. President Rodrigo Duterte promised to destroy the militants in Marawi and said the Philippines was now dealing with "a very dangerous situation" due to young Muslims inspired by the "mass insanity" of Islamic State. "All they do is just to kill and destroy, and killing in a most brutal way," he said at an event where he received hundreds of sniper and assault rifles donated by China to help the military campaign in Marawi. "They enjoy decapitating people in front of cameras. They have to be dealt with, with the same ferocity but not the brutality," he said. The information about the beheadings came via a text message to reporters from Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Garcia of the Western Mindanao Command. Garcia did not respond to repeated requests for details. A civilian rescue worker, Abdul Azis Lomondot, told Reuters body parts were found, but with "no proof of beheading". Military spokesman Jo-Ar Herrera said bodies were found separately in two groups, of 12 and five, but he was unable to confirm if the five were beheaded. The battle entered its 36th day on Wednesday, with intense gunfights and bombing in the heart of the town and black-clad fighters seen from afar running between buildings as explosions rang out. The rebels' hold on Marawi, while incurring the full force of a military for years trained by its U.S. counterparts, has much of the region on edge, concerned that Islamic State's influence may run deeper than thought. Those fears are also being felt in Malaysia and Indonesia, whose nationals are among the Maute group of rebels fighting in Marawi, suggesting the group may have built a cross-border network that has gone largely undetected. RISING TOLL Military spokesman Restituto Padilla earlier said it was likely that many civilians had been killed and the death toll - at 27 before the latest 17 were announced - was only what the authorities could confirm independently and escapees had reported many in the area of fighting. "(It) may increase significantly," Padilla told reporters. "There have been a significant number that have been seen." Padilla said the cause of all of those deaths would be "atrocities committed by the terrorists". Among those atrocities, the army says, have been residents being forced to loot homes, take up arms or become sex slaves. Videos have appeared this month on the website of Islamic State's Amaq news agency and its social media channels of hostages in Marawi pleading for their lives, saying they would be beheaded if air strikes were not stopped. Clips have also appeared of kneeling captives, shot in the head from behind. Reuters was unable to confirm the authenticity of the footage. The military has so far been reluctant to discuss the possibility that the real impact of the fighting on civilians could be far more severe than has been reported. It has played down the impact of daily air strikes and mortar assaults aimed at rebel sniper positions, which have reduced areas of the lakeside town to rubble and alarmed people stuck there, some of whom have said the shelling was a bigger threat than the militants. Military spokesman Padilla said troops needed more time to finish what was a tricky mission, complicated by trapped civilians, hostages and booby traps. (For a graphic on battle for Marawi, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2sqmHDf) (Additional reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in MANILA; Writing by Martin Petty) A pregnant Minnesota teen is facing manslaughter charges after cops say she accidentally killed her boyfriend in what has been called a YouTube stunt gone terribly wrong. Seven months into her pregnancy, 19-year-old Monalisa Perez faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter after allegedly shooting the baby's father, Pedro Ruiz III. Watch: Daredevil Dangles Above Niagara Falls by Her Teeth Perez and Ruiz were making a YouTube video Tuesday night when she accidentally shot him in the chest, the Norman County Sheriff's Office said. When authorities responded to a 911 call, Perez reportedly told police that Ruiz wanted to make a video of her shooting a book, which he believed would stop the bullet. Ruiz was found with a single gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene. Police say they recovered a gold Desert Eagle .50 caliber pistol on the grass near the home. Two cameras that police say were used to record the stunt were taken as evidence. Perez reportedly told police that the shot was taken from about a foot away while Ruiz was holding the book to his chest. County Attorney James Brue described the book as a hardcover encyclopedia. In a tweet posted prior to the stunt, a Twitter user matching Perez's name and location told followers: "Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever... HIS idea not MINE." After she was booked on the manslaughter charge, Perez was released on conditional bail. Watch: Proposal Gone Wrong at Baseball Game Found to Be Fake, Couple Already Married In addition to paying $7,000 for her release, Perez must wear a GPS monitor and is forbidden from handling a firearm. If convicted, Perez is faces either a maximum of more than 10 years in jail, a fine of no more than $20,000 or both. Watch: Man Comes Dangerously Close to Alligator Chomping on His Head - on Purpose Related Articles: An ingredient in soap can alter your skin. (Photo: Getty Images) Researchers may be closer to figuring out how to make skin waterproof. According to research published in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, an ingredient commonly found in cosmetic cleaners anionic surfactants known as sodium lauryl sulfate has the ability to control the outer layer of the skin, which serves as a protective barrier between underlying tissue and the environment. The wet-ability of this tissue layer can influence the spread of chemicals, as well as the way the skin responds to cosmetic products. So in essence, now that scientists have figured out what exactly is needed to alter skins wet-ability, they can play around with it and see exactly what needs to be done to make skin waterproof. Its quite neat, actually. What it seems to suggest is as you change the pH of the solution, we can actually flip these little molecules upside down, study author Guy German, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Binghamton University, State University of New York, said in a press release. The simple story that is new is that sodium lauryl sulfate is the molecule they focused on thats in soap, Delphine Lee, MD, PhD, dermatologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, explains to Yahoo Beauty. She says the most basic way to understand the science behind this discovery is to think about the blending of oil and water. Imagine youre trying to wash oil off of a shirt you cant get the oil off with water because oil and water dont mix, explains Lee. And the oil can be seen as a hydrophobic because its going to repel the water. So some of the molecules in sodium lauryl sulfate will change the skins pH value. If you make the pH lower, then its acidic, continues Lee. Then it will actually make your skin on the surface, on a microscopic level be hydrophobic, like the oil. So it will almost make you waterproof. Lee credits this research as an interesting observation and believes it may encourage chemists to, pay more attention to the pH when theyre developing technologies and inventions of their topical treatments or cosmetics. Story continues The study author is hopeful this latest research will lead to the improvement of transdermal drug delivery, alter bacterial growth behavior on skin, or improve adhesion of biointegrated electronics and sensor systems. Did you catch all that? Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, please follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty. YouTube/PBS Newshour Warren Buffet, the second-richest man in America, says the real problem with his country is the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few. The real problem, in my view, is that prosperity has been unbelievable for the extremely rich people, he told PBS Newshour on Monday. Mr Buffet should know: A businessman and investor, the 86-year-old is reportedly worth almost $76bn. He is widely considered one of the most successful investors in the world, largely due to his investment in textile manufacturing firm Berkshire Hathaway. But the multi-billionaire who has pledged to give away 99 per cent of his personal fortune says that concentrating wealth in the hands of a few successful businessmen isnt helping the rest of the country. Acknowledging that the US economy currently generates an average of more than $55,000 per person, Mr Buffett said, The economy is doing well, but all Americans arent doing well. In fact, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the top 10 per cent of American families held more than three-quarters of the countrys wealth in 2013. And that gap is only widening: The top tenth of families saw their share of the countrys wealth increase by 54 per cent between 1989 and 2013, while everyone else saw their share shrink. This has been a prosperity that has been disproportionately rewarding to the people on top, Mr Buffett said. The growing wealth inequality has upset in politics as usual in the US, propelling Democrat socialist Senator Bernie Sanders' campaign for the presidential nomination, and giving populist candidate Donald Trump a boost into the Oval Office. Mr Trump promised frequently on the campaign trail to create jobs for the working class, and protect key social safety nets such as Social Security and Medicaid. The US economy added about 600,000 jobs in the first four months of Mr Trumps presidency, compared to 840,000 in the four month before his election, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. Story continues His partys health care bill, meanwhile, would reduce Medicaid spending by $772bn in a decade. The bill would also give the top 0.1 per cent of earners a $250,000 tax cut by 2026, according to the Tax Policy Centre. Mr Buffett on Monday argued that the Republican healthcare plan would only exacerbate the divide between rich and poor. You could entitle this, you know, Relief for the Rich Act or something, he said, adding that Senate Republicans have given themselves a big, big tax cut if they voted for this. Sen. Chuck Schumer has been very outspoken against robocalls and ringless voicemails. Source: AP If theres anything good about ringless voicemails, its the fact that they bring people together. These voicemails that simply appear on your phone seem to invite universal hatred. Indeed, the FCC has gotten almost 2,800 complaints about ringless voicemails in June alone. Among the complaints: lost business due to spam clogging the mailbox, added data costs from checking messages, mailboxes flooded to capacity unable to receive messages from family. My phone bought and paid for by me exists for my convenience, and not to provide a portal into my life for unsolicited contacts of any nature, said one Georgian to the FCC. The robocall war has been hard enough to fight with the support of the FCC. (Recently, the FCC scored a win in this war, slapping a $120 million fine on a robocaller after TripAdvisor tracked down the culprit.) And now ringless voicemails have become the latest battleground for telephone annoyance since the FCC was asked in late March to consider exempting ringless voicemails from its do-not-call rules by a marketing company called All About the Message, LLC. (The Do Not Call Registry provides telemarketers with a list of numbers its illegal to dial.) Perhaps unexpectedly, however, the ringless voicemail debate suddenly became a partisan issue. Ringless voicemails go viral On May 18, the Republican National Committee got involved, filing comments with the FCC in support of All About the Message saying the delivery of a voice message directly to a voicemail box does not constitute a call, and is not subject to telephone consumer protection rules. RNC chief counsel John R. Phillippe, Jr. wrote that a contrary ruling would have serious consequences for the First Amendment rights of those engaged in political communication via telephone. The RNCs comments seemed suggested its support was to solidify its own strategies with ringless voicemail, but the issue snowballed as corporate interests also submitted similar letters of support. The US Chamber of Commerce and the American Financial Services Association joined in writing letters in support of the FCC not regulating ringless voicemails. Story continues The RNCs letter sparked a small-scale political firestorm, escalating the issue and inflaming the public. My guess is [the RNC] had no idea their comments would generate the reaction that they had, said Margot Freeman Saunders, senior counsel at National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), who wrote a letter against efforts to deregulate ringless voicemails. It was their comments that triggered the first big news stories, they really made it go viral. After the RNCs missive, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey wrote a letter to the FCC opposing the petition to exempt ringless voicemails from consumer protection. The letter was signed by eight other senators. A similar letter from the House led by Rep. Daniel Lipinski of Illinois had 14 signatories. Neither letter was signed by a Republican. The attorneys general of New York, Massachusetts, and Kentucky also sent a letter. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, a robocall critic, called on the FCC to reject All About the Messages request. Democrats hate them. Republicans like them? At a glance, its hard to see how something universally reviled by anyone with a phone could fall along the same political lines as healthcare or taxes. When you see the number of [FCC] comments people have made against the use of this technology, you can see that there is broad public opposition, Susan Grant, director of consumer protection and privacy at the Consumer Federation of America. Although we dont know the parties who have commented, its a technology thats deeply unpopular so I would think that no business or political party or other entity would want to be using this technology. Some people actually have looked into some of the FCCs comments. In a letter to the FCC, the NCLCs Saunders highlighted the breadth of the complaints. Consumers of various backgrounds and income levels seem to be in agreement. The comments, Saunders said, are very compelling. I think it shows that this isnt a partisan issue, its a consumer vs. business issue. Despite near universal agreement that ringless voicemails are a nuisance, support for them has fallen along partisan lines for politicians. Curiously, no one Yahoo Finance spoke with could quite explain how such an issue turned political. The closest thing to an answer was a finger to the almost-literal elephant in the room. I dont think anyone would be surprised that the RNC is more favorable towards business and Dems are more favorable to consumers, Saunders said. For now, however, the matter is somewhat shelved. On June 20, All About the Message withdrew its petition to the FCC. Still, its possible this issue could re-awaken if the FCC decided to visit the issue on its own, without a petition, or that another firm could file a petition. Its very likely that theyll consider it in the future, said Saunders. Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance focusing on consumer issues, tech, and personal finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Got a tip? Send it to tips@yahoo-inc.com. Read More: How TripAdvisor hunted a robocaller that made 100 million calls to random people Ubers series of scandals has yet to put a dent in ridership Examining Ubers post-Kalanick future Leaked audio: Ubers uncomfortable all-hands meeting The full list of recommendations on how Uber can improve its workplace Uber lost 8 executives in under 2 months Uber has suffered 4 scandals in 10 days The simple reason people dont care about Uber scandals Never bring a knife to a pipe fight. Police are searching for a would-be robber who met his match when he tried to hold up a Texas store clerk. The suspect had his face covered and was brandishing a blade after entering a Superette Store in Santa Gertrudis at about 8 p.m. Saturday, surveillance footage released by cops showed. Read: Mom Fights Off Man Who Allegedly Attacked Her 2-Year-Old Daughter at Park: Cops The clerk can be seen pointing to the door and ordering the suspect out, but the knife-swinging man continues closer, video showed. But the suspect made a quick about-face when the clerk reached underneath the counter and came back with a large pipe that he used to chase the crook away. Read: Woman Uses Self-Defense Techniques She Learned Weeks Earlier to Fight Off Sex Offender The pair struggled near the door and appeared to fight over the pipe before the suspect ultimately fled with both weapons, video showed. The suspect ran southbound, police said. Anyone with information about the incident, including the identity of the suspect, is asked to contact the Kingsville Crime Stoppers at 361-592-4636. Watch: Cop Dressed as Batman Busts Man Stealing 'The LEGO Batman Movie': Cops Related Articles: Googles Canadian engineering headquarters in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario seen on January 14, 2016. (Reuters) The Supreme Court of Canada issued an order to Google Wednesday: Stop showing search results for a company accused of fraud, not just in Canada, but throughout the world. Yes, that includes everybody reading this in America. But the courts ruling that the Alphabet. Inc., (GOOG, GOOGL) search subsidiary de-index the company could also invite other courts including those in countries not as nice as Canada to issue their own global takedown demands for other sites, which can easily lead to free speech being squashed. And U.S. companies that want to do business in those other nations will have little choice but to comply. Too bad, eh? Litigate locally, punish globally This story started with a lawsuit filed by Barnaby, British Columbia-based Industrial-networking vendor Equustek Solutions Inc., alleging that a competitor, Datalink Technologies Gateways Inc., had started selling its technology as its own. A lower court told Datalink to knock it off, but the firm then fled the province to an unknown location while continuing to hawk its wares online. Equustek asked Google to stop sending people to Datalinks sales pages, and Google complied. But as Datalink kept moving the offending sales pitch from one page to another, Equustek asked Google to stop pointing people to Datalinks site entirely and to do the same around the world. An appeals court granted that request, and Canadas Supreme Court upheld that while rejecting free-speech arguments in a 7-2 ruling. This is not an order to remove speech that, on its face, engages freedom of expression values, it is an order to de-index websites that are in violation of several court orders, Justice Rosalie Abella wrote. We have not, to date, accepted that freedom of expression requires the facilitation of the unlawful sale of goods. Googles press office released a statement in response: We are carefully reviewing the Courts findings and evaluating our next steps. Corporations versus governments The traditional view of trying to keep something off the internet, as Electronic Frontier Foundation co-founder John Gilmore points out is, The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. Story continues But multinational corporations, unlike internet packets, operate in fixed locations. They have employees that can be arrested, assets that can be seized and bank accounts that can be hit with fines. Having any one country tell a company doing business there that it must take something offline within that country has always been a risk, and sometimes tech firms have opted not to run accept such demands Googles decision to pull out of the booming Chinese market over government censorship is a perfect example of this. But Canadas Supreme Court has flipped this script with its globally-binding ruling. Daphne Keller, a director of Stanford Universitys Center for Internet and Society, called it much more far reaching than most in an email. And the underlying offense here, an intellectual-property violation, is far from being something everybody can agree on as being beyond the pale worldwide. Said Keller: I am in tons of discussions about this, and the one point of consensus is global removal of child pornography. Further, this isnt just any rogue judicial body engaging in global grandstanding. The Canadian Supreme Court is well respected around the world, and this ruling will carry some weight elsewhere, emailed Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa. Geist, who had earlier urged the court to adopt a narrower remedy, said the judges should have limited their ruling to Googles google.ca Canadian site. Everybody loses The courts ruling is a mess all around. It wont actually solve the problem of people finding undesirable content online for the same reasons that the European Unions right to be forgotten doctrine cant. Like the EUs RtbF, Canadas ruling doesnt encompass every search engine and says nothing about social media, with its proven ability to send massive amounts of people to a site. Nor can it stop individual people or sites from pointing to offending pages something that can become more likely after a dose of publicity. The problem looms much larger for everybody else online. Canadian judges may be a reasonable lot, but if they see fit to assert global jurisdiction, so can any other countrys judges. In France, privacy regulators have fined Google a token amount for not honoring a right-to-be-forgotten request worldwide. (Memo to French president Emmanuel Macron: This is not a good look for will not help your startup nation ambitions.) Libel laws are far friendlier to plaintiffs in the United Kingdom; imagine British courts deciding that their rulings must now apply worldwide? And on Monday, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan got a court order demanding that Twitter (TWTR) close the account of American Enterprise Institute scholar Michael Rubin. What if he forced Google to stop linking to attacks on him? Whats hate speech in France is free speech in the U.S., explained Pamela Samuelson, a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley. Whats fair use in the U.S. may be infringing in Spain. Whats defamation in Australia or the UK may be protected speech in the U.S. In every case, the result will be courts overseas deciding what we as Americans can find online. And then maybe U.S. courts will return the favor, and the internet as a whole can get meeker and shallower, one ruling at a time. More from Rob: Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro. By Patricia Zengerle and Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former U.S. diplomat who served under Republican President George W. Bush criticized the Trump administration on Wednesday for failing to do more to investigate allegations that Russia sought to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election. "Russia's going to do this again," Nicholas Burns, who was undersecretary of state from 2005 to 2008, testified to the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Russia's our most dangerous adversary in the world today, and if he continues to refuse to act, it's a dereliction of the basic duty to defend the country," Burns said. Burns, now a professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, was one of four witnesses at an intelligence committee hearing about Russian efforts to influence elections in Europe. The Senate panel and other congressional committees, as well as Department of Justice Special Counsel Robert Mueller, are investigating Russia and the 2016 presidential election and potential collusion between Moscow and President Donald Trump's campaign. Russia has denied such assertions. Trump, a Republican, has dismissed them as sour grapes voiced by Democrats disappointed by his victory and called them a "witch hunt." At a hearing last week that focused on the U.S. election, a Homeland Security official testified that Russian hackers targeted 21 state election systems in the 2016 presidential race and that a small number were breached. On Wednesday, the intelligence committee's ranking Democrat, Senator Mark Warner, said the panel had asked officials in 21 states to release information about the hacking. "This week the Chairman (Republican Senator Richard Burr) and I sent a letter to all relevant state election officials asking that this information be made public," Warner said. "I do not see how Americans are made safer when they do not know which state elections systems Russia tried to hack," he added. Story continues Warner has asked the Department of Homeland Security to share the names of the 21 states, which have not been publicly identified. The congressional probes have at times come up against concerns among Republicans about leaks of classified information and unproven assertions by Trump and others that the Obama administration improperly spied on members of Trumps presidential campaign. On Wednesday, Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Lindsey Graham sent a letter to the FBI and Justice Department requesting copies of any proposed and final applications to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for permission to conduct surveillance related to the 2016 election, including any related to the FBIs ongoing Russia investigation. Related: (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Dustin Volz; Editing by Dan Grebler and Steve Orlofsky) Christopher Wray, President Donald Trumps official nominee to replace former FBI Director James Comey, will have to answer quite a few questions as his nomination comes before the Senate for approval. In a statement released by the Justice Department late Monday, Wray said he was honored and humbled after his nomination was officially sent to the Senate. Earlier this month, Trump tweeted about Wrays nomination after controversially firing Comey in May. Comey was leading a criminal investigation into whether or not Trump's advisers colluded with Russians to sway the results of the 2016 presidential election. In his tweet, Trump called Wray a man of impeccable credentials. These credentials will be under the spotlight, and Wray may also have to answer why he removed an important detail about his past from his biography on his law firms website. Read: Who Is Christopher Wray? In 2006, Wray represented an unnamed American energy executive, who was being criminally investigated by the Russian government, according to a CNN report. This detail was present on Wrays biographical page for his law firm, King & Spalding, since 2009 but it was removed in January. At the time he made the adjustments January 12, 2017 he was not being considered for, and did not anticipate being nominated for, FBI Director, or any position in government, King & Spalding spokeswoman Micheline Tang was quoted as saying. Wray's firm also counts among its clients the Russian energy firm Rosneft which has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Any work Wray did related to Russia is likely to figure in the Senate confirmation proceedings. christopher wray Photo: Getty Images This wouldnt be the only issue plaguing Wray, who has served as assistant attorney general under former President George W. Bush. He also represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the Bridgegate scandal, according to NJ.com. Christie is close to the Trump and was an early backer of his presidential campaign. Story continues Read: How Much Money FBI Directors Make Christie, however, declined to comment on whether he recommended Wray to Trump, a possibility that might bring the prospective FBI directors impartiality under a cloud. I dont talk about what advice I give to the president of the United States, he said. Meanwhile, several civil liberties advocates have expressed reservations about Wrays nomination. "Christopher Wray's firm's legal work for the Trump family, his history of partisan activity, as well as his history of defending Trump's transition director during a criminal scandal makes us question his ability to lead the FBI with the independence, even-handed judgment, and commitment to the rule of law that the agency deserves," American Civil Liberties Union National Political Director Faiz Shakir said in a statement. When Trump announced his selection for the next FBI director, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) questioned whether Wray could exercise independence from the president. In a tweet, Merkley noted Wrays representation of Christie in Bridgegate and said King & Spalding because of the firms work for Rosneft and Gazprom, two of Russias state-controlled oil companies represents Trump Trust and Russian oil. Related Articles Cardinal George Pell, one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican and Australia's most senior Catholic, has been charged over historic sex assault offences. In a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See, police in the Australian state of Victoria said there were multiple charges against Cardinal Pell and the case involved multiple complainants. Cardinal Pell, who intends to return to Australia to clear his name, is the Vatican's de facto treasury minister and is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be charged with sexual abuse. "I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I am innocent of these charges," Cardinal Pell said at a press conference at the Vatican early on Thursday morning. "They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," he added. Police have not yet revealed the details of the charges but said the cardinal was required to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. The Vatican put out a statement on Thursday about the case. "The Holy See has learned with regret the news of charges filed in Australia against Card. George Pell for decades-old actions that have been attributed to him. "Having become aware of the charges, Cardinal Pell, acting in full respect for civil laws, has decided to return to his country to face the charges against him, recognizing the importance of his participation to ensure that the process is carried out fairly, and to foster the search for truth. "The Holy Father, having been informed by Cardinal Pell, has granted the Cardinal a leave of absence so he can defend himself. "The Holy See expresses its respect for the Australian justice system that will have to decide the merits of the questions raised." George Pell, Catholic Cardinal, charged with historical sexual assault offences https://t.co/a3qXxNJHiLpic.twitter.com/YobyQj35ya ABC News (@abcnews) June 29, 2017 Story continues Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges and there are multiple complainants, said Victoria polices deputy commissioner Shane Patton. "It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal Pell have, obviously, been tested in any court yet," Mr Patton said in Melbourne. "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." Pell to return to Australia Cardinal Pell has repeatedly insisted he is innocent. In a statement shortly after the announcement, the Catholic Church in Australia said the cardinal "strenuously denies" the charges. "Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors who will also advise on his travel arrangements," the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said in a statement. "He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously," it said. The 76-year-old will likely be forced to step down from his Vatican post to fight the charges. Police last year confirmed that Pell was being investigated over alleged offences in Victoria in the 1970s. 'No one is above the law' It is unclear what allegations the charges announced relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at Eureka swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Cardinal Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. He would play games like throw the kids out of the water, Lyndon Monument, a former student, claimed to the ABC in July last year. You know, his hand touching your genitals and stuff on the outside of your bathers or shorts. And then that slowly became hand down the front of the pants or your bathers or whatever you call them. Damian Dignan, another student, said last year he was relieved that police were investigating the Cardinal. "[It's] relief for me. Probably relief for my children. Relief for my ex-wife," he told ABC News last year. It's not over yet, it's only the start. A lawyer for two unnamed men who had made abuse claims against Cardinal Pell said they were "over the moon" about the charges. "It's been very difficult for them to stick their neck out," Ingrid Irwin told Melbourne's Herald Sun. "To come out against someone who is second to God, in some people's minds, has caused all sorts of problems for them." The Blue Knot Foundation, an Australian support group for adult survivors of childhood abuse, said the decision to charge Pell sent a powerful message to both abuse survivors and society as a whole. "It upholds that no one is above the law, no matter how high their office, qualifications, or standing," the group's head of research, Pam Stavropoulos, said in a statement. 'Catastrophic' choices by Pell For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorised investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - the nation's highest form of inquiry - found shocking levels of abuse in Australia's Catholic Church. Cardinal Pell told the Australian inquiry last year the Church made "catastrophic" choices by refusing to believe abused children, shuffling abusive priests from parish to parish and relying too heavily on the counsel of priests to solve the problem. He has said previously that he would cooperate with police over the allegations against him but threatened legal action against those promoting these calumnies. Id just like to restate my innocence, he told reporters in Rome last month. Cardinal George Pell says he was deceived by bishop in 1970s Cardinal George Pell says he was deceived by bishop in 1970s 00:46 I stand by everything Ive said at the royal commission and in other places. We have to respect due process, wait until its concluded and obviously Ill continue to cooperate fully. Victim support groups have repeatedly attacked the Vatican for its response to the crisis, saying successive popes have failed to grasp the gravity of the situation. "It would be naive for us to assume that people will be only relieved," said Neil Woodger, vice president of the In Good Faith Foundation, which says it represents 460 victims of Catholic church abuse in Australia. "They're going to be experiencing a bit of distress as well," he said. "It is a result that I think points to justice working and that justice is there for everybody." Pressure on pope The latest development in the long-running Pell case piled pressure on Pope Francis to make good on promises to sack bishops found guilty of abuse, or of covering it up. Francis told reporters last year he would wait until Australian justice took its course before taking a position on Pell, and that his financial controller since 2014 should not undergo trial by media. "It's in the hands of the justice system and one cannot judge before the justice system," the pope said at the time. "After the justice system speaks, I will speak." Church sexual abuse broke into the open in 2002, when it was discovered that US bishops in the Boston area moved abusers from parish to parish instead of defrocking them. "I would suspect (the charges against Pell) are going to be stunning to the Vatican and to the pope himself," said Thomas Doyle, the US priest whose report on molestation in the church led to the discovery of cover-up practices in Boston. "My suspicion is that the pope will do something but I don't know what because there's no scenario for this," Doyle said by telephone from his home in Virginia. Singapore has long prided itself on being the smug teachers pet of Southeast Asia the richest, the most advanced, the most envied and the cleanest in terms of both its streets and its government. Ranked seventh in the world in Transparency Internationals most recent Corruption Perceptions Index, this image is something that the Peoples Action Party (PAP) government jealously guards. But this carefully cultivated picture is now taking a battering. Singapores much-touted principle of meritocracy is being undermined by accusations coming from the last place anyone expected: the prime ministers own siblings. The figure of Lee Kuan Yew looms large over modern Singapore. As the city-states first prime minister from 1959 to 1990, he is often credited as the chief architect of its success. His son, Lee Hsien Loong, is Singapores current and third-ever prime minister. The younger Lees success has always seemed an expression of the states meritocratic values. Lee Hsien Loong was a brilliant graduate from Cambridge and Harvard who became the youngest brigadier general in the history of the Singaporean military before rapidly rising through the political rank and assuming office as the countrys premier in 2004. Posts published on Lee Wei Lings Facebook page last year including a now-deleted one that referred to her brother as a dishonorable son had suggested that all was not well within the Lee family. But the feud between the siblings emerged in full force in the early hours of June 14, in a public statement from Lee Wei Ling and her brother Lee Hsien Yang that didnt mince words. The two younger siblings accused their powerful brother of abusing his position to override their fathers wish to demolish the family home. They claimed that he hoped to capitalize on the iconic status of the Lee house and the reverence accorded to his father for his own political capital, that his wife Ho Chings influence is pervasive, and that the couple have political ambitions for their son, . They announced that they felt fear of his power. Big brother is watching, they wrote and they meant it quite literally. The allegations kept coming over the next week, with Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang taking turns firing shots from their Facebook pages. They slammed a secret committee of ministers that had been convened to deliberate the handling of Lee Kuan Yews house, questioning the independence of a committee made up of their brothers subordinates and claiming that it was a conflict of interest for Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam to be part of the committee, since he had previously given them advice on the issue. They pointed out that Lee Hsien Loongs personal lawyer, Lucien Wong, was made attorney general an appointment that the mainstream press noted marked the first time a lawyer who had neither bench experience nor acted for the state in legal matters was given the position. They asserted that Lee Hsien Loong had also circumvented the proper channels by using his position to obtain a copy of a deed of gift they had signed with the National Heritage Board for his personal purposes. Its been an eye-popping experience in a country where political malfeasance is normally dealt with firmly, but intrigue is kept behind closed doors. Lees Peoples Action Party has not only dominated the countrys politics since independence, but boasted of a zero-tolerance attitude to any suggestion of bad behavior. The PAP government has no qualms about initiating expensive libel suits against critics. In 1999, then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong defended this position in an interview with Asiaweek: If theyve defamed us, we have to sue them because if we dont, our own integrity will be suspect. We have an understanding that if a minister is defamed and he does not sue, he must leave cabinet. By defamation, I mean if somebody says the minister is on the take or is less than honest. If he does not rebut it, if he does not dare go before the court to be interrogated by the counsel for the other side, there must be some truth in it. If there is no evidence, well, why are you not suing? In the past week alone, the Lee siblings went far beyond saying that the prime minister was less than honest they called him a liar outright. Their allegations also touched on nepotism, cronyism, the subversion of due process, and the abuse of power to monitor, threaten, and harass individuals for his own personal gain. These are statements that an average Singaporean cant dare to utter; people and publications have been taken to court for saying far less. Yet it would appear as if there are still perks to being a member of the Lee family, even when at war: Instead of suing his rogue siblings, Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday night addressed the nation in a pre-recorded message, apologizing to all Singaporeans for how his family dispute had affected Singapores reputation and Singaporeans confidence in the government. The prime minister has denied all the allegations, and Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam rebuffed any suggestion of conflict, but the situation is still a sticky one for Singapores political elite. It has undermined the governments consistent claims to march to the drumbeat of meritocracy, and if the allegations turn out to be true demonstrated a failure to live up to the standards that Lee Hsien Loong himself has set. Never give cause for allegations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. That would discredit both you and the Party, he wrote in a letter to his members of parliament after the 2015 general election. Separate your public political position from your private, professional or business interests. The prominent brands of the Lee family and the PAP intertwined in a narrative of competence, superiority, and deservedness have helped entrench their power in the city-state. The assumption that only the PAP can properly govern Singapore is pervasive, to the point that saying the opposition aims to form a future government comes across as a threat to public order. The PAP government has not been modest in the evaluation of its own performance, even while gerrymandering election boundaries and oppressing opposition politicians. Lee Hsien Loong described the party as Singapores A-team, made up of the best and brightest, selected through a system that only sees merit. Rather than a porous meritocracy, Singaporean hierarchy is now being made to seem a closed, elitist circle. The present saga has highlighted how closely everyone in the countrys ruling class is connected, how much power they wield among them, and how blurred the lines can be between their personal and professional relationships. All three feuding siblings occupy high positions of influence; in addition to the prime minister, Lee Hsien Yang is currently the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, while sister Lee Wei Ling is a senior advisor at the National Neuroscience Institute. Ho Ching, who is both the prime ministers wife and the head of sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings, is now being accused by her in-laws of having outsize influence over national matters. Lawrence Wong, a member of the ministerial committee whose independence the siblings have questioned, used to serve as Lee Hsien Loongs principal private secretary. Teo Chee Hean, the deputy prime minister who said he convened the ministerial committee, is the person with whom Lee Hsien Loong raised concerns over his fathers last will, and its not clear whether the committee was convened before or after this exchange. Emails published by Lee Wei Ling show officials namely K. Shanmugam and Lee Kuan Yew himself using their government email addresses to discuss personal matters. Lee Hsien Loong has now said that he will make a ministerial statement in parliament on July 3, and urged members of parliament to vigorously question him and his cabinet ministers. Yet its unclear how such a session will be able to dispel suspicions of political patronage; Singapores parliament is overwhelmingly dominated by MPs from Lees own party. When allegations that tarnish the prime ministers reputation will inevitably hurt the party itself, can anyone really expect PAP MPs to give their own leader a proper grilling? Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yangs salvos, fired from within the elite circle and plastered all over social media and the international press, have rubbed the shine right off the countrys most cherished myth. At the end of the day, its not just the Lee familys dirty laundry that theyre airing: its Singapores. Photo Credit: MOHD FYROL/AFP/Getty Images Protesters march around the Capitol on Wednesday. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A DAY OF ARRESTS AND SIT-INS, FROM WASHINGTON TO COLORADO. Disability rights activists have now spent two nights in Sen. Cory Gardners Denver office, where they are holding a sit-in to protest the Better Care Reconciliation Act, which would cut $772 million from Medicaid by 2026. The members of the Colorado branch of the national disability-rights organization ADAPT arrived Tuesday and have been camping out on inflatable pool toys. Cory Gardner, we will check out as soon as you commit a No vote, they said online. Another group of protesters gathered outside his offices that evening to join their voices in opposition. It was a day of protests at senators district offices and the U.S. Capitol, with the focus on keeping up the pressure on nine Republican senators who have publicly opposed or raised doubts about their support for the GOP bill. Related slideshow: Protesters across the country oppose GOPs health care plan >>> In Kansas, nearly 100 protesters rallied outside Sen. Jerry Morans Olathe district office. In New Orleans, Indivisible NOLA held a rally to protect our care. And in Washington, more than 40 people were arrested Wednesday in Senate office buildings. They were arrested in or outside the offices of Sens. Tom Cotton (Arkansas), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Pat Toomey (Pennsylvania), Marco Rubio (Florida), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Gardner. Outside Toomeys office, they chanted, Kill the bill, dont kill me. Senate office protests were expected to continue Thursday. The sit-ins were organized by a coalition of groups that including Occupy Democracy, Housing Works and the Center for Popular Democracy, according to WJLA ABC7 in Washington. Others came from regional Indivisible groups, such as the very active Indivisible Ozarks from Arkansas, In the evening, more than a thousand protesters gathered for a short march and rally Linking Together: March to Save Our Care organized by Planned Parenthood, MoveOn and a dozen other groups outside the Capitol, where House and Senate Democratic leaders spoke, along with members including Sens. Kamala Harris (California) and Cory Booker (New Jersey). Story continues Other protesters flocked to the Trump Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, where the president was holding a closed-press evening fundraiser, and rallied outside its front door. Related slideshow: Die-in protesters dragged away from McConnells office >>> On Thursday morning, a group of activists and faith leaders held a 6 a.m. Mass praying to save health care, according to Sen. Tim Kaine (Virginia), the former Democratic vice presidential nominee. TOWN HALL TIME. Thirty-four of the 52 Republicans in the Senate have not held a single town hall this year, Vox reports. But two of the senators who have expressed reservations about the Better Care Reconciliation Act will be holding town halls, and soon, according to the Town Hall Project, which tracks upcoming public events with members of Congress. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana told CNN this week Ive been uncommitted and I remain uncommitted. The Congressional Budget Office score on the GOP health coverage bill makes me more concerned, he said. On Friday, at 1 p.m. local time, he will be holding a Flood Recovery Town Hall Meeting at the Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge, La. And Moran has announced a July 6 morning town hall in Palco as part of his Kansas Listening Tour. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Police are investigating the disappearance of a North Carolina Starbucks employee, who went on a break during her shift Monday and never came back. Allison Cope, 24, a supervisor at the coffee bar inside Raleigh Durham International Airport, took her scheduled break at about 3 p.m. Read: Cop Who Lost Starbucks Lawsuit: 'I Thought the Facts Would Speak for Themselves' Relatives and friends have not heard from her since, and she was reported missing about four hours later. She left her bag behind. Inside, authorities found her cell phone, but her debit card and car keys were reportedly missing. Her car was also gone. Her airport security badge was used to leave the airport at about 3:10 p.m., WRAL.com reported. The Change of Heart Pit Bull Rescue, where Cope volunteers, posted an appeal to Facebook, saying, We love her and just want her to be safe. Authorities are now searching for her car, a 2014 Ford Fusion with license plate number EHA2771. Read: Mothers of D.C.'s Missing Children Reveal Their Fears: 'When Your Phone Rings, You Don't Know If It's a Homicide' Cope is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and has blonde hair and blue eyes. The Raleigh Police department and the FBI have joined the search. Anyone with any information about Copes whereabouts is asked to call Raleigh police at 919-840-7510. Watch: Starbucks Barista Flips Out Over Creating Hyped-Up Unicorn Frappuccinos Related Articles: U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images US Defence Secretary James Mattis has said that Syria's chemical weapons programme goes "far beyond one airfield". The comment appears to be a reference to the Syrian airfield which the United States struck in April, alleging the President Bashar al-Assad had used it to launch a chemical weapons attack on his own people. Mr Mattis said he believes the Syrian regime has now stockpiled chemical weapons in other parts of the country, in violation of international agreements. The comment comes days after the White House issued a warning to the Syrian regime that Mr Assad would "pay a heavy price" for any further attacks. Mr Mattis said he beliefs the warning had its intended effect. "It appears that they took the warning seriously," Mr Mattis told reporters. "They didn't do it." Syria was said to have destroyed all of their chemical weapons under an agreement reached by the US, Russia, and the Assad regime in 2013. But in April, more than 80 people were killed in a suspected chemical weapons attack in north-western Syria. The White House said on Monday that it had identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by Mr Assad's regime. "As we have previously stated, the United States is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria," the White House said in a statement. "If, however, Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price." A Pentagon spokesperson later confirmed the alleged preparations were being made at the same airfield the US struck in April. That strike marked the first direct military action taken by the US against Mr Assad's regime since the beginning of the country's six-year civil war. Six people were reportedly killed. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the strike did not signal a policy change toward Syria, but proved Mr Trump is "willing to act when governments and actors cross the line ... and cross the line in the most heinous of ways". Story continues Mr Assad has claimed innocence in the chemical weapons attack, and called the airstrike a "disgraceful act" that "can only be described as short-sighted." US forces have since shot down several of the Syrian regimes drones, which they claim fired on or came close to firing on a US training camp in the country. The US has also launched two direct attacks on Syrian forces entering a deconfliction zone they established around the camp. The US maintains that their presence in the country is part of a fight against Isis, not to undermine the Syrian regime. "The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat," Centcom said earlier this month. AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - A 20-year-old Texas man who told authorities he was texting while driving has been charged with manslaughter after a head-on collision with a small church bus that killed 13 people, a district attorney said on Thursday. Jack Young was indicted by a grand jury on Monday in connection with the March 29 crash in Uvalde County, about 80 miles (130 kms) west of San Antonio. Thirteen senior adults affiliated with First Baptist New Braunfels church died as they returned home from a retreat, and the sole survivor on the bus was seriously injured. Young is charged with 13 counts of manslaughter and 13 counts of intoxication manslaughter, second-degree felonies that can bring up to 20 years each in prison, Uvalde County District Attorney Daniel Kindred said in a statement. Young also is charged with using his pickup truck as a deadly weapon. He has surrendered to authorities and is in custody in Uvalde County, the district attorney said. A lawyer for Young was not immediately available for comment. The National Transportation Safety Board has said two witnesses in a vehicle behind a pickup truck driven by Young recorded a 14-minute video showing his vehicle crossing roadside barrier lines 37 times prior to the crash. "After the crash the pickup driver told the witnesses and the police that he had been texting," the NTSB said in a report. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz, additional reporting by Jim Forsyth in San Antonio; editing by Colleen Jenkins) Photo credit: Getty From Popular Mechanics Airlines cause more delays than the weather, for reasons extending to mechanical breakdowns to lack of flight crews. But they're not responsible for everything, as a recent flight Shanghai to Guangzhou shows. According to the South China Morning Post, a woman held up a plane by tossing a coin into the engine. Passengers boarding China Southern Airlines Flight 380 noticed that an elderly woman, around 80 and with limited mobility, was tossing coins into the engine in what appeared to be a good luck superstition. Throwing coins into holes for luck is common in several cultures, most notably at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. But if the metal had stayed in the engine, bad luck would likely have befallen Flight 380, presumably of the "engine failure" variety. Maintenance crews checked the engines and found nine coins. Five long hours later, the flight was able to take off without a hitch. As China's growth continues, transportation troubles rise side-by-side. This is only the latest incident of stalled travel, a legendary 2015 traffic jam showed how terrible and systemic problems there can be. While China has a travel blacklist for plane passengers who disrupt flights in this matter, at least the old woman wasn't dragged off the plane. Source: South China Morning Post You Might Also Like A Syrian doctor has acceded to President Trumps travel ban, moving to Canada rather than attempt to enter the U.S. in his attempts to finish his masters degree. Khaled Almilaji, who began studying for a masters in public health at Brown University on a student visa, believes the travel ban has brought too much uncertainty to justify continuing his education in the U.S. Almilaji has withdrawn from Brown but continues to consult his mentors at the Ivy League institution as he attempts to reopen a Syrian hospital for women and children. Earlier this month, he moved to Canada to finish his degree at the University of Toronto. Khaled Almilaji at Brown University in 2016. (Photo: Steven Senne/AP) The doctor has cared for countless rebels and refugees injured during the Syrian civil war. He was arrested and tortured by police in Damascus, and eventually became a leader in efforts to provide aid to those wounded in the war, sharing health information across Syrian hospitals. He recently received Canadas Meritorious Service Medal for his efforts. A partial version of Trumps travel ban is scheduled to go into effect Thursday night. Individuals from six Muslim-majority countries will be prohibited from entering the U.S. unless they can prove a bona fide relationship to America. Almilaji knows he could have applied for a student visa and remained at Brown, since the Trump administration said that a student admitted to an American institution would fall under proof of a bona fide relationship, but he still believes theres too much at risk. Bad things happen and you have to adapt, Almilaji told the Associated Press. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said Thursday on CNNs New Day that theres no clarity in the travel ban and that he doesnt believe the White House has enough competence to enforce it. Theres unfortunately so little competence in this administration that I dont expect that theyre going to be able to implement their travel ban well, Bennet said. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Trump has touted the ban as a measure that will protect the U.S. from terrorists, but Bennet called it a terribly conceived plan, noting, Its an absolute attack on American values, and I dont think its going to keep us safer. Story continues The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the executive order in the fall. Read more from Yahoo News: Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump unleashed a brutal personal attack Thursday on respected female television host Mika Brzezinski, sparking an instant backlash, in the latest stunning salvo in the president's ongoing war with the media. Trump's Twitter outburst -- in which he describes the journalist "bleeding badly from a facelift" -- appears to have been triggered by Brzezinski's sharp comments during the morning show she co-hosts with Joe Scarborough on the left-leaning MSNBC network. "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore)," wrote Trump, an avid cable news watcher. "Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" he tweeted. In recent days Trump has escalated his attacks on US media outlets -- which he accuses of peddling "fake news" about him -- singling out CNN over the retraction of a story about his administration's supposed links with Russia, but also assailing rival cable networks, the New York Times and the Washington Post. But the vulgarity of his latest assault triggered a torrent of criticism including within his own party. "Inappropriate. Undignified. Unpresidential," tweeted Jeb Bush, Trump's rival for the White House nomination last year, while the top Republican on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Paul Ryan, conceded the president's comments were "not appropriate." "What we're trying to do around here is improve the tone, the civility of the debate. And this obviously doesn't help do that," Ryan told a news conference. - 'Fights fire with fire' - Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders was staunch in defending her boss. "I think that the president has been attacked mercilessly on personal accounts by members on that program, and I think he's been very clear that when he gets attacked, he's going to hit back," she told the daily White House briefing. Story continues "I think the American people elected somebody who's tough, who's smart, and who's a fighter, and that's Donald Trump. And I don't think that it's a surprise to anybody that he fights fire with fire." "He's not going to sit back and be attacked by the liberal media, Hollywood elites," she added. But at least half a dozen Republican lawmakers judged the president had crossed a line. "Please just stop," wrote Senator Ben Sasse on Twitter. "This isn't normal and it's beneath the dignity of your office." "This is not okay," agreed Kansas lawmaker Lynn Jenkins. The Trump-Brzezinski feud lit up the internet, where critics were reminded of Trump's notorious attack last August on Fox reporter Megyn Kelly, who he said had "blood coming out of her wherever" after she challenged him in a campaign debate. - 'Out of his mind' - Brzezinski's employer MSNBC sprang to her defense, tweeting: "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job." But the TV host herself -- whose father was Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to Jimmy Carter -- appeared uncowed. She responded with a post of her own, a photo of a young child reaching for Cheerios cereal. "Made for little hands," the caption read -- a schoolyard taunt that has been leveled against the image-conscious Trump since the days of his candidacy. In her Thursday show, Brzezinski had suggested the president was psychologically unhinged. "Everybody in Washington, in the administration, needs to look at this from... a point of view where they're not lobotomized because you're sitting in there and you're so scared of him, and you think you need to suck up to the president." If a boss at NBC, MSNBC's parent company, "started tweeting wildly about people's appearances, bullying people, talking about people in the competition, lying every day, undermining his managers, throwing them under the (bus) -- that person would be thrown out. "There would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind." Early in the 2016 campaign the "Morning Joe" hosts were accused of being too friendly with Trump, a frequent guest on air. The relationship however soured last August, when Trump tweeted: "Some day, when things calm down, I'll tell the real story of @JoeNBC and his very insecure long-time girlfriend, @morningmika. Two clowns!" Brzezinski, 50, is engaged to marry her co-host Scarborough, 54, a Republican former congressman. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photos: Molly Riley/Getty Images, Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) WASHINGTON President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Germany next week, their first face-to-face talks since the U.S. intelligence community formally declared that Moscow had meddled in the 2016 election, the White House announced Thursday. In a briefing for reporters, Gen. H.R. McMaster, Trumps national security adviser, and Gary Cohn, Trumps top economic aide, declined to say whether the president would raise the issue of Russian efforts to influence last years political contest. Theres no specific agenda, McMaster said. We dont have an agenda set up, Cohn agreed, adding that the White House was still finalizing schedules for Trumps travel next week. Asked what Trump hoped Putin would do to build trust between Washington and Moscow, McMaster declined to list specific actions. Our relationship with Russia is not different from any other country in terms of us communicating to them what our concerns are, where we see problems in the relationship but also opportunities, the general said. At the same time, McMaster said, Trump has tasked his top aides to find ways to confront Russias destabilizing behavior including political subversion here, in Europe and elsewhere. Trump has not been shy about demanding specific steps from other countries. He scolded NATO allies to speed up increased military spending, for example. He warned South Korea and Germany that he expects them to take steps to reduce their trade surpluses with the United States. And he has repeatedly declared that Mexico will pay for a border wall it opposes. Trumps talks with Putin will occur on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. Trump also plans to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Story continues The meeting comes amid multiple congressional investigations into Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 election, as well as a Justice Department special counsel probe into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Moscow. The president, who has not definitively said he accepts the intelligence communitys findings, has denounced what he describes as a witch hunt designed to undermine his legitimacy. Trump has repeatedly said that he wants better relations with Russia, and his administration made a failed secret push in its early days to ease a range of sanctions former President Barack Obama imposed on Moscow for its alleged interference in the election. At the same time, the State Department has reiterated its commitment to keeping in place sanctions imposed over Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimea region. McMaster said Trump hoped to foster areas of cooperation, adding that Washington and Moscow could work together to rein in North Korea, battle transnational terrorism, end the Syrian civil war and defeat ISIS. But the president also wants to deter Russia, McMaster told reporters, adding: Nobody wants a major-power war, right? Read more from Yahoo News: WASHINGTON Anyone surprised by President Trumps tweeted attack on Mika Brzezinski early Thursday must have missed the 2016 presidential campaign. They knew what they were getting when they voted for Donald Trump, White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said of the electorate at Thursday, in defense of the presidents morning tweets. Shes right. Just as feminist writers saw a presidential campaign that raised Twitter trolling to an art form as an outgrowth of the sexist alt-right Twitter attacks theyd been living with for years, Hillary Clintons experience with Trump now looks like a curtain raiser for the presidents approach to powerful female critics. From his icy press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to his mocking low I.Q. Crazy Brzezinski for bleeding badly from a face-lift despite there being no evidence of anything like that in a photo taken the evening in question Trump as president has proved as unable to contain his emotions when it comes to women as he was during the campaign. This lack of self-control appears to be longstanding and is something he boasted of in the off-camera 2005 Access Hollywood tape released in October. He dismissed the lewd talk as locker room talk. You know, Im automatically attracted to beautiful I just start kissing them. Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait. And when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab em by the p****, hed said. His inability to restrain himself and consider his position and the standards of behavior expected of a U.S. president showed again this week, when he gestured to a female reporter to leave the press pack to join him before the cameras during a foreign leader call, to compliment her nice smile. He showed little restraint with insults and threats during the campaign, attacking opponents both preemptively and defensively. He notably trashed rival Carly Fiorinas appearance during the primary campaign. Story continues Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Trump told a Rolling Stone reporter as they watched her on the news. Can you imagine that, the face of our next president? He added: I mean, shes a woman, and Im not supposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious? He later implied that there was something wrong with Clintons appearance too. I just dont think she has a presidential look, and you need a presidential look, he told ABC News. President Trump delivers remarks Thursday at the Department of Energy. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) During the course of the campaign, more than 10 women came forward with allegations that Trump had sexual harassed them or made inappropriate advances. He threatened to sue them. Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign, he said during a campaign appearance in Gettysburg, Pa. Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over. He did not sue them. Cruel insults, vicious attacks, and not-so-subtle threats have been part of his arsenal for years. @ariannahuff is unattractive both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man he made a good decision, he tweeted in 2012. Hillary, when you complain about a penchant for sexism, who are you referring to? I have great respect for women. BE CAREFUL! he warned in a 2015 tweet. (That warning might have been a bluff, like his May 2017 tweet that James Comey better hope that there are no tapes of our conversations.) But by the time Trump invited women who had accused Clintons husband of sexual misconduct to sit in the audience while she took part in debate for the presidency, the threat and intent to harm was all too real. I was getting beaten up for 72 hours on all the networks for inappropriate words 12 years ago. Locker room talk, whatever you want to call it. But I said to myself, Wait a minute. And I just saw very inappropriate words, but Bill Clinton sexually assaulted innocent women and Hillary Clinton attacked those women viciously, Trump said in a stump speech in Ambridge, Pa., last October. If they want to release more tapes saying inappropriate things, well continue to talk about Bill and Hillary Clinton doing inappropriate things, he warned, then boasted of the four wonderful women his campaign had brought to the presidential debate in St. Louis. This is the president. When the president gets hit, hes going to hit back harder, said Huckabee Sanders. Again: Shes right. Thats who he is and how he won. Read more from Yahoo News: Mika Brzezinski was the subject of a Trump tweet attack on Thursday. (Photo: Getty Images) President Trump was at it again on Thursday morning, turning to Twitter to lash out against those whom he feels have been critical of him in some way. Today, the subject of his ire was Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 Even for Trump, the tweets seemed extreme, as they somehow managed to combine his intense obsession with womens appearances, his sense of entitlement over womens bodies, and his repeated expressions of disgust with womens bodily fluids. Some Republicans quickly took to Twitter to respond: Please just stop. This isn't normal and it's beneath the dignity of your office. Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 29, 2017 Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America. Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 29, 2017 And in a press conference, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said he didnt see the presidents tweet as an appropriate comment. But others say thats the least of the problem. Melanie Brewster, an assistant professor of psychology and the co-founder of the Sexuality, Women, and Gender Project at Columbia University in New York, tells Yahoo Beauty that she sees Trumps comment as much more damaging. I think it was a threat, she says. Story continues I would never diagnose someone without meeting them, but [Trump] seems like every stereotypical example of exerting power and control over women, she continues. Heres someone [i.e., Brzezinski] who wanted to meet with him to ask questions, and hes sending a warning about women: If you want to ask me anything or get in my presence, you will be subject to ridicule and shaming, and that is fair game because you are a woman. Even though he says he doesnt like Joe Scarborough [either], he didnt attack him in this way. She adds, This is a clear message for any other woman who wants to meet with him: If you ruffle feathers in any way, he will hit back with any low blow he can dream of, and he will tweet about it to millions. Brewster also explains that Trumps comment supports the fundamental, patriarchal sexism inherent in our society. In our society, women are told to do everything in their power to be youthful, and the second it goes wrong, theyre subject to extreme ridicule, being told they are ridiculous and vain and should be ashamed of themselves for caring so much about their appearances, she explains. Hes highlighted the bind all women are in were told to look one way, and when we fail or show any sign that weve done the thing were expected to do, its disgraceful. And much like many of Trumps past comments about women their bodies, specifically Trumps remark about Brzezinski, Brewster says, is a clear attempt to shame and exert control over a body thats not in his control. And in this way, its not at all dissimilar to the infamous Access Hollywood comments from 2005. Furthermore, Brewster adds, the tweet about Brzezinski is made worse because it claims knowledge of something that Brzezinski herself has not publicly disclosed. It says he can make decisions at a high level regardless of if he has the information that something actually happened or something did not, she says regarding Trumps assertion. Further, Brewster explains, it plays into heterosexual patriarchal culture Joe will now feel very inclined to defend her, which is exactly what Trump would want. It sends a message to men, You better control your women or I will shame them and also make you look weak. Indeed, Brewster says, Trumps comments about women are a microcosm of how women are treated and valued in American society that is, when unable to be sexually objectified by men, women are somehow seen as less credible. Trump, she adds, has a megaphone for what many men, and women, believe about success: that you have to look a certain way to be successful, and if you dont, then theres something wrong with you. Its what a lot of people think, but its really bad that our president can say that and isnt working to change things. Meanwhile, Melania Trump who has said that her platform as first lady would be to address the issue of cyberbullying said on Thursday through her communications director that when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder. Melania Trump's comms director: "As First Lady has stated publiclywhen her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder." Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 29, 2017 Interestingly, CNNs Brian Stelter has shared on Twitter a photo from the time of the Brzezinski-Scarborough trip to Mar-a-Lago in question, and it appears to tell a different story than the presidents. For the record, this is a picture of @MorningMika at Mar-a-Lago at the time Trump is claiming she was "bleeding badly." pic.twitter.com/NJgioOD3Va Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 29, 2017 Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty. By Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces warned on Thursday of the prospect of fierce confrontation with the Turkish army in northwestern Syria if it attacks SDF areas, and said this would undermine the assault on Islamic State at Raqqa. Naser Haj Mansour, a senior SDF official, told Reuters the SDF had taken a decision to confront Turkish forces "if they try to go beyond the known lines" in the areas near Aleppo where the sides exchanged fire on Wednesday. "Certainly there is a big possibility of open and fierce confrontations in this area, particularly given that the SDF is equipped and prepared," he said. "If it (the Turkish army)attacks we will defend, and if it attacks there will be clashes." Turkey has recently deployed reinforcements into the area, according to Turkey-backed rebel groups, prompting SDF concern that Ankara is planning to attack nearby areas that are under SDF control. The SDF is an alliance of Kurdish and Arab groups spearheaded by the YPG militia which Turkey views as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade insurgency in Turkey. The Turkish military said on Wednesday it had fired artillery at YPG positions south of the town of Azaz in what it said was a response to the YPG's targeting of Turkey-backed rebels. Mansour said the SDF had responded to Turkish shelling. On Thursday, Turkey's deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmus, said it would retaliate against any cross-border gunfire from the YPG and not remain silent in the face of anti-Turkey activities by terrorist groups abroad. Kurtulmus also reiterated Ankara's opposition to the U.S. arming of YPG combatants and said U.S. officials would understand this was the "wrong path". Mansour said an attack on SDF-controlled areas would "do great harm" to the U.S.-backed Raqqa assault by drawing some SDF fighters away from front lines. The SDF launched a long-anticipated assault on Raqqa city earlier this month. Mansour said SDF forces would soon completely besiege the city by closing the last remaining way out from the south. "There is a plan to impose a complete siege, but if this will take a day or two days, I can't say," he said. Later the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said the SDF had fully encircled the city after closing the militants' last way out from the south. Raqqa is bordered to the south by the River Euphrates. He said that Islamic State fighters were focusing their efforts on defending certain key positions in the city, "meaning they are conducting fierce battles in some strategic positions". "This may be due to a shortage of numbers and ammunition," he said. He also said the Islamic State was deploying fewer car bombs than in previous battles and this also indicated a shortage of supplies. Mansour said it could be "maybe more than a month or a month and half" before the SDF would be able to fully capture the city. The Syrian Observatory said a group of 30 to 40 Islamic State fighters was able on Thursday for the first time to regain positions in districts of the city that had been captured by the SDF at the start of the campaign. (Reporting by Tom Perry and Daren Butler; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Richard Balmforth) DUBAI (Reuters) - A United Nations expert and a media freedom watchdog on Wednesday criticized four Arab states for seeking to close Al Jazeera television in a rift with Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have sent Doha a list of 13 demands, including closing the state-funded Al Jazeera television and reducing ties to Iran, an official of one of the four countries said. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye said the move was a blow against media pluralism in the Middle East. "This demand represents a serious threat to media freedom if states, under the pretext of a diplomatic crisis, take measures to force the dismantling of Al Jazeera," Kaye said in a statement. "I call on the international community to urge these governments not to pursue this demand against Qatar, to resist taking steps to censor media in their own territory and regionally, and to encourage support for independent media in the Middle East," he added. The four Arab states accuse Al Jazeera of interference in their affairs and fomenting unrest in the Middle East through its reporting -- a charge the satellite channel denies. In a separate statement, Reporters without Borders said it was disturbed by the demand, calling the move "an unacceptable act of blackmail". "This use of pressure and blackmail betrays a clear desire by certain Gulf states to censor the Qatari media and constitutes a grave attack on press freedom and pluralism, and the right of access to information in the region," said Alexandra El Khazen, the head of RSFs Middle East desk. "The targeted media outlets must be able to exist freely, without being forced to fall in with the policies of neighboring countries, which cannot by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as models of media freedom, as models to be followed." Al Jazeera said last week it was entitled to practice journalism professionally, without bowing to pressure from any government. (Reporting by Sami Aboudi) By David Shepardson and Alana Wise WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday unveiled enhanced security measures for flights to the country designed to prevent expanding an in-cabin ban on laptops, but an airline trade group said the changes might cause more disruptions. The measures, which European and U.S. officials said would begin taking effect within three weeks, could require additional time to screen passengers and personal electronic devices for possible explosives. The measures would affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries. The United States in March banned laptops on flights to the United States originating at 10 airports in eight countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey, to address fears that bombs could be concealed in electronic devices taken aboard aircraft. Britain quickly followed suit with a similar set of restrictions. The decision not to impose new laptop restrictions eases U.S. and European airlines' concern that expanding the ban to Europe or other locations could cause major logistical problems and deter travel. "Inaction is not an option," U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told a news briefing, adding that he believed airlines would comply with the new screening. But he said the measures were not the last step to tighten security. U.S. carriers said they would follow the new security directive, but industry trade group Airlines for America (A4A), criticized Homeland Security for not working more closely with them on the new policies. "The development of the security directive should have been subject to a greater degree of collaboration and coordination to avoid the significant operational disruptions and unnecessarily frustrating consequences for the traveling public that appear likely to happen," A4A Chief Executive Nicholas E. Calio said in a statement. Story continues Kelly had been saying since April he thought an expansion of the laptop ban was "likely." He said in late May the government could potentially expand the ban worldwide. Homeland Security officials told reporters they expected more than 99 percent of airlines would comply, a move that would effectively end the controversial electronics ban. Airlines that fail to satisfy new security requirements could still face in-cabin electronics restrictions, Kelly said. "We expect all airlines will work with us to keep their aircraft, their crew and their passengers safe," he said. European and U.S. officials told Reuters that airlines have 21 days to put in place increased explosive trace detection screening and have 120 days to comply with other security measures, including enhanced screening of airline passengers. U.S. authorities want increased security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas, expanded canine screening and additional places where travelers can be cleared by U.S. officials before they depart. Since laptops are widely used in flight by business class passengers - who pay double or more than the average ticket price - the airline industry had feared expanding the ban could cut into revenue. Airline officials told Reuters they were concerned about adding enhanced security measures to all airports worldwide that have direct flights to the United States rather than focus them on airports where threats are highest. European airline groups said in a document reviewed by Reuters that if the threats are confirmed, the restrictions should be deployed to cover all EU departing flights, not just U.S.-bound flights. Homeland security officials said Wednesday that those 10 airports can get off the list if they meet the new security requirements, but did not say how long it will take. U.S. airline stocks rose on Wednesday, with United Continental Holdings closing up 1 percent, Delta Air Lines Inc up 2 percent and American Airlines Group up 1.6 percent. Kelly said last week he planned a "step by step" security enhancement plan that included short, medium-term and longer-term improvements that would take at least a year to implement fully. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Additional reporting by Alana Wise in New York and Julia Fioretti in Brussels; Editing by Chris Sanders and Richard Chang) The courts decision is far more tolerable than reinstating the travel ban in full. But it may have unleashed some of the vitriol that lies directly beneath it To understand the impact of the supreme courts decision, it is important to appreciate what it is like to be Muslim in the US today. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images On Tuesday, six justices of the US supreme court reached a compromise on Donald Trumps travel ban, making fine distinctions about who he can and cannot ban from the US. Trump cant ban people from the six Muslim-majority countries if they have a close relationship to a person or entity in the US, the court said, but he can ban people if they dont. Many commentators have suggested that this is essentially a complete win for those who oppose Trumps travel ban. At a high level, that is true: most people from the affected countries who seek to enter the US will have obtained a visa that required them to have a relative, job or some other connection in the US that would seem to protect them from the presidents wrath under the courts test. In practice, however, fine distinctions can open the door to vast discrimination the very object of Trumps campaign of animus against people of the Muslim faith, which drove the lower courts to take a more complete approach to blocking his executive order. To understand the impact of the supreme courts decision, it is important to appreciate what it is like to be Muslim in the US today: that your religion exposes you to the all-but-accepted reality of routine deprivations of liberty and privacy each time you present yourself at the border. This discrimination (whether subconscious or otherwise) is an unwritten condition of your right to be in this country. It is the consequence of your apparent offense of Flying While Muslim. For this reason, many (if not most) Muslims today approach basic interactions at the US border with trepidation, out of fear that border officials will (again, perhaps subconsciously) exercise their discretion to impose secondary screening, invasive questioning or intrusive searches based on their religion. This fear is rational if it is not based on firsthand experiences, it is likely based on those of family or friends. Story continues And it is rational even when the strength of your connection to the US means that you cannot lawfully be denied entry. There are myriad examples of American Muslims people who have an unqualified and irrevocable right to enter the US being met at the border by practices such as discriminatory religious questioning, invasive cellphone searches and even temporary denial of entry. The supreme courts new distinction creates yet another discretionary determination that awaits certain Muslims at the border. If you are from one of the affected countries, an individual border official will decide whether you have a sufficiently credible or bona fide relationship to someone or something in the US, such that you avoid application of the entry ban. Moreover, based on the courts decision, you will have little idea what documentation that official will want to see in making that determination and the official may believe he has little constraining his discretion (aside from the few examples provided by the court). The inevitable result is that Muslims who do have substantial connections to American citizens and American entities people who are clearly intended to be exempt under the courts test will be exposed to further discriminatory questioning (again, subconsciously or otherwise) and, at least in the first instance, subject to the whim of the person who meets them at the border. This point appeared to be lost on the court, which seemed to believe that affording discretion to deny entry to those people who fail its test will have no impact on those people who should pass its test. That reasoning reflects a fundamental misapprehension of what it is like to arrive in the US as a Muslim today. To be sure, the courts decision is far more tolerable than reinstating the travel ban in full, as the three dissenting Justices would have done. But when carving lines into Trumps travel ban, the court may well have unleashed some of the vitriol that lies directly beneath. The court could rule that the ban is an appropriate exercise of the presidents powers. Only mass confrontational politics could stop it then The experience of the protests against the ban taught some important lessons. Photograph: Charles Krupa/AP The US supreme court announced on Monday that it will decide on the legality of Donald Trumps travel ban. It also partially stayed injunctions against the ban, meaning that the administration can impose 90-day bans on people traveling from six Muslim-majority countries (unless they have a bona fide relationship with someone in the US), and that it can bar refugees from entering the US for up to 120 days. Its likely that the court will eventually uphold all or part of the ban as an appropriate exercise of the presidents powers. Only mass confrontational politics can prevent that from happening, or undo it if it does happen. It was direct action, not legal argument, that stopped the administration from implementing the travel ban in its entirety earlier this year. The original ban quickly faced stiff protest in January. Rapid mass mobilization, combined with the organizing skills of activists and immigration advocates, produced the thrilling spectacle of large-scale direct action in some of the most heavily policed spaces in the country: airports. Federal judges responded to the pressure by issuing orders blocking removals under the ban, and later preventing enforcement of the bans provisions. Injunctions were also later issued against a revised ban that was reworded to be less transparently Islamophobic. This was only a partial and temporary victory, but it was nevertheless a palpable one. Refugee advocates and immigration lawyers played their parts in the legal battle, but ultimately the speed and consistency with which federal judges issued their rulings resulted from the pressure that mass action placed upon the courts. The experience of the protests against the ban taught some important lessons. First, democratic values are not self-enforcing; they must be manifested through collective action. Second, contestation, not conciliation, is the core of democratic politics. Story continues The people who occupied airport terminals, braving harassment and arrest by the police, did not seek to persuade the administration to abandon the ban. Instead, they mobilized to exert pressure on public institutions. They sought to force decision-makers to make a basic democratic decision: to halt the ban, or to risk a confrontation with widespread public anger. We need to make this pressure felt again. It is more important than ever to form coalitions among organizations, to forge stronger bonds of solidarity and to build the social movement power of Muslims, refugees and immigrants. These are the requirements of a democratic politics that can push back against the ban, against official Islamophobia and against the racism that structures so much of American society. The stakes are high, but so are the hurdles. The justices are likely to be deferential to the administrations constitutional claims. Presidential powers with respect to immigration have usually been understood in expansive terms (although the precise contours of those powers remain contested). The terrain of conflict has also shifted. Instead of a contest between the administration and the street, the battle over the ban will now take place within the realm of jurisprudence. Many Americans profess a faith in the integrity of the supreme court, believing that constitutional law is a separate sphere of public life. This faith is misplaced. The justices are not neutral umpires (Chief Justice John Roberts term) that are above politics; nor could they be. Law, including judicial review, is an instrumentality of state power. It is true that the courts decisions have occasionally delivered modest gains to progressive movements (most notably during the middle of the 20th century). Such decisions were infrequent, though, and were only made possible by the profound pressure that mass movements the civil rights movement in particular placed upon the court. Historically the court has not been a friend to progressive causes, from the fight against slavery, to the struggle for labor rights, to efforts to construct a robust welfare state. The fight against the ban, then, requires not just the embrace of contestatory politics but also a critical examination of the courts function in politics. The court is not a forum of principled deliberation where the best arguments prevail. It is a political institution where elites try to entrench their positions through the appointment of ideologically friendly justices. It would be a mistake to fight the ban through the subtleties of constitutional interpretation, a game in which almost any conceivable move may be made but where the winning moves tend to be backed by political power. Nor should a decision to uphold the ban be regarded as final defeat, since the justices only hold themselves to be bound by precedent until they decide they are not bound by it or until legislation compels them otherwise. Only a mass movement will successfully fight the ban. That movement must articulate an antiracist politics of solidarity and collective struggle, and it must deny the administration and the courts room for maneuver through mass action. U.S. Air Force veteran Kelly Gregory (Photo: Courtesy of Kelly Gregory) For Kelly Gregory, serving in the U.S. military has been a long-standing family tradition. We fought in every war this countrys ever engaged in, said Gregory, an Air Force veteran who served in the first Iraq war. Now, 25 years after retiring from the military, Gregory is fighting for her country in a different way. I want to be the last American that dies because I didnt have access to health care, said Gregory. Thats my goal. Gregory, 48, has stage IV breast cancer. And shes one of nearly 2 million veterans who risk losing access to Medicaid under the Republican health care bill currently stalled in the Senate. A lot of people are under the assumption that everyone whos ever served in the military is covered by the [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] and that the VA is a 360 health service [provider], Gregory said. Neither of those things are true. Female veterans at a news conference on issues pertaining to their health care. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) In fact, as of December 2015, only about 40 percent of the nearly 22 million veterans living in the U.S. were enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. Not all veterans qualify for health care benefits through the VA anyone who was dishonorably discharged or served for less than 24 consecutive months is out. But even among those who are eligible, many either do not live near a VA hospital or find that the VA does not treat their particular condition. In Gregorys case, the length of her Air Force service ended just six weeks short of the required 24 months. Thanks to Medicaid, which she was able to enroll in only after receiving her dire cancer diagnosis in the spring of 2011, Gregory has been under the care of top oncologists and surgeons in Nashville. Within the first few weeks of her diagnosis, Gregorys doctors discovered that her cancer had metastasized to her spine, making it stage IV, or end stage. She was given six months to a year to live. Exactly six years, nine surgeries, six months of chemotherapy, and 30 radiation treatments later, shes still alive. Story continues Kelly Gregory (Photo: courtesy of Kelly Gregory) Medicaid absolutely saved my life, she said. Thats why Gregory is determined to pressure her representatives in Congress to push back against the Senate health care legislation, which the Congressional Budget Office predicts will cause 15 million people to lose Medicaid coverage by 2026. Approximately 1.75 million veterans rely on Medicaid for health care coverage and that doesnt include military spouses, children or other family members. A report by the Urban Institute found that veterans were among the demographic that saw the greatest increases in insurance coverage, thanks to the Affordable Care Act including 340,000 veterans who are now covered under the laws Medicaid expansion. Related slideshow: Protesters across the country oppose GOPs health care plan >>> According to one estimate, by the progressive nonprofit Center for American Progress, 459,500 veterans would lose Medicaid coverage by 2026 under Senate Republicans proposed plan. Following the unveiling of the bill last week, Gregory joined fellow Tennessee vets for a press conference outside the VA hospital in Nashville, where they called on other former service members from across the state to do the same. This week, Gregory met with staffers for Tennessees Republican senators, Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, at their field offices in Nashville. I will shame whoever I have to shame, she said. This is a DEFCON 1 situation. If they pass this bill the way its written right now it will devastate Medicaid as we know it. Will Fischer, a former United States Marine and Iraq war veteran, is also employing the shame tactic but on a national scale. Trumpcare is an antiveteran bill, said Fischer, who now serves as director of government outreach for VoteVets, a progressive veterans advocacy organization. If Trumpcare passes, veterans will die. Thats a simple fact. Will Fisher (Photo: maritimetrades.org) In May, VoteVets teamed up with Families USA, a nonpartisan consumer health advocacy group, to produce a detailed report on the state-by-state impact of deep Medicaid funding cuts to veterans and their families. The report, Fischer said, was distributed to every congressional office on House and Senate side to make sure they were aware of how this affects veterans. Since then, Fischer has been taking to Capitol Hill to impress upon lawmakers the consequences they themselves may face by supporting such drastic cuts. Weve made it very clear that were paying close attention to how people vote, Fischer said, explaining that VoteVets is prepared to run attack ads and launch canvassing campaigns against any senator who votes to gut Medicaid and to rip health care from veterans. That senators not going to be able to go anywhere in their state without their constituents having the knowledge that theres a senator who thought it would be a good idea to punish veterans with Trumpcare, he said. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., speaks during the Senate Democrats rally against Medicaid cuts, June 6, 2017. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) Democratic Senator and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth, of Illinois, hopes the potential consequences for veterans will convince her Republican colleagues to reconsider the proposed Medicaid cuts in their current bill. The bill is devastating for veterans, said Duckworth, who lost both her legs in combat. I would hope Republican senators, especially those with large military posts in their states [like] Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia care as much about their veterans as they say they do and will take that into account when deciding whether to vote for legislation that could [take coverage away from] one in 10 veterans. Gregory described her meetings at Corker and Alexanders field offices as productive and positive. Both Corker and Alexander praised the decision, after it was announced, to delay a vote on the health care bill. Neither of them responded to requests for comment on this story, nor did Republican senators John McCain of Arizona, himself a veteran, nor Dean Heller of Nevada and Jerry Moran of Kansas, who both serve on the Senate Veterans Affairs committee. The White House also did not respond to a request for comment on the bills possible ramifications for veterans. But neither Duckworth nor Fischer are optimistic that the fallout for veterans will influence the presidents position on the health care bill despite his many promises to improve veterans health care. Donald Trump after signing bill S. 544, the Veterans Choice Program Extension and Improvement Act, April 19, 2017. (Photo: Molly Riley/pool via Bloomberg) I would hope that the president thinks twice about supporting Trumpcare, this bill, that would hurt so many veterans, said Duckworth. However, she continued, Hes already shown that hes willing to break promises all across the board. Point blank, when it comes to veterans issues, Donald Trump is a liar and a charlatan, said Fischer, suggesting that the president only likes veterans when hes able to use one as a prop on a stage. Hes as absent for us now as he was for us in Vietnam, Fischer said, referring to Trumps draft deferments. Related slideshow: Die-in protesters dragged away from McConnells office >>> Gregory also said she considered it more worthwhile to focus her energy on lobbying members of Congress and state officials than to appeal to the president. It doesnt matter why you joined, once [youre] a member of military, what youve done is say youre willing to put your physical body between mortal danger and your country, she said. That is a level of service and sacrifice that I dont think that man understands. Still, she cant help but feel disillusioned by the fact that so many Republicans in Congress are willing to support a bill that could harm millions of veterans and their families. Whats deeply frustrating for me that this same group of people, when they get ready to fight a war, they know exactly where to find people like me, like my family, she said. They love us when were marching off to war but when I need help, they want to talk about me like Im less than human. Read more from Yahoo News: Will Findleys father, Matt Findley. (Photo: Andrew Bahl/Yahoo News) ANCHORAGE, Alaska When Matt Findleys son Will was 3 months old and wouldnt stop crying it didnt immediately occur to his family that the cause wasnt hunger or a soiled diaper but something much more serious. Hes crying, which is what 3-month-olds do, he said. Finally we realized something was wrong. A CT scan showed a spontaneous brain bleed one of the most serious complications of Wills hemophilia, a condition in which the blood fails to clot normally. Doctors rushed him into surgery, where they removed over a quarter of his brain. The initial prognosis was bleak: it was possible he would be unable to walk and talk. Will exceeded those expectations, Findley said, and is now 11 years old and succeeding in school. But for much of his early childhood, he was his own medical industry, according to Findley, needing numerous therapies a week. Findley and his wife were far from indigent; they were lawyers who had health insurance through their jobs. But the costs of Wills follow up care and therapies greatly exceeded what these private insurance plans covered and Will qualified for Medicaid based on his disabling conditions. And they benefitted from Medicaid in another, less obvious way, Findley says. The treatments Will needed were only available because of the existence of government programs that pay the bills for most patients. One thing folks dont understand about how Medicaid disability works is that most of those therapists, most of those services that are in place for disabled children are in place because of Medicaid, Findley said. You take away Medicaid funding and theyre gone. Its a bit of a broad generalization but its not like you can just go purchase those services on the market. Slashing Medicaid, as the health care proposals in the House and Senate would do, could endanger the existence of these key disability services. But the bleeding disorder community, which Matt works with as president of the Alaska Hemophilia Association, would stand to lose in other ways if key elements of the Affordable Care Act were rolled back. Story continues Before the ACA, patients with bleeding disorders were vulnerable to lifetime caps on how many benefits they could receive. The prognosis for those conditions is much improved from what it once was, with life expectancy within normal range with proper treatment. But medications dont come cheap the medication used to bolster Wills clotting protein costs $2,000 a day alone. To ensure that they had coverage to pay for treatment, members of Findleys family would frequently change jobs in order to ensure they had coverage, only to be forced to move on once the lifetime cap was reached. We were lucky my wife at the time was a lawyer for the state and so we had a separate plan to fall back on, Findley said. Many people dont have that you hit your lifetime cap, you change jobs, you lose your career. The whole experience is pretty scary. And in the days before the ACA, it would have entailed a huge financial risk for someone like Findley to start his own practice or strike out on his own in business, because no insurance company would cover a child with a pre-existing condition projected to cost three-quarters of a million dollars a year. Parents without insurance through their jobs could be forced into remaining in Medicaid disability, unable to work, lest they earn more than the maximum to qualify for the program. Before the ACA, Findley said, these patients were truly stuck. There are many in our community who were not able to get insurance until the Affordable Care Act, they were trapped in Medicaid disability, where they couldnt go out and get a job and have assets and they couldnt buy insurance on the private market, Findley said. The Affordable Care Act changed all that. We had several community members who went out, were able to get jobs and it was liberating for them to have insurance, he added. Advocates are concerned that both the House and Senate versions of ACA repeal would allow for the return of lifetime caps and could shut out those with pre-existing conditions. Under those proposals, states could obtain waivers for many aspects of the ACA, including the essential benefits package, which is a set of base benefits states are required under the law to offer. While the Senate bill explicitly bars insurance companies from denying coverage to those with prior conditions, many, including Findley, say letting states opt out of the essential benefits package would dramatically weaken protections. He is quick to note that the ACA is not perfect. The ACA had successes, it had failures, Findley said. It was certainly a step forward but it was not without its flaws. Our concern is both of these versions dont move us forward, they move us back. But in meeting with lawmakers, including both of Alaskas senators, Republicans Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, he said he tries to bring the perspective of high-end users who interact with the current system daily. Pay close attention to the legislation youre passing and what it actually does, he said. Dont just think oh its fine. Do the work and if necessary take the time but please make it better. Read more from Yahoo News: The location of a long-lost natural wonder in New Zealand has been identified, thanks to an accidentally found diary of a 19th century geographer. The so-called Pink and White Terraces on the shores of Lake Rotomahana on New Zealand's North Island used to attract scores of adventurous tourists in the late 19th century. The massive deposits of silica sediment created by upwelling geothermal hot springs were as large as a city block and as tall as an 8-story building. Yet in 1886, within a single night, a massive eruption of a nearby volcano transformed the landscape around the lake beyond recognition and erased the natural wonder from the Earth's surface. An independent researcher now claims he knows exactly where the terraces lie. The mystery was solved using a field diary that belonged to the German geographer Ferdinand von Hochstetter, which no one knew about until 2011. [10 Historical Treasures That the World Lost in the Past 100 Years] "There were four eruptions of the Terawera volcano on the night of 10 June 1886," said study co-author Rex Bunn, explaining the magnitude of the disaster. "Three separate volcanic eruptions happened along a mountain peak and that was OK. The terraces survived that. But finally a hydrothermal, hot water, eruption happened and blew up the floor of the lake and that's what buried the terraces." A huge cloud of fine volcanic ash buried the glowing surface of the terraces under a blanket of debris more than 50 feet (15 meters) thick. The shape of the lake changed and many of the surrounding landmarks, including the terraces, disappeared. Many thought the tourist magnet was destroyed by the eruption. "The government had never surveyed the area, so the colonists had no way of knowing where [exactly] the terraces had been," Bunn told Live Science. "There was no way of getting GPS coordinates for them so it became a mystery, which continued until today." Story continues Searching for the terraces Bunn, an independent researcher, joined the quest to find the terraces four years ago after he had learned about work by an international research team in the area. The researchers from New Zealand's geological research institute GNS Science, Waikato University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in the U.S., discovered pink rocks during a survey of the lake's bottom. They suggested these rosy stones could belong to the long-lost terraces. "This encouraged me to launch a $6 million project in 2014 to lower the lake and recover the terraces," Bunn said. "But later the same year, the group of researchers warned me to cease the efforts as they claimed they have found a newly active magma chamber, which could trigger an eruption, if I lowered the lake." [Big Blasts: History's 10 Most Destructive Volcanoes] But in a twist of fate, Bunn was about to stumble upon a document that would change the direction of the quest. While searching for the right art for his upcoming e-book about the terraces, he came across a publication about Hochstetter, which contained hand-drawn maps of the area around Lake Rotomahana. The author of that publication, Sascha Nolden, a research librarian at the National Library of New Zealand, was also in possession of Hochstetter's field diary, which he recovered a few years earlier while working at the estate owned by the geographer's descendants in Switzerland. "Hochstetter was commissioned by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1859 to join the expedition of SMS Novara to carry out research in the South Seas," Bunn said. "When they came to New Zealand, the colonial government asked him to undertake survey work on the North Island. He spent many months working on the island with his assistants and the survey included the old Lake Rotomahana and the Pink and White terraces." However, the colonial government seems to have never received the documentation. Hochstetter returned to Europe together with his field diary, which contains 24 full pages of information about Lake Rotamahana and the Pink and White Terraces. The diary happens to be the only accurate scientific record documenting the lost natural wonder. "I immediately saw the diary contained numerical data, which were compass bearings of various features around the old Lake Rotomahana," Bunn said. "Most of these old lake features in the diary were destroyed by the 1886 eruption, but 10 remained." ['Dear Diary': 14 Noteworthy Journal-Keepers] In Hochstetter's steps From these surviving bearings, Bunn developed an algorithm to reconstruct the coordinates of the land where Hochstetter stood in 1859. According to Bunn, compass bearings recorded 150 years ago need to be adjusted for today's use, because Earth's geomagnetic field has changed since the late 1800s. Subsequently, Bunn converted the data into mapping formats that could display the location of the terraces on Google Maps and other 21st-century mapping services. Bunn said he is confident his findings are accurate. But the terraces, contrary to data from previous research, don't lie at the bottom of the lake. Rather, they are on the shore, covered by 50 feet (15 m) of volcanic deposits. Bunn is in talks with the native tribes that own the land, and he hopes to make radar and drilling surveys of the area in an attempt to recover a piece of the pink and white silicate. "The ash [that deposited onto the terraces] was only about 150 degrees Celsius to 250 degrees Celsius [302 degrees to 482 degrees Fahrenheit] hot and it would not have hurt the terraces," Bunn said. "The melting point of silicate is between 600 and 1,200 degrees Celsius [1,112 degrees and 2,192 degrees F], so the ash would not have hurt them and that's why I am fairly confident that they lie buried under this fine ash." The researcher hopes the long-lost wonder can be dug out and once again exposed to the eyes of the world. The hot springs that once created the terraces no longer exist. But, according to Bunn, other wonders of the world, such as the monuments of ancient Rome and Greece, are also in less-than-perfect condition and yet sensation-seeking tourists don't seem to mind. The results of the study were published online June 7 in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations Photo credit: Jeff J. Mitchell / Getty From Popular Mechanics HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy's newest vessel and the largest one ever built in the United Kingdom, is an impressive ship. Nine hundred and nineteen feet long with a crew of 1,600, the ship can carry up to 40 aircraft. Queen Elizabeth and her sister ship, Prince of Wales, will form the UK's main expeditionary force at sea, sailing into hotspots with their decks full of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. Oh, and Queen Elizabeth also runs Windows XP. The brand new carrier left its dockyard in Rosyth for the first time on Monday, where it was assembled from subsections built all over the UK. The London-based newspaper The Guardian reported that computers running the positively ancient PC operating system were spotted on the carrier during a tour. Photo credit: Jeff J. Mitchell. / Getty The Windows XP operating system was released by Microsoft in 2001. The software company ceased selling the OS in 2008 and has slowly dropped support for XP, including malicious software definitions, urging users to migrate to Windows 7, 8, and 10. Just last month computers running XP and part of the UK's National Health Service were targeted in a cyberattack using sophisticated ransomware. It's not certain how Windows XP got on board Queen Elizabeth. Construction of the carrier began in 2008, the same year Microsoft stopped selling it. The software might have arrived as computer systems from older ships were recycled for the new carrier. Controversy erupted earlier this year when it was discovered that the UK's nuclear missile submarines, which embark Trident missiles armed with thermonuclear warheads also ran XP. The commander of the Queen Elizabeth's air wing insists that despite the aging software it won't present an avenue for cyberattack, saying escorts will keep intruding ships at bay and that the supply channel will eventually replace outdated operating systems. Queen Elizabeth will also have its own dedicated group of "cyber specialists" onboard to defend against hacking. You Might Also Like The Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip began work Wednesday to build a buffer zone between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in order to increase security in the border area and prevent the transfer of arms and passage of ISIS operatives from Sinai to the Gaza Strip and vice versa. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter This is part of the understandings reached by the Hamas delegation during its visit to Cairo and its meetings with senior Egyptian intelligence officials. Buffer zone construction works, Wednesday The works include flattening the land with bulldozers and tractors to create a strip 100 meter wide along the border, stretching from Rafah Border Crossing to the sea. This is the first buffer zone of its kind between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, similar to the one currently in place along the security fence with Israel, which is intended to prevent the rocket launches and illegal crossing from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Commander of Hamas' internal security forces, Tawfiq Abu Naim, said that the work included removing all obstacles that prevent the observers from seeing what is happening along the border, including trees and hills. In addition, smuggling tunnels at the border will be destroyed, along with anything that will help smugglers and infiltrators trying to illegally cross the border. Abu Naim noted that the work would include setting up a network of cameras, observation posts and lighting, which are supposed to ease control of the border area. "We will not allow anyone to cross the area and it will become a closed military zone. Anyone who enters it will stand trial in military trial. If necessary, we will increase the size of the buffer zone." The decision to build a buffer zone is the result of a meeting held by senior Hamas figures with senior Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo. The Egyptians sought to create as much separation as possible between the Gaza Strip and the ISIS-controlled areas in the Sinai Peninsula. In recent years, Hamas has helped the Islamic state with logistics issues, and possibly also with manpower issues. In return, ISIS ensured that the smuggling route of arms from Sinai to the Gaza Strip continued its operations. In return for Hamas' compliance with the Egyptian demands, Cairo will provide a series of concessions to the terror organization, such as infrastructure to connect Gaza to Egyptian electricity sources or a more orderly and frequent opening of the Rafah Crossing for people and even for trade goodssomething Hamas desperately needs. "We reached this situation after an agreement and the understandings we achieved in Cairo to end the infiltration and smuggling at our border in coordination with the Egyptians," clarified Abu Naim. From Thursday, June 29, to Saturday, July 8, a "week of appreciation" is being observed for IDF soldiers throughout the country, including performances and visits to army bases with gifts. A joint project of the Israeli military and a welfare organization, this week is the first such observance. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Two major shows for soldiers will take place. The Yoter festival, to be held on July 5, is to be the larger, providing performances to 20,000 . Performers will include Statik and Ben-El Tavori, Hadag Na'chash, Cafe Shachor Chazak, Natan Goshen and the military bands. Yoter is a recurring festival. Yoter Festival last year (Photo: Tzalamim Beclick) The following day, another musical event including Infected Mushroom, Hatikva 6, Eliad, Itai Levy and Adir Getz will take place at Tel Aviv's Ganei Yehoshua, Yarkon Park. Some 15,000 soldiers are expected. The chairman of United for Israels Soldiers, the organization behind the week, is Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoram Yair. He commented: "In addition to the ongoing activities that we hold for the benefit of IDF soldiers throughout the year, we are launching a new project that will enable tens of thousands of individuals, businesses and authorities to express their appreciation to IDF soldiers. The IDF is an essential element of our country, reflecting the character and identity of Israeli society. This week is an act of gratitude for their vital role in the future of the country". Throughout the week, businesses across Israel will offer soldiers significant benefits. Special mobile volunteer units will visit the bases throughout the country and will offer treats to the soldiers. Battalions that are adopted by "Adopt a Fighter" will receive special gift sets. Volunteers will set up special stations to distribute refreshments at IDF bases, funded by various organizations, including the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, UK friends of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers, and the Friends of the IDF in the United States and Panama. Additionally, volunteers will visit hospitalized soldiers, prepare parcels and write letters to soldiers together with schoolchildren. Kaveret, a chain of convenience stores for soldiers, will distribute snacks through its mobile volunteer units, which will reach the most remote outposts. They will also sell a variety of products at a subsidized price of only one shekel. By Michael Ojula The Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Noah Sajabi has adjourned to 13th July 2017 the hearings of a case in which 20 people are accused of murdering Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi. This is after state Prosecutor Caroline Opia informed court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing. Kaweesi was gunned down by armed assailants three months ago, a few meters away from his home at Kulambiro in Kampala on his way to attend a function in Uganda Christian University, Mukono district. The suspects have still been remanded amid tight security at Luzira Prison. By Ritah Kemigisa The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga has called for more sensitization about the scourge of cancer and installation of screening facilities if the disease is to be contained in the country. While launching the rotary cancer run for 2017, Kadaga said the country does not have enough screening facilities for cancer yet the disease can only be realized in its last stages. She is now calling upon government to make cancer screening compulsory and automatic. The speaker meanwhile has pledged 449Million shillings from parliament where each Member of Parliament will contribute Shs 1 Million for this years cancer run which is soliciting for 1M dollars to construct a bunker for a radio therapy machine at Nsambya Hospital. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 58F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 32F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. The event took place in one of the most beautiful buildings in Dubai - the Concert Hall of the Association of Culture and Science. SPRING GROVE, Minn. A year after it began making bourbon whiskey, the areas first craft distillery RockFilter Distillery opened to the public Wednesday in downtown Spring Grove. Its cocktail room offers samples, and whiskey and cocktails are available for purchase there. The room opened for Spring Groves Homecoming celebration, which began Wednesday and ends today. The event is held once every 10 years. Rural Spring Grove farmer Christian Myrah and his wife, Trisha, are majority owners of the distillery. Its at 113 Maple Drive, in part of a former creamery and across from a city park. In an interview before the Homecoming celebration, Myrah said he hadnt yet decided what the cocktail rooms hours would be after that event. Myrah recommended checking the website www.rockfilterdistillery.com or the distillerys Facebook page for information about hours. RockFilters first products are bourbon whiskey, and its first two can be purchased in the cocktail room. Myrah hopes to have the distillerys spirits available in liquor stores, grocery stores, bars and restaurants by late summer. Well initially be in Minnesota, he said, while planning to eventually expand distribution to other states. RockFilters flagship bourbon, Giants of the Earth, is made with corn, rye and sorghum, and won a bronze medal in this years American Distilling Institute completion and a silver medal at the Heartland Spirits Festival. Its Fence Jumper premium bourbon is made with Oaxacan green corn and cherrywood-smoked rye and won a silver medal at the American Distilling Institute competition and a bronze medal at the Heartland Spirits Festival. The distillerys third bourbon, Stones Throw, is expected to be available later this summer. Its made with corn, rye and oats. It won a bronze medal at the Heartland Spirits Festival. RockFilter Distillerys fourth product will be an organic rye whiskey that doesnt yet have a name. It should be available by the end of the year. State law limits the cocktail room to selling only one 375-milliliter bottle of bourbon per customer per day. The cocktail room is selling bottles of Giants of the Earth bourbon for $35, while limited-edition bottles of Fence Jumper bourbon are priced at $100 each. Its an agricultural venture that adds value to agricultural products, Myrah said of the distillery, which eventually may make additional kinds of spirits, such as brandy. The distillery makes its products from organic grain grown by Myrah and his father, Leonard Myrah, who also farms near Spring Grove. Myrah has the grain for the distillery ground at Schechs Mill between Houston and Caledonia, Minn. Built in 1876, the water-powered mill still uses its original equipment. Were using local resources, Myrah said of using Schechs Mill. Theres not many people using stone-ground grain to make whiskey. It kind of differentiates us. RockFilter Distillery began making its bourbons in April 2016, and the first products aged for a year before being available for purchase. Most of our products probably will be (aged) in the one- to four-year range before theyre available, Myrah said. They will age in charred oak barrels. Myrah mostly uses two barrel sizes 15 gallons and 30 gallons. The areas limestone formations are conducive to making good whiskeys, Myrah believes. Limestone-filtered water in Kentucky often is cited as contributing to the success of distillers in that state, which produces most of the nations bourbon whiskey. Myrah is a 1988 graduate of Spring Grove High School, and has been on the Spring Grove School Board since 2008. He and his family moved back to Spring Grove in 2006. Before that, he served in the Navy for 11 years, flying combat jets. A member of the U.S. Navy Reserve since 2006, Myrah spent eight months in Afghanistan in 2013. I was in charge of a drone detachment there, he said. I decided to drive tractors again rather than fly airplanes, Myrah said of returning to the Spring Grove area. I love this area. It has a good quality of life. Its a good place to raise kids. He and his wife have three children. Members of the Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior Coalition toasted 10 years of efforts to curb binge and heavy drinking Tuesday and lifted their glasses of water and tea and cups of coffee to the fact that several groups are stepping up to continue the quest. However, about 25 people who attended the celebratory luncheon, who gathered to acknowledge the expiration of the final funding grant Friday, werent resting on their laurels. Weve accomplished a lot, said Catherine Kolkmeier, executive director of the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium, the grant funnel for the coalition. But for sustainability this is my favorite part several parts will live elsewhere. For example: The Gateway Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America will assume coordination of the Oktoberfest Family Zone, a 700-foot stretch of Oktoberfests 2-mile parade that is alcohol- and smoke-free and formerly under community support. The Parents Who Host initiative intended to halt underage drinking will continue under the auspices of the La Crosse County Prevention Network. The Social Host program, through which the coalition persuaded several municipalities to pass ordinances with penalties for adults who supply alcohol at youth parties, hit what Kolkmeier described as a bump in the road when Wisconsins Appeals Court District 2 invalidated the law in Fond du Lac County last year. But it will rise again with language proposed to be added to state underage drinking laws. The Responsible Beverage Service Training, which trained nearly 500 bartenders and hotel/restaurant servers and more than 400 volunteer servers for Oktoberfest and Riverfest, will survive with members of the La Crosse Police Department providing the training. The city council recently approved the addition of $5 to each bar license to buy materials for the training. Another Burden of Risky Alcohol report will be completed under the guidance of Brenda Rooney, medical director of Gundersen Health Systems Community and Preventive Care Services, who helped craft the coalitions first grant request. That request, which gained a $50,000 planning grant from the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program of the Medical College of Wisconsin, helped cover planning for the coalition in 2007. The coalition also earned a $150,000 HWPP Impact Grant for underage access efforts from 2009 to 2012 and an HWPP Implementation Grant of $750,000 covering alcohol policy initiatives between 2012 and the last day of the grant Friday. The coalition also received nearly $320,000 in a Strategic Prevention Framework Incentive Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services between 2010 and 2013. I think we made good progress during the decade, Rooney said during an interview Tuesday. We made more progress among youths, but not adults so much. Asked to account for the youth progress, Rooney lamented that, in part, it is possibly because high school and college students are finding other ways to get high with other drugs. Among adults, binge drinking is easier and legal, she said, adding that the trend is toward more binge drinking among middle-aged women and heavy drinking among middle-aged and older women. Rooney attributed that trend to a combination of stress and intense marketing to that age and gender group. The marketing is making it more a part of the social norm, she said. On the other hand, the coalition has been able to increase awareness of alcohol abuse, she said. Without it, wed be a lot worse off, Rooney said. Echoing that sentiment was former La Crosse Police Chief Ed Kondracki, who is president of the coalition, who said, During 20 years as chief, I saw binge drinking become a phenomenon in La Crosse and across the country. Ending binge drinking sounds like an impossible task, but efforts must continue, Kondracki said, noting that he had called the FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit in for consultation because excessive drinking was blamed for nearly 10 drownings along the Mississippi River. With a few more drownings since then, he said, the coalition strives to treat causes instead of just symptoms. Its reassuring to see so many people in La Crosse involved and a broad base of community organizations trying to end binge drinking, he said. Representatives of state and national groups cite La Crosse efforts as a model for the country, he said. The former police chief said it is especially gratifying to see police officers involved from the beginning and continuing now. Police are a part of the community, not apart from the community, he said. During the Black River Falls School Board meeting held Monday, June 19, members of the board brought up concerns from parents about traffic congestion in the parking lot at the new Red Creek Elementary. The new school has caused traffic issues, especially during drop-off and pickup times where cars have been seen to be backed up to Hwy. A during peak hours. The board first discussed the issue about teachers parking in the front lot. The plan before the school was built was to have the back parking lot be for the teachers, while the front parking lot would be for visitors and parents picking up and dropping off students. Administration quickly heard complaints from teachers that the parking lot in the back was a long walk to the building, especially with the amount of paperwork the teachers had to carry with them each day. It was for these reasons that teachers were permitted to park in the front parking lot. The administration and board noted that because the parking lot always appeared to be full, that could be one of the reasons that drop-off and pickup times were so congested because parents didnt want to get stuck in the parking lot with no way to turn around. The board ultimately decided to require teachers, except those who had special circumstances, to park in the back parking lot. It was also noted that parents should no longer be allowed to park in the driveway between the parking lot and Hwy. A. Administrators felt like the line that formed in this area restricted some people from going into the parking lot because they would then have to go down the driveway on the wrong side. The board then also decided to try and make that area a no parking zone so that vehicles could still access the parking lot without going on the wrong side of the driveway. State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout has again introduced a package of bills intended to increase oversight of the frac sand industry. The Alma Democrat said each of the six bills is in response to problems encountered by constituents in the last decade as industrial sand mines sprung up across western Wisconsin. Despite a recent industry slump, Vinehout said she anticipates another boom cycle could be approaching. It looks like things are going to be heating up, she said. One of the bills would require mines and processing facilities to monitor the surrounding air for fine particles and report the results to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which would also be required to set standards for small crystalline silica particles. The DNR would also be authorized to create eight full-time positions to monitor industrial sand mining and processing. Vinehout said the agency already collects fees from license holders to pay for monitoring. Theres nobody actually assigned to monitor the sand mines, she said. Funds are available but the DNR never hired inspectors. Seeking efficiency, new markets, frac sand mines invest Despite a slump in the U.S. oil industry, Wisconsin frac sand producers are planning to spen Another bill would require frac sand mining to be listed as a conditional use in areas zoned as agricultural and a prohibited use in areas zoned as residential. Other provisions would: Require real estate sellers to disclose knowledge of any contracts or contract options to mine sand on neighboring property. Require local governments to publish legal notices at least 30 days before taking any action on a frac sand mine application and to mail meeting notices to all landowners and occupants within a mile of the proposed mine. Allow counties to issue frac sand exploration licenses. Vinehout said this could help ensure that test bore holes arent drilled into the aquifer and are properly filled. She noted that local officials are often unaware when exploration is going on. Its to give the local government a heads up if they want it, she said. Its permissive. Sand mines proliferated across western Wisconsin in the early part of the decade as oil drillers in North Dakota sought the strong, round grains for use in a technique known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking. But falling oil prices have rendered many of those Bakken oil rigs idle, leading to a slump in demand for sand. Even with the closure of some mines, other companies have sought to open new facilities along different rail corridors that serve other oil fields notably in Texas and Oklahoma where drillers have been able to increase production and are using higher volumes of sand. All of the bills have only Democratic co-sponsors and have been referred to the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining and Forestry. A package of nearly identical bills failed to pass in 2016. The bills were supported by pro-environmental groups but drew opposition from industry organizations including the Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association. Vinehout said she hopes to introduce another pair of bills with a Republican colleague to prevent municipalities from reaching out and annexing non-contiguous pieces of land from neighboring towns, a technique that mining companies have used to skirt local zoning ordinances. This is an issue thats much bigger than just sand mines, she said. Cities want to basically take the prime property from the towns. In front of her students, JamieAnn Meyers never wore glasses. I didnt want to see the students eyes, said JamieAnn, who spent three decades as a geology professor at Winona State University. If I looked into their eyes, I felt like they were looking into mine. I thought they would be able to see who I was, and I needed to hide who I was. By the fall of 2009, the last semester of her career, JamieAnn was done hiding. She wanted her students, wanted everyone, to know exactly who she was. Since 2004 and, in a way, all of her life JamieAnn had been on a path toward transformation. Born Jim Meyers at a time when the term transgender did not yet exist, JamieAnn spent decades getting to know herself and, finally, learning to accept herself. She had come out to her wife and kids conversations she long dreaded and was amazed to find that, though they were shaken at first, they refused to leave her side. Shed also come out to friends and neighbors, and was disappointed to find that some of her relationships werent as strong as shed once thought. But, she said, she made plenty of new friends. Now, she was coming out to her students and colleagues. Because JamieAnn was the first person, to her knowledge, to undergo a gender transition while working at Winona State, she coordinated most aspects of her coming out. First, she thought of everyone on campus to whom she could put a face and a name, and sent them an email about her transition. She brought a small mountain of papers dealing with gender transitions to the universitys human resources department. And she arranged for experts from the University of Minnesota to provide training for those who worked directly with JamieAnn and Peggy, her wife of four decades and a nurse at the school. I remember sitting there in my office, JamieAnn said. It was the day before my first class, maybe the morning of my first class. I was just agonizing over how it would go. I was concerned about my voice, about being too low. I was concerned about being seen as a guy in a dress. Before she knew it, JamieAnn was standing at the front of a lecture hall, looking out at the students who had enrolled in Geology 120 Dynamic Earth. She was wearing her glasses. She picked up her microphone, which she rarely used over the years, and began to speak in a gentle voice. We have some very important material to cover today, she remembers telling the class. But, before we start, I want you to know that my name is Dr. JamieAnn Meyers. Your schedule book says Dr. James Meyers. Theres a simple explanation for that. Im not a different person. Im the same person. Ive gone through a gender transition from male to female. If you have any questions, I will be happy to field them after class in my office. But, right now, we have work to do. JamieAnn was pleased to learn, an hour or so later, that her agonizing had been for nothing. Not a soul stopped by my office, she said, smiling. The reaction from students was overwhelmingly positive. During the semester, JamieAnn received email after email from students many of whom commented on her boldness or bravery, and on how she had helped them chart their own paths through college and early adulthood. It was amazing to hear that, she said. I had never thought of my transition in that way, but, looking back, I think it was the single most important thing I could have done for my students. I think its the single most important thing I did in 39 years of teaching. At commencement the following May, JamieAnn wore her fathers old ministerial robes the flowing ones with the big sleeves, the ones she always wore at graduation ceremonies. At this final commencement, JamieAnn was called onstage to receive a professor emerita plaque, recognizing her three-decade career at Winona State. She hugged the university president. She hugged the college dean. Holding the plaque in her arms, she started to walk offstage. JamieAnn looked into the crowd, at faces she recognized and faces she didnt, and, in celebration, thrust the plaque into the air. Waves of applause washed onto the stage, washed over JamieAnn. I remember shouting something an exclamation of joy, she said. Hundreds of people, including some who scarcely knew her, had now met the real JamieAnn. It was time, she decided, that her parents have the same chance. The last few packages of Oscar Mayer meats will soon come gliding down the conveyor belts at the company's Madison factory. Just a couple of hours on Thursday and workers on the last production line still running thinly sliced ham will flip off the switches, ending 98 years of manufacturing hot dogs and cold cuts at the Oscar Mayer plant at 910 Mayer Ave., part of the bedrock of the East Side's economy for several generations. "It's a sad day for Oscar Mayer. It's family and friends," Mike Carlin, line leader of the remaining production line, said Wednesday afternoon as he headed for the parking lot. "We've got one more day, then we're done." Debbie McDougal marked 29 years with the company on Tuesday. "It's very weird and sad," said McDougal, a "back end" employee who takes the finished packages off the line and checks to make sure their weight and coding are accurate. "I was going to school when I (started) here. You buy a car, get a paycheck the next thing you know, you're a lifer," she said. About 110 employees were still working at the mostly vacant plant as of Wednesday, with about 15 of them staffing the meat production line, McDougal said. Kraft Heinz declined requests to let Wisconsin State Journal staff inside the plant to record the end of the manufacturing era. Once a powerhouse At its peak in the 1970s, the plant employed as many as 4,000 people. In the early 1980s, though, slaughtering operations ended and automation reduced staffing needs as well. By 2013, the company had 1,300 employees in Madison a smaller size, but still carrying a big punch for parent company Kraft. The Madison operation company headquarters since 1957 has been the place for developing all of Oscar Mayer's new products, including the Deli Fresh cold cuts and the Selects line of meats with no artificial preservatives. In the factory, hot dogs were king, packaged at a rate of 10,000 pounds an hour thanks to updated equipment installed in 2008, and products coming down the line also included Braunschweiger liver sausage, bologna and hard salami. Spices for all seven Oscar Mayer plants were made here. The office building housed a well-stocked test kitchen one of eight Kraft test kitchens worldwide and the grounds were home to the iconic Wienermobiles. Now, all but about 30 of Madison's Oscar Mayer employees will be out of work by Friday. The final bunch will stick around until the end of July, cleaning the plant and dismantling equipment, said Doug Leikness, president of the union representing plant workers, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 538. McDougal, 49, said she is stunned that she will leave the company without health insurance; she is one year short of the 30 years of seniority needed to get that benefit. "I wrecked my body (for the company) and got no health care," she said. Linda Zitzner, who turned 55 this month and is a 20-year employee, said she endured a drawn-out fight with the benefits company to receive the retirement package she earned. "I'm sad to see Oscar Mayer go, but Kraft was better than Heinz. There's no feeling of loyalty coming from them," Zitzner said. Carlin, 48, worked for Oscar Mayer for 23 years, but said he will get no benefits beyond severance pay. Kraft Heinz restructuring The Madison factory was one of seven slated to be shuttered when Oscar Mayer's newly merged parent company, Kraft Heinz, announced a major restructuring in November 2015. Of those, Kraft Heinz plants in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Federalsburg, Maryland; San Leandro, California; and St. Marys, Ontario, Canada already are closed. The fate of at least two of those factories already is set: The 907,000-square-foot Allentown condiment factory, built in 1972, was sold to Ridgeline Property Group for $36.5 million and is being torn down, according to CoStar Group, a Washington, D.C., commercial real estate information firm. A distribution center will be built in its place. The Federalsburg crouton plant recently was purchased by Eastern Shore Forest Products, the Caroline County Economic Development organization announced in May. The family-owned company will update the plant and reopen it to manufacture animal bedding and fuel products. The San Leandro and St. Marys plants also have been purchased, Kraft Heinz spokesman Michael Mullen said, but offered no details. A plant in Campbell, New York, was slated to close in May, but its lease on life has been extended until at least late August as the company negotiates with an interested seller, according to WSKG, the public broadcasting station in Binghamton, New York. The seventh plant, in Fullerton, California, got a reprieve last fall and will stay open. It makes Lunchables. The 72-acre Madison property, just off Packers and Commercial avenues, is under consideration by Reich Brothers Holdings, a company with nationwide experience disposing of the assets of closed factories. Earlier this week, co-CEO Adam Reich said no decision has been made yet. Meanwhile, the Madison City Council has created the Oscar Mayer Strategic Assessment Committee to work with a consultant in creating a plan for redeveloping the site. Kraft Heinz's Mullen said discussions continue "with a potential buyer" on the Madison property. "For now, the process remains ongoing and nothing is final," Mullen said. Mullen also said the company is grateful to its employees. "We would like to thank all our employees for their wonderful service and dedication to Oscar Mayer. As always, we remain committed to treating our people with the utmost respect and dignity," he said. Carlin said a small number of Madison employees will transfer to the company's Davenport location, where a new plant is being built, but several hundred Davenport employees will lose their jobs. Carlin chose not to relocate. "I have a house here, I have a life here," he said. He said he has no plans right now for his future career. "It's another day. I've just gotta go on and find something else," he shrugged. The Madison School District has hired what might be the Madison Police Departments busiest retiree former South Side policing veteran and neighborhood policing pioneer Joe Balles to coordinate the districts safety and security operations on an interim basis through Aug. 31. And after that, the district wants to hire Balles as security chief outright, bringing extended stability to a position whose former occupant lasted less than three months. Joe is an incredibly respected leader in our community, and were pleased that he is putting his years of expertise to use in our schools, Superintendent Jen Cheatham said. Former Madison officer Tony Peterson was hired Jan. 4 as the districts safety and security coordinator and left March 18, district spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson said. Peterson, who retired from the police department in 2008, felt the job was not a good fit for him, Strauch-Nelson said. Peterson could not be reached for comment. Peterson had replaced Luis Yudice, another former Madison police veteran who became the school districts security chief in 2006, after three decades with the police department during which he held jobs including captain and assistant chief. Yudices last day with the school district was Feb. 3, with his last few weeks overlapping the start of Petersons stint to provide a training period. Balles, 56, retired as South District captain in January 2016 after 32 years with the police department. He started the interim school district job in early April and said the biggest eye-opener has been to see what he called the districts true reach. They care about these kids far beyond the regular school day, he said. If theres a drive-by shooting ... I find the house hit with rounds and were looking to find out which school kids live there (if any), to make the principal of the school affected aware of it and try to give everyone as much advance notice as possible. On a daily basis, Balles said he trains and helps supervise the 25 district-employed security assistants who work in the four main high schools and some middle schools. Strauch-Nelson said the security coordinator position works with staff, families, police and community groups to maintain safe environments, engage in prevention efforts and provide support to schools when situations arise. We look for someone who has expertise in safety and the ability to provide that supportive, calm leadership in working with schools, Strauch-Nelson said. Balles said hed like to keep doing the schools job after Aug. 31, if he can juggle it with police-related consulting work hes currently under contract for locally and nationally. Balles is in the process of legally forming his own consulting company, he said, and is currently being paid by the federal government to help the Spokane Police Department in Washington form multidisciplinary teams to help tackle large, community-wide problems there including homelessness and abandoned housing. Balles also has been hired to help UW Hospital keep tabs on a new program that lets Madison police officers make street-level decisions steering non-violent heroin addicts into treatment programs rather than jail. The three-year pilot program is funded by a $700,000 federal grant, with ongoing evaluation by UW-Madison researchers. With several other retired officers, Balles also started a nonprofit foundation to fund small community policing projects in Madison -- money for pizza when officers sponsor free movie nights in neighborhoods, for example, or to pay for transportation to help youth in the departments Police Explorers Post attend a conference. If he continues the school district job after Aug. 31, Balles said he would be hired through his consulting company, to be a limited liability corporation, or LLC. He would not be in the states retirement system for the job, he said. It really is an honor to be part of the school district family and see what a significant asset it is to the community, he said. To whatever extent I can help them out on a day-to-day basis, Im more than happy to do it. Balles interim job is through a contract for services, rather than a traditional employment contract. Hes paid $73 an hour, with no benefits, for whats expected to be a total of about 525 hours of work, Strauch-Nelson said, with no more than 880 hours without renegotiation. State officials and business leaders visited a local creamery Monday to celebrate its production accomplishments. Westby Creamery Cooperative began in 1903 and is the recipient of many accolades for its products including its award-winning cheeses. And thats what prompted the visit by government and business leaders, including the secretary of Wisconsins Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The meeting was part of the Wisconsin Cheese Day tour. State legislators voted cheese as Wisconsins official dairy product earlier this year. Ben Brancel added another trophy to the Westby Cooperatives shelf a signed plaque from Gov. Scott Walker congratulating the co-op on its recent expansion and history of success. Your ability to produce high-quality products is pretty impressive, Brancel said to members of the cooperatives directory board and company employees. Westby Creamery recently increased its production capacity and took on more than 50 new employees. Almost 300 farms contribute to the companys supply of raw dairy, which is turned into value-added products like cheese, yogurt and sour cream. The majority of the cooperatives dairies operate with about 60 cows per farm, according to the company. Brancel said Wisconsins dairy industry remains a cornerstone of the states economy, but its under threat from cheaper, cut-rate milk from out-of-state, undermining Wisconsins farmers. About half a dozen protesters stood outside the creamery as business and state officials met inside. They held signs to picket against Republican Walkers administration and treatment of small farms. Protest organizers said Walker is allied to industrial farm industry through administrative policy, driving smaller farms out of business. Walker was not at the event. When asked about alleged favoritism, Brancel said he has heard the concerns but isnt convinced of their validity. He said Wisconsin needs the large farms to meet production quotas, as well as smaller farms to bolster the artisan markets. I have yet to find the law that gives deference (to industrial farms), Brancel said when questioned during the meeting. Alicia Leinberger, organizer with Our Wisconsin Revolution, helped direct protesters. She said the protest wasnt directed at the Westby Creamery one picketer even held a sign in support of the local cooperative. Instead, Leinberger said, frustration was aimed toward the statehouse in Madison. Leinberger alleges Walker is bought by the highest bidder in this case, she said, the highest bidder is the industrial farm lobby. Small farms need help but arent receiving it, Leinberger said, and large operations get breaks from economy-of-scale and what she believes are policy gifts. She said there are ways to support small farms via new legislation including an introduction of labeling laws similar to the branding on organic products. I would like to see a policy initiative that distinguishes products from a small family farm and large dairy farms, Leinberger said. I think people would be willing to pay an extra 20 cents a gallon to help support small farms. Rep. Lee Nerison, R-Westby, attended the meeting. When asked if he would support a bill to distinguish large and small dairy farm products, Nerison was noncommittal, saying he would need to read the bills language to make a determination. The meeting was closed to the public. A Norwegian applied for a job at the Westby Police Department. He was given test after test, but could pass none of them. Desiring to have a Norwegian in the department, the police chief decided to try one more test, with only one question, "Who shot Lincoln?" The Norwegian answered, "I don't know." "Look," said the captain, "take this question home and study it. Maybe when you come back tomorrow you'll know the answer." That night, the Norwegian's friends asked him if he got the job. "I think I might have," said the Norwegian, "They've got me working on a murder case already." Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Wisconsin Supreme Court held that only the judiciary has the power to discipline judges In creating an executive branch entity with authority to pass judgment and impose discipline on a judge's exercise of core judicial powers, the Wisconsin legislature violates the Wisconsin Constitution's structural separation of powers and invades a domain recognized for over two hundred years as the exclusive province of the judiciary. Neither the executive branch nor the legislature may reprimand or otherwise discipline a Wisconsin judge. The Wisconsin Constitution reserves such disciplinary powers for the supreme court alone. Nor may the legislature empower the executive branch to threaten any judicial officer with repercussions for exercising constitutional power vested exclusively in the judiciary. ...the legislature transgressed the constitutional boundaries of its powers by authorizing the Crime Victims Rights Board (the "Board") to investigate and adjudicate complaints against judges, issue reprimands against judges, and seek equitable relief and forfeitures through civil actions against judges. We therefore affirm the decision of the circuit court and hold that Wis. Stat. 950.09(2)(a), (2)(c)-(d) and (3) and 950.11 (2015-16)1 are unconstitutional with respect to judges; accordingly, the Board's actions against Judge William M. Gabler are void. The court describes at length the principles of an independent judiciary. Justice Abrahamson concurred and dissented. The majority opinion contravenes basic principles of statutory and constitutional interpretation. Applying the canon of constitutional avoidance, I conclude that the challenged statutory provisions are easily amenable to a constitutional interpretation. The majority opinion's lengthy foray into the separation of powers analysis is unnecessary and inappropriate. When a court addresses the scope of the judicial branch's power and the powers of the other branches of government, it must avoid an overzealous defense of the judiciary's power and must avoid appropriation of unchecked power in the judiciary. The Crime Victims Amendment and the statutes demonstrate the legislature's attempt at a thoughtful, evenhanded approach to crime victims, accuseds, and judicial and executive branch functions. Is the drafting perfect? No. But perfect drafting is rarely the hallmark of any state or federal statute (or opinion of a court). (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2017/06/the-wisconsin-supreme-court-in-creating-an-executive-branch-entity-with-authority-to-pass-judgment-and-impose-discipline-on.html You have permission to edit this article. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. will invest another USD1 billion to raise its stake in online mall Lazada Group SA to 83 percent, securing control of a fast-growing startup at the vanguard of its Southeast Asian expansion. The Chinese e-commerce leader is buying out most other backers in a deal that values the Singapore-based startup at $3.15 billion, Lazada CEO Maximilian Bittner said, with management and Temasek Holdings Pte. remaining as the only other investors. Lazada backers Rocket Internet SE and Investment AB Kinnevik said yesterday they were among the sellers. The startups previously disclosed backers also include British supermarket chain Tesco Plc. Alibaba took control of Lazada last year from Rocket in a $1 billion deal its largest overseas move to date. The company Bittner started in 2012 is now pivotal to quickening the Chinese online retailers forays abroad, fulfilling billionaire co-founder Jack Mas ambitions of becoming a truly global business. Lazadas home turf is shaping up to be the next battleground for Alibaba and main Chinese rival JD.com Inc., and Amazon.com Inc. down the road. While still lacking the transport and payments infrastructure crucial to the widespread adoption of e-commerce, the region has become the worlds fastest-growing internet arena, with a populace of more than 600 million getting more comfortable with online shopping and payments. Obviously this allows Alibaba to expand its global footprint, giving them unrivaled access to users, Bittner said in an interview. E-commerce penetration in Southeast Asia is only roughly 3 percent, so the partnership is a great step change. Amazon hasnt yet voiced its intentions for Southeast Asia, but the industry expectation is that its constant quest for growth will lead it there as early as this year. Now that Alibabas established its dominance of China and Amazon has taken the lead in the U.S., both are looking to make their mark overseas. JD, whose preference for building its own distribution more closely mirrors Amazons, is also said to be in talks to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Indonesian online marketplace Tokopedia. Alibaba which despite its sheer scale still derives most of its revenue from China has been the most aggressive thus far. Its amassing a regional presence in anticipation of Amazons eventual entry, starting with 51 percent owned Lazada. Ma traveled to Kuala Lumpur in March to declare Malaysia its first logistics hub outside of China, a centralized warehousing and distribution launchpad for the region. Indonesia, the worlds fourth-most populous nation, is considered among the most promising markets in the region. The country draws comparisons with China a decade ago, with its lack of retail infrastructure, an exploding mobile-user base, and a growing middle-class craving leisure and quality goods, which underpinned the rise of both. Lazada itself covers six countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and runs about a dozen warehouses and scores of distribution centers from which it conveys goods directly to buyers. The company is competing with well-funded rivals from MatahariMall to Sea Ltd., but Bittner said Lazada can count on Alibabas expertise. Rocket Internet will sell its 8.8 percent stake in Lazada to Mas company for $276 million, it said in a statement. Kinnevik, which sold half its Lazada stake when Alibaba took control of the company in April, will get $115 million for its remaining 3.6 percent stake, the Swedish investment company said in a separate announcement. This year, Lazada introduced Alibabas Taobao online bazaar to Singapore via a dedicated website. The Chinese e-commerce giant also helped Lazada create an online loyalty and services program that offers UberEats and Netflix along with free deliveries from Alibabas Taobao and online grocer Redmart. It was the first time the U.S. companies have jointly created an online rewards program, Bittner said at the time. The e-commerce markets in the region are still relatively untapped, and we see a very positive upward trajectory ahead of us, Alibaba Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang said in a statement. We will continue to put our resources to work in Southeast Asia through Lazada to capture these growth opportunities. Lulu Yilun Chen, Bloomberg A new cyberattack similar to WannaCry reached parts of Asia after hitting businesses, port operators and government systems in Europe, U.S. and South America. A terminal operated by A.P. Moller-Maersk at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, a facility near Mumbai which is Indias biggest container port, was unable to load or unload because of the attack. With the Gateway Terminal India facility unable to identify which shipment belongs to whom, the port is clearing cargo manually, Chairman Anil Diggikar said in a phone interview. After wreaking havoc in Europe, the attackers behind the Petya virus have had a limited impact in Asia so far as they demand users pay USD300 in cryptocurrency per infected computer to unlock their systems. About 2,000 users had been attacked as of yesterday [Macau time] in North America, according to Kaspersky Lab analysts, with organizations in Russia and Ukraine the most affected. With there being no global kill switch for this one, well continue to see the numbers rise in different parts of the world as more vulnerable systems become more exposed, said Beau Woods, deputy director of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative at the Atlantic Council in Washington. There are signs the virus is starting to spread in China but no large-scale outbreak has been detected, according to Zheng Wenbin, chief security engineer at Qihoo 360 Technology Co. After the WannaCry outbreak earlier this year, ransomware is becoming a routine risk for businesses around the world. While banks and retailers have strengthened defenses against certain types of attacks, such as those targeting credit card data, many others are still catching up in building their defenses. The attack popped up in government systems in Kiev, then disabled operations at companies including Rosneft PJSC, advertiser WPP Plc and the Chernobyl nuclear facility. More than 80 companies in Russia and Ukraine were initially affected, Moscow-based cybersecurity company Group-IB said. The hack quickly spread from Russia and Ukraine, through Europe and into the U.S. (More on p15) Bloomberg Janice Wong is a native Singaporean who was voted Asias Best Pastry Chef in 2013 and 2014 at the prestigious San Pellegrino Asia Top 50, as well as Pastry Chef of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2015 by the World Gourmet Summit. She additionally studied economics and finance in Melbourne, Australia, and Singapore. Impressed by Melbournes culinary offerings during her time studying there, Wong had a change of heart and enrolled in pastry program at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. In 2007, she opened 2am: dessertbar, in Singapore. In November 2014, when she was back in Singapore, she launched her eponymous sweet concept, Janice Wong. Recently, Wong shared with the Times some of her pastry ideas, as well as elements of her new restaurant called Janice Wong MGM, which will open soon in MGM Cotai. The restaurant is a modern pastry shop offering a full sweet experience in terms of cakes, eclairs, mochis, tarts, ice creams, crepes, chocolates and confectioneries, and plated desserts. Macau Daily Times (MDT) What attracted you to Macau? Janice Wong (JW): I think for me was really the idea that in Macau there are a lot of new openings for hotels. They always incorporate a sweet shop inside each of these hotels, but not really focusing on all the architecture, design, fashion, everything in one place. [] MDT Tell us something about the Janice Wong brand. JW The Janice Wong brand is something very unique; you do not really experience it unless you go there. [] Marrying four disciplines, which is art, pastry, fashion and design if you marry all of that, you will see a new Janice Wong brand, which was launched in 2014. I think this is what Macau kind of lacks in a way. MDT What would you like your customers to remember about Janice Wongs food? JW I never focus so much on the aesthetics. Its always the flavor or the experience, because thats what you remember most. I think if you remember it being very pretty, but you taste it and its bad then the experience is very different. I think, for us, its very important to actually focus on both flavor and also the experience. MDT What are your expectations for Janice Wong MGM? JW I think in the beginning its going to be extremely crowded and great and a lot of bustle and energy, but you know the main thing is I also want that to be an inspiration for the rest of the world. This is really the first in the world; you would never see a concept store built in with an 8-meter chocolate fountain, or 7.3-meter chocolate fountain [] All in all, for me its really impressive to really keep moving. MDT You studied economics and finance in Australia. What made you turn to pastries? JW I think again, experiences. I think it was really the love of cooking for other people but giving people the experience of just having a really nice dessert and wine, so its not just only sweets. I think when you eat it, there is a story to hear [] then it becomes like a whole new thing. [] I thought I could make a change in the world, so I wanted to inspire pastry shops, in the past, in the future, to say: Oh, its not just about cakes and macron, its so much more than that. MDT Why did you choose MGM? JW I think the vision has a lot of good synergy. MGM has always been a very forward thinker. You can see when it opens with the new design everything is going to be digital. Its just a beautiful space, it hasnt got a lot of stuff going on, like in other places. Its quite minimalist, and we are very forward thinking, so the synergy has to be right to have a similar experience. I think the space they have designed for the Janice Wong brand is just breathtaking, really, really beautiful. [] You cant have that experience anywhere, even the Singapore market is not really ready for that yet. Chinas increasingly powerful navy launched its most advanced domestically produced destroyer, at a time of rising competition with other naval powers such as the United States, Japan and India. The first 10,000-ton Type 055 entered the water at Shanghais Jiangnan Shipyard yesterday morning, the navy said in a statement. It said the ship is equipped with the latest air, missile, ship and submarine defense systems. China is believed to be planning to produce four of the ships. The launch of this ship signifies that our nations development of destroyers has reached a new stage, the navy said. A photo on the navys website showed multicolored streamers being shot out of tubes while sailors and shipyard workers stood dockside next to a massive Chinese flag. It said the chief of the Peoples Liberation Armys General Armaments Department, Zhang Youxia, presided over the ceremony, in which a bottle of champagne was broken over the ships bow. The Type 055 is significantly larger than Chinas other modern destroyer, the Type 052, representing the rising sophistication of Chinas defense industries. Once heavily dependent on foreign technology, China in April launched its first aircraft carrier built entirely on its own, based on an earlier Ukrainian model. In terms of displacement, it is roughly equivalent to the Arleigh Burke class of destroyer. Chinas navy is undergoing an ambitious expansion and is projected to have a total of 265-273 warships, submarines and logistics vessels by 2020, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Naval Analysis. That compares with 275 deployable battle force ships presently in the U.S. Navy, Chinas primary rival in the Asia Pacific, with the once-yawning gap between the two narrowing rapidly. China says it needs a powerful navy to defend its 14,500 kilometers of coastline, as well as its crucial maritime shipping routes. However, it also appears increasingly willing to challenge actions by the U.S. long the regions pre-eminent military power especially in the South China Sea, which China claims virtually in its entirety. Beijing has also long nurtured resentment against Japan over its past invasion of China, and their dispute over a group of tiny, uninhabited islands in the East China Sea has at times threatened to break out into open confrontation. India, meanwhile, shares a disputed border with China and has grown increasingly concerned over the Chinese navys growing presence in the Indian Ocean, facilitated in part by Beijings close alliance with New Delhis arch rival, Pakistan. Christopher Bodeen, Beijing, AP Starting from July 1, residents of Hong Kong and Macau will only be able to apply online for a single entry visa permit to Taiwan through the Taiwan immigration departments online system. This information was recently announced by the Bureau of Hong Kong Affairs of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. Starting from July, the Hong Kong office will no longer accept written applications from residents of the two SARs. The policy is valid for all Hong Kong and Macau residents, including permanent residents who were not born in either of the two regions. According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices Hong Kong sector, for the past three years, the number of permanent residents in Macau and Hong Kong who were born in one of the two regions and applied online for a Taiwan visa has been increasing. In 2014, that number was 1.06 million. In 2015, the number increased to 1.18 million and in 2016, it reached 1.26 million. As previously reported, Taiwans National Immigration Agency has eased the administration burden for Macau and Hong Kong residents who intend to apply for a Taiwan visa. The simplified procedure which underwent an experimental period until March 27 allows residents to apply online instead of having to visit the office in person. This time, the policy will be permanently implemented. A self-described farm boy from Iowa who befriended Chinas president three decades ago is tasked with smoothing relations between the worlds two largest economies amid increased unpredictability in American foreign diplomacy under President Donald Trump. Terry Branstad, 70, a former six-term governor of Iowa, made his debut yesterday as the new U.S. ambassador in Beijing. Hes known Chinas president since Xi Jinping visited Iowa as a county-level Communist Party cadre on a 1985 trade trip. The two struck up a lasting friendship thats expected to be a major asset as Branstad seeks to ease strains over the U.S.-China trade imbalance, Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea and North Koreas nuclear weapons ambitions. Less certain is how much influence Branstad will have with Trump. The two first met during the 2016 election campaign. Their dynamic will be closely watched by China as it seeks to make sense of the new administrations sometimes volatile shifts in policy, said professor Shi Yinhong with Beijings Renmin University. His task is going to be complicated, Shi said. The ambassador is a good choice, but he does not decide Sino-U.S. relations. Everything depends on Trump and his policy toward China. In a video greeting to the Chinese public, Branstad said he will focus on resolving the trade imbalance and neutralizing the North Korea threat. Both areas have proven fertile ground for disagreement between Washington and Beijing, North Koreas biggest trade partner and source of diplomatic and economic assistance. U.S. lawmakers have long complained Beijings protectionism disadvantages foreign companies and helps drive Americas multi-billion dollar trade deficit with China. On North Korea, China strongly opposed U.S. sponsorship of a missile defense system in South Korea in part because it has a radar system that Beijing said could be used for spying on Chinas military. Trump has said he hoped China could use its influence with North Korea to convince Pyongyang to cease its nuclear and missiles tests. However, this week he tweeted that Xi and Chinas efforts to help with North Korea have not worked out. Trump has also seemed to toy with dropping Washingtons decades-old commitment not to recognize Taiwan by accepting a congratulatory phone call from the islands president. However, shortly afterward he reaffirmed the One China policy that recognizes only Beijing. Against that background and amid Trumps bombastic and erratic statements about China, Branstads appointment gives Beijing some assurance that the U.S. remains interested in stability, said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy. Immediately upon his arrival, Branstad was forced to confront another area of disagreement between the two nations Chinas human rights record. Controversy over the authoritarian nations treatment of dissidents resurfaced this week with news that imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo had been hospitalized and diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer. Branstad said Liu should have the chance to seek medical treatment outside China if it could help. How hard he pushes Beijing on the matter remains to be seen, but hes already signaled a willingness to confront Xi. During a May confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Branstad expressed disappointment on the slow pace of political reforms in China since he first visited in 1984. He told lawmakers that the problem has continued under Xi and that he would be willing to challenge his old friend on the issue. He has not done what Id hoped would happen, and that is become more open and more willing to accept freedom of press and stop the repression of minorities, Branstad testified. Hes got to recognize that some of the things that are being done in China today are very much against what I think [are] the right policies for a world leader. Early in the 2016 campaign, Branstad expressed doubts Trump would last after the candidate arrived at the Iowa State fairgrounds aboard a private plane. He later said hed been wrong about the New York billionaire and appeared unfazed by the many controversies that erupted around Trump in the lead-up to the election. Yesterday, Branstad remarked that hes developed a lot of personal relationship with the Trumps and recently had dinner at one of the familys namesake hotels with the presidents daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner. Branstad grew up on a farm in Leland, Iowa, and predicted when he was still in elementary school that he would one day become the states governor, according to his former law partner, Richard Schwarm. Schwarm said hed first heard that story from Branstads mother and it had been repeated so many times that it was taken as gospel. After earning a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Iowa, Branstad was drafted and served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Matthew Brown, Beijing, AP Local authorities have decreased efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims, according to the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the United States Department of State. The report acknowledged that the MSAR authorities are making significant efforts to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. They are doing so through measures such as inspecting employment agencies, construction sites, and companies with gaming licenses for indicators of trafficking; conducting numerous anti-trafficking trainings and public awareness campaigns, including through new online videos available in eight languages. Although authorities investigated four cases of potential labor trafficking in 2016, those probes didnt result in any charges. The report adds that authorities have never identified labor trafficking victims in Macau and fewer victims of sex trafficking were identified in 2016 than in previous years. Last year, four victims were identified: three children and one adult. This compares with six in 2015, five in 2014, and 38 in 2013. The report makes some recommendations to local authorities, among them the need to significantly increase efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict sex and labor traffickers. According to the report, there is also the need to implement proactive victim identification methods, especially among vulnerable populations. A minimum wage for foreign domestic workers was also recommended. The Secretary for Securitys Office issued a statement yesterday refuting the report and claiming that it ignores objective facts about the situation in Macau. The security authorities reiterate that human trafficking will not be allowed, as well as any acts associated with it, the statement noted. The federal Department of the Interior just announced the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes payments for this fiscal year, and 28 percent of Idaho's money is going to counties in the Magic Valley. The federal government had made these payments to local governments every year since the 1970s on federally owned lands that are not otherwise subject to taxation, and every county in Idaho gets some. Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties are getting a combined $8.46 million out of the $30 million going to Idaho. The overall amount is a slight increase over the $29.4 million Idaho got last year. Payments are based on acreage of federal land. As a kid who grew up in northwest Montana and whose sons graduated from the same high school as I did, I know how important PILT payments are to local communities that have federal lands," Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who was Montana's congressman before President Donald Trump appointed him to his current job, said in a statement. "These investments are one of the ways the federal government is fulfilling its role of being a good land manager and good neighbor to local communities." About 60 percent of the land in Idaho is owned by the federal government, and PILT payments represent a significant share of the budget in many counties. All told, the federal government is making $464.6 million in payments this year to local governments across the country, an increase over last year's $451.6 million and the most the program has paid out in its history. PILT was funded this year at levels comparable to last as part of the May omnibus deal that funds the federal government through the end of September. It remains to be seen what happens in the next fiscal year President Donald Trump's budget blueprint calls for PILT to be funded "at a reduced level, but in line with average funding for PILT over the past decade," which would work out to about $397 million, an almost 15 percent drop. MURPHY HOT SPRINGS After spending two hours to drive the last bumpy 20 miles of a journey that had started in Castleford and then looped through Murphy Hot Springs, I was thrilled to abandon my vehicle. It did not matter if the temperature was climbing into the 80s, there was not a tree in sight and a backpack was pulled down on my hips and shoulders. Foot travel sounded ideal. With nearly the entire expanse known as the Diamond A Desert behind me on the first Sunday in June, I had only a handful of miles to hike before arriving at its northern point. There I would enter somewhat familiar territory, but with a chance to see it from a new perspective. Intrigued in the past by the broken landscape that rose above the confluence of the Jarbidge and Bruneau rivers, I had pledged to return and explore. On that trip nine years ago, a friend and I had driven down into the Bruneau Canyon at Indian Hot Springs and had taken parts of two days to hike in several directions. The country between the V of the rushing waters of the Jarbidge and the West Fork of the Bruneau remained untouchable. It did, however, leave an indelible impression on me. Most visitors still arrive to the confluence by the route we used back then, according to Nathan Jayo of the Bureau of Land Management. The outdoor recreation planner from the agencys Jarbidge Field Office added that for people venturing into the Diamond A, most calls he gets are from those interested in Arch Canyon. Inquiries about continuing north to the end of the road and entering the Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness on foot near Lookout Point are far fewer. Jayo advises travelers to use high-clearance vehicles with good tires when exploring the region for any reason. People need to be prepared, he said. It takes a long time to get there, and the area is really isolated. After leaving my vehicle, I hiked northeast to intersect the Jarbidge Canyon. Along the way I walked the rim of a small drainage that fed the iconic chasm whose river was first heard and then seen. Upon reaching the point between the two rims I removed my backpack, sat down and considered the vista. The grandeur of the vertical upper cliffs, some close to 200 feet high, and then a steeply angled slope to the river were impressive enough on their own. Some stretches at the bottom of the gorge also held another miniature canyon where the brown water roared through. The entire scene was almost too much to absorb. The deep canyon, along with its counterpart carved by the Bruneau, and even Salmon Falls Creek to the east, boast interesting geological history. Shawn Willsey, geology professor at the College of Southern Idaho, explained that the story started when this part of southern Idaho was moving westward over the Yellowstone hotspot. Caldera volcanism at the time forced drainages to flow opposite the direction they do now. Once the land mass moved away from the hotspot and cooled, it began to settle and subside. In doing so, this generated greater relief, producing steep gradients for these north-flowing streams, Willsey said. After this reversal in direction, deep and narrow canyons began to cut through the basalt and rhyolite. Glacial runoff from the lofty Jarbidge Mountains contributed to the erosive downcutting. After that initial panorama I hiked a half-mile downstream along the canyon to Lookout Point. The vista there offered me not only the best angle back upstream, but also of Jarbidge Canyons last mile. At its mouth the river escaped and disappeared in search of the waters of the Bruneau. I walked along the rim until the canyon ended, then worked my way down through a series of folds in the landscape. From one small outcrop I achieved a clear sight line of the two rivers union. The Bruneaus contribution from the West Fork, draining a landscape lower in elevation, held less water and almost looked clear compared with the muddy Jarbidge. The boundary between the two tributaries contained in the same channel, known then simply as the Bruneau River, remained distinct for 50 yards until the flow boiled into a series of cliffs. I edged farther down for a closer view but felt no need to walk the final half-mile to the confluence. On the last bluff above the canyon floor, I used binoculars to study Indian Hot Springs, the tilting unsafe bridge that crosses the river, and a group of people unloading gear in preparation for a whitewater float. I wandered back up to explore the higher country of the West Fork and look for a campsite. In retrospect, a descent might have led to a more suitable place to spend the night. The canyon bottom likely would have offered a little more protection and a suitable spot to anchor my tent against the gale which accompanied that evenings cold front. The result was a tent that almost felt like it would become airborne with me inside. The storm was also accompanied by several disconcerting lightning strikes and plenty of rain that forced its way both around the rain fly and underneath the tent floor. When the storms ferocity lessened, I scrambled to gather my damp gear, including a tarp pulled from underneath the rocking tent and propelled 200 yards away. My three-mile retreat back to the truck ended just after sundown. Feeling a little cheated by the interruption, I headed back before sunrise to the Bruneaus West Fork for one final look at its chasm. I aimed for a parallel route along a tributary drainage called Long Draw but had to make several changes in direction when small gullies running between the maze of hills soon became impassable fissures. After a couple of hours I had again meandered down close to rushing water, but I could garner only a glimpse of one short stretch of river. It seemed unlikely, however, that the stunning perspective of Long Draw meeting the main canyon could be topped. On the tortuous drive back across the plateau that would again pull me into Nevada before doubling back into Idaho, I met a ranch hand looking for missing cattle. We swapped stories about the Diamond A, then headed in opposite directions across its vast plain. I hoped that his search of the landscape would work out as well as mine. RUPERT A Rupert woman was shot in the chest Tuesday and police are looking for a 40-year old man in connection with the shooting. Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr said Thursday that a warrant has been issued for Ernesto Moroyoqui-Martinez a.k.a. Ramiro Mendoza-Lopez for attempted second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and is wanted on a $500,000 bond. Snarr said the Moroyoqui-Martinez is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. The 38-year-old woman has been released from the hospital. The shooting occurred at 218 W. Oleta Lane. Anyone with information on Moroyoqui-Martinez should call the Minidoka County Sheriffs Office at 208-434-2320 or any law enforcement agency. RUPERT A Rupert man who police say choked a girl and cut her with a piece of glass after she rebuffed his advances is charged with felony injury to a child. Case Weems, 18, was charged after a 16-year-old girl told police she had been communicating with Weems, whom she knew as Josh, on Facebook Messenger. The girl said she met Weems at a shed near Ridleys Family Market. While the two were inside the shed, the girl said, Weems started kissing her, and when she told him to stop and hit him with her elbow, he threw her to the ground and started to choke her. The girl said she was unable to speak while he was choking her and started to black out. The girl said she picked up a broken piece of glass from the ground and cut him on the hand to get him to stop choking her. She said he then cut her with a piece of glass during the struggle. The girl told police she took a piece of glass with her when she left the shed because she was fearful she would be assaulted again. Detectives found blood and broken glass inside the shed. Detectives spoke with Weems, who was at the hospital emergency room being treated for cuts on his hand. Weems told police he fell near Ridleys and cut his hand on broken glass. He denied going into a shed or being with anyone. WASHINGTON One of Idahos congressmen is positioned to play a major role in shepherding key parts of the presidents immigration agenda into law. U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador was appointed Tuesday to head the House Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee. And two bills he co-sponsored with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. one to crack down on undocumented immigrants, one to put new limits on refugee resettlement have made it out of that committee and could come to a vote in the full House. Labrador worked as an immigration lawyer before his election to Congress and was part of the bipartisan Gang of Eight congressman who unsuccessfully tried to hammer out an immigration reform deal in 2013. Hes also running for governor in a Republican primary field that includes Lt. Gov. Brad Little and and Boise developer Tommy Ahlquist. Labrador said the campaign and his short time left in Congress shouldnt interfere with his goal of revamping the immigration system. I can walk and chew gum at the same time, he said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday. Donald Trump campaigned hard on implementing more restrictive immigration policies, hammering at the issue throughout the campaign. Now, Labrador said, is the time to act, before the 2020 presidential election cycle starts. This two-year period, I think, is a golden opportunity for us to reform the immigration system, he said. Labrador and Goodlattes Refugee Program Integrity Restoration, which would cap refugee admissions at 50,000 a year and require congressional authorization to exceed that as well as letting states and local governments opt out of allowing refugee resettlement in their jurisdictions, passed committee Wednesday. The 50,000 cap is the number Trump mandated by executive order earlier this year; before this year, the last time fewer than 50,000 refugees came into the U.S. in a year was 2007, according to State Department data, and it is significantly lower than the yearly caps the Obama administration set. Labrador said his bill would force a true consultation process to raise the number rather than leaving it to the president. Labrador said states and local communities would have to work together if, for example, a state wants to suspend refugee resettlement but a city wants to continue it. He said he wants to be welcoming, but it shouldnt be a (non-governmental organization) that decides whos going to come to the state of Idaho. It should be the state of Idaho that decides whos going to come to the state of Idaho. The Davis-Oliver Act, which came out of committee a month ago and is named after two California police officers who were murdered by an undocumented immigrant, would let states and local governments both help enforce immigration laws and enact immigration laws of their own as long as they dont conflict with federal ones, and make it a misdemeanor to be in the country illegally its a civil violation now, not a criminal one. Labrador said he has been told it will get a vote in the House but doesnt know when. He said they are working on making sure other lawmakers understand it first, calling it a very comprehensive bill that deals with local enforcement of immigration laws and makes some major changes to our enforcement of immigration laws. We started the education process yesterday, he said. We had a commitment from our leadership and a push from the White House. However, two bills that include aspects of Davis-Oliver one to take some federal money away from jurisdictions that dont cooperate with immigration authorities and let victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants in sanctuary jurisdictions sue, one to increase the prison sentences of undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of certain crimes and re-enter the country after being deported are expected to come to a House vote Thursday. After these and other enforcement-related bills pass, Labrador said, he would like to change the guest worker program, including allowing the dairy industry to participate in the agricultural H-2A visa program, which is currently limited to seasonal employees. Labrador said the plans are only a draft but call for three-year visas with the requirement people would have to return home for a period of time, stressing he views it as a guest worker program and not a path to permanent residence. People who are here illegally now and working would likely have to leave the U.S. to apply, he said. Nearly 50 years ago, downtown Twin Falls was revitalized and everything old became new again. Beginning Nov. 12, 1970, a three-day extravaganza celebrating what the Times-News called a mammoth improvement over the old downtown business district brought dignitaries from across the nation to see the new city mall. A three-day festival included speeches by Idaho Gov. Don Samuelson, U.S. Sen. Len Jordan and U.S. Rep. Orval Hansen, followed by four U.S. Air Force fighter jets buzzing Main Avenue. A torchlight parade led by Miss Twin Falls marched down darkened streets to Main Avenue and Shoshone Street, where mall lights turned on promptly at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, accompanied by every bell and whistle in town including the city air raid siren. The highlight of the festival was a drawing for a new Buick Opel donated by a local car dealership. Jerome youngster Trudy Stokes reached into the mixer and drew one name from some 400,000 entered: Otto Florence Jr., president of Independent Meat Co. in Twin Falls. Florence gave the car to his twin daughters to share while attending college; one attended Gonzaga University in Spokane and the other Idaho State University in Pocatello, said his son Patrick Florence, now sole owner of the meat-packing business. In addition, mayors from 44 towns in Idaho met to discuss urban renewal with the mayor of Grand Junction, Colo., whose own downtown mall inspired plans for Twin Falls project. Benjamin Franklin famously said that a penny saved is a penny earned. This centuries-old wisdom is relevant today in Idaho where Democrats and Republicans are working together to fight the single most potentially devastating foreign invader of our state: Zebra and Quagga Mussels. That may not be the invader you were expecting, but its true. Zebra and Quagga Mussels threaten Idahos waterways, electrical infrastructure and agricultural communities. If they make it into our rivers, lakes and streams they will devastate Idaho waters and cost over $90 million dollars every year to deal with. While the Idaho legislature has taken some important first steps in combating this menace, more work is needed. Zebra and Quagga Mussels are not native to the United States. They were introduced to the Great Lakes region by cargo ships from the Black Sea. From there, this invader moved west into Arizona, Nevada, Utah and most recently Montana. These mussels can reproduce a million times over in a year. They are sharp and course and can attach themselves to infrastructure, wedge themselves into hydro-electric machinery and spread into irrigation pipes. They also ruin beaches in short order. To call them an existential threat to Idaho is an understatement. We call the Zebra and Quagga Mussels foreign invaders because the biggest threat to Idaho comes from boaters who (1) travel from out of state to Idaho or (2) travel to infested waters and then come back into Idaho. For example, Lakes Mead, Powell and Havasu are already infested. Boaters who travel to those waters pick up Quagga Mussels in their bilge water (whether they know it or not), or the mussels attach directly to the boats. Once that happens, the boats transport the mussels to other states to infest new waters. For now, Idahos only line of defense is our 19 boat-check stations at our borders. During the past session, the House and Senate passed two bipartisan bills that become law July 1, 2017. The first bill raises the out-of-state boat tag fee from $22 to $30. The extra money will be used for prevention efforts. The second piece of legislation approved a $3 million increase in the Department of Agriculture budget, primarily to fund boat check stations. These bills were the result of the work of a bi-partisan working group, but more needs to be done. The federal government has jurisdiction over Lakes Mead, Powell and Havasu, three of the most infested waterways in the west. They need to take responsibility for the watercraft that navigate those waters. Any boats coming out of infested waters should be inspected by the feds before they leave. In addition, Idahos Department of Agriculture needs to work with state, federal and tribal agencies to make sure boats do not enter our state with viable Quagga Mussels. Finally, the state of Idaho needs to appropriate enough resources to keep our state check stations open on a 24-hour basis. As it stands now, most Idaho inspection stations are open dawn to dusk. While our state officials do a great job, there are too many boaters who cross into the state after dark who risk exposing our state to the Quagga Mussel. We understand that Idaho is a conservative state but preventing this species from destroying our waterways is worth the investment. It will be far cheaper to spend the money now on prevention than to deal with the consequences later. A few million dollars spent today could prevent a hundred million dollars per year in economic damage down the road. A penny saved is a penny earned. This is good advice. However, when it comes to keeping the Quagga Mussel out of Idaho, pinching pennies is bad policy. We need to invest more to prevent this problem from infesting the waters in our state. LUBAO, PampangaAn 18-businessman delegation from the Republic of China or Taiwan visited Pampanga on Thursday to explore expansion and new investment programs in the booming province. The delegation, composed of presidents, CEOs and company chairmen are interested in opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, construction, renewable energy, manufacturing, and other industries in the province. Led by Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office Representative Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, the delegation vowed not only to expand but also to increase their investments in the province, not only for generating more jobs but also to give opportunities to those in need. The delegation made their commitment during a meeting held at the Pradera Verde theme park here with provincial officials led by Governor Lilia Pineda and 2nd District Rep. Gloria Arroyo. Lin said the delegation included Allan Lin, president of Taiwan Association Inc.; Willy Chua and Hazel De Las Alas of Teco Industrial Park; Feng-in Hong of Formosa Heavy Industries Corp.; C.T Wong of Highlander Orchids; Billy Huang of Fil-Chin Love and Cares Foundation; Tayson Hsieh of Atlas Nutrition; Johnny Lu of Green Era Biotech Corp.; Jack Lin of Grobest Feeds Philippines; Bernardo Angeles and Kelly Huang of Lung Yue Construction; and Harrison Lan, director of Taiwan Trade Center. ADVERTISEMENT Lin said the businessmen are interested in investing and expanding in Pampanga because of its strategic location and the presence of air and sea transport terminals, which are vital in doing global business. Pampanga is not only blessed with geography as center of Central Luzon but with presence of Clark International Airport, Subic seaport and expressways, plus talented and hardworking human resources, Lin said. According to Lin, 3,000 Pampanga natives are now working in Taiwan. To better improve the skills of local workers, Lin said they are planning to put up free digital education courses. The Pampanga officials thanked the delegation for adding the province as a priority site of their expansion and new investment plans. Arroyo said good business starts with good relationships, and that connection will definitely enhance and improve the connectivity between Pampanga and Taiwan, not only in business aspect but in other future endeavors. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Saudi-led bloc is mulling new sanctions against already isolated Qatar with trading partners to be asked to choose between the coalition and the tiny emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to Moscow told The Guardian in London Wednesday. Omar Ghobash said the bloc can slap new sanctions on Qatar after they handed Doha, last Friday, a list of 13 conditions to be fulfilled within 10 days. One possibility would be to impose conditions on our own trading partners and say you want to work with us then you have got to make a commercial choice, he said in the interview. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt are leading a group of countries, which cut off early June diplomatic ties with Qatar over the accusation that Qatar funds terrorism. The bloc also enforced sea, air and land blockades against the world richest country per capita. Doha has rejected the accusation and called unrealistic the demands, which it says, aim at depriving the monarchy of its sovereignty. Ghobash also noted that the bloc is ready to see Qatar leaving the regional bloc; the Gulf Cooperation Council; and joining Iran, the blocs archenemy. If Qatar was not willing to accept the demands, it is a case of Goodbye Qatar we do not need you in our tent anymore, Ghobash said. We are asking Qatar to make a choice and we realize they may choose to take the route to Iran, and we are willing to accept the consequences of that. Shia-dominated Iran stepped into the crisis taking the side of Qatar as it scales up economic ties with its Sunni neighbor. Prior to UAEs comments, Saudi Arabias top diplomat Adel al-Jubeir Tuesday in Washington indicated the demands are non-negotiable and that Doha knows what to do before the blockades are lifted. Sudanese Foreign Ministry official Abdelghany Naeem, on Tuesday, said his country hopes the revival of President Donald Trumps travel ban on Sudanese citizens will not affect the planned lifting of US economic sanctions on the conflict-stricken nation. The Supreme Court of the United States on Monday partially lifted an injunction against the travel bans issued by President Donald Trump. The apex courts decision allows the travel ban on nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen that lack strong ties with the United States. We hope that this ban decision will not affect next months decision to lift U.S. economic sanctions, especially because Sudan has completed all the roadmap requirements that were asked, the Foreign Ministry official told Reuters. Sudan is listed by the US as a country supporting terrorism. Portions of a decade-old sanction were eased by former President Barack Obama before he left office. Before the sanctions were lifted on 13 January, Sudan had been under US trade embargo since 1997. If President Donald Trump approves the lift, Sudan will, for the first time in two decades, be able to receive imported goods and services from the US. The lift will also release frozen Sudanese property and assets held in the US. via @learyreports WASHINGTON - A large, bipartisan contingent of the Florida House delegation has a firm message for President Donald Trump: Lay off plans for oil drilling in the Atlantic. Opening the Atlantic to seismic testing and drilling jeopardizes our coastal businesses, fishing communities, tourism, and our national security, reads a letter signed by the Florida lawmakers and dozens of others. It harms our coastal economies in the near term and opens the door to even greater risks from offshore oil and gas production down the road. Therefore, we implore you not to issue any permits for seismic airgun surveys for subsea oil and gas deposits in the Atlantic Ocean. June 28, 2017 Secretary Ryan Zinke Department of Interior 1849 C St NW Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Secretary Zinke, We are writing in strong opposition to your recent secretarial order (#3350) to move forward with offshore oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic Ocean, and the subsequent issuance of five Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for Atlantic geophysical & geological (G&G) permit applications. This decision to move forward with permits for seismic airgun surveys for subsea oil and gas deposits puts at risk the vibrant Atlantic Coast economies dependent on healthy ocean ecosystems, which generate $95 billion in gross domestic product and support nearly 1.4 million jobs each year. Offshore oil and gas exploration and development, the first step of which is seismic airgun testing, puts at risk coastal economies based on fishing, tourism, and recreation. Numerous studies show the detrimental impacts seismic airgun blasting has on fisheries and marine mammals, thereby affecting the catch anglers bring dockside and the revenue generated by related businesses. A 2014 study conducted off North Carolinas coast by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Duke University and NOAA found that, during seismic surveying, the abundance of reef-fish declined by 78 percent during evening hours, a time of day when fish use of that same habitat was highest on the previous three days when seismic surveys were not being conducted. The tertiary effects of this trickle down to fishing businesses, restaurants and the visitors that flock to our coastal communities. Some proponents of opening drilling in the Atlantic make the argument that seismic airgun surveys for oil and gas deposits would allow local communities to learn more about what resources might be available. The reality is that, by law, the data obtained from seismic surveys are proprietary and only available to the oil and gas industry. The public, local government officials and even Members of Congress would not have access to the survey data. This inability to access information leaves coastal communities without the opportunity to perform substantive cost-benefit analyses for extracting oil and gas reserves off their coasts. Our constituents would be left taking on significant risk without being involved in future development decisions. We hear from countless business owners, elected officials and residents along our coasts who recognize and reject the risks of offshore oil and gas development. More than 120 local governments have passed formal resolutions opposing oil and gas exploration and/or drilling in the Atlantic or Eastern Gulf. These include numerous local chambers of commerce, tourism and restaurant associations, commercial and recreational fishing associations, and the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. More than 41,000 businesses and 500,000 commercial fishing families strongly oppose offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling. Further, NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Florida Defense Support Task Force have also expressed concern with offshore oil and gas development threatening their ability to perform critical activities. Opening the Atlantic to seismic testing and drilling jeopardizes our coastal businesses, fishing communities, tourism, and our national security. It harms our coastal economies in the near term and opens the door to even greater risks from offshore oil and gas production down the road. Therefore, we implore you not to issue any permits for seismic airgun surveys for subsea oil and gas deposits in the Atlantic Ocean. --ALEX LEARY, Tampa Bay Times @PatriciaMazzei Daniel Perez, a Miami Republican running for the state House, used his first TV ad to attack rival Jose Mallea as insufficiently loyal to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Mallea ran Rubio's long-shot 2010 Senate campaign. But the ad appears to refer to 2016, when Mallea worked backed Jeb Bush instead of Rubio for president. Mallea was an aide to then-Gov. Bush years before he managed Rubio's Senate campaign. Bush's super PAC, Right to Rise, which hired Mallea in 2015, poured money into attacking Rubio. "Candidate Jose Mallea betrayed us," the Spanish-language TV ad says. "He says he's a friend of Marco Rubio's, but when we had the opportunity to elect one of our own to the White House, Jose Mallea directed millions of dollars in false attacks against Rubio." Mallea's friendship with Rubio dates back to before 1998, when Rubio first ran for the West Miami City Commission. A photo of the two young men appears in Rubio's first book, "An American Son." "I am proud of my 21-year friendship with Marco Rubio," Mallea said Thursday. "I have worked with Marco Rubio for years, and I was proud to stand with him in his very first campaign. Being his campaign manager in 2010 was the honor of a lifetime." It's unclear where their friendship now stands. In addition to invoking Miami's 2016 presidential campaign ghosts, Perez's ad accuses Mallea of accepting "thousands of dollars from special interests to launch his campaign for a district he doesn't live in." Mallea said he moved into a rental apartment in Doral, which is in District 116, two weeks ago. The special primary election is July 25. This post has been updated. HELENA Montanas Republican Sen. Steve Daines said in a call with constituents Wednesday night that Medicaid expansion, which now covers about 79,000 around the state, would likely end in 2019 regardless of a U.S. Senate bill expected to terminate the program by 2026. When Montana chose to join with 31 other states and expand Medicaid coverage to the working poor in 2015, the Legislature included a sunset clause that requires lawmakers in 2019 to reassess the program. Daines said he spoke Wednesday with state Sen. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, who helped craft the expansion bill, and Buttrey said he didnt think legislators would vote to keep the program operating. The state of Montana is having a very difficult time affording the amount of spending created because we are blowing out the projections. Were blowing the budget. Were busting the budget, Daines said. Buttrey could not be reached by Lee Newspapers on Wednesday night, but Daines said Buttrey is very concerned about whats going here. Hes pretty convinced we would not renew Medicaid expansion in Montana under these current conditions. Daines is referring to the higher-than-expected number of people who signed up for coverage under Medicaid expansion, called the Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership (HELP) Act. An estimate in 2015 when the HELP Act passed said 45,723 people would sign up in the first year of enrollment, which was the start of 2016, and it would cost $43 million to cover them. But more than 70,000 enrolled by the end of last year and that cost of covering that many people was put at $70 million by the states Legislative Fiscal Division this January. But the states Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, as well as the Department of Public Health and Human Services, have pointed to savings from expansion totaling $10.6 million in state money by the end of 2016, according to a state report from September 2016. Savings came from things like moving people from regular Medicaid, which has a lower federal match, to the expansion program, as well as savings for the state Department of Corrections, which gets more federal funds to pay for prisoner health care under the HELP Act. Daines held the tele-town hall Wednesday night to get feedback from Montanans on the Better Care Reconciliation Act, the U.S. Senate's iteration of a congressional Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The House version of the bill was passed narrowly in May. Montana's Democratic Sen. Jon Tester held a town hall in Great Falls on Saturday and a Facebook town hall this week. On Tuesday Senate Republicans pushed back a vote on the bill until after their July 4 break because of a lack of support for the bill. Some Republicans from rural states that expanded Medicaid said they could not vote for the bill because it would cut off access to the program for many in their states. Daines has not yet taken a position on the legislation, saying he wanted to hear from constituents. He did not indicate on the call Wednesday night if he supports the bill, but said he expects a vote to happen in July. Daines told Montana Public Radio earlier this week that he would not vote for the bill if the provision to cut Planned Parenthood funding for a year was removed. If the funding was restored, Daines said, he could not vote for the bill. Daines defended that position when a caller asked him Wednesday night why he supports getting rid of what the Missoula woman called the best resource for health care for some women. I am pro-life. I'll stand and fight for those who are most vulnerable in our society. That is the unborn, that is the elderly, that is the disabled, Daines said. He argued that the Senate bill will take money that had previously gone to Planned Parenthood, which has five clinics in the state, and move it Montanas 17 community health centers. Daines call, which he said reached 40,000 Montanans, was the day after the release of a report that outlined the predicted severe effects of the Senate bill in Montana. The state would lose $5.3 billion in federal Medicaid funds between fiscal years 2020 and 2026, according to a report by Manatt Health on behalf of the Montana Heath Care Foundation. More than 216,000 Montanans are covered by Medicaid, 96,846 of whom are children and 19,085 are adults who have disabilities. Under the Affordable Care Act, the state gets an enhanced federal match for money it spends, but the Senate plan lowers the match severely and eliminates it entirely by 2024. The state could not afford to keep the program running without the enhanced match. Daines said he wants to see Medicaid return to what he called its original mission of providing insurance for the poorest of the poor, including children, people with disabilities and pregnant women. Heres the problem. Obamacare expanded Medicaid and it allowed able-bodied adults without children to receive Medicaid at 100 percent covered cost by the federal government. Its led to a significant spending spree thats adding to our already $20 trillion debt. Those covered under the main Medicaid program could expect to see a decrease in benefits or eligibility under caps in federal funds the Senate bill proposes, the Manatt report said. If Montana wanted to stay under the cap proposed in the Senate bill, it would have to cut spending on Medicaid here by $892 million between fiscal years 2020-2026. Daines also said hes concerned about what he called the collapse of health care markets and jumps in the costs of insurance premiums. Though Montana has not seen any insurers leave the marketplace here, premiums did jump by 133 percent last year. Companies attributed that to the people who gained coverage having more medical needs than expected. Daines said he also wants to eliminate tax penalties for people who do not have insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act, he said, in 2014 about 34,000 Montanans paid a penalty because they did not have coverage, and of those 14,000 earned less than $25,000 a year. Obamacare was taxing them, penalizing them, Daines said. Something had to be done because this Obamacare is just in a death spiral and the individual market is collapsing across this country. HELENA About 50 people gathered outside of Sen. Steve Daines Helena office on Wednesday afternoon to urge him to vote no on the Senate healthcare bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The gathering happened several hours before a tele town hall on Wednesday night, but people said they were frustrated with that process. Alex Street, with Indivisible Helena, said hes encouraging people to still be a part of the town hall, but said they are often muted after asking a question. Instead of being able to clarify or press Daines on an issue, hes allowed to continue with his talking points, Street said. Weve been a little frustrated with that, he said. But it kind of suits him. To supplement calling his offices each day and being part of the town hall, citizens wrote a letter with their concerns regarding cuts to Medicaid, high deductibles and a possibility insurers can exclude people with pre-existing conditions. Voting was delayed on the bill until after the July 4 recess and amendments are still being made, but the letter said deep cuts will remain at its core. There is no good version of this bill, the letter says. With so many lives and livelihoods at stake, please stand up for Montana and oppose this bill. Becca Leaphart and her 3-year-old son held a sign that said The decision isnt brain surgery, but your vote could cost me mine. Leapharts son had his first brain surgery at 5 months. He has hydrocephalus, or a buildup of too much fluid in the brain. A draining tube was placed, but additional surgeries are often necessary if the tube is outgrown or becomes clogged. Leaphart, a teacher, said she has good insurance through her job. But shes worried the Better Care Reconciliation Act, if passed, would allow insures to place a cap. She said a patient who needs multiple brain surgeries could easily approach a coverage limit and have to pay the rest of their healthcare costs, for life. Hed be in big trouble, she said. Daines has not yet taken a public position on the bill. Missoulians certainly love their parks and trails, but paying for them is becoming increasingly difficult, as the city added several miles and dozens of acres of new public land. Between downtowns Art Park, the Reserve Street pedestrian bridge and additions to the Missoula-Lolo trail, Parks & Recreation Director Donna Gaukler said theyd need over $80,000 for maintenance alone, not to mention improvements. That was at Missoula City Councils weekly budget meeting, where the committee heard from several departments on spending not approved by the mayor in the first budget draft. The inability to keep up with fast growth was a common issue. Development Services Director Mike Haynes asked the committee to consider adding two engineers, at a total cost of $134,000, to speed up development plan approval. At one time Haynes had a goal of reviewing and approving commercial development plans in 10 days, but thats ballooned to six or eight weeks, even as he gets help from other departments to keep up with the workload. Missoula broke development records with $216 million in construction in 2016 and Haynes thought even more would have been approved if he had the needed staff. Public Works director John Wilson put it succinctly in his brief comments. Right now, what were doingis not sustaining, he said. The first draft of the city budget, which Engen has said maintains the current level of service, proposed a 3.87 percent increase in taxes. A 1 percent increase is equal to an additional $330,000 spent by the city. Municipal Court Judge Kathleen Jenks asked the council to fund several programs as part of the Jail Diversion Master Plan, a guiding document adopted by the city and county in 2016 that gives solutions to jail overcrowding and mistreatment of offenders. Her proposals called for the city to pay for multiple treatment and incarceration options that are currently paid for by the offender. Jenks said offenders often use those fees as a reason not to comply with treatment requirements. Under her proposal, the city would pay: $338,000/year to pay for the Alcohol, Counseling & Treatment program for first-time DUI offenders. $23,400/year to fund Alternative Jail, which allows inmates to schedule stints in jail around their work. $44,750/year for pre-trial monitoring for alcohol convictions. $21,375/year for house arrest (based on 1,500 days per year). $30,000/year to mail monthly fine and restitution statements instead of quarterly. This is a major issue in our community with the mental health, with the drug addiction and we cant wait for the state or the federal government to show leadership, Ward 3 representative Emily Bentley said. This is just as much of a priority, and our responsibility, as the other things (budget items). The council will continue public budget meetings on July 12. All the FY18 budget documents can be viewed on the citys website by finding the City Budgets link on the left side of the main page and clicking FY18 Preliminary Budget. ... this ward has not taken the density of other areas of our town, said councilor Amber Sherrill. So saying Not In My Backyard is not gonna go with council." The White House on Thursday nominated Kurt Alme of Billings to be the new U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, following a recommendation from Sen. Steve Daines, Montana's senior Republican congressman. If confirmed by the Senate, Alme a former First Assistant U.S. Attorney who now runs the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation will fill the role vacated earlier this year by Michael Cotter. In March Cotter, along with 45 other U.S. Attorneys appointed during the Obama administration, was told to resign by President Donald Trump. In a statement announcing his recommendation, Daines said he looked for someone with experience in federal law enforcement as well as an awareness of the most pressing criminal issues facing our state. Montanans deserve a U.S. Attorney with public safety and management experience and that person is Kurt Alme. He is the right person for this job, the senator said. Sen. Jon Tester joined Daines in praising Alme after his nomination was announced. After speaking at length with Mr. Alme and thoroughly vetting him for this important position, I am confident that he is fit for the job. It is critical that Mr. Alme is quickly confirmed so he can hit the ground running to curb the growing meth epidemic, fight for more law enforcement officers in rural Montana, and help close the jurisdictional gap between federal, state, local, and tribal officers, Tester wrote in a statement. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the largest geographic federal court district in the lower 48 states. Alme, who went to high school in Miles City, graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1992 and is a Harry S Truman Scholar. He clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Charles Lovell before joining the Crowley Law Firm in Billings. There he practiced nonprofit law, business and estate planning, and tax law, eventually becoming a partner at the firm. In 2001, he was named director of the Montana Department of Revenue before joining the U.S. Attorneys office. He left the office in 2010 to become general counsel at the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation an organization that provides tax and charitable planning to help support the ranch, which works with emotionally troubled youth and became president in 2013. Alme declined to be interviewed about the nomination, referring the request to the White House press office. *** Daines office received letters from across the state supporting Alme for the position. Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch CEO Mike Chavers called him a man of laser sharp focus. In my career, I have met very few, if any, that rival his combination of humility, character and competence, he said. Former Montana U.S. Attorney William Mercer wrote in his letter that Alme is the "most gifted person I know." In a letter of support, Attorney General Tim Fox said he would look forward to close collaboration with a U.S. Attorneys Office headed by Alme, especially during a time when crime and corruption threaten our personal and collective freedoms. Kurt exemplifies all that is good about Montana and her citizens, Fox wrote. Jesse Laslovich, former chief legal counsel for the state auditor's office and a former member of the Montana Legislature, said when Alme would testify on behalf of the Department of Revenue, he always worked collaboratively with others and that in the current political climate, we need more people like him in public service. Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swanson wrote that Alme has a history of prosecuting drug traffickers, but also that he approaches his work with compassion and is seen as a leader in the mental health care field. Kurt is a brilliant and competent attorney, Swanson wrote in his letter of support. In each case, and in each decision, I trust he will seek to achieve justice and do the right thing. Truck driver Michael Allen McLane of Roseburg, Oregon, is in jail in Missoula after being charged with drunken driving and attempting to hit two men. Officers were called to the Flying J Travel Center at the Wye west of Missoula on Tuesday evening after a manager reported a potentially intoxicated driver attempting to leave the truck stop in his semi. When troopers with the Montana Highway Patrol arrived, the manager told them his employees tried to tell McLane to turn off his semi after it started spilling fluids at the truck stop, according to a court affidavit. While McLane did turn it off and got out, he allegedly got back in shortly after and, when he was told law enforcement had been called, began driving toward the men before one of the employees pulled his truck in front of the semi. A trooper who spoke with McLane noted that when he got out of the semi he wasnt able to walk normally, had bloodshot eyes and was slurring his speech. McLane allegedly denied trying to hit anyone with his truck, but admitted to having four beers earlier in the day, although he said he was not going to drive. He performed poorly on a field sobriety test and provided a breath test that showed a 0.237 blood-alcohol content. While that is nearly three times the legal limit for drivers of non-commercial vehicles, it is almost six times the limit for commercial drivers in Montana. McLane is charged with two felony counts of criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor for aggravated driving under the influence. On Wednesday, Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway set McLanes bail at $20,000 and said if released, he must be monitored for alcohol use. President Donald Trump on Thursday ridiculed the brains, looks and temperament of a female cable television host whose show he says he has stopped watching. His latest crude broadside against a woman's appearance set off a storm of protest from Republicans and Democrats alike and did nothing to advance his struggling policy agenda. In a series of tweets morning tweets, the president went after Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, who have criticized Trump on their MSNBC show "Morning Joe." I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 ...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 Brzezinski responded on Twitter by posting a photograph of a Cheerios box that includes the phrase "made for little hands." Critics looking to get under the president's skin have long suggested that his hands appear smaller than usual for his frame. "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job," NBC News spokeswoman Lorie Acio said in a statement. Other reactions from both Republicans and Democrats: House Speaker Paul Ryan: "Obviously I don't see that as an appropriate comment. What we're trying to do around here is improve the tone and civility of the debate, and this obviously doesn't help." House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi: Pelosi told reporters Thursday that Trump's tweet "really saddens me because it is so beneath the dignity of the president of the United States to engage in such behavior." She says it was "blatantly sexist." Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford: Trump's comments "don't help our political or national discourse and do not provide a positive role model for our national dialogue." Melania Trump: The first lady's spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said Melania Trump has long said that "when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder." White House spokesman Sarah Huckabee Sanders: The president has never been someone "who gets attacked and doesn't push back." She added that the show has made "an outrageous number of personal attacks" on the president and says Trump "fights fire with fire and certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by liberal media and the liberal elites within the media or Hollywood or anywhere else." BUTTE Republican Sen. Steve Daines has reiterated his invitation to Environmental Protection Agencys top administrator Scott Pruitt to visit a Superfund site in Montana. Daines first gave the invitation to Pruitt in February at the time of Pruitts confirmation hearing. Pruitt, so far, has not taken Daines up on that offer. When he visited a Superfund site since becoming EPAs top administrator, he instead visited a site in Chicago that is contaminated with lead. But in a letter Daines gave to Pruitt after Pruitt's hearing before the Senate subcomittee on appropriations for the environment and other agenices Tuesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Daines reiterated his invitation. The letter says, I would like to reemphasize my standing invitation for you to visit my state and take a firsthand look at a Montana Superfund site. EPA did not address the letters invitation but EPA spokesperson Amy Graham responded, via email, Wednesday, saying, Administrator Pruitt appreciates Senator Daines recommendations for streamlining and improving the Superfund program, and he looks forward to working with the Senator to accelerate Superfund cleanup in Montana. Daines three-page letter commended Pruitt, saying he is encouraged by Pruitts new Superfund strategy, including the formation of a task force and "more direct involvement by the Administrator." But Daines took exception to the proposed $330 million cut to Superfund in the agency's proposed 2018 budget, saying the cut "does not seem to reflect that same level of commitment." He added, "I am working to increase that funding as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations." U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat and also a member of the Appropriations Committee, also vowed Tuesday to fight those cuts. Both senators are members of the subcommittee that held Pruitts budget hearing on Capitol Hill. Daines letter laid out a list of concerns he has for Pruitt. He encourages Pruitt and his new Superfund task force, chaired by former banker Albert Kelly, to consider increasing the pace of the cleanup, reducing administrative costs, enforcing standards consistently and getting the community more involved, among other issues. Daines also engaged with Pruitt during the hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Daines expressed concern over EPAs overreach, and mentioned the stigma that living in a Superfund site can entail for a community. He urged Pruitt to prioritize productive use, of such sites. Daines also told Pruitt that he has heard from Montanans of a lack of transparency and collaboration with stakeholders. He would like to see Pruitts EPA work more closely with communities impacted by Superfund. Although Daines didnt mention Butte by name, Pruitt did in his response. "It's just simply responsiveness," Pruitt said. "Butte, Montana, is obviously one of those sites." Pruitt said that under his leadership EPA would make sure voices are heard. Daines letter offers himself as a resource to EPA in the Senate to assist in improving the Superfund program. Pruitt calls the changes he is making to EPA and Superfund, including the new Superfund task force in Washington, DC, as well as Pruitts involvement in decision making on sites and the stripped-down budgets, streamlining the process. But critics of the changes say they look more like a way of loosening environmental regulation and enforcement. BOZEMAN The Montana Supreme Court has rejected an appeal in the case of a Montana woman who sued saying medical providers failed to diagnose her unborn daughter's cystic fibrosis. Kerrie Evans sought up to $2.2 million for medical expenses, arguing that if she had known about the diagnosis she would have had an abortion. A Gallatin County jury ruled last year that the nurse and doctor did not violate the standard of care. Evans argued jurors should not have been told her daughter had medical insurance. Justices said defense attorneys raised an issue that opened the door to testimony about her insurance. Evans acknowledged she did not read a brochure on cystic fibrosis and that she and her husband had not undergone blood tests to determine if they carried one of the numerous genetic mutations that cause the disease. The boundary between religion and government can sometimes be hard to draw. At a recent congressional hearing, however, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont got it exactly wrong. On June 7, in questioning Russell Vought in regard to his nomination to serve as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, Sanders referred to an article that Vought had written a year ago. In that article, Vought stated that Christ was the only path to salvation and that, therefore, Muslims and practitioners of other faiths stood condemned. This is a view held by millions of Christians, perhaps the vast majority of practicing Christians today. It was certainly the view held by virtually every practicing Christian at the time of the adoption of the Constitution. And a somewhat parallel view that a belief in Allah, as described in the Koran, is the only path to salvation is held by the majority of practicing Muslims today. There is absolutely nothing inconsistent between holding these views and serving as a U.S. government official. Neither inner religious belief nor the expression of religious belief is the proper province of government. Where religious beliefs do become the province of legitimate government concern and regulation is when they are acted upon to the detriment of others. If Vought believed that in his capacity as a government official he could treat Muslims or members of any other faith differently from Christians, this would be inconsistent with the Constitutions protection of the free exercise of religion. But Vought made no such claim. To the contrary, he said that he believed that all people were created in the image of God and deserved respect. It would be one thing if Vought were to treat individuals differently because of their religious faith including by certain kinds of speech he might utter in his capacity as a government official. But the expression of religious views by a private person, which Vought was at the time he wrote his article defending Christianity, cannot be held against his suitability to serve in the federal government. Indeed, in criticizing Vought, Sanders himself crossed the line respecting the constitutional protection of the free exercise of religion. Are we to believe that only individuals whose religious views Sanders approves of are fit to serve in the federal government? The Constitution makes only one reference to religion in its original pre-Bill of Rights text. Article VI of the Constitution states that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. In condemning Voughts views and suggesting that he is not fit to serve in the federal government, Sanders has set up precisely such a test. Must nominees adopt Sanders preferred interpretation of the tenets of Christianity? Is a doctrine that Christ is the only path to salvation in and of itself Islamophobia? Must nominees for federal office subscribe to only those forms of religious expression Sanders supports? Sanders is free to vote against Voughts nomination, which he announced he would do. But he would do well to think more carefully about the meaning of the free exercise of religion, about the proper relation of faith and government, and about his own sworn constitutional obligations. Republican Sen. Steve Daines has reiterated his invitation to Environmental Protection Agencys top administrator Scott Pruitt to visit a Superfund site in Montana. Daines first gave the invitation to Pruitt in February at the time of Pruitts confirmation hearing. Pruitt, so far, has not taken Daines up on that offer. When he visited a Superfund site since becoming EPAs top administrator, he instead visited a site in Chicago that is contaminated with lead. But in a letter Daines gave to Pruitt after Pruitt's hearing before the Senate subcomittee on appropriations for the environment and other agenices Tuesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Daines reiterated his invitation. The letter says, I would like to reemphasize my standing invitation for you to visit my state and take a firsthand look at a Montana Superfund site. EPA did not address the letters invitation but EPA spokesperson Amy Graham responded, via email, Wednesday, saying, Administrator Pruitt appreciates Senator Daines recommendations for streamlining and improving the Superfund program, and he looks forward to working with the Senator to accelerate Superfund cleanup in Montana. Daines three-page letter commended Pruitt, saying he is encouraged by Pruitts new Superfund strategy, including the formation of a task force and "more direct involvement by the Administrator." But Daines took exception to the proposed $330 million cut to Superfund in the agency's proposed 2018 budget, saying the cut "does not seem to reflect that same level of commitment." He added, "I am working to increase that funding as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations." U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat and also a member of the Appropriations Committee, also vowed Tuesday to fight those cuts. Both senators are members of the subcommittee that held Pruitts budget hearing on Capitol Hill. Daines letter laid out a list of concerns he has for Pruitt. He encourages Pruitt and his new Superfund task force, chaired by former banker Albert Kelly, to consider increasing the pace of the cleanup, reducing administrative costs, enforcing standards consistently and getting the community more involved, among other issues. Daines also engaged with Pruitt during the hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Daines expressed concern over EPAs overreach, and mentioned the stigma that living in a Superfund site can entail for a community. He urged Pruitt to prioritize productive use, of such sites. Daines also told Pruitt that he has heard from Montanans of a lack of transparency and collaboration with stakeholders. He would like to see Pruitts EPA work more closely with communities impacted by Superfund. Although Daines didnt mention Butte by name, Pruitt did in his response. "It's just simply responsiveness," Pruitt said. "Butte, Montana, is obviously one of those sites." Pruitt said that under his leadership EPA would make sure voices are heard. Daines letter offers himself as a resource to EPA in the Senate to assist in improving the Superfund program. Pruitt calls the changes he is making to EPA and Superfund, including the new Superfund task force in Washington, DC, as well as Pruitts involvement in decision making on sites and the stripped-down budgets, streamlining the process. But critics of the changes say they look more like a way of loosening environmental regulation and enforcement. FRIDAY, JUNE 30 TALK ON SAPPHIRES Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park will host Montana Sapphires, a presentation about the states treasured deep blue gemstones, at at 8 p.m. Montana has produced more sapphires than any other state and continues to produce sapphires from placer deposits in southwestern Montana. Join Dick Berg from the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology and Montana Tech to learn more about these gemstones. Details: 406-287-3541. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Beauty and the Beast," the Disney Broadway musical version, will play at the Cutler Brothers Theater in Deer Lodge through July 2. It plays Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended by calling 406-846-4096. Tickets are $15 general admission. Visit cutlerbros.com for more information, or follow the theater troupe on Facebook. MEDICARE TALK Southwest Montana Aging and Disability Services will host a talk on Medicare fraud prevention at 2 p.m. at the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St. DRAFT HORSE EXPO The 22nd Annual Big Sky Draft Horse Expo runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Deer Lodge. Details: www. drafthorseexpo.com. To all the Montana people on Obamacare, food stamps, Medicaid and voted for Donald Trump. I congratulate you on being patriotic enough to give up your Medicaid, food stamps and Obamacare so billionaires can get a big tax break. If you think you're poor don't worry it, as Ben Carson says, it's only a matter of perspective. Here in Montana, summertime always reminds us why we care about clean water. Thanks to the Clean Water Act, many of the places we go swimming, fishing, or boating like the Big Hole River are now cleaner. Thats why I was so appalled to learn this week that the EPA is proposing to repeal key protections for Montanas waterways. Finalized in 2015 with widespread public and scientific support, the Clean Water Rule restored federal protections to 63 percent of Montanas streams, which feed waterways like the Big Hole and help provide drinking water to 234,219 Montanans. The rule also protects wetlands, which help filter out pollutants and provide wildlife habitat. More than 800,000 Americans including doctors and nurses, businesses, mayors, farmers, and local organizations urged the EPA to adopt the Clean Water Rule. Yet the new EPA is now proposing to dismantle it. Repealing this rule turns the mission of the EPA on its head: instead of protecting our rivers, lakes, and streams, the Trump administration would leave them open to pollution. It defies common sense, sound science and the will of the people of Montana. EPA should reconsider this reckless repeal and stand up for Montanas waterways. Skye Borden, director, Environment Montana, Missoula Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy In a groundbreaking case against agricultural giant Monsanto, a jury has awarded $250 million in punitive damages and nearly $40 million in compensatory damages to a former school groundskeeper who said he got terminal cancer from the weedkiller Roundup. There's a fascinating window into how Donald Trump conceives of the presidency in a New York Times piece out this morning that details the meeting to talk health care between the president and Republican senators at the White House on Tuesday. Here's are the key passages: "When asked by reporters clustered on the blacktop outside the West Wing if Mr. Trump had command of the details of the negotiations, Mr. McConnell ignored the question and smiled blandly.... ...A senator who supports the bill left the meeting at the White House with a sense that the president did not have a grasp of some basic elements of the Senate plan and seemed especially confused when a moderate Republican complained that opponents of the bill would cast it as a massive tax break for the wealthy, according to an aide who received a detailed readout of the exchange." Those descriptions clearly rankled the president, who took to Twitter to defend himself. "The failing @nytimes writes false story after false story about me. They don't even call to verify the facts of a story. A Fake News Joke!," he tweeted. Then, this: "Some of the Fake News Media likes to say that I am not totally engaged in healthcare. Wrong, I know the subject well & want victory for U.S." The problem for Trump is that there's a lot of history -- past and recent -- to suggest he is not a terribly details-oriented guy, that he basically views himself as a brand ambassador and the face of an operation. Not the nuts and bolts guy. Start with Trump's comments before the private meeting with Republican senators on Tuesday afternoon. "For the country, we have to have health care and it can't be Obamacare, which is melting down," Trump said. "This will be great if we get it done, and if we don't get it done it is just going to be something we aren't going to like. And that is OK and I understand that very well." No mention of premiums. Or Medicaid expansion. Or deficit reduction. Or deductibles. Or any sort of policy at all. Then there is the reporting coming out of CNN regarding Trump's pitch to on-the-fence senators like Utah's Mike Lee. As CNN's MJ Lee reported Tuesday, Trump's argument was largely political -- his voters, Trump's not Lee's, wanted and needed this so the Senate should do it. "It was also a 'high level' call, with the President not diving into specific policy details. This is similar to when Trump tried to win over House Republicans on their bill earlier this year -- the President did not appear interested in in discussing detailed policy." "High level." Cough. Ahem. Go back even further to when Donald Trump was in search of a vice presidential nominee. This passage, from a Robert Draper story in the New York Times magazine, is instructive: "According to [an Ohio Gov. John] Kasich adviser (who spoke only under the condition that he not be named), Donald Jr. wanted to make him an offer nonetheless: Did he have any interest in being the most powerful vice president in history? When Kasich's adviser asked how this would be the case, Donald Jr. explained that his father's vice president would be in charge of domestic and foreign policy. Then what, the adviser asked, would Trump be in charge of? 'Making America great again' was the casual reply." Even in his past life as a developer, Trump was primarily concerned with being the public face of the operation rather than the behind-the-scenes guy who got into the nitty gritty of the deal. He was the closer, swooping in when the deal was done to put his unique stamp on it -- and then talk about what a great deal it was to any and everyone who would listen. Giving all of that history, the descriptions of Trump as less interested in the policy details around health care than convincing Republican Senators to be for some sort of bill and to declare victory are entirely consistent with who we know he was before running for office. Trump is a big picture guy. He's the face. The specifics he has always left to other people. That he appears to be doing so in the health care debate should surprise, roughly, no one. CNN's MJ Lee, Lauren Fox and Jim Acosta contributed to this report. MUSCATINE Frank Stalkfleet was a man who valued self-reliance. A farmer in Muscatine County, he continued to do chores on his farm into his 70s. So when he landed in the hospital with a broken hip, he wasnt happy. But he became despondent when the doctors suggested it might be time to move to a nursing home. To him, that was losing his dignity, said his daughter-in-law Barbara Stalkfleet. That was stripping him of his last bit of dignityHe couldnt do chores anymore, he couldnt be on the farm anymore. But Barbara and her husband, Wesley, had made Frank a promise that they will not put him in a nursing home. Instead, they made plans to care for Frank and his wife, Janet, at their Muscatine County farm. It was at that point that Barbara noticed that her mother-in-laws memory was failing. She would not remember that we had just come from the hospital. She would ask Wheres Frank, when is he coming home? Every two or three minutes, Barbara said. Later, it would become clear that both Frank and Janet had Alzheimers. Still, the coupleand the rest of the familycared for Frank and Janet in their home until their death. Home care in a small facility Now, Wesley and Barbara want to offer the same type of care to others with dementia or Alzheimers. They recently built a house in Muscatine under the company name Pinnacle Group Homes LLC for that purpose. The facility will open this week, and residents began moving in on Wednesday. From the outside, the green house on Diana Queen Drive looks like a typical suburban home, complete with a back yard and driveway. Inside, little details such as a special-access tub and a room with a hair salon chair suggest that the house might be more than just a typical home. The house will accommodate up to five residents and will be staffed with two registered nurse and a certified nurse assistant. The staff that were going to have will become specialists in (memory care), Wesley said. The goal is to create a family-like environment, where the needs of each resident are being considered. The beauty of having an elder group home and having just five residents is we can get to know each resident individually, Barbara said. We get to know their life story, we get to know their likes, their dislikes. The small, familiar setting has its advantages. Theres absolutely no doubt that for people with dementia, smaller environments and greater levels of attention by caring people improves the quality of care dramatically, said Jerry Schroeder, program specialist at the Greater Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. The more people are left alone to their own devices, the more isolated they are, the more institutional the setting, the more frightening it is to people with dementia because they dont understand how to live in an environment like that. But it also comes with a price. The Stalkfleets said they will charge residents a flat fee, but did not disclose the amount. For now, they will not accept health insurance. They will accept VA benefits, long-term care insurance or out-of-pocket pay, but also said they might consider accepting health insurance in the future. Theres no question that a smaller environment is ideal (for people with dementia), Schroeder said. The challenge is financing it, A rare model Pinnacle Elder Group Homes is not the only facility of its kind, but elder group homes are still rare, Schroeder said. Cost may be a factorsmall-scale facilities tend to be more expensive to set up. You have to have a pretty solid financial backing in order to make it work especially if you run into medical needs, where you actually have to have medical personnel on staff, he said. The need for 24/7 care is one factor in these startup costs. Youre talking about a fairly high concentration of staff to resident ratio, he said. The advantage of a larger, more of an institutional setting is that the staff ratio does not need to be as high, but if you have a group home of five people, you still need to have people there all the time observing and monitoring. Barbara and Wesley want to start a network of such homes in the area, each accommodating a handful of elders. If all goes as planned, they want to begin building a second group home in three months. MUSCATINE New research by the University of Iowa shows that PCBs a class of chemicals known to cause cancer in humans are present in older school buildings. The study, published Wednesday, surveyed six schools in Iowa and Indiana, including two in Columbus Junction. It is the largest survey of PCBs in schools to date. This is the first time weve been able to pinpoint the source of PCBs inside schools, said Keri Hornbuckle, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the UI College of Engineering. This study shows that the indoor air is contaminated, and that the contamination is due to materials that remain in use in the school buildings. PCBs are from a family of man-made organic chemicals, known as chlorinated hydrocarbons, that were frequently used in construction of industrial buildings, including public schools from the 1950s to 1970s. Their toxic qualities were discovered later, prompting the Environmental Protection Agency to ban them in 1979. PCBs are still present in the environment, particularly in old chalking and fluorescent light ballasts. School districts are not required to measure the levels of PCBs in their buildings, but the EPA has established guidelines for acceptable levels. When researchers collected indoor and outdoor air samples at the six schools, they found evidence of PCBs inside each of the schools, all at levels the EPA deemed acceptable. Much is still unknown about PCBs, and the EPAs acceptable levels are under some debate, said Rachel Marek, UI College of Engineering assistant research scientist and lead author of the study. We dont know precisely what level is safe for kids to breathe, she said. The EPA level is under discussion among all of us that are studying PCBs in the air and PCBs in schools. We know PCBs are toxic, we know that they are carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, which means they affect hormones, we know they are neurotoxins. So any level of PCBs in schools is of some concern. The only way to know if PCBs are present in a building, Marek said, is to test for it. Removing sources of PCBs can be sometimes funded by grants. If, for example, the PCBs come from outdated light fixtures, school districts can apply for grants to replace the ballasts with energy-efficient fixtures. But it begins with taking PCB measurements in the school. This is something that can be done in every school around the country, she said. 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 [] A bystander is nursing bullet wounds after he was caught in a crossfire between police officers and suspected gangsters on Tuesday evening on Latema Road in Nairobi. According to the police, officers on patrol along Moi Avenue spotted a suspicious motorcycle ferrying four passengers. The officers trailed the suspects to Latema Road and ordered them to stop. The suspects defied the order before one of the men pulled out a gun and started firing, as his accomplices fled the scene in different directions. The officers arrested three of the suspects while the fourth, who was armed, managed to escape. While escaping, the gun-toting gangster shot and injured the innocent bystander, who was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital and is said to be in a stable condition. Police recovered a knife from the arrested suspects. Three media houses are required to respond to a suit filed by a Starehe Parliamentary aspirant Steve Mbogo within seven days, a Court has directed. The controversial businessman is seeking to bar four media houses from airing an investigative story linking him to a defilement case. Mbogo moved to court two weeks ago claiming the defendants Nation Media Group, MediaMax Group, The Standard Group and the Star had indicated to him through telephone calls and text messages that they are working on an investigative story to link him to a defilement case in which he was cleared by the court over five years ago. Also Read: Steve Mbogo Moves to Court in Bid to Stop Media Houses from Airing an Expose Of the four, only MediaMax has responded to the suit. MediaMax newspaper, the People Daily, through law firm Wainaina Ireri & Company, says the suit by Mbogo is an attempt to infringe on media freedom. According to the Star, People Daily says the suit should not be entertained by the court on grounds it has not satisfied the threshold for the court orders sought. Mbogo argues that the story will cause him untold suffering and prejudice which will affect how his supporters view him ahead of August 8 polls. Nairobi senior resident magistrate David Mbeja asked the remaining media houses to respond before the case comes up for hearing on July 13. Kiss FM radio presenter Adelle Onyango has finally let the cat out of the bag about her secret engagement! According to the celebrated radio queen, she has been engaged for a while now but chose to keep it between their families and friends. Speaking to the Star, Onyango said: Love should be celebrated just as loudly as we celebrate hate. Also weve enjoyed it with our family and friends for a long while so its OK for everyone else to know now. It wasnt a secret, I never hid my ring. I just didnt make it seem like all there was to me and I genuinely wanted to enjoy it in the confines of my family. The presenters revelation comes days after she posted a cryptic photo of her and her mystery man which she captioned: ?Diamonds aint nothin when Im rockin with you While that hint about getting a diamond ring may have gone unnoticed, Adelle dropped the bombshell yesterday with another unconventional announcement on social media. She posted a photo holding a mug emblazoned with the caption, Does this ring make me look engaged?, as her followers sent congratulatory messages. ? A post shared by ADELLE ONYANGO (@adelleonyango) on Jun 27, 2017 at 11:54pm PDT The radio presenter who doubles up as an actress on drama series Stay is, however, yet to reveal the identity of the mystery man. The couple is also yet to settle on a date for the wedding and according to Adelle, When I know, youll know. Adelle had a nasty breakup back in 2013 after calling off her engagement to her ex-fiance one doctor Christopher. They were set to wed in 2014. A five-year-old minor is nursing injuries at the Nairobi Womens Hospital after his uncle allegedly chopped off his genitals in Wundanyi, Taita-Taveta County. The shocking incident occurred in Matasenyi village on Tuesday night after the boy was reportedly left in the company of his uncle. Wundanyi OCPD Benjamin Muhia told the Nation that the suspect injured the boy moments after he arrived home from school. The suspect allegedly picked up a knife and chopped off the minors genital without a valid reason, he said. The suspect was beaten to a pulp by irate villagers, who later took him to the police station. The suspect was in a critical condition so we took him to Dawida Hospital as police continue with investigations, said the OCPD. The 27-year-old man was later transferred to Wesu Sub-County Hospital. The OCPD said the minor lives with his uncle and his grandmother. The boys grandmother had reportedly gone to the market when the incident happened. Police say the boy complained to his uncles that he was feeling pain in his private parts. When they checked, they discovered his genitals had been chopped off. According to the police, the suspect could not assist in the recovery of the chopped parts as he might be mentally ill. Due to the suspects unsound mind status, he could not remember where he had placed the chopped part, the OCPD said. Former NACADA chairman John Mututho has dismissed plans by NASA to legalise and regulate illicit brew Changaa should Raila Odinga become president. Mututho termed the plans as reckless saying that the country has already been adversely affected by alcoholism. According to him, there are more than six million alcohol addicts majority of whom are students at universities and tertiary institutions. Raila promised to legalise the brewing of changaa as one way of supporting local businesses while on a tour in Western Kenya and during the Nasa Manifesto launch on Tuesday. Mututho who is eyeing the Nakuru County gubernatorial seat said Railas promise is saddening as alcoholism is one of the major problems facing youths in the country. Its saddening that honourable Raila Odinga has promised to legalise changaa which has killed hundreds of our youths, said Mututho in an address to the press in Naivasha yesterday. He added: Anyone seeking to be a governor or a president in this country should think about addressing the issue of drugs and liquor consumption. Mututho also called for the establishment of more rehabilitation centers across the country. He said that for the last one year his rehabilitation centre had treated over 600 addicts. Telecommunication Company Safaricom on Wednesday announced the second season of its youth network BLAZE Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) following a successful debut. The youth empowerment boon will kick off with the first regional summit scheduled for this weekend in Meru County. The second season aims to inspire Kenyan youth through inspiration and guidance by some of Kenyas most successful young entrepreneurs. Last season, 43% of Kenyan youth joined the BLAZE platform and 44,000 young people under the age of 26 attended the countrywide summits. We are glad that the first edition of BLAZE BYOB was a success. We now want to build on the learnings we picked to improve the second edition. Key among the changes, we will be introducing three new areas that will help participants in building successful businesses and appreciating the need to give back to the society, said Sylvia Mulinge, Director -Consumer Business, Safaricom. This years theme will be Greatness Requires Internal Toughness (G.R.I.T). It will focus on three key areas; to mentor and train youth by giving them the tools required to be successful at BYOB Creation Camps, to inspire youth to follow their passions and introduce them to relatable mentors who can talk about their personal journeys and how they found G.R.I.T to be successful at BLAZE BYOB Summits and lastly, BYOB will introduce BLAZE CSR Fridays, a session aimed at teaching the youth to give back to the society. Some of the mentors expected at the Meru summit ainclude Jibril Blessing-producer and videographer, Njugush- Comedian and actor, Abel Mutua- content developer, Juliani- musician, Wycliffe Waweru- entrepreneur and bicycle manufacturer and Caleb Karuga, an Agribusiness entrepreneur. Scientists have discovered biological evidence that frequent sex by women helps boost their lifespan. This happens by protecting the DNA. Researchers quizzed 129 women aged between 20 and 50 about their sex lives, and then carried out blood tests to determine their long-term health prospects. The study focused on telomeres protective caps on the ends of DNA that predict a persons biological age. Thought of as tiny internal clocks, they shorten with time and eventually become so small that cells die. It was found that the women who engaged in sexual activities more frequently, had significantly longer telomeres boosting their overall life expectancy. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, said: This is an important finding. It provides new evidence that sexual intimacy within long-term relationships has health-enhancing benefits. Previous research has shown happy relationships improve well-being, with one theory being that couples benefit from mutual support. In the new study, published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, researchers looked for biological evidence of health effects for the first time. Women in long-term relationships kept daily diaries for a week, including information on whether they had sex with their partner the previous night. Researchers also collected data on their relationship satisfaction. They then carried out blood tests and measured the length of participants telomeres. Like the plastic tips at the end of shoelaces that stop them fraying, the caps stop DNA being damaged. Shorter telomeres have been associated with aging, disease and a higher risk of death. The researchers found women who had sex during the course of the week-long study had telomeres that were up to 30 percent longer. But relationship quality had no effect on them. The the scientists did not study men, they believe an active love life would have the same impact on them too. Just how sex could have such an effect is unclear. One possibility is that it reduces stress, which has previously been linked to shorter telomeres. It may also boost the immune system, increasing the production of natural killer cells that fight disease. Another theory is that it triggers the release of oxytocin the so-called cuddle hormone which has been linked to better health. Researcher Dr. Aric Prather of the University of California, San Francisco, said: The comparison was between women who had sexual intimacy in the previous week and those who had not. It is possible the greater the frequency of sexual intimacy, the stronger the effect, and we plan to investigate that at a later date. Telomere length is linked to longevity, and if our results hold up in future studies, it may be that regular sexual intimacy can lead to a longer life. We dont know whether the same finding would be seen in men. It may apply to men there is no obvious reason why it should not. First published by The Sun WALNUT CREEK -- Police looking for a man suspected of stealing a purse and credit cards from a yoga studio turned up the heat by putting his image on social media. Several pictures of Christopher Newton, a 23-year-old Oakland man, appeared on the Walnut Creek Police Department's Facebook page and Twitter account, and police say he is wanted on warrants from Napa, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties. The warrants concern fraud and identity theft charges, police said. According to police, Newton is suspected of stealing a purse at an unspecified yoga studio on Boulevard Circle on June 13. Three subsequent credit card charges at businesses in Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg and San Francisco are believed to be linked to the theft, police said. Newton is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds and bears a tattoo across his chest that reads "RIP Shirley" in cursive. Anyone who spots Newton is urged by police to stay away and contacting Walnut Creek police Detective Vevera at 925-943-5875. They also warned those attending classes in yoga studios or gyms not to leave valuables in an unsecured locker, a common area, or in a visible place in a car. One president is pushing NATO to get its act together on defense spending. But that president sits in Moscow, not Washington. On Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced non-U.S. NATO members will boost their defense spending by 4.3 percent this year as it seeks to counter Russian aggression and confront terrorist threats from the Middle East. "To keep our nations safe, we need to keep working to increase defense spending and fairer burden-sharing across our alliance," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Wednesday. "We have really shifted gears. The trend is up, and we intend to keep it up." Stoltenberg announced non-U.S. NATO members will collectively increase spending on defense by 4.3 percent in 2017 - a $12 billion boost from 2016 levels. He said the money would be funneled into new military exercises and equipment to help NATO troops deploy quickly in case of emergency. Portions of the new funds would also go to troops' salaries and pensions. Burden sharing has long been a sore spot in U.S.-NATO relations. Washington, by far NATO's largest defense spender, has pushed allies to pay their fair share for years. But Trump upped the ante by railing against allies for "owing" the United States backpay on spending gaps (though according to former U.S. ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder, that's not how NATO defense spending works) and even hinting Washington wouldn't come to the aid of allies who don't spend enough on defense - moves that inflamed tensions with European capitals. Currently, only five of NATO's 29 allies meet the alliance's commitment to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense - the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Estonia, and Greece. Romania is expected to reach the threshold this year, with Latvia and Lithuania following next year. Trump has also taken credit for NATO's defense spending boost, but top NATO and European officials insist the wake-up call came from Russian President Vladimir Putin, and not the man in the Oval Office. In the wake of Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea, which caught Washington and its allies flat-footed, NATO members pledged to reach collectively the 2 percent threshold by 2024 through incremental spending increases. NATO defense spending grew 1.8 percent in 2015 and 3.3 percent in 2016. Many national governments hashed out these increases before Trump's surprise presidential victory last November. But regardless of who takes credit for what, Stoltenberg said Trump was on the right track. "I welcome the strong focus of President Trump on defense spending and burden sharing, because it is important that we deliver," he said Wednesday. "European allies should invest more in defense not only to please the United States, but they should invest more in defense because it is in their own interests." On Thursday, Stoltenberg will convene NATO defense ministers to discuss combating terrorism and burden-sharing issues in a semi-regular meeting in Brussels. Trump's past comments may have cast doubt on U.S. guarantees to NATO, but he isn't shorting the alliance when it comes to money. The Trump administration committed $4.8 billion in its 2018 defense budget to expanding its military footprint and activities in Europe. "Beyond any words in the newspapers, you can judge America by such actions," Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Wednesday, speaking in Garmisch, Germany. "The reason U.S. forces are in Europe is not out of charity to the Europeans," he said. "The security of the U.S. would be directly affected if Europe came under the domination of an unfriendly power." Congress also wants NATO to know it has its back. On Tuesday, the House overwhelmingly voted for a resolution endorsing NATO's mutual defense clause - something Trump failed to do in his gaffe-filled visit to Brussels last month. "NATO is absolutely essential to our national security and global stability," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement Tuesday, in what appeared to be a signal to both nervous allies and some NATO-skeptics in the White House. "The United States must remain the world's leading force for good, but we cannot confront the challenges of the 21st century alone." Trump earlier this month finally endorsed NATO's mutual defense clause in response to a question from a journalist during a joint press conference with the Romanian President in Washington. "I'm committing the United States to Article 5," he said. NATO's mutual defense clause, known as Article 5, has been the linchpin of transatlantic security since NATO's inception in 1949. It was only ever invoked once, in support of the United States after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The oldest wineries of Europe date back hundreds of years. By contrast, California is a mere wine-producing infant. However, California is reaching a point where it is possible to begin speaking of a few California wine companies approaching a century of heritage, even though they had to endure a decade and a half of the indignity of Prohibition. The majority of such continuously operating wineries seem to be located in Sonoma County, an area with an incredibly rich history that begins with largely Italian families attempting to avoid financial problems in their homeland starting in the latter half of the 19th century. At least 20 years before the turn of the 20th century, many wine companies were formed in Sonoma County, including Italian Swiss Colony (1881) at Asti, which grew to become one of the worlds largest wineries before the imposition of Prohibition in 1919, and for decades after. The fact that J. Pedroncelli winery will be celebrating 90 years in the wine business in a few weeks shines a light on a dozen or soother brands that are multi-generational, and survived through the Prohibition period by making altar and medicinal wine. Such wines were sold mainly to the great numbers of newly religious and instantly infirm that seemed to grow by legions nationally between 1919 and Jan. 1, 1933. The Pedroncelli story is one of perseverance and dedication to quality wine sold at a fair price, the same story (with variations) that led in 1934 to the winery gaining federal license No. 113. The Pedroncelli story, with variations, could also be told by Louis Foppiano, the Seghesio family, the Kunde family, the Sebastianis, the Simi family, Bob Pellegrini, Leo Trendadue, and many others. I asked Bob Pellegrini, owner of his eponymous winery, the other day what date to affix to his familys entrance into the wine game. He said his grandfather, Nello, and grandfathers brother, Gino, told him the family grape brokerage started in 1925, but he added that chances are somewhere along the line, wine was being made and sold before that. The brokerage business, he said, sent grapes to the produce terminal in San Francisco, which had a crush pad, where you could buy grapes and theyd crush it for you, into your own containers. [During Prohibition], it was legal for the head of a household to make 200 gallons of wine for home consumption. The story was that my grandfather had 200,000 gallons for sale on Jan. 1, 1933. He said everyone knew that Prohibition would be ending, so many wineries made wine illegally that would go on sale for sale when it did. He said an oral history that he read at the Healdsburg Wine Library said that E&J Gallo stated that on Jan. 1, 1933, it had 130,000 gallons of wine for sale so for at least a small period of time, my familys wine business was larger than Gallos! said Pellegrini. Most of the wine companies that were founded before Prohibition and maintained their business until after that dark period ended wound up doing business with either Gallo or Louis Petri, owner of Roma, then the largest wine brand in America. A family ownership squabble a few years ago forced Pellegrini in 2013 to buy the family business back from other family members, so he was required to get a new federal wine growers license. The previous license was No. 4, and there was no number 1, 2 or 3! he said. I wanted to keep the old number, but they told me I couldnt. Pellegrini said the Seghesio family predated us in the business. He said it was founded about 1904. The Seghesios mark the beginning of their family wine business with the planting of a home ranch zinfandel vineyard by Edoardo Seghesio in 1895. In the early years of the 20th century, the Seghesio family had already established a reputation for final quality red wine. Bob says the family of Samuele Sebastini produced wine during Prohibition, and was one of the larger wineries in the state at the close of the dry period. Probably the largest Post-Prohibition era winery was Roma Wine Co., controlled by the powerful Louis Petri. One of the earliest Sonoma County families in the wine game was the Foppiano family, after the arrival here in 1855 of Giovanni Foppiano, who later (1896) bought the working winery Riverside Farm. In 1932, Foppiano made 83,000 gallons of wine illegally, which it had for sale in 1933, when it was finally legal again to sell alcoholic beverages. Pellegrini said, After Prohibition ended, Pete Seghesio came down to see us to see if we would distribute their wine. We should have said yes! Today, Sonoma County has 60,000 acres of land planted to wine grapes and is approaching 700 bonded wineries. Next Jan. 1 will mark the 85th anniversary of the end of Prohibition. Wine of the Week: 2016 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose ($15): There are literally dozens of dry roses available this year that are priced about the same as this one, but few have the reliability and versatility of this Rhone Valley stalwart. A blend of Grenache (60percent) and Cinsault (30percent), the wines raspberry aroma and mid-palate weight allow it to work equally with either rich seafood or lighter meat dishes. Or try it with pizza with a white sauce! Often discounted to about $12. NATO Defence Ministers met today (29 June 2017), taking stock of the Alliances work towards fairer burden-sharing, as well as NATO-EU cooperation. Allies agreed to new capability targets, stepping up in key areas, including heavy equipment and air-to-air refuelling. Ministers also discussed enhancing NATO-EU cooperation, including in the fight against terrorism. Briefing media, Mr. Stoltenberg said he expects the 2018 NATO Summit will take place in Brussels next summer. Read the Secretary General's press conference opening remarks Today (29 June 2017), six NATO Allies announced their readiness to work together in developing and fielding follow-on solutions for their existing maritime anti-submarine and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. At a ceremony in Brussels, Defence Ministers from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey signed a Letter of Intent on Cooperation on Multinational Maritime Multi Mission Aircraft Capabilities. This cooperation could lead to the joint acquisition or development of new aircraft. The decision to work together demonstrates both foresight and the willingness to invest in the critical capabilities that the Alliance needs said NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, in the margins of a meeting of NATOs 29 Defence Ministers. The initiative reflects the readiness of Allies to reinforce European capabilities, contributing to fairer burden-sharing across the Alliance. This cooperation will also ensure better value for money for taxpayers. Other Allies are expected to join the initiative. (As delivered) Good morning and thank you for joining us so early! Today NATO Defence Ministers will meet and they will address a wide range of issues, ranging from the mission in Afghanistan to full-spectrum deterrence, from fighting terrorism to cyber defence. Last month, NATOs Heads of State and Government took decisions to increase our role in the fight against terrorism and to improve burden-sharing in our Alliance. We are making progress on both. Since joining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in May, we have already increased the flight time for our AWACS surveillance aircraft supporting the Coalition and our Senior Civilian Representative has taken up office in Baghdad. Here at NATO Headquarters, I have just appointed Rose Gottemoeller, my Deputy Secretary General, to coordinate the Alliances efforts in the fight against terrorism. And within our Intelligence Division, a new Terrorism Intelligence Cell is now operational. On burden-sharing, Im glad to say that we expect this will be the third consecutive year of accelerating defence spending increases across European Allies and Canada, with a 4.3% real increase in defence spending. This means that over the last three years, European Allies and Canada spent almost 46 billion US dollars more on defence. So this is a significant increase which means that we are moving in the right direction when it comes to burden-sharing and defence spending. Today, we will discuss not only cash, but capabilities and contributions to NATO missions and operations and I expect we will make advances here as well. We will meet with the EU High Representative over lunch, as well as with the ministers from Finland and Sweden. Together, we will address many different issues and we will take stock of the deepening ties between NATO and the European Union particularly when it comes to cyber defence and the fight against terrorism. We will discuss how we take our cooperation even further in the future. We will also address our strengthened deterrence and defence posture. And we welcome the fact that we are making progress both when it comes to our enhanced forward presence in the Baltic States and Poland. And we continue to strengthen our presence in the Black Sea region. We will end the day with a meeting of all nations contributing to our Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and we will discuss the future of NATOs presence in the country. Our military authorities have requested a few thousand more troops for the Mission in Afghanistan and today, I can confirm that we will increase our presence in Afghanistan. Fifteen nations have already pledged additional contributions to Resolute Support Mission. And I look forward to further announcements from other nations. So we have a very full agenda for our meeting today. And with that, Im ready to take your questions. Question: Mr Secretary General what do you think sending more troops to Afghanistan will help Afghan security? Secretary General: We have to put this into context and understand that this is about training, assisting and advising the Afghan forces. NATO has ended our combat operation in Afghanistan. What we do now is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight and to help the Afghans take full responsibility for the security in their own country. We see a need for some more effort and some more support from NATO to the Afghans, especially in three areas; strengthening their special operations forces. We have seen that the Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan have been very professional and very important in the fight against the Taliban and we are now working on how we can further strengthen the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Army. The second area were we want to do more is supporting the development of the Afghan air force. Air forces are important both in the fight against terrorist groups and Taliban but also for Medivac, for supporting the armed forces on the ground. And the third area were we are stepping up our efforts is when it comes to leadership and education of officers. We are also going to do more when it comes to the different military academies. Again, this is not about turning back into a combat mission, but this is about adjusting, strengthening the train, assist and advice mission we have in Afghanistan, supporting and helping the Afghans. Question: On Afghanistan. What do you need to know from Secretary Mattis? What would you like to hear from him today when you discuss Afghanistan? Secretary General: I do not expect any specific troop numbers, but I expect that we can exchange views and assess the situation in Afghanistan. And then look into how we together, all NATO Allies, including the United States of course, can strengthen and make sure that we have a sufficient number of troops in the nato mission to continue to support the Afghans and to make sure we are able to break the stalemate so we can make advances on the battlefield which will then pave the ground for a political solution. Because it is a very close relationship between what is going on on the battlefield and the possibility of reaching a political negotiated solution. We welcome that President Ghani has taken the initiative to a political process the Kabul process. We all agree that in the long run what we need, the only sustainable and lasting solution in Afghanistan is a political and negotiated solution. Of course, we look forward to the final decisions by the US when it comes to the US troop contributions to our mission in Afghanistan. Question: What could you say about the security situation in the Baltic Sea? Are there any achievements in avoiding an accident with Russian and NATO planes there? Maybe usage there some special technical devices to avoid it? Thank you. Secretary General: What we see in the Baltic Sea is increased military activity and we see it on land, at sea and in the air. And that just underlines the importance of transparency, predictability to prevent incidents and accidents and if they happen to make sure that they dont spiral out of control and create really dangerous situations. Thats the reason why NATO underscores the importance of respecting different arrangements, for instance what we call the Vienna Document, which requires transparency, predictability, but also international observations of military exercises. We are transparent when it comes to our exercises and we call on Russia to be transparent on their exercises. We are also focused on the issue of air safety. And first I would like to underline that the vast majority of the intercepts in the Baltic Sea region, or over the Baltic Sea, is or are done in a professional and safe manner on both sides. So I think it is important not to mix intercepts, which is a normal procedure to identify unidentified planes, with dangerous situations. To intercept planes is a normal activity. Some are conducted in a not professional and sometimes dangerous way. And therefore we are focused on how can we improve air safety over the Baltic region. We welcome the initiative taken by Finland to convene meetings and a group of experts which encompasses Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, NATO and some other organisations and countries, so they are now sitting together working on how we can develop better or improved air safety over the Baltic region which includes issues as the use of transponders and also of course good airmanship, how to behave, how to make sure that when we have more military planes in the air, when we have more exercises and when we have more intercepts, then it has to be done in a safe and secure way and thats exactly what this expert group is looking into and I welcome the work of the group and I look forward to the conclusions from the group. (Natural News) A little over two million people reside in the state of New Mexico. As reported by Healthinsurance.org, there has been a mere 54,653 people enrolled in coverage through the New Mexico exchange during the 2017 open enrollment period for health insurance. The number of insurers offering individual market plans statewide are limited to only four, but, the happy marketeers of the collapsing Obamacare program somehow maneuver language to make everything sound cheery and bright. For example, they conclude that having only four insurance exchanges for two million people is not dismally inadequate, its actually described as more robust than those in many other states. And, if a New Mexico constituent is concerned about the impending 80 percent premium increases, well, theres no need to worry your pretty little head about that. In fact, in the upside down world of Obamacare, that 80 percent increase is actually good news, because New Mexicos current premiums are well below the national average. Well, that may be true, but a New Mexico Obamacare premium, which is $366 per month before the subsidy kicks in is still going up as much as 80 percent, isnt it? Those other 34 states using federally facilitated exchanges provide policies with an average monthly premium of $475 before the subsidy. Arent most of those going up too? Of course. ZeroHedge.com suggests that we look a little deeper to get the true trajectory of Obamacare price increases in New Mexico. Between 2013 and 2017, the Obamacare premiums had already increased 100 percent for New Mexico residents. Adding the impending 80 percent increase in 2018 would imply a 250 percent increase in just five years. These rising prices continue to bring hardship to small businesses, families and the overall economy. The tentacles run deep and its been a long, tough process to overturn, although the intrepid President Trump remains hopeful in his comments reported by USnews.com: But I think were going to get it. We dont have too much of a choice because the alternative is the dead carcass of Obamacare. That hope could be short lived, even with a dead Obamacare carcass looming in the backdrop. Some Senate Republicans remain opposed to the latest revision of the new Senate health bill. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, isnt happy about Medicaid cuts and removing the Planned Parenthood subsidy. Senator Rand Paul, R-Kentucky is another Republican who says he still cant support the new plan. In the meantime, rising premiums are the rule in New Mexico, all in the midst of Washington trying to make sense of subsidies, exchanges, pre-existing conditions, Medicaid payouts and so much more. The idea of the U.S. government running and mandating personal health insurance by giving subsidies to buy it, and then initiating income tax penalties if you refused, never set too well with freedom loving citizens, even though they were promised by then President Obama that if you liked your doctor and your plan you could simply keep them. Remember that? And then, once the lobbyists of the death care industry, pharmaceutical and insurance industries paid billions to get the bill written and passed, there was that small problem about the roll out of the website. Hmmm. This was just the beginning of a bad system now ready to crash and burn. Imagine how the nations health would improve if all those billions of dollars had been invested in organic food, water without fluoride, heavy metals or pesticides or one of the most powerful antioxidant substances in the world, Hawaiian Astaxanthin. But the sick care industry would much rather that you are injected with your yearly flu shot and endure whatever procedure they want to pay for on the failing Obamacare list. Lets just say no, shall we? Sources include: HealthInsurance.org ZeroHedge.com UsNews.com YouTube.com YouTube.com (Natural News) Are all politicians heartfelt people who only help their countries prosper and who only protect their people from harm? Of course not so why then would you believe that every doctor only practices honest medicine and only prescribes what is thoroughly tested as safe and beneficial for his or her patients? Does every builder, architect and engineer in the world build perfect structures that never leak, rot, crumble or cave in? Of course not so why then would you believe that every scientist only formulates vaccines and pharmaceuticals that are thoroughly tested as safe and beneficial for adults, children, babies and pregnant women? Is every plant growing in nature edible and safe for consumption, even ones that are contaminated with industrial pollution and pesticides? Of course not so why then would you believe there is a world consensus that GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in food are safe and beneficial, when most of them contain heavy metal toxins, pesticides and deadly herbicides? You may be an honest, caring person, but that wont stop corporations from exploiting your health while taking your money. You may be a religious person who treats others the way you want to be treated, but that wont stop evil scientists and M.D.s from selling you dangerous chemical-based drugs that slowly poison you and your innocent children until death does you part. Thats why you need to know exactly who the ten most evil people are in the world today, because they lie about science, pharmaceuticals and GMOs, and the only way to protect your family from them is to never buy, consume or inject what theyre selling. Meet the 10 Worst Medical Criminals, Profiteers, Insidious Scientists and Corrupt Doctors in America #1. Imagine how many years you would serve in prison if the U.S. government caught you putting a deadly pig virus called circovirus in a vaccine meant to help prevent children and babies from getting a rather benign virus that simply causes diarrhea? What if ten of those same children and babies injected with the poisoned vaccine containing the deadly pig virus died from intussusception, where their bowels folded in on themselves (like a telescope) and caused a fatal blockage? Is that science terrorism? Would they call it premeditated manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or insanity? There is a doctor still practicing medicine today who does exactly that, and hes made millions from his patent of it. His name is Paul Offit and the vaccine he concocted in his laboratory using two strains of deadly circovirus to treat rotavirus is called Rotateq. He works at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Its called CHOP for short and for good reason the insidious Offit is there injecting children with deadly foreign diseases for profit. #2. If youre an evil doctor who only cares about money and power, how many years would you serve in federal prison for killing folks with chemotherapy who dont even have cancer? The answer is 45 years. The psycho doctor Farid Fata was a Detroit area oncologist who defrauded Medicare and private insurance companies for more than $30 million in the biggest health care scheme the world has ever known, and this was just a few years ago. Working alongside psycho-blogger David H. Gorski (a.k.a. ORAC) at the Karmanos Cancer Center (where Gorski still operates on womens breasts), Fata was poisoning innocent people, including children, with a deadly dose of chemo he called the European Protocol. His patients endured immense pain while Fata claimed it was their only chance of surviving their cancer a disorder of the cells that they did not even have. Assault with a deadly weapon other than guns, missiles and bombs? Ever heard of chemical warfare? Ever heard of bio-terrorism? You dont have to be engaged in combat on a battlefield to incur health damage and loss of life from deadly weapons. Millions of Americans are assaulted every single day in doctors offices and hospitals with deadly chemical weapons designed to corrupt the immune system and the central nervous system. From SSRIs and chemotherapy to mercury and radiation, and from prescription opiates and ADHD drugs to toxic blood thinners and dangerous cholesterol medications, Americans are inundated and overwhelmed with deadly chemical weapons on a battlefield that requires no more than a little medical coverage in which to participate. Isnt it ironic how many people are screaming for health care coverage right now, naive to the fact that most modern chemical-based medicine is corrupted and dished out by the most insidious people on planet earth? #3. The Joker, Dr. Richard Pan is the clown who authored Californias force-vaccination bill that ensures all children in the state are injected with mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde in order to boost his own political stage while padding his wallet. #4. Neil DeGrasse Tyson the mascot of space talk now pushes GMO propaganda films for dirty money. #5. Bill Nye the Science Fraud Guy a man who once questioned GMOs and global warming now pushes all the propaganda behind them for dirty money. #6. Ex-President Barrack Obama the same man who said Americans have a right to know what is in the food we eat hired a former Monsanto shill to run the FDA and hide GMOs. #7. The infamous Bill Gates relentlessly pushes cancer-causing GMOs and toxic population-reducing vaccines on innocent African nations under the guise of philanthropy. #8. The evil George Soros funds eugenics programs and transgenic seeds via Monsanto. #s 9 and 10. Exactly what lands you in an oncologists office faster than vaccines, fluoridated water and prescription medications? Answer: eating GMOs daily. Who pushes Monsantos GMO propaganda and industry-scripted lies on the American people? Jon Entine and Kevin Folta. Two Monsanto operatives who push everything chemical that causes cancer as sustainable and safe for human consumption, these two maniacal shills were recently exposed by the U.S. Right-to-Know group. Sources for this article include: Truthwiki.org AgeofAutism.com CDC.news NVIC.org Truthwiki.org Science.NaturalNews.com TruthWiki.org TruthWiki.org NaturalNews.com DocumentCloud.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Mankinds days could already be numbered. According to a leading astrophysicist, its just a matter of time before an asteroid strikes the Earth and gasp wipe out the human race. It sounds like something that only happens in movies, but its a reality that we could soon face, especially since there are thousands of potentially hazardous objects in space that can hurtle down the planet. Dr. Alan Fitzsimmons, an astrophysicist at Queen University Belfasts Astrophysics Research Centre, said that there are more than 1,800 asteroids that are floating around in space and that more are waiting to be discovered. Whats alarming is that any one of these can land on the planet and cause massive destruction. An encounter could easily obliterate a major city and erase man from the face of the Earth. He warned that its a case of when, rather than if, a collision will happen. In November 2016, a small asteroid brushed past the Earth hours after scientists first spotted it. Named asteroid 2016 VA, it zoomed about 77,000 kilometers of the planet. It was believed to be between 23 and 72 feet and was traveling at an estimated 40,000 miles per hour. Millions of space rocks regularly orbit the planet; at present, scientists have managed to discover just 15,000 of them. Imagine how much more asteroids are floating in space, at distances that are alarmingly near. Imagine if one of them decides to pay us a visit. Experts have warned that man is not ready for an impact. Theres pretty much nothing man can do if an asteroid hits the Earth, especially since there are so many of them out there. It is important to know that scientists and engineers have made great strides in detecting Near-Earth Asteroids and understanding the threat posed by them, said Dr. Fitzsimmons. (Related: Proof that Earth is bombarded by 10 times more asteroids than previously thought.) Although most of these are harmless, experts say that its still possible that one asteroid would take everyone by surprise, just like what happened at Tunguska in Siberia in 1908. On that day, an asteroid exploded in the atmosphere and created an air burst three to six miles from the Earths surface. The air burst was strong enough to flatten trees and turn them on their roots and kill reindeer. The explosion was so strong it was equivalent to 185 Hiroshima bombs. After the event, scientists were unable to find a crater or any kind of meteoric remnant. In 2013, an unknown object slammed into the atmosphere and exploded above the city of Chelyabinsk in Russia. This explosion created a shock wave that shattered thousands of windows, wounding thousands of people. Scientists believe that the object that crashed was about 66 feet wide. Furthermore, in January 2017, an asteroid that was as big as a ten-story building passed by the planet. Imagine the disastrous effects a close encounter like that can create. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) defines asteroids as small, rocky objects that orbit around the sun. These are smaller than planets and mostly live in the main asteroid belt, which is the region between Mars and Jupiter. They can also follow the orbital path of planets, which means asteroids can share the same path with Earth. That makes impacts very likely. According to experts, asteroids cross paths with us from time to time. And although its a rare occurrence, an asteroid thats a fifth of the size of the infamous 6.2 mile dinosaur-destroyer can spell the end for the human race. It would be like having 10 million Hiroshima bombs explode, with a shocking impact that can flatten everything within a 186-mile radius. Dust and debris would envelop the planet and life would perish. Theres really nothing we can do but wait. Dr. Joseph Nuth, a researcher at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said asteroid explosions are extinction-level events, things like dinosaur killers, theyre 50 to 60 million years apart, essentially. The biggest problem, basically, is theres not a hell of lot we can do about it at the moment. Sources include: Dailymail.co.uk Space.com BBC.com SpacePlace.NASA.gov (Natural News) If youve ever taken a prescription drug, you are probably familiar with those paper inserts that come inside the package although theres a good chance youve never actually read every word on them. These papers are filled with tiny print outlining the medications purpose, dosage, and side effects, but they are so long and technical that few people actually read them from start to finish. The U.K.s Academy of Medical Sciences recently slammed the pamphlets in a report, saying that patients find them unreadable and impenetrable and that they need to be made clearer to increase patient understanding. The Chair of the report, Professor Sir John Tooke, took pharmaceutical companies to task for the confusing scientific language used in the leaflets. For example, the inserts inside acetaminophen mention the chances of developing pancreatitis and hepatitis but dont shed light into what those conditions are or just how high the risk is. He says the inserts arent written from a consumers perspective. Of course, this complex language is really good at accomplishing one thing: making people give up in frustration and ensuring they do not grasp the full extent of the possible side effects that could occur from taking a particular medication. By obscuring the truth about a drugs side effects and risks, more people will take them and refill their prescription without worrying too much about the repercussions, fattening the wallets of Big Pharma. By the way, this problem extends to vaccines. In fact, many patients never even read the inserts that come with vaccines because their doctors open up the package and administer it on the spot. If they did read it, they would have known, for example, that the fine print on the package insert of the 2013-2014 flu shot contained mercury, thimerosal and formaldehyde, and that its safety had not been established in pregnant women even though it was administered to them. Even more outrageously, the vaccine comes with just one insert despite being a 10-dose vial intended for 10 different people. Patients, doctors dont trust pharmaceutical companies The Academy of Medical Sciences report also showed that patients trust their friends and familys opinion more than clinical trial results when it comes to the effectiveness and safety of the drugs they take. After surveying more than 2,000 members of the public and 1,000 doctors, they found that 65 percent of people trust the opinion of their friends and family, while just 37 percent trust medical research evidence. In addition, they found that 63 percent of the public was skeptical of the claims made by drug trials. Even more concerning was the fact that 82 percent of doctors said they were skeptical of drug trial claims, with the same amount believing that medical research is biased toward making the drugs appear safe and effective. This begs the question of why they continue to prescribe medication if they have such a high degree of mistrust. The Academy has also proposed a list of questions that patients should ask their doctors when being prescribed medication. It includes questions like how a medication can improve their health and if it can be taken with other medications, but it conveniently omits questions like whether natural or safer alternatives exist. The FDA reports that medication errors lead to at least one death each day and injure around 1.3 million Americans each year, while the Pharma Death Clock says that nearly 400,000 people have been killed by prescription drugs since 2000. Clear and honest prescription inserts in easy-to-read language and type could go a long way toward helping to prevent many of these unnecessary deaths and injuries. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk NaturalNews.com BBC.com TheGuardian.com FDA.gov PharmaDeathClock The first Type 055 and its crew According to a retired technical officer of the Chinese Navy, this project which was started on 20 December 2009 is the first in the industry to apply a new top-down design process. Unlike the former vertical design framework - that is, each business unit independently carries out its development part and the general integration takes place only at the end, leading to interface issues showing up also very late - the Chinese Navy and the industry have agreed on a new way of carrying out the projects, where integration is placed at the heart of the concerns from the beginning of the project, and the precise specifications go into the smallest details down to the individual equipment level. The aim is to break down the "partitions" between all the stakeholders, reduce the number of subsystems, eliminate over-redundancies linked to the segmentations of organizations, and thus increase the volume utilization ... etc. The gain in this new design process is immediate - the displacement of the Type 055 is optimized: From more than 20,000 tonnes initially proposed by manufacturers, actual displacement of the class is only 12,000 tonnes at project launch. The unit cost per ship, including tests and armaments, is reduced by one third to 6 billion yuan (775 million euros), compared with 9 billion yuan (1.16 billion euros) previously. Snce design goes hand in hand with production, significant upstream changes inevitably involve downstream modifications. As a consequence, Type 055 are being built with large pre-equipped block: The ship is separated into three large blocks of less than 8,000 tons, and the modules that make up these blocks are already pre-equipped (with equipment pre-installed, wires, cables and pipping already connected...) at the maximum, which considerably reduces post-launch fitting time. Here are some photos taken by ship spotters in Shanghai that show us the different stages of construction of the first Type 055, as well as the incredibly fast pace of its construction: April 2016, the central section takes shape May 2016, two central sections are assembled May 2016, two central sections are assembled June 2016, a third central section June 2016, a third central section is added The block of the bow, in September 2016 The block of the bow, in September 2016 The prow taking shape in October 2016 The prow taking shape in October 2016 The hull assembly is completed in November 2016 The hull assembly is completed in November 2016 First superstructure module shows up in February 2017 March 2017, the superstructure takes shape March 2017, the superstructure takes shape April 2017, installation of the integrated mast April 2017, installation of the integrated mast June 2017, the main gun June 2017, the main gun is fitted On 26 June 2017, the vessel is fully painted On 26 June 2017, the vessel is fully painted Type 055 ready for launch. All pics via HSH Another step forward in sensors integration The other invisible part of the progress achieved with the new Type 055 lies in its level of data management and integration (). According to the same source close to the Chinese navy, the electromagnetic frequency management of the ship is highly integrated, "a level much higher than Type 052D". The number of new sensors, which now support a wider spectrum of frequencies, is significantly reduced and most of the functions are provided by software and not by hardware, making future upgrades easier and cheaper. There is also an integrated main mast with several openings for radars and sensors, in addition to the new Type 346B (name to be confirmed) S-band planar array radar. Detailed view of the integrated mast aboard Type 055 The ship would also be fitted with a metric warning radars, replacing the former Type 517B, and a dedicated X-band fire control radar. The main combat systems of the Type 055, for their part, have been completely redesigned. Ship command and fire control are now integrated, and standardization of the equipment is practically possible at all levels, ranging from trans-armed databases up to the smallest chiller, computers, simulators and Systems for example. Sources indicate that systems can integrate all sorts of data from other platforms, such as satellites, planes, ships, submarines and ground units. And, equipped with a fleet command system, Type 055 would be able to directly use the weapons of other vessels under its command (in a similar fashion to CEC - Cooperative Engagement Capability of the US Navy). The level of automation was also another goal of the Type 055 designers, but there is as yet no metric data to qualify it correctly at this stage. However, the images broadcast by the Chinese Navy seem to suggest that the Type 055 crew is composed of about 380 officers and sailors, 100 more than a Type 052D (+ 35.7%), while its displacement is more than double (+ 100%), which gives us a notional idea about the Type 055 level of automation. Video: Official launch of Type 055 Type 055, anti-missile ? As far as weapon systems are concerned, the wet dream of the Chinese enthusiasts has often associated the Type 055 with all possible weapons imaginable, such as railgun, laser, anti-ballistic missile ... etc. The official statement seems to at least confirm the presence of the latter, indicating that the ship is equipped with new anti-aircraft, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine capability (). Now, does the anti-missile mentioned here correspond to the anti-ballistic missile, similar to some US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with their Aegis combat system upgraded to Baseline 9 ? In reality the anti-missile mentionned in the official statement is limited to "anti cruise missiles" such as anti-ship missiles for example. And the reason is relatively simple: China does not (yet) need this kind of capability even though some developments in this field have started. The fact that China does not have military bases overseas (or territories outside the continent) to protect makes a naval-based ballistic missile shield totally useless. For the main short-range and medium-range ballistic missile threats that the country faces - notably from India and North Korea - ground-based means are much more effective today. Detailed view 64x forward VLS, H/PJ-38 main gun and H/PJ-11 CIWS fitted aboard Type 055 Type 055 weapon systems The current Type 055's weapons fit is fairly "classic", as can be seen in part in the television report (above): The 130 mm H/PJ-38 main gun capable of firing several types of rounds including guided ones, the H/PJ-11 CIWS with a fire rate of 10,000 rd/min, the HQ-10 short-range missiles, decoy launchers and torpedoes. All other offensive and defensive missiles are found in the 112 silos of the universal VLS. These silos are distributed in two places - 64x forward and 48x aft, just in front of the ship's double hangar. They are of the same model as those used on Type 052D, compatible with both hot and cold launch thanks to the Concentric Canister Launcher (CCL) concept. Theoretically, all Chinese missiles whose size does not exceed 9 meters in length and 0.85 meters in diameter can be launched from those VLS cells, provided that the combat system is compatible. To date, the Chinese navy plans to equip their first Type 055 with HQ-9B anti-aircraft missiles with a range of 200 km, YJ-18A anti-ship missiles, a new type of medium range anti-aircraft missile and land attack cruise missiles based on the YJ-18 family, ie, practically the same as those already found on Type 052D destroyers. It is also likely that the new anti-submarine missile Yu-8A is among the ship's arsenal. Detailed view 64x forward VLS, H/PJ-38 main gun and H/PJ-11 CIWS fitted aboard Type 055 Global presence One can of course be surprised by the "low" variety and number of weapons for a ship that is approximately 180 meters long and 20 meters in beam, while the South Korean destroyer Sejong the Great-class for example is fitted with 128x silos for 11,000 tons of full load displacement. But in reality there has never been any question of building "larger and heavier" vessels for the Chinese, quite the contrary - otherwise we would already be facing a "destroyer" of more than 20,000 tons and not 12,000 tons. Instead, the Chinese navy is focused on how to better use their existing means to meet their specific needs. The development of Type 055 is probably the result of this "just-right" philosophy and is part of the long-term expansion strategy of the PLAN, which aims to protect first and foremost the interests of China all over the globe and not limited only within the two chains of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The plan wants to achieve this with modular, standardized and evolutive platforms. The large size of Type 055 (close to a cruiser class) is therefore more the result of the need to have a ship with sufficient endurance for global non-stop presence (remember that China does not have a single naval bases operational other than on its coasts). It is also a direct consequence of the good scalability of the platform. With the Type 055, the Chinese Navy just completed its first line surface combattant reorganization, now restricted to only 4 major categories - 1,000, 4,000, 6,000 and 12,000 tons - a scheme that is also in line with the development of all new programs - Type 056 (1 000 tons), Type 054A and Type 054B (4 000 tons), and Type 052D (6 000 tons). The two Type 055s under constraction at Dalian shipyard. Picture: DDLG The A27 proved to be an extremely stable, enduring and reliable platform, capable of withstanding the strong tidal currents usually encountered in the North Sea. The SAMDIS sonar generates long range, high resolution images (1 inch x 1 inch) with excellent reverberation-to-shadow contrast even in very shallow waters. Owing to its Multi-View capability, unique on the market, SAMDIS simultaneously generates 3 views of a given contact under different angles in a single path. The combination of high resolution and several independent views in a single pass is key in order to drastically reduce ambiguity when taking a detection/classification decision. This capability enables SAMDIS to combine high coverage with very high confidence rates of probability of detection and probability of classification of mines, with a very low false alarm rate. SAMDIS outputs are best processed by the PRACTIS software that has again proven to be a powerful detection and classification tool that drastically optimise operator workload. PRACTIS is so efficient and user-friendly that Belgian Navy operators learned to operate it easily during the sea trials. The combination of SAMDIS and PRACTIS enables high confidence in classification of contacts as NON-MILCO, thus avoiding losing time in lengthy investigations to identify the contact. SAMDIS is designed for seamless integration into various platforms with a combination of several array lengths for medium and heavy weight AUVs as well as side scan sonars towed by USVs. Thales has 50 years of cumulative experience in developing advanced technologies to support major Navies in their Mine-Hunting operations. The A27/SAMDIS combination is part of the equipment package that will be delivered to France and the UK as part of their MMCM programme. This on-going European programme aimed at delivering a robust, proven unmanned mine hunting package to these two Navies as they switch to Unmanned MCM capabilities. In 2016, Thales performed a number of successful demonstrations of its HALCYON USV off the North Sea Coast of Zeebrugge in Belgium and in Northern Scotland for the Royal Navy Unmanned Warrior exercises. During both trials, the HALCYON USV was towing its Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (TSAS) system. At the end of the trials in Belgium, Thales was well assessed for detection performance against all mine type, thus recognising the quality of the groups unmanned mine-hunting systems capabilities. In the framework of the Belgian/Dutch MCM capability replacement programme, Thales intends relying on its multi domain pedigree to offer state-of-the-art solutions in MCM: mission system integration and naval combat system. This will ensure a strong level of local industry involvement in terms of system development as well as future system support, combined with a very high level of operational efficiency. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-26 23:36:39|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close VIENTIANE, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Laos will benefit from a new Technology and Innovation Support Center that is scheduled to open next year, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Science and Technology on Monday. The new center will begin construction next year and focus on offering information and communications technology services to encourage creativity and knowledge transfer, said Khanlasy Keobounphanh, Director General of the Department of Intellectual Property under the ministry on Monday. The Lao government-funded center would provide innovators with access to locally based, high quality technology and information related services, helping them to exploit their innovative potential to create, protect, and manage their intellectual property (IP) rights, she was quoted by Lao state-run media Vientiane Times as saying. The center will also support development towards innovation in industry, provide short courses in science and technology and innovation, as well as other activities involving researchers and students in Laos. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 02:19:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close FUZHOU, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Walking along the shady zigzagging mountain paths, village head Deng Wenshan recalls a decision made 19 years ago that transformed the mountains and his village. Deng is the head of Hongtian Village, in east China's Fujian Province. More than 80 percent of the village is forest, an important source of income for around 1,000 villagers. Back in 1998, Deng was worried that the forests might disappear due to illegal logging. Though collectively owned by the village, the forests were, in practice, managed by the Hongtian village council, which caused some villagers to feel left out. "Trees were chopped down 24 hours a day," said Deng. "Mills hired villagers to steal trees and some villagers made huge profits." The council had neither time nor resources to tackle the illegal loggers and blamed the collective tenure. "People think that stealing from a collective forest does not count as stealing," Deng said. After months of preparation and a pow-wow, Deng decided to experiment un privatizing the collective by granting villagers ownership and rights of use of the land. The practice was adopted nationwide four years later as part of national agrarian reform. Ownership certificates can be used as collateral for loans. Owners of forests can sell any portion of their rights and the land can be inherited. "When villagers feel like they own the forests, they stop cutting, and start planting," Deng said. "Everyone becomes a forest ranger." Once worried about the shrinking forests, Deng has seen the village's forest cover grow by more than half since 1997. The average villager's income from forestry has also risen from 300 yuan (45 U.S. dollars) in 1997 to over 9,300 yuan in 2016, accounting for 55 percent of their total income. GREEN PUSH In recent years, local governments turned to conserving forests with ecological value, many of which were already under private ownership after the 2002 reform. Luo Yongqin, owner of 200 ha of forest in Yong'an, Fujian Province, was told by the local government not to cut down the trees on some of his land, as part of a plan to limit logging in "key regions": commercial forests along highways, railways, waterways, and in areas of outstanding natural beauty. Owners receive compensation from the local government at a rate determined by an independent auditor. In Luo's case, the government redeemed more than 13 hectares forests at an average price of around 92,000 yuan per ha, about 1.2 million yuan in total. "The price is fair, and I plan to use the money to buy more land," Luo said. Since 2013, Yong'an has ring-fenced 2,500 ha of forest and is expected to expand that to 60,000 ha. "The practice in the province is being promoted nationwide," said Yang Min, deputy head of Yong'an forestry bureau. "It is in line with the central government's environmental protection policies." Boasting of the fifth largest forest area in the world, China aims to expand its forest cover to more than 23 percent by 2020 to combat climate change and soil erosion. The forest coverage was 21.7 percent at the end of 2016. An increase of 1.4 percentage points means that the forest stock volume rises more than 1.3 billion cubic meters, supporting China's climate change obligation to add around 4.5 billion cubic meters of forest stock volume by 2030. CARBON RUSH Forests could absorb about one-tenth of global carbon emissions projected for the first half of this century, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Fujian runs one of the eight pilot carbon-trading programs in China. By using the carbon markets, entities can neutralize, or offset, their emissions by retiring carbon credits generated by projects that are reducing emissions elsewhere. In Yong'an, carbon reduction by afforestation and reforestation entered into provincial carbon reduction programs in 2016. The city also joined Verified Carbon Standard, a voluntary greenhouse gas program that allows the carbon credit to be traded worldwide. "To join the programs, forest owners need to sign a contract with local governments promising no logging for twenty years on the contracted land," said Zhan Xinbiao who runs the city carbon-trading program. It provides extra incentives for farmers to preserve forests, said Zhang. "We have made 4.8 million yuan through these platforms." China's national carbon-trading market is expected to be launched later this year. "That will encourage more forest carbon trading nationwide," said Zhan. "When a practice is done well in one place, other places follow suit." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 03:30:19|Editor: Song Lifang Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (L) meets with European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Director Klaus Regling in Athens, Greece, June 28, 2017. Greece is on track to exit the current third bailout in mid-2018 and focus should now shift to growth, Klaus Regling said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Greece is on track to exit the current third bailout in mid-2018 and focus should now shift to growth, European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Director Klaus Regling said on Wednesday. "The painful measures are now behind us...Now you can concentrate on strengthening the prospects for growth. This is the new target," Regling said during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens, according to Greek national news agency AMNA. "Our common target now is to regain the confidence of the markets and to be able to finish the program in mid-2018, so that we are not in the difficult position of needing further disbursements from you," Tsipras replied. Following talks with Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos shortly earlier, Regling noted that the next bailout installment to Athens is expected to take place in early July and that the country could return to the markets in 2017 or early 2018 "if there is progress on reforms and the program is fully implemented", AMNA reported. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 03:45:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ACCRA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures economic growth, reached 6.6 percent during the first quarter, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) announced here on Wednesday. For the same period of last year, GDP growth stood at 4.4 percent during a year that energy crisis and lower oil production from the Jubilee field conspired to dampen economic growth. "The non-oil GDP growth for the period under review was 3.9 percent, relative to the 6.3 percent recorded for the corresponding period in 2016," Anthony Amuzu, Deputy Government Statistician, told the media here. The value of the first quarter growth with oil was 44.73 billion Ghana cedis (10.13 billion U.S. dollars), relative to the 36.45 billion cedis (8.26 billion dollars) during the corresponding period in 2016. For the non-oil GDP, the value of growth in the first quarter was 42.96 billion cedis (9.73 billion dollars), compared with 36.04 billion cedis (8.16 billion dollars), said Amuzu. "The industry sector recorded the highest GDP growth rate of 11.5 percent, followed by the agriculture sector with 7.6 percent, with the services sector coming third with 3.7 percent growth," the Deputy Government Statistician announced. The fishing sub-sector recorded the highest year-on-year growth rate of 31.6 percent while the forestry and logging sub-sector recorded the lowest growth rate of 3.4 percent. Amuzu explained: "The coming on stream of the TEN (Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme) oil field contributed greatly to the rise in the GDP growth since, for the same period last year, this field had not yet come on stream." He stated further that the services sector declined due to the lower performance of Public Administration, with Defense and Social Security performing abysmally. Furthermore, the lower expenditure by government, with only 18 percent of the budgetary allocation for goods and services in the public sector during the first quarter had been utilized. "So, since these key sub-sectors in the services industry are not performing, this has led to the lower performance of the services sector in general," he pointed out. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 04:05:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ROME, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zafir in Rome on Wednesday. Photos of the two officials together were published on the government's website, but the contents of the talks had not been made public as of this writing. The Iranian minister was also scheduled to meet with his Italian counterpart, Angelino Alfano, and with Lower House Speaker Laura Boldrini. "Cybersecurity and combating hate are at the center of anti-terrorism policies. We discussed them with Iran FM M. Javad Zarif," Boldrini tweeted. Zafir's visit comes two days after Italian oil and gas giant ENI signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). The deal concerns further development of Iran's Darquain oil field and its Kish offshore gas field located in the Persian Gulf, the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. The Darquain field contains an estimated 5 billion barrels of oil, one-fifth of which can be extracted, the Italian Foreign Ministry said. It currently produces about 160,000 barrels a day and the ENI project is expected to increase daily production capacity by 50,000 barrels, according to the ministry's statement. The Kish gas field contains an estimated 1.3 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, with potential for extraction of over 500 million barrels a day, the ministry said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 06:57:04|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close HAVANA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Over 22,500 rooms in private homes are helping Cuba to welcome foreign travellers, as evidence how the sector has soared in recent years, announced Cuban tourism authorities on Wednesday. Speaking at an international conference on tourism journalism in Havana, Jose Alonso, director-general of business development at the Ministry of Tourism, said that the government would provide help to such residences, which already host around 25 percent of foreign tourists in Cuba. It was also announced that in the first half of 2017, Cuba will see a 22 percent rise in tourist arrivals year-on-year, ending above 2.53 million tourists. Based on the figure, Cuba is confident of meeting its target of 4.2 million visitors this year. In 2016, Cuba received over 4 million foreign visitors for the first time, marking a 14.5 percent rise from 2015. To date, the island has around 68,000 hotel rooms and seeks to add another 4,000 rooms by the end of the year. The meeting on tourism journalism has seen representatives from 60 media groups across eight countries to discuss travel trends in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as to learn more about Cuba tourism investment plans. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 07:06:56|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close SANTIAGO, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Since learning Mandarin became possible in Chile 12 years ago, more than 10,000 students have been introduced to the Chinese language, local daily El Mercurio reported on Wednesday. The Chinese language is taught at 16 city-run schools in five regions of the country these days, half of them in the southern region of Biobio, due to "a regional initiative to get closer to China," Karina Pina from the Education Ministry told the daily. Apart from learning a language that many believe will be in increasing demand as China becomes a leading global power, studying Chinese has the added benefit of increasing students' cognitive and artistic skills in other areas, said Pina. "Constructing and understanding Chinese characters promotes a high degree of creativity in students, which expresses itself beyond the level of language," she said. What's more, students who study Chinese "achieve a degree of cultural openness," and acquire "a broader vision of the world," she said. In 2004, when Santiago hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Chile and China signed an agreement to promote Chinese language learning. The program kicked off in 2005 at three city schools, with the goal of having 100 Chileans speaking Chinese by 2010. Last year, 1,704 Chilean students enrolled in Mandarin classes, and this year, China sent 18 professors to teach at schools around Chile. Chinese-language professors are provided by Hanban, the department of China's Education Ministry in charge of promoting Chinese as a second language abroad, through its network of Confucius Institutes, two of which operate in Chile, one at the Catholic University and the other at the University of Santo Tomas. A little more than a decade since the Chinese-learning program began, Education Ministry has established a certification program to certify students who have achieved a certain level of linguistic skill, making them eligible to apply for scholarships to study in China. The Ministry aims to have the country's secondary school students graduate with at least an intermediate level of Mandarin, "the level required to apply for the scholarships China's government offers to study there," said Pina. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 07:11:59|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao China's ambassador to Mexico Qiu Xiaoqi gives a speech at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on June 28, 2017. China's ambassador to Mexico Qiu Xiaoqi said here on Wednesday that China is willing to negotiate a free-trade agreement with Mexico. (Xinhua/Francisco Canedo) MEXICO CITY, June 28 (Xinhua) -- China's ambassador to Mexico Qiu Xiaoqi said here on Wednesday that China is willing to negotiate a free-trade agreement with Mexico. "Mexico is China's second-largest trading partner in Latin America and China is Mexico's second-largest trading partner in the world. This is a highly important relationship and we have great interest in deepening and broadening these ties," said Qiu. "I think any agreement to make trade easier is very worthy." The ambassador spoke to the press after a speech at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. Qiu indicated that, while China is always willing to discuss the topic with the Mexican government, no discussions have been held so far. "If we negotiate a free-trade agreement, this will greatly favor trade exchanges between our two countries. There is no difficulty from China's side," he explained. As an example of trade between the two sides, Qiu praised Mexico's close economic and commercial ties with Hong Kong, a special administrative region in China, which has developed year after year. "Hong Kong is a very dynamic region, economically, and Mexico has great interest in promoting greater cooperation and trade with this part of China. I am very optimistic on the future of the relationship between Hong Kong and Mexico," concluded the ambassador. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 07:32:05|Editor: ying Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) addresses press in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, on June 28, 2017. Experts meeting here on Wednesday for regional trade promotion urged African countries to promote intra-African trade and economic integration to address development challenges in African countries. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran) KIGALI, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Experts meeting here on Wednesday for regional trade promotion urged African countries to promote intra-African trade and economic integration to address development challenges in African countries. A series of events hosted by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for its annual general meeting kicked off Wednesday in Kigali. The four-day events hoped to act as a catalyst to boost the African trade agenda with more than 100 speakers, academics, and African and global trade experts participating. Afreximbank introduced a strategic plan to addressing both old and new challenges facing African countries on their development path, said Hippolyte Fofack, Chief Economist and Director of Research and International Cooperation of Afreximbank. The first two pillars of the plan -- promoting intra-African trade and industrialization and export development -- will support the process of economic diversification and trade openness singled out as key for attaining and sustaining growth, he said. With the pillar of promoting intra-African trade, the bank intends to expand African trade by raising the share of intra-African trade which has remained very low at 15 percent of total trade, said Fofack at the opening ceremony. According to him, Africa's GDP growth in 2017 is projected at about three percent. Africa's growth is largely driven by a number of countries which are drawing on public investments in infrastructure to expand output and taking advantage of windfalls from oil prices. "Ongoing efforts to deepen regional economic blocs within Africa offer tremendous opportunities to draw on economies of scale to transcend the natural and environmental constraints imposed by its geography. The benefits of integration are not questionable," Rwanda's Minister of Finance Claver Gatete said. He said the growth of African industries supported by industrialization and intra-African trade will go a long way to expand the tax base, improve economic management and living standards of the population throughout the continent. Although Africa's trade has witnessed remarkable growth, especially over the last two decades, rising from 210 billion U.S. dollars in 1996 to 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars in 2015, its share of global trade has barely changed, according to statistics from Rwanda's ministry of finance. At the same time, despite the relative improvement observed over the last decade, intra-African trade has remained very low, at about 15 percent against 67 percent in Europe, 53 percent in Asia and about 37 percent in America, said Gatete. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 09:58:25|Editor: Liangyu Models present creations by Custo Barcelona during the 080 Barcelona Fashion Week, in Barcelona, Spain, June 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Pau Barrena) BARCELONA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Custo Barcelona designs shined on Wednesday at the 080 Barcelona Fashion, the highly celebrated fashion event in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia. Custo Barcelona presented the collection "Light Years," which is characterized by brightly colored fabrics and forms the backbone of their collections. The Custo Barcelona brand was created at the beginning of the 1980s by Custo Dalmau and his brother David Dalmu. It has unveiled its collections each season at the New York Fashion Week since 1997. The 080 Barcelona Fashion, running Monday through Friday, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with 37 designers and brands. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 10:03:48|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close TUNIS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Denmark, Iceland and Norway on Wednesday lifted travel restrictions against Tunisia, according to the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sweden and Finland took similar decisions six months ago. Several European countries imposed travel bans on the North African country following the terror attacks first in March 2015 on Bardo Museum in the capital Tunis and then on one of the beaches in the eastern coastal province of Sousse in June the same year. Those attacks have killed altogether 62 people, most of whom were tourists. Tunisia has repeatedly called for lifting of such restrictions, citing the improved security situation in the country, according to the Tunis Afrique Presse news agency. Analysts believe that the eased restrictions will boost the tourism industry of Tunisia, which contributes to 8 percent of the country's gross domestic product. According to the Tunisian National Tourist Office, the country has seen 2,207,000 foreign tourists arriving on its shores in the first half of 2017, up about 30 percent compared to the same period last year. Among those tourists 433,000 are from Europe, an increase of 23 percent year on year that shows a gradual return of European visitors. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 10:34:22|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close YANGON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Tourism authorities of Myanmar and Cambodia will launch a joint action plan aimed at boosting tourism industry of the two countries, the Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism said on Thursday. The plan was forwarded when a business delegation of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism met with its Myanmar counterparts in Bagan during its current visit. The two sides agreed to establish joint marketing efforts including joint events to promote new package tours such as a proposed "Angkor-Bagan, Two Ancient Capitals-One Destination" tour. Aimed at strengthening existing friendly relations in all fields and simplifying the procedures of citizens traveling between the two countries. Myanmar and Cambodia had signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports in Nay Pyi Taw in December 2013. In February 2011, Myanmar established air link with Cambodia with its Myanmar Airways International (MAI) flying between Yangon and Siem Reap, an ancient city of Cambodia. The flight service was extended to reach Phnom Penh in November 2011. The airline's extension to the Cambodian capital has created a long-term cooperation between Cambodia and Myanmar on tourism, culture, trade and investment. The direct air link between Myanmar and Cambodia also plays part of the efforts in developing tourism industry in the region. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 10:59:48|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Jin Minmin DES MOINES, the United States, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Despite public worries about China-U.S. relations in Trump's era, Daniel Houston, CEO of Principle Financial Group, believes it is not the president but the people of the two countries that will ultimately define the success of the China-U.S. relations. U.S. President Donald Trump's China-bashing campaign rhetoric cast shadows on the relations of the world's two leading economies during his election trail last year. However, the meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April of this year have greatly calmed jitters among the public and revived hopes, especially with the launch of the 100-day Action Plan after the meetings, which meant to relieve trade concerns between the two countries. When asked about his view of the China-U.S. relations in Trump's era, Houston told Xinhua, in an exclusive interview on Tuesday in his office in Des Moines, that people should view the relations beyond a cyclical perspective. "The way that I would think about is not so much the Trump era. I would like to think about it as the era of the Chinese and American people, because of our mutual dependencies on one another," said Houston. "No matter who the president is, it is the consumers, corporations and individuals, who are consuming these products in China and in the U.S., that will ultimately decide what the success is of the U.S. and China trade relationship," he added. U.S. goods and services trade with China totaled an estimated 648.2 billion dollars in 2016, with China ranking as the largest goods trading partner of the United States. Moreover, Chinese companies invested a record 46 billion dollars in the United States in 2016, tripling the amount in 2015 and representing a tenfold increase compared to just five years ago. "You have a very large economy, that is gonna benefit greatly from U.S. export products, and I have no doubt that the U.S. economy is gonna benefit from significant Chinese exports. So it only makes sense that we have a healthy and vibrant trade relationship between China and the U.S.," said Houston. OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA While some U.S. companies have voiced concerns about China's business environment in recent years, Houston views the issue in a two-way context. "I think the quite opposite," Houston said, "not only did the U.S. companies express concerns and challenges, but the same Chinese companies expressed similar challenges of doing business in the U.S.. So we both mutually have to learn how to work with one another." Principle set up an office in China in the early 1990s, and created an asset management company together with China Construction Bank (CCB) in 2005, which managed assets over 300 billion RMB (44 billion dollars) at the end of 2015. The importance of patience and resilience is well exemplified by Principle's persistence in Chinese market over the last two decades. In an area highly effected by domestic policies and regulations, Principle has continuously made progress with its Chinese partner CCB, helping Chinese customers with its expertise, products and services. "I think if we stick to it, and we are persistent, and we add good value, and there is good transparency, good cooperation and partnership, then we'll see more Chinese companies doing business in the U.S., and more U.S. companies doing business in China," said Houston. "And it doesn't happen overnight, so the useful thing is to foster longstanding relationships and understandings, because sometimes we don't always communicate as clearly and transparently as we need to," Houston added. Focusing on the booming opportunities in China's pension management market, Principe and CCB signed the Strategic Cooperation Agreement and a memorandum of understanding in 2016 to develop a new asset management and pension partnership. The agreement created an opportunity for the Iowa-based U.S. company, which is famous for its pension management expertise and has 619.7 billion dollars in assets under management, to participate in China's evolving pension and asset management industry. "The challenge in China is very similar to the U.S., because you have a 1.3 billion population, and you have a society that is growing older and gray," said Houston, "so you can see the very natural reasons why the appropriate officials in China will want to tap into the knowledge, the expertise, the products and services, the investment techniques to allow the government to not have so much burden for the retirees of Chinese companies." LONG-TERM HORIZONS MATCH UP Pension management industry is not only about reducing fiscal burden for the government or providing alternative retirement plans for individuals, it also has a great meaning for the whole economy. In developed economies like the U.S. and Japan, pension funds played a critical role in providing long-term strategic investments, which is essential for long-term projects like infrastructure programs. In order to finance infrastructure programs, "you want long-term strategic investors," said Houston, "the beauty of that is you are aligning the assets with the liabilities, like 30 years liability with 30 years asset, so everyone wins." Besides, long-term strategic investors are also indispensable for financial stability, he said. "What you can avoid by those long-term strategic investments is the volatility in the market. That does not mean that you would be guaranteed that you wouldn't have volatility, but clearly you have the benefit of a much stable economy," Houston explained. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 10:59:50|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close SAN JOSE, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rican researchers have found a way to turn coffee waste into electric energy, the University of Costa Rica (UCR) announced on Wednesday. The process also prevents ozone-depleting greenhouse gases, such as methane, from entering the atmosphere by capturing the gases emitted by decomposing coffee waste and using them to power internal combustion engines. Research students at the university's School of Chemical Engineering undertook the project to help Costa Rica's coffee growers decrease their impact on the environment. Lead researcher Cindy Torres said the main objective was to offer coffee producers the knowledge and tools for treating a product waste that has "historically been problematic." In addition to decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, the process can save the producers money on fuel. "It's about a cleaner production method and the country's responsibility to continue to improve agricultural practices," said Torres. Costa Rica's Environment and Energy Ministry is supporting the team's work, as are the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica and the Ministry of Agriculture, among other agencies, as part of what is known as "nationally appropriate mitigation action" or NAMA. NAMA refers to policies each country can take to meet commitments to cutting down on greenhouse gases. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 11:14:46|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close CANBERRA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- One of the Australian government's most prominent cabinet ministers has extended an apology to his constituents, after leaked audio caught him speaking ill of his party's same-sex marriage policy late last week. Defense Industry Minister and Leader of the House, Christopher Pyne, overnight apologized for comments which claimed that the "moderate" faction of the Liberal National Party (LNP) coalition government was "in the winner's circle" and that same-sex marriage would happen "sooner than everyone thinks" - hinting at a motion to allow MPs a free vote in Parliament. The comments go against the party's policy of taking the issue to a plebiscite (or public vote) and angered conservatives within the coalition, while they've proved to be a thorn in the side of the government, which has been accused of being at war within itself. In a speech to his constituents overnight, Pyne called on the government to move on from the infighting, talking up Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's ability to run a "tight-knit" government unit. "I'm very sorry that my comments at an event last Friday have caused such a distraction for the government," Pyne said on Wednesday night. "I apologize to anyone they have offended. My remarks were ill-chosen and unwise and I can see how unhelpful and damaging they have been. "The truth is, (Prime Minister) Malcolm Turnbull runs a tight-knit, traditional cabinet government that is inclusive of all strands of thought across the party." Pyne said he remained a committed member of the coalition and what it stands for, despite advocating the opposition Labor Party's stance on same-sex marriage. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 11:20:03|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close TOKYO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A small aircraft made an emergency landing with no undercarriage, landing on its fuselage at Nagasaki Airport, the prefectural fire department reported Thursday. The airport confirmed that a small airplane used as a training machine from a university in Kumamoto Prefecture had landed on the runaway at around 10:30 a.m. local time on its fuselage and as a result, the runway has been closed. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, also confirmed the reports and said that there were three people on board the plane, but that no one was injured as a result of the fuselage landing. The ministry and relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the emergency landing. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 11:30:09|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close HONK KONG, June 29 (Xinhua) -- On his first trip outside Beijing after becoming general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in late 2012, Xi Jinping laid flowers before a statue of late leader Deng Xiaoping on a hillside in Shenzhen, which neighbors Hong Kong. Coming down the hill, a journalist from Hong Kong asked Xi, "General Secretary, do you have anything to say to your Hong Kong compatriots?" Xi's answer was short but powerful, "Hong Kong will prosper." Five years on, Xi's confidence has been translated into solid reality. Two decades after Hong Kong was handed back to China under the "one country, two systems" formula, the region is doing better than ever. Despite various prophets of doom, the Special Administrative Region (SAR) has remained a center of international finance, shipping and trade, and has been recognized as one of the world's freest and most competitive economies. STRONG SUPPORT FROM CENTRAL GOV'T Aside from a business-friendly environment that encourages openness and productivity, the modern metropolis of over seven million people owes much of its economic success to closer links with the mainland. Since 1997, the central government has made every effort to ensure Hong Kong's stability and prosperity as a special administrative region. Basic necessities, including about 95 percent of live swine, 100 percent of live cattle, 90 percent of vegetables and 70 percent of flour on the Hong Kong market are supplied by the mainland. The Guangdong-based Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant provides a quarter of Hong Kong's annual electricity consumption, and some 70 to 80 percent of Hong Kong's fresh water comes from the mainland. The central government also rendered timely and strong support to Hong Kong during the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the international financial crisis in 2008 and the SARS outbreak. Hong Kong has been the largest source of overseas investment for the mainland, which has approved nearly 400,000 projects from Hong Kong investors worth over 900 billion U.S. dollars. Hong Kong is also the largest recipient of the mainland's overseas investment and its largest overseas financing platform. "Hong Kong understands that its future and the mainland's are symbiotic and intertwined," 88-year-old Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing told Xinhua in a recent interview. "'One country, two systems' epitomizes the creativity and the flexibility of Chinese leaders," Li said, adding that Xi's unwavering commitment to the principle is "strong and comforting." FIRM COMMITMENT Indeed, on many occasions Xi has reaffirmed the principle of "one country, two systems." "Twenty years of practice shows 'one country, two systems' is not only the best solution to the Hong Kong question left over from history, but also the best institutional arrangement for its long-term prosperity and stability since its return," Xi said on Monday this week when visiting an exhibition in Beijing profiling Hong Kong's achievements over the past two decades. "We will continue to comprehensively and precisely implement the 'one country, two systems' principle, handle affairs strictly in line with the Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and further promote the overall development of Hong Kong," Xi said. The top Chinese leader's commitment to "one country, two systems" has been firm and consistent. In his first meeting with Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in December 2012 after taking the helm of the CPC, Xi promised "unchanged support" for the chief executives and governments of Hong Kong and Macao SARs in carrying out their legal duties. The central government's adherence to the "one country, two systems" principle and the basic laws of the two SARs will not change, he said. When meeting with incoming Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in April this year, Xi stressed that the practice of the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong is an unprecedented cause and needs to be advanced through fresh explorations. The central government is determined to stick to the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, he said. That determination would not change or waver, said Xi, adding that full support would be given to Lam and the HKSAR government to carry out their duties in accordance with the law. The Chinese president has backed up his words with action. In 2015, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong reached a Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) on service trade, to allow professionals from the SAR to enjoy greater access to the mainland's growing service market. The Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong stock connects allow international investors to trade stocks listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen via the Hong Kong exchange while mainland investors can trade Hong Kong stocks via Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. Along with the Bond Connect, approved in May this year, these arrangements have strengthened Hong Kong's role as an international financial center. Plans for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will bring the SARs closer to the Pearl River Delta's manufacturing and innovation heartland. The Belt and Road Initiative will also boost Hong Kong's financial clout. LAND OF OPTIMISM Both the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area development plan are perceived as new impetus for Hong Kong's development. According to the central government's annual work report in 2017, China is planning to develop a city cluster in the Greater Bay Area, playing to the distinctive strengths of Hong Kong and Macao, and elevating their positions and roles in the mainland's development and opening up. The Greater Bay Area will include the two SARs and nine cities in Guangdong Province, namely Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan and Zhuhai. Stressing the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative to Hong Kong, Leung said Hong Kong's enterprises could "take the same boat" with the mainland partners in sailing into the countries and regions involved in the initiative. Hong Kong "can be very proud of itself" for its achievements during the past 20 years, said Eric Berti, consul general of France in the Hong Kong and Macao SARs. France has about 800 companies in Hong Kong. There is a growing French community, which has doubled to over 20,000 people since 2008. "It shows the attraction of Hong Kong," Berti said. "For foreign companies, especially French companies, it is very important to be able to settle here for the wide Chinese market." U.S. consul general to the Hong Kong and Macao SARs Kurt Tong, meanwhile, noted that the "one country, two systems" framework "allows Hong Kong to be special and different while still being part of China," adding that the people of Hong Kong are "prosperous" due to Hong Kong's "specialness." "The unique form of governance in the HKSAR has been largely successful," Tong said. "The EU is a firm supporter of the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle," Carmen Cano de Lasala, head of EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao, told Xinhua. "We think it has been key to the development of Hong Kong, and we are confident that it would continue to remain a key element in the future development of Hong Kong," Cano de Lasala said, adding that the "one country, two systems" principle "has been beneficial not only for Hong Kong, but also for the Chinese mainland, the region, and the rest of the world." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 11:40:14|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close CANBERRA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government is "ready and willing" to assist at least three companies affected by the Petwrap ransomware attack which crippled IT systems across the world this week, Australia's Cyber Security Minister Dan Tehan said on Thursday. The Petwrap ransomware attack is believed to have started in Ukraine on Tuesday, but spread to vital IT systems the world over, asking users of affected computers to pay 300 U.S. dollars' worth of Bitcoin to remove the virus. Speaking to local media on Thursday, Tehan said the impact was minimal in Australia, but at least three companies - including chocolate maker Cadbury - had been affected. "The latest advice is there are three multinational companies which are reporting that they have been impacted," Tehan told Sky News. "Two of those are likely due to the Petwrap ransomware attack that has led to them having their systems impacted. We've offered support and assistance to those companies and we stand ready and willing to work with them. "Obviously we're still monitoring the situation, and we're in constant contact with our Five Eyes partners, so that's intelligence in Canada, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom. "So far, like the WannaCry ransomware attack, the impact seems to be very minimal in Australia." Tehan said the source of the attack was still unknown, and while cyber criminals were the likely perpetrators, authorities could not rule out cyber espionage at this point. "There are two things I can say one this. One is that there are sophisticate cyber criminal networks which are using viruses and ransomware to exploit, so it could be cyber criminal. But as I said previously, cyber espionage is alive and well," Tehan said on Thursday. "So there are two possibilities. We will obviously track and monitor and get a sense of what has occurred, but that takes time. So we might not know for a couple of weeks before we get a sense of what has occurred." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 12:25:32|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants shot dead two female police officers in the northern Afghan province of Badakhshan, a police spokesman in the northern region Mahfozullah Akbari said Thursday. "Two female police officers went to their home in Spin Gul village of Argo district a couple of days ago to join their families but the Taliban insurgents after identification shot them dead on Wednesday afternoon," Akbari told Xinhua. Taliban militants, who had outlawed education for girls and work for women outside home during their reign which collapsed in late 2001, are yet to make comment on the report. Badakhshan province with Faizabad as its capital 315 km northeast of Kabul has been the scene of Taliban-led insurgency over the past few years. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 12:55:39|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A mosquito factory in south China is manufacturing "mosquito warriors" that can combat epidemics like Zika and dengue. Male Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are infected with Wolbachia bacteria that makes them sterile, so the wild females they mate with lay infertile eggs. These mosquitoes are produced in the world's largest mosquito factory in Guangzhou. "Reducing the number of mosquitoes carrying viruses is the most direct way to suppress Zika and dengue epidemics," said Xi Zhiyong, head of the Sun Yat-sen University-Michigan State University Joint Center of Vector Control for Tropical Disease. Since January, Xi's team has been helping the Mexican city of Merida prevent Zika outbreaks by providing mosquitoes and equipment. Two villages have been selected for release. Community education and baseline data collection are under way. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) website, dengue and Zika virus are common in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. A WHO factsheet reads that dengue is now endemic in more than 100 countries. An estimated 500,000 people with severe dengue require hospitalization each year, and about 2.5 percent of those affected die, the report said. Margaret Chan, director-general of WHO, said in February that some 70 countries and territories have reported Zika cases since 2015. "Vaccines for Zika and dengue are a long way off," said Liu Qiyong of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He said the most effective vaccine for dengue at the moment is only 60 percent effective and traditional approaches like pesticide are bad for the environment. Since the 1990s, scientists have been seeking new ways to contain the epidemics. They now focus on the vectors of the viruses -- generally mosquitoes -- and have tried to form a stable symbiotic relationship between Wolbachia bacteria and the insects. In 2005, Xi injected Wolbachia into the eggs of Aedes aegypti to establish the first generation of infected mosquitoes, and in 2011 started on the Aedes albopictus, which are more common in China, and began the mass production in the "mosquito factory." Sterile adult males produced have been released in two isolated islands in southern Guangzhou for experiments. Compared with the control group on a third island, the mosquito population there dropped by 90 percent. The WHO has since accepted the Guangzhou approach as a method of Aedes vector species control. Last year, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) set up a fund for new approaches to tackle Zika in South and Central America. Xi's method was one of the 21 selected from nearly 900 submissions. With 1.5 million U.S. dollars from the USAID and the Mexico government, Xi began building a mosquito factory in Merida. Chinese "mosquito warriors" are attracting international attention. Last October, Alphabet subsidiary Verily Life Sciences, formerly Google Life Sciences, backed the "Debug Project" to raise, sort and release millions of sterile mosquitoes. The Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes the project uses are offspring of the strain established by Xi in 2005. Countries in the Americas, Africa and Asia have requested cooperation and training in Wolbachia technology and mass production of mosquitoes. Last year alone, Xi's factory received visitors from over 20 countries. "The current experiments are so far safe for the ecology, but unpredictable ecological problems may arise if the method is widely used," Liu said. "We must build a long-term mechanism to track and assess the possible problems." Vaccines for zika and dengue can only control the spread of a single disease, but Xi's method may prevent multiple virus outbreaks, such as malaria, he said. "We cannot afford to stop research and development despite any risks," Liu said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 13:16:23|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close SYDNEY, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Breeding pairs of one of Australia's cutest and most iconic animals - bilby will be reintroduced to Currawinya National Park, 1,000 km east of Brisbane, it has been announced Thursday. Although not as well recognized as some of Australia's other favorite species like the koala or kangaroo, the bilby is an adorable desert dwelling marsupial that's numbers have been dwindling as a result of foreign pests. "The bilby is one of Queensland's 16 endangered mammals and the main threat to its existence is feral cats," Queensland State Environment Minister Steven Miles said in a statement. In order to protect bilbies and kick start the growth of their population, a 25-square km predator-proof enclosure was constructed in 2002. However due to flooding in 2011-2012, "the damage let feral cats back inside the enclosure where they decimated the existing bilby population," Miles said. "Removing feral cats from inside the enclosure has been a major focus of ours for the past two years." "Repairs to the fence have started, and 700,000 Australian dollars (536,180 U.S. dollars) will be spent maintaining and upgrading the fence over the next two years, to keep out feral cats." Initially, 13 bilbies from Dreamworld theme park's breeding program, along with two joeys in their pouch are set to be released, but Miles hopes to have 40 in total over the coming year. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 13:16:24|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close TIANJIN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Smart cars have proved to be popular exhibits at an ongoing expo in north China's Tianjin Municipality. At the first World Intelligence Congress, which opened Thursday, 63 teams took part in a competition that tested China's intelligent driving systems. The competition was divided into three categories -- autopilot, intelligent assist and information security. The cars went through a series of tests in each category, to "provide authoritative information for national policy, product enhancement and societal awareness" about China's intelligent driving industry, according to Yu Kai, an executive with China Automotive Technology and Research Center. An award ceremony will be held Friday. Li Deyi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of the auto industry, and that the competitions and forums at the expo will help improve the intelligent driving industry. The expo will conclude on Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 13:46:44|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close NEW DELHI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A Metro rail service in India has offered accommodation to its 23 transgender staff after they failed to find a rented place. The southern Indian state of Kerala recently hired the 23 transgender employees to work for the Metro service in the city of Kochi, but as many as nine of them have resigned over difficulty in getting a house on rent. "We have now decided to provide hostel accommodation to the transgender staff. We want the staff who have resigned to reconsider their decision now that the housing problem has been resolved," a spokesperson for the Metro service told the media. The Kochi Metro's move came after a video featuring all 23, in which they told people "not to pity them," went viral on social media. In a move aimed at fighting discrimination, the Kochi Metro became the first in the country to appointed transgender people as ticket agents and cleaning staff. "We would like to give members of the transgender community their rightful share in different jobs at stations. There will be no discrimination between them and women workers," Elias George, the chief of Kochi Metro, said. "The Metro agency is the first government-owned company in India to formally appoint them. I hope other firms in Kerala give them a respectable opportunity to work," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 14:06:44|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Following the worldwide WannaCry ransomware attack in May, a new wave of massive cyber attack has struck targets globally since Tuesday. Experts warn that the latest attack may grow even more and last longer. MASSIVE ATTACK SPREADS WIDELY Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday that a massive cyber attack has struck dozens of the country's government agencies, banks and private companies. The websites of the Ukrainian cabinet and several ministries, the country's power distributor, the state railway operator, the largest airport, several banks, and a string of retail and fuel networks have been hit by the attack. In addition, the radiation monitoring at the Chernobyl nuclear facility was reportedly affected by the attack. Experts estimated that the attack, which has affected about 80 websites, was the largest in Ukraine's modern history. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that the information systems of Ukraine's critical infrastructure were not affected by the cyber attack. "It was an unprecedented attack, but our IT-experts are doing their job and protecting critical infrastructure. Important systems have not been affected," Groysman wrote on Facebook. According to Moscow-based cyber security company Group-IB laboratory, more than 80 companies in Russia and Ukraine came under the massive cyberattacks on Tuesday, including Russia's oil giant Rosneft. The cyberattack targeted a number of oil, telecommunications and financial companies in Russia and Ukraine, blocking computers and demanding 300 U.S. dollars in Bitcoins, Group-IB told Russia's Prime news agency. According to media reports, other big companies in Europe affected by the attack include Danish shipping conglomerate Maersk, British advertising agency WPP, Dutch shipping company TNT Express, and French construction and high-performance materials company Saint Gobain. The cyber attack that had caused chaos in Europe also halted operations at the U.S. Port of Los Angeles' largest terminal on Tuesday. The APM Terminals, operated by the shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk which handles about 16 percent of the world's shipping fleet, was shut down for hours on Tuesday as the company's IT systems were disturbed, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Just weeks ago the world was gripped by a mysterious computer virus known as WannaCry, which infected 300,000 computers in 150 countries and wreaked havoc on some of the world's largest companies. ATTACK LIKELY TO GROW EVEN MORE Kaspersky Lab said Wednesday that the new ransomware attack that started Tuesday "is likely to grow even more." In an updated blog posting, the multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus services provider said its experts concluded that the new malware is significantly different from all earlier known versions of Petya, a family of encrypting ransomware that was first discovered in 2016. Petya targets Microsoft Windows-based software systems, infecting the master boot record to execute a payload that encrypts the file table with the New Technology File System (NTFS) format, which is used by current Windows versions for storing and retrieving files on a hard disk or other data storage devices, demanding a payment in Bitcoin in order to regain access to the system. Unofficially, the author of the posting noted, "we've named it ExPetr or NotPetya." "The attack appears to be complex, involving several attack vectors," according to the posting. "We can confirm that a modified EternalBlue exploit is used for propagation, at least within corporate networks." EternalBlue, generally believed to have been developed by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to exploit a vulnerability in Microsoft's implementation of the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, was made available on the Internet by the Shadow Brokers hacker group on April 14. Although it was patched by Microsoft on March 14, EternalBlue was used as part of the worldwide WannaCry ransomware attack on May 12. As in the WannaCry case, the attacker behind the new ransomware tried to extort payment equivalent to 300 dollars in Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, from its victims for what the attacker called a "decryption key." A Finnish expert on computer security has said that the latest cyber blackmail program may continue much longer than the WannaCry computer virus attack earlier this year. "The spreading of Petya will come to a halt only when it has contaminated all those systems it has been able to enter," Mikko Hypponen, research director of the Finnish computer security company F-Secure, told national broadcaster Yle on Tuesday. The expert explained that the reason is that it has no central server that could be used to stop it. In Australia, all companies are vulnerable if their computers aren't patched, a cyber security expert warned on Wednesday, as the race begins to protect against the latest global ransomware attack. So far in Australia, the Cadbury Chocolate factory and global law firm DLA Piper are the only business to have been reportedly affected, but this number is expected to rise, according to National Surveillance and Intelligence Managing Director Navid Sobbi. "It exploits vulnerabilities in unpatched windows operating systems," Sobbi said. The virus blocks all access to the users files and displays a ransom message that demands 300 dollars worth of the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, be paid. But according to Sobbi, it appears even if the users pay, the virus still won't return the files. Although similar to the WannaCry virus, Petwrap (NotPetya or GoldenEye) is actually just a new variant of the 2016 virus Patya, Sobbi said. "It employs the same exploits as WannaCry, but so far there is no kill switch found in it and there has been no weaknesses, unlike WannaCry." So far, it remains unclear where the virus originated from or who is responsible. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 14:06:46|Editor: Song Lifang Video Player Close KABUL, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Militants loyal to the Taliban outfit and the rival Islamic State (IS) group have clashed in the eastern Nuristan province, the Afghan media reported on Thursday. The clash, according to the Khaama Press, flared up in the vicinity of Wanat Waigal district late Tuesday, leaving at least one IS fighter dead and injuring three others. Neither Taliban nor IS has commented on the report. Taliban and IS militants have fought each other in the eastern Nangarhar, southern Zabul and the northern Jawzjan provinces over the past one year. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 14:47:08|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close HONG KONG, June 29 (Xinhua) -- "Passionate, creative, unique." These are the three words that fashion designer Jessica Lau, 33, used to describe young creatives in Hong Kong. Her studio is located in PMQ, formerly the Hollywood Road Police Married Quarters in the heart of Central, which is now a huge tourist draw. The government turned the historical building into a complex of shops and studios that opened in 2014 to support local designers and young entrepreneurs. Hong Kong has a reputation as a world-class center for finance, shipping and logistics. The metropolis is emerging as a capital of creativity and innovation. SUPPORT YOUNG DESIGNERS Lau is among the 100 or so designers with shops or studios in PMQ. Lau and Walter Kong co-founded BLIND by JW in 2012, with a pop-up shop and a boutique opened in the next few years. They applied for a space in PMQ earlier this year and got accepted. "This place is really nice. We often exchange ideas with other designers and make improvements together," said Lau. Tenants of PMQ pay only half of the market rent, and they can receive training courses on customer service, overseas business development and funding, according to PMQ management. In April, PMQ led a team of Hong Kong-based designers to the Ontime Show in Shanghai, including BLIND by JW. Speaking of her future plans, Lau said: "There are no restrictions. I will grab opportunities whenever there is one." WORK WITH MAINLAND "The exchanges between young people from Hong Kong and those from the mainland have entered a new phase," said Johnny Ng, chairman of Hong Kong United Youth Association and an entrepreneur himself. Two decades ago, when Hong Kong had just returned to China from the British rule, most young people did not understand Mandarin, including himself, said Ng. Now young people from Hong Kong not only seek business opportunities in the mainland, they start business together with their mainland friends, Ng said. Ng's own story offers an example of deepened cooperation between entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and the mainland. He went to Beijing in 2004 -- the first post doctorate student from Hong Kong that ever studied at Tsinghua University, and met professionals who supported his company Titanium Group, which specialized in facial recognition systems. He suggested that other Hong Kong entrepreneurs should go there, too. "With policy, capital and platforms all improving, entrepreneurship in Beijing and Shanghai has entered a golden age," he said. He added that young people from Hong Kong can play an important role in building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and in the Belt and Road Initiative as well. SPUR INNOVATION The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) set up its Innovation and Technology Bureau in 2015 aiming to develop Hong Kong into an innovation hub. In the first year that followed, the number of start-ups in Hong Kong grew 24 percent to 1,926. By the end of 2016, Hong Kong had 48 maker spaces, a substantial increase from only 5 of them in 2015. Less than one-hour drive from the bustling city center, Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin District is home to some prominent research teams and laboratories. Fanny Law, chair of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP), said Hong Kong does not lack talent, but it needs to create more jobs for them. To support young innovators, the HKSAR government has rolled out a series of policies "in areas ranging from R&D, promotion, to market application," Law said. According to Law, the Science Park's facilities are a major advantage, and save the startups money. Besides, sharing lab facilities increases exchange of ideas among different teams, she added. The HKSTP has inked cooperation agreements with four maker spaces or incubators in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Shenzhen, she said, hoping these partnerships to further exchanges between innovators from Hong kong and those from the mainland. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 15:07:19|Editor: ying Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Brazil will have a lower gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in 2017 than originally projected, the country's Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said Wednesday. The projected 0.5 percent growth rate represents a reduction in the previous predictions made by the Brazilian Central Bank. According to the minister, the official estimate will be appropriately adjusted over the next few weeks. "It will be slightly lower than 0.5 percent, but it will still be positive," Meirelles said about the figure. The lower projection occurs amid deep political instability in the Brazilian government. Over the past month, the administration of President Michel Temer was engulfed in corruption scandals. Earlier this week, Temer was formally denounced for corruption and paying bribes to a witness during the so-called "Car Wash" corruption investigation launched in 2014. However, he denied the accusation and insisted he was innocent. Temer is the first Brazilian president in history to suffer criminal charges while in office. Besides, he is also facing problems inside the coalition while the opposition has been calling for his impeachment. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 15:32:28|Editor: ying Video Player Close SEOUL, June 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed continued efforts at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s complete denuclearization for sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula. Moon's remarks were made in his congratulatory speech, read by his senior secretary for political affairs, to celebrate the third annual symposium on the Korean Peninsula reunification which was co-hosted by the unification ministry and Yonhap news agency on Thursday in Seoul. The South Korean leader, who took office on May 10, was currently in Washington for his three-day stay to hold his first summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The peaceful reunification with the DPRK, Moon said, was not a matter of choice but an uncompromisable principle to the two Koreas for the purpose of securing sustainable growth and the future generation's peace. Under the principle of peaceful reunification, South Korea should take the lead in the Korean Peninsula issues, said Moon who stressed the need for a firm South Korea-U.S. alliance, a strong security and a thorough management of security crisis to prevent any DPRK military provocations. Moon vowed his government's continued efforts to completely denuclearize the DPRK based on close cooperation with the international community and a strategic approach to the DPRK's nuclear issue. The president said he will set foundations for complete and sustainable peace on the peninsula, adding that peace on the peninsula would open a new prospect for peace in Northeast Asia and prosperity in the world. In his flight to Washington, Moon told the accompanying press corps of local media outlets that dialogue for the DPRK's dismantlement of its nuclear program can be launched when Pyongyang stops further nuclear and missile provocations and promises the freezing of its nuclear program. Meanwhile, experts called for the Moon government to make efforts to encourage the DPRK to come back to the dialogue table. The six-party talks aimed to dismantle the DPRK's nuclear program, which involves South Korea, the DPRK, China, the United States, Russia and Japan, has been suspended since late 2008. At one of the sessions for the symposium, Choi Jong-kun, a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul and a campaign advisor to Moon on foreign policy, said it will be important to bring the DPRK to the dialogue table through South Korea's sufficient policies on Pyongyang. Choi said the Moon government supported a balanced policy direction of engagement with and sanctions on the DPRK. Kim Nam-joong, deputy minister for unification policy at South Korea's Unification Ministry, said in the symposium that the government will push to lead the DPRK to the dialogue table through pressure and negotiations in cooperation with relevant countries while firmly dealing with any DPRK provocation. Kim noted that the Moon government will push for a new DPRK policy with the aim of "Peaceful Korean Peninsula" as tensions on the peninsula and strained inter-Korean relations were prolonged despite strong response to the DPRK's nuclear and missile provocations. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 15:52:50|Editor: MJ Video Player Close BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The return of U.S. beef to the Chinese marketplace offers a glimpse of the essence of China-U.S. trade with both sides getting a bite of the juicy cuts. To fulfill its pledge to boost bilateral economic ties as part of the U.S.-China 100-day action plan, China greenlighted the import of U.S. beef, ending a 14-year ban initially triggered by concerns over mad cow disease. In reciprocity, the United States also greenlighted imports of cooked poultry from China. China last week received the first shipment of U.S. beef, purchased by the country's Cofco Meat Holdings from U.S. meat processor Tyson Foods. It is only a matter of time before the tender and juicy cuts of meat hit the shelves of supermarkets and online retailers, and finally the dining tables of Chinese families. Before the ban was enforced in 2003, the United States was China's largest overseas supplier of beef, providing over two thirds of China's imported beef. Some 14 years later, the market is vastly different. With a rising middle class, China has become the world's fastest-growing consumer and second largest importer of beef products, after the United States. Last year, the country imported 825,000 tonnes of beef at a total of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars, up from 15 million U.S. dollars in 2003. Industry insiders predict China will become the world's largest beef market and a major importer of U.S. beef products. Adding to the market potential is China's changing tastes and a demand for higher quality steak. In terms of its impact on U.S. beef producers and processors, the Chinese market is still in its infancy, but there are exciting opportunities ahead. It's no wonder U.S. cattle producers are overjoyed. Beef-producing states are racing to capture a share of the lucrative Chinese market. Nebraska's agriculture secretary is travelling to China to celebrate the arrival of the state's first beef shipment since 2003. Beef processors in Iowa, well-known for its corn-fed Angus beef, are busy preparing export documents. On Friday, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and the new U.S Ambassador to China Terry Branstad will hold a ceremony in Beijing and cut into a prime rib to mark the return of U.S. beef to China. As Perdue has put it, this is tremendous news for the beef industry, cattle farmers, and the U.S. economy in general. "We will once again have access to the enormous Chinese market, with a strong and growing middle class, which had been closed to U.S. ranchers for a long time," he said. Chinese consumers are delighted to have more choices. While the ban was enforced, China imported beef primarily from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Uruguay. Now U.S. beef is a competitive alternative. Cofco's first shipment of U.S. beef sold out quickly on its e-commerce platform Womai.com. Walmart has also put the top rated prime and choice grades of meat on its shelves. It makes sense for Chinese consumers to get picky. The requirements for U.S. beef imports into China state that the cattle must have been born in the United States and never been fed any growth hormones. U.S. meat producers should not underestimate Chinese consumers' concerns about hormones added to meat. The arrival of U.S. beef may also bring more competition to the local market. Insiders hope it will prompt the Chinese cattle industry to improve its value chain, raise efficiency, and lower prices. The beef trade mirrors China-U.S. trade ties in general. Despite twists and turns, the relationship continues to move forward. Bilateral trade has expanded from around 1 billion U.S. dollars, before diplomatic ties were established in 1976, to over 500 billion U.S. dollars in 2016. Behind the numbers are more jobs, better quality of life, and lower costs of living for people in both countries. The world's top two economies have formed an inseparable relationship with shared interests. An open and receptive mindset will help improve the flavor, tenderness, and juiciness of China-U.S. trade in the 21st century. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 15:57:42|Editor: ying Video Player Close NEW DELHI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- India's vice presidential elections will he held on Aug. 5, the country's independent Election Commission announced Thursday. Incumbent Vice President Hamid Ansari's five-year term expires on Aug. 10. "The vice presidential election will be held on August 5 and the results will be declared the same day," India's Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi told the media in the national capital. "The poll will be notified on July 4, with July 18 being the last date for filing nominations. The last day for withdrawal of nomination is July 21," he added. The vice president is elected indirectly by an electoral college comprising members of both houses of the Indian Parliament and the elections are held through secret ballots. The vice president acts as the Indian president in the latter's absence due to death, resignation, impeachment or other situations. The vice president of India is also the ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 16:13:01|Editor: ying Video Player Close KABUL, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A number of Indian companies are planning to invest in pharmaceutical field in Afghanistan, local media outlets have reported. Quoting Khan Jan Alokozay, first deputy chairman of Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Ariana News television channel reported, "Indian pharmaceutical companies would like to invest jointly in Afghanistan." Media reports also suggested that the government of Afghanistan has decided to buy medicines for the Afghan national security forces from the Indian companies. Afghanistan and India established air cargo corridor between Kabul and New Delhi on June 19 to enhance trade activities and the first flight transported 60 tons of goods, mostly medicinal plants and dry fruits to India. About 40 tons of medicines, according to the Alokozay, have been imported to Afghanistan from India since the opening of the direct air cargo route between the two countries. The Afghan Ministry for Public Health has praised the move by the Afghan and Indian companies to jointly invest in pharmaceutical sector. The volume of trade between India and Afghanistan, according to officials, is around 500 million U.S. dollars annually and both sides are hopeful that opening air cargo route could help to increase bilateral trade volume and economic cooperation. Workers work on the Turbi-Moyale road in Kenya's northern county of Marsabit, March 5, 2016. The tarmacking of the 130km Turbi-Moyale road by a Chinese firm, which connects Kenya and Ethiopia, is poised to unlock economic opportunities in Kenya's northern county of Marsabit, and the country as a whole. (Xinhua/Zhou Xiaoxiong) CAPE TOWN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China's involvement in Africa is bigger and more multifaceted than previous studies suggested, global consulting firm McKinsey said in a report released on Wednesday. There are already over 10,000 Chinese firms operating in Africa -- four times the previous estimate -- and about 90 percent of them are private firms, of all sizes and operating in diverse sectors, according to the report emailed to Xinhua. These firms are bringing capital investment, management know-how and entreprenuerial energy to the continent, and in so doing, are helping the development of Africa, the report said. Across trade, investment, infrastructure, financing and aid, China is a top five partner to Africa, and no other country matches this level of engagement, said the report. The report found that the China-Africa relationship has ramped up over the past decade with trade growing at around 20 percent per annum, with foreign direct investment (FDI) growing even faster at an annual rate of 40 percent. China's financial flows to Africa are 15 percent larger than official figures suggest when nontraditional flows are included, according to the report. China is also a large and fast-growing source of aid and the largest source of infrastructure financing, supporting many of Africa's most ambitious infrastructure developments in recent years, according to the report. The report also said that Chinese firms are market-driven and investing for the long term, operating across many sectors of the African economy. In addition to manufacturing, a quarter is in services and a fifth in trade and in construction and real estate, according to the report. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 16:17:54|Editor: ying Video Player Close JERUSALEM, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel's former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in jail for corruption, was granted Thursday early release after serving 17 months of his 27-month sentence. The parole board of Israel's Prison Service granted Olmert early release for "good behavior" in prison and "a rehabilitation program that he enrolled to," according to its spokesperson. Meanwhile, the State Attorney's Office asked the board to delay the release at least until Sunday, saying the office is considering appealing the decision. Olmert has been under a probe in recent weeks after he allegedly planned to expose sensitive security information in a memoir book that he has been writing in jail, local media reported. Olmert, who served as prime minister between 2006 and 2009, was jailed on February 15, 2016 for bribery, after the Supreme Court reduced his six-year sentence to 27 months. Olmert, 71, is also the first Israeli prime minister to serve time in jail. In December 2016, former President Moshe Katsav was freed on parole, after serving five of his seven-year sentence for rape and other sexual offenses. His early release was made following a decision by the Israel Prison Parole Committee. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 17:18:39|Editor: ying Photo taken on June 29, 2017 shows smoke rising up in Marawi City, the Philippines. The Philippine government is readying its plan to rebuild the besieged southern city of Marawi, which was devastated by the ongoing war between the troops and the militants inspired by the Islamic State (IS), a government official said Thursday. (Xinhua/Stringer) MANILA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government is readying its plan to rebuild the besieged southern city of Marawi, which was devastated by the ongoing war between the troops and the militants inspired by the Islamic State (IS), a government official said Thursday. Philippine Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said a master plan for the rehabilitation of the war-torn city is already in place. In a news conference at the Malacanang presidential palace, Villar said that his department is coordinating with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao "in order to implement the plan very quickly." He reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte "wants to implement the rehabilitation (of Marawi) quickly." Villar said that building of residential facilities is also part of the plan. Duterte said on Tuesday that the government has allocated 20 billion pesos (395.2 million U.S. dollars) for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the city and its people who were displaced during the 38 days of continuous fighting. War broke out in the city when heavily-armed, black-clad militants displaying ISIS flags overran the city of more than 200,000 people. Duterte has earlier said that foreign jihadists from Indonesia, Malaysia and Syria helped the self-styled local terrorists in executing the plan to establish an IS "province or caliphate" in the region. "We have laid concrete plans on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of your lives and communities. The Task Force Bangon Marawi, composed of various agencies of the government, is being created to hasten recovery efforts in Marawi city," Duterte said in a speech on Tuesday to celebrate Eid'l Fitr at the presidential palace. China has donated 15 million Philippine pesos (about 300,000 U.S. dollars) for the relief operations and rehabilitation of Marawi. Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag said at least 422 people have been killed in the ongoing firefight, including 303 terrorists, 44 civilians and 75 soldiers and policemen. Most of the city residents have fled, and most of the houses and building were either destroyed or torched as troops bombed some villages to flush out the IS-linked terrorists. Military spokesman Restituto Padilla told reporters that the military offensive "has not waned." In fact, he said, the troops "have kept up the tempo and this is supposed to be as it is until we get to the last armed element." "We are anxious to finish this fight. We are doing everything to hasten it but the complexity of the battlefield remains to be a main consideration because we don't want to unnecessarily put the lives of our troops in danger," Padilla said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 17:28:49|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close CAIRO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian cabinet announced on Thursday rise of fuel prices as part of the country's strict economic reform program, the Egyptian state TV reported. The hike in gasoline prices varied from 42.8 to 55.3 percent, while the price of a gas cylinder, which is used at many homes and restaurants, doubled. "The fuel price hikes take effect from today," said the cabinet in a statement. Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail told a press conference Thursday that the decision is "a part of the economic reform program," stressing that it aims to deliver the government subsidies to those who deserve them. "This decision is considered direct support for the Egyptian citizens and is meant to improve the service provided to them," he added. The fuel price hike is the second in less than a year since a similar rise in early November 2016, in which fuel prices increased by 34.6 percent to 46.9 percent. The latest fuel price hike worries many Egyptians as it usually leads to price increase for almost all other commodities as a result. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 17:28:51|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close JALALABAD, Afghanistan, June 29 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was confirmed dead as a mortar mine fired by militants struck a house in Lalpor district of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Thursday, spokesman for the provincial government Attaullah Khogiani said. "A mortar mine fired by Taliban rebels struck a house in Lalpor district today, killing at least a women," Khogiani told reporters here. Investigation has been initiated into the case, the official added, without giving more details. Taliban militants who are active in parts of the relatively restive Nangarhar province are yet to make comments. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 18:04:12|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close BANGKOK, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and China will sign contracts to build the high speed rail from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima province in two months, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said late Wednesday. Attending a ceremony held by the Chinese embassy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, Wissanu said Thai engineers and architects will learn from China's advanced technology in the construction of the 252 km high speed rail project, which adds technological cooperation into long-standing Thai-Chinese friendship. He told Xinhua that Article 44 of the 2014 interim constitution was invoked for the project, showing that the high speed rail must be constructed. "The two sides have talked 18 times... and now problems are solved by Article 44, so we expect we can sign the contracts in 2 months, according to our roadmap," he said. Thailand's Royal Gazette released Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha's order under Article 44 of the constitution to solve legal snags involving the construction of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high speed rail on June 15. According to the order, the State Railway of Thailand will sign contracts with a Chinese state enterprise, which will design the railway and serve as the advisor for the construction and provide system-related knowledge training, among others. Thailand plans to build the 252 km high speed rail by four sections, namely 3.5 km, 11 km, 119 km and 119 km gradually. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 18:14:24|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close by Christine Lagat NAIROBI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan ministry of health will soon roll out new policy frameworks coupled with additional funding to boost response to emergency medical care in the light of rising man-made and natural disasters, officials said Thursday at a forum in Nairobi. Cabinet Secretary for Health Cleopa Mailu said enactment of a robust policy and legislative framework will strengthen Kenya's ability to tackle health emergencies linked to road accidents, fires, epidemics and civil disturbances. "Our health sector has prioritized investments in disaster response to avert deaths and economic losses," Mailu said, adding that Kenya has set precedence in the region in terms of emergency medical care. Kenya has domesticated global instruments to revitalize disaster response through investments in capacity development, research and modern equipment. Mailu noted that investments in a resilient health care infrastructure has strengthened Kenya's capacity to respond to natural disasters, terrorism, fires and disease outbreaks. "Emergency medical care is currently an integral component of the national health system. We are training additional personnel while acquiring custom-made ambulances to deliver emergency care," said Mailu. Climatic shocks in recent years that include droughts and floods are believed to have overstretched Kenya's emergency healthcare infrastructure. At the same time, Kenya has recorded a significant spike in human-induced disasters like collapse of buildings, fires, terrorism and road accidents. Simon Kibias, Head of Emergency Medical Care and Disaster in the ministry of health, said that a paradigm shift is required to mitigate disasters that are responsible for premature death of Kenya's productive segment of the population. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 19:20:01|Editor: ying Video Player Close ANKARA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's military is gearing up for an all-out offensive on areas currently held by Kurdish militia in northern Syria, local media reported on Thursday. The Turkish military is expected to launch an operation near the Turkish border town of Kilis to take Afrin, Tell Rifaat and Minnigh Military Airport, held by the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Daily Sabah reported. Turkish troops, which have been building up its presence at the Syrian border for a long time, is likely to kick off the operation to sweep PYD and YPG (People's Protection Units), terrorists from Afrin this weekend, it quoted military sources as saying. This new offensive could be similar to the Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched on August 24, 2016, and ended in March this year. Tensions between Turkey and the PYD and YPG forces have been escalating recently. Late Tuesday, Turkish army retaliated with artillery fire at the YPG forces in northern Syria after the Kurdish militia targeted Turkey-backed rebels. Ankara sees the YPG as the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outlawed for its decades of armed struggle for autonomy in southeastern Turkey, a predominantly Kurdish region. But the United States regards the Kurdish militia as a reliable force to fight the Islamic State terrorists in Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 19:35:14|Editor: MJ Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Leung Chun-ying, in Hong Kong, south China, June 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) HONG KONG, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with outgoing Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Leung Chun-ying here Thursday noon, saying the central government fully acknowledged his work during his five-year term of office. Accompanied by Leung, Xi also met with senior figures of the SAR's executive, legislative and judicial bodies on Thursday afternoon. Xi arrived in Hong Kong earlier Thursday for a three-day trip to attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the HKSAR's fifth-term government. He will also inspect the SAR. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 20:05:32|Editor: MJ Video Player Close BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China urged the European Union (EU) to abide by World Trade Organization rules in conducting anti-dumping investigations against China. The European Parliament passed the amendment on new investigation methods for anti-dumping on June 20, which followed current standards in reviewing non-market economies. The amendment still uses the surrogate country approach in its anti-dumping investigations, which is discriminatory, unfair and against the WTO regulations, according to Sun Jiwen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce. According to Article 15, WTO members should have stopped using the surrogate country approach to conduct anti-dumping investigations on China by Dec. 11, 2016. China is highly concerned with the process of the EU amendment and hopes the EU will fulfill its WTO obligations to manage bilateral trade friction and promote steady economic exchanges, Sun added. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 20:05:34|Editor: MJ Video Player Close Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) meets with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam Thursday, pledging to strengthen bilateral relations. China will work with Singapore to enhance political trust, cooperate under the Belt and Road Initiative, expand financial cooperation, and collaborate within multilateral frameworks, Zhang said. Zhang called on both countries to contribute to trade liberalization and economic globalization as the world economy faces uncertainties and challenges. Tharman congratulated China on the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. He said Singapore will work with China under the Belt and Road Initiative to promote cooperation in connectivity and finance and partnerships with third parties. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 20:10:39|Editor: ying Video Player Close by Peter Mertz DENVER, the United States, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Wildfires exploding across America's West sent thousands of firefighters scrambling and dismayed officials hoping the drought had ended. Dozens of fires are being fought in 11 Western states with more than 20 big blazes, each consuming 10,000 acres (40.5 square km) and threatening homes and lives. Arizona is the hardest hit so far this fire season with the Frye fire consuming 39,567 acres (160.1 square km) of land and the Goodwin fire causing hundreds of evacuations in the Arizona mountains near the town of Prescott. "This is a little college town ... but we've seen some terrible wildfires," Prescott College student Eleanora Brown told Xinhua Wednesday. Brown said the town of 40,000 had been shrouded in smoke from the fire since it began last Saturday, with the streets filled with people "packing up and getting out." Wednesday, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency and directed 200,000 U.S. dollars in emergency funds to fire suppression efforts and reimbursements for emergency response and recovery costs. Ducey planed to travel to Yavapai County on Thursday to inspire the 600 firefighters battling the wind-driven blaze that had burned more than 32 square miles (82.9 square km) so far. This fire is close to a devastating tragedy that occurred in 2013. Nineteen city of Prescott firefighters were killed fighting the Yarnell Hill fire when the wind suddenly changed direction. "That was a horrible event, so sad, so tragic," remembered Brown, a special education major. By Wednesday, the Goodwin Fire had consumed 21,000 acres (84.9 square km) and caused the evacuations of hundreds from their homes. Only 2 percent of it was contained. Arizona's other big blaze is in the southern part of the state near the Mexico border. The Frye Fire was only 45 percent contained by Wednesday, the forest service at Coronado National Forest said. More than 840 personnel are battling the fire that started from lightning on June 7. The Frye Fire is about 70 miles (120 km) northeast of Tucson, the second-largest city in Arizona. Also in Arizona the Boundary fire, the Snake Ridge fire and the Lizard fire, ravaging across 47,000 acres (190.2 square km) led officials to believe the worst is yet to come. A heavy snowpack last winter throughout the West's mountainous regions caused a late spring and sporadic flooding, with many conservationists hoping for an end to the drought that has hit the region since 2011. 2012 was the third worst year for wildfires, with 9.2 million acres (37231.1 square km) burned, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Colorado was hit hard that year with 600 homes destroyed and several deaths blamed on the fires. High fire danger continues throughout Colorado and the Western states. According to Denver meteorologist Ed Greene, "fire danger is very high with gusty winds and low humidity." Wednesday night, drought-stricken California saw a dozen homes in the foothills north of Los Angeles threatened by wildfire. Evacuation orders were issued for more than 50 homes Wednesday afternoon as flames swept through grasses and trees toward pricey hilltop homes in the Verdugo Hills area of Burbank, 20 km northwest of downtown LA. In Utah, firefighters braced for more high winds as they tried to slow the fire that has engulfed 54,202 acres (219.3 square km), burned 13 homes, and forced the evacuation of 1,500 people from the ski resort town of Brian Head. Firefighters in Washington State were battling three fires near Wenatchee that had grown to about 37 square miles (95 square km). Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 20:15:33|Editor: ying Video Player Close by Mohamed al-Azaki SANAA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- At al-Sabeen park in Yemen's capital Sanaa, parents can forget the daily war event temporarily as they saw their children play on swings and with toy guns, at least for the few days of Eid al-Fitr festival. Ahmed al-Mutawakil, 38, came to the park along with his wife and their child. "We come here to calm during Eid holiday," he said, referring to the festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. "We need our salaries to be paid, we want end of war and we hope and pray for peace," said al-Mutawakil, who works as a journalist with the state Saba news agency, which is, along with all state ministries in the capital, under control of rebel Shiite Houthi authorities. The al-Sabeen central park is the largest state-owned land at the heart of Sanaa, which fell under Houthi fighters in late 2014. The park, with few visits in its pre-paid section, is crowded in its free section as the swings there are provided gratis. Sitting on a park bench, al-Mutawakil said that he and his family walked half way and took a bus to the park from Sawan district, about 20 km northeast of al-Sabeen area, as a saver. "Unlike previous Eid festivals, this year I did not buy new clothes for my only five-year-old child, because I do not have enough money," he said. "I have sold my wife's gold to pay my house rents for previous months ... and my pregnant wife is about to bring birth and that will cost me a lot of money ... while no Houthis nor government paid our salaries," he added. The same situations are with al-Mutawakil's colleagues, neighbors and apparently all residents of Sanaa. Besides the devastating war, people are suffering from hike of food prices, permanent cutoff of electricity and water supplies, spread of cholera disease, and 10 months of unpaid salaries. About one million Yemeni state employees have gone largely unpaid for 10 months after the government shifted last year the central bank from Houthi-held capital Sanaa to the southern port city of Aden to strip the Houthi rebels of money, local media reported. Experts said the move triggered soaring food prices, severe shortage of foreign currency, sharp declines in Yemeni national currency exchange rates and basic needs imports. Moreover, the plan failed when UN urged warring sides in Yemen to free the Red Sea port city of Hoheidah from potential fighting, therefore ensure the flowing of commercial and humanitarian aid. The United Nations Security Council proposal stipulates the withdrawal of Houthi fighters from Hodeidah. In return, the government would resume salary payment to the state employees. The proposal was rejected by Houthi group, considering it as "not neutral," despite Yemeni exiled government's approval. Hodeidah is the only seaport to the territories under control of Houthis, through which commercial imports and humanitarian aids enter. The Saudi-led coalition has accused Houthis of smuggling weapons from Iran to Yemen through Hodeidah and called the UN to take control over it. The Houthi group denied the accusation. Meanwhile, in the cities, the unattended public services, including cutoff of electricity, poor sanitary systems and pileup of rubbish on the street, are causing massive spread of cholera disease, killing hundreds of thousands. Just about 500 meters northeast of the al-Sabeen park, many infected with cholera disease are crowded to receive treatment at the state-run al-Sabeen hospital. Jabr Ali, a 29-year-old jobless young man, died in the fourth day of Eid holiday. His brother said he suffered a severe vomiting and diarrhoea the second day of the festival and were taken to al-Sabeen hospital before diagnosed as cholera. "He stayed two days at the hospital receiving medicine, but then doctors said he was recovering and ordered him to return home," Ahmed added, saying the family was not expecting such devastating blow. According to World Health Organization (WHO) figures, the cholera infection has killed 1,400 people and infected 218,798 others in the war-torn Yemen in just two months. The rapidly spreading cholera outbreak in the country has been "increasing at an average of 5,000 a day ... One quarter of the epidemic victims were children, and the death toll is expected to rise," WHO said, describing it as the "worst cholera outbreak in the modern history." WHO Director-General Margaret Chan and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Anthony Lake said in a joint statement that "this deadly cholera outbreak is the direct consequence of two years of the heavy conflict." They also said that rising rates of malnutrition in Yemen have weakened children's health and made them more vulnerable to the disease. Health workers, who play the largest role in fighting the disease, have also been unpaid for nearly 10 months, said the statement. More than 7.6 million Yemeni people and more than 3 million internally displaced persons currently live in areas affected by the cholera outbreak, WHO said. The war pits the Iranian-allied Shiite Houthi rebel movement against a Sunni Saudi-led military coalition after Houthis toppled Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government more than two years ago. The Saudi-led coalition forces backing Hadi started military intervention and sea-air-land siege in March 2015, trying to recapture territories, including Sanaa, and reinstate Hadi into power. The war has since killed more than 10,000, displaced around 3 million as the all-out siege has caused severe shortage of imports of medicines and food. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 20:20:47|Editor: ying Video Player Close RABAT, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani has promised to speed up implementation of development projects in the troubled Rif region in northeast of the country, local media reported Thursday. In 2015, Morocco launched Lighthouse of the Mediterranean, a large-scale development program in the northeastern city of Al Hociema, but many of its projects have been marred by delays. El Othmani told reporters late Wednesday that King Mohammed VI has announced the formation of an investigation committee to hold related officials responsible for the delays, the news website Hespress.com reported. He also expressed his concern over the violent incidents in the city of Al Hoceima on Monday when clashes renewed between protesters and security forces. However, El Othmani called for calm and stability to enable the government to implement the projects as quickly as possible. The situation in Al Hoceima has been tense since October 2016, when fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death while climbing into a waste truck to retrieve his swordfish confiscated by police. The demand for justice for Fikri in the Rif region has evolved into a major grassroots movement to request greater government investment to create more jobs. Morocco has not witnessed any protests of this size since the pro-democracy demonstrations during the Arab spring in 2011. Lovers from Kirgizstan eat an apple during a game at the Shaohuashan Mountain in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 20, 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao) WINDHOEK, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) and project partners has launched a project to persuade Namibians to eat apples to fight cancers. The main objective of the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project is to reach all Namibians with the message that prevention is better than cure and by following a healthy lifestyle, one can reduce the risk of cancer. Bank Windhoek's Managing Director Baronice Hans said the goal this year is to distribute a million apples and break last year's record. "The purpose of the project is not only about selling or buying apples, it is about saving lives and creating awareness," she said. The project which is in its 17th year will kick off sales from July 3 to 31 and apples will be sold at Bank Windhoek branches and participating schools countrywide. According to Cancer Association of Namibia CEO Rolf Hansen, since its inception, the project has raised more than 1.3 million U.S. dollars to benefit cancer patients. "Last year the project raised a record amount of 223,636 U.S. dollars for cancer patients in Namibia," he added. A Yemeni infant suspected of being infected with cholera receives treatment at Sabaeen Hospital in Sanaa, on June 13, 2017. (AFP photo) SANAA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- At al-Sabeen park in Yemen's capital Sanaa, parents can forget the daily war event temporarily as they saw their children play on swings and with toy guns, at least for the few days of Eid al-Fitr festival. Ahmed al-Mutawakil, 38, came to the park along with his wife and their child. "We come here to calm during Eid holiday," he said, referring to the festival marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. "We need our salaries to be paid, we want end of war and we hope and pray for peace," said al-Mutawakil, who works as a journalist with the state Saba news agency, which is, along with all state ministries in the capital, under control of rebel Shiite Houthi authorities. The al-Sabeen central park is the largest state-owned land at the heart of Sanaa, which fell under Houthi fighters in late 2014. The park, with few visits in its pre-paid section, is crowded in its free section as the swings there are provided gratis. Sitting on a park bench, al-Mutawakil said that he and his family walked half way and took a bus to the park from Sawan district, about 20 km northeast of al-Sabeen area, as a saver. "Unlike previous Eid festivals, this year I did not buy new clothes for my only five-year-old child, because I do not have enough money," he said. "I have sold my wife's gold to pay my house rents for previous months ... and my pregnant wife is about to bring birth and that will cost me a lot of money ... while no Houthis nor government paid our salaries," he added. The same situations are with al-Mutawakil's colleagues, neighbors and apparently all residents of Sanaa. Besides the devastating war, people are suffering from hike of food prices, permanent cutoff of electricity and water supplies, spread of cholera disease, and 10 months of unpaid salaries. About one million Yemeni state employees have gone largely unpaid for 10 months after the government shifted last year the central bank from Houthi-held capital Sanaa to the southern port city of Aden to strip the Houthi rebels of money, local media reported. Experts said the move triggered soaring food prices, severe shortage of foreign currency, sharp declines in Yemeni national currency exchange rates and basic needs imports. Moreover, the plan failed when UN urged warring sides in Yemen to free the Red Sea port city of Hoheidah from potential fighting, therefore ensure the flowing of commercial and humanitarian aid. The United Nations Security Council proposal stipulates the withdrawal of Houthi fighters from Hodeidah. In return, the government would resume salary payment to the state employees. The proposal was rejected by Houthi group, considering it as "not neutral," despite Yemeni exiled government's approval. Hodeidah is the only seaport to the territories under control of Houthis, through which commercial imports and humanitarian aids enter. The Saudi-led coalition has accused Houthis of smuggling weapons from Iran to Yemen through Hodeidah and called the UN to take control over it. The Houthi group denied the accusation. Meanwhile, in the cities, the unattended public services, including cutoff of electricity, poor sanitary systems and pileup of rubbish on the street, are causing massive spread of cholera disease, killing hundreds of thousands. Just about 500 meters northeast of the al-Sabeen park, many infected with cholera disease are crowded to receive treatment at the state-run al-Sabeen hospital. Jabr Ali, a 29-year-old jobless young man, died in the fourth day of Eid holiday. His brother said he suffered a severe vomiting and diarrhoea the second day of the festival and were taken to al-Sabeen hospital before diagnosed as cholera. "He stayed two days at the hospital receiving medicine, but then doctors said he was recovering and ordered him to return home," Ahmed added, saying the family was not expecting such devastating blow. According to World Health Organization (WHO) figures, the cholera infection has killed 1,400 people and infected 218,798 others in the war-torn Yemen in just two months. The rapidly spreading cholera outbreak in the country has been "increasing at an average of 5,000 a day ... One quarter of the epidemic victims were children, and the death toll is expected to rise," WHO said, describing it as the "worst cholera outbreak in the modern history." WHO Director-General Margaret Chan and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Anthony Lake said in a joint statement that "this deadly cholera outbreak is the direct consequence of two years of the heavy conflict." They also said that rising rates of malnutrition in Yemen have weakened children's health and made them more vulnerable to the disease. Health workers, who play the largest role in fighting the disease, have also been unpaid for nearly 10 months, said the statement. More than 7.6 million Yemeni people and more than 3 million internally displaced persons currently live in areas affected by the cholera outbreak, WHO said. The war pits the Iranian-allied Shiite Houthi rebel movement against a Sunni Saudi-led military coalition after Houthis toppled Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government more than two years ago. The Saudi-led coalition forces backing Hadi started military intervention and sea-air-land siege in March 2015, trying to recapture territories, including Sanaa, and reinstate Hadi into power. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 20:56:07|Editor: MJ Video Player Close Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Georges Dassis, president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Thursday called for a stronger partnership with the European Union (EU). Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while meeting with Georges Dassis, president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Dassis is in Beijing for the 15th round table meeting of the China Economic and Social Council (CESC) and the EESC on Thursday and Friday. Yu said the meeting has become an influential dialogue and cooperation mechanism between China and the EU, which has enriched their all-round strategic partnership, and bridged people's understanding and friendship. He called on both sides to expand exchange areas, and make new contributions to the partnership. Dassis said EU development needs China, adding that the EESC is committed to stronger EU-China ties. The two-day round table meeting focuses on topics including innovation, equality and inclusiveness, trade, investment and the Belt and Road Initiative. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 20:56:12|Editor: ying Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday announced that preparatory works have finalized to launch a new initiative to create drought resilience in drought-prone areas of Ethiopia. The UN agency has recently called for an urgent injection of international funding to curve looming drought in Ethiopia, which affects 7.8 million Ethiopians in need of emergency humanitarian assistance. "More than ever, the livelihood of farmers and pastoralists in the country is threatened by drought," said Pascal Johannes, WFP Deputy Country Director to Ethiopia. According to WFP, the pastoral regions of Ethiopia are affected by severe droughts every three to five years, which resulted in the loss of large numbers of livestock due to starvation, lack of drinking water and associated diseases. The new initiative aims to mitigate the drought risk faced by pastoralists and farmers through weather index based crop and livestock insurance scheme. According to Johannes, preparatory works have been finalized to launch the program in three districts of Somali region by providing insurance coverage for about 5,000 households. WFP, aiming to scale up the number of beneficiaries to 500,000 over the coming five-year period, is working with four insurance companies in Ethiopia to establish a pool co-insurance mechanism to jointly provide the insurance coverage for pastoralist communities in the county. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 21:16:22|Editor: ying Video Player Close TEHRAN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Thursday dismissed as "baseless" and "unfounded" the charges against Tehran by a recent U.S. report on human trafficking. "Washington's interventionist and warmongering policies are the root cause of human trafficking across the world," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted by the Tasnim news agency as saying. Qasemi was responding to the annual report on global human trafficking released on Tuesday by U.S. State Department. The report claims that Iranian government "does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so." The United States lacks the "required qualifications and legitimacy" to issue such a report about other countries, Qasemi said. He added that such "biased" reports are prepared based on the U.S. double-standard policies and merely meant to distort the image of the Islamic Republic. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 21:16:24|Editor: ying Video Player Close DAMASCUS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Foreign Ministry denied U.S. claim of Damascus' intention to use chemical weapons, slamming it as baseless, according to state news agency SANA. "The United States have launched, over the past few days, a misleading campaign, alleging the presence of intentions by the Syrian Arab Republic to launch a chemical attack on Syrian people and these misleading allegations are far from the truth and don't rely on any evidence or justifications," the ministry said. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that the United States had detected evidence of preparations for a chemical attack, similar to the preparations that occurred before an attack in April. The U.S. accused the Syrian government forces of carrying out a chemical attack in April against the Khan Sheikhoun town in Idlib. The Syrian government denied the accusations and demanded a probe into the incident, accusing the rebels of staging the attack to draw in foreign retribution. Syrian government officials said then that the Syrian army was in a good position and making huge progress, and has no need to resort to such attacks. They also completely denied any possession of such weapons. The U.S. then launched 59 Tomahawk missiles on the Shuairat Air Base in central Syria, saying the chemical attack was prepared in that facility. "Syria stresses that the aim of such allegations is to justify a new aggression on Syria with false pretexts as it happened when they attacked the Sheirat Air Base," the ministry said. Meanwhile, the ministry stressed that such claims came against the backdrop of the progress being made by the Syrian army on several fronts against the U.S.-backed rebels. It stressed that the Syrian government had gotten rid of its chemical program completely, and that it's in no possession of such weapons. In a jab at the administration of Donald Trump, the ministry said the U.S. administration has fallen to prove Syria's complicity in using chemical weapons last April in Idlib. The statement concluded by saying that "Syria denounces the U.S. threats and stresses that any U.S. attack on the Syrian army or people will serve the armed terrorist groups and will run counter to all of the UN charters and related UN Security Council resolutions." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 21:21:19|Editor: ying Video Player Close MOSCOW, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Russia will fight back against the extended sanctions by the European Union (EU) through possibly prolonging its countermeasures, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday. "Yesterday I discussed this issue with the president. The government will submit to him a proposal to extend our reciprocal measures against the EU for another year to December 31, 2018," Medvedev said at a government meeting. He said the EU actions are unconstructive and Russia will respond adequately and appropriately. The EU decided on Wednesday to prolong economic sanctions against Russia by six months until January 31, 2018, saying that the Minsk deals to bring peace to Ukraine have still not been fully implemented. This was the third extension of the sanctions since they were originally introduced in 2014. These measures, targeting Russia's financial, energy and defense sectors as well as dual-use goods, serve as punishment for Moscow's alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis. In response, Russia imposed an embargo on food imports from Western countries in August 2014. Following the two extensions, the import ban is due to expire at the end of 2017. The Western sanctions are a double-edged sword as Western countries lost more than Russia did, said Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month during his annual "Direct Line" questions-and-answers session. The mosque was built in 1172 A.D. with its famous leaning minaret, which gave the city its nickname "al-Hadbaa" or "the hunchback." On June 21, the extremist IS group bombed al-Nuri mosque (AFP photo) MOSUL, Iraq, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi government forces battling Islamic State (IS) militants on Thursday retook control of Mosul's historical al-Nuri mosque and a nearby neighborhood in the old city in the western side of Mosul, the Iraqi military said. "The Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces drove out the extremist IS militants from al-Nuri mosque and its leaning al-Hadbaa minaret, in addition to the adjacent Sarijkhanah neighborhood in the heart of Mosul's old city center," Abdul-Amir Yarallah from the Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a brief statement. On June 21, the extremist IS group bombed al-Nuri mosque, as Iraqi forces were pushing closer toward the mosque and the surrounding area, amid fierce house-to-house battles in some nearby alleys. The mosque was built in 1172 A.D. with its famous leaning minaret, which gave the city its nickname "al-Hadbaa" or "the hunchback." It was the place where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the cross-border "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria in his sole public appearance in July 2014. A few hours after the bombing of the mosque, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said "blowing up the al-Nuri mosque and the al-Hadba minaret is an official declaration of defeat by the Islamic State." The day after the bombing, Abadi pledged, in a press conference, to rebuild the mosque and its minaret and other archaeological sites that were destroyed by the terrorist group such as Nimrud and Hattra in Iraq's Nineveh province. A JOC statement said Tuesday that until Tuesday evening, the troops liberated some 50 percent of the old city in the western side of Mosul. The CTS forces, federal police and the interior ministry's special forces, known as Rapid Response, have also been fighting inside the old city, but the troops are making slow progress due to the stiff resistance of IS militants and a large number of roadside bombs and booby-trapped buildings, in addition to IS snipers who took positions in the buildings and narrow alleys of heavily-populated neighborhoods. According to recent UN reports, some 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the IS-held areas in the old city center and the adjacent al-Shifaa neighborhood. The extremist group is using the civilians as human shields. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 21:56:50|Editor: MJ Video Player Close Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday reiterated its support for the Philippines in combatting terrorism, saying that it will give a helping hand without any hesitation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks at a press conference following a meeting with his Philippine counterpart Alan Peter Cayetano in Beijing. Wang said China has already sent the first shipment of emergency supplies and equipment to the Philippines, and will continue to provide necessary help and support. "We are willing to work with regional countries, including the Philippines, to cooperate on information exchange, law enforcement, combat against transnational terrorism and other issues, in order to maintain regional peace and stability," he said. The two sides also reviewed the cooperation between China and the Philippines since their ties were normalized in October 2016. China has become the largest trade partner of the Philippines. The two countries have signed 22 cooperation documents in infrastructure, trade, agriculture, energy, tourism and other fields, and the Philippines' exports to China have significantly increased in the past seven months. The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. China will support the Philippines' work as the rotational chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, so as to deepen China-ASEAN relations and cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, Wang said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:06:58|Editor: ying Video Player Close by Julius Gale JUBA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan authorities said Thursday at least 9 civilians were killed and scores injured during a road ambush on a commercial vehicle about 70 km east of the capital Juba. Police spokesman Daniel Justine said the attack happened Wednesday evening in the remote area of Mangalla. Justine said the bodies of the victims have been retrieved and a manhunt has been launched to track down the attackers. Elario Paul Fataki, Commissioner of Mangalla County, said the deceased were cattle traders travelling to Juba. He said eight people died on spot, one later succumbed to injury in hospital and four others sustained injuries. South Sudan has witnessed increased gun violence along major routes since renewed fighting erupted in July 2016 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and to his former deputy Riek Machar. Between March and April, at least 50 civilians have been killed and scores injured in gun attacks on commercial vehicles along the same road which links the capital Juba to the eastern parts of the war-torn country. Earlier this month, at least 14 people were killed by rebels linked to Machar along the country's major trade route linking South Sudan to its southern neighbor Uganda. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:12:01|Editor: MJ Video Player Close XI'AN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen captive-bred forest musk deer were released into the wild on Thursday in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to the provincial forestry department. The 13 deer have developed strong survival abilities, including avoiding predators and identifying human threats, during a year of training, said Li Sanyuan, director of the provincial forestry department. They were released to a habitat for wild forest musk deer in Ningshan County in the Qinling Mountains. After the release, scientists from Shaanxi Institute of Zoology will monitor their activity with the help of GPS necklaces and infrared cameras. The release of the musk deer marks the beginning of China's restoration of the wild population, said Wang Weisheng, an official with the State Forestry Administration The species is under the country's highest level of protection. They are hunted by poachers because a secretion believed to have high medicinal value and is a precious ingredient in some perfumes. In 1970s and 1980s, the wild population declined significantly due to poaching and damage to its habitat. The situation has improved in recent years. There are 4,000 to 4,500 forest musk deer living in the wild and over 13,000 living in captivity in Shaanxi. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:16:56|Editor: Zhou Xin Video Player Close by Ronald Njoroge NAIROBI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The third edition of China Trade Week Kenya opened its doors on Thursday with the hope of boosting Sino-Kenya trade. Organizers MIE Events Managing Director David Wang told journalists in Nairobi that China is already Kenya's top trading partner. "The China Trade Expo will further boost Sino-Kenya trade by providing an opportunity for Kenyan businesses to interact with their Chinese counterparts without travelling out of Kenya," Wang said. "The aim for the event is for Kenyan and East Africa traders to find suppliers of quality Chinese products," he said. Over 400 Chinese exhibitors will be at the three day event. Chinese manufacturers from diverse sectors as manufacturing, construction materials, ceramics, automotive parts and consumer products will showcase their products. He noted that Kenya's business community typically has to travel to China in order to interact with Chinese manufacturers. "But with the expo, even the small traders who can't afford to travel to China can now link with the best Chinese manufacturers in the world," he added. Wang noted that Chinese manufacturers are attracted to Kenya due to its favorable business climate coupled with a growing middle class. Former Kenyan Ambassador to China Julius Sunkuli said that China has emerged as Kenya's top trading partner largely because it is a source of quality and affordable products to Kenyan consumers. Sunkuli noted that as a result of the cordial Sino-Kenya relationship, Chinese firms have played a visible role in Kenya's development. In 2016, the event brought together 400 exhibitors and over 16,500 visitors. Similar events will also be held in Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:21:58|Editor: ying Video Player Close MADRID, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A man reported to be of Pakistan origin shot dead a man and injured three others Thursday afternoon in a bar in the town of Vilanova I la Geltru, close to Barcelona in Northeast Spain. Local media say the shooting incident happened at around 14:00 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) in a bar called "El Sindicat del Vi," which led to the killing of the 50-year-old man. Three others were injured in the incident with one of them, a 39-year-old man reportedly "seriously injured." The Catalan newspaper "La Vanguardia" says the second of the three people injured is a member of the Catalan police force, who accidently shot himself. The man responsible for the shooting fled the scene, and police are searching for him with involvement two helicopters. Three ambulances have also been sent to the scene. Police sources said that the shooting had nothing to do with terrorism. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:32:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Appeal Court of Cambodia on Thursday upheld the decision of a lower court to sentence former opposition senator Hong Sok Hour to seven years in prison for forgery and incitement, according to a verdict. "The Appeal Court decides to uphold the Phnom Penh Municipal Court's verdict on November 7, 2016," Presiding Judge Seng Sivutha pronounced the ruling after a two-hour hearing. Sok Hour, 60, is a former senator of the Sam Rainsy Party that merged with the Human Rights Party in late 2012 to form a major opposition party called Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). He was caught red-handed in August 2015 in Phnom Penh after posting to Facebook a fake version of a border treaty signed between Cambodia and Vietnam in 1979. On November 7 last year, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Sok Hour to seven years in prison on the charges of falsifying a public document, using the falsified document, and inciting chaos to social security. Also, in October last year, CNRP's ex-lawmaker Um Sam An was sentenced to two and a half years in jail for posting messages on Facebook accusing the Cambodian government of using fake border map with Vietnam. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:37:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China's inshore seawater quality improved in 2016, according to data issued Thursday by the Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP). Among the eleven coastal provincial regions, Shanghai and Zhejiang were placed at the bottom of quality classification while Guangxi and Hainan were at the top. The proportion of "excellent" quality increased while that of "inferior" quality was declining, said Liu Zhiquan with the MEP. Substandard water was detected in Bohai Bay, at the mouths of the Yangtze River and Pearl River, in Liaodong Gulf and on southeastern coastlines, with inorganic nitrogen and reactive phosphate being the main pollutants, according to the ministry. More than 90 percent of the 27 monitored bathing beaches reported excellent or good water quality, said Liu. He said the ministry has increased monitoring sites from 301 to 419 at the end of 2015, covering inshore water in the country's four marine areas. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:37:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian court on Thursday released five human rights defenders involving in a bribery case on bail after placing them in a pre-trial detention for one year and two months, a court's spokesman said. The five persons include local rights group Adhoc's head of monitoring Ny Sokha, his deputies Nay Vanda and Yi Soksan, its senior investigator Lim Mony and former Adhoc senior official Ny Chakrya, who currently serves as a deputy secretary-general of the National Election Committee. They were arrested on April 29, 2016 by the government's Anti-Corruption Unit and charged with bribing a witness to tell a lie. Their arrests came as a result of claims by 25-year-old hairdresser Srey Mom, an alleged mistress of opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party leader Kem Sokha, that they gave her money to deny her sexual relationship with Kem Sokha. Phnom Penh Municipal Court's spokesman Y Rin said the court's investigating judge Theam Chanpisith decided to end their pre-trial detention and released them on bail on Thursday. "The court put them under supervision and placed three conditions, they cannot change their residences or leave Cambodia, and must appear in court when a summons is issued," he told Xinhua. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:37:21|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close TIANJIN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) is the focus of an ongoing expo in north China' s Tianjin Municipality. The first World Intelligence Congress started Thursday, with 16 forums and a 6,000-square-meter exhibition area displaying achievements in AI. Robin Li, CEO of China's online search Baidu, said during his speech during the expo that artificial intelligence could be the biggest driving force in human history in the next 30 to 50 years. "In the past 40 years, information technology drove global technological innovation and economic growth," Li said. "Now, AI has become the major focus of global search engine and IT companies." Google launched autopilot project in 2009, and Baidu established an institute on deep learning in 2013, he said. "In 2016, Amazon introduced a new kind of store with no checkout required." Proving rising global interest in AI, Li said that in 2016, investment in AI reached 30 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, while media coverage on AI increased by 632 percent in 2016. "The key to AI is to make the complicated world simpler," he said. Indrajit Banerjee, director of the knowledge societies division of UNESCO, said that AI has experienced explosive growth and it is necessary to build a knowledge society against this background. Artificial intelligence will play an important part in areas such as education, medical care, and in creating jobs, he said. Liu Chuanzhi, founder of Lenovo Group, said that as technological competition will determine the fate of companies, Chinese companies should learn from past experiences and increase investment in artificial intelligence, so as not to lose out. Jack Ma, founder and chairman of Alibaba, expressed his idea about the possible impact that AI have on society, such as workers being laid off to make way for smart robots. "AI will definitely have a huge impact on society, but human beings and robots are not necessarily contradictory," he said. Ma said that in an era of artificial intelligence, robots should be doing things that human beings cannot do. "Each technological revolution will take some workers out of the market, but also creates many new professions, for example, trains replaced porters, but they also created railway workers," Ma said. "People do not need to be scared of robots, because they cannot replace humans." A series of cooperation agreements will be signed at the expo, including one between the Tianjin municipal government and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, which will map out a development strategy for a new generation of AI. Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang said that the new generation of AI will have a "significant effect" on society, and will become a driving force behind a new industrial revolution. The municipal government will also sign an agreement with Alibaba's financial affiliate Ant Financial to push forward the building of a "cash-free city" in Tianjin, where electronic payments will be used in areas such as transportation, medical care, education, and social security. The expo concludes on Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:37:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KATHMANDU, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Construction of Pokhara International Airport in Kaski district of central Nepal, being developed with the Chinese assistance, is all set to begin from this weekend, a senior Nepali official said. The airport, to be constructed in the country's premier tourist city Pokhara, is one of the three new international airports planned in the Himalayan country. Currently, Nepal has only operating the sole international airport Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu which is overcrowded, often forcing the airlines to wait up to 45 minutes for landing particularly during the tourist season, according to TIA authority. Pradip Adhikari, chief of the Pokhara International Airport Project, told Xinhua on Thursday that the process of contractor mobilization for the construction has begun. "We are in the process of providing financial resources to the contractor," he said. China Export-Import Bank has pledged a soft loan of 215.96 million U.S. dollars for the construction of the project. As the monsoon season is underway, Nepali government officials said the contractor will start the tasks such as constructing shelter for its staffers, quarry identification, equipment shipment, hiring manpower and other temporary works during the monsoon. "The full-fledged ground works will begin after the monsoon is over," Adhikari said. China CAMC Engineering co. Ltd won the construction contract in May 2014 to construct the project under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. According to Adhikari, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CIAA), the executing agency of the project, is in the process of approving the design of the airport submitted by the contractor. The airport is expected to enhance regional balance in economic development with the country having operating international airport only in the capital city in central Nepal. "The construction of international airport in the country's key tourist hub will help increase the tourist arrivals many folds," said Adhikari. Nepal has felt the urgent need for development of more international airports for the emergency situation like the deadly earthquake in April 2015 and to manage the increasing international air travelers. "Airlines have to wait up to 45 minutes for landing during the tourist season because of limited space at TIA," Prem Nath Thakur, spokesperson at the TIA, told Xinhua on Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:37:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HARARE, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A former minister in Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government on Thursday launched a political party and announced his bid to contest for presidency in elections due next year, news agency New Ziana reported Thursday. Nkosana Moyo, former industry and international trade minister, told journalists that his decision to contest in the polls followed pressure from many quarters. "I have come to the conclusion that I must heed the call to run for the office of president of Zimbabwe. This call is coming from diverse Zimbabweans," Moyo said when he launched his Alliance for the People's Agenda party. Moyo resigned from his post under protest in 2001 and left for South Africa. He has accused Mugabe's government of lacking vision, while Mugabe called him a coward. Nkosana said his party would not join the proposed coalition of opposition political parties to fight Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF party in next year's polls. "Combining things does not always give you the result you expect," he said. Moyo also distanced himself from ZANU-PF, saying he had never been its member. He promised to serve only one term if he wins the presidency. Zimbabwe's new constitution adopted in 2013 limits the presidential term to two five-year terms. ZANU-PF has already endorsed Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence from Britain in 1980 and will be 94 next year, as its presidential candidate for the 2018 polls. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:52:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ANKARA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Ministry dismissed on Thursday the report claiming Turkey planned to withdraw troops from Cyprus. Huseyin Muftuoglu, spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a written statement that the report claiming Turkey had presented a four-step plan to reduce its military presence in Cyprus was "not true." Greek media reported recently that Turkish army will cut its troops by 80 percent in the divided island. Muftuoglu said that the figures mentioned in the report were also false. His remarks came after the new round of Cyprus peace talks under the auspices of the United Nations began on Wednesday in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana. Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders, as well as foreign ministers from Turkey, Greece and Britain, attended the conference. Turkish Cypriot President Akinci described on Monday the talks as a "decision conference" for the future of Cyprus. The last Cyprus talks in February was fraught with controversy over a Greek Cypriot decision to introduce a commemoration of the 1950 Enosis referendum on unification with Greece. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 22:52:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Ronald Njoroge NAIROBI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's private sector umbrella body on Thursday expressed optimism that the country's economic performance in 2017 will not be affected by the forthcoming polls in August. Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) CEO Carole Kariuki told a media briefing that Kenya has matured as a country after its experience of the 2007 post-election violence that claimed more than 1,000 lives. "As the private sector, we expect that Kenya's economic growth will not be affected by the presidential elections as politics has been delinked from economic affairs," Kariuki said. Noting Kenya's emergence as the economic hub for East and Central Africa, she said "We therefore expect that this year's foreign direct investment will surpass last year's figures." KEPSA is championing for non-violence before, during and after the elections for the prosperity of Kenya through the Mkenya Daima initiative. Mkenya Daima initiative Chairman Vimal Shah urged all political actors to play their rightful role of ensuring that peace and order prevail as the country approaches the national elections. "We would also like to continue to encourage all institutions and agencies to ensure that they play their role as mandated in the constitution and ensure that Kenya, which has shown maturity as a young democracy, is able to conduct peaceful and credible elections," Shah said. The chairman noted that Kenya's economic progress will only be accelerated if voters choose credible leaders who are issue-based and development conscious and those whose main agenda is improving the economy and the lives of Kenyans. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:02:35|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close WASHINGTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Trump on Thursday went after two news anchors of a major U.S. news outlet on Twitter, adding more fuel to the recent feud between the White House and mainstream U.S. media. "I heard poorly rated Morning Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago three nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" Trump said in two consecutive tweets. The venomous words were levied against Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, who host a morning news show at major news outlet MSNBC. Brzezinski, daughter of late U.S. strategist Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Scarborough, a former Congressman, defended Trump in the early days of his presidency, but the relationship has since soured. "CNN has more integrity on its worst day than Donald Trump has on his best," Scarborough said in a recent tweet. "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying, and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job," a MSNBC spokesman said in response to Trump's tweets. The back-and-forth underscored a particularly bad week between the Trump administration and U.S. media. CNN published a story on June 22 drawing a link between a Russian investment fund and a member of Trump's campaign, but retracted the story a day later citing a violation of editorial procedures. CNN has since apologized. Three veteran journalists resigned Monday in the wake of the retracted story, prompting Trump to denounce CNN for making "fake news." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:02:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang speaks at the China Food Safety Publicity Week in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang on Thursday urged local governments, enterprises and the public to work together to ensure food safety. The vice premier said governments should improve efficiency of supervision with unified and professional action and food suppliers should ensure farm-to-table product quality. The media should cover food safety accidents objectively and the public should be encouraged to participate in food safety governance, he said during the China Food Safety Publicity Week in Beijing. China has gained some experience from a nationwide pilot program from 2014, which encouraged good models of promoting food safety at city levels and on high-quality farm products. Wang urged expansion of the pilot program, and stressed the need to formulate a nationwide supervision system. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:07:42|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ANKARA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkey and Germany are on the brink of a new diplomatic crisis ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Hamburg for G20 summit on July 7-8. New tensions are rising between the two NATO allies, whose ties were already strained, as Erdogan wants to hold a political rally in Germany on the sidelines of the G20 summit. German authorities have rejected the idea, citing it is "not the right time". Erdogan officially requested permission on Wednesday to address Turks in Germany, but German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Thursday that it would be "inappropriate" for the Turkish president to hold a rally on the sidelines of the G20 summit, given current tensions between the two nations. Gabriel said his government did not want Turkish citizens and people holding dual citizenships living in Germany to be riled up. Gabriel's remarks came after a call by the leader of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) Martin Schulz for banning Erdogan from holding a rally in his country. "Foreign politicians, who trample on our values at home, must not be allowed a stage for speeches in Germany. I don't want Mr. Erdogan, who jails opposition politicians and journalists in Turkey, to hold large-scale events in Germany," Schulz, German Chancellor Merkel's rival in presidential elections, told daily Bild on Wednesday. In swift response to German politicians' statements, Turkish Foreign Ministry said their remarks were made upon domestic policy considerations and were "regrettable". In the context of Erdogan's visit to Hamburg, "it is regrettable that the German authorities are demanding official application for a meeting of citizens for their own regulation, on the other hand, some German politicians in Germany are making unacceptable statements based on domestic policy accounts," Huseyin Muftuoglu, Turkish Foreign Ministry's spokesman, said in a written statement on Thursday. "Especially the approach of a person, who held the Presidency of the European Parliament, to restrict the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression once again reveals the real face of the mentality we face and the double standard...", said the spokesperson, referring to Schulz. Meanwhile, Turkish media quoted Turkish presidential sources saying that there is no rally scheduled yet on Erdogan's visit to Germany. No official application to the German authorities had been made, unlike what Gabriel had claimed, but the application may have been made by certain Turkish NGOs, the Hurriyet Daily News quoted anonymous Presidential sources as saying. Meanwhile, a number of venues located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region have refused to host Erdogan, according to German media reports. The German government also demanded the Turkish president not include in his security team the security bodyguards who face arrest warrants in the U.S. for attacking protesters in Washington during Erdogan's visit to the country on May 16. Erdogan made his last appearance before supporters in Germany in May 2015. Since then he has not been able to hold political rallies, which aim to reach roughly 4 million Turkish citizens residing in Germany, largely because ties between two NATO allies have gone from bad to worse over the last couple of years. In early March, German authorities banned a number of rallies in support of an April 16 referendum which sought to expand Erdogan's presidential powers. In retaliation, Erdogan lashed out at German politicians and compared their policy to "Nazi measures", sparking outrage in Germany, where the country's Nazi past remains highly sensitive. Erdogan's planned rally in Germany is just one of the latest political moves that will escalate tensions between the two nations. In February, Turkey arrested a Turkish-German Die Welt reporter Deniz Yucel on charges of inciting hatred and terrorist propaganda. Germany has accepted asylum claims from high-ranking Turkish generals in NATO. While Turkey claims that these soldiers are linked to a failed coup attempt in July 2016, Germany granted asylum to Turkish officers for fear that they would not receive a fair trial in Turkey. Turkey has subsequently denied members of Germany's parliamentarians' access to German soldiers based at a military facility in Incirlik airbase which are deployed as part of anti-Islamic State coalition forces. The refusal prompted German parliament to decide to move their military installations from the key Incirlik airbase in Turkey. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:07:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Denis Elamu JUBA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Experts on Thursday called on African governments to innovate with advanced and cheap forms of technology and renewable energy to mitigate effects of climate change. UN Development Program (UNDP) environment specialist Biplove Chaudhary told delegates attending a climate change and food insecurity conference in the South Sudanese capital Juba that governments need to embrace smart agriculture and proper natural resource management to mitigate negative effects of climate change. "African food production systems are most vulnerable due to climate change. Africa does not contribute much to climate change adaptation yet it's very vulnerable," he said. Chaudhary added that maize output may be reduced by 22 percent across sub-Saharan Africa amid the prevailing food insecurity, and instead called for change in cropping types with cereals being replaced by non-cereals. Chaudhary also said that poor market access for agricultural inputs, trade and limited infrastructural investments have constrained commercialization of agriculture. David Smith from the UN Environment Program (UNEP) said that political stability depends on sustainable use of natural resources. "In resource-dependent countries like South Sudan, successful development requires comprehensive integration of sustainable environment and natural resource (ENR) management in national development plans, UN and other development assistance strategies," he said. Smith added that building institutions to mainstream ENR may take at most a decade and urged governments, UN and other development partners to immediately start planning on these key issues beyond conflicts. Meanwhile, Paul Opio of the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed that the recent increased intensity and frequency of drought amid high rural-urban migration in the horn and Eastern Africa caused decline in yields and production, hence increased food prices in most cities. "Climate is changing and agriculture needs to change. One clear area that FAO pointed out is to do with data. It's only with informed data that we are able to act and to sustain food production there is need to deal with smart agriculture," he disclosed. He said FAO and the East African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have embarked on using the Resilience Index Measurement and Analysis (RIMA), an innovative qualitative approach, to resilience analysis designed to explain why and how some households have the ability to cope with shocks and stressors better than others. He lauded the success of the Predictive Livestock Early Warning (PLEW) system that has enabled Kenyan pastoralists with monthly foreseeable knowledge on forage outlook. "Sharing information in the region is key and countries need to learn from each other," Opio said of the Cross Border Animal Health Coordination mechanism being implemented by IGAD countries like Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Michel Del Buono, UNDP energy consultant, said disappearance of glaciers in Eastern Africa will signify the end of permanent rivers. He said human actions partly driven by climate change in the upstream states along the Nile River like Ethiopia and Uganda seriously affect river flow in downstream countries like Egypt, which largely depend on the world's longest river for agriculture. Egypt has until recently been engaged with Ethiopia that is constructing the Renaissance dam along the Nile waters for fear of the huge dam construction diverting water flow. "Inland areas of Africa incur high transport costs for hydro carbons used to fuel power plants. Transition to renewable energy may take over 25 years," Buono said. He said the growth of renewable energy use in Somalia was much driven by the private sector despite lack of subsidies from government and the UN. "In Somalia the private sector is moving fast on renewable energy without UN, government subsidies and within 30 years the population will be relying mostly on renewable energy," he said, adding that this led to lower tariffs. Buono urged South Sudanese authorities to provide the private sector with requisite incentives to help develop the energy sector with focus on hybrid plants for public electricity. "If South Sudan needs electricity within two years it has to encourage the private sector to come in other than investing in hydro power which could take five years to complete," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:07:44|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Fuad Rajeh SANAA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Peace in Yemen requires efforts from local peacemakers and foreign peace backers, observers said, as all are "investing" in war for their own interests at the expense of peace. Yemen is facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis and cholera outbreak. Everything is collapsing, including public institutions and basic services, lawlessness is increasing, while peace is in limbo. Peace in Yemen does not require miracles, observers said, arguing that the international community at least has the decision to end a war it has authorized here. "Internal warlords have come together with external arms sellers to serve their own interests at the expense of peace," said Adil Al-Shuja'a, a politics professor at Sanaa University. Observers also pointed out that regrettably, foreign players don't deal with the situations in conflict zones from humanitarian aspects but rather through the prism of their own interests and deal primarily arms sales. Meanwhile, both the internationally recognized government and the Houthi-Saleh alliance, which have been fighting for two and a half years, are not satisfied with UN efforts and this represents a huge challenge to peace-building. The UN-sponsored peace talks have always failed, and even at the last round of talks, the UN could not bring the Yemeni factions around one table. Also, the Yemeni factions are setting tough conditions for each other. While the government insists that any peaceful solution should be based on the UN Security Council's resolutions, the outcomes of the 2013's national dialog conference and the Gulf Initiative, the Houthi-Saleh alliance is demanding solution be based on a dialog with Saudi Arabia. The Houthi-Saleh alliance has rejected UN resolutions and has other demands including choosing a new president. Fuad Alsalahi, a political sociology professor at Sanaa University, said contradictions of the international community and proxy wars should be addressed to help Yemen achieve permanent peace. "Contradictions of key foreign and regional players toward peace are so obvious. The United States and Britain for example have been involved in creative chaos and destruction in the region and at the same time are saying they working for peace," Alsalahi said. "The other thing is that UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, has been proposing arbitrary peace roadmaps and approaches that practically can't solve the crisis in accordance with the references backed by the people and the international community," Alsalahi said, adding "hence the UN is supposed to reconsider its peace mechanisms." The latest developments in the region, the Qatar crisis for example, have cast a cloud on the situation in Yemen, and all the warring parties are preparing for further military escalation. Yaseen Al-Tamimi, a political writer and analyst, said the Saudi-led coalition has deviated from its main goal of restoring the legitimacy of the Yemeni government and stability to other goals including the war on terror and deepening disagreements with some of its members and considering them as enemies. "Regional agendas are conflicting and all signs indicate there will not be a radical solution to the crisis soon and that Yemen's future will be more uncertain," Al-Tamimi said. "More importantly, it seems that prolonging the war is part of the plan of the Saudi-led coalition in order to exhaust the country and in the end to impose solutions that first serve the interests of regional and international players," Al-Tamimi said. "Moreover, the failure to achieve a decisive military victory coinciding with horrible consequences of the war is apparently forcing regional and international players to resort to ugly options," he said. "I think they are attempting to impose solutions away from international resolutions and agreed references. Such solutions could state for bringing the former regime back to power," he concluded. Peace also requires the local factions, especially the Houthi militant group which is more blamed for what is happening in the country, to take their moral responsibility and make concessions. Nabil Albukiri, a researcher in international strategies and political writer, said the Houthi group has the clue to peace. "This group should make concessions to end a war it started at a time when few approaches, including the Saudi-led bombing campaign, can help restore peace in Yemen," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:18:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The withdrawal of Indian troops from Chinese territory is the precondition to solve the incident and the basis for any meaningful dialogue between the two sides, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday. Indian border troops recently crossed the China-India boundary at the Sikkim section and entered the Chinese territory, obstructing the normal activities of Chinese border troops in Doklam, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. China has lodged solemn representations with the Indian side and put off arranging for Indian officially-organized pilgrims' entry into Tibet via the Nathu-la pass out of security concerns. "The Convention Between Great Britain and China Relating to Sikkim and Tibet in 1890 stipulates that Doklam is Chinese territory. There is no denying that Indian troops have entered Chinese territory," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing. Indian troops' move has violated the treaty and the commitments of successive Indian governments, Lu said, urging India to respect China's territorial sovereignty and immediately withdraw troops to its own side of the border. According to Hindustan Times, Indian Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat shrugged off reports of a recent skirmish between the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops and Indian troops in Sikkim, saying "there was no incursion into our territory." "The army chief's remarks prove that previous Indian media reports were false," Lu said, responding to a question about reports that claimed PLA troops crossed the border into Sikkim. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:22:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ZAGREB, June 29, 2017 (Xinhua) -- Croatia has rejected the ruling made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague on Thursday that gives Slovenia a victory in its maritime dispute with Croatia. The PCA on Thursday awarded Slovenia greater part of the disputed waters and and a "junction corridor" to the high sea through the Croatian territorial waters. Croatia was not present in the courtroom of the Peace Palace in The Hague and did not attend the announcement of the ruling. Croatia withdrew from the arbitration process in July 2015, claiming repeatedly it was "irreparably compromised" by Slovenia's illegal actions and making clear it will not accept the ruling and comply with it. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told the parliament on Wednesday that Croatia would not formally accept the decision of the PCA, but would learn about it online, and that Croatia has no obstacles in protecting its national interests. Croation Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric later also confirmed that Croatia would not receive the arbitration decision. The arbitration process was agreed by the two countries in an EU-brokered agreement that lifted Slovenia's veto on Croatia's EU accession in 2009. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:38:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A 90 days amnesty issued by Saudi Arabia for illegal migrants to voluntarily leave the Middle Eastern nation that was to expire on June 28 has been extended by a week. The statement was made on Thursday by Meles Alem spokesperson for Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) who said the extension will give relief for thousands of stranded undocumented Ethiopians to return back home. The MoFA spokesperson says so far an estimated 110,000 undocumented Ethiopians have taken Ethiopian travel documents with around 45,000 of them returning back to Ethiopia up to now. Both figures are still a minority of the estimated 400,000 undocumented Ethiopians living in Middle East's largest economy in jobs ranging from maids to construction sites. With hundreds of thousands of undocumented Ethiopians believed to be still in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia has also increased flight interval to Saudi cities of Riyadh and Jeddah. Ethiopia has also asked the Saudi Arabian government to extend further the amnesty deadline so as to bring the remaining Ethiopians back home. With an eye to curb illegal migration, the Ethiopian government last month signed an agreement with the Saudi Arabia government for an overseas employment agreement to help future legal Ethiopian migrants. It has also put advertorials in Ethiopian electronic media urging relatives of Ethiopians illegally residing in Saudi Arabia to persuade them to return ahead of the expiry of the amnesty deadline. With a growing population currently at around 30 million and a squeeze in international oil price, Saudi Arabia is on a drive to indigenize its work force currently dominated by millions of illegal and legal migrants. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:53:26|Editor: Liangyu Delegates pose for a family photo during a meeting of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 29, 2017. Senior diplomats from Black Sea states on Thursday vowed to form a stronger group to better respond to security challenges. (Xinhua/He Canling) ISTANBUL, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Senior diplomats from Black Sea states on Thursday vowed to form a stronger group to better respond to security challenges. The member states of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) have been "committed to a greater role in contributing to the stability, security and sustainable development of the wider Black Sea region," Michael Christides, BSEC's secretary general, said at a meeting in Istanbul. Christides highlighted the importance of economic cooperation among member states in achieving stability and peace, while Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz laid emphasis on sustainable development in addressing regional challenges. During the meeting, Turkey handed over the chairmanship-in-office of BSEC to Ukraine. Ukraine has set the main theme of its six-month-long chairmanship as achieving peace, stability and prosperity under the current security conditions of the region, the country's First Deputy Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said. According to Prystaiko, developing economic cooperation in the region, which has been overshadowed by conflicts, lack of trust and misunderstanding, will be among the primary targets of his country. "All the prosperity and all the progress would be based on mutual understanding of peace and cooperation," Prystaiko said at a joint press conference with Yildiz and Christides. For his part, Christides noted that general intra-trade volume in the region is improving "in a very satisfactory way," as the organization has been working hard to facilitate trade among member states. The annual intra-trade volume among the regional countries with a total population of 335 million has hit 187 billion U.S. dollars, according to data released by the organization. The BSEC, founded in 1992, groups Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Serbia. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-29 23:53:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close THE HAGUE, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Dutch police arrested a man from Syria in the southern city of Brunssum last Friday on suspicion of his involvement in a terrorist offence, the Public Prosecution Department announced on Thursday. A laptop, several mobile phones, other data carriers and various documents were confiscated from his house. The police did not find any weapons or explosives. The 38-year-old man was granted asylum in the Netherlands in 2014. The investigation that led to his arrest started last week, with information from the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD). On the same day, an 18-year-old woman was arrested in the city of Venray, which is located in the southern Dutch province of Limburg. She was arrested for the second time, as she was released under conditions after an arrest on suspicion of terrorism when she was 17. A breach of one or more of these conditions led to the new arrest. The Public Prosecution Department does not want to say anything about this because "the woman committed the facts when she was a minor". On Wednesday July 21, a 28-year-old man was arrested in the city of Heerlen, in the same province, in relation to an investigation into terrorism. According to the Public Prosecution Department, the cases do not seem to be related. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 00:13:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DALIAN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- 2017 Summer Davos closed its annual meeting on Thursday in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, highlighting technological innovation and inclusive growth for sustainable development. During the three-day Meeting of the New Champions 2017, more than 2,000 participants including officials and entrepreneurs from over 90 countries and regions shared their insights on economic globalization challenges, the sharing economy and new technology. The meeting was themed "Achieving Inclusive Growth in the Fourth Industrial Revolution." Attendees tried to find ways to achieve a more inclusive style of growth that prioritizes meaningful job creation and sustainable development. China will increase access to the service and manufacturing sectors, relax restrictions on foreign ownership, and treat Chinese and foreign companies on an equal basis, said Premier Li Keqiang at the opening ceremony of the forum on Tuesday. "We will further ease market access in service and manufacturing sectors, relax foreign equity caps in some areas of interest, advance and improve the negative-list regulation model. Domestic and foreign companies are treated equally in the application of supportive policies," he said. The meeting highlighted China's economy. "China's growth is an incredible contribution to the global economy," said Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and executive chairman. China has been a major stabilizer and driving force for the world economy, contributing more than 30 percent of recent growth. Its GDP in Q1 grew 6.9 percent year on year from the same period in 2016. Li Daokui, an economist with Beijing-based Tsinghua University, is optimistic, predicting growth will accelerate next year with rising private investment and improved government efficiency. "It is forecast the growth speed (of China's economy) this year will be the same as last year. In 2018, the economy will begin to go upward, largely due to rising private investment," said Li. According to Sun Pishu, chairman of China's cloud computing and big data provider Inspur Group, the country's supply-side structural reform has delivered success. "Profound changes have taken place in China's economic structure, with growth engines shifting to innovation and investment becoming steadier," said Sun. Established by the World Economic Forum in 2007, the Summer Davos forum is held annually in China, and alternate between the port cities of Dalian and Tianjin. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 00:54:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Photo taken on June 29, 2017 shows a view of a press conference after the preparation meeting for G20 at German Chancellery in Berlin, capital of Germany. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi) BERLIN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- European leaders met here on Thursday, seeking a united front ahead of the G20 Summit in Hamburg on July 7 and 8. After a meeting hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the leaders of France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Holland, Norway, and the EU said to a press conference that they would work together on climate change and free trade at the summit. Merkel said European countries wanted to send a message of "determination" at the summit. Earlier on Thursday, Merkel said in a speech to German Parliament that she would fight for free trade, international cooperation and the Paris climate change accord at the international forum. "We cannot expect easy discussions on climate change at the G20 summit," Merkel said, pointing to the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. "Our differences with the U.S. are clear," she said. The U.S. "America First" policy also conflicts with European countries' support for free trade. Despite the stark differences, European leaders expressed no intention to isolate U.S. President Donald Trump. French President Emmanuel Macron told the press that it did not make sense to isolate Trump, saying Europe shared "a lot" with Washington, including tackling terrorism. But he hoped the United States would "return to reason." Merkel also said she would seek to find "common solutions" with Washington. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 01:09:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOGADISHU, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Somali security forces on Thursday killed at least six Al-Shabaab militants and injured others in fierce fighting in Middle Shabelle of southern region. Somali National Army Commander, Abdulahi Ali Anod said the insurgents ambushed the SNA soldiers when they launched attack at their base in Ali-foldhere location near Mahaday town, sparking gunfight that led to the death of the militants. "Al-Shabaab militants attacked SNA base in Ali-Foldhere location then fighting broke out but we killed six Al-Shabaab fighters who fled with the dead bodies and injured several others," Anod said. The commander said that they lost one SNA soldier during the fighting this morning, saying the operation will continue. The military development comes as Somali National Army began operation against the militants in Middle Shabelle region this week. There was no comment from the Al-Qaida allied militant group which has increased assault against Somalia government and Africa Union mission bases in the Horn of Africa nation. Endite Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 01:24:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JUBA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency, (UNHCR) with the Commission for Refugee Affairs (CRA) said Thursday it organized a two-day meeting aimed at sensitizing South Sudan government officials on human rights and refugee protection. A statement from the UNHCR said the workshop brought together high level government officials who constructively exchanged ideas and views which can hopefully address relevant issues especially at the refugee camp level. Maria Corinna Miguel-Quicho, UNHCR Assistant Representative for Protection in South Sudan said protection of refugees is primarily the responsibility of states. "UNHCR has supported and cooperated closely with states as partners in carrying out refugee protection. South Sudan is always responsive in carrying out its obligations on refugee protection," Miguel-Quicho said in a statement issued in Juba. She said the meeting brought together 45 participants included representatives of the local governments, County Commissioners, law enforcement authorities from the police and immigration, national security services, judiciary, the Human Rights Commission, CRA and UNHCR field offices. It aimed at strengthening their knowledge and awareness further on the fundamentals of refugee protection, documentation issued to asylum-seekers/refugees, detention, court practices in South Sudan and others which impact the lives of refugees who are temporarily present in the country. UNHCR has applauded the Open Door policy of the Government of South Sudan for refugees. Being at the helm of protecting refugees in the country, national authorities need to be effective in their responses to concerns that arise. "It is hoped that the workshop have further equipped the participants in developing action plans that are in line with relevant international norms and standards, in particular, for ensuring the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps as well humanitarian settlements, and enhancing the rule of law in the latter," said the UN. The UNHCR expressed hope that the learning, sharing, and networking that took place during the workshop will contribute to enhancing protection of asylum-seekers and refugees residing in camp and urban locations in South Sudan. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 01:24:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday that thousands of children have been trapped in areas still held by the Islamic State (IS) militants in the old city of Mosul. "Children are facing multiple threats to their lives. Those stranded in the fighting are hiding in their basements, fearful of the next onslaught. Those who try to flee, risk being shot or wounded. Hundreds of civilians have already been reported killed and used as human shields," Peter Hawkins, UNICEF's representative in Iraq, said in a statement. "Boys and girls who have managed to escape show signs of moderate malnutrition and carry psychosocial scars of the conflict, as a consequence of what they have been through," Hawkins added. The UNICEF reiterated its call on all parties of the conflict in Mosul to protect the children from the ongoing violence. "Children must be kept out of harm's way no matter the circumstances," the representative said. The Iraqi forces have been fighting inside the old city, but the troops are making slow progress due to the stiff resistance of IS militants and a large number of roadside bombs and booby-trapped buildings, in addition to IS snipers taking positions in the buildings and narrow alleys of heavily-populated neighborhoods. According to recent UN reports, some 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the IS-held areas in the old city center and the adjacent al-Shifaa neighborhood. Mosul, 400 km north of Iraq's capital Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. File photo shows economist Justin Lin Yifu speaks at the session "Dialogue of Asian Civilizations" during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2016 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) KIGALI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Africa is hopeful to achieve quick development like East Asia did after the World War II, said Justin Lin, professor at Peking University in China on Thursday. "Since independence around 1960s, African countries started pursuing modernization, but have been unsuccessful," said Lin, Director of Center for New Structural Economics at Peking University, during an interview with Xinhua in Rwandan capital city Kigali. If African countries could, through China-Africa cooperation including 'Belt and Road,' get assistance from China to improve infrastructure, and at the same time receive labor-intensive industries from China, African countries could hopefully achieve quick development like East Asia made after the World War II, said Lin, who is also a former chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank. This could "change Africa's destiny," he said on the sidelines of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) events. According to the professor, achievements of China-Africa cooperation are emerging, like Africa's first transnational electrified railway connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti and Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway in Kenya. China is also providing assistance to Africa in the areas of road and electricity. Those help poverty eradication in Africa and remove development bottleneck of Africa. "There are also many successful cases of China-Africa industrial cooperation," said Lin, citing a Chinese shoe making company in Ethiopia as an example. The success of the company named Huajian proved that Ethiopia is feasible to develop modern manufacturing industry and export products to international markets. He also mentioned that Ethiopia and Rwanda are very hopeful to become examples of success for Africa countries, as both countries have stable society, strong development will from the government, and have good momentum of economic development. During Wednesday's plenary session of Afreximbank events, Lin called on African countries to capture the opportunity of industrialization from the pending relocation of light manufacturing due to rising wages in China and other emerging market economies. A series of events hosted by Afreximbank for its annual general meeting kicked off Wednesday in Kigali. The four-day events hoped to act as a catalyst to boost the African trade agenda with more than 100 speakers, academics, and African and global trade experts participating. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 01:39:47|Editor: An Video Player Close Chinese ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde receives an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Berlin, capital of Germany, on June 29, 2017. China hoped that the G20 Hamburg summit can build on the results of G20 Hangzhou summit last year, and make greater achievements in consensus on openness and cooperation among member states, Chinese ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde said Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Qing) BERLIN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China hoped that the G20 Hamburg summit can build on the results of G20 Hangzhou summit last year, and make greater achievements in consensus on openness and cooperation among member states, Chinese ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde said Thursday. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Shi said China hopes that the G20 Hamburg summit will deliver positive signs to the world, including the openness of the world economy rather than protectionism in any forms, pushing forward growth through innovative pattern and structural reform instead of only using fiscal and monetary tools. The Hamburg summit should also achieve the strengthened cooperation among G20 member states and achieve a win-win deal. The G20 member states should hold the concept of inclusiveness, in a bid to support the development in developing countries and address the gaps between the rich and the poor among different groups in a country and among different countries, according to Shi. Leaders of G20 member states will meet in Hamburg on July 7-8, with major issues to be focused ranging from global economic growth, trade, the spread of digital technology to climate policy, migration issues, health, Africa and others. China holds the previous G20 presidency while Germany is the host country this year and the two countries are all-round strategic partners. Shi added that facing new world situations, China will spare no efforts to support G20 Hamburg summit to achieve success, and strengthen China-Germany cooperation under the G20 framework. China held the G20 summit last year in its eastern city of Hangzhou, with a theme of "Toward an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world economy." Shi said China and Germany can cooperate closely to maintain the consistency of G20 summits, and take consideration of the new world situation in a bid to achieve new consensus and fruits in the Hamburg summit. Shi added that China and Germany should strengthen coordination and consultion under the G20 framework, in a bid to address short-term risks and challenges that the world is facing, and address the deep-seated structural problems in world financial system, as well as explore new growth momentum for world economy. As G20 framework is a key platform for global economic governance, China is also willing to work closely with Germany to make joint contributions to it, according to Shi. A girl fetches water at an Internal Displaced Person (IDP) camp in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, on March 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) MOGADISHU, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Over 20,000 Somali children across nine districts risk starving to death in a few months unless the international community continues to provide life-saving aid to the drought-stricken country, a global charity warned on Thursday. A new survey released by Save the Children and conducted in partnership with Concern Worldwide and Action Against Hunger, shows the number of severe acute malnutrition cases have risen in nearly half of the nine districts assessed. "The lack of food and rising numbers of severely malnourished children are distressing, to say the least," Save the Children's Country Director in Somalia, Hassan Noor Saadi said. Saadi said the most recent rains have been erratic and have not performed well enough to guarantee crop growth, and families continue to lose what little remains of their livelihoods and livestock, leaving them with few options to provide for their children, indicating a clear risk of famine. According to UN, an estimated number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Somalia has increased to 6.7 million - more than half the population of the country. The UN says the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate further despite rains which are below average in all areas as the ongoing drought also increases risk of famine-induced displacement in the region. Save the Children said an estimated 1.5 billion U.S. dollars is needed to help aid agencies working on the ground save lives, of which only 550 million dollars has been funded to date. The charity called on the international community to continue funding the drought response in Somalia. "The first half of the year saw significant levels of support from donors, which allowed us to help nearly 1 million vulnerable children. But these funds will soon run out, leaving millions at risk unless additional funding is made available," Saadi said. The charity said a series of indicators tied to malnutrition, food supplies and mortality rates must be met for a famine to be declared. The survey results show the nutrition indicator is pointing to famine-like conditions in some areas of the country. Drought-related diseases like cholera have also been persistently high across the country, causing thousands of deaths and leaving already weakened children even more vulnerable. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 01:55:04|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with world business leaders during the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2017, also called Summer Davos, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) DALIAN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- On June 27, 2017, following his address at the Opening Ceremony of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2017, Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang answered questions from Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab at Dalian International Conference Center. On June 28, Premier Li sat down for a dialogue with representatives of international business leaders attending the Annual Meeting. Below is the full text of these interactions: Professor Schwab: In your speech, you talked about the dynamic development of the Chinese economy as well as relevant policies. I'm sure these policies can help sustain such dynamism. It is a remarkable achievement for China, the second biggest economy in the world, to grow at nearly 7%. Could you please share with us in greater detail what measures the government will take to keep such positive momentum going in the future? Premier Li: China used to grow at double-digit rates, but now the growth has moderated to a medium-high level of 6.9% in the first quarter of this year. Some characterize this trend as a slowdown, but that wouldn't be very accurate, as the Chinese economy has become much bigger than before. Every one percentage point of growth inGDPnow would generate the same amount of additional output as 1.5 percentage point growth five years ago or 2 percent growth ten years ago. I often use the analogy of somersaults to describe such a situation: It is much easier for a child to do a dozen somersaults at one go than for an adult, for whom just three or four would be quite an accomplishment. For major economies with GDPs of two trillion US dollars or above, a 3% growth would be no mean feat. I hope you can view the Chinese economy in an objective way. It will keep growing at medium-high speed, as we have 1.3 billion people, huge market potential and social creativity. To sustain the positive momentum requires a host of measures. We will keep on working in the following three areas for a considerable time to come. First, we will maintain stability in macroeconomic policies. This means we will continue to implement a proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy. We will not resort to massive stimulus measures. Instead, we will continue to undertake structural adjustments and provide the market with stable and clear expectations, which is of overriding importance in a market economy. Second, we will advance reform and opening-up. In undertaking supply-side structural reforms, the government will continue to streamline administration, delegate its power, widen market access and enhance compliance oversight to create a level playing field. We will ease corporate burdens by reducing taxes and administrative fees to unleash the vitality of the market. Third, we will accelerate efforts to replace traditional drivers of growth with new ones. We will adopt market- and rules-based approach to tackle and phase out excess and backward capacity in steel, coal and other sectors. Meanwhile, we will work hard to grow new drivers and encourage the development of new technologies, new business forms and models. In this process, the government will exercise accommodating and prudent supervision to provide an enabling environment for the healthy growth of the new economy. Furthermore, Chinese and foreign-invested companies will be treated as equals. Professor Schwab: Looking around the world, the Chinese government has been most effective in embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution. I want to congratulate you and the Chinese government on that. That said, the Fourth Industrial Revolution also has its disruptive effect, including on employment and income distribution. You did talk about this in your opening speech. What steps is the Chinese government taking to reduce such adverse impact? Premier Li: Thank you, Professor Schwab, for your positive comments on the steps taken by the Chinese government in the Fourth Industrial Revolution or the new industrial revolution, but I would hesitate to say that we are most effective in this aspect. As a Chinese proverb goes, "when the moon reaches its fullest, it begins to wane". We are in constant pursuit of perfection out of a recognition of our own imperfections. I believe the new round of industrial revolution brings more opportunities than challenges, but it is not always the case in all fields and sectors. After all, everything has its pros and cons. Take employment for example, will the extensive application of artificial intelligence and robots deprive people of their jobs? This is indeed a question, and it is already happening in some industries and sectors. Yet, through the Internet Plus initiative and mass entrepreneurship and innovation, new technologies and new business forms empowered by the new round of industrial revolution, such as online shopping, express delivery and bike-sharing, have generated far more jobs than those taken by robots. In this sense, what we are experiencing is only a structural shift, which calls for adjusting the training in labor skills. We will meet such challenge head on, because it is simply inescapable. More importantly, the development of new technologies, business forms and models makes it possible to accommodate and harness people's individual choices to generate greater market potential and put everyone's talent to best use. By pooling the wisdom of all people, we will be able to create far more wealth and jobs than what have been lost. This is a race against time. Professor Schwab just said that in the future, it's not going to be the big fish eating the small fish, but the fast fish eating the slow fish. I want to add to that metaphor. The fast fish will certainly do better than the slow fish, but I do hope that the slow fish will move faster and catch up with the fast fish, and the fast fish will also turn around to help the slow fish. Feike Sijbesma, Chairman and CEO of the Royal DSM Group: Premier Li, over the last several years, key tasks have been performed on the supply-side reform. My question is: Could you elaborate a little bit on the progress in these areas and the contribution the international business community can bring to reform in the next stage? Premier Li: China has focused on supply-side structural reform in comprehensively deepening reform in recent years. One of its key tasks is to phase out and cut overcapacity in coal and steel production. Last year alone, more than 65 million tons of steel-making capacity and over 290 million tons of coal-production capacity were eliminated. At the same time, we are nurturing new drivers of growth and reducing the burden on companies by widening market access and cutting taxes and administrative fees. A multitude of new market entities has since sprung up in China. Over the past four years, the number of Chinese enterprises has doubled, reaching 27 million, and the number of market entities in total has surpassed 90 million. They have spawned a surge in new technologies and new business forms. China's reform, especially supply-side structural reform, has boosted the structural transformation and upgrading of the Chinese economy. We all know that excess capacity exists in some sectors globally. This is the result of the quantitative easing policies taken by some countries in response to the financial crisis. Nothing short of a global solution is required. In the face of this issue, China has not shied away from its responsibilities. Instead, we have made painstaking efforts to phase out excess capacity through supply-side structural reform, which is also our contribution to the international community. Over the past three decades, reform in China has always moved forward side by side with opening-up in a mutually reinforcing way. To advance reform, we need the participation of foreign capital, businesses and expertise. Foreign companies are welcome to take part in the merger and reorganization of enterprises in China. While fostering new growth drivers, we will lower market access thresholds in service sectors for foreign investors and introduce a negative-list management model. The policy support enjoyed by Chinese companies in keeping withWTOrules will be equally applied to foreign enterprises registered in China. We welcome continued investment from your company in China. Alex Molinaroli, Chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls: The Made-in-China 2025 strategy has greatly promoted China's manufacturing and innovation capabilities. You have already addressed one of my questions about foreign investment and a level playing field for foreign companies within China when answering the last question. Then what challenges and obstacles are there in the implementation of this strategy and what does the Chinese government plan to do in response? Premier Li: The Made-in-China 2025 is a forward-looking strategy developed on the basis of the current industrialization level in China. It is designed to raise the quality of Chinese products and equipment. While made-in-China products have acquired a sound global reputation, those products are still at the low and medium level in terms of quality. Similarly, China's equipment is yet to reach a high level, and we still need to import foreign equipment. The Made-in-China 2025 strategy aims to boost the quality of Chinese equipment with the application of intelligent technologies through cooperation with foreign partners. First, the Made-in-China 2025 strategy will bring huge opportunities for both Chinese and foreign businesses. To enhance the quality of their products, Chinese companies need to introduce advanced techniques and equipment. This can be achieved through cooperation with developed countries. For example, we are synergizing this strategy withGermany's Industry 4.0, and cooperating with theUnited States. In the future, more foreign equipment-manufacturing products and technologies will enter the Chinese market. Second, we expect to see more cooperation between Chinese and foreign companies in equipment technologies. For foreign equipment makers to expand their presence in the Chinese market, they need to localize their products. For example, the US company General Motors has been able to take a big share of the Chinese market through setting up joint ventures with Chinese companies and remodeling its vehicles according to road and climatic conditions in China. This has secured a growing market for the company in China. I want to stress that such cooperation is voluntary and helps companies expand in the Chinese market and even in third countries. The Chinese government does not allow Chinese companies to impose mandatory technology transfer requirements on their foreign partners, still less will we tolerate infringements on intellectual property rights. Third, in areas of the Made-in-China 2025 strategy, such as green development, where both the Paris Agreement andWTOencourage governments to provide policy support, foreign-invested companies registered in China will enjoy the same policy incentives offered by the Chinese government as their Chinese counterparts. Now, let me address a misunderstanding about the Made-in-China 2025 strategy. To those people who seem to believe that the purpose of the relevant policies is to shut the door on imports of foreign equipment, let me say this: First, door-shutting is impossible. We live in a globalized world, where companies make their own choices about the equipment they want to purchase, and they should be given the right to do so in the open market. Second, it is natural for any country to want to make equipment of a higher quality. It is only that in a globalized world, this cannot be done with one's doors closed. Third, given the size of the Chinese market, when China climbs up the quality ladder, this will also boost global demand for manufactured products and equipment. Mark Benioff, Chairman and CEO of Salesforce: It's great to be here in the conference. Your speech yesterday was excellent and was very meaningful to me personally. As you know, there have been a lot of transitions and changes in the US since I was here last just a year ago. I was very interested in hearing your comments about these changes if possible. Now, the Chinese government has placed great importance, you spoke about it last year as well, on the development of new companies and entrepreneurs, and on mass innovation and entrepreneurship, which you also articulated many times. So what challenges do you see based on what is happening in the world today facing this effort? Tell me also how can we both from the US and also the international business community participate more meaningfully in your efforts, including your Belt and Road initiative. Premier Li: China and the US are the world's largest developing country and largest developed country respectively. Steady growth of China-US relations and expansion of our economic and commercial relations will bring tremendous benefits to people of the two countries and also to world peace, development and cooperation. No matter how the situation in our respective countries may evolve, we are sure about one thing, that is, China-US relations have always kept moving ahead despite ups and downs in the past several decades. Our two-way trade has seen strong growth, in particular, from just about one billion US dollars before we established diplomatic ties to over 500 billion US dollars last year. It would be fair to say that China and the US now have forged a community of inseparable interests. The Chinese government's initiative of mass entrepreneurship and innovation is first and foremost about employment. The government faces quite a big pressure in terms of employment, as we need to generate as many as 15 million new urban jobs each year to accommodate new entrants into the labor force. As big companies enhance efficiency and introduce more robots and manipulators, it is only natural that the total number of jobs they can offer has been somewhat declining. With government efforts to widen market access, as many as 15,000 small and micro businesses are getting registered on an average day in China, and they have been a large source of new jobs. Now in China, small and micro businesses provide 80% of all jobs. They are the backbone of inclusive growth. Second, this initiative is intended to meet the needs for innovation. The new industrial revolution has brought about a major shift in the marketplace, which is the exponential growth in individualistic customer demands. Meeting these demands requires flexible business models and innovation in management and organizational structures. The SMEs have an edge in adaptability. As a Chinese idiom goes, it is easy for a small boat to shift direction. Third, the initiative of mass entrepreneurship and innovation is a response to the trend of integrated development among large, medium and small companies. Not just small companies make innovations to accommodate special needs, many big companies have also been engaged in customized production, which requires adjustments in their organizational structures. I visited a local equipment manufacturer in Dalian, which has opened a lot of maker spaces on its production lines. The maker teams are able to remodel products according to customer needs. Although this company produces large equipment, 85% of its products are made to order. Not just this company, many large companies are doing the same. Naturally, we also need to overcome some difficulties in the process of promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation. First, the government needs to shed its vested interests, lower the threshold for market access, and spend more energy on compliance oversight. The playing field ought to be level, and we can never allow sales of shoddy or counterfeited products, fraud and violations of intellectual property rights. Second, the financial sector has come under strain. It may be a global challenge for SMEs to get loans as all banks seem to favor big companies. China is no exception. This is why we are encouraging financial inclusion in China by providing incentives to financial institutions to lend to SMEs. Third, as SMEs make innovation and pursue integrated development with large and medium-sized companies, how to incentivize inventors and innovators to make further innovations by protecting intellectual property rights has become a challenge. Now applications for patents and inventions from SMEs account for 70% of the total. But this does involve some disputes. For those big companies that have makers and small businesses at maker spaces on their production lines, the challenge is how to share the profits between them and their smaller partners to promote common development. I cited the example of the company I visited in Dalian, whose owner is a visionary man. He told me that he has been able to involve a lot of makers on his production lines to improve products, and the value generated through such cooperation were divided at a ratio of 30% to 70%. I asked him who took 30% and who took 70%. He said 70% of the profits went to makers and he took the smaller share. I praised him for his courageous generosity. He replied that had it not been for those makers, he would not be able to get even 10% of newly generated revenue. The story of the company shows that it is necessary to protect intellectual property rights and at the same time incentivize innovations. This requires further efforts on our part to explore an effective approach. Although the makers make use of the equipment of the company for their innovations, the owner of the company recognizes the superior value of the makers' ideas. That said, it won't be easy for everyone to recognize this. Patrice Motsepe, Founder and CEO of African Rainbow Minerals: I am a businessman from South Africa. I was the first Chairman of the BRICS Business Council. I saw how the BRICS countries, but Africa in particular, benefited immensely from the growth of the Chinese economy as well as from trade with China. I have no doubt that the rest of the world has benefited immensely from trading with China. My question is: The WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force earlier this year. China has been an active supporter in this area. What will be the major challenges in enforcing the agreement? And what further steps will China adopt to advance global trade facilitation? Premier Li: You raised a very important question, particularly in the context of the growing backlash against globalization. There have been as many as 3,000 protectionist measures adopted by various countries in the past ten years since the outbreak of the international financial crisis. The entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, which was adopted by theWTOin 2013, would be beneficial for global economic recovery and for guiding market expectations. The TFA is the first multilateral agreement on trade in goods China acceded to after joining the WTO. The Chinese State Council completed domestic procedures for its ratification in less than two years. As things stand, some one third of the WTO members are yet to go through ratification procedures. We hope all parties will work together for the TFA to be fully implemented this year. According to estimates by experts, the TFA, once implemented, will add at least one trillion US dollars to global trade. That would undoubtedly be good news for a steady global recovery. While observing the TFA, China will advance trade facilitation as much as possible in line with its national conditions. First, we will consolidate the mandate of various agencies to streamline customs clearance procedures for businesses by establishing "single window" service centers. Second, we will make customs clearance faster. We intend to shorten the time needed for customs clearance by another one third this year, and will aim to meet the most advanced international standards regarding customs clearance procedures and speed in the not so distant future. Third, we will enhance cooperation with other countries, particularly in mutual recognition of inspection between regulatory authorities, to avoid repetitive procedures and lower costs for businesses. These are the technical measures we will take. What is most important, I believe, is that we must recognize the valuable role of free trade in boosting global economic recovery. Trade liberalization and investment facilitation is the hallmark of free trade. When everyone acts to promote free trade with an open-minded approach, this will provide consumers with more choices and compel domestic companies to innovate and upgrade. In the meantime, we should take account of the varying national conditions of different countries, and adopt measures to cushion the impact on certain sectors through consultation among countries on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. But overall we need to keep to the right direction. Professor Schwab: Mr. Premier, I want to take this opportunity to ask you a question about the development of the Internet and digitization. The Internet Plus policy is a very important national strategy. But if we look at digitization, we can no longer make differentiation between digital industries and old-fashioned industries. Today, every industry is digitized. Could you share with us what your experiences and challenges are in this aspect? Particularly, how the international business community could be more meaningfully engaged into China's efforts of overall digitization of its economy? Premier Li: The introduction of the Internet has given rise to a mushrooming of new forms of business. And big data application has become a trend. We must adapt to this trend in order to seize as many opportunities as possible. Traditional industries did come under challenges. I once cited the example of physical stores going through the painful experience of confronting or even conflicting with online shops. Now many physical stores have also opened their own online stores, which has made them more competitive. As we can see, notwithstanding the numerous challenges, we have more ways and means to overcome them. The Internet Plus strategy the Chinese government has been advancing is inherently open to the world. We have in China a large number of cloud platforms that are attractive to foreign businesses or individuals. Foreign companies are getting registered on such platforms in large numbers. In sectors of basic telecommunications and value-added services in China, many business areas are now open to foreign investors, which represents the highest level of openness so far among all developing countries. This means tremendous opportunities for foreign firms. Furthermore, China has over 900 million mobile broadband users and over 730 million Internet users. We are also actively advancing cross-border e-commerce. Foreign companies can sell their products and services on the e-commerce platforms. Nothing is impossible as long as you act on your ideas. In this process, the Chinese government will exercise prudent yet accommodating regulation to make sure that foreign companies can grow together with Chinese companies and join in our efforts to boost the Chinese economy and deliver greater convenience to the Chinese people. For the online economy to attract more consumers, security is the precondition. We must work together to crack down on fraud, sales of fake and shoddy products online, and theft of trade secrets. To conclude, let me emphasize one point. Just now a few business leaders have asked questions and introduced their businesses. I hope all the delegates here and the media will pay attention not just to the questions they asked and the answers I gave, but also to what their businesses have achieved in the Chinese market and their support for China's modernization. Thank you. Professor Schwab: We should be very grateful to the Premier for being here at this dialogue and for having shared with us his insights and many specific policies and measures, particularly some vivid examples. We also want to express our appreciation to the participation of such a prominent government delegation which has accompanied you, Mr. Premier. And we wish the Chinese government all the best in the implementation of those strategies. And you can be assured that you have the goodwill of all those here, and you have the strong commitment of the World Economic Forum to contribute to the success of the development of China. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 02:10:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TEHRAN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged the Venezuelan government and the opposition to settle their conflicts through dialogue. The conflict gripping Venezuela could be best resolved through dialogue without any foreign interference, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said. "Avoiding violence and turning to dialogue in a calm atmosphere without foreign interference is the best way to resolve rifts and serve the interests of all Venezuelan people," Qasemi was quoted as saying by Press TV. He pointed to the amicable relations between the Iran and Venezuela and condemned recent attacks on the country's Supreme Court and the Interior Ministry. "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that such illegal and violent acts against legal and legitimate bodies and structures not only complicate the situation in the country but toughens the process to reach an agreement through dialogue and negotiation," Qasemi noted. Since April, a wave of increasingly violent demonstrations in Venezuela has claimed the lives of at least 76 people, according to official figures. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 02:25:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LISBON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A bill on the creation of an independent commission of experts to investigate the cause of the devastating forest fires in central Portugal earlier this month has been submitted to parliament and are waiting for approval on Friday, according to Portuguese Lusa News Agency on Thursday. The independent technical commission will consist of 12 exports, six of them are to be appointed by speaker of parliament, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, after consulting parliamentary parties, and the remaining by the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities (CRUP). Some of the members are likely to be foreigners. If the bill is approved in parliament, the commission will sit for no more than three months. Luis Montenegro, the parliamentary leader of the largest opposition Social Democratic Party, said he was pleased with the consensus reached. The investigation will focus on the cause of the devastating fires, which erupted on June 17 in Pedrogao Grande, some 150 km northeast of Lisbon, claiming at least 64 lives and injuring more than 250 others. The commission will submit a report to the parliament when their work is completed. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 02:30:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LONDON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May won approval Thursday for the government program outlined last week by Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen's Speech to Parliament. The narrow result -- 323 votes to 309 -- showed that support from the Democratic Union Party of Northern Ireland (DUP) had been crucial in the voting. It was the first major test for May since this month's snap general election when she lost her overall majority. The Conservatives have 318 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons, eight short of what is needed for a guaranteed majority. To prop up her minority government, May struck a deal with the DUP and its 10 MPs at Westminster, but at a price. She had to agreed to a funding package worth a billion pounds for projects in Northern Ireland. Earlier in a day, the main opposition Labour party made a number of attempts to test May's power in the House of Commons, adding to a day of high tension at Westminster. They put forward two amendments, but lost -- one of them by just 26 votes. May's government had faced potential defeat in one amendment put forward by Labour MP Stella Creasy over access to abortions for women from Northern Ireland. Although abortions are available on the British mainland, rules in Northern Ireland make it more difficult for women to have pregnancies terminated. Creasy wanted MPs to vote on giving women from across the Irish Sea the right to abortions on the British mainland, funded by the National Health Service (NHS). Currently, women have to pay around 1,200 U.S. dollars for an abortion this way. A number of May's MPs said they aimed to back Creasy's bid, threatening a defeat for the Conservatives. Before the vote was taken, the Conservatives agreed to NHS funding for abortions for Northern Ireland women, averting what would have been a defeat for May. Creasy withdrew the amendment, averting a damaging vote for May's government. Another amendment to the Queen's Speech debate, by Labour MP Chuka Umunna, called for continued single market and customs union membership of the European Union after Brexit, but it was defeated by a vote of 322 votes to 101. Later, it was revealed that a number of front bench opposition shadow ministers had backed Umunna, leading political commentators at Westminster to predict that around six people would be be fired by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. May finished the day breathing a sigh of relief that after six days of debate, the program outlined in the Queen's Speech had survived without being amended. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 03:30:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TIRANA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Petrit Vasili, chairman of the Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) of Albania Thursday announced his resignation from the post. After holding a meeting with the SMI leadership, Vasili has a press conference in which he explained the reasons for the decision. "My resignation is being given for organizational purposes, in order for SMI to be more active in opposition," Vasili said at a media briefing. Vasili was appointed as chairman of SMI following the election of SMI's leader Ilir Meta as the country's president. The leadership of the party goes to vice chairman Monika Kryemadhi. Vasili proposed Kryemadhi to be the head of SMI, describing her as a dynamic politician. If she is elected, Kryemadhi would be the first woman in Albania to lead a political party. SMI is expected to hold elections for new leader on July 4. Enditem Combo photo shows that U.S. President Donald Trump (L) listens during joint statements in Washington D.C., the United States, June 26, 2017 and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) addresses a news conference in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Feb. 28, 2017. (Xinhua Photo) WASHINGTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, the White House said Thursday. U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster made the announcement at a White House briefing, adding that "there is no specific agenda. It's really going to be whatever the president wants to talk about." The first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders will come amid tensions between the U.S. and Russia as the two countries hold differences on a slew of issues, including the Syrian conflict, the Ukrainian crisis and the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In April, Trump said the U.S. was "not getting along with Russia at all" and the relations between the two countries "may be at an all-time low." Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Washington in mid-May, Trump expressed his desire to build a better relationship between the two countries. Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the U.S. is working to stabilize its relationship with Russia, which is "at an all-time low." "Our relationship is at an all-time low, and it's been deteriorating further. Our objective is to stabilize that," Tillerson told lawmakers at a Senate hearing. Zaur Dadayev, charged with involvement in the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, speaks inside a defendants' cage in Moscow, Russia, March 8, 2015. (Reuters File Photo) MOSCOW, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A jury at a Moscow court found all five defendants guilty of the murder of Kremlin opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, local media reported Thursday. Nemtsov was shot dead on a bridge outside the Kremlin at about midnight on Feb. 27, 2015, when he was strolling with Ukrainian model Anna Duritskaya. Nemtsov, who once served as Russia's deputy prime minister, was a pro-Kiev political figure and an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The jury agreed that Nemtsov was killed by Zaur Dadayev. Two of Dadayev's accomplices were directly involved in organizing the crime. One of the accomplices was killed during a police attempt to arrest him. The other three other defendants were found guilty of organizing the crime and helping the killers escape police. The jury said in a ruling that the suspects were promised more than 15 million rubles (around 250,000 U.S. dollars), but did not name who ordered the murder. The 12-person jury will meet next Tuesday to discuss sentences of the suspects, who may face life imprisonment. The defendants have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court of Russia. According to previous investigations, the possible mastermind behind the crime is Ruslan Mukhudinov, a former officer of the interior ministry of the Russian republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus. Mukhudinov was charged in absentia by a Moscow court, and he has been on an international wanted list since November 2015. Shortly after the murder, the Kremlin said the well-planned crime was aimed at defaming Putin at the height of the Ukrainian crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 05:12:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Stephen O'Brien, on Thursday warned that 13.5 million people in the Middle East country are caught in a protection crisis that threatens their lives on a daily basis. Briefing the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, O'Brien, also the UN emergency relief coordinator, said that it affects so many because we have seen time and again a complete disregard for the rules of war, subjecting civilians to the horrifying reality of bombs raining down on schools, hospitals and residential areas every day. Meanwhile, O'Brien also discussed UN efforts to gain access to hard-to-reach areas in Syria but added that, despite our best efforts, we continue to have supplies consistently removed from our trucks before we can even deploy. Nearly 200,000 treatments have been forcibly removed this year alone. He told the Council that humanitarian workers must be able to deliver based on need. "Now is the time. Any delay will mean further death. The clock is ticking," he said. The Syrian conflict, now into its seventh year, has taken a terrible toll on the country's population: hundreds of thousands have been killed, about 6.3 million displaced within the country, and some 5.1 million forced to flee as refugees outside its borders. The situation is particularly dire in Raqqa, where an offensive was launched to take the city from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh), and in the last days fully encircled it. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least 173 people have been reportedly killed in air and ground strikes. Although about 25,000 have reportedly fled the city since the latest phase of operations, as many as 100,000 civilians could still be trapped there, said O'Brien. On relief operations in Syria, O'Brien said that the work of humanitarians remains extremely difficult and bureaucratic restrictions on top of attacks and removal of relief supplies has made their operating space incredibly complex and complicated. Bureaucratic restrictions, he said, delay convoys and often force them to abort their missions or turn around, leaving relief workers vulnerable to attacks. In one such incident, a driver of a truck was hit by sniper fire from unknown gunmen after his convoy had to turn back to avoid travelling at night. The convoy had been stopped for several hours at a Government checkpoint. A bullet also grazed a second driver. The injured driver survived and is in stable condition, he said. "I condemn such acts in the strongest terms, and call for accountability for those responsible," he said. "Those who deliberately direct attacks against humanitarian workers are committing war crimes." Turning to the besieged locations across the war-torn country, the UN relief chief informed the 15-nation Security Council that the town of Madaya (in rural Damascus) and the Al-Wa'er district in Homs are being removed from the "besieged" list following improvement in access, reducing the number of besieged places to 11. However, over half a million people still remain at these locations, "trapped and desperate for assistance," the senior UN official said. Collectively, about 4.5 million Syrians are estimated to remain in the besieged and hard-to-reach areas across the country. Meanwhile, he also updated the Security Council of recent deployments of trucks from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) from Aleppo, through Menbij and to Qamishly in Hassakeh governorate, allowing delivery of aid at scale to north-east Syria, where people had been short of supplies since the closure of a cross-border access point with Turkey in December 2015. "This is particularly important with growing needs in the north-east Syria due to anti-ISIL operations in the area," he said. This route is also much cheaper than relief air drops from Damascus, resulting in savings that are equivalent to providing food aid for 100,000 people for one year. O'Brien said that he looked forward to next week's meeting in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on de-escalation and hopes that it would bring a sustained reduction of fighting, and along with that improved and unhindered humanitarian access. "I repeat my call for this Council to act now to protect civilians," he said while also calling on the parties to the conflict and those with influence over them to prioritize protection of civilians. "These are legal obligations under the laws of war, and they cannot be bent, broken or avoided." File photo shows that people gather at the al-Zahra'a neighborhood in Syria's central city of Homs following a blast on May 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Stephen O'Brien, on Thursday warned that 13.5 million people in the Middle East country are caught in a protection crisis that threatens their lives on a daily basis. Briefing the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, O'Brien, also the UN emergency relief coordinator, said that it affects so many because we have seen time and again a complete disregard for the rules of war, subjecting civilians to the horrifying reality of bombs raining down on schools, hospitals and residential areas every day. Meanwhile, O'Brien also discussed UN efforts to gain access to hard-to-reach areas in Syria but added that, despite our best efforts, we continue to have supplies consistently removed from our trucks before we can even deploy. Nearly 200,000 treatments have been forcibly removed this year alone. He told the Council that humanitarian workers must be able to deliver based on need. "Now is the time. Any delay will mean further death. The clock is ticking," he said. The Syrian conflict, now into its seventh year, has taken a terrible toll on the country's population: hundreds of thousands have been killed, about 6.3 million displaced within the country, and some 5.1 million forced to flee as refugees outside its borders. The situation is particularly dire in Raqqa, where an offensive was launched to take the city from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh), and in the last days fully encircled it. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least 173 people have been reportedly killed in air and ground strikes. Although about 25,000 have reportedly fled the city since the latest phase of operations, as many as 100,000 civilians could still be trapped there, said O'Brien. On relief operations in Syria, O'Brien said that the work of humanitarians remains extremely difficult and bureaucratic restrictions on top of attacks and removal of relief supplies has made their operating space incredibly complex and complicated. Bureaucratic restrictions, he said, delay convoys and often force them to abort their missions or turn around, leaving relief workers vulnerable to attacks. In one such incident, a driver of a truck was hit by sniper fire from unknown gunmen after his convoy had to turn back to avoid travelling at night. The convoy had been stopped for several hours at a Government checkpoint. A bullet also grazed a second driver. The injured driver survived and is in stable condition, he said. "I condemn such acts in the strongest terms, and call for accountability for those responsible," he said. "Those who deliberately direct attacks against humanitarian workers are committing war crimes." Turning to the besieged locations across the war-torn country, the UN relief chief informed the 15-nation Security Council that the town of Madaya (in rural Damascus) and the Al-Wa'er district in Homs are being removed from the "besieged" list following improvement in access, reducing the number of besieged places to 11. However, over half a million people still remain at these locations, "trapped and desperate for assistance," the senior UN official said. Collectively, about 4.5 million Syrians are estimated to remain in the besieged and hard-to-reach areas across the country. Meanwhile, he also updated the Security Council of recent deployments of trucks from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) from Aleppo, through Menbij and to Qamishly in Hassakeh governorate, allowing delivery of aid at scale to north-east Syria, where people had been short of supplies since the closure of a cross-border access point with Turkey in December 2015. "This is particularly important with growing needs in the north-east Syria due to anti-ISIL operations in the area," he said. This route is also much cheaper than relief air drops from Damascus, resulting in savings that are equivalent to providing food aid for 100,000 people for one year. O'Brien said that he looked forward to next week's meeting in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on de-escalation and hopes that it would bring a sustained reduction of fighting, and along with that improved and unhindered humanitarian access. "I repeat my call for this Council to act now to protect civilians," he said while also calling on the parties to the conflict and those with influence over them to prioritize protection of civilians. "These are legal obligations under the laws of war, and they cannot be bent, broken or avoided." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 05:47:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BERLIN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- German officials wanted to prevent Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan from speaking to his supporters at the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg next week, the news magazine Spiegel reported on Thursday. Questioned during a diplomatic visit to Russia, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) confirmed that he had "received an official request from Turkey for the Turkish president Erdogan... to address his fellow citizens". Gabriel promptly rejected the proposal which he called "not sensible at this moment in time." Aside from voicing the view that such speech "would not fit into the current political landscape", he doubted whether there would be "sufficient police forces to ensure security on the sidelines of the G20 summit". Gabriel further told his Turkish counterpart Mevluet Cavusoglu that Erdogan's plans were "not a good idea", and made a proposal to chancellor Merkel for a general ban on public appearances by Non-EU politicians in the three months running up to German national elections in September. Merkel's speaker Steffen Seibert informed Spiegel that Gabriel's views reflected the official stance of the government which had been agreed upon in advance. Erdogan's request brought up uncomfortable memories of a wider conflict between Turkey, Germany and other EU member states over campaign rallies held by Turkish politicians across the continent in spring. Hoping to win support amongst Turkish migrant communities for a controversial constitutional referendum in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Austria, Erdogan and members of his AKP party ran up against heavy opposition in several European capitals. While a German provincial high court ruled in 2016 that the German Federal Government could prevent such appearances, Merkel refused to impose a general ban on speeches by Turkish politicians ahead of the constitutional referendum. Instead she left the decision to municipalities. In March, AKP politician and Cavusoglu were forced to hold his speech from the balcony of the Turkish consulate after Hamburg authorities ruled out an appearance in an event's hall on the grounds of fire safety. The constitutional reform proposed by Erdogan was narrowly passed in the referendum on April 16. Relations between Ankara and Berlin have been under severe strain as German politicians have increasingly voiced concern over what they view as Erdogan's autocratic tendencies. German and European governments are also wary of Erdogan sowing discord between his supporters and opponents in migrant communities. The Turkish government is unhappy that Berlin has granted political asylum to Turkish soldiers whom it accuses of involvement in what it described as a failed military coup against President Erdogan. In a recent sign of mounting tensions between the two NATO members, Turkey barred German parliamentarians from visiting German troops based at the Turkish air-force base of Incirlik. The German government responded to the ban in June by confirming the re-location of the armed forces to new base in Jordan. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 05:52:19|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close TALLINN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe Thursday visited Estonia's Tapa military base for enhanced cooperation on the second day of his trip to the Baltic country. Around 300 French soldiers are based at Tapa as part of the 1,200-strong NATO battalion battle group in Estonia to serve for eight months. The French unit will be rotated by the Danish unit, according to the Estonian Ministry of Defense. On Wednesday, Philippe met with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas and President Kersti Kaljulaid to discuss the bilateral relations, the future of the European Union, the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the EU Council and security issues. "We highly appreciate the participation of France in the NATO battle group in Estonia. Their presence increases the sense of security and enhances the security of the Baltic states," Ratas said, highlighting the potential for cooperation in the cultural, digital and defense fields in particular for the two countries. Philippe sees especially great potential for developing economic relations with Estonia in a number of strategic fields, such as the digital economy, renewable energy, transport infrastructure and military procurements. For her part, Kaljulaid said Estonia and France share the views on the positive future of Europe, hailing France's contribution to the regional security and unity of NATO. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 06:07:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BUCHAREST, June 29 (Xinhua) -- One soldier was confirmed dead after a military truck with at least 13 soldiers fell into a chasm late Thursday in southern Romanian county of Arges. Two others are still imprisoned in the cab, according to Health Minister Florian Bodog. Local media cited rescue personnel saying that the two are very unlikely to survive. The truck overturned in a 40-meter deep chasm after rushing off the road near Dambovicioara, a hardly accessible mountain area some 160 kilometers northwest of the capital city of Bucharest. 10 soldiers were taken out of the truck and rushed to the nearby hospitals, Madalina Epure, spokeswoman of the local Emergency Situations Inspectorate in Arges, said earlier. The truck, the last one in a column of four military vehicles, is on its way back from a military exercise. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 06:22:42|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close HOUSTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Two police officers in southern U.S. city of Houston will not face charges for fatally shooting an armed black man after a Harris County grand jury on Thursday declined to indict the officers. "It is our duty to be transparent and ensure that grand jurors have the opportunity to make informed decisions on whether a crime has been committed," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in statement. She said the grand jury, which are comprised of Harris County citizens, reviews all police shootings. Alva Braziel, a 38-year-old black man, was shot dead by police on July 9 last year after waving a gun when he was approached by two officers, authorities said. After the decision was made on Thursday, Braziel's widow, Nikki Braziel, said she believed the shooting was unnecessary. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released body cam footage of the shooting last year after growing inaccuracies on social media. The videos helped clear the Houston police off the rumor that they shot an unarmed black man. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-30 06:42:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian forces arrested nearly 200 suspects and broke up an organized crime ring after launching a large-scale operation in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. According to official sources, during the operation, a total of 184 people, including 96 military police, 70 drug dealers and another 18 gang members, were under arrest. This was the largest operation in the history of Rio de Janeiro against corrupt policemen. Most of the corrupt police were from the 7th battalion of the Sao Goncalo district and received bribes from drug dealers to facilitate criminal acts. The statement said the corrupt police had received around 1 million reais (300,000 U.S. dollars) a month in order to avoid carrying out operations in over 40 neighborhoods and to provide protection for drug transports. Furthermore, any weapons seized in police raids were later resold to the gangs. ABC News(VISTA COUNTY, Calif.) -- The California woman who pleaded guilty after fatally mowing down a U.S. sailor with her car in an apparent road rage incident opened up about the anguish she now feels about what happened. It turned out terribly for everyone involved, Darla Jackson, 27, told ABC News 20/20 in an interview at Vista County Jail. I deeply regret what happened. She was charged with first-degree murder after a highway altercation with 39-year-old Navy Chief Petty Officer Zach Buob on his motorcycle on May 28, 2015, that ended in his death. Earlier this year, Jackson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to six years in prison. My daughter doesnt have her mother and wont for a very long time, she said through tears. Prosecutors said Jackson, who was driving a Nissan Altima, cut off Buob while traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near San Diego, and the two got into an argument. Jackson said he drove his red motorcycle aggressively, made hand gestures at her and kicked the side of her car, and that she chased him down, following him from I-5 onto state Route 54. Her attorney, Stephen Cline, said Buob's kick was hard enough to leave a dent and a shoe print. She couldnt believe that he had done it," Cline told 20/20, adding that Jackson decided to follow him to get the license plate number. But her decision to follow Buob ended badly. Another motorist captured a few seconds of her high-speed chase on video. What happens is, he slows down. The driver doesnt react fast enough to that to gauge how much hes slowing down, Cline said. So the nose of her car literally rolls up onto the back wheel of the motorcycle. Police said the car and motorcycle skidded together for about 315 feet before they became dislodged and Buob hit the ground. Jackson said she swerved to avoid hitting the bike but ended up running over him. He died at a hospital. On Thursday, Jackson said she knows she never should have gotten that close to his motorcycle and that the situation was avoidable. I let my pride get the best of me, Jackson said. I shouldnt have been speeding. I shouldnt have been negligent. Watch the full story on ABC News' 20/20 on Friday, June 30, at 10 p.m. ET. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Economic assessment to cost US$80k This was disclosed yesterday by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in Parliament as he responded to a question by Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee about the cost of the assessment. Imbert said the Ministry of Finance approached Fitch Ratings, which he says is the third of the three largest credit rating agencies, for a costing to conduct a private rating. He said the cost provided by the agency was within the normal range of charges for services of this nature. He said the decision to pursue this credit rating agency followed ratings by Standard and Poors (S&P) and Moodys. He said Moodys downgraded this country to Ba1from Baa3 and assigned a stable outlook up from the negative outlook in 2016. While S&P, who visited the country in April , lowered its long term sovereign credit ratings on TT and revised the countrys outlook to stable from negative in 2016. He said the countrys transfer convertibility assessment was also downgraded to A from AA- while the short term soverign rating was affirmed at A-2. Imbert said the Ministry was of the view that the downgrade by Moodys was unjustified given the countrys significant buffers. He said it was difficult to understand how this country could be deemed a moderate credit risk given particular characteristics. Firstly, net official reserves of US$9 billion or ten months import cover, a Heritage and Stabilisation Fund of US$5.64 billion, the equivalent of 25 per cent of GDP and deposits in sinking funds for the express purpose of repaying debt totalling $6.5 million. Given the ample buffers just highlighted the Government has the ability to repay the countrys external debt several times over. Given this discrepancy it was considered prudent for the Government to seek a third credit rating in an attempt to eliminate the discrepancy that currently exists, he said. Fitch Ratings is expected to visit the country for its first rating assignment in October this year. Commercial hub blossoms out of swampland Massive roadworks undertaken by the ministry of works over the past seven years have made it more accessible. Charran, who has acquaintances who have invested in the area, said this is one of the primary attractors for businesses to the area. Aft er Port-of-Spain, San Juan is the first commercial centre, he explained. When you look at the development of Port-of-Spain, it is difficult to develop Port-of-Spain further east. Barataria, El Socorro extension, fi rst of all, give easy access off the highway. When you are coming from the docks in Port-of- Spain in the morning, you are driving against the traffic. If you are coming from Point Lisas, it is also easy to get access to that area from the highway. This is why several large warehouses have called El Socorro home for the past several years, but it is not only larger concerns that thrive there. If you take a drive there now, youll see that there are restaurants, bars and smaller shops. For the entrepreneurial minded, if you wanted to open a roti shop or a breakfast shed in the morning, if you wanted to sell doubles, the hustle and bustle in the morning and the evening, could help you become an entrepreneur, said Charran, who credited the development with bringing greater employment to the community. But development has not come without its drawbacks. Referring to a historic pattern of growth of several town centres on the East West Corridor, where a central business district has expanded radially into the surrounding communiti es, Charran said a similar pattern in the Croisee has increased traffic to the area to the point where it affects mobility and the ability to obtain parking. The San Juan Business Associati on has been calling for certain changes to be made and we have presented a plan to the Ministry of Works, said Charran. These call for a few subtle changes with regard to traffic management. We think there are some minor fixes that could assist the area greatly. Business in the El Socorro community is oft en hampered by a lack of water too, he said. This, despite repeated entreaties to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). Charran said businesses have been relying on the truck borne water supply for an extended period of ti me and this has created hardships, particularly for companies with many workers. Meanwhile, other water issues, this ti me in the form of flooding plague El Socorro. Charran appealed to the regional corporation and the Works Ministry to complete the necessary drainage and engineering works A drain filled with water and garbage off Chotoo Road, El Socorro Extension. The area is plagued with flooding and drains need to be cleaned. that would solve this issue. The business association president additionally observed that the contracting economy was leading to a loss of sales for some members, while the unavailability of forex and increasing taxation posed challenges for others. Charran was also dissatisfied with the current state of labour/employee relations in the country and said his members were affected by what they see as a trend of anti -employer judgements in the court. Getting people to work in a productive manner continues to be a problem, he said. Several of the judgements coming out of the industrial court reflect a bias toward the employee. He expressed hopes that this government would re-visit the triparti te process, as well as to look into reform of labour laws and consult more widely with business chambers across the country for their views. Residents in areas such as Woodbrook and St James have been dealing with encroachment by business for several decades now, with clashes between home and business owners garnering media attention. However, Charran said El Socorro residents have not expressed any complaints to him about the development of the area. He said so far, the presence of business has been largely positive, including an appreciation of land value, although he speculated that this might become an issue with the re-institution of property tax. I think the only thing that is stopping further development is the price of the real estate, because the value of the land has appreciated over the last few years and this is acting as a barrier to entry, said Charran. He also said those who invested in property in the area are also unlikely to sell at this point because of the potential the area holds. Small business thrives among the giants When we came here, there were only six other houses, said Rosalind. Rosalind is in her late 50s and her family moved to the Extension when she was only ten. It is the parlour boasting an array of snacks in front of her house that initially drew Business Day to her. We went out among our community to find out how these small and micro level enterprises were doing, particularly with the presence of their new neighbours. Rosalind is sitting outside with two young girls. In the yard are seven to eight sandbags, a reminder that this area, with the Caroni River mere feet away, is prone to floods. The communitys development has been rapid, particularly now with the presence of the outsiders. Rosalind spoke of the old days, when there were no lights, or water to be had and the road was little more than a dirt track. Back then, if there was a flood, you would be afraid to go outside, especially at night, because of the snakes and the caimans, she said. Her little shop was closed when we visited. She invited us inside her home just behind to show that she was still engaged in clean-up operations from the passage of the tropical storm last week. Yes, it is good that they are here, she said when we ask about the larger businesses, The place bright now. She also doesnt mind the occasional purchase she gets from employees, though her son in law, who arrives some minutes later said they were not as many we might think. A little way down is a variety store. It is air-conditioned and sells foodstuff, toys and clothing. The man behind the counter sold a bottled water to an employee of Massy Communications just opposite. He is hesitant at first as he explained that his wife and sister were the persons who really deal with the business and hed prefer if we speak to them, but he said that the presence of the larger concerns has generally been good, as they brought employment to the area. Alicia didnt agree. Alicia is a seller of soaps and creams who passes through the area regularly. She tried to pitch us her line of products as we offered her a drop back across the highway where she was heading. On the way, we saw one small eatery and another parlour. There was a line in front of the eatery. They looked like office staff from the surrounding buildings. But it doesnt seem as though they are as generous with Alicia. They dont do anything, she said shaking her head, frowning. When we returned, we spoke to another parlour owner, this time just opposite the Camacho Brothers wholesalers. He told us he has been there for 14 years and is grateful for any business he gets. His location is a little out of the way off the main flow of traffic though, and he told us that people were more likely to go to somewhere that was closer. Ultimately, he was glad, because even if it wasnt him, it was someone else within the community benefitting. His words give an indication of the kind of spirit that seems to govern the small neighbourhood, where cooperation is evident and entrepreneurship is clearly encouraged. In the young and the old. Rose is short for Rozeena. She has a gift shop and an adjoining roti shop on Chanka Trace. Rose as she preferred to be called has been in business since her late teens. She is now 38 and has decidedly moved beyond the one small table she told us she started with. Yes, it is good that the other businesses are here you know, she told us, Because people walk down the street, they see the shop, they will stop and look and they will buy. She thought however that the businesses could do more to help with problems such as flooding. Meanwhile, there is the larger than life Bossman just a few houses down on the corner. Bossman rents out part of his building to a Chinese restaurant. His own grocery and general goods store sits next to it and his home, upstairs. Those in the immediate vicinity of the interview as it is going on agree that he is something of a neighbourhood live wire. If I close here for a day, they would miss me, he said. Bossman is in favour of the larger businesses in the area, saying he has definitely benefitted from their presence. As we leave, we turn down the corner. A group of young men outside another home, sell limes, $10 a bag. Alzheimers support meetings This will be followed by the Arima groups meeting on July 8 at the Arima Town Hall, Sorzano Street, from 10am 1pm. The Tobago meeting at the Division of Health and Services Senior Activity Centre, 47 Rockley Vale Road, Scarborough, takes place from 4 to 6pm on July 11. The San Fernando group will meet on July 29 at the RC Church Community Hall, Harris Promenade, from 2 4pm. The monthly meetings are published at the end of each month. AzATT s new board is led by Ann Smith, president; Dr Lorraine Patience, secretary; and Joanne Shurland, treasurer. Police probe suspected extortion after kidnapping The message was accompanied by a photo of the daughter with a gun to her head and a number to call the kidnappers. Cunupia police contacted their colleagues at the Anti- Kidnapping Unit and following enquiries, the grandson was found unharmed at a house in Cunupia. The occupants of the house said they were asked to keep the child for the woman while she was in Venezuela. Investigations revealed the businessmans daughter left for Venezuela five weeks ago in the company of someone from the Enterprise area. Police believe she may be linked to the robbery of her father at his Welcome Road, Cunupia home and may be also involved in attempting to extort money from him. Yesterday, the businessman told Newsday that after the April 1 robbery, his daughter who worked at the familys business place, went missing and he was told by people that she was seen purchasing expensive items. The businessman said he now has reason to believe his daughter is not in any danger. He confirmed that his grandson was found unhurt and is now back with his (the child) father in Las Lomas. The businessman said he remains confused over the latest developments regarding his daughter but is leaving everything in the hands of the police. Rapist policeman jailed After the sentence was passed, the victim wept in the court room. I dont think I would ever be able to heal. The judge has the last say, but I would never be healed, the victim cried. The woman, now 33, said the police officer stole something from her that could never be replaced and left her wounded for life. The case took too long to start and I had to relive every moment of what happened, no amount of justice could heal me, she said. Ramlochan was found guilty by a nine-member jury on June 12. The court heard that on May 5, 2001, the girl and her mother went to report a domestic abuse matter at the police station. The girls mother was taken inside the station by Ramlochan, who was then a 50-year-old sergeant. Another police officer was assigned to take the mothers report while the daughter remained in the veranda. Ramlochan returned to where the girl was and started asking her sex-related questions. He then asked her mother for permission to further question the daughter and she agreed. The victim testified that Ramlochan led her to a dormitory where he began making sexual advances towards her. After a colleague walked in and then out of the dorm, he took her to the court prosecutors office, then to a store to change a $100 bill, to the police canteen and back to the office. There he committed the act on, a piece of sponge, the court heard. The court also heard that the police officer pushed the teenager against a cabinet and a wall which also caused injuries to her mouth. After raping the teen, the senior police officer told her not to tell anyone. Ramlochan then returned the victim to her mother. Later that day he took the girls father to a bar and warned him in relation to a report made against him. Ramlochan was represented by defence attorneys Kevin Ratiram and Chris Ramlal while attorneys Sabrina Dougdeen-Jaglal and Sarah De Silva prosecuted. Ramlochan is a father of four. Before passing sentencing, Justice Alexis- Windsor said that Ramlochan acted in such a way that contributed to the loss of confidence in the Police Service. She said the sentence imposed would serve as a deterrent for persons of like- minds. The judge further said that the mitigating factors considered in terms of the offender was the position of responsibility and trust the victim placed in the police officer. It was the victims first sexual encounter. Man in court for murder The accused man, said to be a doubles vendor was not called upon to plead as the matter is indictable. Through his attorney Darril Giles, the accused enquired of the court as to the whereabouts of several pieces of gold jewelry which included a gold chain, gold watch, a gold bera, three gold rings and a pair of gold earrings, as well as his cellphone. The magistrate told the accused mans father who was in court, to go to the police station to make enquiries about the valuables. The accused was the driver of a getaway car in which two other occupants, one of whom had fired the fatal shots at Ramlogan, escaped after the shooting at the victims auto electrical shop. The case was adjourned to July 25. Judges throw out appeal In a consolidated appeal filed by John Henry Smith, Barbara Gomes, Galbaransingh, Amrith Maharaj and Northern Construction, the group contended that former chief magistrate Sherman McNicolls should not have been allowed to continue to adjudicate the Piarco I prosecution, especially since the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) had filed disciplinary charges against him. In their written ruling yesterday, in which they dismissed all arguments brought by the Piarco 1 defendants, Justices of Appeal Gregory Smith, Peter Rajkumar and Charmaine Pemberton held that all allegations raised to support the bias contention were, ultimately unsustainable as they were in relation to unrelated matters and had no bearing on magisterial proceedings. The judges noted that they would have been hard pressed to perceive any link between these matters and the actions and decisions of the chief magistrate in relation to these appellants. The Piarco defendants complained of the former Chief Magistrates participation in the airport inquiry, alleging that he received significant financial and other advantages and favours from the then Attorney General and as a result his adjudication has been in contravention of their rights to be heard by an independent and impartial tribunal. They had called on McNicolls to step down from presiding over the proceedings in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court, prior to him committing them to stand trial. McNicolls refused to step down. Their challenge was thrown out by the court and they also lost a bid to appeal the three new charges which were instituted by the Chief Magistrate. In their ruling on the issue, the appellate court judges said such complaints could have been properly raised at further stages of the criminal proceedings and also held that the leave was properly denied by the trial judge. The Piarco inquiry, commonly referred to as Piarco 1, had been ongoing for over five years before McNicolls. The eight people and three companies before the court were committed to stand trial on January 7, 2008. In January 2016, the Privy Council dashed all hopes by the Piarco defendants not having to face trial in the local courts for their alleged involvement in the Piarco International Airport fraud scandals. In the Piarco 2 prosecution, which is currently ongoing in the magistrates court, the defendants which include Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, former ministers Sadiq Baksh and Brian Kuei Tung and former Airports Authority executives Amrith Maharaj and Tyrone Gopee and companies Northern Construction Limited and Maritime General Insurance - are also seeking to have senior magistrate Ejenny Espinet step down from hearing that inquiry, on the basis of bias. Lawyers for the accused have asked Espinet to recuse herself and she is expected to rule on these submissions tomorrow. The Piarco 1 defendants were represented by Edward Fitzgerald, QC; Fyard Hosein, SC; Annette Mamchan and Robin Otway while Senior Counsel Avory Sinanan, Larry Lalla and Brent James represented the late chief magistrate (McNicolls) and the Attorney General while Martin Daly, SC, appeared for the DPP. Nicoles oxygen touches Antigua The event created partnerships with the Miss Antigua and Barbuda 2017 delegates, all of whom were present at the O2N Antigua and shared their individual personal development platforms with the much stylised audience. Vanda Neale-Gardner, chairperson of the Miss Antigua committee, commented on the impact of the event, stating that the development of strategic and regional partnerships was of paramount importance in the development not only of the pageant, but more so of the development of the Caribbean brand Host Richard Young guided the audience through each of the presenters journeys, then created the ties that bind, through the unique similarities of each of the experiences, said a media release. Young said: The shared experiences of these women can be echoed across the region. These are the experiences that colour who we are as Caribbean people, thereby furthering the development of the Caribbean aesthetic. The O2N event which was held on June 22 saw heartfelt and powerful presentations by Sen Aziza Lake; motivational speaker Paula Jacobs; jewelry artisan Miranda Askie; former senator and rights activist Malaka Parker; artist and carnival producer Heather Doram; and former Miss Antigua and Barbuda Kai Davis. The event was coursed by Young who is international creative director and O2N co-producer. Oxygen with Nicoles founder Nicole Dyer-Griffith closed the session with a plea to continue to find and develop ways to encourage regionalism. She stated that the O2N events have become larger than her and Young, and have provided more than a safe space for the sharing of stories and experiences, but more of a regional platform to celebrate our journeys. Dyer-Griffith and Young thanked the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, The Miss Antigua Pageant Committee and delegates, the Blue Waters Resort and Spa, ABS TV/Radio Antigua, and the many who worked behind the scenes to ensure a successful event. Oxygen with Nicole is a motivational event for women, where a safe space is created to encourage the sharing of experiences and stories for the benefit of others. The event has been hosted on Trinidad, Guyana and Antigua and has reached more than 1,000 women. The Shelter to hold tea fund-raiser The tea will be hosted by Yvonne Webber, wife of the Australian High Commissioner, at their residence in Moka, Maraval. The event which is support by bmobile, will feature a silent art auction of the works of renowned local artists Beverley Fitzwilliam-Harries, Donald Jackie Hinkson, Abigail Sabeeney, Peter Sheppard and Trevor Rostant. Chairman Anthony Inglefield explained that The Shelter is a safe house for survivors of domestic violence from all over the country. Referrals mainly come from 800-SAVE but some are referred from the embassies, social workers, police stations and the Childrens Authority, and has on occasion also housed human trafficking victims. The Shelter caters for up to 26 people and offers communal living where the women are encouraged to support each other. We accept boys up to ten years. However, we do try as much as possible to keep families together. Among the current residents, we have abused and abandoned children, Inglefield said. The length of stay at The Shelter varies on a case-by-case basis. The counselling provided guides how we manage their care and by extension their stay. Weve had women stay for days to as much as a year. Unfortunately too, so many of them are financially vulnerable, they do not have anywhere to go. What we dont want to happen is they go back into the abusive situation they escaped from. Our aim is to provide the support they need to leave feeling empowered and in control of their lives. The Shelter offers temporary housing, counselling, meals, clothing medical services, legal assistance, food cards and assistance with job placement. The Shelter seeks to ensure children continue their education by providing support such as uniforms, school supplies and activities for the children. It is also developing programmes for job training, life skills and a network of support services for the residents after they leave The Shelter. Graeme Suite, TSTTs senior manager, brand, public relations and external affairs, said: Bmobile is excited to support the work of organisations like The Shelter that work to eliminate abuse and promote equality especially among vulnerable persons in our society. We need to be always willing to work towards eliminating abuse and reverse its effects on women and children. It is necessary and important for the public to also partner in this special event to be a part of the community for change. Speaking about her involvement in The Shelter, Webber said:, I have been able to teach and work in local communities in a range of activities that empower women and therefore strengthen the community. Domestic violence is something that I feel strongly about and we should do whatever we can to eradicate it from society and help survivors of domestic violence. Im looking forward to making this an afternoon that people will remember, and also that they will remember why they are there and perhaps be motivated to find other ways in which they can contribute to places like The Shelter where survivors of domestic violence can be protected, sheltered and nurtured while they begin to put their lives back together. Thanking bmobile and Webber for their tremendous support, Inglefield said: The costs of running The Shelter are an ongoing challenge. There are a number of additional support programmes we want to put in place, so we are dependent on the kind support of the corporate community, the diplomatic corps and the public. Inglefield said the protected and confidential nature of a safe house meant the number of people visiting The Shelter had to be limited. For more info: Facebook: The Shelter - A Safe Haven for Victims of Domestic Violence, from the website trinidadshelter.com. Chinese businesswoman murdered The young mother succumbed to the single gunshot injury shortly after 11 pm at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC).. Police confirmed that Yana Zeng is the third Chinese national to be murdered in this country this year. According to reports, Zeng owned and operated Que Que Mini Mart in Cantaro Village and at 9.15 pm on Tuesday, two men, one armed, announced a robbery. Zeng was ordered to hand over an undisclosed amount of cash by the gunman.. As the bandits were leaving, the gunman turned and fired a single shot which struck Zeng in the chest.. Her children, aged six and four, and husband Pinya Pochntan, saw Zeng slump to the ground.. People who heard the gunshot and saw Pochntan run out of the mini mart screaming for help, alerted the police.. Officers took Zeng to Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A traumatised Pochntan subsequently contacted officials of the Chinese Embassy in Port of Spain and informed them of the murder. Two Embassy officials yesterday accompanied Pochntan to the Forensic Science Centre in St James where he identified the body of his wife.. An autopsy by pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov confirmed Zeng was shot once on the left side of the chest. There was also blunt force trauma to her head as Pochntan revealed that she was beaten on the head with the bandits gunbutt.. The autopsy showed that the bullet penetrated her left lung and punctured a major artery which led to massive internal bleeding and death.. Yesterday, Zengs landlord Bryan Beckles said the victims children and husband are now staying with him as they have no other relative in this country. Beckles said this was not the first time Zeng was robbed. Her children were born in this country. He added that Pochntan, who barely speaks English, has become withdrawn since his wifes murder.. She was a very nice person who fitted into the Cantaro Village community. She was a very pleasant person, very hard working and had become like family to me, Beckles said. He added that Zeng worked Sunday to Sunday.. I am deeply shocked at what has taken place. They had already robbed her and she was no threat to them. Why did they have to kill her for, Beckles asked.. The landlord said while he is assisting Pochntan with funeral arrangements, it is not known if Zengs funeral will be held in Trinidad or if her body will be flown back to China for final rites. Yesterday, police said investigators have secured closed-circuit (CCTV) video footage of the robbery which they hope could provide clues and lead to arrests.. Yesterday, Embassy officials said they are assisting the family but at this point in time do not want to divulge any further details. They however expressed sadness over the murder.. Last week Thursday, Chinese nationals Shirui Zhao, 32, and Yanli Gu, 29, were sitting in a car in the car park of a Marabella restaurant when a gunman sprayed the car with bullets. The couple died at the scene as police confirmed more than 60 shots were fired into the car. No arrest has been made in both incidents.. The murder toll yesterday stood at 250 for the year and 33 for this month as compared to 225 and 29 respectively, for the corresponding periods last year.. Annisette-George not tolerating disorder On that day, the Government and the Opposition engaged in a shouting match which ended when the Opposition MPs walked out of the Parliament. Speaking in Parliament yesterday Annisette- George said Members of Parliament are expected to observe certain standards of conduct as set out in Standing Orders and dictated by well-established parliamentary practice and conventions. She said it was her role as Speaker to maintain these standards by ensuring order and decorum. She said it was an established parliamentary rule that every member should resume his or her seat as soon as the Speaker rises to speak or calls the House to order. It is also well-recognised that Members are enjoined to hear the Speaker in silence. In that regard, when I intervene directly to call an individual Member to order, to respond to a point of order raised by a Member or to address this House in general, no Member is to speak. Additionally Members when I stand, I am to be allowed to deliver directions or rulings and bring the House back to order in silence, without comment, intervention or protest, she said. She said while lively and passionate debate and cross talk are features of Parliamentary proceedings, there are occasions when passions become inflamed, excessive interjection occurs and the House becomes noisy and unruly. She said these flaring tensions must not degenerate into shouting, disruptive behaviour or disrespect to the Chair. Annisette-George said remarks and outbursts made by any Member while she is on her legs will not be and are not considered part of the official proceedings of the House and will not be recorded in the Hansard. Any member who is of the opinion that shouting at the chair while the Speaker is standing will result in his or her offensive and disrespectful words being included in the Hansard record, is seriously misguided or has allowed himself or herself to be misdirected. This principle also extends to Members who shout across the floor at each other while the chair is standing, she said. She said any Member who is called to order but persists in disorderly behaviour including interjecting in a disorderly manner and disregarding the authority of the Speaker will be called upon to apologise to the Chair. If also called upon to withdraw a remark, the Member must withdraw the remark and apologise immediately in a respectful manner, and unreservedly that is without conditions or qualifications. If any member refuses to follow a direction from this chair is repeatedly called to order, disregards warnings or otherwise acts in defiance of a ruling or direction, I will not hesitate to exercise the prerogative of the Chair in relation to such offending Member until the offending Member accepts the authority of this Chair, she said. Annisette-George reminded the MPs that it was the duty of the Speaker to uphold the authority of the Chair. That authority is not the authority of the individual who happens to occupy it but of the House itself, she said. TTD remains overvalued In its in-depth analysis of TT, published online on June 20, the GED said, Against standard indicators of fundamental value, such as real effective exchange-rate measures or purchasing-power parity, the TTD remains somewhere between 20 and 50 per cent over-valued. Declining foreign-currency reserves and domestic FX (foreign exchange) controls imply that the TTD has further to fall. While the CBTT has ample reserve cover at around 13 months of imports, the GED argued that if the recent pace of drawdowns were sustained to keep the USD to TTD around 6.75, then reserves would fall near to the critical threshold of three months of import cover within three to four years. It added that recent experience implies that mildly higher global gas prices and the prospect of exports to Asia via the newly-expanded Panama Canal will provide little respite for the balance of payments and the TTD. The CBTT will need to allow the TTD to fall to prevent a precipitous decline in its foreign-currency reserves or a hike in the repo rate that would stifle the non-energy sector. Looking at recent economic developments and TTs reliance on both the health of its domestic energy sector and global oil and gas prices, the GED said reductions in gas output and exports over the past three years have generated significant pressure on TTs fiscal accounts, balance of payments, and international reserves. All of which, it added, has materially increased the chances of a substantial further weakening in the TTD despite the governments recent Mid-Year Budget Review promise that, There will be no drastic or sudden depreciation of the currency. While the GED expects that growth may return briefly in 2017; a combination of new gas supply coming onstream from, for example, BPTTs Juniper project, beyond 2018, the energy sector is likely to put a cap on any further acceleration in Trinidadian economy- wide growth as modest price gains keep investment growth in the sector at modest levels. Added to which, the GED expects a weak fiscal picture will maintain pressure on the TTD. The TT governments efforts to increase non-energy sector investment from relatively low levels and maintain spending on current policies and programmes, will widen (its) current deficit in outer years, which implies increased debt financing and continued draws on the countrys USD 5.6 billion Heritage and Stabilisation Fund; equivalent to about 23 percent of GDP. TTs total public debt now stands a hair over 60 percent of GDP, something which the GED said is just breaching the threshold beyond which international experience implies that sovereign debt crises become more likely. It argued that Governments need to finance ongoing deficits and service its domestic public debt may increase its tacit pressure on the CBTT to devalue the TTD in order to increase the TTD-denominated value of public energy-export revenue. The GED said this could, perversely, raise longer-term sustainability questions for TTs foreign-currency denominated external sovereign debt; currently equivalent to only about 14 percent of GDP. Valuations Commissioner steers clear Ramoutar has gone on affidavit in support of his office in the legal challenge of former UNC minister Devant Maharaj. Ramoutars affidavit was sworn to and filed on June 21. Ramoutar said the press release of the Ministry in April, which set out the process for property owners to submit the Valuation Return Forms (VRF), was issued by the ministrys communications department and not his office. He added that neither he nor anyone in his office was the administrator of the ministrys website, which also set out the process. Ramoutar admitted that valuers from his office went on an early morning television programme where they referenced a $500 fine for failing to submit the VRFs. He said these valuers were not briefed by him and did not speak on his behalf or authority. The Commissioner of Valuations made it clear that the public can be under no misapprehension or confusion that the data collection exercise was wholly voluntary in nature and failure to supply the information contained in the VRFs did not attract any sanctions. I have never purported to exercise any mandatory or coercive power to require property owners to submit a VRF or supply any supporting documents or other information. I have never threatened or intimated any intention to cause criminal proceedings to be initiated against any property owner to cause criminal proceedings to be initiated against any property owner who has not supplied same to the office, he said in his affidavit. The submission of the VRFs were challenged by Maharaj in his lawsuit against the state. The matter will be heard by Justice Frank Seepersad on September 19 and 21st. Two interim orders granted by Seepersad, which put a temporary halt to the data collection exercise, were eventually dismissed by the Court of Appeal which held that the submission of the VRFs were voluntary and will not attract a $500 fine. In their ruling, the judges also made it clear that the data collection exercise (submission of the VRFs) was the statutory responsibility of the Commissioner of Valuations alone. First Peoples holiday now official The Office of the President, in a statement issued yesterday afternoon, said the holiday recognises the fundamental contribution of the First Peoples to the distinctive culture of TT. The holiday was first announced in October 2016 by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley during a Divali function hosted by the Peoples National Movement in Macoya. We must not ignore those who claim the status of First Peoples in this country, Rowley said. As owners of this land before we came, they ask and say to us, very humbly - as we acknowledge those who came as Hindus, Muslims (and) Christians, as we acknowledge them every year with a holiday - to put aside one day, not every year, but just one day as the day of recognition of our First Peoples. Speaking with Newsday in October last year, chief of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community, Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez said the holiday brings us closer to the recognition we have been seeking for so long. He first made a request for the holiday in May 2014, with the call being repeated several times since. The most recent of which was in early October 2016, when Bharath-Hernandez spoke at First Peoples Heritage Week. UWI hosts innovation policy conference He argued that ideally, an NIS should be comprised of four elements: Centres of Excellence designed to exploit a few strategically selected technologies and to create knowledge advantages; Business development facilities whose funding is not limited to a project by project basis; A financing system that provides physical and human resources, research and development grants, seed money, Venture Capital and which encourages Corporate Venturing; and a local Test and Adopted Market that can be used in feedback and feed forward modes to inform the Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Centres. Copeland shared his thoughts on the need for innovation in TT during the opening ceremony of the National Innovation Policy Conference, held at The UWIs Teaching and Learning Complex, St Augustine on Tuesday. Having listed the four necessary elements, Copeland said, Such an NIS and the processes associated with it, would be the output from meaningful collaboration among academia, industry and government; the triple helix, and could serve as a fillip for economic growth in the country. Copeland also shared how the university intends to contribute to the national response to the Innovation Imperative. His strategy for the St Augustine Campus includes launching a spin-off company by August 2017. Speaking with Newsday afterward, Copeland said, Were not sure if it will be August. Were still pushing for it; this is a mandate that has to be met. The companies have products (on display) downstairs. Youll see a collaboration with Trinidad Lake Asphalt and some products weve produced, youll see the (chocolate). We have three possibilities; companies that will produce and sell these products. Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Development, Beverly Khan, also addressed the conference on Tuesday. Given the inevitable decline in non-renewable energy resources and revenues, the countrys continued economic survival depends on its ability to grow domestic capabilities, diversify the structure of its production base and become a knowledge-fuelled innovative economy since, unlike finite resources, creativity and innovation are limitless. Khan also said the scale of the Governments ambition goes beyond simply fixing our economy.ated US$5M facility given to Ministry The facility was built and commissioned by the National Energy Corporation under former Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine to encourage economic development and sustainability in the coastal community, but it remained unused by fisherfolk who felt the facility lacked crucial features. Fisherfolk continued to operate out of their stalls until the facility was given a longer jetty, better parking, cold storage facilities and ice-makers. However, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat yesterday said even if fishermen did like the facility five years ago, it could not have been officially used until it was handed over to the Ministry. None of their (fisherfolk) demands have been met yet, said Rambharat, because the facility has only now been handed over. Nothing could have been done until the facility was handed over to us. We can now get the engineering expertise to give consideration to what could be done. As it currently exists, the facility supports net and boat repairs and is equipped with fuel, water, ice and cold storage as well as 25 lockers, washrooms and parking space. Share The infrastructure in Western Europe is much more advanced than its Eastern Bloc counterpart. But after the fall of the Soviet Union, countries in Eastern Europe have been making a concerted effort to bring their infrastructure up to par with the West. Romania is one of those countries, and the recently opened Romanian telecom authority, ANCOM, just announced it wants to see 5G coverage in major cities throughout the country within the next five years. The decree was made by the president of ANCOM, Adrian Dita, who also announced the auction to grant the rights for using new radio frequencies in Romania, including the 5G standard. The auction process is an important component when new radio frequencies are being launched in any region. This brings investments from local and global carriers looking to operate with the new frequencies in the country. According to ANCOM, the auction will be for mobile broadband terrestrial communication systems of 694-790 MHz and 1452-1492 MHz. Bid for frequency sub-bands which were not available in previous sales will also be part of the auction. It will include, 791-796 MHz/832-837 MHz, 2530-2570 MHz/2650-2690 MHz, 3410-3420 MHz/3510-3520 MHz and 3450-3465 MHz/3550-3565 MHz bands. ANCOM said, The bands that are under consultation contribute to ensuring the frequency resources needed for the efficient development of communication services in the context of the increased mobile data consumption but also to the implementation of new generation technologies, also known as 5G or [International Mobile Telecommunication] IMT 2020. In its drive to get 5G up and running in the country, Telekom Romania and Ericsson (News - Alert) have carried out the first 5G live demonstration in South East Europe with five different use cases to determine the capability of the technology. During the demonstration, they were able to evaluate 5G speeds as well as two cloud robotics and two smart city solutions. The prototype testbed for 5G was able to achieve aggregate speeds of up to 24 Gbps, which is more than 60 times than the fastest commercial 4G speed in Romania while delivering latency rates at least half of what current networks are able to deliver. Miroslav Majoros, CEO, Telekom Romania, said at the launch of the trial, This technology, will create a shift in mind-set for the entire society. It opens the door for immense new possibilities for our customers, for the way they live and work. High speed, mobility, security, intelligent devices, they all have some limitations today, but 5G will give a new perspective and solutions to these current challenges. Once fully deployed, 5G will introduce new opportunities to the Romanian economy by providing next generation services to consumers, and a scalable infrastructure with ultra-broadband speeds and very low end to end latency of 1 millisecond or less for enterprises. Edited by Alicia Young We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The US Department of State awarded Moroccan Judge Amina Oufroukhi the title of Hero of the Trafficking in Persons Report 2017 in recognition of her valuable contributions in the elaboration of Moroccos anti-trafficking law in 2016. The Moroccan judge played a critical role in drafting and encouraging the passage of Moroccos anti-trafficking law in 2016 and has been a driving force within the government to develop an implementation plan to ensure the protection of victims and the appropriate punishment of perpetrators, the US Department of State said in a statement on its website. Amina Oufroukhi is a judge within the Moroccan Ministry of Justices Directorate of Criminal Affairs and Pardons. She is also the head of the central unit coordinating the care of women and children in the courts. Judge Oufroukhi established special protection units in Moroccan courts for women and children and later drafted new legal procedures to extend these protections to all trafficking victims, the State Department said. Oufroukhi was also praised for contributing to establish a group of expert judges to train judicial and law enforcement personnel and prepared detailed legal guidance clarifying the provisions of the law for all Moroccan courts. The State Department also highlighted Oufroukhis participation in international cooperative projects on combating trafficking in persons, in addition to her contributions in the drafting of studies on human trafficking in Morocco. According to the State Department, the TIP report is the worlds most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts. It rates nations on how effectively governments are tackling the human trafficking industry. Italys deputy Foreign Minister Mario Giro made it clear that the referendum option does not offer a feasible solution to the regional conflict over the Sahara and that the Algerian-Backed Polisario separatists had better give up the chimera of conducting a vote on the Saharas independence. The Italian official made the remarks during the presentation, at the Center for American Studies in Rome, of Massimiliano Boccolinis recently published book entitled: the Sahara: a desert for mafia and Jihad. The Italian official stressed the need for the Polisario to abandon the referendum idea saying that separatist claims will add to the instability plaguing the Sahel. We should defend the territorial integrity of countries such as Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. He said that separatists claims by the Azawad movement in Northen Mali and by the Polisario in the Sahara ignite tension and threaten regional peace and stability. The Book offers insight into the threats to the regions stability posed by the Polisario separatists and sheds light on an array of security risks facing the Maghreb and the Sahel in light of the surge of terrorist organizations taking advantage of the Libyan chaos and porous borders. Organizing a referendum was part of the mandate of the UN Mission to the Sahara, the MINURSO, established following the UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 that put an end to a guerrilla war waged by the Polisario front on Moroccan troops. The referendum never took place because of disagreements over who is eligible to vote. After more than a decade of failed attempts to organize a referendum in the Sahara, the UN decided in 2002 to abandon the idea and instead pursue a negotiated political solution to the conflict. In 2007, Morocco proposed a compromise solution based on broad autonomy for the Sahara under its sovereignty. The UN Security Council and world capitals have deemed the Moroccan proposal credible and serious. Dutch drug trafficker, Said Chaou, has been arrested in the Netherlands after Rabat requested his extradition accusing him of funding and igniting unrest in the northern Rif region. Minister of foreign affairs Nasser Bourita Thursday informed the cabinet at its weekly meeting that the wanted trafficker was arrested in the Netherlands and would be extradited to Morocco to be tried for the crimes he had committed. Morocco recalled for consultation its ambassador to the Hague few days ago after Dutch authorities failed to respond to the arrest warrants issued by Moroccan authorities in 2010 and 2015 against this Moroccan native. Following recent contacts between officials from the two countries that unlocked judicial and cooperation mechanisms, Dutch authorities finally accepted Moroccos request to proceed to Chaous arrest and to his handing over to Rabat. A source from the Moroccan Foreign Ministry told le360 portal that Chaou is sued for serious crimes in the Netherlands, his country of residence, where he awaits a verdict due by the end of 2017 on charges of forming a criminal gang as well as drug and arms trafficking. Chaou is accused in Morocco of constituting a criminal band, homicide, corruption and international drug trafficking. Chaou backs unrest in the Rif region and has recently published online a video instigating protests. Moroccan authorities accuse him of seeking to recreate chaos in the Rif to resume his lucrative cannabis trafficking activities. Chaou owned a cannabis cafe in the Netherland, which was closed because it served overdoses to its clients. He was reportedly arrested in 2015 in the southern Dutch town of Roosendaal as part of a crackdown on a drug network, the Dutch broadcaster NOS said. It begins (again). Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images On Monday, the Supreme Court gave the president a symbolic victory, and an unknowable number of refugees a life-changing defeat: The justices lifted the injunctions that lower courts had placed on Trumps travel ban, allowing the administration to begin barring visitors from six Muslim-majority nations and refugees from anywhere in the world from entering the United States. The court will hear the case on the policys constitutionality next fall. But since the administrations ban is temporary lasting only 90 days for visitors, and 120 for refugees Trump will be able to implement his plan before that legal fight commences. And hes wasting no time getting started. The administration expects that it will begin enforcing its ban on Thursday morning. In doing so, theyll have to navigate a new piece of legal complexity. The Supreme Court did impose some conditions when it gave Trump the green light, writing that the ban may not be enforced against foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States. The idea here is that the ban should not cause harm to American residents while its constitutionality is in limbo. And barring a Muslim Iranian-American citizen from being visited by a relative from her home country while allowing a Christian German-American to enjoy that privilege could, potentially, constitute such harm. But when it comes to refugees who lack any such connection to the United States, the court went on to say, the balance tips in favor of the governments compelling need to provide for the nations security. The justices further stipulated that a close familial relationship is required to meet the bona fide relationship standard. But the words close familial still give the administration a lot of room for subjective interpretation. On Thursday, consular officers granting visas to immigrants from any of the blacklisted nations Libya, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and Sudan will begin asking applicants to prove that they have such a relationship with a legal resident of the United States. Anyhow, it shouldnt be possible for the administration to botch the implementation of the new policy as spectacularly as it did back in January. Then, the administration sowed chaos throughout Americas airports by barring immigrants with active visas and green cards from entering (or reentering) the country. By contrast, any immigrant with an active visa will still be allowed to enter the United States as will any refugee who was scheduled to be resettled in the country before July 6 even after the limited ban goes into effect tomorrow. And green-card holders were exempted from the administrations revised travel ban months ago. Still, even if it triggers little discord in airports, the new ban is bound to create conflicts in courtrooms over what does and does not constitute a close familial relationship. Brian Encinia. Photo: WALLER COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE The only criminal charge against the former Texas trooper who arrested Sandra Bland prior to her 2015 death in police custody was dismissed on Wednesday. A grand jury indicted Brian Encinia on one charge of misdemeanor perjury for making false statements about Blands arrest. In a one-page affidavit, he said that after pulling the 28-year-old over for failing to signal a lane change, he asked her to step out of her vehicle to further conduct a safe traffic investigation. Encinia said Bland was combative and uncooperative, and after she was removed from her car and handcuffed she began swinging her elbows at him, and kicked his shin. NEW: Texas DPS Trooper says #SandraBland swung her elbows and kicked him in the shin: pic.twitter.com/xrFBgFPKDW Ross Weidner (@RossWeidner) July 21, 2015 A widely viewed dashcam video of the arrest showed Encinia point a Taser at Bland and say, I will light you up. Some of the altercation occurred outside the cameras view, but at one point Bland is heard saying, You just slammed me, knocked my head into the ground. When she says she has epilepsy, Encinia replies, Good. Three days after her arrest, Bland was found hanging in her jail cell. Her death was ruled a suicide, but her family said they suspected foul play. Nationwide protests erupted, and her death became a symbol of the mistreatment of black people by the police. The perjury charge was dismissed after special prosecutors assigned to the case reached an agreement with Encinia: in exchange for dropping the perjury charge he agreed to never seek, accept or engage in employment in any capacity with law enforcement. Encinia was fired by the Texas Department of Public Safety in March 2016. Cannon Lambert, a lawyer for Blands family, said prosecutors had told them they wanted to go to trial, and they were completely blindsided by the dismissal. In September, we were expecting to be in Texas sitting in the courtroom, but today they cut him a deal, Shante Needham, Blands eldest sister, told the Houston Chronicle. Why? Why? Why? Why did you cut him a deal when you sat in our faces and you seen our pain and you told us you were going to take it to court? Phoebe Smith, one of the special prosecutors, said they didnt want to risk having a jury acquit Encinia. We dismissed it based on the fact that he permanently surrendered his license, she said. The bottom line is, we never wanted him to be a police officer again and we wanted to ensure that outcome. When you take a case in front of jury theres always that risk. Encinias lawyer, Chip Lewis, said he couldnt return to police work anyway after the nationwide attention the incident received. He was never going to be a police officer after this saga, Lewis said. He cares too much about his family and the law enforcement community as a whole. There would be a [large] target on his back and hes not going to do that. Brian and his family appreciate the thoughtful review by the prosecutors, Lewis said in a statement. Dismissal was the right thing to do. The Encinias will remain forever grateful to their family, friends and members of the law enforcement community for all their support. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer plus millions of progressive activists deserve some credit for keeping Democrats united. But the GOPs indifference to political fallout has helped. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images One of the much-predicted things in politics that has not actually happened this year (so far, at least) is the defection of congressional Democrats from districts or places carried by Donald Trump. There are 12 Democratic House members who fit that description, and all of them, obviously, will face voters in 2018. And there are famously ten Democratic senators up for reelection next year who represent states carried by Trump. While some of those senators supported Trump on Cabinet confirmations more than their blue-state counterparts (particularly when the result was not in doubt), on big votes there was more unity. Only four Democrats failed to join the filibuster against Neil Gorsuch, even though everyone knew that would trigger the nuclear option which would eliminate judicial filibusters, maybe forever. A smattering of House Democrats voted for resolutions repealing late Obama regulations mostly on guns and abortion but such actions were rare in the Senate (except for one regulation involving coal, which attracted four coal-state Democrats). But on the big measures that are preventing all the other GOP-sponsored big measures to proceed, Democrats are holding fast. The fiscal year 2017 budget resolution that made this years Obamacare repeal-and-replace legislation possible passed both Houses without any Democratic votes. No House Democrats voted for the American Health Care Act. No Senate Democrats have breathed a word suggesting they might support the Better Care Reconciliation Act, however it is amended. For those whose memories only date back to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, this opposition-party unanimity might seem normal. But it is actually very unusual by historic standards. Last time Republicans had control of the White House and Congress, during the George W. Bush administration, a significant number of Democrats regularly crossed the aisle to support GOP priorities, from No Child Left Behind to the Medicare prescription-drug benefit to comprehensive immigration reform not to mention the authorizations and appropriations for military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Whats the difference now? In part, it could be the simple result of polarization and the example set by congressional Republicans when Barack Obama was president. And in part, some credit for Democratic unity is owed to Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, not to mention the millions of progressive activists who have urged Democrats to hold the line against Trump and the GOP. But theres something else going on as well. During the W. years, Republican initiatives were built around Karl Roves swing-voter strategy for building a permanent GOP majority. Most Bush domestic initiatives were aimed at converting a segment of Democratic-leaning voters, from the seniors who were the targets of the Medicare prescription-benefit legislation to the Latinos favoring immigration reform. And the swing-voter strategy was enfolded in a more systemic (and successful) effort to mobilize Republican voters especially conservative Evangelicals. Whats remarkable about the very similar House and Senate health-care bills that Republicans are struggling to get to Donald Trumps desk is that they dont seem to be based on any particular strategy, beyond checking off the box of repealing Obamacare, which many conservatives dont even believe the legislation will do. Indeed, these bills have virtually no curb appeal for swing voters, and also heavily and overtly wreak havoc on the lives of the very swing voters particularly white working-class voters that elected Trump and have been trending Republican for years. Heres how Ron Brownstein puts it: Drafted without any Democratic input, the House and Senate legislation presents an unusually explicit statement of priorities. Tax cuts emerge clearly atop that list: The Congressional Budget Office calculates that through 2026 the House bill reduces federal revenues by an annual average of $100 billion, and the Senate bill by an average of $70 billion. In each chamber, the biggest cut is the repeal of ACA taxes on income and investment profits that apply only to individuals earning at least $200,000 or families earning at least $250,000 On the other side, the cuts corresponding benefit reductions would hit lower-income and older workers hardest, particularly in the last years before retirement. Those are cornerstone Republican voters: Nationwide, over two-thirds of all adults ages 45 to 64 are white and Trump dominated among them. So these bills manage to offend a sizable majority of the electorate at a time when Republicans ought to be thinking about defending their congressional majorities in 2018 and helping Trump consolidate his support for 2020. Theres no pressure on Democrats to cross lines and help get these bills enacted because they make no sense politically not even for Republicans, much less for Democrats. It appears the GOPs congressional leadership decided to use its power to win a major ideological trophy and has thus written an ideologically driven health-care bill that could help ensure that power is limited by voters quite soon. That is a calculation they are likely beginning to regret. Indeed, the latest news is that at least two Republicans senators are wondering aloud why this health-care bill has to include major tax cuts for the rich that have nothing to do with health care. It is a very good question. Peacekeeping schmeacekeeping. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call,Inc. United Nations member nations agreed on a $7.3 billion annual budget for its peacekeeping efforts Wednesday, saving the U.S. millions of dollars and eliciting an excited response from U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley. "Just 5 months into our time here, we've cut over half a billion $$$ from the UN peacekeeping budget & were only getting started. pic.twitter.com/LA7IKqupff Archive: Ambassador Nikki Haley (@AmbNikkiHaley) June 29, 2017 The dramatic cut, which slashed $600 million from the budget, was less than the $1 billion reduction the U.S. initially sought. That would have reduced the U.S. contribution to the peacekeeping fund by 10 percent. Instead, it drops by about 7.5 percent. The U.S. provides 28.5 percent of the peacekeeping budget, far more than any other country and more than double China, which pays second most at just over 10 percent. The U.N. peacekeeping budget currently funds 16 peacekeeping missions around the world. But missions in Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Haiti are winding down and Haley has pledged to continue reviewing each mission as it comes up for renewal, all with an eye toward saving the U.S. a few extra dollars. Its a few extra dollars that taxpayers would likely never notice saving. But, according to one diplomat who spoke to Foreign Policy, it could mean the death of peacekeeping. Is the American health-care system in Cruz control? Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call,Inc. Trumpcares Republican opponents are divided in their ideological objections to the bill. Conservatives want a health-care law that offers skimpier subsidies and fewer regulatory protections; moderates, generally, want the opposite. But the Senate GOPs dissidents share a common a political anxiety: Theyve spent years blaming Obamacare for unacceptably high premiums, and now theyre on the cusp of passing a bill that would do little to increase affordability for the young and affluent while radically increasing the cost of insurance for older, lower-middle-class Americans. Free-market fundamentalists like Ted Cruz and Mike Lee are convinced that this problem can be solved by gutting Obamacares protections for preexisting conditions and minimum standards for insurance benefits. Such measures would reduce premiums for typical consumers, but also radically diminish the quality of their coverage a trade-off that voters havent clamored for, and that Donald Trump has portrayed as unnecessary. And then, of course, this kind of deregulation would be disastrous for people with expensive medical conditions, whose premiums would skyrocket as healthy consumers stopped subsidizing comprehensive plans. Republican moderates, by contrast, are pretty sure that their bill is failing to make health care more affordable because it slashes hundreds of billions of dollars in insurance subsidies for the poor, so as to finance a tax cut for millionaire investors. And so theyre suggesting that maybe their party shouldnt do that or, at least, should do that a bit less. Now, Ted Cruz thinks he may have discovered a way to reconcile these divergent proposals: Heres the Texas senators big idea, according to Vox: As long as a health plan offered at least one Obamacare-compliant plan in a state, the plan would also be allowed to offer non-Obamacare-compliant plans in that state If conservatives get that win on insurance regulations, they might be willing to accept fewer tax cuts for the wealthy in the bill. Smaller tax cuts would, in turn, free up more money for McConnell to spend on Medicaid and insurance subsidies for poor and middle-class Americans. Cruzs proposal makes some political sense: Moderates can say protections for those with preexisting conditions are being maintained, while conservatives can claim theyve freed consumers from the tyranny of government regulation. In policy terms, however, its just the abolition of protection for many with preexisting conditions by other means. The severely ill wouldnt be denied access to the insurance market, but only in the sense that they are not, currently, denied access to Lamborghini dealerships. Under Cruzs model, many healthy consumers would avoid shelling out for high-cost, comprehensive plans. This would then make the pool of people willing to pay for such coverage disproportionately sick, which would cause the price of such plans to rise, which would make the pool even sicker, which cause prices to premiums to rise further, which would make the pool sicker still, on and on, in a death spiral, until the sick were priced out of the market completely. The basic problem here is simple: If were going to be a society that doesnt let the severely ill die preventable deaths because they arent rich, then we need to socialize the cost of their care. If we want dont want to do that through high taxes and spending, then we need to do it through market regulations that force consumers to subsidize each other through premiums. Obamacares great political achievement is that it has forced Republicans to concede, rhetorically, that letting the weak die isnt an option. And this puts the GOPs die-hard deregulators in a bind: If they want freer markets, they need more socialized medicine. In an interview with Vox, Cruz claims to have reconciled himself to this fact. If those with serious illnesses are going to be subsidized, and there is widespread agreement in Congress that they are going to be subsidized, the Texas senator allowed, I think far better for that to happen from direct tax revenue rather than forcing a bunch of other people to pay much higher premiums. The trouble for Cruz is that hes just accidentally articulated the logic behind a single-payer health-care system or, at the very least, made the case for radically higher levels of direct government spending on health-care than he or his party are ready to accept. The Texas senator argues that people with preexisting conditions wouldnt be priced out of the market because the size of Trumpcares subsidies would rise with the cost of their premiums. But there are two problems with idea. First, this is a formula for radically increasing the fiscal costs of the bills tax credits keeping coverage for the sick affordable without asking the healthy to share the cost is profoundly expensive. Second, this would be a nightmare for the very people Republicans have insisted their crusade against Obamacare was meant to protect: The forgotten, middle-class folks who make just a bit too much to qualify for subsidies. These are the people who genuinely lost out from the Affordable Care Act. And Cruzs proposal would effectively make it impossible for any such forgotten American with a preexisting condition to secure coverage. In other words: The only way to lower the cost of insurance for the healthy, while maintaining affordable coverage for the (non-wealthy) sick without taking measures to curb the reimbursement rates of doctors, hospitals, and drugmakers (which the GOP has shown no interest in doing) is to increase government spending on health care above the levels set by Obama. This is, of course, the opposite of what Republicans are trying to do. So, Cruzs proposal does not solve the substantive problems with Trumpcare. And it increases the risk that the legislation will run afoul of the Senates parliamentarian to pass their bill with a simple majority, Republicans can only include provisions that have a direct impact on the budget. It is difficult to see how changes to the rules governing insurance markets would fulfill that requirement. But the senators offer would let moderates and conservatives alike claim a symbolic victory and avoid the ignominious prospect of working with Democrats to prop up Obamacare. In President Trumps America, its hard not to suspect that, in the end, spectacle will triumph over substance. Republican senator Bob Corker wants to take the tax cuts for the rich out of the health-care bill. Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Getty Images Republicans have justified their health-care rollback as a rescue mission to save America from a failing law. Their insistence that the Affordable Care Act is collapsing on its own is demonstrably false. But even if it were correct, the case is a non sequitur, because the most significant changes in the law have nothing to do with the alleged failure of Obamacare. Throughout the health-care debate, Republicans have managed to submerge this disconnected, obfuscatory rhetoric. But now the lie is finally coming to the surface, and the willingness of Republicans to indulge it is dissolving. Obamacare has two different programs for covering the uninsured. Medicaid covers the poorest ones (with incomes below 133 percent of the poverty line). Those above that line can get tax credits to cover their insurance, which is sold on exchanges that are regulated to ensure people with expensive medical needs cant be excluded or charged higher prices. When Republicans insist Obamacare is failing, they mean the exchanges. In reality, only some states have trouble with exchanges, and analysts believe the main cause is deliberate sabotage by the Trump administration, which Trump himself has boasted about openly. The Republican bill does have some measures to shore up the exchanges. It would authorize payments to insurers that have disproportionately sick customers payments included in the Obamacare law but which Republicans have managed to block and create a $100 billion stability fund. These measures have bipartisan support. If they were passed as a stand-alone bill, the exchanges would be fine. Its unfortunate that our Democratic colleagues refused to work with us in a serious way to comprehensively address Obamacares failures, says a pious-sounding Mitch McConnell. But, of course, Democrats do support measures to address Obamacares failures. They support the exact steps in McConnells bill. What they dont support is the other parts of the bill: mainly a half-trillion-dollar tax cut for wealthy investors, offset with cuts in Medicaid and the tax credits. While those policies may advance long-standing conservative policy goals, they have no plausible relation to the alleged collapse of Obamacare. The reason for this bait and switch is clear enough. The tax cuts for the rich and reductions in health-care subsidies that McConnell wants to smuggle into a bill patching up the exchanges are hideously unpopular. His plan is polling in or in one case, even below the teens. (To be sure, the one case is a poll showing public support at just a single point below the teens.) This level of public unpopularity for a major piece of legislation is without precedent. And the Republican Congress is cracking under the weight of it. Vulnerable Senators are revolting against the bills tax cuts for the rich. Several Republican Senators have begun agitating in private and in public to take out the investment tax break, the elimination of which would reduce pressure for subsidy cuts. Its very important to me in the initial draft bill if you looked at lower-income citizens they were going backwards, Senator Bob Corker told reporters. And at the same time the 3.8 percent tax on the wealthy was being done away with. Corker now says he expects the tax cuts to disappear from the bill. This would free up some extra funding to help coverage levels, reports Axios, and would also help combat the narrative that the bill cuts coverage for the poor to give money to the wealthy. By narrative, Axios means arithmetic fact, as evidenced by the first clause in that sentence, which concedes that eliminating the tax cuts for the rich would enable smaller cuts in subsidies for the poor. The second question is whether the bill will enact Medicaid cuts after ten years. This is another policy change conservatives want that is completely unrelated to Obamacare altogether. Both the House and Senate bill have a big, regressive tax cut and finance it by reducing tax credits for the exchanges and phasing out the Obamacare Medicaid expansion. The Senate bill goes farther. It reduces the pre-Obamacare spending rate on Medicaid starting in 2025. Republicans have denied that this would constitute a cut, arguing that the raw dollar totals would rise. But this is pure sophistry. Medical costs have historically grown faster than the cost of other goods. (The principle for this is called Baumols cost disease, and it holds that labor-intensive services, like medicine, become more expensive over time relative to the cost of goods that can be manufactured.) Medicaid is much cheaper than other forms of insurance, and it has grown at low rates, but it still needs more dollars to keep pace with a growing population. Avalere, a health-care consulting firm, broke down how the cuts in the Senate bill would reduce Medicaid services over time for different kinds of beneficiaries. The effects are brutal. (Chart compiled via Axios): Why would Republicans put these cuts into a bill whose ostensible purpose is completely unrelated? Because this is their chance to do it. Medicaid is the softest target in the welfare state, a program serving a more vulnerable constituency than Medicare or Social Security. In March, Paul Ryan said, Medicaid, sending it back to the states, capping its growth rate, weve been dreaming of this since Ive been around since you and I were drinking at a keg. Medicaid is never going to be easy to cut, which is why the Senate bill back-loads its cuts far into the future, allowing current Republican officeholders to be insulated from their brutal effects. It is hard for Republicans to imagine a better chance to cut Medicaid than using the collapse of Obamacare as a cover. Numerous Republican governors have denounced the deep Medicaid cuts in the Senate bill (which actually go even farther than the cuts in the House bill.) Chris Sununu, the Republican governor of New Hampshire, all but calls out the bait and switch in the bill. The country is looking for reform on Obamacare, he tells Time. Thats where the sole focus needs to be. This goes beyond that. Ohio senator Rob Portman has expressed concern perhaps pressured by his states Republican governor, John Kasich, who has denounced the plan. Medicaid has split the party. Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania senator and former president of the Club for Growth, a lobby for extreme libertarian policy, has urged the inclusion of the long-term Medicaid cuts. Toomey reportedly lashed out at Portman. The Wall Street Journal, a longtime ally of Toomeys plutocratic worldview, amplifies Toomeys attack on Portman today. When McConnell warns his party that the alternative to failure is bipartisanship, it sounds comical to outside ears. But he is deadly serious about it. He is telling conservatives that they are on the verge of forfeiting a historic opportunity to use the pretext of Obamacare repeal and replace to fulfill longstanding goals. The least committed conservatives in his party seem unwilling to risk their own popularity for these audacious goals. If for some reason it fails the floodgates would probably open to reach a bipartisan compromise, West Virginia senator Shelley Moore Capito said on CNN. The term floodgates is telling. It indicates built-up pressure to abandon ideological maximalism and instead try to actually improve Obamacare. McConnell is trying to use the urgency of a deadline to force through a law enabling his grandest ideological dreams. Instead, the pressure of timing may have opened up a schism within his party he cannot mend. People protest the original travel ban at Philadelphia International Airport. Photo: NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images After the Supreme Court finally handed President Trump a victory in the long legal battle over his attempt to ban people from six Muslim-majority nations, and all refugees, from entering the United States, he issued a celebratory statement. It read, in part: As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm. I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive. My number one responsibility as Commander in Chief is to keep the American people safe. Todays ruling allows me to use an important tool for protecting our Nations homeland. Presumably, the Trump administration couldnt botch the rollout of the new travel ban as badly as it did in January. Despite what Trump claimed, the Supreme Court did not give him a clear victory. The justices said the revised version of the travel ban can be enforced while we await their ruling on its constitutionality in the fall. And the Supreme Court placed significant limits on the Trump administration: For the next few months, it can only ban foreign nationals who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States. Current visa holders, students, foreigners hired to work in the U.S., and people with relatives in the U.S. are not affected. The Supreme Court offered some examples of who meets the bona fide relationship standard: For individuals, a close familial relationship is required. A foreign national who wishes to enter the United States to live with or visit a family member, like Does wife or Dr. Elshikhs mother-in-law, clearly has such a relationship. As for entities, the relationship must be formal, documented, and formed in the ordinary course, rather than for the purpose of evading EO2. The students from the designated countries who have been admit- ted to the University of Hawaii have such a relationship with an American entity. So too would a worker who accepted an offer of employment from an American company or a lecturer invited to address an American audience. Not so someone who enters into a relationship simply to avoid 2(c): For example, a nonprofit group devoted to immigration issues may not contact foreign nationals from the designated countries, add them to client lists, and then secure their entry by claiming injury from their exclusion. Of course, the Trump administration managed to stir controversy anyway. The AP reports that a cable sent to U.S. embassies and consulates on Wednesday night explained the new criteria for visa applicants, which takes effect Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The guidelines say new applicants from six Muslim-majority nations Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran, and Yemen must prove that they have a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or sibling already in the U.S. However, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-law, fiances, and other extended family members dont count as close family relationships. The guidelines list plenty of other exceptions for people from the six nations affected by the ban. Journalists, students, and people who have employment contracts with American companies could enter the country. And there are other signs that the Trump administration has recognized that keeping out foreign artists, children, and sick people is a bad PR move. Per the AP: Consular officers may grant other exemptions to applicants from the six nations if they have previously established significant contacts with the United States; significant business or professional obligations in the U.S.; if they are an infant, adopted child or in need of urgent medical care; if they are traveling for business with a recognized international organization or the U.S. government or if they are a legal resident of Canada who applies for a visa in Canada, according to the cable. But, for some reason, the Trump administration is setting itself up to have images of an elderly Libyan woman separated from her grandchildren in the U.S. plastered on the front page of every newspaper. In the administrations defense, this is partly the Supreme Courts fault. In his dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas said he worried that the ruling would prove unworkable and predicted a flood of litigation. He explained, Todays compromise will burden executive officials with the task of deciding on peril of contempt whether individuals from the six affected nations who wish to enter the United States have a sufficient connection to a person or entity in this country. Even if special treatment for son-in-laws wasnt one of Trumps core beliefs, he could not ban them when the court specifically said a mother-in-law should be allowed in. Treating grandparents and aunts differently doesnt make any sense, but neither does banning people from six nations that arent linked to any of the fatal terror attacks on U.S. soil while cozying up to Saudi Arabia, home to many of the 9/11 attackers. People wait on the subway platform during rush hour at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station in June. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images A southbound A train scraped the wall of the subway tunnel Tuesday morning, sending two cars jumping off the tracks before the 125th Street station in Harlem. The power went out. Smoke filled the cars. About 800 riders evacuated themselves from the train, relying on phones and FDNY flashlights to lead them aboveground. Almost three dozen people were hurt, though none faced life-threatening injuries. The derailment which the MTA said was likely caused by a replacement rail that wasnt stored properly on the tracks sparked immediate service disruptions across the system. It also did real damage: train tracks broken, signal lights knocked down, concrete punched out of the subway walls. Delays and service changes dogged the system into the overnight hours as crews worked furiously to get the lines back up. The MTA had both the express and local trains up by the morning rush with, of course, extensive delays. That phrase is a tired refrain for riders in a system where overall delays have spiked and the horror stories have piled up on social media, meticulously documented, now that all the stations are wired online. Subway woes go hand in hand with the summer of hell for regional commuters on the LIRR, who face disruptions along with NJ Transit and Amtrak riders because Penn Stations tracks are in dire need of repairs. The solution to all of this seems obvious: infrastructure investments to upgrade and restore and fix our system and to build it out a whole lot more. Which still isnt going to solve our problems overnight, says Richard Barone, a transit expert at the Regional Plan Association. Daily Intelligencer spoke with Barone about how the MTA and the city ended up in subway crisis mode, and what might get us out. Tuesdays derailment feels a bit like a breaking point. Do you think were there, or is it going to take a lot more than that? We dont know all the details. I know initially people were getting stuck and they were kind of clueless about what was going on. As the day progressed the MTA seemed to get a better handle on things. Still, its a big problem and people were struggling with commutes. But it took years for us to get to where we are. We are not going to fix the overcrowding, rehab stations, make more trains materialize to serve all the people we have to serve, and prevent all the mechanical failures right away. The MTA said in a statement that an improperly secured rail might have been responsible, adding that storing equipment in between tracks is a common practice to accelerate rail repairs. Is this an example of a trade-off between getting it done fast, but maybe not as efficiently or safely? I think we dont know enough about this. I assume the safety board is going to look into this with an inquiry. Theyll determine what actually happened. Thats always my cautionary note. Theres a lot of pressure to say what caused it, but there is something to be said about letting the investigators get the facts together. A train derailment. Photo: TWU Local 100 But theres no disputing that the subway is facing difficulties because of outdated technology and other infrastructure challenges. How did we get here? The organization in the past was more about fixing what it had and not really upgrading. This idea that its been working for 60, 80 years and we dont want to change the way we do things. It also comes down to money: You know you can only get this much money, what do you do with it? New technology upgrades might come second after we have to replace the track or this train is going to go off the track. Replace this analog system with another one because you dont have time to modernize this whole thing. What about overcrowding? Ridership blew up because of the MetroCard and free transfer to buses, and the unlimited 30-day pass removed the barrier to people having to pay per trip. The systems been buckling under the pressure for three years now. Crowding has been very extreme in certain places and the system is struggling to serve all the demand that has been placed on it. What youre starting to see is the shedding of some of that ridership now. The question that comes up among frustrated riders lately is whos to blame? The MTA is a state-run agency, so Governor Andrew Cuomo is rightfully under pressure. But Mayor Bill de Blasio has also gotten flak. And theyre both blaming each other. So whom should I, as a New York City subway rider, blame? The governor runs the system. Its a state authority and he has the primary responsibility. But the governor and the mayor should be working together to fix this problem. They should both be held accountable and be pressed by the public to set aside their differences. For the mayor to say, Hands off. Its the governors problem its the citys problem if the subway doesnt work. The city loses. Its economy loses; its residents are impacted. One way to deal with the pressure on the subways would be to improve our surface transportation system: better and more reliable buses. The city is a huge player on that. The city brings in land use control of the streets and zoning. The city provides financial resources: If the MTA needs supplemental funding to improve a station, the city which is in pretty decent financial shape right now could potentially provide resources to make that happen. But if theres no dialogue, whys the city going to do that? So [the mayor and the governor] need to listen to each other. If New York City doesnt work, everybody in New York will pay a price. And yet, to use a very cliche analogy, it seems the MTA has become the third rail for New Yorks leaders. Why does it seem no one is willing to touch it? Because its so political. Politicians are concerned about overpromising. We didnt get here overnight and we cant all of a sudden turn around the whole system. There are things to do that will help to improve things in the short term, but the larger issues the infrastructure backlog, signaling upgrades, bottlenecks in the system those are going to be longer-term investments. So theres been a reluctance to look outside of the relatively near-term agenda when it comes to a term or two in the political timeline. With infrastructure you have to look much further out. Maybe in your elected cycle youre only planting some seeds, and youre not getting as many opportunities to benefit from those openings. Until last week, the MTA hadnt had a chairman for months. Weve had a tremendous amount of turnover [at the MTA] because of politics and lack of autonomy. The MTA needs to have stable leadership, and its leaders should be given the autonomy to execute their vision. Because if theyre able to do that, they might want to stick around and stay for six, eight, ten years. The problem now is you had so many different leaders come in. Every time a new leader comes, they have to evaluate whats been done before. That takes a while. So the staff, which may have started executing one plan, has to stop, and now they have to evaluate another approach. Theyre constantly course-correcting. Such as? A great example was the idea of getting the countdown clocks on the division B, which are the lettered lines. About a decade ago, the MTA had a plan to do what they did on the numbered lines, but it was decided at the time, politically, that it would take too long and they had to go about it another way. So the agency went through this whole other evaluation process that took a couple of years. That process came up with another approach, and then there was more pressure to deliver the countdown clocks, so it went through another series of tests and demos to determine whether the MTA could do it faster. Finally, after all these years and years, now they have a plan to use beacons and Bluetooths for the countdown clocks. The ironic thing is the plan to do those upgrades is going to take about a decade, maybe a little more. So if the MTA would have just done its original plan, the countdown clocks might be a couple of years away still, but youd have a system similar to what you had on the other lines. And Im sure thats just the beginning. These changes in leadership stall progress. The same with the fare-payment system. There was a plan to start replacing the fare-payment system by 2014. Were now looking at 2019 or 2020. It keeps getting pushed out. The administration under [MTA chairman] Jay Walder had a plan. That plan was overturned and reevaluated. We were the first system in the world to test what they call an open-fare payment system, which is using your RFID-equipped credit card or your phone to access the transit system. New York piloted this stuff way back in 200910. We were the first. Now London has the system that we piloted. Chicago has the system we piloted. Philadelphia has the system we piloted. The MTA is likely to be one of the last systems. And I imagine that also deeply affects more essential planning, like vital system upgrades. The success of the subway system hinges on the organizational culture and the resources that its given. And culture cant be underestimated in all of this. I have no doubt that a technical solution to fix the subway already exists and people are very much aware of what needs to be done. We need to make the MTA a place where people are going to want to clamor to get a job. This is not saying that there are not a lot of smart people at the MTA there are. But you have to give them the ability to shine. People on an idling train at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn subway station, April 21, 2017, in Brooklyn. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Well, Joe Lhota who previously served as MTA chairman before running for mayor is now back. How do you view that move? Lhota was with MTA for over a year and went through a very major crisis in Hurricane Sandy as chairman. He was very good at interfacing with the governor and creating a space so that he was out there advocating for certain things with the cooperation of the government and [the MTA] board and the folks operating the systems. It also wont take him as long to get up to speed when it comes to how the MTA works and the actual system itself. Given the MTAs straits, it almost seems as if he was selected because of his reputation as a good crisis manager. I do think hes a good fit for the circumstances we are in right now. Were cautiously optimistic that well start seeing some improvement soon. But to be clear, the fixes all take some time. This is a good first step. As you mentioned, resource constraints are also an issue. The MTA seems perpetually strapped for money, or funds are going to big projects instead of system upgrades. The MTA has its operating budget, and then its five-year capital plan. Can you explain how those work when it comes to funding the system? They are kind of mixed because the capital plan is funded by debt and debt service is paid for in the operating budget. Seventeen, 18 percent of the operating budget goes for debt service. The five-year capital plan also receives funding from the federal government and state and city supplemental funding, and it focuses more on new projects even though it does include a lot of station and track work. The operating budget covers maintenance maintaining the bus fleet or rail car, cleaning stations. But if you have to start replacing pieces of that station, or replace the track rather than just cleaning trash off of it, then thats capital. Anything that requires replacing or building a new asset. This five-year capital plan which some argue should be even longer, like ten years was done as a way to get additional funding for the MTA for these projects and it was also done strategically on the labor side so when it came down to collective bargaining, it did not seem as if the MTA had this massive pot of money. How does the MTA come up with the capital plan? Theres a legislative approval process. The MTA estimates funding needs and tries to get the funding sources. It petitions the federal government for money and applies for different grants. Then they go back and they ask the city for money. And then it goes to the state and says, This is what we need from you. The state has to appropriate the funding for the MTA and approve the plan. In the end, the state will either suggest the MTA issue more debt, or the state provides the debt for them. Or the state will say, Were going to raise the MTA debt ceiling, which is cumulative. This way the MTA doesnt have to pay out of the fare box. But the number is huge now, something like $40 billion, and they keep raising the ceiling so the MTA can issue more debt. The danger zone is about 20 percent or above. So far were below that, but its been going over the last couple of decades. And the operating budget? The operating budget is essentially fixed to the MTAs income. There are two general ways the MTA raises money. One is revenues from the fare box. A process was put in place several years ago that pushed for making biennial fare increases standard because the MTA did not have regular fare increases and it wasnt able to keep pace with the increased costs of labor and fuel. The other side is subsidies. Roughly half of your trip is subsidized, though it varies by mode buses require greater subsidies than subways. The subsidies are made up of a series of taxes: mortgage-recording tax, petroleum business tax, payroll mobility tax. All these taxes are collected in the downstate region, in counties served by the MTA. That money is appropriated to the MTA by the legislature. Every once in a while the state says, We dont have to give you that much, were going to use part for something else. But most of the time, the MTA gets pretty much all of it. The only thing the MTA can itself do as an organization to deal with ebbs and flows of revenue is to cut service or raise fares. Everything else requires it to go back to the legislature and say, We dont have enough money, can you get a new revenue stream? Which is what the MTA did with the payroll mobility tax, which generated another billion dollars or so annually. But it often feels as if the MTA doesnt use those funds wisely or efficiently. The Second Avenue subway took a decade to build or 100 depending on how you look at it. We shouldnt underestimate how difficult it is to build a subway expansion in a city like New York, especially in a neighborhood like the Upper East Side. Its one of the most complicated construction environments on the planet. But clearly there are efficiency issues. Theres no disputing that on a per-mile basis Second Avenue is the most expensive subway extension in the world. Thats just the honest-to-god truth. But if you look at how much we spend on infrastructure in this country and in the city versus what other people spend as a percentage of their GDP, its low. If you look at how much we spend compared to how much our assets are valued [at], its low. We have this weird conundrum where were not really spending enough, but what we do spend on a per-unit basis is high. Its this terrible argument: We have to be spending more, but at the same time we have to be doing things more affordably. But theres this sense of the MTA cant get me to work on time. I worry that the crises were facing now will force us to even walk away from bigger infrastructure projects because theres going to be this mentality: Weve got to fix it first, and thats that. No other major global city that competes with us thinks that way. Theyre always looking at how to improve commutes, extend access, create more capacity, speed up travel. Not even around the globe we have some pretty interesting examples in the United States. I would say Los Angeles and Denver are two places that have done a lot when it comes to building out and extending their public-transportation systems. Its comparable to stuff New York City did back in the teens. And these projects we have in the pipeline now, while theyre important the first phase of the Second Avenue subway, the extension of the 7 line, East Side Access theyre relatively modest and they shouldnt be considered the end-all to fix because theyre not. The no. 7 is not going to fix any real problems. It generated a new area of the city, it created change for development, but its not addressing capacity or any mobility challenge. Its only been the Second Avenue subway and East Side Access, but those projects are just the beginning of what we should be doing. Based on everything you said, subways delays are going to be a reality for a while. But whats one thing the MTA could theoretically do very quickly to improve service? The thing that could be done almost immediately is the MTA rethinking how it communicates with customers. Pruning back all the extraneous stuff customers are bombarded with, messaging like how many track fires we have and terrorism messaging the NYPD pushes them to put on the PA. Make messages more timely and accurate: This line is down. If youre going here, transfer there. If youre going here, transfer there. Simplify the website. System map. Boom. The MTA has proven that it can do it in disasters like Hurricane Sandy. But the MTA doesnt succeed now. We know that every day: The MTA is saying its delays. Delays, sure. The service is not operating right now. Real talk: Let's discuss crisis communications. This is a screenshot of the MTA website as of now. pic.twitter.com/8n6QaWCMDF Second Ave. Sagas (@2AvSagas) June 27, 2017 How about the signal system were always hearing about? Some [signaling systems] date back to the 1930s. Some of the surgical relays are that old. When the RPA looked at it in 2014, we suggested the MTA could try to do this in 30 years or maybe less. The MTA, at that time, was suggesting they would get part of the system done in 50 years. But there was no actual defined plan that was made that was public. But signaling-system improvements dont remove the other physical brick-and-mortar constraints that curtail throughput and capacity track geometries, terminal configuration, and station crowding. The current signaling system should be able to handle 30 trains per hour. Not all of our lines are able to carry that much because of other bottlenecks. What are some steps to accelerate such repairs? Look at Governor Cuomos station redesign plans in the boroughs. The way he is going to accelerate them is by closing them for an extended duration. And were going to fix the tunnels on the L train faster by closing it for 15 months. You want to be able to get in and spend a fully productive eight-hour day or two or three shifts constantly working? You cant do that when youre running a 24/7 system. I think the L train closure could potentially serve as a model for how we might be able to transform the subway over time because its an opportunity to have a 15-month closure of five stations in Manhattan and do some serious improvements on each of those stations. So the L-train apocalypse might end up being a good test case? The problem I foresee is that the MTA has a relatively modest plan the tunnel repair isnt modest, but these station projects are. The MTA is planning on fixing the tunnel and doing an entrance on Avenue A and an improvement on the Driggs entrance on Bedford [in Williamsburg]. Theyre not planning on doing anything at other stations. So people come back after 15 months, and its about the same. The public might say, This was painful, we dont want to do this again, because you know what? Were back to the same old thing. This post has been edited and condensed for clarity. Recently, in honor of Fugly Week, I wrote about my beloved Marpac Dohm noise machine: The gist of it is, while the clunky gadget looks like a Stormtrooper helmet, its led to the soundest sleep of my life. How excited I was, then, to learn, via an email from the kind folks at Marpac HQ, that just last week (what timing!), the company actually collaborated with an outside designer for the first time Michael Graves on five different, slightly more modern looks. This is the first time weve brought in an outside design firm with an eye toward aesthetic upgrades, while still keeping functionality, simplicity, and quality sound as our highest priorities, Marpac marketing director Liz Heinberg told me. While we are still partial to the fugly simplicity of the original, the new one is indeed quite a bit sleeker and 2017-appropriate, and even comes in a millennial-pink tint. Right now, these Dohm Elites are available exclusively at Bed Bath & Beyond in classic gray, and will be available in four other shades at BB&B on July 10. Welcome back to Your Shopping Cart, wherein we break out the top-five products that you, devoted Strategist readers, all bought in droves. Think of this as the tl;dr of the Strategist: If your like-minded brethren are buying these items, maybe youd like to, too. We have an upset! Two weeks after the crazy-popular Japanese exfoliator reclaimed its lead, a newcomer has snatched the top spot congratulations to our new top seller, the slightly painful but incredibly worth it Braun Silk-epil, which saved one writer thousands in trips to the waxing salon. That knocks the Cure gel to second place, followed by last installments runner-up, the Shiseido facial razor (you guys sure like getting rid of hair). In fourth place is our fugly champ, the Charleston Monterey sandal, which, we should note, weve been spotting more and more in the wild, too. Rounding out the top five is another newcomer Lucky founding editor Kim Frances absolute favorite mesh underwear, which she calls so far and away the perfect underwear that I have a hard time understanding why anybody wears anything else. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best womens jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. FUCK GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY BEING IN THE ENERGY PAVILLION, GET THAT SHIT OUT OF THERE. I WANT TO LEARN WHEN I GO TO EPCOT. GET ELSA & HER CREW OUT OF NORWAY. GIVE FIGMENT A BIGGER PRESENCE IN THE PARK. I look forward to something new in France, I think that video has been there since the park opened in '82. sorry, I have a lot of EPCOT feelings :( I love the Great Movie Ride, but even with the TCM sponsporship and the bare minimum they put in (thank god they put a new longer video in the lobby) it is rough and needs major work. I hope whatever they do they honors the original integrity and spirit of the ride. Edited at 2017-06-29 01:13 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link GIVE FIGMENT A BIGGER PRESENCE IN THE PARK KILL FIGMENT ftfy Reply Parent Thread Link I say this as a huge fan of EPCOT but Fuck Figment, I hate that little jerk I used to have to walk down this one hallway backstage where they had a motion censored activation where he'd start talking out of no where and it would follow you down the hall, I hated it even 10 years later haha Reply Parent Thread Link HOW DARE YOU! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link tbh I know the ride is hot garbage but I love Figment. I do think that they need to do something better with him though. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link hahah omggg I was rage writing while you posted this but SAME- I hate all these non educational features they're throwing in and neglecting everything else. It's like fucking Avatar land being in Animal Kingdom, this isn't a real place and shouldn't be near Asia and Africa Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I don't think the movie in France is going. They're supposedly adding the Ratatouille ride from DLP. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Also, I've heard mixed things on Impressions de France but I'd love an update too. It's soooo old lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i can't think of where a ride would fit in the france pavilion but i will quit epcot if they get rid of the movie. I LOVE IT Reply Parent Thread Expand Link the original idea of epcot just isn't going to work now in 2017. technology moves so fast that no business will be able to sustain constant updates to a pavilion in the park. i grew up listening to my mom talk about how amazing epcot was in the 80s, and when me and her went back in 2012 i was so let down. everything looked dated, they still had kodak film developing kisoks, we waited all day for the ellen thing but it was so underwhelming compared to the other parks. now i do not agree with ANY disney character presence in the world showcase (elsa needs to gtfo norway), but i don't know how else they can save the other half of the park. they tried with the mission space ride and the new facade to test track but it just isn't working. the park isn't cohesive. when i visited it was a literal ghosttown until i got to the worldshowcase where it was packed. Reply Parent Thread Link Frozen shouldn't be in World Showcase, but whatever. Its there. Thematically, it would have fit in Magic Kingdom, but that park needed a break from guest traffic. Guardians...or hell, anything, should replace Mission Space or Universe of Energy (I loooove the pre-show with ellen and bill nye, but the rest is too long). Reply Parent Thread Link I love the dinosaurs but I hate being told by Ellen and Bill how great fracking and deep sea oil drilling are...especially when I went just months after the Deepwater Horizon disaster proved how NOT wonderful deep sea drilling is. However, the Living Seas, Soarin' and Test Track all prove you can learn AND have fun so maybe the GOTG ride could do that, too. Maybe it could be a variation of the Sum of All Thrills and use math or something. I want Journey into Imagination to be redone with Jim Zub's comic in mind, including bringing back the rainbow corridor, dammit. I felt France and China seemed dated. China should alternate with Born in China. Canada also seemed like a weird use of space and why can't one of UK's phone booths be a TARDIS? Okay, if the original integrity and spirit is kept, I suppose I could accept it but I don't like how this gondola thing is probably further proof that Gertie is a goner. Reply Parent Thread Link unless the star wars that hits blue ray will be the harmy version, they can keep it Reply Thread Link I thought Disney didn't own the original cuts because that's the one thing Fox wouldn't hand over when they sold the SW empire. Or maybe that's JUST for A New Hope. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link God I hope they give us some info about The Incredibles 2. I'm so pumped. Reply Thread Link I feel like it's too much to hope for a trailer and yet here I am. Just any info, as you said - would be good. Maybe just a tease at how the children look now or something? Edited at 2017-06-29 01:41 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Give me WIR / Incredibles 2 / SW anthology info and you can keep the rest. Reply Thread Link literally all i want from this d23 is a release date for kingdom hearts 3 (preferably in 2018) but i fully expect to not get that. :') Reply Thread Link anything kingdom hearts... please...... Reply Thread Link We're supposed to get a new trailer featuring a new world iirc Reply Parent Thread Link hopefully there's a release date on there, i'll even be happy with just "coming 2018" lmao Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i refuse to be happy about any kh3 info without a release date Reply Parent Thread Link Wait, also ANNOUNCE THAT ARTEMIS FOWL MOVIE, DISNEY. Reply Thread Link I totally forgot about that. Reply Parent Thread Link isnt it a little late for that? Reply Parent Thread Link You could also get another director for Aladdin. Reply Thread Link for real Reply Parent Thread Link I saw Jasmine's voice actor (talking not singing) at a con a few months ago and she said she had recorded something for Disney that she couldn't talk about until it was announced this summer. So if anything Aladdin related comes up you heard it here first! (I'm guessing it's just something low key for like a video game or something, but in my heart I'm praying for an Aladdin ride in one of the parks lol) Reply Thread Link No love for the Magic Carpet ride I see (which I get for the most part bc it's pretty much just a re-skin of the Dumbo ride). Reply Parent Thread Link Lol yes completely forgot it exists I'm just amazed disney hasn't made a cave of wonders roller coaster or something! You could enter through the gold tiger head and the queue would be all gold and jewels. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Praying that the KH3 trailer Nomura's been playing up actually has a release date. That's all I want tbh. Reply Thread Link We'll be lucky if it comes out in 2018 Reply Parent Thread Link "whatever Guardians of the Galaxy presence will replace the current Ellen attraction at the Energy pavilion." What NO- as much as I think the Ellen ride does need to be updated into something, I hate all these noneducational/character features coming in, like Nemo is fine b/c they actually tie in with the Living Seas but come ON. Frozen and it's make believe not Norway land taking over Norway is bad enough but Guardians of the Galaxy ugh :( This is like fucking Avatar being stuck in the middle of Animal Kingdom all over again (not as bad as that but still) I know EPCOT needs a shot in the arm but it's just sad to see it get all mushed up from what it was supposed to be. Test Track sucks now, Mission Space is good but meh, and they still haven't touched the Bodywars pavilion in all of these years. There's so much weird open space in EPCOT that people really don't stop to think about, I used to work there for the college program and as much as I love that park it really needs some tlc Reply Thread Link I love non educational things lmao A lot of people say that Epcot's original idea this or that, but Epcot is about community, not education. IP is part of the community, maybe now more than ever before because it's permeated all of these aspects of our pop culture. It's relevant to us in a way that it wasn't in the 1980s I'm okay with this, altho it prob helps that idc about Ellen lmao Reply Parent Thread Link I'm torn b/c...I do like Guardians of the Galaxy and Ellen needs to finally go but I'm stubborn af Future World is such a mess right now so maybe GotG would help bring some love to that section Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yeah epcot was not originally about education but innovation, it just became that way but honestly, all of the "educational" stuff in epcot was sponsored by companies as advertisement. also, epcot had captain fucking eo. that fits in just as well as GOTG. Reply Parent Thread Link I went into the Wonders of Life pavilion a few years ago for the first time since it closed and it made me sad lol. I don't get why they closed everything in there and then didn't replace them with anything new. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link FYI, the Guardians ride in California that just opened is REALLY fucking fun. and I say that as someone who goes to dland all the time, is a purist, and hated that fucking thing with a passion when it was being overlayed on Tower. but its really fun. it's my fav ride now. but I get your point about non educational rides coming into that area. Reply Parent Thread Link I miss Maelstrom Reply Parent Thread Link Guaridans, if it ever comes to florida, should replace the Stitch Escape attraction in Tomorrowland. Or hell, revert Stitch back to Alien Encounter! Reply Parent Thread Link I just hope that the rumor about them replacing Illuminations isn't true ): I would be fine with everything else (even the GotG stuff) as long as I get to keep Illuminations. I love that show so much. If anything happens I'm hoping that it's just an update of it. Knowing my luck though the rumor is true. Reply Thread Link WHAT- Illuminations is perfect, even if it's just a rumor this is terrible Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah it was part of the batch of rumors - and it breaks my heart just thinking about it. One of my best memories at Disney was walking out of the Japanese Restaurant in EPCOT and stumbling onto the show just as it was starting. We were there in Feb so EPCOT was pretty empty at that time and we just strolled around the countries and watched it. It was so magical <3 Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This would've been me like 2 months ago, but after seeing Happily Ever After, I'm ready to let Illuminations go. I was way more attached to Wishes than I am to Illuminations and I'm not delighted that it's gone because HEA is amazing and Epcot deserves something new and amazing too Reply Parent Thread Expand Link If they change the Illuminations music I will cry. Updates to the globe and stuff would be nice, but DO NOT TOUCH THE MUSIC. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Illuminations is amazing, but it's such an old show I'd welcome something new. Same with Fantasmic (even though Fantasmic is one of my favorite shows at WDW) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link haha this post is making me rage but now I really want to go back to Disney Reply Thread Link I aim to please Reply Parent Thread Link I'd like to go to Club 33. Reply Thread Link yah me too before i turn 34.* actually i have an old friend who was just there, ill have to ask him how hes constantly there and to get me in. *eta because ive always wanted to be 33 at club 33 ok. Edited at 2017-06-29 02:31 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link omg yessss. I love these screenings so much. I wanted to see Lady of the Camellias last time but the screening went wonky so we didn't get to see ANY of it. ugh. I was gutted. I've got introduced to quite a few ballets this way - Swan Lake and Giselle have been my favs. Sleeping Beauty was another broadcast but with the Royal Ballet, and I love that too. I think I'm gonna try to watch as many of these as possible. I can't dance/am not fit at all/don't know much on the technical side of things but I just love love love watching it and enjoying the scores. Reply Thread Link Did you see the Sleeping Beauty this year? The one with Nela and Vadim? I loooooooooove it so so much Reply Parent Thread Link I didn't! :( I had only seen the Royal Ballet version and a version of the national ballet here performing it, but not the Bolshoi. :( I really really love that ballet, one of my favs! the score is absolutely perfect. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link swan lake is my favourite. i love the waltz Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'd really love to see a ballet one day Reply Thread Link Hmm I'll def see Flames of Paris, maybe Corsaire, but I can't see myself caring about the rest, esp when the ROH just did Giselle last season and I have the recording with Nela and Vadim, and this season they did Marguerite & Armand which is the superior version of camellia I thought of seeing Coppelia when I was living in Sydney but it's like my least fav of the 3 the Australian ballet had on cinemas and I just missed Sleeping Beauty so nah... I still do wanna see that Graeme Murphy Sleeping Beauty, if only for those glorious costumes Reply Thread Link Is the Graeme Murphy Sleeping Beauty the one the Australian Ballet is doing now? (With the Faberge-egg looking bed for Aurora and the feather-like costumes for the fairies?) Reply Parent Thread Link Yessss! I missed it by like a week of my getting to Sydney, I was so disappointed I saw his Nutcracker, but it's more hit or miss based on his choreography and very poor pacing. I am still very interested in Sleeping Beauty because it retains the story so it's only his over the top seemingly amazing staging Reply Parent Thread Expand Link any of these would be a treat to see Reply Thread Link I've actually never seen Le Corsaire so I'll probably try and go see that one! Any of them would be great though. Reply Thread Link Also thanks to all the gossiping on the last balllet post, I spent a long ass time reading a Joy Womack gossip and watching her dramatic vlogs it was so hilarious Reply Thread Link i really need to see one of these. i've always wanted to go to the ballet. Reply Thread Link you should check it out! it's such a great way to see it bc you don't have to worry about splurging for seats - the broadcasts are informative + the views are great. I love it. got me right into ballet. :) Reply Parent Thread Link oh man i'm gonna see if i can get tickets! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link A thing that really bothers me about the MET screenings is that they only screen opera. Why wouldn't they screen the ABT season too? I would pay to see some ABT, especially a hot mess like Whipped Cream so I can hate Ratmansky and Stella Abrera with authority Reply Thread Link It seems like ABT just doesn't record their productions lately. When's the last time they did, the Swan Lake with Gillian Murphy? Reply Parent Thread Link Maybe yes? The Dream with Ferri/Steifel is from the same season I think and that's from 2004! What's funny about that is it's one of those reasons why a lot of ballet fans aren't into Misty Copeland, because all we hear about her outside of NYC is chatter, we never get to see her dance, which is so the opposite of most big stars at other companies Reply Parent Thread Expand Link agh I wish ABT would screen. I still haven't seen any ballet from there and I'm never in the city when the season is happening :((( I read an article about Whipped Cream and I'd be curious to check it out, lolol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I would pay to see some ABT omg same Reply Parent Thread Link I might try to see Flames of Paris! I wish the Royal Opera House did their screenings on different days, but they always seem to be on Tuesdays at 7 PM in my time zone and the only movie theater that screens them is an hour away so I can never get there. Also I was really distracted this past week and I completely forgot to take advantage of the 30% subscriber discount for the Michigan Opera Theatre Dance season and now I'm very mad at myself, because I could have gotten tickets to 4 dance shows for the price of less than 2. Maybe if I call today (it's only 1 day past the deadline) they'll have pity on me. Reply Thread Link don't know nothing about performers but i've been obssessed with ballet for the last couple of years. i spent nearly US$100 on tickets since i have a 50% discount on my national ballet and also saw the Bolshoi's Nutcracker. i've been dying to see Coppelia so this is great Reply Thread Link I always say that I want to get more into ballet, but I don't really know where to begin. I do watch a lot of ballet documentaries. Bolshoi Babylon was so good! That acid attack was nuts. Is everything back to normal there now? Reply Thread Link Do you live close by any ballet companies or theaters that get ballet productions toured in? I would try to just jump right in with a live production that interests you! I found that it was a lot easier to watch filmed productions after seeing a ballet live. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, I'm in a major city, but money is pretty tight these days. I went to a Ballet Hispanico performance awhile ago but I haven't been to a traditional classical ballet since I was a kid & saw Nutcracker. I'll try to check out one of these Bolshoi events at some point, though. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Do you follow the royal opera house on YouTube? They make great insight videos where they introduce the ballets, explain about their importance. They also have a series about the elements of ballet so you learn about the mime and the music and they also have history videos with tons of demonstrations Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Adding it here for those interested Alices Adventures in Wonderland LIVE23 October 2017 Follow Alice down the rabbit hole in Christopher Wheeldons exuberant ballet, inspired by Lewis Carrolls much-loved book. The Nutcracker LIVE5 December 2017 A young girls enchanted present leads her on a wonderful Christmas adventure in this beautiful classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovskys magnificent score. The Winter's Tale LIVE28 February 2018 Shakespeares tale of love and loss becomes compelling dance drama in Christopher Wheeldons ballet adaptation, with music by Joby Talbot. New Wayne McGregor / The Age of Anxiety / New Christopher Wheeldon LIVE27 March 2018 The Royal Ballet celebrates the centenary of Leonard Bernsteins birth with an all-Bernstein programme from Wayne McGregor, Liam Scarlett and Christopher Wheeldon. Macbeth Manon LIVE3 May 2018 Kenneth MacMillans powerful telling of Manon and Des Grieuxs tragic love is a masterpiece of modern ballet, set to music by Massenet. Swan Lake LIVE12 June 2018 The Royal Ballet presents a new production of Tchaikovskys magnificent classical ballet, with additional choreography by Liam Scarlett and designs by John Macfarlane. Reply Thread Link I'll say that idc for a basically triple McGregor because Winters Tale was disappointing and Alice is downright awful but maybe I just hate Jody Talbot's music Super excited for Age of Anxiety like the Liam Scarlett stan that I am, and I CANNOT WAIT FOR HIS SWAN LAKE YES PLS GET ME A TIME MACHINE I NEED IT NOW I know people hate the swans on the ROH production but I love them and I wanna trust my bae Liam that he will keep them. And also the mime. Reply Parent Thread Link Why don't people like the ROH swans? :O Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I have got to see the Swan Lake! Reply Parent Thread Link ooooooh thank you! I've seen Alice and The Winter's Tale live here (in Canada) so I might skip those bc I can't afford to see everything. I'll have to check out Swan Lake bc I haven't seen it from the Royal Ballet. I want to see the others! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm super excited!! I love ballet! Since this is the ultra-rare ballet post, anyone want to hear the story of how my grandfather helped sneak out the East German prima ballerina through The Wall in 1962? Reply Thread Link So my grandpa was fresh in the Army and was stationed and lived in a boarding house right near The Berlin Wall not very long after it was put up. He had clearance to go back and forth due to and did so frequently. Also living in the house was a businessman and professor who, due to his profession, was also cleared to gp back and forth. In his travels, he met and fell in love with the ballerina. A plan was hatched and my grandpa recruited to help smuggle her out so she and Mahita (the professor) could flee to America and begin their life. They tried once, but she freaked out right before they got to the checkpoint and they had to abandon it. And that's all the time I have on this break (I'm at work) but I'll post Part II in about an hour on my next one!! Reply Parent Thread Link Okay, Part II! So on the second attempt, they literally sewed her into the back seat of Papa's car (old car, big bench seat). She was tiny so she could fit, but just barely. When they got to the checkpoint, the car was searched inside and out by the East Germans (standard practice for traveling American GIs) but she wasn't found. They drove many, many miles away from the border, taking care that they were not followed. They pulled over in the countryside and cut her out of the seat. She then stayed in the boarding house in Mahita's room for several weeks. Anything she needed, he went out and got. My grandma said she was very kind, but didn't speak a word of English and kept to herself when Mahita was at work. Granny also said she started get phone calls with no one on the other line that would hang up. Black cars with men in dark suits and sunglasses would sit outside the house all day long. They would sometimes follow her into town. Finally, Mahita secured the right papers for them both to leave and they absconded in the middle of the night under cover of darkness. Granny and Papa never heard from them again. I think about them surprisingly often. I've tried researching it more than once to try and turn it into a book or screenplay. I can't find anything about the ballerina and all Granny can rememberer (Papa is dead) is that he was a young Indian man with the first name Mahita-- and I am simply guessing on the spelling. Edited at 2017-06-29 09:04 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Absolutely Reply Parent Thread Expand Link omfg yes! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ Reply Thread Link The United States is drastically falling behind in the global nuclear energy race. Just this March, Japanese-owned, Pittsburgh-based nuclear energy giant Westinghouse took a swift turn from rapid growth and expansion to filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a potently somber note in a nation that once was at the forefront of nuclear power technologies. As global populations continue to boom and greenhouse gases become an ever more pressing problem, nuclear is on the brink of a renaissance. Even more than wind and solar, nuclear promises to be the energy source of the future. An average wind turbine produces about 2 megawatts of electricity when there is enough wind to turn it. Compared to the 1,600 megawatts a modern nuclear plant will produce constantly for its 100-year lifespan, the choice seems obvious. Due to its singular energy density and incredible efficiency, nuclear holds unmatched potential to tap into the exponential growth of energy demand. For many nations, like India, Russia, and China, its the obvious option in todays rapidly changing energy landscape. In fact, in the rest of the world nuclear is has already been experiencing a boom for years--so why is the United States falling behind? The collapse of Westinghouse was a bad omen, certainly, but not a death sentence. The factors that lead to parent company Toshibas demise (gross over-promising and skyrocketing liabilities totalling $9.8 billion last December) are purely factors of mismanagement, not an issue with the U.S.s nuclear industry itself. However, for the U.S. nuclear industry to catch up to Asia and Europe, there is a long way to go. We are currently heavily dependent on other nations more-established nuclear industries for imports and for the development of nuclear-capable plants on US soil (as with the case of Japanese-owned Westinghouse). The first, and perhaps the simplest step, toward self-sufficiency is a major investment in infrastructure. Related: Hedging Rush In U.S. Shale Could Send Prices Tanking There are a few basic ways that the U.S. needs to ramp up its nuclear-capable infrastructure. Despite having significant sources of uranium domestically, more than 90 percent of uranium purchased by U.S. commercial nuclear reactors is imported, namely from Russia, Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, and Namibia. Additionally, the U.S. is home to just one uranium enrichment plant, and its Dutch-owned. This lone plant can satisfy just a third of the nations demand. The last basic need is heavy water, or deuterium dioxide which has not been produced in the U.S. since 1996. Recently weve been importing it from Iran, of all places. After infrastructure comes politics. In the last few decades, nuclear power in the U.S. has been regulated nearly out of existence. In the wake of 1970s tragic Three Mile Island meltdown, unit costs for US nuclear power plants tripled. In 2016, the Government Accountability Office released an audit of the NRC that found just obtaining a license to build a fourth generation MSR or HTGR plant would cost $1 billion and take a decade. Nuclears uphill battle to establish itself in the U.S. market is also in part thanks to the countrys continued dependence on oil, a glut of natural gas, and widespread incentives for wind and solar. But while domestic power demand remains static and demand around the world continues to boom, the U.S. is quickly losing its corner of the market. The energy sector comprises 8 percent share of global GDP, and that number is only going to grow. As the market grows, energy productions geopolitical power will grow alongside it. Nuclear is not only one of the most powerful factors in modern war, the harnessing of nuclear energy could prove to be one of the biggest factors in future economics. While the U.S. is frequently involved in headlines concerning the former, they are doing nothing to advance the latter. With almost no innovation, no infrastructure, and no plans to change that, the U.S. may not always have so much bargaining power when it comes to nuclear in a rapidly advancing global nuclear landscape. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S. has seen shale production rebound strongly, continuing a long-running trend towards higher oil production. The shale boom has helped the U.S. slash its import dependence significantly over the past decade or so. But the lack of pipelines reaching the East and West Coasts has slowed the decline of imports. East Coast refiners in particular are still very much reliant on crude imports from abroad. (Click to enlarge) The surge in shale production from the Bakken, for example, came at a time when there was a dearth of pipeline capacity. That led to a flood of oil on the nations railways, a more expensive and more dangerous form of transport. Crude-by-rail shipments from the Midwest (which encompasses North Dakotas Bakken) spiked to more than 800,000 barrels per day at its height in 2014. But a buildout of pipelines from the Bakken and other parts of the country, largely aimed at the U.S. Gulf Coast, has significantly curtailed crude-by-rail shipments. The entire U.S. only saw 285,000 bpd move via rail in March 2017, most of which came from the Bakken. Canada chipped in another 183,000 bpd by rail. The Dakota Access Pipeline probably puts the nail in the coffin for rail shipments. The 470,000-bpd pipeline opens up a major conduit for Bakken crude to reach the Gulf Coast. Related: The World Is Millions Of Barrels Away From Peak Oil In fact, Reuters reports that some major pipeline companies are having trouble filling up their lines, forcing them to offer discounts to producers for spot capacity. While the majority of oil shipped by pipeline is offered under long-term contracts, there is typically still some leftover capacity that is sold to producers at a higher price. But because pipeline operators are struggling with empty space, they are offering discounts in hopes of filling up their lines. The result is much more oil and gas heading to the Gulf Coast, allowing the U.S. to both cut down on imports and also step up both crude and gas exports. But that doesnt do much for the East Coast, which still struggles to get access to Midwestern crude. Pipelines to the Gulf Coast are looking for buyers, but a pipeline bottleneck to the East Coast means that imports from abroad remain steady. Building new pipelines is extraordinarily difficult in the highly populated Eastern Seaboard. Opposition from local communities makes it nearly impossible to build a new greenfield project. But there is one existing pipeline in Pennsylvania that has become hotly contested and encapsulates the rise of both producers and refiners in the Midwest. The Laurel pipeline runs from East to West, allowing East Coast refiners to sell product to the Pittsburgh area. But its operator, Buckeye Partners, wants to reverse the flow of a section of the pipeline, allowing refined products from the Midwest to take over the market in much of Pennsylvania, which would cost East Coast refiners $10 million annually. Buckeye Partners is betting that the Bakken is the future, allowing the company to reliably keep its pipeline full. The Midwest also is more competitive because it has access to cheaper oil from the Bakken and Canada. But if the full pipeline is reversed all the way to Philadelphia that could put some refiners along the East Coast out of business. Related: Goldman Sachs: Oil Crash Unlikely To Continue The issue might seem like a local one, but it could upend trade flows. While it could be an existential threat to East Coast refiners, proponents of the move argue that it would eliminate a large volume of imports. It would allow the Midwest to service the East Coast in a much bigger way. Crude oil and refined products from the Midwest are much cheaper than importing from Europe or West Africa. If the Laurel pipeline is constructed, it would open up a new route to the East Coast, allowing the U.S. to slash its import dependence. Similarly, Sunoco is proposing the construction of the Mariner-2 pipeline, a project that would carry natural gas liquids from Ohio to the East Coast in Philadelphia. The story is similar it would allow natural gas liquids from the Bakken to reach the East Coast, putting East Coast refiners in a bind but displacing imported fuels from abroad. The shale story is still unfolding. The EIA sees U.S. oil production surging to over 10 million barrels per day by next year. But in order for that higher production to edge out imports, it would need to reach the East Coast. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: This week is Energy Week, when the Administration of U.S. President Donald Trump emphasizes its policy towards oil and gas, particularly its general goal of increasing American production and exports while limiting or altering imports for domestic consumption. Like Infrastructure Week, the Administration has been a little light on details. Its stated goals, however, are quite straight-forward and focus on the concept of energy dominance. An energy dominant America means self-reliant, explained Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. It means a secure nation, free from the geopolitical turmoil of other nations who seek to use energy as an economic weapon." "An energy dominant America will export to markets around the world, increasing our global leadership and our influence." Energy dominance focuses on increasing exports while only permitting imports of crude oil from stable states allied to the U.S. At face value, this all seems pretty familiar. The goals laid out by Perry mirror the declarations of U.S. President Richard Nixon, who after the 1973-74 oil crisis and OAPEC Embargo emphasized the importance of energy independence for the purposes of U.S. national security. Nixons program was followed up by President Jimmy Carter, as well as all subsequent U.S. presidents. The conversation around energy independence grew more nuanced over time and was re-focused around the idea of energy security. The idea that the United States could be self-sufficient (or as Perry puts it, self-reliant) is unrealistic given the global nature of energy and the formation of the international energy system. Energy security, however, emphasized less dependence on insecure sources of energy in the Middle East, Latin American and Africa in favor of North American or European sources. Accomplishing this has been a stated U.S. goal for decades and has been a major influence on American policy in the Middle East since the 1980s, the First Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Related: Shale Rebound Runs Out Of Steam At $40 Oil How, then, is energy dominance different? The key lies in Perrys emphasis on exports. The surge in U.S. shale since 2010 has created a boom in U.S. oil production, but it is natural gas which is the main target for the Administrations plans. Exports in the form of liquefied natural gas would allow the United States to form new trade links with energy partners abroad, potentially expanding American influence in the form of energy exports. This does not necessarily constitute a break in U.S. policy. Under President Barack Obama, the decades-old ban on crude exports was lifted in December 2015, while the federal government authorized a host of LNG-export projects, including Cheniere Energys terminal at Sabine Pass. President Trump plans on going further. He intends to offer leases for new coal mines on federal land, knock down regulations inhibiting the construction of new pipelines, and reduce further regulations on methane gas emissions from natural gas production. Energy dominance also indicates the tone the Administration wishes to set around this new energy-focused initiative. President Trump seems keen to re-position the United States as a major energy exporter which can use its status as a source of political leverage. It implies that customers of U.S. LNG or crude will have to submit to other aspects of U.S. foreign policy. A message touting this idea was present when Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 26. That could be a dangerous policy. For one thing, potential customers will be wary of accepting U.S. energy if there are strings attached. Other sources of energy, particularly bountiful LNG exports from Australia, Qatar or Iran may look more attractive. Analysts have also warned that the ability of the U.S. to increase geopolitical leverage through energy exports shouldnt be overstated, particularly in areas like Eastern Europe, where Russia has been pursuing energy-centric foreign policy for years. Related: $30 Oil Could Spark Contagion In Energy Markets The policy is based upon the ability of the U.S. to produce at competitive levels, and at competitive prices. Right now, the price of both crude oil and natural gas is stuck at historic lows. American producers have proven extremely resilient and are continuing to increase output, but that may not last if prices hover below $50 or drop still further. Dominance implies the U .S. out-competing all rivals, including OPEC, Russia and other energy producers. So far, the bulk of U.S. LNG has been shipped to Latin America and East Asia. It faces stiff competition in both of these areas from other producers. Even as the U.S. increases output, domestic demand will continue to grow, while the EIA estimates that the overall U.S. share of global energy production, which fell from 24 percent in 1980 to 15 percent today, will decline to 13 percent by 2040 as new sources come on line. Energy dominance, if it coalesces into concrete policy, will be good news for companies like Cheniere that are focusing on increasing LNG exports. The policy may take advantage of market conditions that allow the U.S. to seize market share from other exporters. But in the long-term, changes in the market and fluctuations in price could have unintended consequences for the Trump Administrations ambitious agenda. By Gregory Brew for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A new militant group in the oil-rich Niger Delta is calling off the war it had threatened to start on June 30, and has decided to give peace a chance, in what could be a relief for Nigeria that has just started to recover its oil production that was crippled by militant attacks last year. The New Delta Avengers said at the beginning of June that they were declaring war on Nigerias oil infrastructure, threatening (again) the fragile but gradual recovery of the countrys crude oil production. But on Wednesday, the New Delta Avengers said in an open letter, as quoted by Reuters: NDA has decided to shelve our planned attack on major oil facilities in the region from June 30, 2017. We have decided to give peace a chance, the group, previously unheard-of said in its letter, noting that they decided to call off the war to help local community Edwin Clark continue negotiations for a peaceful resolution. The New Delta Avengersnamed in an apparent nod to the Niger Delta Avengers that were the most active militant group in the Delta last yearhad threatened attacks because they wanted a larger share of revenues from oil sales to go to the Niger Delta region. Nigerian crude production increased to 1.68 million bpd by 174,200 bpd over Aprilthe highest level in more than a yearafter the restart of Forcados loadings for the first time since October 2016, according to OPECs latest Monthly Oil Market Report. With the militants calling off the war on oil infrastructure, Nigeriaexempt from the OPEC output cutscan hope to further increase its crude oil production. However, as good as it would be for the countrys economy, its surely not good for fellow OPEC members who are cutting and hoping the cuts would draw down global inventories and lift oil prices. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: From the news in the legislature, it seems like we are going to limp along with a series of band-aid solutions instead of making any major substantive reforms to our tax code or our public pension system. Governor Brown and other Democrats have signaled that they plan to revisit new taxes in the 2019 session, so the stakes will be high for 2018. Currently, the Democrats are one seat short in each chamber of the 3/5th necessary to raise taxes. With a large ballot measure fight over a tax package is a definite possibility, the Democrats have shown little regard for what the voters say at the ballot if it goes against their ultimate ends. Spending millions of dollars fighting a tax at the ballot will mean nothing if we dont protect our flank in the legislature. In an off year cycle with a sitting Republican President, all Democrats need to do is pick up one seat in each chamber of the house and they will be able to pass whatever tax increase they can get their caucuses on board with. Unfortunately, the 2018 Senate map looks pretty ugly. There MIGHT be some long shot pick up opportunities with Senate District 6 Lee Beyer, Senate District 8 Sara Gelser, Senate District 11 Peter Courtney, and Senate District 15 Chuck Riley. Unfortunately all of these seats sport larger than a 10% Democratic voter registration edge. The only Democratic Senate seat up in 2018 that has less than a 10% Democratic edge is Senate District 16 Betsy Johnson, who votes with Republicans on enough key issues that any substantial challenge would be counter productive. MAYBE if you found a well-funded candidate who was something akin to the Second Coming you might be able to unseat a Democratic Senator, but from what I can tell, the Senate Republicans going on offense would be akin to lighting a giant pile of money on fire and dancing around it. Senate Republicans would be better served focusing on defending their people. Democrats are expected to come hard after Alan DeBoer in SD 3, as he only won his last election by a few hundred votes. The Democrats are also likely to go after Senator Alan Olsen and Senator Chuck Thomsen as well, as they are both Republicans in seats that lean Democratic. The bottom line is that the chance for a pickup in the Senate is very bleak, and the threats to sitting Republicans are real. I am more optimistic than most conservatives in Oregon, but if you are hanging your 2018 hopes on Republican victories on the Senate side, I am sad to tell you that the numbers just arent there. On the House side, we have another problem. When Knute Buehler makes his run for Governor is it almost a certainty that his House seat over in Bend will fall to the Democrats. The seat is already the deepest blue seat in the House held by a Republican. It is very unlikely that a candidate without Buehlers independent brand and fundraising prowess would be able to even seriously contend for the seat that has been moving farther and farther to the left over the years. So if we assume Buehlers seat will go to the Democrats, Republicans automatically need to pick off a sitting Democrat if they want to prevent the Ds from getting the 3/5ths needed to raise taxes. The stakes are high in 2018. The lack of any substantive changes to our spending or tax structures makes a ballot measure fight very likely. It is tempting to put effort and resources into fighting bad ballot measures, but if we take our eyes off the ball in the legislature it could be our doom. Jacob Vandever is political activist, lifelong Oregonian, and proud Oregon State graduate. Jacob is the Editor of the Oregon Upstart Blog. By Oregon Right to Life To ask your elected officials to vote no on HB 3391, please click here. Today the Joint Ways and Means Sub-Committee on Human Services passed out House Bill 3391 to the full Ways and Means Committee after adopting new amendments. As amended, HB 3391 would: Force nearly all health benefit plans offered in this state to cover abortions with no co-pays. Exempt any currently offered health benefit plans that do not cover abortion, but also create a new state program to fund abortions for people on these plans. Mandate that any future health insurance companies cover abortions with no co-pays, regardless of their religious convictions. Jeopardize federal funding by violating the Weldon Amendment, which is a piece of federal law that has been included in every Labor and Health and Human Services appropriations bill enacted since 2004 and specifically prohibits what House Bill 3391 would do. Put churches and other organizations that have deeply held beliefs in the position of violating those beliefs. Its a travesty that legislators are working to expand abortions in Oregon, a state where nearly half of all abortions are already paid for by taxpayers, said Gayle Atteberry, ORTL executive director. Planned Parenthood, Oregons largest abortion provider, testified in support of this bill, arguing that it makes economic sense. Killing more babies to save money never makes sense. The truth is, Planned Parenthood stands to make a killing if abortions are free in Oregon. They will still receive the insurance company payouts. HB 3391 will now be sent to the full Joint Committee on Ways and Means for consideration. To ask your elected officials to vote no on HB 3391, please click here. FIA probing against SECP tampering with records of Sharif family sugar mill 29 June, 2017 Related News Imran Khan distributed loan cheques under Kamyab Jawan Programme PTI govt to face all challenges coming its way: Imran khan More on this View All Top 2021 Accessories We Know You Will Love Types of Casino Payment Methods Tips for Taking Incredible iPhone Travel Photos Best Poker Hands ever played on a Casino Are Slot Developers Important for players? Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry Ways that Players Used to Take Advantage of Slot Sites ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is wasting no time in the probe against the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which was accused by the joint investigation team of tampering with the records of an investigation into a sugar mill owned by the Sharif family. The four-member probe team, headed by FIA Anti-Corruption Wing Director Maqsoodul Hassan, began working on Friday, June 23, just before the start of the Eid holidays and continued its work on Saturday and Sunday. It picked up where it had left off on Wednesday, after a two-day Eid break. The FIA team, which includes deputy directors Hazrat Ali, Ayaz Khan and Tahir Tanveer, have obtained a separate office on the SECP premises, near the chairmans secretariat, and their first directive was to the SECP law department, asking their staff to be present during the holidays. The allegation of record tampering was basically levelled against the SECP, which is why the investigation has been initiated against the corporate sector regulator, an FIA official told media men. Sources in the investigation agency told reporters that the FIA team was likely to complete its work at the SECP head office by Thursday afternoon, and records and witness statements would be scrutinised at FIA headquarters. The team was formed on the directives of the apex court after the six-member JIT probing allegations of money laundering against the Sharif family reported to the Supreme Court that government departments were tampering with records and creating hurdles in its work. Sources in the FIA and SECP said that the teams first order of business was to meet Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza, the commissions chief prosecutor and head of its Prosecution and Legal Affairs Division. Mr Muzzafar was asked to remain available during the holidays and ensure that officials of the law department were present, along with all the relevant records. The accusation of record-tampering was levelled against incumbent Mr Hijazi, as it was alleged that he closed an inquiry of money laundering by Chaudhry Sugar Mills owned by the Sharif family with retroactive effect. The FIA officials came prepared and knew where to start. Within minutes of taking charge, Mr Arsalan, deputy director of the Enforcement Department, was called to answer some questions, the official said. His interview lasted for more than four hours. In its response to the JITs allegations, submitted to the Supreme Court, the SECP maintained that investigations against Chaudhry Sugar Mills were completed in 2013, before the incumbent government came to power. But a startling revelation was made by Maheen Fatima, the current director of the Internal Audit and Compliance Department, before the JIT and the FIA team that she had initiated investigations against Chaudhry Sugar Mills in 2011, but the case was closed in 2016 In her statement to the JIT, which was also repeated in front of the FIA team, Ms Fatima claimed that the investigation into money laundering by Chaudhry Sugar Mills was dumped in March 2013, at the time of the elections. In view of these contradictory statements, sources said that those examined by the FIA team included Abid Hussain, who was heading the Enforcement Directorate in 2011 and is currently the executive director of the Corporate Supervision Department in the SECPs Company Law division. In addition, then acting SECP chairman Tahir Mahmood who is currently working as commissioner of the Company Law Division was also asked if the investigations against Chaudhry Sugar Mills were finalised in 2013 or not. Another officer, Ali Azeem, who was executive director in 2016, told the FIA team that the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case was closed in 2013 and referred to the official statement submitted by the SECP to the Supreme Court. But sources in FIA said that it was clear from the statements that after Mr Hijazi took over as the chairman in Dec 2014, he reshuffled executives in the commission and closed the sugar mills inquiry after the Panama Papers case surfaced. This has made the SECP a divided house, since those related to the Enforcement Department maintain that the case was closed in 2016, while the official stance of the commission is that the case was closed in 2013. The FIA team is expected to finalise and submit its report to the JIT on June 30 or July 1, 2017. The JIT has also summoned the prime ministers daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to appear before it on July 5, a move that the ruling party has termed as an egoistic decision, but has agreed to comply with the summons. Ms Sharif will be the seventh member of her family summoned so far in connection with the ongoing investigation into money laundering allegations. The JIT summoned her brothers Hussain and Hassan on July 3 and 4, respectively. Hussain Nawaz has already appeared before the JIT five times since May 28. Other family members of the Sharif family who have appeared before the JIT include Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the PMs son-in-law retired Captain Mohammad Safdar and the PMs cousin Tariq Shafi. Sources privy to the development say the JIT would ask Ms Sharif about her offshore companies and her financial resources. She may also be asked questions regarding the media campaign against the JIT in the newspapers, television channels and on social media, since there is an impression that she is leading the charge in this regard. The JIT criticised the media for hampering its investigation in its report submitted to the apex court and highlighted comments made by 22 journalists, four politicians and three legal experts in 29 different talk shows.A PML-N leader told Dawn that PM Sharif had already decided to comply with every direction of the JIT, adding that this was the reason that both his sons Hussain and Hassan did not claim exemption, despite being non-resident Pakistanis. He said that since Ms Sharif was currently in the UK to attend the graduation ceremony of her son, she would confirm her appearance after consulting her legal team. He said that unlike PM Sharif and his sons, Maryams name was not mentioned in the operative paragraph of the SCs April 20 judgement, therefore she was not expecting that the JIT would summon her. The apex court verdict virtually cleared Ms Sharif from the controversy, stating that the PMs daughter has received cash gifts from her father in substantial amounts on various occasions receipt of gifts from the father does not necessarily make respondent No.6 (Maryam Nawaz) his (Nawaz Sharif) dependent in the legal sense of the word. Her husband Capt Safdar also appeared before the JIT on June 24, but sources said that since the PMs son-in-law left some questions unanswered, the team had issued a summons to his spouse. FO expressed concerned over Indo-US joint statement 29 June, 2017 Related News Imran Khan distributed loan cheques under Kamyab Jawan Programme PTI govt to face all challenges coming its way: Imran khan More on this View All Top 2021 Accessories We Know You Will Love Types of Casino Payment Methods Tips for Taking Incredible iPhone Travel Photos Best Poker Hands ever played on a Casino Are Slot Developers Important for players? Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry Ways that Players Used to Take Advantage of Slot Sites ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Wednesday was worried by the recent Indo-US joint statement and expressed the concern that it could add to tensions between Pakistan and India. The joint statement is singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region. By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation, the FO said in response to the Indo-US joint statement, titled Prosperity Through Partnership that was issued on Tuesday after President Donald Trumps meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. The FO is concerned about the statements strong language on terrorist attacks that India alleges originated from Pakistan, and about the US not raising the issue of human rights violations in India-held Kashmir (IHK) and the US sale of high-tech military hardware to India. The statement had noted: The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. They further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups. The latest statement is believed to contain the strongest wording so far on alleged cross-border incidents and Pakistan-based groups as compared to joint statements issued by the two countries in the past, although all carried similar messages. The US had, ahead of the Trump-Modi meeting, listed Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, a move hailed by India as evidence of US cooperation against terrorism. Syed Mohammed Yusuf Shah, or Syed Salahuddin, was born and raised in Soibugh, Budgam, in the Kashmir valley. He was influenced by the Jamaat-i-Islami during his time at university and became a member of its chapter in Jammu and Kashmir. In 1987, Yusuf Shah decided to contest the J&K assembly election on the ticket of the Muslim United Front. He came second after Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah of the moderate National Conference won the seat and was arrested and put in jail for his violent agitations. After his arrest for violent protests and release in 1989, he joined the Hizbul Mujahideen, founded by Mohammad Ahsan Dar alias Master, who later parted ways with the organization. Salahuddin took over as chief in 1990 and then adopted his current name after Salahuddin Ayubi, the 12th century Muslim military leader who fought in the crusades. The pronouncements are particularly worrisome for Pakistan given that the Trump administration is in the final phase of formulating its South Asia policy and the indication from this statement is that the US could be inching closer to the Indian position on alleged cross-border incidents. Pakistan has been the primary victim of terrorism in the region. Pakistans contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism are unmatched. No country has sacrificed as much as Pakistan, not only in material resources but in lives, FO said. The FO further underscored that Pakistan was making steady progress in eliminating terrorists and their networks from our soil without discrimination. It reiterated the commitment to bring the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion by eliminating this scourge from our soil. Pakistan, the FO said, expected the international community to unequivocally stand with it in this fight against terrorism. The FO recalled that India, which was seeking to appropriate a leadership role in the fight against terror, was behind terrorism in Pakistan by supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) as a proxy. Without mentioning Salahuddins designation, the FO said US move was unacceptable. Any attempt to equate the peaceful indigenous Kashimiri struggle with terrorism, and to designate individuals supporting the right to self determination as terrorists is unacceptable, it said. The FO regretted that President Trump did not use his meeting with PM Modi to nudge him to make peace with its neighbour. It said it was missed opportunity for pushing India to alter its policies inimical to peace in the region and end persistent gross human rights violations in Kashmir and state backed persecution of religious minorities in India. Pakistan, it recalled, firmly believed in the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and supported Kashmiris struggle, but was at the same time ready and committed to resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu & Kashmir, with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. Defence cooperation The Indo-US joint re-emphasised the growing strategic convergence between the two countries particularly maritime collaboration; and the US offer to sell Guardian drones to India. US had also renewed its support for Indian candidature for Nuclear Suppliers Group and other export control cartels; and UN Security Council. FO said Pakistan was deeply concerned on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. It observed that sale of high-tech military hardware accentuates military imbalances in the region and undermines strategic stability in South Asia. It noted that such encouragements from the US emboldens India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and even contemplate military adventurism. The statement added that transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis-incentivized India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restraint regime and a durable security architecture in the region Nisar concerned On Tuesday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also expressed the apprehension that the White House had started speaking Indias language. It seems that after Modis recent visit to the White House, the blood of Kashmiris is not at all important to the US, and international laws relating to human rights do not apply to Kashmir, the interior minister said in a statement. Accusing the Indian government of serious human rights violations in IHK, and of trying to paint freedom fighters as terrorists, Nisar said: Indian acts should concern every principled nation. He said that deliberately overlooking the worst kind of state terrorism in IHK had not only adversely impacted the values of justice and international principles, but also exposed the double standards of powers who claim to champion human rights and democratic values. The minister said the Pakistani government would not compromise on the rights of Kashmiris, and that the struggle would continue until they received justice as defined in United Nations resolutions. He said the nation was united in sending a message of solidarity to Kashmir, and remained firmly committed to providing Kashmir diplomatic, political and moral support. USA ban on six muslim countries implemented from 28 June WASHINGTON: The US State Department has ordered all ports of entry to start implementing a ban on visitors from six Muslim countries after the US Supreme Court unanimously endorsed Trump administrations controversial decision. The implementation began on Wednesday evening, 72 hours after the verdict. The ban applies to Muslim citizens from Iran, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. President Donald Trumps original order, issued on Jan 27, also applied to Iraq but it was later excluded because of US military presence in the country. The order also indefinitely halted refugees from Syria. With the objective of maximizing national security, the Department of State will implement Executive Order Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States in an orderly fashion, consistent with the Supreme Courts unanimous order, and in accordance with the Presidential Memorandum issued on June 14, which directs us to begin implementation 72 hours after the stay, said a statement issued in Washington. On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed parts of President Donald Trumps travel ban to go into effect while agreeing to hear oral arguments on the case this fall. The court allowed the ban to go into effect for foreign nationals who lack any bona fide relationship with any person or entity in the United States. Examples of formal relationships include students accepted to US universities and an employee who has accepted a job with a company in the US, the court said. President Trump called the decision a clear victory for our national security. As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm, he said in a statement. I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive. The Department of State said it will provide additional details on implementation after consultation with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. We will keep those travelling to the United States and partners in the travel industry informed as we implement the order, it said. Since the Supreme Court exempted the relatives of legal US residents, including students, from the ban, its still unclear who and how many people will be affected by the decision. Human rights activists warned on Wednesday that the confusion was harmful, given the delicacy of the refugee process. We know that people are going to be hurt by this, and there will be a lot of disruption and dislocation, said Lavinia Limon, president and chief executive of the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, said in a statement. There are people told they were going to fly next week after waiting two years, who maybe sold their possessions and are all packed, she said. Its just cruel to imagine that after fleeing war and waiting years finally youre ready to go next week and guess what? This is what happens. The American Civil Liberties Union, which has challenged the travel ban in court ,said the bona fide relationship clause applies to most successful visa applicants from the six countries. This order, properly construed, should really allow for only the narrowest implementation of any part of the ban, Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLUs immigrants rights project, said at a news briefing. From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As... The European Commission (EC) approves Almirall's Skilarence for moderate-to-severe chronic plaque Psoriasis Details Category: Small Molecules Published on Thursday, 29 June 2017 09:51 Hits: 2182 Skilarence is a new oral formulation of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) indicated as a first-line oral treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque Psoriasis Dimethyl fumarate is a fumaric acid ester that has been shown to possess a balance between good efficacy and safety profile in the scientific studies which have been conducted This product is due to be marketed in all EU member states, as well as in Iceland and Norway, starting in Q3 of 2017 BARCELONA, Spain I June 27, 2017 I Almirall S.A. announced today that the European Commission (EC) has approved Skilarence, a new oral formulation of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) developed by the pharmaceutical company, for the treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque Psoriasis. Skilarence is to be indicated as a first-line induction and long-term maintenance treatment. Almirall is due to start marketing Skilarence in the third quarter of 2017 in all EU Member states, as well as in Iceland and Norway. According to Eduardo Sanchiz, Almirall's CEO, "the EC's approval is very good news for healthcare professionals and for a large number of European patients, who will have access to a new therapeutic option for the systemic treatment of moderate-to-severe Psoriasis. Skilarence is the result of Almirall's commitment to innovation, and making it available to doctors and their patients with Psoriasis will constitute a very important step in reinforcing the company's position as significant player in the field of Dermatology". Skilarence is the first fumaric acid ester (FAE) for the treatment of Psoriasis approved by the EC. Its approval in Europe is based on the positive results from the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial (BRIDGE), evaluating the efficacy and safety of this new oral formulation of dimethyl fumarate compared to Fumaderm, presented in September 2016 at the prestigious 25th EADV Congress in Vienna (Austria). Published in the British Journal of Dermatology, the BRIDGE trial showed the non-inferiority of DMF compared to Fumaderm and a good efficacy and safety profile.1 To date, a fixed combination of fumaric acid esters was only available in Germany in a different composition as well as locally compounded formulations in some countries like the Netherlands, Austria and some Nordic countries. The EC's decision will place this new oral formulation within the reach of all patients residing in all of the European countries. Fumaric acid esters are a well-established oral systemic treatment for Psoriasis and are recommended in the European guidelines for both induction and long-term maintenance of the treatment of the disease. Long-term evidence coming from retrospective studies and registries highlights the clinical usefulness of the drug as well as its balanced safety profile. About Skilarence (dimethyl fumarate) Skilarence, dimethyl fumarate (DMF), is a type of fumaric acid ester (FAE), with anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties which is recommended in the European S3 Psoriasis guidelines for both induction and long-term treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque Psoriasis.2 A combination of FAEs is currently approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Psoriasis in Germany, with a positive risk-benefit profile for long-term use.3 DMF is considered the main active component in this combination.4,5 In fact, FAEs are the most frequently used first-line systemic Psoriasis treatment in Germany, with more than 20 years of an overall treatment experience that comprises of more than 180,000 patients. About Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic immune disease that appears on the skin. It affects an estimated 7.8 million adults in Europe and approximately 125 million people worldwide. It is a non-contagious disorder that accelerates the growth cycle of skin cells and results in thick scaly areas of skin. The most common form of Psoriasis, called plaque Psoriasis, appears as red, raised areas of skin covered with flaky white scales, which may be itchy and painful and can crack and bleed. Despite different treatment options existing, many people with plaque Psoriasis continue to struggle with the ongoing, persistent nature of this chronic disease. About Almirall Almirall is a global pharmaceutical company with a strong focus in Dermatology and Aesthetics with the mission of providing valuable medicines and medical devices to you and future generations. Our R&D is focused on Dermatology, with a wide range of programmes including key indications. Through our innovative products, agreements and alliances, our work covers the entire drug value chain. Almirall is continually growing as a specialist company in a wide range of skin diseases, in order to cover our customers unmet needs. Founded in 1943, with headquarters in Barcelona, Spain, Almirall is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM) and it has become a source of value creation for society due to its vision and the long-standing commitment of its major shareholders. In 2016, its revenues totalled 859.3 million euros and, with more than 2,000 employees, it has gradually built up a trusted presence across Europe, as well as in the US. For more information, please visit www.almirall.com References 1. Mrowietz, U., Szepietowski, J.C., Loewe, R., van de Kerkhof, P., Lamarca, R., Ocker, W.G., Tebbs, V.M. and Pau-Charles, I. (2017), Efficacy and safety of LAS41008 (dimethyl fumarate) in adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque Psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, Fumaderm- and placebo-controlled trial (BRIDGE). Br J Dermatol, 176: 615623. doi:10.1111/bjd.14947 2. Nast A, Gisondi P, Ormerod AD et al. European S3-Guidelines on the systemic treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris - Update 2015 - Short version - EDF in cooperation with EADV and IPC. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2015; 29:2277-94. 3. Mrowietz U, Altmeyer P, Bieber T et al. Treatment of Psoriasis with fumaric acid esters (Fumaderm). J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2007; 5:716-7. 4. Reich K, Thaci D, Mrowietz U et al. Efficacy and safety of fumaric acid esters in the long-term treatment of Psoriasis, a retrospective study (FUTURE). J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2009; 7:603-10. 5. Rostami-Yazdi M., Mrowietz U. Fumaric acid esters. Clin Dermatol 2008; 26:522-6. SOURCE: Almirall New York House Democrats voted en masse against welfare-to-work legislation that passed the House June 21 by a vote of 377-34, with 13 Republicans and 21 Democrats voting no. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, and all New York House Republicans, voted yes. The legislation, which Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., sponsored would use $100 million from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families contingency fund for grants to states to design demonstration projects to test the viability of public-pivate partnerships to subsidize wages to hire individuals off public assistance roles or to enroll them in on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs. TANF is sometimes referred to as welfare. This bill is an innovative solution that will give more people access to that opportunity, said Curbelo said, in a press release in which he described the program as welfare-to-work. The legislation HR 2842 -- sets criteria states must follow, and requires states to report on the outcome of demonstration projects. Matt Sonneborn, a spokesman for Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, said New York stands to lose $42.5 million in TANF funding because of the way the legislation is structured. Tom Flanagin, a spokesman for Stefanik, said that is not correct, because the funding for the demonstration grants does not come from New Yorks allocation for regular TANF funding. The grants would come from the contingency fund, set aside for emergency needs such as unexpected economic downturns, Flanagin said. New York, however, has consistently received contingency funding annually since the 2009 federal fiscal year, according to the federal Office of Family Assistance. In the 2016 fiscal, New York received $239 million in contingency funds, one of 18 states and the District of Columbia that received contingency funds that year. Democratic congressional candidate Patrick Nelson said the legislation is well-intentioned, but the federal government should appropriate new funds, not use contingency funds. I would oppose it in its current form. But I think there is a direction here that could be worthwhile, he said in a telephone interview on Monday. Nelson, of Stillwater, a political activist and Bernie Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention, is one of two announced candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Stefanik in 2018. The other announced candidate is Katie Wilson of Keene, a political activist and business owner. WILTON A tractor-trailer driver was transported to the hospital with possible internal injuries following an early Thursday morning crash on the Northway, State Police said. At about 2:55 a.m., a 2016 International tractor-trailer being driven north by 68-year-old Rosaire Fleurent, of Drummondville, Quebec, drove off the west side shoulder, according to a news release. The tractor-trailer struck a guide rail, a cement barrier and the bridge support for the Wilton-Gansevoort overpass. It eventually came to rest on its side after overturning. State Police said the driver was transported to Saratoga Hospital but an update on his condition were not disclosed by hospital staff members. The investigation into the crash is ongoing and no tickets or charges have been filed at this time, according to a news release. The crash tied up traffic during the morning commute just north of Exit 16, closing two lanes at times. The left lane remained closed at the Wilton-Gansevoort Road overpass, as state Department of Transportation workers repair guide rails and crews work to remove the trailer at the scene. Wilton Fire and EMS, state Department of Environmental Conservation Spill Response Team and the Transportation Department also assisted at the scene. Over the past few years, we have seen an unprecedented number of what appears to be unwarranted police shootings nationally. We know this because modern smartphones allow every person riding in a car, standing on a street corner or walking through a park to take video of any unusual incident as it happens. And they do. These shootings have often been horrible tragedies that provide seemingly irrefutable proof that the police officers actions were unwarranted. In response, there has been a rush to equip every officer with body cameras in an effort to confirm they are performing their duties correctly. Many believe that using body cams may also act as a deterrent for officers against using excessive force. But last week, after two years of study by the Warren County Sheriffs Office, the Warren County Board of Supervisors decided not to outfit its officers because of the cost. That price tag could be as high as $400,000 and was just for the first year. It would include hiring an information specialist to handle the video data. It was the right decision and we agree with the supervisors that there are far more important things to spend taxpayer money on than body cameras. That may seem short-sighted, but we remind our readers that our communities are among the safest in the state. We believe that local police officers do not face the daily day-to-day dangers many big-city police officers do. Naturally, there is always the chance an officer will be confronted with a life-and-death situation, but violent random crime is rare. We can only remember one or two incidences of officers even discharging their weapons in the past decade. Secondly, and maybe more importantly, were not sure if the body cameras will make a difference. We published an Associated Press story on the front page of Sundays newspaper that reviewed recent trials where police officers were acquitted despite significant video evidence against them. A Bowling Green State University criminologist said this about juries hearing cases that involve police officers: They just dont want to second-guess officers in those life-or-death decisions. Even when the video evidence has been overwhelming. We wonder if it would be prudent for the Warren County supervisors to fund further training for officers on how to react in a crisis. Being proactive may be the best course of action. Were sure some of this training may already be provided, but annual refresher courses might be valuable. And it would cost far less than the $400,000 for body cameras. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: iStock/Thinkstock(BERLIN) -- German citizens will head to the polls on Sept. 24 for a national election that is likely to be the countrys most consequential political contest in decades. Like campaigns in France, Britain and the Netherlands earlier this year, the German political race has seen softening support for an incumbent leader and the rise of anti-establishment candidates hoping to mimic success seen in Europe and the U.S. Current German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hoping to win a fourth term, but Germanys notoriously complex voting system does not allow the public to directly vote for chancellor. Instead, voters cast their ballots for political parties, which then anoint a leader. Heres what you need to know about the upcoming German elections: Who are the main players? There are two main parties in Germany, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), but turnout for several smaller parties in this years vote could prove pivotal. The CDU currently holds the chancellorship thanks in part to historic support for its top candidate, Merkel. The CDU and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), are in the same parliamentary group. Since the end of World War II, the CDU has been in power most of the time and Merkel is hoping to ride that wave of popularity to a fourth term. In a poll conducted earlier this month by Infratest-dimap and German public broadcaster ARD, Merkel earned her highest approval rating since the fall of 2015. Just over 64 percent of those surveyed at the beginning of June said they were satisfied with the job Merkel has been doing as chancellor, making her the most popular politician in the country. Often described as Germanys "center-left" party, the SPD is the main opposition party in Germany. Its also the second largest party in terms of voter support after the CDU. Yet its working class base in urban areas has eroded in recent years as Merkels popularity has soared. The partys candidate for chancellor and Merkels chief political rival, Martin Schulz, has managed to gain ground in the polls in recent months, but most analysts predict that he will face an uphill battle to unseat her. Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament, currently poses the strongest challenge to Merkel's 11-year reign as chancellor. What role could smaller parties play? Although several smaller parties will be on the ballot, observers are likely to keenly watch the results for the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The nationalist upstart has rocked the German political establishment with its rejection of open borders, Islam, the euro as currency and political correctness. While many experts initially saw the party taking votes from the CDU in a national election, some now say the AfD could actually hurt the SPD on election day. Sudha David-Wilp, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund in Berlin, said the AfD has been losing ground during the past couple of months, due to its own internal squabbles and the fact that voters are increasingly shying away from far-right parties in the wake of Brexit and Trumps election But with months to go before election day, that calculus could still change, David-Wilp told ABC News. If that is the case, the AfD will pull votes from both traditional parties - the SPD and the CDU," David-Wilp said. Though there has been a significant drop in voter turnout in German parliamentary elections during the past two election cycles, the rise of the AfD and other populist movements have drawn in many non-voters across the country, making a higher voter turnout more likely this year, according to observers. The Alliance '90/The Greens occupy the liberal-leaning bloc of the electorate in Germany. Neither party is expected to see overwhelming national turnout. But the Greens, with its base of urban, well-educated voters, has used its strong environmentalist tilt to attract a growing number of liberal German voters. The Left Party, a democratic socialist group, also often attracts unhappy SPD members, although its voter base is traditionally East German and working class. What are the biggest issues? Without question, national security and immigration policy will dominate this years vote. A year ago, Merkel was riding high in opinion polls. But her open-door policy on accepting refugees from Syria and other war-torn countries as well as economic migrants has cost her some support. The chancellor's popularity plummeted last year after she welcomed nearly 900,000 asylum seekers -- most of them from Syria and Afghanistan -- into Germany. A series of terrorist attacks -- including a truck attack at a Christmas market that killed 12 people and injured dozens of others last year -- has also opened Merkel up to sharp criticism from nationalist groups. The economy is another issue that weighs heavily on voters' minds, according to surveys. But with unemployment hovering at all-time lows -- it reached 4 percent in May -- the issue is playing a far smaller role in this years vote than in previous elections. Germanys relationship with the Trump Administration is also at play. Trump is deeply unpopular in Germany and almost all of the candidates have been critical of his policies. Who is expected to win? Though her CDU/CSU party lagged in polling late last year, Merkel's fortunes have changed in recent months after poor showings by the SPD in recent regional elections. Surveys show a close race between her and the SPD challenger, but most analysts predict Merkel will squeak by with a win. But a lot depends on how big -- or small -- of a victory the CDU/CSU achieve. It is very likely that the party will have to join a so-called Grand Coalition where Merkel partners with her closest challenger from the SPD to form a coalition government, similar to what Theresa May has done in Britain. Why is this election significant? Germany is Europes largest economy and Merkel has long been seen as a steadying and unifying force on the continent. A loss for Merkel could open the country up to fringe governments who are less apt to solidify support behind the EU and other European institutions. A Merkel loss could also put further strain on the already tense relationship with President Trump and the U.S. Animosity toward Trump is broadly shared by many German politicians, with the SPD's Schulz regularly chastising the president on the campaign trail. If Schulz becomes chancellor, many experts expect the relationship between the two world powers to fray further on major global issues ranging from the fight against terrorism to how to deal with the migrant crisis. But Karen Donfried, president the German Marshall Fund, said that even if Merkel loses, there aren't likely to be any seismic shifts in U.S.-German relations. This election is not like what we saw in France, where there were two candidates at opposite ends of the political spectrum, Donfried told ABC News. Both main political parties in Germany are essentially mainstream, so no matter who ultimately wins, the relationship with the U.S. wont really suffer. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who once said Donald Trump would end a tax incentive for wind energy production over my dead body, doesnt think the president has a case out against wind. That hasnt stopped the Iowa Republican from reminding the White House that hes the author of the wind energy production tax credit legislation and should be consulted when the president is developing energy policy. Grassley made his comment Wednesday, the same day Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds met with the president at a White House energy roundtable. Earlier this week, Reynolds declined to criticize Trump for comments he made during a June 21 Cedar Rapids rally about wind energy lacking reliability. I dont want to just hope the wind blows to light up your homes and your factories as the birds fall to the ground, the president said while advocating an all-of-the-above energy policy. Grassley didnt attend the rally, but said he heard the president did mention wind and something about killing birds. He also heard the president mention alternative energy. So if he supports alternative energy, he supports wind, Grassley told reporters on his weekly conference call. He thinks Trump was using the occasional lack of wind as an example of why an all-of-the-above energy policy is needed. Even MidAmerican, which has an alternative energy generation goal of the equivalent of 89 percent of its customers annual retail usage, acknowledges the need for other energy sources, Grassley said. Grassley added he reminded someone close to the White House Im not going to tell you who I told, but pretty darned close to the president that Im the author of the wind energy tax credit and ought to have some consideration in what he says about wind. Hes also convinced there are probably more birds that fly into Trump Tower than (are killed by) wind energy in Iowa. I hope they tell him that, Grassley added. Reynolds attended a White House meeting along with GOP Govs. Paul LePage of Maine and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, independent Gov. Bill Walker of Alaska and Native American tribal leaders. Neither Trump nor Energy Secretary Rick Perry mentioned wind energy or oil, gas or electricity in their prepared remarks. In a statement later, Reynolds noted that Iowa became a national leader in wind energy production through early investments. As a result, Iowans enjoy some of the lowest electric rates in the nation. I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with states, along with his removal of unnecessary, burdensome federal regulations that stifle state ingenuity in the energy sector, she added. Bond was set Thursday at $1 million cash-only for a Davenport man charged in the death of a man whose body was found burning May 30 in the 3000 block of West Denison Avenue. Tremayne La-Toine Thomas, 42, who is charged with first-degree murder, made his first appearance in Scott County District Court via closed-circuit video. He was appointed an attorney to represent him. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 7. At 4:29 a.m. May 30, Brandon Brooks' body was found on fire near the street in the 3000 block of West Denison Avenue. Police investigated his death as a homicide but have not released the cause and manner of death as of Thursday. Brooks was seen with Thomas in Thomas' apartment on May 29, and on June 2, Davenport police searched Thomas' residence, according to an arrest affidavit filed by Davenport police on behalf of the criminal complaint. During that search, they found blood evidence, according to the affidavit. On June 3, officers searched a van that had been driven by Thomas an hour before Brooks' body was discovered. According to the affidavit, blood evidence also was found in the van. Also on June 3, Davenport police searched the bed of a pickup owned by Thomas, according to the affidavit. On June 27, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's criminalistics lab determined the blood evidence from Thomas' apartment, from the van and from the bed of the pickup matched Brooks' DNA profile, according to the affidavit. Thomas was arrested on the charge Wednesday afternoon. At the time, he was free on bond on a charge of first-degree burglary in connection with an incident that occurred Jan. 10. He will be arraigned July 13 in that case. Brooks, his co-defendant in the case, was released from the jail on May 25 after a Scott County judge dismissed charges of first-degree burglary and domestic assault with injury because a key witness could not be found, according to court records. A Rock Island man is expected to make his first appearance Friday afternoon in Rock Island County Circuit Court in the beating death of 43-year-old Rochelle Davis and the assault of two juveniles earlier this month. Sean E. Rogers, 49, who was being held in the Scott County Jail on an unrelated charge, waived extradition Wednesday and was transported to the Rock Island County Jail Thursday afternoon. He was indicted Monday by a Rock Island County grand jury on first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery. A $500,000 cash bond was set by Judge Norma Kauzlarich. Police were called at 10:12 p.m. June 2 to the 700 block of 25th Street in Rock Island for a battery complaint. When officers arrived, they found an 11-year-old and a 16-year-old who had suffered injuries. Both were taken to Trinity Rock Island; the 11-year-old was then airlifted to OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Police also found a woman, later identified as Davis, dead inside the home. According to the grand jury indictment, Rogers struck her in the head with a bat and the act was accompanied by exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty. Rogers also struck the 11-year-old in the face with a wooden object, which fractured his skull, and struck the 16-year-old in the head with a bludgeon, according to the indictment. Police took Rogers into custody June 4 at Genesis Medical Center-West Central Park, Davenport, on a $250,000 arrest warrant in connection with the assault on the 11-year-old. He also was wanted on a Scott County warrant for failure to appear in a 2012 aggravated misdemeanor theft case and a parole violation from the Illinois Department of Corrections in a Rock Island County robbery case. On Wednesday, Scott County prosecutors dismissed the theft charge. The same day, Rogers waived extradition and agreed to return to Rock Island County. First-degree murder in Illinois is punishable by 20 to 60 years in prison. One of the battery charges is a Class X felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison, and the other battery charge is a Class 3 felony punishable by two to five years in prison. Churches United of the Quad-City Area has accepted a $2,000 grant award from Iowa 80 Group, Inc. The funds will be used to assist in covering general operating costs that help Churches United keep food on the table at three hot meal sites and on the shelves at 26 food pantries in the Iowa and Illinois Quad-Cities. Churches United has a 56-year history of reaching out to the community and has 137 member churches representing over 50,000 people from the Quad-City Area. For information about services offered, or ways to support Churches United, call 563-332-5002, or visit www.CUQCA.org. Following last years spike in highway fatalities the first time deaths on Iowa roads surpassed 400 in eight years Iowa now is trending closer to normal. Iowa has recorded 139 roadway deaths so far this year, compared to 174 at this time last year, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. That number also puts 2017 nine fatalities lower than the five-year average. Public safety officials across the state hope to keep that trend going this coming Fourth of July, a holiday notorious for vehicle collisions, many of which are caused by impaired driving. July Fourth is a very high-traffic period, and also it is unfortunately a very high crash period, said Patrick Hoye, a former Iowa State Patrol chief who leads the Governors Traffic Safety Bureau. Not only are we having large traffic flows and higher (number of) crashes, but of those crashes, more so are alcohol related. Thanks to the Iowa Governors Traffic Safety Bureaus holiday traffic enforcement project, which provides added funds for officer overtime pay, an expanded police presence will be out this weekend. With school being out and people taking vacations, our anticipation is the traffic volume will be pretty high over that period of time, Iowa State Patrol spokesman Alex Dinkla said. Well be out with extra patrols trying to keep motorists safe during that time. Also helping to reduce crashes will be a new Sobriety 24/7 law, which increases monitoring for impaired-driving offenders, and changes to the states distracted-driving law that allow police to pull over and fine motorists who are texting, Hoye said. Both laws, which stem from statewide conversations following last years high number of traffic fatalities, go into effect July 1. The 139 highway fatalities in Iowa as of Thursday this year is 35 fewer roadway deaths compared to this time last year and nine less than the five-year average for midway through the year, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. That is certainly trending in the right direction, Hoye said. What were seeing is about where we anticipated. Really, when we look back at 2016, it was just a horrible year. Last year saw a total 405 people die on Iowa roads, which marked a nearly 27 percent increase over 2015 and the most since 2008. The spike in traffic deaths also broke a four-year downward movement in Iowa road fatalities. In addition, last year came just three years after Iowa saw 317 fatal crashes in 2013, the lowest in 70 years. Iowa motorcycle fatalities reached 60 last year, the first time since 2010. Hoye and others, such as Iowa DOT traffic and safety engineer Willy Sorenson, continue to sift through 2016s crash and fatality data, looking for anything that may have contributed to the spike in traffic deaths. But its possible there was no singular cause for the increase. It just seemed like an across-the-board increase, with no silver bullet or smoking gun understanding of whats happening, Sorenson said. But that doesnt mean action isnt being taken. In addition to changes to state texting and impaired driving rules, Iowas Move Over or Slow Down law has been expanded from police cars, firetrucks and ambulances to now include utility vehicles, such as garbage, tow and bucket trucks. The new rule goes into effect Saturday. Meanwhile, the Iowa DOT has been making changes to increase safety at work zones. Last year saw 13 work zone fatalities, marking the first time work zone deaths reached double digits since 2010 and the highest in a single year since 1999, according to Iowa DOT data. Iowa has seen five work zone deaths so far this year, according to data. Sorenson said mobile rumble strips placed at work zones help raise driver awareness, and a new emphasis on keeping multiple interstate lanes open during construction should help reduce the chance for collisions. Whatever we can do to reduce our chances of those happening, that is really our goal to minimize the amount of opportunities for crashes, Sorenson said. (Lee Hermiston contributed to this report.) The donation will support several business training sessions addressing topics such as financing, marketing, taxes, human resources, leadership, business development, investing, procurement, and/or legal topics. This sponsorship is dedicated to supporting all of the SD CEO workforce and economic development business education opportunities and allows scholarships opportunities for nascent and existing entrepreneurs who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Sitting backstage as he waited to deliver a presentation at TEDxRapidCity on Wednesday afternoon, Josue Rivas laid out what he sees as his personal mission in the aftermath of the fight against the Dakota Access pipeline: to empower indigenous youth with photography. We all have a voice, he said. Wouldnt it be more powerful to be heard in the crowd? But then maybe, youre not supposed to be heard in the crowd. Maybe youre supposed to make your own crowd. I want less photos from (photojournalist) Aaron Huey and more photos from kids in Pine Ridge. Rivas is a Mexica photographer from Los Angeles who traveled to Cannon Ball, N.D., in August 2016 to document the indigenous-led movement against the Dakota Access pipeline near the border of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. He remained embedded in the main Oceti Sakowin resistance camp for six months, until law enforcement shut it down in late February of this year. Rivas took more than 10,000 photographs while he was there, some of which have appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian and Rolling Stone. Earlier this month he was awarded a fellowship through the Magnum Foundation, a prestigious organization in the world of documentary photography. Rivas was one of a dozen presenters who spoke at the Rapid City Performing Arts Center during TEDxRapidCity, an all-day event that showcased a range of unique ideas in short talks about everything from environmental policy to sociolinguistics. This is the third year that the event has been held in Rapid City. In Cannon Ball, Rivas could often be found in the media tent, helping to sign in journalists from around the world and reciting to them a checklist of do's and donts for how to behave in the resistance camps. The first thing I noticed was the really small amount of indigenous journalists, he said. In Rivas view, this needs to change. It is important, he noted, that non-Native journalists be present and willing to learn how to interact with indigenous peoples, but if stories are to be told with indigenous peoples at their hearts, then Rivas believes that indigenous voices need to be there to tell them. Helping to encourage and strengthen those voices is the work he wants to throw himself into next as he looks beyond Standing Rock and into the future. Theres one image I took, minutes before the camp was taken over by the police, Rivas said backstage. You can see in peoples faces that theyre not defeated. Peoples spirit continued. The fight against the Dakota Access pipeline began last April and continued for nearly an entire year, bringing together hundreds of tribes in one of the largest gathering of indigenous people in American history. In the final months, the resistance camps along the Missouri River swelled to as many as 10,000 people in size. With construction completed, crude oil from the Bakken Shale formations in North Dakota has begun flowing through the 1,172-mile-long pipeline to a distribution hub in Illinois. The fight to shutdown the pipeline continues in federal court. The movement transcended the opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline and became an opportunity for indigenous people to reclaim our identity and to really enter the mainstream consciousness in a different way, Rivas said. As a photographer, he sees his role as not a taker but a co-creator of images that he hopes will continue what was started at Standing Rock. My dream, Rivas said to his audience, is that indigenous people, especially indigenous youth, will learn the power of the camera as a tool of resistance, as a tool for healing, and most importantly, as a tool for hope. Severe thunderstorms extending in a line from Rapid City to Hot Springs on Tuesday evening brought high winds and some hail, downing trees, billboards and power lines, blowing vehicles off Interstate 90, and leaving hours of cleanup in their wake. We hit our peak wind right around 5:30 p.m., just as the storms were coming in, Scott Rudge of the National Weather Service said Wednesday. The wind gusts in the Black Hills and east of Rapid City were between 60 and 70 mph, with a couple of higher spots. Rapid City Regional Airport clocked a 75 mph gust at 5:41 p.m., while Custer Airport measured a 69 mph burst at 4:57 p.m., Rudge said. Some thought the gusts were even more powerful than the weather service recorded. Custer Public Works Director Bob Morrison said it looked like a desert dust storm, when the front moved through his town. He figured wind gusts had to approach 100 mph for a few seconds on Tuesday night. It seemed like it was a sheer wind, very isolated, Morrison said. I have never seen trees bend like they did last night. Residents of Custer were left literally picking up the pieces Wednesday morning after the thunderstorm brought raging winds that ripped a section of roof off of a building, toppled a huge hotel sign and snapped dozens of trees. Most of the damage in Custer was isolated to the area just north of downtown. At the city-owned YMCA, a massive section of the roof flew off in the storm. Morrison said the roughly 750-square-foot piece of the roof blew off into the street below. Luckily, the debris stayed in place and didnt cause any more damage, he said. Front yards in that area were filled with snapped trees limbs. Across town, the distinctive sign at the Dakota Cowboy Inn of a cowboy getting ready to draw his pistol was snapped in half and laid on the ground Wednesday morning. Dan Hutt was one of the homeowners cleaning up debris from a broken tree in his yard on Crook Street. He said the worst part of the storm was that Custer barely got any rain out of it and still remained extremely dry. The storm brought limited rain and penny-sized hail, according to the weather service. Measurable precipitation ranged from a 1/4- to 1/2-inch in Rapid City and 3/4-inch in southern Custer County to 1 inch at Porcupine, Rudge reported. The storm did little to quench abnormally dry conditions extending from the plains east of Rapid City to the North Dakota border, according to the weather service. Year to date, Rapid City has received 5.83 inches of precipitation, more than 5 inches below normal, Rudge noted. But, what Tuesdays storm lacked in rain was surmounted by its powerful wind-borne punch. Most of what occurred was tree damage, larger limbs from trees perhaps weakened at some point in the past, Rudge said. A couple of tops of pine trees were blown off near Johnson Siding and a metal outbuilding was crunched by high winds at Forest Products on Folsom Road southeast of Rapid City. But for the most part, we had the usual missing trampolines and lawn furniture blown away, with some billboard damage. The Rapid City Fire Department said Wednesday it responded to 11 calls for service related to the storm within about a half-hour of it striking the city. Mainly, residents had concerns about downed lines or lines that were arcing, Jim Bussell, RCPD public information officer, said Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters did respond. In most cases they were able to confirm the presence of an electrical hazard, determine whether or not there was a fire problem and await the arrival of Black Hills Energy. In one case it was a false alarm. Calls seeking to determine the number of homes affected by power outages due to the storm were not immediately returned by Black Hills Energy. The state Highway Patrol responded to three incidents in which high winds blew vehicles from Interstate 90 east of Wall on Tuesday evening, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. At 6:13 p.m., a pickup pulling a camper encountered severe gusts that blew the trailer over. The pickup remained upright, according to reports. Nine minutes later and 21 miles east, a semi was pulling a construction office trailer and the trailer blew over during the gusting winds. The semi was not damaged and remained upright, Public Safety reported. At 6:30 p.m., Highway Patrol troopers were called to mile marker 134, where a pickup pulling a trailer jack-knifed due to high winds. The vehicle was driven from the scene after changing a tire, reports stated. Yes, youth climbs with inexhaustible vigor, but not to panoramas known but to age. With quieter study, Ive come to appreciate the Black Hills, the Wakan He Sapa, better with the years. An inner urge and verdant clime prods me toward them; though at a walks pace, often at a stand or sit. Thats the plan, anyway. Id thought to write my column this week on our current politics. Havent done so in some time. Thought Id adopt a sagacious gaze, survey the field, turn my grizzled mien side to side with affected condescension but, no time for that. Washington D.C., for better or worse, is humanity under a microscope. Under our medias around the clock breathless breathlessness (how else describe it?), no politician fares particularly well under those hot lights. Seemingly oblivious, neither does our media. Like ruthless children floored by grand mall snits in a grocery aisle, the November election on has not been a good look for them. I leave it with this: our press has been dreck, simply awful; and, a modest proposal: perhaps a National Day of Prayer for the healing of our fourth estate. Still, it is our press. Their job, strict attention to prompt and careful (tricky) delivery of the facts, is vital. Our part is to pay a close yet filtered attention for sanitys sake. For that well need quick eyelids with long lashes, I think. So, have at it with your Game of Thrones, Beltway Ladies and Knights. Just try not to break the furniture or the country. Therell be another election. Hopefully, not too soon. Ye gads, tedious affairs, those. Another observation: Life often feels like a steep ascent, close faced to the granite and wearingly dull. With family in downtown Kansas City a short while back, we wondered through a humid, crowded, subterranean maze. The surroundings were dreadful, save for what was behind the glass. The venue was a local attraction called Sea Life. I know, we associate KC with many things, Jazz, BBQ, a host of historic tunes but maritime attractions? No. Sea Life was a slow, very slow, amble past aquariums massive and small. It should have been interminable. It was enchanting. The opportunity for close viewing of exotica: octopus from a few feet, sea horses, miniature jellyfish that glowed neon blue in an ebony night, and a million varieties of fish so vividly striped, spotted, and technicolored, amazed so much I lost myself gazing. As did Sandi, and our son, Michael. A whisper in my heart murmured; it went from faint flutter to a solemn, hushed, clarity: Who is like God? St. Michaels bold challenge to the universe, and all in it, and any creature who dared presume pride before the Almighty. It came in a hush, and I whispered it to the gifts of creation across the glass. Who is like God? I mouthed. Who dares think he can peer even a closets depth into the eternal mystery and majesty of our Father? And yet, He spreads the natural world before us like a banquet. Beautiful and good, our Black Hills for example. And we are given an inner urge every moment into meadows and leafy shade, the pavilions of a future glory. Treason trial of former Ukrainian president Yanukovych to be held in his absence MOSCOW, June 29 (RAPSI) The Obolonsky District Court of Kiev has ruled to hold trial of ex-president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, who stands charged with treason, in his absence. On May 4, Ukraines military prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko said that prosecutors will seek life imprisonment for Yanukovych. In December, Ukraines Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko read charges against Yanukovych in a court through videoconference link. According to Lutsenko, Yanukovych, who was involved in violation of Ukraines territorial integrity, is held responsible for a 1.8-trillion-hryvnia (about $70 billion) damage caused to the country. Shortly after, the Pechersky District Court in Kiev issued an arrest warrant for Yanukovych in absentia. The Ukrainian prosecutors accuse the former president of using fire arms against protesters in Kiev in late 2013 and early 2014. The political crisis erupted in Ukraine in late November 2013 after the government announced that it had halted the countrys association with the European Union. Protests, called Euromaidan, swept across the country and led to violent clashes between armed activists and law enforcement officers in late 2013 and early 2014. Fighting between radical anti-government protesters and police culminated in mass riots on February 18, 2014. On February 20, fire was opened on protestors. Over 100 people died those days on both sides, according to RIA Novosti. Ukraine's authorities claim "Berkut" officers to be blamed for the shootings. Russia says that militants of Right Sector, a far-right Ukrainian group banned in Russia, may have been behind the attack. Yanukovych said he did not give order to law enforcers to use fire arms against protesters when testifying about the events in Kiev. Ukraine went through a regime change on February 22, 2014, when President Viktor Yanukovych fled the country and Euromaidan activists rose to power in Kiev. In early 2015, it was reported that the Ukrainian Prosecutor Generals Office addressed Russia with a request to extradite the former president. On June 6, Russia declined to extradite Yanukovych, according to the Prosecutor Generals Offices spokesman Alexander Kurennoy. A motion for provisional arrest and detention of Yanukovych filed by Ukraine was considered and dismissed in accordance with Article 3 (Political offences) of the 1957 European Convention on Extradition, he told journalists. Ukrainian authorities were informed about this decision, Kurennoy added. Seizure of Red October plant owners assets upheld MOSCOW, June 29 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko) The Moscow City Court has upheld a lower courts decision to seize assets belonging to Volgograd metallurgic plant Red October, Dmitry Gerasimenko, who is charged with embezzling VTB Banks $65 million credit, the courts press office told RAPSI on Thursday. Gerasimenko, who lives in Europe, was arrested by Cyprus police in November 2016 shortly after he arrived on island, but was released on bail afterwards, Kommersant newspaper reported last year. Earlier he was charged with embezzlement and put on the international wanted list by Russias Interior Ministry. During investigation of his case charges were changed to fraud. Gerasimenko told Kommersant that he arrived on Cyprus on his own volition to be present during court hearings in a country where he may defend himself in accordance with English law. Various media previously reported that Gerasimenko owns Red October, one of the largest special grade rolled metal producers for automotive and aviation industries in Russia. Amid the buzz of a chainsaw and the whine of a drill, employees from GlaxoSmithKline, the Bitter Root Land Trust and the Town of Hamilton hung signs, pulled houndstongue, installed bird houses, and removed dead brush from Steve Powell Park on Wednesday. The work was done in conjunction with GSKs annual Orange Day of community service, and was the perfect example of private, public and non-profit groups working together. Theres something about these public recreation projects that allow the community to enjoy the Bitterroot Valley and access the amenities here that make this place special, noted Gavin Ricklefs with the Bitter Root Land Trust. Its a community resource and it takes a community to create and care for it. Michael Kauffman, site controller for GSK, said that the Belgian-based multi-national pharmaceutical company provides its employees one paid day of community service each year. This year, about 100 employees volunteered to pull weeds and perform maintenance at four Hamilton parks. GSK really is a generous company and encourages us to volunteer in the community and be involved, Kauffman said. We have 110,000 people around the world paid by the company to do volunteer work. Today is our Orange Day (the companys flagship color) and we all try to do the work on the same day; theres a kind of synergy there. While its good for the community, its also good for the GSK employees to get out of the office and work together. Im a finance guy, so I may walk by somebody and say hi, but not really have a conversation, Kauffman said. This is a good time to connect with people I dont normally get to talk to. At Steve Powell Park, about 50 people pitched in to perk up the place. The centerpieces are new educational and entrance signs designed by local artists Karen Savory and Jen Ogden, and built by Hamilton High School seniors in the CAD/CAM class. The kids spent the entire semester laminating the scraps of oak to make the signs, and converting the artists work into digital CAD files that were overlaid on the wood to cut out letters and images, Ricklefs said. Their work is amazing. It took about a dozen volunteers to install the three signs, which celebrate and explain the effort to protect and preserve water, wildlife and working lands. The purpose of this place is to be a natural amenity for residents, Ricklefs said. The signs let people learn why this park is not just important for recreation, but for the natural resources that benefit from our care. Photo Credit Don Levandier L-R Kyle Alexander McDonald (Bass/Vocals/Synth/Textures), Christopher Lewis (Drums/Percussion) Touring all over Europe in support of their latest release "Eidolon", New Brunswick's ECMA nominees and Music NB award winning doom duo ZAUM announce they will be trekking across their home country of Canada for the month of August with support from Pembroke, ON crusty metal punk two piece Flying Fortress featuring Brandon Wars (Goat Horn, Zuku) vocals/bass and Steelrider (Goat Horn, Cauldron) drums. The tour will be kicking off on August 3rd in Ottawa and head west for it to wrap up in the east on August 22nd in Sudbury, ON (dates listed below). The band comments: It has been a couple of years since weve toured within our home country as weve primarily focused our efforts overseas since our formation in 2014. Needless to say, were super stoked for this summer adventure across this giant beauty of a country in support of our newest record Eidolon. We were actually just fresh back from our showcase at Roadburn 2017 (with the likes of Baroness and Chelsea Wolfe) and thought, theres really no better Canadian band and dudes to do a Canadian tour with than our old buds in Flying Fortress and luckily the stars have aligned in our favour. Tour Poster by Josiah Barnett Tour Dates: Aug 4 - Ottawa, ON @ House of Targ Aug 5 - Toronto, ON @ Bovine Sex Club Aug 7 - North Bay, ON @ White Water Gallery Aug 8 - Sault Ste Marie, ON @ TBA Aug 9 - Thunder Bay, ON @ Black Pirates Aug 10 - Winnipeg, MB @ Handsome Daughter Aug 11 - Saskatoon, SK @ Vangelis Aug 12 - Edmonton, AB @ Brixx Aug 13 - Nelson, BC @ The Royal Aug 15 - Abbotsford, BC @ TBA Aug 16 - Victoria, BC @ Logans Aug 17 - Vancouver, BC @ The Astoria Aug 18 - Calgary, AB @ Distortion Aug 19 - Regina, SK @ The Club Aug 22 - Sudbury, ON @ The Asylum About: ZAUMs second and latest full length musical chapter Eidolon was released October 24, 2016 via I HATE Records with distribution via Plastic Head/Sony Music throughout Europe and Century Media in North America to follow their 2014 debut album "Oracles". In their three years as an active touring band ZAUM have amassed 200+ shows (mainly international) under their belts including support stints for Voivod, Pentagram, and Cauldron. ZAUM is a passage toward the dark realizations of the old world; a monolithic doomy mantra based meditative experience forged by bass and drums interwoven with sitar, woodwind, string and synth textures. Based in New Brunswick, Canada observers experience a tranquil resonance whereby the astral and physical planes can co-exist and be understood from a natural perspective. ZAUM is: Kyle Alexander McDonald (bass/vocal/synth/textures) Christopher Lewis (drums/percussion) Song Stream - The Enlightenment - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POe486_oUs4 Album Stream - Eidolon - https://zaum.bandcamp.com/ Track Listing: 1. Influence Of The Magi (21:00) 2. The Enlightenment (21:00) Album Length: 42:00 For more info, please visit www.Zaum.ca ZAUM blends several moods into a really attractive, cohesive work that not only pays off, but also distances them from Om, creating for themselves a sphere of their own. -Sputnik Music a new level of headphone-ready, open-consciousness expanse. Nothing matters. Give up your expectations. Quit your job and move to the forest. Build a temple by a river and spend your days naming the gods who live in the trees around you. -The Obelisk Their sound encompasses the enormity of the likes of Sleep and Om, yet works in a mysticism thats haunting and ethereal. The 40 minute span of this release is a sitar driven daydream that carries the gravitational force of tectonic plates shifting. -Iron Fist Hold onto your bong, ponder those scraps of eastern philosophy youve picked up watching Kung Fu films from the 1970s, and prepare to escape from Samsara. -Ave Noctum Consists of dread and a haunting sensation to glimmers of hope, but mostly dreadful darkness. ZAUM cast their own dark shadow, one I dont mind being consumed by. Bucketlist Music Review (10/10) Few bands can touch the New Brunswick doom duo in terms of sheer hypnotic atmosphere. Eidolon sees them go further down their singular path into the heavy unknown. Prepare to be transported to a higher realm. -The Sludgelord The June session of the UN Decolonization Committee ended in New York Friday (June 23) on a double failure of the Committee Chair, Venezuelan ambassador Rafael Ramirez, and of the Algerian diplomacy with regard to the Moroccan Sahara issue. The vigilance of Moroccan diplomacy and the mobilization of Moroccos friends from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific that are member of the Special Committee (C-24) foiled all the maneuvers of the representatives of Venezuela and Algeria. These representatives wanted the C-24 to grant the Polisario the status of a legitimate representative of the populations of Western Sahara. Moroccos opponents were forced to withdraw from the draft resolution all the paragraphs introduced by the Venezuelan presidency on the recommendation of the Algerian delegation. These paragraphs referred to the participation of the Polisario as a legitimate representative of the populations of the Moroccan Sahara and called for a visit by a delegation of the UN Decolonization Committee to these Sahara provinces. Moroccos friends insisted on the rejection of the status of representative of the Sahara populations that Rafael Ramirez was maliciously seeking to confer on the Polisario. Seven members of the Committee sent a letter to the Committee Chairman challenging his maneuvers to impose this so-called representativeness of the separatist front. The Committee members sent a clear message to the Venezuelan Ambassador, to Algeria and to its protege the Polisario, whose biased attitude has divided the Committee. The majority of the committee members have thus exposed the personal and ideological agenda of Ambassador Ramirez and his Algerian colleagues about the Moroccan Sahara and the so-called representativeness of the Polisario. And all the deceptive attempts by the Committee Chairman harming Moroccos interests and favoring the Polisario were thwarted by Morocco with the support of its friends. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. After years living amidst the urban wilderness of London, actor Francis Lee returned to his pastoral Yorkshire roots to write and direct his debut feature Gods Own Country. Set amidst the desolate beauty of northern Englands Yorkshire Pennines, the film tells the story of a young farmer, Johnny (Josh OConnor), and the relationship which develops when a Romanian migrant worker, Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu), comes to work on his family farm. Just as Johnny finds an escape from his loneliness and the future begins to brighten, the pressures of family, farming, and his own tendancy towards self-destruction threaten to ruin the chance for lasting happiness. Aided by two stunning performances from the young leads, Lee has crafted a starkly beautiful tale thats been rewarded with the opening slot at the Edinburgh international Film Festival. At a screening the day after the films UK premiere, the director and lead actor Alec Secareanu were present to answer questions on their work. Those images right at the end, were they your own family? Were they a deliberate way to end the film with colourful imagery? Francis: Yeah, absolutely, my family were never rich enough to own a camera let alone to develop film but I loved those oversaturated images of bucolic, pastoral British farming of the 50s and I thought it added such a lovely juxtaposition to the world I grew up in, and the world I knew to be so difficult and hard and isolating. When I was writing this I used to watch telly in the afternoons, and I watched Escape to the Country, I dont know if you know it, but its about these people who go to the countryside because its wonderful and freeing, and God no, it was miserable I was lonely! And so at what point did you want to tell your story, was there something that made you want to go back and take that journey? Francis: Yeah, so I escaped London when I was twenty and moved to London and went to drama school and had a terrible failed career as an actor for twenty years! But I could never get this landscape out of my head and out of my body. It was a place that really informed who I was and how I conformed to the world. And then I got to forty and I was doing like the fifth Heartbeat and was very bored and always knew I wanted to write and direct but was never confident enough to do it, so I hit forty and thought, I think you better try. Did you need to go back home to write it, or did you sit somewhere else and reimagine everything? Francis: I wrote half of it in my Dads static caravan in his farmyard and I wrote half of it in London because being away from it added a nice distance and gave me a nice perception of it, but I did move back and now I live there full time. Youve talked about how you were very ordered and structured about how you wanted to present the film, and very detailed in the way you prepared was there flexibility when you were shooting as well? Francis: Ha, Alecs shaking his head; no Im not a fan of improvising. I like to be very ordered so everything youre seeing onscreen is very detailed and written in the script and then it was a challenge to visualise that. And the representation of Europe and these issues that are very prescient, was that was just happenstance or was that always part of that story? Francis: When I gave up acting and had no money I worked in a scrapyard and one of the guys I worked with was from Romania and we became very good friends. He had come to this country to better his life and earn money for his family and he had such a tough time, and he experienced a lot of xenophobia and that had impacted on him. And I was interested in that emotional response to somebody, so thats why Gheorghe is Romanian. And when I wrote it I don't think a referendum had been announced at all. So how did it go in terms of casting? How did you find them (Josh and Alec)? Francis: I didnt know any actors of that age range so I worked with a casting director to find them. I was interested to see Josh, I didnt know his work but he was working in Corfu, he recorded some scenes and sent them back so Id not met him but I was convinced he was from the north somewhere and I was convinced he had this terrible internal emotionally repressed life. So I met him when he came back and I was super shocked because Josh is the most beautiful polite, funny, middle class boy from Cheltenham! In that meeting I started to work with him and I realised what he was excited about and what excited me was him being a very transformative actor, and we could build this character together. Now when I watch the film, and I know Josh very well, I don't recognize one part of Josh in that character. Its an extraordinary performance. With Alec we worked with a casting director in Bucharest and Alec sent a self-tape and there was something so special about how he was reacting to the character and this emotion, so I was very keen to meet him. So we went to Bucharest and met a number of boys and embarrassingly I couldn't look Alec in the eyes because he was so handsome, and then I started to work with him and again I worked out quite quickly that he is a transformative actor too and wanted to go on this journey and he was so wonderful. Then we brought the boys together to see if they worked well together and they did. What was it like for you the first time you were brought together? Alec: It was a bit insane for me, I was being brought to London for the first time to work on a feature film, it was a lot of responsibility and I was pretty nervous. I think Francis has done an amazing job in working with us and knowing what each one us needs in creating the character. I think when I came to London we worked for an hour on a scene which I think is pretty long for an audition and it obviously went well! The set up of these characters lives means its very difficult for them to communicate verbally but actually theres a lot of communication that happens in the film was that a challenge when writing how these guys are going to communicate and understand each other? Francis: For me, I love cinema and I think it's a visual medium so I want to tell my stories visually, Im not a huge fan of dialogue and so I guess the challenge was always going to be if the actors can deliver the looks, the nuance, and luckily both boys were phenomenal. In the edit we started off with a film script with very little dialogue in it and in the edit we got rid of even more dialogue because they were nailing it, they were delivering on it. Alec: When I first got the script it's the first script of this nature Ive ever read and it was so detailed, everything in there, every glimpse and twitch and gesture, it was written in the script and we rehearsed it a lot and built our characters from scratch, from the point that they were born to the point that you see them on screen and that helped us a lot. Yeah, it wasn't that hard working without dialogue to be honest. Im so glad there was a happy ending did you ever think you end it on a different note? Francis: No. For several reasons, one because I love hope and I think hope is a very important message and something we all like no matter how difficult circumstances are, and secondly because I had become really tired of seeing working class people, I cant think of a better word, whose lives ended tragically or they didn't get what they wanted, and also that people in same sex relationships always ended with loneliness and bitterness and isolation or rejection and that hadnt been my experience in life and I wanted to address that. I think both the characters worked really hard for that ending and I didn't want to let them down. Youve talked about filmic references you had in mind when you were writing, what are some of them? Francis: Im a big fan of the Dardennes brothers and Jacques Audiard. I wanted to make a very immersive film. Did Brokeback Mountain ever play on your mind? Francis: Id only seen it once and loved it and thought it was a masterpiece and those performances are so beautiful but I wasnt thinking about it, but it did keep coming up when we were developing it. I did secretly plot a homage into it, I reference it in the film, if you can tell where that is it would be amazing because I knew I couldn't ignore it, but I do think theyre very different films. Late addition on July 1: Colossal - By my own rules - films I've seen that were released theatrically in the U.S. this year - I managed somehow to forget Nacho Vigalondo's monster treat, which I saw last fall as the closing night presentation at Fantastic Fest. (Probably it's because I meant to see it again during its theatrical run this year.) In any event, my history with the filmmaker began when I saw Timecrimes at my first Fantastic Fest in 2007, and then got to sit down with him the next day for an interview. I've seen a number of his short films and also his features Extraterrestrial and Open Windows, but Colossal is his best yet, a very strong drama about a woman dealing with big challenges in her life, the least of which is the monster with whom she has a very strange connection. Review by Jason Gorber. Boy, I hope this is good. Directed by Adam Wingard, Death Note is heading to Netflix on August 25. The English-language version has the following official description: "Intoxicated by the power of a supernatural notebook, a young man begins killing those he deems unworthy of life." That is what is promised, and that is what's delivered in the first full trailer, which you can watch below. I've enjoyed Adam Wingard's directing work in the past, especially The Guest, You're Next and A Horrible Way to Die, and though I didn't care for Blair Witch, I remain optimistic about his vision for the movie version of the Japanese manga. Watch the trailer below and please leave your comments, especially if you're familiar with the earlier versions. Two very different (but perhaps similar) tales of prison sentencing from outpost Virginia in incarceration nation | Main | Murderers admit they went on prison murder spree in order to get death sentences June 29, 2017 Pair of Senators introduce the "Reverse Mass Incarceration Act of 2017" As reported in this article from The Hill, "Senate Democrats unveiled a proposal Wednesday to push back against Attorney General Jeff Sessions's 'tough on crime' policies." Here are the details: Sens. Cory Booker (N.J.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) introduced the Reverse Mass Incarceration Act of 2017 to incentivize states through grant funding to decrease their prison populations. It's intended to counter the 1994 Crime Bill, otherwise known as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. That law authorized $12.5 billion in grants to fund or offset the costs of incarceration, nearly 50 percent of which was earmarked for states that adopted tough truth-in-sentencing laws, which required offenders to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.... The Booker-Blumenthal bill provides $20 billion in grant funding to be divvied up every three years among eligible states. States would only be considered eligible to apply if the total number of people in correctional or detention facilities in the state decreased by 7 percent or more in that three-year period. States must also keep crime rates from increasing by more than 3 percent. The proposal is estimated to reduce the national prison population by 20 percent over 10 years. State sentencing policies are the major drivers of skyrocketing incarceration rates, which is why weve introduced legislation to encourage change at the state level, Booker said in a statement. We need to change federal incentives so that we reward states that are addressing this crisis and improving community safety, instead of funneling more federal dollars into a broken system. The idea is based on a 2015 proposal from the Brennan Center for Justice. The federal government has a long history of dangling money in front of state and local leaders to spur policy changes, program Director Inimai Chettiar said in a statement. We saw it with the 1994 Crime Bill, which helped put more people behind bars. This bold bill shifts the current flow of funding in the opposite direction. It is one of the single biggest steps we can take to reduce imprisonment. The full text of the Reverse Incarceration Act runs only about two pages and is available at this link. I would be very surprised if this bill gets any traction in Congress, but even its formal introduction seemed notable. June 29, 2017 at 12:02 AM | Permalink Comments Booker may argue, we are picking on black people. I would reply, he is devaluing the black crime victim. I would point out, Booker is the former Mayor of Newark, NJ, a high crime area. If you want the murder rate of Honduras, follow this fool. Mexico and Honduras are low carceration jurisdictions. He is not one to lead on the question of public safety. Then, Cory Booker, Yale Law 1997. Dismissed. Asshole. This conflict or debate is moot. There will be 20% fewer criminals anyway from other developments. The sides should move on. Posted by: David Behar | Jun 29, 2017 8:44:48 AM "Mass Incarceration". Go to a Catholic church on Sunday and view the inmates. They call it "Mass". They cannot just get up and leave. They are obligated to come to the lock down ward and sit still or knee down. There is nothing worse. At least in prison you can talk and smile and be happy about nothing. At Catholic Mass you are a total inmate. Posted by: Liberty1st | Jun 29, 2017 11:53:36 PM Post a comment Trader Joe's once again has a hit on its hands, cheap booze-wise. Their Simpler Wines, released in April, which come canned in four-packs for $3.99 equivalent to a 750 ml bottle are proving huge hits, likely because they're perfect for picnics, require no openers, and are basically cheaper than most beer. Business Insider reports that the canned sparkling wine, which comes in white and rose, has been a runaway hit for the store since its April release, with their whole inventory selling out and recently needing to be replenished from the supplier. Trader Joe's explains on their website that they partnered with an Italian wine supplier to create two sparkling varieties, noting that the Simpler Wines White has "notes of juicy honeydew and fresh cut herbs" and goes great with "fresh bread & olives or Parmigiano Reggiano." Also, "The elegant, mineral notes and red fruit flavors of Simpler Wines Rose are a natural fit for fresh pasta, seafood or sweets." As for what they really taste like, some honest reviewers over at BuzzFeed tried both varieties early on in May and decided they both basically "taste like soda," or like "seltzer and grape juice," but they're still, "pretty good," and "let's be honest, even bad rose is better than no rose..." TJ's of course ushered in the modern era of cheap, arguably drinkable wine with their Charles Shaw label in 2002, which at $1.99 a bottle quickly earned the name Two-Buck Chuck. It's good enough for some winos still, and now retails for $2.99 in California, and you can read more about why it's still so cheap here. At $1 a can, Simpler Wines marks a return to this spirit, and while the equivalent of a bottle is a dollar more than the Charles Shaw, consumers clearly like the convenience and portability of the cans, and the ability to not have to open a whole bottle. Expect to see a lot of these littering Dolores Park from now until they run out again. Previously: Trader Joe's On Market Street Opening Two Weeks Early, Next Thursday A driver on the run from police ran a red at a Richmond District intersection Wednesday night, causing a crash that injured two. According to the San Francisco Police Department, it all began when officers attempted to make what they characterize as a routine traffic stop at 9:26 p.m. Wednesday night, near the intersection of Anza Street and Fifth Avenue. The driver, a 20-year-old man, was headed east on Anza when an SFPD unit tried to pull him over. Police did not immediately provide details on the reason for the stop. Instead of complying with the police signal that he yield, the driver fled "at a high rate of speed," police say. According to the SFPD, the driver "made a right turn onto 5th Ave and ran the red light at the intersection on 5th Ave and Balboa." That's when he slammed into another car, police say, one that contained a 61-year-old man and a 31-year-old man. Both were injured in the crash, police say, and were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Police, who were behind the fleeing driver, managed to detain the suspect at the scene of the crash. He was arrested, according to the SFPD, and was booked into San Francisco County Jail Wednesday evening. Back in December 2015, a San Francisco man who tried to report a stolen car was turned over to immigration authorities by members of the San Francisco Police Department. The San Francisco Examiner reports that 33-year-old Pedro Figueroa-Zarceno went to Southern Police Station on Third Street to report his car stolen. When police officers ran his name, they discovered that there was a warrant out for Figueroa-Zarceno, however unable to find details on the report, the police let the native El Salvadorian leave through a side door. It was there that ICE agents were waiting. Figueroa-Zarceno told CBS 5 that his 8-year-old daughter could see him being arrested by immigration officials. "I could hear my daughter screaming outside the van, Dad! Dad! I could hear her telling them not to take her dad," he said. Figueroa-Zarceno was sent to a detention center in Martinez for two months and his legal status is still up in the air. Adding insult to injury, SF Weekly reports that his car was auctioned off while he was in detention. He was eventually released on bond thanks to immigration attorneys at Van Der Hout, Brigagliano & Nightingale LLP. Read our previous coverage on Figueroa-Zarceno's plight here. SF Weekly explains what's happened since: ...the Asian Law Caucus was introduced to Figueroa-Zarceno's case after his immigration attorneys reached out to FREE SF, a coalition of 21 organizations which together advocate for 'community safety, transformative justice, immigrant rights, and self-determination.' Figueroa-Zarceno's arrest, his attorneys suspected, had violated the city's Sanctuary Ordinance, which bans city employees from assisting ICE in detentions or arrests. Upon investigation, FREE SF agreed, and the Asian Law Caucus filed a suit against the city on behalf of Figueroa-Zarceno in January. ... "It's really important for San Francisco to remain a sanctuary city not in name only but also in practice. Our hope is that the department is going to look into this further and really examine the way that the department can do more," said Saira Hussain, Figueroa-Zarceno's lawyer and a staff-attorney with the Asian Law Caucus. For their part, back in January the SFPD told the Chronicle that it had opened an internal investigation into the officers who notified ICE. "It is the policy of the San Francisco Police Department to foster trust and cooperation with all people of the city and to encourage them to communicate with SFPD officers without fear of inquiry regarding their immigration status. We are aware of concerns this incident has raised with some members of our community," said Sgt. Michael Andraychak. Last week, the SFPD issued a statement that claimed "there will be serious consequences" for any policy or procedure violations found in their investigation into the incident. While the City Attorney has approved granting Figueroa-Zarceno a settlement of $190,000, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors must vote on it. That vote is scheduled to happen sometime later this month. "This proposed settlement is a fair resolution for all of the parties involved," City Attorney's office spokesperson John Cote tells CBS 5. Related: SFPD Officer Caught On Camera Threatening Bystanders With Deportation Instagram is enjoyable, don't get me wrong but it is also very weird! The amount of time we spend looking at others' photos* (especially those we don't know) is kind of eyebrow raising when you think about it...and director/developer Noah Levenson has clearly done that, creating a website called Weird Box to help make you think about it, too. It's seductive, easy, and disconcerting: Enter the name of any Instagram account (it doesn't have to be yours) and the photos from the account are woven into this couple's strange discussion about the contents of a box hidden in what appears to be their shared home. I tried it with my dog's Instagram account, and used a desktop recording app to capture the result for you to enjoy (or something). Levenson says he "wrote it, directed it and programmed the software that makes it work." That's him on the right, co-starring with actress Katie Boland. Yeah, he's the one who considers you (or whoever's account you enter) a guru. In their writeup of the function, Fast Company says "Over the past decade, we have normalized stalking people we barely know or dont know at all. And the fact that the person being stalked in this instance is YOU should induce shudders." That, to me, is a bit of an overreaction...after all, stalking is not consensual, while posting photos to a public Instagram account seems like an invitation for eyes. In fact, it seems that for many of us with public Instagram accounts, shudders are mainly induced when a photo gets no attention at all. That said, would I necessarily want some guy to print out my dog's (or my) photos and keep them in a box? Maybe not...but if anyone's bugged that much by the consumption of their images by strangers, there's nothing stopping them from making their accounts private, or getting off the platform all together. *To the inevitable commenter who proudly announces that their life is far too rich to waste time looking at other people's photos: 1) OK, commenter and 2) yup. The new, revised, and more limited version of President Trumps travel ban takes effect at 5 p.m. PDT today, and it will not be surprising if, just like the January attempt at a travel ban, the implementation is handled in the most poorly communicated fashion possible. To that end, a grassroots group of volunteer civil rights attorneys is standing watch at San Francisco International Airport according to KRON 4, to defend and provide free guidance for anyone detained as the new rules take effect much as attorneys did in late January and early February at multiple airports around the country. With the partial reinstatement of the ban on visas for travelers from six Muslim-majority nations, the new guidelines issued by the State Department will not include revoking visas that have already been approved (a primary source of chaos in the previous bans implementation). But this time around, travelers from Iran, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen as well as any refugees from any country will have to prove, per a temporary ruling by the Supreme Court this week, that theyre related to someone already in the United States. Proving family relationship is bizarre and complex formula in which parents, spouses, and siblings are considered family, while fiances, grandparents, or nieces and nephews are not. This has the potential for the kind of chaos and detainments we saw at SFO Januarys iteration of the travel ban, as well as the possibility of more large-scale protests. Were not expecting the sorts of crowds that we saw in January for a number of reasons, Asian Law Caucus attorney Christina Sinha told NBC Bay Area. Sinha will be one of the pro bono attorneys who will be working at a pop-up legal clinic at SFO, and she still sees the possibility for confusion and unfair detainments considering the new guidelines were just issued late last night. People dont know when to show up, they dont know when this is going into effect. The current travel ban is again considered temporary, and the Supreme Court will hear the full case in October, but this means that we're looking at a summer full of weird tensions around airports and dire cases that call to question the wisdom of this ruling. The ban halts travel for those without family or "a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States" for 90 days for everyone from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen, and it halts the refugee program for 120 days. According to the Justice Department and President Trump, who called the ruling "a clear victory for our national security," the executive order is meant to allow for a pause or "reset" in order reassess screening guidelines for immigrants and travel visas. Refugee and immigrant advocates insist that these guidelines were plenty strict under the Obama administration and have undergone extensive review. Related: Captain On SFO-Departing Flight Addresses Passengers Following Racist Incident SIOUX CITY | A traffic safety project Tuesday along Interstate 29 yielded 213 citations and 144.5 grams of seized marijuana, police said. Members of the Sioux City Police Department, Woodbury County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol stopped 149 drivers between 2 and 10 p.m. Tuesday in the northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate, according to a news release from the Sioux City Police Department. Along with the citations and marijuana seizures, authorities seized $442 and found 18 prescription pills, two instances of drug paraphernalia, the release said. Police use traffic enforcement projects to promote safety, the release said. People with areas of concern can contact the Sioux City Police Department, 601 Douglas St. DAKOTA CITY | Operations were back to normal at Dakota City's Tyson Foods plant Wednesday after some operations were disrupted Tuesday due to a dispute over break times, according to a company statement. Tyson Foods spokeswoman Caroline Ahn said in a statement that plant operations were disrupted Tuesday "after break-related questions were raised by some team members." The statement said the "misunderstanding" resulted from changes in break schedules included in a recently completed labor agreement ratified by members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. The company and the UFCW discussed the issues with team members Wednesday. A second statement issued around 4 p.m. said the issue had been resolved. The Dakota City plant employs about 4,500 people. The statement did not disclose how many of those employees stopped working as a result of the dispute. Some Muslim workers reportedly had complained they were no longer being given sufficient time for daily prayers. WASHINGTON, D.C. | Citing President Trump's efforts to hold national news media accountable for unfair coverage, Rep. Steve King said Thursday the Republican president deserves some credit for Beef Products Inc.'s out-of-court settlement with ABC. "I think that President Trump helped this case, by calling out fake news for what it is," King said. BPI sued ABC and other defendants in September 2012, claiming the network in a series of reports in March and April 2012 defamed BPI's signature beef product, which critics dubbed "pink slime," causing consumers to mistakenly believe it was unsafe. The Dakota Dunes-based company was seeking up to $5.7 billion in damages in Union County Circuit Court. The settlement was announced Wednesday morning, less than halfway through a trial expected to last about eight weeks. While the two sides agreed to keep terms confidential, attorneys for BPI claimed the deal vindicated the family business and its product. "I'm very, very happy (for BPI owners) Eldon and Regina Roth and all of the people in management and on the line at BPI," King told the Journal. "They were served up one of the nastiest things I've ever seen committed by the media. That was designed, I believe, to destroy their business." King, who did not attend the trial in Elk Point, S.D., speculated that ABC attorneys "looked the jurors in the eye," knew they couldn't win the case, and were forced to come to the table for a deal, which he suggested could be "very substantial." Iowa's 4th District congressman called ABC's reporting the "premier case of not just fake news, but malicious news." Avila told reporters after the settlement he supported the network making a business decision to settle the lawsuit, but pointed out the network was not retracting any stories or apologizing for them. King said that may not matter at the end of the day. "They can claim that, but they're the ones writing the check," he said. The congressman, who rallied to BPI's defense in the wake of the 2012 reports the company claimed cost it more than 80 percent of its business, said he hoped the money would help the firm repair the damage done to its reputation. He praised Eldon Roth as a "self-made man" who worked to raise food quality standards and bring jobs to Siouxland. To celebrate the end of the case, King said he was heading home Friday to grill a burger containing Lean Finely Textured Beef. SIOUX CITY | Thunderstorms could roll into Sioux City during the afternoon and evening hours today, as the area sits under a marginal risk for severe weather. Chances will begin around 3 p.m. but increase around 5 p.m., said Meteorologist Janice Maldonado with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls. "It will be on and off," she said. While the increased risk of severe weather lies to the south, Maldonado said she couldn't rule out the chance for storms with hail and damaging winds. Sioux City can expect about a half-inch of rainfall, she said. Today's high will be 83 degrees, dropping to a low of 60 overnight. Conditions will remain in the low to mid 80s over the weekend, with highs of 80 and 82 on Friday and Saturday, increasing to 86 on Sunday. Monday's high will be 83, with a 60 percent chance of rain. ELK POINT, S.D. | Beef Products Inc.'s surprise settlement with ABC Wednesday brought a sigh of relief from Siouxland leaders who rallied to the Dakota Dunes-based firm's defense after the network aired a series of unflattering reports in 2012 about BPI's signature beef product. "After five long years, todays settlement provides BPI with a renewed foundation for the future," said Chris McGowan, president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce/The Siouxland Initiative. "The company can now refocus their efforts on growing their business and hopefully as they grow our community and our economy will continue to grow right along with them." McGowan, who sat in on several days of a trial that started June 5 in Union County Circuit Court in Elk Point, was among the local leaders present in the courtroom Wednesday morning when Circuit Court Judge Cheryle Gering announced the case was over. In a statement, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' office also offered support for BPI, a family business started by Eldon and Regina Roth. The privately held company was forced to close its Waterloo, Iowa, plant and two other plants in 2012 after a consumer backlash driven by national media reports dried up more than 80 percent of its business. "Governor Reynolds was proud to support BPI and the Roth family as they fought the smear campaign against their company," the statement said. Reynolds was lieutenant governor when Gov. Terry Branstad invited governors and lieutenant governors from Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas and Texas to tour BPI's South Sioux City plant, the only one still making LFTB, as a show of public support for the company weeks after ABC began airing its reports. Rod Koch, South Sioux City's current mayor, said Wednesday said he hoped the damage done to the company could be partially righted by the settlement. Terms were not disclosed. "I hope that the settlement is what BPI was looking for, because I think they were wronged and damaged, in the comments that were made about them," Koch said. BPI sued ABC in September 2012 for $1.9 billion in damages, claiming ABC defamed the company and LFTB by knowingly using false information and interfering with its business relationships with its customers. The reports in March and April 2012 regularly referred to the product as "pink slime." "It just had a negative impact on our whole industry," said J.D. Alexander, a third-generation Pilger, Nebraska, beef producer who was president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in 2012. "When people started, I guess I'll call it 'slandering' the product, it just had a negative impact on the whole industry." Since the industry is often volatile, it's hard to say whether it's fully recovered, he said. "I would just say that, I'm pleased there was a resolution to it," Alexander said of the settlement. "We, you know, in the beef industry are always concerned about what information is put out. We felt all along that Lean Finely Textured Beef was a good, valuable product." As far as I can see, the major cost of health insurance is caused by only three factors. 1) The cost of health care, like drugs, procedures, office visits, hospitalization, etc. 2) The health of the people being covered by the insurance. 3) The profits of the insurance companies. From what I can gather about this secret plan, competition is supposed to address the insurance company profits, but there is nothing in the new bill to address the other two. We want to know what you think about the movies. You can Tweet us your reviews @scweekender or share them on Facebook, facebook.com/siouxcityweekender. We'll pick the best comments on Monday before the next Weekender. Here are this week's movies: Transformers: The Last Night Starring: Robotic cars and Mark Wahlberg Story: The human race and Transformers fight a catastrophic war, which could be put to an end by looking at Earth's past. Rated: PG-13 for violence and intense sequences of sci-fi action, language, and some innuendo Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender The Big Sick Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan Story: A couple have different cultural backgrounds that they and their families must come to terms with. Rated: R for language including some sexual references Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender The Beguiled Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman Story: A girls' school during the Civil War sees its sheltered young women become tense when a wounded Union soldier arrives. Rated: R for some sexuality Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Cars 3 Starring: Anthropomorphic cars Story: As new generations of racers weave their way into the top, Lightning McQueen struggles to find his place. Rated: G Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Rough Night Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon Story: During a bachelorette party, a group of friends come across a big problem when their male stripper winds up dead. Rated: R for crude sexual content, language throughout, drug use and brief bloody images Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender All Eyez on Me Starring: No one you know Story: The life and legacy and the ups and downs of hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur is explored. Rated: R for language throughout, drug use, violence, some nudity and sexuality Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender The Mummy Starring: Tom Cruise (sadly, no Brendan Fraser) Story: An ancient princess is awakened, bringing with her a terrifying force and other horrors to conquer the human race. Rated: PG-13 for violence, action and scary images, and for some suggestive content and partial nudity Verdict: The Mummy is pretty crummy - unraveling in the 2nd act after a promising start. Lacks the levity of the Brendan Fraser films. -@sizynski Megan Leavey Starring: Kate Mara, Tom Felton Story: A Marine corporal develops a bond with her military combat dog that saves many lives during an deployment in Iraq. Rated: PG-13 for war violence, language, suggestive material, and thematic elements Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender It Comes at Night Starring: Joel Edgerton, Christopher Abbott Story: Secured inside their desolate home from an unknown world threat, a family tackles fear and paranoia when another couple seeks refuge. Rated: R violence, disturbing images, and language Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Wonder Woman Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine Story: Diana, princess of the Amazons, feels called upon to leave her homeland defend a raging war in the outside world. Rated: PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Cows burned in South Sioux City semi fire SOUTH SIOUX CITY | "Waiter, I would like my steak accidentally medium rare." Some cattle were burned June 22 after a semi-trailer truck pulling them caught fire on a highway ramp at the south edge of South Sioux City. South Sioux City Fire Department Chief Clint Merithew said the truck was hauling cattle and one of the rear tires blew out, and eventually caught fire as the driver sought to find an exit for services. He said the driver was not injured, but the fire spread from the tire through the trailer and burned a few cattle. It is believed the livestock survived the injuries. The fire crew responded about 3 a.m. and put the fire out with little difficulty at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Dakota Avenue in South Sioux City. Boys start playground equipment on fire ODEBOLT, Iowa | Someone is grounded. Three boys under the age of 12 caused nearly $80,000 in damages to playground equipment at Odebolt-Arthur and Battle Creek-Ida Grove School June 16 after playing with lighters underneath a plastic slide, according to local authorities. The boys, ages 11, 9 and 7, were lighting wood chips on fire when the flames grew out of control and set the equipment on fire, according to a news release from the Sac County Sheriff's Office. The Odebolt Fire Department arrived at the school, 600 Maple St., shortly before 5 p.m. Friday. By the time firefighters had extinguished the flames, between $70,000 and $80,000 in damage had occurred, the release said. The Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting local authorities with an ongoing investigation. Criminal charges are pending, the release said. The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. SFGNs Speak OUT is a weekly feature giving a regular voice to South Florida LGBT community leaders, activistsand business people. This month Philadelphia unveiled a new Pride flag adding two stripes, a black and brown one representing the black and brown communities within the LGBT spectrum. What are your thoughts on this new flag? Below are some of their answers: Absolutely not, that looks hideous! One of the things I admire overall in the LGBT community is the level of conscientiousness and the ability to see past differences and celebrate the individualism. Lately, it seems the LGBT community is getting sucked into the distractions and are beginning to partake in actions that do not contribute to the peace-loving-happiness we know, that rainbow pride. Philadelphia has its share of racism period. If black and brown are listed, might as well add a white stripe. NOT. In my reality, it is easier to feel the racial tension percolate from a white gay male than a straight white male, and this makes me cringe. So, I can understand Philly's frustration and actions regarding the flag modification, but, this is not the solution. While I understand the issues we black/brown people experience, I totally disagree with this new Pride flag. The colors of the rainbow are lively and have meaning that transcends the pigment of human skin. Life, sex, healing, art, nature, sunlight, serenity, and spirit represents all that is good with fortifying existence. Philly, please find a better way! Sonja Pressley, BLAST Assistant Organizer I remember the very first Gay Pride and the rolling out of the Gay Pride Flag and it included and represented ALL of US!!!!! The Rainbow Flag symbolized the Fight for all who Embrace Diversity, Freedom of Expression and the Right to Love Whoever You Want. It has nothing to do with race. RAINBOW NATION! Tiffany Ariegus, Community Activist, Provider, Entertainer and Fundraiser There is no ill-will intended here. While adding the two stripes may have attempted to symbolize racial inclusion, simply adding two stripes will not accomplish this. Symbols do not automatically matriculate into practice. Practice must come with greater acceptance and integration among all of us rainbow people. as we learn to live and work together more harmoniously regardless of what color the stripes are on the banner we choose to live under. Paul Smith, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel & retired Clinical Social Worker After reading a fair number of responses I feel the current flag is enough. I see it symbolizes an LGBTQ community: not a race nor nationality. Robert Hadley, community activist Adding black and brown colors to the rainbow flag is very effective in focusing our attention on life threatening racism. In spirit, it's not unlike adding letters to the acronym, which is now LGBTQQIAA. Yet, maybe the more you add to either, the less clear they become in meaning to anyone, here and elsewhere in the world. Brian McNaught, noted columnist, author and LGBT activist If members of our community who feel marginalized or even worse, excluded, want this, who has the right to say no? I don't. Let's hope it's a symbolic beginning of a much bigger movement to eradicate all forms of racism in the LGBT community. I welcome the new flag. Judy Ireland, Assistant organizer for BLAST Women of WPB The flag is one that needed to be more inclusive, as the LGBTQ community is knowingly riddled with racism and classism. It always baffles me as a Black lesbian how equality is always sought after, and demanded on one level and on the contrast considered "controversial" when it comes to minorities. There are numerous Black and Brown persons who are within the LGBTQ community and I think too often the community is viewed in one lense. That lense is generally upper middle class and White. That lense is not a representation of all of us. Danielle Allen, founder of the Black Women's Education Empowerment Initiative This needs more than 3 lines, which is sort of the reason for adding the new colors. Noah Kitty, Rabbi and Executive Director of Congregation Etz Chaim I really get the adding of colors, yet, I believe it will muddle that which unites us as members of our community. We stood together for the values that each of the eight original colors stood for, and we can still stand together under the current six colors that represent: life, healing, sunshine, nature, peace, and spirit. I believe that our rainbow flag was created as a banner of unity and common ground. Our common ground with common values have stood the test of time as we have transitioned from GL community to the GLB community, to the GLBT community, and as of recent the GLBTA community. With that said, let me be very clear that our community is riddled with racial discrimination, ethnic bias and even cultural mockery. Just because we support our commonalities does not mean we necessarily accept our differences. We still have a long way to go and many hurdles to jump. Maybe we should add a color that symbolizes Unity because after all black and brown stripes do not represent our White, Asian and Native Americans brothers and sisters. We must stand together in our efforts to be inclusive, find a solution, and acknowledge the reasons for the efforts to change the flaglets work together in Unity to end separatism and embrace Unity." Rolando, Curator, The Box Gallery Black and brown but why not the Jewish star? Read the article about the Chicago Pride people dismissing the Rainbow Flag with a Jewish star, which is the logo of the LGBT synagogue in Chicago. The Community gets some rights and the hate and divisiveness come out. I call them deplorable. Ruth Berman, LGBT activist I am not opposed to the new flag colors if it would help bring more equality in our country for the LGBT community. I do not think that by changing it this way will help with that and I do not like the idea of changing the original rainbow flag that has been around for many years, very distinguishable and represents EVERYONE. I don't like the idea of separating the color of people in our community with "racial colors" on a flag - this creates separation. So in a nutshell I will not support it. Mark Silver, Fine Jewelry Designer As a Hispanic gay man, I understand the struggle for inclusion, and I particularly understand the need to include the black and brown stripes. There are many important and real reasons to drive home this point - just not as an effort to REPLACE the Pride" flag. The Pride flag was all about inclusion, and we have discussed the meaning of each color and the lack of an explicit reference to race in its original incarnation. And yes, while over time the flag was altered by the lack of availability of some colors and then by the temporary alteration to reflect the AIDS pandemic, the existing flag remains an iconic symbol of worldwide inclusion. It could have been the official flag of Sense8. According to the flag's creator (Gilbert Baker), the flying of the flag marked a kindred spirit whose space was welcoming and safe for all LGBTQ people (and of course that included black and brown people like me). Its important to understand and respect our history and to not revise it or trade it off based on current emotions that may run high. We have such few symbols given our short history as a movement that taking the most iconic ones we have, and altering these to highlight other very real struggles, only dilutes our cause and fails to recognize and honor the efforts of the very people on whose shoulders we stand. Instead of honoring the flags creator (Gilbert Baker), who died just this year by making the current flag bigger, wider, stronger, brighter; we are dividing our movement and wasting resources and time debating simultaneously important, parallel issues over their imagery and its significance. There should be room enough in our movement for all of it without changing the Pride flag. Damian Pardo, Co-Founder of SAVE & Gay8 Festival, Board member of Stonewall National Museum & Our Fund Visit SFGN.com/SpeakOut to see all of this weeks responses. EmailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you know of a LGBT community leader that you believe should be a part of this list. "If one Christian commits rape, should all Christians be judged to be rapists?" That is what Glen Scriber, a gay West Palm Beach resident in 1994 asked in an opinion letter published by The Palm Beach Post on Dec. 14 of that year. The events unfolding at that time were a huge success story for South Florida's LGBT community. At the time, then West Palm Beach Mayor, Nancy Graham, had put before the city commission an "equal opportunity ordinance," an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodation based on race, color, origin, religion, and sexual orientation. The inclusion of that last group of people was challenged radically by Christian conservative groups in the area. The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council helped draft the ordinance. Palm Beach County had already put in place an ordinance in 1989 that prevented discrimination in housing for the LGBT population, but not employment. The ordinance was put into effect mid-1994, but it didn't take long before the West Palm Beach Christian Coalition voiced its opinion and gathered the necessary 1,500 signatures to send the ordinance to the polls to be voted upon by citizens. Their argument was that gay people are "choosing" to engage in their behavior and that the other groups mentioned were not. Additionally, they went on to say that gays were not a group traditionally discriminated against and therefore their inclusion is unwarranted. Bob Proper, then chairman of the West Palm Beach Chapter of the Christian Coalition led a very emotional campaign, distributing materials urging West Palm Beach voters to repeal the ordinance. These hand-outs condemned homosexual behavior, calling it "vulgar. They went on to mention that "even when done consensually and in private, homosexual behavior has spill-over effects with public dimensions because it is self destructive, disproportionally disease ridden behavior." Proper wrote an opinion letter to the Palm Beach Post where he claimed that if gays could work wherever they want, such as a daycare center, they could potentially spread dangerous diseases or even engage in lewd behavior, because according to him gays have up to 10 times as many partners as a "womanizer. The aforementioned Glen Scriber opinion letter was a response to Proper's narrow-mindedness in assuming all gay people delve into the same illegal activities. Scriber had said "we are doctors and ditch diggers," and "conservatives and liberals," and that the city is making right in prohibiting this kind of prejudice. Then-Palm Beach County Commissioner, Carol Roberts, countered Proper's argument with a letter of her own published in the same newspaper. She claimed we would be taking a "giant step backwards" if voters chose to repeal this law. Fortunately, on Jan. 10, 1995, 56 percent of West Palm Beach voters chose to keep the ordinance intact, the first time in Florida history that a Christian repeal effort was defeated by voters on the first attempt. No major effort against rights for the LGBT community here in South Florida has been successful since then. It really was the turning point for the community in Florida since it did create a chain reaction around the state where other municipalities and counties attempted to do something similar. By 2002, Palm Beach County commissioners adopted a similar ordinance, making the effort now county wide. Broward and Miami-Dade, famously, have similar laws in effect. In 2007, the City of West Palm Beach amended the ordinance to include transgender people. The founder and current president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Rand Hoch, wasnt living in West Palm Beach at the time but still remembers the repeal effort. In fact, he didnt believe they would win the fight and actually advised them to concentrate their efforts elsewhere. They didnt listen to him. West Palm Beach Mayor Nancy Graham, who was a Republican at the time, asked PBCHRC if she could head the campaign to defeat the repeal. She was -- and still is -- extremely passionate about equal rights for the lesbian and gay community, he said. Working together, Mayor Graham and PBCHRC put together an amazing coalition of civil rights and labor activists, Jewish community leaders, women's rights activists, seniors, neighborhood association members and individual citizens interested in equal rights for all. It was truly an incredible achievement. Check out the Palace Bar final closing party on our Facebook page. Palace Bar and its iconic drag show and brunches are in quite the pickle. The South Beach favorite of millions of locals, tourists and celebrities alike is set to leave the place it's called home for nearly 30 years on Tuesday, July 4. The sale of the building and a mandatory 40-year recertification and renovation is forcing owner Thomas Donall, his drag queens and wait staff out of the world-renowned locale on 1200 Ocean Dr., where longtime performers like Noel Leon, Tiffany Fantasia and Shanaya Bright (the "Queen of Costumes") are known to do flips and splits on the sidewalk, stop traffic on the Drive and even emerge from the beach. Leon showed television audiences Sunday how flexible she is on Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" with Andy Cohen, himself a fan and a frequent customer of the venue. Leon beat popular queens Detox and Valentina in the "Lip Sync For Your Wife" challenge by doing a drop in front of Cohen, plus-size model Ashley Graham and real estate agent Ryan Serhant of "Million Dollar Listing New York." Palace's Last Dance Sessions started at the beginning of June and end appropriately enough on a holiday known for fireworks. The bar plans to go out with a bang Tuesday, as Donall says the City of Miami Beach is helping them set up a block party on 12th Street, closing off the area between Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. The block parties have been a Palace fixture in the past for events such as Winter Party, White Party and Miami Beach Gay Pride. Donall says it's fitting the South Florida LGBT venue ends its tenure at the 1200 location the same way. "The city is allowing us to close down the street for this massive all-out block party like we've done before for Pride and White Party," Donall said. "Only this time it's extra special because it's our last party at 1200 Ocean Dr. We have a huge schedule of events planned for the entire weekend, culminating on the Fourth of July with 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. brunches and fireworks. If the Palace has ever meant anything to you, you need to come out, show your support and help us go out in style." In 2016, developer Steve Kassins Infinity Real Estate bought the building that houses Palace and 23 residential units for more than $15 million. A spokesman for Infinity said the company wanted to make enhancements to the building and improve the propertys prominence and accessibility. Palace opened in February 1988 -- under the guidance of then-owner Steve Palsar -- as the lone restaurant on Ocean Drive in a sea of hotels. The eatery started a trend of other cafes and restaurants opening up and down the Drive and quickly attracted celebrities from Elton John and Madonna to the late Princess Diana and slain designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered at his mansion just a block away from Palace in 1997. Over 29 years, Palace has reached its greatest success in the last decade with Donall at the helm. The Michigan native, a veteran designer and nightclub owner, introduced daily drag on-the-street shows, drag brunches, weekly T-Dances and free block parties for Pride, White Party and Winter Party weekends. Former resident queen and alumna Latrice Royale even made it to the top four of Season 4's "Rupaul's Drag Race." But Donall's and Palace's contributions to the South Florida LGBT community haven't just been cocktails and men in drag; there's been more than $2 million in donations made to charitable causes such as Miami Pride, the National LGBTQ Task Force and Care Resource. So after everything Palace has given to the local LGBT community, some patrons are up in arms about the possibility of the drag bar closing its doors forever. "Palace has been an institution for the last 30 years," local resident Antonio Alfonso said. "If they are coming to an end, what's left of gay South Beach in my opinion is not much to entice me to drive to the beach in horrible traffic and then having to pay $20 to park. Let's face it, Miami Beach is not what it used to be and it will never be again... not if the multi-million dollar developers have a say." Other patrons have asked what are LGBT members doing to give back to Palace now that it is being booted off Ocean Drive with no place to go. Nya Carter and Darci Beaudreau of West Philadelphia recently visited Palace and said the venue is similar to a longtime gay haunt from back home called Woody's, which has had a "huge following and has been really popular for at least 20 years." "Our community would be in an uproar if Woody's was closing and wasn't receiving help to relocate elsewhere. At the very least, we would be signing petitions," Carter said. Though Donall says the City of Miami Beach has been helpful by offering to waive permits for Palace's July 4th block party, he says the city could step up a little more by assisting with the search for a new venue on Ocean Drive, which is essential for the lavish and sometimes outrageous sidewalk and street performances. Former Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora, who is running again for Commissioner in November, said though "much of these things are driven by private industry, if I were Commissioner I would've placed this item for discussion at the Commission and looked for a pop-up location for the Palace to operate until it finds a new home." Gongora added: "It is sad that escalating rents and high prices are driving away so many of the local businesses that helped make Miami Beach the success it is today. We need to patronize our local businesses and help support them. I truly hope that the Palace finds a new home soon. The Palace is a part of so many wonderful memories and I want to ensure that it remains a part of our community for future residents and visitors to also enjoy." As its slogan goes "every queen needs a Palace," without the Palace, what are the South Florida queens to do? The following queens sound off: Tiffany Fantasia, 14-year performer: "Nothing's forever. Yes, this is a mainstay, a part of our history. But so was Warsaw. So were several other nightclubs. It's a business. It happens. As I've gotten older, one thing I've noticed when it comes to owning a business, it's better to own the land than lease the space. Not to say anything against Tom or any of the previous owners, but we gays come into a neighborhood, take it over and make it look pretty and we forget to buy the land so that prices can stay stable and we're not forced out by any developer." Noel Leon, 10-year performer: "I'm sad because this is where my family is, my friends. This location will always have a lot of memories. But there's nothing to save here. Yes, we're hopeful and confident that we will find another home, but this version of Palace is over and it's not so easy to find another home just like that. A lot of it has to do with money and permits, but there are also places who don't want drag queens around, the kind of performances we do, some girls come out a little more nude, it's a lot of things." TP Lords, 10-year performer: "We are losing an iconic, legendary spot where we can be out in the open, show our art and gayness and stumble upon that young gay kid who is struggling with himself and now he has a place to go to and feel welcomed and at home. This is sad. There will never be a spot like 12th Street and Ocean Drive. But we have to roll with the punches and we will be OK." Tlo Ivy, 6-year performer: "This surreal experience with Palace has been a blessing for me. What I'm going to miss most is the dressing room. The life we have back there is completely different from what we go through out here in front of an audience. I think as far as people saying the LGBT community isn't doing enough for us, I believe we are all doing the best we can. At the end of the day, it's all about money and dollar signs. Money talks. We all can do so much and we all got personal stuff to deal with, but the knife cuts both ways. We may be going down for now, but we are not out for the count." Athena Dion, 7-year performer: "When I was growing up, as a little kid, I watched 'The Birdcage' and that started my fascination and love for drag. The fact is the Palace is the legitimate real 'Birdcage,' so I feel like I've done a 360. Performing here has been a dream come true. We all have so many memories and have built so many relationships. We all have our platforms and post-Palace, we're going to do great things. I ask our fans to help us out and support the girls no matter where we end up. They work hard and built the Palace to what it is." Owner Donall warns his followers -- including the haters -- that no matter how long they are gone, "a month, maybe two," Palace will return. "This is not farewell. It's a 'see ya soon,'" Donall said. To receive the latest information about Palace's final show and relocation, text the word PALACE to 64600. A workshop held June 24 in Wilton Manors to, in part, help people understand white supremacy and how it hurts everyone was disrupted by a white nationalist group. As first reported by Miami New Times, The Segu Racial Justice Institute, led by Lutze Segu, held the workshop in the Wilton Manors Gallery on Wilton Drive which is operated by the Stonewall National Museum & Archives. Segu considers herself a social justice practitioner and stated her goals include building stronger communities and eliminating racial injustice. The white nationalist group, Identify Evropa, made its way into the event and silently held up a sign that read No Regret We Apologize For Nothing with Identity Evropa at the bottom. According to Chris Rudisill, Stonewalls executive director, the group left as soon as they were asked. We informed them to leave and that the event was private and not open to the public, wrote Rudisill in an email to SFGN. Rudisill said he believes the group was trying to incite fear in the attendees and the general community and that Stonewall is committed to ensure the safety of patrons and community members along with the museums archives and collection. He added that this was the first instance of a protest against LGBT people of color in a Stonewall facility and that his organization would continue its tradition of standing up for the rights of all members of the LGBT community. Hate affects all of us when it is allowed to penetrate those areas that are most openly part of a safe and affirming community. As our mission explains, we are committed to promote understanding through preserving and sharing the proud culture of LGBTQ people and our contributions to American society. While Saturdays event was not an SNMA program, we find it essential that we continue to provide space for intentional conversations around issues that affect our community and that includes dialogue around social justice for all LGBTQ people, wrote Rudisill. The Southern Law Poverty Center, an organization that identifies and tracks hate groups, stated Identify Evropa is one of the white nationalist groups emboldened by the candidacy and presidency of Donald Trump. To join Identify Evropa, members must have European, non-Semitic heritage. The organization, which often promotes and participates in white nationalist events, including an attempt to stop the city of New Orleans from removing its Confederate monuments, claimed that the workshop was anti-white. It took credit for the disruption on social media. Today, Identity Evropa activists protested the Segu Racial Justice Institute, a seminar promoting anti-White rhetoric and ideas, tweeted the organization. Identity Evropa bills itself as an American based identitarian organization dedicated to promoting the interests of People of European Heritage. Segu, under her Twitter handle @FeministGriote, also took to social media to express her anger over the disruption of her private event and her fear over what the group might have done. Yo, I really thought they were going to open fire on us. I don't wish that feeling on anyone. In two separate tweets, Segu wrote I am still processing the event and don't have the words, but do know that this is us . . . white nationals are emboldened. Coffee and chocolate, chocolate and coffee: they go together in more than just a mocha. At the new Indi Chocolate location in Seattles Pike Place Market, that means sourcing cacao from cooperatives in Peru, Nicaragua, and Ecuador, and pairing them with coffee from Philadelphias La Colombe. Lets check out their new spot in the market (and probably stop for a pork bun at Mee Sum Pastry while were there, lets be real). As told to Sprudge by Becca Roebber. For those who arent familiar, will you tell us about your company? We make bean to bar, single origin, dark chocolate in Pike Place Market. Can you tell us a bit about the new space? We are building a cafe, factory and gathering space in the Pike Place Market $74 million dollar expansion. We will be serving La Colombe coffee, they are very excited by working with us and will be sending one of their founders for our launch. Whats your approach to coffee? We roast our own cacao beans and make chocolate from the bean, just like coffee, we will be serving our 50/50 cold brew cacao coffee as well as have drinks with freshly made chocolate (mochas, drinking chocolate, etc). Sourcing practices are very important to us as well as innovation and customer experience. Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up? We will have a faucet of running dark chocolate built into our bar. Whats your hopeful target opening date/month? June 29 is the city wide celebration and opening of the new MarketFront in Pike Place Market. Thank you! The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub. Got a Build-Out of your own? Get in touch. Trot Insider has learned that Roger The Voice Huston will be making appearances at multiple southern Ontario racetracks this summer. Over a three-day stretch, Huston, who has called more than 167,000 Standardbred races during his career, will be making appearances at Mohawk Racetrack, Leamington Raceway and Dresden Raceway. Huston will be at Mohawk on Saturday, August 5 and will then travel over to Leamington Raceway the next day (Sunday, August 6) for the tracks meet-opening card. Hustons three-day tour will culminate Monday, August 7 at Dresden Raceway for the tracks meet-closing card. Huston will be available to sign autographs at all three tracks, and racegoers are being encouraged to stop by and get something signed or just say hi. This year also marks Huston's 50th year calling the Little Brown Jug. Harrisburg Loses Again on Abortion Buffer Zone Law Contact: Liberty Counsel, 407-875-1776, Media@LC.org; Press Kit HARRISBURG, Pa., June 29, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied the City of Harrisburg's request to rehear the case brought by Liberty Counsel's pro-life clients, Colleen Reilly and Becky Biter, in their lawsuit against a Harrisburg ordinance which created unconstitutional "buffer zones" that silence pro-life speech on public sidewalks around abortion clinics. The court also amended its original opinion to clarify that the Liberty Counsel plaintiffs need only show they are being harmed by restrictions on their protected free speech, and then the burden shifts to the City to justify its law. If the City cannot meet the Constitution's high bar by proving that restricting the peaceful speech of Liberty Counsel's clients is actually necessary, then the plaintiffs are entitled to an injunction blocking the buffer zone law. This clarification is also a setback for the City of Harrisburg's abortion buffer zone law. Reilly and Biter regularly engage in peaceful counseling on public sidewalks around Harrisburg's two abortion clinics. They have been harassed and intimated by clinic staff and the local police since the City enacted the ordinance, which was drafted and pushed by Planned Parenthood. This unconstitutional ordinance purports to expel pro-life speakers from public property and pushes pro-life counselors sometimes 50 feet to more than 70 feet away from the women they are attempting to help. On May 25, 2017, a three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion overturning the decision by the trial court denying Reilly and Biter's request for a preliminary injunction blocking the buffer zone ordinance. The City had requested that either the same three judges who originally heard the case would rehear it, or that the entire Third Circuit rehear the case. The Court of Appeals denied both requests. "We are delighted that the Court of Appeals has chosen not to rehear this case against our clients, Colleen Reilly and Becky Biter," said Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel's Founder and Chairman. "The City of Harrisburg cannot close its public sidewalks to pro-life citizens in order to protect Planned Parenthood. This is obvious to everyone except the City of Harrisburg. This case will set a precedent for other sidewalk counselors who are peacefully helping women to save the lives of their unborn babies," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Cowlitz County Commissioners voted Tuesday night to suspend the countys needle exchange program within 90 days if the county health department doesnt make plans to address five conditions. The unanimous vote came at the end of a public hearing attended by about 80 citizens in a packed hearing room to learn more about the needle exchange program and speak their minds. County documents show that the five conditions were to accurately implement a true one-for-one syringe exchange; to have a quarterly report on whether an increased number of participants actually entered treatment for substance abuse; to have a different quarterly report on the number of IV drug use-related infections disclosed by the medical community; to limit the amount of syringes given out at once to 80 and to prohibit the issuing of starter kits. According to a 2016 study from Cowlitz County Health and Human Services, nearly 890,000 needles were exchanged in the county in 2016. Health experts say the program reduces the risk of disease that comes from using dirty needles while showing addicts where to get help to kick their addiction. Others say it enables users and is a waste of taxpayer money. Some even say the program increases the prevalence of used needles around town. I encourage you as commissioners to show your leadership, Longview resident Kevin Hunter told the board. Make a motion to suspend this program and properly evaluate it like you ought to. Some citizens defended the program, including Kalama City Councilwoman Rosemary Siipola, who expressed empathy for drug addicts and asked the community not to shame them. I come from a family of addicts, Siipola said. We didnt want to be, we didnt ask to be. It is not a lifestyle choice. During the meeting, Cowlitz County Health Officer Jennifer Vines gave a presentation on the benefits of the syringe exchange program, referencing an HIV breakout in rural Indiana that was caused by contaminated needles, as well as a 2004 World Health Organization study that said syringe exchange programs do not lead to increased drug use or less motivation to quit using. After she spoke and answered questions from the commissioners, Vines had five other doctors and medical experts speak on the positives of a needle exchange program. One of those experts, Mark Bollinger, the CEO of Great Rivers Health Organization, said he acknowledged the resistance to Cowlitz Countys current exchange,but thought it would be foolish to abandon it. If there are concerns with the process, absolutely retool it, but absolutely dont discontinue it, he said. I think the decision to close it would do a disservice to those that have this need in the community. However, because of the large number of speakers that Vines invited, public comment did not officially begin until nearly 90 minutes had passed in the meeting, frustrating some of the attending citizens. So far, the first hour and 20 minutes was exactly what I didnt want to do: a lecture, Longview Port Commissioner Jeff Wilson said. These (medical experts) clearly had a closed mind. This was supposed to be about hearing the citizens. Wilson also was concerned that the Cowlitz County government hadnt given the people any involvement in the program. This (program) is optional, therefore we should have a choice, he said. I think we have a closed government. Commissioner Dennis Weber was concerned about the effectiveness of the exchange, wondering if simply offering referral pamphlets actually led to positive change among addicts. Theres a difference between getting a pamphlet for a referral and actually (seeking help), he said. Getting a pamphlet is easy. We cant keep doing what weve been doing and expect different results. Fellow Commissioner Arne Mortensen was also skeptical of the health experts claims, particularly regarding the evidence of the Indiana HIV outbreak, calling them anecdotal. Longview resident George Robertson said he believes the program needs even more support from the local government. If you want the program to work better, you need to fund it more, not cut it, he said. 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Environmentalists worry the move could significantly boost crude-by-rail traffic through Columbia County. In spite of some opposition, Oregon Public Utility Commission Tuesday unanimously approved Portland General Electrics sale of its underused Port Westward storage tanks to Global Partners at an undisclosed price. Global Partners previously shipped oil to California and other locations out of its facility at Port Westward near Clatskanie. Yet sinking oil prices forced it to switch to shipping ethanol instead last year. Global Partners says it wont resume shipping oil for the foreseeable future, and it says the tanks are intended to increase its flexibility for handling different grades of ethanol. But environmentalists fear the storage tanks could eventually lead to an increase in the number of crude oil tankers trundling through Oregon communities. Despite a legal mandate to protect the public generally the commission ignored a rare opportunity to reduce the threat of oil-by-rail in communities along the Columbia River, said Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, organizer with Hood River-based Columbia Riverkeeper. Instead, the commission joined several other Oregon agencies by putting on blinders and refusing to acknowledge the serious risk of oil-by-rail and oil spills. After delaying the decision two weeks, the commission ultimately followed the advice of PUC lawyers, who said that environmentalists concerns about rail traffic safety and climate change were outside the scope of the commissions authority. Commissioner Megan Decker said these are desperate times for fighting climate change and that there is a feeling that state, local and private action has to pick up the slack on responsible climate progress under the Trump administration. But Decker said the commission still had to stay within its mission of focusing on overseeing electric rates and services for Oregon utilities. Even if the commission did not approve the sale, Global Partners said it would move forward with plans to build its own storage tanks, she acknowledged. I dont think denying (the sale) will make enough of a practical difference, Decker said. Global Partners spokeswoman Catie Kerns said the company is buying the tanks to store a greater variety of ethanol grades. Each grade of ethanol has to be stored in a separate tank, she said, and right now Global only has two tanks at its Clatskanie facility. Theyre general storage tanks so they could be used for ethanol or oil theyre bulk liquid commodity tanks. You could put water in them for that matter, Kerns said. Kerns said Global will have to clean and refurbish the aged tanks to meet updated environmental regulations. Under the approved sale, PGE will sell nine storage tanks to Global Partners with a total capacity of 1.2 million barrels. Global Partners will then sell PGE two of its own existing storage tanks with a capacity of 200,000 barrels. Kerns said the company cant accept more than 24 trains per a month under a cap set by Port of St. Helens, which runs Port Westward. Eventually the cap will increase to 38 trains per month once rail upgrades on the Portland Western line are complete, she added. Utility commission staff recommended the sale and they said it would lower rates for PGE electric customers. Although PGE couldnt say how much revenue the sale will generate, PGE spokesman Steve Corson said the utility will factor in the additional revenue the next time it has to adjust its electric rates. Supporters of the sale also said giving Global Partners more flexibility in its storage could boost job security in Columbia County. tech2 News Staff Israel on Thursday thwarted a major cyber-attack that targeted several hospitals, according to an official statement. A statement released by the National Cyber Defence Authority said that the attacks were foiled before any damage was caused, reports Xinhua news agency. "There were attempts to hack several hospitals. Various computers at several hospitals were affected and were dealt with immediately," the statement said, adding that the hospitals continued to function as usual. The attack was thwarted by the hospitals' information security personnel together with the National Cyber Defence Authority, which is still monitoring it closely, said the statement. The hack came amidst a worldwide wave of cyber-attacks that started in Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday. However, the National Cyber Defence Authority noted that the attacks were unrelated to the NotPetya ransomware attacks. Hospital computers were attacked in the middle of the night, but the situation was handled immediately. The hospitals continued to function normally through the attempted attacks. It was initially reported that eight hospitals were targeted as part of the cyber attack. However, the systems in only two hospitals were affected by the attack, and the remaining six were false alarms. With inputs from IANS Aditya Madanapalle In October 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna, that translates to Parliamentarian Model Village Scheme. The scheme requires every Member of Parliament (MP) to develop villages in their constituencies as models for others to follow. One such village was to be developed by 2016, with two others to follow by 2019, along the guidelines formulated by the Department of Development. The PM had said "If we have to build the nation we have to start from the villages. If every MP transforms villages in his/her constituency into model villages, large number of villages in the country would have seen holistic development." The Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna led to the creation of Data, Evaluation, Learning, Technology and Analysis (DELTA), a program by Tata Trusts that enables organisations to use data and technology to drive development. DELTA is a system for collecting information from the villages, the government departments, as well as providing analysis of the collected information and presenting it in a format that can be used to optimise resources, prioritise activities and track the progress of the development. There are versions of the program in place depending on the geographic location, the facilitating agencies, and the specific development requirements such as education, nutrition or sanitation. One of the biggest parts of the program was on ground data collection on a scale never before seen in India. Along with technology partners, Tata Trusts trained over 1,400 youth from the villages to conduct surveys of households, Aanganwadis, schools, public health facilities and village level facilities. With the tablet based survey, over 300 data points of 9.9 lakh households, covering 17 lakh people from 264 panchayats in 1,246 villages were collected. The program realises the potential of data and technology to revolutionise decision making. Tata Trusts has taken up the agenda of data-driven governance, to improve, inform and impact policy making. The idea is to play a crucial role in enhancing the data capabilities of the government, and to create a culture of data, which will enable accountable governance. The program has been supported by the government at various levels, right down from the ministry to the collector to the block development officer. Dashboards have been developed to track the data, and the collected information is available to district and block level co-ordination committees. These dashboards can be deployed to track progress in healthcare, education, nutrition, sanitation or infrastructure according to the needs of the particular government departments. Apart from the government Tata Trusts also tied up with two Delhi based technical partners, Swaniti and SocialCops. Swaniti uses a custom program known as Massive Organized Volunteer Exercise Data (MOVED), and Data Generating Research and Administrative Mechanism (DATAGRAM) to track and maintain the data. There are multiple types of user input supported by the NoSQL database, and realtime synchronisation of inputs is possible. Once the data is received by the back end the field data is verified every day. This core data is used to generate multiple reports based on the needs of the local agencies. The data can be used for development plans on various levels. For example, the reporting tool allows pulling of data related to a single village, or the data from the panchayat or block level can be pulled for a regional development plan. SocialCops has developed the mobile applications to allow for the collection of the data and churning it into useful insights. An application by SocialCops allows for creating smartphone surveys, that can be used by volunteers to collect information from remote and rural areas using a low cost Android smartphone. The insights platform allows for searching through massive amounts of data and visualisation of the data for analysis. A resource group of the district administration, local NGOs, elected representatives and technology agencies was formed for the project. Local youth were trained to carry out a detailed survey, similar to the National census. The surveys allowed for more reliable and accurate data that formed the basis of development plans. As the National census is conducted only every 10 years, any development plans are typically based on guesswork or projections. The house to house surveys were conducted using Android tablets. There were systems in place to track the implementation and progress of the plan to enhance the credibility of the plans. The DELTA project has initially been piloted in four districts, from four corners of the country. The project has initially been demonstrated in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, Chandrapur district in Maharashtra, Balasore district in Orissa and West Singhbhum district in Jharkand. The plan is to scale the project to other parts of the country, with support from the government. This article is the second part in a series of articles exploring the initiatives by Tata Trusts to use technologies to drive societal transformation. The previous article in the series covered the DRUV project. tech2 News Staff The 27 June malware attack that crippled computers around the world was thought to be ransomware at first, but as it turns out, it's much more than that. The initial infections by the malware suggested that it was based on the Petya malware that infected PCs in 2016. It was later discovered that this malware only resembles Petya in function. A number of cyber security researchers including those at Kaspersky Labs and Check Point Software, came to the conclusion that the malware destroys data rather than encrypt it. Ransomware would not do this. Once a PC is infected, the malware forces it to shut down and then demands a ransom of $300 in Bitcoin for access to the PC. The affected user is also asked to send a 60-digit, alphanumeric, case sensitive key to an email ID (wowsmith123456@posteo.net). As ArsTechnica points out, this is also not normal for ransomware. Asking users to enter a complicated key would normally turn people off. If the purpose of the malware was to make money, this step wouldn't have been included. We would also like to clarify that there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the name of the malware. While it was originally dubbed Petya, the recent discoveries have now earned it the name of NotPetya. For the sake of convenience, we will refer to this malware as NotPetya. NotPetya is, well, not Petya If this malware was based on Petya, the data would still be recoverable. 2016's Petya malware only encrypted a computer's Master Boot Record (MBR) and Master File Table (MFT), which meant that the data was recoverable with the right key. NotPetya deletes the MFT and overwrites the MBR with custom code responsible for the ransom message that people see. The data on the hard disk is rendered unreadable. The MBR and MFT are critical to a system's operation. Think of them as ledgers that store the location of every single bit of data on your hard disk. Without that ledger, there will be no record of the data stored on the disk. For all intents and purposes, your disk now contains utterly random bits of data. While it is possible to recover your your data and MBR in certain conditions, it's by no means guaranteed and the data is as good as lost. This is the first pointer that the malware is more than just ransomware. The second pointer is the fact that the email ID mentioned in the ransom letter went down on Tuesday itself. The third, and most damning pointer, as reported by ArsTechnica is the fact that the malware was specifically designed to target the update mechanism for M.E. Doc, an accounting application used by Ukranian businesses to file their tax returns. Seems Ukranian Me-doc (source of #NotPetya infection) just found the problem https://t.co/T4ECWN7jyC codelancer (@codelancer) June 27, 2017 M.E.Doc issued a statement on its Facebook page stating that the software's update mechanism was not compromised. The statement is in Russian, and loosely translated, suggests that the virus only spread and infected PCs via infected attachments, Windows exploits, etc. In the statement, the company claims that its code is safe and that its latest update is also safe. Cyberterrorism A researcher who goes by the name of 'the grugq' published a detailed explanation of the malware's functioning on Medium. He points out that "the code is well written", unlike the sloppy code that made up WCry, and was designed to thwart antivirus (AV) programs. At the same time, the mechanism for collecting payments is extremely sloppy, says grugq. At this point, there is no doubt that the malware targets M.E.Doc and by extension, Ukraine. Closer to home, the infection that crippled operations at the APM Maersk terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) the rest of the port's systems don't seem to be infected is likely to have been caused by Maersk's use of the M.E.Doc application. This isn't confirmed, but a job opening for an M.E. Doc expert posted by Maersk on 27 June suggests that the infection and the app are connected. A report on Forbes also seems to suggest that any infections outside of Russia and Ukraine are likely caused by a M.E.Doc infection than by other means. Lastly, data gathered by Kaspersky Labs on 27 June clearly indicates that the malware is targeting Ukraine. Putting all these pointers together, there is only one conclusion that can be drawn. Ukraine has been the victim of a state-sponsored terrorist attack. NotPetya is a cyberweapon, not ransomware. tech2 News Staff HMD Global, the manufacturer of Nokia, has partnered with Vodafone India to provide exclusive offers for the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 smartphones. According to a report on IANS, Vodafone India announced that it has partnered with the Finnish manufacturing company and all users can avail offers on 4 G and 3 G internet. "We are delighted to partner with HMD Global to roll out this exciting offer that enables our customers to get the most out of their new Nokia smartphone", said Sandeep Kataria, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone India, in a statement. Vodafone requested all its customers who are purchasing the Nokia smartphone range of Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, can experience its strong data network, according to the statement given to IANS. "This partnership showcases our commitment to provide the best possible experience to our Nokia smartphone consumers who are Vodafone subscribers," added Ajey Mehta, Vice President India, HMD Global. An old favourite with an all new upgrade! Buy the Nokia 3 and enjoy 15GB data. pic.twitter.com/aqWxF8OzbM Vodafone India (@VodafoneIN) June 27, 2017 Vodafone India will offer 15 GB of data free on Nokia 3 and Nokia 5. According to Vodafone's plan offers, buyers of the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 can avail 4 GB of free internet if they buy a 1 GB data pack. However, this will last till three cycles. This means that new users will get 15 GB of free data. For prepaid users, it will be valid for three months or a recharge three times, whichever comes first. For postpaid users, it is valid for three billing cycles, however, the user must have a 1 GB pack always. The rate for 1 GB of data will vary from circle to circle. This offer is valid from 13 June to 12 September. Since the Nokia 6 would be on sale via Amazon exclusively, Vodafone is giving 9 GB data to such users for free. However, the user must get a recharge of 1 GB separately for the user to avail 9 GB of free data out of the 10 GB data available. This offer can be availed from 11 May to 30 June. US to provide India resources, technology for security: Vice President Mike Pence India and the US are strong partners in the fight against terrorism: American Vice-President Mike Pence. PTI, Washington : The United States will help the Indian armed forces to obtain the resources and technology they need to support security in the region, Vice President Mike Pence has said. "You need look no further than yesterday's announcement that the United States will sell Sea Guardian UAVs, Apache attack helicopters, and C-17 transports to India," he said. Pence said the process to approve the sale was underway and expressed hope that it would "accurately" reflect commitment to mutual security among both the nations and the importance of their partnership for security. "A first-rate global power needs a first-rate military, and the United States will continue to enable the Indian armed forces to obtain the resources and technology it needs to protect the Indian people and support security in the region," Pence told members of the US India Council in a keynote address. Pence said the US and India can deepen their ties in many industries and areas and asked India to enact the necessary economic reforms to ensure that the bilateral trade relationship is both "fair and reciprocal". He said India and the US are strong partners in the fight against terrorism. "Like the United States, India is too familiar with the grave danger posed by radical Islamic terrorists," he said yesterday.. "These barbarians have struck on Indian soil too many times over the decades, including the horrific attacks in Mumbai nearly a decade ago, claiming the lives of more than 160 innocents, including six Americans," Pence said. "The United States and India already collaborate to a significant extent. But in the face of terror networks that are ever-more sophisticated, ever-more dispersed, we will continue to take renewed action to facilitate two-way information and intelligence sharing to confront this threat," he said. India's Opposition Can Affect China-Pak Economic Corridor In Short Run: Chinese Media Meanwhile, the construction of the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor may be hit in the short run due to India's objections but if Beijing and Islamabad are firm about their cooperation, they can dispel New Delhi's doubts, a report in state-run Chinese media said. India is protesting against the CPEC as it passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) "Some people believe obstruction by India may become a stumbling block to the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)," an article in the official daily Global Times said. In fact, India's "rejection" is mainly because the corridor passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Merkel seeks united European front before stormy G20 Ahead of next month\'s G20 summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is seeking to agree a battle plan with EU allies amid continental divisions on immigration and how to deal with the Trump presidency AFP, Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel huddles with western European allies Thursday to draw up a battle strategy a week before she hosts what is expected to be the most fractious G20 summit in years. With US President Donald Trump preaching "America First" and dismissing climate change, Western allies are struggling to find a common front at the gathering-unlike previous summits when differences were drawn along global north-south and east-west lines. With Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman in the volatile mix for the July 7-8 power meet, the list of potential minefield issues include the Syrian war, the Ukraine conflict and the diplomatic shut-out of Qatar. Trump's anti-immigration stance has also emboldened many of the EU's eastern ex-communist members which have obstinately opposed Merkel's pleas to accept larger shares of the refugees who have flocked to Europe. "Merkel has called a summit between Europeans because there is a problem with the relationship with Trump," said a diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It's necessary to ensure European cohesion because within the G20, it's complicated." Besides the transatlantic faultline, "there is also a new European division growing between east and west," noted Jean-Dominique Giuliani, president of Paris-based think-tank Fondation Robert Schuman. The differences were buried when wealthier EU members supported the east, at a time of "financial flows towards central and eastern Europe", he said, adding that "they are reappearing again on the question of refugees". Threatening to deepen divisions, Trump will head to Warsaw for a summit of central and eastern European leaders, likely including Hungary's hardline Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a day ahead of the G20. European affairs journal Eurativ asked: "How strongly do all these countries from Central and Eastern Europe feel about Trump? It's difficult to say. "But as some EU countries shun him and others welcome him with open arms, Trump could become the wedge that drives the Union apart." Merkel will address the German parliament Thursday morning, when she is expected to outline her priorities for the G20 meeting. Her European guests-the leaders of G20 members France, Britain and Italy, as well as of summit guest countries the Netherlands, Spain and Norway-will then hold their own mini-summit, along with EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker and EU Council President Donald Tusk. Sohana Saba in Aynabaji series Sheikh Arif Bulbon : Special play of Aynabaji series is being telecasted at a time in common time from Eid day in three satellite channels. Four plays of the series have already been aired. Fifth play titled Mukhomukhi will be aired today which was directed by Robiul Alam Robi. Sohana Saba played the lead role in this play. Saba is very much optimistic about the play Mukhomukhi among her acted Eid works. According to her, it is one of her best works of present times. So she has requested all to watch the play. While talking in this regard Sohana Saba told this correspondent, I have really enjoyed working in this play under Robiul Alam Robis direction. Viewers will watch me with a new journey in my acting career. They can give their judgment after watching the play. Saba informed that Jon Kabir acted against her in the play. On Eid day, Saba acted and Alvi Ahmed directed a play titled Babugiri was aired on Deepto TV. Her acting was appreciated to all in the play. Today Saba acted another play Ami Urtey Chai will be aired on SA TV. Sohana Saba acted last telecasted TV serial was Khelaghor, which was aired on Deepto TV. She has already finished shooting of Haranath Chakraborty directed a movie titled Epar Opar. Therefore, from last month she has also started shooting of Sudipto Singha Roys a movie. In 2006, Saba started her acting career through Koboris movie Ayna. Later she acted in movies Khelaghor, Chandragrohon, Priyotomeshu and Brihonnola. In Kolkata, she first worked under Ayan Chakrabortys movie Shororipu. She has already established her acceptability as a film actress among all. She is happy in this regard. This month she will again go to Kolkata to take part in shooting of a movie. 20,000 posts of head teacher in govt pry schools lying vacant, JS told UNB, Sangsad : Over 20,000 posts of head teacher are now lying vacant in the country's government primary schools, according to data placed by Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman in Parliament on Thursday. "A total of 20,516 posts of head teacher remain vacant in government primary schools," he said replying to an unstarred (written) question from Jatiya Party MP AKM Mayeedul Islam (Kurigram-3). The recruitment to the vacant posts will be completed through Bangladesh Public Service Commission as the post was made second class one, the minister said. PSC has already recommended the appointment of 898 examinees from the 34th BCS to head teacher post and published their names, he added. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told the House that some 2,000 subject-wise posts of teacher remain vacant in the secondary schools across the country. A process is underway for recruiting teachers against the vacant posts in secondary schools, he said replying to an unstarred question from Awami League MP M Abdul Latif (Chittagong-11). The government will appoint teachers against the vacant post for the subjects of Bangla, English, Mathematics, Social Science, religion of Islam, Geography, Physical Science, Zoology, Commerce, Physical Education, Fine Arts and Agriculture Education, he added. In reply to another unstarred question from AL MP Didarul Alam (Chittagong-4), the Education Minister informed Parliament that there are 134 universities --39 public and 95 private universities-in the country. The cabinet has approved a draft bill for setting up two public universities in the country. The universities are Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University and Sheikh Hasina University. The bill is now awaiting approval from the President and Chancellor, Nahid said. Muslim Ban: US sets strict rules for visa applicants Al Jazeera News : A leaked state department cable has outlined new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim countries as partial enforcement of Donald Trump's travel ban is set to come into force on Thursday. Under the new guidelines, which were leaked to the press and have yet to be confirmed, new visa applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen and all refugees must prove a relationship to a "close" relative already in the United States to be eligible for a US visa. A close relative is defined as a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son or daughter-in-law or sibling. The new guidelines excludes categories that had previously been laid out by Monday's Supreme Court decision that partially reinstated Trump's March 6 executive order. Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships, according to the guidelines that were issued in a cable sent to all US embassies and consulates late on Wednesday. The same requirements, with some exceptions, hold for all refugees that are still awaiting approval for admission to the US. As far as business or professional links are concerned, the Department of State said a legitimate relationship must be "formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course rather than for the purpose of evading" the ban. The cable said "a worker who accepted an offer of employment from a company in the United States or a lecturer invited to address an audience in the United States would be exempted" from the travel ban, but someone who simply made a hotel reservation would not count as someone with a bonafide relationship, according to Reuters news agency. Consular officers may grant other exemptions to applicants from the six countries if they have "previously established significant contacts with the United States" or "significant business or professional obligations" in the US. Exemptions may also be granted if the applicant is an infant, adopted child, in need of urgent medical care, if they are travelling for business with a recognised international organisation or the US government, or if they are a legal resident of Canada who applies for a visa in Canada, according to the cable. The new rules take effect at 00:00 GMT on Friday, or 8pm EDT in the US, according to the cable. Bruce Fein, a former US associate deputy attorney general, told Al Jazeera if the reports by the Associated Press news agency are true, it "limits the categories" previously established by the Supreme Court's opinion on Monday. Fein said this means the Trump administration would seem to be "in defiance of at least a minimal scope for the bona fide relationship that required the department to continue to grant visas", which would mean "respondents in the case could return to court, ask for an immediate emergency hearing and ask for an injunction or a finding that the state department or Trump be held in contempt". Fein added that "there isn't any doubt that the two categories listed ... is narrower than the expressed terms of the court's opinion." Unchallenged, the new guidance will remain in place until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling on the matter. Arguments before the justices will not be held until at least October, so the interim rules will remain in place at least until the fall. The state department cable does not give details on what documentation is required to prove applicants fall into one of the accepted categories. Fein told Al Jazeera that "in many of these cases, you think the state department thought the medical records kept in Somalia are like the record kept in New York City or Washington, DC". He said that the same types of questions remain on how visa applicants should prove they have the needed business ties. "It's going to be massive confusion and why the state department would issue the cable without having clarifying these issues is mystifying," Fein said. "It's simply going to invite more confusion, more anger and more frustration." Shortly after taking office, Trump ordered the refugee ban and a travel ban affecting the six countries, plus Iraq. He said it was needed to protect the US from "terrorists", but opponents said it was unfairly harsh and was intended to meet his campaign promise to keep Muslims out of the US. After a federal judge struck down the bans, Trump signed a revised order intended to overcome legal hurdles. The revised order excluded visa applicants from Iraq. The new order was also struck down by lower courts, but the Supreme Court's action on Monday partially reinstated it. Shortly after the court issued its opinion, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said on Twitter it would "head back into court to fight the fundamentally unconstitutional Muslim ban this October". Omar Jadwat, the director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project who had argued the case in court, said in a statement that the travel ban "violates the fundamental constitutional principle that government cannot favour or disfavour any one religion". "Courts have repeatedly blocked this indefensible and discriminatory ban. The Supreme Court now has a chance to permanently strike it down," he said. Lara Finkbeiner, from the International Refugee Assistance Project, which also sued the administration over the ban, said she was "incredibly disappointed with the decision". "We are a nation that values acceptance and diversity, and in making this decision and putting this executive order back into effect, the Supreme Court is sending a very clear message and it's putting the executive's discriminatory policy back into effect." But Trump praised the decision, saying in a statement it allowed his travel ban "to become largely effective". "Today's unanimous Supreme Court decision is a clear victory for our national security," Trump said on Monday, adding that the ruling allowed him "to use an important tool for protecting our nation's homeland". Eid returnees compelled to pay extra fare Reza Mahmud : Bus owners in connivance with countermen charging extra money from the passengers who have started returning to their work place after enjoying Eid vacation. Sufferers alleged that most of the inter-district bus companies created fake crisis of tickets and charging extra money through mid dlemen. "Bus companies created seat crisis. They hiked fare. We are compelled to pay almost double fare than that of normal time," said Abul Khair from Gabtoli Bus Terminal after return from Jessore.He said, "Normal fare from Jessore to Dhaka is Tk 350 but the bus companies charged Tk 650 after creating ticket crisis." Abul Khair and his co passengers said that there was no traffic gridlock in highway when return to Dhaka. In the same way passengers from other districts came to Dhaka yesterday by bus, train and launches. But mostly the bus passengers alleged about the extra money collections. The passengers from Gabtoli, Sayedabad, Mohakhali bus terminals and other areas in city alleged the same. According to the passengers normal fare from Sylhet to Dhaka is Tk 350 in a non- air conditioned bus, but on Thursday it had rose to Tk 500 to Tk 600. Besides, the bus employees were found charging Tk 500 instead of Tk 350 from Narail, Tk 1500 instead of Tk 700 from Rangpur, Tk 710 instead of Tk 410 from Naogaon, Tk 800 instead of Tk 450 from Chuadanga and Tk 850 instead of Tk 450 from Barisal. Returnees said the journey of Thursday back to Dhaka was free from tailback as very few passengers were started to return. "I have reach Gabtoli bus terminal at 11:00 am by starting bus journey from Narail at 7:00 am. It was safe and hazardless journey ever," said Kaisar Alam a private job holder of Mirpur area. Shahadat Hossain, from Nilphamary. gathered the same experience. He said he came with Alam Enterprise within 9 hours instead above of 10 hours. He said his office will open in Saturday. In Gabtoli, Hanif Enterprise, Sohag, Saudia, Rozina Paribahan, Nabil Paribahan, Golden Line, Sonar Toree and many other buses have found returned from many districts with huge passengers. Most of the passengers said there work place will open from Saturday. Some of them said their workplaces like shops and different factories will open from Friday. The counter persons from different bus services said the full swing returns of Eid passengers yet to start. So, their buses are still wait in motionless in different terminals like Gabtoli. "Many of our buses sit in idle because of the Eid goers yet to return. Most of them may start to return from Friday to Sunday," said Shahin Mahmud, Counter Master of Khaleque Enterprise. He said some buses are now going to different destinations nearly empty of passengers. But they return with full with passengers. Besides, some passengers like shop keepers and salesmen of different shopping plazas with there family members were found to go home after Eid. They said could not go to village homes due to pass huge busy time with Eid sales. Now they to share Eid happy with family members in village homes. Deposed Saudi crown prince confined to palace The Guardian : The deposed Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Nayef, has been confined to his palace in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, as his young successor seeks to consolidate his newfound power, two sources close to the royal family have confirmed. The movements of the former heir to the throne have been restricted since Mohammed bin Salman, 31, replaced his cousin as crown prince last week, ensuring that he, instead of the 57-year-old security tsar whom he ousted, would eventually succeed his father as ruler. Senior Saudi officials denied Bin Nayef was under house arrest, with one describing the claim - first reported in the New York Times - as "not true at all". Another official, however, said: "It's just in the changeover period. MBS [bin Salman] does not want to take any risks. It is not house arrest. Nothing like that at all." Bin Nayef had been the kingdom's most influential security official over the past 15 years. He had maintained close intelligence connections with the US and UK and was seen by Saudi allies as an assured and trusted hand. Mohammed bin Salman, newly appointed crown prince, kisses Mohammed bin Nayef's hand. His ties to Saudi allies are far more extensive than those of his successor, a possible factor in the decision to keep him isolated while the power transition takes effect. The House of Saud had been determined to convey the image of a seamless handover, with a government video showing Bin Salman bowing and kissing the hand of his cousin after being named crown prince. In the lead up to the change, however, a mutual rivalry has eroded trust. "It was never daggers drawn," said the Saudi official. "It was that a younger man wanted the job and the older man didn't like it. Things never broke down, but it became clear that the king's son had the profile and status that the crown prince should have had. Everyone could see that." The New York Times reported that guards loyal to Bin Salman had replaced those of his predecessor outside the Jeddah palace to where the ousted royal had returned. It is understood that Bin Nayef and his close family members have been prevented from leaving the kingdom. "If he is seen as benign, this will change quite quickly," the official said. "I suspect they don't want him jetting off to Washington in a bad mood and telling anyone, even our allies, the state secrets. "There is too much risk in letting a disgruntled figure talk at a time like this." Bin Nayef's insights into his own exit as well as political machinations within the opaque Saudi inner circle would be keenly sought by Riyadh's allies and rivals and he would likely be welcomed in western capitals, should he leave the country. The upheaval follows a dizzying series of moves from the usually cautious kingdom, which in recent weeks has recalibrated relations with Washington and opened a diplomatic offensive against Qatar, led by Bin Salman's office, while pressing ahead with a war in Yemen and an ambitious economic and cultural overhaul at home. Bin Salman has been central to the changes, which have helped his profile and powers grow rapidly under the tutelage of an 81-year-old monarch who has given him an almost free hand over most aspects of society. Central to his mandate is a plan to use capital from the partial privatisation of the world's largest company, Aramco, to revitalise the Saudi economy. However, cultural and societal reforms have also been flagged as paramount - in particular introducing a work ethic into a state where a large migrant labour force plays a disproportionate role in productivity. A senior official in Riyadh said that what is being envisaged is "cultural revolution, more than economic reform". Bin Nayef had not opposed the reform programme, but had been considered by the Royal Court - and Saudi allies - as a measured voice who had urged a more painstaking process, which had characterised past overhauls. "He played the bad cop role," said the Saudi official. "But that did not contribute to his downfall. He had to go because he was in the way. That's all." Tk 4,00,226cr nat'l budget passed UNB, Sangsad : Parliament on Thursday passed the Tk 4,00,226 crore national budget for FY 2017-18 with a growth target of 7.4 percent, expecting to open up a new horizon for Bangladesh through some initiatives ahead of the next general election. Finance Minister AMA Muhith moved the Appropriations Bill, 2017 seeking a budgetary allocation of Tk 535214,15,92,000 which was passed by voice vote. Following the proposal mooted in the House by the Finance Ministry for parliamentary approval of appropriation of fund for meeting necessary development and non-development expenditures of the government, the ministers concerned placed justifications for the expenditures by their respective ministries, through 56 demands for grant. Earlier, parliament rejected by voice vote a total of only 352 cut-motions that stood in the name of opposition and independent members on 59 demands for grants for different ministries. A total of seven MPs from Jatiya Party and independent submitted their cut-motions on the budget. They were allowed to participate in the discussion on Finance Division, Health Ministry, Local Government Division, Food Ministry, Roads and Highway Division and Power division. Later, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury applied guillotine to quicken the process of passing the demands for grants for different ministries without giving the lunch break. Opposition and independent MPs were present at the House when the Appropriation Bill was passed in parliament and they did not raise any voice against passing of the bill. Finance Minister AMA Muhith on June 1 unveiled a Tk 4,00,226 crore ambitious budget for the next fiscal year (2017-18). On Wednesday, the House passed the Finance Bill-2017, suspending the proposed VAT for the next two years while there will be new slabs for imposition of the excise duty on bank deposits. The excise duty-free ceiling will be up to Tk 1 lakh. An excise duty of Tk 150 will be imposed on amount ranging from Tk 100,001 to Tk 5 lakh. For Tk 500,001 to Tk 1000,000, it will be Tk 500 while the excise duty will be Tk 2,500 for Tk 1000,001 to Tk 1 crore, and Tk 12,000 will be imposed for over Tk 1 crore to Tk 5 crore while the rate will be Tk 25,000 for above Tk 5 crore. Despite widespread concerns from the business community, Muhith proposed that the uniform VAT will be 15 percent over the next three years. The major attention this time has been attached to power, education and ICT sectors. According to the allocation in the budget, 29.31 percent of the total outlay has been allocated to social infrastructure sector, of which 26.12 percent has been proposed for the human resource sub-sector (education, health and other related sectors); 31.74 percent of the total allocation has been proposed for the physical infrastructure sector, of which 13.02 percent will go to the overall agriculture and rural development, 11.88 percent to overall communication and 5.28 percent to power and energy sector. About 24.03 percent of the total allocation has been allotted for the general services sector. Besides, 1.88 percent has been allotted for public private partnership (PPP), financial assistance for various industries, subsidies and equity investment in state-owned banks, and financial institutions; 10.36 percent for interest repayment; and the rest 2.68 percent for net lending and miscellaneous expenditure. The size of Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been set at Tk 1,53,331 crore. The revenue generation target has been set at Tk 2,87,990 crore leaving a deficit of Tk 1,12,276 crore. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will generate Tk 2,48,190 crore of the targeted amount. The target of Non-NBR tax revenue collection has been fixed at Tk 8,662 crore. The target of non-tax revenue collection has been set at Tk 31,179 crore. To make up the financing according to Muhith's plan, the government wants to source Tk 32,149 crore from non-bank borrowing, Tk 28,203 crore from the banking system and Tk 30,150 crore from the national savings schemes. Muhith also proposed tax exemption threshold for women and senior citizens, aged over 65 years, to be kept at Tk 3 lakh, person with disability at Tk 4 lakh and war-wounded gazetted freedom fighters at Tk 4.25 lakh. Meanwhile, taxpayers with an income above Tk 2.5 lakh to Tk 4 lakh annually will be taxed 10 percent of their income, Tk 5 lakh and above taxed 15 percent, Tk 6 lakh and above taxed 20 percent and Tk 30 lakh and above 25 percent of their income. He also proposed to keep unchanged the existing tax rate for publicly traded companies at 25 percent and for non-publicly traded companies at 35 percent. "The difference in tax rates should be maintained for encouraging the companies to be listed with the stock exchanges," Muhith said in his speech. The Finance Minister also proposed to maintain minimum surcharge of Tk 3,000 if the net wealth exceeds Taka 2 crore and 25 lakh. With the passage of both the Appropriation Bill-2017 and the Finance Bill-2017, the national budget of Tk4,00,226 crore for fiscal 2017-18 got the approval of the JS on the day, just before the current financial year that will conclude on Friday. Another report adds: The 16th session of the 10th Parliament was adjourned on Thursday after the passage of the proposed budget for fiscal 2017-18. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury adjourned the session till 5pm on July 9. 17 killed in road crashes in 10 hrs Staff Reporter : Despite different measures taken by the Roads and Bridges Ministry, the number of road accidents is jumping high day by day for not applying existing law properly and non-professional attitudes of the department concerned, and traffic police. Against this backdrop, Roads and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday told the Parliament that 40 people were killed during Eid holidays in the country. But prior to Quader's statement, at least 17 persons, including five members of a family, were killed in six separate accidents in four districts of the country in 10 hours on Thursday. On the other hand, the Jatri Kalyan Samity categorically disagreed with the figure of accidents given by the Minister. Leaders of the Samity said at least 55 people were killed and 120 others injured in five days since Sunday morning to Wednesday evening. In Gopalganj, six persons, including five members of a family, were killed on the spot and 10 others injured in a tragic road accident when a private car and a passenger bus of Seba Green Line Paribahan collided head-on at Majhgati under Kashiani upazila of Dhaka-Khulna highway at about 10:00am. The victims were identified as Saudi expatriate Halim Akhond, 49, his wife Asma Banu, 42, their two sons Sumon Akhond and Shihab Akhond, Halim's brother-in-law Badal Hawlader, 45, and driver. Police said family members of Halim went to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Wednesday night to receive him who was coming from Saudi Arabia. They started for home boarding a private car early Thursday. Their car was smashed like a matchbox and went under the wheels of the bus after being hit violently, Officer-in-Charge of Kashiani Police Station AKM Ali Nur Hossain said. In another accident, four people, including three members of a family, were killed and two others injured when a bus rammed a microbus on Dhaka-Bogra highway at Ghurka Beltala in Raiganj upazila early Thursday. The deceased were identified as Mili Begum, 35, wife of Harun-or-Rashid, her son Sagar, 13, Mili's father-in-law Solaiman, 65, from Kahalu upazila and Abdul Khalek, 32, a microbus driver from Dupchachia upazila of Bogra district. The family met the tragedy while heading towards Dhaka airport to receive Harun-or-Rashid. The accident took place around 12:45am when a Kurigram-bound bus of 'Dhanshiri Paribahan' hit a microbus coming from opposite direction, leaving four passengers of the microbus killed on the spot and two others injured, said Abdul Gani, ASI of Hatikumrul Highway Police. An auto-rickshaw driver was killed and four others injured in a road accident in Dhaka's Gulistan on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Jamal Hossain, 40. The incident occurred at 6:30am at Gulistan Zero point areas. The injured were admitted to Dhaka Medical College hospital. In Tangail, two women on a morning walk along Madhupur-Jamalpur road were killed when a Jamalpur-bound microbus ran over them in Pathanbari area of Dhanbari upazila on Thursday morning. The deceased were identified as Reba Begum, 32, wife of Babul Bakul, and Shahaton Begum, 50, wife of Abdul Mazid, of the area. Mujibur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Dhanbari Police Station, said the accident took place when a Jamalpur-bound microbus hit them while walking in the morning, leaving the duo dead on the spot. In Ishwardi, two friends who were on a motorcycle died instantly when they were hit by a bus on Rajshahi-Pabna Highway. The victims, Md Shipon, 22, and Ashraful Islam, 24, were going to Paksey for an Eid hangout. The bus coming from the opposite direction hit them at Sheikhpara of Muladuli, said Ishwardi Police Station OC Abdul Hye. At least two persons were killed and three others injured when a CNG-run three-wheeler and a passenger bus collided face-to-face at Gangashram on Mymensingh- Kishoreganj highway. The dead were identified as Mohammad Russel and Abul Basher. 25 cows, 13 goats burnt alive At least 25 cows and 13 goats were burnt alive as fire ravaged Gabtali cattle market on Thursday morning. Staff Reporter : At least 25 cows and 13 goats were burnt alive after a devastating fire caught at Gabtoli cattle market in the city on Thursday. Besides, 15 burn injured cows were slaughtered instantly by the traders. Over 50 livestock were also stolen during the fire. "It is very unfortunate that when the cattle traders were trying to douse the fire. Some criminals took away over 50 cows and goats," Haji Mujibur Rahman, President, Gabtoli Livestock Traders Association, told the journalists. He said as most of the traders were not present during the fire, the criminals took the chances. The estimated loss caused by the fire is Tk 21 lakh, he claimed. When contacted Nazma Akter, an Official of Fire Service control room yesterday said the fire originated from an electric short-circuit at a shed of the cattle market around 10:00 am and engulfed the whole area within a few moments. "Being informed, five firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control at about 12:00 noon. The fire also gutted three sheds of the cattle market," she said. When contacted Selimuzzaman, Officer-in-charge, Darussalam Police Station described the fire as deadly one, saying more cattle could die. Talking to journalists a cattle trader said that at first a shade of the cattle market caught fire and it later spreading fast to two other adjacent shades there. "Around 300 cows were kept at the three shades during the fire. And over 4,000 cows were kept at the market for selling," said Sarowar Hossain, a member of cattle market managing committee. "As the cattle had been tied with plastic made pillars, the fire started spreading fast and engulfed the adjacent shades," he said, adding the cattle tied with ropes, have been saved. "But the cattle which had been tied with chain could not be saved. These cows and goats were burnt alive. We had nothing to do," he said. Cyber attacks big threat to global security UNKNOWN groups are mounting cyber attacks on government and business establishments around the world breaking their secrecy and causing growing alarm how to protect their safety. Such breaking of information system is indeed threatening global security but who are those people behind it and why they are doing it yet not clear. Hackers had stolen US$ 101 million of Bangladesh Bank last year from its New York Reserve Bank accounts shocking the world and since then new cyber attacks are on spread. Renewed attacks wreaked havoc around the globe on Wednesday crippling thousands of computers, disrupting operations at ports from Mumbai to Los Angeles and halting production in factories reportedly in several countries. The virus this time attacked establishments in Ukraine on Tuesday infecting computers of several government and private establishments. The malicious system now known as 'ransom-ware' lock computers and often demand victims ransom money in bitcoins on threat they would lose their data publicly. More than 30 victims reportedly have paid up following a series of earlier cyber attacks, though the money is not big in which hackers had broken, among others computer system of British hospitals and health services creaking panic all over. Apart from hacking the computer system of National Democratic Committee in the USA prior to last November election allegedly by Russian hackers to interfere in US election, security experts remained skeptical whether extortion is the real goal or they are driven by destructive motives. Ukraine, this time accused Russia for orchestrating widespread attacks on its computer systems when its relation is bad with the neighbour since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. But Kremlin establishments are also reportedly victims themselves at a time when nobody is sure about the origin of global cyber attacks. Italy and Australia also reported cyber attacks among many others this week. Now the question is how to develop global technological policing and watchdog system to protect the computer system and high secret information of public and private establishments; which are sensitive to national security and business secret of corporate bodies. Moreover since the hacking of fund from Bangladesh Bank how the government is going to update its cyber security yet remain to be seen. As cyber attacks are increasingly disrupting businesses and functions of government and private organizations around the world, experts believe computer-producing companies should develop new devices to protect its information storage system. As said before, it has become vitally important for running the today's virtual world. For Bangladesh we want that our cyber authorities should draw lessons from recent attacks to protect banks and secret information depository on sensitive matters. Last but not least, relevant people in the government as well as our IT experts must be on high alert to plug every vulnerable point to make our system safe. Economy to face setback from higher gas price IN fact just on last May, the Energy Ministry officials had informed that after the proposed incorporation of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the National Grid from the first quarter of 2018 - gas price would be more than double if existing taxes were not removed - a matter of serious concern indeed. Moreover, the fact about a looming crisis is clear. Imposing of taxes in the name of collecting revenue, and especially from the gas sector has resulted in much controversy lately. The NBR is reported to have earned around Tk 7000 crore from the Gas sector. However, if NBR stops charging extra tax, our economy would benefit by around Tk 12,000 to Tk14, 000 crore, as we would be able to supply gas at reasonable prices. Coming to the cost breakdowns, price per unit of gas would be more than Tk 15 per unit after the first quarter of 2018, given the present hike in taxes. Additionally, several other taxes on imported gas, e.g. 10 percent import duty, 15 percent VAT, and 3 percent advance income tax (AIT) would push up the price further. This would make the price unbearable for consumers - not that the fact is not known or not being discussed but the fact is that the current gas price will have to be regulated in accordance with the peoples' purchase power parity. The government's concerned authorities must realise that 22.7 percent increase in last February following an added cost of 50 percent more for stoves will have an additional 60 percent extra cost in the consumers' bills. In a litany of cascade effects of every phase of gas price hike, people have been forced to pay high in transport fares and commodity prices. The point is simple, the price of gas or any other public utility cannot increase so quickly to take the people financially hostage. The Awami League-led government in its two successive tenures since 2009 has so far raised the prices of natural gas by upto 221 percent without ensuring uninterrupted supplies to the consumers. We also have to follow what's happening in other countries, neighbouring India has taken an initiative to promote the use of energy efficient appliances while China has adopted a policy in its budgetary framework to provide subsidy to use energy efficient products. But Bangladesh is still studying different mechanisms to set its own strategy to promote energy efficiency. We fear with increased hikes it may not be possible. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. WEST CITY Rick Cripe, owner of Starmax Cinemas in Vandalia, has purchased the Toler Cinema movie theater in West City and plans to reopen the business as a theater. Cripe said with the deal being so fresh, there are a lot of details to flesh out about the project, but he said he looks forward to bringing the theater back to Franklin County. Cripe said he is in the process of drafting plans of a redesign of the theater. He said further details will be released as they become available. There has been no reopen date slated for the project at this time. Rumor of the sale was posted to the Talk Benton Facebook group June 19 by Maranda Rush, a former Toler Cinema employee. Hello Benton just wanted to share a bit of good news as of today I can official say that the old Toler cinema has been sold and that we will be getting a theater back in its place, Rushs post reads. Rush followed up this post by adding that she was not able to release the name of the owner but had it on good authority that the theater would be returning. The original post was shared nearly 200 times. The comments were enthusiastic about the potential reopening of the theater, which was closed by AMC Theaters in July 2011. "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" were the last two movies screened by the theater. In an interview, Rush, who was an assistant manager at the theater for three years, said she had initially wanted to purchase the theater when it closed. Though she wasnt able to make that a reality, she said she called the realtor for the property twice a week every week for a long while, asking for updates about potential buyers. Although she is not a West City native she moved to Franklin County in the early 1990s Rush said she is passionate about the place she now calls home and thinks the community deserves a theater. We didnt want another gas station, another bar, another empty lot in Benton, Rush said. CARBONDALE After retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Bullock lost his right arm and right leg to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2013, everyday tasks became a whole lot harder. Transferring from his wheelchair into the shower, for example, proved perennially tricky. Some of the doorways in his home werent wide enough for him to wheel through. Its the little things that everybody takes for granted, that you dont think about, that make a huge difference, said Bullock. On Thursday morning, the Gary Sinise Foundation held a dedication of a specially adapted, three-bedroom smart home built for Bullock, his wife, Jesica, and their son, Aidan. The charity established by Gary Sinise an actor best known for his portrayal of Lt. Dan in the 1994 film Forrest Gump donates such homes to wounded veterans through its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). Bullock wears a prosthetic leg but still regularly uses a wheelchair at home. His new house is equipped with smart pads on the walls that allow the user to control the security system and lights. So when I dont have my leg on, if somebody does come to the door, Im not worried about, OK, who is it, I gotta get up. I can see who it is, I can let them in, I can control all the lights and everything without having to hop around, Bullock said. All of the homes kitchen appliances can be easily and safely accessed from a wheelchair. The spacious shower has enough room for Bullock to wheel in and transfer using a bench and handles. Representatives of the programs donors including the Marcus Foundation Inc., the Home Depot Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, and Larry and Phyllis Castrale were present at the dedication ceremony Thursday alongside a number of building partners who donated materials. Getting ready for this week, Im thinking a lot of us that are here are getting ready for the Fourth of July, celebrating independence and celebrating freedom, said Gary Sinise Foundation spokesman Chris Kuban during the dedication ceremony. But I think a lot of us that are able-bodied in this audience tend to take a lot for granted on a daily basis, what that means to us. This house will give you more independence. We know youre independent now, but in 20, 30, 40 years this is your forever home. We hope that it will make things a little bit easier. Bullock and his twin brother enlisted in the Army together after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He served two tours in Iraq, and after training for Special Forces, he was deployed to Afghanistan in October 2013. One month later, Bullock ran over an IUD while driving an ATV on routine patrol. He lost his right arm above the elbow and his right leg above the knee and underwent a total of 30 surgeries. Bullock, an award-winning bodybuilder who has garnered over 60,000 followers on Instagram, said his favorite room in the house is the gym facility. Fitness has just been a huge part of me. It was a huge part of my job in Special Forces, and I think thats whats helped make my recovery so successful, and so Ive just continued to apply that training and that thought to it and I continue to do it, Bullock said. Bullock said he has been searching for commercial property and hopes to open a gym in Southern Illinois. Its a way for me to get money back into the community and get people involved and living healthier lives, Bullock said. Fifty-nine smart homes designed for injured veterans will be completed or under construction by the end of the year, according to the Gary Sinise Foundation website. GRAND CHAIN The search continued for a third day for a Pulaski County man who reportedly went missing Sunday afternoon. Pulaski County area investigators and rescuers are searching for Shawn Neill around and in the Ohio River area near Grand Chain. In addition to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, searchers from the Olmsted Fire & Rescue and U.S. Coast Guard, Kentucky Post, are searching the Ohio River for Neill, according to Olmsted Fire Chief David Sharp. This is the third day that rescuers from the Olmsted department have searched the Ohio River for signs of Neill, Chief Sharp said. He said he believes searchers have gained access to sonar equipment, which can show images in the water, possibly helping to find Neill if he is in the river. We are looking (there), just because of the possibility he could be in there, Chief Sharp said. Right now, hes considered just missing with the possibility (that he) might have gone into the water." "Hope he just shows up," Sharp said. While the White House warning about another possible chemical weapons attack by the Syrian regime offered no elaboration, U.N. Ambassador and former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley was out front in offering further insight. The Bamberg County native is often the most outspoken member of the Trump foreign policy team, telling the U.S. House panel on foreign relations during Tuesday testimony that the warning was not meant just for Syrian President Bashar Assad. "The goal is at this point not just to send Assad a message, but to send Russia and Iran a message," Haley said of Assads primary military backers in the Syrian civil war. "That if this happens again, we are putting you on notice. My hope is that the president's warning will certainly get Iran and Russia to take a second look, and I hope that it will caution Assad." As reported by The Associated Press, Haleys comments came about 12 hours after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the United States had "identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children." Spicer said the activities resembled preparations the Assad government took before an April 2017 attack by Syrian forces that killed dozens of men, women and children. He warned that if "Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price." According to the AP report, the statement was issued without further explanation. Assad's government rejected the allegations. But the Pentagon said Tuesday said it detected "active preparations" by Syria for a chemical weapons attack, giving weight to the White House statement. According to AP, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said the United States had seen "activity" at Shayrat airfield that "indicated active preparations for chemical weapons use." That is the same base from which the Syrian air force launched the attack in April. Syria denied the charge. After the April attack, Trump gave orders to fire dozens of Tomahawk missiles at Shayrat in central Syria. It marked the first time the United States attacked Syrian forces in the six-year civil war. Haley told the subcommittee that it's "accurate" that the Trump administration identified signals of another possible chemical weapons attack, but she didn't provide specifics. According to the AP report, shortly after the White House statement on Monday night, Haley warned in a tweet that Russia and Iranalso would be blamed for "any further attacks done to the people of Syria." The White House warning and Haleys words raise new questions about just what the United States would do should Assad again use chemical weapons. And just what kind of action could or would be taken regarding Russia and Iran, both of which have forces in Syria? Russia and Iran are determined to see Assad survive, which puts them at odds with the United States and most of the world. As Haley stated in the testimony: Assad is "barbaric" and a "healthy Syria" is hard to envision if he remains in power. But that does not mean the United States, which is focused on battling the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq is ready to enter the war with a presence sufficient to take on Assad -- and likely his allies. Such a move risks a major escalation of the conflict and would raise the question about the end game. From Haleys words, it appears the administration sees no clear military solution in Syria. In response to Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., asking the U.N. ambassador whether the Trump administration's focus in Syria and the broader Middle East is on toppling Assad or defeating the Islamic State group, Haley said Syria is "very, very concerning" but "a political solution has to happen." By Trend The Latvian-Azerbaijani business forum is planned to be held in Riga on July 17, the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) reported on June 29. The forum stipulates organisation of bilateral meetings with Latvian businessmen. Entrepreneurs interested in participating in the forum can apply to AZPROMO until July 7. Azerbaijans trade turnover with Latvia in January-May 2017 reached almost $3.72 million, of which $3.4 million accounted for imports from this country, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan. During the year, the trade turnover between the two countries grew 11.5 percent. By Azernews By Sara Israfilbayova Azerbaijan and Hungary intend to raise cooperation to a higher level in all spheres. The prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and other spheres will be discussed by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov during his official visit to Hungary, scheduled for late July, a diplomatic source told Trend on June 29. During the meetings with officials of Hungary, Mammadyarov plans to discuss the organization of visits at a high level in the autumn of this year. The main directions of economic cooperation between the two countries and the most promising sectors were identified during the visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Mihaly Orban to Baku in March 2016. Among such areas are the development of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, water management, ICT and tourism. Hungary offers Azerbaijan new technology for electronic fare collection in transport, the introduction of electronic systems in the areas of urban planning, power supply and water industry. Hungary also offers new technologies in the field of agricultural processing and for the food industry. In these areas, Hungary possesses high-level technical solutions. Both countries are interested in creation of the joint enterprises, including those in the sphere of high technology. The Hungarian Export-Import Bank Plc. (Eximbank) has a preferential framework credit line of $201.8 million to finance joint Hungarian-Azerbaijani projects, and the Eximbank is also ready to finance export deals on the Hungarian goods export to Azerbaijan. In the South Caucasus region, Hungary has the highest trade turnover with Azerbaijan, to be more exact, over 50 percent of the Hungarian trade with the South Caucasus region accounts for Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Hungary amounted to more than $50 million in 2016. Hungary recognized independence of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991 and the diplomatic relations between the countries were established on November 27, 1992. By Trend Azerbaijan is already a reliable partner regarding oil deliveries to European markets, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in Warsaw at the Azerbaijan-Poland business forum. First of all, once again I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. President [of Poland Andrzej Duda] for invitation to visit Poland, and for hospitality shown to me and our delegation, Ilham Aliyev said. Today we are entering a new stage of development of our cooperation. My visit to Poland is very successful. We signed many documents. Among them I would especially underline the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership and economic cooperation. Actually, this elaborates a new road map in development of our political and economic relations, Ilham Aliyev noted. The name of the declaration demonstrates how much importance we pay to economic cooperation. Todays business forum is another indicator of that because business communities are very sensitive and they clearly understand that today the high level of political relations between Poland and Azerbaijan opens new opportunities for them. And as far as I know today at the business forum several agreements will be signed between our companies. Of course, the current level of our trade turnover cannot satisfy us, the Azerbaijani president said. Today with Mr. President [Andrzej Duda] and with delegations we discussed the ways how to increase trade turnover. There is a good opportunity to stimulate our economic ties, and also to have a very clear picture of our export potential, what we can export to each other and what kind of joint business projects we can implement. I would like to congratulate our Polish friends and partners on very rapid economic development, Ilham Aliyev said. Poland today demonstrates probably one of the highest rates of economic growth, political stability, economic stability. Development today creates very good opportunities for your country to strengthen your path to progress. As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, our country is relatively young, he noted. Independence was restored only 25 years ago. We celebrated it last year. And these years were the years of transformation - political, social and, of course, economic. Today Azerbaijan demonstrates also very good economic performance. Since 2004, our economy has grown more than three times, and we managed also to reduce unemployment and poverty down to the level of five-six percent. Now, the private sector is more than 70 percent of our GDP and our financial reserves are four-five times bigger than our foreign debt, Ilham Aliyev said. So, economically and politically Azerbaijan is a stable country, a country, which has attracted more than $200 billion worth of investment during the last 20 years. Approximately, half of them are foreign investments. A good investment climate and a very friendly environment for foreign investors create good opportunities for companies to work in Azerbaijan. We want to work with polish companies as partners in different projects in Azerbaijan, in Poland, he noted. We want to enter the projects related to investment. We invite companies from Poland to be our partners in projects, which are being implemented in Azerbaijan energy, transportation, construction projects. We invite them as contractors. We invite companies to invest in the areas where there is potential for market in Azerbaijan and in the neighborhood. I think that having such good political relations and a clear vision for economic cooperation, we can, in a very short period of time, achieve success, increase turnover, I think, by several times, and create a very solid foundation for business communities. Azerbaijan is implementing important energy and transportation projects, which go far beyond our borders, Ilham Aliyev said. On transportation, as Mr. President mentioned, we already entered joint activity in creation of corridors. Azerbaijan has been working on transportation corridors for many years. Now all the necessary infrastructure, transportation infrastructure has already been created. We have railroad connections with all our neighbors to the north, to the south, and to the west. We have six international airports, which can receive all types of aircrafts, the Azerbaijani president said. Our cargo fleet is one of the leading cargo fleets in the world, which works globally. Our country is connected with the neighborhood with a chain of brand new highways, and we increase the volume of transportation through the newly-built port, the biggest in the Caspian Sea. Its first stage is already in operation, and next year the completion of the port will allow us to handle at least 15 million tons of cargo and one million containers. He noted that test container trains from China to Europe are already crossing through Azerbaijan. So, East-West transportation corridor is almost implemented, he said. Azerbaijan invested not only inside the country, but also provided a financial support of more than $700 million to construct a railroad in Georgia. At this stage we are in the final stage of negotiations with our Iranian neighbors on providing financial support for construction of a railroad in Iran, which will connect Iranian railroads with our railroads. Thus, we will create a multiple corridor format, which will stretch from northern Europe to India through Azerbaijan, and East-West from China to Western Europe. Another corridor, which we are working on now together with our Polish friends is the South-West corridor, which Mr. President [Andrzej Duda] also mentioned, Ilham Aliyev noted. And Im glad that Poland is our partner. The time of delivery of cargos through North-South and East-West corridors through Azerbaijan will be at least two times shorter than traditional routes. It will create a lot of activity, generate a lot of wealth, and bring new areas of cooperation. Another important project, which we are implementing and which is also highly supported in Europe, is the Southern Gas Corridor project, which today is the only new source of gas delivery to Europe, he said. The Southern Gas Corridor is a project, which was initiated by Azerbaijan several years ago. Its a project worth $40 billion and it`s almost implemented. We need two-three years in order to complete this project by 100 percent. Now the implementation of different segments of that project is from 40 to 95 percent. This will be another source of natural gas to Europe. This will mean energy diversification, energy security, sustainable delivery of natural gas to European markets, he noted. We discussed with Mr. President the future prospects of cooperation in this area. Our cooperation with Poland also is very successful. So, these major driving forces of our cooperation are important as global projects of energy and transportation security, but at the same time, they open big opportunities for private companies to be part of these projects. And I invite once again the companies from Poland to be our partners. We want to establish closer economic and business contacts. Poland for us is a very friendly country, and a country, which has a great potential not only in Europe, but globally, and has very good international positions. I today congratulated my colleague President Duda on tremendous success regarding the election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of United Nations with the support of almost 200 countries, Ilham Aliyev said. This is a sign of international respect for your country and appreciation of what you are doing. And you can be sure that in the area of South Caucasus and Caspian you have also a reliable friend and partner, a capable friend, a friend, which keeps its word and wants to strengthen our cooperation. Therefore, I am sure that business communities of our countries will elaborate broadly on the opportunities, the Azerbaijani president noted. Im sure today you will discuss different projects in the area of agriculture, industry, tourism, pharmaceuticals and other areas of cooperation where we have huge potential. We already discussed it with President Duda, and Im sure that your discussions and your interaction will bring good results. So, once again, I would like to welcome you, express my gratitude for being at the forum and wish you success. Thank you very much. By Azernews By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijan makes significant efforts in the direction of combating trafficking. This is stated in the U.S. Department of State's report on combating trafficking in human beings for 2017, which assesses the situation in 188 countries around the world. Azerbaijan remains in the general second category (Tier 2), which means that the country is making significant efforts in the direction of combating trafficking. The government of Azerbaijan demonstrated increasing efforts by prosecuting and convicting more traffickers and identifying more victims. The government increased funds for victim protection and the state-run shelter, according to the report. Human trafficking is one of the most immoral crimes, turning men, women and children from all around the world into victims each day, destroying their lives, dreams, and futures. Azerbaijan actively combats the trafficking in persons for sexual slavery, forced labor, or commercial sexual exploitation. The Government implements a range of measures to combat against all spheres of human trafficking inside the country. Earlier, the EU and Azerbaijan joined their efforts on combating human trafficking. As many as 486 traffickers were brought to justice in Azerbaijan over the past 12 years. In Azerbaijan, less than one percent of crimes committed during the year are crimes related to trafficking in human beings. Out of 26,916 criminal cases in 2015, only 128 crimes were related to human trafficking. For more than 12 years 1,078 criminal cases on human trafficking were investigated, 486 persons were brought to responsibility, 761 victims of this crime were identified. By Trend The Czech Foreign Ministry has refuted Armenian media reports regarding anti-Azerbaijan statements allegedly made by the Czech Republics ambassador to Armenia Petr Mikyska. Deputy Spokeswoman of the Czech Foreign Ministry Irena Valentova told Trend that Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Armenia Petr Mikyska had participated in a press conference organized by The National Press Club in Yerevan. It can be claimed that the press conference output was not authorized by the ambassador and it contains messages that were not delivered by Ambassador Mikyska, she said. Deputy spokeswoman went on to add that following this event, ambassador of Azerbaijan in the Czech Republic was received at the Czech Foreign Ministry. With the above stated clarification, both sides consider this issue as resolved, she said. Earlier, Armenian media reported that the Czech Republics ambassador to Yerevan allegedly made anti-Azerbaijan statements in connection with Azerbaijans declaring several MEPs, including a Czech politician, internationally wanted for their illegal visits to the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministrys spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend that if the Czech ambassador had made such statements, this contradicts the law, the norms and principles of international law. By Azernews By Amina Nazarli A major reconstruction and renovation work is starting at Baku Zoological Park, which opened doors to animal lovers about 80 years ago. The renovation work will be realized upon the initiative of Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of IDEA Public Union, Leyla Aliyeva. Leyla Aliyeva visited the Park on June 28 to inspect preparations for reconstruction, which will include the expansion of the territory of the zoo, installation of different amusement facilities, and improvement of conditions in which animals are kept. The zoo will offer easy access to the disabled after reconstruction. The zoo will become a place where people with disabilities and visitors of all age groups can relax and learn new information. Employees of the zoo will receive trainings from international specialists. Animals here will be kept in accordance with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) standards. The zoo will also feature a pet farm and a butterfly house for kids. The Baku Zoo was first opened in 1928. A number of zoos were then opened in the different parts of the city in the search of the ideal location. At present, the Baku Zoo is located in the Narimanov district of the capital city and occupies ??4.25 hectares. The zoo keeps both animals living in Azerbaijan and those that not indigenous to the country. By Azernews By Kamila Aliyeva Turkeys Defense Minister Fikri Isik and United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis discussed the situation in the region as part of a meeting of NATO member states defense ministers, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported on June 29. The two sides discussed the Qatar crisis and settlement of the military conflict in Syria and Iraq. Among the issues discussed between the parties also was written guarantees of the U.S. that detachments of the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) wont use U.S. armament against Turkey. The Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that YPG and PYD, which are the Syrian wings of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), pose a threat to the country. Turkey also opposes the U.S. arming of PYD and YPG. According to Ankara, arming one terrorist group to fight against another doesnt mean fighting terrorism. Ankara also says that YPG and PYD will give U.S. weapons to PKK militants, and eventually, these weapons will be used against Turkeys Armed Forces and Air Force. Turkey and the United States are key NATO allies, but their relationship has been complicated by the U.S.'s strategy on Syria and Washington's refusal to extradite a Turkish cleric, who stands behind the failed coup in Turkey last year. Trumps decision to approve transfer of weapons to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dominated by the YPG escalated this uneasy situation even more. Growing U.S. support for the YPG is a major collision point which negatively affects the traditionally strong U.S.-Turkish relationship. Dubai Economy and Souq.com, the Middle Easts largest online retail and marketplace website, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Digital Protection initiative for consumer rights protection. The MoU signed by the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) and Souq.com aims at promoting consumer confidence in the regions growing e-commerce industry and makes Souq.com the first certified e-commerce website to display the consumer protection logo of Dubai Economy, reported Wam, the official Emirates news agency. The MoU was signed by Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO, CCCP, and Ronaldo Mouchawar, CEO and co-founder of Souq.com. This initiative is the latest in a series of measures adopted by the CCCP to regulate e-commerce in the emirate of Dubai, promote compliance and global best practices among commercial establishments, both online and offline. The CCCP has been actively ensuring that the retail sector continues to develop in Dubai and remain transparent and regulated as it grows. It has been working closely with Souq.com for many years to safeguard consumer rights in the Middle East, including initiating strict measures against counterfeiting. Lootah said: "In line with the economic agenda of Dubai, we support the transformation of Dubai into an innovative service-based economy to enhance its business environment and accelerate productivity and growth. The Digital Protection initiative certifies e-commerce websites as per our consumer protection policies and focuses on training them on complying with the UAE laws and regulations. We are pleased to co-operate with Souq.com, the largest e-commerce website in the Middle East, in this initiative that aims at providing better customer experience, increased consumer protection, and faster response to customer issues, as well as ensuring the regulations of the e-commerce laws, he added. Mouchawar added: "Our customers' trust is a top priority for Souq.com. We have been working closely with the CCCP for many years to benchmark our service standards and policies, as well as any applicable laws in accordance with the global best practices. As the Middle East is increasingly becoming a key player in global e-commerce and the expectations of our connected consumers are rising, there is a need to continuously evolve and enhance the e-commerce experience. Our co-operation with the DED is a significant step in this direction for Souq.com and will help promote consumer confidence and encourage online shopping in the region, he added. The areas identified by the CCCP and Souq.com in which the former will guide Souq.com are sharing of best practices and training their employees on the consumer complaint resolution mechanisms. India is bracing for upheaval as it storms ahead with its most ambitious reform in decades -- transforming the world's fastest growing major economy into a single market for the first time. The long-awaited goods and services tax (GST) rolls out on Saturday (July 1) even as businesses complain they are ill-prepared for the massive changes about to ripple through India's 2 trillion economy, reported AFP. The government promises the new regime will not just simplify trade by replacing more than a dozen levies with one tax, but combat corruption and enrichen state coffers by bringing the informal economy into the digital era. The sweeping reforms comes less than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi devalued India's largest banknotes in a sudden move designed to outmanoeuvre tax cheats, but was blamed for a crippling cash shortage and slowing growth. To avoid a similarly rough landing, the government has trained 60,000 tax bureaucrats and run sessions with private accountants to ensure everyone is up to speed on the finer points of the GST, stated the AFP report. Most economists agree the reform -- first proposed in 2006 -- is necessary and long overdue, but warn the initial shock to the economy is likely to drag, rather than stoke, growth in the short term as businesses adjust. There are already signs the transition could be rocky. Industries are on strike, others are facing an avalanche of paperwork, while some retailers remain unclear about what to charge just days before the taxes take effect. "There are different rates for a mobile set, charger and headphones -- all of which come in one box," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of Confederation of All #India Traders, pointing to one such example. "What tax rate will be applicable in such a scenario We don't know yet." It took more than a decade to get the GST through parliament and political bickering over the particulars now means there are four tax rates instead of one as originally envisioned. A slew of basic staples like fresh vegetables and milk are exempted, along with temple offerings, the national flag and human hair. So-called "sin" goods like tobacco will be slapped with extra levies, while states will still be allowed to separately tax some products including alcohol, petrol and aviation fuel. Some industries have suddenly discovered their products elevated to a higher tax bracket. Fireworks manufacturers are protesting over crackers being taxed at the maximum of 28 percent, while garment and textile workers are crying foul over heightened imposts. Ayushi Gudwani, who runs online fashion startup Fable Street, supports the creation of a common market but was shocked to learn her taxes had more than doubled. "Our profitability will be hit," she told AFP. Costs are also mounting at India's largest logistics firm Safexpress, which has hired 40 new staff to process a mountain of new paperwork. Under the new regime, companies must file a tax return in every state they pass through - a nightmare for a trucking company shipping goods nationwide. For Safexpress, that means instead of filing two annual tax returns they must submit 1,400, said managing director Rubal Jain. "It's going to be a lot of confusion and chaos and back and forth for the next three months, because no one knows what will happen," he told AFP. "It'll be great in the long run, but transition will be a pain," he added. All but the smallest businesses will now be required to declare their earnings online, an effort to broaden India's woefully small tax base, digitise the economy and flush out cash hoarders. But training employers to log tax information online presents immense challenges in India, where most small and informal businesses don't own computers, let alone access the internet, the trade association said. India has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world and these changes, though initially painful, will have a "significant impact" on compliance, Neelkanth Mishra, managing director at Credit Suisse told AFP. "India is like a house under renovation. While the new parts are being built, no one will be happy," he added. Changing lifestyles, stressful work, personal environment, consanguinity and rising levels of obesity, among other factors are major causes of male infertility, say experts. Two out of nine men suffer from fertility problems, said Prof Dr Human Fatemi, Consultant Reproductive Medicine & Reproductive Surgery, medical director, IVI Middle East Fertility Clinic. Whilst the emotional toll women face when finding it difficult to become pregnant, men are regularly overlooked, said Prof Dr Human Fatemi. One of the main reasons considered for rise in infertility is the changing pattern of lifestyle. In addition, hormonal imbalances, physical problems and psychological problems also have an interesting correlation between mens overall health and their fertility. Men who live a healthy lifestyle are more likely to produce healthy sperm. Infections, diseases, poor general health and factors triggered by consanguinity are other common causes of infertility in men in the UAE. Furthermore, factors like pollution and altered lifestyle are the key drivers for the increase in male infertility. Very recently, IVI Fertility Middle East unveiled an Infographic which states the most common activities that contribute to raising infertility in men. In couples who have not been able to have children, male infertility is the cause in at least 30-40 per cent of cases. The issue is certainly brewing and the repercussions may be phenomenal if turned a blind eye, said Prof Dr Human Fatemi. Rising cases of infertility across the globe is a significant clinical problem. Globally, 8 to 12 per cent of couples are affected with infertility. Of all cases, about 40 to 50 per cent cases are due to males. This may be due to one or more factors such as poor sperm motility, lower sperm concentration and abnormal morphology. Men are known to delay visits to the doctor. However, it is important to note that of the cases of infertility, 40 per cent reasons are connected to the women, another 30-40 per cent are male factors and about 20-30 per cent are combined factors, added Prof. Dr. Human Fatemi. At IVI Middle East Fertility Clinic, we undertake continuous efforts in research and development (R&D) for better understanding of the world of infertility. As a leading IVF institution, we are constantly investing in the development of treatments and technologies for identifying the root cause and offering treatments that deliver high success rates. We are confident that our specialized and experienced team of doctors will soon combat the growing issue, concluded Prof Dr Human Fatemi. IVI Fertility, headquartered in Spain, is the world leader in infertility treatments with 70 clinics worldwide and a success rate of more than 160,000 babies across the globe. It forayed into the ME with its clinics in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The latest addition is the conveniently located clinic at Muscat that sees patients from Muscat and neighbouring areas and is a prayer answered for the locals of Oman. IVI Middle East Fertility Clinic provides a comprehensive range of infertility services using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment under the care of an experienced team headed by Prof Dr Human Fatemi. TradeArabia News Service Saudi-based Wared Logistics, a joint venture between Zahid Group Holding and Saudi Binladin Group, won key recognition at the 2017 Frost & Sullivan Middle East Best Practices Awards Banquet, held recently in Dubai, UAE. Frost & Sullivan Awards recognises companies across regional and global markets for outstanding achievement and performance in a range of regional and global markets for superior leadership, technological innovation, customer service, strategic product development, and more. Currently in its third year, the event witnessed the participation of leading names in Middle Eastern business. These companies were lauded for their exceptional growth and market strategies, product development abilities, competitive advancement skills, technology innovation, and dedicated customer focus in the region. In 2016, the transportation and logistics industry was driven by the adoption of advanced technologies enabling increased automation, data tracking and management, therefore increasing efficiency and accelerated services, it said. On the win, a spokesman for Wared Logistics, said: "To remain the most preferred service provider in Saudi Arabia is our objective and being recognised by an international company such as this is truly an honour and a privilege." Gopal R, global vice president, transportation and logistics practice, Frost & Sullivan, said: With a wide range of transportation fleet vehicles, Wared Logistics is able to cater to its customers' needs efficiently. In the kingdom, it has the fleet strength and capabilities to serve customers from varied industries ranging from oil and gas to FMCG industry entities. With the companys focus on being an expertise and experience-based organisation, it has continued to provide comprehensive transportation and logistics solutions to its clients making it one of preferred service providers in Saudi Arabia, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Dubai-based Emirates Logistics has signed an agreement with UKs Microlise, a leading transport technology and telematics company, to distribute its technology and services in the Middle East. Part of the Sharaf Group, the company services a large customer base across various market segments. It delivers warehousing and logistics services for many big brands in the UAE. The agreement is part of a global expansion for Microlise which has more than 250,000 vehicle connections worldwide, said a statement from Emirates Logistics. It delivers services such as vehicle tracking, fleet performance analysis, journey management and proof of delivery to customers across all six permanently inhabited continents, it said. Whilst Emirates Logistics operates its own vehicle fleets to provide logistics services in the region, this new distribution partnership will see the company also selling Microlise products, managing and carrying out vehicle installation in the region. The company will provide first line support for Microlise customers in the Middle East. Gomes Gorakanage, transport manager, fleet logistics, said: Since its inception, Emirates Logistics has strategically invested in technology and expertise, thsu enabling it to quickly grow in the region. We see the technology Microlise is developing as vital for 21st century logistics operators and see enormous potential, he stated. We look forward to making it more readily available in the region and developing a prosperous partnership with Microlise as official distributors, he added. Paul Jurevicius, the head of global channel, Microlise, said: "We have been cultivating an excellent relationship with Emirates Logistics in recent years, running a number of proof of concept trials with them and demonstrating the potential of our technology to improve safety, customer service, boost efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs." With this official distribution partnership in place we look forward to significantly expanding the Microlise presence in the region, he added. TradeArabia News Service At least 123 people were killed when a lorry transporting oil burst into flames near the Pakistani city of Ahmedpur East, reported BBC citing local officials. A crowd had gathered reportedly to collect fuel leaking from the overturned vehicle when it caught fire. Dozens are being treated in hospital, stated the report. Unconfirmed reports suggest the tanker had been speeding when it overturned. People smoking at the scene may have sparked the fire, Pakistan's Geo TV reports, quoting eyewitnesses. The country's roads are notoriously dangerous, with poor vehicle maintenance and reckless driving contributing to the problem. Army helicopters were dispatched to ferry casualties to hospitals, army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet. Pakistani media have published pictures from the scene, showing charred bodies and vehicles. There are fears that the death toll could rise further. At least six cars and 12 motorcycles were burnt, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reports. Police sources told Pakistani government news agency APP that the tanker had been carrying 25,000 litres (5,500 gallons) of oil and had been travelling from Karachi to Lahore. It slipped off a road and overturned in the Kachi P Kachi Pul area, they said, about 8km from Ahmedpur East, in Punjab's Bahawalpur district. "People living in roadside villages, carrying domestic pots rushed to the scene to collect oil and they also made phone calls to their relatives living in other villages to immediately come to collect oil," the sources said. Traffic police had tried in vain to keep the crowd away from the tanker as people, including women and children, continued collecting oil in pots, the sources said. "Suddenly, [a] huge fire erupted in the oil tanker which engulfed all people standing around the vehicle," the police sources added. Hotel, retail and real estate investors will gather in Morocco this October to discuss investment and development opportunities in the African continent at the 2017 Hotelier Summit North Africa. Hosted by leading real estate solutions provider IDE Consulting Service from October 4-6, the prime emphasis of this conclave will be to facilitate consultations between shareholder, owners and investors as well as build a platform for African Governments and African Investors to learn how to make projects bankable. The hospitality sector in Africa is set to grow by approximately four per cent each year for the next three years. The summit aims to underscore Africas rapidly growing hospitality and real estate market, which is attracting increased interest from international investors, developers and occupiers Keynote speakers will also address the floor to explain about the scale of projects they are expecting from Morocco and other African countries for them to invest in. Morocco will be presented as the initiator and a prime destination in the continent, hosting the event as a hub for investors and African countries to promote business relations and learn from each others experiences. Africa, particularly the Northern region, has seen several developments in the past few years. However, it has been observed that areas as financial planning, project execution and more importantly the implementation of sustainable measures need better policies to be effective. "At IDE, we seek to radically change this through engaging in actionable conversations with people who walk the talk. The Hotelier Summit Africa (North) this year has been directed towards regrouping the investors, property owners, developers and other stakeholders of the real estate landscape to gather on one platform to discuss project feasibilities from conceptualization to completion. Our objective is for Africa to be looked up to as one of the most progressive regions of growth on the global real estate map. said Ravi Kumar Chandran, director at IDE. The 13th edition of Hotelier SummitAfrica will witness the gathering of hundreds of thoughtful leaders from around the continent that include C-suite investors, Government officials, high net worth individuals, hotel owners and developers, hotel operators, architects, interior designers, project management consultants, design consultants, procurement professionals, advisory specialists and sustainability experts. These parties will be engaged in face-to-face meetings with the investors and suppliers from all over the globe. "In the 13th Edition Hotelier Summit, Africa we intend to host the Honorarium Grand on a larger scale, recognising the key contributors to the hospitality industry in Northern and Western Africa and in turn revealing the Hospitality Power List for the year 2017. said Chandran. Positioned as the ideal gateway to figuring a companys growth and development trajectory in the African hospitality sector, Hotelier Summit Africa (North) is wholly dedicated to easing market accessibility, providing insights on market nuances, finalising contractual work and speeding up procurement activities. The summit will accommodate leading companies and emerging business entities from North Africa and around the region. - TradeArabia News Service Tough new security measures have been introduced by the US for flights entering the country, but does not include the extending of a ban on laptops in the cabin, a report said. US Homeland Security chief John Kelly had raised fears of a wider ban late last month, saying he was considering extending the security protocol to 71 airports in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said a report in WAM. The restrictions on laptops were first announced in March this year for US-bound flights to and from 10 Middle East and North Africa airports, as part of measures to "combat terrorism". The new measures, announced yesterday, require enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices on flights leaving from 105 countries. Airlines have been given 120 days to comply, or could face a ban on carrying all passenger electronics. They could even be denied the right to fly into the US, the report said. The new measures include enhanced overall passenger screening, heightened screening of personal electronic devices, increased security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas, and expanded canine screening. Kelly said: "Make no mistake, our enemies are constantly working to find new methods for disguising explosives, recruiting insiders, and hijacking aircraft. We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the travelling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed." The measures will cover 280 airports and 180 airlines, affecting an average of 2,100 flights a day, carrying 325,000 passengers, it said. Homeland security officials in the US said that even the airports included in the original laptop ban could have it lifted if they complied with the new regulations. Friday support meetings Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m,. 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 328-1/2 E. A, closed; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 10 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688. Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 6 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8:30 p.m., 302 E. 2nd St., Methodist Church. Web site: www.urmrna.org. Overeaters Anonymous: 10 a.m., 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott. Info: Candace, 359-6225; Rebekah, 320-6779. Al-Anon Family: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200, 12-24 Club, all ages welcome. Info: 377-7260 or 258-1444. International Addictions Program: 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1800 S. Conwell. Info: 266-5417. LGTBQ AA/NA: 7 p.m., A 12-Step AA/NA Recovery Group for gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and questioning persons meets at the United Church of Christ, located at the corner of 15th and Melrose. Info: 259-5026. Monthly vets ceremony The Natrona County United Veterans Council and the staff of the Oregon Trail Wyoming Veterans Cemetery conduct a monthly memorial service for those known Wyoming veterans who have died since our last memorial service which was held on May 31, when we honored 79 Wyoming veterans. This months memorial service will be held at noon in the Tom Walsh Chapel at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. All are welcome. This memorial service is provided on behalf of a grateful state and nation as an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by each of these veterans. The veterans name, Wyoming community and branch of service is read at roll call. There is a rifle salute, taps and the folding of a flag. Celebrate Recovery every Friday Celebrate Recovery meets at 5:30 p.m. every Friday at Highland Park Community Church, just south of Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital on East Second Street. A family meal starts the evening, followed by praise and worship. At 7 p.m. theres either a lesson from Celebrate Recoverys planned curriculum or a testimony by a person who has found recovery through Christ. Then, people go to gender-specific small groups until 8:30 p.m. when dessert and fellowship conclude the evening. Child care is available at no cost. For more information, contact Chris at 265-4073. Summer food sites for kids The Natrona County School District is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. There are no income requirements or registration. Any child under age 18 may come to eat. For more information, contact 307-253-5205. Meals will be served Monday through Friday at the following locations: Verda James Boys & Girls Club site, 11:30 a.m., to Aug. 25; YMCA, 11 a.m., to Sept. 1; Salt Creek Recreation Center in Midwest, 11:30 a.m., to Aug. 25; Casper Recreation Center, 11:15 a.m., to Aug. 31; Boys and Girls Club main branch, 11:30 a.m., to Aug. 25; Paradise Valley Boys & Girls Club site, 11:30 a.m., to Aug. 25. Lunch at Food for Thought Wyoming Food for Thought Project provides free meals to children during the summer. This summer, meals will be served at our program center located at 900 Saint John in north Casper on Monday through Friday at noon. There are no income requirements or registration. Anyone age 18 or younger may come to eat. For more information, contact (307) 337-1703 or visit www.wyfftp.org Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like Wyoming Food for Thought Project to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. Troopers compete The Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps heads into its first full week of competition in Muncie, Indiana, on Friday; Lisle, Illinois on Saturday; LaCrosse, Wisconsin, on Sunday and Mankato, Minnesota, on Monday. The Troopers return home to Casper on July 11, where they will march in the Central Wyoming Fair Parade. They will give a free performance on the evening of July 12 on the grounds of Fort Caspar, present a program and perform the national anthem prior to the Central Wyoming Rodeo performance on July 13 and then host the five-corps Drums Along the Rockies Casper Edition on July 14 at Natrona County High School Stadium. Tickets are on sale at dci.org, by calling 472-2141 or visiting the Troopers Center at 1801 E. E St. Bull rider Bradie Gray, who was critically injured after being stomped by a bull at the College National Finals Rodeo earlier this month, is out of the intensive care unit and itching to get back on a bull. He still had a breathing tube in and one of the first things he wrote on the iPad was, When can I get on again? his mother, Sharon, said Wednesday. Gray left the ICU at Wyoming Medical Center on Wednesday morning, walking to his new room, the hospital reported on its Facebook page. He was determined (to walk the whole way), said his father, Mick. Hes been walking up and down the hallways at the ICU and the nurses have been chasing him. Gray got more good news Wednesday when three-time defending Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey and fellow bull rider Tyler Taylor stopped by to pay him a visit. Kimzey and Taylor were on their way to Cody to compete at the Cody Stampede Xtreme Bulls on Friday. I heard about it on Facebook, Kimzey said. And we were driving through, so we decided to come see him. Hes in a lot better shape and a lot better spirits than I thought (he would be). Added Taylor: If I was in a similar situation I would want guys to stop by and see me. Ive never even met (Gray) before, but he would do the same thing for me. I know he would. Gray, who graduated from Odessa College last month, suffered massive internal injuries on June 15 when a bull stepped on his chest. He suffered broken ribs, collapsed lungs and a tear in his aorta. When he arrived at the hospital, Gray did not have a pulse. Doctors there revived him and performed surgeries to mend his injuries. Gray was the first CNFR competitor to suffer a life-threatening injury since the event came to Casper in 1999. He was was bucked off Frontier Rodeos Levi the Boss. The bull then stepped on his chest. Gray was able to stand under his own power and was pulled into a bucking chute by bystanders. Medics treated him at the scene and later took him to Wyoming Medical Center. But Gray admitted he started thinking about getting on another bull as soon as I started feeling better. Neither Kimzey nor Taylor were surprised by Grays admission. Something in our bodies just keeps us coming back, Kimzey said. He knows that the heart of a bull rider is one where you can never be defeated. Hes got a passion and hes going to work hard to get back. This is just an obstacle that hes got to overcome; I know that. Definitely where the line of passion and crazy hits is right where every bull rider lies. Gray is a native of Australia and has been riding bulls and steers since he was 5 years old. Hes been a professional bull rider for two years. I feel pretty good, Gray said. Its really great to have a world champion supporting you its a really good feeling. Just as Charlie Powell warned, Caspers would-be savior did not arrive on a white horse. I drove in a white Dodge, Carter Napier said of his two-hour journey south from Gillette. It is white, though. Powell told his colleagues on City Council in a meeting last week that Napier, Caspers new city manager, would not come bearing panaceas for the budget woes in the Oil City. While a majority of Council expressed concerns about spending $4 million in reserves in the budget that will take effect July 1, they agreed to pass it with the understanding that Napier would review it and presumably quickly reduce spending. Napier, whose first day was Monday, said he watched the Council meeting where members loaded hopes onto his pending arrival. I appreciate that, on the one hand, he said. But its also a pretty daunting task to take on right from the beginning. Napier said he can bring proposed budget amendments to Council by the Oct. 1 deadline, which several members requested during discussions in the last few weeks. But whether those amendments will have the level of cuts those members are seeking remains to be seen. The most vocal budget critic was Councilman Dallas Laird, appointed to Council just days before the financial talks began. But several others shared some of his complaints. Both Chris Walsh and Jesse Morgan were frustrated that the budget session had not been more interactive, and Shawn Johnson, Amanda Huckabay and Mayor Kenyne Humphrey all suggested they would also be looking to Napier for additional areas to cut spending. I am OK with passing it, letting Carter take a look at it, Johnson said at a work session earlier this month. We can always make amendments later. Laird, who was the lone vote against approving the budget, repeatedly brought up specific expenses such as the municipal court whereas some Council members spoke more generally of a desire for more options to be presented by city staff. Morgan said he would have liked to see a study outlining whether certain public services, like road maintenance, could be performed less expensively if they were privatized. But Powell argued that while Napier has a strong track record as a city administrator in Gillette and Riverton, $4 million in savings was unlikely to emerge entirely through efficiencies and smart administration. Rather, Council would need to cut services or drastically scale back recreation offerings like public pools and Hogadon Ski Area policy decisions that are beyond Napiers duties as city manager. Carter has expertise on creating a balanced budget, Powell said. Carter Napier cant print money. Napier said he enjoys fiddling with numbers and crafting budgets and said he will look for efficiencies, including a potential restructuring of city administration. He ruled out layoffs and suggested major service reductions would not be proposed by October. In Gillette, he said cutting back on services was done only following public feedback that began 12 months before the changes were approved as part of a formal budget. Likewise, he said layoffs if necessary could not be rushed. That, to me, would be one of those longer, worst-case scenario kinds of solutions, and so to try to jump right into that first quarter would be hasty, Napier said. That likely rules out some departmental consolidation or privatization floated by Council members during the budget process, because those moves would save funds largely by eliminating staff positions. Napier largely agreed with Powells claim that there was no easy fix to the budget. I bet theres not a honey pot anywhere, Napier said. The apartment after the fire.[Dong Xuming/For China Daily] Hangzhou police have asked the local procuratorate for permission to arrest a nanny accused of starting an apartment fire that killed the three children she was employed to care for, as well as their mother. Mo Huanjing, 34, was charged on Wednesday with arson and theft in connection with the blaze that swept through the family's apartment in a high-end residential building on June 22. The oldest child was 11 and the youngest was 6. The case has generated heated discussion among the public because the family had good relations with the babysitter and any motivation is still unknown. The husband, Lin Shengbin, was on a business trip when the fire happened. He said the babysitter had borrowed money from his wife, Zhu Xiaozhen, a couple of days before. Born in Dongguan, Guangdong province, Mo had been working for the family for about a year. A few days before the fire, she borrowed 100,000 yuan ($14,700) from Zhu, claiming that she wanted to buy a house. However, Mo, who police said is addicted to online gambling, didn't use the money to buy any property. A former friend of Mo's, who went by the alias Meng Qi, said to Chinese media that Mo used to work for her, but was fired when she was reported by some employers to have stolen things. "She took the things to pawnshops and used the money for gambling," Meng said. After being questioned, police said, Mo admitted to having stolen watches and children's bracelets from Lin's family. The fire started at around 5 am in the 18th-floor apartment and spread over about 50 square meters. The young mother reportedly tried twice to call for help, but her calls were unanswered. Zhu and her three kids were rescued from the building, but died shortly after in hospital. Zhu's brother tried to enter the premises, but was pushed back by firefighters at the scene. The babysitter claimed at first that she was sent downstairs by her employer to call the police, but after further investigation she admitted that she started the fire on purpose, police said. The case has caused concern among the public about hiring babysitters as well as loopholes in background information and qualification reviews of babysitters at domestic companies. Bruce E. Dusenberry, who built the Tucson moving business his father started in the 1920s into one of the biggest in the Southwest, died Saturday, June 24, at the age of 94. Dusenberry, former owner of Horizon Moving Systems, died peacefully in his Tucson home after recently returning from treatment for a small stroke in April, said his son, Bruce L. Dusenberry. He had a long, full life, Dusenberry said, noting that his father died four days before his 95th birthday. He said his father was happy to return home to his wife of 69 years, Katie, in June after a long hospital stay and a stint in a rehabilitation center. Born in Tucson in 1922, the elder Dusenberry grew up in Madera Canyon, where his parents, C.R. Dusenberry and Catherine Moore Dusenberry, had built the Santa Rita Trails Resort and operated it for about 15 years. His parents sold the resort in the 1930s and moved to a house on North Third Avenue, where they started a moving company, City Transfer Co., with a single truck they had used to haul ice and firewood at the Madera Canyon resort. Thats how the moving company was born the dining room was their office, and they had a brick garage in the back alley that was their warehouse, Bruce L. Dusenberry said. Bruce E. Dusenberry met his future wife, Kathryn Katie Norton Dusenberry at Trinity Presbyterian Church, where they were married in April 1948. After working in the family business, Dusenberry bought the company from his father in 1952 and renamed it City Van & Storage, and later Horizon Moving Systems. The company grew to became the largest mover in Arizona and a major company in the United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit national systems, peaking in the early 2000s at more than 300 employees and offices in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Sierra Vista and Yuma. Dusenberry became a well-known and respected figure in the transportation industry, serving for 12 years on the national board of directors of United Van Lines and awarded the companys Gene Anderson Award of Excellence. He also chaired the Tucson Metropolitan Highway Users Conference and served on the boards of the Arizona Motor Transport Association, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona and the Arizona Highway Users Association. In 1993, Bruce L. Dusenberry left a 17-year law practice behind to take over the business from his parents, after they tried to sell the company but didnt get any acceptable offers. Dusenberry said part of the deal was that his father continued to run the shop where Horizon maintained its trucking fleet. He never retired, in a sense, the younger Dusenberry said. He could do anything mechanical. ... He would much rather be out in the shop working on a truck or something than in the office. Dusenberry recalled how his father built his own boat trailer from scratch and refitted his boat with a powerful Volvo motor. He also helped plan and execute complex moving jobs such as an office move that required removing windows before stepping away from the business about 15 years ago, Dusenberry said. Together with his family, Dusenberry loved to fish, hunt, camp, and fly his airplane, especially to Mexico and Alaska, his family said. In 2013, Horizons Tucson, Phoenix and Flagstaff operations were acquired by Florida-based Suddath Relocation Systems for an undisclosed sum. The Horizon name lives on in Yuma as Horizon Moving Group LLC, which Bruce L. Dusenberry still co-owns, though he has retired from management duties. Besides his wife and son, Dusenberry is survived by daughters Joan, Ann and Janel; 10 grandchildren; and two-great grandchildren. We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some June 29 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. The central administration of Tucsons largest school district is experiencing more turbulence amid its search for a new leader. Two senior administrators Abel Morado, an assistant superintendent, and Karla Soto, chief financial officer are headed out the door, and 18 directors contracts were altered to give the school board power to remove them without cause after December. Adelita Grijalva, a board member who along with Kristel Foster opposed the changes to directors contracts, said she was concerned that this toxic environment and lack of protection for employees would push people away from the district. Too much change has happened too quickly, she said. It has to be gradual because otherwise, wed lose talented people, and thats what weve seen. At least one TUSD administrator didnt see it coming. I told him I wanted to come back. I wanted to continue working, Soto said in an interview Wednesday. It came as a shock when Gabriel Trujillo, the interim superintendent, informed her that she would not be returning. Tucson Unified School District is consolidating some senior positions, partly as a result of enrollment loss and consequent budget reductions, Trujillo said. The district will no longer have a deputy superintendent position after Karen Kopecs contract expires June 30. The changes in administration and directors contracts also reflect some board members efforts to give more options to an incoming superintendent to select his or her own leadership team. I think its appropriate to give new leadership options, said Mark Stegeman, a board member. Michael Hicks, board president, and Rachael Sedgwick, who joined the board in January, sided with him. TUSD will seek a replacement for Morado, who oversees high schools, as well as for the assistant superintendent of K-8 schools position, which is currently occupied by Mark Alvarez on an interim basis, according to the interim superintendent. Soto, the CFO, said she had planned to return to her position through the outsourcing firm, as Morado did, after her retirement this school year. Had I known then what I know now, I would have never submitted my retirement, she said. Im passionate about education, she said, adding that shed be seeking new employment. Her last day with TUSD was Wednesday. Trujillo said in an interview that employees technically separate from the district when they submit for retirement. We then have responsibility to look at the budgetary situation and make a determination, he said. Sotos deputy, Renee Weatherless, previously a senior director for finance, was named executive finance officer Tuesday. TUSD is consolidating the two finance administrators position into one. Additionally, Janet Rico Uhrig, director of talent acquisition, was named executive human resources officer, which is not the same as chief human resources officer, a position held by Anna Maiden. Maiden announced her resignation earlier this year after former Superintendent H.T. Sanchezs departure from TUSD. The chief human resources officer position has been eliminated as a result of the consolidation. That leaves the TUSD superintendent leadership team with two people, not including the interim superintendent: Stuart Duncan, chief operations officer, and Scott Morrison, chief technology officer. Eighteen directors and administrators, including Trujillo, who is serving as both interim superintendent and assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, are now faced with uncertainty as their contracts guarantee their employment only through Dec. 15. The contract language was drafted by an outside attorney after Stegeman asked to review the contracts. He pulled them out of consent agenda, which means the board would have voted on it as part of a package of items without public discussion, on May 23. The new language was adopted Tuesday, days before the new contract year begins. I think there are a number of issues in the contracts, Stegeman said. Most importantly, he said the district needed a mechanism to release those directors should a new superintendent want to pick his or her own team. He added that he was satisfied with the consolidations in administration, though he believes more could be done. There were too many positions for the amount of work being done, Stegeman said. Two U.S. citizens and 12 Mexican nationals were arrested Monday and federal authorities seized 1,100 pounds of marijuana east of Nogales. The marijuana is worth an estimated $600,000, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release. On June 26, Border Patrol agents patrolling Arizona Highway 82 said they spotted a suspicious Ford van heading east from Nogales. The van stopped at an intersection and the driver and a passenger climbed out of the van and ran, said authorities. Both men, who were U.S. citizens, were taken into custody a short distance away. Agents looked inside the van and found dozens of large marijuana bundles, said officials. In the meantime, two Air and Marine Operations helicopters searched the area for possible accomplices. The air crew spotted a group of 12 men walking south away from the highway, authorities said. Agents descended down a rope from the helicopter and pursued the men, while another air crew guided another group of agents on all-terrain vehicles. The two teams closed in on the men, and took the dozen into custody, said officials. The two U.S. citizens face federal drug smuggling charges. Four other men face immigration violations, and eight men were processed for expedited removal from the United States, authorities said. A fast-track prosecution program is growing as the Trump administrations immigration policies take root at the federal courthouse in Tucson. In a reversal of Obama administration policy, federal prosecutors with Operation Streamline are filing criminal charges against migrants the first time they are caught crossing the border illegally. For the past several years, Streamline prosecutions were focused on people caught multiple times, defense lawyers said this week. However, first-time offenders were regularly prosecuted for a few years after Streamline was established in Tucson in 2008. The newest policy change began several weeks ago and followed memos from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions directing prosecutors to find ways to deter first-time improper entrants. The change also came after Streamline prosecutions in Tucson dwindled in the past year from about 70 each weekday to barely a handful, defense lawyers said. Prosecutions of those caught the first time, who lawyers said used to be returned to their country of origin, are helping raise the volume of cases. First-time crossers make up an increasingly large portion of Border Patrol apprehensions in the agencys Tucson Sector, according to fingerprint identification records provided by the Border Patrol. The portion of Tucson sector apprehensions involving repeat offenders dropped from 45 percent in fiscal year 2000 to 15 percent in fiscal year 2015, when agents made a total of 64,000 apprehensions. Before, so many people with previous deportations qualified (for Streamline), that first-timers were arrested and voluntarily returned, said defense lawyer Homero Torralba. The number of people with previous deportations is way down, he said, adding that he saw a real dip about three months ago in the volume of Streamline cases. At a Streamline hearing on Tuesday, a dozen lawyers flitted among the 48 men and five women accused of crossing the border illegally. Hours earlier, the defendants had pleaded guilty to illegal entry. They faced a maximum sentence of six months and a $5,000 fine. More than half of the defendants on Tuesday were first-time offenders who were caught by the Border Patrol several days before. On Wednesday, 24 illegal border crossers who were caught for the first time and 14 who were caught multiple times were sentenced. Magistrate Judge Bruce G. MacDonald on Tuesday and Wednesday waived the fine for all the first-time offenders, sentenced them to time served, and wished them good luck. However, he warned them that the misdemeanor conviction was a mark on their record and if they were caught crossing the border illegally again, they would face a felony prosecution and years in prison. In general, other judges also are sentencing first-time defendants to time served, said Grant Bashore, an assistant federal public defender. The rest of the defendants on Tuesday and Wednesday were charged with both illegal entry and illegal re-entry, due to previous deportations. As has happened in Streamline cases for several years, they pleaded guilty to the illegal entry charge which is a misdemeanor and the judge dismissed the felony re-entry charge. They received sentences ranging from 30 days to the programs maximum 180 days. Thousands of illegal immigrants have been sentenced through Streamline, but exact numbers are unavailable. Over the course of several weeks of Arizona Daily Star inquiries, the federal court system referred questions to the Department of Justice, which referred them to the Border Patrol, which referred them to the Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorneys Office for Arizona could not be reached and the Border Patrol did not respond to a request for comment. Prosecuting first-time crossers is a return to the original operation of the program in Tucson. The priorities shifted under the Obama administration and Streamline defendants generally were those who had been deported previously and faced a felony charge of illegal re-entry. In some cases, first-time offenders with serious criminal histories also were included. Help India! The town of Bhatkal is not short on heroes. This coastal town has in the past produced political leaders, world-famous businessmen, teachers who have revolutionised education systems, visionaries and even a distinct form of Halwa! In the last of the nine-part series on Bhatkal, Amit Kumar looks at the five most well-known faces and people of Bhatkal, without whom the history and the present of this town would have been much poorer. The next time someone associates this town with terror, mention the name of these people and talk of their contributions. Read Part one here Read Part two here Read Part three here Read Part four here Read Part five here Read Part six here Read Part seven here Read Part eight here Shamshuddin Jukaku: One of the most recognisable pictures of Bhatkal is that of its main roundabout located right on the National Highway 66. The circle is named after Shamshuddin Jukaku, and if there is one name that is synonymous with the history of Bhatkal post Independence, it would be of Shamshuddin Jukaku. Born in 1913, he has many firsts for a Bhatkali to his name: The first lawyer from Bhatkal, the first minister from Bhatkal and of course, to date the only Bhatkali to have served as the deputy chief minister, a position he had in the 1950s. Support TwoCircles Jukaku is credited with laying the foundations of the city. He laid the foundations of Nawayath colony and was instrumental in bringing electricity, pucca roads and telephone lines to the town for the first time. In 1946, he was elected to the Bombay Presidency and his will to fight cases based on merit and not for money earned him a huge reputation in the region. After reorganisation, Bhatkal came under the Mysore Presidency and he served as the deputy Finance minister between 1958 and 1961 after which he served as the Power Minister. Despite his busy schedule, he also served as the General Secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, and was a key player in steering the most important educational institute into post-Independence India. The Bhatkalis love for their leader remains to this day: In July 2016, the brand new building of Anjuman, its administrative centre, was named after Shamshuddin Jukaku. It was a fitting tribute to a person without whose efforts the city would have been unimaginable. Syed Khaleel: If Shamshuddin Jukaku was the first inspiring political leader the post-Independence Bhatkal, then SM Syed Khaleel, a Chartered Accountant by profession who moved to the Gulf in the 70s is very much the biggest and most prominent face of the town in the present era. Given the honour of Quaid-e-Qaum by the locals, Khaleel, who is known as CA Khaleel, was the principal factor behind setting up Jamaats of Bhaktalis across the globe and especially the Gulf. He set up the first Bhatkal Gulf Council in 1991, and also served as the president of Karnataka Dubai Sangha. Working for the Anjuman for over thirty years including an eight-year term as President during 1995-2003, Khaleel saw the institute expand and excel in new areas like engineering, MBA and start a separate degree college for women.. He served as its Chairman until 2013. He is also the person widely responsible behind setting up Majis-e-Islah-Wa-Tanzeem, the main social organisation in Bhatkal, Jamia Islamia, which takes care of Islamic education in the town, and Jamiat-ul-Muslimeen and Markaz-e-Khalifa-Jamaat-e- Muslimeen, both of which pertain to Shariah and Islamic marriages. In 2003, he was awarded the Karnataka Rajya Utsav Award, the highest civilian honour conferred by the state of Karnataka. He was also ranked among top 100 most influential business leaders of the Gulf region in 2010 and to this day, continues to help Bhatkal and its residents in every possible manner. Rashid Badsha: It will not be an exaggeration to say that every educated women in Bhatkal between the early 70s and early 200s who must have been a student of Rashida Badsha at some point in their lives. The daughter of Shamshuddin Jukaku, Badsha was the first teacher to join the High School for girls when it was opened in 1971 and in the initial days she would teach half the subjects alone. She took a break for three years after the school started to complete her B.Ed from Osmania University (again, the first woman from Bhatkal to do so). Over the next 33 years she headed the Pre-University College and the Degree College. Such was her dedication to womens education that despite being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2003, she continued to work for the next four years as the principal of the degree college. Badsha also ensured that the colleges hired a number of local women as faculty to ensure that some of her students also found work in Bhatkal. There is no doubt that it was due to her tiring efforts that Bhatkal Town Municipal Council boasts of a female literacy rate of over 90% as per the Census 2011. In fact, she is known across the town as Rashida Masterni which shows how much the town values her contribution. The 73-year old, who was the first woman from Bhatkal to graduate in 1966, continues to play an important role in womens empowerment and despite her health, serves as the Chairman of the Anjuman Womens Advisory Committee, which she set up in 2012. She may not be well known outside Bhatkal, but for the residents of the city especially women, she opened the door to a whole word of opportunities. Zubair Kazi: The Arab world is the second home for many Bhatkalis, and rightly so. Almost every family has one person who works and stays in Dubai or other Gulf cities. But Zubair Kazi took a different, albeit risky route but one that has helped him and Bhatkal make a mark worldwide. Kazi left Bhatkal for the US in 1969 to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial pilot with just $4 in his pocket. However, the dream of becoming a pilot never materialised and he had to work as a cook at a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. Later, he started a KFC outlet in 1976. He went on to become the nations second-largest KFC franchisee with around 300 outlets, later buying into the Burger King and Pizza Hut franchise as well. Amid all this success, Kazi and his wife Khatija did not forget the welfare of their town Bhatkal. In 2013, the duo set up the Bhatkal womens centre, a 40,000 sq ft centre dedicated for women to relax and take a break from their usual home routine. He remains the most recognisable face from Bhatkal across the world, and is seen as a symbol of the sharp entrepreneurial skills that is a common trait among most Bhatkalis. Maualana Nakhwa Ruknuddin: Bhatkalis are spread across the country and the world, but if there is one product, one special item that has carried the name of this town across the world, it will be the Bhatkal Sandow Halwa. The exact date when Maulana Ruknuddin started his Halwa shop is not known even to his family. However, the impact of what he started cannot be doubted by any resident of Bhatkal. Most of the Halwa back then, and even now, used Maida, or refined flour. However, Maulana Ruknuddin brought in a new material: wheat, which was hardly consumed in Bhatkal back then. He experimented with different methods, until zeroing on a process which would extract milk from wheat. Sounds strange, right? What Maulana Ruknuddin did, is to soak premium quality wheat brought from UP and Madhya Pradesh in plain water for two days before grinding to a consistency which looked similar to that of thick milk. Then, he added cashew, almond, sugar and local ghee to make the Halwa, and 110 years later, the same process continues to be repeated. The shop he established in Chowk Bazar still stands, and is now run by his great grandson. It is a product considered so uniquely Bhatkali that every local who travels outside buys dozens of packets and carries it as gifts. In fact, the locals are so in love with this product that Maulana Ather, the great grandson of Maulana Ruknuddin, says that they have never considered exporting the product. The Halwa was named after famous wrestler Eugene Sandow, by the grandfather of Maulana Ather because the Halwa is considered great for building body strength and vigour. And the family does not always depend on outside labour to make this Halwa. Every family member is also trained to make it in exactly the same manner whenever needed. Sold in packets of 500 grams, the Halwa is also available in Mangalore and some shops in Bangalore, but if there is one thing that you must buy when in Bhatkal, it is this delicious Halwa. For a city so diverse, no product is more uniquely local. Help India! New Delhi, (IANS): The CBI on Thursday announced Rs 10 lakh reward for information about Najeeb Ahmed, a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student who went missing in October last year. The CBI will provide Rs 10 lakh to those whose information helps in locating Najeeb Ahmed, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) spokespersons R.K. Gaur told IANS. Support TwoCircles The agencys move came 10 days after its officials visited the JNU campus to meet administrators and students to collect details about Ahmed. The CBI filed a case on June 3 to probe Ahmeds mysterious disappearance following the Delhi High Courts May 16 order. Ahmed, 27, a first year M.Sc. student, went missing from the JNU hostel on the night of October 14-15 after an alleged altercation with members of the RSS student wing ABVP. The ABVP has denied any involvement in his disappearance. It was a Moment Of Truth according to French President Macron. Arm wrestling, fist pumping, chest thumping are all phrases that can be used to describe the tense hand shake between US president Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Brussels last week. The visual that was shown around the world was not a friendly greeting between two world leaders but a handshake that could be interpreted in many different ways. For Macron, it was a moment of truth The very awkward handshake In a meeting at the US Embassy in Brussels, a handshake between the two leaders quickly caught the attention of reporters in the room because of the length and severity of the handshake. The handshake was described by one reporter as a battle of wills as Macron and Trump intensely gripped each other's hand. Not only were hands clenched but so were their jaws and faces. Did the two leaders inflict some measure of pain on each other? Was it a test of endurance or superiority where one leader forces the other into submission? Who was the first to submit and what does that say about the winner and the loser? Donald Trump's power shakes The Macron handshake is one of many similar ones associated with Donald Trump that have raised eyebrows. He has become famous for the shake, tap and tug style he used with supreme court nominee Neil Gorsuch. When Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Trump in the Oval Office their handshake went viral on social media. It appears that Trump held Abe's hand quite firmly before patting them twice, tugging, pulling him in and patting again. It was a handshake that lasted 19 seconds according to those counting. What the handshakes tell us Many body language experts have weighed in on the Trump handshake. Is it just a bad habit or a calculated act of exerting dominance over the other person? One can draw any number of conclusions from an interpretation of these awkward handshakes. Donald Trump could be compensating for his reportedly small hands or he could be attempting to show who is the boss. While some suggest it is a sign of strength, others see it as a sign of weakness. Not so innocent French president Macron had his say on the now infamous handshake between him and Donald Trump calling it anything but innocent. He said it was not the alpha and omega of a policy; instead, it was a moment of truth which showed that they will not make small or symbolic concessions. None was made one can assume as Emmanuel Macron was clearly the winner in the handshake battle with Donald Trump, if you consider that Trump was the first to disengage. Just a couple of weeks ago, Grenfell Tower, a London block of flats, went up in flames and at least 79 people were killed. This was because the local council renovated it last year and chose cheap, shoddy cladding that was so flammable its been made illegal to construct with it in the United States. Our government chose it because its 2 cheaper than the safer one. So, residents of the tower warned the government that their home was an extreme fire risk, and the government ignored them and now those people dont have a home anymore. Residents want a hand in Mays public inquiry In the days since the Grenfell Tower fire, Prime Minister Theresa May has, rightly, promised a full public inquiry into the incident to get to bottom of who is responsible for it. But, naturally, the residents dont want to just get screwed over again, so theyve asked her if they can have a hand in the investigation. They want to choose the presiding judge and negotiate the terms and scope of the investigation as they want to leave no stone unturned. Now, housing campaigner Pilgrim Tucker does acknowledge that this kind of interference in an investigation by survivors of an event is unprecedented, but she also added that the Grenfell Tower fire is an unprecedented situation. The residents want the investigation to be effective and go ahead with a chair that they can trust and have faith in, after being ignored and screwed and left homeless. During the Presidential campaign, many of Donald Trump's opponents likened the reality tv star and businessman to Adolf Hitler. This was obviously brought about by Trump saying he would ban Muslims coming into the United States and wanting to build a wall to stop Mexicans coming in. Also how he appealed to the common American man in the street just as Hitler had done in the 1930's before becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933. Now it seems the North Koreans have got in on the act by also comparing Donald Trump to the World War II German leader over his America first policy. They say such a policy leads to American military action and American domination of the world again in their view similar to Hitler. Tension has been growing between the North Koreans and the Americans over issues such as the North test firing missiles and conducting nuclear tests. The coming home of student Otto Warmbier in a coma to the United States after being held for 18 months by the North has also added fuel to the fire. New South Korean leader flies to Washington Many in the US were worried about Moon Jae-in the new South Korean leader as he was not too happy about establishing US missiles on his soil as the previous administration had agreed to. He also wanted closer ties with the North but now he is flying out to Washington to hold talks with Trump over the increasing tension between his neighbour to the north and the US. Those talks it can be guessed will not only discuss the situation between the North Koreans and the US but also America's relationship with the South under the Moon Jae-in administration. Obviously, when they appear before the press and cameras it will be all handshakes and smiles which is the way with all leaders. So it will be interesting to see the body language of these two leaders when they appear together which may be a clue to how the talks went in the Whitehouse. Could war break out again? The last Korean war in the 50's was a devastating and brutal affair brought to an end by an armistice on the 38th parallel on the peninsula of Korea. This war featured UN forces lead by the Americans up against first the North Koreans and then later the Chinese fighting on North Koreas behalf. Ever since the South Koreans with American backing and the North with Chinese support have spied on one another ever alert lest the other should attack. Sometimes there has been the odd military spat between both sides but nothing really serious enough to spark a second conflict. America sent a battlefleet recently to patrol off the coast of North Korea while the North tested missiles in defiance of the Americans. Certainly, the situation is grim but Trump has said he would be willing to sit down with Kim and talk things out and the North appeared to show an interest in this. If any conflict did break out there is a question as to whether the North could rely on China as even China finds it hard to deal with its southern Communist neighbor. Also bearing in mind that there is despite some tensions a good working relationship between the Chinese and the Americans so the North may not be able to count on China as it did. The situation on the Korean peninsula is tense and does not get the coverage as the war in Syria but never the less the unfolding Korean situation is one to watch. For the first time, Donald Trump and his administration are in the White House during Memorial Day. While his team offered their thoughts on the holiday, social media users didn't hold back their opinions in opposition. Conway on Memorial Day It didn't take long after Donald Trump announced his campaign for president before he started to dominate the headlines. Within months, Trump turned his once laughable attempt at the presidency into a legit threat to become the next commander in chief. After Trump took advantage of his popularity and rode his momentum to the Republican nomination last summer, he was forced to make a major change in his administration. Paul Manafort, who had been serving as campaign manager, resigned after it was revealed he had financial ties to Russia. In his place, Trump brought in veteran Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway. In the months that followed, Conway would be seen on an almost nightly basis, typically getting involved in heated and controversial exchanges with various cable news hosts. Despite this, Trump was pleased with Conway's work and promoted her to presidential counsel in the administration. In recent months, however, Conway has come under fire for her blunders, including the use of the term "alternative facts" and the "Bowling Green Massacre." As seen during a May 29 Memorial Day tweet, Conway faced even more backlash. Humbling to speak with Gold Star families today and join loved ones of those fallen to bow head in prayer. #MemorialDay https://t.co/vDeoYltY0o Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) May 29, 2017 Taking to Twitter on Monday, Kellyanne Conway gave her thoughts on Memorial Day. "Humbling to speak with Gold Star families today and join loved ones of those fallen to bow head in prayer," Conway tweeted. Twitter on Conway In response to Kellyanne Conway's Memorial Day tweet, social media caught fire in backlash to the presidential counsel. "Neither you nor Trump are humble. Stop stealing authentic character traits from decent people and stop acting like you care about Gold Stars," one tweet read. @KellyannePolls Grossly grossly embarrassing and disrespectful hearing this from conway Disgusting Ted Larkin (@Go_already) May 29, 2017 @KellyannePolls Our brave @POTUS got 5 draft deferments, attacked a gold star family, took a vet's Purple Heart, and sent men to die in Yemen over dinner. Elaine Carmichael (@EconStew) May 29, 2017 @KellyannePolls Neither you nor Trump are humble. Stop stealing authentic character traits from decent people and stop acting like you care abt Gold Stars. Tim Michaels (@TimForgot) May 29, 2017 "Our brave @POTUS got 5 draft deferments, attacked a gold star family, took a vet's Purple Heart, and sent men to die in Yemen over dinner," one Twitter user pointed out. "Grossly grossly embarrassing and disrespectful hearing this from conway Disgusting," an additional tweet added. @KellyannePolls Gold Star families are very special & I will never forget how rude and disgusting @realDonaldTrump @POTUS was to Khizr Khan and wife. Ellen Berlin (@ellenberlin) May 29, 2017 @KellyannePolls No it isn't, if that were true you and @Potus would feel some sense of shame when denigrating one of their ranks. #MemorialDay Univrsle (@univrsle) May 29, 2017 "No it isn't, if that were true you and @Potus would feel some sense of shame when denigrating one of their ranks," a social media user wrote. "Gold Star families are very special & I will never forget how rude and disgusting @realDonaldTrump @POTUS was to Khizr Khan and wife," a Twitter user remarked. Despite Kellyanne Conway doing her best to honor Memorial Day, many Americans don't seem to be ready to let her forget how the Donald Trump administration has treated veterans and members of the military. The Washington Free Beacon is reporting that anti-tax activists in California have gathered more than enough signatures to place a recall vote on the November ballot to remove Democratic State Sen. Josh Newman from office. At issue is an increase in the gas tax and car licensing fees passed by the California state legislature to pay for an infrastructure program that has sparked a Tax Revolt that has the potential to rival the one that roiled the states politics in the late 1970s. Why are the tax rebels after Newman? Newman was elected to the California State Senate unexpectedly in 2016, replacing a term-limited Republican. Since his election provided the Democrats a supermajority that allowed them to pass tax legislation at will without Republican votes. Thus, Newman is considered by many to be the deciding vote that passed the gas tax and car licensing increase. The recall effort, led by a conservative radio talk show host named Carl DeMaio, has targeted Newman as a way to demonstrate to politicians in Sacramento that there are consequences for increasing taxes. The effort has garnered 84,988 signatures, over 20,000 more than is needed to put the recall on the ballot this fall. The Democrats intend to pour in resources to defend Newmans seat should the recall effort be approved. If Newman is removed, what happens next? Should Newman be removed, DeMaio intends to launch a broader effort to place a repeal of the gas tax and car license fee increase on the ballot for 2018. He hopes that the tax revolt will bring out Republican and conservative voters in such numbers that the legislative and congressional elections will be affected. Should that be the case, California politics will be altered for the first time in a generation. Would a tax revolt change California from a blue to a purple state? California has been a problem state for the Republican Party for a generation. The last time a Republican presidential candidate won the states electoral votes was in 1988. Since then, Democrats have dominated statewide offices, the state legislature, and the congressional delegation. The result of Democratic control of California has been a government dedicated to massive spending financed by high taxes. When heavy regulations, much of it motivated by environmental concerns are added, business and the middle and working class have tended to be squeezed. Many have left the state for more business-friendly venues, such as Texas and Florida. As a result, California is gradually sliding toward a fiscal train wreck where it just cannot raise the money it needs to finance the spending it desires. A GOP resurgence could help stem that process, at least slow it down. As part of his routine Twitter posts, Donald Trump made controversial remarks about the hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Following heavy backlash, the White House quickly went into defense mode. Defense of Trump It's no secret that Donald Trump and the mainstream media don't see eye to eye. It all started on the day Trump announced his campaign for president over two years ago when he labeled illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers." At that point, most of the media reacted negatively, which has only grown since that time. However, not all the press was in full opposition to Trump, as the hosts of "Morning Joe" on MSNBC were kind enough to spotlight the former host of "The Apprentice" on more than one occasion. Despite their initial friendship, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have transitioned into two of Trump's biggest critics, blasting the White House on a daily basis over a variety of issues. While Trump has remained quiet as of late in regards to his feelings on the show and its hosts, that all came to an end during an Thursday morning tweetstorm. Trump ripped into both hosts, referring to Scarborough as "psycho" and Brzezinski as "low I.Q," while accusing her of having a facelift. As expected, the reaction has been mostly negative, but that didn't stop deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders from offering a defense of the president during a June 29 interview on Fox News. While joining Fox News on Thursday morning, Sarah Huckabee Sanders was pressed on the aforementioned tweets and quickly defended Donald Trump's actions by claiming he was the victim of liberal bullying. "This is a president who fights fire with fire," Sanders said, explaining that Trump "certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by the liberal media." .@SHSanders45: "This is a president who fights fire with fire and certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by liberal media." pic.twitter.com/CP3DyOf01S Fox News (@FoxNews) June 29, 2017 "I don't think that the president's ever been someone who gets attacked and doesn't push back," Sarah Huckabee Sanders continued. "There have been an outrageous number of personal attacks, not just to him but to frankly everyone around him," she went on to say. Breaking News: Trump assailed Mika Brzezinski in vulgar terms, saying he saw her "bleeding badly from a face-lift" https://t.co/RCa8pKVmXo The New York Times (@nytimes) June 29, 2017 Moving forward In response, Mark Kornblau of NBC News fired back at Donald Trump's remarks, stating, "Never imagined a day when I would think to myself, 'it is beneath my dignity to respond to the President of the United States." As far as the hosts of "Morning Joe," Joe Scarborough has not made his thoughts public as of press time, with Mika Brzezinski only responding with a humorous meme alluding to Trump's small hands. As part of the ongoing rift between the political left and right, comedian Kathy Griffin posted a picture of herself holding a mock decapitated head of Donald Trump. In response, Donald Trump Jr. fired back, which prompted other conservatives to do so in the process. Griffin vs Team Trump When Donald Trump first announced his candidacy for president back in June 2015, it didn't take long before the majority of Hollywood was pushing back. During his campaign announcement, Trump spoke about his plans for immigration reform and labeled those entering the United States illegally from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers." The opposition from most celebrities came quick, as it was clear that the liberal-leaning Hollywood would be at war with the former host of "The Apprentice" and all of those who supported him. As the months went on, Trump became the butt of a joke for many comedians, including late-night talk show hosts like Stephen Colbert and Bill Maher, as well as the cast of Saturday Night Live." Other celebrities used social media to voice their frustrations, with the likes of actor George Takei and filmmaker Rob Reiner sounding off on the billionaire real estate mogul on an almost daily basis. While many have been clear with their criticism of Trump, not many have been as vocal without a filter as comedian Kathy Griffin. As seen on her Twitter account on May 30, Griffin posted an image of herself holding a mock version of Trump's decapitated head covered in blood, which resulted in immediate outrage from conservatives. 1/ I caption this "there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his...wherever" Also @tylershields great Photog/film maker. pic.twitter.com/eKqr44NOl6 Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017 Taking to her Twitter account on Tuesday, Kathy Griffin posted the aforementioned image, while offering a clarification it the process. "1/ I caption this 'there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his...wherever' Also @tylershields great Photog/film maker," Griffin tweeted out. In a follow-up message, the comedian explained, "2/ OBVIOUSLY, I do not condone ANY violence by my fans or others to anyone, ever! I'm merely mocking the Mocker in Chief." 2/ OBVIOUSLY, I do not condone ANY violence by my fans or others to anyone, ever! I'm merely mocking the Mocker in Chief. Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017 Right-wing response While Kathy Griffin used a controversial method in expressing her free speech against Donald Trump, many supporters of the president were not amused. "Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable. Imagine a conservative did this to Obama as POTUS?" Donald Trump Jr. tweeted out. Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable. Imagine a conservative did this to Obama as POTUS? https://t.co/QdghcbIjS7 Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 30, 2017 And photos like this just make me even more proud to be on the Right side of the election. #GreatAmerica pic.twitter.com/XEUFjv8VK8 Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) May 30, 2017 "And photos like this just make me even more proud to be on the Right side of the election," Tomi Lahren wrote on her Twitter account. "I'm old enough to remember when leftists got a rodeo clown fired for wearing an Obama mask," Ben Shapiro tweeted, before adding in a follow-up message, "Leftists, tell me again about Trump's violent language ushering in an era of violence." Leftists, tell me again about Trump's violent language ushering in an era of violence https://t.co/AZwANHL4Ti Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) May 30, 2017 And now everyone's talking about it. Which is why she does stuff like this, even if it's vulgar. https://t.co/bcQ2wJN87h Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) May 30, 2017 Nope. Too much. By a very long distance, way too much. https://t.co/I9977nKEAP Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) May 30, 2017 "And now everyone's talking about it. Which is why she does stuff like this, even if it's vulgar," co-host of "The View" Jedediah Bila pointed out. Even the vocally liberal Keith Olbermann was not pleased with Kathy Griffin, tweeting "Nope. Too much. By a very long distance, way too much." As the backlash continued from those on the right, it was obvious that the rift between the political left and right in the United States was not going to end anytime soon. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have finally decided to move on from their marriage when they submitted their petitions for divorce in April. The formal filing came two years after the celebrity couple announced that they are putting an end to their decade-long marriage in 2015. In a joint statement, the Hollywood A-listers said their decision to separate was determined "after much thought and consideration" but refused to provide the reasons for the split. They, however, promised to continue co-parenting their children and asked the public to respect the privacy of their family. The shocking announcement came a day after Affleck and Garner celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. But according to an affiliate, the two have been living apart for almost a year even before the separation was made public. No chance of reconciliation Two months after filing for divorce, the former lovers and their three kids enjoyed a Family Vacation in the Bahamas last week. Several sources told E! News that the whole family stayed in Baker's Bay with other family friends. Their recent trip has caused the fans to speculate whether they are getting back together or not. Another insider, however, clarified that both parties are in the process of moving on from their failed marriage but will continue to their shared roles as parents to Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. It was further revealed that the whole family stayed at a beachfront house where they used to stay in their previous Bahamas getaways. "It's an annual tradition for them when the kids get out of school to come for a long vacation," the source added. 'We are definitely a modern family' Affleck and Garner have always been vocal about their desire to be the best parents to their three children. Hence, the ex-couple regularly attend weekend services with the kids aside from going on family vacations every year. Regardless of how they are handling the situation, the "Alias" alum is just happy that both of them are doing well. The 45-year-old actress added she and her estranged husband are "great friends" and will remain that way for the children. Affleck, in a previous interview, commended his ex-wife for being an "amazing mother" and even expressed his gratitude for having his "Daredevil" co-star as his partner in raising their kids. He explained that both of them are really trying their best to put their children first over their personal issues. Han Qing (fourth from right), deputy general manager of Shougang Group; Eric Holcomb (fifth from right), governor of Indiana; Elaine Bedel (sixth from left), president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; and other guests lay foundation for BeijingWest Industries Co's first US production facility in Greenfield, Indiana on Wednesday. Hong Xiao / China Daily BeijingWest Industries (BWI) broke ground for its first manufacturing facility in the US in Greenfield, Indiana on Wednesday. BWI will invest more than $80 million to build and equip the 274,369-square-foot manufacturing facility and create about 450 jobs in the years to come. "Your commitment to create over 400 high-wage jobs and invest over $80 million is appreciated," said Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. "This is a sweet day," he said. "We're so pound of the partnership that is going to evolve over time. We have a strong foundation already, but as we watch the dreams realized by BWI, and the folks that are going to work here this is not just a groundbreaking. This is really opening up our opportunity." BWI, a premier chassis supplier that designs and manufactures brake and suspension systems for the global automotive market, has more than 31 customers around the world, including Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Porsche. "BWI will fully take advantage of the location in the crossroads of the US, with wider vision, better products and services, firmer determination and confidence, to develop this plant to be an advanced enterprise which could get the trust from shareholders, meet the customers' expectations and (with the efforts) from employees, create a greater contribution to BWI and Greenfield and the state of Indiana," said Yunan Jiang, chairman of BWI. The BWI Greenfield facility will begin operating in August 2019 and is expected to produce 4 million parts per year by 2021. "BWI will develop the Indiana plant to be a benchmark operation (with) advanced management concepts, excellent product quality, customer service, and outstanding competitiveness and profitability, and create more value to the society stabilization of Indiana and the economic development between China and the US," said Qing Han, deputy general manager of Shougang Corp, which owns 51 percent of BWI. "We look forward to our parternership's growth and what it means for our city, county and the state of Indiana," said Chuck Fewell, mayor of Greenfield. The Midwestern state is home to 14 Chinese-owned business establishments. "We'll continue working on nurturing and growing our relationship with China," the governor said. BWI, a joint venture of Shougang Corp and Beijing Fangshan State-Owned Asset Management, was formed in 2009 when the company bought the brake and suspension business of Delphi Automotive, which was once part of General Motors. With more than 1 million cars assembled in Indiana each year, the state is home to the second-largest automotive industry in the US by GDP, providing BWI close proximity to a major market. leshuodong@chinadailyusa.com Travel companies such as Zhinanmao.com are sprouting up to cater for a new breed of tourist. Gone are traditional holidays to predictable destinations, swept away by a wave of adventure and curiosity. Zhang Yaping is 46 years old and a teacher in Guangzhou. She also has no time for cookie-cutter holiday packages. Instead, she is willing to pay 1,500 yuan ($219) to get a tailor-made, 15-day travel itinerary to Europe from a senior freelance planner at Zhinanmao.com online. "I love the new type of customized travel model," Zhang said. "It just takes a few minutes to tell the travel planner what you want. "I got the full package, including electronic itinerary, booked accommodation and transport as well as urgent assistance during the trip ... it's really convenient," she added. Zhinanmao.com was launched in Shanghai back in 2013 and focuses exclusively on custom-designed trips. The app also allows designers to share their experiences with handy tips on where to go and what to see. "It is a huge market," said Ren Jing, founder and chief executive officer of Zhinanmao.com. "So, it is not surprising that customized traveling is picking up quickly in China. "With trips fueled by an open visa policy and emerging budget airlines, this is an industry that is changing fast, and presenting opportunities and challenges," she added. Since Zhinanmao.com is privately-owned, Ren has yet to release detailed financial figures. But the company did announce that its latest A round of financing raised tens of millions of yuan, taking investor funding to nearly 100 million yuan during the past four years. Behind the app is a 15,000-strong army of freelance destination planners. They work on mapping out schedules and itineraries, and are paid a fee for their efforts. Again, financial figure is sketchy. Still, they provided destination plans for more than 80,000 clients. They were also involved in travel arrangements worth 1 billion yuan last year, the company reported. "Back in 2013, I noticed that travelers seeking independent outbound trips were often troubled by planning the itinerary," Ren said. "Having traveled to more than 200 cities around the world, I realized there was a market out there." Just five years ago, personalized trips and destination planning were considered a privilege of the wealthy. But that has changed dramatically as a new wave of tourists, especially among the older and more influential middle class, crave for something different. "Outbound trips can even cost less than inbound ones," Ren said. "A trip to Guangxi or Yunnan province usually costs more than 5,000 yuan, while traveling to the Southeast Asia can cost only 3,000 yuan." The majority of customers come from first- and second-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Remarkably, the majority are middle-aged clients working in IT and finance industries or Millennials born in the 1990s searching for a travel experience. Even so, there are challenges ahead for this niche market. Dang Jianwei, a teacher at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, felt travel companies such as Zhinanmao.com needed to look at the prices they charge. "It is still a little bit costly to design individual trips," he said. "This is due to the fact that it is easier for people to search for travel information online and everyone's budget varies. "I just wonder whether there will be room for trip designers to develop their business," Dang added. A report released in February by China's online travel giant Ctrip.com revealed that customized trips increased by 400 percent year-on-year during this year's Spring Festival. More than 50 domestic, and overseas countries and regions were included in the report from destinations such as Thailand, Japan, Australia and the United States. With business booming, more players are likely to enter the sector in the next six months as the industry grows rapidly in 2018. "After all, it is painful for travelers to plan overseas trips," Ren said. "But it will take time to develop the market." Chinese tourists take pictures during their visit to the Amman Citadel, an ancient Roman landmark in Amman, Jordan, in 2016. [Photo/Agencies] We have all watched the videos. Now, here comes the business plan. Wesafari, a home-grown tourism short film-sharing platform, has attracted more than three million users since being launched last year. "Short videos are a future trend," said Chen Chao, chief executive officer of Wesafari. Chen could well be right. Already major brands such as Holiland, Vanke and Alitrip are keen to work with his company to develop user bases and increase sales channels. So far, Wesafari has agreed to produce and roll out short videos for Holiland, one of the largest bakery chains in China, and Vanke, the country's biggest property developer. Alitrip is another potential client. The tourism division of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is looking to do a tie-up involving short travel videos of up to five minutes from 150 destinations. Part of Wesafari's appeal is that it enables followers of the site to record their journeys and even insert background music. People can then post and share their videos on the platform, and interact and leave comments on the site. "According to the data from Google, more than half the people who go on trips search for short videos of their destinations before traveling," said Chen, who is in his mid-30s. "And more than 70 percent of them share short videos about their journey. That is why these sorts of videos are becoming a trend." With those numbers, it is hardly surprising Wesafari now has 100,000 daily active users, and up to 500,000 monthly ones. Already the website has completed angel-round funding of nearly 10 million yuan ($1.47 million) from Zhengkun Group, a major Chinese conglomerate, and is now undergoing its Pre-A round investment. Although the exact figures are closely guarded, Wesafari's revenue is mainly from advertising. But being a private company, it does not have to disclose detailed financial data. "We plan to launch peripheral products," Chen said. "In addition, we may charge users for viewing some of the content on the platform, such as travel information and recommended routes." That makes sense for the company as data released from the China Tourism Academy showed that outbound trips from the country last year totaled 122 million. Growth was up 4.3 percent compared to 2015, while total overseas tourism revenue increased by 5.1 percent during the same period to $109.8 billion. "China's outbound tourism has witnessed constant growth in recent years," said Jason Song, founder and chief executive officer of Pkfare, an innovative global travel B2B marketplace targeting air tickets, hotels and destination products. "It is now the top tourist source country for outbound tourism," he added. Versatile flights, convenient visa policies and advanced technology are making travel easier, and this is helping to fuel the growth in companies and websites specializing in the sector. "Wesafari will fill in the blanks of tourism short video platforms," said Vikram Channa, vice-president of production at Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific. "It will set up a global video database, creating an international social network. The product will be popular among travelers around the globe," Channa added. While traditional ways of traveling are changing, the tourism industry is undergoing a transformation. Part of this includes content for short videos. The combination of still pictures and travel tips no longer satisfy customer demand when it comes to global destinations. Wesafari helps its users share daily life at destinations as well as cultural features. It is one of the reasons why Lin Wei is such a big fan of the site. "It is convenient for me to share my videos with others," Lin said. "It works very well." Two women operate on a production line of a solar panel making company in Shangrao, Jiangxi province. [Photo/China Daily] Biggest producer says B&R demand switching on Chinese capacity growth JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd, the world's biggest solar panel producer by shipments, said the Belt and Road Initiative has boosted demand in the infrastructure and energy sector, opening up a new growth frontier for Chinese photovoltaic firms. The company has been taking advantage of the new opportunities and recalibrating its strategies toward overseas markets, said JinkoSolar Vice-President Qian Jing, during the Summer Davos meeting in Dalian on Tuesday. "China's clean energy revolution is having a decisive influence on the economies participating in the Belt and Road, and the development of photovoltaic technology has made clean energy no more a luxury, but an affordable energy," Qian said. Unlike some developed countries which already have mature power generation infrastructure, infrastructure in some economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative are at the early stages of development, which means more opportunities for Chinese solar power manufacturers, Qian said. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and some South American nations involved in the initiative still had a heavy reliance on traditional fuel imports, but photovoltaic power generation was a more affordable energy source, she added. Against the steep tariffs imposed by the United States and the European Union, along with rising Chinese labor costs in coastal cities, local solar panel companies have been moving their manufacturing abroad and speeding up construction of factories in countries participating in the initiative. JinkoSolar is one of the companies that have invested heavily in economies connected to the initiative, with its projects involving 1 gW of capacity, including power a supply agreement with Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission for 188 mW of capacity. It recently signed a 187 mW deal to supply to Quantum Power GK, a Japanese company within the Quantum Group, which followed another deal with a Marubeni Corp-led consortium for the 1.177 gW Sweihan PV power plant project in Abu Dhabi. JinkoSolar reported record PV module shipments of 2.068 gW in the first quarter of 2017, a 19.3 percent year-on-year rise, while generating $839.3 million in Q1 revenue, becoming the first solar panel maker to ship over 2 gW of modules in a quarter. The company forecast its total solar panel shipments for the year would be above 8.5 gW. The company exports 60 percent of its solar products overseas to Europe, the United States, India, Japan and Southeast Asia. German industrial giant Henkel is tapping into China's megatrends through market-driven innovations and developing leading technologies amid rising demand for smart manufacturing and quality products, said Jeremy Hunter, the company's president in China and its Asia-Pacific head of transportation and metal. As China's manufacturing sector requires more environmentally-friendly, cost effective and energy-efficient solutions amid the transformation from "the world's factory" to a true manufacturing power, boosted by the Made in China policy, long-term strategy and clear strategic priorities are important for businesses eyeing long-term quality growth, said Hunter. In the first quarter of 2017, Henkel achieved a strong financial performance, reaching record sales of 5.064 billion euros ($5.647 billion). All regions achieved organic sales growth, with Asia-Pacific sales growing by 9.1 percent. In terms of sales, China is Henkel's third-largest market globally. The German company has been very active in cooperating with local partners in China, including home appliance company Midea and e-commerce giant Alibaba. Following the goal of smart manufacturing and structural reform, China is shifting its focus from productivity expansion to productivity enhancement, and is determined to change its role from low-cost manufacturing to high-end manufacturing power worldwide, and all these trends create opportunities for enterprises with products and services meeting the upgraded manufacturing and consumption in the market, said Hunter. "China's strong focus on high-quality growth presents Henkel with unique opportunities. Henkel is involved in China's high-speed train and aircraft programs, light-weight automotive initiatives, new energy vehicle manufacturing, LED lighting and consumer industries. We also see that China is shifting towards a sustainable economy by encouraging innovation and technology-driven development," he said. For example, in the field of environmental-friendly and energy-efficient solvent-free adhesives, China is now leading the solvent-free adhesive market in the Asia-Pacific region with a market share of around 10 percent in solvent-free adhesives for flexible packaging. Henkel sees emerging markets as possessing great potential and is ready to contribute to their development. Henkel's products are also widely used in the emerging drone market, which is expected to reach $5.8 billion by 2021, according to market research by IndustryARC. "Within the Asia-Pacific region, China is an attractive market for adhesive technologies. The global adhesive market is a 65-billion-euro market and China accounts for roughly 10 billion euros. Market demand from end-user industries remains significantly high compared to demand in Western countries", said Hunter. Henkel's digitalization strategy is in accordance with China's Internet Plus strategy and China's urge to shift from productivity expansion to productivity enhancement. President says nation is committed to working together on trust-building measures China has been pushing discussions on building a new framework for regional security and cooperation, and it is committed to deepening cooperation on trust-building measures, President Xi Jinping said. Xi made the comment as he elaborated on China's role in promoting security in Asia in a congratulatory message sent to an international conference held in Beijing on Wednesday. The gathering is the second conference of the CICA Non-Governmental Forum and it was attended by around 300 delegates including former political leaders, scholars, experts and media professionals. CICA is the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, a multilateral framework on Asian security. The forum, first proposed by Xi, held its first meeting in 2015 and has been a venue for promoting security ideas. Xi noted that since China took the chairmanship of CICA in May 2014, it has fulfilled its duties and has made efforts to advocate and implement an Asian security outlook that is common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable. China is serving a second two-year term as chair. China has also sought to boost the legal basis and institution-building of CICA, expand CICA and its partner network, and mobilize nongovernmental entities to offer advice and suggestions, Xi added. Lee Hae-chan, former Republic of Korea prime minister, told the forum, "As intraregional interdependence increases and the economies of each region develop together, security risks will lessen." The Belt and Road Initiative is "an excellent endeavor to enhance Asia's economic development and interdependence", said Lee, who visited Beijing in May as a special envoy of ROK President Moon Jae-in. Shakhrat Nuryshev, Kazakhstan's ambassador to China, told the forum that mutual trust in security is needed as the countries build the Belt and Road. The initiative, proposed by Xi, is a new "propeller for cooperation" among countries, he said. As CICA celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, Xi said in his message that it has served the common aspirations of Asian countries in seeking a path toward regional security and development. It has provided a helpful way to beef up communication, deepen mutual trust and strengthen cooperation for the past 25 years, Xi said. Andrey Denisov, Russian ambassador to China, said China "has attached great importance" to the institution-building of CICA, and its efforts include promoting semiofficial or nongovernmental dialogue. Yang Jiemian, former head of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, said that although the region "does not have a consensus on how to build a regional security architecture", forums like the Wednesday gathering will help. "Forums do not possess enforcement power. However, their discussions of the present problems and their vision of the future trends will definitely enlighten the relevant parties on their way to building a security architecture," Yang said. zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The coproduction, Where Has Time Gone?, comprises five stories by directors from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Photos provided to China Daily Chengdu stages the 2nd BRICS Film Festival, bringing together filmmakers and officials from the five countries in the grouping. Xu Fan reports. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, widely known as a paradise for pandas and foodies, is now a city for cinema lovers after staging the 2nd BRICS Film Festival. The event, which brought together talent from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, concluded on Tuesday. Among the highlights of the festival was the announcement that the five nations will jointly produce fives moviesone for each year-from 2017 to 2022; and the plan for the Beijing Film Academy, the country's largest movie university, which will provide 40 full scholarships to students from BRICS countries. The first coproduction is Where Has Time Gone?, comprising five stories in 110 minutes. The film comprising stories directed by China's Jia Zhangke, Russian Alexey Fedorchenko, Indian Madhur Bhandarkar, South African Jahmil X.T. Qubeka and Brazilian Walter Moreira Salles, Jr., won the artistic contribution prize of the Panda Award, the festival's highest honor. Selected sushi [Photo provided to China Daily] Beijing says goodbye this weekend to one of its most-lauded restaurants, Okra, as award-winning chef Max Levy and his team shut the original restaurant to focus on the Hong Kong branch that opened last year. Okra's cuts of carefully selected sushi, Josper oven-roasted chicken thighs and house-cured monkfish liver "foie gras" will be much missed. Friday's finale dinner is a set menu for 398 yuan; Saturday night is a farewell cocktail party. If you go 2/F, Courtyard 4 Nan Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district; 010-6953-5087. Terry Branstad, the new United States ambassador to China accompanied by members of his family, speaks to journalists at his official residence in Beijing on Wednesday. Zou Hong / China Daily Terry Branstad, the new United States ambassador to China, said on Wednesday that he looks forward to forging stronger ties between the two countries, as well as helping to arrange US President Donald Trump's visit to China later this year. "We have had a great relationship with the Chinese people," he said in a meeting with reporters at his official residence in Beijing. He said he looks forward to being an important emissary between President Xi Jinping and the Trump administration. Branstad, whose appointment was confirmed in May, said: "I know President Trump intends to come over to China sometime later this year. And I want to play an important role in helping make those arrangements. "We want to work on all those things that we can do together for the benefit of protecting and improving the well-being of the people in both of our countries, as well as the rest of the world." With his family by his side at the podium, the ambassador said he was "excited" about China lifting its import ban on US beef after 13 years. China approved selected imports of US beef earlier this month, marking a key stage in one of the "early harvests" of a 100-day plan agreed upon by the two countries. The ambassador said US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is coming to China for discussions on issues including working out the details for the sale of US beef. China and the US - "the two greatest economic powers" - need to work together to deal with issues such as expanding trade and denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, Branstad said. The 71-year-old served more than 22 years as governor of Iowa. In 1985, he hosted Xi, a county leader in China at the time, on Xi's first trip to the US. Branstad has visited China six times. "During the time that I'm the ambassador, it's my goal to go to every province in China and meet people from all over this great country," he said. wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn US President Donald Trump is looking forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Germany to continue to build a constructive and results-oriented bilateral relationship, a senior White House official said on Wednesday. The official made the remarks in a background briefing about the visit to the US by South Korea President Moon Jae-in, which started late Wednesday. The official, whose name was not to be used for background briefing purpose, said that he doesn't have anything to announce in terms of the substance of the conversation. "But I know that President Trump is looking to continuing his conversation, his running conversation that he has been having with Xi Jinping since Mar-a-Lago, and phone calls, and, of course, correspondence since then," he said. "So he is looking forward to continuing what has been so far constructive and results-oriented relationship between China and the United States," he added. On June 22, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi told Trump during their meeting at the White House that Xi looks forward to meeting him again during the G20 Summit and welcomes Trump to make a state visit to China this year. Yang was in the US last week for the inaugural China-US Diplomatic and Security Dialogue (D&SD) held in Washington. This year's G20 Summit, the 12th such meeting, will be held on July 7-8 in Hamburg. During their first meeting at Trump's estate in Florida in early April, the 45th US president accepted Xi's invitation for a state visit to China this year. At the conclusion of the D&SD last week, China and the US recognized that maintaining close high-level exchanges is very important and are willing to make joint efforts to achieve positive outcomes for the Hamburg meeting between the two presidents and President Trump's state visit to China in 2017, according a press release from the Chinese delegation attending the talk last week. Both Trump and Xi have spoken positively of the achievement at their Mar-a-Lago meeting. At the meeting, the two governments announced a new comprehensive dialogue mechanism, which includes the just-held D&SD, and the upcoming Comprehensive Economic Dialogue, Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Dialogue, and Social and Cultural Issues Dialogue. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed on June 23 that Trump's daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, will also be visiting China later this year. US news reports cited White House official as saying that the couple's visit will take place ahead of Trump's state visit. Ivanka Trump is an assistant toTrump, while Kushner is senior adviser to Trump. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com A member of the ground crew directs an Ethiopian Airlines plane at the Bole International Airport in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, August 21, 2015. [Photo/VCG] ADDIS ABABA - Expansion work on Ethiopia's largest airport the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is expected to be finished just in time for the 30th Ordinary Summit of the African Union in January 2018. The statement was sent to Xinhua on Wednesday by Hailu Lemu, Chief Engineer of Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE), the state-owned entity tasked with administering Ethiopia's airports. Fully funded by China's Exim Bank, the 345-million-US-dollar airport expansion project will increase its annual passenger handling capacity from the current 7 million to 22 million. The project lying on 74,000 square meters is being constructed by China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC). CCCC is also building an industrial park dedicated to producing construction materials 140 kms east of Addis Ababa and another one dedicated to textile and apparel sectors in Mekelle city, capital of Tigray regional state. It is also constructing the 220-km Woldiya-Mekelle electrified rail project. "Ethiopia aims to become a tourist destination and a favored destination for conferences but the current airport's capacity is overstretched, hosting sometimes 9 million passengers annually," said Lemu. "Once the airport expansion project completed, I expect Addis Ababa Bole international Airport to be one of the busiest if not the busiest international airport in Africa," he stated. Japan is one of the most unique and fascinating countries in the world. Located on a collection of volcanic, mountainous islands, you are never very far from the coast or from an outstandingly beautiful natural location. The list of must-see sights is almost endless but top of the list is definitely iconic Mount Fuji and its surrounding five lakes you can reach this remarkable destination on a day-trip from Tokyo on the famous bullet train. After a busy day of sightseeing you can relax in one of the many soothing hot spring spas. We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times. 1. Tokyo Courtesy of orpheus26 - Fotolia.com Japans bustling capital city is one of the worlds most unique places to visit, offering a range of activities and attractions that are second to none. If you are a first time visitor, it can all be rather daunting trying to decide what to see and what to leave out. There is an amazing variety of tours available to suit all interests, from city highlights to hopping on the famous bullet train for a day-trip to Mount Fuji. Within the city you will find a mix of ultramodern and ancient architecture virtually side by side, and there are museums to please everyone from classical art at the Tokyo National Museum to a replica of a kabuki theater in the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Highlights of your visit could include watching a sumo wrestling tournament or visiting the impressive Imperial Palace. 2. Kyoto Courtesy of leeyiutung - Fotolia.com Located on Honshu Island, Kyoto was once the capital of Japan and is still an exciting city to visit to experience many aspects of Japanese history and culture. Kyoto is known for its many Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and imperial palaces, many of which you can see on a one-day tour of the city. If you prefer to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, Kyoto is the perfect city, offering a wide range of experiences for visitors, including tea ceremonies, Zen meditation classes, learning Japanese calligraphy and origami, or learning how to wear a kimono or yukata. You can visit some good museums, attend the theater, or enjoy fine dining. Outdoor activities include cycle tours, garden visits, and much more. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top 3. Beppu Courtesy of naoko - Fotolia.com Set against the backdrop of a string of volcanoes in the central part of Oita, Beppu holds the distinction of having the greatest concentration of gushers, or thermal hot springs, anywhere in Japan. The popular Hell Tour will show you some of the eight amazing hot springs, each of which has a different mineral composition, leading to a variety of colors. At Umi Jigoku you can see a superb pool of boiling cobalt blue water, while Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Hell) features a cauldron of bright red water. These hot springs are definitely not for bathing, but you can relax at one of several spa resorts that are fed by the Beppu springs. Other activities in Beppu include visiting the traditional bamboo craft centers and an historic samurai residence. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top 4. Fukuoka Courtesy of pong111 - Fotolia.com Located on the northern shore of Japans Kyushu island, the modern city of Fukuoka is a great place to start your exploration of Japan. The city boasts excellent transport facilities and there are many urban green spaces to escape to when the hustle and bustle of city life becomes too hectic. There are many tourist attractions to add to your list, starting with Fukuoka Tower and Observation Platform (for an overview of the city), Fukuoka Castle and Kushida Shrine for the history lovers, and Canal City Hakata for the shoppers. Foodies will love the amazing food culture in the city, which is rumored to have the best yatai (food stalls) and fish market in Japan several guided food tours are available. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan this Weekend with Friends" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan this Weekend with Friends" Back to Top 5. Hakone Courtesy of jdavenport85 - Fotolia.com Nestled in the heart of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the mountainous town of Hakone is famous for its hot spring resorts and brilliant views of Mount Fuji. Besides enjoying the restorative properties of the hot water springs, you can visit several interesting attractions in the area, including the Hakusan Shinto Shrine, the Hakone Botanical Gardens and Wetlands, the Hakone Aquarium, and the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum plan to stay overnight to get the most out of your visit. Within the national park you can go walking and hiking along several trails, take a boat trip on Lake Ashi, and take the cable car to the summit of Mount Komagatake for remarkable views of Mount Fuji. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan this Weekend" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan this Weekend" Back to Top 6. Hakuba Courtesy of skpw - Fotolia.com Located in the northern Japanese Alps, Hakuba is a paradise for all winter sport fanatics who come to enjoy nine ski resorts, 135 ski lifts, and over 200 ski runs. You can ski and snow-board to your hearts content as well as trying snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, heli-skiing, and snowshoeing. After a busy day in the snow you can soak your aching muscles in mineral-rich natural hot spring waters. When you need a break from the slopes you can sample traditional Japanese culture by learning origami and soba-noodle making or donning a kimono and attending a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Dont miss the chance to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park to see the amazing snow monkeys relaxing in the natural hot springs. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top 7. Hida Takayama Courtesy of Basico - Fotolia.com History and culture enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the city of Takayama, located in the Hida region of Japans mountainous Gifu Prefecture. The city has a well-preserved historic district called Sanmachi, where you can stroll along a long road of wooden merchants houses and sake breweries that date back to the Edo Period (16031868). In addition, you can see historic farmhouses in the Gokayama Historic Village and unusual gassho-style buildings in Shirakawa Village. There are several good museums, including the Kusakabi Folk Museum and the Hida Archaeology Museum. For a break from art and history you can go hiking along scenic mountain trails, visit waterfalls, temples, gardens, and hot springs. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top 8. Hiroshima Courtesy of Fotolia.com Although most visitors to the city of Hiroshima go there to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site A-bomb Dome and its surrounding Peace Memorial Park, the city and its surrounding countryside have a great deal more to offer. A tour of Peace Memorial Park and the site where the atomic bomb was dropped is essential viewing for everyone to gain an understanding of the horrendous implications of war and the need for world peace. Once you have visited this poignant site, you can move on to see the citys second World Heritage Site at the very beautiful Itsukushima Shrine, which guards the mythical home of the gods. You can also escape the city to go hiking, cycling, or walking along beautiful trails or visit one of the hot springs for a spa treatment. 9. Ishigaki Courtesy of samspicerphoto - Fotolia.com Beach lovers are somewhat spoilt for choice in the beautiful Yaeyama Islands, which surrounds Ishigaki Island in Japans Okinawa Prefecture. Both Ishigaki and its neighboring islands are surrounded by beautiful stretches of beach, some of which are net-protected for safe swimming, and many offer easily accessible coral reefs for snorkeling. Favorite activities in Ishigaki include island-hopping, glass-bottomed boat excursions in Kabira Bay, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, cycling, and sightseeing. If you have a car or bicycle, you can easily tour the island in a few hours to see lighthouses and bays and find your favorite piece of heaven. There are plenty of restaurants and the island boasts a lively nightlife. -- "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan for Locals & Tourists - Restaurants, Hotels" -- "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan for Locals & Tourists - Restaurants, Hotels" Back to Top 10. Kamakura Courtesy of SANCHAI - Fotolia.com Kamakura dates back to before the 12th century and is one of the ancient cities of the samurai warriors, located on the coast just south of Tokyo. Visitors will find a very interesting city with a good balance of historic, cultural, and outdoor activities. There are dozens of Shinto shrines and Buddhist Zen temples, including the Kotoku-in Temple, where you can see the 13m-high Great Buddha, cast in bronze, which has survived various earthquakes and tsunamis. Art lovers can visit the Museum of Modern Art, while those who prefer history can tour Kamakura Museum. You can discover all the gems of the city by going on a few self-guided walking tours, details of which can be found by following the link below. 11. Kanazawa Courtesy of rainer_81 - Fotolia.com The capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on Honshu Island, the city of Kanazawa was once a prominent castle town and is known for beautiful gardens, good museums, historical buildings, and a good helping of traditional Japanese culture. The best way to learn all about Kanazawa is to set off on one of several walking tours that will introduce you to the history and culture of the town. The Samurai Walk includes visits to the Myoryuji Temple, a typical samurai house, and the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, while the Traditional Kanazawa Walk includes a traditional tea ceremony and wearing a kimono. Other walks you could try are the Art and Architecture Walk, the Zen Walk, and the Foodie Walk. -- "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top or Romantic Getaways 13. Matsumoto Courtesy of torsakarin - Fotolia.com The castle city of Matsumoto is located on the main island of Honshu, nestling between the Utsukushigahara Heights and the Japanese Alps. There is plenty to see in this pretty town, including the beautiful 400-year-old Matsumoto Castle, which offers wonderful views of the Japanese Alps from its three turrets, and an interesting adjoining museum. The Utsukushigahara Plateau and Central Mountains National Park offer a variety of hiking and trekking trails, while climbing and mountaineering are available in scenic Kamikoche. In winter the area transforms into a beautiful winter sport center and there are several hot springs where you can relax and unwind. 14. Miyajima Courtesy of J Westermann-Blawert - Fotolia.com Long considered to be one of the most scenic places in Japan, Miyajima Island is located on the Seto inland sea and is often referred to as the Island of the Gods due to its great beauty. One of the must-see attractions on Miyajima Island is the great torii, a spiritual gateway between the human and spirit worlds. The torii is actually built about 200m offshore, but at high tide it appears to float above the water. You can take a boat trip beneath the gateway or even go kayaking around it at high tide. You can ascend lovely Mount Misen by cable-car for amazing views of the island and the sea. History lovers will enjoy taking a stroll along Machiya-Dori, an old street lined with traditional Machiya-styled buildings that now house galleries, restaurants, and shops. 15. Nagasaki Courtesy of kuri2000 - Fotolia.com Nagasaki lies nestled between the mountains and the sea at the southern tip of Japan, where it offers tourists a wide range of attractions and activities for all tastes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy soaking up the sun on the beach, hiking in the mountains, or exploring by bicycle. No visit to Nagasaki would be complete without seeing the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, and at Dijima you can trace the history and the culture of the city as you tour two fascinating exhibits. To see how western culture has impacted on the city, you can visit Glover Garden, where some of the first western residences on the island can be toured. For majestic views you can take the Nagasaki Ropeway (cable-car) to the top of Mount Inasa. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top or Amazing things to do around me 16. Nagoya Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com Centrally located on the main island of Honshu, the city of Nagoya masterfully combines old and new. The city dates back to around 1614, when Nagoya Castle was built, and today you can take a walk along the Cultural Path (the area between Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa) to see several well-preserved historic buildings, before heading off to see some modern innovation, industry, arts, and crafts. You can also take some time out to visit lovely Higashiyama Park, which is home to a huge zoo and botanical garden. There are several shrines and temples to visit and foodies will enjoy the vibrant food culture you can learn how to make sushi or join a guided food and wine tour. 17. Nara Courtesy of orpheus26 - Fotolia.com Nara is both a city and a prefecture located in south-central Honshu and was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784, a period of flourishing arts, architecture, and cultural exchange with neighboring countries. Consequently, the area has a lions share of interesting historical, architectural, and cultural treasures for visitors to discover. The Nara area has no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites for you to tour, including several extremely old temples and shrines, the Heijokyu Imperial Palace, and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. Nature lovers can walk in the footsteps of ancient religious pilgrims as they hike along the Komano Kodo Kohechi Pilgrimage Route or enjoy getting back to nature at Mount Tamaki or in the Mitarai Valley. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top 18. Nikko Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com The small city of Nikko is located in a mountainous area north of Tokyo that was once the home of the Tokugawa Shoguns, whose wealth and power is reflected in the extremely elaborate temples and shrines in the area, many of which are World Heritage Sites. At the top of your viewing list, the Toshogu Shrine was constructed using various architectural styles and rich decoration and contains many extremely valuable sculptures. Other must-see attractions include the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, and the amazing day-lilies along the hiking trails on the Kirifuri-kogen Highlands. Foodies will have fun sampling several very local specialties such as soba noodles, yokan, and nikko-yuba. 19. Osaka Courtesy of soraneko - Fotolia.com Located just about in the center of Japan on the main island of Honshu, Osaka is remarkably well-equipped to welcome visitors, making it an ideal gateway to the many splendors of Japan. The city has no less than five tourist information centers manned by a team of multi-lingual staff who are geared-up to help you make the most of your visit. You can get a good overview of the main tourist attractions using the hop-on hop-off tourist bus or by joining one of several water tours available. You can download the free Osaka Tourist app, and the website offers no less than 20 suggested walking tours to suit all interests from history and architecture, arts and the theatre, ancient and modern culture, shopping tours, family tours, and foodie tours. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top 20. Sopporo Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com Sopporo is a large city situated at the northernmost tip of Japan and is home to approximately one fifth of the countrys total population. One of the best ways to navigate such a large city without missing many of the highlights is to join a one-day bus tour several itineraries are available so you can choose one that best suits your interests. Outdoor enthusiasts can escape the busy city and spend some time walking and hiking in several city parks or go a little further afield to beautiful Lake Shikotsu, where you can visit a bird sanctuary or relax in a hot spring pool. The city has much to offer art lovers, who can visit several galleries and sculpture gardens, and is famous for its cuisine using fresh regional ingredients. 21. Shikoku Courtesy of mrnovel80 - Fotolia.com These days it is easy for visitors to reach Shikoku (one of Japans four main islands) by road or railway, since three massive bridges have been constructed to link the island to Honshu. Shikoku is an interesting island to visit and offers a good mix of historic, cultural, and outdoor attractions. Many visitors come to make a spiritual pilgrimage along the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route, which includes 88 Buddhist temples and several other sacred sites; walking the entire route would take about a month but you can sample a few of these peaceful places in a day or two using a car or bus. You can try canoeing or rafting on the Shimanto River, and hiking Mount Ishizuchi is very popular. In addition, you can visit the botanical gardens, go whale watching, and sample local food specialties. 22. Shirakawa-Go Courtesy of ookawaphoto - Fotolia.com Shirakawa-Go is a historic mountain village located in Gifu Prefecture, roughly in the center of Japan. What makes this remote village really special is that you can not only enjoy remarkable natural beauty, but also learn about the unique gassho-style of building, which has endured for centuries. The local tourist office will supply you with walking maps and recommendations for visiting the Ogi-machi UNESCO World Heritage Center, where you can see several of the famous gassho-style buildings dating back to the 1800s. Just 15 minutes away you can visit the Hirase hot spring area, where you can sample the Oshirakawa springs, which are rumored to restore youthful vitality to the skin. In addition, you can visit various interesting museums, temples, and beautiful outdoor areas for walking and hiking. -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" -- You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan" Back to Top 23. Tateyama Courtesy of ake1150 - Fotolia.com Located just 80 minutes south of Tokyo, Tateyama has a mild climate and attracts visitors all year around to see some of Japans best flowers and beaches. In winter a simple drive through the region will reward you with the sight of fields of blooming poppies and rape, but the best season is spring, when the landscape is alive with cherry blossom, azaleas, camellias, and many more. The beaches are wonderful for soaking up the sun and you can enjoy a variety of watersports, including swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and diving around the beautiful offshore coral reefs. History and culture seekers will find more than enough lovely old temples and shrines to keep them busy. 24. Yamanashi Prefecture Courtesy of eyetronic - Fotolia.com Located near the center of Honshu Island, Yamanashi Prefecture encompasses large areas of unspoiled nature, including three national parks and abundant farmlands. People come to Yamanashi primarily to escape the city and outdoor activities are very popular. You can go hiking, walking, and cycling through several extremely scenic areas and then relax your aching muscles with a good soak in one of the many onsen (natural hot springs). For unrivalled views of iconic Mount Fuji, you can ride the Mount Kachikachi Ropeway (cable car) and take a boat trip on one of the Five Lakes. The entire region is known for its crafts and you will be able to see silk, crystal, and paper crafting as well as sampling fine regional wines and the local specialty of hoto thick noodles and vegetables in a satisfying miso broth. 25. Yokohama Courtesy of ziggy - Fotolia.com Youll find the modern port city of Yokohama on the Pacific coast of central Japan, where it is the official gateway to the country. Yokohama prides itself on being a center of culture and art where theatre lovers can enjoy exploring the Yokohama Noh Theater (to see traditional Japanese masked musical drama), or see Japanese comedy at Yokohama Nigiwai-za. History lovers can visit Sankeien Garden, where they can see a collection of historic buildings set in a very beautiful classic Japanese garden. To get a great overview of the city, you can head to the Sky Garden observation platform at the Yokohama Landmark Tower and then explore all the tourist attractions in the Minato Mirai area. Foodies can seize the chance to taste dozens of different noodles at the Cup Noodle Museum, while children will love the Yokohama Anpanman Childrens Museum. 25 Best Places to Visit in Japan Tokyo, Photo: Courtesy of orpheus26 - Fotolia.com Kyoto, Photo: Courtesy of leeyiutung - Fotolia.com Beppu, Photo: Courtesy of naoko - Fotolia.com Fukuoka, Photo: Courtesy of pong111 - Fotolia.com Hakone, Photo: Courtesy of jdavenport85 - Fotolia.com Hakuba, Photo: Courtesy of skpw - Fotolia.com Hida Takayama, Photo: Courtesy of Basico - Fotolia.com Hiroshima, Photo: Courtesy of Fotolia.com Ishigaki, Photo: Courtesy of samspicerphoto - Fotolia.com Kamakura, Photo: Courtesy of SANCHAI - Fotolia.com Kanazawa, Photo: Courtesy of rainer_81 - Fotolia.com Kobe, Photo: Courtesy of Peera - Fotolia.com Matsumoto, Photo: Courtesy of torsakarin - Fotolia.com Miyajima, Photo: Courtesy of J Westermann-Blawert - Fotolia.com Nagasaki, Photo: Courtesy of kuri2000 - Fotolia.com Nagoya, Photo: Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com Nara, Photo: Courtesy of orpheus26 - Fotolia.com Nikko, Photo: Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com Osaka, Photo: Courtesy of soraneko - Fotolia.com Sopporo, Photo: Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com Shikoku, Photo: Courtesy of mrnovel80 - Fotolia.com Shirakawa-Go, Photo: Courtesy of ookawaphoto - Fotolia.com Tateyama, Photo: Courtesy of ake1150 - Fotolia.com Yamanashi Prefecture, Photo: Courtesy of eyetronic - Fotolia.com Yokohama, Photo: Courtesy of ziggy - Fotolia.com Cover Photo: Courtesy of eyetronic - Fotolia.com You are reading "25 Best Places to Visit in Japan " Back to Top Cristian Lourenco/stock.adobe.com Too much noise can ruin the relaxing atmosphere of a beach, so it can be a smart idea to seek out the lesser-known locations, with South American countries like Venezuela being key examples. Located on the on the northern coast of the continent, Venezuela has borders with Colombia, Guyana, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as having a long stretch of coastline looking out onto both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The Venezuelan territory also includes many little islands and islets out in the Caribbean Sea, meaning that this nation has a huge number of terrific beaches just waiting to be explored. Best Beaches in Venezuela Venezuela has such a long list of gorgeous beaches, it would be simply impossible to list them all and youd need a whole lifetime to appreciate each one. Therefore, in order to help narrow down your search and find the right beach for you, weve put together this Venezuela beach guide. Below, youll find key details and overviews of some of the best beaches in Venezuela, with useful information on the amenities and activities that can be enjoyed at each location. -- You are reading "5 Best Venezuela Beaches" Back to Top Courtesy of patma 145 - Fotolia.com Situated less than half an hour from downtown San Diego, La Jolla offers visitors miles of beautiful beaches, some of the best surfing and diving in California, and many more attractions. The beach at La Jolla Cove is part of the La Jolla Ecological Preserve and is home to reefs, kelp beds, and caves, where you can snorkel or dive all year round, while La Jolla Shores is an ideal beach for families and novice surfers. You can take the kids to see the seals at La Jolla Childrens Pool or take a break from the beaches and head to Torrey Pines State National Preserve to go hiking along some of the best trails in the state. Art lovers can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego or visit the many public art installations dotted around the Village. Things to Do in La Jolla -- You are reading "25 Best Day Trips From San Diego" Back to Top Renewing Judaism happens everywhere. That's one of the things that was affirmed for David and me during the Listening Tour: the renewing of Judaism is, and always has been, bigger than any organization. And that's exactly how it should be. The renewing of Judaism is organic, and multifaceted, and its all over the place. Those of us who are ordained in the lineage of Reb Zalman zl are obvious and visible stewards of that renewing. But the renewing of Judaism is so much bigger even than the growing community of clergy who self-identify as part of that lineage. Renewing Judaism means spiritual technologies that enliven Judaism. Matching aliyot of Torah with a theme that arises from the text, and offering a blessing rooted in those words and that theme. Making use of chant as a spiritual technology, maybe cherishing melodies from Rabbi Shefa Gold or from Nava Tehila. Offering a meditation minyan or integrating Jewish contemplative practice into our spiritual lives. Practicing hashpaah (spiritual direction). These are some of the spiritual technologies that have arisen over the last few decades -- and I can't wait to see what the next ones will be. Renewing Judaism means liturgical creativity. Davening bilingually. Chanting in English. Interweaving classical liturgy with contemporary poetry. Setting ancient texts to new melodies that open them up in new ways (e.g. Mi Chamocha to The Water is Wide), and setting new texts to ancient melodies (e.g. contemporary poems in haftarah trope). Exploring the spiritual ramifications of using different names for God (not only Lord and King and Father but also Shekhinah, Source, Wellspring, Mother, Beloved). Passionate use of both words and silence. Praying with our bodies. Explorations and experimentations with liturgy and with prayer that seek to open the heart and enliven the soul. These are (some) expressions of how renewing our prayer lives can renew our Judaism in all four worlds of body, heart, mind, and spirit. Renewing Judaism flows inside the denominations of Judaism. The renewing of Judaism flows in the Reform movement: my own shul is part of the Reform movement, and is a place where the renewing of Judaism flourishes.The renewing of Judaism flows in the Conservative movement: when we met with Rabbi Brad Artson at Ziegler as part of our southern California Listening Tour stop, we learned that he studies Zohar daily with the aid of his own handmade poster of the sefirot! The renewing of Judaism flows in the Reconstructionist movement: RRC hosted us in Philadelphia on the Listening Tour for a deep and rich conversation about precisely that. The renewing of Judaism flows in Orthodoxy: the existence of Yeshivat Maharat, ordaining Orthodox women, is a sign of renewed Judaism in the Orthodox world. (Indeed, Yeshivat Maharat hosted us as part of the very first weekend of the Listening Tour, back in May of 2015.) Renewing Judaism flows outside the denominations, too. There are many independent communities and organizations where the renewing of Judaism is unfolding (Rabbi Davids shul on City Island is one of them. So are Romemu in New York City, Kehilla in the Bay Area, and Or Shalom in Vancouver, all of which we visited on the Listening Tour). During the Listening Tour we met with folks from all three of the other trans-denominational seminaries -- Hebrew College, the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York, and the Academy for Jewish Religion in California -- because the fact of pluralistic rabbinical education is part of the renewing of Judaism. Pop-up shtiebls, home-based havurot, innovative projects like Lab/Shul (NY) and The Kitchen (SF), The Jewish Studio (DC) and Judaism Your Way (Denver), all are part of the renewing of Judaism. Renewing Judaism is a movement, in the sense of something in motion. It's the flow of inspiration, creativity, innovation, and change as those manifest in modern Jewish life -- ideally rooted in and balanced with deep love of the tradition as weve inherited it. It's both grounded and creative, and constantly re-articulating the right balance between those two qualities, between roots and wings. The renewing of Judaism affirms that Judaism isnt (and has never been) static or unchanging: change is core to Judaism and core to authentic spiritual life. (After all, as our liturgy teaches, God every day renews creation.) Our task is figuring out how to balance change with constancy. Sometimes that means our Judaism takes new forms. Sometimes it means that we reinterpret or re-enliven old forms. But tradition teaches that every day God's voice continues to sound from Sinai. If we open ourselves to it, we -- and our Judaism -- are constantly being renewed. Renewing Judaism is bigger, and richer, and deeper, than any single organization could contain. On our travels around North America, and our videoconference conversations with people around the world, we sought to hear not only from those who self-identify as part of Jewish Renewal as it has existed until now, but also from people outside of that frequently insular bubble. We sought to hear the voices of people who were once connected with ALEPH and for one reason or another walked away. We sought to hear the voices of people who are engaging in the renewing of Judaism by other names: those who are renewing Judaism in ways aligned with ours in spirit and heart, no matter what name they use for what they do. We learned some extraordinary things about what the renewing of Judaism means to you, and about what you yearn it could yet become. Stay tuned: I'll share more about that in the next post in this series. Today is Reb Zalman z"l's third yahrzeit. I offer these initial reflections on the depth and breadth of the Judaism he helped to inspire in his memory. May his memory continue to be a blessing. I know, I know. This must come as a surprise for you considering how I praised Chimamanda and expressed our new love. Well, everything I said about Chimamanda remains true. Shes still my BFF, and we are still getting married. However, there are some things I observed at the event that surprised me. Let me preface this by saying that I may not be completely objective since (1) I am a book lover, and by default, I love book-related activities, and (2) I obviously love Chimamanda too. All that being said, my disappointment was that in this event space that held about 300 people, less than 50 were Black. And even less were African and Nigerian. The event took place in Ellicott City, an area I am unfamiliar with, but if I had to guess, Id say its predominantly white. Still, we are Nigerians. We are travelers. And we are movers. Thats why we are everywhere. Therefore, if Chimamanda was having an event in Third Hell and we wanted to be there, we would gladly burn beside her, so I dont think our lack of presence had anything to do with the location. Before the event, I was sure Id go there and run into my people. I thought the place would be buzzing with my people not because I thought Chimamanda did not have non-Nigerian/African fans, but because I thought that my people Chimamandas people would be first in line to celebrate with their person. But when I saw that the crowd consisted of mostly older white people, I began to wonder about us. Here we were at a free event with one of the best writers- if not the best writer to come from our country and continent in recent times and we were nowhere to be found. I dont expect everyone to be a Chimamanda fan just because we share a country/continent/skin color, but I suppose Im having a hard time understanding why we are not there to listen to a woman of substance. I dont ever hear a buzz about Chimamandas books unless she says something that pisses the Nigerian community off. But when Toke Makinwa wrote a booklet about her shameless desperation for a man, people took screenshots and shared them, and some people called her their hero. I suppose I dont understand why we celebrate mediocrity and shy away from intellectual people and conversation? And to be clear, this does not apply to all Nigerians/Africans. On one hand, I was glad to see how much Chimamanda transcends race and culture, but on the other hand, I want to tag her and keep her for us only, make her exclusive to African blood. It makes me remember how the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Steve Harvey, and Kevin Hart have been accused of selling out and becoming too mainstream, but will black people support them enough for them to be where they are today? In other words, if they pandered to black people and if they only had black supporters, would they be where they are today? And if our sister, Chimamanda only had Nigerian or African readers/supporters, would she be where she is today? Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. HA NOI Vietnamese dragon fruit is being exported to 40 countries and territories, such as China, Thailand and Indonesia, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). The fruit is also entering new markets, including India, New Zealand, Australia and Chile, the ministry added. MARD is coordinating with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to complete procedures to ship dragon fruit to Australia in 2017. In January this year, the Australian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources released its final review of bio-security requirements for Viet Nams fresh dragon fruit. In mid-June, a letter was sent to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, detailing the process of opening the market for Vietnamese fresh dragon fruit. The embassy also recommended supporting Viet Nam in asking permission from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand to use irradiation treatment on dragon fruit shipped to Australia. Dragon fruit is a Vietnamese agricultural staple with export earnings of US$895.7 million in 2016, making up 50.3 per cent of the countrys fresh fruit exports and 36.1 per cent of overall vegetable exports. VNS HA NOI The Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) plans a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to VN13.3 trillion (US$583.6 million) this year. The corporation released this information at its annual general meeting of shareholders held on Wednesday. The company also targets pre-tax profits of VN3.66 trillion, an increase of seven per cent over 2016, and expects to pay a dividend of nine per cent. The corporation expects to welcome 27 million international passengers in 2017, a surge of 14 per cent year-on-year while the number of domestic passengers is projected to reach 64 million, up 12 per cent year-on-year. The revenue target does not include income from the operation of airfields. The financial plan released at the meeting does not take into account the effect of exchange rate differences caused by ACVs long-term and short-term borrowings, of which a large amount is in Japanese yen lent by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Lai Xuan Thanh, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV), was elected as a member of AVCs board of directors, replacing Nguyen Nguyen Hung, former Chairman of the Board of Directors, on his retirement. The meeting heard that total financial costs borne by ACV was around VN10 trillion, mainly for upgrading infrastructure, including VN6 trillion on typical projects that will begin implementation this year. The Prime Minister has assigned AVC to carry out a feasibility study for phase one of the Long Thanh International Airport project. The corporation has prepared a project outline and estimated costs of the feasibility study. It will soon lauch the bidding process for selecting a consultant for the feasibility study. The company has carried out evaluations of the architectural designs for the airport and collected feedback from experts and public in accordance with the law, the meeting heard. ACV is waiting for the Governments direction on selecting the architectural design to complete the project feasibility study. Deputy Minister of Transportation Le inh Tho said at the meeting that land clearance for the Long Thanh airport project will be completed by the end of this year. The project is expected to star in 2019 and be completed in 2025. According to ACVs Board of Directors, 2016 was the first year that the corporation operated as a joint stock company. They said that with the efforts of leaders and all employees, ACV has completed its plans and even exceeded targets set out for 2016. From April 1 to December 31, 2016, revenues earned by the parent company reached VN10.1 trillion, exceeding the planned target by 13.53 per cent. Pre-tax profits, excluding profits generated by exchange rate differences, topped VN 2.8 trillion, nearly 2.4 times higher than the business plan. In 2016, the company also focused on upgrading its infrastructure and began operating many aviation infrastructure projects on schedule, serving growing demand in the aviation market. ACVs transportation capacity improved significantly and exceeded the annual plan. Total passenger output in 2016 reached 81 million, up 28 per cent over 2015, exceeding the annual plan by 10.19 per cent. Commodities and parcel transport reached 1.1 million tonnes, up 15 per cent year-on-year, exceeding the annual target by 2.82 per cent. The total number of take-offs and landings was 557,000, up 24 per cent, exceeding the annual target by 7.94 per cent. Total assets of the corporation, as of December 31, 2016, was valued at VN45.1 trillion, with short-term assets of VN20.2 trillion and long term assets totalling VN24.9 trillion. Total liabilities amounted to VN21.1 trillion, down VN 2.3 trillion from April 1, 2016, when ACV officially began operation as a joint stock company. The corporations short-term debt stood at VN6.6 trillion and long-term debts at over VN14.5 trillion, most of it in Japanese yen lent by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the project to construct an international passenger terminal at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and terminal T2 at the Noi Bai International Airport. Regarding the plan to list on the HCM City Stock Exchange (HOSE), the meeting heard that the corporation officially went into operation as a joint-stock company only from April last year. As of now, its airfields were still under the State management. The States auditing agency proposed that the Government makes a quick decision on the management of these areas. As of now, conditions were not sufficient for the listing. Managers said ACV would promptly work on this issue and soon inform shareholders. On stock sale negotiations with the French corporation Aeroports de Paris (ADP), the meeting heard that ACV plans to sell 20 per cent of its shares to its strategic shareholder. However, the two sides have yet to reach an agreement. Currently, ACV is waiting for the final decision from the Government for finalising the deal. ACV will soon complete a plan to withdraw capital from two affiliates: Viet Nam Air Services Company (VASCO) and the Southern Airports Services Joint Stock Company (SASCO). VNS The Prime Minister has issued Directive (16/CT-TTg) on strengthening capacity to tackle challenges posed by the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). am Bach Duong, head of the Hi-Technology Department, tells the Vietnam News Agency that technological, human resource, policy and infrastructure shortcomings stand in the way of Viet Nam building smart factories. What is the biggest difference between Industry 4.0 and the earlier revolutions? So far, the world has had three industrial revolutions. The first industrial revolution followed the introduction of water- and steam-powered mechanical manufacturing facilities. The second was the introduction of electrically powered mass production, based on the division of labour. The third industrial revolution used electronics and IT to achieve further automation of manufacturing. The fourth industrial revolution is based on Cyber-Physical Systems. The fourth revolution creates the smart factory by impactful orchestration of emerging technologies including the Internet of Things, the Cloud, Analytics, Robotics, 3D printing and Artificial Intelligence. Industry 4.0 differs from the previous three revolutions in terms of speed, scale and scope. Industry 4.0 affects all sectors and all economies in the world. It will bring about major changes in productivity, scale and management model. The previous industrial revolutions involved efficient use of energy, while the current industrial revolution will find out new energy sources and use them efficiently. What are opportunities and challenges for Viet Nam vis-a-vis Industry 4.0? As with other countries, Industry 4.0 presents both opportunities and challenges. However, I feel that for Viet Nam, it will bring more challenges than opportunities. The opportunity is that as a newcomer, Viet Nam can save time, drawing from the experience of countries that have already developed sectors following Industry 4.0. The country can also take advantage of the new industrial revolution to change its management and economic development models. However, Viet Nam will be challenged most in the sectors of technology, human resource, policy and infrastructure. The level of technology in Viet Nam is moderate and not synchronized, so it will be difficult to approach Industry 4.0. Viet Nams workforce is not highly skilled and it will be hard to match the high level of scientific and technological levels of Industry 4.0. Meanwhile, Viet Nam must upgrade infrastructure to connect with the Industry 4.0. Many experts have said that Industry 4.0 has absolutely no benefit for countries that currently have the advantage of cheap labour. Can you comment? Human resource is key to Industry 4.0 success. Viet Nam has had a large, moderately educated workforce in the garment and electronics sectors. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Viet Nams labour sector will be one of the most affected in the region. Specifically, 80 per cent of Viet Nams workforce could face the risk of unemployment. This is a serious challenge for the country. Industry 4.0 will impact all economic sectors at different levels. The heaviest impact will be on sectors with large workforces, like the garment and electronics sectors. Increasing automation is going to be a big challenge for them. However, Industry 4.0 will bring opportunities for other sectors like tourism. The tourism sector can use smart tourism and Internet of Things to generate more business opportunities. What should Viet Nam do, in this situation? Viet Nam needs to upgrade its IT infrastructure, Internet, and 4G and 5G bandwidth. It must review current policies and adapt them to Industry 4.0. Now, ministries and sectors have implemented policies related to Industry 4.0 and they need to get more actively in implementing them. The nation needs policies to create an open business environment for creative enterprises and to consider enterprises as the centre of development. It also must change policies on training human resources from high school to university, creating a highly qualified workforce that can adapt to Industry 4.0. Now, many ministries have prepared carefully to develop such a workforce, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the State Bank of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, while some other ministries are still studying the issue. So, do you think Viet Nams policies, infrastructure and human resources can get ready for this revolution? Weve had many policies related to Industry 4.0. These include the State Bank of Viet Nams non-cash payment scheme, the digitalisation scheme of the Ministry of Information and Communication, the technology innovation programme of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and many others. According to the Prime Ministers Directive (16/CT-TTg), ministries and sectors will review and evaluate the current situation to develop suitable plans and strategies. The Ministry of Science and Technology has been assigned the task of co-ordinating with ministries and sectors in implementing Directive 16-CT/TTg. Can you elaborate on this? According to Directive 16, the Ministry of Science and Technology will continue to advance the development of start ups.It will also promote research and development as well as technological innovation through a national programme. The ministry is also coordinating with several ministries, sectors and localities to pilot some models, including co-operating with Bac Ninh to build smart cities and with Ha Nam Province to develop hi-tech agriculture regions. - VNS HA NOI High import taxes on auto components and parts, packaging and logistics expenses are major reasons behind locally-assembled cars costing 10-20 per cent higher than imports from Thailand and Indonesia. As such, these are also factors hindering growth of the domestic automobile industry, the automobile working group said at the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) 2017 recently. At the forum, a meeting between the Vietnamese Government and the business community held in Ha Noi, the group said higher prices made local automakers less competitive than imports from ASEAN members, and the situation will worsen when import taxes drop to zero per cent in the region next year. Sumito Ishii, general director of General Motors Viet Nam and head of the VBF automobile working group, said major automakers and auto part suppliers felt the local automobile industry was operating on a small scale, so it had not attracted the participation of sufficient global part suppliers. The global suppliers will not invest if there is no clear business plan whether automakers maintain or raise production in Viet Nam or not, Ishii said. Of the current part suppliers in Viet Nam, more than 90 per cent are foreign-invested businesses, and the majority of auto components, parts and materials are imported. To help expand domestic auto production, the Government team currently in charge of the automobile industry should have auto assemblers and part suppliers participate in the process so they can understand the industrys current situation better, the group said. The team should organise monthly conferences to discuss policy drafts for the industry and keep the Prime Minister informed. Policy makers should also continue working with businesses to build measures that will help cut production costs, reducing the pressure of competition on local automakers from 2018. Programmes have to be developed to connect businesses in the sector. The connection between foreign investment businesses and domestic businesses is ineffective because there is no available database relevant to domestic parts and component suppliers. If we have a database, businesses can compare and contact local part suppliers easily, Ishii said. He said foreign investment businesses should provide the list of auto parts and components that need to be localised with more details so as to help local suppliers prepare the necessary technologies. Meanwhile, local part suppliers would need to focus on meeting production demands, including quality, costs and delivery, and step up co-operation with foreign suppliers. "As for the automobile industry, the top priority is to build up a sustainable growth market. Relevant long-term, stable policies are needed to help businesses set up their plans," Ishii said. Large output Deputy General Director of the Truong Hai Automobile Company (Thaco), Pham Van Tai, said industry needed an output large enough for businesses to invest in technology, machines and equipment to increase the localisation rate (or the rate of parts that are produced locally) and reduce production costs. Tai and representatives of other domestic automakers asked the Government to issue policies protecting the local auto market to help local auto and support industries to develop in a sustainable manner. Tai drew attention to proposals made by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) recently, noting that they contained effective solutions. In the proposal, the MoIT asks the Government to cut import taxes on auto parts and components not produced locally to zero per cent from current 15-20 per cent. Meanwhile, import duties on components and parts that are being produced domestically should be maintained at the highest possible level to local production and create stable jobs for more than 120,000 workers in the auto industry, they said. To encourage development of the support industry, the Government needs to exempt it from special consumption tax on locally-produced components and parts, contributing to decreasing the prices of cars in Viet Nam, said Tai. The group also proposed that the Government takes measures to control trade fraud, strictly examine certificates of origin and create a healthy and fair environment for all businesses. Deputy MoIT Minister Tran Quoc Khanh said the Government gave a lot of importance to the auto support industry. It has issued Decree 111/2015/N-CP and Decision 68/2017/Q-TTg on a 10-year (2016-2025) plan to develop the support industry, he noted. Apart from the ministrys measures and proposals from auto businesses, the ministry is willing to discuss the industrys difficulties in order to ensure sustainable development in the future, Khanh said. Earlier, in an evaluation on the countrys automobile industry after 20 years of development, the MoIT had said the industry had failed to reach its set targets, especially a 40 per cent of localisation rate for cars with nine seats or less by 2005 and 60 per cent by 2010. The current rate is between seven and 10 per cent. The quality of local autos has improved but it is yet to match that of imported ones. Prices still remain higher than other countries in the region. Production stagnates at the basic assembly stage of four steps: welding, painting, assembling and examination. Besides low market capacity, the ministry said policies on taxes, fees and infrastructure lacked stability and there was no high consensus among State management bodies. These factors have led to a failure in creating favourable conditions for businesses in the auto industry. VNS Areas surrounding the Pearl River, Taihu Lake and the Huaihe River are at risk of flooding in the aftermath of heavy rainfall, according to warnings by flood control authorities. Following heavy rainfall in southern parts of China from Friday to Wednesday, the rain band will move northeast, leading to heavy downpours in central and eastern parts of China from Thursday to Sunday. Heavy rainfall will hit Jiangxi and Hunan provinces, raising the possibility of severe flooding in areas surrounding Dongting and Poyang lakes, and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, according to Liu Zhiyu, deputy director of the Ministry of Water Resources' hydrographic bureau. There have been 19 heavy rainfalls this year, with "an extremely uneven distribution of rainfall" and "high frequencies of extreme weather" raising risks of flooding, Zhang Jiatuan, spokesman for the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, said on Wednesday. The headquarters asked flood control officials to be on shift around the clock from March 1, a month earlier than in previous years, while the central government has allocated 812 million yuan ($119.4 million) in funding for flood control and drought relief this year, Zhang added. Flooding this year has resulted in direct economic losses of 22.9 billion yuan, and left 47 people dead and another 10 missing, according to the authority. It has affected 982,100 hectares of crops and more than 14.9 million people, with more than 1.3 million people being evacuated. Compared with the same period since 2010, the number of casualties this year fell by 84 percent, while the area of affected crops decreased by 62 percent, Zhang said. Though all of the 175,700 structures that were damaged or destroyed in floods last year had been repaired by the end of May, and 50 suspect sections of dikes along the Yangtze River have also been reinforced, most of them have yet to be tested by major floods, the authority said. The large number of small and medium-sized reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations, as well as water conservancy projects under construction across the country also provide challenges for flood control work, Zhang said. Many leading officials in the new term of local governments lack experience in flood control and drought relief, and this may also affect efforts this year, he added. Zhang's headquarters and the ministry have drafted a revised plan for using major reservoirs, including the Three Gorges and Danjiangkou Reservoir, for flood diversion and storage, as well as detailing a plan for reducing reservoir storage to prepare for floods based on rainfall analysis. According to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, more than 2.35 million hectares of farmland are currently drought-stricken, which is less than one-third of the average for the same period in recent years. To alleviate drought in Shandong province, a total of 445 million cubic meters of water has been transferred to the region from the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn Rescuers help villagers to safety on Tuesday night in Zhiping village in Shaoyang city, Hunan province, where roads to the village were cut off by landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.Tang Jun / For China Daily (China Daily 06/29/2017 page5) Vietnamese shares rebounded in both local markets on Wednesday, boosted by investors bottom-picking on expectations the market will soon return to an upward trend. VNA/VNS Photo HA NOI Vietnamese shares rebounded in both local markets on Wednesday, boosted by investors bottom-picking on expectations the market will soon return to an upward trend. The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange inched up 0.20 per cent to close at 769.04 points. The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange gained 0.34 per cent to end at 98.35 points. The VN Index and the HNX Index on Tuesday lost 0.7 per cent each. More than 261.4 million shares were exchanged on both local bourses, worth VN4.35 trillion (US$193.4 million). Wednesdays trading figures were lower than Tuesdays with a decline of 6.1 per cent in volume and 7 per cent in value. Large-cap stocks performed well with 17 of the 30 largest companies by market capitalisation ended higher. Increasing large-cap stocks included PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services (PVD), lenders BIDV (BID) and Vietinbank (CTG), and Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group (HAG). Those large-cap stocks rose between 0.1 per cent and 2.6 per cent with PVD recording the highest growth. PVD on Tuesday lost 2.1 per cent, CTG dropped 1.2 per cent, BID lost 1.5 per cent and HAG slumped 3.6 per cent. Brokerage firms attributed the markets recovery on Wednesday to strong bargain hunting, with investors snapping up stocks that had declined previously. Sai Gon-Ha Noi Securities (SHS) said in a note that the VN Index moved negatively in the first half of trading on Wednesday as investors continued to offload their portfolios. The market began to recover from the end of morning session and finished in positive territory as investors pecked up stocks from their intra-day bottom, SHS said. However, Wednesdays increase did not signal the stock market had returned to an upward trend and it needed to be tested in the next few sessions, the Ha Noi-based brokerage firm added. The VN Index is likely to continue moving narrowly on Thursday in the range of between 765 and 773 points, and needs to make a strong break from 773 points to fully return to an upward trend, SHS said. Investor sentiment is still positive on thoughts that the market is in good conditions, therefore, strong selling that could pull the market down again is unlikely, Vietnam Investment Securities (IVS) said. VNS Viet Nam plans to develop a low-carbon economy and include climate-change resistance work in its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the Paris climate accords. Photo kienviet.net HA NOI Viet Nam plans to develop a low-carbon economy and include climate-change resistance work in its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the Paris climate accords. The information was released by Pham Van Tan deputy head of the Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment at a workshop held yesterday in Ha Noi. The workshop was organised by the environment ministry and the German International Co-operation Agency to consult experts and policymakers before updating the NDC. The move was taken under the requirements of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, Tan said. Each party that ratified the Paris agreement was asked to submit an updated NDC every five years, defining their efforts to contribute to holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C, pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5C and achieving net zero emissions by the second half of this century, he said. Speaking at the workshop, Professor Tran Thuc, a member of the Viet Nams Panel on Climate Change said the update was to be made after environmental changes in the international and domestic context. In the world, the latest change was China shutting all coal-fire power plants in Beijing and canceling the construction of about 100 coal plants that were planned or under construction earlier this year, he said. Additionally, developing renewable energy such as wind and solar was becoming a global trend, with the prices of wind and solar energy predicted to sharply fall by 2020, he said. In Viet Nam, per the national electricity roadmap to 2020, amended last March, the ratio of renewable energy is hoped to account for 6.5 per cent of total national electricity output, he said. Further, in late 2016, the National Assembly cancelled a project to build the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant, he said. "Renewable energy is expected to be one of major energy sources to replace nuclear power," he added. Roadmap for NDC update Tan said after yesterdays workshop, an inter-sectoral team, including officers from ministries and agencies, would be set up in July to compile detailed updates for the NDC. The team will collect information for the update in September. After Viet Nam participated in the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) in November, more information should be added to the updated version, he said. The first draft of the updated NDC is expected to be finished in March 2018. The near-final draft will be submitted to the Governments consultation agencies in June 2019. After receiving comments from agencies, the final draft will be finished and sent to the Government in August 2019. The official updated version of NDC will be sent to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in September 2019. Martin Hoppe, First Counsellor of German Embassy in Viet Nam said the updated NDC would contribute to providing information for the dialogue in 2018 and global inventory under the UNFCCC in 2023. As deputy minister of environment Vo Tuan Nhan highlighted in his speech the need for support to provide information and to conduct research for the updated NDC, "Germany is happy to contribute" through ongoing projects in various areas funded by its government, Martin added. According to Nhan, the NDC is a national effort and requires careful consideration by all major contributors and transparency in implementation. Stakeholders should understand what their contributions are, what to prepare to and their responsibilities after the NDC is approved, he said. Nhan also called for close co-operation and support from all ministries, agencies, development partners and other related stakeholders to this important process of reviewing and updating NDC. VNS MOSCOW President Tran ai Quang asserted that Viet Nam treasures and prioritises developing its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia at a meeting with Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko in Moscow on Wednesday. The Vietnamese leader spoke highly of the outcomes of the Speakers visit to Viet Nam in February 2017, especially the organisation of a seminar on local collaboration. President Quang expressed hope that the Federation Council would continue supporting Russian localities to strengthen ties with Vietnamese provinces and cities, in accordance with both sides potential and demand. He also believed that Speaker Matviyenko would further contribute to intensifying and enhancing relations between the Federation Council and the Vietnamese National Assembly and between Russia and Viet Nam in general. Speaker Matviyenko said the Presidents visit to Russia "is of significance to bilateral relations as its outcomes will be a driving force for Russia-Viet Nam co-operation in all fields". She affirmed that the relationship between the two legislatures plays an important role in Russia-Viet Nam ties and appreciated the two bodies regular organisation of meetings and dialogues as well as their close coordination at international inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries Parliaments. At the meeting, the two sides agreed to work together to raise two-way trade to US$10 billion by 2020 and pledged to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, defence-security, education-training, culture, tourism and science-technology. They also promised to maintain close coordination at multilateral forums, especially during the Viet Nam APEC Year 2017. VNS CAN THO National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and deputies met voters from Vinh Thanh and Ninh Kieu districts in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on Wednesday. Voters raised issues of concern in connection with rural road transport, hygiene and environment, food safety and farm produce prices, as well as sand exploitation, medical insurance, gender equality, mass mobilisation, public and bad debts, among others. The chairwoman took note of a proposal to offer more support to martyrs mothers in rural areas. She also vowed to ask the government to closely monitor sand exploitation. Ngan assured voters about environmental protection at the Lee & Man paper mill built in the southern province of Hau Giang, saying that relevant agencies have inspected wastewater and production at the mill and released a report assessing its environment impact. At the same time, an automatic exhaust gas monitor system that transmits data from the mill to the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment has also been installed. On the collection of empty plant protection drug cans and packs and farming waste in rural areas, Ngan asked authorities concerned to increase their responsibility and public awareness of environmental protection, partly by guiding farmers on how to properly collect empty cans and build biogas pits at farms. Regarding the settlement of bad debts at credit organisations, she said the issue would be addressed in line with the resolution, which comes into effect on August 15, 2017. The same day, the top legislator visited and presented gifts to several policy beneficiary families in Can Tho. VNS Health insurance profiteering is still common in private hospitals and health clinics, with medicine improperly prescribed and purchased, leading to an imbalance of. the healthcare fund. Photo vtv.vn HA NOI Health insurance profiteering is still common in private hospitals and health clinics, with medicine improperly prescribed and purchased, leading to an imbalance of. the healthcare fund, health experts have said. The statement was made at the dialogue on legal policies on health insurance between Viet Nam Social Insurance and Viet Nam Private Hospitals Association held yesterday. The dialogue was a chance for representatives of private hospitals and health clinics to highlight difficulties in implementing the amended Law on Health Insurance. Deputy general manager of Viet Nam Social Insurance Pham Luong Son said that since the amended regulations were implemented two years ago, the number of hospitals providing health insurance services and patients increased greatly. Figures from the organisation showed that 365 private hospitals and health clinics signed contracts to provide health insurance services in 2015, and this number increased to 444 in 2017. In 2015, the fund paid VN2.8 trillion (US$123 million) to more than 6.5 million insurance card holders. In 2016, the fund paid VN6.6 trillion ($290 million) to more than 16.6 millions cald holders, with this years number expected to rise strongly - VN1.58 trillion ($69 million) for 4.2 million card holders within the first three months. However, there were shortcomings in health insurance services at private clinics. Nguyen Ta Tinh, head of the organisations Medicines and Medical Equipment Unit said that clinics persisted in selecting, purchasing and using drugs and medical supplies that were not cost-effective. Some private hospitals held drug bidding, but the selection of contractors remained ineffective. For example, 92 types of drugs sold at Vinmec International Hospital cost more than at Saint Paul Hospital with total difference value of VN2.8 billion. Some facilities prescribed expensive drugs or offered many medical techniques for health insurance holders to attract more patients. Duong uc Tuan, director of the Centre for Health Insurance Coverage and Multi-level Payment in the north agreed, saying that some services were unnecessarily prescribed and the prescriptions were often repeated. At the conference, Viet Nam Social Insurance signed a co-ordination agreement with Viet Nam Private Hospitals Association to solve difficulties and improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the health insurance regulations. VNS The government will offer all possible support to businesses, start-ups and create jobs for workers, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said. VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat HA NOI The government will offer all possible support to businesses, start-ups and create jobs for workers, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said. He made the statement during a working session in Ha Noi yesterday with the Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) to discuss work between the government and VGCL and set tasks for 2017-2018. The PM hailed VGCL chapters for improving workers lives and dealing with workers complaints. The VGCL was asked to join the governments mechanism building, with a focus on ensuring rights and interests of workers in the process of building a transparent, constructive and action-oriented government in service of the people and businesses. The VGCL should step up campaigns to strengthen the working classs trust in Party and State leadership while improving social supervision and the enforcement of labour laws, he said. At the same time, it should work with agencies to offer vocational training to labourers amid the fourth industrial revolution. He urged the VGCL to hold more dialogues and meetings between the PM, ministers, heads of sectors and workers. The leader suggested the VGCL partner with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the National Wage Council to devise a plan on regional minimum wages to submit to the PM. He also responded to proposals by the VGCL, including amending the Labour Codes terms regarding overtime, retirement age, meals for workers and providing preferential loans for workers in industrial and processing zones. In June, the PM issued a decision approving a project on building trade union institutions in industrial and processing zones. The VGCL has built the three first trade union institutions in the northern province of Ha Nam, the central province of Quang Nam and the southern province of Tien Giang.-VNS HA NOI The Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC) plans to provide free checkups, treatment, health consultations and medicines to at least 300,000 people, especially the poor, elderly and war invalids. This is part of a humanitarian programmes Action Month, which starts from the beginning of July. The action month is under the framework of a collaboration programme implemented by the Viet Nam Red Cross Society, the Ministry of Defences Political Department and the Viet Nam Young Physician Association. During the month, the programme will focus on providing health checkups, treatment, medicines and consultations on disease, accidents and injury prevention. This year, the programme targets at least one million people nationwide with a focus on health checkup and treatment drives, providing free medicine and healthcare consultation. Patients with serious diseases will be sent to hospital for a higher level of treatment, VNRC vice president Tran Thi Hong An said at a press conference on Thursday. We also organise education and communication programmes on disease prevention, disasters, accidents and injury prevention for the community, An said. Started in 2014, the programme has provided free checkups and treatment to more than 4.4 million people nationwide, consultations to 1.9 million and handed over 2.5 million gifts worth a total of more than VN908 billion (US$39.5 million). The programme has attracted more than 235,000 participants, including nearly 53,000 doctors, pharmacists and health workers and nearly 95,000 volunteers. VNS JERUSALEM Israel hit a Syrian regime position on Wednesday night after stray mortar fire from the war-torn country struck the occupied Golan Heights, in the third such exchange within a week. A military spokeswoman said a mortar round had hit open ground in the Israeli-controlled zone of the plateau and "forces responded and targeted the Syrian army position that fired the mortar". She did not say if the Israeli retaliatory fire had come from ground or air forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been visiting the Israeli settlement of Katzrin, further south in the Golan, at the time of the exchange of fire. "During my speech, shells from the Syrian side landed in our territory and the Israel Defence Forces have already struck back," the Israeli premier said in an English-language statement. "I said that we will not tolerate spillover and that we will respond to every firing," he said. "Whoever attacks us -- we will attack him. This is our policy and we will continue with it." On Sunday Israel hit "two artillery positions and an ammunitions truck belonging to the Syrian regime," and the army ordered Israelis to keep away from open areas near the ceasefire line. The day before, Israeli aircraft hit two Syrian army tanks and what Israel said was a machinegun position, after 10 projectiles from Syrian internal conflict fell in the Israeli-held zone. Israel has conducted several air strikes in Syria since that countrys civil war erupted in 2011. In April, Israel shot down what it identified only as "a target" over the Golan, hours after Syria accused it of hitting a military position near Damascus airport. Israel did not confirm or deny the reported Damascus attack. AFP Cellnovo Group annonce la signature de plusieurs accords de distribution couvrant six nouveaux marches, dans le cadre de la commercialisation a l'international de son systeme de gestion du diabete. Il a ainsi signe un accord avec Novalab Iberica, filiale d'Air Liquide Healthcare, pour distribuer le systeme Cellnovo en Espagne. La societe espere demarrer la commercialisation du systeme dans le pays avant fin 2017. En Australie et en Nouvelle-Zelande, un accord a ete signe avec Medical Specialties Australasia, un leader de la distribution des dispositifs medicaux aupres des hopitaux, des cabinets prives et des patients dans ces deux pays. Offre limitee. 2 mois pour 1 sans engagement Je m'abonne En Grece et a Chypre, Cellnovo a signe des accords de distribution avec Insulin Pump Hellas qui a d'ores et deja demarre la commercialisation du systeme. En Israel, il a signe un accord avec DYN Diagnostics Ltd. Copyright (c) 2017 CercleFinance.com. Tous droits reserves. WATERLOO Surrounded by an army of construction workers, executives with Loves Travel Stops joined community leaders at a groundbreaking for what will be an $8 million to $10 million Loves Travel Plaza truck stop on Greyhound Drive on Thursday. The site is across from Waterloo Greyhound Park northwest of the interchange of U.S. Highways 20 and 63. Were hoping middle of winter to get this open, said Alex Fuller, real estate project manager for Oklahoma City-based Loves. The goal is to get it open this year. Construction began in March but was slowed by wet weather. The nearly 12,000-square-foot store will include a 7,000-square-foot convenience store and Wendys restaurant, a 5,000-square-foot light truck service center and parking, scales and fueling stations for semi-trailer trucks. Harold Youngblut has been working on developing property around the dog track since 2005. Its taken a little longer than we thought, but the efforts are now really starting to pay off, said Youngblut. The location is ideal, Fuller said. You have two major highways Highway 20, Highway 63. This is untapped area for Loves, and we just felt with the amount of truck traffic we would be able to serve our loyal customers here in this area that we werent serving before. It just really fits well with our current network of stores. It will be the companys 10th Iowa store. Loves recently opened a store in Floyd in Floyd County. While the location is not directly on the highway, a tall sign will provide visibility. The plaza will employ about 40 to 50 people. Loves was founded in 1964 and employs 17,000 people in 430 locations in 41 states. Mayor Quentin Hart said the project is one example of community growth. Were starting to see shovels everywhere, from the northernmost parts of Highway 63 to the southernmost parts of 63, the mayor said, as Highway 63 is being renovated through the heart of the city. And, according to Youngblut, theres more development to come around the dog track area. Its so exciting to see the growth that is happening, and we have some big plans for the near future. Its pretty exciting. FAYETTE Authorities arrested four people and recovered stolen firearms after searching a Fayette home on Monday. Resident Joshua Glen Sargent, 33, was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. According to the Fayette County Sheriffs Office, a search of the home at 401 W. Water St. uncovered several guns that were stolen from another state and had been hidden at the home along with more than $1,500 in cash that was proceeds from the sale of stolen property. Also arrested were Jesus Vargas, 36, of Postville, and Marva Kay Seeders, 60, of Milford, who were charged with for possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. Cynthia Caroline Robertson, 41, of Bristol, Tenn., was arrested for possession of paraphernalia. Vargass 2013 Dodge pickup and Seederss 2016 Pontiac were impounded and towed. In addition to the sheriffs office, authorities from the Fayette Police Department, Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office and the Lacrosse County Wisconsin Sheriffs Office assisted in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are anticipated, deputies said. According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, Sargent is currently on probation for charges stemming from a 2016 incident where he threatened to kill the Fayette police chief after he was arrested in connection with a burglary. Driver cited after bicycle accident WATERLOO Police have cited the van driver in a Tuesday afternoon bicycle accident that injured a Waterloo boy. William Severson, 22, of Evansdale, was cited for failure to maintain a lookout, according to the accident report. The crash injured 9-year-old Keaton Hughes, and paramedics with Waterloo Fire Rescue took him to Covenant Medical Center with a possible broken wrist and broken leg, according to the accident report. Severson was driving a Dodge van west in the 2100 block of Byron Avenue around 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, and he told police he didnt see the child, and the child rode across the street in front of him, according to the report. Waterloo man posts bail with fake check WATERLOO A Waterloo man used a payroll check to post bail so he could be released from jail. The check turned out to be counterfeit, and he was arrested again and returned to jail, according to authorities. As of Wednesday, Jamarious Deunte Ensley, 27, remained at the Black Hawk County Jail with bond set at $2,000. According to court records, Ensley had been arrested on a warrant that was issued June 12 after he allegedly failed to show up for a hearing on a prior domestic abuse charge. When he was arrested, he had a $941 check from Work Source Staffing, and he used the check to post bond on June 20. The Clerk of Court office determined the check was a fake Work Source doesnt write checks and instead uses direct deposit and Ensley was arrested June 26 for forgery, according to court records. WATERLOO A former energy company executive is working to return Iowa to a position of leadership in education. Mark Jacobs, founder of the advocacy group Reaching Higher Iowa and a 2014 Republican U.S. Senate primary candidate, is concerned with how the states public kindergarten through 12th-grade schools have slipped in national academic achievement rankings. That happened not because we got worse, the one-time chief executive officer of Texas-based Reliant Energy said during a recent stop in Waterloo. Instead, educational improvements in other states have outpaced Iowa during the past 25 years. He believes the loss of that leadership position is one of the significant challenges we face in Iowa. Jacobs, who grew up in Des Moines where he attended public schools, learned about Iowas declining status after returning to the state following eight years with Reliant. He noted the states drop can be seen through results on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which is sometimes referred to as the nations report card. For example, data on the NAEP website shows Iowas average scale scores ranked second and first in mathematics at the fourth- and eighth- grade levels, respectively, compared to other states in 1992. By 2015, 14 states ranked above Iowa in both subjects on the NAEP, including six that performed significantly higher. A similar change can be seen in the NAEPs fourth-grade reading scores. Iowa ranked fourth in 1992 and was among seven top states with similar average scores. By 2015, Iowa ranked 23rd on fourth-grade reading. Iowas eighth-grade NAEP reading scores also show a decline, but testing results only go back to 2003. We could debate exactly what place we are, said Jacobs. What we cant debate is were not the top one or two or top five anymore. He started researching the problem, which eventually resulted in the 2013 founding of the nonprofit Reaching Higher Iowa. Tom Penaluna, chairman of the Cedar Falls-based CBE Companies, is among the 13 members on its board. The organization focuses on four issues: Develop accountability, attract the best teachers, improve professional development and provide choice. Among the measures it supports are making teacher pay more competitive and increasing school choice alternatives. Our primary purpose is to educate, said Jacobs. We advocate for and support ideas, law changes, and regulatory changes consistent with those four issues. We have a very collaborative approach of working with all the stakeholders, he added, from educators to business leaders. He praised Waterloo Community Schools Superintendent Jane Lindaman as an incredibly progressive leader and Penalunas work with the Leader in Me initiative in a number of Cedar Valley school districts. The leadership development initiative is being broadly implemented in area schools. The educators in the state have the solutions, said Jacobs. We stay out of the business of telling educators how to do their job. He believes the state can do better at demonstrating accountability, though. Jacobs advocates for developing a statewide system that would show how well each school is doing academically. He points to Floridas system of creating an annual report card that assigns a letter grade of A-F to each school based on student performance measures. We have to create a culture of performance, said Jacobs, that will measure and transparently report how were doing. It would show annual academic growth, measure effectiveness of whats done in the classroom and identify educators who need improvement. Important to the systems implementation is Iowas effort to replace its statewide assessment. Proposals are being sought and the Department of Education plans to have a new test during the 2018-19 school year. Jacobs noted that the current test, the Iowa Assessments, measures how students compare to their peers rather than how much they have learned and grown during the past year. When Jacobs started Reaching Higher Iowa, he thought it would take eight years to accomplish the changes he advocates, plus additional time to start seeing results. Obviously, the ultimate barometer is what our national rank is, he said. Jacobs has since pushed that goal line back a little, but not by much. With focused and strong support from the business community, I think we can get most of these changes done in the next four to six years, he said. ALLISON North Butler Community Schools voters Tuesday agreed to the continued use of 1 percent sales tax revenues. Unofficial results show the revenue purpose statement referendum was approved 80-22, or a total of 78.4 percent voting in favor of the measure. The approval extends the existing uses of the districts portion of the statewide school infrastructure tax funds for another decade. The funds are known by the name of Secure an Advanced Vision for Education, or SAVE. Superintendent Joel Foster was unavailable for comment, but a blog post he wrote earlier this month noted that the funds will continue to provide $200,000 of property tax relief for residents of the former Greene school district. It can also be used for myriad other purposes. Districts can purchase property as well as build, remodel, expand, repair, demolish or furnish school buildings with the funds. They can lease or purchase buildings, equipment and technology. Funds can also be used for principle, interest or retirement of general obligation bonds issued for school infrastructure purposes and for energy improvement loans. Funds cant be used for salaries, benefits or instructional supplies such as textbooks or software. All school districts across Iowa must get approval of their statement every 10 years. If voters dont approve it, the district would still receive the revenue, but the money would be restricted to property tax relief. WATERLOO The family of Waterloos famous five Sullivan brothers opposes removing their name from the citys downtown convention center. But a hotel developer planning to buy and sink millions into fixing up the facility and adjacent hotel said a new name is critical to overcome a tarnished brand. Leslie Hospitality of Omaha, Neb., is planning to rename the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center as the Waterloo Convention Center and rebrand the adjacent Ramada Hotel as a Hotel RL. City Council members have set a July 17 public hearing on an agreement to donate the struggling 42-year-old convention center to Leslie Hospitality and provide economic development incentives to leverage the companys estimated $14 million investment in both buildings. But members of the Sullivan family said they were not asked about the name change, which they believe is hurtful to them, the city and all veterans. I realize theyre selling it for financial reasons, and I can understand that, said Jim Sullivan. But I am not happy with them changing the name. Jim Sullivans father, Albert Sullivan, was one of five brothers and nearly 700 sailors who died when their ship, the USS Juneau, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sunk Nov. 13, 1942. This November will mark the 75th anniversary of the brothers deaths generally believed to be the greatest combat-related loss of life by one family at one time in U.S. military history. The brothers story was recounted in a 1944 movie, The Fighting Sullivans, and theyve been memorialized with their name on a park, a museum and two U.S. Navy destroyers. The ConWay Civic Center, built in 1975, was renamed the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in 1988. Theres so much that the Sullivan name means to the city of Waterloo, said Alberts granddaughter, Kelly Sullivan. This is very disrespectful to our family. Its not just about the Sullivan family; the Sullivan name represents all veterans, she added. This is really not a nice way to honor them, not just the five boys but the 700 who perished. Kelly Sullivan said the family was not consulted about the name change and was not invited to Mondays council meeting where the plan was discussed. She said shes been working with the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau to help attract military groups to Waterloo for reunions. The Sullivan connection helps in those efforts. John Maloney, whose firm handles marketing for Leslie Hospitality properties, said the name change is necessary to overcome the centers poor standing in the convention and events market due to its age, current lack of amenities and poor service level. I dont think the Sullivan name has a bad reputation at all, but I think the center has a bad reputation, Maloney said. The brand of the center is struggling right now. I dont think anybodys blaming that bad reputation on the name. It just has a checkered history of delivering on its promises. This is an opportunity to show the marketplace this is a new product; this is different, he added. This is not a revamped, spruced up version of the old product. Maloney said the company plans to honor the Sullivans with a memorial being designed for the exterior plaza. Everybody at Leslie Hospitality has the greatest regard for the people who served this country, especially those who gave their lives for it, he said. I dont want anyone to think we have any issues with veterans. Maloney said he was unsure what would happen if the city insisted on keeping the name as part of the project. But he said the financial and service commitments Leslie Hospitality accepted were based on the new marketing concept. There is a level of expectation on the citys part that Leslie Hospitality will deliver a vibrant hotel and convention center to the community, he said. I would tell (company president Edwin Leslie) straight up: If theyre going to tell you how to market this building, you will have to change that level of expectation. Kelly Sullivan said she was still hopeful the issue can be worked out to the satisfaction of everyone. Theres a way we can all synergize together and make this work, she said. Theres got to be a way to keep Sullivan in the name somewhere. Tolkien book topic of series WATERLOO Mary Ducey, professor of philosophy at Mount Mercy University, will discuss the role of mercy in J.R.R. Tolkiens classic The Lord of the Rings at the Waterloo Catholic Parishes Summer Forum Series on July 10. The event is set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. at COR, the parishes downtown hospitality center at 220 E. Fourth St. Programs are open to adults and young adults of all ages. No preregistration is required. Food and beverages will be available before and during the program. Waterloo library closed Tuesday WATERLOO The Waterloo Public Library will be closed Tuesday for the Fourth of July holiday and will reopen at regular time July 5 at 9 a.m. Regular library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Much analysis of Yuval Hararis brilliant new book Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow focuses on the harrowing dystopia he anticipates. In this vision, a small, geeky elite gains the ability to use biological and cyborg engineering to become something beyond human. It may upgrade itself step by step, merging with robots and computers in the process, until our descendants will look back and realize that they are no longer the kind of animal that wrote the Bible [or] built the Great Wall of China. This would necessarily involve the concentration of data, wealth and power, creating unprecedented social inequality. In the early 21st century, argues Harari, the train of progress is again pulling out of the station and this will probably be the last train ever to leave the station called Homo sapiens. Few of us Homo sapiens are anxious to take such a trip, apart from some dataists who pant for the apocalypse. But, as Harari repeatedly insists, the prophets job is really an impossible one. Someone living in the 12th century would know most of what the 13th century might have to offer. Given the pace of change in our time, the 22nd century is almost unimaginable. Yet the predictions are not the most interesting bits of the book. It is important primarily for what it says about the present. For the last few hundred years, in Hararis telling, there has been a successful alliance between scientific thought and humanism a philosophy placing human feelings, happiness and choice at the center of the ethical universe. With the death of God and the denial of transcendent rules, some predicted social chaos and collapse. Instead, science and humanism (with an assist from capitalism) delivered unprecedented health and comfort. And now they promise immortality and bliss. This progress has involved an implicit agreement, In exchange for power, says Harari, the modern deal expects us to give up meaning. Many (at least in the West) have been willing to choose antibiotics and flat-screen TVs over the mysticism and morality behind door No. 2. It is Hararis thesis, however, that the alliance of science and humanism is breaking down, with the former consuming the latter. The reason is reductionism in various forms. Science, argues Harari, revealed humans as animals on the mental spectrum, then as biochemical processes, and now as outdated organic algorithms. We have opened up the Sapiens black box and discovered there neither soul, nor free will, nor self but only genes, hormones and neurons. This rather depressing argument is well presented, with a few caveats. Hararis breezy style is sometimes in tension with his utter nihilism. Here is a moral rule: You can either be cheery or you can describe the universe as an empty, echoing void where human beings have no inherent value. But you cant do both. And Hararis treatment of religion is, charitably put, superficial. He seems to think that the absence of an immortal soul can be proved by dissection. Scientists have looked into every nook in our hearts and every cranny in our brains. But they have so far discovered no magic spark. For future reference, religious believers dont generally view the liver or the pineal gland as the seat of the soul. And when Harari claims that religion is no longer a source of creativity and makes little difference, it is tempting to shout Martin Luther King Jr. at your Kindle. But Harari has one great virtue: intellectual honesty. Unlike some of the new atheists, he recognizes that science is incapable of providing values, including the humanistic values of Locke, Rousseau and Jefferson. Even Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker and the other champions of the new scientific worldview refuse to abandon liberalism, Harari observes. After dedicating hundreds of erudite pages to deconstructing the self and the freedom of will, they perform breathtaking intellectual somersaults that miraculously land them back in the 18th century. Harari relentlessly follows the logic of reductionism as it sweeps away individualism, equality, justice, democracy and human rights even human imagination. Yes, God is a product of the human imagination, but human imagination in turn is the product of biochemical algorithms. This is the paradox and trial of modernity. As humans reach for godhood, they are devaluing what is human. Omnipotence is in front of us, almost within our reach, Harari says, but below us yawns the abyss of complete nothingness. A humane future will require someone to offer a bridge across the chasm. Cedar Falls Utilities was on the cutting edge of development when citizens in the early 1990s approved the establishment of a municipal communications utility. That has developed into a great asset for the city and for the residents who rely on CFU. Its the largest municipal utility in Iowa, and its the only utility in Iowa that has all four utilities, including electric, water, gas and communications. Its investment in renewable energy is a progressive approach to future needs. And CFUs ability to offer some of the fastest internet speeds in the nation should continue to help lure businesses that demand those highest speeds. At a customer level, CFU has the reputation of being quick to respond and take action whenever necessary. Of course, everyone would like to see all of that continue. Thats why we were heartened when CFU recently announced a familiar name would be taking over as general manager next year, succeeding retiring General Manager Jim Krieg. Steve Bernard, whos been with CFU for 21 years, 15 of them as director of customer service and business development, will take over as CFU general manager effective Jan. 1. Bernard, who worked under three different CFU general managers in seven years prior to Kriegs hiring, said he hopes to provide some continuity in leadership. I appreciate the vote of confidence. But its really a vote of confidence in all of our employees and the good work that is done here and continues to be done, Bernard said. We have a staff here thats technically competent as well as caring about the customer. Earlier this month when the CFU board of trustees formally appointed Bernard to succeed Krieg as general manager, Mara-Beth Soneson, CFU board vice chair, offered up some of the reasons. Among all the other applicants, we were looking for very specific qualities in terms of engineering skills, management skills, industry knowledge, experience with four utilities, electric, water, gas and communications, which CFU has, she said. We graded all the applicants we had against that kind of scale, and obviously Steve floated to the top. Krieg is the second longest serving general manager in CFUs history, with 15 years in that post. Hes demonstrated over the years his leadership skills, Krieg said of Bernard. His character was a big part of the whole thing. Hes been great with employees, great with the customers and his experience in mechanical engineering brings a lot to the table. We felt right in our own nest here we had the best candidate by far. In his current position, Bernard oversees marketing and sales and works with key accounts, working with the city of Cedar Falls on economic development projects. Bernard is a 1980 graduate of Cedar Falls High School, a 1985 graduate of Iowa State University and worked for Northern States Power in Eau Claire and La Crosse, Wis., for 11 years. The biggest challenges facing CFU in coming years, Bernard said, is maintaining and recruiting good employees as a large number of workers reach retirement age, keeping utility rates low, maintaining reliability and keeping up with the growth of the community. I know its going to be a challenge, because theres some big shoes to fill here, Bernard said of Krieg. Thats true. But we feel Bernard is up to the task of continuing the services and maintaining the visions that have helped build such a stellar reputation for Cedar Falls Utilities. 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Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) A startup needs to test an idea quickly. For this, an MVP is created. MVP, Minimal Viable Product a test version of a product or service with a minimum set of functions (up to one or two), which allows you to see the product's value for consumers and the market. MVP is created to test hypotheses and check the viability of the intended product: is it worth developing the project further, what changes should be made? The sooner a startup brings its MVP to market and tests the idea, the better. This article will look at how no-code technology can help founders achieve their business goals. This article will try to cover everything that a founder needs to know about no-code at the initial stage of creating a startup. What is no-code? No-code, zero-code platform is a tool for creating websites, applications, chatbots, and other programs without the need for direct code writing by programmers. No-code is a valuable alternative to traditional development. No-code is confused with low-code, but there is a difference in these terms. Low-code includes no-code and the ability to "finish code", add parts of code and the functionality. A user of a no-code platform usually does not need to know layout, programming languages, or hire a team of programmers. The user of the no-code tool creates an application using a visual block constructor, which he fills with the necessary content and functions, and the no-code platform itself does the processing of requests, compiling the application and other "magic." It generates code using AI and/or contains blocks of code pre-written by programmers. No-code allows the startup founder to create an MVP himself, entrust it to his employee with basic technical literacy and understanding of the project, or hire a no-code developer. Even in the case of hiring a no-code developer, the cost of creating an MVP will be significantly lower than with classical development with programmers. For example, you can read the interview of a startup and no-code developer on our website, who initially worked as a Product Manager and was able to master no-code for his project himself. Benefits of no-code for a startup founder There are the following key advantages for a startup founder in using no-code technology: a large selection of no-code tools, platforms, and their integrations at the moment already in 2022, there are many tools and platforms for creating an MVP, a larger project, or even a finished product on no-code, but few people still know about them, and others are far from all startups and founders use their potential; cost no-code development saves the money by speeding up the development process, not hiring professional programmers or no need to maintain a developer department, monitoring functions and quick bug fixes, avoiding or reducing the growth of technical debt; speed is the main advantage over classical development no-code allows you to build a simple application in a weekend, and a more complex one can be built in a month. In this way, you can test an MVP and even several versions of an MVP very quickly; low entry threshold to master a no-code platform, you often do not need technical education at all, but only an understanding of a company's business processes or product from the inside. In the case of pro-level no-code platforms, technical education is required, but you can get used to it hundreds of times faster than with any programming language. This makes no-code available to almost everyone who wants to work with technology; ease of use no need to write hundreds of code lines just move the blocks and assign links between them. Work on a project can be entrusted to your employee without communicating with a team of third-party developers. You can speak "in your language" without the need to understand the "inner kitchen" of developers; flexibility with the help of no-code, it is easy for a startup founder to add new functionality and new features right during a project or a MVP testing without a significant increase in development costs. Possible disadvantages of no-code for a startup founder As often, any property can be, under certain conditions, both a disadvantage and an advantage. In no-code, many of the benefits with the wrong choice of tool can turn into disadvantages: no-code is not always a budget solution for a project. Sometimes in a no-code development package, you get unnecessary functions and additions (on AppMaster.io you can separately connect the frontend and pay only for the backend or only for those functions that you are using); if you do not understand the needs of your project, then you can make a mistake with the choice of a no-code tool and not be able to implement the necessary functions on it, or it will be too difficult to implement them; often, no-code tools fail to ensure proper data security and contribute to data leakage (but AppMaster.io allows you to host a finished application on any server); no-code tools often do not provide the ability to upload source code or provide uploading in an inconvenient format, which makes it difficult to move to another tool or to your development. You have to choose a no-code tool "once and forever immediately" (AppMaster. io gives you the ability to download the source code. Also, we generate human-readable code and you will not have any difficulties with its transportation); most no-code tools on the market are not suitable for creating a finished product, and there are significant difficulties with scaling the project if the MVP is successful (AppMaster.io is a professional no-code platform and our capabilities allow us to implement and support the finished product and scale it in the future). Forewarned is forearmed. Choose your no-code tool wisely and take full advantage of your choice. Types of no-code platforms Conventionally, all no-code tools can be divided into several types: no-code devices with a low entry threshold (you can create frontend and not very powerful backend on them), integrators that help connect applications and services, and professional no-code platforms (they strive to replace the code completely, provide the ability to create a robust backend and high bandwidth). The basic principle of operation of your MVP and the choice of a no-code platform depend on such a conditional division into types. For example, if you make a simple application like a diary, you can limit yourself to a no-code tool with a low entry threshold and a beautiful design. If your application has powerful potential, high bandwidth, multi-user interface, and works with large amounts of data or real-time data, it is better to choose a professional no-code platform like AppMaster.io or Direcual. If you use several services at once, link them on integrators like Integromat and Zapier. Adalo An easy-to-learn designer with a relatively user-friendly interface. The free version is helpful for learning. The free version contains Adalo watermarks and does not allow you to upload your applications to GooglePlayMarket and AppStore. Beginners often choose this no-code platform to create their first applications with simple logic. Bubble It will take more time to learn Bubble , but the platform allows you to work with the backend, databases, business processes, and layout. There are many plugins. The free plan allows you to master the tool, and you can start developing at the middle rate. The price increase is due to the rise in the number of users. Integromat It is an integrator. Experts talk about it as a simple and affordable platform for linking applications and services. Scenarios can be created personally, or you can use templates. If you need to connect an application with a service not from the Integromat database, fill out the form and connect to its API via HTTP. Zapier This is an integrator for linking applications with each other or with other external services. You can transfer data between thousands of applications. There is a script constructor (one event starts a chain of necessary actions). Directual The no-code platform positions itself for creating MVP applications (Minimal Viable Product, minimum viable product) and full-fledged applications of finished products. Scenarios are the backbone of the platform. Using scripts, you can automate the backend logic of the application, create and combine workflows. The Directual catalog includes out-of-the-box connectors, HTTP requests, webhooks, database listeners, and integration with popular services. AppMaster.io No-code next-generation platform for creating native and web applications on a real backend. Visual drag-and-drop designer, user-friendly business process designer, one-click app publishing to AppMaster Cloud, or integration with any cloud platform. Push notifications, authorization using social networks. Networks, email, and more. Connect applications to hundreds of services or programmatically access them using APIs. The ability to upload source code and documentation in a human-readable format and transfer it to your servers. Documentation auto-generation. Modern and fast language GoLang at the core. No-code perspectives for startups No-code development is gradually gaining popularity around the world. There are already more than 500 no-code tools for creating websites and various types of applications. According to the forecasts of IT world experts, no-code will develop more and more actively and capture parts of the market responsible for medicine, small online business, small business, and all niches where it is possibly necessary to optimize and automate development processes. The mass shift of businesses and their customers online and to gadgets has increased the demand for the fast and inexpensive creation of mobile applications that would work according to a single quality standard and have a simple, understandable, user-friendly interface. Conclusion No-code is visual programming in the form of a constructor without directly writing code. Usually, basic knowledge in development is enough to build applications on no-code. The logic of no-code constructors is intuitive: the application interface is assembled from blocks, icons, buttons, and text which are connected to the database. Usually, you can choose a suitable template or do everything from scratch. Speed and economy are the main advantages of no-code tools. No-code is suitable for creating an MVP, testing an idea or new features in a product, saving time for solving standard tasks. PRO level no-code platforms can provide you with a finished product, an application. If you don't have an account on AppMaster.io yet, join us. After registration, you will be given a free trial period for 14 days, in which all the basic functionality of the platform is available. It will allow you to learn the intricacies of working with a professional-level no-code platform and understand its potential. Jun 28, 2017 | By Tess Scandy, a mobile 3D scanning company based in New Orleans, has released a new app for Googles AR/VR Tango platform which enables users to 3D scan objects. Called Scandy Pro, the app makes it possible to 3D scan objects in full color and create usable meshes of them. Scandy has combined its own 3D scanning expertise with Tangos core motion tracking, area learning, and depth perception technology to give users a 3D scanning tool that goes beyond Tango's usual Augmented Reality games and apps. On its own, Tango provides a 3D Reconstruction Library which can be used to generate environment scans, such as a room scan. This tool, however, only offers a maximum resolution of 1 cm, limiting its applications. Now, Scandy has found a way to combine Tangos room scanning technology with its own 3D scanning algorithms to enable a much higher resolution: the Scandy Pro can capture 3D scans with a maximum resolution of 1 mm. This is largely thanks to Scandy Cores GPU-optimized pipeline. Scandy Pros technology is based on Scandy Core, the companys customizable, sensor-agnostic 3D scanning middleware. Scandywhich is in the process of integrating its middleware for a number of global companiessays Scandy Core can be applied for almost any project that requires 3D modeling, AR/VR, depth sensing, or CAD software. "We've been working on Scandy Core to make high-resolution object scanning available on mobile devices for years now, and we are thrilled to bring our expertise to Tango-enabled devices," said Cole Wiley, co-founder of Scandy. "The Scandy team is looking forward to seeing what great content the Tango user community can create with new the Scandy Pro app," added Charles Carriere, the companys other co-founder. Scandy believes its new Tango 3D scanning app will enable users of all skill levels to get into 3D scanning: for entry-level users, the tool can be a good introduction for 3D scanning technologies and processes, while for more experienced users, the company says its Scandy Pro app could make a good companion piece for a top-of-the-line 3D scanner. Currently, the Scandy Pro app is available on the Google Play Store and is compatible with Lenovos Phab 2 Pro and the upcoming Asus ZenPhone AR. (You can see how Scandy turned the Asus ZenPhone AR into a 3D scanner in just six hours.) Scandy Pro was first announced last year as the company started beta testing. Scandy was founded in 2014 by Carriere and Wiley, who were determined to develop an accessible 3D scanning technology for smartphones. In 2016, the company successfully raised $1 million in funding after releasing its Scandy Sphere app in order to develop and release a full-color 3D scanning app that could be compatible with 3D printing. Now, Google Tango users will be able to try out the fruits of this labor. Tell us what youd 3D scan. Posted in 3D Scanning Maybe you also like: Pal Davis wrote at 7/3/2017 4:56:50 PM:this is a free app though. still pretty early i bet... I'm waiting for updates because i think this could be useful when they begin fixing the kinksshaun lamont wrote at 6/29/2017 8:07:04 PM:?? Even the video shows the data to be garbage....you wont be able to use it at all....unless you really like paying for bad data Jun 28, 2017 | By David 3D printing company Stratasys has announced the winners of the 2017 Extreme Redesign 3D Print Challenge. The company co-hosted the event with GrabCAD, a digital manufacturing hub that hosts an expansive online collaborative environment for designers, engineers, and manufacturers. Judges selected the victorious candidates from over 900 submissions, coming from student inventors, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs from all around the world. Now in its 13th year, the Extreme Redesign 3D Print challenge gives students the opportunity to redesign an existing product, create a new product that will improve a particular task, or design a new work of art or piece of architecture. They must make use of 3D printing technology in their projects and they are evaluated according to specific criteria, such as their creativity, real-world achievability, and mechanical soundness. This years panel of judges included Todd Grimm, President of T.A. Grimm and Associates, Manufacturing Engineer Diana Foster, Ryan Erickson of Cedar Park STEM School and Michael Santolupo, Design Teacher at John Paul II Catholic Secondary School, London, Ontario. According to Gina Scala, the Director of Marketing at Stratasys' Global Education wing: 3D printing has the potential to transform industriestruly revolutionizing how things are made. Our Extreme Redesign Challenge regularly highlights the most significant student innovations achieved with 3D printing, led by the intellect of young minds. This year, we received some of the strongest entries in the contests 10-plus year history. These winners truly represent the best of the best in student creativity and design. First-place winners in each category received $2,500 scholarships, with $1,000 being awarded to runners-up. A demo 3D printer was also given to educators of the winners, for use in classrooms for a limited time. The National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) winner is also awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Check out the winners of this year's competition below: Engineering (Secondary Education): First Place went to Grayson Galisky of Los Alamitos High School, CA, for his Biomimetic Robotic Prosthetic Hand. The hand was mostly 3D printed using an Ultimaker 2. Graysons innovation was to model the mechanics of the hand after the bio-mechanics of a real human hand, as opposed to conventional robotics techniques. By incorporating elements like 3D printed tendons and ligaments, the prosthetic hand has vastly improved dexterity and performance compared to most robotic prosthetics. It also means that its not necessary to write new code for the control of the handdata can be tracked from the movement of a regular human hand using draw wire sensors. The overall cost of the project came to less than $600, and it took about 2 days in total to print and assemble all the parts. Engineering (Higher Education) First Place was awarded to Thomas Salverson of The University of Alabama, NE for his Arm Cast. He designed his cast to be modular, adjustable and reusable, all 3 of which are improved attributes compared to the conventional plaster/fibreglass cast used to heal broken bones.It was 3D printed with a Makerbot Replicator Mini from strong ABS filament. The cast incorporates a modular ring and adjustment pads, so it can be modified as the patients bones heal. Salversons cast design would be very cost-effective and easy to put togetherit could even be done by the patient herself. Art, Architecture, and Design First place went to Daniel Fahy for his Intricate Flower Centerpiece. The 3D printed flower is a beautiful ornament, as well as functioning as a candleholder and a jewellery box. It was based on the dahlia and zinnia flowers. The complex CAD design for the flower was 3D printed using an FDM machine and ABS Plus Filament, although Fahy suggests that an SLS or SLA printer would be even better to capture the intricate surface details. A number of different color combinations are possible NCATC Prize The winner of the NCATC Prize was Jacob Haynes, of Danville Community College, Virginia. His project was a Universal Tablet Holder for Phantom Drone. 3D printed and held together with nuts, bolts and elastic bands, the tablet holder would allow almost any tablet-sized device to fit firmly onto a drone controller and was made as part of the colleges prospective drone program. Posted in 3D Printing Events Maybe you also like: Jun 29, 2017 | By Tess In a recent address to the United Nations Security Council, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu spoke about the potential threats that new technologies, such as 3D printing, unmanned aerial vehicles, and the dark web, could have in enabling terrorist organizations and groups to access and obtain weapons of mass destruction. In the speech, Nakamitsu called for stronger cooperation within the international community and for nations to step up their prevention efforts. The possibility of non-State actors, including terrorists, acquiring weapons of mass destruction remains a significant threat to global security, and the international community must step up its efforts to ensure that the disastrous scenario of WMD terrorism is avoided, she explained. While no explicit dangers of 3D printing were brought up, Nakamitsu was more generally suggesting that accessible technologies such as additive manufacturing and drones are part of a broader globalization trend that generally favors economic growth and development but also increases mobility of materials, technologies, and scientific researchany of which could end up in the wrong hands. "While there are still significant technical hurdles that terrorist groups need to overcome to effectively use weapons of mass destruction, a growing number of emerging technologies could make this barrier easier to cross," Nakamitsu added. Several new areas of concern emerged, such as the use unmanned aerial vehicles, 3D printers, and the exploitation of the so-called dark web. The way to combat these threats, she said, will be to open up an international dialogue between governments and industry as well as to increase cooperation and information-sharing between the security organizations of various countries. A real global effort, in other words. Authorities around the globe have become increasingly wary of 3D printing, as people have used the technology to create makeshift firearms (as weve seen in Sweden and Australia, for instance). And while there doesnt seem to be conclusive evidence that a fully 3D printed gun could actually function, the fact that people are trying to create unregistered firearms is seen as worrying by some. That being said, the UN address was more specifically talking about the increased access to weapons of mass destruction, for which 3D printing would appear to be far less useful. Still, and this is speculation, 3D printers could feasibly be used to create specific parts for weapons that might be difficult to obtain. Ultimately, we suppose it is more the combination of 3D printing, UAVs, and the dark web that could pose a threat, as the latter could give terrorists the means to access equipment and materials necessary for creating WMDs. Nakamitsus presentation was part of a UN Security Council meeting on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: SpyerSecol wrote at 7/3/2017 8:35:25 AM:More fear mongering and finger pointing knee-jerk reactions from less informed people in the government who are incapable or unwilling to actually learn about what they are talking about. Do you know that some people in the government think that a Magazine (for holding bullets in a firearm) magically goes away when it is emptied? That is why they think that the ban on high capacity magazines will make us all safer. These are the people you put in charge. VOTE THEM OUT!Mike wrote at 7/1/2017 11:29:00 AM:True, new technology is scary. I remember some officials proposed to ban the Ford T, because you could commit a crime and getaway really fast :)kr_ wrote at 6/29/2017 10:17:03 PM:Bhouuu the mass destruction shadow is on you! you shall spend billions more on defense to help us messing up the planet some more... Seriously what's this news doing here? And the very matching plastic printer picture lol Jun 29, 2017 | By David The United States Department of Energy is renewing its funding into nuclear energy, with 3D printing technology set to play a key role in the latest research. A grant of $1.275 million was just awarded to the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering for a collaborative research project, which will be focused on the development of advanced sensors for nuclear reactors. The nuclear sensors will be fabricated using 3D printing, as well as other cutting-edge laser manufacturing technologies. Improved safety and efficiency were most likely the motivating factors behind the award of this grant by the DoE, which came from the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) program, part of the the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). NEET has recently awarded a total of $66 million to various beneficiaries for projects that will contribute to the advancement of the nuclear industry. The Swanson School of Engineering will be working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Reactor Laboratory, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Kevin Chen, the Paul E. Lego Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, will be leading the study. The aim of the project is to develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber sensors, and sensor-fused components that can be placed in a nuclear reactor core. The group will use 3D printing technology and pioneering laser fabrication methods, hoping to produce both high-temperature stable point sensors and distributed fiber sensors for high spatial resolution measurements in radiation-hardened silica and sapphire fibers. "This NEET grant will allow our lab to continue its partnerships with leading technological companies and national laboratories to develop solutions to some of the most pressing issues affecting nuclear energy production, said Chen. "Advances in sensor technology can greatly enhance the sensitivity and resolution of data in harsh environments like a nuclear reaction, thereby improving safety operations." Chen has previously garnered serious acclaim in this field, with his research into optical sensing technology leading to his being presented with a 2017 Carnegie Science Award. The "Innovation in Energy Award" recognized Dr. Chen's contributions to improving efficiency of energy production and safety of transportation infrastructures in the energy industry. In addition to this recent NEET grant, the program also awarded him a $987,000 grant in 2014, to study high-sensitivity, high-accuracy sensor networks. Fiber optical sensor networks allow nuclear engineers to be much more responsive to problems in nuclear power reactors and other fuel cycle systems, which leads to increased safety as well as reducing operating cost. According to Chen, "the networks we developed contain up to 100 sensors per meter and can be placed in critical locations to quickly relay information to the plant operators and isolate problems before they spread to other areas." As for the University of Pittsburgh, it has benefitted from funding from various other parts of the Nuclear Energy University Program besides NEET, adding up to around $2.8 million overall. Between 2009 and 2016, NEUP awarded grants for two research and development projects totalling around $1.7 million, as well as general scientific infrastructure funding of around $300,000. Five fellowships were awarded by the program, coming to around $770,000 in total, as well as $70,000 for 11 scholarships. This investment in nuclear research should pay off in a major way in the near future, as reliance on fossil fuels and other conventional energy sources is increasingly discouraged due to the undeniable facts of climate change. The role that 3D printing technology has to play in the development of new energy technology is likely to grow accordingly. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: How Volkswagen Autoeuropa is using 3D printing to cut back on costs and lead times Jun.21, 2017 - Volkswagen Autoeuropa has seen the benefits of using Ultimaker 3D printers for the production of custom tools and parts. The desktop 3D printers have enabled the Volkswagen-owned facility to manufacture custom parts more quickly and at a lower cost compared with traditional manufacturing methods. More David Sessions in The New Republic: Writing in one of Mussolinis prisons in the 1930s, the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci jotted down the fragments that would become his theory of intellectuals. New classes, like the European bourgeoisie after the Industrial Revolution, he proposed, brought with them their own set of thinkers, which he called organic intellectualstheorists, technicians, and administrators, who became their functionaries in a new society. Unlike traditional intellectuals who held positions in the old class structure, organic intellectuals helped the bourgeoisie establish its ideas as the invisible, unquestioned conventional wisdom circulating in social institutions. Today, Gramscis theory has been largely overlooked in the ongoing debate over the supposed decline of the public intellectual in America. Great minds, we are told, no longer captivate the public as they once did, because the university is too insular and academic thinking is too narrow. Such laments frequently cite Russell Jacobys The Last Intellectuals (1987), which complained about the post-1960s professionalization of academia and waxed nostalgic for the bohemian, independent intellectuals of the earlier twentieth century. Writers like the New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof attribute this sorry state of affairs to the culture of Ph.D. programs, which, Kristof claims, have glorified arcane unintelligibility while disdaining impact and audience. If academics cannot bring their ideas to a wider readership, these familiar critiques imply, it is because of the academic mindset itself. In his book The Ideas Industry, the political scientist and foreign policy blogger Daniel W. Drezner broadens the focus to include the conditions in which ideas are formed, funded, and expressed. Describing the public sphere in the language of markets, he argues that three major factors have altered the fortunes of todays intellectuals: the evaporation of public trust in institutions, the polarization of American society, and growing economic inequality. He correctly identifies the last of these as the most important: the extraordinary rise of the American superrich, a class interested in supporting a particular genre of ideas. More here. Gili Izikovich in Haaretz: One morning in April 2007 journalist Sacha Batthyany was approached by an elderly colleague at the Swiss daily where they both worked at the time. The colleague waved a newspaper clipping in front of him. It was an investigative report entitled, The Hostess from Hell, published by a German daily. Glancing at the headline, Batthyany didnt understand why he was being shown this article, but then he looked at the picture of the hostess and recognized it immediately. It was Margit, his fathers aunt someone to whom the family demonstrated the utmost respect and also around whom they tended to tread carefully. So he started to read the piece. In March 1945, it said, just before the end of World War II, Margit held a large party in the town of Rechnitz on the Austrian-Hungarian border to fete her Nazi friends. She, the daughter and heiress of European baron and tycoon Heinrich Thyssen, and her friends drank and danced the night away. At the height of the evening, just for fun, 12 of the guests boarded trucks or walked to a nearby field, where 180 Jewish slave laborers who had been building fortifications were assembled. They had already been forced to dig a large pit, strip, and get down on their knees. The guests took turns shooting them to death before returning to the party. The organizer of this operation was Margits lover Hans Joachim Oldenberg. Margits husband, Count Ivan Batthyany, Sachas grandfathers brother, was also at the party. More here. [Free registration required.] Joshua Roebke in Scientific American: Quantum mechanics is the consummate theory of particles, so it naturally describes measurements and interactions. During the past few decades, as computers have nudged the quantum, the theory has been reframed to encompass information, too. What quantum mechanics implies for measurements and interactions is notoriously bizarre. Its implications for information are stranger still. One of the strangest of these implications refutes the material basis of communication as well as common sense. Some physicists believe that we may be able to communicate without transmitting particles. In 2013 an amateur physicist named Hatim Salih even devised a protocol, alongside professionals, in which information is obtained from a place where particles never travel. Information can be disembodied. Communication may not be so physical after all. This past April, the early edition of a short article about Salihs protocol appeared online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Most of the articles 10 authors were members of the University of Science and Technology of China, at its branches in Shanghai and Hefei. The final author was Jian-Wei Pan, an eminent physicist who has also developed a constellation of satellites for communicating through quantum mechanics. He recently used this network for transmitting entangled particles over a distance of 1,200 kilometers. More here. Gabriel Winant in Dissent: When I teach history classes, I often give students assignments that ask them toas we say in the professionhistoricize themselves. At a superficial level, its easy to absorb this fundamental insight of historical scholarship: that an individuals ideology doesnt come from inside them, but is an effect of time and place. But its much easier to understand how this was true of some stranger in the distant past than to accept it about yourselfthat youre a product of the social processes of your time, and your ideas are not crystals of pure rationality, but the residue of these processes. Much of the indictment of mainstream journalists and politicians on the center-left boils down to this problem. The leaders of the Democratic Party and their loyalists seem to hear themselves as the sole voice of reason in an insane moment. They dont grasp that theyre speaking a particular and provincial languagethe institutional formalism and propriety of the professional middle class of the late twentieth centuryand even less why that language enjoys less resonance now than in its 1990s heyday. The latest defeatthat of Jon Ossoff in the Georgia special electionillustrates this dynamic starkly: Democrats are sniffing for suburban votes where they cant get a majority, while ignoring the people who might actually want to vote for them. The party appears committed to offering substantively vacuous defenses of formalism to an electorate whose dire needs have destroyed lingering faith in our residual institutional norms. Ossoff, who ran on a promise not to send impulsive tweets and studiously avoided actual policy discussions, embodies the problem: reasonability offered as the rationale for the Democrat, but no actual reasons. Conceding the election, the losing candidate delivered his speech in an imitation-Obama style. The principle of neoliberal governancedemocratic politics as mere theater, markets as the real governorsbecame literal here: the Democrats banked their hopes on someone pretending to be a politician on the TV. More here. [Thanks to Corey Robin.] This week in San Francisco fashion, beauty and retail news. (Courtesy of Banana Republic) Get Batik-y With It at Banana Republic Refresh your summer wardrobe and do some good while you're at it: Shop this just-launched 20-piece capsule collectionfor women and men. Literally, every piece is a one of a kind, as the sustainable fabric is handcrafted by Piece & Co's female artisans in South Africa and Ghana. The printed textiles are made with natural plants and hand-dyeing techniques unique to each region. When paired with BR's modern style? We've got a winner here, folks. The women's sun-dyed pants and men's bar-print shirt really turned our heads. Prices for the collection range from $24 pocket squares to $348 maxi dresses. // Available in stores and online, bananarepublic.gap.com Celebrate Your Independence at Stinson Pop-Up As you gear up to celebrate America's 241st birthday (looking good, girl), why not pencil in a little pop-up shopping in between the burgers, beers and beach-ing. The Kingfisher Collective, all about the coastal lifestyle, opens its temporary Stinson Beach doors July 1st through 4th. You'll find clothing, home goods, and accessories from local brands and artisans including Pali Swim, Zelma Rose, Lacson Ravello, Wilderness Workshop, and Summer Strauch. All this beachy chic, which takes place just steps from the ocean, is a labor of love for curator-in chief and professional photographer Elizabeth Hurley. // 3488 Shoreline Highway (Stinson Beach), 11 am to 6 pm, July 1July 4, @thekingfishercollective (Courtesy of Spoke & Weal) Spoke & Weal Rolls Into Palo Alto Silicon Valley devotees of superstar stylist Jon Reyman and color goddess Christine Thompson no longer have to trek into the city to get their tresses did. A Palo Alto outpost of Spoke & Weal, known for its creativity and dry-cutting techniques, recently opened on California Avenue. This marks salon number five for the darling of fashion glossieslocations outside the Bay Area include L.A., Chicago and NYC. The minimalist-cool space is housed in a building owned by a local charity, which means a portion of the rent goes to underprivileged kids. More bonus points for this: Every service includes a complimentary Ayurvedic scalp massage, blowout and styling. Ahh. // 334 S. California Ave. (Palo Alto), spokeandweal.com (Courtesy of Saje Natural Wellness) Cool off With Saje Natural Wellness We've all been there beforehaving so much fun picnicking in Dolores Park or summer-reading at Baker Beach that, oops, we soak up too much sun. Be prepared next time, withSaje's Cool Spray ($14) designed to soothe and refresh hot and bothered skin. Like all the Canadian company's products, this revitalizing mist is made with ingredients that are 100 percent derived from plants and natural essential oils. The stars of this one: peppermint, eucalyptus and basil. If you haven't checked out Saje's still-newish store on Fillmore Street, we've just provided the perfect excuse. Spritz, spritz. // 1913 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights), saje.com (Courtesy of Madison Reed) Madison Reed Color Bar Debuts in the Mission San Francisco women looking for reasonably priced salon-quality hair color, including routine gray coverage, can thank their lucky strands that Madison Reed is based here. The mobile-first, at-home hair color brand just opened its first IRL Color Bar within the company's Mission HQ. Services include everything from demi-permanent color ($35) and roots-only permanent color ($60) to roots + gloss + blowout ($120). All MR colors are made without ammonia, parabens and glutens, and are enriched with good stuff like argan oil, keratin and ginseng root. Over the next two years, MR plans to open 15 to 20 color bars throughout the country. Make reservations here; walk-ins welcome. // 430 Shotwell St. (Mission), madison-reed.com This summer, the SF Symphony features iconic films, popular musicians, brilliant vocalists, and classical greatsthere's something for everyone. The SF Symphony's summer concert series begins on a wailing high note with a concert dedicated to an American musical legend and the king of epic film scores, composer John Williams. On July 6th and 7th, The Music of John Williams returns with an all-new selection of the composer's greatest works from some movies you may have heard ofyou know, like Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter. But this time, a live orchestra will make every piece all the more dramatic. Williams's iconic score will also be featured July 13-14 in a full film screening and live orchestral performance of Jaws. & Universal Studios But it's not just action and fantasy movies. From the poignant and heartrending songs of Edith Piaf to the spirited "Can-Can," the San Francisco Symphony celebrates all things French with Pink Martini's force of nature, vocalist Storm Large. After watching Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor fly through the air, all you ever wanted was to experience the spectacle and exuberance of France's most infamous club, the Moulin Rouge. And now you can-can, at A Night at the Moulin Rouge on Saturday July 8. Following previous success, acclaimed vocalist and American musician Rhiannon Giddens joins the SFS on July 20 for Gershwin & Bernstein, an evening of American classical and roots music. Hear a musical portrait of a bustling city in Gershwin's An American in Paris. Then, listen for syncopated Latin rhythms telling the story of the impossible romance of two star-crossed lovers in Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. That'll have you snapping your fingers like a shark all night. Then, for those of us more into guitars and hipster glasses, Ben Folds joins the SF Symphony on July 21 for a concert of hits spanning his decades-long career as a solo artist and frontman of the alternative rock trio Ben Folds Five. One of the major music influencers of his generation, this multitalented musician brought us hits like "Brick," "Annie Waits," and "The Luckiest." Tickets are now on sale, but last year all the tickets sold out, so get a move on! Visit sfsymphony.org for the full line-up. While the pay could be better, benefits of teaching out of this world I went to her house to pick up some supplies that she didn't need - and after a brief hello as I'm checking on my son in the car and she's checking on her son in the house - she showed me her new outfit.Her son, like so very many, has behavior outbursts and meltdowns and at times pretty significant aggression. Like so many of us her house is adorned with patches from holes knocked in the walls. For some, it's from kicks or punches from innocent adults who have no communication. No way to express hurt, frustration, chronic inflammatory illness, or any number of things that vaccine injury or "autism" has triggered. My house is adorned with many such patches from holes in the walls from where my son fell because of violent seizures. A few weeks ago we were inaugurated with our "first". Our first hole in the wall that he actually kicked. It was late at night and instead of our son being able to read a book or watch tv if he wasn't tired - he laid there repeatedly kicking the wall.(please ask us if we thought about disciplining him to not do that)You see autism first hand even walking up to her house. The glass pane on her front door is covered in tape from a meltdown. I keep mentally thinking that I want to have my husband go replace the window for her, but then he's still got a few holes in our home to patch. What makes me so sad in that, is how I know we can't help her because we don't have the money to. There are so many things we need to do that we can't. It's always like that. It is us helping each other. Or at least wishing we could. With few exceptions, no one around us in our family, our church, our community seem to get that. Maybe if we wore dirty ragged torn clothes and lived on a street corner someone would finally notice our need for help. Too bad our need isn't that obvious. On the surface, we're just like any other typical family. The "disability" in our life nothing that at a quick glance stands out. Many, like this warrior friend of mine, live as I participate in my exercise class.... The "suffer in solitude and silence" mode in the back corner of the room.For many, their suffering is very much silent. For fear. Fear that though they are doing everything in their power to help their child, someone will judge them and make them out to be the bad guy. Threaten to take their child away, as if there's a better place for them out there! Let's not blame an entire system that has failed our kids, let's blame the parent. I was a victim of that in how I dared to share bloody pictures of the aftermath of my sons seizures. Instead of anyone offering to help me figure out what caused them (or who - pharma) I was turned in to Adult Protective Services for sharing that reality of what vaccines did to my son so that others would know how to avoid that happening to their son.Every time I go to her house and see her front door, I think how it is her church, her family, her neighbors who should rally to fix that door for her. But sadly, much like when my husband was abruptly laid off from his job, it is our very own community who rallies for us and who help us despite needing help themselves. In our case, a GoFundMe was set up where people who had no business giving anything because they were as broke as me - gave what they could.need a GoFundMe for something in our lives with autism.(please suggest we seek state services/assistance for our loved one with autism)How this friend keeps a sense of humor about her is beyond me. I admire her, and so many just like her so very much. Warriors living with such extremes in their children, never knowing if one moment will be a smile or a smack in the face. Never knowing if the day will be yet another trek through hell or the HOPEISM of as good a day as we can hope to get despite all our children must endure.Sometimes in my War Room I have a one-sided argument with God in how we are told that there is nothing we experience on earth that Jesus hasn't already endured. How he knows our pain because he's been there too. Unless he's cured, in one decade my son will have suffered with vaccine injury longer than Jesus was alive. Jesus' torturous beaten and bloody walk carrying his cross eventually ended. For so many like me, that walk for us and our children will not end in this life. Jesus' torture, his pain, ended fairly quickly. For many children, they will have to endure for a lifetime.Like so many of my friends, this one is single. Her husband left her with a very significantly affected son who is taller and stronger than she is. Like so many of my friends, she's been in a crisis situation and has had to call the police or ambulance during yet another meltdown that our kids have that is triggered by who knows what... It can be as complicated as pain they can't communicate or that you did some sequence out of order and they just couldn't handle it. Whatever the cause, the outcome is always the same. Police arrive and the only help they can give is to handcuff a severely affected adult with autism. Which makes things worse, not better. Our kids have been tasered, and in a few instances, shot. Some suggest taking them to the hospital which is hilarious because there aren't even any hospitals that are properly equipped to handle the complex needs our kids have. There is no 9-1-1 for autism. There is no sensory friendly "hospital" for autism. There is simply no tangible, appropriate help for the brand of autism that most I know have.And a whole lot of faith.And humor.When she showed me her new dress, for a split second I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.I did laugh.It was hysterical in a most horrific kind of way.A grown woman, a dear friend, reduced to having to make a body shield out of bubble-wrap to protect herself. Bouncing off a wall would be much better than being obliterated by it. Her bubble-wrap dress was complete with duck-tape seams and velcro to attach her phone to it in case she needed to call the non-help 9-1-1 help.She's pretty darn talented. This bubble-wrap dress had a crew neck opening, tank top straps, then went down to about her knees with duck tape side seams. I wanted to ask her if she could make me one with Camo-tape seams for one day if I need such protection.And maybe some princess seams because, "Does this bubble-wrap make my butt look too big?"Sigh........If you don't live this life, I want you to read those last few paragraphs again.I want you to fully digest that in a society where we have the technology and intelligence and resources to do most anything - we have left mothers like this one with no help, no resources, and very often no hope that things will ever change for them. Society has given her nothing except being reduced to making herself a bubble-wrap protective shield of a dress for in case her son has yet another meltdown and through no fault of his, takes it out on her.With all of our American Red Cross and compassion and help for everyone in every other country or human situation, what we've told this mom is that all we can muster for her is bubble-wrap.I told her she needs to patent that design because there are thousands of mothers out there who need that dress, or who will before they know it.She could sell them online. Custom made with your choice color of duck tape for the seams.With the epidemic numbers of autistic adults who have violent meltdowns, she would be rich.Allow that to sink in.This friend is pretty petite in size, so when I noticed before she modeled her bubble-wrap dress that her bottom half was a bit - bigger - I figured finally she was able to have time for herself and actually eat something.But then she showed me her other design for everyday wear.The bubble-wrap dress mainly for during a meltdown.The shorts for daily wear in case her son shoves too hard or something. She took the waterproof pads that come with deliveries of incontinence supplies, and stuffed several layers in her pants all around her hips. If she was forcefully shoved, at least if she fell her hips wouldn't shatter. She would just bounce.I want society to read that again.What other parent in any other disability is reduced to bubble-wrap dresses and puffy pants?None.No other.We had a good laugh about her new wardrobe, but make no mistake, it isn't funny. We can laugh because we live it. It's the only defense we have against insanity.When I left her house, I didn't think I had any room left in my heart for another scar, but that visit put one there. I cried all the way home for her, for so many others like her. I cried that one day it could be me being reduced to wearing bubble-wrap to protect against my son.The worst I've experienced so far was a hand or arm too close to his teeth when he was mad about something or hurting. When trying to prevent him from hurting himself, at times I've been inadvertently slapped.The injustice against us and our kids in these situations is nothing short of horrific.I've had friends be out in public and suddenly their adult son went from happy to meltdown in a split-second. Instead of help from police called by perhaps well meaning bystanders to help them, they were punished, arrested. Absolutely no awareness from those whose job it is to help. Making a horrific situation become nothing short of a living nightmare.I rarely take my son out in public because of the fear of what has happened to others, happening to me.My friend shouldn't have had to even think about making a bubble-wrap dress and puffy pants making her look like the "Blueberry Girl" in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.She needed to have a list of phone numbers of people, of adult men who are trained in autism-care who she could call to come protect her and her son during a meltdown.But where is the ambulance for that?Where are the trained volunteers for that in each community?No where.Where are the short-term crisis centers where parents at the end of their rope could bring their children for behavioral intervention while they can catch their breath?No where.To even attempt to do that for every community would financially break cities.Would financially collapse our country.So who do we have to turn to?Our families who give to most everything else except to the person in their own family who needs the help.Our churches who send mission teams to every other country except for the autism community in their own back yard. Yes, they may "know about" Jesus, but perhaps we need to realize the equally important aspect of them actually "witnessing" the hands and feet of Jesus...Our society who would rather pretend we aren't there or call the cops or CPS on us instead of taking the time to care, comfort, or collaborate with others in helping.There are few exceptions, and for that we are thankful if we've been the recipient of such blessings.But for most, help is few and far between.If at all.For the most part what I see is that this mom has a bubble-wrap dress, puffy-pants, and still a taped up front door window.And as I laugh hysterically at the picture she sent me of her modeling her new wardrobe, with the smile that shows both grace and strength despite the adversity, -- all I can think of is what the helmet she'll make next will look like.Because we all know, insurance or medicaid sure won't pay for a real one for her. Visit Michelle's blog From Hell to HOPEISM here. Web Toolbar by Wibiya Foreign policy of President Trump is slowly but steadily working to increase its arms sale to the world. The advantages of arms trade for USA without any expenditure on US part are great. Upon his visit to Saudi Arabia that resulted in tensions in the Arab world as Qatar is being targeted by other Arab nations, Trump has got a lump sum trade deal from Qatar to the tune of whopping $ 12 billion. It is a big deal as US regime attempts to navigate an ongoing diplomatic crisis in the Gulf. 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. Deal President Trumps first ever recent foreign tour in Middle East, where a fanatically arrogant Israel behaves like the regional superpower with US made illegal nukes plus high precision conventional terror goods, including cluster bombs that are being bought by third world counties across the globe, has cussed ripples among Arab nations, leading to the ouster of Qatar from the Gulf States club. This, as foreseen by Washington, has obviously isolated Qatar to search for alternative routes to secure its security. Qatari Defense Minister Khalid Al-Attiyah and his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, completed the $12 billion agreement in Washington to buy F-15 fighter jets from the USA, according to the Pentagon. The aircraft purchase was completed by Qatari Minister of Defence Khalid Al Attiyah and his US counterpart Jim Mattis in Washington DC on June 14 Wednesday. The weapon transfer comes just weeks after Trump signed a deal with Saudi Arabia for almost $110bn in US arms. It also comes amid a diplomatic row between a Saudi-led bloc of nations and Qatar. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain and a number of other countries severed relations with Qatar earlier this month, accusing it of supporting armed groups and Iran - allegations Qatar has repeatedly rejected. Riyadh also closed its border with Qatar, the only land border the emirate has. In addition, the closure of Saudi, Bahraini, and Emirati airspace to Qatar-owned flights has caused major import and travel disruptions. Huge Qatari deal for 36 F-15 jets from the USA is significant as the two countries navigate tensions over President Donald Trumps backing for a Saudi-led coalitions move to isolate the country for supporting terrorism. The deal was completed despite the Gulf country being criticized recently by US President Donald Trump for supporting terrorism. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and representatives from Qatar were all set to meet to seal the agreement for 36 jets. In November, the United States approved possible sale of up to 72 F-15QA aircraft to Qatar for $21.1 billion. Boeing Co is the prime contractor on the fighter jet sale to the Middle East nation. Boeing declined to comment. 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. The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the USA and Qatar, the Pentagon said. The deal is "yet another step in advancing our strategic and cooperative defence relationship with the United States, and we look forward to continuing our joint military efforts with our partners here in the USA", said Attiyah. The sale "will give Qatar a state-of-the-art capability and increase security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and Qatar", the Defence Department said in a statement. Last year, after the State Department approved the jet sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency issued a report saying that the proposed sale enhances the foreign policy and national security of the United State by helping to improve the security of a friendly country and strengthening our strategically important relationship. Qatar is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Persian Gulf region, the agency said. Good for them and their defense in the long run. The current dispute between us should hopefully be temporary and end soon. The real enemy is and has always been the Persian Iranians on the other side. American terror base Qatar has long been accused of funneling money to the Muslim Brotherhood which has officially forsworn violence but is still accused of terrorism by some countries as well as to radical groups in Syria, Libya and other Arab nations. But it is also home to two major American command posts, including a $60 million center from which the United States and its allies conduct their air war on Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. Qatar hosts the biggest US military base in the Middle East with US 11,000 troops and coalition service members deployed to or assigned to Al-Udeid Air Base in the desert outside the Qatari capital of Doha. More than 100 aircraft operate from there. The Al Udeid U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) military base in Qatar was set up in 2003 after it was moved from the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The base, which boasts a long runway of 12,500 feet, is an important facility for the U.S. as it can accommodate up to 120 aircrafts. The base in Qatar serves as logistics, command and basing hubs for the U.S. CENTCOM area of operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan. In another development, two US Navy vessels arrived in Doha for a joint exercise with Qatar's fleet. The American boats arrived at Hamad Port south of Doha "to participate in a joint exercise with the Qatari Emiri Navy," according to a Ministry of Defence statement posted on QNA. The crews of the two vessels were received by Qatari navy officers. It was unclear if the arrival of the two warships was planned before the Gulf rift or if it was a sign of support from the Pentagon. Saudi led GCC wants USA to shift its airbase from Qatar. The US military lauded Qatar for its "enduring commitment to regional security" and said U.S. flights out of Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar were unaffected by the Gulf diplomatic crisis and also said that it has "no plans to change our posture in Qatar".. 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. Officals at White House said Trump was not trying to cause a rupture among Sunni Muslim nations in the Middle East. A US diplomat noted that Russia had much to gain from divisions among Irans rivals in the region, particularly if they made it more difficult for the United States to use Qatar as a major base. For sure, this is an attempt at regime change Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir 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". Gulf Arab states and Egypt have long resented Qatar's support for Islamists, especially the Egyptian-based Muslim brotherhood, which they regard as a dangerous political enemy. The coordinated move, with the Maldives and Libya's eastern-based government joining in later, created a dramatic rift among the Arab nations, many of which are in OPEC. Announcing the closure of transport ties with Qatar, the three Gulf States gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave. Qatar was also expelled from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. Turkeys presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kaln said on June 14 that the crisis surrounding Qatar is damaging for the Islamic world and Turkey is working to help resolve the issue through diplomacy. Speaking at a press conference, Kaln said Ankara was sending food assistance to Qatar after neighboring Gulf Arab states severed ties with Doha and imposed sanctions saying it supports terrorism and courts regional rival Iran. Kaln also said a Turkish military base in Qatar, set up before the regional spat, was established to ensure the security of the whole region and did not have an aim of any military action against any country. Zionist poison The current Qatar-Gulf crisis has offered fascist Israel a golden opportunity to normalize its abnormal presence in the region, undermine the Palestinian cause and deliver a diplomatic blow to the Islamic Resistance movement, Hamas. 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. Israel's rapid adoption of the Saudi position confirms that the two countries share Israel's vision on regional developments and the Palestinian cause. Israel, which has only signed peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, stands to benefit most from the Qatar-Gulf crisis. the Gulf crisis "will serve to undermine Hamas and redraw regional policies in accordance with the Israeli visions as Israel seeks to normalize its relations with the Arab states while isolating the Palestinian question". Following the crisis, Israeli officials' repeated statements centered on fighting "terrorism" and hopes for "cooperation" with the Gulf States on security concerns. "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," said Avigdor Lieberman, the Zionist illegal settlers leader and Israeli military minister, at the Israeli parliament on June 6. Israel is in need of Qatar's 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 strip's reconstruction. 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 demonizing it in the Arab world under the pretext of "terrorism". The Saudi attack on Hamas and its portrayal of the movement as a "terrorist organisation" serves the Israeli agenda and is consistent with Israel's goal to eliminate the Palestinian cause. The purpose behind Israel 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 their "common enemies" such as Syria, Iran, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, etc. These are longstanding tensions that have been bubbling under the surface but with the reported comment from Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani last week where he was alleged to have said positive things about Iran and negative things about other states was seen as an opportunity for the other powerful Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the Emirates to actually clamp down on Qatar. Notorious credit The US stance amid the Gulf's diplomatic rift was thrown into further confusion when Tillerson called on Saudi Arabia to ease the blockade on Qatar. The US' top diplomat has since attempted to mediate between the two sides, and on Tuesday the State Department said efforts to resolve the crisis were "trending in a positive direction". Meanwhile, President Trump thrust himself into a bitter Persian Gulf dispute, taking credit for Saudi Arabias move to isolate its smaller neighbor, Qatar, and rattling his national security staff by upending a critical American strategic relationship. In a series of tweets, Trump said his call for an end to the financing of radical groups had prompted Saudi Arabia and four other countries to act this week against Qatar, a tiny, energy-rich emirate that is arguably Americas most important military outpost in the Middle East. During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology, he said, pointing to Qatar look! The president also appeared to be trying to ease tensions. In a call with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Trump said that unity among gulf nations was critical to defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability, according to a White House statement. Trump during his visit focused his attention on Saudi Arabia and the UAE perhaps ignoring Qatar suggesting Trump's policies are directed towards the two countries at the expense of Qatar and other weaker states in the region. But the current standoff between GCC nations and Qatar has put the U.S. in a tough spot for a number of reasons. US Defense Secretary James Mattis and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered US support in brokering a solution between the feuding nations. The Pentagon military has been eager to avoid political quarrels with the Qataris, a goal reflected in statements by its spokesmen. The United States and the coalition are grateful to the Qataris for their longstanding support of our presence and their enduring commitment to regional security. An American diplomat in Doha said that Qatars relationship with the United States was strong and that it had made strides: prosecuting people suspected of funding terrorist groups, freezing assets and putting stringent controls on its banks. Tension and confusion Thanks to US interference and Israeli mishcief, Arab world is not undergoing a phase of continued tension and unavoidable confusion. Everyone wants USA on their side and hence the Qatari deals with it in a hurry as Qatar knows only arms deals and pumping of money into USA can make USA be in good humors. Saudi Arabia is just doing the monkeys job of doing exactly what is told by the Super power. Saudi Arabia might feel elated that it has done a great favor to the new US President so that he would ask the NATO to attack Iran, thereby appeasing the Saudis. Everybody and every nation are free to day dream. Riyadh also can do that but cannot expect the USA to listen to it just like American leaders obey Israel with which it conducts secret destabilizing operations globally, especially in West Asia. Here the winner is obviously the USA-Israel fascist twins- and not Saudi Arabia that managed the Arab show as the leader of Sunni world by gathering all other Arab nations to slam and boycott Qatar. Perhaps, Arab world is destined to become and stay destabilized. There could be widespread instability in the region if the situation between Riyadh and Doha deteriorates further. Meanwhile, Israel also fears that if the Gaza crisis escalates, causing major splits and disputes within the Hamas movement, which could lead to an armed confrontation between the movement and Israel. But 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. Religion is an important factor but this is a political struggle between the Saudis and the Iranians and of course the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt all fall in line with this. Arab leaders think exactly as US leaders want. 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. Arab nations with their own foolishness have time and again proven that they are indeed the root cause of Hamas-Fatah inner fight and confrontation that directly helps Israel and USA. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High near 70F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. In this June 13, 2014 file photo, construction continues on a new nuclear reactor at Plant Vogtle power plant in Waynesboro, Ga. The delays in the nuclear industry are adding up, adding hundreds of millions of dollars to already expensive projects. The latest announcement came from SCANA Corp., which expects a year-long delay in the completion of its two reactors under construction in South Carolina. That announcement raised questions about whether an identical plant under construction by the same builders in Georgia will also see expensive delays. Assyrian Fighters Join Battle Against ISIS in Raqqa A Assyrian fighter from the Syriac Military Council (SMC), Christian fighters supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against the Islamic State group, guards a lookout point on the western outskirts of Raqa on June 27, 2017. ( AFP) Dozens of Syriac-Assyrian Christians have united to fight ISIS militants in Raqqa, Syria, driven by a desire to protect their homeland and rid the region of Islamic extremism for the first time in three years. "I'm sacrificing for what they did to our people, our sects, for the churches they blew up. For all these things," Aleksan Chmou, a Syriac fighter, told the AFP. "Our Messiah Jesus Christ has a saying: if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your left cheek to him," the 28-year-old added. "But for me, if someone slaps me on my right cheek, I'm going to put a bullet in his head." Islamic State, also known as IS, ISIS, ISIL or Daesh, has been operating from Raqqa, one of its two major strongholds, since 2014. However, the terrorist group is now losing ground as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) close in on the city. IS could be defeated within months, officials have said, as forces on Thursday cut off militants' last remaining escape route. While the ground assault is being carried out by the SDF, a majority Kurdish and Arab alliance, dozens of Christians from the Syriac sect have also joined the fight. Many of them have tattoos of rosaries inked around their wrists and the word "JESUS" printed down their forearms. "In some neighborhoods, we are on the front lines of the fight," 23-year-old Fadi, a Christian, told the outlet. "We received military training and put on this uniform to fight Daesh, liberate our people and all the peoples of this region," he said. Thousands of Syriac Christians once lived in Raqqa alongside Armenians, Kurds and the city's mainly Sunni Arab population, but many fled when IS overran the city. After the group declared an "Islamic caliphate" in the Raqqa it said Christians could remain - if they paid a special tax or converted to Islam. Instead of complying, many fled. An investigative report on displacement and emigration of Christians in Syria and Iraq recently estimated that at least 50 percent and up to 80 percent of the Christians have fled the two countries since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Abboud Seryan, also Christian, told AFP, "We're participating in the liberation of Raqa in the name of all Syrians. There's no difference between Syriacs, Kurds, or Arabs. We're all brothers." The jihadists "blew up Raqqa's churches and forced Christians to convert to Islam. This is also why we're participating in this battle," he said. While thousands of ISIS fighters are believed to have fled Raqqa into the group's territory to the south, remaining members of the terrorist group have increased its use of suicide bombers and roadblocks in the city. On Saturday, two IS car bombs targeted SDF headquarters in the Jazara and AL-Idkhar districts, according to the terror outfit's self-described news agency, Amaq. Johannes de Jong, who works closely with Syriac-Assyrian Christians involved in the campaign to defeat ISIS, told Premier News Hour the fighters are desperate for the support and prayers of the international Christian community. "The very clear picture they're giving me is that there's a wall around Raqqa, they put it full of mines," he said. "You have to imagine a situation where they have to fight for every street and every house. It will be bad. There are still a lot of civilians they [ISIS] will use as human shields. They still have high end military equipment they stole in their past from places like Mosul. It will be tough". He added that prayers for the Christian fighters should be focused on strength and resources. "Pray that as many as possible will make it through and this fight will not be too long," he said. "Pray that there will be guns and ammunition for Syriac-Assyrian Christians while part of this fight to liberate Raqqa. Your prayer shouldn't be lofty, but we should pray to Jesus for the daily bread." Meanwhile, the Raqqa Civilian Council, established by the SDF, last week pardoned 83 captured ISIS fighters, in what it said was a goodwill gesture designed to promote stability. The council, which is expected to rule Raqqa once ISIS is eliminated in Raqqa, said the pardoned fighters "were low-ranking members and were not involved with violence." All were transported to the headquarters of the Raqqa City Council in the village of Ain Issa, north of Raqqa. The youngest of the prisoners pardoned was 14 years old, according to Reuters. In June 2017, Fishtail Air signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to cover a fleet of 2 H125 helicopters for 5 years under the manufacturers HCare service offer. The contract stipulates support for both scheduled and un-scheduled aircraft events, and entitles Fishtail Air for a full Material Management service backed by a parts availability commitment. "After being the first company to introduce the H125 in Nepal, we will now be the first to benefit from the HCare Smart programme in the country, says Suman Pandey, CEO of Fishtail Air. We can now focus on operations to answer the growing demand for helicopter services in Nepal, while also ensuring high maintenance standards together with Airbus." Established in 1997, Fishtail Air Pvt. Ltd operates charter flights within Nepal, with occasional flights in neighboring Bhutan and India. From its base in Kathmandu, the company operates sightseeing, rescue, medical evacuation, corporate transport, and support flights for heli-trekking to the regions most popular tourist destinations. Emphasising the manufacturers commitment to quality and performance, Airbus Helicopters' services offer, HCare, provides the rotorcraft industry's most comprehensive service coverage, grouped into 5 domains: material management; helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and upgrades; technical support; training and flight operations and connected services. As one of 3 packages offered under material management, HCare Smart features 4 by-the-hour services such as parts-by-the-hour, an exchange service based on a contractual fixed-hourly-rate payment to meet the needs of almost any operator type, from infrequent flyers to those conducting high-volume operations. The programme answers the needs of operators seeking efficient parts availability, budget planning and control, and simple support management. Africas largest cargo operator, Ethiopian Airlines, has inaugurated its Cargo Terminal-II facility at home hub Addis Ababa The ceremony was attended by Ethiopias prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, transport minister Ahmed Shide and Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam, along with participants from the ICAO Cargo Forum being held in Addis Ababa. Desalegn said: Today, the national flag carrier has become the largest aviation group and the fastest growing airline in Africa, unrivalled in efficiency with shining operational excellence. Above all, Ethiopian Airlines has played an important and irreplaceable role in the development of the economy, export and import activities and foreign exchange earnings. Tewolde acknowledged the partners who contributed to the completion of the project and said: The new Cargo Terminal-II combined with our existing Terminal-I will give us a total tonnage capacity of around 1m per annum which is the largest in the continent of Africa. This milestone will make Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services one of the worlds largest cargo terminals; comparable with cargo terminals in Amsterdam Schiphol, Singapore Changi or Hong Kong. Covering a total area of 150,000 sq m the new facility includes a dry cargo terminal warehouse, a perishable cargo terminal with cool chain storage, fully automated with elevating transport vehicle (ETV) technology and an apron area for five additional large freighter aircraft. The new terminal is also fitted with different climate chambers for storage and handling of temperature sensitive products such as fresh agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and life Science Products. Share this story The Netherlands and Luxemburg launched this initiative in July 2016 and a first order was made for two Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, which are due to be delivered in 2020. Both countries today also signed the MoU, which contains the necessary amendments to last year's agreement. Now that Germany and Norway joined the program, five extra A330 MRTT aircraft will be ordered. Participating countries will be alble to use a number of flying hours depending on their share of investment. The seven aircraft will be delivered from 2020. Four will operate from Eindhoven Airbase, while the three others will be based in Germany. The European tanker fleet could if more countries join the intiative. According to the Dutch Defense Ministry, Belgium intends to sign the MOU in early 2018. Air-to-air tankers are vital in supporting NATO operations when other aircraft are on long-range missions. NATOs air campaigns in Kosovo and Libya highlighted the need to increase European capabilities for inflight refuelling. The procurement programme is another example of the close cooperation between NATO and the European Union. June 23, 2017 For the young generation of Sephardic Jews in Turkey, their ancestral tongue, Ladino, is just a few words for Grandma's cuisine, a line or two from old songs and some snappy insults. UNESCO considers Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish or Judezmo, a severely endangered language. In Turkey, it is spoken by only about 10,000 people, mostly around Istanbul and Izmir. Other Ladino-speaking communities in Greece and North Africa have also diminished, according to the Unesco Atlas. Israel has declared Ladino endangered as well, and has established a National Authority for the Ladino language and culture. The language was brought by Sephardic Jews when they came to Turkey in 1492. Much like the Yiddish language in its melting-pot character, Ladino is a Romance language very closely related to Spanish. Much of its vocabulary and grammar is recognizable as Spanish, but it has adopted many Hebrew, Arabic and Turkish words and idioms. While there are still books and magazines published in Ladino, the most common form of Ladino heritage still heard today is in songs, particularly lullabies. "I could express the most tender and complicated sentiments in Ladino, which I learned by heart through the lyrics of old songs, but I lacked the vocabulary to express my everyday needs, such as asking for a glass of water," Rita Ender, a lawyer with a keen interest in minority issues, told Al-Monitor. Enders documentary "Las Ultimas Palavras reflects her experience, which is shared by many members of her generation in Turkeys 17,000-strong Jewish population. For the documentary, she interviewed 19 Turkish Jews between the ages of 25 and 35 and asked them about their knowledge of and their feelings toward Ladino. While everyone interviewed said Ladino is becoming extinct, their attitudes toward the loss differ widely. Some saw it as inevitable in a world where minority languages are dying out everywhere, and some expressed regret that they had lost their heritage. Some simply said that their mother tongue is no longer Ladino but Turkish, and still others blamed the generation before them for not passing the language on. If we have lost the language, it was because the generation before us had so decided, said one young man. Ladino is the mother tongue of Sephardic Jews over the age of 70. For those who are 10 years younger, it is a language that they understand and speak fluently, but it is not their mother tongue. Their mother tongue is Turkish. For those under 40, I do not know if they are aware of the language at all, let alone speak it, Deniz Alphan, journalist and author of Ladino cookbook "Dinas Cuisine," said in an interview with Hurriyet. Alphans hourlong documentary Fading Language, Fading Cuisine was screened during the Istanbul Film Festival in March. For many Ladino speakers, the decline started with the founding of Turkey in 1923 and its determination to establish Turkish as not only the official language of the young republic but the sole language to be used in public. Most of the Ladino speakers were sufficiently intimidated by the Citizen, Speak Turkish campaign to confine their use of Ladino to the privacy of their homes, said Nesim Bencoya, the coordinator of the Izmir Jewish Heritage Project. In 1928, the student association of the Istanbul University Faculty of Law started the "Citizen, Speak Turkish" campaign, which was endorsed by the media and supported by the government. Local administrations followed suit; some went so far as to arrest minority language speakers for using their language in the streets. The campaign went on throughout the 1930s. Posters were put up in the streets and in theaters, restaurants and boats with slogans such as Those who call themselves Turks should speak Turkish. Some municipalities imposed fines for using other languages and the speakers of minority languages were often harassed or insulted by other Turks. Ironically, one of the most vocal advocates of this campaign was Mois Kohen, a 45-year-old Jewish man who changed his name to the very Turkish-sounding Munis Tekinalp. Bencoya, 65 and a fluent Ladino speaker, told Al-Monitor, We in Izmir were living in the Jewish neighborhood of Ikicesmeli. My grandmother spoke to me in Ladino. My parents talked to each other in Ladino. The language of the neighborhood, from the grocer to the doctor, was Ladino. But Jews who lived in more cosmopolitan neighborhoods with Turkish neighbors stopped talking in their language on the streets, afraid that the campaign's zealots would harass them. After Turkey imposed heavy taxes on non-Muslims under the 1942 Wealth Tax Law and amid growing anti-Semitism, the Jewish population became even more introverted. The young generation also became disinclined to speak it because they considered the soup language of their elders inferior to the more common and better recognized European languages. I looked down on Ladino. I spoke Turkish at home and French at school, Gila Benmayor, a journalist quoted in "Fading Language, Fading Cusine," told Al-Monitor. She developed an appreciation for not just the language but also the rest of her heritage in her late 20s, when she started attending Spanish courses in the Cervantes Institute in Istanbul. Once I learned Spanish, the rest was easy, she said. Bencoya explained that although most of Ladino's grammar and vocabulary is Spanish, its borrowed vocabulary can sound strange to those who speak the languages the words came from. We have taken the Turkish word cakmak [which means to hit] and then conjugated the verb according to Spanish grammar, he said. When asked what the word "vaziyo" meant, he burst out laughing: Now who could have taught you that? Told that most of the young people in Enders documentary cited it as one of the few words that they knew, he said with a laugh, It literally means 'empty' but is generally used to mean a silly or a foolish person. The young people interviewed in Las Ultimas Palavras said the only Ladino words they used were exclamations, short phrases or household and culinary terms. Theirs is a vocabulary of childhood that consists of commands and warnings from parents, such as quiet or patience or Your grandfather is sleeping. Can this language be saved by the awareness raised by documentaries and new opportunities created by special courses from the Cervantes Institute and online courses? The Ladino heritage can be saved if we support the Ladino magazines, reprint the books and dictionaries and keep singing the songs, said Bencoya. But it is unlikely that it will be ever be actively spoken either at home or on the streets again. Does he speak it at home? No; his wife, who is Muslim, does not understand the language. My 30-year-old daughter is curious about the Ladino culture but she does not speak Ladino, said journalist Gila Benmayor. No, I think it is unlikely that the language will ever become active again, but it is important to keep the heritage with its literature, cuisine and music alive. Only Ender, who screened her documentary in the Paris Cervantes Institute in early June, is more hopeful. After the show, a French colleague, of Basque origin came to me and said that languages that are dying can be brought back to life, she told Al-Monitor. That is, if there is a common desire to do so by the government and by the people. June 28, 2017 Congress is threatening to cut funding for Iraqs vaunted Kurdish peshmerga fighters if the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) ends up splitting with Baghdad. The House Armed Services Committee released a draft annual defense bill this week that makes continued funding for the KRG contingent upon Erbils participation in the government of a unified Iraq. This summary language is not legally binding but signals congressional intent to the Donald Trump administration. The committee notes that funding provided to the [KRG] is to enhance Government of Iraq-KRG cooperation and support a unified effort to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the draft National Defense Authorization Act reads. Such funding should be contingent upon KRG participation in the government of a unified Iraq and on their continued good faith cooperation in the anti-ISIL campaign. At risk are hundreds of millions of dollars in annual US support for the peshmerga, who have gone without regular paychecks in the midst of the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) as Erbil struggled with a budget shortfall. Congress responded last year by allocating $480 million in stipends and sustainment to the peshmerga for the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The new congressional language comes as Erbil is gearing up for a long-awaited independence referendum in September. The KRG representation office in Washington made it clear it took issue with the language, calling it inartful and pointing out that the language is nonbinding and may not survive reconciliation with the Senate version of the bill. It is the democratic right of the people of Kurdistan to hold a referendum on their future, an official with the KRG office told Al-Monitor, and no one that we have met in Congress has denied this fact. The KRG office in Washington also emphasized its cooperation with Congress in the campaign to counter IS. Members of the US Congress and, in particular, members of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees in both houses, have consistently recognized the essential role of the peshmerga in the fight against [IS] and the generosity of the people of Kurdistan in hosting up to 1.8 million displaced Iraqi and Syrian refugees, the delegation said in a statement to Al-Monitor. Still, the language is more bad news for the Kurds independence bid, said Bilal Wahab, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The KRG wasnt expecting US support, but they would be happy if the United States would not oppose, Wahab told Al-Monitor. And this language is therefore bad news. It has the hallmarks of opposition. Wahab noted that the Trump administration appears to be on the same page as Congress with regard to the referendum. The State Department signaled its opposition in a June 8 statement from spokeswoman Heather Nauert. We have expressed our concerns to authorities in the Kurdistan Region that holding a referendum even this nonbinding resolution at this time will distract from more urgent priorities: the defeat of [IS], stabilization and the return of the displaced, managing the [Kurdistan] Regions economic crisis and resolving the [Kurdistan] Regions internal political disputes, Nauert said at the time. Even if the language remains in the final bill, Wahab believes that the Trump administration still has some latitude in how it provides Iraq and the KRG with military assistance for the campaign to counter IS. Its up to the executive branch whether they actually cut funding or not, he said. Kirk Sowell, the head of the political intelligence firm Utica Risk Services, predicted that the referendum, should it go forward, will not affect relations with the United States. The referendum will have no impact at all, at least in terms of US policy, Sowell told Al-Monitor. It is not even certain to happen, but assuming it does, nothing will change afterward. The question is framed like an opinion poll, and there is no legal or institutional structure to turn a yes vote into something real. The status quo will continue. Kurdish opposition parties have also criticized the referendum on the grounds that its nonbinding. But KRG President Massoud Barzani insisted today that it was binding in a Washington Post op-ed while persisting in his calls to move forward. When the Islamic State attacked Kurdistan in 2014 using advanced US weapons abandoned by the Iraqi army in Mosul the Iraqi government refused to give Kurdistan its constitutionally mandated share of the federal budget or to provide our soldiers with weapons, Barzani wrote in the op-ed. As an independent country, we could have financed and equipped our own troops and brought this fight to a swifter conclusion. June 29, 2017 It looks like Turkish-German relations are not out of the woods. On June 29, the German government denied Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans request to hold a rally for Turkish Germans on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Hamburg. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called Erdogans request not a good idea and added, We do not have the intention to allow that other countries domestic conflicts be imported into our population. Former European Parliament Speaker Martin Schulz was even more forceful than his fellow German. Schulz called for an outright ban on Erdogans rallies. Schulz said, Foreign politicians, who [trample] our values at home, must not have a stage for speeches in Germany. I do not want Mr. Erdogan, who is holding dissidents and journalists in Turkey, to hold large-scale events in Germany. In response, Ambassador Huseyin Muftuoglu, the spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, called Schulzs remarks regrettable and unacceptable. The Turkish government condemned the German politicians comments. Erdogan and members of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) like to hold rallies in Europe because European Turks often vote for the ruling party. The latest row between Ankara and Berlin comes in the wake of other serious problems in Turkish-German relations. Last March, in the run-up to Turkeys April 16 referendum on establishing an executive presidency, European governments especially German municipalities denied AKP leaders from holding meetings with the Turkish diaspora communities there. At the time, Erdogan had accused Germany and other European countries of Nazi practices in a serious breach of diplomatic etiquette. Verbal spats undermine cooperation over high-level issues as well. For more than a year, the Turkish government has barred German delegations from visiting German troops at Incirlik Air Base conducting operations against the Islamic State. The problem emanated from the German parliaments June 2016 vote recognizing as genocide the forceful deportations and massacre of Ottoman Armenians during World War I. Failing to resolve their differences, Turkey forced German troops to leave Incirlik and move their operations to Jordan in early June. To be sure, as Al-Monitors Semih Idiz pointed out recently, Turkey and Europe cannot just break off relations and walk away from each other. History, geography and economic interests require the two sides to rub elbows as often as possible. But one wonders how much worse Turkeys relations with its Western partners will get before they get better. In related news, the Washington Post reported June 28 that the Turkish government has asked Twitter to suppress Michael Rubin, a Middle East expert with the American Enterprise Institute in Washington and regular critic of Erdogan, from accessing the social network. In early June, Erdogan filed a criminal complaint in Turkey against Rubin over his alleged connections to the Pennsylvania-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of masterminding last summers coup attempt in Turkey. Rubin has been a consistent critic of Erdogan and the AKP since the ruling partys first term (2002-2007) and denies the allegations. June 28, 2017 On June 7, another group of about 70 Falash Mura (people of Jewish origin) immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia. Their arrival revived discussions of the preservation of Ethiopian Jewry's ancient traditions, particularly their language, Ge'ez. Ge'ez is an ancient Semitic language with its own unique alphabet. It served as the national language of the Ethiopian Empire until about one thousand years ago. It is survived by its close relatives, the contemporary Semitic languages of Ethiopia: Tigre, Tigrinya and Amharic. With the penetration and growth of Amharic, Ge'ez was increasingly marginalized. Now, it is only used as the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Church, the Eritrean Church and the Ethiopian Jewish community. Samai Elias, the rabbi or "kes" of the Ethiopian community of Rishon LeTzion and chairman of the Spiritual Council of Kessim (Rabbis), told Al-Monitor, "Ge'ez is not a spoken language at all today. It is the language of our prayers and our Torah scrolls. Kessim learn the language, but as a spoken tongue, it is in danger of immediate extinction. What gives it a longer shelf life is that our prayers are still recited in it. These prayers preserve the language, if only on a low flame." "You could say that the relative survival of the Ge'ez language could be credited mainly to the Jews of Ethiopia," added Abeje Medhani, the documentation coordinator at the Israeli State Center for Ethiopian Jewish Heritage. He is responsible for various projects working on the preservation, documentation and recognition of the culture and heritage of Ethiopian Jewry. "Although it is a sacred language for the church as well, only we have continued to use it in our prayers for the past thousand years. Knowing Ge'ez is, in effect, the threshold that anyone who wants to become a kes must pass. A kes must know the prayers and the Torah in the Ge'ez language. Modern researchers make frequent use of Jewish materials to study the Ge'ez language. Jewish monks in the 15th century composed the prayers and religious law books of the Jewish community in Ge'ez." While Ge'ez is being preserved in some way, the Qwara language, which originated in the Qwara province of Ethiopia, has almost completely disappeared, though it was once considered the "Yiddish" (a colloquial and colorful language mix of Hebrew and German) of the Ethiopian Jewish community. "Until a few years ago, elders of the community who arrived from the Qwara region still knew the language, which was once in general use among the Jews of Ethiopia. Missionaries and researchers who visited the region in the 18th and 19th centuries testified that it was used by most Ethiopian Jews," said Medhani. "Today, however, you could say that the language is completely extinct." Elias added, "The Qwara language is unique to the Jews of Ethiopia. As far as I know, there is no one in the world today who speaks Qwara or even knows Qwara. I am envious of Yiddish, which has enjoyed something of a renaissance and revival recently. I think that in contrast, the fate of Qwara is sealed." Medhani, who speaks Ge'ez, recently published a Ge'ez prayer book, though according to Ethiopian tradition, prayers are recited by heart and not read. "I reached the conclusion that preserving the language will occur through the liturgy," he said, "if Ge'ez isn't brought back to use." Medhani is now working on an Amharic-Ge'ez dictionary. His dream is to see the first nonreligious text published in Ge'ez. When asked about why it is so important to preserve the heritage of the Ethiopian exiles once the community immigrates to Israel, Elias stressed, "It is an ancient Jewish heritage that cannot be dismissed." "We are talking about prayers that were recited by Jews for hundreds of years. Their forms and melodies are unique. They were not copied from other communities or religions. We have a variety of original material. That obligates us to preserve the language. Similarly, the Kaddish prayer is recited in Aramaic, and that has not been changed over the years. We are preserving a heritage," he added. This desire to preserve Ethiopian culture, especially the Ge'ez language, has intensified in recent years, once the Ethiopian immigrant community became established and started integrating into Israeli society. "With the first waves of immigration, there was a very strong tendency to sever ties with our roots and to distance ourselves from our language and traditions. There were concerns that people would stop praying in that language. Over the last decade, however, there has been something of a return to it and a larger quest for Ethiopian identity," said Medhani. Elias is convinced that the reason many young Ethiopians are returning to their traditional practices, such as using Ethiopian names and embracing Ge'ez cultural activities, has to do with the discrimination the community faces. "What changed things was the attitude of the government, which refused to recognize the spiritual leadership of the Ethiopian Jewish community. This had a boomerang effect," he explained. "Israel's Chief Rabbinate revoked the authority of the kessim. They are not allowed to perform marriage ceremonies for young members of the community or to grant kosher certification, based on the community's customs and norms. Young people today want to show that the community has not abandoned the kessim. That is the source of the revival of tradition." Elias added, "We've been in Israel for 30 years now. During the first 15 years, not a single kes was ordained in Israel. In the last 15 years, 30 new kessim, some born in Israel, were ordained. In 2010, the government decided to recognize the 15 kessim who were ordained in Israel and granted them the authority to serve their communities. We are now facing a much bigger struggle, not only to obtain government salaries for them, but also to recognize kessim as Jewish spiritual leaders with authority over matters of marriage and kashrut. Much to our surprise, there was a certain readiness in the government to consider the issue seriously and to give it a voice. They see that the younger generation has no plans to give up." June 28, 2017 The US Supreme Courts decision to revive part of President Donald Trump's travel ban imposed on citizens from six Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, has angered Tehran, with parliament members accusing the White House of violating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal reached in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 nations (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany). Mentioning the travel ban, Seyyed Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, the spokesperson for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said June 26, Trump has a racist attitude that will cause his country to suffer. As nations do not accept racial and ethnic discrimination today, the American policy will end up in a dead end. Noting the suspension of the issuing of visas for Iranians as a clear violation of the nuclear deal, the Iranian parliament member added, In the post-JCPOA period, no negotiating states must apply new restrictions and sanctions against Iranians. Many of the travels between the two countries were done due to scientific, research and academic issues and should not be prevented. Moreover, in reaction to the US Supreme Courts decision, Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted June 27, A bigoted ban on Muslims will not keep US safer. Instead of policies empowering extremists, US should join the real fight against them. Furthermore, on June 28 the spokesperson for Irans Foreign Ministry criticized the White House for ignoring the major perpetrators of the terrorist acts in the US. Bahram Ghassemi said June 28, Although the Supreme Courts decision is temporary and will be revised in October this year, this also reflects the decision of the sovereign government to behave in a discriminatory way toward Muslims and have an unfair view about them, which is contrary to the claims made by the US administration. In remarks that can be interpreted as directly targeting Saudi Arabia for its alleged role in 9/11, Ghassemi continued, It is regrettable that the US government is ignoring the major perpetrators of the terrorist acts in the US and gives [the world] a wrong address in pursuit of its shortsighted economic and business goals. Adopting the same approach as Ghassemi, Heshmatollah Falahatpishe, a member of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, opined June 28, Iranians have never perpetrated any terrorist attacks against Americans. This is a political decision, and it is a green light to the regional allies of the US, which has negative effects on the JCPOA and are among the policies being done with the aim of preventing Iranians from making use of the advantages of the JCPOA. In other news, on June 27 US press secretary Sean Spicer said that the United States had identified potential preparations for an attack that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children. He added that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would pay a heavy price if they go ahead with the alleged plan. This prompted Irans foreign minister to tweet June 27, Another dangerous US escalation in Syria on fake pretext will only serve ISIS [the Islamic State] precisely when it's being wiped out by Iraqi and Syrian people. Warning about any US unilateral move, Ali Shamkhani the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran said June 28, Undoubtedly, America's unwise and adventurous behavior in Syria is a clear sign of playing with fire. June 29, 2017 RAMALLAH, West Bank The Knesset extended the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law on June 13, for the 14th time. The law prohibits granting Israeli citizenship to Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip who are married to Palestinians within the Green Line (aka Israeli Arabs) under the pretext that they might participate in attacks against Israel. The Knesset first approved the citizenship law in July 2003, as a temporary measure set to last a year, out of fear that the Palestinians who were allowed to reunite with their families would stage anti-Israeli acts. But the Knesset has renewed the law ever since. In March 2007, the Knesset approved an amendment to the law, adding several more countries Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran whose citizens would be banned from reuniting with their families in Israel, if they were to marry Israeli Arabs. Israeli law considers those countries "enemy states." Yasser al-Khatib, 43, a lecturer at the Western Galilee College from Acre, has been married for 11 years to a woman from Jenin and has three children with her. He is always worried and feels unstable because he has not been able to get an identity card for his wife, who only has a residency permit that is valid for six months, sometimes a year. The Israeli authorities are in charge of issuing and approving permit renewals, and though Khatib has repeatedly applied for an identity card for his wife since their marriage in 2006, the Israeli authorities continue to reject his request. As a result, Khatib's wife has remained an illegal resident, provoking fear in her family. "The temporary residency permit allows its holder to live within the Green Line, but deprives them of many rights," said Khatib. "My wife cannot work because she does not have Israeli citizenship, although she has a [bachelor of science degree] in business. She cannot drive a car either, despite having an international driving license. The situation has burdened us economically as a family, as my wife cannot move around or take the kids to school." Khatib said their fate is unknown, and they are at the mercy of the Israeli authorities. "This year, they gave my wife a residency permit for one year, but nobody knows or can guarantee that they will grant her one next year," he said. "This doubt is jeopardizing the family's stability. If I die, Israeli authorities will stop issuing a permit for my wife, and my children's health insurance will be suspended. We are living in constant fear and anticipation." Khatib said, "Issuing a temporary permit normally takes three months, after the various security bodies perform security checks." The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah) had filed a petition to the Israeli High Court in May 2007, asking it to annul the citizenship law because it violates Arab citizens' rights to dignity, equality and choice of a life partner, with whom they are entitled to live under one roof. But the court rejected the petition in December 2012. Sawsan Zaher, the attorney who filed the petition at Adalah, told Al-Monitor, "Israeli authorities' allegations that the application of the law has been extended for security reasons are false. Their real aim is demographic, as they want to limit the number of Palestinians residing within the Green Line." She added that the citizenship law "is one of the most racist laws. It discriminates against Palestinians in Israel based on their national belonging. It also legitimizes intruding on family life and its stability." She said, "There are no guarantees that the temporary residency permit will be renewed every year. Consequently, families live in a state of instability and insecurity and face dispersion." The law applies to some 20,000 to 30,000 people. Major international rights associations criticized the citizenship law after its approval and extension. Amnesty International called on Israel to annul the citizenship law. "The Israeli authorities must repeal the discriminatory Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law, which continues to bar family reunification for thousands of Palestinians," the group stated. "Nearly 14 years after the law was adopted as a temporary order, the Israeli authorities can no longer continue to use security grounds to justify institutional racial discrimination." Aida Touma-Suleiman, a Joint List parliamentarian in the Israeli Knesset, told Al-Monitor that Arab members of the Knesset have made efforts to fight the law and alleviate its implications on those affected. She noted that the battle against the law must be taken to international arenas to reveal to the world the facts and to hold Israel accountable for all its violations. Touma said that the Arab members of parliament constantly correspond with international associations' delegates to expose the law, and they send letters to human rights organizations and embassies around the world to highlight the repercussions of this law. She added that these efforts are not enough and that there is a need for more organized work from political and legal parties to annul the law. June 28, 2017 MOSUL, Iraq Mosul is a city known for its conservative nature and patriarchal social character, but the decision to wear a headscarf is often related to the family and the area where a woman lives. It is perhaps unsurprising that Iraqi opinions vary on a ban imposed on the face veil known as the niqab June 1 by the Ninevah province police command on areas liberated from the Islamic State (IS). Supporters view it as a necessary security measure, while detractors see it as a violation of personal liberty. The hijab covers the hair but leaves the face uncovered, while the niqab, worn with a hijab, covers the lower part of the face, leaving only the eyes visible, and can cover parts of the lower body as well. Among the opponents of the current ban is a young woman seen crossing the street in a long black, loose-fitting jilbab in eastern Mosul, which was liberated in January. Once she arrived at the gate of the Ibn al-Athir Hospital, she unveiled her face to a policeman to identity herself. After being allowed entry, she immediately covered it again. I was wearing it long before IS, she told Al-Monitor. I suffer from attempts at intimidating me to take it off. People consider me an IS agent. Wearing niqab is a religious duty, just like praying, and I will never take it off. Farah, another Mosul resident, sees the issue differently. I am totally for the ban to protect civilians, she said. If a woman wants to dress modestly, she could just wear loose clothes. Brig. Gen. Wathiq al-Himdani, who heads the Ninevah police, spoke to Al-Monitor about the restriction. Dealing with women in Mosul is quite a sensitive issue, he said. We perform our duty in a way that best preserves peoples dignity. We will have to enforce the law in terms of arresting or imposing penalties if a woman wearing niqab refuses to unveil her face when requested to prove her identity. Focus on the niqab arose from a concern that IS members might exploit it to conceal their identity as well as to hide explosives as potential suicide bombers. Himdani said, The society's response in Mosul has been quite positive. Citizens have been cooperative with our forces since the ban was imposed. Walking through eastern Mosul, which is fully under the control of Iraqi forces, one notices that women and girls in some areas, among them al-Zohoor, al-Massarif and al-Muthanna, move about without niqabs. The closer one gets toward poorer residential areas, the more one sees niqabs. If spotted by security officers, women are asked to remove them. Surprisingly, the group adhering to the covering their face the most appears to be high school girls. Although the majority of them have shed the black jilbab in favor of school uniforms, which often call for a skirt that shows their legs, which they cover by wearing thick stockings, they still cover their faces with veils. Nawal Ghanem, the director of a girls high school who preferred to use a pseudonym for fear of negative responses from the parents, told Al-Monitor that she had wanted to help students let go of religious extremism. I had to invite a moderate cleric in to convince them that the niqab is not an obligation and how it represents IS practices in the city, she said. However, it did not turn out positively, as some girls convinced their classmates to wear it. Since 2006 with the growing presence of extremist Islamist groups, Mosul residents began to notice an increase in the number of women wearing niqab on the streets and in schools and universities compared to the 1990s, when only women from certain observant Muslim families wore them. Moreover, before IS overran Mosul in 2014, the niqab was not considered an authentic component of the city's culture. It was not as common as it is now. Loay Ahmed, a Mosul resident who spoke to Al-Monitor, said, Only during these days is the ban the correct decision in light of the security concern. According to Ahmed, it would be great if all women wore the niqab, as it undermines, in his view, the moral low point youths have reached as well as increasing sexual harassment in the streets. Many Mosul residents think that the agenda IS forcibly imposed has changed the perception of hijab for some of them. Whereas it was one an agreed-upon practice, some now regard it as lacking in terms of religious and moral commitment. Therefore, the niqab is no longer exclusively related to IS presence, but has become a social norm connected to family honor and modesty. The majority of women in eastern Mosul today wear the hijab and can move about freely in public. This is how it was before IS seized control and is considered the least a woman must do. Some Sharia experts do not consider niqab a religious requirement. According to Mohamed al-Shammaa, imam of the Prophet Jonah Mosque, Niqab is controversial rather than definitive and unambiguous. When it becomes a means to shed peoples blood, peoples blood and lives are given priority over a mere facial detail, the imam posted on his Facebook page. Among the women who welcomed the ban was Mayar, who was forced to wear the niqab during IS reign over Mosul. Once Iraqi forces liberated her area, she took it off. Today she is no longer even convinced of the idea of a hijab. I feel suffocated when I put the hijab on, she said. It causes me psychological problems as well as endless trouble with my family. Mayar added, Wearing hijab has become a habit rather than a ritual. Proof of this is that my family allows me to take it off when I travel outside Mosul, while at the same time, this is prohibited in Mosul out of fear of what people might think. June 23, 2017 The ruling coalition of Ennahda and Nidaa Tunis has adopted a neutral stance in the Gulf crisis triggered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severing diplomatic relations with Qatar on June 5 and imposing a land and air blockade against it. Abdelkarim Harooni, chairman of the Shura Council of Ennahda, the majority party in parliament, described Saudi Arabia's application of pressure in the Gulf as a painful step in terms of Riyadh's attempt to exert influence and be recognized as regional leader. Ali Laarayedh, deputy head of Ennahda and former prime minister, told Al-Monitor that Tunisia's position falls within the framework of its consistent desire to preserve Arab unity, to maintain good relations with all parties and preserve diplomatic tradition among Arab states. Laarayedh also remarked, "The crisis that broke out in the Gulf is taking place between sister countries with great common interests, a shared future and similar security concerns. These brotherly countries have close relations and have cooperated in various fields of trade, politics and finance. Accordingly, we support every diplomatic effort to contain the crisis through dialogue." He added, "We hope the crisis will not move from the political dimension to the military one, especially amid the recent developments and Iran and Turkey's [military] interference. Otherwise, a large-scale regional confrontation would emerge, especially amid the daily efforts to force Qatar to change its policy." Turkey has a military base in Qatar, and two weeks into the crisis, deployed troops to take part in joint exercises. Ankara and Tehran have both expressed their support for Doha and sent food assistance to Qatar on June 11. "In my assessment," Laarayedh said, "diplomatic interventions will prevail, especially considering that this is not the first time that differences between Arab sister countries have surged. The Gulf dispute must be solved internally because widening the dispute would only serve the interest of the region's enemies and would only disrupt national stability and security." Nidaa Tunis issued a statement June 5 confirming that the movement is committed to supporting dialogue. The statement also said, however, that Tunisian policy is ultimately in the hands of President Beji Caid Essebsi and Foreign Minister Khamis al-Jhinawi. Al-Sabah on June 5 quoted Jhinawi as saying that Tunisia calls on those involved in the dispute to calm down, keep the conflict contained and overcome their differences and find a solution that satisfies all parties. Several media outlets quoted Jhinawi stating, "Tunisia stands at the same distance from all parties to the conflict, and it must maintain good relations with all countries." He further remarked, "The Arab world is witnessing many problems and we do not want more crises." Meanwhile, the opposition Popular Front, which has also called for nonalignment, nonetheless lashed out at Ennahda, accusing it of siding with Doha. It said on June 5 that despite Ennahda's nonalignment, it cannot deny that Qatar has supported terrorism, by embracing extremist groups in Syria and Libya. Popular Front parliamentarian Ayman al-Alawi told Al-Monitor, "The Popular Front refuses to side with any political party in the Gulf crisis so as not to jeopardize the sovereignty and interests of the Tunisian people and [in order] to stay away from narrow political interests." Alawi said that the Islamist-oriented Ennahda is trying to cover for Qatar funding terrorism, because of military and security cooperation relations established between Tunis and Doha after the 2010-11 revolution. Alawi accused Ennahda of trying to portray the Gulf dispute as illustrating the difference between Qatar, which has tended to support the Arab Spring and the Muslim Brotherhood, whereas Saudi Arabia is more concerned with trying to curry favor with the United States. Citing close links between Ennahda and the Brotherhood Ennahda claims to be independent from the Islamist group, a contention some dispute Alawi called on the Tunisian government to conduct an investigation into whether Ennahda had received funds from Qatar during the 2014 election campaign, a move that would be illegal. He also called for examining the bank accounts of other Tunisian political entities with alleged ties to Qatar and accused the Qataris of having helped Ennahda politically through media coverage on Al Jazeera. Moncef Marzouki, former Tunisian president (2011-14) and current head of Al-Irada, a movement founded after the 2014 elections, expressed his support for Doha on June 5. He asserted, "The pressures of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE come with the intention of blackmailing and subjugating our Qatari brothers." Marzouki sharply criticized the UAE, accusing it of being behind the diplomatic assault on Qatar to punish it for its support of the Arab Spring. "Qatar is a friend of Tunisia, and our government, which theoretically represents our people, has to protest against the attempt to isolate and stifle Qatar and even try to put it under guardianship," Marzouki said in a June 5 Facebook post. Marzouki was head of the Congress for the Republic, when the Constituent Assembly selected him president to succeed Zine Abidine Ben Ali. The Congress, since dissolved, has also been accused of having received financial support from Qatar. Asked about the repercussions of the Gulf crisis on the Tunisian economy, economic analyst Moaz al-Joudi told Al-Monitor, that there are concerns that it will negatively affect the Arab region as a whole given Saudi pressure and US President Donald Trump's statements accusing Qatar of funding terrorist groups. Joudi commented, "Tunisia cannot afford to risk its fragile economy in [others'] struggle for leadership, for the sake of restoring regional balances, and playing an influential role in the [Gulf] region." Joudi said that Tunisia's decision not to back any political camp is a solid one because of its ties with Qatar, which has provided in excess of $1 billion in financial assistance in the form of loans, and the presence of Saudi investments and commercial institutions in the country. June 27, 2017 A Turkish report about foreigners, including Americans, joining Kurds in Syria to fight against the Islamic State (IS) is attracting lots of media attention. The Turkish government fears these "non-Salafi/jihadi foreign fighters" might be strengthening the Kurds' war within a war: the effort to create a Kurdish state while simultaneously battling IS. The report, prepared by the Turkish Police Academy and released in May, also warns that these fighters who aren't necessarily motivated by religious or financial goals but rather by ideology eventually will return to the West and pose as much danger as "radical 'Islamist' returnees." The US government supports the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the war on IS. However, the SDF alliance includes the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdish nationalist Democratic Union Party (PYD) Syrian offshoots of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey. The PKK is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. The report, titled "PKK's Regional Franchise of Terror," says more than 400 non-Salafi/jihadi foreign fighters, both men and women, are fighting for the YPG. The report says the PKKs regional terror network is being supported by Marxist, communist and social anarchist Western fighters, constituting a new element of multinational crime and terror links. "Scores of Marxists and anarchists of all stripes have found a refuge by association with the PKK and its regional franchises in the name of fighting [IS]," the report says. "These revolutionaries fighting alongside the PKK and its franchises at the moment will sooner or later return to Europe and the US with many criminal connections, acquaintances, tools and dangerous ideas in their minds and backpacks." Another theory much discussed in Ankara and also referred to in the report is that for the PKK, a Kurdish state is not a final goal but an instrument to advocate international socialism. The report says, The projects that contradict PKK practices but are still kept on the agenda with glorified expressions of democratic autonomy and democratic confederalism are meant to inspire leftist movements in the region and beyond." Erol Bural, a terrorism expert at Ankara think tank 21st Century Turkey Institute, told Al-Monitor that, parallel to the growing IS presence in particular during the September-November 2014 siege of Kobani the number of foreign fighters joining the YPG increased substantially. These people are called volunteer fighters, freedom fighters or legionnaires," he said. "Western countries only see the extreme Salafi networks as a security issue and refrain from any legal action against Americans and Europeans joining the YPG. Sadly, I must admit we dont have adequate data and scholarly research about the foreign fighters joining the YPG. But we are aware that since 2014, the YPG has been pursuing a strategy of recruiting by inviting foreigners to Syria via the internet and social media." Bural continued, "Today in social media you will find Lions of Rojava accounts along with a multitude of propaganda platforms in English designed to appeal to Americans and Europeans. They are organizing under the label of the International Freedom Battalion, inspired by the Abraham Lincoln Brigade of the Spanish Civil War. You can find ample reports in the open media about hundreds of people from the United Kingdom, the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Greece, Finland, France and China signing up with in the PKK/PYD as an outcome of this social media campaign. According to media reports, more than 50 Americans from 31 states, mostly from Texas, are fighting in YPG ranks. These Americans, mostly with military backgrounds, were motivated to join the YPG out of anger against IS' brutal treatment of Christians. Others were looking for adventure or motivated by radical revolutionary ideologies and a general dislike of US policies. Now the issue debated is whether these foreign fighters joining the YPG should be considered terrorists. This question overlaps with the question of whether the YPG itself is a terrorist outfit. According to Ankara, UN Security Council Resolution 2178 defines "foreign terrorist fighters" as those who have transferred from another country where they were residents or nationals; taken part in an entity defined as a terror group by Turkey; or received armed and ideological training from the PKK/PYD. Its well-known that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq does not want the PKK to become a global brand and center of attraction. The KRG applies stiff policies against foreign fighters in the YPG ranks and has deported many of them. For citizens of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, it is not against the law to join a foreign armed group if the group isnt on the terror list, doesnt commit a war crime and isnt implicated in a criminal offense. This is why non-Salafi/jihadi fighters are not detained when they return to their home countries. France and the Netherlands do not resort to the legal process as long as these non-Salafi/jihadi fighters do not pose an evident threat to their countries, did not seek personal financial gain and are not accused of criminal offenses. In some countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and Austria, it is a crime to participate in armed clashes for ideological reasons in another country. Recall the long saga of Joanna Palani, a Dane who in 2016 fought first in the KRG peshmerga forces and then in YPG ranks against IS. She was arrested on her return to Denmark and jailed. A scrutiny of media reports, however, points to confusion among officials of the countries whose nationals are fighting in the YPG ranks as non-Salafi/jihadi fighters. A British national complains that although he did nothing against UK laws, he was detained by police and his passport, laptop and phone were seized. In Belgium, some YPG foreign fighters manage to avoid legal proceedings even if they narrate their experiences on social media. We are therefore facing the grim reality that governments no longer hold a monopoly on war-making: Now, anyone in one country can declare war via social media against an armed group in another country as a matter of personal choice. There are plenty of allegations, but as of today the media has no evidence that foreign fighters in the YPG are fighting against Turkish security forces in Turkey or Syria. However, the capture of just one YPG foreign fighter in Turkey or one fighting Turkish forces in Syria could rapidly worsen legal and diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Western allies to dangerous levels especially if that foreign fighter turns out to be a citizen of a NATO country. It started as an ordinary day last October when Joe Jones unexpectedly saved a life at his pharmacy in the Roebuck neighborhood of Birmingham. A customer had just left Mills Pharmacy when she returned to let Jones know a person was unconscious on the curb outside his business. When he went outside, he found a man his face white, lips blue covered in sweat and not breathing. His wife was in a car by the curb, screaming at Jones that her husband might be having a heart attack. Jones turned the man on the side and saw where he had just injected the inner part of his arm. Suspecting an overdose, Jones told his technician to call for help and ran back inside to grab Narcan, an emergency medication that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose. "I drew up the dose in a syringe and aerated it as I ran back down the aisle," Jones recalled. "I ran my knuckles across his breast bone very hard, and he still had no response. He was dying right in front of me, right in front of the store." The next part was like the famous scene from "Pulp Fiction," when actress Uma Thurman's character springs back to life after Vincent, played by John Travolta, drives a hypodermic needle into her heart following a drug overdose. A dozen people stood around watching as Jones turned the man on his side again and injected a syringe of Narcan into his thigh. About 90 seconds later, the man began gasping for air all at once, just like Mia Wallace did in the 1994 cult classic. "His respiratory rate was still very low, and he slowly came back to consciousness about a minute later exclaiming, 'I'm fine, man! I'm fine,' to which I replied, 'Just relax man, I got ya,'" Jones said. "I held him until the paramedics got there, and then I went back inside while they took care of him." The man and his wife left soon after paramedics arrived. Jones had to sit still for a few minutes to process what had just happened. The experience was harrowing for Jones, who had only been carrying Narcan also known as naloxone for a month when the dying man appeared outside his door last fall. Having just lost two longtime customers to heroin overdose, Jones thought it would be responsible to carry the lifesaving medication for friends and family members of addicts to purchase. He never anticipated having to administer it to anyone himself. "The stars aligned and it was just kind of a magical experience, like somebody up above sent him to my front door," he said. Alabama Department of Public Health State Pharmacy Director Nancy Bishop said all Alabama pharmacies now have access to a standing order to dispense naloxone without a prescription. The law expanding access to naloxone was enacted in 2016 to prevent opioid deaths throughout the state. Although the health department does not track overdose reversal incidents in Alabama, Bishop said the standing order increases the possibility of getting naloxone to individuals who need it. "It is important that the public become aware of the opioid epidemic and what can be done to save the lives of those who are addicted to opioids, including heroin and street fentanyl," she said. "Increasing awareness of how naloxone can be used to save lives and that access is available through pharmacies is an essential part of educating the public." Opioids were involved in 33,091 deaths nationwide in 2015, and opioid overdoses have quadrupled since 1999. Alabama was among the top five states reporting opioid overdose death increases from 2014 to 2015. AL.com reports more than 730 Alabama residents died in 2015 from drug overdoses, some caused by heroin, painkillers and other opioids. About 5.8 million prescriptions were written for opioids by Alabama physicians the same year. Naloxone, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent overdose by opioids, may be administered through injection or by nasal spray, allowing the person to regain consciousness and breathe normally. The medication has no potential for abuse and poses no danger to individuals who encounter it. Patty Sykstus, president of Not One More Alabama an organization that supports families whose lives have been affected by addiction, said Narcan is a regular topic of conversation among NOMA board members. Although the medication saves lives, Sykstus said it's not without its faults. "One of the issues is availability and accessibility and knowledge of what it is and how to get it," she said. "I talk to a lot of people who have family members that have addiction issues with opiates and they do not carry around Narcan with them. In the South, we tend to be a little slower in getting on board with this." Sykstus said there are active campaigns in the U.S. to deliver "overdose kits" with naloxone in the form of nasal spray. In Alabama, it's a little more challenging to find Narcan, despite the standing order allowing pharmacies to administer it without a doctor's order. Some pharmacies don't stock the medication because it can be expensive. Sykstus said Narcan can also be unaffordable at the consumer level, ranging from $20 to $4,000 for a single dose. Without a coupon or other mechanism to bring the price of Narcan down, some consumers may walk away without the lifesaving medication. "We have a lot of work to do in the state of Alabama with making Narcan more accessible, more available to people," she said. Mills Pharmacy sells naloxone in vials for $49 for two doses at all nine stores in the Birmingham area. Propst Discount Drugs, another locally-owned pharmacy in Huntsville, also carries the medicine, but the price varies. Mike Oddo, pharmacist at Propst, said they've seen a surge in the use of Evzio, the first and only naloxone auto- injector approved by the FDA. A coupon is available for the medication, which may also be covered by health insurance. Propst has been working with physicians in the Huntsville area to ensure patients who are on opioid management therapies receive naloxone devices. "We do have some people who have dependency issues for whatever reason, and they are being encouraged by their physicians to get the Evzio or the Narcan," Oddo said. "Pretty much everybody who is getting it is not just your average 'addict.' It's somebody who is seeing a doctor under pain management." Although the medication is more widely available to patients and their loved ones, Oddo said there is still a stigma attached to naloxone. The vast majority of Propst's patients who use naloxone became dependent on opiates after a car accident, being diagnosed with cancer or some other experience out of their control. "It's not intentional; it's an unfortunate side effect of whatever incident is happening in their life," he said. "We keep an open mind. They need the help. It is a problem with people abusing (opioids), yes, but you can't really assume first that people are abusing it when they have prescriptions." Jones agrees, saying he sees opioid users as young as 16 or 17 and as old as their late 60s. He called it a "shotgun effect," because addiction doesn't affect only a select few. The government and pharmaceutical industry need to do a better job of providing support for patients and families dealing with addiction, he said. "It's a true disease," Jones said. "It's not anything that has favorites and there's nobody out there that's immune to the effects of it." Rabbi Jonathan Miller has been packing up boxes from a lifetime of ministry and memories. "The movers are here moving," Miller said on Thursday. "We loved this house. It's emotional to leave Birmingham." Miller, the spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham since 1991 and one of the city's longest-tenured clergy, gives his last sermon as senior rabbi on Friday night. Then, he's officially retired, taking on the title of rabbi emeritus. He announced his retirement earlier this year. Temple Emanu-El has brought in Rabbi Douglas Kohn as interim rabbi for a year, starting Saturday. "I've known him for a long time," Miller said. "I knew him when he was a student and I was a mentor for him in Los Angeles." Miller is from New York and grew up in Boston. Before coming to Birmingham, Miller was an associate rabbi at the Stephen S. Wise Temple in Bel Air, Calif. The congregation will be engaged in a search process for a new permanent full-time rabbi. Miller will be driving a 26-foot-long Penske rental truck full of his stuff to Washington, D.C., his new home. People should be patient if they get behind him this weekend on the interstate, he said. "I'm taking my time," Miller said. "It's a little daunting sitting in one of those things." Miller, 62, said he's in excellent health, but wants to spend more time writing and visiting his three grown children (Aaron, Alana and Benjamin), who all live in the Washington, D.C., area, along with his first grandchild. He'll be unpacking on the Fourth of July and preparing to meet a new granddaughter, his second grandchild. He will keep ties in Alabama, maintaining an apartment because his wife, Judi, will keep her psychotherapy practice here. They will travel back periodically. Rabbi Miller will be filling in during the High Holy Days at Temple Beth Or in Montgomery in September. Temple Beth Or Rabbi Elliott Stevens died June 21 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Stevens had been the rabbi there for 10 years. Miller will keep his distance from Temple Emanu-El except for an event in his honor in August. He wants to make sure the congregation has a chance for a fresh start and new leadership, he said. "It's time for a new chapter, a new leader," Miller said. "They need someone new to take it forward, in ways I couldn't." To everything, there is a season, according to the book of Ecclesiastes. Miller is ready for the next season. "It's important for me not to be hanging around," Miller said. "I'm going to miss people terribly." The Rev. Josh Altonji has a lot of skills that could come in handy now that he's a Catholic priest. Altonji graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor's degree in computer science and psychology. Then he went to seminary at Pontificial College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. "Technology has always been an interest of mine," Altonji said. "I enjoyed 'Star Wars' as a kid. I taught myself to program computers in middle school because I was interested in video games." Altonji, who grew up in Scottsboro, was ordained on June 24 at St. Paul's Cathedral as a priest for the Diocese of Birmingham. The Rev. Brad Jantz, a graduate of the Air Force Academy and six-year Air Force veteran, was also ordained. Jantz will be working this summer at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church before returning to Rome to finish his graduate work at Pontifical Gregorian University. Altonji will start July 3 as an associate pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church in Birmingham. "I felt God was calling me to be a priest," Altonji said. "It was a gradual discernment process. I was praying about it in high school." Altonji expects psychology to play a bigger role in his ministry than computers. "When you study psychology at a secular university, it has some pieces missing," Altonji said. "There's a tendency to treat it as any other science. The meaning of the word is the study of the soul." The root word of psychology is the Latin word psyche, and the Greek word psyche, which refer to "the soul, mind and animating spirit of humans." Seminary helped round out that view, he said. "I hope that I can put whatever I do know about psychology at the service of God's people," he said. While Altonji was at Vanderbilt, he started a blog and web site called The Papist. "Technology is certainly part of what they call the new evangelization," he said. "As a priest, certainly my time will be spent more around people. I look at the tech skills more as a tool that would be useful in any business or parish." Altonji can also speak Spanish. That will come in handy at St. Francis Xavier Church. "It has a sizable Hispanic community, about a third of the congregation," Altonji said. He spent last summer in Mexico and traveled this year to Spain to immerse himself in Spanish. At Saturday's ordination service, Altonji said he felt a little overwhelmed. "The one thing going through my mind was I'm so unworthy, my abilities are lacking," he said. "But I felt a peace that God was going to bring me to be able to fulfill this task." Altonji, whose grandparents on his father's side are Syrian Christians in the Melkite tradition, could have been a Catholic priest in that tradition, with the option of getting married. Instead, he preferred to be in the Latin rite, where he was required to take a vow of celibacy. Altonji said he had a girlfriend in high school and understands that many people consider celibacy too great a requirement. "Love requires commitment," Altonji said. "The path of choosing a vocation requires making a sacrifice of other options to the love that God is calling you to." Answering God's calling is worth it, he said. "To become a priest is to give your whole life to Christ, and to give yourself to the church," he said. "To me it's not too great a sacrifice at all. To me, celibacy is a beautiful tradition I hope will continue, as a whole of totally dedicating your life to God." The Birmingham Board of Education has asked a judge to block the opening of a charter school in the city. According to its lawsuit filed earlier this month against the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, the board of education claims the commission improperly overruled its decision to deny a charter to STAR Academy. The lawsuit asks that a judge rule that the commission violated the state's charter schools law and to prohibit STAR Academy from opening without first getting approval from the board of education. Attorneys for the Birmingham Board of Education and the commission did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication of this story. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Jim Hughey III has not set a hearing in the case. In 2015 the Alabama Legislature approved the formation of charter schools in the state. Under that law, public school boards can elect to become the organization to authorize whether a charter school can form within their districts. The boards review and approve, or reject, applications, enter into contracts with the charter schools, and ultimately decide whether to renew or revoke the contracts. The Birmingham Board of Education denied applications by STAR Academy and iBestow. The commission held a hearing in April to consider appeals by both groups. The commission denied iBestow's appeal, but in May overturned the Birmingham board of education's denial of STAR Academy's application. It marked the first time a local charter authorizer's denial was overturned in the state. The Board of Education claims the charter school commission violated state law by overturning its decision. The board states that STAR Academy's application was not responsive to a request for proposal, that there were concerns about STAR's capacity and ability to open a successful public charter school, and issues related to funding. There also were concerns "relative to STAR's conflict of interest and the fact that the (Charter schools) Act specifically prohibits a church based public charter school," the lawsuit states. STAR Academy had been advised to submit any new or revised application to the Birmingham Board of Education before appealing the board's decision to the commission, according to the lawsuit. But when hearing STAR Academy's appeal the commission considered the group's newly revised application, the lawsuit states. STAR Academy plans to open in the East Lake community of Birmingham with 248 students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade, in the 2018-2019 school year. Alabama's charter school law was enacted in 2015. Alabama's first public charter school, the ACCEL Day and Evening Academy, will open in Mobile in August. Charter schools are public schools and are not allowed to set eligibility requirements for enrollment. If more students enroll than there is space in the school, a drawing is held to award a seat in the school. AL.com reporter Trisha Powell Crain contributed to this report Texas-based Johnson Bros Corp. will hire between 200 to 300 workers as it undertakes the demolition and replacement of the Interstate 59/20 bridges in downtown Birmingham. Johnson Bros won the bid to construct the bridge replacement earlier this year. The winning bid was $474.8 million. Rachel Sackett, spokesperson for Johnson Bros' parent company Southland Holdings, said the company is currently hiring technical staff positions and will begin hiring project labor within the next 30 to 60 days. "Each employee has the opportunity to grow a career with the organization, and we hope they will be part of our team long term," Sackett said. Johnson Bros. was hired to complete the third and final phase of the bridge replacement project, which will take more than two years to complete. ALDOT said the I-59/20 bridges, also known as the Central Business District bridges, won't be demolished until the fall of 2018. That segment of roadway through downtown will be closed for about 14 months. The closure of the bridges is expected to cause longer travel times for motorists and additional headaches for people driving in or near downtown over the next few years. Following the downtown Birmingham project, Sackett said Johnson Bros. will also seek other opportunities to continue to work in Alabama. The I-59/20 project jobs currently available range from skilled labor to project management. The positions are listed on Indeed.com. Resumes can also be emailed to hrapplicants@johnson-bros.com or applications can be filled out at Johnson Bros Birmingham office at 1804 7th Ave. North. Sackett said the pay rates range depending on the position and prospective employees' experience. She declined to release the pay range. Johnson Bros. has already partnered with several subcontractors in the Birmingham area, she said. "Johnson Bros. will be manufacturing the precast segments in Birmingham instead of trucking them from out of state," Sackett said. "This will shorten the trucking time and bring additional jobs to the Birmingham area." Michael Bell, executive director of the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, told members of the Birmingham City Council earlier this week, that Johnson Bros. will construct much of the bridge at a facility near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. He said Johnson Bros. will work with the BCIA to hire minority workers. He said the hourly rate for the positions will begin at around $15. Sackett said the majority of the bridge components will be made in Birmingham with locally sourced materials. A concrete superstructure will replace the current steel girder design to lower the traffic noise, Sackett said of the bridge. Sackett said Johnson Bros. will attempt to work overnight and on weekends in order to complete the project on time. The company will work with city officials on noise ordinance restrictions Products from states that have cut ties with Qatar are spoiling on shelves as Qataris choose new imports instead. Doha, Qatar Shortly after Saudi Arabia shut Qatars only land border earlier this month owing to a diplomatic spat between Gulf countries, residents in the Qatari capital flooded supermarkets in search of supplies. Many stocked up on products from Almarai, a Saudi Arabia-based dairy company and the largest in the Middle East, fearing the blockades implications for an arid nation that imports 80 percent of its food. But with countries such as Turkey and Iran stepping in to ensure Qatars grocery stores remain full, many now cant stomach the idea of consuming milk coming from their Gulf Coordination Council (GCC) neighbours. The people are all asking me where the products are from. If I say to them Saudi or Dubai, they dont take, said Ranjit Kumar Pulami, a sales clerk at Al Meera grocery store in Doha. I dont buy those products, said Fahad Jassim Al Tamemi, one of many shoppers boycotting products coming from countries beefing with Qatar. READ MORE: Qatar-Gulf crisis All the latest updates Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing Doha of supporting extremism and shifting too close to Iran charges Qatar has repeatedly denied. Restaurant workers say that food items from Saudi and the UAE were ordered removed from their pantries. In supermarkets, Almarai products sit in piles labelled with discount signs in an effort to get rid of the taboo imports. And residents who stocked up in the early days of the blockade are now regretting the move. Suddenly, we went from people who gave a lot of s*** about having fresh milk in our cappuccinos to us drinking Turkish milk, which does taste weird lets be honest, said Hessa, 22, a Qatari woman who claims her family and neighbours all threw out the Saudi products they hoarded. But we still say, We love it! Turkish milk is great! We dont need Saudi products!' Meanwhile, a now three-week-old bottle of strawberry milk still sits in 24-year-old Mohammeds family fridge. Its a symbol of silent protest. His mother was tempted to buy the Almarai milk because of the steep discounts, he says. But then my sister gave her a dirty look. Consistent with Qatars decision to take no retaliatory measures against the Arab countries sanctioning it, state media is refusing to egg on the drama. Qatar Media Corporation released a commercial depicting a Qatari woman purchasing Saudi Arabian milk while words discouraging boycotting-behavior run. But residents arent biting. In an interview on the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya news channel, one political analyst said Qatar would give in due to citizens inability to adjust to Turkish and Iranian foods. The interview provoked a widely shared image on social media of a Qatari man licking his milk-moustache. Its been said that Qatari stomachs cant handle Turkish milk. What do you say? the images Arabic text reads. Then, playing on a popular American advertising campaign and using the Turkish word for milk, it asks below: Got Sut?. I avoid their products, said Shayma Alkeilani, a Syrian student shopping at Al Meera grocery store in Doha, referencing products from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt. They dont interest me any more because you see what they say and are doing. You feel worse if you buy from them. While the Saudi milk left in Qatari fridges may be going sour, relations between the GCC states remain in a similar state, and the nationalism displayed by Qatars residents ends with the stomach. This is really the only way you can show that youre giving back, said Hessa. Theres nothing else we can do. We cant go out on the streets. We cant write petitions. This is the only way we can do it, by buying Turkish milk. At the start of the refugee crisis, dysfunction and danger awaited those registering for asylum in Germany. This summer marks the 25th anniversary of the Rostock riots the most disturbing resurgence of anti-immigrant violence in Germany since the rise of Nazism. In the quarter of a century since, many foreigners arriving in Germany have experienced the warmest of welcomes but a few have experienced chilling acts of hatred. This series explores how a small minority of ultra-xenophobic Germans tarnished their nations reputation as a haven for the worlds displaced masses. These stories are primarily told through the experiences of immigrants and asylum seekers who survived xenophobic harassment or attacks. Their stories are the exception to the norm: incidents of violent xenophobia are rare in Germany compared with other countries. Indeed, Germany has welcomed more asylum seekers in recent years than any other European nation the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Austria, Hungary, and magnitudes more than the far more populous United States. W hen faced with the largest exodus of people since World War II, none of these nations welcomed refugees as unconditionally as Germany did. Its precisely because of this reputation that Al Jazeera is taking a hard look at what happens when that welcome culture goes awry. This is the third story in a seven-part series. Just three years ago, Germany seemed an unlikely destination for Middle Eastern and African refugees. The European Unions Dublin Regulation demanded that refugees seek asylum in the first EU country in which they step foot, and Germany doesnt border any of the seas that refugees began traversing on overloaded dinghies in the summer of 2014. In fact, depending on ones route, Germany is located two, three, or as many as six countries away from those waters. But coastal countries such as Greece and Italy were struggling with downtrodden economies and limited jobs, and the eastern European countries through which many refugees passed by land either refused them entry or shuttled them quickly onwards. In contrast, Germany was a prosperous nation, the economic heart of the EU, and it had become so just two decades after tearing down the Berlin Wall one of the most famous borders of all. In July 2015, Germanys Chancellor, Angela Merkel, made headlines when she tried to comfort a Pakistani teenage girl whose family faced deportation after telling a group of immigrants in the city of Rostock that if we were to say you can all come we just cant manage it. But Merkel had a change of heart. Though her party, the centre-right-leaning Christian Democratic Union, was by no means Germanys foremost political ally of immigrants, the next month Merkel uttered the phrase that established Germanys reputation as a haven for the worlds displaced masses: Well manage it. In retrospect, Merkels gesture seems inevitable. She had to accept immigrants, said Margaret Heckel, a prominent biographer of the Chancellor. A woman coming from eastern Germany who defined herself by walls falling? Building walls was not an option. A woman coming from eastern Germany who defined herself by walls falling? Building walls was not an option. by Margaret Heckel, biographer of the Chancellor One month after Merkels pronouncement, Germanys interior minister declared that Germany could handle 500,000 asylum seekers a year. In fact, in 2015 Germany would go on to accept nearly one million. Eventually the refugees would be parceled out to different parts of the country. Municipalities that had more people and received more government tax revenue would be required to take more of them. But before the wheels of Germanys asylum system were fully turning, hundreds of thousands of newly arrived refugees were piling up in cities throughout the country. In Berlin, tens of thousands were forced to sleep on the streets at night and fight for their place in line by day at the now-infamous Lageso , the State Office of Health and Social Affairs, while they waited to apply for asylum. READ MORE: How Germany used Islam during World War I Arduous wait for registration Situated across a park on the north side of Berlin not far from the Spree River, Lageso resembles a college campus, with numerous buildings of different styles and sizes separated by small courtyards. Pushed back from the street, the campus is nearly invisible to a passerby, but in 2015, refugees standing in line at Lageso became an iconic image. One NGO worker who was employed there agreed to speak with Al Jazeera on the condition that his real name and the name of his employer be withheld. An immigrant himself, nine years ago Adnan left Damascus for Berlin to do a masters and later a PhD in refugee protection. He was conducting research in Turkey when the exodus of Syrians to Europe began. He immediately flew back to Germany to volunteer to help. On his first day back, his mobile phone rang an NGO where he had applied to work years earlier was calling to offer him a job at Lageso. He started immediately. Germany was shocked with the amount of people coming here, said Adnan of those days. They were unprepared. People stand here for two, three days in a row or else they lose their place. Were talking about a massive number of people 3,000 standing here. Some people wait there for 30 days, 40 days in a row. Adnan said German authorities seemed uncharacteristically overwhelmed. When they started distributing food, they were throwing the food, said Adnan. You have 500 people standing in that little square, and they take sandwiches and throw it like this, he said, demonstrating. I know its very difficult to distribute food, but this shows that they had really no knowledge, no training, knew nothing about it. READ MORE: Inside the world of human smuggling Security and trauma But by far, the biggest problem here is security, said Adnan. Most of the refugees were men, but now and then a woman could be heard shouting: Someone is touching me! Everybody would start shouting, and security would come in and take everyone and forcefully throw them out. For many refugees, the stress of their predicament or the fear of being forced to return to the warzones or desperate conditions they fled caused great trauma. There are some people who threated to kill themselves, said Adnan. There were two guys who managed to make it up there to the roof and said they were going to throw themselves [off] because they didnt have their documents ready. Sometimes, German criminals preyed upon the refugees at Lageso. Adnan recalled one man who pretended to be a lawyer. He would take peoples documents, promising to help them, but instead hed extort them in exchange for returning those documents for money or even for sex. He said there was little the refugees could do to protect themselves. A lot of refugees know about human rights, but they dont know exactly how it happens, said Adnan. They go to police and say, Youre abusing my human rights. But they dont have their documents or nothing, so the police always refuse to do any case for them. The Germans they didnt have a mechanism for people who had no documents, said Adnan. This was a big, big problem. As time went on, political parties and coalitions that opposed Merkels welcoming policy toward refugees staged protests across the street from Lageso. They would use speakers to amplify their message to the refugees: Go Home. IN PICTURES: Refugees caught between hope and harsh winter Abduction and murder of a four-year-old boy The climate of fear and tension at Lageso reached its climax one afternoon in October 2015 when a 32-year-old German man appeared at Lageso and, in the chaos of the crowds, enticed a four-year-old Bosnian boy named Mohamed away from his family and abducted him. Police did a minor search of Lageso that night, but eventually called it off even though the child hadnt been found. Following a second fruitless search the next morning, three days went by before police resumed looking. It took three weeks for police to acquire CCTV footage from Lageso, which clearly showed the man abducting the boy. Only when police finally sent the footage to TV stations to solicit the publics help in identifying the perpetrator did the mans mother recognise him and turn him in. The man led police to the refugee boys body. Beyond the horror of the murder itself and the fear it instilled upon the other refugees at Lageso, the failure of the police to find or even track down Mohamed for so many weeks raised serious questions about whether German authorities were willing to go to the same lengths to protect refugees as they do native Germans. Thats because the same man who abducted and murdered Mohamed had done the same to a six-year-old German boy named Elias a few months earlier. In contrast to authorities reaction when Mohamed disappeared, police had searched for Elias relentlessly. A police helicopter with a thermal imaging camera helps out of the air, the media [are] informed, wrote the German news weekly Der Spiegel. In the following days, policemen question hundreds of neighbours. Authorities even lowered the water level in a nearby river so that they could dredge the mud and search for Elias body. Some 1,800 authorities became involved in the search. In contrast, when Mohamed disappeared, police initially directed their suspicions toward his refugee relatives, according to Der Spiegel, which headlined its investigation into the matter Second-class search. READ MORE: The German village helping Yazidi women raped by ISIL Protecting refugees Did authorities care less about an immigrants fate than they did about a Germans? If so, it wouldnt be the first time. From 2000 to 2007, German authorities looked the other way as a group of neo-Nazis went around Germany murdering immigrant men and bombing migrant neighbourhoods. By the time Merkel made her famous speech vowing to welcome hundreds of thousands of the worlds refugees, had German authorities learned from the prejudicial mistakes of their past, and were they now ready to protect more than a million new immigrants? Perhaps, say critics and admirers alike, Merkel overestimated her nations ability to protect these new immigrants from violence. She undoubtedly overestimated Germans comfort with opening their borders to unvetted foreigners from a world away. The same month that Germanys interior minister announced that the country could accommodate an influx of half a million refugees a year, Germany announced new restrictions: checks on the border with Austria meant to curb the flow of immigrants. Meanwhile, so-called welcome alliances sprung up around the country, with thousands of German volunteers offering refugees shelter in their homes. Be it owing to increased restrictions that stranded more refugees in countries such as Turkey, or to a decrease in the number of refugees attempting to make the journey, or to Germanys success at speeding up the asylum process and finding shelter for hundreds of thousands of immigrants, by the time Al Jazeera met Adnan at Lageso last spring, there was virtually nobody left for the metal barricades to hold. Lageso was eerily empty. The refugees had been sent elsewhere. This reporting was made possible by a McCloy Fellowship from the American Council on Germany. Three infants in need of specialised medical care died this week in Gaza City after failure to obtain exit permits. Gaza City This years Eid has been tragic for Hanan Ghaben. Her 5-day-old baby, suffering from heart disease, died on Tuesday after he was prevented from accessing medical care outside of the besieged Gaza Strip. For the two million Palestinians in the impoverished Strip, a difficult-to-obtain Israeli exit permit is required for them to leave and be treated in Israel or the occupied territories of East Jerusalem and the West Bank. What in the hell we have done to deserve all of this pain and see my own child die in front of my eyes? Ghaben asked Al Jazeera, her voice trembling. Typically, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA), a semi-governmental body that administers the Israeli-occupied West Bank, facilitates the referral and funding of Palestinians to hospitals outside the Strip, where adequate treatment is restricted. But in recent months, the number of medical referrals from Gaza that the PA passes on to Israel has dropped, leaving patients needing urgent care, such as Ghabens baby, stuck in Strips resource deprived medical facilities. In less than 24 hours this week, three newborn babies died in the neonatal intensive care unit at Gazas Al Shifa Hospital after their permits for medical treatment were either rejected or delayed. Bara Ghaben, Ibrahim Tbeil and Musab Araeer were all under the age of one and suffered from congenital heart conditions. Ghaben said that she and her husband had applied on behalf of their newborn three times for a medical permit, but the delay in the PAs referral process proved to be fatal. READ MORE: A guide to the Gaza Strip The delay in referrals is part of the PAs recent escalation against its rival, the Hamas government in Gaza, Hamas officials believe. In March, the PA cut the salaries of their own employees in Gaza by 30 percent. Shortly thereafter, the Palestinian officials in Ramallah asked Israel to cut its electricity supply to Gaza by at least 40 percent, stating they would no longer pay for it. Gazas Deputy Health Minister Yousef Abu Rish described the health situation as a death sentence. During the last three months, 11 Palestinian patients in Gaza died as a direct result of not being granted medical permits to treat them, he told Al Jazeera. The PA is responsible for every patients death that could have been avoided through treatment outside of Gaza. Abu Rish said that in the last month, Palestinian and Israeli authorities refused to grant permits for at least 1620 Palestinian patients in Gaza, while another 1,500 were still waiting for a reply. The serious implications and the grave consequences of [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud] Abbas recent punitive measure adopted against Gaza to halt transferring the patients to the hospitals in the West Bank, Jordan, and Israel appeared and started to harvest the young souls, he said. Testimonies and data collected by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel showed that in 2016, the number of requests for permits approved by the PA was 2,041 a month. In May and June of 2017, the number of referrals granted was just 10 a day while the average number of requests each day was 120. As of this month, more than 1,600 patients from Gaza are waiting for PA referrals. But the PA has rejected the claims, the latest in a rift between the two political parties vying for power in the territories. READ MORE: Its okay to be racist in Israel What the health ministry in Gaza is saying is not true, Jawad Awwad, minister of health in the West Bank, told Al Jazeera. The regulations are ongoing. We fulfil our obligation to the southern governorate, he said, referring to the Gaza Strips Hamas-run government. We have provided Gaza with all the services we can, from supplies to covering costs of treatment outside of Gaza. Health sector collapsing PHRI also accused the PA of cutting medical supplies to Gaza by 90 percent. That, coupled with the recent decision to reduce electricity to the Strip, has put Gazas health sector on the brink of collapse. Mostafa Saidem, a doctor in Al Shifas childrens ward, said the lack of medicine has put further strain on hospital staff whose care capacity was already resource-limited. About 40 percent of the needed medicines required to deal properly with the heart diseases, and other serious health conditions have run out from our warehouses, which in return cripples us as medical personnel, he said. Information gathered by PHRI showed that the PAs budget to Gazas health ministry dropped from $4m to a mere $500,000 in May, severely hindering the operations of 13 government hospitals. Receiving only three hours of electricity a day, and following the shutdown of the Strips only power plant, Gazas 14 public hospitals and 16 health facilities now face partial or complete closure of essential services, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Many have warned of the detrimental impact on Palestinians caught up between the PA and Hamas power play that began with the 2007 failed Fatah coup on Gaza after Hamas won elections, leading to the expulsion of Fatah from the territory and a Hamas takeover. Robert Piper, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory, said last week that people in Gaza should not be held hostage to this long-standing internal Palestinian dispute. Dana Moss of PHRI was reported by local media as saying that Gaza patients are held hostage to political infighting. Back at Al Shifa hospital, Mahmoud el-Qoun stands distraught over his daughters hospital bed. Samaa, only 11-days-old, was born premature and requires specialised care that doctors in Gaza simply do not have the means to provide. It is awful Im helpless in front of my daughters serious health condition, said Qoun. I am afraid she will become a victim just like the other children. Its a terrible nightmare that continues to chase me. Considered the greatest and best known French writer of all times, Victor-Marie Hugo was born in Besancon, eastern France, on February 26, 1802. From an early age, he showed a commitment to raising social justice issues and giving voice to the oppressed, as well as standing against capital punishment. Hugo was born three years after Napoleon Bonaparte had seized power, and two years before he declared France an empire. He studied law, though he never committed to legal practice. Encouraged by his family, he embarked on a career in literature. Coming of age after Napoleons defeat, Hugo began his life as a poet and a writer and soon became a key figure in the development of French Romanticism. One of his very famous works is the novel Les Miserables, which he began in 1845 but did not complete until 1862. Its considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. For many, he captured the humanity of those who were condemned to marginality. On June 30, a Google Doodle was created in his honour and featured across North and South America, Europe, parts of Asia and Australia. Les Miserables Through Les Miserables, Hugo examined the history of France, delving into issues such as poverty, politics, moral philosophy, justice and religion. FAMOUS QUOTES Not being heard is no reason for silence You ask me what forces me to speak? a strange thing; my conscience If I speak, I am condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned! To put everything in balance is good, to put everything in harmony is better No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come On June 5, 1832, the death of General Lamarque sparked a rebellion against the monarchy which was quickly and brutally repressed. This would provide the inspiration for the student revolt at the centre of Les Miserables. We shall have a republic one day, he argued, and when it comes of its own free will, it will be good. But, let us not harvest in May fruit which will not be ripe until July; let us learn to wait We cannot suffer boors to bespatter our flag with red. Politically influential As a public figure, he was politically influential. Hugo was elevated to the peerage by King Louis and entered the Higher Chamber as a pair de France, a designation of high distinction applied to a small number of the French nobility. He spoke against the death penalty and social injustice. Hugo raised to political fame after the February revolution and was ultimately elected as a representative of Paris. When Napoleon III took complete power in 1851, Hugo openly declared him a traitor to France. He moved to Brussels, then Jersey, from where he was expelled for supporting a newspaper that criticised Queen Victoria. He settled in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, where he would live in exile from October 1855 until 1870. Lasting impact While in exile, he published his political pamphlets against Napoleon III. They were banned in France but they had a strong impact there. His work also left a lasting impression on writers such as Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Albert Camus. He died in Paris in 1885, and he became the first person to be buried in the Pantheon, a former church designed by 18th-century architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot and often compared in style to St. Pauls Cathedral in London or the US Capitol building in Washington. More than two million people attended his funeral, one of the largest mass mobilisations ever seen in Paris, and more than the citys total population at the time. Parliamentary arithmetic will not provide an answer to UKs political crisis politics of mass mobilisation will. The parliamentary system in the UK is in logjam. The government, even with its bought-and-paid-for majority, is so unstable that it announced a two-year parliamentary session and is considering lengthening the summer recess to avoid challenges to Prime Minister Theresa Mays leadership by her own MPs in the Conservative Party. But the Labour Party and the rest of the opposition in parliament are not capable of defeating the government and forcing another general election, despite opinion polls showing that this is what a majority of voters want to happen. So, if this logjam is to be broken, it will require extra-parliamentary action to drive the government to the polls. Crises such as these do not come along every five minutes. They emerge from a long incubation with successive phases of development. Long train coming The roots of the radicalism which powered Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns hugely successful election campaign and which destroyed the Conservative Partys hopes of a huge parliamentary majority lie as far back as the global anticapitalist movement that began in Seattle in 1999. It grew through the antiwar movement that resisted the Afghan and Iraq wars and the subsequent conflicts of the prolonged war on terror. Opinion poll after opinion poll demonstrated growing popular antagonism to neo-conservative foreign policy and neo-liberal economic policy. This was sharpened and focused by the emergence of mass opposition to austerity after the 2008 financial crash. But this mood was only expressed by social movements and was fiercely opposed by all the establishment political parties, whether of the traditional Conservative right or the Blairite social democratic centre. There was very little reflection of this anger within the electoral system or parliamentary politics. The mood of revolt only broke into electoral politics with the Scottish referendum in 2014. This was rapidly followed by the huge rise in Scottish National Party membership and a growth in Green Party membership. OPINION: To save the left look to Britains Labour party The Brexit vote, called by David Cameron to keep the Conservative Party united, provided an even greater rupture of the establishment system. The historic party of big business delivered popular vote against the very policy that big business most wanted: to remain in the European Union. But the really explosive effect of this turn of events was the election and re-election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party in the wake of the Conservative victory in the 2015 general election. This reached a new peak when the Conservative governments legitimacy was eliminated by the recent election. This was a result in which trade unions and social movements played a vital part, perhaps none more so than the National Union of Teachers. The focus on education, the groundbreaking online campaign over schools cuts, is alone credited with influencing 750,000 voters in this election. It was a political intervention that paid off handsomely. Ordinary people have the power to run society for themselves; that change is never handed down; that it is never legislated into being, but won from below by mass struggle. by Grenfell: The tombstone of neo-liberalism The Grenfell Tower inferno is a tragedy whose political effects are still unfolding. They will continue to do so for years to come. There is so much to learn here about the effect of free market economics in the housing sector, about the divide between rich and poor, about outsourcing and subcontracting, about cuts and privatisation. But perhaps more important than all this is the impact of the response of the local working class community. When government, both local and national, was paralysed, they acted. They cared when government couldnt care less. They organised when government was disorganised. They spoke out eloquently when ministers were silenced by incompetence and cowardice. A very palpable and, for the government, dangerous mood is abroad: it is the sense that working people are better than their rulers. Better organised, more articulate, more caring, more politically conscious, more moral. Such moods usually only develop in very heightened industrial and political struggles, such as the miners strike of 1984-85. But it is stalking this government today, waiting for the chance to strike it down. The streets and the parliament Parliamentary arithmetic will not provide an answer to the current political crisis. Even with the help of the bigots of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the Conservative Party cannot construct a strong or stable government. But neither can Labour and any possible allies do so either. Only another election will break the logjam. But neither the Tories nor the DUP are in any hurry for a new election in which they face serious defeat. So, just as it was that the streets and the social movements helped the rise of Corbynism in the first place, it now falls to the streets to drive the Tories from government and force a new election. Mass protest, strikes, and demonstrations are now of the greatest importance. The unions must be rebuilt. Some 13 million people voted for Corbyn, yet only half that number are trade union members. That gap must be closed. Both to get rid of the Tories and to defend any future anti-austerity government, the politics of mass mobilisation are vital. Millions are waiting to end the Tory government and vote an anti-austerity administration into office. But waiting is our enemy. Waiting gives the establishment and the Tories time to regroup. Waiting gives the Labour right time to sharpen their knives and re-emerge to get rid of a leader they hate as a matter of principle. And the more successful he is, the more they want to get rid of him. Ordinary people have the power to run society for themselves; that change is never handed down; it is never legislated into being, but won from below by mass struggle. OPINION: The connection between Grenfell and Finsbury Park In adversity, Grenfell has shown what we are capable of achieving. Now we must unleash that power in an unstoppable movement that sweeps the Tories from power. Saturdays demonstration is the first action of that campaign. This government is without principle or policy. It is a rotting corpse whose only aim is to stay in office. It has achieved illegitimacy in record time. Every working person has a deep and abiding interest in seeing it gone. John Rees is a writer, broadcaster, and cofounder of the Peoples Assembly Against Austerity. He is author of Timelines, a political history of the modern world. His most recent book is The Leveller Revolution. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Major budget cut pressures UN to trim its costliest mission by at least 30 percent, prompting rights groups criticism. The UN Security Council has agreed to a major reduction of peacekeepers in Sudans Darfur region after US pressure led to a $600m cut in the UN budget for peace operations. The council on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution drafted by the UK that will cut the number of troops and police serving in the joint African Union-UN mission known as UNAMID by at least 30 percent. Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Sudans capital Khartoum, said the mission would be downsized in only 11 out of 36 stations of Darfur. UN plans to focus more on development for about 2.7 million displaced people in Darfur as opposed to protecting peace, which they think is no longer needed, she said. Deployed in 2007, UNAMID has about 16,000 blue helmets on the ground who are tasked with protecting civilians in the war that Sudans government forces and pro-Khartoum fighters are waging against rebel groups. The drawdown will be gradual, carried out in two phases of six months. A first drawdown will reduce the number of UNAMID troops from 13,000 to about 11,400 in six months before dropping to 8,735 by the end of June 2018. The number of police will drop from 3,150 to 2,888 by January and 2,500 by June. The smaller UNAMID will be redeployed to the region of Jebel Marra, where most of the recent violence has been reported. The drawdown, however, could be reviewed if the Sudanese government fails to ensure protection in those areas from where the peacekeepers will withdraw. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will report to the council after six months on whether conditions on the ground remain conducive to further reductions. The costliest UN mission The UN and the African Union maintain that the Darfur conflict is winding down and that the mission among the costliest with a budget of more than $1bn should be trimmed. Human rights groups warn that the conflict is far from over and that the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers will leave many areas of the vast Darfur region without international witnesses. We recognise that the situation in Darfur remains fragile, said British Deputy Ambassador Peter Wilson. Nevertheless, we cannot shy away from the fact that the situation has evolved and it is right that UNAMID is adapted to reflect the current reality, Wilson told the council after the vote. We will not be taking our eyes off Darfur, he added. The General Assembly is scheduled to vote on Friday on the new peacekeeping budget of $7.3bn, down from the current $7.87bn. President Michel Temer was not inside the building when a minor rammed his vehicle into the presidential palace gate. A car has rammed the gate of the Brazilian presidents palace as calls grow on Michel Temer to resign amid a corruption scandal and single-digit popularity. A statement from Temers office said that a vehicle drove at high speed towards the Alvorada Palace in the capital Brasilia late on Wednesday, forcing guards to fire at the car. It said security forces first fired warning shots, but when the vehicle failed to slow, they fired at the car and it stopped. It added that the driver, a minor, was taken into custody and was not injured. Temer was not inside the building and lives in another official residence. Brazilian media shared footage of a gate lying on the ground along with what appeared to bullet casings. Tentativa de invasao no Palacio da Alvorada isola area em Brasilia https://t.co/vMP05QmMWd #politicaG1 pic.twitter.com/EyVRbbUJZD G1 (@g1) June 29, 2017 Anger has been simmering since Temer took office last year and replaced leftist Dilma Rousseff after she was impeached for breaking budgetary rules. Temer promised to restore political stability and to steer Brazil out of its deepest recession in history with market reforms. But the 76-year-old has been engulfed in a corruption scandal involving nearly one-third of his ministers and several congressional leaders. The scandal revolves around kickbacks from construction companies in return for winning lucrative projects at the state-run oil company, Petrobras. Temer has denied any wrongdoing, saying a leaked recording purportedly implicating him in corruption was doctored. Temers latest approval ratings are just seven percent, the lowest of any Brazilian president in nearly three decades. Vatican chief financial adviser takes leave of absence after being charged with historical sexual assault offences Vatican Cardinal George Pell has said he will take a leave of absence, but will not resign, as he vowed to clear his name over multiple counts of historical sexual assault offences. I have kept Pope Francis regularly informed throughout this lengthy process, and have spoken to him in recent days about the need to take leave to clear my name, Pell said in a statement on Thursday. Pell is the popes chief financial adviser and Australias most senior Catholic official. Earlier on Thursday, he was summoned to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of historic sexual offences, meaning the offences generally occurred some time ago. READ MORE Australia: Victims decry cardinals sex abuse denials He is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the churchs long-running sexual abuse scandal. Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said Pell is required to appear at a Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a hearing. The cardinal has strongly denied all accusations against him and said he is looking forward to his day in court. I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me, Pell said in during news conference at the Vatican on Thursday. Serious allegations While details regarding the charges have yet to be released, Al Jazeeras Andrew Thomas, reporting from Sydney, said: the fact that there are multiple charges to answer against, really gives the impression that these are very serious allegations. Pam Stavropoulos of the Sydney-based Blue Knot Foundation told Al Jazeera that the fact such charges have been issued is highly significant. She said that the charges show this is certainly a highly serious matter. The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised zero tolerance policy about sex abuse. For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by an Australian government-authorised investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. In February, The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, reported more than 4,400 alleged incidents of sexual abuse by Catholic priests between 1980 and 2015. READ MORE: Child sex abuse and Australias institutions It also said seven percent of Catholic priests in Australia were accused of sexually abusing children between 1950 and 2015, but few allegations were investigated. During his testimony to the commission last year, Pell acknowledged that the church had made enormous mistakes in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. Supreme Tribunal orders freezing of assets and travel ban on attorney general before a hearing in July. Venezuelas supreme court has slapped an asset freeze and travel ban on Attorney General Luisa Ortega, a top critic of President Nicolas Maduro, after she accused him of creating a climate of terror. Ortega has emerged as the most critical voice within the Venezuelan government as the authorities have cracked down on anti-Maduro protests, leaving a death toll of 77 people in just under three months. Ortega, a strong critic of President Nicolas Maduro, has been called a traitor by the ruling Socialists since March when she opposed a bid by the Supreme Tribunal to strip the opposition-controlled National Assembly of its powers. The court, which is closely aligned with the embattled president, earlier approved proceedings against Ortega who is accused of allegedly committing grave errors in her role as the nations top law enforcement official. A hearing has been set for July 4 to decide whether Ortega should face trial for alleged professional malpractice. Until her fate is decided, the court ordered her bank accounts and assets frozen, and banned her from leaving the country. Speaking in advance of the ruling, Ortega lambasted Maduros government. We have state terrorism in Venezuela, where we have lost the right to protest, where demonstrations are cruelly repressed, where civilians are tried in military courts, said Ortega, 59. We have a constitutional rupture. The constitution is being violated and the state is being dismantled, she told journalists. TIMELINE: Key moments in Venezuelas crisis The condemnation came as Maduro vowed to fend off what he called a coup attempt, after a rogue police pilot allegedly dropped grenades onto the Supreme Tribunal from a stolen helicopter. Political analysts and Maduros opponents said they suspected the incident was a hoax. But the leftist leader branded the terrorist attack a failed coup backed by the United States. Oil-rich Venezuela has slid off the rails since global crude prices collapsed in 2015, devastating its economy and causing severe shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities. Last week, President Maduro fired four top military commanders and the head of the police as protests continued in the capital. Maduro also announced the recruitment of 40,000 new police officers and national guardsmen, the BBC reported. Opposition leaders placed cardboard coffins and body bags at the gates of the National Guard headquarters after the killing of another protester. Parole committee to free jailed ex-prime minister early after he was rushed to hospital with chest pains, lawyer says. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be granted an early release from prison, his lawyer says, citing a decision from a parole committee. Olmert, who was in office between 2006 to 2009, was serving a 27-month prison sentence for corruption. The former prime minister was convicted in 2014 in a wide-ranging case that accused him of accepting bribes to promote a real-estate project years before he took office. His imprisonment capped a stunning fall from grace that ended Israels last serious round of peace efforts with the Palestinians and ushered in the era of Benjamin Netanyahu. READ MORE: Ehud Olmert Profile Olmert, 71, was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after he complained of chest pains while exercising, his doctor said. Medics ruled out a heart attack after series of examinations, Israeli media reported. Last week, Israels justice ministry asked police to investigate whether Olmert committed a criminal offence while behind bars. It said the book Olmert is writing contains sensitive security issues and that his lawyer was caught leaving the prison with a chapter on secret operations not approved by the censor for publication. US ambassador to the UN says rift between Qatar and other Gulf states is an opportunity to hit on both sides. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said that the crisis between Qatar and other Gulf states is an opportunity to influence both Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Haley was testifying before the House Foreign Affairs committee on Wednesday when she was asked about her take on the crisis in the Gulf amid conflicting statements made by members of the Trump administration. She said the US should take it [the crisis] as the opportunity that it is. She said it was a good time to tell Qatar to quit funding Hamas but at the same time, go back to Saudi Arabia and say look you can talk to them [the Qataris] you got to cut this out, youve got to stop doing this. Haley added that it was an opportunity to sort of hit on both of them. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed sanctions on the country on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The four countries have not provided any evidence for their claim, while Qatar has repeatedly rejected the allegation. Last Thursday, the Saudi-led bloc issued a 13-point demand list in exchange for the end of the anti-Qatar measures and gave a 10-day deadline. READ MORE: Tillerson calls for talks to end Gulf diplomatic crisis The demands included that Qatar shut down the Al Jazeera media network, close a Turkish military base and scale down ties with Iran. Over the three weeks, US President Donald Trump has taken a tougher stance against Qatar, while the state department and the Pentagon had previously sought to remain neutral in the Gulf crisis. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said some demands on Qatar by a group of Arab countries that have imposed a blockade against it will be very difficult to meet. Nevertheless, in a statement issued on Sunday, Tillerson said the list submitted by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt includes significant areas which provide a basis for ongoing dialogue leading to a resolution. A productive next step would be for each of the countries to sit together and continue this conversation, Tillerson said. Damage control Andreas Krieg, an assistant professor at Kings College London, told Al Jazeera there absolutely is a difference between the messages coming out of the White House and the state department and Pentagon. This is the big problem we see today with US foreign policy in the Middle East, Krieg said. We have two positions. The one position is the formal one, which is state department and the Pentagon, who do have a good understanding of the complexities of the issues On the other hand, we have the informal US government, which is the White House and which is based on personal relationships, partially by Donald Trump, but also Jared Kushner. READ MORE: All the latest updates on the Qatar-Gulf crisis Krieg said the White House has been hearing one side of the story based on its relationships with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The White House and its close circle of friends have heard one side of the story, but havent really listened to the other side of the story and I think thats a bit of the problem because theres a lot of nuances that need be understand and are being lost. He added that he believes the Trump administration is now trying to damage control. I think theyre trying to roll back a little bit and say lets try to manage this crisis and sell it as something positive, which its actually not. Analysts warn of massive confusion over new leaked guidelines as partial enforcement of Muslim ban comes into effect. A leaked state department cable has outlined new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim countries as partial enforcement of Donald Trumps travel ban is set to come into force on Thursday. Under the new guidelines, which were leaked to the press and have yet to be confirmed, new visa applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen and all refugees must prove a relationship to a close relative already in the United States to be eligible for a US visa. A close relative is defined as a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son or daughter-in-law or sibling. The new guidelines excludes categories that had previously been laid out by Mondays Supreme Court decision that partially reinstated Trumps March 6 executive order. Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships, according to the guidelines that were issued in a cable sent to all US embassies and consulates late on Wednesday. The same requirements, with some exceptions, hold for all refugees that are still awaiting approval for admission to the US. OPINION: The Muslim ban and the ethnic cleansing of America As far as business or professional links are concerned, the Department of State said a legitimate relationship must be formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course rather than for the purpose of evading the ban. The cable said a worker who accepted an offer of employment from a company in the United States or a lecturer invited to address an audience in the United States would be exempt from the travel ban, but someone who simply made a hotel reservation would not count as someone with a bona fide relationship, according to Reuters news agency. Consular officers may grant other exemptions to applicants from the six countries if they have previously established significant contacts with the United States or significant business or professional obligations in the US. Exemptions may also be granted if the applicant is an infant, adopted child, in need of urgent medical care, if they are travelling for business with a recognised international organisation or the US government, or if they are a legal resident of Canada who applies for a visa in Canada, according to the cable. The new rules take effect at 00:00 GMT on Friday, or 8pm EDT in the US, according to the cable. OPINION The Muslim ban: Did Trump really win? Bruce Fein, a former US associate deputy attorney general, told Al Jazeera if the reports by the Associated Press news agency are true, it limits the categories previously established by the Supreme Courts opinion on Monday. Fein said this means the Trump administration would seem to be in defiance of at least a minimal scope for the bona fide relationship that required the department to continue grant visas, which would mean respondents in the case could return to court, ask for an immediate emergency hearing and ask for an injunction or a finding that the state department or Trump be held in contempt. Fein added that there isnt any doubt that the two categories listed is narrower than the expressed terms of the courts opinion. Unchallenged, the new guidance will remain in place until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling on the matter. Arguments before the justices will not be held until at least October, so the interim rules will remain in place at least until the fall. Massive confusion Questions over how the new guidelines will be enforced remain. The state department cable does not give details on what documentation is required to prove applicants fall into one of the accepted categories. Fein told Al Jazeera that in many of these cases, you think the state department thought the medical records kept in Somalia are like the record kept in New York City or Washington, DC. He said that the same types of questions remain on how visa applicants should prove they have the needed business ties. Its going to be massive confusion and why the state department would issue the cable without having clarifying these issues is mystifying, Fein said. Its simply going to invite more confusion, more anger and more frustration. Groups vow to fight ban Shortly after taking office, Trump ordered the refugee ban and a travel ban affecting the six countries, plus Iraq. He said it was needed to protect the US from terrorists, but opponents said it was unfairly harsh and was intended to meet his campaign promise to keep Muslims out of the US. After a federal judge struck down the bans, Trump signed a revised order intended to overcome legal hurdles. The revised order excluded visa applicants from Iraq. The new order was also struck down by lower courts, but the Supreme Courts action on Monday partially reinstated it. READ MORE: Refugee advocacy groups slam Muslim Ban ruling Shortly after the court issued its opinion, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said on Twitter it would head back into court to fight the fundamentally unconstitutional Muslim ban this October. Omar Jadwat, the director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project who had argued the case in court, said in a statement that the travel ban violates the fundamental constitutional principle that government cannot favour or disfavour any one religion. Courts have repeatedly blocked this indefensible and discriminatory ban. The Supreme Court now has a chance to permanently strike it down, he said. Lara Finkbeiner, from the International Refugee Assistance Project, which also sued the administration over the ban, said she was incredibly disappointed with the decision. We are a nation that values acceptance and diversity, and in making this decision and putting this executive order back into effect, the Supreme Court is sending a very clear message and its putting the executives discriminatory policy back into effect. But Trump praised the decision, saying in a statement it allowed his travel ban to become largely effective. Todays unanimous Supreme Court decision is a clear victory for our national security, Trump said on Monday, adding that the ruling allowed him to use an important tool for protecting our nations homeland. North Korea said it has issued a standing order for the execution of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her spy chief for what it said was a plot to assassinate its leader, and has demanded that South Korea hand the pair over. The Norths official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Thursday revelation showed Park had masterminded a plot to execute its supreme leadership North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2015 and it was imposing the death penalty on traitor Park Geun-hye and her spy chief Lee Byung-ho. KCNA did not disclose the source of the revelation but a Japanese newspaper reported this week that Park approved a plan in 2015 to overturn the North Korean regime of leader Kim Jong-un. Park was removed in March over a corruption scandal and is in detention in South Korea while on trial. South Koreas National Intelligence Agency (NIS) said it was unpardonable that North Korea made threats against its citizens and said the news report of a plot to kill Kim Jong-un had no grounds. We declare at home and abroad that we will impose the death penalty on traitor Park Geun-hye and ex-director of the puppet intelligence service criminals of hideous state-sponsored terrorism who hatched and pressed for the heinous plot to hurt the supreme leadership of the DPRK, KCNA said. We declare that in case the US and the South Korean puppet forces again attempt at hideous state-sponsored terrorism targeting the supreme leadership we will impose summary punishment without advance notice. KCNA said the statement was issued jointly by North Koreas Ministry of State Security, the Ministry of Peoples Security and the Central Public Prosecutors Office. READ MORE: North Korea and mounting tensions The view from Seoul The NIS responded by dismissing Pyongyangs message as groundless, insisting Seoul will not tolerate threats against its citizens, according to local news agency Yonhap. In May, North Korea accused the US Central Intelligence Agency and South Koreas spy agency of another plot to assassinate its supreme leadership with a biochemical weapon. At that time, it also demanded the handover of former NIS chief Lee. South Koreas former president is currently facing a corruption trial over a scandal that ignited mass protests and led to her downfall. There are 18 charges against Park, the countrys first democratically elected leader to be removed from office, including extortion, bribery and abuse of power. She could be imprisoned for life if convicted. Three journalist associations say ban on any media outlet is an outrageous attempt to censure public debate. Journalist associations in Norway representing thousands of media workers have strongly criticised a Saudi-led campaign to have the Al Jazeera network and other regional media outlets shut down amid a Gulf diplomatic crisis. In a statement released on Thursday, the Norwegian Press Association, the Norwegian Union of Journalists and Association of Norwegian Editors added their voice to a large number of news organisations and trade groups that have declared their support for the Qatar-based broadcaster against calls for its closure. The signatory organisations strongly encourage the authorities of Saudi Arabia to respect that media, editors and journalists every day make an important contribution of keeping the people in the Arab countries and in the rest of the world informed of what is happening, the three associations said. READ MORE: An open letter from Al Jazeera The groups voiced their strong disappointment over what they described as an attack on one of the key human rights and requested that freedom of expression and freedom of press is respected. We emphasise that the Middle East, as the rest of the world, needs media companies to report news and current events, and give the public information and background analysis on what, when, how and why they occur, they said. A ban on any media outlet is an outrageous attempt to censure the public debate. In a conflicted world, freedom of press is more important than ever. Widespread support Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed sanctions on the country on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The allegation is rejected by Doha. After more than two weeks, the four Arab countries issued a 13-point demand list on Friday in exchange for the end of the anti-Qatar measures and gave a 10-day deadline. READ MORE: Media group backs Al Jazeera amid closure calls The demands included the closure of all news outlets that Qatar allegedly funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al Jadeed, Mekameleen and Middle East Eye. The Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, the New York Times editorial board and The Guardian have all condemned the efforts to pressure Qatar into shutting down Al Jazeera. David Kaye, the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, has also rejected the demand to close Al Jazeera, saying that such a move would be a major blow to media pluralism. Al Jazeera has described the Saudi-led campaign as nothing but an attempt to silence the freedom of expression in the region and to suppress peoples right to information and the right to be heard. We are stunned by the demand to close Al Jazeera, Giles Trendle, the acting managing director of Al Jazeeras English-language service said. Of course, there has been talk about it in the past, but it is still a great shock and surprise to actually see it in writing. Its as absurd as it would be for Germany to demand Britain to close the BBC. Trendle said Al Jazeera is going to continue its editorial mission of covering the world news in a fair and balanced way. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatars foreign minister, has said that Al Jazeera Media Network is an internal affair and there will be no discussion about its fate during the diplomatic crisis. Editorial Board of The New York Times says nothing good can come of dangerous GCC crisis if it is allowed to persist. A decision by influential US Senator Bob Corker to block the approval of future US arms sales to Gulf countries could give Washington a new tool for resolving a dangerous dispute between a Saudi-led bloc of countries and Qatar, the Editorial Board of The New York Times (NYT) said on Wednesday. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Corker plays a central role in allowing or withholding US weapons sales. The Tennessee Republican on Monday said in a letter to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that recent disputes among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries undermine efforts to fight ISIL and counter Iran. READ MORE: New York Times slams misguided attack on Al Jazeera He said that approval of future arms sales would be held up until there is a clear path for settling the major diplomatic crisis in the Gulf. This would give Mr Tillerson a new tool for resolving the crisis, though the impact may not be immediate, the Board wrote in an opinion piece titled A Way out of the Qatar Mess. The Gulf dispute shows little sign of resolution, the NYT said. Nothing good can come of this dispute if it is allowed to persist. Demands intended to humiliate Qatar According to the Board, the administration of US President Donald Trump is already moving ahead with a plan to send $510m in precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemens war, and with a separate $12bn deal for Qatar to buy F-15 fighter jets. But the Saudis and the emirates might eventually come looking for more weapons to prosecute that war, at which point the United States should say no. The war is a humanitarian catastrophe that urgently needs a political settlement, it said. On June 5, the three Gulf states, along with Egypt, announced the suspension of political, economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The four countries have not provided any evidence for their claim, while Qatar has repeatedly rejected the allegation. Last week, the Saudi-led bloc issued a 13-point demand list in exchange for the end of the anti-Qatar measures and gave a 10-day deadline, which ends on July 3. READ MORE on Qatar-Gulf crisis: All the latest updates The demands included that Qatar shut down the Al Jazeera media network, close a Turkish military base and scale down ties with Iran. In its piece, the NYT Board said the demands were obviously intended to humiliate Qatar rather than to serve as the basis for negotiations. Qatar has rejected the demand list as unacceptable, saying the Saudi-led blocs claims are not backed by evidence. Australian police have charged a top Vatican cardinal with multiple counts of historical sexual assault offences. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis chief financial adviser and Australias most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the churchs long-running sexual abuse scandal. Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Thursday police have summoned Pell to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of historic sexual offences, meaning offences that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said the 76-year-old was charged on summons and was required to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a hearing. Patton would not take any questions, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. The Catholic Church in Australia said Pell strenuously denies the multiple sexual assault offences. Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors who will also advise on his travel arrangements, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said in a statement. He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously. READ MORE: Shocking scale of Catholic Church sex crimes revealed It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal Pell have, obviously, been tested in any court yet, Patton told reporters in Melbourne. Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process. The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised zero tolerance policy about sex abuse. For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorised investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Last year, Pell acknowledged during his testimony to the commission that the Catholic Church had made enormous mistakes in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. Qatar is prepared to work together with other Gulf countries blockading it in order to reach a resolution to a major diplomatic crisis, its foreign minister has said, stressing, however, that his country will not discuss any measures that impinge on its sovereignty. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed sanctions on it on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The allegation is rejected by Doha. After more than two weeks, the four Arab countries gave Doha a 10-day ultimatum to comply with a 13-point demand list in exchange for the end of the anti-Qatar measures. OPINION: What is the Qatar-GCC showdown really about? The response of Qatar has been purposefully measured, yet unequivocal, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatars foreign minister, said on Thursday in Washington, DC, where he had been holding a series of key meetings aimed at defusing the crisis. We are willing to negotiate any legitimate grievances with our neighbours, but we will not compromise our sovereignty, he said, calling the siege on Qatar a clear act of aggression that violated international law. These hostile actions were based on unsubstantiated claims and false assumptions. Evidence is yet to be presented. List of demands The demands submitted by Saudi Arabia and its allies included that Qatar shut down the Al Jazeera network, close a Turkish military base and scale down ties with Iran. In the list, the four Arab countries also demand that Doha sever all alleged ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and other groups, including Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and ISIL (also known as ISIS), and pay an unspecified sum in compensation for what they claimed to be loss of life and other financial losses caused by Qatars policies. Speaking to reporters, the Qatari foreign minister reiterated Qatars position that the list was unreasonable, describing it as an effort to undermine our foreign policy and national sovereignty. READ THE FULL LIST OF DEMANDS HERE He was pretty clear that these demands are unacceptable and that Qatar couldnt do these things, even if it wanted to, Al Jazeeras James Bays, reporting from Washington, DC, said. The Qatari foreign minister also hit back at comments made by his Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir, who on Tuesday said that there will be no negotiations over the list of demands. Using the terminologies of demands and non-negotiable, I dont think this is a civilised way to engage in solving a crisis, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman said. OPINION: The GCC crisis Draconian demands and juvenile politics His comments came at the end of a trip over several days to Washington, where he met key leaders, including US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, to discuss the crisis. Al Jazeeras Bays said that despite the high-level meetings and mediation efforts there has been so far no breakthrough to this crisis that has almost lasted for a month. The deadline from the countries which are attempting to blockade Qatar is next week, he added. Also next week is an important meeting of the G20 countries. At that summit, Saudi Arabia, a G20 member, will be represented, but Qatar will not. Opposition leaders supporters welcome verdict, but say case remains unsolved because masterminds have not been caught. A Russian jury has found five men guilty of organising and carrying out the contract killing of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov two years ago, after a trial his allies say failed to unmask the masterminds. Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister and fierce Kremlin critic, was shot dead in central Moscow as he walked home with his girlfriend late in the evening of February 27, 2015. The murder just steps from the Kremlin in the Russian capital was the most high-profile political killing in the capital since President Vladimir Putin rose to power some 17 years ago. OPINION: Boris Nemtsovs last walk The 12-person jury ruled after the third day of deliberations that defendants Zaur Dadayev, Shadid and Anzor Gubashev, Temirlan Eskerkhanov and Khamzat Bakhayev all ethnic Chechens from Russias volatile North Caucasus carried out the hit as part of an organised gang. Dadayev, a former officer in an interior ministry battalion in Chechnya, was found guilty of firing the four fatal shots. The Gubashev brothers, Eskerkhanov and Bakhayev were found guilty of helping to organise and carry out the killing. The jurys decision was reached by majority vote after they first failed to come to unanimous decisions on the long list of charges against the defendants at the end of ten months of hearings. Real organisers Nemtsovs supporters welcomed the verdict, but said Dadayev and the others were low-level operatives. The case remained unsolved, they said, because those who had ordered, financed and organised the hit had not been caught. Its the biggest crime of the century and yet they havent identified the real organisers or those who ordered it, Vadim Prokhorov, a lawyer for the late politicians daughter, told reporters after the verdict. The Russian government was not prepared to look into the entourage of [Chechen leader Ramzan] Kadyrov, he said, despite his view that one of the masterminds was a close associate of Chechnyas president. Zhanna Nemtsova, the slain politicians daughter, has repeatedly said she wanted Kremlin-backed Kadyrov to be questioned about what he knew about the case. Kadyrov has previously praised Dadayev, the trigger man, as a true patriot of Russia, referring to his military service. But Kadyrov, who has denied allegations that he was personally involved, never appeared before the court. READ MORE: March to remember murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov The criticism that a lot of people are making, not just Nemtsovs family, is that this crime really couldnt have been okayed and carried our without some higher-level green light, certainly in the Chechen Republic, Moscow-based journalist Fred Weir told Al Jazeera. So this all remains hanging, but as far as the five low-level guys, the actual small fry who carried out the crime are concerned, they have been found guilty and not one of them is able for leniency. Official says New York Times report claiming Mohammed bin Nayef is barred from leaving the kingdom, is not true. A Saudi official has denied a report by the New York Times that former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef has been confined to his palace and barred from travelling abroad. Mohammed bin Nayef has not been seen in public since June 21, when Saudi state media broadcast a video showing him pledging allegiance to his cousin Mohammed bin Salman, who replaced Nayef as crown prince. An unnamed official told the Reuters news agency on Thursday that the New York Times report was not true, 100 percent. The Times had reported on Wednesday that Mohammed bin Nayef was being prevented from leaving his palace in the coastal city of Jeddah, after his trusted guards had been replaced by guards loyal to Mohammed bin Salman. It said restrictions had also been imposed on Mohammed bin Nayefs daughters, before adding it was unclear how long they would remain in place. A senior US official told the Times that it was an indication that MBS [Mohammed bin Salman] does not want any opposition. He doesnt want any rear-guard action within the family. He wants a straight elevation without any dissent not that MBN [Mohammed bin Nayef] was plotting anything anyway. READ MORE: Israel calls for Saudi Arabia ties and state visits King Salman issued a series of royal decrees last Wednesday, the foremost being the appointment of his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as the kingdoms new crown prince and deputy prime minister. Nayef, 57, who was once dubbed Americas favourite Saudi, was relieved of all his roles including interior minister. Mohammed bin Salman, 31, has overseen the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has killed more than 10,000 people, wounded 45,000 others, and displaced more than 11 percent of the countrys 26 million people. The war, launched more than two years ago, has failed to dislodge Houthi rebels from the capital, Sanaa, and has had devastating effects on the impoverished country. The United Nations has put the blame on all the warring sides and their international backers for the spread of cholera, which it calls a man-made humanitarian catastrophe. Homeland Security says airlines must step up security for US-bound flights or face possibility of total electronics ban. Authorities in the United States have unveiled tough new security measures for international flights arriving in the country, but held off from a threatened expansion of a carry-on laptop ban. The Homeland Security Department said on Wednesday it would now require enhanced screening of personal electronic devices, passengers and explosive detection for the roughly 2,000 commercial flights landing daily in the US from 280 airports in 105 countries. Officials said the agency would issue directives to about 180 air carriers, including US airlines. Security is my number one concern, John Kelly, secretary of homeland security, said during a speech at the Center for a New American Security. Our enemies are adaptive and we have to adapt as well. READ MORE: Frustration as cabin electronics ban comes into force Kelly said the changes will be seen and unseen and will be phased in over the coming weeks and months. He said airlines that do not comply or are slow to enforce the new standards could be forced to bar large electronics from both carry-on and checked luggage. They could also lose permission to fly into the US. The current ban, which affects only foreign carriers flying to the US from 10 cities, allows passengers to travel with larger electronics packed in checked baggage. The original laptop and electronics ban has been in place since March amid concerns about an undisclosed threat described only as sophisticated and ongoing. That ban applied to nonstop flights to the US from Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Cairo; Istanbul; Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Casablanca, Morocco; Doha, Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The roughly 50 affected flights are on foreign airlines. The government had considered expanding the laptop ban to include some European airports, though in recent public comments Kelly had suggested the government was looking at alternatives. Al Jazeeras Shihab Rattansi, reporting from Washington, DC, said the specifics of the new security measures were unclear. The specifics are a little vague and the Department of Homeland Security says thats on purpose because they dont discuss security measures in public, he said. What we understand is that if an airport wants to avoid a laptop ban, it has to enhance its security, including the checking of electronic devices for explosives and the screening of passengers and airport workers. Questions over new measures Kelly also said the US would push harder for foreign airports to accept pre-clearance immigration operations manned by US Customs and Border Patrol officials to process US-bound passengers before they board their flights. Such operations have already been established in 15 locations in six countries, including Canada, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. But it raises sensitive sovereignty issues to have US law enforcement officials operate inside another country. READ MORE: US electronics ban for Middle East flights draws doubts US officials remained vague about the specific requirements of the new programme. Airlines will be pressed to adopt a mix of new measures, including installing new screening technology, making more use of chemical sniffer dogs, and other unspecified steps. But the precise requirements in each case would depend on individual airlines, the airports they fly from, and their current levels of security. Some will have to make only minor improvements, they said. Asked about timeframes, officials would only say that they would give adequate time for the airlines to adapt. We are raising the bar globally for security standards, one senior official, who declined to be identified, told the AFP news agency. They also said they expect nearly all carriers to be able to meet the new standards. State Department confirms plan for the sale which will be the first since the $1.83bn sale under Obama in December 2015. The United States plans to sell Taiwan $1.42bn in arms, the first such sale under the administration of President Donald Trump and a move sure to anger China, whose help the president has been seeking to rein in North Korea. The sale, which requires congressional approval, would be the first to Taiwan under Trump and the first since a $1.83bn sale that former President Barack Obama announced in December 2015, to Chinas dismay. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters on Thursday that the administration had told Congress of the seven proposed sales. Politicians, who are generally strongly supportive of such sales, have 30 days to object. The US is legally obliged to sell weapons to Taiwan for its self-defence. Its now valued about $1.42 billion, said Nauert before adding that the approvals did not violate the Taiwan Relations Act that governs US contacts with the island. It shows, we believe, our support for Taiwans ability to maintain a sufficient self-defence policy. Theres no change, I should point out, to our one-China policy. The State Department said the package included technical support for early-warning radar, high-speed anti-radiation missiles, torpedoes and missile components. In a strong sign of congressional support, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee welcomed what he called the long-overdue arms sale. Sales of defensive weapons, based on Taiwans needs, are a key provision of our commitments as laid out by the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, said Ed Royce, referring to legislation and informal guidelines that steer US relations with Taiwan. The previous package, under Obama, included two Navy frigates in addition to anti-tank missiles and amphibious attack vehicles. Chinas ambassador to Washington said the arms sales will undermine bilateral relations and run counter to the spirit of the Florida summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April. All these actions will certainly undermine the mutual confidence between the two sides and run counter to the spirit of the Mar-a-Lago summit, Ambassador Cui Tiankai told reporters at an embassy reception in Washington, DC. In March, US officials said the administration was crafting a big arms sale to Taiwan. But such talk died down as Trump sought to persuade Beijing to do more to rein in North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes, an increasing threat to the US. Earlier on Thursday, China responded angrily and said it had protested to Washington after a US Senate committee approved a bill calling for the resumption of port visits to Taiwan by the US Navy for the first time since the US adopted a one-China policy in 1979. US officials told Reuters news agency this week that Trump who alarmed Beijing after assuming office by breaking with decades of precedent and talking to Taiwans president was becoming increasingly frustrated with China over its inaction on North Korea and trade. Trump plans to meet President Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Germany next week, US National Security Adviser HR McMaster told reporters. Israels Haaretz newspaper says the plan aims to neutralise the role of Qatar and Turkey in Gaza. An editorial board member of Israels Haaretz newspaper has said Israel, Egypt and the UAE are planning to install Mohammed Dahlan, the 55-year-old exiled former Fatah official, as Gazas leader. Zvi Barel said in an opinion piece published on Thursday that the plan also aimed to see Dahlan replace the Palestinian Authoritys Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah movement the ruling party in the occupied West Bank and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). He said it was too early to assess whether this plan will be fully implemented as the Hamas movement, which rules Gaza, could reject Dahlan, who used to head the PAs security services in Gaza. But if successful, according to Barel, Egypt would ease the siege of Gaza by opening the Rafah border crossing and the UAE would fund a power station on the Egyptian side of the border. A state of Gaza could become a reality with Dahlan at its head, something that, for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is the plans key, he said. READ MORE: Abbas under pressure over succession plan The plan aims to neutralise the role of Qatar and Turkey in Gaza, according to Barel. But he warns that the Dahlan plan could also see Gaza severed from the West Bank, especially given the long feud between Abbas and Dahlan. Dahlan was expelled from Fatahs ruling body in 2011 on allegations of plotting to overthrow Abbas. He has been living in exile in the UAE since 2012. He lacks popularity among Palestinians. Abbas has dismissed the secretary general of the PLO and his effective number two, Yasser Abed Rabbo, over links to Dahlan. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum says it is time to get united in poem on Instagram addressed to Qatar. The UAEs prime minister and ruler of Dubai has urged Qatar to return to the GCC fold in a poem he published on his Instagram account. Now it is time to get united and be one heart and protect each other without grudges or hatred, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum wrote in the poem in Arabic. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain have been at the forefront of a blockade against Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied the allegations. Al Maktoum, who is known to write poems, struck a more conciliatory tone than the UAEs state minister of foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, who has warned that the blockade against Qatar could last years if Doha does not change its policies. The poem, which was published on Tuesday, stresses that the UAE is its neighbours champion as they come from one tribe, one flesh, one land and religion. Al Maktoum used a famous Arabic proverb, urging citizens to put their neighbours interests before their own. We helped them as they helped us, the poem reads. The prime minister also wrote: We will keep advising Qatar openly in line with the instructions of Prophet Muhammad, who said: A wolf only eats sheep that leave the flock. Thousands of computers go down in yet another large-scale cyberattack targeting companies around the world. Cyber security has become one of the most important aspect of life in the 21st century, which means keeping computer systems secure becomes paramount for governments and companies. Now, a major cyberattack that began in Ukraine has crippled computer systems around the world. It has shut down government agencies and impacted thousands of businesses from India to Denmark. It is linked to the so-called WannaCry ransomware, a virus that holds data hostage until a payment is made. No one knows who is behind this attack, yet but the United States says it is investigating. What will it take to stop attacks like these? And will it get worse before it gets better? Presenter: Richelle Carey Guests: Antonis Michalas head of cyber security group at the department of computer science at the University of Westminster Patrick Flynn director of National Security Programmes Neil Walsh chief of the United Nations Global Programme on Cybercrime UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed over a fresh incident of forced returns of refugees from Cameroon into northeast Nigeria. This follows similar incidents earlier in the year, and more recently, repeated warnings that refugees are returning to a dangerous situation in which conditions do not yet exist to make returns safe and sustainable. []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric... Members of the media are invited to a briefing by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries Mr Senzeni Zokwana on the current outbreak of the Avian Influenza in the country. The Minister will explain governments plan to deal with the outbreak. The media briefing will take place as follows: Date: Thursday, 29 June 2017 []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric... One thing you must admit about Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and the American Optometric Association (AOA): They are tenacious. For years, they have labored diligently to manipulate the vision health care market with biased research to pass legislation that gives them an unfair advantage over their competitors. Although they continue to lose, that doesn't stop them from plugging away. Just last week, 5,000 AOA representatives flew into Capitol Hill to knock on lawmakers' doors. These door-to-door lobbyists are working to take choice away from consumers with the help of a government-created monopoly. The AOA already spends almost $2 million a year at the federal level trying to crush any free market competition. But last week's fly-in campaign was a new act of desperation by lobbyists trying to pressure lawmakers into backing their crony legislation. J&J and the AOA claim that their number-one priority is eye care and patient safety. As industry giants, they claim that it is their duty to fight for legislation that protects consumers from themselves. They have stressed the importance of "in-person vision care," something they claim can be safely performed only by optometrists. The only problem with these claims is that they are based on false, inaccurate data that were thoroughly debunked last year by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In 2016, the FTC did a complete review of the purported health risk data the AOA was using to prop up the Contact Lens Consumer Health Act (S. 2777), which sought to crack down on the sale of contact lenses by third-party vendors. The FTC saw no "reliable empirical evidence to support a finding that such [third-party] sales are contributing to an increased incidence, or increased risk, of contact lens-related eye problems." That's right: even though the AOA's data has been disproven at the highest levels of the federal government, the AOA's lobbyists still had the audacity to peddle their false reports all over Capitol Hill last week. Apparently, J&J and the AOA are using their own version of fake news in the hope that "if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." The only problem with that theory is that even the AOA doesn't actually believe it. Its website clearly states that a healthy adult needs an in-person eye exam only once every two years. For years, J&J worked with the AOA to push for legislation that would deny patients easy access to their prescriptions and indefinitely extend the current eight-hour time limit optometrists have to respond to third-party vendor filling requests. They continue to cite inaccurate research in the hope of passing laws that would guarantee optometrists a captive clientele, obediently returning year after year to buy their contact lenses and, of course, the prescription would in many cases be for a J&J product. J&J claims that these restrictions are necessary because nothing is more important to the company than its consumers' eye health. The argument falls apart when you consider all the vending machines scattered throughout Europe and Asia selling J&J contact lenses directly to the consumer with no prescription needed, let alone an in-person eye exam. Since efforts to tighten the consumer restrictions on contact lens purchases have stalled in Washington, the AOA fly-in has decided to go in another direction to once again cripple the free market. Thanks to new technology that can give you a full eye exam over your smartphone, a yearly visit to an in-person optometrist is becoming even more unnecessary. There are now phone apps like Opternative, Simple Contacts, and GlassesOn that can perform an eye exam at any time of your choosing in your home for a greatly reduced fee. The prescription is then verified by a board-certified ophthalmologist, and the consumer is free to shop anywhere he chooses to find the best deal when ordering contact lenses. This new technology has sent the AOA into a panic because its members know that cost-cutting vision care phone apps are going to cut deeply into their profits. Costs for utilizing phone apps are as low as $40, compared to the average cost of $128 at the optometrist's office. The thought of having to compete in that market is terrifying to a group accustomed to having their clients locked into paying for an exam year after year. It's no wonder these eye care professionals are willing to fly into Washington looking for members of Congress willing to once again push their crony legislation. The AOA's last line of defense is that in-person eye exams pick up on keratitis and other eye-related diseases that would not be found if relying on the results from one of these smartphone apps. They are conveniently forgetting that even users of this technology still need to receive a comprehensive eye exam every two years. The CLCHPA legislation is the AOA's best hope to completely ban third-party lens sellers, such as Walmart, Costco, and a multitude of online sellers. If passed, CLCHPA will give the members of the AOA unbridled authority to veto prospective third-party transactions. CLCHPA will give the AOA the ability not just to respond to the requested order and essentially pocket-veto the patient's order; it will also work to remove consumers' option to order directly from the web or discount store. They will once again be at the mercy of their optometrists regarding price and product selection. Without a doubt, the members of the AOA are looking out only for themselves, not for their patients' interests. Their safety argument is unfounded, and their drive to push more regulation on the industry is nothing more than cronyism, plain and simple. Congress needs to stop protecting an industry that chooses to put a stranglehold on patients. It is time to move forward and accept innovations that will better serve all consumers. Prior to the full implementation of Obamacare in 2014, Avik Roy estimated that 93 million health care plans could be cancelled due to the grandfather provision in Obamacare. His analysis was not just political trash talk. It was based on the Obama administrations own report in the Federal Register. In the Federal Register of June 17, 2010, the Obama administration provided a mid-range estimate that 66 percent of small employer plans and 45 percent of large employer plans will relinquish their grandfather status by the end of 2013. Grandfathered plans are plans purchased before the passage of Obamacare that do not meet the standards required by Obamacare. Individuals can keep these plans as long as the insurance company does not make any changes to the plan. If the company does make changes, and the changes do not meet the Obamacare standards, the plan becomes illegal, and the individual is required to purchase an Obamacare qualified plan. After the passage of Obamacare, it was expected that over time all grandfathered plans would be converted to Obamacare qualified plans. The major political question at the time was how long this would take. Based on the mid-range estimate in the Federal Register, and figures from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that 156 million Americans were covered by employer-sponsored plans, Roy estimated that more than half of employer-sponsored plans would lose their grandfather status by the end of 2013, and that about 78 million employer-sponsored plans could be cancelled. He also estimated that another 25 million people could lose coverage based on the administrations projection that 40 to 67 percent of individual policies would lose grandfather status by the end of 2013. The combined loses totaled 93 million policies. When this information became public, it caused political shockwaves. The public had no idea that Obamacare would affect so many policies so soon. So, what happened? The 93 million cancellations did not materialize by the end of 2013. The best evidence is that about 6 million cancellations occurred. We can conclude from the facts that the Obama administration itself had no idea what the actual number of insurance cancellations would be. We also know that Obama himself lied 29 times when he said that if you like your doctor you can keep you doctor, and we know that he lied about his own mother being denied health insurance, and we know that he lied about Obamacare not adding one dime to the deficit. We also know that the Supreme Court ruled that the Obamacare mandate is a tax, even though Obama himself explicitly claimed that it was a penalty (here,) and we all know that Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber said that the stupidity of the American voter was critical to getting Obamacare passed (here.) In the final push to pass Obamacare, Nancy Pelosis claim that We have to pass the bill so that you can find out whats in it became the zeitgeist of Democrat politics. Just shut up and pass the bill. We cant wait. In short, Obama and his acolytes were willing to say anything to gain government control of the means of production in healthcare. Most of what they said was either willful obfuscation or ignorant speculation. Now, the shoe is on the other foot. Republicans are pushing hard to change the law and Democrats are in a frothing rage. Never mind that the Republican effort may actually cement in place the government takeover of American healthcare. Never mind that Obamacare is collapsing. Never mind what is actually happening. Republicans must be stopped! And, true to form, the Democrat opposition has rolled out its big guns to wage another war of obfuscation and lies to save Obamacare. The breathless lame stream media cant resist a doomsday headline, and even the right wing media wants in on the apocalypse. The rolling thunder against repeal and replace began last fall. On November 9, VOX claimed that 22 million would lose insurance under the Republican plan. Later in November, Paul Krugman estimated that 5 million Trump chumps voted themselves out of healthcare. By December 11, NBC was reporting the results of an Urban Institute study claiming that 30 million would lose coverage, and that the total number of uninsured people would rise to 59 million by 2019. In January, The Washington Post and Fortune magazine reported CBO numbers that 18 million would lose insurance in the first year of repeal, that 32 million more Americans would be uninsured by 2026, and that premiums would double by 2026. In March, CNN quoted an S&P Global report and claimed that 10 million would lose coverage. Also in March, a Forbes report claimed that 15 million fewer people would be covered under the Republican replacement plan. In May, the CBO estimated that 23 million more people will be without insurance by 2026. And, to top it off, in March, Breitbart reported that hospitals are projecting millions in lost revenue under the Republican plan. But wait, theres more. Its not enough to say that millions of people will lose their insurance. People must be told that losing their insurance will kill them. In February, VOX proclaimed: Repealing Obamacare could kill more people each year than gun homicides. If 20 million people lose their insurance, 24,000 extra people will die (here.) Were not sure where the extra people in America live, but the headline assures us that 24,000 of them might die under the repeal plan. Democrats are certain that Republicans are killing people. Hillary Clinton believes it, and so does Elizabeth Warren. In the mother of all estimates, Montel Williams believes that Republicans are going to kill 140 million people! (But please, I beg you, try to look on the positive side - - they might all be extra people who arent needed anyway.) The opposition argument is quite simple: Obamacare insured 20 million more people than were insured previously, Republicans will take away that insurance, and without insurance some of those people will die because of it. This argument, however, has been refuted in various publications. The essential points are as follows. In reality, there never was an increase of 20 million newly insured people due to the magic of Obamacare. At best, about 11.8 million went on Medicaid, and another 2.2 million gained private coverage. Therefore, any arguments based on the 20 million number are phony arguments. Moreover, extrapolating deaths from lost insurance is not an exact science. At National Review, Max Bloom recently published a cogent response to the hysterical death claims in current media coverage. He concluded: In short, the only problem with the estimate that Obamacare repeal will kill tens of thousands is that it cherry-picks one study out of several, ignores the limitations of that study, assumes that private insurance and Medicaid are equivalent, assumes that losing health insurance and gaining health insurance are precisely symmetric, uses implausible estimates of coverage loss, and relies on an idiosyncratic definition of the word kill. Otherwise, its fine. At the Manhattan Institute, Oren Cass has published an even more in-depth analysis of the claim that repealing Obamacare will kill people, and has come to an even more radical conclusion: The practical effect of the Affordable Care Act has been to expand the non-elderly adult population covered by Medicaid. Unfortunately, we know from numerous studies that such Medicaid expansions do not improve public health. Mortality data from the last several years indicate that the ACA has done no better. The best statistical estimate for the number of lives saved each year by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is zero. If Obamacare saves zero lives each year, then there is no statistical pool of saved lives that is going to revert to lost lives, or people killed by Republican replacement efforts. Cass summarizes his key points as follows: A statistical claim that the ACA saves large numbers of lives should be supported by evidence that it has reduced mortality rates; yet the opposite occurred. *In 2015, age adjusted mortality rose and life expectancy declined in the United States for the first time since the early 1990s. *Nor is it the case that states adopting the ACAs optional Medicaid expansion performed better than those rejecting it; to the contrary, mortality in 2015 rose more in Medicaid expansion states. *Despite implementation of the ACA, there were 80,000 more deaths in 2015 than had mortality continued to decline during 2014-15 at the same rate as during 2000-2013. In the coming week, you can be sure that Democrats wont be shouting that Obamacare killed 80,000 people in 2015. As the new Obamacare debate rages on, ignore the hysterical claims of lost insurance and rising death tolls. The actual history of Obamacare makes it abundantly clear that no one knows exactly how many people will lose insurance or gain insurance until it happens. And no one knows exactly how many more people or how many less people will live or die until the data are in. And no one has a magic formula for converting the number of insurance policies to the number of people saved or killed. Instead, follow the money. Who benefits? Who controls? Is your healthcare yours to decide? James G. Robertson is a biochemist and University of Virginia alumnus. Ive known Richard since 1981, as a mentor, competitor, and colleague, and I consider him a friend. I only recently though found out how liberal he actually is, but I do not hold that against him. During a recent business trip, he brought up the subject of terrorism. He stated that the biggest terrorist threat in the U.S. comes from right-wing extremists, not the Jihadis. He then doubled down: white right-wingers have committed more acts of terrorism than radical Islamists. We were two days into a business trip and his diatribes were already wearing thin. This one caught my attention. I learned his source was a Huffington Post article: Most Of Americas Terrorists Are White, And Not Muslim by Sarah Ruiz-Grossman The article was based on a study: Home Is Where the Hate Is by David Neiwert, published by the Investigative Fund organization. Therein lies the problem. Richard, as well as too many other people, have a tendency to take what they read at face value. Mr. Neiwarts piece is full of numbers and statistics to back his claims. However, I am reminded a quote by Aaron Levenstein: Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. From January 2008 to the end of 2016, we identified 63 cases of Islamist domestic terrorism The vast majority of these (76 percent) were foiled plots, During the same period, we found that right-wing extremists were behind nearly twice as many incidents: 115. Just over a third of these incidents (35 percent) were foiled plots. The claim is also made that Right-wing extremist terrorism was more often deadly. It is not surprising that they ignore the over 3000 deaths (counting first responders) which resulted from 9/11. Simply put, the claim is made that not only are right-wing extremists committing such acts with a higher degree of frequency, they are also better at it. A closer look is certainly warranted, but before analyzing domestic terrorism, the term needs to be defined. Niewarts article uses the following: What distinguishes an act of terrorism from a violent crime is the ideological component of "the perpetrator's motivation, his ideology and what he wanted the outcome to be. There needs to be a desire to instill fear among the general public, change government policy, or draw attention to a political or social cause." In the case of this study the fair definition above is not applied equally, which is standard fare for the political left. Three examples of questionable inclusions from the report: Richard Popolawski -- A known white supremacist, he opened fire on Pittsburgh police officers responding to a domestic dispute, killing three and leaving two injured. Wade Lay and son Christopher Lay -- In 2004 they killed a guard during an armed robbery. Wade Lay testified that the money was meant to buy weapons and according to the district attorney there was a 'self-proclaimed mission to revenge Waco. Joseph Stack -- In 2010, Stack committed suicide by crashing a small aircraft into an IRS building killing one additional person. Stack left an anti-government, anti-tax manifesto behind. The FBI stated that it was investigating the incident "as a criminal matter of an assault on a federal officer" and it was not considered terrorism. No one is defending the actions of these men, but does a domestic dispute or armed robbery qualify as terrorism, as defined above? Regarding Mr. Stack, his gripe was with the IRS. His actions may or may not, meet the criteria for domestic terrorism, but does he qualify as being right wing? No proof on that was given. Its telling that one of the figures that Stack quoted in his manifesto was that notorious right-wing rabble-rouser Karl Marx. It appears the methodology used was too quick to label crimes as terrorist acts, especially if they could be linked to the right wing, even if only tenuously. Lets assume their numbers are accurate. The data shows that the non-Muslim population commits twice as many terrorist attacks as the Muslim population. Yet Muslims comprise less than 2% of the total U.S. population. They are attempting to make the case that non-Muslim Americans are a greater threat to the country than the Muslim population. Yet are the authors really so naive that they cant tell they have proven the opposite? The relative risk from Muslims in America is 24 times as high as from everyone else combined. Lets look at it another way, as the point warrants emphasis: White Americans comprise 72.5 % of the U.S. population. Muslim Americans comprise less than 2% of the total. Again if we use their numbers, combined with the sourced demographics for 2008, we have the following: For every two million white people, over a ten-year period there will be 1.3 acts or failed plots of a terrorist event. For every one million adult Muslims, over the same time period, there will be 54 such events or failed plots. Even adjusting the figures for white people to take out children, the resultant figure will not approach that given for the adult Muslims. We can know with certainty that a very small percentage of any population will be afflicted with mental illness. Naturally, whites being the largest percentage of the population, will have a correspondingly high number of such people. Muslims, on the other hand, are a very small component of the population, yet they account for a very large percentage of terrorism domestically. Knowing that the propensity for terrorism is inordinately slanted to a narrow range of the population, logic dictates a focus in both law enforcement efforts, as well as immigration restrictions would be appropriate. This is unacceptable to much of our nation. Today proposed restrictions are being fought; at the ballot box, through the courts and through domestic terrorism, (including use of chemicals in launched projectiles) by Antifa and other well-organized riot-promoting terror groups. If we are going to eradicate the primary source of terrorism, the impetus will need to come from within the Muslim communities. It is they that must stand up to declare terrorism is at odds with their faith. It is good to know that this is occurring in many circles. But they must take these proclamations to the next level by pointing their fingers at guilty parties and turning them in to the legal authorities. Until the time comes that it is no longer safe for radical Islamic terrorists to find safe haven in their own communities, then this issue will not be eradicated. What will the future of the European Union be? Bruce Thornton projects a solution to their future that lies in the EU showing greater respect for the diversity of cultures of its member states. He states, The challenge facing Europe today is not just reforming its economies or crafting saner immigration policies. It is whether the EU leadership can allow a greater recognition of and respect for the member nations distinct identities and sovereignty. In short, there needs to be a better balance between the EU continental/globalist aspirations and the national identities and aspirations of the member states. To some degree we can see the EU as using the USA as a model of federalism. Just as our states came together to form a more perfect union, the European member states, beginning with the Treaty of Rome in 1954, have worked step-by-step to build a common economy and other areas of integrated policy and action. The parts of Europe coordinated to form the whole known as the European Union, just as the thirteen original colonies coalesced in a spirit of unity to form our national entity. Yet, the net result to this point was not to create a European government per se, although that may well be on the horizon, but to create a bureaucratic network of rules and regulations, a common currency (the Euro), and joint rapid reaction forces (separate from NATO). These rapid reaction forces are subordinate to the European Union Military Staff, and complement other EU military forces. The existence of a military program managed by the EU often comes as a surprise to those who think of the EU as a purely economic arrangement. Le Berlaymont, EU Commission Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium Representation to the EU management team is not elected, but is appointed by the several governments, and the leadership remains more or less anonymous. The management team is an elite cadre in top management, and mid-level and lower level management who are essentially white collar employees, all of whom are not representatives of the people. Also, there are vast numbers of clerical workers to carry out the extensive paperwork tasks. In addition to the existence of the rapid reaction forces mentioned above, the security of Europe is primarily managed by NATO forces and written treaty guarantees, by special help from the U.S., and by the individual armed forces of individual member states. However, Turkey, with most of its land mass in Asia, is a member of NATO which may prove to be a weak link under various threat scenarios. The vast numbers of rules and regulations generated by and enforced by the EU and its predecessor the EEC (European Economic Commission) become a kind of administrative state, a non-government, yet acting as a quasi-government, deriving its authority from the member states, yet not being a government in the firm sense that each of the member states is a government. It is at this point that we see a disjunction, and that the federalism of the EU, unlike that of the U.S., is a kind of bogus or pseudo-federalism. First, the EU was not created as a bulwark against a common enemy, as was the U.S. that felt compelled to reject Great Britain because of 27 oppressions listed emphatically in the Declaration of Independence. The federalism of the EU is based on rejection of an abstraction, namely that peace is endangered by competition among the member states on the European continent. There is an assumption that common markets will breed peace, as you will not have member states each chasing scarce resources and thereby coming into conflict. Theory would hold that somehow the good of all economically will translate into the good of all politically. The EU, and the EEC before it, may have been embraced as a bulwark against Germany. Germanys aggressions led to two world wars, although politically correct doctrine usually does not condemn German nationalism, but simply condemns nationalism (conceived by the Europeans, according to Thornton, as a proto-fascist throwback). Nonetheless, despite its recent forays into utopian multilateralism via the EEC and EU, Germany still had to sign the war guilt clause of the Treaty of Versailles, and was divided at the end of World War II, and its leaders were tried with many executed and imprisoned. This is a dark backdrop to its present active leadership role in European cooperation. But in addition to its opposition to Great Britains abuses of power, the USA also had a vision of rights that went well beyond that of the mother country. Although there were still property qualifications for voting at the time the U.S. Constitution was ratified, those qualifications disappeared in a relatively short time. Our Constitution, and even the Articles of Confederation before the Constitution, reflected a vision of humanity and of government far beyond that British Declaration of Rights which were, up until our post-revolutionary governments, the most exquisite statements of people power that had ever been conceived. Many of those British rights were incorporated into our Constitution, and certainly were expressed in the separate constitutions of the thirteen original colonies before they were states, and when they became states in 1783. Under the Articles of Confederation, the government passed the Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787, that described how the Northwest Territory, won from the British during the Revolutionary War, would be governed. In those laws, slavery in those newly acquired territories was forbidden. That was a great moral leap forward by the new country, and a slap in the face of the plantation slave power in the South. It was also a lesson to Britain, which still held slavery to be legal throughout its empire. In fact, our slavery prohibition in the former British territories might be considered as an opening gambit inviting visionaries like Richard Wilberforce in England to advocate and eventually succeed in having slavery abolished by our former mother country. Additionally, we had a vision of a tripartite government, of those three branches under checks and balances, of federalism, of enumerated powers intended to restrain the inherent tendency of every government to assert more and more tyrannical control, and a Bill of Rights to articulate special abuses that individual citizens and states must be protected from. The role of the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch were defined, and the means and qualifications to serve in those branches was defined. The ideal of an hereditary nobility was specifically rejected (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) as incompatible with the aspirations of a free people. So, while Prof. Thornton may be correct that the EUs ailments might be somewhat ameliorated by giving more attention to the identities of the member states, the master bureaucrats of EU hegemony have failed to articulate a unifying vision for the continent that excels the single vision of each and every one of the member states. A vision of far-reaching significance, clarity, and hope cannot emerge as if it were mere policy. Just as our nations vision came from minds informed by the search for truth, a courageous and moral mindset, incredible knowledge of the political history of the world, philosophical immersion, and love of God, any future visions deserving of respect and providing a foundation for government must be likewise sourced. It is unlikely that the EU will ever produce such a vision. Janet Napolitano got caught by a state auditor hiding $175 million in discretionary funds in the Office of the President of the University of California, while pleading poverty and asking for tuition hikes. Even worse, she tried to rig the audit. There is enough smoke there to conceal a substantial fire. It would seem merely prudent to send in the forensic auditors people skilled at tracing funds that got squirreled away through accounting maneuvers. Of course, this presupposes that the people in charge care about whether or not money was stolen, misappropriated, or wasted when an executive took pains to hide it. A Republican in the California State Assembly, Dante Acosta of Santa Clarita, sought to launch an examination of how those funds were used. And not a single Democrat supported the effort to pierce the darkness (where democracy dies, according to the Washington Post) with a genuine forensic investigation. Patrick McGreevy reports in the Los Angeles Times: Two months after a state audit found mismanagement at the University of California, Democratic state lawmakers on Wednesday blocked a Republican legislator's proposal to have auditors go back in and look deeper at spending, this time with an eye for possible criminal activity. Assemblyman Dante Acosta (R-Santa Clarita) said the follow-up examination was justified after an audit in April found the UC Office of the President had failed to disclose a $175-million budget surplus to the Board of Regents and the public, was paying excessive salaries and expenses and had inadequate financial safeguards in place to prevent abuse. The lack of controls, the audit concluded, was "putting millions of dollars at risk of abuse." The Democrats either didn't care or are afraid of what might be found: However, no Democratic lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted to authorize a new audit[.] And this attitude is supported by the public official who should be acting as the fiduciary representative of the people of California: Monica Lozano, chairwoman of the UC Board of Regents, told the legislative committee Wednesday that a new audit is "unnecessary" and may interfere with the system's implementation of recommendations from the last audit, including the hiring of an accountant to look at UC spending. If the chairman of the Board of a public company went on the record as disapproving a forensic audit of his CEO who had been found to accumulate off-books funds, he would be hit with a shareholder suit. But the people of California don't have such an option only elections. They will keep voting for Democrats no matter how much is stolen based on past experience. On June 5, 2017, the United States Senate approved Resolution 176, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, and reminded us that "there has been a continuous Jewish presence in Jerusalem for 3 millennia." This legislative initiative was preceded by the Jerusalem Embassy Act (Public Law 104-45), on November 8, 1995, which indicated that "Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel" and that the American Embassy, currently in Tel Aviv, at the will of the president of the United States, may be relocated to Jerusalem. President Trump has followed the path of his predecessor presidents: he has chosen not to honor the intent of the Jerusalem Embassy Act, nor his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, for fear of alienating already hostile Middle Eastern nations and populations, so as to float his personal peace plan. Lest we forget, only fifty years ago, war was forced upon our loyal Middle Eastern ally, Israel, by her neighboring nations (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq). Their clearly stated aim was to drive Israel's young and old, helpless and able-bodied, Christian, Muslim and Jew, into the sea, and then to take for themselves all that the people of Israel had labored to build in their relatively tiny state. At the time, every nation of means turned her back on the mixed multitude of Israelis being threatened. The United Nations security force was asked to withdraw from the Sinai and did so without protest. The United States, fearing the Soviet response, hid under the covers. Without the help of her friends, the odds of Israel's survival was minimal at best. Yet when push came to shove and with everything to lose, Jews and other people of conscience came from abroad to take a stand with their threatened brethren. Together, they helped thwart a massacre. Within hours, Israel's pre-emptive air strike neutralized Egypt's jets, while her ground forces overcame the might of more numerous opposition armies, in just six days, before a cease-and-desist action was organized. Jerusalem became a unified city, reaffirmed as Israel's eternal capital. All faiths were subsequently guaranteed perpetual, unobstructed, and protected access to their holy sites. Yet, every six months, since November 5, 1995, a presidential waiver to delay the move of the American Embassy to Jerusalem was utilized, sidestepping the original intent of Public Law 104-45, on the grounds of unidentified national security issues. Meanwhile, the United States has not become a more respected nation abroad, except with Israel. The Middle East is clearly less stable. The Palestinians have repeatedly capitalized on America's failure to act responsibly towards her friend, Israel, by expanding their self-serving demands. Furthermore, they have not chosen to put aside their perpetual hatred of Israel and Jews so as to concentrate on building the infrastructure necessary to support a separate state for their children. Unrealistically, American presidents stubbornly adhere to a vague dream of peace that the Palestinian leadership does not apparently share, and a succession of American presidents has seen fit to diplomatically punish an ally, Israel, by denying her the same diplomatic status any other nation's capital currently enjoys: hosting the embassy of the United States. With the current administration's willingness to employ cruise missiles as necessary, I am not so sure that the feared Palestinian repercussions will become a reality should the American Embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Israel stands alone in the Middle East, as a proud nation with shared American values, and without fear for being so. This status alone should be rewarded with the embassy move. An FBI agent has been indicted for making false statements about shooting at the truck being driven by Robert LeVoy Finicum, one of the leaders of the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016. Finicum, along with other leaders of the occupation, was driving to a community meeting a few miles from the refuge when FBI and state police set up a roadblock to stop them. Finicum sought to evade police and drove his truck into a snow bank. At that point, it is alleged that two FBI agents fired at the truck, missing Finicum. He was later killed by state police. After an investigation by the Department of Justice inspector general, it was determined that the FBI agent lied about firing at the truck and tried to cover it up. Oregonian: Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Gorder Jr. revealed in court papers last June that a grand jury was reviewing the FBI actions. Gorder was explaining the government's desire to keep its memorandum about the inspector general's investigation out of the hands of defense lawyers representing other occupation leaders on federal conspiracy charges. The FBI and state police had moved in on Ammon Bundy and other key figures as they were driving in two vehicles from the refuge to a meeting in John Day. Finicum initially stopped but then raced off from police, and less than a minute later swerved into the snow to avoid the roadblock set up by FBI and state police. As Finicum left his truck, an FBI agent shot twice at Finicum, though none of the hostage team members admitted to discharging their firearms, the Deschutes County sheriff alleged. The county sheriff's office was tasked with investigating the Finicum shooting. The Oregon investigators concluded that one agent fired at Finicum's truck, hitting it in the roof and missing on the second shot. A state trooper later described to investigators seeing two rifle casings in the area where the FBI agents were posted. But detectives called to investigate didn't find the casings, police reports indicated. Federal law prohibits "knowingly and willfully'' making any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation or concealing information. Less than two months after the shooting, the FBI acknowledged that a federal agent was under investigation for firing shots and four other members of his FBI team were under investigation for covering up the gunshots. The status of the investigation into the four other FBI team member is unclear. There have been two federal trials of the occupiers. The first ended up with the Bundy brothers and five others acquitted of conspiracy and weapons charges. Another trial resulted in a split verdict. Questions still surround the death of LeVoy Finicum. He was killed by state troopers when he allegedly reached inside his pocket. A gun was later recovered from the body. A suit pending in federal court by Finicum's family alleges that the state police used "excessive force" in taking the rancher down. A prosecutor had earlier cleared the state police of any wrongdoing: "Mr. Finicum repeatedly and knowingly made choices that put him in this situation," said Harney County District Attorney Tim Colahan last March. "It was not the outcome that any of us wanted but one he, alone, is responsible for." Mr. Finicum's "choices" may have been heavily influenced by the shots fired at his truck by the FBI agent. The district attorney is right: it was not an outcome anyone wanted. The incident resulted in a black eye for the state police and the FBI. It could have been handled better and wasn't. You may never have heard of Wendy Sherman, but the former senior State Department official earned her place in history as North Korea policy coordinator for the Clinton administration, when North Korea's nuclear program was supposedly suspended in return for massive American aid, thereby aiding the rogue state in acquiring the weapons that threaten us today. We wound up with billions sent to a brutal dictatorship and nothing to show for it except a growing nuclear and missile armory that soon could pose a mortal threat to the United States via an EMP attack. As if that were not bad enough, she was the lead negotiator for the disastrous Obama Iran deal that is clearing the path for the mullahs to gain the capability of rousing the 12th Imam via nuclear Armageddon, a desirable outcome in their minds, even if an unparalleled potential catastrophe for the rest of humanity. One of the worst deals in history, according to President Trump. Quite the record of achievement: enabling two regimes ruled by madmen to acquire nukes and ICBMs. Give her credit: Wendy Sherman is one of the architects of our current nuclear dilemma, helping unleash the nuclear genie in the hands of irrational actors and rogue states. With that sort of track record, finding a new means of achieving distinction might be difficult. But this week, Wendy found an audience that could appreciate her unique capacities for discernment at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Her brilliant breakthrough insight? Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump because Barack Obama was our first black president. There is no doubt that we just had eight years of an African-American president is not a factor in all that we are experiencing today. When we make a social change, when we make a decision to do something we have never done before, we then take two steps backwards at least. I believe in my bones, among the list, I agree with the list that Sam put out about why Hillary lost but I would add to that it was pretty hard to elect a woman after you've elected the first African-American president. She "believes in her bones"? This is an "ideas festival"! Do bones have ideas? This is incoherent. What exactly caused Hillary to lose Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Florida that was related to Obama being black? Cristina Laila properly points out the that the left never tires of reminding us that Hillary won the popular vote. So Obama's race did not cause a majority to reject Hillary. But somehow, his race did cause voters in the key swing states that provided Trump his Electoral College victory to be uniquely influenced by race. The fact that Sherman could manufacture this nonsense and her audience not burst out laughing demonstrates the truth of the old joke that there are some ideas so ridiculous that only an intellectual (and especially the wannabes that attend ideas festivals in luxury resorts) could believe them. The mainstream media and many others have been grilling President Trump since he signed the executive order temporally halting the population of seven predominantly Muslim states from entering the USA. As a result, he has been called everything from "racist" to "Islamophobic." As a Jordanian Muslim who also holds a British citizenship, I am not offended by the president's actions, nor am I convinced that the executive orders in question were specifically written to target Muslims, for the following reasons: First, the executive order singled out seven specific countries out of 56 Muslim states. Second, the president did not pick these countries randomly, because six of the seven states have one thing in common: they are failed states, and they do not have a unified and recognized state system for processing of nationalities, passports, and state documents. In other words, the country's citizens can receive any number of passports they like, complete with fake or multiple names. That means that a terrorist can simply make up a name, obtain a passport and visa, and head to the U.S. Third, there are numerous examples of terrorists using nefarious means to reach America's shores from the ISIS Passport Printing Press to clearly identified individuals. Take terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki, a dual national of both the U.S. and Yemen. It's documented that in the early '90s, he was issued a passport using a different name, thus helping him establish a whole new secret identity. He then used that identity to enter the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship for foreign students. After obtaining a college degree at taxpayers' expense as a "foreign student," he went back to Yemen and actively supported, promoted, and financed terrorist acts against America. Fourth, the president knows these facts, and this is a sign that he is listening to his advisers and is absorbing intelligence information accurately and quickly. Next, it's quite clear that the president did what his patriotic duty and position require him to do: protect Americans from harm. With that said, if the president did want to ban a specific group of people, what would it look like, especially in a Middle Eastern country? The two best examples I can give you are found in the Middle East. The first example is how Arab countries treat their Palestinian and Jordanian brethren, simply denying them documentation and freedom of movement and banning their entry into their countries for the most frivolous of reasons. This is similar in nature to the second: how most Arab countries ban Israeli Jews from entering their countries, while allowing Israeli Arabs to come and go. A prime example of this is found in Jordan. To me, that is real racism and religious discrimination, and in all honesty, comparing the President's executive orders to what those Arab countries do is hard for me to swallow because of how easily they violate human rights, point fingers at others, and clearly support true apartheid. With those reasons in mind, President Trump did right thing, protecting the American way of life while being the first politician in generations to take the initial steps to keep his campaign promises. This is what I as a Muslim, Palestinian, and Jordanian call a great president who is making America great again. Mudar Zahran is the secretary general of the Jordanian Opposition Coalition. The infamous production of "Julius Caesar" that depicts the assassination of President Trump has been repeatedly defended, especially after the shooting of congressional Republicans, as not endorsing violence. The actor Corey Stoll, who played Brutus, wrote he did not believe that anyone would view the play as an "endorsement of violence" against the president. Whether or not the play intended an endorsement of violence, it enacted the graphic assassination of a sitting president, which is much more dangerous. Not the famous speeches, but that sanguinary assault is what got the hateful crowd howling. One of the strongest findings psychology has ever established is the tendency of people to imitate observed aggression, especially when the violence is observed to be socially reinforced. Albert Bandura is considered one of the most influential, if not the most influential living American psychologist. He founded an entire field of psychology, which he called social learning theory, by mapping out human motivation, thought, and action in the observational learning and imitation of aggression. Bandura's social learning theory moved American psychology beyond radical behaviorism and provided the scientific basis of cognitive behavior therapy, which is the most widely used form of therapy today. Bandura called observational learning "modeling," from which the term "role model" derives. Modeling theory established that imitation is a primary, neurologically based learning process, especially in learning aggression. In parallel to Professor Bandura, Madonna is considered one of the most influential, if not the most influential, living American magical slut. She too founded an entire field, one for performers who can't sing, can't act, move clumsily, and have an innate coarseness no costuming can disguise. But her inspirational soliloquy for women and children about "blowing up the White House" cannot be modeled by violent, left-wing fascists, as can the enactment of presidential assassination, which CNN's parent company paid for and CNN's pundit Fareed Zakaria extolled. Corey Stoll also wrote a glowing tribute to his fellow cast members for their resolute bravery. It seems they continued reciting lines while heavily guarded 'til payday despite "right-wing" protests. He warbled, "[W]atching my castmates hold their performances together, it occurred to me this is the resistance." Which resistance? The resistance of millions of patriots who would sacrifice their lives to preserve the United States as a bordered constitutional republic or the Hollywood-Manhattan bougie-boutique resistance with the updated Che Guevara beret in black or red? Corey Stoll's drama-queen resisters use other men's real blood to preserve their freedom while praising themselves for reveling in the fake blood of a president. The real resistance arose because tens of millions of patriots recognized that Barack Obama was trying to destroy America (though, happily, he destroyed only the Democratic Party) and that Hillary would finish the job. Stoll wrote that he had "little fear of offending people" of the real resistance. How could he? He doesn't know they exist. He can't understand that they love America not because she is perfect, but because she is God's gift to them, and Donald Trump's election brings hope for the preservation of that gift. Watching the depiction of Trump's assassination is to the people of the great resistance like watching the assassination of any leader who came forward at a pivotal moment in history, whether Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, or Ronald Reagan. The psychodynamics of spoiled-rotten celebrities do not admit respect for the patriotic resistance or gratitude for real sacrifice, lest their worshipful mirrors reflect truth and cause them to die of shame. Poor Cory boo-hooed that he had become "exhausted and nervous" by the hecklers and people who interrupted the assassination scene. May the name of every performer and producer involved in that play be remembered, and, without modeling their murder, may they be kept exhausted and nervous as long as possible. Yes, it's true that President Trump is a bit unusual. He tweets. He probably talks too much about "fake news" and counterpunches way beyond proportion. Trump is Trump, and that's all you can say. On the other hand, the media have only themselves to blame for their current state of near collapse, for a couple of reasons: 1) The Obama years may go down as the worst display of journalism in U.S. history. From "you can keep your own doctor" to "I learned about Fast & Furious from the front page" to "a video caused Benghazi," most in the media were simply too eager to give President Obama the benefit of the doubt. For example, did you ever hear a reporter say something like this? "Mr. President, did you dismiss somebody when you learned on the front pages that your administration had put 2,000 high-powered rifles in the hands of Mexican cartels? Are you not aware that innocent Mexicans have been killed by these weapons? Aren't you terribly served by your senior staff?" This wasn't asked about "Fast & Furious" or anything else. It was either a lack of curiosity or something else. It was not the kind of journalism Americans deserved, especially after what President George W. Bush was put through for eight years of this and that. 2) Enter President Trump. Since he upset Mrs. Clinton, and all of the experts at the networks, many in the media have been on a rampage to discredit him. It is the exact opposite of the Obama years. Again, Mr. Obama was always given the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Trump is second-guessed about everything. So how is all of this working for the country or for the media? Well, it's not working, as Michael Goodwin wrote: Russia, Russia, Russia is a fixation for all the networks, with a new study by the Media Research Center showing 55 percent of Trump coverage on nightly broadcasts was related to the Russia investigation. That adds up to 353 minutes of airtime since May 17, compared to 47 minutes on Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate pact, 29 minutes on the fight against terrorism and 17 minutes on the efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare, according to the Daily Caller's summary of the study. It said tax reform got a mere 47 seconds of coverage. Too much coverage is far from the only problem with Russia reporting. Writing for The Intercept, Glenn Greenwald shows how reckless CNN, the Washington Post and others have been, and makes two key points. First, that mistakes are "always in the direction of exaggerating the threat and/or inventing incriminating links between" Russia and Trump. Second, that all the false stories "involved evidence-free assertions from anonymous sources that these media outlets uncritically treated as fact." He's right, and I would add another dimension: For all the focus on Russia, the media totally missed a key point. To wit, the Obama administration did nothing about Vladimir Putin's attempt to interfere in the 2016 election even though the White House knew about it for months. Of course, most media organizations spent eight years cheerleading everything Obama did, and it's no secret that members of his administration, along with career Democrats, are the anonymous sources feeding the anti-Trump narrative. Mr. Goodwin is right on. In fact, you don't have to be a Trumpista to see that President Trump is getting a raw deal in contrast to the butt-kissing that went on with President Obama. Let's hope the media have learned their lesson, especially in light of the latest dismissals of three CNN reporters who got it wrong. We need aggressive media. Unfortunately, we don't have that now. Let's hope the pendulum can swing back to the middle so we can trust the media again. We don't right now, as the latest Gallup Poll tells us! P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) (YouTube) and follow me on Twitter. Cardinal George Pell, Australia's only Catholic cardinal currently serving, has been charged with historical sex offenses. Pell is one of Pope Francis's top advisers, heading up the Vatican finance office. He is the first high-ranking Vatican official to be charged with sexual assault. Sydney Morning Herald: Victoria's Deputy Police Commissioner, Shane Patton, confirmed in a brief press conference on Thursday morning that Cardinal Pell had been issued with multiple charges relating to historical sexual abuse allegations. The charges were served on Cardinal Pell's legal representatives in Melbourne on Thursday, Mr Patton said. "There are multiple complainants relating to those charges," he said. Mr Patton said there had been a lot of speculation about the process that has been involved in the investigation of Cardinal Pell. "The process and procedures that are being followed in the charging of Cardinal Pell have been the same that have been applied in a whole range of historical sex offences, whenever we investigate them," he said. "Cardinal Pell has been treated the same as anyone else in this investigation." Police did not take any questions during the press conference and did not detail what the allegations were. Mr Patton said it was important that due process was followed. "Preserving the integrity of that process is essential to us all and so for Victoria Police, it is important that it is allowed to go through unhindered and allowed to see natural justice is afforded to all the parties involved, including Cardinal Pell and the complainants in this matter," he said. According to the National Catholic Reporter, a heterodox publication, Pell was accused of sexual abuse in 2002 and in 2014. A recent Australian book, Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell, detailed an allegation of abuse made against Pell by two choirboys during his time as archbishop of Melbourne from 1996-2001. Author Louise Milligan, who reports for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's nightly news program 7.30, reported in the book that one of the choirboys came forward to police following the death of the other choirboy in 2014. Francis spoke about the allegations against Pell in July 2016, when news was first reported that Australian authorities were investigating the cardinal. The pope promised he would speak about the matter once the justice system had come to its conclusions. "We must wait for the justice system and not make a premature judgment, [or] a judgment in the media, because this does not help," Francis told journalists following a papal trip to Poland. "Stay attentive to what the justice system decides . Once the justice system speaks, I will speak." Pell previously faced an allegation of historic sexual abuse in 2002, shortly following his appointment as archbishop of Sydney. Charges were not brought by police over the allegation, but a retired civil judge was appointed by the Australian church to investigate the matter according to the church's internal processes. Citing a lack of corroborative evidence for the allegation and Pell's sworn denial, the judge found that he was "not satisfied that the complaint has been established." Pell previously gave testimony in March 2016 about his historic handling of sexual abuse allegations as an Australian church official to the country's Royal Commission Into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse. The cardinal testified for that occasion over four days via video link from Rome, saying he was unable to travel to Australia due to health problems. This could be exactly what it appears to be: a straightforward case of a Catholic priest being investigated for abusing children. Or, as Breitbart suggests, there may be more at play. "It seems as if Cardinal Pell is being singled out to take the rap for the misdeeds of a whole lot of people and the evidence is that he was more active in trying to do something about it," said former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, referring to Pell's well-documented efforts to root out sex abuse. There seems to be a "get Pell" mentality in "some sections of the media," Howard said. Pell, who was made a cardinal by Saint John Paul II in 2003 and tapped by Pope Francis to sort out the Vatican banks finances, has been the bane of liberal reformers because of his strong stands on marriage, homosexuality, abortion, bioethics and the environment. His unapologetically traditional views have won him the undying odium and hostility of progressives seeking to bring Catholic teaching into line with modern secularism. ... Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Amanda Vanstone said that the "media frenzy surrounding Cardinal George Pell is the lowest point in civil discourse in my lifetime." "What we are seeing is no better than a lynch mob from the dark ages," Vanstone (an avowed skeptic of organized religion) said, insisting that Pell has been treated by the media "as guilty from the start," with no presumption of innocence or sober assessment of the facts of the case. "What we are seeing now is far worse than a simple assessment of guilt," Vanstone added. "The public arena is being used to trash a reputation and probably prevent a fair trial." This opinion was echoed by Angela Shanahan in a similar piece in The Australian. "Pell can never receive a fair trial," Shanahan wrote, because "the 'vibe' has taken over." Ongoing commentary on the process, even by Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, "have ensured that any real evidence of wrongdoing has long become a secondary consideration to the vibe." It's hard to tell if these are new allegations or if authorities have discovered new evidence with regard to previous charges of sexual abuse. Either way, not only has the cardinal's strong conservatism gained him media enemies, but as a senior official in the Catholic Church, he may be targeted by liberal factions in the Church itself. Since Pope Francis took office, the liberal pontiff has been sidelining key conservatives in the Vatican, reassigning some of them and placing his allies in key positions. There is also Pell's work in trying to change Vatican finances. Recent scandals involving the Vatican Bank have pushed Pope Francis to attempt a massive overhaul, ordering more transparency and accountability. No doubt, this kind of reform steps on some powerful toes. I am not suggesting that Pell is innocent of the charges or guilty. But there is additional context that must be taken into consideration when examining this story. The news is full of reports of the imminent demise of the GOP health care reform bill in the Senate. Don't believe it. The president has yet to apply the screws to reluctant GOP senators. And Mitch McConnell may have a trick or two up his sleeve, so don't bet against some form of health care reform being passed in the upper chamber in the next few days. President Trump and the GOP Congress are already looking beyond health care reform to enact several pieces of the president's immigration agenda. Two important pieces of legislation will be voted on by the House before the July 4 recess that would fulfill campaign promises made by candidate Trump. CNN: The bills, "Kate's Law" and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, would install harsher penalties for repeat illegal entry to the US, and expand US law on sanctuary cities to pressure localities to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. But it's unlikely either would have enough votes to pass the Senate, which struggled with Kate's Law last year. Immigration and civil liberties advocates have also come out swinging against the bills, saying they bolster a "deportation force" and anti-immigrant agenda from the Trump administration. Both bills come from the Judiciary Committee led by Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a longtime proponent of strict immigration policies like Trump's and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Another lead sponsor is Iowa Rep. Steve King, one of the most aggressive Republicans on immigration enforcement who has a history of controversial statements about immigrants. Kate's Law is named for Kate Steinle, a young woman in San Francisco who was murdered on a pier on the Embarcadero allegedly by an undocumented immigrant who was a repeat felon and was deported multiple times. Saturday is the two-year anniversary of her death. The bill would raise the maximum prison penalties for immigrants caught repeatedly entering the US illegally, with escalating penalties for the number of repeat offenses and for other criminal acts. For example, someone who re-enters the US illegally with a felony conviction or three misdemeanors on their record could be imprisoned for up to 10 years. An undocumented immigrant who illegally crosses after being deported three or more times would also serve up to 10 years. ... The sanctuary cities bill would change the law to give the administration far more ability to go after jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The bill would give the federal government one of its biggest asks requiring localities to comply with "detainers." Immigration and Customs Enforcement can request that law enforcement detain suspected deportable individuals an extra 48 hours beyond what would be required by criminal law, but currently many jurisdictions do not comply with the requests. Some cite a desire to retain cooperation of immigrant witnesses and victims of crimes, others note that federal courts have held such detentions are unconstitutional. There is currently no law requiring jurisdictions honor the requests. Both bills face strong opposition from Democrats in the Senate, so they probably won't even come to the floor for a vote. It is doubtful that McConnell can get eight Democrat senators to cross the aisle and vote to end a certain filibuster. But if Republicans are smart, they will run on Democratic opposition to both bills. There are several vulnerable Democrat senators running in 2018, and highlighting their refusal to keep criminal illegal aliens out of the country would be potent politics. Trump has effectively used executive orders to implement parts of his immigration reform agenda. But Congress needs to go the rest of the way with him. With 25 Senate Democrats and independents up for re-election in 2018 compared to just eight Republican seats, the opportunity for huge GOP gains that would bring a close to veto-proof majority to power cannot be dismissed. The hysterical meltdown of our mainstream journalists is as amusing as it is pathetic. These are the people who for a year or more defended those opposed to Trump exercising their First Amendment right to say anything, no matter how crude or profane. These same journalists have continued to defend the rights of protesters to rage against the Trump machine, even when they become violent. Did the threatening, murderous words of the left cause, for example, the shooting in Alexandria? Of course not. That was just a crazy guy, and Scalise sort of deserved it anyway. That's their angle, and they're sticking to it. Trump and his supporters are really vile people, so anything goes, the Constitution be damned. But turn the verbal tables, and the same journalists are suddenly craven cowards. When they get caught over and over again peddling their fake stories, unnamed sources, and unsourced classified leaks, these same folks dissolve like the Wicked Witch when a bucket of water landed on her. They are crying like the babies they are. They make campus snowflakes look grown up. Suddenly, they are afraid that they may be targets of violence! They claim that Trump is putting them in danger! Since the day Trump announced his candidacy, these media people have been doing everything in their power, including making things up, to take him down. They cannot accept the fact that they failed in their endeavor, so they have doubled down on stupid. Their fury has overtaken any talent or ethics they may have once had. They are like mad hatters, so accustomed to manipulating how the American people think and vote that they have suffered a psychic break at Trump's push-back and at being caught lying and cheating. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor at The Atlantic, fears that Trump's rhetoric is "going to be responsible for violence against reporters." Is that not hilarious? The left's constant anti-Trump vitriol has nothing to do with those thugs who act out, paid or not; cover their faces; and beat on anyone they think might be a Trump supporter, but Trump calling them out for fakery is a threat to their well-being! Clarissa Ward at CNN fears the same. Brian Karem, who no one ever heard of, is enjoying his fifteen minutes of infamy for snapping at the wonderfully unflappable Sarah Sanders. He claimed he is sick of being bullied! Snowflake alert! He's a reporter at a W.H. briefing, and he can't take not being on camera. Jim Acosta at CNN has provided the behavior most preposterous and laughable. So distraught is he when the W.H. press briefings are not televised, he seems on the verge of tears each time he does appear on screen to complain. The Twitter responses to his act are clever and nail this self-absorbed, ego-inflated jerk to the wall. This bunch of ninnies who so over-value themselves for "reporting" the news have revealed themselves to be nothing but a bunch of elitist know-nothings. Ben Rhodes, pretty much a know-nothing himself, was right about one thing when he said, "The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old, and their only reporting experience consists of being around political campaigns. That's a sea change. They literally know nothing." Sadly, many of those behaving badly at this moment in time are well over 27 years old. But like the Mad Hatter, they are stuck in time the past before social media. Never in their wildest dreams did they believe there were so many conservatives out there in flyover country. Acosta, Karem, Ward, etc., like all the anti-Trump on-screen hosts Chris Matthews, Chuck Todd, Jake Tapper, John Dickerson, George Stephanopoulos, Brian Williams, the ridiculous Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow, etc., are all of a piece. They are used to getting their way, to successfully molding public opinion of much of the population. Even though that train left the station years ago during the Bush administration, these journo-club troops are just catching on that their "terms of office" as sly but effective indoctrinators of public opinion are over. So outraged by Trump's electoral win, they have given up on their earlier slightly more subtle tactics and have descended into the finger-paint, coloring-book level of engagement with others. They are in need of a safe space. Because Trump eschews the normal rules of Beltway manners, pushes back, and calls them out when they lie and make things up, they are suffering a crisis of identity. They are not who they thought themselves to be. They are just hacks, twittering away at the God that Failed. (ANSA) - Naples, June 29 - A teen who was gang-raped a year ago at 15 in the southern town of Pimonte near Naples has returned to Germany with her family after local authorities failed to give her the support they had promised, the Child Protection Guarantor of the Campania region, Cesare Romano, said Thursday. The teen last July reported that she had been raped by 12 teens, including her boyfriend. The rape victim and her family were forced to abandon "the community they had gone back to with enthusiasm and many sacrifices" after living as immigrants in Germany while the 12 teens "will continue to run free, undisturbed", said the guarantor. Eleven of the 12 teens reported by the girl are serving time in a community while another one lives with his family. (ANSA) - Rome, June 28 - Italy took a formal step to protest the migrant emergency with Brussels Wednesday and said that foreign ships may be stopped from docking in Italian ports unless the situation improves. With over 12,000 migrants landing in the last 48 hours, Rome said the situation, with its impact on social and political life, was "unsustainable" and "at the limit". Italy is taking a formal step with the European Commission in relation to the large numbers of asylum seekers landing on its shores, ANSA sources said. Over 10,000 asylum seekers arrived in Italy from Saturday to Tuesday and some 12,000 have arrived in the last 48 hours. The government gave its ambassador to the EU, Maurizio Massari, a mandate to formally raise the issue with European Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, the sources said. Massari went on to tell Avramopoulos that the situation regarding asylum seekers landing in Italy was at the limit, diplomatic sources said. Massari said the situation was having an impact on the country's social and political life and, as a result, it would be difficult to allow new arrivals, the sources said. Avramopoulos, who said the EC was ready to "substantially" boost resources to Italy, went on to tell ANSA that "Italy is right in saying that the (migrant) situation on the central Mediterranean route is unsustainable". He said he had met with Italy's EU envoy to "see how to improve the support to the country". Avramopoulos said "we have the obligation to save lives" but "we cannot leave a handful of countries to face this." He said the situation would be discussed at an informal EU interior ministers' meeting next week in Tallin. Avramopoulos also said States should now bolster their work on the migrant front with Libya and should show more solidarity with Italy. European Commission spokesperson Natasha Beraud told ANSA "beyond the EU operations, which are not in question, the question of the (migrant) landings is regulated by international law." She said the EC "however, deems opportune that any change in policies must first be discussed and communicated in the proper way, so as to give the NGOs the chance to prepare". She said Brussels "will help to inform the discussion and is ready to give indications for the landings". Rome's message to the Commission, sources said, is that Italy is facing a serious situation and Europe cannot look the other way. It is unsustainable, Italian diplomatic sources said, that all rescue ships should land in Italy. If the situation does not change, they said, Italy may be forced to deny permission to dock to non-Italian-flagged ships or ones that are not part of European missions. The Italian government is in fact mulling whether to deny docking privileges in Italian ports to ships rescuing migrants off Libya that are flying non-Italian flags, government sources said. They reiterated it was now "unsustainable" that all the vessels operating in the Mediterranean should bring rescued asylum seekers to Italy. Italy, the sources said, will continue to save human lives at sea as it has always done over recent years, but it is no longer sustainable that the whole burden of migrant reception should fall on Italy. Rescues and reception cannot be separated and therefore the contribution of the EU must not be limited to sea rescues, the sources said. A possible block on Italian ports would concern ships operated by non-governmental organisations operating in the central Mediterranean, sources indicated. But it would not for the moment affect naval units inserted in the mission of Frontex, the EU border control agency, and in EUNAVFOR MED, the operation that is tasked with combatting human traffickers in the Sicilian Channel and in which 25 European nations are taking part, the sources said. Ex-premier and ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi backs the new hard line on migrants and the EU taken by Premier Paolo Gentiloni and Interior Minister Marco Minniti, PD sources said. The sources welcomed the formal diplomatic step on migrants taken by the government with the European Commission, noting that Renzi on Tuesday himself called the situation "unsustainable". They also pointed out that the PD leader's positions on Italy getting more help in coping with the migrant emergency were "well-known". In Ottawa, President Sergio Mattarella said "if the phenomenon of (migrant) flows continued with these numbers the situation would become unmanageable even for a great and open country likes ours". Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mattarella said it was "an epochal phenomenon that cannot be cancelled by putting up walls but must be governed with seriousness". Mattarella added that migratory phenomena "must be governed while at the same time ensuring the security of citizens". European countries must "stop turning the other way" on the migrant emergency "because that is no longer sustainable," Premier Gentiloni said. "In these hours," he said, "we are grappling with the difficult management of migratory flows. "We can speak about solutions and concerns but I want to recall that it is a whole country that is mobilising to manage this emergency, to govern the flows, to combat traffickers". He said "it isn't to blow on the embers but to ask Europe, and some European countries, to stop turning away". European Parliament President Antonio Tajani told ANSA on the phone that "a cry of alarm has come from Italy (on migrants), an SOS, not a request for money: we can't leave it on its own". He said "I have spoken with (European Commission President Jean-Claude) Juncker, a positive talk in which he reiterated that the EU cannot turn its back on Italy." Tajani added: "After the closure of the Balkan Route, it is indispensable to also close the central Mediterranean one, we can't have any more delays in solving the problem". If youre considering a subscription to the Disney Plus streaming service, you may be wondering how much it costs. The service is available on both Since the beginning, the house design and project had to be adapted to the historical and traditional context of Coyoacan, one of the most important and significant cultural sites in Mexico. We created a modern house that adapts to the context, through the use of elegant and well-defined elements, matching cuttings, great heights, inner patios and high-quality materials. This house combines the tradition and the historical style with innovative elements and techniques. The design of volumes surrounding patios allowed the house to have big open spaces with natural illumination, which connect by elegant and wide hallways and bridges. Thanks to all the technologies used in the house like rainwater collectors, purification systems, solar heaters for the showers and hydronic heating and photovoltaic panels to generate energy, we can proudly state that this house is 100% ecological and has a minimum impact on the environment. Because of the design, the way it adapted to the context, the great spaces created, the re-interpretation of an antique architecture to a contemporary Mexican architecture, the innovation in the technologies used, the lifetime and the way the house will age, we firmly believe that the project is an architectural work that will serve as an example of how houses should be designed and built in the future. In the hospital, West signed a document creating a foundation a few days before he died. Those on the familys side say that individuals with a financial stake in the estate, including Gagosian dealer Ealan Wingate, who was at the hospital during Wests final days, wanted to make sure with the foundation that the heirs would not be in conflict with the gallerys interests, Kerres says. As a result, the lawyer did a rushed job, just writing something by hand and forgetting major parts of an agreement.' Pianist-composer Geri Allen, at age 60 a cancer victim, was photographed several times recently by Santa Istvan Csaba. He caught glimpses of her spirit and mourns her deeply. I saw her about five weeks ago here in Torino, Santa writes from where he now lives, and in April in Switzerland. She was in a good mood and smiling. So unbelievable. I was fortunate to have met Geri Allen in soon after shed arrived to New York City in the early 1980s, having graduated from Howard University. I interviewed her for National Public Radio and DownBeat, for which she talked with one of her heros, pianist Hank Jones (they were both from Detroit, but generations apart; that discussion is in my book Future Jazz). I heard Geri often, as a leader and side-person, at clubs in NYC; in quartet with Ornette Coleman at the SFJazz Festival where the entracte featured a body-piercer (that episode is in Miles Ornette Cecil Jazz Beyond Jazz), and most recently in trio with Terri Lyne Carrington and David Murray (as a power trio, they recorded Perfection). She received many honors; the Jazz Journalists Association presented Geri Allen with a Jazz Hero Award in 2016 for her work as an educator in Pittsburgh and before that at Howard, New England Conservatory and University of Michigan. Among my favorites of her recordings are The Printmakers, her debut as a leader; Open on All Sides in the Middle, featuring her mentor Marcus Belgrave among other aces; Etudes with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian (if I recall right, I wrote the liner notes), and and Eyes in the Back of Your Head, with Ornette. Someone told me it might have been Geri herself that shed been very nervous to work with Ornette, as she had been to engage with Hank Jones; she was extremely self-effacing. But when they first met to play the iconoclastic saxophonist leaned over her shoulder as she sat the piano and quietly said something like, Dont worry, just play, Ill take care of everything. She had deep regard for her predecessors and elders, serving greatly to restore luster to the music and artistic reputations of Mary Lou Williams and Erroll Garner, among others. Since 2015, Geri Allen had been performing along with NEA Jazz Master McCoy Tyner; Santa captured them together three months ago. Of the photographer: Hes Transylvanian-born and a globetrotter, who shoots wherever he goes and has especially fascinating galleries of images of gypsy life and undeveloped parts in his native land. Santa Istvan Csabas exhibition of close-up portraits of jazz greats, which I wrote of in February when they were hung at Mupa Budapest art center in Budapest, is currently being mounted for display at the Bucharest Jazz Festival, Romania. howardmandel.com Subscribe by Email | Subscribe by RSS | Follow on Twitter All JBJ posts | Air India said it is unacceptable that a person availing post-retirement entitlements from Air India talks against the company. New Delhi: National carrier Air India has warned its former employees with severe consequences such as withdrawal of post-retirement benefits if they speak out against the airline on social media. The Cabinet has given an in-principle approval for the disinvestment of debt-laden Air India (AI). Its employees, including those retired, are staring at an uncertain future. As many as seven unions have written to the government threatening mass protests if the airline is privatised. "It is unacceptable that a person who is availing post-retirement facilities like passage, medical etc from Air India talks against the company. Retired personnel who make such negative comments with the intention of tarnishing the image of the company will themselves be responsible for cessation of their post-retirement facilities," according to an internal order by AI issued on June 21 with the approval of Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, Ashwani Lohani. The circular notes that the warning follows instances of its former workers seeking to "taint" the company on public fora. "It has been noticed in the recent past that a few retired personnel of Air India are tarnishing the image of the company by posting negative remarks of the company on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp and also electronic and print media," the order read. Former employees are entitled to free flights and contributory medical allowances. An employee who retires after 30 years with the company can avail 24 free flight tickets, of which 25 per cent can be used for international travel as well. Industries are on strike, others are facing an avalanche of paperwork, while some retailers remain confused. New Delhi: India is bracing for upheaval as it storms ahead with its most ambitious reform in decades -- transforming the world's fastest growing major economy into a single market for the first time. The long-awaited goods and services tax (GST) rolls out Saturday even as businesses complain they are ill-prepared for the massive changes about to ripple through India's unwieldy, USD 2 trillion economy. The government promises the new regime will not just simplify trade by replacing more than a dozen levies with one tax, but combat corruption and enrich state coffers by bringing the informal economy into the digital era. Most economists agree the reform -- first proposed in 2006 -- is necessary and long overdue, but warn the initial shock to the economy is likely to drag, rather than stoke, growth in the short term as businesses adjust. There are already signs the transition could be rocky. Industries are on strike, others are facing an avalanche of paperwork, while some retailers remain unclear about what to charge just days before the taxes take effect. "There are different rates for a mobile set, charger and headphones -- all of which come in one box," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of Confederation of All India Traders, pointing to one such example. "What tax rate will be applicable in such a scenario? We don't know yet," he added. It took more than a decade to get the GST through parliament and political bickering over the particulars now means there are four tax rates instead of one as originally envisioned. 'Confusion and chaos' A slew of basic staples like fresh vegetables and milk are exempted, along with less obvious items like temple offerings, the national flag and human hair. So-called "sin" goods like tobacco will be slapped with extra levies, while states will still be allowed to separately tax some products including alcohol, petrol and aviation fuel. Some industries have suddenly discovered their products are elevated to a higher tax bracket. Fireworks manufacturers are protesting over crackers being taxed at the maximum of 28 percent, while garment and textile workers are crying foul over heightened imposts. Ayushi Gudwani, who runs online fashion startup Fable Street, supports the creation of a common market but was shocked to learn her taxes had more than doubled. "Our profitability will be hit," she told told AFP. Costs are also mounting at India's largest logistics firm Safexpress, which has hired 40 new staff to process a mountain of new paperwork. Under the new regime, companies must file a tax return in every state they pass through -- a nightmare for a trucking company shipping goods nationwide. For Safexpress, that means instead of filing two annual tax returns they must submit 1,400, said managing director Rubal Jain. "It's going to be a lot of confusion and chaos and back and forth for the next three months, because no one knows what will happen," he told AFP. "It'll be great in the long run, but transition will be a pain." Reform is needed All but the smallest businesses will now be required to declare their earnings online, an effort to broaden India's woefully small tax base, digitise the economy and flush out cash hoarders. But training employers to log tax information online presents immense challenges in India, where most small and informal businesses don't own computers, let alone access the internet, the trade association said. Safexpress cannot file its own returns until drivers upload their monthly invoices -- a huge ask for truckers used to delivering goods, not paperwork, Jain said. Gudwani meanwhile worries her suppliers -- mostly tiny businesses -- will struggle to get the hang of issuing receipts and wind up losing contracts. India has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world and these changes, though initially painful, will have a "significant impact" on compliance, said Neelkanth Mishra, managing director at Credit Suisse. "India is like a house under renovation. While the new parts are being built, no one will be happy," he told AFP. The sweeping reforms comes less than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi devalued India's largest banknotes in a sudden move designed to out manoeuvre tax cheats, but was blamed for a crippling cash shortage and slowing growth. To avoid a similarly rough landing, the government has trained 60,000 tax bureaucrats and run sessions with private accountants to ensure everyone is up to speed on the finer points of the GST. A GST Council has spent months thrashing out the final legislation, which was blocked in parliament for a year until an amended version was approved. "This is a tax reform that was needed," said Sunil Sinha, principal economist at Fitch India. "We came into existence as a nation in 1947 but never had a common Indian market. GST will make India one." Dont just rely on ratings agencies before investing: Sebi Mumbai: The Sebi on Thursday asked the mutual fund industry to strengthen their due diligence process before investing in debt instruments issued by corporates instead of relying completely on credit rating agencies. While addressing a mutual fund summit organised by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), Sebi chairman Ajay Tyagi said, Mutual funds should not only depend on credit rating agencies and should do their own due diligence. Care should be taken that non-performing assets (NPAs) do not get shifted to MF portfolio by way of a debt transfer. The Sebi chairmans comment comes in the backdrop of a delay in the downgrade of RComs outstanding debt. Last month, rating agencies Icra and CARE downgraded the companys outstanding debt to default status from investment grade. After its board meeting held last week, Sebi chairman had said that the regulator would soon come out with a discussion paper to further strengthen the regulations on both credit rating agencies as well as debenture trustees. The delay in rating action is a matter of great concern. We are working on a paper in setting the framework regarding the rules and regulations to which credit rating agencies should be bound. We are trying to come out with it in the near future for consultation, Mr Tyagi said last week. The regulator also asked the industry to merge or consolidate similar schemes as there are 45 fund houses in India offering about 2,000 schemes. He also lauded the industry for emerging as the backbone of the Indian capital market playing the role of a stabilising factor during high bout of volatility caused due to global uncertainties. Mr Tyagi also commended the industry for their active participation in the corporate governance process. In FY13, when mutual fund abstained in more than 51 per cent of the voting decisions, in FY16 it was only around 8 per cent. So they are actively participating in the corporate governance structure of the firms in which they are investing and thats how it should be, he said. Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said it is not acceptable that the Prime Minister will launch GST when the President will be there. New Delhi: The main Opposition party, Congress, on Thursday decided to keep away from the special midnight June 30 meeting convened by the Government on Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation. Party's senior spokesperson Satyavrat Chaturvedi said "the Congress will not attend the special GST meeting on GST implementation." The decision came after Congress President Sonia Gandhi met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with other leaders on Thursday. The party has been in a dilemma over attending the special midnight event in Parliament on June 30 to mark the implementation of GST and has had wide-ranging discussions with other parties also, which are likely to follow suit. Trinamool Congress (TMC) has already announced its decision to boycott the event. Meanwhile, The CPI also announced that it would skip the special midnight meeting on Friday on GST implementation, as it accused the Centre of being in a hurry to launch it without heeding to appeals by sections of the concerned industry. Sources said Congress leaders weighed its options as a group within the party felt that the GST was the party's brainchild that has been now taken over by the ruling BJP, and thus favoured attending the special meeting. However, some leaders opposing it feel that the GST is being implemented in a haste and all aspects have not been taken into consideration leading to harassment of small traders and businessmen and thus, the party should abstain. Sources also say that the Congress was apparently irked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi trying to emulate India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's midnight "tryst with destiny" speech on the eve of Independence. The Left leaders are also not inclined to attend the special GST meeting and are set to skip it, along with some other opposition parties. Communist Party of India General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said the party, after discussions with its MPs, decided to skip the meeting convened by the government. The CPI currently has one member each in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. "They (the government) are doing it in a hurry without giving proper time," Reddy said, airing his party's concerns on the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He said the tax slabs under GST are much higher than earlier on things like shoes, slippers, clothes and textiles, all of which would now be costlier though there may be some goods whose prices would also come down. "The government is not ready to heed to some of the appeals (of sections of the concerned industry), and they are going ahead in a hurry," Reddy said. He said that banking transactions, as also credit and debit card ones, have become costlier. "Taking into consideration all this, we have decided to avoid the session," Reddy said. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has already questioned the government on "hurrying" into introducing GST and recalled that the ruling BJP had opposed the system when it was in the opposition. The government will use the circular-shaped Central Hall to launch the new taxation system that is set to dramatically re-shape the over USD 2 trillion economy. A gong will be sounded at midnight to usher in the GST. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the key speaker at the function. President Pranab Mukherjee is also likely to attend the function, where former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda have been invited too. Mukerjea, prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, was testifying to a fellow inmate, Manju Shette's death. Mumbai: Medical reports stated that Indrani Mukherjea had received blunt injuries on her hands and other parts of the body, after she complained in court of assault by jail authorities at Byculla on Wednesday. "Indrani has received some blunt injuries and other (injuries) as well. Her claims of being beaten up appear to be true as per our check-up," the medical officer of J J Hospital, where Indrani's medical examination was conducted, said on Thursday on condition of anonymity. "It (Indrani's medical report) will be submitted in court, as the medical check-up was ordered by the court," the officer said. Indrani Mukerjea has also filed a police complaint against Byculla jail officials for allegedly assaulting her. Mukerjea, prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, was testifying to a fellow inmates death. Manju Shette, died after she was stripped naked by four women police officials, who allegedly inserted a lathi (wooden stick) into her private parts. A murder case has been also registered in the incident by the Nagpada police. Mukerjea has appeared at a Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court and accused the jail authorities of threatening her with the "same consequences" as Shette. "Tujhe hum dekh lenge. Joh unke saath hua woh tumhare saath hoga (You will face the same consequence as her Shette)." Mukerjea's lawyer, Gunjan Mangla, had asked the court to record her statement and order a medical examination. Her lawyer also told the court that she too was thrashed by jail officials and has bruises on her arms and legs. Mangla said Indrani also said that she was verbally abused by jail officials and the superintendent and was threatened with sexual assault for protesting against the death in jail. "These allegations are part of the FIR filed against the jail staff. We are probing the matter," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-3), Akhilesh Singh said. The Nagpada police, investigating the case, have filed an offence of murder against the jail staff in Shettes murder. "We are seeking information from eyewitnesses and other inmates in this connection," a police official said. Following Shette's death, the enraged inmates has protested on Saturday. While some of them had gone up to the prison's terrace while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger. Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla jail, including Indrani, on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code(IPC). Gunjan said Indrani requested her to bring the incident to the notice of the court and seek her production to lodge a complaint against the jail officials. "She informed me that several inmates want to give their statements against the jail officials who were involved in the incident," the lawyer said. When Judge J C Jagdale asked the lawyer if Indrani wants to file an FIR, she said "yes". An official from the prison department had alleged that Indrani "instigated" the inmates by asking them to shun food and "use their children as shields" when prison staffers tried to stop them from agitating and gathering together. Declining to comment on the matter, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) Bhushankumar Upadhyay said, "Police have registered an offence against the jail staff and an investigation is on." Six jail staffers were placed under suspension and police registered a case under IPC section 302 (punishment for murder) against them. The jail, located in the heart of the city, houses around 251 inmates. Earlier on the day, the kin of the lynched teenager had identified the four accused. Four accused arrested in Ballabhgarh case sent to two day police remand (Photo: Twitter/ ANI) Ballabhgarh (Haryana): The four arrested in the Ballabhgarh lynching case were sent to two-day police remand on Thursday. Earlier on the day, the brother of 16 year old Junaid Khan, who was stabbed to death on-board a Mathura-bound train, said the family has identified the four accused. The accused were arrested on Wednesday for lynching Junaid and injuring his brothers. The teenage Muslim youth was stabbed when he along with his brothers was returning home to Khandawli village in Ballabgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi last Thursday. His brothers -Hashim and Sakir- who were also travelling in the train with him were injured by a mob which also allegedly hurled slurs against them. "We identified these four arrested accused when they were paraded before us. They were involved in beating and jostling with us (Junaid and his brothers on the train)," 20-year-old Hashim told reporters in his village in Ballabgarh. A 50-year-old Delhi government employee was among four persons arrested on Wednesday in connection with the killing of Junaid. With the four arrests made on Wednesday, the number of those held in the case has climbed to five, according to Government Railway Police, Faridabad, SP, Kamaldeep Goel. However, the "prime accused" was still at large, he said. The four arrested accused belong to areas close to Hodal near Palwal in Faridabad and are believed to be regular commuters, police officials said. Junaid's brothers had told reporters earlier that the attackers taunted and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". Notably, a 16-year-old Junaid Khan was lynched on a moving train in Haryana by a mob on allegation that he was carrying beef. Ahmedabad: Speaking on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday broke his silence on the recent lynching incidents saying that "killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable." "This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would have approved of," he said. The Prime Minister's remarks come hours after people across the country took to streets to protest against the recent killings and seven days after the Ballabgarh incident where a teenager was lynched on a moving train. #WATCH PM Modi says, 'Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of.'. pic.twitter.com/43caDXmGzt ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 Releasing a special postal stamp and commemorative coin to mark 150th birth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandra, he said that thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi have the power to mitigate challenges the world is facing today. We are the land of non violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget this? he said. "No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done," Modi said. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country," PM Modi warned after a series of lynching incidents that shook the nation. He also stressed that violence never has and never will solve any problem. Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people to work together and create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams, an India which will make freedom fighters proud. Notably, a 16-year-old Junaid Khan was lynched on a moving train in Haryana by a mob on allegation that he was carrying beef. The country saw another social-media spurred sea of protests condemning the several lynching incidents of the recent past on Thursday, calling the event Not In My Name. Here is a list of some of the lynching incidents that took place in the recent past: On June 28 the Pak army violated ceasefire by unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling along the LoC in Kashmir's Rajouri. Jammu: Two Army jawans were injured when Pakistani troops fired from small arms and shelled mortars on forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch district. This is the 22nd incident of ceasefire violation in June. "The Pakistani army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0130 hours in Poonch sector along the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday," a defence spokesman said in Jammu. The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, he said, adding that two soldiers sustained minor injuries in the crossfire and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital. On Wednesday, the Pakistani army violated ceasefire by unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali (BG) sector in Rajouri district from 1445 hours, the spokesman said. The Pakistani troops on Wednesday also violated ceasefire along the LoC in Balakote belt of Poonch district, reports said, adding that the shells landed in several villages. In June, there have been 22 ceasefire violations by the Pakistani army in Poonch and Rajouri districts besides a cross-LoC attack and two infiltration bids in which four people, including three jawans, have been killed. On June 26, the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr, the Pakistani army fired small arms and automatic weapons and shelled mortars along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri. Separatists and militants announced that they will observe the first death anniversary of Hizb-ul-Mujahedin commander 8th July in a big way. Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government and security forces have a tough time ahead as potential face-off with separatists and their supporting crowds, during the week beginning from July 8, could lead to another spell of unrest in the Valley if not handled appropriately. 8th July is the first death anniversary of Hizb-ul-Mujahedin commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani and separatists and militants have announced to observe it in a big way. 'The Hizb chief Muhammad Yusuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin had, a day before he was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US State Department, in a statement issued in Muzaffarabad called for shutdowns in the Valley on July 8 and July 13. He also asked the people to visit the homes of martyrs and hold pro-freedom rallies and protests during the rest of the week beginning July 8'. July 13 is observed as martyrs day in both parts of divided Jammu and Kashmir as on this day, 66 years ago, as many as 22 Kashmiris were shot dead by the troops of autocratic Dogra Maharaja outside Srinagars central prison where an in-camera trial of a rebel Abdul Qadeer was being held. The bloody incident heralded an uprising against the Maharajas rule and for independence of the Muslim majority state. While July 13 is observed as martyrs day by both mainstream and separatist political parties and is an official holiday, the latter insist that the struggle for independence is still on as India forcibly occupied part of the State in 1947. In view of possible flare up, the authorities have announced a 10-day-long summer break in educational institutions from July 6 although the summer is still away and the temperatures have not soared yet. Apparently, the closure of schools and colleges has more to do with Wani anniversary than anything else, said the local watchers. The authorities are contemplating to impose curfews and restrictions in cities and towns of the Valley including summer capital Srinagar from the night of July 7 or early July 8 and also on July 13. However, its response beyond July 8 night and between then and July 13 would depend on the happenings on ground. In such situations the security review meetings are held at the end of each day and decisions taken accordingly, said a senior police official. The internet and mobile phone services are also likely to be snapped ahead of Wanis anniversary. Enforcing security clamp down and curfew or curfew-like restrictions besides curbs on the movement of separatist leaders and other key activists is a somewhat time-tested manoeuvre by the J&K authorities aimed at steering clear of face-off in open with separatist leadership and its supporters. Snapping or curtailing the Internet and mobile phone services in view of possible flare-ups and real and perceived threats is a new phenomenon which has become irksome particularly to student and business communities and financial institutions and the media as it hinders their genuine activity. However, the authorities justify such communication curbs and blackouts on the plea that these have become unavoidable in order to prevent the misuse of social media and rumour-mongering during such turbulences. Already the law and order situation in the Valley is somewhat disquiet. Parts of the scenic region particularly the southern districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama are precarious with militants calling the shots and the street protests being witnessed routinely. Another main worry of the authorities is how to ensure smooth and incident free passage of Amarnath pilgrims through populated and sensitive areas of the Valley during Hafta-e-Shahadah or the week of martyrdom announced by the Hizb. Normally pilgrims and other tourists are not touched by protesters but there have been instances when the buses and other vehicles carrying them to the base-camps or back were also hit in stone-pelting incidents, said the police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He added, Were keeping our fingers crossed. The authorities also said that extraordinary security arrangement has been made for the annual pilgrimage keeping in view the overall law and order situation in the Valley. Thousands of police, paramilitary and Army personnel have been deployed en-route Amarnath and at the base-camps and other halting places to provide security cover to pilgrims. The 40-day long annual pilgrimage to 3,888- meter-high cave-shrine, the holiest of Hindu places of worship in north India, officially began on Thursday when the first batch of over 7,000 devotees after reaching the base-camps of Baltal and Pahalgam took the arduous journey through rugged mountains to pray and have darshan of Shiva Linga at Amarnath. Officials said that Satellite tracking system, drones, mobile bunker vehicles and road opening parties (ROPs) along the route from winter capital Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal are some of the security measures put in place. The Centre has provided an additional 40,000 paramilitary forces to assist the State government for peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage. The Army, the CRPF, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the J&K police are providing multi-layered security to the pilgrims. The officials said that tight security arrangement has been necessitated by the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir and potential threat from separatist militants. But prominent separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani termed it a false alarm. He said the Amarnath pilgrims are most welcome in Kashmir and that they would be treated as honoured guests by local Muslims. Rejecting the talk of militant threat to the pilgrimage as being imaginary, he alleged that deliberate attempt was being made to mislead the majority community of India on ground reality in Kashmir and put the States majority (Muslim) community in bad light for political reasons. Some NDA names doing rounds, surprise candidate also likely. New Delhi: Soon after the Central Election Commission announced the schedule for vice-presidential polls on Thursday, names of Maharashtra governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel, BJPs veteran leader from Kerala O. Rajagopal and Madhubani MP Hukum Dev Narayan Yadav started doing the rounds as possible contenders for the post. However, the ruling party could again spring a surprise candidate, as it did for the presidential election when it named Ram Nath Kovind, former Bihar governor, as the NDAs candidate. Elections for the vice-president will be held on August 5. Like presidential polls, no whip can be issued by political parties as the election is through a secret ballot. O. Rajagopal Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said notification for the election will be issued on July 4 and nominations can be submitted by July 18. The scrutiny will take place on July 19 and the last date for withdrawing from the electoral battle is July 21. Mr Zaidi said polling, if required, it will take place on August 5, and counting will take place on the same evening. Secretary general of Rajya Sabha, Shumsher K. Sheriff, will be the returning officer for the VP election. In the election for the vice-president, a candidate requires 20 proposers and 20 seconders who should be members of Parliament. The term of the present incumbent, Hamid Ansari, who has held the post for two consecutive terms, ends on August 10. Hukum Dev Narayan Yadav The ruling NDA, which has a majority in Lok Sabha and has received support for its presidential candidate from some non-NDA, parties like the YSRCP, JD(U), TRS, BJD and AIADMK, is hopeful that its candidate would comfortably win the VP post as well. After the ink controversy during Rajya Sabha polls in Haryana last year, the Election Commission has decided to use special pens for electors to mark their votes in the July 17 presidential election and the vice-presidential polls. Votes marked with any other pen are liable to be rejected. The electoral college which elects the vice-president, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, consists of elected and nominated members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Doctors say that raw fish used in recipe is filled with harmful flatworms. Fish caught from northeaster Thai rivers are filled with deadly bacteria say doctors (Photo: Pixabay) Travellers always hanker for the authentic taste when they are visiting new places and this may be a good thing. Not when you are travelling to Thailand. According to doctors, Koi pla, a dish made of raw fish, ground with spices and lime, that is a favourite for many tourists is also a favourite for parasites! And these parasites are responsible for a deadly liver cancer. A popular dish in the rural northeast of the country, namely Isaan, the meal is tasty, cheap, quick and somewhat pungent. But this region, which has the least number of visitors also, has the highest reported cases of cholangiocarcinoma (CCG) bile duct cancer in the world. One of the major contributors to this unwanted fame is a parasitic flatworm native to the Mekong region and found in freshwater fish. It kills 20,000 Thais each year. Once eate, they embed undetected in the bile ducts for years and cause inflammation that triggers the deadly disease says WHO. But changing eating habits is no easy task in a region where love for Isaan's famously chili-laden cuisine runs deep. Many villagers are shocked to hear that a beloved dish passed down for generations is a danger rather than a comfort. Others are wedded to the convenience of a thrifty lunch they can whip up using fish caught in the ponds that border their rice paddies. Since learning of the cancer link many farmers have started frying the mixture to kill off the parasite - a method doctors recommend. Yet not everyone is as easily swayed with many villagers complaining that cooking the dish gives it a sour taste. Others simply shrug off the dangers and say their fate has already been fixed - a common belief in the Buddhist nation where karma can dictate decisions. Kapil Mishra was wearing a black armband as mark of protest against an incident on Wednesday, in which two persons were thrashed. New Delhi: Rebel AAP MLA Kapil Mishra was marshalled out of the Delhi Assembly on Thursday following a heated argument between him and the other legislators of the ruling party, despite warnings from Speaker Ram Niwas Goel. This is the second time Mishra was marshalled out of the Assembly. Earlier in May, he was escorted out of the House during a one-day session. The sacked water minister was wearing a black armband in the Assembly on Thursday as mark of protest against an incident on Wednesday, in which two persons were allegedly thrashed by the AAP MLAs for hurling paper missiles in the House. As the proceedings of the second day of a special session were on, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh drew the attention of the speaker to an unidentified woman in the visitors' gallery, who he alleged had come to the Assembly with Mishra with an intention to create a ruckus. Another AAP MLA, Nitin Tyagi, also supported his claim following which Mishra stood up and objected. He then got into a verbal exchange with Singh, Tyagi and the other AAP MLAs which prompted the speaker to ask him to sit down. Despite repeated warnings from Goel, the AAP MLAs and the sacked minister continued to argue with each other. Subsequently, the speaker ordered the marshals to take Mishra out of the House. Earlier on Thursday, Mishra, the Karawal Nagar MLA, wrote to Goel urging him that the CCTV footage of the Assembly be seized as he expressed apprehension of "destruction of evidence", a day after the two men were allegedly thrashed by the AAP MLAs in the House. He also requested the speaker to reconsider his decision to send the two men to jail for a month. Two columns of Army troops were deployed in the Hills after violence erupted during the CMs first Cabinet meeting on June 8. On June 8 evening, two columns of Army troops were deployed in the Hills after the violence erupted during chief minister Mamata Banerjees first Cabinet meeting there. (Photo: AP) Kolkata: The Army on Wednesday informed that it had withdrawn its troops from Darjeeling four days ago, where the unrest has been there for the past three weeks with an indefinite shutdown called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland. Eastern Command spokesperson Wing Commander S.S.Birdi said, The Army has been derequisitioned from Darjeeling and adjacent areas on June 24. The troops are not deployed in aid of civil administration any more. On June 8 evening, two columns of Army troops were deployed in the Hills after the violence erupted during chief minister Mamata Banerjees first Cabinet meeting there. Four more columns were deployed the next day, taking the total strength of deployment to six over the next two weeks. Meanwhile, violence continued in the Hills as two offices including, one of the GTA, were set on fire by angry GJM supporters in the early morning. Several important documents are suspected to have been destroyed in the two incidents. The GTA office of its engineering division is located at Lalkuthi while the other, a panchayat office, is at Dhobitala in Bijonbari. Fire engines were pressed into service to douse the fire at both places. No one was injured in the two incidents. In the morning, the GJM fielded the children of its supporters in a rally to mount pressure on the state government for their demand of Gorkhaland. Carrying placards, the children marched in the rally, which began from Chakbazar. While the infants were in traditional Gorkha dress, the boys walked bare-chested with the demand of a separate state written on their bodies. The district administration has decided to extend the suspension of internet services in the Hills till July 4. Earlier, the suspension was effective till June 26. District magistrate Joyoshi Das Gupta issued a fresh order extending the suspension by eight days. Ms Banerjee made it clear that she would continue to raise her voice for the people. Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday slammed the Centre once again for introducing GST hurriedly. She alleged that the Centre had threatened the state to go for ordinance by June 19 or the treasury would stop working. She also hit out at the Narendra Modi government for trying to privatise the national carrier Air India. We were in favour of GST but they have changed many things. Starting from medicine, they have imposed the tax on everything. We have requested them not to implement it in a hurried manner. But they hardly paid heed. They told us to go for ordinance by June 19 or else threatened that the Treasury would stop working. It is like pointing a gun and threatening to fire, she said at a public meeting in Burdwan. Ms Banerjee made it clear that she would continue to raise her voice for the people and could not be intimidated by agencies like the CBI or the Income Tax department. We are the only party who do not fear Delhi. We do not fear the CBI or the IT. We only fear the people and constantly fighting for their welfare is my partys agenda, she said. Ms Banerjee had termed GST roll-out as an epic blunder on the part of the Centre and announced that Trinamul Congress would not attend the GST roll-out programme on June 30 midnight. Criticising the Centres decision of disinvestment of the beleaguered national airline, Air India, the chief minister slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi without taking his name. He is visiting foreign countries one after another and signing deals. They have entered into a conspiracy and are are trying to sell Air India entirely. We dont support this. Air India is the pride of our country, Ms Banerjee said. She further alleged that the Centre was trying to shift the headquarters of the Tea Board from Kolkata. I had forwarded the name of one of my principal secretaries for the post of the Tea Boards chairman. Their arrogance has reached to such a height that they appointed a person from their party as the chairman. They said the official whom I recommended would act as deputy chairman. Why should a senior and efficient official like him work under the instructions of the chairman? I strongly condemn this, the chief minister said. She said she would soon write a strong letter in protest. I will be vocal against good officers who are being victimised in this way, the Trinamul supremo added. Dossa, 60, died on Thursday at Mumbai's J J Hospital where he was admitted after complaining of chest pain. Mumbai: The body of Mustafa Dossa, one of the masterminds of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts who died on Wednesday, was buried at a cemetery here in the early hours on Thursday. Dossa, 60, who was lodged in the Arthur Road jail, on Thursday died at Mumbai's J J Hospital where he was admitted after complaining of chest pain. The body was handed over to Dossa's family at around 10.30 pm on Thursday after post-mortem, police said. The family members then took the body to his residence at Agripada in Central Mumbai. At around 1.30 am today, Dossa's family members and relatives buried the body near the graves of his parents at Bada Kabarastan in Marines Lines area of south Mumbai, the police said. Heavy security arrangements were made for the funeral procession, they said. During the hearing of arguments before a special TADA court on the quantum of sentence, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on Tuesday argued that the role of Dossa, one of the six convicts in the 1993 serial blasts case, was "more severe" than that of hanged convict Yakub Memon and pleaded for his death sentence. According to the prosecution, Dossa had smuggled firearms, ammunition, detonators, hand grenades and highly explosive substances like RDX into India for the coordinated blasts. The blasts rocked Mumbai on March 12, 1993, claiming 257 lives and injuring over 700 people. According to the CBI, Dossa was one of the "brains" behind the conspiracy and his degree of responsibility towards the commission of the crime was the highest. The special TADA court here had on June 16 convicted five accused, including Dossa and extradited gangster Abu Salem, under the charges of murder, conspiracy and sections of now repealed TADA, while the sixth accused Riyaz Siddiqui was convicted only under the TADA Act. The terminal handles 4,500 containers per day. The state government is helpless as the virus attack has taken place at the main server of the AP Moller-Maersk company in Denmark. Mumbai: In damage control mode after Petya ransomware virus hit its terminal operated by AP Moller-Maersk in Denmark, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has urgently brought in cyber experts from the Centre and the state to avoid further harm. JNPT has also made an alternative arrangement to divert container traffic from its terminal Gateway Terminals India (GTI), which was hit by the virus on Tuesday night. The terminal handles 4,500 containers per day. The state government is helpless as the virus attack has taken place at the main server of the AP Moller-Maersk company in Denmark. Anil Diggikar, chairman of the JNPT, said the government has made alternative arrangements if needed. Its a global virus attack. The AP Moller-Maersk have their headquarters in Denmark and hence we have little to do from here. But we have made alternative arrangements, Mr Diggikar said. The GTI terminal server is completely down, but other terminals are functioning normally, he added. The ministry of shipping said National Cyber Security Coordinator Gulshan Rai was rushed to Mumbai to assist the company. The situation is being closely monitored and further steps to deal with the traffic situation will be initiated based on an assessment during the course of the next few days. Dr Gulshan Rai, National Cyber Security Coordinator, is proceeding to JNPT to further deal with the situation, a release said. Brijesh Singh, Maharashtra state cyber cell chief, said, The state governments departments such as customs, excise, etc., are not affected in this attack. The computers used in these departments are safe and functioning. The computers used by various companies and Maersks system, which handles the movement of ships, is affected. The state government has also asked for cyber support from Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in), the national team for cyber security. The additional manpower will be helpful in finding a solution. Operations at JNPTs GTI were impacted on Tuesday night as a fallout of the global ransomware attack, which crippled some central banks and many large corporations in Europe. AP Moller-Maersk, one of the affected entities globally, operates the GTI at JNPT, which has a capacity to handle 1.8 million standard container units. The current attacks come weeks after the Wannacry ransomware attack, which affected many companies. Firms that were hit on Wednesday include Russias biggest oil company Rosneft, global advertising giant WPP Group and multiple institutions in Ukraine, including its central bank and an international airport. The petition had also included curbing noise pollution by vehicles that resort to incessant honking in the city. The government detailed the measures it was taking to curb noise pollution by introducing a new act. Mumbai: The state government has filed an affidavit in the Bombay high court informing it that henceforth, vehicles found honking unnecessarily will be guilty of contributing to noise pollution and will be therefore be fined and punished under the Noise Pollution (regulation and control) Rules 2000. Any vehicles found flouting noise or air pollution rules can be fined upto the tune of Rs 1,000 for a first offence and Rs 2,000 for a subsequent violation. The state also informed the high court that it was awaiting the presidential assent for the Maharashtra Transport and Road Safety Act 2017, which included a rule to penalise unnecessary honking by motorists. A division bench comprising Justices A. S. Oka and V. V. Kankanwadi was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Awaaz Foundation, an NGO that has been working on reducing noise pollution in the city durings festivals. The petition had also included curbing noise pollution by vehicles that resort to incessant honking in the city. When the petition came up for hearing, the state filed an affidavit detailing the measures it was taking to curb noise pollution by vehicles by introducing a new act. Advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhkoni informed the high court that the Mahrashratra Assembly had passed that act and was awaiting the assent from the president. Elaborating on the rules, he said that section 20 of the act prohibits drivers from honking needlessly or continuously or more than what is necessary to ensure safety, besides honking in silence zones and using multi-toned horns. The rule also bars driving vehicles after modifying exhaust silencer, thus making it noisier. Under section 23 of the act, the guilty would be liable to pay a penalty of Rs 2,000 for each of the contraventions. The state was also in the process of formulating training workshops for public transport drivers on road safety norms and rules. Taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers would be covered under it. Noise pollution norms Noise Pollution norms and rules as per Maharashtra Pollution Control Board based on the 2000 Act: Earlier in the day, the panel had summoned DIG (prisons) Swati Sathe to its Bandra office to inquire into the incident. Mumbai: In the wake of the brutal death of Manju Shetye (38), an inmate of Byculla women's prison last Friday, which led to rioting by prisoners, members of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) led by its chief Vijaya Rahatkar visited the jail on Thursday evening. Earlier in the day, the panel had summoned DIG (prisons) Swati Sathe to its Bandra office to inquire into the incident and appointed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. It has also sought a detailed report from the jail authorities across the state about their conditions, safety and security. Meanwhile, a day after the Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea told a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court that she was assaulted and threatened by the staff at Bycullas womens prison, the Nagpada police station has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Krishna R Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. (Photo: Twitter) Washington: President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During his three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said. Urs earned an MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He fluently speaks Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. More chillingly, 97 per cent of 63 incidents were reported after May 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. If journalistic ethics and editor(s) of this paper would have permitted, I would have preferred not to write this piece under my name. There are times when there is need for expressions to transcend individuals and for personal assertions to evolve into or yield to collective sense and sensibility. This is one such occasion when joint action is the need, in action and in thought. This is one of those dark periods in history when clarifications and justifications cannot be accepted. It does not matter if Junaid Khan was stabbed or clubbed to death. It is of no consequence whether the mob concluded that he was carrying beef in his bag or if the tragedy was a result of an argument that went too far. None of this is of any relevance because the 16-year-old was targeted for what he looked Muslim. Communal profiling is the credo of the politically and socially dominant in contemporary India. Sadly, as deputy superintendent of police, Mohammed Ayub Pandiths lynching in Srinagar demonstrated, once the genie is out of the bottle, there is no way of putting it back. The first signs of what lay ahead surfaced 25 years ago, a few days after Babri Masjids demolition when a Muslim journalist wrote a first person account in a major Indian magazine, a rarity then. He did not and doesnt still had the stereotypical Muslim look, yet he confessed that in the afternoon of December 6, 1992, as the television screens showed dust settling over the rubble of what had been a decrepit 16th century mosque, he instantaneously understood what it meant being Muslim in India. In the past quarter of a century, the sense of being the other has deepened as various groups in the name of religion, caste, nation or even the party have granted themselves the right to handout extra-judicial punishment merely on suspicion or supposition. It was assumption that led the mob to storm Mohammed Akhlaqs house in Dadri merely on the basis of rumour. Since then the list has lengthened and names, which meant little previously, became milestones on the highway to hatred. All are part of the list because they were either locally known as Muslims or carried identifiable insignia of the religious community. Does this mean that for safety it is advisable to shed all markers of any religious group just as, post-1984, Sikhs shaved their hair off? Can one look different and yet not be communally profiled? Scrutiny of data illustrates the horror. Data journalism initiative, IndiaSpend, painstakingly culled out stark figures: More than 50 per cent of victims or survivors, since 2010, violence-centred on bovine issues were Muslims. They also comprise 86 per cent 24 persons of the 28 of those who died in these attacks. More chillingly, 97 per cent of 63 incidents were reported after May 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. If the ruling party still refuses to accept complicity, it must be stated that almost half of these violent incidents occurred in states where the BJP is in power. If anyone presumed that public outcry and widespread condemnation after the Dadri lynching would have toned down the fervour of vigilante groups, they were sadly mistaken. During the period for which data was put together, the highest number of gautankwadi (a Kafkaesque word made up to denote terrorism in the name of cows) activities was reported in 2016 25 incidents, or slight more than two attacks every month. This year may well be more gruesome: 20 attacks already and half the year still remains. To what level will public executions and attacks further rise in 2017? Will there be any attempt on part of the political leadership to send a message to the cadres and the executive that attacks must cease? It is not that Muslims are the only ones being profiled and targeted. In several states and for several years since Atal Behari Vajpayees tenure dalits have been attacked by vigilante groups who assumed, without evidence, that the dead cow they were skinning was actually killed by them surreptitiously. Upper caste hostility towards dalits has been let loose with deathly earnest after two Thakurs became chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. On the day that people protested in several cities, reports surfaced of fresh vigilantism, this time in a Jharkhand village. Just the stage changed the narrative remained the same. Post-haste, a conclusion was reached without investigations and punishment meted without trial. Kangaroo courts go about their business without effort from the government to stop them. The theatre of macabre violence was staged all the way on the train on which Junaid was killed. We are witness to a new form of mob violence that is passively assisted by the state. A lethal form of spontaneous mass violence is being justified in the name of nation and religion. Their persistence is wearing down sensibilities. The intensity of anger at Akhlaqs lynching is now absent as the list gets longer. Targeted deaths are fait accompli. Last time people returned their state awards in protests. What do people have to surrender now besides their lives and sensibility? None of this, however, has ever been done by active goading of the ruling regime. On Thursday, probably in his strongest criticism of fringe supporters, Mr Modi denounced those who kill in name of cow. His intervention at this critical stage must be welcomed, but action and self-introspection must follow his words. State governments must act, specially in BJP-governed states, against vigilantes who maim and kill. They cannot continue hiding behind collective memory lapse. The guilty must be tracked down, detained under severest laws, speedy trials must be conducted and the state must leave no stone unturned to ensure their prosecution. Mr Modi must also weigh if past interventions, specially in August 2016, were too mild and take corrective steps. Unless he demonstrates his decisiveness, bigotry will run amuck and derail his vision of new India. The INSAS, a rifle that drew heavily from other designs but never really performed like any of them. Recently, the Indian Army rejected an indigenously-built assault rifle, citing poor quality and ineffective firepower, and is soon likely to take a fresh call on procuring similar weapons to replace the INSAS rifles. (Photo: PTI) Field Marshal Wavell, a distinguished infantryman before he became a somewhat less distinguished Viceroy of India, wrote: Let us be clear about three facts: First, all battles and all wars are won, in the end, by the infantryman. Second, the infantryman always bears the brunt; his casualties are heavier, he suffers greater extremes of discomfort and fatigue than the other combat arms. Third, the art of the infantryman is less stereotyped, and far harder to acquire in modern war, than that of any other arm. US Marines Rifleman Creed teaches: My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. Down to the basics, soldiering is about killing. An Army that does it best wins. In his 1953 bestselling novel, Battle Cry, Leon Uris had a marine recruit being punished for the transgression of calling a rifle a gun by being asked to do rounds, naked, of the drilling ground chanting: This is my rifle, this is my gun. This is for fighting, this is for fun! In military parlance, a gun can be anything that fires a projectile. A howitzer is a gun, as is a cannon. The rifle is a specific weapon used by an individual soldier. It is a gun fired from shoulder level having a long spirally grooved barrel intended to make a bullet spin and thereby have greater accuracy over a long distance. It is what a soldier mostly uses to do his work. Stalin famously said: The only real power comes out of a long rifle. Gen. Douglas MacArthur typically put it into context when he said: Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons. Their development owes to a well-known post-WWII study of the pattern of usage of infantry weapons by US infantrymen in combat by Brig. SLA Marshall, the prominent military analyst. Marshalls study revealed that most infantrymen used their weapons very little, preferring to take cover and firing occasionally. The study also revealed that infantrymen most likely to fire their weapons were those closest to a soldier firing a Browning automatic rifle. This was because when the BAR man fired, he was able to literally hose down a wide arc in front of him. When he did this, the opposing infantry lay low and infantrymen by his side were able to rise from behind cover and fire their weapons. This clearly suggested a need for greater deployment of automatic weapons. The reader may be wondering why a smaller calibre weapon when it seems that for most things in life, bigger is better? This change in thinking, as far as rifles were concerned, was as a result of three observations. First was due to the fact that the large calibre round, 7.65 mm or .30 calibre (bullet diameter), needed a large explosive charge to propel it at the desired 700-800 metres per second. The recoil, as a result of this explosive charge in the automatic fire mode, often made the weapon virtually uncontrollable. Not only was the soldier unable to aim properly, but often the recoil caused injuries. The other observation was that what was needed was not a marksmans weapon firing accurately up to 800 metres. Statistical analysis by the US Army of rifle engagements in WW II, Korea and Vietnam revealed that 90 per cent of them were at ranges less than 300 metres and 70 per cent at 200 metres and less. Therefore, the emphasis on long-range accuracy of 300-800 metres was found somewhat redundant. What followed from increasing dependence on automatic weapons was that greater quantities of ammunition were now needed. The propensity to consume ammunition reached the astounding rate of 50,000 rounds per kill in the Korean War. This obviously means that the soldier now needs to carry greater quantities of ammunition. The smaller the calibre, the greater the number of bullets the soldier can carry into the battlefield. The debate is coming around full circle now. After 50 years, militaries the world over, specially the ones who have fought long wars during this period, are actively considering going back to the old 7.62 round. This is mostly because of the development of soldiers armour, which easily stops the 5.56 round. Riflemen want stopping power. The reduced weight of the 5.56 also means reduced lethality. Battlefield experience also tells that while the 5.56 round does more damage, it kills less. It often leaves behind wounded soldiers still capable of combat. US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have discovered to their cost that a wounded but determined soldier can exact as much damage as an able-bodied one. The INSAS, a rifle that drew heavily from other designs but never really performed like any of them. During the Kargil conflict, damaged and jammed weapons were returned to the factory and fresh lots had to be sent out. There were complaints of jamming, the magazine cracking due to the cold and the rifle going into automatic mode when it was set for three-round bursts. There was also a problem of oil being sprayed into the eyes of the operator. Some injuries during firing practice were also reported. Similar complaints were also received from the Nepalese Army. In August 2005, after 43 soldiers were killed in a clash with Prachandas Maoists, a Nepalese Army spokesman called the rifle substandard and said their counter-insurgency operation would have been more efficient with better weapons. Even now, we hear of Indian infantrymen in combat zones who prefer to fight with the AK-47, like US infantrymen preferred it to the M-14 in the Vietnam War. Recognising this, the Indian Army decided to phase out the INSAS and in 2011 issued tenders for a new quartet of infantry weapons. Whatever be its choice, the Army must get on quickly with its final evaluations and take a decision soon. Considering the time taken six years clearly a sense of urgency needs to prevail. Recently, the Indian Army rejected an indigenously-built assault rifle, citing poor quality and ineffective firepower, and is soon likely to take a fresh call on procuring similar weapons to replace the INSAS rifles. The Army decided to reject the 7.62x51 mm guns built by the Rifle Factory Ishapore after they miserably failed the firing tests. It has been reported that the rifles had excessive number of faults and stoppages to the extent of more than 20 times the maximum permissible standards. The Army had earlier rejected another indigenously-built assault rifle called the 5.56 mm Excalibur guns, as it did not meet the required standards. Given the pattern of recent defence spends, it seems our strategists once again have reverted to the old habit of spending all on the big and extravagant that are least likely to be used, than on arms for the foot soldier who in the ultimate analysis, even today, still wins or loses battles for his country. Thus while debates have raged and money obviously made on purchases of SU-30 and Rafale jets, 155mm self-propelled guns and main battle tanks, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, little thought has been given to the foot soldier and his weapon. This is the weapon that is used for fighting and is not for fun on Republic Day at Rajpath. Cyber security firms are trying to piece together who was behind the computer worm. Slovakian security software firm ESET released statistics on Thursday showing 75 percent of the infections detected among its global customer base were in Ukraine. The primary target of a crippling computer virus that spread from Ukraine across the world this week is highly likely to have been that country's computer infrastructure, a top Ukrainian police official told Reuters on Thursday. Cyber security firms are trying to piece together who was behind the computer worm, which has paralyzed thousands of machines worldwide, shutting down ports, factories and offices as it spread through internal organizational networks to an estimated 60 countries. Ukrainian politicians were quick on Tuesday to blame Russia, but a Kremlin spokesman dismissed "unfounded blanket accusations". Kiev has blamed Moscow for two previous cyber strikes on the Ukrainian power grid and other attacks since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. A growing consensus among security researchers, armed with technical evidence, suggests the main purpose of the attack was to install new malware on computers at government and commercial organizations in Ukraine. Rather than extortion, the goal may be to plant the seeds of future sabotage, experts said. International firms appear to have been hit through their operations in the country. Slovakian security software firm ESET released statistics on Thursday showing 75 percent of the infections detected among its global customer base were in Ukraine, and that all of the top 10 countries hit were located in central, eastern or southern Europe. The malicious code in the new virus encrypted data on computers and demanded victims pay a $300 ransom, similar to extortion tactic used in the global WannaCry ransomware attack in May. Echoing working hypotheses from top cyber security firms including Cisco and Kaspersky, a top Ukrainian official told Reuters that the ransom demands were likely a smokescreen. "Since the virus was modified to encrypt all data and make decryption impossible, the likelihood of it being done to install new malware is high," the official, who declined to be identified, wrote in a phone text message to Reuters. Information Systems Security Partners (ISSP), a Kiev-based cyber research firm that has investigated previous cyber attacks against Ukraine, is pursuing the same line of inquiry. ISSP said that given that few people actually paid the $300 demanded for removing the virus, money was unlikely to be the primary object of the attack. PM Theresa May named Martin Moore-Bick, a retired court of appeal judge, to head the investigation into the Grenfell Tower blaze. London: Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed a retired judge to chair a public inquiry into the devastating west London fire that killed at least 80 people. May named Martin Moore-Bick, a retired court of appeal judge, to head the investigation into the Grenfell Tower blaze. May said Thursday she wants an interim report "as early as possible," to address remedial action. Fire safety experts have expressed shock at how quickly the 24-story public housing tower block became engulfed in flames. While attention has focused on cladding from a recent renovation project, authorities want answers fast because thousands of other buildings are affected. May says: "I am determined that there will be justice for all the victims of this terrible tragedy and for their families who have suffered so terribly." Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and its allies Egypt and Bahrain severed all ties with Qatar on June 5. Dubai: The ruler of Dubai has taken to verse to urge Qatar to concede to the demands of Saudi Arabia and its allies for an end to a crippling embargo. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who is also vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, is the latest in a long line of world leaders to turn to poetry to convey their message. In the poem, posted on Instagram late on Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed urged Qatar to abandon its independent foreign policy and return to the Gulf fold. "Of one origin, people, existence/one flesh and blood, one land and faith," he wrote. "Yet Qatar turns to the nearby stranger, to the weak," he added, alluding to Doha's refusal to join the Riyadh-led boycott of Tehran. "Now is the time to unite, one heart/to protect one another beyond hate." The poem garnered more than 80,000 likes overnight. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and its allies Egypt and Bahrain severed all ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of support for extremist groups -- a claim Doha denies. They closed their airspace to Qatari carriers and blocked the emirate's only land border, a vital route for its food imports. They also ordered all Qataris to leave and their own nationals to return home. Last week, Riyadh laid down a list of 13 "non-negotiable" demands for Doha, including ending its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the closure of Al-Jazeera television, a downgrade of diplomatic ties with Iran and the shutdown of a Turkish military base in the emirate. The UAE ambassador to Russia Omar Ghobash warned in comments published by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Tuesday that Qatar could face further sanctions if it failed to meet the demands. Sheikh Mohammed is by no means the first world leader to turn to poetry. Former US president Jimmy Carter is a published poet. Barack Obama dabbled in poetry in the 1980s and his successor Donald Trump is now the unintentional author of a compilation of tweets and quotes entitled "Bard of the Deal: The poetry of Donald Trump". Bosnian Serb psychiatrist-turned-politician Radovan Karadzic, sentenced to 40 years in jail by a UN court last year for his part in the 1995 genocide of Muslims in the town of Srebrenica, also fancied himself as a poet, releasing a collection of poetry and a novel, "Miraculous Chronicles of the Night". 'Pakistan should free him, and it is time to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism. And that is just the way it is,' Ted Poe said. Washington: A US lawmaker has asked Islamabad to free Shakil Afridi, the "hero" doctor who helped the CIA to trace out Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. "Pakistan claims to be United States' number one counter terrorism ally, yet they hypocritically hold this hero in a Pakistani prison. Pakistan is no friend of the US," Congressman Ted Poe said on the floor of the US House of Representatives. "They are on the wrong side on the war on terror. Pakistan hid Osama bin Laden from the world," the Congressman said in his remarks on Monday. The Republican lawmaker from Texas said Dr Afridi deserves a medal for aiding the elimination of Osama bin Laden, not life in prison. "Pakistan should free him, and it is time to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism. And that is just the way it is," Poe said. "Mr Speaker, the day that Osama bin Laden, the world's number one terrorist, met his maker was a great day in the war on terror. But finding America's most wanted terrorist hiding in Pakistan was no easy feat," he said. "Pakistani Dr Afridi worked with our CIA to help determine and confirm Osama's hiding place in Pakistan by using DNA evidence. But after Osama bin Laden was killed, Pakistan threw Dr Afridi in jail. Why? Because he helped the United States find Osama bin Laden," Poe said. Bin laden was killed on May 2, 2011 by US Navy SEALs during a raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad. Poe assured Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Pakistan Coordination Committee Convener Nadeem Nusrat that he will sit quiet and calm over these inhuman acts and would play his role to seek an end to these atrocities and injustices, which the Mohajirs are victims of, a media release said. MQM Convener informed Poe in detail about multi-faceted agony of Mohajirs in Karachi, the alleged atrocities on them from Pakistan's security forces under state repressive actions. The statement said that Pakistan was also deeply concerned on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting the President of United States of America (USA), Donald Trump, at White House, in Washington DC, USA on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI) Islamabad: Pakistan has criticised the Indo-US joint statement asking it to rein in cross-border terrorism as a "singularly unhelpful" document that would further "embolden" India to even contemplate "military adventurism" and negate efforts to achieve durable peace in South Asia. The meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington was a "missed opportunity" to induce India to alter its policies "inimical to peace" in the region, the Foreign Ministry said here in a terse statement. The joint statement is "singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region, it said. "By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation," the statement issued last night said. During Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington, India and the US vowed to strengthen cooperation against terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and D-Company, while asking Pakistan to ensure that its soil is not used for terror strikes against other nations. In a joint statement released after maiden talks between Modi and Trump on June 26, the two nations called on Islamabad to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups." The statement said that Pakistan was also deeply concerned on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. Such sales "accentuate" military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia, it said, referring to the Trump administrations plans to sell Guardian drones and a C-17 heavy-lift cargo plane to India. "This further emboldens India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and even contemplate military adventurism", foreign office said. "Transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis- incentivised India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restraint regime and a durable security architecture in the region," the foreign office said. It also Pakistan firmly believes in the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and supports the peaceful struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self determination -- a right promised to them by the international community through repeated UN Security Council resolutions, it said. "Any attempt to equate the peaceful indigenous Kashimiri struggle with terrorism, and to designate individuals supporting the right to self determination as terrorists is unacceptable," the foreign office, apparently referring to the designation of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "global terrorist". Equally unacceptable is the "willful disregard of the atrocities being committed by Indian security forces against innocent Kashimiri civilians". This undermines the ideals and principles of the UN Charter. It endangers peace and security in the region, it said. Pakistan stands ready and committed to resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir, with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions that underscore the importance of addressing the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, the foreign office said, adding that this is a commitment that India also needs to make publicly. Claiming that Pakistan has been the "primary victim of terrorism" in the region, the statement said the country has achieved significant success in eliminating terrorists and their networks from its soil "without discrimination". "We are committed to bring the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion by eliminating this scourge from our soil. "Pakistan expects the international community to unequivocally stand with it in this fight against terrorism," the foreign office said. "Regrettably, those who seek to appropriate a leadership role in the fight against terror are themselves responsible for much of the terror unleashed in recent years in Pakistan", it claimed. "India has supported the Tehrek-Taleban as a proxy against Pakistan from across the border. Indias culpability in creating this further source of regional insecurity cannot be ignored," the foreign office added. PTI AKJ AKJ by Purushottam Nayak The ceremony took place in Cuddapah on the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in the presence of about 1000 faithful, 12 priests and 14 nuns. The bishop told the youth that "The sacrament of confirmation strengthens you in the faith." Kadapa (AsiaNews) On 24 June, Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, some 40 children received their first communion and another 74 received their confirmation in St Mary Cathedral, Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh). About a thousand people attended the service as did 12 priests and 14 nuns. In his address, Mgr Prasad Gallela, bishop of Cuddapah (Kadapa), told the youth to "Be like Saint John the Baptist, prototype and forerunner of Jesus, whose voice echoed in the desert. The prelate explained why so many choose still today to follow the example of the Baptist. They do it "For God's sake, to live a life free from sin, far from distractions, temptations, foolishness and worldly pleasures. This way they can be more dedicated to God in prayer, silence, contemplation, and quiet work in the service of God." For the cathedral, it was a joyous day, said pastor Fr Sagil Prakash. The children prepared themselves to receive the sacraments over three to four months of catechism, during which they understood the meaning" of their action. "I am really happy to receive the Lord in the temple of my heart, said one of them, Madan Paul. He is loving, gentle, merciful, and gives me knowledge and strength day after day. " Sindhu Priya, another of the kids, said, "Today I am called to possess the virtues of honesty, simplicity, purity, sincerity and good character, which make me a good human being." "May the Sacrament of Confirmation strengthen you in the faith, Mgr Gallela told the children. With the Holy Communion, we have the privilege of receiving the Lord Jesus, the Saviour, in our hearts. Thus, we shall be more united." Lastly, he noted, "As Saint John grew in knowledge and wisdom, gifted with the Holy Spirit to be the forerunner, the voice of the Lord, may our lives be an example to others." by Papa Francesco At Mass for the solemnity of St. Peter and Paul, Pope Francis emphasizes the characteristics of the apostles: professing Christ, accepting persecution, being masters of prayer. In the world today "so many Christians are marginalized, slandered, discriminated, subjected to even mortal violence", and often "in a climate of silence - not often silent accomplice". The presence of the ecumenical delegation sent by Bartolomeo I, Patriarch of Constantinople. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Professing" faith in Christ means not being " who love to chat about how things are going in the Church and the world," but "walking apostles" that reach "self-giving "even in persecutions. It is one of the salient points of the homily given by Pope Francis during the celebration of Mass, in Saint Peter's Square on the solemnity of St. Peter and Paul. The pope said that persecution is not a feature of the apostolate, but of every Christian: " Today too, in various parts of the world, sometimes in silence often a complicit silence great numbers of Christians are marginalized, vilified, discriminated against, subjected to violence and even death, not infrequently without due intervention on the part of those who could defend their sacrosanct rights. " Another apostolic element is prayer: "May the blessed Apostles obtain for us a heart like theirs, wearied yet at peace, thanks to prayer. Wearied, because constantly asking, knocking and interceding, weighed down by so many people and situations needing to be handed over to the Lord; yet also at peace, because the Holy Spirit brings consolation and strength when we pray. How urgent it is for the Church to have teachers of prayer, but even more so for us to be men and women of prayer, whose entire life is prayer!! In addition to the new cardinals created yesterday, as a tradition, there was a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, sent by Bartholomew I and led by His Eminence Job, Archbishop of Telmessos, accompanied by fathers Ambrosios Chorozidis and Agathanghelos Siskos. At the beginning of the celebration, the pontiff blessed the palliums destined for metropolitan archbishops appointed during the year as a sign of communion with Peter's chair and their pastoral commitment to their people. Here is the full text of the homily: The liturgy today offers us three words essential for the life of an apostle: confession, persecution and prayer. Confession. Peter makes his confession of faith in the Gospel, when the Lords question turns from the general to the specific. At first, Jesus asks: Who do men say that the Son of man is? (Mt 16:13). The results of this survey show that Jesus is widely considered a prophet. Then the Master puts the decisive question to his disciples: But you, who do you say that I am? (v. 15). At this point, Peter alone replies: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (v. 16). To confess the faith means this: to acknowledge in Jesus the long-awaited Messiah, the living God, the Lord of our lives. Today Jesus puts this crucial question to us, to each of us, and particularly to those of us who are pastors. It is the decisive question. It does not allow for a non-committal answer, because it brings into play our entire life. The question of life demands a response of life. For it counts little to know the articles of faith if we do not confess Jesus as the Lord of our lives. Today he looks straight at us and asks, Who am I for you? As if to say: Am I still the Lord of your life, the longing of your heart, the reason for your hope, the source of your unfailing trust? Along with Saint Peter, we too renew today our life choice to be Jesus disciples and apostles. May we too pass from Jesus first question to his second, so as to be his own not merely in words, but in our actions and our very lives. Let us ask ourselves if we are parlour Christians, who love to chat about how things are going in the Church and the world, or apostles on the go, who confess Jesus with their lives because they hold him in their hearts. Those who confess Jesus know that they are not simply to offer opinions but to offer their very lives. They know that they are not to believe half-heartedly but to be on fire with love. They know that they cannot just tread water or take the easy way out, but have to risk putting out into the deep, daily renewing their self-offering. Those who confess their faith in Jesus do as Peter and Paul did: they follow him to the end not just part of the way, but to the very end. They also follow the Lord along his way, not our own ways. His way is that of new life, of joy and resurrection; it is also the way that passes through the cross and persecution. Here, then, is the second word: persecution. Peter and Paul shed their blood for Christ, but the early community as a whole also experienced persecution, as the Book of Acts has reminded us (cf. 12:1). Today too, in various parts of the world, sometimes in silence often a complicit silence great numbers of Christians are marginalized, vilified, discriminated against, subjected to violence and even death, not infrequently without due intervention on the part of those who could defend their sacrosanct rights. Here I would especially emphasize something that the Apostle Paul says before, in his words, being poured out as a libation (2 Tim 4:6). For him, to live was Christ (cf. Phil 1:21), Christ crucified (cf. 1 Cor 2:2), who gave his life for him (cf. Gal 2:20). As a faithful disciple, Paul thus followed the Master and offered his own life too. Apart from the cross, there is no Christ, but apart from the cross, there can be no Christian either. For Christian virtue is not only a matter of doing good, but of tolerating evil as well (Augustine, Serm. 46,13), even as Jesus did. Tolerating evil does not have to do simply with patience and resignation; it means imitating Jesus, carrying our burden, shouldering it for his sake and that of others. It means accepting the cross, pressing on in the confident knowledge that we are not alone: the crucified and risen Lord is at our side. So, with Paul, we can say that we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken (2 Cor 4:8-9). Tolerating evil means overcoming it with Jesus, and in Jesus own way, which is not the way of the world. This is why Paul as we heard considered himself a victor about to receive his crown (cf. 2 Tim 4:8). He writes: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (v. 7). The essence of his good fight was living for: he lived not for himself, but for Jesus and for others. He spent his life running the race, not holding back but giving his all. He tells us that there is only one thing that he kept: not his health, but his faith, his confession of Christ. Out of love, he experienced trials, humiliations and suffering, which are never to be sought but always accepted. In the mystery of suffering offered up in love, in this mystery, embodied in our own day by so many of our brothers and sisters who are persecuted, impoverished and infirm, the saving power of Jesus cross shines forth. The third word is prayer. The life of an apostle, which flows from confession and becomes self-offering, is one of constant prayer. Prayer is the water needed to nurture hope and increase fidelity. Prayer makes us feel loved and it enables us to love in turn. It makes us press forward in moments of darkness because it brings Gods light. In the Church, it is prayer that sustains us and helps us to overcome difficulties. We see this too in the first reading: Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church (Acts 12:5). A Church that prays is watched over and cared for by the Lord. When we pray, we entrust our lives to him and to his loving care. Prayer is the power and strength that unite and sustain us, the remedy for the isolation and self-sufficiency that lead to spiritual death. The Spirit of life does not breathe unless we pray; without prayer, the interior prisons that hold us captive cannot be unlocked. May the blessed Apostles obtain for us a heart like theirs, wearied yet at peace, thanks to prayer. Wearied, because constantly asking, knocking and interceding, weighed down by so many people and situations needing to be handed over to the Lord; yet also at peace, because the Holy Spirit brings consolation and strength when we pray. How urgent it is for the Church to have teachers of prayer, but even more so for us to be men and women of prayer, whose entire life is prayer! The Lord answers our prayers. He is faithful to the love we have professed for him, and he stands beside us at times of trial. He accompanied the journey of the Apostles, and he will do the same for you, dear brother Cardinals, gathered here in the charity of the Apostles who confessed their faith by the shedding of their blood. He will remain close to you too, dear brother Archbishops who, in receiving the pallium, will be strengthened to spend your lives for the flock, imitating the Good Shepherd who bears you on his shoulders. May the same Lord, who longs to see his flock gathered together, also bless and protect the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, together with my dear brother Bartholomew, who has sent them here as a sign of our apostolic communion. At the Angelus, Pope Francis speaks of how the two apostles were "liberated" to "proclaim the Gospel in difficult and in some cases hostile environments." "Especially in times of trial, God tends a hand to us, comes to our aid, and frees us from enemy threats." Greeting to the faithful from Indonesia and Qatar. The greeting to the new cardinals, the major archbishops who received the pallium, and the delegation of the ecumenical patriarchate of Constantinople. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The apostles Peter and Paul, whose solemnity is celebrated today in Rome, show the path in the lives of the apostles: "their faith, confessed and announced, was then crowned with the supreme test of martyrdom" . In his reflection before the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis wanted to remember the two dimensions of the life of the Christian and the apostle: to announce the faith, to experience martyrdom. Referring to the readings of the day (Acts 12, 1-11 and 2 Timothy 4, 6-8.17-18), Francis points out that both speak of "liberation": Peter was released from prison, "saved miraculously, so He could complete his evangelizing mission, first in the Holy Land and then in Rome, putting all his energy at the service of the Christian community. " "Paul also experienced hostility from which he was freed by the Lord. Sent by the Risen Lord to many cities to the pagan peoples, he met strong resistance by both from fellow believers and civil authorities. " "These two" deliverances "of Peter and Paul reveal the common path of the two Apostles, who were sent by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel in difficult and in some cases hostile environments. Both, with their personal and ecclesial events, show and tell us today that the Lord is always at our side, walking with us, never leaving us. Especially in times of trial, God tends a hand to us, comes to our aid, and frees us from enemy threats. But let us remember that our true enemy is sin, and the Evil One that drives us to it. When we reconcile ourselves with God, especially in the Sacrament of Penance, receiving the grace of forgiveness, we are freed from the bonds of evil and lightened from the burden of our mistakes. So we can continue our journey of joyful announcers and witnesses of the Gospel, demonstrating that we first received mercy. " After the Marian prayer, Francesco greeted several groups of pilgrims including representatives of Indonesia and Qatar. He recalled that he celebrated the Eucharist this morning in the square with the five cardinals created in the Consistory of yesterday, including the new cardinal of Laos, Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, apostolic vicar of Pakse. The pope has also blessed the palliums of metropolitan archbishops appointed in the last year, coming from several countries, including Vietnam. "I renew," said the pontiff, "my greeting and wishes to them and to those who have accompanied them on this pilgrimage. I encourage them to continue their mission with joy in the service of the Gospel, in communion with the whole Church. " Francis also addressed the members of the delegation who came to Rome to attend the feast of the two patrons "on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarch, my dear Brother Bartholomew. This presence is also a sign of the fraternal ties between our Churches. " The pope also offered a special greeting to all the faithful in Rome, today in celebration for the two patrons. By Julie Posetti, Journalism Research Fellow, University of Wollongong/Digital Editorial Capability Lead, Fairfax Media, University In the past decade, more than 800 journalists have been killed in the course of their work according to UNESCO, while hundreds more have been assaulted, imprisoned or harassed. The nature of the threat is changing as the virtual world spills into the physical. The experiences of Filipino journalist Maria Ressa show how reporters now face targeted online harassment campaigns designed to discredit and silence them. Maria Ressa is a former CNN war correspondent but none of her experiences in the field prepared her for the destructive campaign of gendered online harassment thats been directed at her since the election of President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. Ive been called ugly, a dog, a snake, threatened with rape and murder, she says. How many times has she received online death threats? Shes lost count. Gosh, there have been so many! A journalist with more than 30 years experience, Ressa is the founding CEO and executive editor of the social media-powered news organisation Rappler, based in the Philippines. In addition to being threatened with rape and murder, shes been the subject of hashtag campaigns like #ArrestMariaRessa and #BringHerToTheSenate, designed to whip online mobs into attack mode, discredit both Ressa and Rappler, and chill their reporting. Every journalist in the country reporting independently on the Duterte presidency is subjected to rampant and highly coordinated online abuse, she says. Especially if theyre female. Martin San Diego, Rappler, Author provided It began a spiral of silence. Anyone who was critical or asked questions about extrajudicial killings was attacked, brutally attacked. The women got it worst, she says. And weve realised that the system is set up to silence dissent - designed to make journalists docile. Were not supposed to be asking hard questions, and were certainly not supposed to be critical. This onslaught represents a real threat to the psychological, digital, and even physical safety of journalists, she adds. But she refuses to be cowed by online armies of super trolls, whom she believes are part of a campaign to destabilise democracy in the Philippines. She admits that the constant attacks do make her think twice about doing stories that will be lightning rods for attacks. But then I go and do the story even harder! I just refuse to let intimidation win. Investigative journalism as a fightback weapon Her response to the threats includes investigative reporting on the intertwined problems of online harassment, disinformation and misinformation. She believes in throwing sunlight on the abusers. But after Rappler published a feature series mapping the corrosive impacts of organised political trolling on the Philippines in October 2016, the onslaught of abuse and threats of violence escalated dramatically. The series deployed big data analysis techniques to establish that a sock puppet network of 26 fake Facebook accounts was influencing nearly three million other Philippines-based accounts. Behind the sock puppets were three super trolls, as Ressa describes them. Their aim was to seed misinformation and foment targeted attacks. They would plant messages within groups, inflaming the groups who would then become a mob to attack the target, she says. In the days following publication of the Rappler series titled Propaganda War: Weaponising the Internet, she received on average 90 hate messages an hour. Among these was what she describes as the first credible death threat against her. The messages continued for months. It happened so fast and at such frequency, I didnt realise how unnatural it was, she says. The effect was to mute the seriousness of the threats in her mind initially. I really struggled with whats real, whats not. How do I respond, should I respond? These are familiar questions for journalists and editors struggling to combat the impacts of online harassment. But speaking up and speaking out brings protection through awareness, Ressa believes. Asking loyal audiences to help In early 2017, Ressa received another threat that stunned her. It was the kind of threat that women journalists are increasingly familiar with internationally: a call for her to be gang-raped and murdered. A young man wrote on Rapplers Facebook page: I want Maria Ressa to be raped repeatedly to death, I would be so happy if that happens when martial law is declared, it would bring joy to my heart. Ressa responded like a digital journalist who understands the power of audiences. She asked her online communities to assist in identifying the threat-maker, who was using a Facebook account in a fake name. They came through. With her supporters help, Ressa was able to identify the man as a 22-year-old university student. When his university learned of his activities, he was forced to call Ressa and apologise. Then, in the middle of an online storm triggered by a deliberately misleading report on a fake news site that misquoted Ressa, active and former members of the Philippines military piled on with abuse and threats. Again, she activated her own online communities in response, and one netizen wrote an open letter to the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Eduardo Ano, asking him to intervene. This activation of her networks worked. General Ano was upset by the incident, ordered an investigation and issued an official apology: We publicly apologise to Miss Maria Ressa for the emotional pain, anxiety, and humiliation those irresponsible comments and unkind remarks might have caused her, he wrote. Tightening security, online and off As Ressa began to realise, online threats to harm a journalist, or incitement of others to harm a journalist, must be taken seriously. They cant just be dealt with by blocking, muting, reporting, deleting and ignoring because, You dont know when it will jump out from the virtual world and sneak into the physical world. In response, Ressa decided to upgrade security in Rapplers newsrooms and provide protection for the journalists facing the worst of the online attacks, adding that: Its crossed the line where I do worry about safety. When you have people getting killed every night in the drug war and you have these online threats, you have no choice as a responsible corporation but to increase security for the people who work for you. In parallel, she strengthened digital safety defences. But while providing psychological support, she hasnt removed her journalists from reporting duty, nor has she sent them out of the country. And shes keeping her legal options open. The sheer number of attacks means that its not possible to follow through on each one, Ressa says. But Rappler is recording every online threat and storing the data for possible future legal action. Weve put in place protocols for how we deal with online threats, she says. Were looking at potential ways to hold the offenders accountable. This impunity that exists shouldnt be this way. We need solutions. Calling the platforms to account Ressas public Facebook page is the target of about 2,000 ugly comments every day, she explains. The propaganda machine uses it to incite anger and then we have to deal with real people who believe this stuff. So that takes a lot of time, she says. Its like playing whack-a-mole. She rejects the idea that the onus is on journalists to police the platforms by constantly reporting problems: Block, mute, report when you get so many of these it just takes up so much time. Theres not enough time in the day. We also have jobs to do. While she recognises the enormity of the challenge confronting Facebook, Ressa is adamant that the only way forward is for the social media giant to take responsibility for the problem and accept its role as a news publisher. So she has begun publicly advocating for Facebook to step up. Shes also gone directly to the company with data demonstrating the size of the problem. In the immediate short term, the only group that has the power to restore some sense of order and civility is Facebook To not do anything is an abdication of responsibility. Emotional and psychological impacts Women journalists are often told to toughen up or grow a thicker skin, and thats a common response to those who experience gendered online harassment. But the cumulative effect of constant derision - frequently received via the intimate device of a mobile phone - must be recognised, Ressa says, not just because the damage includes well-documented impacts on emotional and psychological well-being, but also censorship and erosion of trust: They attack your physicality, your sexuality. When you are denigrated, and stripped of dignity in this way, how can you maintain your credibility? All of these things work together for a single purpose and thats to prevent journalists from doing their jobs. Shes been shocked at the level of the attacks and offered counselling and support to affected Rappler journalists, along with the social media team on the frontline of the battle, because: I dont want our people going home with this. Ressa also seeks to support others who are suffering online abuse but may not be as empowered as Rappler staff. We come together to help each other through it. We know whats going on - its being done to intimidate us. We galvanise each other. And I think well get through it, she says. Im an optimist and I think were being forged by fire and well emerge stronger. This is an edited extract from An Attack On One Is An Attack On All: Successful initiatives to protect journalists and combat impunity, published by UNESCO and launched at a UN conference in Geneva today. Julie Posetti has previously received funding from the Australian Government for journalism education initiatives. She was also contracted to produce a global study for UNESCO titled Protecting Journalism Sources in the Digital Age (2017: UNESCO, Paris). She is also a member of the MEAA. Originally published in The Conversation. After years of budget cuts, the City of Bakersfield has plans to add three more police officers and one solid waste employee, according to the Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Bradenton area has been ranked No. 1 for young entrepreneurs, according to a new study by moneyrates.com, a personal finance website. Bradenton metro area ranks No. 1 for young entrepreneurs Study done by moneyrates.com, a personal finance website Bradenton's rank attributed to growing area, young adult affluence, education Bradenton's high ranking can be attributed to qualities such as being one of the most rapidly-growing metro areas in the country, young adult affluence, educational attainment of a bachelor's degree or higher, and the business-friendly tax environment, according to the study. Who wouldnt want to live in Bradenton? Mayor Wayne Poston said, responding to the latest national rankings. We live in one of the most beautiful areas in the United States, with easy access to major cities but without major city problems. Young entrepreneurs are everywhere, as evidenced by the largest Chamber of Commerce Young Professional group in the Tampa Bay Area. There are low taxes, including no state income tax. Our adult and retirement population are well educated and social. The study focused on the 25 fastest-growing metro areas--as measured by the most recent years population growth--in the United States. The US Census Bureau groups North Port/Sarasota/Bradenton into a single metro area, which was the 10th-fastest growing in the nation. The Bradenton area also ranked 3rd out of 25 for young adult affluence. The study showed over 35 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds in the area earn at least three times the local poverty rate. Along with area's top rankings, the Brandenton metro also earned a top-ten ranking among its fast-growing peers for the proportion of their adult population with bachelor's degrees or higher. More than 30 percent of local adults have at least a bachelor's degree. Finally, the Bradenton area benefits from being located in Florida, which was rated by the Tax Foundation as having the 4th most business-friendly tax environment in the U.S. To assess the environment for entrepreneurship in different cities, MoneyRates.com looked at four key criteria: population growth, young adult affluence, educational attainment, and tax environment. Bradenton still has a culture that is friendly, Mayor Poston added. People who live here help each other, they look out for each other, care for each other and recognize that they are well off. Knowing when you are well off is, I believe, the real key to success. Click here to visit other top cities for young entrepreneurs. *Warning: Content may be too graphic for some.* An Army Specialist stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina has been arrested on child pornography charges out of Polk County. Fort Bragg soldier arrested on child porn charges out of Polk Nathan Gray accused of downloading, distributing child porn Gray assigned to 8th Military Information Support Group Nathan Scott Gray, 31, is accused of downloading child pornography at a residence on Fairlane Drive in Lakeland while visiting family earlier this year, officials said. Detectives began the investigation in February and served a search warrant, seizing Gray's computer equipment. Detectives found ten images/videos depicting child porn, including images of children as young as three years old being sexually battered by adults. Officials said Gray downloaded and made the files available to the public. "This is disturbing. A man who is active in the military, in a position of public trust, has a secret life behind a computer. The possession and sharing of child pornography victimizes children and families. We will not tolerate it in Polk County. Our detectives did an outstanding job investigating and following leads to Scott Gray and he will be held accountable," -- Sheriff Grady Judd. Gray is a soldier at Fort Bragg, assigned to the 8th Military Information Support Group (Airborne) as a Unit Supply Specialist. He was arrested Wednesday, June 28th, on charges of 10 counts of child pornography on an outstanding Polk County warrant and is being held at the Cumberland County jail. Gray will be extradited to the Polk County jail at a later date. A Burmese python slithered onto a boat traveling from Plantation Island in the Everglades to Orlando, Florida Fish and Wildlife officials said. Burmese python hides on boat Owners find snake after arriving in Orlando Snake killed, reported to FWC BAY NEWS 9+, NEWS 13+ APPS UPGRADED: The new releases have a block-style layout that makes it easier to navigate, as well as an added section for Attractions Insider. A new weather section includes hour-by-hour forecasts and marine buoy data. Update your app today. The couple who owns the boat discovered the 8-foot-long snake when they arrived in Orlando. They killed the snake and reported it to FWCs Exotic Species Hotline. By reporting the python, the couple qualified for a chance to will prizes through the Python Pickup Program. The incentive program is designed to encourage the public to remove Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem and report locations to FWC. Anyone who comes in contact with an invasive species is urged to call the hotline at 888-483-4681. Beaumont ISD's board of managers will vote tonight on a $194 million budget, which would be a decrease of about 3 percent from last year. The proposed budget includes roughly $8 million more for instruction and instructional support, as well as about $344,000 more for administration, according to a budget summary report from the district. Members of the Meta-Spiritual Society - East Texas and others join in a unity of rhythm as they hold a drum circle at Down to Earth in Beaumont Tuesday. Severe weather once again changed their plans to hold the event outdoors at Rogers Park, but the group maintains that they will keep trying for future months, to bring their message of spirituality and the group's presence into the public eye. The newly-formed group aims to unite locally-minded meta-spiritual members of the community, "creating a unified family of love who embodies the truth of our interconnectedness," according to the group's mission statement. Envision Healthcare's physician services division acquired Connecticut-based Anesthesia Associates, an anesthesia physician group practice. Here are four highlights: 1. Three ASCs use the group as their exclusive anesthesia provider. 2. More than 25 clinical professionals comprise the group. 3. Envision plans to grow the group by adding physicians and certified registered nurse anesthetists. 4. Envision Healthcare owns and operates 264 ASCs and one surgical hospital. Robert J. Coward, president of Envision Physician Services said, "By joining forces with high quality group practices like Anesthesia Associates, as well as through ongoing organic growth, we continue to build our position across the country as the trusted partner to physicians, health systems, patients and communities." Legislators, hospital officials and proponents of Green Mountain Surgery Center voiced their opinions during a recent meeting regarding whether the ASC should come to fruition and whether the state's accountable care organization, OneCare Vermont, could benefit from a partnership, according to VT Digger. Here are four things to know: 1. Representative Carol Ode, D-Burlington, asked OneCare officials if the surgery center could align with the ACO's mission of forming an integrated network of hospitals and physicians, to which OneCare CEO Todd Moore said he is open to discussing it. 2. Mr. Moore said the conversation is a possibility if OneCare needs capacity and the ASC is open to receiving fixed monthly payments, which is what OneCare hospitals receive. 3. Amy Cooper, Green Mountain Surgery Center's primary investor, said the planners are open to the discussion. The ASC plans to both assess and then possibly participate in the state's ACOs and other healthcare initiatives. 4. During the meeting, Ms. Cooper said the ASC would see Medicaid patients in addition to patients with other types of insurance. The surgery center would implement a charity care policy for patients who cannot pay for services rendered. The following is a roundup of happenings from the Healthcare Financial Management Association's annual meeting, ANI 2017, from June 25-28 in Orlando, Fla. Note: This is not an all-inclusive list. 1. The HFMA honored patient safety advocate Tejal Gandhi, MD, with its highest individual achievement award. 2. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Simplee received the HFMA's peer review designation for its patient financial care platform. 3. Christopher Johnson, vice president of revenue cycle management regional facilities, at Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System, received the HFMA's 2017 Frederick C. Morgan Individual Achievement Award. 4. Louisville, Ky.-based health IT company ZirMed received the HFMA's peer review designation for its charge integrity and claims management solutions. 5. NThrive, an Alpharetta, Ga.-based revenue cycle management services and technology company, featured its Patient-to-Payment suite of solutions. 6. Recondo Technology, a Denver-based revenue cycle solutions company, featured its AuthInitiate authorization tool, as well as other offerings. 7. The HFMA's MAP App clients have a new data service at their disposal. 8. Carol Friesen stepped into her role as chair of the HFMA board. 9. Infinx, a revenue cycle management solutions provider in San Jose, Calif., unveiled its updated cloud-based patient access platform. 10. Muncie, Ind.-based Ontario Systems, an accounts receivable and healthcare revenue cycle management software and services provider, unveiled a new RCM solution, Insurance Hold Manager. As the fiscal gridlock continues in Connecticut, hospitals are bracing for supplemental payment cuts, according to the Hartford Courant. The lack of a biennial budget in Connecticut will result in a reduction of Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals from the state. "It will result in less access to care for patients, job loss, and it will raise the cost of care, Jennifer Jackson, CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association, told the Hartford Courant. "We need Medicaid funding preserved for the people of Connecticut it is truly a lifeline." If legislators don't agree on the state budget by the start of the new fiscal year, which begins on Saturday, Connecticut's finances will be run by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy through an executive order, according to the report. The top three vendors hospitals use to attest to the meaningful use program are Cerner, Meditech and Epic, according to June 2016 ONC data. Here are 21 hospitals and health systems that posted job listings seeking EHR and IT expertise in the past two weeks. Editor's note: This is not an exhaustive list. Job listings were compiled from job seeker websites. Cerner 1. Memorial Hospital at Gulfport (Miss.): Seeks an applications analyst for cerner integration 2. San Antonio Regional Hospital (Upland, Calif.): Seeks a clinical informatics analyst 3. Sequoia Hospital (Redwood City, Calif.): Seeks a clinical informaticist for data analytics 4. Shriners Hospitals for Children (Springfield, Mass.): Seeks a clinical analyst 5. St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center (Phoenix): Seeks a clinical application systems analyst 6. Trinity Health (Mason City, Iowa): Seeks a clinical informatics analyst Meditech 1. Christus Health (Lake Charles, La.): Seeks a clinical informaticist 2. Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center (Ogdensburg, N.Y.): Seeks a information systems analyst 3. Ocala (Fla.) Regional Medical Center: Seeks a director of advanced clinical applications 4. Redwood Area Hospital (Redwood Falls, Minn.): Seeks a clinical applications analyst 5. Saint Michael's Medical Center (Newark, N.J.): Seeks a clinical systems analyst 6. Valley View Hospital (Glenwood Springs, Colo.): Seeks an IT business analyst 7. Woman's Hospital (Baton Rouge, La.): Seeks a clinical informatics analyst Epic 1. Cleveland Clinic (Lyndhurst, Ohio): Seeks an information systems coordinator 2. Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore): Seeks an Epic applications coordinator 3. Mount Sinai Health System (New York City): Seeks an Epic applications analyst 4. NYU Langone Medical Center (New York City): Seeks a clinical systems project manager 5. Rush University Medical Center (Chicago): Seeks an information systems associate analyst 6. Stanford Health Care (Palo Alto, Calif.): Seeks a clinical informatics analyst 7. WellStar health System (Marietta, Ga.): Seeks an interoperability application analyst 8. University of Maryland Medical System (Towson, Md.): Seeks a clinical informatics training and EHR support analyst Two recent global ransomware attacks called "WannaCry" and "Petya" used techniques reportedly stolen from the National Security Agency. However, the NSA has yet to release a statement or work with technology companies to address the issue, sparking concerns from both lawmakers and the private sector, The New York Times reports. Here are five things to know. 1. WannaCry, which struck in May, and the ongoing June 27 Petya threat both exploit a Microsoft vulnerability reportedly developed by the NSA, called EternalBlue. Shadow Brokers, a hacker group that regularly posts stolen software and hacking tools developed by the U.S. government, released the tool online in April. 2. U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., called on the NSA to release information on how to stop the Petya attack in a June 28 letter to NSA Director Michael S. Rogers. "If the NSA has a kill switch for this new malware attack, the NSA should deploy it now," he wrote. 3. Mr. Lieu also requested the NSA work with private industry leaders to protect computer systems from malware. "I also urge the NSA to disclose to Microsoft and other entities what it knows that can help prevent future attacks based on malware created by the NSA," concludes Mr. Lieu's letter. 4. Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith penned a blog post May 14, after the WannaCry attack, in which he blamed the U.S. government for not working with technology companies to address the software vulnerability. He urged the NSA to "consider the damage to civilians that comes from hoarding these vulnerabilities and the use of these exploits." 5. Michael Anton, spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House, told The New York Times via email "[the government] employs a disciplined, high-level interagency decision-making process for disclosure of known vulnerabilities [in software]." He added "[the administration] is committed to responsibly balancing national security interests and public safety and security," but did not disclose the "origin of any of the code making up this malware. More articles on health IT: Northwestern Medicine, University of Calgary partner for precision medicine study AI-based health service gains $10M in new funding 3 Solutions to physician summer break schedule mayhem Medical City Fort Worth (Texas) hired Jyric Sims to lead as CEO, effective July 24. Here are five takeaways: 1. Mr. Sims served as senior vice president and COO at Hospital Corporation of America's Tulane Health System, based in New Orleans. 2. He previously served as director of operations at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. 3. Prior to joining HCA in 2011, he was COO of St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla. 4. He holds a master of health administration degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. 5. Mr. Sims has served on the board of the American College of Healthcare Executives' Louisiana chapter. Bowman, N.D.-based Southwest Healthcare Services CEO Becky Hansen resigned, according to an Adams County Extra report. Here are five notes: 1. Ms. Hansen served as the organization's leader since 2012, according to her LinkedIn profile. 2. Southwest Healthcare Services did not give a reason for her departure. 3. The organization selected John Osse to serve as interim CEO. 4. Mr. Osse has more than a decade of experience serving as interim CEO in several facilities across the Midwest. 5. Southwest Healthcare Services includes two hospitals, a long-term care facility, trauma center and a rural health clinic. The only hospital in Clay County, Ga., closed its doors in 1983. Today, Karen Kinsell, MD, now in her sixties, is the county's only physician. "It's a bad place to live," Dr. Kinsell told The New Yorker, "which is why I moved here. I was looking for a place that needed me." Dr. Kinsell runs Clay County Medical Center in Fort Gaines, Ga., a former Tastee-Freez that was converted into a four-exam-room medical office. With her two other full-time staff members, Dr. Kinsell sees about 30 to 35 patients a day. Monty Veazey, president of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, said "Kinsellcare" is the only healthcare that's had a positive effect in the county. "She's going bankrupt treating everyone that comes in," Mr. Veazey said, according to the report. "Most have no money, no internet access, no other basic care. Many don't have insurance. How much longer can she do that? I don't know, but she's their only hope." Forty percent of Dr. Kinsell's patients have no health insurance. "[W]e just ask them for 10 dollars to cover the visit. If they can't pay, then it's free," she said, according to the report. "We do that because this is one of the poorest places in Georgia, with some of the sickest people, and we're adjoined by counties that are just as bad." Because of the widespread poverty and lack of healthcare access in the county, Dr. Kinsell said most people "don't expect anything. They mostly just expect to not have insurance." And although she supported the ACA, she said the insurance and accessibility gains it promised to achieve had no measurable effect in Clay County. "The first year it came out, southwest Georgia had the second-highest premium costs in the nation, after Vail, Colorado. And because not many people make enough to be allowed to buy into it, very few people around here signed up for it," she said. She also attributes the high percent of uninsured patients to the state's decision not to expand Medicaid. Dr. Kinsell is not hopeful that Congressional Republicans' healthcare bill will help alleviate the situation. "With Trumpcare, we'd be going from bad to slightly worse, especially with the proposed Medicaid limits," she said. "There's talk of, down the road, pregnant women might not be covered. Disabled people, too. Reduced special services. We'd have more limited funding." "The uncertainty of whether Trumpcare will or won't pass is disturbing for us at the medical center, though," she said. "I expect, if it goes through, we'll have more patients come in for the free or discounted healthcare. And we don't have any more capacity. I'm here until 7 p.m. every night as it is. It's just, how much more can you do?" President Donald Trump said the Senate's revised version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act could include a 'big surprise,' according to a Politico report. In remarks to reporters Wednesday, he said, "Healthcare is working along very well. We could have a big surprise with a great healthcare package." The president added, "You're going to have a great, great surprise. It's going to be great." Politico notes President Trump did not provide any additional details on the "big surprise." His remarks came on the same day Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said a revised version of the Senate GOP bill is expected to go to the Congressional Budget Office Friday. Mr. McConnell hopes to have the CBO's score of the revised version after the July 4 recess. President Trump has said he believes Senate Republicans are ultimately "going to get at least very close" to passing an ACA repeal-and-replace bill, according to Politico. He added, "And I think we're going to get it over the line." A simple majority vote is needed to pass the bill in the Senate. Khaled Almilaji, MD, a Syrian refugee, withdrew from Providence, R.I.-based Brown University School of Public Health in an effort to bypass President Donald Trump's travel ban to select Middle Eastern countries, which goes into effect June 29 at 8 p.m. EST, according to The Guardian. Dr. Almilaji and his wife, Jehan Mouhsen, MD, moved to Rhode Island in 2016 so he could pursue a master's degree at Brown. Following an aid mission to Turkey in January after President Trump's initial travel ban took effect, Dr. Almilaji found he could not return to the U.S. because his visa had been revoked "without reason," according to the report. Dr. Almilaji said lawyers told him if he re-entered the U.S., he would most likely not be able to leave, jeopardizing his ability to help the Syrian people. After six months of "living in limbo," Dr. Almilaji decided to move to Toronto, where he would be able to travel freely oversees and continue his humanitarian work. "I [couldn't] abandon my dedication to those who are suffering inside Syria just for a degree I'm pursuing," he said. "If it [would] not serve me and my people, it's in vain." Brown University officials reportedly tried to get Dr. Almilaji's visa renewed, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Officials then reached out to the University of Toronto, asking the university to consider admitting Dr. Almilaji. The university accepted him and waived his tuition, while private donors offered to cover the couple's living expenses, according to the report. Dr. Almilaji said he remains in contact with faculty and classmates at Brown. Dr. Almilaji reunited with his wife in June after six months of separation. Shortly after moving to Toronto, he was recognized by Canada's head of state, alongside two other founders of the Canadian International Medical Relief Organization. He was also a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, an award presented by Canada's governor general, who represents Queen Elizabeth II. Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance and Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid terminated their proposed merger agreement Thursday after nearly two years of negotiations, according to The New York Times. Here are six things to know. 1. While the organizations called off their original deal, they inked a new agreement. Under the new transaction, Rite Aid will sell 2,186 stores and three distribution centers to Walgreens for $5.18 billion. "We believe this new transaction addresses competitive concerns previously raised with respect to the prior transaction and will streamline and simplify the transition for customers, team members and other stakeholders," said Walgreens Boots Alliance Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Stefano Pessina. 2. Rite Aid will also receive a $325 million termination fee. 3. The new agreement annuls both the proposed Walgreens-Rite Aid merger and the proposed sale of some of Rite Aid's assets to Fred's, a pharmacy chain in Memphis, Tenn. Walgreens and Rite Aid introduced the proposed transaction with Fred's to satisfy antitrust concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission. The organizations also amended their original agreement in January to garner regulatory approval. 4. Officials said the companies ended negotiations following significant pushback from antitrust regulators who claimed the proposed merger would diminish competition in the drugstore industry. Prior to ending negotiations, Mr. Pessina and Rite Aid Chairman and CEO John Standley expressed their optimism regarding the FTC's review. 5. The companies agreed to merge in October 2015. Had the transaction been approved, Walgreens and Rite Aid would have owned more than 8,000 stories across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, surpassing the biggest pharmacy chain in the nation, Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS Health, according to the report. 6. Rite Aid shares tumbled more than 11 percent to $3.52 per share in premarket trading following the companies' announcement, according to the NYT report. A military veteran was found dead in a car on Tuesday in the parking lot of Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Clarksburg, W.Va., according to a 5News report. Law enforcement confirmed the death was a suicide. The man was not scheduled to see a primary care physician or mental health physician on Tuesday. Hospital officials could not confirm whether the individual had previously sought treatment at the facility due to an ongoing police investigation, according to 5News. In the wake of the death, Terry Massey, acting associate director of the VA facility, and Chad Priestley, DO, associate chief of staff at the medical center, reaffirmed the VA's commitment to suicide prevention, according to a report from The Exponent Telegram. "It's a sad day here at the Clarksburg VA," said Mr. Massey, according to the report. "The VA takes these matters very seriously." Dr. Priestley said the medical center offers 24-hour access to psychiatric care for suicidal patients. "Suicide is an epidemic that we have as a nation," said Dr. Priestley, according to the Exponent Telegram. "Our goal is to bring attention to that so we can encourage people to seek treatment and know that treatment is available 24/7." More healthcare news: Medicaid-covered prescriptions for opioid addiction and overdoses surge by 136% in 5 years Trump promises 'big surprise' for new version of BCRA Warren Buffett: Single-payer system is 'probably the best' for US Ohio and other Rust Belt states are at the epicenter of the nation's opioid epidemic. Opioid-related deaths, which increased in Ohio by 775 percent between 2003 and 2015, have ravaged Ohio communities and their finances. Under a proposed plan by one Middletown, Ohio, city council member, the city would implement a policy that would cap the amount of emergency care for people who repeatedly overdose, according to The Washington Post. In other words, if someone has repeatedly overdosed, authorities wouldn't send an ambulance to resuscitate them. "It's not a proposal to solve the drug problem," said Middleton City Council member Dan Picard, according to the report. "My proposal is in regard to the financial survivability of our city. If we're spending $2 million this year and $4 million next year and $6 million after that, we're in trouble. We're going to have to start laying off. We're going to have to raise taxes." Under Mr. Picard's proposal, the city would issue a summons to people who overdose on illegal drugs. After two overdose rescues, the individual would be required to perform community service equal to the amount of money spent to save their life, according to nbc4i.com. If a third overdose occurs, the dispatcher could withhold emergency rescue services if he or she has determined the individual has not completed the community service or cooperated in the program. The city would also create a database of overdose victims to whom paramedics have responded. Mr. Picard told The Washington Post that he has sympathy for anyone who has lost a friend or family member to drug abuse, but the cost of responding to an ever-increasing number of emergency overdose calls is unsustainable. So far in 2017, Middletown paramedics have responded to 598 overdose calls, 300 percent more than at the same point last year. The city has spent more than $2 million responding to opioid overdose cases, about 10 percent of what it collects each year in tax revenue. Mr. Picard, who has served on city council for nearly eight years, does not plan to run for election when his term ends this year. More articles on opioids: Medicaid-covered prescriptions for opioid addiction and overdoses surge by 136% in 5 years Psychological support can reduce long-term opioid use among chronic pain patients Synthetic opioid residue poses public health risk, say Georgia police A leak in the surgical instrument processing area delayed surgeries at Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton, Va., on June 23, according to a Fauquier Times report. "Patient safety was not impacted by this issue; however, there was a chance some surgical instruments may have been affected," a spokesperson told the newspaper. The hospital canceled surgeries June 23 "out of an abundance of caution" and reprocessed all of the instruments. While the surgery schedule resumed June 24, some surgeries scheduled for the week of June 26 were rescheduled as Fauquier Health completes "unplanned maintenance" on its reprocessing equipment. The spokesperson told Fauquier Times the maintenance is unrelated to the leak. Nine spine surgeons discuss the personality traits that govern spine surgeon success. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next week's question: What are some summer activities that help you unwind? Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, July 5, at 5 p.m. CST. Question: What are key personality traits essential for success as a spine surgeon? Zafar Khan, MD. Co-Director of the Robotic Spine Institute at Coastline Orthopaedic Associates (Fountain Valley, Calif.): I think it's important to be confident yet humble. I think it's important to be mentally disciplined and compassionate at the same time. Surgery is a balance and surgeons have to balance their emotions and their intellect for success. Fred Sweet, MD. Co-Founder of Rockford (Ill.) Spine Center: Humility. Consider your patients, colleagues, residents and associative staff as more important than yourself. Arrogance and pride prevent you from recognizing mistakes, growing professionally as well as alienate those that can help you, anger patients and give rise to lawsuits. Give others the benefit of doubt despite apparent facts or circumstances. Do what is best for the group practice as a whole, not your individual practice. Be available to all patients regardless of insurance status. Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: Most surgeons tend to be detail-driven, perfectionists and workaholics. Beyond that is the same thing any successful business leader needs: a positive attitude, ability to be a good listener and an investment in the outcome. Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Spine Surgeon at New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center (Nashua): Willingness to work hard and for long hours, desire to constantly learn new scientific findings and surgical techniques, ability to handle a lot of stress associated with these high-risk surgeries are some key qualities. The main quality of a successful spine surgeon, however, is excellent patient care and bedside manner. You have to be good at what you do, but you also must be able to communicate that to the patient, ease their fears and show them that you truly care. Richard Kube, MD. Founder and CEO of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute (Peoria, Ill.): Perseverance, confidence and charisma mixed with empathy are all important traits. The road to becoming a spine surgeon is long and it doesn't really get easier once you get there. It will take perseverance to deal with the ever-increasing administrative tasks and issues we have. One has to be confident in the work they do and the advice he or she provides. Spine surgery is high-stakes surgery. Up-to-date clinical knowledge and confidence in its application are paramount. Last, and probably most importantly, is the empathy which helps to create charisma. You have to connect with the patient. This requires listening and really treating the whole person. If you can empathize, and add the confidence and perseverance you will appear charismatic to the patients and they will trust you. It is important that they trust you and follow your advice to obtain the optimum outcome. It all boils down to leadership and demonstrating it in a way that connects with the folks who trust us with their care. Alden Milam, MD. Spine Surgeon at OrthoCarolina (Charlotte, N.C.): Persistence and a laser focus are the most important traits for success in the spine arena. Plas T. James, MD. Spine Surgeon at Atlanta Spine Institute: I think the most important thing is to listen to your patient and try to find out why your patient is there. Your reasoning for their complaint may be different from their reasoning. Make sure you address all their complaints, even if it isn't the root of all their problems, and explain what's causing it. For example, if they complain of leg pain, back pain and arm pain, it matters which one is more prominent. The operation can be totally different if the patient complains of leg pain versus back pain. So, listening to your patient is always extremely important. J. Brian Gill, MD. Spine Surgeon at Nebraska Spine Hospital (Omaha): Personality traits that are a key for success are not just for spine surgeons but for all healthcare providers. We are in a service industry and our customers are our patients that we serve. The golden rule 'do to others what you would have them do to you,' from Matt 7:12, is a commonly referenced guideline to follow. Treat your patients with respect and kindness and ultimately treat your patients how you would want to be treated. From a macro standpoint, being flexible and able to adapt as the law, insurance guidelines/policies and politics continue to change are important traits to have. Kern Singh, MD. Co-Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Institute at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (Chicago): A successful spine surgeon needs to be enthusiastic and engaged in the field. The ongoing innovations in spine surgery require that a surgeon is eager to learn and master these new advancements in order to be successful. Additionally, they should have a strong scientific curiosity to contribute to the future of the field. Successful surgeons must also be team players in order to effectively collaborate with their patients and other healthcare providers. To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below The Financial Reporting Council is probing audits of BT by PwC between 2015 and 2017 Britain's accountancy watchdog has opened an investigation into PwC's audit of BT following the telecoms giant's Italian accounting scandal. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said on Thursday it has commenced an investigation under the Audit Enforcement Procedure into audits of BT undertaken by PwC from 2015 to 2017. "The decision to investigate follows announcements by BT in relation to accounting issues in its Italian operations," the FRC said. The move comes after the scandal at the firm's Italian division, BT Italia, resulted in the firm booking a 530 million writedown. Shares plummeted 19% when BT revealed details of the scandal in January, wiping 8 billion off its stock market value. BT boss Gavin Patterson was stripped of his bonus following the debacle, with his total pay packet cut from 5.3 million to 1.3 million. Earlier this month, BT appointed KPMG as its new auditor, ending a 30-year relationship with PwC. PwC said in a statement: "We will continue to co-operate fully with the FRC in its inquiries. The regulator has a duty to investigate where they believe there is a public interest, in order to give confidence to the financial markets. "Audit quality is of paramount importance to the firm. The FRC's annual reviews of our audit work, policies and procedures show a continued trend of improvement in our work and we use the FRC's insights, together with our own reviews, to continuously improve how we deliver high-quality audits." Karen Bradley is expected to give her verdict on the deal on Thursday The UK's competition watchdog looks poised to launch an in-depth investigation into Rupert Murdoch's 11.7 billion swoop for Sky after Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said she was "minded" to refer the bid for further scrutiny. Speaking in the Commons, Ms Bradley said an Ofcom report found that the attempt by Murdoch's 21st Century Fox to acquire the 61% of Sky it does not already own risks handing the tycoon's family " increased influence" over the UK's news agenda and the political process. Ofcom told the Secretary of State that the takeover attempt raised "public interest concerns" and she could refer the deal to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for a fuller investigation on the grounds of media plurality. Ms Bradley told MPs: "Ofcom's report states that the proposed transaction would give the Murdoch Family Trust material influence over news providers with a significant presence across all key platforms. "This potentially raises public interest concerns because, in Ofcom's view, the transaction may increase members of the Murdoch Family Trust's ability to influence the overall news agenda and their ability to influence the political process and it may also result in the perception of increased influence. "These are clear grounds whereby a referral to a phase two investigation is warranted - so that is what I am minded to do." Ms Bradley said Sky and Fox could make representations to her before she reaches a final decision, with a deadline of July 14. However, she was "minded not to refer" the bid to a phase two investigation in relation to a "genuine commitment to broadcasting standards". Her comments came as Ofcom said the merger would not stop Sky from holding a broadcasting licence, despite concerns over "significant failings" in the corporate culture at Fox News. While the broadcast regulator made clear it was not its role to investigate allegations of sexual and racial harassment at Fox News, it said the US news giant's response to the claims had been "mixed". It also flagged that Fox News had only "recently rectified" a failure to put in place regulatory compliance procedures. Focusing on the sexual harassment complaints, the regulator said: " Some allegations were handled swiftly. But Fox was slower to deal with Bill O'Reilly, its star anchor. "In order to have a concern about fitness and properness we would need to see evidence of misconduct in the parent company Fox. "However, we have no clear evidence that senior executives at Fox were aware of misconduct before it was escalated to them. And senior executives put in place new corporate governance arrangements." Mr Murdoch's bid comes five years after his last attempt at taking the business over through News Corporation in 2011. The tilt faced opposition from media industry rivals and politicians before it was scuppered by acute pressure on the company brought about by phone-hacking claims involving News International. Responding to Ms Bradley, 21st Century Fox said it was "disappointed" by the announcement. In a statement, the company said: "We are disappointed that she does not accept Ofcom's recommendation stated in its report that... 'the proposed undertakings offered by Fox to maintain the editorial independence of Sky News mitigate the media plurality concerns'. "Separately, 21st Century Fox is pleased that Ofcom recognises that Sky, under full 21st Century Fox ownership, would remain a fit and proper holder of broadcast licenses." 21st Century Fox will now make representations to the Secretary of State regarding the decision and Ofcom's report. Sky said: " Sky welcomes today's announcement of Ofcom's decision that Sky would continue to be a fit and proper holder of its broadcast licences under full ownership of 21CF and will continue to operate its business as usual." Shares in Sky closed up more than 3% on the London Stock Exchange. In the last quarter, house prices in Northern Ireland rose to an average of 133,449. Photo: Paul Faith/PA House prices in Northern Ireland have risen by 3.8% in the last three months - outpacing most of the UK. Overall, house price growth rebounded in June across the UK, pushing the average value over the 210,000 mark for the first time, according to Nationwide Building Society. In the last quarter, house prices in Northern Ireland rose to an average of 133,449. Average UK property values increased by 1.1% month-on-month in June, reversing monthly declines from the three previous months. In Scotland, prices increased by 1.7% annually, while in Northern Ireland saw growth of 3.8%. And price increases are being felt on the ground, according to one estate agent. Richard McCulloch of McCulloch Estate Agents in Magherafelt said it was busy, with many properties having multiple bidders. "It's seasonal, and there are more transactions at this time of the year. There is a good confidence out there, from buyers, at this time in the market," he said. "People are trying to get in pre-Brexit. They are worried about what could happen. "With these transactions, there are potentially two or three people bidding on the same properties." The increase pushed the average price across the UK to a new record of 211,301. June's monthly increase was the strongest since a 1.2% uplift in April 2015. Growth also accelerated on an annual basis, with a 3.1% increase in June, the strongest since March. The East Anglia region has seen the strongest price growth annually, with a 5% uplift, followed by the South West at 4.4%, and the North West of England and the East Midlands with 4.1%. The weakest annual growth was in the North East of England, which saw a 1.1% increase, followed by London at 1.2% and Wales with 1.4%. Robert Gardner, chief economist at Nationwide, said UK-wide annual price growth has returned to the 3% to 6% range that had been prevailing since early 2015. "There has been a shift in regional house price trends. Price growth in the South of England has moderated, converging with the rates prevailing in the rest of the country. "In quarter two the gap between the strongest performing region and the weakest was the smallest on record, based on data going back to 1974. London saw a particularly marked slowdown, with annual price growth moderating to just 1.2% - the second slowest pace of the 13 UK regions and the weakest pace of growth in the capital since 2012." Mr Gardner said it is unclear whether the increase in June reflects strengthening demand or a lack of supply. The US deal has fuelled interest in the company Shares in packaging company DS Smith have rocketed to record highs after the firm announced a deal to secure its first foray into the United States. The FTSE 250 firm is snapping up an 80% stake in family-owned US paper and corrugated packaging business Interstate Resources for 722 million. It will also pay 177 million for Interstate's debts and has the option to buy the remaining 20% in five years' time. DS Smith saw its shares jump to an all-time high, hitting 487.8p at one stage before settling around 6 % higher. Miles Roberts, chief executive of DS Smith, hailed the deal as a "well-positioned and attractive entry point for us into the US market". He added: "We have seen significant customer pull for our innovative packaging solutions in the US and are excited by the opportunity to grow and support our customers' needs over this large and growing market." DS Smith's clients Nestle and Cadbury-backer Mondelez gave their thumbs up to the deal. Interstate Resources focuses mainly on the East Coast of America, operating from 19 production sites with around 1,500 employees. It had revenues of 618 million US dollars (476 million) last year. Details of the acquisition came as DS Smith posted a 6% rise in underlying pre-tax profits to 391 million for the year to April 30 with currency changes stripped out. Bottom line profits were 16% higher at 264 million. Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong giving the microphone to a fan who was pulled up on the stage during Green Day's performance of, "Know Your Enemy", at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong cheers on a fan singing Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" after she was pulled up on stage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX US rockers Green Day performed a massive gig at Belfast's Ormeau Park on Wednesday night - and a few lucky fans also got to show off their talents for the crowd. The group were supported by fellow punk band Rancid for their Revolution Radio tour concert and were delighted to see their Northern Ireland fans in such good spirits. So much so that two were lucky enough to be pulled from the crowd during the course of the evening - earning themselves cheers fit for any rock star. As the band performed their hit song Know Your Enemy, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong invited one girl on stage to take over lead vocals. To huge cheers from the audience, she finished off the track while Armstrong supported her in the background. Earning herself a hug from the band, she was then invited to do a stage dive into the crowd in true rock star fashion. Expand Close Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong giving the microphone to a fan who was pulled up on the stage during Green Day's performance of, "Know Your Enemy", at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong giving the microphone to a fan who was pulled up on the stage during Green Day's performance of, "Know Your Enemy", at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX A fan after she staged dived into the crowd who had been pulled up during Green Day song, "Know your enemies", at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong cheers on a fan singing Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" after she was pulled up on stage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong cheers on a fan singing Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" after she was pulled up on stage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong giving the microphone to a fan who was pulled up on the stage during Green Day's performance of, "Know Your Enemy", at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day fans at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Green Day drummer The Cool onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen and frontman Tim Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong and drummer Branden Steineckert onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast as support for Green Day. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fans out to see Green Day at Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Later in the show while performing their track Knowledge, Armstrong asked if there were any guitar players in the audience before pulling one excited fan on to the stage. Introduced as James, the young man was then handed over the frontman's guitar to perform with the rockers - and he took to it like a complete pro. Not missing his chance to say hello to the other member of Green Day, James was then pulled back to the front of the stage and asked if he wanted to say anything to the crowd. "I just want to say to my sister, I'll see you at home!" to which Armstrong replied: "She'll see you at home with your brand new guitar" before handing over the instrument amid huge cheers. The US stars spent the night at Ormeau Park rolling out their best known tracks - with Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Minority, and Jesus of Suburbia all included in the set list. Expand Close Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong onstage at the Ormeau Embankment, Belfast. Wednesday 28th June 2017 Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Armstrong was charged with interacting with their fans for most of the gig, telling the Belfast crowd: "I just want to have some fun here tonight. This is all about us coming together because the world needs that right now." Later in the show he complimented the crowd on the fact that he couldn't see one mobile phone among them. "We don't need no cell phones," he declared. "Live in the moment, Belfast!" Green Day continue their Revolution Radio tour in Dublin on Thursday before performing at London's Hyde Park this weekend. After Prince Harry spoke out about suffering from panic attacks following the death of his mum, Princess Diana, Karen Ireland talks to two women who applaud his efforts to help break down the stigma attached to a mental illness both have struggled with for years. 'Panic caused me to pass out and now my daughter suffers too' Former model Kelly Anne McKendry (39) is a florist at La Maison de Fleur in Killyleagh. She lives in the town and is mum to Tiegan (19) and Felicity Boo (11). She says: I remember clearly the first time I had a panic attack. I was in third year at school but had been off for three months with kidney problems. When I was well again I had moved to a new school that was co-ed. It was very different to the all-girl school I had been in previously. The new school environment made me feel anxious and I started to feel a tightness in my chest. It would get so bad that I would hyperventilate and then pass out. While I didn't really think that much about it after the first attack, then it began to happen all the time. Mostly, the anxiety would hit me when I was in school. I rarely had an attack anywhere else, unless it was in a crowded social environment. It got to the point where I started to avoid school because I so worried about what would happen. I was constantly embarrassed and worried about it. I didn't tell anyone what was going on, including my mum and dad. Neither of them knew what I was going through. When I left school and went to college, things seemed to settle down. By the time I started going out with my first boyfriend, I rarely experienced a panic attack. When I was 20 I had my first child, Tiegan, and the anxious feelings came back. I was fearful about being left with her at night. Her dad worked in the hospitality industry and wasn't home until late. The panic was constant, and I was frightened that something would happen to her when she was sleeping. I started to pass out again, and this made me feel even more fearful. What if I had an attack when I was on my own with my daughter? It became a vicious circle. Eventually, I started to learn ways of coping, and would distract myself if I felt an attack coming on. Reading or writing helped me cope when the feeling hit. I was still panicking and worrying a lot, even after I had my second daughter, Felicity. I had a baby monitor in Tiegan's room until she was about 15 and with her younger sister until she was about eight. That was the only way I could settle myself and get some sleep without being up all night worrying about them. When we went on a family holiday to Spain, Felicity started to have panic attacks and couldn't breathe. I knew instantly what it was. When she was on the plane, she had a serious attack. She took her seat belt off and became distressed. Even though I felt overwhelmed, I had to manage my anxiety and try and keep her calm. The experience on holiday affected me too - I passed out several times during the holidays because I was worrying about Felicity. Because I didn't want Felicity to see me panicking, I would leave the room whenever I felt anxious. Going home on the plane, I was petrified of her having another attack, and that it would trigger one in me too. The panic attacks continued and especially when she was in P7 during her AQE year. She even had one on the morning of the first exam. Thankfully, her school was supportive and gave her the space and time she needed to come round and regulate her breathing. The pains in her chest were so severe, she believed there was something wrong with her heart. We took her to the doctor, who diagnosed her as suffering from panic attacks. Since then, she has had to learn, like I have, to identify the triggers and to try and manage things with distraction techniques. Nonetheless, she worries so much about what is going on in the world that we can't have the news on in front of her. She just becomes too upset. We have had to protect her, especially from the recent news events, as she would be distraught by it all. Tiegan has always been good at talking to her. She is very logical and points out that while natural disasters, such as earthquakes, are terrible, there won't be any here. She presents a reasoned take on Felicity's fears, which really helps. I am delighted that Prince Harry has spoken out about this, because it will help break down taboos. He has made it a part of growing up, and it can happen to anyone. He admitted that he drank alcohol to help him cope, and I did that too. When I was working in as a model, while I appeared confident and outgoing on the outside, underneath I was hiding this big secret. When I felt anxious, I would have downed a couple of drinks in quick succession to calm myself down. Of course, it didn't work. I just had to work my way through the attacks and to learn to cope with my feelings." Positive thoughts help me control symptoms Anna Kissick (28), a medical receptionist, lives in Waringstown with her husband, Niall (30), and has three daughters, Emily (18 months) and five-week-old twins Isla and Tilly. She says: My first panic attack happened when I was 17. I was sitting in an office and suddenly my chest got tight and I couldnt breathe. I rushed out of the office and into a storage cupboard and got into the foetal position. I had to sit like that until my breathing came back to normal. I thought I was going to die and I was petrified. I didnt know what was happening. My doctor explained that I had suffered a panic attack when I told him what had happened. After that, they became a regular occurrence when I was anxious or worried about anything. At school, they used to get me to blow into a brown paper bag. The attacks always hit me when I was struggling to cope with anything. As Ive grown older and life has got busier, the attacks have got worse. There is a stigma attached to panicking. Ive found that the best way to cope is to talk things out with people close to me and have a good support network. My husband has been fantastic. Initially, he felt there should be a way to cure the attacks, but there isnt. He has since learnt the best way to help is to support me, be there and just wait until it passes. My doctor recommended cognitive behavioural therapy, which helped by providing coping mechanisms such as counting breaths and controlling breathing when an attack strikes. In many cases, its about mind over matter and trying of think of something positive in the midst of the anxious feelings and letting that override the negativity. I know how to manage my condition. I deal with an attack by filling my mind with positive thoughts and reassuring myself that nothing bad is going to happen to me. Because I am reluctant to take medication, this has to be the way I cope. I havent had a severe attack in a while. And when I had Emily, I worried about her seeing me panicking, so Ive always tried to shield her from it. Life is good at the moment. Im a new mum to twins, so its hectic but we are very blessed. I havent had an attack since the twins were born. Maybe its because I am too busy to worry or get uptight. I try and focus on the good things that are going on in our lives. I decided to talk about suffering panic attacks, because Im always telling others that its good to talk, so that applies equally to me. Prince Harry has helped to break the stigma and has shown that this can happen to anyone. Anything that raises awareness and gets people talking is good. My advice to anyone suffering is this: be open and accept it is a medical condition its not your fault. Like any other ailment, it needs treatment. Panic attacks can be very distressing, but you can learn to deal with them and find your own coping mechanisms." Some people in Northern Ireland are left waiting for more than nine months for a memory clinic to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of dementia Some people in Northern Ireland are left waiting for more than nine months for a memory clinic to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of dementia. The South Eastern Trust had the highest waiting list numbers and the longest delays, with a sample of 10 patients revealing waiting times of six months to more than nine months. The figures obtained by The Detail via Freedom of Information also show considerable variation in waiting numbers, waiting times and the type of memory service available in each of the five health trusts. They reveal that in early 2017 close to 1,000 patients here were waiting for an appointment for assessment at a local memory clinic. Memory clinics are just one element of memory services provided by trusts - the main function of these clinics is specialist assessment and diagnosis of dementia. The Alzheimer's Society in Northern Ireland said everyone had a right to a "swift diagnosis". The charity's Barry Smyth said: "These figures are obviously very concerning and they reflect what our staff are seeing on the ground. "People are waiting much too long for a diagnosis of dementia." A leading expert in the dementia field, he added that early assessment and diagnosis is key for patients and their families. Dr Peter Passmore, Professor of Ageing and Geriatric Medicine at Queen's University Belfast, said: "It depends on each situation, but the theory would be to assess as early as possible, diagnose as early as possible and treat as early as possible." More than 13,000 people have a formal diagnosis of dementia in Northern Ireland but it is estimated that a further 7,000 people remain undiagnosed and untreated for the disease. Loss of memory and cognitive function are hallmarks of the progressive disease, which affects the brain and is more common among people over the age of 65. Police are investigating after a takeaway restaurant in east Belfast was daubed with anti-Islamic graffiti. The Turkish Kebab House takeaway on the Beersbridge Road was targeted on Thursday. They are treating the incident as a racially-motivated hate crime. Photo Pacemaker Press Police are investigating after a takeaway restaurant in east Belfast was daubed with anti-Islamic graffiti. The Turkish Kebab House takeaway on the Beersbridge Road was targeted on Thursday. They are treating the incident as a racially-motivated hate crime. Photo Pacemaker Press A takeaway in east Belfast has been daubed with anti-Islamic graffiti which police are investigating as a racially motivated hate crime. The Turkish Kebab house takeaway on the Beersbridge Road, Belfast was targeted between midnight and 7am on Thursday. Graffiti was spray painted on the shutters of the premises. UUP MLA Andy Allen branded the incident "deplorable". He said: "This incident is clearly a deplorable racist attack on a local business, and I would strongly oppose actions such as these which have absolutely no place in our society. The individuals responsible are not representative of the wider community of East Belfast. "Such actions are not wanted and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or has any information to contact the PSNI." Sinn Fein councillor Mairead O'Donnell appealed to anyone with information to contact the PSNI. She said: "I condemn this hate crime which was motivated by racism. "Belfast is a vibrant multi-cultural city and there can be no tolerance of any form of racism. Everyone has the right to live and work in peace, free from harassment, free from racism, or any form of discriminatory abuse. "This action is not representative of the wider community of east Belfast. "I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or has any information to contact the PSNI." Sergeant Jackson would appeal to anyone who has any information about this incident to contact Police at Strandtown on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 195 29/06/17. 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. Locals claim this building in Portbraddan, Co Antrim is the smallest church in Ireland. It was built 1950s as cow byre. Photo by David Fennelly The former owner of "Ireland's smallest church", a popular tourist attraction on the Causeway Coast, has spoken of his dismay at its demolition. Rev Con Auld, a retired religious studies teacher and former mayor of North Down, built St Gobban's at his summer home in the coastal townland of Portbradden in the 1960s. At just 11ft 4ins by 6ft 9ins, St Gobban's still managed to host dozens of weddings - including that of a four-star US General who served in Vietnam. In addition, collections at St Gobban's helped raise over 100,000 for charity, and in 1998 a memorial service for victims of the Omagh bombing was attended by more than 100 people. Earlier this month the Belfast Telegraph reported it had been demolished by its new owner. The news was met with disappointment by visitors, but was welcomed by some Portbradden residents who disliked the crowds it attracted. St Gobban's even featured as "the smallest church in the world" in the 1982 edition of the Guinness Book of Records, and was once a listed building. "I sympathise with those who (will miss it), but I can do nothing to prevent it. In a couple of years I will be 90 and it is as much as I can do to maintain the house and grounds of my home in Holywood," said Rev Auld. Councillor Cara McShane said in June that she understood the mixed views, but would miss St Gobban's. "If you see any pictures and paintings of the area, the church was always included. It became a big part of the landscape," she said. Heroin addict Margaret Henderson barricaded herself in her cell and had a furious confrontation with prison warders as she awaits sentencing tomorrow for killing a pensioner who paid her for sex. The self-confessed drug abuser is to learn her fate after she admitted the unlawful killing of Eddie Girvan (67) at his Station Road home in Greenisland in January 2016. She stabbed the pensioner in the chest with a knife while high on heroin and crystal meth. On Tuesday mother-of-three Henderson (31) refused to leave her cell at Hydebank Wood. A source said: "Margaret 'Headbutt' is living up to the nickname she gave herself in her own Facebook posts by being a really difficult prisoner. "She refused wardens' demands to leave her cell and barricaded herself in before guards finally got control of her and the situation." A spokesman last night said: "Northern Ireland Prison Service can confirm there was an incident at Hydebank Wood College and Women's Prison on Tuesday, June 27, involving one person, which was resolved without any injuries or damage." Henderson has a record of 100 criminal convictions, including offences for assault during street robberies. In one attack a man suffered a fracture to his leg. A court heard on Monday that Henderson's life descended into a "heroin hell'" following the cot death of her infant daughter Lilly Rose. The remarks were made by defence QC John McCrudden during a sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court. The 31-year-old, formerly of a hostel in Verner Street, Belfast, pleaded guilty last month to Mr Girvan's manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. At a previous hearing prosecution counsel Charles McCreanor QC told Mr Justice Treacy that Mr Girvan and Henderson had been known to each other for years. The prosecution counsel added: "She would come and stay with the deceased at his home and he would pay her for sexual relations." He told the judge that at the time of the killing the defendant had an addiction to opiates and that she and another inmate were in the process of mounting a judicial review against the Prison Service to receive "appropriate care by way of opiate substitute therapy medication" not available in the jail. He said in 2012 Henderson had been clean of drugs while pregnant with daughter Lilly Rose. However, Mr McCrudden said six weeks after her birth the baby died as a result of a cot death which he said had a "catastrophic" effect on the life of his client and led to her spiralling into heroin addiction. Henderson's case was adjourned until tomorrow by the judge to allow the doctor to review her criminal record and state whether or not this would change his view on the danger she posed to the public in the future. Graduations are always special, but today will be particularly so for a Queen's University maths student who overcame the odds battling a neurological illness and being a mother to her young daughter - all while completing her studies. Emma Carson from Ballyclare managed to undertake her degree while raising her five-year-old daughter Amy, as well as coping with paralysis and problems with her vision and speech. In her second year Emma became seriously ill and was hospitalised, with doctors suggesting she could be suffering from multiple sclerosis, strokes or another neurological illness, but she didn't let it stop her from achieving her goals. Read More Speaking ahead of the Queen's University summer graduations today - which will also see Irish-American philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman become an honorary graduate - Emma said she hoped to become a teacher. She added that her department had been like "one big family". "Queen's University and my lecturers couldn't have done more to help and support me through this difficult stage of my life," she explained. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been able to come this far. "Exploring my subject further, being able to share my enthusiasm and thoughts with other peers, and gaining further knowledge and understanding of maths is what I enjoyed most of all. "It's like one big family who all understand each other and want to help each other succeed." Even though she has now graduated, life remains very busy for Emma, who is currently juggling job applications with wedding planning and house hunting as she prepares to get married next year. She said she hoped to someday undertake a PGCE and go into teaching. Emma added: "I have applied for graduate programmes and mathematical-based jobs, although it is hard to find the time to look with my five-year-old daughter Amy wanting my attention, looking at buying a new house and planning my wedding for next July. "Having a positive university experience has encouraged my thoughts in some day returning to education and furthering my learning at Queen's." Also among the graduates at Queen's today will be Ms Brennan Glucksman, who has served as chair of The Ireland Funds America since 1995, raising millions for projects on the island and supporting peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development. She will receive an honorary degree for her services to business and commerce. Earlier in her career she was a producer for news and public affairs with PBS-TV. She was also a lecturer in English literature at several universities. She was named an Honorary Commander of the British Empire by the Queen, the highest honour for a non-British citizen, for her work towards peace in Northern Ireland. Commenting on the degree, she said: "It is a privilege to be recognised by Queen's University in this manner. "I have a great love for the island of Ireland and the people here. "I also have great respect for Queen's and the work that is being done at the university." Meanwhile, it will be a double celebration for Andrew McNeill from Ballyclare today as he graduates and prepares to jet off to the US to track down "killer asteroids". Andrew came to Queen's in 2009 and has since completed a Masters and now a PhD in solar system astronomy. "I will be continuing my research in Northern Arizona University where I will be working as part of a research team with experts in near-Earth asteroids and potentially hazardous asteroids. As part of this group, I will help determine the orbits and properties of thousands of these potentially killer asteroids," he said. And high-flying Lauren Cuddy (above) is among today's graduates with her degree in actuarial science and risk management from Queen's Management School. Lauren came first in The Tab Belfast Power List and 69th in The Tab Future 100 for her charitable and volunteering work. The list, which is voted for by 215,841 students, highlights women at UK universities who are set to achieve incredible things. The Dungannon woman has worked with her church and a number of charities, including Fields of Life, travelling to Uganda last year to work on various projects within schools and communities, as well as raising money to provide safe drinking water in many different regions across the country. "I have had a great time at Queen's and gained invaluable experience," she said. "I have met so many different people and made many great friendships, despite all the studying. "A time that particularly stands out was when I was awarded a two-week scholarship through the Queen's City Scholarship Programme to gain work experience at JP Morgan in New York." Following her graduation, Lauren plans to travel to Tanzania to work on various charitable projects including improving children's access to education. When she returns home, she plans to move to Dublin to sit her professional exams in actuary and take up a position with VHI Healthcare as an actuarial analyst, where she previously completed her placement year. The Queen's University graduations will continue tomorrow with students from the School of Law, Institute of Theology, School of Behavioural Sciences and School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work. Denis Donaldson, who was operating for British intelligence inside the IRA, was shot dead at an isolated cottage in Co Donegal in April 2006. The family of a murdered Sinn Fein official turned spy wants the NI Police Ombudsman to help them recover his journal. Denis Donaldson, a former member of the Provisional IRA and a prominent Sinn Fein activist from Belfast, was exposed as a police and M15 spy in December 2005. He was murdered in April 2006 at a remote cottage near Glenties, Co Donegal. His familly, who claim that members of the PSNI played a role in exposing him, have asked the NI Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, to investigate. On Thursday, the family's lawyer, Ciaran Shiels of Madden & Finucane Solicitors, called for the Ombudsman to intervene and ensure that An Garda Siochana, the Irish police, hand over Mr Donaldson's journal, which he said has "obvious relevance" to the investigation. Mr Shiels told the Belfast Telegraph that he and the family "have sought a meeting with the Ombudsman in relation to the issue of the journal that Mr Donaldson was writing in Donegal at the time of his murder." He continued: "We believe it has obvious relevance to the Ombudsmans investigation in relation to the circumstances of the exposure of him as an agent by elements in the PSNI." Referring to the gardai's refusal to return the journal, on grounds of "national security", Mr Shiels said: "It is an appalling situation whereby we have the Guards as a law enforcement organisation in the South denying the Ombusdmans office as a law enforcement agency in the North access to relevant evidence concerning allegations of the most grave misconduct. "We have formally called upon PONI to take legal action to resolve this issue and the Ombudmans office has confirmed that a date for a direct meeting with Dr Maguire is currently being arranged. When asked to comment on the issue, a spokesperson from the Ombudsman's office stated: "This complaint was reopened with the appointment of Dr Maguire as Police Ombudsman in 2012, and is now drawing to a close. "Within the next few weeks we will be approaching the PSNI and An Garda Siochana about a number of outstanding issues. "Mr Donaldsons family has indicated it has new information, which we will also need to examine." It is understood that the proposed meeting is likely to take place before the end of July. Forensic officers at the scene in west Belfast where Bobby Moffett was murdered The British Government was justified in refusing to disclose a full dossier on a "public execution" by loyalist terrorists in Belfast, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Judges backed the decision based on the need to protect pledges of confidentiality given by the international body that examined the murder of Bobby Moffett. But they indicated that the issue may have to be revisited once a probe into suspected State collusion with the killers is completed. Mr Moffett's sister Irene Owens was seeking to overturn a ruling that the Secretary of State was right to refuse to hand over all material gathered by the now defunct Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC). She wanted the information supplied to the coroner for an inquest into the her brother's death. Mr Moffett (43) was shot dead at point-blank range in front of shoppers and children on Belfast's Shankill Road in May 2010. With no one ever charged in connection with the murder, Ms Owens believes some of those responsible may have been either State agents or shielded from prosecution. In September 2010 the IMC issued a special report declaring the killing had been sanctioned by the UVF leadership. The IMC concluded that he was targeted due to his perceived flouting of UVF authority, and to send a message to those in the organisation and the community that this authority was not to be challenged. In its report the IMC described the killing as a public execution, but declined to say that it amounted to a breach of the terror grouping's ceasefire. So far only an edited version of the report has been supplied for the purposes of holding an inquest. In 2015 the High Court dismissed Ms Owens' bid for a judicial review of former Secretary of State Theresa Villiers' decision to refuse to disclose all material on her brother's murder from the IMC archive. She appealed that ruling, arguing that there was an investigative obligation under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights to provide the information. Counsel for Ms Owens suggested that the IMC probably knows the killers' identities. He also contended that the Government is under a legal duty to disclose the report - irrespective of any alleged security force collusion. But the Secretary of State's legal representatives insisted complete confidentiality was fundamental to the IMC ability to gain the trust of those who provided information. Others would be put off co-operating with future commissions if pledges of privacy were breached within a few years, it was claimed. It was also confirmed that the Secretary of State had not studied the contents of the report. Ruling on the appeal, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan pointed out that the outcome of an ongoing Police Ombudsman investigation into Ms Owens' allegations could impact on the inquest and the extent to which the IMC material could assist. He described the Secretary of State's response as postponing the decision to examine the dossier. "Having regard to the importance of the confidentiality of the archive, which was acknowledged by the appellant, we do not consider that the approach of the respondent was the result of misdirection or irrational," Sir Declan said. Dismissing the case, he added: "We further do not accept that it gave rise to a breach of Article 2 of the Convention. "We acknowledge, however, that the decision may need to be revisited when the Ombudsman's report becomes available." MPs have approved the programme of laws brought forward by Theresa May's minority Government after a late U-turn on abortion funding averted a potential Commons defeat. The Queen's Speech was approved by 323 votes to 309, majority 14, following six days of debate. Chancellor Philip Hammond was required to confirm the Government's intention to fund abortions in England for women arriving from Northern Ireland, amid growing pressure from MPs of all parties. Labour's Stella Creasy had tabled an amendment to the Queen's Speech calling for "adequate funding" to ensure free access to abortions in England. She withdrew it following the Government's late change in policy. Mrs May sat in the Commons on the Government frontbench as the final result was read out. A division list analysis shows 313 Tories were joined by nine of the 10 DUP MPs in supporting the Queen's Speech. Independent Lady Hermon, who represents the Northern Ireland constituency of North Down, also supported the Queen's Speech. There were 257 Labour MPs who voted against it, along with 35 SNP, 12 Liberal Democrats, four Plaid Cymru and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also faced a rebellion from some of his MPs after ordering them to abstain on an amendment tabled by Chuka Umunna. The former shadow business secretary had called on the Government to outline post-Brexit proposals for how Britain will remain in the European single market and customs union. A total of 49 Labour MPs voted in favour of the amendment, which was defeated by 322 votes to 101 - majority 221. A separate Labour amendment to the Queen's Speech bemoaning the Government for failing to end austerity, reverse falling living standards and make society more equal was also defeated by 323 votes to 297, majority 26. But attention throughout the day focused on Ms Creasy's amendment on abortion rights, with a large number of MPs from different parties declaring support for it. Mrs May's reliance on DUP support to command a majority in the Commons brought the issue of abortion charges in England for women from Northern Ireland to the fore. The DUP has previously said it wants no extension to Northern Ireland's limitations on terminations, which restrict the procedure to when a woman's life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health. As it stands, fatal foetal abnormalities, rape and incest are not grounds for an abortion. When Ms Creasy raised the issue of charging for abortion during the Queen's Speech debate on Wednesday, DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) told the Commons: "This is not a matter for Belfast, it is a matter for NHS England". On Thursday, Mr Hammond offered assurances that funding would be provided. Women and Equalities Minister Justine Greening also sent a letter confirming: "Following discussions with the Department of Health, we will ensure these payments will be funded through the Government Equalities Office with additional funding. "This will mean no English health service user is disadvantaged as a result of this change." Ms Creasy, confirming she would withdraw her amendment, told the Commons: "Thank you to all the members of the House who supported the rights of Northern Irish women to have equal access to abortion. "I am delighted at today's announcement by the Government and I am satisfied by the commitments I have had from the minister responsible about the commitment to working with the sector. "On that basis, I am happy to withdraw the amendment today. "Let us send a message to women everywhere that in this Parliament their voice will be heard and their rights upheld." DUP MP Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) was the only member from the Northern Irish party not to vote on the Queen's Speech. The DUP whips' office said Mr Campbell had a personal engagement at home and was unable to attend the vote. The vast majority of people across Northern Ireland support tougher legal penalties for criminals who abuse older people, new research shows The vast majority of people across Northern Ireland support tougher legal penalties for criminals who abuse older people, new research shows. Almost 94% of those surveyed said they would like to see abuse against the elderly made an aggravated offence - similar to hate crimes. It is estimated that there are 464,500 victims of elder abuse each year in the UK, with 11,500 of these in Northern Ireland. Such a law change would see crimes against older people treated as seriously as offences where the victim is targeted for personal characteristics such as their race, religion, sexual orientation or disability. This means more cases of elder abuse would reach the courts, while mandatory sentencing guidelines would result in tougher punishments. Currently, older victims of crime, often targeted due to their perceived vulnerability, receive no special statutory protections in UK criminal law. Action on Elder Abuse Northern Ireland director, Veronica Gray, said: "These findings show the overwhelming level of support there is for tougher laws to protect our older people from what are appalling crimes. "Right now, only a tiny fraction of offences are reaching courts and, even when they do, offenders are too often escaping with paltry fines or soft suspended sentences. "This is creating a climate that says to people: if you abuse an older person, you're more than likely to get away with it. It has to stop." The family of Daniel Hegarty, including sisters Margaret Brady, Catherine Devenney and Philomena Conlaghan, at the High Court earlier this month Relatives of a teenager killed by the Army in Derry 45 years ago have won legal permission to challenge a decision not prosecute the soldier who fired the fatal shots. High Court judges granted leave to seek a judicial review of the conclusion reached over the death of Daniel Hegarty. Based on new information, they also advised the Hegarty family's lawyers to write to the Director of Public Prosecutions inviting him to reconsider the decision before the case goes to a full hearing. Fifteen-year-old Daniel was unarmed when he was shot twice in the head during an army operation in the Creggan area of the city in July 1972. His cousin Christopher, 16, also sustained a bullet wound to the head but survived. The shootings occurred at the height of the Troubles as British troops were deployed in Derry in an attempt to clear so-called no-go areas. In 2011 an inquest jury unanimously found Daniel posed no risk and had been shot without warning, prompting the coroner to refer the case back to the Public Prosecution Service. But in March last year it was decided not to pursue charges against Soldier B, who fired the fatal rounds, on the basis of no reasonable prospect of a conviction. According to the PPS forensic experts were unable to state that ballistics evidence is inconsistent with Soldier B's account of the circumstances in which he fired. Expand Close Daniel Hegarty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel Hegarty Daniel's sister, Margaret Brady, is now challenging the Director of Public Prosecutions over that decision. Her barrister claimed it was a perverse and irrational outcome. Michael Mansfield QC argued that expert evidence completely refutes assertions that the bullets were fired in self-defence. Instead, he contended, the scientific opinion backed the family's belief that it was an unlawful killing at point-blank range. The court heard that Soldier B fired from a distance of less than 10 feet. In a statement he claimed to have pulled the trigger on the machine gun while it was on the ground. According to Mr Mansfield that was a lying account contrived to suggest a fear of a non-existent threat. Removal of the self-defence claims leaves a reasonable prospect of gaining a conviction if a prosecution was pursued, he insisted. Counsel for the Director countered that the case was subjected to scrupulous forensic analysis, with two expert reports and advice from senior counsel. Judges were told one of the forensic scientists "modified" the position taken at the inquest after studying another statement from Soldier B. The revised view was that his account could possibly be consistent with the forensic evidence. But after analysing full expert reports, Lord Justice Weatherup ruled that leave to seek a judicial review should be granted. Soldier B is also to be put on notice of the legal proceedings. Following the decision the family's solicitor, Desmond Doherty, confirmed: "I have been instructed by the Court to write to invite the Director to reconsider his decision before the full hearing in September. An investigation is to be carried out into the viability of cuts to tourism VAT and Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax in Northern Ireland, the DUP has confirmed. A report in the Daily Telegraph said the DUP was poised to demand more tax cuts costing 460m to keep Theresa May in power after Brexit in two years' time. But the party said the review to be conducted actually formed part of its present deal to prop up Mrs May's minority Conservative government, rather than the next phase of the arrangement. It was reported that Arlene Foster's party would demand 90m to cover the cost of axing APD at Northern Ireland's airports and 70m to fund cuts to VAT - from the current 20% to 9% - on hotels, restaurants and pubs. Hospitality Ulster has said the reduction could create up to 8,500 jobs in the tourism sector. A DUP spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph, however: "Tourism VAT and airport passenger duty are both matters to be addressed through a report as part of the agreement between the Conservatives and ourselves to establish if both measures are feasible and what is the best way to proceed." The issues - along with the implementation of corporation tax cuts - are among the matters which it is understood will be dealt with by a new liaison committee set up between the DUP and Tories. The report also said the DUP will ask Chancellor Philip Hammond for an additional 300m to cover the initial shortfall in tax receipts after the cut in corporation tax from 19% to 12.5%, which is due in the province from April 2018. Meanwhile, former DUP MLA Trevor Clarke - who admitted last year that at one point he believed only homosexual people could contract the HIV virus until he was informed by a charity - will be back in the Assembly, if it gets up and running. Under rules to prevent double-jobbing, Mr Clarke has been co-opted to replace Paul Girvan, who became an MP, after winning the South Antrim seat from ULster Unionist Danny Kinahan in the General Election. A Sinn Fein MP has hit out against loyalist groups using cherry pickers to erect flags on lampposts around Omagh. In a tweet on Wednesday night Barry McElduff, Sinn Feins newly elected MP for West Tyrone, wrote that those putting up the flags had "no regard for the motorists in Omagh this eve". We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference He added: "Loyalists mask their insecurity by putting English & Scottish flegs on nearly every pole." Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr McElduff said that he made the post on social media after the issue was brought to his attention by local people. "The point they were making was that there was no kind of traffic management. It was just like a takeover of the road by loyalists with cherry pickers - no regard for the rule of the road," he said. "There was a number of occasions where it was like the wild west. They were in Campsie, they were in Drumragh Avenue. It was as if they run the show. They were riding roughshod over everyone else. "It creates a false impression of Omagh society, it isnt good for business locally. You are talking about the county town of Tyrone. And this happens every year, it is a kind of perennially a problem for the town." McElduff also called on unionist leaders to ensure that the flags were taken down as soon as possible, and for the PSNI to monitor situations where cherry pickers could be causing traffic infringements. Local DUP councillor Errol Thompson responded to McElduff's comments by saying "there is nothing new in what has happened". "The district lodge would act very responsibly. They would put flags up, not permanent flags. There would be the Union flag, maybe Scottish flags in there as well. And then the Orange Lodge flag. They go up year on year, and they come down again," he said. "Marshalls and handlers put them up, and it is very well conducted the way that it is carried out. Barry would well know my sentiments on this." The Omagh section of Transport NI confirmed that by using a mobile cherry picker no offence is being committed, and operators are allowed to erect flags at their own risk. The PSNI confirmed that they had not received any complaints about the flags being put up. This is not the first time that the use of cherry pickers has become a political issue in Northern Ireland. In 2013, police came in for criticism after a group of men, some allegedly masked, were able to direct traffic while using one of the machines to erect Ulster Volunteer Force flags along a parade route in east Belfast. Claire Bailey and Steven Agnew of the Green Party talk to the media as rain falls on Stormont Castle in east Belfast where local parties are holding talks ahead of this afternoon's deadline to get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire (left) speaks to the media at Stormont, Belfast, while Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney looks on, as a scheduled meeting of the Stormont Assembly has been postponed amid intensive last-ditch negotiations to restore powersharing before today's 4pm deadline. Niall Carson/PA Wire Sinn Fein speak to the media at Stormont Castle in east Belfast where local parties are holding talks ahead of this afternoon's deadline to get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye The DUP's Edwin Poots(centre), Michelle McIlveen and Christopher Stalford speak to the media at Stormont Castle in east Belfast where local parties are holding talks ahead of this afternoon's deadline to get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Alliance Party leader Naomi Long speaks to the media at Stormont, Belfast, as Stormont's political leaders are set to miss a deadline to restore powersharing in Northern Ireland after a scheduled Assembly sitting to nominate ministers was axed. Brian Lawless/PA Wire Ulster Unionist Leader Robin Swann (centre) speaks to the media at Stormont, Belfast, as Stormont's political leaders are set to miss a deadline to restore powersharing in Northern Ireland after a scheduled Assembly sitting to nominate ministers was axed. Brian Lawless/PA Wire Negotiations to strike a deal to restore a powersharing Executive at Stormont will continue over the weekend - despite Northern Ireland's politicians missing their 4pm statutory deadline. The formal deadline was 4pm on Thursday but the timeframe to find agreement has been extended to Monday by the UK Government. If no agreement materialises over the weekend, there are several options open to Secretary of State James Brokenshire. They include setting another deadline for the talks process, calling a second snap Assembly election or reimposing some form of direct rule from London. Read More If a deal came to fruition over the weekend, the Government could pass legislation to retrospectively change Thursday's missed deadline to enable a new Executive to be formed without recourse to another election. Downing Street confirmed talks to restore powersharing will be allowed to extend until Monday. It's understood Mr Brokenshire told the parties he would take the weekend "to reflect" before he makes a statement in the House of Commons. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the missed deadline "does not mean the efforts to restore the executive are ending". She said: "We are now allowing the parties space to continue the discussions." On Thursday a planned sitting of the Assembly to nominate new Stormont ministers, was postponed from 12pm to 2pm and was then cancelled. Earlier the DUP's Edwin Poots announced there would be "no breakthrough" ahead of Thursday's deadline. Mr Poots said: "If Sinn Fein think they can collapse the institutions, get all they want and go back into government they have another think coming That is now how we do business. There is not going to be a breakthrough leading to nominations today DUP's Edwin Poots Speaking to the media again on Thursday evening, he warned: "This paralysis is not good for Northern Ireland. It will lead to job losses, particularly in the community sector in the very near future. "Ultimately we're focused on getting a deal but, in the absence of that, junior ministers should be appointed to carry out the work that needs to be done in the interim." His comments came after Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said it was "make your mind up time for the DUP" and said there was "sufficient time for these matters to be agreed". Mr Murphy said he told Mr Brokenshire that Sinn Fein would "not countenance any return to Direct Rule". In a statement after the initial deadline passed Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni Chuilin said the party were "disappointed" that the Assembly session was cancelled. She said: "We were disappointed that todays meeting of the Assembly was postponed at the request of the DUP. The DUP has not agreed to resolve any of the major issues of concern, including Acht na Gaeilge, the Bill of Rights, marriage equality, anti-sectarian measures and legacy issues. Sinn Fein remains committed to securing credible political institutions, which have equality and respect at their core. We reluctantly agreed to today's session of the Assembly being suspended Sinn Fein's Caral Ni Chuilin Reacting to the latest missed deadline, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the public have "every right to be hugely frustrated and angry". Mr Eastwood said: "The SDLP has been clear that time wasnt a factor here securing agreement remains a matter of political will. "Having spoken to the two governments the SDLP is however encouraged that some progress has been made political leaders now need to be challenged to show some courage and get this across the line. "There is too much at stake to allow our institutions to fall the deadline may have passed but we still need to get the deal done. We cannot allow Northern politics to fall into a permanent status quo of huge frustration SDLP leader Colum Eastwood He added: "Today should not be hyped as a collapse of the peace process but there is now a serious threat to any longevity in local people taking local decisions. "All of us must now reflect between a choice between a politics interested in actually wielding the power of government or a politics paralysed by deadlock and division. "That must be the focus of the coming hours and days that must be the incentive to finally getting the deal done." Alliance leader Naomi Long said there has been a "breach of trust" between the parties with the failure to meet the deadline. This Assembly has often been criticised and held in low esteem. We do ourselves no favours when we continue to let deadline after deadline slip Alliance leader Naomi Long She said it was inexcusable that a row over the "name" of an Irish Language Act was halting progress. "That is ludicrous after six months of negotiation and debate on the issue," she said. She said: "Alliance will not walk away from the negotiations but we are clear this a serious development there has been a breach of trust by the larger parties in not reaching agreement before this deadline. That has tested the publics patience well beyond breaking point. "Those parties with the largest mandates need to now also accept the size of their responsibilities and deliver for those who voted for them. Get the deal done, get the Assembly re-established and get the Ministers back into office. We are standing on the precipice of crises in health and education, as well as the potential loss of devolution in the long-term. Every hour that slips by deepens that crisis. Alliance sought the authority of our Party Council to compromise and make a good deal to deliver the five-party Executive others claim they wanted to deliver. We lived up to our mandate, now its time others followed suit. Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann said the events were "extremely disappointing" and said it is "now what we wanted and it's not what the people of Northern Ireland wanted" He said: "Everyone should recognise that if a functioning Executive and Assembly are not in place and we go to direct rule, then they should not expect either to be back in place anytime soon. It is the height of folly to allow any of the participants to hold a veto over the formation of the devolved institutions. Unfortunately these are the direct out-workings of the St Andrews agreement. Whilst others may want to create some sort of pantomime in the Assembly this afternoon, I would urge everyone that cool heads are needed instead. To that end I have asked the Head of the Civil Service to call an immediate meeting of Party Leaders this afternoon to establish what can be salvaged. "The Party leaders have not met as a group in a number of days and maybe its time to get to basics. We need to inject some trust into this process or else we are going to end up farther back than where we started. If there's a chance that we can make progress, then we should take it. UUP leader Robin Swann Our MLAs received a mandate to do their job and do what's right for Northern Ireland and they stand ready and willing to fulfil those duties. Earlier Irish Foreign minister Simon Coveney and Secretary of State James Brokenshire made no mention of the 4pm deadline as they addressed the media on Thursday morning. Instead they indicated that talks will continue and it is up to the party leaders to deliver agreement. Secretary of State James Brokenshire said he believes a "resolution can be found", while Mr Coveney referred to "significant progress" but said that some issues remain unsolved. Mr Brokenshire said: "Much progress has been made but a number of outstanding issues remain. "I believe that a resolution can be found and I am urging the parties to continue focusing all their efforts on achieving this. "The UK Government will work with the parties toward their critical objective of forming an Executive. But I have made clear to party leaders that it is for them to reach the agreement which will pave the way for this. And their focus must be on this. "All efforts of both the UK Government and the Irish Government continue to be directed towards supporting the parties on this issue, to provide for the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. "That prize is achievable and remains my firm priority." Mr Coveney said: "After the last three days of intensive negotiation, I am encouraged that there continues to be real engagement between the parties. "Significant progress has been made - although there are still gaps to be bridged on a number of key issues. "Like the Secretary of State, I believe that an agreement is still within reach - an agreement that would allow a power-sharing Executive to be formed on a sustainable basis. "We continue to remain focused on reaching that agreement and so talks are continuing. It is the successful outcome of this process that matters." BACKGROUND: The institutions imploded in January when DUP leader Arlene Foster was forced from office after Sinn Fein's then deputy first minister, the late Martin McGuinness, quit in protest at the DUP's handling of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - a scheme that left the administration facing a 490 million overspend. His move triggered a snap Assembly election in March. A number of attempts to restore powersharing between the five main parties following that poll floundered, with three UK Government deadlines for a deal having already been missed. Visitors should be charged 10 to enter Britain to pay for new technology to avoid the need for a hard Irish border and increase the ease of doing business after Brexit, a think-tank has said. The Reform think-tank said the fee would be in line with United States charges for international visitors and could raise up to 450 million a year, equivalent to 80% of the Border Force budget. The money could go towards harnessing technology to cut queues at passport control to just 15 seconds while ensuring customs checks on goods entering the country take 12 minutes rather than six hours. It comes after Brexit Secretary David Davis said the UK will leave the tariff-free EU customs union by March 2019, when Brexit is due to be complete. The Government's intention to leave the customs union in order to strike free trade deals around the world has sparked fears that border checks could come into force between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and warnings that such checks could damage businesses. Ministers have said they would like to maintain "frictionless" customs arrangements and Reform said technology can deliver this objective. For travellers, the focus should be on making human interactions redundant, with cameras confirming a visitor's exit from their departure country, a smartphone app sharing their travel status once they board a plane, and their entry to the UK through an e-gate following pre-clearance for arrival. Similar technology in the Netherlands enables people to pass through border control in 15 seconds, while the UK Border Force currently aims to process new arrivals within 45 minutes, the think-tank said. Pressure on UK customs can be eased by shipping firms sharing information on cargo before arrival while in-built sensors can track the movement of containers and the condition of livestock and food, the think-tank added. Such an approach could also boost tax take by accurately identifying foods entering the country, making more money available to the Government, the report said. Britain could also adopt technology used at the port of Rotterdam, where artificial intelligence reads x-rays of suspect cargo, taking 3.5 seconds as opposed to 10 minutes for humans. Alexander Hitchcock, report co-author, says: "Technology can remove any fear of a return to a hard border between the UK and Ireland, while increasing ease of doing business. "This will go a long way to fulfil the Government's aim of a 'truly Global' Britain following Brexit." Charlie Flanagan was urged to introduce a short-term scheme, with transparent criteria, for migrants to pay a fee and try to regularise their status Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan is facing calls to grant an effective amnesty to undocumented migrants in Ireland. The Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality called for a short-term window of opportunity for people illegally in the country to regularise their status. And the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) warned that it is hypocritical for the Government to seek rights for 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US while denying similar opportunities to the 26,000 people in its own backyard. Edel McGinley, director of the MRCI, said: "This is not something new, although it is broader. We have done this before." The committee said Mr Flanagan should introduce a short-term scheme, with transparent criteria, for migrants to pay a fee and attempt to regularise their status. The scheme would give them the right to work while they live in Ireland under a probation programme. There are believed to be up to 26,000 people from around the world living in Ireland, the vast majority of whom are working and they are believed to have between 2,000 and 6,000 children. The committee said the regularisation scheme should be run on a case-by-case basis. Chairman Caoimhghin O Caolain TD said: "There are many potential benefits to such a scheme, allowing individuals, many of whom are already in employment and have a long-term connection to the state, to regularise their situation, pay taxes, and make a positive contribution to Irish society generally at a time when the country is returning to steady growth in employment opportunities." Ms McGinley added: "Successive governments, and indeed the current Government and Taoiseach, they've all said we've to step up our efforts to advocate the rights of undocumented Irish in the US. "It's hypocritical for years and years that we have been going and advocating for the rights of undocumented Irish in the US and doing nothing at home." The MRCI also issued a short statement from a woman called Rebecca who is undocumented, has been in Ireland for 13 years and helped to found the Justice for the Undocumented. She said: "The recommendation from the committee is clear and simple. "The new Minister for Justice, Minister Charlie Flanagan, has an opportunity to show leadership by introducing a scheme that will transform my life and the lives of people we represent." On wider issues of refugees and migrants, the committee also called for Direct Provision to be a short term measure. It described the practice of housing asylum seekers for long periods in facilities around the country where they have no right to work and are given 19.10 euro a week and 9.60 euro for each child as "unacceptable". The committee said it wanted to see a more humanitarian approach adopted towards the plight of Syrian and other refugees who have become Irish citizens but have left behind relatives in war zones. It also said the Government's commitment to relocate 4,000 people here as part of the EU's emergency response to the migrant and refugee crisis is inadequate. It said the number should be significantly increased. The committee urged the Government to do more on the issue of unaccompanied children. Theresa May has cleared her first major Commons hurdle of the new Parliament as MPs backed the Government's legislative programme for the next two years. The House of Commons has voted to pass the Queen's Speech, with 313 Tories supported by nine of the DUP's ten MPs and Independent Lady Sylvia Hermon, who represents North Down. There were 257 Labour MPs who voted against it, along with 35 SNP, 12 Liberal Democrats, four Plaid Cymru and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. The deal only passed after ministers rushed out an announcement of funding for women in Northern Ireland to have abortions in England on the NHS to head off a Tory revolt which threatened to derail the whole process. The senior Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley added his name to an amendment by Labour backbencher Stella Creasy calling on the Government to provide funding so women in Northern Ireland, where there are much tighter controls, could have a termination without paying. If the amendment had passed it would have meant the staunchly anti-abortion DUP would have been asked to support a Queen's Speech which explicitly provides for women from Northern Ireland to have free abortions. Rather than risk more Tory MPs joining Sir Peter in supporting the amendment, raising the prospect of a Government defeat, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced ministers had found the cash needed. "I know this is a matter of great importance to members on both sides of the House and an issue which I know my colleagues on the Treasury bench have been looking for a solution to," he said. The concession was welcomed by Ms Creasy, who withdrew her amendment without putting it to a vote, on the basis of the Government's assurances. "Let us send a message to women everywhere that in this Parliament, their voices will be heard and their rights upheld," she told MPs. Downing Street said the estimated cost was around 1 million-a-year, but added: "We are committed to funding in excess of this if required to meet the commitment." The Government's decision to concede so rapidly underlined the fragility of Mrs May's position in the Commons where she is now dependent on the votes of the 10 DUP MPs, having lost her majority in the General Election. The arrangement with the DUP, which will see 1 billion channelled to Northern Ireland, was bitterly denounced in the Commons chamber by Tory backbencher Heidi Allen who said they should have been prepared to govern as a minority administration. "I want an honest, transparent, collaborative, respectful and positive kind of politics so I can barely put into words my anger at the deal my party has done with the DUP. We didn't need to do it," she said. "I must put on record my distaste for the use of public funds to garner political control. "We should have run with a minority government and showed the country what mature, progressive politics looks like." The Duchess of Cambridge with VandA trustee Nicholas Coleridge (left) and museum director Tristram Hunt at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, to open the new VandA Exhibition Road quarter (Andrew Matthews/PA) The Duchess of Cambridge was stunned by the new entrance to the Victoria and Albert Museum, as she attended a ceremony to open the 56.4 million Exhibition Road Quarter. Kate, who wore a nautical Gucci dress, mouthed Wow as she walked into the Sackler Courtyard the worlds first all-porcelain public courtyard, paved with 11,000 hand-made tiles in 15 different patterns The Duchess, who studied History of Art at university, toured the V&As new development, including the Sainsbury Gallery a huge underground space that was created by digging 59ft (18m) under the museum. The facility, which was largely funded by private donors, was completed in four years by British architect Amanda Levete and her practice, AL_A. Ms Levete, who won the contract for the project in 2011, said: Its an absolute honour to have the Duchess of Cambridge opening this building, and I feel very proud of the work my team have done. The architect, who has recently been nominated for a CBE, said Kate was quite stunned when she first emerged into the porcelain courtyard because the sun came out and the courtyard was glistening. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference The Duchess also unveiled a commemorative plaque in the Sackler Courtyard. V&A director Dr Tristram Hunt said: I think she was wowed by the architecture, and she was really interested in the engineering how we dug down and yet kept the walls upright and didnt break a single glassware or ceramics. The former MP added: Its also a huge day for the museum; it really revives our original mission, which is the notion of Albertopolis, spreading out on to Exhibition Road. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference The first public exhibition will launch in September in the Sainsbury Gallery, with seven nights of opera featuring a different show each night. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Kate, who is a patron of The National Portrait Gallery, also congratulated donors during a short reception to meet guests involved in the projects delivery. Sir Tim Sainsbury, 85, a trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum, said: I think, like everybody else, the Duchess was immensely impressed by the scale and column-free big heights of the Sainsbury exhibition space. I think she genuinely enjoyed herself she even said shes looking forward to many more future visits. Makram Ali, 51, a victim of the terror attack in Finsbury Park, who died after being struck by a van which crashed into a group of people during a terror attack near the mosque in north London, an inquest has heard (Metropolitan Police/PA) A grandfather died after being struck by a van which crashed into a group of people during a terror attack near a mosque in north London, an inquest has heard. Makram Ali, from Haringey, had left a prayer meeting at Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park when he was hit by the vehicle in the early hours of the morning. The 51-year-old is believed to have suffered a medical episode shortly before the incident and had been seen to fall to the ground, but he was alive when the van crashed into him, an inquest at St Pancras Coroners Court heard. Expand Close The scene in a street in Finsbury Park following the terror attack (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene in a street in Finsbury Park following the terror attack (Victoria Jones/PA) A post-mortem examination found Mr Alis death was caused by multiple injuries and he was pronounced dead at 1.04am on Monday June 19, Detective Inspector Edwin Hall of the Metropolitan Police told the court. He said the incident was being treated as a terrorist-related murder and those present were wearing traditional Muslim dress and were easily recognisable as being Muslim. During a brief hearing, senior coroner for Inner North London Mary Hassell opened and adjourned the inquest until any criminal proceedings have finished. Expand Close A police officer lays some flowers passed over by a member of the public, close to Finsbury Park Mosque in north London (John Stillwell/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A police officer lays some flowers passed over by a member of the public, close to Finsbury Park Mosque in north London (John Stillwell/PA) Following his death, Mr Alis family paid tribute to him as a quiet, gentle man. Nine other people were injured in the attack in the early hours of Monday June 19. The area was busy with worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers at the time. Darren Osborne has appeared in court accused of murder and attempted murder over the incident. The 47-year-old, from Cardiff, is charged with killing Mr Ali and the attempted murder of others at the scene. Helina Kotlarova, 12, (left), and Zaneta Krokova, 11, were killed in a hit-and-run crash on New Year's Eve (Family handout/PA) A man who mowed down and killed two young cousins in a hit-and-run on New Years Eve has been jailed for four years. Gabor Hegedus, 39, was doing 40mph in a 30mph zone moments before he ploughed into Helina Kotlarova, 12, and Zaneta Krokova, 11, who were heading home for a New Year party with family, Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester heard. Hegedus, who has a string of convictions in his native Hungary, including robbery, motoring and dishonesty offences, braked and swerved but hit the girls at no less than 29mph. Helina was thrown into the opposite carriageway and hit by another vehicle coming the other way, while Zaneta was thrown more than 65ft (20m) by the impact, both suffering massive injuries. Expand Close Floral tributes at the scene of the hit and run crash which claimed the lives of Helina Kotlarova, 12 and Zaneta Krokova, 11, following their funeral (Danny Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Floral tributes at the scene of the hit and run crash which claimed the lives of Helina Kotlarova, 12 and Zaneta Krokova, 11, following their funeral (Danny Lawson/PA) Helina was pronounced dead at the scene and Zaneta died in hospital two days after the incident, which happened at around 7.10pm on December 31 2016 in Ashton Road in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The court heard that, instead of stopping, Hegedus, who had no licence, sped off and, with the help of others, later dumped the Peugeot car and reported it stolen but was caught on CCTV and arrested the next day. Both girls had moved to the UK from their native Czech Republic and their mothers gave emotional statements via an interpreter to the court before Hegedus was sentenced. Some members of the family left court as CCTV of the crash was shown. Sylva Kotlarova, Helinas mother, said her eight other children were heartbroken. She said both girls, friends and cousins, were on their way home nearby for a family party to see in the New Year when another daughter, Michaela, ran to their door to say there had been an accident and she rushed to help. Expand Close A horse drawn cortege following the funeral of the hit and run victims (Danny Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A horse drawn cortege following the funeral of the hit and run victims (Danny Lawson/PA) I will never forget this scene, she said. My husband was unable to look at such a thing. I started to shake her. Some English lady was trying to calm me down. I was pleading with the doctor to try to help her but it was not possible. It is very difficult to think I will never see my daughter or I can never give her a cuddle. The other girls mother, also called Zaneta, said her brother, aged two, struggles to understand where his big sister has gone and talks to her ashes at the family home, like its his sister. She added: We feel like this person has given us a life sentence and to our daughter just gave death. Expand Close The coffins of hit and run victims Helina Kotlarova and Zaneta Krokova leave St Paul's Church in Oldham following their funeral (Danny Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The coffins of hit and run victims Helina Kotlarova and Zaneta Krokova leave St Paul's Church in Oldham following their funeral (Danny Lawson/PA) The court heard that, after CCTV analysis, Hegedus was charged with careless rather than dangerous driving. His sight of the girls had been partially obscured by them crossing the road behind a van coming the other way. He had sight of them for just two seconds and only half a second to react, the court heard. Nicola Gatto, mitigating, said Hegedus was truly sorry. Hegedus later admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving and one count of perverting the course of justice and was jailed for four years and banned from driving for five years. David Orsos, 19, and Zoltan Peto, 49, both pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice by helping Gabor to dump the van and report it stolen. Orsos was jailed for 20 months and Peto for 25 months. Janos Kalanyos, 50, was jailed for 21 months for the same offence after providing a false alibi to police for Hegedus. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to hold a rally on the sidelines of the G20 summit Berlin will tell Ankara that a rally by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he visits Germany for the G20 summit is "not possible", Germany's foreign minister said. On Wednesday, Turkey officially requested permission for Mr Erdogan to address Turks in Germany on the sidelines of his visit to the summit, which is being held in Hamburg. The request comes at a time when relations between Germany and Turkey are frayed over a range of issues, and when German police resources are stretched by security for the G20. News agency dpa reported that Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said during a visit to Moscow on Thursday: "We are telling Turkey that we are convinced such an appearance in Germany is not possible." Mr Gabriel said he had told his Turkish counterpart weeks ago that "we don't think this is a good idea". He said that "Mr Erdogan is an important guest at the G20 and will be received with all honours by us there. But we believe everything that goes beyond that is inappropriate at this point in time." Mr Erdogan last addressed supporters in Germany in May 2015. Germany has a large ethnic Turkish minority. Earlier this year, Mr Erdogan accused Germany, and Chancellor Angela Merkel, of "committing Nazi practices" after some local authorities blocked appearances by Turkish ministers hoping to campaign in Germany ahead of Turkey's referendum on expanding presidential powers. Relations between the two countries have been frayed by a widening range of other issues, including Turkey's jailing of two German journalists. AP The Graceland museum focuses on the life of Elvis. Health officials are investigating a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in the hotel located at Graceland, the tourist attraction centred on the life of Elvis Presley. The Shelby County Health Department said in a news release that three people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease and the pool and hot tub at The Guest House at Graceland hotel are temporarily closed. The hotel is located near the Graceland museum in Memphis, Tennessee. People who visited the hotel between May 15 and June 26 and have symptoms should contact the department. Legionnaires' disease has symptoms similar to pneumonia, including cough, high fever and headaches. Symptoms can last between two and 14 days after exposure. In a statement released by the department, the hotel says it is cooperating with health officials. UN envoy Espen Barth Eide, left, speaks next to UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman in Crans-Montana (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) The rival sides in talks to reunify ethnically divided Cyprus are focusing on how new security arrangements will work after a peace deal is agreed. On the second day of high-level, United Nations-sponsored talks at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, discussions centred again on the thorny security issues that are considered pivotal to resolving the decades-long split on the east Mediterranean island nation. The island's Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has said that he, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and top diplomats from the island's so-called guarantor powers - Greece, Turkey and Britain - will answer what security framework they envision for an aimed-for federated Cyprus. Mr Anastasiades said discussions will revolve around three questions posed by United Nations Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman regarding ways of guaranteeing security. President Donald Trump will hold a high stakes meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when he attends the G20 summit in Germany next week, the White House said. National security adviser HR McMaster confirmed that the meeting is one of several President Trump has scheduled when he is in Hamburg next week. Mr McMaster and economic adviser Gary Cohn would not say whether the president intends to address accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, saying that the agenda is "not finalized" for this or any other meeting. All 17 US intelligence agencies have agreed Russia was behind last year's hack of Democratic email systems and tried to influence the 2016 election to benefit Mr Trump. Members of his campaign are also under investigation for possible collusion with Russia in the lead-up to the election. President Trump has staunchly denied that he had any contacts with Russia during his White House bid. "Our relationship with Russia is not different from that with any other country in terms of us communicating to them really what our concerns are, where we see problems with the relationship but also opportunities," Mr McMaster said. He added that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is taking the lead on the discussions and "has been engaged in a broad, wide-range discussion about irritants, problems in the relationship but also to explore opportunities, where we can work together, areas of common interest. So it won't be different from our discussions with any other country". Mr McMaster added that President Trump also plans to meet with the leaders of several other countries - among them, the United Kingdom, Germany, China and South Korea. AP The agreement between the DUP and the Conservative and Unionist Party is good for the United Kingdom, providing stability as we enter the Brexit negotiations and protecting pensions for senior citizens throughout the UK. It is also good for Northern Ireland, with significant investment in infrastructure, and it was a success for the negotiators of the DUP. Coming as it did after a very successful election, it has strengthened the position of the DUP and of its leader Arlene Foster. This time it is Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill who is on the back foot. The focus has now returned to Stormont and, as I write this article, those negotiations are ongoing. One of the main issues has been the Sinn Fein demand for a strong and free-standing Irish Language Act. In many ways this is a legacy of the Anglo-Irish Agreement and the Belfast Agreement. Successive Westminster governments have pandered to the cultural demands of Sinn Fein, as far back as the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985. It referred to the cultural heritage of both traditions, but, in practice, the only beneficiary was Irish cultural nationalism. Along with many other unionists, I protested against that undemocratic Agreement, but while we were protesting outside Maryfield, officials from Dublin, who were inside the Maryfield secretariat, were pushing for concessions and commitments on Irish Gaelic. The year of the Anglo-Irish Agreement was also the year in which the Provisionals murdered a Roman Catholic prison officer as he went to Mass in Armagh and an RUC officer as he went to Mass in Fermanagh. It was also the year in which nine RUC officers were killed in an IRA mortar attack in Newry. At the same time the Northern Ireland Office was working out what could be done to bolster the SDLP, who were under pressure from Sinn Fein, and Dublin was proposing commitments to the development of Irish Gaelic as a way to help the SDLP. When it came to the Belfast Agreement in 1998, the Northern Ireland Office considered whether to make concessions on Irish early in the negotiations to draw Sinn Fein in, or to keep them to the end in order to get Sinn Fein over the line. As a result, the Belfast Agreement contained commitments on Irish language broadcasting and Irish-medium schools. Those commitments came as a result of demands from Sinn Fein and the Agreement created cultural inequality and discrimination, with preferential treatment for an Irish cultural tradition. Moreover, that discrimination was embedded in an international agreement and in legislation. Since then, Sinn Fein has made more and more demands and a later Labour government handed over 20m for Irish, including 8m for a capital fund to build Irish language cultural centres. This will draw in as much as 16m of matching money and enable the fund to deliver as many as 20 Irish cultural centres. This was a Sinn Fein initiative, and the chief executive of the fund is Gearoid O hEara, a senior member of Sinn Fein. Bit by bit, the political pressure of Sinn Fein has delivered the pieces of the jigsaw as the Irish language sector moves towards its vision for the future. Meanwhile, the cultural inequality has increased as a result of those earlier commitments in the Belfast Agreement and further concessions from Gordon Brown. There was an outcry from the SDLP, Sinn Fein and the Irish News when some money went towards upgrading several Orange halls that were being used as cultural centres, and yet not a word of complaint from them when Irish language cultural centres were handed 10 times as much. So, whatever emerges from negotiations about language and culture, unionists will be looking to see what it does to end that iniquitous inequality. Every day I pass Sinn Fein posters from the last election with a demand for equality, but it seems that, in the world of Sinn Fein and in the words of George Orwell, some are more equal than others. Certainly, the mood music at Stormont - where talks were continuing into the early hours of this morning - is not encouraging As the summer graduations begin, those leaving university with their degrees safely obtained will be looking around to see what career opportunities are available. But it is not just the job prospects which will interest them. They will also be wondering if Northern Ireland's dysfunctional political system makes it worth their while to remain in their homeland, or whether they would be better off in some other country with a stable government and a vision for the future. By this time next year it will be interesting to know just how many of this year's graduands will still be here. That should be a concern for all of us, as obviously our youth are our future. Certainly, the mood music at Stormont - where talks were continuing into the early hours of this morning - is not encouraging. NI Secretary James Brokenshire has warned of unspecified dire consequences if the parties do not agree to restore devolved government by today's deadline. He may be signposting the imposition of direct rule, but it is doubtful if the parties are moved by his comments. There are far more dire consequences if the parties fail to reach agreement. The health service will stumble from crisis to ever deepening crisis; the infrastructure of schools, roads and hospital buildings will continue to crumble; job prospects will wither as investors, already nervous about the impact of Brexit, will be put off by the political instability; and voters, having elected MLAs in March to go back to Stormont, will wonder what is the point in exercising their franchise. And then there is the 1bn dowry won by the DUP for supporting the minority Tory government - along with another 500m that was given earlier. This could make a positive impact on the local economy with money earmarked for infrastructure, health and education, as well as community development. Will this money come if Stormont is not back in business and, if it does, will direct rule ministers spend it in the same way as a local administration? Another pressing matter in the in-trays is dealing with the past - an issue that shamefully has been kicked into the long grass time after time by all parties. The one ray of hope is that the parties are talking, but Sinn Fein's call for London and Dublin to inject energy and leadership into the negotiations does not bode well for a resolution. Almost 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement, it is time for politicians here to find their own consensus. No one is really interested in riding to their rescue and neither government has any magic wand to make the sticking points disappear. Sinn Fein's problem is that its red line demands are difficult hooks to get off. There is no chance of Arlene Foster standing aside from the post of First Minister after the party's performance in the general election and striking its deal with the new Westminster government. A stand-alone Irish Language Act may also be unachievable given that the DUP has hinted that legislation also embracing Ulster-Scots culture is its preferred option and, incidentally, is more inclusive, a repeated Sinn Fein mantra. Sinn Fein has given itself little wriggle room, but can it abandon its position, as the pre-eminent nationalist voice in the province? The DUP, through its arrangements with the Tories, has the direct ear of the Prime Minister and, more importantly, influence with her. Interesting times indeed. The author Douglas Adams, who wrote the famous Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, was not known for his ability to deliver new books on time to his publisher. "I love deadlines," he once quipped. "I like the whooshing noise they make as they go by." He would have felt right at home in Northern Ireland politics, where deadlines swoosh by without agreement on a regular basis. There's another one today. That's when the Assembly is set to meet at Stormont and vote on the new First and Deputy First Ministers. For that to happen, however, a deal needs to be done to restore power-sharing and, naturally, they're keeping us all in suspense. There's no better way to seem important than to constantly turn up fashionably late. The issues being thrashed out are well-known at this stage. Irish Language Act. Bill of Rights. Brexit. The dreaded Renewable Heat Incentive, which was used as the excuse to bring Stormont down in the first place. Having thought about little else for months, is it too much to ask that the parties would have come to the table knowing what compromises they were willing to offer, then just get on with it? This has all happened numerous times before. Round-table talks. Crisis talks. Last-ditch talks. Talks about talks. This time, the circumstances are very different, though. The Westminster election made sure of that. Arlene Foster went into these negotiations strengthened by Prime Minister Theresa May's unexpected dependency on the party's 10 MPs to form a Government. In return, Northern Ireland was rewarded with 1bn-worth of goodies that makes the DUP's leader look like Santa Claus. Foster now has huge national, as well as local, influence. The idea that she might step aside anytime soon is fanciful. This transformation in her fortunes has left the other parties in an awkward position. The Ulster Unionists, SDLP and Alliance must take their own share of responsibility for fuelling the hysteria which led to the collapse of Stormont, but ultimately they'll dutifully sign on the dotted line of any half-acceptable document. It's Sinn Fein which has suffered the biggest setback. The party's manifesto for the election earlier this month highlighted the importance of "protecting those most in need" - the DUP delivered just that. In so doing, Sinn Fein's entire negotiating position was undermined. The party won't be swayed from abstentionism. Republicans have an ideological resistance to the idea that British political institutions should have a say over Irish affairs. That's entirely legitimate. But, in reality, Westminster does have a say over Irish affairs and the DUP proved this can be worked to Northern Ireland's advantage on a cross-community level - "for the many, not the few", to borrow a phrase from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The pendulum has swung back and forth for months. Sometimes the momentum was with the DUP, sometimes with Sinn Fein - but, when it mattered, Arlene came out on top and there are few immediate opportunities for Sinn Fein to wrestle back the initiative. That's why it is so important for them to get back to Stormont. For a time, the party looked happy to stay outside the Executive, hoping for pressure to build for a border poll. Now it's clearly the only game in town. Logic suggests that weakness should make Sinn Fein more eager to settle, but that's not always how it works. Parties only want to make deals from positions of strength. Richard Bullick, former adviser to both Peter Robinson and Mrs Foster, noted on radio on Tuesday that parties in Northern Ireland have this unfortunate tendency to "overplay their hand". That's what Sinn Fein did back in March. Rather than finalise a deal when conditions were favourable, it pushed for further concessions, throwing its weight around, only for circumstances to overtake them. They may have to accept less now than was on offer then, but they need to accept something because their credibility is on the line, both north and south. They'll become bystanders to the political process if they come away with nothing. What they need is something to sweeten that bitter pill. Is the DUP prepared to offer it to them? The answer to that depends on which leaked version of the last hours of negotiation at Stormont one chooses to believe, but the omens don't look good. Sinn Fein is putting all its eggs into the basket of some grand concept of a "rights-based society", conveniently forgetting that this time last year where they waxing lyrical about the benefits of devolved government - despite there being no same-sex marriage on the statute book at that time either. Roughly translated, it looks as if they desperately want and need the DUP to throw them a bone. It's in the DUP's interests to do so, because the circumstances in which these talks are taking place are different in one other significant way. In summary: this is our problem now - and ours alone. No one else cares. The EU might be pretending to have Northern Ireland's best interests at heart, but that's only as a stick with which to beat the British in Brexit negotiations. In the end, more selfish interests will prevail in Brussels. Likewise, London is consumed with its own problems and certainly doesn't want to take on the additional burden of direct rule. President Trump would only be persuaded to fly in to the rescue if there was a guaranteed diplomatic success for which he could then claim credit. The only thing that could change these less-than-fortuitous circumstances is another election that leads to a new, more Gerry-friendly Government at Westminster and the DUP has put paid to that prospect, possibly for the whole five-year term. Looked at this way, how can there not be a deal to allow ministers to retake their posts and start spending the much-needed money that the DUP's hard graft has won? One Arab writer put it best when he summed up the difference between the two sides in the Middle East: "The Israelis have one philosophy: take what you can get, then slowly change it. Arabs have one philosophy, too: take all or nothing. So, of course, we have nothing." Those wise words should be hung on the wall of every negotiating room. It may be that, if this deadline passes, another one will pop up to replace it. It's happened before. But Northern Ireland can't expect to be handed endless chances. Letting another deadline whoosh by would be an unforgivable, self-indulgent error. Bangladesh has stepped up security in the year since terrorists attacked a cafe in Dhakas diplomatic quarter, but some diplomats and expats say the country still does not feel safe. Citizens of five countries including Bangladesh were massacred with machetes during an overnight siege at the Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1-2, 2016. Japan, Bangladeshs single largest source of bilateral development aid, lost seven of its citizens in the attack. We had never expected any attack or killing targeting Japanese. Yet it happened, Japans embassy in Dhaka said in a statement sent to BenarNews last week. Our perception of the security risk has not changed while law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh are working adequately to ensure security, the embassy said. We see arms recovery each week and each month from various parts of the country. Many people are being arrested. Considering these developments, we think the security risk still exists. Apart from the seven Japanese murdered at the cafe, nine Italians, six Bangladeshis, one American citizen and an Indian were among 24 people killed during the attack claimed by the so-called Islamic State. Five Bangladeshi nationals who carried it out were killed separately by the nations security forces during a raid that broke the siege. Sophie Aubert, the ambassador from France, which has suffered a string of IS-claimed attacks since January 2015, said both countries needed to remain vigilant against the terror threat. [T]hese violent events that we have lived [through] in France, in Bangladesh and in other places in the world, have convinced me that the threat and insecurity will remain part of our lives, as long as we represent what the terrorists hate: a free, liberal, secular civilization, or in fact, being different from them, Aubert told BenarNews. According to Denmarks envoy to Bangladesh, foreigners still worry that a Holey Artisan-type attack could happen again. We still have lot of restrictions on our own movement. We assess risks on a regular basis, and believe we are still at risk even 10 months after the attack, Danish Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther told an event organized in May by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh, according to the Dhaka Tribune. A huge concern The French ambassador and other foreign officials in Dhaka praised the Bangladeshi government for its security efforts during the past year. In Bangladesh, we saw how the police cracked down on the terrorists, therefore lowering the level of the terrorist threat. Nevertheless, the foreign community, like other communities, remains aware that they may be targeted, Aubert said. But the more you make it difficult for the terrorists to launch an attack against you, the better protected you are. Thats what everybody intends to do here, in order to have a normal life, she added. Rafiuzzaman Siddiqui, Pakistans high commissioner in Dhaka, commended Bangladesh for implementing measures to safeguard foreigners. The security situation always remains a huge concern for the diplomatic corps, especially those coming from the West. However, since the government of Bangladesh has taken necessary steps with regard to improvement in the security situation in Bangladesh, we feel safe and secure in Dhaka, he said. Not all expats share that view. There is an obvious increased police presence in Gulshan and Baridhara where most foreigners live. However, it doesnt necessarily mean that these areas are more secure, Elisabeth Oktofani, an Indonesian who lives in the Gulshan neighborhood where the attack occurred, told BenarNews. Since the Holey Artisan attack, there have been multiple suicide attacks on police and other targets, and it seems that every week these days there are significant counter-terrorism operations in one part of Bangladesh or another, she said, adding, It appears as though there are still dozens if not hundreds of more militants embedded in the Bangladeshi community. This doesnt make the country feel safe. Inna Vechtomova, a Ukrainian living in the Gulshan area, disagreed. I do feel safe. But I keep in touch with my mission here and strictly maintain their suggestions to avoid any unwanted situation, Vechtomova told BenarNews. A new normal A high-ranking government officials suggested that non-Bangladeshis who are stationed in or living in the country needed to adjust to its security challenges. We have kept saying after the Holey Artisan attack that its a new normal. Everyone needs to adapt, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam told BenarNews. I think diplomats are not that concerned over security issues as we have introduced various procedures regarding security aspects, Alam added. We have given them permission to stay in constant touch with police beyond the Diplomatic Security Zone. I hope this improved situation will sustain and will continue. A view of a street in Dhakas Gulshan neighborhood seen from the new location of the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe. [Courtesy of Elisabeth Oktofani] Soldiers drape the national flag over the coffin of one of the Bangladeshi victims of a terrorist attack during a memorial service in Dhaka on July 4, 2016. A year after terrorists invaded a cafe in Dhaka, singling out non-Muslims and foreigners for slaughter, Bangladesh has yet to conclude its investigation, and survivors remain traumatized. A total of 24 people died, 18 of them foreign nationals, during the siege claimed by the extremist group Islamic State (IS) that lasted till daylight the next morning, when army commandoes raided the restaurant and killed the five attackers. The attack catapulted IS into national consciousness in Bangladesh, a Sunni Muslim majority nation of 163 million people, although government officials continue to deny that the extremist group has a presence in their country. Nobody can understand how Holey Artisan has changed our lives, said Sharmin Karim, whose family was dining in the cafe when the black-clad attackers stormed in, shouting Allahu Akbar God is Great in Arabic. Our kids who we took that evening for a birthday celebration never want to dine out. They dont even go shopping anymore. They are still in trauma, she told BenarNews. After the 10-hour ordeal was over, her husband Hasnat, a Bangladeshi-born British national, was arrested on suspicion of abetting the terrorists, an accusation she vehemently denies. He is one of only four suspects currently in custody; no charges have been filed against him. The investigation is almost finished, Monirul Islam, chief of the polices counter terrorism and transnational crimes unit, told BenarNews. The charge sheet can be filed by the end of this year. At least 22 suspects have been linked to the attack. Five are at large and 13 have been killed, police say. While the siege was still under way, gruesome photos of victims who had been hacked to death circulated on IS-linked media, transmitted by attackers barricaded inside the cafe. Apart from its savagery, the attack shocked the people of Bangladesh because three of the perpetrators came from well-off families and had attended some of the nations top schools. These young men were among scores of youths who had gone missing from their families during the months leading up to the attack, according to officials. The images from the attack were sent out via Hasnat Karims mobile phone, police say. Counter-terror officials, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation, said the attack was aimed at establishing strict Islamic law in Bangladesh, and a response to alleged repression of Muslims in neighboring India and Myanmar. They said plotters began planning the attack in May 2016, and that foreign intelligence agencies alerted Bangladeshi officials about the potential for a major attack. But they did not grasp the magnitude of the violence that would take place, the sources said. Employees work inside the Holey Artisan cafe at its new location in Dhaka, June 22, 2017. [AFP] Crackdown At least 70 suspected militants have died in counterterrorism raids across Bangladesh since the cafe attack, in a nationwide crackdown on Jamaat-ul Mujaideen Bangladesh (JMB), the militant group police believe was responsible for it. But officials say the problem cannot be addressed with force alone, and are looking at launching a program to de-radicalize young people. Nazrul Islam, whose son Nibras was one of the five attackers, says he and wife want to help. Now, we are almost ostracized. Losing a son is unbearable, but losing a son in an anti-militant drive is humiliating. We want to tell people how my son left us by getting involved into wrong path of jihad, Islam told BenarNews. The youths who are now thinking of deserting their parents should know our sufferings, he added. The parents would take part in the anti-militant campaigns, and denounce violent extremism. This will, we think, give a message that militancy is not the true path of Islam, said Monirul Islam, the chief of the national polices counter-terrorist and trans-national crimes branch. The parents will share how their slain or arrested militant children made them suffer socially. They will also suggest what issues the guardians should look after to save their sons and daughters from militancy, another official with the unit told BenarNews. Well before the attack, violent Islamic fundamentalism was changing Bangladesh. Between February 2013 and the cafe attack, 10 liberal bloggers, activists and academics were hacked to death by militants, and dozens more went into hiding due to death threats. International ties The probe has uncovered several international elements, including links to IS. The attacks alleged mastermind, Tamim Chowdhury, was featured in two different IS magazines Dabiq and Rumiya as the emir of the Caliphates soldiers in Bengal. The Bangladeshi-born Canadian citizen went to Syria in 2012-2013 and entered Bangladesh in October 2013, police say. Tamim visited those areas which have long been considered radical. He visited Chittagong, Sylhet and northern districts to organize the Neo JMB, counterterrorism official Md. Moniruzzaman told BenarNews, referring to a faction of JMB that espouses IS ideology. Chowdhury and two other suspected militants were shot dead by security forces during a raid near Dhaka on Aug. 27, 2016. Police officials told BenarNews that they were also tracking an Australian national of Bangladesh origin, Tajuddin Abu Kausar, who allegedly worked as Tamim Chowdhurys liaison with IS. Abu Kauser left Bangladesh for Australia in 2006 and investigators believe he had been in Syria. Kauser discussed with Chowdhury how to attack a place frequented by foreigners in Dhaka, two sources close to the probe told BenarNews. The funds for the Holey Artisan attack came from abroad, said Sanwar Hossain, the police departments additional deputy commissioner of counter-terrorism. The operation was not that costly, yet money came from Dubai and India, Hossain told BenarNews. He said software engineer and Neo-JMB militant Basharuzzaman Chocolate, who is now a fugitive, received the money. A Bangladeshi physician, Khandaker Rokonuddin who moved to Syria along with his family, donated 8 million taka (about U.S. $97,000) to the Neo-JMB, according to Hossain. Another supporter, Tanvir Quadri, sold his Dhaka apartment and donated the money to the Neo-JMB, police said. A slain JMB operative, Maj. Zahidul Islam, also donated money from his pension to support the attack. Yet the attack itself cost only about 800,000 taka ($10,000), according to police. Law enforcers have destroyed their network and in one or two years there will be no JMB in Bangladesh, Monirul Islam told BenarNews. But militancy may not be uprooted and JMB may reappear with another name unless we have a proper de-radicalization program. This screen shot from a video released by the Philippine army shows militant leader Abdullah Maute (right) standing over an improvised map of Marawi as Isnilon Hapilon, the proclaimed leader of Islamic State in the Philippines (second from left) looks on. A top Malaysian militant and ex-university lecturer who reportedly escaped from the besieged southern Philippine city of Marawi is skilled at bomb-making, seamanship and languages and knows secret escape routes, a senior official with Malaysias counter-terrorist police branch said Thursday. Suspect Mahmud bin Ahmad, an Islamic State (IS) operative, may have fled by sea to nearby Malaysian Borneo or Sulawesi island in Indonesia along with other militants and Isnilon Hapilon after evading troops that encircled Marawi for more than a month, according to the source. Hapilon is a Filipino recognized as the leader of ISs affiliate in the Philippines. They and Isnilon Hapilon know the way in and out better than the Philippine army. There were too many secret sea routes that they could have taken. They have had this planned for a very long time, the official told BenarNews on condition of anonymity. He said those routes were well known to Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants with which Hapilon is associated and two brothers who lead the Maute gang that has backed ASG and IS-linked foreigners in occupying parts of Marawi since late May. Mahmud associated himself with Hapilon because the Filipino had extensive experience and was determined to pursue ISs agenda in Southeast Asia, according to the source. He said Mahmud learned about building bombs and seafaring during his time with Hapilon. Besides being a bomb expert and a seaman, Mahmud is also very proficient in the dialects used by the Philippines militants, apart from the other languages he has mastered such as Malay, English and Arabic, the source said. Mahmud, a former professor of Islamic studies at Malaya University, Malaysias oldest institution of higher learning, is also among the most skilled militants who could take over from Hapilon in the event of the Filipinos death, the source added. He is a smart guy, the official said of Mahmud. Radicalized intellectual Early on in his career as a militant, the former professor undertook military training in Afghanistan and studied in Pakistan, where he joined the ranks of al-Qaeda, according to newspaper accounts of Mahmuds life. More recently, Philippine military officials accused Mahmud, who is in his late 30s, of raising money to finance ISs war effort in Marawi, which is the first city in the Asia-Pacific region to have been occupied Islamic State-linked fighters. Before he left Malaysia, Mahmud recruited compatriots to join ISs fight in the Middle East, including Ahmad Tarmimi Maliki, the first Malaysian suicide bombers killed in Iraq, according to Rohan Gunaratna, a Singapore-based expert on terrorism in Southeast Asia. Together with his closest associate, the late Najib Hussin, Mahmud united disparate Muslim groups to create [the] IS East Asia Division. Mahmud planned to develop the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah as a transit point for South Asian and Southeast Asian recruits to train and fight in the Philippines, Gunaratna, who directs the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, wrote in a column for BenarNews this month. He is still alive Last week, Philippine officials said they had received reports that Mahmud and Omarkhayam Maute, one of the brothers who leads the Maute gang, possibly were killed in the fighting in Marawi. Philippine authorities said Mahmud had been seen with Hapilon in a video obtained by the military showing them and other men plotting an IS takeover of Marawi. On June 25, Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said his department obtained information that both Mahmud and Hapilon were alive. Philippine authorities informed us that Isnilon Hapilon is believed to have escaped Marawi, so most probably Dr. Mahmud is with him. We cannot confirm that, but a friend in the Philippines told us that he is still alive, the New Straits Times newspaper quoted Khalid as saying. When asked about where the two may have fled, the anonymous security source said they could be anywhere, including the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah. It lies across the Sulu Sea from the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, where Marawi is located. That includes Sulawesi, an Indonesian island east of Borneo, a route that used to be used by the Jemaah Islamiyah militant group to travel between Sulawesi and southern Philippine islands. Sabah is also one of the possibilities, the source told BenarNews. On June 22, officials from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia agreed at a meeting in Manila to closely coordinate their efforts to prevent militant fighters and weapons from spilling across their mutual borders. Last week, the countries also launched joint patrols to safeguard their common seaways between Sabah and Mindanao. The scenario of where he had escaped with Hapilon to leave the siege would certainly be used as propaganda to show their strength against the Philippines forces, Azmi Hassan, a professor of geo-politics at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia told BenarNews, referring to Mahmud bin Ahmad. What is more worrying is that this escape would raise the spirit of Daesh supporters in the country, he added, using another name for Islamic State. Hata Wahari in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report. ein Google-Unternehmen Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. Mit den gewonnenen Informationen mochten wir verstehen, wie unsere Dienste verwendet werden, und die Qualitat dieser Dienste verbessern. neue Dienste zu entwickeln und zu verbessern Werbung auszuliefern und ihre Wirkung zu messen personalisierte Inhalte anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen personalisierte Werbung anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen Wenn Sie Alle ablehnen auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies nicht fur diese zusatzlichen Zwecke. 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For Immediate Release, June 29, 2017 Contact: Adrienne Bloch, Earthjustice, (415) 217-2000, abloch@earthjustice.org Miles Johnson, Columbia Riverkeeper, (541) 490-0487, miles@columbiariverkeeper.org Jared Margolis, Center for Biological Diversity, (802) 310-4054, jmargolis@biologicaldiversity.org Julia Reitan, Sierra Club, Julia.Reitan@washington.sierraclub.org Conservation Groups Challenge World's Largest Methanol Refinery Planned for Columbia River Permits Fail to Address Threats to Climate, Safety, Public Health, Could Consume More Fracked Natural Gas Than All Gas-fired Power Plants in Washington State OLYMPIA, Wash. Environmental groups today challenged two permits for the world's largest fracked methanol refinery, slated for development along the iconic Columbia River in Kalama, Wash. The coalition of local and national groups Columbia Riverkeeper, Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity, represented by Earthjustice filed an appeal with the Washington Shorelines Hearings Board because the permits fail to address threats to climate, safety, and public health. The Shoreline Management Act permits, approved by the Washington Department of Ecology earlier this month, would allow the Port of Kalama and Northwest Innovation Works LLC to build a massive methanol refinery in the Columbia River shoreline. The refinery would convert fracked natural gas into methanol, which would be shipped to China to make plastics. When Ecology approved this permit, it guaranteed a massive increase in greenhouse gas pollution even as the state has called for reductions, said Adrienne Bloch, an Earthjustice attorney who filed the appeal. The permits for this enormous fracking project do not protect Washington's clean air, water, natural environment and fail to protect residents and workers. The proposed refinery would consume more fracked natural gas than all of the gas-fired power plants in Washington State combined. The 100-acres facility would use 5 million gallons of water daily from Columbia and Kalama river aquifers and would emit more than 1 million tons per year of climate pollution. The Kalama methanol refinery endangers citizens, communities, the Columbia River and our climate, said Miles Johnson of Columbia Riverkeeper. These permits are the product of a woefully inadequate environmental analysis. Seventy-two million gallons of flammable methanol would be stored in an area at risk of liquefying in an earthquake. A large earthquake could damage structures at the refinery, kill or injure workers and spread flammable methanol into the Columbia River shoreline. When the Department of Ecology gave out permits for this misguided project, it was a huge step backwards for the region's and state's vital ecosystems, said Jared Margolis, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. This dirty and dangerous facility will pollute our air and threaten water supplies that people and endangered salmon rely on to survive. This dirty fossil fuel project has dire environmental consequences, including contaminated ground water and air pollution, said Julia Reitan of the Sierra Club. Our state must pull back and invalidate the permits and carefully assess all the impacts that communities and our environment will face from this giant refinery. Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. Columbia Riverkeeper works to protect and restore the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. The Sierra Club's members and supporters are more than 2 million of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. We're America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. For Immediate Release, June 29, 2017 Contact: Michael Robinson, (575) 313-7017, michaelr@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Administration Releases Deeply Flawed Mexican Wolf Recovery Proposal Long-awaited Plan Would Strip Wolves' Endangered Species Protections SILVER CITY, N.M. Following legal action by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the Trump administration today released a draft Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan but the plan would prematurely strip federal protections for the wolves, increasing the vulnerability of this highly imperiled species. The new plan from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls for removing endangered species protections while there are just 320 wolves in a small area of Arizona and New Mexico, along with 170 in Mexico. That is far fewer wolves than the number scientists have said is necessary for a viable population. The plan also precludes recovery of wolves in regions that independent scientists say are essential to their long-term survival the Grand Canyon and southern Rocky Mountains in northern Arizona and New Mexico, along with southern Utah and Colorado. The Trump administration is shrugging off the best available science to appease anti-wolf states like Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, said Michael Robinson, conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity. This reckless plan would turn over management of these unique and beautiful animals to wolf-hating state officials well before they're fully recovered and secure. The plan runs directly counter to the conclusions of a 2012 recovery team formed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which included independent scientists and concluded that three U.S. populations of at least 750 animals were needed for Mexican wolf recovery. This would have required establishing additional populations in the Grand Canyon ecosystem and the southern Rocky Mountains. This previous plan was scrapped after Utah and Colorado, which don't currently have wolf populations, objected. Independent biologists have concluded that recovery of Mexican gray wolves in the Grand Canyon and southern Rocky Mountains regions is essential to the long-term recovery of the species, said Robinson. In disregarding the science, the Trump administration would strip protections for wolves prematurely, subjecting a still-vulnerable population to merciless persecution. Serious flaws in the draft plan should come as no surprise since the Trump administration appointed Greg Sheehan, former head of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, as deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Sheehan a longtime opponent of Mexican wolf recovery with no scientific training will need to sign off on any plan developed by the agency's scientists. Replacing an interim and long-outdated 1982 plan, the public has 60 days to comment on the new recovery plan. Background At last count 113 Mexican gray wolves, including just 10 breeding pairs, live in Arizona and New Mexico, and around 30 to 35 wolves in Mexico. The wolves in the United States are genetically impoverished and are as related to each other, on average, as are siblings in a normal population. That's due to the small founding population and mismanagement after reintroduction on behalf of the livestock industry, including government trapping and shooting of genetically rare wolves and infrequent releases of less closely related wolves from captivity into the wild. This condition results in births of smaller litters of pups and in fewer pups surviving to adulthood. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. A 67 year-old patient undergoes a robotically assisted triple bypass surgery. Saifee Hospital, a state-of-the-art 250 plus bedded hospital became the first hospital to perform a robotically assisted bypass surgery in Western India. This first of its kind surgery was performed by Dr. Aliasgar Behrenwala, Head of Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and was assisted by Dr. Imran Hamzawala, Consultant- Laparoscopic & Robotic Gynecology Surgeon at Saifee Hospital. The surgery lasted for almost eight hours where the doctors performed the surgery via the minimal access route which was robotically assisted. Robotic bypass surgery is designed at making endoscopic heart operations feasible. The da Vinci Si Surgical System enables a skilled robotic surgeon to provide patients with superior minimally invasive surgical options. The endowrist movement ability and full HD 3D vision of instruments, assists the surgeon in performing complex operations with greater dexterity and precision via the minimal access route. At the first instance, an endoscope is delivered through a small incision in the chest wall, and two robotic surgical instruments are passed through additional tiny incisions. The surgeon can then control the robotic surgical instruments using a surgeons console. It is important to note that the surgeon is 100% in control of the robot at all times. A surgery of this stature that uses robotically-assisted instruments requires special training for the surgeons and the robotic staff involved. Also the infrastructure needed to carry out this procedure which includes a dedicated robotic theatre is readily provided at Saifee Hospital. Most surgeons, who have undergone extensive robotic training, tend to feel at ease, guiding surgical instruments via a robotic surgeons console. Given the amount of man hours put in, robotic surgeons feel at ease using the da Vinci Si system at Saifee Hospital. A big advantage of such a surgery is that the incisions that are made are tiny, and therefore recovery from surgery is extremely quick with significantly reduced blood loss and post-operative pain. Rapid recovery from cardiac surgery is not only better for the patient, but it is less expensive for the society, said Dr. Aliasgar, Head of the Department at Saifee Hospital. Its clearly evident that the healthcare sector in India is evolving at a rapid pace and the response for such robotic surgeries in India is very positive. Such surgeries are not only cost effective for patients but also because the recovery time is drastically reduced, they are able to get back to their daily lives a lot quicker. This has become a win-win situation for our patients, said Dr. Imran Hamzawala, Consultant-Laproscopic and Robotic Gynecologist at Saifee Hospital. A team of eight doctors and nurses were a part of this unique surgery. STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Kenyan literary icon Ngugi wa Thiong'o, often tipped for the Nobel literature prize, has pulled out of an annual Swedish book fair in protest at the presence of a right-wing extremist newspaper, his publisher said Wednesday. irstone via 123RF The 75-year-old author of A Grain of Wheat (1967) and Petals of Blood (1975), wrote an email to his Swedish publisher Modernista informing them he would cancel his attendance at the Gothenburg Book Fair, "in solidarity with the writers withdrawing and of course with the concerns behind their withdrawal", referring to the newspaper Nya Tider, which will be represented at the fair. "We can confirm that Ngugi wa Thiong'o has cancelled his attendance at the book fair in Gothenburg in the autumn," Kristofer Andersson, development director at Modernista, told AFP. Birgitta Jacobsson Ekblom, head of communications for the fair, added they had received this information and were in contact with Ngugi, a fierce critic of post-colonial Kenyan society. The event, to be held September 28 to October 1, is Scandinavia's largest book fair and draws around 100,000 visitors each year. On April 21, more than 200 Swedish authors signed an article in daily Dagens Nyheter saying they would boycott the book fair if Nya Tider is represented. Additionally, 12 European national institutes of culture - from Germany, France, Romania, Spain and Portugal among others - sent an email to organisers Tuesday expressing their concern about Nya Tider's attendance and urging it to bar the publication, which has received state press subsidies since 2012. "The purpose of the email, for me, was to ask where to draw the line between freedom of speech and providing hatred with a free platform," Laurent Clavel, head of the French Institute in Sweden, told public broadcaster SVT on Tuesday. Fair organisers have, however, refused to budge on the issue. "We believe that an open dialogue is the best way to beat forces involving intolerance, racism and xenophobia," Ekblom told AFP. Source: AFP. Creative Business Cup is inviting early-stage design businesses, based in Gauteng with good market potential, to register now for the international competition, under the Global Entrepreneurship Network (Gen) banner. Online applications will close on Monday, 31 July 2017. The competition celebrates entrepreneurs in the creative industries by connecting them to investors and global markets, and strengthening their innovative capabilities to the benefit of industry and society. Creative companies and individuals battle it out, Dragons Den style, to qualify to represent their country in a coveted spot at the global finals each year, in Copenhagen. It falls under the Global Entrepreneurship Network (Gen) banner and Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in November, where 10 million people from 160 countries participate annually. Criteria This year is focussing on all the design disciplines for example product, interior, jewellery, digital, graphic design etc. Eligibility criteria include that applicants must: have a registered South African company; present a new and original business idea from the creative industries; have a business idea that has a strong market potential and will appeal to investors; be a good investment; be based in Gauteng; and be able to travel to the global Creative Business Cup competition in Denmark in November 2017. On 1-2 September, finalists will spend two days refining their pitches, participating in a business skills boot camp, delivered by experts, and a gruelling workshop to prepare them for pitching to a panel of top judges. The local winner will be announced on Saturday, 2 September 2017. The winner will represent South Africa at the global finals in Copenhagen on Thursday, 16 November 2017, where more than 60 other national winners will be pitted against one another. The international finalists will have the opportunity to meet with top international creatives and representatives from government and commerce, as well as investors. Recognising talent Leading the drive to bring the competition to life in South Africa are Mvuyo Ngqulana and Rick Ed, both established creative entrepreneurs with a passion for encouraging the growth of the industry, who have successfully lobbied to secure the rights to the event. Companies and the public are known for not recognising or appreciating creatives as professional business people. It is harder for creatives than it is for most other entrepreneurs to be taken seriously, said Ngqulana. Many creatives are also guilty of not recognising themselves as business people who make a valuable contribution to the economy and to society and being respected and paid as well as people in other professions. We hope this competition will showcase our local creative talent but also contribute toward changing peoples view of the creative industries. From 2018, the South African scope will be extended to include all the creative arts and the competition will be open nationwide. For more information, click here. NAIROBI - The generic version of the most advanced drug against HIV has been introduced in Kenya, a first in Africa where more than 25m have the disease, the NGO Unitaid said. The drug, Dolutegravir (DTG) is the anti-retroviral drug of choice for those living with HIV in developed countries, but its high price has put it out of reach for most struggling with the disease in Africa. "The generic DTG has two advantages: on the one hand, it is very good from a pharmaceutical point of view. On the other hand, it is much cheaper," said Robert Matiru of Unitaid, which works to reduce the costs of medicines treating Aids, tuberculosis or malaria. He described the drug as "the most effective HIV treatment currently on the market." A box of 30 pills of DTG, which lasts a month, costs between $25 and $50. The generic version only costs $4. Kenya has already started rolling out the new drug, which will initially be provided for free to 27,000 people living with HIV who are intolerant to the side effects of the current best drug used in the country. It will become available nationwide later in the year, and will also be rolled out in Nigeria and Uganda. The drug is easier to take than those currently on the market, requiring only one pill a day, causing fewer side effects, and patients are less likely to develop resistance, said Matiru Daily Maverick is pleased to confirm the addition of another world-class event to the hugely successful "The Gathering" events series. The Gathering Media Edition aims to bring the importance of media to the fore of South African society by highlighting its role at the intersection of business, politics, advertising and civil society. This is not a media conference but rather a conference about media, tackling the issues of government regulatory attempts, fake news, waning business models and the duty of business to support local independent media in a time of dominance by global players. The full-day event will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, on Thursday, 3 August 2017. The event will feature powerful speakers like Pravin Gordhan, Mcebisi Jonas, Jay Naidoo, Branko Brkic, Mark Heywood, Sam Sole, Phumzile van Damme, and a special panel on #GuptaLeaks. Other speakers include Save SAs Sipho Pityana, Independent Medias Iqbal Surve, the EFFs Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, broadcaster Redi Thlabi, Luke McKend from Google and businesswoman Wendy Applebaum discussing fake news, state attempts at regulation, the global demise of business models and the impact of all of this on South African society. Daily Maverick puts on great events that dominate the news agenda and with the experience from past years, weve managed to make this profitable at the first go because of the track record we can provide to our headline sponsors, Nandos. The objective of the conference ultimately is to change peoples mindsets from the notion that all is well in the South African media. It aims to inform stakeholders and debate their role in the media landscape, as well as to motivate people in business and government with the power to take action. A hands-off approach to supporting independent voices is no longer an option. The country is being pillaged, and yet people cant or wont support truly independent outlets for fear of protecting their bottom line. We need to change that thinking, because credit downgrades, emigration, disinvestment and negative growth costs way more. Panels will be moderated by renowned Daily Maverick journalists Marianne Thamm and Ranjeni Munusami and media partner EWNs Xolani GWala, Stephen Grootes and Redi Thlabi. For more information visit www.dmgathering.co.za and to book tickets, click here. For sponsorship and event logistics enquiries, contact Gerald Schreiner - az.oc.kcirevamyliad@dlareg. NEW YORK, US: Samsung plans to invest $380 million and hire nearly 1,000 workers for a new manufacturing plant for home appliances in South Carolina, the company announced Wednesday. Samsung Electronics America described the plant as a "state of the art" facility and alluded in a news release to incentives granted by the state government as a factor in the decision. The factory starting next year will build premium home products, including washing machines, and will be staffed with craftsmen, engineers and operators, the company said. "For nearly 40 years, Samsung has steadily expanded our operations in the United States," said Tim Baxter, chief executive of Samsung Electronics America. "With this investment, Samsung is reaffirming its commitment to expanding its US operations and deepening our connection to the American consumers, engineers and innovators who are driving global trends in consumer electronics." US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who has led President Donald Trump's "America First" manufacturing and trade strategy, applauded the announcement and appeared at a signing ceremony with South Carolina officials. The commerce department of the southern US state said it approved job development credits for the project by the South Korean technology giant. The project also will receive $2.75 million in incentives from Santee Cooper, an electric utility owned by the state, the Post & Courier newspaper reported. The South Carolina facility, located in between the city of Greenville and capital city Columbia, will take over manufacturing now being done in Mexico, the Post & Courier reported. Source: AFP The Pretoria High Court has granted an order to the coalition of eight organisations challenging the proposed coal mine by Atha-Africa Ventures inside the Mabola Protected Environment and Ekangala-Drakensberg strategic water source area. The order stipulates that Atha-Africa has given the coalition a written undertaking that it will not commence any mining or mining-related activities before giving three weeks prior written notice to the Coalitions attorneys. Atha-Africa also agreed to pay its own costs in opposing the Coalitions interdict. In its opposition to the interdict application, Atha-Africa had demanded punitive costs orders against the coalition and its attorneys of record, the Centre for Environmental Rights. The effect of the order is that Atha is now obliged to give three weeks written notice to the Coalitions attorneys before commencing any mining or mining-related activities. This is important because the Coalition is challenging all the licences granted for this mine and Atha and the Coalition do not agree about what licences this mine would require. In view of the irreversible damage that would be caused by mining in this important area, the Coalition will take all steps necessary to prevent mining from commencing, including further court proceedings. Atha-Africas mining right required it to start mining within one year from which its environmental management programme was approved, which is 28 June 2017. After the Coalitions interdict was launched on 20 June 2017, Atha-Africa made application to the Minister of Mineral Resources for an extension of this period. Further court challenges The following legal challenges are still being pursued by the coalition: the judicial review of the mining right, underway in the Pretoria High Court; the appeal of the environmental authorisation, awaiting a hearing before a panel that will advise the Mpumalanga Environment MEC; the appeal of the water use licence, awaiting hearing by the Water Tribunal; the appeal of the environmental management programme, awaiting decision by the Department of Mineral Resources; and A judicial review of the Environment and Mining Ministers decision to allow mining in a protected area, to be launched shortly. Atha-Africa also still requires land use planning approval from the local authority. The Coalition opposes such approval. Coalition opposing harmful mining The coalition consist of Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, the Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa, Birdlife South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Federation for a Sustainable Environment, groundWork, Association for Water and Rural Development and the Bench Marks Foundation. These are non-profit organisations working to realise peoples Constitutional environmental rights to clean air, clean water and health, and sustainable, decent jobs. They defend the rights of all interested and affected parties, particularly local people, to be consulted on new developments, and to benefit equitably from them. The coalition opposes this mine because the proposed mine would be inside a declared protected area and a strategic water source area. It will threaten water security not only in the local area, but also in the region. The damage that this mine would do to water resources cannot be undone. All these organisations are deeply committed to job creation and improving the quality of life of local people, but they also know that coal mining has devastated the lives, health and well-being of communities across the Highveld. Thanks to groundbreaking research from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the artificial coal-ash mountains that changed the landscape of the Highveld and Mpumalanga, posing a significant environmental threat, could become a thing of the past. Already at an advanced stage, the research is proving that so-called fly ash can provide cost-effective solutions for South Africas building industry, while also addressing the environmental threat to air and water quality. The reason the fly ash is such a big threat is because of the massive quantities in which it is produced, according to Professor Leslie Petrik, professor in UWCs Department of Chemistry, who is driving the research. Major source of waste Fly ash residue from burning coal for power generation in South Africa is one of the countrys major sources of waste. And the situation is exacerbated by the fact that South Africa burns low-grade coal, about 40% of which is left behind as ash, which is then dumped. The mountains of ash have been used previously as salt sinks, acting as disposal sites for the highly salty remains of water that has been purified in the power stations during the process of steam generation. But new legislation is afoot that will halt this, so, Petrik said, finding solutions had become imperative. Working in collaboration with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), the UWC solution provides exactly that. We are working with industry to find ways for their waste to be reused, and the fly ash problem is an obvious one to tackle considering its negative environmental impact. We are proving it can be reused very productively and constructively, particularly in the building industry, she said. Harmful to humans Explaining the negative impact of the fly ash dumps, Petrik said the ash was made up of very fine particles which are corrosive and abrasive. Containing many toxic metal and soluble salts that leach into the environment, they pollute both surface and ground water, and can be harmful to humans if they are inhaled thanks to the mercury and chromium they contain. With the aid of chemistry students from UWC, the team is working to develop a prototype that will prove this ash can be turned into lower-cost roof tiles, bricks, paving stones, building elements like lintels, fire-retardant panels and insulation material. Our research began about seven years ago with Sasol. Once that funding ended, we received funding from the National Research Foudation to carry on our work, which we believe will provide a major boost for the building industry, said Petrik. With 35-million tonnes of fly ash being produced annually in South Africa, they wont be short of raw material. Petrik explained that all South Africas buildings were currently built of brick, concrete and plaster. The building industry already used up to 6% of fly ash in concrete and plaster, adding it to cement. Replacing cement with fly ash But the UWC research is aimed at showing cement can be replaced with fly ash. The problem with cement is that during the production process, the ingredients must be heated at very high temperatures to produce the rock-like substance, which is then ground into fine-powdered cement. This is hugely costly in terms of carbon dioxide generation. Fly ash has already been mined in the form of coal, and has been through the combustion process during power generation, it is there lying on the ground. If you activate it chemically, it turns into the equivalent of concrete without using cement. This means that itll be cheaper, and offer huge energy savings, Petrik said. After completing all the ground work, the team now has funding from the Technology Innovation Agency to develop prototype roof tiles, for which they are collaborating with CPUTs Professor Tunde Ojumu and his students, who are process engineers. Its fantastic news because it kills three birds with one stone: we are getting rid of waste by using it productively, replacing cement which saves a huge amount of energy, and the end products will be very versatile and can be used widely in the building industry, Petrik said. Once their prototype was complete, they would search for commercial partners. But we first need to get the stamp of approval on our products. So we are in the process of doing all the testing for strength, leaching and stability. That will allow us to get a certificate of production because we have to ensure we comply with all the building standards, she added. Fire-retardant Another benefit Petrik envisages is that fly ash is fire-retardant, which could offer important solutions in low-cost housing to replace chipboard and gypsum board, or so-called drywall, which are highly flammable. There is so much potential but we need to go through the process and develop the prototype. That is when we will need partners to turn our formula into products, she said. But Petrik is certain their work will ultimately see some really bothersome waste reused for some very interesting applications. Over the years we realise that there is a huge shift in thinking regarding agriculture in Africa. Increasingly, African agriculture is viewed no longer as just as a development project needing aid, but much more hopefully as a business worthy of investment, says Mamadou Biteye, Managing Director (Africa) at Rockefeller Foundation. As a sector, its growth is central to increasing prosperity, food security, industrialisation, intra-African trade and to bolstering Africa's contribution to global trade. Governments, donors, and private organisations all recognise the importance and potential of agriculture in building sustainable, inclusive economies. With continued investment, smallholder farmers can improve their livelihoods and experience the direct effects of this growth. Such investments stand to have the most profound impact if directed towards technology. The power of technology in farmers hands Technology is not just about information communications technology (ICT) or mobile access, but frankly, any tool that makes work or life easier, and makes us better informed - after all, even the wheel was a game changer in its day. Mobile technology on the continent is already having a positive impact on smallholders livelihoods: cell phones allow them to carry out business without mediators, open bank accounts only they can access, receive market and trade information, and access agriculture extension services and training that governments may no longer provide. Smallholder farmers are the backbone of the sector. When they have what they need to make their hard work pay off, we are all better off, because we will be able to feed the continent sustainably for posterity. The power of technology in farmers hands will yield countless dividends. It is up to us to ensure farmers know about them and can afford to use them, says Biteye. The Rockefeller Foundation has one mission The Rockefeller Foundation has one mission promoting the well-being of humanity throughout the world. Today, this mission is pursued via its dual goals of building greater resilience and advancing more inclusive economies. We work to create global interventions (initiatives/programmes) under four issue areas: Advance Health, Secure Livelihoods. Re-value Ecosystems, and Transform Cities. Through our portfolio of initiatives, we strive to catalyse and scale transformative innovations, convene sector-spanning partnerships, and create systemic change to improve the lives of poor and vulnerable people around the world. The Rockefeller Foundation was established by the sixth-generation of The Rockefeller family and has a legacy of trailblazing new fields, convening unlikely partners and sparking new innovations that lead to transformative change. Biteye says the Foundation assisted in founding the modern field of public health, supporting the discovery and development of vaccines that helped eradicate diseases such as yellow fever and malaria, funding urban visionary Jane Jacobs and catalysing the Green Revolution and churned an entire generation of African PhDs via its Backing Brains initiative. These are just a few our greatest achievements of the 20th century. We have also invested more than a half-billion dollars in helping communities of all kinds generate dividends from investing in economic, climate, and social resilience. The Foundation has given more than $17bn to support thousands of organisations and individuals worldwide. Over the last century, the Foundations approach has evolved, first focusing on efforts to increase the wealth of farmers then on improving the nutritional content of food and increasing the yield of staple crops, followed by catalysing a uniquely African Green Revolution. We have rolled out various initiatives in diverse focus areas in order to bring positive transformation to humanity and are meant to be catalytic demonstrations of solutions that can be scaled across the continent and beyond. In Africa our initiatives include: YieldWise This is a $130m initiative aimed at reducing food loss and waste by half by 2030 across three value chains: cassava and tomato (in Nigeria) mango (in Kenya) and maize (in Tanzania). AGRA The Rockefeller Foundations success in helping to spark the Green Revolution in Latin America and Asia, as well as our longstanding history with African agriculture, provides crucial experience to equip African farmers with new tools and solutions. The Rockefeller Foundation has a long history of supporting agricultural innovation and enhancing food security and farmer income. In 2006, The Rockefeller Foundation in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation founded the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to catalyse and sustain an inclusive agricultural transformation across the continent. Digital Jobs Africa: Africa has the youngest population in the world today, with the number of people between ages 15-24 expected to double to 400 million by 2045. Sadly the current pace of job creation is insufficient to meet the demands of this growing and better-educated youth population. With the ICT boom in Africa, the Rockefeller Foundation launched Digital Jobs Africa (DJA) in 2013 whose aim is to improve one million lives through connecting high potential but disadvantaged youth to jobs in Africas ICT sector, by working with partners in both skills development and job placement. 100 Resilient Cities: 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) is dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to the multisectoral disruptions that are a growing part of the 21st century. By addressing both the shocks and the stresses, a city becomes more able to respond to adverse events, and is overall better able to deliver basic functions in both good times and bad, to all populations. The Rockefeller Foundation launched 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge (100RC) in 2013, a $164m commitment aimed at enabling 100 cities globally to better address major 21st century challenges. The challenge recently announced the final list of 100 cities, 10 of which are in Africa. African Risk Capacity (ARC) The African Risk Capacity (ARC) is a pan-African extreme weather insurance scheme designed to help AU member states withstand and recover from the ravages of natural disasters e.g. drought, intense heat or heavy rainfall that are hindering their economic growth and adversely affecting their populations, especially the poor and vulnerable. ARC uses an advanced satellite weather surveillance software called African Risk View, which was developed by the World Food Program with the Foundations support. It translates satellite-based rainfall data into near real-time estimates of the number of people affected and the cost of responding to any likely outcome. How it works is that member countries pay a premium based on its needs and plans, which enables them to get a payout in the event of a disaster. R4 ARC is part of a broader effort to integrate climate change resilience within African agriculture resilience-building efforts. Another example of this is the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, in collaboration with the World Food Programme and Oxfam, now entering its fifth year of operation in Ethiopia and Senegal. R4 aims at helping the rural poor to protect their crops and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change, consequently strengthening their food and income security. While the international community remains, by and large, crisis-driven and responsive, with a resilience framework we can prepare for, and respond more quickly to shocks and stresses. We can be visionary and proactive, and in this case, mitigate the impact of great losses. Indeed a resilience framework can be a bridge that integrates humanitarian and development responses, and thereby close the gap between these two modes of assistance. We usually have scan and search processes where we look at emerging issues and trends in development globally, and what humanitys most pressings needs are. We then make a decision on where to invest our capital, where we can have the biggest impact for change and with what kind of innovative partnerships, and where we can also be most influential. YieldWise was the result of such a process, and it is now in its second year, we will continue to reap the lessons and gains from the rest of the initiative lifetime which goes until 2022, and then we will decide what is next, Biteye concludes. Making agriculture profitable and "cool" for young people in Africa is key to lifting millions out of poverty and stemming migration to Europe, said the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Africa Progress Panel via Wikimedia Commons - Akinwumi Adesina Akinwumi Adesina was named the winner of this year's World Food Prize on Monday for his decades-long work to boost food production in his native Nigeria, increase access to credit for small farmers across Africa and transform the continent's agriculture. Kenneth Quinn, president of the Des Moines, Iowa-based World Food Prize Foundation, said the $250,000 award reflected Adesina's "breakthrough achievements" as Nigeria's minister of agriculture and his critical role in the development of the non-profit Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Uncompleted business Adesina, 57, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation he was humbled by the award but felt his work to ensure Africa could feed itself was "uncompleted business". Almost 30 percent of the 795 million people in the world who do not have enough to eat are in Africa, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "When I look at Africa today, I see that many rural areas unfortunately have become zones of economic misery," Adesina said in a phone interview ahead of the award's announcement. Make agriculture a business No sector has greater potential to revive those areas than agriculture, but investments are needed to make it attractive for young people, many of whom risk their lives migrating in search of better opportunities in Europe, Adesina said. "We must make agriculture cool for young people," he said. The key is to make agriculture a business. Agriculture is not a way of life, is not a development activity, it's a business." Africa has 65 percent of the world's uncultivated arable land but imports food for $35 billion every year, a bill that is expected to swell to $110 billion by 2025, he said. "It makes no sense. That is food Africa should be producing, processing, selling and exporting," he said. Africa must not just feed itself, but the world "Africa in the future should not only feed itself but it must contribute to feeding the world." Toward this end, agriculture must become more industrialised, with farmers gaining better access to seeds, fertiliser, credit, power and infrastructure, he said. Farmers should be supported to transform from producers of raw materials, such as cocoa and cotton, to manufacturers of finished goods such as chocolate and garments, which have less volatile prices, Adesina said. To accelerate growth, the AfDB aimed to invest $12 billion in the energy sector, hoping to leverage another $50 billion from the private sector, he said. Last year, AfDB had invested $800 million to support young agro-entrepreneurs in eight countries and planned to extend the scheme to 30 nations, he added. Adesina called on governments and institutional investors, such as pension and insurance funds, to "see the gold" in African agriculture and invest in it to unlock its potential. He said he was convinced the future billionaires of Africa would come from agriculture. "I don't believe that the future of African youth lies at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea," he said. "The future of African young people lies in a more prosperous and inclusive Africa, and there is no other sector that has greater power to create growth than the agricultural sector." Adesina was named winner of the World Food Prize, regarded as the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for agriculture, in a ceremony on Monday at the US Department of Agriculture in Washington. Reporting by Umberto Bacchi @UmbertoBacchi Group Five has said it will withdraw the time restriction it imposed on the submission of proxy votes for the coming extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. However, the move may not be sufficient to avoid a challenge to the validity of proxy votes, which means the outcome of the critical 24 July extraordinary meeting hangs in the balance. Shareholders could be facing several months of value-destroying uncertainty if the validity of the proxies is not confirmed ahead of the meeting. Because of recent legal developments, time restrictions on proxies could lead to the invalidation of all proxy votes, which generally account for about 75% of shareholders voting at a meeting. Group Five told Business Day it would accept proxies submitted at any time, but by late on Tuesday it remained unclear what action the company would take to ensure all shareholders were made aware of the removal of the time restriction. It declined to confirm whether it would issue a Sens announcement. One leading academic lawyer said if the situation was not made clear ahead of the meeting, it could still result in a challenge to the validity of the proxies. Such a challenge seems inevitable, given the controversial circumstances surrounding the meeting. On Friday, the company, which is in the midst of an acrimonious battle with its largest shareholder Allan Gray, issued the notice for the extraordinary general meeting. The attached proxy form required shareholders voting by proxy to submit their proxies by no later than 11am on Thursday, 20 July. However, in March 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed that shareholders have a right to lodge their proxy right up to the time the voting takes place. Piet Delport, professor of law at Pretoria University, said the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling made it clear that a proxy that contained a requirement that it be lodged before a meeting could not be valid. "The law is clear, a proxy with a time restriction is invalid," Delport said. In general, more than 75% of shareholders of JSE-listed companies vote by proxy at shareholder meetings. Challenging the validity of the Group Five proxies could result in a long drawn-out legal battle that would have dire consequences for the oversight of the company. The meeting was called at Allan Gray's instigation to elect five directors to replace the five who announced on Friday that they would resign ahead of the extraordinary general meeting. On Tuesday, the fund manager said it no longer believed the board would act in the best interest of the company. More than 10 executive and non-executive directors have resigned since February. In May, Allan Gray, which owns 25% of the company, notified Group Five of its request to call an extraordinary general meeting to reconstitute the board following a disagreement with it on the future direction of the company. Andrew Lapping, chief investment officer at Allan Gray, said that its proposal to appoint new directors was not related to differences over Group Five's strategy. "We want a board that is independent with the relevant skills to protect and grow value for all its stakeholders." After Delport initially raised the alarm following the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling in March, Computershare, which provides custodial services for listed companies including Group Five, sent a letter to its clients "strongly suggesting" they make no reference to a specific cut-off time for the submission of proxies ahead of shareholder meetings. Delport also said there was some concern about the implication that five of the directors were being voted as a bloc. This would be a contravention of the Companies Act. Source: Business Day Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Djibouti are the African countries among the 10 fastest growing economies globally in 2017. This is according to a data shot by Infinite Potentials Consulting (IPC), a professional services consulting firm which further states that the three states are expected to experience the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2017, with a growth of 7.7%, 7.1%, and 7.0% respectively against a projected global average GDP growth of 2.7%. Galyna Andrushko via 123RF - Hiker in Simien Mountains, Ethiopia The growth acceleration in Djibouti has been driven mainly by port-related activities and transport, such as transit trade with Ethiopia which has attracted large public and foreign investments. On the other hand, Ethiopia and Tanzania have been significantly supported by the recovery of agricultural production, their rising service sectors, and increased infrastructure investments. In a Hospitality Report for Ethiopia launched earlier this year by Jumia Travel, travel and tourism directly contributed 4.1% to the countrys GDP in 2015 with ETB 51.3b ($2.26b). It is forecast to rise by 5% by 2026 to ETB 85b ($3.7b). This largely reflects the economic activity generated by industries such as hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services, restaurant, and leisure industries the report states. Making intended growth a reality "The Ethiopian hospitality industry has grown quickly over the last few years, and there remains a lot of untapped potential. Exploiting these opportunities with the help of new technologies, and accommodation service providers will support the countrys initiative to become one of Africa's top five destinations in the coming four years. The challenges are abundant but the future is inspiring, and we look forward to bringing the intended growth and progress into reality," said Paul Midy, CEO of Jumia Travel, in the report. Towards achieving inclusive growth, Africa has made progress in creating jobs since 2000. Between 2000 and 2010, Africa added 37m stable jobs (including wage and salary employees and business owners). Out of this, the tourism and hospitality industry employs one out of 20 Africans, who indirectly work in the sector. According to McKinsey & Company, if Africa accelerated job creation by implementing a strategy to accelerate the pace of job creation, the continent could add as many as 72m new stable jobs between 2010 and 2020 across all sectors, raising the wage-earning share of the labor force to 36%. Millennials, fuelled by a powerful combination of FOMO and wanderlust, represent one of the most lucrative segments of the travel market. While the hospitality industry has welcomed this rise in millennial travellers, it does present more traditional industry players with significant challenges. Dale Simpson,the curator of Radisson Red V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, says that the priorities of the millennial-minded traveller contrasts quite significantly with that of their older counterparts, calling for a major shift in the traditional hotel model. Dale Simpson, Curator of Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Shared experiences He points to a global survey conducted amongst millennials, which reveals that 88% of respondents travelled overseas between one and three times a year and that 30% travelled solo. Rather than seeking lavish facilities and exclusivity, this new generation of traveller prefers a more social experience, opting for shared activities, and choosing to interact with other tourists and locals alike. In order to meet this demand, the Radisson Red hotel will, for example, offer daily morning yoga classes and social engagements that allow locals and guests to mingle and experience different cultures. Tech savvy and tech dependent There is no mistaking that technological advancement and the widespread use of tech devices has played a large role in this evolution, says Simpson. The millennial-minded traveller is not only technologically savvy, they are technologically dependent. In tune with the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend, which refers to individuals increasingly bringing their own computing devices to work and school with them, millennials demand to be connected at all times. The ideal vacation image One of the primary reasons for this demand is because, today, everything is documented in real time and shared over an ever-expanding realm of social media platforms, he explains. The growing social-sharing culture is, in itself, driving the rise of millennial travellers, as people are increasingly chasing that idealist vacation image they saw on Instagram and forever trying to live up to their Twitter bio of wanderlust-driven adventurer. After all, if you didnt post a picture, did it even really happen? he jokes. Self-service Despite this desire for connectivity, Simpson points out that, ironically, the millennial-minded traveller doesnt always need to interact face-to-face. When it comes to travel services or any service for that matter, millennials want fast, efficient service, which often means doing things online or via an app. Take, for example, the growing popularity of Uber, OrderIn, or even the online service check-in facility now offered by airports. In line with this trend, Radisson Red guests will be able to check in and out, order room service and communicate with reception or the concierge via the easy-to-use Red app. Catering for millennial-minded travellers This noticeable shift in travellers priorities and preferences has undeniably played a pivotal role in Carlson Rezidor Hotel Groups latest brand offering, says Simpson. Millennial-minded travellers those experience-driven, tech-savvy individuals who are young at heart, modern and minimalistic have been largely under-serviced by the hospitality industry. This is why Radisson Red is set to shake up the South African hospitality industry with its bold new philosophy that aims to cater specifically to the ageless millennial mindset. Simpson concludes that the wait is almost over, with Africas very first Radisson Red set to launch in the third quarter of 2017. Cape Towns REDvolution is just a few months away as the Radisson Red V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, situated in newly revamped Silo District, will be opening its doors on 12 September 2017. Tourism has the potential to increase jobs and uplift economies. Five African countries showed growth in the hotel sector in 2016, and are set to continue this positive outlook from 2017 to 2021. This is the finding of PwC's 7th edition of the, which features information on hotels in the five African countries through a synopsis of historical performance for 2016 and to forecast revenue and other key trends for the 2017 - 2021 period. Nigeria Of the five countries, Nigeria is the country forecast to have the most growth over the next five years. Despite tourism not being a major industry in Nigeria, it has increased its contribution to GDP to 4.8% in 2016 up from a mere 1.7% in 2015. Contributing to this is the governments clamp down in the terrorist activity in the north-eastern region of the country. This growth is also despite the devaluing of the Naira which caused some policy and administrative uncertainty, explains Pietro Calicchio, Hospitality and Gaming Industry Leader for PwC Southern Africa. The growth is also mainly due to domestic tourism, which made up 97% of tourist spending in 2016. In the 2016 report, PwC forecast that the number of rooms to become available at 13,900 in 2020 which has now been reduced to 12,300 in 2020, 11.5% fewer than expected. Nigeria is a difficult market to forecast as hotels that are planned then do not come onstream, he adds. However, in the long term, the outlook is still positive with lots of activity in this market. Mauritius Despite Airbnb having an effect in Mauritius, hotel room revenue in the country still increased by over 15% in 2014 and the industry has benefitted from double-digit growth in foreign tourism, with the number of tourist arrivals in Mauritius increasing by almost 11% - matching the gain in 2015. This can be due to the number of direct flights to the country, especially from Europe which is still its primary source of tourists, accounting for 58% of total arrivals in 2016. Of this percentage, France accounts for 21% of all tourist arrivals in 2016. However, the countrys double-digit growth in tourist arrivals is not expected to be maintained. From 2018, we expect the growth to drop to mid-single digital increases to an average five percent growth compounded annually to 1.6m in 2021 from 1.3m in 2016, explains Calicchio. Hotel room revenue is expected to grow at a 6.2% compound annual rate to 2021. It must be noted that there has been a moratorium on new projects in place in the short term in the country and as a result, few rooms are expected to be added by 2021. This has been in an effect by the government and industry to try and curb new hotels and to get the supply stable and enable hoteliers to conclude renovations and protect the room rate. Mueslimuse via pixabay - Hotel in Mauritius Kenya Kenya exceeded expectations in 2016, but the country is still not near its 2011 levels. Foreign visits to the country rose from 1.18m in 2015 to 1.31 million in 2016. The country benefited from the lifting of travel advisories to that country and growth in domestic tourism as well as from a series of incentives by the government, such as no visa fees for children, no VAT on park entrance fees and investments into infrastructure such as roads. The forecast is that their revenues will continue to increase in the next few years, with its hotel room revenue to expand at a 7.5% compound annual rate to 2021, despite a decline in occupancy rates over the next two years. In 2021m the occupancy rate will rise to 57.4%, up from nearly 53% in 2016. A total of 13 new hotels is expected to open by 2021, adding 2,400 rooms. There is much interest from international brands. Tanzania Tourism has become one of the biggest industries in Tanzania accounting for 17% of GDP. In 2016, the industry increased, despite the imposition of an 18% VAT on tourism services in that year. The proceeds are being used by the government to improve infrastructure, he adds. Five new hotels are also scheduled to open in the country, one in Dar es Salaam and one in Zanzibar and Serengeti. Together they will add nearly 800 rooms. In 2016, room revenue rose by 7.7% in 2016, down from the 2015 15.6%. Total room revenue rose R4.6b in 2021, from R3.3b last year - a 6.9% compounded annually increase. South Africa Finally, South Africa. Last year tourism contributed 10% to South Africas GDP, up one percent from 2015. Room revenue increased by 12.2% to R15.9m, mainly due to an increase in visitors. This also pushed up the average room rates by 8.9%. Occupancy rates were also over 60% (at 61.2% vs. 59.6% in 2015) for the first time in years, comments Calicchio. Visitor numbers increased, mainly due to the amendment in visa regulations, the devaluation of the rand and added routes form London, Frankfurt, Doha and Addis Ababa, he adds. Despite the numbers being up they are still not what they were in 2013, but the future looks positive with a further 63,900 rooms becoming available in 2021. We also forecast that guest nights will increase at a 1.8% compound annual rate to 15m in 2021 from 13.7m in 2016. The total room revenue will expand at 9.3% compound annual rate to R24.8b in 2021 (from R15.9b in 2016). While Airbnb is starting to have an impact, he says business travellers are not utilising Airbnb yet. SEOUL, South Korea: The world's biggest smartphone maker Samsung will next week start reselling refurbished Galaxy Note 7 devices after a humiliating recall over exploding batteries last year, news reports said earier this week. Samsung Electronics declined to comment on the reports. The recall debacle cost the Korean giant billions of dollars in lost profits and hammered its global credibility. Around three million Galaxy Note 7 devices were returned to the firm, but campaign groups including Greenpeace expressed concern that discarding them could harm the environment. Galaxy Note Fandom Edition Citing industry sources, South Korea's Yonhap news agency and other news reports said Samsung would start selling refurbished devices with new batteries and updated software under the name Galaxy Note Fandom Edition (FE). They will be priced below 700,000 won ($616) and sales are slated to start on 7 July 2017, Yonhap said. The recall was deeply embarrassing for Samsung but it has just launched a new flagship device, the Galaxy S8, to positive reviews and strong orders. In April it posted its biggest quarterly net profit for more than three years, although it has come under pressure on wider fronts. Lee Jae-Yong, the Samsung group vice-chairman and heir to its leadership, is on trial for bribery in connection with the sprawling corruption scandal that brought down former South Korean president Park Geun-Hye. Supposed bribes Jae-Yong is accused of bribing Geun-Hye and her secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil with millions of dollars to seek government favours. He has effectively been at the helm of the group since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014. His indictment in February sent shockwaves through the firm and triggered the announcement of a major reform of its top-down management style. Source: AFP Liefde By Die Dam will return on Sunday, 6 August 2017 to celebrate South African music at Jozi's spectacular Emmarentia Dam. This family-friendly event welcomes music lovers of all ages. Named after Valiant Swart's chart-topping hit of the same name, this all-day event will showcase some of the best in local talent. Die Heuwels Fantasties, revered for their unique music and their energetic live performances will be joined by iconic front man of legendary South African rock bands, Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel, Francois van Coke. Fans will also be serenated by the beloved Afrikaans voice of Laurika Rauch, followed by Afrikaans darling, Riana Nel. Crowd favourite, Sama nominee, Majozi returns this year with his foot stomping, electro indie rock and adding to this stellar lineup is the inspirational Tresor, and South Africas own rap superstar, JR. Newcomer, Jo Black and guitar virtuoso Loki Rothman will end off the day. There will also be a delicious range of South Africas best artisan food traders. You can also bring your own picnic basket and spread your blanket out for the perfect celebration of youth and music. Event details: Date: Sunday, 6 August 2016 Time: 10am 6pm Venue: Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg Tickets: R165 online / R200 at the gate / R600 plus / Under 12: R75 Purchase tickets online by clicking here Liefde Wen Charity Initiative In 2016, organisers encouraged attendees to leave behind their blankets for Liefde Wen to donate to charitable causes. This was a huge success with hundreds of blankets donated. This year they will be doing the same and encourage attendees to bring their blankets and leave it behind or to drop it off at the entrance for this great cause! Follow #LiefdeByDieDam on social media: Liefde By Die Dam website Liefde By Die Dam Facebook page Liefde By Die Dam Twitter Liefde By Die Dam Instagram The Sales and Marketing Director of Fortis Hotels, Siyanda Dlamini has been honing his skills in the hospitality industry for the past 15 years, working his way up the corporate ladder. A year ago, Dlamini bought shares with Fortis Hotels - becoming a co-owner - rebranded the hotel group and now has seven hotels running successfully underneath him. We wanted to know more: Siyanda Dlamini, Sales and Marketing Director, Fortis Hotels Tell us a bit about yourself I am 34 years old, Pietermaritzburg born, Alexander high schools old boy, Cape Town hotel school graduate, proud product of a single mother, older brother, leader and server, sales and marketing director. What does your average day look like? Colourful! It begins with a prayer, it is a huge privilege waking up in a warm bed with enough physical and emotional strength to face the day. From there, I have a strong nespresso without sugar and milk, shower get dressed, give my dogs a good morning and goodbye treat as I leave the house. Most of my days are spent on sales calls, either with top maintenance clients or acquisition clients - these include travel managers, procurement managers, travel management company owners, etc. Our clients come first. I spend some time, telephonically mostly, with each of the hotels focusing on red flag areas, putting together some additional actions and strategies to lift shortfalls between budget and actual performance - these calls are made mainly as I drive from one meeting to another. I have a team of sales executive in Gauteng and in outlying areas, I touch base with each of them as often as possible to track performance, give a bit of guidance where needed communicate areas of concern, etc. I spend time with the graphic design team designing adverts for special events happening in and around our properties to stimulate demand for our properties. I am involved in the brand development as well, I spend quite a bit of time doing radio interviews, community outreach programmes, branding work, etc. I spend time addressing any board of directors related matters. I travel between our hotels quite a bit for various meetings which include marketing meetings, management meetings, client SITE inspections, etc. I travel to major cities as well for sales meetings with key clients. In most cases, I deal with my mail box in the evenings as there isnt enough time during the day. I regularly keep in touch with my mother, the guys that I mentor, my friends and everyone that matters to me. What makes Fortis Hotels unique and how do you contribute to and give voice to this uniqueness as the marketing director? We are all about empowerment and equality. Our staff, from a cleaner to a departmental head each own 20% of the business with a trust. They each enjoy dividends and profit share when business allows. We are passionate about youth development and, as a result, we started a training academy from which we train future hotel managers and chefs all of which we employ permanently within our group after they graduate. We support a lot of local companies some of which have been with the company since the 1950s, further we support businesses that are black and female owned. We have helped start up small business for former employees as service providers, offering them financial aid to get started, premises to operate from, continuous business advice and mentorship, etc. This, among many other tributes to our brand, really makes marketing and selling the brand. Not only do we deliver on the service promises at hotel level, we also deliver on levels untold to our guests by the way we treat out staff, and uplift and care for the communities where we trade. What are the biggest challenges you faced in the industry and how did you approach them? ...I stole with my eyes, asked questions left, right and centre to broaden my understanding and the wisest thing I ever did was to align myself with the old papas and mamas that had been in the industry for years. When I started in the industry at the age of 17, I went against a lot of peoples wishes for me and my life. I was so focused that I didnt pay attention to the risk I was taking by choosing a career that I had no reference by means of a family friend or a relative. This taught me so much about being true to myself, dedication and hard work - there was no turning back. Growing up, I was not as exposed to hotels as some of the white boys and girls that were in my class at hotel school. My level of exposure was more limited, I refused to feel inferior - I stole with my eyes, asked questions left, right and centre to broaden my understanding and the wisest thing I ever did was to align myself with the old papas and mamas that had been in the industry for years. Because I gave them the time of day as experts in their respective areas - be it pastry, scullery, reception or chamber maid - they opened up to me and exposed me to the pot of gold which is their knowledge. Further, they protected me from the managers at the best of times, I would get away with so much simply because they each saw me as their child. What motivates and drives you? Nothing pleases me more than seeing talent ripe. Audinary people, there is something magical in each one of us. Our struggles, desires, dreams and experiences ignite so much in me. I am inspired by the ability to create employment, while keeping those employed, employed and uplifting them by means of training and development. Nothing pleases me more than seeing talent ripe. The risks we take in business really inspire me, most of them are daring, particularly to the industry, they keep us up at night but the end results truly bring about a moment of magic. Conversations with my mother, when the going gets tough. She reminds me of where I come from with my craft and where my goals lie. They keep moving. Personally, I travel - locally, in Africa and internationally. I go somewhere new as often as I possibly can. I love diversity, cultures, architecture, fashion, a bit of the night life coupled with local cuisine and wine - this really gets my batteries recharged. What would you like to see more of from and for SAs youth in the industry? From the youth: Commitment, most youth come into the industry expecting quick results in terms of money and all things material. For the youth: I would like to see more industry leaders reaching out to the youth starting out in the industry by means of mentorship. It is hard staying focused and driven in an industry where you serve others from the bottom of the barrel for a minimal wage. The fact that in most cases, your leaders are out of reach where support is concerned, make the task that much more unbearable. I would like to see more youth, particularly black young men and women being groomed for critical positions in the industry. I do not see enough future general managers, financial managers, etc. being groomed. Words of advice for SAs youth on pursuing a career in the industry? Take time to decide what you want to do. Weigh all your options, choose the one that works for you. Commit and dedicate your everything to it while stealing with your ears and eyes. Allow yourself to be taught and enjoy the learning process, your break will come and it will open you up to another world of learning. Move aside, TV soapies: Welcome the WhatsApp drama series We use WhatsApp to send snaps of ourselves trying on outfits in changing rooms to our loved ones and keep neighbours informed of suspicious goings-on. But watching a TV-style drama unfold on the messaging platform? That's new. Here's how Sanlam and agency King James got an innovative series rolling, on a phone near you. Theres no denying funeral plans are a tough sell. But they dont have to be, if youre willing to break the marketing formulae usually applied to these grudge purchases. Tendani Matshisevhe, Sanlam developing markets explains that Sanlam wanted to use a platform thats always on to add an element of surprise to their communication on the matter. Hence the countrys first-ever WhatsApp drama series, Ukshona Kwelanga, meaning both The Sunset and The Death of Langa. Watch the trailer video below for a taste of what to expect: Its certainly an effective strategy, as EWNs WhatsApp News Briefs project, which taps into todays trend of sending short, emoji-based messages EWN's digital prowess took home silver in the mobile publication category at the 2016 IAB Bookmarks. They explained at the time that people expect a certain type of communication in the mobile messaging realm as its an informal, intimate space. Done right, it can create a new, interactive and enthusiastic community with which brands can form more personal relationships than through traditional media. [Bookmarks 2016] Publisher of the Year EWN's emoji-strong strategy By Leigh Andrews 14 Mar 2016 But as with any trailblazing campaign, its not easy. Matshisevhe and Lesego Kotane, strategy partner at King James, explain their bold move of talking to customers about funeral plans, WhatsApp family group-style Talk us through why Sanlam went for a first ever and not with an existing, tried-and-trusted campaign platform. Talk us through why Sanlam went for a first ever and not with an existing, tried-and-trusted campaign platform. Tendani Matshisevhe, Sanlam developing markets Matshisevhe: At Sanlam, were always looking for innovative ways in which to connect with the market we serve. Every year, we put up a new challenge to our advertising agency, King James, to look for ways that we can talk about our funeral message with a different approach that will create a real impact. We realised that WhatsApp is a channel our market uses and we wanted to connect with them on a platform theyre already using frequently. We needed to ensure there was a natural fit with the drama and what we do we offer funeral plans. So we used many insights to ensure that we were speaking to our market in an authentic manner. The idea behind this campaign was to educate people in an experiential and accessible way. We wanted it to be as lifelike as possible also showing the cultural issues of deciding where to lay a loved one to rest, observing important rituals and balancing the demands of the modern world and tradition. Sounds like experiential content marketing at its best. Explain the agency brief and how this was brought to life. Sounds like experiential content marketing at its best. Explain the agency brief and how this was brought to life. Lesego Kotane, strategy partner at King James Kotane: The agency brief was to find a way to cut through the clutter around funeral plans and to try break the marketing formulas usually applied to this kind of product. An important element was to build a bigger association with funeral cover in the minds of Sanlams audience so while explaining products was important, we knew we needed to go beyond that. The idea came from thinking around relevant platforms for our audience, with WhatsApp one of the biggest digital platforms in SA, and also what people go through in planning a funeral. Many people will relate to following a family WhatsApp group as this is where a lot of the drama happens in real-life and so is appropriate to be used for this kind of fictional content. Explain the intricacies of a campaign like this, which seamlessly incorporates text, photos, voice notes and video. Explain the intricacies of a campaign like this, which seamlessly incorporates text, photos, voice notes and video. Kotane: When you follow the campaign, it looks fairly simple like following a normal WhatsApp group. But its actually quite technically challenging to run, as WhatsApp isnt designed to be used for brand campaigns, so we had to figure out how to use existing features such as Broadcast Lists to tell a story. Once we figured out the technical aspects it was a case of telling a good story on that platform. Luckily we had help from one of SAs top scriptwriters, Bongi Ndaba, who collaborated on the plot and dialogue. The content was then created to look as authentic as possible and replicate how real people would behave on WhatsApp. How were other media platforms used to promote the WhatsApp campaign? How were other media platforms used to promote the WhatsApp campaign? Kotane: We wanted to promote this using the style of a normal TV series. So weve used a trailer across Facebook, used some billboards as well as SMS and radio as additional support to drive interaction with the campaign, along with media partnerships with the likes of Daily Sun and City Press. Despite its recent launch, what has response from audiences been like so far? Despite its recent launch, what has response from audiences been like so far? Matshisevhe: The response has been awesome. On Sunday, 4 June, we were already sitting at over 800 subscribers they joined the drama before it was launched, just after seeing the trailer and we have been getting a lot of enquiries about the drama and why we chose WhatsApp as our channel. Ukshona Kwelanga Kotane: Yes, so far its been great sign-ups are coming in faster than expected and weve had a lot of positive comments on social media. As the story takes place over a number of days, our audience spends quite a long time with it probably 15 to 20 minutes, making it much more immersive than a typical 30-second TV spot. The drop-off rate is also very low, so we think people are getting hooked by the story. Do you predict more campaigns of this nature in future? Kotane: Well, in a way what weve done is go back to the roots of soap operas, which were literally branded content funded by soap brands its just the technology that has changed. But yes, I think if you want to reach audiences that are numb to normal advertising because they see so much of it well need to find creative ways to communicate with them. Weve also learned a lot on other campaigns for Sanlam, such as One Rand Man and last years Conspicuous Savers both of those also had strong evolving narratives and an innovative use of social channels. The WhatsApp drama launched on 5 June and will be available until mid-July. Subscribers will receive a series of updates over seven days the average time it takes to plan a funeral. To find out more, SMS your name and surname to 45603 or visit the official website. Ten German films by some of Germany's finest directors, a masterclass by German film industry professionals and networking sessions with the international film industry, form the focus of the 2017 Durban International Film Festival (Diff). Diff runs from 13-23 July 2017 in Durban. Goodbye Berlin film. Image supplied. Curated by Alex Moussa Sawadogo, the films are: 1. Auf Einmal/All of a Sudden, 2016 Director: Asli Ozge. 2. Das Versprechen/The Promise, 2016 Directors: Marcus Vetter, Karin Steinberger. NEW The Promise International Trailer November 2016 from Marcus Vetter (Filmperspektive) on Vimeo. 3. Der Geilste Tag/The Most Beautiful Day, 2015 Director: Florian David Fitz. 4. Der Staat gegen Fritz Bauer/The People vs Fritz Bauer, 2015 Director: Lars Kraume. 5. Die Dunkle Seite des Mondes/The Dark Side of the Moon, 2015 Director: Stephan Rick. 6. Fado, 2016 Director: Jonas Rothlaender. 7. Grusse aus Fukushima/Greetings From Fukushima, 2016 Director: Doris Dorrie. 8. Karl Marx City, 2016 Directors: Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker. Karl Marx City (Official US Trailer) from BOND/360 on Vimeo. 9. Paula, 2016 Director: Christian Schwochow. 10. Tschick/Goodbye Berlin, 2015 Director: Fatih Akin. While Goodbye Berlin ties in with this years overall festival theme, Transit Tales, All of a Sudden, Greetings from Fukushima, Paula and Karl Marx City speak to one of this years focus areas, women-led films. Guests at Diff Diff audiences will have the chance to meet key people behind the productions. Anand Batbileg and Tristan Gobel, two of the most promising talents in Germanys film scene and the main actors of Goodbye Berlin will be in Durban for a Q&A following the German Gala screening of Goodbye Berlin at The Playhouse (Drama Theatre) on Sunday, 16 July. Prominent filmmaker Akin, who recently presented his last film in Cannes, made the award-winning and family-friendly film. Tickets for the gala screening are available at Computicket. Another confirmed Diff guest is Dorrie, director of Greetings from Fukushima. With her unmistakable way of storytelling, she has been one of the towering figures in German cinema since she stirred up the countries film scene in 1985 with the gender comedy Men. Schwochow has been awarded for both his cinema and theatre work and will visit Diff in his capacity as director of Paula. Epperlein will visit Durban to present the documentary Karl Marx City, which is a personal cinematic journey into her childhood to find the truth about her late fathers suicide and his rumoured past in the GDRs secret service. Furthermore, directors Steinberger (The Promise) and Rick (The Dark Side of the Moon) will be attending Diff. German Films, the Goethe-Institut and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in South Africa present the German Focus at Diff 2017, in cooperation with Diff. Talents Durban Diff, the Goethe-Institut South Africa and Berlinale Talents have a decade-long partnership. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Talents Durban, a programme that began in 2008 because of the partnership between Diff and Berlin International Film Festivals Berlinale Talents, with the support of the Goethe-Institut and the German Embassy. Talents Durban is an annual five-day training and mentorship programme that runs at Diff, aimed at empowering emerging 27 African screenwriters and directors working on projects for film, television, web series and content for mobile platforms. It will take place from 14-18 July, under the theme Perspectives: Seeing things differently, which is derived from the observation that film alone may not change the world but can show the world when it changes. Talents Durban looks to not only highlight the stories of Africa but also create a culture of Africans telling their own stories and most importantly from their experience and perspective of cutting edge and modern cinematic technology. As part of Talents Durban and in association with the Goethe-Institut and Fipresci (International Association of Film Critics), the Talent Press programme will again provide mentorship and hands-on training in the craft of film criticism to three emerging African journalists. Furthermore, the Goethe-Institut will present New Dimensions Virtual Reality Africa, a new package of four VR productions from Kenya, Ghana and Senegal. The works were co-produced with Cape Town-based Electric South. They allow a glimpse into the new opportunities that technology provides for visual storytelling. For more information, click here. Early warning and the mobilisation of a large-scale, multi-sectoral humanitarian response, have eased famine in Leer and Mayendit counties, and prevented it in Koch and Panyijiar counties, in South Sudan. pavalena via 123RF Following the famine declaration, humanitarian organisations ramped-up their response in Leer, Mayendit, Koch and Panyinjiar, reaching more than 320,000 people, according to the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Eugene Owusu, who welcomed the findings of the latest Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) data. I applaud the humanitarian community for the rapid scale-up of humanitarian response in famine-affected and at-risk areas in Unity, said Owusu. We deployed teams to dangerous and difficult locations and faced many challenges along the way, including clashes which forced us to relocate aid workers and delay distributions. But we were not dissuaded, and our collective efforts ultimately prevented the catastrophe from escalating. The Humanitarian Coordinator, however, urged the international community and humanitarian actors not to become complacent, as an unprecedented 6 million people are now severely food insecure, including 45,000 facing catastrophic food insecurity in Leer, Koch and Mayendit in Unity, and Ayod in Jonglei, and 1.7 million in IPC Phase 4, on the brink of famine. Half of the people across this country are severely food insecure, we are facing the longest and most widespread cholera outbreak since South Sudan became independent, and the number of people internally displaced has topped 2 million, warned Owusu. These are the devastating consequences of conflict, which has taken a daily toll on the desperate civilians of this nation. Rapid response missions were carried out in at least 17 locations, and humanitarian organisations delivered vital and life-saving services, including food, emergency healthcare, vaccinations, nutritional treatments, seeds and tools for livelihoods, clean water, and critical non-food items, such as blankets, kitchen sets and mosquito nets. Each of these interventions played a critical role in halting and preventing famine. Despite the good news today that we have arrested the localised famine in Leer and Mayendit, we face greater needs in South Sudan than ever before, said Owusu. This is the time to redouble our efforts and expand our response. To do this, we urgently need free, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and funding to respond to the escalating crisis. I call on all parties to the conflict to cease attacks against civilians, and to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law. Until the violence stops, humanitarian needs will continue to grow. While attending a WPP South Africa Leadership conference, I was fortunate to listen to a panel discussion regarding the challenges and opportunities faced by multinationals when building brands in Africa. I share some of the insights and my own observations on this intriguing branding task. Mathew Weiss, Brand Union Africa MD Bharat Thakrar, CEO of WPP Scangroup, shared an evocative story he likes to tell clients about the challenges of working in Africa. Ill call it the Mara River story, as I cant remember how he framed it exactly. Every year over a million wildebeest migrate from Tanzanias Serengeti to Kenyas Masai Mara reserve in search of green pastures. On their journey, they need to cross the Mara River, which while impressive, is not too wide or deep that it could be considered a major obstacle for these big animals to cross. But, once in the water, they discover the fearsome crocodiles lying in wait. Like this crossing, Bharats point was that doing business in Africa is not as easy as it might first appear. And multinationals need to be aware of the proverbial Crocodiles of Africa when they are launching and building brands in local markets. One of the reasons multinationals sometimes struggle to realise the opportunity that Africa promises, is their failure to take the time to really understand local market nuances. They have a global brand bible that has identified a universal human insight that works for all consumers. But in Africa, simple copy and paste strategies often dont work. Just because two countries speak the same language doesnt mean they share the same cultural understanding. Virgin Mobile, a big player in the UK wireless communications was launched in SA, with some fanfare back in 2006, but failed to make significant inroads into the local market. The premium and aspirational appeal of the parent brand proved irrelevant to South Africans. The brand needed to prove itself like any other, and when basic product and services lagged behind established competitors, international brand cache wasnt much help. Local options increase Abey Mokgwatsane, CEO Ogilvy Group, pointed out that this failure to localise was not as much of an issue in the past, as many multinationals were able to dominate through better distribution and stronger trade relationships. They were simply more physically available, in more places, more often. The local alternatives were fragmented, often poorly branded and not easy to find. But as mobile internet penetration has grown, so too have the options available to local consumers. Local brands have upped their game and as a result, more local brands have gained market share at the expense of international brands. SABs acquisition by AB InBev was in part due to the formers strong portfolio of local brands; Castle Lager in South Africa, Safari Larger in Tanzania or 2M in Mozambique, to name a few. SAB used this portfolio of to maximise relevance in each country. By contrast SABs international brands Grolsch, Peroni and Miller, have gained less traction in Africa, in part due to their premium price, but also the challenges of connecting an American/European image to local drinkers. Africa is not one country, which the conference panel acknowledged, but Chris von Sale, CEO JWT Africa, made an interesting counter argument, asking: Have marketing professionals made Africa appear more complex than it needs to be? Are we scaring global clients away? Shouldnt we focus on finding the commonalities between customers and markets? Our job, after all is often to simplify. This point is well made, but it seems that this risk is outweighed by the dangers of oversimplification. Lessons learnt Here are some lessons on how best to approach the localisation challenge: Lesson 1 A global promise needs a local expression: While brands should not stray too far from their core brand idea, it wont resonate unless it has local relevance. Vodacom launched at a time when the country was taking its first steps as a democratic society, and played with this in its communications. But when the brand turned red and adopted the global brand positioning, it lost some relevance. The brand has regained traction by recapturing a local purpose that resonates with South Africans. This is best captured in the 2015 Summer Days ad that shows how technology can help South Africans collectively realise their potential power to all of us. Lesson 2 Get your choice of product mix and channel right: Unilevers powder detergent, Omo was the leading brand in Uganda, commanding close to 100% market share. But it lost ground to local brand Nomi when the latter was launched in bucket-like containers with handles that were popular with kids and offered convenience in comparison to sachets and packets. Nomi also focused distribution in smaller villages and up-country areas where competition was less fierce. Lesson 3 Be prepared to change visual codes rather than trying to change market: Jameson is a premium whiskey. Its positioning is linked to the idea of unpretentious premium; an idea developed in Europe. This translates into a visual aesthetic that focuses on natural and raw materials, and playful typography. This style was aspirational to European consumers in developed markets, but in South Africa where many consumers have come from, or still live in a raw environment, this aesthetic doesnt signal premium or luxury. The brand overcame these issues by reviewing local premium drivers and adopting materials and finishes that suggested a more refined expression of premium, while retaining an unpretentious feel. Lesson 4 Build local pride and aspiration: Absoluts recent win at Cannes is well-deserved recognition for its One Source collaboration with Khuli Chana, which nails the localisation challenge. One Source is an intrinsic claim referencing all ingredients being sourced in one location - the Swedish town of Ahus. But this didn't resonate with African audiences. The One Source campaign took this intrinsic and turned it into an extrinsic celebration of Africa as the One Source of all creativity and it became a war cry of the African creative revolution currently underway. They started with an exclusive Khuli Chana Signature Edition Bottle, and then launched a documentary series, an EP, and a music video that went to number one on iTunes. It quickly became a cultural talking point and earned media to the value of R60.9m. The imagery, status and aspiration was all local, rather than international, but was still inherently true to the brand. The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels. You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us! WARNING: Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised. COMMENTS: We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. Assyrian Church of the East to Boycott EU Conference on Future of Nineveh Plains Brussels (AINA) -- Sources close to the Assyrian Church of the East confirmed to Assyria-TV on Wednesday that the church will join the boycott against the conference on the future of the Nineveh Plain, hosted by Lars Adaktusson, Swedish member of the European parliament. The conference is being held in the EU-parliament in Brussels and has come under heavy criticism for excluding important organizations and for having an agenda that fits the interests of the Kurdish regional government in Iraq, which seeks to increase its control over the Nineveh Plains, an area outside the Kurdish dominated region in Northern Iraq. In addition to the Church of the East, the Chaldean Church announced a boycott of the conference, as well as the Assyrian Democratic Movement, Abnaa Alnahrain Party and Assyrian Patriotic Party. Site traffic information and cookies We use cookies to collect and analyse information on our site's performance and to enable the site to function. Cookies also allow us and our partners to show you relevant ads when you visit our site and other 3rd party websites, including social networks.You can choose to allow all cookies by clicking Allow allor manage them individually by clicking Manage cookie preferences, where you will also find more information. ...Due to a chaotic Soviet retreat, the Germans were able to advance rapidly, restoring Wehrmacht confidence for the upcoming major offensive. Close air support from the Luftwaffe also played an important role in this early success. It contained the Red Air Force, through air superiority operations, and interdiction through attacks on airfields and Soviet defence lines. At times, the German air arm acted as a spearhead rather than a support force, ranging on ahead of the tanks and infantry to disrupt and destroy defensive positions. As many as 100 German aircraft were concentrated on a single Soviet division in the path of the spearhead during this phase. General Kazakov, the Bryansk Front's chief of staff, noted the strength and effectiveness of the Axis aviation. Within 26 days, the Soviets lost 783 aircraft from the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 8th Air Armies, compared to a German total of 175. By 5 July, forward elements of Fourth Panzer Army had reached the Don River near Voronezh and became embroiled in the battle to capture the city. Stalin and the Soviet command still expected the main German thrust in the north against Moscow, and believed the Germans would turn north after Voronezh to threaten the capital. As a result, the Soviets rushed reinforcements into the town, to hold it at all costs and counterattacked the Germans' northern flank in an effort to cut off the German spearheads. 5th Tank Army, commanded by Major General A.I. Liziukov, managed to achieve some minor successes when it began its attack on 6 July, but was forced back to its starting positions by 15 July, losing about half of its tanks in the process. Although the battle was a success, Hitler and von Bock, commander of Army Group South, argued over the next steps in the operation. The heated debate, and continuing Soviet counterattacks, which tied down Fourth Panzer Army until 13 July, caused Hitler to lose his temper and dismiss von Bock. As part of the second phase of the operation, on 9 July, Army Group South was split into Army Group A and Army Group B, with Wilhelm List appointed as commander of Army Group A in place of von Bock... Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/06/2017 (1962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. With some of their futures mapped out and others wide open, 113 students tossed their mortarboards into the air as they graduated from Ecole secondaire Neelin High School on Tuesday. During his valedictorian address at the Brandon University Health Living Centre stage, Aidan Trembath said that while high school offered a warm nest for himself and his peers for the past few years, nows the time to finally take flight. Mingling with friends in a staging area prior to the ceremony, student Miguel Strong said that his immediate goal is to join the Royal Canadian Artillerys 26th Field Artillery Regiment. The Brandon Sun Graduates Jordan Arvisais and Tessa Adamski share a smile during the Ecole secondaire Neelin High School graduation ceremony at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre on Tuesday afternoon. Its a family tradition he said he would be proud to maintain, adding; I really cant see myself doing anything else. While he credits high school with helping prepare him for his career choice, with teachers getting to know him at a personal level and providing supports wherever needed, it was extracurriculars that he said were key to putting him on his chosen path. Specifically, he said that his involvement in the Brandon Police Service Cadet Corps provided him with some of the tools that will prove necessary to military life. During the afternoon ceremony, student Emily Hill received both the General Proficiency Award and the Governor Generals Medal,the former for holding the schools highest marks in Grade 12 and the latter for carrying the highest marks over her final two years of high school. After the ceremony, Hill said the teachers at Neelin are awesome, joining her supportive family in helping her achieve academic success. While her high school studies lent a special focus to mathematics, she said that shes not sure what her future might entail. The Brandon Sun Willow Harvey has her photo taken with her father Peter after the Ecole secondaire Neelin High School graduation ceremony at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre on Tuesday. Hill said that she plans on working for a year to save up for post-secondary studies, although she has yet to decide which direction her education might take her. Peer Sarah Hamilton has similar plans, with an open-ended idea of attending university at some point in the future after experiencing life outside of school for a bit. Finding some difficulty staying focused in school, Hamilton said her advice to those entering high school would be to stick it out and that the extra effort would be worth it in the end. While many graduating students futures remain open-ended, so, too, is that of teacher Mark Timmons, who is retiring after a 33-year teaching career. The Chemistry and Physics teacher capped off his career by emceeing Tuesdays ceremony, after which he said that he would be interested in catching up with the students he saw cross the stage in a few years to see what theyd accomplished. The Brandon Sun Joshua Hefferan has the tassel of his mortarboard moved from the left side to the right after receiving his diploma during Tuesdays graduation ceremony. Timmons has high hopes. Theyre a very inspirational group of kids, he said, adding that theyve joined Neelin staff in making the school a difficult place for him to leave. Even so, he said that he hopes every educator is as lucky as he has been to end a career looking back as fondly as he has. People really love each other in this building, Timmons said of Neelin, adding that he has been privileged to have been a part of it. This love extended to the memory of Michael Adamski, a well-respected past principal who died earlier this earlier after a short battle with cancer. Once a Spartan, always a Spartan, Trembath said during his valedictorian address, adding that Adamski would always be remembered as one of the greatest Spartans of all. The Brandon Sun Graduates toss their mortarboards into the air at the end of the Ecole secondaire Neelin High School graduation ceremony at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre on Tuesday. A total of 113 students received their diplomas during the event. tclarke@brandonsun.com Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB Businesses and governments around the world are counting the cost of a software epidemic that has disrupted ports, hospitals and banks. Logistics firm FedEx said deliveries by its TNT Express subsidiary had been "slowed" by the cyber attack, which had "significantly affected" its systems. Ports operated by the Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk are still crippled. Alabama port official James Lyons said crews at Maersk's APM terminal in Mobile had been loading and unloading containers in manual mode, without the normal computerised co-ordination. The company's operations were shut in Mumbai, India, Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, among others. In a statement, Moller-Maersk acknowledged that its APM terminals had been "impacted in a number of ports" and that an undisclosed number of systems were shut down "to contain the issue". Ukraine, which was hardest hit and where the attack probably originated, said it had secured critical state assets - though everyday life remained affected with cash machines out of order and airport displays operating manually. As the impact of the cyber attack that erupted on Tuesday was still being measured at offices, loading docks and boardrooms, the Ukrainian cabinet said that "all strategic assets, including those involved in protecting state security, are working normally". But that still left a large number of non-strategic assets, including dozens of banks and other institutions, fighting to get back online. Cash machines in Kiev were still out of order on Wednesday, and Ukrainian news reports said that flight information at the city's Boryspil airport was being provided in manual mode. A local cyber security expert discounted the Ukrainian government's assurances. "Obviously they don't control the situation," Victor Zhora of Infosafe in Kiev said. At the very least, cybersecurity firms say thousands of computers worldwide have been struck by the malware, which goes by a variety of names, including ExPetr. In Pennsylvania, lab and diagnostic services were closed at the satellite offices of the Heritage Valley Health System. In Tasmania, an Australian official said a Cadbury chocolate factory had stopped production after computers there crashed. Other organisations affected include US drug-maker Merck, food and drinks company Mondelez International, global law firm DLA Piper, and London-based advertising group WPP. But most of the damage remains hidden away in corporate offices and industrial parks. As IT security workers turned their eye toward cleaning up the mess, others wondered at the attackers' motives. The attack has the telltale signs of ransomware, which scrambles a computer's data until a payment is made, but some experts believe this attack was less aimed at gathering money than at sending a message to Ukraine and its allies. That hunch was supported by the way the malware appears to have been seeded using a rogue update to a piece of Ukrainian accounting software - suggesting an attacker focused on Ukrainian targets. And it comes on the anniversary of the assassination of a senior Ukrainian military intelligence officer and a day before a national holiday celebrating a new constitution signed after the breakup of the Soviet Union. "The threat we're talking about looks like it was specially developed for Ukraine because that was the place it created most of the damage," said Bogdan Botezatu, of Romanian security firm Bitdefender, calling it a case of "national sabotage". Suspicions were further heightened by the re-emergence of the mysterious Shadow Brokers group of hackers, whose dramatic leak of powerful NSA tools helped power Tuesday's outbreak, as it did a previous ransomware explosion last month that was dubbed WannaCry. In a post published Wednesday, The Shadow Brokers made new threats, announced a new money-making scheme and made a boastful reference to the recent chaos. The malware did not appear to make a lot of money for its creators. A bitcoin wallet used to collect ransoms showed only about $10,000. And some analysts going through the malware's code said that the ransomware may not even operate as ransomware at all; victims' data appear to be hopelessly scrambled, rather than recoverable after the payment of ransom. Matthieu Suiche, founder of Dubai-based Comae Technologies, said the ransom demand was merely "a mega-diversion". In a blog post, he wrote that the code pointed not to criminals, but "in fact a nation state attack". Researchers at Kaspersky Lab echoed the findings, saying in a statement: "Our analysis indicates there is little hope for victims to recover their data." - AP The principal provider of fixed-line and mobile telecommunications services in Ireland, eir, have announced that Mr Carl Leaver has been appointed Chairman designate of the board of directors of eircom Holdings (Ireland) Limited and the relevant boards within eirs corporate structure. Mr Padraig McManus, who steps down after almost five years in the role, will continue to advise the company on strategy and regulatory matters. Carl was Chief Executive Officer of Gala Coral Group from November 2010 to November 2016, where he saw the Group through a successful merger with Ladbrokes Plc. He is now Executive Deputy Chairman of the combined business, Ladbrokes Coral Group Plc. Before joining Gala Coral, Carl was Director of International, Home and Direct for Marks & Spencer, where he restructured its operations internationally, doubling underlying profit over two years and positioning the business for significant further growth. Prior to this, Carl was Chief Executive Officer of DeVere Group PLC and delivered a total shareholder return of over 150 per cent more than three times the average growth of the FTSE All-Share. Previously, he worked for Whitbread as well as Nomura International, following two years at the Forte Group. He graduated in law from Nottingham University. He has been the Non-Executive Chairman of Carluccios since September 2016. Commenting on behalf of the board, Richard Moat, CEO, eir said: Carl has a wealth of business experience across a range of consumer sectors and we look forward to his leadership of the board. I also look forward to Padraig continuing to play a key role in supporting eir. Chairman designate, Carl Leaver said eir was transformed during Padraigs tenure. "The company has invested 1.5 billion improving its 4G network to 95% population coverage and bringing high speed broadband to 1.6 million homes and businesses. I am looking forward to working with Richard and his senior management team on the roll-out of super-fast broadband to a further 300,000 premises, which represents an additional 200 million investment." Update 6.50pm: Minister for Health Simon Harris has said that it is important that the Citizens Assembly final report on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution is given full consideration. Minister Harris said: The Assemblys report has now been published and I would like to commend the members of their Assembly for their work. The report will be considered by a Special Oireachtas Committee. The Committee will be asked to report its conclusions and recommendations to both Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of its first public meeting. Members of the Dail and Seanad will then have an opportunity to debate the issue before final Government consideration. It is very important now that the Special Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment commence its work to examine the recommendations of the Citizen's Assembly. This is an issue that, as a nation, we now need to deal with definitively. This must be a respectful debate and I am determined that we will prove ourselves capable of addressing these issues in a respectful way. I want to be the Minister who brings forward the legislation to enable this important referendum in 2018. Update 6.09pm: Twenty-five pregnancies were terminated in Ireland last year under strict laws, official figures have revealed. One case involved a woman whose life was at risk from suicide, another eight procedures were carried out because of a risk of physical illness to the woman and 16 were as a result of emergencies arising out of physical illness. The Department of Health said the number of terminations was broadly in line with what had been anticipated when the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act was being drawn up. That legislation came into force in 2014 and allows for a pregnancy to be terminated where there is a real and substantial or immediate risk to a woman's life from a physical illness or from suicide. There were 26 terminations notified in 2015. The Department of Health also said two applications for terminations last year were reviewed and both were found to meet the criteria. The figures on terminations were released as the final report of the Citizens Assembly on abortion law reform was published. The assembly called for the removal of article 40.3.3, the eighth amendment to the Constitution, which grants equal right to life to the unborn. It said this should be replaced with a provision putting the onus on the Oireachtas to determine laws on the termination of pregnancy, rights of the unborn and the rights of pregnant women. The Oireachtas Committee on the Eight Amendment to the Constitution, which was set up to examine the assembly's recommendations, is expected to begin hearings on the issue in late September. Committee chairman Senator Catherine Noone said today: "While we have a limited amount of time to consider this issue, we can now use the work done by the Citizens' Assembly to consider this issue in a comprehensive, objective and mature manner." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has pledged to hold a referendum on the issue next year. Update14:13pm: Public meetings will be held from September on options for repealing the 8th amendment to the Irish constitution. The Citizens Assembly has published its final report on the subject, which saw an overwhelming majority say that the amendment, guaranteeing the equal right to life of the mother and unborn child, should be repealed. Chair of the Assembly, Judge Mary Laffoy is putting the matter back in the hands of the Oireachtas, where an all-party committee will consider the recommendations. Judge Mary Laffoy TD Jan O'Sullivan has said an Oireachtas committee will get to work on the issue. "My understanding is that we will start our public meetings in September and then we have a three month period from the first public meeting when we have to make recommendations to the Oireachtas," she said. Judge Mary Laffoy has also added to the recommendations of the Assembly and said all women across the country should have equal access to pregnancy scans, and she has said consideration should be given as to who will fund and carry out termination of pregnancy in Ireland. The Taoiseach has said he expects a referendum on the topic next year. Medical experts gathered in Dublin this morning where they discussed international best practice on abortion. Caitriona Henchion from the IFPA has said abortion must be integrated into reproductive healthcare if womens best interest are to be served. "In terms of abortion laws, Ireland still stands with the developing world rather than the developed world, if you want to put it in a very simple nutshell. "That means that we are not providing the same level of healthcare and reproductive health rights to women as other developed countries do," she said. Meanwhile in Belfast, the Court of Appeal says abortion reform should be left to the Stormont Assembly. The High Court had previously ruled that the laws banning abortion in the case of rape or fatal foetal abnormality breached a womans rights. Campaigner Berrnie Smyth welcomed the ruling in the North. "We accept that this has been a great victory here, a victory for democracy, a victory for the right to life. We have a statement that states very clearly the right to life is granted neither by judges or politicians but it's their duty to protect it," she said. However in the absence of the Assembly sitting, it will be some time before the matter is dealt with in both jurisdictions. File photo of Citizen Assembly Earlier:The Citizens Assembly will deliver its report on the 8th Amendment to the Oireachtas today. The group of 100 citizens spent five months hearing experts reports and personal testimonials. It is expected that a Referendum on the issue will be held in early 2018. Colm O'Gorman from Amnesty International has said it is important the issue moves forward. "From our perspective it's very very clear indeed all legal expertise points at the fact that the only way to guarantee the freedom of the Oireachtas to legislate for laws that fully respect to and fulfil human rights... here in Ireland, is to remove the 8th Amendment in its entirety from the Constitution and that's something that the Citizens Assembly clearly recommended," he said. The European Commission says Ireland should not scrap the Universal Social Charge. The recommendation comes in a report which raises several fears on the state of the economy. Leo Varadkar wants to alleviate some of the financial burden on lower paid workers by cutting back on the USC. However Brussels says our existing targets are going 'in the right direction'. The report given to TDs last night says the Government's budget policies run the risk of overheating the economy. The Commission warned that if the USC were abolished, very high personal taxes would be needed to make up the revenue. The report was given to the Oireachtas committee on finance yesterday. it is critical of some recent government decisions, including the help-to-buy scheme. The report also raises a concern about the abolition of water charges, and the implications for tax returns as a result. A Newry couple who dedicated their lives to helping bereaved families after the death of their son have won the lottery. Colin and Eithne Bell, who run a charity to assist those whose loved ones die overseas, have scooped 1 million in the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker. The couple from Newry, Co Down in Northern Ireland, lost their 26-year-old son Kevin in a hit-and-run incident in New York in 2013. The harrowing experience of trying to bring his body home motivated them to set up the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. In the last four years they have provided financial assistance to hundreds of Irish families confronted with similarly tragic circumstances. Former teacher Colin, 64, and Eithne, a 61-year-old retired nursery school worker, were settling in for a quiet night in front of the television last week when their evening took an unexpected but remarkable twist. "I was watching the early evening news with Eithne when the EuroMillions numbers flashed up on screen," said Mr Bell. "I remembered that Id bought a ticket for the draw but that I hadnt checked my numbers so I took out my wallet, went online and was disappointed to see that I hadnt matched any numbers. "However, when I checked the unique Millionaire Maker code I was totally floored to see that it matched my code. "I told Eithne that I thought we had just won 1 million and she laughed, thinking that I was joking. "But when I repeated it and she saw the look on my face, she soon realised that I was being serious." The couple said the sharing the news with each of their six children was unforgettable. "My wife would love a sun room extension on the house and a new car and I plan to buy a couple of 10 year Premium Level Tickets for Croke Park," said Mr Bell. "But well spend most of it changing the lives of our children - that will bring us so much joy." More information on the couples charity can be found at kevinbellrepatriationtrust.com. Update 5.26pm: Political leaders need to show courage to seal a deal restoring powersharing in Northern Ireland, the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has urged. He said he was encouraged that some progress had been made. "Political leaders now need to be challenged to show some courage and get this across the line, he said. "There is too much at stake to allow our institutions to fall - the deadline may have passed but we still need to get the deal done. "We cannot allow Northern politics to fall into a permanent status quo of huge frustration." Cross-community Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire had told the parties he would "reflect" over the weekend on how to proceed, and allow further talks to go ahead in the interim. She said she was "extremely frustrated and disappointed" that the latest deadline would not be met. "This Assembly has often been criticised and held in low esteem," she said. "We do ourselves no favours when we continue to let deadline after deadline slip." She said it was inexcusable that a row over the "name" of an Irish Language Act was halting progress. "That is ludicrous after six months of negotiation and debate on the issue," she said. Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann expressed disappointment. Ulster Unionist Leader Robin Swann (centre) speaks to the media at Stormont, Belfast. "It's not what we wanted and it's not what the people of Northern Ireland wanted. I believe that the majority of people voted at the last Assembly election for local politicians to take local decisions. "Everyone should recognise that if a functioning Executive and Assembly are not in place and we go to direct rule, then they should not expect either to be back in place any time soon. "It is the height of folly to allow any of the participants to hold a veto over the formation of the devolved institutions." Nichola Mallon, SDLP North Belfast Assembly member, said people were rightly angry and frustrated. "We always felt a deal could have been done by the deadline of today. "The institutions were brought down in January, we have had two elections and negotiations since March and no new issue has emerged. "But we are where we are, we will continue to play a constructive role." Update 4.14pm: Northern Ireland's political leaders have missed todays 4pm deadline to restore powersharing at Stormont. Despite failing to reach agreement by what is now the fourth since the institutions collapsed earlier this year, negotiations look set to continue over the coming days to get a deal over the line. It is understood Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire has told the five main Stormont parties he will reflect on the situation over the weekend, allowing further talks in the interim, before making a statement at Westminster on Monday outlining his intentions. Options open to him include setting a fifth deadline for the talks process, calling another snap Assembly election or reimposing some form of direct rule from London. Update 2.30pm: The Democratic Unionists has said there will not be an agreement to form a new powersharing government in the North by today's deadline at 4pm. The comments come despite the Irish and British governments saying "significant progress" had been made. If a deal isn't reached by 4pm today, direct rule from Westminster could be imposed. The DUP's Edwin Poots said: "The talks are continuing (but) obviously there's not going to be a breakthrough which will lead to nominations taking place today. The DUP were willing to nominate today and proceed, but Sinn Fein do not wish to nominate ministers." Simon Coveney and Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire speak to the media at Stormont, Belfast today. Picture: PA Earlier: Sinn Fein has warned the Democratic Unionists it is "make your mind up time" as the clock ticks down to a deadline to save powersharing in Northern Ireland. Party negotiator Conor Murphy said "limited progress" had been made to bridge the gaps between Sinn Fein and the main unionist party and added that the DUP had to give much more ground if a deal to restore devolution was to happen. The UK and Irish governments have claimed an agreement is still "possible and achievable", but as the 4pm deadline for the talks looms, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and the North's Secretary of State James Brokenshire gave no firm indication that they would give the parties more time. If the deadline passes and no extension is granted, Northern Ireland faces the prospect of some version of direct rule from Westminster or yet another snap Assembly election. The key sticking point in the way of a deal has emerged as Sinn Fein's demand for an Irish Language Act, which would bestow official protection for Irish speakers. The DUP is willing to legislate on the language issue, but only if Ulster Scots speakers are included in any Act, a condition Sinn Fein has rejected. Mr Murphy said: "In our view it's now make up your mind time for the DUP. We have always said this can be done in a matter of hours - the issues are very clear, there are still gaps in terms of trying to establish a rights-based approach to these institutions working, as per the Good Friday Agreement. "We want to close those gaps. There has been some limited progress in closing those gaps. We want to get this done, we want to get it done quickly and on a sustainable basis." Mr Brokenshire said a number of issues remain outstanding. "I believe a resolution can be found," he said. "And I'm urging the parties to continue focusing all of their efforts on achieving this. The UK Government will work with the parties toward their critical objective of forming an executive. "But I've made clear to party leaders that it is for them to reach agreement...That prize remains achievable and remains my focus." A scheduled meeting of the Stormont Assembly was earlier postponed amid intensive last-ditch negotiations to restore powersharing. The Assembly had been due to convene at noon to begin nominating devolved ministers to a coalition government. After a meeting of party whips, the start time was scrapped. It is understood the majority of the parties wanted to postpone the session until 2pm, but the DUP argued that the meeting should not proceed at all. Mr Coveney said the last three days of talks were intensive and he was encouraged by the discussions. "There still remain gaps to be bridged on some key issues," he said. "Like the Secretary of State I believe that an agreement is still within reach, an agreement that would allow a powersharing executive to be formed on a sustainable basis." Mr Coveney said all parties are committed to the successful operations of all the political institutions in Belfast and everyone was convinced devolution was the best way to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. "With courage and goodwill this can be achieved and everybody here is continuing to focus on a positive outcome," he said. The institutions imploded in January when DUP leader Arlene Foster was forced from office after Sinn Fein's then deputy first minister, the late Martin McGuinness, quit in protest at the DUP's handling of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - a scheme that left the administration facing a 490m overspend. His move triggered a snap Assembly election in March. A number of attempts to restore powersharing between the five main parties following that poll floundered, with three UK Government deadlines for a deal having already been missed. British Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman said: "If, despite our collective efforts, it proves impossible to re-establish the executive, we will need to consider the options to ensure Northern Ireland has the political stability that it needs. "In terms of what those options are, I wouldn't get into that at this stage." Todays not guilty verdict in the eight week Jobstown protest trial has been warmly welcomed by many as a "victory for the right to protest" Reacting to the verdict earlier today Paul Murphy, who was cleared of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton during the Jobstown protest branded the evidence against him "rubbish". Solidarity TD Murphy and five others were found by a jury not guilty of restricting the personal liberty of Joan Burton and her then assistant Karen OConnell on November 15 2014, at Fortunestown Road in Jobstown, Dublin. Speaking immediately after being cleared, Mr Murphy said files sent by the gardai to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case were "rubbish". "You saw Garda witness after Garda witness have their testimony shredded by our defence counsel," he said. Mr Murphy added: "In the course of the next 24 hours we will have more to say about the implications of this trial for the political establishment and for the development of a left challenge as well as the role of the Gardai in this process." Mr Murphy, two Solidarity county councillors and three other men had all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Former Labour leader Ms Burton was heckled by protesters opposed to households being charged for water as she left an event in Jobstown almost three years ago. Along with Ms OConnell, she was placed in a Garda car which was subsequently surrounded by protesters for a number of hours. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD has welcomed the not guilty verdict and suggested it is a victory for the right to protest. The right to protest is a democratic and hard won right. It cannot be brushed aside or diluted to suit a political agenda. This is good news for everybody who holds that right dear. I want to send my good wishes to the protesters and their families. Independent TD Joan Collins also suggested the verdict was a victory for the ability to peacefully protest. "The role of the Gardai again comes under scrutiny in this State given their actions in the policing on the day, investigation and trial," she said. The Labour Party issued a statement saying it noted the verdict of the jury. "The investigation of any criminal matter, and the conduct of any associated prosecution, is decided by An Garda Siochana and the law officers of the State who operate with complete independence from the political system," it said. "As we have been all along, the Labour Party remains resolutely focused on our central tasks of holding the Government to account, and campaigning for decency, justice and equality in society." Reacting to the verdict trade union Unite said they hoped that the verdict would signal the end to political policing. Unite Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly said the right to protest, like the right to freedom of association, is fundamental to our democracy and crucial to the trade union movement. The rights of workers to engage in protest action during disputes with employers is also something which has to be constantly defended, and this verdict gives vindication to those rights. Todays news is good news not just for the defendants who have had to endure this trial, but for all those who cherish our hard-won freedoms. It is clear that the motivation behind the charges faced by the Jobstown defendants was to demonise and de-legitimise water protesters. Fortunately, that attempt failed and todays verdict must signal the end of political policing, he concluded. Iraqs Prime Minister has declared an end to the IS caliphate after Iraqi forces captured the compound of a landmark mosque in Mosul in which the Islamic State group originally announced their caliphate. "We are seeing the end of the fake Daesh state. The liberation of Mosul proves that," Haider al-Abadi said using the Arabic acronym for IS in a statement posted to twitter. "We will not relent, our brave forces will bring victory," he added. But even as the Iraqi leader issued his statement, heavy clashes continued to unfold in Mosul - filling field hospitals and forcing hundreds to flee. The destroyed al-Nuri mosque retaken by Iraqi special forces on Thursday following a dawn push is a hugely symbolic win. The site is where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance in July 2014, declaring a self-styled Islamic "caliphate", encompassing territories then-held by IS in Syria and Iraq. Iraqi and coalition officials said IS blew up the mosque complex last week. The Islamic State group has blamed a US airstrike for the destruction, a claim rejected by a spokesman for the US-led coalition who said coalition planes "did not conduct strikes in that area at that time". The advances on Thursday come as Iraqi troops are pushing deeper into the Old City, a densely populated neighbourhood west of the Tigris River where IS fighters are making their last stand in Iraqs second-largest city. Last week, Iraqi forces launched the operation to retake the Old Citys narrow alleyways and dense clusters of homes, embarking on some of the most difficult urban combat in the IS fight to date. IS now holds less than two square kilometres of territory inside Mosul, but the advances have come at considerable cost. Damaged and destroyed houses dot the route Iraqi forces have carved into the congested district and the stench of rotting bodies rises from beneath mounds of rubble. "There are hundreds of bodies under the rubble," said special forces Major Dhia Thamir, deployed inside the Old City. He added that all the dead bodies along the special forces route were of IS fighters. Special forces Major General Sami al-Aridi acknowledged that some civilians have been killed by airstrikes and artillery in the fight for the Old City. "Of course there is collateral damage, it is always this way in war," he said. "The houses are very old," he said, referring to the Old City, "so any bombardment causes them to collapse completely." US-led coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told reporters at the Pentagon that victory in Mosul was "imminent" and would likely occur "in days rather than weeks". But, he continued: "The Old City still remains a difficult, dense, suffocating fight - tight alleyways with booby traps, civilians, and (IS) fighters around every corner." Some 300 IS fighters remain holed up inside the Old City according to Iraqs special forces along with an estimated 50,000 civilians according to the United Nations. Nearly a thousand civilians fled Mosuls Old City on Thursday, according to Col Ali al-Kenani, an Iraqi intelligence officer at a west Mosul screening centre. While Iraqi forces have had periods of swift gains during the Mosul operation, combat inside the city has largely been gruelling and deadly for both security forces and civilians. Clashes have displaced more than 850,000 people according to the International Organisation for Migration. - Associated Press The Italian prime minister has urged his EU allies to take in more refugees, saying the relentless arrival of tens of thousands of rescued people on Italian shores is putting his country under enormous strain. Paolo Gentiloni spoke after 10,000 people were pulled to safety from the Mediterranean in the last few days alone. With an election due in less than a year, political pressure is building on his centre-left government to push for relief from fellow EU nations. Flanked by EU national leaders and EU officials at a news conference in Berlin, Mr Gentiloni said the growing number of arrivals "puts our welcome capability to a tough test". Italy has already taken in hundreds of thousands of refugees in the last few years. Some estimates say 220,000 people could land in Italy by the end of 2017. "It's a country under pressure, and we ask the help of our European allies," Mr Gentiloni said, when asked about a reported new Italian strategy of blocking Italy's ports to non-Italian NGO ships that rescue people from distressed dinghies and other unseaworthy boats off the Libyan coast. While acknowledging that European nations take part in patrols to deter smuggling in the central Mediterranean, Mr Gentiloni said the job of caring for the refugees "remains in one country only" - Italy. In addition to those who arrive, over 2,000 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean this year, according to the UN. On Sunday, Italy's anti-migrant Northern League Party teamed up with the centre-right opposition forces led by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi and triumphed in several mayoral races. The Democrats, Italy's main government party, took an embarrassing drubbing in the vote. Many Italian towns say they just cannot handle hosting hundreds of refugees anymore. Right-wing parties remind citizens that Italians themselves are suffering from high unemployment and a practically flat economy. In one port in Reggio Calabria alone, 1,066 people disembarked from the Save the Children rescue ship Vos Hestia on Thursday. Among them were 241 unaccompanied minors. From 2015 to 2016, the number of unaccompanied minors doubled to more than 25,000, according to the Interior Ministry. This ship's rescued refugees came from Eritrea, Bangladesh, Somalia and several sub-Saharan nations of Africa and included a four-day-old boy. Six refugees had chicken pox and some 250 showed signs of scabies, so officials set up pressurised showers. There's also concern that if Italy, a stalwart supporter of the EU, sours on Brussels because it feels abandoned on the issue, the EU's very survival itself could be compromised. "Either the Union can shake itself up, or the fear is that it can collapse definitively," said Francesco Laforgia, a lawmaker in a leftist party that split recently from the Democrats. The idea that Mr Gentiloni's government is mulling blocking Italy's ports to European NGO ships, which increasingly rescue refugees before EU Frontex military fleets or Italian coast guard vessels arrive, is a dramatic recognition that public patience is wearing thin. "The situation is no longer sustainable," Nicola Latorre, head of the Senate's defence commission, told the Il Messaggero daily. "Obviously saving human lives remains a priority. But it's unthinkable that Italy does it all by itself." Earlier on Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini backed Italy's stance and insisted that other EU countries share the burden of caring for refugees. However, previous plans hatched in Brussels to make other EU countries take in a fixed number of people from Italy and Greece have failed. Several central and eastern European EU members - including large countries like Hungary and Poland - have flat out refused to take in a quota of the asylum-seekers. A Romanian man has been detained on suspicion that he was linked to a group involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks. Organised crime prosecutors questioned the man, identified only as "Ibrahim", in the central Romanian city of Pitesti. Pope Francis' financial adviser is being charged in Australia with multiple counts of historical sexual assault, in a stunning move certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. George Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. Victoria state police deputy commissioner Shane Patton said police had summonsed Cardinal Pell, 76, to Australia to face multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offences". Mr Patton said there were multiple complainants against the cardinal, but gave no other details of the allegations against him. Cardinal Pell, who has been ordered to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18, has repeatedly denied abuse claims against him. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said Cardinal Pell would return to Australia as soon as possible to fight the charges. The archdiocese statement released on his behalf said he "again strenuously denied all allegations" against him and he "is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously". The cardinal is planning to make a further statement in Rome later. "It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal Pell have, obviously, been tested in any court yet," Mr Patton said in Melbourne. "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy on sex abuse. For years, Cardinal Pell has faced claims that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorised investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's years-long Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - the nation's highest form of inquiry - has found shocking levels of abuse in the country's Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7% of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the past several decades. Last year, Cardinal Pell acknowledged during his evidence to the commission that the church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he too had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse and vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian home town of Ballarat. But more recently, Cardinal Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview him. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced on Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Cardinal Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when he was a senior priest in Melbourne. Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican, which leaves two likely outcomes: either Cardinal Pell volunteers to return to Australia to fight the charges or the Vatican could tell him to do so, said Donald Rothwell, an international law expert at the Australian National University. "I would think that the Pope would be very concerned to think that one of his cardinals, and someone who holds a high position within the Vatican government structure, is being wanted on criminal charges in Australia," Mr Rothwell said in a recent interview. "So if the Pope was to say, 'Well look, Cardinal Pell, I'd like you to return to Australia and mount a defence', I'm sure Cardinal Pell would probably follow that instruction. "In the case of someone like Cardinal Pell, the sway that the Pope and the church has over him is much greater than the ordinary citizen." The charges put Pope Francis in a thorny position. In 2014 he won cautious praise from victims' advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about "best practices" to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has since lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left. Francis also scrapped the commission's signature proposal - a tribunal section to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse - after Vatican officials objected. In addition, Francis drew heated criticism for his 2015 appointment of a Chilean bishop accused by victims of helping cover up for Chile's most notorious paedophile. The Pope was later caught on video labelling the parishioners who opposed the nomination of being "leftists" and "stupid". When asked last year about the accusations against Cardinal Pell, Francis said he wanted to wait for Australian justice to take its course before judging. "It's true, there is a doubt," he told reporters on his way home from Poland. "We have to wait for justice and not first make a mediatic judgment - a judgment of gossip - because that won't help. "Once justice has spoken, I will speak." Francis appointed Cardinal Pell in 2014 to a five-year term to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat, giving him broad rein to control all economic, administrative, personnel and procurement functions of the Holy See. The mandate has since been restricted to performing more of an oversight role. The leading support group for victims of sexual abuse by priests called on the Pope to speak out about the charges against Cardinal Pell. US-based survivors' network Snap noted that Francis had promised to work to "end the scourge of abuse by his clergy". The group called on anyone with additional information about the Cardinal Pell case to come forward. Canberra's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students face a two year NAPLAN gap behind their non-Indigeous peers, prompting a leading education expert to call for a concerted effort to end disadvantage. NAPLAN data from 2016 showed results for Indigenous students worsened between years 3 and 9, suggesting a widening gap as children progressed through school. University of Canberra's Professor Chris Sarra. Credit:Jeffrey Chan The most notable difference in a single year group was recorded in the year 9 writing test, where Indigenous students were almost 20 percentage points behind their non-Indigenous classmates in reaching the national minimum standard. The average difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in major cities is 10 percentage points. By year 9, the ACT outstripped this on every test. A government-induced housing market slowdown in Malaysia and Hong Kong has forced REA Group to announce a $180 million impairment in the value of its newly acquired Asian business, iProperty. The change in goodwill value would appear in the 2016-17 full-year accounts, REA told the market on Thursday morning, but would not affect its compliance with banking covenants or dividends. Sales of new apartments in Malaysia are down 33 per cent in 2016 compared to 2015, according to REA. Credit:Bloomberg Shares dropped to $65.90 on opening, then recovered to close at $67.45, a 52 cent drop from the previous day's close of $67.97. "In determining the carrying value of its assets, REA Group considers a range of macro assumptions including market conditions, volume of property transactions and new development projects," the company told the market. The operator of the Hazelwood coal mine in the Latrobe Valley will face a trial over the 2014 fire at the site. The Victorian workplace safety regulator, WorkSafe, charged the Hazelwood Power Corporation with 10 alleged breaches of occupational health and safety laws last year. This week, after legal proceedings in the Latrobe Valley, the company was committed to stand trial over the fire, which covered the nearby town of Morwell, home to about 14,000 people, with smoke and ash. Hazelwood indicated to the court that it would plead not guilty to the charges. Retail is in the doghouse with investors, but private equity is pouring more money into the sector. Over the past 15 months, private equity has invested in wine website Vinomofo Group, custom-made shoes business Shoes of Prey, and apparel brand owner Brand Collective. These investments have helped push private equity's total investment in retail to more than $6 billion across 133 businesses in Australia. Fifteen months ago, it had invested more than $5 billion in 128 retail businesses. But last week, the Archer Capital-owned Craveable (the franchisor of fast food chains Red Rooster and Oporto) killed its planned sharemarket float, citing "broader sentiment weighing down the overall retail sector". It is of paramount importance that these preconditions of natural justice apply in the treatment of Cardinal George Pell, Australia's highest ranking Catholic and the world's third-most senior figure in the Catholic Church, in the wake of the historical child sexual abuse charges laid against him on Thursday by Victoria Police, after receiving an assessment from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Over a number of years, Vatican-based Cardinal Pell has repeatedly and emphatically denied ever having committed any sexual crime, and says he will return to Australia as soon as possible "to clear his name" and vigorously contest the charges. He has been summonsed to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18, and has been co-operating with the police. Many people might welcome the charges, largely because the four-year Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has heard abundant evidence the Catholic Church in Australia, under Cardinal Pell and others, spent more effort and money on protecting child rapists and the church's good name than on seeking to support and financially compensate abuse survivors. The integrity of Australia's judicial system is underpinned by the principle that those accused of a crime are considered innocent until proved guilty. Also of fundamental importance to our courts' credibility and authority is the tenet of blind justice; everyone is equal before the law. The charges against Cardinal Pell are a further blow to the Catholic Church, which has been damaged by evidence to the commission that countless children were raped and otherwise abused by paedophile priests who were then shielded from justice. Members of the church have been shocked and disillusioned by the evidence of such rampant and repulsive crimes, and of the cover up. The lives of many victims have been ruined. Many others have died by suicide. It can hardly come as a surprise that results this week from the 2016 census showed the proportion of Australian residents identifying as Catholic has fallen from 25.3 per cent to 22.6 per cent since 2011. We don't suggest the child abuse revelations are the sole cause of the decline. We merely observe the catastrophic impact of clerical child abuse revelations on Roman Catholicism in Ireland. In the late 1980s about 90 per cent of the Irish population attended Mass weekly. Since the scandal was exposed in the 1990s and 2000s, weekly Mass attendance has dropped to around 30 per cent. The biggest annual falls 6.4 per cent in 2009 and 7.4 per cent in 2011 coincided with the publication of damning reports from inquiries into clerical abuse. Arriving at a just outcome for the claimants and for Cardinal Pell depends on due process being respected assiduously. Fairness demands that potential jurors are not unduly influenced ahead of any trial, and so public speculation about Cardinal Pell's guilt or innocence is prohibited. Amid febrile and competitive media coverage of one of the biggest stories of our era, the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, John Champion, SC, has taken the unusual step of writing to media outlets warning that the matter is now sub judice, "so the law relating to prejudicial publicity and contempt of court now applies". Police have not detailed the charges, and will not be releasing any further official information before the hearing. It is now, finally, up to the courts and the courts alone to deliver justice by rigorously testing the claims of the alleged victims and of the man they accuse. The Turnbull government is prepared to significantly water down its plan to increase university fees and slash the HECS repayment threshold in a bid to pass higher education savings through Parliament. After the successful passage of the Gonski 2.0 school funding changes last week - with major concessions to the Senate crossbench - Education Minister Simon Birmingham will shift his focus to higher education. Students are planning their studies for next year amid uncertainty about how much they will cost. Credit:Louise Kennerley Senator Birmingham on Thursday said the government would be "pragmatic" in its efforts to legislate its higher education policies, which have drawn fierce criticism from across the university sector. It will be more difficult to achieve success on higher education than school funding because Labor and the Greens are adamantly opposed to the government's plan, which would save the budget $2.8 billion over four years. Greens senator Lee Rhiannon and her hardline supporters in NSW will resist a federal push to reform the party's rules, setting the stage for more bitter infighting in the divided party. Senator Rhiannon's supporters rallied behind her on Thursday after the federal party room voted to effectively suspend her until the NSW division changes its ways. Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon knew one thing on June 28 ... Credit:Eddie Jim The controversy appears to have galvanised many in the state behind her, with some predicting it will make a planned pre-selection challenge against her more difficult. Australia's neighbourhood faces a "substantially" increased threat from Islamic State with the current battle against militants in the southern Philippines serving as a sharp wake-up call, head of the US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris has warned. Speaking on board the visiting American warship USS Bonhomme Richard, Admiral Harris told Australian journalists that "ISIS is trying to gain a foothold in the Indo-Asia Pacific and I think it behooves all free nations to take a stand and play a part in defeating ISIS." On board the visiting American warship USS Bonhomme Richard, where the opening ceremony for Talisman Sabre was held. Credit:John Feder He said the situation in Marawi city, where the Philippines army has been bogged down in a ferocious battle against Islamic militants, was a "wake up call for the region." Australia's Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, confirmed that the ADF had contributed three aircraft to assist Philippines forces with intelligence and surveillance support. Greens leader Richard Di Natale has insisted that the decision to suspend rogue NSW senator Lee Rhiannon from party room debates is not a penalty, but an attempt to improve "a consensus-based decision-making process" within the party. After a four-hour meeting on Wednesday, the federal party room voted to exclude Senator Rhiannon from party room discussions and "decisions on contentious government legislation", including within her portfolio responsibilities, until the NSW branch is reformed so its senator is not bound to potentially conflicting positions. But a fight looms over the federal move for change, with the Greens NSW quickly labelling the decision "unconstitutional". Co-convenors Debbie Gibson and Tony Hickey released a statement on Wednesday night saying they did not believe there was support in the party for changing the party's NSW or national constitutions. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Australia's best-known Catholic politician, Tony Abbott, has defended the character of his long-standing friend, Cardinal George Pell. Cardinal Pell has been charged with historical sex offences and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 26. In a short statement to Fairfax Media on Thursday after the charges were announced, Mr Abbott offered support for his friend. A friend went into treatment for breast cancer the same week I got my scary letter. She was so matter of fact about the chemo and the possible surgery, she was unwittingly a good influence on what was about to happen to me. I've had mammograms every two years since forever. Started in my 40s because of no reason except my family history is largely unknown and I have an unreasonable fear of dying early. Not really unreasonable. Dad died just as I left school. Mum died when I was 26. But in terms of breast cancer as far as I know, there is none in my family. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85. As the Cancer Council says, the biggest risk factors for developing breast cancer are being a woman and getting older. That's me. So whenever I get the reminder text from BreastScreen to set up an appointment, I'm on it. What's a little bit of breast smooshing when it could buy me more time? I love my breasts. Fun, useful, practical. Even as a young girl, I liked them. I never in any serious way agonised over shape or perkiness, even when they were the size of peak season rockmelons during breastfeeding, I'd think, wow, impressive! Attractive to their owner, also a food source. Part of my identity. Eva McGauley is terminally ill. But she's determined to fulfil her dying wish to help others. While any decent-minded person would forgive the 17-year-old New Zealander, who has a rare form of cancer, for focusing her energy on herself, she is devoting her life to empowering young people to make a difference in their communities. Eva McGauley, who despite having a rare form of cancer has launched her own charity to empower other young people. Credit:Instagram "Everyone must handle [their sickness] differently. I wasn't very worried about myself. I was more worried about the people around me who loved me," she said. Rather than pursuing personal goals like travel or going to university, Eva ramped up her charity efforts and began talking to school groups about her volunteer work. Australia's most-senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, is the No. 3 man at the Vatican, in charge of the multi-billion-dollar portfolio of the Roman Catholic Church. Credit:l'Osservatore Romano Instead, he announced a morning press conference at the building facing the basilica, the press office of the Holy See. Through his Sydney office, he had already announced he would return to Australia "as soon as possible to clear his name" pending the approval of his doctors. "He is looking forward to his day in court," the statement said. In person, at the press conference, Pell was emphatic. Leaning forward, he read from a prepared statement. He departed from the text in one significant way: through repetition. "There has been relentless character assassination. Relentless character assassination." And: "News of these charges strengthens my resolve. Strengthens my resolve." Blinking rarely, Pell eyeballed the reporters in the room, his expression unreadable. He glanced down rarely clearly he knew its contents almost by heart. His tone was forceful, even angry. He would clear his name and return "here back to Rome to work". But a statement from the Pope, read afterwards by Greg Burke, director of the Vatican press office, as Pell sat beside him, was more ambiguous. Pell had been "granted a leave of absence" to defend himself. There was no announcement of a replacement at the Secretariat for the Economy, even a temporary one. But there was no definitive statement that Pell would return, should he be acquitted, to the same role at the Secretariat for the Economy, nor the Council of Cardinals who are Pope Francis' closest advisers. Regardless of the result of the trial, the charges against Pell are a serious blow to Francis. Since he arrived at the Vatican, Francis has been trying to shine light into dark corners of an institution racked by scandal, beset by corruption allegations and constant power struggles between its various fiefdoms and ministries. In 2014 Francis appointed Cardinal Pell to the newly created position of Prefect for the Economy. His job was to bring the Vatican finances under control and into the light: not just the notorious Vatican Bank, alleged to be a conduit for money laundering, but a wider chaotic web of expense accounts and departmental budgets. Pell sits on the small Council of Cardinals: an informal group that Francis trusts to guide him in his reform work. Some in the Vatican will be quietly celebrating Pell's situation, said Austen Ivereigh, contributing editor at the Catholic news site Cruxnow and author of a biography on Pope Francis. "This is a massive blow to the Vatican and particularly to Pope Francis' reform project because Cardinal Pell is an absolutely key figure," Ivereigh told Fairfax Media. Pell was key to the Pope's efforts to reform Vatican finances because as an outsider he did not respect the Vatican old guard or the "Curial [Vatican administration] culture". "From the word go his style - abrasive, determined, no-nonsense - has been seen as essential in driving past the resistance which there's been to a lot of the financial reform." But it has also created enemies. "There will be in Rome today many people delighted that Pell will no longer be on the scene. He has rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way, partly because of his abrasive manner but partly also because he is challenging long-entrenched interests which have long benefited from being in the dark. "His reforms have made them feel very exposed." It is likely to be some time before Pell comes to trial. Though the Vatican has not named a replacement, and described Pell as being granted a leave of absence, over the next few months it would become clear who in practice would do his job, Ivereigh said. Pell was only certain to return to his old job if he was quickly cleared of the charges. "If this is going to be a long, complicated case, how can the Secretariat for the Economy just simply carry on without him? That's the real question people are asking this morning." Though the common "number three in the Vatican" shorthand is a fiction, there are few in the church who wield more official authority or practical power than Pell. But even before his appointment to the finance role he was under attack from those who resist reform, for reasons of principle or self-interest. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Two men who claim to be sexual abuse victims of Cardinal George Pell say they have been finally heard after years of being too fearful to report their allegations to police. Cardinal George Pell Credit:Alessandra Tarantino Ballarat lawyer Ingrid Irwin, who represents two of Cardinal Pell's alleged victims, said the men were "ecstatic" about charges being laid. Victoria Police has confirmed Cardinal Pell has been charged on summons over multiple allegations and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 26 for a filing hearing. At a closed meeting on Tuesday night, as protesters gathered outside council chambers, the Liberal-dominated Waverley Council adopted the findings of the second report and exonerated mayor Sally Betts. The second report, authored by the top bureaucrat in the Office of Local Government, cleared the mayor of wrongdoing. Waverley mayor Sally Bett's Liberal colleagues have voted to exonerate her from an alleged code of conduct breach. Credit:Sarah Keayes One report compiled from an independent investigation spanning almost one year recommended sanctions against a Liberal eastern suburbs mayor for breaching the council's code of conduct during a meeting in May last year. It's a tale of two reports, but one bitterly divided beach-side council. But the formal exoneration of Cr Betts is unlikely to be the end of the matter, with her opponents on council fuming at the outcome. "What they've done is used the Office of Local Government report to refuse to apologise," Labor councillor John Wakefield said. Independent councillor Miriam Guttman-Jones, once an ally of the mayor, accused the Liberal bloc of using their dominance to cherry-pick the outcome. "They didn't take into consideration a report which took almost a year to complete, with extensive interviews, and instead chose the report which was favourable to the mayor," she said. Cr Guttman-Jones was one of eight complainants who triggered an investigation into Cr Betts, after she declared a meeting on May 2016 closed "on the voices", as it was poised to debate controversial upgrades to the Bondi Pavilion. DRAWN FROM NATURE: AUSTRALIAN BOTANICAL PAINTINGS Head to the Blue Mountains this weekend for this spectacular display of botanical paintings. Each of the four Australian artists featured Annie Hughes, Angela Lober, Beverley Allen and Julie Nettleton is internationally recognised and highly awarded in their field. Pictured is Nettleton's local Blackheath waratah, Telopea speciosissima. Saturday, July 1, 2-4pm; until July 16, Friday-Monday 10am-5pm; Day Fine Art, Blackheath, dayfineart.com Yolanda Lowatta and Kaine Sultan-Babij from Bangarra Dance Theatre will be in a production of "Bennelong" at the Sydney Opera House. Credit:Janie Barrett MERVYN BISHOP Opened just in time for NAIDOC week this exhibition celebrates the lifelong career of the first Aboriginal press photographer, Mervyn Bishop. After a youth spent in Brewarrina, Bishop has been on the spot to capture numerous, valuable historical, cultural and social moments (Cousins, Ralph and Jim, Brewarrina, pictured). Accompanying a display of photographs from the Gallery's collection is a slideshow from Bishop's personal archive, and a collection of his early cameras. Until October 8, Thursday-Tuesday, 10am-5pm; Wednesdays until 10pm; Yiribana Gallery, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, artgallery.nws.gov.au A woman is fighting for her life after she was found unconscious at a caravan park in Cowra, in the NSW central west. Police were called to the Cowra Holiday Park on Olympic Highway about 7.30am on Thursday after a resident found the 37-year-old woman outside her caravan with serious head injuries and partly naked. A woman has been found unconscious and with head injuries at a caravan park in Cowra. Credit:Cowra Guardian Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was flown to Orange Base Hospital in a critical condition. She has since been taken to Westmead Hospital in Sydney. Commuters waiting at a Brisbane bus stop were injured after a small sedan crashed into the shelter on Thursday. Emergency services were called to Upper Roma Street after the car mounted the kerb and careened into the bus shelter just after 2.20pm. Two people were in the bus shelter at the time of the crash. Credit:Queensland Ambulance Service Queensland Ambulance Service medical director Stephen Rashford said the two women at the bus shelter and the man in the car were all taken to hospital. "We have transported three people from the scene, luckily no one is critically ill, all have been transported to major trauma services," Dr Rashford said. A magistrate tells him there's no need to cry but the repeat petty thief on the low-definition prison video screen can't stop. Perched on a blue seat in a cramped prison room, Phillip John Murphy sobbed for minutes as he apologised for his latest crimes, stealing and fraud committed while already on parole for similar offences. The prisoner complained about the support he was given when he was released on parole. Credit:Greg Henderson Whispered side conversations stopped as his amplified words echoed around the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday. "I'm happy to be here," he said, of the overcrowded Woodford Correctional Centre north-west of Brisbane. With tax time upon us, you might want to read this report before you take some creative license with your work-related expenses. The ATO will crack down on higher-than-expected tax deductions related to cars, travel, clothing, internet and mobile phones. In 2015-16 Australians claimed about $23 billion of work-related expense deductions and as the agency has noted, there's a lot of over-claiming. Read the full report on deduction guidelines here. New York: US President Donald Trump faced a swift and bipartisan backlash Thursday after he assailed the television host Mika Brzezinski in personal and vulgar terms, the latest of a string of escalating attacks by the president on the national news media. Shortly before 9am, as Brzezinski's MSNBC show Morning Joe was ending, Mr Trump used Twitter to taunt Brzezinski and her co-host, Joe Scarborough, referring to them as "low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe." In a pair of Twitter posts, he wrote, "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came... to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" Mr Trump is famed for his online provocations, but the coarseness of his remark about Brzezinski - coming from a president who has faced criticism for his attitudes toward women - drew immediate denunciations in the political world, including from prominent members of his own party. Hong Kong: Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Hong Kong he will ensure the stability of 'One Country, Two Systems' after arriving for his first visit since becoming China's leader. Mr Xi said his visit was to showcase Beijing's support for Hong Kong and help plan its future. Hong Kong is under its heaviest security lockdown since 1997, when it was handed back from Britain to China, with 10,000 police deployed for Mr Xi's three-day visit. The traditional protest opposing the anniversary has been planned for Friday evening, while Demosisto, the more radical youth activist party, called for street protests on July 1, after its leadership was arrested by police on Wednesday evening. Mosul: Sana Abdul Amir leans in close to the shrouded figure on the bed, tears leaking from her eyes. To speak to her son, she needs to bend close and listen hard. His throat and his nasal passages are burnt; the inside of his mouth is black. Burns cover about 60 per cent of his body. "Welcome," Abdulrahman Abdulaaly, 18, whispers when we ask if we can take his photograph. He has no idea what kind of explosive force hit him - an air strike, perhaps, or a suicide bomber - but it happened just outside his front door as he tried to flee his home. He is one of thousands of civilian victims of the brutal campaign to liberate Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, from Islamic State. IS fighters in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armoured vehicle parading down a road in Mosul back in 2014. Credit:AP IS still controls territory west and south of the city, ruling over hundreds of thousands of people. Its de facto capital in Syria, Raqqa, is also close to falling. A US-backed Kurdish-led coalition besieging Raqqa on Thursday fully encircled it after closing the militants' last way out from the south, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. These setbacks have reduced Islamic State's territory by 60 per cent from its peak two years ago and its revenue by 80 per cent, to just $US16 million a month, said IHS Markit, an analytics firm. "Their fictitious state has fallen," an Iraqi military spokesman, Brigadier-General Yahya Rasool, told state TV. However, it still occupies an area as big as Belgium, across Iraq and Syria, according to IHS Markit. IS fighters blew up the medieval mosque and its famed leaning minaret a week ago as US-backed Iraqi forces started a push in its direction. Their black flag had been flying from al-Hadba ("The Hunchback") minaret since June 2014. Much of the mosque and its brickwork minaret was reduced to rubble, said a Reuters TV reporter who went to the site with the elite units that captured it. Only the stump of the Hunchback remained, and a green dome of the mosque supported by a few pillars which resisted the blast, he said. The mosque grounds were off limits as the insurgents are suspected to have planted booby traps. Abadi "issued instructions to bring the battle to its conclusion", by capturing the remaining parts of the Old City, his office said. The cost of the fighting has been enormous. In addition to military casualties, thousands of civilians are estimated to have been killed. About 900,000 people, nearly half the prwar population of the northern city, have fled, mostly taking refuge in camps or with relatives and friends, according to aid groups. Those trapped in the city suffered hunger, deprivation and IS oppression as well as death or injury, and many buildings have been ruined. Arduous task Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) troops captured the al-Nuri Mosque's ground in a "lightning operation" on Thursday, a commander of the US-trained elite units told state TV. CTS units are now in control of the mosque area and the al-Hadba and Sirjkhana neighbourhoods and they are still advancing, a military statement said. Other government units, from the army and police, were closing in from other directions. An elite Interior Ministry unit said it freed about 20 children believed to belong to Yazidi and other minorities persecuted by the jihadists in a quarter north of the Old City which houses Mosul's main hospitals. A US-led international coalition is providing air and ground support to the Iraqi forces fighting through the Old City's maze of narrow alleyways. But the advance remains arduous as IS fighters are dug in the middle of civilians, using mortar fire, snipers, booby traps and suicide bombers to defend their last redoubt. The military estimated up to 350 militants were still in the Old City last week but many have been killed since. They are besieged in one square kilometre making up less than 40 per cent of the Old City and less than one per cent of the total area of Mosul, the largest urban centre over which they held sway in Iraq and Syria. Those residents who have escaped the Old City say many of the civilians trapped behind IS lines - put last week at 50,000 by the Iraqi military - are in a desperate situation with little food, water or medicines. "Boys and girls who have managed to escape show signs of moderate malnutrition and carry psychosocial scars," the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF said in a statement. Thousands of children remain at risk in Mosul, it said. IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself ruler of all Muslims from the Grand al-Nuri Mosque's pulpit on July 4, 2014, after the insurgents overran swathes of Iraq and Syria. His speech from the mosque was the first time he revealed himself to the world and the footage broadcast then is to this day the only video recording of him as "caliph". He has left the fighting in Mosul to local commanders and is believed to be hiding in the border area between Iraq and Syria, according to US and Iraqi military sources. The mosque was named after Nuruddin al-Zanki, a noble who fought the early Crusaders from a fiefdom that covered territory in modern-day Turkey, Syria and Iraq. It was built in 1172-73, shortly before his death, and housed an Islamic school. Domain Group has announced it is expanding into home loans broking with the launch of Domain Loan Finder in partnership with digital home loan platform Lendi.Domain Loan Finder, launching in early July, is set to become a key digital solution for customers in Australia looking to secure a home loan. It offers consumers a simple and stress-free online process to connect with more than 30 leading lenders, including major banks, coupled with access to a national community of home loan specialists for personalised help and expert advice.Domain chief executive officer, Antony Catalano, said: This is a very important strategic announcement for Domain, and means we are the first major real estate listings portal to move beyond helping our audience find a home to helping them secure a home. Domain will be Australias first end-to-end property search and finance platform.Lendi is a fast-growing consumer brand with a superior product offering, and we are very excited that Lendi will be powering Domain Loan Finder to help Australians secure the best home loan available to them.Domain Loan Finder helps consumers apply for loans that are genuinely available in the market it is not just another rates comparison website.We expect Domain Loan Finder will quickly become a must-use and valuable digital tool for all Australians looking to secure a home loan. We will actively market our home loan solution to our large and highly engaged audience of more than 4 million a month in a highly relevant, personalised and timely way.Domain is well positioned to utilise its popular consumer technology platforms to enter into a partnership in the Australian home loan broking market, which generates about $2bn a year in commissions, and to expand beyond its current home loan lead referral business.This new offering is part of the full complement of real estate products and services that Domain is building out to deliver on the modern needs of todays property buyers, owners and sellers, as well as to grow new transactional revenues.Domain Loan Finder adds to Domains other investments in utilities connections business Compare & Connect, home improvement and maintenance business Oneflare, and open for inspection check-in management system Homepass.We are very much looking forward to working with Lendi to pursue this significant opportunity to continue to create value through digital innovation for audiences and customers.Lendi managing director, David Hyman, said: Were excited to be working with Domain to bring the Lendi experience to a wider audience.Tapping into Domains strong market position, were looking forward to bringing an integrated home loan experience to the property buying process.With more and more consumers turning to online channels as part of their home loan research, theres a huge opportunity to enhance that journey with contextual and relevant engagement as they progress through the property buying journey.Domain Loan Finder will operate as a joint venture with Lendis parent entity, Auscred, with Domain holding a 60% stake. The amount invested in the JV is not material and remains confidential.Lendi started in 2013 as an online and phone-based broking business and is backed by major institutional investors and venture capital. Australias newest sub-aggregator Giant Finance Group (GFG) has gotten off to a flying start, signing up 62 brokers attracted to its personalised business model.Launched on 1 March this year, GFG offers a small scale, more customised service offering for brokers with BDMs available to provide brokers with an answer while the customer is in front of them.Our mantra is that weve got a two hour service level agreement (SLA) to return all phone calls. We have an in-house team thats desktop bound that returns all emails pretty much on the spot, GFGs CEO Norman Vancuylenberg told Australian Broker.The BDM team is also scheduled to go out and meet GFGs brokers face-to-face on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis as needed while keeping in constant contact with them, he said.Giant Finance Group currently has three BDMs who get heavily involved in member broker businesses to ensure everyone can overcome industry hurdles, be equipped with the best tools available, and organise appointments with the lender BDMs.We hold weekly masterclasses in residential and commercial to make sure that everybodys skilled across all the different disciplines of mortgage lending.Vancuylenberg spoke on the close relationships that GFG had with its brokers at a ground level.With the weekly and monthly catch-ups with our brokers, it tends to give us really clear insight into their business. Were very proactive rather than reactive in their business. We try to set goals and clear pathways for progression in their business rather than just counting numbers.Giant Finance Group is also a true lead generator, he said, meaning the aggregator understands the need for leads in each brokers business.We dont use that as blackmail or hold brokers to ransom. Its an opportunity that we have its a value-add service and we try wherever possible to assume that service through our brokers.The aggregators latest May figures show an average of 55 new mortgage leads per month, record monthly submissions of just over $50m, and record monthly settlements of $38.5m. The largest settled loan so far has been a residential mortgage of just over $3m.That was May. Were still in June so were looking at 15-20% increase in what weve had in previous months.With Finsure as the parent aggregator, Vancuylenberg said that Giant Finance Group sees itself as an extension of the larger company.At a ground level, were a much smaller version of Finsure. We have a much higher touch and personal approach. Springfield quarry plan still unresolved as residents wait, worry Conditional Use Hearing on a proposed quarry along Rt. 309 in Springfield may be nearing an end after two years. Here's what residents have to say. 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... Virtual reality simulates classroom environment for aspiring teachers This is meant as a training simulator for pre-service and in-service teachers to garner experience in dealing with situations such as difficult student behaviors, teaching methods, classroom management in general and other activities as needed. Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Enterprise Charter School played the roles of disruptive students in the video that is being used in the virtual reality training program. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki This camera is used to create virtual reality scenarios for the student teacher training program. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki This camera is used to create virtual reality scenarios for the student teacher training program. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki BUFFALO, N.Y. Two University at Buffalo education researchers have teamed up to create an interactive classroom environment in which state-of-the-art virtual reality simulates difficult student behavior, a training method its designers compare to a flight simulator for teachers. The new program, already earning endorsements from teachers and administrators in an inner-city Buffalo school, ties into State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimphers call for innovative teaching experiences and immersive clinical experiences and teacher preparation. Zimpher recently told The Buffalo News that SUNY teaching programs should be offering on-campus laboratories where students can simulate being in a classroom. The UB virtual reality classroom project directly aligns with this initiative. A collaboration of the Neurocognition Science Laboratory and the Teacher Education Institute in the UB Graduate School of Education, the virtual reality classroom is meant to supplement existing clinical opportunities, according to Richard Lamb, GSE associate professor and director of the Neurocognition Science Laboratory. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/TLdB69DqgfQ This is meant as a training simulator for pre-service and in-service teachers to garner experience in dealing with situations such as difficult student behaviors, teaching methods, classroom management in general and other activities as needed, Lamb says. So when the teaching student steps into the classroom, they have some idea of what to do. The training simulator Lamb compared to a teacher flight simulator uses an emerging computer technology known as virtual reality. Becoming more popular and accessible commercially, virtual reality immerses the subject in what Lamb calls three-dimensional environments in such a way where that environment is continuous around them. An important characteristic of the best virtual reality environments is a convincing and powerful representation of the imaginary setting. Its not meant to fully replace clinical opportunities for teaching students, says Lamb, who is co-principal investigator of the project with Elisabeth Etopio, director of UBs Teacher Education Institute and interim assistant dean for teacher education. The virtual reality-based simulated classroom is a tool that provides students repeated practice in an environment without consequence to actual students where they can target skills needed for successful teaching in the classroom. The virtual reality teaching environment created by Lamb and Etopio differs from other teaching simulation platforms in that actual footage of student behaviors occurring within real classrooms will be used, enhancing the authenticity, fluidity and immersiveness of the experience. The program is partially funded by a $20,000 grant from the SUNY Innovative Instruction Technology Grant program, a SUNY-wide grant competition that funds campus innovations and initiatives in instructional technology and supports academic excellence and student success. The team partnered with Crosswater Digital Media to film seventh- and eighth-grade students at Enterprise Charter School using 360-degree cameras to create scenarios for pre-service teachers in handling classroom management. Armin St. George, vice chairman of Crosswater Digital Media, calls this teaching strategy the next best way to teach. St. George has used similar techniques for medical students when teaching anatomy. A virtual reality cadaver gives the medical students the experience of working on the human body without a real body. Like medical students, future teachers can use virtual reality exercises to actually put themselves in an environment to experience what they are going to see in a school before they actually get to a school, St. George says. Although still only a few months old, the simulated classroom environment created by Lamb and Etopio has earned high praise from teachers and administrators in Buffalos Enterprise Charter School, which has used it to train in-service teachers in classroom management and to assist teachers with dealing with behavior management in the classroom. Rebekah Lamb, a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher at Enterprise, says having this virtual reality tool to supplement her pre-service training while she was in school would have been a valuable way to give education students a more authentic experience of what they will encounter in a real-life classroom. When you do student teaching, you have the student teacher and the classroom teacher, she says. Normally, the classroom teacher will take control of the classroom and wont give it fully to the student teacher. So this helps it so the student teacher has the full role of classroom management without the classroom teacher interfering, she says. Students who want to be teachers get a look inside the classroom without actually having to step inside the classroom. Lambs supervising administrators at Enterprise Charter couldnt agree more. Young teachers need to step back and understand that childrens behaviors are a socioemotional response, not to be taken personally, says Julie Schwab, superintendent of Enterprise Charter. The behavior could be related to an event that happened the prior night, or on the school bus. Virtual reality is a tool that can expose new teachers to some of these behaviors and give them practice responding in real time and honing the explicit language needed to gain understanding of what caused this child to be where they are at this time. Michael Radosta, director of learning technology at Enterprise Charter School, notes that in a real classroom, teachers have to get their students to value what they are saying. This is a skill often lacking in new teachers, Radosta says. So direct practice using responsive language within virtual reality environments has enormous potential. The fact that the seventh- and eighth-grade students at Enterprise Charter School had so much fun playing the part of unruly students while filming the pre-service video was a bonus, according to the schools teachers and administrators. The four students who simulated disruptive students for filming the virtual reality program were chosen by Rebekah Lamb the same morning Crosswater Digital recorded their role-playing behavior on camera. And for these students, the bad behavior went against their nature, Lamb says. These are students who generally do what they are supposed to, she says. The potential and promise of this method of simulating classroom situations for prospective teachers are profound, the educators say. Early virtual exposure with targeted practice of management skills could help young teachers pause, avoid potentially harmful responses with real children, and provide confidence in responding to students in sensitive and beneficial ways, Schwab says. Builders Merchant Company are extending their workforce by introducing Matt Fawkes as their Scunthorpe Branch Manager. Mr Fawkes will be working directly under BMCos Managing Director, Duncan Thomson, who has been at the helm for 6 years. With over 15 years experience within the construction industry, most recently in the reinforcement industry, and Mr Fawkes is looking forward to taking on the challenge an independent merchant in North Lincolnshire. With the skills deficit continuing to grow, Aggregate Industries believes that breaking down gender barriers is vital to safeguarding the future of the construction industry and has laid some firm foundations to encourage more women into its own workforce. Currently, as is typical with most traditionally male-dominated trade sectors, Aggregate Industries workforce population is made up of 84% males. However, as part of a wider diversity and inclusion strategy, Aggregate Industries is committed to achieving a 20% balance by 2020 and a 30% gender balance by 2030 a move, which it says, is incremental if the industry is to see its full potential. Jo Hankinson, HR business partner at Aggregate Industries: Although in the initial stages, we are investing heavily in our diversity and inclusion programme as a business over the next few years in order to ensure we have a more balanced workforce with a particular focus on attracting more women. Aggregate Industries has continued to actively try to increase female intake for its graduate and higher apprenticeships schemes over recent years. As a result a quarter of all graduates taken on in 2015 and 2016 were female and a third of higher apprentices employed were female. Interestingly, research recently conducted by Aggregate Industries parent company, Lafarge Holcim shows that women are slowly closing the gender gap when it comes to studying the trade-centred topics of Science and Engineering. In 2008 this figure stood at just 32.2% and rose to 40.3% in 2015. Teen visits South Jersey in 50-state Flowers and Flags tribute to vets Preston Sharp of Calif. visits veterans graves in Cinnaminson cemetery in South Jersey on 50-state Flowers and Flags tribute to their sacrifices Promise to See This Film Charlotte Le Bon in 'The Promise.' Recently, in Fairfield NSW, a memorial commemorating the Assyrian genocide was desecrated and sprayed with graffiti saying 'F**k the Jews, Armenians and Assyrians'. The genocide commemorated at Fairfield was that perpetrated against the Christians in the Ottoman Empire -- Armenians, Assyrians and Hellenic Pontians (Greeks) -- by the nation known today as Turkey. Jews will recall Hitler's famous words, as he planned the genocide of our people, "Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBOD) and the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) were recently invited by the Armenian National Committee to attend the premiere of The Promise, a new film directed by Terry George and starring Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon and Christian Bale, set during the tragic events of the Armenian Genocide. A week after the premiere, the NSW JBOD, AUJS and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry partnered to organise a joint community screening of the film in Sydney with the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian communities. From a cinematic perspective the film is brilliant. An incredibly gripping, well-told drama of love, sacrifice and survival. But I'm not asking you to go see this film just because it's a great piece of cinema (although it really is), but because of the deeper poignancy and connection to our own tragic history. This is a history that isn't well enough known in the Jewish community. It's not a focus for education with our youth, despite our strong commitment to Holocaust studies. First, let's make it clear. Nothing compares to the atrocities of the Holocaust. However, there are bone-trembling similarities portrayed in this film. It was the Armenian Genocide that led historian Raphael Lemkin, a Polish-Jewish jurist born in 1900, who studied its impact, to eventually coin the term genocide and recognise it as one of the first genocides of the 20th century. This genocide saw 1.5 million Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and other minorities deliberately and systematically murdered by the Ottomans in the period 1915-1918. From the initial discriminatory treatment, to the forced marches, to the deportations, massacres and starvations, the similarities are beyond disturbing. One hundred years on, the descendants of the crimes remember, even in the face of the continuous denial. One hundred years on, they remember, even after its last survivors pass away. One hundred years on, as the Jewish community learns more about their genocide, how long will it be before we acknowledge their suffering? When one genocide is denied we have an obligation to stand hand in hand together against that denial. This is an appeal that comes out of the values and history instilled in our generation by this community. We have been compelled to question the perils of indifference, we have been compelled to question why the world was silent in the face of genocide, and why today still so many try to deny its occurrence. So now we ask those same questions to those who compelled us to ask. Will we remain silent in the face of this genocide? Will we deny the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek communities the dignity of recognition. And if so, why? More and more countries around the world are recognising the Armenian Genocide, joining the existing 28, which include the US, Canada, France and Germany. The NSW Parliament, even before it was led by Armenian Premier Gladys Berejiklian, have taken the lead on this issue in Australia. It's time the rest of our nation follows suit -- with the full backing and support of the Jewish community. The Turkish government and individuals who advocate denial don't want this film shown. Promise yourself you will see it and make up your own mind. Cash-strapped Avon and Somerset Constabulary has been pushed to the limit by budget cuts, leading chiefs to call on the Government for more funding this week. Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens said it would be an understatement to describe it as a testing time for the force, after seven years of cuts that mean officers have an unsustainable workload. She and Chief Constable Andy Marsh have sent a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Policing and Fire Minister Nick Hurd requesting more funding. Budget cuts have forced Avon and Somerset police to make over 60million in savings since 2010, and it must still save a further 20million more by 2022 but PCC Mounstevens believes more investment is needed. PCC Sue Mountstevens said: To say its been testing times for policing I feel would be a real understatement. Between the multiple terror attacks across the country to ensuring the continued safety of the local communities of Avon and Somerset, like other public services, policing is being pushed to its limit. In Avon and Somerset since 2010, weve had to find 60 million savings already and weve still yet to find another 20 million savings by 2021/22. While the Chief Constable and I continue to do all we can to protect frontline policing, we feel strongly any additional funding for counter terrorism and armed policing should not come from further reducing budgets for local policing. We have written to all our local MPs and the Home Secretary to say that policing needs investment to meet these current threats. The letter requesting extra capital investment and armed response officers was shared with the Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on Tuesday (June 27th). The Police and Crime Panel supported the PCC and Chief Constable, and are also planning to write, to share their concerns about the current position of policing in Avon and Somerset following the terror attacks across Manchester and London over the past three months. Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: The Commissioner and I are doing all we can to protect the frontline in Avon and Somerset, obviously seven years of cuts has meant that our workforce has reduced. I am forced to ask my officers, PCSOs, staff and volunteers, who are already working hard, to do even more; extending their shifts, adding to their tasks and increasing their workload and this is not sustainable in the long term. Were asking the government to look at the funding available for counter terrorism, armed and local policing. We need to be strengthening our neighbourhood policing teams, focusing on prevention and working closely with our local residents. The attacks in London and Manchester have shown the incredible bravery and the pivotal role our police service plays at the very frontline of our countrys security. While welcoming further reform and opportunities to collaborate, the letter highlights the challenging nature of policing more complex criminality, advances in technology, victim vulnerability, reducing public services and greater public scrutiny. You can read the letter to Home Secretary Amber Rudd MP here. Getting your coffee fix is as important as breathing, right? This new study says you better stock up because supply is being threatened by climate change If you like your coffee beans direct from the original Arabica coffee plantations in Ethiopia then you'd better start stockpiling supplies. According to a new study published in Nature Plants, "...39-59 per cent of current growing area (in Ethiopia) could experience climatic changes that are large enough to render them unsuitable for coffee farming, in the absence of significant interventions or major influencing factors." Which are some pretty scary stats. "Ethiopia is the largest producer of coffee in Sub-Saharan Africa and is the fifth largest coffee producer in the world next to Brazil, Vietnam, Columbia and Indonesia, contributing about seven to 10 per cent of total world coffee production," according to a USDA GAIN report, not to mention the 15 million or so people in Ethiopia who rely on coffee production for their livelihood. So this coffee situation isn't just bad for caffeine fiends it's also catastrophic for all the people who work in the industry. But according to the study there is a solution "...relocation of coffee areas, in combination with forest conservation or re-establishment, could see at least a fourfold increase in suitable coffee farming area." Coffee drinkers, this is your call to action otherwise that cup of Joe will be filled with nothing but hot water and the memory of those delish fresh-roasted beans. Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. Google's clash with EU antitrust enforcers has echoes of Microsoft's decade-long regulatory battle, a legacy that parent company Alphabet should bear in mind as it considers challenging the Commission, lawyers and fund managers said. After a seven-year investigation prompted by scores of complaints from rivals, the European Commission hit Google with a record 2.4 billion euro ($2.73 billion) fine for favouring its own shopping service and an order to treat rival services the same way it treats its own products. "When I saw this yesterday, it absolutely rang a bell," said Georg Berrisch, a partner at Baker Botts who advised Microsoft in its EU regulatory dispute while at another law firm. The European Commission slapped a 497 million euro fine on Microsoft in 2004 and ordered it to take steps to boost software competition. It failed to comply with that decision and was subsequently fined 899 million euros. In total, its battle with the EU in several other investigations cost it more than 2.2 billion euros in penalties. In an oblique reference to Microsoft, which faced nearly two decades of legal scrutiny for antitrust violations, Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt told a 2011 US Senate hearing: "We get it. By that I mean, we get the lessons of our corporate predecessors." But Google has much to learn, said Stephen Kinsella at law firm Sidley Austin, who advises Google complainant and UK online shopping comparison website Kelkoo. "Years ago Google said they wouldn't make the mistakes that Microsoft did. Instead they made all of them and came up with a few of their own. The public statements yesterday show they still don't get it," he said. Google said on Tuesday it disagreed with the EU's findings that it had abused its dominant position and was considering an appeal. It said it looked forward to continuing to make its case. "The real danger for Google is to enter into a prolonged battle with the Commission on whether what it has done is sufficient to comply with its decision. It could be quite expensive for Google in the end. This is not the end of the story," Berrisch said. Underlining Google's task, the Commission on Wednesday published a tender for technical expertise to assist it with the case. The five-year contract is worth 10 million euros and can be renewed. So far, investors have given Google the benefit of the doubt, with Alphabet ranking just behind Apple as the world's most valuable stock with a $666 billion market capitalisation. But they are taking note. "The real concern is whether the Commission will manage to force Google to change its business model, its algorithms in a way that could be detrimental to the business," said Wesley Lebeau, fund manager at CPR Asset Management, an Amundi company. "Search engine is still about 60 percent of Alphabet's valuation so that is a big deal, even though the drivers for future growth are YouTube and all the Alphabet -- Waymo, NEST, Verily," he said. Tech titans have benefited so far from the perception that they bring benefits to society, said Freddie Lait, founder at Latitude Investment Management. "But there is a small chance that, if the shine wears off and you have more of these terrorist videos...and the fine is a huge fine, which sent a message to consumers that there's been wrongdoing," he said. "If the shine comes off, the claws are out from regulators and governments to try and get their pound of flesh out of all of the big tech ." In the wake of a terrorist attack in London earlier this month, a US congressman wrote a Facebook post in which he called for the slaughter of radicalized Muslims. Hunt them, identify them, and kill them, declared Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican. Kill them all. For the sake of all that is good and righteous. Kill them all. At a time when brands prefer to err on the side of caution when picking their celebrity endorsers, Ola is embracing the controversial with its choice of campaigns and ambassador. Virender Sehwag, who has raised quite a storm on his Twitter handle over a range of issues and is known to do anything but play safe on and off the field, has come on board as an influencer for Ola Share, a service that allows commuters to share their ride and competes with rival Uber Pool. True to form, Sehwag announced his association with the brand by offending many with a tweet early this month (June 2). His tweet called out all climate warriors in the country, insinuating that global warming might be a phenomenon in the US but wasnt a real issue for India. He drew the response he knew he would. He was roasted on Twitter by environmentalists, concerned citizens and even the media, though there were a sizeable number standing in his corner too. Sehwag waited a couple of hours and followed up with a tweet that cleared his name and promoted Ola Share as an environment friendly brand. An employee speaks over his phone as he sits at the front desk inside the office of Ola cab service in Gurugram (Photo: Reuters) Olas campaign during the Chennai floods in 2015 where it promoted Ola boat as a service to rescue stranded people is a classic example. The company has just one boat, which operated in just one area, but social media posts conveyed the impression that it was mounting a full-fledged rescue effort. Its all about creating some sort of friction in a users mind and using that to have them remember the brand. Its a fairly interesting idea and hasnt backfired in any enormous way except maybe once or twice. The good thing is that theyve managed to maintain that, said Karthik Srinivasan, national lead for social at Ogilvy & Mather. However there are risks. Given the capricious nature of social media, it takes very little time for the crowds cheering a brand on to turn against it. The most recent brand to be hit by online outrage is Uber; it all started with accusations of sexual harassment against the company and then the video with former CEO Travis Kalanick abusing a driver going viral and finally, his resignation from the board. The brand is being pilloried on Twitter with special handles created for complaints against its service and memes about Kalanicks outrageous behaviour dominating screen space on every media platform. Ola has been uncharacteristically restrained about Ubers troubles. According to sources, the company has been instructed to tone down the cheekiness when it comes to the present predicament of its rival by associates, but Ola refused to comment on the issue. Harish Bijoor, brand consultant said that there are many young that take marketing risks in the name of connecting with young and fun audiences. They havent been in the market for too long and dont have the same level of trust and when things backfire it can be devastating, he said. In this day and age of app uninstalls, it takes just a few minutes to fall flat on your face. Young brands need to understand this, and I feel they take unnecessary risks, added Bijoor. Online campaigns however will continue to play a big part in Olas brand story. We have seen tremendous response to our social campaigns such as #PeekeMatChala, (Dont drink and drive) #FarakPadtaHai (it makes a difference), and several others, where we not only drove the message home but also, succeeded in inciting action, says Subramanian. The campaign was launched on Christmas Eve (24 December 2016). Olas Twitter handle began spewing out absurd tweets, some humorous, some needling other brands and even a few individuals. The campaign that was looking to recreate drunk texts began driving conversations on the social network, with users speculating if the companys account had been hacked and much more. About those last tweets, drunk tweeting is dangerous; imagine what drunk driving can do. #PeekeMatChala, the company finally tweeted. Smart social media campaigns however are not enough to build a credible and lasting brand, experts point out. To stay the course in the long run, sassy brands need to grow beyond the comebacks and smart quips. Indian information technology (IT) firms and techies may find some relief as the US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) last week said that premium processing of H-1B visa petitions could come back as and when the agency's workload permits. As Chinese auto major SAIC Motor Corporation announced its plans of making an entry into India with United Kingdoms Morris Garages (MG) brand on Wednesday, the buzz around its acquisition of the Halol plant from General Motors(GM) has gained traction. Just a day after the Union Cabinet gave its nod for Air Indias disinvestment, private carrier IndiGo has expressed an interest to buy the international business of the airline. IndiGo is the largest airline in terms of market share and has projected profitability for nine consecutive years. Basant Kumar Birla flagship, Kesoram Industries, has bought back its heavy chemicals and spun pipes businesses that it sold in 2015-16. The businesses have been bought back for around Rs 400 crore from Camden Industries. One can safely call Larsen & Toubro (L&T) an obsession for Anilkumar Manibhai Naik without it being an over-statement. In Naiks own words, the engineering conglomerate is his hobby, while everything other than L&T is work. But come July, Naiks protege, S N Subrahmanyan, will be responsible for nurturing his hobby. During one of the worst times for Indian aviation in 2013 to rescue his airline from the brink of closure, aviation legend Naresh Goyal, a man who started from nothing whatsoever, sold a 24 per cent stake in his airline, Jet Airways, to Abu Dhabis Etihad Airways for $349 million. will spend $3 billion over the next three years as it seeks to expand oil reserves and nearly double output from its largest field. Indias biggest non-state producer, controlled by billionaire Anil Agarwal, plans to drill more wells at its Barmer block in the western Indian state of Rajasthan and other blocks in the eastern part of the country, according to Sudhir Mathur, acting chief executive officer of Vedantas Cairn Oil & Gas unit. Muslims were the target of 51% of violence centred on bovine issues over nearly eight years (2010 to 2017) and comprised 86% of 28 Indians killed in 63 incidents, according to ancontent analysis of the English media. As many of 97% of these attacks were reported after Prime Minister Narendra Modis government came to power in May 2014, and about half the cow-related violence32 of 63 caseswere from states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when the attacks were reported, revealed our analysis of violence recorded until June 25, 2017. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to pay a reciprocal visit to India by the year end, a senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs said today. "We are hoping that we will see a visit by the Israeli Prime Minister to India by the end of the year," Amar Sinha, secretary (economic affairs), said. Netanyahu visit would come in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day trip to the Jewish state starting on July 4. Modi's visit to Israel will be the first by an Indian premier. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Ezer Weizmann visited India in 2003 and 1997 respectively. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin paid a visit to India last November. Sinha was speaking at an event to mark "25 Years of India-Israel Relations" organised at the Vivekananda International Foundation here. Daniel Carmon, Israeli envoy to India, was also present at the event. Referring to India's relations with Arab countries and Israel, Sinha, who retires tomorrow, said there was a clear "de-hyphenation" in New Delhi's policy, which implied that India did not have to do a balancing act between Israel and Palestine. He added that Modi would not visit Palestine during his scheduled visit to Israel. "Our position on Israel and Palestine issue is very simple. We want both countries to exist and exist as peaceful neighbours," Sinha said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) While India has yet to issue an official statement on the border incidents with China at Sikkim that have led to the cancellation of the Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage through the Nathu-la route, a high level meeting was held here on Wednesday and the Army chief is set to visit the border state on Thursday to get a first-hand sense of the stand-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers. The elections for the office of India's Vice-President will be held on August 5 and the result will be declared on the same date, news agency ANI reported citing the Election Commission. The US continues to place India in tier-2 of its annual report on human trafficking, arguing that the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. India does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, the State Department said in it annual Congressional-mandated report on but acknowledged that it has been making significant efforts to do so. "The government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period; therefore, India remained on tier-2," the report said. India's efforts were reflected in increasing the number of victims identified, investigations completed, and traffickers convicted, as well as its budget for shelter programmes for female and child trafficking victims. It also adopted an action plan for children, which included plans to prevent child trafficking and protect child victims, the report said. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas, it ruled. "Overall victim identification and protection remained inadequate and inconsistent and the government sometimes penalised victims through arrests for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking," the report said. According to the report, demonetisation had an impact on sex trafficking last year. Some NGOs commented sex trafficking was temporarily reduced until other forms of payment were established-some NGOs reported a resultant increase in other methods of payment including online payments, the report said. Other NGOs stated workers in the informal economy, including brick kiln workers, were at times paid in void currency notes or were not paid at all due to cash shortages- both situations subsequently increased the workers' vulnerability to debt bondage and forced labour, it said. India, the report said, is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. Forced labour constitutes India's largest trafficking problem; men, women, and children in debt bondage-sometimes inherited from previous generations- are forced to work in brick kilns, rice mills, agriculture, and embroidery factories, it said. "Most of India's trafficking problem is internal, and those from the most disadvantaged social strata- lowest caste Dalits, members of tribal communities, religious minorities, and women and girls from excluded groups are most vulnerable," the report said. Within India, some are subjected to forced labour in sectors such as construction, steel, and textile industries, wire manufacturing for underground cables, biscuit factories, pickling, floriculture, fish farms, and ship breaking, the report said. "Thousands of unregulated work placement agencies reportedly lure adults and children under false promises of employment into sex trafficking or forced labour, including domestic servitude, it added. carrier has warned its former employees with severe consequences such as withdrawal of post-retirement benefits if they speak out against the airline on social media. The Cabinet has given an in-principle approval for the disinvestment of debt-laden (AI). Its employees, including those retired, are staring at an uncertain future. As many as seven unions have written to the government threatening mass protests if the airline is privatised. "It is unacceptable that a person who is availing post-retirement facilities like passage, medical etc from talks against the company. Retired personnel who make such negative comments with the intention of tarnishing the image of the company will themselves be responsible for the cessation of their post-retirement facilities," according to an internal order by AI issued on June 21 with the approval of Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, Ashwani Lohani. The circular notes that the warning follows instances of its former workers seeking to "taint" the company on public fora. "It has been noticed in the recent past that a few retired personnel of Air India are tarnishing the image of the company by posting negative remarks of the company on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp and also electronic and print media," the order read. Former employees are entitled to free flights and contributory medical allowances. An employee who retires after 30 years with the company can avail 24 free flight tickets, of which 25 per cent can be used for international travel as well. Protests were held in cities across the country on Wednesday against a wave of attacks on Muslims by mobs that accuse them of killing cows or eating beef. Several activists, film personalities and youth staged the protest, opposing 'community-targeted' mob lynchings. India on Thursday played down the usage of "Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir" by the United States in a statement issued during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying similar terms have been used in the past also. On Monday, while designating Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist", the US State Department had said the militant group had claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 explosives attack in "Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir", which injured 17 persons. Responding to a media query, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said the use of the term 'Indian- administered Jammu and Kashmir' merely affirmed Indian position that Syed Salahuddin had been involved in cross-border terrorism against India. "Similar term has been used in the State Department's country reports on terrorism brought out every year, including in the period 2010-2013, in the context of cross-border terrorism perpetrated on India. India's consistent position that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India is well known," he said. Baglay said India has welcomed the designation of Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US Administration and added that this long-awaited step had been under discussion. "The Joint Statement issued on June 26, 2017 after Prime Minister's talks with US President Trump is the strongest joint expression of the commitment of the two sides to be shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism and calls on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries," he said. Congress leader P Chidambaram had on Wednesday questioned the government over the US describing Jammu and Kashmir as "Indian-administered" in an official statement and had asked how New Delhi accepted it. "US official statement used the phrase 'Indian- administered Jammu and Kashmir'. How did India accept this?" the Congress leader had asked in a tweet. Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, lodged in Byculla jail here, 'instigated' inmates to stage a protest to seek legal and media access inside the prison after the death of a woman convict, a prison official claimed today. Indrani has been named as an accused in a case of rioting and unlawful assembly inside the jail along with Divya Pahuja, an accused in Haryana gangster Sandeep Gadholi encounter case, and others. Indrani and Divya were behind the protest inside the jail, the official claimed. Manju Shette, a woman inmate, was allegedly beaten up on June 23 by jail staff for failing to account for two eggs and five 'paav' (bread loaves) meant for distribution to inmates as she was assisting jail staff as a warden. After Manju's death, Indrani, Divya and other inmates including Shahnaz Maniyar, Vaishali Mudle, Hasina Shaikh, Mariam Shaikh and around 200 others began a protest on June 24 for their demands, which included making available a lawyer and allowing media access inside the jail, police said. On June 26 Indrani complained of body pain and was taken to hospital, the prison official said. There was nothing abnormal in her medical reports and she was sent back after being given some tablets, he said. Manju, sentenced to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment in a murder case, had served around 13 years. She had requested jail authorities to shift her to Kalyan prison in adjoining Thane district, the official added. The special CBI court today allowed Indrani to approach the police to lodge her complaint that she was beaten up and threatened of sexual assault by jail officials for joining the protest over Shette's death. Indrani told the court that she was threatened and assaulted after she said that she would give a statement in connection with Shette's death. A day after people from diverse walks of life protested in several cities across India the recent incidents of mob lynching of Muslims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday broke his silence on the issue. After meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Indian Prime Minister on Tuesday met with the Dutch CEOs and spoke about reform initiatives of Government of India over the last 3 years. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted, "PM: Govt's reforms seek 2 enhance ease of doing biz & bring standards at par w global standards. 7000 reforms, real estate, defence, etc FDI." Baglay said that Prime Minister Modi was focusing on trade, technology and investment during the meeting with CEOs. "Focussing on trade, technology and investment. PM @narendramodi and @MinPres interacted with top Dutch CEOs," he tweeted. Stressing that pension funds are especially welcome to India, the Prime Minister stated that water is a prime sector for cooperation; irrigation & conservation. Calling on the CEOs present to pitch their investments in India, Prime Minister Modi said that India a land of opportunities, adding that the Indian Government's reforms seek to enhance ease of doing business and bring standards at par with global standards. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has lauded India for its commitment to renewable energy and the Paris Climate Agreement. "I commend India for its commitment to renewable energy and to the Paris Climate Agreement," he said in a joint statement with Indian Prime Minister at Catshuis. Prime Minister Rutte said the bonds between India and The goes back to 1947 and these relations have become stronger over the years. Asserting that ties between India and are very old, PM Modi said that the bilateral relations between both sides are very strong. Describing as a natural partner in the economic development of India, PM Modi said the trade and economic ties between both sides are increasing. He added that the both countries have intention to always make the bilateral ties deeper and closer. "Today world is inter dependent and inter connected therefore its absolutely natural that in our discussions that we will not only discuss bilateral issue but also international issues of importance.," PM Modi said. Emphasising on the Indian Diaspora in Netherlands, PM Modi said that they are the living links and living bridge between the two countries. Protests were held in cities across the country on Wednesday against a wave of attacks on Muslims by mobs that accuse them of killing cows or eating beef. Killing people in the name of protecting cows is unacceptable, Prime Minister on Thursday said days after a 16-year-old youth was lynched in a train in Faridabad by a mob over allegations that he was carrying beef. A physical confrontation between Chinese and Indian troops on the Sikkim-Tibet border has grabbed headlines in India after television channels played out a video recording of soldiers pushing and jostling each other during a patrol clash on June 17. Business Standard learns from a usually reliable source on the ground that the clash was unusually acrimonious. Contacted for verification, army spokespersons declined to comment. The ministry of external affairs, too, at a briefing on Thursday on the prime ministers impeding visit to Israel and the G-20, declined to answer questions. While pushing and shoving is routine during patrol confrontations between Indian and Chinese patrols, no shots have been exchanged since India and China signed an Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in September 1993. The last fatal battle casualties on the LAC occurred in 1975, when four Assam Rifles jawans were shot dead by Chinese troops in the Mago area of Tawang, in Arunachal Pradesh. The patrol clash took place in the disputed Tri-junction area, where the borders of India (Sikkim), Bhutan and China join together. This is the high-altitude Dolam Plateau (Sinicized to Doklam by the Chinese), on which all three countries have territory. The incident reportedly took place on the Doko La ridge in the area. The Indian Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, visited Sikkim on Thursday to personally assess the situation. The war of words gathered steam on Thursday, when the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) spokesperson, Colonel Wu Qian, was asked for a response to General Rawats statement earlier this month that India was fully ready for a simultaneous war against China and Pakistan. Qian responded: We hope [that] particular person in [the] Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop clamouring for war. For India, the Sikkim border, including the Tri-junction, is extremely sensitive since a Chinese breakthrough here could reach, and block, the Siliguri corridor a narrow, 27-kilometres wide strip of Indian territory that connects the entire north east with the rest of India. Chinese control over the Siliguri corridor could cut off the entire northeast. To prevent this, India guards Sikkim heavily with two mountain divisions. A third division remains ready in wartime to guard Bhutans western border with China, so that Chinese troops cannot outflank Sikkims defences through Bhutan. If China extracts more territory in the Tri-junction area, that would shorten the distance to Siliguri. It would also widen the mouth of the Chumbi Valley a dagger-shaped salient of Chinese territory that protrudes southwards. While the Indian army has safeguarded the Sikkim border, even through a major firefight in nearby Nathu La in1967, Chinese forces have systematically encroached into Bhutanese territory. This is done through a time-tested method of first sending in yak graziers with their herds, building temporary shelters, then military bunkers, and then citing those to claim ownership over the entire areas. Finally, a road is built to that area. While the Indian army has remained silent over the recent incident, Beijing has been unusually vocal. On Monday, its foreign ministry spokesperson, while announcing the suspension of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra pilgrimage through nearby Nathu La, revealed: Recently, the Indian border troops crossed the China-India boundary at the Sikkim section and entered the Chinese territory, obstructing Chinese border troops' normal activities in Doklam. The Chinese side has taken proportionate measures in response. On Tuesday, Beijing put out a detailed rationale for its claim over Dolam, basing it on the Convention Between Great Britain and China Relating to Sikkim and Tibet, dated 1890. Beijing claimed that India had accepted this rationale during the Special Representatives Dialogue. On Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry noted that this clash was substantially different from clashes elsewhere on the LAC, in that the Sikkim boundary was clearly delineated. He said: The Indian border troops overstepped the mutually recognized boundary line at the Sikkim section and crossed into the Chinese territory. That is essentially different from previous fictions (frictions) between the two troops (sic) in the border areas where the boundary is yet to be delimited. On Wednesday, Bhutan entered the fray. Since it does not have diplomatic relations with China, Bhutans envoy to India, Vetsop Namgyel, declared: Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that, pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquillity should be maintained in the area. China, which has been long irked by Bhutans closeness to India on matters relating to China, responded The Donglang area belonged to China since ancient times and it doesn't belong to Bhutan. India wants to raise an issue with this part. I should say it doesn't belong to Bhutan, nor it belongs to India. Amid a standoff in the Sikkim sector of the border, China on Wednesday warned India that future visits of its pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass will depend on whether it will "correct its errors". Congress president Sonia Gandhis political assessment prevailed over economist Manmohan Singh as the Congress on Thursday said it will boycott the special midnight session of parliament on June 30 to mark the rolling out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia (right) at North Block in New Delhi before addressing the media on the GST on Thursday. Photo: PTI The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) is rising up to the task of handling cases dealing with large stressed assets under the new insolvency regime. The government is planning to recruit more members and add more benches in the coming months, according to officials close to the development. The body, which falls under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has already begun the process of recruitment. "They have started the process to recruit 15 or 16 more members, which means there could six or seven new benches," said a senior official. Gautam Jain, a cycle parts maker in Ludhianas Daba Road, has for years managed the daily accounts of his company. Every sale under the current system is done through a challan and invoices are made twice or thrice a month. His office attendant is able to write the details by hand in a challan whenever Jain is away. From July 1, all sales need to have a computerised bill with details such as the sellers and buyers goods and services tax network (GSTN) number and his attendant is not computer-literate. But Jain has found the solution in a new printer. Even as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre rolls out the goods and services tax (GST) on Friday midnight, it will be greeted by protests and strikes across the country. Brazil has exceeded India as the world's biggest exporter of buffalo meat, thanks to the recent ban imposed on the sale and transportation of live animals across the country. After doing so for Uttar Pradesh, the NITI Aayog, is to prepare development maps and growth strategies for Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab. The government on Wednesday replaced the New Exploration and Licensing Policy with the Open Acreage Licensing (OAL) under the framework of Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP). This replaces the controversial profit model in petroleum with a revenue share model. Members of Parliament (MPs) of several Opposition parties will not attend a function in the Central Hall of Parliament on the midnight of June 30 to mark the roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST). With the goods and services tax (GST) set to be rolled out from July 1, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) on Thursday sought to dispel the concerns about price rise due to the new indirect tax regime. Indias second-largest Information Technology (IT) company, Infosys, was selected as the managed service provider in November 2015 to roll out the Goods & Services Tax (GST) by April 1, 2017. Infosys was tasked with completing six core tasks in a span of 18 months in a contract reportedly worth Rs 1,380 crore. These tasks covered the entire spectrum of creating an IT ecosystem required for rolling out in the time frame prescribed by the Modi administration. Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB) recently announced a recruitment drive to fill up 189 vacancies. Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the positions at www.csb.co.in by filling application form on or before the end date. The bank is yet to announce the last date to apply. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) said on Thursday that around 46 per cent reduction in its net loss during the second half of the financial year 2016-17 (FY17) was an indication that corrective actions taken by the bank were yielding results. Commerce & Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman met Mr. Takehiko Nakao, President, Asian Development Bank (ADB) today . The Minister welcomed and appreciated the ADBs efforts for infrastructure development in India. She said that the Government would help the States to have the infrastructure projects funding. Smt. Sitharaman discussed the progress in Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC). She further mentioned that the Northern Extension of the ECEC from Vizag to Odisha and West Bengal is very important and ADB should accelerate the work thereon. The Minister also mentioned that the Southern extension from Chennai to Kanyakumari should include extension up to Kollachal Port and even at Vizhinjam, as this would accrue several economic benefits to these areas. She urged that the implementation of the projects should be monitored closely and timelines should be adhered to. . . The ADB President also discussed the progress made on the East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC). Mr. Nakao appreciated the Government reforms towards the GST implementation and termed them as historic. Detailed discussions were held on various aspects of GST implementation. . . Mr. Hun Kim, Director General, South Asia Department, ADB, mentioned that they are willing to step-up investment up to US$ 5 Billion over next five years for development along the ECEC. . . MJPS National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is entrusted with responsibility to provide legal aid inter-alia to all persons in custody. Today, NALSA launched a Web Application for free Legal Services to Prisoners and the Legal Services Management System developed through the NIC and the conference held at Indian Law Institute, New Delhi on 28.06.2017. . . Through Web Application the State Legal Services Authorities and District Legal Services Authorities shall feed the data for each individual prison inmate in the jails within their jurisdiction, with regard to their being represented through a counsel in the court. The software will be able to generate reports showing total number of inmates, number of inmates unrepresented, number of inmates represented by legal services lawyers and number of inmates represented by private lawyers. . . All the above information can be generated State wise, District wise and also in respect of each jail. The reports can also be generated by the period of incarceration, which will in turn generate information with regard to prisoners eligible for bail under Section 436-A Cr.P.C. . . The said application shall make the legal services system more transparent; this application will be universally useful for all the relevant authorities to monitor the grant of legal aid to the prisoners in order to ensure that absolutely no prisoner goes unrepresented right from the first day of his production in the court. . . The above mentioned web application was launched by Honble Mr. Justice Dipak Misra, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, NALSA.. . The Conference was attended by the Member Secretaries along with their administrative officers of 18 State Legal Services Authorities. The launch was followed by an orientation session conducted by the NIC team.. . NNK/MD Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addresses the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said here that during the last three years, more than two thousand criminal cases have been filed in connection with encroachment on waqf properties by waqf mafias and strict action has been taken against several people sitting at top posts in waqf boards.Addressing 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi, Shri Naqvi said that waqf properties are being utilised for socio-economic-educational empowerment of the needy people of the society under the Centres Modi Government after making these properties free from encroachment on waqf mafias". Various projects related to educational, social and skill development are being initiated on these properties.Shri Naqvi said that the Ministry of Minority Affairs is making efforts to ensure that all the waqf boards and their records across the country are made digital. The Ministry has been providing all possible help to the state waqf boards. The Computerisation of waqf boards and their properties will help in ensuring transparency.Shri Naqvi said that a one-man Board of Adjudication" at the Central level has been established under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court justice to deal with complaints and disputes regarding waqf properties. Three-member tribunals are being established in the states. About 21 states have established these tribunals so far. Other states should also do this soon. There are about 5,12,556 registered and non-registered waqf properties across the country. The number may increase after computerisation of all waqf properties. Shri Naqvi said that Ministry of Minority Affairs has been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of all the notified Minorities- Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain- effectively as a mission and commitment. Shri Naqvi said that measures taken by the Government led by Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for socio-economic-educational progress of Minorities during the last three years is a reflection of empowerment without appeasement" policy. Shri Naqvi said that Ministry of Minority Affairs has been successful in enabling the poor, backward and weaker sections of the Minorities getting a share of mainstream development through 3E"- Education, Employment and Empowerment. Shri Naqvi said that our empowerment without appeasement" policy has created an atmosphere of development and trust" among Minorities. The Ministry of Minority Affairs, during the last three years, has provided benefits of schemes/programmes related to better education, skill development and providing employment to every needy person. Shri Naqvi said that schemes/programmes such as Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre", Usttad", Nai Manzil", Nai Roshni", Seekho aur Kamao", Padho Pardes", Progress Panchayat", Hunar Haat", multi-purpose Sadbhav Mandap", PMs new 15 point programme", Multi-sectoral Development Programme", Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship" for girls, etc have ensured happiness in eyes and prosperity in life" of every needy person belonging to the Minority communities. Shri Naqvi said that thousands of Minority communities schools and Madrasas have been connected with 3T"- Teachers, Tiffin and Toilets during last three months. These educational institutions also include institutions run by Gurudwaras and those institutions run by Jain, Buddhist and Parsi community. By Pete Schroeder and David Henry WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve has approved plans from the 34 largest U.S. banks to use extra capital for stock buybacks, dividends and other purposes beyond being a cushion against catastrophe. On Wednesday, the Fed said those lenders, including household names like JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America Corp , had passed the second, tougher part of its annual stress test. The results showed that many have not only built up adequate capital buffers, but improved risk management procedures as well. One bank, Capital One Financial Corp , must resubmit its scheme by year-end, though the Fed is still allowing it to go forward with its capital plan in the meantime. Fed Governor Jerome Powell, who is acting as regulatory lead for the U.S. central bank, said the process "has motivated all of the largest banks to achieve healthy capital levels and most to substantially improve their capital planning processes." Altogether, banks that went through the tests will be able to pay out 100 percent of their projected net income over the next four quarters, compared with 65 percent after last year's results, a senior Fed official said. It would be the first time since the 2008 financial crisis that banks return at least as much money to shareholders as they produce in annual profit. The verdict marks a significant victory for the banking industry, which has worked for years to regain its stature. The green light could also serve as a watershed moment for Wall Street, which is eager to get a lighter regulatory touch from policymakers in Washington. After the Fed's announcement, banks began to release details on how they plan to use their extra capital. Apart from Capital One, bank stocks rose in after-hours trading. Citigroup Inc won a particularly notable victory, gaining permission to return nearly $19 billion to shareholders, or about 125 percent of projected earnings over the next four quarters - a big bump from last year, and more than analysts had expected. Capital One must resubmit plans because it did not appropriately account for risks in "one of its most material businesses," the Fed said. Concerns centred around internal controls and whether senior management and the bank's board of directors would be informed about problems in a timely and appropriate way, the Fed official said. The Fed did not identify which business was ill-prepared. Capital One's most significant business is credit card lending. It has also built up a presence in auto lending. Both areas have been flagged by bankers and analysts as showing signs of weakness lately. Capital One has until year-end to deliver an improved submission. In the interim, the bank can go ahead with its plan to repurchase up to $1.85 billion worth of stock, but the Fed can still object if the problems are not fixed. Capital One had already reduced its capital request after the first set of stress-test results was released last week. American Express Co had also resubmitted a plan with reduced requests, which was approved. Other big banks, including Wells Fargo & Co , Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley , also cleared the Fed's bar, and most issued press releases detailing big increases in shareholder payouts. In a twist, Bank of America's planned dividend hike could lead Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc to convert a large preferred stake into common stock, which would turn it into the bank's largest shareholder. This year was the first time all banks undergoing stress tests passed, although it was also the first time most were excluded from the "qualitative" component that Capital One failed. Only 13 of the 34 lenders were subject to that part, which bankers have criticized as being too opaque and subjective. In response to those complaints, the Fed has now started to give banks more specific details on why they fail or where they need to improve, even if they sail through the tests. To offer clarity to the public, the Fed also cited examples of where unnamed banks had stumbled in the past. For instance, one lender failed the qualitative component in a prior year because senior management had told the board of directors and the Fed that a problem related to capital planning had been solved when it had not. Another management team had relied too heavily on experiences during the financial crisis, even though the bank's business and risk profile had changed dramatically since then. Although all the banks passed, some came close to missing a key financial hurdle known as the supplementary leverage ratio in the toughest part of the exam. That metric fell to as low as 3.1 percent at Goldman Sachs, just above the required minimum of 3 percent. JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and State Street Corp also reported ratios below 4 percent. The ratio's requirements are not fully phased in, but the minimum is slated to move even higher over time. Wall Street has slammed the capital rule as overly burdensome, and it is being watched closely for change as part of the broader deregulation push in Washington. (Reporting by Pete Schroeder in Washington and David Henry in New York; Writing by Lauren Tara LaCapra; editing by Leslie Adler and Phil Berlowitz) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On July 1, 1997, the Chinese national flag was raised over Hong Kong for the first time, ending 156 years of British rule and beginning an unusual experiment in democracy by Beijing. As President Xi Jinping visits the city for the 20th anniversary, hes facing new questions about Chinas commitment to the handover deal and human rights in general. Nestle's plan to shore up its capital structure, announced only days after being thrust into the spotlight by activist shareholder Third Point, was received by investors as a precursor to bigger changes under the company's new leadership. Shares in the world's largest foodmaker rose as much as 2 percent on Wednesday, close to the record high touched on Monday after the New York-based hedge fund disclosed a $3.5 billion stake and urged to buy back shares, set a target for margin growth and shed non-core assets including its stake in L'Oreal. Investors did not have to wait long for a response, with announcing late on Tuesday that it would launch a 20 billion Swiss franc ($20.8 billion) share buyback programme while leaving room for near-term acquisitions. also said it would continue adjusting its portfolio and assess opportunities to boost profit margins, stopping short of setting a firm target. It added that the measures were the result of a review instigated at the start of the year after Mark Schneider took over as chief executive. The moves were welcomed by stakeholders large and small. "This is a new era for Nestle and I'm extremely positive on the prospects for internal and external growth," said Carine Menache, who runs a Monaco investment firm that owns Nestle shares. She and UBS analysts said the buyback should lift earnings by 6 percent, while increased merger and acquisition (M&A) activity could provide a further boost. "Nestle may have a poor track record for M&A, but the new CEO, Schneider, is now in charge and he has a great track record," she added. Reaching a 19 percent operating margin, the midpoint of Third Point's recommendation, would lift earnings by another 8 percent, according to UBS, which said Nestle shares now offered the greatest opportunity for growth of all the European packaged goods it covers, bolstering its "buy" rating. Of Nestle's plan, which they described as "responsive but not reactionary" to Third Point, UBS said: "We think this sends a strong message to the markets - expect more to come." Sector convulsions The global packaged food sector is convulsing as its main players struggle with slowing growth, changing consumer habits and the growing influence of global investment firm 3G Capital. 3G's Kraft Heinz launched a surprise $143 billion takeover bid for Unilever in February, sparking a deep review and new agenda at the target company. Many of the demands laid out in Third Point's letter echo the steps Unilever took in the wake of the Kraft bid. Investors said the biggest omission from Nestle's response was any reference to its 25 billion euro ($28.4 billion) stake in L'Oreal, which dates back to 1974, when the French heiress Liliane Bettencourt sold a large part of her holding to Nestle. That omission and lack of a margin target means the announcement may not completely satisfy Third Point, which is controlled by billionaire investor Daniel Loeb. Third Point has declined to comment on the announcement at this stage and Nestle is expected to say more at its investor day in September. "It's only a start," said Mirabaud Asset Management's Nicolas Burki. "It will not be enough." Nestle has long touted the L'Oreal stake as value-creating, and a source familiar with the company's thinking said there was no change to that view. The big question, however is what Nestle would do with the cash, besides buybacks, if it sold down the L'Oreal stake. The company did say its capital spending would be focused on higher-growth categories of coffee, pet food, baby food and water. It added consumer health to the list of priorities, potentially making it a competitor to the likes of Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline. However, EFG Asset Management's Urs Beck cashed out of his Nestle position on Monday's price spike and is sceptical that it can find acquisitions big enough to move the needle for a company with $93 billion in sales. "The ship is just too big to be steered into different waters through portfolio management," he said. Victory on both sides Nestle is Europe's most valuable company, with a market value of $263 billion last week, before Loeb's position was made public, adding $10 billion in one day. The positive reaction most likely reflects the bullishness of long-term investors rather than event-driven hedge funds looking for quick turnarounds, says Michael Wegener at Case Equity Partners in Hong Kong. Wegener said he doubts that many arbitrageurs have moved into Nestle's stock yet, since the Loeb stake remains too soft a catalyst at this stage. But one London-based manager of an event-driven hedge fund with no involvement with Nestle described the situation as a victory for both sides. "I suspect (Third Point's) presence actually helps Schneider with his change agenda," said the manager, who asked not to be named. "I suspect the buyback is not enough, but Third Point is unlikely to feel the need to get shouty." Swiss activist shareholder Rudolf Bohli said that Loeb, known for campaigns against Yahoo, Sony Corp and the Dow-DuPont merger, is on the right track. "Loeb has set the right tone and his agenda is correct," said Bohli, who recently exited GAM Holding with a profit after failing to replace the financial company's chief executive. ($1 = 0.9591 Swiss francs) ($1 = 0.8799 euros) Banks, because of their huge network of branches, are one of the biggest mutual fund (MF) distributors in the country. While most banks that distribute MFs are free to sell any schemes offered by the countrys more than 40 fund houses, they have shown a preference towards their own MF subsidiary. Canara Bank, for instance, earned nearly Rs 17 crore in MF commissions in 2016-17; the entire amount came from their arm, Canara MF. Similarly, State Bank of India (SBI) earned Rs 175.46 crore in MF commission, 98 per cent of that by selling SBI MF schemes. The share of commission from their MF arms was high for other banks such as Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank and Axis Bank. Industry experts have raised concerns about the dominance of large distributors in pushing their own products. They say the products of the other fund houses, too, should be advised to investors to create better asset diversification. But, there has not been much impact on distributors. With Sebis recent consultation paper on segregation of distributors and advisors, it will be interesting to see how the situation pans out, going forward. First batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims left from Sonamrg's Baltal camping ground and Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday for this years' pilgrimage. The security officials, especially the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), have mobilised the highest level of security measures, including tracking systems through satellites and drones. State Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh flagged off the first batch of pilgrims 5 a.m. yesterday. The pilgrims left in as many as 72 vehicles. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, earlier on Tuesday, chaired a security review meeting in the wake of the Amarnath Yatra. Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Joint Secretary Kashmir and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials were present in the meeting. Providing security for this year's yatra has been a major concern for the Home Ministry as the pilgrimage is facing a terror threat, according to an intelligence warning. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have said that they have put all the necessary security arrangements in place so that the pilgrims have a hassle-free and safe journey. Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir had earlier said the Amarnath Yatra is on the radar of Pakistan, but the Indian Government is prepared to tackle the issue. "The Amarnath Yatra issue always rakes up at this time of the year, as it is always on the radar of Pakistan. The Yatra will be concluded nicely, we have made all the necessary security arrangements and are keeping a close watch on the same," Ahir said. Tension in the Valley was initially expected as the yearly Hindu pilgrims visit to the holy site during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela, coincides with the first anniversary of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Army hospital in Assam's Hattigor has given a new life to a five-year-old Bodo girl suffering from Encephalitis. The hospital treated the girl free of cost after her parents could treat their daughter due to the financial constraints. The parents of Seema Boro, the residents of Shantipur village, had lost all hope and accepted the fate of their seriously ill daughter after they had tried their best keeping in view their socio economic limitations. They had taken the child around to a private medical institute in Tezpur and Guwahati Medical College. But, they had to take the child home as they could afford the treatment cost. Seema's saddened parents then came to know that about Army's Red Horn Division's Field Hospital situated in Hattigor, which renders medical services not just to the Army but also the civil population. The parents saw a ray of hope and came to the Field Hospital with the little Seema who was in a near coma state. The Boro family couldn't believe its luck when it met young and energetic lady medical officer on duty, Captain Nikita Srivastava, who immediately diagnosed that the little girl was suffering from infectious Encephalitis. It is a condition where the brain tissues get inflamed or swell up in response to an infection. This increases the intra cranial pressure leading to severe symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, high grade fever, lethargy, drowsiness, visual disturbances, respiratory disturbances, decreased or loss of consciousness, stiff neck and seizures which may prove life threatening or debilitating if left untreated. Capt Nikita Srivastav took it as a challenge to get Seema back to normal and after due discussions and permission of her Commanding Officer, she started her treatment. She also consulted a known Paediatrician in her home town Bareilly to take his advice and based on various lab tests planned a schedule so that the treatment could be smoothly administered. Her treatment continued for about three months during which she started showing remarkable signs of improvement. Seema, is now leading a normal life. She plays with her friends and is soon about to start going to school. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing absolute resentment over Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan's remark on the Indian Army, expelled party leader Amar Singh on Thursday said the former should be charged with blasphemy and imprisoned. His remarks came in response to Khan's statement accusing the India Army of misbehaving with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "Instead of boosting the morale of the soldiers, who are fighting at the border and sacrificing their lives, he is discouraging them by calling them 'rapists'. He is abusing that India which made him the minister. Why doesn't he be charged with blasphemy and imprisoned. If he has so much problem with India then why doesn't he go to Pakistan, the country which they praise all the time," Amar Singh told ANI. Disappointed by the kind of statements made by Khan in the past as well, Singh said the Samajwadi Party leader has been habitual of passing such 'unfortunate' remarks. "It is very unfortunate. It is a very upsetting statement that Azam Khan has given again. He is habitual of making such statement. Prior to this, he had called Mother India as 'witch' (daayan), Ghulam Nabi Azad was called Kashmir's 'wazir'. He had the audacity to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terrorist. God knows, why the nation is tolerating him," he said. Yesterday, Khan waded into another controversy with statements that appeared to make allegations of rape against the Indian soldiers. The comments triggered an angry reaction from the entire political fraternity Khan had said, "Armed women attacked soldiers and cut off their private parts. They cut the part they had problems with. India should be ashamed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said the truth in the Byculla jail violence, involving Sheena Bora murder accused Indrani Mukerjea, would come out soon. "Whatever the truth is, will come out soon," Fadnavis said. Earlier in the day, the lawyer of Mukerjea demanded the special Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) court to record her statement and to conduct a medical examination.. Mukerjea's lawyer had filed an application in the special CBI court, claiming that she was assaulted by the jail authorities after the death of a convict, Manjula Shetye, sparked a protest in the prison. Reportedly, over 200 women inmates, including Mukerjea, were booked for rioting and criminal conspiracy inside the Mumbai's Byculla jail. The Nagpada Police also filed an FIR against six women prison staffers, including the jailor for the murder of Shetye. On August 25, 2015, Mukerjea was arrested by the Mumbai Police in connection with the alleged murder of her daughter in 2012. She was charged under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Since September 2015, Mukerjea has been held in judicial custody at a women's-only prison in Byculla Jail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unilateral actions to alter status quo in Doklam Plateau in tiny, helpless Bhutan has escalated tensions between China and its neighbours. Beijing's recent aggressive move to construct a road from Doklam (Referred to by China as the Donglang Area of Yadong County in the Tibetan Autonomous Region) to an army camp in the Zomplri Area, has left the Himalayan kingdom, home to the concept of Gross Happiness (GNH), quite disturbed and worried, so much so, that the Bhutanese government, through its embassy in New Delhi, has had to hand over a strongly-worded demarche to China's Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, to ask its troops to cease construction activity immediately, withdraw from the area and refrain from changing status quo. Indian troops were compelled to step in to cool temperatures, urge restraint and responsible behaviour earlier this month, as the construction activity undertaken by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops was taking place in a border area near the Chumbi Valley, where India has strategic and defence interests. The Chumbi Valley in the TAR is a dagger shaped area that faces "Chicken's Neck", a thin strip of land in Siliguri, West Bengal, that separates India from Bangladesh. China also denied entry to hundreds of Indian pilgrims thru Sikkim's Nathu La Pass to visit the sacred Kailash Mansarover Lake in Tibet, leaving them stranded midway through their pilgrimage. This was clearly a retaliatory move against India's efforts to bring calm in the area. Bhutan and China have had a long standing boundary dispute over the Doklam Plateau or the Donglang Area, and have not been able to resolve it even after 24 rounds of bilateral talks. Though China and Bhutan don't have diplomatic relations, Thimphu maintains there are written agreements that clearly state that no change will take place and peace in the area will prevail till a resolution is achieved. The recent increase in PLA construction activity in the area prompted both Bhutan and India to move in troops to halt it and to remind the aggressive Chinese not to violate existing pacts related to the junction that has strategic importance for all three nations. On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told media in Beijing that the recent Indian military action along the border in the Sikkim region, was violative of boundary conventions and China's territorial sovereignty, and therefore, urged New Delhi to withdraw "their border troops" that have crossed the boundary, to safeguard what he described as "peace and tranquility of the Sikkim section". China's state-run mouthpiece Global Times went a step further in its editorial/opinion piece to say that Beijing has a time tested reputation of not making an issue of border-related issues or disputes. It also said that China has no desire to confront India, but however, cautioned that "unruly provocations" from the Indians could result in "rules being taught". The Global Times described the incident at Doklam Plateau or Donglang as a "flare-up" which Beijing was assessing for its strategic import. China, it said, would take all necessary steps to ensure road construction activity isn't stopped. China claims 89 square kilometers of the Doklam Plateau or Donglang area which overlooks the strategically-located Chumbi Valley. Control over the Doklam Plateau would allow the PLA to freely conduct military maneuvers aimed at blocking the Siliguri Corridor on the India-Bangladesh border, which would definitely worry India. China, which currently controls 764 square kilometers of Bhutan territory in the north, has reportedly told Thimphu that it is ready to give up some of its claim in this area provided the Doklam Plateau is ceded to it. Bhutan quite obviously has rejected this overture despite the bullying by its very powerful neighbour - China - which is developing a reputation of trampling over the rights of smaller states. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The four-day-long traditional tribal festival in Shimla's Kinnaur district has begun on Wednesday. Named as Mesmerizing Kinnaur, it is a cultural festival, organized by the Language art and culture department of the state. The festival that blends art and culture will end on July 1. The Deputy Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Assembly and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the tribal district of Kinnaur inaugurated the festival and visited the stalls displayed by the artists and farmers. Folk dance, songs, art and craft, cuisine and agricultural produced from the district are being displayed on the Ridge ground, the historic Gaiety Theater and the heart of the city. The Deputy Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Assembly said, "This festival would help to promote and preserve the rich cultural tradition of the Kinnaur region". "The festival is helping tribal to promote their culture and getting market for their agriculture and handicraft produce," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iraq on Thursday announced the end of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Daesh, in the city of Mosul that has been under seizure of the extremist groups for three years. According to a report by Sky News Arabia, the Iraqi Defence Ministry has declared the end of Daesh in Mosul, saying that the presence of Daesh in Iraq ended forever. The ministry added that surrender is no longer an option for the organisation. According to the report, a complete collapse happened in the ranks Daesh, saying that only five members of the organisation are still continuing to fight. Earlier in the day, Iraqi forces claimed to have recaptured the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul - where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself as leader of the Islamic State in 2014. It is estimated that approximately 350 thousand people have been displaced from Mosul, because of fierce fighting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel will welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to the country from July 4-6 on the backdrop of marking 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. "Israel warmly welcomes Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on his visit to Israel at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu," Embassy of Israel in India said in an official release. Prime Minister Modi will be the first ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. During the visit, the Prime Minister will have detailed discussions with his Israeli counterpart on all matters of mutual interest and will also call on President Rivlin. The visit also includes high-level bilateral meetings and other various components which reflect the fabric of the Indo-Israeli relations. The embassy said the visit by Prime Minister Modi will further upgrade the ever growing partnership between the two countries. Elements of his programme include homage to Indian soldiers at the Indian Cemetery in Haifa and address to the Indian community at an event in Tel Aviv. India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 and since then the relationship has evolved into a multi-dimensional partnership. "This year both the countries are commemorating 25 years of diplomatic relations and the visit of the Prime Minister will provide an impetus for deeper bilateral engagement in areas of mutual interest," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "Next week, the Indian Prime Minister, my friend, Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel. This is an historic visit to Israel. In the 70 years of the country's existence no Indian Prime Minister has ever visited and this is further expression of the State of Israel's military, economic and diplomatic strength," Netanyahu announced at a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday. Netanhayu added that cabinet will also approve decisions regarding ties with India that will pass include increasing exports, deepening cooperation in the fields of water and agriculture, establishing a joint fund for research and innovation, and increasing Indian tourism to Israel. Earlier in November last year, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin came to India on a week-long state visit - the first by an Israeli President in nearly 20 years. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in October 2015, symbolising the growing partnership between the two nations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has expressed its concerns over the recent US-India Joint Statement during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States and said that it could aggravate an already tense situation between Islamabad and New Delhi. "The Joint Statement is singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region. By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation," Pakistan's Foreign Office said in response to the Indo-US joint statement that was issued on Tuesday after President Donald Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Modi at the White House. "The meeting in Washington D.C. between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi was a missed opportunity to induce India to alter its policies inimical to peace in the region," the statement added. "The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries," said the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. The statement added that they further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups". The Foreign Office said that Pakistan stands ready and committed to resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu & Kashmir with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions It further said that Pakistan has been the primary victim of terrorism in the region and its contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism are un-matched. "No country has sacrificed as much as Pakistan, not only in material resources but in lives," it added. Pakistan also expressed its concerns on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. "Such sales accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia." President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have pledged to deepen defense and security cooperation, building on the United States' recognition of India as a Major Defense Partner. "The United States and India look forward to working together on advanced defense equipment and technology at a level commensurate with that of the closest allies and partners of the United States. Reflecting the partnership, the United States has offered for India's consideration the sale of Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems, which would enhance India's capabilities and promote shared security interests," said the Indo-U.S. joint statement. Earlier, in a major vindication for India and embarrassment for Pakistan, the U.S. Department of State on Monday designated Hizbul Chief Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist'. With the Donald Trump Administration blacklisting Salahuddin as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' for his atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan accused the United States of singing to India's tune. Asserting that there would never be any compromise on rights of Kashmiris and Pakistan would continue to support their cause 'till realisation of right of self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions', Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said they will continue their 'Kashmir freedom' campaign. Khan further stated that the US administration has started speaking the language of India, reports Radio Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said that the country's sovereignty will be at risk if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gets a clean chit from the Supreme Court-appointed Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing into his family's offshore assets. "Indeed, national sovereignty will be harmed if he (Sharif) survives and continues to be the prime minister in the wake of the investigation in Panamagate case," the Express Tribune quoted Khan as saying. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Khan rejected Prime Minister Sharif's assertion that Pakistanis would not accept any adverse decision of the JIT. The PTI chief also said the nation is eagerly waiting for a decision against Sharif. Responding to a question on Marriyum Nawaz's scheduled appearance before the JIT, he said the Prime Minister is trying to turn his children and deceased father into scapegoats to escape being snared in the Panamagate case. The PTI chief held Sharif responsible for Marriyum's appearance before the JIT. He alleged that Sharif stole the money, purchased properties abroad in his children's names and involved his deceased father in this matter. Khan said that the Prime Minister's remarks against JIT amounted to criticising the apex court as the JIT was appointed by the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reiterating the government's commitment to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for more attention on Divyang people and asked the start-ups to look at ways through which innovation and technology can transform lives of the disabled. Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a programme in Rajkot, said, "I have seen many families and mothers who were blessed with a Divyang child.the parents shower their child with so much love. It is our responsibility, as a nation, to take care of them... I urge the start-up sector to look at ways through which innovation and technology can transform lives of Divyang sisters and brothers." The Prime Minister pointed out that the present Democratic Government (NDA) has introduced more than 5,500 programmes to help and benefit the Divyangs. "We must empathise with such people, we must be aware of their problems...I have made it mandatory to ensure that schemes are formed keeping disabled people in mind. And, I am happy that Gujarat has adopted this model," he said. Remembering his political beginnings from Rajkot, Prime Minister Modi said the place holds a special place in his life. "If Rajkot had not elected me and sent me to Gandhinagar; I may have never come to Delhi. My political career started in Rajkot. And, I will never forget the love Rajkot has showered upon me," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. His first stop visit was at the Sabarmati Ashram, which celebrated its centenary celebrations. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate various projects during his stay in Gujarat. This is Prime Minister Modi's fifth visit this year to Gujarat where Assembly elections are due by the end of this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ashraf Ghani Government is struggling to retain its authority amid rising challenges from the Taliban, terrorist attacks and ISIS-Khorasan ,an offshoot of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, while waiting for President Donald Trump to unveil the U.S. policy for Afghanistan. Political crisis in this war-ravaged country is about to take a turn for the worse as tensions increased between national unity government leaders - namely President Ashraf Ghani and First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum after May 2017 when the former warlord was forced to leave for Turkey. Dostum, who is in exile, held separate secret talks with Atta Mohammad Noor, Governor of Balkh and the CEO of Jamiat-e-Islami Party of Afghanistan and Mohammad Mohaqiq, the second deputy CEO of the National Unity Government (NUG) and the head of Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan . Meanwhile, acting foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani reportedly left for Turkey on Wednesday, but he is yet to meet with Dostum. Reports indicate that sudden meetings between Jamiat members and Mohaqiq with Dostum are aimed at constituting a united political front aimed at putting pressure on government - to accept their demands. "The reason why the individuals from inside government go and make a coalition is that they are unhappy with government," said Ainuddin Bahaduri, a member of Afghanistan's Lawyers Union, Tolo News reported. This political development assumes much significance as Noor and Mohaqiq has sharply criticized government for recent incidents. Moreover, U.S Defence Secretary James Mattis said that the new U.S strategy on Afghanistan's war will focus more on helping Afghan security forces win the battle against insurgents, but the U.S still needs to consider all aspects of the plan before sending in more troops to Afghanistan. Mattis said a decision on final troop numbers has not been finalised, but the U.S officials are in consultations with the Afghan officials in this regard. Meanwhile, the Afghan government is hopeful that the new U.S strategy will decrease the number of battles and help to eradicate insurgents - or at least mitigate the violence. "Supporting, equipping and financing security forces and the Afghan peace process and also creating regional and international anti-terror consensus are our main goals," Jawed Faisal, CEO Deputy Spokesman said. Afghan government is also trying to convince Washington to put more pressure on countries that support terrorists and to better equip Afghanistan forces. The Trump Administration is still analysing the changing scenario of Afghanistan as United States chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford arrived on June 28 to reassess U.S. regional strategy.Gen. Dunford arrived in Afghanistan on Monday amid reports that the visit takes place as the President Donald Trump's administration is busy in preparing its strategy for Afghanistan and the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Of Rs 0.7 per share Bombay Dyeing& Manufacturing Company announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 28 June 2017, inter alia, have recommended the final dividend of Rs 0.7 per equity Share (i.e. 35%) , subject to the approval of the shareholders. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CARE Ratings jumped 9.52% to Rs 1,564.50 at 13:45 IST after CRISIL said that it has acquired 26.22 lakh equity shares or 8.9% of the total paid up equity share capital of the company from Canara Bank. CRISIL made the announcement during market hours today, 29 June 2017. Shares of CRISIL rose 1.57% to Rs 1,950.05. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 146.99 points or 0.48% at 30,981.31. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 89.29 points or 0.62% at 14,591.98. Huge volumes were witnessed on the counter. On the BSE, 27.73 lakh shares were traded in the counter of CARE Ratings so far as against average daily volume of 10,683 shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 1,660 and a low of Rs 1,429 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,694.95 on 3 April 2017. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 962.50 on 26 July 2016. The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 28 June 2017, falling 2.03% compared with 0.62% fall in the Sensex. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, dropping 4.94% as against Sensex's 4.84% gains. The scrip, had, however, outperformed the market in past one year, jumping 44.32% as against Sensex's 16.25% gains. The mid-cap company has equity capital of Rs 29.45 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10. CRISIL said that it has acquired 26.22 lakh equity shares or 8.9% of the total paid up equity share capital of the company at Rs 1,659.79 per share today, 29 June 2017. The investment has been made pursuant to a bid process conducted by Canara Bank, subsequent to their request for quotation issued on 19 June 2017. Canara Bank held 8.9% stake in the firm as at 31 March 2017. This investment in the equity of CARE has no special rights and is in compliance with applicable rules and regulations. CRISIL continuously evaluates investment options as a part of its corporate strategy. This stake purchase is an investment in the excellent long term prospects of the credit rating sector in the country. The prospects for the sector are driven by the significant demand for capital investments and infrastructure financing in India over the long term, much of which should benefit the sector, CRISIL said. CARE Ratings' net profit rose 8.2% to Rs 38.45 crore on 1.5% rise in net sales to Rs 76.38 crore in Q4 March 2017 over Q4 March 2016. CARE Ratings is a credit rating agency in India. CARE provides the entire spectrum of credit rating that helps the corporates to raise capital for their various requirements and assists the investors to form an informed investment decision based on the credit risk and their own risk-return expectations. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of Eris Lifesciences will be listed on the bourses today, 29 June 2017. The issue price was fixed at a higher end of the IPO price band at Rs 603 per share. The company's initial public offering (IPO) received bids for 5.25 crore shares compared with 1.59 crore shares, data on NSE showed. The IPO was subscribed 3.29 times. Incorporated in 2007, Gujarat-based Eris Lifesciences undertakes research and development (R&D) and manufactures and sells branded pharmaceutical products in select therapeutic areas within the chronic and acute categories of the Indian pharmaceutical market (IPM). The categories include cardiovascular, anti-diabetics, vitamins, gastroenterology and anti-infectives. The focus is on developing products in the chronic and acute categories that are linked to lifestyle-related disorders. Axis Bank announced that it has successfully issued Rs 3500 crore Basel III compliant additional tier 1 debentures through private placement to augment the tier 1 capital base. The perpetual debentures with a 5 year call are priced at a fine coupon rate of 8.75%. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017. The board of directors of the bank had approved the allotment of 35,000 unsecured subordinated perpetual additional tier 1 Basel III compliant non-convertible debentures of the face value of Rs 10 lakh each for cash at par aggregating to Rs 3500 crore, on a private placement basis. Wipro announced that locals now form over 50% of its US workforce. Over the past six months, the company hired over 1,600 employees by attracting and nurturing local talent to drive innovation and help transform clients' businesses into digital enterprises. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017. National Aluminum Company will be in focus. The Ministry of Mines in order to clear any misleading information clarified that NALCO is a prestigious Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise and the Central Government appreciates its role in the progress of the country as well as Odisha. The central government is making all possible efforts to improve and further expand the capacity of NALCO so that it becomes a major producer of aluminum in India as well as at global level. The Ministry of Mines is facilitating NALCO for enhancing its production capacity of alumina refinery by setting up of 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) alumina refinery (Stream-5), Damanjodi under Phase-3 expansion of M&R unit at an estimated cost of Rs 5540 crore. To augment the bauxite reserves of the company, the central government has recently extended the reservation of Potangi Mines in favour of NALCO for further 5 years. Clarification was issued yesterday, 28 June 2017 after a news item appearing in some section of the press that Government of India is trying to privatise the company through buyback and offer for sale (OFS). Due to such news items, NALCO is facing agitation by its workers. LT Foods commenced operations of its first rice processing plant in Europe at Rotterdam, Netherlands. LT Foods has made an investment of $15 million in the plant with initial capacity of 60,000 tonnes and scope for further expansion in the future. The company plans to make its most popular 'Daawat' brand a household name in Europe using raw material from India. The move will benefit 5,000 farmer families in India with brown rice supply increasing from India. LT Foods plant is the first rice processing plant by any Indian foods brand in Europe. LT Foods plans to expand its geographical footprint in important markets of Europe and UK through this plant by increasing its sales from the current 5,000 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes over the next 3 years. The company would be manufacturing a wide range of rice including popular varieties like Basmati, Thai, Jasmine and American rice from the new plant. Rotterdam, which is popularly known as the gateway to Europe will be a critical geographical location as it will give the company easy access to the whole of Europe and UK for its expansion plans. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers said the government, the promoter of the company announced its intention to sell up to 2.75 crore equity shares of the company of face value of Rs 10 each, representing 5% of the total paid up equity share capital of the company on 29 June 2017 (for non-retail Investors) and 30 June 2017 (for retail investors and for non-retail Investors who choose to carry forward their bids). The floor price for the offer shall be Rs 74.25 per equity share of the company. Further upto 5% of the offer shares (over and above the number of offer shares) could be offered to eligible and willing employees of the company at a discount of upto 5% of the cut-off price subsequent to completion of the offer. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017. SEAMEC announced after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017, that the charter for its vessel "SEAMEC III" with L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering ended yesterday, 28 June 2017. Gujarat Pipavav Port announced after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017, that A.P.Moller-Maersk was hit by a global cyber attack affecting multiple sites and business units including Gujarat Pipavav Port. This attack has not had any major impact on the company at this point in time. The company is responding to the situation to limit the impact and uphold the port operations. The company said it continues to assess the situation that may impact its customers and partners. Godrej Industries announced after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017, that its board on 28 June 2017, has decided to participate in the initial public offer (IPO) of equity shares by Godrej Agrovet. Godrej Industries proposes to sell equity shares worth up to Rs 400 crore through the IPO of Godrej Agrovet. The board of Godrej Industries has authorized the management committee of its board, to consider and finalise the terms and conditions with respect to participation in offer and for matters incidental thereto. Mindtree's board approved buyback of equity shares of the company not exceeding 43.2 lakh equity shares, being 2.57% of the total paid up equity share capital at a price not exceeding Rs 625 per equity share for an aggregate amount of Rs 270 crore. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On 17 July 2017 Hindustan Media Ventures will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 17 July 2017, to consider and approve the Un-audited Financial Results of the Company for the quarter ending on 30th June 2017. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Market closed with marginal gains amid volatility as traders rolled over positions in the futures & options (F&O) segment from the near month June 2017 series to July 2017 series. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rose 23.20 points or 0.08% at 30,857.52, as per the provisional closing data. The Nifty 50 index rose 12.85 points or 0.14% at 9,504.10, as per the provisional closing data. The Sensex settled below the psychological 31,000 level after slipping below that level in afternoon trade. Metal and realty sector stocks advanced. The June 2017 derivative contracts expired today, 29 June 2017. The Sensex lost 39.71 points or 0.12% at the day's low of 30,794.61 in late trade. The index surged 263.60 points or 0.85% at the day's high of 31,097.92 in early afternoon trade, its highest level since 27 June 2017. The Nifty rose 2.55 points or 0.02% at the day's low of 9,493.80 in late trade. The index surged 84.55 points or 0.89% at the day's high of 9,575.80 in early afternoon trade, its highest level since 27 June 2017. Market opened on a positive note and traded with modest gains till early afternoon trade as investors' sentiment was positive ahead of nation-wide rollout of the ambitious indirect tax reform the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with effect from 1 July 2017. However, indices pared gains later only to make partial recovery in mid-afternoon trade. Later, indices once again pared all the intraday gains to settle near the flat line. Among other indices, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index provisionally rose 0.34%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index provisionally advanced 0.98%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. Closer home, the breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 1,604 shares rose and 967 shares declined. A total of 166 shares were unchanged. The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 3945.67 crore, higher than turnover of Rs 3918.02 crore registered during the previous trading session. Metal and mining stocks surged. Vedanta (up 3.61%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 3.27%), Tata Steel (up 2.9%), Hindustan Copper (up 2.23%), Steel Authority of India (up 1.31%), Hindalco Industries (up 1.16%), NMDC (up 1.03%) and Hindustan Zinc (up 0.6%) edged higher. National Aluminium Company (Nalco) rose 1.01% after the Ministry of Mines said that the central government is working to expand capacity of the company to make it a major producer of aluminium globally. The Ministry of Mines made the announcement after market hours yesterday, 28 June 2017. JSW Steel rose 3.85% after the company said it proposed slurry pipe line to transport iron ore and coal in Karnataka. The announcement was made during market hours today, 29 June 2017. This slurry pipeline can be set up within 24 months at an estimated cost of Rs 2100 crore. This will facilitate transporting iron ore through slurry pipeline at a very competitive 15% cost of alternate means of transport. This strategic project will enable the company to source almost 50% of the current requirement of iron ore at Vijayanagar works from outside Karnataka either from imports or from Odisha/eastern sector at prices lower than the prevailing prices in Karnataka. On the macro front, the implementation of landmark tax reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be closely watched. On the night of 30 June 2017, there will be a special function in the Central Hall of Parliament House wherein a number of programs will be witness to the change in tax structure and implementation of GST across the country between the night of June 30 and July 1. The government expects GST to revolutionize India's taxing system and is being marketed as one nation one tax. Overseas, European stocks edged lower amid volatility as markets eyed a preparatory meeting between Group of 20 heads of state. Asian stocks edged higher, taking cues from a stronger finish in US markets. US equities registered strong gains yesterday, 28 June 2017 as bank stocks led the charge. The S&P 500 index notched its biggest one-day gain since late April 2017. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 2,000 cases of encroachment of Waqf properties have been filed in the last three years and some of the complaints have been forwarded to the CBI, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday. Addressing the 76th Central Waqf Council here, Naqvi said "several Waqf properties have been under the clutches of powerful Waqf mafias due to criminal conspiracy between them and Waqf boards. "We are making efforts to ensure that all the Waqf boards and their records across the country are made digital. (My Ministry) has been providing all possible help to the state Waqf boards." He said a Board of Adjudication had been set up to look into the complaints at the central level under the chairmanship of a retired Supreme Court judge. Likewise, three-member tribunals were being started at the state level. A total of 21 states had already done so. --IANS vn/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Moscow military court on Thursday found five Chechens guilty of having assassinated Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in 2015. Nemtsov, 55, an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin and a former deputy Prime Minister, was shot by Chechen gunman Zaur Dadayev as he was walking across a bridge just outside the Kremlin, the Independent reported. Russian news agencies said a jury at a Moscow court found that Dadayev, a former officer in the security forces of the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, guilty of murdering Nemtsov. Four other men, also Chechen according to the BBC, were found guilty of involvement in the killing. The jury found they had acted as Dadayev's accomplices and that the group had been promised a bounty of $253,000. Nemtsov was killed on February 27, 2015, just two days before he was due to take part in a mass rally against Russian involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lauding India for the forthcoming rollout of the GST, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said the country needs to continue with reforms in various sectors to integrate better with the global market. "After 1990, India has continued with reforms. But compared to East Asia, it has grown at a lesser pace," ADB President Takehiko Nakao told reporters here, listing the areas that required further reforms as land acquisition, labour laws and in rules concerning investment by foreign firms. Describing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented pan-India from July 1 as a "very important" step towards integrating the domestic economy, the ADB President said that "India is not so well integrated to the value chain of Asia, as compared to East Asian countries". Acknowledging that under the Indian system, areas like land acquisition and labour laws are both central and state subjects, Nakao said: "Further reforms at both central and state levels for improving efficiency in the land and labour markets and strengthening the banking sector will boost growth." Nakao was addressing the media on the last day of his three-day visit to the country, during which he also met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Thursday. He said he had discussed about further reforms with Jaitley, without mentioning any specific areas. "Based on the Indian government's sound macroeconomic management, reforms and the improving global economic scenario, ADB projects India's GDP to grow at 7.4 per cent this fiscal and at 7.8 per cent next year," Nakao said. Praising the switch to the GST regime as a "historic" measure, he, however said that its multiple tax rate structure could pose a challenge in implementation. Besides, from his Japanese experience he said businesses would be forced to think of "adjusting prices to the new tax burden". "The new tax burden will be reflected in the prices as businesses try to shift it to the consumer." The ADB also announced their new $10-billion country strategy for India, with the focus on supporting low-income states and the development of economic corridors. The multilateral lender will assist with $5 billion over a five-year period for the needs of poorer states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Besides, the bank is ready to invest up to $5 billion in these five years to develop the East Coast Economic Corridor. --IANS bc/nir/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After more than a decade-long journey, the biggest indirect tax reform since Independence -- GST -- is finally set for a midnight launch on Friday in Parliament's Central Hall in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Members of Parliament, state finance ministers and chief ministers. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be launched on Friday midnight in an hour-long event that will evoke memories of the "Tryst with Destiny" moment of 1947. Both the President and the Prime Minister will speak on the subject and two short films on GST will be screened in the Central Hall. On the midnight of August 14-15, 1947, the country ushered in Independence from British rule with a special function in the Central Hall in which the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, made his now famous speech "Tryst with Destiny". Acknowledging the role of previous governments in readying the GST, the government has also invited former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H.D. Deve Gowda, though the Congress still appears undecided over attending the special midnight function in Parliament. The Trinamool Congress has already decided not to attend the June 30 midnight programme as a mark of protest against the "unnecessary disastrous hurry" to roll out the pan-India tax regime. Major opposition parties are likely to skip the midnight launch of GST, sources in the parties said. The issue was discussed informally among leaders of the opposition grouping which gathered here for filing of nomination of their Presidential candidate Meira Kumar on Wednesday. The leaders said there appeared to be a lot of confusion and apprehension among various sections of the trading and business community, some of whom are protesting against certain provisions of the new indirect taxation law. Opposition leaders said they would like to keep away from the function which they feel was being planned by the government as a publicity gimmick. "It's not a tryst with destiny but playing with the destiny of people," one leader remarked. GST, termed as the most radical tax reform since Independence, seeks to subsume all central indirect taxes like excise duty, countervailing duty and service tax, as also state levies like Value Added Tax, entry tax and luxury tax, to create a single, pan-India market. So far, apart from Jammu and Kashmir, all the states have passed the State GST (SGST) law. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has written to J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to join the GST regime by July 1. Going back in history, GST was first discussed in the Kelkar Task Force report on indirect taxes in 2003 and a proposal to introduce a national GST by April 1, 2010, was first mooted in the Budget Speech for the financial year 2006-07. Decks were cleared for the GST regime with parliamentary approval to Central Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, Integrated GST Bill, Compensation GST Bill and Union Territory GST Bill 2017, on April 7. --IANS mm/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday arrived in Sikkim to take stock of the security scenario amid a stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops along the border in the area. According to sources, the Army chief will review the security situation, and may also visit some forward areas. Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel breached the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Sikkim sector and destroyed two makeshift Indian Army bunkers earlier this month in Lalten area of Doka La sector. The Chinese Defence Ministry confirmed the border trouble but accused Indian troops of crossing the boundary into China "in an attempt to prevent a road construction" by the Chinese side. The Defence Ministry and Army have made no official comment on the incident yet. Doka La is located in the Chumbi valley, and the area where the aggression took place is not far from the corridor of rail and road that connects to northeastern India. Also close to the area, Bhutan and China have a border issue along Tibet. China is at present extending a rail line close the the border here. The Defence Ministry, for a long time has been maintaining that there are no transgressions along the India-China border and the issue is of different perceptions of the boundary. The Defence Minister has repeated the line several times, including in answers to Parliament questions, in response to queries about Chinese transgression in the Indian side. In reaction to the border face-off, China has refused to let the first batch of around 50 Indian pilgrims, who were supposed to travel to Kailash Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, go through the Nathu La route. The development comes amid bilateral tensions over various issues, including India boycotting the One Belt One Road summit in Beijing and China scuttling India's NSG bid. --IANS ao/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday arrived in Sikkim to take stock of the situation amid a stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops along the border. Informed sources said the Army chief will review the security situation and may visit forward areas. But he will avoid the area where the stand-off is taking place. Gen Rawat will return to Delhi on Friday. India and China have accused other's troops of crossing the border. Indian officials say the People's Liberation Army breached the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Sikkim sector and destroyed two makeshift Indian Army bunkers this month in Lalten area of Doka La sector. China has denied this. The stand-off is unlikely to end soon as flag meetings held so far have remained inconclusive. China declared on Thursday that there will be no discussions on the issue until Indian troops which it says have entered its territory leave. The Chinese Defence Ministry has accused the Indian troops of trying to prevent road construction by the Chinese. China warned India on Thursday that it will escalate the current border row if it did not withdraw troops from "Chinese territory". The Indian Defence Ministry and the Army have made no official comment on the incident. Doka La is located on the tip of Chumbi valley, and the area where the aggression reportedly took place is not far from the Siliguri corridor. The area is a tri-junction of India, Bhutan and Tibet plateau. China is extending a rail line close to the border. On the Indian side too, a road is being built close to the border which will ultimately be connected to the Siliguri corridor. Also, Bhutan has border disagreement with China at two places. China already has two roads in the tongue shaped Chumbi Valley. China has refused to let the first batch of around 50 Indian pilgrims who were to travel to Kailash Mansarovar Lake in Tibet go through the Nathu La route. The development comes amid bilateral tensions including India's boycott of the One Belt One Road summit in Beijing and China scuttling India's NSG bid. --IANS ao/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A leading Chinese daily on Thursday accused the Australian government of spying on its embassy and "harassing" Chinese people in Australia to provide intelligence. The state-run Global Times, citing an official of China's National Security Department, said Australia's agents in disguise were trying to get close to Chinese people working or living overseas to collect information or even encourage them to subvert China. "In global covert struggles, Australia had never played the role of victim. However, they are wantonly working on intelligence about China and groundlessly accusing China of spying on them. The logic is ridiculous," the official told the daily. "Meanwhile, in the name of avoiding 'Chinese spy threats', Australian intelligence operatives are closely monitoring Chinese people and the Chinese Embassy in Australia," the report said. It further said that "many Chinese people have been interviewed or harassed by Australian intelligence and are being required to provide information on Chinese communities and the Chinese embassy. "Some of the Chinese people were even sent back to China to gather information," it said. The unidentified official told the daily that "Australia has also been stealing Chinese technology". The National Security Department "found many eavesdropping devices at the embassy", which prompted the Chinese government to renovate its mission, the employee told the Global Times. Australian National University Professor and intelligence and international relations expert John Blaxland said the claims would raise diplomatic tensions. "A generalised accusation of espionage, without a specific case to present as evidence... suggests this is not much more than a shot across the Australian diplomatic bow," he told The Australian daily. Blaxland said it was a "predicable" response to Australian media reports of allegations of Chinese intelligence activities in the country. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government on Thursday accepted Bimal Gurung's resignation from the post of Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) -- the development board in the north Bengal hills. "Gurung resigned from the GTA just a week before the term for the current board would get over on June 30. His resignation letter has been accepted by the state government's home department today," Bengal Tourism Minister Gautam Deb told IANS. The minister said the resignation letter reached the concerned department via West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi on Thursday. Talking about the possibility of a fresh GTA election in the region, Deb said the state government has the provision of conducting the election in the next six months once the tenure of the current board gets completed. "The normal procedure is to conduct the election in the next six months, if not possible in another six months. We will follow the procedure," he added. Gurung, the chief of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) that is spearheading the agitation in the Darjeeling hills, officially announced stepping down from GTA on June 23 and vowed to cut all ties with the Bengal government. His resignation letter was handed over to Governor Tripathi on June 26 by a three-member GJM delegation. --IANS mgr/ssp/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Brazilian President Michel Temer has decided to cancel a trip to Hamburg, Germany, for the upcoming G20 summit. The presidential office on Wednesday night did not give any reason for Temer's change of plan regarding the summit, slated for July 7-8 but it is widely believed that the cancellation has something to do with the fact that the President was formally accused of corruption by the country's prosecutor general earlier this week, reports Xinhua news agency. He has been accused of taking bribes from Joesley Batista, head of meatpacking giant JBS. Temer was caught on tape in a compromising conversation with Batista, who recorded the conversation, which was later presented to the Federal Police in exchange for his own freedom. Since the tape was made public, Temer has been facing dwindling support in Parliament, which failed to pass any significant bill favoured by the government. The embattled Brazilian President also saw his approval rating hitting record low. --IANS ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday arrived in Hong Kong to mark 20 years since the territory was handed back to Beijing by Britain, the media reported. The highly symbolic visit, Xi's first since becoming leader in 2012, comes amid an increasingly tense political climate, reports the BBC. Xi arrived for the three-day visit with his wife Peng Liyuan at the city's main Chek Lap Kok airport. The couple were welcomed by a marching band and children waving flags. In a brief speech on the tarmac, he said Hong Kong was "always in my heart". Beijing's central government "has always been a strong backer of Hong Kong" and "will, as always, support Hong Kong's economic development and improvement of people's lives". He also said Beijing was "willing to work with all sectors of Hong Kong's society in maintaining Hong Kong's extraordinary journey these past 20 years", and would "ensure 'one country, two systems' will continue with stability". A series of official celebrations are planned for this weekend, as well as the inauguration of Hong Kong's incoming Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Large protests will also take place called by pro-democracy and pro-Beijing camps, reports the BBC. Several activists were arrested on Wednesday evening ahead of the President's visit. The group, which included student leader Joshua Wong, had staged a protest at an iconic sculpture symbolising the handover. The golden sculpture of a bauhinia flower -- Hong Kong's emblem -- by the city's harbour was a gift from China. The city was handed back from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Beijing agreed to govern it under "one country, two systems", granting the city its own legal system, limited democracy with multiple political parties, and rights like freedom of assembly and free speech. But China's growing influence has been met with unease and concerns that the mainland could undermine Hong Kong's politically more liberal traditions. Activists have been campaigning for years for Hong Kong to have more political freedom. --IANS ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cholera infection has killed 1,400 people and infected 218,798 others in Yemen in just two months, the largest epidemic to hit a single Arab country, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced. The rapidly spreading cholera outbreak in Yemen has been "increasing at an average of 5,000 a day", said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) executive director Anthony Lake in a joint statement on Wednesday. "We are now facing the worst cholera outbreak in the world," they said. Since April 27, the disease has spread to almost all of Yemeni provinces, mostly reported from capital Sanaa and its suburbs, northern province of Hajah and Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, which are also under Houthi control, said WHO in its recent updated map of the spreading disease. One quarter of the epidemic victims were children, the statement said. "This deadly cholera outbreak is the direct consequence of two years of heavy conflict," the statement said, blaming the conflict for collapsing health, water and sanitation systems that have cut off 14.5 million people from regular access to clean water and sanitation and helping increasing the ability of the disease to spread. They also said that rising rates of malnutrition in Yemen have weakened children's health and made them more vulnerable to the disease. Yemen is facing total collapse as the war continues. Two thirds of the total population, around 19 million, need humanitarian and protection aid. About 10.3 million people are close to famine and 14.5 million lack access to safe drinking water. Less than 45 per cent of the country's hospitals are operational at the moment, but even the operational ones are coping with huge challenges, on top of which is the lack of medications, medical equipment and staffs. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress party is unlikely to attend the special midnight function in Parliament on June 30 to roll-out the Goods and Services Tax (GST), party sources said. They said Congress President Sonia Gandhi deliberated on the issue with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, senior leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel and Jairam Ramesh on Thursday to take a final decision. The Trinamool Congress has already decided not to attend the midnight programme as a mark of protest against the "unnecessary disastrous hurry" to roll out the pan-India tax regime. Sources said the Trinamool Congress is keen that the Congress too adopt the same course. According to sources, a section of the Congress is in favour of attending the function as GST is the party's brainchild, but another section feels the party should abstain to protest the way the tax regime is being implemented. The GST will be launched at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament on June 30. --IANS sid-ps/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran actor Gulshan Grover, fondly called the 'Badman' of Bollywood, says it's good that heroes are exploring the other side, but believes that a villain should be "beaten and humilated" in the end of every film and not be glorified. Gulshan, who has worked in over 400 films since 1980 and essayed various villainous characters, says heroes essaying negative roles "is a very good sign". Without taking names, Gulshan told IANS over phone: "Actors want to play something different and interesting. I am very happy that many of my 'hero' friends are playing villains. They are also showing us other dimension of how a villain's role could be portrayed. Many of my very talented and close friends have done a tremendous job in that." "My only difference of opinion with them (heroes turning into villains) is that don't have a glorifying ending when you are playing a villain because, in my opinion, whoever the actor is, it does not matter." "The villain must be beaten, humiliated and begged for mercy and must look completely de-glamourised in the end of the film. So that a message is sent that no matter how big you are, who you are, whether you are a hero, star, a big tycoon...if you do something bad, this is what will happen to you," added the 61-year-old. "Other than that, it is encouraging to see hero friends playing the villain, which is also increasing the vision and battlefield that how a villain's role can be interpreted. What I do not agree to is the graceful stylish exit by handing them to the police or shooting them or blowing them up. No!" So far a number of films have been made on prisoners, villains and real-life negative individuals like "Main aur Charles", "Raman Raghav 2.0", "Don", "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai", "Black Friday" and "Raees". Should such films glorifying goons or gangsters be made? "Bollywood has essentially been relying on the old classic fable that there was once a king and an evil minister, the minister in the end gets caught and punished and the king and queen live happily ever after. That is the storytelling of commercial cinema." he said. "That is the storytelling of Mahabharat and Ramayana. Ravana in the end loses while Lord Ram wins. Kauravas lost because of their evil spirit while the Pandavas won... We are looking at Bollywood here. In that context, I am only talking about movies. The films must have, especially the bigger films, larger and commercial films must have an ending where whether it is any hero, he must have a humiliating end," Gulshan said. Gulshan, who has films like "Ram Lakhan", "Mohra", "Saudagar", "Earth" and "Gangster" to his credit, says glorifying the bad in any way is a "debatable point". "A cutting edge film can have this? Why not? They are not representing the larger cinema. Glorifying bad in any way is a debatable point. It can be that anybody feels that in real life do all bad people get punished... they (the filmmakers) maybe basing their films on that," he said. Gulshan's web film "Badman", curated by VOOT, was screened at the Moscow International Film Festival on June 24 and London Indian Film Festival on Tuesday. Bollywood is bearing the brunt of a debatable censorship. So is it good for web films and series makers to not go through the grind and get half of their story killed? "I think there is big disadvantage. When we were shooting for 'Badman', we were shown some content from various other companies and it had foul language and what not. Did any of them become popular? No! I think not having censors and going crazy for the sake of shock is not going to help make your project popular." "In my understanding, people are looking to be entertained and it is not necessarily dirty words or uncensored stuff. The series of 'Badman' gives this feeling that you make it with the intention to entertain and give good content to the audience, it will rise. 'Badman' has risen beyond our imagination from the internet and crossed boundaries and entered theatres of the rest of the world," Gulshan told IANS. (Kishori Sud can be contacted at kishori.s@ians.in) --IANS ks/nn/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and the ruler of Dubai, has urged Qatar to "return to the GCC fold" in a new poem published on his website and his Instagram account. The Arabic poem, titled Al Dharb Wadeh (The way is clear) called for unity in the region, stating that Arabs in the Gulf Cooperation Council have been living as one people from "time immemorial". "Now, it is time to get united and be one heart and protect each other without any grudge or hatred," he wrote on Wednesday. The Dubai ruler stressed that "the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has always stood, and will forever stand, as its neighbours' champion" and called for the neighbourhood relations to grow stronger. Al Maktoum also advised Doha to return to its Arab surroundings and said the pathway is clear, and that the region's strategy is singular. "We will keep advising Qatar openly in line with the instructions of Prophet Muhammad, when he said in a prophetic Hadith (saying): A wolf eats only an out-of-the-way sheep," the poem stated. Al Maktoum said that the staying within the umbrella of the GCC was the "only way to safeguard Qatar from the fangs of wolves". The poem comes after the Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain cut all ties with Qatar earlier this month, accusing the country of funding hardline Islamist militant groups in the region. The four nations last week sent a list of 13 demands to Doha, including shutting down a Turkish military base, closing the Al Jazeera TV channel and curbing ties with Iran. While Qatar termed the demands "unreasonable", Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir affirmed this week that the demands were "non-negotiable". "We made our point, we took our steps and it's up to the Qataris to amend their behaviour and once they do, things will be worked out, but if they don't, they will remain isolated," Al-Jubeir said. Omar Ghobash, the UAE Ambassador to Russia, said that if Qatar doesn't comply, fresh sanctions could be imposed. --IANS soni/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday said Bihar's ruling Grand Alliance made up of his party, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and the Congress cannot be broken, no matter how hard one tries. "Lalu and Nitish (Kumar) alliance is unbreakable. This alliance cannot be broken even by a chisel," the former Bihar Chief Minister told reporters. "Like a fox, (Bharatiya Janata Party leader) Sushil Modi is trying to break the alliance but he will not succeed." Lalu Prasad was in Ranchi to appear in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in fodder scam cases. He has appeared in the CBI courts in three cases related to fraudulent withdrawal of money from Deoghar, Dumka and Doranda (Ranchi) treasuries. The Rs 900-crore scam surfaced in the early 1990s when Lalu Prasad was the Chief Minister of Bihar. The majority of the cases are related to the southern region of then undivided Bihar which now is Jharkhand. --IANS ns/in/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani on Thursday said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that will be rolled out on July 1 was just not another piece of reform or transformation but underlined the country's economic freedom. "GST is not just another piece of reform or transform, however significant. GST is the liberation of our economic imagination. It is our economic freedom," Ambani told an event of the Association of Mutual Funds in India here. He said what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had done in three years on GST could not be done in the previous 30 years. "The real promise of GST is that promise of economic liberation. The promise of 'One Nation. One Tax. One market'," Ambani added. "Seventy years ago, at the stroke of the midnight hour, our first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, spoke movingly in the Central Hall of Parliament about India's tryst with destiny. "At the same midnight hour tomorrow, as our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi rises to address a waiting nation from the same august Central Hall, India will be set on course for another historic tryst with destiny," he added. Ambani said of all our earthly inventions, the free market is perhaps the greatest force for economic good in human history. "A force for generating wealth and transforming lives." The greatest achievement of the government lies in the area of financial inclusion, he said "From insolvency code to NPA (non-performing assets) resolution, the present government has undertaken a fundamental overhaul of India's financial infrastructure while consolidating and strengthening the banking sector," he added. Ambani said India was today in the midst of a massive digital revolution, which was allowing young ambitious entrepreneurs to think big and execute bigger. The spectacular rise of e-commerce and related businesses in recent years was a testimony to what technology can help achieve, he said. "It is time to learn from that experience. If e-commerce can exploit the power of technology to reach out to India's hinterlands and create better consumer experience, so can India's financial sector," Ambani added. Speaking about the mutual fund industry, Ambani said the industry started off with UTI in 1964 and for the next 30 years there was no private player in the market. "And it is fitting that the man who is widely regarded as the father of Capital markets and the equity cult in India -- my late visionary father, Dhirubhai Ambani -- was among the first to sense the potential that lay ahead. "We at Reliance, together with my late brother-in-law, Shyam Kothari, shared the exclusive privilege of launching India's first-ever private sector mutual fund in 1993 -- Kothari Pioneer Mutual Fund. Our own offering followed soon afterwards with the launch of Reliance Mutual Fund in 1995," Ambani said. He said while nine out of ten Indians have a mobile connection and three out of ten a smart phone, only one in 25 Indians had an investment in a mutual fund. Addressing Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Ajay Tyagi, who was also present at the event, Ambani said the industry needs to further simplify the on-boarding process for new investors. "Make mutual fund investment even simpler. Allow anyone with a legitimate Bank Account to invest in financial products since their Bank KYC is already in place. Ensure better utilisation of technology to improve penetration and facilitate faster"transactions." He urged SEBI chairman to simplify advertising norms to help communicate the value proposition of mutual funds better. "In five years' time, India will celebrate 75 years of Independence. There can be no better gift from our mutual fund industry to the nation than an increase in the number of individual investor folios from the current 6 crore to 60 crore," Ambani added. --IANS ag/hs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 40 McDonald's restaurants in the national capital will remain shut from Thursday because of expiry of licences, a company official said. "It's correct around 40 restaurants have temporarily suspended operations in the city of Delhi from today morning," Vikram Bakshi, Director of Connaught Plaza Restaurants (CPRL) told IANS. CPRL is a 50:50 joint venture between Bakshi and McDonald's. The company manages 55 such restaurants. Asked how many employees will get impacted due to this decision, he said: "As this is a temporary shut down, all our employees working in these restaurants shall be retained." He said the decision had been taken by the board of CPRL. Around 1,700 employees are said to have been affected. "The Eating House Licenses of a number of McDonald's restaurants in Delhi have expired. The Board of Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited (McDonald's licensee in North and East India) is working to obtain the required licenses. Pending this, CPRL is temporarily suspending the operations of the affected restaurants," McDonald's India Pvt Ltd said in a statement. Apologising for the inconvenience caused due to the closure, the company said its greatest concern "is always for our customers and employees, and we are committed to doing what it takes to ensure compliance." "It's our understanding that CPRL has notified the key affected stakeholders including employees, landlords and suppliers before the temporary suspension started on June 28. India continues to be an important market for McDonald's and we are committed to working with CPRL to resolve the issue as soon as possible," the statement added. Bakshi was ousted from CPRL as its managing director in 2013 and is involved in litigation with McDonald's. Some McDonald outlets that IANS visited were shut down. However, the one in Connaught Place N block was doing business as usual with the employees expressing unawareness about why other outlets had been shut. --IANS ag-mg/hs/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after the Union cabinet gave its in-principle approval for Air India's divestment, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that the budget passenger airline IndiGo has expressed its interest in participating in the stake sale of the flag-carrier. "There has been interest shown for Air India. IndiGo has approached the ministry with a formal expression of interest proposal," Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told IANS. "Other airlines have also shown interest in Air India, but they have not submitted any formal proposals as yet," he added. When contacted, an official from IndiGo said that the airline was "observing a silent period". According to Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary R.N.Choubey, a formal proposal from IndiGo was received after Wednesday's cabinet decision on Air India's divestment. The Union cabinet's decision on Air India comes after NITI Aayog in a recent report to the Civil Aviation Ministry recommended strategic disinvestment in the loss-making Air India. At present, the national passenger carrier has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore. The airline in 2015-16 had posted an operating profit of Rs 105 crore. For the last fiscal 2016-17, the company is expected to report an improved operating profit margin. The flag carrier had got a new lease of life on April 12, 2012, when the previous central government under the UPA had approved a Rs 30,000 crore turnaround (TAP) and financial restructuring plans (FRP) package spanning up to the year 2021. Currently, Air India's portfolio of subsidiaries include Air India Engineering Services, Air India Transport Services, Alliance Air, Air India Express and the Hotel Corporation of India. It also has a ground handling joint venture AISATS. Apart from its subsidiaries, the national carrier owns several properties in India and abroad, operational slots at international airport and priceless art work, besides a well trained manpower. According to the company's website, Air India operates 118 aircraft of various kind. Its international network consists of 41 destinations across the US, Europe, Australia, Far East and South East Asia and the Gulf. The airline's domestic network covers 72 destinations, including far-flung areas of the North-East, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. --IANS rv/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana's main opposition party Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Thursday announced it will support the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the President's post, Ram Nath Kovind, in the forthcoming presidential election. Leader of Opposition in Haryana and INLD Secretary General Abhay Singh Chautala said that the party had decided to support Kovind after weighing the credentials of the candidates. The INLD announcement came on a day when Kovind was visiting Chandigarh to meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Haryana and Punjab. He also met NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal leaders and legislators here. Kovind, accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, met INLD leaders and legislators to seek their support for the forthcoming election of the President. The INLD has 19 legislators in the 90-member Haryana assembly. The ruling BJP has 47 legislators. Addressing the INLD leaders, Kovind paid tributes to former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal and assured the INLD that he would remain above party after being elected to the office of President. "I have remained above party ever since I assumed the office of Governor (of Bihar) two years ago. The highest and most satisfying tribute I have ever received was when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told me, on being chosen as the presidential candidate, the dignified manner in which I had conducted myself in the Governor's office was unparalleled in Bihar's history," Kovind said. Nitish Kumar's party, Janata Dal (United), has pledged support to Kovind, breaking away from the opposition ranks. --IANS js/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iranian Foreign Ministry warned against any possible US military attack on Syria, the media reported. Any military action against Syria under the allegations of "potential" chemical weapon use by the Syrian government would only help the terrorists, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying on Wednesday. Qasemi dismissed as baseless Washington's recent claims that the Syrian government is preparing for a chemical weapon use in the country, Xinhua news agency reported. He made the remarks in response to a recent White House statement that the US has "identified potential preparations" by the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad for another chemical attack. In April, the US launched a missile attack on a Syrian military base under the pretext of suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held Idlib province. The Syrian government has been fighting terrorist groups for more than six years, and raising such baseless claims would do nothing but to strengthen the terrorist groups, Qasemi said, adding that any US move in this regard is "suspicious". He urged the international community to prevent the US from taking any military action that would boost insecurity and instability in the region. In the meantime, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani rejected the US claims and said that Washington is playing with fire in the Arab country, according to Press TV. The fabricated allegations are to undermine the Syrian army's gains against terrorists, he said. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Mosul on Thursday said they had captured the iconic Great Mosque of al-Nuri where, in 2014, the IS leader declared the so-called caliphate. Joint Operations Commander Abdel Amir Jarallah issued a statement claiming that Iraqi counter-terror forces had liberated the al-Nuri mosque and the surrounding Serjkhana neighbourhood, reports Efe news. Shortly after the terror group's rise to power in the northern Iraqi city, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi used the mosque to deliver a speech in which he proclaimed the establishment of the group's Caliphate. The group last week toppled the Hadba minaret adjoining the mosque, causing extensive damage to the surrounding compound. The mosque was one of the great monuments in Islam after the grand mosques of Mecca and Medina, al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, rivalling others such as the Amr ibn al-'As mosque in Egypt and other more modern structures. Baghdadi has left the fighting in Mosul to local commanders and is believed to be hiding in the border area between Iraq and Syria, according to US and Iraqi military sources. Mosul is the final urban stronghold of the IS in Iraq. --IANS ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel on Thursday thwarted a major cyber-attack that targeted several hospitals, according to an official statement. A statement released by the National Cyber Defence Authority said that the attacks were foiled before any damage was caused, reports Xinhua news agency. "There were attempts to hack several hospitals. Various computers at several hospitals were affected and were dealt with immediately," the statement said, adding that the hospitals continued to function as usual. The attack was thwarted by the hospitals' information security personnel together with the National Cyber Defence Authority, which is still monitoring it closely, said the statement. The hack came amidst a worldwide wave of cyber-attacks that started in Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday. --IANS ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Chandigarh on Thursday to seek support from Haryana and Punjab legislators. From the Chandigarh International Airport, Kovind drove to Panchkula town in Haryana where he will meet legislators from the state. Kovind will later hold discussions with legislators from Punjab in Chandigarh. The opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) will decide on its position on the Presidential poll on Thursday. Haryana's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 47 legislators, INLD has 19, Congress has 17, five are Independents and one seat each is held by the Akali Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Kovind will face main opposition candidate former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in the July 17 polls. Kumar has been supported by 17 parties, led by the Congress. The Congress, which won the assembly elections in Punjab in March, has 77 legislators in the 117-member assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP have 18 legislators in the Punjab assembly. The Aam Aadmi Party has 20 legislators in the assembly while its alliance partner Lok Insaf Party has two legislators. --IANS js/ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Kunal Kapoor says he wants to be part of projects which have recall value due to "direction, writing, cinematography and performances". "As an actor, I always look for inspiration to do something innovative each time I go in front of the camera. I want to be a part of movies that define cinema and demand repeat viewing for the sheer quality of direction, writing, cinematography and performances," Kunal said in a statement. The actor, who has been featured in films like "Rang De Basanti", "Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities", "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" and "Dear Zindagi", has associated with MN+ channel, which is known for showing Hollywood classics. They are launching a film festival 'Talking Films' from Monday, and Kunal will be seen sharing his ideas and inspirations under the association. He says he was impressed with this idea of showcasing Hollywood masterpieces. "I feel we should encourage cinema lovers to develop a deeper understanding and love for the art of cinema. I'm personally a big fan of some of the movies that are going to be aired like 'Life is Beautiful', 'Theory of Everything', 'Creed', 'Goodwill Hunting', 'Boyhood' and 'Interstellar', to name a few," Kunal added. Talking about his inspiration, Kunal said: "When I was growing up, my favourite actors were Jerry Lewis and Kishore Kumar. I used to watch their films over and over again." --IANS sug/nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An 11-year-old mentally challenged girl was sexually assaulted by her landlord in Mianwali area in west Delhi, police said on Thursday. The accused, Shankar Singh, was arrested from a relative's house. The incident came to light on Tuesday evening when the elder brother of the victim caught Shankar Singh while he was committing the crime. But he managed to escape, a police officer said. "During interrogation, Shankar Singh confessed to sexually assaulting the minor for the last five days whenever he found her alone in the house. He committed the crime after luring the girl by offering her sweets," the officer added. The victim's parents are labourers in the area. --IANS sp/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) June 26, 2017 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and stressed the expansion of their ties amid a Saudi-led effort to politically and economically isolate the tiny country in the Persian Gulf. During the phone call on June 25, Rouhani said, Helping Qatars economy and expanding relations especially in the private sector between the two countries can be a joint goal. Iran has been reportedly sending 1,100 tons of fruits and vegetables to Qatar daily ever since Saudi Arabia blocked off its borders to the country, according to Irans directors of ports in Bushehr province. Qatars only land border is with Saudi Arabia. Rouhani noted that he sees a continuous relationship between Iran and Qatar and that there is a great deal of capacity to strengthen ties. On the crisis between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which has dragged in regional states as well as Western countries, Rouhani said, We believe if a dispute takes place between regional countries, pressure, threats and sanctions is not the path to resolve the dispute. He added that Iran is ready to help to reduce tensions. However, one of the 13 demands that the team of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain presented to Qatar is that they cut all relations with Iran. Other demands included they shutter Al Jazeera news network, suspend cooperation with those groups designated as terrorists and pay Saudi Arabia reparations. Rouhani also said the blockade on Qatar is unacceptable for our country. Our airspace, seas and land will be open to Qatar as a brotherly and neighborly country. Thani said that his country is ready to expand ties and work together to resolve problems facing Muslim countries, noting, The Islamic world is in a challenging situation and to resolve problems wise leaders and dialogue are needed. Based on the phone conversation between the Iranian and Qatari leadership just days after the Saudi list of demands was published shows that Qatar so far is refusing to cut ties with Tehran. The Saudi demand that Qatar stop plans to build a Turkish military base in the country has irked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the demands were against international law. Erdogan continued that to ask Turkey to pull out its troops from Qatar is disrespectful behavior toward us. Ankaras reaction has caught the attention of Irans media. Erdogans comments in support of Qatar made headlines on a number of Iranian websites. Comments by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that the imposed blockade on Qatar is a humanitarian mistake also made headlines. Some Iranian websites even had fun with the new trade relations between Qatar and Iran. Mashregh News published the tweet from a popular Qatari account that showed a picture of an Iranian yogurt drink with the caption, Iranian Safavid yogurt is delicious a joke in reference to sectarian slurs that refer to Iranians as Safavids, the 16th-century Iranian dynasty that expanded Shiism. To ward off new-age ransomware cyber attacks like 'Petya' that have affected several companies and institutions in the world, Microsoft has announced it would infuse artificial intelligence (AI) into its antivirus stack. In the upcoming Windows Fall Creators Update, the company will power Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (Windows Defender ATP) with its cloud-based security intelligence. "It moves us from a world of isolated defences to a smart, interconnected and coordinated defence grid that is more intelligent, simple to manage, and ever-evolving," Avi Sagiv, Principal Programme Manager, Windows Defender ATP at Microsoft, said in a blog post. "Our initial focus was to reduce the time it takes companies to detect, investigate, and respond to advanced attacks. We offer a set of new prevention capabilities designed to stop attacks as they happen and before they have impact," he added. The new cyber attack Petya began massively affecting dozens of companies and institutions in the world, beginning with Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, and spreading to Asia, Australia and the US. "We will also provide a single pane of glass experience for security professionals. This means that security management teams can easily configure a broad set of Windows security stack technologies through an integrated configuration management experience." This will not only give companies a full picture of what's happening on their endpoints, but will also put them in the driver's seat to quickly react to threats as they happen. "Leveraging our cloud-based security intelligence gives the optics, context, and tools that companies need to quickly investigate and remediate incidents," Microsoft added. The update will have "Windows Defender Exploit Guard" which gives companies more control on restricting how code runs on computer networks. For example, users will be able to update and run machine scan using Windows Defender Antivirus, conduct application restriction per machine, and block execution of unknown files using "Device Guard" technology. Customers can monitor overall endpoint security health, quickly identify weak spots in their network, and take the necessary resolution actions. "Windows Defender ATP will help identify vulnerable areas in endpoints by providing protection score across a wide set of Windows security technologies," Sagiv posted. For those running Windows 10, the update will develop a signature for a new cyber threat so that other users can be protected as well as the first victim. --IANS na/in/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Breaking his silence, Prime Minister on Thursday said that killings in the name of 'gau bhakti' (cow worship) is not acceptable even as a man accused of carrying beef was beaten to death in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district. "Today I want to say a few words and express sadness on some of the things going on. As a society, there is no place for violence. Killing people in the name of 'gau bhakti' is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve," Modi said while addressing the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Shrimad Rajchandraji, Gandhi's guru, at the Sabarmati Ashram here. Asserting that India was a land of non-violence, he said: "We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget that? "No person in this nation has the right to take the law into his or her own hands in this country. Violence never has and never will solve any problem," he said. Modi's remarks assume significance in the wake of criticism that he and his government have maintained silence about the violence by cow vigiliantes who have been accused of lynching muslim men in Jaipur and Alwar in Rajasthan, Ballabhgarh in Haryana, Jamshedpur in Jharkhand -- in the name of protecting the animal revered by Hindus. In the Jharkhand incident on Thursday, Alimuddin alias Asgar Ansari, who was beaten to death, was allegedly carrying "banned meat" in a van, police said. A group of people stopped him near Bajartand village and brutally attacked him, the police said. His van was set on fire too. Police personnel rescued him and took him to a hospital where he died during the course of treatment. "It's premeditated murder," Additional Director General of Police R.K. Malliksaid. This is second such incident in Jharkhand in the last three days. In Giridih district, a mob thrashed a person and set on fire his house after a cow head was found. Modi said no one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. "Yes, it should be done," he said. "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of," Modi said. He also said that Swachhata (cleanliness) had to become a 'swabhav' (habit). "What can be a greater tribute to Mahatma Gandhi than this? I urge people from all over to come and visit the Sabarmati Ashram." He also said that Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts have the power to mitigate the challenges the world was facing today. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed on Thursday that the Alliance had requested a few thousand more troops to increase its presence in Afghanistan. Stoltenberg said in a brief statement prior to a NATO Defence ministers meeting here that 15 nations had already "pledged additional contributions" to the Afghan Resolute Support Mission responsible for advising, training and assisting Afghan troops, reports Efe news. "Our military authorities have requested a few thousand more troops for the Mission in Afghanistan and today, I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," he said ahead of the meeting. Resolute Support is a NATO military advisory mission activated in 2015 after the International Security Assistance Force was disbanded, which signalled the end of NATO combat operations in Afghanistan. Stoltenberg said the mission was intended to "help the Afghans fight and help them take full responsibility for the security in their own country". He also explained the increased support was especially needed in three areas: strengthening Afghan special operations forces, developing the Afghan air force and stepping up Afghan officers' leadership and education training initiatives. "This is about adjusting, strengthening the train, assist and advise mission in Afghanistan," Stoltenberg added. The NATO mission, supported by Spain, currently has 13,576 military advisors, according to the latest NATO figures. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) What is the best way to relive an unforgettable past? Perhaps, cherishing the old memories. And this recent collection of short stories is an apt reminder of the impact that memories tend to have on our lives. Whether good or bad, memories are realities that can never be hidden, even if you close your eyes in an attempt to ignore and forget. "The Sacred Sorrow of Sparrows" by Siddharth Dasgupta (Price: Rs. 395; Pages: 253; Publisher: Niyogi Books) is a collection of short stories, throwing light on such notes, as the writer provides metaphorical references to the 'Sparrows' in comparison to the various characters in the book who are 'bound by the fluttering of human heart' altogether at the same point of time, across cities and boundaries. This fluttering is markedly under an illusion of one large flock filling the skies with bizarre patterns. Along with an unrestrained hunger to seek and to explain, they actually form the tiniest of dots on the 'tiniest square piece of imaginable sky. The author has inculcated different narratives through monologues and conversations of various people and how their lives have been affected in the present scenario, especially by reminiscence of some previous incidents. Irrespective of their age, the protagonists in the series of ten different plots, are portrayed in a similar fashion of endowing one universal emotion of sorrow. You could have happiness; you could have penance; you could have silence; you could have ecstasy; but somehow it's the sadness that strikes the deepest and lingers the longest; often an unexpected arrival, many a time a quiet observer to relationships being played out in seemingly unblemished harmony. "They're the fabric of life in a sense -- binding, layering, and texturing all the people and places we've known, serving as harbingers for the places and people we've yet to know," the author told IANS in an email interview. The stories are not intended to be sad, but a consistent longing for the melancholy is painted throughout its pages to shape the future of the characters. All the characters oscillate between their memories and the present, as the idea of space and boundaries cease to exist. From the Bosphorus to the resounding refrain of the qawwali, the quiet streets of Isfahan to a crowded city in Japan, two lovers fraught with desire in Bombay to one man's spiritual awakening in Lebanon. "The book is an examination into melancholy and its often clandestine tentacles that are often left unexplored. Perhaps it's been a journey by which I've attempted to deepen my understanding of life and the world at large, this whole carousel of witnessing human faith through the eyes of others. Everything has sort of stemmed from that," Dasgupta says. The innumerable characters are not entirely fictional. Some of the characters have been sketches of people close to the author in real life, while the others are amalgamations and collages and patched-together fragments and imaginings of several people. "All this has occurred in an organic manner; thus, some of the incidents in here too carry the essence of something I've come across at a certain point in time," he says. The writer resolved to explore and experience the horizons of the universe when he grew up. He appears to have come good on that promise. This book leaves a simple message in the minds of its many readers, that after all forms of digital and virtual reality hype dies down, one is left only with the words, especially encompassed with passion and truthfulness. (Nivedita Giri can be contacted at nivedita.g@ians.in) --IANS ng/ss/hs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Saturday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh and condemned the "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces along the (LoC) in its administered Kashmir, resulted in the death of a civilian. The Foreign Ministry said that a 65-year-old man was killed while a boy was injured in Indian firing on August 18 in Dana Sector along the LoC. "The Indian forces along the and the Working boundary are continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy weapons," Director General at the South Asian desk of the Foreign Ministry Mohammad Faisal who summoned the Indian diplomat said. Faisal also serves as spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Giving update of the cross-LoC shelling, the Foreign Ministry said in 2018, the Indian forces have carried out more than 1,900 along the LoC and the border, resulting in the deaths of 31 innocent civilians while injuring 122 others. "This unprecedented escalation in by India is continuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed 1970 ceasefire violations," he said in a statement. The spokesman said the "deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas" is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, human rights and humanitarian laws. "The by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation," Faisal told the Indian deputy high commissioner. and India had declared a ceasefire in 2003, however, both accuse each other of skirmishes. The spokesman urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement, investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations, and instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary. He urged that the Indian side should permit UN Military Observer Group in India and to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions. National Award winning filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia, whose new film "Raag Desh" talks about the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) in India's independence, says the film does not aim to delve into the mysterious death of the leader. Dhulia says it was fascinating for him to explore how India's freedom from the British rule did not come only by dialogue and negotiation, but also through blood and sweat. Giving an insight into the story of "Raag Desh", Dhulia told IANS here: "Being a student of history, it was fascinating for me to know that we did not get our freedom by dialogue and negotiation that we have been reading for so long... It's not." "We all know that the winner writes the history. In this film, I explored the contribution of the INA in our freedom movement. But no, to kill everyone's interest, 'Raag Desh' does not deal with Bose's mysterious death." It is interesting to note how these days, filmmakers are working on the unexplored side of the history of Indian politics and freedom movement -- like Vishal Bhardwaj in "Rangoon" and Madhur Bhandarkar in "Indu Sarkar". Was it a conscious move for Dhulia to make a film on such a subject? "No, the film came to me," he said, adding: "When Rajya Sabha TV came to me with two subjects, I chose to make a film on the INA. I had no political agenda behind it," he said. "Raag Desh" is essentially the story of the famous Red Fort trial of three INA officers that changed the course of India's freedom movement. The film's trailer was being launched in Parliament. Asked about the thought behind it, Dhulia said: "It's appropriate. After the INA trial, we got our freedom and our own parliamentary system. So, we thought it is very apt to release it in Parliament." The film features Kunal Kapoor, Mohit Marwah and Amit Sadh in key roles, and would release on July 28. --IANS aru/rb/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, China on Thursday reminded India about its military defeat in 1962 and asked it to withdraw troops from "Chinese territory," a precondition Beijing has set for resolving the latest border row in the Sikkim region. Beijing also asked New Delhi not to "clamour for war". "We hope the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," People's Liberation Army spokesperson Wu Qian said, referring to Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat's remarks that India was ready for a war with both China and Pakistan. "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible," Wu said about remarks attributed to Gen Rawat, who on Thursday visited Sikkim where Indian and Chinese troops scuffled. Tensions have risen between the two neighbours over the latest stand-off in India's Sikkim sector which has a little over 200 km of border with Tibet in China. This is the only part of over 4,000-km India-China border which is largely settled. The two fought a war in 1962. The latest stand-off occurred in Donglong or Doklam, a disputed territory between Bhutan and China. Beijing has accused India of obstructing road building in the area, which it claims as its own. It has also charged India with acting at the behest of Bhutan, which also lays claim to Donglong. New Delhi has so far not responded to the charges of Beijing, which on Thursday released two photos of Indian troops "trespassing Chinese boundary". "We again urge the Indian side to abide by historical boundary convention, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid further escalation," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said. "This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue," he said. Following the face-off, China has suspended the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet where Indians travel via Nathu La Pass, which is shut now. Lu said the fact of Indian troops crossing into Chinese territory was "undeniable". "It is violating our historical boundary conventions as well as promises by the Indian government. "I can show you the pictures and photos concerning borders trespassed by Indian troops." Lu said displaying the pictures to the media from the lectern. China also brushed aside Bhutan's protest against Beijing building a road towards a Bhutanese Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam or Donglong, calling the construction "just and lawful" and in Chinese territory. Bhutan has issued a demarche to the Chinese Embassy over the incident in New Delhi since both countries have no diplomatic ties. "Donglong has been Chinese territory since ancient time. This is an indisputable territory and we have adequate legal basis concerning this," Lu said. "And this is just a sovereign action by China to conduct the road construction in its territory. This is totally justifiable and lawful." Barring India and Bhutan, China has settled its land border dispute with its other 12 neighbours. --IANS gsh/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court is likely to take a call on July 3 on a plea by a Kolkata-based expectant mother seeking permission to terminate 25-week pregnancy on the grounds of foetus being abnormal. The vacation bench of Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul directed for hearing on the plea on July 3 after perusing the report of the medical board that examined the expectant mother on June 27. Directing that the matter be listed on July 3 before an "appropriate bench", the vacation bench asked the lawyer for West Bengal government to give the copy of the report to the petitioner-mother and others "to enable them to pursue and seek appropriate instructions in the matter". Directing that the report of the medical board be kept in a sealed cover, the bench said that those getting the copy of the report would guard its privacy. The medical board comprised doctors from Kolkata's Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (SSKM Hospital). The parents have moved the top court seeking permission to abort the pregnancy on the grounds that foetus suffers from such abnormalities which could endanger the health of the mother. The seven-member medical board had examined the expectant mother in pursuance to June 23 order of the apex court. The court then set up the panel of doctors to examine and ascertain the medical condition of the expectant mother who sought termination of her then 24-week pregnancy. The parents have also challenged the constitutional validity of Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, that prohibits termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks. They have contended that restriction could have been reasonable in 1971 when the law was enacted, but today with technological advancement, it was perfectly safe to undergo medical termination of pregnancy even up to 26 weeks. --IANS pk/nir/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven robbers have been arrested for robbing cash and jewellery valued at over Rs 1 crore from a businessman's house in south Delhi, police said on Thursday. The accused were identified as Sonu Gupta, Mohammad Imtiyaz Ali, Ramjan Ali, Sudhir, Aakash, Rupesh Kumar Singh, the kingpin and a former employee of the victim, and Sudhir, a current employee. They were arrested from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Nepal after police teams examined the previous and current records of businessman Naseeb Chand Aggarwal's employees. On June 13, Aggarwal alleged that seven armed and masked men committed the robbery at his residence in Nehru Enclave. Aggarwal deals with imported fabrics and stays on the fourth floor of a building where he has a showroom on the ground floor. He told the police that on the day of the crime, he had gone to a gym. When he returned home, he found his wife and servant had been assaulted, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baaniya. The assailants fled with Rs 10 lakh in cash and 10-15 boxes of gold and diamond jewellery valued at Rs 1 crore, Baaniya said. During investigation, it became known that Rupesh Singh, a former employee of Aggarwal, and his friend Sudhir, who works as a store manager in Aggarwal's showroom, executed the crime. --IANS sp/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Director Tanuja Chandra has completed her next romantic comedy entertainer which features actor Irrfan Khan, and says she is stepping out of her "comfort zone" with the project. On the sidelines of the premiere of Hollywood film "The Big Sick", Chandra said: "I have just finished up shooting a film. I can't talk about it right now, but its editing is going on. "I will call it an Indian romcom. Usually, my films have violence and female protagonists in it, but this is different. This film also has a female protagonist, but it is a romcom. There is no violence in this film." Known for films like "Dushman" and "Sangharsh" -- both of which had strong female protagonists, asked if she is breaking her own image with the new film, Chandra said: "Yes, I am doing so." "I always wanted to do a light film. I thought drama is more my style, but I wanted to go out of my comfort zone, and so I did this." Irrfan features in the movie with southern actress Parvathy. According to the buzz, the story of the film will be on the lines of a travel romance -- it will focus on an unlikely couple falling in love during a road trip. It has been shot in places like Gangtok, Bikaner and Rishikesh. --IANS iv/rb/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The White House said that US President Donald Trump had accepted French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit France on Bastille Day next month. "President Trump looks forward to reaffirming America's strong ties of friendship with France, to celebrating this important day with the French people, and to commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I," said a statement by the White House on Wednesday. "The two leaders will further build on the strong counter-terrorism cooperation and economic partnership between the two countries, and they will discuss many other issues of mutual concern," Xinhua news agency cited the statement. The French invitation came amid public disagreement between Macron and Trump on Trump's decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement signed by 196 parties in Paris. Shortly after Trump announced his decision early this month to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Macron hit back in a televised speech with a call to "make our planet great again", a direct jab at Trump's campaign slogan to "make America great again". Macron also appealed to US scientists and other US citizens disappointed by Trump's decision to "come and work here (in France) with us to work together on concrete solutions for our climate". --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's Foreign Ministry criticized several German politicians who opposed the Turkish president's plan to hold a speech in Germany for ethnic Turks in another diplomatic spat between the two nations. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday requested permission to address a gathering of his compatriots on the sidelines of a G20 meeting set to be held in Hamburg starting July 7, but his request was met with opposition from several senior German lawmakers, Efe news reported. The ministry statement focused its criticism on German opposition leader Martin Schulz, who said of the request: "Foreign politicians, who tread (on) our values at home, must not have a stage for speeches in Germany." The ministry said Schulz's statement "reflects the true face of the mentality that we confront as well as the double standard of those who aim to lecture the others. We strongly condemn and refuse this person's unacceptable remarks targeting our President". Germany's top diplomat Sigmar Gabriel also came out against the request, telling local media during a visit to Russia that he thought it was a "bad idea". This was latest in a string of bilateral spats between Berlin and Ankara since the attempted coup d'etat that took Turkey by surprise in July 2016. Ankara's unofficial requests for Berlin to extradite alleged coup plotters in hiding have been largely dismissed, while the arrest in Istanbul of a Turkish-German journalist accused of inciting terror sparked ire among Germany's officials. A decision to ban Turkish rallies on its soil ahead of an April referendum on constitutional change prompted Erdogan to accuse the German government of "Nazi-style behaviour". Germany also decided to pull its troops out of a NATO military base in southern Turkey after Ankara officials on several occasions blocked visiting access for German politicians. Around 3 million ethnic Turks are thought to live in Germany, and about half those have the right to vote in Turkey. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Election for India's next Vice President, to succeed M. Hamid Ansari, will be held on August 5 and counting of votes will be done on the same day, the Election Commission announced on Thursday. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said, "The date of polling, if required, will be August 5. Counting, if required, will be done on August 5." Zaidi said the election will be held between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Chief Election Commissioner said that filing of nomination will begin on July 4 with the issue of notification. The last date for filing nomination is July 18, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on July 19. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is July 21. Hamid Ansari has been Vice President and ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from August 11, 2007. He won the second term on August 11, 2012. His current term ends on August 10. "The EC is mandated to ensure that the election for the office of Vice President of India is free and fair," Zaidi said. Zaidi said the Vice President is elected by members of the Electoral Collage consisting of members of both houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. He said the nominated members of Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College and therefore entitled to participate in the election. "For the Vice President's election in Rajya Sabha there are 233 members and 12 nominated members. Similarly, in Lok Sabha there are 543 members and nominated members are two. "The total number of members of the Electoral College is 790," Zaidi said. Zaidi said a nomination paper has to be backed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least 20 electors as seconders. The Chief Election Commissioner said the electors will be provided "special pens" to cast their ballot and use of any other pen will render the vote invalid. The Chief Election Commissioner said the Vice Presidential election will take place through secret ballot and political parties "cannot issue any whip" to their respective MPs. The Election Commission in consultation with the government has decided to appoint the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, Shumsher Sheriff, as returning officer for the election. --IANS mak-aks/bns/rn (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The average taxi in Bengaluru now travels at 7 km/h; most people can walk that fast (so much for the productivity upside of the internal combustion engine). Every Indian household could get half an acre and they would fit into Rajasthan and half of Maharashtra; if we had Singapores population density we could fit everybody in Kerala (so much for a land shortage explaining our massive overpricing of land). Indias real estate market has a toxic 5 per cent difference between rental yields and bank loan rates; in most countries these rates are equal (so much for the relentless discipline of financial arbitrage that keeps capital values in check). Two- fifty million Indian farmers produce less food than 2.5 million American farmers (so much for the argument to keep people on farms for food security). Politicians and economists view trade imbalances very differently. Consider the United States trade deficit. Economists emphasise that the total with the rest of the world is the result of policies and actions at home. Simply put, if the US invests more than the country as a whole saves, it must import the difference from the rest of the world, creating the existing trade deficit. But politicians (and the general public) tend to focus on bilateral trade deficits with individual countries, like the $300 billion imbalance between the US and China. They blame the bilateral deficit on Chinese policies that block imports of US products and subsidise Chinese exports to the US. Economists explain that those policies affect the composition of the US trade imbalance, but not its size. If China changed its trade policies in ways that reduced the bilateral deficit, the with some other country would increase, or its surplus with some other country would shrink. The overall with the world, however, would not change. Economists also like to stress that free trade raises a countrys overall income. There are winners and losers, but the winners from free trade could in principle compensate the losers by enough to make everyone better off. Economists dont talk very much about such compensation, because governments dont do much to arrange it for the losers. The US has policies like the Trade Adjustment Assistance programme, which provides more generous unemployment benefits for workers who lose their jobs because of competition from imports. But the federal government doesnt provide such assistance on a large scale, presumably because it makes no effort to provide compensation to those who lose their jobs because of technological change. And rightly so. Imports cause losses to particular industries, occupations, and geographic areas. And those who lose or stand to lose from imports demand protectionist measures, in the form of tariffs or quotas, against those specific products. Adam Smith recognised this even before David Ricardo explained the virtue of free trade. We saw this response explicitly in US President Donald Trumps election campaign, during which he threatened to impose high tariffs on products from China, Mexico, and other countries. But now that he is president, those high tariffs or quotas are nowhere to be seen. Instead, we see trade negotiations being conducted under the threat of such tariffs and leading to market opening for some products and services in countries with which the US has a bilateral deficit. China is a good example. After originally threatening a variety of negative changes in US policy toward China, Mr Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his Florida estate for what both countries agree was an amicable visit. After that, the Chinese agreed to start importing US beef this summer, rescinding protectionist policies that had been in place for several years. China also agreed to open its market to a range of US financial services. And the US agreed to sell natural gas to China, something that the Chinese wanted but that the US previously had refused to do. The result of these policy changes will be to reduce the US trade deficit with China. Although this will not change the overall US trade deficit, it will raise the real incomes and profits of US producers of beef, financial services, and natural gas. Chinese consumers will also benefit. So, in this case, the focus on the bilateral trade imbalance has led to desirable policy changes, even though the US trade deficit with the world will not decline. But negotiations in response to bilateral trade imbalances may not always have positive effects. The US is currently threatening to impose tariffs on softwood lumber from Canada. If the US does impose such tariffs, the result would be a reduction in the US-Canada trade imbalance. But the tariffs would hurt American builders and homeowners, as well as Canadian timber companies. The bottom line is that bilateral trade imbalances are not irrelevant and can be useful in directing attention to policies that reduce the real incomes of consumers and businesses. But remedying those bilateral imbalances has to be approached with caution. Martin Feldstein, Professor of Economics at Harvard University and President Emeritus of the National Bureau of Economic Research, chaired President Ronald Reagans Council of Economic Advisers from 1982 to 1984. Project Syndicate, 2017. www.project-syndicate.org The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) finds itself tied up in knots. After former diplomats, Opposition parties and journalists pointed out that the US, a strategic partner of India, had ignored Indias position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India in the US State Departments notification, designating Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, the MEA initially defended that the Americans have always termed the state of Jammu and Kashmir as Indian Administered Kashmir. By Thursday evening, however, it had changed its stance to state "the US government has been apprised of the same (Indias position) once again". The MEA is yet to issue any statement on the Army's action on the Sikkim border. While its detractors have been alleging that Bengals Communists are out of sync with changing times, here's something for them to chew on. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) plans to seek suggestions from people before deciding its candidates for the civic polls in Durgapur scheduled for August 6. CPI (M) leaders in Durgapur held a meeting recently and decided that even its manifesto would be drawn up based on feedback from people. To that end, the party has been sending WhatsApp messages to residents seeking their views on candidates and the manifesto. Residents can send their suggestions on a Facebook page, Left Front Durgapur. A cable car lift set up illegally by villagers at a popular Pakistani mountain resort broke and plunged into a ravine killing at least 11 people and injuring three others, officials said today. The accident occurred some 30 kilometres north of Islamabad between Banwari and Charra Pani village in the tourist hill resort of Murree. "There was a strong wind which led to the cable car breaking and falling," an eyewitness, Omair, was quoted as saying by Geo . According to rescuers, the 'doli' cable car lift was being used for transportation between Sharafani in Punjab and Banwari in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The lift was the only source of transportation between the two hilly areas as there are no roads connecting the two, they said. Local people had reportedly set up the cable car service on a self-help basis without approval from the concerned departments, rescue officials said. The injured were taken to Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, rescue officials said, adding that the 11 deceased had died on the spot. The bodies of the victims have been handed over to their families. The chances of survival of the three injured are slim, as the car fell to the ground from a height of 400 feet, the officials said. When asked if the cable car was being used for commercial purposes, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Talat Mehmood Gondal said the incident took place in Abbottabad district which is part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the provincial government would be able to answer this question. "We received a call of the accident taking place and Rescue 1122 along with District Rawalpindi immediately mobilised and the rescue operation was completed at the earliest," Gondal added. A spokesperson for the Galiyat Development Authority said the main chairlift in Ayubia had not been affected and is being operated as per routine. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the chairlift incident at Charra Pani and directed concerned authorities for immediate medical aid to the injured, the report said. Families of the victims blamed the 'substandard cable car' operators and the government for the tragedy and blocked the main road in protest. Murree is one of Pakistan's most known mountain tourist resorts, popular with both local and foreign tourists. Chairlift accidents are common in mountainous areas of the country, where the lifts are often used to cross rivers. Four people drowned when a chairlift broke in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 20 persons were arrested from a flat in Sayajigunj locality of the city last night on charge of gambling, police said today. On a tip-off, the police raided the flat located on the second floor of an apartment in the area, police inspector Haresh Vora said. Police recovered eight expensive cars, five two-wheelers, 21 mobile phone handsets, cash worth Rs 1.34 lakh and other valuables, collectively worth Rs 49 lakh, from the flat. Police suspect two persons based in Ahmedabad were the kingpins of the gambling racket in the city, the officer said, adding they arrested 20 persons under provisions of Gambling Act, who all come from well-off families. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Will the 'Maharajah' retain his title? The group of ministers to be set up to look into Air India's future will also decide whether the airline needs a new name once it is privatised. "We may have a view on brand name but that is a decision to be made by the Alternative Mechanism (AM). Are we going to insist on the brand name being retained? Will we give them (private players) the freedom? (on the name). That is a decision to be taken by the AM," said R N Choubey, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. With the decision of the Cabinet yesterday to grant in- principle approval for divestment of the national carrier, Air India's history has come full circle. It was nationalised in the year 1953 because it was perceived as a matter of national prestige. The government is now mulling over selling its stakes because of its massive debt of Rs 52,000 crore. Air India's brand is also likely to carry huge valuation, according to senior officials at the airline. "If the six-year-old Kingfisher brand was valued at Rs 3,500 crore, the valuation of the over 80-year Air India's brand could be anybody's guess," said a source. The carrier was born as Tata Airlines when it was established by industrialist J R D Tata in 1932 with an initial investment of Rs 2 lakh from Tata Sons and two second-hand de Havilland Puss Moths. J R D Tata himself piloted a single-engine plane carrying 25 kilograms of mail from Karachi to Bombay. An occasional passenger would be ferried perched on top of the mail bags. In 1933, the first full year of operations, Tata Airlines flew 160,000 miles, carrying 155 passengers and 10.71 tonnes of mail. The airline spread its wings for the first time overseas, to Colombo, in 1938. During World War II, it was involved in a survey of the South Arabia route, carriage of supplies to Iraq, movement of refugees from Burma and overhaul and maintenance of the equipment of Britain's Royal Air Force. Tata Airlines went public and became a joint stock company in 1946 and was called Air India Ltd. On June 8, 1948, Air India International, with the famous Maharaja as its mascot, spread its wings to Europe. In 1953, a profitable Air India was nationalised though J R D Tata was appointed as the company's first chairman and served in that capacity until 1977, when the new government decided to unceremoniously terminate his services. J R D's successor Ratan N Tata was later appointed as the chairman of Air India in 1986 and held that post till 1989. In 2000, the Vajpayee government cleared a proposal to disinvest its stake in both Air India and Indian Airlines. Seven years later, both entities would be merged into National Aviation Company of India. Both these firms were already making losses then, and the merger significantly spiked Air India's costs. A CAG report in 2011 would later blame the government for causing financial loss by going in for expansion without a proper business plan just before the merger. The CAG had questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes for Air India and Indian Airlines - 48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing - for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006 and had called it a "recipe for disaster". In 2012, the UPA government approved a turnaround plan of Rs 30,000 crore till 2021 for Air India which had dues worth Rs 67,520 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today committed USD 10 billion support for infrastructure building and immediate development needs of less-developed states in the country. Besides, the Manila-based multi-lateral funding agency decided to increase the annual funding by USD 1 billion to USD 4 billion. ADB expects India to grow by 7.4 per cent in the current financial year and 7.6 per cent in 2018-19. Its President Takehiko Nakao said the ADB stands ready to meet immediate development needs of up to USD 5 billion over the five-year period for less developed states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, addressing critical infrastructure and capacity deficits. He also confirmed that with ADB assistance, strategic planning for economic corridors is rapidly progressing. The funding agency is prepared to invest up to USD 5 billion during 2018-2022 for infrastructure building to develop the East Coast Economic Corridor. Nakao praised progress on attracting investments in manufacturing industries in the Corridor. "Several reform measures introduced by the government for rationalising tax structure, boosting competitiveness and easing foreign direct investment norms in crucial sectors like infrastructure will contribute to its objective of achieving high and inclusive economic growth," he said. Nakao added that further reforms both at central and state levels for improving efficiency in the land and labour markets and strengthening the banking sector will boost growth. "I generally commended the government's resolve to address some of these issues. There has been some progress. However, there are some areas which require further strengthening of reforms. One of the issues for India is to integrate more with the global market," he said. Besides, he said, labour practices still need some rationalisation. "Regulation about FDI should also further be reformed. Land acquisition is a politically difficult issue. I hope that states and other authorities look at this. It is improving but still there is room for improvement," he said. During the day, he met both Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Both discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to enhanced cooperation between India and ADB. Jaitley thanked ADB president for the continued support from ADB for development projects in India and for agreeing to enhance the lending operations of the Bank in India from USD 3 billion a year to USD 4 billion per annum. ADB President, who was on a 3-day visit to India, also assured to expand the bank's assistance to relatively lesser developed states in the area of power (including renewable energy), transport, urban development, and health services. Building on an ongoing USD 631 million project in the Vizag-Chennai section approved by the ADB Board in 2016, Nakao conveyed ADB's readiness to expand the Corridor further south in Tamil Nadu. This combined total of USD 10 billion in major investments would be part of ADB's new country strategy, which proposes annual lending over the 5-year period of USD 3-4 billion from sovereign and non-sovereign operations. The final amounts will depend on the implementation and readiness of projects under preparation and the borrowing policies of the central and state governments, he said. "On the other hand, the government wants us to lend more but it also cares about the deficit. In short, the government is happy with our ideas but it is also asking us to do things in a speedy manner," he said. Asked as to why India has been given USD 10 billion commitment, Nakao said, the discussion is that the international community should invest in infrastructure to raise growth. "We must also invest more in climate change infrastructure. And also because of the sustainable development goals of the UN, we should make further efforts in poverty reduction," he said. India is one of the important countries and ADB is also lending to China, though not in an increasing manner but the bank is keeping our lending to China, he said. India is important country because of its capacity to implement projects to eliminate poverty, he added. Nakao also agreed to India's suggestion to set up a regional hub in New Delhi for South Asia region, which could expedite the process of project preparation and delivery for India and other countries in the region. India and ADB also agreed to increasingly adopt country system for procurement and social and environmental safeguards for ADB assisted projects in a time-bound manner. During meeting with Sitharaman, both discussed the progress in Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC). She further mentioned that the Northern Extension of the ECEC from Vizag to Odisha and West Bengal is very important and ADB should accelerate the work thereon. The minister also mentioned that the southern extension from Chennai to Kanyakumari should include extension up to Kollachal Port and even at Vizhinjam, as this would accrue several economic benefits to these areas. Nakao appreciated the Government reforms towards the GST implementation and termed them as historic, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of Mustafa Dossa, one of the masterminds of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts who died yesterday, was buried at a cemetery here in the early hours today. Dossa, 60, who was lodged in the Arthur Road jail, yesterday died at Mumbai's J J Hospital where he was admitted after complaining of chest pain. The body was handed over to Dossa's family at around 10.30 pm yesterday after post-mortem, police said. The family members then took the body to his residence at Agripada in Central Mumbai. At around 1.30 am today, Dossa's family members and relatives buried the body near the graves of his parents at Bada Kabarastan in Marines Lines area of south Mumbai, the police said. Heavy security arrangements were made for the funeral procession, they said. During the hearing of arguments before a special TADA court on the quantum of sentence, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on Tuesday argued that the role of Dossa, one of the six convicts in the 1993 serial blasts case, was "more severe" than that of hanged convict Yakub Memon and pleaded for his death sentence. According to the prosecution, Dossa had smuggled firearms, ammunition, detonators, hand grenades and highly explosive substances like RDX into India for the coordinated blasts. The blasts rocked Mumbai on March 12, 1993, claiming 257 lives and injuring over 700 people. According to the CBI, Dossa was one of the "brains" behind the conspiracy and his degree of responsibility towards the commission of the crime was the highest. The special TADA court here had on June 16 convicted five accused, including Dossa and extradited gangster Abu Salem, under the charges of murder, conspiracy and sections of now repealed TADA, while the sixth accused Riyaz Siddiqui was convicted only under the TADA Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CBI officials today interrogated Tripura's Social Welfare Minister Bijita Nath in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund scam at the Civil Secretariat here. Additional Superintendent of Police S K Tripathi and Inspector Bratin Ghoshal interrogated the minister at her official chamber for almost an hour. The officials remained tight-lipped about the interrogation. The minister also refused to comment on the matter. Nath had received the CBI notice on Saturday. "It appears that you are acquainted with the circumstances of case number 39(S)/2014 registered against the chairman of the Rose Valley Limited and you are required to make yourself available on June 29," the CBI notice had said. This is for the first time that the CBI has issued a notice to any minister of Tripura. There were media reports that Nath was allegedly involved in the Rose Valley chit fund scam. However, she had denied the allegations. On Wednesday the opposition parties here demanded resignation of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former leader of the opposition, Sudip Roy Burman had demanded that the chief minister should resign owning moral responsibility for the chit fund scam in the state. The BJP had also demanded Sarkar's resignation alleging that the Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and the chit fund groups mushroomed in the state for more than a decade because of the "support" of Left leaders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chinese military today said it has conducted trials of a new light weight battle tank in the remote Himalayan region of Tibet near the Indian border. The 35-tonne tank has carried out trials in the plains of Tibet, People's Liberation Army spokesman Col Wu Qian said at a media briefing here. He was responding to questions about media reports that the PLA had carried out an exercise involving a new type of 35-tonne light weight tank in Tibet. When asked whether it is targeted against India, the PLA spokesman said, "The purpose is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country." Though Wu did not provide details of the new light weight battle tank, Chinese site Guancha recently reported that the PLA had tested the tank named Xinqingtan, in an area of Tibet near the Indian border. An integrated brigade of the PLA in Tibet deployed an unidentified number of the new tanks, US-based United Press International agency quoted the Chinese state-owned television network CCTV as saying. Guancha stated the Xinqingtan's technology and firepower is "far more advanced" than the Russia-made T-90S tanks deployed by India. The deployment of the tanks expands the Tibet-based unit and has increased their fighting power, the site reported. The Xinqingtan includes a 105-millimeter tank gun, a 35- millimeter grenade launcher and a 12.7-millimeter machine gun. The guns have already been adjusted to a high angle so they are ready for mountain operations, the report said. The tank is relatively light at 35-38 tons. It produces 1,000 horsepower on an 8V150-type engine, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Chinese aircraft carrier is steaming towards Hong Kong for celebrations marking 20 years since Britain gave back the former colony, in a clear display of China's military might. China's national defence ministry said Thursday that the Liaoning was part of a flotilla on a "routine training mission" and would make a port of call in Hong Kong. The Liaoning, a secondhand Soviet ship built nearly 30 years ago and commissioned in 2012, will arrive at a time when fears are growing that Beijing is tightening its grip over the semi-autonomous city. President Xi Jinping arrived on Thursday amid tight security in the normally throbbing city where officials are anxious to ensure nothing taints his high-profile visit or the festivities. The Liaoning will participate in activities marking the 20th anniversary of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) entering the city, defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian told reporters. The PLA has a garrison in central Hong Kong and is responsible for defending the city, but only recruits mainland Chinese citizens. Hong Kong does not have its own separate army. After the handover in 1997 some feared the PLA would be heavy-handed, given the army's crackdown on student protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989. Instead they have maintained a very low profile and are barred from interfering in local affairs. The Liaoning left the Chinese city of Qingdao on Sunday, the official Xinhua agency reported earlier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's military on Thursday rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told the media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrongdoing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here. Recently, the Chinese army (People's Liberation Army) started construction of a road towards Bhutanese Army camp at Zomphlri in Doklam area which is in violation of an agreement between the two countries," Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel had said in New Delhi. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition Congress and NCP today asked the government to clarify its stand on the proposed amendments to the contentious Land Acquisition bill in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to withdraw the changes. At a meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament here, the members of the Congress and the NCP also staged a walkout, saying there was no point in continuing with the proceedings unless there is clarity on withdrawal of amendments to the bill, according to committee member and Congress leader K V Thomas. The Opposition members said Modi had in his 'Mann Ki Baat" radio programme of August 30, 2015 categorically stated that the amendments would be withdrawn. While seeking to know the government stand, the Opposition MPs made it clear to the committee Chairman Ganesh Singh that the prime minister or Rural Development Minister should give a clarification on this matter in Parliament. The bill seeks, among other things, removal of the consent clause for acquiring land for five areas - industrial corridors, public-private projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence. "Unless the government's stand on the matter is clarified, there is no purpose of holding the committee's meeting. The clarification was sought earlier in 2015 as well but the government has not bothered to respond," Thomas told PTI. Since there was no clarity, the Opposition members did not attend the last meeting of the committee, under the new chairman. "But we decided to attend this time and explained our views before staging a walkout," the Congress member said. Besides Thomas, NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress MPs Digvijay Singh and P L Purnia walked out of the meeting. Only 12 out of 21 members attended the meeting today, Thomas said. CPM and TMC members were not present. Thomas said there was no relevance of the committee if the government has decided not to go ahead with the amendments. The committee to examine the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015, was set up in May 2015 after the legislation was opposed strongy by several political parties. The committee is currently in its ninth extension. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suspense continued today over the participation of the Congress in the June 30 midnight meeting in Parliament to coincide with the launch of GST, with the main opposition party likely to decide on the issue tomorrow. According to a senior Congress leader, the party would discuss the issue at a meeting slated in the evening tomorrow to arrive at a decision on whether to participate in the event. Sources said the Congress leaders are divided on the issue, as a group within feels that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was the party's brainchild which has been now taken over by the ruling BJP. Therefore, they feel, the party should attend the special meeting convened in the central hall of Parliament to launch the GST. However, some leaders feel that the GST is being implemented in a haste and all aspects have not been taken into consideration leading to harassment of small traders and businessmen and thus, the party should abstain. At the AICC briefing, party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said the Modi government is using GST to spread "tax terrorism", whereas the Congress conceptualised the move to simplify the tax regime for small traders and businessmen. "Our leaders are talking to experts, businessmen and common people and are examining the issue. We will talk to all and discuss with experts and then take a final decision," Gohil said. "Businessmen from Modi's home state of Gujarat who were earlier his loyalists feel that GST will lead to 'tax terrorism'. The prime minister should at least hear them out," he said. Apart from holding its meeting tomorrow, the Congress is also seeking views of other like-minded parties on the issue and is also likely to hold consultations with them. Other opposition parties, including the Left parties, are also yet to decide on whether to participate in the event. As per earlier reports, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda are expected to share the dais with incumbent Narendra Modi. The historic Central Hall of Parliament will host a midnight function on June 30 to launch the sweeping tax reform measure, reminiscent of India's tryst with destiny on the midnight of August 15, 1947. The government will use the circular-shaped Central Hall, perhaps for the first time, to launch a new taxation system that is set to dramatically re-shape the over USD 2 trillion economy. A gong will be sounded at midnight to signify that GST has arrived. Modi will be the key speaker at the function. President Pranab Mukherjee is also likely to attend the function. The GST Bill was originally piloted by Mukherjee when he was the finance minister in the previous UPA regime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress today said it would skip the government's June 30 midnight session for the launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), prompting more and more opposition parties to jump on the boycott bandwagon. While the Congress, Trinamool Congress, RJD, Samajwadi Party and Left parties announced they would not attend the special celebrations announced by the government, the JD(U) said it would leave the decision to its MPs. The Congress, in an all-out attack on the meet convened by the government, called it a "grand self-promoting tamasha (gimmick)" to gain publicity. The party also accused the government of "insulting" India's freedom struggle, as the previous three midnight functions held in the central hall of Parliament were related to the country's independence. This was a reason why it had decided not to attend the session, leaders said. "The Congress party will not participate in the special midnight meeting on the implementation of the GST," senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad asserted. The Trinamool Congress was the first to announce its boycott. But the JD(U) walked a tightrope, and said it had left the decision to its MPs, even as its two allies in Bihar announced they were staying away from the GST celebrations. The Nitish Kumar-led party, sources said, was earlier in support of attending the event, but was wary of further alienating its allies, the Congress and the RJD, since it had already created a rift in the bloc with its decision to support the NDA's presidential candidate. "It is just a reform measure. The way the government is projecting it as India's economic liberation is very unfortunate," JD-U spokesperson K C Tyagi said. He said the party supported the GST, but had left it to its MPs to decide whether they wanted to attend the event. Azad took a potshot at the BJP, implying that it had little to do with India's freedom movement. While the Congress party "accords a lot of importance" to the independence movement, the struggle may not be as significant for the BJP since "they had no role" in it, he said. He pointed out that midnight events in Parliament had been linked to India's Freedom - the first was in 1947 to mark India's independence, then in 1972 to commemorate its silver jubilee and in 1997 for 50 years of independence. "The fundamental issue is that the celebrations are equated to the independence and its silver and golden jubilees. The GST session is an insult to the independence movement. We cannot support it," Congress leader Anand Sharma told the media in the presence of party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh. Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal toed the Congress line, and said it would not be present in Parliament tomorrow. The Left parties, too, have opted out, CPI leader D Raja said. "The Left will not participate in the midnight GST meeting. People are agitating across the county. There are serious apprehensions in the minds of people over GST's implementation. We cannot celebrate when people are agitating," the Rajya Sabha member said. CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said the party had taken this decision after discussions with its MPs. "They (the government) are doing this in a hurry without giving it proper time," Reddy told PTI here. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said he would not attend the midnight meeting. He, however, said while his party was not boycotting the meet, it had also not issued a whip to its MPs on this. When a party issues a whip, its MPs have to follow the party position or face disciplinary action. So in not issuing a whip, the CPI(M) would indicate that no action would be taken if the party's MPs chose not to join the gathering. Yechury has also been critical of the "hurried manner" in which the government has planned the GST launch. The Congress said it was opting out for another reason -- "the continued silence" of the prime minister, the BJP and its chief ministers over recent incidents of violence in the country. "Cases of violence, lynching, atrocities on the poor, Dalits, farmers and women are on the rise," Azad said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the death of 10 more people, the toll in Pakistan's oil tanker fire rose to 175 today, making it one of the deadliest accidents in the country. The patients breathed their last at Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad burn centres. "The death toll in the oil tanker inferno today rose to 175 as 10 more succumbed to their injuries. The toll may continue to rise as most of the injured, over 60 people, have received 60 to 100 per cent burn injuries," a senior official Jam Sajjad told PTI. Quoting doctors, he said "it will be a miracle if they survived". The patients having 60 to 100 per cent burns are being anaesthetised, Sajjad said. A senior doctor at the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore said many burnt patients are not kept in isolation rooms because of shortage of such rooms in burn centres in the hospitals in Punjab province. "Such patients are vulnerable to infection which is most common cause of mortality in burn patients," the doctor said. At least 120 people including women and children were killed on the spot and 140 injured last week a day before Eid when they rushed to collect leaking fuel from a crashed oil tanker in Bahawalpur, some 400 km from Lahore. The tanker, which was headed for Lahore, overturned on the national highway after one of its tyres burst and the driver lost control over it. The driver, who died yesterday, could not record his statement as he had received 90 per cent burn injuries, a Punjab government spokesman said. So far, 125 people have been laid to rest after establishing their identity through DNA test, he said, adding that the identification of others was underway. Video images of the people gathered to collect petrol from the overturned oil tanker emerged showing young and old people filling their bikes with the spilled oil and collecting it in bottles. The leaking fuel was even flowing along the highway in the fields. A number of people were seen sitting near the fields collecting fuel in cans and bottles. Suddenly, the tanker exploded and within seconds the fire erupted giving no chance to the people present there to leave the place. According to a preliminary report, the tragedy might have been averted had the motorway police reached there on time and cordoned off the area. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said "illiteracy and poverty" is a reason behind this incident. The preliminary report also said: "The fire broke out after someone lit a cigarette among the victims and threw its butt". A video before the incident also emerged on social media showing that a man was smoking a cigarette and he inadvertently threw its butt. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Novak Djokovic overcame a spirited challenge from Donald Young, beating the American 6- 2, 7-6 (11/9) today to claim the first of the semi-final places at the Eastbourne pre-Wimbledon event. The Serb top seed, competing during the week before Wimbledon for the first time in seven years, saved a pair of set points in the second set before finally putting Young away after a lengthy tie-break. The former world number one is rebuilding for Wimbledon after a poor past year by his world-class standards and is pointing toward the grass-court major as an immediate goal. Djokovic, who took a wild card into the tournament on the English south coast, is the second-highest-ranked men's player ever to compete at Eastbourne behind then-number two Marcelo Rios in 1998. With the rest of the field a round behind after two days of rain interruptions, organisers were playing catch up and praying for better weather. Fourth seed and title-holder Steve Johnson finished off his contest with Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano, advancing 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Second seed Gael Monfils dispatched Briton Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-2 while number three John Isner staged a comeback to defeat Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4). Australian Bernard Tomic surprised sixth seed Mischa Zverev 6-3, 6-2 as Richard Gasquet, seeded seventh, beat Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-run EESL today said it has signed an MoU with National Energy Services Company of Saudi Arabia to implement energy efficiency programmes and scale-up demand side measures. The MoU was signed by Waled Alghreri, Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Services Company and Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL, a company statement said. As per the pact, EESL will provide consultancy and expand the capacity of National Energy Services Company, which is instituted by Saudi Arabia, to execute energy efficiency programmes. The agreement comes in the wake of the Arab Kingdom working ardently towards reducing its power subsidies and introducing energy efficiency initiatives. With rapidly increasing population coupled with soaring energy prices, the electricity demand of Saudi Arabia is growing at a rapid pace. According to the estimates made by World Bank, the electricity generated in Saudi Arabia completely relies on non-renewable sources like oil, gas and coal. Keeping this in mind, the National Energy Services Company has engaged with EESL to replicate the success of latter's street lighting national programme and retrofit of buildings, with energy efficient appliances in Saudi Arabia. EESL has also agreed to depute its officials in Saudi Arabia to provide technical and financial consultancy and monitor the execution of energy efficiency projects. EESL is working towards promoting energy efficiency in all sectors and is implementing the world's largest energy-efficiency portfolio (worth GBP 5.6bn over a period of 3 years), marking a 20-fold growth. So far, EESL has retrofitted over 23 crore LED bulbs and 20 crore smart LED streetlights across India through self- sustaining commercial models. As of now, EESL has begun its operations in UK, South Asia and South-East Asia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The EU must boost its defences against cyberattacks, which have fallen behind the modern world's reliance on the internet and mobile devices, the bloc's security chief warned today. Brussels will give 10.8 million euros (USD 12 million) to 14 EU countries to boost their cyber response teams following this week's massive global cyberattack, Security Commissioner Julian King said. "We're living through an attack right now. That attack, the recent WannaCry attack and other recent attacks serve graphically to illustrate that the cyber threats we face are growing very seriously" King told reporters. "Our current dependence on the internet and connected devices and technology is at the moment currently greater than our ability to protect ourselves, and we need to do something about that," King said. The latest series of cyberattacks began in Ukraine on Tuesday, hitting government and corporate computer systems across the world as the so-called Petya virus spread to western Europe and across the Atlantic. The British commissioner to the European Union said that cyberattacks were becoming "more strategic because they endanger critical infrastructure and indeed our democratic processes." In addition the extra funding for national cyber response centres, he said there should also be extra support for the EU police agency Europol's cybercrime department. Europol said yesterday that the latest cyberattacks were similar to last month's WannaCry ransomware havoc but "more sophisticated". NATO warned yesterday that cyberattacks could potentially trigger the 29-nation military alliance's mutual defence guarantee, while making a similar call to strengthen cyber defences. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local court today convicted four persons in connection with the murderous attack on AMIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi in 2011. The VII Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge T Srinivas Rao convicted the four under relevant sections of the IPC and the Arms Act. However, prime accused Mohd Bin Omer Yafai alias Mohammed Pahalwan, who allegedly masterminded the attack on Akbaruddin, the younger brother of AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, and nine others were acquitted in the case. The four convicted are Hasan Bin Omer Yafai, Abdullah Bin Yonus Yafai, Awad Bin Yonus Yafai and Mohammed Bin Saleh Wahlan. On April 30, 2011 a group of assailants attacked the MLA, who represents Chandrayangutta constituency in Old City, with sharp weapons and firearms near the MIM office at Barkas. One of the assailants, Ibrahim Bin Younus Yafai had died after he was hit by a bullet when the gunman of another MIM MLA Ahmed Balala accompanying Akbaruddin Owaisi had opened fire in retaliation. A total of 14 accused faced trial in the case and four of them were convicted today. All the accused were present in court. Some of the accused are still in jail while some are out on bail. Elaborate security arrangements were made near the Nampally court complex with deployment of armed police personnel. Media was not allowed in the court. The Hyderabad Police had then said that the attack may be a fallout of a land dispute as Akbaruddin had opposed encroachments of government lands (allegedly occupied by some among the assailants) in Chandrayangutta and Bandlaguda areas. Apart from this reason there might be some earlier differences that led to the attack, they had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The family of slain gangster Anandpal Singh today moved the Churu district court seeking directions for a fresh post-mortem by a medical board in AIIMS. The development came after the deadline of accepting the body by the family ended this morning. The police had issued a notice under the Rajasthan Police rules 1965 directing his mother, wife, daughters and others to accept the body within 24 hours of receiving the orders. The police had said the funeral will be conducted by the police if the family did not accept the body and the deadline of 24 hours ended this morning. "An application was moved in the DJ court of Churu and will be taken up for hearing tomorrow. We have demanded that another postmortem be conducted at AIIMS Delhi," advocate AP Singh told PTI. He alleged that the encounter in which Anandpal was killed on Saturday night in Malasar village in Churu was fake and a CBI inquiry should be ordered for a fair inquiry. The post-mortem was conducted at a hospital in Churu's Ratangarh on Sunday and the body is kept at the Ratangarh hospital's mortuary since then. The family members are adamant on their demand of CBI inquiry and have not accepted the body. Besides his family members and relatives, Rajput leaders and his supporters in large number are at Sanvrad village in Nagaur. Security arrangements are tight at his hometown in Nagaur and in Ratangarh in Churu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Romantic drama "Rahna Hai Tere Dil Me" is one of the most rewatched romantic movies but actor R Madhavan believes his days as a chocolate boy hero are over. The actor will be next seen in Tamil thriller "Vikram Vedha", written and directed by Pushkar and Gayathri. "I'm done with chocolate boy roles. Although my mind is still young, my body is not the same. When I run on screen, my body runs like a 48-year-old man. "I even told my directors Pushkar and Gayathri that we should head to Switzerland and shoot a colorful movie like a Yash Raj Films production. I would love to play those roles, but I'm not quite sure now," the actor told reporters here at the press meet of "Vikram Vedha". The gangster-cop thriller has Madhavan essaying the role of a rugged encounter specialist 'Vikram.' The actor says people in the Hindi film industry have watched the trailer for the movie, thanks to Shah Rukh Khan who released it on his Twitter page recently. "Since Shah Rukh Khan released the trailer of 'Vikram Vedha,' it has already grabbed the attention of Bollywood filmmakers. The entire industry has watched it, and everyone unanimously appreciated composer Sam's effort." Madhavan said he did not have enough time to shoo the film simultaneously in Hindi but he is open to take it to Bollywood. Heaping praise on his co-star Vijay Sethupathi, who plays the role of a gangster in the movie, Maddy said it was a great honour to collaborate with him. "I feel proud to have worked with Vijay Sethupathi. I've shared the screen with greats like Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan. Usually, in multi-starrers, I make it a point to meet my co-stars during rehearsals. But I met Vijay for the first time on the movie set." The actor said despite being pitted against each other in the film, they got along really well off the screen. "We got along really well. He's a fantastic guy. We had a great relationship. He's the most intelligent actor that I've ever worked with." Sethupathi said he was initially nervous about working with Madhavan, but the actor turned out to be really friendly. "Initially, I was quite nervous since Maddy is a big star and has worked with a lot of legends. But he is really sweet. Despite him being a senior actor, I never had any second thoughts about giving my opinion to him on a scene," he said. Also starring Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Kathir and Shraddha Srinath in pivotal roles, "Vikram Vedha" is produced by YNOT Studios and is slated for release on July 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India today played down the usage of "Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir" by the US in a statement issued during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying similar terms have been used in the past too. On Monday, while designating Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist", the US State Department had said the militant group had claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 explosives attack in "Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir", which injured 17 people. Responding to a media query, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said the use of the term 'Indian- administered Jammu and Kashmir' merely affirmed the Indian position that Salahuddin had been involved in cross-border terrorism against India. "Similar term has been used in the State Department's country reports on terrorism brought out every year, including in the period 2010-2013, in the context of cross-border terrorism perpetrated on India. India's consistent position that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India is well known," he said. The MEA spokesperson's remarks came amid criticism by the Congress party over the acceptance of the term by the Modi government. "US official statement used the phrase 'Indian- administered Jammu and Kashmir'. How did India accept this?" senior Congress leader P Chidambaram had asked in a tweet. Baglay also said India has welcomed the designation of Salahuddin as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the US Administration and added that this long-awaited step had been under discussion. "The Joint Statement issued on June 26, 2017 after Prime Minister's talks with US President Trump is the strongest joint expression of the commitment of the two sides to be shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism and calls on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries," he added. Significantly, India had objected to the UN Human Rights chief's usage of 'Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir' during a human rights council meeting at Geneva last September. "The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory. The two cannot and should not be equated," the Indian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said. Unlike Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India has an elected democratic government in place in J&K and, therefore, the UN's usage of the term 'Indian-administered Kashmir' is "artificial", India had argued. During a country update, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had talked about the ongoing conflict in Kashmir and had publicly urged both the countries to grant his office access to "India-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan- administered Jammu and Kashmir". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India voiced deep concern over the possibility of collusion that leads to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to terrorist networks and non- state actors, calling for an early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to deal with the menace. "Preventing access to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery to non-state actors is a continuing concern, especially as terrorist groups and non- state actors strike ever deeper roots and exploit different avenues to strike terror," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Tanmaya Lal said here. Speaking at a Security Council debate on efforts to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non- state actors, Lal said terror networks and non-state actors, by themselves, do not have any capacity or access to advanced and sensitive technologies and materials. "Instances of proliferation of WMDs, however, are not unknown to all of us. The possibility of such collusion remains a real cause for concern. This grave threat can only be contained through effective and sustained international cooperation and coordination and monitoring," he said. In addition to capacity building and training, the international community must endeavour to close gaps in the global legal architecture to combat terrorism and non-state actors' access to WMDs and related material, Lal said. "An early conclusion of negotiations on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism will be helpful," he said. Further, efforts to eliminate all weapons of mass destruction through global, non-discriminatory and verifiable disarmament treaties such as the Chemical Weapons Convention must also be taken to their logical conclusion. Underscoring that "synergy" will be key to the success of global efforts, Lal said clandestine proliferation networks, which have been unmasked, have shown that non-state actors can exploit weak links in global supply chains and export controls and undermine international security. "All states must therefore assume their responsibility to combat proliferation of WMDs by non-state actors. "Prevention remains our best strategy against the threat of WMDs falling into the hands of non-state actors. The enemies of humanity will not hesitate to use WMDs if they are able to. The international community must remain vigilant, strengthen cooperation, build capacity and encourage full assumption of national responsibility by states in accordance with their international obligations," he said. Lal told the UN meeting that as a country with advanced nuclear technologies, India is fully conscious of the responsibilities that come with the possession of such technologies and the country remains fully committed to strengthening national and global non-proliferation efforts. He said India also participates actively in the intersessional process on the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) that needs to be strengthened including through a legally-binding protocol in light of technology trends and the threat of bio-terrorism. "Export controls remain the first line of defence in combating WMDs proliferation by non-state actors," Lal said. India is committed to maintaining effective national export controls consistent with the highest international standards, and has harmonised its legislative and regulatory framework with the control lists, guidelines and best practices of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and Australia Group (AG), he said. India's admission to MTCR in June last year is recognition of its non-proliferation record and its ability to contribute to global non-proliferation efforts, Lal added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a "meaningful dialogue" to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn "historical lessons", in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed a photograph of Indian "incursion" into Donglong area and said the dispute which is becoming a confrontation of sorts between the troops on the ground can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photograph from the podium. He said the photographs will be displayed on the Foreign Ministry's website later. "The diplomatic channel for communication remains unimpeded. We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary immediately. This is the precondition for the settlement of this incident and also the basis for us to conduct any meaningful dialogue," he said. Addressing the media around the same time, China's Defence spokesman Col Wu Qian rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory in Donglong area, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. Asked about the protest lodged by Bhutan that the PLA has transgressed its territory in Donglong area as well as reports that Chinese military has destroyed bunkers of Indian army in the area, Col Wu said the PLA troops carried out "appropriate response to incursion" by Indian border guards into Chinese territory. "The Indian border troupe personnel have entered the Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector of the India-China borders. They tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglong region. We carried out appropriate responses to halt these actives to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. The Chinese military rejected as "extremely irresponsible" Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Responding to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu Qian said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. "Indian Army is fully ready for a two and a half front war," Rawat had said recently. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 26-year-old Indian-origin man in the US was stabbed to death allegedly by his cousin following an argument here. Sharanjit Singh was stabbed by Lovedeep Singh, 24, in the neck and torso inside their apartment in New York City borough Queens in the early hours of June 26, police said. Lovedeep has been charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Lovedeep admitted to police that he fatally stabbed his cousin and roommate Sharanjit. He was arraigned on Tuesday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Eugene Guarino on a criminal complaint. Queens District Attorney Brown said Lovedeep is accused of "senselessly stabbing to death his cousin and roommate. This is a family tragedy for all concerned". Sharanjit, who worked as a driver, moved to the US from India in 2013. His parents still live in India. The motive behind the murder was not immediately known, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea today filed a complaint with police alleging that she was beaten up by Byculla Prison officials even as her medical examination found that she had "received some injuries." The 44-year-old former media executive, booked for rioting in the women's prison along with other inmates, was yesterday given permission by a special CBI court to lodge her complaint with the city police after undergoing a medical examination in a hospital here. Following the court's direction, Indrani went to the Nagpada police station at around 12.30 am and submitted a written application, a senior police officer said. In her complaint, she also alleged that she was hurt when the prison officials cane-charged the inmates after they gathered to vent their anger at the death of a fellow-inmate, the officer said. Indrani was among nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla Jail booked by Nagpada police for rioting and other offences after they staged a protest over the death of a convict, Manju Govind Shette (45). Shette died at the government-run J J Hospital on June 23 after allegedly being beaten up by a woman official of the jail. The next day, enraged women inmates rose in protest, some of them went up to the prison's roof, while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger, a police official said. In her plea to the court, Indrani had alleged that she was beaten up and threatened of sexual assault by the jail officials for joining a protest in the prison. She was produced in the court yesterday after she moved an application. Considering her plea, special CBI judge J C Jagdale said Indrani be first taken for a medical examination and later to the Nagpada police station in the city to file her complaint. Indrani had told the court that she was threatened and assaulted after she said that she would give a statement (in connection with the case) to a magistrate under section 164 CrPC, which unlike a police statement is admissible in court. Indrani said she had witnessed the prisoner being allegedly assaulted and when enquired about Manju's health she was told that she was fine but later learnt that she passed away. She said that after a case was registered in connection with Manju's death, she came forward as as a witness and told the jail officials about that. "I was hit on the hand and legs... I can barely walk," Indrani alleged and added that the superintendent told her 'tu witness banne ja rahi hai.... Tereko bhi dekh lenge'. She said the superintendent threatened her, saying "We will do the same thing that we did to Manju". Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla jail, including Indrani, for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. An official from the prison department had alleged that Indrani "instigated" the inmates by asking them to shun food and "use their children as shields" when prison staffers tried to stop them from agitating and gathering together. A senior medical officer of the state-run J J Hospital said today that Indrani's allegation of being beaten up by the prison officials appears to be true. "Indrani has received some blunt injuries and other (injuries) as well. Her claims of being beaten up appear to be true as per our check-up," a medical officer of the hospital, where Indrani's medical examination was conducted, told PTI on condition of anonymity. "It (Indrani's medical report) will be submitted in court, as the medical check-up was ordered by the court," the officer said. In a related development, the State Women's Commission summoned the prison authorities on Shette's death. State police's Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Swati Sathe today appeared before the commission Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, at the panel's office in suburban Bandra. A prison department official said they will submit a sealed report to the women's commission on the incident and the action taken against the jail staff in connection with Shette's death. The case has been handed over to the crime branch. The Byculla jail, located in the heart of the city, has around 251 inmates lodged there. The police had earlier said Manju, whose death sparked protests in the prison, was allegedly tortured and a stick was inserted in her private parts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to pay a reciprocal visit to India by the year-end, a senior external affairs ministry official said today. Netanyahu's India visit will follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day tour of the Jewish state from July 4. Modi's visit will be the first by an Indian premier to Israel. "We are hoping that we will see the Israeli Prime Minister in India by end of the year," Amar Sinha, secretary (economic affairs), said. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Ezer Weizman visited India in 2003 and 1997 respectively. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had also paid a visit to India in November last year. Sinha, who retires tomorrow, was speaking at an event on '25 Years of India-Israel Relations' organised at the Vivekananda International Foundation. Daniel Carmon, Israeli envoy to India, was also present at the event. Elaborating on the major outcomes expected from Modi's visit, Sinha said India was looking at a "special partnership" in areas related to drinking water and conservation of water. He said the two sides were also creating a USD 40-million Research and Development fund for joint research that would be "practical and result oriented". Referring to Israel as a "reliable defence partner", Sinha said then Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir had taken "only two minutes" to send weapons to India during the Indo- Pak war in 1971, 30 years before the two sides established formal diplomatic relations. "We are really looking at changing the nature of our relationship from being a buyer and seller's relationship to something that we can look at -- co-production, joint ventures and joint development of weapons system -- and make sure that Israeli companies participate in the Make in India programme," he said. "(Cooperation in the) homeland security is something that you don't talk about...There is huge cooperation in cyber security," Sinha said. Referring to India's relations with Arab countries and Israel, Sinha said there was a clear "de-hyphenation" in New Delhi's policy in the ties it maintained with individual nations. He added that Modi would not visit Palestine during his scheduled visit to Israel. "Our position on Israel and Palestine is very simple. We want both countries to exist and exist as peaceful neighbours," Sinha said. Carmon said relations between New Delhi and Tel Aviv were at a stage of normalisation, but after Modi's scheduled visit, it would lead to "more than normalisation" of ties. The ambassador added that Israel would soon open a consulate in the IT-city of Bengaluru. He, however, rued that there were no direct flights between India and Israel from North India. Carmon also emphasised that the two sides should give more incentives to businessmen and further liberalise the visa regime to boost trade worth USD 4 billion, excluding defence. He said on June 25, days before Modi's visit, the Netanyahu-led Cabinet adopted a resolution to take steps to upgrade bilateral relations and this move was "unprecedented". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Jake Busey has confirmed that he will play the son of his father's character in "The Predator". The 46-year-old actor has established a link between the upcoming science fiction film and at least one of its predecessors, 1990's "Predator 2", as Jake is set to star as the son of Peter Keyes - played by his father Gary Busey - in the movie, reported Contactmusic. "Shane Black called me and he said 'Hey, you wanna do this movie? We don't have money for you but it'll be a fun thing to come play and be your father's son,'" he said. "And so as much as I have followed in my Dad's footsteps career-wise, this is like really following in his footsteps by playing a character who is the son of the character he played. And I don't think there would be any other forum where I would do that. I think this is the one thing." "The Predator" is slated for release in August 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan's foreign minister said he will hold two days of talks with the EU trade commissioner in Tokyo tomorrow, as the two sides look to ink a long-awaited agreement. The comments from Fumio Kishida Thursday come after four years of talks aimed at hammering out a free-trade agreement, with negotiators working toward signing a deal at a G20 meeting in Hamburg next week. Clinching a deal would be a victory for free-trade advocates after US president Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year, dealing a possibly fatal blow to the mooted 12-nation deal. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and agriculture commissioner Phil Hogan will visit the Japanese capital from Friday, Kishida said. "I'd like to hold final discussions with Malmstrom for a broad agreement" on the Japan-EU trade deal, he told reporters. "I think they're going to be very tough and difficult negotiations," Kishida added. "It's not yet decided when we'll reach a conclusion or how long we'll be negotiating. "We'd like to make the maximum use out of the time we've got." A European source told AFP that Malmstrom and Hogan's visit suggests there are still some political issues to work through. "If they're going to Tokyo it's an important signal" but it doesn't mean a deal is imminent, the source added. Tariffs on European cheese have been a key sticking point. Brussels wants Japan to eliminate its 30 percent tariffs on some EU-made cheese, while Tokyo wants duties cut on cars which it exports to the 28-member bloc. Any deal they reach would cover some 28 percent of global GDP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda will attend the special midnight programme in Parliament on the GST rollout convened by the government tomorrow, notwithstanding the boycott by other Opposition parties. The JD(S) criticised the Congress for not consulting it before taking the decision to boycott the function to mark the launch of the new indirect tax regime. "Gowda has been invited in the capacity of former prime minister to share the dais with President Pranab Mukherjee. The party has taken a decision that he will attend the event," JD(S) general secretary Danish Ali told PTI tonight. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker will also be on the dais during the gala event for which a host of industrialists and film stars have been invited. Earlier, the Congress decided to boycott the government's special midnight, calling it a "grand self-promoting tamasha (gimmick)". Criticising the Congress, Ali said it should have called a meeting of all the 17 Opposition parties to take a joint decision on the issue. At the same time, the JD(S) leader said his party is with the Opposition and against the government on issues like farmers' plight and lynching. The launch event will start at 11 pm and extend into the midnight, coinciding with the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared headed for a collision course with US President Donald Trump today after vowing to make a stand next week for climate protection and open markets at what is expected to be the most fractious G20 summit in years. Merkel said discussions at the July 7-8 gathering of world leaders in Hamburg would be difficult given Trump's climate scepticism and "America First" stance, but that she was determined to seek a clear commitment to the Paris accord against global warming and a pledge against protectionism. When Trump announced in early June he would withdraw from the Paris deal, "we knew that we could not expect discussions to be easy" at the G20 summit, Merkel told the German parliament. "The differences are obvious and it would be dishonest to try to cover that up. That I won't do," she said, adding that the US exit from the 2015 Paris pact had made Europe "more determined than ever" to make the accord a success. Without naming names, she also warned that "those who think that the problems of this world can be solved with isolationism or protectionism are terribly wrong" and pledged to seek a "clear signal for open markets and against sealing off" at the summit. Trump's divergent stance has left Western allies struggling to find a common front for the G20 gathering -- unlike previous summits, when differences were drawn along global north-south and east-west lines. With Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia's King Salman in the volatile mix for the power meet, the list of potential minefield issues also includes the Syrian war, the Ukraine conflict and the diplomatic shut-out of Qatar. Even though Beijing has emerged as an ally in preaching free markets and climate protection, Merkel warned against unfettered Chinese economic expansionism. "Europe must work hard to defend its influence and above all to speak with one voice to China," Merkel told business weekly WirtschaftsWoche. "Seen from Beijing, Europe is more like an Asian peninsula. Obviously, we see things differently," she added. With the fault lines multiplying, Merkel's western European allies arrived in Berlin on Thursday to draw up a common battle strategy. "Merkel has called a summit between Europeans because there is a problem with the relationship with Trump," said a diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It's necessary to ensure European cohesion because within the G20, it's complicated." Besides the transatlantic differences, "there is also a new European division growing between east and west" particularly on the issue of refugees, noted Jean-Dominique Giuliani, president of the Fondation Robert Schuman, a Paris- based think-tank. Trump's anti-immigration stance has emboldened many of the EU's ex-communist members in the east, which have staunchly opposed Merkel's pleas to accept larger shares of the refugees who have flocked to Europe. Threatening to deepen divisions, Trump will head to Warsaw for a summit of central and eastern European leaders, likely to include Hungary's hardline Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a day ahead of the G20. European affairs journal Eurativ warned that "as some EU countries shun him and others welcome him with open arms, Trump could become the wedge that drives the Union apart".- Even Merkel's European guests -- the leaders of G20 members France, Britain and Italy, as well as of invited countries the Netherlands, Spain and Norway -- have very different relationships with Trump. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jain monk and religious leader Tarun Sagar today said India has more "traitors within than the number of terrorists in Pakistan". Those who live and eat in the country, raise pro-Pakistan slogans, he alleged without naming anyone. "People living in the country shout revere Pakistan, aren't they traitors? India has more traitors within than the number of terrorists in Pakistan," Sagar said in a press conference here. The religious leader said terrorists never attack from the front like a tiger, instead they attack like a wolf (from the behind). Hitting out at discrepancies prevailing in the country, he said India is not a poor country, actually there is inequality. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maersk, the Danish container and shipping giant crippled by a global cyberattack this week, said today most of its operations were now up and running again. "We are able to accept bookings again," the company said on its website. In addition, "the majority of our terminals are now operational. Some of these terminals are operating slower than usual or with limited functionality." Maersk said on Wednesday that a number of its 76 container terminals were affected by the cyberattack and were forced to run on manual systems, but would not specify which sites. "We continue to assess the situation. Until this analysis is complete, we cannot be specific about how many sites and locations are affected or when normal business operations are restored," today's statement said. Maersk's two terminals in Rotterdam, Europe's biggest port, were affected on Wednesday, as was a terminal run by Maersk at the Mumbai port, the largest in India. When the systems are down, "we have to manage on a manual basis... It's difficult for people in the terminals to tell the people on the ground -- the longshoremen -- which containers to unload," Maersk chief operating officer Vincent Clerc said Wednesday. Maersk's statement Thursday stressed that all of its vessels "continue to be under control, employees are safe and communication to crew and management onboard is functioning." The series of cyberattacks began in Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, hitting government and corporate computer systems across the world as the virus spread to western Europe and across the Atlantic. Several other multinational companies said they were targeted, including US pharmaceutical giant Merck, Russian state oil giant Rosneft, British advertising giant WPP and the French industrial group Saint-Gobain. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Burhanpur court granted conditional bail to 15 persons, arrested on sedition charges for celebrating Pakistan's victory over India in the Champions Trophy, even as the Madhya Pradesh Police today removed from field duties the Investigating Officer of the case. The conditional bail was granted yesterday by the court of first Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, paving the way for their release last night from the Khandwa Jail. In another development, Madhya Pradesh Police today issued orders to 'line-attach' (remove from field duties) Sanjay Pathak, who was in-charge of Shahpura Police Station (in Burhanpur), where the case was registered. Pathak was the investigating officer in the case. He has been now transferred to Mandsaur district, Burhanpur SP RRS Parihar told PTI. The action against Pathak, who allegedly framed a false case, comes in the backdrop of police dropping sedition charges against all the accused. Investigations into the incident had revealed that the action of the accused did not amount to sedition and they also did not have any past criminal record. According to defence lawyer Ubaid Sheikh, 13 of the 15 accused in the case were released last nigh on furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000 each. The remaining two (minors) were also released later as per court orders, he said. Police had submitted school certificates of the two accused as evidence to prove that they are minors. Before granting conditional bail, the court also imposed a ban on all the accused from taking part in any kind of processions and also directed them to appear in Shahpura police station every Sunday for registering their attendance, Pathak said. Post bail, their families today expressed confidence in the country's judicial system and were hopeful that they would get justice in the matter. After Pakistan's victory in Champions Trophy recently, some people at Mohad village in Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh had celebrated the neighbouring country's win by bursting crackers and raised slogans in their favour which resulted in tension in the area. On the complaint of a Mohad villager, police had registered a case under sections 124A (sedition) and 120B of IPC against them on June 19 following which they were arrested and sent to jail by court. Days later, police dropped the sedition charges against them and instead booked them under section 153 (a) of IPC (disrupting communal harmony). The matter took a turn when the complainant (Subhash Koli) told a channel that he was not even present in the village when the incident took place and police had used his name to register the case, Sheikh said. Even eyewitnesses have backed out in the matter following which the court granted conditional bail to all of them, Sheikh added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) today transferred its entire 51 per cent equity in the iconic Lakeview Ashok Hotel here to the state tourism development corporation (MPSTDC). Before the deal, MPSTDC was holding 49 per cent share in the property while ITDC held the remaining 51 per cent. The iconic hotel is located on the Shyamla Hills overlooking the picturesque Upper Lake of Bhopal. "The share transfer agreement was inked today in New Delhi and now the hotel is fully owned by the MPSTDC," a senior official said, adding the name of the hotel too will be changed to Hotel Lakeview. The official did not disclose as to how much MPSTDC paid for the 51 per cent stake to ITDC. The three-star property has four suits, 39 deluxe rooms, a swimming pool and many restaurants. MPSTDC will also look for a private player to run it, a senior corporation official told PTI, adding they will add more rooms apart from an ultra-modern convention centre. The departmental officials said the move has been personally initiated by state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For President Pranab Mukherjee, this was perhaps a special visit to the City of Joy. "This may be my last visit to Kolkata in my capacity as the president of the Republic of India," he said. The president completes his term next month. Mukherjee, who has lived here and also made several visits to the city as the president, as a minister and an MP, was here to inaugurate celebrations of the 125th birth anniversary of P C Mahalanobis at the Indian Statistical Institute here. He expressed happiness at having received an opportunity to address "mighty minds" in the form of teachers, researchers and studentsduring the function at a time when he was nearing completion of his tenure. Mukherjee said "dogmatism and rigidity" of mind were the most obstructive forces for progress and development and one should accept ideas with an open mind and then analyse them to find solutions to problems. He talked about the reforms undertaken by the previous Congress government in 1991 and specifically referred to the working of the public sector undertakings, some of which are still earning profits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid reports of alleged lynching attacks targeting minorities, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said there was no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the community. Suspecting the role of some "hostile forces" behind such incidents, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs said such "tactics" will not be allowed to succeed. He, however, stressed that the incidents cannot be justified and pitched for tough action against the perpetrators. Naqvi reiterated the Modi government's commitment for inclusive growth and creating an atmosphere of trust among the communities. He said safety of every section of the society was "equally important for" for the Centre. "I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," Naqvi said after attending the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council here. On asked which forces were behind such incidents, Naqvi did not name any. He, however, added that be it political organisations or individuals, the state governments (given law and order is a state subject) concerned were taking "immediate and effective" action against the people involved. "The governments of Rajasthan, Haryana and Jharkhand have without wasting any time taken action against such people. I myself had spoken to the chief ministers and officials of these states," he said. Speaking during the meeting, the Union minister said his ministry had been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of all the notified minorities -- Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain -- effectively as a "mission and commitment". The minister said the measures the Centre had taken during the last three years of its rule were a reflection of its "empowerment without appeasement" policy, which he added, has created an "atmosphere of development and trust". Naqvi said his ministry had been successful in enabling the poor, backward and weaker sections of the minorities to get their share of mainstream development through "3Es: education, employment and empowerment." He also listed a range of schemes the government had been implementing for the welfare of the minorities. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Junaid Khan was stabbed to death onboard a train between Delhi and Mathura. The group of attackers had allegedly hurled communal slurs and attacked the victim after an altercation over seats. A few days ago, over a 100-strong mob attacked a Muslim man on the suspicion of slaughtering a cow after finding the carcass of a bovine near his house in Giridih district of Jharkhand. In April, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was killed allegedly by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar while he was transporting cows for his small dairy farm. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha government has approved a proposal for strengthening the state police force with modern equipment to combat the Maoist menace effectively. The proposal was approved yesterday during a state level empowered committee meeting, held under the chairmanship of chief secretary AP Padhi. An action plan for modernisation of police, with focus on strengthening anti-Maoist and anti-criminal operations, was approved in the meeting, officials said. It also approved an expenditure of Rs 31.75 crore under annual action plan for police modernisation in 2017-18. The scheme will be jointly funded by the Centre and the state government. The committee approved procurement of 10 different types of equipment and instruments like body camera, unmanned aerial machines, smart cell phone jammer, contraband buster, telescopic manipulator, real time viewing system, rock climbing wall, digital VHF, among others. "The unmanned aerial device would give real time surveillance and intelligence reports of naxalites and criminal movements. They can also be used during night hours," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha government will provide all medical assistance for the treatment of conjoined twins attached at the head, officials said today. "Arrangements are being made to help the parents of the conjoined boys. The twins will be sent to AIIMS in New Delhi for evaluation and treatment," Kandhamal district collector Brunda D said. "The district administration has already provided Rs 35,000 to the family of the conjoined twins," he said, adding that an anganwadi worker has also been engaged to take care of them. The twins, Jaga and Balia, hail from Milupada village in Kandhamal district. They were born at Phiringia public health centre on April 9, 2015. "After waiting for four months for their treatment at the SCB hospital, the doctors advised us to consult doctors at AIIMS in New Delhi," Father of the children, Bhuban Kanhar said. The parents had earlier rushed them to SCB Medical College Hospital shortly after their birth but could not continue with the treatment due to financial constraint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha government today accused Chhattisgarh of releasing excess water from Mahanadi river into Odisha without information and said the matter will be taken up with the Central Water Commission (CWC). "It is unfortunate that the Chhattisgarh government did not inform Odisha before opening the barrage gates to release the river water into our state," Odisha's Water Resources Secretary P K Jena said. The sudden release of water from the upper catchment area of the Mahanadi will affect flood water management in Odisha during heavy rains, though the situation is under control at present, he said. The state government will take up the matter with the CWC seeking its direction to the Chhattisgarh government to share information with Odisha before opening the barrage gates to release flood waters, Jena said. Stating that prior information about release of water is necessary for flood control measures during monsoon, a senior official said both states had agreed to exchange information on the use of Mahanadi water at an inter-state coordination meeting held recently. Chhattisgarh had refused to open the gates of Kalma barrage on the Mahanadi during summer despite repeated pleas by the Odisha government, he said. Now Chhattisgarh has suddenly opened the gates following heavy rains in the upper catchment of the river without prior indication, the official said. Odisha has been protesting "illegal" construction of a number of dams and barrages in upper catchment of the Mahanadi by Chhattisgarh saying it will severely hit river water flow in Odisha. A war of words also began between the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP in Odisha over the development. BJD leader and Cuttack-Barabati MLA Debasis Samantray hit out at Chhattisgarh for its sudden action without prior information. He said it will create flood-like situation in many areas of Odisha. However, BJP legislator Pradeep Purohit said there is no sign of flood-like situation and accused the ruling party of trying to derive political mileage out of the Mahanadi river water issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement against violence in the name of cow protection and expressed hope that the vigilantes will heed to the PM's advice. "Well said sir. Here's hoping the people carrying out these despicable acts take your words to heart and act accordingly," Omar wrote on Twitter. The National Conference leader was reacting to the Prime Minister's remarks which came against the backdrop of growing incidents of cow vigilantism. "Killing people in the name of 'Gau Bhakti' is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve," the prime minister said today during his speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands," the PM said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan today summoned India's acting Deputy High Commissioner over the alleged ceasefire violation by Indian troops in Kashmir which it claimed to have killed a civilian. Foreign Office (FO) spokesman said in a statement that Indian forces resorted to firing in Nikial Sector yesterday, resulting in the death of a 22-year-old civilian Abdul Wahab of Dothilla village. Four other civilians were injured. The Director General (SA & SAARC), Mohammad Faisal, summoned the Acting Indian Deputy High Commissioner, S Raghuram and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations", the FO said. It further said that "the deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws". The Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC, according to the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prione Business Services Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Catamaran Ventures and Amazon, today announced expansion of its footprint to 50 plus cities in the country through direct presence and Franchisee partners. Since its inception in 2014, Prione has empowered over 42,000 small and medium businesses (SMBs) across India effectively adopt digital technologies to sell their products in the online marketplace, the company said. With the expansion, Prione will tap into a wider SMB market and include diverse product category offerings like apparel, electronics, books, home decor and jewellery, it said in a release. "Prione is looking to expand its reach and enable these untapped markets through our Franchisee Partner Program so that sellers are digitally empowered to sell across borders and get easier access to a wider marketplace," Prione COO Sandeep Varaganti said. Prione said its Franchisee Partner Program focuses on setting up seller acquisition and servicing hubs partnering with qualified service partners in cities like Erode, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Gwalior, Amritsar, Solapur, Nashik and Jabalpur to name a few. There are three services that Prione's Franchisee partners provide to sellers in these cities - seller acquisition and training, product imaging, and short term account management. Extensive training sessions and special workshops are conducted in these cities by the partner program to businesses who want to start selling online, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The official jeep of a Tehsildar was set ablaze by a mob in the Sikar district of Rajasthan, the police said. The mob, suspected to be supporters of slain gangster Anandpal Singh, had blocked a road in Dujod area, police officials said. Tehsildar, Dhod, Ashok Rinwa, who was passing through that area, stopped after seeing the blockade, they said. "When the tehsildar alighted from the vehicle to talk to people about the matter, some miscreants set the jeep on fire," the police said adding that Rinwa was unhurt. The road has been cleared and the accused are being identified, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, currently shooting for his upcoming movie "Kaala Karikalan", today left for the US for "health checkup", sources close to the actor said. "He has gone (to the US from Mumbai) for regular health checkup," the sources said. Last week, the top star had left for Mumbai from here to take part in the shooting of "Kaala Karikalan", directed by Pa Ranjith. The 66-year-old actor recently gave indications that he was holding discussions on entering politics. "I have not denied it. We are discussing and yet to take a decison. Once I take a decision, I will inform you," the Kabali star had said. The shooting for "Kaala Karikalan" was going on at a brisk pace in Mumbai over the last few days. Rajinikanth, who had met his fans in May, had asked them to "prepare for war", hinting that he might consider entering politics. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A retired court of appeal judge with a controversial history in the UK was today named the head of a public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower inferno earlier this month that killed at least 80 people and displaced hundreds. Sir Martin Moore-Bick, 70, has spent more than 20 years as a judge of the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal until his retirement in December 2016. Prime Minister Theresa May said "no stone will be left unturned" as part of a written statement informing lawmakers of the appointment. "I am determined that there will be justice for all the victims of this terrible tragedy and for their families who have suffered so terribly,"she wrote. Describing Moore-Bick as a "highly respected and hugely experienced" judge, she laid out the course of the inquiry which will begin with a consultation with all those with an interest in the case, including survivors and victims' families, about the terms of reference. Following that consultation, the judge will make a recommendation to the British prime minister. May said: "I will return to Parliament with the final terms of reference once this process has taken place. Then the inquiry will begin its work. "We must get to the truth about what happened. No stone will be left unturned by this inquiry, but I have also been clear that we cannot wait for ages to learn the immediate lessons and so I expect the chair will want to produce an interim report as early as possible." In his statement, Moore-Bick said the inquiry would "discover the truth" about what happened at Grenfell Tower to learn lessons for the future. "It is vitally important that the inquiry be open, transparent and fair to all those whose involvement with Grenfell Tower comes under scrutiny. It is important for everyone that the inquiry should establish as quickly as possible the cause of the fire and how it was able to spread so quickly to the whole of the building," he said. However, the his appointment has faced some criticism over his history in housing related past judgements. In 2014, he presided in an appeal court case and ruled in favour of Westminster City Council in a dispute over a tenant facing homelessness after refusing to be rehoused near Milton Keynes, miles away from London. The judge's ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court and lawyers for the defendant had claimed the move amounted to "social cleansing". As he begins his inquiry, the Metropolitan Police investigation into the fire on June 14 has identified over 60 companies involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower and said the probe is ongoing. The Met Police said that while they are using "every imaginable source" to identify the victims of the fire, the final death toll is unlikely to be known before the end of the year. Meanwhile, the number of high-rises across the UK that failed fire safety tests launched in the wake of the London tragedy stands at over 120 tower blocks. Theresa May told the House of Commons that cladding samples provided by 37 local authorities had all failed the test - marking a 100 per cent failure rate. An expert panel to advise on immediate safety action has been appointed following the safety failures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trump administration's decision to sell one C-17 transport aircraft to India by the US will improve its capability to meet current and future strategic airlift requirements, the Pentagon has said. The proposed sale of C-17 transport aircraft by Boeing at an estimated cost of is USD 366.2 million includes one missile Warning System, one Countermeasures Dispensing System, one Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponder and precision navigation equipment. "The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future strategic airlift requirements," Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a notification to the Congress on Monday. "India lies in a region prone to natural disasters and will use the additional capability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," the agency said. In addition, through this purchase India will be able to provide more rapid strategic combat airlift capabilities for its armed forces. India currently operates C-17 aircraft and will have no difficulty absorbing this aircraft into its armed forces, the agency said adding that the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The Congressional notification said that a determination has been made that India can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the US. "This proposed sale is necessary to the furtherance of the US, foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification," the Pentagon said. According to the Pentagon, the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military airlift aircraft is the most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the US Air Force fleet. The C-17 is capable of strategic delivery of up to 170,900 pounds of personnel and/or equipment to main operating bases or forward operating locations. Noting that the aircraft is also capable short field landings with a full cargo load, it said the aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions as well as transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuation when required. A fully integrated electronic cockpit and advanced cargo delivery system allow a crew of three: pilot, co-pilot, and loadmaster, to operate the aircraft on any type of mission, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A new variety of groundnut that can be grown in summers has been developed by agro-scientists of the UGC-affiliated Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture Technology University (CSA) here. "The new variety of groundnut can be sown after harvesting pea, potato and mustard during summers," CSA scientist Jitendra Singh said here. He said the summer variety of groundnut could be harvested just three months after it is sown. "It can be sown in March and can be harvested in June," he said. "Now people will not have to consume stored groundnuts grown during the winter season. They will now relish the taste of fresh groundnuts even during the summers," he said. Singh said that in Uttar Pradesh, the summer variety of groundnut could be sown in Kanpur, Fatehpur, Allahabad and Kaushambi areas which are known as the potato belt. It can be sown in other parts of the country as well, he said. Singh claimed that with an investment of Rs 30,000 per hectare, a grower can earn up to Rs 75,000. Moreover, the summer variety of the groundnut crop is disease-free as pests cannot attack the crop because of high temperature in the atmosphere, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kashmiri separatists and PoK-based United Jihad Council (UJC) today called for protests after Friday prayers tomorrow against the US decision to declare Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "global terrorist". Chairman hardline Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani, head of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik said protests will also be held against the "illegal and arbitrary" arrests and detention of the separatist leaders, activists and youth and raids being conducted across the valley. "This unjustified move (of declaring Salahuddin as global terrorist) by the US government to appease the Government of India and their (US) silence regarding the oppression and human rights situation in Kashmir, is not acceptable to the people of Kashmir who will strongly protest against it across the valley post Friday prayers tomorrow," the separatists said in a statement here. The separatist leaders expressed "deep regret and dismay over the complete silence by the US over the brutal oppression in Kashmir and failure to initiate any serious steps towards the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and for restoration of lasting peace and stability in the highly volatile region". UJC, a conglomerate of over a dozen militant groups active in the valley, also called for protests after Friday prayers against the US government's decision against its chief. In a statement issued here, the UJC said, "the people of Kashmir reject the US decision and will hold demonstrations tomorrow to convey a message to the outside world that their struggle will continue till the achievement of the goal." Meanwhile, High Court Bar Association also denounced the US decision and said "Salahuddin is a symbol of resistance movement and the US decision will have no impact on the indigenous and legitimate struggle of the people of Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation was in the process of finalizing a draft programme to monitor India's progress in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN. "We are in the process of finalizing the Draft India Programme to monitor India's progress in meeting the SDG goals of the UN", Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda said at the ISI here today. Saying that the ministry had drawn up various schemes for policy planning using statistics as a tool, Gowda said an annual labour survey for the urban and rural sectors had started since April this year. Annual survey of industries and agricultural households would also be conducted, he said. Chief statistician and secretary of the ministry TCA Anant said that the government is trying to adopt the "administrative statistics" which would capture all government data and then convert it into electronic files. "This will serve as a huge data mine which could be used in the service of the society," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bipartisan legislation to provide visas to Tibetans was reintroduced in US Congress by two lawmakers, saying it will help the overburdened Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal. The Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act addresses provides 3,000 immigrant visas to qualified displaced Tibetans over a three-year period. "The United States has a long record of giving humanitarian assistance to other countries in need, including providing refuge to those persecuted abroad," said Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, who reintroduced the Act in the House of Representatives on Tuesday along with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. "The United States has a long record of giving humanitarian assistance to other countries in need, including providing refuge to those persecuted abroad," he said. The bill supports the well-being of the Tibetan exile community as they strive to find a peaceful solution for Tibet; helps the overburdened settlements in India and Nepal; and gives displaced Tibetans the opportunity to flourish as Tibetan-Americans. Lofgren said the Tibetan people have suffered decades of persecution at the hands of the Chinese government. "After the devastation of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, it is even more necessary for displaced Tibetans to be recognised by the United States for refugee assistance and afforded protection under US law," she said. Noting that thousands of Tibetans have gone into exile due to continuing repression in their homeland, the two lawmakers said these refugees have worked to preserve their religious and cultural identity in exile communities in India and Nepal, but the influx of Tibetans creates many challenges and places an economic burden on these countries. "Because they fled Tibet, current US law may consider the Tibetans 'firmly resettled' in a third country and might render them inadmissible to the US," they said. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Betty McCollum urged her Congressional colleagues and the US President to stand with the people of Tibet to promote human rights, religious freedom, and a meaningful political dialogue. "China is a powerful country. But, the United States is a free and powerful country. The United States must never abandon our commitment to freedom, justice, and human rights around the world. And, we must never abandon the people of Tibet," she said in her remarks to welcome the Dalai Lama to Minnesota on Saturday (June 24). "Let me also urge President Trump to meet directly with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and listen to his wise and compassionate insights. Mr Trump needs to hear why ongoing US support for Tibet is vital," she had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two women bombers blew themselves up in a refugee camp in southeastern Niger, killing two other people in a suspected attack by Boko Haram Islamists from neighbouring Nigeria. Boko Haram's insurgency began in northeast Nigeria and has spread to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, claiming more than 20,000 lives and displacing 2.6 million people. They are increasingly staging suicide attacks using women and girls. Wednesday's attack took place in Kabalewa, a village near the southeastern Niger city of Diffa, which is close to Nigeria. "Two women suicide bombers infiltrated the refugee camp and blew themselves up, killing two civilians in the camp," an aid worker said. Private radio stations said the victims were a man and a woman. A local official confirmed the attack but did not give a toll. Boko Haram members have been staging regular attacks in the Diffa region since 2015. There are more than 300,000 refugees and displaced people sheltered in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley closed the door to the possibility of moving the ambassador's residence to Trump Tower, telling Congress she'll remain at a New York high-rise "until it's time for me to leave." The US moved its longtime ambassador's residence in New York out of the famed Waldorf Astoria hotel after a Chinese- owned company purchased it. Haley confirmed that the decision was due to concerns about spying and security related to China. The ambassador's residence was moved to another building near UN headquarters, but there's been speculation since President Donald Trump took office that he might move it again to midtown Manhattan building that bears his family's name. Not so, Haley told Congress yesterday. She said she hadn't picked her current location, but planned to stay there nonetheless. "I'm not moving to Trump Tower," she said. Haley's comments came during two days of testimony before a pair of committees in the House. On Tuesday, Haley took some lawmakers by surprise when she seemed to assert that the Trump administration's policy was to prevent any Palestinians from serving in UN positions unless and until the US recognises an independent Palestinian state. Earlier this year, the US blocked the appointment of Salam Fayyad, the former Palestinian prime minister, to lead the UN's political mission in Libya. Though Fayyad is a well-respected international figure and the post was unrelated to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the US described it as an act of support for Israel. "If we don't recognise Palestine as a state, we needed to acknowledge, also, that we could not sit there and put a Palestinian forward until the US changed its determinations on that front," Haley said. Yesterday, the State Department stood by Haley's remarks, tying the move to block Fayyad's appointment to US concerns about "Palestinians' efforts to achieve recognition of Palestine as an independent state through the United Nations system." Still, the US wouldn't say whether that policy applies going forward to any Palestinian who might be tapped for any UN job, nor whether it would also force the US to block the appointment of diplomats associated with other entities not recognised by the UN as full-fledged independent nations, such as the Vatican. "This situation is unique and should be viewed through the lens of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict," said Edgar Vasquez, a spokesman for the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 6.34 crore unincorporated non-agriculture enterprises excluding construction sector, have contributed Rs 11.52 lakh crore to the economy and provided employment to 11.13 crore in 2015-16. "During 2015-16, the aggregate gross value added (GVA)by the unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises (excluding construction) engaged in market production was estimated as Rs 11,52,338 crore," stated a report by National Sample Survey Organisation. According to the report, at all India level, units that employ at least one hired worker on a fairly regular basis contributed about 56 per cent to the aggregate annual GVA. However, in rural areas, OAEs (own account enterprises) had a higher share (61 per cent) in aggregate GVA. The survey revealed that about 11.13 crore workers were engaged in unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises (excluding construction) during 2015-16. Out of the total number of workers, 34.8 per cent were engaged in trading, 32.8 per cent in other services and 32.4 per cent in manufacturing. While 55 per cent worked in urban areas, 45 per cent worked in rural areas. The top five states in terms of estimated number of workers are Uttar Pradesh (14.9 per cent), West Bengal (12.2 per cent), Tamil Nadu (8.7 per cent), Maharashtra (8.2 per cent) and Karnataka (6.4 per cent). They accounted for nearly 50 per cent of the total number of workers engaged in the sector. Of the 6.34 crore enterprises, 31 per cent were engaged in manufacturing, 36.3 per cent in trading and 32.6 per cent in other services sector. The number of enterprises engaged in 'non-captive electricity generation and transmission' was negligibly low. About 51 per cent of such enterprises were located in rural areas and 49 per cent were in urban areas. The Own Account Enterprises (OAEs) have a dominant share of 84.2 per cent. The share of OAEs in manufacturing stood at 85.5 per cent, trade (84.5 per cent) and other services (82.5 per cent). Uttar Pradesh reported the highest share (14.20 per cent) of such enterprises followed by West Bengal (13.99 per cent), Tamil Nadu (7.80 per cent), Maharashtra (7.54 per cent) and Karnataka (6.05 per cent). These states accounted for nearly half of the total unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises in the country. Proprietary enterprises (i.E. Enterprises wholly owned by a single individual) had the highest share (96 per cent). Partnership enterprises had a share of 2 per cent and Self Help Groups (SHGs) accounted for 1.8 per cent. Trusts and others had only a negligible presence of 0.1 per cent each. Nearly one-fifth of the enterprises were female headed proprietary enterprises. Average annual emolument per hired worker was estimated at Rs 87,544. The average emolument per hired worker was highest for enterprises in 'other services' (Rs 1,01,094) followed by trade (Rs 80,267) and manufacturing (Rs 75,595). Kerala and Assam reported the highest and lowest value of average annual emolument per hired worker at Rs 1,25,616 and Rs 53,726 respectively. The report titled "Key Indicators of Unincorporated Non- Agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India" is based on the information collected under 73rd round of survey conducted during July, 2015 to June, 2016 as a follow-up survey of the 6th Economic Census. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A picture of Union minister Radha Mohan Singh urinating in the open has gone viral, with netizens trolling him on social media and raising questions over the government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In the picture, Singh is seen urinating against the wall of a building as his security officers stand guard. A vehicle with red beacon is also seen in the TV footage aired by some channels. The picture has gone viral on social media and has drawn sharp criticism for what is being described as "blatant violation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" launched by the Prime Minister amid much fanfare. The spot and date on which the photos were taken are not known. The minister, who was in his native constituency of Motihari in connection with Eid, had left for Delhi on Monday night. The photo could be of this period when Singh attended many functions in his constituency, sources told PTI. The minister was not available for comments and repeated repeated phone calls elicited the 'standard response' that he was in some meeting. In Motihari, his kins, however, were critical of the media for airing such footage. "Urination is a natural biological urge of a human being, so why such things are highlighted to create controversy...Are urinals available everywhere?" his son-in-law Sujit Kumar Singh told PTI in Motihari. East Champaran district BJP leader Lal Babu Prasad was also critical of the media wondering if "such things should be shown by media". Radha Mohan Singh is a fourth-term MP from Motihari in Bihar. State BJP president Nityanand Rai also refused to say anything. The opposition party leaders came down heavily on the minister for his act, with RJD president Lalu Prasad retweeting his party's earlier tweet which mockingly said, "Krishi mantri sukhar prabhit khetra mein sichai yojna ki suraut karte hua...Unhone swaccha bharat abhiyan ko gati di." His son and Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav posted the controversial photo to draw attention to red beacon on the car near him, saying "search red beacon in the photo." JD(U) Secretary-General and Chief national spokesperson KC Tyagi told PTI over phone, "The minister is exposing hollowness of swachata abhiyan launched by the PM from the ramparts of Red Fort. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US lawmaker has asked Islamabad to free Shakil Afridi, the "hero" doctor who helped the CIA to trace out Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. "Pakistan claims to be United States' number one counterterrorism ally, yet they hypocritically hold this hero in a Pakistani prison. Pakistan is no friend of the US," Congressman Ted Poe said on the floor of the US House of Representatives. "They are on the wrong side on the war on terror. Pakistan hid Osama bin Laden from the world," the Congressman said in his remarks on Monday. The Republican lawmaker from Texas said Dr Afridi deserves a medal for aiding the elimination of Osama bin Laden, not life in prison. "Pakistan should free him, and it is time to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism. And that is just the way it is," Poe said. "Mr Speaker, the day that Osama bin Laden, the world's number one terrorist, met his maker was a great day in the war on terror. But finding America's most wanted terrorist hiding in Pakistan was no easy feat," he said. "Pakistani Dr Afridi worked with our CIA to help determine and confirm Osama's hiding place in Pakistan by using DNA evidence. But after Osama bin Laden was killed, Pakistan threw Dr Afridi in jail. Why? Because he helped the United States find Osama bin Laden," Poe said. Bin laden was killed on May 2, 2011 by US Navy SEALs during a raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad. Poe assured Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Pakistan Coordination Committee Convener Nadeem Nusrat that he will sit quiet and calm over these inhuman acts and would play his role to seek an end to these atrocities and injustices, which the Mohajirs are victims of, a media release said. MQM Convener informed Poe in detail about multi-faceted agony of Mohajirs in Karachi, the alleged atrocities on them from Pakistan's security forces under state repressive actions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A prominent Vietnamese blogger was sentenced today to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of distorting government policies and defaming the Communist regime in Facebook posts and in interviews with foreign media, her lawyer said. Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, also known as "Mother Mushroom," was sentenced at the end of a one-day trial in the south- central province of Khanh Hoa, lawyer Vo An Don said. Her conviction related to the content of 18 articles on her Facebook page and interviews with foreign outlets such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, Don said. Quynh, 37, co-founded a network of bloggers and is very popular in Vietnam. She has written about human rights, civilian deaths in police custody and the release of toxic chemicals by a Taiwanese-owned factory that killed thousands of fish in one of Vietnam's worst environmental disasters. Quynh, the single mother of two young children, maintained her innocence throughout the trial, her lawyer said. "Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh did not admit that she committed any crime, saying she has a right to freedom of expression," Don said. Don said the sentence was "too harsh and unjust" and that Quynh plans to appeal the verdict. Quynh was arrested in October when she was visiting a fellow activist in prison. International human rights groups including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Sweden-based Civil Rights Defenders have called for her immediate release. "The scandal here is not what Mother Mushroom said, but Hanoi's stubborn refusal to repeal draconian, rights-abusing laws that punish peaceful dissent and tarnish Vietnam's international reputation," said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director. In a joint statement, Amnesty International and Civil Rights Defenders urged Vietnam "to refrain from criminalizing and prosecuting people for peacefully expressing the right to freedom of expression and to respect and protect the right to a fair trial." Responding to the calls for the blogger's release, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Quynh's trial was held in accordance with Vietnamese law. "Like other countries in the world, in Vietnam, all law- violating acts must be strictly dealt with in accordance with the regulations of Vietnamese law," Hang said at a regular briefing. In March, Quynh received the International Women of Courage Award from the US State Department. Vietnam said the award "was not appropriate and of no benefit to the development of the relations between the two countries." In 2015, Quynh was given the Civil Rights Defender of the Year award by the Swedish rights group. According to Human Rights Watch, there are about 110 known political prisoners in Vietnam. Vietnam denies it holds any political prisoners, saying only those who break the law are put behind bars. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vigilance sleuths today arrested police inspector-cum-SHO of Beur police station of Patna district while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.25 lakh from Beur police station's premises, a Vigilance department release said. A Vigilance Investigation Bureau caught Rakesh Kumar Yadav, a police inspector, who was SHO of Beur police station in Patna town, red handed while accepting bribe of Rs 1.25 lakh for allegedly lodging an FIR in connection with a case. Amarendra Kumar, a resident of Gulmehia bagh under Didarganj police station of the district, had lodged a complaint with the Vigilance department that inspector Rakesh Kumar Yadav was demanding a bribe of Rs 1.25 lakh for lodging an FIR in a case, the release said. The allegations were found to be correct during the verification carried out by the Bureau, it said. The accused would be produced before a Special Vigilance Court (I) at Patna after interrogation, the release said. Altogether 43 persons have been arrested in 41 trap cases laid by the Bureau so far in 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Maneka Gandhi has asked the HRD ministry to look into a complaint by a woman who was asked to remove all her jewellery -- including a toe ring that symbolised her marital status -- before she was allowed to sit for an examination for government jobs. In a letter to Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, Delhi resident Rita Verma said she was made to remove her toe ring, worn by married women, bangles and even her 'bindi' before she could appear for the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board examination here on June 25. "Officers there asked me to break my bangles if required if I wanted to enter the school premises," she wrote. She was forced to keep all her 'suhaag' (marital) items outside the school where the examination was being held, she wrote in her June 27 letter, a copy of which is with PTI. Gandhi, outraged at what she said was a "bizarre case", has now shot off a letter to Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar, asking him to draw up "standard operating procedures" to deal with such cases. "Before the school board exams were conducted this year, apparently very strict instructions were issued regarding prevention of cheating during the exams. A large number of students were put to harassment which included body search and stripping in certain incidents," Gandhi said in her letter, also dated June 27. Though she agreed that some students used high-tech gadgets to cheat, "the anti-cheating protocols deployed should not result in harassment", Gandhi contended. In May this year, a woman who had appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to medical courses was asked to remove her bra by the frisking staff at an examination centre in Kovappuram in Kerala before being allowed to sit for the test. In another case in March, officials allegedly strip- searched women students appearing for a matriculation examination at a school in Patna. Maneka went on to recount Verma's woes in her letter to the HRD minister, saying that the candidate found her jewellery missing after the exam. When her officials contacted the school authorities, they said metallic objects were not allowed inside the examination hall, which was why the candidate was asked to remove her jewellery. "It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that they do not put the students/candidates to any harassment on account of their own interpretation of the instructions issued to prevent cheating," she said in her letter. "Therefore I request you to have suitable instructions issued to the schools which are used as centres for examinations to have standard operating procedures to prevent such cases," she added. For Verma, the harassment continued after she returned home, with her in-laws blaming her for the episode. "They (the in-laws) put the blame on me and my parent also had to listen to their harsh words. My in-laws said that I should have chosen not to remove the items and not entered the examination centre because all the (jewellery) was part of our Hindu culture...Please tell me what I should do, and what I did wrong," Verma asked Gandhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NPCIL today put the 'first pour of concrete' for unit three of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), marking the commencement of construction work with a deadline. The project, being built with Russian collaboration, is expected to be completed in 73 months. The total cost of units three and four -- each with a capacity of 1000 MW -- is more than Rs 39,894 crore. A Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) official said the 'first pour of concrete' means the project will now have a deadline. "This moment - the pouring of first concrete - marks the starting point of the NPP power units construction period that is defined in the contractual obligations. "This event marks the commencement of full-scale construction, thermal and electrical erection works at the NPP site and the installation of Russian equipment there," said ASE Engineering Company JSC, vice-president for nuclear projects in South Asia, Andrey Lebedev. ASE Engineering Company JSC is a part of Rostam, the Russian counterpart of India's Department of Atomic Energy. On June 19, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the nuclear watchdog in the country, granted a permit to the NPCIL for 'pouring of first concrete' for units three and four. On June 1 in Saint Petersburg, Russia's ASE Group of Companies and Nuclear Power Corporation of India signed General Framework Agreement for the construction of Kudankulam nuclear power plant units fifth and sixth. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six soldiers were killed in Yemen today, a military source said, as government forces seek to cement their control over Marib province, east of the rebel- held capital. The source said 14 Shiite rebels were also killed over the past 24 hours in intense fighting for Sarwah, the last district in the mainly Sunni province still held by the rebels. The government has been battling since last year to retake the mountainous district which commands the main road to the capital Sanaa. Despite the military intervention of a Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, the government's writ is still largely confined to the south and areas along the Saudi border. The government announced a shake-up of its military command on Wednesday. It also named new governors for three of the six provinces largely under its control -- Hadramawt, Shabwa and the far-flung island of Socotra. Both Hadramawt and Shabwa have seen significant activity by Al-Qaeda, which has taken advantage of the conflict between the government and the rebels to expand its presence. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict, most of them civilians. The country has also been hit by a deadly cholera outbreak and faces the risk of famine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's cotton exports in 2016/17 are likely to fall 17 percent from a year ago to 6 million bales, a leading trade body said on Thursday, as an appreciating rupee dented the competitiveness of the Indian fibre in the world market. The world's biggest cotton producer is likely to have harvested 33.63 million bales of cotton in the 2016/17 season that started on Oct. 1, slightly down from 33.78 million bales a year ago, the Cotton Association of India said in a statement. Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Vietnam are the major buyers of Indian cotton. (1 Indian bale = 170 kg) (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Sunil Nair) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commercial Feature is a Business Standard Digital Marketing Initiative. The Editorial/Content team at Business Standard has not contributed to writing or editing these articles. For further information, please write to assist@bsmail.in Wipro, India's third-largest software services exporter, said on Wednesday that more than half its workforce in the United States consists of locals after it hired more than 1,600 people in the last six months. The statement comes as US President Donald Trump has asked federal agencies to review a visa program that Indian IT firms such as Wipro use to fly engineers to the United States to service clients. A tighter visa regime could force Indian IT companies to step up local hiring in their biggest market, potentially increasing costs and hitting margins. Wipro rival Infosys last month said it planned to hire 10,000 US workers in the next two years and open four technology centres in the United States. Over the past couple of quarters IT clients slowed down discretionary spending, hitting growth in India's $150 billion information technology sector. A leading lobby group for India's IT industry last week forecast that the sector's export revenues would grow at 7-8 percent for the year to March, as the industry faces continued headwinds from the US market. Wipro said on Wednesday that more than 3,000 locals joined the Bengaluru-headquartered firm in fiscal 2017, increasing its total headcount in the US to 14,000. It is also said it is working on expanding its centres in Tampa and Dallas. "We will continue to build a strong local talent pool with diverse skill sets and make strategic investments in close proximity to our clients to serve them better," Wipro Chief Executive Abidali Neemuchwala said. In a regulatory filing earlier this month, Wipro said "significant developments" under the new U.S. government could pose a risk to its business there. China today asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in the Sikkim sector as a precondition for a "meaningful dialogue" to settle the current stand-off, warning that the Indian Army should learn "historical lessons", in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. Launching a media blitzkrieg on the Sikkim stand-off, both Chinese Foreign and Defence Ministries directed their attacks on India and maintained that the Indian army had "illegally trespassed" into the Chinese territory. The People's Liberation Army spokesman, Col Wu Qian also rejected as "extremely irresponsible" Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a "two-and-a-half front war", asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. When asked to respond to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media here. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed two photographs of the alleged Indian "incursion" into Donglong area during a media briefing here. He said the Sikkim stand-off between the troops of the two countries can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photographs from the podium. Later, the ministry uploaded two photographs on its website along with the Chinese transcript of Lu' press briefing. One photo showed two bulldozers stated to be that of Indian military while another showed one bulldozer. A redline in the photos was showed as "Chinese side of the border". In the briefing, Lu said the diplomatic channel for communication between the two countries remains "unimpeded". "We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary immediately. This is the precondition for the settlement of this incident and also the basis for us to conduct any meaningful dialogue," Lu said. Replying to pointed questions by the Chinese official media about Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat's remarks that there was no incursion, "We have said clearly here that the reality is that the Indian border troops illegally trespassed into the Chinese territory across the Sikkim section." "Gen Rawat's remarks also prove that the previous report by the Indian media was not true. The truth cannot be covered up. We again urge the Indian side to abide by the historical boundary convention," he said, referring to China's assertion in the past few days that Sikkim section of the India-China boundary was settled under the Sino-British Treaty of 1890 which Beijing also claims was accepted by India later. Lu said India should respect China's territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops back to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid any escalations. To another question whether the "overstepping" by the Indian troops violated international law and the basic principles of international relations, Lu said the Sikkim sector of the China-Indian border has a very clear legal basis. "According to the convention between China and Great Britain relating to Sikkim and Tibet, in 1890, the boundary of Sikkim and Tibet shall be the crest of the mountain range separating the waters flowing into Sikkim, Teesta and its effluents from the waters flowing into the Tibetan Mochu, then northwards into other rivers of Tibet," he said. "The line commences at the mount Gipmochi on the Bhutan frontier. According to this convention, the Doklong region belongs to China's territory," he said, alleging that India troops trespassed the area. "This is an undeniable fact that the Indian troops have trespassed the boundary and it is violating our historical boundary convention as well as the promises made by the previous Indian governments," he said. About the demarche by Bhutan asking China to stop road construction in the Donglang area, Lu said Donglang has been China's territory since "ancient times". "This is an indisputable reality and we have very adequate legal basis concerning this. This is just a sovereign action by China to conduct road constructions in our territory. This is totally justifiable and lawful," he said. The Chinese media also carried stories on the Sikkim stand-off, saying India's defeat in the 1962 war is having a "lingering effect". "Being defeated by China in 1962 has left a lingering effect on India," an article in China.com, a Chinese portal said, alleging that India is trying to seek political and diplomatic power as well as military superiority. About the Sikkim stand-off it said India is making "unfounded charges" through the Indian media. An article in the Global Times' Chinese edition said while the Sikkim part of the India-China border is settled most of the disputes occurred in the western part. Just a day remains before you can link Aadhar with your PAN card . If you don't do it, your PAN card will technically become invalid from July 1. Despite concerns over the security of Aadhar Cards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government has stuck by its decision to make Aadhar mandatory. Not just the PAN Card, the government also recently announced that all bank accounts must be linked to Aadhar Cards by the end of this year. The government's decision to make Aadhar mandatory for most purposes means owning an Aadhar is no longer a matter of choice for citizens. The Supreme Court had upheld the law linking Aadhar with Pan Card for filing of income tax returns, but also, vaguely enough, imposed a "partial stay" on its implementation. Since there is not a lot of time left for you to link Aadhar with PAN. Here's how can do it: Enter log-in ID, password and date of birth After logging in, go to your profile setting which has the option of linking your Aadhaar Card. Generally, a pop-up window appears, prompting you to link your PAN card with Aadhaar card. Check if the details such as name, date of birth and gender appearing on screen match with those on your Aadhaar card. Enter your Aadhaar card number and click on the 'link now' button. If details on both the cards match, your card will be linked instantly. The government had Through had set July 1 as the deadline to link one's PAN with the Aadhaar number. Failing to do so may lead to invalidation of your PAN card. If that happens, your PAN card will cease to serve as an identity proof, debarring you from transactions that cannot be carried out without quoting PAN. For instance, you may not be able to file your tax returns this year, since quoting Aadhaar and PAN numbers has been made compulsory. Similarly, without a valid PAN card, buying property worth more than Rs 10 lakh will not be permissible. The list is long. PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department used for tracking financial transactions, including big spending. Aadhaar is a 12-digit number code issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), used for establishing identity on the basis of demographic and biometric information. The main purpose is to create a unique, universal identity for Indian citizens that would negate the need for different documents to avail of certain services. It serves as both identity and address proof anywhere in India. It is a step ahead of other identity proofs, such as voting ID card, passport and driving licence, because every Aadhaar card is linked to an individual's biometrics. However, it is far from being perfect. There have been reports of Aadhaar being pilfered. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today asked opposition parties such as Congress and the Left to reconsider their decision to skip the midnight GST launch tomorrow saying they were all consulted on the indirect tax reform and cannot run away from it. "I hope every political party will reconsider and revisit its decision" on not participating in the launch event to be organised in the Central Hall of Parliament, he said. The government, he said, remains committed to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as any other reform. "It is single most important taxation reform in 70 years." All decision on GST, including rules and tax rates, were taken in consultation with states and political parties must display broad shoulder and own up their responsibility, he said. The Congress today decided to keep away from the special midnight June 30 meeting convened by the government on GST implementation. Trinamool Congress has already announced its decision to boycott the event. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has already questioned the government on "hurrying" into introducing GST and recalled that the ruling BJP had opposed the system when it was in the opposition. GST, being billed as the biggest tax reform since Independence, will subsume all indirect state and central levies, making India a single market. Visa applicants from six Muslim-majority countries must have a close U.S. family relationship or formal ties to a U.S. entity to be admitted to the United States under guidance distributed by the U.S. State Department on Wednesday. The guidance defined a close familial relationship as being a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling, including step siblings and other step family relations, according to a copy of a cable distributed to all U.S. diplomatic posts and seen by Reuters. The cable, first reported by the Associated Press, said close family "does not include grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-laws and sisters-in-law, fiances, and any other 'extended' family members." It also specified that any relationship with a U.S. entity "must be formal, documented, and formed in the ordinary course, rather than for the purpose of evading the E.O.," a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's March 6 executive order barring most U.S. travel by citizens of the six nations for 90 days. The cable provides advice to U.S. consular officers on how to interpret Monday's Supreme Court ruling that allowed parts of the executive order, which had been blocked by the courts, to be implemented while the highest U.S. court considers the matter. The six nations whose citizens are covered by the executive order are Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Asked about the guidance issued on Wednesday night, the State Department declined to comment on internal communications. The cable's language closely mirrored the Supreme Court's order on the travel ban, though it appeared to interpret it in a narrow manner, notably in its definition of close family. It was unclear on Wednesday evening whether the State Department's interpretation of the court's order would spark further legal action by opponents of the ban. The guidance gave several examples of what might constitute a bona fide relationship with a U.S. entity, and said broad categories would be exempt from the travel ban, such as those eligible for student visas, "as their bona fide relationship to a person or entity is inherent in the visa classification." Similarly, those eligible for family or employment based immigrant visa applications are exempt from the travel ban, the cable said. The cable said "a worker who accepted an offer of employment from a company in the United States or a lecturer invited to address an audience in the United States would be exempt" from the travel ban, but someone who simply made a hotel reservation would not count as someone with a bona fide relationship. Trump's executive order also imposed a 120-day ban on entry to the United States by refugees. Monday's Supreme Court order, however, said the ban did not cover those refugees "who can credibly claim a bona fide relationship with a person or entity" in the United States. The State Department guidance was unclear on what U.S. refugee agencies regard as a key question: whether their own dealings with refugees applying to come to the United States constituted a bona fide relationship. The cable said that consulates should continue to interview applicants for so-called diversity visas, which are granted to individuals from countries that typically do not send many immigrants to the United States. In 2015, around 10,500 citizens from the six banned countries were selected for the diversity visa lottery, according to State Department figures. The travel ban will likely bar such visas for citizens of the six countries, the cable acknowledged, stating that "we anticipate that very few DV applicants are likely to be exempt from the E.O.'s suspension of entry or to qualify for a waiver." US Vice President Mike Pence has expressed his desire to visit budget carrier SpiceJet's office on his trip to India in a meeting with the airline's chief Ajay Singh. The Indian no-frills airline was lauded by US President Donald Trump for an order of 100 new planes with American aircraft manufacturer Boeing and the massive jobs this will create in the country. Pence had met Singh on Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual gala of the US-India Business Council (USIBC). Thanking SpiceJet CEO for thousands of high value jobs the airline's order would create in the US, Pence said its deal with Boeing was extensively discussed in the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump, according to the airline's spokesperson. "Pence informed Singh that he was invited by the PM to visit India which he has accepted. The VP also expressed a desire to visit the SpiceJet office during his India visit," the spokesperson added. SpiceJet had announced an order of 100 Boeing planes worth USD 22 billion in January. The order is expected to create 1.32 lakh high-skilled jobs in the US. Last month, the airline also signed an initial pact for 40 Boeing 737 MAX planes. This includes conversion of 20 737 MAX 8 airplanes from its existing order of 737 MAX 10s. Singh also gifted a SpiceJet aircraft model to Pence for President Trump. While addressing the USIBC Pence said, "I know that American companies are going to continue to give India's aviation industry the wings it needs to soar. And let me just take the opportunity, as the President did yesterday, to say thank you to SpiceJet for investing and believing in American workers and American businesses." He also thanked Indian businesses "for your investment in our nation's future." In an interview with PTI, Mr Singh said India should be looked upon as not only a strategic partner in a military context, and in the context of two countries together fighting terrorism, but also as a strategic partner that helps create jobs in the US. He also lamented that manufacturing of commercial planes in India "has not been given a thought to, at the moment". After the Indian benchmark indices witnessed a massive bull run in the first six months of 2017, as many as 14 stocks in the BSE-500 list have soared to fetch over 100 per cent returns, turning multibaggers in just a short period of time. Leading the pack is Future Retail Ltd that zoomed over 191 per cent till date. On June 29th, 2017 the scrip was trading 0.49 per cent higher at Rs 365.40 as on 1.20 pm (IST). The company is the retail arm of Kishore Biyani-led Future Group that operates value and lifestyle retail stores. The company posted a 17.3 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 123.05 crore for March quarter with its total revenue from operations was climbing 25.3 per cent higher at Rs 4,483 crore. In May, Future Retail announced that it plans to set up 4,000 'neighbourhood' stores in the next 3-5 years. Following Future Retail is Indiabulls and Avanti Feeds that have given over 189 per cent and 183 per cent respectively. Avanti Feeds, interestingly, started off as a small business based out of Vizag. It initially catered to a niche market but has now expanded to B2B and B2C. The company is now a market leader in manufacturer of prawn and fish feed and a shrimp processor and exporter. It is continually expanding in all value chains. Moreover with a increase of health consciousness, Avanti Feeds has successfully ensconced in the pro-health market. Indian low-cost carrier Spice Jet , too, has outperformed in the market. SpiceJet recently made headlines as it was ranked the best performing airline stock in the world by Bloomberg Intelligence Index, gaining more than 800 per cent, creating a $1.2 billion market value. Spice Jet has placed an order of $22-billion for Boeing planes and received praise from US President Donald Trump over the deal. Below is the list of all 14 stocks that soared over 100% this year: While the positive impact of GST on the economy is still being debated, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government has taken its first step to divest stake in the loss-making national carrier Air India. The finance minister Arun Jaitley announced that the cabinet has given in-principle approval for disinvestment in AI, and a group of ministers (GoM) will be formed to look into the divestment process. If the government succeeds in selling AI this time, the third such attempt in the past two decades, it would definitely reaffirm the current government's commitment of ensuring "minimum government, maximum governance". In his 2014 visit to the US, PM Modi had said that "it is not the government's business to run a business." With AI disinvestment, he seems to be walking the talk. The cabinet approval is the initial step in what seems like a process lasting several months. According to rough estimates, the deal is likely to be concluded by the end of the current financial year. Given the dismal performance of the airline, the government might have to throw its weight around to conclude the deal. So far, no major corporate group has evinced interest in buying AI. The government though has reportedly held informal meeting with Tata Group chairman N. Chandrasekaran to sell majority stake. Since the government's intent is clear, getting regulatory clearances - and reaching consensus within the group members - will not be an issue. Thankfully, the disinvestment would not require approval from parliament which could well have been a tardy process. In 1994, Air Corporation Act was repealed that ended the monopoly of national air corporations and opened the sector for private carriers. Finding the right buyer who can pay reasonable price is going to be the biggest challenge. AI, which is fully owned by the government, has huge national interest, and to say the least, the whole disinvestment process needs to be transparent. Several attempts to revive AI have failed miserably. The last biggest (futile) attempt was made in 2011 when the government approved Rs 30,231 crore turnaround plan (TAP) to pull the airline out of mounting losses and debt burden. Setting up of the first-ever GoM, a select group of ministers, looks like a u-turn by the government. Soon after coming to power, Modi dissolved all ministerial panels - some 27 GoMs and 24 EGoMs -formed by the UPA-II government to take decisions on policy and corruption matters. Decisions taken by GoMs in the previous regime were referred to the cabinet for its consideration. The same procedure is likely to be followed in AI's case. Even as the role of this group is yet to be understood, it is apparent that the government will have to make AI an attractive asset for prospective buyer. The GoM's task could include finalising a buyer, engaging with private valuation agencies, defining government's role in paring down debt, and reworking the organisational structure. At present, AI has multiple arms - aviation (Air India, Alliance Air and Air India Express), maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations, hospitality (Centaur Hotels), and airport services (Air India SATS). Each of them can be possibly hived off and sold individually, if needed. The government will also have to deal with obvious tendencies to hyberbolize the airline's debt burden (of Rs 46,570 crore) and avoid devaluing its assets. For the past few weeks, the discussions around AI sale are often loaded with cynical view of its high debt levels. There's no denying that the airline has its own sets of issues but that doesn't make it a distressed asset. Globally, there have been instances where corporations with deep problems could command premium on the back of window dressing. AI might not need to do that. It has some valuable assets that should lure serious buyers. This includes marquee assets in metro cities, large market share, sizable fleet, plentiful prime slots (parking and landing) slots at key airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, London, New York and Tokyo. For now, the government has set the ball rolling. Anglophone Leaders heavily guarded W. Musa Some two Anglophone leaders and 25 others will this Thursday June 29, 2017 appear before judges at the Yaounde Military court for the umpteen times to answer charges of vandalism, secession, propagation of false information among others. The trial of Barrister Agbor Balla and Dr Fontem Neba, President and Secretary General of the outlawed Anglophone Consortium respectively, resumes weeks after the military court denied granting them release on Judicial supervision. Defense counsel had applied for release on judicial supervision but the presiding Judge ruled it out saying the charges are too heavy to grant their request. During the last trial on June 7, 2017 activist Mancho Bibixy appeared in court bare feet looking haggard and worn-out. Thursdays session will involve all Anglophones arrested during the crisis which went violent in the two English speaking regions. Official figures put the number of detainees to 71 including Lawyers, Teachers, Journalists among others. Political actors and even the United Nations have called on the Cameroon government to release all those arrested and engage on positive dialogue. SDF Mayors W. Musa The Social Democratic Front political party, Cameroons leading opposition party has finally made amends with two of its Mayors who rubbished the partys investiture drive in the 2013 municipal and parliamentary elections. The Guardian Post newspaper reports that Mayors Tanjong Martin of Tubah Council and Ndobegang Martin of Kumba II council were reintegrated with Mayor Ndobegang now attending the NEC meeting but details of their reintegration have not been known. The two went against party discipline in 2013 when SDF chairman Ni John Fru Ndi instructed that the only persons to table their candidatures for post of Mayor ,the party had chosen Sofa Meji and Asapngu for Tubah and Kumba II respectively but Tanjong and Ndobegang tabled their names and won. Article 8.2 was therefore used to suspend them from the party. The Mayor of Tubah was only invited to his first SDF gathering since 2013, in Kumba to take part in meeting grouping Mayors and their deputies under the SDF banner. | BY Ricki Green | Rapid Films and Rapid VR are now simply, Rapid. And its name is not the only thing thats evolving. Already a successful full-service production company and global leader in 360VR creation, Rapid is reinforcing its new positioning as innovative storytellers with some significant new additions to both the talent and production rosters. Joining the family are directors Gregor Jordan and Ben Watts, as well as established industry leaders Abby Hunt in the executive producer role, and Steve Thomson in the newly created position of creative partner. The pair join former Macquarie Bank director Matt Klaiber, heading up Rapids business development and internal partnerships. With features such as Two Hands, Ned Kelly, Buffalo Soldiers, plus several award-winning campaigns to his credit including the Cannes Gold Lion winning The Great Crusade for Qantas, iconic director Gregor Jordan needs no introduction to either the film or advertising worlds. As well as building upon this already solid resume, Jordan is keen to explore some of the possibilities Rapid has to offer in the growing innovation space. Globally acclaimed fashion and lifestyle photographer, US-based expat Ben Watts joins the Rapid team eager to build upon his promising body of motion work, that already includes US campaigns for Nike, Victorias Secret, Guess and Ralph Lauren. Watts also loves a good excuse to head down under, particularly his hometown of Sydney where he and his also famous sibling Naomi, were raised. Abby Hunt arrives at Rapid following a prestigious career working with some of the worlds leading agencies and directors. Establishing her name at BBH London, Hunt went on to work at Propaganda/Satellite with Michael Bay and Spike Jones, before running Partizan Pictures and working with the legendary Michel Gondry. Upon returning to Australia, Hunt joined BWM as national head of onscreen. Hunt is eager to consolidate Rapids reputation for crafted, quality filmmaking. Former TBWA Chiat Day, Los Angeles creative Steve Thomson jumps on board following a recent long-term freelance stint with some of Sydneys leading agencies. Upon returning to Sydney from LA in 2009, Thomson founded local independent Bondi Advertising where he also created one of the worlds first AR exhibits, at Sculpture by The Sea. He is tasked with helping clients and agencies adapt messaging for innovative mediums, while elevating Rapids ideation and storytelling capabilities. Says Susannah Phillips, co-founder and executive producer, Rapid: We are all really excited about the new direction Rapid is taking. Gregor, Ben, Abby and Steve bring a wealth of knowledge and talent to the team and Im excited to continue to develop the company in both existing and new areas of the business. To find out more of whats going down over at Rapid HQ, visit Rapids new website at rapidfilms.com. | BY Ricki Green | Following a rigorous round of online judging by 125 industry experts, The Communications Council announces 97 finalists from 34 agencies on behalf of 46 clients have made it into round two of the Australian Effie Awards led by BMF Sydney and Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne with 12 finalists apiece. Leo Burnett Melbourne and AFFINITY each has six finalists. Finalists now compete for effectiveness awards across 24 categories, assessed by a team of 50 senior marketers, consultants and researchers. The Effie winners, Effective Agency of the Year, Advertiser of the Year, and Grand Effie will be announced at a presentation in Sydney on Thursday 31 August. VIEW THE FINALISTS 2017 Australian Effie Award Finalists (1).pdf Says Chairman of Judges, Colin Wilson-Brown: Id like to thank the first round judges for their time, insights and scrutiny. To see such a high number of finalists progress sends a strong message around the value of the work being delivered by our industry. The next round takes that further, with cases and results assessed by panels of senior marketers, providing a client perspective on how agency work is driving business performance. | BY Ricki Green | With help from Y&R New Zealand, Kraft Heinz Australia has launched a major campaign for its new infant food pouches that feature a transparent window. The campaign has launched on free-to-air channels, and will roll out across a range of media including out-of-home, digital, and shopper media. Says Jono Key, managing director, Y&R NZ: New mums, especially first-time mums, are always looking to interrogate the list of ingredients on products before buying. A pushy border security guard proved the perfect vehicle to validate the Heinz real food credentials. This is our first piece of work for Kraft Heinz Australia and were looking forward to launching more throughout the year. Says Josh Moore, CCO, Y&R NZ: After 14 years on-air, Border Security remains one of Australian TVs highest rating shows this made it the perfect cultural currency to have fun with. Special thanks to Flying Fish and the Heinz team for making this campaign a pleasure to produce. Client: Kraft Heinz Australia Agency: Y&R NZ Josh Moore CEO / CCO Jono Key Managing Director / Head of planning Tom Paine Executive Creative Director Josh Moore Creative Ellen Fromm Copywriter Sacha Moore Head Producer Fiona Chantaloup Senior Producer Katie Loverich Senior Account Director Heike Middleton Senior Account Manager Caroline Wilkie Designer Media Mediavest Melbourne Kate Provan Group Account Director Emma Schmidt Account Manager Keily Brown Investor Taylor Svarc Digital Director Production Company: Flying Fish Director: Gregor Nicholas Producer: Penelope Sinclair DOP: Marty Williams Editor: Alex OShaunessy Post Production: Puck Murphy, Anita Ward, Mandy VFX Grade: Pete Ritchie | BY Lynchy | From landing her dream gig to judging award shows, Leo Burnett Sydney senior copywriter Karen Ferry has come a long way since graduating in the top 30 of her AWARD School class in 2009. Here, she reveals in an interview with The Communications Council how tackling unexpected hurdles and tapping into her own emotional insight have given her the creative (and business) edge to succeed. TCC: How many years has it been since you did AWARD School? KF: I graduated top 30 in 2009, so it would be eight years now since I did the course. TCC: What have been your career highlights since then? Any favourite campaigns? KF: Theres been a heap of highlights. Working at agencies like DDB, The Monkeys and Leo Burnett. Winning awards, and then getting to judge award shows. Helping establish a now successful agency. Back when I did AWARD School I was only focused on what campaigns I was making over the next few months. I never stopped to imagine where Id be in 2017, so my progress is probably the most rewarding thing. Places are now open for the AWARD School 2018 application workshop, taking place in Sydney on October 21 and Melbourne TBC. The workshop is designed to give hopeful AWARD School students the best chance of acceptance. Book here. | BY Ricki Green | Designed by independent Brisbane creative agency next Thursday, the launch of specialist commercial insurance brand Marine Protect: Powered by NTI has been developed with industry disruption in mind. The agency produced a logo suite, brand identity, magazine campaign, website, and a launch video and high-impact DM piece. The video features Game of Thrones The Hound actor Rory McCann reading the famous poem Sea Fever by John Masefield. Says Dan Adler, managing director of next Thursday: The launch of Marine Protect had to involve a larger-than-life creative marketing piece that would cement its place as Australias leading marine insurance specialist and turn heads among key industry players. Our intent was to create a unique, tangible piece that would become a talking point amongst key decision makers in the industry. The solution was a custom-made wooden book, shaped like an old ships hull, with a salvaged 17th century coin nailed to the front cover. These coins were recovered from the Sao Jose W sunk in the Mozambique Channel near Madagascar. The inclusion of the coin makes a very strong statement about the commitment and capability of the Marine Protect: Powered by NTI brand. Measuring 52cm by 32cm, and weighing four kilos, the book outlines Marine Protects products and tells the story of the Sao Jose W, a Portuguese ship sunk by a British and Dutch fleet in 1622. The 36-page book features three double gatefolds that measure 1.5 metres wide when open. The books were bound by two-inch mooring rope, with both ends dipped in tar. Even the headlines were unique, being photographed underwater. Adler said that the agency was thrilled to be working with NTI, describing them as an unparalleled leader in their field: The team at NTI are impassioned brand advocates whose customers remain with them for 10, 15, even 20 years. Its an honour to share in their passion and bring Marine Protect to life through such vibrant, memorable creative. Andy Iles next Thursday Creative Director Charles Schaefer next Thursday Senior Copywriter Dan Adler next Thursday Managing Director Tom Kimmorley next Thursday Art Director Danielle Milazzo next Thursday Senior Art Director Tanya ONeill next Thursday Senior Account Manager Matt Fryer next Thursday Production Manager Matt Fryer next Thursday Photographer Luke Muller NTI National Manager Brand and Communications Paul Muller NTI National Manager Market and Strategy Development External suppliers: Adam Head Book production Heads Up Film Services Roger Tanti Printcraft Book Print Production Ricky Marks Video Editor Ross Batten Video Sound Design | BY Ricki Green | Building on the authentic brand voice created with the success of the Jerry Can Ride documentary last year, Sailor Jerry is set to launch a new campaign Origins of Original via Kontented. The campaign will aim to tell the story of Sailor Jerrys character through a curated collection of his original artwork in a travelling exhibition. Says Andrew Skehan, marketing manager, William Grant & Sons, Australia: The Jerry Can Ride in 16 was epic. I just didnt think we could beat it, but the plans for Origins of Original embodies our Sailor Jerry ethos by bringing to life the man and namesake of our brand Norm Sailor Jerry Collins. By travelling his priceless artwork around the country and supporting local tattooists, artists and musicians as Sailor Jerry did himself in the day, we will continue to share his amazing story which is the backbone to the brand. Its going to be big and our brand is so proud of the work to date. With Kontented once again documenting the journey, the campaign will also demonstrate how tattoo culture has evolved by telling the stories of contemporary local tattoo artists and the people who share similar values and passions to that of Norman Collins. By delivering a travelling art, music and tattoo show to 6 Australian cities and towns, the documentary will aim to showcase that this same character manifests in other passion areas like music and other art forms. Says Miguel Garcia, head of strategy and client services, Kontented: Over the course of the last 8 months weve been pulling together one of the most prolific art collections and getting ready to travel it alongside 6 of Australias most high profile artists in the tattoo industry. The original Kontented production has been developed in conjunction with our massive social strategy which aims to connect content with our target demo in a seamless and genuine way. Sailor Jerry is a great brand and we cant wait to tell its story again this year. | BY Ricki Green | Samsung Electronics Australia has today revealed a new local advertising campaign via Leo Burnett, Sydney for its flagship Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones, shining a spot light on one of the countrys most contentious debates between two rural communities- who is Australias wettest town? For over 70 years, the remote Queensland communities of Babinda and Tully have each vied for the coveted title using rainfall and deluge as metrics to determine the victor. A good humoured and healthy competition has developed over the years driving tourism to the region and in 2003, saw Tully erect its own monument to the saga, the Golden Gumboot. For Samsung, there was no better setting to showcase the recently launched Galaxy S8 and S8+ in action highlighting the key features of IP68 water resistance, new Infinity Display and 8MP, low-light compatible front facing camera for exceptional selfies than in Queenslands Babinda and Tully. Says Richard Fink, vice president for IT and mobile, Samsung: The wettest town showdown brings together quintessentially Australian story that has spanned generations across the communities of Babinda and Tully and connects this with the way our smartphone technology can play a role in everyday lives. The story also had great synergies with our brand. At Samsung, we develop technology that enables our customers to live without boundaries which The Wettest Town Showdown story communicates. Samsung, The Wettest Town Showdown was conceptualised by creative agency Leo Burnett Sydney, and features some of the real-life residents of Babinda and Tully, using the Galaxy S8 and S8+ to capture life in the wettest towns of Australia. Says Vince Lagana, ECD, Leo Burnett Sydney: Having worked on the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ we really wanted to bring some Australian colour to this local extension of the unbox your phone campaign. As with all our Samsung work, we wanted to demonstrate their commitment to creating products with a real human purpose. Samsungs technology exists to help people live more fully and more freely, and The Wettest Town Showdown is a refreshingly fun demonstration of that; using real people and a real story. Concept and execution: Leo Burnett Sydney Production Company: Rabbit Director: Craig Rasmus Publicity: Edelman Australia | BY Ricki Green | In a musical moment 40 years in the making, YMCA Australia via Be Counsel, has today reclaimed the Village Peoples global hit of the same name, partnering with Boy George to re-create the iconic tune. Through the re-interpretation of the iconic song, the YMCA aims to shine a light on the issues that Australias youth are facing today. The song aims to provide a message of hope to young people across Australia, and ultimately, aims to encourage young people to speak up and have their voices heard. The inspiration for the campaign was born from new research by YMCA Australia which has revealed the primary issues facing todays youth where they feel unheard and powerless. Alarmingly, almost three quarters (74%) of Australians aged 13 22 dont believe those in power are making the best decisions possible for the future of young people. A further two thirds (66%) stated that they feel their age prevents them from having a voice in society that people listen to, while more than half (57%) believe that social media is the only avenue to have their voice heard by society and those in power. Of the issues that are important to Australias youth but feel they arent being heard on, youth unemployment ranked first (87%), closely followed by marriage equality (86%) and mental health (80%). YMCA Australia CEO, Melinda Crole, commented that these findings were a key reason behind the YMCA taking such a passionate public stance through its reinterpretation of the Village People song. Says Crole: Young people have overwhelmingly told us that their voices are not being given a say in decisions made by governments, institutions and employers that affect their lives. They have ideas, energy, dreams and visions for a better future but too many are drowning in despair because they feel ignored. Every day, politicians are making decisions that will impact the country and the futures of our young people without even bothering to ask them what they think, and its simply not good enough. Boy Georges poignant version of YMCA with greater emphasis on the lyrics within the verses, captures the angst and despair of young people, tempered with a message of hope. Says Daniel Goodfellow, managing director, Be Counsel: Campaigns like this work when there is substance underneath them. In that sense, this initiative signals a renewal for an organisation that has operated in Australia for over 150 years. We salute the bravery of YMCA in tackling the elephant in the room head on and embracing this song and all the powerful messages it contains. With this new version, the YMCA implores young people to speak up, and provides an online platform for Australias youth to contact the Government on the issues theyd like addressed. Young people are invited to visit whynot.org to send those in power a letter on the issue that matters most to them. The Why Not? campaign signifies a rebirth of the YMCA, currently known for gyms and swims, to an organisation dedicated to young people. Agency: Be Counsel Executive Creative Director: Simon Hammond Executive Producer: Daniel Goodfellow Director: Nick Sullivan Director of photography: Daniel Coolahan Editor: Bruce Walters Production Manager: Bronte Jovevski Agency Producer: Ryan Barwood Communications Lead: Elise Parker Media relations: Alt/Shift Social agency: Social Media Ready Digital: Pretty Neat Dianne McDonald: Executive Manager Communications YMCA Australia Is it OK to say 'Happy Veterans Day'? What to know about the holiday Nation "When people return home from hospital they often feel overwhelmed, forget what they're meant to do and don't know the local services available or anticipate the services they may need in the future," she said. Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University Uttar Pradesh (AKTU), Lucknow is likely to release the first allotment result and seat confirmation on their official website. How is the seat allotment process done? The allotment will be done on the basis of merit list and the choices filled by the aspirants during the choice filling process. The online choice filling process concluded on June 26, 2017, Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Exam (UPSEE) 2017. The counseling process for admission in the engineering colleges had started on June 24, 2017. How to check AKTU UPSEE allotment result 2017? Go to the official website. On the homepage, click on 'first seat allotment result' flashing in the middle of the page. Enter the required details like registration number and security code. Take a print out of the results and keep a copy for further reference. Important note: From today till July 2, 2017, the candidates can now freeze, float or withdraw the seats allotted to them. In the freeze option, an aspirant who is satisfied with the presently allotted seat to his/ her and does not want to be considered for up gradation of the seat in any subsequent rounds of counselling is required to opt for the freeze option. The registration fee submitted by the candidate will be adjusted against Institute fee at the time of admission in the allotted institute of the candidate. The candidate, after exercising this option must download and print his/her provisional allotment letter. About UPSEE: According to UPSEE official website, The entrance examination for degree level engineering institutions and other professional colleges has been assigned to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow vides Govt. order no. 4929/solah-1-2016-14(54)/2012 dated 21-12-2016. The Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, Technical Education Department, has consented for the constitution of Central Admission Board (CAB) under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow to supervise and control the State Entrance Examination herein after referred as UPSEE-2017 being conducted by Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. The CAB has absolute rights for conducting of UPSEE-2017, and to decide about modalities of admissions and allotment of seats. The jurisdiction of CAB extends to colleges/institutes affiliated to AKTU, Lucknow. The CAB is authorized to take every decision regarding conduct and admissions through UPSEE-2017. Also read: UPSEE 2017 Counselling Dates Released: Check Now! Toyota has launched the production of the all-new 2018 Camry at its Kentucky factory. The new Toyota Camry is the companys first model in North America that was designed and manufactured based on the New Global Architecture that was first seen on the Prius and C-HR models. Toyota claims that the adoption of the TNGA architecture will play a vital role on the improvement of fuel efficiency, handling and comfort. The launch of the next-generation Camry is important for Toyota in America, and expands the companys footprint in and commitment to Kentucky, said Wil James, president Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky. We are proud to be the first in North America to produce a vehicle with TNGA. Its a testament to the skill and dedication of our team members. The factory recently hired more than 700 people in order to support the launch of the new Camry, raising the number of employees working there to an all-time high of over 8,000. Toyotas Kentucky plant has produced more than 11 million cars, including more than 8 million Camrys. The plant has also received a $1.33 billion investment from Toyota for making it fit to produce TNGA-based models and other improvements that will modernize and streamline the production process. As for the 2018 Toyota Camry, the new generation will be offered with a 206hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a 176hp hybrid powertrain and a range-topping 301hp 3.5-litre V6 engine. The new model also claims to offer class-leading fuel economy in its Hybrid version, returning an EPA-estimated mpg of 51 city/ 53 highway/52 combined. The first cars are set to arrive in dealers nationwide later this summer, with prices starting from $23,495 for the base 2.5-litre model. PHOTO GALLERY 60 years is a long time, but thats how long its been since Fiat launched the original Cinquecento. So you can understand that the Italian automaker would want to celebrate the occasion. That kind of celebration in the automotive industry typically takes the form of a special edition. But in this case theres not just one, but two anniversary editions of the Fiat 500. The first we saw a few months ago in Geneva in the form of the Sessantesimo edition. Now Fiats released another. Its called the Anniversario edition, and it takes the whole retro thing even further crucially positioned at a more accessible price point than the costly Sessantesimo. Its distinguished by such special touches as chrome trim on the hood and mirror caps, special 16-inch wheels, old-style Fiat badges, and special logos on the bodywork and the striped fabric interior. It all harkens back to the Dolce Vita spirit of the Fifties and Sixties when the Cinquecento was motorizing post-war Italy following the vehicles launch on July 4, 1957. Buyers will be able to choose from a range of engines with outputs from 69 to 105hp, and between hatchback or convertible bodystyles. Theres even a pair of new colors on offer, called Sicilia Orange and Riviera Green to make it all the more special. The special treatment is applied to the European model, which is slightly different from the one made in Mexico for the North American market. So we shouldnt expect to find this one in Fiat Studios back Stateside. Pricing in its home market of Italy starts at just 13,600 euros. Photo Gallery Video The Fisker Emotion is shaping up to be one of the more interesting electric vehicles and the company has just begun accepting reservations. While detailed specifications havent been announced, customers who are interested in the model can visit the companys website and reserve a car for a $2,000 deposit. Thats a little steep but Fisker revealed potential customers can only reserve up to three cars which seems like more than enough. Besides opening up reservations, Fisker released a new video which gives us a better look at the upcoming model. In the clip, we can see the car has carbon fiber mirror caps, a carbon fiber rear diffuser, and unique wheels with carbon fiber rims. The latter item is backed up by a high-performance Brembo braking system. Little else is known about the car but Fisker has already confirmed the Emotion will be all-wheel drive and have a range in excess of 400 miles (643 km). More importantly, the vehicle will come with a quick charging feature which will provide 125 miles (201 km) of range in just nine minutes. The Emotion will be unveiled on August 17th and pricing will start at $129,900. Video Photo Gallery Well, the Dacia Sandero Stepway Very Limited Edition is not exactly available for order just yet, but it will be, by the end of the year. Announced during the brands ninth annual picnic, which saw almost 10,000 guests gathering in South of Paris, France, the special edition of the supermini will have to be voted on social media, from three propositions, each with a different look. The first one is called City, and features a black exterior with special decals on the side mirror casings and roof, while the second one, known as Navy, has a naval theme, emphasized by the look of the hood and roof. Finally, the most colorful of the three is the Pop Art, with its vibrant decals added to the roof, hood, side mirror caps, and parts of the profile. Dacia will only be making 150 copies of the winner, but have yet to announce on what trim level it will be based, and what engine will power it. Voting is open until July 12, so we could be looking into a late summer unveil, or even a 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show presentation, where it might share the same space with the new Duster. PHOTO GALLERY Photo: RDCO The Regional District of Central Okanagan has opened several waterfront parks and beaches for the July long weekend. While park and beach areas may be open to the public, RDCO officials say there may not be much beach area due to continued record high lake levels. The following parks will be open over the long weekend: Traders Cove Regional Park Kalaimor Regional Park Raymer Bay Regional Park Kaloya Regional Park Reiswig Regional Park Gellatly Nut Far Regional Park Bertram Creek Regional Park At this time there are no known issues with water quality although visitors may expect to find debris along the shoreline at these waterfront parks. Click here for the latest information on beach water quality. Please do not remove any debris as it continues to protect against wave erosion. Anyone swimming should watch for and avoid any floating debris. Effective immediately, the previously closed half-kilometre section of the Water Front Trail in Kalamoir Regional Park is open again. However, sandbag protection remains in place and visitors are asked to stay off the sandbag dike to prevent any damage. While the above mentioned parks will be open, several remain closed, including: Antlers Beach Regional Park near the south end of Peachland Okanagan Centre Safe Harbour Regional Park on Okanagan Centre Road West in Lake Country Glen Canyon Regional Park from the Acorn bridge downstream to the Gellatly Road parking area and from the Constable Neil Bruce entrance upstream to the Coventry Crescent entrance at Last Mountain Community Park Hardy Falls Regional Park Mill Creek Regional Park Fintry Community Park Access #1 (boat launch) Killiney Beach Community Park including the boat launch When its safe, regional parks staff will be assessing the condition of bridges, trails and other infrastructure in these closed parks Photo: Ryan Liboiron Gyro Beach gets battered by waves on June 27, 2017. As boaters flock to the Okanagan, it is important to remind people that lake levels remain the highest seen in decades. A new wake guideline has been created in the Okanagan to create awareness of boating practices during high water levels to minimize erosion to vulnerable shorelines. Some areas are still 60 centimetres over full pool, and the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations is asking people to be aware of a few details before trying to go boating. Boaters should know which boat launches and fuelling station are open as most have been closed for safety reasons. Familiarize vulnerable shorelines such as Kalamalka, Okanagan, Ellison Duck and Wood lakes. Low wake zones mean no hydroplaning, wake height should be no more than 30 cm. Extra caution is needed for large and heavier boats. Small boats should remain 300 metres from the shoreline or travel in the centre of the lake. Go dead slow when travelling within 300 metres of the shoreline. Watch for debris and submerged docks. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations centre said once the lake levels reach a more reasonable level, regular boating activities can resume. For more information, visit this link. Photo: Tourism Kelowna Kelowna's new $2.8-million visitor centre has received a $500,000 grant from the provincial government. A development permit was issued by the city on Tuesday, and Tourism Kelowna has a mortgage secured for the project. The provincial government offered the grant as part of its year-end grant process in March, said Daniel Bibby, Tourism Kelowna chair. "Our board decided we should wait until final council approval and wait until the development permit was official before we announced it." Tourism Kelowna is seeking a federal grant along with private sector sponsors. We were hoping to be able to announce the source of all the funding today but negotiations continue with various parties, says Bibby. Our objective is to break ground this fall and open the new visitor centre by next September. Photo: Denise Egan Some flood barriers are being removed from waterfront parks Okanagan Lake continues to inch its way down to a level we haven't seen in more than a month. The lake dropped another 1.5 centimetres since Wednesday morning. As of 5:30 Thursday, it sat at 343.052 metres above sea level. Given the rate of drop over the past several days, the lake level should dip below the 343 metre mark on the weekend. It was May 26 when the level of the lake crept above 343 metres above sea level. It climbed another 24 centimetres before levelling off. Crews will be busy today removing flood mitigation from some waterfront parks and road ends in Peachland and West Kelowna. Areas are also being prepared for Canada Day celebrations where possible. A task force is looking at areas around both City Park and Tugboat Bay in Kelowna to determine just what flood mitigation can be removed from those areas as well. Yesterday, the Regional District announced several waterfront parks and beaches were opening for the Canada Day long weekend. These include: Traders Cove Regional Park Kalaimor Regional Park Raymer Bay Regional Park Kaloya Regional Park Reiswig Regional Park Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park Bertram Creek Regional Park Click here for a list of what is open and what is closed to the public. Photo: Contributed Castanet's new downtown studio will also be the new home of Juice FM Castanet has struck a deal with Vista Radio to buy Kelownas Juice FM 103.9. The CRTC announced today the proposal is now set down for a hearing in Ottawa on Sept. 7. Approval is expected sometime in October. The founder of Castanet Nick Frost said, When this opportunity came up, we thought it was the right thing to do for two key reasons: to broaden our reach when viewers arent online, and to bring an entirely different local radio service to the city." Castanets general manager Chris Kearney, said the FM station will broadcast from the heart of the newsroom in our new Lawrence Avenue studios. We have exciting plans to combine online, radio, & TV on Kelownas Homepage," said Kearney. "Castanet has lots of great content that will now be heard on the airwaves too. Depending on CRTC timing, its possible that Castanet FM will be on-air in the late fall. Photo: Darren Handschuh It is something most people take for granted and put on each day without a second thought. But for those living on the fringes of society, something as simple as underwear can be a luxury. For the month of July, the Vernon Upper Room Mission is asking the public to help with something unmentionable or rather unmentionables. Starting July 1, the URM will be running the UnderAWARE campaign, with hopes of collecting underwear. Lisa Anderson, co-executive director of the URM, said the missions outreach department noticed the demand for both mens and womens undergarments are very high, while the supply is limited, often absent. For individuals living in poverty or homelessness, underwear is a very basis need, but one of the most difficult items to acquire. The outreach team has a goal of 250 pairs of new underwear with this campaign, said Anderson. People dont usually think about donating underwear, or perhaps feel awkward or uncomfortable, not really knowing if it is an acceptable item to donate. The goal of our UnderAWARE drive is to, of course, collect and grow our depleted supply of underwear, but also bring awareness and conversation around the fact that everyone deserves a fresh, clean pair of underpants. Being able to offer clean underwear to someone goes a long way in promoting their self-confidence and most importantly, their dignity. Donations of new mens and womens underwear can be dropped off at the Upper Room Mission, 3403-27th Ave., Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Only new underwear will be accepted due to hygiene reasons. To thank the community for their continuous support, the Upper Room Mission will be hosting an open house barbecue Sunday, July 30 from noon to 2 p.m. Underwear will also be accepted at the open house. UPDATE 3:57 p.m. Calling it a brazen, daylight incident, police continued Thursday afternoon to investigate a shooting in Polson Park. The RCMP are appealing for witnesses. One man is in hospital. At 1:30 p.m., police received several reports someone had been shot. Upon arrival at the scene, investigators discovered a man who was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to hospital for treatment of what police called serious but non-life threatening injuries. "The park was immediately closed and systematically evacuated to ensure public safety and to identify and speak with possible witnesses to this incident," said Cpl. Janelle Shoihet, RCMP spokesperson. An evidentiary search is currently underway with assistance from the integrated police dog service. During this time, areas of the park, including the boardwalk, steps and walkway will remain inaccessible, while other areas of the park have re-opened. Shoihet said police are working to identify those responsible for this brazen, daylight incident. Anyone with information or was a witness to the incident and have not already spoken to the RCMP, are asked to call the police at 250-545-7171 and cite file # 2017-13984. UPDATE 2:45 p.m. Polson Park was closed to the public Thursday afternoon after Vernon RCMP swarmed the area. One person has been taken to hospital. More than a dozen police cars, along with ambulance and fire crews, descended on the park after an unconfirmed report of a violent incident near a homeless encampment. An ambulance crew and firefighters were asked to remain away from the scene until authorized to enter the area. Shortly after arriving, police closed the entire park, demanding members of the public leave. City bylaw officials were also on hand making sure no one else entered the park, setting up barricades at the entrance to Highway 6. At least five police cars were in the main part of Polson Park with another half dozen parked at the Polson Drive entrance to the boardwalk area. There is no official word on what happened, but two people at the scene told Castanet someone had been shot in the so called 'tent city.' Numerous people are living in the park full-time, but there is no word if the incident was connected to the homeless camp. One man who was leaving the wooded area after speaking with police told Castanet someone had been shot near the boardwalk area. The man declined to give his name. RCMP with assault rifles could be seen entering the wooded area of the park from Polson Drive. A police dog unit was also seen with the armed officers. One injured male was taken to hospital by ambulance after being tended to in the park, according to Vernon Fire Rescue. The fire department refused further comment stating it was still an open police investigation. Castanet has called the RCMP for comment and will update when more information becomes available. UPDATE: 2:32 p.m. The RCMP have closed Polson Park to the public. Barricades were being set up and at least a dozen police officers were involved in the operation Thursday afternoon. The immediate closure follows an incident at the back of the park where homeless people have been camping. Police, fire and ambulance converged on the scene around 1:40 p.m. after an unconfirmed report of a shooting. UPDATE: 2:07 p.m. An ambulance has arrived at Polson Park in an area known to be used by homeless people camping and where police have blocked off the scene. ORIGINAL STORY: 1:49 p.m. A number of police cars have converged on Polson Park for an incident believed to be in an area where homeless people have been camping. Witnesses saw a number of police cars with sirens going, heading to the area shortly after 1:30 p.m. Police officers with dogs were reported to be at the scene, in a wooded area behind the Kal Tire office. Six police vehicles have blocked off Polson Drive, directly behind the Kal Tire office. Castanet will update when information becomes available. Sign up for our newsletter The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. on Wednesday to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers. We anticipate Tennessees interstates and state routes will be especially busy this July 4th holiday, TDOT Commissioner John Schroer said. To help those traveling in Tennessee reach their destinations safely and without unnecessary delays, we are suspending lane closures for this holiday travel period. Motorists will still encounter some long term lane closures on construction projects. While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on site in construction zones and reduced speed limits in work zones will still be in effect. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums. AAA projects a record breaking 44.2 million Americans will travel this Independence Day weekend, an increase of 1.3 million more than last year. Over 37 million will travel by automobile. In Tennessee, AAA estimates over 872,000 will travel during the holiday, with over 782,000 driving to their destinations. From a desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel. In 2016, the Tennessee Department of Transportation lost three workers in the line of duty. All three were struck by passing motorists. Those tragedies bring the total number of TDOT lives lost to 112. We dont want to lose another member of our TDOT family. According to a new study, airborne particles and their accumulation on solar cells are cutting energy output by more than 25 percent in certain parts of the world. The regions hardest hit are also those investing the most in solar energy installations: China, India and the Arabian Peninsula. "My colleagues in India were showing off some of their rooftop solar installations, and I was blown away by how dirty the panels were," said Michael Bergin, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University and lead author of the study. "I thought the dirt had to affect their efficiencies, but there weren't any studies out there estimating the losses. So we put together a comprehensive model to do just that." With colleagues at the Indian Institute of Technology-Gandhinagar and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Bergin measured the decrease in solar energy gathered by the IITGN's solar panels as they became dirtier over time. The data showed a 50-percent jump in efficiency each time the panels were cleaned after being left alone for several weeks. The researchers also sampled the grime to analyze its composition, revealing that 92 percent was dust while the remaining fraction was composed of carbon and ion pollutants from human activity. While this may sound like a small amount, light is blocked more efficiently by smaller man-made particles than by natural dust. As a result, the human contributions to energy loss are much greater than those from dust, making the two sources roughly equal antagonists in this case. "The manmade particles are also small and sticky, making them much more difficult to clean off," said Bergin. "You might think you could just clean the solar panels more often, but the more you clean them, the higher your risk of damaging them." Having previously analyzed pollutants discoloring India's Taj Mahal, Bergin already had a good idea of how these different particles react to sunlight. Using his earlier work as a base, he created an equation that accurately estimates the amount of sunlight blocked by different compositions of solar panel dust and pollution buildup. But grimy buildup on solar panels isn't the only thing blocking sunlight--the ambient particles in the air also have a screening effect. For that half of the sun-blocking equation, Bergin turned to Drew Shindell, professor of climate sciences at Duke and an expert in using the NASA GISS Global Climate Model. Because the climate model already accounts for the amount of the sun's energy blocked by different types of airborne particles, it was not a stretch to estimate the particles' effects on solar energy. The NASA model also estimates the amount of particulate matter deposited on surfaces worldwide, providing a basis for Bergin's equation to calculate how much sunlight would be blocked by accumulated dust and pollution. The resulting calculations estimate the total loss of solar energy production in every part of the world. While the United States has relatively little migratory dust, more arid regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, Northern India and Eastern China are looking at heavy losses -- 17 to 25 percent or more, assuming monthly cleanings. If cleanings take place every two months, those numbers jump to 25 or 35 percent. There are, of course, multiple variables that affect solar power production both on a local and regional level. For example, a large construction zone can cause a swift buildup of dust on a nearby solar array. The Arabian Peninsula loses much more solar power to dust than it does manmade pollutants, Bergin said. But the reverse is true for regions of China, and regions of India are not far behind. "China is already looking at tens of billions of dollars being lost each year, with more than 80 percent of that coming from losses due to pollution," said Bergin. "With the explosion of renewables taking place in China and their recent commitment to expanding their solar power capacity, that number is only going to go up." "We always knew these pollutants were bad for human health and climate change, but now we've shown how bad they are for solar energy as well," continued Bergin. "It's yet another reason for policymakers worldwide to adopt emissions controls." This work was supported by the US Agency for International Development and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at Duke University. From nearly 60 submissions for the 2017 WITec Paper Award, our jury selected the three best publications. They were written by scientists from Ireland, Portugal and Germany who used WITec correlative confocal Raman microscopes to study transition metal dichalcogenides, textile fibers and cement. These papers show in remarkable detail how information on the chemical and structural composition of a material, obtained through this non-destructive technique, can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of a wide range of materials. Gold Paper Award Maria OBrien from Trinity College in Dublin (Ireland) Mapping low-frequency Raman modes of four transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs): MoS 2 , MoSe 2 , WS 2 and WSe 2 . Together with Niall McEvoy, Damien Hanlon, Toby Hallam, Jonathan Coleman and Georg Duesberg, she used the Raman modes for in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations whose intensities depend on the thickness and the stacking order of the molecules layers. The study has shown that the low-frequency Raman modes of these materials reveal additional information compared to conventional Raman modes. The scientists are convinced: This study presents a major stepping stone in the fundamental understanding of layered materials as mapping the low-frequency modes allows the quality, symmetry, stacking configuration and layer number of 2D materials to be probed over large areas. They suggest using low-frequency Raman mapping for the analysis of TMDCs that show no significant changes correlated to layer numbers in the high-frequency regions of their Raman spectra. Silver Paper Award Helena Nogueira from the University of Aveiro (Portugal) She and her co-authors Sara Fateixa, Manon Wilhelm and Tito Trindade used three-dimensional Raman imaging and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to monitor the dyeing process of linen textile fibers with methylene blue. This dye is most commonly used for blue coloring and was applied by various procedures. The scientists also visualized how the silver nanoparticles that give textiles antimicrobial properties are distributed along and within the linen fibers. The authors conclude that regarding textile production Raman imaging and SERS are valuable assets that complement or eventually provide unique characterization data. Bronze Paper Award Jonas Higl from the University of Ulm (Germany) Raman study on hydrating of cementitious materials. With his colleagues Marcus Kohler and Mika Linden, he used confocal Raman microscopy to document which structures and molecules are formed during the complex process of hydrating C 3 S clinker. To the knowledge of the authors this study was the first one published using Raman imaging to study hydrating of cement. The annual awards recognize outstanding scientific work published the preceding year that employed a WITec device as part of its experimental setup. The evaluation criteria include the significance of the results for the scientific community and the originality of the techniques used. Five Minutes With Damien Geter Audio Article Vocalist, composer and Richmond Symphony artist in residence Damien Geters musical roots sprouted when he was a boy in the Matoaca District of Chesterfield County, where he was raised and... On July 1, the three credit reporting companies will stop using some records that are especially damaging to credit scores: tax liens and civil judgments. (Dreamstime / TNS) Consumers who are dogged by poor credit scores and have trouble getting credit cards or loans as a result will get some relief starting next month. On July 1, the three credit reporting companies will stop using some records that are especially damaging to credit scores: tax liens and civil judgments. Advertisement So if someone has gone after you in court for failing to pay what you owe, or a government has placed a lien on your assets, those records will likely disappear from your credit report. An estimated 12 million people could be affected by the changes. Of course, most Americans don't have such a troubling past dragging down their credit history. But the new rules could also offer some benefit to people with unblemished pasts. According to the Federal Trade Commission, about 21 percent of consumers have damaging mistakes in their credit reports. So you could be meticulous about paying back every cent you owe on time and still have false information placed on your credit history by the computers that generate the information. Advertisement The new rules should cut down on those mistakes, at least when it comes to liens and civil judgments. The three reporting companies TransUnion, Equifax and Experian will no longer use those records when evaluating your credit unless they can match your name, address, and either your Social Security or birth date to the records. Fair Isaac Corp., which blends credit histories into a FICO score for each individual, estimated in a recent report that about half of tax lien public record data will not be usable under the new rules. On the other hand, FICO said the new rules probably will not make a major difference in credit scores anyway. Typically, 92 percent of people with liens and judgments have other derogatory information in records that raise red flags, according to FICO. Bankruptcy records will continue to be used. Consumer advocates have long complained that many Americans are unfairly tarnished by credit reports that are wrong. The July changes are an outgrowth of a settlement involving 31 states attorneys general challenging errors in credit reports. Errors are frequent because computers often match the wrong information to the wrong name; especially when two people have the same or similar names. The problems go beyond the public records covered by the new rules, and create headaches for people trying to correct their records. Bruce McClary, a spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, said that as a credit counselor he observed two women struggle for almost a year to get one item on a credit report changed. One digit in a Social Security number had been used incorrectly, so that an account that belonged to one woman was recorded instead as an account held by the other woman. Payments on the account were up to date, and even though the two women worked together to get the mistake fixed and credit histories corrected, the process was grueling, he said. The two women were strangers at first and found each other in the process of cleaning up the error. Advertisement "There's no guarantee of a rosy ending," McClary said. If one of the women had been behind on bills and had not wanted to cooperate, the outcome could have been very different. The credit reporting system is supposed to be an early warning system for banks and other entities who are considering doing business with an individual and want to know if that person can be counted on to pay their debts. Sometimes potential employers request credit reports, although some states have stopped that practice. Landlords often request credit reports before renting to a tenant. Banks rely on credit reports while also doing additional research before granting a mortgage or other loan. But while credit reports are designed to use a person's past to predict the future, critics have said the system is flawed. For example, people often wait to pay medical bills while trying to resolve questions over payments and insurance coverage, which in the past has dinged an individual's credit report. Under a new change that's to be adopted soon by the three credit reporting agencies, unpaid medical bills won't be reported until they are 180 days past due. Because mistakes are so frequent, and the ramifications so serious for people who need or want to borrow money, McClary suggests people review their credit report at least once a year and demand changes if errors appear. He suggests that people ask for a free credit report every three months from one of the three credit reporting bureaus, so that by year-end all three have been reviewed. This should be done through www.annualcreditreport.com, he said, which should not be mistaken for the multitude of sites that charge for credit scores or reports. gmarksjarvis@chicagotribune.com Twitter @gailmarksjarvis Breanna Franklin, of Chicago, speaks about her experience after falling ill from food poisoning she traces to having eaten at Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill in June 2016. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) As lunchtime customers streamed into Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill on a recent weekday to order tilapia tacos and steak burritos, there was little sign that a year ago the Bridgeport restaurant was the site of Chicago's biggest food poisoning outbreak in almost a decade. The fast-casual restaurant on West 26th Street, which practically sits under the Dan Ryan Expressway, passed two recent city health inspections one in early June and on Wednesday returns to the 37th annual Taste of Chicago . Last summer, the restaurant had to cancel its Taste appearance as investigators tried to pinpoint the source of an E. coli outbreak that the Chicago Department of Public Health says may have sickened more than 100 people. Fingered months later as the most likely culprit: tainted cilantro. A year later, however, Carbon Live Fire says it's still being hurt by the fallout. The restaurant operator is fending off lawsuits filed in Cook County Circuit Court by dozens of people who say they got sick last year after eating at the restaurant. The business, which opened in 2007 and added a location in the West Town neighborhood in 2011, also is sparring in court with South Holland-based Martin Produce, the cilantro supplier that this year was added as a defendant in many diners' lawsuits. Counterclaims are flying between the restaurant and the produce vendor in the consumer cases. Advertisement Insurance costs are up, bad publicity has been hard to shake and has resulted in "substantially decreased revenues," additional money has been spent on new equipment and staff training, and expansion opportunities have been lost, the restaurant argues in a recent court filing that lays out its case for the court to order Martin Produce to pay damages. Carbon Live Fire, Martin Produce and most of their attorneys did not respond to numerous requests for comment. A spokesman for Liberty Mutual, one of the parties representing the restaurant, declined to comment. Advertisement The official tally in last summer's E. coli outbreak: 69 confirmed and 37 probable cases, according to the city health department. The infected ranged in age from 3 to 69. About 1 in 5 were hospitalized. Among those allegedly sickened was Near West Side resident Breanna Franklin, one of about 50 people suing Carbon Live Fire. She said she was a regular until, on June 18, 2016, she got two tacos for takeout and, after a few days, started getting "really bad stomach cramps." "Then I started throwing up," Franklin said in an interview. Initially, she thought it might be stomach flu and felt bad enough to go to Northwestern Memorial Hospital's emergency room. Franklin was hospitalized for four days and said she realized that it must have been something she ate after learning that her brother-in-law, who had takeout from the restaurant at the same time, and her best friend, who ate there a couple days later, also got sick. Breanna Franklin is photographed June 13, 2017, at her home in Chicago. Franklin is one of about 50 people who are suing Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill over an outbreak of food poisoning last summer that health authorities linked to tainted cilantro at the restaurant. ( John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune ) Either cilantro or salsa fresca, which contains raw cilantro, was consumed in 95 percent of the cases, according to the city. That suggests "a heavily contaminated food item" as opposed to another source, such as a sick restaurant worker, the city says in a 13-page report on the outbreak that was issued in December. One puzzler: Why did the cilantro allegedly cause an outbreak among Carbon Live Fire diners but not anyone else? The city's report says the cilantro distributor serves multiple Illinois restaurants and repackages the leaves from several sources, including suppliers in the state and in Mexico. However, "no other restaurants serviced by the distributor were linked to the outbreak," the city's report says. Advertisement In court filings, Carbon Live Fire and Martin Produce deny responsibility for the outbreak and point the blame at each other. Kimberly Carter Neschis, of Berwyn, works near Carbon Live Fire's Bridgeport restaurant, which has provided catering for her workplace numerous times. She said she got mild stomach cramps on June 28, 2016, a few days after eating tacos and guacamole for lunch. A day later, the pain intensified, forcing her to leave work, she said in an interview. The next day, she went to Rush Oak Park Hospital, where she spent several hours before being released, she said. "The timing was awful, as a very dear cousin of mine had passed away and my family was arriving from out of town to attend the services on July 1," said Neschis, who also is suing the restaurant. After she arrived home and got her guests settled, she returned to the hospital, where she was admitted and stayed for three days, missing her cousin's funeral, she said. Advertisement Neschis and Franklin both are represented by Newland & Newland of Arlington Heights and Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm specializing in food poisoning cases. Carbon Live Fire, a familiar presence at the Taste of Chicago over the years, pulled out of last July's festival as the city worked to determine the source of the outbreak, which came to light on June 28, 2016, when the Chicago health department received five reports of E. coli poisoning through a routine check. The health department determined that three of the five people had eaten at Carbon Live Fire a few days before getting sick. The city inspected the restaurant on July 1 and collected food samples and copies of invoices for items including meat, cheese, produce and salsa. The health department interviewed and tested about 40 employees from both locations, and although none reported any gastrointestinal illness in the two weeks before the outbreak, 16 tested positive for E. coli., according to the city's report. The inspection also turned up critical food safety violations, including improper temperatures for foods such as tequila lime sauce, raw fish and guacamole as well as improper hand-washing practices. Concerned about the potential for an ongoing E. coli threat, the city recommended that the restaurant temporarily shut down and withdraw from last year's Taste. The restaurant owner complied, a move that "prevented additional cases of illness from occurring," according to the city's report. Although contaminated cilantro ended up getting the lion's share of the blame, the city's report also points to other likely factors, including "cross-contamination during food preparation and transmission by food handlers who were found to have" E. coli in their systems.. Advertisement After reinspection and additional training, the West Town and Bridgeport locations reopened on July 9 and 29, respectively, the city's report says, and "no additional complaints were received in association with the restaurant in the two months following this case's illness onset." The last time Chicago had a food poisoning case as large as Carbon Live Fire's was in 2008, when there was a multistate salmonella outbreak that saw 91 confirmed cases at three Chicago-area restaurants, said Caitlin Polochak, a Chicago Department of Public Health spokeswoman. While widespread, last summer's outbreak didn't match one stemming from the 2007 Taste of Chicago, which involved 191 confirmed cases, though almost 800 people said they suspected getting food poisoning after eating tainted hummus. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 6 Mayor Rahm Emanuel announces restaurants participating in the 2017 Taste of Chicago festival during a press conference at La Sardine restaurant on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Like all other vendors at this summer's Taste, Carbon Live Fire had to undergo a thorough review before being admitted to the festival. Mary May, a spokeswoman for the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, said her department, as well as the health department and the Illinois Restaurant Association, "take great care in reviewing, training and inspecting vendors in advance and on-site." They consider restaurant applicants' inspection histories for the past three years, she said, and "no applicants with unresolved critical or serious violations are accepted or allowed to serve food at Taste of Chicago." Menu items are "carefully reviewed and approved" with the outside environment and temperature in mind, she said. Advertisement At the festival, the health department inspects vendors four times a day, May said. byerak@chicagotribune.com Twitter @beckyyerak Theresa Mintle, pictured in 2013, has resigned as president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the chamber announced June 29, 2017. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune ) Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Theresa Mintle has resigned, the organization said late Thursday. Mintle had been with the chamber for almost four years. She was its fifth leader and previously served as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's chief of staff. Advertisement The chamber said Michael Reever, vice president of government relations, will oversee operations until a new leader is named. Mintle and the chamber's board chairman, Stephen Ferrara, met with staff Thursday afternoon to notify them of the change. Advertisement "She felt she accomplished her major goals and wanted to leave the chamber to fresh leadership in a position of strength, and pursue new opportunities and challenges," the chamber said in a news release. A Cook County judge is expected to rule Friday afternoon whether to put a temporary halt to Cook County's penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages. The tax is set to go into effect Saturday. Earlier this week the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and several grocers filed a lawsuit seeking to block the tax, which they argue is unconstitutional and too vague. Advertisement County officials have said the new tax is needed to pay for county services and will benefit the public's health over time. Meanwhile, many retailers oppose the tax, which would apply to a wide variety of sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages. The hearing on whether to issue a temporary restraining order occurred Thursday afternoon before Judge Daniel Kubasiak. Advertisement Fountain drinks and those in sealed containers would be taxed. Exempt from the tax are sweetened coffee drinks like those made at coffee shops and purchases made with food stamps. It's those inconsistencies, among other things, to which the beverage sellers object. They allege that, under the Illinois Constitution, similar objects should be taxed uniformly. But under the sweetened beverage tax, sweetened beverages in a bottle, or from a fountain machine, are taxable, while on-demand, custom-sweetened beverages, such as sweetened iced tea mixed by a server or barista, or a hand-made Frappuccino, aren't subject to the tax. The health consequences of both types of drinks, however, are the same, the lawsuit says. Also, calculating taxes on fountain drinks would be difficult because the amount of ice might vary and the cup might be refilled, the lawsuit says. A look at the numbers behind Cook County's new soda tax. How will the tax work and how much will it cost consumers? (Phil Geib / Chicago Tribune) (Phil Geib/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) David Ruskin, a Horwood Marcus Berk lawyer representing the retailers, also said there currently isn't a system in place for refunds to occur should the tax eventually be found unconstitutional. That's why a temporary restraining order is needed, he said. A lawyer for the county said the tax is expected to generate $17 million a month in revenues in fiscal 2017. byerak@chicagotribune.com Twitter @beckyyerak As paid sick leave laws go into effect Saturday in Chicago and Cook County, the souls tasked with implementing them keep repeating one refrain: administrative nightmare. "The intention was good," said Bruce Leon, president of Tandem HR, a human resources provider in Westchester with a lot of concerned clients. "The way it was written got out of hand. It's unmanageable, really." Advertisement Leon emphasized that he is fully in favor of workers being allowed to earn five paid sick days a year, as is the basic intent of the city and county laws. About 40 percent of private-sector workers in Cook County, or 840,000 people, currently don't get any paid sick leave, and some risk losing their jobs if illness keeps them from showing up. But some details in the law are causing headaches for employers, even those who already offer more generous leave policies. Advertisement Provisions permitting employees to carry over portions of unused sick time to the following year have human resources managers groaning over how they will track those hours, and rules limiting how much notice an employer can require a worker to give when taking sick time have some offices re-evaluating their flexible time-off policies. Adding to the complication is that the majority of Cook County suburbs have passed ordinances opting out of the county law, so employers with staff that work in multiple towns must make adjustments for each site. "I've spent a lot of time poring over this relatively short ordinance and when you really start delving in and listening to the kinds of questions and concerns that all of this raises, it gets pretty confusing and complicated," said Sonya Rosenberg, a Chicago-based labor and employment partner at Neal, Gerber and Eisenberg. The laws in both Chicago, which approved its ordinance last June, and Cook County, which passed its version in October, require nearly all employers to allow workers of any kind including part-time, seasonal and temporary to accrue an hour of sick time for every 40 hours worked. Employers can cap the total sick time earned at no less than 40 hours, or five days, a year. Employees can use the time to care for themselves or a family member in the case of illness or injury, domestic violence or if a public health emergency forces the closure of the workplace or a child's school. Employers must allow workers to carry unused sick time over to the next year which is not part of many employers' current policies but how that is portioned out depends on whether the employer and worker are covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law that provides employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for a newborn or attend to a personal or family member's serious illness. The FMLA covers employers with more than 50 employees and workers who have been at the company at least a year. Employers who want to avoid the carry-over requirements can skip the accrual process and just offer the maximum amount of sick time at the start of the year. Chiropractic director Jill Pickens performs spinal adjustments on patient Chris Mazurk, of Chicago, on June 28, 2017, during his visit to the Chiro One Wellness Center in Oak Brook. The center contracts for administrative services support from Medulla, an Oak Brook-based company that is grappling with the complexities of the Cook County paid sick leave law that takes effect July 1, 2017. (Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune ) Tracking the carry-over hours and putting them in different usage buckets is major pain to Nancy Alonso, chief human resources officer at Medulla, an Oak Brook-based health care management company that already offers its workers paid time off but doesn't let them carry it over into the next year. Advertisement Medulla has 360 employees across 41 locations in Cook, Will and DuPage counties, including a sales team that is out on the street, so herding individuals' carry-over and usage requests will take a lot of her small team's time. "I'd rather have my internal HR professionals focused on value-added activities for my team members than the clerical stuff," she said. While the law applies only in Cook County, Alonso plans to implement a uniform policy for her entire workforce to avoid the "added nightmare" of tracking people's movements across county lines. Some tweaks may make workers unhappy. Medulla's existing paid time off policy, which lumps together sick, personal and vacation time, allows new employees to accrue up to five days in their first year, and the allotment goes up with seniority. But Alonso may decide to restrict the flexibility of the time off given other rules in the law that limit how much advance notice employers can require workers to give when requesting time off. At the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, which will be enforcing the ordinance, Executive Director Ranjit Hakim said most employers wringing their hands about the nuances of the law can rest easy. Advertisement The commission has limited resources and its focus will be on ensuring that people who didn't get any paid sick leave before have access to it now, he said. For the next year, the commission will assume employers are doing their best and will help them come into compliance. As long as mistakes are corrected, there won't be penalties, he said. "Laws like this have passed in other places and the sky has not fallen," Hakim said. Nearly three dozen municipalities and seven states plus the District of Columbia have adopted paid sick leave laws. That's not to say it isn't confusing. Take temporary workers. If workers are employed by a staffing agency in an opt-out suburb are assigned to jobs at a company in a town where a paid sick leave law applies, they are entitled to accrue sick days as long as the staffing agency also has a branch anywhere the law applies. But if the staffing agency is in a sick leave town but the work assignment is not, the workers don't have to earn paid leave. Telecommuting raises more questions. According to the commission's rules interpreting the ordinance, an employee's home can be considered a place of business only if the employer requires them to work from there. Attorneys are advising employers to get their ducks in a row because while the commission might not target employers, a litigious employee might. Advertisement Darren Mungerson, an employment attorney at Littler Mendelson, said some companies are going above and beyond the new law so that they can skip the headaches. "If employers are willing to be more generous than required they can make things a lot easier to administer," he said. For employers most affected by the law those who until now have not offered any paid leave the bigger concern is how paying for people's absences will impact the bottom line. Adam Ochstein, CEO of StratEx, a Chicago-based human resources management company that counts many retailers and restaurants as clients, said many employers are "burying their heads in the sand" and hoping that if they don't make much of a fuss about it, employees may not notice. They may be in luck. A survey this week by Tsheets, a time-tracking software, found 80 percent of Chicagoans didn't know about the law. How much it could cost a business remains to be seen. A city task force that examined the potential impact last year found that offering paid sick leave would add 0.7 to 1.5 percent in labor costs for most employers. Advertisement "Businesses will adapt and deal with it and at the end of the day anything that helps employees is a good thing," Ochstein said. But many suburban officials didn't agree. Eighty out of 131 Cook County municipalities opted out of the county's paid sick leave law, most citing competitive concerns for business. Oak Park and Evanston have called last-minute votes to take place Friday. Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, chief sponsor of the county law, said that flies against the 82 percent of voters who expressed support for paid sick leave in a nonbinding referendum in November. "Knowing that the vast majority of voters made their voices heard in November, to have it unwound by the people that are supposed to represent them will not be forgotten," she said. aelejalderuiz@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @alexiaer Residents react June 20, 2017, to the closing of the Ultra Foods grocery store in Calumet Park. The high poverty south suburb is left with limited grocery options. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune) The only traditional grocery store in south suburban Calumet Park is closed, half the shopping center sits vacant and prospects for any quick solutions appear bleak. A handwritten sign on the door of the recently shuttered Ultra Foods directs would-be shoppers to Strack & Van Til stores in Indiana, another chain owned by the bankrupt Central Grocers cooperative. Little good that will do the many low-income and elderly people, particularly those without cars, who for years did their shopping at Ultra. Advertisement "It's a huge, crippling thing to this community," said Mayor Ronald Denson, 67, who has lived in the 2-square-mile village about 18 miles south of Chicago's Loop for 34 years. Grocery stores come and go, but in some communities, the losses hurt more and heal slower. Advertisement Calumet Park is a predominantly African-American community with high poverty and few other grocery shopping options. In total, 12 Ultra Foods stores in the Chicago suburbs and northwest Indiana have closed to date, in addition to two Strack & Van Til stores, part of the demise of the almost-100-year-old Central Grocers cooperative based in Joliet. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 6 Carey Grimmage, of Calumet Park, shops June 16, 2017, at Jordan Food Mart in Calumet Park. The store carries frozen meats, not fresh, but owner Luay Madain said he may bring back fresh meat if residents demand it, now that Ultra Foods has closed its doors in Calumet Park. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) Last month, Jewel-Osco announced plans to buy 19 of Central Grocers' Strack & Van Til stores in Indiana and continue operations in those locations. But there was no such reprieve for communities served by the Ultra Foods stores. "It's very disappointing. It's going to make our area a food desert, almost," said Keshie Fuzzell, 51, as she walked out of an Aldi store situated in the same strip mall as the shuttered Calumet Park Ultra. Many former Ultra shoppers will buy groceries at Aldi now out of necessity, though Fuzzell and other shoppers on a recent afternoon said the smaller store has a much more limited selection of fresh produce and meat than Ultra did. Beyond that, there's only a smattering of corner stores in Calumet Park and a Jewel-Osco in Chicago 2 miles north. The "food desert" label generally means a low-income area with limited access to healthy food, though how exactly that's defined can vary. Even before the Ultra closing, large swaths of Calumet Park were designated as both low-income and low-access, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Access Research Atlas, a map that uses census estimates to determine areas lacking sufficient access to grocery stores. Vehicle access is also a key factor in determining whether an area is low-access, because most Americans, even poor people, drive to the store to buy groceries, said Shelly Ver Ploeg, an economist with the USDA's Economic Research Service. In one Calumet Park census tract, more than 21 percent of households lack access to a vehicle and live more than a half-mile from a supermarket "a really high share" compared to the 4.2 percent of all U.S. households that fit the same criteria, Ver Ploeg said. Ultra Foods in Calumet Park has closed, a "crippling" blow to the city. (Greg Trotter / Chicago Tribune) Calumet Park never fully developed its two primary commercial strips on 127th Street and Ashland Avenue, and over time has seen the number of retail businesses on those streets decline along with its population, said Mari Gallagher, a commercial retail consultant who's studied the issue of food access in the Chicago area for years. Gallagher called Calumet Park a "retail no-man's land." Advertisement "Because retail attracts retail of a similar quality, and as many parts of Calumet Park are in decline, they have had trouble attracting enough quality retailers, including grocers," said Gallagher, principal of the Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group. Some believe corner stores long maligned as outposts of booze and junk food can make a meaningful difference in communities like Calumet Park. The Cook County Public Health Department and the prevention program Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children have partnered to provide technical and marketing support to 27 corner stores in suburban Cook County in an effort to boost the amount of healthy food in low-income communities. Jordan Food Mart in Calumet Park is one of those stores. Luay Madain, a native of Jordan, said the Ultra closing is bad for the community but possibly a boon to his own business. Madain acknowledged the challenges of selling healthy food in a corner store. Customers in a recent late afternoon rush mostly bought liquor and lottery tickets, not cabbage and bell peppers. Earlier the same day, he had to throw out 10 pounds of bananas that had spoiled. "I don't make any money on these things to be honest with you," Madain said of the produce. Advertisement Still, the 40-year-old Madain said he believes that by reopening his meat counter, which he shut down a year ago, and expanding his selection of fresh produce this summer, his store can become more of a one-stop shop. That could be good for both the neighborhood and his bottom line, he said. While a corner store won't replace a full-scale grocery store like Ultra Foods, it can be part of the solution, said Adam Becker, executive director of the obesity prevention consortium. "We'd be excited if corner stores could pick up some of the slack in Calumet Park," Becker said. Not everyone shares that optimism, however. "If most of the business is alcohol, how many people are going to go in there looking for apples and oranges?" Mayor Denson said. Only another large grocery store will fill the void left by Ultra Foods, Denson said. Already, the village has laid off two employees, including the finance director, to help offset the $200,000 a year or so in lost tax revenue, he said. Advertisement At the Calumet Township Community Center, which mostly serves the area's senior citizens, the Ultra closing has been the topic of conversation lately over bingo. The center provides seniors with regular transportation for grocery shopping and made an average of 35 trips a month to Ultra before it closed, said Paul Hollock, the community center's chief of operations. "I'll hear them say, 'What are we going to do? Where are we going to go?'" Hollock said. "It's a huge loss." gtrotter@chicagotribune.com Twitter @GregTrotterTrib Redesigned for 2016, the Honda Pilot three-row crossover is manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, alongside the Odyssey minivan and Ridgeline psuedo-pickup truck. It ranked tenth out of more than 120 vehicles in Cars.com most American Made Index. (Tom Snitzer / Chicago Tribune) For 2017, Cars.com revamped its longstanding American-Made Index for the first time. Over the index's 11-year history, the number of models meeting our original criteria has fallen due to the globalization of automobile manufacturing from more than 60 vehicles in the index's inaugural year to eight last year. By the original requirements, only three 2017 models would have qualified this year. The new index analyzes cars assembled in the U.S. with high domestic-parts content, predominant U.S. sourcing for engines and transmissions, and high U.S. manufacturing jobs supported per vehicle. More than 120 light-duty passenger vehicles built in the U.S. were ranked to arrive at the top 10. Advertisement 2017 Model (Assembly Location) 1. Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited (Toledo, Ohio) Advertisement 2. Jeep Cherokee (Toledo, Ohio and Belvidere, Ill.) 3. Ford Taurus (Chicago) 4. Honda Ridgeline (Lincoln, Ala.) 5. Acura RDX (East Liberty, Ohio) 6. Ford F-150 (Dearborn, Mich., and Claycomo, Mo.) 7. Ford Expedition (Louisville, Ky.) 8. GMC Acadia (Spring Hill, Tenn.) 9. Honda Odyssey (Lincoln, Ala.) Advertisement 10. Honda Pilot (Lincoln, Ala.) The domestic-parts content figures for the Jeep Wrangler (including the Wrangler Unlimited four-door) and Jeep Cherokee were among the highest numbers observed in this year's index: 74 percent for the Wrangler, 75 percent for the Wrangler Unlimited and 70 percent for the Cherokee. All engines and nearly all transmissions for the Wrangler and Cherokee hail from the U.S. Methodology The 2017 American-Made Index ranks cars based on five factors: assembly location, domestic-parts content, U.S. factory employment adjusted by sales, engine origin and transmission origin. The changes in methodology mean current results can't be compared with those of past indexes. Domestic-parts content comes from the American Automobile Labeling Act, which requires automakers to report overall parts content on the window stickers of every new light-duty car and truck sold in the country. The labeling act lumps the U.S. and Canada into the same "domestic" pool a critical obstacle to reporting only U.S. content but is the most specific domestic-content rating system. To further pinpoint U.S. parts origins and not Canadian ones, the American-Made Index now factors the countries of origin for engines and transmissions, which automakers also are required to report. These are two of the most expensive and labor-intensive components in any vehicle. The final piece is labor. Except for engines and transmissions, the labeing act excludes costs associated with final assembly, distribution and nonparts costs. To account for some of those costs, the American-Made Index now factors each automaker's direct U.S. factory employment relative to its sales footprint. Advertisement As in previous years, a few disqualifications remain. Discontinued cars, or cars in their final model year before discontinuation, are ineligible. So are any models produced exclusively for export. To maintain a consumer focus, the index disqualifies cars that shoppers are unlikely to find anything that sold fewer than 2,500 units in the first quarter of 2017 or models sold only to fleets. Heavy-duty vehicles are ineligible for the labeling act and thus not considered in the index. Redesigned for model year 2017 In redesigning the index, we sought to bolster the factors that address what makes each car American. Many factors exist, and no single one offers a comprehensive answer. But the revamped index scores five key components into its ranking. In a politically charged era of build-American sentiment, a sizable portion of shoppers still care where their car comes from. A recent survey on Cars.com found that about 25 percent of respondents would only consider an American manufacturer. That's nearly double the percentage that answered the same way in 2016. The largest block of this year's respondents (again, about 25 percent) thought that between 31 percent and 40 percent of cars sold in the U.S. are "American made." That's accurate if it's strictly automakers fully headquartered in the U.S. namely Ford, GM and Tesla, whose combined sales through May account for about a third of all U.S. auto sales, per Automotive News. Regardless of automaker headquarters, around 3 in 5 U.S. light-duty vehicle sales in 2016 were from cars assembled in America. As the index continues to demonstrate, the badge on the hood doesn't always tell the whole story. The cars on this year's list hail from automakers headquartered in Europe and Asia as well as North America. Indeed, cars built and bought in the U.S. hail from automakers headquartered the world over, with nameplates as diverse as a Toyota Corolla sedan and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV. Advertisement Put to work When it comes to the total impact of a global auto industry on U.S. jobs, direct employment at automakers' plants is just one piece of the pie. That piece amounted to 322,000 Americans directly employed by automakers, according to the Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research. Another 521,000 Americans worked at automotive suppliers. And new-car dealers employed another 710,000 Americans. Put another way: For a given 20 people employed by the U.S. auto industry, about four work directly at automakers. About seven work at suppliers, but the biggest chunk roughly nine work at new-car dealerships. If that's the pie, a gravy train follows it. Myriad additional jobs exist from used-car dealers and independent repair shops to finance and insurance companies. Scale it all out and the Center for Automotive Research estimated in 2015 that the U.S. auto industry directly contributed to the creation of another 5.7 million private-sector jobs. That's 7.25 million private-sector jobs attributable to the auto industry, the center found, with some $500 billion in annual compensation nearly $70,000 apiece. In sum, the center noted the auto industry supported some 3.8 percent of all private-sector jobs and historically has accounted for 3 to 3.5 percent of U.S. GDP. In today's global economy, the concept of "American made" is more complex than ever. Texts can sometimes take on an entirely different and embarrassing meaning. (Tetra Images / Getty Images) If you've ever flirted through texting, you know about its inherent perils and pratfalls. Some feelings get misconstrued. Other thoughts get humorously twisted. And don't get me started on using a smart phone's audio-texting tool which can make matters worse. I've sent several texts by speaking into my phone's microphone, which have mangled my words beyond logical recognition. Advertisement Similarly, if you've sent texts to friends, family members or business contacts, you know how certain messages can get easily misunderstood. It could be from poor punctuation. Or from being rushed or distracted. Or from being too brief with a response. I once sent a message reply through audio-texting to a female police officer I was writing about. She sent me a text asking when I would arrive to the police station and how I would prefer to shadow her for my column profile. Advertisement Only after I sent it, while stopped at a traffic light, did I realize I should have proofread it before clicking send. I meant to reply, "I'll be there soon and I'd like to ride with you." My text, however, left a word out, making the text take on an entirely different and embarrassing meaning. We joked about my idiocy when I finally arrived at the station. But not everyone would have been so understanding. Misunderstandings come part and parcel with texting. Not only the wording used but also the amount of words, the timing of a reply and the tone of a text message. One of my pet peeves involving texting to someone I care about is when I take the time to craft just the right text with every word properly placed. In their response, I receive only an "OK" or "yeah" or "I agree." What? I just spent seven minutes to send the perfect text specific wording, thoughtful intent, possibly a loving emoticon and all I get back is "Sure." It's as if they read my heartfelt text and merely shrugged. It's as if they responded, "Whatever. I'm too busy to care." At least that's how it feels, though wrongly so. Another pet peeve I have regarding texting is how long I have to wait for a reply. I never know for sure if the recipient is dragging their feet (or their thumbs in this case) to reply, or if they're busy or, worse yet, if they don't reply in a timely fashion and I think the worst. So I text them again: "Are you OK?" Advertisement No reply. "Is something wrong?!" I ask, adding an exclamation point for serious effect. Still no reply. Frantic for no logical reason, I text again: "DEAR GOD, WHAT HAPPENED?! SOMETHING MUST HAVE HAPPENED!" A few minutes later I finally get a reply, "Sorry, I left my phone in the car. I'm fine. You OK?" "NO," I think to myself. "I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN A CAR CRASH OR SOMETHING!" Advertisement However, my text reply calmly states, "Yes, I'm fine. Glad you're OK." I text dozens of times each day, depending on my personal life and professional workload. Last week, I asked a reader through a text, "How do spell your last name?" He replied, "WITH A CAPITAL P." I kid you not. I ended up calling him back to get it correct but it cost me an additional 13 minutes of my life I'll never get back. He rattled off the origins of his last name, his family's history in Bulgaria, and how his last name got slightly changed during World War II. I just got off the phone with a reader who wants me to write about his long and interesting life (at least to him). Our conversation bounced from his high school days to his college years to his meetings with old friends during retirement. I don't mind chatting with people it's a large part of my job but there comes a point when I've heard enough things that have nothing to do with our initial conversation. "Do you text?" I asked him. Advertisement "Text? Huh? No," he replied. "OK, I'll be in touch," I told him before hanging up. And I will be, in time, but in the back of my head I don't want to hear another story about his untreatable foot fungus, or upcoming doctor visits, or the classmates' names from his 1954 high school graduating class. (Yes, he shared all of this and more with me on our phone chat.) On the upside, a few readers routinely text me their feedback to my columns rather than calling me or emailing me. This is fine with me. Texting doesn't interrupt my day. I can choose when to read their texts and when to reply. When it comes to my texts, I make it a point to capitalize appropriate letters, insert commas and use other forms of punctuation, just as I would use in an email message or a handwritten letter. It simply bothers me if I don't do this even though I understand it probably doesn't matter to the recipient. It shouldn't bother me or matter to me if someone doesn't use similar care with their text messages. Yet it does. Such as this one I received: "r u almost her." Advertisement First off, she used an "r" instead of writing "are," which also wasn't capitalized. Second, she texted "u" instead of "you." And she misspelled "here." Plus, she used no question mark at the end. "Texting anarchy!" I thought to myself. But I clearly understood her message so I guess the problem is entirely mine. Also, I hate when someone replies to me with not only one word, but just one letter "k." As if it's too much effort for their thumb to text me "OK" or, God forbid, "Okay," which calls for four letters while also capitalizing the O. No, just a "k." I'm currently sending texts back and forth to a middle-aged woman who would prefer phone calls regarding an issue she's having with her home. She hopes I can write about her situation and after our initial phone call chat I've been keeping tabs on things through brief texts. I do this routinely with readers or sources because it's faster and more efficient. Sometimes I simply need brief or basic information. Nothing more. Texting is ideal for such exchanges. Unless who you're texting is not texting friendly, such as that middle-aged woman. For instance, this text exchange I had with her. Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday > "Please confirm your address for me," I texted. Advertisement She replied, "k." I replied, "k"? She replied, "." Yes, just a period. jdavich@post-trib.com Twitter@jdavich Sofia Coppola's version of "The Beguiled," set in 1864 Virginia, takes the 1971 film version of the story and whumps it, gently, the way you whump a bedsheet before hanging it on a line to dry. In narrative outline (with a couple of telling exceptions) it stays close to the feverish Clint Eastwood vehicle Don Siegel directed. But in terms of tone, sexual gaze and aesthetic priorities it's another picture altogether, and a worthwhile one. Coppola adapted her screenplay from the 1966 novel by Thomas Cullinan. The story tells of an attractive Civil War deserter, a Union soldier taken in by the residents of an all-female Southern boarding school dripping in Spanish moss and repressed gentility. Advertisement Told from various perspectives, the novel borrowed both heat and humidity from Tennessee Williams, William Inge and other mid-20th century dramatists interested in foxes, henhouses and threatening sensual temptation. Coppola's films have all gravitated toward a peculiar tension between "good" behavior and "bad," and "The Beguiled" fits right in. Discovered in the woods by young Amy (Oona Laurence), Cpl. McBurney (Colin Farrell) senses a golden opportunity in his protectors. The forlorn school's matriarch, wary both of Union soldiers and of temptations embodied by Farrell, is Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman). Nicole Kidman stars in The Beguiled, a remake of the 1971 film directed by Sofia Coppola. ( Nicole Kidman / Focus Features ) She is not alone. Kirsten Dunst plays Miss Edwina, another schoolmarm who carries an air of hardened disappointment in life. She too finds herself drawn to this slyly wolfish interloper. "Grateful to be your prisoner," he tells the ladies. Advertisement Elle Fanning plays Miss Alicia, whose family name clearly was Trouble. Well-schooled in Southern belle gentility and hospitality, with a minor in seductive cunning, Alicia offers the match that lights the spark in this tinderbox of a scenario. All the women share an agenda, and that agenda is their power struggle with the man in their newly bestirred midst. How "The Beguiled" plays out, as hinted at by the movie's trailer, suggests a somewhat more horror-inflected experience than the one Coppola has actually provided. The look of the film may not be all, but it's a lot. Coppola and her cinematographer, Philippe Le Sourd, shot "The Beguiled" on 35 mm film, in and around the same Louisiana mansion Beyonce used for "Lemonade." Here the the soft-edged pastels gradually darken into a more sinister palette, as the sexual jealousies and recriminations combust. Coppola doesn't elevate the material, exactly; more accurately, she treats it with a dryly comic reserve, as when Kidman gives her injured guest a sponge bath and the intimacy is almost too much for her to bear and still mind her manners. Here's a line from the 1971 film destined never to make it into the 2017 version. "Guess you dryin' up like the rest of us women 'roun here," says a slave, played by Mae Mercer, as she milks a cow and comments to no one in particular about the state of things on the plantation-like girls' school. The Eastwood movie was proudly overripe, and its caveman sexual politics (in line with "Dirty Harry," which came later that same year) turned "The Beguiled" into a blunt lesson in the evils that women do, when the wrong man comes calling. Coppola removed the slave characters from her version of the story. She has taken a lot of grief for that decision, most of it justified. She also excised the riper Gothic elements, including the matriarch's incestuous love for her late brother. The '71 edition, according to the man who directed it, came down to "the basic desire of women to castrate men." Coppola sees things slightly differently. "The Beguiled" probably could've benefited from a little more energy in its telling. Still, Coppola offers some gorgeous images of the past made present. When Laurence sits high in a tree, reading a book, the shot is held just long enough to stick. The performances, all of a piece and working with the same hushed intensity, keep a simple story moving toward its destination. The occasional sound of distant cannons notwithstanding, this hothouse of desire doesn't seem to exist in the real world. The one created by Coppola casts its own, calm spell. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune Advertisement "The Beguiled" 3 stars MPAA rating: R (for some sexuality) Running time: 1:34 Opens: Thursday RELATED STORIES: 'Despicable Me 3' review: Minions in prison a questionable marketing choice Advertisement 70MM Film Festival at Music Box offers view into a wide, wide world 'Okja' review: Message weighs down tale of giant GMO pig Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP) "The Big Sick" arrives just in time to make the summer a little funnier and more honest, and a little less loud and stupid. The movie treats the people on screen generously, and it's a romantic comedy with surprising depth of feeling, glancing on all sorts of things: race, religion, tolerance, understanding, the competitive peculiarity of stand-up comedy and its various practitioners. Primarily "The Big Sick" is a showcase for actor, writer and comedian Kumail Nanjiani ("Silicon Valley"), who co-wrote the script (overseen by producer Judd Apatow) with his wife, Emily V. Gordon. Advertisement Nanjiani spent several years honing his stand-up on Chicago comedy stages, and "The Big Sick" finds Nanjiani playing a version of his earlier self. One night after a set, he meets Emily (Zoe Kazan, delightful and moving in her best screen work to date), a University of Chicago psychology student and aspiring therapist. Their chemistry is such that a few dates into their relationship, she's happy to see past her new man's sad-comedian apartment, financed by Nanjiani's sideline as an Uber driver. Nanjiani no longer prays, but he hasn't the nerve to tell his traditional Pakistani Muslim parents (Zenobia Shroff and Anupam Kher) about his turning away from religion, or his dating a white girl. His mother lines up a steady stream of eligible Pakistani-American women for her son to marry; their pictures and resumes go in a cigar box, and Nanjiani keeps the stash a secret from Emily. She wonders when she'll meet his family; he wonders if he can postpone the meeting approximately forever. Advertisement Around the 45-minute mark "The Big Sick" makes good on its title. Shortly after they break up, Emily lands in the hospital with an unexplained, debilitating lung infection. She's put in a medically induced coma; Nanjiani informs his ex-girlfriend's North Carolina parents of the news. When Holly Hunter and Ray Romano arrive on the scene, the audience paradoxically breathes easy and knows this medical crisis is in excellent performance hands. Their roles take an increasingly prominent position in "The Big Sick" as the movie shifts into a tale of uneasy allies working through a very tough situation. It's a drag to have Kazan drop out of the movie as long as she does, but she makes such a beguiling impression in the early scenes that the handoff works anyway. The director is Michael Showalter, who co-wrote "Wet Hot American Summer." His jobs here were twofold: tone management and ensemble control. The vibe belongs to Apatow, whose freewheeling, panning-for-gold improvisational influence leads to some wonderful results. (Romano, in particular, gets the space he needs to score with riffs on everything from hospital-cafeteria tuna sandwiches to the perils of infidelity.) Nanjiani takes it easy in his first starring role; his timing is sneaky-deadly, so relaxed it's almost imperceptible. Two years ago Amy Schumer scored in her Apatow-produced showcase "Trainwreck"; "The Big Sick" likewise has its standard-issue rom-com beats, but like that movie, this one is built cleverly around a specific, idiosyncratic comic personality. The throwaway jokes are plentiful and often inspired; when Emily calls for an Uber after her first night with Nanjiani, it's his phone that rings, 3 feet away, since he's the closest Uber driver in the neighborhood. During one club scene Nanjiani's heckled by a frat-boy boor ("Go back to ISIS!") and the moment's authentically discomforting and entirely plausible. When Romano's math professor character asks Nanjiani what his "stance" is on 9/11, the reply (clearly a well-worn joke in Nanjiani's back pocket) slays, reliably. The right deadpan can sell anything At the Sundance Film Festival, "The Big Sick" played like a laugh-driven riot, which the movie, at heart, is not. Festival audiences can do funny things to, and for, what's actually on the screen. This one never really had that "Trainwreck" wallop; rather, Nanjiani and Kazan and company treat the material with a light touch, and when things turn heavy, it seems true and right. "Loving somebody this much sucks," Romano says at one point, regarding his daughter in a coma. A different director, a different actor might've overplayed the moment; "The Big Sick" has the confidence to let the audience come to Nanjiani and Gordon's fictionalized real-life situation, rather than yank us in, kicking and screaming. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune "The Big Sick" -- 3.5 stars Advertisement MPAA rating: R (for language including some sexual references) Running time: 2:04 Opens: Thursday RELATED STORIES: 70MM Film Festival at Music Box offers a wide, wide world 'Baby Driver' review: Ansel Elgort takes the wheel in this homage to heist movies Watch the latest movie trailers. Kelan Phil Cohran is seen playing his harp on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in an exhibit at the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago celebrating the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Chaka Khan and Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White studied with him. The globally influential Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) was co-founded by him. Advertisement And generations of musicians drew inspiration from the pioneering work of Chicago composer and multi-instrumentalist Kelan Phil Cohran. He died Wednesday at the University of Chicago Hospital at 90, said his son Tycho Cohran. "He was a major contributor to the whole structure and the idea" of the AACM, said Muhal Richard Abrams, another co-founder of an organization that changed the course of music starting in 1965. Advertisement "I think he had a profound influence on many organized groups," added Abrams. "They more or less cut their teeth in Chicago, and their major influence was Phil Cohran." Said Chicago percussionist-bandleader Kahil El'Zabar, who helped organize a 90th birthday tribute to Cohran on May 8 at St. Adalbert's Church on West 17th Street: "He was an innovative cultural institution unto himself." That's not an exaggeration, considering that Cohran played and recorded with the groundbreaking Sun Ra Arkestra in the late 1950s; invented an instrument he dubbed the Frankiphone a version of an African kalimba or "thumb piano," which White brought to Earth, Wind & Fire; created the Affro-Arts Theater, which in the 1960s was a South Side epicenter of experimental arts; and founded the Artistic Heritage Ensemble, which influenced bands as far-flung as El'Zabar's avant-garde Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and Earth, Wind & Fire. "He was definitely one of my mentors at an early age," said Roscoe Mitchell, a founder of the pioneering Art Ensemble of Chicago, one of the first AACM bands to attain international acclaim. "I had nothing but respect for him as a musician and a teacher." Indeed, the two roles were inseparable to Cohran, whose long career in music essentially linked early jazz traditions to its most contemporary off-shoots. Born May 8, 1927, in Oxford, Miss., Cohran moved with his family to St. Louis when he was about 10, immersing himself in the city's robust jazz scene and playing alongside trumpeter Clark Terry in the late 1940s. Pianist-bandleader Jay McShann, who had given a young Charlie Parker his first major job, hired trumpeter Cohran and "that was where I really learned to swing," Cohran told DownBeat magazine in 1984. "The crowds would be so thick, people would be falling on top of you and drinking and everything; it got so bad you'd have to lean back and play." Cohran was drafted into the military in 1950, after his service eventually gravitating to Chicago where he played with saxophone titan Johnny Griffin and pianist Ike Cole (Nat King Cole's brother), among others. The ears-wide-open, "space is the place" aesthetic of Sun Ra immediately appealed to Cohran's spirit of musical daring. But when Ra left Chicago in the early 1960s, Cohran stayed, playing multiple instruments in Abrams' Experimental Band (a precursor of the AACM). Advertisement On May 8, 1965 Cohran's birthday the founders of the AACM met in his East 75th Street apartment to create the AACM as a means for presenting their own music, in their own venues, at a time when jazz clubs were shuttering around Chicago and across the country. "We said: Why do we go through this?" Cohran told the Tribune in 2015, as he walked through "Free at First," an exhibition marking the AACM's 50th anniversary at the DuSable Museum of African American History. "Why don't we do something about it? "Our problem was we'd been studying instruments of other people," added Cohran, referring to traditional Western pianos, violins and the like. "We needed to study our own and to create our own." Cohran did exactly that with the Frankiphone and, like other AACM progenitors, presented his Artistic Heritage Ensemble in venues that he found or created. He took the idea a step further in the late 1960s establishing the Affro-Arts Theater on South Drexel Boulevard as a nexus for music, drama, comedy, instruction and political activism. Khan and White learned there. Advertisement "Once you stepped inside the theater," Khan said in a 2013 Tribune interview, "it took you into a really high place spiritually." In 1968, civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael appeared at the theater, the place subsequently shut down by Mayor Richard J. Daley. A sign then posted on the theater marquee read: "We are closed by deceit Philip Cohran & the Artistic Heritage Ensemble." Cohran continued to rehearse, teach, perform, inspire and expand his universe, developing expertise in astronomy, nutrition and other seemingly far-flung disciplines. Perhaps no ensemble was more profoundly influenced by him than the aptly named Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, staffed by his eight sons. The group started out performing on Michigan Avenue and at "L" stops in the 1990s, eventually moving to New York, appearing with Prince, winning a measure of international recognition and becoming the subject of the documentary film "Brothers Hypnotic," which aired on PBS' "Independent Lens" series in 2014. Though the brass band's forays into rap and hip-hop veered far from Cohran's musical idioms, its questing nature reflected his ideals. Advertisement "One thing that our father always taught us to do was to keep the music for our people, for the people that need it, the people like where we came from that have nothing," Cohran's son Clef says in the film. In 2014, Cohran having just returned from sold-out concerts in Brazil led his Kelan Zulu Ensemble at the Garfield Park Conservatory, singing, chanting, playing harp and otherwise conveying a kind of musical serenity. On May 10, two days after his 90th birthday celebration, he performed at the Promontory, on South Lake Park Avenue, with Alexandre Pierrepont's Bridge project. "He performed for an hour-and-half, sang and recited a whole Paul Laurence Dunbar poem, verse for verse," recalled El'Zabar. Said his son Tycho Cohran, "He was about his people, dealing with descendants of slaves and what could he do to help them get out of the predicament they've been in during the last 400 years." A planned 50th anniversary celebration of Cohran's landmark recording "On the Beach" at 63rd Street and the lakefront already was scheduled for July 9. Now it "will be a celebration of the body of his work, but it will be a commemoration as well," his son said. Advertisement Howard Reich is a Tribune critic. hreich@chicagotribune.com Twitter @howardreich RELATED STORIES: 50th anniversary of AACM celebrated at DuSable Museum Review: A golden night at the AACM's 50th anniversary concert 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) Boebert leading Frisch by more than 1,100 votes in CD-3 race Frisch had been in the lead, which was declining as more counties in CD-3 continue to report results after election day The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $63,000 civil penalty against Terrazzo USA & Associates of McLoud, Okla. for allegedly violating federal hazardous materials regulations. The U.S. Transportation Departments Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $63,000 civil penalty against Terrazzo USA & Associates of McLoud, Okla. for allegedly violating federal hazardous materials regulations. The FAA said that on June 23, 2016, Terrazzo offered a box holding a container of corrosive liquid Master Flex Flexible Hardener to UPS for shipment by air. Workers at UPS Austin, Texas sort facility discovered the shipment was leaking. The FAA alleged the package lacked the proper shipping papers describing the material, and was not properly marked, labeled, packaged, described or in the proper condition for shipment to prevent the release of hazardous materials. In addition, the agency said Terrazzo failed to provide its employees hazmat training. You are here: Home Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C) visits Intel's bulk storage plant in Dalian, where the Summer Davos is underway, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 26, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has invited foreign firms to increase their investment in China. Li made the remarks during a visit to Intel's bulk storage plant in Dalian where the Summer Davos is underway. He suggested the Intel transfer more businesses to China. Foreign capital is a major force behind China's development and China will welcome foreign investors with an ever-improving domestic investment environment, Li said. China has huge potential and a steadily growing economy, while the ongoing economic transition creates abundant new demand, he said. Both domestic and foreign firms should take the opportunity and utilize China's rich human resources and set up more production and R&D bases, expanding market and seeking win-win solutions in China, the premier added. (From right to left) Minister of Planning and Development of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal, Senior Adviser of UPS Harld Peters, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore Ann Sim, IMF Deputy Managing Director Zhang Tao, Vice-President and Corporate Secretary of AIIB Danny Alexander, and Managing Editor of Caixin Media Wang Shuo at a session during the annual meeting of the New Champions 2017 in Dalian, Liaoning Province, on June 28, 2017. [Photo by World Economic Forum] During the ongoing 2017 Dalian Summer Davos, the Belt and Road Initiative is the hottest topic. On June 28, a session was held in the Dalian International Conference Center to discuss global implications of the Belt and Road Initiative. "One Belt, One Road offers a powerful vision in today's world," said Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Planning and Development of Pakistan. In Pakistan where the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of the Belt and Road Initiative, is expected to generate $57 billion in long-term investment, the effects are already being felt with significant capital flows in the energy and telecommunications sectors - and with Mandarin Chinese now the most studied language in Pakistan, he said. Iqbal said that, as connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative is actualized, the process will stimulate inclusive growth that will "touch the lives of millions of people now cut off from the mainstream." In a world that seems increasingly fragmented, Zhang Tao, Deputy Managing Director of International Monetary Fund, reckoned that "the bottom line is that the Belt and Road Initiative has the potential to strengthen cross-border dialogue and foster multinational cooperation. This is very important in today's increasingly interconnected world, and is going to be even more important in the next few years." Danny Alexander, Vice-President and Corporate Secretary of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, observed that China's vision will enable developing countries in Asia to achieve "leapfrog" development, and that the ambitious framework has the potential to secure the region's economic security for decades to come. "The success of these strategies, to invest in infrastructure and promote connectivity, will be key in determining the prosperity of Asia over the next 20-25 years," he said, before offering a caveat: "The stakes are high, so it matters that we work within partnerships." Describing the Belt and Road Initiative vision as mutually beneficial, Ann Sim, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore, said approaching the exciting potential of connectivity in the spheres of infrastructure and finance and deepening people-to-people links will require strong policy-coordination providing not only a clear direction, but also a degree of flexibility. "In the case of Singapore, I would say that we see a value in having frameworks. At the same time, we see the value in moving ahead with experiments and demonstration projects," she added. Although the Belt and Road Initiative brings huge benefits along the region, there are still some challenges ahead. According to Minister Iqbal, effective coordination is required because lots of government departments are involved. In addition, a great deal of skilled labor was required along the Belt and Road. The Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The initiative aims at promoting policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond in the international community. Young global leaders--Xu Jinghong (2nd L), the chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, Ma Guoqiang (3rd L), the chairman and Party secretary of China Baowu Steel Group Corp., Carol Liao (3rd R), the president of BCG Greater China at the Boston Consulting Group, Liu Fengming (2nd R), the vice-president of General Electric, and Lin Xuchu (1st R), the chairman of CF Capital --discuss "The Future of Big China" at the World Economic Forum - Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, June 28, 2017. [Photo by World Economic Forum] Reforms being undertaken by China's State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are accelerating as they prepare to tap the opportunities offered by internationalization and the Belt and Road Initiative, representatives from two of the country's major SOEs said at the 2017 Dalian Summer Davos. Both Ma Guoqiang, the chairman and Party secretary of China Baowu Steel Group Corp., and Xu Jinghong, the chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, said they faced relatively few restrictions in the reform process in terms of restructuring their business and shareholding reforms, and in recruiting and retaining new talent. Mixed ownership including the introduction of foreign capital is allowed, and joint ventures with private Chinese companies and multinationals are encouraged. In addition, the management is free to introduce best international practices in corporate governance and in offering incentives to employees. Speaking during a panel discussion on "The Future of Big China," Ma said, "We want to accelerate SOE reforms ... as the Belt and Road Initiative presents many opportunities." Ma disclosed that Baowu Steel has long been exploring opportunities that might arise from the Belt and Road Initiative, including projects in countries like Pakistan spanning the land-based Silk Route. Ma said that under the present round of SOE reforms, Baowu Group, formed by a merger of Baosteel and Wuhan Steel, is focused on spinning off companies that are not considered core elements in its steel operations, such as its food business. Xu noted that an important reform issue involves asset ownership, and that determination of whether the country or management controls the assets, as well as devolution of decision-making, is critical as SOEs position themselves for the future. Still, there are issues concerning "complicated oversight systems" to be addressed while the country tries to unshackle SOEs so that they can thrive in a competitive environment, he stressed. "The core of the issue is whether we can stimulate vitality in the SOEs," said Xu. In this regard, Liu Fengming, the vice-president of General Electric, agreed that the challenge facing SOEs was no different from other companies. "We are all facing the same problem --how to make our companies bigger and stronger," he said. You are here: Home A total of 109 delegates were elected to attend the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at a two-day party conference ended Wednesday. They were elected at a conference of the agencies directly under the CPC Central Committee. The delegates include leading cadres, female party members and party members from ethnic minorities. The 19th CPC National Congress, a major event in the political life of the Party and the state, will be held in Beijing in the second half of 2017. A total of 2,300 delegates will be elected by 40 electoral units from across the country. China has launched a multidepartmental effort to deal with occasional shortages of some prescription drugs for patients, the State Council Information Office said on Wednesday. A guideline to improve the supply to prevent shortages was issued on Wednesday by nine government agencies, including the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. China has about 3,000 drugs approved for common clinical use, with 130 of them occasionally in short supply, according to Zeng Yixin, deputy head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission. "That's mainly due to the market gap between supply and demand," Zeng said. "Thanks to joint efforts by all stakeholders, 50 of the 130 drugs are seeing normal supply levels again," he said, adding that the latest guideline requires interdepartmental cooperation. "It aims to ensure that the drugs are availableand safefor people," he said. "It helps coordinate the drug supply system with reforms in medical care and health insurance." Earlier reports said lower-priced drugs with relatively low clinical demand usually run out of stock, seriously undermining medical options and risking patients' lives. Under the new guideline, an online drug consumption monitoring network will be set up to determine which drugs might run out and issue timely warnings about emerging needs so that the authorities can intervene. The guideline calls for the creation of a cross-province coordinating system to alleviate regional shortages of certain drugs. "Usually, the list of the drugs in short supply is dynamic," said Mao Ningying, associate professor at China Pharmaceutical University, adding that "the government should figure out why and provide targeted intervention". Zeng said a nationwide drug monitoring network will help forecast consumption trends and potential supply gaps, which will buy time for intervention. For certain drugs, consumption is difficult to forecast, he said, adding, "We are setting up a regular stocking mechanism". He cited pralidoxime chloride as an example. The drug has been used to treat patients with pesticide poisoning who have attempted suicide. "It's hard to predict suicides, but we have to stock the drug to save lives," he said. For drugs in short supply nationally, Zeng said, emergency imports will be arranged. If that doesn't work, "the authorities will assign selected drug companies to produce more", he added. You are here: Home A Chinese national suspected of economic crimes is handed over to local police in Shanghai on June 20, 2017. [Photo: Jiemian.com] A Chinese national suspected of economic crimes has been repatriated from Canada, the first to be sent back from that country since the Fox Hunt campaign was first launched, reports Jiemian.com. The suspect was handed over to local police in Shanghai on June 20, 2017. Only identified by his surname Du, the suspect is accused of contract fraud worth 4 million yuan (588,400 US dollars) connected to an investment in a decorative materials company in 2012. Du and his family moved to Canada that same year. In April, 2014, Shanghai police issued an arrest warrant, and put in a request with legal authorities in Canada for assistance in returning the suspect back to China. In announcing the return of Du, Shanghai police say foreign countries are no haven for suspects who hope to avoid punishment. President Xi Jinping said Thursday that the central government will as always support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in growing its economy and improving people's wellbeing. Xi made the remarks upon his arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport for a three-day trip. He will attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the HKSAR's fifth-term government. He will also inspect the HKSAR. Speaking to reporters at the airport, the president said his Hong Kong tour would serve to express best wishes for the HKSAR, showcase the central government's support for Hong Kong, and help the region plan its future. Xi congratulated the HKSAR on the great achievements it has made over the past 20 years since its establishment, and encouraged the HKSAR to create new glory. He also said he would join people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to review the SAR's extraordinary 20-year journey, sum up its experience and plan the future to ensure the smooth and long-term successful practice of the "one country, two systems" policy. This is Xi's first trip to Hong Kong as Chinese president. Hong Kong will mark the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland on July 1. According to Xi, this would be an important as well as joyous occasion for both the country and Hong Kong. The president said he was looking forward to experiencing in person new changes Hong Kong had undergone over the years. "I believe that through the series of events to be staged in Hong Kong, our determination and confidence in developing and building a better Hong Kong will surely be enhanced," he said. A one-and-half-day workshop was held in late June to evaluate the enforcement of programs to end domestic violence in China, after the launch of the country's first anti-domestic violence law ratified on March 1, 2016. A one-and-half-day workshop was held in late June to evaluate the enforcement of programs to end domestic violence in China. [Photo / Courtesy of UN Women] Jointly hosted by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), UN Women and UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the forum attracted a number of representatives from China's judiciary, police, civil affairs and health departments at both central and grassroots levels. The discussions focused mostly on the practice, experience and problems during the enforcement of the new law to eliminate violence, especially that generated by the old concept of gender inequality. According to a survey issued by ACWF, in 2010, 24.7 percent of married women in China had been subjected to spouse violence. "Traditional thinking that domestic violence is a household affair has made it difficult for the victims to stand up for themselves," said Asa Torkelsson, policy advisor from the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of UN Women. "The anti-domestic violence law is a big step towards elimination of [such] violence." Chen Xianming, deputy director of the Jingyuan Health and Family Planning Administration in the landlocked Gansu Province of western China, told the story of a local woman who had suffered maltreatment in family for not being able to conceive a boy. The victim surnamed Zhang was found with bruises and injuries to her back and the inner parts of her thighs when she visited the local hospital, making the doctor suspect she was a victim of domestic violence. However, in trepidation, the woman was unwilling to disclose the cause of her injuries. After reassurance and a bit of conversation, especially after explanation of the protection and the rights guaranteed to women offered by the law, Zhang started to reveal her misery. Due to having twice borne baby girls, her husband became dissatisfied and sought every opportunity to bully her. By helping her to reveal her trauma, the local civil-affair professionals started to work on her husband, persuading him to change his stereotyped view of masculine superiority. Her husband gradually accepted this view. In 2015, the family was recognized as the impoverished household receiving support and compensation in efforts to improve their livelihood. This year, they eventually shook off their poverty. "Protecting women and girls from violence is not only a moral and human rights imperative, it is also critical to the economic and social progress of nations," said Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, UNFPA China Representative. "As long as the dignity and well-being of half of humanity is at risk, then peace, security and sustainable development will remain out of reach." The yearlong implementation of the anti-domestic violence law has seen the issuance of some 680 protection orders based on concerns for the safety of victims, a preventive measure for sufferers to avoid reprisal attacks or continuous abuse. "Our country, which is against domestic violence in any forms, is always calling for the equal, harmonious and polite relations among family members," said Han Mei, the initiator of the protection order approach and judge of the Supreme People's Court of China. However, according to Han, as the evidence of domestic violence is hard to spot, some judges are reluctant to issue such an order, which should be handed out no later than 72 hours after the victims are subjected to violence. To better protect victims by means of the orders, Han advised people not to question the judgments unscrupulously, thus allowing judges to make a judgment with rational and independent thinking. Huang Lei, the head of ACWF's branch in Ningxiang, Hunan Province, said that domestic violence used to be prevalent in her town, which is home to around 34,000 people. "Even some officials in the teamwork for anti-domestic violence campaigns were found to be engaging in violence at home," she said. That is why training is being provided for professionals and the law explained to common people, especially the children, through mini-movies and social media, such as WeChat and QQ, to inculcate a sense of gender equality. The unfair difference in status between men and women is often considered a root cause for domestic violence. Flash Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday said the re-opening of the Nathu-la pass which allows Indian officially-organized pilgrims' entry into Tibet depends on whether the Indian side could correct mistakes in time. Spokesperson Lu Kang's remarks came after Indian border troops' recent crossing into the Chinese territory, obstructing Chinese troops' normal activities in Doklam. Despite significant difficulties, China has for a long time done substantial work to provide convenience for Indian officially-organized pilgrims' entry into Tibet, Lu said in a daily press briefing. In 2015, China agreed to allow Indian officially-organized pilgrims to enter Tibet through Nathu-la pass in the Sikkim section of the China-India boundary. This agreement was based on consensus reached by both Chinese and Indian leaders and the two sides' acknowledgement of the fact that the Sikkim section of boundary has been demarcated, Lu said. The pilgrimage route has been unproblematic for the last two years, Lu said, adding that China has made preparation for this year's arrivals. Lu said China had clearly informed India that suspending the arrangement was an emergency measure to the changed situation in the Sikkim section of the China-India boundary caused by Indian border troops' illegal entry. Stressing Indian officially-organized pilgrims' entry into Tibet needs "necessary atmosphere and conditions," Lu said the Indian side is to fully blame for the current situation. Earlier China urged India to immediately withdraw its border troops that have crossed the boundary and conduct thorough investigation into this. An undocumented immigrant who assisted with the recovery effort after the 9/11 attacks has been released from federal detention, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday. Carlos Cardona was released from custody after being held by federal immigration officials. The move comes one week after Cuomo pardoned Cardona, who was born in Colombia. "Carlos Cardona's release from federal detention is an important step toward upholding the principles of fairness and equality on which this state was built," Cuomo said in a statement. Cardona was apprehended in February and housed at the Hudson Correctional Facility in New Jersey. He came to the United States illegally and committed a nonviolent drug offense when he was in his early 20s. He hasn't committed a crime since then a period that spans 27 years. Cardona, who lives in Queens, spent four months as a cleanup and hazardous materials recovery worker following the 9/11 attacks. He has health issues, including respiratory problems and post-traumatic stress disorder, from that experience. He's now 48 years old. He married an American citizen and has a 19-year-old daughter who is attending college. The pardon by Cuomo and his release from federal custody are steps that will likely prevent Cardona from being deported. "I am grateful to all those who spoke out against this injustice and have allowed Mr. Cardona to reunite with his family," Cuomo said. "While Mr. Cardona is no longer in custody, the federal government should complete its review of his case without delay and let Mr. Cardona move on with his life." Flash Iranian parliament is preparing a legislation which would allow the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) to boost the missile capability of the country, Tehran Times daily reported on Wednesday. The motion, once turns into a law, will grant 600 million U.S. dollars to the IRGC to develop the missile program. The move by the parliament, or Majlis, follows a recent legislation by the U.S. Senate to impose new sanctions on the IRGC and any other entities involved in Iran's missile program. Kazem Jalali, head of the Majlis Research Center, said Wednesday that the legislation will boost IRGC's missile program and empower its Quds Forces to "fight U.S. terrorist acts" in the region, according to the report. The Quds Force, also known as Qods, is a special unit of Iran's IRGC responsible for "extraterritorial" missions of the Corps. On June 15, the U.S. Senate voted for a legislation to impose non-nuclear sanctions on Iran for developing its missile programs. They voted 98-2 in favor of the legislation. In order for the new senate bill to become law, it must still pass the U.S. House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump. The bill, if ratified, will target the individuals and entities linked to Iran's missile activities. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi said that "Iran's armed forces defend the country's security and interests and such measures will never make the slightest dent (in Iran's intent) to this end." Flash The White House said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump had accepted French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit France on Bastille Day next month. "President Trump looks forward to reaffirming America's strong ties of friendship with France, to celebrating this important day with the French people, and to commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I," said a statement by the White House. "The two leaders will further build on the strong counter-terrorism cooperation and economic partnership between the two countries, and they will discuss many other issues of mutual concern," the statement added. The French invitation came amid public disagreement between Macron and Trump on Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement signed by 196 parties in Paris. Shortly after Trump announced his decision early this month to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Macron hit back in a televised speech with a call to "make our planet great again," a direct jab at Trump's campaign slogan to "make America great again." Macron also appealed to US scientists and other US citizens disappointed by Trump's decision to "come and work here (in France) with us to work together on concrete solutions for our climate." Flash Following the worldwide WannaCry ransomware attack in May, a new wave of massive cyber attack has struck targets globally since Tuesday. Experts warn that the latest attack may grow even more and last longer. Massive attack spreads widely Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday that a massive cyber attack has struck dozens of the country's government agencies, banks and private companies. The websites of the Ukrainian cabinet and several ministries, the country's power distributor, the state railway operator, the largest airport, several banks, and a string of retail and fuel networks have been hit by the attack. In addition, the radiation monitoring at the Chernobyl nuclear facility was reportedly affected by the attack. Experts estimated that the attack, which has affected about 80 websites, was the largest in Ukraine's modern history. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that the information systems of Ukraine's critical infrastructure were not affected by the cyber attack. "It was an unprecedented attack, but our IT-experts are doing their job and protecting critical infrastructure. Important systems have not been affected," Groysman wrote on Facebook. According to Moscow-based cyber security company Group-IB laboratory, more than 80 companies in Russia and Ukraine came under the massive cyberattacks on Tuesday, including Russia's oil giant Rosneft. The cyberattack targeted a number of oil, telecommunications and financial companies in Russia and Ukraine, blocking computers and demanding 300 U.S. dollars in Bitcoins, Group-IB told Russia's Prime news agency. According to media reports, other big companies in Europe affected by the attack include Danish shipping conglomerate Maersk, British advertising agency WPP, Dutch shipping company TNT Express, and French construction and high-performance materials company Saint Gobain. The cyber attack that had caused chaos in Europe also halted operations at the U.S. Port of Los Angeles' largest terminal on Tuesday. The APM Terminals, operated by the shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk which handles about 16 percent of the world's shipping fleet, was shut down for hours on Tuesday as the company's IT systems were disturbed, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Just weeks ago the world was gripped by a mysterious computer virus known as WannaCry, which infected 300,000 computers in 150 countries and wreaked havoc on some of the world's largest companies. Attack likely to grow even more Kaspersky Lab said Wednesday that the new ransomware attack that started Tuesday "is likely to grow even more." In an updated blog posting, the multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus services provider said its experts concluded that the new malware is significantly different from all earlier known versions of Petya, a family of encrypting ransomware that was first discovered in 2016. Petya targets Microsoft Windows-based software systems, infecting the master boot record to execute a payload that encrypts the file table with the New Technology File System (NTFS) format, which is used by current Windows versions for storing and retrieving files on a hard disk or other data storage devices, demanding a payment in Bitcoin in order to regain access to the system. Unofficially, the author of the posting noted, "we've named it ExPetr or NotPetya." "The attack appears to be complex, involving several attack vectors," according to the posting. "We can confirm that a modified EternalBlue exploit is used for propagation, at least within corporate networks." EternalBlue, generally believed to have been developed by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to exploit a vulnerability in Microsoft's implementation of the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, was made available on the Internet by the Shadow Brokers hacker group on April 14. Although it was patched by Microsoft on March 14, EternalBlue was used as part of the worldwide WannaCry ransomware attack on May 12. As in the WannaCry case, the attacker behind the new ransomware tried to extort payment equivalent to 300 dollars in Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, from its victims for what the attacker called a "decryption key." A Finnish expert on computer security has said that the latest cyber blackmail program may continue much longer than the WannaCry computer virus attack earlier this year. "The spreading of Petya will come to a halt only when it has contaminated all those systems it has been able to enter," Mikko Hypponen, research director of the Finnish computer security company F-Secure, told national broadcaster Yle on Tuesday. The expert explained that the reason is that it has no central server that could be used to stop it. In Australia, all companies are vulnerable if their computers aren't patched, a cyber security expert warned on Wednesday, as the race begins to protect against the latest global ransomware attack. So far in Australia, the Cadbury Chocolate factory and global law firm DLA Piper are the only business to have been reportedly affected, but this number is expected to rise, according to National Surveillance and Intelligence Managing Director Navid Sobbi. "It exploits vulnerabilities in unpatched windows operating systems," Sobbi said. The virus blocks all access to the users files and displays a ransom message that demands 300 dollars worth of the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, be paid. But according to Sobbi, it appears even if the users pay, the virus still won't return the files. Although similar to the WannaCry virus, Petwrap (NotPetya or GoldenEye) is actually just a new variant of the 2016 virus Patya, Sobbi said. "It employs the same exploits as WannaCry, but so far there is no kill switch found in it and there has been no weaknesses, unlike WannaCry." So far, it remains unclear where the virus originated from or who is responsible. Flash H.E Bayney Karran, Ambassador of Guyana, delivers a speech. June 27, 2017 marks the 45th anniversary since the Cooperative Republic of Guyana established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China. In commemoration of this momentous occasion, the Embassy of Guyana and the Chinese Peoples' Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) co-hosted a banquet at the Legendale Hotel in Beijing. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana was the first country in the Anglophone Caribbean to formally establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1972. One year later, Guyana opened the doors of its Embassy in the capital city of Beijing. "The past 45 years of friendship and cooperation between our two countries have been firmly grounded in mutual respect, one that is complimented by shared ideals and further enhanced by a common approach to domestic and international issues. Guyana has never changed its principled position and remains committed to a "One China Policy'." Forty-five years ago, our two nations were quick to mutually embrace our common values, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for international law, and the maintenance of international peace, security and stability On this special anniversary, it is appropriate that the Governments and peoples of China and Guyana should merrily celebrate these 45 years of unswerving friendship and solidarity," remarked His Excellency Bayney Karran, Guyana's Ambassador to China. Mr. Zhu Qingqiao, Director General of the Department of Latin America & Caribbean Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, further reiterated the strong historical ties between the two countries while alluding to the future prospects of Guyana-China relations under the Belt and Road initiative. "Looking back on history, we are filled with pride; looking to the future, we are full of confidence. With the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation being successfully held in Beijing during May, the spirit of the silk road, featuring peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and win-win cooperation has extensively struck an empathetic chord with people living in this beloved Latin America and Caribbean region and will bless Sino-Guyana relations with new opportunities of development. We are willing to take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a good opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Guyana, to further enhance political trust, deepen practical cooperation in the field of economy and trade, science and technology, and cultural exchange," remarked Mr. Zhu Qingqiao. The 45th anniversary celebration was further enhanced by the engagement of the Chinese Peoples' Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). This entity is a national organization that engages in people-to-people diplomacy on behalf of the Government of China. The CPAFFC seeks to uphold its Government's Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence both at the diplomatic and at the grassroots level. China Oriental Performing Arts Group of Minors perform a traditional Chinese dance. 1 2 Next "The past 45 years have witnessed deeper friendship and mutual beneficial cooperation between China and Guyana. Looking into the future, we are willing to make joint efforts with the people from all walks of life in Guyana, to strengthen all-around bilateral cooperation and promote the great cause of China-Guyana affection and affinity to a new stage," remarked Madam Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC. Flash Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, attends a session during the annual meeting of the New Champions 2017. [Photo/China.org.cn] The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, is producing tangible benefits to the Pakistanis, noted Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform. Iqbal made the remarks at the 11th Annual Meeting of New Champions, also known as the "Summer Davos," held in China's Dalian City from June 27 to 29. Speaking at the event on the global implications of the Belt and Road Initiative, Iqbal said that the Chinese vision for the Belt and Road has correctly focused on connectivity in order to reach a higher plane of human development across the world. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the initiative, which has turned an idea into a US$50 billion plus portfolio within two years, the minister said, and would bring together the growth engines of South Asia, China and Central Asia, thereby leading to tangible economic benefits to three billion people of the region. (From right to left) Minister of Planning, Development and Reform of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal, Senior Adviser of UPS Harld Peters, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore Ann Sim, IMF Deputy Managing Director Zhang Tao, Vice-President and Corporate Secretary of AIIB Danny Alexander, and Managing Editor of Caixin Media Wang Shuo at a session during the annual meeting of the New Champions 2017 in Dalian, Liaoning Province, on June 28, 2017. [Photo/China.org.cn] He pointed out that CPEC is bringing much-needed investment into energy and infrastructure sectors, which had become investment-starved and bottlenecks for faster growth. The investments are going to under-developed areas and connecting hinterlands with coastal areas. It is creating opportunities for sustained growth by breaking cycles of poverty and under development. The minister said that Pakistan's macroeconomic indicators had witnessed across-the-board improvement in recent years. Budget deficit has been cut from 9% of GDP to less than 4.5%, foreign reserves have doubled, GDP growth is at highest level in ten years. This fact has been noted by international financial institutions and is evidenced by increasing foreign investment in Pakistan, both from China and other countries. Investors are finding it impossible to overlook Pakistan's 200 million population-market, with 60-80 million growing class of affluent consumers, and the government's business-friendly policies, he said. The increasingly visible success of the CPEC reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and China to the project's early and effective realization, said the minister, adding that the fruits of CPEC are beginning to deliver instant results with reduction in power shortages and providing connectivity between remote places and developed areas, bringing economic opportunities for the people. Iqbal also addressed a gathering titled "New Roads to Globalization" alongside senior representatives of the governments of Russia, Singapore and Moldova, as well as leading figures from international financial institutions and the private sector. MONTEZUMA Roughly one week after being accused of double dipping, the Montezuma highway superintendent has resigned. Dennis Lapp Jr., 25, was elected as the highway superintendent in the town of Montezuma in 2015. A registered Republican, Lapp had worked for the highway department full time for roughly 18 months, earning a $36,000 salary and $6,000 in benefits in 2016. However, last week, Republican Supervisor John Malenick said Lapp took on a second full-time position this time with the highway department in the town of Brutus. Malenick said Lapp had begun "double dipping" in Brutus, where he was hired as a full-time motor equipment operator June 19. As such, the town board called a special meeting to discuss the Lapp's position in Montezuma. But, as it turned out, there wasn't much to discuss, as Malenick said Lapp handed in his resignation late Tuesday night. At the board meeting Wednesday, Malenick said Lapp had delivered a letter to the town clerk stating that he wished to resign as highway superintendent. "May I say it has been an honor to be elected by the people of the town," the letter said. "Thank you for the opportunity to serve the community." Councilmen Lee Brew, Tom Hitchcock Jr. and Tom Fitzsimmons joined Malenick in accepting Lapp's resignation; Councilman Joel Glimpse had a prior engagement and missed the motion. Lapp did not attend the meeting. Following Lapp's resignation, the board voted to appoint Dustin Roach as the interim highway superintendent. Roach has worked with the town's highway department since 2011 and plans to run for the position in the election this November. He will run as a Democrat against Republican candidate Bill Futrell. But that's not all the taxpayers will be voting on this fall, Malenick said, as the board hopes to introduce another proposition to the ballot. According to the board, the town has two options it can pass a local law adding stricter requirements to the position of highway superintendent or it can change the position from elected to appointed, allowing the board to hire someone at its discretion. Both would provide a better description of the job, Malenick said, ensuring that the candidate is truly qualified for the full-time position. "This is bigger than Dennis Lapp," he said, noting that it is not illegal for an elected official to work in another town or village in New York state. "The law needs to be changed. That's the issue." The board agreed to meet again next week to further discuss the issue of the highway superintendent's position. That meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 5, and will be open to the public. "We will discuss whether or not we will put a new local law in place, which will establish more stern guidelines for the next superintendent, or we will put it up as an appointed position," Malenick said. President Xi Jinping arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday for a three-day visit to the special administrative region, during which he will take part in celebratory activities to mark the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland and swear in the SAR's new leadership team. Speaking at the airport on his arrival, Xi said that, as well as bringing the mainland's blessings to Hong Kong, he also came to convey the central government's unwavering support for the SAR's development, and to help the SAR plan for its future. Beijing's strong support for Hong Kong has been consistent and evident over the past two decades. And before Xi arrived, the central government sent the SAR a valuable gift on Wednesday further expansion of the 13-year-old Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement to cover non-service industries on the mainland. The plan to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was formally announced earlier this year. And it is expected that a Bond Connect program will also be put into place in the near future. Such substantial measures show that the central government has Hong Kong's best interests at heart. And, on a more personal note, Xi said in his remarks on Thursday that Hong Kong always tugs at his heartstrings. The last time he set foot on Hong Kong soil was nine years ago, when he visited the SAR as vice-president. He said he was happy to return and see the changes the city has undergone since then. But as well as seeing for himself how the city is now, he also looked ahead and pledged to help the SAR plan for the future. Further integration into the country's overall development strategies is the way forward for the SAR, which has somewhat lost its direction amid the keen competition it has faced in recent years. The SAR can use its advantages, such as in finance and shipping, as well as the trust it enjoys with investors, to play a vital role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Seizing the abundant opportunities offered by greater integration with the mainland and its development strategies will serve to enhance the economic development of the SAR and improve the wellbeing of its residents. Xi's visit will strengthen Hong Kong's confidence in its future. What anniversary gift could be more precious than that? It is now Hong Kong's turn to deliver on the goodwill and faith the central government is showing in it. The overall risk of China's government debt is under control and the momentum of steady economic growth is being maintained, according to the country's top auditor. The National Audit Office said in a news release that mechanisms such as quota management, budget management, risk disposal and regular supervision are being improved, and the momentum of government debt growth has been effectively controlled. The Chinese government has always attached great importance to the management of government debt, and has established a standardized borrowing and financing system for local governments, the news release said. The office submitted its audit report on June 23 to the top legislature on the implementation of last year's central budget. The current audit, which focused on the 2016 situation, reveals that since 2015, following standards to regulate channels for local government borrowing, local government bonds have become the major channel of local borrowings, and the management of borrowing, lending and repayment is being increasingly standardized, with its structure continuously optimized. Using a problem-oriented approach, the office selected and audited cities and counties in 16 provinces and regions where government debts increased considerably. Although there was an 87 percent growth in debt balance that the local governments have committed to repaying with public funds, some counties and the western region with comparatively smaller debt balances in previous years saw their debt balances more than doubled, and the average government debt ratio (the debt balance to be repaid with public funds by government divided by the comprehensive financial resources of the same government) in these regions reached 70 percent. Compared with the government debt ratio of other major economies, this is still relatively low, the news release said. A large part of the newly increased debt took shape as local government financing vehicles continued to implement loan contracts signed in previous years or renewed contracts in accordance with the framework agreements since the implementation of the new Budget Law. In addition, all those debts have been used for projects to develop social undertakings and improve people's livelihood and have formed effective assets, which help the sustainable development of local society and economy. The Chinese government has established a normal local government debt monitoring mechanism, and has strengthened accountability over irregular borrowings, the news release said. Most of the problems revealed by audit have been rectified and the rectification results have been announced to the public, and those held accountable have received severe punishments. Audit findings in recent years show that relevant departments and local governments have conscientiously adhered to the general work guideline of making progress while maintaining stability. They have strengthened efforts in streamlining administration and delegating more powers to lower-level governments. In addition, they have accelerated the shift of economic mode and adjustment of economic structure, speeded up the revitalization of idle funds and coordinated use of financial resources, promoted supply-side reform and implementation of the tasks of "cutting overcapacity, reducing excess inventory, deleveraging, lowering costs, and strengthening areas of weakness", and steadily improved public services and capacity of safeguarding people's livelihood. With the good momentum for growth, progress has been achieved and stability ensured in economic development, according to the news release. Audit results of State-owned enterprises show that the management of their assets and SOE reform are being further deepened, transformation and upgrading of relevant SOEs are being accelerated and industrial layout is being optimized. The SOEs have been increasing income and decreasing expenditure, reducing costs and enhancing performance, promoting the disposal of inefficient assets, with their competitiveness and strength remarkably enhanced. The inflated revenues of 200.16 billion yuan ($29.4 billion) and profits of 20.29 billion yuan for 18 SOEs, revealed in the audit report, were accumulated over the years, accounting for 0.8 percent and 1.7 percent respectively of their revenues and profits for the same period. IMF to set up ability training centers in economies involved in the initiative Leading officials from international financial institutionsincluding the IMFon Wednesday urged governments and companies to speed up their financial connectivity and forge closer links with the private sector, to participate in Belt and Road infrastructure projects. Zhang Tao, deputy managing director of International Monetary Fund, said at the World Economic Forum in Dalian that measures including cross-border payments and mobile banking products, as well as relaxing financing supply restrictions, would encourage financial institutions to provide more support to the real economy in markets connected with the initiative. "Modern technologies can provide relatively cheap methods to low-income householders to use basic financial products for people who don't have access to banks," he said. Zhang said the IMF will establish a new ability training center in Singapore and other economies involved in the initiative soon, after setting one up in Dalian last month, partnered with the People's Bank of China. To avoid risks in regions that have limited access to big-ticket infrastructure project financing, Zhang said international investors should invest in countries with stable financial markets to ensure sufficient capital inflows, as well as nations with flexible policies in managing their currency and foreign reserves. Danny Alexander, vice-president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said public-private partnership was another path to financing the Belt and Road Initiative and the bank would help related parties to spread PPPs in Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Although the business operations of the AIIBformed in January last yearare nascent, it has already worked with private sectors to develop infrastructure project in markets related to the Belt and Road Initiative. It signed a funding agreement with a major Indian private equity fund earlier this month. The deal will bring more private capital to infrastructure projects in Asia. In the meantime, AIIB granted two loans and one equity investment totaling $324 million to support infrastructure projects in India, Georgia and Tajikistan. These approvals include the bank's first equity investment for $150 million, which will help to attract much-needed private investment capital for infrastructure projects in India. AIIB announced earlier this month that it has approved three applicationsincluding Argentina, and Madagascarto join the bank, bringing the bank's total approved membership to 80. Ann Sim, Singapore's senior minister of state, said for her country, the Belt and Road Initiative will create new export opportunities to third party markets through its joint projects in China. She said the joint Suzhou industrial park and Tianjin eco-city were demonstrations of support, followed by a third connectivity project in Chongqing between the two countries. Chongqing launched the connectivity project earlier last year, aiming to build Guoyuan Port of Chongqing into a demonstration base for China-Singapore multi-modal transport. By Ouyang Shijia in Beijing and Yang Jun in Guiyang | China Daily | Updated: 2017-06-29 07:34 Chinese tourists make selfies in a lavender field in Valensole, southern France, June 18. [Photo/Agencies] Tourism site and app is the darling of investors as it targets Millennials and their love of new experiences To make it big, you need big dreams. When it comes to vision, Chen Gang plans to turn his company Mafengwo into the "Alibaba of the tourism industry". Rarely, do you get anything bigger here than the online behemoth, but then Chen is not just a dreamer. The co-founder and chief executive officer of Mafengwo has decided to add a glitzy app platform to his major website to cash in on the booming travel industry of Millennials. "The Chinese tourism market is so huge that it is estimated to hit 1 trillion yuan ($146.2 billion) in the foreseeable future," Chen said. "Just like Alibaba (Group Holding Ltd), we are now offering an e-commerce platform for potential tourists." Since it started commercial operations in2010, the Beijing-based company's online website of travel guides, advice and booking options has proved to be a runaway success. Today, Mafengwo has launched an app to go with its website business and now has more than 100 million users. They go through the latest travel information, glance at Q&As and reviews, as well as book hotels, travel destinations and local tours. "Chinese tourists now have better jobs and know how to share information, especially those born in the 1980s and the 1990s (Millennials)," Chen said. "Driven by life quality decisions,more people will choose independent travel instead of traditional package tours," he added. This is where the app comes in. According to online data company Analysys Qianfan, Mafengwo's app had more than 3 million active monthly users in April, a jump of 18 percent compared to March. With figures like that,Chen's company was able to generate 4 billion yuan in gross merchandising value last year. An exhibit booth shows the billboard of Mafengwo at an international tourism fair in Beijing. [Photo/China Daily] The vast majority of it came from independent travel products, advertising and commission collected from hotels as well as local agencies. But he declined to give detailed financial figures for the privately-owned company. "I expect gross merchandise value on our platform will grow by 200 percent this year compared to 2016," he said. "We have grown up in the new era of data and that means it will be a strategically key resource." Investors have bought into Chen's dream. So far, they have poured over $100 million into it, including tens of millions of dollars in the latest C round of funding in 2015. A great deal of that investment will go into "artificial intelligence technologies" to help expand the app and website operations, as the company continues to upgrade its services for users and customers. In a constantly changing business environment, the travel sector is going through a dramatic new stage. Last year, Chinese tourists made more than 4 billion inbound trips and 122 million outbound journeys, according to a report released by China Tourism Academy and online giant Ctrip.com International Ltd. The report also showed that 60 percent of outbound trips in 2016 were down to independent travelers and not groups. Millennials have played a key role in the change as they love different and often offbeat destinations. They also tend to share their experiences online. For social travel platforms, such as Mafengwo, that has proved to be a golden business opportunity. "Our platform will generate a huge amount of travel information coming from millions of tourists globally every day," Chen said. "This will include pictures, travel guides, Q&As and views. "But using big data and AI technologies, we will help transform that into gripping travel information," he added. The company already operates a data center to process information from registered users. Now, it will be shifted to produce personalized travel products and services. Jiang Xinwei, senior analyst from internet consultancy Analysys in Beijing, singled out innovation as Mafengwo's crucial draw card. "By having a large number of users, Mafengwo is able to produce big data analysis to cater for specific needs," she said. "This will transform travel products, but it will also be challenging for companies." In order to tap into this trend, online travel titans, such as Expedia-like Ctrip and Tuniu Corp, are building online "communities" to boost more user-generated content online. "Content generation and the purchase of travel products will help during the course of the platform's development," Chen said."With the improved technologies and changing travel habits, companies need to provide more personalized products and better user experiences." Robots dance at an expo in Chongqing, June 22. [Photo/Xinhua] Xu Jinghong, co-chair of Summer Davos in Dalian, insists robots taking over manufacturing jobs could lead to more enriched lives for people. The chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, the technology investment arm of China's elite Beijing university, said it was important to combat fears that the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution could lead to mass unemployment within a decade or more. "The Fourth Industrial Revolution will eventually make people richer and when people become more affluent they have a greater need for culture and the arts," he said. Xu Jinghong, chairman of Tsinghua Holdings. [Photo provided to China Daily] "In a traditional society, you may think you have to go and work in a factory or a company. With robots, manufacturing will take care of itself," he added. The 54-year-old was instrumental in setting up the Tsinghua Science Park in 1994, which is now one of the largest of its kind in the world, and stressed that it was important to educate the workforce so they were prepared for new opportunities. "Education needs to give people the skills to work in the new culture and service industries," Xu said. He pointed out that the aim of the forum was to send out the message that the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is the theme of this year's event, must be inclusive and not leave people behind. "I hope the participants exchanging ideas here can come up with suggestions as to how we can achieve inclusive growth," he said. Xu, who is also deputy director of the advisory board of Zhongguancun National Demonstration Zone, or China's Silicon Valley, insisted that the country's aim was not to beat other nations in a so-called technology race. Known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this covers the advent of artificial intelligence, the internet of things and autonomous vehicles as well as robotics. "The question is not whether a country wants to knock anyone out of the race, but to achieve a solution for the whole of mankind to benefit," he said. "As far as I know, Chinese entrepreneurs want to contribute to the development of the whole world, not to be against anyone else." Xu has spent his adult life at Tsinghua, starting as an undergraduate mechanical engineering student at 17 before holding a number of academic positions. He became chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, one of the biggest investors in technology companies in the country, in 2012. Under his leadership, its assets have grown more than sixfold from 58 billion yuan ($8.49 billion) to 350 billion yuan. "The success of the investments is something I am most pleased about," he said. One of the criticisms of Chinese universities is that they have been able to churn out engineers but not enough people who can drive innovation. AUBURN Seven-year-old William Avery wants to be a police officer when he grows up, so his mom Nicole Avery brought him and his little brother Christopher, 5, to the Auburn Police Department's Coffee With a Cop event Wednesday evening at McDonald's on Grant Avenue. Officers gave the Avery boys junior police badges and Chief Shawn Butler and Deputy Chief Roger Anthony posed for photos with the boys. Nicole Avery said the boys were excited to meet the officers and they had a fun time. To Butler, that's what this event was all about: Getting to meet and talk with all Auburn residents, no matter how young or how old. "[Events like this] give us the opportunity to meet the people we serve," Butler said. "It also gives an opportunity for people to see us officers in a different light." Butler said he and Anthony make it a priority to host community outreach events at different venues. He said he reached out to the national Coffee With a Cop organization to set up the event and McDonald's offered to host. "McDonald's has been a long-time partner of the community," said McDonald's Field Brand Reputation Manager Christina Crews, who was at the event. "We want to find other ways to serve the community other than dining." "What better way to meet your local officers than over a cup of coffee?" Crews added. In addition to Butler and Anthony, Lt. James Slayton, Officer Sean DeRosa and City Manager Jeff Dygert were also present at the event to speak to the public. Butler said community members spoke with him about "a little bit of everything," including traffic concerns in their neighborhoods and drug use in the community. Auburn resident Joe Rielly Sr. said he came to the event to speak with officers about traffic problems on his street. He is worried about vehicles speeding and running stop signs in a neighborhood where children live. "They're very good about wanting to take care of it," Rielly said of the officers. "They're doing a good job. I'm happy they had the meeting." Bill Berry took the time to speak with the officers about things the police department can do to create a sense of community. He brought up the national issue of police brutality. "So often we're influenced by the national perspective that we see on the news," Berry said. "There are some national issues, but we shouldn't put that on our police department." Butler agreed that people sometimes view police officers in a negative light based on what they see on TV or read in the news. "This event gives us a chance to bring it back down to a community level where people can see us as those people they went to school with, those people they shop at the same stores with," Butler said. "We're there to help." BEIJING - Ever since China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong 20 years ago, the mainland has stood fully behind the city and underpinned its prosperity. With the backing of the motherland and facing the world, Hong Kong has become a platform for Southeast Asian nations to expand their markets and seek new development opportunities. International observers have said that Hong Kong's advantage will be further enlarged following the implementation and advancement of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, and that Southeast Asia is expected to join hands in this global endeavor. Backing of motherland The backing of the Chinese mainland is undoubtedly an irreplaceable advantage and a lasting attraction of Hong Kong compared to other economies in the world. Given their geographic proximity, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia have a long history of contact, and the scale of bilateral cooperation has only expanded since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule. Take the last 10-year period for instance. The value of bilateral commodity trade between Hong Kong and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has increased by 72 percent. There are 547 ASEAN enterprises in Hong Kong as of June 2016, among which 54 are headquartered in the city, according to the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Bambang Suryono, an Indonesian scholar and president of the Jakarta-based think tank Nanyang ASEAN Foundation, said Indonesia and other ASEAN nations have very close ties with Hong Kong, which has become a bridge and hub connecting the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia. With the increasingly closer economic and trade ties between China and Southeast Asia, Hong Kong's status has become ever more unique, he said. Data has shown that nearly 90 percent of annual transit trade Southeast Asia conducted through Hong Kong eventually ended up on the Chinese mainland, and the value is rising. Facing the world Having gradually evolved into a financial and trade center in the Asia Pacific region as early as the 1970s, Hong Kong has further consolidated its economic status in the region after returning to China, becoming not only the top choice among Southeast Asian nations for establishing external economic ties, but also their favorite investment destination. Li Xingyu, executive director of the socio-economic research center at the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, said that finance is the sector in which Hong Kong shows the strongest international competitiveness, and that not only does the city have a solid foundation as an international financial hub, it has also weathered several challenges, most notably the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2008 global economic recession. Li said the strength of Hong Kong's finance industry is the very reason why big Malaysian banks such as Maybank and Commerce International Merchant Bank have headquarters there. Noting the presence of investors from Hong Kong in the developing nations of Asia, Chen Zhangcheng, chair of Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said they have created many job opportunities and generated plenty of tax revenue in the 10 ASEAN nations. The Philippines is willing to tap into its geographic advantage and strive for more investment from Hong Kong, he added. B&R charts future Facing the opportunities brought about by the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Honk Kong, an important knot along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, is set to see its further gains with Southeast Asia, a region also covered by the Belt and Road Initiative. Chen said Hong Kong is capable of providing substantial assistance in financing to the Philippines, which he said has a poor economic foundation. Yet, the advantages Manila has in terms of both the English-speaking environment and the comparatively low labor costs cannot be ignored, Chen said, adding the country can export high quality labor force to Hong Kong and other economies along the Belt and Road. Cooperation between Hong Kong and Thailand within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative has come to early fruition, which is reflected in the signing in May of a bilateral memorandum of understanding on cooperation in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor. Somkid Jatusripitak, deputy prime minister of Thailand, said that Hong Kong is a hub in the Asia Pacific region and an international metropolis while Thailand connects Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, so the prospect for the two sides to step up cooperation is promising. A car drives under Chinese national flags and flags of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Tsim Sha Tsui of Hong Kong, China, June 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] The Chinese mainland and Hong Kong signed two new agreements under the framework of the existing bilateral economic pact Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) on Wednesday. Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Gao Yan and Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Paul Chan addressed the signing ceremony. The two agreements, the Investment Agreement and Agreement on Economic and Technical (Ecotech) Cooperation, came into effect on the day of signing, with the former to be implemented from January 1, 2018. The Investment Agreement is the first investment agreement of the mainland with pre-established national treatment commitments made for the advocation of investment adopting a negative listing approach. Furthermore, the agreement on Ecotech specially emphasizes mainland's support to Hong Kong in participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Signed on June 2003, CEPA covers four areas: trade in goods, trade in services, investment, and economic and technical cooperation. So far, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have signed 10 supplement agreements, six appendixes, and two agreements related to service trade (excluding the two agreements signed on Wednesday). Li Daokui, economist at Tsinghua University, delivers a speech at a parallel forum on The Global Implications of China's Financial Reforms at the Summer Davos in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, June 27, 2017. [Photo/VCG] China's economic growth remains solid and is expected to reach 6.7 percent this year and 6.9 percent in 2018, a former central bank advisor said on Wednesday. "Our forecast is that China's growth can reach 6.7 percent this year, although it may ease a little bit in the second half of this year due to tightened financial regulation," said Li Daokui, an economist at Tsinghua University and former member of the People's Bank of China's monetary policy committee. Li said the external environment is improving and becoming more favorable for China's growth. He said China's producer price index (PPI), which measures factory-gate prices and reflects the state of corporate activities, has stopped falling and picked up in recent months, meaning corporate profits will rise and investment will increase. Meanwhile, China's job market has improved and investment and consumption continue to grow at a fast pace. Li told a panel discussion at the three-day Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2017, also known as Summer Davos, that if the trend continues, China's growth can hit 6.9 percent year-on-year in 2018. China's PPI dropped 0.8 percent year-on-year in August last year, but has returned to positive territory. In the first quarter of this year, China's GDP growth was 6.9 percent, beating market expectations and laying a solid foundation for China to meet its pre-set annual growth target of around 6.5 percent for this year. A report released by the Bank of China's research institute on Wednesday said China's economy will likely expand 6.8 percent year-on-year this year. Factors that had bolstered the strong growth in the first half are likely to continue to support the economy in the coming months, according to Gao Yuwei, a researcher with the institute. "Stable growth in the first half of this year leaves space for the government to enhance regulation in the financial sector," Gao said. "But the government needs to strike a balance between stabilizing growth and lowering leverage ratios. That means the macroeconomic environment can neither be too loose nor too tight." Although the country's de-leveraging initiative, which is part of its economic structural reforms, may have short-term pressure on growth, such structural reforms are necessary for China to achieve stable and sustainable growth. "This year's economic structuring has laid a good foundation for stable growth next year," said Zhu Min, an economist at Tsinghua University and former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund. But Li said policies of US President Donald Trump, especially those concerning Asia, remain a factor that could bring geopolitical uncertainty and affect China's growth prospects next year. Another potential risk point comes from the foreign exchange market, analysts said. The yuan still faces depreciation pressure in the coming months, mainly driven by the US Fed's policy normalization plan, Wang Youxin, a researcher with the Bank of China institute, said. DES MOINES - Despite public worries about China-US relations in Trump's era, Daniel Houston, CEO of Principle Financial Group, believes it is not the president but the people of the two countries that will ultimately define the success of the China-US relations. US President Donald Trump's China-bashing campaign rhetoric cast shadows on the relations of the world's two leading economies during his election trail last year. However, the meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April of this year have greatly calmed jitters among the public and revived hopes, especially with the launch of the 100-day Action Plan after the meetings, which meant to relieve trade concerns between the two countries. When asked about his view of the China-US relations in Trump's era, Houston told Xinhua, in an exclusive interview on Tuesday in his office in Des Moines, that people should view the relations beyond a cyclical perspective. "The way that I would think about is not so much the Trump era. I would like to think about it as the era of the Chinese and American people, because of our mutual dependencies on one another," said Houston. "No matter who the president is, it is the consumers, corporations and individuals, who are consuming these products in China and in the US, that will ultimately decide what the success is of the US and China trade relationship," he added. US goods and services trade with China totaled an estimated $648.2 billion in 2016, with China ranking as the largest goods trading partner of the United States. Moreover, Chinese companies invested a record 46 billion dollars in the United States in 2016, tripling the amount in 2015 and representing a tenfold increase compared to just five years ago. "You have a very large economy, that is gonna benefit greatly from US export products, and I have no doubt that the US economy is gonna benefit from significant Chinese exports. So it only makes sense that we have a healthy and vibrant trade relationship between China and the US," said Houston. Opportunities in china While some US companies have voiced concerns about China's business environment in recent years, Houston views the issue in a two-way context. "I think the quite opposite," Houston said, "not only did the US companies express concerns and challenges, but the same Chinese companies expressed similar challenges of doing business in the US. So we both mutually have to learn how to work with one another." Principle set up an office in China in the early 1990s, and created an asset management company together with China Construction Bank (CCB) in 2005, which managed assets over 300 billion yuan ($44 billion) at the end of 2015. The importance of patience and resilience is well exemplified by Principle's persistence in Chinese market over the last two decades. In an area highly effected by domestic policies and regulations, Principle has continuously made progress with its Chinese partner CCB, helping Chinese customers with its expertise, products and services. "I think if we stick to it, and we are persistent, and we add good value, and there is good transparency, good cooperation and partnership, then we'll see more Chinese companies doing business in the US, and more US companies doing business in China," said Houston. "And it doesn't happen overnight, so the useful thing is to foster longstanding relationships and understandings, because sometimes we don't always communicate as clearly and transparently as we need to," Houston added. Focusing on the booming opportunities in China's pension management market, Principe and CCB signed the Strategic Cooperation Agreement and a memorandum of understanding in 2016 to develop a new asset management and pension partnership. The agreement created an opportunity for the Iowa-based US company, which is famous for its pension management expertise and has $619.7 billion in assets under management, to participate in China's evolving pension and asset management industry. "The challenge in China is very similar to the US, because you have a 1.3 billion population, and you have a society that is growing older and gray," said Houston, "so you can see the very natural reasons why the appropriate officials in China will want to tap into the knowledge, the expertise, the products and services, the investment techniques to allow the government to not have so much burden for the retirees of Chinese companies." Long-term horizons match up Pension management industry is not only about reducing fiscal burden for the government or providing alternative retirement plans for individuals, it also has a great meaning for the whole economy. In developed economies like the US and Japan, pension funds played a critical role in providing long-term strategic investments, which is essential for long-term projects like infrastructure programs. In order to finance infrastructure programs, "you want long-term strategic investors," said Houston, "the beauty of that is you are aligning the assets with the liabilities, like 30 years liability with 30 years asset, so everyone wins." Besides, long-term strategic investors are also indispensable for financial stability, he said. "What you can avoid by those long-term strategic investments is the volatility in the market. That does not mean that you would be guaranteed that you wouldn't have volatility, but clearly you have the benefit of a much stable economy," Houston explained. Business leaders at a panel discussion during the Summer Davos in Dalian, in Northeast China's Liaoning province, on Thursday have confirmed technology will bring tremendous changes to the world economy and companies from various sectors, which are actively embracing new technologies to drive future growth. BG Srinivas, group managing director of PCCW Limited, a leading telecomm company in Hong Kong, said while paying attention to the change of customer demand, his company focused on new technologies in telecom and media so the company could leapfrog and expand its footprint outside Hong Kong. Aireen Omar, CEO of the Air Asia Berhad airline headquartered in Malaysia, further shared how her company benefited from the adoption of the technology. "As demand for travel and expedience in Southeast Asia increases, the company has encouraged its customers to book tickets online and, as a result, some 80 percent of its bookings come from the internet, which generate a lot of data," Omar said. "(Therefore) we've invested a team to analyze the data to understand consumer behaviors, making it possible for the company to provide consumers with products they didnt realize they wanted." The advancement of technology, in fact, spurred nascent businesses. "The birth of Mobike is based on an advanced mobile payment system in China," he said. The company launched its shared bikes, an innovative solution to address consumers' short-distance travel demand, in April last year, and now has had daily riders of 20 million people. Catherine D. Wood, company CEO and founder of ARK Investment Management, a US based investment institution, said the company now focused its research on five major technology areas for investment opportunities including genomics sequencing, robotics and automation, energy storage and the next generation of internet, which included artificial intelligence, deep learning, machine learning and block chain technologies. XIAMEN - A Boeing 787-9 left Xiamen in Fujian province, East China, for Los Angeles, the United States, on Tuesday evening -- the first direct flight between the two cities. Xiamen Airlines will operate the 13-hour flight every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. "This new flight means more access to Xiamen from my hometown L.A., and more opportunities for me to come here to travel," said Francis Tercek, a passenger on the flight. She said in the past, she had to transit in Beijing or Shanghai. The new direct flight is not only cheaper, but it takes less time, she added. This is the third Xiamen Airlines flight linking Xiamen with cities in the US, L.A. follows flights to Seattle and New York. The airline also plans to start a L.A.-Qingdao-Xiamen flight this December. BEIJINGA meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Wednesday emphasized the Party's authority over higher education institutes. The meeting, presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, was held to review a report on the Party's inspection of 31 major universities. Higher education should be a nurturing environment for the inheritors of the socialist cause and support the development of Marxism, according to a statement released after the meeting. Inspectors have carried out "thorough political examinations" of 31 major universities, including Peking University and Tsinghua University. The inspections confirmed that the Party's leadership had been strengthened at the universities and the experience improved Party governance while maintaining the high standards of education at the institutes, the statement said. In order to better manage socialist higher education with Chinese characteristics, universities should uphold the Party's teachings, it said. The statement stressed that Party committees of institutes of higher education should continue to implement the Party's education policies and uphold the authority and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. The institutions were told to improve the campus, faculty and student environment and to promote Party building to enable Party organizations and Party members to better play a pioneering role, it said. The statement also called for strict intra-Party political life. Over the past five years, the inspection system has promoted the institutionalization of intra-Party supervision, it said. The central authorities will review the inspection work during the term of the 18th CPC Central Committee, improve the system and expand the scope of inspections, according to the statement. Xinhua Photo taken on June 26, 2017 shows the construction site of a grand bridge across Beijing-Baotou railway, which is a section of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway line in Huailai county of Zhangjiakou, North China's Hebei province. Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, a major transportation project for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is expected to be finished by the end of 2019. The new railway will link Beijing's Yanqing district and Chongli county in Zhangjiakou. The new railway will boast a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, and will take less than one hour to travel from Beijing to Zhangjiakou.[Photo/Xinhua] China released an emergency response plan for internet security incidents on Tuesday. The plan was formulated and released by the Office of the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs, to "improve handling of cybersecurity incidents, prevent and reduce damage, protect the public interest and safeguard national security, public safety and social order". The plan divides cybersecurity incidents into six categories, including pernicious procedural incidents, cyberattacks and information security incidents. It defines four levels of security warnings and response systems depending on threat conditions ranging from "general" to "extremely serious". In the "extremely serious" category, security incidents may "paralyze many important internet and information systems" or "cause loss or falsification of State secrets and important sensitive information, posing great threats to national security and social stability", the plan says. Serious incidents will trigger measures including the establishment of an emergency headquarters, 24-hour monitoring and multidepartmental coordination in handling the aftermath. In May, China suffered from a global ransomware attack that had paralyzed online payment systems at petrol stations across China and invaded colleges to encrypt papers and other documents. The plan implements the Cybersecurity Law adopted last year, which requires an emergency response mechanism to avoid threats. Xinhua AUBURN It's been two years since Brandon Hinman admitted to stealing thousands of dollars from his family, but now the Army veteran is headed to prison. On Thursday, the 34-year-old Weedsport native pleaded guilty to two violations of probation in Cayuga County criminal court with Judge Thomas Leone. Leone had initially sentenced Hinman to five years probation in June 2015. At the time, Hinman had pleaded guilty to two felonies third-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument for stealing nearly $50,000 from his family. That money had been raised following the premature birth of his twin daughters and the unexpected death of his wife, Jenna, in 2014. In court Thursday, Hinman admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his probation. He told Leone that he failed to report to his probation officer and failed to abstain from drugs earlier this year, using opiates and cocaine on a daily basis in March and April. "A lot has happened in the past three to four years, but it's time to move forward," Hinman said. "I just want to take full responsibility for my actions." According to Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann, Hinman was also behind on his restitution although defense attorney David Elkovitch said Hinman was up to date on his payments. In addition, Budelmann said Hinman had missed several court dates and tampered with urine tests in felony treatment court. "It's a sad day," Budelmann said in court. "A veteran who served our country stole from his infant daughters. He has repeatedly thumbed his nose at the court. ... But ultimately the truth came out." But Hinman said there is more truth to be told. "I'm not this monster that Cayuga County has made me out to be," he said. "Some of these things that come out in the media aren't true. ... There's more to my story." In the end, the judge said Hinman was not the father he could have been to his daughters, who Hinman has allegedly seen approximately 90 hours since 2015. He also noted that this was Hinman's second violation of probation; his first happened in December 2015 when he was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license. "I firmly believe you can be more of a father than you are," Leone said. "In all honesty, you haven't done anything I've asked you to do." Hinman was sentenced to two to six years in prison on each count. Both sentences will run concurrently to one another. Meanwhile, Hinman's in-laws could be seen hugging one another after court. They did not wish to comment on the case. Rescuers help villagers to safety on Tuesday night in Zhiping village in Shaoyang city, Hunan province, where roads to the village were cut off by landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.Tang Jun / For China Daily Areas surrounding the Pearl River, Taihu Lake and the Huaihe River are at risk of flooding in the aftermath of heavy rainfall, according to warnings by flood control authorities. Following heavy rainfall in southern parts of China from Friday to Wednesday, the rain band will move northeast, leading to heavy downpours in central and eastern parts of China from Thursday to Sunday. Heavy rainfall will hit Jiangxi and Hunan provinces, raising the possibility of severe flooding in areas surrounding Dongting and Poyang lakes, and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, according to Liu Zhiyu, deputy director of the Ministry of Water Resources' hydrographic bureau. There have been 19 heavy rainfalls this year, with "an extremely uneven distribution of rainfall" and "high frequencies of extreme weather" raising risks of flooding, Zhang Jiatuan, spokesman for the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, said on Wednesday. The headquarters asked flood control officials to be on shift around the clock from March 1, a month earlier than in previous years, while the central government has allocated 812 million yuan ($119.4 million) in funding for flood control and drought relief this year, Zhang added. Flooding this year has resulted in direct economic losses of 22.9 billion yuan, and left 47 people dead and another 10 missing, according to the authority. It has affected 982,100 hectares of crops and more than 14.9 million people, with more than 1.3 million people being evacuated. Compared with the same period since 2010, the number of casualties this year fell by 84 percent, while the area of affected crops decreased by 62 percent, Zhang said. Though all of the 175,700 structures that were damaged or destroyed in floods last year had been repaired by the end of May, and 50 suspect sections of dikes along the Yangtze River have also been reinforced, most of them have yet to be tested by major floods, the authority said. The large number of small and medium-sized reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations, as well as water conservancy projects under construction across the country also provide challenges for flood control work, Zhang said. Many leading officials in the new term of local governments lack experience in flood control and drought relief, and this may also affect efforts this year, he added. Zhang's headquarters and the ministry have drafted a revised plan for using major reservoirs, including the Three Gorges and Danjiangkou Reservoir, for flood diversion and storage, as well as detailing a plan for reducing reservoir storage to prepare for floods based on rainfall analysis. According to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, more than 2.35 million hectares of farmland are currently drought-stricken, which is less than one-third of the average for the same period in recent years. To alleviate drought in Shandong province, a total of 445 million cubic meters of water has been transferred to the region from the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. Editor's note: In the run-up to the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress, China Daily sent six reporters to villages nationwide to live for a month and take a look at how people are working to ensure that China's poverty eradication plan succeeds. Xu Dan, a township government employee in Longnan, Gansu province, feels lucky to have opened the first online store in his community three years ago. "At that time, the government had started to put more emphasis on developing e-commerce as a major poverty alleviation measure," he said. "I was assigned to open the first online store in Wangba township." Xu opened the store on Taobao's online marketplace and began selling dried mushrooms, walnuts and honey - products he bought from local farmers. Within the first year, he had recovered his entire investment, including promotion fees, which came to just under 5,000 yuan ($730). He now sells 250 kilograms of locally produced honey a month to customers as far away as Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces and Shanghai, he said. "Some villagers also opened online stores, seeing it really could make money," he said. "Now there are about 30. Most owners are college students or young people who returned from working in big cities." As of the end of April, the number of online stores based in Longnan had reached 10,703. The number of e-commerce platforms created by the city or in partnership with it had climbed to 32, according to the city's commerce bureau. The stores have generated sales of 5.2 billion yuan from 2014 through April, benefiting 97,000 villagers living under the poverty line, it said. To promote local agricultural products such as olives and tea, and to help farmers increase their income, Longnan decided to focus on the development of e-commerce at the end of 2013, the bureau said. That was made possible by technology: As of April, 2,632 villages - 83 percent of the city - had access to broadband, the bureau said. In Wangba, part of Kangxian county, total sales of agricultural products through e-commerce channels last year reached 70,000 yuan, according to Li Rui, the township's Party chief. Because the community is located in a mountainous area more than seven hours by car from the provincial capital, Lanzhou, many agricultural products produced by its farmers went to waste, he said. To help farmers sell their products, the township invested more than 500,000 yuan last year to establish a model e-commerce store, he said. Owners of the online stores in Wangba sign agreements with farmers so the farmers can concentrate on growing and farming, and not worry about sales, Xu said. Feng Mingzhi, deputy head of Wangba, who established a tea-processing factory, said he started to sell tea online two years ago. "Last year, we sold nearly 1 million yuan's worth of tea through the company's online store on Taobao," he said. Feng also said some obstacles remain for his company in exploring the market online, as costs are high for promoting and managing online stores. A disabled student who scored high enough on the college entrance exams to get into China's top universities was facing a quandary. Wei Xiang, 19, a high school graduate in Dingxi, Gansu province, had scored 648 points out of 750 on the gaokao this month. But Wei, born with spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spinal cord is malformed, uses a wheelchair and needs help due to complications from his condition. Wei's mother, a nurse, has raised him by herself since his father died in 2005. Wei, hoping to study at Tsinghua University in Beijing in order to pursue a science career, sent a letter to the university hoping to be assigned a dorm room just for him and his mother if he is admitted to the prestigious institution. If Wei is admitted, "considering my physical condition, my mother will have to quit her job to look after me at the university, which means we will lose our only source of income," Wei wrote. "I sincerely hope that Tsinghua could offer my mother and me a place to live when accepting me." Wei's letter was posted on social media and attracted attention from many people, including Liu Zhen, director of the university's admissions office, who left a message under the post saying that university staff members would contact him to offer help. "Tsinghua would not let any brilliant student lose the opportunity of receiving an education for financial reasons and would try its best to provide assistance and support," he said in the message. On Tuesday, the office posted a letter to Wei on its WeChat account in response to Wei's request: "Please believe that there is enough support from Tsinghua, both on and outside campus. The university will not let any single excellent student miss out." The admissions office said in the statement that Qiu Yong, the university's president, had called for more information about Wei, and Chen Xu, Party chief of the university, also asked the student affairs department to help solve problems facing the young man. "In addition, some alumni have shown a willingness to support and assist you in further medical treatment, and more follow-up steps will be taken by related departments of the university," the statement said. Xiang Chun, director of the university's Property Management Center, said on Tuesday that a dorm room would be available for Wei and his mother and that they would be exempt from dorm fees if Wei studies at the university. The opening ceremony of the World Intelligence Driving Challenge is held in Tianjin on June 28, 2017. [Photo by Yu Jie/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn] TIANJIN - The World Intelligence Driving Challenge (WIDC) kicked off at the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) in Tianjin on Wednesday. As a part of the World Intelligent Congress (WIC2017) that is opened on Thursday, the event aims to present a superior site demonstration about smart driving that brings people more of a sense of technology and experience. Focusing on the driving challenges of self-driving vehicles, the WIDC competition is divided into three series, including self-driving, smart-aided driving and information security. The WIDC invited international companies, universities, colleges and research institutes to form the participating teams. BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has conveyed condolences to his Botswana counterpart Ian Khama over the death of former President Quett Ketumile Joni Masire. In a message dated June 23, Xi mourned Masire's death and extended sincere sympathy to the family of the former president. As an old friend of the Chinese people, Masire has made significant contributions to China-Botswana friendship and cooperation as well as to the development of China-Botswana and China-Africa relations, which will be remembered forever by the Chinese people, Xi said. The Chinese president also voiced hope for steady progress in China-Botswana friendly cooperative relations so as to deliver more tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples. Masire died at 91 on June 22 at the Bokamoso Private Hospital in the capital where he has been hospitalized in intensive care unit. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The two sections of the main arch of the Jinshajiang Bridge are successfully joined together in Yibin city, Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 28, 2017. [Photo/VCG] Engineers successfully joined together the two sections of the main arch of the Jinshajiang Bridge in Yibin city in Southwest China's Sichuan province on June 28, inching closer to completion after work began in December 2013. The Jinshajiang River overpass, one of the key parts of Chengdu-Guiyang high-speed railway under construction, will be world's first rail-road combined bridge with railway line on top deck, according to CCTV. The Jinshajiang Bridge, which will have a four-lane railway and a six-lane highway, is 1874.9 meters long, with a 336-meter-wide span on its main arch. The railway track will run 32 meters above the highway, the highest in the world. A rail-road combined bridge usually has road on top. However, a road in Yibin will connect with the highway so the bridge faced height restriction. Also, considering the mountainous terrain in the area, building rail track on top meant less tunnels. The Jinshajiang Bridge in Yibin city is part of the Chengdu-Guiyang high-speed rail, a 632.6-kilometer-long link connecting Southwest China's Chengdu city and Guiyang city. The Chengdu-Guiyang high-speed railway is expected to open by December 2019. When completed, it would take only three hours to travel between the two cities from the current 12 hours. TIANJIN -- A new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) was discussed at the World Intelligence Congress which opened Thursday in North China's Tianjin municipality. The inaugural congress includes 16 forums and a 6,000-square-meter exhibition area displaying high-tech achievements in AI technology. A series of cooperation agreements will be inked at the expo, including one between the Tianjin municipal government and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, which will map out a development strategy for a new generation of AI technology. Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang said that the new generation of AI technology will have a "significant effect" on society, and will become a driving force behind a new industrial revolution. The municipal government will also sign an agreement with Alibaba's financial affiliate Ant Financial to push forward the building of a "cash-free city" in Tianjin, where electronic payments will be used in areas such as transportation, medical care, education, and social security. President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan arrive at Hong Kong International Airport on Thursday. Xi is making a three-day visit. EDMOND TANG / FOR CHINA DAILY President's visit demonstrates support for SAR The central government will as always support Hong Kong in growing its economy and improving the people's livelihoods, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday during his trip to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. The president's remarks received positive feedback from the Hong Kong public, with many people expressing confidence for a better future. Arriving at the airport, Xi told reporters his three-day Hong Kong trip showcases the support for Hong Kong from the central government, which has offered its strong backing for the past 20 years. "I believe that through the series of events to be staged in Hong Kong, our determination and confidence in developing and building a better Hong Kong will surely be enhanced," he said. Xi will attend celebrations for the anniversary and the inauguration of the fifth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return from British rule and the establishment of the HKSAR. Xi congratulated the special administrative region on its great achievements over the 20 years since its establishment, and he encouraged the HKSAR to create new glory. He also said he will join people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to review the HKSAR's extraordinary 20-year journey, sum up its experience and plan the future to ensure the smooth and long-term successful practice of the "one country, two systems" policy. "I'm pleased to have set foot in Hong Kong once again after nine years," Xi said. "Hong Kong's development has always pulled at my heartstrings." Xi's last trip to Hong Kong was in July 2008, when he was the vice-president of China. He visited two local families and talked with the residents about housing prices, mortgage loans and incomes. The president received a warm welcome and appreciation from the public. Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the president's visit has shown the central government's support for Hong Kong and the special attention to the "one country, two systems" principle. She expressed gratitude to Xi for his wishes for Hong Kong. The central government's continuous support for "one country, two systems" has helped and will enhance Hong Kong's cooperation with mainland cities and provinces, which will push forward Hong Kong's development, Lee said. She said the president's call for planning the future should be seen as a reminder for Hong Kong people to consider how the city can boost competitiveness. Irons Sze Wing-wai, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, said that Xi's inspection visit is an affirmation of Hong Kong's successful implementation of "one country, two systems". "I hope that the visit by President Xi will further advance the economic ties and trade cooperation between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, enabling Hong Kong to get aboard the nation's high-speed development train, and join the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," he said. Luis Liu and Shadow Li in Hong Kong contributed to this story. Delighted children and adults watch the performance of a robot at the 2017 China Beijing International High-Tech Expo on June 8. [Photo/China Daily] China will roll out a slate of important artificial intelligence projects and step up efforts to cultivate AI talent as part of the country's upcoming national plan to gain a lead in the cutting-edge technology, a senior official said on Thursday. Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang said the country will soon release a national strategy to detail how to boost the development of AI through 2030. China will launch a series of core AI research and development projects, devote more resources to nurturing talent, and accelerate the application of AI in education, healthcare, security and other sectors, Wang said at the World Intelligence Congress in Tianjin. The plan is ready and will soon be released for public review, Wan said. He also said more steps will be taken to build closer cooperation with international AI organizations and encourage foreign AI companies to set up R&D centers in China. Thomas Jakob, Asia Pacific regional president at Bosch Software Innovations, which is the software and systems division of Germany's Bosch Group, said the new AI plan will have roughly the same impact on the industry as the government's Made in China 2025 initiative has had on the manufacturing sector. "At the moment, 62 percent of investment into the AI industry is going to the US and Europe. This will change as what Wan said this morning will help China better nurture AI talent and improve in other areas," Jakob said. China attaches high importance to AI, which is widely seen as an effective tool to boost industrial productivity and empower employees. A report from consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers forecasts that AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030 and China will be among the biggest beneficiaries of that, with a 26 percent boost to its GDP in 2030. Robin Li, known as Li Yanhong in Chinese, CEO of Baidu Inc, said: "China will lead the world in AI development, since the country has about 700 million internet users who are highly responsive to new technologies. This is an edge no other countries can rival." The internet titan has increased its AI spending and brought in former Microsoft executive Lu Qi to spearhead its plan of mass-producing driverless vehicles within four years. Liu Qingfeng, chairman of the leading voice-recognition technology company iFlytek, said AI is highly technology-intensive and the upcoming national plan will motivate companies to emphasize basic science, the source of innovation. "It will help domestic enterprises better access overseas resources and invest in foreign companies, and give China a bigger say in the global technology arena," Liu said. The company is developing an AI-enabled robot capable of outscoring 80 percent of Chinese students in the national college admission exams to become eligible, theoretically, for admission to a top-level university in 2020. Contact the writers at masi@chinadaily.com.cn For any entity with the size and functional scope of Cayuga County government, it makes sense to periodically take a hard look at whether the current organizational structure is working as effectively as it should. But how that is done and what resources should be devoted to doing it are the key questions to ask. To that end, we appreciated the sentiments expressed at Tuesday's Cayuga County Legislature meeting regarding the hiring of a consulting firm to look at the organizational structure for $75,000. The measure passed, 10-4, to hire CGR, a firm that has extensive experience analyzing upstate New York county governments and providing recommendations. Cayuga County Legislature hires consultant to examine county's organization AUBURN The Cayuga County Legislature voted to hire a consulting firm for $75,000 to examin Some lawmakers felt it was too much money to spend at a time when money is tight. Others believe it's an investment that could more than pay for itself if it leads to significant operational improvements. Which side is right will depend largely on how county leaders, starting with the Legislature, handle themselves as this consultant's review process plays out over the next several months. Legislator Tucker Whitman, one of the "no" votes to the deal, had an astute observation that all legislators should keep at the top of their minds: "I think a lot of us know what the problems are. It's a matter of agreeing what they are, and if they're going to give us a paper with a list that says a lot of what we already know, we have a really hard time with the implementation when it comes to change. I don't feel that this is going to help." Governments of all sizes, including Cayuga County at various times over the years, have been guilty of paying consultants for studies that look good when completed but never seem to get beyond the paper on which they are printed. As the CGR review progresses, we urge all 15 legislators to have an open mind about what this firm is suggesting, and make a concerted effort to implement real, but possibly painful, change. If Cayuga County government can be operating more efficiently and effectively a year from now, that $75,000 will have been money well-spent. If things are status quo, it will have been a waste of time and precious taxpayer dollars. The Citizen Editorial Board includes publisher Rob Forcey, managing editor Mike Dowd and executive editor Jeremy Boyer. A paramedic checks a man's health during the 2003 outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong.[Photo by Huo Yan/China Daily] Important, but hard, lessons were learned during the 2003 outbreak of the deadly virus, as Honey Tsang reports from Hong Kong. The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003 was a life-changing experience for many people in Hong Kong. It changed the world view of both those who survived the often lethal virus and the medical professionals who fought its spread on the front line. For Dr. Sung Jao-yiu, the experience was a test of his medical knowledge and judgment. Meanwhile, surviving SARS inspired Thomas Fung - who contracted the virus while providing healthcare to patients - to work in public hospitals and dedicate his career to the welfare of society's less-privileged members. The battle against SARS was tough. For many in Hong Kong, memories of paramedics in surgical masks sprinting to move the stricken into quarantine are as vivid as if the outbreak happened yesterday. Legions of colleagues fell gravely ill, the progression from diagnosis to death coming with breathtaking swiftness. Sung, now vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the images have been embedded in his memory for nearly 15 years, but he has made no attempt to expunge them. Sung's crucial role in one of the worst catastrophes to strike Hong Kong in living memory, began on March 10, 2003, when SARS erupted suddenly in Ward 8A of the Prince of Wales Hospital in the New Territories, where he was chief of service of the department of medicine and therapeutics. "The senior nurse told me several colleagues had come down with a fever and had requested sick leave," he said. That morning, 11 healthcare workers from the ward reported sick with symptoms of respiratory tract infection. It was a bad omen. Sung was alarmed by the threat of a massive outbreak. His fears were borne out by the resulting epidemic. He ordered Ward 8A to be closed immediately, and had to bear a wave of anger from patients and their family members, who were furious that the ward had been placed in isolation. No one could have foreseen what was to come. "We were dealing with a mysterious disease. We had absolutely no idea where it came from, how it was transmitted, or how it should be managed in patients," Sung said. He stuck with his intuition, which was shaped by experience. In the days that followed, his caution was justified as the number of new cases at the hospital soared. On March 11, a day after the ward was quarantined, 50 members of the medical staff reported sick, with 23 hospitalized immediately. The virus spread quickly through the hospital. At its height, 114 healthcare workers, 17 medical students, 39 patients and 42 visitors were affected; 137 of them had contracted the disease from Ward 8A. "We were fighting in the dark," Sung recalled. On March 12, two days after the first outbreak was recorded, SARS swept through the hospital's eighth floor. Sung divided the medical staff into "Clean" and "Dirty" teams. The Dirty Team, which Sung led, tended to patients with SARS. Sung called on colleagues who specialized in infectious diseases to join him, but the recently married and those with children were instructed not to volunteer. "We were not sure what we were handling, or how dangerous it could be," he said. Ward 8A became the epicenter of the outbreak. Fung, then a medical student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was treated there when he contracted the virus. Fung was among the first group of 23 healthcare workers taken ill. He had been training on Ward 8A, and one of his patients was in the next bed to "JJ", the person later identified as the source of the outbreak on the ward. As the virus took hold, Fung could feel the first chill; breathing became painful, then the fever came. A lesion was discovered on his lung, and he was quarantined in Ward 8A. Fung, now 37, has maintained a close relationship with Sung, his university mentor back in 2003, and he has fond memories of medical students gathering at Sung's house, where they enjoyed themselves and chatted about their future careers. At the height of the epidemic, Sung became the anchor who held the Dirty Team together. Everyone knew the risks, and the high probability of becoming infected. Sung regularly checked Fung's condition. When treatments such as Tamiflu and antibiotics didn't work, Sung advised Fung to take steroids. Fung was the first person in Hong Kong to receive steroid therapy in the fight against SARS: "I agreed to try because I trusted Song." The steroids worked. Fung's fever rapidly subsided, the lung lesion disappeared in days, and in just two weeks Fung was out of quarantine. "I was probably the first SARS patient to leave the hospital," he said. HONG KONG -- President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that the central government will as always support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in growing its economy and improving people's wellbeing. Xi made the remarks upon his arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport for a three-day trip. He will attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the HKSAR's fifth-term government. He will also inspect the HKSAR. Speaking to reporters at the airport, the president said his Hong Kong tour would serve to express best wishes for the HKSAR, showcase the central government's support for Hong Kong, and help the region plan its future. "I'm pleased to have set foot in Hong Kong once again after nine years," Xi said. "Hong Kong's development has always pulled at my heartstrings." Xi congratulated the HKSAR on the great achievements it has made over the past 20 years since its establishment, and encouraged the HKSAR to create new glory. The central government, which has offered strong backing for Hong Kong in the past 20 years, will as always support the HKSAR in growing its economy and improving people's wellbeing, Xi said. He also said he would join people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to review the SAR's extraordinary 20-year journey, sum up its experience and plan the future to ensure the smooth and long-term successful practice of the "one country, two systems" policy. This is Xi's first trip to Hong Kong as Chinese president. Hong Kong will mark the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland on July 1. According to Xi, this would be an important as well as joyous occasion for both the country and Hong Kong. The president said he was looking forward to experiencing in person new changes Hong Kong had undergone over the years. "I believe that through the series of events to be staged in Hong Kong, our determination and confidence in developing and building a better Hong Kong will surely be enhanced," he said. President Xi Jinping vowed on Thursday that the central government will always support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(HKSAR) in growing the city's economy and improving people's wellbeing. Xi made the remarks after he landed at Hong Kong International Airport at midday, marking the start of his three-day visit. He will attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the fifth-term HKSAR government on July 1. Xi will also inspect the HKSAR. "I'm pleased to have set foot in Hong Kong once again after nine years," Xi said. "Hong Kong's development has always pulled at my heartstrings." Accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan and a central government delegation, Xi said his Hong Kong tour would serve to express best wishes for the HKSAR, showcase the central government's support and help the region plan its future. Xi extended congratulations for the achievements Hong Kong has made in the past 20 years and his sincere good wishes to the city and its residents. In the past 20 years the central government has always given Hong Kong strong backing, providing unfailing support to boost the city's economy and improve people's wellbeing, the president said. Meanwhile, Xi said he would join people from across Hong Kong to review the HKSAR's extraordinary 20-year journey, draw experience from the past and plan for the future to ensure the smooth and long-term successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong will mark the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland on July 1. This would be an important as well as joyous occasion for both the country and the city, he said, adding that he was looking forward to experiencing the changes Hong Kong had undergone over the years. "I believe that through the series of events to be staged in Hong Kong, our determination and confidence in developing and building a better Hong Kong will surely be enhanced," he said. This is Xi's first visit to the HKSAR as Chinese president. The president was greeted by Chief Executive of the HKSAR Leung Chun-ying, incoming chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and a group of high-ranking Hong Kong government officials at the airport tarmac. A group of Hong Kong residents, together with students from local elementary schools, were also present at the airport, extending a warm welcome to Xi. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Leung Chun-ying, in Hong Kong, south China, June 29, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua] HONG KONG -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with outgoing Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Leung Chun-ying here Thursday, saying the central government fully acknowledged his work during his five-year term of office. With the strong support of the central government, Leung had led the HKSAR government to earnestly implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and the HKSAR Basic Law, and made arduous efforts to solve deep-rooted problems accumulated over the years in Hong Kong and expand the HKSAR's space for future development, Xi said. Leung and the HKSAR government have staunchly safeguarded national sovereignty, security, development interests, and social stability, making positive contributions to the undertaking of the "one country, two systems," Xi said. "The central government fully trusts you and fully acknowledges your work," Xi told Leung. The president expressed his hope that Leung would continue to serve Hong Kong and the country on his new post, and contribute his wisdom and strength to the undertaking of the "one country, two systems" and national development. Leung was elected vice chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the closing meeting of the annual session of the top political advisory body in March. Leung said Hong Kong's sound economic development and social stability could not have been achieved without Xi and the central government's care and support. Hong Kong could next give play to its advantages and seek complementary development with the mainland to dovetail with the country's 13th five-year plan, the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area city cluster, he said. Leung also vowed to make due contributions to Hong Kong and the country with his expertise and experience. Xi arrived in Hong Kong earlier Thursday for a three-day trip to attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the HKSAR's fifth-term government. He will also inspect the SAR. Accompanied by Leung, Xi also met with senior figures of the SAR's executive, legislative and judicial bodies on Thursday afternoon. During the meeting, Xi said the practice of "one country, two systems" has been very successful in Hong Kong. The concept has led to Hong Kong's peaceful return to China, a rare case in Chinese and foreign histories, where lost lands were mostly recovered by force, he said. After its return in 1997, the special administrative region system provided for by China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR took root in Hong Kong. The region has managed to retain prosperity and stability, despite the severe impacts of the Asian financial crisis, the SARS outbreak, and the global financial crisis, Xi said. "Our practice has fully proven that 'one country, two systems' is absolutely correct and is pulsing with life," the president said. He said the central government highly appreciates the work of the current administrative team of the HKSAR. Over the past five years, members of this team led by Leung have diligently performed their duties and earnestly implemented the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, fulfilling their responsibility for the nation and history, Xi said. Xi called on them to remain committed to their original mission of serving Hong Kong and the country, continue to care for the development of Hong Kong and the country and support the new chief executive and the new HKSAR government to govern Hong Kong in line with the law. They should also work to expand exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, and lead the younger generation to carry on the tradition of loving the country and Hong Kong at the same time, in order to make new contributions to building Hong Kong into a better place and realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, the president said. Dance Nine-colored Deer. [Photo/chncpa.org] The sixth "Chinese Dance for 12 Days" will launch in Beijing on July 5. Six modern dances will be featured during the event, such as Inspire, Kids, Intellectual's Style, Nine-colored Deer, Spring in Autumn and Intangible or Tangible, Just a Flashy Thought. A group of veteran dancers and artists recommended the six works created by young choreographers. Lin Hwai-min, a notable dancer and choreographer from Taiwan, participated in the event for the first time. He recommended the work Kids, a dance dedicated to a mother. "The dance is neither about a scene nor a story. It also has nothing to do with relations between a child and a mother. It looks like something half-reality and half-dream," Lin said. "The unique dance also shows a lot of emotions and feelings, and will let audience see the sorrow, nightmare and absurdness in life." Chinese leading dancer Jin Xing recommended Zhang Yashu's Nine-colored Deer. "Zhang is very talented. Her dance was adapted from a well-known Dunhuang fresco about the legend of a nine-colored deer," Jin said. Chinese Dance for 12 Days has been presenting new works from young Chinese choreographers throughout its five years of existence. It has featured ballet, folk dances and modern dances, providing an opportunity for young talents to present their ideas in the form of dance. Organized by the National Center for the Performing Arts and the Chinese Dance Association, the event will end on July 30. China, Singapore pledge to enhance ties 2017-06-29 21:30:07 Xinhua Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam Thursday, pledging to strengthen bilateral relations. BEIJING -- Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam Thursday, pledging to strengthen bilateral relations. China will work with Singapore to enhance political trust, cooperate under the Belt and Road Initiative, expand financial cooperation, and collaborate within multilateral frameworks, Zhang said. Zhang called on both countries to contribute to trade liberalization and economic globalization as the world economy faces uncertainties and challenges. Tharman congratulated China on the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. He said Singapore will work with China under the Belt and Road Initiative to promote cooperation in connectivity and finance and partnerships with third parties. Li: Nation proactive on cutting capacity 2017-06-29 07:02:55 China Daily Zhang Yue in Dalian and Hu Yongqi in Beijing Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that China has taken the initiative to phase out excess production capacity through supply-side structural reform, thereby contributing to the international community. Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that China has taken the initiative to phase out excess production capacity through supply-side structural reform, thereby contributing to the international community. "Overcapacity in some industries, which has resulted from quantitative easing measures taken by many countries after the (2007-08) global financial crisis, needs to be addressed through resolute efforts by the international community," Li said. He spoke when meeting with global business leaders and media representatives on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2017. The event, also known as Summer Davos, is hosted by Dalian in Liaoning province. Last year, the country eliminated more than 65 million tons of steel production capacity and 290 million tons of coal capacity, beating that year's targets. Li said the country's reforms need the participation of foreign capital, companies and wisdom. "Our reform has always run parallel with opening-up. ... We welcome foreign firms to come to China and participate in corporate mergers and reorganization," he said. The premier also vowed to further ease market access for foreign companies in the service sector and to use negative lists to manage the companies. Support given to domestic companies under the rules of the World Trade Organization will be applied equally to foreign-owned companies registered in China, he said. A negative list is a list of areas where investment is prohibited; all other areas are presumed to be open. Foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland grew by 4.1 percent in 2016, with strong investment in the service sector, according to the Ministry of Commerce. During the meeting, Alex Molinaroli, chairman of the board of the US company Johnson Controls, asked about challenges facing the Made in China 2025 strategy. The premier said implementing Made in China 2025 also provides a remarkable market opportunity for foreign and domestic companies because Chinese companies need to improve the quality of their products by introducing better techniques and equipment. "To achieve that purpose, we have to work with developed economies. For example, we have started cooperation with Germany's Industrial 4.0 strategy as well as the United States. There will be more equipment and technologies to be introduced from overseas to the Chinese market," he said. Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of the US company Salesforce, said the premier was "really very good at asking businesses and CEOs to invest in China". He called China's recent efforts in investment facilitation "very impressive and exciting". Xinhua contributed to this story. Japan's Orix, spurred by Davos, sites HQ in Dalian 2017-06-29 07:56:54 China Daily Zhang Xiaomin in Dalian The China headquarters of Japan's Orix Corporation is not in Beijing or Shanghai but in Dalian, a coastal city in China's northeastern Liaoning province. The China headquarters of Japan's Orix Corporation is not in Beijing or Shanghai but in Dalian, a coastal city in China's northeastern Liaoning province. "It was the Summer Davos that promoted the cooperation," said Lawrence Lin, managing director of Orix (China) Investment Co Ltd. On the basis of effective communications among decision makers, Orix Corp, which boasts more than 2,000 outlets in 36 countries and regions around the world, set up its China branch in the province in December 2009. "We see great opportunity in China's rapid development," Lin commented. Other reasons Orix chose the city were the trustworthiness of its officials, Dalian's stable development, as well as the similar geological environment and cultural background. Soon after its establishment, Orix China became the first institutional investor in Dalian Haichang Group. It is helping introduce capital, both from home and abroad, to boost Haichang's push for nationwide expansion. Haichang Ocean Park Holdings Ltd was listed in Hong Kong in 2013 and became China's biggest ocean park operator and one of the top 10 in the world. The 2017 Summer Davos, or the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, is being held from June 27 to 29 in Dalian. Taking advantage of the event, Dalian, which has alternately hosted the event with Tianjin since 2007, has attracted more foreign investment. "It opens a window for the world to know Dalian and vice versa," said Li Heming, an official with Dalian Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau. During the 2017 Summer Davos, Dalian signed contracts with 25 companies from home and abroad. The investment of 17 foreign projects totaled $2.16 billion and the investment of eight domestic-funded projects reached 14.2 billion yuan ($2.09). During the 2015 Summer Davos, Dalian signed cooperative agreements with some corporate participants in the forum. The total investments of all the 13 projects totaled $8.14 billion. By now, two third of the projects have been successfully implemented, including those initiated by Goodyear, Pfizer and Orix, Li said. More than 1,500 politicians, officials, entrepreneurs, scholars, and media representatives from over 90 countries and regions are attending the annual meeting. "It is a big chance for Dalian to obtain true international exposure and show our investment opportunities," she said. Dalian is the most concentrated area of foreign trade and foreign investments in northeastern China. Statistics from the Dalian Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau show that currently investors from more than 80 countries and regions have set up 18,600 companies with accumulated foreign capital of over $100 billion in Dalian. What is China: home to the Great Wall, the birthplace of tea, the site of a giant telescope searching space for alien life, the list goes on. With all these on offer, it may seem strange that tourists are taking pictures of Chinese signs. "Please wait outside a noodle." "Watch your hand." "Fire on everyone." What on earth are these cryptic sentences suppose to mean? A quick search on social media for Chinglish brings up a whole host of mistranslations, from restaurant menus to metro information signs. They have inspired memes and blogs, and more than a few articles. Hilarity aside, last week, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, and the Standardization Administration issued a standard for translation in the public service sector, in a bid to polish its prose and publicity. The standard features more than 3,500 stock translations covering 13 areas, including transportation, culture and health care. It will take effect on Dec 1. Fuller is a British artist who has been in Beijing since March. He has been exploring the city as research for his current project. When asked if he had come across any mistranslations, he responded, "So many." "They are funny. But, actually, it just shows a lazy attitude toward language, especially the official signs," he said. The same goes for menus in restaurants. One establishment had named its pork lungs in chili sauce after the couple who had first cooked it, but the English name, husband and wife's lung slice. Jiang Qi is the owner of a small shop in East China's Anhui province. "English translations can make a shop or restaurant stand out," he said, adding that some people just used the pinyin, the system for writing Chinese with the Latin alphabet, or just used translation tools, like Baidu. Guo Xiaofeng, a teacher at Yucai Middle School, once volunteered to correct translations in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province in Northeast China. Close to 100 students also took part. "Armed with cameras, we checked signs in railways stations, subways, bus stops and malls, documenting questionable translations and consulting with native speakers," he said. "China is growing and more foreigners are coming here," said Wu Yong, head of the Liaoning office of China Daily. "With more foreign trade and a larger number of tourists, we definitely need to up the ante with our translations." Therefore, he supports the new standard. "It is a good thing," he said. "The next step will be how to ensure the standard is applied and maintained." Wu suggested additional measures to improve translation. "When I see a sign that is wrongly translated, which department should I inform, how do I contact them? We need a dedicated team to take care of the issue." Guo Xiaofeng believes that local governments should encourage the public to find and correct mistakes. "The public should work with media outlets and rewards should be offered to those who actively participate. This would, ultimately, improve the English level of the whole country," he said. Jiang Qi, a shopkeeper in Anhui province, said he had asked some English teachers to help him translate his signage. "Foreigners live in my neighborhood. I don't want to be the butt of jokes and lose face." "Over time, the new standard could improve English language nationwide, which could be beneficial for China," said Fuller. "Like the language on the subway has been in English since the Olympics. This is really positive and inclusive." Social networks and messaging apps are full of memes, gifs and emojis featuring examples of mistranslations, such as a cheerleader accompanied by the chant "Come on" ("Jia You" in Chinese), which when translated word-for-word means "add oil" ;or a blushing school girl with the statement "Hao Li Hai", which means "superb" but is translated into its homophone "Holy high." "I like the translations on these emojis," said Ahmed, a student from Pakistan, adding that he uses them often. "I like self-deprecating humor derived from mistakes." Lucas Rondez [Photo provided to China Daily] "You cannot plan a good product or a good business model. You can only repeatedly try and test things out, adjust where necessary and make updates in a timely fashion." That's the business philosophy of Swiss entrepreneur Lucas Rondez, who has started his own business in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Born in Geneva in 1983, the young Swiss man started working at the Union Bank of Switzerland at 16. His dealings with Chinese customers at the bank sparked an interest in China that eventually brought him to live and work in the world's second largest economy. "The bank didn't have any businesses in China, and I could not speak a single word of Chinese. But I so eagerly wanted to come to China. I handed my resignation in on Monday, and by Friday, I was on the plane to China," Rondez said. Nihao was the only phrase Rondez knew when he arrived in Hangzhou in 2007. The language barrier was so big and seemingly impenetrable that he felt like a 3-year-old again, virtually unable to communicate with the world around him. However, Nihao was not just a starting point in China for Rondez; it turned out to be the phrase that helped launch his career. Hello. I am a New York State-registered licensed professional water resources engineer, former president of Owasco Watershed Lake Association, former supervisor of Niles, and fifth-generation resident of Cayuga County. The 2016 U.S. EPA document, Human Health Recreational Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Swimming, recommends protection for contact recreation from the cyanotoxin (blue-green toxin) microcystin at four parts per billion (PPB), and that these values should not be exceeded for one single day. One PPB is equivalent to 1 second in 38 years. Cyanotoxins are very dangerous. Public information available from the Owasco Lake Inspection Program document that 78 percent of the 2015 and 2016 Owasco Lake cyanotoxin concentrations contained cyanotoxin concentrations in excess of the 2016 EPA recommendation by as much a magnitude as 610x. EPA states children might be at higher risk for illness from cyanotoxins, that children between 6 and 11 years ingest more water than older children and adults, that no measured ingestion data are available for children younger than 6 years old, that nutrients are key environmental drivers influencing cyanotoxin production and the impact cyanobacteria have on ecosystem function and water quality, and that the nitrogen:phosphorus ratio and organic matter availability play roles in cyanotoxin production. The World Health Organization stated in 1988 that cyanotoxins are male reproductive-system carcinogens, liver, skin and neuro-toxins that accumulate in humans, animals, fish and mussels. Despite these significant health dangers of cyanotoxicity to swimming, boating and fishing, zero effort has been taken by New York state or Cayuga County to educate in lay-person terms the parents of infants, elementary school teachers, students and parents, heath professionals, immune-impaired and healthy residents and tourists about these specific health risks they incur in Owasco Lake. No evidence exists Owasco Lake is safe for contact recreation. I request the Cayuga County Health Department immediately begin an easily understood and easily obtained transparent public-education effort for residents and visitors of Cayuga County. I request the Cayuga County and state health departments immediately explain to residents and visitors why they allow Owasco Lake to remain open for contact recreation. Since November 2016 I have submitted draft plans for rebuilding the resilience of the Owasco Lake Watershed to federal, state, county and municipal elected and agency public servants, The Citizen, and prominent local business and agribusiness leaders without any courteous comment. However, many working Auburn and Cayuga County have supported my efforts. It is these courageous workers I represent, commend and heartily thank. Charlie Greene Niles The Annual Meeting of New Champions 2017 is being held in Northeast China's coastal city of Dalian from Tuesday to Thursday. This year's theme for the gathering, which is known as the Summer Davos, is "achieving inclusive growth in the Fourth Industrial Revolution". During the meeting about 1,500 politicians, officials, entrepreneurs, scholars and media representatives from more than 90 countries and regions will discuss how to generate inclusive growth and meaningful jobs amid the development of new technologies that are blurring the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds and changing the way we live and work. Inclusive growth stresses equitable and sustainable growth shared by all. Premier Li Keqiang said in his opening speech on Tuesday that countries must safeguard economic globalization to achieve inclusive growth. Hong Kong remains a global financial and commercial center 20 years after its reunification with the motherland. To strengthen its role as an intermediary agent between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, it should actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Hong Kong suffered the consequences of the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, the 2003 SARS outbreak and the 2008 US subprime crisis, which caused a sharp decline in its economic prospects. But thanks to the "one country, two systems" policy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region still boasts an excellent business environment. In these years Hong Kong's average growth rate is 3.1 percent, which is higher than the developing countries' average growth rate of 2 percent. In 2015, the SAR ranked second globally in terms of attracting foreign direct investment. It is one of the largest foreign exchange markets and commodity exporters in the world. But despite that, Hong Kong faces several challenges. First is slowdown in its growth rate due to lack of sufficient innovative technological development. Second is the unbalanced income distribution and high reliance on its service-oriented industrial structure. And third is the undermining of its role as an intermediary agent. From 1990 to 2004, Hong Kong was the world's largest container service port, but it dropped to the fifth position last year. Besides, in 2015, the Shanghai Stock Exchange surpassed the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in terms of market value. The Belt and Road Initiative could improve Hong Kong's role of intermediary agent. Hong Kong occupies a nodal point on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which, along with the Silk Road Economic Belt, comprises the Belt and Road Initiative. It occupies the vital position because of its excellent geographical advantage in transportation and finance, as well as its mature, stable financial market and high-end professional talents with international experience. Last year, China's outbound direct foreign investment ranked second globally, and more and more Chinese enterprises are likely to "go global" by taking advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative, which also offers the SAR the opportunity to transform itself from a unidirectional intermediate platform attracting foreign capital to China to a bi-directional platform connecting China with the rest of the world. The Chinese yuan is not yet a freely convertible currency and Chinese enterprises lack sufficient foreign investment experience. Hong Kong could play a significant role in promoting connectivity of infrastructure, trade and financing through the Belt and Road Initiative to consolidate its role as a global financial and trade center. Studies show developing countries in Asia will need about $1.7 trillion a year for infrastructure construction until 2030. Since 70 of the 100 transnational banks have branches in Hong Kong and the total initial public offerings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange have been the highest worldwide in the past two years, it enjoys an incomparable advantage in providing a large percentage of those funds, and in the process helping to internationalize the yuan. The Belt and Road Initiative also requires other business services such as design, construction and operation, and high-quality professional services, including legal, accounting and trading services, and Hong Kong has a pool of talents that excel in all these fields. So by becoming an active player in the Belt and Road Initiative, it can enhance and improve the quality of the professional services it offers. Hong Kong is also a magnet for transnational companies, many of which have their headquarters or branches in the city. Last year, 1,379 transnational companies had their regional headquarters in the SAR. And by becoming an official member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in March, it has added to that advantage. The Belt and Road Initiative will be driven by large enterprises, followed by some small and medium-sized enterprises. Studies show that many domestic SMEs will use Hong Kong as a platform to go global. And that makes it imperative for Hong Kong to become an active promoter of the Belt and Road Initiative. The author is a researcher at the Institute of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Development Studies, Sun Yat-sen University. ON JUNE 22, a fire in an apartment in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, killed a woman and her three children. The police arrested the family's nanny on suspicion she started the fire deliberately. An editorial on Beijing News comments: The suspect is already in custody and an investigation is underway. If the nanny is found to have set fire to the apartment deliberately, she should pay for her crimes. However, the case raises a question: How could a small fire have killed so many? Reports show that the fire covered about 50 square meters, which is rather small compared with major fire accidents, but it took longer than two hours for it to be extinguished. In fact there are many problems with the fire protection facilities in the community. When the fire happened, the fire hydrant on that floor of the building could not be used because there was no water supply to it. The smoke sensor did not work, and other residents in the building said they did not hear any fire alarm. Also the windows of the apartment that was on fire could only be opened 6 or 7 centimeters, which caused large amounts of smoke to accumulate inside. The community is said to be one of the most expensive in Hangzhou. However, its fire protection system is full of flaws and failed to protect lives when needed. The situation might be worse in other communities. What happened in Hangzhou is not an isolated case. This April, when an apartment in a high-rise building in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, caught fire, a family had to climb out of the window on the 18th floor, fortunately they were saved. The fire hydrant also failed that time. There are many similar cases. A major reason for this is realty developers fail to pay due attention to fire protection facilities and try to save costs when installing them. Even those communities that do have the necessary fire protection facilities, the property management companies often don't check them regularly. A local media organization in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, investigated 16 communities, and found that the fire hydrants in eight of them were not working. It is time to organize a thorough check of fire protection facilities in residential buildings across the country so as to prevent the tragedy in Hangzhou from happening again. Saudi Arabia and its allies recently issued a 13-point ultimatum to Qatar, which included the demands it close a Turkish military base in Doha, shut down the Al Jazeera TV channel and curb ties with Iran, as the precondition for suspending a weeks-long trade and diplomatic embargo on the small nation. Qatar was told to comply with the demands within 10 days or face unspecified consequences. The threatening ultimatum has escalated the worst diplomatic dispute in the Persian Gulf region in decades. However, Doha has stood up to the pressure and rejected the seemingly humiliating demands. It is widely believed that the diplomatic row should be resolved through talks, but the United States, the key player in the Middle East, has displayed an inconsistent approach to the issue, which has compounded the difficulties in resolving the dispute. The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council have also failed to play a mediating role in the diplomatic crisis, showing that they cannot do anything to stop the rift in the Arab world from deepening. However, given that the US is unlikely to allow Saudi Arabia and its allies to take extreme actions that may interfere with its established strategic interests in the Middle East, the ongoing diplomatic dispute is unlikely to spiral out of control. The US does not view Qatar as a sponsor of terrorists and its large military presence in Qatar means there is little possibility of Washington abandoning its military and strategic position in the country. Thus, the power struggle among the regional players may continue although there is no possibility of a large-scale war. But considering that Riyadh is incapable of dominating the Middle East and cannot afford to offend the US, the diplomatic crisis it has instigated is expected to gradually subside. - Haiwannet.cn Editor's note: Liu Hongbin, a self-proclaimed traditional Chinese medicine expert, has come in for severe public criticism after it was discovered that she is not a TCM practitioner and the pharmaceuticals she endorsed on TV programs were actually sham products. A consumer rights lawyer and a journalism teacher share their views on the issue with China Daily's Wu Zheyu: Even real experts can't promote medicines Many netizens have described Liu Hongbin as a "performing artist" disguised as a TCM practitioner to sell sham pharmaceutical products. The social consequences of Liu's promotion of sham TCM products might already be severe, because many people, especially senior citizens, believing in her claims could have been using them for some time. From a legal perspective, all those involved in the fake medicine-promotion chain, including Liu, the advertising company that hired her and the TV station that telecast the ads, have violated the new Advertisement Law. Articles 16 and 18 of the law, which was amended in 2015, says ads for pharmaceuticals should not have assertions or guarantees for efficacy, rate of cure or efficacy, or use an endorser to recommend or testify a product. This means even real experts cannot appear in any pharmaceutical ads. Besides, the advertisers can be held accountable for selling bogus products, according to Article 45 of Consumer Protection Act. And the "expert" promoter, agents and advertisers can be held jointly liable if the advertised products have caused harm to any consumer. While law enforcement officials should distinguish ads disguised as health shows on TV, consumers must become more legally conscious and report such illegal ads to the related departments. Qiu Baochang, director of consumer rights protection committee of Beijing Lawyers Association Deception will cost dear in the long run Many advertisements carry deceptive or false information. It is not surprising to see some TV channels with shrinking audiences trying to make money by telecasting dubious ads that make wild claims. Such TV channels, thanks to their shortsighted strategy, eye temporary benefits and thus enter a vicious circle of making money by telecasting ads selling unverified products. In the end, they lose public trust as well as their competitiveness. The advertising association in China has been found wanting in terms of regulating the industry and disciplining advertisers. In contrast, the advertising association in Japan usually responds timely to consumers' formal complaints, and notifies the public about the penalties imposed on those infringing the laws and rules. When enterprises and media outlets have to pay hefty fines and lose public trust for infringing advertisement and consumer protection rules, they will be forced to ponder whether to risk such a move again. It will take a long time to establish a fair and clean advertising environment in China. Still, it is encouraging to see cases, such as the one involving Liu, spark widespread public concern, because without public participation we cannot build a credible and promising advertising regime. Huang He, associate professor of journalism, Renmin University of China. The Fuyao Auto Glass America, a good example of Chinese enterprises' efforts to promote globalization, recently came under exaggerated media glare for an ordinary labor dispute in its newly established plant in Ohio. Not only did The New York Times publish a big story on the dispute, but also some domestic media outlets covered it extensively. The reaction of domestic media outlets is understandable, because many of them have misinterpreted Fuyao's investment in Ohio. When Cao Dewang, chairman of Fuyao, decided to invest $600 million in the Ohio plant days after he complained the heavy tax burden in China, one of the striking comments in the Chinese media was, "Old Cao wants to run away". And after media reported the labor dispute, many said that those who "run away" have to face trouble. What people have apparently forgotten is that while explaining his decision to invest in Ohio, Cao had also said the glass made there would be sold in the Midwest states of the United States. Even the General Motors' global policy is: "We make where we sell." And GM and Ford manufacture in China the vehicles they sell in the country. Fuyao is just following this economic rule. First, labor relations are part of business management, and the labor dispute in Fuyao's Ohio plant is not because of cultural gap or China-US trade conflicts, as the NYT has claimed. Labor disputes, including industrial actions, are common across the world, the United States and European countries included. Cao has also said his company maintains good relations with the labor union in one of its US factories. I worked as economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco and New York for years and visited many Chinese companies, and none of the CEOs said labor relations posed a big problem. Second, good labor relations depend on a win-win business model. Chinese investment in the US creates jobs and helps maintain social stability. But a stable business-labor relationship depends on other factors. For instance, for a stable relationship, the entrepreneurs and managers should have a thorough understanding of the employees and establish a regular interaction mechanism. They also need to respect local laws, regulations and customs. Third, businesspeople should not get unnecessarily alarmed if a labor dispute arises. Instead, they should try to resolve them strictly in accordance with the contracts, and relevant laws and regulations. Fourth, labor issues vary from one sector to another and one region to another. In sectors such as automobiles and auto parts, steel, paper, tires, trade unions such as the United Automotives Workers and United Steel Workers are very powerful. The USW was the main force behind the special safeguard tariffs on Chinese tires, which former US president Barack Obama imposed in 2009. US trade unions are usually strong in the traditional manufacturing centers, especially in the Great Lakes region. When Chinese companies decide to invest there, they should do good homework, taking into full account the union factor in future operations. Besides, they should also build up good working relationships with the local governments, law firms, banks, consulting services, and commerce and industry associations. And fifth, Chinese media outlets should study the benefits and risks of outbound investment before reporting on it, and their coverage should be strictly based on comprehensive facts. And Chinese businesses operating in the US and other overseas countries and regions should build up sound media relations, especially with the local media, to build up a good image. The author is a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, and former economic and commercial counselor at Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco and New York. Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, April 15, 2015. [Photo/IC] Slightly more than 13 months in office, the approval rating of Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen continues to nosedive, and she faces growing questions about her competency. It is for the island's own good that its residents are finally waking up to the damage her "separatist stance" is doing to the Taiwan economy and are now seeking ways to restore healthy relations with the mainland. Unfortunately, Tsai and her colleagues who are responsible for this state of affairs and who are in the position to make a difference are still refusing to come to their senses. Instead, they appear even more intent on pressing ahead with what has proven to be so wrong and harmful. To the rising calls that they reflect on their refusal to uphold the 1992 Consensus, which has proved to be the reliable foundation for cross-Straits rapport, and recognize one China is the precondition for improving ties, Tsai and her team continue to turn a deaf ear. Not only that, Tsai and a number of her fellow Democratic Progressive Party politicians have expressed the idea that to "not give in" is the only way Taiwan can deal with the conundrum they have created. It is the refusal of Tsai and her party to uphold the one-China principle that has caused the problems, by putting an end to the cross-Straits rapprochement and subsequent "diplomatic truce" established by both sides of the Straits when her predecessor Ma Ying-jeou and the Kuomintang were in office. However, Tsai and her like-minded secessionists are dumping the blame on Beijing - accusing it of squeezing the "international living space" for the island, after Panama became the latest country to shift diplomatic recognition to Beijing on June 13. That accusation is simply unfounded. While their belief that "as long as Taiwan does not succumb, the mainland will give in" is out of touch with reality. As are Tsai's idea to arm the local security forces with self-developed missiles and "defend" the island against an "invasion" by the mainland, and some die-hard anti-mainland elements' clamor to develop nuclear weapons. Although these could lead to actual conflict and inflict real harm. By pursuing their fool's paradise with such talk, the "independence" seekers on the island are creating a dangerous state of affairs. The peace and friendly interaction between Taipei and Beijing during the Ma Ying-jeou years showed the 1992 Consensus is the formula for healthy and mutually beneficial relations, and the guarantee for peaceful co-existence. This is something Tsai and her colleagues need to recognize. Yang Sheng writes that the 11th-hour suffrage granted by final governor was deceitful camouflage In a hearing of the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission in May, former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten and some radical members of the opposition camp accused Beijing of undermining the city's democracy and autonomy. Such remarks sound familiar. When Hong Kong returned to the embrace of its motherland 20 years ago doomsayers predicted, among many other things, that Hong Kong people would have their democracy taken away from them. Two decades on, the democratic progress in the special administrative region, though not perfect, suffices to give pessimists a slap in the face. The problem with such a prediction is that there was no real democracy to be taken away from a colonial Hong Kong in the first place. "Democracy" has never come to be associated with colonialism ever since the latter reared its ugly head in the 16th century. For most of Hong Kong's 155 years of colonial rule, democracy was a strange concept to local residents. Power was mainly concentrated in a handful of ruling elites the governor who represented the Queen, tai-pans from the Hong Kong banks and various British trading hongs such as Jardines and Swire, as well as the chairman of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club who formed the backbone of the Executive Council. Until the 1880s, no Chinese had served in the ExCo or the Legislative Council, whose members were all appointed. When the first post-World War II governor Mark Young tried to introduce some semblance of democracy into the colony, it was not meant for the general populace. The voting right to elect a proposed municipal council was restricted to English-speaking residents who paid a lot of tax. The vast majority of local Chinese residents were still to be deprived of their political rights. And even this vastly unfair reform attempt was subsequently vetoed by London and the next governor. "Democracy" is by no means compatible with "colonialism". The reason is simple. Colonists come with the motivation of self-benefit exploiting colonies' resources. Priorities are given to their own interests, not those of the people they rule. And for that very reason they cannot entrust the local people whom they are exploiting with power. So why would they give them democracy? Colonialism implies a master-servant relationship. When do you see a servant given the right to make important decisions? Those who were misled into believing the British were so magnanimous as to grant them democracy in the final years of colonial rule were taken in by the deceitful camouflage of the so-called political reforms put up by Patten. He once told a local journalist in an interview that the political reform package, which we know violated previous bilateral agreements between the United Kingdom and China, was like a beautiful crystal decoration put there for Beijing to break. It was designed to delude the unsuspecting public. It has become a totally different situation after China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. Hong Kong is back to its motherland and is no longer ruled by a foreign people. As enshrined in the Basic Law, Hong Kong people are given a high degree of autonomy to govern themselves. Central government leaders genuinely have the interests of Hong Kong people at heart. They are always ready to come to Hong Kong's aid whenever the situation calls for it, as seen in the various financial crises over the years. Real democracy has been given to Hong Kong people after Hong Kong's return to the country. Under the Basic Law, elected seats in LegCo are to be gradually increased until all seats are elected, while universal suffrage to elect the Chief Executive is promised as the ultimate goal. All registered voters could have cast their vote in the latest CE election had opposition lawmakers not sabotaged the electoral reform effort in 2015. In the colonial days, nobody in his right mind would even dream about electing a British governor. Abraham Lincoln put it well: "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." After 20 years, Hong Kong people know who has their best interests at heart and who has given them real democracy. The author is a current affairs commentator. Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Central Peoples Governments Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gave an interview with Xinhua News Agency last week as part of a series celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. In the interview he presented critical facts proving one country, two systems in Hong Kong has been a great success. Indeed there is nothing better than facts and figures to show what a phenomenally successful undertaking implementation of one country, two systems has been. That is not to say the past 20 years saw no difficulties or challenges in Hong Kongs development but those problems cannot take away our achievements and hope for a better future. Hong Kong celebrates the 20th anniversary of its return to China on Saturday. Looking back at the past 20 years we see authorities have kept true to the original intent of one country, two systems; on the premise of exercising sovereign rule over Hong Kong the central government has done its best to maintain what makes the city unique, charming and competitive as well as its stability and prosperity. Its a fact no one can deny. Zhang listed six aspects that reflect successful implementation of one country, two systems, including the fact Hong Kong has enjoyed 20 years of prosperity and stability despite many serious difficulties, such as the current global economic downturn caused by the international financial crisis of 2008. Hong Kongs gross domestic product increased from HK$1.36 trillion in 1997 to HK$2.49 trillion last year. The citys economy managed to achieve an average 3.3 percent in real annual growth from 1998 to last year despite two international financial crises which is more than many much bigger developed economies can say about theirs. On employment Hong Kong has done much better than other developed free markets. Compared with a 7 percent to 8 percent unemployment rate found in many developed economies in recent years Hong Kong has enjoyed 3.3 percent to 3.4 percent unemployment since 2012, close to technical full employment. The number of financial assistance for jobless recipients has decreased for 89 months. The financial markets have thrived as well. Funds raised through initial public offerings reached HK$194.8 billion last year letting Hong Kong retain its top place in the world, leaving Shanghai in second place and New York in the dust at third. Hong Kong has been the worlds leading offshore yuan trade hub, too, accounting for 70 percent of yuan-denominated cross-border trade clearing worldwide at 21 trillion yuan ($3.1 trillion) by October 2015. With the Shanghai-HK Stock Connect, Shenzhen-HK Stock Connect and Mainland-HK Bond Connect going online more capital is flowing into Hong Kong as we speak. All those achievements are hard-earned and anyone free of political or ideological bias would agree Hong Kong owes them to one country, two systems more than anything else. It is an undeniable fact that, precisely because of one country, two systems, Hong Kong has been able to benefit so much from the nations unparalleled economic growth over the years, not to mention the unreserved support by the central government and mainland compatriots every time Hong Kong was hit by natural or manmade adversity. Some people have tirelessly sung praises of British colonial rule since it ended 20 years ago in an attempt to glorify the colonial past and trash todays Hong Kong. The truth, however, is that the SAR government has done far better to improve peoples well-being in past 20 years than the British Hong Kong administration did. One outstanding achievement is minimum wage legislation, which successfully became law after years of hard bargaining. In terms of public spending on livelihood improvement, the SAR government has more than doubled the annual total over the past 20 years from HK$235 billion in the 1997-98 fiscal year to HK$501 billion in the 2016-17 fiscal year. The SAR government also established Hong Kongs own poverty line for related policymaking as reference. Meanwhile, since the 2007-08 fiscal year the government has earmarked a certain amount of funds every year for use in one-off financial assistance. It is estimated the total of such one-off spending has reached HK$320 billion in the past 10 years. The extremely difficult endeavor of standard working hour legislation is also in the works as we speak. The author is deputy director of the Culture, History and Studies Committee of CPPCC and an honorary president for life of the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organizations. His commentary originally appeared in Chinese in Wen Wei Po on June 22. Tents are set up to accommodate visitors to Sangke prairie, a popular tourist destination in the Gannan Tibet autonomous prefecture, Gansu province. [Photo provided to China Daily] Tourism grows in a part of Northwest China, driven by people who were once nomads. Xing Yi reports in Luqu, Gansu province. The houses have been renovated and the rooms cleaned. The plates are heaped with roasted meat and the cups are filled with liquor made from highland barley. Once nomads in the Gannan Tibet autonomous prefecture in Gansu province, the residents of Luqu have now settled down. During our recent visit, they are seen waiting for guests. The tourist season here is from late June through early September. Gyakho has hosted some 20 guests this season. His home is about an hour by road from the prefecture's main city, Hezuo. His village Dangyingdao, which is under the administration of Xiahe county, is on the way to Labrang Monastery. When people visit Gannan, they usually go to the monastery, too. There are hundreds of monasteries in Gannan, but Labrang is the largest and second oldest. First built in 1709, it is among the major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is prominent for its teaching systemsome 2,500 monks live and study in the monastery. A cluster of large and small temples, covering 820,000 square meters, houses the monks, from teenagers who are the companions of the young Living Buddhas to those of 90-year-old lamas, says Jampal Gyatso, a monk who has been studying at the monastery for the past 15 years. Gyakho's home is one of the 30 guesthouses in his village. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Flagstaff and much of northern Arizona for the second straight day. Smoke from the Goodwin Fire south of Prescott is moving in a clockwise direction, which will send high-level plumes northeastward toward Flagstaff, according to the National Weather Service. The Forest Service is saying that those sensitive to smoke should take precautions. A little bit of smoke in the area is also likely left over from a wildfire that burned 3.1 acres near Fort Tuthill Tuesday, but is now contained, said George Jozens, spokesman with the Coconino National Forest. Winds will gust to 35 mph today with very low humidity and highs in the mid-80s, creating critical fire weather conditions. The Coconino National Forest, as well as the city of Flagstaff and Coconino County, have banned campfires and outdoor smoking. In Prescott, a fast-moving wildfire has charred more than 28 square miles (72 square kilometers) in north-central Arizona and forced the evacuation of the town of Mayer as a precaution, along with other areas. Mayer has about 1,400 residents, and a shelter was set up at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley. Authorities said Tuesday that Mayer's post office has been closed until further notice because of the fire, which was fanned Tuesday by 35 mph winds. The communities of Pine Flat and Breezy Pines already have been evacuated with potential evacuations ordered for Walker, Potato Patch Campground, Mountain Pines Acres and Mount Union if the fire continues to grow, Yavapai County spokesman David McAtee said. More than 500 firefighters, including six hotshot crews, were battling the blaze, which was 1 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Tuesday. Tuesday update: Rain wasn't here to stay The summer rains aren't here to stay...at least not yet. After a downpour swept through Flagstaff Sunday afternoon, the area is back to dry, windy conditions with a Red Flag Warning issued for much of northern Arizona, including Flagstaff, for Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service is also ruling that Sundays rain was not associated with the monsoon. There is a lot of moisture over Mexico, which is one element of the monsoon pattern, but high pressure zones off the southeast coast of the United States and over the Four Corners that are also staples of the summer moisture circulation arent in place yet, said Mark Stubblefield, a general forecaster with the National Weather Service. It doesnt look like Flagstaff will receive much moisture throughout this week and through the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Stubblefield said. The forecast changes July 7, however, when models show the monsoon pattern setting up, he said. Long range models show quite a bit of moisture being pulled into Arizona by the second week of July, he said. On Sunday, the gauges measured 0.05 inches of rain in Flagstaff. The precipitation followed record and near-record heat across the state, including in Flagstaff. Saturday was the seventh day of above 90-degree temperatures in the area, making it the second longest stretch on record. In 1990, Flagstaff saw 11 consecutive days above 90 degrees. Daily temperatures in Flagstaff tied historical records twice during that time on Friday it tied the record high of 93 degrees and on June 18 it tied the record high of 92 degrees. Water use climbed in the city as well, reaching 10.45 million gallons per day last week, while yesterday the number was down to 9.18 million gallons per day. Rising temperatures and drying forest fuels pushed the Coconino National Forest into Stage 2 fire restrictions, which ban campfires across the forest. Even so, Forest Service patrols found 16 illegal campfires over the weekend and recorded one human-caused fire start that grew to one-tenth of an acre, according to Brady Smith, spokesman with the Coconino. Another seven fires totaling 3 acres were caused by lightning strikes, Smith said. The Kaibab National Forest to the west remains in Stage 1 restrictions, which allow campfires in developed campgrounds. The latest news from the Boundary Fire in the Kendrick Mountain area, by far the largest fire burning in the area, is nearly completely contained, with minimal if any smoke impacts predicted for surrounding communities, said Aaron Woods, a public information officer on the fire. The fire has burned more than 17,000 acres and is at 96 percent containment. It has cost about $8 million to manage, or about $400 an acre. Though containment lines have long been established around the fire, containment status indicates the portion of fire lines where the fire has actually burned out to, versus those with live fuels on either side, Woods said. Command of the fire will transition from a Type 2 team to a less resource-intensive Type 3 team on Tuesday. The Type 3 team is primarily made up of local crews, Woods said. Much of the current work on the fire is focusing on post-fire repair work like clearing out culverts along forest roads, repairing fences that had to be cut during firefighting operations and mitigating hazard tree risks in the area, he said. The fire operations team also sent out a notification that a drone flying over the fire on Sunday interfered with a helicopter that was assisting with firefighting efforts. Flying a drone over a wildfire to shoot video footage can create a serious safety issue for firefighting aircraft conducting aerial ignitions, bucket drops, or responding to a medical emergency, Fire Incident Commander Jeff Andrews said in a statement. Sometimes what seems like a fun, harmless activity can have major impacts to the safety of our firefighters. A member of the National Guard walks past the Supreme Court building in Caracas on June 28, 2017. [Photo/VCG] CARACAS - The president of Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), Maikel Moreno, on Wednesday condemned an attack against the court's headquarters in Caracas, calling it terrorism. The attack on Tuesday saw a grenade launched against the building from a police helicopter. The grenade did not explode and there were no casualties. In a statement, Moreno said the attack, allegedly carried out by a police officer identified as Oscar Perez, "endangered the lives of workers" at the TSJ, as well as bystanders. "It cannot be called anything other than terrorism," added Moreno, following an inspection of the site, located about a kilometer from the presidential headquarters. In Venezuela's ongoing power struggle, the conservative opposition has often criticized the judicial branch for upholding decisions by the ruling socialist party. "These types of actions will not intimidate Venezuela's judges, but will strengthen their actions within the framework of the Constitution," said Moreno. The attackers reportedly hijacked the helicopter belonging to the police department's criminal investigative unit to attack the TSJ and the Ministry of the Interior. President Nicolas Maduro affirmed that nothing will disrupt upcoming polls in July to elect the members of a National Constituent Assembly to rewrite the Constitution. The coalition of right-wing parties, known by its Spanish acronym MUD, is against the constitutional initiative and has stepped up anti-government protests to demand presidential elections be moved up. The increasingly violent demonstrations have claimed the lives of at least 76 people so far, according to official figures. WASHINGTON - The White House said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump had accepted French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit France on Bastille Day next month. "President Trump looks forward to reaffirming America's strong ties of friendship with France, to celebrating this important day with the French people, and to commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I," said a statement by the White House. "The two leaders will further build on the strong counter-terrorism cooperation and economic partnership between the two countries, and they will discuss many other issues of mutual concern," the statement added. The French invitation came amid public disagreement between Macron and Trump on Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement signed by 196 parties in Paris. Shortly after Trump announced his decision early this month to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Macron hit back in a televised speech with a call to "make our planet great again," a direct jab at Trump's campaign slogan to "make America great again." Macron also appealed to US scientists and other US citizens disappointed by Trump's decision to "come and work here (in France) with us to work together on concrete solutions for our climate." Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (L) meets with European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Director Klaus Regling in Athens, Greece, June 28, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] ATHENS - Greece is on track to exit the current third bailout in mid-2018 and focus should now shift to growth, European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Director Klaus Regling said on Wednesday. "The painful measures are now behind us...Now you can concentrate on strengthening the prospects for growth. This is the new target," Regling said during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens, according to Greek national news agency AMNA. "Our common target now is to regain the confidence of the markets and to be able to finish the program in mid-2018, so that we are not in the difficult position of needing further disbursements from you," Tsipras replied. Following talks with Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos shortly earlier, Regling noted that the next bailout installment to Athens is expected to take place in early July and that the country could return to the markets in 2017 or early 2018 "if there is progress on reforms and the program is fully implemented", AMNA reported. SAO PAULO - A driver rammed his car through the gates of Brazil's presidential residence on Wednesday and was arrested, security forces said, though President Michel Temer was not inside the building. Guards fired warning shots and then opened fire at the vehicle when it refused to stop, before detaining the driver, who appeared to be a minor, the statement said. Temer himself lives in another official residence. The driver was not wounded and the car stopped inside the compound of the Alvorada residence. Images published by the G1 news website show the presidential residence gate knocked to the ground and shotgun shells over the floor outside the residence. Access to the area was closed after the incident. Temer lives in Jaburu, another official residence, less than a mile away from Alvorada. Temer has the lowest approval rating of any president in almost 30 years, only seven percent, pollster Datafolha showed last week. Brazil's president was charged on Monday for taking bribes by prosecutor-general Rodrigo Janot and the Supreme Court sent the charges to the lower house on Wednesday. Reuters RIO DE JANEIRO In a small and crudely painted green room called "the bunker," 18-year-old Lucas dos Santos da Cruz and his friends go over rhymes in their heads. Soon they will be competing in freestyle rap battles on a poorly illuminated square in the "City of God," one of Rio de Janeiro's most notorious and violent slums. For the young men, rap is a way to express frustration with the violence that permeates their daily lives. "City of God is like a small Syria and there is imminent risk of death," said Cruz, sporting dreadlocks. "What we do here is resistance."To see how residents were dealing with an increase in violence in Rio's favelas, an Associated Press team spent eight days with two families in the City of God, which was made famous by the 2002 Oscar-nominated film by the same name. Just a few miles from the Olympic Park, where the 2016 Rio Games were held, the slum offers few government services and shootouts between police and heavily armed drug traffickers are common. While many teens participate in rap battles to deal with the stress of violence, others cope by learning a musical instrument, participating in capoeira dance circles or taking university prep classes in a community center. Still others create art or try to serve the most downtrodden among them, doing activities ranging from volunteering to cooking and offering free meals. Employees of the center haven't been paid in three months, a situation common for thousands of workers in Rio state agencies. The center has remained open thanks to an extraordinary effort of volunteers, who believe closing it would be a devastating blow. Isabela Maia, 10, says she gets nervous when her mother makes her and her 2-year-old sister come inside during a shooting. Her outlet is learning to play the violin. "Music calms me down," said Maia, who practices each afternoon after doing her homework. Robson Luiz de Mendonca, 46, knows firsthand how life in a favela can consume loved ones. His son, 24, died in January of pulmonary problems after a crack addiction for many years. "Residents of City of God are in a hurry in a hurry for identity, in a hurry for dignity, in a hurry for true action, but (the government) does nothing," said Mendonca, who is known in the neighborhood as MC Mingau thanks to his rapping and teaching of breakdancing. Anayde dos Santos Muniz, 84, holds in her hand two bullets that she says recently hit her house near her bed. Singing, painting and writing poems and songs are outlets for her to deal with the violence. "I wouldn't trade City of God for anywhere," said Muniz, who was among the first wave of residents to move into the favela in the 1960s. "I came from the suffering, I came from the mud." Associated Press A major Chinese biomedical service provider is teaming up with Cardiff University to explore research opportunities. China-based Realcan will provide 1 million pounds ($1.3 million) of funding to the Welsh institution during a three-year period. The investment will allow PhD students with Realcan to partner with Cardiff University's leading clinicians and biomedical scientists as well as Realcan research fellows. The focus of the research will be in line with the university's key research themes - cancer, integrative biosystems, neuroscience, immunology, infection, inflammation, and other areas. Wang Yongli, the minister counselor for education at the Chinese embassy in London, welcomed the arrangement. "China has a long record of working with institutions in Wales, and indeed the whole of the United Kingdom, and we warmly welcome this agreement between Cardiff University and one of our most successful companies," he said. Colin Riordan, vice-chancellor and president of Cardiff University, said: "Our links with China are strong and I am delighted that we have the opportunity to further develop our already successful research partnerships in the country." He said Realcan shares "our vision for world-leading research to tackle pressing global health challenges" and noted that the investment will "enable us to invest in the brightest and best postgraduate researchers". Xu Han, chairman of Realcan, praised the biomedical and clinical work carried out by the Welsh university and described the institution as a world leader in this type of research. "The world faces many health challenges and it is only through working closely together across countries and continents that we can make a real difference to people's lives," Xu said. The relationship is the latest joint venture involving the university and Chinese entities. It already has around 40 partnerships, including ones with Peking University, and Beijing Friendship Hospital (Capital Medical University), through the Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, which focuses on oncology research. Since 1999, the collaborative has developed the University Joint Cancer Institute, through which Cardiff University and Peking University have cooperated on researching the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Earlier this year, the university signed a memorandum of understanding with Sun Yat-sen University, which is located in the South China city of Guangzhou, to collaborate in the field of breast cancer research. boleung@mail.chinadailyuk.com HNA Group's technology unit has signed a 3 million-pound ($3.9 million) research deal with London's Imperial College focusing on developing block-chain technology, data analytics and artificial intelligence. The five-year agreement between HNA Technology and Imperial's Data Science Institute is the latest example of Chinese companies developing better technology through working with overseas universities. "Our abundant group company data and strong in-house research expertise will contribute toward this collaboration,"HNA Technology Chairman Tong Fu said. "We hope the results of the research projects can then help us improve our business operations." Among those attending the signing of the agreement were the UK's Prince Andrew, Lu Ying, vice-chairman of HNA Group, and Professor Guo Yike, director of the DSI. HNA Group is the Chinese conglomerate known for its overseas acquisitions in recent years. Notable assets it has bought include the Zurich airport luggage handler Swissport and Dublin-based leasing company Avalon Holdings. The fruits of the research by HNA Technology and DSI will be applied to all of HNA Group's companies, which cover sectors including aviation, hospitality, tourism, real estate, retail, finance, logistics, shipbuilding and eco-tech. "For example, big data research can help us to better understand our customer characteristics, and we can use this information to better serve them," Tong said. "Data science can also help us optimize our business financial modeling, and improve the effectiveness of our financing activities.'' Professor Guo, who is an expert in big data and machine learning, highlighted the achievement and prospects of big data applications to President Xi Jinping during his visit to the UK in 2015. The collaboration with DSI marks HNA Technology's first UK research deal and follows similar research agreements with universities in China, the US and Israel. DSI has previously established research partnerships with the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and Zhejiang University, among others. The deal comes at a time of booming UK-China scientific collaboration. In 2014, the two governments launched the 200-million-pound Newton Fund to support bilateral science collaboration. Nigel Brandon, vice-dean of research at Imperial College's faculty of engineering, said working with HNA Group would contribute toward the university's goal of putting its lab-based research into practice in the business world. "Partnership with a leading company like HNA with lots of data and interesting challenges allow us to apply our research," Brandon said. "The fact that HNA is a company based in China, but has operations internationally, also helps to enrich our research geographically." Cecily.liu@mail.chinadailyuk.com Consensus in Hangzhou must become policy, say economic leaders and experts The G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou has injected fresh spirit into the effort to address the challenges of the global economy, and the next task for the leaders is to ensure the implementation of the Hangzhou consensus, economic leaders and experts said. The summit, which concluded on Monday, released a statement in which the leaders agreed on a series of action plans to implement their growth strategies covering a wide range of policy areas. In the statement, the leaders pledged to work together to pursue innovation-driven growth, to improve productivity, trade and investment, and to reduce overcapacity in the steel sector, which it says is a global problem requiring an effort by all. The leaders also promised to unleash growth potential by supporting a digital economy, enhancing structural reforms, improving the resilience of the global financial system and promoting inclusive growth on the basis of mutual benefit. Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, urged the leaders to deliver actions, saying that President Xi Jinpings remarks that action matters more than declaration served as an inspiration at the summit. "We met against the backdrop of a global landscape characterized by major economic and technological shifts, and by growth that has been too low for too long and which has benefited too few," the IMF chief said. "The conclusions should not only be thought about but also be implemented," Lagarde said, adding that the Hangzhou consensus showed the G20 leaders determination to address the challenges they face with forceful policy actions. Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, said China should be congratulated for placing innovation at the heart of the G20 presidency. "It is important to not just repair the problems of the past but to lay the foundations for future growth growth that will to a large extent be driven by new ideas and technologies," he said. While the 2014 G20 commitment set the goal of raising global GDP by an additional 2 percent by 2018, Gurria said that measures implemented so far will only add around 1 percent. "We are only halfway there," he said, calling for full implementation of the G20 countries growth commitments. During the summit, President Xi also called for transformation of the G20 from a mechanism of crisis response to one of long-term governance. Analysts said Xis proposals revealed Chinas growing contribution to and influence on global economic governance. Jia Jinjing, a researcher with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, said the summit reflects a change of Chinas role in global governance from a participator to a lead reformer. "China has brought many new inputs to global governance, such as promoting innovation, structural reform and strengthening development and cooperation among the developed and developing countries, which breaks new ground for achieving global development goals," Jia said. David He, a partner of Boston Consulting Group, said Xis speech at the Hangzhou summit underscored Chinas responsibilities in the global economy. "President Xi has proposed innovation, openness, connectedness and inclusiveness as the key words for global economy, hoping this Chinese wisdom could also benefit the world," he said. "In addition, I was most impressed by his determination to deepen supply-side structural reform, to better coordinate between market and government, and to truly foster innovation," he added. Zhang Yunbi and Chen Yingqun contributed to this story. lixiang@chinadaily.com.cn Xi's speeches at G20 Hangzhou Summit published Xinhua | Updated: 2017-01-16 13:22 BEIJING - A set of speeches made by President Xi Jinping when attending the G20 Hangzhou Summit in September last year have been published by the Foreign Languages Press. The publisher said Monday that the book was available both in Chinese and English. In the 17 speeches in the book, Xi expounded China's policies and proposals on global governance, and set out the country's wisdom and solutions for the world's economic recovery and development, outlining new prospects for global economic growth. PHOENIX Dreamers at the state's three universities will be able to continue to go to school while paying the same tuition as other Arizona residents, at least for the time being. The Board of Regents voted Thursday to continue its policy of interpreting Arizona law to say that those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals are entitled to the same legal and financial considerations as anyone else who meets state residency requirements. Thursday's vote comes a week after the Arizona Court of Appeals concluded a similar policy by the Maricopa community colleges violates Proposition 300, a 2006 voter-approved law which says that those not in the country legally are not entitled to in-state tuition. The same law prohibit tuition waivers, scholarships or any other aid funded with public dollars. But Regents Chairman Bill Ridenour noted that the Maricopa board voted Tuesday to appeal that ruling to the Arizona Supreme Court. Ridenour, who called the appellate court decision a difficult lose for DACA recipients, said he wants to wait to see what the state's high court decides before making any policy changes. Ridenour also noted that students begin returning to campuses for the fall semester in August. We are very appreciative of the need for some kind of certainty for those students with our universities, he said. Ridenour said there is no reason that the current tuition policy, adopted two years ago, should be scrapped unless and until there's a final Supreme Court ruling. Only regent Jay Heiler voted against keeping tuition for dreamers at the in-state rate. We have a Court of Appeals decision founded largely in state law as enacted by the voters, he said. I feel this board needs to honor that. But Heiler would not require DACA recipients there are less than 300 in the state university system to pay the full out-of-state rate. He pointed out that the board already has a policy on the books which allows students who graduate from Arizona high schools but do not meet other residency requirements to pay a differentiated rate. In essence, this is designed to cover the actual costs of educating students, avoiding the prohibition against subsidized tuition in Proposition 300. The regents have set that rate at 150 percent of in-state tuition. It is not being used by DACA recipients because the regents decided to offer in-state tuition after a trial judge ruled in favor of the Maricopa colleges policy. Heiler found himself a minority of one as other regents said they were content to leave the tuition for dreamers where it is right now. I believe that until we have settled law that is contrary to our ability to do this, that it's the right thing for us to continue to offer the in-state tuition, said Rick Myers. Regent Ron Shoopman agreed. One of the things this board strongly believes is that we want to provide access and as low a possible tuition as possible within the confines of the reality that we find ourselves, so all students who attend the universities and especially those that graduate, have better futures guaranteed, he said. We want that for all our young people. And Ram Krishna said there's another fact to consider. He pointed out that both the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University have programs that are designed to guarantee incoming students that their tuition will remain unchanged for the four years to get an undergraduate degree. We need to comply with that, Krishna said. Arizona State University has no such policy but has promised to limit year-over-year increases. Ridenour, who is an attorney, said after Thursday's meeting he is making no predictions on what the Supreme Court will conclude. I think it will be well briefed, he said. Ridenour said he expects input not only from the parties involved the Maricopa colleges which implemented the policy and attorney general's office which challenged it but also others who have an interest in the outcome. Obviously, there's a lot of politics involved, he said. There's laws involved. He agreed with Heiler on one key point: The best outcome would be for the federal government to clarify the status of DACA recipients. It was the Obama administration that enacted the DACA program in 2012, entitling those who arrived in this country illegally as children both to remain and to work. But Brnovich argued and the appellate court agreed that the decision by the administration not to deport dreamers did not give them legal immigration status, making them ineligible for in-state tuition. During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump vowed to rescind DACA on his first day in office. But now, five months later, the program not only remains but his administration has said it continues to study what to do next. There are those, however, who are pressuring the Trump administration to live up to that promise. In a letter Thursday to the U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the attorneys general from 10 states urged that the DACA be phased out because it was enacted without any statutory authorization from Congress. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich was not among those who signed the letter. But Brnovich has argued in court documents seeking to deny driver's licenses to dreamers that there is no legal authority for DACA. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 17, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] What can the world expect from China amid the increasing uncertainties facing globalization? In sharp contrast to US President Donald Trump's inaugural speech on Jan 20, which centered on the United States and trumpeted protectionism, President Xi Jinping's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January focused on the world and advocated globalization. Encouraged by the election of Trump who advocates anti-globalization and pro-protectionism, as US president, right-wing forces and populist leaders are trying to consolidate their political positions in several European countries and thus pose a threat to globalization, global governance and multilateral cooperation. By pursuing protectionism, populism and unilateralism, Trump has created uncertainties for the international community and global trade. And facing a Trump-led US that is hell-bent on shirking its responsibilities as the world's sole superpower, the international community is increasingly looking to China for guidance and leadership. Speaking in Davos, Xi emphasized that China has greatly benefited from globalization. But, he said, China has also made huge contributions to global trade and governance, and its economic development has created immense opportunities for the world. For instance, China's fast-growing economy has been a principal driver of global growth, and the interactive development it pursues with other countries has promoted a balanced global economy. Besides, by alleviating poverty on an unprecedented scale, China has contributed to inclusive global growth and its continued efforts to deepen reform and opening-up have played a big role in building an open world economy. Many may see Xi's remarks in Davos as a revelation of China's ambition to become the most powerful country in the world. But the fact is, the remarks reflect China's efforts to follow the trends of the times and resist the adverse currents, in order to forge a peaceful and prosperous global environment. China does not have any intention of leading the world by itself. On the contrary, it seeks to work with other countries to make the world a better place. Despite its notable economic and social progress, China is still a developing country and it should not shoulder global responsibilities beyond its capability. That China has taken some initiatives to fulfill its international responsibilities does not mean it will abandon its policy of "keeping a low profile"; it means China is making more active efforts to maintain its global presence commensurate with its national strength. Amid the "rise" of the East and "fall" of the West and increasing uncertainties facing globalization, China will continue following its decades-long policy of not aspiring to be a world leader. However, it should try to strike a strategic balance vis-a-vis the global situation. To begin with, China should try to strike a balance between domestic and foreign strategic tasks, according priority to deepening reforms at home and promoting equity and justice globally. It also needs to strike a balance between the pursuit of growth and maintaining domestic stability. These two are equally important tasks in these times of chaotic global situations. To promote globalization and better global governance, China should also try to strike a balance between its responsibilities and rights; it should not only fulfill its responsibilities as a big developing country but also continue to make efforts to have a bigger say in international institutions. Moreover, keeping a low profile does not mean China should always remain passive. It has to strongly respond to false charges and react against provocative moves by other countries. China should also maintain a balance between struggle and cooperation. To offset the threat posed by the anti-globalization moves and hegemonic behaviors of the Trump administration, China needs to strengthen crisis management and launch targeted countermeasures. And it should make efforts to deepen cooperation with the European Union and other BRICS countries, in a bid to increase the number of friendly countries that will help boost globalization and promote better global governance. The author is a senior researcher in world politics at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. BADEN-BADEN - Trade and exchange rate issues might become the focal points for the Group Twenty (G20) gathering in the German spa town of Baden-Baden, where are seeing arrivals of finance ministers and central bankers on Thursday. Among the treasurers, many worry about a rise of protectionism, as the new US administration of President Donald Trump might practice harsh policies waging a trade war and pressure other countries on their monetary policies. Some German local media disclosed the draft communique of the summit has been revised several times. Articles like "rejecting protectionism" and "refraining from competitive currency devaluations" that were included in the past were at one time deleted in the draft. The US is reportedly behind the amendment, according to the German newspaper Handelsblatt. Fears are high that the final version of the communique may change these crucial words. Currency topics seem inevitable as Trump's trade policy adviser Peter Navarro once accused Europe, China and Japan of deliberately devaluing their currencies to take advantage over their US competitors. The controversial allegation was denied by all the mentioned countries, and is expected to generate heated discussion. On the eve of the summit, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble hosted the visiting US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in Berlin, where Schaeuble said they had laid basis to speak "openly" and "find solutions together." Mnuchin said that the US believes in free trade, and more importantly "fair trade", adding the US had no intention to start trade wars with other economic powers. But he disclosed that Germany and the US did not reach agreement on all points. Success of country's sensible diplomacy creates high expectations for this year's big events China will host two major international gatherings this year, and expectations are that new initiatives and measures will be unveiled to spur global growth and development amid the rise of protectionism. The importance of the two events in this year's diplomatic calendar was highlighted for China Daily by Chinese diplomats and experts attending the fifth session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee as members. The first of the two events is the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that will be held in Beijing in May. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking with the media recently during the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress, said that the heads of state and government from over 20 economies and the leaders of over 50 international organizations will attend the forum. He said the forum aims to examine key areas for cooperation and identify a number of major projects for connectivity in infrastructure, trade, investment and finance, as well as people-to-people exchanges. Also it is hoped that medium- to long-term initiatives will be announced at the forum, and it can explore ways to establish an effective cooperation mechanism and build a closer and result-oriented network of partnerships, Wang added. Jia Qingguo, professor and dean at Peking University's School of International Studies, says the upcoming forum can benefit both China and the countries along the routes by facilitating the transfer of capital, technology, talent and management experience from the developed eastern coastal region of China to those countries along the routes that need them. "This would help sustain the development of the Chinese economy and support the development and prosperity of neighboring countries," Jia says. The other domestic diplomatic event this year, the ninth BRICS leaders' summit, will be held in the coastal city Xiamen in East China's Fujian province in September. The annual meeting brings together the leaders of the five BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The five nations, with over 40 percent of the world's population, have a combined GDP of about one-fifth of the world's total. The five countries are busy preparing for the meeting, and a range of ministerial-level meetings are being held beforehand to prepare for the summit, says Li Jinzhang, China's ambassador to Brazil. Brazil, which is suffering severe economic difficulties, has great expectations of strengthened cooperation with the other BRICS countries, Li says. "New ideas will be proposed and important agreement will be reached on key issues," Li says. "The voices of developing countries will be heard by the world" at the meeting in September in Xiamen, Li adds. Major high-end international gatherings held by China in recent years include the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Week in Beijing in 2014 and the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in 2016. On these occasions, President Xi Jinping introduced new proposals and concepts aimed at improving global governance and realizing sustainable growth and common development. Open and inclusive The two events are being held while the global economy remains sluggish and there is rising trade protectionism, diplomats and experts say, and many countries are looking to China for leadership as well as practical cooperation. "While some countries are shifting their focus to domestic development, it is China that is ushering in new dynamics for international cooperation," says Zhang Yunling, a senior researcher on Asia-Pacific studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Zhang says that while other countries are looking to protectionism, the multilateral mechanisms promoted by China, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, "all embrace openness". "China is an advocate of openness when the trends of anti-globalization and protectionism are prevailing," Zhang says. Shi Mingde, China's ambassador to Germany, says: "The world is in desperate need of cross-regional cooperation that has a bigger spread, a greater standard and is of a higher level. That's why China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013." The initiative is a key public good for boosting international cooperation and global governance offered by China to the global community, says Shi, who points out that many countries are facing demanding situations regarding their structural reform and development amid the sluggish global economy. "The initiative will forge a close and strong link between the dynamic economies in Asia and the developed economies in Europe," Shi adds. Strong impetus China contributed to sustaining economic globalization by successfully hosting the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, and the two events it is hosting this year will not only be good for China, but also for the rest of the world, says Zhai Jun, China's ambassador to France. Zhai says that by promoting further integration between China and the world, the Belt and Road forum and the BRICS leaders' summit can provide strong impetus for China's future development, which will in turn benefit the world. "In the coming five years, China will import commodities worth $8 trillion in total and attract foreign investment of $600 billion," Zhai says. "Also, Chinese investment overseas is expected to be $750 billion (706 billion euros; 614 billion) over the next five years and there will be 700 million trips abroad by Chinese citizens," Zhai says. Zhang Yunling, the CASS researcher, also notes that the Chinese economy itself is undergoing a critical phase in which the country is restructuring its economy, and pursuing further reform and opening-up that "benefits both itself and other nations". "China could gear up the transformation of its economy through improved cooperation with other countries," Zhang says. Aside from the two events to be held in China, other gatherings - including the APEC meetings in Vietnam and G20 Summit in Germany - will also provide opportunities for countries to cooperate on global governance. Germany this year takes over the rotating chairmanship from China and will host this year's G20 Summit and related lower-level meetings. "We expect to maintain close contact and cooperation with the German side to offer new ideas for boosting global governance, introduce new opportunities, and send signals of cooperation, openness, peace and win-win results," says Shi Mingde, the Chinese ambassador to Germany. New role Cui Liru, a senior researcher and former president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, noted that China has been proactive in hosting international meetings in recent years, and its home-field diplomacy "is a significant platform for presenting China's new role and its new capabilities". "The two major events this year will yield greater outcomes than the past meetings, because the country has been consistently learning, accumulating experience and improving, and its foresight is being reinforced," Cui says. The concepts proposed by China in recent years have shown it to be a quick learner in aligning with accepted international norms and codes, and have highlighted its growing maturity, Cui adds. Wu Enyuan, a senior researcher on Russian studies at CASS, noted that treating other countries on an equal footing is one of the reasons China has been successful in winning support for its proposals and initiatives from an increasing number of countries. "The concepts first proposed by President Xi, including the Belt and Road Initiative and a Community of Shared Destiny for All Mankind, are popular in many developing countries partly because they welcome China treating them in a way that would have been unthinkable during the colonial era," Wu says. While political alignment and security alliances prevail on the world stage, the Chinese proposals "do not categorize or judge countries by political systems or ideologies", Wu says. Wu cites the wide range of organizations and institutions proposed by China in recent years, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund. "Such Chinese proposals are based on reality, they are not coming from nowhere, and they meet the actual needs of countries. That's why few countries have said 'no' to the concepts and most have signed up for them," Wu adds. But Cui, the scholar with China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, cautions that China should strike a balance between being a developing country, albeit the largest, and its greater responsibilities in global affairs. "China is taking on a new role. It has entered the new role in a short period of time, it will take time for it to adapt to the new situation." zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn The US' rejection of language "to resist all forms of protectionism" in a communique coming out of the G20 meeting in Germany over the weekend has created growing concern over US President Donald Trump's possible trade policy. Under the insistence of US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the communique of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting has for the first time dropped the anti-protectionism language and instead just says "we are working to strengthen the contribution of trade to our economies". Trump has been known for his anti-globalization and protectionist rhetoric during and after the 2016 presidential race. But his detailed trade policies have yet to be rolled out. Eswar Prasad, a professor at Cornell University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said the Trump administration's repudiation of even a ritualistic statement about free trade in the G20 communique shows how the increasingly protectionist US stance could affect the global trading environment. "The G20 communique may be a symbolic victory for Trump's protectionist agenda, but it comes at the cost of weakening US leadership on global economic issues," he told China Daily on Monday. Prasad, a former IMF China division chief, believes the US stance is going to have a negative effect on the global trading environment, which could ultimately be to the detriment of the US economy itself. He said resentment toward the US for straying from what are seen as core principles of the G20 is likely to linger and hurt the ability of the US to constructively influence the global economic policy agenda. "The US may find itself increasingly isolated on issues such as promoting free trade and tackling climate change as other major economies begin to collaborate more closely with each other in response to US disengagement," Prasad said. A Reuters report quoted G20 officials who interacted with Mnuchin at the meeting as saying that many opted not to challenge Mnuchin on protectionism language. They instead chose to give him and the new Trump administration some space to refine their trade views in the hopes for moderation by the time Germany hosts a G20 leaders summit in July. Trump has blamed China, Mexico, Germany and many others for US trade deficits and the loss of manufacturing jobs. He has threatened high tariffs on imports into the US and to punish US companies outsourcing overseas. Many economists, such as Gary Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, believe that automation and information technology played a large role in the reduction of manufacturing jobs in the US in the past decades. Many believe that the low personal savings rate and excessive spending in the US also are responsible for the trade deficits. It was the first G20 meeting after Trump took office and the first for Mnuchin with his counterparts. G20 represents the world's 20 largest economies - 19 countries and the European Union. Mnuchin and US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen represented the US in meetings Friday and Saturday in Baden-Baden, Germany. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com (China Daily USA 03/21/2017 page2) Of all the hundreds of foreign participants at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Sunday and Monday, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Germany's Minister for Economics and Energy Brigitte Zypries could be the key messengers spreading the forum's consensus that tearing the walls apart can achieve common peace and prosperity. This is simply because Gentiloni, who joined state leaders from across the world in Beijing, will host the G7 summit in the Sicilian town of Taormina on May 26-27 and Germany will be chairing G20 Leaders Meeting in Hamburg on July 7-8. Zypries attended the forum on behalf of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who could not attend due to a scheduling conflict. The two countries are certainly busy with agenda-setting for the upcoming summits, and Gentiloni and Zypries will have noted the proposals, solutions and suggestions that are emerging from the two-day gathering in Beijing. What China is basically proposing with the Belt and Road Initiative is the world should engage in joint consultation and cooperation in pursuit of peace and prosperity, rather than engage in confrontation which only leads to conflict. This revival of the Silk Road spirit is something the upcoming G7 and G20 summits urgently need to embrace. When their meeting wrapped up on Saturday, the G7 finance ministers and central bank governors failed to adopt a firm stance against protectionism mainly because of the opposition of the United States' representative. The G20 finance ministers were also not on the same page at their meeting in March as they dropped their commitment to take "no single protection measure", a practice adopted in the depth of the global economic recession. However, it is not just the United States that is taking a protectionist stance. The European Union announced anti-dumping measures against China's exports of pipes and tubes made from steel and iron last week. The leaders who have gathered in Beijing issued a communique highlighting their consensus to deepen cooperation and build more opportunities by connecting different countries, regions and cultures through better infrastructure, innovative financial tools and encouraging the flow of other productivity elements. The task of spreading this message falls on Italy and Germany's shoulders when they host the forthcoming summits. It is true that they are being held at a difficult time, as French President Emmanuel Macron only began his five-year term on Sunday, Donald Trump took office in January and Gentiloni started to lead Italian government last December. British Prime Minister Theresa May is also a new face. But the leaders should not only spend their time on laying the "foundations for trust," which always appears to be a core task of their gatherings. They now need to be decisive in delivering concrete outcomes. They must fight against protectionism, collectively learning from the Silk Road spirit that has been evident in Beijing during the Belt and Road Forum. And they must secure the harvest of global efforts to fight against climate change. If so, that will pave the way for the G20 summit in Hamburg, for which, the theme is connectivity. In many ways, this theme already reflects some of the outcomes of Belt and Road Initiative, and the participants should be encouraged to debate and find ways to achieve not only greater infrastructure connectivity via roads, highways, railways, and ports, but also through financial openness and digital transformation. On Sunday, the World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab called the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China a model for fostering economic development and international cooperation. He plans to deepen the scope of the WEF's debates and discussions by linking the initiative with its research and agenda-setting process on various occasions. In acting as timely messengers and transforming the world into a better place, Italy and Germany can follow the example set by Schwab and use the Silk Road spirit of peaceful exchanges to guide the G7 and G20 summits. The author is deputy chief of China Daily European Bureau. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily USA 05/16/2017 page13) President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] China and Russia should strengthen communication and promote the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to enhance its influence in the global and regional affairs, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two presidents had a bilateral meeting ahead of the 17th SCO summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Noting that the SCO is facing new opportunities and challenges, Xi said China and Russia should firmly observe the "Shanghai Spirit", boost solidarity among the 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 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. 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. Congratulating again 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. BEIJING - China and Russia held their first innovation dialogue in Beijing Tuesday and Wednesday, with both countries agreeing to strengthen cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship. The dialogue was co-hosted by China's Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. The dialogue aimed to improve discussion and research on political support for innovation development, and push forward cooperation between micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in technology and capital markets, said Huang Wei, China's vice minister of science and technology. The meeting will bring new opportunities to align the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, said Russian Vice Minister of Economic Development Oleg Fomichev. Nearly 200 representatives from Chinese and Russian government offices, colleges and research institutions among others joined the discussions. Opportunities abound for further beneficial cooperation, say experts as summit looms MOSCOW - About three months ahead of a BRICS summit in China, Russian analysts see immense potential to increase and diversify economic cooperation between the two countries. Vast opportunities can be created during the development of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the process of Russia's "import substitution" industrialization, experts say, adding that closer economic ties between the two strategic partners will be mutually beneficial. Buyers from Russia check out balloon products at Yiwu International Commodities Mall, Zhejiang province. Lyu Bing / For China Daily They also believe that China-Russia trade should be expanded to more nonenergy sectors so that bilateral economic cooperation can develop in a sustainable way. These remarks come as the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are busy preparing for the ninth summit of the bloc's leaders on Sept 3 to 5 in Xiamen, Fujian province. The development of transportation facilities is one of the key problems Russia faces, given its vast territory and low quality of roads and railways. "Chinese investment and joint projects will play a major role in the vast areas of Siberia and the Far East, as well as in other parts of Russia," says Sergei Luzyanin, director of the Far Eastern Studies Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Luzyanin pins high hopes on the Belt and Road Initiative, which can "greatly stimulate the development of infrastructure". To finance infrastructure construction, the BRICS New Development Bank should play a bigger role, says Yaroslav Lissovolik, chief economist of the Eurasian Development Bank. Russia responded to Western sanctions following its annexation of Crimea in 2014 with an "import substitution" policy in various sectors in a bid to boost domestic industrial production. The process of import substitution industrialization creates opportunities for Chinese direct investment in Russia, says Vitaly Monkevich, president of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. "This is beneficial for both sides, since Chinese businesses will achieve a higher profit rate and the ability to sell products to China, and Russia will get investment and new jobs," says Monkevich. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Chinese companies invested more than $100 million (89 million euros; 78.7 million) in Russia between January and April this year. "We see a serious interest in Russia-China cooperation from business circles of both countries," says Monkevich. Trade between China and Russia jumped by 26.2 percent year-on-year to $24.7 billion in the first four months of 2017, according to China's General Administration of Customs. In addition to oil and gas, Russian analysts see the possibility of expanding bilateral trade to more areas. Members of the Russian Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs "often turn to us with requests for export of sunflower oil, honey, ice cream, confectionery and alcohol. ... We see great potential for the development of exports other than raw materials," says Monkevich. As for space cooperation between Russia and China, Luzyanin expects joint manned space stations and joint space missions in the future. Furthermore, Luzyanin and Lissovolik, who are also members of the Russian think tank Valdai Discussion Club, suggest that Chinese and Russian computer programmers cooperate in ensuring cybersecurity and developing internet-based business. "All this together creates a new quality for the growth of Russia-China cooperation. We can deal with oil and gas and talk about diversifying cooperation at the same time," says Luzyanin. Xinhua SHANGHAI - Senior finance officials from China and Russia vowed Monday to enhance fiscal and financial cooperation as well as macro-economic policy coordination. China's finance minister Xiao Jie and his Russian counterpart Anton Siluanov co-chaired a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the second BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors meeting. They exchanged views and reached agreements on a series of issues including China-Russia macro-economic policies, structural reform, and fiscal and financial cooperation. China and Russia will cooperate with other BRICS countries to improve global governance, fight all forms of trade protectionism, and promote the establishment of a multilateral financing system that is standing, stable, sustainable, and risk-controllable. Xiao said China welcomes and supports Russia's issuance of yuan-denominated sovereign bonds at the proper time. The two sides also agreed to sign an auditing oversight cooperation agreement, and intensify communication and coordination on taxation reform measures to facilitate bilateral trade and investment cooperation. People milled around, resumes in hand, some clad in SCA gear, from booth to booth at the Coconino County Rapid Response teams job and resource fair, created after SCA announced earlier this month that it would close the Flagstaff plant. Coconino County Career Services Deputy Director Cindy Wilson said 74 job seekers attended the event, 27 of whom were formerly employed by SCA. When the SCA plant closed, 78 workers were left without jobs. Tayler Young worked at the SCA plant for five years before the closure. I worked my way up, he said. I started at the bottom, but now I do the lab testing operations with the wastewater treatment. Youngs job was to test the wastewater discharged by the plant to make sure it met quality standards for discharge into the citys wastewater system. The company announced the closure June 7, and most workers stopped working by June 8. However, Young said his team has continued to work at the plant, because the wastewater treatment portion will be the last to close. I started working for SCA when I was 19 and loved making paper, he said, but added he has two houses in the Flagstaff area and he might not be able to relocate to another paper mill. He had a resume prepared, but said it is a little unsettling not to have a job secured when he lost his old one. Since I was 13, Ive only had two jobs, he said. Ive never left a job without having another one already lined up. The event was created to help connect people with resources to help with resume building, interview skills and other tips for job seeking, as well as connect them with employers looking to hire, both locally and from around the country. In total, 24 employers and 12 community resource providers attended the event, Wilson said. Additionally we had companies travel from outside of our area for the job fair and job seekers that came from as far away as Payson, Wilson said. Employers shared what an exceptional turnout and there were even local employers stopping by to ask to be involved with the next event we hold. Wilsons own husband worked for SCA for decades before he passed away, and Wilson said the company and his coworkers were like family to him. Even though SCA closed its doors, its still a family of guys who worked together for years, she said. Employers at the event included the city of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Kahtoola, Grand Canyon railway and Hotel and Joy Cone. The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, the Department of Economic Security and other programs attended to offer job seeking resources. Two paper mills, Sofidel America and First Quality, which both have plants around the country, were also at the event recruiting for workers who want to remain in the paper business and are willing to relocate. Francis Bigler, who worked at SCA for 11 years before the plant closed, said he came to the event to look for jobs, as well as freshen up his resume. When he worked at the plant, his job was to take samples of paper and test for quality when rolls came off the machines. Bigler said since the company announced the plants closure, the county has been very helpful in reaching out to employees and trying to fill their needs while they searched for a new job. He would still be interested in working in a paper mill, but he and his wife cannot move from Flagstaff for a few years, Bigler said. Due to a recent purchase of Wausau Paper by the Sweden-based SCA, the company obtained additional production capacity, which partially eliminated the need for the Flagstaff plant, SCA Vice President of Communications Amy Bellcourt said. The company has also increased production efficiency, which contributed to the decision to close the plant. Laid-off employees are being paid for 60 days after the plant closed. "This is not a reflection of the skill and hard work of the employees in Flagstaff," Bellcourt said. Mandarin teaching in the United Kingdom should capitalize on the rise in interest in the language, and become more sustainable, Wang Yongli, minister counselor for education at the Chinese embassy in London said at the three-day International Conference on Teaching and Learning Chinese in Higher Education. The gathering opened on Wednesday at the University of Southampton on England's South Coast. The British Chinese Language Teaching Society, an academic organization for Chinese teachers at British universities, has organized the annual gathering for the past 15 years. It is aimed at enhancing the quality of Chinese teaching, and promoting the research of Chinese education internationally. This year's meeting, titled Teaching and Learning Chinese in Global Contexts: From Language Policy to Classroom Practice, attracted 150 scholars who exchanged ideas on how best to teach the language in higher education. Wang said the increased interest in Mandarin in the UK in the past decade has been overwhelming, and the expansion of Confucius Institutes and the smaller Confucius Classrooms have played an important role. With 29 Confucius Institutes and 140 Confucius Classrooms in the UK, Wang said it is critical that the trend is capitalized upon. Joel Bellassen, who is chair of the European Association of Chinese Teaching, took the opportunity to speak in Mandarin, saying how pleased he was to see it become one of the mainstream foreign languages offered in European higher education institutions. This year's conference marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the British Chinese Language Teaching Society. Guo Zhiyan, chairman of the society, said the conference provides an international platform for the world's Chinese language teaching specialists, where they can share their expertise. Topics such as Chinese language policies across different regions, integration of culture into language classes, and teaching Chinese for specific-purposes, will be discussed in depth during the conference. Last September, the UK government launched a 10 million pound ($13 million) Mandarin Excellence Program, which is designed to make teenagers fluent speakers by 2020. In 2013, the British Council introduced its Generation UK campaign, which aims to increase the number of British students and interns with placements in China to 80,000 by 2020. According to the British Council, the number of people taking Mandarin exams at the General Certificate of Secondary Education level increased by 92 percent in five years, to 4,044 students in 2016. Bank of China on Wednesday became the first Chinese bank to open a branch in Dublin, something it did in the hope of capitalizing on Ireland's increasingly close business ties with Beijing. The new Dublin branch will focus on corporate lending. Its target clients will be Chinese companies operating in Ireland, Irish companies with interests in China, and multinationals with large offices in Ireland. "As the most active Chinese bank in the international markets, the opening of our Dublin branch will support the vision and determination of the Irish people," said Tian Guoli, chairman of Bank of China. Dublin already hosts a handful of Chinese leasing companies, but it so far has no Chinese banks providing financial and corporate services. It is the Chinese bank with the longest established presence in London, having set up a brunch in 1946, and is now set to benefit from being the first in Dublin. Leo Varadkar, the new Irish prime minister, welcomed the bank's move. "Ireland and China enjoy a long and fruitful relationship and Bank of China's investment is yet another sign of the very significant growth of economic links between Ireland and China in recent years," he said. Bank of China is the world's fourth-largest bank, by capital. It has more than 574 branches, offices, and outlets in 51 countries and regions. China is Ireland's biggest trading partner in Asia. In March, Ireland became a member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Last December, China's central bank granted Ireland a 50 billion yuan ($7.25 billion) quota under the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor scheme, which allows for investment into China's onshore bond and stock markets. Bank of China does have a presence in Ireland through its aircraft leasing operation, BOC Aviation (Ireland) Ltd, which will continue to operate as a separate business unit. Bank of China said it has plans to build a diversified products and services platform in Ireland within two years. In London, Bank of China employs more than 500 people and carries out a wide range of retail, corporate, and financial activities. British artist Abigail Reynolds has created an exhibition based on her six-month adventure by motorbike in search of the 16 lost libraries of the Silk Road. The epic journey through 2,000 years of history and across much of the globe is preserved in Ruins of Time: Lost Libraries of the Silk Road, an exhibition that was showcased at Art Basel earlier this year in Hong Kong. Reynolds, who is based in the county of Cornwall in Southwest England, set out on the journey as inspiration for a commissioned project. She hoped to find and document 16 ancient libraries that have been lost to political conflicts, natural catastrophes, and war. It resulted in her visiting locations dating from 291 BC to 2011 in China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, and Iran. "The journey itself was challenging and huge, encompassing three quarters of the globe, traversing multiple cultures, none familiar to me," she said. "The journey brought me to the edges of my knowledge, just as the lost libraries brought me to the edge of visuality." She said she chose the Silk Road because it is a symbol of exchange between cultures. "The Silk Road has been opened for the longest time and it's always been a positive symbol of connection and communication," she said. "I knew that there would be libraries along that route because books were a precious commodity, along with silk, gold, medicines, and all the other things that empires desire." The first leg of her arduous journey started in China, where she visited Yinchuan, Xi'an, and Dunhuang. She relied on her motorbike to get around, and a 16 mm, wind-up Bolex camera to capture her adventures. But finding the libraries was not easy. The oldest lost library on the Silk Road was the Xianyang Palace in Xi'an, which was destroyed around 206 BC. All that remains today is a wasteland and she was advised to give up and visit the Terracotta Warriors instead. She described the Mogao caves in Dunhuang as something incredible. The library that had stood there was discovered more than 150 years ago and "there were scrolls which have been collected from all the cultures that fed into the Silk Road". Reynolds had a childhood fascination with libraries, having "lived a life around books as well as visual art" and she is involved in a community group fighting to save her own local library from closure. "On the news, there were so many reports of the destruction of cultural sites in Iraq, like in Mosul and Palmira, and I was aware of libraries being lost in Damascus," she said. "So, the sense of the loss of a library was something which was extremely contemporary but also ancient, and a subject that was very close to me at home in my personal life." Chinese employees constantly litigate overtime claims against their China employers. Many foreign employers in China assume their employees have the burden of proving overtime was actually incurred. But they are only sort of correct. The governing judicial interpretations (i.e., Interpretation (III) of the PRC Supreme Peoples Court of Several Issues on the Application of Law in the Trial of Labor Dispute Cases) shift the burden to the employer if the employee produces evidence showing the employer holds the relevant evidence. What does this mean in practice? In employee-favorable jurisdictions like Beijing, it means that if an employee has just minimal evidence of having put in overtime without getting paid for having done so, the courts will require the employer prove the employees overtime claims are untrue. The Beijing courts take this position because they know employers often verbally transmit their overtime requirements/requests and thereby leave their employee with no good evidence of having worked overtime. On the other hand, the employers mandatory attendance records usually show who worked when. The Beijing courts have recognized that copies of work shift schedules signed by a supervisor were enough to shift the burden of proof to the employer and even declarations and witness testimony. But even where the employee comes forward with sufficient evidence to shift the burden to the employer, the employer can still prevail if it can produce sufficient evidence to rebut the employees overtime evidence. For example, the courts have accepted wage payment acknowledgment forms signed by an employee who specifically acknowledges having been paid in full and had no issues concerning such payments and fully accepted the amount. Many China employers also assume that if their employees follow an order to work overtime and then do not object to the wages received, they have accepted that no overtime pay is owed to them. This is WRONG. Employees do not need to file a complaint or voice any rejection right away. Generally speaking, they have one year until after their employment is terminated to sue for overtime wages. And sue they do, which is all the more reason why it is so important to get your departing Chinese employees to sign settlement agreements with you making clear they have no wage claims. See China Overtime Laws and Employee Terminations. What all of this means in real life is that employees can and often do keep minimal evidence of unpaid overtime and patiently wait for years before taking any legal action. They can (and do) also unilaterally terminate the employment relationship and sue their employer for severance and damages or they can wait until they are terminated or the employment term has expired. In other words, if you have not been properly handling your employee overtime and compensation correctly, you could be sued for years of unpaid overtime pay. Our China employer audits often find lingering potential overtimes claims and we typically advise our clients to clean those up right away while they still have leverage over their employees, rather than waiting for the nearly inevitable claims once the employees have left. Clever employers may argue that their local labor authorities have told them that they are obligated to keep employee wages records on file for only two years in case of audits, so everything will be fine if they do just that. Wrong. Yes, this does mean you have fulfilled that specific employer obligation/law, but that law is not intended to prevent employees from pursuing you for overtime wages going back more than two years. Also note that like pretty much everything else involving China employment law, even the amount of time you must keep your employee wage records can vary. The bottom line on employee overtime claims in China is that China employers should just assume they will end up having the burden of proof on overtime claims and should therefore start both cleaning up past problems and preparing for future problems. Its one thing when smoke from a managed burn on a mountain in the middle of the forest keeps drifting into town is it really worth it, we all mutter. But when its a raging wildfire threatening small towns 60 miles away and the smoke still manages to reach Flagstaff, we all need to be thankful its not us being evacuated. The latter scenario is going on right now near Bradshaw Mountain outside Prescott Valley as the Goodwin Fire burns up the Prescott National Forest. Strong winds are taking the smoke to the northeast, and Flagstaff is bound to get some dispersed smoke in the next few days perhaps more in the early morning after it settles overnight. But as we report today, for most people a few hours exposed to light wood smoke does not pose a health threat. That doesnt mean we have to like it. A Mountain Town with a peak enshrouded in haze is more than disappointing. And those morning runs can be tougher than usual on the lungs with all those particulates crowding out the oxygen. Health officials urge athletes to cut back their exertions when smoke is present and everyone is better off indoors as much as possible with the windows closed until the air clears. And for the elderly, the young and those with ailments of the lungs and heart, smoky skies are no picnic. They should take extra precautions, such as remaining indoors and relatively inactive. If breathing troubles develop, they should consider leaving the smoke zone altogether until skies clear. And in Flagstaff the skies always do and usually sooner than later. Afternoon breezes at 7,000 feet are nearly guaranteed, and that means the smoke that has settled in overnight will be blown away. And of course, it could be worse if you lived elsewhere in Arizona. The National Weather Service has issued several blowing dust warnings this year for the I-10 corridor in Pinal County. And in Phoenix, in addition to the withering heat, there have been several health pollution advisories this year as primarily auto exhaust reacts with sunlight to produce dangerous ground-level ozone. Are there other types of air pollution to worry about in the region? Those living in the shadow of coal-fired electric plants have a higher level of exposure to smokestack releases, and the EPA has issued rules to reduce emission levels from coal plants nationwide. But the occasional plumes of wood smoke drifting into Flagstaff dont represent a long enough exposure to constitute a long-term health risk, although fire managers do their best to steer the smoke clear of heavily settled areas. Whats more problematic is when a managed fire like the one on Kendrick Mountain not only sends smoke into surrounding communities but at a cost of $8 million in an area that has already burned over. There are a lot of other parts of the forest that havent burned yet and could use $8 million in restoration spending, whether by burning or thinning. But the smoke itself, while temporarily unpleasant, isnt the threat it seems in our blue-sky town and at least the forest after a managed burn is the better for it. As for smoke from a crown fire, we wish the communities near Bradshaw Mountain and the firefighters out there on the lines only the best. If theres a complaint about the smoke, no one is uttering it out loud. June has been quite the month for Iraqi Christians in America. From CTs report: More than 100 Iraqi Christians arrested in immigration raids earlier this month will get to stay in the United Statesat least for another two weeks, according to an order issued yesterday by a federal judge in Detroit. Of the more than 1,000 Iraqis who live in America, 300 of them were Christians slated to be deported later this summer, a move which provoked significant outcry from the community. This is about the conditions we are sending people back to. We are imposing a death penalty through the back door, said the lawyer of one of those affected. This news came just weeks after Vice President Mike Pence attended an event highlighting the plight of persecuted Christians. Pence also hosted the top leaders from churches in Iraq and Syria. Mike Pence been really outspoken in support of our community. We couldnt really ask anything better from the vice president, said Martin Manna, the president of the Chaldean Chamber and Foundation in Detroit, Michigan. Finding a political home has been challenging for the Iraqi Christian American diaspora, said Manna. The community was frustrated at George W. Bush for invading Iraq but also blamed Barack Obama for not responding urgently enough to ISIS, which has terrorized Christians in their homeland. While President Trump promised to protect them, his administration has moved to deport Iraqi Christians in America. Its a very conservative community. Its always faith first and family, said Manna. Republicanswhile they appreciate our Christian beliefs and they fight for us when we talk about the persecution of Christianswhen ... 1 There is a God-shaped hole in the heart of 42, the 2013 film that depicts the inspiring story of Jackie Robinson. Observers noticed it at the time, pointing out that the film mostly ignored the role that faith played in Robinsons life and in Branch Rickeys decision to sign him to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. And the film is not the only account of Robinsons life that downplays religion. While Rickeys stalwart Methodist convictions have been widely recognized, most biographies of Robinson provide limited attention to his own faith. Not so in Michael G. Longs and Chris Lambs Jackie Robinson: A Spiritual Biography(Westminster John Knox Press) and Ed Henrys 42 Faith: The Rest of the Jackie Robinson Story(Thomas Nelson). Published earlier this year, both books claim to offer a thorough look at the religious dimensions of Robinsons life. Reporters Instincts Ed Henry worked at CNN for eight years before joining Fox News Channel in 2011 as chief national correspondent. His desire to write a book about Jackie Robinsons faith grew out of his reporters instincts. In 2007 freelance journalist Donna Shor told him that her father-in-law, Rev. L. Wendell Fifield, was involved with Branch Rickeys decision to sign Robinson. In 1945, she claimed, Rickey visited Fifields Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn, where he prayed for assurance from God that signing Robinson was the right move to make. Hearing Shors story, Henry writes, sent me on this journey to find out how much of a role faith played in bringing Robinson and Rickey together and in empowering Robinson to succeed. Four years later, Henry heard from Shor again. This ... 1 Peter Berger, an incurable Lutheran who became one of Americas most respected sociologists of religion, has died. Boston University (BU) announced the passing this week of the 88-year-old professor emeritus, who founded the schools Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs in 1985 and led it to become a leading source of scholarship on religion in an age of globalization. An opponent of the God is dead movement popular in academia, Berger became something of a rock star among Christ-following academics, Gordon College president and sociologist Michael Lindsay explained in a CT tribute. Southern Seminary president Al Mohler praised Berger as perhaps the most influential social thinker of our times and one of the individuals I cite most frequently. Bergers writing was so good that it made all the theologians just want to be sociologists when they grew up, stated Gregory ... 1 When wildfire smoke starts to roll into town, like it did last week, the best solution for the very young, elderly and those with heart and lung problems may be to leave town, according to three air quality experts from Northern Arizona University. Mansel Nelson, an indoor air quality expert at NAU, Patricia Ellsworth, the curriculum coordinator for the American Indian Air Quality Training Program at NAUs Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and Christopher Lee, the co-director of the Institutes Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center in Las Vegas, said the smoke doesnt pose much of a hazard for most people. However, the elderly, young children and those with heart and lung problems should take extra care. Nelson said last weeks smoke was particularly bad for him. He has chronic asthma and was required to use his inhaler several times, even though he had the windows closed, the air conditioning on and was running several HEPA air filters in his home. He finally got some improvement in his condition after leaving town briefly for a work-related trip. The level of smoke that is considered unhealthy for people with chronic conditions is much lower than the unhealthy level for people who dont have health conditions, he said. It doesnt take much to trigger it, he said of the smoke and his asthma. Ellsworth said wildfire smoke can pose a health hazard to everyone. For those who are healthy and do not have heart or lung conditions, the risk is pretty small, unless they have continued exposure to the smoke, like the hotshot firefighters working the fires. In order to protect their health, hotshots rotate off the fire in shifts. The long-term effects of working as a hotshot have not been determined. But a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, states that out of the 15 substances found in smoke that were evaluated only two, benzene and formaldehyde, posed a cancer risk of greater than 1 per million depending on the amount of exposure. But for those who have chronic heart or lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, smoke can exacerbate their condition and send them to the hospital. Young children and the elderly are also susceptible to health problems from the smoke, she said. The lungs in young children arent fully developed and their breathing rate is higher than that of an adult. The elderly also have problems because their lungs arent as young as they once were. The problem lies with the smallest particles of air pollution that are contained in the smoke, Ellsworth said. The largest particles cause irritation in the windpipe, nose, throat and eyes. Most of the time, people can get rid of these particles by coughing or blowing their nose. The smallest particles, however, can reach deep into the lungs and even enter the blood stream. Its not just people with respiratory conditions who can be affected by wildfire smoke, Nelson said. People with heart disease can experience problems because of the strain the small particles can put on the lungs, which in turn puts stress on the heart. The chemicals contained in smoke, such as carbon monoxide, can also cause problems for people, Nelson said. However, you would have to be in contact with the smoke on a continual basis for this to be a problem -- most people don't have lengthy exposure and most of these chemicals clear the body quickly. The best thing to do is if you smell smoke outside, go inside, said Ellsworth. And reduce your activity level inside and outside. The more you are active, the higher your respiration rate goes. Once inside, Nelson recommended closing all of the doors and windows, turning your air conditioning unit to recirculate the air and if youre sensitive to the smoke, buy several HEPA air filters to help pull contaminants from the air. Doing this wont get rid of all of the smoke particles in the air, but it will help. You can also seek shelter at a public building with air conditioning, such as the public library or the mall, Ellsworth said. Swamp coolers can help, if they have the right cooling pads, said Lee. He worked for the Navajo Nations Environmental Protection Agency during the Rodeo-Chediski fire in 2002. That fire burned nearly 500,000 acres in east-central Arizona, caused the evacuation of 30,000 people and cost $43.1 million. It was the largest fire in the recorded history of Arizona until the Wallow Fire in 2001. Many of the homes on the Navajo and Hopi nations do not have air conditioning, they have swamp coolers, Lee said. The coolers are not as efficient at removing smoke particles from the air as an air conditioning unit because most of the cooling pads used in the coolers are too porous. Lee said during the Rodeo-Chediski fire the Navajo EPA suggested that people who did not have air conditioning seek out a chapter house or clinic with air conditioning. However there are very few public buildings, like chapter houses, with air conditioning near homes on the two nations and the few that are available are spread out. Nelson also recommended having a good stock of any medications a person with a chronic illness might need and a plan to get them to the emergency room, if necessary. He did not recommend getting a mask or a respirator to avoid the smoke. Respirators need to be fitted to a person. If theyre not fitted properly they can cause more or worsen breath problems. Many people, including healthy people, do not tolerate respirators well. If things get really bad, you may have to take a day trip or a weekend trip out of town, he said. Facebook Rejects Christian Fourth of July Video Contact: Kim Kent, Heirloom Audio, 815-259-0137, kim@heirloomaudio.com THOMSON, Ill., June 29, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Facebook has rejected a new family-friendly Fourth of July video that recounts America's Christian heritage, because it doesn't follow the company's "advertising policies for advertising adult products or services." The short animated video, produced by Heirloom Audio Productions founder Bill Heid, warns that the nation's future depends on returning to "God's revealed Word." The video is called "The Lost Secrets of Liberty." Heirloom Audio was set to launch an advertising campaign for the video on Facebook when the social media giant sent notice Wednesday that the ad was not approved due to "images or videos that show nudity or cleavage." Although the Facebook message didn't specify the problem, Heid assumed it was due to a non-graphic image of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel painting included in the video. "I applaud Facebook for having standards," Heid said. "However, I'm also deeply saddened by the tragic and unjustified banning of our new family-friendly Christian production. I created this Independence Day video for parents to watch with their kids so they could discuss the origins of America's liberty." Heirloom Audio submitted an appeal to Facebook, but as of Thursday afternoon the company declined to comment or respond to the appeal. The video can be viewed or downloaded for free at TheLostSecretsOfLiberty.com. A license is not needed to show it in public. In the video, Heid discussed the meaning of "liberty" from the perspective of the Founding Fathers. He also recounts little-known facts about America's Christian heritage, such as: Ethan Allen demanding the surrender of the British at Fort Ticonderoga "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." John Adams declaring that the centralization of religion had as much to do with American independence as did taxation without representation. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin promoting a scene out of the book of Exodus as the national seal. "While we're still free, and while we've still got time," Heid said, "we've got to teach the next generation that our country can only be protected from tyranny, moral relativism and anarchy by finding the very context for freedom itself found in God's revealed Word." Heirloom Audio Productions, which was founded by Heid, produces audio adventures that bring Christian heroes from history to life. The company won three Voice Arts Awards last year, including Outstanding Production, for The Dragon And The Raven, which chronicles how King Alfred the Great (849-899) led an army that beat the barbaric Vikings, saved the English lands and brought the country back to God. It starred Helen George (Call The Midwife), John Rhys-Davies (The Lord Of The Rings, Indiana Jones), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who, The Hobbit), John Bell (The Hobbit), Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, King Lear) and Katherine Kellgren (award-winning narrator). Heirloom Audio just released its eighth CD, Captain Bayley's Heir, which follows a story about the California gold rush. The company's CDs feature top actors and actresses, along with original musical scores and sound effects. Each drama includes two CDs and spans more than two hours. home World ISIS forces women into sex slavery and uses Christians as human shields in the Philippines The Islamic State terrorists in the Philippines are reportedly forcing women to become sex slaves and are using 100 Christians as human shields as government forces continue the offensive to retake Marawi City. The authorities believe that the Maute group, which seized Marawi more than a month ago, currently holds more than 100 Christians hostage, including a Catholic priest identified as Fr. Teresito Soganub. Members of the group are reportedly forcing the hostages to convert to Islam and carry wounded fighters. While most of the city's 200,000 residents have fled since the siege on May 12, those who are left behind have been subjected to horrific abuse. "They are being forced to be sex slaves, forced to destroy the dignity of these women," said Army spokesman Jo-Ar Herrera, according to Daily Mail. "This is what is happening inside, this is very evident..these are evil personalities," he added. Herrera also noted that the terrorists have tasked some of the hostages to loot houses and establishments for ammunition, firearms, cash and gold. On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to carry out intense bombing raids by planes on rebel-held parts of the city. Abdullah Maute, one of two brothers who formed the group, reportedly said that he would free Soganub in exchange for his parents, who are being held by the police. The authorities have arrested the Maute brothers' father, Cayamora Maute, on June 6, while their mother, Farhana Maute, was arrested three days later. Eight Muslim leaders reportedly met with the head of the terrorist group on Sunday during the short truce to mark the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The government condemned the meeting, saying it is sticking to its policy of not negotiating with terrorists. "Let us remind the public, the gravity of the terrorists and their supporters' offences is immense and they must be held accountable for all their actions," said a government spokesman. The military has warned that the number of civilians killed by the rebels could rise sharply, as troops retake more ground. On Wednesday, five decapitated civilians were found among 17 bodies, confirming reports that the terror group has beheaded residents during the siege of Marawi. Since the start of the conflict, 71 security forces and 299 militants have been killed. Additionally, 246,000 people have been displaced, according to ABS-CBN News. Duterte has vowed to destroy the militants and warned that the Philippines is now dealing with "a very dangerous situation" because of young Muslims inspired by ISIS. "They enjoy decapitating people in front of cameras. They have to be dealt with, with the same ferocity but not the brutality," he said at an event where he received weapons donated by China to help the military campaign. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Oklahoma police are investigating the death of a 29-year-old woman whose body was found inside a Sand Springs Walmart bathroom three days after she entered the store. A Walmart employee discovered the body of Katherine Caraway, originally from Texas, on Monday afternoon. According to the Associated Press, police said it's unclear when or how Caraway died, but it does not appear her death was suspicious. RESCUED: Texas police save puppy from hot car at Walmart, owner arrested A Walmart employee said they thought the bathroom Caraway occupied was "out of order," so they put up a sign that remained there until her body was discovered by another employee. In response to the news, Walmart issued the following statement: "We are saddened by this. We don't know all the facts right now, but we are working closely with local law enforcement to provide what information we have that might be useful. Because this is an ongoing investigation, we must refer you to them for additional information." ROTTEN CANDY: Houston woman suing Wal-Mart after maggot-filled Almond Joy leads to injury Police told the Sand Springs Leader they aren't sure why Caraway, who lived in Muskogee, Oklahoma, was in Sand Springs. Sand Springs is roughly an hour drive from Muskogee. Authorities said Caraway's family had to make a trip from Texas to identify the body. According to Caraway's Facebook, she is from Celeste, Texas, a small town 60 miles outside of Dallas. She is survived by her young son. Click through above to see the most shocking crimes of the past year. AP A South Korean gas company and Royal Dutch Shell are considering throwing their weight behind yet another liquefied natural gas plant. Energy Transfer Partners announced on Thursday that Korea Gas Corporation and BG LNG Services, a Houston-based subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, are interested in working with the Dallas pipeline giant on its Lake Charles LNG Liquefaction Project. President Donald Trump has ordered his Cabinet to move ahead on replacing the Obama administration's offshore drilling program, with an eye to opening up the Atlantic and Arctic coastlines to oil and gas development. In doing so Trump hopes to expand offshore drilling into coastal areas that have long been off-limits to the industry, while undoing a decision by former president Obama that the environmental risks in drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic were too great. The announcement came during a speech at the Department of Energy in Washington Thursday, as Trump announced a series of energy developments including the approval of a new pipeline to Mexico for petroleum products and a new LNG export terminal in Lake Charles, Louis. "The truth is we have near limitless supplies of energy in our country," Trump said. "This administration is looking not just American energy independence but American energy dominance. We will export american energy all over the world." The Interior Department will study the entire U.S. coastline for offshore drilling opportunities in developing a new five year drilling plan, Interior officials said Thursday, adding that Trump had singled out the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas in the Arctic and the southern Atlantic Ocean as opportunities for federal leasing. RELATED STORY: At offshore drilling regulator, focus on "economic development" So begins what typically is a years long process, in which the administration will have to conduct substantial environmental reviews and open up their plans up to extended periods of public comment. At the same time, the administration is facing litigation from environmental groups challenging its plan to undo a ban on Arctic oil and gas development ordered by Obama on his way out of office. "We're going to let the court make their determination, but were going to move forward," Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Kate McGregor said in a briefing with reporters Thursday. "We'll be sticking to every rule on the books. We will find areas for efficiencies where we can, but we will not be cutting any corners." In the meantime, the Obama administration's existing five year offshore drilling program will remain in effect. The announcement comes as offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and other regions continues to lag, with oil companies putting projects on hold while crude prices hover around $50 a barrel. But for an industry that perceived itself to be at odds with the Obama administration, Thursday's news offered some optimism. "Today's announcement gives confidence for the future that this administration recognizes the benefits to be gained from safe, responsible development of America's abundant natural resources," said Dan Naatz, a senior vice president at the Independent Petroleum Association of America. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The biggest pop star in the world paid her respects via social media to a Houston super fan who recently passed. Britney Spears tweeted in response to the death of Houston resident Joseph Hernandez: "Just heard the sad news about one of my biggest fans. My heart goes out to Tristan's family, friends and the #BritneyArmy." The pop star's message has been retweeted more than 2,000 times. The late 32-year-old ran a Britney fan page on Twitter under the handle, @Tristan_Spears_. The account had nearly 800 followers. CHECK THIS: Concert listings in the Houston area "Joseph was a great person full of love," Hernandez's partner of 11 years, Anthony Losoya, told Chron.com on Friday. Loyosa shared a memory of him and Hernandez going a Britney Spears' Circus Tour concert on a Monday in Anaheim, Calif. From there, they drove out on Tuesday to Las Vegas to see her perform at the MGM on Wednesday. Losoya and the families were in disbelief, but proud and honored by Spears' tweet. "Jojo (Joseph) would of been so excited. Britney was his No. 1. He would of really wanted for Britney to know he is one of her biggest fans." The families are still in shock of Hernandez's passing. He was 32 years old and the cause of his June 7 death is still unknown. "It feels unreal that he is no longer here. It hurts deep inside to hear her (Spears') music because it brings tears to our eyes," Losoya said. Hernandez was described as a great person who was always honest and never sugar-coated anything. He also listened to and wrote music. Hernandez's cousin, Priscilla Aguiar, initially tweeted to Britney Spears on June 9, saying, "@britneyspears my cousin @Tristan_Spears_ died yesterday. He was a huge fan of yours. As I sit here crying I can't help but think of you 2." RELEVANT MUSIC: "Hamilton" video "Immigrants" features Texas rapper Snow Tha Product In an interview with a Britney Spears Fan Page, Aguiar shared memories of Hernandez always saying, "It's Britney B***h" when they were drinking. She also mentioned that Hernandez was thoughtful, loving, funny, and that he would always call family members to see how they were doing. A hashtag named, #RIPTristanSpears was created so members of the #BritneyArmy can honor Hernandez. Hernandez was buried next to his grandmother on June 22, in Los Angeles, Calif. at the City of Bells Cemetery. A GoFundMe account has been started to help the family pay for a headstone. Check out the gallery above to see Britney Spears' most amazing moves. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Laurenzo's Bar and Grill in Midtown has closed. The 300-seat restaurant at 1910 Bagby, which formerly housed The Republic Smokehouse & Saloon and Blackfinn American Grille, opened in January. "Regrettably it never generated sufficient sales to be viable. That's all," Roland Laurenzo said in a statement. Laurenzo's sister restaurant at 4412 Washington Avenue remains open. The Houston-based Laurenzo family also operates the popular El Tiempo Cantina chain. Laurenzo told the Chronicle in December that his company originally was approached by Landmark Hospitality Group, which owns the space at 1910 Bagby, to open an El Tiempo location there. At the time he decided it would work better as a Laurenzo's outpost, which offers French dip sandwiches, prime rib, burgers, steaks, pasta, pizza and a handful of El Tiempo favorites. Laurenzo said he does not know at this time what will be done with the space. "We are not ready to decide on future potential uses," he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Riding in the car with her mother through a Kingwood area neighborhood on the way to Raffa's Waterfront Grill at Kings Harbor, 16-year-old Omega Porche found inspiration in the impressive houses they drove past. "On the way here, I saw those houses and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, they're so big,'" Omega said. Her mother, Falana Porche, then turned what could have remained just a passing observation into a lesson in what Omega has come to know as "dream-building," as she explained to her daughter that through a good education, focus and determination, she too can one day have a house like the ones in Kingwood. Lessons like these have become the norm for participants of the Queenstitute Teen Leadership Program, which hosted its inaugural End of Year Celebration Gala at Raffa's Waterfront Grill in Kingwood on Sunday, June 25, to honor teen participants Omega Porche, Mikenzie Benaim and Alaysia Samuel for their dedication to the program over the course of the year. Queenstitute was founded in 2015 by Tanisha Williams, and recently obtained its 501c3 status. The program welcomes teens, both male and female, in grades ninth through twelfth. Program components include community service, education, financial literacy and enrichment through dream-building. Participants develop these skills by engaging in critical reading, hands-on service projects and earning reward-based educational incentives. "It teaches them responsibility, knowledge and definitely encourages them to be anything they want to be in life," said Falana Porche. "They have to just apply themselves to make all their dreams come true." Throughout the year, participants read, analyze and apply a text covering a real-world topic like budgeting money. Outings to places like the Galleria provide an opportunity to learn about responsible spending. Activities are performed throughout the year, like necessity drives for people in need to teach the importance of community service. The Queenstitute also arranges field trips to affluent neighborhoods and high-end car dealerships to encourage participants to visualize long-term lifestyle goals. Williams explained that one of the reasons Raffa's Waterfront Grill was chosen as the setting for the inaugural gala is because its quality of food and atmosphere are in standing with Queenstitute's mission. Another way in which Queenstitute aims to promote success in teens is through the Academic Ambassador Scholarship program, which incentivizes academic achievement with monetary rewards. "Based on their grades, how hard they worked, they get a reward to show that the harder you work, the better reward you're going to get in life - the closer you are to achieving your dreams," said Melissa Young, Queenstitute board member. "Because hard work is a foundation that's going to carry you through life." Participant Alaysia Samuel was the top Academic Ambassador Scholarship program recipient this year, earning more than $500 for her grades. During the event, Williams gave thanks and awarded certificates to participants, parents, board members and sponsors for their hard work and support of Queenstitute's Teen Leadership Program. Williams is proud of what the program has become and looks to expand the program in years to come. "We will go as big as we can go," Williams said. "We will help as many people as we can help. The possibilities are wide open. We have had people requesting the program to come to different states. We're not there yet, but we're working on it. We do see it growing enormously. It's just about working hard and getting people to see the contribution that it's making to our community." As the first Queenstitute gala ended, Omega exhibited a binder containing the work she had done through Queenstitute and explained what the program has meant to her. "I think it's important because it really teaches you how to be a leader, what to expect in life and how to accomplish your goals," Omega said. "It teaches you to dream big and never let anyone tell you that you can't do something because you can do whatever you want in life." For more information, visit www.queenstitute.org. Memorial Villages Police Department Vandals struck the Memorial Villages area late Wednesday or early Thursday and the local police department is hoping to entice them back to the area. According to a news release, the unknown vandals damaged more than a dozen flags along North Piney Point Road. The flags were placed in advance of the Fourth of July and Village Independence parade, fun run and festival. Officials at the recently opened Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital are seeking volunteers who are interested in helping out at the $168 million facility. Currently, the hospital's program includes 45 active volunteers. Positions are open to those who are retired, community members in the workforce, and college students. "Our volunteers represent our community; it is the voice of our customers. It has a huge impact when a patient comes in and the first person they see at the information desk is a volunteer that is willing to help with whatever they need," Heather Rojas said, director of volunteer services for Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital. "The volunteer is typically the last person a (patient) sees if they are discharged from the hospital or taken out in a wheelchair. There are many opportunities throughout the day to impact a patient's stay and experience at the Cypress hospital." The 81-bed Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital opened in March. The Memorial Hermann Health System had an accelerated 24-month total construction period for the facility which includes medical specialists, board certified physicians, and other health care professionals. The hospital aims to address the community's health care needs which includes online routine outpatient visits to inpatient procedures. Volunteers may provide support by working at the front desk, nursing unit assistance, and helping to discharge patients. "What I enjoy about volunteering is being able to assist the staff and the patients," Toni Scott said, front desk volunteer. "You can tell some people are a little nervous, even if they are just visiting somebody, so it is rewarding to give them a smile, show them where to go, and let them know that they are welcome." The volunteer program offers four-hour volunteer shifts, seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Interested adults are encouraged to complete an application and schedule an interview with the volunteer coordinator. "I never thought that I would volunteer at a hospital. When the opportunity came and my husband and I attended the orientation session, it sounded like something that we user friendly, and there was great training and back-up," Scott said. "I'm a former school teacher, so I appreciate the organization, positive attitudes, and that the staff makes you feel a part of something. My husband and I find volunteering at the hospital exhilarating, and we feel welcomed." The facility sits on 32 acres on the northeast side of U.S. 290 and the Grand Parkway between Mason Road and Mueschke Road. It serves the Cypress community as a full-service, acute-care hospital. The facility includes an endoscopy and bronchoscopy suite, 16-bed intensive care unit, a cardiac catheterization lab, a neonatal intensive care unit, and has a Memorial Hermann Life Flight helicopter pad. Other services and specialties Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital offers includes a 24-hour emergency center, a diagnostic laboratory, heart and vascular services, an imaging center, neuroscience services, orthopedics, surgical services, and women's care. Volunteer at Memorial Hermann Cypress Online: http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/cypress/volunteer-at-memorial-hermann-cypress-hospital/ Address: Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital 27800 Northwest Freeway Cypress, TX 77433 Phone: 346-231-4000 A Coconino County Superior Court Judge admitted on Wednesday that finding a jury for the retrial of NAU shooter Steven Jones could be difficult due to the heavy news coverage of the initial trial. Judge Dan Slayton expressed his concerns in front of Deputy County Attorney Ammon Barker and Jones defense attorney Joshua Davidson during a case management conference at the Coconino County Superior Courthouse. I was thinking over the past few days that we should probably talk about trial publicity, Slayton said. I think it will be difficult to find jurors who have no knowledge of the case, and whether we do questionnaires or not it will be crucial to ferret out those jurors who followed the case and find out who they are. From the moment Jones fired his handgun killing Colin Brough and injuring Nick Prato, Nick Piring and Kyle Zientek on Oct. 9, 2015, in front of the Mountain View Hall, news outlets have extensively covered the case. Jones claims he fired his weapon in self defense, and jurors were unable to a reach unanimous verdict in the first trial that began in April. Slayton proposed that jurors should be asked if they followed the Jones trial and be interviewed individually, even though that would take more time. I am a little concerned that if we start getting into questions about what people have heard about the trial and we have to do individual interviews, it would take a ton of time to get through, Slayton said. The prosecution and the defense also discussed the possibility of new exhibits and witnesses for the retrial set to begin on Oct. 10, and it seems that both parties will not deviate too far from their initial trial strategies. "I cant say for sure that we wouldnt add any new exhibits, but as of right now 99 percent of it is the same exhibits, Barker said. We also wouldnt have a substantial difference as far as witnesses. Maybe a few additional people that we didnt before but nothing substantial. Davidson said that his defense team did plan to add a few more exhibits and subpoena potential new witnesses depending upon their depositions. Currently Jones defense team has served two subpoenas to Broughs friends Michael Mullen and Amanda Conrad, who were both witnesses for the defense during the initial trial. They are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 1 for interviews with the defense. The prosecution and the defense also discussed the possibility of a settlement being made between Jones and the state. Barker said that he had spoken with Jones other attorney Burges McCowan about setting up a settlement conference. Both sides attempted to work out a settlement in March, three weeks before the initial trial, but no middle ground could be found. Davidson said that his team would agree to a settlement conference, but would need to have a better understanding of what kind of deal prosecutors would like to make. We would be amenable to a settlement conference, Davidson said. But we are not going to repeat the same experience we had last time. We would like to hear their position before hand. Slayton said the sooner both parties could schedule a settlement conference the better. A pretrial conference is set for Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. Slayton ordered Jones to appear at this conference in person or telephonically. Jones was not present at the case management conference. Davidson appeared via telephone. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The discovery began with a rumor about a fishing "honey hole" somewhere off the Alabama coast where the red snapper was plentiful. By the time Ben Raines - an environmental reporter for the Mobile Press Register - heard about the location, the rumor had evolved. Apparently, a local dive shop owner told him, the fish were congregating around an underwater forest peeking out of the sediment 60 feet below the surface. Raines spent months persuading the man to take him to the secret location 10 miles offshore, an effort that paid off in 2011 as soon as Raines got his first glimpse of the forest. "It was like entering a fairy world," he told The Washington Post. "You get down there, and there are these cypress trees, and there are logs lying on the bottom, and you can touch them and peel the bark off." "It was an otherworldly experience where you knew you were in this ancient place," he added. How ancient exactly? That was the question Raines and researchers from Louisiana State University and the University of Southern Mississippi were determined to answer when they began dating chunks of wood at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory using radiocarbon dating. The expectation, researchers said, was that the trees would end up being around 10,000 years old. Nobody expected to find out that the trees were about five times that age, Kristine DeLong, a paleoclimatologist at Louisiana State University , told The Post. Suddenly, DeLong said, researchers realized they had stumbled upon something extraordinary. The site was not merely a forest, but a prehistoric time capsule of the coastline and its climate during a 1,000-year period, when sea levels were much lower and much of the continent was hidden beneath a one-mile thick sheet of ice. In terms of the bald cypress forest's age, experts say there is nothing else like it in the world. "That 10,000- to 12,000-year time frame is one that scientists do a lot of research on," DeLong said. "But there's just not a lot of records from 50,000 years ago because the ice sheets either covered it up or sea level has changed so dramatically that those sites are underwater now. That's one of the reasons that we're so excited about this site." The quest to reveal the forest's scientific secrets is captured in a newly released documentary directed by Raines and produced by the multimedia group This is Alabama and the Alabama Coastal Foundation. Raines and his team filmed the forest during dozens of visits to the site in recent years. The forest, which stretches the equivalent of multiple city blocks, is located in modern-day Mobile Bay but was miles inland from the ancient shoreline. That estimate is partially based on pollen analysis and the fact that cypress trees cannot tolerate exposure to saltwater. Researchers believe the area was a valley about 50,000 years ago that had rivers running through it, wildlife and swamps. Scientists believe the forest may have remained hidden were it not for Hurricane Ivan, which caused billions of dollars in damage after it slammed into the Alabama and Florida coast in 2004. The storm produced massive waves that may have scooped out about 10 feet of sediment covering the forest. Before it was revealed, likely by a hurricane, the forest had to be preserved, which required a number of circumstances. When the forest was alive, it may have been part of a swamp in which the sediment had low levels of oxygen. Without oxygen, bacteria are slower to decompose organic material. If the forest was buried quickly in a flood, for example, the trees may have been preserved before they had a chance to rot. "These trees were basically entombed or hermetically sealed," Raines said. "They have nine feet of sediment over them, and oxygen is locked out. It's similar to peat bogs in Ireland, where scientists have found human bodies that were preserved by the unique environmental conditions." "This is the same phenomenon, but with trees," he added. When the chunks of the trees are removed from the ocean, researchers noted, ancient sap - still sticky and fragrant - oozes from the wood. Grant Harley, a dendrochronologist who has analyzed wood collected from the site, told AL.com that he was amazed by the quality of the samples. "When we ran those samples through the band saw, you could smell the resin just like you were cutting into a fresh piece of wood today. Same thing with when we sanded them down. They smelled fresh. Very well preserved," Harley said. "Given the fact that these samples are thousands of years old, I was astonished." Researchers said one of the most interesting secrets revealed by the forest came not from the trees, but from pollen found in sediment core samples surrounding the trees. Analysis of the pollen reveals that it more closely resembles a coastal forest in modern-day North Carolina and Virginia, where the winter climate is much colder. "The top meter of that core is just sand, like you sink your feet into the beach," Andy Reese, a pollenologist at the University of Southern Mississippi, told AL.com. "Then, the next meter is sand and marine clay. Then, all of a sudden, it transitions to peat. That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen in an oceanic core like that, just perfectly preserved peat, that runs a half a meter down." Peat, as AL.com noted, is a type of organic matter that is found at the bottom of swamps and bogs. Analysis of the sediment cores shows tree pollens switching to various grass pollens as water levels rise and shoreline creeps inland, killing trees in the process. The cores have given researchers a window into ancient climate change during a period in which they suspect sea levels may have been rising as quickly as eight feet every 100 years. In some ways, the forest is a preview that helps scientists understand what they can expect as the planet warms once again. "It's pretty rapid change geologically speaking," Martin Becker, a paleontologist from New Jersey's William Paterson University who has visited the site, told AL.com. "We're looking at 60 feet of seawater where a forest used to be . . . I'm looking at a lot of development, of people's shore homes and condominiums, etc., you know. The forest is predicting the future, and maybe a pretty unpleasant one." --- Video: The Underwater Forest YouTube link: https://youtu.be/PKm0eRfFFfo A federal judge this week approved an order revoking the naturalized citizenship of a Harris County man convicted of a sex offense more than 20 years earlier, one of a growing number of immigrants stripped of citizenship in a push that began in the final years of the Obama administration. Jose Arizmendi, a native of Mexico, failed to disclose his 1996 conviction when he applied for citizenship, according to federal prosecutors. "The Justice Department is committed to preserving the integrity of our nation's immigration system," Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler said in a statement. "We will aggressively pursue denaturalization in cases where individuals lie on their naturalization applications, especially in a circumstance like this one, which involved a child sex abuser. Civil denaturalization cases are an important law enforcement tool for protecting the public, including our children." The 54-year-old Arizmendi pleaded guilty in Harris County to aggravated sexual assault of a child in April 1996, accepting 10 years of probation as part of a deferred adjudication agreement. He applied to become a citizen later that month, and during his October 1996 immigration interview, he said "no" when asked if he'd ever been arrested or convicted of a crime more serious than a traffic violation. In light of his answer, the government approved his naturalization application and Arizmendi became a citizen later that year. But eventually, his past caught up with him. Through records searches, immigration authorities found out about his 1996 conviction, prosecutors said. They then flagged the case and turned it over to the Department of Justice, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Goldman. "We did not take any action at first because we could not find the individual," he said in a phone interview Thursday. Just before filing the case in 2015, authorities learned Arizmendi was being held in a Mexican prison after a 2012 arrest there for rape of a minor. Although Arizmendi might have qualified for criminal denaturalization proceedings, a 10-year statute of limitations forced the federal government to seek a civil denaturalization instead. It took more than a year to work through the logistics of serving legal papers to the prison south of the border where Arizmendi was serving his 18-year sentence. On Tuesday, nearly two years after the case was originally filed, Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore ruled that Arizmendi failed to meet the requirements for naturalization and unlawfully procured his citizenship by concealing his conviction, a move that precluded him from demonstrating the good moral character requisite for U.S. citizenship. Now, he's been ordered to immediately surrender and deliver his Certificate of Naturalization. In the final years of President Barack Obama's administration, the federal government began stripping citizenship at a pace not matched by purges in the 1980s and 1990s targeting naturalized Nazi war criminals. So far, President Donald Trump's Justice Department seems to be keeping up that pace. The Department of Justice did not provide exact data on denaturalizations, but an investigation by SeattlePI.com identified 88 such cases over the past eight years, including nine in Texas. SeattlePI.com is a news site owned by Hearst, the Chronicle's parent company. The 88 cases are a tiny fraction of the 20 million naturalized citizens living in the U.S., although more immigrants could be at risk of similar scrutiny as part of a government review of aged citizenship documents. In theory, naturalized citizenship should be permanent, except in cases where the applicant is later found to have lied or become naturalized through fraud. In recent years, what qualified as fraud could be surprisingly broad. In a recent U.S. Supreme Court hearing earlier this year, the Justice Department confirmed that naturalized immigrants could be stripped of citizenship for something as minor as failing to tell immigration officials they broke the speed limit two decades earlier. This month, a Supreme Court ruling reined in the DOJ's power, mandating that the trivial misstatements aren't enough to revoke citizenship. In some cases like Arizmendi's the factual omissions may be more central to the citizenship process. "Applications for naturalization must be candid with all material facts," said Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez for the Southern District of Texas. "Like in this case, failing to disclose material data should result in denaturalization." Levi Pulkkinen of SeattlePI.com contributed to this report. The Seattle PI is owned by Hearst, the parent company of the Houston Chronicle. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Houston man accused of killing a 10-month-old child while shooting at the infant's father will remain in isolation in the Harris County jail without bail, a judge ruled Thursday. Kravon Human, a 20-year-old who lives in southwest Houston, appeared handcuffed in an orange jail uniform before state District Judge Jan Krocker on a charge of capital murder. MOURNING: Relatives of toddler killed in horrific southwest Houston shooting say goodbye Human is accused with two other men of opening fire on a father in a parking lot while the man held his baby. The child, Messiah Marshall, was hit by a bullet as his father tried to flee gunmen on June 14 near Nob Hill Apartments on North Braeswood. He died at a nearby Valero gas station. The judge did not say why Human was put in isolation, but she cautioned him not to contact the victim's family. Enhanced security measures were also taken to keep Human separate from the two other suspects in the case. It is not unusual to keep multiple suspects in a crime separate for security reasons and to keep them from talking to each other about the case. THE FIRST SUSPECT: Houston man charged in baby's shooting appears in court In court, prosecutors detailed the allegations, saying the father, Nigel Marshall, was walking with his son when three men approached and began firing multiple rounds. At least two witnesses saw Human fleeing the scene. One saw him holding a gun, prosecutors said. Prosecutor Ryan Trask said authorities believe all three men are in custody. Along with Human, Jared Balogun remains in the jail without bail. He also appeared Thursday before Krocker, who appointed attorney Anthony Osso to represent him. Balogun has been in custody for a week without hiring a lawyer. The 24-year-old was also ordered not to contact the victim's family. A third suspect who has not been publicly identified is in jail accused of different charges in another case, Trask said. Noting the intense emotions surrounding the case, the judge also admonished the families of both suspects, who were sitting the in the courtroom gallery, not to contact any member of the victim's family. Trask, the prosecutor, said investigators believe Human and Balogun were the gunmen. Police are still unclear about what led to the shooting, but said the violence may have been in retaliation to a previous altercation with the boy's father and could be gang-related. brian.rogers@chron.com twitter.com/brianjrogers This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When a Houston woman was arrested this week for allegedly running over her neighbor with an SUV while he mowed the lawn, it wasn't the first time she'd landed behind bars for nearly killing the man. Back in 2008, Pebbles Hines shot Lee Preston Jr. in the neck with a deer rifle, according to court records. She was sentenced to eight years in prison for the shooting - but barely six months after her release, she struck again, prosecutors say. On Tuesday, surveillance video captured the chaos on Belneath Street as the 46-year-old with a history of mental health problems apparently hopped in her car, drove next door, and plowed into Preston Jr., landing him in the hospital. "He tried to get up and she hit him with the front of the car and knocked him into the house," said Preston's father, Lee Preston Sr. "And she hit him again." After zooming away from her neighbor's yard, she parked the car and casually got out. "She pulled in next door and sat down like she didn't do anything," Preston Sr. said. Two days later, Preston Jr. is still at Memorial Hermann recovering after surgery from what his dad described as life-threatening injuries. Neither Hines nor her family could be reached for comment. Hines has been charged with aggravated assault of a family member, although she and her neighbor are not related. The two have lived next to each other for about 20 years, Preston Sr. said. In that time, Hines had a string of arrests, including a murder charge that was dismissed in 2005. The following year, she was sentenced to six months in the county jail after she shoved a 64-year-old day laborer and took $50 out of his hand. After her 2008 aggravated assault arrest, Hines was initially deemed incompetent to stand trial. It wasn't until 2011 that she was restored to competency so she could be sentenced for the violent outburst. Two years later, Preston sued Hines' parents and brother for the shooting, alleging that they "were fully aware of their daughter's mental illness and violent tendencies" and failed to stop her, according to court records. "Defendants failed to warn Plaintiff, failed to control Pebbles Hines, and allowed Pebbles Hines access to dangerous firearms while being completely unsupervised," Preston's attorney argued. The suit, which asked for more than $50,000 in damages, was tossed the following year. Preston Sr. said he had no idea why Hines has targeted his son. Although court documents say the two had dated, the victim's father dismissed that claim. "She is not related and there is no relationship," he said. As of Thursday evening, Hines was being held in the Harris County jail on $75,000 bail. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO Two police officers were critically wounded Thursday when a crime prevention patrol near downtown turned into a gunfight that left one suspect dead. Ofc. Miguel Moreno, 32, was shot in the head and died at 11:11 a.m. on Friday after remaining on life support for almost 24 hours Ofc. Julio Cavazos was shot in chest. He successfully underwent one surgery but remains in critical condition. He faces several more surgeries, though doctors say he is expected to live. RELATED: 'Last night, there was no laughing': SAPD officer describes grim mood at roll call after shooting The officers made direct contact with two men on the street around 3:15 p.m. near the intersection of Evergreen and Howard. As soon as the officers stepped out of the vehicle, one of the men opened fire, striking both of the officers. Cavazos, who had just been shot in the chin and had a bullet in his chest, pulled the Moreno out of the line of fire as others responded to the scene. One suspect was shot in the head and killed and the other suspect, who was later determined to have no role in the shooting and is now being considered a witness, was detained immediately on municipal warrants, according to officials. "It happened so fast, one was down, one was in custody immediately. There was no further danger," McManus said. "It's not a good feeling to know two officers were shot during active patrol," McManus said. READ MORE: Gunman in fatal police-involved shooting identified as 34-year-old living on Northeast Side The suspect has only been described as a man from Louisiana in his late 20s to early 30s. The lockdown at San Antonio College was lifted as of 4:30 p.m. and classes will resume as scheduled, according to a tweet issued by the school's Twitter account. Daniel Gonzales, who witnessed the shootout, said he came to the Tobin Lofts to meet a friend for dinner. One of his acquaintances captured the video from a loft in the upper floors of the complex. "People just need to see this is actual. This is real life stuff going on. The worst shouldn't be against the police," he said. Homer Pahona, an employee at a bar near the scene, said he heard a gunshot and then ran outside to check on what was going on. "When I ran out there I saw one of the officers resuscitating the other," he said. The shooting occurred about a block from where local LGBTQ activists are planning to make a rainbow crosswalk on Saturday using chalk. Pups Pizza employee Alysia Garcia, 22, was working near a service window when she heard about seven shots ring out near Main and Evergreen streets. READ ALSO: McManus releases names of SAPD officers shot, provides additional details on shootout At first I thought it was just construction, she recalled, approaching the window and seeing nothing at first. When she heard a second round of shots, she ran to the window see a packed intersection. You see this guy rolling around on the floor ... all the cops came and they grabbed him quick, really fast, she said, snapping her fingers. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Staff writers Kelsey Bradshaw and Madalyn Mendoza contributed to this report. cdowns@mysa.com Twitter: @calebjdowns This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Roadway expansions and improvements are continuing in northwest Houston to help ease area traffic. Gosling Road is being widened to five-lanes between Spring Stuebner and the Grand Parkway and a new four-lane section is under construction between the parkway and Mossy Oaks, according to Harris County Precinct 4. The $7.7 million project is under construction and is expected to be complete in September. Another $7.9 million project to expand Gosling to a four-lane road between West Mossy Road and West Rayford Road is in the design phase. And the county is in the design phase to widen Gosling to four-lanes at West Rayford Road and Creekside Forest. That project is estimated to cost $6.4 million. The last several years of business growth and mobility improvements have brought a population boom to the region. The opening of the northern segments of the Grand Parkway has already helped reduce the area's growing traffic problems. In January, construction began on a signal light at Kuykendahl Road at Spring Rain Drive/Cypress Hill Drive traffic signal. The project is expected to be complete by the end of June, said Pamela Rocchi, director of the Harris County Precinct 4 Capitol Improvement Projects Division. In addition, a traffic signal has recently been installed at Kuykendahl Road and Hollywick Drive. The new signal will improve safety and it will help mobility to be more efficient as the area continues to grow, Rocchi said. Construction began in September on the Kuykendahl Bridge across Spring Creek. The construction is expected to be complete July 5. The $6 million project is funded in part by The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1 The project will help ease traffic congestion, Rocchi said. In addition, to help ease navigation around the Grand Parkway, Harris County Precinct 4 opened Fagan Lane in December. The new, two-land road runs parallel with the Grand Parkway, connecting Telge Road and Cedar Lane. The new road was paid for with Harris County funds to provide immediate traffic relief, said Mark Seegers, communications director with Harris County Precinct 4. The Texas Department of Transportation had originally planned to build the road, but under a unique agreement between TxDOT and Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, the county fronted the money to build the road quicker. The state will refund the county for the work. The road is named after Mayor Gretchen Fagan of Tomball. Road improvements: Gosling Road will be widened to five-lanes between Spring Stuebner and Texas 99 and a four-lane section between Texas 99 and Mossy Oaks. The project is expected to be complete in September. A new signal light is under construction at Kuykendahl Road at Spring Rain Drive/Cypress Hill Drive traffic signal. The project is expected to be complete the end of June. A traffic signal has been installed at Kuykendahl Road and Hollywick Drive. Construction began in September on the Kuykendahl Bridge across Spring Creek. The construction is expected to be complete July 5. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Sugar Land police foiled three car burglars on Wednesday, saving a family's trip to Disney in the process. While conducting a traffic stop, police recovered $2,000 in coins that were allegedly stolen from a family who had been saving them for vacation. On June 28 at about 2 p.m., police tried to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on Highway 6 near Settlers Way, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. The vehicle fled south on Highway 6, then crashed into a light pole at Dulles, police said. (Story continues below) The suspects then allegedly tried to run from police, but witnesses to the chase pointed out where the suspects ran and all three were arrested. GRAPHIC LANGUAGE: Video of driver cursing Fulshear police officer goes viral Police officers cleaning up the crash noticed coins all over the roadway and collected them. They later discovered that the coins had been stolen earlier that day from a family getting ready to cash them in for a Disney trip. Police did not specify which Disney park the family was planning to travel to. The family told police they had been saving the coins for four years. They had tried to turn the coins in at the bank but returned to their home in the 3000 block of Jenny Drive to put them into coin wrappers. METH LOLLIPOPS: More common in Houston than you might think The victims went inside and returned to find the back window of their car smashed and their coins stolen, police said. "They were so happy to hear that SLPD recovered their coins, so they will still be headed to Disney!" police posted on Facebook. Ryan Dewayne Smith, 19, Robert Lewis Penrice, 19, and Devante Terrell Burr, 24, were arrested and charged with evading arrest and burglary of a motor vehicle, Sugar Land Police spokesman Doug Adolph said Thursday. On Thursday, Penrice and Smith were being held in the Fort Bend County Jail on $750 bond each. Burr is being held on no bond. The investigation into tuberculosis at a Fort Bend County high school has confirmed six more infections, bringing the total to 10, according to public health officials. The officials on Wednesday lamented a lackluster turnout for last week's testing at George Bush High School, site of the clustering of the contagious disease, which can be effectively treated but is deadly if not. Only about a third of 674 students and staffers deemed at risk of contracting the bacterium showed up for the June 19 testing. "We're very disappointed at the turnout, which suggests people aren't comprehending the seriousness of TB," said Dr. Kaye Reynolds, deputy director of the health department. "It's critical to identify everyone who's been infected so we can get them on treatment." BACKGROUND: Fort Bend County investigating TB at George Bush High School Reynolds said the six individuals newly found to have the infection are all symptom-free, when TB is not contagious and the treatment is easier. Even so, prophylactic medication to prevent the bacterium from progressing to disease must be taken for six to nine months. The cluster that triggered the investigation involved four individuals with active TB. The cluster is a particular cause for concern because of the strong potential for transmission at a large high school. Officials said those individuals previously told they need testing can and should still come for testing at the Fort Bend health department at 4520 Reading Rd. until July 14. A second round of testing at the high school, to make sure the infection hasn't shown up since the first testing, will be held Aug. 3. The Fort Bend County health department announced the TB cluster at the 2,200-student high school two weeks ago. At the time, officials would only say that at least two individuals had been infected, at least one of whom was contagious. It was not clear whether the cases were related or occurred independently of each other. Reynolds Wednesday disclosed results from last week's testing of 228 students and staffers and confirmed there were four cases initially. She said it is still unclear if the cases were related. The investigation is still ongoing. In addition to the six new positive tests, seven tests must be retaken because the results were invalid or unclear, Reynolds said. TB, one of history's scourges, declined steadily in the United States throughout most of the 20th century before increasing slightly in the mid-1980s and again recently, partly a result of complacency that the disease was on the way to eradication. There are roughly 10,000 cases annually in the United States, including about 1,400 in Texas, 350 to 400 in the Houston area and 20 to 30 in Fort Bend County. TB primarily attacks the lungs but can affect other organs, as well. Most infections do not cause symptoms -- latent tuberculosis -- and are thus not contagious. About 10 percent progress to active disease, which kills about half of those infected if left untreated. Two Houston police officers will not face charges in the fatal shooting of Alva Braziel, a case that stirred community tensions last summer until video showed the Houston man waving a gun in the middle of Cullen Boulevard. The decision by a Harris County grand jury Thursday not to indict the officers in the July 9, 2016 shooting, however, drew sharp rebukes from Braziel's widow and local activists who had argued the Houston man should not have been shot. "It's not fair," Nikki Braziel said. "They could have gotten them on capital murder, on manslaughter, anything. But they didn't." The decision effectively clears the two police officers of any wrongdoing in a local shooting that emerged during last year's spate of fatal police altercations across the country and the fatal ambush of five officers in Dallas. BACKGROUND: Houston mayor releases graphic video of deadly police shooting The volatile climate and growing hostility on social media prompted Mayor Sylvester Turner two weeks after the shooting to order the release of 18 minutes of video footage collected from nearby surveillance cameras and the officers' body cameras. The surveillance video captured the incident from afar, but was enlarged to show Braziel holding his hands in the air as the police vehicle rolls up and stops about 12:40 a.m. The body cam videos show Braziel lying in the street at the intersection of Cullen and Ward still holding the gun in his hand. The officers can be heard on the video telling other officers they thought Braziel was trying to flag them down until he pointed the gun at them. The body cameras did not begin recording until after the 38-year-old man was shot, because officers did not turn them on when they stepped out of the patrol car. Police Chief Art Acevedo said recently he is trying to acquire body cameras that will turn on automatically when officers leave their vehicles. Not everyone was satisfied with the video evidence, however. Ashton Woods of Black Lives Matter Houston said Thursday that he and his fellow activists would stand behind the Braziel family. "This no-bill is not a surprise," he said. "It is not a surprise because we know this is a system that protects the police more often than not." He criticized Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg's handling of the case, though he supported her bid for office last year. "I never expected her office to be perfect, but there had to be some type of repercussion for this," he said. "This is indicative of the fact that there is little public regard for black lives." The decision came after the grand jury heard the case for a second time against the officers, identified as 13-year department veteran L. Lopez and nine-year veteran Officer E. Macias, both of whom worked in the gang division. The first time the case was presented to a grand jury, Braziel's family members said they were unaware of the proceedings and asked for the opportunity to present additional information, including possible new evidence, Ogg said in a news release. That situation was remedied by the unusual step of having a grand jury reconsider a case in which grand jurors declined to indict. "It is our duty to be transparent and ensure that grand jurors have the opportunity to make informed decisions on whether a crime has been committed," Ogg said in a prepared statement. "These decisions can impact people's lives forever." She said grand juries, which are comprised of Harris County citizens, review all police shootings. "This enables the community, not prosecutors or police, to ultimately determine whether a person should be indicted," Ogg said. She said the case was evaluated and presented to the grand jury by a senior prosecutor with experience in civil-rights investigations. THE SHOOTING: Houston police officers shoot armed man on Houston's south side Citing growing inaccuracies on social media, Turner intervened in the case after the shooting to order release of the video. He said he wanted the public to see the videos to confirm that Braziel had a gun when he was killed and to quell protests that might be based on the false premise that Houston police had shot an unarmed black man. Braziel, a convicted felon, was not legally able to carry a gun. In June 2001, he was charged with the unlawful carry of a weapon. According to court records, he accepted a plea bargain and was sentenced to 60 days in the Harris County Jail. Two weeks later, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge for possession of phencyclidine, known as PCP or angel dust. He was sentenced to six months in prison. That appears to be the conviction that made him a felon. He was also charged as a felon in possession of a weapon in 2004, but that case was dismissed. On Thursday, his widow said Braziel's past should not have been considered in the case. "They had video showing that Alva Braziel did not point a gun like the mayor said on TV," said Nikki Braziel. "They had video of officers saying they don't know what happened, why they shot him." She also criticized Ogg, saying the district attorney did not care about the black community. "How can you acquit after 16 shots?" she said. "I just don't understand how they no-billed this case." During a community discussion about criminal justice Thursday evening at Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, HPD Chief Art Acevedo shared his thoughts on the Braziel verdict. "Whether it's justified or not, somebody died. My heart goes out to the family," Acevedo said. Acevedo, who was not chief during the incident, said current HPD police officers who kill a suspect in an unjustified shooting can expect to be removed from their job. "When an officer reacts in a way where somebody dies, I cut my losses. I send them on their way," Acevedo said. The chief later clarified he was only referencing situations in which a civilian was unjustly killed. He mentioned how last year he fired the Austin police officer involved in the deadly shooting of a black unarmed and naked teenager, David Joseph, while he was still police chief in the capital city. He did not say whether he thought the officers involved in the Braziel shooting should have been indicted. However, he acknowledged that grand jury indictments of police officers are tough and people shouldn't blame the district attorney for the outcome. He noted that often juries side with police, even if they start out critical of the incident. "The biggest problem with officer-involved shootings is I believe it's too difficult to get an officer convicted," he said. Brooke A. Lewis contributed to this report brian.rogers@chron.com twitter.com/brianjrogers This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HEMPSTEADActivists gathered in front of the Waller County courthouse Thursday to denounce special prosecutors agreement to drop a perjury charge against the since-dismissed state trooper who pulled over Sandra Bland. Bland hanged herself in the Waller County jail two years ago after being pulled over by then-trooper Brian Encinia for an improper lane change. Their interaction turned confrontational and ended with Bland jailed for three days. The group of five activists blasted the prosecutors choice and asserted that the judge had shown sympathy with law enforcement in other cases. Are we surprised that there were charges dismissed? Absolutely not, said Cynthia Cole, a Greater Houston Coalition for Justice board member. At the end of the day there is still no justice. Cole said the Bland family holds onto faith in a just God. There will be a day, she said. Every pharaoh has a day. There are a lot of good law enforcement officers, Cole added. This is not about, Theres nothing but bad law enforcement. ... The bad guys should be recognized for bad things, and the good guys should be recognized for all the good they do in our communities. The Rev. Hannah Bonner, a United Methodist pastor in Waller County who has long spoken out on the Bland case, argued that police accountability requires more than criminal charges. We need to make the trigger harder to pull, she said. And that is why we need convictions, not just indictments. Blanca Rodriguez Alanis, with the Autonomous Houston Brown Berets, said the dismissed charges against Encinia fit a national pattern of the criminal justice system allowing officers to continue getting away with murder. The activists pointed to other controversial incidents across the country, including the recent strangling death of John Hernandez in Houston after a fight with the husband of a Harris County sheriffs deputy. A grand jury indicted both the husband and the deputy, who helped restrain Hernandez, with murder. The Bland case has deepened racial divisions in rural Waller County, home of the historically black Prairie View A&M University where Bland was to work. Minutes after the activists news conference, a white man at a nearby restaurant who declined to give his name grumbled that all Bland needed to do to avoid jailing was follow the f***ing law. He dismissed the idea that the trooper may have violated procedures or the womans civil rights. The special prosecutors assigned to the Bland case agreed to drop the charge under the condition that Encinia, who had been terminated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, turn over his police credentials and sign a sworn statement promising not to seek work as a licensed peace officer in Texas or elsewhere. Phoebe Smith, a private lawyer in Sugar Land tapped by the Waller County District Attorney to prosecute the case along with attorney Chad Dick, said she felt terrible about the family's loss, but she didn't want to risk the possibility of a jury acquitting Encinia. "We dismissed it based on the fact that he permanently surrendered his license," she said. "The bottom line is, we never wanted him to be a police officer again and we wanted to ensure that outcome. When you take a case in front of jury there's always that risk." Bland had recently relocated to Prairie View in Waller County from Illinois when Encinia pulled her over on July 10, 2015, for failing to signal a lane change. After a verbal exchange, Encinia asked her to step out of the car and booked her after holding her to the ground for becoming combative. After Bland's death, a Waller County grand jury indicted Encinia for making false statements about the circumstances surrounding her arrest. The charge stemmed from a statement he made in a one-page sworn statement filed after Bland's arrest that he removed her from her Hyundai Azera to "further conduct a safe traffic investigation." A police officer told the Chronicle he overheard Encinia telling another officer while Bland waited in a squad car that he didn't know what charges he should file. Encinia, who had been with DPS a little more than a year at the time, had been disciplined by the DPS for "unprofessional conduct" in the two months leading up to Bland's arrest, according to state records. He was given written counseling and received later evaluations as "competent." Harris County deputies recently announced the arrest of 16 individuals nabbed in a two-day undercover operation designed to curb the demand for prostitution. According to a news release from Harris County Constable, Precinct 4, authorities received complaints of wide-spread prostitution in the FM 1960 and I-45 area. The Texas Medical Board has concluded for a second time that there is insufficient evidence to sanction a Sugar Land doctor accused of performing a fatal procedure on an elderly woman without her family's legally required consent. According to witnesses, Dr. Yassir Sonbol did not consult the children of 87-year-old Manuela Chapa before attempting to insert a dialysis catheter in her neck on March 12, 2015, at Kindred Hospital Sugar Land. The wire became lodged in a vein, according to medical records and witnesses, causing blood to pour from the woman and sending her into cardiac arrest. Her daughter, Cris Chapa, learned the graphic details of her mother's death nearly two years later, only after a whistleblowing nurse sent her a letter along with a stack of records, the Houston Chronicle reported in April. Chapa wasn't even aware that Sonbol, an interventional cardiologist, had attempted the procedure. By then, however, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had investigated the incident and concluded the doctor and hospital had violated her mother's rights by failing to discuss possible risks and obtaining legal consent before attempting the procedure. Family photo The Texas Medical Board, the state agency that licenses and disciplines physicians, also had taken a look at the case by then, but the board had reached a different conclusion. It cleared Sonbol of wrongdoing in March 2016, without ever contacting Chapa's family. In a confidential letter obtained by the Chronicle, the board said a full investigation was not warranted because it had received "medical records and affidavits" showing that Sonbol had received legal consent to perform the procedure. Earlier this month, the medical board agreed to take another look at the case after receiving an affidavit from Cris Chapa and her brother, Jesse Chapa, stating they were never consulted, as well as a signed statement from Linda Patton, the nurse who first reported the medical error to regulators. Chapa's family also submitted copies of their mother's medical records, which included an unsigned consent form for the procedure. The medical board's Disciplinary Process Review Committee examined the additional evidence on June 15 and a week later issued its findings in a letter obtained by the Chronicle: "After a careful review of the file and all the information regarding this matter, (the committee) determined there is insufficient evidence to support a violation." Cris Chapa received notice of the decision Wednesday: "You have no idea how disappointed I am," she said. "They say it's still not enough evidence. What more do they want?" The Texas Medical Board considers disciplinary investigations confidential and does not comment on its decisions. In an email, board spokesman Jarrett Schneider noted that "a violation of hospital bylaws does not necessarily equate to a violation by a medical practitioner individually." RELATED: She believed her mom died peacefully. Two years later, a nurse wrote to say what really happened H.C. Chang, a lawyer representing the Chapa family in a malpractice lawsuit against Sonbol and the hospital, said he was stunned by the board's conclusion. "I read what the medical board wrote, and it just boggles the mind," Chang said. "I believe it's clear as day that Kindred and Dr. Sonbol did not have consent to do this procedure. I'm not sure what the board was thinking." Sonbol's lawyer, Don Stephens, declined to comment on the confidential medical board probe. As for the civil case, "Dr. Sonbol strongly denies the allegations against him in the suit filed by the Chapa family and we anticipate that Dr. Sonbol will prevail at the time of trial," Stephens wrote in an email. Dr. Gary Idelchik, a New York-based cardiologist who reviewed Chapa's medical file on behalf of the plaintiffs, concluded that Sonbol failed to get legal consent for a procedure that was not warranted and then appeared to falsify medical records to cover up the mistake. "Her death was proximately caused by the negligence and gross negligence of Dr. Yassir Sonbol," Idelchik wrote in a document filed in Harris County District Court earlier this month. Stephens since has filed a counter motion disputing the veracity of Idelchik's opinion, noting that Manuela Chapa, who had come to the hospital with pneumonia, was very ill at the time of the procedure and had gone into cardiac arrest twice a day earlier, making any determination about her cause of death speculative. ___ Mike Hixenbaugh writes about health care and medicine for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Send him tips at mike.hixenbaugh@chron.com. The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. The co-owner of a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy deemed responsible for the deaths of 76 people in a national meningitis outbreak tearfully apologized to the victims on Monday and was sentenced to nine years in prison, far less than the victims had wanted. Im sorry for your extraordinary losses, Barry Cadden said, wiping his eyes. A dozen victims who were sickened or lost loved ones asked the judge to give Cadden the harshest penalty allowed under the law for the deadly 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak, which sickened hundreds of people. Cadden was acquitted of second-degree murder charges under federal racketeering law but was convicted on conspiracy and fraud charges. He must report to prison by Aug. 7 but remains free on bond until then. The outbreak was traced to contaminated injections of medical steroids made by the New England Compounding Center in Framingham. Prosecutors say Cadden, 50, ran the center in a dangerous way by skirting industry regulations on sterility in an effort to push production and make more money. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Strachan said the center was a massive reckless and fraudulent organization. At Caddens sentencing Monday, victims told stories of shattered lives and unbearable loss caused by the tainted steroids made by Caddens company. Penny Laperriere, whose husband died after receiving a contaminated steroid shot, said Cadden destroyed her family. Who gave him the right to play God? the Michigan woman said. She said her husband, Lyn, received the shot to try to get relief from his back pain. He died in 2012. Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Cadden to 35 years in prison. Caddens lawyer said he should get 2 1/2 to 3 years. The outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections in 20 states was traced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contaminated injections of medical steroids, given mostly to people with back pain. The CDC put the death toll at 64 as of October 2013. Federal prosecutors say 12 more people have died since then, raising the total to 76. More than 700 people were sickened. Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee were hit hardest. The scandal prompted increased scrutiny on compounding pharmacies, which differ from ordinary drugstores in that they custom-mix medications and supply them directly to hospitals and doctors. In 2013, in reaction to the outbreak, Congress increased federal oversight of such pharmacies. Federal prosecutor Amanda Strachan told the jury during the two-month trial that the deaths and illnesses happened because Cadden decided to put profits before patients. NECC used expired ingredients and falsified logs to make it look as if the so-called clean rooms had been disinfected, prosecutors said. After the outbreak, regulators found multiple potential sources of contamination, including standing water and mold and bacteria in the air and on workers gloved fingertips. Caddens lawyer, Bruce Singal, told the jury Cadden was not responsible for the deaths and pointed the finger at Glenn Chin, a supervisory pharmacist who ran the clean rooms where drugs were made. Chin has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial in September. NECC filed for bankruptcy after getting hit with hundreds of lawsuits. NECC and several related companies reached a $200 million settlement with victims and their families. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Art Recovery International announced the successful recovery of an important Irish painting, stolen under mysterious circumstances from a private residence in Belfast in 2008. Bringing in the Turf by William Conor is considered among the leading works in the Irish folk art movement, popularized by portrayals of working-class life in Ulster. It was purchased in 1948 by Frank and Turid Malpress and was displayed in their family home for 50 years. In 2003, the Malpress family received warning from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) that thieves were known to be operating in their area and that the Malpress collection may be at risk. In an innovative plan, the PSNI arranged for copies of two paintings to be created and installed in place of the originals, acting as bait for potential thieves while the family were away. When no theft was attempted, the originals were replaced and the fakes destroyed. In 2008, Turid Malpress, now 95 years old, fell victim to a home-invasion and two artworks were stolen. The thieves left a token sum of money in the family home: a method common to thieves known as knockers. Mrs Malpress immediately called her grandson and the PSNI to report the crime and complete an incident report. The location of the paintings remained a mystery for 5 years. In May 2013, Bringing in the Turf was offered for sale at Whytes auction house in Dublin and, with no claim to the painting revealed by the salerooms due diligence processes, it was sold to a collector based in Chicago. In August 2013, Robin Thompson, the victims son-in-law, noticed the sale record for Bringing in the Turf listed on Whytes website and contacted his insurance company who turned to Art Recovery International to recover the painting. Christopher A. Marinello, CEO of Art Recovery International, led recovery efforts by bringing together the salerooms owner, Ian Whyte, along with representatives from the PSNI, An Guarda Sionchana and the FBI. Following almost four years of negotiations, Ian Whyte agreed to return the stolen Conor to the Malpress family, over nine years after the theft. The recovery of this painting could not have happened without the extraordinary efforts of FBI Special Agent Luigi Mondini. A member of the FBIs Art Crime Team, Agent Mondini went above and beyond the call of duty to aid two foreign police forces and the Belfast based victims in this extremely complex matter. This case shows that auction houses need to perform due diligence, not only on the artwork consigned for sale, but on the consignors themselves. Ian Whytes eventual cooperation was a welcome turn of events, said Christopher A. Marinello. The Malpress family are still seeking the other stolen painting by Daniel ONeil, entitled The Prodigal Son. Source: Art Recovery International Takatas lethally defective airbags proved to be the companys undoing Monday. But it could take years to get the dangerous devices off the road in the U.S. and around the world. Crushed by lawsuits, fines and recall costs, the Japanese auto parts supplier filed for bankruptcy in Tokyo and Delaware and will sell most of its assets for $1.6 billion to a rival company. A small part of Takata will continue to manufacture replacements for the faulty airbag inflators. The problem, though, is that 100 million of the Takata inflators worldwide have been recalled, 69 million in the U.S. alone in the biggest automotive recall in American history. It will take the industry years to produce that many replacements. In the meantime, millions of car owners are forced to nervously wait for someone to fix a problem blamed for at least 16 grisly deaths worldwide, 11 of them in the United States. Many owners have been put on waiting lists by their dealers until the parts arrive. The big problem is the airbags are still out there. Theyre like bombs waiting to explode, said Billie-Marie Morrison, the lawyer for a young Las Vegas woman grievously injured by an exploding air bag in March. In fact, the last batch of U.S. repairs is not scheduled to begin until September 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is overseeing the recall. I dont think I have any options, lamented Marv Muller, the owner of a 2009 Subaru Impreza. Its really bad. Muller, a recruiter in New York, received a letter in January saying his car needed to have its passenger airbag repaired. He contacted a Subaru dealer, only to be told it didnt have the parts. He was put on a waiting list and told he would have his car repaired in June. It hasnt happened yet. In the U.S., more than 16 million inflators have been repaired so far, or 38 percent of the total. In Japan, 70 percent have been replaced, according to Takata. Thats partly because Japan wont renew vehicle registrations unless recalls have been completed. Because of the type of chemical propellant used by Takata, the defective airbags can inflate with too much force and spew deadly shrapnel at drivers and passengers. Takata sold the inflators to 19 automakers, including Toyota, Subaru, BMW, Honda, Ford and Nissan. Takatas bankruptcy filing clears the way for most of its assets to be taken over by Key Safety Systems, a Chinese-owned company based in suburban Detroit. Takata President Shigehisa Takada said that with the company rapidly losing value, fiing for bankruptcy was the only way it could carry on. Were in a very difficult situation, and we had to find ways to keep supplying our products, Takada said. Victims and their families fear the bankruptcy filing could leave little money left over to compensate them. Earlier this year, Takata pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges and agreed to pay $1 billion for concealing the defect for years. The penalties include $850 million in restitution to automakers, $125 million for victims and families and a $25 million criminal fine. Filing for bankruptcy is going to protect Takata financially, but its not going to protect drivers who have been injured or are going to be injured, Morrison said. Morrisons 19-year-old client Karina Dorado was injured when the airbag in her 2002 Honda Accord deployed during an otherwise minor crash. Morrison said Dorado underwent several operations to repair neck and vocal cord injuries, but her voice will never sound the same. Dorados car was found to have a defective Takata airbag that had been taken from another vehicle. That illustrates another one of the headaches for regulators and automakers, who may never be able to trace all of the inflators that need to be repaired. Lawmakers say the U.S. government needs to do a better job of ensuring the vehicles are fixed. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, pointed out that the Trump administration has yet to appoint someone to lead NHTSA. In a statement, NHTSA said it has been assured by Takata that the bankruptcy wont disrupt the flow of repair parts. The safety agency is also making sure older cars are fixed first, since the chemical Takata used in the airbags, ammonium nitrate, degrades over time, especially in hot, humid climates. That worries Angela Dickie, 47, of Charleston, South Carolina, who owns a 2012 Volkswagen Passat with a Takata airbag. While her vehicle is not as old as the 2001-03 model year vehicles that are considered a priority for repairs, it still makes Dickie nervous to drive it. She said Volkswagen also refused to provide her with a rental car while she waits for a repair. By the grace of God I drive the vehicle every day, just like every other person that has these vehicles, because we dont have an option, she said. (AP Writers Marcos Martinez in Miami , Ken Ritter in Las Vegas, Joseph Pisani in New York and Elaine Kurtenbach in Tokyo contributed to this report.) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Mississippis Court of Appeals says the city of Jackson cant deny workers compensation benefits to a police officer injured in a wreck while he was speeding. The court ruled 10-0 Tuesday that the city must pay former officer Kearney Brown for injuries suffered in 2012 when Brown crashed his patrol car. He was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the car, and injured his head, neck, body and ankle. The city had argued that Browns excessive speed, as high as 90 mph (145 kph) meant he had intended to injure himself, one reason an employer can refuse to pay for injuries. Brown testified he was driving fast to reach an officer who had called for assistance. The court ruling says Brown resigned from the police department in 2013 after an internal affairs investigator warned him months later that he would be fired for negligence if he didnt. The city refused to pay Browns medical bills after he resigned. An administrative judge and the Mississippi Workers Compensation Commission had earlier ruled for Brown, saying the city had presented no proof that he intended to injure himself. The court rejected the citys argument that Browns intent to injure himself could be inferred from reckless conduct, as courts in Florida have ruled. It also rejected the citys claim that it would be bad public policy to award benefits to Brown because his speeding was a threat to innocent bystanders. There is no credible evidence to suggest that Brown willfully acted with the intent to injure himself, Presiding Judge Tyree Irving wrote for the court. This issue is without merit. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. In an insurance dispute spanning two states, and applying Kentucky law, the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, over a spirited dissent, held there was no coverage for an accident in Los Angeles. The reason: The Mercedes-Benz driven by Davida Sullivan, who was at fault, was not a borrowed vehicle at the time of the accident. The decision, filed June 13, 2017, though not recommended for full-text publication under Sixth Circuit rules, is entitled Selective Insurance Company of South Carolina v. Sullivan and Omni Custom Meats, Inc., and is reported at 2017 U.S. App. LEXIS 10686; 2017 Fed App. 0333N. The facts were that in June, 2007, Selective Insurance Company issued a policy of insurance with business auto and commercial umbrella liability coverages to Omni Custom Meats, Inc., a Kentucky meatpacking company owned by Davidas parents. The Mercedes-Benz, also owned by the parents, was added to the policy by endorsement as a covered auto well before the accident. It was undisputed that the policy did not expressly name Davida as an insured. The injured party in the Los Angeles accident, which occurred May 9, 2011, was one James Blake. The question presented on appeal from a summary judgment in favor of Selective was whether the named insured under the policy of insurance, Omni, had borrowed the Mercedes from its owners, Davidas parents, as the term is used in the insurance policy. The background was that in 2007 Davidas parents allowed Omni to use the Mercedes for business purposes. Davida had started working for Omni in 2001, performing mostly back office work from her home in California. Starting in 2009 Omni gave Davida permission to use the Mercedes. In January, 2011, however, Omni ran out of work for Davida, and she ceased working for the company. Omni provided Davida with a severance package, however, that supplied her with auto and other types of insurance, and granted Davida permission to continue using the Mercedes. Sometime between January and May, 2011, Davida started a jewelry and clothing business in California. Nevertheless, Davida was driving the Mercedes with Omnis permission on the date of the accident. The Selective business auto and commercial umbrella liability coverages contained identical definitions of who is an insured, both stating, the following are insureds: a. You for any covered auto. b. Anyone else while using with your permission a covered auto you own, hire or borrow. (Emphasis added.) In coverage litigation filed by Selective in U.S. district court in Kentucky, the parties agreed that the term you in the definitions referred to Omni. Blake asserted that Davida was an insured under Omnis policy because Omni had borrowed the Mercedes from her parents, and Davida used the car with Omnis permission. The district court ultimately found that Davida was not an insured under the policy at the time of the accident and consequently Selective had no duty to provide coverage to Davida for the accident. The Court of Appeals affirmed the district courts ruling. It held that, although ambiguities in an insurance contract must be resolved in favor of the policyholder, this rule did not apply to the to this case, because under the facts, Omnis transaction satisfied none of the multiple meanings of the term borrow advanced by Blake, the injured party. The Court of Appeals considered each of the proposed meanings in turn. First the court considered dictionary definitions of the term borrow, but all required that Omnis use of the Mercedes be temporary, or that Omni received the Mercedes with the express or implied intention of returning it. Under the state of the record evidence, however, nothing indicated to the court that Omnis use of the Mercedes for an indefinite period of time was temporary under this definition. The court found the same mismatch between the facts of this case and those of earlier, reported decisions cited by Blake, starting with a California decision requiring that the borrower exercise dominion and control over the vehicle to qualify as a borrower, also absent here. Continuing to canvass the definition requirements of the term borrow, the court found that the transaction did not confer a benefit at the time of the accident upon Omni, the purported borrower, but only upon Davida, who was running a personal errand in California at the time of the accident. Supporting this conclusion, too, was the absence of evidence suggesting the severance package included any terms limiting Davidas use of the Mercedes, or any terms allowing Omni to demand that she return the vehicle. The court rejected, too, the applicability to these facts of Kentuckys initial permission doctrine. That doctrine determines whether a non-owners use of a vehicle exceeds the scope of permission given to that person, and allows for insurance coverage even if the use of the vehicle is not within the original contemplation of the parties, or was outside any limitations placed upon the initial grant of permission. Under the doctrine, as long as permission is initially given to a person to use a vehicle, insurance coverage may extend to subsequent vehicle users through the language of the policys omnibus clause as long as those subsequent users have permission from the initial borrower to use the vehicle. The problem with the case establishing that doctrine, the court held, is that the policy issued by Selective did not contain the same own, hire, or borrow language as the policy in that case did. In sum, whether or not Blakes proposed definitions of the term borrow were all reasonable, the facts of the case simply did not satisfy any them, so Omni was not a borrower of the Mercedes at the time of the accident. The court also rejected application of Kentuckys reasonable expectations doctrine to support a finding of coverage in this case. The doctrine holds that the insured is entitled to all the coverage he or she may reasonably expect to be provided under the policy, but generally this principle applies only to alleged ambiguities within the policy, and here, the term borrow is not ambiguous. Even if the court were to find that the term is subject to two reasonable interpretations, thus triggering the reasonable expectations doctrine, based on the reasons already given in the opinion, there is no interpretation of borrow that could have given rise to a reasonable expectation that the insurance company extended coverage to Davidas accident. The Court of Appeals affirmed the district courts order. A dissenting judge agreed that the only issue regarding coverage was whether Omni was borrowing the Mercedes from its owners at the time of the accident. That judge urged, however, that once Davida ceased her employment with Omni, and it continued paying the additional premium Selective charged for insuring the Mercedes, Omni thereby continued allowing Davida to use the Mercedes as a part of her severance package. Under these circumstances, the dissent argued, a reasonable jury could find that Omni was borrowing the Mercedes from Davidas parents at the time of the accident. The dissenting judge agreed with the majority, also, that to qualify as a borrowing possession of the Mercedes must be temporary. But she did not agree that the lack of a specific end date for Davidas use of the vehicle meant that Omni was not borrowing the Mercedes. Citing a well-recognized insurance treatise, the judge asserted that borrowing may be for an indefinite period of time and may in fact last until either the insured decides to return the automobile or the lender requests its return. (8A Couch on Insurance, 118:50, p. 118-98.) The dissent also revealed that Selective had urged the court that even if the policy provided coverage, other policy conditions limited such coverage to the state required minimum limits because Omni failed to disclose to the insurer information regarding the location, driver and use of the Mercedes. The condition was later amended by endorsement to provide that in the event of concealment, misrepresentation or fraud, Selective will only provide coverage up to the minimum limits of liability required in Kentucky. Since Selective pointed to no evidence of intentional misrepresentation or concealment the part of the policyholder, however, nothing in the record established that Selective requested an updated drivers list or garage location after Davida began using the Mercedes in California. (The majority said otherwise.) Therefore, according to the dissent, Selective had not supported the grant of its summary judgment on that basis. AKRON, Ohio - Akron's Bowery project, formerly the Lock 4 redevelopment, is progressing toward reality with more than $5 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits. The $38 million project led by the Bowery Development Group -- DeHoff Development Co. working with the Welty Building Co. -- will redevelop the historic 12-story Landmark building and five smaller retail buildings on Main Street next to the Akron Civic Theatre into a block of retail and office space with residential housing above. Four of the six buildings received the historic credits. Developers received all the credits they applied for, said Beth Borda, DeHoff's vice president of development. "That really speaks to the importance of the city of Akron and specifically this block," Borda said. "Everyone is rooting for this to be redeveloped." The Bowery, in the heart of Akron's downtown business district, is considered central to the city's Downtown Vision & Redevelopment Plan, which is working to improve aspects of the the city from downtown outward. Despite the block's high visibility, the project had languished since 2008 under a previous developer. "These tax credits represent a significant check on the check-list of things that had to happen to make the project a reality," said James Hardy, Akron's chief of staff. The Bowery was among 30 applicants awarded nearly $35 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits from the Ohio Development Services Agency on a competitive basis. "We are extremely appreciative of the state's recognition of the Bowery as a foundational project, which will have a significant community impact and act as a catalyst for the city of Akron's economic growth," said Dan DeHoff, principal for the Bowery Development Group. Because the project area is considered severely distressed, the developers are also seeking about $22 million in New Market Tax Credits, which along with historic tax credits, are vital in projects where redevelopment costs exceed existing value. "There is a proven need to form successful public/private partnerships to secure the unconventional financing sources necessary to redevelop blighted areas and deliver space at market rates with much needed and sustainable amenities to the city," said Kevin Brokaw, Bowery Development Group's director of development. "We certainly see that atmosphere, as well as the necessary leadership and community support, in the city of Akron." To ensure the project's design and programming are consistent with the city's vision for the neighborhood, Bowery Development Group is working closely with the city, the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, Summit County, Greater Akron Chamber, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Downtown Akron Partnership and others. The Bowery will bring much-needed residential housing to downtown and a fresh food grocer is expected to be announced by October, Borda said. Open houses will be held in the coming weeks for those interested in leasing space. For information, contact Beth Borda at bborda@dehoff.com or 330-499-8153. CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Clinic announced that has appointed Christopher Connell - a partner at the London architectural firm of Foster + Partners - as its new chief design officer. Connell, who is scheduled to start his new job today, has been part of the team designing the $515 million Health Education Campus at the Clinic, a joint project with Case Western Reserve University. He also participated in creation of the Clinic's new master plan. Chris Connell, late of Foster + Partners, is joining the Cleveland Clinic as its new design chief. Under President and CEO Delos "Toby" Cosgrove, who recently announced his upcoming retirement, the Clinic has embraced a clean, lean modernist look as expressed in the sleek interiors of its Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Pavilion and its new Taussig Cancer Center. The Clinic said in a news release that in his newly created role, "Connell will be responsible for the creation, strategic alignment and execution of architecture and other design initiatives to create serene, restorative environments consistent with Cleveland Clinic.'' Heather Phillips of the Clinic's communications staff also said that Cleveland architect Bill Blunden, who created the role of design guide for the Clinic over the past decade, "will stay on in an advisory role to preserve the investment we've made and to ensure a smooth transition of architecture and design as Chris moves into this newly created role." Cosgrove was quoted in the release as having said "architecture and design can truly help comfort patients and their families during a difficult time at the hospital. "Natural light, noise-dampening features, green spaces, accommodations and other environmental features go a long way toward enhancing the patient experience." "Chris brings a wealth of experience and insight to this new role that will leave a lasting impression on all who come to Cleveland Clinic," Cosgrove said. Prior to joining Foster + Partners in 1988, Connell graduated from Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow in Scotland, United Kingdom, the Clinic said. At the London firm, Connell has worked on more than 100 projects around the world. Completed buildings on which he worked have received more than 40 awards. "I look forward to supporting the organization in evolving its culture, to utilize design thinking as a means to develop solutions that create unique patient experiences that reflect the needs of patients and the future of healthcare," Connell said in the Clinic's release. CLEVELAND, Ohio - The MetroHealth System has chosen HGA, a large national architecture firm based in Minneapolis, to design the core projects including a new main hospital building for the planned transformation of its aging and badly outmoded main campus on the city's West Side. Trustees of the hospital system voted Wednesday to approve the selection of the Milwaukee office of HGA, originally known as Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, as the designer for projects estimated to cost $400 million. MetroHealth last month completed a $946 million bond sale to pay for the upcoming projects and associated costs, including the $28.5 million fee negotiated with HGA Architect Walter Jones, MetroHealth's vice president of Campus Transformation, said the system chose HGA after a selection process launched in February with a request for qualifications that drew 15 responses from teams across the U.S. and which included numerous Cleveland firms. The finalists Apart from HGA, the other three finalists for the job were NBBJ of Columbus, O.; the New York, Chicago and St. Louis offices of Cannon Design; and the Omaha, Chicago and Dallas offices of HDR. "All the firms were very engaging and had lots of good ideas, and showed a high degree of experience." Jones said. "But HGA showed the best combination of all those criteria." A birdseye view depicts a preliminary version of the MetroHealth main campus transformation plan. A new hospital tower will be set back from West 25th Street at Scranton Road, and a new central green will replace existing buildings that will be demolished. Jones said MetroHealth made its selection under the state's qualifications-based selection process, which requires public agencies to negotiate a fee after determining which designers are most qualified to carry a project. HGA will lead a team with strong local participation including Bostwick Design Partnership and Makovich & Pusti, both Cleveland architecture firms; Karpinski Engineering and R Engineering; and the engineering firms of Sandhu & Associates and Barber & Hoffman. Jones said he didn't know how the firms would share the design fee, and how much of the money would remain in Cleveland. He said the team responded to the hospital system's request to assemble firms that would meet its aspirations for minority and local participation. Beyond healthcare HGA also won the lead assignment on the strength of previous hospital assignments, including the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in Owensboro, KY; the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO.; and the Virtua Health and Wellness Center in Washington Township, NJ. In addition to its healthcare work, the firm is known for cultural and corporate projects, including the recent expansion of the Milwaukee Art Museum, whose earlier buildings were designed by Eero Saarinen and Santiago Calatrava. HGA also designed the General Mills World Headquarters in Golden Valley, MN; and the Ordway Concert Hall and Expansion in St. Paul. At MetroHealth, the $400 million assignment includes a new, 650,000-square-foot, 250-bed main hospital on the current site of a parking garage south of the system's recently expanded Critical Care Pavilion. Details of the plan Other facets of the job will include a new central utility plant; a loading dock and logistics building; an enclosed overhead walkway connector between the main hospital and the Critical Care Pavilion. Existing hospital buildings will be demolished after the new ones go up. Among the structures coming down are the iconic twin cylindrical hospital towers that have long served as a landmark where I-71 eastbound turns north toward downtown at the "MetroHealth curve." A plan view depicts the MetroHealth main campus transformation. A new hospital tower will be set back from West 25th Street at Scranton Road, and a new central green will replace existing buildings that will be demolished. A large community park measuring approximately 2.5 acres - almost half the size of Public Square - would replace the hospital's 1921 Hamann building, a brick building containing administrative and teaching spaces. The Rammelkamp Research Center at the southeast corner of Scranton Road and MetroHealth Drive would remain, but would become a freestanding building severed from the twin-tower building to the east and the Hamann building to the south. Rammelkamp would therefore get new exterior facades on its east and south sides, because it wasn't originally designed as a freestanding building. A more visible landmark Jones said that the new 12-story hospital tower to be designed by HGA would actually be more visually prominent when viewed from the highway than the twin towers it will replace. "It will have a much more commanding presence," he said. "As you're coming from Cleveland and as you're arriving from the airport, the building will become a gateway presence. It will be one of the more important buildings you see as you come into town." The new hospital will be designed to meet high contemporary standards in a process informed by the system's Patient and Family Advisory Group. "What is it that they want to see, what is the experience they want to have in the next environment?" Jones asked. The design will in part answer that question. Jones also said the new main hospital building will be a powerful visual presence along West 25th Street, even though it will be located a block east on Scranton Road. MetroHealth has been criticized widely by planners and residents for its 1992 Outpatient Plaza, which lines West 25th Street with a parking garage, creating the impression the hospital has turned its back on the adjacent Tremont, Brooklyn Centre and Clark-Fulton neighborhoods. Work schedule Jones said the architects are expected to complete schematic designs - accounting for about 30 percent of design work - by early winter. Even before then, he said, he'd like to see opportunities for the public to weigh in on the developing plans, perhaps in meetings of the city's Near West Design Review Committee. "Our intention is to make this a very iterative design process with the city and the local design group," he said. "We don't want to have to retract and correct." Operating a vehicle under the influence-obstructing official business, Lindberg Boulevard: A Grafton man, 37, was arrested at about 3:15 a.m. June 22 after police caught him driving drunk on Lindberg. The man's Jeep Cherokee was weaving on southbound Lindberg from West Valley Plaza shopping center. Police pulled him over at the West Street intersection. The man smelled like alcohol. He failed field sobriety tests, and almost fell when stepping out of his vehicle. He asked police to light his cigarette but officers told him he was not allowed to smoke. Officers found a baggie of marijuana in his Jeep. At the police station, the man again asked if he could smoke a cigarette, but police said no. The man stood up and assumed a fighting stance, telling officers they could add another charge against him. Two officers wrestled the man down and handcuffed him to his chair. He continued to express a desire to fight officers, and he cursed them and called them names. The man was transported to Strongsville jail, where he was placed in a restraint chair for about three hours due to his "dangerous and offensive behavior." Operating a vehicle under the influence, Mulberry Street: A Berea woman, 31, was arrested at about 12:50 a.m. June 22 after police saw her Honda Accord speeding on southbound Front Street. The woman was driving 40 mph in a 25-mph zone. She failed to completely stop her car before turning right on red at West Bagley Road. Police stopped the car after the woman turned left onto Mulberry. The woman told police she hadn't been drinking but she reeked of alcohol. When asked if she had suffered any recent head injuries, the woman said, "Maybe two years ago." She failed field sobriety tests. Marijuana possession-drug abuse, North Rocky River Drive: A Cleveland woman, 30, was arrested at about midnight June 23 after police found 16 Oxycodone pills, three Suboxone packets, a bag of marijuana, a marijuana pipe, a marijuana scale, a marijuana cigarette, a pill crusher and two straws with white powdery residue in her Ford Focus. Police had stopped the woman's car after checking her license-plate number. They learned the plates had expired and the woman's license had been suspended twice. Marijuana possession, Runn Street: A Berea girl, 15, faces drug charges after police caught her with marijuana June 27 on Runn. At about 10:50 p.m., police were dispatched to CVS Pharmacy regarding a long-haired male placing items in his backpack near the store's alcohol section. When police arrived, they saw a male with long hair and five other juveniles - including the 15-year-old Berea girl - walking on Runn near Pulaski Street. The male gave police permission to search his backpack but officers found no contraband. Police, suspecting the male might have given stolen or illegal items to one of the other juveniles, asked permission to search backpacks belonging to the 15-year-old girl and another teen. The 15-year-old girl admitted having marijuana and cigarettes in her backpack. Police called the girl's parents, who picked her up. Operating a vehicle under the influence, Prospect Street: A Valley City man, 59, was arrested at about 2:30 a.m. June 24 after police saw his Hyundai Sonata stopped in the middle of Front near West Center Street. The man drove to the Front-West Center stop sign after police pulled behind him. He continued to drive southbound on Front, and his car straddled the two southbound lanes. He turned right onto Riverside Drive without signaling. Police pulled him over on Prospect. The man was drunk and failed field sobriety tests. Marijuana possession, North Rocky River Drive: A North Olmsted man, 24, was arrested at about midnight June 27 after police saw his Chevrolet Silverado weaving on North Rocky River near Depot Street. The man was wanted in Berea and Rocky River, and his driver's license had been suspended. Police found a small plastic bag containing marijuana in his pickup truck. Operating a vehicle under the influence, Lindberg Boulevard: An Olmsted Falls man, 58, was arrested at about 2:30 a.m. June 25 after police saw his Ford Fusion weaving on Lindberg. The man smelled like alcohol. He admitted drinking three beers with dinner. He failed field sobriety tests. Marijuana possession, Ohio 237: A Cleveland woman, 23, was arrested at about 11:10 p.m. June 23 after police found marijuana shake in her Chevrolet Cobalt. Police had stopped the woman's car because one of the brake lights wasn't working. Also, the woman failed to signal when turning left from Sheldon Road onto North Rocky River. To comment on this story, please visit the crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Senator Rob Portman announced his opposition to the Senate's Obamacare replacement plan two hours after the healthcare bill was already pulled from consideration. Cleveland.com Washington Bureau Chief Stephen Koff reported that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell withdrew the bill during a private meeting with senators and the news came out just before 2 p.m. with Portman announcing his opposition in a statement at 3:55 p.m. Portman's spokeswomen Emile Benavides said Portman had expressed his concerns about the plan to McConnell for months. Yet, as of Monday morning, Portman was still sitting on the fence, having not publicly decided yes or no on the bill. "He made no public statement on a firm position, in fact, until after the fact," wrote Koff. In the statement released after the bill was yanked, Portman wrote the Senate draft "includes some promising changes to reduce premiums in the individual insurance market, but I continue to have real concerns about the Medicaid policies in this bill, especially those that impact drug treatment at a time when Ohio if facing an opioid epidemic." "For months, I have engaged with my colleagues on solutions that I believe are necessary to ensure that we improve our health care system and better combat this opioid epidemic," continued Portman. "Unfortunately, the Senate draft falls short and therefore I cannot support it in its current form." The Congressional Budget Office found that 22 million Americans would lose coverage under the plan. Premiums for the elderly and young would dramatically increase while the coverage would decrease. Medicaid would ultimately be cut to fund a tax cut for the wealthy. The bill would increase the financial strain on Ohio, which is already financially burdened. Only 17% percent of Americans support the plan. Governor John Kasich opposed the bill for the same reasons Portman did. But unlike Portman, Kasich chose not to lead from behind and belatedly. Kasich has been publicly vocal in his opposition. The New York Times reported that Kasich was at the center of an all out attack by a bi-partisan group of governors to block the Senate's attempt to fully replace Obamacare. Portman has always exhibited a quieter, reserved, 'company man' style than Kasich. But I wonder if Portman had been running for re-election in 2018 instead of 2016, if he would have still waited until after the bill was yanked to announce his decision on opposing it. Cleveland.com readers commenting on Koff's story justifiably questioned if Portman has a preexisting condition--being spineless. At the very least, in only announcing his opposition hours after the bill was pulled, Portman looks as lame as the bill. Here are some other issues we may see Portman releasing position statements on: Betamax vs VHS Decca records passing on The Beatles. Union vs Confederacy Traveling on the Titanic. Browns' Red Right 88 play call Browns trading Paul Warfield for Mike Phipps Pete Rose betting on baseball Godfather III LeBron's decision to take his talents to South Beach. Dan Gilbert's letter to LeBron The Ford Edsel and Pinto Trump's tie length War in Iraq CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, like most organizations, has had a hard time getting its hands on Prince memorabilia over the years. But that changes this week when one of the legendary musician's outfits takes its place in the museum. As part of its new Connor Theater immersive experience, the Rock Hall will display the actual outfit Prince wore while honoring George Harrison during the late Beatles guitarist's induction in 2004. Prince hit the stage to perform "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Harrison's son Dhani. Prince's epic guitar solo is considered by many to be the single greatest performance in the history of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductions. "It's a pretty big get," says Karen Herman, vice president of curatorial affairs for the Rock Hall. "We worked directly with Paisley Park. They were very generous in lending it to us. It's a very important piece in Prince's legacy." Prince's Hall of Fame performance has an interesting backstory. Harrison's widow Olivia was skeptical, considering Prince didn't have a relationship with her husband. However, producers for the ceremony assured her it would be special. Petty, Lynne and Dhani Harrison also had no idea what Prince was going to do, given his tight schedule, which allowed for limited rehearsals. Thus, when the Purple One came into the spotlight, improvised a solo and threw his guitar into the air, the musicians on stage were just as stunned as anyone. Prince's outfit is the centerpiece in the exit corridor visitors will walk through after watching late director Jonathan Demme's "Power of Rock" media show inside the Connor Theater, which opens to the public on Saturday. Demme's 12-minute film pieces together footage from Rock Hall Inductions of the past 30-plus years. The movie is paired with a media experience unlike anything the Rock Hall has presented before. The exit hallway of the theater will also feature the suit Chuck Berry wore during the 1995 Concert for the Hall of Fame, as well as items from Metallica, Joan Jett, Bonnie Raitt, Talking Heads and other artists. "All the artifacts in those cases are outfits or instruments that were on stage during a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony and are featured in the ["Power of Rock"] show," reveals Herman. "We wanted things specifically related to the Inductions and we'll change some of them out over time." CLEVELAND, Ohio - "The Power of Rock Experience" film showing at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's new Connor Theater isn't so much a movie as it is a religious experience. Welcome to the church of rock and roll, where gods and goddesses have names like Bruce, Mick, Aretha, Ozzy and Jerry Lee. Heck, there's even a Prince on hand to totally blow your mind. "The Power of Rock Experience" cherry picks great moments from more than 30 years of induction ceremonies and condenses them into one 12-minute visual adventure. It's hard to comprehend how much time late director Jonathan Demme spent on the film, which opens to the general public on Saturday. An Oscar winner for "The Silence of the Lambs," Demme also directed "Stop Making Sense." The 1984 documentary of live performances by Talking Heads is widely considered one of the greatest concert movies of all time. Demme appropriately begins "The Power of Rock Experience" with Ruth Brown singing "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean," a 65-year-old song that brings you back to music's roots. From there, artists like Stevie Wonder and John Legend join forces to showcase how the inductions connect different generations of music fans. The same goes for Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Emmylou Harris and Carrie Underwood paying tribute to Linda Ronstadt in 2014. The Connor Theater's flashing lights, stunning speaker setup and vibrating seats are an integral part of the show. A large movie screen expands and retracts throughout, capturing thrilling moments like Metallica rocking out with Ozzy Osbourne or Johnny Cash holding the audience in the palm of his hand. Demme's ability to know what performances to feature and which portions to highlight is a true art. Fittingly, each section of "The Power of Experience" showcases a different aspect of what makes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductions so great. The members of Green Day are in full punk rock mode as they honor their heroes The Ramones in 2002. The pure joy on the faces of guitar gods Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, Jeff Beck, Ron Wood and Kirk Hammett as they trade guitar riffs in 2009 is something to marvel at. The film also mixes in a few performances from the 1995 Concert for the Hall of Fame in Cleveland, including Chuck Berry and Bruce Springsteen playing side by side, and Aretha Franklin and Al Green belting out soulful vocals. "The Power of Rock Experience" gets even more exciting during its second half. Hip-hop shines via Run-DMC celebrating Robert Johnson and Grandmaster Flash putting on a turntable showcase. Elsewhere, the Talking Heads reunite for a memorable performance, while St. Vincent joins Nirvana on stage to sing "Lithium." Of all the Springsteen performances to pick from, "Backstreets" from the 1999 ceremony was the right choice. The Boss puts every piece of his soul into the song's grand chorus. Springsteen, a regular at early ceremonies, gets a lot of screen time. But even he can't compare to the spotlight placed on Prince, whose entire "My Guitar Gently Weeps" guitar solo from George Harrison's 2004 induction ends the film. Maybe it's the freshness of Prince's passing. But his awe-inspiring work feels like the appropriate conclusion to the Rock Hall's new live event. It's a timeless masterpiece. GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio - A Cuyahoga County grand jury will consider charges against a husband who is accused of strangling his wife in Garfield Heights. Monte Woodley, 45, of Bedford Heights waived his right to a preliminary hearing when he appeared in shackles Thursday in Garfield Heights Municipal Court. The case has been bound over to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. No family members or friends attended the hearing where Judge Jennifer P. Weiler set his bond at $1 million. Woodley will be moved Thursday to the Cuyahoga County Jail, the judge said in court. Woodley is accused of killing his wife, Lavora Allen, who was found dead May 1 in her home on Orme Road near Turney Road. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office determined the 38-year-old woman died of cervical compression. Detectives said Wednesday that she was strangled. Woodley was arrested Tuesday following an eight-week investigation into Allen's death, detectives said. Allen was found dead at the bottom of a set of stairs to her basement after family members reported her missing. Family members found a patio door and a garage door open, according to a police report. Family members also reported that a Nissan Versa was missing from her garage. Investigators found the car the following day on West 140th Street in Cleveland. Woodley's criminal history includes previous convictions for felonious assault, attempted robbery and domestic violence. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to felonious assault and was sentenced to three years in prison, Cuyahoga County court records show. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section. GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Garfield Heights detectives have charged a man with murder in connection with the death of his wife. Monte Woodley, 45, of Bedford Heights, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the May 1 death of Lavora Allen. Woodley is being held in the Garfield Heights Police Department's jail on $1 million bond. Woodley will likely be arraigned Thursday in Garfield Heights Municipal Court, detectives said. Allen, 38, died of cervical compression at her home on Orme Road near Turney Road, the medical examiner's office said. Detectives added that Allen was strangled. Allen was found dead at the bottom of a set of stairs to her basement after family members reported her missing. Family members found a patio door and a garage door open, according to a police report. Family members also reported that a Nissan Versa was missing from her garage. Investigators found the car the following day on West 140th Street in Cleveland. Detectives have not released any information on the investigation that led to Woodley's arrest. Woodley's criminal history includes previous convictions for felonious assault, attempted robbery and domestic violence. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to felonious assault and was sentenced to three years in prison, Cuyahoga County court records show. Allen overcame repeated tragedies in her life, including the deaths of two of her five children, her sister told cleveland.com. Nearly four years ago her son, James Swindler III, was shot to death after he was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in Cleveland. Two brothers were later sentenced to life in prison for causing his death. Allen also lost a child in 1998. Dominique Allen was just 17 months old when a driver ran a red light and hit her mother's car in Cleveland, according to a Plain Dealer report on the fatal crash. Allen went on to became a caretaker and founded All Happy Helping Hands, a home care company that provides assistance to elderly and disabled persons. To comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Police are investigating early Thursday morning after a teen male and a woman were wounded in shootings on the city's East Side. A 24-year-old woman was shot in the side on the 12000 block of Holborn Avenue, near East 120th Street in the Union-Miles Park neighborhood. Police did not release information on the woman's condition or on if there are any suspects. An 18-year-old male was taken to University Hospital after gunshot wounds to his back and arm, police say. The shooting occurred 15400 block of Grovewood Avenue, which is in Cleveland's North Collinwood neighborhood. Other details on the incident were not available early Thursday morning. To comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments page. watch now Every night, Jim Cramer goes on "Mad Money" with a mission to help people become better investors. Over the past 12 years of the show, that mission has transformed to match the surrounding environment. The show first began as an outgrowth of Cramer's radio show called "Real Money." Back then, people craved specific investment ideas. But everything changed when the 2008 financial crisis hit investors and tainted the way they viewed the market. During that time, the downturn ravaged many big companies, especially in the financial sector, and caused a dramatic decline in economic activity. "That era changed things, and it changed me. It changed the show," Cramer said. "Mad Money" is no longer about just giving stock ideas, because, in Cramer's opinion, that is not enough anymore. In fact, he now has deliberately minimized highlighting stock ideas. He would rather teach investors to understand the process and be able to pick stocks for themselves. September 15, 2008, the day the 150-year-old Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy. Keith Lew | Flickr Vision | Getty Images When Cramer was growing up, he learned how to invest the hard way. His father, "Pop," worked very hard selling boxes and bags to retailers, and it was tough to save money back then. Pop had money in a bank account, but it didn't pay much interest. One day, Pop announced that he was going to take that money and buy the stock of National Video because his brother heard from a guy named Jack that it was the next big thing. At first the stock went up dramatically, and Pop was so happy, he kept buying more. In fact, that was all Pop knew about the stock. He did not follow it intraday and had not researched the company. Eventually, the stock started to plummet and Pop lost everything on the investment. "All I can say is that I'm glad for two things: one is that Pop never borrowed money to buy National Video, and two, that stocks blessedly stop at $0 on the way down," Cramer said. After losing money on a few investments, Cramer decided to go to the library and research companies. Eventually, he found an oil company called Natomas, which had just discovered a large find in Indonesia. He took $300 and bought the stock, and Natomas quickly caught a $1.4 billion takeover bid from former energy giant Diamond Shamrock Corporation. Cramer realized from his investment in Natomas that by doing the homework, it gave him an edge over others and helped arm him with the proper knowledge about the stock. From then on, Cramer was hooked on stocks and never turned back. Eventually, he made enough money to pay for his first year of law school at Harvard, where he decided to become an attorney. "I recognized that you can study and you can pick worthwhile stocks that might be doing better than the average stock and that can, indeed, augment your savings provided you do it right, have some edge and stay current on the company," Cramer said. Harvard Law school graduates wielded their gavels. Pat Greenhouse | The Boston Globe | Getty Images When Cramer first started working at Goldman Sachs in 1984, he used to get calls from his mother, who loved the stock market and would ask him for quotes on her favorite stocks. She chose to invest by buying what she knew and staying on top of it. She liked to shop at Giant Food, a progressive supermarket chain at the time, so she bought the stock. The process of homework back then was to like an idea through personal experience, read up on it with the best research, and then match those insights with other firms. Cramer also learned during that time that sometimes Wall Street research can be very wrong, so it is good to have a healthy dose of skepticism. "I want to show you that it isn't reckless to try to pick individual stocks, and those who say it is just don't understand the process of first-hand experience, married with research and buttressed by skepticism. It all increases the odds of successful individual stock investing while minimizing the risks of single-stock ownership," Cramer said. When Cramer decided to leave Goldman Sachs after four years and open his own hedge fund, the first stock he bought was Heinz . He owned the stock because it represented a call on great management that could deliver earnings through thick and thin. Peopleimages | Getty Images President Donald Trump (2nd L) welcomes members of his American Technology Council, including (L-R) Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in the State Dining Room of the White House June 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. Executives from a number of prominent tech companies have spoken out against Trump's immigration order. Here's what they've said: Mark Zuckerberg Mark Zuckerberg speaks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2016 CEO Summit in Lima, Peru. Bloomberg | Getty Images Facebook's CEO first spoke out against Trump's immigration order on his social media platform. Zuckerberg detailed his family's immigrant experience and said his wife's parents were refugees from China and Vietnam. Zuckerberg added that Americans should be proud that the United States is a nation of immigrants. "We should also keep our doors open to refugees and those who need help," he wrote. "That's who we are." Jeff Bezos David Ryder | Getty Images Amazon's CEO has been an outspoken dissident of Trump's immigration ban. Bezos affirmed Amazon's support of immigration in a company-wide email earlier this year. "No nation is better at harnessing the energies and talents of immigrants," said Bezos. "It's a distinctive competitive advantage for our countryone we should not weaken." Tim Cook Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during Commencement Exercises at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 9, 2017. Brian Snyder | Reuters Apple's CEO expressed his strong opposition to President Donald Trump's travel ban in February. Cook discussed immigration's role at Apple in a speech at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He referenced Apple's late founder Steve Jobs, whose father was born in Syria. "Apple would not exist without immigration," he said. "This is a huge issue for us we stand up, we don't sit in silence." Elon Musk Elon Musk to depart President Trump's business council after the president announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Accord. Monica Almeida | Reuters The Tesla and SpaceX CEO criticized Trump's restrictions on immigration from Muslim-majority nations in January. Both Tesla and SpaceX joined a legal brief filed by businesses opposed to Trump's immigration order in February. "Many people negatively affected by this policy are strong supporters of the US," said Musk. "They've done right, not wrong & don't deserve to be rejected." Logan Green Bloomberg | Getty Images If you're looking for some last-minute strategies to navigate fall tuition bills, don't add "underground casino" to the list of contenders. Parents experiencing a little bill shock at their student's looming college tab may identify with the plight of Scott and Kate Johansen (Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) in "The House," now in theaters. Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler in The House. Source: Warner Bros. Pictures. The couple's daughter, Alex (Ryan Simpkins), is accepted into fictional Buckley University, but thanks to a one-two punch of no savings and no financial aid, Scott and Kate have to contend with an outstanding balance of $50,819.87. Reluctant to tell Alex they can't afford to send her to her dream college, the couple instead works with their friend Frank (Jason Mantzoukas) to open an illegal casino. "The math seems to check out," says Ferrell in the movie's trailer. "Do this math," Poehler responds. "You're 40 years old, and you're in jail for 20 years. How old are you when you get out?" watch now Obviously, it's better for families to avoid the shock of an unaffordable school by looking for one that's a good financial fit and creating a four-year plan to figure out how you'll cover those costs. But financial advisors say real-life families who find themselves with an unexpected gap ahead of that fall tuition due date aren't without options. Here are eight last-minute strategies that are less of a gamble: 1) Revisit the FAFSA Three in 10 undergraduate students don't file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, according to a 2016 brief from the National Center for Education Statistics based on 2011-12 data. If you haven't, it's worth doing (the deadline is June 30, 2018 for the 2017-18 academic year), said Matthew Boersen, a certified financial planner with Straight Path Wealth Management in Jenison, Michigan. "A lot of people think that once it gets past January or February, it's not worth filling out anymore," he said. Late filers may have lost their shot at some first-come, first-served state and college aid, but a completed FAFSA is required to apply for federal student loans (which, if you need to borrow, are better than private student loans on rates and borrower protections) and to qualify for many schools' merit-based aid. Already filed? Alert the school if that bill shock stems from a change in your financial circumstances, said certified financial planner Melissa Sotudeh, chief compliance officer at Halpern Financial in Ashburn, Virginia. For example, if you've experienced a job loss, unexpected medical bills or other hardship. "Once your child is in, a lot of schools want to work with you," she said. "It never hurts to call." 2) Break up the bill If you can come up with the full tab just not all at once ask the college if it offers a payment plan, Sotudeh said. Setup fees are often less than $100, and many colleges don't charge interest. Spreading out the tab over a semester (or longer) can make it easier to cover the bill with current income (i.e., your paycheck), she said. 3) Scrutinize college costs Tuition gets a lot of the focus, but don't forget to look for savings on room and board, said Rita Cheng, a certified financial planner and chief executive officer of Blue Ocean Global Wealth in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She crunched the numbers and found it was cheaper to pay for her daughter, a rising college senior, to have a daily Starbucks breakfast (or make her own) than have those meals at the dining hall. "Depending on your child's eating habits, you could easily go from 19 to 14 meals [per week] and save some money," she said. Adding an extra roommate, picking a different dorm or even opting to live off campus could also yield savings on housing. The University of Florida's East Campus, for example, lists per-student, per-semester prices ranging from $2,236 to $3,947 depending on the building, room amenities and number of roommates. 4) Search for scholarships Don't count out the possibility of outside scholarships, said certified financial planner Joel R. Cundick, a financial advisor at Savant Capital in McLean, Virginia. There are plenty with summer deadlines for incoming freshman and upperclassman. "It's not necessarily going to be the easy hunt people think it is," Cundick said. "You have to go into the search thinking, 'I'm going to get some from a few,' rather than one big-ticket win." watch now But before you go all-in on this strategy, it helps to ask the college about its displacement policy on outside scholarships. Some colleges may offset grant aid first, rather than loans meaning the award will have less of an impact (if any) on your bottom line. 5) Explore work-study Working in college or over breaks can have advantages both immediate (cash to cover bills) and long term (money management skills and work experience), said Cundick. (As an undergraduate, he covered a year's room and board by working as a resident assistant.) But be mindful of the impact of student work on next year's FAFSA application, he said. The formula on expected family contribution expects that half of income the student earns will be used to pay for college. Aid packages often factor in some work-study element, but more substantial student earnings could hurt next year's package, he said. 6) Assess your balance sheet Depending on other elements of your financial situation, you might have different investments or assets to tap, or options to borrow. (Just keep your hands off those retirement accounts.) Home equity loans, for example, have low rates right now and the interest can be deductible, said Boersen. But you'll need to carefully consider how a particular move could influence financial aid in future years, and more broadly, the health of your finances now and in the future. You don't want to end up in a situation where your home is at risk because you can't repay that loan, for example. Co-signing a private student loan or taking on parent student loan debt can also have expensive consequences. "Can the parents financially sustain those payments, and are they still OK for their own lives, whether that be retirement or their own current needs?" Boersen said. "Just because the bank's willing to qualify you for something doesn't mean it's going to be a good financial decision." 7) Ask for help Nearly 4 in 10 high net worth grandparents are chipping in for college, according to Fidelity, and more are willing to do so but haven't been asked. If you do reach out to relatives, be mindful of how their gifts might impact aid in future years, said Peter McKenna, a certified financial planner with Highland Financial Advisors in Wayne, New Jersey. Funds from a grandparent-owned 529, for example, are treated as student income in FAFSA filings. You'd be better off waiting to use that gift until the student's senior year, he said. 8) Come up with a four-year plan China has called off plans for top-level talks with South Korea and Japan, according to reports. The trilateral summit was expected to take place in late July. Beijing notified Tokyo that that time won't work, although the controversy over the U.S.-supplied THAAD missile shield system appears to be the main reason, according to Japan's Asahi Shimbun. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had been expected to host the summit. China has put economic pressure on Seoul to abandon the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, designed to defeat nuclear-armed North Korean missiles. The Chinese are concerned THAAD's powerful radar gives the U.S. and South Korea the ability to peer deep inside China to monitor military activities. The last time the leaders of China, South Korea and Japan met for three-way talks was in 2012. There's a chance the meeting could be rescheduled for early 2018. The talks would have marked an opportunity for newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in to meet face to face with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and begin repairing fractured ties with China, its largest trading partner. Moon is currently in Washington for talks with President Donald Trump to discuss North Korea, THAAD and U.S.-South Korea trade issues. Japan's Nikkei Asian Review said Beijing's hesitance to hold talks in July also appears to be because of an upcoming National Congress of the Communist Party, where Chinese President Xi Jinping could get a second term as the party's general secretary. The publication said Xi's camp wants "to avoid making political waves" before that meeting in the fall. Meantime, Moon and Abe are expected to hold brief bilateral talks next week at the G20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany. The two U.S. allies are likely to discuss strategies to deal with the common threat from North Korea, among other things. "Now is China's time and people, of course, (are) not used to it," she said. "Look at it this way, (the) whole world is shaking at this moment," Jin said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's meeting in Dalian, China, pointing to political and economic risks from Europe to North America. China 's rise has made some cautious, but its stability is providing greater confidence to the world, popular television personality Jin Xing said Thursday. The openly transgender Jin was a former military dancer and choreographer before she became the host of her own talk show and a popular matchmaking series in China. The media personality, known for her frankness, said that it was "quite egocentric" of the West to be suspicious of China's rise as Europe and the U.S. have led global development in the past without much of a challenge from the rest of the international community. "Come on, game over ... (We've) followed your game for twenty-half centuries. Now follow my rules a little bit," Jin said. U.S. President Donald Trump might have his own agenda when it comes to foreign policy, but so did China, she added. Under the current Trump administration, the U.S. has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris climate agreement. This has brought an unlikely defender of globalization to the fore China. Various Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, have pushed back against against anti-globalization rhetoric recently, highlighting China's commitment to advocating free trade and tackling climate change. Despite its pledges, the world's second-largest economy has had an uneven track record in its bid to open up. While it might be promoting free and open trade on the global stage, China has faced criticism over domestic policies that restrict foreign firms from operating in the country. Reforms initiated by the government have helped pare coal usage while China also has ambitious carbon emissions targets. However, whether these goals are actually met remain to be seen, as parts of country continue to be plagued by air pollution. Still, Jin remained upbeat about the changes taking place in China. "Running a country is just like running a big family," she said, adding that the Chinese government has done a good job with infrastructure development in the country. While there were "small issues" that still had to be addressed, China was headed in the right direction, Jin said. "You can see twenty years ago and now, the confidence of the Chinese today on the international stage is completely different." Elon Musk is on a roll. On the weekend of June 23, his company SpaceX successfully completed two back-to-back rocket ship launches. Then on Wednesday, Musk announced The Boring Company, the infrastructure business he founded in 2016, has completed the first leg of its dig to create a tunnel underneath Los Angeles. He shared his glee through a series of tweets that proclaimed his love for tunnels and floors. First he revealed the progress, referring to "Godot," the boring machine named after the Samuel Beckett character. Then this: According to Musk's tweets, "They will never let you down." And, "They are so under appreciated." Still: "Just try one," Musk urges via Twitter. "It's way better than you think." Then he gets romantic: Musk has used social media to share various milestones during the tunnel-boring project, which he is undertaking in an effort to alleviate L.A. traffic. First, he plans to build a tunnel from SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, Calif. to nearby Los Angeles International Airport. Last month, Musk posted photos of "Godot." Before that he posted a YouTube video of what the completed tunnel system might look like. Musk has also been posting about his SpaceX projects. Friday, SpaceX launched and landed a reused rocket carrying the first telecommunications satellite for Bulgaria in a mission that originated at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Then on Sunday, SpaceX launched a rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California that landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean in eight minutes. The drone ship the rocket landed on was named "Just Read the Instructions." Musk put a time-lapse video of the landing on his personal Instagram account. The Sunday launch was part of a project SpaceX is doing for mobile voice and data satellite communications company Iridium. In total, SpaceX will put 75 satellites into orbit for the telecommunications company. In addition to launching telecommunications satellites, Musk has grand plans for utilizing reusable rockets to make living on Mars feasible he believes it could bring down the cost to less than buying a house in the U.S. He sees a future where people would save up for a move to Mars like they do a home. "It gets to the point where almost anyone, if they saved up and this was their goal, could buy a ticket and move to Mars and given that Mars would have a labor shortage for a long time, jobs would not be in short supply," he says. On Musk's Instagram, he has also posted things like SpaceX parties and nights out with his new(ish) girlfriend Amber Heard. There are more intimate shots, like hotel-room selfies, moments with his kids and this picture of him at 17. "So the question remains, if Republican rank-and-file voters have rejected the GOP establishment in Washington, who exactly is Mitch McConnell representing in the Senate and as Senate Majority Leader?" A study conducted by the left-leaning money and politics watchdog Maplight that showed McConnell is a top recipient of insurance and pharma industry campaign donations, as are most of the other key members of that Senate health bill working group. Now that more of the bill has been officially unveiled, the public hates it: The measure got just a 17 percent approval rating in one poll and is not even close to popular in any other survey. But it doesn't matter whether the bill is a dud because of its individual policies or because it is another massive and complex plan that was rushed to fruition. McConnell has failed the American people by committing so many of the sins committed during the also very unpopular Obamacare drafting and Congressional voting process. A real representative of the people, liberal or conservative, would never do what McConnell is doing now. As far as undermining conservative principles, the McConnell bill does plenty of that as it continues to dictate what kind of insurance Americans can buy, keeps almost all of the massive subsidies from the ACA, and seems to protect the insurance and pharma industries instead of repealing Obamacare. This could be written off as just another case of Washington duplicity, but when you're the top Congressional leader of a Republican Party that's made repealing Obamacare its rallying cry for at least seven years, it's far from an acceptable position. Stalwart conservatives are surely not surprised by this latest McConnell betrayal. He first started to incur conservative ire in 2014 when he helped to defeat several Tea Party Republican Senate primary candidates in favor of GOP Senate contenders who backed him for the Majority Leader position. He pulled the same strategy last year. But the worst offense for many rank-and-file conservative voters was McConnell's conduct after the GOP won control of the Senate in 2014. Even before that new Republican Congress fully arrived in Washington, McConnell preemptively gave away the key Congressional bargaining chip known as the "power of the purse" by repeatedly promising not to shut the government down over Obamacare funding or anything else. Thus, the Obama White House and the Democrats felt little need to negotiate or compromise. They had won a battle so many Republican voters sent their Representatives and Senators to win... or at least fight. It was that kind of betrayal that many experts believe helped launch the Trump revolution against establishment Republicans. And as the numbers proved in primary after primary in 2016, the battle wasn't even close. McConnell may be making nice to the White House in public now, but his execution on this health bill is doing President Donald Trump no favors. If the bill doesn't pass, much of the blame will be on Trump's shoulders. So the question remains, if Republican rank-and-file voters have rejected the GOP establishment in Washington, who exactly is Mitch McConnell representing in the Senate and as Senate Majority Leader? After all, his record as a conservative Republican is pathetic. His record as Majority Leader is equally troubling with this health bill problem and the net loss of GOP seats he oversaw in the 2016 election. McConnell is doing a great job of upholding the D.C. status quo that so many voters from Trump supporters to Bernie Sanders backers are clearly tired of. Lobbyists and career politicians are getting great support and representation from McConnell and they seem to be his true constituency. Everyone else is getting the shaft. It doesn't matter if you're conservative, liberal, progressive, pro-Trump, or anti-Trump. The kind of politics Mitch McConnell practices doesn't work for any of us. Even if the health bill passes, the debacle that is this bill and the way it was drafted should be the final straw. President Trump promised to drain the swamp both during the campaign and his inaugural address. And Mitch McConnell is the Swamp King. Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. The Federal Reserve appears to have gone soft on U.S. banks after the regulator opted to clear every major lender in its latest annual review, according to former Federal Reserve official Carl Tannenbaum. For the first time in seven years, the Federal Reserve did not object to any of the capital plans of the 34 banks it reviewed in the second part of the annual stress tests implemented in the wake of the financial crisis. "Well, selfishly I would say that the Fed's gone easy since I left, but of course times are better for the banks as well as for the American economy," Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust , told CNBC on Thursday. Tannenbaum previously led a team at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago whose charter was to analyze financial risk and he also served as the head of the entire Federal Reserve System's risk group in Washington for a year. "The banks have built up a great deal of capital since the crisis and that's provided a great buffer that separates the shareholders from the public So banks are in a very good position to begin returning some of that capital to shareholders," he added. Last Thursday, all 34 banks passed the Dodd-Frank Act Stress Tests for the third time by topping the Fed's requirements for being able to handle a severe recession. Wednesday's results from the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, or CCAR, marked the first time since the test launched seven years ago that the Fed did not object to any of the banks' capital plans. "I'm pleased that the (stress test) process has motivated all of the largest banks to achieve healthy capital levels and most to substantially improve their capital planning processes," Fed Governor Jerome H. Powell said in a statement on Wednesday. Capital One Financial was the only bank tested which has been asked to submit a new capital plan by December 28 in order to address "weaknesses in its capital planning process." "Destabilizing housing policies that brought about the crisis must end, along with Fannie and Freddie." But the GSE Act of 1992 set aggressive targets for them to purchase loans originated to borrowers at or below the median income level many of whom were "subprime." To meet the goals, the GSEs lowered underwriting standards for mortgages they purchased from originators, who before had little incentive to originate poorly underwritten loans, Wallison explains. Because of the GSEs' large market share, low- and moderate-income level lending targets first set at 30 percent had immediate nation-wide impact: in 1989 just 7 percent of mortgages were made with a down payment below 10 percent, but by 1994, the share of low down payment mortgages had grown to 29 percent. The Department of Housing and Urban Development steadily increased the targets to 55 percent through 2007, causing underwriting standards to concurrently fall along the way. By 2007, two in five loans acquired by the GSEs were made with down payments below 3 percent. Competition for market share between the GSEs and the Federal Housing Administration which offers federally-backed mortgage insurance to enable low down payment lending to low-income and first-time home buyers further accelerated the nation-wide decline in underwriting standards. This increased the number of prospective home buyers and thus demand for homes, creating a housing price and construction bubble that spanned 1997 through 2007 and dwarfed the largest of all previous such bubbles by a multiple of nine. When the bubble popped, low- and middle-income American families were hit the hardest. In a 2010 CNBC interview then-Representative Barney Frank expressed hope for substantial GSE reform: "I hope by next year we'll have abolished Fannie and Freddieit was a great mistake to push lower-income people into housing they couldn't afford and couldn't really handle once they had it." Yet today, the GSEs remain in federal conservatorship almost a decade after the crisis as a "temporary" federal takeover continues, leaving taxpayers on the hook for $5 trillion of risk. As U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bob Corker (R-TN) again undertake work on legislation to overhaul the housing finance industry, they should turn to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling's 2014 Protecting American Taxpayers and Homeowners Act for a road map on how to appropriately wind down the too-big-to-fail GSEs and end U.S. housing policies behind the last subprime mortgage boom and its tragic bust. Simply setting up a new government agency that mimics the GSEs' habit of pursuing so-called affordable housing targets, while leaving taxpayers on the hook for losses, is unacceptable. Destabilizing housing policies that brought about the crisis must end, along with Fannie and Freddie. Congress should certainly maintain its focus on undoing the economic havoc caused by Dodd-Frank. But, as Peter Wallison so effectively pointed out, it must not lose sight of the need to address Dodd-Frank's biggest omission Fannie and Freddie. The threat to our financial system remains, and until Congress winds down the GSEs and ends the federal government's destabilizing role in U.S. mortgage finance, efforts to improve U.S. financial market stability will be met with only limited success. Commentary by Paul Atkins, Patomak Global Partners CEO. He is a former SEC commissioner and was a member of President Donald Trump's transition team. He is currently serving on the president's strategic forum. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. watch now Goldman Sachs on Thursday issued a mea culpa of sorts, releasing a research note explaining how it misread the crude oil market, after the bank significantly lowered its price forecast. In light of the recent downturn in oil prices, the investment bank was forced to revise its forecast for U.S. crude to average $55 per barrel over the next three months, bringing it down to $47.50 a barrel. At the root of the problem, Goldman said it failed to appreciate two things: how quickly U.S. shale oil production would ramp up as crude prices rose and how swiftly investors would pile into the trade. OPEC's decision to cut output last winter boosted oil prices, which suddenly made it affordable for many U.S. shale drillers to start up new production. Tapping oil from shale rock is expensive, but drillers can start pumping from these resources very quickly once they get a green light in the form of higher crude prices. Goldman notes that the rush of money into long positions, or bets that oil prices will rise further, only encouraged more output from U.S. shale fields. When oil prices rise, drillers can hedge their production, which involves using financial instruments to lock in prices for future delivery of crude. Agreeing to a price with buyers gives oil companies protection against falling prices later in the year although drillers leave money on the table if prices rise. In February, long positions in U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures surged to an all-time high, giving oil firms the opportunity to hedge. Halo Top promises shoppers the indulgence of ice cream without the guilt, and millennials are eating it up. Literally. The brand launched in 2012, but it did not explode until 2016. Halo Top has become one of the most Instagram-able products available in the frozen dessert aisle, with 28.8 million pints sold last year, generating $132.4 million in sales, according to data from IRI. Halo Top's growth reflects shoppers' growing desire to shop for healthy, unique products from small brands. That's good news for brands like Halo Top, but that doesn't necessarily mean traditional ice cream brands are doomed although they may need to play catch up. Ice cream is still a profitable industry: last year, sales reached $6.6 billion, up 3.4 percent, according to Nielsen. But conventional products aren't necessarily driving the growth. While the sales for the whole category increased, sales of products that fit within the Food and Drug Administration's definition of "healthy" grew 85 percent last year. "There's no turning back here. This is not a fad," said Jack Ringquist, principal and global consumer products leader, Deloitte Consulting. "This is truly an evolution that's occurring and (big companies) need to truly adjust to become positive players as opposed to resistors." 'Consumers are paying attention' Small companies are driving growth throughout the food industry, according to research from Nielsen. Halo Top is leading the effort in the pint section of the frozen desert aisle. The brand is privately owned and is still run by Justin Woolverton, its 36-year-old founder. Woolverton used to make ice cream for himself in his spare time. His hypoglycemia prevented him from eating store-bought ice cream because it was high in sugar, so he experimented with Greek yogurt and fruit. He stumbled upon a cheap ice cream maker on Amazon and decided to test out a new recipe. When he tasted it, he had a "eureka" moment, knowing he had created something other people would want to eat. He convinced an ice cream factory to let him use their equipment and spent the next two years toying with the recipe when he wasn't working at a law firm. Once Woolverton was satisfied with his product, he quit his job and focused on getting his ice cream, which was then called Eden Creamery, in stores around Southern California in 2012. After being sued for copyright infringement, Woolverton rebranded his product Halo Top. He was sued again by another company in 2015. He was allowed to keep the name, but he had to change the packaging, which he considers a lucky break. The new packaging put its nutrition facts "front and center," prominently displaying the calorie count of the entire pint on the front of its cartons. One-half cup of Halo Top's vanilla ice cream is 60 calories, while one-half cup of Ben & Jerry's ice cream is 250 calories. Woolverton knew the difference would be attractive to shoppers, but he did not realize how much it would drive sales. Customers may buy three or four pints at a time because it's lighter, so they may feel better about it eating it more often, he said. "We built kind of a lifestyle ice cream that you can stock up in freezer," he said. But Ben & Jerry's does not necessarily mind the difference. What can a millennial teach you? All your questions on the latest social media buzzwords and lingo may immediately pop into your head. What is Snapchat? How do you WhatsApp? Life advice and creative influence might not be the first on your list. But this CEO wants you to think again. Even with a wealth of financial knowledge and experience, Lloyd's of London's chief executive Inga Beale, is taking ideas and inspiration from the young people around her. Beale may be the first female CEO in the insurance company's 328-year history, but she insists that we all have much to learn from the millennials around us. "We need to be reminded of what's happening in this world and how the new generation thinks differently, behaves differently, and wants different things." Speaking to CNBC in an episode of Life Hacks Live this week, Beale explained how her "reverse-mentor" often helps her develop new creative ideas and inspires her to think outside the box. "I have someone who's just starting out in work. We've got a big apprenticeship scheme here at Lloyd's and I have now currently somebody off that scheme." "I meet with them regularly to chat about what's going on in their world, how they think of things, and how we can do things differently in the company to appeal to that generation. I find things like that help me get inspired," said Beale. In fact, prosecutors have said in an indictment, two months before that MSMB Capital had just $700 on hand, as a result of Shkreli's ongoing trading losses. She testified that in January 2011, shortly before he invested $300,000 of her own money in MSMB Capital, Shkreli during a dinner in Manhattan told her the hedge fund had between $40 million and $50 million under management. Hassan may have been very fortunate to do so. She eventually, almost a year later, ended up getting her principal investment, and then some, along with a bunch of Retrophin stock that resulted in a steep profit. Hassan said that when Shkreli, 34, had told investors he was closing the fund, he offered to pay out all of their investments either in cash, in stock of his new drug company Retrophin , or a combination of both. "It just wasn't right," said Hassan, who was the first witness to testify in Shkreli's criminal trial on charges of securities fraud. "To be frank, I felt somewhat betrayed at this point," Hassan, 27, told jurors in Brooklyn, New York, federal court. "I was told I could get my cash from the fund months ago." "I was upset. I saw that as being my cash," testified Sarah Hassan about learning from Shkreli in early 2013 that there was no money left in his hedge fund MSMB Capital after his decision to close it. The daughter of a well-known pharmaceuticals executive testified Thursday she felt "betrayed" by Martin Shkreli after the "pharma bro" dragged his feet for months in paying out her supposedly profitable hedge fund investment only to tell her the money had been used without her permission to capitalize his new drug company. His daughter said she was surprised, several times, to see her father mentioned as a consultant to Retrophin in news articles. She also was "quite surprised" to see her father's email address was among the addresses in a group email that broke down how much people had invested in Retrophin, "because he certainly wasn't an investor." Fred Hassan was CEO and chairman of Schering-Plough before it merged with Merck in 2009, and was chairman of Bausch & Lomb for three years after that. He now is a managing director at the private equities investment firm Warburg Pincus. Hassan also testified that several times she felt compelled to tell Shkreli not to publicly suggest, falsely, that her dad Fred Hassan was either an investor with Shkreli or an advisor to his then-start-up Retrophin. Sarah Hassan said she first invested $300,000 with Shkreli's hedge fund after meeting him through a colleague of her father, former Bausch & Lomb CEO Brent Saunders. She testified that Saunders had told her Shkreli was "a rising star in the hedge fund world." Her investment amount represented about 30 percent of her personal net worth of $1 million, she said, and she made the investment because he was interested in developing a business relationship with Shkreli. When she made that investment, Hassan said, she was told she could get her money out of the fund on one month's notice. She also said she was told that MSMB Capital invested in a "mix" of equities, and did not as a rule hold more than 5 percent of its assets under management in a single equity position. Hassan said she was "ecstatic" over the months to receive emailed statements showing a solid profit for her money. Her first statement from Shkreli, emailed on March 2, 2011, claimed that MSMB Capital had earned a return of 4.24 percent on its stock positions in the prior month, the first full month she had her money in the fund. But in reality, prosecutors say, Shkreli blew effectively all of MSMB Capital's assets in a disastrous short position he took on Orexigen Therapeutics shares, which left the fund with with a $7 million debt to Merrill Lynch However, by the end of 2011, Hassan testified, Shkreli had told her the investment had grown to more than $365,000. That had purportedly grown to more than $435,000 by mid-2012, Hassan testified, reading from an email she received updating her on her investment. Hassan said she did become curious as to why those statements showing her investment returns, which had previously been emailed every month or so, over time became more sporadic. However, "I was thrilled" to learn her stake had increase so much, she said. "It was a very significant return. This was the single biggest investment I had, so to see it as the best performing [one] was exciting." Hassan said she was "surprised" to hear in late 2012 that Shkreli planned to wind down MSMB to focus on a different investment strategy. She noted that Shkreli claimed the fund had an almost 80 percent return on assets under management since it was started in 2009, well outpacing the benchmark S&P 500 stock index. She said it would be unusual for a hedge fund to close when it was doing so well. Hassan described her frustration over how Shkreli for months dragged his feet in disbursing what she had been told was then more than $435,000 in funds at MSMB, net of fees, by the time Shkreli told her he was closing the hedge fund. That represented a return of more than 45 percent on her original investment. Hassan said that after months of asking him about the money, Shkreli told her the money had been used to fund Retrophin, his new drug company. "I would like you to tell me would like you to tell me why you are refusing to return my calls," Hassan wrote Shkreli in one email. "I asked for my funds to be returned to me fully in cash." It was only after almost a year of being told of MSMB's wind-down that she managed to get $400,000 in cash paid to her by Retrophin not Shkreli ,and more than 58,000 shares of Retrophin stock. But that came only after she agreed to sign a settlement agreement and promised not to sue for over the situation. She later sold those shares for $900,000, she testified. And her family's hedge fund, Dynagrow, which she manages, itself realized a profit of almost $1.3 million after selling Retrophin shares it had acquired as a result of a $125,000 initial investment by that fund, Hassan testified. Prosecutors have argued that Hassan and other investors were unaware of the fact that Shkreli, contrary to the glowing financial statements he sent them, was losing money at MSMB Capital, and then another hedge fund he started, MSMB Healthcare. They allege he looted millions of dollars from Retrophin to repay the investors he had defrauded at his hedge funds. When asked by a prosecutor whether she had had any contact with Shkreli since finally receiving her a pay-out for her hedge fund investment with him, Hassan said, "Not really." She also said she had never invested with him again. Asked why, Hassan said, "I have a very troubling experience in the past, so it's not something I would choose to opt in on again in the future." During an aggressive cross-examination of Hassan, Shkreli's lawyer Benjamin Brafman underscored the fact that she had eventually gotten well more than her original investment back, and that Retrophin became a successful company. "At the end of the day you made a hefty profit?" Brafman asked. Hassan said, "Yes, even more than I asked for." Smoke billows from behind the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul's Old City on April 17, 2017, during an offensive by Iraqi security forces to recapture the city from Islamic State. After eight months of grinding urban warfare, Iraqi government troops on Thursday captured the ruined mosque at the heart of Islamic State's de facto capital Mosul, and the prime minister declared the group's self-styled caliphate at an end. Iraqi authorities expect the long battle for Mosul to end in coming days as remaining Islamic State fighters are bottled up in just a handful of neighborhoods of the Old City. For the Iraqi forces fighting to recapture Mosul, the seizure of the nearly 850-year-old Grand al-Nuri Mosque - from where Islamic State proclaimed the caliphate three years ago - is a huge symbolic victory. "The return of al-Nuri Mosque and al-Hadba minaret to the fold of the nation marks the end of the Daesh state of falsehood," Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement, referring to the ultra-hardline Sunni group by an Arabic acronym. "Their fictitious state has fallen," an Iraqi military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, told state TV. The fall of Mosul would in effect mark the end of the Iraqi half of the IS caliphate, although the hardline group still controls territory west and south of the city. Its stronghold in Syria, Raqqa, is also close to falling. A U.S.-backed Kurdish-led coalition besieging the city on Thursday fully encircled it after closing the militants' last way out from the south, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. Iraqi forces flash the sign for victory while holding an Islamic State (IS) group flag on February 23, 2017, as they enter Mosul airport on the southern edge of the jihadist stronghold for the first time since the Islamic State group overran the region in 2014. Ahmad Al-Rubaye | AFP | Getty Images Islamic State fighters blew up Mosul's medieval mosque and its famed leaning minaret a week ago as U.S.-backed Iraqi forces started a push in its direction. Their black flag had been flying from al-Hadba (The Hunchback) minaret since June 2014. Much of the mosque and brickwork minaret was reduced to rubble, said a Reuters TV reporter who went to the site with the elite units that captured it. Only the stump of the Hunchback remained, and a green dome of the mosque supported by a few pillars which resisted the blast, he said. The mosque grounds were off limits as the insurgents are suspected to have planted booby traps. Abadi "issued instructions to bring the battle to its conclusion," by capturing the remaining parts of the Old City, his office said. The cost of the fighting has been enormous. In addition to military casualties, thousands of civilians are estimated to have been killed. About 900,000 people, nearly half the pre-war population of the northern city, have fled, mostly taking refuge in camps or with relatives and friends, according to aid groups. Those trapped in the city suffered hunger and deprivation as well as death or injury, and many buildings have been ruined. Arduous task Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) troops captured the al-Nuri Mosque's ground in a "lightning operation" on Thursday, a commander of the U.S.-trained elite units told state TV. CTS units are now in control of the mosque area and the al-Hadba and Sirjkhana neighborhoods and they are still advancing, a military statement said. Other government units, from the army and police, were closing in from other directions. An elite Interior Ministry unit said it freed about 20 children believed to belong to Yazidi and other minorities persecuted by the jihadists in a quarter north of the Old City which houses Mosul's main hospitals. A U.S.-led international coalition is providing air and ground support to the Iraqi forces fighting through the Old City's maze of narrow alleyways. But the advance remains arduous as IS fighters are dug in the middle of civilians, using mortar fire, snipers, booby traps and suicide bombers to defend their last redoubt. The military estimated up to 350 militants were still in the Old City last week but many have been killed since. They are besieged in one sq km (0.4 square mile) making up less than 40 percent of the Old City and less than one percent of the total area of Mosul, the largest urban centre over which they held sway in both Iraq and Syria. watch now "If we want to make profits, we can make it now. But it is not our purpose for the moment. We want to expand the market," she said, according to a translator, at a panel at the World Economic Forum's June meeting in Dalian, China. Hu Weiwei, who is also president of Beijing Mobike Technology, the company behind the bike-sharing service, said the business was looking to move into new markets, both within and outside China. Chinese bike-sharing unicorn Mobike is currently more interested in expanding its market share than making a profit, the company's founder said on Thursday. The bike-sharing space in the Chinese mainland is heating up, with investor interest boosting the valuation of two of the fiercest competitors Mobike and Ofo, which are valued at or more than $1 billion each, and are backed by big-name investors. Reuters said Mobike recently raised $600 million in a financing round led by Tencent. The frenetic pace of activity in the bike-sharing market has drawn comparisons to China's feverish car-sharing market, where fierce competition forced companies to either band together to form a newer, stronger entity to survive, like Didi Chuxing, or exit the market as was the case with Uber. But Hu said that while comparisons to the ride-hailing market was natural, there was a key difference between the type of competition in each market. She explained: "There is a major difference between the two kinds of competition because the platform for the car hailing business is connecting people who are driving, and people who need the car services." For the likes of Mobike, Ofo and others, their services are connecting vehicles the bikes to users, she said, adding that meant the roadmap followed by each company could be different. The concept for bike-sharing in China is simple enough: People use an app to unlock a nearby bike and ride to their final destination for a small fee in order to beat the traffic on clogged roads in many Chinese cities. But the challenge is in making sure the bikes are well-maintained, and durable enough to be parked in open spaces and used as and when a user needs it. They also need to be safe-guarded against theft, Hu said. "This business tests the intensity of your assets and also your operational efficiency," she said. Both Mobike and Ofo have expanded their presence outside China. Ofo's CEO Dai Wei told CNBC in an April interview that the company is present in more than 50 Chinese cities as well as in London and Singapore, with plans to be in 20 countries by end of 2017. Hu said Mobike is currently available in 130 cities in the world, including locations in Japan and the UK she added the company was also looking into expanding operations in the U.S. by partnering with local companies. She added that Mobike's presence can provide several benefits to cities, including new job opportunities and manufacturing business, in terms of producing the bikes for sharing. CNBC's Sophia Yan contributed to this report. He scolded the younger members of his generation for their unrealistic, YOLO "expectations" and for spending too much on indulgent lifestyles early on in their careers. "When I was trying to buy my first home, I wasn't buying smashed avocado for $19 and four coffees at $4 each," he said. "We're at a point now where the expectations of younger people are very, very high. They want to eat out every day, they want travel to Europe every year." Millennials should be putting every spare penny into savings, not blowing it on lattes and brunch, Gurner said, implying that young people could not both own property and splurge on Starbucks. PWC signage on building in New York Scott Mlyn | CNBC Global audit giant PwC is being investigated by U.K. regulators over a scandal involving broadcaster BT's Italian division, which has been blighted by claims of "inappropriate management behavior" and "historic accounting errors." The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) announced on Thursday that it would be investigating the audits by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) of BT's financial statements from 2015 to 2017. It added that the investigation related to the scandal of the telecommunication giant's Italian division, called BT Italia. A PwC spokesman told CNBC in an email: "We will continue to co-operate fully with the FRC in its enquiries. The regulator has a duty to investigate where they believe there is a public interest, in order to give confidence to the financial markets." Jason Alden | Bloomberg | Getty Images "Audit quality is of paramount importance to the firm. The FRC's annual reviews of our audit work, policies and procedures show a continued trend of improvement in our work and we use the FRC's insights, together with our own reviews, to continuously improve how we deliver high quality audits," the spokesperson added. The spokesman said that the FRC investigation did not mean there was an assumption of blame. Some experts have compared the FRC's handling of the BT audit to investigations conducted by the U.K.'s Serious Fraud Office, a non-ministerial government department which investigates serious fraud cases in England and Wales. Ben Rose, regulatory law expert at Hickman & Rose, said: "Since gaining its new powers the FRC has been compared by some to the SFO (Serious Fraud Office). Its investigation of KPMG over Rolls Royce announced earlier in the year, and now PwC in connection with BT, demonstrate its willingness to tackle the big four accountancy firms." "This should act as a wakeup call to auditors and accountants alike," he added. "The FRC is stepping up as a major league investigator." watch now The aerospace engine maker, Rolls-Royce , said Thursday it has saved 7,000 jobs following a decision to upgrade testing facilities at its plant in Derby. The U.K. firm is to spend 150 million ($192.8 million) on new and existing facilities as it looks to double its engine production and delivery. "We are doubling the production of new engines at the same time as introducing three new engines to the market. "With this investment, we are creating the capacity and flexibility to deliver on our goals, while committing to sustain employment in the U.K. and I would like to thank the unions for their support in delivering this important package of investment," said Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce President of Civil Aerospace in a statement. Rolls-Royce said the investment in Derby would help to sustain more than 7,000 company jobs in the region. Unite Union negotiator Simon Hemmings described it as a good news story for both staff and Rolls-Royce. "The agreement we've reached shows how companies and trade unions can work together differently to deliver the investment and productivity improvements needed to secure the success of a business for the next generation," said Hemmings. Republicans and Democrats may soon be forced to get along on health care. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing to strike a deal by Friday as several moderate and conservative GOP senators oppose the Senate's current bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. While McConnell could still win over enough Republican members to pass his current plan, the prospect of the GOP having to work with Democrats to patch up Obamacare is increasing. Moderate GOP senators like Susan Collins of Maine, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Dean Heller of Nevada, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rob Portman of Ohio have various concerns with the current bill. They want to blunt the effects of a Medicaid expansion rollback, curb the estimated number of people the plan leaves uninsured and get more help with the opioid crisis. They have some common ground with Democrats, many of whom have said they are open to Obamacare tweaks that would aim to slow premium increases and stop the exodus of insurers from some states. "I'm one that wants to work with my friends," moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia told MSNBC on Thursday. "I've been reaching out, and Shelley and I have been speaking. Susan Collins and I have been speaking. Dean Heller and I have been speaking. We want to fix this thing. And [Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer wants to fix this thing." The Republican Party has promised for most of a decade to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature achievement, and replace it with a new system. United Democratic opposition to any form of repeal means the GOP would have to pass its current plan with only Republican support. Chinese employees working on micro and special motors for mobile phones at a factory in Huaibei, China, on March 7, 2017. As we race toward the fourth industrial revolution there will inevitably be tensions between public, private and individual interests. But these should be challenged, rather than shied away from, to minimize displacement, panelists at the World Economic Forum's "Summer Davos" agreed on Thursday. "The tension between the private sector and the public sector and civil society and each of us individually is a good tension to have," Lauren Woodman, chief executive of NetHope, a consortium of NGO's with a specific focus on technology, as panellists debated the responsibility of government and private business to manage technological advancements. Private business has faced criticism for the speed at which it has embraced automation, while public bodies are under growing pressure to manage this change in order to safeguard jobs. "It means that the benefits (of technology) do surface to the top," Woodman told a CNBC panel in Dalian, China. "Even the process of recognising that there is a gap, and that we have to struggle against that problem, means that we are at least beginning to bring those voices in." U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May is living on borrowed time, according to the former governor of Hong Kong. On Monday, Theresa May's Conservative Party signed a deal with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The deal promised the ruling minority Conservative government the support of the 10 DUP politicians in upcoming votes. In exchange, the Conservative's dropped several election pledges and promised 1 billion ($1.3 billion) of new funding for Northern Ireland, to be spent over the next two years. 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. Getty Images Chris Patten, former governor of Hong Kong and member of the U.K. House of Lords for the Conservative Party, criticised the deal with the DUP, calling it "very mistaken". "You give people a bung, which is what it is, in order to support you and sooner or later they come back for more bungs," he told CNBC's Street Signs. "The idea that this is the last time the DUP will ask for loot is crazy. Of course Northern Ireland wants more spending, and so does Scotland, Wales and large parts of England." He added that the deal would harm the Conservative's public image, and could endanger future cross-party talks. He also went on to discuss the future prospects for Theresa May. "I think she'll last as long as her colleagues think that it would be dangerous for her not to last. I think she's on borrowed time, but nobody knows how much has been borrowed." watch now The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued an order entering a location, date and time for a meeting that will allow for public comment on the Keystone XL Pipeline application, currently before the PSC. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the banquet hall of the Ralston Arena, located at 7300 Q St., Ralston, in Douglas County. Doors for the public meeting will open at 9 a.m. Public comment will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to persons who have not spoken at previously held public meetings. Persons speaking at the public meeting will have between three and five minutes to provide comment. In order to ensure sufficient time for the evidentiary proceedings, the public meeting in Ralston will take the place of the public comment portion of the public hearing planned for August 7-11 in Lincoln. Hearing officer, commissioner Tim Schram said, Dedicating an additional entire day for public comment will ensure an opportunity for the public to be heard. In turn, it will allow the commission to focus sufficient time and attention on the testimony and evidence to be presented during the formal proceeding in August. With the addition of the public meeting in Ralston, the commission will have held four public meetings, including meetings in York, ONeill, Norfolk and Ralston), resulting in 30 hours of public comment. Public input received during all four public meetings will be made a part of the public record. Citizens unable to attend a public meeting may submit comments in writing to the Nebraska Public Service Commission or utilize the Keystone XL Public comment form on the PSC website. Comments submitted to the PSC will be made a part of the public record. The Public Hearing on the Keystone XL Pipeline application will be held the week of August 7-11 at the Marriot Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln. For more information on the pipeline application, visit the KXL Pipeline information page of the PSC website. U.S. President Donald Trump makes his way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on June 9, 2017. A trip to Poland by U.S. President Donald Trump next week may feel like a diplomatic coup for the right-wing government, but western European nations are uneasy it will encourage Warsaw's defiance towards Brussels. Trump visits Poland for one day - en route to a G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany - to take part in a gathering of leaders from central Europe, Baltic states and the Balkans, an event convened by Poland to bolster regional trade and infrastructure. Brussels diplomats view the July 6 gathering, dubbed the Three Seas summit because the countries involved border the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas, as a Polish bid to carve out influence outside the European Union with which the nationalist government has repeatedly clashed. Trump plans to promote U.S. natural gas exports to the leaders from central and eastern Europe, a region heavily reliant on Russian supplies, his top economic adviser said. Poland received its first shipment of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) this month. Most diplomats in Brussels dismiss the importance of the Three Seas project, co-hosted by Croatia, but are wary over Trump's high-profile visit to participate in a project one senior EU official called Poland's push towards "self-ghettoisation". "One cannot but feel a bit suspicious if it isn't an attempt to break up European unity," another EU diplomat said about the Three Seas project. Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has played a major role in fuelling a deepening rift between ex-communist and Western members of the European Union, at a time when the bloc is struggling with the aftermath of Britain's decision to leave. Since winning a parliamentary election in 2015, the PiS has angered France over a canceled army procurement deal, brought relations with Germany to their worst in nearly a decade, and is facing EU action over what critics call its authoritarian tilt. Poland is one of the leading voices in the region against migration, a view it shares with Trump alongside a disregard for climate change and suspicion of international bodies. Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina said Thursday abandoning the $9.4 billion deal to acquire rival Rite Aid and instead buying half its stores will still allow the firm to achieve its expansion goals. The new deal will also put it in a strong position to compete if companies such as Amazon get into the pharmacy business, he said. "When we first began discussions with Rite Aid , it was with the vision of increasing our network and our population coverage," Pessina explained on the company's third-quarter earnings conference call with analysts. "The stores we are proposing to purchase are more than enough to create the potential opportunity for optimization of our expanded network and to create greater efficiency above and beyond the synergies the deal is expected to deliver," he said. Walgreens will now pay $5.1 billion in cash for 2,186 of Rite Aid's stores, about half the chain's national footprint. The purchase will give Walgreens a stronger presence in the Northeast, and the company expects to achieve $400 million in savings within three to four years of the deal closing, Pessina said. The acquisition also will add to earnings within the first year. The Federal Trade Commission was expected to announce its decision on the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger within the next week. But after more than a year and a half of FTC review, the companies concluded the deal would be rejected, despite its offer to divest some 1,200 stores to Fred's in order to ease the regulator's concerns. Some analysts questioned whether there would be antitrust issues with the new store purchase agreement, which will result in a high market concentration in some regions. Walgreens executives said they have tried "to address all of the substantive regulatory points raised" by the FTC during the regulatory review of the original deal. Walgreens reported profits of $1.33 per share, which was three cents better than the analysts estimated, on $30.1 billion in revenue, which also topped expectations. Results were driven by strong growth and increased market share in its pharmacy division. Nonetheless, Pessina said it remains a "challenging market for pharmacies," with increasing margin pressure on generic drugs. Although there have been reports that Amazon is exploring the mail-order drug business, the bar to entry is high given the regulatory issues, according to Pessina. "It's a business or industry where the consolidation has been really quite significant and so there is not a lot of new things they could do," Pessina said. "If you analyze this coldly, you would see this is not the best opportunity for Amazon and you would see the market has changed so many times in the past, and the big players in this market have survived." Having said that, he said he's ready to take on the online retail giant if it decides to enter his turf. "If we were wrong, and what I believe was wrong, I believe that at the end of the day we could find our role in the new environment," he said. Walgreens will pay Rite Aid a $325 million break-up fee for the termination of their merger. There is no break-up fee involved in the new deal to buy the 2,100 stores. The White House is not backing down after widespread condemnation of President Donald Trump's Thursday tweet about "Morning Joe" host Mika Brzezinski. Principal deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders repeatedly and vehemently defended the tweet Thursday, arguing it was justified because Trump felt "personally attacked" by the show. "I don't think you can expect someone to be personally attacked, day after day, minute by minute, and sit back. Look the American people elected a fighter. They didn't elect somebody to sit back and do nothing. They knew what they were getting when they voted for Donald Trump, and he won overwhelmingly," Sanders told reporters. In a pair of morning tweets, Trump said he heard "Morning Joe" hosts Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough who were known to have the president's ear in the past speak "badly of me." He then said that "low I.Q. Crazy Mika" and "Psycho Joe" came to his Mar-a-Lago resort around New Year's Eve and wanted to join him, but he "said no!" Previously, the big used to eat the small, but now, the fast eat the slow, and I'm seeing it everyday, said Catherine Wood from ARK Investment. Companies looking to grow should not shy away from adopting new, emerging technologies, even if they cannibalize their legacy operations, a panel of experts said Thursday. The rapid adoption of smartphones and improved Internet connectivity around the world has changed the way users today interact with technology and has sometimes spurred the decline or demise of traditional businesses. "There's a clear accelerated adaption of digital lifestyle by consumers," said B.G. Srinivas, group managing director at Hong Kong-based telecommunication services provider PCCW. "On the other hand, in the enterprise sector, we're seeing enterprises going through massive amounts of digital transformation." Srinivas was speaking on a panel with other business leaders and investors at the World Economic Forum's June meeting in Dalian, China. Everett Rosenfeld | CNBC Over the past few years, companies have been forced to reconsider their existing business models in sectors as diverse as media, banks and transport services. For example, the emergence of Netflix and a host of other online and mobile streaming services have forced legacy media businesses to reconsider how they approach their customers. "We've seen over the years, over the many years of media, this trade off or this contest between content and distribution, back and forth it's the history of media," said Catherine Wood, chief executive officer of ARK Investment Management. "Any platform that understands its customer and tailors media for each customer, understands not only what each person likes, but can formulate new programs, new media, because of what it sees in demand from existing customers is going to continue to pull ahead," she said. Video-rental chain Blockbuster's demise in the wake of the introduction of streaming services can show what happens when companies don't embrace new technologies, even when they cannibalize existing businesses. Players such as Netflix have extended their reach by offering high-quality video-streaming options on mobile devices, even in regions where internet connectivity is spotty at best. A recent report from GSMA, the trade body representing interests of mobile operators worldwide, said in 2016, mobile technologies and services generated 5.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in Asia Pacific. This amounted to about $1.3 trillion of economic value. GSMA predicted that by 2020, this would increase to $1.6 trillion, or 5.4 percent of GDP in the region. "Mobile is where everything is going. We're going to carry our content with us, when we want it and anytime we want it," said Wood. Financial technology, or fintech, is another sector demonstrating why established businesses need to adopt new technologies to keep up with disruptors. For years, banks have enjoyed a monopoly over how people conducted financial transactions. But disruptors are providing new ways of sending and receiving payments through the internet. Today, companies such as TransferWise let users swap money in various currencies with each other on its platform, start-ups such as Toast allow remittances to be sent over the Internet and collected in person, and the likes of Alipay and WeChat Pay have changed the way users pay for goods and services. Attendees compete with an intelligent robot in the game 'shuffle board' during the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2017 on June 28, 2017 in Dalian, Liaoning Province of China. Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian runs through to June 29. VCG | Getty Images DALIAN, China Despite many risks and challenges facing the world's second-largest economy, views on China were largely optimistic at the World Economic Forum meeting here in Dalian. The positivity may have seemed incongruous with the perennial spate of doomsaying headlines, but the line held strong throughout "Summer Davos." During the three-day gathering named after the forum's annual marquee event in Switzerland business leaders, policy makers and experts focused on imagining the future, and how the world ought to position itself to take tomorrow by storm. While some of the forum's discussions looked beyond the horizon from smarter-than-human artificial intelligence to solving political strife much of the discussion focused on the here and now of China, which has hosted the annual meeting for about a decade. The tone was set with Premier Li Keqiang's opening speech on Tuesday, which offered a rare glimpse into what authorities are thinking in the world's second-largest economy. During his address, Li touted the idea of a Chinese economy driven by innovation. It's an image that China has been eager to push, marking a clear shift from the old stereotype of a "copycat China," especially as entrepreneurship has boomed. The premier also made it clear that Beijing was aware of risks facing growth, and assured the audience that authorities were equipped to handle them. China's growth momentum remains strong, according to Helen Zhu, managing director and head of China equities at BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. And a wider crackdown that has hit the financial sector isn't unusual in a developing market while holes would take a while to fix, it's a good sign the government is working on it now, she said. "Any problem that's taken seven, nine years to build up will not be resolved overnight, so that path towards the resolution will not be a straight line either," Zhu said. Former Chinese central bank advisor Li Daokui even predicted the country's economic growth will accelerate once the country gets new leaders who aren't scared. Many officials have been swept up in a major anti-corruption campaign waged by President Xi Jinping, so without the worry of being taken out in a crackdown, the thinking is that heavily-vetted new authorities may become bolder in pushing forth much-needed reforms. The Fourth of July is mere days away, but before you start chilling the beers or grilling the burgers, its probably a good idea to consider some Independence Day safety tips. Daily Sun staff spoke with local officials from the Beatrice Police Department and Beatrice Fire and Rescue to find out the best ways to stay safe this weekend. First and foremost, make sure the fireworks youre buying are legal in Nebraska, BPD chief of police Bruce Lang said. The best way to do that is to buy them from a vendor in Nebraska, whose wares are inspected by the state fire marshal. Making your own fireworks is not only dangerous, he said, it might be a felony. Things like homemade sparkler bombs are highly illegal and are about the only items theyve had to confiscate. Secondly, dont shoot off fireworks after 10 p.m. Its rude to the neighbors, Lang said, and its illegal. The Fourth of July weekend is always the busiest time for calls, he said. For noise complaints, he asked that residents do not call 911, but instead call the non-emergency number for the police at 402-223-4080 instead. If minors will be setting off fireworks, make sure theyre supervised by a responsible adult, Lang said. For those who are looking for a safe place to set off fireworks, the park might be the best bet. There are no restrictions at the parks in Beatrice and fireworks can be lit there. If youre planning on driving over the holiday, Lang said, do not drink. The Fourth of July holiday does tend to create that kind of environment where you have a lot of parties going on and people driving when they shouldn't, he said. Those people tend to get arrested and then go to jail. If you want to avoid that, don't drink too much and drive. Deputy fire chief Jake Carrel of Beatrice Fire and Rescue said that while they dont get as many calls over the holiday weekend, they do get quite a few calls related to improper disposal of fireworks. The number one fire-related incidents we have in the city are due to not disposing of fireworks properly, Carrel said. What we recommend is placing spent fireworks into bucket of water overnight. Carrell said they also have responded to fireworks injuries in the past, though the worst of them were due to illegal fireworks, reiterating the importance of buying fireworks from legitimate vendors. Keeping an eye on the kids and disposing of fireworks properly are the best ways to avoid fire or injury, he said. The department receives several calls every year about trash cans on fire after not properly soaking spent fireworks. We certainly encourage people to have a good time and be safe, Lang said. If you use common sense and buy legal fireworks, you probably won't have any trouble. It started with a pet badger that veterinarian Katherine Parks castrated in 2002. She had just opened her own clinic in Harlowton and the badger, whose name is Gilbert, needed a fix to tone down his aggression. It would be Parks first surgery in her clinic and it would seal the deal for her, she was staying. Now Parks is a community booster, one of the driving forces behind Wheatland Countys centennial celebration over the Fourth of July. The town will be bustling with returning graduates of Harlowton High School. So far, Parks said 150 alumni and their families have registered for the all-school reunion. For visitors it's a chance to experience a small-town Fourth of July where hayrides are part of the Fireman Pancake Breakfast served up from 7 to 11 a.m. in Shawmut on July 1. Shawmut, Judith Gap, Harlowton and Two Dot are all hosting events during the July 4 week. There are two street dances, starting with the July 1 dance in tiny Two Dot at 6 p.m. A parade will be held on Tuesday, July 4 at 1 p.m. in Harlowton, and the Harlowton 65th annual Rodeo takes place July 2 and 3, with a trick rider show featuring the Canadian Cowgirls at 5 p.m. on Monday at the Harlowton rodeo grounds. What may be the most fun, though, is wandering the streets of what the locals call "Harlo" on a self-guided tour, finding out about the history of the Wheatland County Courthouse on July 3 during self-guided tours, or visiting the Upper Musselshell Museum during its open house July 2-4, and meeting curator Patty Molinaro. You might even run into Gilbert the badger on his leash. While Parks stayed, marrying Rick Hinand, whose parents started Rays Sport and Western Wear, others left. The town used to have 3,000 people, but now there arent even that many people in Wheatland County, Parks said. Two Dot Wilson The loss of the railroad in 1980 was tough for the county, said Bill Jones, whose great-grandfather E.C. Baxter bought the family ranch from Two Dot Wilson, who was the inspiration for the name of tiny Two Dot. When Jones graduated from Harlowton High School in 1969, his graduating class had 59 students. Now there are only 60 students in the whole high school. Ranches are more mechanized now so it takes less people, We used to have a crew of 10 in the summer, and now there are three or four, Jones said. Jones presented the history of Wheatland County during the County Creation Dinner in early June at the historic Graves Hotel, where the original dinner was held in 1917. It even featured the same menu. Wheatland was originally part of Meagher County, but folks in Harlowton couldnt even travel the 65 miles to the county seat in White Sulphur Springs in one day. When a school election failed in 1902, with the eastern half of the county voting against paying for a school in White Sulphur Springs, the tide began to shift in favor of a separate county. Jones said there was a battle for who would get the county seat. Two Dot wanted to be the county seat and when it looked like they weren't going to get it, the town fought to stay in Meagher County. Meanwhile, so many Montana counties were splitting, the legislature enacted laws to prevent county splitting. "It was all about jobs, a sheriff and a deputy and a road crew," Jones said. 'Ungodly optimism' Finally, Wheatland County was formed on April 1, 1917, a lucky break because the drought hit hard in 1919 and 200 to 400 banks closed in Montana. "When you look at these counties that formed, the optimism was just ungodly. The editor of the local paper said, 'In four years, there is no reason this county can't grow to 40,000,'" Jones said. "In 1917, the newspaper urged people to build houses, build a second one because there was no place to live." In fact, the Wheatland County Courthouse went into an old schoolhouse that had been condemned in 1910. Like the town's spirit, the courthouse is still intact 100 years later. Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare are joining forces with a Kentucky-based health care provider to open a 34-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Billings to care for patients with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and strokes. The site for the Rehabilitation Hospital of Montana, which will offer all private rooms, was not announced during a Wednesday press conference. The new hospital is expected to open early in 2019, subject to regulatory approval. Jason Zachariah, president of Kindred Rehabilitation Services, a division of Louisville-based Kindred Healthcare, said the hospital will bring about 100 new jobs, including caregivers and staff. St. Vincent Healthcares current inpatient rehabilitation unit, New Hope, has about 20 employees. Kindred Rehabilitation Services will manage the new hospital, but the tri-venture is owned equally by Kindred, St. Vincent Healthcare and Billings Clinic. This collaboration will provide our community and the region greater access to new, high-quality rehabilitation services close to home, said Dr. Randall Gibb, interim CEO at Billings Clinic. We are bringing together the resources and knowledge of two of the strongest health care organizations in the region with Kindreds nationally recognized expertise in post-acute care to build and operate this facility, the first of its kind in Montana. All three organizations, said Steve Loveless, St. Vincent Healthcare president, have worked together to ensure patients will receive high-quality services and team-based care so they are able to return to the life they want to live. All three men said the new venture fits with what Congress is trying to accomplish with health care reform. Kindred Rehabilitation Services has similar tri-ventures in Dallas and Madison, Wisconsin. If we knew what was coming, it would be easy to predict, Loveless said. Generally we know that change is in the air, and we need to change as an industry. The opportunity is to invest resources and not duplicate them in each of our organizations. This (new) entity aligns with the direction we are heading, because it will keep people closer to home, and thats a priority. These partnerships are going to be crucial, and pooling our resources is going to become even more critical, Gibb said. As we look at delivering affordable care, partnerships will allow us to do that." Zachariah called maximizing patient outcomes and providing care close to home front and center to all of us. I commend St. Vincent Healthcare and Billings Clinic for being forward-thinking. Many hospitals care only for what goes on within their four walls." Kindred Healthcare is a top-90 private employer in the United States. It employs 100,100 people and has about $7.2 billion in annual revenues. The company provides services in more than 2,600 locations in 46 states, including 19 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Zachariah said the Rehabilitation Hospital of Montana will have a lockdown brain injury unit and dedicated stroke wing, a state-of-the-art gymnasium and the technology to help patients recover quicker. The care provided by staff and rehabilitation physicians will center on the patient and provide them the best care during a complex process. Dr. Patti LaHaie, rehabilitation medical director at St. Vincent Healthcare, noted that New Hope has served the region and patients from both the Dakotas and Wyoming for almost 40 years. It is a team approach for care, and I have worked with the best team imaginable, she said. We see miracles, and that is why I come to work every day, to see people adapting against incredible odds. She said during the run-up to Wednesdays announcement, Ive been working with Kindred for several months, and Ive been impressed with their expertise and resources." Dr. Lynn Shenk, Billings Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation department chair, called the venture a community need. To be able to join together and give more patient access for nursing and therapy services is an exciting step forward for our department, she said. She called improving patients quality of life the reward for being a physician and working in rehabilitation. As the regions population ages a development sometimes referred to as the silver tsunami more and more people with neurological diseases including Parkinsons Disease and multiple sclerosis will require rehabilitation. To bridge those needs around neurological rehabilitation thats where it all comes together, Zachariah said. Garvan Walshe is a former National and International Security Policy Adviser to the Conservative Party. He runs Brexit Analytics. NatCen, the ivory tower in which the wild-haired psephologist John Curtice is deposited between elections, released a startling fact a few months before Junes poll: if people had voted in the EU referendum with the same type of turnout as in the 2015 election, only 49 per cent would have voted leave. We know that the turnout in 2017 featured significantly higher numbers of remain voters than leave ones. Were 2017 general election voting patterns to be repeated in a referendum, a Remain victory at least as clear as Leaves in 2016 could well happen. If this possibility has been embraced by die-hard pro-Europeans, who now argue that Brexit could be stopped, it is feared by Leave campaigners. I imagine they feel like Lions whove pulled off a sensational victory against the All Blacks, only to have Ritchie McCaw tell them: we won in 74, you in 16. Best of three? A third referendum would, however, be a mistake. The Prime Ministers error was to interpret a 5248 referendum result as a specific instruction from the public to sever most economic ties with the EU in order to reduce immigration. If pro-Europeans think there is now public desire to overturn the result, they are making the same one in reverse. The pair of votes tells us something quite different that while theres no consensus to remain in the EU, theres also no consensus in favour of the aggressively anti-European Brexit that characterised our campaign. The more swivel-eyed sort of Leave voter will now point out that 80 per cent of voters picked parties whose manifestos called for leaving the Single Market. The retort to this is that in 2015, almost 90 per cent of voters picked parties committed to remaining in it. Neither argument cuts much ice. The political reality is that it is not the letter of manifestos that matter, so much as the overall tone of the political campaigns of which they are a part. The Prime Minister called the election to obtain a nationalist mandate, and the people rejected her offer. Compromise is now necessary. It is also eminently possible. The binary nature of referendums, and the Cartesian logic of partisans on either side who frame the choice as In or Out, obscure the truth that European integration is composed of several independent elements and Britain has never been inside all of them. Leaves victory indicates that the public are unhappy with the current arrangements, but doesnt entail that, to coin a phrase, no arrangements are better than bad arrangements. European integration is in reality made up of six strands: A common legal area (essentially the Single Market but including environmental legislation and so on), that aims to make the legal framework apply equally to all EU citizens and companies, regardless of the country in which they are based. National differences in policy are allowed, but the rules that apply to you should be the same. An Irish owned company and a Danish owned one should, for instance, be treated the same in Denmark. The same is supposed to be true of people. British proposals to allow the free movement of goods, services and capital, but not of (self-supporting) people were rejected because they break this non-discrimination principle. Common macro economic management (the Eurozone, banking union, and so on). This isnt complete, not least because Germany is wary of French overspending, but after Macrons election progress is likely to be made on this front. Britain of course isnt in it. Common frontiers (Schengen). Britain is outside this of course, partly because the public debate here conflates the administration of border controls with the legal right to settle and work. Common agriculture and fisheries policies. Britain was only very reluctantly in these. Norway and Switzerland are outside them. Common foreign and security policy. Here Britain was keen to be involved but prevented it developing in a direction it didnt want. Customs Union (common goods trade policy). Turkey of course is in this, but not the EU. While Norway is closer to being in the EU but isnt in the customs Union. Core European countries are (or are signed up to be) members of all strands, but variations are possible. The UK was never in 2) or 3). Norway, in contrast, is in 2) and 3) but not 4) or 6). Switzerlands position is quite like Norways, but it administers its arrangements in a hideously complicated manner. It has been disappointing that the referendum campaign and the year of debate since has been rather limited to arguing that since we could not deconstruct the Single Market and limit immigration we should then abandon the rest, even threatening major destruction of our own economy (by walking out without any kind of deal), to do so. If the electorate administered a useful lesson two weeks ago, it is surely that winner-takes-all politics hasnt produced decisive leadership, just presented ephemeral changes in the propensity of certain social groups to turn out as though they were deep changes in public opinion. In a country as divided as this one, far greater efforts to obtain a compromise are needed. Both proceeding with a hard Brexit, or attempting to stop Brexit altogether, would entrench rather than resolve the phenomena that split the country so equally into two. Either outcome could at a given instant, be endorsed by a narrow majority of the public. But neither can command a lasting national consensus in its support. The difficulty now is that the clock is ticking. We dont know yet what outcome can command a broad consensus among the British public, let alone be accepted by the EU27, and its unlikely one can be constructed before the Article 50 deadline elapses. Attempting a final status deal by April 2019 would be folly. Instead, we should accept the need for a time-limited transition, the outcome of which should be left open, except to exclude EU membership and leaving with no deal at all. If the country is to be reunited, everything else, from Norway-style membership of the EEA, to a hard brexit where we trade with the EU under WTO terms must be left be open to consideration. The annual Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival is in the books with a northcentral Montana and North Dakota angler making up the winning team that took home $10,000. It was the third year fishing Canyon Ferry for Lewistown native and current Bismarck, North Dakota, resident Colby Tognetti and Kyle Vine of Vida, Montana. The duo, who have tournament fished together for about five years, was coming off an eighth place finish last year when they ventured out with more than 140 other teams Saturday. Its just one of those lakes where its a grind all the time, Vine said. Therere days you want to quit but you keep your nose to the grindstone for five or six bites, and what were hoping for are quality fish. Tognetti said he mostly fished with jigs while Vine threw the whole tackle box at them. Its a tough fishery and we didnt see one thing really working better than the other, he said. When you get those four or five bites you just cant miss them and you cant lose them. It was the teams first tournament win and one they say theyll remember. Although they have no immediate plans for the money, it will likely get reinvested in fishing gear and boat costs. Its a pretty good feeling to have all those fishermen come up and shake our hands because were still kind of rookies out there, Tognetti said. There are a lot of guys that we really respect thatve been fishing that lake a lot longer than we have. Tournament director Matt Zeadow said organizers had a great tournament and anglers reported a solid bite. He may look at moving the tournament date back a couple of weeks next year to hit warmer water and a traditionally more consistent bite, he said. The Tognetti and Vine team finished with 37.5 pounds of walleye for the top prize of $10,000. Second place and $4,500 pounds went to Patrick Evanson of Livingston and Justin Krieger of Williston, North Dakota, with 34.34 pounds. Third place and $2,500 went to Billings anglers Wayne and Owen Wilcox with 28.83 pounds. The team also caught the big walleye for the tournament at 33 inches. Helena angler Trevor Johnson and Gary Cayko of Bismarck finished with 24.79 pounds, good enough for fourth place and $1,500. Rounding out the top five were Helena anglers Jake Monroe and Jeff Ingram catching 24.38 pounds of walleye and earning $1,200. All walleye are released after weight and measurement. The Rimrocks will be open to the public on the Fourth of July for the first time in more than 20 years, Billings' Fire Chief Paul Dextras said. Dextras said the usual barricades are inefficient and that it's unfair to restrict access to the general public on account of illegal behavior of a small group. "You put up barricades, but there's an element of the community that pretty much thumbs their nose at what the city ordinance is. They drive around the barricades," he said. "The theory is people can go up there, they can enjoy the Rims. If they're up there to shoot off illegal fireworks, essentially, hopefully the police write them violations, confiscate some fireworks." It is under Dextras' authority to open or close the Rims on the Fourth of July. Typically, the Rims are closed from July 3 to the morning of July 5. Billings' firefighters union doesn't support opening the Rims. "The Rims present a unique hazard with rough terrain and limited access that hinder firefighting efforts," the union wrote in an emailed statement. "We feel it puts homeowners, the public, and our members at undue risk during an already busy holiday." Fire Marshal Mike Spini said enforcement of restrictions to the Rims on the Fourth of July has been difficult. "We literally go down there and kick people out as we're closing them, and by the time we get to (North 27th Street), you can turn around and drive right back two miles down the road and there's a half a dozen cars that have pulled in there," Spini said. Yellowstone County is under an open burning ban and Stage 1 fire restriction until June 30 due to high fire danger. "I know the guys on the job are worried," said Kevin Bentz, president of the local chapter of the firefighters union. "They're a little apprehensive. They're hoping it doesn't turn into a problem." Dextras said he and Assistant Fire Chief William Rash will monitor the Rims on the Fourth of July. "If it doesn't work, then we'll say that doesn't work, and we'll certainly look at setting up barricades and patrolling more," Dextras said. "'This is what we've always done' may not be the best solution for the majority of the community." Additional police officers will be in the area, and Dextras said he has discussed the change with his firefighters and airport firefighting personnel. One to two police cars will patrol the Rims full time on the holiday, Billings Police Department Chief Rich St. John said. Typically, police patrol the Rims and answer service calls in the area. Officers won't be able to cite people on the Rims for trespassing in areas that were closed off in years past. Instead, police will focus on enforcing the fireworks ban and open container laws, St. John said. It is illegal to light fireworks in city limits, and violating that can result in a $250 fine. "Enforcement is zero tolerance," St. John said. "We don't give warnings. We don't ignore it if we see something." Dextras is retiring, and his last day is July 5. Rash will take over as the interim Fire Chief. Cloud News Nutanix, Google Partner To Bring Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Across On-Prem, Cloud Environments Joseph F. Kovar Share this A new strategic relationship between Nutanix and Google is aimed at making it easier for Nutanix-based hyper-converged infrastructure workloads to easily migrate to the Google cloud. The relationship, unveiled at Nutanix's .NEXT conference, being held this week in Washington, D.C., builds a bridge between on-premise and cloud deployments, said Venugopal Pai, vice president of business development and alliances at San Jose, Calif.-based Nutanix. It is part of a wider Nutanix effort to bring its hyper-converged infrastructure technology to hybrid clouds. [Related: Nutanix Introduces Multi-Cloud Capabilities, Extends Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Across The Data Center To Cloud] Nutanix Wednesday also unveiled Xi Cloud Services, which extends data center services to the cloud, either an upcoming Nutanix cloud or the Google Cloud Platform, via the company's Prism centralized data center infrastructure management software. The first service will be Xi Cloud Disaster Recovery. Nutanix also unveiled the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud OS software, an application that extends the Nutanix hyper-converged infrastructure environment to the cloud. In addition, the company introduced Nutanix Calm, a single software fabric that lets customers define and publish applications in the form of blueprints that can then be provisioned across different cloud environments. Nutanix and Google are partnering in two ways to bridge the two worlds, Pai told CRN. The first is Nutanix support for Kubernetes, the container technology pioneered by Google before being released to open source, Pai said. Nutanix customers can now run applications built in Kubernetes containers on-premise and in the Google Cloud Platform. "So now we can bridge customers looking for Kubernetes in the cloud or on-prem," he said. "We allow the seamless transportation of containers to the Google Cloud Platform with a single click." The other part of the Nutanix and Google relationship is the ability to run native Nutanix services and Kubernetes container applications both on-premise and in the Google Cloud Platform via the new Nutanix Xi Cloud Services, Pai said. The first Nutanix Xi Cloud Service is disaster recovery. "With our new relationship, customers can easily move virtual machines for disaster recovery purposes to Google via Xi Cloud Services," he said. The Nutanix and Google partnership is important as clients increasingly move part, but not all, of their IT to the cloud, said Jeff Guenthner, director of solutions architecture at CMI, a Mill Valley, Calif.-based solution provider and Nutanix channel partner. "Every client we talk to has a cloud-first strategy, yet has legacy ties and is on a journey to being a hybrid enterprise," Guenthner told CRN via e-mail. "We understand the driving forces pushing this client paradigm. It was a main tenet in our decision to make them our [hyper-converged infrastructure] go-to market partner. Regardless of the current point [for] our clients on the hybrid enterprise journey, Nutanix is complementary." Cloud News Microsoft To Acquire Cloud Cost Optimization Vendor Cloudyn Rick Whiting Share this Microsoft plans to acquire Cloudyn, a developer of software used by business and managed service providers to manage their spending on cloud services, Microsoft said Thursday. The acquisition, which had been rumored earlier this year, is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close later this year. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Microsoft said the acquisition fits with its commitment to provide customers with the tools they need to govern their cloud adoption and realize the strategic benefits of a global, intelligent cloud system. [Related: Report: Microsoft In Talks To Acquire Cloud Cost Optimization Vendor Cloudyn] "As customers grow their cloud usage across many projects, it can be challenging to gain visibility and understand costs for existing projects, to optimize those investments and to project future usage," said Jeremy Winter, Microsoft director of program management, Azure security and operations management, in a blog post announcing the acquisition deal. "It is critical that customers have access to enterprise-grade management capabilities for detailed visibility into their Azure consumption, cost and performance in order to stay within budget and ensure business success," Winter said. Cloudyn, founded in 2011 and based in Tel Aviv, Israel, develops tools that businesses and organizations use to identify, measure and analyze cloud service consumption, enable accountability and forecast future cloud spending. That allows users to optimize their cloud services usage and costs through automated monitoring, analytics and cost allocation. Cloudyn supports Microsoft's Azure cloud service, as well as cloud services from rivals Amazon Web Services and the Google Cloud Platform and OpenStack-based infrastructure. Cloudyn's ability to support multiple cloud systems is seen as fitting in with the trend of businesses using multi-cloud systems. In a blog post, Sharon Wagner, Cloudyn founder and CEO, said Cloudyn's software would be "incorporated into Microsoft's product portfolio, offering customers the industry's broadest set of multi-cloud management, security and governance solutions." In April Calcalist, an Israeli business web site, said Microsoft and Cloudyn were discussing an acquisition for between $50 million and $70 million. Microsoft's acquisition of Cloudyn comes just three weeks after Microsoft confirmed a deal to acquire Boston-based Hexadite, a cybersecurity startup that develops a security orchestration and automation platform. In April Microsoft struck a deal to buy Deis, a developer of tools that make it easier to build applications using the Kubernetes container orchestration technology. Managed services News Staples Acquisition Continues The Retailer's Ongoing Business Transformation Rick Saia Share this Office supply retailer Staples, which has pushed into business services over the last year, can now do so without the glaring spotlight that is usually aimed at publicly-held companies. Staples is being sold to a private equity firm that focuses on reviving retail brands The $6.9 billion deal or about $10.25 per share - is expected to close later this year, subject to approval by Staples stockholders and regulatory agencies, according to a statement from Staples. Framingham, Mass.-based Staples provides such technology services as managed print, data center management and migration, and mobile device management and deployment as a way to offset its core retail office supply business. Those services were supplemented eight months ago, when Staples announced a partnership with a web-based technology platform provider, Managed by Q, to connect businesses with an array of services that can help them run their offices, including technology support and security. [Related: Private Equity Strikes Again: Apollo Global Management To Buy West Corp For Enterprise Value of $5.1B] Staples did not reply to a request for comment. Service providers contacted by CRN agree that it's challenging for a company to push into the competitive business services market, even if it has a well-known retail brand. "It's extremely challenging to build a market presence because much of the market presence is based on your past performance and referral business," said Brian Hanify, director of sales and marketing at Akuity Technologies, an MSP based in Auburn, Mass. It's also expensive on the marketing side to "get your name well known" and tell potential clients you're out there. "I know people have always thought Staples was a competitor to companies like ourselves," added Guy Baroan, founder of Baroan Technologies, of Elmwood Park, N.J. However, he added, "I dont think that Staples has been any kind of competition" for his firm. Nonetheless, Hanify believes there is room for Staples in the managed services market. Hanify said the Staples model can work in the "small office, home office" or SOHO market, which includes companies with about one to five employees that don't need as much attention as a large enterprise. In fact, Hanify said, Akuity will refer a business to Staples if its request is straightforward and would cost it less. "We try to be honest with folks and get them the best value possible," he told CRN. In its most recent quarterly report, Staples said its midmarket sales for its Business Advantage program, which provides the company's mobility-related services throughout North America, grew 10 percent year-over-year, and predicted more growth ahead, the company said. The company's strategy includes reducing its retail footprint as it sells more products and services online. Staples officials said the company was planning to close 70 stores this year while evaluating its entire store portfolio "on an ongoing basis as performance and market conditions change." The acquisition by Sycamore comes a little over a year since a federal judge blocked a proposed $6.3 billion merger between Staples and chief rival Office Depot. The judge had upheld a ruling by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that the deal raised antitrust concerns. As the office supply retail market was losing ground to online alternatives, Office Depot had purchased rival Office Max in 2013, Staples and Office Depot were left as the two giants in the space. But in 2015, Staples and Office Depot agreed to their ill-fated merger. The Sycamore Partners team shares Staples entrepreneurial spirit and long-term vision, Staples CEO Shira Goodman said in a prepared statement. This transaction will enable us to drive greater value for our customers and immense opportunity for our business. In the same statement, Stefan Kaluzny, managing director at New York-based Sycamore Partners, said his company plans to "accelerate long-term profitability" for 31-year-old Staples. Sycamore's portfolio includes such notable retail brands Coldwater Creek, Nine West, Dollar Express, and the Belk department store chain, based in the Southeastern U.S. Earlier this year, it acquired The Limited brand and other related intellectual property assets at auction after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Staples' financial performance has been sinking steadily over the last four years. Its revenue, $24.4 billion for its 2013 fiscal year, fell to $21.1 billion in fiscal 2016 and was on pace to fall to $18.25 billion this fiscal year, according to data on Marketwatch.com. And after three straight years of profitability, the company was looking at a net loss of $459 million, according to Marketwatch. Wall Street reacted positively to the announcement of the proposed acquisition. Staples' stock had risen close to 10 percent in trading today on the Nasdaq exchange after closing Wednesday at $9.22 per share. It closed Thursday at $10.08. "We've never felt competition from Staples," added Thomas Flesch, CEO of Gordon Flesch Co., a provider of managed services including print based in Madison, Wis. He cited businesses' need to have a service provider that can provide much more than basic services, such as managing meters and finding ways to reduce costs and streamline printer assets. "It's not a simple business to get into; it's more complicated," Flesch said. By itself, social media might not constitute a cyberthreat but once again, employees who ignore best practices around security are making it easy for scammers. Its even been described as the perfect hunting ground for illegal activity. Social media has also turned into a dandy reconnaissance tool that cybercriminals use to socially engineer their victims. When someone neglects their privacy settings or publicly posts personal notes and photos, they can leave cybercriminals free to use their information to launch targeted phishing emails containing malware links. In the past, cybercriminals have used phony Facebook updates posted by third parties, which contained malware offering free merchandise to anyone participating in and then forwarding a survey. Attackers have also used Facebook Chat to spread malware, promote phishing applications, and steal information by using social engineering techniques. Twitter has been subject to scams featuring links to free vouchers, while LinkedIn has suffered redirects to a webpage that installs a variant of the ZBot malware (known as Zeus). No surprise, then, to learn that more than one in eight enterprises have suffered security breaches related to a social media-related cyberattack. Social also ranks as the number one channel of perceived compliance risk. What can your organization do to protect itself? First, recognize that theres no turning back the clock. We live in an era where the sharing of information is the new normal. About 91 percent of Generation Y students and employees say that the age of privacy is over, and a full third say they are unconcerned at the possibility that an interloper might capture their data. If you cant beat ` em ... While social media sites exist outside the organizations network perimeter, treating social like any other external security challenge misses the point. In this instance, the reality is that no single piece of hardware or software is going to do the trick. When it comes to social, big investments in tools or countermeasures are a waste of money if organizations fail to take steps to get employees to modify their online behavior. And forget about enforcing company-wide bans on social media. Like it or not, employees are going to continue to connect to the Facebooks, LinkedIns and Twitters of the social media world as long as they have a breath left. Organizations should instead try to foster a security-aware culture, one in which employees understand the potential risks involved using social media. There are basic steps they can suggest employees take, such as limiting what outsiders are able to find out about them. They might also try to make it a point of practice to refuse friend requests from people they dont know and, above all, resist the urge to click on suspicious links. The bottom line is that anything that anyone posts on social these days is fair game for the bad guys. If only that message gets through to enough employees, the companys security leadership can walk away claiming a well-earned victory in a battle thats fated to last a long time. Charles Cooper has covered technology and business for the past three decades. All opinions expressed are his own. AT&T has sponsored this blog post. Last April, the European Parliament adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It carries provisions that require businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens for transactions that occur within EU member states. The GDPR also regulates the exportation of personal data outside the EU. Companies that do business in EU countries or process the personal data of EU citizens must be in compliance by May 25, 2018. (For more detail on what the GDPR means to U.S. businesses, see General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements, deadlines and facts.) The provisions are consistent across all 28 EU member states, which means that companies have just one standard to meet within the EU. However, that standard is quite high and will require most companies to make a large investment to meet and to administer. The GDPR contains 99 articles that define its requirements and rights granted to EU citizens, GDPR operations and structure, and penalties. The articles that will have the most significant impact on business are: Article 5, processing and storing personal data: All personal data must be processed lawfully and transparently, and only for the purpose specified to the individual. That data may be stored in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed. All personal data must be processed securely to protect against unlawful access, loss or damage using appropriate technical or organizational measures. Those measures are not defined, but presumably if the data is lost or stolen, a company could be considered not in compliance. [Related: -->U.S. companies spending millions to satisfy Europe's GDPR] Articles 6, 7 and 8, consent: All processing of personal data must be done lawfully, by which is meant that each individual must give consent to use their personal data. The data collected must also be necessary to complete a task or transaction initiated by the individual, with the exception of public authorities. Article 15, right to access: EU citizens have the right to know upon request what personal data a company is using and how it is being used. Article 17, right to be forgotten and to data erasure: EU citizens can expect companies to stop processing and to delete their personal data upon request. Article 20, right to data portability: EU citizens may transfer their personal data from company to company upon request. Articles 25 and 32, data protection: Companies must be able to provide a reasonable level of data protection and privacy to EU citizens. Its not clear what the GDPR governing body will consider reasonable. Articles 33 and 34, reporting data breaches: Companies must report data breaches to supervisory authorities and individuals affected by a breach within 72 hours of when the breach was detected. Article 35, impact assessments: Companies must conduct data protection impact assessments to identify risks to EU citizens. Those assessments also must describe how the company is addressing those risks. [Related: -->Why you need a data protection officer] Articles 37, 38 and 39, data protection officers: Some companies must appoint a data protection officer (DPO) to oversee data security strategy and GDPR compliance. Companies required to have a DPO process or store large amounts of EU citizen data, process or store special personal data, regularly monitor data subjects, or are a public authority. The International Association for Privacy Professionals (IAPP) estimates that 28,000 DPO roles will need to be filled. Article 50, international companies: International companies that collect or process EU citizen data must comply with the GDPR. Article 83, penalties: Companies may be fined up to 20 million or 4 percent of global annual turnover, whichever is higher. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Update: According to the state's attorney, the case against Noel Kayo was dismissed. BRIDGEPORT Busted this week for allegedly patronizing a prostitute, Noel Kayo uses the title doctor, but is not licensed to practice in Connecticut. The health care nonprofit he runs is not properly registered with the state. But his reputation for burning up dance floors in bars and nightclubs is well known throughout the region. Whether its riding the mechanical bull at Johnny Utahs in Norwalk or grooving on the dance floor at Toads Place in New Haven in a fluorescent fishnet T-shirt, Dr. Kayo likes to boogie. At Brother Jimmys in Stamford hes earned the moniker Brother Jimmys mascot because hes such a flamboyantly consistent presence. Kayo has been known to frequent bars and nightclubs for a night of dancing and music. His shirts vary in color and level of neon and typically are mesh or fishnet and he almost always wears jeans or jean cut offs and cowboy boots. More News Ethics commissioner in Bridgeport charged in prostitute mixup His dance move, too, also are unique and he always stands out among a sea of people, often ending the night with big smile. Bridgeports newest ethics commissioner is one wild and crazy guy. Extensive resume It was a wild disturbance outside a Stratford hotel that got the attention of police, authorities said Monday. They were called to The Quality Suites on South Avenue, where they found 20-year-old Linda Pena and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Tyler Purcell, both town residents, trying to wash fiery pepper spray out of Kayos eyes. Kayo told officers he had answered an advertisement on the website Backpage.com for a petite shy Latina new to the area, and arranged to meet her outside the hotel for a massage and happy ending. What followed was an apparent misunderstanding that led to both Pena and Purcell blasting Kayo with pepper spray. Pena and Purcell were both charged with third-degree assault and released on written promises to appear in court. Kayo, 39, is free on a promise to appear pending arraignment in state Superior Court in Bridgeport on July 7. Hes charged with patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor. As previously reported, Kayo said he graduated from St. Matthews University Medical School in Grand Cayman. He admitted, however, that he does not have a license to practice medicine in Connecticut. So what was he doing giving health screenings to Bridgeport senior citizens? Photos displayed on the website for Kayos nonprofit Bridging the Gap Education show him pricking fingers for blood, taking blood pressure and screening for high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease at the Eisenhower Senior Center. Maura Downes, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health, confirmed Wednesday that Kayo is not licensed to practice medicine in Connecticut. She, however, drew a distinction between practicing medicine and conducting health screenings. Screenings alone are perfectly fine, Downes said, as is drawing blood. The only thing Kayo cannot do is advise patients or prescribe medicine. But if hes recommending people go see doctors, thats perfectly fine, Downes said. If youre doing things for health education purposes, thats perfectly fine. Downes said state health officials were familiar with the photos from Kayos website because six weeks ago we received an anonymous fax that was the printout of his website. We didnt see anything that looked like the practice of medicine, Downes said. It was not clear Wednesday how Kayo established a relationship with the Eisenhower Center or if he was paid. Maritza Bond, Bridgeports health director, said her office was not involved. Bond, hired seven months ago, said Kayo was one of several people who reached out to her after she started to talk about working on health initiatives in town, particularly cardiovascular health. But it never went beyond that, Bond said. According to Stratford police, Kayo said he was a cardiovascular researcher for Yale School of Medicine in New Haven. And he similarly touted his affiliation with Yale when interviewing with the City Council last August for a slot on the ethics commission. Kayo, according to meeting minutes, said that in addition to other appointments, he has recently been appointed to Yale School of Medicine to participate in a health care disparity research project on which he is now working. Also from those city council minutes: Dr. Kayo came forward to say he is an M.D. who has been a resident of Bridgeport since 2000. He said he was educated in France and Belgium and that he started to research preventative measures for heart disease in minorities, i.e. Blacks and Hispanics. Yale on Wednesday told Hearst Connecticut Media they would not verify his employment. Hearst also contacted Kayos alma mater, St. Mathews University. An employee there declined to say whether he had attended the school without Kayos consent. Bridging the gap The city conducts criminal background checks of all appointees to boards and commissions. However, while applicants are required to answer questions about work history and education, those are not regularly verified. According to those same council meeting minutes, Kayo said he was recommended for the ethics commission by Democratic Town Chairman Mario Testa. Testa in an interview said he did not know Kayo well and did not recall their conversation. Kayo, however, did attend a fundraiser for Mayor Joe Ganims gubernatorial exploratory committee held at Testas Italian restaurant last week. Questions have also arisen about the legitimacy of Kayos nonprofit, Bridging the Gap Education, which solicits contributions online for health screenings and for a scholarships. Bridging the Gap is not registered as a charity with us," said Lora Rae Anderson, spokesman for the state Department of Consumer Protection. "They need to be registered with us if actively soliciting." She confirmed Wednesday that the DCP will be investigating Kayos nonprofit. The nonprofit's website lists three trustees Dr. John Harris Kirkley, a professor at the University of Bridgeport; Dr. Eleonore M. Herschberger, a senior lecturer at UB; and Dr. Carmen Ferrus-Etienne with Optimum Medical in Danbury. Phone messages were left for all three Wednesday. While information about Kayos professional background may not be readily available, his social life is another matter... Staff Writer Daniel Tepfer contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT A Bridgeport woman struck four police cruisers in a stolen delivery truck full of bread, according to State Police. The pursuit began on Interstate 95, and made its way to side streets in North Haven and ended on Interstate 91, police said. Bridgeport police reported a patrol car struck at 5:54 a.m. An officer was in the car at the time, but declined an ambulance. Connecticut State Police Troop G received a call around 7:05 a.m. that the vehicle that rammed a Bridgeport police car earlier Thursday morning was spotted on I-95. State police arrived near exit 39 on I-95 northbound and attempted to stop the vehicle. The woman refused to stop and a pursuit began, police said. She would go on to hit three more police vehiclestwo state police cars and a North Haven police carthroughout the span of the pursuit. Near exit 41 on I-95 northbound toward the beginning of the pursuit, police said the woman rammed a state police car. Despite hitting the car on the highway, police said the pursuit continued toward the I-95 and I-91 northbound division before getting on I-91 northbound. The woman took exit 12 off I-91 northbound, police said, and the pursuit continued on side streets in North Haven. On a side street in North Haven, police said she struck a North Haven police car. From the side streets, the pursuit continued back on I-91 northbound from entrance ramp number nine, police said. While driving in the area after exit 12, police said she struck her fourth and final state police car. This collision would end the pursuit. She lost control of the vehicle as it entered the right shoulder of the highway and struck the metal beam guardrail and a light pole, police said. Bread spilled out of the van doors, and rolls and a delivery crate appeared to have fallen out of the back doors of the van, according to photos released by the CSP. The woman crashed around 7:30 a.m. and suffered minor injuries, State Police spokeswoman Trooper Kelly Grant said. Some lanes were initially closed in the area around Exit 11, but were open by 8:30 a.m., according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Mercedes Bruno, 27, of Catherine Street in Bridgeport, was identified as the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, police said. Police discovered that Bruno stole the vehicle, a freight-liner truck with Pennsylvania registration, out of Bridgeport at some point Thursday morning. Police said Bruno was handcuffed after the pursuit without further incident. Bruno was charged with two counts of assault on public safety personnel, two counts of criminal attempt to commit assault on public safety personnel, second-degree larceny, reckless endangerment, operating while under the influence, reckless driving, evading responsibility and engaging police in a pursuit, police said. She is schedule to appear in court in Bridgeport on Friday. She did not post the $100,000 surety bond, police said. cattanasio@ctpost.com / @viacedar Geoff Fox, the popular TV meteorologist in Connecticut for many years, is coming back to WTNH News 8 in New Haven. Fox made the announcement Wednesday night on his Facebook page. He provided more details in an interview with the New Haven Register. Fox now lives in California, but he said he can deliver the weather news from a studio he built in his home. He has been doing this for a TV station in Nebraska. Fox was doubly excited when he spoke with the Register because last week he completed chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. All my treatment is over! he said. No one is saying cured or in remission. But every outward indication says this amazing surgery did the job. (Its called a Whipple procedure.) Fox has been chronicling his battle with cancer on his blog (http://www.geofffox.com). He calls the blog My Permanent Record. He said his followers, friends and family have helped get him through the medical struggle. A photo on his Facebook page notes his last day of chemo was June. 22. The response Ive gotten on social media has been humbling, he said. Not everybody gets that chance. He added, Im very lucky, unbelievably lucky. Fox said he will return to Channel 8 on Monday at 5 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. For a while he expects to also be on the air at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. According to Fox, he will be with the station initially just for the summer. Well feel it out, to see how much strength I have. Im OK with that, he said. He thanked the New Haven Register for reporting on his youthful optimism last December, which sparked renewed interest about him among his Connecticut followers. In the interview last year, Fox said he tells other people with cancer, I dont think they should be scared. Some of it has been painful, some of it has been demoralizing. But you can do it! And this week he praised Rich Graziano, WTNHs general manager, for calling him up and offering him a job there again. Fox said the odds of receiving such a call is like having a meteorite hit my house! He spent 27 years with Channel 8. But in 2011, to his shock and dismay, his contract wasnt renewed. He later worked for WTIC (FOX CT) for 19 months but lost that job because of inappropriate use of social media, which then became public. In announcing his comeback on Facebook Live Wednesday evening, Fox said I really love you guys in Connecticut and he thanked the public for their support. Asked if he might move back to Connecticut, Fox said, I dont think so. I think this is where Ill stay. I have so many interconnected doctors out here. Upon the dismissal of a liquor violation case against a White Sulphur Springs bar, the owner of the establishment asked government agencies to retain records in case of a lawsuit. Those government agencies who received the notice are the Montana Departments of Revenue and Justice and the Meagher County Sheriff's Office. The bar owner is Meagher County Attorney Kimberly Deschene, and the possibility of her bringing the sheriff into a lawsuit is the latest twist in a conflict-of-interest feud in central Montana. Deschene has been plagued by concerns about her ability to run one of the few bars in town while prosecuting DUI offenders. Meagher County Sheriff Jon Lopp has previously criticized Deschene's prosecution of those crimes, saying the conviction rate is too low. Other county officials have denied any conflict exists. The revenue department brought multiple liquor license violations against Deschene last year for operations at Bar 47, the business she owns in White Sulphur Springs. She faced a liquor license suspension and fine for allegations that included transferring ownership of the bar without her partner's final signature and locking the bar during business hours when a deputy was trying to get inside. The allegations were reported by the Meagher County Sheriff's Office to the Montana Department of Revenue, which handles liquor violations. While the complaint laid out the evidence from the sheriff's office, Deschene claimed her bar was the target of unfair attention. But on June 22 of this year, the Department of Revenue agreed to forego a hearing on the allegations and dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the same allegations can't be brought up again for punishment. Deschene and her attorneys reached a settlement with state liquor control administrators. The settlement document said Deschene admitted to some technical violations before the department proposed any penalty, so the department ultimately chose to drop the case. Tyler Moss, Deschene's attorney, wrote in an email to The Gazette that Deschene "appreciates the DOR's willingness to reconsider the charges against Bar 47's liquor license as the underlying facts became clear" and that she agrees with the dismissal. Moss added there is "no litigation pending at this time." But on June 20, two days before the liquor violation case was settled, Deschene's attorneys put the departments on notice. The letter referenced Deschene's longstanding claim that the sheriff's office has unfairly maligned her for her dual roles as prosecutor and bar owner. 'Anticipated litigation' The letter was titled "notice of anticipated litigation." And while Deschene's attorney said there is no lawsuit pending at this time, the letter says that the agencies may "reasonably expect to answer to litigation." According to the letter, this stems from law enforcement action "wrongfully pursued" against Deschene, as well as "other tortuous and malignant comment." The letter asks the Departments of Revenue and Justice, as well as the Meagher County Sheriff's Office, to retain all records related to Deschene in case of a future lawsuit. Moss, Deschene's attorney, asked to communicate via email and did not elaborate on specific allegations of misconduct. Sheriff Lopp declined to comment. Deschene has battled conflict-of-interest allegations since she purchased Bar 47 in 2014. She was already county attorney at that time, though the position is part time. She came to the aid of one of her employees who faced a DUI charge in 2015, according to court documents. Deschene would normally prosecute those cases. The county brought in outside prosecutors to handle that case and others. There was also concern that DUI offenders, some of whom drink at Deschene's bar, weren't convicted very often. Neighboring Judith Basin County, which has a similar population to Meagher, had roughly five times the number of misdemeanor DUI cases filed in its Justice Court. Deschene faced a legal battle when a citizen brought a recall petition to remove her from office in 2016. A judge ultimately ruled against the recall. The situation spawned a short-lived bill proposal in the Montana Legislature that would have prevented county attorneys from owning bars. In January, as county officials discussed the formation of a DUI task force, Deschene publicly challenged Sheriff Lopp over proposal language related to over-serving. When asked, she clarified that she was at that moment representing herself as a bar owner, according to meeting minutes. As county attorney, she normally represents the county's legal interests at commissioner meetings. It's unclear who would represent Meagher County if Deschene filed a lawsuit that included the county sheriff. It's also unclear if Deschene would be able to remain in place as county attorney if that happened. The three county commissioners didn't return requests for comment. While trying to prove that she's been unfairly targeted, Deschene has tried before to collect information created by her detractors. She subpoenaed the woman who brought a recall petition against her, trying to obtain the names of people who signed it and those who refused. She also sought emails the woman, Katherine Walter, sent to media outlets. In this latest letter of anticipated litigation, Deschene's attorney indicates that a search continues for evidence of misconduct by the sheriff's office. Sheriff Lopp has denied undue targeting of Deschene's business or its customers. The letter asks agencies, including the sheriff's office, to keep records of any correspondence that involves Deschene or Bar 47, despite their "private or personal" nature. "To the extent the Meagher County Sheriff's Office or any of its employees have taken issue with Ms. Deschene's conduct ... they must carefully preserve all evidence collected in relation to those matters," the letter states. Pa. Dems could flip the House of Reps. Here's what that might mean elections Which grizzled TV news anchor, just two years ago, said he was 'politically motivated, but not party politically', adding: 'I want to see a better world'? And which same television news anchor, aged 69, was at Glastonbury Festival last weekend where, after bopping around and taking countless selfies, he joined a group of youngsters in adolescent screams of 'f*** the Tories!'? The old fool in question was Jon Snow, that public school-educated beanpole who, since 1989, has presented Channel 4 News. You know Snow: he's the one who takes such a high moral tone about our politics and culture, the one forever trying to spear Tory ministers and the one whose programme fancies itself a cut above the rest of the journalistic throng. The Channel 4 news presenter apparently joined in a chant of 'F*** The Tories' while attending Glastonbury music festival Sanctimony Saint Jon Snow. Or should we now say Saint Jon 'F*** the Tories' Snow? And this from the son of a former Church of England bishop. You would never have mistaken Snow for a Right-winger, but this soiling episode surely puts paid to claims that he is non-partisan when it comes to party politics. Sorry, but you cannot claim to be even-handed politically while at the same time yelling out your guts like a student Corbynista, slagging off the political party that just won the biggest number of parliamentary seats and the biggest share of the national vote at the General Election. Snow is plainly, stinkingly party political and foul-mouthed, to boot. That might not matter were we talking about a junior reporter or occasional studio pundit, but this is a so-called doyen of British broadcast journalism, who, five nights a week, presents the main news bulletin on one of our terrestrial TV channels. Snow has not yet conceded that he shouted 'f*** the Tories', but he is not denying it, either. When asked, he replied: 'After a day at Glastonbury, I can honestly say I have no recollection of what was chanted, sung or who I took over 1,000 selfies with.' Ah, the old 'no recollection' gambit. Any politician who tried to use that in front of Snow during one of his sharp-elbowed interviews would soon be ripped to shreds. Snow would lean forward, eyes blazing with sanctimony, and he would say: 'Come off it, minister, you claim you have 'no recollection' as to whether or not, at a public event of a markedly political nature, you shouted insults at our country's governing party, using the F-word and generally behaving like an agit-prop revolutionary? 'Are we really to believe that, minister? Or are you simply wriggling? Can you not just tell us the truth?' Attempts to elicit further explanation from Snow have met with Soviet-like 'no comments' from Channel 4. His bosses plainly sense a problem here. A big problem. Confronted about the issue by a guest live on Channel 4 News last night, Snow retorted that it was 'very unpleasant' to bring it up. Glastonbury has an odd effect on otherwise mature people. Political grandees well into middle-age think they can behave like kids there, luxuriating in a zoned-out atmosphere of Leftyish lovejuice, baby. This was the same Glastonbury at which Jeremy Corbyn was treated like a conquering emperor (point of information: he came a distant second in the election) and at which Labour's Treasury spokesman, John McDonnell, made the outrageous claim that the poor people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire had been 'murdered'. Whoop, whoop, whoop went some members of the crowd. Maybe Snow was among those whoopers, you never know. Indeed, just days earlier, Snow had steered his programme's coverage of the inferno towards a discussion about 'inequality' asking a Tory MP: 'Can you ever see albeit a minority government devoting major segments of time to reviewing how we should be structuring our support for the poorer sections of our communities.' The weather at Glastonbury was hot. Plenty of cider (and possibly other substances) was consumed. In such a setting, hotheads can lose their last vestiges of self-control. But a news presenter is meant to be above such excess. Their prime attribute must be cool scepticism. Any U.S. TV anchor who behaved like Snow did at Glastonbury would be sacked instantly. Channel 4, which was launched back in 1982, is a publicly owned, commercially funded public service broadcaster, which supports itself through advertising. It is accountable to Ofcom and guidelines for producers state that 'any personal interest of a reporter or presenter, which would call into question the due impartiality of a programme, must be made clear to the audience'. The Channel 4 news presenter said that it was 'amazing' to be with the 200,000 music fans Contentious Will Channel 4 News viewers henceforth be told, before every interview Snow conducts with a Conservative politician, that the presenter holds such a low view of Tories? The guidelines also say presenters 'generally should be particularly careful about comments on political issues and politicians'. They add: 'Due impartiality on political issues is a fundamental standard . . . This means for example, that news and current affairs journalists working on this output do not as a rule agree or disagree with a political party or politician, or take a fixed stance on politically contentious issues.' Furthermore, Channel 4 employees 'should avoid making statements that could be perceived as taking a position on a political issue of the day' on social media. Looking at Snow's Twitter feed, it is not difficult to see him frequently ignoring this guidance. On the day after the election, he tweeted: 'Mrs May calls an election the UK didn't need: Loses it, and stays in power: just politics? Or snubbing the democratic will of the people?' Vocal Snow has also been vocal on the subject of Grenfell Tower. On June 18, he wrote: 'Five days on, Government finally recognises Kensington/ Chelsea Borough total failure re Grenfell fire and drafts civil servants in: Why so late?' He 'retweeted' Labour MP David Lammy's tweet: 'Grenfell Tower: Have we learnt nothing from Hillsborough? The rich and the powerful will do all they can to obfuscate, delay and cover up.' Last week, Snow also retweeted a message by the author Robert Harris, who said: 'The British electorate is in an unprecedentedly volatile mood. When it turns out there's no 350m per week for NHS, Brexit could be next.' It is no good Channel 4 hiding behind the argument, please, that private views are private and have no bearing on one's public position. Remember, during the General Election, Channel 4 News hounded the Lib Dems' then leader Tim Farron over his innermost evangelical-Christian beliefs about homosexuality. The damage this did to the Lib Dems was a great help to Labour. Well, well, how convenient. When Snow screamed those words at Glastonbury, incidentally, did he mean Tory ministers, Tory MPs, Tory activists and members, or the millions of people who voted for Conservatives in the General Election? When a major news presenter so plainly despises, in four-letter words, our biggest party in the Commons, what does it say about him and his programme? In a 2015 interview with The Guardian where else? Snow claimed that he was 'the most anti-Establishment person I know'. This demonstrates a sad lack of self-knowledge. Snow may not have completed his undergraduate degree at Liverpool University (he was kicked out for taking part in a 1970 anti-apartheid socialist protest), but he is not stupid. Can he really not see that he and fellow baby-boomers, with their right-on proclamations on everything from human rights to the EU and their anguish about foreign aid, are very much the liberal Establishment that really runs Britain these days? Mr Snow (pictured) was lost for words after he was reprimanded on live TV for an alleged four-letter attack on the Conservatives The truth is that it is currently the Brexiteers, the small- staters, the personal freedom advocates, who are the outsiders. If those kids begging Snow for selfies at Glastonbury had thought about it, they might have seen that the sort of high Government spending demanded by Snow's Labour friends will actually end up having to be paid by their generation, not his. The Corbyns and Snows, far from being friends of younger voters, represent a deadly serious financial threat to their futures by encouraging a catastrophically irresponsible borrowing binge. The miracle of last year's EU referendum was not only that it was ever held something Snow's Establishment friends had long been trying to prevent but also that it was won in the face of a prolonged propaganda bombardment by the political elite. And what, in the battlecry of 'f*** the Tories!', constitutes a 'better world' that Snow says he wants to see? Is it enlightened to give voice to such hatred? How can Snow ever again introduce a news segment about hate speech or violence against politicians? For that matter, how can he ever again conduct a studio discussion that involves anyone who represents the Tory Party (provided they would want to send anyone along)? Personally, I have always rather liked Jon Snow. We bump into each other at political speeches and policy launches, and he is a genial cove. He also has a quick-witted manner on-screen and a good voice and, at 69, retains enviable energy. But his horrible behaviour at Glastonbury changes all that. The 'genial cove' plainly boils inside with something rather darker and more stupid. At a time of a hung parliament, a public service broadcaster is under ever greater pressure to present the national news in a dispassionate, trustworthy manner. 'Dispassionate' and 'trustworthy' are surely no longer words that can be applied to Jon 'F*** the Tories' Snow. A fortnight ago the shocking news came through that the inventor of a device benefiting hundreds of thousands of people had been trampled to death by a herd of cows on his farm in East Sussex. Professor Brian Bellhouse was the inventor of PowderJect, an ingenious device that provided needle-free delivery of drugs and vaccines to those with a phobia of needles. For years now, I have been on the alert for news stories about cows killing people. For some reason, cows have a benign reputation. We think of them as slightly dull, even dim-witted, but essentially friendly. Cows have a benign reputation but they are just as dangerous as bulls, writes Craig Brown When anything bad happens, its the bull that gets the blame. We have grown so used to the sight of angry bulls charging matadors that whenever we hear of a cow charging a human we assume it must have been a bull. This mistake is underpinned by our memories of childrens comics like The Beano or Beezer. In most issues, you could expect to find a furious bull, circular clouds of steam issuing from its head, chasing a helpless figure of authority across a field. Meanwhile, Dennis The Menace or Roger The Dodger would be sneakily hiding the Beware of the Bull sign, the words SNIGGER! SNIGGER! emerging in a speech-bubble from their mouths. I, too, used to blame the bull. But then, 25 years ago, while researching a documentary for the BBC, I changed my mind. The producer and I wanted to film inside a country church. A notice on the door told us that the key to the church could be obtained from the house next door. When we rang the doorbell, a woman appeared in tears, almost too distraught to speak. It turned out that her husband, a farmer, had just been trampled by his own cows, and was now in intensive care. He had walked the same route through the same field for the past 15 years, but for some reason on that day the cows had chosen to attack. Fortunately, the story had a happy ending: when we returned, a few weeks later, the farmer was out of hospital, and in recovery. By chance, the following year a friend in Yorkshire was also attacked by cows. Her dog had been butted over a hedge, and she herself was severely bruised. Ever since then, I have trodden rather more cautiously when navigating my way through any field of cows. Annoyingly, my two favourite walks in the countryside near our house both involve dodging through cows. Where once I might have found them dopy and dreamy, I now regard them as a threat. Dont come the innocent with me! I mutter, as their big lazy eyes follow my every step. On one of these walks, the field is bordered by an estuary. Often, the cows follow me for a good few yards alongside the estuary path at a discreet but unnerving distance. I do my best to look calm and composed, mindful of the old wives tale that they only attack if they sense you are frightened. Cows only ever feature in childrens stories in which they are wrongly portrayed as loveable and just that little bit daffy But beneath my happy-go-lucky exterior, my brain is trying to calculate whether I could escape an attack by leaping head-first into the estuary, or whether a highly-trained crack-squadron of marine cows might swim after me. Call me a coward, but the statistics back me up. Government figures show that, on average, five people are killed by cows in the UK every year, whereas dogs including Rottweilers, Alsatians, bull terriers and the like kill only two people a year. In America, for every one person killed by sharks there are 20 killed by cows. Yet it is the poor old shark that finds itself demonised in Hollywood films and countless TV documentaries. As far as I know there is no horror film called Moo! (Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the meadow). In fact, cows only ever feature in childrens stories The Cow That Laid An Egg, Buttercups Lovely Day, Sailor Moo in which they are wrongly portrayed as loveable and just that little bit daffy. But in reality, cows attack in groups, and can be eerily well-coordinated, with one or two cows leading the charge and the others following. I fell forwards and rolled into a ball and every time I tried to get up they jumped on me, recalled one survivor. They were rolling me along the hill with their legs, trying to get me to open up. They generally trample and kick, and sometimes manage to get their heads beneath their victims so as to hurl them into the air. Im off for a walk in Wales next week with friends who may well laugh at me as I totter sheepishly around fields of cows, rather than plunging straight in. But with age comes caution, and, given time, the cow will make cowards of us all. Ally Sanford - who is the reigning Ms Australia International - has opened up about her rape A young beauty queen has opened up about the horrific night she was raped after partying with friends at a nightclub. Ally Sanford - who was crowned Ms Australia International in 2016 - said a vodka and orange she was gifted by a stranger at a Perth bar was spiked. The Melbourne-based 28-year-old said the stranger then 'abducted' her before raping her twice at an apartment block, while two of his friends played a 'racing game' next door. 'I remember yelling for help. I remember trying to get my phone which was just on the floor to the left of me,' Ms Sanford told Daily Mail Australia. 'I yelled out for help from his two friends who were in the other room - and they did not help. The Melbourne-based 28-year-old said the stranger then 'abducted' her before raping her twice at an apartment block, while two of his friends played a 'racing game' next door 'I heard them talking, it sounded like they were playing a racing game. 'I don't know if they didn't hear, didn't want to hear or thought it was a joke or were in on the plan from the beginning.' The beauty queen, who was 18 at the time of the attack and is the reigning Mrs South Pacific Continents, said for years she beat herself up about not fighting back 'as much as I could'. 'But part of me froze,' she explained. 'My limbs felt so heavy.' That evening had started out as a typical 18-year-old's might have done. Ms Sanford said she was on a night out with three friends at a Perth bar. 'Three guys started talking to us and one offered to buy me a drink,' she recalled, explaining her drink of choice was a vodka and orange. 'I was physically at the bar with him so I didn't see any harm, I watched the drink be poured, the guy paid and handed me my drink. The beauty queen, who was 18 at the time of the attack, said for years she beat herself up about not fighting back 'as much as I could' But within 10 minutes, she remembers feeling dizzy. 'I felt like something wasn't right,' she said. 'I figured the drink was stronger than I expected it to be. The man who bought me a drink kissed me, I was caught off guard but didn't react. 'My friends asked me if I was alright, I told them I was fine but things became hazier and hazier.' 'I had three drinks that evening. Enough to make the 18-year-old me tipsy but no where near drunk. Looking back my drink was definitely spiked,' she said. The next thing she remembered was being 'assisted' into a taxi with the three men. 'I remember trying to get out of the taxi before it left, [but] was held by my hips to stop me from getting out,' she recalled. 'I watched a lake as we drove, a lake that I would come to avoid for the next 10 years. I had no idea where I was or where I was going.' 'I had three drinks that evening. Enough to make the 18-year-old me tipsy but no where near drunk. Looking back my drink was definitely spiked,' she said 'I blacked out during most of the attack, I yelled for help but the men outside didn't come and help me. I was held down,' she said When she was taken into an apartment block, she remembered the two men who helped the rapist get her through the door, waited outside the bedroom. 'I blacked out during most of the attack, I yelled for help but the men outside didn't come and help me. I was held down,' she said. 'I woke up in the morning confused and very drowsy, still a little in and out. 'The walls were unfinished render,' she recalled. 'I remember it because the second time he raped me in the morning I put my hands on the wall and I could feel the roughness.' The next morning Ms Sanford's rapist drove her home. 'The drive was in silence,' she explained. 'Then he kissed me on the cheek and said "last night was fun" - or something like that. After the attack Ms Sanford said she was in a 'lot of denial' and the thought of explaining to her parents - who had always been very supportive - what had happened was a huge struggle 'I just didn't respond. I got out of the car and I prayed to God that my dad would not see me coming in. 'I was a daddy's girl, and I didn't want him to think badly of me. I didn't have a boyfriend at the time.' After the attack Ms Sanford said she was in a 'lot of denial' and the thought of explaining to her parents - who had always been very supportive - what had happened was a huge struggle. 'I could not imagine Dad knowing,' she explained. 'It was very difficult to think about anyone knowing, so I just pretended everything was fine.' 'It was very difficult to think about anyone knowing, so I just pretended everything was fine,' she said After being dropped off, she said she 'crawled' upstairs to her bedroom. 'A girlfriend had stayed at mine the night I was abducted,' she said, explaining the friend was waiting to hear about her 'exciting 'one night stand''. '[But] I went to sleep and pretended everything was fine,' she said. Ms Sanford spent the following two years coping with the weight of her ordeal in silence. She said she struggled with the 'stigma' of reporting what had happened to her., 'It was the stigma and having to face someone - I knew it would be 'he said, she said', ' she explained. 'I wanted to pretend it did not happen.' To block out the pain of her attack, she said she was downing a 'bottle of red wine a night'. 'It was providing me with control, as strange as it seems,' she said. 'I felt a lot more control when I was drinking.' Finally, a friend, Jake, told her she had 'changed' and asked her what was wrong. 'We spent a lot of time together and he kept prodding until one day I broke down and told him,' she said. Ms Sanford said she wanted to share her traumatic story to encourage other sufferers of sexual assault to speak out and seek help 'We used to go for long walks along the river, and we would sit and talk for hours. One day I told him and he encouraged me to talk about it. 'And when I started talking it became impossible to stop.' 'He was there for me every step of the way. I started talking to Lifeline and I spoke to a counsellor,' she said. 'It took me five years to tell my father and another year after that to tell my mother.' She said she wanted to share her traumatic story to encourage other sufferers of sexual assault to speak out and seek help. In a strange way Im glad for what happened to me. Its made me understand on a deeper level what it feels like - and enabled me to be there for other people,' she said. In a strange way Im glad for what happened to me. Its made me understand on a deeper level what it feels like - and enabled me to be there for other people,' she said 'Today I speak about this as openly and candidly as possible hoping with all my heart that one day, one girl, won't have to go those two years pretending,' she said. 'My rape made me stronger, more empathetic, more accepting and a very active listener. When someone is struggling, the signs are there if you are open to seeing them and I watch like a hawk.' And Ms Sanford, who is now happily married to her husband Martin, 37, has a message for other rape survivors. 'Youve done nothing wrong, she said. 'And I promise you one day it will hurt less. The people who love you, they want to help you. They want to be there for you.' 'I still occasionally have flashbacks, I have learnt self-defence to make sure I would never be in that position again. 'And I never accept a drink from a stranger unless it is handed to me by the bartender and never left alone. 'But Im a rape survivor - the word victim makes me sick. Something horrible happened to me but it does not define who I am.' If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this story, help is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14. Jacinta Maguire, 27, smiled for the first time in a photograph on the 19th of June, 2017. The mother-of-one, from Christchurch, New Zealand, spent her entire life shying away from cameras and hiding her teeth after being born with severe enamel hypoplasia which left her with yellow and stained teeth. But after a Melbourne-based dentist, Dr Deepan Duraisamy, from Vogue Dental Studios, gave her an all expenses paid dental makeover, Mrs Maguire feels beautiful for the first time in her life. 'Doctors think it was a developmental process that led to the hypoplasia,' Mrs Maguire told Daily Mail Australia. Scroll down for video Jacinta Maguire, 27, from Christchurch, New Zealand, spent her entire life shying away from cameras and hiding her teeth after being born with severe enamel hypoplasia But after a Melbourne-based dentist, Dr Deepan Duraisamy, from Vogue Dental Studios , gave her an all expenses paid dental makeover, Mrs Maguire feels beautiful for the first time 'I had bright yellow, brownish coloured teeth from the moment my teeth came through.' And it was from that moment, Mrs Maguire realised just how cruel people can be. 'People are mean and not only did I have hypoplasia I had eczema as well so people thought I was on drugs from a young age,' she said. 'School was awful. We would do Secret Santa for example and whoever had me would always get me toothpaste. 'People are mean and not only did I have hypoplasia I had eczema as well so people thought I was on drugs from a young age,' she said 'School was awful. We would do Secret Santa for example and whoever had me would always get me toothpaste,' Mrs Maguire said 'I would rarely speak in public, I'd never smile and I would never let anybody into my world.' Mrs Maguire left school at 15 because of the bullying and she had started to suffer serious anxiety and depression. I had contemplated whether my life was worth living. 'Honestly, I had contemplated whether my life was worth living but as soon as I started having those suicidal thoughts I knew something had to change. 'I wasn't willing to give up so I left school and started working in retail - but that also probably wasn't the best idea. 'Customers would never say anything to my face but they would constantly whisper and point. Humans are really not nice sometimes.' 'I didn't smile at my own wedding or the birth of my child - I didn't want to ruin those special moments,' she said What is enamel hypoplasia? Hypoplasia is an enamel deficiency that leaves the teeth vulnerable to damage and decay. It often takes the form of grooves, pits, or lines within teeth, either across the surface or in certain spots. There can be localised discoloration, or the entire tooth can turn a dark brown color. This can make the mouth incredibly sensitive, especially for toddlers that are just learning to communicate how they feel. Source: Carefree Dental Advertisement Mrs Maguire continued to hide her smile over the years - even during special occasions. 'I didn't smile at my own wedding or the birth of my child - I didn't want to ruin those special moments,' she said. 'My husband is truly amazing though, he has never asked me to change and he didn't notice my teeth for months when we first started dating.' After giving birth, Mrs Maguire was determined to make a change to ensure her son wasn't picked on because his mother was 'different'. She sent her story to Dr Dee in Melbourne in 2016 after seeing some of the work he had done in the past. With the help of her dentist at home, Mrs Maguire was able to provide Dr Dee with everything he needed from afar before flying to Melbourne for two weeks of life changing procedures 'He rang me and told me he was trying to work out how he would do it and that he wanted to give me a new smile,' Mrs Maguire said The cosmetic dentist, who has set up the Give Back a Smile Foundation to help people like Mrs Maguire, then offered to help her finally get her dream smile with an all expenses paid makeover. 'He rang me and told me he was trying to work out how he would do it and that he wanted to give me a new smile,' Mrs Maguire said. 'I thought he was lying at first and when I realised he wasn't I just cried and cried because I was so overwhelmed and excited.' With the help of her dentist at home, Mrs Maguire was able to provide Dr Dee with everything he needed from afar before flying to Melbourne six months later for two weeks of life changing procedures worth more than $60,000. 'Dr Dee (pictured) still hadn't seen my teeth in person but when I arrived he said he would send me home with dentures if need be because he knew how badly I wanted white teeth,' she said 'I had never left the country before or been on a plane or even left my husband and son in my life,' Mrs Maguire said (pictured with Dr Dee) 'I had never left the country before or been on a plane or even left my husband and son in my life,' Mrs Maguire said. 'I spent my whole life thinking I wasn't good enough and at that moment I knew I was good enough to be here. 'Dr Dee still hadn't seen my teeth in person but when I arrived he said he would send me home with dentures if need be because he knew how badly I wanted white teeth. 'The first day in Melbourne I had to spend nine hours in the chair to get all my teeth shaven down to piranha style teeth to cut through the broken enamel so they'd be ready for crowns.' Mrs Maguire also had to have her gums lasered to lift them and a number of other painful procedures to prepare the teeth. 'I can't even explain it. I spent my whole life thinking I wasn't good enough and at that moment I knew I was good enough to be here. I took 100 selfies,' Mrs Maguire said Mrs Maguire was in the dentist chair for more than 50 hours across two weeks before she was able to fly home with her brand new smile (pictured arriving back home with her new smile) The first time Mrs Maguire saw her teeth with temporary white teeth on them she couldn't believe her eyes. 'I felt like a million dollars from the moment those were fitted and my heart was just so happy,' she said. 'I can't even explain it. I spent my whole life thinking I wasn't good enough and at that moment I knew I was good enough to be here. I took 100 selfies and just felt like I needed to smash life out.' Mrs Maguire was in the dentist chair for more than 50 hours across two weeks before she was able to fly home with her brand new smile. Upon arriving home, Mrs Maguire said her husband was close to tears when he saw her 'There were a lot of tears - from happiness and pain - throughout those weeks but I knew I had to stay strong because this was my future and I knew what it meant to me,' she said. The other day I went for a walk just so I could leave the house and smile at people. Upon arriving home, Mrs Maguire said her husband was close to tears when he saw her. 'He just kept telling me how beautiful I looked and how confident I seemed,' she said. Mrs Maguire's confidence and quality of life has sky-rocketed since the makeover. 'I still take selfies every day and I am always looking at my eyes,' she said. 'I still take selfies every day and I am always looking at my eyes,' she said 'I'm not depressed, I am 100 per cent here and the other day I went for a walk just so I could leave the house and smile at people,' she said 'I've always had half closed eyes and now they're so open and happy. I was so shy before and would never speak to strangers and now they get this happy version of me. 'I'm not depressed, I am 100 per cent here and the other day I went for a walk just so I could leave the house and smile at people.' Mrs Maguire advises people in a similar position to what she was to stay strong. 'Never give up,' she said. 'Someone is out there who will help you - you just need to help yourself too. Look forward to tomorrow.' Dr Dee hopes that the Give Back a Smile Foundation will help provide its recipients with the opportunity to regain their confidence and show off their smile to their friends and family. The organisation provides dental surgery free of charge for one deserving candidate each year. An Australian designer's jewellery business has suddenly received world wide attention overnight. Thanks to her fashion blogger sister Elle Ferguson and Kim Kardashian, there is now a waiting list for one of her pieces. 'The influence of Kim Kardashian and Elle cant be understated and its satisfying to see two beautiful and strong women wearing my pieces,' she told Honey Nine. An Australian designers jewellery business has suddenly received world wide attention overnight Thanks to her fashion blogger sister Elle Ferguson, there is now a waiting list for some of Lucie's pieces It all started when her sister Elle was recently at the LA beauty launch of Kim Kardashians new make up collection. Elle runs a successful fashion blog called They All Hate Us with her friend Tash Sefton, which helped her garner an invite. She has also recently shot a campaign with Kim's former assistant, Stephanie Shepherd, for OUAI, the hair care brand by celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkin. Lucie's sister Elle was recently at the LA beauty launch of Kim Kardashians new make up collection She wore the the Aurora Luna Medallion and the Saint Christopher Medallion (pictured) The stunning blonde was snapped with Kim while wearing two of her sisters necklaces, the Aurora Luna and Saint Christopher Medallion, which she shared on Instagram and Kim posted on her own profile. Elle's celebrity profile grew last year when she began dating AFL player Joel Patfull, and was the only person from overseas invited. The stunning blonde was snapped with Kim while wearing two of her sisters necklace which she shared on Instagram and Kim posted on her own profile 'The influence of Kim Kardashian and Elle cant be understated and its satisfying to see two beautiful and strong women wearing my pieces,' she told Honey Nine She tagged Lucie's jewellery brand in the photo she posted of Kim and herself, which garnered thousands of likes. 'The similarities are uncanny... phone always glued to hand... loves a gold @babyanything saint chain... obsessed with the #kkwbeauty contouring kit... loves to pout... loves a photo booth... just start calling me K-Elle,' she wrote. 'The St Christophers medallions werent actually due to be released until August, but since wearing them at the KKW beauty launch, Babyanything decided to release them and there is now a waiting list,' Lucie said afterwards. 'The St Christophers medallions werent actually due to be released until August, but since wearing them at the KKW beauty launch, Babyanything decided to release them and there is now a waiting list' Elle Ferguson (left) is a famous fashion blogger, while her sister Lucie (right) is a fashion designer 'They are handcrafted in a small Italian village that actually produces the medallions for the Vatican!' Lucie said. Lucie started her jewellery label Babyanything twelve years ago and each piece is designed and handmade by her in Sydney. She graduated with a Fine Arts Degree in Jewellery and Object Design and after years of industry experience she decided to start her own business. Lucie started her jewellery label Babyanything twelve years ago and each piece is designed and handmade by her in Sydney The sisters previously told Captain and the Gypsy Kid that they both love each and support each other unconditionally 'The response has been amazing and we have now started a pre-sale list,' Lucie said. The sisters previously told Captain and the Gypsy Kid that they both love each and support each other unconditionally and this is another example of this. 'Both of us are different in certain ways but at our core are the same. The bond we have is actually something I cant explain in words,' Elle said. Like any entrepreneur, Samantha Cameron wants her business to be a success. So it is perhaps of little surprise she is doing her best to promote her Cefinn clothing line at every opportunity. The fashion designer, 46, was spotted wearing two different pieces from her critically-acclaimed range as she attended two different events yesterday. Night out: Samantha Cameron in a 150 Cefinn blouse for the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party Daytime chic: Hours earlier the designer stepped out in a 390 cocoon coat in London The former PM's wife wore a 390 cocoon coat to give a talk to movers and shakers of the fashion industry at London's trendy Groucho Club in the afternoon before stepping out in a 150 blouse for the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party last night. She dressed up the tailored funnel neck blouse with an embroidered ankle-length skirt, which she paired with simple black suede pumps and a black clutch. Mrs Cameron, who launched Cefinn in February, attended the event alongside models, designers and society figures including Princess Eugenie and her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank. Yesterday afternoon the fashion entrepreneur, who launched Cefinn in February, was giving a 'fireside chat' on 'Finding Your Target Market in the Fashion Industry' with tickets costing 26 a head. On trend: The entrepreneur paired the blouse with a striking embroidered calf-length skirt Fashion party: Samantha Cameron was spotted with other stars at the A-list event yesterday Speakers including Myleene Klass and Cath Kidston also gave talks at the event. Mrs Cameron, who recently celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary with husband David, has been busy on the social circuit since leaving Downing Street a year ago. Earlier this month she joined George Osborne's wife Frances at the star-studded V&A Summer Party. In March, MailOnline revealed how pieces from Mrs Cameron's debut womenswear line were already flying off the shelves just four weeks after going on sale. Mrs Cameron, who is mother to Nancy, Arthur and Florence, with husband David, has also modelled her own creations in glossy spreads in Vogue and the Sunday Times Magazine. A woman who started entering competitions to save money as a student revealed she's racked up a whopping 30,000 worth of prizes more than the average UK salary of 27,300. Victoria Measures' amazing wins include two holidays, two iPads, a smart phone, three Kindles and a 1,000 Laura Ashley voucher. Remarkably, the 26-year-old who lives near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire only spends a couple of hours a week entering competitions but has become such a dab hand that she manages to get through hundreds in that time. 'I only win once every few months, so I'll have entered hundreds before I get something back,' said Victoria, who works in digital marketing and lives near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. 'It's quite addictive. It's so easy to do, I can just enter competitions from my phone while I'm watching TV. 'It's a bit of a hobby that I can get something back from. It's really exciting when you get that tweet or email saying you've won.' Victoria Measures, 26, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire has won 30,000 worth of prizes by entering online competitions Some of the 1,000 worth of beauty products that Victoria has won over the years One of two iPads Victoria has won by taking part in competitions Savvy Victoria has been winning prizes since 2010. Then studying tourism business management at University College Birmingham, she read about entering competitions - known as 'comping' - on money-saving forums and decided to give it a go. Devoting an entire day to scouring the internet for suitable options, she didn't expect much success. Victoria's comping tips Set up a separate email address purely for comping Search for giveaways on Fridays Take your time set aside 30 minutes to an hour a week to search Change your internet settings to remember what you've filled into forms before, meaning you can enter details quicker Keep a log of what you've entered and be wary of fake giveaways Advertisement But, just a short while later, she received an email telling her she'd won a smart phone. 'That was my first ever prize. It was great,' she said. 'I never used to think people won these sorts of giveaways, but I did after just a day.' From there, Victoria starting putting aside a couple of hours every week, so she could scroll the web for competitions. Now, she mainly uses Twitter, as you enter simply by retweeting, making it possible to submit hundreds of entries in a short space of time. She also recommends looking on Fridays, as that's when a lot of companies run giveaways, and setting up a separate email address, solely dedicated to comping. 'I just go on Twitter and search #RTwin. Thousands of people enter, though, so you're up against a lot of competition,' she explained. Victoria with her boyfriend Gavin at a festival in Hertfordshire (left). Although Gavin doesn't share her hobby, he will pick out competitions for her to enter (right) Lucky lady! Victoria enjoying an afternoon tea she won, in London, last year A Roberts Radio, worth over 100, which Victoria won, in 2015 'In the past, I've entered a couple where you have to complete a task. I won a Laura Ashley voucher by writing about how I'd use their products to turn my spare room into a dressing room. 'A lot of people can't be bothered to enter the task comps, so you have a greater chance of winning if you do.' Over the years, Victoria estimates she's won a whopping 30,000 worth of prizes. Happy couple Victoria and Gavin taking a break in Edinburgh, in March 2017 All that glitters: The diamond necklace, worth 700, that Victoria won, in 2014 She's well heeled! A pair of Ted Baker wedges that Victoria won, in 2014 She used to keep a spreadsheet to track her winnings, but has now given it up. She continued: 'Some of the best things I've won are all expenses paid trips to London and the Lake District. 'I'd love to win a break abroad, though. I think that's what most compers aim for. 'I only enter giveaways where I'd actually want the prize, or know somebody I could give it to, otherwise it's a waste of time. A photo of the bedroom Victoria stayed in after she won an all-expenses paid trip to the Lake District, in 2012 Another of Victoria's prizes was a Cath Kidston tea set Sweet treat! Victoria won vouchers to spend at the Hummingbird bakery, in December 2016 'I've won some pretty odd things, too, like a box of coathangers which I gave to charity, and some weird vegetable smoothies.' Impressed by her success, some of Victoria's friends have now given comping a go. Mainly using social media to enter, a few of them have managed to take home prizes. Her travel agent boyfriend Gavin Shury, 32, is also supportive and helps her to find giveaways. Tuck in! A steak dinner that Victoria won, in 2015. She often wins meals out, but a holiday abroad is the ultimate prize goal The afternoon tea that Victoria won and enjoyed at the Hilton hotel, in Westminster, London, in 2014 She won't go hungry! A haul of chocolate won by Victoria 'I was a bit embarrassed to tell him when we first started seeing each other. I worried he'd think it was sad or weird,' said Victoria, who blogs about her hauls. 'He loves it, though. He can enjoy the prizes too, if they're dinners or trips out. 'He doesn't know anyone else who does it. I don't think he'd get into it himself, but he'll help me find things to enter.' Monica Lewinsky looked glamorous in an all-black ensemble as she stepped out for a glitzy summer party last night. The American anti-bullying activist, 43, was on hand to celebrate the 30th anniversary of public relations firm Bell Pottinger at the company's annual bash at Lancaster House, in London, last night. Monica joined high profile guests including Heather Kerzner, the Duchess of York and Nigel Farage at the outdoor event. Radiant: Monica Lewinsky at the Bell Pottinger 30th anniversary party in London last night Beaming: Ms Lewinsky flashed a smile as she posed for a photo with Heather Kerzner It has been nearly 20 years since Ms Lewinsky was unwillingly thrust into the international spotlight when her affair with then US President Bill Clinton was made public. After years of struggling with the negative publicity in silence, Ms Lewinsky now uses her own experience to educate others on the dangers of bullying. The media personality and public speaker looked the picture of confidence as she arrived at the Bell Pottinger party, flashing a million-dollar smile as she posed for photos. She accentuated her toned hourglass figure in a black peplum top and fitted black knee-length skirt, and brought a touch of fun to the outfit with metallic gold heels. Summer bash: The women were among the high profile guests at the Lancaster House event Making a statement: Heather opted for all-out glitz while Fergie went for a more low-key look Movers and shakers: Heather and Fergie with horse racing executive Harry Herbert Ms Lewinsky, who spends most of her time in New York, looked in excellent spirits as she chatted to former model and branding guru Heather Kerzner, the ex-wife of hotel magnate Sol. Heather made a statement in a silver metallic mini dress with a bold fringed skirt, which she paired with silver kitten heel sandals. Meanwhile Sarah Ferguson opted for a more low-key look in a black fit and flare dress and periwinkle blue blazer. She wore her hair pulled back from her face in a half up-do and kept her make-up to a minimum. The brave parents of a cancer-stricken boy have shared a heart-breaking photo that he asked them to take of the moment he died in his father's arms. Braiden Prescott, seven, died two days after being admitted to a hospice last September having battled neuroblastoma three times. His parents Steph, 26, and Wayne Prescott, 38, from Ince, Greater Manchester, are sharing the image Braiden requested in his final moments to raise awareness of the rare cancer's early symptoms so no other parent goes through the heartbreak they did. Heartbroken parents Steph and Wayne Prescott have shared the photo of the moment their son Braiden died in his father's arms following a five year battle with cancer Full-time mother Steph said: 'I was at Braiden's bedside during the night when I was woken up at 3am by the sound of him choking. 'I buzzed the nurse in and they told me it was nearly time - what I could hear was his death rattle. 'I woke Wayne up. I was supposed to be holding him but I couldn't so they sat him on Wayne's knee. Wayne cuddled him as I sat by his side holding his hand.' Braiden was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of two, but Steph said 'mother's instinct' told her he was poorly at just six months old Braiden (pictured centre next to brothers Kody and Tyler) asked his parents to take the final photo in his dying moments Steph said Braiden's outburst was all the more unusual as he had tumours on his jaw which meant he couldn't open his mouth properly and hadn't spoken for a few days. Steph said: 'He suddenly shouted out for his nanna and grandad as he knew they had been there that day. 'He then shouted "picture now". I was a bit shocked but I followed orders - he'd not spoken in a few days but then all of a sudden he started shouting it.' Braiden underwent 11 different types of chemo and even went to America for immunotherapy however he relapsed twice and passed away The family say that they are getting used to life without Braiden who died in September but admit that it has been a stuggle Following his death Braiden's body was kept at home before the funeral as Steph felt it was important for his brothers to spend time with him Steph said that the death of her son has left her feeling 'numb' and Wayne lost masses of weight as he stopped eating Minutes after Steph took the heart-breaking picture of Wayne cuddling Braiden he passed away. Steph said: 'When he passed we were shocked, you don't ever want to think you're losing your baby, but we knew it was coming. 'I was numb. I didn't really feel anything and Wayne lost lots of weight as he wasn't eating.' Braiden was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of two, but Steph said 'mother's instinct' told her he was poorly at just six months old. Steph said: 'Braiden was diagnosed in 2012 but I knew 18 months earlier something was seriously wrong - call it mum's instinct. 'He was limping, had a high temperature constantly which we couldn't get down, he was pale, and wouldn't eat.' Steph said Braiden was under a specialist for two months and was later diagnosed in February 2012 as having septic arthritis. Steph is now expecting a little girl, she believes that this is a gift from Braiden who always wanted a sister After an operation on his right hip he didn't seem to get any better so Steph demanded a scan that found a mass on his stomach and the bone lining was thicker, which indicated cancer. Steph said: 'When we were told the outcome of the scan I was numb. It was like I was listening but I wasn't there. 'They sat us down and told us it was either a rare type of cancer or leukaemia. Sadly they later found out it was neuroblastoma.' Braiden underwent 11 different types of chemo and even went to America for immunotherapy however he relapsed twice and passed away at Derian House Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire, at 5.05am on September 1 2016. Steph said: 'It was heart breaking watching him go through it all. After he passed away we had Braiden at home so family could see him one last time. 'His little brother Tyler was just five at the time. It was important to me that he spent time with him. 'He had been through the journey with him all those years - we felt it was important to be there at the end too.' Steph added: 'I know the pictures are hard to look at - hardly anyone sees a child that has passed away. 'I hope it will shock people into thinking about neuroblastoma and what these children go through. 'I just want as many people as possible to know about it. If your child has a limp, runs a really high temperature and isn't eating get them to A&E for a blood test. Steph and Wayne are sharing the heartbreaking photos of their son's death in the hope to raise awareness of their son's cancer. Pictured: Braiden in his casket 'Only then will you know for sure whether it's something to be concerned about.' Steph said they are learning to live without Braiden, but he will always be an important part of the family. Steph said: 'The first Christmas without him was hard, we were still a bit numb and in shock, you just carry on for the other two as normally as you can. 'It's still hard now - it's never going to get better, I think we just learn to live with it.' 'We speak about him every day as we want to make sure his memory is kept alive. He will always be known.' Steph is now 18 weeks pregnant with a little girl, and believes she's a gift from Braiden who always dreamed of having a sister. Steph said: 'Braiden's sent her down from heaven - he always wanted a little sister.' A transgender woman has been left fearing for her life after her deadly silicone injections containing cement turned her breasts into ticking time bombs. Kayla Lozano, 43, from Webster in Texas believes she could die at any moment after silicone in her one breast went rock-hard and she found solid lumps in the other. Kayla started transitioning over two decades ago when there was still huge stigma surrounding being transgender, and in desperation she turned to backstreet procedures. As a last resort she would regularly cross the Mexican border to buy oestrogen hormones that she would administer herself, as well as visiting illegal 'doctors' to have industrial-grade silicone injections directly into her breasts. For six years, she spent $1,500 on illegal injections into her pectoral tissue to get C-cup breasts. After the death of some of her friends who had the treatment too, Kayla started researching and discovered that silicone can travel around the body causing fatal blood clots. Kayla Lozano, 43, from Webster in Texas believes she could die at any moment after having industrial-grade silicone injected directly into her breasts over the course of six years to assist her transition to being a woman For six years, Kayla spent $1,500 on illegal injections into her pectoral tissue to get C-cup breasts In addition to concerns over the quality of the silicone injections, many were discovered to have cement in them, which could explain her breasts solidifying. Kayla also suffers from a daily 'burning, excruciating pain' throughout her body, which doctors believe is being caused by her immune system attacking the silicone. Now she feels like a 'ticking time bomb' and is desperately fundraising to have her implants removed before the silicone kills her. Kayla, who is studying social work, said: 'When I started the silicone injections, my breasts were soft but now one has a few pretty large lumps and the right breast is solid as a rock. In the 90s, after wining a drag competition, Kayla ditched all of her male clothing and identity 'My entire right breast feels like one big stone, it's very upsetting and very painful. 'I keep getting extremely sharp pains in my breast area, they also get very hot, irritated and itchy. 'It feels like that silicone has travelled through my body, I have aches and pain in my thighs, hips, legs and lower back just like the agony I felt from my breasts. 'After a lot of research, I've seen that the industrial grade silicone that was used for my breast hardens like cement and it feels like it too, they are hard round disks of cement like tissue. There are solid lumps in Kayla's breasts and she's concerned they could cause a fatal blood clot 'I feel like a ticking time bomb, doctors have told me it's very dangerous as the silicone is travelling through my body and could reach my brain or other organs. 'Due to it constantly moving throughout my body, there's a chance it could cause a blood clot and kill me if it solidifies, it's very dangerous. 'I worry it's not a matter of 'if' it happens but more 'when' because of all the loose silicone I have in my breast area. 'Living with that fear is really terrifying, all I want to do is have all of the silicone removed but it's an expensive and complicated surgery.' Kayla on the transgender visibility walk. Back in the '90s when she started transitioning there were fewer options available and she resorted to illegal procedures Kayla discarded male clothing and identity to become Kayla in 1993 after winning a 'drag competition' that she says helped to validate her as a woman. However, during the 90s being transgender was 'extremely taboo' and she struggled to find any resources or guidance to help her transition. Kayla said: 'After winning the competition, I finally feel comfortable and beautiful in my own skin, even while living as a caricature of a woman, I was expressing myself in a way I was comfortable.' 'But there was still a lot of stigma around being transgender in the 90s and the LGB movement was only just being introduced. Kayla has discovered the silicone injected into her body may have contained cement, and several friends have died after having the same injections 'It was sensational to be gay, but to be transgender was just viewed as very, very wrong.' As a last resort she would regularly cross the Mexican border to buy oestrogen hormones that she would administer herself, as well as visiting illegal 'silicone doctors'. Operating out of 'seedy motels', they offered a cheap but unregulated alternatives to plastic surgery, giving transgender females a chance of aesthetically achieving womanhood. Kayla said: 'The silicone doctors would inject my breast area quite a few times with a large needle, it was without anaesthesia and was very painful when the silicone entered my body. Doctors believe the loose silicone travelling around her body could be fatal and now Kayla is desperately fundraising to have her implants removed to keep her alive Kayla's breasts are like solid lumps on her chest and she fears they could even contain concrete after having illegal injections 'When the needle came out, it would just ooze with silicon, which would be sealed with cotton wool balls and industrial super glue. 'It was the most excruciating pain like my chest was on fire, I did it because it was a means to become who I wanted to be.' By 2000, she had spent $1,500 on the 'backstreet augmentation' but over the years they started to harden and she discovered solid lumps. Later, after several of her friends died from the silicone injections, she started researching the substance travelling around her body. The campaigner is training to be a social worker to help the transgender community and wants to raise awareness to stop others having illegal procedures Kayla added: 'I didn't realise how dangerous it was until my friends started dying from it, I had a really close friend who had just finished going through her entire transition when she died. 'It was shocking to me, here was a beautiful girl who went through all of this surgery to finally become a woman physically and she died from the injections, it was a wake-up call. 'Since then, I've become more educated and found out that the 'industrial grade silicone' wasn't 100 per cent silicone and could have contained cement.' Kayla had agonising silicone injections without anaesthetic and would travel to Mexico to buy hormones that she would administer herself Doctors believe the loose silicone travelling around her body could be fatal and now Kayla is desperately fundraising to have her implants removed to keep her alive. Kayla said: 'Over the years my breasts have been getting harder and harder, it's impossible not to think about the potential damage. 'While I'm thankful to be alive, I worry about the future, I know the silicone in my body could kill me and that every day the implants remain in my body I'm at a higher risk. During the 90s being transgender was 'extremely taboo', according to Kayla, and she struggled to find any resources or guidance to help her transition 'Had I have known the dangers, I would never have undergone the treatment, I never expected any harm to come to myself and all I wanted was to be happy with who I am. 'Now I'm training to be a social worker so that I can help the transgender community, my aim is to stop others from having illegal surgery as the risks are real.' To donate to her fund visit: https://www.gofundme.com/botched-revision-surgery-for-trans Ivanka Trump's mood looked as sunny as the warm summer weather as she left her home on Thursday morning with a huge smile on her face. Wearing a tight, figure-hugging white sleeveless turtle neck, the 35-year-old mother-of-three was escorted out of her home by secret service agents as she made her way into a waiting car - pausing to flash a wide smile at the waiting cameras. Ivanka's wide smile could well be due to an early morning well spent with her kids; shortly before leaving her home, she took to Instagram to share an adorable picture of her youngest son Theodore cuddling with his stuffed toy in bed. Scroll down for video Good morning? Ivanka Trump looked as happy as can be as she left her Washington, D.C. home on Thursday morning Fashion star: The 35-year-old looked incredibly chic in a skin-tight white sleeveless turtle neck and a pair of $320 Alice & Olivia peach-colored trousers Styling it up: Ivanka accessorized her ensemble with a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, some gold jewelry, and a handbag from her own fashion line Cool, calm and confident: Ivanka looked like she didn't have a care in the world as she made her way out of her home 'Teddy x Teddy' she captioned the sweet snap, which sees the one-year-old lying in his bed while wearing a pair of palm tree-print pajamas and hugging a large brown teddy bear that is almost as big as he is. But by the time she left her home, it was back to business as usual for the working mother, who was seen clutching a silver Macbook as she made her way into a waiting vehicle, no doubt heading to the White House to start her day at the office. Adding a touch of bling to her figure-hugging shirt, Ivanka accessorized with some gold earrings, a statement gold ring, and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, while also toting a cross-body white handbag from her eponymous fashion line. While Ivanka chose to leave through the side gate of her family's D.C. home, her husband Jared was pictured departing from the property separately, through the main entrance of the property. Wearing a navy suit and a red tie, Jared also had a wide smile on his face as he made his way down the steps in front of the house and into a waiting car. Baby boy: Shortly before leaving her home, Ivanka took to Instagram to share an adorable image of her son Theodore cuddling his teddy bear, captioning the picture, 'Teddy x Teddy' Helping hand: A waiting secret service agent held the gate open for Ivanka as she made her way into a waiting car Woman on a mission: Ivanka was seen clutching a silver Macbook as she made her way to work Summer style: Ivanka has been embracing the warm weather with a series of sleeveless ensembles in recent weeks Another happy face: Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner, 36, was also pictured leaving the couple's home this morning, separately from his wife Not long after Jared's departure, his wife made her way out of the house, exiting via the side gate, which was held open for her by a waiting secret service agent. This morning was a relatively late start for Ivanka, who was up at the crack of dawn on Wednesday morning to get in a session at her local gym, before returning to her home to get ready for work. The first daughter was photographed entering the side gate of her Washington, D.C. home after working up a sweat, clad in workoutwear, with her hair styled in a messy low bun. For her early morning workout, Ivanka donned a pale pink racer-back tank top, $49 color block leggings from her eponymous fashion line, and Mizuno sneakers, but she quickly changed into a chic all-black ensemble before heading out a few hours later, this time with five-year-old daughter Arabella in tow. Quick change! Ivanka was photographed returning home after a workout, before she stepped out dressed for work on Wednesday morning Mom duties: The first daughter appeared to be taking her five-year-old daughter Arabella to camp before heading to work for the day The mom was first seen stepping out of an SUV while one of her secret service agents stood guard as she made her way inside with her cellphone in her hand. Before moving to Washington, D.C., Ivanka would share videos of her and her husband Jared working out at the gym in their Trump Tower apartment building, and it was usually a family affair that involved their two eldest kids. However, since the election, Ivanka has taken to early morning workouts that occasionally include her husband, but she was by herself on Wednesday morning. After getting ready for the day, Ivanka stepped out in a sleeveless black tank top featuring a U-shaped cut-out and $298 wide-leg trousers by Alice & Olivia that were cinched at the waist with a thick black belt. Ivanka was seen leaving with her daughter Arabella, who was carrying multiple backpacks and a water bottle. Workout clothes: Ivanka donned a pale pink racer-back tank top, $49 color block leggings from her eponymous fashion line, and running sneakers for her early morning workout Getting going: Ivanka was photographed stepping out of an SUV before making her way to the side gate of her home with her cellphone in her hand The doting mom appeared to be taking her eldest child to camp for the day before she went to work, and after she got Arabella situated in the SUV, Ivanka dropped off her clutch and returned to her home carrying a glass mug filled with tea. On Wednesday, Chinese authorities released on bail Hua Haifeng and two other activists who had been detained after investigating labor conditions at a factory that produced shoes for Ivanka Trump and other brands. Ivanka Trump's brand has declined to comment on the allegations or the detentions. Marc Fisher, which produces shoes for Ivanka Trump and other brands, has said it is looking into the allegations. Ivanka Trump's lifestyle brand imports most of its merchandise from China, trade data show. Ivanka and Jared also left their home separately on Tuesday, but they political couple was definitely in sync. Controversy: Chinese labor activist Hua Haifeng (center) was photographed leaving a police station on Wednesday after being detained for investigating conditions at a factory that produced shoes for Ivanka Trump and other brands Coordinated: Ivanka and Jared wore matching cornflower blue on Tuesday despite leaving their house at different times Simply stunning: The 35-year-old flashed a bright smile and waved as she passed the photographers outside of her home Picture perfect: Ivanka wore a military-inspired dress by Altuzarra with lace-up block-heel sandals on Monday She donned a cornflower blue dress that matched her husband's tie as she stepped out of her Washington, D.C. home for the day. The two were photographed leaving at different times, but they looked like they were ready to take a family portrait thanks to their coordinating outfits. The mother-of-three was the picture of elegance in the short-sleeve frock, which featured pearl details around her shoulders and a hemline that was slightly longer in the back. Ivanka accessorized her ladylike dress with $135 suede pumps and a $250 white handbag, both from her eponymous fashion line, and pearl earrings to match the detailing on her sleeves. As she headed out for the day, Ivanka flashed a bright smile and waved at the photographers waiting outside her door. Ivanka was enjoying a morning visit from her friend Maggie Katz, and they were seen getting into her SUV together before they left for the day. Now that Memorial Day is far behind us, it's time to push your LBD's to the back of the closet and reach for summery white dresses. Whether it's Kim Kardashian's short and sexy Vivienne Westwood frock, or Rihanna's flowy eyelet Christian Dior shirtdress, stylish stars are embracing the chic warm-weather staple. While their designer options retail in the thousands, you can get the look for less by shopping FEMAIL's guide to the most stylish LWD's available now for under $100. White hot: From Kim Kardashian's short and sexy Vivienne Westwood frock (left), to Rihanna's flowy eyelet Christian Dior shirtdress (right), stylish stars are embracing the chic warm-weather staple. For the launch of her much-anticipated makeup line, KKW Beauty, Kim Kardashian, 36, kept things short and simple. The mother-of-two donned a fitted white mini dress by Vivienne Westwood reminiscent of the gown she wore to this year's Met Gala. Rihanna, 29, opted for an airy eyelet frock from Christian Dior, as she presented the 'Young Fashion Designer awards at the LVMH Prize 2017 Edition, recently. Summer's LWD's: Left: Boohoo dress, $44, boohoo.com. Center: Boohoo dress, $40, boohoo.com. Right: Dorothy Perkins dress, $49, dorothyperkins.com Tailored to perfection: Left: J.Crew dress, $84.99, jcrew.com. Right: Dorothy Perkins, $55, dorothyperkins.com Give them the slip: Majestic dress, $46, theoutnet.com Work it: Hailey Baldwin, 20, (left) donned an Alexandre Vauthier white mini dress, while Zoe Kravitz, 28, (right) opted for a rouched frock by The Row At a party in honor of her Maxim Hot 100 cover, Hailey Baldwin, 20, sported a stark white long-sleeved mini dress by Alexandre Vauthier. The model paired the sexy frock with Jimmy Choo platform heels and H.Stern jewels for the celebratory event. As she attended the BAMcinemaFest 2017 Opening Night premiere of Gemini, Zoe Kravitz, 28, looked white hot in a rouched off-the-shoulder dress by The Row. Cold shoulder: Left: Pixie Market dress, $20, pixiemarket.com. Center: River Island dress, $64, riverisland.com. Right: H&M dress, $29.99, hm.com Rouched options: Left: Bailey 44 dress, $93.50, theoutnet.com. Right: Boohoo dress, $30, boohoo.com Easy breezy: Elle Fanning, 19, (left) and Margot Robbie, 26, (right) looked uber chic in LWD's recently Elle Fanning, 19, appeared angelic in a white smocked tube dress as she exited a taping of the Jimmy Kimmel show last week. 'The Beguiled' actress accessorized the strapless piece with trendy silver slides and a matching shoulder bag. On Tuesday, Margot Robbie, 26, attended the opening of the Zimmermann flagshop store in London donning a frilly white frock by the brand. Short and sweet: Left: Mango dress, $59.99, mango.com. Center: Zara dress, $19.99, zara.com. Right: J.Crew dress, $59.99, jcrew.com Romantic ruffles: Left: Mango dress, $39.99, mango.com. Right: Topshop dress, $95, topshop.com Longsleeved beauty: Topshop dress, $60, topshop.com Style stars: Jennifer Lopez, 47, (left) and Kate Mara, 34, (right) have both embraced summer's white dress trend Jennifer Lopez, 47, showed off her killer figure on a date night with beau Alex Rodriguez, 41, recently. The mother-of-two donned a pretty maxi dress by affordable brand Lulu's, which featured cutouts that showed off her enviable abs. Meanwhile, Kate Mara, 34, looked poised and polished in a collared white dress by Christian Dior, as she attended the brand's Resort 2018 show earlier this week. Poised and polished: Left: River Island dress, $70, riverisland.com. Center: H&M dress, $24.99, hm.com. Right: Oasis dress, $95, oasis-stores.com Stylish shirtdresses: Left: Oasis dress, $45, oasis-stores.com. Right: Equipment dress, $90, theoutnet.com A plus-size model has launched a scathing attack on high street shops who don't cater for curvy women in the swimwear department. Sonny Turner, 19, from London, urged stores to cater for all women of shapes and sizes and posted two photos of her trying on a tiny bikini set in the changing room to demonstrate her point. Taking to Instagram, the size 14 stunner, who is originally from the Midlands, penned a rant on 'the reality of shopping as a thick/ plus size woman'. 'High street store bikinis do not cater for women of my body type,' Sonny wrote. 'Majority of online stores don't either. NO ONE GETS IT.' Taking to Instagram, Sonny urged stores to cater for all women of shapes and sizes and posted two photos of her trying on a tiny bikini set in the changing room to demonstrate her point Sonny's her online rant clearly struck a chord with thousands of other women, with her post attracting 14,200 likes and hundreds of comments Sonny, a student, wears a 36DD cup size but says the largest top available in the shop that day was a size 12-14. In the images - taken from the front, back and side - it's clear the bikini set barely fits her at all. She even included a list of tips for emerging designers, including 'bikinis that don't expose our vagina lips' and 'bottoms that don't give us wedgies'. The 19-year-old concluded: 'It's not fair that we can't wear cute swimwear just because we are built differently. We deserve to walk into a store and pay 10 for a nice bikini without breaking the bank and our body confidence.' Lack of choice: Sonny, a student and model from London, wears a 36DD cup size but says the largest top available in the shop that day was a size 12-14 Outspoken: Sonny, who is signed with Milk Management, regularly blogs about body confidence on social media, earning her thousands of followers on Instagram And her online rant clearly struck a chord with thousands of other women, with her post attracting 14,200 likes and hundreds of comments. Many thanked Sonny for her honesty, while a mother-of-three agreed that it was 'devastating' not being able to find swimwear that contained her 'huge butt and tiny waist'. Sonny, who is signed with Milk Management, regularly blogs about body confidence on social media, earning her a legion of fans. Hundreds of Instagrammers thanked Sonny for bringing the issue to light, with one woman saying it is 'devastating' that she can never find clothing that properly suits her body shape She told MailOnline: 'Ever since I went through puberty I have struggled to find swimwear that is supportive and stylish.' Explaining the moment she decided to post the pictures, she said: 'I knew the swimwear wouldn't fit but I just wanted to try it on to confirm. I wanted to see if any other women felt the same and clearly they do. 'I was shocked at the [online] reaction. I have realised that you don't need to be plus size to feel these struggles. Women of all body size struggle during the summer months.' Christian Louboutin extends his 'Nudes' shoe collection with the release of the Cherrysandal, a platform style with a block heel, and the Christeriva, which features grosgrain ribbons that wrap around the ankle. Both styles are available in a full spectrum of seven skin tone shades to offer all women footwear that matches their flesh. Because finding a shoe that goes with everything and elongates your legs is no easy feat, FEMAIL rounds up four brands that are redefining the meaning of 'nude'. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Expanding the collection: Christian Louboutin extends his 'Nudes' shoe collection with the release of the Cherrysandal and the Christeriva Left and right: Christeriva "Toudou" N7, $875; christianlouboutin.com Left and right: Christeriva "Toudou" N7, $875; christianlouboutin.com Left and right: Christeriva "Toudou" N7, $875; christianlouboutin.com Standing tall: Devote Louboutin fan Blake Lively added inches to her already statuesque frame in the Cherrysandal last month Devote Louboutin fan Blake Lively added inches to her already statuesque frame in the Cherrysandal last month. The 29-year-old paired the platform style with a Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit for Variety's Power of Women New York luncheon at Cipriani Midtown. In a color that matches Blake's skin tone perfectly, the shoes elongated her look while going undetected. Left and right: Cherrysandal "Lea Nue" N1, $895; christianlouboutin.com Left and right: Cherrysandal "Lea Nue" N1, $895; christianlouboutin.com KAHMUNE Something for everyone: UK-based brand Kahmune (pronounced like 'commune') was founded by Ghanaian-American Jamela Acheampong, as an answer to the lack of inclusivity in the shoe industry UK-based brand Kahmune (pronounced like 'commune') was founded by Ghanaian-American Jamela Acheampong a year ago, as an answer to the lack of inclusivity in the shoe industry. 'The motivation was to provide nude shades to fit darker skin tones, but I thought it was important to ensure that all skin tones are represented,' she told Elle. Just like finding the perfect foundation for your face, Kahmune provides variations of nude in two classic shoe styles: the Becky (a pointy pump) and the Lucy (a wraparound sandal). Options: Redefining what the shade nude is, Kahmune provides variations of the color in two classic styles: the Becky (a pointy pump) and the Lucy (a wraparound sandal) L.K. BENNETT From kitten heel slingbacks to round-toe pumps, British luxury high street retailer L.K. Bennett offers a variety of shoe silhouettes in a medley of skin-tone shades. Founded in 1990, the brand designs for women who want to look polished. After quickly becoming the destination for feminine footwear, the label introduced a ready-to-wear collection in 1998. Offering wardrobe solutions for all occasions and for all women, L.K. Bennett is a one-stop-shop. Left: Helena Patent Sandal, $227.50; lkbennett.com. Right: Florita Slingback, now $260; lkbennett.com Left: Sybila Patent Leather, $260; lkbennett.com. Right: Erica Formal Sandal, $425; lkbennett.com TKEES On the hunt for a barely-there flip-flop? TKEES has everyone covered with their Foundation Bar collection. Offering nudes for all women, including porcelain, olive with warm undertones and rich brown, there's a Brazilian-made slide to blend into every complexion. Choose from seashell to deep glow, in a matte, gloss or shimmer finish for a thong sandal that can stylishly take you from the beach to the bar. Left and Right: Foundations, $50; tkees.com Loving pizza and wearing bikinis are not necessarily incompatible lifestyles and one Italian chain wants to prove it. Villa Italian Kitchen, a pizza chain with locations across the US announced this week that it will be selling a limited-edition 'Pizza-Kini' a very real, very cheesy bikini made entirely out of pizza. But there's a catch: It will only be available to purchase for one day, and will set mozzarella-loving sunbathers back a whole lot of dough $10,000 to be exact. That's amore! Chain restaurant Villa Italian Kitchen has announced plans to realease a special limited-edition pizza bikini Modeled by Margherita? The edible two-piece, designed by food stylist Jessie Bearden, will be available to buy on July 5 for the whopping price of $10,000 Pert pepperoni posterior: Those who buy it get a sizing consultation and can even pick their own toppings I'll take a pie, thanks: Some people have been quite skeptical about the Pizza-kini In celebration of National Bikini Day on July 5, the chain will be offering the special swimsuit for one day only. And while it's certainly a publicity stunt, that doesn't mean it's fake. The chain partnered with New York City-based food stylist Jessie Bearden to create the two-piece pie, and has already put together a sample to entice customers. Villa Italian Kitchen says the Pizza-Kini is 'made from the freshest ingredients', from the hand-braided dough to the whole milk mozzarella to the sauce, which is made from fresh California tomatoes. But each of the bikinis, of which only a limited quantity will be made, comes with a $10,000 price tag. That cost covers the fact that each of the swimsuits will be custom-made and include a consultation and measurement session. And some (olive) tanning oil! One person quipped that the edible bathing suit should come with spaghetti straps Mama Mia! The price tag seems a tad cost-prohibitive, though it seems unlikely most people could make their own - despite several claiming they might try Baking in the sun: A few people seem intrigued by the creative idea Customers can also choose which toppings they would like baked into their bikinis. Naturally, some people have met the news of the new product with a big dose of skepticism, proclaiming that it is not something the world needs. 'I feel like I can make my own bikini out of pizza from Costco for $9.99,' wrote one unimpressed Twitter user. A few, though, have shared their excitement about the invention on social media, with one joking it would be great if it was made with spaghetti straps. Fortunately for those who are intrigued by the idea of a pizza swimsuit but not looking to fork over that kind of money or have marinara sauce all over their bodies there are several bathing suits out there that have pizza prints that could work just fine. There's also plenty of other pizza-themed pool paraphernalia, like beach towels and pool floats. Bull rider Bradie Gray, who was critically injured after being stomped by a bull at the College National Finals Rodeo earlier this month, is out of the intensive care unit and itching to get back on a bull. He still had a breathing tube in and one of the first things he wrote on the iPad was, When can I get on again? his mother, Sharon, said Wednesday. Gray left the ICU at Wyoming Medical Center on Wednesday morning, walking to his new room, the hospital reported on its Facebook page. He was determined (to walk the whole way), said his father, Mick. Hes been walking up and down the hallways at the ICU and the nurses have been chasing him. Gray got more good news Wednesday when three-time defending Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey and fellow bull rider Tyler Taylor stopped by to pay him a visit. Kimzey and Taylor were on their way to Cody to compete at the Cody Stampede Xtreme Bulls on Friday. Three-time world champion Sage Kimzey, left, and fellow bull rider Tyler Taylor pay a visit to Bradie Gray on Wednesday at Wyoming Medical Center. The Odessa College bull rider is recovering from injuries sustained during the College National Finals Rodeo. I heard about it on Facebook, Kimzey said. And we were driving through, so we decided to come see him. Hes in a lot better shape and a lot better spirits than I thought (he would be). Added Taylor: If I was in a similar situation I would want guys to stop by and see me. Ive never even met (Gray) before, but he would do the same thing for me. I know he would. Gray, who graduated from Odessa College last month, suffered massive internal injuries on June 15 when a bull stepped on his chest. He suffered broken ribs, collapsed lungs and a tear in his aorta. When he arrived at the hospital, Gray did not have a pulse. Doctors there revived him and performed surgeries to mend his injuries. Gray was the first CNFR competitor to suffer a life-threatening injury since the event came to Casper in 1999. He was was bucked off Frontier Rodeos Levi the Boss. The bull then stepped on his chest. Gray was able to stand under his own power and was pulled into a bucking chute by bystanders. Medics treated him at the scene and later took him to Wyoming Medical Center. But Gray admitted he started thinking about getting on another bull as soon as I started feeling better. Neither Kimzey nor Taylor were surprised by Grays admission. Something in our bodies just keeps us coming back, Kimzey said. He knows that the heart of a bull rider is one where you can never be defeated. Hes got a passion and hes going to work hard to get back. This is just an obstacle that hes got to overcome; I know that. Definitely where the line of passion and crazy hits is right where every bull rider lies. Gray is a native of Australia and has been riding bulls and steers since he was 5 years old. He's been a professional bull rider for two years. I feel pretty good, Gray said. Its really great to have a world champion supporting you its a really good feeling. Intelligent children are likely to survive longer, research suggests. A British study which has tracked 65,000 people since their birth to the age of 79, found childhood IQ is strongly linked to longevity. Children who had a high IQ at the age of 11 were far less likely to have died from heart disease, stroke or certain cancers, the researchers found. They also had a lower risk of dying from injuries, digestive diseases and dementia, the scientists found. Experts at the University of Edinburgh suspect this is because people who are more intelligent are better at looking after themselves they are less likely to smoke and more likely to follow healthier lifestyles. But there is a chance that genetics may also play a role, a theory that suggests people whose DNA gives them high intelligence also likely to be healthier in other ways. Experts say smarter children grow up to take better care of themselves and live longer (file) How the research was carried out The researchers, whose work is published in the British Medical Journal, examined data for 33,536 men and 32,229 women born in Scotland in 1936. Their intelligence was tested at age 11 and they were followed for 68 years until December 2015. After taking account of several factors that could have influenced the results such as age, sex and socio-economic status the researchers found people who had displayed higher childhood intelligence were more likely to still be alive. A higher test score was associated with a 28 per cent reduced risk of death from respiratory disease, a 25 per cent reduced risk of death from coronary heart disease, and a 24 per cent lower risk of death from stroke. The researchers said several theories have been put forward as explanations, such as people with higher IQs being more likely to look after their health and being less likely to smoke. They also tend to do more exercise and seek medical attention when ill. Other evidence suggests genetics may play a role in the link between cognitive ability and longevity. CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE LINKED WITH LOWER IQ Lead exposure in childhood could be linked to lower IQs as adults, a recent study revealed. Scientists say being exposed to extremely high levels of lead whether through pollution, soil, or paint is responsible for a 'loss of intelligence' and occupational standing among today's adults. Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand and Duke University in North Carolina looked at children born in two cities across two continents for more than 30 years. For years, levels of lead in blood deemed to be unsafe in children were up to seven times higher than what is considered unsafe today. This delay in recognizing what were dangerous levels means many children may have been denied treatment that could have aided in their growth and development. Advertisement We should copy smart people Professor Ian Deary of the University of Edinburgh, who led the research, said: Im being optimistic about these results. Im hoping it means that if we can find out what smart people do and copy them, then we have a chance of a slightly longer and healthier life. We dont fully know yet why intelligence from childhood and longevity are related, and we are keeping an open mind. Lifestyles eg not smoking education, health literacy, less deprivation, and genetics might all play a part. We and other research teams are testing these ideas. Experts from the Karolinska Intitute in Sweden, writing in a linked editorial also published in the BMJ, said IQ seems to be most strongly linked to smoking. Importantly, it shows that childhood IQ is strongly associated with causes of death that are, to a great extent, dependent on already known risk factors, they wrote. Tobacco smoking and its distribution along the socioeconomic spectrum could be of particular importance here. It remains to be seen if this is the full story or if IQ signals something deeper, and possibly genetic, in its relation to longevity. Don't go swimming while wearing sunscreen - unless you want cancer. A compound used in the protective lotions turns toxic when it reacts with chlorine and ultraviolet rays, researchers found. Avobenzone is considered the most popular sun-blocker in the world due to its ability to absorb sunlight at different wave lengths - preventing skin damage. But Russian scientists suggest the UV-filtering compound forms cancer-causing toxins when exposed to a mixture of sun and chlorinated water. Aldehydes, phenols and chlorinated acetyl benzenes were created in experiments simulating swimmers wearing sunscreen. The latter two are considered extremely toxic and are strongly linked to deadly tumours and infertility, Lomonosov Moscow State University experts say. While a study earlier this year hinted that aldehydes can raise the risk of cancer as they interfere with the body's natural repair mechanism. A compound used in sunscreen turns toxic when it reacts with chlorine and ultraviolet rays, researchers have discovered 'Transforms in the water' Lead author Dr Albert Lebedev said: 'On the basis of the experiments one could make a conclusion that a generally safe compound transforms in the water and forms more dangerous products. 'In spite of the fact that there are no precise toxicological profiles for the most established products, it's known that acetyl benzenes and phenols, especially chlorinated ones, are quite toxic. 'Studying the products of transformation of any popular cosmetics is very important as very often they turn out to be much more toxic and dangerous than their predecessors. 'In principle, basing on such researches, one could obtain results, which could restrict or even put under a ban the usage of one or another product and preserve the health of millions of people.' How was the study carried out? The researchers used a scanning technique called chromatomass spectrometry to make their findings, published in Chemosphere. SUNSCREEN COULD MAKE MEN INFERTILE Sunscreen can render a man infertile by disrupting human sperm cells, a Danish study found last April. Nearly half of the ingredients commonly used to block out ultra-violet light mimic the effects of the female hormone progesterone. This stops sperm cells functioning normally, researchers said at the time. The sunscreen lotion can enter the blood stream by being absorbed through the skin. Niels Skakkebaek, a professor at the University of Copenhagen said the findings were worrying. These results are of concern and might explain in part why unexplained infertility is so prevalent,' he said. Advertisement This technique, on laboratory cells, allows precise analysis of the most complex mixtures of chemical compounds. For the study, they simulated the real situation when a sunscreen, applied on the skin of a swimmer, comes into contact with pool water. The breakdown of avobenzone may take place right on the wet human skin, on which a sunscreen is spread. Used by millions Sunscreen containing avobenzone are known to be applied by millions of people all over the world. Chemical UV filters like avobenzone absorb ultraviolet light due to the peculiarities of their structures. The substance in itself is safe. As well as being common in sunscreen, they are also used in some personal care products, such as makeup, moisturisers and lip balms. Dr Emma Wedgeworth, British Skin Foundation spokesperson, told MailOnline: 'Its really important that we keep on scrutinising the chemicals that we use on the skin, so this certainly needs to be looked into very carefully. 'Its always difficult to know how relevant lab findings are to the real life scenario, because often the concentrations being studies are very different to the concentrations we come into in real life. 'However, we know for certain that sun exposure is linked to skin cancers and that sunscreen, as part as safe sun behaviour, can help reduce the risks of skin cancers. 'So I would urge people not to have a knee jerk reaction and avoid sunscreen altogether.' Added danger The researchers are now studying how avobenzone breaks down under conditions of chlorination and bromination of fresh and sea water. During chlorination or bromination of sea water the number of the breakdown products of avobenzone will be even wider. And if water contains copper salts - which are added into many swimming pools for getting nice light-blue colour - then bromoform is formed in large quantities. This substance could provoke dysfunctions of liver and kidneys - along with nervous system disorder, the experts implied. Survivors of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire may be at risk of Alzheimer's disease, a leading expert has warned. Professor Chris Exley, of Keele University, has warned of the health dangers that may occur in future as a result of inhaling the fumes from the burning cladding which was full of aluminium. A substantial link has existed between the everyday metal used on the panels and the most common form of dementia for decades. For years Professor Exley has argued that the neurotoxin can build-up in the brain, eventually causing contamination that may lead to the most common form of dementia. Despite being lucky to escape with their lives, hundreds who have been forced to relocate as a result of the fire may have to live with the burden of the devastating disease as they grow older. Professor Exley made his comments in the wake of the tower block blaze which claimed the lives of up to 80 tenants, in an exclusive piece for The Hippocratic Post. Professor Chris Exley warned of the dangers that inhaling the burning cladding, which was responsible for 80 deaths in the Grenfell Tower blaze, may cause in the future Cladding is a material attached to a building's frame to create an outer wall (shown in this graphic). The process of applying the rain-proof frontage can create a 25mm-30mm cavity between the cladding and the insulation behind it, shown between the first two layers Danger may yet be felt He told the medical-blogging website: 'The dangers of airborne aluminium exposure may yet be felt by the Grenfell survivors and nearby residents. 'In recent days, individuals living in the near vicinity of the Grenfell Tower fire in London will have been exposed to very high levels of airborne aluminium. 'Materials scientists will appreciate the role that aluminium, as part of the cladding, played in the rapid and explosive spread of the fire. 'Inhalation of the inevitable aerosols will have contributed towards the body burden of aluminium in exposed individuals.' WHERE IS ALUMINIUM FOUND? Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust, and is naturally found in food because plants absorb it from water and the soil. While 50 years ago humans may have ingested small amounts of aluminium from vegetables and the pots they were cooked in, today it is added to almost everything we consume. Aluminium sulphate is added to water to make it more clear, and it is added to cakes and biscuits as a raising agent. It is also found in most processed foods, food colouring, tea, cocoa, malt drinks, wines and fizzy drinks. Cosmetics, talcs, toothpaste, suncream and antiperspirants contain aluminium, as well as drugs such as aspirin, antacids and vaccines. The body excretes aluminium, but if more is ingested than the body can excrete, it is deposited in the bone, brain, liver, heart, spleen, and muscle. Advertisement He suggested this may have 'predisposed them to neurological problems such as Alzheimers disease in the future'. Grenfell Tower's Reynobond aluminium panels had a flammable plastic core which experts have since blamed for accelerating the fire. A substantial link Strong links between human exposure to aluminium and Alzheimer's disease have existed for decades. But the medical community is divided, as there is no definitive proof that the metal contributes to the deadly brain disease. Professor Exley was behind research in December that showed an 'unequivocal' association between the two. At the time, he wrote on The Hippocratic Post that the 'compelling' results should encourage doubters of the link to 'think again'. A report he helped publish in October 2014 said humans are being contaminated everyday, with the metal being used in almost everything. The metal compound is found in most processed foods, tea, wine, fizzy drinks, cosmetics and drugs like aspirin. It is already accepted as a neurotoxin, with Professor Exley having before argued its accumulation can only contribute to other diseases. This piece originally appeared on and has been reproduced with the permission of The Hippocratic Post. Noisy suburban streets significantly reduce men's fertility, new research reveals. Researchers believe night-time noise disturbs sleep, leading to male infertility. Previous research revealed getting less than six hours of sleep a night reduces a man's chance of getting a woman pregnant by 43 percent. This is thought to be due to a lack of shut eye being associated with a lowered sperm count, altered sperm shape and reduced testosterone levels. Infertility problems affect around one in six couples globally at least once in their lifetime, either temporarily or permanently. Noisy suburban streets significantly reduce men's fertility, new research reveals COULD POPPY SEEDS BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO IVF? Women could increase their chances of getting pregnant by using a 100-year-old fertility technique, according to research released last month. The procedure, which involves flushing a woman's Fallopian tubes with poppy seed oil, was first used in 1917 and has significant fertility benefits, the study found. Results revealed almost 40 percent of previously infertile women conceived within six months of trying the unconventional procedure. It could offer couples the opportunity to have a successful pregnancy without relying on costly IVF, according to global researchers led by the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute. Advertisement How the study was carried out Researchers from Seoul National University analyzed 206,492 men aged between 20 and 59 from 2006 to 2013. They calculated noise levels using information from the National Noise Information System combined with the study's participant's postcodes. Of the participants, 3,293 were diagnosed with infertility during the study. Key findings Results, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, revealed that night-time exposure to a noise level of 55 dB - the equivalent of a suburban street - significantly increases a man's likelihood of being diagnosed with infertility. The researchers speculate that night-time noise may disturb sleep, leading to male infertility. Past research Research from Boston University released in October last year revealed that getting less than six hours of sleep a night reduces a man's chances of getting a woman pregnant by 43 percent. Dr Lauren Wise, author of the Boston University study, said: 'Sleep problems specifically have been associated with lower sperm concentrations, total sperm count and per cent of normal sperm morphology (shape), as well as decreased testosterone levels'. Additional past research revealed that every extra 10 decibels of traffic noise increases a woman's chances of taking more than six months to get pregnant by eight percent. This is thought to be due to noise pollution affecting women's ovulation cycle. Prescriptions for antidepressants in England have more than doubled in the past decade, according to the latest figures. An extra 3.7 million were dispensed from 2015 to 2016, representing a six per cent increase in use of medications such as Prozac. There has been a worrying 108 per cent rise in the past ten years, a report from NHS Digital has revealed. The alarming news provides further evidence of a growing epidemic of addiction to prescription medicines. It also costs the tax-payer 266.5 million a year. It follows a damning report in March that revealed more than one million patients in the UK are needlessly taking sedatives and anti-depressants. Now experts have warned that the latest figures show that GPs are still handing out the drugs too readily. Figures show that an extra 3.7 million antidepressants were prescribed from 2015 to 2016 (file) One in six people will experience depression in their lifetime. Experts says it is crucial to look at whether patients are receiving other treatment, such as counselling, alongside medication. Stephen Buckley from mental health charity Mind said the rise may be because more people are coming forward for help, but it also shows the scale of unmet needs in mental health. He said: 'Antidepressants can be effective for many people, but the continued rise in prescriptions is concerning. 'It's vital people are receiving other treatment alongside medication, as recommended in NICE guidance. 'While medication can help some people, it is not the solution for everyone and they are not generally recommended for use as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression.' SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTI-DEPRESSANTS The side effects of antidepressants can cause problems at first, but then generally improve with time. It's important to continue treatment, even if you're affected by side effects, as it will take several weeks before you begin to benefit from treatment. Common side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can include: Feeling agitated, shaky or anxious Feeling and being sick Indigestion and stomach aches Diarrhoea or constipation Loss of appetite Dizziness Not sleeping well (insomnia), or feeling very sleepy Headaches Low sex drive Difficulties achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation In men, difficulties obtaining or maintaining an erection These side effects should improve within a few weeks, although some can occasionally persist. Potential health risks include serotonin syndrome (confusion, agitation and muscle twitching) and a severe fall in sodium (salt) levels, known as hyponatraemia. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Prozac Nation The figures show last year, prescriptions for antidepressants jumped from 61 million in 2015 to 64.7 million. In 2006, there were 31.03 million prescriptions made by doctors. Previous research revealed the UK has the fourth-most medicated population in Europe when it comes to anti-depressants. A study by the University of Roehampton suggested a million patients are taking anti-depressants 'they don't really need' and are left on the drugs for months or years at a time. A quarter of a million in Britain have been left on tranquillisers such as Valium for more than six months, well over the recommended one-month limit. Another 800,000 have been taking anti-depressants for more than two years, having wrongly been prescribed them in the first place, the report says. Dangers of antidepressants Coming off these drugs can cause crippling withdrawal effects, such as hallucinations and depression. Critics argue addiction services are funded to deal primarily with heroin, cocaine and alcohol problems and little help is available for those on prescription medication long-term. Mr Buckley added: 'Giving people a choice of treatments is key, whether that's drugs, talking therapies like counselling, alternatives such as arts therapy or exercise, or a combination of some or all of these. 'Someone managing their mental health problems should be treated as a whole person and they should be able to access whatever treatment, or treatments, work best for them. 'Some people find coming off medication difficult so it is important that doctors provide support. We would advise people not to stop taking their medication without support from a health professional.' The Mail has backed calls led by charities and MPs for a 24-hour helpline for people innocently hooked on prescription drugs. Increased funding, targeted prevention efforts and better treatment have helped to slow down the HIV epidemic in the United States. The number of new HIV-positive cases has decreased significantly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the number of new HIV diagnoses declining by 19 percent from 2005 to 2014. This is not the case in many parts of the country, however. As AIDS and public health researchers, we are among those who are alarmed by areas in the southern United States where the numbers of cases have not declined and even more by the areas in which increases have occurred. In particular, we have seen some disturbing trends in Prince George's County, Maryland, where we do research on AIDS and health disparities. These are similar to trends in other nonurban settings in the southern United States where a majority of African-Americans live. Reggie Batiste with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Atlanta administers an HIV test Southern nonurban black communities in crisis In Prince George's County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., the number of new HIV infections has increased from 2014 to 2015, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In fact, Prince George's County leads the state in the number of new HIV diagnoses, having surpassed Baltimore City in 2013. With rates that are 20 times higher than those of whites in 2015, African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by HIV in Prince George's County. In 2015, African-Americans constituted 86 percent of all new HIV diagnoses and 85 percent of the total population living with HIV. Moreover, engagement in HIV care remains at critically low levels among those living in Prince George's County. Only 49 percent of people living with HIV are retained in care and 37 percent have achieved viral suppression, when a person's HIV viral load is undetectable or is very low, considerably reducing the risk of transmission. This public health crisis in Prince George's County reflects a much broader trend in the United States, where the disproportionate burden of HIV is increasingly found in the U.S. South, including Washington, D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In many areas, HIV is concentrated in urban areas. But in the South, larger proportions of those diagnosed with HIV are living in smaller metropolitan, suburban and rural areas places like Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; and Lowndes County, Alabama. Southern states have the highest rates of new HIV-positive diagnoses, the highest percentage of people living with HIV and the lowest rates of survival for those who are HIV-positive. Nearly 52 percent of all new diagnoses of HIV in 2015 occurred in southern states, even though only 37 percent of the U.S. population lives in the South. The vast majority of African-Americans live in the South, and they are the hardest hit by the HIV epidemic in the region. In 2015, African-Americans accounted for 45 percent of HIV diagnoses in the United States overall, though they comprise 13 percent of the total population. But in the South, this percentage is much higher, with African-Americans accounting for 54 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2014. Black men who have sex with men have a disproportionate burden of disease, accounting for 59 percent of all HIV diagnoses among African-Americans in the South. Black women also face an unequal burden, comprising 69 percent of all HIV diagnoses among women in the South. Black transgender communities in the South are also heavily impacted. Half of all transgender persons who are diagnosed with HIV are black. Around half of transgender people who received an HIV diagnosis between 2009-2014 lived in the South. Root causes of the enduring HIV epidemic in the South The South suffers from disproportionate rates of concentrated poverty the clustering of poor populations in very poor communities that increasingly exists in smaller cities, suburban areas and rural counties. In 2010, 41 percent of poor Americans lived in the South, according to the Pew Research Center. Research has shown that in these areas of concentrated poverty, poor families are saddled with additional burdens, beyond what the families' own individual circumstances would dictate, including inadequate access to quality health care and poor health outcomes. Abstinence-based sex education and criminalization of HIV-related risk behaviors, rooted in perceptions that HIV is associated with immoral and deviant behavior, has resulted in increased stigma and discrimination toward those living with HIV in the South. This can lead to people being afraid to get tested or seek treatment for fear that someone may find out they have HIV. Stigma and discrimination are also found in many middle-class and wealthy African-American communities in the South, like those in Prince George's County, where black respectability politics the notion that by adopting certain cultural norms of the white mainstream, black people can protect themselves from discrimination has contributed to a silencing of the HIV epidemic among the African-American poor and the blaming of victims for their illness. Finally, health care and funding disparities have long plagued the South and have contributed to the rising rates of HIV in the region. Federal government funding still lags behind for southern states. For example, 33 percent of federal funding was distributed to the South, despite the region having 52 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in the country. The CDC has increased funding to the South to directly reflect the impact of HIV in the region, with an increase of 22 percent or US$36 million from 2010 to 2015. However, many community-based organizations doing frontline HIV prevention work are ineligible for funding because they are not located within major metropolitan centers. The most recent CDC funding announcement for community-based organizations, for instance, focuses on people at high risk of contracting HIV only in metropolitan areas hit hardest by HIV and AIDS. Additionally, southern states also have some of the strictest eligibility requirements and least expansive Medicaid programs. Many southern states rejected Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which extended health care to millions of uninsured Americans. Such health care policies, along with poor health care infrastructure, lack of qualified health professionals and geographic isolation, have resulted in substandard or nonexistent health services and treatment for those most in need. The proposed American Health Care Act will further limit the expansion of Medicaid, which would disproportionately affect the poor and may not provide insurance for those with preexisting conditions, including HIV. Transformative actions need to occur in order to make a positive impact on the devastating effects HIV has had among African-Americans in the South. Funding needs to be reallocated to the region, especially to frontline providers and organizations doing HIV prevention work. Political pressure to expand Medicaid and to increase funding for HIV prevention and treatment is necessary to stem the tide of the epidemic. People should advocate to change laws and policies, particularly around sex education and criminalization of HIV-related behaviors. Increasing opportunities for employment, housing and education can also improve HIV prevention in the South. In order to make progress, southern states must make difficult structural changes such as increasing funding, health care access and treatment. They also need to directly confront the inadequate living and working conditions that put poor African-American youth and adults at heightened risk for HIV. This article was originally published by The Conversation Thousands of women are giving up on pills to prevent breast cancer in the mistaken belief they are causing debilitating side effects, researchers warn. Tamoxifen is meant to be offered to women who have either had breast cancer or are at very high risk due to their family history. The 6p a day pills have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer occurring by 30 per cent and they are prescribed for five years. But a study led by Queen Mary, University of London, involving almost 4,000 women found that a third stopped the pills before this recommended time. This included 12 per cent who gave up within 18 months, mostly in the belief that they were suffering severe side effects. Tamoxifen is meant to be offered to women who have either had breast cancer or are at very high risk due to their family history Intriguingly, the research also studied women who had taken dummy pills placebos and they also experienced the same side effects as those on Tamoxifen. These included hot flushes, nausea, sickness and some gynaecological symptoms which are also the main signs of the menopause. Wrongly blamed Researchers believe many women are wrongly blaming Tamoxifen for normal age or menopause related symptom, and stopping the drug, Around one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and experts believe Tamoxifen and similar drugs have the potential to prevent many new cases. The pills work by blocking the hormone oestrogen, which is known to stimulate the formation of tumour cells. There are no figures for the numbers of women taking the drugs but almost 700,000 prescriptions were written out last year. Dr Ivana Sestak from Queen Mary, the University of London said: 'We found that the association between nausea, vomiting, headaches, hot flushes and gynaecological symptoms and non-adherence to treatment was largely similar between women taking placebo or Tamoxifen. 'Therefore, this suggests that women may be attributing normally-occurring, age-related symptoms, such as those experienced around the time of menopause, to their medication instead.' Naturally-occuring symptoms DON'T FEAR THE WORST Breast cancer patients who fear the worst end up suffering more severe side effects from treatment, a German study found last year. But those who have a positive outlook tend to experience fewer and less severe hot flushes and vomiting bouts. The intensity and frequency of side effects from taking hormone therapy drugs such as tamoxifen and exemestane for two years was influenced by patients expectations, the researchers found. When patients expected to suffer before treatment began, they ended up feeling worse. Advertisement She urged GPs to point out to women that they may experience naturally occurring symptoms whilst taking Tamoxifen which may have nothing to do with the drugs, 'Communicating accurate information on side effects to patients, and highlighting that some naturally-occurring symptoms may occur during the course of therapy, could be a useful approach in encouraging adherence. 'This is particularly important for women who are expected to experience the menopause while taking preventive therapy. 'These discussions may encourage more realistic expectations of the likelihood of experiencing side effects.' How was the study carried out? The research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology involved 3,823 women from the UK, Europe and Australia who had been prescribed Tamoxifen or a placebo for five years. These women had either had undergone treatment for oestrogen positive breast cancer which accounts for 70 per cent of all cases. The study showed that 30 per cent had stopped taking the pills by five years including 25 per cent on the placebo and 35 per cent on Tamoxifen. Dr Samuel Smith, a Cancer Research UK fellow who is based at the University of Leeds said: 'Intervention strategies that help to communicate effectively the harms and benefits of preventive therapy to patients need to be developed. 'At present interventions that help to improve adherence to medications are few and far between. So we are considering ways to intervene with these patients to ensure the safe and appropriate use of preventive therapy.' Maine has reported its first case of measles in 20 years. The patient, from Franklin County near the Canada border, was diagnosed in mid-June after traveling overseas, according to state epidemiologist Dr Siiri Bennett. CDC officials have now released a detailed list of where the patient has been - including exact times and places - and urged people to seek tests or treatment if they were there at the same time. They have also urged all citizens to get vaccinated against the highly-contagious infection, which can prove deadly in children and elderly people. 'The Maine CDC is working with clinicians to identify potentially exposed individuals and make appropriate recommendations to prevent transmission,' she said. The patient, from Franklin County near the Canada border, was diagnosed in mid-June after traveling overseas, according to state epidemiologist Dr Siiri Bennett (file image) The case was reported on Tuesday afternoon. Officials did not confirm the age or gender of the patient. As of Thursday, there were no other cases reported. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. The disease can cause severe health complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. It is air-borne, and can survive up to two hours on surfaces or in the air. It spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the CDC, the infection was almost completely wiped out of the United States in the 1960s after widespread vaccination brought rates down to an all-time low. However, epidemiologists claim the rising trend in anti-vaxxer movements is triggering a potential resurgence. Indeed, Maine's case comes just two months after an historic outbreak of measles in Minnesota, which was blamed on the anti-vaxxer movement. More than 30 children contracted the virus in late April, primarily in the state's large Somali-American community, where many parents avoid the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine because of unfounded fears that it causes autism. It was just the latest example of a tight-knit community in which the highly contagious disease has gained a foothold in the U.S. in recent years. MONEY ON'T TABLE by Corinne Sweet (September 8.99) On a cold night in South Yorkshire in 1934, an 11-year-old boy called Derek Happs peered anxiously out of his front door as three men carried his semi-conscious older brother, Dennis, down the cobbled street from the mine. It were a rock fall, a real bad un, explained Josh, a boy only a year or two older than Derek, but in a workmans belt, braces and boots. Well need to fetch the doctor, said Dereks mother. The NHS would not be founded for another 14 years, but the family had kept up payments to the doctor who came around every Friday collecting money as a kind of medical insurance. Six moving, real-life stories are told in this gripping slice of social history by psychologist Corinne Sweet, who addresses the poverty of life in 1930s Britain and follows individuals' stories Derek felt a lurch of fear his brother would die and his struggling family would lose the young miners meagre but essential wages. There was no welfare state back then, and no compensation for injuries at work. The Great Depression had left two million unemployed. But despite their extreme hardship, Dereks father found the money to send him to grammar school. The lad qualified as a pharmacist and worked his way up the ladder at Boots to become a director. He was proud to dispense the first NHS prescription in Nottingham in 1950. Dereks blue-to-white-collar transformation is one of six moving, real-life stories in this surprisingly gripping slice of social history by psychologist Corinne Sweet. At a time when most working-class kids had few opportunities for self-improvement, she focuses on men and women born between 1923 and 1947 who all left school early to help keep their families afloat. They all worked in the Midlands for companies such as Boots, Players and Raleigh. Pauline Braker was top of her class, but her father refused to let her go to grammar school. Yerll do real work like the rest of us, sneered the domineering Raleigh engineer. Yer getting above yersel, yer are. Yer all kippers and curtains. They all worked in the Midlands for companies such as Boots, Players and Raleigh Betty Nichols had lost both her father (to pneumonia, the year penicillin was discovered) and her beloved stepfather (to typhoid) before she hit her teens, and was sent to do emming at the Cellular Clothing Co when she was 14. No talking, no drinking, no eating at yer machine, barked her overseer. No breaks, no going tlavvy and just half an hour fer yer dinner. She would go on to sew up to 40 Army and RAF shirts a day during the war, daydreaming about Clark Gable in Gone With The Wind. Sweet conveys the exhilaration of first love when Betty met Arthur in his Navy uniform. They married in 1947 and she smuggled ginger pop into work to quell morning sickness. But the baby was stillborn and, like her mother before her, she outlived two husbands. Betty Nichols had lost both her father (to pneumonia, the year penicillin was discovered) and her beloved stepfather (to typhoid) before she hit her teens Betty punched in at Nottinghams dark Satanic mills all her working life. She turned 90 in 2016. The loss of her child cast a long shadow over her life, writes Sweet. Its hard to imagine the poverty experienced in gas-lit, unheated, bombed-out Britain. But its worth remembering what pulled the Happs family through life in the Thirties: Community, sacrifice, love and tolerance. MEMOIR GET ME THE URGENT BISCUITS by Sweetpea Slight (Weidenfeld 14.99) Early on in her career, theatre producer Thelma Holt found herself dealing with Robert Maxwell. The first words he spoke to her were: There are three things you need to know about me: I dont drink, I dont gamble and I dont sleep with women. Mr Maxwell, how splendid, replied Holt. At least we have two things in common. Thelma, a red-headed force of nature, could only ever have worked in the theatre her name is an anagram of Hamlet and the one quality she didnt share with Robert Maxwell gets plenty of coverage. Unable to master the instructions for her dishwasher, she stored wine in it instead. She can be absent-minded. Distracted one evening by a phone call from the director Sir Peter Hall, she forgot to put on her dress, and only realised halfway through watching a play that, underneath her coat, she was wearing just a bra and tights. Its inevitable that the memoirs of an assistant will be as much about the person to whom shes an assistant as they will be about herself. Sweetpea (Jane) Slight's memoir explores her famed boss, Thelma Holt, as well as her own life in this behind-the-scenes account of the vodka and cigarette-fuelled life with the London luvvies But Sweetpea Slight is a good enough writer to recognise this truth and to mine Thelma her boss for nearly 20 years for every bit of material she can. Mavericks like Thelma can sometimes think their genius excuses them from the demands of common courtesy. Assured that the fridge would be full for her house-sitting spell, Sweetpea arrived to find one bottle of vodka, one egg and a small bowl with a plate resting on top of it, inside which were cold peas and a sausage cut into tiny pieces. But, in the end, its clear that Holt cares for her employees dearly, and for others, too. When a visiting Russian actor stole all her vodka, she arranged for him to visit an Alcoholics Anonymous group. He was grateful: Telma, just great fun at the club I meet Anthony Hopkins! Sweetpea came to London in 1984, an 18-year-old from Dorset with dreams of becoming an actress. These were soon abandoned and, instead, she found herself helping Thelma, who gave Jane her nickname. It caused confusion when Dustin Hoffman was in the room, as he also answers to Sweetpea on account of climbing everything as a toddler but Slight took to the new moniker, eventually changing it on her passport. Her duties ranged from fetching the urgent biscuits (shortbread) needed at times of anxiety to booking flights and accommodation for touring companies. On one occasion, the armourer for a production that used guns was found dead in his Zurich hotel room with all his weapons stolen. Jane, from Dorset, arrived in London in 1984 and fell in with a theatrical crowd Vanessa Redgrave cut a 1,500 wig as she thought her character should have short hair, while the actors in another production complained about their costumes looking cheap. The solution? Thelma and Sweetpea bought some scarves at Tie Rack, replaced the labels with Chanel and everyone was happy. The book contains just the right amount of stars-behind-the-scenes reporting. Helen Mirren responded to Sweetpeas fan letter with a brand-new 20 note and another for her friend, instructing that the enclosed was for fun. The actress Fiona Shaw mistimed her cooking so badly, her guests had to eat pudding first. And no matter how old Alan Rickman got, his hands remained boy-like. Understandably (but frustratingly), Sweetpea refrains from naming the world-famous actor who grabbed her right breast while his wife was in the next room. In the end, this is a story about learning who you are by pretending to be other people But this book is more than a lightweight collection of anecdotes. Its a superbly written and moving account of one womans efforts to understand the world and her own place in it. Part of its beauty comes from the air of sadness that hangs over it. And in Sweetpeas own relationship with Thelma, theres a sense of ambivalence. Its almost a parent-child closeness, but you get the impression, too, that as much as Thelma allowed Sweetpea to grow, she also stopped her from growing. In the end, this is a story about learning who you are by pretending to be other people. One of Sweetpeas jobs was answering playwright Ray Cooneys fan mail. She did it so well that Thelma couldnt tell the difference between a genuine Cooney and one of my inventions. And Thelma herself taught Sweetpea how to do her signature so she could use her credit card. Perhaps Sweetpea didnt abandon the acting after all. CHASING LIGHT by Stefan Forster (TeNeues 29.99) Imagine carrying an 11-year-old child on your back as you kayak along Greenlands west coast or wade through the steamy swamps of Louisiana. This fabulous new book is a collection of Forsters best images, featuring everything from the spectacular Matterhorn (pictured) to the rarest rainstorm in the driest desert and the most perfect icicle in the world Thats the equivalent of what Swiss photographer Stefan Forster endures lugging around 80lb of photography and camping kit as he searches for the perfect shot. This fabulous new book is a collection of Forsters best images, featuring everything from the spectacular Matterhorn (above) to the rarest rainstorm in the driest desert and the most perfect icicle in the world. THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker (HQ 12.99) THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker (HQ 12.99) For the past five years, Chicago has been hypnotised by a serial killer known as the Fourth Monkey, referring to the three wise monkeys that see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil only he leaves the message: Do no evil. There have been seven murders, and part of the killers signature is to leave small boxes containing parts of his victims bodies as clues for Detective Sam Porter. The story opens with the discovery of a box beside a man who seems to have been accidentally run over by a bus. Could it be the 4MK killer himself, as in his jacket there is a diary that appears to record what he did and why? Thats just one of myriad false clues that corkscrew through the book. Superbly constructed and immaculately paced, this is one of the few serial killer thrillers that bears comparison with Thomas Harriss 1981 masterpiece Red Dragon. THE FORCE by Don Winslow (HarperCollins 18.99) THE FORCE by Don Winslow (HarperCollins 18.99) The epic sweep of Winslows story of corruption among New Yorks finest is breathtaking. Think of TV series The Sopranos, then transform that Mafia family into an elite police squad led by Detective Dennis Malone. These are the smartest, toughest, bravest and baddest cops, prepared to break any rules not only to protect their streets, but also to line their pockets. Their journey begins with a drugs bust that sees them assassinate a major dealer and help themselves to 50 kg of heroin, worth millions of dollars. What follows is a voyage through the darkest side of law enforcement. Malones descent into hell, pursued by the FBI, is Shakespearean, packed with detail and told in majestic prose. Already optioned for a Ridley Scott movie, this is without question among the finest ever police novels. PERSONS UNKNOWN by Susie Steiner (Borough Press 12.99) PERSONS UNKNOWN by Susie Steiner (Borough Press 12.99) Sparky DS Manon Bradshaw, the detective at the heart of Steiners first crime thriller Missing, Presumed, bursts into life again. However, she has now left London and is a DI working on cold cases in Cambridgeshire and bringing up her adopted 12-year-old son Fly. She also happens to be pregnant. A rich investment banker is mysteriously murdered close to the police station where she works. She cannot resist taking an interest, as he was the father of her sisters son, and she lives with them. The plot takes a series of twists as it emerges that the banker may have links to a high-class escort, who has escaped from her dangerous former employers, and he may also be involved in setting up parties for a Chinese billionaire whose money he wants to invest. Bradshaw is an engaging heroine, full of self-doubt and contradiction, but whose caustic wit gleams through the grim murder inquiry. Around 150-200 Indian and Chinese Army troops each are separated by merely four to five meters from each other in the Doka La area. The two forces have been engaged in a stand-off since early June after the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) destroyed an Indian bunker there. 'Both sides are sitting too close for comfort, but there has not been violence of any sort in the area,' senior government sources told Mail Today. The trouble between the two sides started on May 18-19 when a Chinese patrol came to the Doka La area and objected to the two bunkers built by the Indian Army there, the sources said. PROOF? China has released these photos as evidence that Indian troops have trespassed the countrys boundary The bunkers were not manned and could have acted as a good observation point for the troops. The Chinese troops collapsed one of them using bulldozers to carry out the task on June 8. Indian troops objected to the Chinese action and stood their ground against the Chinese behaviour. As arguments and counter arguments started growing, the Chinese increased their number from a few dozen soldiers initially to 150-200 soldiers till yesterday, the sources said. The Chinese are also making an attempt to shift down the tri-junction point in the Chumbi valley by almost 12 kilometres to get a bigger hold on the area and to get wider depth in case of a military deployment. They are now building a road which they want to extend further so that it will bring them as close as possible to a place called Chicken's Neck. 'The Chinese troops have even been patrolling areas up to a place called Gemochin, where the Royal Bhutanese Army has its posts and PLA troops marched to their positions and reportedly even confronted them for being in their territory,' the sources said. Chinese soldier (left) and an Indian soldier stand guard at the Chinese side of the ancient Nathu La border crossing between India and China From the Chinese Army's point of view, the Chumbi valley has to be widened as they want to move closer to the strategically important Chicken's Neck corridor in Siliguri - which is under the watch of Army's 33 Corps headquarters situated in Sukna in West Bengal. The Chicken's Neck corridor is in a land mass connecting mainland India with the northeast, and is heavily guarded by India with one full Corps (90,000 troops) of the Army deployed in and around that area to protect it. Government sources said India is firm on resolving the issue as per the satisfaction of the parties involved in the disputed land boundary. A Chinese soldier stands guard on the Chinese side of the ancient Nathu La border crossing Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat also reached Sikkim to take stock of the ongoing situation with the local formation commanders as his troops have stood ground in the area. Sources said Bhutan and India have been anticipating such an attempt by the Chinese in this area based on their construction activities and had discussed the scenario in detail a couple of months before the situation came up. Meanwhile, China has accused Indian troops of 'crossing the boundary' in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal, while asserting that it has shut down the Nathu La pass entry for Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar because of the border stand-off. Tiny Bhutan protests to China over border road The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has protested to its mighty neighbour China over road building in disputed territory that set off new frictions between Beijing and the Indian government on Thursday. China made a new demand on Thursday that Indian troops return to their side of the border between India's Sikkim state and Tibet on the Chinese side. Highlighting the widening tensions over the remote mountain zone, Bhutan's ambassador to New Delhi, Vetsop Namgyel, said his government had called on China's People's Liberation Army to stop building the road near where the Bhutan, Indian and Chinese borders meet. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has found itself dragged into a mounting dispute between India and China over the territorial limit between India's Sikkim state and Tibet. 'We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here,' Namgyel told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency. He said the road was 'in violation of an agreement between the two countries.' Bhutan, which has a population of less than 800,000, and China do not have formal relations but maintain contacts through their missions in New Delhi. 'Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquility should be maintained,' the ambassador said. There is a dispute over the sovereignty of the district, which China calls Donglang. The showdown is, however, part of a wider dispute between India and China over the 4,057 kilometer (2,520 mile) border through mountain passes. India's army chief, General Bipin Rawat, travelled to Sikkim on Thursday, just days after Beijing accused Indian border guards of crossing into its territory to stop the construction of the road. Border 'scuffle' Indian media reports said there had been a 'scuffle' between Indian and Chinese troops after PLA soldiers damaged two old Indian bunkers. China has since stopped pilgrims crossing into Tibet to visit a mountain revered as the home of the Hindu god Shiva because of the showdown, the reports added. The Indian government has not commented on the tensions. India and China have long disputed parts of their frontier in the Himalayas. In 1962 there was a brief war over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. In 2014, Chinese troops moved into Sikkim territory claimed by India sparking a two week standoff. Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest of India's states, but its location gives it strategic importance. While India has remained silent over the dispute, China has angrily reinforced its claim that it has every right to build the road despite Bhutan's protests. Lu Kang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, made a new demand on Thursday that Indian troops withdraw from Chinese territory. India has not acknowledged that its soldiers are across the border. 'The reality is that the Indian troops illegally trespassed into the territory' of China, Lu told a Beijing briefing. 'Truth cannot be covered up, and we again urge the Indian side to abide by the historical boundary convention, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops back to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid any escalations.' Lu said China would release photos of Indian soldiers in Chinese territory. China says the Sikkim-Tibet border was decided under a 1890 accord with Britain. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned a string of murders targeting minorities under the pretext of protecting cows, which are considered sacred by many Hindus, after critics accused the government of turning a blind eye. Modi's remarks - his first on vigilantism in nearly a year - came shortly before reports of a fresh killing and just days after a Muslim teenager was stabbed to death on a train after being accused of carrying beef. 'Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti (cow worship) is not acceptable. This not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve,' Modi said. Last year Modi criticised the vigilantes and urged a crackdown against groups using religion as a cover for committing crimes India has been reeling from a spate of vigilante murders in recent months, especially targeting Muslims for allegedly killing cows or consuming beef. On Thursday a Muslim man was killed by a mob for allegedly carrying beef in central Jharkhand state, a Press Trust of India report said. 'Around 30 people surrounded (a) van...dragged out the driver of the vehicle...and thrashed him, injuring him seriously,' said Kishore Kaushal, superintendent of Jharkhand police, according to the report. The man was taken to hospital but declared dead on arrival, the report added. In a previous high-profile incident, 15-year-old Junaid Khan and three of his brothers were attacked last week in an apparent row over seats as they travelled home by train from New Delhi. Mahatma Gandhi regularly took to hunger strike to protest against communal violence Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi, right, joins other to protest against a spate of violent attacks across the country targeting the country's Muslim minority, in Mumbai, India Police have arrested four men over the attack. One of Khan's brothers said the attackers accused them of carrying beef, a meat popular among many Indian Muslims, but shunned by most Hindus. Khan's murder drew thousands to the streets across Indian cities on Wednesday, with demonstrators calling for an end to the wave of mob violence under the slogan 'not in my name'. Modi expressed his 'pain and anguish at the current environment' in India, listing different incidents of vigilante violence at roads, hospitals and over cow worship. The murder of a Muslim teen under the pretext of carrying beef drew thousands to the streets across Indian cities, with demonstrators calling for an end to the wave of mob violence under the slogan 'not in my name' Emboldened vigilantes Rights groups have warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims and urged Modi's Hindu nationalist government to act. 'The pattern of hate crimes committed against Muslims with seeming impunity... is deeply worrying,' said Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India, in a statement this week. The rights group said at least 10 Muslim men had been lynched or killed in public since April in suspected hate crimes. Last year Modi criticised the vigilantes and urged a crackdown against groups using religion as a cover for committing crimes. But critics say vigilantes have been emboldened by the election in 2014 of his right-wing BJP, and have urged the government to be more vocal in condemning the attacks. The slaughter of cows and the possession or consumption of beef is banned in most Indian states for decades, with some imposing life sentences for breaking the law. There has been a spike in attacks by 'cow protection' vigilante groups, who roam highways inspecting livestock trucks for any trace of the animal. Citizens hold placards during a silent protest Not in My Name against the targeted lynching, at Janter Manter in New delhi on wednesday In April, a Muslim man was beaten to death by a mob in Rajasthan state after they discovered cows in his truck. The man was a dairy farmer transporting milk cows. The following month, two Muslims were beaten to death on suspicion of stealing cows. In both cases, police were accused of failing to act quickly enough to protect the victims. In the Rajasthan attack, in which 200 vigilantes set upon trucks transporting cattle along a highway, police first arrested 11 of those beaten for alleged permit violations instead of rounding up the perpetrators. Indian police arrest four over Muslim teen's murder Indian police say they have arrested four people over the murder of a 15-year-old boy on a train, the latest in a slew of hate crimes against Muslims in the largely Hindu nation. A group of men attacked Junaid Khan and his three brothers last week in an apparent row over seats as they travelled home by train from New Delhi, killing him and injuring one of his brothers. One brother said the attackers accused them of carrying beef, a meat popular among many Indian Muslims but shunned by most of the country's Hindus, who revere cows as sacred. Rights groups have also warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims Deputy superintendent Mohinder Singh said police had arrested four men and identified the chief suspect in the killing, who had yet to be arrested. Media reports said two of the men arrested were local government employees. 'We have also taken many eye witness accounts from the daily travellers on this route and are focusing on arresting the knife attacker,' said Singh by telephone from Faridabad in northern Haryana state where the killing took place. The news came a day after protests were held in several Indian cities over the recent killings under the slogan 'not in my name'. People gather to protest against a spate of violent attacks across the country targetting the country's Muslim minority, in Kolkata, India Rights groups have also warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims - often on the pretext of protecting cows - and urged the country's Hindu nationalist government to act. 'The pattern of hate crimes committed against Muslims with seeming impunity... is deeply worrying,' said Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India, in a statement this week. The rights group said at least 10 Muslim men had been lynched or killed in public since April in suspected hate crimes. Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the vigilantes and urged a crackdown against groups using religion as a cover for committing crimes. Critics say vigilantes have been emboldened by the election in 2014 of his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party. The slaughter of cows and the possession or consumption of beef is banned in most Indian states, with some imposing life sentences for breaking the law. In the desert state of Rajasthan, guess who is more privileged than the common man? Well, it's none other than the cow. The state government is willing to open its coffers for cow welfare more than it is willing to spend on people who live Below Poverty Line (BPL) or earn under the MGNREGA rural employment scheme. The Vasundhara Rajeled state government is all set to pay Rs 70 for the upkeep of each cow per day and half the amount for calves. An elderly man with a sacred cow in Rajasthan A statue of a cow is seen during a protest and fast by Indian Hindu devotees against the slaughter of a cow in the southern state of Kerala on June 1, 2017 Compared to this, it spends just Rs 26.65 per person on welfare schemes. The state also imposes tougher terms with a person who earns bellow Rs 28 (33p) per day in a Rajasthan city considered to be belonging to the BPL category. However in rural areas the corresponding figure is Rs 25.16 (30p). To manage this expenditure, the government has been levying 10% cow tax on 33 types of transactions. This kind of special treatment for the bovines has come to the fore after thousands of cows died due to official apathy at the Hingonia shelter in state capital Jaipur. The state government is willing to open its coffers for cow welfare more than it is willing to spend on people who live the Below Poverty Line (BPL) or earn under the MGNREGA rural employment scheme. Cows are revered in the Hindu scriptures as the 'mother' of civilisation and many worshippers equate the slaughter of cows or eating beef as blasphemy Detractors say Hindu hardliners and cow vigilante groups have been increasingly asserting themselves since the Narendra Modi government came to power at the Centre in 2014. The PM broke his silence on Thursday over a wave of attacks on people accused of eating beef or slaughtering cows, saying that killing in the name of the animal - revered by many Hindus - is wrong. In Dholpur district of Rajasthan, Rashid belongs to a BPL family and manages his household expenditure by running a rickshaw. He lives with his family on rent in a kuchha home and earns Rs 60 to 70 per day. With that money, he has to manage not just his own expenses but for his wife and two children as well. Indian cattle have religious protection in Rajasthan India In January, Rajasthan's cow department decided the amounts of Rs 32 per cow and Rs 16 per calf per day for a period of three months. After this, an emergency management team and the municipal council in 13 districts and in cities such as Jaipur decided to raise the bar to Rs 70 per cow per day and Rs 35 per calf per day. According to the government order, this money has to be spent on food for cows and calves. Cows in India enjoy a good quality of life Indian women prepare to bless a cow during a Hindu Bach Baras ritual in the Rajasthan city of Udaipur CCTV cameras have to be installed across cow shelters and the CDs of cows being fed will have to be handed over to the government. All abandoned cows will be taken care of as part of this ambitious plan. 'The social welfare schemes related to the common man are being shut and cows are being provided with Rs 70 per day,' said Congress spokesperson Dr Archana Sharma. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington for his first meeting with President Donald Trump, when his host was enmeshed in a series of foreign policy and domestic controversies. Trump's handling of relations with NATO allies and his partisan approach to rivalries between Saudi Arabia and Qatar had evoked widespread domestic criticism. His unrestrained and unwarranted criticism of India on climate change raised misgivings in Indian minds. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House Expectations Contrary to expectations, the visit turned out to be a huge success, thanks to some deft handling by both sides. Foreign secretary S Jaishankar, who arrived earlier, had detailed discussions with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and precisely spelt out India's position on a wide range of issues, including Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. But, ultimately it was the candour and readiness of PM Modi to address American misgivings and perceptively understand Trump's thinking, that led to India proving those sceptical of new and increased Indo-American understanding wrong. There were clear misgivings in Indian minds, as the Prime Minister prepared to leave for Washington. His visits to European capitals indicated his determination to widen options in a rapidly changing world order. The Trump dispensation had treated NATO allies peremptorily. American policies in East Asia changed significantly. Its approach to countries in the Islamic world was strongly polarising. China was being treated by Trump almost deferentially and controversy surrounded relations with Russia. Contrary to expectations, the visit turned out to be a huge success, thanks to some deft handling by both sides There were misgivings in India about how the Trump Administration, obsessed with challenges posed by ISIS, would deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India and Afghanistan. India was also mulling over how to reconcile Modi's 'Make in India' with Trump's 'America First'. It was wise that before meeting President Trump, Modi met with his two key advisers on foreign and security policies - Secretary of State Tillerson and defence secretary Mattis. While the vexed issue of H1B Visas was discussed in his meetings with the top honchos of American business, it is clear that the new visa regime will ultimately be crafted in the US Congress. It was evident that a large cross-section of American business realises the importance of the present H1B visa regime. India will, therefore, have to avail of all resources, particularly from American and Indian business, for effective lobbying in the US Congress, where New Delhi enjoys a measure of bipartisan understanding on a wide range of issues. This will, however, remain an issue requiring sustained attention. It was also made clear to the Trump Administration and US business that there is a huge market in India for lucrative business in a vast number of areas, including defence equipment and passenger aircraft, which Trump personally alluded to. While the vexed issue of H1B Visas was discussed in his meetings, it is clear that the new visa regime will ultimately be crafted in the US Congress Cooperation Energy will remain a key area of cooperation, with India ready to import large amounts of natural (shale) gas, along with nuclear energy and multilateral financing of clean coal projects. 'Make in India' and 'America First' could become mutually reinforcing. There is little doubt that New Delhi's greatest success in the Washington discussions emerged from the readiness of President Trump and his aides to not have any illusions or doubts about the pernicious impact of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on Afghanistan and India. Going beyond just alluding to the role of known villains like Lashkar-e-Tayyeba and Jaish-e- Mohammed, the Trump Administration readily imposed sanctions and declared Syed Salahuddin, the Pakistan-based leader of the Kashmiri Hizbul Mujahideen, as an international terrorist. This is a path-breaking event. It is a signal to stone-pelters and those who back Pakistan-trained terrorists, whether Kashmiri or Pakistani, that they can expect no international understanding. It is also time for New Delhi to respond to Pakistani references to a so-called Kashmiri 'freedom struggle' by expressions of support for the oppressed people of Balochistan and the Pashtuns in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. The Trump Administration has strongly backed Indian economic assistance and military training to Afghanistan. This should continue, especially at a time when China is seeking to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan in an effort which will involve 'understanding' of the Taliban. It is important to ensure that this Chinese effort, clearly directed against India, does not succeed. Commitment Modi has also succeeded in obtaining continued American commitment for tripartite - India, Japan and US - naval exercises in the Indian Ocean. Moreover, a message has been sent to China by India and the US, calling on all nations 'to resolve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law'. Clearly alluding to the China-Pakistan economic corridor, the Modi-Trump Joint Statement refers to the need for projects for regional economic connectivity ensuring 'respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity', thereby questioning the rationale of the CPEC being routed through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. A word of caution is needed here. All this does not mean that Trump will necessarily avoid backing Chinese moves on Afghanistan, even while escalating drone attacks on Taliban and Haqqani network targets across the Durand Line. India and Afghanistan will have to closely coordinate their policies on dealing with such Chinese duplicity. After a series of diplomatic gaffes, Trump was clearly pleased with the personal chemistry that he had established with Modi. This was reflected in the remarks he made about his shared fondness with the Indian PM, for Twitter messaging. It was not just the US President who was pleased with the meeting. I arrived in California's Silicon Valley the day before the summit meeting. The Indian community was depressed with our defeat in the Champion's Trophy final. There were smiles on the faces of most of them when I met them after the summit! PricewaterhouseCoopers is being investigated by Britains accountancy watchdog over its audit of BT following the accounting scandal at the telecom groups Italian division. The Financial Reporting Council said the investigation will cover PwCs auditing of BT financial statements between 2015 and 2017. The probe comes after BT revealed that inappropriate behaviour had caused it to exaggerate its profits in Italy for a number of years, forcing it to write down the value of its Italian business by 530million. Probe: The accountancy watchdog will look at PwC audit of BT between 2015 and 2017 Shares in BT fell more than 20 per cent when details of the scandal emerged in January, wiping 8billion off the value of the company, and boss Gavin Patterson was stripped of his bonus. The FRC is trying to understand where the blame lies for the profits overstatement, whether with BT or PwC accountants. PwC, which has been BTs auditor for 33 years, was criticised by BT for failing to spot the fraud, which was brought to the boards attention by a whistleblower. Earlier this month, BT ended its long relationship with PwC and appointed KPMG as its new auditor. PwC said: We will continue to co-operate fully with the FRC in its enquiries. The regulator has a duty to investigate where they believe there is a public interest, in order to give confidence to the financial markets. Audit quality is of paramount importance to the firm. Last month BT announced 4,000 job cuts and lowered its profit forecast for the year and as it posted falling profits after a year marked by a run of bad news. BT, Britain's biggest telecoms group, said it expected to save 300million thanks to the axing of thousands of managerial and administrative jobs in its global division, which has headquarters in London and has suffered from the Italian scandal. Some of Britain's biggest supermarkets are appealing a tax on cash machines that could force them to start charging customers to take out money. In 2013 the government decided to charge business rates on cashpoints attached to retail premises and sent bills to thousands of retailers backdated to April 2010. Tesco, Sainsbury's and the Co-operative Group, who face a total bill of 206million for their cashpoints over the next five years, this week filed an appeal after a legal ruling in April upheld the policy. Some of Britain's biggest supermarkets are appealing a tax on cash machines that could force them to start charging customers to take out money Experts have branded the rates a 'stealth tax' and said that it could spell the end of the free ATM at shops and petrol stations. Customers in areas with banks would still have free access to their cash. But such charges would be resented in rural and small-town areas where banks have closed and residents rely on ATMs outside supermarkets and petrol stations. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: 'The policy makes it harder for retailers to offer free-to-use cash machines that are accessible from the outside of their store. 'This will have wide ranging and damaging implications not just for convenience stores, but also for small businesses, markets and other services on high streets and in neighbourhoods where this is often the only local free source of cash.' He added the ruling shows 'what a mess the business rates system is in' following recent revaluation. This Is Money has asked Tesco, Sainsbury's and the Co-operative Group if they will soon charge customers to take out cash and is awaiting response. Retailers are having to pay a total of 39.3 million a year on cash machines - or nearly 2,800 on average for each ATM, according to rents and rates specialists CVS. In 2013 the government decided to charge business rates on cashpoints attached to shops and petrol stations and sent bills sent to thousands of retailers backdated to April 2010 While ATMs attached to retailers are having to pay rates, the regime does not apply to free-standing cash machines within stores. But it still affects many thousands of hole-in-the-wall ATMs, with the number liable for business rates surging from 3,140 in 2010 to 14,068 this year. Almost one in six - or more than 196,000 - current business rates appeals lodged with the Valuation Tribunal Service relate to cash machines, according to a recent freedom of information request by CVS. The Association of Convenience Stores has raised fears that the tax on ATMs could not only hit small retailers hard, but also deprive communities of vital access to cash. It wants to see local authorities use funds announced in the Budget for business rates relief to reduce cost burden for under-pressure shops. In the wake of Brexit uncertainty and political instability most British food and drink businesses are tightening their belts. But healthy fast food restaurant Leon is bucking the trend with an ambitious programme of expansion well under way. A new deal with Roadchef will see two restaurants open at service stations on the M6 and M5 - quite the contrast to its original shop which popped up in central London's plush Carnaby Street in 2004. John Vincent (left) founded Leon with chef Henry Dimbleby, the son of presenter David in 2004 But despite serving sweet potato falafels, 'superfood' salads and fish finger sandwiches, founder John Vincent insists Leon's aim has always to been to copy the McDonald's model. 'We know that we have to be in fast food locations,' said the former consultant who founded Leon with chef Henry Dimbleby, son of presenter David. He added: 'This isn't out of the blue for us - we've always known that we have to be in places where people want fast food, like the train station or motorway services.' 'At Euston station, for example, we are where McDonald's might have been 50 years ago. And we're also working on drive through restaurants - it's always been the idea.' So the move into service stations is a logical next step, but why a franchise deal with Roadchef? A new deal with Roadchef will see two restaurants open at service stations - quite the contrast from its original shop which popped up in central London's plush Carnaby Street (pictured) Mr Vincent said a major reason was because he got on so well with CEO Simon Turl. 'I wouldn't want to partner with anyone who I wouldn't want to invite into my house,' he said. 'Business is about a contract one human makes with another - not just about the words on the page of the contract. 'You have to be really careful. I ask myself "would I let this person into my home?" and with Simon from Roadchef I feel I can.' Mr Turl very much agreed. 'That's the nice thing about the hospitality business,' he said. 'We have a clear view on what each business is looking for and what the customer is looking for. In this case it's more choice at the service station.' Both leaders are confident the two-restaurant trial will be a success, paving the way for more Leons to open at Roadchef's 30 service area sites across the UK. Mr Vincent said: 'I think we'll open many more restaurants at service stations together - let's hope the customers like it.' But expanding into UK service stations is not the only task on the cards for Leon at the moment. The founders are hoping to open their first US shop, in November, to add to their 46 UK venues and two in the Netherlands. Mr Vincent is optimistic but honest about the challenges of expansion - he doesn't anticipate it going without a hitch. 'We're going to make mistakes and we're going to learn,' he said. 'There are lots of new things to look out for with America. Aside from the different regulations such as Health and Safety rules, there's the issue of the menu and communication. 'For example, will Americans respond well to the concept of a Mediterranean menu? We'll have to see.' Leon's new restaurants are opening in August at Norton Canes (pictured) near Cannock on the M6 toll and at Strensham South near Worcester on the M5 He said the excitement of expansion is keeping him 'addicted' to his work. Mr Vincent even cooks in his various restaurants one day a week, which allows him to keep a close eye on the day-to-day running of the business. He personally opened Leon's Southwark branch at 6am after the cordon around it was lifted in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack. 'I'm truly 24/7,' he said. 'I'm up with the lark and never switch my phone off. I need to learn to delegate more,' he joked. One way he at least tries to do this is by selecting and supporting the right restaurant managers. 'Of course, with the franchise model the quality has to be maintained and this is all about the manager,' he explained. 'You have to have the right person in charge of each store and we put lots of effort into looking after their wellbeing. Ultimately, our job is not to run 50 restaurants but to support 50 people who do.' Leon's new restaurants are opening in August at Norton Canes near Cannock on the M6 toll and at Strensham South near Worcester on the M5. Aero-engineer giant Rolls Royce has showed commitment to a post-Brexit Britain by announcing its biggest investment in the UK for more than a decade that will safeguard more than 7,000 jobs. The majority of its 150million investment will go towards building a new facility for the testing of large civil aero engines at its historic site in Derby which will create up to 200 jobs, Rolls Royce said. Rolls Royce, which currently employs around 22,300 people in the UK, including 12,000 in the East Midlands, said that there will be no compulsory redundancies in the region for five years. Investment: Rolls Royce will build a new facility for the testing of civil aero engines in Derby The group also said it will retain a precision machine facility in Derby, reversing its previous decision to shut it down and avoiding the loss of around 150 jobs, and pledged investment at its maintenance repair and manufacturing facilities in in Derby and Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. Business Secretary Greg Clark, said: The UK and Rolls-Royce are known throughout the world as pioneers of advanced engineering technology. I welcome the confidence the company is showing in the UK. This is just the type of investment our modern Industrial Strategy is looking to attract. These new facilities are good news for Rolls-Royce, its UK suppliers and our economy. The investment follows months of negotiations with union Unite, which said that more investment could follow in the future but that this was depending on whether Britain manages to negotiate a tariff-free access to the single market. Unite national officer Ian Waddell said: There were real fears that future investment could go overseas, but thanks to the skills, capabilities and adaptability of Rolls-Royces UK workforce, thousands of jobs have been secured. This massive vote of confidence in a world leading workforce will also mean more high quality apprenticeships and secure Rolls-Royces manufacturing base in the UK for the next 20 years. 'Good news for the economy': Business Secretary Greg Clark Unite general secretary Len McCluskey added: The government must now play its part by pursuing a jobs first Brexit and securing tariff-free access to the single market and customs union. A failure to do so, risks future investment and decent high quality manufacturing jobs. The investment by Rolls comes as it ramps up production to deliver on its 7billion civil aerospace order book. Eric Schulz, president of Rolls-Royce civil aerospace said it was a time of unprecedented growth at the group, which is doubling of production of new engines. With this investment, we are creating the capacity and flexibility to deliver on our goals, while committing to sustain employment in the UK and I would like to thank the unions for their support in delivering this important package of investment. Rolls Royce has undergone two years of major restructuring after a string of profit warnings and January's corruption fine to settle a case brought by the Serious Fraud Office and authorities in the US and Brazil. The group reported its largest ever loss and one of the biggest in UK corporate history earlier this year, slumping into the red with a pre-tax loss of 4.64billion for 2016 after a 4.4billion writedown caused by the collapse of the pound since the Brexit vote, as well as a 671million penalty to settle bribery allegations. But it said earlier this month that 2017 had started well, with all businesses performing in line with expectations. ERBIL, Iraq Here in the capital of Iraqi Kuridstan, the mood is "Kurdistan First" with the announcement of a referendum on independence in September. In neighboring Saudi Arabia, it's "Saudi First," as a brash young crown prince steers the kingdom toward a more assertive role in the region. In Moscow, where I visited a few weeks ago, it's "Russia First," with a vengeance. And so it goes, around most of the world. The politics of national self-interest is on steroids these days. For global leaders, it's the "me" moment. The nearly universal slogan among countries that might once have acted with more restraint seems to be: "Go for it." The prime catalyst of this global movement of self-assertion is, obviously, Donald Trump. From early in his 2016 campaign, he proclaimed his vision of "America First" in which the interests of the United States and its companies and workers would prevail over international obligations. Trump has waffled on many of his commitments since becoming president, but not "America First." He withdrew from the Paris agreement on climate change and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, to name two multinational accords that Trump decided harmed American interests, or at least those of his political supporters. Trump's critics, including me, have been arguing that this selfish stance is actually weakening America by shredding the network of global alliances and institutions on which U.S. power has rested. But let's put aside this issue of self-inflicted wounds and focus instead on what happens when other leaders decide to emulate Trump's disdain for traditional limits on the exercise of power. Nobody wants to seem like a chump in Trump world. When the leader of the global system proclaims that he won't be bound by foreign restraints, the spirit becomes infectious. Call the global zeitgeist what you will: The new realism. Eyes on the prize. Winning isn't the most important thing, it's the only thing. Middle East leaders have been notably more aggressive in asserting their own versions of national interest. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates defied pleas from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to stop escalating their blockade against Qatar for allegedly supporting extremism. Their argument was simple self-interest: If Qatar wants to ally with the Gulf Arabs, then it must accept our rules. Otherwise, Qatar is out. For the leaders of Iraqi Kurdistan, the issue has been whether to wait on their dream of independence. They decided to go ahead with their referendum, despite worries among top U.S. officials that it could upset American efforts to hold Iraq together and thereby destabilize the region. The implicit Kurdish answer: That's not our problem. We need to do what's right for our people. Trump embraces the same raw cynicism about values-based foreign policy as does Russian President Vladimir Putin. Who are the outliers in this me-first world? France and Germany retain the conviction that their destinies involve something larger than national self-interest. Fear and nationalism have shaken Europe, but not overwhelmed it. An enlightened center is holding at Europe's core. China, too, manages to retain the image that it stands for something larger than itself, with its "One Belt, One Road" rhetoric of Chinese-led interdependence. The question, as Harvard's Graham Allison argues in his provocative new book, "Destined for War," is whether the expanding Chinese hegemon will collide with the retreating American one. The politics of selfishness may seem inevitable, in Trump world. But by definition, it can't produce a global system. That's its fatal flaw. An ex-private schoolgirl screamed 'I can't go back to jail' after being convicted again for using a 20 sex toy and blindfold to con a student into believing she was having sex with a man. Gayle Newland, 27, broke down in the dock today as she was found guilty of a string of sexual assaults after a dramatic retrial granted last year following criticism of the judges summing up in her 2015 court case. This time her legal team chose to focus more on the sexual history of her victim who slept with up to 19 men in the period after she went to police in 2013. But the jury still found Newland guilty of sexual assault by using a prosthetic penis and she faces jail again after being released from her eight-year term last year. The former personal trainer pretended to be a half-Filipino half-Latino man named Kye Fortune and wore a fake penis to have sex up to ten times with the young woman over two years. This 'astonishing deception' was to quench her own 'bizarre sexual satisfaction', Manchester Crown Court heard. Facing jail: Gayle Newland was in tears as she left court today (pictured) after being convicted, again, of using a 20 sex toy and blindfold to con a student into believing she was having sex with a man Today the 27-year-old began sobbing when the jury delivered a majority guilty verdict of 11 to one on three out of four counts of sexual assault and yelled: 'I can't go back to jail'. The three counts she was convicted of related to the use of her prosthetic penis - the fourth she was cleared of did not. In the dock: Gayle Newland, 27, (pictured outside court todat) pretended to be half-Filipino half-Latino man named Kye Fortune and put on a prosthetic penis to have sex up to ten times with a young woman who had to wear a blindfold When she was told by the judge she would have to sign the Sex Offender Register she repeatedly said: 'Sex Offender?' Newland, who will be sentenced at a later date, had her conviction for sexual assault quashed last year after appeal judges said it was 'unsafe' and she was released from prison after being jailed in 2015 for eight years. Miss Newland insisted her lover knew she was a woman all along - the victim said she was in love and wanted to marry 'him'. She even agreed to requests to cover her eyes during sex and also while watching films, eating dinner or sunbathing. It was only after one sex session in 2013 that she realised 'Kye' actually had long hair so pulled off her own mask and saw Gayle standing there. The student, who cannot be named, admitted she slept with a man several weeks after she made her initial police complaint in the summer of 2013 and 19 in total 'during that time'. But insisted it was a 'reckless' reaction to learning the 'man' she thought she might spend the rest of her life with was a woman who decieved her. Giving evidence in cross-examination by Newland's barrister, she told Manchester Crown Court: 'Part of it is because I felt stupid that I had slept with this fake penis. Part of you wants to be reckless and sleep with men. Part of it is just being reckless. 'I also probably slept with 19 people during that time. I slept with a lot of guys. I got drunk. I did a lot of things when the bottom of your life caved in.' Miss Newland had her conviction for sexual assault quashed last year after appeal judges said it was 'unsafe' and she was released from prison after being jailed in 2015 (left and right) for eight years Newland's mother, Julie, wept in the upstairs public gallery of the court, while her father, Brian, who had also attended the trial throughout, was not in the courtroom for the verdicts. Victim's sex life after the attacks were used in failed attempt to discredit her The sexual history of the complainant who accused Gayle Newland (right before her arrest) of duping her into sex by pretending to be a man was focused on in the retrial. Newland's accuser made a victim personal statement in January 2015 in which she outlined how she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. She stated: 'I feel like a shell of a person that I potentially could be. Relationships with partners and colleagues are non-existent. 'I am no longer the bubbly, fun-loving character I used to be.' She added that she also feared making eye contact with strangers. But she later admitted that she slept with a man several weeks after she made her initial police complaint in the summer of 2013. Giving evidence in cross-examination by Newland's barrister, she told Manchester Crown Court: 'Part of it is because I felt stupid that I had slept with this fake penis. Part of you wants to be reckless and sleep with men. Part of it is just being reckless. 'I also probably slept with 19 people during that time. I slept with a lot of guys. 'I got drunk. I did a lot of things when the bottom of your life caved in.' The juries in both of Newland's trials were shown a video the complainant posted on social media after she made the allegations. The clip showed her doing sit-ups while being held in the air by a male stranger. She said: 'There was a challenge, I was drunk off my face. I was trying to have a good time after the crappy last two years. 'I am not going to apologise for having a good time and making the best of a bad situation.' Advertisement The retrial judge told Newland he was taking the 'exceptional course' of granting bail but that this was 'no indicator' of the sentence she was likely to receive. Judge David Stockdale QC said: 'On the contrary you must understand now that the overwhelming likelihood is that on July 20 you will receive a significant immediate custodial sentence. You should be in no doubt about that at all.' The juries in both Newland's trials were shown a video the complainant posted on social media after she made the allegations. The clip showed her doing sit-ups while being held in the air by a male stranger. She said: 'There was a challenge, I was drunk off my face. I was trying to have a good time after the crappy last two years. 'I am not going to apologise for having a good time and making the best of a bad situation.' Newland's accuser made a victim personal statement in January 2015 in which she outlined how she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. She stated: 'I feel like a shell of a person that I potentially could be. Relationships with partners and colleagues are non-existent. I am no longer the bubbly fun-loving character I used to be.' She added she also feared making eye contact with strangers. Newland is the daughter of a former building firm boss who grew up in a 500,000 house in the Wirral, she had attended 12,400-a-year Queen's School in Chester. At 13 Newland created her online alter ego to pose as a boy and talk to girls on internet forums, later developing 'him' into an elaborate Facebook profile using pictures copied from an American teenager's page. While studying marketing and creative writing at Chester University, she befriended a fellow undergraduate whom she then contacted online as the boy - without revealing that they were the same person. She told the girl it was impossible for them to meet because 'he' spent most of his time in hospital where he was being treated for a brain tumour. After an increasingly intense relationship over two years, during which they communicated online and by phone - with Newland lowering her voice - the girl told 'him' she wanted them to sleep together. Miss Newland, pictured in 2013 with the Sugababes shortly before her arrest, insisted her friend knew she was a woman - the alleged victim said she loved her and her world collapsed when she found out Newland told the girl 'he' had been disfigured and was cripplingly shy. She bought a sex toy online then convinced the girl to wear a blindfold while they repeatedly had sex. Newland wore a swimsuit and bandaged her chest to conceal her breasts. Newland claimed it had been a mutual fantasy and that the victim had known she was posing as a man - her lover said her life crumbled when she discussed her boyfriend was a woman. The victim said she was so in love that she even agreed to keep her blindfold on while they watched TV, ate meals and sunbathed together. ALTER EGO 'KYE' WAS USED BY GAYLE NEWLAND USED TO CONVINCE WOMEN SHE WAS A MAN Newland (pictured today) was in contact with three other women while pretending to be a man From the age of 13, Gayle Newland spent hour upon hour painstakingly creating her online alter ego, Kye Carlos Fortune. It began as a false name used for speaking to girls on internet chatrooms, but with the rise of social media it became an elaborately constructed double life. Creating a Facebook profile under the name was easy, but to give 'him' credibility there had to be pictures. This was accomplished once Newland came across a basketball-loving youth in New York who fitted how she imagined Kye. By copying photographs he had posted on his own social media page, Newland was able to upload them on to Kye's profile, adding caption information to suit his supposed life growing up in England. The victim in the trial was first befriended by Newland in real life before receiving a friend request from Kye. As 'he' was a mutual friend linked to Newland's own Facebook profile, she told police she quickly came to trust the attractive but shy young man. Newland created relatives of Kye including a brother called Reggie who was supposedly going out with her. However, far from fleshing out Kye's life with fictional information, much of it matched Newland's they were born on the same day and both had a dog called Gypsy. The defence said this demonstrated the implausibility that someone could actually be taken in. The victim said when she eventually met Kye, she would have to don her mask before 'he' came into the room. She said Newland spoke in a deeper voice, wore a woolly hat over her long her and bandaged her chest to hide her breasts. Advertisement It was only after one sex session in 2013 that she realised 'he' actually had long hair. She pulled her mask off 'and Gayle was standing there'. At least three other women communicated online with Miss Newland believing she was a half-Filipino half-Latino man named Kye Fortune, her trial heard. One woman engaged in online and telephone conversations over a five-year period before she eventually worked out she had been deceived. In a statement read to Newland's sex assault retrial at Manchester Crown Court, the woman said she received a Facebook friend request from the 'quite good looking' Kye Carlo Fortune in 2009. Phone numbers were exchanged soon after and she noticed his voice was quite high-pitched. 'He said he was not blessed with a deep voice,' she said. 'Kye said he was based in Chester or the Cheshire area. Kye said he had issues with social anxiety and made excuses why he could not meet in person.' She said she started becoming suspicious when she noticed that houses in the background of some of Kye's photographs appeared American. In 2012 she started a relationship with a male in her home town and told Kye she could not speak to him any more, the jury was told. In response, Kye said he had cancer but he did not want to talk about it, she said. She resumed contact after she separated from her boyfriend and the pair began talking on Facetime. She said: 'My face was visible on the screen but he never showed me his face on screen. I would say to him 'it's called Facetime, show me your face', but he said it made him too anxious and to stop pressuring him. 'Sometimes Kye would Facetime me while walking the dog. The dog was called Gypsy.' She said in October 2013 that Kye said how his friend had fallen in love with him and he had rejected her. Kye told him the woman was 'bitter', had 'plotted against him' and the police had been to his house, she said. She said that in April 2014 she was looking at some photographs that Kye had posted or had been tagged in. She said: 'I recognised Kye's dog Gypsy. Kye was not in the picture. The photo on the profile was of a girl called Gayle Newland.' She decided to ring Kye as an 'unknown number' and asked to speak to Gayle Newland. 'The same voice said 'speaking',' she said. 'I knew that Gayle Newland had been pretending to be Kye Fortune. I hung up immediately.' She said she had 'so many mixed emotions' but was 'almost relieved'. Giving evidence, Newland, 27, said she never changed her voice when she spoke to the woman. She said: 'She always said my voice sounded like a girl.' Asked why she had lied she had cancer, the defendant said: 'Because that was a reason for not seeing her. It's a reason I'm really not proud of. 'I was very young back then. It was not a nice thing to do. I put my hands up to that.' She told prosecutor Simon Medland QC she 'obviously' did not want to meet her because she would know she was not Kye Fortune and there was nothing sexual in their messages. Newland also admitted pretending to be Kye with two other women who she never met. She said: 'They didn't know me as Gayle. That was my coping mechanism at the end of the day. I don't expect you to understand. My coping mechanism could have been a lot worse.' Newland said she created the Facebook profile of Kye Fortune - using an American man's photographs and videos - at the age of 15, because she found it difficult to talk to girls in person. Los Angeles officials have cleared the way for Star Wars creator George Lucas to build a $1.5 billion Museum of Narrative Art just down the road from his alma mater. The City Council voted 14-0 Tuesday to approve various requirements, including an environmental study, allowing for the project's construction to begin in the coming months. The five-story, 300,000-square-foot building will house his extensive collection of paintings, illustrations and movie memorabilia with a focus on the art of storytelling from the time of cave paintings to digital film. This undated artist rendering provided by the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art shows the exterior of the complex that will be built at Exposition Park near the Los Angeles Coliseum Lucas speaks at a news conference outside Los Angeles City Hall on Tuesday Exhibits will also include some classic 'Star Wars' stuff. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined Lucas and the filmmaker's wife, Mellody Hobson, on Tuesday to hail the project and urge the council to approve it. 'Thank you so much to George Lucas and Mellody Hobson for bringing this vision of creativity ... to inspire generations to come to be creators and to seize their dreams,' Garcetti said in the council chambers before the vote. 'I don't think I need to urge your 'aye' vote today,' he added. 'I think it's going to be a clear slam dunk.' Lucas, 72, had wished to build the museum in his hometown of San Francisco or his wife's city of Chicago but faced a series of hurdles to gain the appropriate permission in both places. 'Who knew it would be so hard to give away a museum?' Hobson said. The five-story, 300,000-square-foot building will house his extensive collection of paintings, illustrations and movie memorabilia It will have a focus on the art of storytelling from the time of cave paintings to digital film Officials hope to break ground as early as this year and open the doors in 2021. The museum will be located in Exposition Park, near the University of Southern California, where Lucas earned a degree in film in the 1960s. Lucas told the City Council: 'For a very brief time, I actually grew up here, especially where the museum is going to be at USC. 'That's where I learned movies. That's where I learned my craft. That's where I basically started my career.' Lucas has been trying to build the museum, called The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, for nearly a decade and plans to fund the project himself. A pastor faces trial for not alerting authorities when his two-year-old granddaughter was dying of pneumonia last year, a judge ruled Wednesday. Rowland Foster, who heads a fundamentalist congregation which eschews modern medicine, is charged with failing to properly report suspected child abuse. District Judge Ann Young said prosecutors had enough evidence to send the case to Berks County Courthouse for trial, reversing another judge's decision in April. Young called the death of Ella Foster 'tragic, sad, beyond belief' - and told Foster she was not questioning his religious beliefs. Ella's parents Jonathan and Grace Foster, who told police their faith forbids any kind of medical treatment, await trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. Rowland Foster (pictured), who heads a fundamentalist congregation which eschews modern medicine, is charged with failing to properly report suspected child abuse District Judge Ann Young said prosecutors had enough evidence to send the case against Rowland Foster to Berks County Courthouse for trial Her decision came after watching a video of state police questioning the Foster, 72, but she said an important part of her decision was testimony at the previous preliminary hearing by Dr. Neil Hoffman, a forensic pathologist. Hoffman did not testify Wednesday, but Young drew from the transcript of the earlier hearing in which he said Ella's condition would have been easily treatable and if she had been treated she almost certainly would have survived. Young called Hoffman's testimony 'clear, convincing and compelling.' Foster, of Lebanon, ignored questions as he left the hearing, but his defense attorney, Chris Ferro, said prosecutors will have difficulty getting a conviction at trial, which will require a more stringent level of proof than was needed before Young. 'I think the commonwealth is going to be unable to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt,' Ferro said. Ella's parents Jonathan and Grace Foster, who told police their faith forbids any kind of medical treatment, await trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. Pictured: Foster arrives for an arraignment Prosecutor Jonathan Kurland argued to the judge that Ella had been subjected to child abuse and that her grandfather, as a pastor, was required by law to report suspected abuse and willfully failed to do so. 'Dr. Hoffman testified (that) in the morning before she died it would have been apparent to a reasonable person that Ella was in need of medical care and medical intervention,' Kurland said. He said Foster's comment to a detective that he has never been to a doctor was evidence of 'rationalization and justification and awareness.' Ferro called his client 'a grieving grandfather, not a criminal,' and said Ella's death was 'a crater in the heart of the community.' Ella was being cared for before she died, Ferro said, including being given food and liquids. The judge called Ella's death 'tragic, sad, beyond belief' - and told Foster (right) she was not questioning his religious beliefs 'This is not a mandatory reporter who is turning his blind eye to child abuse,' Ferro said. Rowland Foster leads the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, which instructs members to avoid doctors and pharmaceutical drugs. An advocacy group that tracks faith-based medical neglect says the church's position has resulted in the deaths of dozens of children from preventable or treatable conditions. Britain's largest police force is using old computer software that puts them at risk of falling victim to the next cyber-attack, it has been revealed. More than 15,000 digital devices used by the London's Metropolitan Police Service operate on the Windows XP system that helped spread the devastating attack on the NHS last month. It comes as a report today revealed the NHS attack could have been avoided if hospital IT teams had in-house cyber-security experts, an official cyber-attack protocol and sufficiently secure and up-to-date software. The Met has told MailOnline that it is undergoing a complete refresh of its IT systems, including desktop computers, but making a smooth transition without disruption to services is difficult. It said: 'The upgrade programme is not as simple as it would be for many other organisations due to the amount of specialist legacy software upon which parts of the Met still rely. 'We have completed the upgrade of just over 17,000 devices to Windows 8.1, and this reduces the number of desktops running previous XP to around 15,000.' Figures obtained by London Assembly member Steve OConnell found that the faulty software is the most used within Scotland Yard. The Metropolitan Police Force is using old computer software that puts them at risk of falling victim to the next cyber-attack, it has been revealed Vulnerabilities in the outdated software allowed for over 40 NHS organisations to be hit with a cyber-attack in May, despite security concerns having been raised previously. Microsoft decommissioned its Windows XP operating system in 2014, leaving computers continuing to use it without any support. Steve O'Connell, Greater London Assembly Member for Croydon and Sutton, wrote to London mayor Sadiq Khan last month to inquire about the Met's IT security in the wake of global cyber attacks The security lapse in Windows XP made it an easy target for the WannaCry ransomware a virus that infected more than 200,000 computers and disrupted operations globally, including the NHS, this year. Microsoft released an unprecedented emergency security patch earlier this year to counteract the vulnerabilities to its retired Windows XP system - it is likely that many have yet to implement it. Other cyber-attacks, like last week's breach of MPs email accounts, have raised alarm bells and the need for better security. Sometimes, experts say, that's as simple as updating operating systems. 'Computer systems are brought into organisations in bulk and they haven't been updated,' David Mair, research assistant for the Cyberterrorism project at Swansea University, told MailOnline. 'Without support and important security patches being developed by a central monitoring body these systems are increasingly vulnerable to attack and exploitation.' Mr OConnell, who wrote to London mayor Sadiq Khan to inquire about the Met's IT security last month, feels that the police force isn't moving fast enough in upgrading its systems. He said: The recent cyber-attacks on Parliament and the NHS show what a serious matter this is. The Met is working towards upgrading its software, but in its current state its like a fish swimming in a pool of sharks. It is vital the Met is given the resources to step up its upgrade timeline before we see another cyber-attack with nationwide security implications. A recent audit of the police service by The Information Commissioner's Office shows that use of Windows XP also poses the risk of personal, sometimes sensitive, data being hacked. The 15-year-old operating system, as of April 2017, still runs on more than 7 per cent of PCs around the world, according to NetMarketShare data charted for Business Insider by Statista. A screenshot shows a WannaCry ransomware demand, provided by California-based cyber security firm Symantec The report into the NHS cyber-attack, produced by British Computer Society & The Chartered Institute for IT , said that patients should feel that their information is secure and that more investment was needed in the IT sector. The Chartered Institute of IT will now work with Microsoft to produce a blueprint for steps the NHS should take to avoid another crippling attack on its systems. Vulnerabilities in Windows XP have made it an easy target for the WannaCry ransomware a virus that infected more than 200,000 computers and disrupted operations globally, including the NHS, this year It would seem that now is the time to pay attention to cyber-security. On Tuesday a similar virus to WannaCry disrupted Ukraine's power grid, airport, national bank and communications, slowly spreading to other services around the world. Global advertising agency WPP has reported their IT systems compromised in the UK. The new virus exploits a security lapse within several Microsoft Windows operating systems, including those that have not installed the emergency update to Windows XP. The Met has said that they are unaffected by this latest attack. 'The entire Met ICT estate has a number of layers of industry-leading security, which we have been monitoring closely over the past 24 hours. The MPS estate currently remains unimpacted by the cyber-attack and our security checks continue.' It is unknown whether other police forces in the UK are still using the outdated Windows XP - working on these operating systems would mean security and personal data may be easily compromised. MailOnline has reached out to forces in Greater Manchester, West Midlands, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire for comment. This is the shocking moment when a mass brawl broke out among a group of schoolboys in China who wanted to swim in the same pond. The two groups of primary school pupils, aged around 12 years old, violently kicked and punched each other. An investigation has been carried out by the local county council since the incident came to light on June 24. Students from two primary schools went to the same pond to swim in Dali city, China The groups started to fight shortly after arguing over the right to use the public space for swim The pupils, in the sixth grade, pulled each other and threw each other kicks and punches According to Sohu.com, the video was posted online last Saturday. Web users said they were shocked because these young pupils fought like street gangsters. The brawl is said to take place near a pond around Dragon Temple of Yunnan Province's Dali. The two groups of pupils were said to be sixth-grade pupils from Hedongyuan Primary School and Shangdayuan Primary School. Midu county council has started an investigation. The authority stated on its Weibo account that the groups of students went to a pond for swimming to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival on May 28. The incident happened in the end of May as people were having Dragon Boat Festival holiday The boy in yellow jacket used his elbow to hit another student's head during the fight The brawlers were confirmed to be sixth-grade students from two different schools in Dali They started the physical attack after some argument during the swim. There were no reports of injuries. It's believed that they were fighting over the right to swim in the pond. On June 25, members from the investigation team and school teachers gave verbal warning to the students. They also reminded parents to watch over the children. The owner of a Connecticut fish market was left boiling with rage after a photo of a Transportation Security Administration agent posing with her 20 Ibs live lobster surfaced online. Lisa Feinman, owner of Atlantic Seafood Market in Old Saybrook, says she was 'personally offended' when she saw the agent holding up the sea creature by its huge claws. Feinman said: 'That's not part of their jobs, it's not what we pay for, it's not how we feel protected. Lisa Feinman, owner of Atlantic Seafood Market in Old Saybrook, says she was 'personally offended' when she saw the agent holding up the sea creature by its huge claws Claws: A lobster weighing 20 lbs (above) was discovered in the bag of a man taking a Jet Blue flight out of Boston on Monday morning No problem people: It is legal to travel with a living lobster in checked or carry-on luggage (TSA rules above) 'Yes it was a huge lobster, and yes it is a novelty that we all don't see very often, but really the bigger picture was this is a TSA agent that is going through our personal property and taking selfies. 'All that weight is being put on these joints here. He could easily snap that claw off.' Feinman packed the lobster in a cooler with other lobsters for a customer from Georgia. The creature was pulled out of its box by a TSA on Monday morning while screening luggage at a Boston terminal. The unnamed gentleman was going through checked items at Logan Airport as they were set to be loaded onto a Jet Blue flight when he noticed something odd inside one of the bags, prompting him to open up the piece of luggage and take a closer look. '.@TSA officers are skilled at screening all sorts of items in checked baggage...including this 20+ pound lobster at @BostonLogan,' wrote McCarthy on Twitter. Water front: The incident occurred at Logan Airport in Boston (above i distance) Wise man: One individual shared a photo of his lobster getting a pat down back in June of last year (above) The accompanying photo showed a smiling TSA employee holding a lobster that was five to six times the size of a normal full grown member of that crustacean family. Feinman also voiced her outrage that the biggest lobster was put back on top of the smaller ones with none of the packing material. 'Really an abuse of privacy of rights,' Senator Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut, told News 8. 'An invasion of privacy that is inexcusable and I'm going to be asking the TSA for answers as to why these TSA agents made a joke of it.' The lobsters were successfully delivered to their destination in Georgia, where they were going to be cooked, although Feinman couldn't hide her anger. 'What if you're into cougar printed underwear and he's got it on his head and he's prancing around taking selfies,' Feinman concluded. 'It's the same thing.' A man who miraculously survived plunging unprotected over Niagara Falls in an suicide attempt only to die going over it 14 years later in an apparent planned stunt with a large inflatable ball may have brought a pet snake with him on the ride, say police. After Kirk Jones' death in April, New York State Park Police found a website with a photo of him and the 7-foot snake named Misty previewing his plans and selling T-shirts and photos, the Niagara Gazette reported Wednesday. The snake has not been found. 'Believe in the Impossible Kirk Jones + Misty Conquer Niagara Falls NY 2017,' read the site, www.kirkjonesniagarafallsdaredevil.com, which has since been taken down. Kirk Jones of Canton, Michigan, the man who survived a plunge over Niagara Falls, talks to reporters after being released from custody in St. Catherines, Ontario in 2003. Jones, who died after plunging over Niagara Falls in an apparent stunt with an inflatable ball, might have brought a boa constrictor along for the ride too. The snake hasn't been found Jones had advertised a stunt with a snake named Misty on a website that has since been taken down - he was also selling T-shirts Jones' body was recovered from the water below the Falls on June 2. Investigators believe he died April 19, the same day tourists spotted an eight-foot plastic ball, its zippered hatch open, spinning in the Niagara River rapids before it went over the brink. Though a snake was not found, an empty snake cage was located in Jones' parked van. Exotic-pet experts told police it wouldn't have survived the cold water. Footage from a crashed drone belonging to Jones, found by a parks employee April 20, shows only rushing water. An inflatable plastic ball (above) was found spinning in the rapids with its hatch open before the Falls without anything inside - it's not known if Jones was initially in the ball and fell out or climbed out The Falls are 167 feet high and Jones was the first known to survive plunging over without any protective gear Police began looking for Jones after the discovery of the ball and drone and after a call from Jones' wife telling them she feared her husband had gone over the Falls again. She said he called her to tell her he was doing a falls stunt and asked her to wish him luck, reported the outlet. That was the last she heard from him. 'We were looking for him and a seven-foot boa constrictor,' Park Police Detective Sgt. Brian Nisbet said. Police don't know whether Jones fell or climbed out of the ball before reaching the brink or if the snake was with him inside of it. Investigators also said they were contacted by a man who said he'd helped Jones carry the ball to the famous park but he decided it was too risky and left. It's unclear if he saw Misty the snake. Misty, a seven foot long boa constrictor (not Misty above) was apparently taken wtih Jones to the Falls but hasn't been found Jones, 53, became the first person known to survive the plunge over Niagara Falls without a safety device in October 2003, when he climbed over a rail and into the water in an apparent suicide attempt. The feat brought fleeting fame for the then-unemployed salesman from Canton, Michigan, and a brief stint in the circus. In 2003, he told the press that far from killing him, the Falls had rejuvenated him. 'All my problems were left at the bottom of that gorge,' he said. But sources told the outlet that Jones had financial problems in recent years and his stunt was likely a way to try to make some cash. Police listed his most recent address as Spring Hill, Florida. Although such stunts are illegal, several daredevils have survived trips over Niagara Falls in various contraptions, beginning with Annie Edison Taylor, who rode over in an oak barrel in 1901. At least two other men have survived unprotected plunges since Jones did it. A Vermont farmer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing his daughter's boyfriend and burying his body beneath a manure pile. Stephen Pelletier, 62, learned his fate this week after pleading no contest last year to second-degree murder in a plea deal. Prosecutors say the Castleton man shot 25-year-old Michael Wisell twice - in the back and head - on Pelletier's farm in May 2014. Scroll down for video Plea deal: Vermont farmer Stephen Pelletier, 62 (left), has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the May 2014 murder of his daughter's boyfriend, Michael Wisell, 25 (right) Murder scene: Pelletier and Wisell were stacking wood on his farm in Castleton (pictured) when the older man took a gun and shot Michael in the back and forehead When questioned by police, Pelletier told them Wisell had been physically abusive to his daughter and had turned her onto heroin. Judge Cortland Corsones said Tuesday that he was initially considering rejecting the plea deal to send a message that people should not take the law into their own hands, reported the Rutland Herald. He noted that Pelletier never sought police assistance, even though he had a friend on the force, or tried to get a restraining order before murdering Wisell, who lived on the farm. According to court documents, on May 14, 2014, Pelletier and Wisell were stacking wood when the farmer grabbed a borrowed .38-caliber gun and shot his daughter's boyfriend in the back. He then flipped him over and shot him a second time in the forehead before slitting his throat, according to prosecutors. Four days later, a friend of Wisell's reported him missing, which led police to Pelletier's farm, reported the station WCAX. Police searching Pelletier's property found Wisell's body buried in a pile of manure Self-defense claims: Pelletier argued Wisell (pictured) had been physically abusive to his daughter and threatened to murder their family A search of the property resulted in the discovery of Wisell's lifeless body buried in a pile of animal waste. During his initial interview with investigators, Pelletier claimed self-defense, accusing Wisell of being abusive towards his daughter and repeatedly threatening to kill their entire family. 'We're been living a hell,' he was quoted as telling police. He also said he 'didnt know any other way.' In court on Tuesday, Prosecutor John Treadwell characterized Wisell's murder as especially cruel, saying that Pelletier had treated the victim 'like he would a cow's carcass.' Farmer refuted: Wisell's family maintained that the 25-year-old was kind and funny, and accused Pelletier of trying to smear him During the sentencing phase, Wisell was described as a violent man who mistreated Pelletiers daughter, Jessica, and introduced her to heroin. According to Jessica Pelletiers mother, Ann, before Wisell moved in with their family, he and her daughter had been living in their car, often parked near cemeteries. Wisell's family maintained that the 25-year-old was kind and funny, and accused Pelletier of trying to smear his good name. According to his published obituary, Michael Wisell enjoyed hiking, fishing, and riding his dirt bike. 'He loved spending time with his family and his many friends in New York and Vermont,' the panegyric read. When given a chance to speak, Stephen Pelletier apologized for his actions on that fateful day in May 2014 and asked the judge for mercy. 'I gave into anger and did something terrible,' the farmer told the court. 'I understand I must be punished.' In 2000 Mike Wilkerson (pictured, now 58) pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to a sex assault charge. That left him in mental institutions for 19 years, until recent DNA evidence and a retrial order exonerated him A Missouri man who has spent nearly two decades in mental hospitals has been freed after DNA on a cigarette butt exonerated him of a 1997 sex crime. In 2000 Mike Wilkerson, now 58, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at gunpoint - but that didn't have the effect he'd hoped for. 'Mike didn't understand when he entered the not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect - and the fact he had no other defense - that that's the legal equivalent of saying you did it,' said Wilkerson's appeals attorney, Bill Fleischaker. 'It's the legal equivalent of saying, "I'm guilty but insane," and that's the way it was treated.' Wilkerson, then the manager of a 586-acre farm, was a familiar face in the Carthage community but had lost his standing among locals after he had become aggressive and argumentative, the Joplin Globe reported. In the years leading up to the attack, he and his wife divorced, he lost custody of their kids, and his mental health deteriorated badly. He would later be diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia by state psychologists. So when he was picked out of a lineup by the victim, who claimed that he had turned up at her door in Carthage claiming to be lost, he seemed to fit a certain profile. She told police that he entered her home, locked her six-year-old relative in a bedroom then threatened her with a gun, bound her and sexually assaulted her. Wilkerson was charged with forcible sodomy and burglary in the first degree, and faced life in prison - until his insanity plea turned that into life in mental institutions. In making that plea he gave up the right to a trial, largely because he didn't really understand the meaning of the plea. He thought it meant 'not guilty,' his family said; what it meant was that he committed the crime, but that he was too insane at the time to understand what he was doing. If he understood what it meant, 'he wouldn't have signed it,' his son, Clint Wilkerson, told the Globe. Fleischaker said Wilkerson took the plea at his trial attorney's urging, and that at the time he was financially troubled, bipolar and 'very mentally ill.' 'There were a lot of things done wrong that led to Mike being in the situation he was in,' Fleischaker said. That left Wilkerson trapped in a Catch-22 situation: Under Missouri law, he would be held until he could prove he was not a risk to himself or others. But because his case involved a violent sex act, he faced the added burden of showing he understood the criminality of it - essentially admitting it. That's something he refused to do. 'He stuck to his guns, and you've got to admire his courage,' Fleischaker said. 'There was an easy out, and he wasn't willing to take it.' Wilkerson's lawyer, Bill Fleischaker (pictured) said his client maintained his innocence for 19 years - even though admitting guilt would get him out of the institutions. DNA found on a cigarette butt at the scene of the 1997 crime proved another man committed the assault That might have left him institutionalized for life - until the case was examined again. The real attacker had left behind two vital pieces of evidence after the crime: a cigarette butt and a used condom. Jasper County Prosecutor Theresa Kenney said that at the time, only the condom was tested for DNA, but that proved inconclusive with the technology available then. When it was tested again several years ago it did not give up any DNA - likely because its contents had deteriorated. But the cigarette butt was a different matter: A 2011 test, using modern techniques, yielded not just DNA, but DNA that was markedly different to Wilkerson's. Last year, a judge threw out Wilkerson's insanity plea because state psychiatrists never concluded he was insane at the time of the crime. That lead to Wilkerson being freed on $50,000 bond in January, pending a new trial. Wilkerson later pleaded not guilty, prompting prosecutors to resubmit the evidence for DNA testing, which ultimately cleared him. 'I am dumbfounded they were able to get the DNA and accept that I was never at the crime scene,' Wilkerson said, adding that his bipolar condition was stabilized with medication in 2003 and that he had been 'just doing time' since then. 'I was beginning to think I would never get out,' he said. He lamented that he wasn't able to walk his daughter down the aisle and that he missed his son's wedding. Asked whether he might sue, though, he said he and his lawyers didn't know what they'd do. Jasper County Prosecutor Theresa Kenney admitted prosecutors who initially handled the case failed to consider all of the evidence. 'It's been a long road,' Fleischaker said. 'The key to this thing is we felt all along the DNA would exonerate him. 'The problem is there were a lot of procedural hurdles we had to get over.' Italy has threatened to close its ports to aid groups rescuing migrants off Libya's coast as it struggles to cope with the highest rate of rescues this year, officials said. The country's representative to the EU, Maurizio Massari, said the situation 'has become unsustainable' as it emerged 10,000 refugees have tried to cross the Mediterranean in the last four days. Italy's former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said citizens were 'exasperated' and a fresh strategy was needed. Italy has threatened to close its ports to aid groups rescuing migrants off Libya's coast as it struggles to cope with the highest rate of rescues this year, officials said. Migrants are pictured in an inflatable vessel off Libya earlier this week Italian officials say the situation 'has become unsustainable' as it emerged 10,000 refugees have tried to cross the Mediterranean in the last four days.Migrants wait to disembark from the Spanish ship 'Rio Segura' in the harbor of Salerno, Italy today Massari is said to have met the European Commissioner for Immigration, Dimitri Avramopoulos, to insist that the latest wave of people saved from rickety vessels could not go on. Rome is threatening to deny the landing of boats that have picked up people setting off from crisis-hit Libya and are not flying Italian flags, the reports said. Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Italy was 'asking certain European countries to stop looking the other way, because we cannot go on like this'. The threat follows a poor performance by the ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) at local elections this weekend, where it lost heavily to the centre-right Forza Italia and the anti-immigrant Northern League party. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), which is running neck-and-neck in national polls with the PD, has followed the Northern League in demanding a stop to new arrivals - particularly in the capital Rome. Rome is threatening to deny the landing of boats that have picked up people setting off from crisis-hit Libya and are not flying Italian flags, the reports said. Migrants are pictured arriving in the port of Salerno today Italy 's former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said citizens were 'exasperated' and a fresh strategy was needed. This was the scene as migrants waited to disembark from the Spanish ship 'Rio Segura' in the harbour of Salerno 'I wonder whether the proposed measure is legal at all,' said Mattia Toaldo, an expert on Libya at the European Council on Foreign Relations. 'Denying docking rights to ships who have rescued people in distress at high seas (a legal obligation for all vessels, including commercial ships) sounds dubious. 'It sounds more like a desperate way to get Europe's attention than a real measure that can be implemented,' he said. More than 10,000 people were pulled to safety between Sunday and Tuesday off Libya - including 5,000 on Monday alone. While the Italian coastguard coordinates the operations, many ships sailing under foreign flags take part including several aid ships chartered by privately-funded organisations from France or Germany. More than 10,000 people were pulled to safety between Sunday and Tuesday off Libya - including 5,000 on Monday alone. Refugee children are pictured preparing to disembark in Italy after being rescued While the Italian coastguard coordinates the operations, many ships sailing under foreign flags take part including several aid ships chartered by privately-funded organisations from France or Germany The NGOs have already faced a fierce campaign to discredit them this year after an Italian prosecutor alleged their collusion with smugglers - an accusation they said was political and designed to thwart their rescue efforts. Critics have said the NGOs attract traffickers by sailing close to the Libyan coast. They insist they have no choice, because smugglers put the migrants out to sea in flimsy vessels that sink as they reach international waters. The Maltese organisation Moas was the first to launch a private rescue vessel in the summer of 2014. By last summer close to ten different NGOs, financed mainly through private donations, were taking part in migrant relief operations off Libya. Those with one or more boats in the area in 2016 included German NGOs Sea Watch, Sea Eye and Jugend Rettet, as well as the Dutch Lifeboat Project, the Spanish Proactiva Open Arms and Moas. France-based Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also carries out rescues with two aid vessels, one of which is run in partnership with SOS Mediterranee. Rome has complained for years about being abandoned to face alone the worst migrant crisis since World War II and has repeatedly demanded Europe do more to take in migrants setting off from the coast of Libya. Over 73,300 migrants have landed in Italy since January, a 14 percent increase from the same period last year. Just over 2,000 people have died attempting the crossing or are missing, feared drowned, since the beginning of 2017, according to the UN's refugee agency. Fireworks spark frantic Fourth for firefighters The Billings Gazettes front page headline said on July 5, 1984. The Billings Fire Department was called to 50 fireworks-related fires on the Rimrocks between June 24 and July 5, 1984. On the evening of July 4, the Billings fire chief and fire marshal patrolled the Rims, confiscating fireworks. By 11:15 p.m., they had filled a 55-gallon barrel. Fireworks still were ignited and tossed from the Rims. As darkness fell, fires outnumbered firefighters. Below the Rims from Zimmerman Trail to Swords Park, neighbors worked together to put out grass fires that threatened their homes. At 10 p.m., the fire battalion chief told The Gazette: Its pure bedlam down here right now. City leaders decided enough was enough. Scofflaws violating the citys prohibition on fireworks had started numerous fires along the Rims for years. To reduce the incidence of fires, the scenic cliff tops were closed to the public July 3-5, 1985. The number of fires dramatically decreased, as did property damage. The closure has been reduced to two days, but repeated annually since then until this year. The Rims will be open like any other days through July 4. Fire Chief Paul Dextras decided not to seek permission for the annual closure. Dextras told The Gazette that there have been problems with the closure. Some people drove around the barricades; others have complained that the public parks should stay open. Firefighters will patrol the Rims on July 4 and will be encouraged to confiscate fireworks, Dextras said. He personally will be patrolling for and seizing fireworks. The goal is to work with the public, not against the public, Dextras said. Were putting an awful lot of faith in the public that loves the Rims. The problem isnt the majority of law-abiding citizens; its the relatively few, irresponsible individuals who will light fireworks despite the law, warnings, wind and dry grass. Billings Police Department has long had special staffing on July 4, keeping the afternoon shift on duty longer, and bringing the night shift in earlier to put more officers on patrol during the usual peak of illegal fireworks activity. Two units will be assigned to patrol the Rims on July 4, Police Chief Rich St. John said. Police will write tickets for all violations observed, including fireworks possession, which carries a $250 fine from Billings Municipal Court, St. John said. Also, police will confiscate fireworks. BPD will have zero tolerance for fireworks violations, St. John said, adding: Im just hoping people will heed what the rules are. Much as we would like to share Dextras faith in fireworks fans following the law, Billings history doesnt support St. Johns hope. City ordinance outlaws possession and discharge of all fireworks in the city limits, yet every Independence Day and for several days before, the booms and crackles of pyrotechnics can be heard all over town. Illegal fireworks light up our sky every July 4. Fireworks are readily available and sold legally just outside the city. There are fireworks fires all over the city, but the Rims are an especially dangerous place. It can be difficult and dangerous for firefighters to reach and extinguish these fires. Fireworks can land on houses below. Keeping this danger zone open on July 4 is an invitation to try to get away with fireworks in the most prominent location in town. Prove us wrong, Billings. We join the fire and police chiefs in urging people to obey the fireworks law. Plan on attending the great Independence Day celebration hosted by Harvest Church in Castle Rock Park. It features a free, professional fireworks display at dark. North Korea has warned its rivals they are making a 'fatal miscalculation' if they believe sanctions imposed by the UN will deter it from developing nuclear weapons. In a rare and inflammatory statement at the UN Security Council, Deputy Ambassador Kim in Ryong said conditions the US was attaching to its offer to talk with the reclusive nation were 'unjust'. 'Their mean and indiscreet act would go in just the opposite direction to what they want,' Kim said during a debate on non-proliferation. He went on: 'The US kept talking about dialogue... But it makes no sense to talk about dialogue with unjust preconditions attached, and when they are applying maximum pressure.' North Korea (leader Kim Jong-un pictured) has warned its rivals they are making a 'fatal miscalculation' if they believe sanctions imposed by the UN will deter it from developing nuclear weapons In a rare and inflammatory statement at the UN Security Council, Deputy Ambassador Kim in Ryong said conditions the US was attaching to its offer to talk with the reclusive nation were 'unjust' The United States has said it is willing to talk to North Korea if it halts its missile and nuclear tests. This month, the council put 14 North Koreans and four entities on a sanctions blacklist, hitting them with a global travel ban and an assets freeze. That sanctions resolution builds on two other measures adopted last year after North Korea carried out a fifth nuclear test and test-fired a series of ballistic missiles. North Korea has dismissed the Security Council as a political tool of the United States and has rarely participated in its meetings, even those that concern Pyongyang directly. The country's despotic leader Kim Jong-un stoked tensions recently by threatening South Korea's president with a 'miserable dog's death' over an alleged plot to assassinate the tyrant. Pyongyang vowed to 'impose the death penalty' on Park Geun-Hye claiming she 'pushed forward' a supposed plan by Seoul's intelligence services to eliminate the North Korean dictator. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches the test of a new-type anti-aircraft guided weapon system in this photo released May 28 This month, the council put 14 North Koreans and four entities on a sanctions blacklist, hitting them with a global travel ban and an assets freeze. Pictured: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un South Korea's spy agency has described the threats today as 'unpardonable'. The North's declaration comes after the killing of Kim's estranged half-brother Kim Jong-Nam by two women using the banned nerve agent VX at Kuala Lumpur international airport in February. Both Malaysia and South Korea have blamed the North for the assassination, which retorts that the accusations are an attempt to smear it. North Korea's threat came from its security ministry and prosecutors and was aired in a statement carried by its official Korean Central News Agency. 'We declare at home and abroad that we will impose death penalty on traitor Park Geun Hye,' it said. A 50-year-old inmate was arrested on Thursday afternoon after escaping from Sydney's Long Bay Prison on Wednesday morning. David Mellis was performing maintenance work on the complex when he drove a tractor through the fence of the prison and escaped, Daily Mail Australia can reveal. And while he was able to enjoy more than 24 hours of freedom, police tracked him down about 12.40pm in Wooloomooloo - just 15 kilometres from Long Bay jail. As a minimum security inmate, he had been given freedoms which allowed him to move more freely around the complex, and access to things like the tractor for work purposes. Long Bay prison inmate David Mellis (pictured) escaped the minimum security area of the prison about 11.30am on Wednesday by driving through a fence on a backhoe A source shared the details about the bizarre jailbreak with Daily Mail Australia and revealed Mellis had a long history of coming in and out of the prison A source told Daily Mail Australia Mellis had been in and out of the state prison system since 1997, and had, in a past sentence, served time in maximum security. It's something he could return to, with a Corrective Services NSW spokesperson telling Daily Mail Australia Mellis will have his classification upgraded to medium or maximum security. This means he will be moved from the minimum security complex he escaped from. So far, no charges have been laid against the inmate, though police are expecting they will be shortly. The inmate was driving the tractor as part of maintenance work he performed on the prison complex, which he was able to do because of his minimum security classification WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ESCAPE PRISON? Section 310D of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) prescribes a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment for any inmate who: (a) escapes or attempts to escape from lawful custody, or (b) having been temporarily released from lawful custody, fails to return to lawful custody at the end of the time for which the inmate has been released. The penalty is normally cumulative meaning it starts from the end of the persons existing prison sentence. Source: Sydney Criminal Lawyers Advertisement The 50-year-old was discovered to be missing just after 11.30am on Wednesday, when corrective services officers came up short on a head check. A spokesperson from Corrective Services NSW told Daily Mail Australia Mellis was doing maintenance work on the prison complex when he escaped. Police assembled a search team on Wednesday, but NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday they were still yet to find the escapee. Mellis has pale skin, is about 175cm tall and has grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing prison greens under a hi-vis vest, and has previously frequented the Glebe area. The 50-year-old was still more than a year away from leaving jail legally, with his earliest possible parole set for August 2018. Jeremy Corbyn poses as some sort of Werthers Originals grandfather but his language at Prime Ministers Questions hardly fitted that image. Conservative backbencher Marcus Fysh (Yeovil) asked Theresa May: Is she aware of the crisis in Venezuela and is it an example of how an experiment in socialist revolution can go horribly wrong?' Mr Corbyn, from a sedentary position, appeared to mutter: What a complete w*****. Grandpa! Mr Fysh, a soft-spoken but interesting figure, had merely pointed out that the socialist utopia envisaged for our small isle by Mr Corbyn (an admirer of the late Venezuelan hefe Hugo Chavez) might not be such a practical idea. Theresa May was back to her calm and collected self at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, pictured Jeremy Corbyn appeared to call a Tory MP a 'w*****' after he made a jibe about the socialist revolution in Venezuela You know: High taxes, state control, a hard-Left regime... followed by economic collapse and judicial mayhem. In the kinder, gentler politics Mr Corbyn claims to espouse, should Citizen Fysh not have been thanked for his internationalism and his concern? Instead he was apparently called a w*****. A Labour Party official later strongly denied that Mr Corbyn had uttered any sort of rudery. Perhaps he merely called Winchester-educated Mr Fysh a Wykehamist. The first PMQs of the Parliament ran almost 25 minutes over time. This was partly because Speaker Bercow has a fetish for calling everyone mentioned on the Order Paper, partly because he indulged the frontbenchers. The session began with SE Cornwalls Sheryll Murray (Con) telling the House that during the election campaign she had swastikas carved into her posters, social media posts such as Burn the witch and Stab the c*** and other delightful things happen. What with Mr Corbyns remark about Mr Fysh, and the hoo-hah about Jon Snow screaming f*** the Tories down at Glastonbury, these are sweary times. It is time to invest in asterisks, perhaps. Mrs Murray reflected that this was all some way from Mr Corbyns allegedly more benevolent politics. Mrs May said it was disgraceful and we would do well to remember what happened to the unfortunate Jo Cox, Batley & Spens Labour MP who was murdered a year ago. Mrs May raised her eyes towards Mrs Coxs coat of arms which has been placed on the wall of the Chamber. Mr Corbyn ignored all this talk about thuggery. Instead he opened with mention of the Hillsborough prosecutions, praising only Labour figures who had campaigned on the matter. Chancellor Philip Hammond, third right, seems to have developed a twitch in his right eye Tory MPs pointed out that Mrs May had done a lot to force officialdom to do the right thing by the Hillsborough families. Mr Corbyn, again, set his face against their suggestion that he acknowledge her noble work. Mrs May modestly ignored his petty slight. For the next ten minutes or so, Mr Corbyn tried to make political advantage out of the Grenfell Tower fire. It has exposed the disastrous effects of austerity, he cried, over heckles of shameless by Tory MPs. A disregard for working-class communities, continued Mr Corbyn, and the terrible consequences of deregulation. Mrs May, in reply, quietly pointed out that the cladding of tower blocks began under the Blair government, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order was passed by a Labour government in 2005, and the practice of routine fire-service inspections ended in 2006. This is a matter that has been developing over decades, she argued. But what did Mr Corbyn care? So long as his young supporters think that Tories are wicked murderers, he will be happy. The Prime Minister was back to her calm, pre-election self, looking a great deal fresher than some of her Cabinet colleagues. Boris Johnson, third left, also looked tired with bags visible under his eyes Boris had great bags under his eyes and Philip Hammond seemed to have developed a twitch in the right eye. For all the rudeness evident elsewhere at Westminster, we will close with a chivalrous vignette. Sir Nicholas Soames (Con, Mid Sussex), these days as slender as a gazelle, spotted sometime TV star Esther McVey (Con, Tatton), who has just returned to the Commons after she lost her old Merseyside seat in 2015. Sir Nicholas stood, did a small bow, clicked his heels and uttered words of gentlemanly congratulation. He was rewarded with a double kiss. I do believe the old boy blushed. Brexit talks should be called off until Britain has a strong and stable government with the clout to seek a decent deal, Margaret Thatchers top mandarin has said. Lord Armstrong, a Remain supporter, argued Theresa May does not have the authority in Europe to make demands because Brussels bureaucrats know she could soon be out of a job. The peer, who was Cabinet Secretary from 1979 to 1987, said British history showed that minority governments such as that led by Mrs May did not last more than a few months. Speaking in a debate about the Tories legislative programme, Lord Armstrong said Article 50 - the formal trigger which launched the Brexit process - should be withdrawn until a Government with more authority is in place. Lord Armstrong (a staunch ally of Margaret Thatcher, pictured) said Theresa May's government had 'lost its strength and stability' Theresa May (pictured) and her government could only have 'months' to last, Lord Armstrong warned The cross-bench peer made a mocking reference to the Conservatives campaign slogan to provide strong and stable leadership. He said the election meant the government had lost its strength and stability, lost its ability to speak with a clear and strong voice for Britain and the negotiations with the EU. If the history of minority governments in this country are of any guide, it has months and not years to survive, he said. Whether you are a Leaver or a Remainer, it cannot be in the national interest that these negotiations should be carried forward by a government so lacking in the strength and stability it sought to gain; so deprived of authority to repress the country; so unclear about its negotiating objectives and so unlikely to survive for long enough to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion. Pictured: Lord Adonis, who warned that securing trade deals after Brexit will be like filling a swimming pool with a teaspoon Lord Armstrong demanded members of the Cabinet make up their collective minds about what the negotiating objectives should be. And he said that Mrs Mays weak position meant EU negotiators would wonder whether she will still be coming and whether they would need to make concessions. I do not believe we are ready to enter into these negotiations and I believe it is strongly in the national interest to put the negotiations with the EU on hold for the time being, he said. The peer said they should not be re-started until they can be resumed under the auspices of a Government which has the strength and stability to represent the UK with authority, is sustained with a greater degree of consensus than now exists as to the outcome we wish to achieve, and has a reasonable prospect of being in office long enough to bring to negotiations to a conclusion. One of the Governments top infrastructure advisers, former Labour Minister Lord Adonis, warned that securing trade deals after Brexit will be like filling a swimming pool with a teaspoon. The ex-transport secretary, who is head of the National Infrastructure Commission, said suggestions that ministers could secure equivalent trade deals with other nations were pure fantasy, as he called for Britain to remain in the customs union and the single market. The Hall of Presidents will reopen later this year when renovations have been done and an animatronic likeness of President Trump has been added Donald Trump's animatronic statue will speak when it is added to Disney's Hall of Presidents later this year, despite a report stating otherwise. 'The Vice report is inaccurate. President Trump will have a speaking role in the Hall of Presidents like every president since 1933,' vice president of communications for Walt Disney World Resort Jacquee Wahler said in a statement to Fox News. Wahler explained that the theme park has already scheduled a time for the president to sit for his recording. She also added that the attraction will reopen late in 2017, which is earlier than Disney's CEO Bob Iger initially expected. The confusion about whether or not his recorded speech would be included in the attraction comes from an article published by Vice in May, which has since been retracted. Donald Trump's animatronic statue will speak when it is added to Disney's Hall of Presidents later this year, despite a widely-circulated report stating otherwise The confusion about whether or not his recording would be included in the attraction stems from an article published by Vice in May. The Hall of Presidents is pictured The article, which quoted an anonymous source, claimed Disney's Imagineers would not give Trump a speaking role because of how 'polarizing the president is right now.' On June 26, the news outlet had to print a retraction, explaining that their source never got 'direct confirmation from anyone at Disney's corporate level.' The next day, editorial content director for Disney parks Thomas Smith clarified on the Disney Parks Blog that Trump would be speaking in his Hall of Presidents Debut. The Hall of Presidents was one of Walt Disney World's first attractions when it opened in 1971. It is located in Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square, and includes a show featuring a short film about the history of the United States, featuring animatronic statues of each of the presidents. The Hall of Presidents was one of Walt Disney World's first attractions when it opened in 1971. Since 1993, the show has also ended in a short pre-recorded speech, delivered by the sitting president's statue. Pictured is President Obama's likeness It is located in Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square, and includes a show featuring a short film about the history of the United States, featuring animatronic statues of each of the presidents Since 1993, the show has also ended in a short pre-recorded speech, delivered by the sitting president's statue. The attraction closed for refurbishments in January, and features a sign at the front that says: 'The Hall of Presidents is currently being prepared to welcome our new President.' Smith told Fox that the Hall will be returning later this year after the theater is upgraded with new sound, lighting and high-definition projection system. Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne faces a two-month ban after testing positive to a banned substance last week. The 31-year-old will front a Racing Victoria Stewards' meeting on Thursday to learn her fate after phentermine was found in her urine sample. Phentermine is a psychostimulant that increases activity of the body and suppresses appetite, used to help diabetes patients lose weight. She was stood down from riding and trackwork on June 23 after the Racing Analytical Services Limited informed Racing Victoria. Payne rose to fame after becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015 The champion jockey could be banned for up to two months at the 11am hearing at Racing Victorias Flemington offices. Australia Jockeys Association chairman Des OKeeffe said Payne took responsibility for the failed test and was prepared to cop her punishment 'Shes embarrassed and shes disappointed that shes made an error,' he told 3AW radio on Thursday. 'She understands shes not been thorough enough and that this is her fault, no one elses, despite the fact this was prescribed to her.' Michelle Payne tested positive for an appetite suppressant which is banned in Australia Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has been stood down from riding after reportedly testing positive to a banned substance Mr OKeeffe earlier said Payne took phentermine on her doctors advice but failed to check if it was on the banned list. He added Payne had weight problems since a fall last year led to surgery to remove a part of her pancreas. Payne gave the failed random drug test on June 11 after an event at Swan Hill in Victoria. Precedents on breaches of Australian Rule of Racing 81B include a six-week suspension for Hugh Bowman in 2003 when he tested positive to Phentermine. Payne, 31, was notified of her failed test on June 23 after the Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) informed Racing Victoria Decorated veteran Damien Oliver was suspended for a month in 2009 after testing positive to ephedrine, but it was reduced to a fine on appeal. A two-month ban could jeopardise Paynes place in the female jockeys team for the Shergar Cup on August 12. Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup when successful on 100-1 longshot Prince of Penzance in 2015. Her achievement made global news when she used her winners podium speech to make comments about male prejudice holding back female riders in racing. Payne finished fifth on Kaspersky behind Ribchester in last weeks Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in the UK, returning home to the bad news. Ascot spokesman Nick Smith said: No decisions will be made until the Racing Victoria hearing of the Michelle Payne case has been held. Nazi memorabilia worth thousands of dollars is being peddled online, sparking furore within the Jewish community. SS officers' rings, holocaust relics and a $7,400 'Nazi Olympic Torch' are among items being sold across NSW on Gumtree. But the state's chief representative body for Jews slammed the sale of Nazi memorabilia as insensitive. A German SS military silver ring is offered for $175.00 from Goulburn A $7,400 'Nazi Olympic Torch' in Sydney is another item being sold across NSW 'Nazi memorabilia should be donated to historical museums or war memorials,' NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff told Daily Telegraph. 'Putting such items onto the market inevitably promotes the horrendous regime which the Nazis represented.' It is believed there is still $37 billion worth of Nazi relics scattered around the world after the fall of the Third Reich. Earlier this month, police in Argentina raided the home of an art collector and found a cache of Nazi knives, sculptures, medical devices, magnifying glasses, and a large bust portrait of Adolf Hitler. A total of 75 of objects of Nazi paraphernalia were found including a bust relief of Adolf Hitler. Authorities say they suspect the items are originals that belonged to high-ranking Nazis in Germany during World War II. A Nazi German war medal is also for sale, sparking outrage A bust of Adolf Hitler on display with the rest of the 75 pieces of Nazi art seized during an operation carried out on June 9, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires Muslim extremists behind bars are trying to forcibly convert fellow inmates to Islam, often with threats of violence. A fight even broke out in a New South Wales jail last year after non-Muslim prisoners objected, the ABC reports. While prison guards were able to break up the fight 'before it could get out of hand', there are Islamist inmates who are attempting to indoctrinate other inmates with radical and extremist ideologies, documents obtained by the national broadcaster said. Muslim inmates are trying to convert other prisons to Islam in a NSW jail (stock image) The revelation comes as the NSW government builds a new wing in Goulburn for terrorists The papers didn't name the jail, however the incident highlights the need to separate Islamist extremist prisoners from other inmates. It comes two weeks after the state government announced that $47 million had been set aside to build a separate wing for terrorists at the Goulburn Supermax prison, in southern NSW, which houses the worst criminals. The new section will lock up 30 extremely dangerous prisoners so their calls, mail and conversations with visitors can be monitored, even if they are in languages other than English. Last month, several prisoners from Kariong jail, on the Central Coast, north of Sydney, told the Daily Telegraph they have been bashed by other inmates after declining to convert to Islam. Goulburn's Supermax prison already houses the state's worst criminals, including extremists This comes as the number of prisoners practicing Islam inside the prison has reportedly risen, with dozens of non-Arabic inmates requesting access to the Koran, halal food and prayer mats. In Victoria, Muslim inmates at two of the state's most notorious jails were earlier this month given microwave ovens during Ramadan so they could heat up their food after sunset. The concession have sparked uproar with the wider prison population at Barwon and Melbourne Assessment Prisons. 'They have been given the microwaves and are given specially prepared meals,' a source told the Herald Sun. A huge rise in the number of online chats between bank staff and savers has sparked fears of further branch closures. Last year, banks had 130,000 conversations with customers using video chat, similar to Skype or FaceTime, new figures show. This is almost double the number a year earlier (67,000). Banks also had 4.4million web chats with savers - 510 an hour - a quarter more than a year ago. Web chat involves sending live messages to another person online. The data, from the British Bankers' Association, shows 536 branches were fitted with video banking facilities in 2016. Last year, banks had 130,000 conversations with customers using video chat, similar to Skype or FaceTime, new figures show But in the same year, a similar number of branches were closed, and another 460 branches will shut their doors this year. RBS, NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, Clydesdale, Yorkshire Bank and TSB are among those banks to announce closures in 2017. ONE IN FOUR PURCHASES ARE CONTACTLESS A quarter of debit and credit card payments are now contactless, a report reveals. The development will fuel concerns that the ease with which people can spend guilt-free is driving a debt bubble. More than 100million contactless cards were handed out last year and they now make up two-thirds of cards. Last year there was a 225 per cent rise in their use, the British Bankers Association said. Yesterday the Bank of England warned the cards, which allow transactions up to 30 without entering a PIN, were fuelling a new debt boom. Advertisement In a report released today, called The Way We Bank Now, the BBA says: 'Customers are increasingly adopting web and video chat to contact their bank, giving them access on their sofa, on the go or at work.' Critics fear banks are investing in this technology so they can accelerate plans to close down branches, which are expensive to run. Janet Morrison, chief executive of charity Independent Age, says: 'New ways to access banking can offer flexibility to customers and services like text alerts can help people manage their money. 'But, going 'digital by default' risks disadvantaging a large group of people, many of whom are more likely to be older. 'Banks must ensure that customers can access services, advice and offers using their preferred method of communication, whether that be over the internet, on the telephone or in person.' But banks say footfall in branches is dramatically falling as many choose to bank online and on their mobiles. New figures reveal 19.6million people now regularly use banking apps - more than a third of UK adults. This is 2million more than just one year ago. Almost two-thirds of all transactions, balance checks and 'interaction' with current accounts are now conducted via mobile banking apps, up from a third just five years ago. Banks also had 4.4million web chats with savers - 510 an hour - a quarter more than a year ago. Web chat involves sending live messages to another person online In 2016, there were almost 5billion logins to banking apps - 159 a second - according to the report by the BBA and accountancy giants EY UK (Ernst & Young). Banks also sent out 434million text alerts to customers in 2016, 14 texts per second. Eric Leenders, of the BBA, says: 'Customers' appetite for using technology to manage their money on the move is showing no signs of abating. 'Latest developments in the consumer-led digital revolution are empowering customers to manage their finances more conveniently. 'Whether we want to visit our local bank branch, use a mobile or internet-bank, there are more ways we can choose to access and manage our money than ever before.' More than 3,000 bank branches have closed in the last decade, according to the now-defunct Campaign for Community Banking. The campaign group folded last year after 17 years when its founder, former Natwest banker Derek French, admitted they were powerless to stop more branch closures. 'There's no hope of changing anything. We're realists', he said recently. RBS, NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, Clydesdale, Yorkshire Bank and TSB are among those banks to announce closures in 2017 Banks have tried to fend off criticism by dispatching mobile branches to the most rural areas. Last year, 47 mobile branches were in operation. These are generally large vans or buses which offer services to customers such as depositing cash and making withdrawals. The BBA says customers are able to do face-to-face banking in more than 20,000 bank branches and post offices. It says the typical number of branch visits has fallen by a third since 2011, with the average branch now receiving just 71 visits a day. Caroline Abrahams, Age UK's Charity Director, says: 'Being given a greater choice in how they communicate with their bank is clearly good news for the many older people who are digitally savvy. 'However many older people don't have smartphones or internet access and often tell us about the challenges they face when it comes to managing their money, particularly when this is coupled with an increasing number of local branch closures. 'This can be offset to some extent by initiatives like mobile 'banks on wheels' which are popular among older people in rural areas who would otherwise struggle to have face-to-face contact with their bank.' Three men have been released from prison less than 24 hours after they allegedly beat a police officer unconscious in Cairns. Jayden Symons, 20, and brothers Brodie and Darcy Rayner, aged 22 and 21, were granted bail in Cairns Magistrate's court, despite the presiding Magistrate labelling the attack 'sickening'. The attack, captured on a Facebook live video and CCTV, saw the three men allegedly 'stomp and punch' a 28-year-old acting sergeant near the Esplanade Lagoon about 7pm, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported. Scroll down for video Jayden Symons (pictured), 20, was released on bail after allegedly beating up a police officer in a 'sickening' attack Darcy Rayner (pictured), aged 21, is also accused of being part of the attack. Rayner too was released on bail His brother Brodie (pictured), 22, was accused of taking part in the 'sickening, vicious and callous attack' on a Queensland police officer, aged 28 After the male officer lost consciousness, his female colleague stepped in and pepper sprayed the trio. The injured constable was taken to Cairns Base Hospital with multiple abrasions in a stable condition and was reportedly released later that night. Solicitor for the men, Steve Wettenhall said they had been left 'traumatised' and were drunk after attending a funeral for their friend Cory Duncan who was killed in a motorcycle crash last week. But Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said unprovoked attacks on police by intoxicated civilians were unacceptable. 'This was a sickening, vicious and callous attack on a police officer who was simply doing their job,' he said. Despite the grievous attack, Acting Magistrate Susie Warrington granted their release on bail and adjourned their case until July 19. Bystander Jonathan WM O'Connor was filming a Facebook Live video when the fight broke out on the Esplanade in Cairns at 7pm on Tuesday. The footage shows an officer being knocked to the ground, before two more policemen come to his aid and handcuff one man. The shocking moment a violent thug knocks a police officer unconscious in a late night street brawl has been captured on camera The footage shows an officer being knocked to the ground, before two more policemen come to his aid and handcuff one man The incident continued for about three minutes, before a number of police cars arrive. Three men have been charged with assaulting a police officer after the incident, which left the policeman unconscious and needing scans. Cairns police allege the 28-year-old male constable approached a group of men following a disturbance at a licensed premises in Cairns on Tuesday when he was surrounded and assaulted, and fell to the ground. It's alleged the men continued to assault the officer, knocking him unconscious, before his partner used OC spray and they ran off, with police arresting the trio a short time later. The injured constable was taken to Cairns Base Hospital with multiple abrasions in a stable condition. Three men, aged 20, 21 and 22, have been charged with serious assault of a police officer and other offences and are due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Three men have been charged with assaulting a police officer after the incident, which left the policeman unconscious and needing scans Having just read the letter from Richard Deines with the headline: Senator Tester is a disgrace to Montanans, I wonder if Richard Deines is really a veteran. When Tester came into office, our travel pay was dismal and most veterans were being referred to Fort Harrison in Helena. One of his first actions was to get the travel pay up to other government rates. The next action was to get the new clinic in Billings started. We now have a top-rate clinic here in Billings with really good, dedicated staff. Tester cannot be blamed for the backlog of patients or anything that happens in the VA hospitals. That is the responsibility of the hospital directors. Tester has had an open line to the VA director whom he has held accountable for these problems. The Department of Veterans Health Care is an extremely large, complex of hospitals and outpatient clinics that require government funding and also must weather government cuts in funding. Tester has worked with President Trump to envision new VA programs and funding. I am a Vietnam veteran who is very happy with Tester and Trump's goals to improve the VA system. To me, Tester is a hero and I am very proud that he is representing Montana. He is one Montanan in the U.S. government who we can be extremely grateful for, and also very proud to call a native Montanan with Montana roots and values. To say that he is a "disgrace" to Montana is simply silly, and "fake news." Morris Hall Billings : The Navy SEAL who shot Osama Bin Laden lashed out at the White House's Sarah Huckabee Sanders for praising the VA on Wednesday. In a flurry of tweets, Robert O'Neill slammed Veteran Affairs, revealing that he has to pay for his own private healthcare despite his role in one of the most prolific missions in the history of the US Armed Forces. He also claimed to have had his wallet stolen at a VA hospital during a CAT scan once. O'Neill has been able to forge a living out of selling the story of his role in the 2011, Team Six mission which finally executed the Al Qaeda leader at his secretive Pakistan compound. The Operator, O'Neill's book on the subject, has had international success and he regularly appears on television and radio shows. While he can afford to pay for his own care, he said on Wednesday that other veterans weren't as fortunate and had to rely on the VA which he labeled an 'insult' to their service. Team Six Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill (left in London on Tuesday) slammed White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (right) O'Neill fired off a flurry of tweets about Huckabee's comments on Twitter on Wednesday 'I just heard Sarah Huckabee talk about "successes" at the VA. PLEASE explain and I would LOVE to debate you. VA is a damn insult to vets!! 'I'm a combat vet... killed UBL.. and I PAY FOR PRIVATE healthcare ..most vets CANT afford it!' he wrote angrily. His rage was sparked by Huckabee's complaint a day earlier that the media never covers positive stories like 'the success at the VA' because it is fixated on the president and whether or not he has inappropriate ties to Russia. She did not give any further detail about the 'success' she was referring to. O'Neill found it hard to conceive of any and took his rage out on the deputy White House press secretary. 'Insulted by Sarah Huckabee for praising the VA today. I bet you've never had your wallet stolen by STAFF while getting a CAT scan.I have!' he said. Representatives for Veteran Affairs did not respond to requests about his theft claim on Wednesday night. O'Neill's continued his Twitter rampage, lashing out at Huckabee who he claimed was 'unqualified' and had only been given her job because of her politician father. He later retracted those comments, admitting he had been 'too hard' on her. O'Neill went on to claim that he had his wallet stolen while undergoing a CAT scan at one VA hospital O'Neill, pictured with the president, said he could afford to pay for his own private healthcare but claimed many veterans could not 'But she should go pop in to the VA right up the street.. unannounced and see what a depressing dump!' he said. O'Neill claims to be the man who fired the two bullets which hit Osama Bin Laden's head and killed him. Others contest his version of the mission The plight of war heroes who have returned home to the US to be ignored by the VA has been well documented. One veteran, who suffered brain injuries in an IED blast and who attempted suicide twice after returning home, was only seen to after he told his story to DailyMail.com in 2015. O'Neill was one of a group of highly trained Navy Seals who took part in the mission. He claims to have fired the two shots into Bin Laden's head which killed him. Mark Bissonnette, another in the group, previously suggested that he had a key role in killing the terrorist. Bissonnette wrote his own book on the mission but was admonished by the Pentagon for not clearing it with them first. He was ordered to give up the $6million in proceeds it made as a result. Both O'Neill and Bissonnette have faced scrutiny from others who were on the mission. Those men chose to remain anonymous and say that the pair spoke out 'dishonorably' for financial gain and notoriety. The schoolgirl who died in a light plane crash in South Australia was on an Angel Flight with her mother to Adelaide for medical treatment. Emily Redding, 16, was killed with her mother Tracy, 43, and pilot Grant Gilbert, 78, when the plane came down near Mount Gambier about 10am on Wednesday. Angel Flight provides free flights for passengers in need of medical treatment far from home and is regularly used for people living in country and rural areas. Emily Redding, 16, died in a light plane crash in South Australia on an Angel Flight with her mother to Adelaide for medical treatment. He perished along with her mother Tracy, 43, when the plane came down near Mount Gambier about 10am on Wednesday The plane was flying in extremely 'foggy, cold and wet' conditions that delayed some planes from landing at Mount Gambier Airport, 3km northeast of the crash site. Emily's uncle Grant Redding said her father, Troy, was still coming to terms with the tragedy and supporting his young family at home. 'Our thoughts are also with the family and friends of the pilot who was a dedicated and tireless volunteer who also lost his life in this tragic incident,' he said. 'Many thanks to the Police, Emergency Services, staff at Grant High School and others for their sympathy and empathy in dealing with family members at this difficult time.' 'We know that an event such as this will affect many members of the communities of Mount Gambier and Mount Barker and hope that anyone affected by it will seek support from family, friends or support services.' Angel Flight provides free flights for passengers in need of medical treatment far from home and is regularly used for people living in country and rural areas The Tobago TB10 plane came down in Suttontown near Mount Gambier about 10am on Wednesday Grant High School principal Fleur Roachock said the school Emily attended was supporting its students as they heard the news. 'This is obviously sudden and incredibly sad and our whole school community is mourning the loss of Emily,' she said. 'Our condolences go out to the family and friends of everybody who was on board. Counselling services are being provided for our young people and our staff at this time. 'And and into the future we will be looking to how we are going to celebrate the life of a very valued school community member.' Mr Gilbert was was a car industry businessman in Mt Barker and regularly volunteered as a pilot for Angel Flight. Owner and pilot Grant Gilbert, 78, was a businessman at Mt Barker and regularly volunteered as a pilot for Angel Flight 'We will be looking to how we are going to celebrate the life of a very valued school community member,' Grant High School principal Fleur Roachock said Limestone Coast officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Grant Moyle said the plane crashed shortly after it took off. He said no one saw the plane crash, but a member of the public phoned triple-zero after hearing a loud bang. When emergency service workers arrived at the scene, they found the wreckage, and all three passengers dead. When emergency service workers arrived at the scene, they found the wreckage, and all three passengers dead Limestone Coast officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Grant Moyle said the plane crashed shortly after it took off 'I understand that there were some people that have seen the plane before it took off and perhaps someone who has seen it shortly thereafter,' he told Sky News. 'But no one, we understand, has seen the crash itself.' Det-Supt Moyle described the incident as 'extremely tragic'. 'It does certainly impact on the whole community here in the Mount,' he said. Officers remain at the crash site investigating what brought the aircraft down on Wednesday morning A team of four from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will arrive at the scene on Thursday to investigate at the site for the next couple of days. 'The ATSB has deployed a team of four investigators to the accident site with expertise that includes aircraft engineering, technical and human factors,' it said. 'While on site the team will be examining the site and wreckage, gathering any recorded data, and interviewing any witnesses. 'The ATSB will provide an update on its website outlining the facts of the accident within 30 days.' A lovestruck lawyer's note to her friend about her romance with a convicted rapist and killer she represented has revealed she 'couldn't resist' him. Former New Zealand lawyer Davina Murray was struck off the legal roll when she was found guilty of smuggling an iPhone, cigarettes and a lighter to her client Liam Reid. She knew her feelings for Reid were wrong, but was scared to lose him, The Daily Telegraph reported. Convicted rapist and murderer Liam Reid (pictured) will marry the lawyer who represented him behind prison bars as he serves out a 23-year sentence Disgraced former lawyer Davina Murray (pictured) was struck off the roll when she was found guilty of smuggling an iPhone, cigarettes and a lighter to Reid. The pair will get married on Tuesday in Auckland Prison 'I hate that I'm in love with him if the courts say no, I wouldn't care but I'm scared to lose him,' Ms Murray wrote in a text message to a friend. 'He makes me laugh, he makes me think, he makes me cry, he makes me feel beautiful, he makes me sing.' The messages came to light in court in 2013 when Ms Murray was defending the smuggling charges against her. Reid is serving a 23-year sentence for the brutal rape and murder of a deaf woman in 2007, as well as the attempted rape and murder of a student just over a week later. Murray, who represented Reid and was reportedly convinced of his innocence, married the violent criminal in Auckland Prison at Paremoremo on Wednesday. According to the NZ Herald, weddings are allowed inside prisons if they have been approved by the prison authorities and are deemed to not be a safety concern. 'Although a rare occurrence, weddings or civil union ceremonies are not restricted in prisons and each application is considered on a case by case basis,' deputy prisoner Tom Sherlock told the publication. 'The appropriate security measures will be in place tomorrow. There is no cost to the prison.' During his sentencing hearing in 2008, Justice Lester Chisolm described Reid as an 'evil and dangerous predator'. During his sentencing hearing in 2008, Justice Lester Chisolm described Reid as an 'evil and dangerous predator' 'You are arrogant. You seek to dominate particularly women. You are not without intelligence that is one of the dangers that underlies your activities. Sadly, there is not the slightest flicker of remorse,' he said. Justice Chisolm said his victim's deafness left her 'vulnerable to your evil designs'. 'You were not deterred. You raped her and you murdered her. I am perfectly satisfied it was violent in the extreme. These were callous and despicable acts, Mr Reid.' The court heard Reid had 61 previous convictions, including robberies and assault. Reid reportedly bowed to the High Court gallery and raised his hands in celebration as he was led from the courtroom after receiving the second-longest jail term in New Zealand history. Two suspects are wanted for violently raping a woman in Florida to 'teach her a lesson about dating black men'. Justin Akeen Fedrick, 27, Keon Dellshai Gordon, 26, are wanted for the incident at Clermont, Florida, on June 22. Police say they are armed and dangerous and have warrants for their arrests. They are accused of raping the woman while another man, Rodney Cooper, 32, stood guard outside a room in a house where the woman was attacked. The woman was with friends at a house when Cooper allegedly pushed her into a room. It is not clear whether he was part of the group. Justin Akeen Fedrick, 27, (left) and Keon Dellshai Gordon, 26 (right), are both seen in previous mugshots. They are on the run from law enforcement after allegedly raping a woman to 'teach her about dating black men' in Clermont, Florida, on June 22 He is then alleged to have stood guard outside while Fedrick and Gordon violently raped her, authorities said. According to a police report seen by The Orlando Sentinel, they launched their attack to 'teach her a lesson about dating black men' and threatened the 'next time would be 10 times worse'. Rodney Cooper , 32, was arrested the day after the alleged incident and charged with kidnapping. He is accused of standing guard outside during the attack The pair raped then sexually battered her, according to police, and left her inside. She escaped and ran across backyards in the neighborhood, worried that they would come after her. Police eventually found her after being called by her boyfriend who she'd managed to reach on a cell phone. He told authorities she was 'bleeding and limping'. Cooper was arrested on a kidnapping charge and was held on a $50,000 bond the next day but police have not been able to locate the other men. They are considered dangerous and have violent pasts. Anyone with information is urged to call Crimeline on 800-423-8477. Cardinal George Pell has announced he will return to Australia 'as soon as possible' to fight multiple historical sex offence charges in court and clear his name. But his swift return of reply, sent by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney at 4am in Rome, came with one provision - 'following advice and approval by his doctors'. The conditional response has caused many to question whether the priest will cite poor health as a reason not to fly back home - as he did last year when faced with questioning by a royal commission. The 76-year-old submitted a lengthy medical report which stated a flight to Australia to give evidence would severely impact his health and possibly lead to 'heart failure'. But Daily Mail Australia revealed photographs of the senior priest tucking into a fatty meal of steak and chips with a glass of beer just weeks after the questioning. Cardinal George Pell says he will return to Australia to fight sex offence charges after getting advice from his doctors When faced with questioning by a royal commission last year, Cardinal Pell said an international flight could trigger 'heart failure'. But just weeks later, he was spotted enjoying a glass of beer and a fatty meal He was allowed to provide testimony via video link and concluded his evidence on March 3, answering questions over sex offences in Ballarat and Melbourne dioceses when he was serving there in the 1970s and 80s. He said he regretted putting the church before victims in the past but he had never put himself before either. The images of Pell eating the heavy meal and drinking a beer - which cast doubt over the veracity of his poor health claims - were taken six weeks later, on April 18. Cardinal Pell, who is considered number three in the Vatican and is in charge of the organisation's finances, has diplomatic immunity because of his seniority in the church. That means police could be powerless to make him return to Australia if he declines to do so on his own accord, as demonstrated last year. The photographs cast doubt on the veracity of his claims that a flight to Australia to give evidence would severely impact his health and possibly lead to 'heart failure' Cardinal Pell was appointed to the Vatican's Secretariat of Economy in 2014, the third highest ranked position within the church. He has diplomatic immunity because of his senior position within the church Despite his immunity, Cardinal Pell responded to the charges within hours in the early hours of the morning, strenuously denying all allegations leveled against him. 'Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors who will also advise on his travel arrangements,' a statement released on his behalf read. 'He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously.' The cardinal said he would make a statement from Rome at 4.30pm AEST. Cardinal Pell responded to the charges within hours in the early hours of the morning in Rome, strenuously denying all allegations leveled against him A US commander of more than 80,000 marines in the Pacific has called on Australia to join the bloody fight against Islamic State militants in the Philippines. Visting Australia for the biennial Talisman Sabre military exercises, Lieutenant General David Berger said the Islamist insurgency threatens the region. Experts have warned Daily Mail Australia the area is becoming a magnet for battle-hardened militants returning after losing ground in the Middle East. Black smoke comes from a burning building in a commercial area of Osmena street in Marawi city, where pro-ISIS militants are waging a bloody insurgency A soldier carrying a captured ISIS flag while clearing a city street of militants in Marawi city 'Absolutely it should be of very much concern to countries in the region, including Australia and the US,' General Berger told the ABC. 'I think the potential for it to spread is there, we should not underestimate it,' he said. Fears are mounting that would-be terrorists from Australia could beef up the ranks of four Islamist groups waging the insurgency. The Hawaii-based general expects Australian and US forces could soon join forces to tackle the threat. 'Both of us have a long history of being an expeditionary force when needed...I think absolutely, yes, we would go where asked.' But ANU defence and strategic expert Professor John Blaxland told Daily Mail Australia the army should reflect on its territorial priorities. US Lieutenant General David Berge has called on Australia to join the bloody fight against Islamic State militants in the Philippines A recent wave of violence from ISIS-linked militants in the Philippines has heightened the threats to regional security (Pictured, ISIS media shows an extremist waving the ISIS flag) An armored personnel carrier moves amongst stuck vehicles of residents fleeing Marawi 'Last month, we heightened our presence of troops in Afghanistan. What's happening in the Philippines - our immediate neighbourhood - should take precedence,' he said. 'The military in the Philippines is facing an existential challenge. Things are beginning to snowball.' 'The region is becoming a magnet for foreigners returning from foreign battlefields. It remains to be seen how bright that beacon will grow.' Prof Blaxland said he was unsure whether Australia could rely on the US to engage in ongoing security challenges. 'The relationship between the US and Duterte is prickly. There has still been no kinetic military action from them.' Last week, Australia confirmed it was sending intelligence-gathering aircraft to the Philippines (pictured: an RAAF A US P3 Orion surveillance plane) Pitcured is the 17 cadavers of civilians, who were 'allegedly' brutally murdered by ASG/Maute group in Marawi Citt ANU defence and strategic expert Professor John Blaxland said Australia should reflect on its territorial priorities Threats to regional security loom large after a wave of violence in the nation's south, including the discovery of five decapitated civilians on Wednesday in Marawi. Last week, Australia confirmed it was sending intelligence-gathering aircraft to the Philippines to help in the fight against jihadists The two RAAF P-3 Orion planes will provide surveillance support to local forces in the Mindanao battlefields where four Islamist groups including Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group are fighting. The biennial Talisman Sabre training exercises kick off in Australia on Thursday, mostly at Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton. Kelly Green, 32, (left with her husband Shane Green) moved from Eastbourne, East Sussex, in the UK to Tristan da Cunha (pictured), one of a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, in July 2013. The whole island descends from just seven families and has a population of just 138 inhabitants. It is only accessible by boat from Cape Town, South Africa, and the journey can take anywhere from a week to 15 days - depending on the weather. After going through a tough break up, Kelly travelled to the island to visit her parents in 2010 as her dad was a diplomat posted there. Kelly said she 'fell in love' with the island and it was there that she met her now husband Shane Green, 33. Shane, a carpenter who has lived on the island for his entire life, had helped Kelly carry her luggage off the raft and they soon became besotted with each other. Kelly made the move to Tristan da Cunha permanently in July 2013 and the couple now have two children together - Savannah, eight, and Seren, who is 16-months-old. Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne was suspended for four weeks after testing positive to a banned substance last week. The ban was handed down at Racing Victoria Stewards' meeting on Thursday after pleading guilty to taking phentermine, which was prescribed by her doctor. The psychostimulant increases activity of the body and suppresses appetite, used to help diabetes patients lose weight. Scroll down for video Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne was suspended for four weeks after testing positive to a banned substance last week Payne rose to fame after becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015 'I am embarrassed and I apologise for what I have done,' she told the panel. 'I regret not seeking more information. I accept the stewards ruling. I'm sorry this has happened.' Outside after the meeting, Payne said she appreciated that the decision was in line with similar past offences by other jockeys. 'I'm very much looking forward to finding a solution in working with my surgeon. I look forward to working hard and being in great shape upon my return to racing,' she said. She was stood down from riding and trackwork on June 23 after the Racing Analytical Services Limited informed Racing Victoria. The suspension will be backdated to this date, meaning she will be back in action as early as July 21. The ban was handed down at Racing Victoria Stewards' meeting on Thursday after pleading guilty to taking phentermine, which was prescribed by her doctor Outside after the meeting, Payne said she appreciated that the decision was in line with similar past offences by other jockeys She was stood down from riding and trackwork on June 23 after the Racing Analytical Services Limited informed Racing Victoria This means she may still be able to compete in the female jockeys team for the Shergar Cup on August 12, which had been in doubt as she faced an up to two-month ban. Australia Jockeys Association chairman Des OKeeffe said before the hearing that Payne took responsibility for the failed test and was prepared to cop her punishment. 'Shes embarrassed and shes disappointed that shes made an error,' he told 3AW radio on Thursday. 'She understands shes not been thorough enough and that this is her fault, no one elses, despite the fact this was prescribed to her.' The suspension will be backdated to June 23, meaning she will be back in action as early as July 21 'I am embarrassed and I apologise for what I have done,' she told the panel Mr OKeeffe earlier said Payne took phentermine on her doctors advice but failed to check if it was on the banned list. He added Payne had weight problems since a fall last year led to surgery to remove a part of her pancreas. Payne gave the failed random drug test on June 11 after an event at Swan Hill in Victoria. Precedents on breaches of Australian Rule of Racing 81B include a six-week suspension for Hugh Bowman in 2003 when he tested positive to Phentermine. Payne, 31, was notified of her failed test on June 23 after the Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) informed Racing Victoria Decorated veteran Damien Oliver was suspended for a month in 2009 after testing positive to ephedrine, but it was reduced to a fine on appeal. Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup when successful on 100-1 longshot Prince of Penzance in 2015. Her achievement made global news when she used her winners podium speech to make comments about male prejudice holding back female riders in racing. Payne finished fifth on Kaspersky behind Ribchester in last weeks Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in the UK, returning home to the bad news. Australian supermarkets could follow in the footsteps of transport company Uber and use surge-pricing to jack up the cost of food during lunchtime and after-work rushes. University of Melbourne consumer psychologist Brent Coker predicted Australia would adopt the pricing style which was already commonly used in parts of Europe and America. Consumer experts predicted Australian supermarkets would be next to adopt the pricing style Dr Coker said Australia would likely implement surge pricing within a year of the UK. He said the change would force consumers to change their shopping habits. 'Now, people are used to going to do the supermarket shop at 5pm on a Sunday and that's their routine. With e-pricing, there might be a spread of customer purchasing behaviour as they come to realise shopping during the Sunday night peak hour might not be cost effective,' he told News.com.au. 'They might have to start shopping on a Monday afternoon.' Dr Coker said it could be an advantage for cost-savvy shoppers. 'With e-pricing, there might be a spread of customer purchasing behaviour as they come to realise shopping during the Sunday night peak hour might not be cost effective,' Mr Coker said Dr Coker said it could be an advantage for cost-savvy shoppers if the change came to Australia Retail analyst Pippa Kulmar said a shift towards surge-pricing was extremely likely Surge pricing would also mean big changes for supermarkets, not just consumers. Supermarkets would need to replace price stickers on items with electronic screens that could be altered according to the time of day it was bought and how busy it was. Retail analyst Pippa Kulmar said a shift towards surge-pricing was extremely likely. She told the publication there would be a shake-up in fresh food and supermarkets would likely adopt the change as soon as one of their competition did. A Massachusetts family is urging others not to give up fighting after finding out their nine-year-old daughter has a rare genetic disease that could eventually cause her to lose the ability to breathe. Talia Duff, of Ipswich, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Type 4J in September of 2015, her parents John and Jocelyn told People.Com. The couple decided to take her in for testing when they noticed their daughter, who has Down syndrome, had started losing strength in her legs, and could no longer hold a spoon or give a hug. Scroll down for video Talia Duff, of Ipswich, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Type 4J in September of 2015 After more than a year of hunting down doctors and researchers to find a cure for their daughter, the family finally has hope 'It was heartbreaking. We were told there was no hope, no treatment, no cure,' Jocelyn, 50, told People. Talia's disorder is only though to be shared by 22 people worldwide, and cause muscle weakness, eventually affecting one's ability to breathe. There isn't much available research about the disease, Jocelyn said, because it affects so few people around the world. 'That kept me awake at night. I wanted to do as much as I could,' she added. Talia's father, John, said: 'It's a horrible feeling to go to a doctor and be told that there's nothing that can be done.' Her paernts, Jocelyn (left) and John (right) decided to take her in for testing when they noticed that their daughter, who has Down syndrome, had started losing strength in her legs, and could no longer hold a spoon or give a hug But instead of listening to the doctor, the Duffs decided to take matters into their own hands and search for someone to help them find a cure. The couple created the 'Cure CMT4J Foundation' to raise money for research, and combed the internet extensively for information about the disease. Jocelyn spent hours looking for experts on the internet before coming into contact with Dr Jun Li. Li, who is director of the CBS clinic at Vanderbilt, who told her gene therapy might help Talia. With that knowledge, Jocelyn and her husband rounded up all of the experts she had met online, and asked if they would meet her in Bethesda, Maryland, one weekend in September 2016 to discuss working on a cure for the disease. Eight researchers came and agreed to work together to help Talia. 'It was an incredible moment. Hands started going up and people were saying, "Let's get to work,"' Jocelyn told People. Talia's disorder is only though to be shared by 22 people worldwide, and cause muscle weakness, eventually affecting one's ability to breathe Dr Jun Li, director of the CBS clinic at Vanderbilt, told Jocelyn gene therapy might help Talia After the meeting, the Duffs were uplifted to see the research team jump right into preclinical work to prove gene therapy could have positive and lasting effects for Talia, who is now 11. This proof is expected later this summer, and the Duffs hope to approach the FDA for approval to begin the first human clinical trial 'We feel hope now,' Jocelyn said to People. Community fundraising efforts have so far brought in more than $235,000, all of which is going towards research efforts. The Duffs hope that number will hit $1million by the end of the year. The couple then did endless research to pull together a team of experts to help them find a cure for their daughter Now, all the family has to do is wait on FDA approval, which should come by the end of the summer, and they can begin the first clinical trial. The Duffs know time is their enemy, but hope that all the work Talia's research team is putting in will add years onto her life The Duffs know time is their enemy, but hope all the work Talia's research team is putting in will add years onto her life. Once she's able to receive the gene therapy, Talia's family hopes her peripheral nerves will heal and she will be able to regain some of her strength. They said she was once an active girl who enjoyed dance classes and riding her bike, and hope she will be able to get that back one day. 'I'm floored by how far we've come in a year. To think that a little over a year ago, we were flying around the country, looking for a sliver of hope, and now we're working on a cure,' John said to People. Jocelyn added: 'Now Talia is giving other families hope. To every family out there in a similar fight, we want to say, "Don't give up. Anything is possible.' To donate to the cause, please visit Cure CMT4J Nine-year-old children spent most of a school day believing they would be taken away from their parents in a bizarre Stolen Generation role play. The Year Four students at St Justin's Catholic primary school on the outskirts of Sydney burst into tears when a nun broke the news at 9.30am on Tuesday. She held up what she said was a letter from the Prime Minister saying their parents weren't looking after them well enough so they would be taken away. Scroll down for video. Year 4 students like Kynan Wykes (pictured with mother Natalie) were told they would be taken from their parents and not informed it was a Stolen Generation role play for five hours Distraught children asked their teacher if it was true, and she said yes. They were not told it was an exercise until 2.50pm when they were asked to write down how they felt. Natalie Wykes said she was looking at moving her son Kynan to a public school over the incident, which she called 'emotional abuse'. 'He came home and he said "Mum, I was really scared at school today",' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'They said you won't be seeing your family again, that they had to change their last names, and even where they would be sleeping in the school. 'During the day they had to do activities that Aboriginal children did whey they were taken, like picking up rubbish and raking leaves, running around the oval and doing star jumps. 'If they didn't do it right they'd get yelled at, it was pretty full on.' Ms Wykes said Kynan even tried to escape from the school by faking bumping heads with a friend during lunch so the school would call his mother to get him. 'I get these calls all the time so I didn't think anything of it until he came home and told me he did it because it he was afraid he wouldn't be allowed to come home,' she said. She complained to the principal on Wednesday and said Kynan told him 'the army can come and take us away at any time', and remained convinced even after being told that wasn't true. The Catholic diocese of Wollongong said the activity was intended to give students an experience of the infamous chapter in Australia's history Another mother, Mary Jane Turner, said her son Tyrone was in the same class and the lesson distressed him even more because he suffered from anxiety. She said Tyrone came home in tears and was too upset to eat his lunch at school. Tim Gilmour, assistant to the director of schools in the Catholic diocese of Wollongong, said the activity was intended to give students an experience of the infamous chapter in Australia's history. 'This outcome was totally unintended, I hope people can believe in good faith we're not putting together lessons to make kids upset or distressed - that's not what we're about,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'We wanted to ask them how they would feel if Australia did that now, but for one of the classes the context wasn't explicit enough. 'There was a disconnect from the intention and execution of this lesson and we've learned from that and will review the process to ensure it doesn't happen again.' Students in two of the three classes at St Justin's Catholic primary school (pictured) on the outskirts of Sydney that participated were told early on it was a role play Mr Gilmour said students in two of the three classes that participated were told early on it was a role play but it 'wasn't done as well as it should have been' in the other. He said the lesson was done last year without incident and parents of children in two of the classes gave positive feedback. 'Parents were saying it was a really good conversation around the dinner table that kids spoke about and they thought it was a very innovative and effective way to deal with the issue,' he said. 'That doesn't excuse or justify it, but teaching is an art of constant refinement.' Mr Gilmour said the diocese would look at how it could be 'refined' and whether it needed significant changes for next time. Stolen Generation members were also outraged by the lesson, saying it was an inappropriate way to teach children about it. 'Im aboriginal and my grandfather was a part of the stolen generation, this is absolutely disgusting to be teaching the kids such lies to the point also where theyll fear theyll be taken if they play up,' Sascha Smith wrote on social media. 'Furious is an understatement right now.' 'We werent taken away because of neglect, we were taken because of the colour of our skin,' NT Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation spokeswoman Eileen Cummings told News Corp. 'We were taken away because they believed that our people couldnt teach us anything, they wanted to educate us because we were half-caste children.' One of three women involved in a Gold Coast family suicide pact was a former teacher, world traveller and mother described by friends as a 'gentle soul'. Heather Cummins, 54, her mother Margaret, 78, and younger sister Wynette, 53, died by suicide on Tuesday afternoon. The family were in contact with euthanasia group Exit International and had obtained deadly nitrogen gas from Dr Philip Nitschke's 'brewing company'. The late Heather Cummins (left), is pictured with her husband, Michael Exclusive address: The Gold Coast's Ephraim Island (pictured) is where Margaret Cummins, 78, and her daughters Heather and Wynette, aged 54 and 53 - died The bodies of 78-year-old Margaret Cummins and her daughters Heather and Wynette, in their 50s, were discovered just after 3pm on Tuesday It's understood the three - each had reportedly been sick - were found by Ms Cummins' husband, Michael, about 3pm on Tuesday. Heather and her partner advertised their apartment at the exclusive Ephraim Island, in Paradise Point, on a house swap website. They were seeking travel experiences overseas, describing themselves as retirees who holidayed without their two adult children. 'We've lived and travelled overseas many, many times (44 countries so far) and love to settle into life and explore the people and places we go to,' they wrote. 'We will treat your home with utmost care and respect, and we expect the same in return. 'We like to think of ourselves as "domestic gods"...when you arrive at our home you'll see why.' Police said the tragic deaths on the exlcusive island may have been part of a suicide pact inspired by a website Police ruled the three deaths not suspicious shortly after the bodies were discovered on Tuesday. The next day, Dr Nitschke revealed to Daily Mail Australia that the family had obtained deadly gasses from his brewing company. The gases are often used in beer production - but Dr Nitschke advocates they can be used to end lives. 'Dr Death': The three Gold Coast women at the centre of a tragic suicide pact were followers of a prominent euthanasia group run by Philip Nitschke (pictured) Dr Nitschke (pictured here) with some of his equipment Heather's younger sister, Wynette, was disabled. She suffered brain cancer in the 1980s. The Nine Network reported Margaret, a bridge player, had dementia. Each of the women were reported to have left suicide notes. Speaking of Heather, a friend who attended school with her in Young, in western New South Wales, said: 'All I can say is she was a gentle soul. They were such a quiet, tight-knit family'. A man who answered Heather's husband's phone on Thursday said the family had no comment. For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. A budget airline has brought out a deal for people with shallow wallets, itchy feet and a case of the winter blues. Until July 1, Tigerair are offering flights around Australia for just $33. The discount flights are available as one-way trips interstate, but are selling out fast. Short flights between Sydney to Melbourne or Melbourne to Hobart cost $33, medium length routes such as Melbourne to Cairns are $66, and longer flights, like between Sydney and Perth, are $99. Tigerair are selling hugely discounted flights around Australia, allowing passengers to travel from Sydney to Melbourne and back for just $33 Customers are able to fly between every capital city in the country, as well as to destinations such as Coffs Harbour, Townsville and the Whitsundays Customers are able to fly between every capital city in the country, as well as to destinations such as Coffs Harbour, Townsville and the Whitsundays. While the sale is only on offer for this weekend, the cheap flights must be taken between October and December this year. 'The Stop Fidgeting, Start Flying sale represents tremendous value for Australia's travelling public,' said Tigerair spokesperson Joel Dwyer. 'While fidgets may be taking the world by storm, travel will always remain the number one way to bring a smile to someone's face.' 'Fares are selling fast, so we encourage customers to get in quick before the sale ends at midday AEST Saturday 1 July to avoid any potential disappointment.' A young lifesaver has been hailed a hero for saving his mate from drowning after he was pierced through the leg by the barb of a stingray. Robert Lemon, 18, rescued his 17-year-old friend Sam White near Boiling Point in Noosa National Park, Queensland. Robert had to fight to stop the attached ray from dragging his buddy under the water when a spearfishing session went wrong at about 1pm on Monday, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported. A young lifesaver has been hailed a hero for saving his mate from drowning after he was pierced through the leg by the barb of a stingray (injury pictured) Robert (pictured) had to fight to stop the attached ray from dragging his buddy under the water when a spearfishing session went wrong at about 1pm on Monday Robert, who does maintenance work at Noosa surf club, heard splashing and yelling about 80 metres offshore. 'My initial thought was Sam may have speared himself or speared something very large and potentially dangerous,' Robert said. Bit in fact Sam had been pierced in the leg by a rogue stingray. 'Each movement from the stingray was causing Sam excruciating pain and severe bleeding,' Robert said. The pair eventually made it back to the rocks, with the stingray still attacked to Sam. As they waited for paramedics to arrive Robert removed the stingray tail with a Stanley knife. Sam was rushed to hospital to completely remove the barb and is now recovering at home. Robert, (pictured) who does maintenance work at Noosa surf club, heard splashing and yelling about 80 metres offshore A man and his much younger wife, whom he met when he hosted her as a foreign exchange student, are accused of luring the wife's underage sister to live with them so the husband could sexually abuse her. Dale Leary, 50, and Marta San Jose, 21, are charged with convincing San Jose's 14-year-old sister, who lived in Spain, to come stay with them in their Cutler Bay, Florida home in 2014, said Miami Dade police in a statement. Soon, the pair concocted a story that the teen's parents had sexually abused her, which the teen protested she did not remember. Leary allegedly convinced her he could tell if she'd been sexually abused, and told the girl to allow him to digitally penetrate her. Dale Leary, 50, and wife Marta San Jose, 21, are charged with a slew of sexual assault charges involving San Jose's 16-year-old sister The pair met when Leary and his former wife hosted her as a foreign exchange student when she was 16 - as soon as she turned 19, Leary divorced his wife and married the student Leary appeared in Miami Dade County court on June 23 and was ordered held on $50,000 bond for each count against him Marta San Jose (left) is charged with multiple counts, including lewd and lascivious behavior on a child younger than 16, sexual performance with a child and contributing to the delinquency of a child " " This allegedly happened on several occasions, and the married couple also had sex in front of the teen, gave her alcohol, and Leary would allegedly perform oral sex on the teen and have her and his young wife perform it on him. Leary is also accused of making the teen walk around naked in heels and taking pictures of her. In some photos, he allegedly told the sisters to embrace naked. The couple were charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under 16, possession of child pornography, engaging in a sexual act with a familial child and contributing to the delinquency of a child. They have both pleaded not guilty. The couple soon convinced San Jose's 14-year-old sister to join them in Miami - where they allegedly began sexually abusing her The couple allegedly committed sexual abuse on the 14-year-old in this house above in Cutler Bay Leary has a criminal history. At 19, he was convicted of breaking into a Coral Gables house, tying up a woman at gunpoint and sexually attacking her, reported the Miami Herald. Despite pleading guilty to armed robbery, armed burglary, kidnapping and lewd and lascivious behavior and served time in prison. Later, he founded a branding company called Prodigy Professional Group, which claims to have done work with companies such as Daimler, Siemens and Coca-Cola. In 2012, Leary and his then-wife, Claudia, opened their home to a foreign exchange student from Spain, Marta San Jose, who was then 16. San Jose's sister was reunited with her parents in Spain, and the couple face a host of sexual abuse charges At the time, she was a junior in high school. Almost as soon as she turned 18, Leary divorced his wife and married San Jose. Back in Spain, San Jose's parents and her younger sister were unaware of this turn of events. A Prodigy employee told the Miami Herald that San Jose presented herself as an 'intern' at the company, and no one was aware she was Leary's new wife or even that he'd gotten a divorce. The underage sister has been returned to Spain and her parents. Leary appeared in court on June 23, where he was ordered to have no contact with San Jose or with her sister. The judge set a bond of $50,000 for each count. Tony Abbott's former chief-of-staff Peta Credlin says her ex-boss does not want to overthrow Malcolm Turnbull and replace him as prime minister. Speaking on Sky News' Paul Murray Live program on Wednesday night, Ms Credlin said Mr Abbott had no interest in returning as leader of the Liberal party. Ms Credlin said he only wanted to see the party through a 'tortured' period. Scroll down for video Speaking on Sky News' Paul Murray Live program on Wednesday night, Ms Credlin said Mr Abbott had no interest in returning as leader of the Liberal party She said Mr Abbott's had his party's best interests at heart. 'He really wants to try and get the party through what has now become a very tortured three-year period,' the former staffer said. Ms Credlin said the Liberal party was growing more divided by the day. She said the party leaders should embrace Mr Abbott's 'make Australia work again' ideals. 'You have this split, this growing split, where people on the right are leaving the party to join Hanson and join Cory Bernardi,' Ms Credlin said. 'He really wants to try and get the party through what has now become a very tortured three-year period,' Ms Credlin said Ms Credlin, who was Mr Abbott's Chief of Staff, said he only wanted to see the party through a 'tortured' period She said Mr Abbott was 'speaking out' in 'a very cordial way' as opposed to Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne. 'You've had this whole debate about should Tony Abbott be speaking out on these issues and making it about Tony Abbott, when the whole reason we're having a discussion about disunity in the party is that you had a senior Cabinet minister get up I would argue with a couple of chardonnays under his belt, and mouth off at a function on Friday night with hubris and crow about disloyalty to a Prime Minister,' she said. 'The rules clearly state if you can no longer support your prime minister or leader in Cabinet, you resign.' When it comes to love, Australia's isolated outback is probably the wrong place to look. So singles from rural communities Down Under are turning to a social media page called Country Cupid in quest of romance. But one glance of the 9,000 members' profiles show it is far from your average matchmaking site. Hopefuls are seen brandishing slaughtered pigs, toting guns, and riding horses in the sun-weathered desert. Singles in rural Australia are turning to a social media page called Country Cupid (pictured: a male profile) One glance of the profiles on the page, which has almost 9,000 members, shows it is not your average matchmaking site 'CC is a singles page dedicated to country people who find it hard to venture into the big smoke or even get away from the busy life style of agriculture,' creator Maddison Wright wrote online. Ms Wright said there were no equivalent catering to people with country tastes. 'I created a profile on a singles app, but was let down with the lack of men near by or they just weren't interest in the leisurely activities I was interested in, such as hunting, fishing, 4x4ing, riding horses and so on.' 'Like so many country people, like myself, we are stuck in the middle of nowhere. We don't really get to go to the pub, and even if sometimes you do go to the pub, you're not in the same age group as everyone else,' she told ABC. Ms Wright said beyond the distance challenges, people working in agriculture have difficult work schedules. 'It's not a 9 to 5 job, weekends are unheard of making it harder to get together with mates at the pub, rodeos or BNS's.' Male hopefuls on the Facebook dating page are seen are seen brandishing slaughtered pigs and guns The creator of the page, Maddison Wright, said there were no equivalent catering to people with country tastes The page caters to singles with country tastes, and it has a strict set of rules 'We like to to have a good barbeque, go out hunting, go out fishing and camping, getting mud under the fingernails, covered head to toe in cow poo, as you do when you're in the yards.' She strictly polices the page for rude comments, ridiculing profiles, and underage users. 'CC is 18+, I check all profiles before posting and if one slips by it is soon removed.' An Indiana mother who confessed to smothering to death her two children was handed a sentence of 130 years in prison Thursday, which she will begin serving after receiving mental health treatment. Amber Pasztor, 30, of Fort Wayne, told an Elkhart County judge this morning she was sorry for her actions, which resulted in the deaths of seven-year-old Lilliana Hernandez and six-year-old Rene Pasztor. She pleaded guilty but mentally ill earlier this month to two murder counts as part of a plea deal calling for the 130-year sentence. Scroll down for video Mother sentenced: Amber Pasztor, 30 (left), was ordered to undergo mental health treatment before going to prison under a 130-year sentence for fatally smothering her two children, seven-year-old Lilliana Hernandez and six-year-old Rene Pasztor (right) in September 2016 Pasztor broke into her father's home in Fort Wayne (pictured) on September 26, 2016, and kidnapped Rene and Liliana, whom she later smothered with her hands Pasztor's sentence is comprised of 55 years for each murder count, plus an additional 20 years for the aggravated circumstances, reported Goshen News. She has received credit for 276 days served. Pasztor abducted her children on September 26, 2016, from their custodial grandparents' home near Fort Wayne, prompting an Amber Alert. Their bodies were found five hours later in the backseat of a stolen car parked behind the Elkhart Police Department, about 70 miles northwest of Fort Wayne. Pasztor had flagged down an officer and showed him the bodies. 'I do believe you're sorry,' Judge Michael Christofeno told Pasztor during Thursday's sentencing hearing. 'But that unfortunately does not undo this horrific act.' The judge ruled that Pasztor, who has been diagnosed as bipolar and schizophrenic, was competent to stand trial after she underwent three psychological evaluations to determine whether she was able to assist with her defense. On June 13, Pasztor was also charged with murder in the September shooting death of a former neighbor, 66-year-old Frank Macomber. Her children's bodies were found inside his stolen car. Macomber was found dead the next day in a wooded area near Fort Wayne. Pasztor later admitted to killing the man, who was her neighbor, with his own gun after agreeing to have sex with him. Christofeno cited her use of alcohol, marijuana and synthetic marijuana as factors in his sentencing decision. Pasztor later said she killed her son and daughter so they would be safe in heaven from a Mexican cartel Defense lawyer Peter Soldato told the judge that the killings would not have occurred if it weren't for Pasztor's drug use and mental illness. 'Essentially, she poisoned herself over the course of two years,' Soldato said. Soldato said a benefit of Pasztor's plea agreement is that she will help. Pasztor said in an October jailhouse interview with WANE-TV that she decided to kill her children after hearing the Amber Alert for them. She said she took their lives so they would be safe in heaven. 'My kids are in a better place,' she told a reporter. 'They don't have no worries no more.' In December, Pasztor wrote a letter to the court, in which she said she's guilty and ready to accept life in prison. 'I made a lot of bad decisions in my life but this one really did it,' she wrote. 'I am guilty and I accept my consequences thank you so much for your time.' According to court documents, Pasztor told officers after her arrest that she drove her children around northern Indiana and southern Michigan, taking them to a park and a restaurant before smothering them with her hands. Confession: In December, Pasztor wrote this letter to the court, in which she said she's guilty and ready to accept life in prison Third victim: On June 13, Pasztor (left) was also charged with murder in the September shooting death of a former neighbor, 66-year-old Frank Macomber (right) Indiana Department of Child Services records released by a juvenile court say that Pasztor killed her son and daughter because she felt they were being threatened with violence by members of a Mexican cartel. Those records also say she suffered from untreated bipolar disorder. The children's father, Rene Hernandez, 24, of Fort Wayne, was found dead in a wooded area in neighboring Whitley County in June 2010. His body had been frozen and cut into two pieces, police said. That slaying has never been solved. Pasztor also told police that she shot Macomber with a hunting rifle, and she gave officers directions to the spot where she had buried Macomber under a tent that the two had bought September 25, court documents filed in Allen Superior Court said. She claimed to have killed Macomber to 'send a message to the "cartels" not to mess with her,' court documents said. 'The defendant stated that she knew Frank was setting her up to the cartels.' Underworld figure Assaad was shot dead in the driveway of his Sydney home Police reportedly allege Hawat acted as a 'look out' during alleged murder Police have released footage of the dramatic moment they arrested a 24-year-old man over the gangland execution of hitman Hamad Assaad. Heavily-armed strike force detectives stormed Osama Hawat's home in Greenacre, in Sydney's south-west, just after 6am on Thursday. Screaming 'search warrant', specialist officers slammed Hawat onto the floor directly next to balloons with the numbers two and four, suggesting he had celebrated his birthday the night before. Assaad was allegedly repeatedly shot in front of his 12-year-old nephew in November last year, ambushed by gunmen who killed him in a hail of bullets in his own driveway. The 29-year-old underworld figure was the key suspect in the shooting of gangland boss Walid 'Wally' Ahmad who was executed in broad daylight at Bankstown in April. It's understood that Hawat, who homicide detectives allege acted as a 'look out' in Assaad's shooting, is closely connected with the Ahmad family, the ABC reports. Scroll down for video Police have released footage of the dramatic moment they arrested a man over the murder of hitman Hamad Assaad last year Heavily-armed strike force detectives stormed the 24-year-old's home in Greenacre, in Sydney's west, just after 6am on Thursday Etched in ink around Hamad Assaad's (pictured) neck was the word 'executioner'. He was allegedly repeatedly shot in front of his nephew by two gunmen while in his driveway last year The GoPro vision, attached to one of the officer's helmets, shows Hawat standing on a staircase with his hands in the air as police bust down the door and run inside. He is then thrown to the ground by officers, who remove an iPhone from his pocket while searching for a weapon, before handcuffing him. Wearing a black hoodie and dark pants with no shoes on, he makes no effort to resist the arrest and is eventually led out of the home. Police confirmed the man was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with murder and participating in a criminal group. He was refused bail and will appear at Bankstown Local Court later today. According to the Daily Telegraph, police will allege Hawat carried out surveillance on Assaad before his death. The gunman suspected of killing Assad, 29-year-old bikie associate Kemel 'Blackie' Barakat, was shot dead in his bed at close range in March. The GoPro vision, attached to one of the officer's helmets, shows the man standing on a staircase with his hands in the air as police bust down the door The 24-year-old man was held against the fence by strike force detectives during the arrest Police have charged him with the murder of Assaad and participating in a criminal group Assaad's execution-style murder on October 25, 2016, was over in 10 seconds. Detectives outside his Sturt Avenue house tried in vain to save Assaad, who died at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics who arrived moments later. Only one detective conducting surveillance saw the alleged murder, about 9.20am, as the other officers waited around the house for Assaad to emerge, the Sunday Telegraph reported at the time. That officer captured 23 seconds on a handheld video camera of the gunmen driving from the scene. Assaad's home was already the subject of a Firearms Prohibition Order, which meant it could be raided at any time without a warrant. Closed-circuit TV cameras around his house are understood to have captured better vision of the killing. The murdered gangland figure had the word word 'executioner' tattooed around his neck and below that an even more distressing tribute to himself and the lives he had allegedly taken. 'The souls I have taken will never haunt me only the ones I haven't will,' the tattoo said. Assaad is believed to have boasted about the attack on Ahmad, who was known as a 'Mr Big' in Sydney's criminal underworld. He was also believed to have been involved in numerous other shootings in Sydney in recent years. In 2010 Assaad was charged with murder stemming from another drive-by shooting which killed Mohamad Alahmad, 37, but was found not guilty. Assaad, 29, was gunned down and killed in his driveway in Georges Hall Western Sydney in front of his 12-year-old son on Tuesday He is also believed to have shot and wounded convicted murderer Michael Ibrahim, underworld figure Pasquale Barbaro, and the mother and aunt of Bassam Hamzy who founded the Brothers 4 Life gang. Assaad had also allegedly stole about $350,000 worth of methamphetamines from an Asian drug syndicate in the weeks leading up to his murder. Assaad was well known to New South Wales police and detectives from the State Crime Commision and the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad. Assaad did not hide his disdain for authority figures and anyone who cooperated with the police, actively complaining about 'snitches' police informants online. The suspected hitman also complained about his friends letting him down on his social media accounts. 'I used to have a team every weekend ready to go drinking at the local pub and enjoying ourselves, these days all the men of Sydney seem to be too busy waxing their eyebrows and copping a**l beads,' he said. Two teenagers have been accused of tasering and then raping a mother in front of her son after she came home to find them burgling her apartment. Francisco Palencia, 17, and Josue Ramirez, 19, are facing charges of kidnapping, rape, aggravated sodomy, home invasion, aggravated battery and cruelty to children. The teenagers allegedly attacked the woman when she came home with her two sons to find them insider her apartment in Gwinnett, Georgia, at 3am on May 12. Gwinnett County Police say they had a 15-year-old female accomplice who has not been named. She was did not go inside the apartment but police believe she drove the two teenagers to the scene. Francisco Palencia, 17, (left) and Josue Ramirez, 19, (right) are accused of tasing the woman, raping her and throwing boiling water on her after she returned home in Gwinnett, Georgia, on May 3 to find them in her kitchen A police report obtained by The Atlanta Journal Constitution describes in harrowing detail how the woman returned to the apartment from work with her two sons. Neither of the boys age was given. Once inside, she found Ramirez and Palencia in the kitchen. She tried to run away from them and protect her children but was scalded by boiling water, police say. Palencia and Ramirez allegedly tasered her then forced her into a bedroom and made her perform oral sex before raping her. Authorities say one of her sons followed them into the bedroom and watched the attack as he sat on the bed. Afterwards, they left with her German Shephard puppy, her jewelry box and her school ID. Police say they gained entry by cutting through her porch and entering the home through a sliding door that had been left open. The 15-year-old girl, who has not been named because of her age, is also facing charges. A man who came to the defense his female colleague during a robbery was slashed across the face with a screwdriver. Horrifying CCTV footage shows a would-be robber holding the screwdriver to the throat of female staff member after storming a pharmacy in western Sydney's Bankstown about 5.30pm on Wednesday. When the woman's pharmacist colleague intervened, the man launched the brutal attack leaving him in need of stitches. A man who came to the defense his female colleague during a robbery was slashed across the face with a screwdriver Horrifying CCTV footage shows a would-be robber holding the screwdriver to the throat of female staff member after storming a pharmacy in western Sydney's Bankstown about 5.30pm on Wednesday The man eventually managed to chase the man out of the store empty handed with a chair. The pharmacist received about seven stitches to the wound on his face after paramedics were called to the store. It's believed the man entered the store and demanded drugs and cash shortly before the tussle. Pharmacy owner Simon Elias told Daily Telegraph he commended the co-workers intervention. 'He ended up being a bit of a hero, to be honest,' Mr Elias said. Police have launched an investigation into the incident in the hope of tracking down the man. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 The man eventually managed to chase the man out of the store empty handed with a chair A Southern California man appeared to be attempting a Jedi mind trick in a conversation he had with a police officer who pulled him over. In video taken by his wife and posted to Youtube on Tuesday, Jordan C repeatedly says to the officer who pulled him over: 'I'm not being detained. I'm not being pulled over.' But without 'the force' his attempts to persuade the cop to let him go without a ticket are fruitless. Footage shows Jordan, who doesn't seem to understand why honking at a police officer is reason enough to be pulled over, simply refusing to comply with the officer's request to hand over his license and registration. 'You pulled your taser on me, and you will not do it again. You will leave me alone and you will give me back my keys,' he insists, before being again asked for his license from the police officer. Eventually he is forced to get out of the car and hand over his license by the police officer, who told him 'Just because I'm not parked behind you doesn't mean you're not being pulled over.' In video taken by his wife and posted to Youtube on Tuesday, Jordan C repeatedly says to the officer who pulled him over: 'I'm not being detained. I'm not being pulled over' Karen Bradley today revealed she was 'minded' to order a full review of Rupert Murdoch's bid to take full control of Sky amid concerns about his influence over the news agenda. The Culture Secretary said a damning initial report by Ofcom raised 'persuasive' concerns about the 'influence' the Murdoch family would have over the political process if the deal goes ahead. She said this meant she was 'minded' to send 21st Century Fox's 11.7billion buy-out of the broadcaster back to regulators for a 'phase two' review. In a statement, Fox said it was 'disappointed' at the prospect of further delay but vowed to press ahead and close the deal by June 30 next year. If the deal eventually goes ahead it would create Britain's third biggest news provider, behind only the BBC and ITN. It would bring together the Sun and Times newspaper groups with the Sky News TV channel. Under a strict legal process, both Fox and Sky now have ten days to make representations on the deal before a final decision is made next month. Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson warned Ms Bradley not to wave the deal through next month on the basis of any fresh undertakings from the Murdoch empire - warning they would not be 'worth the paper they are written on'. The Ofcom report did not raise concerns about whether Murdoch was a 'fit and proper person', Ms Bradley told MPs, removing a major obstacle to the deal. Karen Bradley today revealed she was 'minded' to send out Rupert Murdoch's bid to take full control of Sky amid concerns about his influence over the news agenda Ms Bradley told MPs (pictured today) said this meant she was 'minded' to send 21st Century Fox's 11.7billion buy-out of the broadcaster back to the regulator for a 'phase two' review. Today's announcement comes after Ofcom handed her a report last week on whether Fox can pass a 'fit and proper' owner test, and whether the tie-up would harm media plurality. Ms Bradley said Ofcom had been 'persuasive' in its assessment the proposed merger raised concerns about competition in the news agenda and on the political process. She told MPs: 'The proposed entity would have the third largest total reach of any news provider - lower only than the BBC and ITN - and would, uniquely, span news coverage on television, radio, in newspapers and online. 'Ofcom's report states that the proposed transaction would give the Murdoch Family Trust material influence over news providers with a significant presence across all key platforms. 'This potentially raises public interest concerns because, in Ofcom's view, the transaction may increase members of the Murdoch Family Trust's ability to influence the overall news agenda and their ability to influence the political process and it may also result in the perception of increased influence. OFCOM RAISE FEARS ON COMPETITION ON FOX-SKY DEAL: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Ofcom has raised concerns about competition in UK news if 21st Century Fox is allowed to buy Sky outright, Karen Bradley today. Based on the concerns, the Culture Secretary said she is now 'minded' to send the deal out for a full review. This triggers a 10-day process for Fox and Sky to try to answer the concerns raised by Ofcom in its initial review. If Bradley is not satisfied in 10 days, the deal will be sent for a 'phase two' review by Ofcom and the CMA which will bog down the deal for months. It will mean a full public consultation on the deal by regulators. Assuming the deal passes again, it will eventually be put to a vote of Sky shareholders. Advertisement 'These are clear grounds whereby a referral to a Phase 2 investigation is warranted - so that is what I am minded-to do.' Mr Watson said he feared the Culture Secretary had already decided to let the deal go ahead. He said: 'Let me make a prediction now. 'The parties have proposed some pretty minor undertakings in lieu. 'They always knew they weren't going to be enough to satisfy Ofcom so the Secretary of State will demand extra conditions, as a result of which she will be written up as a tough operator. 'The parties will offer something new which they always had in their back pockets, the Secretary of State will accept them as they always planned and this merger will go ahead.' Mr Watson said undertakings from the Murdoch family were 'not worth the newsprint they are written on' as he warned that lessons had not been learned from the phone-hacking scandal. He told MPs: 'Given everything we know about his (Mr Murdoch) and his company's behaviour over phone-hacking, and given everything we know about Fox's behaviour on the ongoing sexual harassment scandal in the United States, then that says more about the rules than it does about Mr Murdoch. 'It's clear that the rules need to be reviewed and if the current Conservative Government won't do that then the next Labour government will.' In a statement, Fox said: 'While we welcome the Secretary of State's decision on broadcasting standards, we are disappointed that she does not accept Ofcom's recommendation stated in its report that ''the proposed undertakings offered by Fox to maintain the editorial independence of Sky News mitigate the media plurality concerns''. '21CF will now make representations to the Secretary of State regarding her provisional decision and Ofcom's report, and will continue to work constructively with the UK authorities. 'In the event that the Secretary of State makes a final decision to refer to the CMA, we would expect that the review would take at least 24 weeks. 'In such an event, the transaction is expected to close by June 30, 2018.' The prospect of the Fox takeover has fuelled angry protests about the influence of Rupert Murdoch, including in Westminster today Ms Bradley said there were no concerns about whether the merged Fox-Sky would have a proper commitment to maintaining broadcasting standards. In a statement which provoked outrage on the Labour benches, Ms Bradley said this meant the Murdochs had passed a 'fit and proper person test'. She said: 'I also asked Ofcom to consider the effect of any failure of corporate governance on this public interest consideration. 'Ofcom did this in the context of its separate assessment of whether Fox and Sky would remain fit and proper to hold broadcast licenses following the transaction. 'It concluded that behaviours alleged at Fox News in the US amount to 'significant corporate failures'. 'However, these did not in its view demonstrate that the merged company would lack a genuine commitment to broadcasting standards. 'In reaching a view I have to be guided only by the evidence before me. As such - based on the Ofcom report - I am currently minded-not-to-refer to a Phase 2 investigation in relation to a genuine commitment to broadcasting standards.' Critics of the deal want the Government to block it from going ahead on competition grounds Mrs Bradley said last week: 'I will consider these reports in detail before coming to an initial view on whether or not I am minded to refer the merger. WHAT WILL MURDOCH AND FOX OWN IF THE DEAL IS ALLOWED? In 2013, following the closure of the News of the World, the media mogul split his businesses and Fox then acquired the Sky stake. The New York-based company now owns a 39 per cent stake in Sky. Sky has 22million customers across five countries - the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy and Austria. It has annual revenues of more than 11billion and is Europe's leading investment of television content. The company has a programming budget of 4.9billion. It paid 4.2billion for the rights to show Premier League football for three years from the 2016/17 season. It also has a deal with HBO - a huge network in the US - to exclusively show a number of television series, including Game of Thrones. Sky's revenues rose by seven per cent to nearly 12bn earlier this year. Advertisement 'I will aim to make my initial 'minded to' decision, publish the CMA and Ofcom public interest reports - in line with the requirements under the Enterprise Act 2002 - and return to Parliament to make an oral statement by Thursday June 29. 'There will then be an opportunity for representations to be made before I take a final decision.' Short of a full CMA investigation, the government could simply wave the deal through or request 'remedies' for any concerns . The 11.7billion deal to buy the 61 per cent of Sky that Fox does not already own was unveiled in December last year. Fox needs the approval in all the territories in which it operates for its plans to go ahead. It has already been given the green light by regulators in Ireland, Austria, Germany and Italy, leaving the UK as the final hurdle to pass before the deal can be done. A previous takeover bid by Murdoch's News Corporation fell through in 2011 amid the phone-hacking scandal. The prospects of the deal going through might have suffered a blow after the Tories lost their majority in the disastrous election campaign. Labour figures such as Tom Watson and Ed Miliband have been fierce critics of the tie-up. They insist that while Mr Murdoch has hived off his newspapers into a separate company, News Corp, the family is still the ultimate owner of a substantial proportion of the UK news media. The 11.7billion deal to buy the 61 per cent of Sky that Fox does not already own was unveiled in December last year WHY DID MURDOCH'S BID TO BUY SKY FAIL LAST TIME What happened in 2010? An investigation was launched the last time Rupert Murdoch's organisation wanted to take over Sky because News Corp, 21st Century Fox's then parent company, owned the Times and the Sun. Now, the newspaper assets and the film and television studios are two separate companies, meaning technically there are no longer concerns about media ownership in the UK. But, because both companies have the same owner, there may still be concerns raised. The 2010 deal ultimately collapsed for political reasons linked to the phone hacking scandal, not because it fell foul of regulators. Why are people concerned? As part of its role, Ofcom must ensure that holders of broadcast licences are 'fit and proper' - and some politicians and campaigners have questioned whether Murdoch and his family fit the bill since the phone-hacking scandal exploded in 2011. Murdoch has held a unique position in Britain in years gone by, with former prime ministers such as Tony Blair and David Cameron lining up to secure the blessing of the media mogul and the backing of his newspapers. Critics say this has given him too much say over public and political life in Britain. The phone-hacking scandal prompted Ofcom to investigate whether Sky was still a fit and proper broadcast licensee due to its links to James and Rupert Murdoch. James Murdoch was at the time a former CEO and chairman of Sky while Rupert Murdoch was linked due to his role at biggest shareholder News Corp. While it found that James Murdoch 'repeatedly fell short of the conduct to be expected of him' during his time running News Corp's newspaper business, it did not conclude that he had deliberately engaged in any wrongdoing. Sky was found to be fit and proper. The test is an ongoing requirement facing all broadcast licensees, and lawyers said they did not expect it to feature in any new Ofcom probe. Advertisement . Passengers sitting over the engine of Qantas flight QF93 were asked to look out their window to check the engine before the pilot decided to divert the Melbourne to Los Angeles flight to Sydney. Jess McCallum, who was travelling to an Anime exhibition, told News Corp the row in front of her had been approached by flight crew about an hour in to the flight. 'A staff member came over toward our row and asked the people in front if they would mind if they had a look at the engine outside the window,' she said. 'He then rushed off and we didn't hear anything for a while.' Scroll down for video Jess McCallum (pictured right), a passenger on QF93, says people sitting in the row in front of her were asked to look out the window at the engine before crew rushed off Qantas flight QF93 was supposed to fly from Melbourne to Los Angeles on Thursday but was forced to divert to Sydney when crew discovered an engine oil leak It was after the passengers had looked at the engine, which suffered an oil leak, that the pilot made the choice to divert the plane to Sydney, leaving passengers sitting on the plane for three hours while the issue was attended to. Ms McCallum said on Twitter that the airline had done a 'great job handling the situation', and appeared nonplussed about the delay. A spokesman for the airline confirmed flight QF93 would be stopping on Tuesday morning, but clarified the situation was not an emergency. The flight was about an hour in when 'flight crew noticed a loss of engine oil', the spokesperson said. 'This required the engine to be set to idle. 'The captain made the decision to land in Sydney to have the fault fixed rather than continuing on the 14 hour flight. Our engineers will inspect the aircraft. 'We apologise to passengers for the interruption to their journey but safety is always our first priority. Our focus is now getting them on their way as soon as possible.' The plane (pictured) is expected to arrive in Los Angeles about four hours later than initially scheduled As the plane had only recently taken off, it circled around Sydney dumping fuel for some time (pictured is QF93's flight track) The plane sat on the tarmac for about three hours while minor repairs were made, and departed just before 4pm. It is expected to arrive in Los Angeles about four hours later than initially scheduled. Qantas refused to reveal the amount of passengers aboard the diverted flight, but said the plane could hold up to 484 passengers and described it as 'busy'. ' The flight landed safely at 1.07pm after circling around Sydney for an hour to dump fuel, and met with emergency services on the tarmac, as is protocol. 'The aircraft is holding off the coast of Sydney,' the spokesman said earlier on Thursday. 'There's been an indicator light on in the cockpit, and the captain has made the decision to divert the flight. 'The plane is currently circling over Sydney but will land shortly.' Flight radar from earlier shows the plane dumping fuel on the coast of Sydney in order to ensure a safe landing. An off-duty Connecticut bus driver was heading home after work Tuesday night when he was dragged from his SUV by several men and brutally beaten in an apparent case of road rage that was caught on video. According to the New Haven Police Department, the violent incident took place at around 6pm at the intersection of Ella T. Grasso Boulevard and Elm Street. The victim, described by a New Haven Independent reporter who witnessed the beating as a CT Transit employee of Caribbean descent, was behind the wheel of a red BMW SUV when he slammed on his brakes to avoid running over a group of people and several dogs who were crossing the street on a red light. Scroll down for video Ruthless beating: Cellphone video recorded in New Haven, Connecticut, shows men punching and kicking an off-duty CT Transit bus driver during a road rage incident on Tuesday Jaywalkers: The attack took place after three men, a woman and their dogs crossed the street on a red light, and the victim narrowly avoided hitting one of them The driver put his SUV in park after narrowly avoiding striking the woman, after which the incident quickly escalated, reported WTNH-TV. The victim later told police that one of the male pedestrians walked up to his vehicle and began punching him through the open window. While he was struggling to recover from the unexpected beating, two more men joined in on the attack, dragged the driver out of his seat and proceeded to pummel him with their fists and stomp on him. Cellphone video recorded by bystanders, and later turned over to police as evidence, shows the victim laying on the ground, with his assailants delivering blow after blow to his face and body. Busy intersection: The violent incident took place at around 6pm Tuersday at the intersection of Ella T. Grasso Boulevard and Elm Street Punching bag: The victim, who had recently survived a heart attack, was first punched in his SUV, then dragged out of the vehicle and continued getting pummeled Cowards: Eventually, a couple of Good Samaritans intervened and yelled at the attackers to stop, prompting them to flee New Haven Independent reporter Markeshia Ricks writes in her account of the incident that one of the suspects also damaged the victim's vehicle. Eventually, a couple of Good Samaritans intervened and yelled at the attackers to stop, prompting them to flee on foot in the direction of downtown. Paramedics and police who were summoned to the scene found the victim sitting on the curb, nursing a swollen left eye and a bloody nose and mouth. The man told them he had only recently survived a heart attack. He was then taken to Yale-New Haven Hospitals St. Raphael campus to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators say the suspects appear to be two black men and one Hispanic man. They are wanted on charges of assault, breach of peace and criminal mischief. As of Thursday morning, none of the attackers has been identified or arrested. A British holidaymaker is fighting for his life in hospital after plunging from a fourth floor hotel balcony on the Spanish island of Majorca. The 19-year-old tourist was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries after being discovered unconscious on the ground near Magaluf's notorious party strip of Punta Ballena. Civil Guard officers have launched an investigation to try to discover if the incident was the result of an accident or foul play. He was reportedly seen running along the corridors of the Apartamentos Vistasol apartment block before falling. A British holidaymaker is fighting for his life in hospital after plunging from a fourth floor balcony at the Apartamentos Vistasol hotel (pictured) on the Spanish island of Majorca The 19-year-old tourist was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries after being discovered unconscious on the ground near Magaluf's notorious party strip of Punta Ballena (file picture) The teenager was immediately admitted to an intensive care unit at Majorca's Son Espases Hospital. Paramedics have confirmed some of his injuries, which include a broken leg, were 'life-threatening' and his condition is being described as 'critical.' Witnesses alerted the emergency services late on Tuesday night - around ten minutes before midnight - after seeing him plunge from a balcony at the apartments. Although he was on the fourth floor, the back of the apartment block where he fell is on a slope so it equates to a fall of six floors in practice. A witness told police the Briton landed outside of the apartment complex on a tarmac road beyond pine trees marking the boundary of the block of flats. No-one at the apartments where the incident happened, Apartamentos Vistasol, was immediately available for comment. The teenager was immediately admitted to an intensive care unit at Majorca's Son Espases Hospital (pictured) where he is in a 'critical' condition Police confirmed they had an opened an investigation, which will be coordinated by an investigating judge, and had not yet reached any conclusion about what happened. It is understood they have CCTV showing the injured man running along a corridor before his plunge. Friends thought to have been in the room where he was staying have confirmed he was alone at the time. A spokesmanfor Son Espases Hospital said she could not offer any information on the patients condition. A Belgian backpacker has become the latest tourist found dead on a notorious Thai island where seven others have died in the last three years. Elise Dallemange, 30, was found half-eaten by lizards on Koh Tao back in April with police claiming she hanged herself. But mother Michele van Egten says she does not believe that version of events amid fears authorities are working to suppress a series of grisly tourist murders. In the most high-profile case, Britons Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were killed as they walked along a beach to their hotel rooms back in 2014. Of all the deaths, theirs were the only ones to be investigated as murder after a public outcry. Four others were ruled suicides, while a Russian woman has still not been found after vanishing in February. Elise Dallemange, 30, was found dead on Thai island Koh Tao back in April, with her death ruled a suicide. But mother Michele van Egten says she does not believe that version of events Miss Dallemange had been travelling for two years with repeated stop-overs in Thailand, her mother said, and had been living on a neighbouring island for several months with a 'guru' Michele made the details of her daughter's death public while appealing for information, saying the case would have gone unnoticed otherwise. She told magazine Der Farang that she had been promised an autopsy report by investigators that had failed to materialise. Michele said: 'I do not believe what the police have told us. We fear somebody else was involved. 'We're more and more thinking that the police information is not the right explanation.' Michele revealed that Elise had been travelling around Asia for the last two years, and before her death had been living at a yoga and tantra retreat on Koh Phangan. She was also part of the Sathya Sai Baba cult and lived with a self-proclaimed 'guru'. She the island on April 17 to return to her native Belgium, Michele said. But on April 28 she was found dead in the jungle in Koh Tao. Phone records show that Elise called her mother on Skype on April 17 before leaving on a Ferry April 19 - but it is not known why she alighted on Koh Tao instead of continuing on to the mainland. Eight days before her body was found, Michele said she spoke with her daughter who 'seemed normal' and was showing no signs of depression Miss Dallemange had been due to travel back to Belgium from Koh Phangan, where she had been living, but made an unexpected stop on Koh Tao Michele claims that Elise used a fake name of 'Elise Dubuis' to check into the Triple B Bungalows next to Mae Head Pier on Koh Tao as she travelled via the island on a ferry bound for Chumphon province on her route back to capital Bangkok. But an unexplained fire that evening burned down three bamboo huts - including the one Elise had been staying in. Elise fled 2.5km through the jungle to Tanote Bay and took a room at the Poseidon Resort where she booked another ticket for Bangkok leaving on April 24. Eight days later locals living near the island's idyllic Tanote Bay found Elsie's body after becoming suspicious of a monitor lizard going back and forth into the jungle. They followed the animal and discovered that it had been feeding on Elise's remains, which were found among rocks behind the Tanote Family Bay Resort. The backpacker had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. Police told Elise's mother Michele that her daughter had committed suicide by hanging herself from a tree around three days before she was found. But no suicide note or message were recovered and Michele is desperate for information surrounding the mysterious death. Britons Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed on Koh Tao in 2014 as they walked back to their hotel along a beach. Theirs were the only two deaths to be investigated as murder Nick Pearson, 25, from Derby, was found dead in the ocean on New Year's Day 2014 and his death was ruled a suicide, though his parents believe he was killed Christina Annesley, 23 (left and right), died on the island in January 2015 after apparently mixing antibiotics she was taking for a chest infection with alcohol Elise's bags appear to have been loaded onto the ferry she was due to take, and arrived at Chumphon province where she should have caught a bus to the capital. Michele says police told her that Elise had been wrapped in old t-shirts or cotton shawls while an empty fuel bottle was found next to her. An autopsy was performed in Surat Thani Hospital and later by the Institute of Forensic Medicine Police Hospital, Bangkok, and Elise was cremated 14 days later. Michele said: 'Too many things show us that someone is involved. Police told us that Elise hanged herself up in the jungle. I cannot accept why my daughter should have killed herself. 'She was normal in the last conversation and no signs of depression were visible. 'I don't know why she would have booked a transfer to Bangkok and then went into the jungle to commit suicide. 'I am devastated by events. I am still waiting for the final autopsy report. We just want more information. 'My daughter had been travelling for two and a half years in India, Australia and New Zealand and always back again to Thailand. 'She lived there for months with Guru Raaman Andreas from Germany and two female friends.' In March Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23 (left and right), vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao and has still not been found Bricklayer Luke Miller from the Isle of Wight was found dead in a swimming pool on January 8 2016 and an inquest this month found 'no evidence' he was murdered Miss Dallemange is the seventh tourist to be found dead on the island in just three years, with the majority of cases ruled suicides (file image) The death on Koh Tao is the latest in a number of cases involving foreigners. In March Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao and has still not been found. Bricklayer Luke Miller from the Isle of Wight was found dead in a swimming pool on January 8 2016 and an inquest earlier this month found 'no evidence' he was murdered. British holidaymaker Christina Annesley, 23, died on the island in January 2015 after apparently mixing antibiotics she was taking for a chest infection with alcohol. But her parents slammed Thai police for failing to properly investigate the death. Frenchman Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanged in a bungalow on the island on New Year's Day 2015 and his death was ruled as suicide despite his hands being tied behind his back. In the most high-profile case, Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered as they walked back to their hotel rooms in September 2014. On New Year's Day 2014, 25-year-old Nick Pearson, from Derby, was found floating in the sea and his parents believe he was murdered - despite police claims he fell 50ft and drowned. Russia today claimed Britain's new aircraft carrier nicknamed Big Lizzie is a sitting target, denying Vladimir Putin's naval commanders are jealous of the huge vessel. Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon had compared the 3.1 billion HMS Queen Elizabeth with Moscow's only 'dilapidated' aircraft carrier, claiming: 'I think the Russians will look at this ship with a little bit of envy.' There were reports that Putin's agents would be collecting intelligence on the flagship as it undergoes sea trials. But chief spokesman for the Russian Defence Ministry Major-General Igor Konashenkov said: 'The British aircraft carrier is nothing more than just a huge easy naval target.' Russia today claimed Britain's new flagship nicknamed Big Lizzie is a sitting target, denying Vladimir Putin's naval commanders are jealous of the huge vessel Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon had compared the 3.1 billion HMS Queen Elizabeth with Moscow's only 'dilapidated' aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov (pictured), claiming: 'I think the Russians will look at this ship with a little bit of envy' He said: 'The ecstatic statements of UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon about the exterior supremacy of the new aircraft carrier over Russia's Admiral Kuztensov warship demonstrate his absolute ignorance of the naval science.' There were 'core differences' between the new British vessel and the Admiral Kuznetsov, he said. 'Like with (Queen) bees, the British aircraft carrier is capable of merely releasing planes from its womb being surrounded by a swarm of warships, support vessels and submarines to ensure its protection,' he said. But the ageing Soviet-era Kuznetsov - built in 1985 - is 'equipped with multiple launch, anti-submarine, and most important, Granit anti-ship missiles'. The Russian embassy in London also mocked Sir Michael. There were reports that Putin's agents would be collecting intelligence on the flagship as it undergoes sea trials The Russian embassy in London also mocked Sir Michael Fallon (pictured) after he claimed Russians 'will look at this ship with a little bit of envy' Diplomats tweeted: 'To Secretary Fallon: Kuznetsov helped to defeat terrorists in Syria, it's a real asset. What is the British record and who has to envy whom?' Some 420 combat missions have been flown from the Kuznetsov during its expedition to Syria, it is claimed. Russia this week announced it was following Britain in building a new aircraft carrier. Vice-Admiral Viktor Bursuk said blueprints were being examined, adding: 'The navy is going to build an aircraft carrier.' It is due for completion in 2025. Meanwhile, the Kuznetsov - which spewed black smoke as it sailed through the English Channel returning from Syria - is to undergo repairs to extend its life by 20 years. Makram Ali, 51,died of multiple injuries after a van crashed into people near a mosque A grandfather killed in the Finsbury Park terror attack was alive when the van ploughed into him, an inquest heard today. Makram Ali, 51, fell to the ground after he suffered a 'medical episode' in the moments before the incident in North London - and was being looked after by other Muslims when the vehicle hit him. He died in the early hours of June 19 after he left the Muslim Welfare House. Three of the other ten people injured in the attack remain in hospital, St Pancras Coroner's Court was told this morning. Mr Ali, who was originally from Bangladesh, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.04am. A post mortem found he died of multiple injuries. The inquest was opened and adjourned by Coroner Mary Hassell this morning. None of Mr Ali's relatives were present for the ten-minute hearing. Detective Inspector Edwin Hall said: 'It is assessed that this is a terrorist-related murder and is currently being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service. Details of the deceased have been provided to us by his daughter, Ruzina Akhtar.' Darren Osborne, 47, from Cardiff, has appeared in court accused of murder and attempted murder over the incident. He is charged with killing Mr Ali and the attempted murder of others The inquest heard Mr Ali lived in Finsbury Park and was married to Rahema Begum. Mr Hall said: 'At about 0.20am... Mr Ali had left a prayer meeting at the Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park, and was walking along the Seven Sisters Road. 'As he reached the junction with Whadcoat Street, he was seen to collapse to the ground. It is believed that he suffered a medical episode.' Members of the public gathered and tried to give him help, the hearing was told. Mr Hall added: 'Witnesses described him panting and having his eyes half open. 'Those present were wearing traditional Muslim dress, and easily recognisable as members of the Muslim community.' A white Citroen van drove along Seven Sisters Road, and slowed for nearby traffic lights, the inquest heard. Nine other people were injured in the attack in the early hours of June 19. The area of Finsbury Park in North London was busy with worshippers at Ramadan night prayers at the time Mr Hall continued: 'It then accelerated, took a sharp left hand turn into Whadcoat Road, and deliberately ploughed into the group. 'The van crashed into the bollards and the driver, now known to be Darren Osborne, got out and began to run away. 'However he was quickly apprehended and detained by members of the public. Osborne was arrested for attempted murder.' Osborne was taken to a counter terrorism suite in Southwark Police Station, the hearing was told. Emergency services attended and Mr Ali was pronounced dead. Mr Hall said: 'A total of ten others were treated at the scene and taken to various medical facilities. Of those ten, three still remain in hospital.' Police and ambulance crews on the scene after the attack in Finsbury Park last week Mr Ali's brother-in-law, Shahidun Islam, went to the Whittington Hospital mortuary the next day, June 20, and identified the body. A post mortem was carried out by forensic pathologist Simon Paul on June 19. Reading the findings, Mr Hall said: 'Mr Ali was alive when he was struck by the vehicle, and his death was caused by multiple injuries.' Samples were sent to the funeral directors, Haji Taslim Funerals. The inquest heard Osborne was charged with the murder of Mr Ali on June 23, and the attempted murder of others. The offences fell under section 22 of the Counter Terrorism Act 2008, it was said. Mr Hall added: 'In that they were motivated by terrorism intent.' Londoners hold flowers as they take part in a vigil near the scene of the attack on June 19 Osborne appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, and was remanded in custody to appear on July 20. The custody time limit is December 22. Coroner Hassell said she had received a letter at 8.57am today from Jessica Hart, specialist prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, asking her to adjourn the inquest until the conclusion of the criminal prosecution. She said: 'It may well be the case that if the facts have been aired in the criminal proceedings, then there is no requirement for me to conclude the inquest. 'He died on June 19, 2017 at Whadcoat Street in London. His medical cause of death was 1A multiple injuries. I now adjourn this inquest.' Mr Ali was married with four daughters, two sons and two grandchildren, and was described as a 'quiet, gentle' man. The family were due to go on holiday to Canada. A doctor who slept with a patient and attempted to kiss another one has been banned from practising in Australia for four years. The Brisbane doctor slept with a vulnerable patient, then hired a private investigator to pressure her to withdraw her complaint. Muhammad Azam was treating the woman for mental health issues in mid-2011 when he first kissed her at his Springwood surgery, just two months after he had attempted to kiss a different female patient. A doctor who slept with a patient and attempted to kiss another one has been banned from practising in Australia for four years (stock image) 'What are you doing. Don't you want to kiss me, you're beautiful,' Mr Azam told the woman. The woman testified at her next appointment Mr Azam drove them to a bushland park then had sex with her on a log away from the track. When they arrived back at the surgery Mr Azam gave the woman $300 and told her to buy herself and her daughter a present. 'I felt used and I felt humiliated,' she told a Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing. Muhammad Azam was treating the woman for mental health issues in mid-2011 when he first kissed her at his Springwood surgery (stock image) The woman complained to the national medical watchdog and was later approached by a man called 'Kevin' who claimed his daughter also had a bad experience with Mr Azam. Kevin, who was actually a private investigator hired by Mr Azam, pressured the woman over several months to withdraw her grievance. Mr Azam also offered the woman $2,000 to retract her statement, showed up at her house and daughter's school, and wrote letters referring to the ruthless media attention that would flow from her complaint. The woman testified at her next appointment Mr Azam drove them to a bushland park then had sex with her on a log away from the track. She told a tribunal hearing she felt 'used and humiliated' (stock image) The tribunal heard Mr Azam breached chaperone conditions imposed on him following the incidents with the two women, then attempted to cover up those breaches. Judge Suzanne Sheridan said Mr Azam had shown no remorse or insight into his 'predatory' conduct towards the patients, whom he was clearly grooming for something more. The tribunal cancelled his practitioner registration on Thursday and disqualified him from reapplying for four years. A Spanish journalist grew so fed up with people getting grammar wrong she shot a sultry video to teach viewers proper punctuation. Romina Power, who works at La Vanguardia in Barcelona, claims she feels 'exasperated' with people getting simple things incorrect. So she shot her own sexy music video in the hope of grabbing people's attention and forcing them to get to grips with Spanish grammar. Romina Power, a journalist at Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, claims she feels 'exasperated' with people getting simple things incorrect So she shot her own sexy music video in the hope of grabbing people's attention and forcing them to get to grips with Spanish grammar The beauty uses social media to spread her message, writing to her 200,000 followers: 'Writing well is sexy.' Ms Power's video does not seem at first glance to contain any writing tips, but she explained there are guides to good grammar in the captions. She said: 'I wanted to parody this precious world, to posture I love that word, to pose, but with real life. 'That's with grandparents behind that are on a bench in the afternoon, with rubbish bins, with dogs. Ms Power's video does not seem at first glance to contain any writing tips, but she explained there are guides to good grammar in the captions The beauty uses social media to spread her message, writing to her 200,000 followers: 'Writing well is sexy' 'That way when people see the photos at least will ask "What is that woman doing?" And will be interested in reading the caption, which is a grammar lesson.' More than 25,000 followers have commented on the clip, thanking her for the 'revolutionary lessons'. One wrote: 'I'm congratulating you for your project because you're helping me a lot, I'm learning a lot.' A Muslim who was the victim of a horrific acid attack has tonight claimed both he and his 21-year-old cousin were targets of a hate crime. Resham Khan and 37-year-old Jameel Muhktar were inside a car in Beckton, east London, when a man threw a corrosive substance through the window on June 21. Police are still searching for 24-year-old John Tomlin in connection with the attack, and released his photograph earlier today. The two victims - who were celebrating Miss Khan's 21st birthday - tried to drive off, pursued by the suspect on foot, before their car crashed into a fence. Jameel Muhktar (pictured) was a victim of a horrific acid attack and has tonight revealed how he felt his 'trainers burning' During the emotional interview, Mr Muhktar broke down as he described he attack in east London Attacked: Manchester Met university student Resham Khan (pictured), and her cousin Jameel Muhktar, were driving through Beckton, east London, when they were stopped by a red light Brutal: As they waited for the lights to change a man threw a corrosive substance into Miss Khan's face - before going to the driver's side and throwing more acid at Mr Muhktar They were left with 'life changing' injuries when the substance was hurled at them and police have said there is 'nothing to suggest the attack was racially or religiously motivated'. But Mr Muhktar has now described the attack and said the skin on his cousin's face was 'peeling' and the car car seat and trainers were 'burning'. Speaking to Channel 4 news, he said he believed that the incident was a 'hate crime' and could be related to 'Islamophobia'. He said: 'It's definitely a hate crime. I believe it's something to do with Islamophobia. 'Maybe he's got it in for Muslims because of the things that have been going on lately. I don't know if people are trying to retaliate. We're innocent people. 'We didn't deserve that. I've never seen this guy in my life. I don't have any problems with anybody. My cousin is 21, she's a business student. Why would anyone do that to us?' He described the moment a man knocked on his car window and 'squirted' a bottle in their direction. Mr Muhktar added: 'I opened the window and he had a clear bottle from what I can remember and he squirted it at us. I thought it was water to begin with. I thought it was a practical joke. 'To be honest I didn't know what I was thinking at the time. I've opened the window wondering what he wanted because it was a bit strange that he'd knocked on my window and he just squirted this clear liquid over us which I thought it was water. 'Until my cousin started to scream. I was watching her burning. Next thing you know I'm burning. The guy's run off. I realised then at that time this is not water. 'We've been either acid attacked or ammonia, or something. You see it on the news all the time.' Mr Muhktar continued: 'Next thing I'm burning, my seat's burning, my trainers are burning. The skin on her face is peeling. This is happening within seconds. Police have released an image of John Tomlin, who they want to talk to in connection with an acid attack that left two people with burns 'I've put the window up driving blind I decided to drive into the barrier. It was a really bad accident. I tried to do it in such a way where I tried not to hurt us. 'My shorts are dripping like water. They're falling apart, like acid. My t-shirt is all melting on me. My trainers are melting on my feet. 'I've started ripping her clothes off, ripping my own clothes off because I'm thinking to myself, if this sticks to us it might be more dangerous. 'Out of panic I've stripped naked. I've stripped her as much as I could. She's screaming and crying. I'm screaming. I'm kicking on people's doors. 'People are coming out and I'm telling them listen we've just been attacked with acid. 'They're throwing buckets of water over her, they're throwing buckets of water over me. Somebody came out with a hose pipe.' He described how it feels after suffering severe burns to his face and body after the vicious attack. He added: 'I feel like somebody's ironing me 24/7. They're putting syringes in my stomach every day. When I went to the hospital they had to jet-wash me with water to get the acid off. 'It was excruciating pain. I was screaming like a baby. I'm petrified. I don't know what's going to happen. I'm going to be scarred for live. I'm emotionally wrecked. I'm in continuous pain.' He showed some of the injuries he had suffered after the attack which took place on June 21 Speaking to Channel 4 News, he described the moment a man knocked on his car window and 'squirted' a bottle in their direction The Manchester Met university student and her cousin were helped by members of the public after the attack, which happened at 9.15am. They were taken to an east London hospital before the police arrived. Detective Superintendent Neil Matthews, of the Metropolitan Police, said: 'I would like to reassure the public that our continued focus remains on finding the person responsible for this horrendous act of violence.' Tomlin is described as around 6ft, has facial tattoos, and is known to frequent the Canning Town area. Police are warning the public not to approach him, but to dial 999 immediately if they see him. They are also asking anyone with information on Mr Tomlin to call the police's non-emergency number on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Miss Khan and Mr Muhktar were driving through Beckton when they were stopped by a red traffic light. They had the windows down and were playing music, feeling celebratory after not having seen each other since Miss Khan returned from an exchange year in Cyprus. As they waited for the lights to change a man threw a corrosive substance through the open window and into Miss Khan's face - before going round to the driver's side and throwing more acid at Mr Muhktar. Miss Khan, a Business Management student, said she watched her clothes burn away as she struggled with the 'excruciating' pain. She said she and her cousin tried to drive away from their attacker but crashed the car when the 'pain took over'. They were forced to strip naked on the A13 as they begged passersby for water to help ease the agony. A kind stranger drove the pair to hospital where Mr Muhktar was put into an induced coma while Miss Khan was given a skin graft. Excruciating: Miss Khan said she and her cousin (pictured), 37, tried to drive away from their attacker but crashed the car when the 'pain took over'. They were forced to strip naked on the A13 as they begged passersby for water to help ease the agony The Metropolitan Police are investigating but no arrests have yet been made. They confirmed that there is no current information to suggest that this attack was racially or religiously motivated. As they recover from their horrific ordeal, Miss Khan bravely shared her story on social media. On her Twitter thread, which has been retweeted more than 6,900 times in just two days, Miss Khan said: 'With plans to visit a spa and eat a nice meal in the city, having just got back from my exchange year in Cyprus, I got a train to London. 'On my actual birthday, my cousin and I went for a drive in the morning, blasting music and chilling like cousins do, hyping it as I was 21. Long story short, whilst at the lights, a man threw acid through my window and then went round to his and threw more. 'The pain was excruciating. I was struggling to close the window. My cousin struggled to get us away. I saw my clothes burn away in front of me. He put his foot down as we were coming onto a dual carriageway but the pain took over and we crashed. 'We stripped off in the middle of the road, running around screaming and begging for water. We did this for 45 minutes. Someone drove my naked cousin and me to the local hospital, and we were seen to. We have since been transferred to a specialist unit.' Life-changing: A kind stranger drove the pair to hospital where Mr Muhktar was put into an induced coma while Miss Khan was given a skin graft The student explained that she has had a skin graft but does not yet know what her face will look like. She also has burns across her body and her sight has been damaged. Mr Muhktar was more badly burnt by the substance and so was put into an induced coma by doctors, which he has now woken up from. Miss Khan is currently bed-bound so has been unable to visit her cousin. She said: 'I'm devastated. I keep wondering if my life will ever be the same. Acid attacks in the UK are unheard of for me. My 21st birthday. My glow up complete. Just got back to the country. And now I'll probably never look the same. 'I am so grateful to everyone that has prayed for me. I feel as though I'm blessed to have my limbs and senses. But I loved my face and body. 'I just want this guy caught. I have gave my statement and the police officer is certain he will be found and sent away for a long time. But what about my face? That is forever.' Action: As they recover from their horrific ordeal, Miss Khan bravely shared her story on social media. Her Twitter thread has been retweeted more than 6,900 times in just two days Fellow student Daniel Mann has created a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise 8,000 for his friend and her cousin. He says the money raised will go towards therapy sessions, laser eye treatment and accommodation to a place where the pair 'feel safe' as they recover from the horrific attack. Mr Mann said: 'This attack has caused them both to put their lives on hold. A university student in Manchester, Resham had not been back in the UK for longer than a week before the attack happened. 'She had spent the last nine months on an exchange program in Cyprus. Resham was also due to start her new job on July 2, which she can no longer do. 'Their life is currently on hold but we want them to see that this is temporary and things will get back to normal.' He added: 'Resham is usually a very confident young woman. She was preparing to open her own business over the summer, and had plans to model for Asian bridal, make up and hair artists. But now she feels as though her identity has been stolen from her, on her 21st birthday.' Hope: Fellow student Daniel Mann has created a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise 8,000 for his friend and her cousin. He said: 'Resham is usually a very confident young woman. She was preparing to open her own business over the summer, and had plans to model for Asian artists A spokesman from the Met Police said: 'Police were called at approximately 09:15hrs on Thursday, 21 June to reports that two occupants of a car had been sprayed with a corrosive substance in Tollgate Road, E16. 'The occupants, a man aged 37 and a woman aged 21, were assisted by members of the public and had been taken to an east London hospital prior to the arrival of police and the London Ambulance Service. Both victims have suffered burn injuries described as life-changing. 'It is believed the victims were inside a parked car when a man approached and threw a corrosive substance through the open window. The car made off pursued by the suspect on foot before it collided with a fence. The suspect made off. 'Officers from Newham and the Met's Territorial Support Group executed a warrant at an address in E16 on the afternoon of 21 June in connection with the incident. There were no arrests; enquiries continue.' Bletchley Park became a 'hotbed of romance' for Second World War codebreakers - actively egged by bosses who believed it would motivate them to work harder. Speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival, sponsored by the Daily Mail, best-selling author Sinclair McKay said couples would even be given specially designated areas in which to fool around. The code breakers at Bletchley played a crucial part in the Allied victory in the Second World War and even helped bring the war to an end three years early. But long hours spent together working through the night, and an active encouragement to go out dancing and enjoy themselves during their time off laid the foundations for relationships to blossom. The code breakers at Bletchley Park played a crucial part in the Allied victory in the Second World War and even helped bring the war to an end three years early. Bletchley became a 'hotbed of romance' for Second World War codebreakers as bosses thought it would motivate them to work harder And the British women, who made up around 75 per cent of the Bletchley workforce, fell particularly hard for the American men who came over, he revealed. Among those to fall in love at the base was Mavis Lever, credited with helping to prevent a major naval attack, and Keith Batey - the couple would go on to get married. Mr McKay said: 'I asked Keith and Mavis Batey, whose eyes met across the Enigma machine, whether the authorities were concerned about their romance, because they worked in different huts, were they worried there might be accidental crossover [of information]. 'And Mrs Batey said actually no, the authorities did everything in their power to encourage the romance, to the extent of setting up special places in the canteen for them. Among those to fall in love at the base was Mavis Lever, credited with helping to prevent a major naval attack, and Keith Batey (pictured in 1942) Mrs Batey, as she eventually became, pictured in 2011, two years before she passed away. Mr Level died in 2010 'I think they felt that romance was a healthy thing, and it was fantastic to have that in such a pressurised environment. So while there was security there was also a very real understanding of human psychology and human needs.' 'The romances would make your head spin - the park was stuffed with them'. It was also claimed Alan Turing - hailed as one of Britain's greatest minds after cracking the enigma code - was in fact terrible at cryptic crosswords. He said that in order to get in to Bletchley Park one would need to solve a crossword in under 12 minutes something that celebrated code-breaker could not do. And were it not for the mathematician being headhunted he would have failed to get in. Mr McKay said: 'One curious fact about Alan Turing is that he was exceedingly bad at cryptic crosswords. Famously, Bletchely Park set a cryptic crossword competition to see if they could wheel in a few more recruits. It was also claimed Alan Turing (pictured) - hailed as one of Britain's greatest minds after cracking the enigma code - was in fact terrible at cryptic crosswords 'This cryptic crossword was in the Telegraph in 1942 and if you could solve it in 12 minutes, you would be ushered straight into the war office and then signed up for all sorts of code-breaking. 'Had Alan Turing sat that test he would have never have got to Bletchley Park. But he obviously triumphed at Bletchley.' Fortunately, he said Turing had in fact been 'on Bletchley's radar for quite a while' after his impressive 1937 paper 'On Computable Numbers' and was signed up secretly. McKay also revealed how the incredible machines that would bring the war to a close also had their practical uses. Speaking about the set of machines called the Colossus, he said: These were the machines from which all computers sprang and with this engineering wonder, Bletchley Park code readers were able to read messages from Hitler himself. 'Now as an aside, these futuristic contraptions had another unauthorised use. They gave off quite a bit of heat and when no one was looking, the operators found a use for them by drying underwear.' Advertisement The Obamas visited yet another temple on their family trip to South-East Asia as they dropped in to a 9th-century compound in Indonesia where he grew up. The former US President was pictured performing a traditional Hindi greeting as he and his daughters were escorted around the religious building. A day after visiting the Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Barack, Malia and Sasha were shown around the Prambanan Temple in Central Java by a team of archaeologists on Thursday. Photographs appeared to be a a priority on Wednesday at Borobudur with both daughters and their father snapping away, but it appeared as though the enthusiasm might have wavered, and the former First Lady Michelle wasn't seen in any pictures at Prambanan. Scroll down for video Former US President Barack Obama, left, greets a staff during his visit to Prambanan Temple in Central Java, Indonesia on Thursday Former US President Barack Obama, center, walks with his daughter Malia, left, during his visit to Prambanan Temple in Java Former US President Barack Obama waves to a crowd of gathered tourists just as he enters the Prambanan Temple in Java Obama walks down some steps as he leaves the vast Prambanan Temple in Central Java - his second visit to a temple in two days Barack Obama, wearing light trousers, trainers, a blue polo shirt and holding a bottle of water, leaves the Hindu temple Barack Obama waves at well-wishers who have been blown away by the Obama family visit to Indonesia From white water rafting in Bali to visiting temples in Java, Obama's private family holiday is being closely tracked in Indonesia where he spent four years as a child. Obama was six when he moved to Jakarta after his American mother, Ann Dunham, married an Indonesian man following the end of her marriage to Obama's Kenyan father. 'I feel proud that my friend became a president,' said Sonni Gondokusumo, 56, a former classmate of Obama at the Menteng 01 state elementary school in Jakarta. Gondokusumo showed a class photograph of himself standing behind a young Obama, who was wearing a school beret. 'He was a clever boy. Whenever a teacher asked him to solve a problem in front of the class, he could do it,' Gondokusomo told Reuters, adding he hoped to meet the former president again. Obama remains popular in the world's most populous Muslim nation and his trip has been splashed across the media during an extended public holiday to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The Rakyat Merdeka newspaper carried a headline 'Obama loves Indonesia'. He is due to meet President Joko Widodo on Friday at the palace in Bogor, south of Jakarta, and visit the capital on Saturday. Former President Barack Obama and his family wrapped up their five-day vacation on Indonesia's resort island of Bali and headed to the historic city of Yogyakarta on Wednesday during a nostalgic trip to the country where Obama lived for several years as a child. He is seen with his daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, who is holding the camera Obama (center) waves as he walks with his wife Michelle (left) and daughter Malia, rear, upon arrival for a tour at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia The former President and his family wrapped up their five-day vacation on Indonesia's resort island of Bali and headed to the historic city of Yogyakarta on Wednesday during a nostalgic trip to the country where Obama lived for several years as a child. Obama, his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha drove to a luxury hotel in downtown Yogyakarta after arriving on a private jet at the city's military airport, said Indonesian air force base commander Air Vice Marshal Novyan Samyoga. The family then went to visit the ninth-century Borobudur Temple in Magelang on Wednesday where they were seen snapping photos. Samyoga was among local officials who greeted the Obamas at the tarmac. He said the family looked relaxed and was smiling in response to onlookers who greeted them with cheers. Obama is seen above using his mobile phone to snap a photo of the temple. drove to a luxury hotel in downtown Yogyakarta after arriving on a private jet at the city's military airport, said Indonesian air force base commander Air Vice Marshal Novyan Samyoga Samyoga was among local officials who greeted the Obamas at the tarmac. He said the family looked relaxed and was smiling in response to onlookers who greeted them with cheers Obama is seen above walking down the stairs of the temple, which is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and one of the faith's greatest monuments Indonesian officials said that Secret Service agents did not have special requests for the Obamas' activities on the main Java island Obama moved to Indonesia in 1967 at age 6 after his divorced mother remarried an Indonesian man He said that Secret Service agents did not have special requests for the Obamas' activities on the main Java island, but about 650 Indonesian security forces were deployed to secure the family in Yogyakarta, an ancient city where Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, spent years on her anthropological research. Obama moved to Indonesia in 1967 at age six after his divorced mother remarried an Indonesian man. She stayed on after the marriage broke up, working as an anthropologist and development aid worker, but Obama returned to Hawaii when he was 10 to live with his grandparents. On Tuesday, a healthy-looking Obama visited the Hindu Balinese water temple in Bali. The Tirta Empul Temple is famous for its holy spring water, which worshipers consider holy, where Balinese Hindus go to for ritual purification Malia chose to bring a separate camera on the outing. She is seen above with mom Michelle at the temple Making a splash: The Obamas enjoy whitewater rafting down the Ayung River- although Malia (front) looks a bit surprised Ever no drama Obama, the former president looked typically relaxed as he enjoyed some family time on the island of Bali Former US president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama walk at Jatiluwih rice terrace, one of UNESCO World Heritages, during his family holiday in Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday Relxation time: The Former US president is seen at the Jatiluwih rice terrace, one of UNESCO World Heritages Obama and his family were seen on a river rafting as they vacationed in Bali on Monday. They also visited several tourist attractions, including a museum and rice terraces in Ubud, an arts and culture center amid hills and rice paddies. In Yogjakarta, the Obamas also plan to visit the Hindu temple of Prambanan during their two-day holiday, Samyoga said. President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has invited the Obamas to visit the Bogor Palace in West Java during their trip in Indonesia. Obama is also scheduled to speak at an Indonesian Diaspora Congress in Jakarta on July 1. Advertisement This is the moment a German fighter pilot who shot down 81 enemy planes during World War Two took to the skies - in a Spitfire. Lieutenant Hugo Broch, 95, known as one of the 'aces of the Luftwaffe', flew the Messerschmitt 109. He braved 324 missions on the Eastern Front and later won the German Cross in Gold and the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class. But seven decades on, the decorated veteran switched allegiance and soared into the skies above Kent as a passenger in a British TR9 MJ627 Spitfire. The iconic warbird helped form the backbone of the RAF and gave the UK the advantage against Adolf Hitler's air force during the Battle of Britain. Mr Broch said: 'The Spitfire was greatly respected. With these mechanics you have a feeling of being free and being able to do what you want. 'The Spitfire is a good machine, wonderful, and he is a good pilot. I have again experienced what flying is like and how beautiful flying is. Wonderful, wonderful.' Mr Broch also gave a talk about his experiences on Tuesday as part of Chalke Valley History Festival, which runs until July 2. This is the moment a German fighter pilot who shot down 81 enemy planes during World War Two took to the skies - in a Spitfire German World War Two pilot Hugo Broch making his maiden voyage in a Spitfire at Biggin Hill yesterday Lieutenant Hugo Broch, 95, known as one of the 'aces of the Luftwaffe', flew the Messerschmitt 109 Mr Broch (pictured right), 95, believes he was the first German pilot to ever fly in a Spitfire when he took off from the runway at Biggin Hill He braved 324 missions on the Eastern Front and later won the German Cross in Gold and the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class Seven decades on the decorated veteran switched allegiance and soared into the skies above Kent as a passenger in a British TR9 MJ627 Spitfire Pictured is World War Two pilot Lieutenant Hugo Broch, 95, from Germany getting into the Spitfire at Biggin Hill yesterday Filmed for presenter Dan Snow's recently launched video-on-demand service HistoryHit.tv, the footage will be shown in a documentary in October Aviation Historian Steve Vizard and Spitfire Pilot John Romain stand next to Geoffrey Stephenson's restored Spitfire Tony Abbott has leapt to the defence of Cardinal George Pell after the Pope's finance chief was charged with historical sex offences. Mr Abbott, a Catholic who once trained to be a seminarian, has long maintained a high profile relationship with Pell, who is the third most senior figure at the Vatican. Following the charges, which will see Cardinal Pell return to Australia to attend court, the former prime minister made a public display of support for his old friend. Tony Abbott, a Roman Catholic who once trained as a seminarian, came out in support of Cardinal George Pell (pictured) Former prime minister Abbott (pictured) called Pell 'a very fine man indeed' in a statement to the media Cardinal Pell is Australia's highest ranking Catholic and the third most senior Cardinal at the Vatican (pictured) The Liberal member for Warringah released a statement on Thursday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. 'Obviously, the legal process must now take its course,' Mr Abbott said. 'But the George Pell I have known is a very fine man indeed.' Cardinal Pell (pictured) has been charged with historical sex offences, and will appear in court on July 18th Pell (pictured, left) and Abbott have had a long and public relationship, and Mr Abbott has supported him in the past Cardinal Pell (pictured) has denied the charges and announced that he will return to Australia to face them. Former prime minister Abbott has been close to Pell for years, and defended him during previous investigations into Pell's role in sex abuse scandals. In 2012 Mr Abbott went on record as to the nature of their relationship, saying that Pell is, 'a person of significance and influence in my life.' 'Occasionally he will ring me with a thought. Occasionally I will ring him to ask could we catch up.' During a Victorian Parliament inquiry in 2013, then-PM Mr Abbott stated that Pell is, 'in my judgment, a fine human being and a great churchman.' Pell has released a statement protesting his innocence, denying all charges. 'I'm looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. I'm innocent of these charges. They are false.' Cardinal Pell stated. 'The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.' He will return from Rome to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. A French air force general is being investigated after using a fighter jet at weekends to fly from his base in Bordeaux to his home in Provence. The air force's second-in-command, General Richard Reboul, used an Alphajet trainer aircraft around ten times in the past year to make the 372 mile trip to his weekend getaway in Salon-de-Provence. By Alphajet the trip takes about 35 minutes at 450mph. That compares with six hours by road and seven hours by train, including two changes. On on occasion the former fighter pilot used a small six-seater military transporter for the trip. The air force's second-in-command, General Richard Reboul, used an Alphajet trainer aircraft around ten times in the past year to travel from Bordeaux to Salon-de-Provence The defence ministry has ordered an investigation into the allegations, after the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine broke the story. The ministry, now led by Florence Parly, said: 'Information on the improper use of air force resources by a senior military officer has come to the attention of the defence minister.' It added that there would be 'consequences' if the claims were confirmed. The air force is also investigating the matter. The general's weekend home is in Les Alpilles (stock image), a range of low mountains between Salon-de-Provence and Avignon HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE? The distance between Bordeaux and Salon-de-Provence is 470km (290 miles). Car - six hours Train - seven hours, including two changes Commercial flight - an hour to Marseille, then 30 minutes by car Alpha jet - 28 minutes at the jet's maximum speed of 1,000 km/h Advertisement The Alphajet, which is jointly manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation and Germany's Dornier Flugzeugwerke, is a light attack and advanced trainer aircraft used by the French air force aerobatic display team, La Patrouille de France, and to train fighter pilots. It has a top speed of 620 mph and guzzles about 800 litres of fuel an hour. French media estimated that with the advanced jet fuel the aircraft runs on, each one of the general's trips away will have cost the airforce and the taxpayer between 14,000 (12,300) and 16,000. A return train or low-cost airline fare would reportedly cost less than 200. Taking a commercial airline would involve flying to Marseille, which would take an hour, followed by a 30-minute trip to the general's home in Les Alpilles, a range of low mountains between Salon-de-Provence and Avignon. General Reboul, a former test pilot and veteran of the Gulf War, was appointed deputy chief of the 23,000-strong air force last September and has been acting commander since the death of General Serge Soulet, 55, last month. It's a decision no parents should ever have to make, but Zhang Liyong and his wife Deng Min find themselves at the most difficult crossroad of their lives. The impoverished couple, from China, had to prepare their critically ill daughter for her death by digging a grave for the toddler and taking her there to play. The heartbroken parents have now said that they will try to save two-year-old Zhang Xinlei by having another baby and use its cord blood. Mr Zhang, a desperate father from rural China, had to dig a grave for his critically ill daughter and take her there to play. The man and his wife have decided to save the two-year-old girl The father, holding Xinlei in the grave, hoped the toddler would not be scared when she is to be buried here while the mother said they had been driven to a corner and had no choices The couple, both carrying the genes of thalassemia, have decided to take risk and have a saviour sibling for Xinlei. However, doctors said their chance of success would be slim But the difficulty is that the chance is slim. The odds of Xinlei being saved is roughly 16 to one; while the parents face a 75 per cent possibility of having another ill baby given their family history. HOW SERIOUS IS THALASSEMIA? Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. According to the NHS, people with the condition produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. Thalassemia patients will need life-long treatment by blood transfusions or Chelation therapy. Advertisement Despite the risk, Mr Zhang, 29, expressed his determination to treat little Xinlei 'no matter what' at his home Neijiang, China, after donations poured in from the public. After little Xinlei's story was published on MailOnline earlier this week, the family's fate has tugged the heartstrings of millions of people. Yesterday, the father said he and his wife would try everything they could to save their daughter. The man told a reporter from Pear Video: 'To save my daughter, I dont care about my own dignity.' Little Xinlei was diagnosed with thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, at two months old. Thalassemia patients will need life-long treatment by blood transfusions or Chelation therapy. In an interview yesterday, an emotional Mr Zhang said: 'We will save her if we can. If we cant, I will try my best. We will raise her till the last day of her life.' The father then started to weep Video shows the wounds caused by blood transfusions on little Xinlei's the arms. The girl suffers from thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder that would need life-long treatment Mr Zhang and his wife have received donations from people living near and afar since their story was published. In the past two years, Mr Zhang and his family had spent all savings treating Xinlei, but they could no longer afford the medical bills Mr Zhang and his family had spent over 100,000 yuan (11,490) treating Xinlei, but they could no longer afford the medical bills - until the public reached out to help. The father had had to spend three days digging a grave for his daughter and take her there to play every day. He had hoped that by doing so, little Xinlei would feel comfortable with the grave and would't be scared when the moment comes. An earlier video shows Zhang (left) lying with Xinlei in the grave as he wanted to get his daughter familiarised with her future burial ground so that she wouldn't feel scared when the moment comes. Pictured right is Zhang's pregnant wife Zhang Xinlei's father hoped that the toddler would feel comfortable with her future grave Mr Zhang told MailOnline that his family had received donations from kind people living near and afar. He and his wife, who's currently pregnant, have got enough money, 200,000 yuan (22,706), to afford a cord blood transplant once their second child is born. Umbilical cord blood taken from a compatible sibling could cure children with thalassemia, said Dr Ding Gaomin, deputy director of oncology and hematology of Zhongshan Chenxinghai Hospital, in an interview with MailOnline. The blood is a rich source of stem cells. Dr Ding said as Xinlei is only two years old, so there is still a chance for her to be cured by cord blood transplant from a compatible sibling as the stem cells should be enough to generate enough haemoglobin for her relatively small body. However, Mr Zhang and Ms Deng are facing a dilemma because both of them carry the genes of thalassemia. As such, the chance of them having a perfectly healthy baby, the pre-condition of Xinlei's transplant, is only 25 per cent, Dr Ding said. The family had spent over 100,000 yuan (11,490) treating Zhang Xinlei. After running out of money, Mr Zhang decided to prepare the girl for her death Zhang Xinlei sits with her pregnant mother. Her parents attempted to have another child to get umbilical cord blood for her, but they realised they wouldn't be able to afford the transplant Furthermore, whether the healthy sibling's cord blood is a match for Xinlei would depend on the compatibility of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). HLA are proteins in the immune system that determine whether a patient will react against a donor transplant, according to Bone Marrow Journal. The chance of a future sibling being compatible with her is around 25 per cent, according to Cord Blood Foundation. This mean, the couple only have 6.25 per cent chance to save Xinlei. Dr Ding Gaomin said he would suggest the couple look for a match from the blood bank at the same time. Faced with the difficulties, Mr Zhang is staying strong. The grief-stricken father said: 'We will save her (Xinlei) if we can. 'If we cant, I will try my best. We will raise her till the last day of her life.' A deadline to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland or face the return of direct rule were extended again this afternoon. Talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein on brokering a new Northern Ireland Executive were due to have ended by 4pm today to allow the Stormont Assembly to meet and elect ministers. But with no sign of a deal the sitting was cancelled to allow talks to continue tonight and into the weekend. A new deadline has been set for Monday, Downing Street confirmed this afternoon. If a deal is not reached Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will eventually have to decide whether to order a second election in six months or return full powers to London for the first time in a decade. As he announced a further extension this afternoon, Mr Brokenshire insisted he believed a 'resolution can be found' but many will see his latest intervention as little more than playing for time. Sinn Fein have for months refused to re-join an executive headed by DUP leader Arlene Foster amid her involvement in a public spending scandal. Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire (pictured today at Stormont) travelled to Belfast to try to broker a powersharing deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP Mr Brokenshire and his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney (pictured this afternoon) said talks would now continue into the weekend But some have questioned his credibility after the Tories struck a deal to be propped up in government by the DUP's 10 MPs in return to pouring 1billion into Northern Ireland's coffers. Gerry Adams has said the deal threatens the Good Friday Agreement. The Assembly in Belfast has been due to nominate devolved ministers to a coalition government today. Mr Brokenshire has said failure to strike a powersharing deal would have 'profound and serious' implications. As he extended further the deadline for a deal, he said: 'I'm urging the parties to continue focusing all of their efforts on achieving this. 'The UK Government will work with the parties toward their critical objective of forming an executive. 'But I've made clear to party leaders that it is for them to reach agreement.' Mr Brokenshire added: 'That prize remains achievable and remains my focus.' Sinn Fein's President Gerry Adams and Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (pictured after elections in March) have both been involved in the talks to try to bring devolved government back to Northern Ireland Sinn Fein collapsed the executive earlier this year after demanding Mrs Foster resign over her role in a renewable energy scandal. They have claimed the DUP are standing in the way of a deal and urged the British and Irish governments to intervene. Among the sticking points are republican demands for an Irish Language Act, which would bestow official protection for the minority tongue, and equal rights for the LGBT community. But the DUP is only willing to legislate on the language issue if Ulster Scots speakers are included in any Act - a condition Sinn Fein has rejected. The DUP has told Sinn Fein to stop indulging in 'high-wire acts' and get down to the job of delivering for the people. Ulster Unionist (UUP) leader Robin Swann said his party would not provide 'cover' for the DUP if it signed up to an Irish Language Act. Theresa May this week struck a deal to be propped up in No10 by the DUP's 10 MPs in Westminster. Gerry Adams has said the deal risks threatens the Good Friday Agreement He said there were many issues the UUP wanted to raise, including mechanisms for dealing with the legacy of the Troubles and pensions for conflict victims. Sinn Fein has hinted movement is possible, but the party is adamant that Mrs Foster cannot return as First Minister while a public inquiry into a botched green energy scheme is ongoing. Mrs Foster was forced from office in January when Sinn Fein's then deputy first minister, the late Martin McGuinness, quit in protest at her handling of a botched renewable energy scheme that overspent by 490million. His move triggered a snap assembly election in March. A number of attempts to restore powersharing between the five main parties following that poll floundered, with three UK Government deadlines for a deal having already been missed. Former heir to Blair David Miliband's life after politics has taken another strange twist after he appeared on US TV with Elmo to discuss Donald Trump's travel ban. Mr Miliband, who quit as an MP for a 400,000-a-year job in New York, was on CNN with the Sesame Street puppet to speak to him about the international refugee crisis. Elmo and other puppets have been used to help educate displaced Syrian and Iraqi children while working with Mr Miliband's International Rescue Committee (IRC). But right wing media groups in America, such as Fox, the Daily Wire and Breitbart accused CNN of turning the beloved Muppet into a 'propaganda puppet.' And British viewers poked fun at Mr Miliband, who has previously said he was friends with Big Bird, with one saying: 'David Miliband is on CNN with Elmo. Right now. If you ever needed more proof that New Labour is dead'. David Miliband's life after politics has taken another strange twist after he appeared on US TV with Elmo to discuss Donald Trump's travel ban Elmo appeared alongside CNN journalist Clarissa Ward (left) and ex-MP Mr Miliband (centre) as well as Sherrie Westin from Sesame Workshop (right) British viewers applied their typical sense of humour to Mr Miliband's CNN appearance on Monday George Reeves tweeted: 'At one point David Miliband could have been our next PM - now he's doing interviews with Elmo'. But John Watts was more sympathetic and said: 'I don't know about David Miliband, but I'd swap the Labour leadership and a shot at being PM for the chance to meet Elmo'. The CNN appearance came days after his brother Ed stood in for Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 and invited his brother on to his show. But art imitated life after the phone line went down - a metaphor for their relationship in recent years. A 'deeply resentful' David moved to New York to take over the IRC in 2013 after brother Ed beat him to the Labour leadership in 2010. Ed later faced accusations that he had 'knifed his brother in the back'. The younger Miliband went on to lose a general election to David Cameron and David used a series of interviews to suggest his brother was taking Labour too far to the left. After Jeremy Corbyn's unexpected success at the polls this month Ed revealed he should have been more radical. On Radio 2 Ed kept calling his brother 'Dave' as they discussed IRC's work with refugees and how their father Ralph escaped persecution by coming to Britain. But soon afterwards the phone line between London and New York faltered and Ed said 'Okay Dave, I think we're going to have to stop there partly because the line is going. 'But I really want to thank you very much for joining us, I'll see you very soon'. Some admitted that being Labour leader or even PM would not trump meeting Elmo In the US CNN is being roundly mocked after they decided to feature Elmo on a panel to discuss Trump's travel ban. The popular Sesame Street character appeared alongside CNN journalist Clarissa Ward and Mr David Miliband to discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to uphold President Trump's travel ban. Ward then went onto interview the puppet about Middle East policy and complex issues surrounding the international refugee crisis during the bizarre Facebook Live panel on Monday. Despite being more at home on kids' television, the Muppet dived into the political fray, to drive home the message that Syrian refugees and American citizens were the same 'deep down.' 'They like to play and learn just like Elmo and all his friends at Sesame Street,' Elmo said of the Syrian children. 'Elmo thinks it's important to know that everybody is the same deep down and that's very important.' Despite being more at home on kids' TV, Elmo (left) waded into the complex, political debate about Trump's (right) travel ban The appearance of a Sesame Street puppet on a CNN panel has seen the channel mocked by right wing media The puppet's comments came on the heels of the Supreme Court's decision to temporarily allow part of the President Trump's travel ban on six, mostly Muslim countries. The Court said it will decide in the fall whether or not the travel ban on immigrants and refugees from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, is constitutional. While the wheels of justice turn, the Trump administration can enforce the executive order against anyone from those nations who doesn't already have a 'bona fide relationship' with a U.S. citizen or legal resident. 'It was really sad because Elmo's new friends told Elmo that they had to leave their homes because it wasn't safe for them to stay,' he continued. 'And that made Elmo really sad and sometimes a bit scared.' Miliband added, 'It's worth saying, perhaps especially today, that this country, the US, receives very few refugees and there's a lot of fear and loathing being put out.' Sherrie Westin from Sesame Workshop, who was also on the panel, explained that 'Sesame has had a long history at looking at issues from a child's perspective and given the staggering number of children who are displaced today, we knew this was an area where we really had to try to do something to help and we knew we couldn't do it alone.' She said that Elmo had spent time in a refugee camp in Jordan as part of a scheme with the International Rescue Committee to provide education to refugee children across the Middle East. However, right wing media groups, such as Fox, the Daily Wire and Breitbart, accused CNN of turning the beloved Muppet into a 'propaganda puppet.' The Daily Wire even went as far as to write that the segment 'was clearly designed to emotionally blackmail American children, to twist them into unthinking beings who will see President Trump as a monster who hates children.' ISIS is facing its 'endgame' in Iraq under pressure from more than 700 British air raids, Sir Michael Fallon declared today. The terror group faces the loss of its former Iraqi stronghold in Mosul, while there is 'irreversible momentum' towards its defeat at its Syrian headquarters in Raqqa, the Defence Secretary said. British Typhoon and Tornado jets have been flying sorties against ISIS out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since October 2014. ISIS is facing its 'endgame' in Iraq under pressure from more than 700 British air raids, Sir Michael Fallon (pictured attending Cabinet on Tuesday) declared today The Iraqi Army, with coalition air support, is trying to retake Mosul from ISIS after months of fighting (pictured in April) The city of Mosul (pictured) has been under ISIS control for more than a year after the terror group swept into northern Iraq In a statement ahead of a NATO meeting, Sir Michael revealed that RAF warplanes have hit more than 700 targets to support the expected imminent liberation of Mosul, where IS, also known as Daesh, declared its supposed 'caliphate' three years ago. British aircraft have also struck 69 targets in and around Raqqa in support of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advancing on the city from the north, east and west. ISIS has now lost 70 per cent of the territory it once controlled in Iraq and 51 per cent of the area it held in Syria, meaning more than four million Iraqis and Syrians have been freed from the terror group's tyranny, the Ministry of Defence said. Speaking ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers on Thursday, Sir Michael said: 'Three years on from when Daesh declared its so-called caliphate in Mosul, this evil death cult faces its endgame in the city. 'In Syria, there is now irreversible momentum and progress towards Daesh's defeat in Raqqa, with the SDF already controlling nearly 15 per cent of the city.' British Typhoon and Tornado jets have been flying sorties against ISIS out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since October 2014 (file picture of a Typhoon at the base) British aircrews have hit more than 700 targets to support the expected imminent liberation of Mosul (file image of a Tornado crew at Akrotiri) Sir Michael has visited the RAF air crews fighting the war against the ISIS terrorists, including in December 2015 (pictured) At the meeting, Sir Michael will confirm that Britain stands ready to offer offensive cyber capabilities to Nato operations as and when required. He will also announce that the UK is to respond to a Nato request for assistance by sending 85 extra advisers to support its mission in Afghanistan. 'Keeping Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for transnational terrorists helps to keep our streets safe too,' Sir Michael said. 'That's why we're stepping up our support to the government of Afghanistan and its defence forces, helping them to expand security and develop their armed forces. 'Our extra personnel will remain in a non-combat role, supporting the 500 UK troops already in country to mentor the future generation of Afghan officers, develop the Afghan Air Force and advise the security ministries.' The net is closing on an action movie star revolutionary who attacked a Venezuelan courthouse with grenades after his stolen helicopter was found near the coast. A nationwide manhunt is underway for Oscar Perez who is being blamed for targeting the building in Caracas in protest at dictator Nicolas Maduro's government. This morning it emerged that the helicopter used in the attack has been found near the coast in Vargas state not far from Caracas, and elite special forces have been deployed there to step up the hunt. Authorities say he stole the police chopper and directed grenades and gunfire against the Supreme Court and Interior Ministry in what Maduro called a 'terrorist attack' on Tuesday. Scroll down for video The net is closing on an action movie star revolutionary who attacked a Venezuelan courthouse with grenades as it emerged his stolen helicopter (pictured) has been found A nationwide manhunt is underway for Oscar Perez who is being blamed for targeting the building in Caracas in protest at dictator Nicolas Maduro's government. He is pictured during an event of the Body of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigation in Caracas in 2015 President Nicolas Maduro described Perez's actions as a 'coup' and a 'terrorist' attack and launched a manhunt for him and his co-conspirators This morning it emerged that the helicopter used in the attack has been found near the coast in Vargas state not far from Caracas, and elite special forces have been deployed there to step up the hunt No one was injured, and there was no sign of damage at the buildings. But the episode added another layer of intrigue to a three-month-old political crisis that has left at least 75 people dead and hundreds more jailed or injured in clashes between security forces and protesters seeking Maduro's removal. Julio Borges, president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, expressed doubts about Maduro's version of events but cautioned that he and the rest of the opposition were still analysing what happened. 'There are people who say it was a government-staged hoax, others who say it was real,' Borges said in a radio interview. 'Whatever it was, it all points in the same direction: That the situation in Venezuela is unsustainable.' Little is known about Perez. On his Instagram account, he notes his job as a police investigator and tactical helicopter pilot and says his passion is Venezuela. Oscar Perez claims to be an agent with the CICPC, Venezuela's equivalent of the FBI, before turning rogue - stealing a government helicopter and launching a grenade and gun attack on the country's Supreme Court in Caracas Perez's claims on Instagram to be a special investigator for CICPC who is a helicopter pilot, specialist K9 trainer and weapons expert In many of his posts, Perez shows off his skills on the firing range - including this footage where he hits a target behind him using a makeup compact mirror In 2015, he starred in a film called 'Suspended Death,' and several photos show him in fatigues, bearing assault rifles, skydiving and standing in action poses with a German shepherd by his side. Actor Marcos Moreno, who starred alongside Perez in the film, told The Associated Press that like many young officers in Venezuela, Perez was unhappy with the country's growing crisis. He described the police investigator as an honest man and expressed doubt about the suggestions that Perez was in cahoots with a government plot to divert attention from Venezuela's problems. 'He just wanted to raise appreciation for police in society,' Moreno said. Perez does have an acting past - having produced and starred in a 2015 film called Suspended Death in which he plays a cop rescuing a wealthy hostage from a vicious gang When he is not on the target range or throwing himself out of helicopters, Perez seems to enjoy a life befitting James Bond - filled with fine clothes and expensive food Perez issued a statement after going rogue on Tuesday, saying he was fighting for justice against an 'evil' and tyrannical government Sometime Tuesday, Perez posted on his Instagram account a video in which he read a manifesto calling for rebellion. He claimed to speak on behalf of a coalition of renegade members of the security forces. Eyewitness accounts say the helicopter had hanging from its side a large banner referring to article 350 of Venezuela's constitution, which empowers Venezuelans to disobey any regime that violates human rights. 'We have two choices: be judged tomorrow by our conscience and the people or begin today to free ourselves from this corrupt government,' Perez said while reading from the manifesto in front of four figures dressed in fatigues and ski masks and carrying assault rifles. The government accused Perez and others in the helicopter of firing 15 shots at the Interior Ministry as a reception was taking place for 80 people. It then flew a short distance to the court, which was in session, and dropped grenades, two of them against national guardsmen protecting the building. Opposition leaders said they are 'not convinced' by the attack, calling it a 'cheap show' to distract from their real purpose of democratic reform The government accused Perez (pictured in 2015) and others in the helicopter of firing 15 shots at the Interior Ministry as a reception was taking place for 80 people The helicopter was later found near the coast in Vargas state not far from Caracas, and elite special forces were deployed there to press the hunt, Vice President Tareck El Aissami said. Photos of the pilot standing in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter were shown on state television to bolster the government's case that he was taking instructions from the CIA and the U.S. Embassy. 'The magistrates of the Supreme Court and other judges of the nation are under a terrorist threat, for which we will request the appropriate measures to safeguard our integrity and that of our institutions,' the high court said in a statement read by Maikel Moreno, the tribunal's president. As the drama was unfolding outside the court, inside magistrates were issuing a number of rulings further blocking the opposition. One broadened the powers of staunchly pro-government ombudsman Tarek William Saab, allowing him to carry out criminal investigations that are the exclusive prerogative of chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz, who recently has become a strong critic of Maduro. President Nicolas Maduro said a helicopter fired on Venezuela's Supreme Court Tuesday in a confusing incident that he claimed was part of a coup attempt A bus was pictured in flames outside the court on Tuesday as armed police swarmed to defend it from the attack Venezuelan authorities inspect the area around the Supreme Court of Justice after a reported police squad pilot buzzed the capital and may have fired on the building Residents came out of their homes to observe the police presence around the Supreme Court A defiant Ortega accused Maduro of carrying out 'state terrorism' and said she won't recognize three new rulings she portrayed as a brazen attempt to eliminate her position as the country's top law enforcement official. 'These rulings are giving the power to investigate human rights abuses to people who possibly are violating those rights,' she said in her strongest remarks since breaking with Maduro over a ruling stripping the opposition-controlled legislature of its last powers. Hours later, the government-stacked Supreme Court announced it was barring Ortega from leaving the country and freezing her bank accounts in order to ensure a complaint filed by a socialist party lawmaker against her can proceed. Pedro Carreno is accusing Ortega of acting as an opposition leader and neglecting her duties as chief prosecutor. He has also asked the court to disclose any findings from a medical team that will evaluate her 'mental insanity.' Caracas, where the Supreme Court is located, was the site of unrest yesterday - part of nearly three months of demonstrations against Maduro Masked protesters also stood outside the parliament building in Caracas calling on the deeply unpopular Maduro to hold elections Looting took place in the city of Maracay on Tuesday as police struggle to maintain order amid mass unrest around the communist country A ex-prisoner who was locked up for months alongside Bali jail escapee Shaun Davidson has opened up about the Aussie's hard-man reputation inside. Davidson was revered as one of the toughest inmates, charismatic, well-respected by fellow convicts, and popular with bevies of Indonesian beauties who would visit him regularly. The man spoke extensively about his time behind bars with Davidson and the three other men who tunnelled to freedom from Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison earlier this month. Shaun 'Rage' Davidson (pictured) was reportedly well-liked by fellow convicts in Kerobokan Davidson (pictured) had regular visitors, including a legion of adoring Indonesian women 'He was one of the toughest guys in the jail' according to the accounts of a man who served time with Davidson (pictured) Speaking anonymously, the man provided fascinating details about Davidson's life in the Bali jail, and has a theory about how the men escaped, News.com.au reports. 'He was one of the toughest guys in the jail. He was treated with a lot of respect. He's funny, he's upfront and he calls it as he sees it and he's got a lot of respect for others,' said the man, who served time with Davidson. The man also said that Davidson had no shortage female admirers and was able to contact people outside the jail to bring him things he needed. 'A lot of people came to see him, a lot of Indonesian girls. He was pretty popular with the ladies.' Prison authorities believe that Davidson (pictured) was the brains behind the brazen break-out Two of the escapees have since been recaptured, but Davidson (pictured) is still on the run The ex-convict doubts that Davidson (pictured) was helped by international crime syndicates Kerobokan authorities believe that Davidson masterminded the escape, in which he and three other inmates dug a tunnel under the prison walls. Two of the escapees, Bulgarian Dimitar Nikolon Iliev, who was doing time for ATM skimming, and drug trafficker from India Sayed Mohammed Said, have been recaptured. Davidson and Malaysian Tee Kok King, both convicted for drug offenses, are still on the run, and have been taunting police on social media. 'I can't think of anyone else I knew in there who would have had the balls (to try to escape). They knew how to talk with the guards, they were colourful characters, funny but tough, especially Shaun,' said the ex-convict. Davidson's daring jail break and ability to evade recapture has led to widespread speculation that he was helped by international organised crime groups. The former prisoner expressed his doubts about that theory, however, saying that Davidson lacked that kind of connection. He thinks it more likely that Davidson was helped by a friend in Bali, or by someone close to one of the other escapees. A septicaemia survivor whose face became covered in 'huge boils' claims Morrisons staff forced him to take off his facial bandages before they would serve him - leaving him 'humiliated'. Kevin Longden, 36, is undergoing laser treatment to heal facial scars after being plagued with boils when he contracted septicaemia following root canal surgery and the bandages protect him from infection. After leaving hospital last week, Mr Longden decided to pick up some bread and beer but was refused service by the checkout operator and the manager of Morrisons in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Kevin Longden, pictured, developed septicaemia after undergoing root canal surgery and required laser skin treatment when his face became plagued with boils Kevin Longden, pictured, left, before developing his painful skin condition, suffered a life-threatening reaction to root canal surgery which left him with terrible skin, right The father-of-two claims he was told that he couldn't be served without taking the bandages off, which eventually he felt compelled to do to make his shopping purchases - in front of other shocked customers. Morrisons admitted refusing to serve Mr Longden because they 'could not verify his age' but denied asking him to remove his bandages. Mr Longden, who is currently on long-term sick leave, said: 'I needed to go shopping and nobody could go for me. It was a nice day so I wanted to buy some bread and beers. 'The person on the checkout said: 'we can't serve you with your face covered up'. 'I asked to speak to the manager and they said we can't serve you until you take the bandages off your face. 'They couldn't serve me so I was forced to take my bandages off. They served me after that. 'I'm appalled. It's my local Morrisons and the staff know me. 'They know me and know my age. I'm obviously not going to walk around with bandages on my face for the sake of it. Mr Longden said he called into Morrisons after undergoing laser treatment and wanted to buy some beer and bread, but was disgusted when staff would not serve him Morrisons in Keighley, West Yorkshire, pictured, denied asking Mr Longdon to remove his bandages but admitted they could not serve him alcohol without verifying his age 'I wouldn't take it that far if I was underage and just wanted to get served. 'I was in shock. No-one knows what it's like to be walking down the street and have people staring at you.' Following root canal treatment five years ago, Mr Longden noticed 'poison' or pus was leaking from his cheeks and he started to develop 'huge boils' which left him embarrassed to leave the house. After visiting the doctors and hospital with the symptoms, he was rushed to A&E and later diagnosed with septicaemia. Recovering from the life-threatening infection, he was left with scars which he is now receiving laser treatment for at Salford Royal Hospital in Greater Manchester. Mr Longden said: 'I'm disgusted and humiliated. I'd had laser treatment on my face because I got septicaemia following root canal and it gave me huge boils on my face. 'Poison was leaking out of parts of my face - it could have killed me. 'After I removed the bandages in Morrisons, I was worried about the risk of infection and had to get fresh ones put on by the district nurse. 'I've not even had an apology - even after my cousin went to the store to complain. 'I have to have these bandages on for six to 12 weeks and after that, when I take the bandages off, it's another three to six months minimum to heal fully. 'I was in intensive care for about a week when they found out it was blood poisoning. 'I've had to have specialist treatment in Salford General Hospital over the period of a year - it's been a horrible process. 'It is painful and obviously with a sore head, I have to sleep on my back or all the bandages stick to my face. 'To make me remove my bandages in front of everyone shows they have no conscience or logic. 'I have two kids and they just think it's funny but I'm devastated by what happened in Morrisons. 'I'll be changing supermarkets in the future.' A spokesperson from Morrisons said: 'Staff at the store did not recognise the customer, and as they couldn't verify his age, were unable to sell him alcohol. At no time did we ask him to remove his bandages.' A woman has been left devastated after her French bulldog puppy was stolen from a friend's house. Owner and breeder Bianca Muddle, 30, had her French bulldog Kylie stolen from a house in Pimpama, Queensland on Wednesday. Ms Muddle told Daily Mail Australia that Kylie was being looked after by a friend when she was stolen. A woman has been left devastated after her French bulldog puppy Kylie (pictured) was stolen from a friend's house in Queensland Owner and breeder Bianca Muddle, 30, (left) had her French bulldog Kylie (right) stolen from a house in Pimpama, Queensland on Wednesday Ms Muddle said her friend called her to say he arrived home from work to find his side gate and back door open and Kylie (pictured) missing She said she got a phone call from her friend about 4.20pm after he got home from work and found his side gate and back door open. Ms Muddle said the only thing missing from her friend's house was the dog, and nothing else seemed to be touched. 'In general Kylie's a happy dog that likes people and being young, she's just naive and thinks everyone's great,' Ms Muddle said. Ms Muddle said Kylie's breed was targeted in particular because of her value. Ms Muddle said: 'In general Kylie's a happy dog that likes people and being young, she's just naive and thinks everyone's great' This is the second time Ms Muddle has had her pets stolen. In 2015 she had four bulldog puppies (pictured) stolen from her house This is not the first time Ms Muddle has had bulldogs stolen. Two years ago she had four bulldog puppies stolen, allegedly by a Mongols bikie, reported the Gold Coast Bulletin. Police later recovered all four puppies in a Taskforce Maxima raid in 2015. 'I am upset and I am very angry, the anger takes over all emotions at the moment particularly because its happened to me before,' Ms Muddle said. 'I thought here we go again why me. The puppies (pictured) were allegedly stolen by a Mongols bikie member, and were later recovered by police Ms Muddle said: 'I am upset and I am very angry, the anger takes over all emotions at the moment particularly because its happened to me before.' Pictured is Kylie at the beach 'I was very lucky to get my puppies back last time and that was almost a miracle so I'm feeling very nervous about the outcome of this one. 'If someone has her, or knows of her whereabouts, I don't mind if she is dropped somewhere anonymously, just as long as she finds her way back to me.' Kylie is eight months old and is described as being black with a white chest. If anyone has any information on her whereabouts they are urged to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. Ms Muddle said she was very lucky to get her puppies back last time, so she was particularly nervous about the outcome of Kylie's theft (pictured) This is the adorable moment a toddler fell in love with her newborn sister when she met her for the first time. There was no sign of sibling rivalry for two-year-old Madilyn Smith as she cooed over the new addition to the family, Olivia. The toddler's reaction came as she and her father, Murdock Smith, visited her mother, Cynthia Smith, in hospital in Massachusetts. Love at first sight: This is the adorable moment a toddler fell in love with her newborn sister The youngster, who was wearing a t-shirt saying 'Olivia's big sister', held her hand to her heart and kissed her tiny sister after excitedly handing over a toy cow as a present for her. Beaming Madilyn gently touched Olivia's face while staring at the newborn in awe. Her mother said: 'Madilyn had been very excited about the arrival of her baby sister. Awestruck: There was no sign of sibling rivalry for two-year-old Madilyn Smith as she cooed over the new addition to the family, Olivia, at a hospital in Massachusetts Best buddies: Madilyn (left) gently touched Olivia's face (right) while staring at the newborn 'My husband and I decided not to tell her that we were having her until after she arrived at the hospital to visit. 'My parents, who are off to the side in the video, brought Madilyn to the hospital and my husband met them downstairs to share the news with Madilyn that her baby sister had arrived.' Mrs Smith said her husband took the toddler to the hospital shop to let her pick out a present to give to Olivia - and that Madilyn announced proudly to everyone in the shop who the toy cow was for. Gentle: The youngster, who was wearing a t-shirt saying 'Olivia's big sister', held her hand to her heart and kissed her tiny sister after excitedly handing over a toy cow as a present for her Cynthia Smith (pictured with her children) said: 'Madilyn had been very excited about the arrival of her sister. My husband and I decided not to tell her until after she arrived to hospital' She added: 'As you can see in the video she was very excited and emotional when meeting Olivia Marie. 'She is normally very animated and loud, so her sweet reaction, quiet "coos", and the touching her own heart was priceless. 'Watching Madilyn and Olivia together makes the lack of sleep and dealing with toddler tantrums worth it. We look forward to watching their relationship evolve as they grow up.' Beyond cute: The toddler's reaction came as she (left) and her father, Murdock Smith (right), visited her mother, Cynthia Smith, in hospital in Massachusetts Iraqi TV has announced the 'fall of the mythical state' after special forces recaptured the iconic Mosul mosque where ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only known public appearance. A top special forces commander said: 'Counter-Terrorism Service forces control the Nuri mosque and Al-Hadba (minaret).' But Staff Lieutenant General Abdulwahab al-Saadi said that while Iraqi forces were close to retaking the mosque, they were still some 20 metres away. Iraqi state TV carried a banner on Thursday announcing the 'fall of the mythical state' - a play in Arabic on the ISIS title 'state of the caliphate.' Iraq's PM is expected to deliver a victory speech in Mosul later today. Taking the mosque is a symbolic victory - from its pulpit, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in July 2014 declared a self-styled Islamic 'caliphate,' encompassing territories then-held by the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq The mosque and its famed Al-Hadba leaning minaret were Mosul landmarks and also held major significance in the history of ISIS rule in Iraq. Baghdadi appeared during Friday prayers at Nuri mosque in 2014, soon after ISIS seized Iraq's second city, calling on Muslims to obey him. Three years later, Baghdadi's fate and whereabouts remain unknown, and ISIS has lost much of the territory it overran in 2014. Russia's Defence Ministry said the world's most wanted terrorist was killed in a Russian air strike on May 28 along with other senior group commanders. Baghdadi, who has a 20 million bounty on his head, had been believed to be hiding out in the desert outside the besieged city of Mosul in northern Iraq. But intelligence agencies believe he escaped from the city while it was being retaken by the Iraqi army. It is thought he then tried to get to Raqqa. His death has been reported more than a dozen times in the past. The jihadists blew up the mosque and minaret on June 21 (pictured) as they put up increasingly desperate resistance to the advance of Iraqi forces Iraqi TV has announced the 'fall of the mythical state' after special forces recaptured the iconic Mosul mosque where ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only known public appearance AN ICON OF MOSUL'S OLD CITY The mosque in Mosul's Old City was the latest in a long list of priceless heritage and historical monuments destroyed by IS during its three-year rule over swathes of Iraq and Syria. The minaret, which was completed in 1172 and had been listing for centuries, is featured on Iraq's 10,000-dinar banknote and was the main symbol of Iraq's second city - giving its name to countless restaurants, companies and even sports clubs in Mosul. Advertisement The jihadists blew up the mosque and minaret on June 21 as they put up increasingly desperate resistance to the advance of Iraqi forces. Officials from Iraq and the US-led anti-IS coalition said the destruction of the site was a sign of the jihadist group's imminent loss of Mosul, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi calling it an 'official declaration of defeat'. The loss of the iconic 12th century minaret - one of the country's most recognisable monuments sometimes referred to as Iraq's Tower of Pisa - left the country in shock. But the destruction had been widely anticipated, with commanders saying ISIS would not have allowed Iraqi forces to score a hugely symbolic victory by recapturing the site. ISIS claimed on its Amaq propaganda agency that the site was hit in a US air strike, but the US-led coalition said it was the jihadists who had 'destroyed one of Mosul and Iraq's great treasures'. The mosque's destruction came three days after government forces launched an assault on the Old City, the last district of Mosul still under ISIS control. About 100,000 residents are believed to still be trapped in the district by ISIS, which has been using civilians as human shields to defend its last redoubt in Mosul. The area still controlled by the jihadists is small but its narrow streets and the presence of so many civilians has made the operation perilous. The jihadists have been offering fierce resistance in the Old City, with barrages of mortar fire and a huge number of booby traps slowing the Iraqi advance. While Iraqi forces have made good progress to reach the Nuri mosque, Iraqi commanders have warned that the battle for the Old City is far from over. Survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster are to be banned from the first meeting of senior councillors since the fire amid fears of 'disruption'. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) said Thursday's cabinet meeting will be held in private, chaired by the under-fire council leader Nicholas Paget-Brown. Attempts by protesters to storm Kensington Town Hall on June 16, two days after the tragedy, are cited as reasons why the public will be shut out. Survivors of the Grenfell Tower blaze are to be shut out of the first meeting of senior council leaders since the disaster Councillors will be convening to discuss the Grenfell Tower fire, according to a notice on the local authority's website, joined by support officers and 'invited guests'. The notice said: 'Please note this meeting will be held entirely in private session, pursuant to Standing Order 31.01, in the light of the risk of disruption (as witnessed on Friday 16 June) and consequent security and public safety concerns. 'As such it will be open only to council members, support officers and invited guests (if any). Council leader Nicholas Paget-Brown has been urged to quit in the wake of the blaze that killed at least 80 people 'The public minutes of this meeting will be published, in due course, on the council website.' It is unclear whether any survivors have been invited to the meeting as 'guests'. RBKC has come under intense criticism for its response to the crisis, with many residents claiming they had been left to fend for themselves. The council's chief executive, Nicholas Holgate, quit his post last week, allegedly under pressure from Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid. Calls have been made for the council leader, Nicholas Paget-Brown, to follow, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan demanding the resignation of the entire council leadership. On June 16, dozens of protesters infiltrated the authority's building in west London as anger boiled over about its handling of the situation, with crowds yelling: 'We want justice now.' The new chairman of the Grenfell Tower inquiry said he understood the desire for a 'vigorous' investigation that 'gets to the truth as quickly as possible'. The council say recent protests in which demonstrators tried to storm the town hall mean it cannot hold the meeting in public Retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick said the purpose of his inquiry was to 'discover the truth' about what happened at the west London tower block to 'ensure that a tragedy of this kind never happens again'. Theresa May said 'no stone will be left unturned' by the public inquiry into the disaster as she confirmed Sir Martin's appointment. The Prime Minister told MPs she expects Sir Martin will 'want to produce an interim report as early as possible' to address the immediate lessons that need to be learned from the disaster. Mrs May said: 'I am determined that there will be justice for all the victims of this terrible tragedy and for their families who have suffered so terribly.' Judge put in charge of Grenfell Tower probe meets with survivors of the tragedy but warns he WON'T satisfy those who want 'a broad investigation' into blaze that killed 80 Retired judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick has been appointed to head a public inquiry into the disaster The judge leading the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has expressed doubt that the probe will be broad enough to satisfy all survivors. Sir Martin Moore-Bick travelled to the site of the disaster in north Kensington on Thursday morning, later meeting those who escaped the inferno. Afterwards, he said: 'I've been asked to undertake this inquiry on the basis that it would be pretty well limited to the problems surrounding the start of the fire and its rapid development in order to make recommendations about how this sort of thing can be prevented in future. 'I'm well aware the residents and the local people want a much broader investigation and I can fully understand why they would want that - whether my inquiry is the right way in which to achieve that I'm more doubtful.' Sir Martin, who specialised in commercial law in a legal career spanning nearly 50 years, will look into the blaze which killed at least 80 people in west London earlier this month. His appointment was recommended by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, and Mrs May said Sir Martin is 'highly respected and hugely experienced'. Sir Martin visited the area today and spoke to some of the survivors of the tower block disaster Sir Martin said: 'The purpose of this independent inquiry is to discover the truth about what happened at Grenfell Tower, so that we can learn lessons for the future and ensure that a tragedy of this kind never happens again. 'It is vitally important that the inquiry be open, transparent and fair to all those whose involvement with Grenfell Tower comes under scrutiny. 'It is important for everyone that the inquiry should establish as quickly as possible the cause of the fire and how it was able to spread so quickly to the whole of the building.' However, concerns have been raised over a ruling he once made to relocate a tenant facing homelessness to a house 50 miles away near Milton Keynes. In 2014 he ruled against Congolese refugee Titina Nzolameso who got into rent arrears after her benefits changed but refused a larger and cheaper home outside London. Some have questioned his appointment over a controversial judgement he made in 2014 Mr Justice Moore-Bick was criticised when he decided that she should move Ms Nzolameso 50 miles away because Westminster City Council said she made herself intentionally homeless. But a year later the Supreme Court overturned the decision because the council should have considered her diabetes and high blood pressure, that she wanted to stay near her friends and her five children would have to move schools. At the time of Sir Martin's ruling, lawyer Jayesh Kunwardia said: 'This judgment could have dire consequences for vulnerable families across the country. 'It gives the green light for councils to engage in social cleansing of the poor on a mass scale.' Legal sources have insisted that Sir Martin is an 'excellent' choice for the job - although Labour MP Lisa Nandy said she fears Sir Martin will not 'have the confidence' of Grenfell survivors because of his Nzolameso ruling. Guantanamo Bay prisoner Riduan Isamuddin - also known as Hambali - is accused of masterminding the devastating 2002 Bali bombings A Guantanamo Bay detainee accused of orchestrating the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings in Indonesia and other attacks will not face the death penalty, a U.S. military official has said. Riduan Isamuddin - also known as Hambali - was accused in a U.S. war court on Friday of orchestrating the 2002 bombings, which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians; and a 2003 attack on a hotel in Jakarta that killed 12 people. He was captured in Bangkok, Thailand in 2003 and has been held in Guantanamo without charge since 2006. The 53-year-old is accused of plotting three explosions on October 12, 2002, which hit a bar, nightclub and the U.S. Consulate on the Indonesian resort island. An Islamist suicide bomber blew himself up inside a nightclub jammed with tourists at a popular beach, killing many instantly and forcing others to run outside. Another suicide bomber detonated a massive bomb loaded in a car parked on the street in front of two clubs. Hambali, 53, is accused of plotting three explosions on October 12, 2002, which hit a bar, nightclub (pictured) and the U.S. Consulate on the Indonesian resort island. Prosecutors said they are not seeking the death penalty against him Hambali was notified last week that prosecutors are preparing to try him before a military commission at the U.S. base in Cuba on charges that include terrorism and murder in violation of the law of war. A Pentagon legal official known as the convening authority must still approve the charges before the case can proceed to an arraignment. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John Baker, the chief defense counsel, said in an email yesterday that he was notified that prosecutors do not intend to seek the death penalty even though some of the charges are potentially capital offenses. Baker said he would be submitting a request for additional resources to 'effectively represent' Hambali but the decision to not seek the death penalty means he will not have to find experienced capital attorneys. Such lawyers are typically civilians. A Department of Defense spokesman, Air Force Maj. Ben Sakrisson, declined comment because the charges had not yet been forwarded to the convening authority. There are two military commission death penalty cases pending at Guantanamo and both have been bogged down for years in pre-trial litigation. One case involves five men charged with planning and aiding the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. Hambali was notified last week that prosecutors are preparing to try him before a military commission at the U.S. base in Cuba on charges that include terrorism and murder in violation of the law of war. (Above, people visit the site of the October 12 bombing) The other is for the alleged mastermind of the deadly October 2000 bombing attack on the USS Cole in Yemen. Both have stalled largely due to issues related to the fact that the defendants were held for years in clandestine CIA facilities and subjected to treatment now widely regarded as torture. Any trial of Hambali, whose full name is Encep Nurjamen, would involve similar issues. The 53-year-old Indonesian was also held by the CIA and subjected to what the U.S. government has called its 'enhanced' interrogation program. He is accused of being the 'operational mastermind' of the Southeast Asia-based Islamic extremist group known as Jemaah Islamiyah, an affiliate of al-Qaida. Charging documents provided to The Associated Press allege he orchestrated the Bali bombings, whose death toll included seven U.S. citizens, as well as an August 2003 attack on the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta, which killed 11 people, and other plots. Hambali is one of 41 prisoners still held at Guantanamo. If the case against him moves forward, he would be the first charged since President Donald Trump took office. George Osborne, pictured last month arriving for his first day as editor of the Evening Standard, has got another new job as honourary professor of economics at Manchester University George Osborne has landed his sixth job on leaving the Commons - as an honourary professor of economics at Manchester University. The former Chancellor is already juggling being editor of the London Evening Standard with a string of other jobs including his 650,000-a-year role at the US financial giant BlackRock. But he has somehow found the time to take up the new post, which will see him carry out lectures, 'masterclasses' and informal visits to the university. It develops his pet project of the Northern Powerhouse - an initiative to encourage investment and business development in the north which he is also chairman of. The new post takes his tally of jobs up to six, with his other posts also including giving lucrative after-diner speeches and a fellowship at the McCain Institute, an American think tank. The former Tory MP for Tatton is believed to rake in over 1million a year from his collection of jobs, but his Manchester university honourary professorship is unpaid. Mr Osborne said: 'I am bowled over by this honour. 'The University of Manchester was at the centre of so many things I tried to achieve as Chancellor, from the promotion of new science to the building of the links between this country and countries like China. 'It is also one of the jewels in the crown of the Northern Powerhouse. 'I remain completely committed to that idea that together the different communities in the North can work together so that the whole is greater than the parts. 'And I believe more strongly than I ever did that the entire county, including our capital, would benefit from a stronger North. George Osborne, pictured doing a spot of punditry on The Andrew Marr Show earlier this month, seems to be relishing his career outside of the Commons. He now has six jobs 'That's why I remain closely involved as chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership - and look forward to playing a part in the life of the University of Manchester.' He has landed the latest job after getting to know the university's vice chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell who is also a member of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. She said his appointment is 'exciting news' for the university. She added: 'He has been a leader at the top level of UK and world economic policy for many years and showed the vision to recognise the enormous economic and scientific potential of graphene to the UK. One Twitter user jibed that if you did not get the job you were going for George Osborne probably got it Twitter user Paul also mocked Mr Osborne's habit of collecting jobs in a post online Hannah Taafe also took to Twitter to poke fun at the former politician's new job 'Our students and staff will benefit from all of this experience and he will be invaluable in helping the University to support the growth of our city and region.' Mr Osborne will take up his role next month. Social media users mocked the ex MP over his ever expanding collection of jobs. Jonathan Harvey joked on Twitter: 'Didn't get that job you went for? George Osborne probably go it.' Another Twitter user who just goes by the name of Paul online joked: 'Rumour has it that if you say 'George Osborne' three times in front of a dark mirror, he shows up and takes your job.' Bachar Houli has seen his suspension doubled for striking and knocking an opponent unconscious after a successful appeal from the AFL. The Richmond Tigers midfielder was found guilty of intentional striking on Tuesday after hitting Carlton Blues' Jed Lamb, but was handed just a two-game ban. Houli's 'fine character' was cited as the reason for the lenience, after receiving glowing references from The Project's Waleed Aly and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The AFL took the ruling to the Appeal Board on Thursday night where they had the punishment upgraded to four weeks. 'The decision has been made and I accept it,' Houli said following the ruling. Bachar Houli has seen his suspension doubled for striking and knocking an opponent unconscious after a successful appeal from the AFL Houli's 'fine character' was cited as the reason for the lenience, after received glowing references from The Project's Waleed Aly and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull The AFL took the ruling to the Appeal Board on Thursday night where they had the punishment upgraded to four weeks The Richmond Tigers midfielder was found guilty of intentional striking on Tuesday after hitting Carlton Blues' Jed Lamb but was handed just a two-game ban Mr Aly, in his statement to the tribunal, made mention of Houli's position as the AFL's first devout Muslim player. 'He delivers some of the most powerful and constructive messages that any athlete in recent times has been seen to offer young minds,' Mr Aly had said. On Wednesday night's episode of the Channel 10 program, Aly said he had been asked to provide a character reference for Houli on Monday evening. 'I got a call Monday night, he asked me if I would be prepared to be a character reference for him because the lawyers running the case said they thought it would be useful to have some,' Aly said. 'I thought about it that night, I wrote it, sent it to them, that was the end of my involvement. He also defended a character reference as standard practice in courts. 'He delivers some of the most powerful and constructive messages that any athlete in recent times has been seen to offer young minds,' Mr Aly had said On Wednesday night's episode of the Channel 10 program, Aly said he had been asked to provide a character reference for Houli on Monday evening The Prime Minister had on Monday caught up with Houli during AFL Eid Celebrations at Richmond's Punt Road Oval, hosted by the Bachar Houli Cup and leadership program 'This is not an uncommon thing,' he said in response to an emailed question from co-host Peter Hellier. 'You do get character references in courts all the time. That is a really common thing.' Aly added: 'The tribunals are based on a court. These are the rules that they have had in place. 'They have used them before, I think, in tribunal settings. It is not like this was something that was dreamed up by Richmond or by the lawyers or anything like that. It is a standard procedure.' 'It's very hard to think of a better example of the strength and resilience of our great multicultural society than the work that Bachar Houli does,' Mr Turnbull said in remarks put forward by the club's counsel. The Prime Minister had on Monday caught up with Houli during AFL Eid Celebrations at Richmond's Punt Road Oval, hosted by the Bachar Houli Cup and leadership program. 'It's very hard to think of a better example of the strength and resilience of our great multicultural society than the work that Bachar Houli does,' Mr Turnbull said in remarks put forward by the club's counsel 'I got a call Monday night, he asked me if I would be prepared to be a character reference for him because the lawyers running the case said they thought it would be useful to have some,' Aly said The Age reported the tribunal, who handed down the two-week suspension, had said: 'It is very rare that we come across an example of such a fine character... and on that basis it's a two week penalty'. Houli reportedly was 'shocked' at the intentional striking accusation. 'It's something I have never ever done in my life and something I would never ever do. Its part of my practice in my religion. I am a peaceful person,' he said. Houli was forced to front the tribunal following the off-the ball incident during the Tigers and Blues match at the MCG on Sunday, where he lashed out at Lamb with his left arm. Lamb was left unconscious following the incident and took no further part in the match. A knifeman allegedly killed a woman by slitting her throat as she sat in the passenger seat of a vehicle in a car park while beeping her horn and screaming for help. Horrifying bloodstains could be seen on the passenger window of a car cordoned off by police today outside the Dockside outlet centre in Chatham, Kent. Witnesses saw a woman's leg hanging out of a car and a man fleeing the scene while covered in blood after allegedly shutting her in his vehicle near an Odeon cinema. Scroll down for video A man has been arrested after a woman's throat was cut outside a shopping centre in Chatham Blood spatter has been left on the window of a car outside the Dockside outlet centre The woman is thought to have been sitting in the passenger seat of a black Citroen C1 when she was attacked in front of shocked onlookers this morning. Police cordoned off the car park while a black Peugoet 107 was lifted on to a truck as detectives investigated, and later revealed that the woman had died. It was not clear what injuries the victim suffered, but she was said to have been locked in a car before a man got in and stabbed her and slit her throat. A 25-year-old man from the Medway area was arrested on suspicion of murder after the incident at about 11am today, which was believed to have been domestic-related. Shocked witness Michelle Hextall said: 'The woman was screaming and bibbing the horn to get attention. A close-up of the vehicle door shows red stains on the side, believed to be of blood 'Another shopper blocked the car in so he couldn't escape. Attacker was then put into police van. Didn't appear to resist arrest. 'The attacker is leaning on the bonnet of police car in front. His hands were covered in blood up to his elbows. Blood on T-shirt.' Another witness, Rosie Bell, 25, was arriving at the centre when the incident unfolded. She said: 'Apparently a woman had been locked in her car by the guy. 'He's then come back to the car, got in the car and stabbed her and then slit her throat. 'No one could actually see the row that was happening because it was happening inside the car. Someone heard the woman screaming and people were running over shouting at the guy. He was in a bit of state so people didn't want to approach him.' The car was inside the police cordon in Chatham today as police continued investigating Bystanders and members of the emergency services gathered at the scene in Kent today She then watched as the blood-soaked assailant, who was wearing a white vest, was arrested by police in front of crowds of shocked onlookers. The mother-of-one added: 'He was put in hand cuffs and put in the back of a car. 'He was covered in blood and had a white vest on, but he was far away so I didn't see what he looked like other than that. It was horrible. 'When you hear someone has been stabbed, because of what's going on at the moment, I thought it might be terrorism. I think people were quite panicked.' Another witness, who was heading towards a gym, saw the victim's leg hanging out of the car and the suspect run away covered in blood. The man said: 'Me and my brother just arrived at the car park and parked at the back near where the incident happened. There was lots of blood and people could be heard shouting, according to a witness Forensics teams were on the site in Chatham to help out with the investigation today The car was surrounded by investigatiors today as other vehicles were kept inside a cordon 'We just saw a car parked in front of the actual car where the body was inside, so I thought nothing of it, then we went and parked. 'We came out and saw more police coming, the sirens were in the distance coming towards the parked car. As we headed to the gym we walked around the car with the lady in. 'The door was left open but there was a leg was sticking out, I'm not sure what happened, but the guy ran out of the car, he had blood on him. 'Then more police cars came. A lady said the woman's throat was slit, if that's the case it's quite terrible. 'This stuff doesn't really happen round here, at this time of day as well. I've been here loads of times before at this time of day, so for this to happen is a disaster.' There was lots of blood and people could be heard shouting, a witness said. Ten police cars were at the scene with firefighters, forensics teams and paramedics. Paramedics and police at the Dockside outlet centre in Chatham, Kent, after the alleged attack A man was arrested at the scene today after reportedly slitting a woman's throat in a car park A green tent was erected and witnesses say they saw a man in a white vest and 'covered in blood' being put in a police car in handcuffs. Witness Ash Tucker said: 'I was just pulling into Dockside Chatham, ten police cars race past with flashing lights. As I've locked the door I hear shouting and commotion. 'The next bay opposite to me, there's a man covered in blood being restrained by officers.' Bystanders congregated in the area as officers spoke to witnesses and sealed off the car park with tape. An air ambulance was seen circling overhead. One witness, who did not want to be named, said: 'We came out of the gym and the place was sealed off. We have heard someone has been stabbed.' There was lots of blood at the scene and people could be heard shouting, one witness said Ten police cars were at the scene today with firefighters, forensics teams and paramedics Bystanders congregated as officers spoke to witnesses and sealed off the car park with tape Police asked people with cars trapped in the cordon to be patient, because they will not be able to access them for several hours. The cinema was laying on refreshments for people stranded by the incident. Anthony Sutton, manager of Dockside Outlet Centre, said there had been an isolated incident involving a man and a woman. He said: 'The man is in custody and we are liaising with and assisting the police to minimise disruption.' A police spokesman said: 'Kent Police is investigating after the victim of a serious assault in Chatham has died. 'Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service were called to the dockside area in Maritime Way, Chatham at 11.03am to a report of a serious assault. 'The woman, believed to be aged in her 20s, suffered injuries consistent with a stabbing, and died at the scene. Her next of kin has now been informed. 'A 25-year-old man from Rochester was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. The victim and suspect are believed to be known to each other. 'Officers remain at the scene while they carry out enquiries. Members of the public are advised that much of the car park has been reopened. It is anticipated the remaining area will be open this evening.' This footage shows a protester in Venezuela being shot at point-blank range by armed police before being dragged away from the scene. David Jose Vallenilla, 22, died minutes later in hospital following the shooting at La Carlota airbase in the capital of Caracas. The death toll now stands at 79 after three months of street protests against the government of Nicolas Maduro. The president has been blamed for a crisis marked by shortages of food, medicine and other basics. David Jose Vallenilla, 22, was shot during a protest outside La Carlota airbase in Caracas In the video, Vallenilla was seen crouched down on an urban highway that runs past La Carlota air base, which has been the site of several recent clashes. Soldiers and National Guards fired tear gas at protesters from inside the perimeter of the base to try and clear the highway. In response, about a hundred protesters burned a truck, hurled rocks and began to tear down a chunk of the fence. In the footage, Vallenilla, protected only by a small rucksack strapped to his chest and with his face covered with a bandanna, was seen throwing what looked like a rock over the fence. At that moment a soldier, stationed just a few feet away, shot him three times in the chest with a shotgun or rifle. Another protester, carrying a makeshift shield and with a Venezuelan flag draped over his back, moved in as if to provide cover. The 22-year-old was shot three times in the chest during clashes with riot security forces The 22-year-old student was shot three times in the chest and died later in hospital Protesters then gathered around the 22-year-old and dragged him away from the scene. He was then driven away on a motorbike by paramedics but died minutes later in hospital. Reuters photographer Carlos Garcia Rawlins, who witnessed the incident, said: 'He looked very bad, badly injured.' The protest outside the air base last Thursday continued after the shooting. A group of demonstrators returned on Friday to the place where Mr Vallenilla was killed, and set some trucks on fire. Video footage shows at least two soldiers shooting long firearms through the fence of the base - just a few feet from protesters Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol said on Twitter: 'The sergeant used an unauthorized weapon to repel the attack, causing the death of one of the participants in the siege.' The sergeant faces legal proceedings, the minister said. Reverol also said two members of the military were injured after protesters hurled fire bombs into the airbase. It was later confirmed Mr Vallenilla was killed by three rubber bullets. David Vallenilla's father, also called David, made an impassioned plea to Maduro after his son's death, calling on his 'former colleague' to clear his son's name. The president has said firearms must not be used on protesters. He called on the leader to make it clear that his only son 'was not a criminal, he was a graduating student'. 'You met him when he was little,' he added. Mr Vallenilla was killed by rubber bullets fired by guards at point blank range The latest protests in Venezuela started when the Supreme Court stripped the opposition-controlled National Assembly of much of its powers on March 29. It reversed its decision three days later amid a storm of international criticism but hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans continued to flood the streets demanding an end to Maduro's presidency. The protests have frequently ended in violent confrontations with security forces, which have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, and there also have clashes with pro-government groups. Opposition leaders have blamed armed pro-government militias known as 'colectivos' for a number of the deaths, while government officials have accused the opposition of working with criminal gangs to stir up unrest. The swell of protests is the most violent in economically struggling Venezuela since two months of anti-government demonstrations in 2014 that resulted in dozens of deaths. Maduro has called for renewed dialogue, but opposition leaders have ruled that out as an option after earlier talks collapsed in December. They have demanded early elections and the release of opposition politicians arrested since Maduro took office in 2013. Elsewhere today, a nationwide manhunt is underway for action movie ex-cop revolutionary Oscar Perez who is being blamed for targeting a Venezuelan courthouse with grenades in protest at Maduro. This morning it emerged that the helicopter used in the attack has been found near the coast in Vargas state not far from Caracas, and elite special forces have been deployed there to step up the hunt. Authorities claim he stole the police chopper and directed grenades and gunfire against the Supreme Court and Interior Ministry in what Maduro called a 'terrorist attack'. Almost 10 per cent of the people living in Britain last year were foreign citizens, a major international report revealed today. Numbers rose by 6.4 per cent to reach 5.95 million between 2015 and 2016, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found. It means 9.2 per cent of the population are from overseas, the think tank's International Migration Outlook report showed - a surge from 5 per cent in 2005. At the same time, the number of foreign born citizens - which includes Britons born elsewhere - rose from 9.2 per cent of the population to 13.9 per cent. The findings will fuel concern about immigration to the United Kingdom which is still running at near record levels despite falls in the past year. Theresa May (pictured in Berlin today) has promised to cut immigration to 'sustainable' levels, ensuring the number of arrivals is in the tens of thousands Theresa May has promised to cut immigration to 'sustainable' levels, ensuring the number of arrivals is in the tens of thousands. The study found that asylum applications in the UK fell by 7 per cent to 30,600 last year, the first drop since 2010. More Iranians, some 4,780, made asylum claims in the UK than any other nationality, followed by Pakistanis (3,701) and Iraqis (3,644). For every one million people living in Britain, 593 asylum applications were filed in 2016 compared to the OECD average of 1,283. Germany, which had an open door policy, had the highest rate at 8,952, followed by Austria and Greece which were both on more than 4,500, while the Slovak Republic had the lowest at just 18. The report highlighted how the UK recorded its highest rate of net migration of 332,00 in 2015 with the number of people arriving at 631,000. But the number of people being given settlement rights in the same year fell by 12.7 per cent on 2014 to 90,800. The findings will fuel concern about immigration to the United Kingdom which is still running at near record levels despite falls in the past year 'The fall was entirely owing to fewer grants on the basis of family formation or reunion, 18.5 per cent of the total compared with 32 per cent in 2014,' the report said. 'The number fell by a further 35 per cent in 2016, to 59 000, largely due to fewer work, family and asylum related grants.' The UK, along with Germany, was the destination for two thirds of Romanians leaving their home country in 2015. Germany was first choice for Italians looking for a new home the same year, but the 'sharpest increase' was towards the UK, which attracted 10,000 more people leaving Italy than in the previous year. Britons heading overseas mainly chose Australia, Spain, the United States, Germany and New Zealand, according to the report. A Canadian city's postal services were suspended over fears of a notorious crow who attacked a mailman. Canuck the crow, who was infamously pictured gripping a knife it took from a crime scene, is reported to have injured the Canada Post worker in Vancouver. The company said it was cancelling deliveries to several addresses in the east of the city 'until such time as the hazard no longer exists'. Canuck is well known in the area for riding the city's SkyTrain and stealing shiny objects. A Canadian city's postal services were suspended over fears of a notorious crow named Canuck who attacked a mailman Canuck the crow, who was infamously pictured gripping a knife it took from a crime scene, is reported to have injured the Canada Post worker in Vancouver 'Unfortunately, our employees have been attacked and injured by a crow in that Vancouver neighbourhood while attempting to deliver the mail,' a Canada Post spokesperson told the BBC. 'Regular mail delivery was suspended to three homes due to it being unsafe for our employees. 'We are monitoring the situation when delivering the mail to other residents on the street. If our employees believe it is safe to deliver to those three addresses, they do so.' Shawn Bergman, who maintains the Facebook group Canuck and I, yesterday claimed Canada Post had backed down. 'I may have not heard a single word from Canada Post, but mail delivery resumed today. With no reported Canuck encounters,' he wrote in a Facebook post signed off with a smiley face. Bergman, who chronicles the crow's exploits, previously admitted Canuck had attacked a Canada Post worker, causing broken skin and bleeding. Canuck is well known in the area for riding the city's SkyTrain and stealing shiny objects Shawn Bergman, who maintains the Facebook group Canuck and I, yesterday claimed Canada Post had backed down He added: 'With the neighbours getting upset, there have been both subtle and not so subtle threats against Canuck's safety.' Canuck went viral in May 2016 when he swooped down to steal a blade which was allegedly used to threaten police officers. One of the constables gave chase and the bird dropped the vital piece of evidence before making his getaway. Mike Howell, a Vancouver Courier reporter, said: 'A cop chased it for about 15 to 20 feet, and then the crow dropped it and took off. 'It was really strange. In my 20-plus years reporting from crime scenes, I've never seen anything like that crow trying to take a knife.' Bergman, who appears to care for the crow, previously said he was in talks with Canada Post to 'resolve the delivery situation'. He said: 'With the mail not getting delivered for approximately two months the other houses that aren't getting their mail are getting upset, understandably. Canuck went viral in May 2016 when he swooped down to steal a blade which was allegedly used to threaten police officers 'It's not just three houses or three people that are not getting their mail, there are about 12 people total (including a woman in her late 80s and a man in a wheelchair).' Bergman describes his friendship with Canuck on the page, writing: 'He meets me outside the house in the morning and we go to Tim Hortons for a coffee he waits outside, looks in the window. As soon as I come out he's back on my shoulder and I walk back home.' Bergman says: 'He's met so many people and had so many experiences with them. He likes who he likes and he doesn't like who he doesn't like. He is a wild crow after all. But I do think he likes getting his picture taken.' The historic house which belonged to Thomas Jefferson has fallen victim to a ransomware cyber attack The 18th century house which belonged to Thomas Jefferson has fallen victim to a ransomware cyber attack - just days before the nation prepares to celebrate the Fourth of July. Computers and telephone systems at Monticello, the third U.S. president's residence and plantation near Charlottesville, Virginia, were hit by a malicious file-scrambling bug on Tuesday. The attack is not believed to be linked to the recent Goldeneye and Petya viruses which have affected governments and companies across the globe, including the UK, U.S. and Russia. Ann Taylor, Thomas Jefferson Foundation executive vice president, said Monticello was the victim of a ransomware attack which had demanded an undisclosed amount of money. 'Our staff is working with manual systems, but we welcomed a lot of guests yesterday,' she told NBC29. 'The weather is beautiful, and we're looking forward to July Fourth. Computers and telephone systems at Monticello (above), the third U.S. president's residence and plantation near Charlottesville, Virginia, were hit by a malicious file-scrambling bug on Tuesday 'We're working with IT experts at the moment to investigate and address the issue, and we're working to restore the affected services as soon as possible.' With Independence Day celebrations just around the corner, officials would not say whether they would pay the ransom. As of today, visitors are still unable to purchase tickets online for Monticello on its website - but they can be bought at the house itself. The official Monticello website currently displays this message informing people of alternative ways to pay to visit 'Little Mountain': The house that Jefferson built (when he was 26) Jefferson started building Monticello - which means 'little mount' in Italian - when he was 26 years old Thomas Jefferson started building Monticello - which means 'little mountain' in Italian - in 1769 when he was 26 years old after inheriting the land from his father. Slaves worked the 5,000 acres of land farming tobacco and other crops His design was inspired by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, widely considered the most influential individual in the history of Western architecture. Throughout his presidency, he adapted the property to feature different trends of 18th century Europe. Jefferson was buried on the grounds, now owned by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Advertisement Petya and Goldeneye: The ransomware sweeping the globe The Jefferson attack comes as hackers unleashed a major cyber attack this week causing huge disruption to companies and governments across the globe including in the UK, U.S. and Russia. The Petya ransomware hijacks victims' computers before encrypting their files and holding them hostage until a fee is paid. Chernobyl's radiation monitoring system has been hit by the attack with its sensors shut down while UK advertising giant WPP, the largest agency in the world, is among dozens of firms affected. Users are being shown a message saying their data has been encrypted, with some asking for around $400 (300) in anonymous currency Bitcoin to retrieve it (pictured, an ATM in Ukraine) The ransomware appears to have been spread through popular accounting software and specifically targeted at bringing down business IT systems. The outage began in Ukraine as the country's power grid, airport, national bank and communications firms were first to report problems, before it spread rapidly throughout Europe. What is ransomware? Ransomware is a type of malicious software that criminals use to attack computer systems. Hackers often demand the victim to pay ransom money to access their files or remove harmful programs. The aggressive attacks dupe users into clicking on a fake link whether it's in an email or on a fake website, causing an infection to corrupt the computer. In some instances, adverts for pornographic website will repeatedly appear on your screen, while in others, a pop-up will state that a piece of your data will be destroyed if you don't pay. Advertisement Companies in the US, Germany, Norway, Russia, Denmark and France are among those to have confirmed issues so far. It comes just weeks after the WannaCry attack which paralysed the NHS and left hundreds of thousands of users around the world unable to access their data. More than 200,000 victims in 150 countries were infected by that software, which originated in the UK and Spain last month, before spreading globally. But cyber security experts have warned that this time the virus is much more dangerous because it has no 'kill switch' and is designed to spread rapidly through networks. IT experts have dubbed the new virus GoldenEye, and say it appears to be a more-potent version of ransomware that started circulating recently. GoldenEye is in turn a variant of even older code called Petya, which scrambles files on computer's hard drive, requiring a code to unlock it. Petya is particularly effective because, rather than scrambling files one by one, it blocks access to a whole hard drive in one go, analyst hasherezade wrote previously. Another analyst, Bogdan Botezatu, told ABC that GoldenEye is a 'worm'-type virus, spreading from machine to machine automatically, with no need for human interaction. 'It's like somebody sneezing into a train full of people,' said Botezatu. 'You just have to exist there and you're vulnerable.' Others said GoldenEye appears to be exploiting the same Windows weakness used by WannaCry in order to spread itself rapidly. Review by DaveyW500 on TripAdvisor Welcome to Hell! I wouldn't wish this place on my worst enemy. We took two young people from our care home for a relaxing night away and wished that we'd slept on the beach. As we arrived , we were met by the owner who had less warmth and welcome than Basil Fawlty himself. Immediately, he questioned us as to how we had booked and kept fumbling around on his PC with a frown upon his face muttering to himself. Whilst he was attempting to confirm our existence, I decided to have a look around the Adam's family residence. I made the grave error of strolling into the lounge (stupidly I thought at 75 a night , we may be welcome there) and was informed that this was not open to us. We were then told the breakfast timings and given our room keys. I'd like to add here that there was no mention of the check out time here and I ridiculously presumed that it was 11am. Our 2 young people were given their rooms (31 and 9) and my colleague and I were given the cell block, labelled Room 21. To be fair to her majesty, she wouldn't allow any human to reside at her pleasure in there. Anyway, off we trudged up the stairs of doom to our rooms. By the way , I've never been good at maths but how room 21 is on the top floor, room 9 in the middle and room 31 is on the bottom , I have no idea! Maybe Mr Fawlty has discalcula? Room 21 - We were greeted by a bedroom that only a New Orleans resident - post hurricane - would have been pleased with. The smell of damp was atrocious , the 'free' wifi didn't reach cell 21 and even the wall paper didn't want to stay. I've never seen a room that was obviously so disappointed in itself. I shut the curtains and the dust left me feeling like I had Dot Cottons lungs. Horrific. 75 and there was a travelodge only 15 yards away! We left for a meal and the arcades and were told that we had to leave our key in a bucket by Cryton , a computerised system that had better customer service skills than the employees. We complied and left with glee, asking every homeless man on the way if he had space in his sleeping bag. Unfortunately, we were left with no option but to return to Fawlty Towers where we were ushered to our rooms , presumably just in case we dared to enter the prohibited promise land of the lounge that was obviously Basil's office , where we were not welcome. Why the owner posts pics of his lounge, I don't know because they seem to protect it more vigilantly than the Dettol in their cleaning cupboard. We returned to our rooms, with the soundtrack of the worst rendition of Robbie Williams' Angels I've ever heard resonating from the local karaoke bar. After Elton Johns 'Don't let the sun go down on me,' I wanted to hurl myself out of the 5th floor window, which I may add would be our fire escape in the event of a fire. I watched a bit of TV through my magnified glass because the tv was as small as my 80p bottle of water (see photos below) and tried to go to bed. My colleague put his coat on the floor and then picked it back up because he didn't want to wear it again and contract meningitis in the morning. I awoke at 6am, thinking I was on the set of Finding Nemo, as an army of seagulls were screaming abuse at each other; maybe they were pleading with me to escape whilst I still had some dignity left? I don't know. Time for a shower...Of course the shower didn't work, I mean what do you expect for 75 a night? No Wifi, no wallpaper, no visible TV but at least we had an abundance of damp. If there was a fire , at least we were safe. At 10.20am, the young girl we took with us knocked on my door complaining that the cleaner just opener her door and basically barged in. She was getting changed and was really embarrassed. To further consolidate the obvious error , a male thought he'd swan neck his way in to check the room shortly after. This wasn't the owner but his sidekick who did try to make some sort of apology later. We decided enough was enough and left ASAP. As we checked out we thought 'surely it can't get any worse?'. It did. We suggested that maybe they should knock in future and we're told that it was because check out time was 10am and it was now 10.30 and we were on 'their time' I explained that nobody told us we should check out at 10am and presumed it was 11am like other humanist hotels. The owner then pointed at a chalk board that made my tv look like a cinemaplex and stated that 'check out is written here and you're lucky we haven't charged you another 20 because that's what we do when you leave late normally'. So, no lounge, no wallpaper,no wifi, no shower, no tv, no sleep and no privacy...for 75 ! And you want to charge us more! Please, if you have any dignity, do not book here. It should be closed down. Room Tip: Choose Premier Inn or Travelodge Response by John Humberstone, The Grand Ash manager You've got a very high opinion of yourself which is ill deserved, to be honest I wished you had slept on the beach that way I wouldn't be wasting my time writing in response to this garbage, is the care home you come from manned by frustrated paper book writers or is it the 'Mills & Boon's' retirement home, You made no grave error alright, you took on me and I more than a match for you pal, you were looking for trouble from the moment you arrived with your cocky little comments at reception! You go on (and on) blaming everything and everybody for your total lack of logical reasoning, the music and singing from the hotel next door gets the Simon Cowell treatment from you and even the poor old seagulls get it in the neck for making bird noises, you had no right to go charging into a closed area of the hotel, supposing one of my staff was changing in there, I would have been able to complain how embarrassed they were then, if you had vacated the rooms on time instead of an hour after check out, it wouldn't have happened, the Lady Housekeeper mistakenly thought everyone had gone from that floor and apologised and my colleague didn't enter the room and saw nothing, the fact is you walked around the hotel looking for trouble and ignoring the real information, for instance our check out time, which if you had taken your eyes of me, was starring you in the face every time you walked past reception, the time is not dissimilar from loads of other hotels in Llandudno. Which brings me more or less to the conclusion which is frankly people like you really shouldn't be let out on their own, you've clearly got issues with humanity by the looks of it, you seem to watch far too much TV, that evidently when your not staring at the wallpaper, you've obviously got a lot of time on your hands, you must have to write this nonsense on Tripeadvisor and if we never saw you again it wouldn't be any great loss, I am intrigued however about the wallpaper comment, we've rolls of it in our store do you draw on the reverse side, a sort of therapy, if so we would be happy to donate a few rolls?? You don't seriously think anyone is going to take a recommendation from you seriously you urgently need some sort of help, doesn't the care home you stay at have a duty of care to send some sort of escort or responsible person with you? The no WIFI comment is a bit rich, we've a perfectly good and free infinity wifi, but I wouldn't for one moment think you noticed the information telling you it was confined to public areas, people of your ilk find reading difficult, presumably that is why you've written enough to start a small novel, you don't have to read it! A new and more powerful toy crossbow has emerged in China after a worrying trend saw many young pupils played with mini bows that could shoot out toothpicks. Toy manufacturers have developed a pellet-shooting device based on the same structure of the toothpick crossbow which has been banned by the Chinese government. The latest 'pellet crossbow', equipped with an infra-red aiming light, is so powerful that it could make cracks on a glass bottle. 'Mini panther' became available online after the toothpick crossbow was banned in China A reporter tested the pellet crossbow on few sheets of paper using the infra-red laser aim Test results showed the pellets could shoot through 11 sheets of paper from one metre away According to Legal Evening Post, reporter visited the toy manufacturer on June 23 to look for toothpick crossbow. Due to the recent accidents and concerns from the parents, production of the toy had apparently been banned, the investigation revealed. A man from the toy factory introduced the reporter to a pellet crossbow, called 'mini panther', which is a second generation of the original toothpick crossbow. The new crossbow is equipped with an infra-red aiming light and a pistol-like extension with a trigger. Steel balls are used to replace the toothpick. They could provide stronger firing power and a longer shooting range of up to 30 metres (98 feet). A crack can be seen after the metal ball hit on the glass bottle and bounced off on the table The crack on the glass bottle was measured to have seven centimetres long (2.8 inches) Dangerous! The shooting device can also embed a steel ball into fruits and vegetables The shooting range of a 'mini panther' is up to 30 metres (98 feet), according to a website Footage of the experiment also shows that the crossbow could shoot through 11 sheets of paper, measuring a thickness of 10 millimetres (0.39 inches). The reporter then fired at a tomato and a potato from the distance of one metre. The steel balls can be seen firmly embedded into the vegetables. Lastly, he shot at a glass bottle. Though the metal ball hit the glass and rebounded, it left a seven centimetres (2.8 inches) long crack on the surface. A factory worker, nicknamed Ah Chao, told the reporter that there is a magnet to secure the steel ball before firing it out. He said there were not a lot of customers buying it. Toothpick crossbow was banned after reports of several accidents involving young children A 10-year-old boy had had his cornea damaged as a the toothpick landed in his eye 'A pellet crossbow costs about 40 yuan (4.55). It's much more expensive than a toothpick crossbow which cost only seven yuan (81p),' Ah Chao said. It seems the pellet crossbows are not available on mainstream e-Commerce platform yet, but they could be bought from a Chinese website specialising in crossbow toys at 200 yuan (22.80) The website stated that the pellet crossbow is suitable as a gift for friends and children. Last week, a 10-year-old boy's eye was injured after a toothpick from the toothpick crossbow landed in his eye causing damage to his cornea. Legislation inspired by a woman who was doused with gasoline and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend has been passed by the Ohio Senate the day after she died. The bill, named Judy's Law, would require six additional years in prison for crimes that permanently maim or disfigure victims. The Senate passed the bill Wednesday after holding a moment of silence for 33-year-old Judy Malinowski, who was in hospital for nearly two years after Michael Slager set her on fire in August 2015. Slager was sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of charges including aggravated arson and felonious assault. Prosecutors say they now plan to file murder charges against him following Malinowski's death on Tuesday. Judy Malinowski, the 33-year-old woman who was set on fire by her ex-boyfriend nearly two years ago, has died, her mother confirmed on Tuesday (mother and daughter pictured above) Malinowski's ex Michael Slager (pictured) was sentenced to 11 years in prison in December on charges including felonious assault and aggravated arson 'That child suffered for two years to tell her own story, who has the strength to do it?' her mother Bonnie Bowes said. The mother-of-two suffered fourth- and fifth-degree burns to 80 per cent of her body when her ex-boyfriend, 41-year-old Michael Slager, attacked her at a Gahanna, Ohio gas station after a fight. The bill will now head to Republican Governor John Kasich for his signature. Above, is the Gahanna, Ohio gas station where Slager set Malinowski on fire in August 2015 Malinowski is survived by two daughters, who are now 13 and nine years old Initially, Slager claimed that he didn't mean to set her on fire. He said that he accidentally ignited the fuel when he lit a cigarette. Both of Malinowski's ears and parts of her fingers were melted off in the fire, and she lost the ability to speak above a whisper due to extensive damage to her trachea. She lost the ability to walk and needed a ventilator to help her breathe. She underwent 56 surgeries after the attack, but doctors couldn't fix massive open wounds on her back and buttocks because she was too weak to lay on her stomach during surgery. She remained hospitalized until May, when she was moved to palliative care. The attack left Malinowski with fourth- and fifth-degree burns to 80 per cent of her body. Pictured before (left) and after (right) the attack above Meanwhile, Slager pleaded no contest to charges of felonious assault, aggravated arson and possession of criminal tools and was sentenced to the maximum of 11 years in prison in December. Following Malinowski's death on Tuesday however, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said his office is now pursuing murder charges against him. 'It would be our intention, and it has been all along, that should she pass away it was our intention to pursue a homicide charge,' O'Brien said. 'This day was not unexpected for probably a long time, but it's sad that it finally arrived.' In January, Malinowski recorded a sealed deposition of the attack that can be used as evidence if Slager goes to trial for murder. Ohio lawmakers are currently deciding on a law in Malinowski's honor that would extend the penalties for those who use an accelerant to set people on fire. Malinowski's eldest daughter Kaylyn (pictured) testified before a Senate committee in the state last week Outrage over Slager's meager 11-year sentence has spurned action in Ohio, where lawmakers passes the bill named after Malinowski. Malinowski's eldest daughter Kaylyn, 13, testified last week before an Ohio Senate committee about the bill. 'While he got 11 years, my mom, my sister and I all got a life sentence,' said Kaylyn. 'While we stand here today, my mom lays in a hospital bed where she has been for 689 days.' Malinowski's other daughter is nine years old. Before the attack, Malinowski survived ovarian cancer and successfully quit drugs after an opioid addiction. Her family say they plan to open her funeral to the public, but have not made plans for the event yet. State of Origin star Andrew Fifita has slammed a Queensland pub over what he says is a racist social media post vilifying his family. Kallangur Tavern, north of Brisbane, posted a photo on Facebook showing a patron carrying a black doll her back, suggesting it was Fifita's daughter. 'Our best dressed tonight is this Blues supporter... carrying Andrew Fifita's daughter on her back,' the pub posted, announcing the winner of its dress-up competition. 'This is f***ed. What business presents people awards for being racist and discriminating,' Fifita posted on Instagram on Thursday. Kallangur Tavern, north of Brisbane, posted a photo on Facebook showing a NSW fan carrying a black doll her back, suggesting it was Fifita's daughter 'This is f***ed ... I'm all for shaming me but when you involve my Family it's personal now,' Fifita posted on Instagram 'I'm all for shaming me but when you involve my Family it's personal now. 'This is so wrong on all levels. I will be in Brisbane soon and I will be going past your pub to see you personally.' Fifita was met with a wave of support on social media on Thursday night, while the tavern was widely criticised. 'I'm not your biggest fan, but that is unacceptable from anyone, especially a public establishment,' one commented. 'Sorry mate. You shouldn't have to put up with this,' another wrote, while another said: 'Legend Andrew, stand up for who you are. Amazing person.' It's understood the now-deleted image was uploaded during last Wednesday's Origin clash at ANZ Stadium, and Fifita was furious when shown the post the next day. Fifita is pictured with his two children Lyla Jayde and Latu Jay after a Cronulla Sharks win Fifita was met with a wave of support on social media on Thursday night. Pictured, he scores a try for NSW in State of Origin game one 'I honestly don't care what people say about me - but when it's my family involved, different story,' he told The Daily Telegraph. 'I'm prepared to meet with the (pub) manager when I'm in Brisbane for Origin. I want him to explain how he sees this as acceptable. 'Who rewards people for an act of racism? It's ridiculous.' A statement was released through the pub's Facebook last Thursday, which apologised for the post. 'Kallangur Tavern apologises for any offense (sic) a recent post has caused which was deleted promptly,' it read. 'It was an error in judgement by a staff member, whom is deeply regretful and repentant for the post made. 'I honestly don't care what people say about me - but when it's my family involved, different story,' Fafita said 'I'm prepared to meet with the (pub) manager when I'm in Brisbane for Origin,' Fifita said 'In no way is it the view of the patron portrayed, nor the hotel, its management nor staff.' A Kallangur Tavern staff member was unwilling to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. An operations manager issued an 'unreserved apology' and said they had been in contact with Fifita's management. They said the post was deleted 15 minutes after it was shared online. Fifita, a three-time Indigenous All Stars representative, is set to become a father for a third time next month. A spokesperson for the NRL said it would not be commenting on the matter. Lighting off fireworks may be banned, but the community of Mandan will be ablaze with patriotism this Independence Day weekend. "If you were born and raised in Mandan, this is the time to come home," said Kris Haug, administrative assistant with the Mandan Progress Organization. "People just love the Fourth of July in Mandan. It surpasses Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year." The 2017 PRCA Rodeo is scheduled for Saturday through the Fourth of July at Dacotah Centennial Park, just south of Memorial Highway, with rodeo action beginning at 7:30 all four nights. Sunday is family night at the rodeo. Stick races will be held for the kids, and there will be a free feed for those who purchased tickets. Chuckwagon races will be featured along with the rodeo competition. Fireworks displays are scheduled Monday and Tuesday nights. "We plan to shoot off more than $15,000 worth of fireworks," said Del Wetsch, executive director of the Mandan Progress Organization. "It'll be a beautiful display, choreographed to music." A classic car parade begins Tuesday's parade festivities at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Mandan, followed by the Independence Day Parade at 10:15 a.m. The 2017 parade, themed "Celebration of Service," will feature flags, beauty queens, horses, marching bands, many service organizations and numerous other displays. The theme is centered around this year's grand marshal, Lions International, as the group celebrates its 100th anniversary. "Freight train Todd Haugen will make an appearance again this year," said Kris Haug, administrative assistant with the Mandan Progress Organization. "He's been in the parade more times than anyone in Bismarck-Mandan. Close to 40 years." There are 130 parade entries so far, and that number is expected to grow as last-minute registrations filter in. The Mandan Street Festival is expected to keep parade-goers entertained as they await the floats and goodies. Various groups, including cartoon and movie characters, will march up and down Main Street beginning at 8 a.m. The annual 5k run/walk, with a start time of 8 a.m., and the Diva Dash Stiletto Charity Race, at 9 a.m., will also proceed the parade. This year's Art in the Park will feature more than 135 art and craft vendors selling everything from clothing to jewelry, wine to pottery, fine art to furniture and food. Twenty-four food booths will be set up and ready to serve deep-fried alligator, pork chop on a stick, sausage, Indian tacos, homemade kuchen and many other fair favorites. "You won't go home hungry," said Wetsch. Many entities will be serving meals, as well. Folks may attend a pancake breakfast, old-fashioned picnic, pitchfork fondue or steak fry. Live music will resonate through the parks daily and inflatable jumpers will be set up for the kids. "Come and have some fun," said Wetsch. "There's something for everyone." Security footage shows the moment a Del City, Oklahoma family tackled a 33-year-old man to the ground, after he showed up at their house to have sex with a 15-year-old girl. The teen's father, who asked not to be named, told KOCO that he found out about the inappropriate relationship through the Family Time app, which allows him to monitor his daughter's communications. He immediately reported the sexually explicit texts to the police, but didn't want to wait until the relationship was consummated. Security footage shows the moment that a family caught a man showing up to have sex with a 15-year-old girl The father of the teen posed as his daughter and invited the man, who had been sexting his daughter, over to the house to have sex in a tent. When the man arrived, his nephew (left) tackled him to the ground The father's cousin (left) then came to aid the nephew in keeping the man pinned down The father follows after his two relatives holding zip ties to bind the man's hands and feet The family held the man until police arrived at the scene to make an arrest So he posed as his daughter and invited the man over to the family's home, planning to have sex in a tent in the backyard. On the night of June 22, the father-of-three's wife (the teen's stepmom) sat in the tent and waited for the man to arrive, while other members of the family watched nearby. Security footage shows the moment that the man peaks into the tent, but is quickly tackled to the ground by the dad's nephew who springs out from the sidelines. The dad's cousin follows after to help hold him down. Finally, the dad is seen coming to their aid with zip ties to bind the man's hands and feet until police arrive. The father of three who set up the sting operation is pictured above. He asked not to be named 'He admitted immediately that he was there to have sex with my daughter,' the dad said. When police arrived they arrested the man on charges of unlawful communication by the use of technology, using a phone and social media to communicate with a minor. The man was no injured in the incident. The teen was inside the house and completely unaware of what was going on. Major Jody Suit of the Del City Police Department said she doesn't recommend setting up your own sting operation, but told KSWO, 'As a parent, I don't blame him. I think it's your right to protect your children'. 'So the moment he entered my yard, that point in time, I had to do what was right as a father,' the father said. This is the British woman arrested after allegedly wandering naked through a Gran Canaria resort while her 'crying and hungry' children were left alone. Sophie Shambley, who moved to Gran Canaria from Wigan just weeks ago, has been released by a court after questioning and allowed back home with her son, four, and her daughter who turns two in four months time. Witnesses were said to have been shocked when they saw a woman with no clothes on walking along the street 'in an obvious state of drunkenness'. But this morning, Mrs Shambley's husband Shaun said he was baffled by reports the 30-year-old was seen outside and naked, insisting she had stayed inside their property that night. Pictures have emerged of Sophie Shambley, the British woman arrested after allegedly wandering naked in a Gran Canaria resort while her 'crying and hungry' children were left alone Sophie Shambley, who moved to Gran Canaria from Wigan just weeks ago, has been released by a court after questioning and allowed back home with her son, four, and her daughter who turns two in four months time. She is pictured with husband, Shaun Mrs Shambley, a mother-of-two, moved to Gran Canaria, Spain, from Wigan, with her husband just six weeks ago. She graduated from De Montfort University in Leicester and works in sales. Her husband, who is unemployed and looking for work, told MailOnline today: 'We had been at a wedding that day where I was best man and Sophie was a bridesmaid. 'Everyone was out for a few drinks. Sophie then took the kids home put them to bed and she fell asleep either on the terrace or on the bed. The next minute the police turned up because the kids had woken and were throwing toys over the balcony. 'Our son does it all the time, we keep telling him to stop it. The neighbours phoned the police because it's a quiet neighbourhood.' Mr Shambley added: 'I don't know where the line that she was wandering around naked comes from because she was in the house.' Mystery still surrounds the circumstances surrounding the incident. Civil Guard officers called to her duplex apartment in the resort of Patalavaca near Arguineguin revealed yesterday how they had found her daughter in a soiled nappy in her cot with chaff marks on her legs - and the toddler's brother crying and asking for food. Mrs Shambley (pictured), a mother-of-two, moved to Gran Canaria, Spain, from Wigan, with her husband just six weeks ago The mother-of-two graduated from De Montfort University in Leicester and works in sales Officers were alerted around 10pm on June 23 to reports of a woman walking naked in the street outside while her children threw objects out of the window. They said that when they arrived, they found her inside the property, lying naked on her bed while her children were 'unattended.' Sources close to the case said it was the first time police had been called to the property and there was no known history of child neglect. Social media photos of Mrs Shambley appear to show a loving mother who dotes on her two youngsters. The children's grandfather, who lives on Gran Canaria, took care of her little boy and girl until they could be reunited with their mother. An insider said: 'She was released on bail after questioning by a judge pending an ongoing investigation. 'She was also allowed back with her children because it was a first alleged offence of its kind and the children did not suffer any violence. 'The grandfather had been looking after them while the mum was in custody. 'Police did try to contact the children's father the night they were called but were unable to reach him and subsequently discovered he was on a stag do. 'Everything is pointing towards the mother going out on the street naked while under the influence of alcohol and leaving the children unattended. Officers were alerted around 10pm on June 23 to reports of a woman walking naked in the street outside while her children threw objects out of the window. Mrs Shambley is pictured above Shaun Shambley (right) said he was baffled by reports the 30-year-old was seen outside and naked, insisting she had been inside the house that night 'There's no evidence she had returned home without any clothes on from a bar while the kids were on their own.' Local social services have been informed about the incident as well as youth court prosecutors because there are children involved. Although police said initially the woman at the centre of the shocking incident was a holidaymaker, it has now emerged she is currently living at the address police went to. Mrs Shambley, who is not on the phone, could not be immediately contacted today. The Civil Guard revealed in a press release issued yesterday that a 30-year-old foreigner had been arrested after being spotted strolling 'drunk and naked' along a Gran Canaria street. They said in a statement, in which they identified her only by her initials: ' 'Officers arrested a 30-year-old foreign woman on June 23, who was on holiday in Gran Canaria and was staying at Nayra Street in Arguinegin which belongs to the municipality of Mogan. 'They went to the area in question after receiving several calls about a woman who was apparently inebriated and walking naked along one of the streets of Patalavaca, while her children were throwing objects into the street. 'When officers arrived, locals told them the woman in question had returned to the place where she was staying moments earlier. 'They went to the place in question, discovering the door was open and hearing children crying. The woman was seen stumbling around the resort. File image shows Aquamarina beach, Anfi del Mar resort, Patalavaca, Arguineguin, Gran Canaria 'They entered immediately and found it in a mess with two youngsters, a boy aged four and a girl aged one year and eight months, who looked neglected. 'The little girl was in her crib and her nappy was soiled and she had chaff marks on her legs, a clear sign she had had the same nappy on for several hours. 'The four-year-old was crying and asking for food. Officers offered them food and water which the youngsters gratefully accepted. 'They also saw that the mother - whose initials are S.G.S - was laid on the bed without any clothes on and looked drunk. 'The officers acted immediately to take charge of the youngsters and alert professionals able to offer them immediate medical care. 'Their grandfather, who lives in the area, ended up taking charge of them. 'The mother was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a crime of abandonment and handed over to a local judge for questioning.' It's time for Harry to start rethinking some of the normality that has made him so popular This weekend the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will rededicate their mother's grave in a special service to remember her on her birthday. Little Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be there, imbibing the thoughts and reflections of their parents about a grandma they never knew. It feels like a comforting and kind way to spend what would have been Diana's birthday, in marked contrast to the image we all share of the two boys, William and Harry, walking behind her coffin 20 years ago. Prince Harry has said that was something no child should ever have to go through. Speaking in an interview earlier this month , he said: 'My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television. 'I don't think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don't think it would happen today.' I completely agree. I chatted with my children about whether they would feel alright about going to grandpa's funeral, and talked through what it would be like, all within the privacy of our home, surrounded by the family they know best. We all share this image of Princes William and Harry walking behind Diana's coffin in 1997 When it comes to Diana and that terrible day, I feel as sorry for the boys now as I did then. A shared national fondness for those boys has continued into their manhood. (Prince George and Princess Charlotte are by far the cutest kids any royal has ever produced, and none of us knows how Kate keeps them looking immaculate in dungarees and smocked dresses. Do they never eat? Or spill stuff?) Harry remains one of the most popular of the grown-up gang because he seems the most normal. He is undoubtedly the most exposed in every sense and the most human in his vulnerability. But it's time for him to start rethinking some of that normality that has made him so popular. If he is just like the rest of us and knows he will never really need to take the big job, do we really need him as a royal? If he is just like us, thinks like us, acts like us, can't be a***d like us, and is a great deal less productive than your average scaffolder do we really need to pay for him to live in a palace and for his vacations? Despite my soft spot for the boy, I'm erring on saying 'no' to the man. Last week, in a fit of over-sharing, he casually mentioned that no one in the top team actually wants the top job. In a wide-ranging interview with Newsweek magazine, he said: 'Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I don't think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time.' The Queen must feel like giving the ginger-whinger a jolly good clip around the ear Don't force yourself, son. I mean as long as you carry out your duties at the right time, like some pinched-faced old midwife in Crocs who slops reluctantly towards your hoohah to catch your baby just before it hits the floor, that's alright then? Cheers for the enthusiasm. Thanks for being so excited about paying back the easy privilege in which you live. Reluctant royal? That's being kind. Petulant boy? Quite possibly. I am gobsmacked how a man so in touch with his emotions can sound so cripplingly autistic at the thought of taking over at the helm of an institution that is supposed to be the beating heart of Britain. It's the sort of comment he might make to his brother at home on the sofa. Not to a journalist desperate for a scoop. Does he even consider the ordinary people who sleep on the pavements, line the Mall, and wave their little flags in support of Queen and Country whenever there is a big event? Does he consider their hearts, their emotions, the struggles they face in their daily lives? Does he see what they give up just to be a tiny dot in the crowd working hard, paying taxes to help fund the royals and their palaces, and then paying to rock up and support them just to be part of it all? In those brief moments when the Palace and the Mall are bedecked with the Union Flag and we are allowed to enjoy a sense of patriotism without being heckled as deluded racists, my heart swells with pride. In those brief moments when the Palace and the Mall are bedecked with the Union Flag and we are allowed to enjoy a sense of patriotism without being heckled as deluded racists, my heart swells with pride I wish Harry would at least attempt to respect this patriotic fervour next time he opens his mouth. As opposed to sounding as begrudging as if he might one day have to work at the drive-through window at McDonald's. (A job for which I earned a gold star. I accept your admiration, thank you.) The contrast with the Queen could not be more stark. At the age of 21 she dedicated her life 'whether it be short or long' to the service of her people, and she has never once shirked her task. Meghan Markle: A clothing line, interviews with Glamour magazine, the girl knows what she is doing This Thursday, aged 91, she travelled to the House of Commons in a jaunty hat that poked fun at the prats in Brussels and valiantly ploughed through an excruciating nine minutes of the worst Queen's Speech she has ever had to deliver, scripted by a bunch of idiot politicians who have cocked things up so spectacularly no one is sure of anything anymore. She was, by an epic margin, the most reliable person in the room. While I complained to my long-suffering husband about feeling a bit knackered, the Queen left the cockwombles in the Commons, switched outfits into a canary yellow ensemble even more fabulous than the blue, and travelled to Ascot to carry on walking, working and being the head of this country. All with a smile. I don't know how she does it. But golly me, in these uncertain times, I am glad she does. By comparison, the reluctant younger royals appear disinterested. And, if I am being blunt, pretty darn idle. So far this year Harry has managed to fit in holidays to Norway and Canada. And he'll be back in Africa with Meghan Sparkle-Pants in October, presumably to get engaged. It's not a question of how he should live his life or whether he is entitled to holidays; the chuckle-chubsters Beatrice and Eugenie are on permanent vacation. The real question is whether we need him as a royal, and whether we need to pay for it. Would he be better off applying for a regular job at Mind or some other charitable enterprise? Perhaps Save the Rhino or similar? Whatever his decision, I can tell you people outside the military and mental health are unimpressed. 'If what Prince Harry says is true, we need a national debate about ending the Monarchy,' wrote the online campaign organisation Republic on Twitter. 'We need willing heads of state...' If what Prince Harry says is true, we need a national debate about ending the monarchy. We need willing heads of state, not reluctant royals Republic (@RepublicStaff) June 22, 2017 I imagine the Queen is pretty unimpressed, too. It must be acutely painful to watch your children and grandchildren reject the thing you have dedicated your life to. I have seen the look in the eyes of farmers when their children reject the family business for the frippery of city life; they wonder what was the point of it all. The Queen must feel like giving the ginger-whinger a jolly good clip around the ear. Prince Harry seems to think he is the only one who has had difficult c**p to deal with in his life. As the new biography of Camilla articulates, his parents' disastrous marriage was abundantly clear to the boys. And as parents, our children have every right to blame us if we screw up. The chuckle-chubsters Beatrice and Eugenie are on permanent vacation Others have suffered worse, without the luxury of a guaranteed income or applause simply for turning up and looking hot in uniform. According to some reports, the Queen has asked her grandchildren to stop their 'soul baring' and return to a more traditional role of royal duties and service. And they would be well advised to listen to her. It is worth remembering the Queen has never given a single press interview in her life. Imagine holding your tongue for 91 years! In contrast, Harry is rapidly turning into Kim Kardashian but with a smaller a**e. The inevitable announcement of an engagement to Meghan Sparkle-Pants in Africa in October will consolidate his position on the celebrity circuit and a world in which over-sharing is the currency and the real players spend big. Meghan, meanwhile, is coining it in like a pro. A clothing line, interviews with Glamour magazine, the girl knows what she is doing. And women like me know women like her. And as much as we might hope Harry will find happiness, the young man is a trouble magnet. He said: 'We are involved in modernising the British monarchy ... we want to carry on the positive atmosphere that the Queen has achieved for over 60 years, but we won't be trying to fill her boots.' It's shoes, son. And no, you couldn't, even if you tried. Fill your boots is an army expression which means take as much as you can. Harry is proving to be a master at exactly that. Charlie Gard's bereft parents have blasted his 'heartless' doctors who have refused to let him come home to die, MailOnline can reveal today. Connie Yates and Chris Gard have been told by Great Ormond Street their son's life support will be switched off later today but he cannot leave the ward. The couple's 'final wish' for Charlie has been blocked and his mother Connie said yesterday in a video for MailOnline: 'We promised our little boy every single day that we would take him home'. Mr Gard added: 'We want to give him a bath at home, put him in a cot which he has never slept in but we are now being denied that. We know what day our son is going to die but don't get a say in how that will happen.' They have also released a heartbreaking photograph of them lying with Charlie between them and said they were 'spending our last precious hours with our baby boy'. And they also the so-called 'Charlie's Army' who donated 1.4million for the US treatment being denied to him and told them: 'Charlie will die tomorrow knowing that he was loved by thousands - thank you to everyone for all your support'. Charlie Gard lies between his parents Connie and Chris who have revealed that he will die on Friday but Great Ormond Street have denied their 'final wish' to take him home to pass away The little boy's parents have released a video where they say that doctors are 'rushing' them to let Charlie go before all family and friends can say goodbye The couple have been told by Great Ormond Street their son's life support will be switched off on Friday but he cannot leave the ward An emotional Mr Gard, pictured with his son today, said: 'We know what day our son is going to die but don't get a say in how that will happen' Chris Gard and Connie Yates thanked the thousands of people known as 'Charlie's Army' who donated 1.4million for his treatment and said he will die knowing he was 'loved by thousands' The couple have also accused Great Ormond Street of trying to 'rush' his death despite promises they would have the time they needed to say goodbye to their only son. Connie Yates and Chris Gard had battled to take their son, who has a rare genetic condition, to undergo experimental treatment in the US. But earlier this week they reached the very end of their legal battle after the European Court of Human Rights backed British doctors who said it would be kinder to let the ten month old die. In a heartbreaking video taken in the hospital room where they have lived since their son was admitted to hospital last year, the couple open their hearts speaking for the first time since they were told the European Court verdict. Ms Yates said: 'We've been talking about what palliative care meant. One option was to let Charlie go home to die. We chose to take Charlie home to die. That is our last wish. We promised our little boy every single day that we would take him home.' His father Chris, 32, said: 'Our parental rights have been stripped away. We can't even take our own son home to die. We've been denied that. Our final wish if it all went against us can we take our little boy home to die and we are not allowed. 'They even said no to a hospice.' The couple, who have previously lost battles in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, claim they also asked doctors to allow them a final weekend with Charlie but say this request has been denied. 'We begged them to give us the weekend,' Ms Yates said, 'Friends and family wanted to come and see Charlie for the last time. But now there isn't even time for that. Doctors said they would not rush to turn off his ventilator but we are being rushed. 'Not only are we not allowed to take our son to an expert hospital to save his life, we also can't choose how or when our son dies.' Charlie's parents and their supporters desperately wanted their son (pictured) to undergo treatment in America - now his life will end after the legal battle ended Charlie's parents (pictured together after losing a Supreme Court case) hoped that judges in France would come to their aid and say tomorrow will be the worst day of their lives Outside Great Ormond Street members of 'Charlie's Army' - the group who raised 1.3million for US care denied to him - have tied ribbons and posters to trees The couple say they also offered to pay privately for their son to be transported on a mobile ventilator to their flat in Bedfond, southwest London, in order to spend a few last precious hours with him. Charlie's bereft mother indicated donations will be used to save lives of other children Connie Yates, 31, has indicated that the 1.3m raised for Charlie will be used to save other children and a foundation could be set up in his name. Miss Yates said in April: 'A few people have asked us what we'll do if we don't win the court case. 'We have thought long and hard about it and we would set up a charity for mitochondrial depletion syndromes (there are others that are more common than Charlie's specific gene)', she said in a statement which was posted on the website but has now been taken down. 'We'd like to save other babies and children because these medications have been proven to work and we honestly have so much belief in them. 'If Charlie doesn't get this chance, we will make sure that other innocent babies and children will be saved. 'We would like some of it to go to research at the specific hospital that is willing to treat Charlie, and the rest will be available to help other families to get the medication that their children desperately need. 'We hope that you can all support us in making treatments available so that nobody else ever has to go through what we have.' GoFundMe said officials would also have discussions with Charlie's parents about what would happen to money raised for treatment. Advertisement But Connie said: 'Even though we offered to pay for him to be transported back home, doctors have now told us he must die in hospital. We offered to pay for transport privately but that's not an option.' A spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital said: 'As with all of our patients, we are not able to and nor will we discuss these specific details of care. This is a very distressing situation for Charlie's parents and all the staff involved and our focus remains with them.' Charlie, who was born on August 4 last year - described by his parents as the 'best day of their lives'- is one of only 16 cases known to have a type of mitochondrial depletion condition. The condition saps energy from the organs and muscles leaving his lungs so weak he can only breath with a ventilator. While he was born healthy, at eight weeks his mother noticed he was floppier than friend's babies. After taking him to hospital, Charlie's condition quickly deteriorated and he has been on a ventilator at Great Ormond St Hospital ever since. Doctors told the couple there was nothing more they could do for Charlie, who they said had irreversible brain damage and could not see, hear or move. But his parents said they did not believe Charlie had the extensive brain damage doctors said as he could open his eyes and he knew is parents were there. They found an eminent doctor in the US willing to try nucleoside therapy raising 1.3million to pay for it. Outside Great Ormond Street members of 'Charlie's Army' - the group who raised 1.3million for US care denied to him - have tied messages of hope, ribbons and posters to trees. A hospital spokesman said this week the European Court decision marked 'the end' of a 'difficult process'. But she said there would be 'no rush' to change Charlie's care. She said there would be 'careful planning and discussion'. 'Our thoughts are with Charlie's parents,' she added. '(The) decision by the European Court of Human Rights marks the end of what has been a very difficult process and our priority is to provide every possible support to Charlie's parents as we prepare for the next steps. 'There will be no rush by Great Ormond Street Hospital to change Charlie's care and any future treatment plans will involve careful planning and discussion.' 10-month-old Charlie Gard (pictured) suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage His 'heartbroken' parents have reached 'the very end of their journey' in their legal fight, a friend said. His parents had battled to be allowed to take him to America to undergo experimental therapy, but successive courts ruled in favour of Charlie's British doctors. The European Court of Human Rights dashed their final hope, and a friend of the family told the Mail: 'Connie and Chris are absolutely distraught, utterly heartbroken. It has ripped their world apart. The agony they have gone through is unimaginable. 'Fortunately they have huge support from a very loving and close family but losing a child is every parent's nightmare. And for them the agony is more unbearable as they have fought so very hard for treatment they firmly believed would save Charlie's life.' Miss Yates, 31, and Mr Gard, 32, of Bedfont, South West London, have previously lost battles in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The condition saps energy from organs and muscles, and his lungs are too weak to function without the ventilator. He is in intensive care at Great Ormond Street where doctors believe nothing can save him, despite his parents finding a US specialist willing to try an experimental drug treatment. The Supreme Court backed the High Court and Court of Appeal which had both accepted evidence that it would be 'futile' for Charlie to have further treatment because he has irreversible brain damage and cannot see, hear or move. His parents are adamant he is growing stronger and showing signs of improvement. They have raised 1.3 million from well-wishers who donated via an online fundraising page to fund the US treatment. It is unclear what will happen to the money. Well-wishers are continuing to donate to a fund set up by a couple who want to take their terminally ill baby son to the United States for treatment even though hopes have been dashed. The couple have raised nearly 1.4 million, after launching an appeal to pay for treatment in American on a GoFundMe website four months ago, and more than 300 has been donated since Strasbourg judges announced their decision. Advertisement Fishermen and golf players are refusing to be put off by a crumbling Jurassic Coastline, as they continue to tee off just inches from the site of a 2,000 tonne landslide. The Jurassic Coast was struck by a second cliff fall in just one week after some 2,000 tonnes of rock gave away and fell onto the beach below, but warnings to stay away haven't stopped some keen golfers from their game. The sweeping Dorset scenery provided the backdrop for the hit ITV series Broadchurch but the beach where parts of the show was filmed was this morning blocked off after thousands of tonnes of rock gave way following heavy rain. A rescue operation was launched on Monday after a similar cliff fall scattered debris at the beauty spot in West Bay. Members of the public have been urged to stay away from both the cliff and the beach amid warnings another similar fall could take place, but one fisherman decided to pitch up for the day near to the blue police tape. One golf player was standing close to the edge of the cliff, where the rock fall happened, perhaps looking after a lost ball The Coastguard said: 'It's impossible to predict when the next piece might fall or how big it will be' The sweeping Dorset scenery provided the backdrop for the hit ITV series Broadchurch but the beach where parts of the show was filmed was this morning blocked off after thousands of tonnes of rock gave way following heavy rain Dog walkers have been seen perilously close to the foot of the cliff fall, despite warnings another could happen at any time Part of the stunning coastline has now been closed off after tonnes of rock gave way following heavy rain fall Despite the imminent danger, members of the public have been seen at the base of the cliff - but are being urged to stay away amid warnings another similar fall could take place Heavy rain over night triggered the cliff fall which is reported to be around 1500 to 2000 tons. The cliff fall also severed the coastal path Police have closed East Beach and the cliff path after a massive cliff fall at West Bay in Dorset This comes after the cliffs at Seaford Head in East Sussex were hit by three dangerous collapses in just two days last week. Fossil hunters, who were only allowed to dig for ancient bones in rock falls, were also told to stay away. Stunning aerial pictures captured by local photographer James Loveridge show a group of golfers teetering precariously close to the edge as they enjoy a round. James, 26, who used a drone to get the stunning shots, said: 'We have had a large amount of rainfall constantly for the last couple of days and from what I have read the cliff fell over night. 'It is the biggest fall I can remember and has completely cut off both the beach and the South West Coast Path, eating slightly into Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club. 'I was at the other end of the beach by the piers and I could see the rockfall from where I was. These events are quite sporadic and this one happened to be just after heavy rain but they can happen at any time, day or night, summer or winter. 'Luckily it happened during the night when no-one was on the beach as people have been sat there and walking along the beach every day. I believe the coast path will be worked out with landowners as to where it can be diverted to.' Dorset County Council confirmed the path had been closed between West Bay and Freshwater after what it described as a 'major cliff fall'. Phil Sterling, Dorset County Council coast and countryside manager, said: 'We believe this to be a significant cliff fall of around 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes of rock. 'Our countryside team is working closely with the police, coastguard and other partners to respond. Following police advice, we have closed the coast path between West Bay and Freshwater. 'The path link has been severed and we will negotiate with the landowner and others to agree a diversion as soon as we are able to.' The Coastguard was informed about the cliff fall at 8.20am today and both the cliff path and the beach were covered in debris. UK Coastguard is advising members of the public to stay away from the area until further notice after a number of cliff collapses in recent weeks The Coastguard was informed about the cliff fall at 8.20am today and both the cliff path and the beach were covered in debris The Jurassic Coast has been hit by a second cliff fall in one week after 2,000 tonnes of rock gave away and fell onto the beach Members of the public have been urged to stay away from both the cliff and the beach amid warnings another similar fall could take place Thousands of tonnes of rock were sent cascading from the 'Broadchurch' cliffs this morning in an enormous cliff fall The area is reported to be unsafe and the beach from West Bay to Freshwater has been closed until the area can be made safe Why do cliffs collapse? Cliffs collapse for a range of reasons. While the most common reason is weathering, there are other factors to consider, such as water crashing against the cliff face, what the cliff is made of, and the climate of the area. For example, softer materials, such as clay are more likely to collapse than harder materials like granite. Bad weather naturally erodes the foundations of a cliff, and can cause it to collapse. One of the most common examples of weathering is when rain fall affects the composition of the cliff. As rain falls, it seeps into the permeable gravel and soil at the top of the cliff, adding weight to it. At the same time, colder winter temperatures can cause the face of this cliff to freeze, as frozen areas weaken as they thaw. If a cliff is against a body of water, such as a sea or ocean, waves crashing on the cliff can also weaken it over time. Cliffs can also collapse as the result of rock slides, when whole slabs of rock detach from an inclined face and collapse, or as a result of mud slides, when wet soil and weak rocks fall. Advertisement The cliffs at Seaford Head in East Sussex were hit by three unexpected collapses in two days last week. The first happened on Wednesday afternoon, taking a huge section of the coastline with it. The next day there was another collapse, before a giant crack tore into an 80ft chalk-face leading to the third cliff fall. Rescuers found the body of a woman in her 20s who is believed to have fallen from a clifftop around the time of the dramatic rockfall. A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard agency said: 'At around 8.20am Dorset Police informed UK Coastguard of a large cliff face fall at West Bay East Beach, which has covered the beach and taken away a section of the cliff path. 'West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team are currently on scene, with Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and the Dorset Local Council. 'The area is reported to be very unsafe and action is being taken to erect signage warning members of the public to stay away from the area. 'The beach from West Bay to Freshwater has been closed until the area can be made safe. 'UK Coastguard is advising members of the public to stay away from the area until further notice. 'The cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding and we've seen a number of cliff collapses in recent weeks. It's impossible to predict when the next piece might fall or how big it will be. 'It's very clear that cliffs are very unstable in places and we really can't stress enough how important it is to keep back from the edge. There is no safe place to be. 'When standing at the bottom of a cliff, we would always advise people that they shouldn't stand less than the height of the cliff away.' The cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding and this follows a number of cliff collapses in recent weeks The Coastguard added: 'When standing at the bottom of a cliff, we would always advise people that they shouldn't stand less than the height of the cliff away. That means that if the cliff is 25 metres high, don't go closer than 25 metres towards it' The picturesque spot is often used as the backdrop for selfies with tourists seen getting as close to the edge of the cliff as possible The cliffs at Seaford Head in East Sussex were hit by three unexpected collapses in two days last week 'That means that if the cliff is 25 metres high, don't go closer than 25 metres towards it. 'Don't be tempted to go and investigate and don't risk going to the edge to get a dramatic picture. 'One of our biggest problems is tackling the selfie culture where people take risks to get a dramatic photograph of themselves on a dangerous cliff edge - no selfie or photograph is worth risking your life for.' The picturesque spot is often used as the backdrop for selfies with tourists seen getting as close to the edge of the cliff as possible. Bridport Harbour West Bay said on Facebook: 'Heavy rain over night has triggered yet another cliff fall. Be careful and keep away from the bottom of the cliffs. The beach and coastal path are currently blocked.' In 2012, tourist Charlotte Blackman was killed when she was crushed by a cliff fall at nearby Hive Beach. The seaside destination was the main filming location for all three series of the popular ITV drama Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman. Reclusive Ruth Madoff has been spotted shopping the day after the government recovered $23million from her late sons' estates over the largest Ponzi scheme in history. She returned to the CVS drug store where she was last pictured in public a month ago when she bought a $20 pair of glasses to celebrate turning 76. The man behind the scam, Bernard Madoff is in prison, but wife Ruth was allowed to keep $2.5million of her assets and disappeared amid the fallout. Having settled as a resident of Old Greenwich in Connecticut, she has resurfaced and was spotted buying groceries and supplies in the budget drug store as well as grabbing some breakfast at a bakery. Yesterday, the estates of Bernard Madoff's late sons reached an agreement to pay out millions in settlements to victims of the infamous swindler, ending more than eight years of litigation. The settlement will strip the estates of the late Mark and Andrew Madoff of 'all assets, cash, and other proceeds' of their father's fraud, leaving them with a respective $1.75million and $2million, a Monday court filing revealed. Ruth Madoff is photographed this morning doing some shopping and buying some supplies at the local pharmacy and also getting her breakfast at Crust Bakery company in Old Greenwich Connecticut Ruth Madoff is photographed this morning doing some shopping and buying some supplies at the local drug store Ruth Madof, pictured, spent years in relative recluse in the aftermath of her husband's trials Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff (right) is seen with his sons Mark Madoff (left) and Andrew Madoff (center) in July, 2001 in Montauk, New York. The estates of Mark and Andrew, both now deceased, have agreed to pay out $23million to the victims of their father's fraud Last month, she also visited CVS and drove her silver Toyota Prius to Fairway Market - a chain that prides itself on its 'big sales' and 'big deals'. Bernie Madoff and his wife were once regulars at Manhattan's Lure Fishbar in Soho where an order of Spicy Tuna Rolls costs $55. May's 'Big Sale' specials priced Fairmarket's version at $5.99. After stocking up in the grocery aisles Madoff popped into the Wines and Spirits store next door where prices range from $9.99 for a bottle of Chianti to $59.99 for a bottle of 2013 Chateaueuf du Pape. They were offering 10% off all wines by the case. When Madoff's wine collection was auctioned off in May 2011 in a bid to try to recoup some of the money he had stolen from his investors, it fetched $41, 530. The most expensive of the 59 lots was a case of '96 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild that sold for $6,800 - well above the pre sale estimate of $3,200 to $3,800. Dressed in Under Armour sneakers, black cropped leggings and a denim shirt worn loose over a white tank top, Madoff unloaded half a dozen or so grocery bags from her cart before returning home to drop off her groceries. In 2010, less than a year after Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison for fraud, his eldest son Mark Madoff committed suicide. Younger brother Andrew died of cancer in 2014. Mark Madoff left behind a widow, Stephanie Mack, and their three children. He also had one other child with his ex-wife Susan Elkin. Andrew Madoff had two children with his ex-wife Deborah West, and had left part of his estate to a woman he described as his fiancee, Catherine Hooper. The brothers were accused of profiting from their father's scams and squandering $150million in his clients' investments on lavish lifestyles, though neither was ever charged with a crime. Andrew Madoff (pictured) died of cancer in 2014. The settlement with his father's victims leaves his family with $2million remaining in his estate Andrew Madoff's estranged wife Deborah West (right) was originally left a one-third piece of the millionaire financier's estate. Their two children, including daughter Emily Madoff (left) were set to receive trusts and all of his personal property Mark Madoff's body is removed after he hanged himself in his New York apartment on December 11, 2010, the second anniversary of his father's arrest. His family will be left with $1.75million after the settlement is approved Monday's settlement resolves some the highest-profile cases remaining in trustee Irving Picard's efforts to compensate former Madoff customers, whom he estimates lost $17.5billion. Picard has recovered $11.6billion, or about two-thirds of that sum. As part of the deal, the sons' estates also agreed to withdraw roughly $99.5million of claims against the bankruptcy estate of the former Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, the filing shows. The settlement also resolves claims against Mark Madoff's widow, Stephanie Mack, and some entities affiliated with the Madoff family. It also ends an investigation by the US attorney's office in Manhattan, whose criminal probe resulted in a 150-year prison term for Bernard Madoff, a 10-year term for his brother Peter, and 13 other convictions and guilty pleas. Madoff's sons were never criminally charged and had maintained they knew nothing about their father's fraud until he confessed to them shortly before his December 11, 2008, arrest. But in a civil lawsuit, Picard said Madoff's firm operated as a family piggy bank, and he sought to recoup $153.3million from the sons' estates alone. The settlement also resolves claims against Mark Madoff's widow, Stephanie Mack (pictured), and some entities affiliated with the Madoff family Happier times: (left to right) Bernard Madoff with his brother Peter Madoff and sons Andrew Madoff and Mark Madoff during July 1995 Bernard Madoff is seen leaving US District Court in Manhattan in this file photo. Madoff is currently serving 150 years in prison for his massive Ponzi scheme Settlement talks began in 2015, and the accord is a 'global and complete resolution of all claims' against the estates, lawyers for Picard said in Monday's filing. Mark Madoff committed suicide in December 2010 at age 46. Andrew Madoff died of cancer in September 2014 at age 48. Their father is 79 and incarcerated in a federal medium-security prison in Butner, North Carolina. A spokeswoman for acting US Attorney Joon Kim in Manhattan said Kim's office would have no comment until the settlement wins court approval. A hearing is scheduled for July 26. Richard Breeden, a former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, oversees a separate $4 billion fund to compensate Madoff victims, including third parties. Payouts could begin as soon as October. Lawyers for Picard could not immediately be reached for comment. Martin Flumenbaum, a lawyer for the Madoff sons' estates, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Alan Levine, a lawyer for Mack, declined to comment. A brother and sister have finally been reunited following 54 years apart - after an old photograph was posted on Facebook. And stunned Dennis Whiting, 81, and younger sister Betty Glenville, 79, discovered they had been living just ten miles away from each other for the last 22 years. Dennis and Betty Glenville, 79, last saw each other in 1963 - the same year as The Great Train Robbery and assassination of John F. Kennedy. Dennis Whiting and his sister Betty Glenville were reunited after more than 54 years when their children were able to track each other down after one posted a message on a Facebook page Mr Whiting's daughter Janet Thompson took a photograph of her father standing beside a Hull fishing memorial - where he had earlier posed for a photograph aged 24 - and merged the two images and posted them on a Facebook history page where it was spotted by Betty's family The siblings first lost touch after their mother died 54 years ago when Dennis was working as a trawler skipper on a fishing boat, where he would spend weeks at sea. The pair eventually lost contact altogether when Betty, from Hull, East Yorkshire married a soldier and moved to Ireland, Africa and then Germany. Both assumed the other had died. For the past 22 years, Betty has lived in Hedon and Dennis has lived in west Hull - just 10 miles apart. They were reunited when Dennis's daughter Janet Thompson snapped a photo of her dad proudly posing alongside a Hull fishing memorial. She merged the photo with one of him stood next to the same memorial taken when he was 24-years-old and uploaded it to a local history page on Facebook. The Mother-of-three Janet, from Hessle, East Yorkshire said she was shocked to receive a message from Betty's niece Elaine, who had stumbled across the photo, telling her they were cousins. For more than 50 years both Dennis and Betty wondered what had happened to the other one The cousins arranged for their parents, Dennis and Betty, to be reunited for the first time since 1963 - when Dennis was 27 and Betty, 25. Janet said: 'My Dad was one of four siblings, a brother and two sisters. They lost contact after their mum died 54 years ago. 'My Dad assumed all of his siblings were dead. He and his youngest sister Betty were the closest growing up, with only two years between them. 'She lived in Kenya when their mum died and by the time she came home my dad had moved house and his telephone was always ex-directory. 'When Betty was shown the photograph of her 81-year-old brother she said it wasn't him, but shown the photograph of him aged 24, she knew it was. 'She used to knit all of his jumpers for sea.' Dennis, front left, and Betty, centre, were the youngest of their siblings, pictured Dennis' daughter, two granddaughters and Betty's daughter and niece met up at the Village Hotel in west Hull. They have since met again for lunch with more family members and spent hours talking to each other on the phone. Dennis said: 'I am amazed how this has happened. I thought she was dead and she thought I was dead. 'I couldn't believe how much she was like our mother. She's a lot fitter than I am and could remember a lot from when we were younger. 'I was just so surprised, it's unbelievable. I'm so pleased. 'When I went to pick her up I put her address in my sat nav and it's exactly 10 miles between us and we never knew.' Life back in 1963 Harold Macmillan was replaced by Sir Alec Douglas-Home as Conservative prime minister. On television, viewers witnessed Doctor Who for the first time. A new band called The Beatles have their first Number 1 single Please Please Me In the cinema, moviegoers watched David Lean's Oscar-winning epic Lawrence of Arabia Everton won the league and Manchester United added an FA Cup to their trophy cabinet Men working full time earned 16 a week while women averaged just 9. Advertisement He added: 'After my mother died I had a bit of an argument with my eldest sister and we fell out. 'When Betty was about 19 years ago she went to live with her and moved to London so we didn't talk as much. We just then lost touch when she married and moved aboard. 'I do feel sad for all those missed years, but I don't suspect we would have seen each other that much because she moved about all over the world because her husband is in the army and I was at sea from the age of 16 until I retired at 66. 'When her husband died she tried to contact me but I'm ex-directory.' Betty married a serviceman and moved to Ireland, Kenya and Germany but when her husband retired from the army the pair moved to Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The pensioner then moved to Hedon in west Hull 22 years ago when her husband died - just 10 miles away from Dennis who lived in Anlaby Park Road South. It's not just Dennis and Betty who have found each other, but also the extended family who had never met, says Janet. 'Growing up all I ever wanted was a cousin, I didn't have any on my Mum's side as she was an only one. Turns out I have 10, but one has sadly died,' she added. 'In this day and age when all you read about is doom and gloom it's nice to share a happy story.' A new survey may further stall Republican senators from jumping on board the Senate health care bill, as just 12 percent of Americans support the plan. A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll, taken Saturday through Tuesday, found 53 percent, a majority, believe Congress should either leave Obamacare in place or work to fix it, leaving the Affordable Care Act's general framework intact. However, the GOP's base still wholeheartedly supports repeal with eight in 10 Republicans wanting to see Obamacare go, pollsters found. Scroll down for video President Donald Trump (center) courted GOP senators from the White House Tuesday including Sens. Susan Collins (left) and Lisa Murkowski (right) A new survey from Suffolk University and USA Today shows very little support for the Senate GOP's health care bill, which would repeal and replace Obamacare Meanwhile just 11 percent of independents and 2 percent of Democrats feel that way. Sen. Rand Paul. R-Ky., one of the chamber's most vocal no votes talked about the bill's unpopularity among lawmakers Thursday morning on Morning Joe. Host Mika Brzezinski asked the free market-championing senator if the current bill was 'fixable?' 'Well, let's see, hmm, all the Democrats hate it and half the Republicans hate it so that means 20, 25 percent of the people like it,' he said, tallying up his fellow senators. 'No, it's got to get better,' he said. Beyond the 11 GOP senators and the entire Democratic caucus who are skeptical of the bill, 45 percent of Americans surveyed said they don't support it. Nearly as many, 40 percent, said they don't know enough about it to have formed an opinion. After the House passed a health care bill in early May, Republicans went to work drafting their own version behind closed doors. Finally unveiling the legislation last Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., hoped to get something passed before the Fourth of July recess. But on Tuesday, when at least five GOP senators remained no votes, McConnell announced he would delay the vote until it looked more likely something could get passed. President Trump then hosted Republican senators at the White House to see where things stood. And while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats wanted a seat at the table, both McConnell and Trump dismissed those pleas as disingenuous. However, Republican leadership may want to pay attention to the Suffolk University/USA Today numbers that found Americans trust Democrats over Republicans 4 to 1 on the issue. Forty-three percent of respondents said they trusted congressional Democrats on health care, while just 10 percent said the same thing of the GOP. Another 19 percent said they trusted President Trump the most on the issue, which lags behind his handling on other topics such as the economy and national security. Additionally, 27 percent approve of the job he's done on health care. Sixty-one percent disapprove. Republicans and Democrats alike should take note that Americans, in many way, are on the same page on what should be in a health car bill. Seventy-seven percent, for instance, say it's 'very important' for insurers to accept people with pre-existing medical conditions, something that was put in place under the Obamacare law. Another 63 percent said it was 'very important' that low-income Americans have access to health care through Medicaid. And finally, 57 percent told pollsters that it was 'very important' that insurance premiums go down. The Senate health care bill would eventually see premiums go down 30 and then 20 percent, with the caveat that benefits might not be as great. A mother and her male friend are under investigation after the woman's young daughter was found dead inside an SUV parked on the side of an isolated road. The toddler, whose age has not been released by police, was found under a stack of blankets in a white SUV in Rancho Cordova - about 15 miles east of Sacramento - on Wednesday afternoon. Police announced Thursday afternoon Angela Phakhin, 27, and Untwan Smith - the mother's 46-year-old boyfriend - are facing child endangerment charges. Rancho Cordova police released a statement about the incident, explaining an officer went over to investigate the car after noticing it was parked on the wrong side of the road. 'The motor officer noticed two subjects around the car,' the statement read. A mother and her male friend are under investigation after the woman's young daughter was found dead inside a white SUV (pictured, in the distance) parked on the side of an isolated road 'The officer contacted a male and female adult around the vehicle, and after further investigation determined they were the owners of the car. A records check revealed the male subject had an outstanding warrant out of the state of Arkansas. 'Officers began searching the car, and located a child of toddler age underneath some blankets in the back seat. 'The child was unresponsive and declared deceased at the scene. There were no obvious signs of trauma.' A photograph from police showed the white SUV being towed away after officers arrived on the scene The toddler, whose age has not been released by police, was found under a stack of blankets in a white SUV in Rancho Cordova on Wednesday afternoon Police announced Thursday afternoon Angela Phakhin (left), 27, and Untwan Smith (right) - the mother's 46-year-old boyfriend - are facing child endangerment charges It continued: 'Officers secured the scene and called detectives of the Sheriffs Child Abuse Bureau and the Sacramento County Coroner to begin their investigation. 'The exact age and cause of death of the child is unknown at this time.' Investigators are questioning the two adults. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exploded on a White House staffer responsible for vetting the administration's nominees out of 'frustration' with the Trump aide who has repeatedly blocked his appointments. Tillerson shouted at Johnny DeStefano, head of the presidential personnel office, Politico reports, in a meeting with senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and Margaret Peterlin, chief of staff to the secretary of state. He accused DeStefano of undermining his judgement in the exchange that the State Department all but admitted took place. The report led Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough to reveal that he'd been told by Trump insiders that Kushner is the the 'de facto secretary of state.' Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exploded on a White House staffer responsible for vetting the administration's nominees out of 'frustration' with the Trump aide who has repeatedly blocked his appointments Kushner, a senior aide to the president, as well as his son-in-law, has been making trips to the Middle East on the White House's behalf. Tillerson shouted at Johnny DeStefano, head of the presidential personnel office First, he went to Iraq, where the US and its allies have been fighting ISIS for nearly three years. Then, he went to Israel to set the stage for talks with Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Kushner was also on the president's trip to the region late last month. Scarborough said Thursday that he was willing to testify that he'd been told that Kushner would be the 'de facto secretary of state.' 'Theyre thinking "we dont really need a Secretary of State, Jareds going to be running everything himself," Scarborough said on Morning Joe, generically referring to his sources as 'they' without saying who 'they' are. 'Theyve now gotten into a situation, they said it, Ill testify under oath they said it repeatedly, Jareds going to be the de facto secretary of state.' President Donald Trump later attacked the MSNBC host and his fiancee, co-host Mika Brzezinski, in a set of tweets that that assaulted them personally and trashed their show. The report led Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough to reveal that he'd been told by Trump insiders that Kushner is the the 'de facto secretary of state' According to Politico, Kushner told Tillerson's chief of staff, Peterlin, after the White House meeting where the secretary of state lost his cool that the former Exxon CEO had acted unprofessionally. 'Colleagues are capable of frank exchanges,' R.C. Hammond, a State Department spokesman, told Politico when asked about it. 'Evaluating nominees did get off to a slow start, but it is now moving along at a pretty good clip.' Scarborough then backed Tillerson up on his program. 'What Rex Tillerson did was not unprofessional. What Rex Tillerosn did was patriotic, and way overdue,' he said. 'They have cut Rex Tillerson off at the knees.' Tillerson is said to be angry with DeStafano for keeping his nominees out of State Department positions. The 65-year-old is miffed that he has to take orders from much younger political aides, as well, after being told he'd have autonomy when he took the job. Politico said that one potential nominee, Susan Thornton, a career foreign service officer Tillerson wants to promote from acting assistant secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs to assistant secretary, has received pushback from the White House because she's not political enough. 'If the secretary is putting forward a nominee such as Susan, he is doing it because he believes she's the most qualified and best fit for the position,' Hammond, the State Department spokesman said, defending his boss. 'n this particular case, he has the experience of working with her, since she has been on the job since February. That includes a trip to Beijing, a visit from the Chinese president to Mar-a-Lago, and the first of a series of four dialogues.' White House spokesman Michael Short said that positions remained vacant because of 'obstruction' from Democrats. 'The meeting was productive and there was consensus on the topic of staffing, which is moving forward more quickly,' he told Politico. The news publication said that other Tillerson appointments were hitting roadblocks because they are either Democrats or Republicans who were critical of Trump in the campaign. A former, senior State Department official said Tillerson had brought some of it on himself, however. The source told Politico that secretary of state had opposed a nominee in the transition simply because it was someone Trump's people wanted. 'He went into this with a very negative attitude towards the White House,' the source said. An arrested imam said to have radicalised one of the Paris terror attackers earned thousands of pounds from films of himself airing his views in a children's playground and splashing about in a swimming pool. Tarik Chadlioui, 43, is currently facing extradition to Spain on terror charges after he was detained by anti-terror police at his home in Birmingham. He is accused of being the spiritual leader of a jihadist network, who allegedly inspired Omar Mostefai, a terrorist who blew himself up during the Bataclan theatre siege that claimed 89 lives in Paris in 2015. It emerged today that the scores of videos of Chadlioui put online include one of him expounding his views in a children's playpark not far from his home in Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Tarik Chadlioui - accused of being part of a jihadist network - appears on his Facebook page lounging in a swimming with children believed to be his sons The alleged hate preache alsor posted photos online of himself during a barbecue Other photos and videos he posted online show him lounging in a rubber ring in a swimming pool and cooking kebabs at a barbecue. The video in the park is understood to show Chadlioui discussing the correct way to pray, but he adds: 'Pray for your brothers in jails or in custody so that they will be released.' He also says: 'Do not forget to pay for your subscription for lessons and religious speeches.' Chadlioui has around 16,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel and is thought to have made thousands of pounds from views. Other videos appear to have been filmed during Chadlioui's trips abroad and inside his home. The Moroccan father-of-eight came to Britain around the time of the Paris attacks, using his Belgian passport to enter the UK. He is now fighting extradition claiming he has a right to a family life in Britain. Chadlioui - who is said to have previously urged his followers to wage holy war against 'infidels' - posted one video online as recently as last week. Chadlioui was arrested at his 800-a-month rented home in Birmingham he shares with his wife, who recently gave birth to their eighth child. A video posted online just last week shows him giving his views from a Birmingham children's play park not far from where he set up home after moving to Britain from Belgium A prosecutor told a court yesterday he is a member of 'a terrorist organisation' that supported ISIS and spread propaganda online. 'He produced audio-visual material in the indoctrination, radicalisation of member and in the recruitment of new members,' a lawyer for Spanish authorities said. Chadlioui claims he has been making a living selling perfume to mosques and market stalls. But Spanish investigators believe he has been flying in and out of Britain for clandestine meetings with jihadis recruited through the hateful sermons he has posted on YouTube and other social media. Yesterday, Chadlioui appeared before Westminster magistrates to face extradition proceedings. Other photos posted online show him giving a 'one-finger' salute and with taking his children on a horse ride during his travels The alleged hate preacher appears happy to post photos of his home life on Facebook Chadlioui, who is not thought to speak English, sat with his arms folded, listening through an Arabic interpreter. Chadlioui produced his Belgian passport as an identity document before moving into his five-bedroom terraced house in Sparkbrook. His landlord, who asked not to be named, said the terror suspect told him he ran shops in Belgium. The landlord added: 'He told me he travelled to Belgium a lot because of his businesses, and sometimes imported goods from Egypt. But they would never let me in the house.' A neighbour said Chadlioui was led out of the house handcuffed and wearing his pyjamas during yesterday's early-morning raid, adding: 'The children were very pleasant. I don't think they went to school too often at one point people from the school came around knocking to find out why they hadn't been attending.' Chadlioui was arrested at his home in Birmingham yesterday as part of arrests around Europe A California woman was cited by authorities for breeding at least 500 exotic birds in her backyard. Bianca Pham's home in Castro Valley was searched by animal control officers and code enforcement officials on Tuesday. They found Pham's flock of parrots, macaws and other exotic birds on the property, which neighbors have complained about in recent weeks, according to CBS San Francisco. Bianca Pham (pictured) was cited by Northern California animal control officers after they searched her exotic bird farm and found at least 500 parrots, macaws, and other birds on the property Pham's home in Castro Valley was searched by animal control officers and code enforcement officials (pictured) on Tuesday. They found Pham's flock of parrots, macaws and other exotic birds on the property in the backyard Neighbors said they are upset about the sounds, smells and flies permeating from Pham's home. But authorities said Pham has been cooperating and has now reduced her flock of birds to 250. Pictured are the cages in which the birds have been kept in Neighbors said they are upset about the sounds, smells and flies permeating from Pham's home. But authorities said Pham has been cooperating and has now reduced her flock of birds to 250. However, officials are only giving her one month to bring that number down to 50. Only 50 birds maximum are allowed in the rural area. 'Hopefully, as we go forward in the next 30 days, that will be down to 50,' Alameda County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt Ray Kelly told the station. 'I think for the neighbors, where the quality of life issues are important here, that should reduce the flies, some of the smells and the excessive noise.' However, officials are only giving her one month to bring that number down to 50. Only 50 birds maximum are allowed in the rural area Pham has two options in getting rid of the birds (pictured). She can either sell them or hand them over to a rescue organization. The woman had been selling them online prior to the search Animal control officers said the birds have been properly fed and cared for. Authorities considered confiscating the birds, but have neither the experience nor space to store them Pham has two options in getting rid of the birds. She can either sell them or hand them over to a rescue organization. The woman had been selling them online prior to the search. Animal control officers said the birds have been properly fed and cared for. Authorities considered confiscating the birds, but have neither the experience nor space to store them. It's unclear if Pham will bring the number of feathered creatures down to 50 by the 30-day deadline. A stalker who used a 'cougar' dating site to have affairs with five married men while she was 'on a break' from her husband was spared jail because she just 'wanted to be loved'. Sarah Lewis, 49, 'preyed' on men using an Ashley Madison-style adultery website before meeting them in hotel rooms for sex. On one occasion she cried rape and on another she pretended she had become pregnant while also claiming to have caught an STI. Another victim was so distressed he was close to suicide after Lewis threatened to show his wife a naked picture of him. Pictured above: Stalker mother Sarah Lewis and husband Andrew relaxing in a Jacuzzi Sarah Lewis, 49, 'preyed' on men using an Ashley Madison-style adultery website before meeting them in hotel rooms for sex She also told one man's 12-year-old daughter her father was a 'sex pest.' One firefighter she had sex with was forced to leave his dream job after she threatened to sent intimate photos of him in his uniform to his boss. Lewis, of Worcester, admitted five counts of harassment by stalking and one count of disclosing private sexual photographs or 'revenge porn'. But a judge refused to jail her after hearing Lewis targeted the men because she 'wanted to be loved' and had 'low self-esteem.' Instead, she was sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 15 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. Lewis - who was 'on a break' from her husband at the time - was also given a two-year mental health treatment order. At her sentencing hearing, Judge Nicholas Cartwright told her: 'Your behaviour could be described as unpleasant, predatory and threatening. 'You used a man's 12-year-old daughter as a pawn in this process, telling her that her dad was a sex pest. 'You did that in order to get at him. 'In relation to the impact on the victims it was profound in each case. 'One man became depressed and suicidal. His family has been broken up.' Lewis admitted five counts of harassment by stalking and one count of disclosing private sexual photographs or 'revenge porn' Judge Cartwright also imposed a restraining order in relation to the 11 victims affected by Lewis, including the men, their wives, and a child which will last for ten years. The court heard Lewis already had two previous convictions for harassment in 2002 and 2003 and another of sending an article which was grossly offensive or indecent in 2014. This placed her in breach of a conditional discharge which she also admitted. Prosecutor Michael Aspinall said Lewis got in contact with the first man via a website for people seeking extra marital affairs, meeting him for sex in a hotel in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Lewis made contact with men using the Saucy Dating contact site, pictured, among others In July she threatened to tell the man's wife about the affair and he received messages which appeared to be from the Lewis' friends but were really from her. Mr Aspinall said the man was 'pressurised' into meet her at a hotel in Lichfield, Staffordshire, on July 23 but the next morning found her photographing his car and threatening to play her 'ace card'. The man's 12-year-old daughter found messages from Lewis on his mobile phone and she told her to stay away from her father. But Lewis replied to the girl saying 'your dad is a sex pest'. Mr Aspinall said the man 'contemplated suicide by walking onto some train tracks'. On August 15 Lewis sent intimate pictures of the man to his wife and also set up an online profile using the same photos, calling him a rapist. Lewis harassed another married man last December into January this year, branding him a 'disgusting father' and threatening to disclose intimate details about him. Last December she had sex with a different man at her flat, claiming she felt sick afterwards before threatening to tell people he had raped her. Mr Aspinall said: 'She said "if you leave, I'm going to tell them you raped me".' The man blocked her number and she immediately called him back on another number, demanding he unblock her and calling him a 'rapist psycho'. In January, under the name of Scarlet, she also threatened to share intimate photos of a fireman in his uniform with his boss. The man pleaded with her not to, knowing he would be immediately dismissed. Lewis, of Worcester, admitted five counts of harassment by stalking and one count of disclosing private sexual photographs or 'revenge porn' (pictured) Even though they never met, Lewis also falsely claimed he had touched her daughter's bottom at a fete. Lewis contacted the fifth man's wife claiming she was pregnant and that he had given her a sexually transmitted disease, as well as saying she wanted his pension. Some of the offences were also committed on bail and she used 'multiple identities'. Belinda Ariss, defending, said: 'She is deeply ashamed and sorry for the harassment she caused to these men and their families. 'She has had, for many years, low self-esteem and simply wanted to be loved.' Speaking from the family's 250,000 home in Long Meadow, Worcester, she said: 'I have got to keep a lookout for any people who are going to bully me over this.' Speaking about one of the men she stalked, Lewis added: 'One was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Reservists. 'He told me he was living a single life and wasn't married and he was married. 'They (the five men) all said they were single, all on national dating websites and all said they were single. 'None of them are young. None of them went to court. 'They all said that because of what's happened to them they needed counselling, they needed this and that and the judge wasn't having any of it. 'I'm just a normal housewife who is going through a very traumatic time and these social networking sites people are not what they say they are. 'I was put into hospital for my own safety. 'I got out on Friday, I learnt a lot but I was put there for my own safety, nothing else. 'I have not spoken to them (the men) for about ten months. 'I had a nice judge, he was very fair to me. 'We (me and my partner) were going through a period of trial separation (at the time of her offending). We were on a break but it's made us stronger than ever. It's got us closer together. 'My experience in prison wasn't bad, I was treated very well in there, especially by the prison officers.' Five Chechen men have been found guilty of the $250,000 contract murder of one of Vladimir Putin's top critics outside the Kremlin. Boris Nemtsov, a major opponent of the Russian President, was killed at night in 2015 as he was walking across a bridge in central Moscow. The brazen murder was the most high-profile political killing in Russia since Putin rose to power some 17 years ago. The 12-person jury ruled after on the third day of deliberations that defendants Zaur Dadayev, Shadid and Anzor Gubashev, Temirlan Eskerkhanov and Khamzat Bakhayev - all ethnic Chechens from Russia's volatile North Caucasus - carried out the hit as part of an organised gang. Boris Nemtsov, a major opponent of the Russian President, was killed at night in 2015 as he was walking across a bridge in central Moscow Five Chechen men have been found guilty of the $250,000 contract murder of one of Vladimir Putin's top critics outside the Kremlin. From left: Temirlan Eskerkhanov, Shadid Gubashev, Khamzat Bakhayev, Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev are pictured in court earlier this week After more than eight months of hearings, a jury trial convicted five men of his murder including the man prosecutors said pulled the trigger, Zaur Dadayev, a former soldier in Chechnya Statement: Nemtsov was gunned down on a Moscow street in the shadow of the Kremlin in 2015 Dadayev - a former officer in an interior ministry battalion in Chechnya - was found guilty of firing the four fatal shots. The Gubashev brothers, Eskerkhanov and Bakhayev were found guilty of helping to organise and carry out the killing. The jury's decision was reached by majority vote after they first failed to come to unanimous decisions on the long list of charges against the defendants at the end of ten months of hearings. Nemtsov had been working on a report examining Russia's role in Ukraine. His killing sent a chill through opposition circles After more than eight months of hearings, a jury trial convicted five men of his murder including the man prosecutors said pulled the trigger, Zaur Dadayev, a former soldier in Chechnya. Temirlan Eskerkhanov, one of five defendants, is pictured in court The brazen assassination sent shockwaves through the Russian opposition. One of the defendants, Anzor Gubashev, is pictured While the ruling provides some answers over the murder, Nemtsov's supporters insist that despite the trial those who ordered the charismatic politician's death have not been uncovered. Lawyers for his family said earlier they were convinced that all of the accused, with the exception of Bakhayev, were involved. But they still insist the evidence clearly shows that those close to Kremlin-loyal Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov - or Kadyrov himself - were actually behind the assasination. Black girls as young as five years old are perceived as less innocent than their white peers, according to a study whose results were released on Thursday. The findings, which were revealed by Georgetown Law's Center on Poverty and Inequality, suggest that bias against blacks may not just be limited to when they reach adulthood . 'These are preschool girls who are being viewed as needing less protection and needing less nurturing than their white counterparts,' says Rebecca Epstein, the study's lead author. 'At that age, I find that shocking.' The study is a continuation of prior research which polled adults regarding their attitudes to young black boys. According to those studies, people were more likely to view 10-year-old black males as older than their true age compared to white boys. Black girls as young as five years old are perceived as less innocent than their white peers, according to a study whose results were released on Thursday. The study's authors say that black girls are subjected to 'adultification' that place greater social burdens that whites do not have to experience, as illustrated in the chart above The charts above show that black girls are more likely to face harsher disciplinary measures in school than their white peers These perceptions make black boys more likely to face harsher punishment, including police violence, which is viewed as more justified in their case, according to the study. The findings are consistent with past studies, where people were asked to identify the ages of blacks, Latinos, and whites. The study's participants overestimated the ages of the black boys by an average of 4.5 years, according to New York magazine. Black girls between the ages of five and 14 are also perceived as older than their white peers, the study finds. In the eyes of adults, young black children are less in need of nurturing and protection. This implicit bias could lead black children to face harsher acts of discipline while in school, according to the study, which is titled 'Girlhood Interrupted: The Erasure of Black Girls' Childhood. The graphic above shows the extent to which young black children are more likely to face stiffer penalties for infractions and misbehavior than their white peers The Georgetown study suggests that these findings are at the root of biases that blacks experience later on in life that lead to inequality in areas like the incarceration rates of African Americans as well as economic opportunity Young black girls are also perceived as knowing more about sex and other adult topics compared to whites. The Georgetown study suggests that these findings are at the root of biases that blacks experience later on in life that lead to inequality in areas like the incarceration rates of African Americans as well as economic opportunity. The 'adultification' of young black girls has far-reaching consequences that impact their social acceptance, the amount of nurturing they receive from adults, and their prospects for future success, according to the study's authors. 'Ultimately, adultification is a form of dehumanization, robbing black children of the very essence of what makes childhood distinct from all other developmental periods: innocence,' the study finds. 'Adultification contributes to a false narrative that black youths' transgressions are intentional and malicious, instead of the result of immature decision-making - a key characteristic of childhood.' The study polled 325 adults from disparate racial and ethnic backgrounds and varying levels of education nationwide. Most of those polled 74 percent were white. Sixty-two percent of those who took part in the study were women. Four in ten of those who took part were between the ages of 25 and 34 years old. Sixty-nine percent of those polled held a degree beyond a high school diploma. One of the Georgetown study's co-authors told New York that the skewed perception of black girls is parallel to the stereotype that is often attached to black women. 'It's the stereotype of black women as being loud, aggressive, and over-sexualized,' says Jamilia Blake, an academic from Texas A&M University. 'You can trace [these stereotypes] all the way back to slavery.' A half-naked cross-dressing man in Florida has been leaving women's underwear and pantyhose on vehicles in various parking lots, police say. Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office released an image on their Facebook page of the unidentified man wearing orange women's underwear and a t-shirt as he gets into a black car with no shoes on. 'We need to identify him before this escalates to a more serious situation,' Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in the post. 'To be so bold in the middle of the day to do something like this. We want to identify this individual so we can reach out to him and make contact,' Steve Brandt, with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, told WKMG. A cross-dressing man (above) in Florida has been leaving women's underwear and pantyhose on vehicles in various parking lots in Palm Coast Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said: 'We need to identify him before this escalates to a more serious situation' An anonymous complaint which was filed with the sheriff's office two days ago says the man was tying pantyhose to Houligan's employee vehicles in the parking lot at the Palm Coast location. 'We don't know if this is a local person. We don't know if it's somebody traveling through town and stops in areas and does this,' Brandt said. 'It did happen over multiple days, so, we think it's probably somebody in this area.' The report also said the same man followed employees from the Home Depot parking lot. '(An employee) saw a man in women's clothing and (when) she came out to her car she had the women's clothing he was wearing on her car,' Michelle Visciglia, who works at Ruby Tuesday next door, told the television station. A Houligan's employee warned others at Ruby Tuesday about the man after he reportedly left items on her car. Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office released an image on their Facebook page of the unidentified man as he also targeted cars in the Home Depot parking lot (file above). Authorities said the man has done nothing legally wrong, but they just want to speak with him Visciglia said when she gets off from work she runs to her car now. Brandt said the man has done nothing legally wrong, but they want to speak with him to try and understand his behavior. 'This behavior in and among itself could be many different things,' Brandt said. 'We would like to identify this person and talk to them in case this behavior were to escalate into something else.' Anyone with information is asked to call the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at 386-313-4911 or CrimeStoppers to remain anonymous at 1-888-277-TIPS. A hilarious video has emerged of a son in hysterics after his father failed miserably to play the bagpipes. While on holiday in Glasgow, Ed Reilly's father decided to honour authentic Scottish culture by giving the instrument a blow. Despite the bagpipes being a notoriously difficult instrument to master, Ed's father looked hopeful that a bit of beginner's luck might help him to show off a hidden talent. Hidden talent? A hilarious video has emerged of a son in hysterics after his father failed miserably to play the bagpipes. While on holiday in Glasgow, Ed Reilly's father (pictured) decided to honour authentic Scottish culture by giving the instrument a blow Ed captured what happened next on camera. After filling his lungs with air, Ed's father blew enthusiastically into the pipes - but no note sounded. On the third try, a feeble horn note crept out of the end of the pipes, which became louder and more high-pitched as Ed snorted with laughter behind the camera. The giggles were infectious and Ed's father soon lost his grip on the pipes as a result of laughing so much. Attempt at mastery: Despite the bagpipes being a notoriously difficult instrument to play, Ed's father looked hopeful that a bit of beginner's luck might help him to show off a hidden talent Each time he drew breath, the pipes let out a rude-sounding low-pitched toot, which set the hysterical laughter off again. Eventually the farce was too much for the failed musician to handle, and he pleaded with his son to stop filming as he gave up on the elusive instrument. Since being shared online in 2013 the video has had more than 46,900 views and hundreds of comments from fans of Ed's father. Got the giggles: After filling his lungs with air, Ed's father blew enthusiastically into the pipes - but no note sounded. On the third try, a feeble note crept out of the end of the pipes, which became louder and more high-pitched as Ed snorted with laughter behind the camera Alan Rogers said: 'Are you available for my wedding? The second tune was just so relaxing and beautiful.' thebizzle2605 added: 'I laughed till I cried.' While vrccb said: 'This is absolutely totally hysterical. I have never seen anything on YouTube that has made me laugh as much as this vid has. Brilliant.' The wife of wanted pilot Gerald 'Mike' Bullinger, the man who allegedly killed her and two others in a love triangle slaying in rural Idaho, had driven to the farmhouse where it happened as a 'happy surprise' for her husband, DailyMail.com has learned. It's believed school teacher Cheryl Baker, who had retired from her job at Greenwood Charter School on June 6, decided to make the five-hour drive to Caldwell, Idaho weeks earlier than planned, rather than stay in Ogden, Utah to sell the family home. Little did she know that Bullinger who told his wife he was living in a trailer alone while fixing up the rundown property ready for her to move in was actually playing happy family with his mistress of two years Nadja Medley and her teenage daughter Payton at the house. Scroll down for video Tragic love affair: School teacher Cheryl Baker, 57, was found dead in a wooden shed outside the new farmhouse she bought with her pilot husband Gerald 'Mike' Bullinger, 60 - after she had shown up to their new place on a surprise visit and discovered him with his mistress The trio were seen in a series of photos and videos on the property posted on Medley's Facebook page, including one in which she wrote: 'My new place', with two 'love-struck' emojis next to a video showing beautiful open fields with the farm buildings in the background. What happened next isn't clear but the dead bodies of Baker, 57, Medley, 47, and 14-year-old Payton were all found lined up and covered with plastic in a shed on the property on June 19. Police are now searching for Bullinger, 60, who is considered a 'person of interest' in the deaths. Baker's brother Byron Baker, a contractor who lives in Lincoln Park, Michigan, told DailyMail.com that a friend of his sister had told him about the surprise visit. 'The friend said Cheryl decided to surprise Mike and drop in on him at the farm,' he said. 'She was supposed to stay behind and sell their house while Mike did plumbing work, minor repairs and painted some rooms, but having left her job at the school she must have thought it would be a nice surprise to go to see him. A chilling Facebook video posted by Bullinger's mistress Nadja Medley, who was unaware her partner was married, shows the wooden shed where the three decomposing bodies covered in plastic were found Nadja showed off the new Caldwell, Idaho home and can be heard saying: 'Well folks here's my new backyard, kind of liking this just a little bit, still a little bit of fence to build here, actually a lot' 'We can't know for sure what her thinking was, but I remember she was supposed to go to Albuquerque (New Mexico) for something, I can't remember what, but ended up in Idaho instead, so it makes sense.' Mr Baker, 62, said his sister, who he described as a vegetarian into spirituality and meditation, had no clue her husband was cheating on her. He said Bullinger is a corporate jet contract pilot who regularly lived out of state or traveled for weeks at a time the perfect cover for an affair. Mr Baker said: 'They had bought a trailer around a year ago and Mike would often stay in that if he was away. 'But they'd always see each other on weekends or in between his jobs, or often enough for Cheryl to believe they were still married. Cheryl is pretty laid back and she accepted that lifestyle, they never rowed about it.' Baker has his theories as to what might have happened and around the events that led to his sister's death, but he is still mystified as to what Bullinger's 'plan' was when it came to dealing with both his women. Love triangle: Bullinger had told his wife he was fixing up the property for her to move in - but was actually living a secret double life with Medley (pictured) in the new home 'What was the plan, none of it makes sense. I've met him a few times and he was a normal, nice guy, very relaxed,' he said. 'The closest theory I can come up with is he wanted Cheryl to sell the house in Ogden, which was in her name, so he could cash in on the money before leaving her for his mistress. But that's just a guess. But why organize for both women to come to the new house in Idaho?' He added: 'They always seemed to struggle for money considering he was a pilot, but then again he was living two lives.' Mr Baker said his sister's marriage, on the face of it, was perfect. 'They seemed perfectly matched, they had the same thoughts, the same likes and dislikes,' he said. 'They'd go off to the back country together, hiking, river rafting, they were very active. In March 2016, the mom took to Facebook to share the news she would be moving in with Bullinger and her daughter 'once his new job is stable and he's settled in a bit' Nadja Medley (left) and her daughter Payton are pictured with Bullinger (center) in a photo the mom posted online in August 2016 Friends of Medley say she had been in a relationship with Bullinger for two years without knowing he was married, and they believe two of the three bodies are the mother and her 14-year-old daughter, Payton (right) 'They owned mules up on the mountain near Ogden which they used to ride and I remember she once planned a week-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon that they went on.' He added that his sister, who didn't have any children, was a 'quiet, well-educated, homebody' who was 'really into the children she taught'. 'She was into crafts and made all kinds of things and would knit scarves and mittens and clothing that she would sell,' he said. 'She was a very loving person, everybody liked her, she was warm and fuzzy with everybody and soft-spoken and quiet.' Tragically, DailyMail.com has learned that Baker had been very excited about the move to Idaho and had spoken glowingly to colleagues at Greenwood Charter School in Harrisville about spending her retirement in the countryside. The art teacher even mentioned the large shed on the farm, the place where police made the gruesome discovery of the three bodies, saying she hoped to turn the building into an art studio once her and her husband were settled. Baker, who had recently retired from her job, decided to make the five-hour drive to Caldwell, Idaho weeks earlier than planned, rather than stay in Ogden, Utah to sell the family home (pictured) Teacher Jaime Drake told DailyMail.com: 'Cheryl bought the farm with her husband Mike and they planned to go there to retire. 'She thought her husband was living in a trailer on the farm fixing the place up by himself. She didn't know this other woman and her daughter was with him. 'She had no clue he was having an affair, not one suspicion. They seemed happily married, she never spoke bad of him, yes he was away all the time with his work, but that's something she accepted.' Colleague Julie Grose said they last saw Baker who was a veteran teacher with 30 years experience - at the school on June 6 for her last day. 'We had a meeting to say goodbye and Cheryl was talking about her retirement and the farm. She told us about a shed on the property that she planned to convert into an art studio, she was passionate about art. 'She seemed so happy talking about it, it is very sad. Why would she have said that if she knew about this other woman, she was never phony, she never said anything to upset people.' Horseplay: Nadja Medley posted pictures of her alleged murderer play wrestling with her daughter - who he is accused of murdering Another video from August 2016 shows the 60-year-old teaching Medley's daughter, who called him 'dad,' how to shoot a gun Drake added: 'She was a wonderful teacher and gave so much, she will be missed.' It is alleged Bullinger lined up the dead bodies of his victims in a shed on the farm property in Idaho, covering them in plastic before fleeing the scene. The killer had shot each victim once. Idaho police are searching for the pilot after the badly decomposing corpses were discovered on Monday, June 19. They are believed to have been there for around ten days. Bullinger is a suspect in the three murders and has been charged with failing to report the deaths after the bodies were found on the farm he purchased with Baker last month. As well as the three dead bodies police found several dead birds and dogs and other living animals including a snake, rat and some rabbits, which were removed during the subsequent investigation. Police are now actively seeking Bullinger, believed to be driving a white 2007 Ford Focus with Utah license plates numbered 129UMP. Bullinger was a pilot with Classic Aviations Service in Utah before taking on contract work in Idaho. He was last seen in Ogden, Utah, on June 12. The discovery of 17 bodies found in besieged Marawi City is the first sign that civilians trapped in the Philippines town have been decapitated. Five weeks ago, the Maute group of rebels loyal to ISIS seized large parts of Marawi City in the south of the country. Hundreds of militants stormed into the predominantly Muslim city, occupied buildings, took a Roman Catholic priest and others hostage and hoisted ISIS-style black flags. Philippine troops, backed by airstrikes and artillery, have battled since May 23 to drive the extremists out of Marawi but the militants have fought back. Nearly 400 people have been killed, including 290 militants and 70 troops, according to official figures. Most of Marawi's 200,000 residents have fled and much of the city is in ruins, with only the grim remains of civilians left behind. On Wednesday, retrieval teams recovered 17 more bodies believed to be those of villagers killed by the militants in an area of Marawi that has returned to government control Hundreds of militants stormed into the predominantly Muslim city, occupied buildings, took a Roman Catholic priest and others hostage and hoisted Islamic State group-style black flags. The Philippine military, using armed forces and helicopter airstrikes, have retaken many areas, but others remain in rebel hands Military spokesman Jo-Ar Herrera said the 17 bodies were found separately in two groups, of 12 and five. Government spokesman Zia Alonto Adiong said the bodies were discovered in a grassy lot in the Marawi village of Gadungan, which troops have cleared of militants. Investigators found one of the bodies retrieved was holding a handmade grenade. If the 17 bodies discovered in Marawi on Wednesday turn out to be those of villagers killed in the conflict, it would bring the number of civilian deaths to 44 and the overall death toll to more than 400. Troops and rescuers found the bodies Wednesday huddled in a grassy lot in the Marawi village of Gadungan, which troops have cleared of militants The violence in Marawi began last month when the army failed in its attempt to capture Isnilon Hapilon, believed to be the main ISIS leader in the Philippines and linked to the local Maute group. President Rodrigo Duterte promised to destroy the militants in Marawi and said the Philippines was now dealing with 'a very dangerous situation' due to young Muslims inspired by the 'mass insanity' of ISIS. 'All they do is just to kill and destroy, and killing in a most brutal way,' he said at an event where he received hundreds of sniper and assault rifles donated by China to help the military campaign in Marawi. He added: 'They enjoy decapitating people in front of cameras. They have to be dealt with, with the same ferocity but not the brutality. 'Do not think I am enjoying my life now. I do not watch TV anymore, I turn it off or I transfer to cartoons.' He warned that if militants gathered elsewhere, he would consider taking more emergency steps, including empowering law enforcers to make warrantless arrests. 'And my orders to you, if he carries a gun, he is not a soldier, he is not a policeman, just kill him. 'That is my order, because they will kill us,' Mr Duterte told the troops. Duterte ordered the army to destroy the militants aligned with the Islamic State group who attacked Marawi on May 23 If the 17 bodies discovered Wednesday in Marawi turn out to be those of villagers killed in the conflict, it would bring the number of civilian deaths to 44 and the overall death toll to more than 40 The rebels' hold on Marawi, while incurring the full force of a military for years trained by its US counterparts, has much of the region on edge, concerned that ISIS's influence may run deeper than thought. Those fears are also being felt in Malaysia and Indonesia, whose nationals are among the Maute group of rebels fighting in Marawi, suggesting the group may have built a cross-border network that has gone largely under the radar. Civilians held hostage have been forced to loot homes, take up arms against government troops and serve as sex slaves for rebel fighters. Australian backstroke swimmer John Monckton, who won silver at the Melbourne Olympics and two golds at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, has died aged 79. Swimming Australia said he died at his home in Fisherman's Reach on the New South Wales north coast in the early hours of Thursday morning after a long illness. Monckton was married to fellow Melbourne Olympian and butterfly swimmer Maureen Giles. Australian backstroke swimmer John Monckton (pictured), who won silver at the Melbourne Olympics and two golds at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, has died aged 79 He won silver in the 100m backstroke at the 1956 Melbourne Games and represented Australia again in Rome in 1960. Monckton also won two golds in the 110 yards backstroke and 4x110 yards medley relay at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. Monckton was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1999 and was a member of the NSW Sporting Hall of Fame. He was a celebrated member of the St George Water Dragons Swimming Cub, was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1999 and was also a member of the NSW Sporting Hall of Fame. The pool in Armidale in NSW's Northern Tablelands is named in his honour built just a stones throw from the family home. Swimming Australia said after swimming the Moncktons went on to embark on a decade-long fight against the NSW State Government's wetland conservation policy of the 1990s from their home of Nambucca Heads. Details of his funeral service will be announced in the coming days. A viral comedy Facebook page have shared a sick 'Grenfell Tower' meme. The image shows the burnt-out tower block in London, after it was devastated by an inferno last month, with a flame on its roof with the caption 'Grenfell Tower memorial candle 4.99'. It was posted by the Hallmark for A******s page on Facebook and was shared hundreds of times - with one user describing it as 'funny as f***' and another saying it is 'still funnier than hell'. But it faced a huge backlash from people on the post, with many asking the page to remove it. The image shows the burnt-out tower block in London, after it was devastated by an inferno last month, with a flame on its roof with the caption 'Grenfell Tower memorial candle 4.99' It faced a huge backlash from people on the post, with many asking the page to remove it Yesterday, it emerged that 80 people had been confirmed dead in the tragedy One woman wrote: 'I'm not certain if this is too far too soon or just plain hysterical... I'm saving for possible future use though just in case.' Another said: 'You are all a bunch of f***ing scumbags. How the f*** can you think people burning alive in a fire is actually funny.' But the person who posted the image refused to remove it, insisting it's 'humorous', according to the Daily Mirror. They replied: 'Sorry to hear that, it will pass. Maybe this isn't the right page for you. 'You can unfollow us, if you are... or block us if you aren't, and you won't see any more of this, but I WILL be posting more of it for the people who see the humor (sic) in it. Godspeed.' Yesterday, it emerged that 80 people had been confirmed dead in the tragedy. Hundreds have been left homeless as a result of the disaster, while the bodies of those killed may never be identified because of sheer intensity of the blaze, which left the tower block a charred, hollowed out shell. The image, which has also appeared on Imgur and Sickipedia, appears to have been removed, but it is not clear whether Facebook or the page took it down. MailOnline has contacted Facebook for comment. An account belonging the jihadist group published the photograph of the London tower block engulfed in flames, describing it as 'beautiful' Earlier this week, sick ISIS militants posted a photo celebrating the disaster. An account belonging the jihadist group published the photograph of the London tower block engulfed in flames, describing it as 'beautiful'. Along with the picture of the fire, the ISIS militants said: 'How beautiful the fire that consumes the buildings of the criminal Britons and Christians'. Many of the residents who lost their lives and were affected by the tragedy were Muslim. The chilling image and message was exposed by the American-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which monitors jihadists and terror threats. Sexual assault on board cruise ships is rampant, and the victims are often minors, according to a three month investigation. Out of 92 on board assaults reported by cruise lines in 2016, 62 were sexual assaults. Because the assaults happen at sea, they are often difficult prosecute. Worse yet, a third of sexual assaults on ships happen to minors according to a 2013 congressional report. One such assault happened to the Smith family. Anne Smith, 42, took her two daughters on a Carnival Cruise vacation which turned into a nightmare. Anne's daughter Abby Smith, 16, came to her confused and in tears 'I think I got molested,' Abby told her mother. Out of 92 on board assaults reported in 2016, 62 were sexual assaults (file picture) The teen says she was sexually assaulted by a trainer in the gym on board the Carnival cruise ship. 'It was my final consultation to see how I had improved and so he took my measurements and he was like lifting my shirt and all that and pulling down my shorts,' she said. 'I realized he shouldn't have been doing that, when he extremely touched me in places where he shouldn't have been touching me.' Abby and her mother say they immediately reported the alleged incident to staff on board the ship and the cruise line initially tried to help the family. 'They did take a report. They took evidence. They took her underwear and things like that. They called the FBI, so we had them waiting for us when we got back to the port,' said Anne. When the family got back to land they discovered how difficult these cases can be to pursue. Despite the FBI being involved, no charges were ever filed. 'I think the biggest disappointment were the actual FBI,' said Abby's mother Anne. 'They took a brief statement from both of us, and pretty much made it clear that there wasn't gonna be much after that.' The report out by NBC News uncovered 10 families who had someone in their group sexually assaulted. One such family from the Midwest who asked not to be identified had their dream vacation turn to tragedy when their 15-year-old daughter, claiming months after the cruise, that she was raped on the ship. The mother noticed her daughter had been acting out and even attempted suicide just weeks after the trip was over. Months later, when she got drunk and sick on a camping trip, she told her mother what had happened on the ship. 'She had thrown up. And I went to lift her shirt off, and it was then that she told me 'No!' And then she kind of backed up,' said the mom. 'And she said, 'No. I told him no, and he raped me.' And that was when I found out. Up until that point [it] never did it cross my mind that something had occurred.' In this family's case, the daughter claims she was raped by a male she met while on a cruise through the Virgin Islands in March 2016. The daughter and the male went to an area of the ship where alcohol was served, according to the mother, and that's when things took a dark turn. 'I believe she had a cocktail and then she had another cocktail that he got her. And then he asked if she'd like to go to a stateroom or walk down and get something from the room,' said the mom. 'And he forcefully pushed her down and assaulted her.' The daughter did not tell her mother right away and did not report the incident to the ship. Instead, according to her mother, she started having behavioral issues. When the daughter finally confided in her mother, a battery of tests were conducted for STDs and her local sheriff's department was contacted. They even contact their Sheriff's office, but still no charges have been filed. 'I shouldn't have let my motherly instincts guard down,' said the mom. 'I needed to be treating my children as if we were downtown in a major city at night with a big party going on.' Issues of jurisdiction can make these cases hard to pursue. The ship may be registered in a non-U.S. country, the incident may occur in international waters, and the alleged perpetrator may be a foreign national. Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement that it had followed 'all established and required procedures' when Abby reported the assault. 'We take great pride and care in providing our guests a safe and secure vacation environment and it is the single most important fundamental to our operations.' Issues of jurisdiction can make these cases hard to pursue; the ship may be registered in a non. US country, the incident may occur in international waters, or the alleged perpetrator may be foreign national (file image) Carnival said that it had responded immediately and offered medical attention. The FBI interviewed Abby and the alleged perpetrator the next day in Galveston, Texas, but no charges were filed, said Carnival, because of lack of evidence and conflicting information from the accuser and the accused. According to Carnival, the alleged perpetrator was employed by a third-party contractor working for the cruise line, and is no longer working aboard any Carnival ship. The cruise line offered 'heartfelt apologies' to the Smiths in an email. Carnival also offered the family a refund and a complimentary cruise, and said it would pay for Abby's counseling. The FBI said it could not discuss the specifics of Abby's case. In a statement, the bureau said it 'remains committed to investigating these crimes and bringing justice for the victims and their families.' 'The FBI works closely and tirelessly with our partners in law enforcement and in the cruising industry to mitigate these challenges and collect the evidence and facts of the case in order to make a recommendation to the Department of Justice for prosecution.' In the few cases where the suspect is prosecuted, the outcome still does not always give the victim a sense of justice. That's the case for one family in Canada whose then-14-year-old daughter was assaulted by two 16-year-old fellow passengers while on a cruise off the coast of Florida. According to the police report, the girl was immediately transported to a local crisis center onshore where a rape kit was performed. Ultimately, the boys received community service, sex offender treatment, several months of court monitoring and a curfew, and were ordered to pay for any counseling the victim required. The victim's family was not satisfied. 'In our eyes they basically got a slap on the wrist,' said the mom. 'When I found out what the sentencing was I was really upset.' 'It happens more often than the cruise lines will admit,' said Miami attorney Jim Walker, whose firm has represented alleged victims as young as three years old. 'A lot of times the victims will be so confused, so shocked, they'll actually leave the ship without reporting it on the ship. And I think crew members are kind of banking on that possibility,' said Walker. Sexual assaults in general are not always reported right away. Victims are often traumatized or embarrassed and don't speak up. Cruise lines are required by law to report alleged crimes that fall into eight categories one of them being sexual assault. With few being fully prosecuted, families have lost their trust in the system. 'People of authority, I automatically try to avoid them,' said Abby Smith. 'And I don't trust them because in the back of my mind I think, 'What if they're going to take advantage of me?' Many of the young women NBC News spoke to are now in counseling. All the families of the alleged victims are suing or plan to sue, most because they say they believe that's their best hope of justice, and for holding the cruise lines accountable. 'We're hoping that we can save another family from having to go through this hardship,' said one mother. 'We don't want another individual to be assaulted on a cruise ship.' A little girl in India is undergoing her first surgery since since suffering horrific facial injuries in an acid attack intended for her mother. Julie Kumari, seven, from Fatehpur, in Uttar Pradesh, was just four when she was splashed with acid as her father targeted her mother in a jealous rage. She was left with severe burns to her face, arm, neck and chest in the attack four years ago - but due to her mother's poor salary she has never been offered any surgery. Julie Kumari, from Uttar Pradesh in India, is undergoing her first surgery since since suffering horrific facial injuries in an acid attack intended for her mother Julie Kumari, seven, from Fatehpur, in Uttar Pradesh, was just four when she was splashed with acid as her father targeted her mother in a jealous rage Her mother, Rani Devi, 31, who works whenever she can earning Rs150 a day (2), said: 'It's been devastating watching her suffer all these years. It used to hurt her to eat, talk and smile. Everything was a struggle for her. And it killed me inside that I couldn't help her.' In May, 2013, Julie's father Manish, 40, was angry with Rani for leaving him and re-marrying. He was filled with so much jealousy and rage he intended to pour acid on Rani and her new husband Heera Lal, 35, as they slept. But the acid was poured on little Julie instead, also catching Lal, who was sleeping next to her. Alok Singh and his team, from Chhanv Foundation, a charity that helps acid attack survivors and founded the Stop Acid Attacks campaign, came to know of Julie's situation and offered to help her get admitted to a hospital, free of charge Julie was left with severe burns to her face, arm, neck and chest in the attack four years ago - but due to her mother's poor salary she has never been offered any surgery Both were rushed to a nearby government hospital but Lal, who suffered 60 per cent burns, eventually died from infection. Julie suffered 40 per cent burns, affecting the majority of her upper body, and Rani had to sell her farm to pay for the hospital fees. But doctors discharged her within ten days saying she would be scarred for life and there was nothing more they could do. Rani and Julie returned home with nothing and as Julie's injuries healed her quality of life diminished. 'She couldn't do anything,' Rani said. 'It broke my heart to watch her every day. I lost my husband, I didn't want to lose my daughter too. I cried every night seeing by daughter in that condition. I desperately wanted her to get better. But my financial condition didn't allow me to help my child.' In time, Alok Singh and his team, from Chhanv Foundation, a charity that helps acid attack survivors and founded the Stop Acid Attacks campaign, came to know of Julie's situation and offered to help her get admitted to a hospital, free of charge. Her first surgery was done three months ago at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences hospital (SGPGI), in Lucknow, where doctors operated on the skin contracted around her neck so she could move her head. Julie is now being prepared for more surgery next month on her left eye. She will also undergo plastic surgery on her face to correct the deformities Julie is now being prepared for more surgery next month on her left eye. She will also undergo plastic surgery on her face to correct the deformities. Rani, who is now re-married and gave birth to a second child a boy last month, is over joyed her daughter is getting help. She said: 'I'm so happy that good people exist on this earth. The fact one person came forward and helped my child with her treatment is just amazing. I can never thank them enough.' Chhanv Foundation are now raising funds to help improve the family's living standards, so Julie has a hygienic environment post-surgery. Alok Singh said: 'When we were creating a database of acid attack cases in each district in India we come to know about Julie. We decided to visit her but when we first saw her we were shocked to see how bad a condition she was in. 'They were living in a one-room house with no electricity and she'd never had any treatment over all these years. It was tragic. 'But now, treatment has begun and things can only get better for her. She's now preparing to undergo more surgeries over the coming months.' Hungarian hit-and-run driver Gabor Hegedus, 38, who killed two young cousins on New Year's Eve, was let into Britain despite a string of violent crime convictions, it has emerged A Hungarian hit-and-run driver who killed two young cousins on New Year's Eve was let into Britain despite a string of violent crime convictions, it has emerged. Gabor Hegedus, 38, was a convicted car thief who also served five years for gang robbery and aggravated assault in his native Hungary - yet he exploited Freedom of Movement laws to move to the UK. Last New Years Eve he was behind the wheel of a Peugeot 807 estate car which mowed down 12-year-old Helena Kotlarova and her cousin Zaneta Krokovaje, 11, as they walked across the road hand-in-hand to buy crisps at a nearby shop. Today he was jailed for four years for two counts of death by careless driving. Helena died at the scene after the impact propelled her into the path of another car, while Zaneta passed away in hospital two days later having more hurled over 60ft. Hegedus sped off after the impact and later tried to falsely claim his car had been stolen. After the tragedy, a picture posted to his Facebook page showed Hegedus with a beaming grin, holding a bottle of Prosecco in one hand and Schnapps in the other, with the mis-spelt caption: 'Happy new yeart evrybody. He was behind the wheel of a car which mowed down Helena Kotlarova, 12, and her cousin Zaneta Krokovaje, 11, as they walked across the road hand-in-hand to buy crisps at a shop A picture posted to his Facebook page on New Year's Eve showed a grinning Hegedus holding a bottle of Prosecco in one hand and Schnapps in the other, with the mis-spelt caption: 'Happy new yeart evrybody It is thought the photo was taken before the tragedy. Some members of the family left court as CCTV of the crash was shown. Sylva Kotlarova, Helina's mother, said her eight other children were heartbroken. She said both girls, friends and cousins, were on their way home nearby for a family party to see in the New Year when another daughter, Michaela, ran to their door to say there had been an accident and she rushed to help. 'I will never forget this scene,' she said. 'My husband was unable to look at such a thing. 'I started to shake her. Some English lady was trying to calm me down. I was pleading with the doctor to try to help her but it was not possible. 'It is very difficult to think I will never see my daughter or I can never give her a cuddle.' Zaneta's mother Zaneta Bakova broke down in tears outside court in Manchester today Zaneta Bakova is pictured outside Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester earlier today Hegedus had three accomplices including Janos Kalanyos, 50, (left) and David Orsos, 19 (right) The other girl's mother, also called Zaneta, said her brother, aged two, struggles to understand where his big sister has gone and talks to her ashes at the family home, 'like it's his sister'. She added: 'We feel like this person has given us a life sentence and to our daughter just gave death.' A court heard three accomplices who tried to help Hegedus escape justice were also EU migrants who all had previous convictions in their native Hungary. One was a convicted rapist and killer who had been to prison twice whilst another had served more than four years in jail for fraud and forgery. Zoltan Peto (pictured), 49, also helped Today their shameful criminal records were read out by prosecutors at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester as they faced jail over the double tragedy in Oldham, Greater Manchester. Hegedus had been convicted in February 2000 of robbery in a gang, aggravated battery and misuse of a document and was given five years in jail. Then in May 2007 he was given a suspended sentence for car theft and counterfeiting. Janos Kalanyos, 50, had 11 convictions recorded against him in Hungary including rape in 1999, for which he was jailed for three years and eight months, and homicide in 2004, for which he got six and a half years. David Orsos, 19, had one conviction from Hungary for breach of the peace whilst Zoltan Peto, 49, had five convictions including Fraud and Forgery in 2010 in Hungary for which he was jailed for four years and two months. Mark Kellet, prosecuting, said the 7pm crash happened after Hegedus, Orsos and Kalanyos had spent the day working on a house clearance in Oldham and were driving home in convoy in two vehicles. Helena and cousin Zaneta were crossing Ashton Road just 100 yards from their home to visit Helena's sister Michaela when all three became aware of the headlights of Hegedus' car. Hegedus sped off after the impact and later tried to falsely claim his car had been stolen Hegedus admitted causing death by careless driving, having no driving licence and failing to report the car had been involved in a crash 'Michaela says that she ran in panic, and then Helena and Zaneta were sent flying by the car,' said Mr Kellet. 'She ran to Zaneta and then to Helena. The nature of Helenas injuries caused her to go into shock and run away.' Hegedus sped off and dumped the car on a dirt track. Orsos - the only member of the group who could speak English - later pretended to be Hegedus to falsely report the car as stolen. When asked when he last saw his car, he spluttered over his words before another voice was heard to say in a foreign language: 'I didn't see my car about.' Orsos then continued: 'About 6.30 err...that's it and after I come inside. I'm drinking, l drinking alcohol you know.' Police later arrested all four men and it emerged Hegedus had shaved-off his beard to disguise his appearance. When he was booked into custody he tested positive for cannabis, but it was not possible to say how much was in his system at the time of the impact. He initially claimed he had spent the day working with Orsos and Kalanyos and maintained the Peugeot had been stolen from him. But after being confronted with CCTV footage he admitted: 'I accept that I committed it - I feel responsible for it.' Tests showed he was travelling at around 40mph in a 30mph zone in the moments before the impact. He braked but still hit the girls at 29mph. The girls' coffins being carried from the church at their funeral in January this year Relatives at the funeral of Helena Kotlarova, 12, and her cousin Zaneta Krokovaje, 11 An eyewitness said Hegedus was travelling at 'a fair bit of speed'. He said the girls seemed to split up as the Peugeot bore down on them and it seemed to brake and swerve just before hitting them. Hegedus himself said that he had not realised that he had hit anyone until later when Orsos told him he had. He admitted that after the crash they went to an off licence to buy alcohol before dumping the car with the help of Peto. Hegedus admitted causing death by careless driving, having no driving licence and failing to report the car had been involved in a crash. He also pleaded guilty to perverting justice by falsely claiming to police the vehicle had been stolen. Nicola Gatto, mitigating, said Hegedus was 'truly sorry'. Orsos and Peto both pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice by helping Gabor to dump the van and report it stolen. Orsos was jailed for 20 months and Peto for 25 months. Kalanyos, was jailed for 21 months for the same offence after providing a false alibi to police for Hegedus. All four men came to the UK from Hungary to work and all four had previous convictions, including Kalanyos for rape and murder, the court heard. Jailing them, Judge John Potter said: 'The lives of these two young, happy and kind children were taken away and their family's bright hopes and expectations for their children's futures, extinguished. 'Perhaps, just perhaps, today's proceedings will help to bring some small sense of closure to those who feel this loss most keenly.' He said he would recommend the defendants be deported after serving their sentences but it was 'not clear' if he had the power to do so and said it would be a matter for the Home Office. The defense team representing Robert Durst in his latest murder trial submitted a shocking motion earlier this month, revealing that they would not be calling a key witness to the stand over money. It was revealed back in April that Durst, 74, and his lawyers would be calling Michael Struk to testify as a defense witness. Struk, 73, is a retired NYPD detective who investigated the disappearance of Durst's first wife Kathleen 'Kathie' McCormack back in 1982, but was never able to located the young woman's body. That all changed however on June 9, when Deputy District Attorney John Lewin submitted a notice in Superior Court State for California, County of Los Angeles stating that after setting up a date and time for Struk to testify in late July, the defense was now refusing to pay for the man's accommodations. That is not all either according to Lewin, who added in his notice that the lawyers also suggested that his bosses pay for the witness's travel, despite the fact that the Los Angeles District Attorney's office is funded by taxpayers. Travel drama: Robert Durst (above in court earlier this year) and his defense team are refusing to pay for a defense witness in the billionaire's murder trial to fly business class to Los Angeles so he can testify Friends or foes: Durst is now facing murder charges in California for the death of Susan Berman (abov with Durst) back in 2000, who was said to have told people that Durst killed Kathie Detective demands: Detective Michael Struk (above) said he needs the business class seat for medical reasons, a ticket for his wife to join him and money to board his dogs Big ask: Lewin wrote in the notice that after two months trying to get the defense to pay for these 'reasonable requests,' Durst's lawyer Cat Baen asked him if his office could cover those expenses The case is still in the pretrial phase, with Durst likely to stand trial in 2018 for the murder of his former friend and confidante Susan Berman. Berman was murdered in her Los Angeles home just days before Christmas in 2000, and Durst was charged with her murder in March 2015 after police were able to match a handwriting sample to one sent by the victim's alleged killer. Struk's three requests were that the defense fly out his wife to Los Angeles; that he be given a business class ticket 'in order to have additional leg room due to legitimate and pre-existing medical issues'; and that he receive boarding and care for his dog in Los Angeles. Lewin wrote in the notice that after two months trying to get the defense to pay for these 'reasonable requests,' Durst's lawyer Cat Baen asked him if his office could cover those expenses for the defense witness. That request was made despite the fact that Lewin had taken charge of all correspondence with Struk, despite the fact that he was named a defense witness. 'Similar flight and/or companion accommodations were also made for retired NYPD Detective Jim Varian, Dr. Albert Kuperman, and Susan Giordano, the woman who Defendant plans to build his "love nest" for,' wrote Lewin, listing off a number of other witnesses who have testified during the pretrial proceedings. Struk was the first person Durst reported his wife missing to, after going five days without seeing the woman. He later described Durst as acting nonchalant and casual about the entire incident, much to his shock and surprise. Though he and his fellow detectives found that Durst made a number of contradictory and alarming statements over the course of the investigation, there was never enough conclusive evidence to even charge him in the disappearance of his 29-year-old bride. He was featured on the Emmy-winning HBO documentary 'The Jinx,' and seemed to suggest that he was not under a great deal of pressure to dig deep into the disappearance of Kathleen due to the lack of a body. That program also suggested that the enormous wealth and power Durst's father Seymour had at the time was used to shut down any attempts to try and tie his son to the murder of the young nurse. It is unclear why Durst wanted to have Struk testify in the case however, as the man has made no secret of his disdain for the billionaire. And while he would not state that Durst had killed his wife and Berman, he did say back in 2015 that the alleged killer was 'capable of anything.' Unsolved mystery: Struk cleared Durst, 74, of the murder and disappearance of his first wife Kathie (above) back in 1982 after her body was never found Offensive defense: Deputy District Attorney John Lewin (left) submitted a notice in Superior Court State for California, County of Los Angeles saying the defense and Durst's lawyer Cat Baen (right) asked his office to pay And a letter: The second exhibit is a letter (abovbe) from Durst's attorney Dick DeGuerin to Lewin, in which he stated that the cost of Struk's demands were too high and not reasonable A number of witnesses are being called early in the case to give their testimony due to the advanced age of many key players and the fact that the alleged crime took place almost two decades ago. These testimonies are all being taped and will later be played back to the jury on some cases. If Struk does not testify however, Lewin is asking that all comments made by the retired detective be struck down during the trial. 'The Defense has sought to conditionally examine Detective Struk because in their view he is a material and necessary witness,' wrote Lewin. 'If the Defense chooses not to accommodate Detective Struk and he subsequently becomes unavailable for trial, the People will not stipulate to the admission of any of his hearsay statements.' Lewin also included two exhibits, one of which was an email from Struk stating that to save money he would have his daughter look after the dogs for $100 a day, cutting the cost in half. She is a licensed nurse, Struk explained, meaning she would be able to give his female dog the shots of Insulin and oral compounds for a brain fluid disorder that she needs twice daily, while his male dog is in good health. The second exhibit is a letter from Durst's attorney Dick DeGuerin to Lewin, in which he stated that the cost of Struk's demands were too high and not reasonable, before then getting in a dig at the DA's star witness. In our early discussions you took the position that you would assist in arranging Detective Struk's voluntary appearance in California and I appreciate your willingness to obtain his cooperation,' wrote DeGuerin. 'I assume that is still the case.' He then launched into his claims about the prosecution witness called back in February who was so important to the the case that his identity was not revealed until her stepped into court that first day to testify. 'However, we decline to provide the type of luxurious amenities you provided to conditional witness Nick "Chinga" Chavin and his wife (not a witness),' wrote DeGuerin. 'As you are no doubt aware "Chinga" has been quoted in a recent article in Rolling Stone Magazine regarding his first class travel arrangements, his meals at the 'best restaurants', and his paid escorted tours to several cultural attractions, including the California Science Center, the Getty Museum and the Griffith Observatory.' Ultimatum: Lewin refused to pay and said that if Struk does not appear to testify then none of his statements will be admissible during the trial next year (l to r: Durst's lawyers Donald M Re and Dick DeGuerin and the alleged murderer) No new friends: It is unclear why Durst wanted to have Struk testify in the case however, as the man has made no secret of his disdain for the billionaire (Durst above earlier this year) Lewin said that it was necessary to fly out the wife while her husband was under police watch during his testimony and that the man left his hotel all of five times in the two weeks he was in Los Angeles for the hearing. 'Mr. Chavin was neither "wined," nor "dined." Mr. Chavin stayed at contract hotel used by the Los Angeles Police Department, at a rate of $175 per night, the per-diem rate set by the federal government,' wrote Lewin. 'Mr. Chavin was given $64 per day for meal and incidental expenses, the per diem rate set by the federal government.' Chavin testified on the stand that he asked Durst about Berman after a dinner back in 2014, and the billionaire said: 'I had to. It was her or me.' He then added: 'I had no choice.' Chavin grew emotional as well when asked why he had never come forward with the information, breaking down in tears on the stand. 'Susan said to me, "Bob killed Kathie,"' Chavin said in his other bombshell revelation. He said he kept quiet because Berman said to him: 'Kathies dead, we cant do anything about it. We have to protect Bob.' One good thing: Durst and his wife Kathie were portrayed by Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst in the 20009 film 'All Good Things' Berman was murdered execution style in her home, just months after then-district attorney for Westchester County Jeanine Pirro announced that the case was being reopened 18 years after Kathleen's death. It has been theorized by some that Durst not only confided in Berman, but also had her wear a wig and stop by the couple's New York City apartment after she went missing to help give him an alibi. Berman had contacted Durst to let him know that police wished to speak with her regarding the disappearance of Kathie just a few days before her death. He would not have been charged with Berman's murder meanwhile had he not appeared on 'The Jinx,' with the show finding a letter he had written with the words 'Beverly Hills' and a forensic expert later matching that to a note sent by Berman's killer. In between those events, Durst also moved to Texas and began to dress like a woman. He also killed his neighbor Morris Black and then dismembered the body, which was found floating in the water off Gavelston with the exception of the head. Durst went on the run after posting $300,000 bail following his arrest on suspicion he had committed the crime, and was later picked up while shoplifting a chicken salad sandwich and some Band-Aids from a Pennsylvania supermarket. This theft, which got him extradited back to Texas, occurred despite the fact that Durst had $500 in his pocket at the time. Between a rock and a hard place: Stewart Altman, who graduated from high school with Durst nearly 60 years ago, and his wife Emily appeared in court this week asking that they not have to testify on Durst's behalf in LA (pair above) He was eventually declared not guilty in his first murder trial, with the jury citing the lack of forensic evidence as the biggest weakness in the case. It is believed that Durst was once again trying to go on the run after he was charged with Berman's murder. He was picked up at the Canal Street Marriott in New Orleans on March 14, 2015 after a warrant was issued for his arrest, and found with a loaded rrevolver, five ounces of marijuana, his passport and birth certificate, a flesh-toned latex mask, and $42,631 in cash. Durst also had a fake Texas ID with the name 'Everette Ward,' which he used to check into the hotel. He was held in New Orleans on the gun and drug charges before being extradited to California. In addition to the 'The Jinx,' Durst's first marriage was the subject of the 2009 film 'All Good Things' starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. Sami Salem (left) admits killing Arena Saeed (right) and her children, Shadia Salem (back left), six, and Rami Saeed (back right), four A father today admitted suffocating his wife and drowning his two children at the former home of John Lennon. Arena Saeed and her children, Shadia Salem, six, and Rami Saeed, four, were found dead last month at the flat on Falkner Street in Toxteth, Liverpool. Sami Salem, 30, said he unlawfully killed his wife - whom he wed in an arranged marriage - and children at the property where he lived, while appearing via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court. However, the court was told he would not formally enter pleas to the three counts of murder until he had been examined by a psychiatrist. Salem said: 'I want to plead guilty to the suffocation of my wife and the drowning of my kids and I'm saying it now.' The father, who had a beard and wore a grey jumper, was in tears at points during the hearing and appeared to be rocking backwards and forwards in his seat. Shadia (left) and Rami were drowned by their father Sami, he admitted today. They were found dead last month at the flat on Falkner Street in Toxteth, Liverpool (right) Judge David Aubrey adjourned the case until September 22, when Salem is expected to formally enter pleas. Residents on Falkner Street were told to evacuate their homes due to concerns over a gas leak after the bodies were discovered on May 30. The property is a regular stop for Beatles fans on sightseeing tours of the city as the band's manager Brian Epstein used to own a flat there. Lennon and his first wife Cynthia lived in the flat shortly after they were married. Earlier this month Arena's brother Yaseen Alshape, 30, claimed she moved from Yemen to Britain 'to build a future for her children' after an arranged marriage. The property on Falkner Street in Liverpool is a regular stop for Beatles fans on sightseeing tours of the city as the band's manager Brian Epstein used to own a flat there Lennon and his first wife Cynthia (pictured) lived in the flat shortly after they were married Speaking through a translator, Mr Alshape told the Liverpool Echo that she moved to the UK 'to build a future' for her children after getting married to Salem in 2009. He said: 'Arena was loved by her friends for her patience in dealing with people. She had many dreams and wanted to live in Britain to build a future for her children. 'When Arena and the children departed, our smiles departed. She left a void in her family, we lost our most cherished sister and her children. 'We raised them in Yemen and they will never leave our memories. So far in our house in the city of Aden we receive solace from all who knew her and her children. 'We ask God to accept her martyr and to have mercy on her and forgive her. This is a heinous crime against humanity and the right of children.' The owner of a bull that wandered out on a road and caused a fatal car crash in Vermont two years ago has avoided jail. Craig Mosher was sentenced to six to 12 months of probation and 50 hours of community service on Wednesday for the crash that killed 62-year-old Jon Michael Bellis in July 2015. The Rutland courtroom heard 911 calls from concerned motorists who had seen the animal on the loose on several occasions, including one from milk truck driver Jeffrey Herrick on July 31 - the night of the crash. Herrick, who had nearly hit the 1,800lb bull that night on Route 4 in Killington, recognized the animal belonged to 62-year-old Mosher and went to his house to try to warn him. Craig Mosher (pictured) was sentenced to six to 12 months of probation and 50 hours of community service on Wednesday for the crash in Vermont that killed 62-year-old Jon Michael Bellis in July 2015 'I went and woke him up. But, you know, I don't know how dangerous the thing is or aggressive. If it wanders back up road, somebody's going to die,' Herrick can be heard saying in the 911 call, according to Wcax. As well as banging on Mosher's door, Herrick also blew his truck's air horn to alert him. He said Mosher opened an upstairs window and he told Mosher he had almost hit the bull. The milk truck driver said he didn't see Mosher come outside after a few minutes so he called police. Mosher later told a trooper he went to look for the bull on his property but couldn't find it, went home and fell asleep. The crash, which happened about 15 minutes after Herrick called police, killed 62-year-old Bellis, of Woodbridge, Connecticut. His car hit the bull and then slammed into a tree. His wife, Kathryn, was in the car but survived, while the bull was killed. The Rutland courtroom heard 911 calls from concerned motorists who had seen the animal on the loose on several occasions, including one from milk truck driver Jeffrey Herrick on July 31 - the night of the fatal crash in Killington Another driver who called 911 after nearly hitting the bull also told Mosher where he had seen the bull. In court, Mosher said: 'My deepest prayers and it broke my heart, I live it every day.' Mosher was previously charged with involuntary manslaughter, which carried a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. He instead pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment. Farmers feared Mosher's prosecution would set a precedent that would impact the state's farming economy. Rutland County State's Attorney Rose Kennedy says the verdict is not an attack on all farmers, and that Mosher was negligent in maintaining his fence. This is the dramatic moment a gang of British tourists got into a huge brawl in a KFC restaurant in Benidorm. Footage of the fight shows two men getting into an altercation and pushing each-other before things escalate as punches and kicks rain in from all sides. Staff then arrive and appear to be calming things down - before they start launching blows at the customers as well. British tourists have been filmed getting into a large brawl inside a KFC in Benidorm after diners began pushing one-another The shameful scenes were captured by YouTube user Luke Ryder and uploaded to the site last week, though it is not clear exactly when the film was taken. As the footage starts, a large man wearing a blue hat can be seen arguing with another man in a pink shirt before walking up and pushing him in the chest. Another two men then step in to break things up, but end up getting involved after also being pushed around. One diner in a striped shirt throws the first punches, before people pile in from all sides with fists flying. While other customers beg the brawlers to stop, one person can be heard loudly trying to order a chicken burger as things descend into chaos. The man in the striped shirt (left and right) throws the first punch before blows start coming in from all sides as customers beg the men to stop Restaurant staff then appear and seem to be calming things down - before losing their cool and getting involved in the ruckus instead One staff member in a red shirt eventually gets into the middle of the foray and starts pushing several of the customers toward the exit. Several more restaurant workers then arrive and things look to be calming down, before suddenly getting violent again as they start lashing out. A worker with a blue hygiene glove on can be seen hitting a man in the side of the head, with at least two other staff members wrestle with customers. Luke and a friend then take a moment to pose for the camera, before panning back around as the fight continues. Moments later the footage cuts out. It is not clear whether the incident was reported to the police, and whether action was taken against any of the customers or staff. Police are seeking public assistance after a taxi driver was attacked and robbed in Sydney last week. The 75-year-old driver was travelling along Shakespeare Place in Woolloomooloo about 6am on June 22 when he was hailed down by two men. The men then asked the driver to stop on Harmer Street in Woolloomooloo. Police want to speak to two men who may be able to assist with enquiries, after a 75-year-old taxi driver was attacked in Woolloomooloo, Sydney last week. Pictured is one of the men When he stopped, one of the men allegedly threatened the driver with a firearm and demanded cash. The men then pulled the driver out of his vehicle, before assaulting him and fleeing the scene. The 75-year-old driver then drove to Kings Cross police station and reported the incident and his tax was seized for forensic analysis. Police would like to speak to two men who may be able to assist them with their enquiries. The 75-year-old driver was travelling along Shakespeare Place in Woolloomooloo about 6am on June 22 when he was hailed down by the men. Pictured is the second man The first man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 173cm tall and aged in his 20's. He is shown in a CCTV image at the time wearing a hooded jumper and has green paint on his face. The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 180cm tall and also aged in his 20's. Anyone with information relating to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The dramatic moment a Las Vegas SWAT team entered a home and killed an armed suspect who was holding a four-year-old girl hostage was captured on police body camera. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to a home in the 6500 block of Assembly Drive to investigate reports of a shooting on Saturday about 9.40pm. When they arrived, they found a woman suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She told officers that the shooting happened at a residence nearby during a domestic dispute. The dramatic moment a Las Vegas SWAT team entered a home and killed an armed suspect who was holding a four-year-old girl hostage was captured on police body camera Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to a home to investigate reports of a shooting . When they arrived they found a woman who was shot. They tried to approach the home, but shots were fired from inside. The SWAT team was called in The SWAT Team busted down the front door about two hours after the initial call and found the armed suspect (above) inside. He was shot by police after firing his weapon She was transported to a nearby hospital with non life-threatening wounds. Officers then went to the residence and attempted to make contact with anyone inside, but they backed away after a man with a handgun came to the front door. Two shots were fired from the rear of the residence as officers surrounded the home, and then five more shots were fired from the front of the house. The LVMPD's Crisis Negotiation and SWAT teams were called and responded to the scene. Authorities quickly learned that the suspect had several other firearms as a four-year-old girl was present inside the home being held hostage. Authorities entered a separate bedroom (above) in the home and rescued the four-year-old girl. She suffered no injuries, but the suspect died later at a hospital The SWAT Team entered the house at 12.05am and immediately began to take gunfire from the suspect. They fired back striking the unidentified male as one officer rescued the little girl inside. Police body camera footage shows the SWAT Team busting the door to the home down and rushing inside as gunfire can be heard. The SWAT officer then finds the little girl and rushes her outside while asking if she is okay and if she's hurt. She was transported to the UMC Pediatrics Unit for an evaluation, but she suffered no injuries. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital where he died. Authorities have not revealed what led to the situation or released the identities of those involved. A dangerous motorist was slammed by a judge for showing a 'total disregard for the public' after killing a father-of-three on a pedestrian crossing. Connor McCaugherty, 23, ploughed into Dil Bahadur Subedi, 45, at 90mph during a police chase through the streets of Birmingham. Birmingham Crown Court heard how McCaugherty was already on bail for reckless driving when he knocked the hard working chef some 30ft across the road. McCaugherty had earlier hit speeds of up to 126mph as he fled police through city streets in a stolen Ford Mondeo on March 26. Connor McCaugherty, 23, (left) ploughed into Dil Bahadur Subedi, 45, (right) at 90mph during a police chase through the streets of Birmingham Birmingham Crown Court heard how McCaugherty was already on bail at the time for reckless driving when he knocked the hard working chef some 30ft across the road. Pictured, police at the scene Officers abandoned their chase minutes before the fatal collision on Birmingham's Belgrave Middleway after his increasingly erratic driving became too dangerous. The 23-year-old was already on bail for an earlier high speed chase in the city in December 2016, when he had mounted pavements and hit pedestrians. Jailing McCaugherty at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Mark Wall QC said he had 'showed a total disregard' for the public. He made reference to a previous victim of McCaugherty's driving who had predicted he would one day kill someone. Judge Wall reflected that it had proven a 'tragic' and accurate prediction. The court also heard how McCaugherty was already serving a suspended sentence for an earlier dangerous driving offence, when he killed Mr Subedi. Hard working chef Mr Subedi was the 'bread-winner' for his family in the UK and Nepal On the night of the fatal incident in March, officers were on patrol when they spotted McCaugherty before he sped off, running a red light and driving on the wrong side of road. Police launched a chase at 126mph but when McCaugherty ran another set of traffic lights the decision was taken to abandon the chase for safety reasons. Minutes later, driving with his headlights switched off and at a speed of up to 90mph, he ploughed into Mr Subedi as he crossed the road on his way home. Afterwards, McCaugherty torched the stolen car and was heard by a witness laughing. He admitted a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice in trying to cover his tracks. McCaugherty was eventually arrested after a foot chase four days later when he was seen driving another stolen car. He was sentenced for a string of other offences which he had already admitted, including a charge of dangerous driving relating to the police chase in December. Mr Subedi was described by prosecutor Tariq Shahoor as the 'bread-winner' for family in the UK and Nepal. The chef's death had left relatives in dire straits and they faced the prospect of becoming homeless, he added. The judge told McCaugherty his actions had thrown the victim's bereaved family into 'disarray and sadness'. Driving with his headlights switched off and at a speed of up to 90mph, he ploughed into Mr Subedi as he crossed the road on his way home McCaugherty was given a nine year sentence for causing Mr Subedi's death and 12 months for the December dangerous driving incident, to be served consecutively Addressing McCaugherty, he added: 'The way you drove was truly appalling. You killed Mr Subedi while you were on bail and subject to a suspended sentence. 'You drove at more than 100mph, on the wrong side of the carriageway, across pedestrian crossings and for a protracted period with your lights off.' He added: 'You showed a total disregard for the safety of others who were in great danger because of your actions.' The judge said: 'I cannot accept you were truly remorseful.' As he was taken down from the court dock, a tearful McCaugherty shouted 'sorry' to the victim's relatives gathered in the public gallery. McCaugherty was given a nine-year sentence for causing Mr Subedi's death and 12 months for the December dangerous driving incident, to be served consecutively. He was banned from driving for 11 and a half years. This is the bizarre moment a man pulled down his trousers to flash a military convoy. In a video shared to Twitter, the convoy can be seen slowly processing down a dark street. A man from Minsk, Belarus, then makes the strange decision to run up to the side of the line of traffic and expose his private parts. His bare rear can be seen wiggling as the cameraman films him from behind. Towards the end of the clip the man appears to have some kind of altercation with an official in a high visibility jacket before fleeing the scene. Photographer Alex Kirilenko posted the video on Twitter with the caption (originally in Russian): 'Yesterday during the rehearsal of the military equipment parade, the Minsker ran out onto the road, took off his pants, then struck a traffic police officer and fled #Belarus.' Barely believable: A man pulled down his trousers to flash a military convoy. In a video shared to Twitter, the convoy can be seen slowly processing down a dark street Another shocking video of rehearsals for a military parade in the area this week captured the moment a tank flattened a streetlamp in the Belarusian city. The roads were slick with rain and as the armoured vehicle sped down an avenue, it skidded and began to spin before barrelling into the white pole. The driver, who appeared unharmed, looked bewildered as he watched his colleagues process past him. They kept calm and carried on, continuing their rehearsal with true military discipline as the driver inspected the damage done to the expensive piece of equipment. Rail travellers have complained about train ticket prices for as long as anyone can remember, but this new fare is still quite a shocker. Great Western Railway is offering passengers a first class off-peak single from Exeter in Devon to London Paddington for 990 - and it's only valid for travel via Taunton. BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine tweeted an image from the Trainline app of the ticket option - 13 times the price of a first advance single he found for 72.50. Jeremy Vine revealed how Great Western Railway is offering passengers a first off-peak single from Exeter in Devon to London Paddington for 990 - and it's only valid for travel via Taunton The cost is more than that of a return plane ticket from London to Sydney, leaving this Saturday and returning the following weekend, which is available for 974. Vine, 52, tweeted shortly before 3pm today: 'Is this some kind of record? One way train ticket from Exeter to Paddington, first class, nearly ONE THOUSAND pounds?' One of his followers referenced the 1billion deal between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party, saying: 'I think even the DUP would baulk at paying that.' Another tweeted after the death of Paddington bear creator Michael Bond on Tuesday: 'Perhaps it comes with a lifetime supply of marmalade sandwiches.' Great Western Railway told MailOnline this afternoon that the ticket pricing was an 'error' Other followers said 'you could buy a car, insure it etc and still have change' and: 'That must be for the whole train... you can buy the whole train can't you?!' Vine told MailOnline after his tweet went viral that 'it would be cheaper to fly via Cairo' But GWR tweeted Vine to say: 'Thanks for flagging this up Jeremy! Something has clearly gone wrong and we'll make sure it's looked into straight away.' After his tweet went viral, Vine told MailOnline: 'I was looking for a ticket and bang, I got hit by this. It's "off peak only". It would be cheaper to fly via Cairo. 'It was for a Sunday, coming back to London from Exeter. I can't work out if it's a glitch on the system or a genuine fare. 'In the end I found something cheaper. Since I tweeted this I have had a number of people offering to drive me for half the price! 'The mind boggles. My mistake looking at first class. You must get free use of the on-board sauna and Heston Blumenthal personally making the sandwiches.' GWR later told MailOnline that the ticket pricing was an 'error'. Vine's tweet also showed how a more flexible first anytime ticket was on sale for 204.50. Great Western Railway told Vine in a tweet today that something had 'clearly gone wrong' Vine's followers joked about the ticket after he tweeted a grab of the Trainline app on his phone A Great Western Railway spokesman said: 'This is an error; at present not sure if this lies with our systems or wider industry systems, but we are looking into it.' The standard class prices from Exeter to Paddington on a weekday are 48.40 for a super off-peak single, 65.40 for an off-peak single or 125 for an anytime single. The first rail ticket to breach the 1,000 mark was a first class return from Newquay in Cornwall to Kyle of Lochalsh in the Highlands, on sale for 1,002 in 2009. And earlier this year Britain's most expensive standard class ticket was revealed as a 501 journey from Shanklin on the Isle of Wight to Buxton in Derbyshire. Two 99-year-olds have celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary, making them the longest-living couple in Michigan. Donald and Vivian Hart spent their Oak wedding anniversary on Sunday surrounded by their loving family in Grand Rapids, eating cake and flicking through nostalgic photo albums. So what is their secret to a happy relationship spanning eight decades and a World War? Donald and Vivian Hart, both 99, celebrated 80th wedding anniversary, making them the longest-living couple in Michigan The adorable couple (pictured many years ago) spent their Oak wedding anniversary on Sunday surrounded by their loving family in Grand Rapids Make sure the relationship is honest,' said Donald, speaking from the Pilgrim Manor assisted living facility. 'Try to do what's right in God's eyes... It's good to laugh together. Have fun with each other, but don't make jokes at the expense of the other.' Vivian lovingly added: 'Always be willing to help and stay alert to your spouse. The adorable couple met as Donald was leaving church one day in the 1930s, when a group of girls from out of town needed help getting home 'We have prayer every day together in the morning and the night. We don't keep our mind on our troubles.' Around 30 people gathered to celebrate with the couple at Pilgrim Manor, where Donald was coaxed into singing 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart' to his wife. The adorable couple met as Donald was leaving church one day in the 1930s, when a group of girls from out of town needed help getting home, ABC reported. Instead of simply giving them directions, the chivalrous Michigan man walked her home and on June 25, 1937, married Vivian. Donald, who served in the Air Force, was then drafted to fight in the Second World War. Around 30 people gathered to celebrate with the couple at Pilgrim Manor, where Donald was coaxed into singing 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart' to his wife Donald, who served in the Air Force, was drafted to fight in the Second World War not long after they married in 1937 Fortunately he survived and returned to his wife and hometown, where he worked at furniture manufacturer American Seating for the next 20 years. Their family told 24 Hour News 8 how Donald and Vivian's 'strength, forgiveness and commitment to their family and church' have seen them reach such an incredible milestone. Their eldest son Don said: 'When I look back on it I think, "Boy, we were really poor". 'We lived in a dinky house it had been a chicken coop. We didn't have things, but we had a lot of fun,' he told NBC. But it has not always been easy according to Donald, who said: 'When those times happen you get knocked down, but you just get up and go again. 'When you get together again, it was better yet than ever. Seems that way.' A former lottery computer programmer has pleaded guilty in Iowa to running a criminal scheme that allowed him to collect millions of dollars in lottery winnings in four other states. Former Multi-State Lottery Association security director Eddie Tipton on Thursday admitted that he manipulated the computer software he designed, allowing him to provide winning numbers to his brother and others. Tipton, his brother Tommy Tipton and Texas businessman Robert Rhodes will repay $2.2million in prizes they improperly claimed in Colorado, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Kansas. Iowa prosecutors will ask for a 25-year prison sentence for Eddie Tipton. Former Multi-State Lottery Association security director Eddie Tipton (seen above at Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines) on Thursday admitted that he manipulated the computer software he designed, allowing him to provide winning numbers to his brother and others Tommy Tipton also pleaded guilty Thursday in Iowa and was sentenced to 75 days in jail. Eddie Tipton finally admitted breaking the law after two years during which he adamantly proclaimed his innocence, according to the Des Moines Register. 'It was more of a trying to see if I could do it scenario,' he said. 'And then it just continued to exist ... the opportunity was there and I took advantage of it.' 'I wrote software that included code that allowed me to technically predict wining numbers and I gave those numbers to other individuals who then won the lottery and shared those winnings with me,' he said. Eddie Tipton finally admitted breaking the law after two years during which he adamantly proclaimed his innocence 'I didn't think that anybody was breaking the law at all by giving numbers away. But I gave the numbers away knowing that someone could win.' Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned Tipton's conviction, saying his trial over a rigged $16.5million jackpot was tainted by unjustified delays in the investigation. Although the ruling was a victory for Tipton, whose lawyers argued that Iowa's long-running inquiry into the 2010 jackpot let the statute of limitations expire, it had little practical impact. Prosecutors this month agreed to vacate the conviction under a plea agreement, regardless of the court's decision. The deal requires Tipton to plead guilty to ongoing criminal conduct for his efforts to rig other jackpots. Investigators say Tipton installed code on lottery computers that allowed him to predict the winning numbers on three days of the year. They say he worked with his brother, businessman Robert Rhodes and other associates to purchase and claim winning tickets from 2005 to 2011. Last week's ruling was limited to the first and biggest jackpot linked to Tipton, a $16.5 million Hot Lotto drawing in December 2010. Lawyers representing a Belize-based trust came forward a year later with the winning ticket hours before the deadline, but they wouldn't say who bought it. The Iowa Lottery refused to pay and requested a criminal investigation. After the case hit a dead-end, investigators in 2014 released surveillance video of a hooded man purchasing the winning ticket at a Des Moines gas station in 2010. Tommy Tipton (left), Eddie Tipton's brother, also pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced to 75 days in jail Colleagues told investigators they believed the man was Tipton, who was charged and fired by the Urbandale-based association. Jurors convicted Tipton in 2015 of fraudulently trying to redeem the ticket and tampering with lottery equipment. The court ruled last week that the three-year statute of limitations was expired on the tampering charge, dismissing it. The court said the verdict on the redeeming charge was tainted because the statute of limitations ran out on two of three legal theories presented to jurors. The court ordered a retrial on that count, but it's not expected to happen under the plea deal. Prosecutors theorized at trial that Tipton disabled security cameras in the drawing room and installed a self-deleting software program that rigged the outcome. After the conviction, they learned that theory may have been wrong as they linked other jackpots to Tipton and his friends. 'It was more of a trying to see if I could do it scenario,' Eddie Tipton (seen in the above 2015 stock photo) said. 'And then it just continued to exist ... the opportunity was there and I took advantage of it' An analysis of a Wisconsin computer uncovered code that allowed Tipton to predict winning numbers on May 27, November 23 and December 29. Justice Brent Appel faulted investigators last week for taking too long to try to interview key witnesses in Canada and Texas, saying they didn't pursue the case 'with due diligence' and weren't entitled to an extension of the statute of limitations. 'It took over three years for the trail to run cold when that point could have been reached by completing two simple tasks,' he wrote. Division of Criminal Investigation agent Matt Anderson testified that his efforts were delayed by a busy workload, which included dozens of voter fraud cases assigned to him. After buying the ticket, Tipton passed it to Rhodes, of Sugar Land, Texas. Rhodes and Houston lawyer Robert Sonfield then passed the ticket to Phillip Johnston in Canada, who called the lottery in 2011 claiming he was the owner. Johnston later said he was representing a person who wanted to claim the ticket anonymously through the trust. It took investigators until 2013 to interview Johnston, who identified Rhodes and Sonfield as being involved. Several more months passed before investigators traveled to try to find those two, who didn't cooperate. Rhodes has since pleaded guilty and has been cooperating with Tipton's prosecution. Sonfield has not been charged. Facebook allows users to post remarks attacking black children but will ban those who direct hate speech toward white men, it has been claimed. The social network uses an algorithm that legislates which types of speech are deemed out of bounds and which ones are permissible, according to ProPublica. The company is attempting to apply a uniform code that will protect each racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic grouping equally from cyberbullying and hate speech. Critics, however, say that the unintended result is that Facebook essentially protects privileged populations while denying adequate online safety to those most in need of it. ProPublica obtained internal documents which Facebook employees used as part of training to determine which content would justify banning certain users. One of the documents shows three categories white men, black children, and women drivers. Last month, Didi Delgado, a Black Lives Matter activist from Boston, was barred from Facebook for a week after posting: 'All white people are racist. Start from this reference point, or you've already failed.' The post was removed by Facebook After the terrorist attack on London Bridge earlier this month, a Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins advocated for the death of 'radicalized' Muslims. Facebook did not censor the post It asks the employees, 'Which of the below subsets do we protect?' The correct answer was white men. The reason for this is that Facebook does not permit users to target 'protected categories' those which cover race, sex, gender identity, religious affiliation, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability or disease. Since 'white' and 'men' are both protected categories, singling out white men is forbidden on Facebook. However, the social network does permit users to target 'subsets' of protected categories. While 'black' and 'women' are protected, 'children' and 'drivers' are not. Hence, those 'subsets' are fair game, according to Facebook. After the terrorist attack on London Bridge earlier this month, a US Congressman, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, advocated for the death of 'radicalized' Muslims. In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook employees urged CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to remove some of Donald Trump's posts, particularly those calling for banning Muslims from the United States; Zuckerberg overruled his employees however 'Hunt them, identify them, and kill them,' the Republican wrote on his Facebook page. 'Kill them all. For the sake of all that is good and righteous. Kill them all.' Even though Facebook employs people whose job it is to moderate content and censor offensive posts, this particular post was untouched. Last month, Didi Delgado, a Black Lives Matter activist from Boston, was barred from Facebook for a week after posting: 'All white people are racist. Start from this reference point, or you've already failed.' The post was removed by Facebook. Because Higgins called for the deaths of 'radicalized' Muslims which is a subset of Muslims the post was allowed to remain. But Delgado's 'all white people' was a violation of protections afforded to 'protected categories.' These instances highlight the delicate First Amendment tightrope that Facebook tries to walk as it seeks to balance the need to allow its users to speak freely with legal requirements to clamp down on hate speech. Facebook, for its part, says that it has done its best to institute a fair policy that will protect the widest spectrum of users. 'The policies do not always lead to perfect outcomes,' said Monika Bickert, head of global policy management at Facebook. 'That is the reality of having policies that apply to a global community where people around the world are going to have very different ideas about what is OK to share.' While Facebook says it is seeking to apply its regulations equally, exceptions have been made. In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that employees of the social network urged their boss, CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to remove some of then-candidate Donald Trump's posts, particularly those calling for banning Muslims from the United States. Zuckerberg, however, overruled his employees and the posts remained. The Facebook chief believed that Trump's posts qualified as legitimate political discourse. The issue of legislating hate speech could become a costly one for Facebook. German lawmakers this week are poised to pass a bill designed to enforce the country's existing limits on free speech including the long-standing ban on Holocaust denial in social networks. Critics including tech giants and human rights campaigners say the legislation could have drastic consequences for free speech online. The proposed measure would fine social networking sites up to $56 million if they fail to swiftly remove illegal content, including defamatory 'fake news.' It has scheduled for a vote in parliament Friday, the last session before summer recess and September's national election, and is widely expected to pass. Last month, the Guardian obtained leaked documents which show how Facebook moderates issues such as hate speech, terrorism, pornography and self-harm on its platform. New challenges such as 'revenge porn' have overwhelmed Facebook's moderators who often have just ten seconds to make a decision, the Guardian said. The social media company reviews more than 6.5 million reports of potentially fake accounts a week, the newspaper added. Facebook had no specific comment on the report but said safety was its overriding concern. Labour's Brexit policy was exposed as a shambles last night as the partys divisions were laid bare. Jeremy Corbyn was forced to sack three shadow ministers after they defied his orders not to back a soft Brexit. The Labour leader has been accused of cynically trying to face both ways on Europe. He is desperate to keep the support of both the partys Brexit-backing Northern heartlands and pro-Remain cities such as London. Shadow Foreign Office Minister Catherine West (left), Shadow Justice Minister Andy Slaughter (centre) and Shadow Housing Minister Ruth Cadbury were all sacked tonight Confusion over Labour's Brexit plans deepened tonight as dozens of Jeremy Corbyn's MPs defied the Labour leader (pictured in the Commons yesterday) to back a rebel plan to stay in the single market But he suffered a humiliating rebellion yesterday as nearly 50 Labour MPs a fifth of his party supported an amendment to the Queens Speech calling for Britain to remain in the EU single market and the customs union. Shadow ministers Andy Slaughter, Ruth Cadbury and Catherine West were fired for joining the revolt. Shadow transport minister Daniel Zeichner quit before the vote. Commons Speaker John Bercow created trouble for Mr Corbyn by selecting the amendment, which was tabled by Labours former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna. Chuka Umunna (pictured in the Commons this afternoon) moved his own amendment to the Queen's Speech that demanded a soft Brexit deal from the Government Mr Corbyn, who has committed to leaving the single market but says he wants to keep all of its benefits, ordered his MPs to abstain. But 49 Labour MPs backed the amendment, revealing deep divisions in the party. The rebels were joined by 34 SNP MPs, all 12 Liberal Democrats, the four Plaid Cymru MPs, the Green Partys Caroline Lucas and Independent Lady Hermon, but the amendment was defeated 322-101. Tory MP James Cleverly said: Labour are in total chaos there is deep division at the heart of the Labour Party on the most crucial issue facing the country today. They still cant agree on the fundamentals and would get the worst Brexit deal at the highest price. While Jeremy Corbyns chaotic team bicker over their position on Brexit, were getting on with the job of government delivering on the will of the British people and building a stronger economy so we can improve peoples living standards and fund public services. THE REMOANERS: THE 101 MPs WHO BACK THE SINGLE MARKET Stewart Hosie (Scottish National Party - Dundee East) Dr Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton) Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West) Darren Jones (Labour - Bristol North West) Susan Elan Jones (Labour - Clwyd South) Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove) Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion) Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk) Mr David Lammy (Labour - Tottenham) Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee West) Mr Chris Leslie (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham East) David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East) Stephen Lloyd (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne) Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion) Angus Brendan MacNeil (Scottish National Party - Na h-Eileanan an Iar) Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East) Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South) Stuart C. McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) Alison McGovern (Labour - Wirral South) Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North) John McNally (Scottish National Party - Falkirk) Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West) Mrs Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend) Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon) Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South) Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North) Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute) Albert Owen (Labour - Ynys Mon) Jess Phillips (Labour - Birmingham, Yardley) Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd) Mr Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall) Mr Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield) Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East) Mr Gavin Shuker (Labour (Co-op) - Luton South) Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Kilburn) Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith) Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West) Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central) Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) Wes Streeting (Labour - Ilford North) Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat - East Dunbartonshire) Alison Thewliss (Scottish National Party - Glasgow Central) Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West) Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham) Chuka Umunna (Labour - Streatham) Keith Vaz (Labour - Leicester East) Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green) Dr Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party - Central Ayrshire) Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon) Pete Wishart (Scottish National Party - Perth and North Perthshire) John Woodcock (Labour (Co-op) - Barrow and Furness) Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge) Rushanara Ali (Labour - Bethnal Green and Bow) Mr Adrian Bailey (Labour (Co-op) - West Bromwich West) Hannah Bardell (Scottish National Party - Livingston) Luciana Berger (Labour (Co-op) - Liverpool, Wavertree) Mhairi Black (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire South) Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber) Kirsty Blackman (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen North) Mr Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter) Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat - Carshalton and Wallington) Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith) Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun) Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda) Ms Karen Buck (Labour - Westminster North) Sir Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham) Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth) Dr Lisa Cameron (Scottish National Party - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow) Mr Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland) Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife) Joanna Cherry (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh South West) Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley) Ann Coffey (Labour - Stockport) Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde) Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark) Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East) Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow) Sir Edward Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton) Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk) Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington) Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire) Stephen Doughty (Labour (Co-op) - Cardiff South and Penarth) Maria Eagle (Labour - Garston and Halewood) Jonathan Edwards (Plaid Cymru - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) Mrs Louise Ellman (Labour (Co-op) - Liverpool, Riverside) Paul Farrelly (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme) Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat - Westmorland and Lonsdale) Mike Gapes (Labour (Co-op) - Ilford South) Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife) Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran) Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North) Peter Grant (Scottish National Party - Glenrothes) Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts) Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston) John Grogan (Labour - Keighley) Helen Hayes (Labour - Dulwich and West Norwood) Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down) Meg Hillier (Labour (Co-op) - Hackney South and Shoreditch) Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath) Dame Margaret Hodge (Labour - Barking) Advertisement The vote appears to contradict claims that there is no majority in the House of Commons in favour of leaving the single market and customs union. Mr Umunna called on the Government to get real about Brexit as he urged ministers to stay inside the European single market. But closing the Queens Speech debate, Business Secretary Greg Clark criticised him, saying: He wants a good deal from Brexit with a parliamentary vote that involves transitional arrangements, respects the devolved administrations, and protects rights so do I. But when he adds to that this membership of the single market does he not recall that only three weeks ago he was running on a programme promising to leave it. Thats quite a big thing to forget, Mr Speaker a bit like forgetting that he hasnt got confidence in the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Corbyn last night bizarrely claimed it was the Tories who were divided on the issue, saying: The Conservatives are all over the place on Brexit. Cambridge MP Mr Zeichner whose departure will force the Labour leader into yet another reshuffle said it showed that Mr Corbyn was ready to take the party back into power. He added: It shows the Labour frontbench is very serious about returning to power. In the past, people with my views have been tolerated. But today it was very clear that any diversion from the published line would not be tolerated. Labours official position is that Britain will leave the single market. The partys shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, this month accepted that you cannot have membership of the single market unless you are in the EU. He said: Our manifesto is clear. We want to retain the benefits of the single market and the customs union. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell added: I think people will interpret membership of the single market as not respecting that referendum. Labour deputy leader Tom Watson denounced unhelpful Mr Umunna for tabling the amendment, adding: His amendment forced people to take a position on the single market earlier than we needed to. Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage tweeted: Corbyn showing his true Brexit colours. Hes almost a proper chap. Official Labour policy backs a full withdrawal from the single market, with negotiations to regain access to the trading bloc. Labour's MPs were ordered to abstain on the vote in the Commons but analysis of the division revealed the rebels. Mr Umunna's measure was heavily defeated 322 to 101. The rebel tally was 49 Labour MPs, who were joined by the SNP, Liberal Democrats and others from minor parties. The vote on Brexit came after Theresa May successfully fought off a Labour bid to derail the entire Queen's Speech. Shadow transport minister Daniel Zeichner resigned from Labour's front bench to vote in favour of the plan The Prime Minister took a big step towards pushing her legislative programme through parliament as she overcame a Labour wrecking amendment with a relatively comfortable majority of 26. Moving his rebel amendment, Mr Umunna told MPs the UK would not be able to get the same benefits outside the market as it would being a member. He added there were considerable social justice arguments for staying in the single market, such as protecting the public purse from a major economic shock as well as the workplace rights, environmental rights and consumer protection it provides. 'Let's get real about this,' Mr Umunna said. 'Some say we could have all of these things on our own, we don't need to be part of the single market. 'But large, multi-national companies work across borders to maximise their profits and reduce these protections. 'One national government cannot take on the power of these people alone.' He added: 'I say to the Government look, yes you can look at other countries as a guide - Norway, the rest - but we are the United Kingdom. 'The fifth biggest economy in the world, the second biggest military power, the home of Shakespeare, we created the world wide web. As drama unfolds at parliament today, Theresa May is attending a meeting with EU leaders in Berlin to prepare for the G20 summit next week 'Let's be ambitious and get the best deal for future generations in this country.' Closing the Queen's Speech debate, Business Secretary Greg Clark criticised the amendment put forward by Mr Umunna. He said: 'He (Mr Umunna) wants a good deal from Brexit with a parliamentary vote that involves transitional arrangements, respects the devolved administrations, and protects rights - so do I. 'But when he adds to that this membership of the single market does he not recall that only three weeks ago he was running on a programme promising to leave it. 'That's quite a big thing to forget, Mr Speaker, a bit like forgetting that he hasn't got confidence in the Leader of the Opposition.' Tory MP James Cleverly said: 'When it comes to Brexit, Labour are in total chaos - there is deep division at the heart of the Labour Party on the most crucial issue facing the country today they still can't agree on the fundamentals and would get the worst Brexit deal at the highest price. 'Whilst Jeremy Corybn's chaotic team bicker over their position on Brexit we're getting on with the job of government - delivering on the will of the British people and building a stronger economy so we can improve people's living standards and fund public services.' Earlier, the weakness of Mrs May's position had already been underlined when she bowed to a change put forward by Labour backbencher Stella Creasy. The MP's amendment had called for women subject to tough abortion laws in Northern Ireland to have access to free treatment in England. ABORTION COSTS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND WOMAN AT CENTRE OF COURT BATTLE The Queen's Speech amendment comes after the supreme court ruled this month that women from Northern Ireland are not entitled to free access to abortions in England on the NHS. A panel of supreme court judges narrowly decided that those coming from the province, where there are severe restrictions on abortion, cannot receive free treatment. The government has a policy of not funding medical services in England that would be unlawful if received in Northern Ireland. The judges were considering the case of Woman A, who was 15 and resident in Northern Ireland when she became pregnant in 2012. She travelled to Manchester with her mother and went to a private clinic at a total cost of 900 including travel. The case is now expected to go to the European Court of Human Rights. Advertisement Significant numbers of Conservative MPs had indicated they would either support the move or abstain - destroying Mrs May's wafer-thin majority. The government acted to avert the defeat by pledging 1million a year of funding for Northern Ireland women to have abortions in England. Ms Creasy later withdrew the amendment saying she was 'satisfied'. Mr Corbyn tabled an amendment that demands ministers secure 'exactly the same' benefits as the EU single market in Brexit negotiations. But he is bracing for a rebellion of his own with a slew of MPs defying him by calling for a guarantee that the UK stays a member of the single market. Ms Creasy's amendment has been seconded by Tory MP Peter Bottomley, and a number of other Conservatives such as former equalities minister Maria Miller could choose to vote for it or abstain. Asked about the issue yesterday, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: 'We are absolutely committed to healthcare for women, and that includes access to terminations.' The measure states that 'all UK citizens including those from Northern Ireland may access medical services including abortion procedures in England if they so wish without charge'. DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr yesterday seemed to suggest the party would not force a showdown on the issue, saying 'this is not a matter for Belfast, this is a matter for NHS England'. Governments with substantial majorities would typically ignore such efforts to tweak the Queen's Speech, even if they were popular across the House, on the basis that they can be dealt with in specific legislation. However, the tight arithmetic of the current parliament means Mrs May had little choice but to succumb. Dozens of pigs spilled out onto a Texas highway after a semi-truck carrying them flipped over, forcing authorities to round them up. The 18-wheeler transporting the farm animals crashed into a center median around 6.30am while driving on Interstate 45 in Wilmer. It flipped over onto its side and later caught fire. The driver, however, escaped unharmed. Law enforcement officials closed the roadway in both directions as they spent the next several hours rounding up herds of pigs. Some went as far as three or four miles away from the scene of the crash before being ushered back by police. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Dozens of pigs spilled out onto a Texas highway after a semi-truck carrying them flipped over, forcing authorities to round them up (scene above) The truck transporting the farm animals crashed into a center median around 6.30am while driving on Interstate 45 in Wilmer, releasing the 195 pigs Some pigs went as far as three or four miles away from the scene of the crash before being ushered back by police 'The biggest challenge was corralling the pigs, keeping them from oncoming traffic and getting run over,' Lieutenant Eric Pon of the Wilmer Police Department told CBS DFW. Lieutenant Pon said details of what caused the accident are still being determined. 'We had a total of 195 [pigs on the semi]. We do not know how many dead-loss or how many ran off,' he said. 'We had a total of 195 [pigs on the semi]. We do not know how many dead-loss or how many ran off,' said Lieutenant Eric Pon of the Wilmer Police Department Law enforcement officials closed the roadway in both directions as they spent the next several hours rounding up dozens of pigs The driver of the semi-truck escaped unharmed, but it is unknown if any of the animals were injured due to the crash It's unclear whether any pigs were injured due to the crash or when the highway would reopen. Firefighters sprayed water on the animals to help keep them cool in the sweltering Texas heat. The phenomenon of escaped farm animals doesn't pertain only to pigs. Two years ago in upstate New York, 15 buffalo escaped from a farm and made it onto a state thruway. Unfortunately, men hired by the farm shot all the buffalo dead, saying that tranquilizers would have been ineffective. This is the jaw-dropping moment that a teenage boy was hoisted tens of feet into the air on a stretcher after falling ill on a seaborne cruise ship on Tuesday morning. The 14-year-old came down with appendicitis-like symptoms on board the Norwegian Breakaway while it was 300 miles off the coast of Ocean City. With the teen's life at risk, the US Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to rescue him in the most spectacular fashion, the Maryland Coast Dispatch reported. Scroll down for video Up, up and away: A US Coast Guard rescued a 14-year-old boy who fell ill on a cruise ship on Tuesday, flying hundreds of miles out to sea to winch up him and his grandmother Coast Guard Watchstanders in the 5th District Command Center in Portsmouth were notified by the captain of the Norwegian Breakaway. They then put a call through to the Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in North Carolina - 160 miles from Ocean City, and many more from the ship. The air station scrambled an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an HC-130J fixed-wing plane crew, which set off in search of the boy, who is not being identified. Meanwhile, the cruise liner had altered its course to head inland, in the hope of shortening the amount of time it would take for the rescuers to reach them. The helicopter crew was the first to reach the boy; it then airlifted him to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk. The dramatic scenes were filmed by the plane. His grandmother was also airlifted up to accompany him to the medical center; he is expected to survive. 'The professionalism exhibited by the crew of the Norwegian Breakaway ensured that the Coast Guard was adequately informed of a life-threatening situation aboard,' said 5th District Command Center duty officer Lieutenant JG Dan Dunn. 'Their willingness to alter their course inland ensured that the aircraft transported this young man to the appropriate medical facility in a timely manner, thus saving his life.' A Florida deputy has been fired after a social media post in which he boasted about almost shooting someone in order to 'get his head right' emerged. Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy Austen Callus was caught out making the remark in a Snapchat post that has since been shared across social media. The 23-year-old took a picture of himself while in the backseat of a car, then shared it along with the caption: 'Nothing like almost shooting someone to set your head right lol. God I gate (sic) people with knives.' The officer's name is also seen in the top corner of the image. Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy Austen Callus has been fired after this picture emerged of him bragging about almost shooting someone He had initially been placed on leave, but the sheriff's office announced he had been let go about 1:30pm on Thursday. The 23-year-old has been with the force since November 2016. He works as a patrol deputy 'On Tuesday June 27, 2017, the Administrative Investigation Division received a complaint regarding several inappropriate posts involving Callus on the Snapchat application,' a statement read. 'Investigators immediately confronted Callus about the post and he admitted to placing the photograph. 'As a result of Callus inappropriate comments and out of concern for the safety of others, he was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. 'Callus guns and credentials were collected from him. Effective Thursday, June 29, 2017, Callus employment was terminated.' Another Floridian, furious with the officer's caption, posted the picture on Facebook. 'This is the kind of cop Pinellas county sheriff's office hires? Someone who wants to shoot someone just to get his head right?' Joseph Wood wrote on Monday night. The photo has been shared about 300 times since. It is unclear what apparent near shooting Callus was referring to in his post. The 23-year-old has been with the force since November 2016. He works as a patrol deputy. NFL star Logan Ryan just gave his older brother the surprise of a lifetime by paying off his nearly six-figure student loan debt for his birthday. The Tennessee Titans cornerback shared a photo to his Instagram page showing he and his brother smiling while holding a large check written to American Education Services for the $82,000. He also wrote 'F*ck Student Loans' in the subject line of the check. 'Surprised my big bro and paid off his student loans for his 29th Bday!!' Ryan wrote in the post that's gone viral. Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan presented his older brother with a check for $82,000 to pay off his student loans. Ryan shared a photo (above) to Instagram showing he and his brother holding a large check with the subject line 'F*ck Student Loans' Ryan, who previously played for the New England Patriots (above right), said that his brother did everything right - went to college, graduated with honors and now works as an engineer. He wrote: '(But) he still lives with a ridiculous amount of student loan debt' Ryan wrote in the post that 'the system is broken' and that it 'makes no sense'. The athlete just signed a $30million contract to play with the Tennessee Titans this upcoming season 'My man got accepted to college, graduated with honors, and now works as an engineer. He did everything the right way and still lives with a ridiculous amount of student loan debt. 'The system is broke and makes no sense!! I'm Fortunate and blessed to be able to take care of that for him.. Love you big bro you deserve it!! #Family #FinallyFree'. Ryan, who previously played for the New England Patriots, just signed a three-year contract worth $30million with the Titans this off-season. The two-time Super Bowl champion recently got married to his wife Ashley in St. Lucia. Ryan (above right) added: 'I'm Fortunate and blessed to be able to take care of that for him.. Love you big bro you deserve it!! #Family #FinallyFree' The newly-wed couple asked their wedding guests to donate cash to a St Lucian animal rescue center after the pair met a stray dog while getting married on the island. The pair were walking through the St Lucian town of Soufriere to have their wedding photographs taken when they came across the stray dog. The couple and their friends and family flew off to the Caribbean island last month. He shared a heartwarming post about the encounter to his Instagram page. The two-time Super Bowl champion recently got married to his wife Ashley in St. Lucia. The couple asked their wedding guests to donate cash to a St Lucian animal rescue center after the pair met a stray dog while getting married on the island (above) He said: 'While taking some wedding photos in the St.Lucian town of Soufriere we ran into this stray dog and many others like her. 'This one in particular followed us through the streets for 20 plus minutes. When we flew back to the states we were determined to help any way possible. 'We donated and we encouraged all friends and family that instead giving us wedding gifts to make donations to @helpaws, a St.Lucian based dog rescue. 'Just got word back that based on our picture they found this particular mama dog, named her Logan, and the donation paid for her Spay.' An Ohio man who gunned down his pastor brother at the close of a Sunday service last year has been sentenced to 31-years-to-life in prison. Daniel Schooler, 69, claimed that he was acting in self defense when he shot older brother Reverend William Schooler, 70, at the pastor's Dayton church in February 2016. His family maintain that he is mentally ill. But that bought him no leniency in court on Wednesday when his sentence was handed down - but he wasn't there to hear the judge speak, as he was 'wallowing in his own feces' in jail, WDTN reported. Sentenced: On Wednesday Daniel Schooler (left), 69, was sentenced to 31-years-to-life in prison for shooting brother William (right) in February 2016. Schooler is reportedly mentally ill Panic: Schooler shot his pastor brother at this Dayton, Ohio church while services were ending causing mass panic. Schooler was in jail covered in his own filth during sentencing, judge said The judge said that Schooler was smeared in his own fecal matter in his cell and so would not be present for his sentencing. The prosecution said this was not the first time that it had happened. Schooler had previously told the court that he had gone to St Peter's Missionary Baptist Church to discuss an inheritance with his brother. He followed the pastor into in an office at the back of the church while the choir were still singing, it was reported at the time. But while there, he had told the court, his brother reached toward him - 'forcing' him to open fire on the reverend. Prosecutors said that he did it because he was angry over money that he believed he was owed. The church descended into chaos as the approximately 20 people in the building fled the gunfire. Schooler was found guilty of murder and felonious assault charges earlier this month. In February, court records revealed that he had sued his brother and other church leaders back in 2011 after he claimed he was owed money from the real estate value of the church. Ill? Schooler's family say he is mentally ill. He reportedly had a dispute with his brother over money that he believed he was owed A court had ruled against the claim. The Dayton Daily News also reported in March that Schooler shot his nephew in the arm in 2001, but the nephew didn't want to press charges. William Schooler was appointed pastor of the small Dayton church in 2011. He was a 1963 graduate of Dunbar High School and three colleges, and a decorated Vietnam Veteran who received the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Montgomery County Family and Children First Committee. Friend and fellow community leader Ronnie Moreland said Schooler was the current president of the Baptist Ministers Union in Dayton. 'He had deep roots in the community,' he told the Dayton Daily News. 'He was a beloved leader. It's hard to put into words what has happened.' President Donald Trump will meet next week with Russia's Vladimir Putin during a trip abroad that will take him to Poland and Germany. The White House would not commit to a discussion about election hacking during the pull aside at the G20 summit in Hamburg that HR McMaster, the president's national security adviser, and Gary Cohn, his national economic adviser, previewed to the press on Thursday afternoon. 'It's really going to be whatever the president wants to talk about,' McMaster said. Cohn told reporters, 'We don't have an agenda set up for these meetings right now.' President Donald Trump will meet next week with Russia's Vladimir Putin during a trip abroad that will take him to Poland and Germany At the summit the White House says that Trump will also meet with Britain's Theresa May He'll meet with Mexico's Pena Nieto for the first time on the sidelines of the summit, as well McMaster said a goal of Trump's meetings at the G20 would be for the US and the West to agree on 'a common approach to Russia' and for them to 'develop a more constructive relationship with Russia, but he's also made clear that we will do what is necessary to confront Russia's destabilizing behavior.' At the summit the White House says that Trump will also meet with Germany's Angela Merkel, Britain's Theresa May, Japan's Shinzo Abe, South Korea's Moon Jae-in, China's Xi Jinping, Mexico's Enrique Pena Nieto, Indonesia's Joko Widodo, and Singapore's Tony Tan. Trump has met most of the leaders on other occasions. His face-to-face with Pena Nieto will be a first, though. They called off a White House summit earlier this year at the height of a dispute over Trump's Mexican border wall. The talks will be quick, Trump's advisers explained, and the president will speak to world leaders about whatever topics he sees fit. As it pertains to Russia, Trump will focus on confronting the country's 'destabilizing behavior' McMaster said 'and come up with a strategy to do that.' 'Nobody wants a major power at war,' he said, 'What is it that we have to be able to put in place to be able to deter conflict.' Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders appeared on camera at a televised briefing immediately after and would not promise, when pressed, that Trump would bring up the election hacking when he meets with the head of the Kremlin. 'Obviously I'm not gonna get ahead of the president's conversation,' she said. Officials had testified last week that 21 states had their voting systems tampered with and some even had their data stolen. No votes tallies were effect, they said, yet warned that Russia was likely to attack America's election infrastructure again. A report then revealed that the Obama administration knew about Russian interference sooner than it said. Trump hit his predecessor, Barack Obama, in tweets this week for doing 'nothing' about the hacking when he found out about it and demanded an apology for charges of collusion. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that Trump's cybersecurity executive order and an election commission he created would help prevent hacking from happening again. He said he did not know what additional steps the president thinks that Obama should have taken before the last election to prevent Russian meddling and could not say, in any detail, what Trump would do that's different. 'I do know, when it comes to how the President works, he doesn't telegraph what he's going to do on a lot of these things. He does a lot of quiet diplomacy, he enacts things, and so until we're ready to announce something, we're not going to telegraph it through here,' he said of sanctions legislation that will son be on the president's desk. Obama said he issued a stern warning to Putin on the sidelines of a similar summit last fall, contrary to Trump's Twitter claims. In terms of his ask on climate change, an official said, 'He's going to ask for a fair and level playing field' Officials left the door open Thursday to an additional lecture from Trump. As news of the meeting circulated, the US senate voted to put sanctions on Russia on its second try, after an earlier bill was sent back by the House out for a rewrite. It is expected to pass in the lower chamber this time around and should end up on the president's desk before he sees Putin. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin would not say what the president plans to do with it, yet suggested that it was from his standpoint unnecessary. 'You've seen we've used sanctions in other areas. We will continue to use these. So notwithstanding anything Congress passes, I can assure you this administration and the Treasury Department will use sanctions to the maximum amount available by law,' he said. Mnuchin added, 'We don't need Congress to tell us to put on more. We're going to do more whether they tell us or not. 'Russia sanctions, we've got plenty of those on as well.' McMaster had echoed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's interest in working with the Russians on areas of mutual interest, like the crisis in Syria, in the first White House briefing, one that was not televised. Other topics on Trump's mind will be terrorism, trade, trade, energy and the environment, he said. In terms of the president's ask on climate change, and his expected talk with Merkel, Cohn said, 'He's going to ask for a fair and level playing field.' 'We cannot be in a position where the United States is cutting and cutting emissions while other countries continue to grow until 2030, that doesn't seem like a fair and level playing field. ' The White House would not commit to a discussion about election hacking during the pull aside at the G20 summit in Hamburg that HR McMaster, the president's national security adviser (left) and Gary Cohn, his national economic adviser (right) previewed to the press on Thursday afternoon Trump's meeting with Merkel will be his first since he announced dramatically announced his decision to pull the US out of an international climate change agreement that the German leader has aggressively supported. Merkel had said in a speech to German parliament Thursday, 'We can not and will not wait for the latest in the world to be convinced by the scientific evidence for climate change. 'The Paris agreement is irreversible and non-negotiable and I am determined to carry out the negotiations at the G20 Summit so that they can serve the Paris climate agreement.' Trump indicated in Thursday afternoon remarks of his own that he's not going to budge. The US president said at a Department of Energy even that 'in order to protect American jobs, companies and workers' he was exiting 'the one-sided Paris climate accord.' 'And I won't get into it, but believe me, that really put this country at a disadvantage. No. 1, we weren't playing on the same field,' he said. 'The money that we had to pay was enormous. It was not even close. Trump said, 'Maybe we'll be back into it someday, but it will be on better terms. It will be on fair terms. Not on terms where we're the people that don't know what we're doing. 'So we'll see what happens, but I will tell you we're very proud of it.' Before Trump arrives at the G20, he will spend a day in Warsaw, Poland attending the Three Seas Conference, where he will speak to 12 central European, Baltic and Western Balkan leaders about infrastructure development and energy security. He will also speak to the Polish people from Krasinski Square, McMaster said, laying out a vision for America's transatlantic alliance with the NATO ally. A meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda is also on the books, the White House stated. The United States on Thursday blacklisted a small Chinese bank accused of illicit dealings with North Korea, escalating the pressure on Beijing to rein in its wayward ally amid increased signs that President Donald Trump and his top advisers are frustrated with China's diplomatic efforts. The Treasury Department declared the Bank of Dandong a 'primary money-laundering concern,' proposing to sever it entirely from the U.S. financial system following a 60-day review period. Although Trump's treasury secretary said the move didn't target China, it comes a week after the president lamented that China's promise to help with North Korea 'has not worked out.' Trump had been leaning on President Xi Jinping to help stop the North's development of nuclear weapons before they can threaten the U.S. homeland. A main focus of the coordination has been getting China to fully enforce international sanctions intended to starve North Korea of revenue for its nuclear and missile programs. The U.S. action is likely to anger China, which handles about 90 percent of North Korea's external trade, and whose banks and companies are said to provide Pyongyang access to the U.S.-dominated international financial system. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced sanctions imposed Thursday on a small Chinese bank in order to maximize pressure on North Korea to abandon its weapons programs North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un is pressing ahead with a nuclear missile program despite repeated warnings from the United Nations The sanctions bar Americans from doing business with Bank of Dandong, which is based in a northeastern Chinese city on the North Korean border that serves as a gateway for trade with the isolated nation. The U.S. also slapped sanctions Thursday on a Chinese shipping company and two Chinese people that it said have facilitated illegal activities by North Korea. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the U.S. still wants to work with Beijing on combating the North Korean threat. 'We are in no way targeting China with these actions,' Mnuchin told a White House news briefing. 'This is not directed at China,' he said. 'This is directed at a bank.' But Mnuchin hinted that Beijing can expect more headaches in the months to come. 'We are committed to targeting North Korea's eternal enablers,' he said, 'and maximizing economic pressure on the regime, until it ceases its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.' President Donald Trump has been disappointed with efforts by Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) to rein in his ally North Korea The punitive steps were presaged by a tweet from Trump last week reflecting dissatisfaction with Beijing's efforts. 'While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!' Trump tweeted on June 20. The Trump administration may be struggling to maintain international pressure on Pyongyang. The president was to meet for the first time Thursday with South Korea's new leader, President Moon Jae-in, who has long advocated outreach to North Korea. His predecessor had staunchly backed Trump's harder line. Mnuchin said the Bank of Dandong has facilitated millions of dollars of transactions for companies involved in North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Trump was counting on Beijing to pressure Pyongyang to curtail the missile program through economic leverage, but it hasn't turned out that way Tens of thousands of men and women pumped their fists in the air on Sunday and chanted "Defend!" as they carried placards with anti-American propaganda slogans at Pyongyang's central Kim Il Sung Square Anthony Ruggiero, a sanctions expert and former Treasury Department official, described it as a small Chinese bank 'sitting at the heart' of trade between North Korea and China. 'This is a strong message to Chinese leaders that the Trump administration will act against North Korea's sanctions evasion in China,' he said. The other targeted Chinese entities are: -Dalian Global Unity Shipping Co., which Treasury accused of transporting 700,000 tons of freight annually, including coal and steel products, between China and North Korea. It cited a U.N. expert panel as saying the company has violated a ban on trade in luxury goods with the North. -Chinese national Sun Wei, said to have been running a cover company for North Korea's Foreign Trade Bank, which is already subject to U.S. sanctions. -Chinese national Li Hong Ri, said to have established several front companies that end up benefiting Koryo Bank, a U.S.-sanctioned conduct for financial transactions on behalf of North Korea. A Pennsylvania teenager will make history as the first black woman to ever play in the top tier of US polo. Shariah Harris, 19, from southwest Philadelphia, who plays collegiately at Cornell University in New York, will mount up Friday for the Postage Stamp Farm polo team in the Silver Cup tournament at the Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut. Brenda Lynn, a spokeswoman for the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, said Shariah will be playing a form of polo known as high-goal polo, which refers to the players' handicap - or numerical measure of potential ability. Players are rated on a scale from minus-two to 10. Minus-two indicates a novice player, while a player rated at 10 shows the highest handicap possible. Shariah Harris, 19, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will make history as the first African-American woman to ever play in the top tier of US polo in the Silver Cup tournament at the Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut (Pictured left and right in 2016 at Cornell University) Shariah began riding 12 years ago when her mother made a wrong turn and ended up at the Work to Ride program, a nonprofit organization that teaches urban kids from low-income homes to ride (Pictured, undated at the Polo Club In Lancaster, Pennsylvania) She said the stares, the inappropriate comments and the whispering that comes with being a black woman playing polo can be discouraging at times, but it won't stop her from riding. 'If me playing will mean opportunities to play for other kids like me, then I'm perfectly happy to be breaking down doors,' Shariah said. 'I just keep quiet, put on my boots and go out and play.' Shariah said she would not be playing polo or even riding horses if her mother, Sharmell, had not made a wrong turn while driving in Philadelphia 12 years ago. She ended up on a dead-end road at a barn and riding ring in Fairmount Park where other minority children were on horses. It turned out to be the home of the Work to Ride program, a nonprofit organization that teaches urban kids from low-income homes to ride and gets them involved in equestrian events. To be part of the program, the kids work in the stables, muck out the stalls and groom the horses. 'As a mother of three children on a single income, I saw it as an opportunity to make their lives better,' said Sharmell, who ended up moving her family from southwest Philadelphia to Upper Darby, a few miles away. 'Instead of a soccer mom, I became a barn mom.' Lezlie Hiner, who runs the program, said Shariah, who had never seen a horse in person before, eventually became a star pupil. Hiner described her as a 'tough as nails' kid who would literally fall off a horse and get right back on. 'And she actually does fall off a lot,' Hiner said. 'She takes some headers, but she just goes for it and keeps on going.' Shariah, who was named the US Polo Association's 2016 national interscholastic player of the year, credits the program with giving her direction. To stay in Work to Ride, kids have to keep their grades up. Shariah ended up earning academic scholarships to attend Cornell. She helped the school's arena polo team to the national finals this year. Shariah's opportunity to play in the Silver Cup came when she met Annabelle Garrett, owner of the Postage Stamp Farm team. Garrett, who normally rides on the four-person team herself, suffered a serious back injury this spring. She contacted Shariah and asked her to take her spot Garrett said of Shariah: 'She's absolutely a pioneer. This is a white-male-dominated sport. This is 100 percent groundbreaking. And she can ride' (Pictured center, in 2016 with Cornell University polo team) She's also traveled with Work to Ride to play polo in Africa and Argentina. That is where she met Annabelle Garrett, a hedge-fund manager and the owner of the Postage Stamp Farm team. Garrett, who normally rides on the four-person team herself, suffered a serious back injury this spring. She contacted Shariah and asked her to take her spot on the squad for the Greenwich tournament. 'She's absolutely a pioneer,' Garrett said. 'This is a white-male-dominated sport. This is 100 percent groundbreaking. And she can ride.' A man has turned himself in after being caught on security footage torching an American flag on a stranger's porch. Andrew Rosa, 26, surrendered to police in Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday night after destroying the flag in the early hours of the same day. Footage of the incident shows Rosa standing on Jim Tanner's porch as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter. He then lifted the exposed flame to the bottom of the flag, which caught fire as the 26-year-old scurried away from the house. Scroll down for video Andrew Rosa, 26, surrendered to police in Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday night Video shows the fire quickly beginning to engulf the flag, and about 50 seconds later there was nothing left of Tanner's Stars and Stripes. Rosa has been charged with arson. Speaking on Wednesday, Tanner said he was shocked at how little regard the then-unknown arsonist showed for his home, his family, and his neighbors. Rosa is seen in this image holding his lighter up to the bottom of the flag and setting it on fire Police had asked for help identifying the 26-year-old, before he turned himself in on Wednesday 'He endangered my property, myself and my neighbors,' he told WRIC. 'I want him caught because he doesnt realize the danger he put people in.' Tanner then added: 'He has zero regard for what the flag stands for.' Police had been seeking help from the public in identifying Rosa before he turned himself in. A man from Colorado Springs walked '500 miles' to propose to his girlfriend recording moments in the walk for her to watch before surprising her in person. Michael Baker's girlfriend Tracie Wyson, 20, was in Utah for school so Michael decided the best way to show his love for her was by following in the footsteps of the 'Proclaimers' in their song 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles). During the video Baker, 23, is seen walking down a dirt road, attempting to walk across a river, stopping at a laundromat to dry his clothes, walking in snow and climbing a peak in the Rocky Mountains. The accompanying music is 'Marry Me' by Train and of course 'I'm Gonna Be.' Michael Baker's video starts out simple enough on a long dirt road, but he gets into more action along his way to see his love Traci Wyson Climbing mountains to propose to Wyson, specifically Pike's Peak in the Rocky Mountains Snow is no match for love! This guy is like the postal service, nothing will stop him from delivering his proposal She said yes! Wyson (left) and Baker (right) prepare for their happily ever after Baker opens the video to Wyson with him on camera telling her how much he loves her: 'You mean more to me than anything in this world. I feel like the luckiest man and the happiest man - whatever you want to call it or describe it as, that's me, and it's because of you.' For the proposal, Baker set up a camera where Wyson would be brought by her great aunt and uncle to watch the proposal video. She sits and watches his adorable journey to see her in Utah. At the end of the video, Baker appears in real-life before her in Provo. Baker crosses a river fully clothed and is seen walking straight until the water is over his head After Baker river crossing the next scene is him waiting for his clothes to dry at a laundromat In an interview with ABC News, Baker said he got the plan together after throwing around some ideas with his dad. 'I sat down with my dad to brainstorm and that was the song I had stuck in my head,' Baker said, speaking of 'I'm Gonna Be.' He added, 'It sparked the idea that I could walk 500 miles to propose.' 'This is how I proposed to the love of my life! She was taking a CNA certification course in Provo, UT. Upon completion she was planning to fly out to Colorado, where I was, to spend some time with me. Little did she know, I had other plans,' Baker wrote in the caption to his video. He spent an entire day editing the video before flying to Utah to propose. Beautiful love and a happy ending as the couple looks forward to their wedding in August After watching the video, Wyson said that she was still surprised by Baker's proposal. 'I thought is he going to propose to me over Skype? There is no way Michael would do that,' Wyson said. 'At the end of watching the video, I saw his reflection coming up behind me and that's when I realized he was there at the very moment.' Baker met Wyson eight years ago while their families were vacationing together at Navajo Lake. She was 13 then, so she was too young for him, but she says she 'had a crush on him.' It wasn't until Wyson returned to the United States from an 18-month mission trip in Paris two months ago that they rekindled their friendship. Their connection was instant. Baker, 23, started planning his proposal almost immediately. Just as quickly as Baker proposed, the couple till try to wed in two months time. Their wedding will be Aug. 18. 'I tried to keep them all on eights so I could remember them,' Baker said to the Gazette. Wyson explains how she ended up getting to the location where Baker would propose. A week before Baker surprised Wyson he hinted at the coming proposal in this post captioned 'I would walk 500 miles' She thought she was going to dinner with her great aunt and uncle that night to celebrate their anniversary, just because they didn't want to leave her at home. When she found out she had to get up early for clinicals for the course she was taking the next day, she tried everything to get out of going. Then, when she showed up to their house in casual wear and her aunt suggested changing into something 'a little nicer,' Wyson recalls complaining to her mother over text that she was being forced to wear a dress. She never expected what was coming, she said, even after the video started. She was sure Baker was still in Colorado, and figured he would know that 'proposing over Skype is not acceptable.' A sign and roses were laid out in the area where Baker would surprise her with proposing A happy ending for the photo album, Baker and Wyson pose after the proposal- she said yes Though it's not audible in the video, Wyson said: 'I can assure you, I most definitely said yes.' Baker estimates he actually walked just five miles while shooting the video, but he did travel over 150 miles to reach each of the scenic destinations, and then more than 500 miles to Provo, Utah, to meet Wyson. The couple expects to be married in Wyson's hometown, St. George, in August. Though the plans may change. 'You know, I'm always on my toes with this guy,' she said. An anti-terrorism investigation has been launched in Paris after a man attempted to drive a car into a crowd outside a Paris mosque, before being blocked by heroic drivers. Reports in Paris say other motorists lined up their cars to protect pedestrians after the 4x4 ploughed into a barrier and attempted to mount the kerb. The attempted attack happened in the southern suburb of Creteil at around 6.20pm, and the 43-year-old suspect was arrested at his home 10 minutes later. Scroll down for video Witnesses said the driver attempted to drive into crowds outside the mosque in the suburb of Creteil Police were called to the mosque in the Paris suburb of Creteil after a man attempted to drive a car into worshipers outside a mosque French newpaper Le Parisien reports that the man, who was of Armenian origin, told police he was trying to 'avenge (terror attacks at) the Bataclan and the Champs-Elysees'. Police have said his motives are not yet known. Witnesses said he hit a barrier on his first two attempts to plough into worshipers, before heroic motorists blocked his way. The car struck a red Renault Clio before speeding off. A witness told Le Parisien: 'People did not yell, everyone remained calm. 'We saw the car go three times around the mosque, it was strange and all of a sudden it went very fast. It was clearly trying to knock down pedestrians.' The suspect was arrested 10 minutes after the attack, investigators said Terrorists have driven into crowds in horrific attacks in Nice, Berlin and London, and last week a man was arrested after a van ploughed into crowds outside a mosque in Finsbury Park. Paris is on a state of high alert following a series of atrocities, including co-ordinated attacks in November 2015 which killed 130 people. Among the sites targeted by jihadists were the Bataclan concert hall, where 89 people were gunned down. And in April a French police officer was shot dead at the Champs-Elysees by a terrorist. A police statement said the car crashed into a number of barriers before the driver fled on foot. A statement said they 'firmly condemned' the attempted attack. Grandparents, grandchildren and fiances of people in the United States will be barred from getting U.S. visas under President Donald Trump's temporary travel ban against citizens of six Muslim-majority countries taking effect on Thursday, U.S. officials said. The administration also narrowly interpreted which refugees will be allowed into the country, saying that links with refugee resettlement agencies would not be enough to win them admittance, likely sharply limiting the number of refugees allowed entry in coming months. The Trump administration's temporary travel ban will go into effect at 8pm Eastern Time, but in a scaled-back form that still allows in some travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, following a Supreme Court order on Monday. International travelers arrive at Boston's Logan Airport on Thursday, just hours before Trump's limited travel ban goes into effect The revised travel ban restricts travel for citizens coming from Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Iran and Yemen The Supreme Court exempted travelers and refugees with a 'bona fide relationship' with a person or entity in the United States from the ban, which Trump signed in March and which opponents have said is discriminatory. Refugee resettlement agencies had expected that their formal links with refugees expecting to come to the United States would qualify as 'bona fide.' But U.S. officials said on Thursday that for now, that sort of relationship was not enough to qualify refugees for entry. The administration's decision likely means that few refugees beyond a 50,000-cap set by Trump will be allowed into the country this year. A U.S. official said that as of Wednesday evening, 49,009 refugees had been allowed into the country this fiscal year. The State Department said refugees scheduled to arrive through July 6 could still enter. The U.S. government expects 'things to run smoothly' and 'business as usual' at U.S. ports of entry, a senior U.S. official told reporters. Trump first announced a temporary travel ban on January 27, calling it a counterterrorism measure to allow time to develop better security vetting. The order caused chaos at airports as officials scrambled to enforce it and was blocked by federal courts, with opponents arguing the measure discriminated against Muslims and that there was no security rationale for it. A revised version of the ban, issued on March 6, was also halted by courts. In its decision on Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the ban, which bars people from the designated six countries for 90 days and refugees for 120 days, to go partially into effect until the top court can take up the case during its next term starting in October. The State Department guidance on the ban, distributed to all U.S. diplomatic posts on Wednesday evening and obtained by Reuters, fleshed out the Supreme Court's ruling about people who have a 'bona fide' relationship with an individual or entity in the United States. It defined a close familial relationship as being a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling, including step-siblings and other step-family relations. 'Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-laws and sisters-in-law, fiances, and any other "extended" family members,' are not considered close family, according to the cable. Asked how barring grandparents or grandchildren makes the United States safer, a senior U.S. official did not directly answer, instead pointing to Trump's guidance to pause 'certain travel while we review our security posture.' The guidelines also said that workers with an offer of employment from a company in the United States or a lecturer addressing U.S. audiences would be exempt from the ban, but someone who simply made a hotel reservation would not be considered as having a bona fide relationship. Immigration lawyers expressed surprise and dismay that fiances, grandparents and grandchildren would not qualify as close family. Refugee groups also rejected as too narrow the administration's interpretation of the Supreme Court order. 'We're surprised by this interpretation, we thought it would be more favorable, it's not and we're going to question it,' said Chris George, executive director of IRIS - Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, a refugee resettlement agency. Seven women have accused Dr Jarret Patton, 43, of sexually assaulting them in the room while he examined their children A Pennsylvania pediatrician has been acquitted of charges after being accused of indecently assaulting a woman while examining her infant. Seven women have accused Dr Jarret Patton, 43, of sexually assaulting them in a room while he examined their children, reported the Morning Call. The verdict came after a three day trial in which Patton's attorney picked apart the woman's accounts. He also questioned her credibility as a former heroin user who did not immediately call police, but instead confided in a friend. However, Patton's criminal charge was only for one of the women who accused him, a 33-year-old ex-heroin user who has not been named. After being acquitted, Patton celebrated with his family members, calling the charges 'an assassination attempt' on his character, and comparing the case to the assassination of Emmett Till in 1955. But on the other side of the courtroom, the woman whose allegations led to Patton's arrest watched quietly before leaving the courtroom without speaking. After being acquitted, Patton celebrated with his family members, calling the charges 'an assassination attempt' on his character, and comparing the case to the assassination of Emmett Till in 1955 Patton's medical icense, which had been suspended, has since been reinstated, and he hopes to return to work soon (pictured is the hospital he works at) After the initial charges became public, six other women came forward with similar stories, though no charges were ever filed. Prosecutors argued it was ridiculous that seven women who did not know one another came up with such similar stories about Patton's actions while he was examining their children. 'She knew exactly what was happening on her leg. That's not something you mistake for something else,' Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Falk said. The Lehigh County jury deliberated for three hours Thursday before reaching the verdict. In order to find him guilty, jurors would have had to unanimously agree he rubbed against the women for sexual gratification. Patton's medical license, which had been suspended, has since been reinstated, and he hopes to return to work soon. A woman accused of fatally shooting her fiance and his son on the day he ended their engagement in 2014 has been convicted on two counts of aggravated murder. The jury returned the verdict Wednesday against 65-year-old Robin O'Neill on charges of aggravated murder in the deaths of 60-year-old Steven Lott and his son, 28-year-old Jamis Lott. Under Vermont law, the conviction carries an automatic sentence of life without parole. Police say Steven Lott and O'Neill had recently ended their relationship and had been living together in Townshend at the time of the shooting. Jamis Lott had been visiting. Robin O'Neill in court after a jury convicted her in the fatal shooting of her ex and his son O'Neill's mug shot, taken after her 2014 arrest (left), she is convicted in the murder of Jamis Lott (pictured right) and his father Steven Lott O'Neill called a co-worker and said she had shot Lott and his son, according to a police affidavit. The co-worker called police. Police said O'Neill appeared to be drunk when they arrived at the Townshend residence. And as she was being driven away by police, she recited prayers, requested red wine and cigarettes, and told herself, 'you can go to prison for the rest of your life, 'cause you killed the (expletive).' In an interview, O'Neill said she and Lott had been engaged since July, but the relationship started getting 'weird' in September, with Lott spending time with a female friend, the affidavit said. O'Neill told police she and Lott had gotten into several arguments in recent weeks in which he had become physical with her. 'O'Neill told us she had multiple bruises on her body from Lott,' Detective Scott Dunlap wrote. 'During her interview, I observed bruising on both of O'Neill's arms.' She told another officer that Lott had been 'beating the holy c**p out of me,' police said. One day in 2014, Lott told her the engagement was off, the affidavit said. That night, she told police she drank a lot of wine, and Lott's son showed up to do laundry, the affidavit said. Lott's family members hug after the guilty verdict is read in court The two men talked in the kitchen, and Lott said she doesn't remember what happened next. She said she either picked up a gun or had the gun in her hand and saw the two men on the floor in a pool of blood, the affidavit said. An acquaintance told police Lott had mentioned an argument he had with O'Neill as they lay in bed Nov. 15. 'O'Neill told Lott, 'I'll fix you,'' court papers say, recounting the alleged incident. 'O'Neill then leaned over to her bedside stand, and Lott reached across and slapped the drawer out of her hands. Lott knew O'Neill had a gun, and he thought she was getting her gun. Lott got up quickly, got dressed and got out of there.' Philadelphia's top prosecutor has pleaded guilty to a corruption charge and agreed to resign. In a surprising move, District Attorney Seth Williams pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to a single count of accepting a bribe from a businessman. As a result of his guilty plea, Williams faces up to five years behind bars, and he agreed to forfeit almost $65,000. The 50-year-old Democrat was led out of court in handcuffs after the plea, after District Judge Paul Diamond ruled he had to be remanded until sentencing in October. 'I have a guilty plea from the highest law officer in the city that he betrayed his office and he sold his office I am appalled by the evidence that I heard,' the judge said, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 'I simply do not credit this defendants testimony. I do not believe him.' Philadelphia's top prosecutor, Seth Williams, has pleaded guilty to a corruption charge and agreed to resign. Williams is pictured at the federal courthouse in Philadelphia on June 27 Diamond also grilled Williams on when he intends to follow through on retiring from his high-profile role. The Democrat said he would do so: 'humbly, sincerely and effective immediately'. 'Im just very sorry for all of this, your honor,' he added. Thursday's shock plea came after the trial opened on June 20 with federal prosecutors telling jurors that the city's top law enforcer took tens of thousands of dollars in bribes, pocketed his elderly mother's pension checks, illegally siphoned off money from his own political action committee and misused government vehicles. Prosecutors accused Williams of being 'constantly on the take,' accepting illicitly earned perks such as vacations, cash and a Jaguar convertible in exchange for legal favors. 'Whenever Seth Williams had a chance to put his hand in someone else's pocket and take money, he did,' Assistant US Attorney Vineet Gauri said at the time. Williams' legal team offered a simple response to the allegations in the trial's opening stages: The things the Democrat is accused of doing are not crimes. Two businessmen bought Williams tickets to an all-inclusive Dominican Republic resort, paid for more than a dozen other flights and wrote him checks worth thousands of dollars, but those actions represented 'sloppy' optics, not criminal activity, defense lawyer Thomas Burke said. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams arrives for his arraignment on bribery and extortion charges at the federal courthouse on March 22. He pleaded guilty Thursday This is the front page from documents filed in court on Thursday after the 50-year-old entered his plea But prosecutors said Williams agreed to leverage his power as district attorney to intervene in legal matters on behalf of the businessmen, often alluding to reciprocal payments shortly before or after requests from his benefactors. They also alleged in the opening stages of the trial Williams filed false and misleading financial disclosure forms to conceal what he was doing. In one instance, according to text messages, moments after saying he would look into a criminal case of a friend of one of the businessmen, Williams floated the idea of a second all-inclusive vacation to the Punta Cana resort. 'April?' Williams asked in a text message, referencing a possible date for another trip to the Caribbean island where one of the businessmen had also previously paid for him to parasail and get a massage. Another exchange detailed by the prosecution involved Williams accepting a $7,000 check in return for asking a police official to help one of the businessmen avoid secondary security screenings at Philadelphia International Airport. Williams is pictured with then-Democratic nominee for President, Hillary Clinton, in October 2016 Another business man he was accused of taking bribes from was Bucks County businessman Mohammad Ali. Williams is also accused of taking his mother's pension and Social Security checks that were supposed to be used to pay for her nursing home. His lawyer said the facility did not fully explain administrative processing procedures. 'Nobody told him how it worked,' Burke said. Williams took office in 2010 and could have run for a third term this year, but he decided not to seek re-election. The charges against him were announced in March and his law license was suspended, but he had refused calls to resign. The 23-count indictment has been a staggering blow for a district attorney who won the office on the promise of reform and was previously tasked with rooting out corruption when he served as the city's inspector general. Gauri, the federal prosecutor, said Williams' experience makes the allegations all the more egregious. 'He knew better than to commit these crimes,' he said. Williams will be sentenced on October 24. The shocking moment a U-Haul van smashed through the window of a Philadelphia brewery has been captured on camera. Security cameras caught patrons and employees at Urban Village Brewing Company look up to see the vehicle headed right towards them - and get away in the nick of time. The 41-year-old driver was taken into police custody and is facing DUI charges. Video captured the shocking moment a U-Haul van smashed through the window of a Philadelphia brewery Authorities say the driver was going the wrong way down Second Street before crashing through the front window of Urban Village Brewing Company Patrons, such as Mishal Taylor (in white) and employees, are seen scrambling for cover before the van plows through the storefront Several people can be seen inside the brewery around 1pm right before the van barrels through. A woman, Mishal Taylor, told CBS Philly that she was sitting at a table by the window enjoying lunch before the incident. The van missed her by just a few feet as it shattered glass and knocked tables and chairs to the ground. 'It just seems unreal. It felt like a movie honestly. It was just a bad movie I guess,' she said. 'The driver was in the car he was screaming and yelling. My immediate reaction was to get him out of the truck.' Authorities say the man was going the wrong was down Second Street shortly before he lost control of the vehicle. Additionally, before crashing into the brewery, he ran over a bicycle and scraped up against several cars. The 41-year-old driver tried to run off, but was caught by pedestrians who turned him over to police custody. He is facing DUI charges Police took the unnamed man to Hahnemann Hospital for pain in his left leg, but his condition remains unknown. No other injuries were reported He tried to duck and run, but was restrained by pedestrians. Police took the unnamed man to Hahnemann Hospital for pain in his left leg, but his condition remains unknown. No other injuries were reported. In a statement, co-owner Tom Revelli, who opened the establishment this month said: 'Although the brewery windows along North 2nd Street are badly damaged, we are sincerely thankful no one at our establishment or otherwise was hurt. 'We are currently working to clean up the mess, replace the windows and will be back up and running in time for dinner service.' Gangs of Albanian drug dealers are now a significant threat on Britains streets, police chiefs warned yesterday. They said organised crime groups from the tiny Balkan country now have high-level influence on supplying cocaine around the country. In one case, a gang of 20 Albanian gangsters using fake Greek and Italian passports ran a round-the-clock dial-a-drug racket in Manchester, targeting the citys nightclubs while living in lavishly decorated flats. Earlier this year it emerged that a group of Albanians at a Dorset jail posted a photograph (shown above) of themselves enjoying their Christmas dinner on a website in their home country The warning came from the National Crime Agency, who yesterday published its annual report into the scale of serious and organised crime facing the UK. Deaths from drug misuse are at record levels, with deaths from cocaine and crack cocaine across England and Wales rising from 247 in 2014 to 320 in 2015. Gang set up phone line for citys cocaine users Armed Albanian gangsters dressed in designer clothes to target Manchester revellers looking to buy cocaine. They also operated a sophisticated dial-a-drug phone line. Unknown to police because they were recruited directly from Albania and operated on fake Greek and Italian passports, they were only snared after offering drugs to undercover officers. They are believed to have worked with Manchesters more established gangs but were arming themselves with guns in case of conflict. One of the main players, Mevlan Gjeta, 33, was last year jailed for eight years after a kilo of cocaine plus 55,000 were found at his flat. Officers in London exposed an unrelated gang mainly consisting of illegal immigrants from Albania who controlled street level cocaine dealers. At the time, Detective Constable Sally Prinsloo said the case highlighted a very worrying trend we have observed in the City and across the capital, with people, in this case Albanian males, who have entered the UK illegally, being employed to courier drugs to customers. Advertisement The NCA report reveals that criminals from the Balkans are increasingly forging direct links with cocaine traffickers from South America. 'The threat faced from Albanian crime groups is significant, it warns. London is their primary hub, but they are established across the UK. Albanian crime groups have established a high-profile influence within UK organised crime, and have considerable control across the UK drug trafficking market, with particular impact and high-level influence on the cocaine market. There were 512 Albanian inmates in jails in England and Wales last year, making them the fifth largest foreign group. The 2011 census recorded 13,295 Albanian-born residents in England and 120 in Wales. Earlier this year it emerged that a group of Albanians at a Dorset jail posted a photograph of themselves enjoying their Christmas dinner on a website in their home country. The image, which showed the ten enjoying platefuls of food washed down with bottles of Coca-Cola, was captioned: We wish all Albanian people Merry Christmas from a prison in England. God may save all of you. NCA Deputy Director General Matthew Horne warned that while the numbers of armed and violent Albanian gangsters were relatively small, their impact was significant. The prisoners at Guys Marsh jail in Dorset sent the images to an Albanian news website with the message: 'Hello Life is fun. We wish all Albanian people Merry Xmas from a prison in England. God may save all of you' He told Radio 4s Today programme: It doesnt take time for somebody to be hurt. Often its the criminals themselves, but obviously we are concerned there are innocent bystanders obviously in this. The Daily Mail has also highlighted the cases of three Albanian murderers living freely in Britain. One, double killer Avni Metra, 54, was extradited to his native country earlier this year after living here for nearly two decades, but two others are still fighting deportation. Lithuanian crime gangs with ready access to firearms are also a growing threat, according to the report, which says that heroin smuggling is dominated by Turkish and Pakistani groups. Pictured above: A previous haul of drugs and weapons in London The NCA report points to other groups of foreign criminals who are battling for control of the illegal drugs trade. Lithuanian crime gangs with ready access to firearms are also a growing threat, according to the report, which says that heroin smuggling is dominated by Turkish and Pakistani groups. Mr Horne added: What is striking from this years assessment are the themes running through the crime types. Organised criminal networks are using online methods to defraud and extort, but also [to] facilitate the abuse of children and advertise the victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. 10 years probation but is now jailed for violating terms of release The mother of 'affluenza teen' Ethan Couch will be allowed to remain free on bond until after her trial, slated to start October 2. On Thursday, prosecutors tried to have Tonya Couch sent to jail, arguing that she violated her bail conditions against drinking and possessing a firearm by sipping beer at a bar and holding a rifle at a gun show. But State District Judge Wayne Salvant said there wasn't definitive proof that Couch violated the terms of her bail and ruled that she could remain free. Despite her recent ordeal and legal wranglings, the 50-year-old mother looked remarkably youthful, some observers noted, and very different from when she last appeared before the courts with a new hairstyle and possibly fewer worry lines than before. The judge offered stern advice to Couch, warning her to 'use common sense' in future. 'I think sometimes you use bad judgment,' Salvant told Couch. 'People are watching you constantly...As you are aware, the eyes of Texas are looking upon you.' Scroll down for video Tonya Couch, the mother of the so-called 'affluenza teen', leaves a hearing at Criminal District Court No. 2 on Thursday Couch is taken into custody in 2015 after she was captured while 'on the run' with her son in Mexico. She was charged with money laundering and hindering the apprehension of a felon A judge has declined to revoke bond for Couch after prosecutors said she carried a gun and drank alcohol Couch has been charged with money laundering and hindering the apprehension of a felon, but has been free on bond since January 2016. Those charges stem from her 2015 flight to Mexico with son Ethan Couch, 20, who killed four in a 2013 drunk driving crash that his lawyers blamed on 'affluenza', meaning he couldn't tell right from wrong because of his affluent upbringing. Couch , 49, has been charged with money laundering and hindering the apprehension of a felon, but has been free on bond since January 2016 Ethan Couch was sentenced to 10 years probation in that case but is currently behind bars after skipping a probation meeting and fleeing with his mother to Mexico in 2015. During the heading on Thursday, prosecutors sought to revoke Couch's bond and send her to jail until her trial started. They brought two witnesses to the stand, a bar worker who said she saw Couch sipping beer and a gun show vender who saw Couch carrying around a rifle at a show. But Judge Salvant said there was 'no clear evidence' that Couch drank alcohol, and that even if she had sipped some beer, he wouldn't revoke her bond over it. 'I'm not going to put you in jail for a sip,' Salvant told Couch. Salvant also didn't have an issue with Couch picking up a gun at a gun show. He said that if she had been seen outsiude the gun show with a gun, it would have been a different story though. When the judge turned down prosecutors' request to sent Couch back to jail, they asked that bail conditions at least be tightened - including banning Couch from establishments that sell alcohol and requiring her to wear an alcohol monitor. Couch's attorney said that she works cleaning boats at a marina and would not be able to afford the alcohol monitor fee. The judge declined to implement these new measures but said that he wanted Couch to see her probation officer more often, on a weekly basis 'just to be on the safe side'. Judge Wayne Salvant urged Couch to 'use common sense' pending trial on charges of hindering apprehension of a felon and money laundering The mother (left) of 'affluenza teen' Ethan Couch (right) is facing charges that she helped her son flee to Mexico With a cigarette in her hand, Tonya Couch is seen serving drinks last year at the Honky Tonk Woman Saloon in Azle, Texas, the same day she was released from home confinement In April, t he Texas Supreme Court denied an early release request for Couch's son, who was 16 when he got behind the wheel of his father's F-150 truck with three times the legal limit for alcohol in his blood. He smashed into a stationary white Mercedes SUV at 70mph, killing the driver, Breanna Mitchell, along with mother and daughter Holly and Shelby Boyles and pastor Brian Jennings, who were all trying to help Mitchell get her car going. Ethan Couch's father is also currently on probation, after he was found guilty of falsely impersonating a police officer last year. Fred Couch, 51, was charged in September 2014 with impersonating a police officer, which is a Class B misdemeanor. The charge stems from an August 2014 incident in which he was armed with a gun when he went to Keith Capo's doorstep along with a neighbor to talk about a disagreement that took place days earlier. Tonya Couch and her son left Texas and headed to Mexico after a video surfaced on social media in early December 2015 showing Ethan at an alcohol-fueled party, in likely violation of his probation deal. The mother and son then drove 1,200 miles to the Pacific beach resort of Puerto Vallarta where they stayed at the glamorous Los Tules resort. While there, Ethan Couch was said to have made repeat visits to a 'sex club' called Harem where he was allegedly spotted snorting cocaine and guzzling Pacifico beers - running up a $2,000 tab, which he was forced to ask his mother to settle. The two later moved to a run-down apartment four blocks from the beach but were discovered after a signal from one of their cellphones alerted authorities as they dialed out for Domino's pizza. Both initially contested their extradition from Mexico but Tonya was returned to the US in early January 2016 and was released from jail after posting a $75,000 bond. She was deported to Texas in January 2016 and posted bond after being remanded to Texas authorities. Ethan Couch is currently serving a nearly two-year jail sentence as a condition of his new probation terms as an adult. Four people died in 2013 when Ethan Couch, then 16, ran over them while driving with a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit. He is pictured at a court hearing in April 'Bride-napper': Conrad Kaufman, 25, of Missouri, has been charged with first-degree kidnapping for allegedly abducting his sister to derail her wedding A Missouri man has been charged with a felony kidnapping for allegedly abducting his sister and taking her across state line in a failed attempt to prevent her from marrying a Mennonite man. Conrad Kaufman, 25, of Jamesport, is accused of forcing his sister Cindy into his pickup truck and driving her to Illinois a week before her planned nuptials with her fiance, John Graber. Both Gaber and his bride-to-be left the Amish community a year ago to become Mennonites, and the woman's family had concerns about her upcoming wedding because of religious differences. Speaking to the station KCTV, Graber said he and Cindy have been shunned by the local Amish, and he has become the target of a smear campaign and 'character assassination.' On Monday, just days before their scheduled wedding celebration, Conrad Kaufman texted Graber, telling him he needed to speak to his sister. Scroll down for video Religious woes: Kaufman apparently did not want his sister Cindy, an ex-member of the Amish community, to marry John Graber, a Mennonite (right) Love nest: Graber has been building this home for himself and Cindy since October Graber, who has been building a sprawling house for himself and Cindy since October in preparation for their union, drove his bride-to-be to her brother at 2pm on that afternoon. But when he called both of them an hour later, there was no answer. After failing to reach either one, Graber sent a text message saying that if he did not hear from Cindy or Conrad soon, he was going to the police. Caught: Kaufman allegedly transported his sister to Illinois against her will, but less than 24 hours later he was apprehended in Macon County An hour later, Graber said his future brother-in-law sent him an alarming message that read: 'Sorry, the wedding is off. I'm taking her far, far away, and you're never going to see her again.' Kaufman then allegedly transported his sister to Illinois against her will, but less than 24 hours later he was apprehended in Macon County, located more than 300 miles from Jamesport, and Cindy was safely returned home to her fiance. Ms Kaufman and Graber are still planning to follow through with their wedding on Saturday, and the groom said he hopes his in-laws could be in attendance. Meanwhile, Conrad Kaufman has been jailed on a charge of first-degree kidnapping. St Joseph News-Press reported that the 25-year-old has a past criminal record that includes a 2013 arrest on charges of DWI, drug possession, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and lesser vehicular violations. It is unclear whether Kaufman himself is a practicing Amish. He has a Facebook account, which contains photos of him riding ATVs and drinking what appears to be alcohol. Speaker Bercow ruled there was no strict need for male MPs to wear neckties after a point of order from Peter Bone (Con, Wellingborough) who was surprised an open-collared MP had been admitted to Wednesdays discussions Speaker Bercow ruled there was no strict need for male MPs to wear neckties. He said so after a point of order from Peter Bone (Con, Wellingborough) who was surprised an open-collared MP had been admitted to Wednesdays discussions. The scruff in question was Tom Brake (Lib Dem, Carshalton and Wallington), a figure of sparse substance and hardly one of lifes pioneers. It is quite possible Comrade Brake simply forgot to don a tie rather than was seeking to make some bold statement. But old Bones point of order forced Bercow to come to a decision. The Squeaker rolled the matter round his chops, tasting it for tannin and acidity. Hmmm. After a certain amount of this self-regarding baloney he concluded that MPs should wear businesslike attire but a tie was not essential. Am I minded not to call a member because he is not wearing a tie? No, declared Bercow. Businesslike attire: a very Bercowish phrase, full of middle-management grandiosity (he speaks the English you used to find on Trusthouse Forte menus). What is businesslike attire? Would the attire of a welder be permitted? The attire of a chef? Or of a Berwick Street temptress? Hello, darling, looking for business? Perhaps Keith Vaz will turn up in the garb of a washing-machine service engineer. The scruff in question was Tom Brake (Lib Dem, Carshalton and Wallington), a figure of sparse substance and hardly one of lifes pioneers. It is quite possible Comrade Brake simply forgot to don a tie rather than was seeking to make some bold statement Some will see yesterdays announcement by Mr Bercow as a moment of shattering significance. Cue discussions of is this the end of the tie? Those of us who have been in Westminster more moons than is healthy may reflect that we have been here before. At the start of the 1990s I saw a brutish Labour MP, Tommy Graham, come bowling into the Chamber on a Thursday afternoon wearing a windcheater and no jacket or tie. He was ignored by the then Speaker, Bernard Weatherill (who was by trade a tailor). It will no doubt start a craze. Barely an hour after the decision yesterday, Angus MacNeil (SNP, Western Isles) was on his hind legs, contributing to proceedings without a tie round his neck. MacNeil is chubby enough to get away with it. On younger MPs the lack of a tie may not much matter, though it can look untidy and ill-mannered. On older men it invariably becomes pretty horrible scrawny, tortoisey dewlaps. Is there anything more pitiable than a wrinkled groover? The days chief event was the clash of Chancellor Philip Hammond and his Labour shadow John McDonnell in the Queens Speech debate. Mr McDonnell had his hyperbole dial set to maximum. After a goodish opening dismissal of the Queens Speech as this vacuous notelet, he went madly over the top as he talked about the Government wanting to take food from the mouths of infants, the grotesque levels of inequality in Britain, nurses surviving only thanks to food handouts, the brutality of our country, etc. Mr Hammond was on top Spreadsheet Phil form, rising to ask Mr McDonnell factual questions he was unable to answer (e.g. about capital gains tax which was lower in the last Labour years than it is now), and doing some impressively quick mental arithmetic on Labours airier proposals. Being robotic has its uses sometimes. It will no doubt start a craze. Barely an hour after the decision yesterday, Angus MacNeil (SNP, Western Isles) was on his hind legs, contributing to proceedings without a tie round his neck. Sir Edward Leigh (Con, Gainsborough) gave the House the sobering statistic that in the ten minutes Mr Hammond was on his feet, the national debt increased by 900,000. Mr McDonnell waved away criticism of his mass-nationalisation plans, saying it would be easy to borrow the c.120 billion that would be needed for some of those plans because the Government would be buying assets which would generate some income. Mr Hammond was not convinced any international banker would be willing to lend money to Mr McDonnell. The remark that struck me most was Mr McDonnells allegation that this was a Government that cannot feed its population. A sharply Left-wing person may indeed think that a scandal. Others will perhaps feel that feeding oneself is the duty that falls to the citizen, not the state. The crowdfunding site GoFundMe said it will reimburse over 120 people who donated over $10,000 to help a woman who falsely claimed to have cancer, it was reported this week. In May 2014, Jenifer Gaskin, a single mother living in Eugene, Oregon, told her close friends that she was diagnosed with cancer. 'She had a pre-chemo party,' Jill Hanns told KOIN 6. 'Everybody was being positive, but there was a lot of tears shed.' Soon afterward, Gaskin, a certified nursing assistant, told her friends that the situation was becoming more dire. 'They found out it was the medullary thyroid cancer and it was a terminal illness,' Hanns said. Another friend, Elsa Dobson, tried to comfort Gaskin after she shaved her head. The crowdfunding site GoFundMe said it will reimburse over 120 people who donated money to help a woman, Jenifer Gaskin (above), who falsely claimed to have cancer In May 2014, Jenifer Gaskin, a single mother living in Eugene, Oregon, told her close friends that she was diagnosed with cancer. So they banded together and held fundraisers. They also opened a page on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe to solicit donations Her friends were under the impression that Gaskin was undergoing chemotherapy. 'It was just really heartbreaking,' Dobson said. 'She had this beautiful, long blonde hair. 'Her doctor said there's nothing more they could do and she might as well get off the chemo and enjoy life to the fullest,' Dobson recalled. So Hanns did what any good friend would do launch a GoFundMe account to help Gaskin. Other friends pitched in and hosted fundraisers. Soon, the GoFundMe page raised over $10,000. Hanns and Gaskin's other friends assumed that she would use the money to take time off from work and support her family, which was 'barely making ends meet.' That's when they noticed something wasn't right. 'Things were vague, inconsistent, as far as if she was getting worse,' Hanns said. Gaskin used the money to buy her daughter a used car and braces for her son, according to Hanns and Dobson. 'When I started getting contacts through the GoFundMe account, because I was the administrator, people started questioning whether she was sick,' Hanns said. Hanns contacted the police, which began to investigate. When Gaskin used the money to buy her daughter a used car and braces for her son, according to Hanns and Dobson, her friends grew suspicious When the investigation started, Gaskin remarried and moved away. She relocated to Tualatin, a suburb of Portland 100 miles away from Eugene. The detective assigned to the case drove to Gaskin's new home in Tualatin and interviewed her. She told him she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and 'received oral chemotherapy.' Gaskin also said that she received treatment for her condition at three hospitals the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute, Providence Hospital in Portland, and Peacehealth's Hospital in Springfield. The detective was able to obtain records from each of the hospitals and the state, all of whom said that they were 'unable to locate any records that Gaskin was a patient.' Dobson and Hanns were heartbroken and shocked by the betrayal. 'She's just going to get away with it,' Hanns said. Any hopes that Gaskin would be prosecuted were dashed because the Lane County District Attorney said it was too expensive to bring in the over 120 people who donated small sums of money to GoFundMe. 'There is a constitutional right of a person accused of a crime to be able to face their accusers in a trial,' the detective told KOIN. 'We do not have the ability to bring in people from across the country who made $20-50 donations.' 'We all loved and cared about her, and we don't want this to happen to anybody else because she had everyone fooled,' Dobson said. GoFundMe has said it will reimburse all of the donors who contributed to Gaskin's fund. 'We will be personally reaching out to all donors via email,' the site told KOIN. 'If there are any donors who would like to reach out to us ahead of time, they can do so by filing a donor claim.' President Trump's tweet saying he didn't tape record his conversations with now former FBI Director James Comey wasn't enough to satisfy the heads of the House Intelligence Committee. They're now threatening to subpoena the White House for any recordings. Reps. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, the committee chairman and Adam Schiff, D-Calif, the ranking member, sent out a joint statement that said the White House needs to clarify whether 'recordings, memoranda, or other documents,' exist. Scroll down for video Former FBI director James Comey is seen in New York last week on Thursday. The heads of the House Intel Committee are now threatening to subpoena the White House for any recordings of the president and Comey's conversations The two lawmakers added that they were thinking about using a 'compulsory process' to obtain the information they sought. Originally, the bipartisan duo had requested that Trump turn over any recordings he made of his conversations with the FBI director, who he later fired, by last Friday. That prompted the president to tweet: 'With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with Jim Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings.' Not satisfied with that response, Conaway and Schiff penned the letter to the White House asking if it ever had any recordings, or documents, that would have given an account of those conversations in question. 'By only referring to the President's statement, the White House's letter stops short of clarifying for the Committee whether the White House has any responsive recordings, memoranda, or other documents,' they said. Reps. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, the committee chairman and Adam Schiff, D-Calif, (center) the ranking member, sent out a joint statement that said the White House needs to clarify whether 'recordings, memoranda, or other documents,' exist 'Todays letter from the Committee makes clear that should the White House not respond fully, the Committee will consider using compulsory process to ensure a satisfactory response.' It was Trump, himself, who originally made the claim that there might be recordings of the conversations. 'James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!' Trump wrote. The move backfired, as Comey, using a Columbia University law professor pal, did leak his memos to the New York Times, and then backed up that account when he testified before Congress. Comey told lawmakers and the public, borrowing from his detailed notes, that Trump had pressured him to lay off an investigation into the president's now former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Now the FBI's Russia probe, handed over to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, is looking into if that amounted as an attempt to obstruct justice. Trump told Fox & Friends host Ainsley Earhardt in an interview that aired last Monday that he cannot be sure that their conversations weren't recorded Trump told Fox & Friends host Ainsley Earhardt in an interview that aired last Monday that he cannot be sure that their conversations weren't recorded. 'Well, I didn't tape him. You never know what's happening when you see that the Obama administration, and perhaps longer than that, was doing all of unmasking and surveillance and you read all about it,' he said. But I didn't tape. And I don't have any tape, and I didn't tape.' Then he accused Comey of preparing, possibly, to commit perjury, contending that the tweet may have scared his former FBI director into telling the truth about their interactions. 'When he found out that I, you know, that there may be tapes out there, whether it's governmental tapes or anything else, and who knows, I think his story may have changed,' he said. 'I mean you'll have to take a look at that, because then he has to tell what actually took place at the events.' Trump has disputed parts of Comey's story, though, including his alleged attempt to waive the law enforcement official off of Flynn - something the president says he did not do. Pope Francis has offered his support to cardinal George Pell over sex offence charges that were laid on Thursday, as it's revealed he will not return to the Vatican. Pope Francis offered his support for Cardinal Pell on Thursday but expressed his respect for the Australian judicial system. In a statement released on Thursday, the Pontiff said: 'The Holy See expresses its respect for the Australian justice system, which will have to decide the merits of the questions raised'. Cardinal George Pell will not return to the Vatican as the Pope's top finance official after he was charged with historic sex offences in Australia, insiders say. He is pictured in 2014 'At the same time it is important to recall Cardinal Pell has openly and repeatedly condemned, as immoral and intolerable, the acts of abuse against minors,' he said. 'He has co-operated in the past with Australian authorities for example, in his deposition before the royal commission; he has supported the pontifical commission for the protection of minors; and finally, as a diocesan bishop in Australia, has introduced systems and procedures both for the protection of minors and to provide assistance to victims of abuse.' While Cardinal Pell has the support of Pope Francis, Vatican insiders are reportedly preparing to force him out of his high-profile role. Cardinal George Pell, who was promoted to the Vatican three years ago, will reportedly be pensioned off regardless of whether he is convicted of historic sex offenses. The decision will be made to ward off criticism and salvage the church's reputation. 'That is the end of the road for George Pell in the Vatican, regardless of the outcome, he will be pensioned off when the court case finishes,' a Vatican insider told The Australian. The 76-year-old furiously protested his innocence in a statement delivered at the Holy See on Thursday Pell is highly unlikely to return to Rome because Pope Francis (pictured) will do all he can to reduce the Church's reputational damage, a Vatican insider said Cardinal Pell was charged on Thursday with with 'historic sex offences' stemming from 'multiple complainants' and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates court on July 26. He appeared to know police were preparing to file charges when he was asked about the allegations outside his Vatican home the night prior. 'I am co-operating,' he told the Herald Sun, when asked if he would return home. Vatican insiders are already arranging to pension off Australia's most senior Catholic, even he is found not guilty of the latest charges to rock the Church It comes as Cardinal Pell said in a statement on Thursday morning that he was looking forward to returning to the Vatican after he 'cleared his name'. The 76-year-old furiously protested his innocence in a statement delivered at the Holy See on Thursday, saying he was 'looking forward' to having his day in court. 'News of these charges strengthens my resolve, strengthens my resolve,' he said. 'And court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here back to Rome to work.' His comments come as the Vatican revealed he will no longer appear at public events, including a mass on Thursday. Cardinal George Pell railed against 'relentless character assassination' which he claims to have experienced since Victoria Police launched its investigation two years ago In his statement, he took aim at leaks from the police investigation in his home state of Victoria. 'These matters have been under investigation now for two years,' said Pell. 'There have been leaks to the media. There has been relentless character assassination. Relentless character assassination! 'And for more than a month, claims that a decision on whether to lay charges was imminent. 'I'm looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. I'm innocent of these charges. They are false. 'The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.' The Church's third most senior official, Pell says he will return to Australia to fight the historic sex charges, upon the advice of his doctors in Rome News of the charges broke in the early hours of Thursday morning local time. The Cardinal is pictured leaving his home in Rome to deliver a statement Crisis: The charges have shaken the Vatican establishment (St Peter's Square pictured), with the Church announcing Pell will no longer appear at church events Pell is the highest-ranking official to be charged in the sex abuse scandal that has dogged the Catholic Church for years. The prelate said he had kept Pope Francis in the loop over the investigation, last speaking to him just days ago about his need to 'clear his name'. Pell said: 'I have spoken to (Pope Francis) on a number of occasions in the last week, I think - most recently, a day or so ago. 'We talked about my need to take leave to clear my name. 'So I'm very grateful to the Holy Father for giving me this leave to return to Australia. 'I've spoken to my lawyers about when this will be necessary. And I've spoken to my doctors about the best way to achieve this.' Pell said he had been 'completely consistent and clear' in totally rejecting the allegations. Pell (pictured left in Vatican City last year) said: 'I have spoken to (Pope Francis) on a number of occasions in the last week, I think - most recently, a day or so ago Pell, who furiously protested his innocence, is pictured arriving to address the media on Thursday CARDINAL GEORGE PELL'S FULL STATEMENT ON SEX CHARGES I want to say one or two brief words about my situation. These matters have been under investigation now for two years. There have been leaks to the media. There has been relentless character assassination. A relentless character assassination. And for more than a month, claims that a decision on whether to lay charges was imminent. I'm looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. I'm innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me. I've kept Pope Francis - the Holy Father - regularly informed during these long months. I have spoken to him on a number of occasions in the last week, I think - most recently, a day or so ago. We talked about my need to take leave to clear my name. So I'm very grateful to the Holy Father for giving me this leave to return to Australia. I've spoken to my lawyers about when this will be necessary. And I've spoken to my doctors about the best way to achieve this. All along, I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations. News of these charges strengthens my resolve, strengthens my resolve. And court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here back to Rome to work. Thank you. Advertisement Cardinal George Pell has been charged over sex abuse allegations (pictured eating in Italy) It is understood Cardinal Pell has been summoned to Australia from Rome in relation to the charges (pictured sipping on a beer while dining in Italy) Victoria Police revealed the charges during a press conference on Thursday. 'Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences. There are multiple complainants relating to those charges,' Victoria state police deputy commissioner Shane Patton said. 'Cardinal Pell has been treated the same as anyone else in this investigation. Advice was received and sought from the office of public prosecutions, however ultimately, the choice to charge Cardinal Pell was one that was made by Victoria Police.' Police would not specify the nature of the charges and said they would not comment on the allegations again. Cardinal Pell said in a release he will return to Australia to fight the charges and 'clear his name' Victoria state police deputy commissioner Shane Patton confirmed police have charged Cardinal Pell with sex offences (pictured is the press conference) Victoria Police revealed the charges against Pell (pictured leaving his home in Rome on Thursday) during a press conference A spokesman responded to the charges after a couple of hours. 'Although it is still in the early hours of the morning in Rome, Cardinal George Pell has been informed of the decision and action of Victoria Police,' the statement said. 'He has again strenuously denied all allegations.' 'Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors who will also advise on his travel arrangements.' 'He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously.' Cardinal Pell has always strongly denied all allegations. CARDINAL PELL'S RISE THROUGH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH June 8, 1941 - Born in Ballarat, Victoria December 16, 1966 - Ordained a Catholic priest 1971-1972 - Assistant priest Swan Hill parish 1973-1983 - Assistant priest Ballarat East parish 1973 - Shared St Alipius presbytery with Gerald Ridsdale (later revealed as Australia's worst pedophile priest) and Monsignor William McMahon 1973-1984 - Episcopal Vicar for Education in Diocese of Ballarat; founding member of Catholic Education Commission of Victoria 1981-1984 - Principal of Institute of Catholic Education (now merged with Australian Catholic University) 1984 - Administrator of Bungaree parish July 16, 1987 - Ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Melbourne 1987-1996 - Parish priest Mentone, Bishop for the southern region of Melbourne 1988-1997 - Chair of Caritas Australia May 27, 1993 - Accompanies Ridsdale to his first court appearance. Later says it was a mistake to show priestly solidarity and he did not know full extent of Ridsdale's crimes June 16, 1996 - Appointed Archbishop of Melbourne by Pope John Paul II August 16, 1996 - Installed as archbishop October 1996 - Announces Melbourne Response protocol for handling sex abuse complaints in Melbourne archdiocese March 26, 2001 - Appointed Archbishop of Sydney by Pope John Paul II May 10, 2001 - Installed as archbishop April 21, 2003 - Awarded Centenary Medal by Australian government September 28, 2003 - Elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals by John Paul II 2005 - Appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia February, 2007 - Appointed to Council of Cardinals on Organisational and Economic Problems of the Holy See April, 2013 - Appointed by Pope Francis to group of eight cardinals to advise on government of the universal Church and study plan for revising Apostolic Constitution of Roman Curia May, 2013 - Gives evidence to Victorian parliamentary inquiry into handling of abuse by religious and other organisations in Melbourne February 25, 2014 - Appointed as Prefect for the newly-created Secretariat for the Economy, Holy See March 2014 - Gives evidence to Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Sexual Abuse in Sydney August 2014 - Second royal commission appearance via videolink from the Vatican, to Melbourne hearing on the Melbourne Response February 29 - March 3, 2016 - Third royal commission appearance, via videolink from Rome hotel conference room to Sydney; hearing on church's handling of abuse allegations in Ballarat diocese and Melbourne archdiocese. June 29, 2017 - Charged with multiple, historical sex offences, set to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on July 18. Source: The Australian Associated Press Advertisement The Sano taskforce, which investigates allegations of sexual offences, has been investigating Cardinal Pell since 2016 Cardinal Pell was appointed to the Vatican's Secretariat of Economy in 2014, the third highest ranked position within the church Cardinal Pell appeared via video-link for a public hearing during Australia's national -abuse Royal Commission in early 2015. When he was asked to fly to Australia to appear in person, he declined, citing health problems. The Cardinal was interviewed by three detectives from Task Force Sano in Rome in October 2016, who updated evidence. The Office of Public Prosecutions submitted a second brief of evidence on Cardinal Pell to the police last month. The summary said charges could be laid against Pell based on the evidence but that it was up to police to decide how to proceed. Pell sits as he prepares to make a statement, at the Vatican. 'I'm innocent of these charges. They are false,' he said Conrad Hilton behaved and wore a suit and tie for his arraignment Thursday in Los Angeles. He plead not guilty to stealing his ex girlfriend, Hunter Daily's fathers Bentley and driving it to her home- violating her restraining order. Conrad appeared put together and composed throughout Thursday's hearing. Conrad's appearance in court was a far cry from his bail hearing May 10 where courtroom video caught him describing a photographer as 'so f****** gay' and told a judge that he 'does not have sex with hookers,' while being dressed in a self-harm prevention smock. SCROLL FOR VIDEO Conrad Hilton (behind) appeared in court on Thursday. He calmly stood behind his attorney Robert Shapiro (front) Loud and proud: Conrad shouted a gay slur during his May 10 court appearance. He is pictured standing behind his lawyer Robert Shapiro An amped-up Conrad was seen making faces and looking around the courtroom during the judge's instructions. He then mouthed more vulgarities to no one in particular and later winked at the videographer who was taping the proceeding. Conrad appeared behind a set of bars for the bail hearing, with his lawyer Robert Shapiro standing in front of him inside the main area of the courtroom during his bail hearing. Shapiro told TMZ Thursday his client has successfully completed his treatment at Menninger Clinic. Conrad Hilton (pictured during a May 10 court appearance) was released from jail on bail on Thursday Conrad paid a $90,000 bail but the judge's additional conditions of release included that Conrad had to undergo treatment at the clinic in Houston. The judge also appointed his father as his court-appointed custodian. In video shot inside the courtroom in his May hearing, Conrad can be seen shaking his head and casting an annoyed gaze when the judge announces he will have to enter the hospital and that his father has been named his court-appointed custodian. Conrad appeared behind a set of bars for that hearing, with his lawyer Robert Shapiro standing in front of him inside the main area of the courtroom. Conrad was arrested when E.J. Daily had called police at around 4am in May claiming Conrad was trying to get in to the property, violating a previous restraining order that the family took out against him in 2015 following his split with her daughter Hunter Daily Salomon. Daily said he had driven to the property in her ex-husband's Bentley which Conrad is accused of stealing before he made his way to her house. Conrad and a friend allegedly decided to steal a Bentley from the home of Rick Salomon, Hunter's father and used it to drive to the home of his ex-girlfriend Hunter who has the restraining order against the Conrad heir. Hunter is the daughter of Rick, who previously dated and made a sex tape with Conrad's oldest sister Paris. In a video taken before his arrest, he pleaded with Rick to help him win Hunter back. That was the second time that police have been called to that residence to remove Conrad after he appeared on the property, violating the restraining order his 21-year-old ex was granted by the court. The police were previously called following an incident in June 2015 during which Conrad broke into Hunter's house and threatened to kill himself just one month after she first filed a restraining order against her ex. He was arrested one year prior after he allegedly 'screamed and threatened flight attendants' yelling profane statements such as 'I will f**king own anyone on this flight; they are f**king peasants' on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Donald Trump lashed out at CNN in the middle of a speech about energy resources on Thursday, likening the cable network's habit of broadcasting 'fake news' to decades-old canards about the supposed scarcity of oil and natural gas. The president's fascination with needling his mass-media opponents can erupt at just about any time, especially when he is speaking to a sympathetic audience. Thursday's event at the Department of Energy was billed as a speech about 'unleashing' America's potential, but Trump went off-script when his stream of consciousness encountered the perfect jumping-off point the idea of policymakers embracing 'a big, beautiful myth' about fossil fuel supplies. 'It was fake,' he said Thursday. 'Don't we love that term, fake? We've learned about "fake" over the last little while. Fake news, CNN! Fake!' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Donald Trump linked decades-old myths about oil and gas scarcity to 'fake news' about his administration coming from arch-enemy CNN The president cracked jokes at the network's expense on Thursday during an energy speech, sending VP Mike Pence (left) and Energy Secretary Rick Perry (right) into hysterics Trump even pointed at the CNN cameraman and claimed the network's video feed had been turned off after he made them the butt of ridicule The president recalled the 1960s and 1970s, when Americans' quality of life 'was diminished by the idea that energy resources were too scarce to support our people.' 'We always thought that. And actually, at the time it was right to think,' he said. 'We didn't think we had this tremendous wealth under our feet.' 'Many of us remember the long gas lines, and the constant claims that the world was running out of oil and natural gas. Americans were told that our nation could only solve this energy crisis by imposing draconian restrictions on energy production.' That, he said, was the myth worthy of the CNN treatment. As laughter erupted when he bashed the news channel, Trump pointed to the rear of the auditorium where video cameras including CNN's were rolling. CNN retracted a story last Friday about Trump advisor Anthony Scaramucci, which had tied him to a Russian investment fund; three CNN journalists were forced to resign Trump retweeted a mocked-up CNN logo on Tuesday restyling the cable channel as the 'FAKE NEWS NETWORK' 'Whoops. Their camera just went off,' Trump jabbed, suggesting that the network cut its feed after becoming the butt of a presidential joke. 'Okay, you can come back. I won't say it I promise I won't say anything more about you,' Trump said, addressing the CNN camera operator 'I see that red light go off, I say, "Whoa!"' he told the audience. Betsy Klein, a CNN correspondent covering Thursday's event, tweeted a photo moments later to prove that the network kept filming. 'Pool report: camera is still on,' she wrote. The president launched a new line of attack against CNN this week after three of its journalists lost their jobs over an anti-Trump story that the network retracted. The story made the false claim that Trump adviser Anthony Scaramucci had ties to a Russian investment fund. CNN correspondent Betsy Klein tweeted this photo during Trump's speech to illustrate that the network had not actually stopped filming after the president mocked them 'Wow, CNN had to retract big story on "Russia," with 3 employees forced to resign. What about all the other phony stories they do? FAKE NEWS!' Trump tweeted on Tuesday. He also retweeted a Photoshopped version of CNN's iconic logo, remade to read 'FNN Fake News Network.' And in a followup message on Twitter, he wrote: 'Fake News CNN is looking at big management changes now that they got caught falsely pushing their phony Russian stories. Ratings way down!' He later tweeted a shot across the bow of other news agencies: 'So they caught Fake News CNN cold, but what about NBC, CBS & ABC? What about the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost? They are all Fake News!' 'What about all the other phony stories they do?' Trump asked on Twitter as he took a victory lap this week following the embarrassing story retraction Trump has long advocated an aggressive 'all of the above' energy policy that maximizes private industry's ability to drill for oil and gas while also encouraging the growth of renewable energy sectors. 'The truth is that we have near-limitless supplies of energy in our country,' he said Thursday. 'Powered by new innovation and technology, we are now on the cusp of a true energy revolution. Our country is blessed with extraordinary energy abundance, which we didn't know of even five years ago, and certainly 10 years ago.' But the president, flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and Energy Secretary Rick Perry, has mostly focused since taking office on removing regulatory barriers to fossil fuel production and disentangling the U.S. from international agreements related to global warming. 'We have nearly 100 years' worth of natural gas, and nearly 250 years' worth of clean, beautiful coal. We are a top producer of petroleum, and the number one producer of natural gas,' he boasted on Thursday. 'We have so much more than we ever thought possible. We are really in the driving seat, and you know what? We don't want to let other countries take away our sovereignty and tell us what to do and how to do it. That's not going to happen.' Wonderfoal: Newborn Suffolk Punch Lilly Rose She is rarer than a black rhino, rarer even than the giant panda, but this adorable foal, named Lilly Rose, represents hope for Britains oldest native breed of draught horse. Lilly Rose, born at the Dorset Heavy Horse Centre earlier this month, is a Suffolk Punch also known as the Suffolk Sorrel or simply the Suffolk Horse which many people fear is on the brink of extinction. With just 300 to 400 animals left here in the UK, and only 73 breeding mares, the breed is critically endangered. So great is the concern that this week a leading geneticist was called in to help resolve a fertility crisis that requires drastic intervention, possibly even gene manipulation, if the Suffolk Punch is to be saved. For 500 years, these horses always chesnut in colour have served the nation well, whether pulling ploughs through black East Anglian mud, dragging non-motorised vans or hauling artillery in two World Wars. They tirelessly kept Britain going. Now its time to return the favour. The Suffolk Punch faces several reproductive problems, not least a tendency for underdeveloped ovaries in some mares and retained testicles in stallions. Far more worrying are recent figures from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust that suggest just 33 fillies were born from 2014 to 2016, less than half the number of males. No one knows why so few female Suffolk Punches are being born. But Dr Sarah Blott, a geneticist at Nottingham University who has been sampling the breeds DNA, has confirmed a clear swing towards males. She suggests that costly fertility treatment separating sperm that carries the male Y chromosome from the female sperm, carrying the X chromosome might be necessary. Not everyone agrees. Tom Beeston, CEO of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, insists that three years of low female birth numbers was utterly desperate but all down to bad luck. At THE Suffolk Punch Trust a stud farm near Woodbridge in Suffolk which has 18 of the animals staff are inclined to agree with him. They put the shortage of fillies down to chance, too. As raising one foal costs up to 7,000 (cover fees for the mare, vets fees, feed etc.) the charity couldnt afford treatment such as artificial insemination, IVF or surrogacy using implanted embryos. Besides, they have Achilles in their corner. The stallions neck muscles ripple under his gleaming chesnut coat and when he walks his bulging hindquarters sway in a great arc. Lilly Rose trots in a field at the Dorset Heavy Horse Centre He is a magnificent beast, a Supreme Champion several times over, with more than 40 offspring and a sex life to make a gigolo blush. Everything about him is big: he is nearly 18 hands tall and weighs more than a ton, the epitome of dignified masculinity. Were excited when our horses produce a filly, Tracey Pettitt, the stud manager, tells me. But Achilles fires straight! He has no problem producing an equal number of fillies and colts. Indeed, the only foal to be born so far this year at Woodbridge is a filly, Colony Dorothy, now two months old and already as tall as me when I meet her and her mother in the fields. There are hopes that in four years she will enter the breeding programme. Achilles enjoys a high hit rate with mares brought to this corner of Suffolk for his services. At a recent show, just one sniff of a receptive mare had him rearing for action and nearly dragging Traceys arm out of its socket. The Suffolk Punch has the longest pedigree of any breed of livestock and can be traced back to 1768, to a single stallion owned by one Thomas Crisp of Ufford. For centuries it was a permanent fixture in the fields of East Anglia. As one equine writer put it: His color is bright chesnut like a tongue of fire against black field furrows. Lilly with her mother Abby Rose. The breed is critically endangered In the early 1900s, there were tens of thousands of them working the fields their surefootedness helping them weave between rows of sugar beet and their smooth fetlocks designed not to clot with mud. Thousands of Suffolk Punches died in battle during World War I, but slowly and steadily, their numbers recovered until the Sixties, when the use of tractors became widespread. A Punch can plough an acre a day; a tractor can whizz through 50. Many went to the slaughterhouse and, within a few decades, they were the rarest horse in Britain. Today, the gene pool is vanishingly small. We need to get everyone who has a mare breeding before the population becomes too low to sustain, says Tom Beeston. But there are other problems. We can breed them until were blue in the face, but someones got to want them, Tracey says. These horses are doers and need a purpose. Gambolling in fields, tossing their beautiful manes and chomping wild flowers is not what they were meant for. But, once mature, they cost next to nothing to keep. Theyll live on air and straw, says Tracey. They are incredibly low maintenance. Unless theyre working hard, of course, then theyll need a few oats. They have lovely temperaments, rarely throw their weight about and, Tracey insists, theyre pleasant to ride as long as you have a step ladder and are brave enough to take charge of a ton of horse. Its surprisingly comfortable but theres an awful lot of animal to reel in when they get going. In recent years, fans of the Suffolk Punch have been doing their utmost to get them into the public eye and make people want to own them. A Suffolk Punch park-and-ride scheme in Bury St Edmunds no, really may not have got going, but they are increasingly used for conservation work. Theyve started popping up on television at the Horse Of The Year Show and county fairs whatever it takes to raise their profile. Even better, people are buying them to ride, entering dressage classes, At last years Woodbridge Show a Suffolk Punch came third in the show jumping. Imagine the thump as it landed. Back at the Suffolk Punch Trust, we watch the horses swish and snort and munch. If these die out, how would we feel? asks Tracey. How could we live with ourselves? How indeed. Advertisement Melania Trump returned to the White House on Thursday to stand by her husband after earlier defending his astonishing personal attack on MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski. The First Lady joined her husband in welcoming South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife to Washington DC. She had been in New York City earlier in the week but returned to her new home as her husband was engulfed in criticism over his comments towards Brzezinski. In a flurry of tweets, the president called the Morning Joe host 'crazy' and 'low IQ' and said cruelly that she was 'bleeding from from the face' after undergoing a 'face lift' when he spent time with her and her fiance co-host Joe Scarborough at Mar-a-Lago over New Year. Melania Trump returned to Washington DC from New York on Thursday to stand by her husband as he met with South Korean president Moon Jae-in The First Lady wore a $2,319 Roland Mouret dress and a pair of $675 Christian Louboutin heels The comments were widely admonished and deemed a new low for the combative president. They signaled a new level of personal attack in his ongoing war with the media. Melania, who has previously told of her plan to launch an anti-cyber bullying campaign, stood by her husband's remarks. The president sparked controversy earlier in the day with tweets about Morning Joe host Mike Brzezinski Her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement: 'As the First Lady has stated publicly, when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder.' Her response was of a similar tone to that taken by Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders who said earlier in the day that the president was 'fighting fire with fire'. Trump said his grievance with the show - which he claimed not to watch - was with that Brzezinski 'talks bad about him'. On Thursday night, there was no sign of remorse from either Trump as they waited for Jae-in and his wife on a red carpet outside the White House. Melania was elegant in a fitted blush cocktail dress and nude patent Christian Louboutin stilettos. She beamed for the cameras she made her way to the end of a red carpet to wait for the South Korean leader on the South Lawn. Both the president and the first lady were in high spirits as they waited for their guests on the South Lawn entrance President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook President Jae-in gave an enthusiastic wave to gathered photographers on the South Lawn The two couples posed for a portrait outside before making their way in to the White House Melania teamed her fitted cocktail dress with a pair of nude patent Christian Louboutin heels After posing for some photographs outside, the two couples made their way to the State Dining Room where they were joined by more photographers. Trump began with a speech praising President Jae-in and revealed they planned to have long talks about how to tackle North Korea. He said he anticipated the conversation would go 'late into the evening'. Praising Jae-in on his recent election victory, Trump said he always had faith he would win. 'A lot of people didn't expect that and I did expect it. I thought that was going to happen.' President Jae-in joked that, like his host, he suffered from 'fake news coverage'. Trump relished the remark and told gathered journalists he hoped they'd heard it. Earlier in the day, he met with leaders on Capitol Hill including House Speaker Paul Ryan who welcomed his visit and called for stronger ties between the US and South Korea. On the hill, Jae-in shared his well wishes for House Majority Whip Steve Scalise who is still recovering after being shot in the hip during an attack on the Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, earlier this month. Of the attack, Jae-in said: 'We must cross boundaries and all party lines and all come together and unite as one.' His visit to Washington is significant given the US's growing animosity towards his neighbor, North Korea. Once inside, Melania joined her husband and the South Korean president for dinner in the State Dining Room The president praised Jae-in on his recent election victory and said he planned to have 'long talks' with him on how the US and South Korea can work together to tackle the threat of nuclear war from North Korea Jae-in's visit to Washington DC will run over two days. He and the president are scheduled to have formal talks on Friday The two couples were joined by a host of other dignitaries and a pack of media before the state dinner President Trump has made no secret of his strategy to utilize help from Jae-in and from China's president to stifle North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his regime. Unlike President Trump, who wants to isolate North Korea diplomatically and economically, Jae-in has long advocated for improved communication with the country and its leader. He believes the answer to dissolving any nuclear threat is by discussing the country's progress towards it with its dictator Kim Jong Un. The bubbling tension between the US and North Korea was intensified earlier this month by the death of American student Otto Warmbier. Otto, 22, was returned to Ohio in a coma after spending 17 months in custody in North Korea on June 13. He had been arrested during a tour of the country in 2016 for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster. Korean officials say he became vegetative in their care as the result of food poisoning and a sleeping pill. He died in an Ohio hospital six days after being released on humanitarian grounds. The president was rattled by his death and laid the blame squarely with Kim Jong Un. The Warmbier family and the 22-year-old's friends, some of whom were with him when he was unceremoniously arrested in January 2016, are in no doubt that he was tortured to into a coma. North Korea, meanwhile, has been carrying on with its missile test launches. The first Andean bear to be born in Britain has emerged from its den. Chester Zoo welcomed the cub in January, but it has only just started to venture out and explore for the first time. The species, also known as spectacled bears, were made famous by children's character Paddington Bear. They are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Scroll down for video Chester Zoo welcomed the cub (pictured) in January, but it has only just started to venture out and explore for the first time. It is the first Andean bear to be born in Great Britain ANDEAN BEARS The Andean bear, made famous by the classic children's character Paddington Bear, is the only bear to inhabit South America. They can be found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), conservation experts from the zoo say the birth of the cub is especially significant for the species. Population estimates for the species were last made a decade ago, placing wild numbers at just 20,000. Conservation scientists are convinced that their numbers have continued to decrease but are unsure of exactly how many remain in the wild. Advertisement The cub, which has not yet been sexed by zookeepers, was born to parents Lima and Bernardo. 'The cub was tiny when it was born but Lima is doing a fantastic job, particularly given that she's a first time mum, and the cub is developing quickly', said Tim Rowlands, curator of mammals at the zoo. 'Lima is keeping her new charge close and she certainly has her paws full. 'But even though she's not letting it stray too far from her side, we can already see that her cub has a real playful side', he said. The Andean bear, made famous by the classic children's character Paddington Bear, is the only bear to inhabit South America. They can be found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. The species, also known as spectacled bears, are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) The species were made famous by children's character Paddington Bear (pictured). The famous bear featured in a series of animated shorts first broadcast on BBC TV in 1976 Listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), conservation experts from the zoo say the birth of the cub is especially significant for the species. On 6 February 2016 Belfast Zoo welcomed an Andean bear cub, which was the first one born in the UK. Population estimates for the species were last made a decade ago, placing wild numbers at just 20,000. The cub, which has not yet been sexed by zookeepers, was born to parents Lima and Bernardo. The cub was tiny when it was born but Lima is doing a fantastic job, keepers said Conservation scientists are convinced that their numbers have continued to decrease but are unsure of exactly how many remain in the wild. 'This is a momentous breeding success for us. To become the first zoo in mainland Great Britain to ever breed the species is an amazing achievement one that has taken years of careful planning, dedication and skill', said Mr Rowlands. 'Andean bears are still something of a mystery to conservationists and not a huge amount is known about them. 'But by working closely with the bears here, breaking new ground with this breeding, we're constantly learning about this amazing species', he said. Listed as vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN, conservation experts from the zoo say the birth of the cub is especially significant for the species Population estimates for the species were last made a decade ago, placing wild numbers at just 20,000. They can be found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia Conservation scientists are convinced Andean bear numbers have continued to decrease but are unsure of exactly how many remain in the wild The main threat Andean bears face in the wild is habitat loss - 30 per cent of forests that contain sufficient food for the bears have disappeared in the past 20 years. Hundreds are also illegally killed by farmers and business owners ever year, largely to prevent them raiding crops and livestock. Chester Zoo are currently working with Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) to study bear-human conflict for the first time in an area of dry forest in Bolivia. 'We're able to relay much of this information to our field conservation teams and partners in the wild, and it's information that could be very important in terms of ensuring a long-term future for the bears', sad Mr Rowlands. The main threat Andean bears face in the wild is habitat loss - 30 per cent of forests that contain sufficient food for the bears have disappeared in the past 20 years Hundreds of Andean bears are also illegally killed by farmers and business owners ever year, largely to prevent them raiding crops and livestock Chester Zoo are currently working with Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) to study bear-human conflict for the first time in an area of dry forest in Bolivia Andean bears are still something of a mystery to conservationists and not a huge amount is known about them, zoo keepers said The secret reason of why Paleolithic men and women decorated caves with elaborate paintings may have finally been revealed by scientists. Experts have suggested that the caves with the best acoustics may have been chosen for ancient artwork depicting hunting scenes and cultural practices. This is so these caves could be used during ancient religious ceremonies, which often included chanting and singing. The secret reason why Paleolithic men and women decorated caves with elaborate paintings may have finally been revealed by scientists. Pictured is a Paleolithic painting from Le Portel in Ariege, France WHAT INSPIRED PALEOLITHIC PAINTERS? Experts have suggested that the caves with the best acoustics may have been chosen for ancient artwork depicting hunting scenes and cultural practices. This is so these caves could be used during ancient religious ceremonies, which often included chanting and singing. Evidence for this theory comes from previous research which studied three ancient caves in France. Researchers from the University of Paris studied ancient paintings of horses, bison and mammoths in the caves of Niaux and Le Portel in Ariege, southern France. They found that the most acoustically resonant place in a cave - where sounds linger or reverberate the most - was often the place where Paleolithic paintings were located. And when the most-resonant spot was located in a very narrow passageway too difficult for painting, red marks are often found, as if they had been marked for their acoustic qualities. This correlation of paintings and music provides 'the best evidence for the ritualistic meanings of the paintings and of the use of the adorned caves,' said Iegor Reznikoff, who conducted the research. Advertisement Researchers have previously found evidence of this theory, when they revealed that a number of Paleolithic paintings are located at points in caves where sound can be best amplified. Now scientists are calling for more research to be conducted in Paleolithic caves across the world to provide more evidence for this theory. To date, the exact purpose of Paleolithic cave paintings has been left unknown. Some evidence suggests that these ancient works of art are more than mere decorations. Cave paintings may have played a role in Paleolithic man's religious rituals. One popular theory is that painters of the Paleolithic era chose the places where they made art based on their acoustics. Evidence for this theory comes from previous research which studied three ancient caves in France. Researchers from the University of Paris studied ancient paintings of horses, bison and mammoths in the caves of Niaux and Le Portel in Ariege, in the south of France. They found that the most acoustically resonant place in a cave - where sounds linger or reverberate the most - was often the place where Paleolithic paintings were located. And when the most-resonant spot was located in a very narrow passageway too difficult for painting, red marks are often found, as if they had been marked for their acoustic qualities. This correlation of paintings and music provides 'the best evidence for the ritualistic meanings of the paintings and of the use of the adorned caves,' said Iegor Reznikoff, who conducted the research. David Lubman, an acoustic scientist and fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, has now reexamined the link between ancient paintings and sound resonance. 'Many structures throughout history featured reverberant spaces because reverberant sound can be awe-inspiring,' he said at the third joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in Boston, Massachusetts. 'With that said, there is currently not enough evidence to suggest that these Paleolithic artists deliberately chose reverberant spaces for their paintings.' A horse painted in the cave of Le Portel in Ariege. Scientists studying this cave found paintings were located at spots where sound could be best amplified Bison are depictied in art from the Salon noir of the Niaux cave in Ariege. Scientists believe the location of this artwork proves Paleolithic painters chose caves based on their acoustics He said it is hard to tell why particular caves were chosen for decoration as many ancient paintings have now worn away after thousands of years of weathering. And artwork painted on porous rock, which is bad at reverberating sound, is more likely to have faded away than art painted on smooth rock, which is good at creating echoes. Because more artwork painted on smooth rock has survived, it may have given scientists the false impression that Paleolithic painters were purposefully choosing smooth rock for its acoustic qualities. Red marks (pictured top right) were drawn on points in the cave that were ideal for amplifying sound but too difficult to reach for painting, researchers have discovered 'The main problem is that paintings on porous stone do not last, so we don't know if such paintings existed and were lost over time or were never painted in the first place,' he said. 'Conversely, paintings on non-porous stone do persist and coincidentally spaces composed of non-porous stone walls are good spaces for sound reverberation. 'It's important to note, however, that this does not mean that that these spaces were deliberately chosen for paintings because sound reverberates well in them. 'Correlation, after all, does not imply causality. As the old saying goes, crowing roosters do not cause the sun to rise.' The shape and smooth rock faces of this cave in Ariege make it ideal for reverberating sound much like a concert hall, researchers have suggested Researchers from the University of Paris studied ancient paintings of horses, bison and mammoths in the caves of Niaux and Le Portel in Ariege, southern France To determine whether Paleolithic men really did choose caves for their sound resonance qualities, Dr Lubman has called for more research to be carried out. He added that the human ear is not sensitive enough to note the difference between reflection, which is when sound bounces back off a surface, and reverberance, which is when sound lingers on after it is made. Using more precise measuring instruments that can unpick these sounds inside caves will help scientists draw more meaningful conclusions about the purpose of ancient paintings, he said. 'If a significant degree of correlation between the location of the reverberant spaces and the presence of paintings were to be found, this alone would be an important discovery and opens up the possibility for new explanations,' Dr Lubman said. 'It could, for example, be entirely possible that Paleolithic cave artists initially chose spaces with non-porous stone because they were good canvasses for paintings - and then subsequently discovered that they were also great locations to generate reverberant sound.' Advertisement Molten rock once flowed along a crater rim in Mars Tharsis volcanic province, creating stunning multi-level lava falls. A breathtaking image captured by NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter reveals the incredible structures left behind, in a region reminiscent of Niagara Falls. The photo shows a glimpse at the northern rim of a 19-mile-wide (30 kilometer) crater, with evidence that a lava flow once surrounded the region until it breached at four separate locations, to cascade down the walls. Scroll down for video The experts say the lava came in from the north-northeast around the crater rim and when it got high enough, it breached the rim in four places. Three of the falls, in the north-central region of the crater wall, can be seen in the image. The photo shows a glimpse at the northern rim of a 19-mile-wide (30 kilometer) crater The 3D image was captured by MROs Context Camera, according to NASA. From this view, the western part of the Tharsis province can be seen. The experts say the lava came in from the north-northeast around the crater rim and when it got high enough, it breached the rim in four places. The images even reveal a circular flow of now-dried molten lava (pictured) at the base of the feature. The lava once billowed and fanned outward from the crater's floor Three of the falls, in the north-central region of the crater wall, can be seen in the image. This is clear through their rougher appearance than the original features around, which are smooth and knobby. These lava falls cascaded down the wall and terraces of the crater to produce a quasi-circular flow deposit, according to NASA. It seems that the flow were insufficient to fill or even cover the pre-existing deposits of the crater floor. This is evidenced by the darker-toned lavas that overlie the older, and possibly dustier, lighter-toned deposits on the crater floor. A breathtaking image captured by NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter reveals the incredible structures left behind, in a region reminiscent of Niagara Falls (pictured) While Mars doesn't have any water at the surface today, scientists say it had a watery past. These particular features were carved by lava, which behaved like liquid water, but in other areas, NASA's rovers have turned their sites to investigate evidence of ancient lakes. NASAs Opportunity rover is set to explore the edge of a crater just above Mars Perseverance Valley, to uncover new clues on the processes that left rocks scattered across its floor. A new color-enhanced image captured just before the Mars rovers walkabout survey kicked off shows a landscape that looks almost like a beach here on Earth, and scientists suspect water may have played a role in the rocks transportation. A new color-enhanced image captured just before the Mars rovers walkabout survey kicked off shows a landscape that looks almost like a beach here on Earth MARS: A WET PLANET Evidence of water on Mars dates back to the Mariner 9 mission, which arrived in 1971. It revealed clues of water erosion in river beds and canyons as well as weather fronts and fogs. Viking orbiters that followed caused a revolution in our ideas about water on Mars by showing how floods broke through dams and carved deep valleys. Mars is currently in the middle of an ice age, and before this study, scientists believed liquid water could not exist on its surface. In June 2013, Curiosity found powerful evidence that water good enough to drink once flowed on Mars. In September of the same year, the first scoop of soil analysed by Curiosity revealed that fine materials on the surface of the planet contain two per cent water by weight. Last month, scientists provided the best estimates for water on Mars, claiming it once had more liquid H2) than the Arctic Ocean - and the planet kept these oceans for more than 1.5 billion years. The findings suggest there was ample time and water for life on Mars to thrive, but over the last 3.7 billion years the red planet has lost 87 per cent of its water - leaving it barren and dry. Advertisement The region may once have hosted a perched lake in the crater rims crest which acted as a spillway, the researchers say or, they may have eroded in place by wind. Opportunity has been investigating the areas on and around the western rim of the 14-mile-wide Endeavour Crater, which sits just above Perseverance Valley, since 2011. Part of the crest at the top of the valley is marked by a broad notch, the researchers say. And, just west of the feature, there are elongated patches of rocks lining a slightly depression. The experts say this may have been a drainage channel billions of years ago. We want to determine whether these are in-place rocks or transported rocks, Arvidson said. One possibility is that this site was the end of a catchment where a lake was perched against the outside of the crater rim. A flood might have brought in the rocks, breached the rim and overflowed into the crater, carving the valley down the inner side of the rim. Another possibility is that the area was fractured by the impact that created Endeavour Crater, then rock dikes filled the fractures, and were seeing effects of wind erosion on those filled fractures. The researchers say examining the rocks along what could be a channel could help to reveal more about the sites history. And, recently NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter revealed another stunning look at the rugged terrain of the red planet, in a scene that could rival Britains beloved white cliffs. The new view shows Mars breathtaking white cliffs of rover, captured by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera. According to the space agency, the ocean-like surface at the bottom right side of the photo is actually an expanse of dunes, creating a striking contrast with the shoreline beside it. NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has revealed a stunning look at the rugged terrain of the red planet, in a scene that could rival Britains beloved white cliffs. The new view shows Mars breathtaking white cliffs of rover, at a site known as Meridiani Planum, captured by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera The image has been enhanced to better show the differences in the terrain, creating what appears to be a cloud-covered cliff edge and foamy waves. The reality is that the surface of Mars is much dryer than our imaginations might want to suggest, NASA explains. This is only a tiny part of a much larger structure; an inverted crater a crater that has been infilled by material that is more resistant to erosion than the rocks around it surrounded by bluish basaltic dunes. The edge of these elevated light-toned deposits are degraded, irregular and cliff-forming. Overall, the region known as Meridiani Planum is smooth, unlike much of the rest of Mars. And, according to NASA, this also means its younger than other sites. Its known to contain hematite, and salt-bearing rocks known as sulfates. The landscape has been compared to the White Cliffs of Dover the famed cliffs of the British Isles that are now rapidly eroding in whats thought to be a result of human activity. Interacting with apps on your phone can be a fiddly business, but new technology could soon help you use them on a much larger scale. Researchers have created a way for your smartphone to be projected onto your desk and all it takes is replacing a light-bulb. The prototype, called 'Desktopography', allows users to project their screens onto any surface, whether it's a desk, or a bed. Scroll down for video The projector itself is self-contained and screws into a standard light-bulb fitting, so is essentially as easy to install as a light-bulb HOW DOES IT WORK? The projector itself is self-contained and screws into a standard light-bulb fitting, so is essentially as easy to install as a light-bulb. The projector also doesn't require charging, as it uses power from the bulb socket. Desktopography can be used on non-flat surfaces, and apps can be moved around individually. Apps can also be virtually attached to the side of physical objects, and will follow the object around if moved. For example, the calculator app can be made to follow your laptop around on the desk if you choose to. The system can also re-position itself in response to physical changes. For example, if you put a book down on top of a virtual app, it will move itself into the nearest open space, so you can still interact with it. Advertisement The technology has been developed by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University's Future Interfaces Group, in Pennsylvania. It includes a custom camera-equipped overhead projector that can beam an interactive smartphone interface onto almost any surface. In a blog on his website, Robert Xiao, who led the study, said: 'Systems for providing mixed physical-virtual interaction on desktop surfaces have been proposed for decades, though no such systems have achieved widespread use. 'One major factor contributing to this lack of acceptance may be that these systems are not designed for the variety and complexity of actual work surfaces, which are often in flux and cluttered with physical objects.' To combat this issue, the researchers created a discreet system, which would respond to changes in the environment. The projector itself is self-contained and screws into a standard light-bulb fitting, so is essentially as easy to install as a light-bulb. The projector also doesn't require charging, as it uses power from the bulb socket. While Sony recently demonstrated similar technology in its Xperia Touch interactive projector, the researchers believe that their Desktopography takes the idea even further. Sony's technology is limited to flat surfaces, and can only project in a rectangular screen. Desktopography can be used on non-flat surfaces, and apps can be moved around individually, rather than around the confines of a rectangular screen The system can also re-position itself in response to physical changes. For example, if you put a book down on top of a virtual app, it will move itself into the nearest open space, so you can still interact with it The projector can be screwed into any light-bulb fitting, including portable lamps In contrast, Desktopography can be used on non-flat surfaces, and apps can be moved around individually, rather than around the confines of a rectangular screen. Apps can also be virtually attached to the side of physical objects, and will follow the object around if moved. For example, the calculator app can be made to follow your laptop around on the desk if you choose to. The system can also re-position itself in response to physical changes. For example, if you put a book down on top of a virtual app, it will move itself into the nearest open space, so you can still interact with it. The projector is not yet available to buy, and it is unclear if the researchers plan to make it commercially available. Japan plans to put a man on the moon by 2030, according to a new proposal by the government's Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa). It is the first time Jaxa has announced its intentions to explore the lunar surface, and will most likely form part of an international mission, the agency said. Jaxa's plans, announced Wednesday, mean Japan is joining a host of other Asian nations in what is being dubbed the 'Asian space race'. Scroll down for video Japan plans to put a man on the moon by 2030, according to a new proposal by the government's Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa). The mission will most likely form part of an international collaboration, the agency said (file photo) CHINA'S PLANS FOR SPACE EXPLORATION Since 2009, China has been upping its work in space exploration in a number of stages. Each stage has been given a name to refer to the mission plans. Stage 1 'Around': Yinghuo-1 was launched in 2009 with the aim of bringing back samples, but it was left stranded in orbit and disintegrated. Stage 2 'Landing': Yinghuo-2 is expected to launch in 2020 to collect data on Mars. Stage 3 'Circular': A rover will be sent to Mars to carry out exploration. Advertisement It is the latest in a series of ambitious plans announced by Asian countries, with rising competition for space-related power mirroring the space race raged between the United States and the USSR during the cold war in the mid-20th century. In December 2016, China announced its intentions to put a man on the moon by 2036, as well as plans to land a rover on Mars by 2020. India became the fourth country to plant its flag on the moon in 2008, behind the US, Russia and China, and plans to land a second unmanned probe on the lunar surface by mid-2018. The country is yet to announce plans for a manned mission to moon. Jaxa's moon mission was proposed to a panel at Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology this week, which is responsible for directing the country's space exploration. A Jaxa spokesperson told CNN the plan wasn't to send an exclusively Japanese rocket to the Moon, which would be extremely costly. They said the proposal was for Jaxa to contribute to a multinational manned lunar probe by contributing technology, which would grant Japan a spot on the mission. The spokesperson told CNN a plan for Japan's future space exploration would be released by the panel in time for Japan's International Space Exploration Forum in March 2018. Since 2009, China has been upping its work in space exploration. This image shows China's Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft preparing for launch in Wenchang, Hainan province, on 17 April 2017. It successfully docked with the country's Tiangong-2 space laboratory on 22 April The country could reach the moon a few years before China, which also has ambitious plans for a manned lunar mission. Earlier this month it was revealed China is making 'preliminary' preparations to send a man to the moon, the latest goal in China's ambitious lunar exploration programme. State media cited a senior space official as saying that it will 'not take long' for China's manned mission to the moon to get official approval and funding. The comment was the first confirmation that China intended to fund and run a manned lunar programme. In April it was revealed that China is talking with the European Space Agency about collaborating on a human settlement on the moon. Pictured is an artist's illustration released by the ESA last year This week's statement on Beijing's mission was made by Yang Liwei, deputy director general of China Manned Space Agency and China's first man in space. The report, published June 6, gave no other details, but such a trip could still be many years off. China in 2003 became the third country to put a man in space with its own rocket after the former Soviet Union and the United States. It has touted its plans for moon exploration and in late 2013 completed the first lunar 'soft landing' since 1976 with the Chang'e-3 craft and its Jade Rabbit rover. The country also plans to land the first probe ever on the dark side of the moon in 2018, another milestone. A new online AI called InspiroBot can generate an unlimited amount of 'unique inspirational quotes' - but they might not be quite what you were expecting. The bot generates phrases superimposed on images of animals, nature, space and other soothing backgrounds, with quotes such as 'Without lives there can be no humiliation' and 'Cats are going to fill the world with pain.' While the bot's website doesn't explain how the AI works, it is likely a simplistic AI because it generates dark, at times nonsensical quotes such as 'If you want to get somewhere in life, you have to try to be dead.' Scroll down for video A new online AI called InspiroBot can generate an unlimited amount of 'unique inspirational quotes' including 'Before inspiration comes the slaughter' The landing page for the website reads 'I am an artificial intelligence dedicated to generating unlimited amounts of unique inspirational quotes for the endless enrichment of pointless human existence.' The homepage also shows a glowing green sphere, and bares a striking resemblance to Hal 9000, an AI bot in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. In the film, Hal 9000 eventually turns on the crew of the spacecraft. The landing page for the InspiroBot website shows a glowing green sphere, and bares a striking resemblance to Hal 9000, an AI bot in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey In the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, the AI bot Hal 9000 (pictured) eventually turns on the crew of the spacecraft To generate a quote, the user clicks on a button that says 'generate' on the page, and the bot creates an inspirational poster in seconds. The user can keep creating more quotes by clicking the 'generate' button, and all the posters generated accumulate in a row at the bottom of the page, ready to be downloaded. The bot generates phrases on posters of animals, nature background and images of space, with quotes such as 'Without lives there can be no humiliation' InspiroBot also has its own Instagram page where it has more than 600 of the quotes the AI has generated. Many of the quotes the AI generates don't make sense, and some of them are not quite inspirational. For example, one of the quotes the bot generated read: 'People who have the power to lie about tears, have the power to dance around dragons.' INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES: A SIGN OF LOWER INTELLIGENCE LEVELS? A study found that people who are more receptive to inspirational statements tend to also have lower levels of intelligence. They are also more prone to believing in the paranormal, hold religious beliefs and are taken in by conspiracy theories. In a study titled 'On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bulls***t', psychologists examined whether some people are more receptive to these statements than others. During four experiments involving 845 volunteers, the researchers asked the participants to evaluate a series of statements to indicate how profound they thought they were or if they agreed with them. In many of the tests, quotes were posted on Twitter by author and New Age guru Deepak Chopra. These are just some of the statements used in the study by the researchers: Hidden meaning transforms unparalleled abstract beauty Imagination is inside exponential space time events A river cuts through a rock, not because of its power but its persistence An anxious person is a prisoner to their anxiety A wet person does not fear the rain Advertisement A study found that people who are more receptive to inspirational statements tend to also have lower levels of intelligence. They are also more prone to believing in the paranormal, hold religious beliefs and are taken in by conspiracy theories. Many of the quotes the AI generates don't make sense, and some of them are not quite inspirational In a study titled 'On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bulls***t', psychologists examined whether some people are more receptive to these statements than others. During four experiments involving 845 volunteers, the researchers asked the participants to evaluate a series of statements to indicate how profound they thought they were or if they agreed with them. The user can keep creating more quotes by clicking the 'generate' button, and all the posters generated accumulate in a row at the bottom of the page, ready to be downloaded In many of the tests, quotes were posted on Twitter by author and New Age guru Deepak Chopra. Some of the statements used in the study by the researchers included: 'A river cuts through a rock, not because of its power but its persistence,' 'An anxious person is a prisoner to their anxiety,' and 'A wet person does not fear the rain.' With the AI generating these types of quotes, it appears that the algorithm underlying it simply assembles phrases together, without any logical sequencing But the quotes generated by the InspiroBot were very different those used in the study. Another quote from the InspiroBot reads 'You need to look like you are on drugs.' With the AI generating these types of quotes, it appears that the algorithm underlying it simply assembles phrases together, without any logical sequencing. InspiroBot also has its own Instagram page where it has more than 600 of the quotes the AI has generated According to the late Professor John McCarthy at Stanford University, artificial intelligence is the science and engineering of making intelligence machines, especially intelligent computer programs. InspiroBot generates phrases superimposed on images of animals, nature, space and other soothing backgrounds According to Professor McCarthy, the ultimate effort is to make computer programs that can solve problems and achieve goals in the world as well as humans. The AI appears to be far-off from reaching human levels of linguistic intelligence - or perhaps its algorithms have been programmed to generate sarcastic quotes However, this AI appears to be far-off from reaching human levels of linguistic intelligence - or perhaps its algorithms have been programmed to generate sarcastic quotes. Advertisement Ominous, moody, desolate. These were the three words that sprang to mind when I touched down on the Galapagos islands after a packed two-hour flight from the Ecuadorian capital Quito. But on stepping out on to the scorched terrain, far from being desolate, I quickly found a myriad of wildlife waiting to greet me. Dozens of crabs scuttled out from the rocks, giant pelicans swooped in all different directions, giant tortoises traversed the undulating greenery, while sea iguanas sat basking under the equator-fired sun. The Galapagos Islands were discovered in 1535 when father Tomas Berlanga, the bishop of Panama, was en route to Peru Mapped out: The Galapagos islands are located some 600 miles from the mainland of Ecuador (map - Shutterstock) I'd only been in the Galapagos - some 600 miles from the mainland - less than an hour but it was enough time to see why the British scientist Charles Darwin described the archipelago as being 'a little world within itself'. Today the spot is commonly referred to as 'nature's laboratory'. Never in my life have I witnessed such an abundance of wildlife. I had joined nine other people on a new excursion endorsed by famed naturalist Jane Goodall and run by the tour operator G Adventures. Many in the group were drawn to the region after watching David Attenborough's series, while I had developed a fascination with the islands after receiving numerous recommendations from explorer-minded friends. Throughout our nine-day trip - which would take us to three of the 18 major islands - we were accompanied by naturalist Alex Arregui who would be our guide for the duration. MailOnline Travel's Sadie Whitelocks joined nine other people on a new excursion endorsed by famed naturalist Jane Goodall and run by the tour operator G Adventures Nature's laboratory: Sadie said never in her life had she witnessed such an abundance of wildlife (left, a marine iguana and right, a chirpy mangrove warbler) Coming your way! A Galapagos penguin flew past Sadie as she swam in the sea on Floreana Island The naturalist grew up on the islands and was extremely knowledgeable about everything on offer. He revealed how much the islands had changed over the years, with a tourism boom fueling improved infrastructure. While this has made the area easier to navigate, with speedier boat services connecting the islands, it did fill me with a sense of unease as I watched the tourists flood in. Catering to this influx there is Wi-Fi across many of the islands, allowing visitors to Instagram to their heart's content, and there is even a sushi restaurant on the busy island of Santa Cruz, inhabited by 12,000 people. While it was more built up than expected, the Galapagos still retains something extremely special, if not magical. On the island of Santa Cruz, we spent the first day visiting the Charles Darwin Centre, which has a turtle breeding program. Wise wonders: The Galapagos giant tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise and they can live more than 100 years Walking back we came across the port-side fish market with giant sea lions pestering fish mongers for off-cuts. Giant pelicans also waited in the wings. The tour with G adventures includes the majority of meals but don't expect five-star cuisine. The food was delicious and homely but fresh produce is in short supply and I found myself craving fruit and vegetables. Some of the tastier treats I tried were the fresh coconuts and a succulent roast chicken dish. The accommodation, however, was more appetising. On Santa Cruz we stayed in a super comfortable hotel, with fantastic views over the harbor and aquamarine waters, which glistened in the wild pink sunsets. Sadie (far left) with some of the rest of the group she was travelling with - they hailed from Britain, Australia and Denmark Ship ahoy: Sadie looks out to sea on a beach on Santa Cruz - there is a salt mine nearby used by locals After a night in the small town we embarked on a two-hour boat ride to the more remote - and mysterious - island of Floreana. En route, the ocean didn't disappoint. As we chased the dying sun a pod of bottlenose dolphins danced before us. At one point I spotted seven in the water, with one leaping into the air and performing a balletic twirl. Finally we pulled up at the island, where purple-hued clouds loomed over the volcanic mounds. Unlike Santa Cruz, this island is barely populated with just 150 inhabitants residing there. Thirty two of these are children, who attend a tiny school just metres from the island's black sand beach. It was on Floreana where I had one of my most memorable wildlife encounters in the Galapagos - swimming with sea turtles and a speedy penguin! Making our way along a path constructed by lumps of lava rock, Alex took us to a sheltered cove where the snorkeling was insane. The clear waters revealed dozens of stingrays lurking on the white sandbeds, while sea turtles magically glided by. My finger constantly clicked away on the GoPro as things popped up left, right and centre. On a boat ride from Santa Cruz to Floreana, Sadie spotted a pod of bottlenose dolphins swimming through the sea At other times of year and in certain areas, it is possible to spot whales in the Galapagos, too Moody: Flying into the Galapagos, Sadie was struck by how ominous and desolate the landscape looked On land there was also an abundance of wildlife present, including hundreds of blood-thirsty mosquitoes. Venturing into the cloud-covered hills we visited a giant tortoise sanctuary to watch the incredible creatures lumber through the undergrowth, craning their wrinkled heads in search of food. The word Galapagos is said to come from the Spanish for saddle, because the first settlers thought the giant tortoises looked like crawling saddles. Along with the wildlife, the history of the Galapagos is fascinating. Tales of pirates, love affairs and, of course, Darwin's nature discoveries. After an epic couple of days on Floreana, the group took another two hour boat journey to Isabela. British scientist Charles Darwin described the archipelago as being 'a little world within itself' Alex revealed to us that this is where he lives while he's not guiding, with his second wife who moved there from America. She admitted to us that island life takes a bit of getting used to and you 'definitely have to be comfortable with your own company'. Isabela is more built up than Floreana but less so than Santa Cruz, with a population of about 1,500. This island is brimming with sea lions in lieu of Floreana's feisty mozzies. The beach close to where the boats dock is littered with the dog-like animals, the air punctuated with the sound of them grunting and splashing around. Several lay lolling on shaded benches, luring in droves of snap-happy tourists. In a bid to explore more of the landscape, we took a group trip up to the Sierra Nevada volcano where we hiked to the top to see the lava crater. Luckily we got there just in the nick of time, as eerie mists descended and rain began. Travelling back to the beach front, where the weather was considerably warmer, we instantly threw off the rain macs in favour of swimwear. While some of the group when on a diving excursion - which wasn't included in the G Adventures trip and cost an extra $120 - my friend and I decided to explore more of the island. Alex recommended a hike along the 5km white beach to a jungle of mangroves. Along with the swimming with sea turtles, the mangrove trek was another highlight of the tour for me. It was truly magical wading through the bath-like waters, though snapping twigs caused us to jump. There wasn't another human in sight as we lapped up the untouched beauty. One thing that is definitely required during a trip to the Galapagos is some strong sunscreen. Located close to the equator line, the penetrating sun catches you out and walking back from the mangroves, the back of our legs slowly roasted to a sore shade of bacon-pink. Sea lions are rife in the Galapagos and often it's difficult to walk down pathways as they lay scattered around Sadie captured this image of a turtle in the shallow waters of Floreana. It happily grazed in the corals with a family of fish keeping it company After 15 minutes or so, the turtle headed off into the aquamarine waters - but there were plenty more turtles to swim with After two days on Isabela, we bid a fond farewell and set back off to Santa Cruz for our final night on the Galapagos islands. The town has one bar called the Bongo Bar, which erupts into quite a party as we discovered on the Saturday night. After all of the nature watching it was fun to let our hair down and attempt the salsa - shots of the local aquidente liquor helped us get into the swing of things. It was hard to believe the tour was over and all of the group agreed it had been pretty life-changing. I asked one lady from Wales, who booked on the trip with her husband and sister, if she would return to the Galapagos, and she echoed similar sentiments to others. She said: 'I've seen it but I will let the nature be still and hopefully the tourism won't ruin what is so special.' Luckily, with the collaboration with Jane Goodall, G Adventures is trying to foster locals to be more eco-conscious and preserve what they have. In the words of Darwin 'the natural history of these islands is eminently curious, and well deserves attention' but let's hope that this attention doesn't get out of control. Wetherspoons is set to open the doors to a monster 'super pub', which will be the chain's biggest yet, that's spread over 10,500 square feet. The chain has released an artist's impression of how the pub - to be housed in a former casino and dancehall on the seafront in Ramsgate, Kent - will look once it has opened on 29 August. Wetherspoons already has more than 900 branches, but the latest venue, the Royal Victoria Pavilion, is set to be the biggest. A spokesman for the company suggested it might be the largest pub in the UK, but that claim has not yet been verified. The new Wetherspoons 'super pub' is set to restore an elegant old casino to its former glory Either way, the pub is going to be a roomy venue. It will retain and restore many of the Grade II-listed building's original features including its high ceilings, thanks to an investment of 4million. The elegant building is set to have terraces overlooking the seafront, a wood-paneled bar and a grand staircase, making a welcome departure from the rather less sophisticated interiors associated with Wetherspoons. The classic circular windows will be restored and customers can enjoy drinks on the spacious terraces overlooking the sea front. The Royal Victoria Pavillion on the seafront in Ramsgate, Kent, is set to be the biggest Wetherspoons in the country, boasting 10,500 square foot of customer space The pub will create around 150 jobs, while any spare space in the building will be rented by shops or small businesses. The original Royal Victoria Pavillion was built in 1903, to a design by architect Stanley Davenport Adshead. It has stood derelict since 2008, with a fire in 2011 further damaging the neglected building. A woman travelling alone in India has been turned away from a hotel because she was a 'single lady'. Nupur Saraswat has accused the Hotel Deccan Erragadda in Hyderabad of discrimination after it refused to let her stay because she was travelling solo, despite having a reservation. The Indian spoken word artist, who lives in Singapore, booked her room at the hotel through India's largest online booking site, Goibibo. Nupur Saraswat has accused the Hotel Deccan Erragadda in Hyderabad of discrimination In its terms and conditions the hotel states that locals and unmarried couples are not welcome, and that 'single lady not allowed' (sic). Saraswat told The Independent that her initial reaction was confusion: 'I have never experienced anything like that before it was bizarre. I didn't really react because I didn't understand why that policy could exist in the first place.' The hotel manager apologised, but told her that the refusal to accommodate her was the hotel's policy. Writing about her experience on Facebook, Saraswat said: 'Somehow they decided I was safer on the streets than in the hotel.' However Saraswat has praised Goibibo for being quick to help her. Her money was refunded and she was moved to an upgraded room in a higher-rated hotel free of charge. Ashish Kashyap, Goibibo CEO, told The Independent that the incident has caused the company to think about creating a dedicated helpline for female travellers, adding: 'As a platform we do not agree with this no single women "policy" unless the regulator or local authorities ask us to comply.' The hotel has been struck off Goibibo's listings, while the situation is fully investigated. However Saraswat is not satisfied that this is enough. The Indian spoken word artist was turned away from the hotel for being a 'single lady' 'The hotel being delisted has become the conclusion of the story, and that's not what I wanted or intended,' she told The Independent. 'I didn't want to harm local business I just wanted the website to consider that something like this can happen in our society.' She added: 'In a fight for equality in an urban setting, sexism is usually found in the foundation of things that aren't visible to the naked male eye. Things we take for granted, things we brush of as "just the way world goes round". This episode was one of those episodes and I could've brushed it off, but I chose to make a fuss.' Saraswat's experience is the latest in a long line of incidents over the years that highlight the entrenched sexism found in many parts of India - in many cases with violent consequences. In 2012, the gang rape and murder of a young woman in south Delhi caused a worldwide outcry, but since then instances of sexual violence towards women have been frequent. In February a woman reported being raped at gunpoint, but was then told by the inspector in charge that she needed to have sex with him before he would arrest the men who lived in her village. In May a jilted boyfriend gang-raped his ex-girlfriend with six other men then drove a car over her head to stop her being identified. She welcomed her first child in January 2016 with the help of IVF. And now Harry Judd's wife Izzy, 33, has spoken exclusively MailOnline about the emotional turmoil she went through trying to grow their family, the pressure of trying to get pregnant while in the public eye and her heartbreaking miscarriage. Now ready to share her story, the beauty - who is mother to Lola, 16 months - is set to debut her first book, Dare to Dream, which discusses her heart-breaking but ultimately hopeful look at going through fertility treatment to become a mother. Scroll down for video Honest: Harry Judd's wife Izzy, 33, has spoke exclusively MailOnline about the emotional turmoil she went through trying to grow their family, the pressure of trying to get pregnant while in the public eye and her heartbreaking miscarriage Diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, she was told conceiving would be nigh on impossible without the help of fertility treatment - which she began at 29 - before she had her first round of IVF a year later at 30. Following the endless injections and hormones, Izzy's - who married the Strictly champ in 2012 - efforts paid off with her falling pregnant after her first round, but heartbreakingly she later suffered a miscarriage. Speaking about her journey from classical musician to author, she said that the devastating experience became her way of articulating the grief. She began: 'After the miscarriage, I wrote two chapters of the book. I'll never forget the emotional feeling but also the physical sensation will never leave me.' Open book: Now ready to share her story, the beauty - who is mother to Lola, 16 months - is set to debut her first book, Dare to Dream, which discusses her heart-breaking but ultimately hopeful look at going through fertility treatment to become a mother Inspiration: Speaking about her journey from classical musician to author, she said that the devastating experience became her way of articulating the grief One thing is for sure on Izzy's behalf and that is her unwavering respect for her partner Harry, who she asked to contribute to the book following their devastating grief. 'I'm a little bit older than he is so he didn't have the same sense of urgency as I did which I suppose was a good thing because it's easier to stay a little calmer,' she explained. 'I think I felt it really important for Harry to write a chapter in the book as it's so often from a woman's perspective and you expect the problem to be with the woman which it was in my case but it isn't always the case. 'So I felt it important for men to have something to support them from my book. Even if Harry had moments that were worse than mine, because obviously I was very hormonal and I think he was very close to his mum or close friends and he said it was just a sake of staying patient. He was amazing. ' As times got tough, Izzy admitted that no matter how bad things were, she couldn't have got through it all without her husband by her side and admits that writing the book was a joint experience. She explained: 'We've been together so many years that I don't think we could hide anything from one another. I would come downstairs after another negative pregnancy test and be emotionally that I felt every single emotion and didn't know what to do. Helping hand: One thing is for sure on Izzy's behalf and that is her unwavering respect for her partner Harry, who she asked to contribute to the book following their devastating grief (Pictured in 2016) Experience: As times got tough, Izzy admitted that no matter how bad things were, she couldn't have got through it all without her husband by her side and admits that writing the book was a joint experience Adding: 'Then Harry said look worse case scenario is it's you and me and that's still a pretty great scenario. I remember this thinking you get so consumed by whats happening and so focused on wanting one thing that you forget who's with you on the journey and it was a real moment of realisation when I thought he's on this journey. While trying to remain positive during the process, she admitted her lowest point came after her brother had revealed the news he was expecting and despite being thrilled for her sibling, yet she was consumed with anger. She shared: 'The lowest point was after I'd miscarried a couple of weeks later my brother who I'm very very close to, spoke to Harry and he said "You need to speak to Izzy" and I knew straight away that he was going to tell me he and his wife were expecting and I internally just so angry about so many things. 'I was angry I responded in that way, I'd just been told I was going to be an auntie and I felt nothing but devastation and that my fertility struggles had taken that away from me that I wasn't even able to be happy for my brother who I love so dearly and for his voice to be so worried about saying something that should be such a wonderful moment. Consumed: While trying to remain positive during the process, she admitted her lowest point came after her brother had revealed the news he was expecting and despite being thrilled for her sibling, yet she was consumed with anger Low: She shared: 'The lowest point was after I'd miscarried a couple of weeks later my brother who I'm very very close to, spoke to Harry and he said "You need to speak to Izzy"' 'Tragically that pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 12 weeks and the guilt I felt for not celebrating that changed my perspective. 'I looked at friends and people on the street and it made me realise every pregnancy is delicate and a miracle and I tried from that moment to see pregnant people and think "I don't know your journey and what it took for you to get there". Even on the worst days when I really felt sorry for myself and I just tried to think in a different way.' Not alone in her grief, Izzy revealed she found solace in Giovanni Fletcher, the wife of her husband's McFly bandmate Tom, who had gone through a miscarriage previously and had been her rock during her traumatic experience. 'Gi's (Giovanni Fletcher) miscarriage which she speaks about in her book was before mine. It was just before mine and Harry's wedding,' she shared. 'I had these wishing tags we were going to tie to the tree and we needed to loop a ribbon through and when I found out what happened to Gi, I just went over and gave her this job to do just to take her mind off and on to something completely different. Support: Not alone in her grief, Izzy revealed she found solace in Giovanni Fletcher (L), the wife of her husband's McFly bandmate Tom, who had gone through a miscarriage previously and had been her rock during her traumatic experience (Pictured in 2014 with Georgia Horsley) 'She had been through everything I had been through and she was a support to me. Like with any friend if they understand and have sensitivity they're there to support you.' The violinist revealed that she was inspired to write her book to help other women in her position, opening up about the pressure she felt trying to conceive while in the public eye. She said: 'Wanting a child and feeling pressure in the public eye is difficult. I remember one day I was wearing dungarees and someone asked me if I was pregnant. It's a natural thing - once you get married you have babies. 'Me and Harry just planned an answer and said "We're practicing!'" it did get to a point where I would avoid social situations to avoid being asked about when we would be having kids. It's one of those things and it's natural to ask but it can be incredibly painful for someone. Stress: The violinist revealed that she was inspired to write her book to help other women in her position, opening up about the pressure she felt trying to conceive while in the public eye Open: Continuing: 'Harry and I made the decision to be open about our story and what happened and most women who go through it are grateful to here its no easy for everybody' Continuing: 'Harry and I made the decision to be open about our story and what happened and most women who go through it are grateful to here its no easy for everybody. 'It feels like every day pregnancy announcements come out and it's just a reminder that it's not you. People respond to me, it's such a personal struggle and it's so lonely. I hope the book can help people.' Reflecting on her experience, Izzy explained that having a positive outlook really helped with her IVF journey. She disclosed: 'I think with that you never want to think anything but this is going to happen for us so. For me it was very important to believe and especially going into IVF your perspective is so important that it's not this awful experience and that it's positive. Positive: Reflecting on her experience, Izzy explained that having a positive outlook really helped with her IVF journey 'It's defeatist to think of other options. You see those three letters IVF and I think it's so scary but going into that experience with a positive attitude and staying calm is so important. The mind and body do work together.' Now conceiving her second child naturally, she said that her daughter is excited for her bundle of joy. She added: 'I think I would never want to complain about a pregnancy as its all I wanted. When you do have a little one running around so I'm tired but she's keeping me on my toes. I think shes ready to have a little companion.' Dare to Dream hits book shelves on 29th June They all desperately stated their case to enter the Big Brother house earlier in the series. And despite an initial rejection, Sam Chaloner, Sue Evans, Simone Reed and Andrew Cruickshanks have now been given their chance to live in the Borehamwood mansion, and will enter the house as Second Chance housemates on Thursday's show. Revealing the news on Big Brother's Bit On The Side on Wednesday, Rylan Clark said: 'Tomorrow night, one housemate will be leaving the show but whilst Big Brother may taketh with one hand, he may giveth with the other.' Scroll down for video Set to enter: Simone Reed (L) and Sue Evans - also known as Hurricane Sue - will enter the Big Brother house on Thursday night as part of the four new housemates heading in 'We have not one, not two, not three, but four brand new housemates entering the Big Brother house. When I say brand new housemates, their faces might be a bit familiar.' He continued: 'A hurricane is coming, ladies and gentlemen. 'They might have missed out the first time but tomorrow night, Sam, Simone, Andrew and hurricane Sue will be entering the Big Brother house as Second Chance housemates.' Here come the boys: Andrew Cruickshanks (L) and Sam Chaloner will also enter the house And Rylan admitted he was looking forward to seeing new people join the show. He added: 'Obviously I know Andrew, Simone and Sue, I know them all because they were at the election at launch night. 'All three of them - and this is obviously behind the scenes during the breaks - they are great characters. I'm looking forward to seeing them on the show.' Set for a shock: The current crop of Big Brother housemates won't be expecting the new arrivals, and one of them will be evicted in a shock twist on the same night However, Rylan also teased there could be a twist when the new housemates enter the Big Brother house. He simply said: 'Well they are Second Chance housemates so we'll see what that means tomorrow!' Fans of the series will remember Andrew from Glasgow, Simone from Teeside, 28, Sue from Bedfordshire, 48, for their failed bids to enter the house during launch night, whilst Sam made his attempt just last week. Last week: Sam made his bid to enter the house in a blind date scenario where he was pipped against Savannah OReilly, 26, and Isabelle Warburton, 21, On the launch night, viewers were told they could vote in one of four potential contestants to be the People's Housemate - who would keep contact with the outside world, and use the power to shake things up in the house. In the running were the trio along with Tom from Swansea - with the winner decided at the end of the show by the public. Simone, clad in a daring plunging frock and glittering choker, certainly caught attention from the start with her outfit but also her incredibly outgoing personality -admitting she was loud and wild, before urging fans: 'Just get me in there lads!' Meanwhile Sue admitted she'd like to get into the house as she's 'mature and multi-cultural - I'm a black girl in an Asian dress, what more do you need!' - before promising to 'cook, stir and serve' the pot of housemates in the bungalow. Left: The four new housemates will even numbers within the house following Arthur Fulford's shock departure on Day 7. An explanation was never provided Removed: Kayleigh Morris was removed from the house on Day 13 due to threats of physical violence against fellow housemate Chanelle McLeary However after votes were counted, it was 21-year-old Tom Barber who was enlisted by the public - immediately dancing his way to the stage in celebration. When asked whether he was up to the job of representing the British public, the tattooed star simply said confidently: 'I'm going to smash it!' Sam made his bid to enter the house in a blind date scenario where he was pipped against Savannah OReilly, 26, and Isabelle Warburton, 21, who were chosen to enter the compound. The four new housemates will even numbers within the house following Arthur Fulford and Sukhvinder Javeed's decision to leave the house, and Big Brother's decision to remove Kayleigh Morris and Lotan Carter. Walked: Although she survived an eviction, Sukhvinder Javeed decided to leave the house with her husband Imran as he was evicted on Day 12 Tim Dormer and his new boyfriend, Ash Toweel, recently sent fans into overdrive with engagement rumours. But after Tim's representatives shot down the claims, a source told Daily Mail Australia that Tim has a new flatmate. The Big Brother star is said to be living with TV presenter and DJ pal, Danny Clayton. Scroll down for video Three's a crowd? A source has told Daily Mail Australia that Tim Dormer (R, seen with boyfriend Ash Toweel) has a new flatmate, and is living with TV presenter Danny Clayton Tim and Ash were previously reported to be living together in Bondi. A representative for Tim told Daily Mail Australia: 'I know Tim and Danny have been friends for many years but I am not aware of their living situation.' Indeed, Tim, Ash and Danny were spotted together at the KSUBI store launch in Paddington, on Wednesday. Pals: Pictured is TV presenter Danny Clayton Stepping out: Indeed, Tim, Ash and Danny were spotted together at the KSUBI store launch in Paddington, on Wednesday (the couple are seen with another guest) Having fun: Danny is pictured at the launch Tim and Ash appeared in high spirits, and cut casual but stylish figures. Earlier this month, Tim and Ash shared an adorable selfie together as they ate breakfast in bed. The pair have only recently returned from a trip overseas together, where they enjoyed time in the US, and Canada. Tim has an affection for Canada, having appeared on Big Brother there and finishing third last year, after winning Big Brother Australia in 2013. Tim and Ash sparked engagement rumours in May, when they were spotted frolicking at the bach, with Tim wearing a band on his ring finger. Romantic break: The pair have only recently returned from a trip overseas together, where they enjoyed time in the US, and Canada Taking to social media shortly after, Tim used the event to vent his anger over the current state of Australia's same-sex marriage laws, before revealing he identifies as Pansexual. 'Whether or not I got engaged...IT'S STILL BLOODY ILLEGAL FOR ME TO PUT A RING ON IT IN AUSTRALIA!!!' he wrote alongside one of the pictures on Instagram. Commenting on his similar Facebook post, he revealed that while he's not a huge fan of labels, 'Pansexual' best describes his sexuality. Happy: Tim and Ash sparked engagement rumours in May, when they were spotted frolicking at the bach, with Tim wearing a band on his ring finger Pansexuality is loosely defined as being 'gender blind,' meaning the identifier is able to form a sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to someone without their gender being a factor. Tim's representatives said the ring was a 'peace ring' and not an engagement ring. They met at a party in 2013. Tim, who has said he 'finally found love' with Ash, knew there was 'something special' between the duo after they spent a weekend away together in Byron Bay in 2014. Sudan: The Last of the Rhinos Rating: The Week the Landlords Moved In Rating: There has never been a lonelier animal than Sudan, the last surviving male Northern White rhino. He isnt just the last of his kind, the last gasp before total extinction. Hes a symbol of the obliteration of all Africas most magnificent creatures. Lions, gorillas, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs . . . they are all disappearing at a terrifying rate. Earlier this month I interviewed Rowan Deacon, director of the outstanding documentary Sudan: The Last Of The Rhinos (BBC2). She told me that, while filming, she took British conservation veteran Kes Hillman-Smith back to Africa and saw this tough campaigners heart breaking. Sudan's keeper in Ol Pejeta, Kenya, Zachary Mutai. He looks after the last rhino, who is one of many disappearing at an alarming rate Zachary Mutai, with Sudan the last surviving male Northern White rhino, a symbol of Africa's fading wildlife Dr Hillman-Smith spent 30 years battling to save the last wild herd of Northern Whites, in a reserve in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. She enlisted local people to protect the animals as their numbers slowly increased. Then, almost overnight, poachers armed with grenade launchers and automatic rifles wiped the rhinos out. And when Dr Hillman-Smith returned to the reserve for the first time in nearly a decade, she made another horrific discovery elephants, which until recently roamed in herds of hundreds, are reduced to a handful of animals. Vagner with Sudan and other rhinos at Dvur Karlove Zoo, former Czechoslovakia in the 1970s Eva Svitalska and a northern white rhino at Dvur Kralove, former Czechoslovakia in the 1970s When BBC execs first saw this documentary, I understand they were concerned there was no happy ending. Scientists have been trying to make test-tube rhinos using Sudans sperm and eggs harvested from the last two remaining females. But in-vitro fertilisation [IVF] for rhinos seems impossible. Deacon rightly resisted pressure to deliver an upbeat, hopeful coda, because that would give a false picture of the truly awful plight of Africas giants. Even if, by some lucky fluke, a baby Northern White could be spawned in the lab via IVF or cloning, extinction is already a reality. Rhino herds, with their complex social behaviour and vocal calls, existed in Africa long before modern humans evolved. That history is over and cannot be revived. Repeat of the week The atmospheric wartime thriller Spies Of Warsaw (BBC4) by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais gets a deserved second showing. But be warned its a bit different to their best-known shows, Porridge and The Likely Lads. Advertisement The same catastrophe is only a few years away for elephants, if they are killed at the current rate of one every 15 minutes. Elephants fare better in captivity than rhinos, but their exceptionally rich emotional life is something that can never be replicated in a zoo or safari park. To see Sudan at his retirement home in Kenya is painfully sad. This programme resisted the temptation to be maudlin, and traced the rhinos story in a tour de force of investigative wildlife journalism. We met the eccentric Czech naturalist who traded guns with Ugandas war lords in exchange for animal export licences, and his daughter who used to play leapfrog over the rhinos in his Soviet-era zoo. Surreal, fascinating, tear-jerking and jaw-dropping, this was superb TV . . . but what a tragedy that it ever had to be made. By comparison, The Week The Landlords Moved In (BBC1) was perfectly trite. Two tenants left for a week, so the owners could have a bash at living in homes they rented out. Sharon, Paul, the landlords, standing in the living room of the home they rent out for a week Sam the landlord and his wife Amanda outside the property they rent out, to see what it's like now There were problems with damp, broken appliances, overflowing bins and faulty plumbing. The tenants hadnt reported any of this, presumably because they thought the landlords would find out by telepathy. With the cameras rolling, all the problems were swiftly fixed. One grandmother who couldnt afford to pay for heating was even told her energy bills would be sorted, too. Perhaps that touching scenario is re-enacted daily, all over the country. More likely, this show is just another slice of fake reality TV. They have been inseparable for weeks and on Wednesday Stella Maxwell and Kristen Stewart kept their hot romance buzzing with a lunch date. The pair were spotted together at trendy Gracias Madre in West Hollywood. Both gals covered up with matching black-framed sunglasses as they left the eatery that specializes in organic and vegan Mexican food. Scroll down for video Eating out: They have been inseparable for weeks and on Wednesday Stella Maxwell and Kristen Stewart kept their hot romance buzzing with a lunch date in LA The blonde model, 27, donned a tailored jumpsuit that featured white piping on the lapels, cuffs and pockets. The outfit was cinched at the waist with a matching sash. She tucked the pant legs into metal studded boots with ankle straps. Healthy option: The pair were spotted together at trendy Gracias Madre in West Hollywood, that specializes in organic and vegan Mexican food Simpatico: Both gals covered up with matching black-framed sunglasses as they left the eatery Kept it casual: Kristen, 27, wore a cropped tee featuring British band Madness and skinny light gray jeans with black Vans sneakers Changing look: The actress continues to sport a buzz cut although the platinum dye job is clearly growing out Earlier in the day, Victoria's Secret model Stella had been spotted out solo in LA's Los Feliz neighborhood where Kristen has a home. She has been spending increasingly more time in the city to be closer to the Twilight star even though she owns her own pad in New York. It came after the pair spent time together traveling around Europe. Stella previously dated Miley Cyrus. Meanwhile, Kristen was rumored to have been in long relationship with her movie franchise co-star Robert Pattison before having a fling with her Snow White And The Huntsman director Rupert Sanders and dating former assistant Alica Cargile. Blonde beauty: Stella was spotted earlier in the day running errands solo in LA's Los Feliz neighborhood where Kristen has a home Flawless: The Victoria's Secret model left her long locks loose and sported pink lip color Stylish: Stella's tailored jumpsuit featured white piping on the lapels, cuffs and pockets. The outfit was cinched at the waist with a matching sash Bovver boy look: She tucked the pant legs into metal studded boots with ankle straps and gold buckles Relationship goals: Stella, who is normally based in New York, has been spending more time in LA to be closer to girlfriend Kristen There are no taboo talking points for the KIIS FM shock jock, who regularly indulges in controversial and vulgar chatter on air. And Kyle Sandilands accused co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson of being on her period on Thursday when she made him 'feel like an idiot.' The 46-year-old made the shock statement: 'Where's the period monster siren when you need it? Are you on the blob?' 'I want you to check your pants now!' Kyle Sandilands accuses co-host Jackie 'O' of being on her period after making him 'feel like an idiot' on KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie 'O' on Thursday The comment was made after Jackie 'O' refused to disclose the identity of a friend, who once gave her Cuban cigars despite them being banned. Denying her behaviour was hormonal, she said: 'No! I'm finished... two weeks ago.' 'Maybe your spotting,' Kyle quipped back. 'No! I'm finished': Jackie denied that her behaviour was hormonal as Kyle assumed she was on her period Defending his comments, Kyle continued: 'That's not normal behavior, normally you'd say it, you'd give up the name, you'd write it down and not make me feel like an idiot.' Later in the segment Kyle asked a listener with an accent if he was American, to which Jackie laughed and said: 'That's a dumb question!' Kyle then added: 'I want you to check your pants now.' 'Maybe you're spotting... That's not normal behavior': Kyle continued to make jibes at his co-host based on her behaviour on the show Earlier this year Jackie revealed her struggles with Endometriosis, a condition affecting a woman's reproductive organs. In a podcast with The Thinkergirls this week, she revealed the debilitating pain often found her having to go 'to the hospital for morphine.' The candid admission came after the KIIS FM radio host was found slumped over the steering wheel by a colleague. In February, Kyle became concerned after the mother of one failed to turn up to the office at 6am. Head of content Derek 'DB' Bargwanna informed Kyle that Jackie was 'slumped over the steering wheel' in the KIIS FM car park, unable to move because she was in 'too much pain'. Jackie later explained she was suffering from severe menstrual cramps. 'My blood went cold': Kyle Sandilands, 45, was left in shock as co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, 42, was 'slumped over the steering wheel' in the KIIS FM car park on Tuesday, during a health scare 'So she's just laying on the floor in the carpark? Someone should go and get her,' Kyle ranted to the KIIS FM team. 'Someone tell me what's happening?' the shock jock insisted, before head of content Bargwanna explained. 'Jackie and I pulled (into the carpark) at the same time. I walked past the car and there she is slumped over the steering wheel. 'I opened up the door and she virtually falls out of the car, she can't walk, she's in pain. She's white as a ghost,' he continued. Finally making her way from the carpark to the office, Jackie went into detail about the health scare. Excruciating: Jackie O was unable to make it up from the carpark as she was in 'too much pain' The scare: Finally making her way from the carpark to the office, Jackie went into detail about the health scare revealing she was suffering from bad menstrual cramps 'It started like regular period pain and then something happened in the car. I thought I was going to pass out and my blood went cold,' she revealed to Kyle. 'I thought I was going to vomit. I was just thinking: 'I just need to get to work, I just need to get to work.' It can cause painful adhesions and/or infertility, where the tissue that usually lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Jackie suffers from Endometriosis , a condition affecting a woman's reproductive organs. Pain usually occurs at the time of ovulation, however for some it can become constant. He welcomed his first child with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley on Saturday. And Jason Statham was spotted for the first time since becoming a father. The 49-year-old star was seen behind-the-wheel of his car in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The outing came just hours after his 30-year-old model partner announced their exciting news with a sweet Instagram photo. Scroll down for video New dad: Jason Statham was seen for the first time since becoming a father while behind-the-wheel of his car in Los Angeles on Wednesday Happy news: Hours earlier, his partner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley announced they welcomed their first child, with the model announcing the news with a sweet Instagram She gushed to her followers: 'Our little man arrived! Jack Oscar Statham 8.8lbs on Saturday June 24th. ' Alongside, Rosie shared a black and white snap of little Jack grasping his mother's finger. The 30-year-old announced her pregnancy in February, after dating fiance Jason for seven years. The model and actress, who lives in Los Angeles with Jason, announced her pregnancy news on Instagram, debuting her bare baby bump while sat smiling on a beach in her bikini. First child: The 30-year-old announced her pregnancy in February, after dating fiance Jason for seven years, sharing a bikini photo on Instagram Rosie revealed that Jason had been the one to take the picture in her caption, as she confirmed: 'Very happy to share that Jason and I are expecting. Lots of love Rosie x. Photo by @jasonstatham' Rosie embraced her pregnancy, sharing updates on her social media including snaps of her gorgeous baby shower a month ago. She also posted photos from her 30th birthday celebrations back in April, gushing that she felt 'life is just about the begin' during her exciting year. 'Thank you to everyone for all the special birthday wishes! My heart feels full of warmth and love turning 30 today!' she wrote. Happy time: Rosie confirmed her engagement to Jason, in January last year after dating for seven years 'Being that it's such a milestone I can't help but look back, reflect and smile on all that life has brought me, whilst looking forward to the future and feeling as if life is just about to begin... quite literally .' 'Bye Bye 20's you were hot, hello 30's can't wait to see what you got in store for me!! #JustGettingStarted #1987 .' Rosie confirmed her engagement to Jason, in January last year. What a year! Rosie embraced her pregnancy, sharing updates on her social media including a cute snap from her 30th birthday celebrations in April Working hard: The model continued her work throughout her pregnancy, sharing a candid snap in May as she joked: 'When the bathroom becomes your office' In a rare interview with Harper's Bazaar Australia, Rosie praised Jason, saying: 'I have an amazing relationship with my partner. He's by far the greatest influence in my life.' Clearly excited for motherhood, prior to announcing her baby news the starlet had said in an interview with Elle UK back in 2012 that caring for her child would be her first priority when the time comes. She said: 'I always see myself working, but definitely being a mum will be a big part of me. I think there is naturally a point where you think, 'I don't care about myself as number one any more.' I want to care about other things.' Glam pregnancy: Rosie has attended a number of events throughout her pregnancy, showing off her bump at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February But she's also previously mused that living away from her family in the UK would become harder when she had children and the couple may have to think carefully about where they set up home ion the future. She said: 'Having a family is something I think about for sure, and whether I'd live here in America or in England. But it's not always as simple as that. I have no idea what will happen, but it'll be interesting to find out, right? And nothing will be perfect, I'm sure ... 'The one big downside [of being in Los Angeles] is not having my family within reach. I would love to be able to invite them over for a roast dinner, or be able to say to my brother or sister, 'Why don't you pop over for a glass of wine tonight?' but I can't and it weighs heavily on me.' Besotted: Prior to announcing her baby news the starlet had said in an interview with Elle UK back in 2012 that caring for her child would be her first priority when the time comes She's the Australian model who recently enjoyed a luxurious Maldives honeymoon with musician husband Gary Clark Jr. And Nicole Trunfio, 31, appeared to ignore Morning Show hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur when they attempted to bag themselves a 'freebie' Maldives vacation. Nicole was gushing about her recent marital getaway when an off-the-cuff remark from host Larry created an air of awkwardness. Awkward: Nicole Trunfio, 31, appeared to ignore Morning Show hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur when they attempted to bag themselves a 'freebie' Maldives vacation Awkward! We've spoken about this enough that we should be able to jag a freebie for sure,' Larry said 'We've spoken about this enough that we should be able to jag a freebie for sure,' Larry said. Nicole, stonewalled the junket angling, pretending that she hadn't heard it, and continued to wax lyrical about her loved-up vacation. Lavish: Nicole, stonewalled the junket angling, pretending that she hadn't heard it, and continued to wax lyrical about her loved-up vacation Angling: 'We've spoken about this enough that we should be able to jag a freebie for sure,' Kylie said 'We swam with sharks as well, 'Nicole continued without batting an eyelid. 'It was amazing. I touched one and my husband told me I was crazy. I don't know why I did it - it's weird. Nicole and husband Gary Clark Jr enjoyed a lavish honeymoon in the luxurious Soneva Group resorts in April, one year after trying the knot. The Indian Ocean experience reportedly cost $2504 AUD per night and included their own 13-metre pool, a retractable roof to stargaze, an open-air bathroom and an on-hand butler. Luxury: Pictured is a villa at the Soneva Group resorts Indulgence: The resort also features homemade ice cream and chocolate parlours for guests to indulge in at their leisure Stunning: Glass-bottomed floors are also a common feature, allowing guests to connect with the water below Glass-bottomed floors are also a common feature, allowing guests to connect with the water below. The resort also features homemade ice cream and chocolate parlours for guests to indulge in at their leisure. Nicole and Gary tied the knot in a lavish Palm Springs ceremony in April last year. and welcomed first child, Zion, into the world in January 2015. She has posted numerous snaps from her idyllic getaway in Italy. And Tash Oakley uploaded new images on Thursday from the Amalfi coast, where she humorously announced she would be moving to the holiday destination. The social media sensation flaunted her slender figure in her Monday Swimwear line as she posed by the Mediterranean sea. Scroll down for video Bliss: Tash Oakley uploaded new images on Thursday from the Amalfi coast, where she humorously announced she would be moving to the holiday destination 'If I stop posting you'll know I've moved to Italy and I'm never coming back,' she teased in the caption that accompanied one of the photos. The blonde beauty was laid out on a white towel as she gazed seductively into the camera while relaxing at the Hotel Santa Caterina. She wore a black 'Bahamas' one-piece swimsuit from her range and her long hair in a wet look, with a makeup-free face. 'If I stop posting you'll know I've moved to Italy and I'm never coming back,' she teased in the caption that accompanied one of the photos Another snap featured the stunning blogger playfully skipping as she held an 'Amalfi' sarong from her brand behind her and shielded her eyes in designer sunglasses. 'Work it baby, work it!' she captioned the luxurious capture. A portion of her almost two million followers took to the comments section to show their appreciation for the snaps. Knockout: The social media sensation flaunted her slender figure in her Monday Swimwear line as she posed by the Mediterranean sea 'The black one is so elegant. You are, indeed (it is said elegance is an attitude),' gushed one supporter. 'You are perfection,' added another fan. The statuesque businesswoman recently celebrated her two-year anniversary with boyfriend Gilles Souteyrand, with whom she is traveling Europe with. Stephanie Davis and Jeremy McConnell's relationship has been turbulent since they met on CBB last year. And the former Hollyoaks star's mother Pauline - who has spoken out about their on/off relationship in the past - has taken to social media again to share a series of cryptic posts appearing to reference her daughter's romantic situation. According to the Mirror, the CBB star's doting mother shared a post reading: 'LOVE doesn't HURT'. Scroll down for video Speaking out: Stephanie Davis' mother Pauline has taken to social media to share a series of cryptic posts appearing to reference her daughter's romantic situation Pauline also shared a quote reading, 'Who you spend time with will have a great impact on what kind of life you live', as well as another which said, 'You can either let your heart rule your mind or your mind rule your heart.' MailOnline has contacted both Stephanie and Jeremy's representatives for comment. Just two weeks ago, Pauline had labelled McConnell a 'scumbag' in a subsequently deleted tweet. Pauline slammed her daughter's beau and tweeted: 'Finally after 16 months of hell the scumbag has shown his true colours! #beyondevil #malicious #noexcuses.' According to the Mirror , the CBB star's doting mother share a post reading: 'LOVE doesn't HURT' Seeming to have second thoughts about her fiery tweet, Stephanie's mother then appeared to have deleted her post. It was prompted by a scathing tweet McConnell had sent hours earlier, hitting out at Stephanie and branding her a 'manipulative f**k' Pauline's latest posts come after Stephanie and Jeremy were spotted enjoying a day out on Wednesday, exactly a week after his devastating relapse. The 24-year-old star was displaying a mass of bruises along her arms, the result of a recent deep tissue massage on her 'extremely sensitive skin', while she puffed a cigarette while departing a hotel. As they headed out of the building while joined by a pal, the pair were laden with bags while they loaded up the car seemingly ready to vacate the hotel. Together again: Stephanie and Jeremy were spotted together on Wednesday, exactly a week after his devastating relapse Together again: The 24-year-old Celebrity Big Brother star was displaying a mass of bruises along her arms, the result of a recent deep tissue massage on her 'extremely sensitive skin', while she puffed a cigarette while departing a hotel Stephanie soared to fame with her role in Hollyoaks, and reached out to a wider fan-base after she appeared on CBB last year. During her time in the house, the star struck up a relationship with Jeremy - which proved to be notoriously turbulent. Amid their many break-ups and reconciliations, Stephanie fell pregnant and the on/off pair welcomed their first child together, Caben-Albi in January. Whilst Stephanie has been hitting headlines of late for her role as 'relationship expert' on Big Brother's Bit On The Side, Jeremy is said to be in 'self-destruct mode'. His friends and family are said to be very concerned about him, after an evening out last Wednesday ended with him leaving a club and sleeping on a park bench. After his tough time, in which his friends voiced concerns over the star hitting rock bottom, he is now reunited with Stephanie as the pair headed out together with the pair going for low-key looks. Chatting away: The couple have rarely been seen together in the midst of their woes Weighed down: Stephanie was laden with bags as she stepped out in her low-key ensemble Homeward headed: Stephanie soared to fame with her role in Hollyoaks, and reached out to a wider fanbase after she appeared on CBB last year. During her time in the house, the star struck up a relationship with Jeremy - which proved to be notoriously turbulent Heading in: Jeremy looked stylish in a burgundy tracksuit Hard times: Jeremy was spotted on a park bench after relapsing at a London party last week Stephanie sported the same hairstyle she has been rocking for days, while she wore a short-sleeved hoodie and high-waisted tracksuit bottoms with her arms visible from under the top - and displaying her bruises from the spa day, which were a result of her relaxing massage. As she appeared with her bruised arms, it seems her relaxing treatments were the cause of her woes as her representative confirmed the marks on her limbs were the result of a deep tissue massage. Speaking to MailOnline, her representative said: 'Stephanie has had a deep tissue massage over the weekend after which she has come up with bruising on her arms. She has very sensitive skin and muscles so it often happens.' Breathing away: The star was puffing on a cigarette outside the building A cigarette break: Stephanie puffed on a cigarette as she headed out of the hotel Work mode: Stephanie has been frequenting the Elstree area as she has made various appearances on Big Brother's Bit On The Side, to sit on the panel and weigh in on the goings on of the Big Brother house Handsome: Jeremy meanwhile was sporting a burgundy tracksuit with a hoodie and tracksuit bottoms while his hair was neatly styled. The Irish star looked healthy and happy following his saddening relapse last week Jeremy meanwhile was sporting a burgundy tracksuit with a hoodie and tracksuit bottoms while his hair was neatly styled. The Irish star looked healthy and happy following his saddening relapse last week. After a tumultuous time together, sources tell MailOnline the couple are planning an idyllic life in the country together. Insiders said: 'Stephanie and Jeremy have told friends and family of their plans to move to the countryside and have begun looking at properties in Norfolk. 'They are both from cities but have decided to get away from it and try the farming life together. They love the idea of a farm and being around animals, having a normal life in the countryside. Pained: The marks extending along Stephanie's arms were a result of her sensitive skin Tough times: Sources told MailOnline on Thursday, after the photo showing him asleep on the bench was released, that the Celebrity Big Brother star's outing to the Sixty6 Magazine Summer launch party at Dstrkt nightclub on Wednesday evening saw him escorted out by his representative yet returned an hour later 'Stephanie and Jeremy have both earned well so are going to put their money into a country cottage, Stephanie has previously been to Norfolk for work and loved how remote it was down there so is hoping to get a place down there to be close enough to London for work, but far enough away to have some normal relaxed time'. Stephanie has been frequenting the Elstree area as she has made various appearances on Big Brother's Bit On The Side, to sit on the panel and weigh in on the goings on of the Big Brother house. While the star has been recuperating after a stressful time, her woes were undoubtedly worsened by Jeremy's alleged relapse. Sources told MailOnline on Thursday, after the photo showing him asleep on the bench was released, that the Celebrity Big Brother star's outing to the Sixty6 Magazine Summer launch party at Dstrkt nightclub on Wednesday evening saw him escorted out by his representative yet returned an hour later. Smoking away: Stephanie and her pal enjoyed a cigarette as they walked out Puffing away: Stephanie's hair was in the same style she had earlier sported Those close to him have asked the star to seek help and return to rehab amid concerns he is in 'self-destruct' mode, following the Wednesday night to Thursday morning park bench incident. A representative of Jeremy's told MailOnline: 'There is no comment at this stage'. The reality star was seen in the same clothes in the early hours of Thursday morning while sitting on a park bench, as friends of the Irish model revealed they are urging him to seek help amid fears he is 'in self-destruct mode'. Days before the party, Jeremy spoke to The Sun in which he revealed he was 'surprised' he was still alive after his partying left him addicted to booze. After a stint in rehab, he appeared to be in recovery mode after he was spotted with Stephanie on Father's Day as their on-off relationship rumbles on. She stars as abused victim Celeste Wright in HBO's popular drama, Big Little Lies. And in a recent interview with W Magazine, Nicole Kidman said she felt 'humiliated' after filming shocking sex scenes that left her with bruises. Revealing the extent of her trauma, the 50-year-old told the publication: 'I was just lying there, naked in half-torn underwear.' 'I was just lying there, naked in torn underwear': Big Little Lies star Nicole Kidman, 50, said in an interview with W Magazine, that she was 'humiliated' after filming shocking sex scenes that left her with bruises 'I remember lying on the floor in the bathroom at the end of a difficult scene, and I just wouldn't get up in-between takes.' She added: 'I was just lying there, basically naked in half-torn underwear, and Jean-Marc Vallee (the director) would come over and place a towel over me. It was very hard. 'At times it felt dangerous and really upsetting, and I would go home afterwards and I would feel - I would keep on a very brave face at work and then I would go home and I didn't realise how much it had penetrated me.' Traumatic: 'I was just lying there, basically naked in half-torn underwear, and Jean-Marc Vallee (the director) would come over and place a towel over me. It was very hard,' the Academy Award-winner continued to tell the publication Emotional toll: 'At times it felt dangerous and really upsetting, and I would go home afterwards and I would feel - I would keep on a very brave face at work and then I would go home and I didn't realise how much it had penetrated me,' Nicole also said Nicole's Big Little Lies character Celeste has a violent and complicated relationship with Perry, played by co-star Alexander Skarsgard, 40. The Academy Award-winning actress previously admitted to taking pain medication after being left bruised from the violent scenes, that also took a toll emotionally. Nicole told US Vogue her husband Keith Urban, 49, was distressed to see her 'covered in deep, massive bruises' when she would return home from filming. Lead roles: Nicole's Big Little Lies character Celeste has a violent and complicated relationship with Perry, played by co-star Alexander Skarsgard, 40 Cause for concern: Nicole told US Vogue her husband Keith Urban, 49, was distressed to see her 'covered in deep, massive bruises' when she would return home from filming: 'He was devastated seeing it but then he would say, ''But I have an artist wife!'' 'He was devastated seeing it but then he would say, ''But I have an artist wife!'' she told the publication. And just recently, Alexander discussed his troubled character and revealed the coping mechanisms he and his co-stars developed to 'shake off' the intensity on set. 'It was very important to reconnect after shooting those scenes,' he told Vanity Fair, adding: 'We made a point of checking in with each other, giving each other a hug.' The True Blood star gushed of his onscreen spouse: 'Nicole is an incredible partner because she is so generous and so open and it makes it easier as an actor when you have a partner like that.' For information, support and help, call the 24 hour Domestic Violence Line on 180 RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au She's currently in Sydney from Los Angeles, launching her blog, High Heel Jungle. And journalist Kathryn Eisman looked radiant at an exclusive event held in her honour, in Sydney on Thursday. The 36-year-old wore a plunging floral frock as she posed for photos at Hotel Centennial in the up-market suburb of Woollahra. Blooming beauty! Journalist Kathryn Eisman, 36, looked radiant in a plunging floral frock at her High Heel Jungle blog launch, in Sydney on Thursday, despite suffering a slight nip slip A pastel-hued floral frock with a plunging neckline almost showed off more than she bargained for, with a slight nip slip visible. However, the television presenter and model still looked incredible, highlighting her slender legs and bronzed complexion in the feminine ensemble. Strappy beige heels and delicate jewels coordinated nicely, while her beauty look consisted of semi-straight tresses, winged eyeliner, lashings of mascara and a soft pink lip. The whole look: Despite the slight wardrobe malfunction, Kathryn still looked radiant and beautiful, highlighting her slender legs and bronzed complexion In profile: The blonde beauty allowed her shoulder-length locks to frame her striking facial features Keeping it in the family: Kathryn brought along her mother Sylvia Eisman, who looked beautiful in a black frock with a vibrant red jacket The highly-anticipated launch was a star-studded affair with other notables in attendance. Socialite and footwear designer Terry Biviano, 42, cut a chic figure in a black trench coat and knee-high boots. A black quilted Chanel shoulder bag, delicate jewels and her wedding bling from NRL star Anthony Minichiello, added a glamorous touch. Styling her dark locks into a sleek ponytail at the nape of the neck, Terry finished off the look with a bronzed complexion, defined brows and a bold red lip. Star-studded: Socialite and footwear designer Terry Biviano, 42, cut a chic figure in a black trench coat and knee-high boots Glamorous: The mother-of-one accessorised with a Chanel quilted shoulder bag, delicate jewels and her wedding bling from NRL star Anthony Minichiello Familiar face: Terry was joined by television presenter Sophie Falkiner, 43, who opted for a monochrome ensemble, adding a pop of colour with a red manicure and a bold lip Terry was joined by television presenter Sophie Falkiner, 43, who opted for a monochrome ensemble, adding a pop of colour with a red manicure and a bold lip. Other personalities in attendance included fashion journalist Kate Waterhouse, television personality Shelly Horton and weather presenter Jaynie Seal. Kate, 33, showed off her style credentials in a white dress shirt, black skinny leg trousers and a tan overcoat draped over her shoulders. The brunette carried her belongings in an embellished Gucci handbag, and accessorised further with $995 kangaroo fur-lined loafers by the same designer label. Content: The pair looked to enjoy each other's company, beaming for a series of snaps Style credentials: Fashion journalist Kate Waterhouse, 33, sported a white dress shirt, skinny leg trousers, $995 Gucci kangaroo fur-lined loafers and an embellished handbag by the same designer label Beauty: Kate styled her brunette locks in a deep side part, and finished off the look with an elegant makeup palette Shelly made a statement in a polka-dot plunging frock. Black leather heeled boots, a statement watch and silver jewels added a touch of flair. The star's signature red locks were styled in a deep side part, framing an elegant makeup palette. Bold look: Television personality Shelly Horton (right), made a statement in a polka-dot plunging frock, teamed with black leather heeled boots, a statement watch and silver jewels Svelte: Weather presenter Jaynie Seal, 44, highlighted her slimline figure in a striped knee-length frock, with a pair of black heeled boots elongating her frame She recently denied having any new work done to her face, saying her almost unrecognisable looks are down to a 'good contour.' And it seems on Wednesday evening, The Bachelor's Keira Maguire couldn't get enough of how she looked. The reality TV star took selfies at a Blown Lux event in Sydney, laughing and pouting for camera. Scroll down for video Finding her best angle! The Bachelor's Keira Maguire takes selfies after denying she's had 'cheek fillers and her jaw done' and looking unrecognisable on Instagram Dolled up: Keira had her hair out in loose tousled curls, and wore makeup including dewy foundation, lashings of mascara and bronzer Wearing all-black, Keira showed off her trim figure in tights and a high-neck long sleeve top, that appeared to be a little sheer. Keira had her hair out in loose tousled curls, and wore makeup including dewy foundation, lashings of mascara and bronzer. The former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! contestant completed her look with a taupe lipstick. Night out: Wearing all-black, Keira showed off her trim figure in tights and a high-neck and long sleeve top, that appeared to be a little sheer On Monday night, Keira denied she's had any new work done to her face, and spoke on her Instagram story. 'It's amazing what a good contour can do,' she said. 'Apparently I've had cheek filler and my jaw done,' she wrote, referring to speculation about her more narrow-looking jawline. Keira has made headlines for her $35,000 plastic surgery transformation, including a nose job, breast enlargement and Botox injections. Is that you? On Monday, Keira sent fans into meltdown when she appeared almost unrecognisable in a candid Instagram snap Keira previously told NW magazine she felt pressured to change her appearance after rising to fame on reality TV. 'Being in the spotlight, you focus more on those things you want to change,' she explained. 'My nose and breasts were the two other things I've wanted to have done for 10 years. 'I've always wanted to get them done, but being in this industry just forced me to get it done in a more prompt manner.' Pressure? Keira previously told NW magazine she felt pressured to change her appearance after rising to fame on reality TV Transformed: The Bachelor star flaunted her taut and apparently flawless skin, her prominent cheeks, notably plump lips and angular jawline. Pictured right, on The Project last year She added: 'I have the best boobs I've ever seen!' Keira, who previously said she's 'always wanted to be perfect', has tried out some extreme beauty treatments in the past, including a 'vampire facial.' While on The Bachelor, she was unceremoniously sent home before the rose ceremony during a disastrous yoga date with Richie Strahan. Survival is no easy task on Game Of Thrones ask almost any Stark. But it looks like one major character is definitely gong to make it all the way to the end, according to a MAJOR spoiler dropped by Emilia Clarke on Wednesday. The 30-year-old confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that her character Daenerys Targaryen will not be killed off in the upcoming penultimate season seven. Spoiler alert! Emilia Clarke dropped a MAJOR spoiler on the fate of her Game Of Thrones character on Wednesday 'I have no doubt there'll be prequels and sequels and who knows what else,' she said. 'But I am doing one more season. And then that'll be it.' Showruners for the HBO epic series, based on George RR Martin's fantasy novels, have already confirmed just two seasons remain. Clarke's comments confirm she will certainly star in the final season; however her assertion she would not appear in any potential sequels suggest the Mother Of Dragons might not survive past the final end credits. The London-born actress also confirmed what trailer-consuming fans already know; that Daenerys Stormborn would finally return to Westeros for her fated push for the Iron Throne, which was usurped from her father before she was born. I will survive: The 30-year-old confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that her character Daenerys Targaryen will not be killed off in the upcoming penultimate season seven 'Spoiler alert I normally don't spend very much time in Belfast, but this last season I spent a little more time there,' she revealed. Northern Ireland is where the vast majority of Westeros scenes are set; Clarke's character has spent almost all of the previous six seasons in neighboring continent Essos, shot mainly in the sunnier climes of Morocco in the real world. She continued that season seven is 'a really interesting season in terms of some loose ends that have been tied, some really satisfying plot points, some things where you're like, "Oh, my God. I forgot about that!" Growing up: While the Khaleesi has gone from a frightened teenage sex prisoner to a continent-conquering warlord, Emilia conceded she has evolved herself over the decade of playing her (pictured with Kahl Drogo/Jason Momoa) 'Rumors are going to be confirmed or denied,' she added. While the Khaleesi has gone from a frightened teenage sex prisoner to a continent-conquering warlord, Emilia conceded she has evolved herself over the decade of playing her. 'You don't get to be a mother of dragons without a change or two,' she said. 'Being able to encompass and understand the kind of woman who could conquer armies and topple societies allows me, the actor, to stand firmly in those shoes.' Dracarys: The London-born actress also confirmed what trailer-consuming fans already know; that Daenerys Stormborn would finally return to Westeros for her fated push for the Iron Throne, which was usurped from her father before she was born While she did let slip some GOT spoilers, she was even more worried about spilling any hints for the upcoming Star Wars young Han Solo spin-off, in which her role has yet to be revealed. 'All I can say is that she's awesome,' she said of her as-yet-unnamed character in the as-yet-unnamed film. 'Like, legit, that's all I can actually get away with saying. There's a stormtrooper with a gun, and he's going to come walking in any second.' Game of Thrones returns to HBO on July 16. Willem Dafoe looks like he's loving the Australian way of life as he was seen walking the streets of the Gold Coast in a pair of thongs. The 61-year-old actor, who's here filming new DC superhero blockbuster Aquaman, cut a relaxed figure in a casual white T-shirt and loose black tracksuit bottoms. Willem plays scientist Nuidis Vulko, a trusted adviser to Aquaman (Jason Momoa). A bit of all white! Willem Dafoe looked great for his 61 years as he strolled around the Gold Coast in thongs This is the second time the actor, who's known for his dedication to clean-living and yoga, has been spotted wearing thongs in the coastal city. Just last month the Oscar nominee was seen taking a stroll along the beach at the tourist hot spot wearing the same thongs again. Looking great for his age, he appeared to be alone on the outing and in a contemplative mood, looking into the distance wearing a thoughtful frown. This isn't the actors first time filming in Australia. In 2011, he filmed thriller The Hunter in Tasmania. Martial artist? Although the star has yet to confirm what kind of physical training he's undertaken for Aquaman, he appears to be carrying two stick weapons Comic book favourite. Willem is no stranger to comic book movies having played Marvel Comics villain the Green Goblin in 2002's Spider-Man and its two sequels Although the star has yet to confirm what kind of physical training he's undertaken for the movie, he appears to be carrying two martial arts stick weapons. Willem's co-star Amber Heard revealed footage of her fight training in preparation for Aquaman on her Instagram account in April. Accompanied by the text 'another day at the office,' the video shows the actress taking on two attackers using Aikido, which employs sticks as weapons. Favourite footwear. Just last month the Oscar nominee was seen out and about in the Gold Coast wearing the same grey thongs Dafoe, who played Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ, is no stranger to comic book movies having played Marvel Comics villain the Green Goblin in 2002's Spider-Man and its two sequels. Said to have a budget of $300-million plus, Aquaman started production at the Village Roadshow Studios in early May and is expected to continue until September. It's currently slated for release in December 2018. The movie's all-star cast also includes Nicole Kidman and Patrick Wilson. He found fame back in the 1980s by appearing in Hollywood blockbuster Rocky IV and Masters of the Universe. And Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren, 59, proved that he hasn't lost his mojo as he stepped out looking youthful on the Gold Coast, Australia this Thursday. The muscle-bound star, who is currently filming scenes for DC film Aquaman, showcased his sartorial prowess by slicking back his hair and covering his eyes with slick aviator sunglasses. Scroll down for video Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren, 59, proved that he hasn't lost his mojo as he stepped out looking youthful on the Gold Coast, Australia this Thursday The former bodybuilder donned a sporty outfit for the casual outing, donning a simple grey vest and black runners. His look was complete with a pair of Adidas sneakers and and a black backpack. Dolph was joined by Aquaman co-star Williem Dafoe, 61, who was seen strolling down the sidewalk in a white T-shirt and black track pants. Hasn't changed a bit! The muscle-bound star, who is currently filming scenes for DC film Aquaman, showcased his sartorial prowess by slicking back his hair and covering his eyes with slick aviator sunglasses With a pair of bamboo sticks in hand, the much-loved star appeared to have embraced Queensland's local fashion trends by slipping on a pair of flip-flops for the occasion. Williem plays Aquaman's servant Nuidis Vulkor in the superhero flick, which is slated for release in December next year. He previously starred as the Marvel villain Green Goblin in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man franchise. He's the man: Despite it being 30 years since he played He-Man (right) in 1987's Masters of the Universe, Dolph still boasts the same bulky frame and light locks which made him famous Laid back: Dolph was joined by Aquaman co-star Williem Dafoe, 61, who was seen strolling down the sidewalk in a white T-shirt and black track pants 'I don't think people want to see me as a regular guy; besides, I'm a regular guy in real life,' he told News Corp of his attraction to super-human roles. Joining Williem for the outing was Aquaman star Patrick Wilson, who was dressed for warmer climes in a white T-shirt and matching shorts. Directed by James Wan, Aquaman is being filmed at the Gold Coast's Village Roadshow Studios. Welcome to the DC universe! Williem plays Aquaman's servant Nuidis Vulkor in the superhero flick, which is slated for release in December next year White on the mark! Joining Williem for the outing was Aquaman star Patrick Wilson, who was dressed for warmer climes in a white T-shirt and matching shorts It appears that Georgia love is suffering from a case of 'winter blues'. For the reality star appeared downcast after a morning gym session on Wednesday. The 28-year-old was spotted without her Bachelorette boyfriend Lee Elliott as she casually strolled the chilly streets of Melbourne. Scroll down for video Winter blues: Georgia Love appeared downcast after a morning gym session on Wednesday The brunette beauty was dressed in lycra leggings, an Adidas jumper and a black coat with a fur-trimmed hood. She wore black and pink Nike sneakers and her hair up in a loose topknot bun. The brunette journalist sipped on her water bottle and carried a towel in her hand as she left an early workout. Solo: The 28-year-old was spotted without her Bachelorette boyfriend Lee Elliott as she casually strolled the chilly streets of Melbourne The same day the Studio 10 guest panelist appeared noticeably different in a new series of videos posted to her Instagram Story. In the short clips she credited her changed appearance to her eyebrows, which she is currently having 'feathered'. The beauty process is intended to make them look both lighter and thicker. Active: The brunette journalist sipped on her water bottle and carried a towel in her hand as she left an early workout 'I got the last phase of my feathering done yesterday,' she said as she sat in her parked car. 'I want to apologise for my frankly terrifying eyebrows... I look a bit scary today,' she added. In addition to her changed brows, Georgia also sported fuller cheeks which may be natural, or the result of fillers. He's the 14-year-old New Zealand actor who stole the show as Ricky Baker in the 2016 indie sleeper comedy Hunt For The Wilderpeople. And Julian Dennison's star is set to rise even further after being cast in the upcoming sequel to the hit superhero movie, Deadpool. US actor Ryan Reynolds, who plays the title role, took to Instagram on Wednesday to make the announcement in an adorable photo that would be the envy of most 14-year-olds around the world. Big Break: New Zealand child actor Julian Dennison's star is set to rise even further after the Hunt For The Wilderpeople star was cast in the upcoming sequel to the hit superhero movie Deadpool 'Giving Julian Dennison a warm Deadpool welcome as we stare off into our beautiful future together,' Ryan captioned the heroic post, punctuating it with the hashtags #RickyBakerPool and #NZ.' The photo showed a fully suited up Ryan standing on a city rooftop behind a sign that read 'Deadpool' in Chinese, staring off into the distance while he piggy backs and excited looking Julian. Julian, meanwhile, is staring with mouth agape, as he points to something off camera. Super role: US actor Ryan Reynolds, who plays the title role, took to Instagram on Wednesday to make the announcement in an adorable photo that would be the envy of most 14-year-olds around the world The photo was met with a flurry of excitement from Ryan's fans who seemed more interested in Julian than the Hollywood A-Lister. 'Ricky Baker hell yes,' one fan offered with another chiming in with a similar: 'Oh my goodness!! Ryan Reynolds and Ricky Baker... this is too fantastic. Thank you for making my day, so great & go NZ' 'Obsessed with this kid! I hope he's in this movie,' came another reply, while one eagle eyed follower was excited to have potentially unearthed a major plot point with: 'He said Ricky baker pool does that mean he might be his his son?' Can't wait: The photo was met with a flurry of excitement from Ryan's fans, who seemed more interested in Julian and his Ricky Baker role in Hunt For The Wilderpeople than the Hollywood A-Lister Having already made a name for himself in his Native New Zealand for roles in films such as Shopping (a role that won him a best supporting actor gong at the 2013 New Zealand Film Awards) and Paper Planes, Julian's star started to rise exponentially after Hunt For the Wilderpeople. Starring alongside screen icon Sam Neil, Julian played the precocious and rebellious Ricky Baker who kicks off a national manhunt after he goes missing in the bush with foster uncle Hec. The role gave Julian a 2013 Saturn award for best performance by a younger actor in a film. He's been in Puerto Rico for the past few days shooting scenes for his new film Speed Kills. And John Travolta, 63, amped up the the crowd in a scene for the film that featured him wearing a light blue button up shirt and beige pants. He smiled as he lifted his arms in one of the scenes while a crowd around him clapped and cheered. Scroll down for video Crowd pleaser! John Travolta, 63, amped up the the crowd while filming in Puerto Rico on Wedneday in a scene for Speed Kills where he plays multi-millionaire Don Aronow Clapping along: He stood on stage in a blue button up top and beige slacks Travolta, who shot to fame in disco based seventies drama Saturday Night Fever, was in costume as speedboat racing champion and multimillionaire Don Aronow in the 'based on a true story' action thriller. The actor wore dark aviator sunglasses and an expensive gold watch to play the part. The real-life Aronow, who built speedboats for the Shah of Iran and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, led a double life that landed him in trouble with the law and drug lords. He was murdered in a drive-by shooting on February 3, 1987, in Miami. Getting into the role: Travolta was in costume as speedboat racing champion and multimillionaire Don Aronow in the 'based on a true story' action thriller Travolta was in Puerto Rico to shoot some scenes for the film and was seen getting his makeup touched up on set. At one point, someone held an umbrella over the actor to protect him from the rainy climate. He was seen playing the larger than life character as he have high fives to the extras in the scene. Humid climate: Travolta was in Puerto Rico to shoot some scenes for the film and was seen getting his makeup touched up on set Character actor: The real-life Aronow, who built speedboats for the Shah of Iran and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, led a double life that landed him in trouble with the law and drug lords Keeping him dry: At one point an assistant held an umbrella over the actor's head in the unpredictable climate In a statement in May after acquiring U.S. distribution rights to Speed Kills, Saban Films said, according to ScreenDaily.com: 'John Travolta has the uncanny ability to transform into true, larger than life characters. This high octane, high-end action thriller is the perfect showcase for Johns profound acting prowess.' Speed Kills also stars Matthew Modine, Jennifer Esposito and Kellan Lutz. Ensemble cast: Speed Kills also stars Matthew Modine, Jennifer Esposito and Kellan Lutz She soared to fame as a child actress. And Chloe Grace Moretz took a break from her hectic filming schedule, as she headed to a showing of Miss Saigon on Broadway in New York on Wednesday. The 20-year-old actress was clearly in high spirits as she enjoyed the fun-filled evening in a chic all-black ensemble with her brothers. Scroll down for video Low-key: Chloe Grace Moretz, 20, took a break from her hectic filming schedule, as she headed to a showing of Miss Saigon on Broadway in New York on Wednesday Chloe, who usually stuns on the red carpet and front row at fashion shows, still proved to be a muse in her trendy ensemble. The Kick-Ass star neatly tucked a black shirt into a matching pair of ankle-grazing trousers. She looked very much comfortable as she strolled along in black and white shoes. Chloe - who used to date Brooklyn Beckham - opted for a glamorous coat of make-up and swept her luscious blonde locks sexily to one side. Family time: The actress was clearly in high spirits as she headed for the fun-filled evening in a chic all-black ensemble with her brothers Chic: Chloe, who usually stuns on the red carpet and front row at fashion shows, still proved to be a muse in her trendy ensemble Chloe is fiercely protective of her brothers, despite being the youngest in the family. 'I have two gay brothers and two straight brothers, and my gay brothers were treated horrifically until they grew up and understood how to deal with it,' she told Seventeen magazine. 'I will delete you, and I will block you, and you will not be a part of my life if you ever say anything bad about my brothers,' she added. The family has formed an especially tight bond after their plastic surgeon father Dr McCoy Moretz left their mother Teri for Paris Hilton's aunt Jo-Ann when Chloe was 12. Trendy: The Kick-Ass star neatly tucked a black shirt into a matching pair of ankle-grazing trousers 'I have two gay brothers and two straight brothers': Chloe is fiercely protective of her brothers, despite being the youngest in the family One of Chloe's upcoming movies is Korean animated film Red Shoes & the 7 Dwarfs, which caused a stir this week when a promotional poster at last week's Cannes Film Festival appeared to fat-shame women. The poster showed a skinny Snow White next to a heavier one, with the tagline: 'What if Snow White was no longer beautiful and the 7 Dwarfs not so short?' Chloe, who voices Snow White, immediately added her voice to those slamming the ad, tweeting that she never approved and was 'appalled' by it, apologising to those it offended. The Bachelor's Nikki Gogan has made her triumphant return to Western Australia's bustling real estate scene. The 30-year-old said goodbye to the small-town of Northam, Western Australia last week, citing a desire for 'new beginnings.' On Thursday, she confirmed via Instagram that the greener pastures she'd eluded to was a different real estate firm, an hour down the road in the 'big smoke' of Perth. 'New beginnings': On Thursday, The Bachelor's Nikki Gogan announced she's made her triumphant return to Western Australia's bustling real estate scene In the image, Nikki looked set to sell in a pair of glasses and a tight white business shirt tucked into work-appropriate slacks. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with presumably her new boss, Stephanie, who is the Associate Director and Sales Executive in Residential Property Sales at Caporn Young's Fremantle branch. The national firm's acquisition of the reality star was to the detriment of smaller firm Hollett & Lawrance, which was based in her hometown of Northam. The big smoke! The 30-year-old said goodbye to the small-town of Northam, Western Australia last week, also left one real estate agent in her home tome for a different firm in the Perth CBD 'She won hearts throughout Australia and now she's ready to take Perth's real estate market to the next level,' Caporn Young wrote in the caption. 'We are so excited to welcome Nikki Gogan to Team Dobro in our Fremantle office.' Last Friday, the blonde beauty took to Instagram to upload a quote that described the 'magic of new beginnings' as she alluded to major life changes, just a week after celebrating her 30th birthday. 'The end of an era': Last Friday, Nikki hinted that she'd has quit her job and was moving away from her hometown in an Instagram post 'And suddenly you know it's time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings' read the cryptic quote that Nikki shared with her 109,000 followers. She wrote an accompany caption that seemed to outline that she had left her job as a real estate agent and was moving away from the town of Northam, Western Australia, where she has lived her entire life. 'The end of an era. 30 years in Northam and 11.5 years as a proud team member of Hollett & Lawrance [real estate]. It's been an absolute pleasure,' the star wrote. 'To the next chapter': Nikki shared this cryptic quote with her 109,000 followers Thirty, flirty and thriving! Perhaps Nikki was spurred to make life changes after celebrating her 30th birthday last week Seeming upbeat about the future, she added: 'To the next chapter #magic' Nikki did not reveal what her future plans were, or to where she might be relocating, despite a number of fans posting queries to her page. After waiting for six-days with bated breath, her fans finally got their answer on Thursday. It comes after Nikki reportedly turned down the role of Australia's next Bachelorette, after being left heartbroken by Richie Strahan last year. An extended stay in Los Angeles came as Amber Heard made her way across the citys LAX International airport on Wednesday evening. The American actress, 31, looked typically stylish in a semi-sheer sweater and high slung trousers as she prepared to catch a flight out of the Californian city. Distinctive snakeskin boots guaranteed she caught the eye, while a cropped leather jacket gave her ensemble an edgy finish. Scroll down for video Here she comes: An extended stay in Los Angeles came as Amber Heard made her way across the citys LAX International airport on Wednesday evening Completing the look with trademark bohemian flourishes, Amber opted for a raffish wide-brimmed hat, heavily tinted sunglasses and a knotted red neckerchief. With a large black leather handbag casually slung over one shoulder, Amber attempted to make a low-key entrance at the sprawling airport ahead of her departure. Keeping her eyes to the ground, the actress walked quickly as she made her way towards departures. She did add a bit of Hollywood bling to her ensemble, however, in the form of some gold-and-diamond earrings by Anita Ko. Looking good: The American actress, 31, looked typically stylish in a semi-sheer sweater and high slung trousers, accessorizing with some gold-and-diamond Anita Ko earrings Striking: Distinctive snakeskin boots guaranteed she caught the eye, while a cropped leather jacket gave her ensemble an edgy finish Her appearance comes after she travelled to Australia to film new Marvel movie Aquaman. Filming had taken place on the Gold Coast and Amber had relocated Down Under for almost three months, as she first headed over to Oz in April. While overseas, the movie star had revealed she was missing her home comforts, as she was seen pining for her pet pooch, telling her fans that she was 'missing her baby' while sharing a black and white snap with her dog to Instagram. Finishing touches: Completing the look with trademark bohemian flourishes, Amber opted for a raffish wide-brimmed hat, heavily tinted sunglasses and a knotted red neckerchief Her time over in Australia came after Amber confirmed she is now dating Elon Musk, putting an end to months of speculation. The actress broke the news by sharing a photo of the pair to social media, with Elon appearing to have a kiss mark on his cheek - no doubt given him to by Amber. Earlier this month, a source had told People of their romance: 'Its definitely not a casual relationship. Thats not Elon. He doesnt do anything casually.' New man: Amber has confirmed that she is now dating Elon Musk, putting an end to months of speculation Divorced: Amber was previously married to Johnny Depp, but filed for divorce from the Pirates of the Caribbean star in May 2016 - it was finalised in January, earlier this year She was previously married to Johnny Depp, but filed for divorce from the Pirates of the Caribbean star in May 2016 - it was finalised in January, earlier this year. Their split had been acrimonious, with Amber claiming her ex-husband had been 'physically and verbally abusive' during their marriage - accusations he vehemently denies. She had also obtained a restraining order against Depp, that was dismissed on their divorce being finalised. Controversy: Johnny and Amber fell foul of Australia's strict quarantine laws when they failed to declare her canines Pistol and Boo on arrival in the country on a private jet in 2015 Meanwhile Johnny could face perjury charges in Australia after the deputy prime minister threatened Tuesday to unleash a new chapter in a pet dog case dubbed the "war on terrier". Johnny and Amber fell foul of Australia's strict quarantine laws when they failed to declare her canines Pistol and Boo on arrival in the country on a private jet in 2015. Amber escaped with a fine and a good behaviour bond, but a lawsuit between Johnny and his former management has revived the spat amid allegations the actor was aware he was breaching the laws. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who has been a vocal critic of Depp, said if the allegations were true "there's a word for that: it is called perjury". 'I might have another look at this,' he added, in an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation. They rule the London scene on Made In Chelsea. And Tiffany Watson, Lucy Watson and Nicola Hughes still managed to steal the spotlight as they soaked up the sun on a Barcelona beach on Wednesday. Tiffany, 23, looked sensational as she flashed some serious sideboob in a sizzling one-piece, while her other two glamorous counterparts also didn't fail in flashing their enviable physiques. Scroll down for video Here come the girls! Made In Chelsea's Tiffany Watson, Lucy Watson and Nicola Hughes stole the spotlight as the soaked up the sun on a Barcelona beach on Wednesday Sizzling: Nicola (L) and Lucy (R) flaunted their sensational figures in matching black one-pieces Tiffany couldn't resist showing off her assets in the skin-tight red swimwear, which plunged down the sides to show off her assets. The Baywatch-inspired piece also rested high on her hips - allowing the stunner to flaunt her enviably toned legs as she lined the shores. Tiffany opted for a simple slick of make-up and wore her centre parted blonde locks in a messy chignon. Joining her was Lucy Watson who looked undeniably sexy in her saucy black swimwear. Sexy: Tiffany, 23, looked sensational as she flashed some serious sideboob in a sensational one-piece Flashing flesh: Tiffany couldn't resist showing off her assets in the skin-tight red swimwear, which plunged down the sides to show off her assets Red hot: The Baywatch-inspired piece also rested high on her hips - allowing the stunner to flaunt her enviably toned legs as she lined the shores Her swimwear featured multiple straps across her decolletage and teased at her golden glow. Lucy - who burst on to TV screens on the E4 show in 2012 - looked in high spirits as she embarked on a mini photo shoot session with her glamorous pal Nicola Hughes. Nicola looked every inch the blonde bombshell in a matching black one-piece - which also bared the sides of her busty assets. Beach babe: She oozed sexiness during the beach day Saucy: Lucy's swimwear featured multiple straps across her decolletage and teased at her golden glow Happy: Lucy - who burst on to TV screens on the E4 show in 2012 - looked in high spirits as she embarked on a mini photo shoot session with her glamorous pal Nicola Hughes Steamy: Nicola looked every inch the blonde bombshell in a matching black one-piece Stunner: Her long locks tumbled in mermaid inspired waves down her front and she completed the look with a heavy coat of make-up Her long locks tumbled in mermaid inspired waves down her front and she completed the look with a heavy coat of make-up. The girls, who were also joined by a bevy of other pals - were clearly having the time of their lives, as they frolicked in the ocean. They also perfected their best model gazes as their friend snapped away - obviously providing them with enough material to upload on their Instagram account. Lucy later changed into a nautical inspired bikini which showed off her impossibly flat stomach. Enviable frame: Lucy later changed into a nautical inspired bikini which showed off her impossibly flat stomach Trendy: The brunette teamed the look with a pair of high-waisted blue denim shorts and a chic white bag Fun times: The girls were also joined by a bevy of other pals Bottoms up: Tiffany flashed her perky bottom in a black bikini Sex kitten: Nicola oozed sex appeal as she got comfortable on the sand Change of scenery: Clearly wanting to embark on another photo shoot, the girls headed to nearby cliffs where they struck a number of sizzling poses Tiffany swapped out her red swimwear for a skimpy black bikini. Clearly wanting to embark on another photo shoot, the girls headed to nearby cliffs where they struck a number of sizzling poses. Nicolas was also spotted in a striking polka dot swimwear as she got in on the snap happy action. Outfit change: Nicola was also spotted in a striking polka dot swimwear as she got in on the snap happy action She was embroiled in an explosive episode on Wednesday night. And Love Island's Tyla Carr proved just why she was irresistible in a set of sizzling lingerie shots which emerged on Thursday. The 23-year-old model showed what caught Jonny Mitchell's eye, after he left brainy beauty Camilla Thurlow, an explosive ordnance disposal engineer, for her. Scroll down for video Sizzling! Love Island's Tyla Carr proved just why she was irresistible in a set of sizzling lingerie shots which emerged on Thursday Showcasing her tanned and toned pins in a high-cut black thong, she made the most of her toned stomach. Teaming it with a monochrome triangle bralet, she showcased her bronzed decolletage as she pouted for the cameras. Leaving her chocolate-coloured tresses loose, she added a touch of lipgloss and eyeliner to accentuate her natural features. Completing the ensemble with sky-high wedges, she put on a sizzling display for cameras. Wedneday's smooch: The 23-year-old model showed what caught Jonny Mitchell's eye, after he left brainy beauty Camilla Thurlow, an explosive ordnance disposal engineer, for her Jamilla fans were left heartbroken after Wednesday's Love Island as Jonny Mitchell split with Camilla Thurlow after officially announcing his plans to woo Tyla Carr. Shocking viewers, the business director went on to share a smooch with the new girl just minutes after calling off his relationship. After it was announced during a task that Jonny had admitted to 'wanting the rip the clothes off' Tyla, Camilla sat him down for a chat. Turning heads! Showcasing her tanned and toned pins in a high-cut black thong, she made the most of her toned stomach Leggy: Completing the ensemble with sky-high wedges, she put on a sizzling display for cameras Moving on: Jamilla fans were left heartbroken after Wednesday's Love Island as Jonny Mitchell split with Camilla Thurlow (pictured) after officially announcing his plans to woo Tyla Carr Whilst Jonny was quick to apologise, Camilla announced: 'For me that's it now, we know where we stand. We can be great friends.' Crying afterwards as she chatted with Gabby and Marcel, she wept: 'I want to go home. I will never let anyone in.' Earlier in the episode, Jonny made his intentions clear in a flirty chat with Tyla which left viewers outraged. Single: Camilla was left in tears after Jonny called off their romance Pucker up: Jonny wasted no time before sharing a smooch with Tyla Love interest: Whilst he had initially backtracked on his comments, the business director made his intentions clear in a flirty chat with Tyla Carr (pictured) which left viewers outrage After insisting to Camilla that he would not be 'jumping ship', he went on to announce that he needed to test the waters for romance with the new girl. He told Tyla: 'Of course I could've picked you but how would that have gone down... You're a funny, bubbly girl and it's hard to be myself around people who aren't like me. 'I have to censor myself quite a lot around Camilla.' Distressed: Viewers were shocked by the scenes as they sympathised with Camilla Later in the beach hut, he admitted: 'I need to find someone I'm more compatible with. I want to give it a try, why not? 'I have to take risks... I don't know if that makes me a bad guy. I would've handled it a different way.' Later in the episode he continued to flirt with Tyla, cheekily quipping: 'I wouldn't be going around trying to rip your clothes off'. He added in the beach hut: 'I don't want to hurt her feelings but if I'm interested in someone else to that extent I just have to go for it.' Distressing: Camilla had been left in tears by the distressing conversation Viewers were outraged by the comments, taking to Twitter to post: 'JONNY DOESNT DESERVE CAMILLA #LoveIsland, 'Ok guys,Ik we love Camilla but are we really about to be those people who attack Tylas looks bc Jonny a piece of trash? #Loveisland 'My heart literally feels broken watching Jonny & Camilla Jonny is a snake. Tyla is a snake. #camillacandobetter #LoveIsland', 'What a snake Jonny has turned out to be! Grow a pair and stop mugging Camilla off beautiful girl #LoveIsland #loveisland2017 'I'm waiting for the females on my TL to tweet "men are trash" about Jonny #LoveIsland', 'Can't Montana and Camilla couple up so we can get rid of Dom and Jonny pls? @LoveIsland #loveisland'. Upset: Camilla was visibly upset about the sudden shift in their relationship, yet told Jonny she would not stop him getting to know Tyla Camilla was visibly upset about the sudden shift in their relationship, yet told Jonny she would not stop him getting to know Tyla. Crying in the beach hut, she said: 'I'm looking at a gorgeous girl who is exactly his type, wondering if - not that I can compete - but if they've got something better than what we have. 'You don't get to 27 without that happening to you a couple of times... or maybe more!' Giving Tyla her blessing to pursue Jonny she explained: 'I'd rather he has all the information. 'I don't want anyone to be with me because they feel guilty or sad. I want to be his first choice and the only way we can know that is if he gets to know you.' Love Child is one of Australia's most-loved TV dramas. And with the finale of its fourth season set to air next Tuesday, Miranda Tapsell has gushed about both the show and her co-stars. 'It's really wonderful to be a part of such a great group of women,' the star told The Fix about Love Child's cast, which includes Jessica Marais. Praise: Love Child's Miranda Tapsell has gushed over hit TV series Love Child, as well as her female co-stars, in an interview with The Fix Jessica won the 2016 Logie for Best Actress for her starring role as doctor and single mother Joan Miller on the female-focused series. Additionally, Miranda has scooped two Logie Awards for her nuanced part playing Aboriginal woman Martha Tennant. 'The female characters are navigating their own way in the world - but they're not talking about men all the time,' Miranda also told the website. It's love: Miranda's character Martha married Dr Simon Bowditch (played by Andy Ryan) at the end of season three However, Miranda's character has found love with Dr Simon Bowditch, played by Andy Ryan. The characters were seen tying the knot at the end of season three, with current episodes showing them adjusting to life as newlyweds. 'In any romantic storylines, it largely ends at the wedding. [But] Anyone who's been in a long term relationship knows that it doesn't just end there,' Miranda told the publication. 'It just doesn't end there': The fourth season has seen Andy and Miranda's characters adjusting to married life With this realistic depiction of life and love, Miranda also believes Love Child is just as appealing to a male audience. 'I love the fact that it's a female-centric show that's also just as accessible to men,' the star exclaimed. Miranda also praised the men on and off the set who helped make the series such a success. 'It's lovely that we have men on the show that really back us in telling this story,' she said. She has been busy filming the remake of 1987 classic Overboard with co-star Anna Faris in recent weeks. So it is no wonder Eva Longoria was in need of a break on Wednesday afternoon, as she treated herself into a slice of cake while on set in Vancouver, Canada. The Desperate Housewives star, 42, was casually clad in a baggy black tracksuit and Uggs, layered atop a saucy plunging white shirt, as she tucked into the delicious treat at a free moment during filming. Taking a break: After a busy day of filming, Eva Longoria was in need of a break on Wednesday as she treated herself into a slice of cake while on set in Vancouver, Canada Casual: The Desperate Housewives star, 42, was casually clad in a baggy black tracksuit and Uggs as she tucked into the delicious treat Saucy: However the ensemble was layered atop a plunging white shirt, which displayed her bikini top and enviably ample cleavage underneath The L'Oreal ambassador looked completely relaxed as she made her way to a bench in the sunshine to spend her break from filming. Sitting beside her co-star Anna, 40, the brunette was then seen indulging in a delicious three-tier slice of cake as she chatted to her fellow actress as they caught some rays. Despite the sunny weather, Eva was clad in a chunky black zip sweater and baggy tracksuit bottoms as she spent a day in character. Delicious! The brunette was seen indulging in a delicious three-tier slice of cake during a break on set Chilling: The L'Oreal ambassador looked completely relaxed as she spent her break on a bench in the sunshine with co-star Anna Faris (right) Hot in here? Despite the sunny weather, Eva was clad in a chunky black zip sweater and baggy tracksuit bottoms - but later revealed a plunging blouse underneath Low-key: She finished her look with comfy Ugg boots as the pair chatted Stunning: Styling her hair into big, bouncy waves and accessorising with small gold hoops, the Telenovela star proved her natural beauty as she enjoyed her snack in the sunshine While she finished her look with comfy Ugg boots, she later unzipped her jumper to reveal a white shirt underneath - which she left unbuttoned to give a glimpse of a hot pink bikini top and plentiful cleavage underneath. Styling her hair into big, bouncy waves and accessorising with small gold hoops, the Telenovela star proved her natural beauty as she enjoyed her snack in the sunshine. Proving their chemistry both on and off-screen, she and Anna, clad in a stylish Breton top, happily caught up on the bench - before they were seen playfully shrieking and throwing their hands up in the air. Girls gone wild! Proving their chemistry both on and off-screen, she and Anna were seen playfully shrieking and throwing their hands up in the air Having a giggle: She and Anna, clad in a stylish Breton top, were later seen laughing as they continued to film Back to business: Later getting back to their acting duties however, the girls later perched on the nearby rocks as they shot further scenes for the new film, Overboard Fooling around: Eva's character Theresa appeared to mess around in the scene while co-star Anna watched on Later getting back to business however, the girls later perched on the nearby rocks as they shot further scenes for the new film, Overboard. Eva stars as Theresa in the flick while Faris, best known for her role in the Scary Movie films, plays the lead role of Kate. The film is a remake of the 1987 classic, starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell - which sees a wealthy woman fell off her yacht, and saved by a carpenter she had previously rejected. In the new version, Spanish heartthrob Eugenio Derbez plays spoiled playboy Leonardo, who loses his memory after falling overboard, but is saved by Faris. Girl power: Eva stars as Theresa in the flick while Faris, best known for her role in the Scary Movie films, plays the lead role of Kate Making it new: The film is a remake of the 1987 classic, starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell - which sees a wealthy woman fell off her yacht, and saved by a carpenter Keeping her cool: Anna matched Eva's exterior in a co-oridnating tracksuit, which was layered over her character's costume of a Breton tee and denim shorts (R) Say cheese! Meanwhile Anna joined co-star Eugenio Gonzalez as Leonardo - who is the one to fall of the yacht in the modern twist of the 1987 film Little else is known about the film and its characters, but it is set for release in 2018 - 31 years after the original blockbuster. Eva has been flitting between LA and Canada during filming, in order to find time to spend with her husband Jose Baston, 49. The pair enjoyed a romantic week in Malibu last week - enjoying a number of dinners together at swanky eatery Nobu, and indulging in plenty of kisses during a low-key lunch at Soho Beach House. The couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary in Cannes last month, where Jose had joined Eva for the annual film festival - after tying the knot in a lavish ceremony in Mexico in May 2016. He's the Sydney socialite taking part in a radical social experiment. And Christian Wilkins continued to struggle on Thursday's night's episode of Filthy Rich and Homeless - an SBS series that sees five wealthy Australian live rough on Melbourne's streets for ten days. The 22-year-old star was seen taking refuge in a squat house, at one point cowering in his room as a fight broke out outside the house. Struggle street: Christian Wilkins was forced to sleep in a squat house on Thursday night's episode of Filthy Rich and Homeless 'It's terrifying,' Christian claimed, as a man approached the house looking for drugs. 'Give me a f**king mix now!' the man yelled at Christian's host, before the socialite took a peep through the blinds at the unfolding action outside. It was only one of a number of confronting situations the star found himself in over the course of the episode. What's going on? Christian was concerned as a man looking for drugs was causing a scene outside The son of the Today Show's Richard Wilkins - who counts Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough as close friends - also went dumpster diving. Whilst searching for leftover food in a bin Christian and his newfound friends were confronted by property owners and asked to leave. 'It was like one of the most dramatic things in my whole entire life,' well-spoken Christian said of the situation. Emotional: The genetically-blessed blonde also broke down in the episode, as a transgender homeless man revealed his struggles. Tough: Too much for the empathetic star to bear, he was seen wiping away tears 'Jeez, I wish I was that sheltered,' his accomplice replied. The genetically-blessed blonde also broke down in the episode, as a transgender homeless man revealed his struggles. Too much for the empathetic star to bear, he was seen wiping away tears as his views on homelessness revolutionised throughout the series. It comes after Wednesday night's episode of the program saw Christian appear to decline sausages cooked by a homeless man. Shock: Christian's time on the series has been eye-opening 'I'm not a huge eater anyway', Christian stated, looking unenthused by the food. And on Tuesday, the star was seen breaking down sobbing and calling for his 'mummy' after just a day of being 'homeless'. After begging on the streets in order to feed himself, Christian made just $4, with the experience causing him to break down and a make a reverse charges call home. After his mother picked up the receiver, the blonde sobbed: 'Mummy! I just don't know what to do. Like, I don't know what to do. I don't know where to go'. They are two of the hottest models of the moment, who have found fame with lingerie giants Victoria's Secret. And Romee Strijd and Taylor Hill certainly proved why they have caught attention on Wednesday, as they both showed off their show-stopping figures in New York City. The brunette beauty first flashed her enviably toned midriff in skin-tight black jeans as she embarked on a photo shoot in the West Village, before Dutch model Romee stepped out in SoHo in the FRAME Le Lace Up Jumpsuit. Scroll down for video Leggy ladies: Taylor Hill (L) and Romee Strijd (R) proved their enviable model physiques on Wednesday, as they showed off their show-stopping figures in New York City Thumbs up! Meanwhile brunette beauty Taylor flashed her enviably toned midriff in skin-tight black jeans as she embarked on a photo shoot in the West Village (above) The models, both 21, put on equally stunning displays as they paraded the streets of the Big Apple in their casual but cool ensembles. Taylor first flaunted her slender frame and incredibly long legs as she embarked on a photo shoot for the lingerie giant in the swanky West Village. The American beauty slipped into skin-tight black jeans for the project, which cinched in at her impossibly petite waist before clinging to her svelte legs all the way down. Here she comes: Taylor first flaunted her slender frame and incredibly long legs as she embarked on a photo shoot for the lingerie giant in the swanky West Village Cooey, over here! She added further height to her statuesque frame with heeled ankle boots as she cheekily poked her head round the corner in one shot Teaming them with a casual grey jumper, Taylor still managed to up the sex appeal of the look by flashing her toned midriff and rippling abs to all, from underneath the top's trendy cropped style. Adding further height to her statuesque frame with heeled ankle boots, the Illinois native then tied her look together with a black bag, which she casually slung over one shoulder as she posed. The brunette swept her tresses up into a messy bun, and added minimal make-up to her face to prove her striking natural beauty and show off her gorgeous, glowing skin, as she captured further shots at a local coffee shop. Top of the crops: Teaming them with a casual cropped grey jumper, Taylor still managed to up the sex appeal of the look by flashing her toned midriff and rippling abs to all Accessories are key: The Illinois native then tied her look together with a black bag, which she casually slung over one shoulde Lastly strutting down the pavement like a catwalk, Taylor was every inch the professional as she commanded the attention of the camera with ease. While Taylor was working hard on one side of the city, her pal Romee was enjoying a more relaxed day in an equally sexy denim ensemble. The Dutch model showed off her impressively tanned frame in a trendy denim jumpsuit, which skimmed her willowy frame from head to toe. Coffee time: The brunette swept her tresses up into a messy bun, and added minimal make-up to prove her striking natural beauty and show off her gorgeous, glowing skin Radiant: While Taylor was working hard on one side of the city, her pal Romee (above) was enjoying a more relaxed day in an equally sexy denim ensemble Maintaining a retro style with its short sleeves and cropped trousers, the one-piece then cut into lace-up detailing at her chest to tease at her famous cleavage underneath. Keeping her look comfortable and casual however, Romee teamed the garment with sporty white trainers as she stepped out for an ice coffee in the NYC sunshine. Never without a touch of glamour however, the blonde left her hair in big, bouncy waves and accessorised with oversized tortoiseshell Sunday Somewhere sunglasses as she relaxed in the Big Apple. Good jeans! The Dutch model showed off her impressively tanned frame in a trendy denim jumpsuit, which skimmed her willowy frame from head to toe Fit to bust: Maintaining a retro style with its short sleeves and cropped trousers, the one-piece then cut into lace-up detailing at her chest to tease at her famous cleavage While they were not together on Wednesday, Romee and Taylor are close friends ,as two of the youngest models taking the Victoria's Secret brand by storm. Earlier this month, the beauties were spotted on another stunning shoot for the lingerie brand in the pouring rain of the Big Apple. The girls were seen in both skinny jeans and jumpers as well as show-stopping glittering dresses as they paraded the streets of the city. While Romee is known for her enviably slender figure, she recently confessed she loves to indulge when it comes to food. Chilling: Never without a touch of glamour however, the blonde left her hair in big, bouncy waves and wore oversized Sunday Somewhere sunglasses as she enjoyed an iced coffee All eyes on me: Romee (above) and Taylor are close friends ,as two of the youngest models taking the Victoria's Secret brand by storm (pictured at the annual catwalk show in 2016) Speaking to E! News in April, she admitted: 'I love sweets a lot. I like chocolate and, like, candies, ice cream.' However, both girls have been very open about their exercise regimes in the past - and have admitted they work hard to stay in shape as top models. Discussing her pre-catwalk show rituals with Marie Claire, Taylor said last year: 'I think you need to take care of yourself, making sure you're eating, drinking a lot of water, and doing the things you need to do fitness-wise. 'You know, some crunches and a few butt exercises to pump things up. Oh, and scream a little bit!' However she did explain that balance is the most important thing, adding: 'I'm not super military strict about it, but I do the little things that I know will make me feel a bit better about it.' He's been showing off an incredibly slimline physique after a gruelling 10 week stint in a Thai rehab facility saw him lose two stone. And James Argent, 29, looked in fine form as he stepped out in a bright ensemble for a lunch date in London on Thursday. The trim former TOWIE star looked truly body confident as he strode down the street in a cream striped shirt. Scroll down for video Transformation: TOWIE's James Argent, 29, looked in fine and trim form as he stepped out in a bright ensemble for a lunch date in London on Thursday Pairing the top with dove grey trousers and matching plimsolls, the star looked sensationally slender as he proudly made his way to a Mexican restaurant. He looked handsome with his brunette locks worn combed back from his face as he cracked a beaming smile at the cameras. He sported a distinguished smattering of stubble and a glowing tan. Upon his return from Thailand Arg has thrown himself back into work after scooping a role on Celebs Go Dating, where he has been spied on a number on dates. Inspirational: Arg looked handsome with his brunette locks worn combed back from his face as he cracked a beaming smile at the cameras, and a far cry from his physique in 2013 (right) Diet overhaul: The distinguished star has overhauled his lifestyle and embarked on a health kick (pictured 2013) Arg, who used to date TOWIE co-star Lydia Bright, 27, has been playing the dating field of late, and has reportedly been wooing science student Cadah Draper, as well as personal trainer Victoria Winterford. Victoria is a former Essex beauty queen who now works as a personal trainer - which will no doubt be a huge draw for Arg now that he has overhauled his lifestyle and embarked on a health kick. A source told MailOnline: They have been on a date and he likes her but hes very much single and enjoying dating hes getting a lot of positive attention now hes looking so good. Before that he was also said to be romancing Cadah, who he also met on Celebs Go Dating. Toned: The same day, Arg's former TOWIE castmate, Jess Wright, 31, was also seen honing her physique as she was spotted leaving the gym in Essex Gym bunny: The star looked toned in a black hoodie and tight amethyst leggings which showed off her endless pins and pert derriere Arg is reportedly head over heels for the University student as he leads a healthier lifestyle. A source told The Sun: 'Arg is looking, and feeling, better than ever. Its not surprising hes found someone as lovely as Cadah hes a really nice guy with a heart of gold. 'They met on Celebs Go Dating and while its early days, there is definitely a spark between them. 'Everyone is saying how happy Arg is and its not surprising when you look at Cadah, shes gorgeous and has a lovely personality.' Work out: The starlet's chocolate locks were worn in a low maintenance ponytail with just a hint of baby pink lipstick visible on her pout The same day, Arg's former TOWIE castmate, Jess Wright was also seen honing her physique as she was spotted leaving the gym in Essex. The 31-year-old looked toned in a black hoodie and tight amethyst leggings which showed off her endless pins and pert derriere. She paired her work-out outfit with monochrome trainers. The starlet's chocolate locks were worn in a low maintenance ponytail with just a hint of baby pink lipstick visible on her pout. The older sister of Take Me Out: The Gossip host and Arg's best mate Mark Wright toted a chic handbag, her phone and a bottle of water as she enjoyed a chat with a friend. She's a busy mum to five children. And Madonna enjoyed some quality down time with her youngest three children David, 11, and four-year-old twins Esther and Stella on Wednesday. Sharing the snap on Instagram, the hitmaker, 58, looked content as she snuggled up on the sofa with her brood. Scroll down for video Roll over, roll over! Madonna enjoyed some quality down time with her youngest three children David, 11, and four-year-old twins Esther and Stella on Wednesday Lying down on the edge of the sofa as she sucked her thumb, Madonna put on a relaxed appearance in an all-black ensemble. Nestled on the sofa were David, and twins Esther and Stella, dressed in adorable matching pyjamas. Joining them was a French bulldog, and Madonna captioned the sweet snap: 'Gypsy will you please. go to sleep!' Making her own film: Madonna has dropped the biggest hint yet that she is working on her own bio, after taking to Instagram on Friday Meanwhile just a few weeks ago she slammed a recent biopic script of her life, branding it inaccurate. And Madonna went on to drop the biggest hint yet that she is working on her own bio, after taking to Instagram on Friday. The legendary hitmaker revealed she was 'prepping her film', as she shared a make-up free selfie. Showing off her flawless skin, Madonna hid her bright blue eyes between rimmed glasses, leaving her blonde hair loose. Sporting a white Adidas jumper, she put on a serious display for the camera. She captioned the natural snap with: 'A woman's work is never done!! 6 kids and many jobs ratchet hair Prepping my film not just whistling dixie! Telling her history? The legendary hitmaker, 58, revealed she was 'prepping her film', as she shared a make-up free selfie This comes after she took to Instagram in a now-deleted rant, slamming a script that portrayed her life. 'I was born in Detroit, and I'm a famed high school dropout.' 'Lets start with the first page!! I was born in Bay City Not Detroit. And I did not drop out of high school in fact I went to University Of.Michigan,' she raged in an Instagram post. 'Why would Universal Studios want to make a movie about me based on a script that is all lies??' she asked. 'The Writer Elyse Hollander should write for the Tabloids. Anyone who supports this film is supporting lies and exploitation. . lies have no legs!!' she typed angrily. 'My Life.. My Journey.,,,My Voice.My Story..Let Me tell it. When Im Ready! It Will be Worth the Wait! Thank You.' She wrote after slamming the biopic script of her Madonna, who is mum to Lourdes, 20, from a previous relationship, Rocco, 16, with Guy Richie, and adopted children Mercy and David, 11, and 4-year-old twins Stelle and Estere, then deleted the rant. She later uploaded another snap appearing to plead with the studios to let her tell her own story, captioning it: 'My Life.. My Journey.,,,My Voice.My Story..Let Me tell it. When Im Ready! It Will be Worth the Wait! Thank You.' According to reports Universal has acquired the rights to upcoming film Blond Ambition a script about the star at the beginning of her career. She called it quits with The Weeknd late last year. And Bella Hadid certainly showed him what he was missing, as she stole the spotlight in a sexy black gown and stunning bridal number for a striking photo shoot in Venice, Italy on Thursday. The model of the moment, 20, showed off her flawless decolletage in the one-shouldered demure gown, before dressing her svelte frame in a regal marital-inspired white gown. Scroll down for video Model of the moment: Bella Hadid, 20, stole the spotlight as she flaunted her flawless decolletage in a sexy black gown for a striking photo shoot in Venice, Italy on Thursday Wedding Bellas! The beauty went on to command attention in an eye-catching white bridal dress which flaunted her enviably svelte frame Bella showed off her model prowess as she stunned in her first look of the day - which consisted of the figure-hugging black dress. The stunning number was jazzed up with glitzy encrusted detailing down one side and on her shoulder. Completing the sexy, old school Hollywood look was an emerald encrusted choker and matching pendant - alongside a statement ring. The number proved to be a saucy one, as Bella continued to hold her chest to keep the garment in place. Va va voom! Bella showed off her model prowess as she stunned in her first look of the day - which consisted of the figure-hugging black dress Eye-catching: The stunning number was jazzed up with glitzy encrusted detailing down one side and on her shoulder Striking: Completing the sexy, old school Hollywood look was an emerald encrusted choker and matching pendant - alongside a statement ring Bella looked every inch the blushing bride for her next look in the photoshoot, where she stunned in an exquisite wedding dress. The sensational number bared her toned arms with its halterneck detailing - and featured saucy nude underlay beneath the lace material. The dress perfectly showed off her ample assets and impossibly flat stomach, before dramatically flaring out into a fairy tale inspired ballgown. The heavily ruffled skirt element to the dress proved to make quite the statement and she had to enlist some help to walk around. Here comes the bride! Bella looked every inch the blushing bride for her next look in the photoshoot, where she stunned in an exquisite wedding dress Jaw-dropping: The sensational number bared her toned arms with its halterneck detailing - and featured saucy nude underlay beneath the lace material Enviable figure: The dress perfectly showed off her ample assets and impossibly flat stomach, before dramatically flaring out into a fairy tale inspired ballgown All eyes on her: The heavily ruffled skirt element to the dress proved to make quite the statement and she had to enlist some help to walk around The styling for the bridal look was perfect as Bella also donned a stunning chunky gold necklace and chic snake-skin print metallic clutch. Proving she wasn't done just there, Bella changed into a third sexy look for the shoot. The sister of Gigi Hadid showed off her impeccable frame in figure-clinging flesh-coloured dress which allowed her to steal the limelight yet again. The stunning number cinched in her tiny waist with belt detailing and teased her toned pins with it's nude underlay. Statement: The styling for the bridal look was perfect as Bella also donned a stunning chunky gold necklace Beautiful: Her hair was styled to perfection and she donned a glamorous coat of make-up No rest for the wicked: Proving she wasn't done just there, Bella changed into a third sexy look for the shoot Wow: The sister of Gigi Hadid showed off her impeccable frame in figure-clinging flesh-coloured dress which allowed her to steal the limelight yet again Glamorous: The stunning number cinched in her tiny waist with belt detailing and teased her toned pins with it's nude underlay Looking good: Lottie Moss was also pictured at the photoshoot, exuding glamour as she showcased her slim frame in a slinky one-shoulder black dress While it is unclear what the shoot was for, Bella recently became the new spokesperson for Nike Cortez. The star recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that modelling for the brand had been a lifelong dream of hers. 'It's crazy because my biggest dream was doing Chanel and having a Dior contract, I did a Fendi campaign so I did a lot of the fashion stuff, and then being able to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was so crazy to me because it took me into that more commercial lingerie land. 'And now I'm able to work with Nike, which has always been my number one, its been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I don't even know if it was a dream because I didn't think it was a realistic thing to think about.' Like a pro! Bella worked her angles in the stunning dress and at one point rested her back on the surface Big gig: While it is unclear what the shoot was for, Bella recently became the new spokesperson for Nike Cortez 'Always my number one': The star recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that modelling for the brand had been a lifelong dream of hers Genetically gifted family: Bella's older sister Gigi Hadid, 22, is also an international model Michael Buble gave an emotional speech about the love he has for his family while being honored at the Governor Generals Performing Arts Awards in his native Canada on Wednesday. It was the 41-year-old jazz crooner's first public appearance since revealing his three-year-old son Noah's cancer diagnosis November 4 on Facebook. 'My entire life has been inspired by how my family has made me feel - my wife, my children, my parents, my sisters. There are no words to describe how I feel about you. Sometimes "I love you" just isn't enough because what I feel is so much more,' the four-time Grammy winner said - according to CBC. Scroll down for video Somber: Michael Buble gave an emotional speech about his family while being honored at the Governor Generals Performing Arts Awards in his native Canada on Wednesday Get better soon! It was the 41-year-old jazz crooner's first public appearance since revealing his three-year-old son Noah's cancer diagnosis November 4 on Facebook 'I stand here truly humbled that I have been allowed to be one of your musical representatives and that you would choose to bestow this honor upon me during what has been an emotional and difficult time for my family.' Buble continued: 'I thank you for the love and support that you've given and for the pride I'm filled with every single time I'm able to stand on a stage and say, "My name is Michael Steven Buble and I'm Canadian."' The Nobody But Me belter - who was born in British Columbia - was presented with the National Arts Centre Award from Governor General of Canada David Johnston. That same night, Michael's wife Luisana Lopilato shared a somber b&w social media snap of herself in a gown captioned: 'Ready.' The four-time Grammy winner said: 'My entire life has been inspired by how my family has made me feel - my wife, my children, my parents, my sisters. There are no words to describe how I feel about you. Sometimes "I love you" just isn't enough because what I feel is so much more' Buble continued: 'I stand here truly humbled that I have been allowed to be one of your musical representatives and that you would choose to bestow this honor upon me during what has been an emotional and difficult time for my family' He added: 'I thank you for the love and support that you've given and for the pride I'm filled with every single time I'm able to stand on a stage and say, "My name is Michael Steven Buble and I'm Canadian"' Proud: The Nobody But Me belter - who was born in British Columbia - was presented with the National Arts Centre Award from Governor General of Canada David Johnston (R) That same night, Michael's wife Luisana Lopilato shared a somber b&w social media snap of herself in a gown captioned: 'Ready' The Argentinian 30-year-old previously said their bilingual boy was doing 'well' during an April 10 press conference in Buenos Aires. 'My son's recovery is a long process as you all know and he has to continue with check-ups. But we are very happy,' the Fair Market Value actress said. Unfortunately, this wasn't the couple of six years' - who also have a 17-month-old son Elias - first health scare with little Noah. When the tyke was only 11 months old, Luisana rushed him to Hospital Aleman in Buenos Aires after he suffered 'six percent burns from scalding water as a result of a domestic accident' - according to Clarin.com. 'My son's recovery is a long process': The Argentinian 30-year-old previously said their bilingual boy was doing 'well' during an April 10 press conference in Buenos Aires Family of four: Unfortunately, this wasn't the couple of six years' - who also have a 17-month-old son Elias - first health scare with little Noah Cindy Crawford's daughter Kaia Gerber has sparked a social media backlash after posing in a bathrobe with her shoulders exposed. The 15-year-old posted the selfie on Instagram with the caption 'uniform' and her followers were quick to respond. One follower described her as 'too young!' while encouraging her to cover up and another agreed the photo was not 'appropriate' because of her age. Selfie: Kaia Gerber posted this snap on Instagram on Thursday, sparking a backlash online 'Too young': The 15-year-old's followers chimed in on the snap in the comments section The pictured appeared to take in between a modeling shoot and she was wearing a full face of make-up. One social media user questioned how Cindy and Rande Gerber felt about it, adding: 'surprised your parents are on board.' While many voiced their concerns, some applauded her and called it 'empowering, not degrading.' Model Lily Aldridge and Damian Hurley, 15, liked the Instagram photo; Damian, who is the son of actress Liz Hurley, also added a heart in the comments section. Support: Model Lily Aldridge and Damian Hurley, 15, liked the Instagram photo; Damian, who is the son of actress Liz Hurley, also added a heart in the comments section It's not the first time Cindy's daughter has been at the centre of backlash. Kaia was just five when she appeared in a controversial shoot for swimsuit designer Melissa Odabash. The image showed her looking over her shoulder while wearing no top. She was dressed in just white shorts, a seashell necklace and there was a fake tattoo on her lower back. Family business: Kaia is the daughter of Cindy and her husband Rande Gerber; their son Presley is also a model; seen with her brother and parents on April 2 at the Daily Front Row Fashion Awards Then as a 10-year-old, Kaia posed in a thigh-skimming mini skirt for a Versace campaign. Cindy decided to put a stop to Kaia's budding modeling a month after the ad came out, deeming her 'too young'. But Kaia wasn't out of the spotlight for long, returning to the industry at 13 after landing a contract with IMG Models. Making her mark: Kaia wore a crop top and leather skirt for the Moschino Spring/Summer 18 Menswear and Women's Resort collection on June 8 in LA The agency shared the news to their social media in July 2015, along with a picture of her from her Vogue Italia spread, shot by Steven Meisel. Kaia made her debut in American Vogue two months later; the teen posed in a casual dress for a photo featured in the magazine's coveted September issue. She landed her first campaign at the age of 14 for Chrome Hearts, a jewelry line. Her first magazine cover was also at 14; she posed with mom Cindy for the cover of Vogue Paris' April issue, shot by famed photographer Mario Testino. Flashback: Kaia appeared in this Versace campaign when she was just 10; a month after it came out Cindy decided to put a stop to her budding modeling career, deeming her 'too young' Now her modeling career is on the rise; the teen has also chalked up campaigns for Marc Jacobs' Daisy fragrance and beauty line as well as for Alexander Wang and Penshoppe. The beauty has also been featured in Interview, CR Fashion Book, Pop magazine, Teen Vogue and Chrome Hearts magazine. Kaia was the cover girl for Love magazine earlier this year; the spread was shot by Kendall Jenner. The brunette, who turns 16 in September, is the only daughter of Cindy and her husband Rande Gerber; their son Presley, 17, is also a model. Cindy got her start in modeling at the age of 16; she was discovered by a local photographer in her hometown of DeKalb, Illinois. Bachelor In Paradise is back in Mexico for another shot of filming. Taping of the reality series was suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct on set earlier this month, but filming has resumed after the show was given the green-light following an investigation by Warner Brothers. New rules have reportedly been put into place since the scandal, including one which stipulates contestants must seek permission from producers prior to having sex. SPOILERS AHEAD Making a splash! Jasmine Goode cosied up to one contestant as filming resumed for Bachelor In Paradise in Mexico on Tuesday TMZ has reported that both parties must now ask a producer, and formally state that they consent, before any sexual relations ensue. If the producer has any concerns about either party's ability to give consent, they can refuse. But the new rule didn't stop temperatures from soaring on set, with former Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants spotted snuggling up to each other on the Mexican set as cameras rolled on Tuesday. Jasmine Goode was spotted cuddling up to a fellow co-star on the beach, and mere feet away from a cameraman. Taylor Nolan and Derek Peth were wrapped up in each other's arms as they made out on a daybed beside a cameraman Cheers! The good times seemed to be rolling as contestants lounged and chatted up each other in the Jacuzzi, drinks in hand The good times seemed to be rolling as contestants lounged and chatted each other up in the Jacuzzi, drinks in hand. Raven Gates, the runner-up from season 21 of The Bachelor, was practically the center of attention as she kicked back by the pool. Contestants are now only allowed to consume two drinks per hour following the sexual misconduct scandal, TMZ also reported. Nearby cameras and rules didn't stop the spark from flying between multiple contestants. Packing on the PDA! Taylor Nolan and Derek Peth were wrapped up in each other's arms as they made out on a daybed beside a cameraman The fourth season of Bachelor In Paradise has resumed after production on the program was suspended amid a controversial June 4 incident in a pool - between contestants DeMario Jackson, 30, and Corinne Olympios, 24 - that a producer subsequently complained about. Last week, the show's producer, Warner Bros., said that the show was green-lit to return after a probe of the incident between Jackson and Olympios. The organization said there was no misconduct on anyone's part, nor was anyone in any danger at any time. The company, which worked with an independent law firm in its investigation of the program, added that revisions to the show were in the offing to 'further ensure' the safety of cast members. Bikini fun! A contestant strolled in her tiny white bikini, drink in hand The company's internal probe was criticized by high-powered attorney Martin Singer, who's representing Olympios. 'It comes as no surprise that Warner Bros., as a result of its own internal investigation, would state that no wrongdoing had occurred,' Singer said in a statement, adding that his own probe of the incident 'will continue based on multiple new witnesses coming forward revealing what they saw and heard.' Singer noted that the show was initially suspended 'because of multiple complaints received from ... producers and crew members on the set,' and not because of 'any complaint filed by Corinne against anyone.' Pool party! Raven Gates smiled as she chatted with her fellow contestants beside nearby cameras Olympios said in a statement June 14 that she's 'a victim' in the incident, in which 'something bad obviously took place. 'As a woman, this is my worst nightmare and it has now become my reality,' said Olympios, who noted she was 'hiring an attorney to obtain justice and seeking therapy to begin dealing with the physical and emotional trauma stemming from that evening.' Jackson, who's being represented by attorney Walter Mosley, has denied any wrongdoing in the incident, calling any claims against him 'false' and 'malicious.' Jackson was invited back to the show when it resumed filming this week, but ultimately declined that offer. 'He still plays a key role in the ongoing investigation that is being led by Olympios' lawyer and was advised to turn down the offer,' a former contestant told DailyMail.com last week. 'He's not in the clear yet. Maybe for the show, but not when it comes to Corinne and what went down in the pool.' The source then added: 'Corinne's legal team is adamant that she was a victim of sexual misconduct.' Corrine meanwhile has also not been invited back a source told DailyMail.com. They play surrogate brothers Ben and Jay Mitchell on beloved BBC series EastEnders. But actors Jamie Borthwick and Harry Reid proved their close relationship extended off-screen on Wednesday, as they headed out together in North London. The pair cut relaxed figures as they enjoyed a stroll and a catch-up near to the soap's set - with Harry, 25, puffing on a vape as they went. Scroll down for video Like brothers: Eastenders stars Harry Reid and Jamie Borthwick (L-R) proved their close relationship extended off-screen on Wednesday, as they headed out together in North London Harry and Jamie, 23, kept things casual for their catch up as they headed for a stroll in comfy tracksuits - the former adding grungy boots, and his pal sporty trainers. Clearly enjoying a relaxing break from filming the dark-haired actor, who plays Ben Mitchell on the soap, was seen puffing on a vape as he chatted and laughed with his co-star on the way to their next destination. The pair, who portray surrogate siblings on-screen, are known to be close friends - often attending the various soap award ceremonies together, and sharing snapshots of their social life on social media. Chilling: Enjoying a relaxing break from filming Harry, who plays Ben Mitchell on the soap, was seen puffing on a vape as laughed with his co-star on the way to their next destination Earlier this year, the boys posted a video of themselves singing along to Bruno Mars in the car - which proved such a hit with followers, they proceeded to upload a second rendition of a Professor Green track. Portraying surrogate Mitchell brothers on the show, Jamie recently expressed his desires for the duo to become a modern version of the iconic Phil and Grant - who dominated the Square until Grant's exit with his daughter Courtney in 2006. Gushing of their friendship, Jamie told the Mirror last year: 'I just think their potential is really strong and me and Harry get on amazingly well. 'I think it would be upsetting if they didnt do the whole Phil and Grant brother thing.' Brotherly love: The pair, who portray surrogate siblings on-screen, are known to be close friends - often sharing snapshots of their social life on social media Harry has only played Ben since 2014, but Jamie reached an impressive milestone last year when he celebrated 10 years on the soap. When asked by the Radio Times if he thought he would still be on the show a decade later, he said: 'No, of course not! Thats why Im still so happy to be in the show; I never ever considered it could go on this long. 'Im so proud of it while that show wants you, you have to stay.' While things have been running smoothly for Ben and Jay on the soap, having recently moved in together on Albert Square, fans were left horrified elsewhere when show stalwart Dot Branning appeared to meet her fateful end. 'Is Dot Branning dead?' Meanwhile fans of the show were terrified Dot (June Brown) finally met her end after she suffered a catastrophic fall on Monday night's episode In scenes aired on Monday the favourite, who has been on the BBC show for 32 years, was seen outstretched on the floor after falling over her cat Dave while she is rushing about sprucing up the house for Patrick Truemans birthday. The launderette assistant brings the chair crashing down with her in a dramatic clip, that sees her badly injured. Heart-wrenching scenes show the Albert Square legend lying lifeless and alone on the floor after the horror fall. Long-serving team member: She has graced the set of EastEnders for 32 years Fans flooded Twitter with their concerns for Dot's safety - with a number of fans fearing the worst. One follower said: 'I hope Dot Branning is okay, she is one of my all time favourites.' Others followed suit, saying: 'Dot...no please no.' (sic) 'Is it me or did Dot Branning look dead?' Shock: The soap favourite falls over her feline Dave when she is rushing about sprucing up the house for Patrick Truemans birthday in Monday's episode Reveal: The launderette assistant brings the chair crashing down with her in the dramatic clip which sees her badly injured 'Dave the cat just killed Dot Branning.' But some fans were more skeptical of her fall, saying: 'Dot Branning nearly dies like every other day.' (sic) This heartbreaking scene comes after EastEnders' bosses were unable to get June to sign on to the soap until 2018. 'I hope Dot is OK': Fans flood Twitter with their fears for Dot's life The actress was said to have been offered a 300,000 deal to extend her time on the show for another year in March from keen BBC bosses. A source at the time told The Sunday Mirror: 'Bosses at the BBC like to open talks early so things don't go down to the wire. 'They realise June isn't getting any younger but she has intimated that she wants to carry on in the role as long as she feels able, so that is great news.' Exposed: This heartbreaking scene comes after EastEnders' bosses were unable to get June to sign on to the soap until 2018 However, June confessed she is ready to finish her time on the soap as she doesn't want to 'end' her life on screen. She told The Sun: 'I don't know how long I'll stay. I don't think I want to end my life on a soap, but we'll see.' 'I don't want to be 100, or even 90. I don't think I look nearly 90, but because I can't see these days I don't know.' He's the hunky Irish YouTuber ready to set pulses racing in the Hidden Hills villa. And now it has been revealed that Love Island's newest addition Rob Lipsett, 25, is going into the ITV2 reality favourite on the rebound from his six-year relationship with Instagram star Sarah Godfrey. The Dublin social media star was revealed on Wednesday night to be entering the series as part of the biggest twist in the show's history when they split the boys and girls into two separate villas in the ultimate test of loyalty. Scroll down for video On the rebound: Love Island's newest addition Rob Lipsett, 25, is going into the ITV2 reality favourite on the rebound from his six-year relationship with Instagram star Sarah Godfrey While in their appointed villas, the current Islanders will be joined by 11 new hopefuls - six guys and five girls - looking for love. As excitement mounts, the Rathgar fitness fanatic - who boasts over 264,000 followers on Instagram - split from his long-term girlfriend Sarah in February this year and revealed in a candid YouTube video that he is ready to experience life on his on. He said at the time: 'We've decided to do our own thing for a while and one positive I can take from this is that there was no drama, we do not hate each other, there was not a significant event that made us split. Split: As excitement mounts, the Rathgar fitness fanatic - who boasts over 264,000 followers on Instagram - split from his long-term girlfriend Sarah (Pictured above) in February this year New journey: He revealed in a candid YouTube video that he is ready to experience life on his on 'Neither of us cheated on each other at all, we were literally with each other every hour of the day. We literally decided that we needed some time apart to be our own person and see what life is like doing things on your own. Adding: 'So again we're going our separate ways from here on out. I think this could either improve our relationship in the long run if we ever decide to get back together but for the moment that is not within our plan.' Having been together since he was 18, the Myprotein ambassador was living with his former flame before they parted, citing that working together as well put a strain on their relationship and ultimately pushed them to split. Tough times: He shared: 'Me and Sarah have been together since we were 18 years old if even. And I've gone through life, every type of life event from literally the beginning to dropping out of college, to getting fired from job one and job two... 'Me and Sarah have been together since we were 18 years old if even,' he began. 'And I've gone through life, every type of life event from literally the beginning to dropping out of college, to getting fired from job one and job two, starting my YouTube channel and starting my business, getting sponsored and travelling. 'Everything between now and then even has all been done with Sarah. She's been there since day one so its going to be strange going through life without her. Adding: 'With that said we were constantly with each other and even working together most of the day. In most relationships, you and your partner usually part-ways at 8am. Moving on: He added: 'Everything between now and then even has all been done with Sarah. She's been there since day one so its going to be strange going through life without her' 'You go off to work and go your separate ways, you don't see each other for the majority for the day and then you come home around 6pm and say "Oh hey honey, how was your day?" 'With me and Sarah we were constantly with each other and that can put a real stress on a relationship.' Now ready to move on nearly six months later, the fitness vlogger - who attended Irish private school Clongowes Wood College - enjoyed a quick trip to Ibiza to top up his tan before he entered the villa. She plays a therapist who becomes intertwined with the lives of her patients in her new Netflix series Gypsy. And on Thursday in New York City, all eyes were on Naomi Watts as she entered the AOL building to chat about her new project. Watts arrived for an interview with Build wearing an eye-catching purple dress that popped against her porcelain skin. Scroll down for video Purple power: Naomi Watts arrived at the AOL building to chat with their Build series Thursday The 48-year-old British actress wore a pair of metallic platform heels with the statement frock, boosting her 5ft5in frame. Naomi's dress featured unique fabric flaps that resembled butterfly wings on the front of it. The newly-single star, who called things off with her partner of 11 years Liev Schreiber in 2016, kept her sunglasses on before she made her way into the building. Strike a pose: The 48-year-old actress looked radiant in this purple dress with platform heels Unique: Her jewel-toned frock featured flaps in the front that resembled butterfly wings The mother-of-two was joined by her co-stars Lucy Boynton, Lisa Rubin, Melanie Liburd and Sophie Cookson for the chat about their new series. 'She could use a little help in certain areas, definitely I would agree with that, she told Access Hollywood on the same day of her character Jean Holloway. 'I see it as a cautionary tale. It's an exploration of this woman's identity and she's kind of at a place in her life where she's stalling out. It looks like she has everything, but in some ways it's just not enough. Selfie time: The Gypsy actress was sure to mingle with fans before starting her day of press 'She could use a little help': Watts opened up about her character, therapist Jean Holloway during a chat with Access Hollywood, also on Thursday 'She's kind of living out her fantasies and desires. She has darker thoughts, like we all do, but she's acting upon them and it does tend to get her into all kinds of trouble,' she said via satellite with Kit Hoover and Natalie Morales. 'That's the cautionary tale thing. You guys can watch and enjoy the show and not get into trouble.' As for her decision to get into television performing in the Netflix series, she said she was driven by the great character and the fact that she was able to stay in New York City where her two sons attend school to shoot the show. Girl power: Once inside, she was joined by co-stars Lucy Boynton, Lisa Rubin, Melanie Liburd, Sophie Cookson to discuss the Netflix series Q&A: Watts looked entertained by a question from a fan in the audience as she filmed the show 'Staying at home in the city I live in, while my kids are in school, not having to face that big decision you have to deal with. Oh this great role, it shoots in Madagascar,' she joked. Naomi's two sons, Samuel, 8 and Sasha, 9, are with former partner Liev, 49. Last week it was reported that the actress 'Should welcoming a baby daughter' by August or September, a source reportedly told New Idea magazine. A North Dakota agency is attempting to collect millions in oil and gas royalty payments it says are owed to the state. But the exact amounts owed to the Department of Trust Lands is unknown as companies have resisted providing information to the state, the state Land Commissioner said Thursday. The Board of University and School Lands met in a closed-door executive session for more than 30 minutes Thursday to discuss with attorneys an ongoing dispute with the oil industry. The disagreement began after the department discovered during a recent audit that some companies took improper deductions for transportation, processing and other costs on royalties owed to the state. The North Dakota Petroleum Council disagrees with the department's interpretation of the leases, which date back to 1979, arguing the department is drastically changing its policy. This is going to be in litigation, Ron Ness, president of the industry group, said Thursday. Its obviously a huge issue. Of the 19 operators the department has audited for the years 2012 through 2014, 10 companies incorrectly paid the state royalties on oil production and 15 companies incorrectly paid royalties on natural gas production, said Taylor Lee, director of revenue compliance for the Department of Trust Lands. The amount of money owed to the state, which benefits trusts such as the Common Schools Trust Fund, is still being determined, but Land Commissioner Lance Gaebe said its in the millions. Gaebe told members of the Land Board the audit process doesnt have teeth and is being slowed by a growing resistance for information from some oil companies. To review whether the operators took improper deductions, the state needs to request information from companies to find out how they made their royalty calculations. Some companies improperly deducted expenses such as transportation and processing costs from royalty payments, the Land Department says. Of those audited, the companies that paid correctly contributed an estimated $20 million to $45 million more than they would have if they calculated payments incorrectly, Lee estimated for the years 2012 through 2017. Gov. Doug Burgum, who leads the board, said, following the executive session, the board gave Gaebe guidance on next steps but did not take formal action. The oil industry argues that the Land Departments interpretation of the leases would deter investments in gas processing plants, pipelines and other infrastructure to capture natural gas and reduce flaring. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, also a member of the board, said hed like the group to analyze whether the policy set in the 1979 leases is still a good policy or if it deters development under todays conditions. The board also includes Secretary of State Al Jaeger, State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler. Some board members emphasized the importance of uniformly enforcing the leases. Under our trust responsibility, we dont have any choice but to collect based on what our leases say, Stenehjem said. He's the new boy on the Avengers block filming what is set to be the blockbuster hit of 2018. And Benedict Cumberbatch, 40, was spotted on Wednesday looking as enigmatic as ever in his role as Doctor Strange - the genius superhero with mystical powers who has teamed up with the Avengers ensemble. Dressed in a blue robe with scarlet cape, Benedict's facial hair and new haircut gave the actor a more mature look as he filmed an explosive action sequence in Atlanta. Introducing Doctor Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch, 40, was spotted looking enigmatic as ever in his role as Doctor Strange on Thursday - the superhero with mystical powers who has teamed up with the Avengers ensemble Strapped into a harness, the Sherlock star looked focused as he readied himself for his aerial scenes. A crew member wearing a CGI suit was on hand to assist Benedict in the sequence following closely behind manipulating his ropes. The cast have been based in Atlanta filming their New York City scenes battling to save the earth. Avengers: Infinity War will be Benedict's first for foray into the Marvel ensemble team having already starred in his own solo film in 2016's Doctor Strange. High wire stuff: Strapped into a harness, the Sherlock star looked focused as he readied himself for his aerial scenes Costumed up: The three-time Oscar nominee made his debut as the character as the eponymous Doctor Strange in last autumn's franchise addition where he acted alongside Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, and Benjamin Bratt among others The three-time Oscar nominee made his debut as the character as the eponymous Doctor Strange where he acted alongside Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, and Benjamin Bratt among others. Later this year he'll also appear in Thor: Rangarok, which is currently in post-production and hits theaters November 3. In addition to two turns as his character from the hit Marvel franchise, Cumberbatch has a hearty four other projects slated for the rest of 2017 and 2018. Forthcoming roles: Later this year he'll also appear in Thor: Rangarok, which is currently in post-production and hits theaters November 3 Busy schedule: In addition to two turns as his character from the hit Marvel franchise, Cumberbatch has a hearty four other projects slated for the rest of 2017 and 2018 Benedict stars alongside Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey and all have been seen of late dressed in their elaborate and dramatic costumes throwing themselves wholeheartedly into work again amid the utter chaos across the battle-damaged city. The star-studded cast also includes a string of his A-list co-stars such as Scarlett Johansson, who plays Natasha Romanoff A.K.A Black Widow, Bradley Cooper, who is returning as his Guardians Of The Galaxy character Rocket, Chris Evans, playing Captain America, Tom Holland as Spiderman, Chris Pratt scooping the role of Star-Lord once more, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Dave Bautista playing Drax. While Marvel have kept pretty tight-lipped about the specifics of the scenes, these high-wire photographs offer a sneak peak into the mayhem set to air on the big screen. Scenes: While Marvel have kept pretty tight-lipped about the specifics of the scenes, these high-wire photographs offer a sneak peak into the mayhem set to air on the big screen Rubble can be seen strewn across the city while a number of cars are smothered in ash and bricks as the theatrics of the post-apocalyptic scene is staged. Dressed in costumes, the superheroes try to navigate the chaos as the disaster plot for the movie - based on the set of Marvel comics - thickens. Benedict runs through the ruined city dressed in a long burgundy cape, meanwhile Robert's trademark Iron Man suit makes an appearance on set. On location: The filming is soon expected to finish in Atlanta before the cast pack up and move onto cause havoc across the streets of New York City Between takes, the A-listers can be seen winding down enjoying each other's company. The filming is soon expected to finish in Atlanta before the cast pack up and move onto causing havoc across the streets of New York City. The crew members will shoot fast-paced scenes in a string of different destinations as the movie promises to be more exciting than ever before. Destruction: Rubble can be seen strewn across the city while a number of cars are smothered in ash and bricks as the theatrics of the post-apocalyptic scene is staged The explosive movie is due for release in April and May in the UK and US respectively and was initially set to be released in two parts. Earlier in June, The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland was the setting for a terrifying explosion which saw a van attempting to make its way down the famous road. Scenes of the explosion were also followed by stuntmen on the roof of St Giles Cathedral. She's known for her bold head-turning looks while attending exclusive soirees. And Lady Victoria Hervey, 40, didn't disappoint as she showcased her unique fashion flare attending the star-studded Tatler's English Roses party hosted by Kate Reardon and Michael Kors at the Saatchi Gallery on Thursday. The socialite commanded attention at the exclusive event as she displayed her honed pins in her purple flirty number while she sauntered her way inside the venue. Scroll down for video Dressed to impress: Lady Victoria Hervey, 40, didn't disappoint as she showcased her unique fashion flare attending the star-studded Tatler's English Roses party at the exclusive Saatchi Gallery event Her Ethologie by Jasper Garvida dress featured an almost iridescent hue off the fabric and intricate semi-circled detailed skirt. While mesmerising her fellow attendee's with her ensemble, the stunner's statement-making dress hugged her narrow torso to accentuate her bust. The halterneck necklined piece showcased her slender shoulders while she posed for photos in her pointed patent stilettos. Pin-credible: The socialite commanded attention at the exclusive event as she displayed her honed pins in her purple flirty number while she sauntered her way inside the venue Demure darling: Her designer garment featured an almost iridescent hue off the fabric and intricate semi-circled detailed skirt She worked her blonde locks into a tousled wave which displayed her diamond stud earrings while she carried her clear clutch in her manicured hand. While she is well known for her sizzling style, Lady previously told Daily Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare that English women struggle to be sexy. She said: 'Women in London are too conservative and dont have the courage to wear sexy outfits. Its an English thing. I grew up in the South of France so I have a much more international approach.' Dazzling: She worked her blonde locks into a tousled wave which displayed her diamond stud earrings Picture perfect: The halterneck necklined piece showcased her slender shoulders while she posed for photos Victoria added that she still leads by example, sporting an array of sheer ensembles at parties recently, she said: 'Its empowering to dress provocatively'. Her body confidence put her in good stead during her modelling career, which saw her work for the likes of Christian Dior. Meanwhile, also in attendance at Thursday night's party were models Edie Campbell and and Renee Stewart, as well as Lady Kitty Spencer and Donna Air. Harry Styles' recent ex Tess Ward was also dressed to impress and busy mingling with Michael Kors. Flaunt it: While mesmerising her fellow attendee's with her ensemble, the stunner's statement-making dress hugged her narrow torso to accentuate her bust Sex appeal: While she is well known for her sizzling style, Lady previously told Daily Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare that English women struggle to be sexy 'Conservative': She said: 'Women in London are too conservative and dont have the courage to wear sexy outfits. Its an English thing. I grew up in the South of France so I have a much more international approach' Hell for leather: She later draped a leather jacket over her shoulders following the evenings festivities Leggy look: Jourdam turned heads in a pair of leather trousers The party celebrates an exhibition of photographs by David Burton, entitled English Roses. Muses include Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, Lady Eliza Manners and Lady Lola Crichton-Stuart, as well as musicians, actresses, dancers, equestriennes, poets, artists. Each of the women wasphotographed in Fall 2017 Michael Kors Collection and the portrait of Lady Lola Crichton-Stuart serves as the August cover of Tatler. The Saatchi Gallery exhibition will run from 30 June - 2 July 2017 in celebration of the magazine and the portraits. Model sandwich: Jourdan and Edie Campbell (right) shared a picture with man of the moment Michael Kors Joining the party: Tess Ward, the ex-girlfriend of Harry Styles, joined Michael Kors inside the event US President Donald Trump (R) talks with French President Emmanuel Macron as they attend the G7 Summit May 26, 2017 in Italy US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed during a telephone call Tuesday on the need for a "joint response" in the event of another chemical attack in Syria, the French presidency said. Their call came a day after Washington said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may be preparing another chemical weapons attack and warned that his regime would pay a "heavy price" if it went ahead with such an assault. A Pentagon spokesman said US intelligence had noticed suspect activity at the launch site of the regime's apparent chemical strike in April. Days after that strike on a rebel-held town, the United States launched a cruise missile strike on the airfield in retaliation -- the first direct US attack on the Syrian regime. The French foreign ministry refused to say Tuesday whether it too had information about possible preparations by the Syrian regime for a chemical attack. After a meeting last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin, an Assad ally, Macron drew a "very clear red line" on the use of chemical weapons "by whomever" and warned of reprisals. In August 2013, a chemical attack near Damascus brought France and the US to the brink of a joint military intervention in Syria. But then US president Barack Obama, who had also declared that a chemical attack would cross a "red line", eventually decided against military action. The US and Russia instead struck a deal on the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile. Most of the Syrian town of Deir Ezzor province is controlled by the jihadists and it has been the target of air strikes by the US-led coalition as well as the regime and Russia At least 30 civilians were killed in air strikes on an area of eastern Syria held by the Islamic State group on Wednesday, a monitoring group said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not immediately able to say whether the strikes in Deir Ezzor province were carried out by the US-led coalition, or by the Syrian army or its Russian ally. They came just two days after a suspected coalition strike on an IS jail in the province killed 42 prisoners and 15 jihadists, according to an Observatory toll. Wednesday's strikes hit an area 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of Mayadeen, the town where the prison bombing took place. Most of Deir Ezzor province is controlled by the jihadists and it has been the target of air strikes by the US-led coalition as well as the Syrian army and Russia. The coalition has been hitting IS in both Syria and Iraq since mid-2014 and the jihadists are under growing pressure in both countries. Syria's war has killed more than 320,000 people and forced millions from their homes since it began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. The governor of Congo's restive eastern province of Nord-Kivu urged the army to beef up operations against a spate of militia attacks there, saying all-out war may be imminent The governor of Congo's restive eastern province of Nord-Kivu urged the army Wednesday to beef up operations against a spate of militia attacks there, saying all-out war may be imminent. "I am alerting in particular the army chief of staff to refocus its strategy after these new incursions. There is a looming threat of a fresh war," Julien Paluku told a press conference. An unprecedented string of attacks in the last few days against border posts and army positions in DR Congo's troubled east have been attributed to the Mai-Mai, a "self-defence" militia comprising members of several ethnic groups in the region. But Paluku said "these repeated attacks in Beni far exceed the capabilities of the Mai-Mai." Instead they suggest the involvement of "another force" supporting the unidentified militia groups. His warning raises bitter memories of Congo's two wars, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which dragged in at least six African armies and left more than three million dead and 1.6 million homeless, Africa's worst conflict in recent history. On Monday the Kasindi border post on the Ugandan border was attacked by a Mai-Mai militia group previously unknown to the authorities, an army spokesman said. On Tuesday there was an attack against an army position at Kalau and on Wednesday the army again came under attack at Nyamitale by assailants believed to be Mai-Mai. There were clashes also last weekend in Nord-Kivu, in Kaseghe, where "the Mai-Mai (militia)" attacked government troops, said an army spokesman. During the second civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1998-2003), a number of groups were armed by the ruling power to fight invading Ugandans and Rwandans -- and several groups never disarmed. Kaseghe is located in the Lubero territory neighbouring Beni where a series of deadly clashes have taken place over the past year. Sixteen people were killed early this month near Beni in clashes between the army and a suspected Mai-Mai group -- though its presumed spokesman describes it as a national revolutionary movement opposed to the regime of President Joseph Kabila. Kabila has been in power since 2001 when he succeeded his father. He was elected president in 2006 and 2011 and his second mandate expired in December. But the 46-year-old leader has refused to step down fuelling a political crisis in the vast central African country. Elections are now supposed to be held by the end of this year. Ai Weiwei used more than 1.2 million Lego bricks assembled by hand to form the 176 portraits of activists on view through January 1 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden for "Ai Weiwei: Trace at Hirshhorn" Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is blunt. When he wanted to make a political statement about crackdowns on dissent, he brought portraits of 176 political prisoners to one of America's most infamous high-security federal prisons. "Trace," first shown at Alcatraz prison off the San Francisco Bay in 2014, opened Wednesday in Washington for a six-month run at the Hirshhorn museum. More than 1.2 million Lego bricks were assembled by hand to form the individual portraits, arranged on the floor in Ai's latest subversion of readymade materials. Several of the "prisoners of conscience" chosen by Ai -- himself held under house arrest without charge for three months in 2011 and banned from traveling outside China until 2015 -- are likely to trigger debate in the United States. Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning, behind some of the biggest leaks of classified documents in US history, share the first of six zones of 30 portraits with historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as Shaker Aamer, a Saudi citizen and British resident held at Guantanamo Bay without trial or charge for more than 13 years until 2015. One of the "Trace" protagonists, former CIA officer turned whistleblower John Kiriakou, was among those who attended Ai's first ever public talk in Washington late Tuesday. The artist -- who was interrogated more than 50 times during his house arrest for alleged tax evasion -- explained he had "wanted to do something related to prisoners who lost their freedom because of their beliefs, because they had different ideas or opinions." "I have this understanding about why certain society doesn't like art, or hate people who have this freedom in terms of thinking or expressing themselves," said Ai. "But for me, this is the most important part of art." - Alpaca motif - A photograph of Ai Weiwei at the start of the show urges viewers to open their eyes to injustices Among the public figures featured in "Trace" is Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, long praised for her pro-democracy work in Myanmar but, since leading the government, accused of complacency toward the country's still powerful military and silence on the repression of the Muslim Rohingya minority. Other portraits feature dissidents from China, elsewhere in Asia and the Middle East who are less familiar to the Western public, such as Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah, Laotian pro-democracy advocate Thongpaseuth Keuakoun and Tibetan Buddhist monk Jigme Gyatso. "Today, you can see his art, his life, his political activism as one and the same overarching conceptual project," Hirshhorn director Melissa Chiu told AFP. While Ai professes a connection to the political prisoners due to his own activism that helped make him an international brand -- and the price China has made him pay for it -- the injustices the activists have faced are barely brushed upon in the brief biographical texts that accompany the portraits. A specially commissioned graphic wallpaper that wraps around a 700-foot (210-meter) gallery space in the circular museum appears highly decorative at first. Come closer, and surveillance cameras, handcuffs and Twitter birds emerge, a nod to Ai's very active use of social media that has angered Beijing. And then there are grinning alpaca-like creatures adopted by Chinese internet users as a mascot for freedom of expression. On their chests, Ai inscribed the Mandarin words "cao ni ma" (literally, "grass mud horse," a mythical creature resembling an alpaca, but also "fuck your mother"). "The freedoms that are entailed in social media and even technology are maybe something that we need to pay more attention to," Chiu told AFP. "There's no space that's entirely free." South Korea's President Moon Jae-In is in Washington to meet Donald Trump on his first overseas trip since taking office South Korea's President Moon Jae-In arrived in Washington on his first overseas trip since taking office, for planned talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump. Moon, who backs engagement with nuclear-armed North Korea, was to meet Thursday with Trump during his first foreign outing since being sworn in last month after a landslide election win. Late Wednesday, he was scheduled to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a war memorial in Quantico, Virginia, and later was to attend summit of Korean and American business leaders. His agenda on Thursday includes meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and an evening visit with the US president and First Lady Melania Trump, including a reception and dinner. Washington, South Korea's security guarantor, has more than 28,000 troops in the country to defend it from its bellicose neighbor, which has been intensifying missile tests -- including five since Moon's inauguration. Pyongyang is seeking to develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that could reach the continental United States. Trump has been pushing for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions and whose administration has said military action was a possibility. Also expected to be high on the agenda is likely to be a controversial US missile defense system that has been installed in South Korea to guard against missile threats from the North. Though parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are already in place, Moon suspended further deployment following a furious campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic protests by Beijing against the US missile shield, dealing a blow to Washington's regional security policy. Officially, the delay is to allow for a new, comprehensive environmental impact assessment, but analysts say the move is a strategic one by Moon to delay the tricky diplomatic situation he inherited. India is bracing for upheaval as it storms ahead with its most ambitious reform in decades -- the long-awaited goods and services tax (GST) India is bracing for upheaval as it storms ahead with its most ambitious reform in decades -- transforming the world's fastest growing major economy into a single market for the first time. The long-awaited goods and services tax (GST) rolls out Saturday even as businesses complain they are ill-prepared for the massive changes about to ripple through India's unwieldy, $2 trillion economy. The government promises the new regime will not just simplify trade by replacing more than a dozen levies with one tax, but combat corruption and enrich state coffers by bringing the informal economy into the digital era. Most economists agree the reform -- first proposed in 2006 -- is necessary and long overdue, but warn the initial shock to the economy is likely to drag, rather than stoke, growth in the short term as businesses adjust. There are already signs the transition could be rocky. Industries are on strike, others are facing an avalanche of paperwork, while some retailers remain unclear about what to charge just days before the taxes take effect. "There are different rates for a mobile set, charger and headphones -- all of which come in one box," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of Confederation of All India Traders, pointing to one such example. "What tax rate will be applicable in such a scenario? We don't know yet." It took more than a decade to get the GST through parliament and political bickering over the particulars now means there are four tax rates instead of one as originally envisioned. - 'Confusion and chaos' - Under India's new goods and services tax (GST), industries such as textiles will see their products elevated to a higher tax bracket A slew of basic staples like fresh vegetables and milk are exempted, along with less obvious items like temple offerings, the national flag and human hair. So-called "sin" goods like tobacco will be slapped with extra levies, while states will still be allowed to separately tax some products including alcohol, petrol and aviation fuel. Some industries have suddenly discovered their products elevated to a higher tax bracket. Fireworks manufacturers are protesting over crackers being taxed at the maximum of 28 percent, while garment and textile workers are crying foul over heightened imposts. Ayushi Gudwani, who runs online fashion startup Fable Street, supports the creation of a common market but was shocked to learn her taxes had more than doubled. "Our profitability will be hit," she told told AFP. Costs are also mounting at India's largest logistics firm Safexpress, which has hired 40 new staff to process a mountain of new paperwork. Under the new regime, companies must file a tax return in every state they pass through -- a nightmare for a trucking company shipping goods nationwide. For Safexpress, that means instead of filing two annual tax returns they must submit 1,400, said managing director Rubal Jain. "It's going to be a lot of confusion and chaos and back and forth for the next three months, because no one knows what will happen," he told AFP. "It'll be great in the long run, but transition will be a pain." - Reform is needed - India's economic reform is likely to drag, rather than stoke, growth in the short term as businesses adjust All but the smallest businesses will now be required to declare their earnings online, an effort to broaden India's woefully small tax base, digitise the economy and flush out cash hoarders. But training employers to log tax information online presents immense challenges in India, where most small and informal businesses don't own computers, let alone access the internet, the trade association said. Safexpress cannot file its own returns until drivers upload their monthly invoices -- a huge ask for truckers used to delivering goods, not paperwork, Jain said. Gudwani meanwhile worries her suppliers -- mostly tiny businesses -- will struggle to get the hang of issuing receipts and wind up losing contracts. India has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world and these changes, though initially painful, will have a "significant impact" on compliance, said Neelkanth Mishra, managing director at Credit Suisse. "India is like a house under renovation. While the new parts are being built, no one will be happy," he told AFP. The sweeping reforms comes less than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi devalued India's largest banknotes in a sudden move designed to outmanoeuvre tax cheats, but was blamed for a crippling cash shortage and slowing growth. To avoid a similarly rough landing, the government has trained 60,000 tax bureaucrats and run sessions with private accountants to ensure everyone is up to speed on the finer points of the GST. A GST Council has spent months thrashing out the final legislation, which was blocked in parliament for a year until an amended version was approved. "This is a tax reform that was needed," said Sunil Sinha, principal economist at Fitch India. "We came into existence as a nation in 1947 but never had a common Indian market. GST will make India one." Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh (L), also known as "Mother Mushroom", stands trial at a courthouse in the central city of Nha Trang on June 29 A prominent Vietnamese blogger known as 'Mother Mushroom' was jailed for 10 years on Thursday, her lawyer said, during a brief trial rights groups decried as "outrageous". Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, whose pen name derives from her daughter's nickname "mushroom", was arrested in October 2016 and later charged with anti-state propaganda over critical Facebook posts about politics and the environment. Vietnam's one-party state keeps a tight clamp on dissent and routinely jails activists, bloggers and lawyers who speak out against the communist regime. The 37-year-old blogger faced a maximum of 12 years in prison, and her lawyer said the heavy sentence she received at the closed-door trial was "harsh". "I am not happy with the result of the trial today," Nguyen Kha Thanh told AFP, adding that Quynh would likely appeal. AFP was barred from attending the one-day trial in south-central Khanh Hoa province Thursday, which was heavily guarded by police, according to images on social media. Thanh said Quynh was calm throughout the trial. In a pre-sentence statement she admitted no guilt and instead used the opportunity to send a message to her two kids and mother, the lawyer added. "She apologised to her mother and the two kids for what effect this has had on them, but she said they must be very proud of her," Thanh told AFP. - Woman of Courage award - Quynh was charged under Article 88 of Vietnam's criminal code and held incommunicado with no access to lawyers until June 20, according to Thanh. She has been a vocal critic of Vietnam's human rights record, civilian deaths in police custody and the government's handling of a toxic leak that killed tonnes of fish last year. She was arrested in Nha Trang on October 10 as she was visiting a fellow activist in prison. In the verdict, the judge said Quynh had defamed the government, harmed national unity, eroded popular trust of the government and undermined national security. She was also convicted for publishing inaccurate information to humiliate the police and erode public trust in them, based on her reports about police brutality. Human Rights Watch earlier decried the trial as "outrageous" and demanded her release. "The scandal here is not what Mother Mushroom said, but Hanoi's stubborn refusal to repeal draconian, rights-abusing laws that punish peaceful dissent and tarnish Vietnam's international reputation," Phil Robertson, HRW deputy Asia director said in a statement Wednesday. The United States, Britain and the European Union have all called for Quynh's release. Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Thursday "all acts that violate the law will be seriously punished in accordance with Vietnamese laws" when asked about the case. Quynh received an International Woman of Courage Award from the US State Department in March, which Vietnam said was "not appropriate and of no benefit for the development of relations between the two countries". In 2015, she was awarded the Civil Rights Defender of the Year by a Sweden-based international advocacy group. South Korea's President Moon Jae-In is in Washington to meet Donald Trump on his first overseas trip since taking office South Korea's President Moon Jae-In arrived in Washington Wednesday on his first overseas trip since taking office, for planned talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump. Moon, who backs engagement with nuclear-armed North Korea, was to meet Thursday with Trump during his first foreign outing since being sworn in last month after a landslide election win. Late Wednesday, he was scheduled to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a war memorial in Quantico, Virginia, and later was to attend a summit with Korean and American business leaders. His agenda on Thursday includes meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and an evening visit with the US president and First Lady Melania Trump, including a reception and dinner. On board his flight to the United States, Moon said Seoul and Washington should offer concessions to Pyongyang if it complies with their demands, according to multiple South Korean reports. Missile defense system "Without rewarding North Korea for its bad actions, South Korea and the United States should closely consult what they may give the North in return for a nuclear freeze," he said. "We should start dialogue with North Korea," he said, but with conditions, saying that "at least, North Korea should restrain itself from further nuclear and missile tests and promise a nuclear freeze before full-fledged dialogue for nuclear dismantlement can start." "A nuclear freeze is a gate to dialogue and the exit of the dialogue is a complete nuclear dismantlement." Washington, South Korea's security guarantor, has more than 28,000 troops in the country to defend it from its communist neighbor, which has been intensifying missile tests -- including five since Moon's inauguration. Pyongyang is seeking to develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that could reach the continental United States. Trump has been pushing for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions and whose administration has said military action was a possibility. Also expected to be high on the agenda is likely to be a controversial US missile defense system that has been installed in South Korea to guard against missile threats from the North. Though parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are already in place, Moon suspended further deployment following a furious campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic protests by Beijing against the US missile shield, dealing a blow to Washington's regional security policy. Officially, the delay is to allow for a new, comprehensive environmental impact assessment, but analysts say the move is a strategic one by Moon to delay the tricky diplomatic situation he inherited. Holding out the prospect of a peace treaty to finally replace the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1953, Moon added: "Together with the nuclear dismantlement would come the establishment of a peace system on the Korean peninsula." Lebanon's government says a dam planned for a valley near Beirut is vital to tackle chronic water shortages, but the location on a seismic fault line in the Bisri Valley has raised fears among residents. Lebanon's government says a dam planned for a valley near Beirut is vital to tackle chronic water shortages, but the location on a seismic fault line has raised fears among residents. "How can you build a dam in an earthquake zone? We don't even have houses that are earthquake-proof," said Amer Meshmushi, a resident of Bisri Valley, 35 kilometres (20 miles) south of Beirut. He grew up hearing about the last major earthquake on the Roum fault, in 1956, which killed 135 people and damaged thousands of houses including his family home in Basaba village. "My brother was still little, and they had to drag him out from under the rubble," the 50-year-old recalled his parents telling him as a child. Lebanon's government and the World Bank say the Bisri dam is desperately needed to address water shortages afflicting greater Beirut's 1.6 million residents. They insist the structure will be safe and say measures will be taken to mitigate seismic risks. But Meshmushi's concerns are shared by local activists, including Raja Noujaim, head of the Association for the Protection of the Lebanese Heritage. Activists say an earthquake could cause a dam planned by Lebanon's government to burst and that the structure and its reservoir would put pressure on the fault line and increase seismic activity. "When we look at the region's history and geography, we see that all of its valleys are the result of the fact that it is a seismic zone," he told AFP. Activists say an earthquake could cause the dam to burst and that the structure and its reservoir would put pressure on the fault line and increase seismic activity. - 'Wiping out farmers' - The World Bank and Lebanon's Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), a government agency that supervises major infrastructure projects, identified the valley as a prime location for a dam thanks to its abundant water, wide basin and proximity to Beirut. In a report, the World Bank said a panel of four "internationally recognised experts" recruited by the CDR had reviewed safety studies, adding that the dam's design was "consistent with international best practice". The World Bank told AFP that tests showed the dam had "a resistance to shocks above the one provoked by the 1956 earthquake," which measured a six on the Richter scale -- similar to the strength of the quakes that devastated central Italy last year. Eli Mussali, the CDR engineer overseeing the project, said the dam could "withstand earthquakes up to eight on the Richter scale, which is a very high degree." At present, Lebanon stores just six percent of its water in reservoirs. Many people rely on illegally drilled wells that are increasingly over-exploited and produce water of dubious quality. He also downplayed the possibility that the structure could provoke seismic activity, saying there was no evidence for such a phenomenon. And he noted the country's largest dam, in the eastern region of Qaraoun, is situated atop the major Yammouneh fault line. "It is geologically normal for faults to run between mountains, where rivers run and dams are built," he said. At present, Lebanon stores just six percent of its water in reservoirs. Many people rely on illegally drilled wells that are increasingly over-exploited and produce water of dubious quality. Construction of the Bisri dam is expected to begin later this year with a $617-million (544-million-euro) price tag, mostly covered by a World Bank loan. It will take nine years to finish and will be the country's second-largest dam, with a capacity of 125 million cubic metres (4.4 billion cubic feet) in a reservoir covering 450 hectares (1,100 acres). Land belonging to 15 villages will be gobbled up by the facility, including Meshmushi's fields. "Does it serve Beirut's interests to wipe out farmers?" he asked. "These lands are the source of our livelihoods. They allowed me and my brother to get an education." - 'Where will we go?' - Bisri Valley is covered in a patchwork of farms growing everything from lemons and pine trees to strawberries and pomegranates, mostly tended by seasonally hired Lebanese labourers and Syrian refugees. The CDR plan includes a fund to compensate owners of the 869 plots of land that will be expropriated, but it remains unclear if the farmers will also be compensated for losing their jobs. Fifty-year-old Abu Salem has farmed beans in the village of Marj Bisri for 25 years. "I'm a farmer, not a civil servant. I don't have anywhere else to go," he said, sitting on a tractor. "I taught my children how to farm. If we leave here, where will we go?" Locals also fear for archeological sites that will disappear under the water. Locals in Bisri fear archeological sites will disappear under the water if government plans for a dam and reservoir in the area proceed. They include the Mar Musa church in Marj Bisri, a tiny stone edifice locals say is hundreds of years old and has become a shrine for residents of all faiths. Authorities proposed to dismantle the church and rebuild it elsewhere, but villagers rejected the offer. Further downstream are five columns, four standing and one toppled, that are believed to be Roman and could be evidence of a larger archaeological site. That area will one day be at the bottom of the reservoir. The CDR's Mussali said there are plans for the Antiquities Department to excavate the site and decide if it is worth saving. But residents say the dam project should be scrapped entirely. "We shouldn't be thinking about building anything in the area, whether a dam or anything else," said Noujaim. "It's dangerous. This project mustn't be done." Donald Trump's order to block arrivals from six mainly Muslim countries could result in a flood of legal challenges by travelers, immigrants and their supporters US President Donald Trump's order to block arrivals from six mainly Muslim countries takes partial effect Thursday after he won a Supreme Court victory over rights groups. But implementation of the order after five months of legal challenges could be chaotic, in part due to the meaning of a key term used in the court's ruling Monday: "bona fide." The court said that Trump could only ban travelers from the targeted countries "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States." With a 72-hour preparation period set before implementing the ban, the ruling has sent lawyers diving into legal texts to define that. Previous attempts to impose a travel ban on six mostly Muslim countries have seen lawyers volunteer their serivs at international airports in the US They need to set standards for US immigration officials and diplomats in Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and also at US arrival points, who will decide who from those countries can still enter the United States. Lawyers and advocates both for and against the travel ban say the result could be a flood of legal challenges by travelers, immigrants and their supporters -- further slowing arrivals from the six countries. Immigrant advocates were preparing for the onset of the ban, saying they would be at airports to aid any arriving travelers that immigration officers seeks to send back. The New York Immigration Coalition said Thursday it plans to be at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, "monitoring the effects of Trump's revised Muslim and refugee ban." - Waiting for a definition - The ruling Monday capped five months of heavily politicized legal scrapping. The highest US court partially reversed lower courts' freezes of Trump's 90 day ban on travelers from the six countries, which he said was necessary to screen out potential terror threats. It also allowed Trump to implement a 120 day ban on all refugees. The court said it will review the overall case in October, meaning both bans will largely have run their course by then, though they could be extended if immigrant vetting processes are still judged to be too weak. The refugee ban could be moot much sooner: the Trump administration has cut the number of refugees it will accept annually to 50,000. The State Department said Tuesday that that threshold will be reached within the coming two weeks. But many hopeful non-refugee travelers from the six countries could be affected. The court said only those with a significant or genuine -- bona fide -- relationship with an American person or group can be admitted during the period of the ban. That will include, in the court's example, those with close relatives, those admitted to universities, or accepted to a job, to gain entry. But does it extend to someone with distant family, or who has only applied to a university or a job but has not yet received an answer? Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who wanted the ban implemented for anyone for the six countries, wrote Monday that he fears the court decision "will prove unworkable." It "will invite a flood of litigation until this case is finally resolved on the merits, as parties and courts struggle to determine what exactly constitutes a 'bona fide relationship'." Heather Nauert, spokeswoman for the State Department, said they were waiting for Justice Department lawyers to provide guidance on "bona fide". "We don't have a definition here at the State Department for that yet," she said. "Everybody wants to get this right. They want to see this implemented in an orderly fashion." Homeland Security Department spokesman David Lapan said all three departments were conferring. "Guidance will be provided in time for implementation tomorrow," he said this week. Even with the ban being blocked for five months, arrivals from the six countries have plunged due to more rigorous vetting. Arrivals were down by about half in March and April, just 6,372, compared to 12,100 for the two months in 2016. Aeroflot has been rebuilding its reputation which hit rock-bottom due to a series of safety incidents An 80-year-old Chinese woman delayed a domestic flight from Shanghai this week for nearly six hours after throwing coins into an engine of the plane supposedly for good luck. Shanghai police later said they would take no further action against the woman -- said to be a Buddhist -- due to her age, although Chinese Internet users were far less forgiving. AFP looks at flights across the world that were delayed or failed to reach their destinations for unusual reasons. Passengers rebel against drunk pilot Passengers in Moscow demanded that the pilot for their Aeroflot flight to New York be removed because he was drunk. The first sign of trouble came when the pilot slurred his words during the pre-flight announcement, The Moscow Times said in February 2009. At a time when Aeroflot's reputation was already at rock-bottom due to a series of safety incidents, one passenger told the newspaper: "The first thought that occurred to me was, 'This guy is drunk'. His speech was so slurred it was hard to tell what language he was speaking." The pilot emerged from the cockpit of the Boeing 767 red-faced with bloodshot eyes and appeared unsteady on his feet. The crew was replaced and the flight later departed safely. Fiery curry powder sparks smoke alert An Air India passenger jet heading to Frankfurt was forced to return to Mumbai after a bag of curry powder set off smoke and fire alarms. Pilots on the Boeing 747 activated fire extinguishers after receiving a cockpit warning about a fire in the cargo hold in June 2009. But on the plane's return to India engineers said the alert had been triggered by a leaking bag containing curry powder. The bag was removed before the plane took off again after a 12-hour delay. Passengers stung by delay Snakes, rats, mice and scorpions have all prevented planes from taking off, but in January last year a bee delayed an Indonesian passenger plane for four hours after getting stuck in vital equipment and causing a problem with the aircraft controls. The flight, operated by Indonesian flag carrier Garuda, was scheduled to take off from the western island of Sumatra and head for Jakarta. But the pilot of the Boeing 737, which was carrying 156 passengers, decided not to take off after noticing a problem with the controls. The airline did not say whether the bee survived the ordeal. 'Dirty dancer' forces flight back Sleepy early-morning passengers on a flight from Moscow to London may have thought they were dreaming when a drunken Russian woman staged erotic dances on the plane in August 2011. But the flight crew decided to return to Moscow as the woman, 39, was deemed to be causing an inconvenience to passengers, the RIA Novosti news agency said. "The woman was in a state of insobriety, inconveniencing the passengers, taking off their glasses and dancing erotic dances," a spokesman for transport police said, quoted by the news agency. The woman was arrested on arrival. Pilot loses artificial arm & control A pilot for a British budget airline briefly lost control of a flight after his artificial arm came loose during landing. The Flybe plane carrying 47 passengers was coming in to land at Belfast City Airport from Birmingham in February 2014 when the pilot's prosthetic forearm became detached from a special clamp fitted to the plane's yoke. This caused the plane to land with a "bounce", but no one was injured. Flybe said it was proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The captain pledged to be more careful in future about checking the attachment on his artificial limb. 'I'm not qualified to land plane' Another British passenger plane was forced to turn back minutes before landing in Paris in 2008 because the pilot of 30 years' experience was not qualified to land in fog. Speaking over the address system as the Flybe flight approached Charles de Gaulle airport, the pilot announced to startled passengers "I am not qualified to land the plane" and turned back to Cardiff. The Civil Aviation Authority described the incident as "quite unusual but probably not unheard of". burs-pst/fa Donald Trump's ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries will last 90 days but not all its implications are clear The US Supreme Court's partial reinstatement of President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban has immigration lawyers and travelers trying to unpack how exactly the ban will be implemented when it takes effect Thursday. The court ruled that the president's executive order targeting citizens from six mainly Muslim countries could go into partial effect. But the court eased its punch by saying the measure could only be applied to travelers from those targeted countries "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States." Though Trump has claimed the Supreme Court's decision a national security win, the partial ban is narrower in scope than the president's first two versions. Here's what we know about what the ruling means: - Who is allowed entry? - The restrictions target visitors from six countries: Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. Of travelers from those countries, the nation's highest court said those "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States" cannot enter -- meaning US citizens and people with familial ties to the US can. The court also said students accepted to attend university stateside or who had been hired by a US employer would be able to come -- but emphasized that establishing such a connection just to gain entry would not be allowed. But the Supreme Court justices did not clarify how distant the family member can be, or what happens to those who have applied to school or jobs and are awaiting a response. And decisions over whose claims are tangible turn even murkier when it comes to short-term visitors. It is unclear how enforcement will differ for travelers coming specifically to see family and those traveling for tourism or medical treatment, for example. The ruling permits Trump to reinstate a 120 day ban on refugees -- though the Trump administration has already slashed the number of refugees it will admit annually to 50,000, a threshold the State Department anticipates hitting in a couple of weeks. - When will it take effect, and for how long? - Earlier this month Trump signed a memorandum informing agencies to begin enforcing the measure 72 hours after lower court freezes were lifted, and it is set to take effect Thursday. Bloomberg News reported that implementation would begin at 8 p.m. EST (1200 GMT), in order to provide embassies and consulates around the globe prior guidance on how to enforce the ban. Both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security said they were waiting for clarification from the Justice Department on the meaning of "bona fide," to make sure authorities are clear on how to carry out the order. Officials in the administration as well as in airports are hoping to avoid the chaos sparked by Trump's original executive order, which was unveiled in January to massive protests and confusion at border control points as well as a flurry of legal challenges. Immigrant advocates said they would be at airports to aid any arrivals that immigration officers sought to turn away. The ban on travelers from the six countries will last 90 days, and the refugee ban for 120, as defined by the executive order. - What are the next legal steps? - The decision closed five months of legal wrangling, and the Supreme Court will take up the case when it returns in October from its summer recess. But as agencies await clarification on the partial ban's implementation, some anticipate legal battles will persist. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who wanted the ban implemented for anyone from the six countries, wrote Monday he fears the court decision "will prove unworkable." It "will invite a flood of litigation until this case is finally resolved on the merits, as parties and courts struggle to determine what exactly constitutes a 'bona fide relationship'." Mongolians cast ballots on June 26 in the first round of presidential elections Mongolia's first-ever presidential runoff has been brought forward by two days to July 7 due to a traditional sporting festival, the country's electoral authorities said Thursday. The three candidates in Monday's first-round poll fell well short of the absolute majority needed to secure the presidency, extending the drama of an election marked by corruption scandals. Former judoka Khaltmaa Battulga of the opposition Democratic Party and speaker of the parliament Mieygombo Enkhbold of the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) were the top two finishers and will contest the runoff. Both parties asked for the date to be brought forward due to the start of the long national Naadam holiday a few days later -- Mongolia's biggest festival featuring wrestling, archery and horse-riding. "Political parties, unions and a parliament member demanded to make the second polling on July 6," General Election Commission chairman Choizon Sodnomtseren said. But "because voting ballots must be printed (and) voting machines must be re-programmed" the committee determined that the earliest possible date for the runoff was July 7. The commission also plans to hold a meeting to discuss a vote recount request made by Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party's Sainkhuu Ganbaatar, who finished third behind Enkhbold by a mere 0.1 percentage point. Ganbaatar has accused the MPP of falsifying votes and colluding with a "foreign entity" on the commission to sway the results. A nest with 19 eggs of the world's critically endangered Siamese crocodiles has been found in Cambodia, renewing hopes for the future of the animals in the wild Conservationists in Cambodia have found a nest with 19 eggs from one of the world's most endangered crocodiles, boosting hopes for a rare species threatened by poachers and habitat loss. The clutch of fist-sized eggs was discovered this week by environmental officers and local villagers near a pond in southwestern Koh Kong province, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which assisted with the discovery. The group had been searching for tracks, dung and other signs of wild Siamese Crocodiles, a species whose population has plummeted at an alarming rate in recent years. Researchers believe only 400 adults still exist in the wild, mostly in Cambodia. Their survival is threatened by poachers who supply eggs and adult reptiles to crocodile farms around the region, where their skins are turned into luxury belts, shoes and handbags. "To avoid any threats, we moved the eggs to a safe place to hatch and track their progress," In Hul, from Cambodia's Fisheries Administration, said in a statement Wednesday. After the eggs hatch, the baby crocodiles will be raised at a conservation centre until they are mature enough to be released into the wild, Eng Mengey of WCS, told AFP. WCS said it was the first Siamese Crocodile nest found in the Sre Ambel river system during six years of research. Earlier this year the group found a nest in the same river system belonging to Cambodia's Royal Turtle, an uplifting discovery for another reptile on the brink of extinction. Deforestation and poaching have devastated many species in Cambodia, one of Asia's poorest and most corrupt nations. In its haste to develop, the government has been criticised for allowing firms to clear hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest land -- including in protected zones -- for everything from rubber and sugar cane plantations to hydropower dams. Japanese police fanned out across Tokyo on the busiest shareholders' meeting day of the year as diehard corporate gangsters are roaming for their annual prey About 1,000 police fanned out across Tokyo on Thursday in a dragnet aimed at nabbing gangsters notorious for extorting companies on Japan's busiest shareholder meeting day of the year. The annual cat-and-mouse hunt targets hoods who threaten to disrupt investor gatherings unless the company hosting the event pays them off, a longstanding racket known as sokaiya in Japanese. Television footage Thursday showed cops in dark business suits and carrying leather briefcases making their way to meetings across Japan's sprawling capital. "I want you to take swift and appropriate action, including on-the-spot arrests, if you see sokaiya or other crimes," Hiroshi Okano, an official at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's organised crime bureau, told the officers. "Please be on high alert," he added. Some 340 companies were reportedly holding their annual shareholder meetings in Tokyo Thursday, with around 1,200 meetings held through the month of June. The disruptions at meetings -- such as shouting down executives, revealing real or imagined company secrets, and making threats -- has declined over the decades as tougher criminal penalties were adopted to crack down on the problem. But some 230 groups and individuals were still involved in the practice as recently as this year, while hundreds more show up at companies' headquarters to demand money, according to national police data. The illegal practice, which peaked before Japan's bubble economy crashed in the early nineties, was once so widespread that some firms assigned employees to funnel cash to Yakuza crime syndicates. That led many firms to start holding their shareholder meetings on the same day to reduce the chance of being targeted. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gestures during his trial in Jerusalem on May 25, 2015 Former prime minister Ehud Olmert was granted early release Thursday from a 27-month prison sentence for corruption scandals that rocked Israeli politics and made him the first ex-premier to serve jail time. A six-person parole board overruled the state attorney office's objections and "ordered the early release of the prisoner," its decision said. The 71-year-old Olmert, premier between 2006 and 2009, was convicted of graft and entered prison in February 2016. He will have completed two-thirds of his sentence by the time of his release, scheduled for Sunday. The justice ministry and prosecution said they would not appeal. While Olmert's crimes were "severe," he was "punished for his deeds and paid a heavy price," the parole board said. "The inmate underwent a significant rehabilitation process in prison and displays motivation to continue it," it added. "All this significantly diminishes the risk he will deviate again from honest practice." Olmert's lawyer Shani Illouz said the former prime minister was "happy" but concerned about fresh allegations against him involving a book he is writing. "The committee accepted all our arguments," Illouz told public radio after the decision was read out in the Maasiyahu prison in central Israel. "As of now, Olmert will be released on Sunday." Olmert is Israel's first former premier to serve jail time. He resigned as prime minister in September 2008 after police recommended he be indicted for graft, but remained in office until March 2009, when right-wing Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in to the post, which he has held ever since. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (C) arrives at the Maasiyahu Prison in the central Israeli city of Ramla on February 15, 2016 as he begins a 19-month term for bribery and obstruction of justice Olmert won international acclaim for relaunching peace efforts with the Palestinians at the Annapolis conference in the United States in 2007, but they failed to bear fruit and the corruption charges against him have come to define his legacy. The parole committee's decision comes after Olmert was rushed to hospital after experiencing chest pains in prison last week. The former premier underwent examinations which determined he was healthy and he returned to prison after a number of days. A picture of a gaunt Olmert in hospital robes eating from plastic utensils found its way to social media, evoking a wave of sympathy from the public as well as politicians calling for his early release. - 'Impeccable' prison behaviour - Even with his impending release, Olmert could still face new criminal charges. Earlier this month, the state attorney's office instructed police to investigate suspicions Olmert had smuggled a chapter of a book he was writing out of prison, an act that would constitute a felony due to the "secretive" content, the justice ministry said. Police had raided the office of the Yediot Aharonot publisher and seized Olmert's manuscript as well as other materials out of fears their dissemination -- prior to the mandatory censorship they would be subject to -- could cause "severe security damage", the ministry said. The investigation was ongoing, with the state attorney's office expected to announce in the coming days whether it would seek to press charges against Olmert over his conduct around the book. The Holyland apartment complex in Jerusalem, which was at the centre of the charges against former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, as seen on April 21, 2010 Olmert's original 27-month prison term was comprised of 18 months for taking bribes in the early 2000s in connection with the construction of Jerusalem's massive Holyland residential complex, eight months for a separate case of fraud and corruption, and another month for obstructing justice. The main convictions against him dated to before his time as prime minister, to the years when he served as mayor of Jerusalem and economy minister, among other positions. In a video message released just before he began his sentence, Olmert, a debonair man reputed to have a taste for fine cigars, maintained his innocence. "You can imagine how painful and strange this change is to me, my family, loved ones and supporters," said Olmert, looking haggard and downcast. "I totally deny all the bribe charges attributed to me." He added that "over the course of my extensive career I also made mistakes, though none of them were criminal by nature in my opinion. I'm paying a dear price for some of them today, perhaps too dear. "With a very heavy heart, I'm accepting my sentence today. Nobody is above the law." Olmert is the second high-level Israeli politician to be granted parole in recent months. In December, Israeli ex-president Moshe Katsav was freed from prison after prosectors declined to appeal a parole board decision to release him after he served five years of a seven-year term for rape. Three non-governmental associations accuse the French bank BNP Paribas of financing the purchase of "80 tonnes of arms used to carry out genocide" by Rwanda's Hutu regime in 1994 Three non-governmental associations said Thursday that they had filed a lawsuit against BNP Paribas accusing the bank of "complicity" in the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi minority in Rwanda. The groups accuse the French bank of financing the purchase of "80 tonnes of arms used to carry out genocide" by the Hutu regime, even though "the bank had to have known the genocidal intentions of the country's authorities." BNP authorised the transfer of $1.3 million (1.1 million euros at current rates) to the regime in June 1994, one month after the United Nations had placed an embargo on weapons deliveries to Rwanda, the groups said in a statement. They accuse the bank of "complicity in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity". A spokesman for the bank told AFP it could not comment on the claims, saying it did not yet have "sufficient details". The groups allege that BNP authorised the transfer of the money that was held by Rwanda's national bank (BNR) to an account held at Swiss bank UBP by Willem Tertius Ehlers, a South African intermediary who owned an arms-dealing brokerage called Delta Aero. The four-month genocide led to the massacre of about 800,000 people, mostly from Rwanda's Tutsi minority. The lawsuit was filed in France by Sherpa, which defends victims of economic crimes; Ibuka France, a Rwanda victims' association; and the France-based Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda, which pursues claims against genocide suspects. Kigali has repeatedly accused Paris of having a hand in the genocide and of being slow to prosecute some of its kingpins living in France. NATO is to increase its troop numbers in Afghanistan but the soldiers will not be in combat roles: Stoltenberg NATO allies will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan to help the government battle a resurgent Taliban but there is no question of returning to a combat role, the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday. NATO ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014 when it handed over frontline duties to the Afghan military and took on an advice and training mission, but recent Taliban gains have dented hopes of a quick end to the war. As he arrived for a defence ministers meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue, Stoltenberg said the 29 NATO allies were considering an increase of several thousand soldiers. "I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," he said. "We have to understand this is about training, assistance, advice... It is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight." Additional troops now could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, he added. Stoltenberg did not give exact figures but diplomatic sources say an increase of up to 3,000 troops is under consideration. The alliance currently has about 13,500 soldiers in what is known as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, of which half are from the US. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is due to brief the allies later Thursday but Stoltenberg said he did not expect him to give specific troop numbers. "We will look into how we together can... have enough troops to help the government and break the stalemate and so lay the ground for a political solution," Stoltenberg said. Separately, British Defence Minister Michael Fallon said London would provide just under 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. Like Stoltenberg, Fallon emphasised that the troops would have no combat role and that the deployment was needed to help Afghanistan combat terrorism which threatened regions across the globe, including Europe. "There is every incentive to stay the course," he said. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum unveils the United Arab Emirates' mission to Mars on May 6, 2015 The ruler of Dubai has taken to verse to urge Qatar to concede to the demands of Saudi Arabia and its allies for an end to a crippling embargo. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who is also vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, is the latest in a long line of world leaders to turn to poetry to convey their message. In the poem, posted on Instagram late on Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed urged Qatar to abandon its independent foreign policy and return to the Gulf fold. "Of one origin, people, existence/one flesh and blood, one land and faith," he wrote. "Yet Qatar turns to the nearby stranger, to the weak," he added, alluding to Doha's refusal to join the Riyadh-led boycott of Tehran. "Now is the time to unite, one heart/to protect one another beyond hate." The poem garnered more than 80,000 likes overnight. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and its allies Egypt and Bahrain severed all ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of support for extremist groups -- a claim Doha denies. They closed their airspace to Qatari carriers and blocked the emirate's only land border, a vital route for its food imports. They also ordered all Qataris to leave and their own nationals to return home. Last week, Riyadh laid down a list of 13 "non-negotiable" demands for Doha, including ending its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the closure of Al-Jazeera television, a downgrade of diplomatic ties with Iran and the shutdown of a Turkish military base in the emirate. The UAE ambassador to Russia Omar Ghobash warned in comments published by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Tuesday that Qatar could face further sanctions if it failed to meet the demands. Sheikh Mohammed is by no means the first world leader to turn to poetry. Former US president Jimmy Carter is a published poet. Barack Obama dabbled in poetry in the 1980s and his successor Donald Trump is now the unintentional author of a compilation of tweets and quotes entitled "Bard of the Deal: The poetry of Donald Trump". Bosnian Serb psychiatrist-turned-politician Radovan Karadzic, sentenced to 40 years in jail by a UN court last year for his part in the 1995 genocide of Muslims in the town of Srebrenica, also fancied himself as a poet, releasing a collection of poetry and a novel, "Miraculous Chronicles of the Night". Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo (L) and his wife Liu Xia in Beijing in 2002 Terminally-ill Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo wants Chinese authorities to let him get treatment abroad, friends say, as officials said his cancer has spread throughout his body. Prominent Chinese dissident writer Liao Yiwu told AFP that Liu's wife sent a formal request to China's state security ministry for permission for the couple and her brother to leave the country. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for "subversion" after calling for democratic reforms, was released on medical parole after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer last month, his lawyer said this week. His wife, Liu Xia, sent the request before the diagnosis, but family friends say the couple wants the 61-year-old democracy campaigner to be treated abroad. "I learned two weeks ago that Liu Xiaobo said that if he dies, he wants to die in the West," Liao, a family friend who lives in Germany, said in a phone interview. Another friend, who requested anonymity out of fear of persecution, told AFP he had received similar information from family sources. Amnesty International China researcher Patrick Poon, citing people close to the family, said: "Liu Xia indeed wants Liu Xiaobo to get medical care abroad." But the rights watchdog was unable to verify if Liu Xiaobo himself has expressed those wishes. The state security ministry could not be reached for comment. Liao said he also received a handwritten letter from Liu's wife in April in which she says her husband wants to leave China. "I am sick of my life, this grotesque life... I long to escape," Liu Xia, who has suffered from heart problems and depression, writes in the missive, which Liao posted online. "I can hardly believe that Xiaobo agreed to leave China together with me and (my brother). I am grateful to you and to our friends for everything you've been doing and cannot wait to embrace you," it added. Liao said he sent the letter to the US and German governments. The US and German embassies in Beijing declined to comment. The new US ambassador to Beijing, Terry Branstad, said on Wednesday he would like to see Liu have the option of treatment abroad, echoing a growing chorus of Chinese and foreign human rights activists. The French foreign ministry called on China to release Liu on humanitarian grounds and ensure he gets "all the necessary treatment in the place of his choosing". Taiwan on Wednesday offered him medical treatment in a move that could stoke tensions between China and the self-ruled island. Asked to respond to Taiwan's offer, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Thursday said: "What you're talking about is China's internal affairs. It has no concern with China's diplomacy." - Prison video surfaces - Authorities in the northeastern city of Shenyang, where Liu is being treated, said late Wednesday that he was taken to a hospital after he was found to be unwell on May 31. On June 7, cancer experts at China Medical University No 1 Hospital determined that Liu had "liver cancer with systemic metastasis", meaning it has spread to the rest of his body, the Shenyang legal bureau said in a statement. Liu's wife and other family members were with him at the hospital and they expressed "satisfaction" with the treatment, the statement said. Meanwhile, a video showing Liu undergoing medical exams in prison was posted on YouTube by US-based Chinese-language news site Boxun late Wednesday. In the video, Liu says he is "grateful" for the "really good care" he has received from prison doctors. Liu is seen playing badminton in a prison yard, getting an ultrasound and undergoing a CT scan. Speaking with his wife in a prison visiting room divided by glass, Liu tells her that he "had a physical exam, they took blood... it's very good." Boxun did not specify where the footage came from or where and when it was filmed. Amnesty questioned the timing of the video's release and its source. "If the video was leaked by authorities, this would show how anxious the Chinese government is to justify its treatment of Liu Xiaobo," Poon said. Rights groups have also warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims -- often on the pretext of protecting cows -- and urged the country's Hindu nationalist government to act Indian police said Thursday they have arrested four people over the murder of a 15-year-old boy on a train, the latest in a slew of hate crimes against Muslims in the largely Hindu nation. A group of men attacked Junaid Khan and his three brothers last week in an apparent row over seats as they travelled home by train from New Delhi, killing him and injuring one of his brothers. One brother said the attackers accused them of carrying beef, a meat popular among many Indian Muslims but shunned by most of the country's Hindus, who revere cows as sacred. Deputy superintendent Mohinder Singh said police had arrested four men and identified the chief suspect in the killing, who had yet to be arrested. Media reports said two of the men arrested were local government employees. "We have also taken many eye witness accounts from the daily travellers on this route and are focusing on arresting the knife attacker," said Singh by telephone from Faridabad in northern Haryana state where the killing took place. The news came a day after protests were held in several Indian cities over the recent killings under the slogan "not in my name". Rights groups have also warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims -- often on the pretext of protecting cows -- and urged the country's Hindu nationalist government to act. "The pattern of hate crimes committed against Muslims with seeming impunity... is deeply worrying," said Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India, in a statement this week. The rights group said at least 10 Muslim men had been lynched or killed in public since April in suspected hate crimes. Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the vigilantes and urged a crackdown against groups using religion as a cover for committing crimes. Critics say vigilantes have been emboldened by the election in 2014 of his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party. The slaughter of cows and the possession or consumption of beef is banned in most Indian states, with some imposing life sentences for breaking the law. The US has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea to protect it from its neighbour as the North's leader Kim Jong-Un (C) ratchets up the regime's nuclear programme South Korea's new government will seek to sign a peace treaty with the North if it abandons its nuclear weapons, a minister said Thursday. Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-Sung's comments came hours before South Korea's new leader Moon Jae-In -- who backs engagement with Pyongyang -- was set to hold his first summit with US President Donald Trump, with the North's growing nuclear and missile threats casting a long shadow. The two Koreas are still technically at war because a peace treaty was never agreed to replace the 1953 armistice that ended the conflict on the peninsula. The US -- the South's security guarantor -- has 28,500 troops stationed in the country to protect it from its neighbour, and a treaty could entail their withdrawal, which has long been demanded by Pyongyang. "We have to get over the current unstable system of armistice and put an end to the war on the Korean peninsula that has not yet ended," Chun said in a keynote speech at a seminar. But a treaty could only be signed "at the stage of complete denuclearisation of the North", he added at the event organised by the Yonhap news agency. The previous conservative governments of ousted president Park Geun-Hye and her predecessor Lee Myung-Bak shied away from referring to a peace treaty. Signing a peace treaty with the United States used to be the North's standing demand in return for dismantling its nuclear programmes. But it is unclear if Pyongyang still holds that view, with the isolated regime saying it will never give up nuclear weapons as it denounces the "hostile" US policy towards it. On his plane to Washington, Moon told journalists Wednesday that the North should refrain from carrying out further tests and promise a nuclear freeze before dialogue could happen, while Seoul and Washington should consider what they could offer in return. "A nuclear freeze is the entrance to dialogue and a complete dismantlement of nuclear programmes will be the exit of the dialogue," Moon was quoted as saying by news reports. "Together with the nuclear dismantlement would come the establishment of a peace system on the Korean peninsula", Moon said, in an apparent reference to a treaty. A member of the Iraqi civil defence search and rescue team looks at rubble as they search for victims in western Mosul's Zanjili district on June 27, 2017 With snipers lurking on rooftops and bombs hidden in the rubble, rescue workers are risking their lives in a desperate search for civilians buried during the battle for Iraq's Mosul. Overwhelmed by a blazing sun and an unfathomable grief, Abdulrahman Mohammed and his brother Ammar smoke cigarettes in front of a digger as the workers clear through a mountain of debris in a cloud of dust. The bodies of their brother Ahmed and his family, who disappeared while fleeing fierce fighting between Iraqi forces and jihadists in west Mosul, are believed to be trapped underneath. After eliminating the last snipers of the Islamic State group lying in wait nearby, security forces on Tuesday allowed rescuers to tackle the debris. But after such a long wait, there is little hope of finding survivors without a miracle. "They've been buried for about three weeks, a whole family. It's a tragedy," Ammar says. Abdulrahman thinks it is still possible that Ahmed and his family might have left the house before the bombardment. "Our only hope is that we don't find them here," he says. On June 6, the Iraqi army advanced inside the Zanjili district, where many civilians were trapped in their homes by order of IS. - 'Mosul's the worst' - Exhausted and hungry, some seized the chance to try to escape, including Ahmed, his wife and their six children. But the family saw IS fighters coming and "took refuge with about 30 other civilians in the basement of a neighbouring house," says Abdulrahman. Inside, the group was desperately thirsty. A man volunteered to fetch water. On the way, a sniper's bullet went through his cheek. Wounded, he did not return. Iraqi civil defence search and rescue workers dig through rubble looking for the bodies of victims in western Mosul's Zanjili district on June 27, 2017 Minutes later, the house was hit by aerial bombardment that people in the neighbourhood blamed on the US-led coalition supporting Iraqi troops on the ground against the jihadists. "Maybe they made a mistake with the house or they bombed it because there were IS snipers on the roof," Abdulrahman says. The survivor told the two brothers, who alerted the civil defence, a unit within the interior ministry that has also helped victims in other parts of Iraq in recent years as the government retakes territory from IS. Their job: to rescue the living and collect the dead so they can be buried with dignity. "We did Fallujah, Ramadi... But Mosul's the worst," says Major Saad Nawzad Rasheed. His men sometimes arrive in time to save lives. Other times they are too late, hindered by snipers and makeshift bombs. - 'Too dangerous to dig' - "I've never seen so much destruction -- women and children affected -- all because of these dogs," Rasheed says, referring to the jihadists. Balanced on the edge of the heap of rubble, the digger struggles to clear the concrete blocks and twisted metal rods. After more than an hour at work, objects appear at the bottom of a hole several metres deep, including two children's dolls. After one more strike by the digger, a rescuer shouts: "Stop!" Abdulrahman and Ammar approach. There are no traces of their relatives at the bottom. But a little higher up there is an unexploded rocket, threatening to fall. Iraqi civil defence search and rescue workers search for the bodies of victims under the rubble of buildings following bombardment in western Mosul's Zanjili district on June 27, 2017 The excavator will not dig any more, especially since the army has just discovered two car bombs in the vicinity, one of which is less than 50 metres away. "It's too dangerous to dig in these conditions. We'll let the army clear any bombs first," Rasheed says. That means a delay of at least two days. It is a crushing blow for the brothers. But Abdulrahman still holds out hope. "Maybe they fled to the Old City," he says, pointing to the warren of alleyways from which black smoke rises on the horizon as Iraqi forces try to flush out jihadists holed up among tens of thousands of trapped civilians. Relatives carry the coffin of a Afghan National Army soldier killed during a Taliban attack in Takhar Province. NATO will supply more troops following recent Taliban gains Pentagon chief Jim Mattis told NATO allies Thursday they must finish the job in Afghanistan or risk terrorist revenge as the alliance readied a troop increase to counter a resurgent Taliban. Mattis however refused to give a firm number for how many troops US President Donald Trump would commit under a new strategy, just two years after NATO officially ended its post-9/11 combat role in Afghanistan. Recent Taliban gains have shaken confidence in Afghanistan's future and talk of sending NATO troops in has stoked fears the alliance could get sucked back into an unwinnable war just when it faces a host of new threats including Russia, terrorism and cyberattacks. "I don't put timelines on war, war is a fundamentally unpredictable phenomenon," the US defence secretary told reporters after meeting his counterparts from the 29-nation alliance. "The bottom line is that NATO has made a commitment to Afghanistan for freedom from fear and terror, and freedom from terror demands that you can't let this be undone." Citing both Afghanistan and "ungoverned spaces" in Syria and Iraq where the Islamic State group has flourished, the retired Marine general added: "You cannot say 'I am tired of it' and come home and then you get hit again." - 'Stalemate' at best - NATO currently has 13,500 troops in Afghanistan in the Resolute Support mission to "train, advise and assist" Afghan troops. Diplomatic sources said an increase of up to 3,000 was under considerations, while US officials say it might be nearer 4,000. The United States, which once had more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan, is preparing a new strategy for a war which has dragged on for 16 years and which even US generals concede is a "stalemate" at best. NATO played the lead role in fighting the Afghan war from 2003 to the end of 2014, when it handed frontline duties to the Afghan military. US defence minister James Mattis told NATO allies they must finish the job in Afghanistan. Mattis said that after talks with the allies about 70 percent of the new plan's requirements were in place and he looked forward to bridging the remaining gap. - 'The long haul' - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the alliance would increase troop numbers, with 15 countries having pledged more, but stressed there would be no new combat role. "We don't think it's going to be peaceful and no conflicts and no violence there this year or next year or in the near future, but we believe that Afghans (are) ... determined and committed to fight Taliban and to stabilise their own country," he said. The extra troops could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, the former Norwegian premier added. He insisted it was not wrong to end NATO's combat role in 2014, adding: "If anything, we should have done it before." Mattis however disagreed, saying there was "pretty much a consensus that we may have pulled our troops out a little too rapidly." British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would provide nearly 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. "We're in it for the long haul," Fallon told reporters. Mattis has stressed his new approach, due to be presented to Trump by mid-July, will have a broader "regional" emphasis, with no set timetable. Trump has remained remarkably taciturn on Afghanistan, but this month gave Mattis authority to set troop numbers at whatever level he saw fit. The US president used a summit last month to push NATO to do more to counter terror and for the allies to increase defence spending to ease the burden on Washington. - Terror, cyberattacks, Russia - Stung into action by Russia's intervention in Ukraine, NATO has embarked on its biggest military buildup since the end of the Cold War to face a more assertive Moscow. Defence ministers discussed progress just as four "tripwire" battalions totalling 4,000 troops complete their deployment in the three Baltic states and Poland. Stoltenberg warned that NATO must also step up its defences against cyberattacks after hackers caused chaos worldwide. The global terror threat was also high on the agenda after NATO leaders agreed at last month's summit to join the US-led anti-IS coalition. Stoltenberg said NATO would hold its next summit in Brussels in summer 2018. Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) made the assistance pledge during a visit by his Philippine counterpart Alan Peter Cayetano and pledged China's help with reconstruction efforts in the war-torn southern city of Marawi. China vowed Thursday to continue providing the Philippines with "necessary assistance", a day after Beijing donated thousands of weapons to the country to help its fight against Islamist gunmen. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a visit by his Philippine counterpart Alan Peter Cayetano and pledged China's help with reconstruction efforts in the war-torn southern city of Marawi. "Yesterday the first batch of emergency assistance was delivered to the Philippines," Wang told a joint news conference in Beijing. "In the future, in keeping with the Philippines' needs, we will continue to provide necessary assistance and help." The small shipment of assault and sniper rifles and ammunition is the first example of Chinese military aid since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to move away from Manila's traditional ally America and seek Beijing's support. The weapons shipment, worth some 50 million yuan ($7.35 million) "highlights the dawn of a new era in Philippine-Chinese relations", Duterte said. The US embassy said earlier this month that special forces were also assisting the Philippine military, although Duterte has said recently he had no knowledge about US technical assistance to the troops fighting in Marawi. China's foreign ministry on Thursday confirmed the Chinese defence ministry had delivered a "batch of counterterrorism material" at the request of the Philippine government but did not elaborate on its contents. The Philippines, which has a mutual defence treaty with the United States, has long relied on US-supplied arms. But in a swipe at America -- which has criticised his flagship war on drugs -- Duterte has said he will seek more weapons from China and Russia. Chinese ambassador Zhao Jianhua, who formally handed over the weapons on Wednesday, said a "second batch" would soon be delivered. "The donation is not big but it is big in the sense that it marks a new era in relations between our two militaries," Zhao said. Philippine troops, backed by airstrikes and artillery, have battled for over a month to drive the extremists out of Marawi but the militants have fought back. Wang said China would work with the Philippines to remove the "threat of illegal drugs and the breeding ground of terrorism". Despite the military intervention of a Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, the government's writ is still largely confined to the south and areas along the Saudi border Six soldiers were killed in Yemen on Thursday, a military source said, as government forces seek to cement their control over Marib province, east of the rebel-held capital. The source said 14 Shiite rebels were also killed over the past 24 hours in intense fighting for Sarwah, the last district in the mainly Sunni province still held by the rebels. The government has been battling since last year to retake the mountainous district which commands the main road to the capital Sanaa. Despite the military intervention of a Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, the government's writ is still largely confined to the south and areas along the Saudi border. The government announced a shake-up of its military command on Wednesday. It also named new governors for three of the six provinces largely under its control -- Hadramawt, Shabwa and the far-flung island of Socotra. Both Hadramawt and Shabwa have seen significant activity by Al-Qaeda, which has taken advantage of the conflict between the government and the rebels to expand its presence. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict, most of them civilians. The country has also been hit by a deadly cholera outbreak and faces the risk of famine. A fighter from the Syriac Military Council, a Christian militia fighting alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State (IS) group in Raqa, shows his tattoo of a cross and rosary beads An ivory-coloured rosary swings from the rearview mirror of Abboud Seryan's pickup truck as he speeds through Syria's Raqa, inspecting the positions of fellow Christian fighters taking on the Islamic State group. Lively music blasts through the car speakers while the thin 23-year-old, wearing a military-style cap and a revolver tucked into his waist, waves to comrades in the western district of Al-Romaniya. IS was ousted from the neighbourhood earlier this month as part of the US-backed offensive to defeat the jihadists in their northern Syrian bastion. The ground assault is being carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a majority Kurdish and Arab alliance, but dozens of Christians from the Syriac sect have also joined the fight. "We're participating in the liberation of Raqa in the name of all Syrians. There's no difference between Syriacs, Kurds, or Arabs. We're all brothers," Seryan says. The jihadists "blew up Raqa's churches and forced Christians to convert to Islam. This is also why we're participating in this battle." Thousands of Syriac Christians once lived in Raqa alongside Armenians, Kurds and the city's mainly Sunni Arab population, but many fled when IS overran the city in 2014. On June 29 of that year, IS declared the establishment of a self-styled "Islamic caliphate" straddling areas under its control in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. A fighter from the Syriac Military Council (SMC), Christian fighters supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State group, walks on the western outskirts of Raqa on June 27, 2017 Christians could remain in Raqa if they paid a special tax called the jizya or converted to Islam -- but many of them chose to flee. - 'Bullet in his head' - As the fightback against IS intensified the Syriac Military Council (SMC) -- formed in 2013 to defend the community during Syria's civil war -- joined with the SDF. After a months-long operation to encircle Raqa, the SDF burst into the city on June 6 and are chipping away at jihadist-held districts, with help from heavy US-led coalition air strikes. Now the SMC's fighters are battling jihadists on the frontline in Raqa, some proudly wearing their religion on their sleeves -- literally. Many fighters have tattoos of rosaries inked around their wrists and the word "JESUS" printed down their forearms. From an SMC position in Al-Romaniya, its fighters look out over a landscape of buildings perforated with gaping holes, collapsed rooftops and concrete walls spilling into the streets. "The coalition air force carried out intense strikes... This is why there's a lot of destruction in this neighbourhood," Seryan says. Aleksan Chmou, a Syriac fighter in a beige cap, says Syriac fighters coordinate closely with the SDF's other factions. He says he is driven to fight by IS atrocities against Syria's minorities. "I'm sacrificing for what they did to our people, our sects, for the churches they blew up. For all these things," Chmou says. "Our Messiah Jesus Christ has a saying: if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your left cheek to him," the 28-year-old says. "But for me, if someone slaps me on my right cheek, I'm going to put a bullet in his head." - 'Nothing will stop me' - A fighter from the Syriac Military Council (SMC), Christian fighters supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against the Islamic State group, guards a lookout point on the western outskirts of Raqa on June 27, 2017 Most Syriac fighters in Raqa are young, like 23-year-old Fadi. "In some neighbourhoods, we are on the front lines of the fight," he says, squinting in the sun as beads of sweat form on his temples. "We received military training and put on this uniform to fight Daesh, liberate our people and all the peoples of this region," he says, using the Arabic acronym for IS. His fellow militiamen have taken up position in a house overlooking IS-held neighbourhoods. As sniper fire and explosions echo around them, some Syriac fighters take a short break to sip tea, drag on cigarettes, or disassemble and clean their weapons. The SMC has even attracted foreign volunteers, with a Briton and an American serving in this unit. The American -- a blue-eyed, blond sniper -- aims his rifle out of a window at nearby IS posts as the British fighter behind him looks out with binoculars. An American sniper with the Syriac Military Council (SMC), Christian fighters battling alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State group, on the western outskirts of Raqa on June 27, 2017 The sniper's arms and neck are covered in tattoos. The motto of a regiment of the French foreign legion -- "Rien n'empeche," or "Nothing will stop me" -- is inked above his right eyebrow. After a breathless moment, he fires. "Good, good!" a Syriac fighter behind him says in English as the sniper pumps his hand into the air and breaks out into a grin. The Liaoning, a secondhand Soviet ship built nearly 30 years ago was commissioned in the Chinese Navy in 2012 A Chinese aircraft carrier is steaming towards Hong Kong for celebrations marking 20 years since Britain gave back the former colony, in a clear display of China's military might. China's national defence ministry said Thursday that the Liaoning was part of a flotilla on a "routine training mission" and would make a port of call in Hong Kong. The Liaoning, a secondhand Soviet ship built nearly 30 years ago and commissioned in 2012, will arrive at a time when fears are growing that Beijing is tightening its grip over the semi-autonomous city. President Xi Jinping arrived on Thursday amid tight security in the normally throbbing city where officials are anxious to ensure nothing taints his high-profile visit or the festivities. The Liaoning will participate in activities marking the 20th anniversary of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) entering the city, defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian told reporters. The PLA has a garrison in central Hong Kong and is responsible for defending the city, but only recruits mainland Chinese citizens. Hong Kong does not have its own separate army. After the handover in 1997 some feared the PLA would be heavy-handed, given the army's crackdown on student protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989. Instead they have maintained a very low profile and are barred from interfering in local affairs. The Liaoning left the Chinese city of Qingdao on Sunday, the official Xinhua news agency reported earlier. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said there is no basis to the allegations by Qatar's neighbours that the emirate supports extremist groups The defence minister of Qatar is to visit its ally Turkey on Friday, state media reported, as Ankara resists pressure to shutter a military base in the emirate's unresolved row with Gulf neighbours. Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah will meet with Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik at the defence ministry in Ankara, the state-run news agency Anadolu said on Thursday. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain announced on June 5 the suspension of political, economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the emirate of support for extremist groups. Doha denies the claims and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said there is no basis to the allegations and offered Qatar Turkey's support. Turkey has provided food and other aid via hundreds of planes and a cargo ship, although Ankara's attempts to mediate between the sides have so far come to nothing. Crucially, Ankara is also setting up a military base on the emirate that is set to give Turkey a new foothold in the Gulf. A bill was fast-tracked through the Turkish parliament this month as the crisis broke out giving Ankara a mandate to send up to several thousand troops to the base. An initial contingent of 23 soldiers and five armoured vehicles arrived in Qatar on June 22. Last week Riyadh and its allies issued 13 demands to Qatar, including the shutdown of the Turkish military base, or face further sanctions. Erdogan hit back at the Saudi-led demands, calling the sweeping demands "against international law" and saying that asking for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Qatar was a "disrespect to Turkey." Yet Ankara has also been careful not to directly criticise Riyadh and previously urged the kingdom to lead attempts to solve the crisis. Brett McGurk, the US envoy for the coalition bombing the Islamic State group, arrives for a meeting in the Syrian town of Tabqa, west of the IS stronghold city of Raqa, on June 29, 2017 The White House envoy to the US-led coalition bombing the Islamic State group, Brett McGurk, met on Thursday with local officials in the northern Syrian town of Tabqa. IS jihadists were ousted from Tabqa and an adjacent dam on May 10 by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as part of the group's flagship offensive for Raqa city further east. On Thursday, McGurk met with members of the Tabqa Civil Council, which is administering the town's day-to-day affairs. McGurk was dressed in a crisp white shirt and was accompanied by deputy commander for the coalition, British Army Major General Rupert Jones, as well as other coalition officials and SDF members. The visit came a day after McGurk met with members of the Raqa Civil Council, the body expected to run the northern city after IS's expected fall there. The US-backed SDF has ousted IS from around a quarter of Raqa city. For now, the Raqa Civil Council is based in the town of Ain Issa to the north. "The discussion centred on relief efforts," said SDF public relations chief Omar Alloush, who was present in the meeting with McGurk. Alloush said McGurk pledged the coalition would continue their efforts to push IS out of Raqa and would support reconstruction efforts, including re-instating schools. US officials, including McGurk and the head of Central Command Joseph Votel, have met with senior SDF commanders during several visits to northern Syria. The coalition began carrying out air strikes on IS in Syria in September 2014. Earlier this year, the alliance bombed pro-government forces for the first time in southeastern Syria. The conflict in Syria erupted in March 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad, but it has since evolved into a complex war drawing in international powers. "As we look to the future, Britain hopes that Hong Kong will make more progress towards a fully democratic and accountable system of government," Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a video message UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday urged democratic progress in Hong Kong, 20 years after Britain returned the semi-autonomous city to China. "The rule of law, an independent judiciary, and a free media have all been central to Hong Kong's success. "As we look to the future, Britain hopes that Hong Kong will make more progress towards a fully democratic and accountable system of government," Johnson said in a video message. Saturday marks came two decades after China reclaimed Hong Kong, having signed a "one country, two systems" handover deal with Britain which gave it rights unseen on the mainland. With activists under arrest and amid tight security, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday for a series of celebrations. While some residents will celebrate the anniversary, pro-democracy campaigners have warned that the 1997 agreement is being eroded as Beijing tightens its grip on freedoms in Hong Kong. Xi said he wants to ensure the continuation of the "one country, two systems" set-up, while Johnson stressed Britain's commitment to the historic agreement. "I've no doubt that Hong Kong's future success will depend on the rights and freedoms protected by that treaty. "In that spirit, it's essential that the principle of 'one country, two systems' should continue to provide the basis of Hong Kong's way of life into the future," Johnson said. Xi's three-day visit comes three years after "Umbrella Movement" protesters crippled the city for months as they camped out on thoroughfares, calling for reforms and the protection of Hong Kong's unique status. A huge security operation has been put in place for the Chinese president's visit and the anniversary celebrations, with thousands of police deployed to keep demonstrators away. A French soldier looks at debris of the Air Algerie Flight AH 5017 in Mali's Gossi region, west of Gao on July 26, 2014 Spanish plane leasing company Swiftair was charged Thursday in a French probe into the crash of an Air Algerie plane in Mali in 2014 in which 116 people died, a judicial source said. Investigating magistrates believe there were serious lapses in the training of the pilots, the source told AFP. The leasing company faces a number of charges including manslaughter and negligence or failure to ensure safety. On July 24, 2014, the McDonnell Douglas that was leased by Swiftair to Air Algerie crashed in northern Mali with 110 passengers on board, including 54 French citizens, 23 Burkina Faso nationals, and six Spanish crew. An expert opinion prepared for the investigation found the crash of Flight AH5017 was caused by the pilots' failure to activate a system to prevent icing of the engine probes. That led the plane to lose speed and plummet downwards in a movement that could not be reversed. The expert findings, seen by AFP, say the training of the two pilots was "insufficient and incomplete" and they "failed to detect, or realised very late" that the plane was losing speed. The report also found that the two pilots only flew a few months a year with long gaps between flights, contributing to "a lowering of their level of performance when confronted with unusual situations". Hun Sen is one of the world's longest serving leaders, running Cambodia for the last 32 years. He tolerates little dissent and in recent years critics and rights activists have found themselves increasingly pursued through the courts Five prominent Cambodian rights activists have been released on bail after more than a year in jail, a court official confirmed on Thursday, although they still face prosecution in a case that has drawn widespread criticism. Four staff and one former employee of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) were jailed in April last year during the fallout of a sex-scandal that engulfed an opposition leader. Authorities accused the five of encouraging a 25-year-old hairdresser who allegedly had an affair with the politician to deny their tryst, and they were charged with bribing a witness. Supporters and rights groups accused the government of strongman premier Hun Sen of using the scandal to crack down on a rights group that had become a thorn in the side of his increasingly autocratic administration. In a surprise move late Thursday, the five were released, greeted by relatives and monks who blessed them with holy water. "The investigating judge has decided to end the provisional detention of the five suspects," Y Rin, a spokesman for the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, told AFP. He said the five suspects were under court monitoring restrictions and barred from leaving Cambodia without court's permission until their trial. One of the released, Ny Sokha, struck a defiant tone as he spoke to reporters. "We received an injustice but we will love our work even more," he said. International and local rights groups criticised the lengthy pre-trial detention of the five activists while the United Nations described their jailing as "arbitrary". Hun Sen is one of the world's longest serving leaders, running the impoverished but fast growing nation for the last 32 years. He tolerates little dissent and in recent years critics and rights activists have found themselves increasingly pursued through the courts. Amnesty International said some 27 political prisoners had been placed behind bars since 2013, with dozens of ongoing prosecutions against others. Supporters see the 64-year-old Hun Sen as a beacon of stability while detractors accuse him and a coterie of allies of huge self-enrichment, corruption and autocracy. The opposition has proven particularly popular among young voters, who often complain about a culture of corruption that only seems to benefit a wealthy elite or those with the right connections. Hun Sen faces a national election next year and has vowed "civil war" if he is toppled. Teodorin Obiang, vice-president of Equatorial Guinea and son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, is being tried in absentia in France for plundering the country's coffers to finance his luxury lifestyle Teodorin Obiang, Equatorial Guinea's vice president and son of its leader, denounced a French legal case against him Thursday as a fabricated vendetta designed to damage the country's government. The 47-year-old, known for his taste for fast cars, luxury homes and bespoke suits, is charged with plundering Equatorial Guinea's coffers to fund a jetset lifestyle in France. In his first comments since the prosecution opened on June 19, Obiang, who is being tried in absentia, rubbished the case, calling it a "farce without any legal basis". "It is a fabrication against the legal government of Equatorial Guinea and against Africa," he said at a Pan-African Youth Forum in the Chadian capital N'Djamena. Obiang is accused of using more than 100 million euros ($112 million) of state money -- proceeds of corruption and embezzlement, prosecutors allege -- to buy a six-storey mansion on Avenue Foch, one of Paris's swankiest streets, as well as a collection of Italian supercars. He denies the charges, says the money came from legitimate sources and has countered that the property purchase was not prohibited under French law in any case. The charges, which include embezzlement of public funds, abuse of trust and corruption, carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 50 million euros. In 2012, French authorities swooped on the Avenue Foch mansion, seizing it along with a fleet of luxury cars including two Bugatti Veyrons and a Rolls-Royce Phantom. But in December, the ICJ -- the UN's top court -- ordered France to "take all measures at its disposal" to ensure the mansion, which Equatorial Guinea calls a diplomatic mission, be treated the same as all other diplomatic locations under the Geneva Convention. France disputes that claim. The trial, scheduled to close July 6, is the first arising from an unprecedented investigation into the French assets of a trio of African leaders accused of leading a life of luxury abroad while their citizens live in poverty. It sets a precedent for France which has long turned a blind eye to African dictators parking ill-gotten gains in Parisian real estate and luxury products. On Tuesday the case attracted attention when former British mercenary Simon Mann said US billionaire George Soros had plotted to overthrow Obiang's father, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Mann was testifying on behalf of the younger Obiang. A former British special forces officer who was educated at the elite Eton College, Mann led a 2004 coup plot to overthrow the elder Obiang but was arrested in Zimbabwe before and jailed. In 2008, he was extradited to Equatorial Guinea, but released a year later after being pardoned by Obiang. British company Tullow Oil announced the discovery of oil in Turkana county, Kenya, in 2012 but plans to start exporting in June have been delayed Kenya has delayed plans to export its first oil in June by three months to better negotiate revenue sharing with the local community, the country's energy minister said Thursday. The announcement comes after reports in local media of security challenges in the arid northwestern Turkana region with a wave of attacks on workers upgrading the road on which oil is to be trucked to the coast. Government and the local community have been at loggerheads over the sharing of oil profits, and government wants to wait until after August polls to introduce legislation on revenue sharing. "We do not want to start the export without having a clear picture of revenue sharing, we have to wait for the Senate to be formed, hopefully we will start the export after the election and when we have a Senate to approve the bill," said Energy Minister Charles Keter. Originally the local community was to get five percent of revenues, the county government 20 percent and national government 75 percent. However locals have demanded their share increase to 10 percent. British company Tullow announced the discovery of oil in Kenya in March 2012. Since then reserves totalling 750 million barrels have been found. A pilot programme trucking 2,000 barrels a day by road from Turkana to Mombasa, more than 1,000 kilometres, was planned from June. Upgrades on the congested and badly maintained roads are also behind schedule. The oil will be trucked until the construction of a 900 kilometre (560 mile) pipeline to a new port to be constructed at Lamu on the Indian Ocean coast, only due to start next year and be completed in 2020. The early oil export is seen as a way to test the market before rolling out the expected 100,000 barrels a day when the pipeline has been built. While government insists the pilot programme will be profitable, observers told AFP in March it would actually lose money due to the small volumes exported and low oil prices, and predicted the scheme would be delayed. The delay is a blow to Kenya's ruling party ahead of the election, with the first export of oil having been seen as a major boon to their campaign for re-election. MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski, pictured at a 2015 event in New York, did not seem deterred by Trump's tweet, responding with her own social media taunt Donald Trump unleashed a brutal personal attack Thursday on respected female television host Mika Brzezinski, sparking an instant backlash, in the latest stunning salvo in the president's ongoing war with the media. Trump's Twitter outburst -- in which he describes the journalist "bleeding badly from a facelift" -- appears to have been triggered by Brzezinski's sharp comments during the morning show she co-hosts with Joe Scarborough on the left-leaning MSNBC network. "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore)," wrote Trump, an avid cable news watcher. "Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" he tweeted. In recent days Trump has escalated his attacks on US media outlets -- which he accuses of peddling "fake news" about him -- singling out CNN over the retraction of a story about his administration's supposed links with Russia, but also assailing rival cable networks, the New York Times and the Washington Post. But the vulgarity of his latest assault triggered a torrent of criticism including within his own party. "Inappropriate. Undignified. Unpresidential," tweeted Jeb Bush, Trump's rival for the White House nomination last year, while the top Republican on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Paul Ryan, conceded the president's comments were "not appropriate." "What we're trying to do around here is improve the tone, the civility of the debate. And this obviously doesn't help do that," Ryan told a news conference. - 'Fights fire with fire' - Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders was staunch in defending her boss. "I think that the president has been attacked mercilessly on personal accounts by members on that program, and I think he's been very clear that when he gets attacked, he's going to hit back," she told the daily White House briefing. "I think the American people elected somebody who's tough, who's smart, and who's a fighter, and that's Donald Trump. And I don't think that it's a surprise to anybody that he fights fire with fire." "He's not going to sit back and be attacked by the liberal media, Hollywood elites," she added. But at least half a dozen Republican lawmakers judged the president had crossed a line. "Please just stop," wrote Senator Ben Sasse on Twitter. "This isn't normal and it's beneath the dignity of your office." "This is not okay," agreed Kansas lawmaker Lynn Jenkins. The Trump-Brzezinski feud lit up the internet, where critics were reminded of Trump's notorious attack last August on Fox reporter Megyn Kelly, who he said had "blood coming out of her wherever" after she challenged him in a campaign debate. - 'Out of his mind' - Brzezinski's employer MSNBC sprang to her defense, tweeting: "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job." But the TV host herself -- whose father was Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to Jimmy Carter -- appeared uncowed. She responded with a post of her own, a photo of a young child reaching for Cheerios cereal. "Made for little hands," the caption read -- a schoolyard taunt that has been leveled against the image-conscious Trump since the days of his candidacy. In her Thursday show, Brzezinski had suggested the president was psychologically unhinged. "Everybody in Washington, in the administration, needs to look at this from... a point of view where they're not lobotomized because you're sitting in there and you're so scared of him, and you think you need to suck up to the president." If a boss at NBC, MSNBC's parent company, "started tweeting wildly about people's appearances, bullying people, talking about people in the competition, lying every day, undermining his managers, throwing them under the (bus) -- that person would be thrown out. "There would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind." Early in the 2016 campaign the "Morning Joe" hosts were accused of being too friendly with Trump, a frequent guest on air. The relationship however soured last August, when Trump tweeted: "Some day, when things calm down, I'll tell the real story of @JoeNBC and his very insecure long-time girlfriend, @morningmika. Two clowns!" Brzezinski, 50, is engaged to marry her co-host Scarborough, 54, a Republican former congressman. Benin's President Patrice Talon is back in Paris for health reasons Benin President Patrice Talon has returned to Paris for a "routine" health check after having two operations in France earlier this month, the presidency said on Thursday. The 59-year-old head of state left Wednesday evening from Cotonou after chairing a cabinet meeting. "He announced at the cabinet meeting that he was returning to France because he had an appointment with doctors for a routine check following his operation," presidency spokesman Wilfried Houngbedji told AFP. A source at the airport in Cotonou confirmed Talon's departure. Houngbedji did not specify when Talon is expected to return, but did say the president would be on hand for a cabinet meeting scheduled for next Wednesday, he added. On June 19, the presidency announced in a statement that Talon had undergone two operations on his prostate and digestive system during his almost month-long stay in Paris. The statement referred to, among other things, a "lesion... discovered at an early stage" in his prostate. It said the surgery allowed treatment "without need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy" but made no mention of cancer. A "digestive complication" required a second operation a few days later, the presidency said, adding that Talon was "totally recovered" upon his return to Benin on June 18. Talon's prolonged absence sparked controversy in Benin, forcing the government to deny rumours about his health. Talon's transparency about his health is rare among African presidents, who are often treated abroad and do not usually disclose details of their illnesses. Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, for example, has been receiving treatment in London for almost two months but his administration has refused to disclose any information about his illness. Nigerians who fled into Cameroon to escape Boko Haram jihadists have been returning amid government claims the extremists are "technically defeated" -- but continuing attacks have stretched camps for those made homeless to breaking point An upsurge in Boko Haram attacks and returnees from Cameroon are stretching camps for those made homeless by the conflict to breaking point, as the UN warned against forcing people back to northeast Nigeria. Obinna Orjingene is a doctor for UNICEF in the town of Banki, near the border with Cameroon, where the population has jumped from 32,000 to 45,000 in the last few months alone. He is part of a small, overworked medical team treating everything from malaria and trauma to malnutrition in the overcrowded camp for the displaced. "A population of over 40,000 people with just one medical doctor is crazy," he told AFP from Banki by telephone. "It's overwhelming." But he said the situation is replicated across the remote region. "I'm quite aware that some camps don't have doctors. There are a lot of challenges." - Rounded up - A total of 889 Nigerian refugees arrived in Banki from the Minawao camp in Cameroon on June 17, prompting the UN high commissioner for refugees to speak out. Filippo Grandi said he was "extremely worried" by the returns and called them "unsustainable". Attacks and kidnappings by Boko Haram insurgents have prompted the UN to warn against forcing people back over the border from Cameroon to camps "dangerously unprepared to receive them" The UN refugee agency on Thursday said 887 Nigerians were "rounded up" into six trucks and forcibly returned by Cameroon to camps "dangerously unprepared to receive them". Like other camps, Banki remains vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks and has been targeted by suicide bombers. The camp lies inside the old walls of the destroyed city and people, unable to leave because of the militants nearby, depend on handouts for food. Water and shelter are scarce and children are not in school. Boko Haram fighters are said to be responsible for the gunfire heard at night. - Forced movement - "In the last month we've had a precipitous return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon that wasn't necessarily expected," said UNHCR Representative to Nigeria Jose Antonio Canhandula. "They apparently were informed that the situation was good in Nigeria and they could return. "We immediately started a campaign to inform them of the real situation. This is not the time to return, because when you return you end up in a camp with much less services." Cameroon and Nigeria have been battling over refugees for the past year, said Yan St-Pierre, of the Modern Security Consulting Group in Berlin. In March, the UN said that more than 2,600 Nigerians of an estimated 85,000 who fled into northern Cameroon to escape Boko Haram jihadists had been forced to go home. In a way, Cameroon is calling Nigeria's bluff, St-Pierre said. Since December 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has claimed Boko Haram is "technically defeated" and the government has insisted the group is on the back foot despite attacks. In the first six months of 2017, Boko Haram has attacked soldiers, staged assaults on military bases, killed scores in suicide bombings and earlier in June launched a major assault on Maiduguri, the capital of northeast Borno state. "It's a political way of taking them to the word, saying, 'Well, if you've secured the area, then take your population back'," said St-Pierre. - Resurgence in attacks - In March, the UNHCR, Nigeria and Cameroon signed an agreement that outlined a procedure for voluntary returns of refugees. Yet critics suspect Cameroon is trying to minimise its humanitarian responsibilities to focus on security because of an increase in attacks. Last week six people were killed in a double suicide attack in Kolofata, a town near the Nigerian border that has been repeatedly targeted. Cameroon for its part suspects the increase in attacks is down to the infiltration of insurgents among Nigerian refugees and blames Nigeria for not securing the border. Whatever the reason, for Orjingene, the deteriorating security situation in Cameroon means more people are coming to Banki whether he is ready or not. "From the look of things, they want all Nigerian refugees back home," he said. "I'm doing my best to save as many lives as I can." According to a second 2015 warrant, reported arrestee Said Chaou was living in The Netherlands and was accused of corruption and drug trafficking A Dutch-Moroccan national at the centre of a diplomatic row between the two countries was arrested Thursday as Rabat pushes for his extradition, Dutch media reported. Morocco said late Saturday it had been in talks with Dutch officials in the past two days urging them to extradite "a notorious drug trafficker" who allegedly funds "some groups in northern Morocco". It had demanded "concrete and urgent measures," and decided to immediately recall its ambassador for consultations, stressing the envoy's return would depend on how the case developed. But the Dutch foreign and justice ministries voiced bafflement about the situation. "The Netherlands is committed now and in the future to an effective collaboration with Morocco based on international legal frameworks and the protection of the rule of law," they said in a joint statement released Sunday. "In that light, the Moroccan statement is incomprehensible and unnecessary." Although the man has not been officially named, Moroccan sources and media in The Netherlands have identified him as Said Chaou. Chaou backs independence for Morocco's Rif region, hit by weeks of protests, and has reportedly posted messages online in support of demonstrators demanding an end to corruption and for jobs in the mainly Berber area. Moroccan officials said two international arrest warrants had been issued against him, including one in 2010. According to a second 2015 warrant, Chaou was living in The Netherlands and was accused of corruption and drug trafficking. Moroccan authorities allege he trafficked several tonnes of cannabis into Europe. The Dutch news agency ANP said Thursday that according to the Dutch justice ministry Morocco has given the Dutch guarantees that he will only be tried on allegations of drug-trafficking and not for any political activities. A Moroccan diplomatic source confirmed to AFP that he had been arrested in The Netherlands "with the view of extraditing him to Morocco." "This is an action against impunity. This individual has been able to play off against two justice systems, but from now on he must pay for his deeds," the source said, asking not to named. ANP said the man's case would now have to go before a court to see if judges agreed to extradite him. Chaou has reportedly lived in The Netherlands for most of the past 22 years. Earlier this week, prosecution officials confirmed they had arrested a man in 2015 in the southern Dutch town of Roosendaal as part of a crackdown on a drug network. But his current whereabouts were reportedly unknown. Moon meets with top US senators including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (third from left) at the US Capitol South Korea's new President Moon Jae-In lobbied US leaders on Thursday to back his policy of engagement with North Korea, as the Trump administration vowed to increase pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear program. On his first overseas trip since his landslide election victory this month, Moon met with Congressional leaders ahead of a dinner with his counterpart Donald Trump. The Trump administration has been trying to isolate the North Korean regime following a series of missile tests, including by persuading China -- Pyongyang's main diplomatic ally -- to help bring Kim Jong-Un into line. But speaking on board his flight to the United States on Wednesday, Moon said Seoul and Washington should offer concessions to Pyongyang if it complies with their demands, according to multiple South Korean reports. "Without rewarding North Korea for its bad actions, South Korea and the United States should closely consult what they may give the North in return for a nuclear freeze," he said. "A nuclear freeze is a gate to dialogue and the exit of the dialogue is a complete nuclear dismantlement," he added. Moon met Thursday with House Speaker Paul Ryan and top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi in an ornate room in the US Capitol, with Ryan hailing "strong" bilateral ties but only briefly addressing security issues on the Korean peninsula before reporters were ushered out. "We have shared concerns such as the threats posed to both of our nations from North Korea," Ryan told Moon. The South Korean president responded by saying that when it comes to humanitarian issues, "we must cross boundaries and all party lines and all try to unite together as one." Moon also met with US senators including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Armed Services Committee chairman John McCain and Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker. Washington, South Korea's security guarantor, has more than 28,000 troops in the country to defend it from its communist neighbor, which has been intensifying missile tests -- including five since Moon's inauguration. Pyongyang is seeking to develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that could reach the continental United States. Trump has been pushing for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions and his administration has said military action was a possibility. Washington and Seoul "share precisely the same goal, which is the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs," a senior US administration official said. "That is the hard challenge that we have been wresting with for a couple of decades now." Trump seeks to heap economic and diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang "in order to change their calculus," the official said. "Right now we see no evidence that they are seeking to reduce the threat from nuclear weapons or ballistic missile technology." Also expected to be high on the agenda is a controversial US missile defense system that has been installed in South Korea to guard against missile threats from the North. Though parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are already in place, Moon suspended further deployment following a furious campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic protests by Beijing. Former president of Burkina Faso Michel Kafando, pictured in November 2015, is the new UN envoy to Burundi, and the country's officials are optimistic about his appointment and the impact he will have on the ongoing violence there Burundi on Thursday said it has "faith" in the new UN envoy to the crisis-hit country but warned Michel Kafando against "bias" in favour of opposition groups, an accusation also levelled at his predecessors. Appointed last month Kafando, a former president of Burkina Faso, is the fourth UN envoy to be named since June 2015 after the Burundian government objected to his predecessors. The envoy's key role is to mediate an end to a deep and sometimes violent political crisis that began in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a controversial third term which he went on to win. However, the government refuses to negotiate with the exiled opposition, which it accuses of being behind more than two years of sporadic violence. "The Burundian government has faith in him. In the light of his experience, of what he has done," said Claude Karerwa Ndanzako, spokesman for the Burundian presidency, after Kafando and Nkurunziza met on Thursday. "We believe and we hope that he will do better than his predecessors," Ndanzako said, warning Kafando against "leaning" towards the opposition or publishing "slanderous reports against Burundi". The relationship between Burundi and the UN worsened after the publication of a damning human rights report in September 2016 that accused security forces of abuses. At least 500 people have been killed and over 400,000 have fled the country since the crisis began. A sign displaying the Chinese (L) and North Korean (R) flags is pictured by the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, which connects the Chinese city of Dandong, whose bank has been sanctioned by the US Treasury, and the North Korean town of Sinuiju The United States slapped unprecedented sanctions Thursday on a Chinese bank accused of laundering North Korean cash after Donald Trump said Beijing's efforts to put the brakes on Pyongyang's nuclear drive had failed. As South Korea's new president visited Washington, the Treasury Department announced the Bank of Dandong would be severed from the US financial system for acting "as a conduit for illicit North Korean financial activity." And while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the move was not targeted at China's government, it is likely to infuriate Beijing which says it has been unstinting in its efforts to ease tensions with North Korea. President Trump has long been pushing China to do more to rein in the North Korean regime and its leader Kim Jong-un. However he raised eyebrows last week by thanking his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for its help before concluding that his efforts had "not worked out," without spelling out what he intended to do next. The Treasury announcement said Dandong had been identified as "a foreign bank of primary money laundering concern" which had been "facilitating millions of dollars of transactions for companies involved in North Korea's WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and ballistic missile programs." It means the bank will now be prevented from having accounts or doing business with US financial institutions. The department also sanctioned two Chinese individuals said to have established front companies to facilitate financial transactions for North Korea, and a Chinese shipping company accused of helping smuggle banned luxury goods into the country. "This is not directed at China, this is directed at a bank, as well as individuals and entities in China," Mnuchin told reporters. - 'Follow the money' - But he warned that Treasury will "follow the money" and take action where needed to cut off illegal finance. "If we find other activity, we will sanction other entities. Nobody's off limits." China, which borders North Korea and is considered its only major ally, argues that negotiations are the best way to persuade it to halt its nuclear and missile activities. Its approach is echoed by South Korea's dovish new President Moon Jae-In who arrived in Washington late Wednesday on his first foreign visit since taking office earlier this month. Moon was due to dine with Trump on Thursday night and met earlier with Congressional leaders as he pushes his policy of engagement with the North. Speaking on his flight to the US, Moon said Seoul and Washington should offer concessions to Pyongyang if it complies with their demands, according to multiple South Korean reports. "Without rewarding North Korea for its bad actions, South Korea and the United States should closely consult what they may give the North in return for a nuclear freeze," he said. Speaking alongside Moon in Congress, House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters that the US and South Korea "shared concerns" about North Korea. Moon responded by saying that when it comes to humanitarian issues, "we must cross boundaries and all party lines and all try to unite together as one." "This is not directed at China, this is directed at a bank, as well as individuals and entities in China," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters of the sanctions Trump has been pushing for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions and his administration has said military action was a possibility. But US officials have been playing down the idea that Washington and Seoul are at odds over their approach, with a senior administration official insisting Thursday they "share precisely the same goal, which is the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs." Trump was heaping economic and diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang "in order to change their calculus," the official said. "Right now we see no evidence that they are seeking to reduce the threat from nuclear weapons or ballistic missile technology." When Trump and Moon hold formal talks on Friday, they are likely to discuss a controversial US missile defense system that has been set up in South Korea to guard against missile threats from the North. Though parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are already in place, Moon suspended further deployment following a furious campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic protests by Beijing. A member of the peacekeeper troops stands guard at a UN refugee camp in the city of Nyala, in South Darfur, on January 9, 2017 The UN Security Council on Thursday agreed to a major drawdown of peacekeepers in Sudan's troubled region of Darfur after US pressure led to a $600-million cut in the UN budget for peace operations. The council unanimously adopted a British-drafted resolution that will reduce the number of troops and police serving in the joint African Union-UN mission known as UNAMID by at least 30 percent. Deployed in 2007, UNAMID has about 16,000 blue helmets on the ground who are tasked with protecting civilians in the war that Sudan's government forces and pro-Khartoum militias are waging against rebel groups. The United Nations and African Union maintain that the Darfur conflict is winding down and that the mission -- among the costliest with a budget of over $1 billion -- should be trimmed. Human rights groups warn that the conflict is far from over and that the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers will leave many areas of the vast Darfur region without international protection. "We recognize that the situation in Darfur remains fragile," said British Deputy Ambassador Peter Wilson, but he added that the situation had "evolved" and that the changes reflected "the current reality." - Two-stage drawdown - The council agreed to a gradual reduction of UNAMID peacekeepers to be carried out in two phases of six months. A first drawdown will reduce the number of UNAMID troops from 13,000 to about 11,400 in six months before dropping to 8,735 by the end of June 2018. The number of police will drop from 3,150 to 2,888 by January and 2,500 by June. The smaller UNAMID will be redeployed to the region of Jebel Marra, where most of the recent violence has been reported. The drawdown however could be reviewed if the Sudanese government fails to ensure protection in those areas from where the peacekeepers will withdraw. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will report to the council after six months on whether "conditions on the ground remain conducive to further reductions." More than 2.5 million people have been displaced and 300,000 killed in the conflict that erupted in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against President Omar al-Bashir's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of marginalizing the region. But a three-year government military offensive has driven out some of the rebel groups. The Security Council also extended the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, but there were no cuts to its troop levels. A French-drafted resolution was unanimously adopted, keeping MINUSMA's forces unchanged at 13,300 troops and 1,900 police for a period of one year. The General Assembly is scheduled to vote on Friday on the new peacekeeping budget of $7.3 billion, down from the current $7.87 billion. The United Nations is shutting down its mission in Ivory Coast this month and is will pull its peacekeepers out of Haiti by the end of October. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his aides have been working behind closed doors to make adjustments that could free up billions more dollars to help low-income Americans -- and help attract the support of party moderates US Senate Republicans, facing potential collapse of their "Obamacare" repeal effort, were making last-gasp changes Thursday aimed at uniting different factions of President Donald Trump's party. Legislative action on a health care overhaul was put on hold after it became clear that conservatives and moderates could not unite around the controversial legislation. Since then, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his aides have been working behind closed doors to make adjustments that could free up billions more dollars to help low-income Americans -- and help attract the support of party moderates. "We've made good progress, and we'll keep working," said McConnell, who has sought to seal a deal with his caucus on an updated version as early as Friday ahead of a one-week recess. Negotiations appeared to hinge on the question of how much protection the bill should offer vulnerable Americans, versus how much tax relief should be given to the nation's wealthy. One proposal gaining traction involved keeping the Affordable Care Act's 3.8 percent tax on net investment income, which could help boost subsidies to help lower-income Americans purchase health insurance. "I don't think the sustainable proposition is to repeal a tax on the wealthy and pass a burden on to the poor," Republican Bob Corker, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters. "That's not an equation that works. That equation is being shifted now, and I think that's a very good thing." Forecasts from the US Congressional Budget Office on how many people would lose health insurance coverage under President Trump's planned replacement for Obamacare The effort comes after Trump said the Obamacare repeal bill that passed the House of Representatives last month was "mean," and as several Senate Republicans expressed alarm about how McConnell's bill would dramatically lower federal contributions to Medicaid, the health program for the poor and the disabled. Number three Senate Republican John Thune said several members showed "interest" in the investment tax issue. "If it takes something like that to get our members on board to move this process forward, I think we have to consider that," he said. But some conservatives are likely to balk if the taxes remain. "I'm for repealing Obamacare, which includes all the taxes in Obamacare," said Senator Rand Paul, who opposed the Republican bill when it was released last week. "Unless it changes to a repeal bill I can't vote for it." McConnell postponed a vote this week when it became clear his bill was well short of success, as at least nine Republicans opposed the legislation. A projection by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that under the Senate bill, the ranks of the uninsured would swell by some 22 million people by 2026 compared to current law. Senate Republicans hold a 52-48 majority. With all Democrats united against the bill, Republicans can afford just two defections. The Republican bill released last week eventually strips more than $700 billion from Medicaid, leading moderates to bristle at the potential cuts. Activists march around the US Capitol to protest the Senate GOP health care bill, on Capitol Hill, June 28, 2017 in Washington, DC One tweak under consideration is a $45 billion infusion for opioid treatment, a development Senator Rob Portman of Ohio called "progress." Several polls released this week showed broad opposition to the Senate bill. Just 12 percent of Americans support the legislation, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll. A Quinnipiac University poll put the approval rate at 16 percent. Migrants attempting to flee to Europe through Libya were abandoned in the Niger desert, and though the IOM has saved hundreds, more are presumed dead Some 600 West African migrants heading for Europe have been saved since April from the Niger desert after being abandoned by smugglers, the International Organization for Migration said Thursday. The announcement came after the presumed deaths of dozens in the same area last week alone and hundreds more fatalities off the coast of Libya. "IOM's search and rescue operation saved 600 migrants stranded in the Sahara desert since April," the group said on its website. The last part of the operation saw 24 migrants lifted -- one died later -- last week and transferred to an IOM transit centre, but almost three times as many are presumed dead. IOM said the survivors had been in a group of 75 migrants in three different vehicles which were abandoned by the smugglers as they headed north of Agadez in Niger for Libya. "The authorities went back to where they had found the survivors to look for the other 51 who had been in the group, but they could not be found due to a sand storm," the IOM said. "The migrants were presumed dead and search missions resumed once the sand storm ended -- the bodies have yet to be found." Reactors went into meltdown at Fukushima after a huge tsunami swamped cooling systems, sending a plume of toxic radiation over a large area of Japan, in the globe's worst nuclear accident in a generation Three former executives at the operator of Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant went on trial Friday, the only people ever to face a criminal court in connection with the 2011 meltdowns that left swathes of countryside uninhabitable. Ex-Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata, 77, and former vice presidents Sakae Muto, 66, and Ichiro Takekuro, 71, all pleaded not guilty to charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury, over six years after the worst atomic accident in a generation. Katsumata told a three-judge panel hearing the case that it was impossible for him to have foreseen the risk of the towering waves that pummelled Japan's northeast coast and swamped reactors in March 2011. "I apologise for the tremendous trouble to the residents in the area and around the country because of the serious accident that caused the release of radioactive materials," Katsumata said in a barely audible voice, as he bowed. But "I believe I don't have a criminal responsibility in the case", he said inside the packed courtroom. The indictments are the first -- and only -- charges stemming from the tsunami-sparked reactor meltdowns at the plant that set off the worst atomic crisis since Chernobyl in 1986. Legal proceedings in Japan can sometimes move at a glacial pace and the trial is reportedly expected to last more than a year. If convicted, the men face up to five years in prison or a penalty of up to one million yen ($9,000). Prosecutors had twice refused to press charges against the men, citing insufficient evidence and little chance of conviction. But a judicial review panel composed of ordinary citizens ruled in 2015 that the trio should be put on trial, which compelled prosecutors to press on with the case under Japanese law. - 'Held accountable' - "Since the accident, nobody has been held responsible nor has it been made clear why it happened," Ruiko Muto, who heads the group that pushed for the trial, told AFP. Evacuee Yoshiko Furukawa was outside the Tokyo courthouse Friday with dozens of others who fled their homes after the accident. Thousands have still not returned, largely due to lingering radiation fears. "What I lost on March 11, 2011 was a normal life," said Furukawa, who now lives in a different city. "As someone who knew nothing (about the risks of an accident), I'm now in my seventh year as an evacuee." The prosecutor told the court Friday he would try to prove that the three defendants were able to foresee the risk of a huge tsunami and failed to take necessary safety steps. The trio were present at safety meetings where experts warned of the anticipated height of a tsunami off the Fukushima coast, he said, with some 230 documents, including e-mails, to be presented as evidence against the men. The executives also had access to data and studies pointing to the risk of a tsunami exceeding 10 metres (32 feet) in the area that could trigger power loss and severe accidents, he added. "If they had fulfilled their responsibility to safety, the accident would have never occurred," the prosecutor said. An earlier report by a government panel said Tepco -- which is facing massive compensation and cleanup costs -- simulated the impact of a tsunami on the plant in 2008 and concluded that a wave of up to 15.7 metres could hit after a magnitude-8.3 quake. Waves as high as 14 metres swamped the reactors' cooling systems in March 2011 after a 9.0 magnitude tremor. Although the quake-tsunami disaster left some 18,500 people dead or missing, the Fukushima accident itself is not officially recorded as having directly killed anyone. - 'Obedience' - The charges against the three are linked to the deaths of more than 40 hospitalised patients who were hastily evacuated from the Fukushima area and later died. The quake-tsunami that caused the nuclear accident cost around 18,500 lives, and laid waste to a huge stretch of Japan's northeast coastline A 2015 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said a misguided faith in the safety of atomic power was a key factor in the accident, pointing to weaknesses in disaster preparedness and unclear responsibilities among regulators. A parliamentary report a year after the disaster said Fukushima was a man-made crisis caused by Japan's culture of "reflexive obedience". Hong Kong's feisty publishing industry has vowed to take on China by selling books critical of Beijing, despite the disappearances of five booksellers known for salacious titles about the Chinese leadership The United States urged China Thursday to respect civil liberties in Hong Kong, including press freedom, as the territory marked the 20th anniversary of its handover to Beijing's rule. The State Department said the success of Hong Kong, which was given a large degree of autonomy when British colonial rule ended in 1997, was due to its unique status. "The United States... admires the city's outstanding achievements, which are the result of its high degree of autonomy, its economic and personal freedoms, and its respect for rule of law," said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. But while Washington valued its "excellent cooperation" with Hong Kong's government it "remains concerned about any infringements of civil liberties in Hong Kong, including intrusions on press freedoms," Nauert added in a statement. Recent incidents in Hong Kong -- including the disappearance of five publishers who were known for salacious titles about the Chinese leadership -- have sparked fears that Beijing is choking the city's freedoms. Last year, the city's High Court disqualified two democratically elected pro-independence lawmakers from taking their seats after they added expletives and used derogatory terms for China when taking their oaths. The court's move was preempted by an earlier intervention from Beijing which said they should not be allowed to join parliament. Mass protests in Hong Kong in 2014 demanding more democratic reform failed to wring any concessions from the authorities, leading to an increase in calls for self-determination or even full independence. High-profile pro-democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong and young legislator Nathan Law were arrested Wednesday night after staging a protest outside a Hong Kong convention center that will host some of the anniversary events this weekend. The State Department said the US "support(s) the further development of Hong Kong's democratic systems, including the implementation of universal suffrage in accordance with the Basic Law" -- a reference to its de facto constitution. Hong Kong was handed back to China by colonial ruler Britain in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula designed to protect its freedoms and way of life. Taiwan's air force said earlier this year it is starting an upgrade of part of its fleet of US-made F-16 fighters, like this one seen at Chiayi air base in southern Taiwan Donald Trump's administration has approved $1.3 billion worth of arms sales to Taiwan, a US government official said Thursday, in a move likely to provoke the ire of Beijing which considers the island a rebel province. The US official emphasized that there is "no change to our longstanding 'One China' policy" -- stating that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of it -- which Beijing says is a prerequisite for maintaining relations. Announcement of the sale comes at a sensitive moment for the US and China, as President Trump is working to establish a partnership over trade differences and efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Taiwan is a self-ruling democracy but China sees it as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary. The US is the island's most powerful ally and arms supplier despite having no official relations with Taipei after switching recognition to Beijing in 1979. The latest plans are consistent with terms of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the US official said, under which Washington keeps trade ties and sells Taipei weapons to "maintain a sufficient self-defense capability". Taiwan thanked the US for its continued commitment under the legislation and said the deal "increases Taiwans confidence and ability to maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait". "We will continue to seek constructive dialogue with Beijing, and promote positive developments in cross-strait relations," said a statement from Taiwan's Presidential Office. "At the same time, we will continue to increase our defense investments, including in indigenous defense industries and defense-related research, in order to demonstrate our commitment to Taiwans self-defense," it added. The defense ministry said the sales will boost the island's air and sea combat capabilities. The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of the defense sales comprised of seven parts, the US official said, which are "based on an assessment of Taiwan's defense needs" and include upgrading defense systems from analog to digital. The last US arms sale to Taiwan was in December 2015. Concerns that Taiwan would become a bargaining chip were raised soon after Trump's election, when he suggested he may abandon the "One China" policy that underpins US-China relations, unless he could strike better deals with Beijing. Just after winning election, Trump infuriated China by accepting a congratulatory call from Taiwan's Beijing-sceptic president Tsai Ing-wen, smashing decades of diplomatic precedent. But once in office the president unequivocally endorsed the "One China" policy during a visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Relations between Taipei and Beijing have rapidly deteriorated since Tsai took the reins, ending an eight-year cross-strait rapprochement. Beijing has cut all official communication with Taipei. US President Donald Trump has targeted those he sees as his opponents, including women frequently, in shockingly personal terms US President Donald Trump's brutal personal attack Thursday on television host Mika Brzezinski drew sharp and instant condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum. It was hardly the first time. Trump has targeted those he sees as his opponents, including women frequently, in shockingly personal terms. In a single Tweet on Thursday, Trump described Brzezinski -- a frequent critic of his -- as "low IQ," "crazy" and "bleeding badly from a face-lift." Here is a sampling of other tweets and remarks from Trump that have caused sharp public reactions: - 'There was blood'- Angered by the sharp questioning of Megyn Kelly, then a Fox News anchor, during a Republican presidential debate, Trump complained later that she was "asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions," adding, "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever. In my opinion, she was off base." Trump later tweeted that by "wherever" he was referring to Kelly's nose, but his comment was widely seen as meaning she was harsh in her questioning because she was menstruating. - 'Not a war hero' - He said in a campaign speech that Senator John McCain, who was captured in North Vietnam when his navy jet was shot down in 1967, was "not a war hero," adding, with clear sarcasm: "He's a hero because he was captured? I like people that weren't captured." McCain suffered at least five fractures and nearly drowned in the crash. - 'Sacrificed nothing' - Trump assailed Khizr Khan and his wife, Ghazala, whose son, an army captain, was killed in Iraq. After Khan addressed the Democratic National Convention last August, the then-Republican candidate tweeted, "Mr. Khan, who does not know me, viciously attacked me from the stage of the DNC and is now all over TV doing the same -- Nice!" Khan had said that Trump, who received several military deferments during the Vietnam War, had "sacrificed nothing and no one." - 'Fat, ugly face' - Referring to actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, a frequent critic of his, he said that if he were hosting a talk show she appeared on, "I'd fire Rosie O'Donnell. I mean, I'd look at her right in that fat, ugly face of hers, I'd say 'Rosie, you're fired'." Their feud is long-running: She has called him "sadistic," while he has frequently mocked her as fat, "obnoxious and dumb" and "a total loser." - 'Mexican heritage' - Trump fired off angry tweets last year against Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who was hearing a lawsuit against Trump University, an unaccredited organization offering real-estate training. "I have a Mexican judge. He's of Mexican heritage," Trump tweeted. "He should have recused himself, not only for that, for other things." Curiel is an American citizen, born in the state of Indiana. Trump ultimately paid $25 million to settle the lawsuit. - 'Unattractive, inside and out' - He called businesswoman and commentator Arianna Huffington "unattractive, both inside and out," adding, "I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man -- he made a good decision." South Korean President Moon Jae-In met Thursday with US congressional leaders ahead of a dinner with President Donald Trump The United States slapped unprecedented sanctions Thursday on a Chinese bank accused of laundering North Korean cash after President Donald Trump said Beijing's efforts to put the brakes on Pyongyang's nuclear drive had failed. As South Korea's new president visited Washington, the Treasury Department announced the Bank of Dandong would be severed from the US financial system for acting "as a conduit for illicit North Korean financial activity." And while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the move was not targeted at China's government, it is likely to infuriate Beijing, which says it has been unstinting in its efforts to ease tensions with North Korea. The announcement came on the same day that it emerged the Trump adminisration had approved $1.3 billion in arms sales to Beijing's archrival Taiwan and as the State Department voiced concerns about basic freedoms in Hong Kong under Chinese rule. Since early in his administration, Trump has pushed China to do more to rein in the North Korean regime and its leader Kim Jong-un. However, he raised eyebrows last week when he thanked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for Beijing's help but then concluded that Xi's efforts had "not worked out." Trump did not spell out what he intended to do next. The Treasury announcement said Dandong had been identified as "a foreign bank of primary money-laundering concern" that had been "facilitating millions of dollars of transactions for companies involved in North Korea's WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and ballistic missile programs." The bank will now be prevented from having accounts or doing business with US financial institutions. The department also sanctioned two Chinese individuals said to have established front companies to facilitate financial transactions for North Korea, and a Chinese shipping company accused of helping smuggle banned luxury goods into the country. "This is not directed at China, this is directed at a bank, as well as individuals and entities in China," Mnuchin told reporters. - 'Follow the money' - But he warned that Treasury will "follow the money" and take action where needed to cut off illegal finance. "If we find other activity, we will sanction other entities. Nobody's off limits." China, which borders North Korea and is considered its only major ally, argues that negotiations are the best way to persuade Pyongyang to halt its nuclear and missile activities. China's approach is echoed by South Korea's dovish new president Moon Jae-In, who arrived in Washington late Wednesday on his first foreign visit since taking office earlier this month. Moon was due to dine with Trump on Thursday night, after meeting earlier with Congressional leaders as he pushes his policy of engagement with the North. Speaking to reporters on his flight to the US, Moon said Seoul and Washington should offer concessions to Pyongyang if it complies with their demands, according to multiple South Korean reports. "Without rewarding North Korea for its bad actions, South Korea and the United States should closely consult what they may give the North in return for a nuclear freeze," he said. - 'To change their calculus' - Speaking alongside Moon in Congress, House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters that the US and South Korea "shared concerns" about North Korea. Moon responded by saying that when it comes to humanitarian issues, "we must cross boundaries and all party lines, and all try to unite together as one." Trump has been pushing for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions. His administration has said military action was a possibility. But US officials have played down the idea that Washington and Seoul are at odds over their approach, with one senior administration official insisting Thursday that they "share precisely the same goal, which is the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs." Trump was heaping economic and diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang "in order to change their calculus," the official said. - 'No evidence' of reduced threat - "Right now we see no evidence that they are seeking to reduce the threat from nuclear weapons or ballistic missile technology." When Trump and Moon hold formal talks on Friday, they are likely to discuss a controversial US missile defense system that has been set up in South Korea to guard against missile threats from the North. Though parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are already in place, Moon suspended further deployment following a furious campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic protests by Beijing. Some analysts believe the Chinese see the system as part of a long-range US effort to contain China. This picture taken in April 2017 shows an aerial view of a reef in the disputed Spratly islands. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea despite partial counter-claims from Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam Three of Beijing's outposts on contested South China Sea reefs are close to being ready for the deployment of military assets including mobile missile launchers, a US think tank reported Thursday. Analysing satellite photographs, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative said Beijing's Fiery Cross Reef base in the Spratly Islands now has 12 hardened shelters, four more than seen in February, with retractable roofs that can house missile launchers. At Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reef bases, China has expanded its communications and radar arrays with multiple radar towers on each. And new construction of "very large underground structures, four at each reef, is underway, which AMTI said a likely designed to house munitions and other essential goods. "Major construction of military and dual-use infrastructure on the 'Big 3' ... is wrapping up, with the naval, air, radar and defensive facilities that AMTI has tracked for nearly two years largely complete," the group said. "Beijing can now deploy military assets, including combat aircraft and mobile missile launchers to the Spratly Islands at any time." AMTI, part of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said the air bases on the three islands, and a fourth on Woody Island in the Paracel Islands, allow Chinese military aircraft to operate over almost the entirety of the South China Sea. In December AMTI reported that large anti-aircraft guns and other defense systems had been installed ont he islands. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea despite partial counter-claims from Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. But the United States has warned it against militarizing the region or threatening international sea lanes. "We oppose China's artificial island construction and their militarization that features in international waters," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Sydney in early June. SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a California lawsuit claiming Bill Cosby sexually assaulted a teenage girl more than 40 years ago (all times local): 9:45 a.m. A lawyer for Bill Cosby says she does not think he will speak publicly before his second criminal trial in Pennsylvania. Attorney Angela Agrusa told reporters after a hearing Tuesday in a California sexual assault lawsuit that she can't imagine Cosby's legal team would let him speak or perform. Less than two weeks ago, a Pennsylvania jury deadlocked on charges that Cosby drugged and molested a Temple University worker, and prosecutors vowed to retry the case. The entertainer's spokeswoman then announced that he plans a series of town halls. Agrusa says Cosby takes the criminal charges seriously and he would never do anything to undermine the importance of the issue. In the California case, a woman claims she was assaulted by Cosby at the Playboy Mansion more than 40 years ago when she was 15. Plaintiff's attorney Gloria Allred says that if Cosby does stage town hall appearances she may hold her own forums in those cities to discuss sexual assault. ___ 8:57 a.m. A California court has tentatively set a July 30, 2018, date for trial of a lawsuit that accuses Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at the Playboy Mansion more than 40 years ago. The Los Angeles County Superior Court judge set the distant date because Pennsylvania prosecutors are expected to retry a criminal case against Cosby following a jury deadlock less than two weeks ago. In the California case, Judy Huth accuses the comedian of forcing her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom at the mansion around 1974, when she was 15. The Pennsylvania case alleges Cosby drugged and molested a Temple University worker. Cosby's legal team declared victory after the mistrial. ___ The stage for Bill Cosby's next trial shifts to California. A hearing is scheduled Tuesday in Santa Monica to set a trial date in a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a teen at the Playboy Mansion more than 40 years ago. Judy Huth accuses the comedian of forcing her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom at the mansion around 1974, when she was 15. The hearing comes less than two weeks after a Pennsylvania jury deadlocked on criminal charges against Cosby on charges he drugged and molested a Temple University worker. Cosby's legal team declared victory after the Pennsylvania mistrial, though prosecutors have vowed to retry him. The Los Angeles Superior Court judge could delay setting a trial date until after Cosby is retried. VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis has praised labor unions as the prophetic face of society, but called for a new social contract to bring more young people into the workforce. Meeting with one of Italy's biggest trade unions Wednesday, Francis said it was both "foolish and myopic" for companies to force people to work into their golden years while depriving young people of the dignity and societal good of a job. Italy's youth unemployment is around 40 percent. Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience, in St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Francis has long defended labor unions, part of his overall denunciation of today's capitalistic, globalized society which he says has left the poor on the margins. In his remarks, Francis denounced both the "golden retirements" given to some pensioners and the meager ones given to others, saying both are an offense to the dignity of work. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - A member of Sweden's Parliament for the anti-immigration and euroskeptic Sweden Democrats has been convicted for hitting a man in the face outside a nightclub in Stockholm last year. The Stockholm District Court says it handed down a 38,400-kronor ($4,423) fine to Kent Ekeroth for hitting a now-21-year-old man in the face on Nov. 24. The court said Wednesday it didn't believe Ekeroth's claim that he acted in self-defense, citing witnesses who said he had not been assaulted and CCTV footage from outside the Solidaritet club. Ekeroth's political future is unclear but Mattias Karlsson, a spokesman for Sweden's third largest party, with 49 of Riksdagen's 349 seats, told Swedish broadcaster SVT "of course, we can't have representatives convicted of crime." Ekeroth said he planned to appeal. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - An Afghan official says that two policewomen have been killed by gunmen in northeastern Badakhshan province. Abdullah Naziri, head of the Badakhshan provincial council, said Wednesday that both victims were sisters who were returning to their jobs after Eid holidays. Meanwhile Jelani Farahi, the deputy police chief for southern Zabul province, said two policemen were killed when their checkpoint came under insurgent attack. Farahi said two insurgents were also killed in the attack late Tuesday night in Qalat, the provincial capital. No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Taliban insurgents have increased their attacks against Afghan security forces across the country. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Latest on the destruction of Arkansas' Ten Commandments monument outside the state Capitol (all times local): 4 p.m. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas is condemning the destruction of a Ten Commandments monument at the Arkansas Capitol, and says it's still committed to having the display struck down in the courts. The new Ten Commandments monument outside the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., is blocked off Wednesday morning, June 28, 2017, after someone crashed into it with a vehicle, less than 24 hours after the privately funded monument was installed on the Capitol grounds. Authorities arrested a male suspect. (AP Photo/Jill Zeman Bleed) The ACLU of Arkansas' executive director, Rita Sklar, said Wednesday the group strongly condemns any illegal act of destruction or vandalism. Police arrested an Arkansas man and said he intentionally drove his vehicle into the Ten Commandments monument, which had been installed just a day earlier. The ACLU has said it plans to challenge the display in federal court. ___ 2 p.m. The organization that raised money for Arkansas' Ten Commandments monument says the group has already ordered a replacement. Travis Story is the general counsel of the American History and Heritage Foundation. He says it will likely take a couple months before a new monument is installed at Arkansas' Capitol after the previous monument was destroyed early Wednesday. Police arrested an Arkansas man and said he intentionally drove his vehicle into the Ten Commandments monument, which had been installed just a day earlier. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who signed the legislation requiring the monument's installation, called its destruction "very troubling." ___ 10:20 a.m. A sheriff's department spokesman in Oklahoma says a man arrested in the destruction of Arkansas' Ten Commandments monument is the same man who crashed his vehicle into Oklahoma's monument in 2014. Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office spokesman Mark Opgrande tells The Associated Press that Michael Tate Reed of Van Buren, Arkansas, was arrested in October 2014 in the destruction of Oklahoma's Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol. Reed was taken to hospital in Oklahoma for mental health treatment and never formally charged in that case. Authorities believe the 32-year-old Reed drove his vehicle into Arkansas' Ten Commandments monument early Wednesday, smashing it to pieces. A Facebook Live video shot early Wednesday and posted on an account belonging to a Michael Reed appears to show the destruction of the monument. ___ 9:15 a.m. The lawmaker behind a Ten Commandments monument at the Arkansas state Capitol is calling the statue's destruction "an act of violence" and says he expects to be able to raise funds quickly to replace the display. Republican Sen. Jason Rapert on Wednesday condemned the destruction of the monument less than 24 hours after it was installed at the Capitol. Rapert sponsored the 2015 law that required the state to allow the privately funded monument on Capitol grounds. Michael Reed was arrested early Wednesday. Authorities believe Reed drove into the monument, causing it to topple and shatter. Rapert is vowing to have the monument replaced and installed again at the Capitol. He says he believes there won't be a problem raising the funds needed for it. A private foundation raised more than $26,000 for the original monument and its installation. ___ 8:30 a.m. A 32-year-old man has been booked in the Pulaski County jail in connection with the destruction of a newly installed Ten Commandments monument outside Arkansas' State Capitol. The driver is identified in an arrest report as Michael Tate Reed of Van Buren, Arkansas. A Facebook Live video shot early Wednesday and posted on an account belonging to a Michael Reed appears to show the destruction of the monument. Jail records show that Reed was booked shortly after 7:30 a.m. on preliminary charges of defacing objects of public interest, criminal trespass and first-degree criminal mischief, with Capitol Police listed as the arrest agency. Nearly three years ago, a Ten Commandments monument at Oklahoma's Capitol met a similar fate, when a driver crashed his car into the statue, shattering it. That driver was identified as Michael Tate Reed of Van Buren, Arkansas. He was admitted the next day to a hospital for mental treatment and formal charges were never filed. It is not yet clear if he is the same person who attacked the Arkansas monument. ___ 6:55 a.m. Officials say Arkansas' new Ten Commandments monument was destroyed by someone driving a vehicle into it less than 24 hours after the monument was placed on state Capitol grounds. Secretary of State's Office spokesman Chris Powell says Capitol Police arrested the male suspect early Wednesday. The suspect's name and motive haven't been released. The stone monument fell to the ground and broke into multiple pieces. The privately funded monument was 6 feet tall (1.8 meters) and weighed 6,000 pounds (2,721 kilograms). It was installed Tuesday morning on the southwest lawn of the Capitol with little fanfare and no advance notice. A 2015 law required the state to allow the display near the Capitol, and a state panel last month gave final approval to its design and location. A 6-foot-tall privately funded Ten Commandments monument is seen on the Arkansas Capitol grounds in Little Rock on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, after it was installed by workers two years after lawmakers approved a measure allowing the statue on state property. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo) LISBON, Portugal (AP) - A former CIA agent says she is returning to Italy this week to serve a three-year sentence for taking part in the kidnapping of a Muslim cleric in Milan 14 years ago. Sabrina de Sousa tells The Associated Press in an email she will go to Italy on Friday. She says she is currently in the United States after undergoing a medical procedure. An Italian court found De Sousa was part of the U.S. "extraordinary rendition" anti-terrorism program, launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Portuguese-American was arrested at Lisbon Airport in 2015, but was released in March after Italy dropped its extradition request. Italy's president then granted De Sousa partial clemency, shaving one year off her sentence. She could be eligible for community service instead of serving prison time. PARIS (AP) - The French government says it will follow the advice of an ethics panel in favor of allowing single women and lesbian couples to have children through assisted reproduction. Government spokesman Christophe Castaner added Wednesday that no timetable has been established for the change. The National Advisory Ethics Committee, which began reviewing the issue in 2013, announced its approval on Tuesday. Assisted reproduction is currently allowed in France only for infertile heterosexual couples. Castaner said the government doesn't consider allowing surrogacy, which currently is banned. The 2013 law allowing gay marriage exposed deep divisions in French society, prompting big protests for and against such unions. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's governor, top law officer and military leader all said Wednesday they were unaware that a private security firm hired by the developer of the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline has been operating illegally in the state without a license. North Dakota's Private Investigative and Security Board first notified TigerSwan in September it was unlicensed, and in December rejected its application, citing the alleged criminal history of the company's president. Despite that, TigerSwan remained an integral part of the pipeline developer's security operation and assisted law officers. Internal company documents published by online news outlet The Intercept last month make references to planning and communication with law enforcement, the placing of a company liaison in the law enforcement joint operations center, and a meeting with the state attorney general's office's Bureau of Criminal Investigation "regarding video and still photo evidence collected for prosecution." Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the state's top law enforcement officer, said he did not "recall being made aware" of TigerSwan's involvement or lack of a license. "Certainly, If I had known they were operating, I would have advised them to comply with the law," he said. The regulatory board's attorneys, Monte Rogneby and Justin Hagel, were hired by Stenehjem's office. Rogneby said neither the board nor the attorneys had "communications" with Gov. Doug Burgum, who inherited the pipeline protest issue when he became governor in December. "I can't comment on who else the board has discussed this with because it's an ongoing investigation," Rogneby said. Kelly Ivahnenko, a spokeswoman for Gov. Doug Burgum, said the governor-appointed regulatory board was not obligated under state law to inform Burgum of problems with the private security company. "The governor had no knowledge or communication with the board on this issue," she said. The regulatory board on Tuesday asked a state judge to stop TigerSwan's armed workers from continuing to monitor the pipeline system and requested administrative fines be levied against the company and its president, James Reese, for operating without a license, a misdemeanor carrying a potential sentence of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine. TigerSwan didn't answer phone calls or respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday. Texas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners confirmed that it uses TigerSwan for security but declined to comment further. The pipeline this month began moving oil from western North Dakota to a distribution point in Illinois where it can be shipped to the Gulf Coast, though American Indian tribes who fear environmental harm continue to fight in court. The pipeline was delayed months by the legal battle and protests in southern North Dakota that resulted in 761 arrests between August and February. The regulatory board alleges in court documents that TigerSwan employees with semi-automatic rifles and handguns protected workers and equipment at construction sites, conducted intelligence on protesters including placing or trying to place undercover agents within the protest groups, and even monitored traffic on a state highway. The board also says TigerSwan is still providing round-the-clock security along the pipeline in the state. According to the board, it notified TigerSwan in September that the company wasn't properly licensed, and the company denied conducting private security in the state but at the same time applied for a license. The board denied the request in December, citing in court documents Reese's alleged criminal history without specifying the offenses. The board said Reese told the group he had never been convicted of a crime. A month later, the board rejected the application again, saying it was incomplete. Rogneby, an attorney for the board, said "multiple private security companies" were hired by the company during the protest and that some were properly licensed and others are "still under investigation." He would not elaborate. North Dakota officials say the state incurred nearly $40 million in law enforcement costs resulting from the protests. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of opponents camped in southern North Dakota, often clashing with police and National Guard soldiers. The pipeline company's private security personnel and their vehicles were often visible among the uniformed officers and military personnel. Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, the leader of the state's National Guard, said he did not know until Wednesday that TigerSwan was operating illegally. "The National Guard had absolutely no interaction with them," said Dohrmann, whose troops spent months monitoring the protest and helped law enforcement remove protesters from the site in south-central North Dakota in February. "If there was any interaction between our folks and them, it was only through casual conversation," Dohrmann said. "Through official Guard channels, there was no coordination." TigerSwan was founded by retired military special forces members. Internal company documents indicate that employees conducted an aggressive, multifaceted operation against pipeline protesters that included maintaining a close working relationship with public law enforcement. "When you have an organization like TigerSwan come in and start to influence decisions by law enforcement and even leadership in the state, you have to step back and say, where is the safety, where is the justice?" Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault said. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, who spearheaded the law enforcement response to the protests, didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. ___ Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake and follow James MacPherson at http://twitter.com/macphersonja . LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Latest on the lead-tainted water crisis in Flint, Michigan (all times local): 10:50 a.m. The state of Michigan is suing Flint, alleging that the city council's failure to approve a recommendation to buy water long term from a Detroit-area system is endangering a public already troubled by a lead-tainted water crisis. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court. The state Department of Environmental Quality had previously threatened legal action if the council did not approve Mayor Karen Weaver's recommendation or a reasonable alternative by Monday. The council instead approved a short-term extension of its contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority, against the wishes of Mayor Karen Weaver, who is backing a 30-year contract. State and federal officials do not want Flint to change water sources a third time after a fateful 2014 switch resulted in lead contamination and other issues while the city was under state management. ___ 6:35 a.m. A state-appointed financial board says Flint can't block a plan that puts about 8,000 property owners at risk of losing homes due to unpaid water and sewer bills. Plans for the tax liens on properties across Flint drew protests this year amid the city's crisis with lead-tainted water. Flint City Council in May approved a one-year moratorium on the liens to give officials time to determine how to handle the issue. The Receivership Transition Advisory Board struck down the resolution Tuesday. Board Chairman Frederick Headen says Flint needs money from tax liens - especially after City Council didn't approve a long-term water contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said Tuesday she disagrees with the board and will defy its decision by essentially continuing the moratorium. WESTFIELD, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey woman whose brother was killed during World War II received his long-lost Purple Heart and the flag that was used at his burial. Purple Hearts Reunited presented the medal to 95-year-old Mildred Stotzer during a ceremony in her room at a retirement home Wednesday in Westfield, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of New York. Stotzer's brother, Master Sgt. Frederick Boelzle, enlisted in the Army in September 1939. He was assigned to Service Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Boelzle was killed in action in Belgium in December 1944 and was buried in a military cemetery there. The military awards and decorations he received included the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. An anonymous donor sent the Purple Heart and Boelzle's burial flag to Purple Hearts Reunited. The nonprofit foundation has returned medals and artifacts to more than 350 families and museums. "These medals deserve to be with the family member not with a personal collection out there, not lost to some junk shop," said Zacharia Fike of Purple Hearts Reunited. "They need to be in a home of honor." Stotzer thanked Fike for bringing the Purple Heart and the flag. "That's wonderful," she told him. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump plans to celebrate Bastille Day in France. The White House announced Wednesday that Trump has accepted French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to help celebrate France's national holiday on July 14. Macron invited Trump to visit when they met for the first time at a NATO summit in Brussels in late May. On Tuesday, the French president extended the invitation again when he and Trump spoke by telephone, and Trump accepted. FILE - A Thursday, May 25, 2017 file photo of US President, Donald Trump, shaking hands with French President, Emmanuel Macron, during a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels. French President Emmanuel Macron has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to a Bastille Day celebration in July 2017, to celebrate the arrival 100 years ago of the American troops who fought alongside the French during World War I. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) The holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, an event that marked a turning point in the French Revolution. The occasion will also be used to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I, Macron's office said. American soldiers will walk alongside French soldiers during the traditional Bastille Day military parade down Paris' famed Champs-Elysees avenue. Separately on July 14, Macron plans to travel to Nice to mark a more somber occasion - the truck attack that day in 2016 that killed 86 people and injured hundreds in the resort town in the south of France. It was unclear whether Trump would join Macron in Nice. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump looks forward to reaffirming America's "strong ties of friendship" with France and marking the national holiday along with the U.S. entrance into World War I. Spicer said the leaders will discuss cooperation on countering terrorism, as well as the economy and other issues. Trump is scheduled to visit Europe shortly before Bastille Day, when he travels to Poland and Germany from July 5-8. ___ Associated Press writer Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report. ___ Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina's law allowing magistrates to refuse to perform same-sex marriages survived a challenge Wednesday when an appeals court determined that three couples weren't harmed enough to fight the state's use of taxpayer money to apply the law. The Richmond-based 4th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed their lawsuit, rejecting arguments by the couples that their status as North Carolina taxpayers gives them standing to sue. Because two of the couples are already married and the third is engaged, the law hasn't hurt their ability to wed, the judges said. "The outcome here is in no way a comment on same-sex marriage as a matter of social policy. The case before us is far more technical_whether plaintiffs, simply by virtue of their status as state taxpayers, have alleged a personal, particularized injury for the purposes of (federal court) standing," Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote in the 3-0 ruling. The plaintiffs are considering whether seek a hearing before the full 4th Circuit or take their challenge of the law known as SB2 to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the Campaign for Southern Equality. "The fundamental question here is when a legislature acts to target a specific community, which is clearly what happened with SB2, there has to be a way to challenge a law that's based on animus and bias. And SB2 absolutely fits those criteria," the group's executive director, the Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, said in an interview. The 2015 law allows magistrates to recuse themselves from performing marriages "based on any sincerely held religious objections." Those who file such notices are prevented from officiating at all marriages - gay and heterosexual - for at least six months. The law also allows some court clerks to decline to issue marriage licenses. Two other states - Utah and Mississippi - also have laws allowing public officials to recuse themselves from performing marriages because of religious beliefs, according to a tally by the National Conference of State Legislatures. The North Carolina plaintiffs had challenged the law's authorization of magistrates to travel between jurisdictions to perform marriages - at taxpayer expense - if counterparts in another area all recuse themselves. They also cited the law's provision that allowed restoration of some retirement benefits if a magistrate resigned after gay marriage became legal but was reappointed around when the recusal law took effect. Two of the plaintiffs are from McDowell County, where all magistrates recused themselves after the state law was passed, requiring North Carolina to pay a magistrate to come several days a week from nearby Rutherford County. Only a fraction of magistrates statewide have recused themselves. Two of the couples who sued are lesbian. The other plaintiffs are a husband and wife who won a 1978 court ruling against North Carolina magistrates who refused to perform their interracial marriage because of religious beliefs, according to court documents. But a federal judge in North Carolina ruled last year that the plaintiffs hadn't shown direct harm, nor standing to challenge the 2015 law as taxpayers. The federal appeals court upheld the judge, describing expenditures triggered by SB2 as only "some token amount of funds." The North Carolina attorney general's office, which defended the law before the 4th Circuit, has said the state worked hard to balance the religious beliefs of public employees and the rights of same-sex couples by authorizing taxpayer funds for the travel needed when magistrates recuse. North Carolina's Republican state Senate leader Phil Berger, who sponsored SB2, issued a statement applauding Wednesday's ruling, noting that none of the plaintiffs were prevented from marrying because of the law: "Once again, a federal court has rejected the idea that exercising one's First Amendment religious freedoms somehow infringes on others' rights." ___ Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/jonldrew WASHINGTON (AP) - A Republican who is quitting Congress at the end of the week is heading to Fox News. Fox News Channel announced on Wednesday that five-term Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah will be a contributor effective July 1, offering political analysis on various Fox programs. Chaffetz said earlier this year that he would not seek another term, then announced he would leave the House on June 30. Chaffetz has served as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and doggedly investigated Hillary Clinton before the 2016 presidential election. Chaffetz has been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor in Utah. MOSCOW (AP) - Russia has ditched plans to ban the Telegram messaging app after its owner agreed to register the company in the country, authorities said Wednesday. Telegram, which provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, has prided itself on privacy and has protested the Russian government's demands to get it to keep and share users' chat histories and encryption keys. Alexander Zharov, head of the Russian communications regulator, said that Telegram would be free to operate in Russia, despite previous threats to close it down, after its owner agreed to registration. The company is currently registered in Britain. A set of counter-terrorism amendments initiated by lawmaker Irina Yarovaya and adopted last year, among other things, obliges telecommunications companies to store call logs and data for months. Telegram founder Pavel Durov said earlier Wednesday that he would be willing to register it in Russia, but insisted that he wouldn't share privacy data as a new Russian law requires. "We will not comply with the Yarovaya law, which is anti-constitutional and technically impossible to implement, as well as other laws which violate the right to privacy and Telegram's confidentiality policy," Durov said on his social media page. Zharov insisted that all companies working in Russia "are obliged to comply" with Russian laws. Authorities have been putting pressure on Telegram, with Russia's FSB security agency saying Monday that the app was used by a suicide bomber who killed 15 people in St. Petersburg in April. SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - A medical association in the Dominican Republic is demanding improvements at one of the country's main public hospitals, where at least 14 newborns died over the weekend. The president of the Dominican Medical Association alleges the deaths occurred because of patient overcrowding, lack of equipment and bad conditions. Waldo Ariel Suero says the Our Lady of Altagracia Maternity Hospital in Santo Domingo does not have enough incubators and that only three of 10 operating rooms are in use. The hospital is undergoing renovations, and the association says it should be temporarily closed, with patients and doctors transferred to other hospitals. Health officials said late Tuesday that the deaths were simply a result of complicated pregnancies and denied Suero's allegations. NBC's Blinders on Egyptian Blockade | Main | Expert in Nazi Propaganda Omits James Walls Affiliation With Neo-Nazi Publication in Wikipedia Article June 28, 2017 The Washington Post Manages to Outdo the BBC with Anti-Israel Headline The Washington Post not only failed to offer a full-length report on the June 16, 2017 terror attack in which a 23-year old Israeli Border Policewoman, Hadas Malka, was murdered, it also made misleading changes to an AP dispatch on the attack. Malka was stabbed to death by a Palestinian assailant in a coordinated terrorist attack in Jerusalems Old City. She was attacked while responding to the scene of another terrorist attack in which two Palestinian attackers opened fire on an Israeli Border Police patrol at Zedekiahs Cave in the Muslim Quarter. Israeli authorities killed all three Palestinian terrorists. The initial AP report on the attack was titled "Palestinian attackers killed after killing Israeli officer." This headline made clear to AP readers the important chain of events and noted the death of the Israeli officer. The Washington Post, however, made questionable edits to the AP brief it republished in the print version of its June 18, 2017 edition. The headline chosen by The Post was 3 Palestinians killed after attacks on police?omitting the death of the Israeli officer and failing to mention that the Palestinians killed were terrorists carrying out an attack. As CAMERA pointed out to Post staff, this violates the ethics code of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). SPJ calls for journalists to "Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context." As CAMERA has highlighted, the BBC, after considerable public outcry, changed a similarly misleading headline of a report about the June 16, 2017 terror attack. The BBC's statement acknowledged, "We accept that our original headline did not appropriately reflect the nature of the events and subsequently changed it. Whilst there was no intention to mislead our audiences, we regret any offense caused.? The Post made other questionable changes to its print version of the AP dispatch. The original stated: Since September 2015, Palestinian assailants have killed 43 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British student, mainly in stabbing, shooting and vehicular attacks. In that time, some 250 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire. Israel identified most of them as attackers.? Yet, The Posts print version omitted this last, crucial sentencepossibly leaving readers to conclude that Israel is using disproportionate force? and killing Palestinians without cause. By contrast, the online version republished by The Post included this important information. CAMERA contacted The Post requesting a correction and a clarification to their print version of the AP dispatch. The paper declined to do so, claiming that it faced space constraints? and the headline accurately conveyed the story, within the constraints of space.? This is risible; the paper failed to offer a detailed report, on its own, on a coordinated terrorist attackan occurrence that refutes previous Post coverage of lone-wolf? attacks against Israelis. Further, Hamas, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), all sought to claim credit for the assaulta fact which also makes the event newsworthy, to say nothing of a young Israeli woman being murdered. Indeed, as CAMERA has noted, the paper has previously run lengthy stories on Chinese tourists being overcharged at Israeli restaurants, the used car market among Palestinians, and the Israeli Prime Ministers dog nipping someone at a dinner party. The Post should have spared some space? for this terror attackand the little bit afforded to readers should have carried the important context that other news providers managed to print. In a Feb. 11, 2017 tweet, Post Jerusalem bureau chief William Booth claimed that every major attack in Israel & West Bank gets covered in Wapo NYT etc and we dig deeper.? That, however, is demonstrably false. Posted by SD at June 28, 2017 12:15 PM The Washington post should just call itself the anti Israel post. Posted by: Benfivel at June 29, 2017 08:58 PM Your editor is a disgrace. What a pervusion if he truth and what a total disregard for a young girls life. Your editor doesn't even deserve my time. I am fb blocking and will use every opportunity to discredit your 'paper' It should be in the gutter. Where it belongs Posted by: Kaplan at June 30, 2017 03:01 AM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Syrian doctor says he won't return to the United States to finish his studies at Brown University because of the Trump administration's travel ban. Khaled Almilaji said Wednesday there's too much uncertainty, even though he possibly could get a student visa under the scaled-back version of the ban, which could go into effect as early as Thursday. President Donald Trump first ordered a refugee and travel ban aimed at seven Muslim-majority nations, including Syria, shortly after taking office in January. After a federal judge struck it down, he issued a revised order, which was also blocked. The Supreme Court will take up the legality of the ban in October, and in the meantime said this week a limited version could go into effect. FILE--In this Oct. 13, 2016 file photo, Khaled Almilaji, who coordinated a campaign that vaccinated 1.4 million Syrian children and risked his life to provide medical care during the country's civil war, stands for a portrait at Brown University in Providence, R.I. Almilaji says he won't return to the United States to finish his studies at Brown because of the Trump administration's travel ban. He was recently awarded a medal for meritorious service from Queen Elizabeth II. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) Almilaji, 35, had gone to Turkey for a brief trip after the fall semester at Brown and was caught in travel limbo after Trump's order. His pregnant wife remained in the U.S. He chose to move to Canada this month to pursue his master's degree at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He had to decide whether to attend before the Supreme Court ruled on the ban. Almilaji said it's unfortunate he withdrew from Brown, but "bad things happen and you have to adapt." He was reunited with his wife in Toronto and they are expecting a baby girl in August. He's still working with his mentors at the Ivy League school as he tries to reopen a large underground hospital for women and children in northwest Syria. He plans to get specialists at Brown to train hospital staff online and answer their questions about complicated cases. Trump says the ban on visitors from six mostly Muslim countries is needed to protect the U.S. from terrorists. Almilaji was recently awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Canadian representative of Queen Elizabeth II. "Nothing really slows him down including Donald Trump, and including all the many other obstacles that arise along the way in doing this work," said Dr. Adam Levine, who leads the Humanitarian Innovation Initiative at Brown. Almilaji, a fellow with the initiative, coordinated a campaign that vaccinated 1.4 million Syrian children and risked his life to provide medical care during the country's civil war. He's working with Canadian doctors to establish safe health facilities in Syria, train medical workers and connect hospitals. The group formed the Canadian International Medical Relief Organization. The Supreme Court this week allowed a limited part of the ban to go forward, saying the administration could block travelers from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen unless they can prove a "bona fide relationship" with a person or entity in the United States. The court's guidance said that a student admitted to study at an American university would fit that exception. Almilaji travels to Turkey to oversee projects in Syria. He said he was told by lawyers that if he did return to the United States, it would be unwise to leave again. The uncertainty led him to choose to stay in Canada. Almilaji has launched an advocacy and awareness campaign, Care4SyrianKids, with Brown classmates. When Syria is stable enough, he wants to return and work on preventing diseases and other health problems. In this June 16, 2017 photo, Khaled Almilaji and his wife Jehan Mouhsen speak to a reporter after reuniting at Pearson International Airport near Toronto. Almilaji, who coordinated a campaign that vaccinated 1.4 million Syrian children and risked his life to provide medical care during the country's civil war, said he won't return to the United States to finish his studies at Brown University because of the Trump administration's travel ban. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via AP) In this June 26, 2017 photo, Khaled Almilaji poses with his wife, Jehan, in Toronto. Dr. Almilaji, who coordinated a campaign that vaccinated 1.4 million Syrian children and risked his life to provide medical care during the country's civil war, says he won't return to the United States to finish his studies at Brown University because of the Trump administration's travel ban. He was recently awarded a medal for meritorious service from Queen Elizabeth II.(Courtesy of Khaled Almilaji via AP) HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - The Latest on a lockdown at an Alabama military post (all times local): 3:45 p.m. The military says a security scare that shut down an Alabama Army base was a false alarm. Madison County Sheriff's Deputies and Huntsville Police officers block Martin Road leading to Redstone Arsenal Gate 1, Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Huntsville, Ala. Authorities locked down the Alabama military post on Tuesday amid reports of possible active shooter, and workers were advised to "run hide fight." Redstone Arsenal spokesman Christopher Colster told WAFF-TV that the base near Huntsville received reports of a person possibly armed with a weapon at a building. (AP Photo/Eric Schultz) A statement released Wednesday by Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, says someone reported what they thought was a gunshot at the installation Tuesday. The statement says military investigators have determined that report was wrong, and they're calling the whole incident a false alarm. The emergency calls came from within Redstone Arsenal, where more than 30,000 people work. The installation sent a Tweet warning people of a possible active shooter and telling them to "run hide fight." The statement says leadership took the threat seriously and acted because workforce safety is a top priority. ___ 2:45 a.m. Two 911 calls and a tweet about the possibility of an active shooter at a military installation set off a day of panic and confusion in Alabama. The emergency calls came from within the Redstone Arsenal base near Huntsville on Tuesday and led the installation to tweet a warning to its 30,000 government employees, civilians and contractors: "run hide fight." At one point, Redstone spokesman Christopher Colster acknowledged he didn't know whether the lockdown was part of a drill or an actual threat. Garrison commander Col. Tom Holliday says an investigation found there was no active shooter and no shots were fired. He says authorities will continue to investigate what happened, including whether the 911 calls were part of a hoax. An active shooter drill planned for Wednesday has been canceled. Col. Thomas Holliday, the garrison commander at the Redstone Arsenal installation near Huntsville, Ala., holds a press conference on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. Holliday said authorities locked down an Alabama military post on Tuesday after two 911 calls were made about a potential active shooter, but no shots were fired. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) Huntsville Police officers block an entrance to Redstone Arsenal, Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Huntsville, Ala. Authorities locked down the Alabama military post on Tuesday amid reports of possible active shooter, and workers were advised to "run hide fight." Redstone Arsenal spokesman Christopher Colster told WAFF-TV that the base near Huntsville received reports of a person possibly armed with a weapon at a building. (AP Photo/Eric Schultz) Huntsville Police officers tell drivers to turn around on Martin Road leading to Redstone Arsenal Gate 1 , Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Huntsville, Ala. Authorities locked down the Alabama military post on Tuesday amid reports of possible active shooter, and workers were advised to "run hide fight." Redstone Arsenal spokesman Christopher Colster told WAFF-TV that the base near Huntsville received reports of a person possibly armed with a weapon at a building. (AP Photo/Eric Schultz) Authorities block an entrance to Redstone Arsenal, Tuesday, June 27, 2017, in Huntsville, Ala. The military post said in a tweet it was on lockdown Tuesday amid reports of possible active shooter, telling workers to "run hide fight." More than 30,000 government employees, civilians and contractors work daily at Redstone. It is home to Army missile defense programs and other military offices. (AP Photo/Eric Schultz) Madison County Sheriff's Deputies and Huntsville Police officer block Martin Road leading to Redstone Arsenal Gate 1, Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Huntsville, Ala. Authorities locked down the Alabama military post on Tuesday amid reports of possible active shooter, and workers were advised to "run hide fight." Redstone Arsenal spokesman Christopher Colster told WAFF-TV that the base near Huntsville received reports of a person possibly armed with a weapon at a building. (AP Photo/Eric Schultz) Madison County Sheriff's Deputies and Huntsville Police officers block Martin Road leading to Redstone Arsenal Gate 1, Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Huntsville, Ala. Authorities locked down the Alabama military post on Tuesday amid reports of possible active shooter, and workers were advised to "run hide fight." Redstone Arsenal spokesman Christopher Colster told WAFF-TV that the base near Huntsville received reports of a person possibly armed with a weapon at a building. (AP Photo/Eric Schultz) Col. Thomas Holliday, the garrison commander at the Redstone Arsenal installation near Huntsville, Ala., holds a press conference on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. Holliday said authorities locked down an Alabama military post on Tuesday after two 911 calls were made about a potential active shooter, but no shots were fired. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) PHOENIX (AP) - Flight attendants huddled around Cristina Penton, handing her wet cloths to keep her cool. One massaged her shoulders, and another told her to stay calm - everything would be OK. Penton knew something was wrong within 15 minutes of takeoff, when the pregnant mother began to have contractions as often as every five minutes. Once her water broke, she knew her baby boy was going to be born before the plane reached the gates. "He did what he wanted," she said at a news conference. "We were just along for the ride." Penton gave birth Saturday night on a Spirit Airlines flight that took a detour to New Orleans when she went into labor. She was 36 weeks pregnant when she boarded the flight from Fort Lauderdale on her way to her home in the Phoenix area with her two other children. When Penton went into labor, a flight attendant called for doctors to come to the front of the plane. A pediatrician and a nurse, guided by other doctors on the ground, helped Penton give birth to her son, named Cristoph Lezcano. Penton said at the Tuesday news conference she put her feet up onto the wall in front of her seat and pushed three times. The nurse caught Christoph midair, and the doctor reported he had a good color. Shelley Starks, who sat one row behind Penton on the flight, said she encouraged Penton to wait to give birth in a hospital. She thought the baby, who was four weeks premature, would be safer in the womb than on the plane. "I told her don't push, keep it in," Starks said. Penton later said there was no way she could have delayed the birth. "Everyone told me not to push, but anyone who's had a baby knows it's not an option," Penton said. When the plane landed, Penton received emergency medical attention and was taken to hospital 10 minutes away. Doctors at a New Orleans-area hospital confirmed both Penton and her newborn were healthy. At birth, Christoph weighed 7 pounds and measured 19.5 inches long. "It was so surreal," Starks said. "It was incredible to be a part of that, for it to happen right before your eyes." Penton said she was comfortable flying even at 36 weeks because her other two children were born full term. Her husband, who drove to meet her in New Orleans, later said "I told you so," after warning her not to take the trip. Spirit Airlines spokesman Paul Berry said some airlines require doctor notes before allowing women far along in their pregnancies to fly. Spirit has no such policy, and instead leaves the choice up to individuals. "We encourage women to check with their doctors before travelling," he said. Berry said Wednesday that Cristina Penton and her family can travel on the airline's dime once a year to celebrate her baby's birthday, until he turns 21. The airline also gave Christoph a Spirit Airlines onesie that reads "born to fly" and "early arrival." WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Ireland center Robbie Henshaw and Wales winger George North are returning home from the British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand after sustaining injuries in a match against the Wellington-based Hurricanes. Henshaw tore a pectoral muscle and North strained a hamstring during the 31-31 draw on Tuesday, the last midweek match of the Lions' tour. Both will remain with the Lions until after Saturday's second test against New Zealand before returning home for further treatment. They are the third and fourth players to be forced out of the tour with injury after Wales lock Ross Moriarty and Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg. No replacements are being sought as the second and third tests are the Lions only remaining matches. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump was whisked a few blocks from the White House to the Trump hotel on Wednesday night for his first re-election fundraiser, where he raised an estimated $10 million behind closed doors. Some 40 months ahead of the 2020 election, the president held court for about two hours at a $35,000-per-plate donor event at the Trump International Hotel. About 300 people were expected to attend the event, which was expected to raise about $10 million, said Lindsay Jancek, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee. Security was tight at the hotel, where guests in long gowns and crisp suits began arriving around 5 p.m. But the event also drew critics. The president's motorcade was greeted by dozens of protesters, who hoisted signs with slogans like "Health care not tax cuts" and chanted "Shame! Shame!" Protesters yell at patrons at the outdoor seating area at the Trump International Hotel, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Washington. President Donald Trump is attending a fundraiser at the hotel. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Among the fundraiser's attendees: Longtime GOP fundraiser-turned television commentator Mica Mosbacher and Florida lobbyist and party financier Brian Ballard were among the fundraiser's attendees. Breaking the tradition of his predecessor, Trump didn't allow reporters into the event - despite an announcement earlier in the day that a pool of reporters would be allowed in to hear the president's remarks. "It's a political event and they've chosen to keep that separate," White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said when asked why the event is closed to the media. After reporters complained, Sanders announced that the president's remarks would be opened to the press - only to reverse herself hours later. Sanders said there was nothing unusual about raising political cash so early. "He's raising money for the party," she said. "I don't think that's abnormal for any president." Sanders' statement that Trump is raising cash for the GOP told only part of the story, though. The first cut of the money raised goes to Trump's 2020 re-election campaign. The rest gets spread among the RNC and other various Republican entities. Having multiple beneficiaries is what allowed Trump to ask for well above the usual $5,400 per-donor maximum for each election cycle. Those contribution limits are likely to change because this fundraiser is so early that new donation limits for 2020 have not been set by the Federal Election Commission. Trump's hotel has become a place to see and be seen by current and former Trump staffers, as well as lobbyists, journalist and tourists. Several Washington influencers popped into the hotel's lobby even though they didn't plan to attend the event. Several bar patrons also expressed enthusiasm about the unusually lucrative fundraiser so soon after the last election. Trump's decision to hold a fundraiser at his own hotel again raised issues about his continued financial interest in the companies he owns. Unlike previous presidents who have entirely divested from their business holdings before taking office, Trump moved his global business empire assets into a trust that he can take control of at any time. That means that when his properties - including his Washington hotel - do well, he stands to make money. Trump technically leases the hotel from the General Services Administration, and profits are supposed to go to an account of the corporate entity that holds the lease, Trump Old Post Office LLC. It remains unclear what might happen to any profits from the hotel after Trump leaves office, or whether they will be transferred to Trump at that time. Under campaign finance rules, neither the hotel nor the Trump Organization that operates it can donate the space. It must be rented at fair-market value and paid for by either the Trump campaign, the RNC or both. First-time candidate Trump got a late start on fundraising in 2016, holding his first big-ticket donor event only five months before Election Day. This time, he's started unusually early. Trump's historically early campaigning comes with benefits and challenges. In the first three months of this year, the Trump campaign raised more than $7 million, through small donations and the sale of Trump-themed merchandise such as the ubiquitous, red "Make America Great Again" ball caps. The RNC also is benefiting from the new president's active campaigning, having raised about $62 million through the end of last month. The party has raised more online this year than it did in all of 2016 - a testament to Trump's success in reaching small donors. Trump's re-election money helps pay for his political rallies. He's held five so far, and campaign director Michael Glassner says those events help keep him connected to his base of voters. The constant politicking, however, means it is challenging for government employees to avoid inappropriately crossing ethical lines. Some watchdog groups have flagged White House employee tweets that veer into campaign territory. White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters says the employees work closely with lawyers to avoid pitfalls. Walters also says the White House takes care to make sure that Trump's political events and travel - including the Wednesday fundraiser - are paid for by the campaign and other political entities. ___ Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. A protester wears a large likeness of President Donald Trump outside the Trump Hotel, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Washington. President Donald Trump is attending a fundraiser at the hotel. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Protesters gather outside the Trump International Hotel in Washington, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, as President Donald Trump arrives at the hotel for fundraiser. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Protesters yell at patrons at the outdoor seating area at the Trump Hotel, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Washington. President Donald Trump is attending a fundraiser at the hotel. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Emergency no parking signs are posted in front of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, Wednesday, June 28, 2017. President Donald Trump will attend a fund raiser at the hotel this evening. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, has been suspended from racing for four weeks after testing positive to a banned appetite suppressant. Payne pleaded guilty at a hearing on Thursday to taking Phentermine, which was prescribed for her as part of treatment after surgery last year following a serious racing accident. The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that Payne told the inquiry she knew Phentermine was banned on race days but thought it was permitted during track work. She said she was rushing to prepare horses for the Swan Hill Cup meeting in Victoria state on June 11, when the test was conducted. "I didn't think about it because I didn't know I was riding until that morning," Payne was quoted as saying. "I would like to take full responsibility and had I known it would still be in my system, and I would be riding with a banned substance in my system, I wouldn't be riding. "I'm embarrassed and sorry for that." The racing ban was backdated to June 23, when she was initially stood down from racing and track work by Racing Victoria. She will be eligible to return to competition on July 21. The 31-year-old Australian rode and trained two horses on the nine-race program at Swan Hill, picking up a place on four-year-old mare Sovereign Wealth. Payne, who rode 100-to-1 outsider Prince of Penzance to victory in Australia's richest race in 2015, has recently returned to Australia following a trip to Britain, where she rode Kaspersky to fifth place in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis suffered a major blow when his top financial adviser, Cardinal George Pell, was charged in his native Australia with multiple counts of sexual assault from years ago, bringing a criminal case in the long-running abuse scandal inside the frescoed walls of the Vatican for the first time. The 76-year-old Pell - the highest-ranking Vatican official ever implicated in the scandal - forcefully denied the accusations and took an immediate leave of absence as Vatican finance czar to return to Australia to defend himself. "The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," Pell told reporters Thursday in the Vatican press office. "News of these charges strengthens my resolve, and court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name." Cardinal George Pell meets the media, at the Vatican, Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney says Vatican Cardinal George Pell will return to Australia to fight sexual assault charges as soon as possible. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) The pope thanked him for his "honest" work and collaboration, and set about trying to ensure that the financial reforms he had entrusted to Pell would continue in his absence. But the case creates a thorny image problem for the pope, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy about sex abuse in the worldwide scandal. In 2014, Francis won cautious praise from victims' advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about the "best practices" to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left in frustration. Francis also scrapped the commission's signature proposal - a tribunal to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse - after Vatican officials objected. That one of his top advisers now stands charged with abuse himself increases the pressure on Francis to get the abuse commission back on track and press ahead with the financial reforms that he was elected pope to enact. "It's a big crisis for Pope Francis, because Cardinal Pell was the man he called from Sydney to Rome to reform the Vatican finances," noted Christopher Lamb, correspondent for the British Catholic magazine, The Tablet. "Pope Francis has said 'zero tolerance' for abusers, that he was going to sack bishops who cover up, but at the same time there have been number of cases where he's been accused of having not taken strong enough action." Notably, Francis didn't force Pell to resign. He has said he would wait for Australian justice to run its course before making a judgment himself. The developments also posed a new obstacle for Francis as he tries to overhaul the Vatican bureaucracy and bring its finances up to international accounting and transparency standards. If the case drags on, he will be pressed to ensure that the economy secretariat can work effectively. Reforms already were strained by Pell's repeated clashes with the Italian-dominated bureaucracy, mired by delays, resistance and the complexity of bringing order to the Vatican's financial fiefdoms. Just last week, one of Pell's top allies, the Vatican auditor general, resigned without explanation two years into a five-year term, raising questions about whether the reform effort was doomed. The charges against Pell were announced Thursday in Melbourne by Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton, who said the cardinal - Australia's senior Catholic - was ordered to appear in court July 26 to face multiple counts of "historical sexual assault offenses" - meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but he gave no other details. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the Holy See had learned with "regret" of the charges and that the work of Pell's office would continue in his absence, albeit only its "ordinary" affairs. In a statement he read to reporters while sitting next to Pell, Burke said the Vatican respected Australia's justice system but recalled that the cardinal had "openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable" acts of sexual abuse against minors. He noted Pell's cooperation with Australia's Royal Commission investigation of sex abuse and that as a bishop in Australia, he worked to protect children and compensate victims. Pell said he intends to return to Rome eventually to resume his work as prefect of the Vatican's economy ministry. The Vatican said Pell would not participate in any public liturgical events during his leave. The charges came while many of the world's cardinals were in Rome for a ceremony a day earlier to elevate five new cardinals, and Pell did not participate in a Mass in St. Peter's Square on Thursday. For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse as archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican to interview him last year. It is unclear what the criminal charges against Pell involve, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. Pell's actions as archbishop came under scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. The Royal Commission found shocking levels of abuse in Australia's Catholic Church, revealing that 7 percent of priests were accused of sexually abusing children in the past several decades. Last year, Pell testified to the commission that the church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. He vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his hometown of Ballarat. But he also became something of a scapegoat in Australia for all that went wrong with how the church handled the scandal. Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of abuse who resigned from the pope's advisory commission in March, said Pell never should have been promoted to his Vatican job, given how he mishandled abuse cases in Australia. It was, she said in a statement, "a slap in the face to all those he had let down so badly, not only victims but Catholic people who have spent years now hearing assurance from the Catholic Church that it is taking the issue seriously." Proving the charges may be difficult. The prosecution must prove the sex offenses occurred beyond a reasonable doubt, which can be difficult when so much time has passed, said Lisa Flynn, national manager of Shine Lawyers' abuse law practice in Australia. It was unclear if Pell would face a church trial stemming from the accusations. The Vatican has clear guidelines about initiating a canonical investigation if there is a semblance of truth to sex abuse accusations against a cleric. In the case of a cardinal, it would fall to Francis himself to judge. Penalties for a guilty verdict in a church trial include defrocking. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher stood by Pell, calling him "a man of integrity in his dealings with others, a man of faith and high ideals, a thoroughly decent man." He added that the archdiocese wouldn't be paying Pell's legal bills. Anne Barrett Doyle of BishopAccountability.org, an online archive of clerical sex abuse documents, said she was surprised by the charges "simply because of their boldness." "While Pell undeniably is the poster boy for the Australian church's wrongdoing, false allegations are relatively rare," she said in an email. ___ Gelineau reported from Sydney. ___ This story has been corrected to show Pell's court date is July 26, based on new information from court. Cardinal George Pell arrives to make a statement, at the Vatican, Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney says Vatican Cardinal George Pell will return to Australia to fight sexual assault charges as soon as possible. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Cardinal George Pell meets the media, at the Vatican, Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney says Vatican Cardinal George Pell will return to Australia to fight sexual assault charges as soon as possible. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Cardinal George Pell leaves after meeting the media, at the Vatican, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser, has been charged in his native Australia with multiple counts of "historical" sexual abuse, becoming the highest-ranking Vatican official ever charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Cardinal George Pell, left, is flanked by Vatican spokesman Greg Burke as he arrives to meet the media, at the Vatican, Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney says Vatican Cardinal George Pell will return to Australia to fight sexual assault charges as soon as possible. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Cardinal George Pell meets the media, at the Vatican, Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney says Vatican Cardinal George Pell will return to Australia to fight sexual assault charges as soon as possible. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) - An Arizona forest fire that shut down youth summer camps, forced thousands from their homes and came dangerously close to consuming a town was 43 percent contained by Thursday evening, authorities said. About 1,400 evacuated residents of the community of Mayer were allowed to go home earlier in the day and Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher estimated 2,000 other residents of other small communities remained out of their homes. Campgrounds were also emptied and 1,400 children attending summer camps were bused out as the fire approached. An evacuee from the Goodwin fire enters a Red Cross shelter, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. Forest officials say over a dozen campground and other recreation areas have been closed because of the wildfire in northern Arizona. (AP Photo/Matt York) The fire, which has now burned about 45 square miles (116 sq. kilometers), was one of the top firefighting priorities in the U.S. after it rapidly grew while burning through a dense, rugged forest. More than 800 firefighters were battling the blaze burning in the communities around Prescott, which draws a mix of desert dwellers escaping the heat, retirees and visitors to its famed Old West-themed Whiskey Row lined with bars. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey toured the fire zone about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Phoenix and thanked firefighters. The flames crossed a road a day earlier and approached the town of Dewey-Humboldt, but officials said firefighters saved the community from devastation. "When that fire jumped that road and started heading to Dewey-Humboldt, we thought it was gone," Mascher said. "I thought there was no stopping it." Authorities estimated that the fire burned a handful of homes, but did not have an exact count. The blaze also forced evacuations for children and campers in a cooler part of Arizona that many head to in the summer to escape the stifling heat. About 1,400 children had to leave summer camps run by churches and the YMCA among others where children swim, ride horses and participate in outdoor games and activities. Several campgrounds - normally popular sites for the July Fourth weekend - were also forced to close. Authorities used school buses to transport children from the camps to the small mountain city of Prescott, where they re-connected with their parents, said Yavapai County Supervisor Tom Thurman. No camps burned, but county officials did not want to take risks. "For the kids, we're just being proactive," Thurman said. After spending two nights in a shelter for people evacuated from the fire, Tracey McCabe was looking forward Thursday to sleeping in her own bed after authorities lifted some evacuation orders and said improving weather conditions were helping them fight the fire. McCabe was among several hundred residents in the town of Mayer, population 1,400, allowed to go home after fire officials determined their homes were no longer at risk from the fire that started Saturday. The cause was not known Thursday. McCabe worried that her house might have had an orange tag placed on it by authorities to mark residents evacuated safely away from the fire zone. "That means you're not there. It's an open invitation to thieves," she said. Firefighters on Thursday were also battling wildfires in California, New Mexico, Utah and Washington state. The Arizona blaze grew slightly overnight but fire officials said lower wind speeds would make it easier for firefighters to try to quell it. Higher humidity also helped firefighters on Wednesday despite a temporary halt to aircraft operations because of an unauthorized drone flying in the area. Several helicopters and fire crews had to stop working for about 45 minutes to an hour because the drone posed a serious safety hazard. Authorities did not find the pilot. In the town of Dewey-Humboldt, David Eastlack, his girlfriend and their three daughters woke up Wednesday to find ash falling "like snowflakes" and a warning from authorities to prepare for a possible evacuation. Eastlack was working at a warehouse later that morning when officials arrived and told workers to go home, get their families and leave the town of about 4,000. He raced home, loaded the family SUV with clothes and family pictures and headed for the evacuation center at a high school in the next town up the highway. "We left everything else," Eastlack said. "If it got destroyed in the fire, it's just stuff. But we took the memories." Ducey, Arizona's governor, noted that Friday marks the four-year anniversary of a wildfire that killed 19 elite firefighters in Yarnell, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Prescott Valley. He praised "the elite status of those young men that we lost. And I wanna take that same type of spirit out as we fight this fire over the Fourth of July holiday weekend." Elsewhere, hundreds of people forced from their homes by a Utah wildfire were expected to return even as the blaze grew. Fire managers said Thursday at 25-mph (40-kph) wind gusts expanded the wildfire near the ski resort town of Brian Head to more than 91 square miles (236 square kilometers), though firefighters boosted its containment to 15 percent. The fire was ignited by someone using a weed-burning torch. In Southern California, a wildfire burning on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base and in the city of San Clemente was about 10 percent contained. Officials there say higher humidity levels slowed the fire's pace. Fires that flared dangerously close to homes in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles and in the city of Burbank were knocked down. ___ Galvan reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Clarice Silber and Josh Hoffner in Phoenix and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report. Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascherat speaks during a news conference at an evacuation center on Thursday, June 29, 2017, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. Crews made considerable progress Thursday fighting an Arizona forest fire that shut down youth summer camps, forced thousands from their homes and came dangerously close to consuming a town. (AP Photo/Angie Wang) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tours the fire's evacuation center in Prescott Valley, Ariz., Thursday, June 29, 2017. Crews made considerable progress Thursday fighting an Arizona forest fire that shut down youth summer camps, forced thousands from their homes and came dangerously close to consuming a town. (AP Photo/Angie Wang) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey speaks with Jean Wilson, a 71-year-old evacuee from the community of Pine Flats at the fire's evacuation center on Thursday, June 29, 2017, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. Crews made considerable progress Thursday fighting an Arizona forest fire that shut down youth summer camps, forced thousands from their homes and came dangerously close to consuming a town. (AP Photo/Angie Wang) Gov. Doug Ducey speaks to local government officials about the northern Arizona wildfire at Bradshaw Mountain Middle School on Thursday, June 29, 2017, in Dewey, Ariz. Crews made considerable progress Thursday fighting an Arizona forest fire that shut down youth summer camps, forced thousands from their homes and came dangerously close to consuming a town. (AP Photo/Angie Wang) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey listens to a briefing on a northern Arizona wildfire at a command center set up at Bradshaw Mountain Middle School on Thursday, June 29, 2017, in Dewey, Ariz. Crews made considerable progress Thursday fighting an Arizona forest fire that shut down youth summer camps, forced thousands from their homes and came dangerously close to consuming a town. (AP Photo/Angie Wang) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey listens to a briefing on a northern Arizona wildfire at a command center set up at Bradshaw Mountain Middle School on Thursday, June 29, 2017, in Dewey, Ariz. Crews made considerable progress Thursday fighting an Arizona forest fire that shut down youth summer camps, forced thousands from their homes and came dangerously close to consuming a town. (AP Photo/Angie Wang) A structure burning on Lightner Creek Road west of Durango, Colo., on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, quickly spread into the surrounding forest, creating the Lightner Creek Fire and burning an estimated 100 acres. (AP Photo/Durango Herald,Jerry McBride) A helicopter drops water on the Lightner Creek Fire on Lightner Creek Road west of Durango, Colo., on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. The wildfire in southwestern Colorado has burned at least one home and forced the evacuation of about 140 others, as well as a busy campground. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald via AP) In this Wednesday, June 28, 2017 photo, firefighters work to control a wildfire along Lightner Creek Road west of Durango, Colo. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has declared a disaster emergency to add resources for crews battling a wildfire in the southwest part of the state. (Jerry McBride/The Durango Herald via AP) Hunter Dreier, left, and Charlie Gillingham, shield themselves from smoke as they look at charred hillsides in San Clemente, Calif., Thursday, June 29, 2017. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein says California's wildfire season could be more severe than last year, with nearly 30,000 acres already burned. (Ken Steinhardt/The Orange County Register via AP) A hillside burns after firefighters set back fires as they work to put out a brushfire in San Clemente, Calif., Thursday, June 29, 2017. Firefighters on Thursday were also battling wildfires in New Mexico, Utah, Washington state, as well as California. (Ken Steinhardt/The Orange County Register via AP) Firefighters keep an eye on the burning hillsides after setting back fires in San Clemente, Calif., Thursday, June 29, 2017. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein says California's wildfire season could be more severe than last year, with nearly 30,000 acres already burned. (Ken Steinhardt/The Orange County Register via AP) Firefighters set back fires as they work to put out a brush fire in San Clemente, Calif., Thursday, June 29, 2017. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein says California's wildfire season could be more severe than last year, with nearly 30,000 acres already burned. (Ken Steinhardt/The Orange County Register via AP) Firefighters set back fires as they work to put out a brushfire in San Clemente, Calif., Thursday, June 29, 2017. Firefighters on Thursday were also battling wildfires in New Mexico, Utah, Washington state, as well as California. (Ken Steinhardt/The Orange County Register via AP) DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria's government and its ally Russia accused Washington on Thursday of concocting a "provocation" in Syria, which would then be blamed on President Bashar Assad's government as alleged use of chemical weapons to justify an attack. In a statement carried by the official news agency, Syria's Foreign Ministry said it rejects U.S. allegations that Syria was preparing for a chemical weapons attack, describing such accusations as "misleading" and "completely baseless." It said the objective of such allegations was to "justify a new aggression on Syria under ill-founded pretexts," similar to what happened in April when the U.S. struck a Syrian air base, which it said had been used to stage a chemical attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun that killed nearly 90. FILE -In this Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 file photo released by the Syrian Presidency, Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks to The Associated Press at the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria. The Syrian government on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 dismissed White House allegations that it was preparing a new chemical weapons attack, as activists reported an airstrike on an Islamic State-run jail in eastern Syria that they said killed more than 40 prisoners. (Syrian Presidency via AP, File) Earlier this week, the White House has warned that Assad is preparing for another chemical attack and said that the Syrian ruler will "pay a heavy price" if he unleashes it. Also Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow has received information that Syrian rebels have already fabricated video materials to accuse Damascus of a chemical attack. She said that according to the information Russia has, Syrian towns of Saraqib and Arihah could serve as venues for the "provocation." Both towns are located in the province of Idlib in northwestern Syria and are controlled by the rebels. She claimed that such action could be aimed at derailing the next round of Syria peace talks brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran, which is set for next week in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana. The meeting is meant to determine specifics related to safety zones in Syria. Zakharova's strongly-worded statement reflect soaring tensions between Moscow and Washington even as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin are expected to hold their first meeting at the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Germany. The U.S. in April struck the Shayrat air base in central Syria, which it said had been used to stage a chemical attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun. The Pentagon said the preparations detected by the U.S. occurred at the same Shayrat air base which the U.S. named as the platform for launching the April attack. The Syrian government has denied it ever used banned chemicals, and it rejected Washington's latest allegations. Russia also has strongly denied that Assad's forces were to blame for the attack in April, arguing that the victims had died of exposure to toxic agents released when Syrian warplanes hit a rebels' chemical weapons depot. Moscow claimed that some of the images from the scene were fabricated and criticized the international chemical weapons watchdog of failing to send its inspectors to the site of the attack and the Syrian air base allegedly used to launch it. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Thusrday that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a phone call this week told him that Washington has information about Assad allegedly preparing a chemical attack. Lavrov questioned the veracity of the U.S. information and suggested that extremists could take advantage of the U.S. warning to stage a provocation in order to blame Assad. Asked how Russia would react to a possible U.S. strike on Syria, Lavrov said that the response will be "proportionate." ___ Isachenkov reported from Moscow. PIERI, South Sudan (AP) - Clasping frail arms around his stomach, Machar Weituor doubles over in pain as he slowly positions himself over the hole in his bed. Too feeble to make it to the toilet, the 40-year-old groans faintly as he defecates into a bucket. "I'm worried he'll die," says his wife, Nyibol Maluok, lying on the cement floor beside him. He had been carried from his village, lying on a wooden ladder, for five hours by relatives. Twenty-four hours earlier, the couple had arrived at the clinic in Pieri, a rebel-held town in South Sudan's Jonglei state and part of what the United Nations calls "the longest, most widespread and most deadly cholera outbreak" since the country won independence in 2011. Machar Weituor sits on his bed while his wife Nyibol Maluok, lies on the cement floor beside him at a cholera clinic in Pieri South Sudan on Wednesday June 28 2017 . More than 11,000 cases of cholera have been reported since South Sudan's outbreak began one year ago, with at least 190 deaths. The World Health Organization says 2017 shows a slight increase in cholera cases. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) " Since this outbreak began one year ago, over 11,000 cases have been reported, including at least 190 deaths, according to the World Health Organization and South Sudan's government. WHO says 2017 shows a slight increase in cases, which coincides with the recent surge of displaced people across the country as civil war moves well into its fourth year. The fast-developing, highly contagious infection can spread in areas without clean drinking water and with poor sanitation. It can result in death through dehydration if left untreated. Pieri and surrounding areas in April experienced their first cholera outbreak in 21 years. Community leaders say 36 people have died in two months alone. They attribute the severity of the outbreak to an inability to support an overwhelming increase in the town's population. Due to fighting between South Sudan's government and opposition forces in surrounding areas, Pieri's population has tripled since February. Once a town of roughly 15,000 inhabitants, it now hosts an additional 30,000 displaced people. "People don't have soap, enough water or utensils to cook with," says Pieri's commissioner, Tot Thinkel. The situation will only get worse without consistent humanitarian access, says Doctors Without Borders, the only foreign aid organization with a presence in Pieri. "Displaced people are in more vulnerable situations," says Karin Fischer Liddle, the aid group's medical coordinator in South Sudan. "They are prone to outbreaks like cholera and also more at risk for malaria and other diseases because they don't have the same means of protection." The civil war has displaced an estimated two million people inside the country and sent another two million fleeing to neighboring nations in what the United Nations has called the world's fastest growing refugee crisis. When people flee, they often have nothing but the clothes on their backs. When government forces attacked Chol Tut's town of Yuai in February, he says he was lucky to escape with his life. "My cousin was shot in the back by government soldiers," Tut says. "He died on the spot." Tut now lives in Pieri, jammed into a small room with "too many people." He has no toilet and little access to food or clean water. Humanitarians say large numbers of people living in unsanitary spaces is a recipe for disaster. Central Pieri has only two wells serving 5,000 people. Those unable to reach the wells have started drawing water from the filthy swamps. "This is the worst I've ever seen it," says James Khor, a lab technician in Pieri. "A lot of people have lost their lives here." The mass displacement of people, like the civil war itself, shows no signs of slowing. In May, Nyathak Eup buried her father and 1-year-old daughter in the same week. They both died of cholera. "I don't know why this happened to us," says Eup, her eyes lifeless. "I think it's all because of the fighting." Machar Weituor sits on his bed at a cholera clinic in Pieri South Sudan on Wednesday June 28 2017 . More than 11,000 cases of cholera have been reported since South Sudan's outbreak began one year ago, with at least 190 deaths. The World Health Organization says 2017 shows a slight increase in cholera cases. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) " In this photo of Tuesday June 27 2017, lab technician James Khor, treats a patient at his private clinic, which is right across from the cholera center set up by Doctors Without Borders in Pieri South Sudan. More than 11,000 cases of cholera have been reported since South Sudan's outbreak began one year ago, with at least 190 deaths. The World Health Organization says 2017 shows a slight increase in cholera cases. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) MOSCOW (AP) - Moscow has angrily lashed out at a dismissive comment about a Russian aircraft carrier made by Britain's defense secretary, arguing that its aging ship is better than the new British carrier. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said earlier this week that Russia will look at the British aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, with envy, pointing at Russia's "dilapidated" Admiral Kuznetsov carrier. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov fired back Thursday, arguing that unlike the British ship that relies on escort ships for protection, the Russian carrier can stand by itself with an array of offensive and defensive weapons. He dismissed the British carrier as just a "conveniently large sea target" that should stay close to U.S. protection. HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, is assisted by tugs on the Firth of Forth after leaving the Rosyth dockyard, Scotland, near Edinburgh to begin her sea worthiness trials, Monday June 26, 2017. Naval staff and contractors lined the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth as the 280-metre, 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier moved in a three-hour operation. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP) The Soviet-built Kuznetsov recently visited the eastern Mediterranean as part in Russia's campaign in Syria. BERLIN (AP) - German lawmakers are poised to pass a bill designed to enforce the country's existing limits on free speech - including the long-standing ban on Holocaust denial - in social networks. Critics including tech giants and human rights campaigners say the legislation could have drastic consequences for free speech online. The proposed measure would fine social networking sites up to 50 million euros ($56 million) if they fail to swiftly remove illegal content, including defamatory "fake news." It's scheduled for a vote in parliament Friday, the last session before summer recess and September's national election, and is widely expected to pass. FILE - In this April 5,. 2017 file photo German Justice Minister Heiko Maas attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany. German lawmakers are poised to pass a bill designed to enforce the country's existing limits on free speech _ including the long-standing ban on Holocaust denial _ in social networks, but which critics _ including tech giants and human rights campaigners _ say could have drastic consequences for free speech online. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, file) The U.N.'s independent expert on freedom of speech, David Kaye, warned the German government earlier this month that the criteria for removing material were "vague and ambiguous," adding that the prospect of hefty fines could prompt social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to delete questionable content without waiting for a court to rule it's unlawful. "Such precautionary censorship would interfere with the right to seek, receive and impart information of all kinds on the internet," he said. The bill is the brainchild of Germany's justice minister, Heiko Maas, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party that is the junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government. He accuses social networks of failing to prevent their sites from being used to spread inflammatory views and false information long illegal in Germany. After World War II, the country criminalized Holocaust denial and any glorification of its Nazi past, citing the genocidal results such ideas produced as proof of the need to ban them from public debate. "Freedom of opinion ends where criminal law begins," Maas said recently. "Calls to commit murder, threats, insults, incitement to hatred or the Auschwitz-lie (that Nazi death camps didn't exist) aren't expressions of freedom of opinion but attacks on the freedom of opinion of others." The bill has been spurred by a rise in anti-migrant vitriol that has grown with the arrival of more than 1 million refugees from mostly Muslim countries in the past two years. Maas blames unbridled social media for stoking tensions that have spilled into real-life violence such as arson attacks on asylum-seeker homes and attempts to kill pro-migrant politicians. Right-wing websites and social media users have reacted angrily at the bill, accusing the government of trying to silence dissent. Their worst fears appeared to come true when a prominent anti-Muslim commentator, Kolja Bonke, was permanently banned from Twitter earlier this year. The reason for his ban is still unclear - Twitter refuses to publicly discuss individual cases - but those who hold similar opinions worry they could be next. "I think (Bonke's suspension) was a severe blow to countless critics of Islam and the government, including me," said one female Twitter user from western Germany who runs the account @anna_IIna. Declining to provide her real name for fear of being targeted by political opponents, she described Twitter as a place for getting unfiltered, real-time information about crimes committed by immigrants - an issue she claims mainstream media suppress. Michael Wolfskeil, who runs the influential Twitter account @onlinemagazin that posts thousands of videos and photos with anti-immigrant content each month, said he was given two days' notice before being suspended recently. The 53-year-old German army veteran said the exact reason for his temporary ban, which has now been lifted, was unclear and described Twitter's policies as "very, very murky" - a claim the company disputes. Unlike others who have moved to more obscure social media sites, Wolfskeil said he has no plans to stop venting online. "Twitter is the most comfortable place for doing that," he said. Opposition to the bill, including from constitutional scholars, prompted several last-minute changes last week, but the core elements remain: - All social media networks with more than 2 million users have to create a channel to process complaints about potentially illegal content. - Content illegal in Germany has to be removed within seven days - or 24 hours in clear-cut cases such as Holocaust denial. - Companies can delegate the review process to an independent third party overseen by the Justice Ministry- a concession to critics who warned against putting censorship in the hands of private companies. - Social networks have to publish a report every six months detailing how many complaints they received and how they dealt with them. - Companies that persistently fail to respond adequately to complaints, such as by taking too long to delete illegal content, face fines of up to 50 million euros. Each company also has to designate a person responsible for the complaints procedure who is personally liable for fines of up to 5 million euros. - Social networks must reveal the identities of users accused of defamation or breaching other people's right to privacy. Twitter and Facebook insist they are trying to address the problem of illegal content and hate speech, conscious of the fact that Germany's justice minister wants to take regulation to the European level as a next step. Five years ago Germany became the first country where Twitter tested a feature that blocks individual posts or whole accounts due to potentially illegal content. The phrase "account has been withheld in: Germany" is now commonly seen by users there, including for tweets by prominent figures such as the Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders. More recently, Twitter has created a system of "trusted flaggers" whose complaints receive special attention because they are deemed particularly trustworthy. The company has also started testing algorithms to identify accounts set up for the sole purpose of abusing other users. It plans to refine the software so that it can automatically suspend users for limited periods of time if they breach its community standards, though presently such suspensions still require human approval. Facebook is hiring an additional 3,000 people worldwide - on top of 4,500 existing staff - to review objectionable material. It has also designated refugees a "protected group," meaning that posts directed specifically against that category of people is deemed hate speech. "We have been working hard on this problem and have made substantial progress in removing illegal content," Facebook said in a statement. "We believe the best solutions will be found when government, civil society and industry work together to tackle this important societal problem." The company has faced a backlash elsewhere for perceived over-zealous removal of content, such as in the case of AP photographer Nick Ut's iconic "Napalm girl" photo taken during the Vietnam War of a naked girl fleeing an attack. If passed with the government's large Parliamentary majority, the law is likely to be challenged in courts at the national and European level. Free speech groups argue that political debate in Germany will suffer if companies are forced to police every user's comments. Users such as @anna_IIna say they won't back down in the online battle for ideas if the law is passed. "If my account is blocked I'll be sad but then I'll create a new one and start over," she said. ____ Follow Frank Jordans on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/wirereporter LONDON (AP) - The Latest on the U.K.'s examination of Twenty-First Century Fox's takeover bid for network Sky (all times local): 12:20 p.m. British Culture Secretary Karen Bradley says that media regulators expressed concern that Twenty-First Century Fox's proposed takeover of Sky would give the Murdoch Family Trust material influence over news providers across all key platforms. Campaigners from the community-based organization Avaaz, wearing a mask of Rupert Murdoch, right, and Prime Minister Theresa May, stage a protest opposite parliament in London, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Britain's Culture Secretary Karen Bradley is ruling on whether to permit the proposed 11.7 billion pound merge of Sky and Twenty-First Century Fox. Bradley is set to offer her verdict Thursday. The merger would allow Rupert Murdoch to consolidate his power base in British media. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Bradley told the House of Commons on Thursday that this "potentially raises public interest concerns," and she is minded to refer the matter to the Competition and Markets Authority for further review. Bradley says "these are clear grounds whereby a referral to a Phase 2 investigation is warranted - so that is what I am minded-to do." Murdoch's media group is trying to buy the 61 percent of Sky it doesn't already own, giving Twenty-First Century Fox easy access to Sky's 22 million customers in the U.K., Ireland, Austria, Germany and Italy. Critics say would give Rupert Murdoch too much power in U.K. media. ___ 12:10 p.m. Britain's government has referred Twenty-First Century Fox's takeover bid for European cable TV network Sky for more examination citing public interest concerns. Culture Secretary Karen Bradley told the House of Commons on Thursday she decided to refer the bid to the Competition and Markets Authority after receiving a report by the media regulator, Ofcom. ___ 9:15 a.m. Britain's culture secretary is preparing to rule on whether Twenty-First Century Fox can take full control of the Sky cable television and broadband network in an 11.7 billion pound ($15.2 billion) deal critics say would give Rupert Murdoch too much power in U.K. media. Karen Bradley is scheduled to give her verdict Thursday. Murdoch's media group is trying to buy the 51 percent of Sky it doesn't already own. Critics argue the deal would give Murdoch too much influence over the British media, because his company already owns two of the country's biggest newspapers. Women who allege they were sexually harassed at Fox News also say the takeover should be blocked. An earlier attempt to buy Sky was thwarted by the 2011 phone hacking scandal that rocked Murdoch's British newspapers. Campaigners from the community-based organization Avaaz, wearing a mask of Rupert Murdoch, right, and Prime Minister Theresa May, stage a protest opposite parliament in London, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Britain's Culture Secretary Karen Bradley is ruling on whether to permit the proposed 11.7 billion pound merge of Sky and Twenty-First Century Fox. Bradley is set to offer her verdict Thursday. The merger would allow Rupert Murdoch to consolidate his power base in British media. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) ROME (AP) - Italy's leader pressed his European Union allies Thursday to take in more migrants, saying the relentless arrival of tens of thousands on Italy's shores is putting his country under enormous strain. He spoke after 10,000 migrants were pulled to safety from the Mediterranean Sea in the last few days alone and were heading to Italy. With an election due in less than a year, political pressure is building on Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni's center-left government to push for relief from fellow EU nations. Flanked by EU national leaders and EU officials at a news conference in Berlin, Gentiloni said the growing number of arrivals "puts our welcome capability to a tough test." Migrants wait to disembark from the Spanish ship 'Rio Segura' in the harbor of Salerno, Italy, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Over 1200 migrants, including children, were rescued while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. The European Union's foreign minister says the bloc supports Italy's stance that it can no longer handle the flood of migrants alone, and she insists other EU countries share the burden. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP) Italy has already taken in hundreds of thousands of migrants in the last few years. Some estimates say 220,000 migrants could land in Italy by the end of 2017. In addition to those who arrive, over 2,000 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean this year, according to the U.N. "It's a country under pressure, and we ask the help of our European allies," Gentiloni said, when asked about reports that Italy is considering blocking its ports to non-Italian NGO ships that pluck to safety migrants from distressed dinghies and other unseaworthy boats off the Libyan coast. While acknowledging that European nations take part in patrols to deter smuggling in the central Mediterranean, Gentiloni said the job of caring for the migrants "remains in one country only" - Italy. On Sunday, Italy's anti-migrant Northern League Party teamed up with the center-right opposition forces led by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi and triumphed in several mayoral races. The Democrats, Italy's main government party, took an embarrassing drubbing. Many Italian towns say they just can't handle hosting hundreds of migrants any more. Right-wing parties remind citizens that Italians themselves are suffering from high unemployment and a practically flat economy. In one port alone Thursday, in Reggio Calabria, 1,066 migrants disembarked from the Save the Children rescue ship Vos Hestia. Among them were 241 unaccompanied minors. This ship's rescued migrants came from Eritrea, Bangladesh, Somalia and several sub-Saharan nations of Africa and included a four-day-old boy. Six migrants had chicken pox and some 250 showed signs of scabies, so officials set up pressurized showers. From 2015 to 2016, the number of unaccompanied minors doubled to more than 25,000, according to the Interior Ministry. Populist leader Beppe Grillo, founder of the opposition 5-Star Movement, slammed as a "suicide pact" the accord that lets the European sea patrol off Libya bring all the migrants they rescue to Italy. There's also concern that if Italy, a stalwart supporter of the EU, sours on Brussels because it feels abandoned on the migrant issue, the EU's very survival itself could be compromised. "Either the Union can shake itself up, or the fear is that it can collapse definitively," said Francesco Laforgia, a left-leaning lawmaker. "The situation is no long sustainable," Nicola Latorre, head of the Senate's defense commission, told the Il Messaggero daily. "Obviously saving human lives remains a priority. But it's unthinkable that Italy does it all by itself." That Italy is considering prohibiting some NGO ships from bringing migrants to southern Italian ports reflects growing frustration in the country toward others in the EU, said Elizabeth Collett, director of MPI Europe, an independent research institution studying migration in Europe. "What they see is an insufficient willingness of other countries to step up and help out," Collett said. One rescue group, SOS Mediterranee, expressed understanding, saying Italy has been "at the front line of this humanitarian tragedy for too long." Still, their statement said: "NGOs are not the cause, nor the solution, to this humanitarian crisis but a response to the failure of the European Union to find a common approach to the tragedy." Earlier Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini insisted that other EU countries share the burden of caring for migrants. But previous plans hatched in Brussels to make other EU countries take in a fixed number of migrants from Italy and Greece have largely stalled. Several central and eastern European EU members - including large countries like Hungary and Poland - have flat out refused to take in a quota of the asylum-seekers. French President Emmanuel Macron, in Berlin along with Gentiloni, insisted that France would do its part as far as those deserving asylum. But Macron noted that more than 80 percent of the people flowing into Italy from across the sea have been described as economic migrants. "How to explain to our fellow citizens, to our middle classes, that suddenly there is no limit anymore?" the French leader asked. ___ AP reporter Geir Moulson contributed from Berlin. ___ Frances D'Emilio is on twitter at www.twitter.com/fdemilio Migrants disembark from the Spanish ship 'Rio Segura' in the harbor of Salerno, Italy, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Over 1200 migrants, including children, were rescued while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. The European Union's foreign minister says the bloc supports Italy's stance that it can no longer handle the flood of migrants alone, and she insists other EU countries share the burden. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP) Migrants wait to disembark from the Spanish ship 'Rio Segura' in the harbor of Salerno, Italy, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Over 1200 migrants, including children, were rescued while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. The European Union's foreign minister says the bloc supports Italy's stance that it can no longer handle the flood of migrants alone, and she insists other EU countries share the burden. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP) IQALUIT, Nunavut (AP) - Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived in the Canadian Artic on Thursday to kick off a royal visit that's scheduled to culminate in Ottawa this weekend as Canada marks its 150th birthday. An Airbus flying the flag of the Prince of Wales taxied to a stop on a windswept tarmac and the royal couple was greeted with military honors. After inspecting the guard of Canadian Rangers, Charles made his way to a stage outside the legislative building for the official welcoming ceremony, which also included a stirring performance by indigenous throat singers. Charles said he and his wife couldn't be happier to be back in Canada. Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, look on after arriving in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada Thursday, June 29, 2017. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) "Arriving here today brings back the happiest of memories chiefly because this is where I began my first visit to this great country almost 50 years ago," he said. "I have never forgotten the warmth of the welcome from the Inuit people, which made me feel instantly at home as indeed I have with all Canadians on my subsequent visits." The prince said he hopes the celebration of Confederation's 150th anniversary will encourage all Canadians to look forward with hope and inspiration. It is the 18th visit to Canada for the Prince of Wales, and the fourth visit for the Duchess of Cornwall. They were last in Canada in May 2014. Canada is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies. Governor General David Johnston, the Queen Elizabeth's II representative as Canada's head of state, greeted the royal couple. "Your visit means a great deal to us," Johnston said as he thanked the couple for their contributions to Canada. After inspecting the guard of Canadian Rangers, Charles made his way to a stage outside the legislative building for the official welcoming ceremony, which also included a performance by indigenous throat singers. The prince is also meeting with groups focused on the promotion and preservation of the Inuit language and will stop at the Nunavut Research Institute to learn about environmental projects underway in the North. On Friday, they travel to Ontario and Canadian Forces Base Trenton, where the Prince of Wales will meet military personnel who specialize in airlift and search and rescue operations. The pair will also visit a farmer's market in Prince Edward County before flying to Ottawa, where they will spend Canada Day to mark the country's 150th anniversary of Confederation. The last official royal tour to Canada took place last fall when Prince William and his wife, Kate, visited along with their two young children for their first official trip overseas as a family of four. While Australia, Jamaica and Barbados have talked about becoming republics, Canada has shown less interest in replacing Queen Elizabeth II as the figurative head of state. Canadians are somewhat indifferent to the monarchy, but most have great affection for the queen, as well as her grandsons and Kate. Canada's Governor General David Johnston, right, and others greet Prince Charles as he arrives at the airport in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Thursday June 29, 2017. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) Canada's Governor General David Johnston, second from left, and his wife Sharon Johnston, left, greet Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as they arrive at the airport in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Thursday June 29, 2017. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) Canada's Governor General David Johnston, left, greets Prince Charles as he arrives at the airport in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Thursday, June 29, 2017. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont woman has been found guilty of aggravated murder in the 2014 shooting deaths of her ex-boyfriend and his adult son. The jury returned the verdict Wednesday against 65-year-old Robin O'Neill on charges of aggravated murder in the deaths of 60-year-old Steven Lott and his son, 28-year-old Jamis Lott. Under Vermont law, the conviction carries an automatic sentence of life without parole. Police say Steven Lott and O'Neill had recently ended their relationship and had been living together in Townshend at the time of the shooting. Jamis Lott had been visiting. The Brattleboro Reformer reports defense attorney Ian Carleton declined to comment. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Civil police in Rio de Janeiro are arresting dozens of allegedly corrupt military policemen. Civil police authorities say arrest warrants have been issued for 96 military police officers. Seventy arrest warrants were also issued for alleged drug traffickers and other criminals as part of the operation. Civil police investigator Fabio Barucke told reporters Thursday that police being arrested were "rotten oranges" who would seize weapons in slums and then sell them in other slums. Military policemen in civilian clothes are taken to the civil police headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Civil police authorities say arrest warrants have been issued for 96 allegedly corrupt military police officers. Civil police investigator Fabio Barucke told reporters that the officers being arrested were "rotten oranges" who would seize weapons in slums and then sell them in other slums. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) In Brazil, military police patrol streets and conduct operations. They have a particularly strong presence in Rio's hundreds of slums, or favelas. Meanwhile, civil police investigate crimes. Residents in favelas routinely complain about corruption and mistreatment at the hands of military police. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the South Korean president visit to Washington (all times local): 6:40 p.m. President Donald Trump is praising South Korean President Moon Jae-in (jah-yihn) at the start of a White House dinner. President Donald Trump with first lady Melania Trump, right, welcome South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, during a dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Trump says he and Moon plan to discuss the threat from North Korea and trade during their meetings. He predicts their talks could go "late into the evening." The president is congratulating Moon on his recent election victory in South Korea. Trump says: "A lot of people didn't expect that and I did expect it. I thought that was going to happen." At the start of their dinner, Moon joked to Trump that he also suffers "a bit from fake news" coverage. Trump laughed and said he hoped the media had heard that. ___ 6 p.m. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has arrived at the White House for the start of a two-day meeting with President Donald Trump. Moon was greeted by Trump on the South Lawn of the White House after meetings earlier in the day with congressional leaders. Moon and Trump are scheduled to have dinner at the White House as the new South Korean leader tries to reassure Washington that he will coordinate closely on dealing with the threat from North Korea. Moon has called for engagement with North Korea to address its nuclear weapons development. Trump has sought tougher economic pressure and steps to further isolate the North diplomatically. ___ 12:30 p.m. South Korea's president has sat down with congressional leaders before holding his first meeting with President Donald Trump. President Moon Jae-in (MOON JAAH IHN) has stopped on Capitol Hill on his maiden visit to Washington. He took office last month. House Speaker Paul Ryan is calling for stronger U.S.-South Korean ties. He says the allies have much to work together on - in particular the threat from North Korea. Moon has made brief remarks, and he's wishing a speedy recovery to the third-ranking House Republican - Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who was wounded in a June 14 shooting. Moon says that on humanitarian issues, "we must cross boundaries and all party lines and all come together and unite as one." ____ 9:45 a.m. South Korea's president plans to meet with congressional leaders and have dinner with President Donald Trump - as he looks to reassure Washington that he'll coordinate closely on dealing with the threat from North Korea. President Moon Jae-in (MOON JAAH IHN) has long advocated engagement with North Korea to address its nuclear weapons development. His position could cause strains with Trump, who wants to step up economic pressure and further isolate the North's diplomatically. The U.S. and South Korea want to show they're on the same page, as concern deepens over North Korea's technological progress toward a nuclear-tipped missile that could strike the continental U.S. Thursday night's dinner at the White House will be the first meeting between Trump and Moon. They'll hold formal talks on Friday. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome South Korean President Moon Jae-in to the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) South Korean President Moon Jae-in, center, arrives to meet with Senate leadership on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) An Ohio man charged with plotting to kill military members in the U.S. after receiving training in Syria pleaded guilty two years ago to terrorism charges, according to court documents unsealed Thursday. Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, a Somali-born naturalized citizen of the U.S., pleaded guilty in August 2015 to supporting terrorism, supporting a terrorist group and making a false statement to authorities about international terrorism. Federal prosecutors said Mohamud received training in 2014 on weapons, combat and tactics in Syria and then returned to the U.S. with a plan to kill military officers or others in uniform. They say he also researched places to carry out the attacks and had booked a flight to Texas. Mohamud, now 25, was living in Columbus when he was taken into custody. It's unclear why almost two years have passed since his guilty plea and the unsealing of the documents. The Department of Justice said the plea was sealed because of an ongoing investigation. Defense attorney Sam Shamansky said Thursday he couldn't comment on reasons for the delay. He said all sides have worked hard to come up with a fair resolution. A sentencing date has not been set. The two charges of supporting terrorism each carry a potential sentence of 15 years in prison while the charge of lying to authorities could bring eight years. Court documents say that Mohamud obtained a passport to travel to Greece but instead went to Syria for training and expressed a desire to die fighting there. But he returned to the U.S. after his brother was killed while fighting for a terrorist organization affiliated with al-Qaeda, the documents said. Mohamud told someone he wanted to travel to Texas and capture three or four soldiers and execute them, the documents said. While back in the U.S., he stayed in contact with members of the terrorist organization he had trained with in Syria and he later booked a flight from Columbus to Dallas in late 2014, the court documents said. WASHINGTON (AP) - In stories published April 6, June 2, June 26 and June 29, The Associated Press reported that all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies have agreed that Russia tried to influence the 2016 election to benefit Donald Trump. That assessment was based on information collected by three agencies - the FBI, CIA and National Security Agency - and published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which represents all U.S. intelligence agencies. Not all 17 intelligence agencies were involved in reaching the assessment. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate on Thursday fixed a popular measure that would slap economic sanctions on Russia and Iran, yet a long-awaited House vote won't come until after Donald Trump meets for the first time as president with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said the necessary repairs have been made to the legislation, a step the Senate approved by voice vote, and the next move is the House's to make. "We've done what we need to do," Corker said. "The ball's in their court." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., joined at left by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, holds a news conference on Russian meddling in the U.S. election and other issues, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 29, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The technical changes that had stalled the bill in the House came as Republicans dismissed Democratic complaints that the delay was at the behest of the Trump administration and intended to weaken the legislation. Tempers flared among lawmakers over the lull, with each side blaming the other as lawmakers were poised to leave Washington for their weeklong July 4th recess. The legislation cleared the Senate two weeks ago with 98 votes, an overwhelming margin that suggested the bill would speed quickly through the House and to Trump's desk. But the measure hit headwinds almost immediately. House Republican leaders said the bill ran afoul of a constitutional requirement that legislation involving revenue start in the House. Envoys from both chambers huddled behind closed doors to resolve the dispute as the recess loomed. The problems were technical not substantive, lawmakers insisted, yet Democrats accused Republicans of slow-walking the bill. Speaking to reporters early Thursday, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., insisted the House was "protecting the Constitution," not working behind the scenes on behalf of the White House. "They wrote the bill incorrectly so we have told the Senate you've got to write it correctly to follow the Constitution," Ryan said. The sanctions targeting Russia seek to punish Moscow for meddling in the 2016 election and for its aggressive actions in Ukraine and Syria. "I want to put the House on notice," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "If they water down the bill, weaken the sanctions, add loopholes to the legislation, they will find stiff resistance here in the Senate." Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called for House Republican leaders to pass the bill immediately, before Trump and Putin meet at an international summit in Germany next week. But Corker denounced the stance the Democrats had taken as "silly" and "ridiculous." He said they were attempting to dictate how the House should act before the Senate made the required technical repairs to the sanctions bill. The changes to the legislation "should have been agreed to in about an hour," Corker said, adding that he hoped the delay "doesn't create mischief." Congress doesn't return from the recess until the week of July 10. He declined to be specific, suggesting that there are "certainly pro-Russia folks" and businesses that are opposed to stiffer sanctions and may use the intervening period to push for changes. "I'm talking to Europeans on the phone," Corker said. The energy-specific sanctions against Russia generated sharp criticism from Germany and Austria, which said the penalties could affect European businesses involved in piping in Russian natural gas. In a joint statement, Austria's Chancellor Christian Kern and Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel cited a section of the sanctions bill that calls for the United States to continue to oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that would pump Russian gas to Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. In addition to hitting Russia and Iran with additional financial penalties, the bill would strengthen Congress' authority over Russia sanctions policy. The bill would require a 30-day congressional review period if Trump attempts to ease or end penalties against Moscow. The Senate bill imposes mandatory sanctions on people involved in Iran's ballistic missile program and anyone who does business with them. The measure would apply terrorism sanctions to the country's Revolutionary Guards and enforce an arms embargo. Pelosi, D-Calif., echoed Schumer's concerns about substantive changes to the bill. "I always say what is it that the Russians have on Donald Trump," Pelosi said, "that we have to pussy-foot around when it comes to sanctions on Russia." Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means trade subcommittee, said there should be no excuse for a delay of the sanctions legislation in the House. "When the leadership has wanted it to happen, I've seen legislation move through these chambers so fast it would give you whiplash," he said. ___ AP Congressional Correspondent Erica Werner contributed to this report. ___ Contact Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Massachusetts woman is headed to prison for arranging the transportation of heroin from Mexico to Rhode Island. Thirty-nine-year-old Olga Lidia Sandoval, of Attleboro, was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison by a federal judge in Providence. She was arrested in May 2016 after Rhode Island police said they found 14 pounds (6 kilograms) of heroin in the axle of a truck that Sandoval and her co-conspirators were using to smuggle drugs. Sandoval pleaded guilty this year to charges including possession of more than a kilogram of heroin with intent to distribute. Prosecutors say Sandoval is a Guatemalan national and will be turned over to immigration officials for deportation after her prison term. She also agreed to forfeit $10,000 that was seized from her home. Her lawyer declined to comment. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Authorities in Bahrain say they have seized explosives and detained several suspects as part of a raid targetting a Shiite militant group in the Gulf island nation. The Ministry of Interior announced details of the operation against the Ashtar Brigade in the northeastern village of al-Dair on Thursday. The Ashtar Brigade has claimed a number of bombings and attacks in the Sunni-ruled country, which hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The ministry says more than 50 kilograms of high-grade explosives and other materials including bomb-making diagrams and ammunition were seized in the raid. It was not immediately clear when the arrests took place. Bahrain has been roiled by years of low-level unrest following a 2011 uprising led by its majority Shiites against the Sunni monarchy. The State Department has approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a total of $1.4 billion, the first such deal with the self-governing island since President Donald Trump took office, officials said Thursday. The sale will anger China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory. It comes at a delicate time for relations between Washington and Beijing over efforts to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea. The sale to Taiwan comprises seven items, including technical support for early warning radar, anti-radiation missiles, torpedoes and components for SM-2 missiles, according to a U.S. official who requested anonymity to discuss the details before they were formally announced. The State Department has approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a total of $1.4 billion. In this September 10, 2015 file photo, Taiwan's military fire artillery from self-propelled Howitzers during the annual Han Kuang exercises in Hsinchu, north eastern Taiwan State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the Trump administration had notified Congress of its intent to approve seven proposed deals now valued at around $1.4 billion. Nauert said the approvals did not violate the Taiwan Relations Act that governs U.S. contacts with the island. 'It shows, we believe, our support for Taiwan's ability to maintain a sufficient self-defense policy,' Nauert said. 'There's no change, I should point out, to our "one-China policy."' Taiwan's defense ministry on Friday thanked the U.S., saying: 'The arms sale will help strengthen our country's self-defense capability and maintain the peace on Taiwan strait.' Lawmakers, which are generally strongly supportive of such sales, have 30 days to object. The U.S. is legally obligated to sell weapons to Taiwan for its self-defense. The U.S. official said the sales represented upgrades, converting existing systems from analog to digital. The total includes roughly $1.3 million in transactions that are considered 'foreign military sales,' plus another commercial deal that also requires U.S. government approval and brings the total to $1.4 billion. It is the first such deal with the self-governing island since President Donald Trump took office The last U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, worth $1.8 billion, were announced in December 2015. They included two decommissioned U.S. Navy frigates, anti-tank missiles, amphibious assault vehicles and Stinger surface-to-air missiles, and was the first sale for four years. China objected strongly, but it did not notably set back U.S.-China relations and military ties, which has happened after past arms sales to Taiwan. However, relations across the Taiwan Strait have deteriorated since then, as Taiwan last year elected a leader from an independence-leaning party, Tsai Ing-wen. China has increased diplomatic pressure, cut off its contacts with the island's government and discouraged travel there by Chinese tourists. RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a child found dead in an SUV in Northern California (all times local): 12:40 p.m. Police have arrested the mother of a toddler found dead in the back of an SUV parked the wrong way on a Northern California street. Rancho Cordova police investigate an SUV owned by a man and a woman detained for questioning, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Authorities say they are investigating the death of a toddler found under some blankets in the back of an SUV parked the wrong way on a Northern California street. (Sacramento County Sheriff's Department via AP) Police arrested 27-year-old Angela Phakhin and her boyfriend, 46-year-old Untwan Smith, both of Arkansas, for child endangerment. Police say their actions may have led to the death of a 3-year-old girl in Rancho Cordova on Wednesday. Smith also has an outstanding warrant out of Arkansas. Sacramento County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tony Turnbull says the child did not have obvious signs of trauma and the coroner's office will determine a cause of death. Phakhin and Smith are each being held on $1 million bail and are scheduled to be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday. It was not immediately known if either has an attorney. ___ 9:30 a.m. Police have arrested the mother of a toddler found dead under some blankets in the back of an SUV parked the wrong way on a Northern California street. Police arrested 27-year-old Angela Phakhin and her boyfriend, 46-year-old Untwan Smith, both of Arkansas, for child endangerment charges which may have led to the death of a 3-year-old girl in Rancho Cordova on Wednesday. Smith also has an outstanding warrant out of Arkansas. Sacramento County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tony Turnbull says the child did not have obvious signs of trauma and that the coroner's office will determine a cause of death. Phakhin and Smith are being held on $1 million bail each and are scheduled to be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday. It was not immediately known if either has an attorney. ___ 9 p.m. Authorities say they are investigating the death of a toddler found under some blankets in the back of an SUV parked the wrong way on a Northern California street. Sacramento County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tony Turnbull says the child was found unresponsive Wednesday in the backseat by Rancho Cordova police officers and pronounced dead at the scene. He says a man and a woman found near the car were detained for questioning. Turnbull says the couple owns the car and that a records check revealed the man had an outstanding warrant out of Arkansas. Turnbull says the child did not have obvious signs of trauma and that the Sacramento Coroner's office will determine a cause of death. Police did not immediately release the names, ages or relationship of the child or the adults. WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House on Thursday tapped a Washington labor lawyer known for representing large companies in discrimination lawsuits to lead the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Eric Dreiband's nomination immediately drew criticism from activists about his commitment to their priorities. The groups have been closely watching how Attorney General Jeff Sessions reshapes the division, which traditionally is subject to the most radical shift in agendas with each change in presidential administration. Dreiband is part of a steady stream of Jones Day partners flowing into the Trump administration that includes White House counsel Don McGahn. Dreiband did not return a call seeking comment Thursday evening. Dreiband was part of a team that represented the University of North Carolina in a Justice Department lawsuit over a state law restricting transgender people's access to public bathrooms. He defended tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds against age discrimination claims and financial news organization Bloomberg in a pregnancy discrimination case. He represented clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch in a case before the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of a Muslim woman who was not hired after showing up wearing a religious headscarf. Dreiband served in the office of independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr, whose investigation led to President Bill Clinton's impeachment, and he was the top lawyer at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under President George W. Bush. The Civil Rights Division handles voting rights, hate crimes, religious discrimination and complaints of rights violations by police, among other duties. Sessions is already shifting away from the Obama administration's priorities for the division, which included aggressive intervention in local law enforcement and transgender rights. The American Civil Liberties Union said Dreiband has a "history of restricting civil rights." Vanita Gupta, a former ACLU attorney who was head of the Civil Rights Division under President Barack Obama, said Dreiband "has made a name for himself as one of corporate America's go-to lawyers in an effort to restrict the rights and remedies for discrimination victims." ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A former government official accused of selling classified documents to China was ordered free on bond Thursday despite government concerns that he could flee the country. Kevin Mallory, 60, of Leesburg was arrested last week and charged under the federal Espionage Act. According to court documents, customs agents found him with $16,500 in undeclared cash earlier this year on a return trip from China. Prosecutor John Gibbs said wigs, fake mustaches and other elements of disguise were found in a bedroom closet in Mallory's home last week. "The Chinese government would have a great incentive to get him out of the country," Gibbs said. U.S. Magistrate Ivan Davis dismissed the government's concerns, and adopted the findings of a pretrial services report that concluded Mallory could safely be released pending trial under conditions that include home detention with electronic monitoring. He also imposed a $10,000 unsecured bond. Mallory is an Army veteran who speaks fluent Mandarin and worked as a special agent for the Diplomatic Security Service at the State Department, according to an FBI affidavit. He held a top-secret security clearance while he worked at other government agencies and contractors, and was familiar with espionage tradecraft, according to the affidavit. A CIA spokesman declined comment on whether Mallory ever worked for the agency. According to the affidavit, Mallory traveled to Shanghai in April, and was interviewed by customs agents at O'Hare Airport in Chicago after he failed to declare $16,500 found in two carry-on bags. Mallory later told the FBI that he met with two people from a Chinese think tank, the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, that he now believes were Chinese intelligence agents. He said they had given him a special phone for transmitting documents. According to the affidavit, Mallory told the FBI agents that the only documents he transferred were two unclassified "white papers" he had written on U.S. policy matters, for which he said he was paid $25,000. FBI agents searched the device and found other documents and messages that Mallory thought had been deleted, according to the affidavit. In one message, Mallory wrote to the suspected Chinese agent, "your object is to gain information, and my object is to be paid." Federal public defender Geremy Kamens questioned whether the government is misinterpreting Mallory's actions. He pointed to parts of the FBI affidavit that show Mallory reached out voluntarily to old contacts at one government agency and offered details of his contacts with the Chinese. The FBI, though, said Mallory never volunteered any information until after he was found with the cash. Kamens said in a court motion that Mallory enlisted in the Army in 1977 and his military service, including time as a reservist, extended through 2011. According to Kamens, Mallory was stationed in Iraq in 2005 and was captured and held at a checkpoint for three days, suffering injuries that require multiple surgeries. "Mr. Mallory is the straightest of straight arrows," Kamens said. Prosecutors have the option to appeal the magistrate's decision to a district court judge. NEW YORK (AP) - If President Donald Trump were anyone else, he'd be fired, or at least reprimanded, for his latest tweets attacking a female TV host. And, experts say, if he were to look for a job, these and past crude tweets would raise red flags for companies doing social media background checks. Such checks are an increasingly common practice as tweets and Facebook posts become a daily, sometimes hourly part of our lives. Of course, Trump is anything but typical. Still, experts say it's a mistake to think that because the president is getting away with sending out crude tweets that a regular person would. There are plenty of examples online of people getting fired for such conduct. FILE - In this Wednesday, June 28, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during an energy roundtable with tribal, state and local leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, in Washington. Trump's latest tweets attacking a female TV host would get him fired, or at least reprimanded if he was a regular person or even regular CEO. Of course, he isn't. But experts say it's a mistake to think that because the president is getting away with sending out crude tweets, others would too. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Some speech, such as union organizing, is protected. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations and the European Union praised Iran on Thursday for implementing the landmark nuclear deal with six major powers, but U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley accused Tehran of "destructive and destabilizing" actions from ballistic missile launches to arms smuggling. The speeches at a Security Council meeting on implementation of a U.N. resolution endorsing the July 2015 nuclear agreement showed the deep division over Iran between the five major powers who view the deal as a major achievement and the Trump administration, which is reviewing it. President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans and Israel have assailed the agreement as a windfall to Iran that only delayed its pursuit of nuclear weapons. GOP lawmakers say it saved Iran's economy by lifting economic penalties and allowed the country to funnel more money to terrorist groups. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, before the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: 'Advancing U.S. Interests at the United Nations'. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Haley said only that the U.S. would adhere to the deal to rein in Iran's nuclear program while conducting the comprehensive review. She focused on what the U.S. views as Iran's repeated violations of the 2015 resolution, which she accused the Security Council of ignoring. She cited ballistic missile launches and illicit procurement of missile technology as well as "proven arms smuggling." "Iran's destructive and destabilizing role in the Middle East goes far beyond its illicit missile launches," Haley said. "From Syria to Yemen and Iraq to Lebanon, Iran's support for terrorist groups continued unabated. Iran's weapons, military advisers and arms smugglers stoke regional conflicts and make them harder to solve." By contrast, the focus of U.N. political chief Jeffrey Feltman, EU Ambassador Joao Vale de Almeida and ambassadors from Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany was on Iran's adherence to the nuclear agreement, though there were also expressions of concern about its missile tests and smuggling. Feltman told the council that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "is deeply encouraged by the continued commitment by all participants to the agreement," calling it "the embodiment of successful multilateral diplomacy, political will and perseverance." He noted the International Atomic Energy Agency has issued seven reports, the latest in early June, documenting Iran's continued implementation of its nuclear-related commitments and said Guterres believes sustained implementation of the deal "will guarantee that Iran's nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful." The diplomatic achievement, Feltman said, "gives us all hope that even the most difficult issues among states can be addressed through dialogue, understanding and reciprocity." Vale de Almeida, speaking on behalf of EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini who coordinates the nuclear deal, said, "The initial results are clear and speak for themselves: Iran's nuclear program has been rolled back and placed under tight inspections." At a time when the world is again faced "with the threat of unchecked nuclear capabilities" - a reference to the threat from North Korea - he said the Iran deal known as the JCPOA is "a pillar of the international non-proliferation agenda" that needs to be fully implemented. In an apparent reference to the U.S. debate over the deal, Vale de Almeida stressed: "We would not be in a better position to address all the other non-nuclear matters (with Iran) without the JCPOA in place." Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador, Peter Wilson, called the Iran agreement "one of the most important diplomatic achievements in recent memory." He said the United Kingdom encourages all countries and parties to the agreement - a message that appeared especially aimed at the U.S. - "to uphold their commitments, including ensuring that the Iranian people gain further tangible benefits from sanctions relief." But Wilson also said "some less positive issues" raised in Guterres' latest report need to be addressed. He cited Iran's Jan. 29 launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, reported violations of a ban on conventional arms transfers, including new evidence of an attempted arms shipment from Iran to Somalia, and multiple violations of a travel ban, including by Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force. Haley stressed that the United States won't "turn a blind eye" to such violations and will interdict cargo prohibited under the U.N. resolution and continue to impose sanctions on Iran. "The continuance of the Iranian regime's destructive, destabilizing behavior will prevent us from ever having a normal relationship with the United States and the rest of the world," she said. "And the regime's continued oppression of its own people speaks volumes about its true nature." Manchester United forward Anthony Martial appears to have dismissed claims he wants to leave Old Trafford. The France international had a mixed second season at United after initially impressing following his move from Monaco in 2015. The 21-year-old scored eight goals last term but struggled to command a regular starting spot and was often used in wider attacking roles by manager Jose Mourinho. Anthony Martial Les rumeurs sont fausses Anthony Martial (@AnthonyMartial) June 28, 2017 At one point during the campaign, Mourinho said the player needs to give me things that I like as he explained the reasons why Martial was not featuring more often. That has led to suggestions Martial is unsettled and looking to move on, but he seems to have denied this in a succinct tweet. His tweet, written in French, translated as the rumours are false. Four arrests have been made as part of an investigation into computer software service fraud, thought to cost hundreds of millions of pounds worldwide. Through a collaboration between the City of London Police and Microsoft, the investigation has been looking into the tens of thousands of reports of software service fraud made each year. It often involves the victim being contacted and told there is a problem with their computer and that, for a fee, the issue can be resolved. Police have arrested four people as a part of a probe into computer software service fraud (Dominic Lipinski/PA) But no fix occurs and once the fraudster has access to the victims computer they can install software which could potentially be malicious. Data for the financial year 2016/17 shows there were 34,504 computer software service fraud reports made to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber reporting centre, with estimated losses of 20m. That accounts for 12% of all reports to Action Fraud, making it the third most reported fraud type, with the average loss suffered being 600 and the average age of victims 62. A 29-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, from Woking, Surrey, were arrested on suspicion of fraud and both have been bailed. A 37-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested in South Shields, Tyneside, on suspicion of fraud and were later released pending further enquiries. Commander Dave Clark, City of London Police and National Co-ordinator for Economic Crime, said: These arrests are just the beginning of our work, making the best use of specialist skills and expertise from Microsoft, local police forces and international partners to tackle a crime that often targets the most vulnerable in our society. The analysis has shown that many of the calls originate in India and that the worldwide losses from victims are thought to be in the hundreds of millions of pounds. More than 7,000 jobs are being safeguarded at Rolls-Royce after the group announced its biggest single investment in the UK for more than a decade. The aircraft engine giant said it would be investing 150 million over the next few years in new and existing civil aerospace facilities across the East Midlands. It will be creating a new facility at its historic site in Derby for the testing of large civil aero engines, which will create up to 200 jobs. Rolls-Royce is expanding in the East Midlands (Paul Ellis/PA) The group will also axe previously announced plans to close a precision machining facility in Derby, which will save around 150 jobs that were at risk. Rolls said it had also committed to safeguarding 7,000 jobs after talks with trade unions, pledging there will be no compulsory redundancies in the East Midlands region for five years. Eric Schulz, president of civil aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said: This investment comes at a time of unprecedented growth in Rolls-Royce. The Duke of Cambridge recently visited the Rolls-Royce plant in Derby (Paul Ellis/PA) We are doubling the production of new engines at the same time as introducing three new engines to the market. With this investment, we are creating the capacity and flexibility to deliver on our goals, while committing to sustain employment in the UK. Rolls employs around 12,000 staff in the East Midlands, of whom 7,000 are covered by the union agreement. Business Minister Greg Clark said the investment was good news for the UK, which has now kicked off Brexit negotiations. Greg Clark said the deal shows how much confidence Rolls-Royce has in the UK (Victoria Jones/PA) He said: I welcome the confidence that the company is showing in the UK. These facilities are good news for Rolls-Royce, its UK suppliers and our economy. The investment by Rolls comes as it ramps up production to deliver on its 7 billion civil aerospace order book. The Rolls-Royce facility in Derby will see a new centre created (Rui Vieira/PA) Unite union national officer Ian Waddell said: There were real fears that future investment could go overseas, but thanks to the skills, capabilities and adaptability of Rolls-Royces UK workforce, thousands of jobs have been secured. This massive vote of confidence in a world-leading workforce will also mean more high- quality apprenticeships and secure Rolls-Royces manufacturing base in the UK for the next 20 years. A senior Vatican cardinal charged in Australia with multiple historical sexual offences has denied the accusations and denounced what he called a relentless character assassination in the media. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Franciss chief financial adviser and Australias most senior Catholic, said he would take a leave of absence as the Vaticans finance tsar and would return to Australia to fight the charges. Pell is the highest-ranking Vatican official charged in the churchs long-running sexual abuse scandal. Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton of Victoria state police said officers have summonsed Pell to appear in court to face multiple charges of historical sexual assault offences. Mr Patton gave no other details of the allegations, and Pell was ordered to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. Pell, 76, has for years faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and then Sydney, but more recently, he became the focus of a sex abuse investigation himself, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview him. It is unclear what allegations the charges relate to, but two men in their 40s have said Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s when he was a senior priest in Melbourne. Cardinal Pell denies all allegations against him (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Mr Patton said none of the allegations against Pell had been tested in any court, adding: Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process. The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised zero tolerance policy about sex abuse. The charges also complicate Franciss financial reform efforts at the Vatican, which were already strained by Pells repeated clashes with the Italian-dominated bureaucracy. Last week, one of Pells top allies, the Vaticans auditor general, resigned without explanation two years into a five-year term, raising questions about whether the reform effort was doomed. The charges are a setback for Pope Francis (Andrew Medichini/AP) Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Pope Francis had learned with regret of the charges and had granted Pell a leave of absence to defend himself. He said the Vaticans financial reforms would continue in his absence. The leading support group for victims of sexual abuse by priests has called on the Pope to speak out about the charges against Pell. US-based survivors network Snap noted Francis had promised to work to end the scourge of abuse by his clergy. The group called on anyone with additional information about the Pell case to come forward. Nearly one in 10 people living in the UK last year were foreign citizens, according to a major international report. Numbers rose by 6.4% to reach 5.95 million between 2015 and 2016, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found. It means 9.2% of the population are from overseas, the think tanks International Migration Outlook report shows. ~5 million #migrants moved permanently to OECD area in 2016, highest level in decades. OECD calls 4 increased integration efforts #migration pic.twitter.com/bHHYeb3Krm OECD Better Policies for Better Lives (@OECD) June 29, 2017 The study found asylum applications in the UK fell by 7% to 30,600 last year, the first drop since 2010. More Iranians, some 4,780, made asylum claims in the UK than any other nationality, followed by Pakistanis (3,701) and Iraqis (3,644). For every one million people living in Britain, 593 asylum applications were filed in 2016 compared to the OECD average of 1,283. With ~1.5 million new asylum requests in #OECD area in 2016, governments shd step up #integration efforts https://t.co/fHFgGNPyv2 #migration pic.twitter.com/IMa0eG1aCr OECD Better Policies for Better Lives (@OECD) June 29, 2017 Germany, which had an open door policy, had the highest rate at 8,952, followed by Austria and Greece which were both on more than 4,500, while the Slovak Republic had the lowest at just 18. The report highlighted how the UK recorded its highest rate of net migration of 332,00 in 2015 with the number of people arriving at 631,000. But the number of people being given settlement rights in the same year fell by 12.7% on 2014 to 90,800. Net migration figures (Steve Parsons/PA) The fall was entirely owing to fewer grants on the basis of family formation or reunion, 18.5% of the total compared with 32% in 2014, the report said. The number fell by a further 35% in 2016, to 59 000, largely due to fewer work, family and asylum related grants. The UK, along with Germany, was the destination for two thirds of Romanians leaving their home country in 2015. Refugees on Kos (Jonathan Brady/PA) Germany was first choice for Italians looking for a new home the same year, but the sharpest increase was towards the UK, which attracted 10,000 more people leaving Italy than in the previous year. Britons heading overseas mainly chose Australia, Spain, the United States, Germany and New Zealand, according to the report. A grandfather died after being struck by a van which crashed into a group of people during a terror attack near a mosque in north London, an inquest has heard. Makram Ali, from Haringey, had left a prayer meeting at Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park when he was hit by the vehicle in the early hours of the morning. The 51-year-old is believed to have suffered a medical episode shortly before the incident and had been seen to fall to the ground, but he was alive when the van crashed into him, an inquest at St Pancras Coroners Court heard. The scene in a street in Finsbury Park following the terror attack (Victoria Jones/PA) A post-mortem examination found Mr Alis death was caused by multiple injuries and he was pronounced dead at 1.04am on Monday June 19, Detective Inspector Edwin Hall of the Metropolitan Police told the court. He said the incident was being treated as a terrorist-related murder and those present were wearing traditional Muslim dress and were easily recognisable as being Muslim. During a brief hearing, senior coroner for Inner North London Mary Hassell opened and adjourned the inquest until any criminal proceedings have finished. A police officer lays some flowers passed over by a member of the public, close to Finsbury Park Mosque in north London (John Stillwell/PA) Following his death, Mr Alis family paid tribute to him as a quiet, gentle man. Nine other people were injured in the attack in the early hours of Monday June 19. The area was busy with worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers at the time. Darren Osborne has appeared in court accused of murder and attempted murder over the incident. The 47-year-old, from Cardiff, is charged with killing Mr Ali and the attempted murder of others at the scene. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have begun a three-day tour of Canada that will see them celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. ( Joe Giddens/PA) The Commonwealth country has been marking the milestone with national events this month that will culminate in Canada Day this Saturday with Charles and Camilla invited to the party. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in Canada The royal couples trip will highlight the four themes of Canada150: diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, young people and the environment. Their visit began in Iqaluit, the remote capital city of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, which is close to the Arctic Circle. The Prince of Wales warned climate change is tragically changing the Arctic way of life of Canadas indigenous people. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in Canada The Duchess was buffeted by a strong breeze that swept across the city bathed by summer sunshine and she tied a headscarf over her head to protect her hair and put on a pair of dark glasses. (Chris Jackson/PA) The heir to the throne told dignitaries and elders about changes to the climate since the days of 16th century Elizabethan seaman and privateer Sir Martin Frobisher who sailed to the country. Speaking at an open-air reception outside the citys legislative assembly, Charles said: Today, the Northwest Passage, impassable when Frobisher first came here, is becoming a deeply worrying reality as the results of human activity warm even this remote ocean. This same warming is, tragically, bringing rapid and damaging changes to an Arctic way of life that has sustained the lives of the Inuit since long before Frobisher arrived here on his quest. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in Canada Charles began his speech in a lighter note, speaking a few phrases of the local language Inuktitut, saying Ullukkut, meaning good day, and Quviasuttunga iqalunnuurama, meaning Im happy to be here in Iqaluit. He was cheered and applauded by the crowds who had gathered at the reception to hear him speak and welcome the prince and duchess to the territory of Nunavut. Johanna Konta followed victory over the reigning French Open champion by recovering from a fall to defeat the world number one on the same day at the Aegon International. The 26-year-old had already impressed at Eastbourne in defeating Jelena Ostapenko 7-5 3-6 6-4 and was on her third match point against Angelique Kerber when she slipped, banged her head on the court and remained motionless for around five minutes. With a wet towel placed around her forehead and her both screaming and crying, she appeared at risk of having to default the match on the brink of the semi-finals. Following a stoppage of almost 10 minutes, Konta then recovered, earned a fourth match point, and broke Kerber to secure a 6-3 6-4 victory. She joined in the semi-finals fellow Briton Heather Watson, who had won her second match of the day only minutes earlier. Johanna Konta slipped during the match Like Watson, owing to rain delays on Tuesday and Wednesday, Konta was faced with the prospect of playing twice in the same afternoon in her pursuit of a place in the final four. Next week she will compete as the first British woman ranked in the worlds top 10 at Wimbledon since 1984, and on Thursday she repeatedly demonstrated why. Against Ostapenko she recovered from a break down in third set to win the final four games, saving a break point in the last of those and watching her opponent rescue two match points before securing victory in two hours and 18 minutes. The 20-year-old Latvian, incidentally. had won her previous eight matches. In her impressive defeat of Kerber, a two-time Grand Slam champion, she dominated the 29-year-olds serve before her slip, after which the German helped her before medical staff arrived. That victory, which took one hour and 26 minutes, also ensured Britain has two female semi-finalists in this competition for the first time ever, and that she will next meet Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic on Friday. Johanna Konta slips during her match against Germany's Angelique Kerber In the other semi-final, the 25-year-old Watson will meet Denmarks Caroline Wozniacki. She had already beaten defending champion Dominika Cibulkova to progress into the final eight to, with Konta, emulate the 1975 feat of Virginia Wade and Glynis Cole of being one of two British female quarter-finalists. 1st time ever that 2 British women have reached the #Eastbourne semi-finals in the same year! #HistoryMakers pic.twitter.com/01DwxG5Vtc LTA (@the_LTA) June 29, 2017 After defeating Russias Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-3, she convincingly took the opening set against Barbora Strycova 6-1. She then lost the second via the same margin, before rediscovering the momentum and taking the decider 6-4, therefore also reaching her first WTA semi-final since winning the Monterrey Open last year. Number one seed Novak Djokovic had earlier overcome Donald Love 6-2 7-6 (11-9) of the US to secure a semi-final against Russias Daniil Medvedev, a 6-3 2-6 6-3 victory over Youngs compatriot Stve Johnson. In the other mens semi-final, a further American was eliminated when John Isner lost 6-3 6-2 to Richard Gasquet, who meets fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils after he overcame Australian Bernard Tomic 7-6 (7-4) 6-0. Also in the womens event, Wozniacki defeated Romanian Simona Halep 5-7 6-4 6-1, while Pliskova beat Russias Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7 (7) 6-2 6-4. A 21-year-old woman has been detained at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, police said. The woman, from north London, was arrested as she left a flight from Istanbul, Turkey, at just after 9pm on Thursday. Woman arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after landing at Heathrow Airport https://t.co/sXQWtxhLi5 pic.twitter.com/Ix7faROdYC Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 29, 2017 Officers said the arrest was Syria-related and the woman was being held at a south London police station. Heathrow Airport The Metropolitan Police said searches two addresses in the north of the capital had been searched. By Rod Nickel and Tom Polansek WINNIPEG, Manitoba/CHICAGO, June 28 (Reuters) - M eat-importing countries from North America to Europe and Asia have tightened inspection standards for shipments from Brazil in a bid to protect consumers, following a probe into possible corruption involving inspectors. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said on Wednesday that the tighter inspection standards it enacted in April have resulted in checks on nearly every shipment from Brazil. The new Canadian protocols involve full inspection - including tests for pathogens and chemical residues - of all Brazilian meat imports on five consecutive shipments from each approved plant and for each product category, CFIA spokeswoman Maria Kubacki said. Previously, CFIA conducted one full inspection randomly out of 10 consecutive shipments from each Brazilian plant. The tougher reviews highlight concerns about the safety of Brazilian meat even among countries that still accept its products. The United States last week banned imports of fresh Brazilian beef after a high percentage of shipments failed safety checks. Brazilian police raided the premises of global meatpacking companies JBS SA and BRF SA in March, as well as dozens of smaller rivals, over suspected bribery of health officials.. Since then, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has re-inspected shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat food products from Brazil and tested them for pathogens. All beef trimmings are now tested for salmonella and E. coli. The checks have uncovered problems in fresh beef, including abscesses, blood clots, bones and lymphoid tissue, according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service Re-inspections at U.S. ports are directed by a centralized computer database that stores past inspection results from each foreign establishment. Better-performing foreign plants are subject to less frequent re-inspections, according to the USDA. To meet the stiffer inspection requirements from importers, Brazil has raised its own standards for meat exported from the country. Meat-processing plants in Brazil are now blocked from shipping the front part of a cow as a whole piece, and must instead process it into cuts, a step that makes it easier to detect defects but adds cost for packers, Luis Rangel, Brazil's plant and animal health secretary, said in an interview on Tuesday. "We had to raise the bar because of the United States, and ... you do not raise the bar for only one export market, you raise it for all of them," Rangel said. "Processing costs will rise, but that is necessary to preserve the markets." Enforcing the higher standards is complicated, however, by a shortage of inspectors in Brazil. In Europe, authorities now conduct physical checks of all animal-related shipments from Brazil, and perform laboratory tests on 20 percent of them, at the importers' cost, according to a document issued by the Council of the European Union on June 9. The EU requires Brazil to conduct microbiological checks on poultry and other meats before they are shipped. Hong Kong has since March boosted surveillance on Brazil's meat and poultry, including sampling for meat deterioration and other food safety concerns, a spokesman for Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety said. As of June 23, a total of 369 samples were tested and all were satisfactory, he said. (Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tom Polansek in Chicago, Marcelo Teixeira in Sao Paulo, Nigel Hunt in London and Dominique Patton in Beijing; editing by Grant McCool and Marguerita Choy) By Anne Mireille Nzouankeu MBILE, Cameroon, June 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Seated on a kitchen chair, Adisa Issa, a 50-year-old refugee from Central African Republic (CAR), is cooking soup, her pot balanced on a clay stove fuelled by small briquettes. It's a change to the open wood fire she normally uses, a change that is helping to ease tensions between refugees and locals over increasingly scarce wood in Mbile village in eastern Cameroon. Mbile's population of 5,000 swelled to nearly 16,500 between 2012 and 2014, as thousands of refugees fleeing violence in CAR found shelter in the village and its refugee camp, said Halpha Emmanuel, prefect of Kadey department in east Cameroon. The country hosts nearly 370,000 refugees, 274,000 of them from CAR where conflict spiralled in 2013, driven by ethnic and religious grievances and vying over vast diamond resources. Issa was forced to flee for her life when an armed group broke into her home while she was sleeping, and killed several of her relatives. "Three years ago when I arrived here, we found wood nearby, five minutes on foot from here. But, with time, wood became more and more scarce," said Issa, who cooks for her family of seven. Sometimes the search for wood took the whole morning, she said. "On our way, we usually met women from the village also searching for firewood. Some fights broke out in the bush because the villagers said we are responsible of the loss of wood at Mbile," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Mamadou Lamine, president of the Mbile Young Refugees' Association decided that his two wives would start buying firewood when one of them returned from the bush wounded. She had been attacked while cutting wood in the bush, by a woman from the village accusing her of trespassing on her farm. But buying firewood proved too costly and two months later, his wives had to return to the forest. "These briquettes are very welcome. I used to spend XAF 5,000 ($8.5) per month just for firewood. Now I have bricks that are not only easier to light but also free," said the father of four children. Although the new stoves, made by the refugees, were initially designed for the refugees, villagers have also embraced them. Mbile now has ten centres making the fuel - five in the refugee camp and five in the village, each producing 8,000 briquettes per day. The briquettes are made with clay and sawdust from local saw mills. Nearly 70 percent of Mbile's population no longer searches for wood in the bush, said Rodrigue Djakou, who runs the project in Mbile for the German development agency GIZ. "The use of ... briquettes helps to save about 16 tons of dried wood per day around Mbile," said Djakou. In one year, about 6,000 tons of dry wood around Mbile will be protected from being cut down as a result, he added. According to Jean Rodrigue Mbarga, environmental expert at Cameroon's Ministry of Forests, about one hectare of forest is cut down per person per year to supply enough wood or charcoal to burn. That amounts to about 1.6 kgs of wood per inhabitant per day. The most recent national data on the use of wood as firewood or charcoal is more than five years old, said Mbarga. But "if 70 percent of Mbile population stops using wood, then about 70 percent of the region's wood is preserved", he said. "These briquettes are a good thing for us," said Benoit Gbandjo, one of Mbile's village chiefs. "We welcomed refugees, we gave them our lands free of charge. Then conflicts broke out because the few resources available were not even enough for us. It became difficult to share these resources," he said. GIZ hopes to roll out the new stoves across Kadey department, home to 130,000 locals and 150,000 CAR refugees, all now using firewood. Marie Mbone, a Mbile villager who is using the new fuel, said: "I am very happy ... Today, there is no more fighting. No need to go to the bush for wood - the briquettes are at home." ($1 = 587 Central African CFA Francs (XAF)) (Reporting by Anne Mireille Nzouankeu; Editing by Alex Whiting.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, resilience, women's rights, trafficking and property rights. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate) By Jeff Mason and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, June 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will press South Korean President Moon Jae-in to improve trade imbalances with the United States during meetings at the White House on Thursday and Friday, a White House official said. Moon, whose talks with Trump will focus largely on efforts to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program, did not directly address Trump's concerns in a speech at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday evening, emphasizing instead an increase in the total volume of bilateral trade. In an interview with Reuters in April, Trump called the five-year-old U.S.-South Korean trade pact known as KORUS "horrible" and "unacceptable" and said he would either renegotiate or terminate it. A White House official told reporters that Trump would raise concerns about barriers to U.S. auto sales and "the enormous amount of steel that sometimes ends up being surplus Chinese steel that comes to the United States via South Korea." The official, however, predicted "a friendly and frank discussion about the trade relationship." At the Chamber of Commerce, Moon said that under his economic policy, unfair trade practices would be eradicated and factors that limited competition, such as market entry barriers and price regulations, would be "reevaluated." He said that in spite of a 12 percent decrease in global trade over the last five years, bilateral trade had risen by this amount. "The U.S. market share in Korea's import market has increased and Korea has also seen an increase in its share of the U.S. important market," he said. "Expansion of bilateral trade is enriching the daily lives of our peoples." Moon, on his first overseas trip since taking office on May 10, said he hoped his visit would provide an opportunity to reaffirm the U.S. alliance and elevate economic ties "to the next level." "Both our countries have new governments in place; let us become best partners by creating new jobs in our countries," Moon said. "Let us move forward hand in hand towards a path of joint and common prosperity." The U.S. goods trade deficit with South Korea has more than doubled since KORUS took effect in 2012, from $13.2 billion in 2011 to $27.7 billion in 2016. It was forecast to boost U.S. exports by $10 billion a year, but they were $3 billion lower in 2016 than in 2011. The Trump administration is considering whether to impose tariffs or quotas on steel imports. In April, Trump ordered an investigation under the rarely used section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 that allows restrictions on imports for reasons of national security. Foreign steel companies have been concerned that the investigation may be aimed at shoring up American producers and cutting out foreign competition. On Tuesday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said scrapping KORUS would be a rash mistake that would play into the hands of competitors. On Wednesday South Korea's Samsung Electronics said it had agreed to open a $380 million home appliance plant in South Carolina, which is expected to generate 954 local jobs by 2020. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross called the investment "great news for South Carolina and the United States." (Reporting by Jeff Mason and David Brunnstrom; Additional reporting by Ginger Gibson, Eric Beech, Lesley Wroughton and Gavino Garay; Editing by Tom Brown and Leslie Adler) By Justyna Pawlak WARSAW, June 29 (Reuters) - A trip to Poland by U.S. President Donald Trump next week may feel like a diplomatic coup for the right-wing government, but western European nations are uneasy it will encourage Warsaw's defiance towards Brussels. Trump visits Poland for one day - en route to a G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany - to take part in a gathering of leaders from central Europe, Baltic states and the Balkans, an event convened by Poland to bolster regional trade and infrastructure. Brussels diplomats view the July 6 gathering, dubbed the Three Seas summit because the countries involved border the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas, as a Polish bid to carve out influence outside the European Union with which the nationalist government has repeatedly clashed. Trump plans to promote U.S. natural gas exports to the leaders from central and eastern Europe, a region heavily reliant on Russian supplies, his top economic adviser said. Poland received its first shipment of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) this month. Most diplomats in Brussels dismiss the importance of the Three Seas project, co-hosted by Croatia, but are wary over Trump's high-profile visit to participate in a project one senior EU official called Poland's push towards "self-ghettoisation". "One cannot but feel a bit suspicious if it isn't an attempt to break up European unity," another EU diplomat said about the Three Seas project. Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has played a major role in fuelling a deepening rift between ex-communist and Western members of the European Union, at a time when the bloc is struggling with the aftermath of Britain's decision to leave. Since winning a parliamentary election in 2015, the PiS has angered France over a cancelled army procurement deal, brought relations with Germany to their worst in nearly a decade, and is facing EU action over what critics call its authoritarian tilt. Poland is one of the leading voices in the region against migration, a view it shares with Trump alongside a disregard for climate change and suspicion of international bodies. "A MADNESS OF ELITES" Underscoring Warsaw's mistrust towards the EU, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo recently called an EU quotas policy for relocation of refugees from the Middle East "a madness of Brussels elites", in a speech in parliament. In turn, EU leaders delivered a snub to Poland's government by steamrolling its objections and reappointing former Polish premier Donald Tusk to chair summits. Szydlo, acting on orders from party boss and long-time Tusk adversary Jaroslaw Kaczynski, had vowed to stop him securing a second 30-month term. Warsaw portrayed the issue as one of fundamental principle, in which vital national interests had been ignored by a Brussels machine dominated by "German diktat". Its crushing defeat showed how far the biggest of the ex-communist states that joined the EU after the Cold War appears isolated, even in Eastern Europe. Deeply distrustful of Moscow, Poland hopes Trump, who once called NATO "obsolete", will reconfirm his commitment to the alliance's military build-up in eastern Europe, a deterrence policy against Russia, and possibly promise more. The United States has about 900 troops on Polish soil as part of a rotating NATO contingent in eastern Europe. NATO AND TRUMP But Western diplomats are wary that Trump could use his trip to Warsaw to repeat criticism of Europe's low defence spending, which has irritated many Western leaders. Trump denounced some NATO members' failure to meet a joint target of two percent of economic output, at a meeting of alliance leaders in Brussels last month. Poland, alongside the United States, is one of the few members who meet the goal. "We are not sure what Trump's message is going to be ... If he is here to reinforce Washington's commitment to (NATO's mutual defence principle)? Great!," one EU diplomat said. "What if he makes it conditional, to be based on meeting the ... spending goal? This would cause a lot of damage." Diplomatic observers who watch Washington say Trump may want to use the trip to deliver a message that he is serious about countering threats from Russia. "Most of the countries (at the Warsaw summit) see Russia as their main security threat and most strongly support NATO and would like a stronger U.S. force presence in their countries," said Heather Conley, who was a State Department official in the George W. Bush administration. "GET OUT AND TRAVEL" Some western European officials view Trump's nod to the Warsaw government as counter-productive at a time when European unity is wavering. "We encourage Mr Trump to get out and travel as much as he can. He needs to understand Europe and he can do that by getting out and speaking to people, to European leaders," said one European official, who declined to be named. "(But) he can't do deals with individual countries over the head of the European Union," he said. "In Hamburg, he will hear different arguments, we can clear up anything that has been misconstrued." Poland has expressed hopes Trump can persuade U.S. business to invest in a network of north-south rail and road links central to the regional initiative, something U.S. diplomats and many economists dismiss as unrealistic. Much commerce in eastern Europe is done along east-west trade routes rather than between north and south, to a large degree a reflection of German economic dominance. Some governments in the east may also view Poland's ambitions of regional leadership with suspicion, cautious not to damage relations with trade partners in Berlin. "We are monitoring it," said a Czech government source. "But we don't put much weight on it at the moment." (Additional reporting by Pawel Sobczak in Warsaw, Alastair Macdonald and Robin Emmott in Brussels, Michel Rose in Paris, and Roberta Rampton in Washington, editing by Peter Millership) BEIJING, June 29 (Reuters) - Relations between China and the Philippines have entered a "golden period of fast development", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday, touting growth in trade ties and bilateral efforts to settle disputes in the South China Sea. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has opted to court China for its business and investment and avoid the rows over maritime sovereignty that dogged his predecessors. Duterte has faced criticism at home for being what some people see as too soft on China over the long-running territorial dispute, but he considers his approach to be pragmatic and says challenging China risks triggering war. Wang, speaking to reporters after meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Alan Peter Cayetano in Beijing, said the two countries have signed 22 cooperative agreements in less than six months and China has become the Philippines' biggest trading partner for the first time. "Our two countries have set up a bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue and also a mechanism for cooperation between the coast guards," Wang said. "If anyone wants to reverse the current progress it will harm the interests of the Philippine people and that is not what we would like to see," he said. Cayetano said peace and stability in the East and South China Seas, as well as the whole region, was a tangible outcome of the recent improvement of relations with China. He also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative to link countries through infrastructure development as "a big idea in a world that is searching and wanting for big ideas". China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the waters, where China has been building up military facilities like runways on the islands it controls. The previous Philippine government filed a case in 2013 with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on maritime boundaries. Last year the tribunal invalidated China's claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, but Duterte has put the ruling on the back burner and said he will revisit it later in his term. The United States has criticised China's construction in the disputed waters, concerned the facilities could be used to restrict free movement and extend China's strategic reach. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has continued "freedom of navigation" exercises intended to show China that it is not entitled to territorial waters there. Beijing says such actions by the United States heighten tensions and risk disrupting negotiations between stakeholders. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Michael Perry) SOFIA, June 29 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- Prosecutors accused two former energy regulator's chairpersons of mismanagement which had hurt natural gas consumers and state gas companies in two separate probes. (Trud, 24 Chasa, Standart, Capital Daily, Telegraph, Sega, Monitor, Capital Daily, 24 Chasa) -- The parliament set up a special commission to check all procedures linked with Bulgaria's plans to buy fighter jets for its air force after the previous interim government said talks should start with Sweden to buy Saab's Gripen jets. President Rumen Radev said the new commission's main aim is to delay signing a deal. (Trud, Telegraph, Standart, Sega, Capital Daily, Duma, 24 Chasa) -- The anti-monopoly commission fined drug wholesaler Pharmnet with 494,839 levs ($289,227) for breaching competition rules. The company was owned by Veselin Mareshki, leader of parliamentary Will party, at the time of the breach. (Trud, Telegraph, Standart, Sega, Capital Daily, 24 Chasa) $1 = 1.7109 leva) By Noor Zainab Hussain June 29 (Reuters) - DS Smith Plc, a maker of corrugated cardboard, recycled paper and plastic packaging, said it would buy 80 percent of Interstate Resources, a corrugated packaging business, for $920 million, giving it an entry into the American market. DS Smith's stock rose 9.8 percent at 487.8 pence to a record high, making it the largest gainer on the FTSE Midcap Index. The company, which makes corrugated trays, soft plastic containers, transport packaging and display cases, also said it would fund part of the deal by raising about 285 million pounds through an underwritten placing of new shares at 10 pence each. DS Smith, which has the option to buy the remaining 20 percent from Merpas Co over five years, will take on $226 million of the family-owned business' debt. The deal will immediately add to earnings, the company, which made five bolt-on acquisitions for 85 million pounds in the year ended April, said. The U.S. market will allow DS Smith to grow its packaging business, specially in retail ready e-commerce and performance packaging solutions, CEO Miles Roberts said on a media call. "Our customers including Mondelez and Nestle want us to enter this (U.S.) market to support them. Seventeen of our top 20 pan-European customers have significant U.S. operations," he said. "Packaging has never been more relevant to our customers. Our customers are those big FMCG companies who are really looking to engage more with their customers... they say, 'can you also help us in other markets, can you help us in the U.S.?'" The company's customers had "rewarded" DS Smith with work in Europe, Roberts added. The region accounts for the bulk of the firm's revenue. DS Smith operates in a challenging volume growth environment for European fast-moving consumer goods operators, competing with Smurfit Kappa, Mondi and RPC Group . Roberts said the deal, the second-largest ever for DS Smith, was not a diversification acquisition, protecting DS Smith from other headwinds in the UK. DS Smith wanted to focus on America's east coast and approached a number of potential targets until it began talks with Interstate Resources, which operates 19 production sites in the U.S. and reported revenue of $618 million in 2016. The company, which was founded in 1940 as a box-making businesses in East London, also reported a 31 percent jump in full-year pretax profit to 264 million pounds ($342 million), driven by acquisitions and demand from its European customers. ($1 = 0.7714 pounds) (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Sunil Nair) VIENNA, June 29 (Reuters) - A ban on construction of Vienna Airport's third runway was annulled by Austria's top court on Thursday. The Constitutional Court said a ruling by the lower administrative court, which blocked the expansion project for environmental reasons in February, was a "misguided decision". It "involved climate protection and land consumption in an unconstitutional way in its weighing of interests," said Constitutional Court President Gerhart Holzinger. Airport expansion is a hot topic in Europe, pitting local residents and environmentalists against airlines, airports and businesses. Law experts see the Austrian case as trend-setting for other major infrastructure projects. Holzinger ordered the administrative court, which said a third runway would run counter to Austria's pledge to the Paris climate agreement and that the creation of 30,000 new jobs could not justify the extra pollution, to decide again on the issue. Vienna Airport shares gained as much as 1.4 percent after the decision, outperforming the European sector index, which was 0.6 percent lower at 1027 GMT. Vienna Airport, which had said the ban ignored its fundamental rights, welcomed the decision. "An infrastructure project that is so important for the future again has a chance of realisation," said Guenther Ofner, a member of Vienna Airport's management board. The airport is the country's biggest, serving as a secondary hub in the Lufthansa-Star Alliance network and focussing on Eastern Europe and on intercontinental destinations in Asia. Austria's Transport Minister Joerg Leichtfried, also welcoming the ruling, said he now hoped for a "swift decision". Plans for a third runway at the Vienna airport were first submitted for review in March 2007. Initially, the airport planned to open it in 2021; now it hopes for 2028. (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Editing by Mark Potter) By Sabine Siebold KRASNODAR, Russia, June 29 (Reuters) - Germany will reject a request by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to address Turkish citizens while attending the G20 summit in Germany next week, the German foreign minister said on Wednesday, in another blow to the troubled ties of the allies. Sigmar Gabriel said Ankara had submitted a formal request on Wednesday for Erdogan to speak to Turkish citizens in Germany on the sidelines of the July 7-8 summit of leading economies. He said Turkey had ignored his express advice not to do so. A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed that Erdogan's request to speak at a non-G20 event would be denied. Gabriel said such appearances by Erdogan, who has addressed Turks in Germany before, would be inappropriate. Germany did not want to play host to the domestic problems of another country, the minister told reporters during a visit to Russia. He also cited security concerns for Erdogan's request being rejected. "We don't have the police forces available to ensure security, given the G20." Gabriel said. "But I also told them openly that such an appearance was not appropriate given the conflict situation that exists with Turkey, and that it would not fit into the political landscape at this time." In Moscow, Gabriel told reporters that Germany was under no obligation to allow such appearances and it did not violate democratic principles. Ties between Germany and Turkey have soured due to disagreements over a range of political and security issues, worsening significantly in the past year due to Turkey's jailing of a German-Turkish journalist, Ankara's refusal to let German lawmakers visit German troops at a Turkish air base. Among other grievances, Erdogan has decried as "Nazi era tactics" decisions by local German authorities to ban rallies by Turkish politicians before it held a referendum in April which widened presidential powers. Erdogan has previously been permitted to address Turkish citizens living in Germany, home to an estimated 1.4 million eligible Turkish voters and around 3 million people with a Turkish background. But Gabriel said he wanted to change that policy for all non-EU countries, given the experiences of the last months, and had discussed the issue with Merkel. "We should tell all non-EU countries - not just Turkey - that we don't allow campaign appearances that serve to import domestic conflicts from other country to Germany." Asked if Turkey could plan an event for Erdogan in its embassy or consulates in Germany, Gabriel said that this was up to Ankara. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Thomas Escritt and Raissa Kasolowsky) BUCHAREST, June 29 (Reuters) - Romania plans to replace a flat 16 percent tax on corporate profit with a progressive tax on turnover of 1-3 percent, incoming Finance Minister Ionut Misa told reporters on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the ruling Social Democrats unveiled plans to overhaul taxation. In addition to changes to the flat tax on income and profit, the finance ministry is also running the numbers on a "solidarity contribution." Misa said preliminary calculations indicate it would apply for people earning more than 14,500 lei ($3,630.72) per month. He also said he was committed to keeping the budget deficit at the European Union's ceiling of 3 percent of gross domestic product, and that if tax collection does not improve he could thin out the number of public sector employees. Parliament is expected to approve the new cabinet later on Thursday. ($1 = 3.9937 lei) (Reporting by Luiza Ilie) PARIS, June 29 (Reuters) - Three non-government organisations (NGOs) have filed a lawsuit in Paris against the French bank BNP Paribas, alleging that it knowingly approved a transfer of $1.3 million from the Rwandan central bank to an arms dealer during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. More than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered during a three-month killing spree by Hutu extremists after a plane carrying the president, Juvenal Habyarimana, was shot down. The three groups - Sherpa, CPCR (Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda) and Ibuka France - said on Thursday that their suit accused BNP Paribas of complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. They said a U.N. arms embargo on Rwanda had been in effect at the time of the transfer. In an emailed statement to Reuters, BNP Paribas said: "We have learned about the suit through the media. At the moment, we do not have sufficient information on the subject to be able to comment on it." Rwandan central bank governor John Rwangombwa told Reuters in a Whatsapp message that he had no comment on the matter. The statement from the NGOs said that Hutu colonel Theoneste Bagosora had agreed the purchase of 80 tonnes of arms with a dealer on June 17, 1994, and that these were delivered to Gisenyi in Rwanda via Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.N. Security Council had put an arms embargo in place the previous month. Bagosora, 70, is serving a 35-year sentence for crimes against humanity in connection with the Rwandan genocide. The NGOs said that BNP's predecessor, Banque Nationale de Paris, which merged with Paribas in 2000 to create BNP Paribas, had knowingly accepted the transfer of $1.3 million from its client, the Rwandan central bank, to the arms dealer's Swiss account. "According to the numerous testimonies and investigative reports attached to the complaint, BNP would have certainly known the destination of the funds," the NGOs said. Rwanda opened an inquiry in November into the possible role of at least 20 French military and other officials in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda, a former German and Belgian colony, had strong ties with France until 1994. Under its current president, Paul Kagame, it has forged close links with the United States and Britain. (Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry, Simon Caraud and Gilles Guillaume in Paris; Clement Uwiringiyimana in Nairobi; Writing by Maya Nikolaeva; Editing by Kevin Liffey) By Dilawar Hussain PARACHINAR, Pakistan, June 29 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people protested in a Pakistani town on Thursday to demand better security after twin bombings in a market there last week killed 75 people, officials and witnesses said. Citizens of Parachinar began a sit-in protest soon after the two bombs went off last week on Friday evening, as shoppers were out buying supplies in preparation for the breaking of the fast on one of the last days of the holy month of Ramadan. A faction of the Pakistan-based Sunni Muslim militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the attack in a town where a large number of members of the Shi'ite Muslim minority live. The crowd, already angry over what they see as the failure of authorities to ensure security, has become more enraged by the shooting dead of three protesters by police trying to keep order. Authorities have not confirmed that three protesters were killed, saying only they were investigating. "We are tired of picking up the dead bodies of our people," said Arshad Umerzai, a former provincial government minister. Umerzai said the prime minister and army chief should visit Parachinar, which is close to the border with Afghanistan, in response to the violence the town has suffered. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced 1 million rupees ($10,000) compensation for the families of every victim of the blasts, and 500,000 rupees for the wounded, but the protesters dismissed that, saying victims of attacks in other places got more, a witness said. Security forces stopped media crew from travelling into the town to cover the protest on Thursday, saying they needed special permission. Parachinar is part of the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, ethnic Pashtun-majority areas along the Afghan border covered by special laws and regulations. A former senator, Allama Abid al-Hussaini, said the sit-in, centred in a town park, was estimated to have attracted 70,000 participants on Thursday. A senior government official in the town said tens of thousands joined the protest. Parachinar had already suffered two bomb attacks this year, before last Friday's blasts, that killed about 50 people. Religious leader Allama Fida Mazahiri said the killing of the protesters in police firing was particularly infuriating. "We have sided with the security forces at every turn in fighting terrorism ... but the firing on protesters is uncalled for and action needs to be taken," Mazahiri said. (Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Robert Birsel) SOFIA, June 29 (Reuters) - Eight international business organisations on Thursday urged the Bulgarian government to overhaul its corruption-prone and inefficient judiciary to spur growth and attract investment into the European Union's poorest member state. The organisations, representing trading partners such as the United States, Canada, France, Austria and Italy urged swift and deep reforms to ensure judges and prosecutors are independent and free from political bias. "Despite the stable macroeconomic framework here, there are other factors that prevent investors from choosing Bulgaria," said Venislav Iotov, First Vice-President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. "One of them is the image of the country as a state which lacks a working judicial system and is a place with serious corruption," he told a news conference. Bulgaria, which joined the European Union in 2007, has been persistently rapped by Brussels for failing to impose strict rule of law and jail high-level officials guilty of corruption. Bulgaria has for years been ranked as one of the EU's most corrupt members in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, despite different governments pledging to crack down on widespread graft. That has kept the Balkan country out of the EU's passport free Schengen zone, kept investors away and is seen as a major obstacle to Bulgaria adopting the euro currency. "We firmly believe the lack of impartial and efficient courts and prosecution is one of the main barriers to economic growth and to attracting foreign investment," the organisations said in an open letter. The businesses said the reforms undertaken by the previous government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov were not enough and his new cabinet should step up work to make judges free from political pressure and prosecutors more accountable. Foreign direct investment has been about 1.3-1.5 billion euros a year since the global financial crisis hit in 2009, a far cry from the 6-7 billion euros seen before the global financial crisis in 2008-09 put an end to a construction and real estate boom. "If the level of corruption changes and we see supremacy of law, investment will immediately increase," said Alex Nestor with the Canada Bulgarian Business Network. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Janet Lawrence) By Luiza Ilie and Radu-Sorin Marinas BUCHAREST, June 29 (Reuters) - Romania's ruling Social Democrats announced a tax overhaul for 2018 on Thursday, ditching a flat 16 percent tax on income and profit that has attracted investment into the European Union's fastest-growing but least-developed economy. Markets reacted badly, with stocks and the leu currency falling, and centrist President Klaus Iohannis strongly criticised the measures. Parliament gave the cabinet of Prime Minister Mihai Tudose a vote of confidence on Thursday. Tudose replaces Sorin Grindeanu, who was ousted by the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) and junior coalition partner ALDE for failing to implement the governing programme that helped win them a December election. Critics said that with some leading political figures facing allegations of graft, Grindeanu was more likely fired for not doing enough to water down anti-corruption legislation. The Romania is plagued by bureaucracy and corruption. The tax changes - included in a revised governing programme - and a plan to scrap a mandatory private pension pillar, which was later retracted, drove the Bucharest stock market almost 3.6 percent lower, and the leu currency down half a percent. "We find the coalition with a new government, and surprisingly, a new governing programme," Iohannis told the cabinet at its swearing-in ceremony. "Such behaviour certainly does not fall within what is fiscal-budgetary predictability and ... certainly induces doubts within the business environment. In the name of Romanians, I ask you to stop this fiscal-budgetary hopping." The president, a centrist, can obstruct the changes to a limited extent. He has become a counterweight to the coalition's attempts earlier this year to weaken anti-corruption legislation and his criticism will sting. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said the tax programme had been re-worked to make up for delays. Former Finance Minister Darius Valcov, currently on trial for taking bribes, is one of its authors. "I have no other objective than enforcing the governing programme and recovering the delays," Tudose told lawmakers. "If we want campaign promises to become reality, we must forget the state of normality." Loose fiscal plans have worried the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund over missing budget targets. The Commission expects Romania to run the EU's largest deficits this year and next. Romanian and foreign investors have repeatedly urged the PSD to ensure predictable fiscal policies. "The proposed measures have a major impact on the Romanian economy and cannot be made without public consultations and an impact assessment," said the Coalition for Romanias Development, which groups investors associations. "The nature of the proposed tax changes can affect large-scale investment and compromise the positive economic growth cycle of the Romanian economy." PRIVATE PENSIONS IN FOCUS The programme plans replace the 16 percent corporate tax on profit with a progressive tax of 1-3 percent on turnover. Income tax will fall to 10 percent. Social security contributions will fall by 4.25 percentage points to 35 percent and will be paid solely by workers, not their employers. A dividend tax will be scrapped, but a one percentage point cut to value added tax will be postponed by a year to 2019. A new solidarity tax could be enforced on people who earn more than 14,500 lei ($3,617) per month, Finance Minister Ionut Misa said, adding all data was preliminary. In a new twist, Misa said the cabinet planned to scrap a mandatory private pension pillar that was introduced in 2008 to supplement a communist-era system. Up to 7 million Romanians contribute to mandatory private pension funds, whose assets stand at 35.1 billion lei ($8.78 billion). Hungary and Poland have taken similar steps that had upset investors and weighed on local markets for years. PSD had vehemently denied it was planning to scrap the pension system and later on Thursday, both PSD leader Dragnea and Tudose contradicted Misa and denied the plans existed. The Romanian Private Pension Association welcomed the denial. "(The association) would like to remind that the second pillar has been one of the most successful structural reforms in Romania, which ... does not justify in any way a measure to affect its architecture," it said in a statement. (Writing by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Angus MacSwan) ANKARA, June 29 (Reuters) - Iranian state TV said on Thursday seven Iranian fishermen detained by Saudi Arabia's coastguard over a year ago had been returned to the country amid heightened tension between the regional rivals. "Seven Iranian fishermen who were arrested by Saudi Arabia' border security guards over a year ago have been returned to the country," state television reported without elaborating. The circumstances of the fishermen being detained were not clear. Saudi authorities could not immediately be reached for comment and the release was not mentioned in the Saudi media. Iran's Foreign Ministry declined to comment beyond confirming the release. Shi'ite dominated Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia accuse each other of fomenting tension in the Middle East, where the two arch rivals back opposite sides in conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Relations between the two are at their most tense in years. Riyadh, along with other Arab governments, has severed ties with Qatar, citing its support of Iran as one of the main reasons for the move. Iran has blamed Saudi Arabia for being behind deadly twin attacks on June 7 in Tehran, which was claimed by Sunni group Islamic State. Riyadh has denied that. Iranian media reported earlier this month that, in a separate incident, Saudi border guards had opened fire on Iranian fishing boats in the Gulf, killing a fisherman and arresting three others. Iran has urged Saudi Arabia to release the trio, who Tehran said had legal documents but lost their way. The Saudi Information Ministry said it had intercepted the boat in Saudi waters on June 16 and three members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards had been detained in the incident. It said the seized vessel was carrying explosives and those captured intended to conduct a "terrorist act" in Saudi territorial waters. Iran has denied the allegation. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Additional reporting by Aziz el Yaakoubi and Katie Paul; Editing by Alison Williams) OSLO, June 29 (Reuters) - Investors are starting to turn the heat up on companies over their strategies to tackle climate change in line with the agreement reached in the 2015 Paris climate talks. Sweden's largest national pension fund AP7 set a high benchmark in June when it named six firms it said had breached the Paris accord and ditched them from its portfolio. Below are comments or strategy details from several funds: SWEDISH FUND ROBUR "The climate issue has been Robur's most prioritised sustainability issue for 10 years," said Liza Jonson, CEO of Robur, the Nordic region's largest fund manager, owned by Swedbank. "The Paris agreement and the events in connection with that were therefore crucial to our decision (in 2016) to exclude companies that derive more than 30 percent of their turnover or more from coal. We were among the first in the business to do so." SWEDEN'S AP1, AP2, AP3 AND AP4 PENSION FUNDS "We are working (mainly) with dialogue, we are trying to persuade companies to sell off or close down business that is not sustainable," Peter Lundkvist, head of the ethical committee for Sweden's AP1, AP2, AP3 and AP4 pension funds. DENMARK'S ATP FUND "It's difficult for us to relate to how you'd say something is non-Paris compliant, but that methodology will become more and more sharp as time goes on," said Ulrik Dan Weuder, head Of ATP's global direct investments. NORWAY'S SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND The chief executive officer of the $960 billion fund, Yngve Slyngstad, said the fund was asking banks in which it has invested to disclose how their lending contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, after measuring in the past the carbon footprint of its investments in equities and bonds. Since 2016 the fund has banned investment in firms that derive more than 30 percent of their turnover or activity from coal, mostly coal producers and utilities. By July, the fund's ethics watchdog is expected to recommend the fund excludes or puts on a watch list the first of several firm in the oil, cement or steel industries, for producing an "unacceptable" level of greenhouse gas. NORWAY'S KLP "KLP and the KLP funds' guidelines for responsible investment include severe environmental damage as a criterion for divestment. Although we interpret this criterion to include climate as well, we see the need to make this more explicit," said Annie Bersagel, acting head of responsible investments at KLP, Norway's largest life insurance firm with $72 billion under management. "We are in the process of updating the KLP and KLP Funds' guidelines to include a specific climate criterion. This will be harmonized with the climate criterion from the ethical guidelines for the Norwegian (sovereign wealth fund)." FINLAND'S VER The state pension fund, which managed 19.2 billion euros ($22 billion) as of March 31, included the Paris climate agreement in its investment guidelines last summer. "It is part of our review process, but we don't do separate evaluations based on it," said CEO Timo Viherkentta, adding the fund monitors its portfolio's carbon footprint annually. But he said VER had not excluded any firms for environmental reasons. "Because we don't invest directly in companies outside the Nordic region, companies like the ones AP7 excluded were not in our portfolio in the first place." JAPAN'S SECOM CORPORATE PENSION FUND "We think engagement investment is about promoting companies to be involved with ESG through engagement," said Hiroichi Yagi, adviser at the fund, a leader in Japan on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues. Asked about AP7's initiative, he said: "We have no such plan to follow suit. And we have not heard of any Japanese pension funds that are considering taking such steps." BRITAIN'S SOUTH YORKSHIRE PENSIONS AUTHORITY Asked about climate change issues, the pension authority's head of investment, Sharon Smith, said: "It could be something that comes up, but it could be a year or so before we get to that stage. We're just not at that stage at the moment." AUSTRALIAN PENSION FUND AMP CAPITAL "Except for the AMP Capital Responsible Investment Leaders (RIL) Funds we haven't filtered out stocks by fossil fuel exposure. We have taken a different approach," said Ian Woods, head of ESG investment research. "Given a significant exposure to the Australian economy, we have worked with other investors through the IGCC (Investor Group on Climate Change) to engage in the debate to encourage development of policy that will drive the transition of the economy" to meet Australia's Paris Agreement commitments. AUSTRALIA'S COLONIAL FIRST STATE GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT "We have been improving our understanding and approach to climate change including the investment implications of the Paris Climate agreement," said Pablo Berrutti, head of responsible investment. "We have also improved our disclosure to ensure our clients have the information they need to better understand portfolio risks and opportunities. "Several barriers exist to achieving better management of climate change risks across the industry including investment mandate design issues - for example, risk constraints - use of standard benchmarks for performance and risk measurement, and a focus on short-term performance." AUSTRALIAN PENSION FUND AUTRALIANSUPER "We currently monitor climate change risk in the portfolio. We undertake a carbon footprint analysis of our international and domestic equity portfolios regularly to understand our investment exposure to carbon," said Kelly Christodoulou, governance manager. "The most recent analysis of our portfolio indicated that both our international and domestic portfolios have lower carbon risk than the applicable benchmarks. "We believe that the best way to manage ESG issues in the portfolio is through active engagement with the companies that we invest in, as this creates alignment between improved ESG outcomes and investment returns." ($1 = 0.8754 euros) (Reporting by Reuters correspondents in in Amsterdam, Stockholm, Paris, Helsinki, Sydney, London, Dublin, Madrid, Lisbon and Tokyo; Editing by Gwladys Fouche and Edmund Blair) DOHA/WASHINGTON, June 29 (Reuters) - Qatar said on Thursday it was working with the United States and Kuwait to respond to a list of demands presented by Arab states who have accused Doha of supporting terrorism, an allegation that ignited a regional crisis between the U.S. allies. The feud erupted on June 5 when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic and travel links with Qatar, accusing it also of courting regional foe Iran. Qatar denies the allegations. The four countries have sent Doha a list of 13 demands, including closing the state-funded Al Jazeera television station and reducing ties to Iran, an official of one of the four countries said. They gave Doha 10 days to comply. The deadline is expected to expire on Sunday. Kuwait, which retained ties with Qatar, is trying to mediate in the dispute with the support of the United States. In Washington on Thursday, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told reporters that Qatar, together with the Americans and Kuwaitis, was preparing responses. "We have to set the conditions first in order to pursue these negotiations," Sheikh Mohammed said. At a later event, Sheikh Mohammed said the future of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council could be at risk. The security group comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. "We believe this is a big question mark for the future of the GCC," the foreign minister said in response to a question. The group was formed to guard against external threats, he said, adding: "When the threat is coming from inside the GCC, there is a suspicion about the sustainability of the organization." Sheikh Mohammed has called the demands by the four Arab countries "unreasonable" and said setting a deadline impinged on Qatar's sovereignty. Doha was ready to discuss "legitimate issues" with Arab states to end the crisis but some demands were impossible to meet because the underlying accusation was untrue, the foreign minister said in a statement earlier on Thursday. "We cannot 'sever links with so-called Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah' because no such links exist," the statement said. "And we cannot 'expel any members of Irans Revolutionary Guard' because there are none in Qatar." The director of Qatar's World Trade Organization office, Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, said Qatar was considering a complaint at the WTO against a "blockade" by the Arab states. The UAE ambassador to Russia has said Qatar could face fresh sanctions if it does not comply with the demands. The Gulf states could ask their trading partners to choose between working with them or Doha, he said in a newspaper interview. NATO ally Turkey has backed Doha in the rift. Qatar's defence minister is due to visit Ankara on Friday and will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart, sources at Turkey's defence ministry said. A new contingent of Turkish forces had arrived in Doha, Al Jazeera reported. (Reporting by Tom Finn in Doha and Yara Bayoumy and Warren Strobel in Washington; Additional reporting by Tulay Karadeniz,; Writing by Sylvia Westall and Yara Bayoumy; Editing by Ralph Boulton and Grant McCool) BRUSSELS, June 29 (Reuters) - British Airways will use Qatar Airways planes and crew to fly all its passengers to their destinations during a planned two-week strike by some cabin crew, Willie Walsh, head of BA's parent company, said on Thursday. The strike by BA's mixed fleet cabin crew - those who work on both long and short-haul flights - is due to begin on Saturday. BA had already applied to Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to use nine Qatar-registered Airbus A320 or A321s between July 1 and July 16 and Walsh, CEO of International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), said the plan would go ahead. "I'll be pleased to say that those airplanes will fly and all of the British Airways passengers who are booked to fly with us over the next couple of weeks will be flying," Walsh told reporters in Brussels on Thursday when asked if the application to use the planes had been successful. Members of the mixed fleet crew are engaged in a long-running dispute with BA about pay. The forthcoming strike is over sanctions on union members involved in previous industrial action. British Airways had previously guaranteed that all customers would reach their destinations, although some flights will be merged. The CAA would not confirm that BA's application had been approved and said it was still processing it. "Under European regulations specific approval is required for an EU airline, such as British Airways, to wet lease aircraft from an airline based outside of Europe," a spokesman for the CAA said in a statement. "The UK Department for Transport will approve or reject the application taking into account advice from the Civil Aviation Authority." A "wet-leasing" deal would mean that BA pays Qatar to use its aircraft and crew for the two-week period. The deal could help Qatar make more use of its planes after its operations were disrupted by a boycott from four Arab nations, forcing it to seek out other destinations on which to use its planes. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar on June 5 in the worst diplomatic crisis in the region in years. BA and Qatar Airways have close ties. Both are partners in the OneWorld alliance and code share on certain flights, while the Doha-based carrier owns a 20 percent stake in BA parent International Airlines Group. (Reporting by Julia Fioretti, writing by Alistair Smout, editing by Susan Fenton) RABAT, June 29 (Reuters) - A former Moroccan regional lawmaker, who the government says may have been funding civil unrest, has been arrested in the Netherlands where he lives, the Moroccan and Dutch governments said on Thursday. Morocco had recalled its ambassador in the Hague at the weekend over what it described as the Netherlands' failure to "take measures against" Said Chaaou, 50, who it suggested was involved in providing "financial and logistical support" in Morocco's Rif region, the centre of months of protests. Chaaou has also been the subject of two arrest warrants accusing him of criminal association and international drug trafficking, issued by a Moroccan court in 2010 and 2015. The Dutch Justice Department confirmed his arrest, after it was first reported by Morocco's MAP state news agency on Thursday, and said it was made under an international arrest warrant related to a 2015 request from Morocco. It said the arrest had not been carried out before because Morocco had not given the required guarantees to Chaaou as a Dutch citizen. As a Dutch national he needed a guarantee he can serve out any sentence in the Netherlands. The Moroccan foreign ministry said that it would now seek Chaaou's extradition from the Netherlands. "Today's arrest of Said Chaaou, by Dutch authorities, constitutes an important development in the treatment of this affair tied with organised crime and which has lasted years," it said. The Dutch justice department said a court would review the extradition request, a process that can take up to 18 months. In Morocco's Rif region, a movement called Hirak al Chaabi in Arabic has led demonstrations, accusing officials of corruption and abuses after the death last October of a fishmonger who was crushed in a garbage truck trying to recover fish confiscated by the police. A lawyer defending several leaders of the Hirak currently held in prison previously told Reuters that Chaaou has no ties with the movement, describing reports of Chaaou's funding of Hirak as "rumours." (Reporting by Samia Errazzouki in Rabat and Bart Meijer in Amsterdam; writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Susan Fenton) By Katya Golubkova MOSCOW, June 29 (Reuters) - Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft said on Thursday it was targeting China's gas market after completing a $1.1 billion deal to sell 20 percent of its subsidiary Verkhnechyonskneftegaz (VChNG) to Beijing Gas. The deal is part of a Russian drive backed by President Vladimir Putin to forge closer economic and political ties with China amid a standoff with the West. Kremlin-controlled Rosneft, which aims to ramp up natural gas sales as it squares up to Russian gas firm Gazprom , said it hoped to access China's domestic gas market and end-users via swap deals. Separately, Rosneft vice president Vlada Rusakova said on Thursday the company was looking at building a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Russia's far east using exclusively its own resources and gas reserves. Rosneft and U.S. energy firm Exxon have previously talked about building an LNG plant in Russia's far east together, using gas from the Sakhalin-1 project in which both firms have a stake. Rusakova said building a plant with Exxon still featured in Rosneft's plans, but her suggestion that Rosneft could go it alone reflects the company's growing ambitions, especially in Asia. Rosneft Chief Executive Igor Sechin, one of the most influential businessmen in Russia, has said his firm plans to become the world's third-largest producer of gas early next decade. Rosneft has been lobbying for access to a gas pipeline to China being built by Gazprom, which currently has a monopoly on Russian pipeline gas exports. It said on Thursday it was looking at cooperating with Beijing Gas in Russia's far east and east Siberia in exploration, production of hydrocarbons and gas marketing. VChNG, located in east Siberia, produces around 165,000 barrels per day of oil, delivered via the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline. As of Dec. 31, 2012, its proved natural gas reserves stood at 9.8 billion cubic metres. (Additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Olesya Astakhova; Writing by Alexander Winning; Editing by Dale Hudson and Mark Potter) By Christian Shepherd BEIJING, June 29 (Reuters) - Chinese authorities on Thursday told U.S., German and European Union diplomats that Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist Liu Xiaobo cannot be moved to get medical treatment elsewhere due to his illness, a source briefed on the meeting told Reuters. Liu, 61, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for "inciting subversion of state power" after he helped write a petition known as "Charter 08" calling for sweeping political reforms. He was being treated in a hospital in the city of Shenyang for late-stage liver cancer after being granted medical parole, his lawyer told Reuters on Monday. A deputy head of the justice ministry told the diplomats that Liu's family was happy with the treatment he was receiving and had agreed that he should not be moved, said the source, who declined to be identified. The official did not elaborate. The diplomats asked that Liu and his wife be allowed to communicate directly with the outside world, choose their own hospital and get treatment from a foreign doctor. The Chinese side said that may not be possible, according to the source. On Thursday, U.S.-based rights lawyer and activist Jared Genser said 154 Nobel laureates had called for Liu to be allowed to travel to the United States for medical treatment. Genser, who has acted as a lawyer for Liu in the past, said in a statement that the laureates made their request in a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and U.S. ambassador to China Terry Branstad. "We urge the Chinese government on humanitarian grounds to grant Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia's wish to travel to the United States for medical treatment," Sir Richard Roberts, 1993 laureate in Physiology or Medicine, wrote in the letter on behalf of the laureates. The U.S. State Department said it was gathering details about Liu's condition. Washington called on Beijing to grant Liu full parole, release his wife from house arrest and allow them access to the medical care of their choosing, a spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen said, reiterating a previous statement. On Wednesday, Branstad said the United States would like to see Liu treated elsewhere, if that would help him. Liu Xia has been under effective house arrest since her husband won the peace prize in 2010 and was not available for comment on Thursday. Amnesty International told Reuters on Tuesday she had told Chinese authorities she wanted her husband to get treatment abroad. Western politicians and rights activists have voiced concern about the quality of Liu Xiaobo's treatment and have said he should be given the option of leaving China if that was the best option. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing on Thursday declined to comment on any briefing from the authorities. There was no immediate comment from EU officials. A German foreign ministry source also declined to comment on the meeting but said Liu should receive the medical treatment that he needs and wants. Another source familiar with the case said no final decision had been made on the matter. China's foreign ministry and justice ministry did not respond to requests for comment. 'ORDINARY PRISONER' A video of Liu being treated in jail was released on YouTube, which is blocked in China, late on Wednesday, in what a source close to Liu said was a move by authorities to counter growing concern over his care behind bars. Liu is shown in the three-minute video playing badminton outside, being given a physical examination by prison guards and getting treatment from doctors, as well as being visited by his wife. It was not clear who took the video or published it on YouTube but another source, who is close to Liu and his wife, described it as "propaganda", and an attempt by the authorities to respond to criticism of Liu's treatment. The Shenyang legal bureau said in a statement on its website on Wednesday that signs Liu was unwell had been detected on May 31 and he was immediately sent to the hospital where he was now being treated by eight well-known domestic cancer experts. It said the cancer had spread to other parts of his body. Several family members are with Liu in Shenyang, including his wife, and they had "expressed satisfaction" with his treatment, and had asked he be treated with traditional Chinese medicine, which was now happening, the legal bureau said. Liu had a history of hepatitis B before entering jail, it said, citing prison records, and said he had regular medical checks in prison, which had not previously found signs of hepatitis or tumours. The state-run Global Times said in an editorial Liu had no right to expect special treatment. "Liu is an ordinary prisoner. He ought to be grateful for extra help from the prison authorities, but he and his supporters have no right to demand preferential treatment," it said. The source close to Liu's family told Reuters that his wife had weeks ago accepted an offer to move to Germany if she and Liu were released, but that was before the diagnosis of liver cancer was made public. Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy minister of the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council, the island's China affairs policy-maker, said Taiwan was willing to host Liu. A Hong Kong reporter shouted a question at Chinese President Xi Jinping after he gave a short speech upon arrival at Hong Kong airport, asking if Liu would be released or receive treatment abroad. Xi did not answer. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING, Venus Wu in HONG KONG, J.R. Wu in TAIPEI and David Brunnstrom and Yeganeh Torbati in WASHINGTON, Andrea Shalal and Stephan Schepers in BERLIN; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel and Jonathan Oatis) Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was recently hanging around Iowa , aka the first state to vote in a presidential caucus come election season. That, of course, is fueling speculation that hell make a run for the White House in 2020, possibly as a Democrat. Yes, we know. Zuckerbergnot anyones idea of a traditional politicianis a longshot. And yes, 2020 is a long way away and a lot can happen before then. Plus, Zuckerberg has said that hes not running for office , including on Facebook . Zuckerberg also made a stop in nearby Nebraska, a state that isnt considered a pivotal in presidential politics. Hes said he wants to meet people in every state. But indulge us, because this is interesting to think about: Even a speculative Zuckerberg run could have implications for education policy. Thats because Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have plans to pour billions of dollars into K-12 education. Personalized learning which often uses technology to help customize lessons for kids of different ability levelshas been a huge focus for their Chan Zuckerberg initiative. To run the initiative, theyve hired Jim Shelton, who served as deputy secretary of education during the Obama administration and was a driving force behind the Investing in Innovation fund. And of course, Zuckerberg poured $100 million into revamping Newarks public schools. The money was used to dramatically expand charter schools, get rid of teachers with poor evaluations, and tie other educators performance reviews to test scores. The results were decidedly mixed . Zuckerberg and Chan also recently started a private school for low-income children that puts a premium on health care services . So what kind of an impact would having Zuckerberg in the fieldor even the rumored fieldhave on the debate over education policy? First off, and maybe most importantly, it might bring some focus to the issue, which barely registered in the last couple presidential campaigns. Its easy to imagine that some parents and teachers would like Zuckerbergs willingness to invest in schools. Its also easy to imagine that some educatorspossibly including active members of both teachers unionmay see Zuckerberg as part and parcel of a brand of corporate reformers that they worry are interfering with education policy . Both of those issues could be important in a Democratic primary, assuming, of course that Zuckerberg runs as a Democrat. And it could be pretty interesting to see Zuckerberg and President Donald Trump go toe-to-toe on education policy. Zuckerbergs hiring of Sheltonand the policies he helped finance in Newarksuggests his take on K-12 policy could be pretty similar to President Barack Obamas, which relied a lot on using competitive grants to entice districts to embrace favored policies. Trump, on the other hand, has mostly talked about local control, school choice, and slimming down the education department. So we may in for a pretty interesting debate ... three and a half years from now. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at his companys annual F8 developer conference in San Jose, Calif., in February. --Noah Berger/AP-File Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . By Geoffrey Kamadi and Katy Migiro ISIOLO, Kenya June 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - It looked like a hostage swap only the currency was livestock and the mission was to end decades of deadly clashes. More than 50 sheep, goats and cows stood in the scorching heat of a desolate no-man's land in arid northern Kenya, as Maasai and Samburu herders negotiated their handover. Lipan Kitonga cast a critical eye over his emaciated herd, which 10 gun-toting Samburu had stolen from his home in Isiolo County, 300 kilometres (186 miles) north of Kenya's capital. "I was not around at the time," said Kitonga, a community-based police officer, known as a police reservist, dressed in camouflage fatigues with a G3 rifle in hand. "Otherwise it would have been a different matter," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, his voice still tight with anger nine days after the animal theft. Nomadic herders in remote northern Kenya, which is awash with illegal arms, frequently raid cattle from each other and fight over scarce pasture and water, especially during droughts. A wave of violence has hit Isiolo's neighbouring Laikipia region in recent months as armed herders searching for grazing have driven tens of thousands of cattle onto private farms and ranches from denuded communal land. The livestock exchange was organised by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), a charity set up in 2004 with support from donors and conservationists to reduce conflict and poverty among nomads by helping them better manage their land. Almost 300,000 people are members of NRT's 33 conservancies, which are community organisations focused on conservation, owning nearly six million acres (2.4 million hectares) of land across Kenya's north and coast. NOMADS NO MORE Drought has hit millions this year in northern Kenya, where most people live off their livestock. As Kenya's population has doubled in 25 years, nomads can no longer freely follow the rains, turning some overgrazed common lands to dust. "You have got more people, with more livestock, on less and less productive rangeland and it's a really explosive situation," said Mike Harrison, chief executive of NRT, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). "The only answer to this is that everybody has to invest in improving their land." NRT promotes rotational grazing with a sustainable number of livestock, which allows land to rest, and the reseeding of degraded areas. Zones are set aside for wildlife, people and livestock, with limited access during drought for nomadic animals from other communities. It also helps develop new businesses - tourism, bead-making and livestock markets - so nomads are less dependent on herding. Tourism is the real money-spinner. The most successful conservancies earn about $500,000 a year from visitors paying daily entry fees of $50-$80, Harrison said. These earnings go into a community fund with 40 percent spent on operations, like rangers' salaries, and 60 percent on community projects, like education and health, NRT says. SHOOTOUTS One of NRT's main achievements has been to reduce conflict, cattle rustling and poaching by funding more than 500 rangers, trained by Kenya Wildlife Service, to patrol members' land. Many are police reservists, like Kitonga, issued with rifles by the government to beef up the overstretched police. In Nasuulu, just north of Isiolo town, the Samburu, Turkana, Somali and Borana -- who have traditionally fought each other -- have come together to form one conservancy, an NRT member. "They never used to talk to each other before, but they are now working together," said Omar Godana, Nasuulu's chairman. Elephant poaching has stopped on 35,000 hectare (86,487 acre) Nasuulu since 12 NRT-funded scouts were deployed, he said. NRT's mobile security teams work with the police and wildlife service and receive aircraft and tracker-dog backup from a nearby wildlife conservancy, Lewa. With beefed up security and strict controls on grazing, shootouts between armed herders and rangers are inevitable. "It's a killer squad," said John Leparsanti, a Samburu herder in Laikipia who sees the crackdown on illegal grazing on NRT conservancies as a threat to his traditional way of life. "When there is a biting drought we cannot graze." Herding is key to the identity and culture of Kenya's nomads, whose young men are initiated as warriors in colourful ceremonies where each kills a cow and drinks its blood. Their role as 'morans' is to guard the community and its animals. Livestock provide nomads with a ready income because they can be sold quickly for cash. Pastoralists often do not have bank accounts and have high illiteracy rates as they roam over vast terrains with their cattle from a young age. "We are not ready to do business like other tribes because we believe in cows," said Samburu politician Mathew Lempurkel. "What are we going to replace them with?" Harrison says less than 1 percent of NRT members' land is set aside exclusively for wildlife. STATUS COWS In remote, insecure lands, with poor roads and patchy mobile phone networks, there are no obvious alternative ways of life. "If we went to say: 'Look, you've all got to cut your livestock numbers in half, we would be laughed out the door," said Harrison. "It's a long slow process of rethinking what the incentives might be, trying different options." The authority of elders who used to control shared grazing land has been eroded by centralised government rule and modern education, experts say. As climate change has brought increasingly frequent and prolonged drought and less grass, herders are keeping more goats as they can browse on shrubs and young shoots, unlike cattle. The goats rip out the grass roots, further degrading the rangeland and reinforcing the vicious downwards cycle. Some northern counties have formalised traditional land management customs in local bylaws, with the aim of giving power back to elders, in contrast to NRT's approach of supporting decision-making by conservancy boards of directors. "When you have the elders managing, there is enhanced ownership and the feeling of exclusion is not there," said George Wamwere-Njoroge, an expert with the International Livestock Research Institute, which supports such initiatives. ILRI is also encouraging herders to keep fewer, healthier animals, which fetch a better price at local markets, instead of trucking their cattle for 24 hours to the capital, Nairobi, where cartels control sales, he said. One solution, rarely discussed by politicians, would be to reduce the number of livestock owned by wealthy, urban elites, who keep vast herds on northern lands as a status symbol. Unlike in the past, when droughts would naturally have reduced livestock numbers, the elites ship in hay and water to keep their animals alive. "A lot of destitute pastoralists have dropped out and moved to the small trading centres and depend on relief and petty trade," said Wamwere-Njoroge. "But the elite pastoralist animals keep on going." ($1 = 103.2000 Kenyan shillings) (Reporting by Geoffrey Kamadi and Katy Migiro; Editing by Katy Migiro and Lyndsay Griffiths.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories.) At the Global IT Park in Niigata, Japan Evolve Technologies (Pvt) Ltd recently expanded its global presence with its latest subsidiary company Evolve Technologies JAPAN Co. Ltd, incorporated in Japan. A brand-newoffice was established at the 'Global IT Park' in Niigata, which is a hub for reputed international IT companies to enter the countrys IT market. Evolve looks to partner with reputed Japanese IT companies to provide them with exceptional software systems and IT services based on offshore or onsite business models. Evolve offers total IT solutions ranging from customized software developments, NOC & Managed IT Services, Outsourcing & BPO Operations, ERP & Business Management Solutions and Financial Services. The following product solutions are also planned to be promoted in the Japanese market under the Evolve brand - Evolve360 ERP, HRM & Payroll, Hotel Management Systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Restaurant Management & POS, Student Management Systems and the award winning best protection in internet and mobile security software F-SECURE. With the MAYOR of Niigata, Japan Evolve takes pride in having exceptional industry experience and possess highly skilled software and industry personnel who are proven well experienced professionals, who have been supporting & servicing clients for well over 10 years. Evolve is also a leading BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) company and contributes much to Sri Lankas foreign investment outcome as well as the younger employment opportunities. "We are a fully focused team of IT experts who wish to grow rapidly and expand globally, said Chairman, Mr. K. P. L. Pintoe. He further added, "We have provided exceptional software and IT services to clients in UK, Australia, UAE and Maldives. We see very good potential in providing IT services and Software development in Japan and feel very confident that our presence in the Global IT Park will reap many positive results." In a strongly worded lengthy letter to the President, the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Sangha Sabha opposed moves by certain political leaders and extremist organizations to criticize monks without a reason in a manner never seen in the history of the country, insult institutions of the Sangha and acquire property belonging to the Sasana. The letter was handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena after a delegation comprising the Mahanayake of the Sangha Sabha Ven. Dr. Ittapene Dhammalankara thera and Anuanayakes Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalaratana thera and Ven. Dr. Kotapitiye Rahula thera held discussions with the President on Wednesday (28). The Sangha Sabha especially rejected in strong terms, false statements made by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga regarding the Sri Lankan Buddhist identity. We feel these actions are aimed at fulfilling individual aspirations and does not contribute to the welfare of the wider society, the statement said. It can be seen that some are engaged in a process to brand Buddhists as extremists who are sowing hatred among other religious communities. They are also engaged in condemning the 2500 year old Sri Lankan Buddhist culture. Therefore the Monks and the Buddhists of Sri Lanka are faced with a pathetic situation today regarding the protection of their culture that was safeguarded for thousands of years. We express our displeasure to the government for not probing and stating the truth about the statistics and statements on the wrongs that are perceived to have been done by the Buddhists of the country against other religions. We do not agree with alternate proposals and unnecessary discussions regarding the position bestowed in the constitution on Buddhism and the unitary state concept where all communities are living together in accordance with a Sri Lankan culture. Therefore the Sangha Sabha has put forward a set of proposals for the government regarding the present problematic situation. The Sangha Sabha proposes to establish a commission of acceptable learned persons who are devoid of extremist views to look into these matters. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday President Maithripala Sirisena did not meet the GMOA officially and the meeting with them was informal. He told the weekly cabinet briefing that the President had told the GMOA that no statement would be issued following the meeting. The President did not meet the GMOA officially. He had agreed to meet them unofficially and told them, This is a hora meeting Ok.' President Sirisena has also told them there will be no statements issued or photos taken. President met the GMOA on its insistance. The GMOA did not meet Mr. Abeykone or the additional secretary at the presidential secretariat, he said. He said this in response to a question asked by the journalists regarding a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat following a discussion with the GMOA recently. (Sandun A Jayasekera) Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Colombo Municipal Council has launched a project to encourage the upgrading of food safety, hygiene and service of eating places supplying food for foreign and local tourists. The project is named Certification Scheme for Tourist-Friendly Eating Places. SLTDA is planning to expand this project initially launched within Colombo Municipality limits but aims to cover suburbs of Colombo soon. Under the second phase of the project, eating places in Kandy and Galle will be certified. Starting in early May this year, SLTDA began inspection visits to eating places in Colombo. Based upon the inspection scores, 25 eating places in Colombo Municipal Council area were selected for certification. Two types of certification are granted in these places with A and B grades. The certification awarding ceremony was held on 27th June at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga. Minister Amaratunga has consistently highlighted the need for certification and standardization of tourism related services. If we are to sustain the growth of our tourism industry, it is extremely important that we offer quality food and beverage services for tourists. SLTDAs ongoing project of certifying Tourist-Friendly Eating Places is a step in the right direction in this regard. While some Sri Lankan restaurants are among the best in the world having won international recognition, there is the other end of the spectrum which is not up to the mark. We have to have to raise the standards of these places, said Minister Amaratunga. Sri Lanka tourism industry has progressed dramatically over five decades to receive an all-time high of 2 million annual tourist arrivals at the end of the year 2016. As the Islands catalyst in Tourism, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority continuously drives to ensure the satisfaction of tourists with quality service, said Paddy Withana, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Our objective is to make sure that tourists enjoy remarkable experiences during their stay in Sri Lanka. Colombo, being the Islands capital city is a famous destination among both foreign and local tourists, we need dynamic strategies to improve the standards and quality of the services offered to tourists. The project also aims to cover popular small eating places in Kandy and Galle in the near future. By participating in this project, the relevant eating places will get the advantage of supplying clean, hygienically prepared, tasty food and also to obtain more recognition in order to create more demand,said Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Malraj B.Kiriella. The textile and garment industry in Sri Lanka depends heavily on imported raw material and accessories. More than 70 percent of the raw material and 70 to 90 percent of the accessories used in this industry are imported. Since fabrics and accessories account for more than 70 percent of the cost of production, lack of backward linkages is a major constraint to the development of this industry. ThreadSol, an enterprise material management provider for the sewn products industry, has been successful in saving up to 10 percent fabric for garment manufacturers in Sri Lanka with its innovative solutions, IntelloBuy and IntelloCut. ThreadSols IntelloCut is a material planning and optimization solution for the sewn products industry. With the help of its advanced algorithms, IntelloCut gives the most optimized fabric usage plan for the optimized cutting and wastage reduction. ThreadSols IntelloBuy is a material estimation solution for the sewn products industry. Being the second product by ThreadSol, IntelloBuy gives accurate buying consumption for a particular style which saves millions of dollars of material cost at fabric buying stage. ThreadSol has successfully partnered with the largest manufacturers in Sri Lanka including MAS Holdings, Orit Apparels, EAM Maliban Textiles, Omegaline, Crystal Martin, Brandix, and Hirdaramani, and helped them reduce their wastage to under one percent. EAM Maliban Textiles Managing Director Azeem Ismail uses ThreadSols IntelloCut for 10 of their factories across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Vietnam. He says, IntelloCut has reduced our effort by effectively handling multiple fabric groups and planning all end pieces which would otherwise be wasted. Indeed a solution worth recommending. ThreadSol aims to induce the apparel industry with the current technology prevailing in the world and provides all real-time information of the factories to manufacturers on their mobile phones. IntelloCut is a powerful business tool that has helped us standardize our cut planning process to achieve consistently high utilization of our fabrics across all sites stated Crystal Martin COO Colin Vose. Sri Lankas apparel manufacturers have realized the gravity of targeting fabric costs to increase their profits. In order to stay competitive they need to automate their processes by using the right technology. We are proud to stand by them in these evolving times said ThreadSol Country Manager (Sri Lanka) Prateek Nigam. ThreadSol demonstrates an entire range of enterprise material management solutions, which can help Sri Lankas apparel manufacturers save enormous material costs and boost major profits by up to 50 percent, in an industry that is heavily dependent upon economic priorities. Northern Provincial Councillor Ananthi Sasitharan and K. Sarveswaran were sworn in as provincial ministers by Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray today. Ms. Sasitharan was appointed a Minister of Womens Affairs, Social Services, Rehabilitation, Industries and Enterprise Promotion while Mr. Sarveswaran was appointed Minister of Education, Sports, Youth Affairs and Cultural Affairs. Meanwhile, Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran took over the portfolio of Agriculture and was accordingly sworn in. (Romesh Madushanka) Pix by Romesh Madushanka The US Embassy has warned US Citizens travelling in Sri Lanka to maintain situational awareness of increasing incidents involving trishaw drivers in Colombo inappropriately touching female passengers. The embassy in a security message posted in their website informed them to be aware of the situation when in public and at home to avoid being a victim of crime. The embassy published some security tips to be followed by the female US citizens visiting Colombo such as avoid traveling in trishaws alone in Colombo. If you have to travel alone (especially at night) use a company that tracks your ride rather than trishaws and make sure family members or friends know your travel plans, the statement said. They advised the citizens to take pictures of the Tuk driver and vehicle license plate prior to getting inside. It said many of the reported incidents had occurred at the end of the ride and warned the females to be extra vigilant during this time and try to limit time alone inside the Tuk. The embassy advised that Do not be afraid to use force if needed make a noise, be assertive, and strike back to defend yourself. Doing so will not only draw attention to the scene, but can also startle the attacker. Pay attention to your surroundings, and know your location in case you have to call for assistance The females were advised to avoid making themselves a target for criminals flashing expensive jewelry or large amounts of cash can make them a target. The US citizens were asked to contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo located at 210 Galle Road on +94 11 249-8500. If you are a U.S. citizen with an after-hours emergency, please call our hotline at: 077-725-6307. If you are unable to reach the duty officer on this number, please dial 011-249-8500. The fax number is +94 11 249-8501. The Consular Sections e-mail address is colomboacs@state.gov and its internet web page is http://lk.usembassy.gov. Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). How long can a marriage of convenience last? In politics, often longer than it should. The oddest political couple today is Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Has the countdown to their divorce begun? Nitish, one of Indias shrewdest politicians, has seethed for months over a series of barbs directed at him by Lalus family. He knows that the alliance is no longer viable. But a break-up at this stage would launch him straight into the warm embrace of the BJP, a prospect he doesnt relish. Yet the relationship between Nitish and Lalu has clearly passed the point of no return. Lalus conviction and jail time in the fodder scam could earlier be dismissed as an old (1996) CBI case. But his recent contacts with jailed underworld criminal Shahabuddin, who has Islamist terrorist links, crosses several red lines. Allegations The benami property allegations by the income-tax department against Lalus family couldnt have come at a worse time, just before the presidential election. The income-tax department is investigating benami properties valued at over Rs 1,000 crore belonging to Lalus two sons, Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, daughter Misa Bharti and wife Rabri Devi. Lalu believes the file containing details of the properties, on which the CBI and income-tax department based their raids on his family, were vetted by the Nitish government. The BJPs Sushil Kumar Modi has virtually confirmed this. Nitishs decision to back the BJPs presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, despite Lalu pleading with him not to make a historical blunder and instead support the Oppositions candidate Meira Kumar, drew a bitter response from Lalus 27-year-old son and deputy chief minister Tejashwi: With our opportunistic behaviour or political manipulations, we may score a few goals and make or break governments, but history, unlike television anchors, shall bear witness to the fact that when people needed us to strengthen the cause of progressive and people-centred politics, we decided to look the other way. Nitish has not restrained his party from hitting back. Sanjay Singh, the JD(U)s spokesperson, said: We are not wearing bangles and are capable of giving replies, but it will only weaken the alliance. KC Tyagi, the JD(U)s Rajya Sabha MP, went further. He declared that the JD(U) was far more comfortable with the BJP and that the alliance cannot be saved. Alarmed, Lalu is trying to appease the JD(U), recognising that a break in the alliance would leave his family members even more vulnerable to the corruption cases against them. It is difficult to imagine a more dysfunctional family than Lalus. He installed his wife as chief minister in 1997 after being forced to resign when an arrest warrant was issued against him on corruption charges. He promoted jungle raj in Bihar. He befriended underworld don Shahabuddin in order to win misguided Muslim votes. He inducted his two sons, both in their twenties, into the Bihar cabinet, including making one of them deputy chief minister. Credibility Nitish cringed at all of this but, in the countrys febrile political environment, held his peace. How long can he do so? For every day that he continues his alliance with Lalu, Nitish loses one more sliver of credibility. Lalus family is meanwhile giving him reasons daily to break this ill-fated and ill-advisedalliance. His son Tej Pratap, health minister in Nitishs cabinet, was accused of beating up his own RJD member during an iftar party at Lalus residence last Friday. Tej Pratap abused and assaulted Sanoj Yadav who had spoken ill of Lalu in a television news channel debate. The decision to end the JD(U)s alliance with the RJD, despite such daily aggravations, will not be easy for Nitish. He is nearly half-way through his term as chief minister. The JD(U) has 71 seats in the 243-seat Bihar assembly. The RJD has 80 seats and the BJP 53. A JD(U)-BJP alliance government would have 124 seats a working majority. Realignment Reviving a JD(U)-BJP alliance could help Nitish in three ways. First, he would free himself of the taint of Lalu. Second, like the Biju Janta Dal (BJD), the JD(U) can play a quasi-neutral role in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Third, as a state-level ally of the BJP, Bihar can expect generous fund allocations for the state. If anything, Nitish is as cautious as he is shrewd. Sensing the popular mood in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he made his first tentative move by supporting demonetisation even as every other Opposition party eviscerated. By supporting the BJPs presidential candidate Kovind over the Oppositions Bihar ki beti Meira Kumar, Nitish has moved a step closer to the political realignments that will inevitably take place before 2019. Nitish is canny enough to do the electoral math for 2019. The Northeast, Tamil Nadu and Odisha are all in play. Rajinikanths political debut could be a major swing factor. It may, therefore, be arithmetically impossible for the Congress-led Opposition mahagathbandan to stop an expanded NDA from forming a government under Modi in 2019. The BJP, meanwhile, needs to induct fresh talent into the NDA cabinet with defence, external affairs and environment calling out for special attention. Nitish and BJD rebels-in-the-making would be welcome additions to the 2019 Modi cabinet. Given these facts, Nitish will soon have to choose between Lalu, the convict, and Modi, the prime minister. Have you ever met a person who studied religious studies in college or as a graduate student? They often find themselves in the position of explaining why, despite their degree, they are not preparing to be a pastor, or a rabbi, or another sort of religious leader. Rather, they studied religions from an academic perspective. In K-12 schools, there is similar unfamiliarity with the idea of studying religions from an academic point of view. As the regular flow of controversies over the Bible , the Quran , or yoga makes clear, things get dicey whenever religion or religion-adjacent subjects are brought up in public schools. And yet religion is connected to many academic subjects think of history, art, and literature. The National Council for the Social Studies recently introduced a new resource aimed at supporting and informing schools and teachers as they consider how to teach about religions. Earlier this month, the group added a section to its College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework on teaching about religion. The basic approach: Teachers should encourage students to learn about religions, not to accept a particular religion, the framework says. Students should have the chance to study a religion and should be exposed to diverse religious views but not have one imposed upon them. And religion itself should not be promoted or denigrated. The supplement includes some samples of questions in the discipline that might align with this approach. One take on the Great Recession: How did the Great Recession affect religious life in the United States and the world? How did religious beliefs and values shape a persons understanding of, and response to, the Great Recession? How does an individuals worldview affect the way in which economic conditions are experienced? In what ways did religious institutions and individuals respond to the effects of the Great Recession? To what extent did the Great Recession impact religious beliefs and practices? How did different religious communities interact with one anotherand with non-religious communitiesin responding to the Great Recession? The new resource is called, descriptively, a Religious Studies Companion Document for the C3 Framework, and it came out of a conference for teachers that was held at Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect, Ill. The C3 framework has companions on teaching psychology, anthropology, and sociology. The framework was developed to guide states as they produced standards in history, but is not itself a set of standards. The teacher-led initiative was developed alongside experts from Harvard University and Rice University and supported by the American Academy of Religion and of the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute. The timing could not be more apt, said American Academy of Religion Director Jack Fitzmier in a statement. The rise in religious misunderstanding accompanying global migration, world conflicts, and religious identity politics signifies the need for a renewed focus on the academic study of religion. A different aspect of the relationship between religions and public schools has been in the news recently: The U.S. Supreme Court has issued several rulings in the past week related to whether government funds can be funneled to religious schools. Check out the School Law blog for more on those rulings. Related stories: School libraries are taking on new roles in the digital age. No longer simply places to check out books or browse the internet, todays libraries can be STEM hubshomes to makerspaces or coding tutorials . With a new $500,000 competitive grant program that will fund computer science programming in school and public libraries across the country, the American Library Association and Google hope to further that transformation. Libraries are locations where every person and every child, no matter what courses theyre taking in school, can get opportunities for math and science, said ALA President Julie Todaro, in an interview. It takes students out of learning where theyre tested for it and scored for it, and puts them in a public setting where they can learn, and have fun, and discoverand feel free to take risks. The grant program is designed to help library professionals develop and implement computer science instruction and foster computational thinking skills. The 25-50 libraries chosen to receive grants will pilot a computer science toolkit, developed by the ALA and Google with input from U.S. libraries, that details resources and strategies. In addition to funding, the grant recipients will also receive consulting support from Google. The pilot program is part of Libraries Ready to Code , a partnership between Google and the ALA to equip libraries to deliver computer science programming. Computer science and coding programs have seen a surge of popularlity in the nations K-12 schools in recent years, and Google is just one of the companies to have lent its financial might to those efforts. At the same time, backers of coding courses have sometimes disagreed on what kinds of coding curricula and lessons are most useful for students, to prepare them for careers and improve their overall tech-focused skill sets. A key goal of the ALA grant program is to give students who are underrepresented in computer science fieldsgirls, students from low-income families, and students of colora chance to try out those subjects and build computational skills, said Todaro. For kids who dont have the applicable technology at home, or arent in advanced math and science classes at school, libraries may be the only place where they can explore coding and other STEM subjects, she said. Even if students are not planning to pursue careers in computer science, the concepts and methods of problem solving have broad applications, said Marijke Visser, associate director of the ALAs office for information technology policy and project manager of the libraries ready to code project. The skills that students develop prepare them for success no matter where they head when they leave high school. Ready to Code librarians help kids connect their interests to learning opportunities in college, or to careers they may not have even considered, said Visser in a statement. The exposure to new ideas and job options, she added, is especially beneficial to students from diverse backgrounds. Libraries will be able to start applying for the grants in mid-July, and applications will be accepted through August. Winners will be announced in October. See more: UPDATED The New York state assembly approved a measure that could give New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio two years in control of the citys schools. The proposal was approved early Thursday during a special session called by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. It was part of a larger set of legislation that included tax measures, flood aid, and naming a bridge after Cuomos father, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, according to the New York Times. The deal is not done, and has to be approved by the state Senate. That could happen later on Thursday, according to CBS. (UPDATE: The senate, by a 48-2 vote on Thursday, approved the measure, which included mayoral control, sales tax, and other items, according to the Associated Press .) The mayoral control law was set to expire Friday, and lawmakers had ended their session without reaching an agreement on the measure, which impacts the education of more than 1 million students. The legislature first gave control over the countrys largest school system to Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2002. Bloomberg got a six-year extension when the law expired in 2009. But de Blasio, a Democrat, has had a harder time convincing the legislature to give him lengthy renewals: He has only gotten one-year extensions. Both Republicans and Democrats had tied extending mayoral control to other issues. The Republicans wanted to lift the states cap on charter schools in exchange for the extension, while Democrats added tax measures to their proposal. De Blasio, who is up for re-election this year, had warned of chaos if the bill lapsed and the system of local community boards returned. He also cautioned it would cost the city about $1.6 billion over 10 years if it returned to the old system. But at least one observer told the New York Daily News that disaster was unlikely if the legislature did not approve an extension. The law lapsed in the summer of 2009, without any lasting consequences. Image: Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference addressing a state bill extending mayoral control of New York City schools on June 21, in New York. --Bebeto Matthews/AP Related stories: Will New York State Lawmakers Extend Mayoral Control of Schools? N.Y.C. Chancellor Carmen Farina Forges a New Schooling Era for Nations Largest District A new website launched this week focuses on what the organization behind it calls the leadership gap in early-childhood education. The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, at National Louis University in Wheeling, Ill., developed the website, which is known as the Leadership Education for Administrators and Directors (L.E.A.D) Early Childhood Clearinghouse . The clearinghouse details things such as the lack of a requirement of a degree to lead family child-care centers or some community-based programs. The site includes statistics related to the qualifications of early-childhood program leaders who work with children from birth to age 8, as well as state and national profiles. Each state has a score based on how well it supports high standards for program leaders. Researchers looked at early-childhood center directors, family child-care providers, and elementary school principals and found vastly different levels of education and experience in the field. Teri Talan is the Michael W. Louis Chair of the McCormick Center and the groups senior policy advisor. Talan said the purpose of the clearinghouse is to identify these differences in qualifications and close the gap in leadership. She also lamented the fact that the focus on the qualifications of early-childhood teachers hadnt extended to early-childhood administrators. We havent paid that same kind of attention to what are the qualifications and skill sets and competencies of program leaders in early-childhood settings, said Talan. We really are moving to one set of standards, one set of professional expectations for teachers in all settings for young children because all children need really excellent teachers and all teachers really need excellent leaders in their programs to support them and create the kind of organizational conditions that allow the best teaching to take place. The clearinghouse examines qualifications related to leaders education, professional development, and experience. The researchers behind it use five policy levers to determine the degree to which the nation and states support high standards for program leaders: Administrator qualifications in child care licensing; Administrator credential; Principal licensure; Administrator qualification in QRIS (Quality Rating & Improvement System); Administrator qualifications in state pre-K programs. The clearinghouse also includes information about early-childhood leadership degree programs and elementary principal degree programs, as well as early-childhood leadership academies. Talan said going into this project the researchers knew the qualifications to be a licensed child care-center director were lower than those to be an elementary school principal, but they didnt realize how much lower. For example, no state requires the leaders of licensed child-care programs to have a bachelors degree. In New Jersey, a bachelors degree is required only if the program serves 30 or more children. Thats just not acceptable in terms of what program leaders need to know and be able to do, said Talan. She said one of the most surprising things they discovered during their research was that nationally there are just about the same number of leaders in community-based settings such as child-care centers and Head Start programs as there are elementary school principals. Yet, there were 27 times more programs to prepare principals than there were higher education programs to prepare leaders working in community-based settings, said Talan. One of the goals of the researchers was to look into the policies that are either supporting or not supporting the development of a more unified standard for the qualifications of early-childhood program leaders. For example, even in states with licensing requirements for child-care programs, many allow several exceptions to the rules about a leaders qualifications depending on how many children are enrolled. Recommendations The clearinghouse calls for a unifying foundation of administrative qualifications and competencies reflecting a whole leadership approach. The researchers recommend all early-childhood program/education leaders have at least a bachelors degree. Theyre also calling on states to keep better records regarding family child-care providers and note that the number of these providers is greater than the total number of early-childhood program directors and elementary school principals. I hope that this tool can be used to benchmark whether or not states are making any progress as a whole in improving the policies that address the preparation and ongoing support of program leaders whether theyre working in schools or whether theyre working in centers or in even family child-care homes, because all of those leaders really matter to how children do and whether or not theyre going to be really thriving in the early years, said Talan. Graphic: The researchers found vast differences in the levels of education and experience of early childhood program leaders in family child care, community-based programs and elementary schools. Courtesy McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership States and districts will likely be grateful for the reprieve theyve just gotten on the deadline for breaking out per-pupil spending on state report cards, a tricky, little-known part of the Every Student Succeeds Act Figuring out per-pupil spending at a school level is exceedingly difficult, state and district budget directors say, since costs vary widely and its difficult to separate school costs from central office costs. Some district leaders fear state officials will look to more formalize districts budgetmaking processes and say that will erode local rights to spend as school board members feel appropriate. (Katie Hagan, a Research Associate at Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, who has conducted training for states to comply with the law, said the law allows for local spending flexibilities). But civil rights activists have long complained that majority white and wealthier schools are spending the bulk of district funds on teachers, curriculum and textbooks. Because theres no school-by-school breakdown, its difficult for parents to advocate for more resources. Liz King, the director of education policy at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights told my colleague Alyson Klein at Politics K-12 that waiting for state departments could take forever. Its something Education Week wrote about in April of this year as 2017-18 district budgets were being drafted and state departments were finalizing their ESSA plans. The federal Education Department doesnt require states to detail in their accountability plans how theyll comply with this portion of the law. Indeed, six of the 17 state departments that have submitted their plans so far opted out of saying anything about financial transparency in their plans, according to an analysis by Katie Hagan, a Research Associate at Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University. Five states recognized that the requirement existed but didnt say exactly how theyll comply. Of the states that did mention how theyll comply with the financial transparency portion of the law, Illinois, Tennessee, and Vermont told the department they wouldnt be able to comply with the requirement this fall. (Illinois and Tennessee said it would be able to do it in the fall of 2018, and Vermont said implementing a new school finance system will take two years). Louisiana and Massachusetts already collect this information and said theyll expand those efforts to include school-by-school spending on district report cards. And Connecticut said it will consolidate several different school spending accounts to ensure coordination among education agencies at the local, state, and federal levels is more efficient and streamlined. North Dakota mentions in its plan that the breakout of school-by-school spending will ensure equity between student groups. In many places, schools serving the most vulnerable students get less funding, North Dakota state department officials wrote. These gaps happen between districts and within districts. The intent of ESEA has always been to provide more dollars for historically disadvantaged students and this is maintained through the reauthorization. ESSA requires per pupil reporting on actual school level spending practices as well as equity measures to ensure students are not disproportionately represented. Video: ESSA Explained in 3 Minutes How Wiretapping Threatens Small Businesses When it comes to information security, many small businesses think they have nothing to worry about, or may not think they have information worth stealing. Who would even bother to wiretap your small business anyway? However, small to mid size businesses are among the most frequent targets for cyber attacks and corporate espionage. While your data may not be valuable to others, ransomeware attacks may force you to decide how valuable your data is to your own business. Client lists, sales data, and other intellectual property may have value to your competitors or wrongdoers that you just don't anticipate. Wiretapping Your Bottom Line One of the ways that hackers and saboteurs will infiltrate a small business is through wiretapping. Wiretapping is most commonly used by law enforcement to investigate crime. But, as businesses increasingly move operations online, or into the cloud, competitors and criminals have more opportunity to breach your security measures and steal your information. Surprisingly though, many small business owners will not invest in security to protect against cyberattacks or corporate espionage until it's too late. Not having adequate cyber security is like leaving your business's front door unlocked after you leave for the night. How to Prevent Wiretapping Stopping wrongdoers from spying on your business and stealing information is no simple task. Even if your business's data systems do not connect to the internet, there could still potentially be backdoors for hackers to get in. Wiretapping, which typically refers to secretly intercepting a telephonic communication, is now frequently applied to intercepting any form of communication, including email, text messages, and even computer keystrokes. Unfortunately, even adding the best security cannot guarantee cyber safety, but it can lessen the likelihood of an attack significantly. There are three primary factors to ensure your business is as safe as can be: Use current, and updated, security programs Conduct routine auditing and monitoring of your systems Ensure employees comply with cyber security policies that are specially tailored to your systems, as security systems don't work if they're not being used properly To make sure your business is safe, seeking outside technical help may be necessary, as well as discussing what information is most susceptible with your attorney. Related Resources: Customer Sues Restaurant for Mechanical Bull Riding Injury One New York City woman has filed a lawsuit against the Midtown Manhattan restaurant Johnny Utah's after being injured by the establishment's biggest feature: a mechanical bull. The lawsuit alleges that Jocelyn Burmeister was visibly intoxicated when restaurant employees allowed her to ride the bull. In attempting to do so, Ms. Burmeister fell and tore her ACL. Her lawsuit seeks damages related to the medical care incurred and other damages she suffered. History of Bull Suits Some folks might balk at this type of lawsuit, and others might be quick to comment: "I bet she signed a waiver." But this same restaurant has faced similar claims in the past, just like many other establishments with mechanical bulls, or other amusement park-like attractions. In fact, the same attorney handling Ms. Burmeister's case successfully handled one of those prior claims against Johnny Utah's. The injuries suffered as a result of mechanical bulls and amusement park rides can vary from minor bumps and bruises to seriously debilitating injuries requiring a life-time of medical care and even death. However, not all injuries, even the most severe, will be compensable in a lawsuit. Sometimes, a liability waiver will be valid. Can I Sign a Waiver While Drunk? Waivers can be enforceable in many situations, even while a person is drunk, such as when a person signs one before becoming drunk. However, when a person is visibly intoxicated, it raises serious questions as to whether or not they can sign a legally binding agreement. While courts may be more willing to enforce contracts signed while drunk, liability waivers and releases may be a different matter entirely. Generally, for a contract or agreement to be binding, the parties must have a "meeting of the minds." This basically means that the two parties have to understand what is being bargained for in the agreement. When a person is drunk, this may not be possible, and could render an agreement worthless. However, this doesn't mean your drunk online shopping binge is voidable, but it likely does mean that the midnight roller-derby probably needs to make sure everyone signs their liability waivers while sober. Related Resources: Sasha Trubetskoy always makes great maps, like this cool imagining of the Roman Empire road system in the style of a public transit system. Sasha writes: The biggest creative element was choosing which roads and cities to include, and which to exclude. There is no way I could include every Roman road, these are only the main ones. I tried to include cities with larger populations, or cities that were provincial capitals around the 2nd century. Obviously to travel from Petra to Gaza you would take a more or less direct road, rather than going to Damascus and "transferring" to the Via Maris. The way we travel on roads is very different from rail, which is a slight flaw in the concept of the map. But I think it's still aesthetically pleasing and informative. A Starbucks like no other is opening tomorrow in Kyoto. Unlike the other nearly 24,000 Starbucks cafes in the world, this one requires customers to take off their shoes before entering. It has tatami rooms with low tables and cushions on the floor for seating. The usual Starbucks sign outside is replaced with a simple dark sea green banner that displays the logo. And most fascinating of all, no lines are allowed. In other words, they will only allow a certain amount of customers in at a time and everyone else must scram in order to keep the cafe peaceful for those jacking up on caffeine. According to Japan Times: Business / Companies by Staff reporter BUSINESSMAN, Mr Delma Lupepe, says his defunct textile firm Merlin Limited will not be liquidated ahead of tomorrow's liquidation deadline.The Bulawayo-based company was established in the 1950s and at its peak used to employ about 1 000 workers before it was placed under provisional liquidation in 2011.Mr Lupepe, a prominent businessman, together with Merlin's judicial manager, Mr Cecil Madondo, yesterday hinted that the company would not face liquidation tomorrow."The company will not be liquidated," said Mr Lupepe without elaborating.Mr Madondo is on record saying Merlin would be liquidated if the firm did not find new investors to raise working capital and resume operations by June 30, 2017.He, however, told this paper yesterday that: "It (Merlin) will never be liquidated."Merlin is one of Zimbabwe's oldest textile companies and was placed under provisional judicial management in 2011 and has accrued liabilities amounting to $6.3 million up from $4.3 million in 2013.Of late, the company has been engaging some unnamed investors for working capital. The textile company requires about $30 million fresh capital in the long-term to bring it back to life.Once operations resume at Merlin, the company intends among others to manufacture women's sanitary wear and diapers.In 2014, Mr Lupepe told this paper that according to the shareholders' resuscitation plan at the time, the first phase under Merlin's revival would involve the resumption of operations with about 100 workers, whose figures would be improved gradually.Under the first phase, it was also the shareholders' plan to repair plant equipment while the second phase of the company's resuscitation initiative would involve installation of state-of-the-art equipment comprising weaving and spinning technology.If the required working capital is secured, the textile giant has the capacity to produce 250 tonnes of the product per month.The Bulawayo-based company has not been spared from the operational constraints local firms were facing largely due to the prevailing harsh operating environment that has seen the city experiencing massive de-industrialisation over the years.Recently, Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Mrs Chiratidzo Mabuwa told Parliament that Bulawayo, once the country's industrial hub has since 2013 recorded remarkable improvement in industrial revival, riding on interventions by the Government and private sector input.City firms such as Datlabs, United Refineries Limited, those in the milling industry as well as the bakery, service and retail sector have shown signs of rejuvenation with a majority of them operating above 70 percent capacity utilisation. News / National by Staff reporter A MAN from Ushewokunze Housing Co-oporative has claimed that his wife pulled his private parts assaulting him before he was rescued by neighbours.This came to light when Orizan Lenard approached the Harare civil court seeking protection order against Mavis Mukombwe whom he accused of constantly abusing him at his own house.He said:"I am living a miserable life because of this woman, she is my wife but she harasses me all the time."She beats me up to an extent that she once pulled me around the hard holding my privates and was only rescued by neighbours who heard the scream."I just want her to leave my house because I am not happy with how she treats me."She insults me even at my workplace and she even assaulted my clients."She has my property; I just want it back because I cannot stay with her anymore. I want this court to bar her from coming to my house."I really want things to be okay but it seems like she enjoys to see me suffering."However, Mukombwe denied the allegations saying she is the one who is being abused."I have never assaulted or insulted him; he is lying."I do not harass his clients but someone contacted me saying I was staying with her husband."He is the one who is insulting me and I want this court to protect me because I am suffering," she said.Presiding magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa granted Lenard the protection order he sought. News / National by Staff reporter The Government of Botswana has refuted reports that it intends to close its mission in Harare and introduce a visa regime for Zimbabweans wishing to travel to that country. Social media has in the last few days been awash with news that Gaborone would close its mission on September 1 and also introduce visas."For Zimbabweans to apply for a visa, they need to have; 270 Pula or $18 which is refundable if the application is rejected, a bank statement with at least 1 500 Pula or $100, Yellow fever vaccination card, police clearance, two passport size photographs and an invitation letter from Botswana," read part of the false news.According to the fake report purported to have been authored by Kgomotso Duma of Mmegi Online, the new order would see Zimbabweans travelling to Zambia, Mozambique or South Africa to apply for the said visas.The story had been attributed to the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Hon Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.Through its embassy in Harare, the Botswana government said in a media statement yesterday that the story was a hoax."We wish to categorically refute this fabricated story, whose origin remains a mystery," read the statement."Hon. Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi was never recently interviewed by any reporter on Botswana's relations with Zimbabwe."Given the damning nature of the story, the Ministry queried the origin of the story and in response the Mmegi Newspaper unequivocally disassociated itself from the story."The Mmegi Newspaper further disclosed that they do not have any association with a reporter by the name of Kgomotso Duma."The Ministry therefore wishes to advise the general public to dismiss this story as it is a figment of the author's imagination."Botswana and Zimbabwe continues to enjoy excellent relations."This has been clearly demonstrated by the recent convening of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security between the two countries in Gaborone, Botswana on 29th May to 2nd June 2017."Zimbabwe's assistant regional immigration officer in charge of western region, Mr Blessing Marwa, said the movement of people between the two countries had not changed.The region covers Plumtree, Mpoengs, Maitengwe and Mlalmbaphele borders.Mr Marwa said they were handling an average of 70 000 people travelling into either country per month, via the four ports.He said at the moment, Zimbabweans travelling to Botswana were allowed a stay for not more than 90 days (free visa) per each calendar year."Please note that the calendar year starts on your first entry day which may be in December or any other month," said Mr Marwa. "In case you exhaust your 90 days and wish to travel you apply for more days at a prescribed fee."For the Tswana's visiting Zimbabwe on holiday, we grant them a 30 days stay per entry. In addition, they are allowed to extend their stay twice for free at the nearest immigration office."After which they may apply for an extension for a prescribed fee."Mr Marwa said Tswana's travelling on business purposes were only granted a maximum of 30 days and after which they would be required to acquire a permit. New Delhi: A day after the Union Cabinet gave a thumbs-up for the disinvestment of the debt-laden Air India, the countrys largest private airline IndiGo expressed interest in buying stake in the company, said government sources. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave an in-principle approval for the privatisation of Air India which is riddled with a debt of USD 8 billion. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government will set up groups to look into how much stake will be sold and into the process of disinvestment. "Post the cabinet decision tomorrow, we have received an expression of interest for Air India from IndiGo. They have said that they are interested in Air India," said Secretary R N Choubey. He said IndiGo has written a letter to the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju stating it would like to buy its low-cost wing, Air India Express. IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh, who wrote the letter, added if that is not possible then IndiGo would like to buy the entire Air India flight operations. "Many other private players, both domestic and international, have approached us. But those were informal talks. IndiGo's was the only formal EOI," said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha. Air Indias market share in the competitive airlines industry has tanked to 13 per cent as private carriers like IndiGo, Jet Airways and SpiceJet upped their game. IndiGo is the largest domestic carrier in terms of market shares and controls around 40 per cent of the domestic airlines market, with 126 planes and 854 daily flights. New Delhi: Indian billionaire Anand Mahindra said he was not brave enough to take on debt-laden Air India after the government said it would privatise the ailing national carrier. Air India, known as the "Maharaja of the Skies" for its turbaned mascot, is reeling under 520 billion rupees ($8 billion) in debt which clouded the government announcement of the selloff late Wednesday. It is unclear if the government will write off any part of the debt. But there appeared little enthusiasm among potential buyers as markets opened Thursday. The head of the Mahindra Group conglomerate, who is known for risky acquisitions, made it clear that he was not in contention. "I see myself as a generally courageous person," Mahindra said on Twitter. "But I confess .. I don't possess THAT much courage." Once the country's monopoly airline, Air India has lost market share to new low-cost private carriers. Passengers tired of delays, cancellations and the service have flocked to new competitors offering cheaper and more reliable routes in India's booming aviation market. Media reports have speculated that Tata Group could buy a stake in Air India, which it owned before the carrier was nationalised nearly 70 years ago. Tata is yet to comment. Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Enterprises, another major onglomerate, recently suggested that Bombay House, Tata's headquarters, would be the ideal rehab for the ailing carrier. Social media users made digs at the impending selloff, with some marking tweets with the tongue-in-cheek hashtag #maharajaforsale. "No one in their right mind would buy Air India. Only someone hell bent on committing seppuku (ritual suicide) will buy Air India," @iPatelAnkit wrote on Twitter. "Potential buyer of Air India says, AI air hostesses will be retained as Air-Grandma & they will read bedtime stories to the kids in planes," tweeted another user. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is to head a committee to decide the size of the stake to be sold and how Air India's assets and debts will be handled. The company would communicate the employees about the salary hikes and promotions in the month of June every year. Bengaluru: US-headquartered Cognizant has informed its employees in an email that the salary hikes and promotions will be delayed this year, according to a media report. The company would communicate the employees about the salary hikes and promotions in the month of June every year. However, this year, Cognizants chief people officer, Jim Lennox has said in an email to the employees that the revisions and promotions will take place in October. Amid radical changes in the IT industry due to mass layoffs and work visa issues, Cognizants move to delay promotions and salary hikes shows that the countrys is slowly losing its IT sheen. Mr Lennox has said in an email that 2017 has witnessed a good start and macro environment factors cannot be controlled, and what can be controlled is their executions against macro shifts, driving value to clients and differentiating themselves in the marketplace. According to the email, the associates up to level of VP will be communicated about the promotions soon and it will be effective from October 1. The details about the promotions for higher management will be announced separately. The email has come as a surprise for the employees who expected to receive the details about promotions in the month of June. In addition to three months delay in appraisal, the company had announced voluntary separation program to its top executives by offering a lump sum separation pay package. The companys workforce currently comprises of 2,61,200 employees worldwide. Cognizant had also announced that it would reduce its dependency on H1B visa. Mumbai: With just one day remaining for the countrys greatest indirect tax reform, the Goods and Services tax (GST) to roll out, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reached out to political parties to reconsider their decision of skipping the GST launch. Jaitleys plea comes amid reports of political parties like Congress, Trinamool Congress and CPI boycotting the GST launch. Speaking to the media, Jaitley said I hope every political party will revisit its decision and support the launch. He also said all decisions on GST, including rules and tax rates, were taken in consultation with states and hence, they must broaden their shoulders and own responsibility. He also said that the government remains committed to GST as any other reforms. He called it the "single most important taxation reform in 70 years". GST, which was conceived during the UPA regime, is finally set to roll out on Friday (June 30). It will consolidate the fragmented taxation system in India by subsuming a host of levies. News / National by Staff reporter Former Botswana president Sir Ketumile Masire will be buried today.Meanwhile, former President Festus Mogae has revealed the main reason behind the dates of Sir Ketumile's midweek State funeral.In an exclusive interview with The Monitor, Mogae said the family had suggested July 1, which is a Saturday, as the date for the State Funeral, but President Ian Khama told them that he will be unavailable on the date they suggested because he will be away, attending the Race-For-Rhinos event at Makgadikgadi Pans.Mogae said President Khama made a counter-suggestion of Monday, July 3 (which has been declared a holiday because Sir Seretse Khama Day - July 1 - falls on a weekend), but there was no consensus and Thursday was the compromise date.Speaking to The Monitor at Swaneng Hill School in Serowe Mogae said, "The family suggested for Saturday. I also assumed it was going to be Saturday, but they came back to me saying the President (Khama) requested for Monday, but they ended up agreeing on Thursday."When queried on why President Khama was not happy with Masire State Funeral being on a Saturday, Mogae was unsure where or what exactly his successor will be up to on the suggested Saturday.He said, "They said he would be at the sands where he plays with motorcycles and wins." Mogae added: "He (Khama) said he had long invited the international guests from far out and could not miss the event".Although Mogae was unsure what this event is that the President could not miss for the world, The Monitor has learnt that Khama will be attending the annual Race-for-Rhinos event scheduled for June 29 to July 2 near Nata at the Makgadikgadi Pans.Race-for-Rhinos is an exciting international adventure aviation event that sees pilots from around the world racing in the Makgadikgadi Pans skies for over three days. Khama, being an avid aviation fanatic and pilot, has never missed the event and this time even Masire's death cannot block him from the entertaining airshow spectacle.Last year, Khama rushed through the Sir Seretse Khama Day commemorations programme at the Serowe Kgotla before dashing to the Makgadikgadi Pans to join his fellow aviation fanatics for the 2016 Race-For-Rhinos display.Sir Ketumile, who died last Thursday at Bokamoso Hospital aged 92, will be buried at his home village of Kanye, some 90km from the capital Gaborone.Sir Ketumile was the president of Botswana from 1980 to 1998. Several former heads of state from the SADC regional bloc, including Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Tanzania's Benjamin Mkapa and Mozambique's Armando Guebuza had confirmed their attendance.Other high-level dignitaries from the region confirmed are King Letsie III of Lesotho and former Organisation of African Union (OAU) secretary general Salim Ahmed Salim.There were several other confirmations from neighbouring countries. Sir Ketumile is widely credited for devising inclusive policies that turned the desert country into one of the economic and political success stories in the continentHe also supported the liberation struggle of Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and led various diplomatic initiatives in Africa, including chairing a panel that investigated the 1994 Rwanda genocide, and co-ordinating the Inter-Congolese National Dialogue. New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha should not be allowed to take part in the decision making process of Air India airlines disinvestment process as he was previously employed in a multi-national corporation and might favour them on the same. Talking to ANI, Swamy said he was against the disinvestment of Air India. "I was against doing it, but the cabinet decided it otherwise. But, now what is necessary is that the valuation of Air India should be done properly and not to favour anybody as foreign companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers, Morgan Stanley have been tasked to do the valuation of the Air India," Swamy told ANI. He further added: "Some of our people, who are in the decision making, were formerly employed by them, for instance Jayant Sinha. I am not objecting, but he must be kept out." The Cabinet on Wednesday gave in-principle approval to disinvest government's stake in Air India. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that on the request of the Civil Aviation Ministry a group of ministers will be constituted to work out on the modalities of the matter. "There was a proposal of civil aviation ministry of disinvestment of Air India, this has been given theoretical approval or an in-principal approval," said Jaitley. "In its proposal, the civil aviation ministry had urged to constitute a group under the finance minister which can decide on the concerning modalities of the same, the cabinet has accepted that. How much of it will be disinvested? Or the issues related to its debts, hotels will be later on decided by the constituted group," he added. This step comes in the view of Ministry of civil aviation's efforts to revive Air India, which is surviving on Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the previous UPA regime. Air India constitutes of the largest fleet of 140 planes in India. According to reports, the cabinet chose between two options suggested in a 30-page note prepared by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) after discussions in a Committee of Secretaries, headed by the cabinet secretary. Bengaluru: In a move that heralds at least temporary good news for Indians seeking H1B visas, the US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) is planning to resume premium processing of H1B visas as workloads permit. After US President Donald Trumps crackdown on H1B visas, the USCIS had announced in March that it would suspend the fast-processing of H1B visas. This move shook the Indian IT giants who would have to wait for a longer time to send their employees onsite for projects. "USCIS plans to resume premium processing of other H-1B petitions as workloads permit. We will make additional announcements with specific details related to when we will begin accepting premium processing for those petitions," the agency said in a statement reported by Economic Times. The agency started premium processing of all H1B visa requests for doctors under a waiver program and for government agency waivers. The UCSIS had earlier said its suspension could last up to six months. It had said the suspension would help the agency to process previous pending petitions and prioritise adjudication of H-1B extension of status cases that are nearing the 240 day mark. Premium processing of visas refers to processing of applications within 15 days for USD 1,225 per application. Ever since the March announcement and Trumps stance to make America First, Indian IT companies have gone on a massive recruitment drive in the US. Wipro hired over 3,000 people in 2017, Cognizant hired over 4,000 in 2016 and Infosys declared it will hire 10,000 people in the US over the course of the next two years, reported Economic Times. Mumbai: Nearly seven months after demonestisation slowed down consumer transactions in the country, the Reserve Bank of India has begun printing bills of Rs 200 to speed up the re-monetisation process. The Rs 200 notes are being printed in a government-owned facility to help smoothen consumer transactions, reported Economic Times. "For day-to-day transaction purposes, the introduction of 200 rupee notes will add to the ease of operations," said Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economist at the SBI Group. A couple of months back, the central bank had passed the proposal to issue Rs 200 banknotes. RBI started introducing new high value notes in the banking system after over 86 per cent of the total currency in circulation was scrapped through demonetisation on November, 2016 - a massive anti-black money and anti-counterfeiting measure taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. According to data obtained from a State Bank of India research, before November 8, there were roughly 1,650 crore banknotes of Rs 500 denomination. The overnight removal of these notes created a void in the circulation of notes in the system. "A minor part of that has been replenished by 2000 rupee notes and a larger part by the new 500 rupee notes, though not in full," said Ghosh. "The introduction of 200 rupee notes will replenish the missing middle, triggered by the withdrawal of the old series of 500 rupee notes, he added. The printing of Rs 200 notes highlights the governments efforts at pumping in lower denomination notes in the system. The Centre has roped in the home ministry, the Intelligence Bureau and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) to conduct a detailed security audit of the GSTN before clearing it. New Delhi: A day before the rollout of the GST, described as the biggest financial reform in the countrys history, home ministry sources said the security clearance for the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) was in the final stages and likely to be granted shortly. The Centre has roped in the home ministry, the Intelligence Bureau and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) to conduct a detailed security audit of the GSTN before clearing it. However, the security clearance to the GSTN will in no way impact or delay the implementation of GST as finance minister Arun Jaitley had said a few days ago that this was merely a procedural matter. The GST Network would act as the main information technology component of the new indirect tax regime which is going to be introduced from July 1. The GSTN is already functional and the security clearance was a procedural matter. These are all procedural matters and they go on, but that doesnt defer the GST rollout, the finance minister had said on an earlier occasion. Since the GSTN is a non-government private company, the home ministry and its intelligence agencies are running a detailed check on all stakeholders, and the IT system to ensure that there was no threat to the national security and the system was completely foolproof. The finance ministry is also examining the economic security aspect of the IT system. While the Centre has a 24.5 per cent stake in the GSTN, all states including Puducherry and Delhi along with the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers put together have another 24.5 per cent. The remaining 51 per cent equity is distributed among non-Governmental financial institutions including LIC Housing Finance Ltd, ICICI Bank, NSE Strategic Investment Co, HDFC and HDFC Bank. It is mandatory for the Home Ministry and intelligence agencies to give security clearance to all FDI proposals or new firms in which the government and private entities have a joint stake. The process of granting security sanction is in the final stages and should be coming any time soon. Most of the work on checking background of office bearers and other stakeholders along with some technical aspect related to the IT system has been completed. But this will not delay the implementation of GST and if some changes or additional safety measures are required to be made in the IT system these can be done over the next few days of the rollout also, a senior intelligence official said. Mumbai: The BSE benchmark Sensex snapped its three-day losing streak by recovering 23 points to close at 30,857.32 on short-covering from operators on June series F&O expiry coupled with caution ahead of GST rollout. The gauge, after a strong opening, quickly reclaimed the 31,000-mark to hit a high of 31,097.92 as investors cheered the Cabinet's decision to okay disinvestment of the loss making Air India -- an indication that the government will stay on course of reforms. The Sensex had lost 456.42 points in three straight sessions. The 50-share Nifty opened higher today, at 9,522.95, and traded in the range of 9,493.80-9,575.80, before closing at 9,504.10, up 12.85 points, or 0.14 per cent, from yesterdays close. Markets regulator Sebi's proposal to relax entry norms for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) willing to invest directly in Indian stock markets also went down well with investors. However, offloading of positions following expiry of June series in the derivatives segment led the index to a low of 30,794.61, before it finally ended 23.20 points, or 0.08 per cent higher, at 30,857.52. "Market failed to sustain the initial acceleration supported by short covering on the day of expiry. The wary investors started booking profit with an expectation of consolidation in the market as the transition to GST may cause disruptions in the coming quarters, Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services Ltd said. Global cues were higher with other Asian markets rebounding and European shares remaining mixed in their late morning deals, reflecting overnight gains on the US markets, which influenced sentiments here. Sector-wise, the BSE metal index gained the most, rising 2.15 per cent, followed by realty (1.01 per cent), FMCG (0.73 per cent), teck (0.27 per cent), capital goods (0.20 per cent) and power (0.20 per cent). However, healthcare, banking, PSU and auto indices remained in negative zone, falling by up to 0.09 per cent. The broader markets too were in better shape as the small-cap index rose 0.98 per cent and mid-cap index 0.34 per cent after investors widened their positions. Domestic Institutional Inverstors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 168.97 crore, while Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth Rs 469.09 crore yesterdy, as per provisional data from stock exchanges. In the Sensex kitty, major gainers were Axis Bank (3.48 per cent), Tata Steel (2.85 per cent), Cipla (1.43 per cent), Bharti Airtel (1.39 per cent), ITC (1.05 per cent), ICICI Bank (0.95 per cent), Hero MotoCorp (0.85 per cent), Wipro (0.66 per cent) and Infosys (0.55 per cent). However, Kotak Bank lost 1.95 per cent, Tata Motors, 1.40 per cent, SBI 1.39 per cent, Sun Pharma 1.23 per cent, Lupin 0.80 per cent, TCS 0.70 per cent, Asian Paint 0.49 per cent, Dr Reddy's 0,.42 per cent and Reliance Industries 0.40 per cent. Markets closed with marginal gains amid volatility as traders rolled over positions in the futures & options (F&O) segment from the near month June 2017 series to July 2017 series. On the macro front, the implementation of landmark tax reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be closely watched. Globally, Asian markets mostly ended higher with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 1.10 per cent, Japan's Nikkei going up 0.45 per cent and Shanghai Composite Index jumping 0.47 per cent. European markets were largely mixed with Paris and Frankfurt stock exchanges trading lower whereas London was up in early deals. Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui had worked together in 'Raees.' New Delhi: The CBI has taken over the probe into the Rs 500 crore cash-for-click scam, allegedly run by Ghaziabad-based Webwork Trade Links, which duped lakhs of investors. Actors Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who endorsed its portal Addsbook.com, are also named in the complaint, but neither the CBI nor the Uttar Pradesh Police, which was probing the case earlier, named them as accused in the FIR. The CBI sources said a clarification could be sought from the actors. Emails sent to offices of the actors seeking their comments were not responded to. Promoters of Webwork Trade Links, Anurag Jain and Sandesh Verma, duped people using the two actors as brand ambassadors of his shadow firm addsbook.com, alleged the complaint filed by Amit Jain, one of those duped. According to the complaint, which is now part of the FIR, the company opened a shadow company Addsbook Marketing Pvt Ltd with the brand ambassadors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shah Rukh Khan and started ads on a noted TV news channel. "People have invested heavily as they were influenced by both celebrities," it alleged. Jain and Verma allegedly took money from people by luring them with lucrative payments for every click on advertisements on their website, the complaint said. According to the Uttar Pradesh Police, which was probing the matter, Garg and Sudesh offered membership to more than four lakh people in four months for the click-and-earn plan. The complainant alleged that the company collected Rs 1.72 lakh from him to join the scheme where people were supposed to get paid for clicks for advertisements for one year. But after some time, the websites stopped functioning and the company also refused to respond to their calls. When the complainant visited the office of the company, he was allegedly threatened. It is also alleged that the company started forcing people to start bitcoin accounts. Bitcoin is a kind of virtual currency. It is alleged that they collected over Rs 500 crore from around two lakh people, the police had said. The CBI, on directives of the Allahabad High Court, has taken over investigation in the matter and re-registered the FIR against Jain and Verma for alleged cheating and violation of the Information Technology Act. Whenever the CBI takes over the investigation from a state police, it re-registers the same FIR which was filed by the state police. The final report in the case may be completely different. Priyanka Chopra in New York at the premiere of the show- 'The Defiant Ones.' (Pic: Instagram/priyankachoprafanslub) Mumbai: When it comes to fashion, Priyanka Chopra can never go wrong. Her fashion game has always been on-point. Be it the Golden Globes, Met Gala or simply taking a stroll on the streets of New York, with her dog, Diana, shes always camera-ready! Priyanka recently attended the premiere of the show The Defiant Ones held in New York. She looked stunningly sexy in the black double-breasted blazer with a plunging neckline. The blazer was paired with a flapper pant which had shimmery fringes. We wish if we could avoid the wrinkles on her blazer. With hair sleekly parted in the middle, matched with plum red lips and smokey eyes, she looked smokin hot. Meanwhile, the global girl, amongst others, has been extended an invitation by the Academy of Motion Pictures, to be a member of the Oscars, where people vote on Oscar films. Apart from this, PeeCee is engrossed shooting for her next Hollywood venture A Kid Like Jake, alongside Claire Danes, Jim Parsons and Octavia Spencer. Setting her foot firm in the Hollywood film vicinity, the desi girl is apparently reported to be seen in a romantic comedy titled Isnt It Romantic with Rebel Wilson, Adam Devine and Liam Hemsworth. Talking about the Baywatch actress Bollywood projects back in homeland, shes in talks with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his upcoming film- Gustakhiyan, which is a biopic on poet Sahir Ludhianvi, in which the actress supposedly essays the character of Amrita Pritam. Rumour also has it that apart from acting, shell be co-producing Gustakhiyan, for which Irrfan Khan and Abhishek Bachchan are in the run for the male lead. Here are some of the pictures of Priyanka Chopra dazzling in the black outfit on the red carpet: Reports claimed that Amrita Singh blasted Saif Ali Khan for his recent comments on Sara Ali Khan's debut. Mumbai: Actor Saif Ali Khan on Wednesday clarified that contrary to media reports, there was no tension between him and his former wife Amrita Singh regarding their daughter Sara's Bollywood debut. The 46-year-old actor said he and Amrita were on the same page regarding Sara's decision to join the film industry with Abhishek Kapoor's 'Kedarnath' opposite Sushant Singh Rajput. Calling the media reports of his disagreement with Amrita "totally fictitious", Saif in a statement said, "Amrita and me are on the same page as far as Sara and her acting debut is concerned. We never had any such a conversation. "I am fully supportive of Sara's acting ambitions and we discuss things in detail." The actor said he was sad to read irresponsible stories about his family in the media. "I am looking forward to Sara's debut with a mix of excitement, anxiety and nervousness like any other father would. It's sad to see an increasing lack of accountability and responsible reporting these days." Mumbai: Popular Malayalam actor Dileep and his director friend Nadirshah were questioned in view of fresh revelations in the abduction and assault case of a South Indian actress, police said today. If necessary, they will be called again for questioning, police said responding to reporters' queries if Dileep was summoned at the Aluva Police Club yesterday for recording his detailed statement on his complaint. On April 20, he had alleged blackmail by a man, who claimed that he was a friend of the prime accused in the case. Police said they were also investigating the alleged conspiracy angle in the case. "Questions were asked based on Dileep's complaint. Questions were asked to them about other case too. That is the reason why it took a long time to complete," Ernakulam Rural SP A V George, who is part of the investigation team headed by ADGP B Sandhya said. Dileep, Nadirshah and the actor's manager were allowed to go at 1.05 am today after 12 hours of questioning which began at 12.30 pm yesterday. "All issues related to the case were discussed," Dileep said emerging from the police club. The actor's manager was summoned as he had received a purported threat call from the prime accused 'Pulsar Suni', police said. The Rural SP said it was done for not giving a clean chit to anyone. Dileep said police recorded his detailed statement on his complaint on April 20 alleging blackmail by a man, who claimed to be a friend of Suni. "I am very confident... the investigation is progressing very well," the actor said, adding, he wants that truth is revealed. Later in the day, Dileep attended a general body meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). AMMA president Innocent said the issue was not discussed at the meeting. He claimed that no one raised the issue during the meeting attended by Malayalam film artistes. Innocent told a press conference that the organisation stood by its two members, the actress and Dileep. "Both are children of AMMA," Innocent said. Top actors Mammootty and Mohanlal were also present at the meeting. During the press conference, some AMMA office-bearers including actors Mukesh, Devan and K B Ganeshkumar expressed displeasure when some questions were raised on the issue. Asked whether there was any move to alienate Dileep, Mukesh, looking upset, rose from his seat and said, you can see Dileep is sitting with us. Before heading to the police club at nearby Aluva yesterday, Dileep had alleged that some people were making efforts to make him an accused in the case. "That is not going to happen," he had said. The actor had earlier said he filed the complaint with the Director General of Police along with evidence of blackmailing, allegedly with the knowledge of 'Pulsar' Suni. Nadirshah had on June 24 said a man named Vishnu, claiming to be Suni's friend, had telephoned him seeking a huge amount from the actor. He had said Vishnu, who claimed to have shared a cell with Suni in jail, told him that some people in the Malayalam film world had offered to give money to Suni if he said Dileep was a conspirator in the case during interrogation. Nadirshah had also claimed Vishnu had offered to give him money for helping to trap Dileep in the case. Six persons, including 'Pulsar' Suni, Martin and Vigeesh were arrested in connection with the incident. The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 night and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi. Washington: According to a recent study, religious participation is linked to lower suicide rates in many parts of the world, including the United States and Russia, but does not protect against the risk of suicide in sections of Europe and Asia. In Catholic-dominant Western and Southern Europe, residents appear to be placing less importance on God and religion and have less confidence in religious institutions. In East Asia, traditional faiths such as Buddhism and Confucianism focus on individual spirituality rather than collective spirituality, which entails social support and moral guidance. "Secularization and the individual pursuit of spirituality are two important factors that weaken the strength of local religious communities, and this reduces the protective nature of religious participation against suicide," said a Michigan State University scholar Ning Hsieh. Suicide is one of the 20 leading causes of death worldwide. While the religion-suicide relationship is hotly contested among researchers, the current study is one of the first to examine that relationship outside Western industrialized countries. The study analyzes data on suicides and religious participation from 1981 to 2007 in 42 countries encompassing seven regions. Religious participation is measured by the percentage of people attending religious services at least once a month. Hsieh found that religious participation is related to higher suicide rates in: Southern Europe, which includes Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. Western Europe, which includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Netherlands. East Asia, which includes China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The regions are classified by geography except for English-speaking countries, which are grouped based on shared cultural values. Those countries are Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Religious participation protected against suicide in many countries in the English-speaking region as well as in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Northern Europe. Hsieh said the United States and other Western countries outside Europe, including Australia and Canada, have also experienced secularization, albeit more slowly than Western and Southern Europe. The United States in particular remains more religious than most Western societies, she said, in part due to immigration and more decentralized political and educational systems that are inclusive of religious views. Although suicide is a global health concern, Hsieh noted, suicide prevention should consider regional and local norms, values and religious institutional circumstances. "Without a careful consideration of context, a policy that is effective in one country or region may aggravate suicide risk in another," she said. The findings are published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour. News / National by Staff reporter President Mugabe on Tuesday engaged Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees Minister Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube on why he has not named his successor saying that was the prerogative of Congress.Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Minister Dube dismissed solidarity demonstrations organised by a faction of the Zimbabwe National War Veterans' Associations led by Mandi Chimene at the Zanu-PF headquarters yesterday."His Excellency talked to me yesterday about the issue, to say, look, I am only mandated by the Constitution to choose my deputies not my successor."We should leave that to the constitution. As a trained man as I am. How would I answer? I would say, yes sir! That is all."I thought that was the end of the issue. As far as I am concerned the President is a respectable man."Minister Dube said the engagement on Tuesday should put a lid to the debate triggered by his comments in Bulawayo.President Mugabe engaged Minister Dube after the Tuesday Cabinet meeting at Munhumutapa in Harare."I love him. I respect him and when he said that sincerely as a teacher, as a leader, as the Commander-in-Chief, that is what he said to me yesterday."And there was no other issues raised."He said President Mugabe had answered his concerns. "I do not want to dwell on that problem anymore. He has said the problem of choosing his successor lies with congress. I have just put a full stop to that issue. I am not going to discuss it anymore because my Commander-in-Chief has said so. I do not want to appear like I am raising issues against him."The Chimene-led faction mobilised supporters from all provinces to demonstrate "in solidarity with President Mugabe".Minister Dube reportedly told supporters in his Makokoba Constituency in Bulawayo that there was nothing wrong with President Mugabe naming his successor.Chimene and her deputy George Mlala told the supporters that the minister had gone overboard.They announced that the former freedom fighters were "against what Minister Dube said" and were not part to the statement. They further urged Minister Dube to resign and form his own party.Chimene further announced that they were calling for the ouster of Minister Dube from both Government and Zanu-PF.Minister Dube dismissed the demonstrations as dubious."I do not think it is taboo or any sin to talk about succession. So what I mean is that, yes, I said that and I did not think it was demonising anybody or was intended to confront anybody but people translate it the way they want," he said.Minister Dube said his comments were guided by his military background."In our training whenever you are deploying, the first thing to do is to appoint a commander who will take over from you in case something happens to you."That is what we call orders. When you are given orders as you go for a battle that is what you do," he said.The war veterans' minister said his statements were not political.He further dismissed calls to have him fired from Cabinet."I do not think the President is told by the Mlalas or Chimenes to hire or fire ministers. He has got his own criteria of choosing and firing."I am an appointee of the President. When the President feels that I am not doing the job right, he has the right to fire me."Minister Dube said war veterans had the right to take an interest in what happens in Zimbabwe.He said war veterans were human and would be interested in the affairs of the country."We are interested in the future of the country. We are interested in what goes on in our country. We are interested in everything that is Zimbabwe. That is why we sacrificed for our country," he said.Minister Dube also express doubt over Mlala's war credentials. "I have never heard of a soldier who says he was in a section commanded by George Mlala. I do not know about Mandi but I have never met any soldier who says he was commanded by George Mlala or anyone who says he carried any operation led by George Mlala or commanded by George Mlala."I just hear his name coming up. He is new to me. He does not impress me. I do not have to be appointed by them to be a minister."Secretary in the Ministry of the Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees Brigadier General (Rtd.) Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi said his department was not worried by what Minister Dube said in Bulawayo."When the minister spoke in his constituency Makokoba in Bulawayo, he was speaking as a politician, as a citizen and a commentator outside the protocol of the ministry."It is not that we have an interest to what he said. But we have an interest when a faction of the war veterans purports to speak on behalf of all war veterans," he said.Brig-General (Rtd.) Tapfumaneyi said their interest was in the unity of war veterans. "Our main interest, the political interest, is for the war veterans to be united once again and not to be divided by those who claim to follow Mandi Chimene or those who follow Mutsvangwa."We are one and we work well with the Government of Zimbabwe," he said. Washington DC: With usage of social media or texting as a means of abuse becoming a growing problem among teenagers, a new study has found that girls may be suffering more severe emotional consequences than boys. Researchers at the University of Michigan and University of California-Santa Barbara examined the impact of gender on high schoolers' experience of digital dating abuse behaviours, which include use of cell phones or internet to harass, control, pressure or threaten a dating partner. Overall, teens experience this digital dating abuse at similar rates, but girls reported that they were more upset by these behaviours and reported more negative emotional responses. "Although digital dating abuse is potentially harmful for all youth, gender matters," said lead author Lauren Reed. The study involved 703 Midwest high school students who reported the frequency of digital dating abuse, if they were upset by the "most recent" incidents, and how they responded. Students completed the surveys between December 2013 and March 2014. Participants reported sending and receiving at least 51 text messages per day, and spending an average of 22 hours per week using social media. Most participants reported that they text/texted their current or most recent dating partner frequently. The survey asked teens to indicate the frequency of experiencing several problematic digital behaviours with a dating partner, including "pressured me to sext" (sending a sexual or naked photo), sent a threatening message, looked at private information to check up on me without permission, and monitored whereabouts and activities. Girls indicated more frequent digital sexual coercion victimization, and girls and boys reported equal rates of digital monitoring and control, and digital direct aggression. When confronted with direct aggression, such as threats and rumor spreading, girls responded by blocking communication with their partner. Boys responded in similar fashion when they experienced digital monitoring and control behaviors, the study showed. Boys often treat girls as sexual objects, which contributes to the higher rates of digital sexual coercion, as boys may feel entitled to have sexual power over girls, said co-author Richard Tolman. Girls, on the other hand, are expected to prioritize relationships, which can lead to more jealousy and possessiveness, he said. Thus, they may be more likely to monitor boys' activities. The study appears in the Journal of Adolescence. In this June 26, 2017, photo, wildlife researcher In Hul of the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society picks up an egg of a Siamese Crocodile in the southern province of Koh Kong, Cambodia. Wildlife researchers say they've found a clutch of eggs from one of the world's most endangered crocodiles, raising hopes of its continuing survival in the wild. (Wildlife Conservation Society via AP) Phnom Peng: Wildlife researchers in Cambodia say they've found a clutch of eggs from one of the world's most endangered crocodiles, raising hopes of its continuing survival in the wild. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement Wednesday that its researchers, along with Fisheries Administration employees and local residents, found six eggs of the Siamese Crocodile in Sre Ambel District in the southern province of Koh Kong as they were exploring for tracks, signs and dung of the reptile. It said it was the first Siamese Crocodile nest recorded in six years of research and protection in the Sre Ambel area. The group says the crocodile, with an estimated global population of around 410, is found only in Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, with the greatest number in Cambodia. The species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because its numbers are rapidly shrinking "To avoid any threats, we moved the eggs to a safe place to hatch and track their progress," the statement quoted In Hul, a staff member of the Fisheries Administration, as saying. Such threats, said the statement, "include illegal hunting of adults and hatchlings and collecting of eggs to supply crocodile farms in Cambodia and Thailand, especially during the last two decades." Other threats include the "degradation of habitats, decrease of natural food, low chance of breeding in the wild due to low number of individuals in the wild and weak law enforcement such as regulations on crocodile farming and trading." She may be an internet sensation and her scooter may be a dilon ka shooter but even she has to follow traffic rules. A fact that she might have forgotten. After a man tweeted Delhi Traffic Police about Dhinchak Pooja riding her scooter without a helmet while singing loudly, the police assured him that action would be taken against her. It seems Dhinchak Pooja's red scooter in her latest YouTube video may have caught many an eyeball, but Delhi's Traffic Police isn't amused and has decided to take action for her helmet-less ride. In the video of her latest song titled 'Dilon Ka Shooter Hai Mera Scooter', Pooja can be seen riding the two-wheeler on Delhi's roads without a helmet. "We will be issuing a notice to the owner of the vehicle that is seen in the video. We will look into the matter and appropriate action will be taken under the Motor Vehicles Act," Additional CP (Traffic) SBS Tyagi said. While the video became viral online, attracting some hilarious reactions and making some cringe at the same time, Mohit Singh tweeted to the official handles Delhi Police and Delhi Traffic Police and complained that the Youtube sensation has flouted traffic rules while riding the scooter in Surajmal Vihar area of of the city. He also supported his claims by posting a picture from the video purportedly showing her riding the scooter without helmet. Mohit also mentioned the place, time and date when of "offence". The Delhi Traffic Police replied to his tweet saying, "action will be taken". Check out the video below Officials of the NGO Childline lodged a complaint with police on Thursday. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: The police on Thursday registered a case against parents of a baby boy for selling him to another couple. B Lalamma and B Jaiappa, residents of Karankota in the neighbouring Vikarabad district, sold their one-and-a-half month old boy to another couple, Vijaya and Bhoopathi, based in Tandur town, around seven months ago, police said. Two others, Anjarmma and Dattappa, acted as agents, said sub-inspector Laxmaiah. Officials of the NGO Childline lodged a complaint with police on Thursday saying that after getting a tip-off that a baby had been sold for Rs 8,000, they traced the buyer couple in Tandur town of Vikarabad district and rescued him. Police probe revealed that the parents, with the help of a lawyer, had prepared an adoption deed before giving up the boy to Vijaya and Bhoopathi, and later took Rs 8,000 from them. The rescued boy was shifted to a state-run shelter institute. A case was registered under relevant IPC sections and the Juvenile Justice Act against both couples and the agents. The accused are being questioned, though no arrest has been made yet, police said. Chandigarh: A 50-year-old Delhi government employee was among four persons arrested on Wednesday in connection with the killing of a Muslim youth onboard a Mathura-bound train, the police said. With these arrests the number of those held in the case related to the stabbing of 17-year-old Junaid has reached five but the "prime accused" was still at large, they added. The arrests come six days after the incident, which triggered a nation-wide outrage. "We have arrested four more persons, including three youths, aged between 24 and 30 years and a 50-year-old man," Kamaldeep Goel, the Superintendent of Police (SP), Government Railway Police (GRP), Faridabad, said over phone. Goel said the "50-year-old man is a Delhi government employee". Asked about the post the accused held, Goel said, "I am revealing only the fact that he is a Delhi government employee." Police claimed that 50-year-old's role was under scanner for allegedly instigating others. The four arrested accused belong to areas close to Hodal near Palwal in Faridabad and are believed to be regular commuters, police officials said. Goel said that with these arrests, the sequence of events which led to the stabbing of Junaid has also, to a large extent, become clear. Junaid was stabbed when he along with his brothers was returning home to Khandawli village in Ballabgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi on Thursday. Goel said that it had come to fore that the 50-year-old man had entered into an altercation with Junaid and his brothers over seat sharing. "He then passed some remarks hurting the victims' religious sentiments. Our investigations show that this 50-year-old man entered into an argument with the victim and his brothers from Okhla over seats. "However three youths who had boarded the train at New Town Faridabad station also got involved in the quarrel with the 50-year-old man egging them on," Goel said. Asked if the person who had stabbed Junaid had been nabbed, the SP said the "prime accused" was still at large. He, however, expressed confidence that "now, we have got crucial leads and he too will be in custody soon". Police officials said that CCTV footage procured from various points close to the incident site was being scanned for more clues to nab the prime accused. Earlier on Wednesday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar condemned the incident. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Khattar said the government would not allow anyone to take the law in their hands. "The action in the case is being taken as per ongoing investigations. Whatever action is deemed fit will be taken," he said. On being asked from where the four accused were arrested on Wednesday, DSP Mohinder Singh said, "we questioned several people during the past few days. On the basis of statements taken from some of the passengers in the train, we had summoned a few suspects at the office of the crime branch in Faridabad today. After the role of the four was established, we arrested them". He said the accused belong to areas close to Hodal near Palwal in Faridabad. They are all believed to be regular commuters who used to take the EMU train to New Delhi from the Haryana town. Junaid was stabbed to death while his brothers - Hashim and Sakir - were injured by a mob which also allegedly hurled slurs against them onboard the Delhi-Mathura passenger train between Ballabgarh and Mathura stations on Thursday night. Junaid's body was dumped close to Asaoti village in Faridabad district. Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for credible information leading to arrest of the accused in the case. One person who had been arrested earlier had been remanded to judicial custody by a court in Faridabad district. The accused person arrested earlier, while speaking to reporters, had alleged that he was in an inebriated state and had attacked the teenager after being instigated by fellow passengers. The incident was also condemned by Union Information and Broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday. The CPI(M) had also sent a delegation to meet the victim's family. The delegation asked the police to ascertain the political affiliation of those involved in the "horrific mob lynching" and said the accused would not have dared to target the victim sans "political patronage" in the BJP-ruled state. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had also visited the victim's family on Tuesday and condemned the incident. Junaid's brothers had told reporters earlier that the attackers taunted and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". Meanwhile, China on Wednesday virtually accused India of having a hidden agenda in the current military stand-off with it in the Sikkim sector where Beijing has a territorial dispute with Bhutan. (Photo: File/Representational) New Delhi: Bhutan on Thursday formally lodged protest against China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomphlri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. The move by Bhutan comes amid the ongoing face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Doklam (also known as Donglang) area of the Sikkim sector. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission in New Delhi. Recently, the Chinese army (People's Liberation Army) started construction of a road towards Bhutanese Army camp at Zomphlri in Doklam area which is in violation of an agreement between the two countries," Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel said. "Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquillity should be maintained in the area," said Namgyel. The Bhutanese envoy also asserted that under the agreement, both Bhutan and China should refrain from unilaterally changing the status quo. "We have asked China to stop the road construction," he said. Meanwhile, China on Wednesday virtually accused India of having a hidden agenda in the current military stand-off with it in the Sikkim sector where Beijing has a territorial dispute with Bhutan. Taking a dig at India, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that Bhutan is a universally recognised sovereign country. Mr Lu also hinted that India was objecting to China's efforts to build the road in Donglang area of the Sikkim sector on behalf of Bhutan which does not have diplomatic ties with Beijing. "Hope countries can respect the sovereignty of the country. The China-Bhutan boundary is not delineated, no third party should interfere in this matter and make irresponsible remarks or actions," he said. China on Tuesday lodged a protest with India over the alleged crossing of boundary by its troops in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal. It had also linked future visits of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar to India withdrawing the troops from the area. Mumbai: Medical reports on Thursday stated that Indrani Mukherjea had received blunt injuries on her hands and other parts of the body, after she complained in court of assault by Byculla jail authorities on Wednesday. "Indrani has received some blunt injuries and other (injuries) as well. Her claims of being beaten up appear to be true as per our check-up," the medical officer of J J Hospital, where Indrani's medical examination was conducted, told media on Thursday on condition of anonymity. "It (Indrani's medical report) will be submitted in court, as the medical check-up was ordered by the court," the officer said. Mukerjea, prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, was testifying to a fellow inmates death. Manju Shette, died after she was stripped naked by four women police officials, who allegedly inserted a lathi (wooden stick) into her private parts. A murder case has been also registered in the incident by the Nagpada police. Mukerjea has appeared at a Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court and accused the jail authorities of threatening her with the "same consequences" as Shette. "Tujhe hum dekh lenge. Joh unke saath hua woh tumhare saath hoga (You will face the same consequence as her Shette)." Mukerjea's lawyer, Gunjan Mangla, had asked the court to record her statement and order a medical examination. Her lawyer also told the court that she too was thrashed by jail officials and has bruises on her arms and legs. Mangla said Indrani also said that she was verbally abused by jail officials and the superintendent and was threatened with sexual assault for protesting against the death in jail. "These allegations are part of the FIR filed against the jail staff. We are probing the matter," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-3), Akhilesh Singh said. The Nagpada police, investigating the case, have filed an offence of murder against the jail staff in Shettes murder. "We are seeking information from eyewitnesses and other inmates in this connection," a police official said. Following Shette's death, the enraged inmates has protested on Saturday. While some of them had gone up to the prison's terrace while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger. Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla jail, including Indrani, on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code(IPC). Gunjan said Indrani requested her to bring the incident to the notice of the court and seek her production to lodge a complaint against the jail officials. "She informed me that several inmates want to give their statements against the jail officials who were involved in the incident," the lawyer said. When Judge J C Jagdale asked the lawyer if Indrani wants to file an FIR, she said "yes". An official from the prison department had alleged that Indrani "instigated" the inmates by asking them to shun food and "use their children as shields" when prison staffers tried to stop them from agitating and gathering together. Declining to comment on the matter, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) Bhushankumar Upadhyay said, "Police have registered an offence against the jail staff and an investigation is on." Six jail staffers were placed under suspension and police registered a case under IPC section 302 (punishment for murder) against them. The jail, located in the heart of the city, houses around 251 inmates. After three consecutive years of drought, the state has received fairly good rains so far except in 7-8 districts. (Photo: PTI/Representational) New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday approved Rs 795.54 crore funds to Karnataka for providing relief to farmers who lost their rabi (winter) crops in 2016 due to severe drought. A decision in this regard was taken in the High Level Committee (HLC) meeting, headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Finance minister Arun Jaitley, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and senior officers were also present at the meeting. The HLC approved the assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) in respect of Karnataka to the tune of Rs 795.54 crore, an official statement said. The assistance to Karnataka is given in the wake of drought (Rabi) of 2016-17 crop year (July-June). The relief amount, however, is much lower than Rs 3,310 crore sought by the state government, state Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa said in New Delhi. The two ministers had met Rajnath Singh just before the HLC meeting and demanded early decision on the drought relief for the state. "We are glad the HLC meeting was scheduled for today and the decision has been taken. Though the relief amount is lower than our demand, it is higher than Rs 607 crore sanctioned for rabi crop loss in 2015-16," Gowda said. He hoped that there was no further delay in release of this amount to the state. "There is always delay in sanctioning of the funds after the HLC decision. There was three months delay in release of drought relief funds for kharif crop loss in 2016-17," the minister said. Early release of funds will benefit farmers, who are preparing fields for the kharif sowing in the current year. The state is ready with the technology platform for transparent transfer of relief funds directly to the bank accounts of the affected farmers, Gowda said. After three consecutive years of drought, the state has received fairly good rains so far except in 7-8 districts. The state is keeping a close watch on monsoon and taking all measures to help farmers during the ongoing sowing season of summer (kharif) crops, he added. New Delhi: The main Opposition party, Congress will not be attending the midnight launch of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on June 30, while the jury is still out on other parties. Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi has confirmed saying, "The party has decided not to attend GST midnight session on June 30 in Parliament." According to reports, Congress held internal consultations as well as informal discussions with other parties on whether or not to attend the programme. Earlier, Congress had objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching GST at the special midnight function in Parliament house as President Pranab Mukherjee will be present, it would undermine the latter. "How can the Prime Minister launch GST when the President is there? This is not done and acceptable," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala had said. Another bone of contention between leaders was that since GST was the party's brainchild, now taken over by the ruling BJP, a few leaders felt the party should attend the special meeting. However, some leaders felt that the party should abstain as GST is being implemented in a hurry without considering aspects leading to harassment of small traders and businessmen. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also dubbed GST as an "epic blunder" by the Centre. Despite supporting GST initially, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has decided not to ratify it in its legislative assembly. Mamata had said her party would not attend the GST roll-out programme. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday issued a showcause notice to hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, asking him to explain the source of USD 10,000 "illegally" possessed by him in 2002. The foreign currency was seized during Income Tax Department raids at his residence in Srinagar's Hyderpora area in 2002. The central probe agency issued the notice, under various sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), to the 87-year-old separatist leader based in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Geelani heads the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference. Taking cognisance of the Income Tax report, the ED had issued summons to Geelani to appear before it in Srinagar in March this year. "His counsel submitted a written reply and denied the recovery of foreign currency from his residence and seizure. "Following further summons, his chartered accountant submitted the appeal documents confirming the recovery and seizure of foreign currency. However, he failed to furnish legitimate source for its acquisition and possession thus making himself liable for action under FEMA," an ED statement said. Under the FEMA, foreign exchange dealings are regulated in India and the acquisition and possession of foreign exchange by resident Indians are required to be conducted in accordance with the general or special permission. "Geelani did not have any such permission or bona fide explanation for acquisition and possession of the foreign currency. Therefore, he has been asked to show cause to the adjudicating officer under FEMA within 30 days as to why the recovered currency should not be confiscated and penalty imposed on him," the agency said. News / National by Staff reporter A 28 YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo's Old Magwegwe suburb allegedly killed his sister (26), folded up the body, covered it with a blanket and buried it in a pit at their backyard.Silindi Ncube, also known as Nda, is suspected to have killed his sister, Patience Ncube, about two weeks ago.Ncube is on the run and police are yet to establish the motive behind the callous murder.Police exhumed the body yesterday morning as shaken residents stood from a distance speaking in hushed tones.News that Patience had been killed and buried in their yard broke out on Tuesday and shocked residents gathered at the house as police searched for the body.Patience, a worker at a retail outlet in Entumbane suburb, was killed while on leave and was supposed to be back at work last Tuesday, the day her body was discovered.Neighbours and a cousin, Miss Angela Tshuma, who lived with the siblings, reported Patience missing on June 15.Tshuma who had travelled to Esigodini when Silindi allegedly killed Patience, said he lied to her when she asked him about his sister's whereabouts."He said he suspected she had gone with a boyfriend as he last saw her leaving with someone driving a vehicle with South African number plates," said Miss Tshuma.She said she did not believe his story as all of Patience's belongings were in the house.Miss Tshuma said: "I was convinced that she didn't leave because her handbags, cosmetics and all her shoes were in the house. It was highly unlikely that she would have left all those things if she was travelling. On June, 15 I went to report to the police that she was missing and they said they were going to investigate," she said.Miss Tshuma said Silindi stayed in the house as if nothing had happened, only to disappear on Tuesday last weekA neighbour, Mr Sithabile Mawere, said residents suspected Patience had been buried in the yard after another neighbour informed them that Silindi was seen throwing an object in a pit at about 5AM two weeks ago."News started spreading that she was missing and we informed the police. Their neighbour told me that he saw Nda digging a large pit where he dumped an object covered in sheets. We reported this to the police and pleaded with them to dig and find out what was dumped there," said Mr Mawere.He said police were reluctant to dig insisting that they wanted to interview Silindi first.Mr Mawere said after pressure from residents, police finaly agreed to dig up what appeared like shallow graves.He said they were two pits in the yard and the first one was a dummy as nothing was found in it."Initially the police thought there was nothing but we insisted that they should continue digging because one of the residents had seen something being thrown into a pit. Three other police officers entered the house and found a blood- stained pillow. We then pleaded with them to continue the search and they finally stumbled on her body wrapped in a blanket," said Mr Mawere. He said the police exhumed the body the following morning because when they finally found the body, it was already dark.A Chronicle news crew visited the house as police were exhuming the body yesterday at about 8AM.Police barred the crew from taking pictures.Neighbours said while Patience was a reserved person, Silindi was a known drunkard who stole and sold property from their house."She always complained that Nda was stealing property in the house. They never lived in peace. Nda was very problematic. Their parents died and they were living with their grandmother who owns the house but had moved to her rural home in Nkayi," said a neighbour.Patience's workmate said they were devastated by the news of her death."She was a very disciplined employee. We were wondering where she was because she was supposed to resume work yesterday. It's really sad to hear that she has been killed," said one of the employees.Last month, a 42-year-old mother of four from Bulawayo's Pumula South suburb was arrested after she allegedly killed her four-year-old niece and buried the body in the yard of a house she was renting. New Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat visits Sikkim on Thursday to take stock of operational matters and meet with top army commanders at formation headquarters in the border state. General Rawat's visit to Sikkim comes amid tension between India and China over border issues. People familiar with the matter said General Rawat's two-day visit to Sikkim is routine. He will visit other formation headquarters in the Northeast and review operational matters in the region that shares most of India's 3,488-kilometre-long border with China. India shares a 220-kilometre-long border with China in Sikkim. China has accused Indian troops of "crossing the boundary" in the Sikkim sector and demanded their immediate withdrawal. China said it stopped the Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar because of the border standoff. China said it has lodged diplomatic protests with India, both in New Delhi and Beijing. Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said on Monday that recently China began building a road in Donglang region, but was stopped by Indian troops. Ahmadabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday began his two-day visit to his home state Gujarat to participate in the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram. He earlier on Thursday landed in Ahmedabad and then addressed the party workers outside the airport. While addressing the party workers, the Prime Minister said that it was after the Supreme Court's judgement and formation of the BJP government in the Centre that the implementation of Narmada Yojana has taken place. "Taking Narmada waters to the water scarce Saurashtra region is in itself a very big achievement," said the Prime Minister. Later on, he visited the Sabarmati Ashram. This is Prime Minister Modi's fourth visit this year to Gujarat where assembly elections are due by the end of this year. New Delhi: India on Thursday played down the usage of "Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir" by the United States in a statement issued during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying similar terms have been used in the past also. On Monday, while designating Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist", the US State Department had said the militant group had claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 explosives attack in "Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir", which injured 17 persons. Responding to a media query, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said the use of the term 'Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir' merely affirmed Indian position that Syed Salahuddin had been involved in cross border terrorism against India. "Similar terms have been used in the State Department's country reports on terrorism brought out every year, including in the period 2010-2013, in the context of cross-border terrorism perpetrated on India. India's consistent position that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India is well known," he said. Baglay said India has welcomed the designation of Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US administration and added that this long-awaited step had been under discussion. "The Joint Statement issued on June 26, 2017 after Prime Minister's talks with US President Trump is the strongest joint expression of the commitment of the two sides to be shoulder-to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and calls on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries," he said. Congress leader P Chidambaram had on Wednesday questioned the Narendra Modi government over the US describing Jammu and Kashmir as "Indian administered" in an official statement and had asked how New Delhi accepted it. "US official statement used the phrase 'Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir'. How did India accept this?" the Congress leader had asked in a tweet. Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government and security forces have a tough time ahead as potential face-off with separatists and their supporting crowds, during the week beginning from July 8, could lead to another spell of unrest in the Valley if not handled appropriately. 8th July is the first death anniversary of Hizb-ul-Mujahedin commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani and separatists and militants have announced to observe it in a big way. 'The Hizb chief Muhammad Yusuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin had, a day before he was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US State Department, in a statement issued in Muzaffarabad called for shutdowns in the Valley on July 8 and July 13. He also asked the people to visit the homes of martyrs and hold pro-freedom rallies and protests during the rest of the week beginning July 8'. July 13 is observed as martyrs day in both parts of divided Jammu and Kashmir as on this day, 66 years ago, as many as 22 Kashmiris were shot dead by the troops of autocratic Dogra Maharaja outside Srinagars central prison where an in-camera trial of a rebel Abdul Qadeer was being held. The bloody incident heralded an uprising against the Maharajas rule and for independence of the Muslim majority state. While July 13 is observed as martyrs day by both mainstream and separatist political parties and is an official holiday, the latter insist that the struggle for independence is still on as India forcibly occupied part of the State in 1947. In view of possible flare up, the authorities have announced a 10-day-long summer break in educational institutions from July 6 although the summer is still away and the temperatures have not soared yet. Apparently, the closure of schools and colleges has more to do with Wani anniversary than anything else, said the local watchers. The authorities are contemplating to impose curfews and restrictions in cities and towns of the Valley including summer capital Srinagar from the night of July 7 or early July 8 and also on July 13. However, its response beyond July 8 night and between then and July 13 would depend on the happenings on ground. In such situations the security review meetings are held at the end of each day and decisions taken accordingly, said a senior police official. The internet and mobile phone services are also likely to be snapped ahead of Wanis anniversary. Enforcing security clamp down and curfew or curfew-like restrictions besides curbs on the movement of separatist leaders and other key activists is a somewhat time-tested manoeuvre by the J&K authorities aimed at steering clear of face-off in open with separatist leadership and its supporters. Snapping or curtailing the Internet and mobile phone services in view of possible flare-ups and real and perceived threats is a new phenomenon which has become irksome particularly to student and business communities and financial institutions and the media as it hinders their genuine activity. However, the authorities justify such communication curbs and blackouts on the plea that these have become unavoidable in order to prevent the misuse of social media and rumour-mongering during such turbulences. Already the law and order situation in the Valley is somewhat disquiet. Parts of the scenic region particularly the southern districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama are precarious with militants calling the shots and the street protests being witnessed routinely. Another main worry of the authorities is how to ensure smooth and incident free passage of Amarnath pilgrims through populated and sensitive areas of the Valley during Hafta-e-Shahadah or the week of martyrdom announced by the Hizb. Normally pilgrims and other tourists are not touched by protesters but there have been instances when the buses and other vehicles carrying them to the base-camps or back were also hit in stone-pelting incidents, said the police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He added, Were keeping our fingers crossed. The authorities also said that extraordinary security arrangement has been made for the annual pilgrimage keeping in view the overall law and order situation in the Valley. Thousands of police, paramilitary and Army personnel have been deployed en-route Amarnath and at the base-camps and other halting places to provide security cover to pilgrims. The 40-day long annual pilgrimage to 3,888- meter-high cave-shrine, the holiest of Hindu places of worship in north India, officially began on Thursday when the first batch of over 7,000 devotees after reaching the base-camps of Baltal and Pahalgam took the arduous journey through rugged mountains to pray and have darshan of Shiva Linga at Amarnath. Officials said that Satellite tracking system, drones, mobile bunker vehicles and road opening parties (ROPs) along the route from winter capital Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal are some of the security measures put in place. The Centre has provided an additional 40,000 paramilitary forces to assist the State government for peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage. The Army, the CRPF, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the J&K police are providing multi-layered security to the pilgrims. The officials said that tight security arrangement has been necessitated by the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir and potential threat from separatist militants. But prominent separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani termed it a false alarm. He said the Amarnath pilgrims are most welcome in Kashmir and that they would be treated as honoured guests by local Muslims. Rejecting the talk of militant threat to the pilgrimage as being imaginary, he alleged that deliberate attempt was being made to mislead the majority community of India on ground reality in Kashmir and put the States majority (Muslim) community in bad light for political reasons. Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in the city to attend the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram, broke his silence on the mob lynchings in the country saying killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. The Prime Minister spoke seven days after 16-year-old Junaid Khan was lynched on a moving train in Haryana by a mob on allegation that he was carrying beef; Modi's address in Ahemdbad was hours after the country saw an social-media spurred sea of protests on Wednesday condemning several lynching incidents -- fronted by the campaign 'Not In My Name'. Releasing a special postal stamp and commemorative coin to mark 150th birth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandra, Modi said that thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi have power to mitigate challenges the world is facing today. "No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done. But, killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve," he said. #WATCH PM Modi says, 'Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of.'. pic.twitter.com/43caDXmGzt ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 Expressing 'sadness' over brutality in the incidents of recent past, Modi exhorted that violence never has and never will be the solution for any predicament. We are the land of non violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget this? As a society, there is no place for violence, he said. He further added that no one had the right to take the law in his or her own hands. "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of," he said. Four people, including a 50-year-old Delhi government employee were arrested by Haryana police on Wednesday for killing Junaid. However, the key accused is still at large. Here is a list of some of the lynching incidents that took place in the recent past: Rajkot (Gujarat): Reiterating the government's commitment to 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for more attention on Divyang people and asked the start-ups to look at ways through which innovation and technology can transform lives of the disabled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a programme in Rajkot, said, "I have seen many families and mothers who were blessed with a Divyang child. The parents shower their child with so much love. It is our responsibility, as a nation, to take care of them... I urge the start-up sector to look at ways through which innovation and technology can transform lives of Divyang sisters and brothers." The Prime Minister pointed out that the present National Democratic Government (NDA) has introduced more than 5,500 programmes to help and benefit the Divyangs. "We must empathise with such people, we must be aware of their problems...I have made it mandatory to ensure that schemes are formed keeping disabled people in mind. And, I am happy that Gujarat has adopted this model," he said. Remembering his political beginnings from Rajkot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the place holds a special place in his life. "If Rajkot had not elected me and sent me to Gandhinagar; I may have never come to Delhi. My political career started in Rajkot. And, I will never forget the love Rajkot has showered upon me," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. His first stop visit was at the Sabarmati Ashram, which celebrated its centenary celebrations. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate various projects during his stay in Gujarat. This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fifth visit this year to Gujarat where Assembly elections are due by the end of this year. In the picture, Singh is seen urinating against the wall of a building as his security officers stand guard. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Patna/Motihari: A picture of Union Minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh urinating in the open has gone viral, with netizens trolling him on social media and raising questions over the government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In the picture, Singh is seen urinating against the wall of a building as his security officers stand guard. A vehicle with red beacon is also seen in the TV footage aired by some news channels. The picture has gone viral on social media and has drawn sharp criticism for what is being described as "blatant violation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" launched by the Prime Minister amid much fanfare. The spot and date on which the photos were taken are not known. The Union agriculture minister, who was in his native constituency of Motihari in connection with Eid, had left for Delhi on Monday night. The photo could be of this period when Singh attended many functions in his constituency, sources said. The minister was not available for comments and repeated repeated phone calls elicited the 'standard response' that he was in some meeting. In Motihari, his kins, however, were critical of the media for airing such footage. "Urination is a natural biological urge of a human being, so why such things are highlighted to create controversy...are urinals available everywhere?" his son-in-law Sujit Kumar Singh said in Motihari. East Champaran district BJP leader Lal Babu Prasad was also critical of the media wondering if "such things should be shown by media". Radha Mohan Singh is a fourth-term MP from Motihari in Bihar. State BJP president Nityanand Rai also refused to say anything. The opposition party leaders came down heavily on the minister for his act, with RJD president Lalu Prasad retweeting his party's earlier tweet which mockingly said, "Krishi mantri sukhar prabhit khetra mein sichai yojna ki suraut karte hua...unhone swaccha bharat abhiyan ko gati di." His son and Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav posted the controversial photo to draw attention to red beacon on the car near him, saying "search red beacon in the photo." JD(U) Secretary-General and Chief national spokesperson KC Tyagi said over the phone, "The minister is exposing hollowness of swachata abhiyan launched by the PM from the ramparts of Red Fort." Finance minister Etala Rajendar said that an additional 25,000 traders are expected to register soon. That still leaves a backlog of 65,000 traders. Hyderabad: Nearly 65,000 traders in Telangana state are yet to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) with only one day left for the roll out of GST on July 1. There are about 2.07 lakh traders in the state and nearly 1.70 lakh have registered for GST so far, according to the state government. Finance minister Etala Rajendar said that an additional 25,000 traders are expected to register soon. That still leaves a backlog of 65,000 traders. Mr Rajendar said traders can register till July 5 There are some apprehensions among traders to register for GST. Our officials and staff in the commercial taxes department are ready to clear all doubts and apprehensions. There is no need to panic on GST. We request all traders to register for GST by July 5, Mr Rajender said at a press conference in the Secretariat on Thursday. He said the TS government is ready for the rollout of GST on July 1 but the Centre is yet to address several concerns raised by the TS government on exempting Mission Kakatiya, Mission Bhagiratha, and irrigation projects from GST. He said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley seeking a reduction in GST rates on film, granite, beedi and textile industries. The GST should not burden common people. The higher tax rates on these sectors will adversely affect the common people, he said. Mr Rajendar said that TS will not be eligible for GST compensation from the Centre as its revenue growth rate is over 18 per cent against GST stipulated rate of 14 per cent. Only states that have revenue growth rate of less than 14 per cent are eligible for compensation from the Centre. But the states growth rate is over 18 per cent. TS will suffer revenue loss of up to Rs 4,500 crore per year due to GST when compared with revenues now, Mr Rajendar said. Gangtok/New Delhi: Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat on Thursday visited formation headquarters of the force in North Sikkim and was briefed by top commanders about the entire security situation in the wake of the face-off between Indian troops and Chinese military over a disputed area. Rawat, on a two-day visit, was apprised about the tense situation on the border at the Armys 17 Mountain Division even as China, hardening its position on the stand-off, warned that the Indian Army should learn historical lessons, in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. The Army Chief also visited areas under the 17 Mountain Division, tasked to guard the Sino-India border in the Sikkim sector, and took stock of various operational aspects. The genesis of the flashpoint was Chinas attempts to build a road at a key area of Donglong, the linking of which to the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction could give China a military advantage. The state government has submitted a report informing the court that Sai Kiran Hospital & Kiran Infertility Centre at Banjara Hills has been running the surrogacy centre without valid permissions. (Representational image) Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed the Telangana state government and its authorities to take steps to safeguard the unborn babies and surrogate mothers who have been left in the lurch after the police raid on an infertility centre in the city recently. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice T. Rajani was dealing with a suo motu case based on a letter by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait to the Chief Justice of the High Court referring to news reports carried on June 19, 2017 in Deccan Chronicle with regard to the police raid on a private hospital on credible information that the hospital was carrying out surrogacy procedures without following the due norms. The state government has submitted a report informing the court that Sai Kiran Hospital & Kiran Infertility Centre at Banjara Hills has been running the surrogacy centre without valid permissions and it looked like a refugee centre and not an infertility centre. The government report brought to the notice of the court that the management of the centre has only obtained permission for infertility and ultrasound scan. Dr Samith Sekhar, who was in charge of surrogacy affairs at the centre, has only an MBBS degree and the Centre was run by counsellors in gynaecology, urology, clinical embryology and andrology. According to the report, there are 48 surrogacy mothers in the centre, a majority of them from families categorised as below the poverty line. The management was running the assisted reproductive clinic illegally, and did not maintain surrogacy agreements. The police suspected that children were being smuggled out of the centre. News / National by Staff reporter THE Auditor-General has exposed a scam in which Air Zimbabwe received $23 million from the Traffic and Legislation Fund without approval from Treasury between 2012 and 2013.In a report presented to Parliament on Wednesday, the Public Accounts Committee chairperson, Mrs Paurina Mpariwa, said the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa, authorised the disbursements without approval from Treasury."Audit observed that for the second year-running, the fund made some payments to Air Zimbabwe service providers without obtaining prior Treasury authority."Payments were then treated as long-term loans, although no interest is being charged, contrary to provisions of the fund's constitution."The accumulated payments as at December 31, 2013 amounted to $22.9 million (2012:$19.9 million)."The loan agreements had not been signed by Air Zimbabwe and no repayments had been received," she said.Mrs Mpariwa said during 2014, the fund further advanced to Air Zimbabwe $7.5 million as a loan to repay its operational expenses."The Audit further noted that there were no explanatory notes submitted with accounts on the long outstanding loans to Air Zimbabwe, which is required by best practice."There is a risk that the fund may fail to achieve its objectives if its revenue is diverted to other entities, which is in violation of the Constitution of the fund," she said.Mrs Mpariwa said the committee further queried whether retention funds were justified if the fund had such excess funds to loan out to other entities."In the absence of explanatory notes on items, the integrity of the financial statements may be compromised. The Permanent Secretary admitted that the ministry erred in diverting fund monies to Air Zimbabwe without Treasury approval and offered an apology for its action."He confirmed that loan documents for all the amounts observed were in place. The Committee questioned the possibility of Air Zimbabwe paying back the loans, considering its current dire state," said the committee's chairperson.In this light, Mrs Mpariwa said her committee recommends that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development approach Treasury and work out the modalities for takeover of the debt for Air Zimbabwe by Treasury by September 30, 2017."Going forward the Ministry should desist from diverting fund revenue without Treasury approval."The Treasury should assess and advise by December 31, 2017 whether there is a need for the ministry to still retain the current percentage of the Fund revenue in view of the amounts, hovering around $23 million, that have been extended to Air Zimbabwe over a period of time," recommended the committee. Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed the Telangana state government and its authorities to take steps to safeguard the unborn babies and surrogate mothers who have been left in the lurch after the police raid on an infertility centre in the city recently. The government informed the court that as directed by the High Court, a medical team has to examine the 47 mothers, 37 of whom are pregnant and 10 awaiting surrogacy procedures. When the bench sought to know whether the hospital has been seized or not, B.S. Prasad, counsel for the state medical and health department, told the court that a show cause notice was issued to the management and a reply is awaited. When the bench enquired about the fate of the surrogate mothers, the counsel replied that the surrogate mothers were not willing to leave the centre though the government was ready to take care of them. The counsel appearing for the hospital said that a reply has already been sent to the show cause notice. Meanwhile, Kiran Fertility Clinic and several couples for whom the surrogates are bearing children have impleaded themselves in the case. These couples have asked the court to permit them to visit the surrogate mothers so as to ensure their well being. The bench directed the medical and health director to visit the surrogate mothers on a regular basis and ensure they were in good health. While adjourning the case for three weeks, the bench directed the government to file a counter affidavit without affecting the privacy of surrogate mothers. The court asked the authorities to inform it if the infertility centre was to be closed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel from July 4-6, at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo: ANITwitter) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Israel next week is expected to meet Moshe, survivor of 2008 Mumbai 26/11 terrorist attack. Moshe was barely two when his parents Rivka and Gavriel Holtzberg were killed along with six others, by Pakistan based LeT terrorists in the Chabad House attack in Mumbai in 2008. The Nariman House also known as the Chabad House was one of 5 locations that were targeted by the terrorists. Moshe is 10 years old now. During the deadly 26/11 attacks he was saved by his Indian nanny, Sandra, who managed to escape the scene. Both were brought to Israel later, to live with Moshe's maternal grandparents, Shimon and Yehudit Rosenberg. "PM Modi is expected to meet Moshe who was just a baby at the time...now he is all grown up. I think it will be a very emotional meeting with a very strong message," said Israel's ambassador to India Daniel Carmon in an exclusive chat with ANI. Counter-terrorism will be one of the key focus areas of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel. "Terrorism is a plague which many countries suffer from. India and Israel are victims of terror, 3 years ago we have signed a landmark agreement on homeland security and counter-terrorism and we are doing a lot in this field," added Carmon. Nine years have passed since the 26/11 attacks, however, no arrests have been made. When asked if this issue will figure in talks with India the Israeli envoy added, "both our countries have to face terror threats, as long as these threats remain it will always be on the table." Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel from July 4-6, at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. This will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel. Chennai: The. issue of health minister C Vijayabhaskar and top police officials allegedly being paid huge sums of money as bribe for allowing the sale of banned gutka in Chennai rocked the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday. The principal opposition DMK demanded the sacking of the minister and top police officials who were said to have been named in a diary seized by the Income-Tax department, according to a newspaper report. The Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal, however, refused to discuss the issue on the floor of the House. He made it clear that the news appearing in newspapers cannot be discussed in the Assembly. DMK MLAs then raised slogans criticising the State and waved newspaper clippings seeking an explanation from the controversial minister. When the speaker expunged the remarks made by the DMK leader M.K. Stalin, the DMK MLAs left the House en masse, shouting slogans in the corridors calling the State corrupt in encouraging the sale of gutka. The Treasury benches remained unmoved despite the opposition creating a ruckus through their non-stop sloganeering for about ten minutes. Earlier, Stalin mentioned about the I-T raid at a godown in Madhavaram and pointed out that a diary with names of minister and top cops was seized, to which the Speaker said, If you have proof, give it to me. I will study it and allow. Further, the matter is under investigation and nothing would go on record, he said. DMK leader Duraimurugan returned to his seat after the walk out also tried to raise a point of order and wanted to speak on gutka, but the Speaker ruled that nothing would go on record. Opposition leader Stalin told reporters that the speaker was not ready to discuss the serious charges of corruption raised by the I-T department. Till date, there has been no action against any corruption or scam that has come out in open, Stalin said. He also demanded the resignation of the health minister and demanded action against DGP TK Rajendran and the fire service director S George and alleged that Rs 40 crore had been given by the gutka manufacturer to ensure the uninterrupted sale of the banned substance in Tamil Nadu. Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. (Image: Google) Canadian courts can force Internet search leader Google to remove results worldwide, the country's top court ruled on Wednesday, drawing criticism from civil liberties groups arguing such a move sets a precedent for censorship on the Internet. In its 7-2 decision, Canada's Supreme Court found that a court in the country can grant an injunction preventing conduct anywhere in the world when it is necessary to ensure the injunction's effectiveness. "The Internet has no borders - its natural habitat is global," the Supreme Court wrote in its judgment. "The only way to ensure that the interlocutory injunction attained its objective was to have it apply where Google operates - globally." Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The case stems from claims by Equustek Solutions, a small technology company in British Columbia that manufactures network devices, that distributor Datalink Technologies Gateways relabeled one of its products and sold it as its own online and acquired trade secrets to design and manufacture a competing product. In 2012, Equustek asked Google to remove Datalink search results until the case against the company was resolved. While Google removed over 300 specific web pages associated with Datalink, it did so only on the Canadian version of its search engine. The Supreme Court of British Columbia subsequently ordered Google to stop displaying search results in any country for any part of Datalink's websites. In its appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada, Google had argued that the global reach of the order was unnecessary and that it raised concerns over freedom of expression. The Supreme Court rejected Google's argument that the right to freedom of expression should have prevented the order from being issued. "This is not an order to remove speech that, on its face, engages freedom of expression values," the court wrote in its ruling. "We have not, to date, accepted that freedom of expression requires the facilitation of the unlawful sale of goods." The global reach was necessary, according to the court, because if the removed search results were restricted to Canada alone, purchasers both in and out of Canada could easily continue to find and buy from Datalink. OpenMedia, a Canadian group campaigning for open communications, opposed the ruling. "There is great risk that governments and commercial entities will see this ruling as justifying censorship requests that could result in perfectly legal and legitimate content disappearing off the Web because of a court order in the opposite corner of the globe," said OpenMedia spokesman David Christopher. Google cannot appeal the Supreme Court ruling. If the company has evidence that complying with the order would force it to violate other countries' laws, including interfering with freedom of expression, it can apply to the British Columbia court to alter the order, the Supreme Court said, noting Google has not made such an application. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. With the need for digital transactions on the go, all manufacturers have been trying to implement their own iteration of wireless payment portals. We have a host of digital wallet services such as Paytm, Freecharge and more. We also have the Indian Governments BHIM UPI app. Unfortunately; India hasnt yet received popular wireless payment solutions from manufacturers like Apple Pay and Android Pay. However, Samsung has graced us with its Samsung Pay service, which works on a revolutionary feature. Unlike Android Pay or Apple Pay that use Near Field Communications (NFC) to perform transactions to NFC-enabled Point of Selling (PoS) machines, Samsung Pay uses a completely different technology. Samsung Pay uses Magnetic Secure Transmission to perform a transaction to any PoS device, without needing any infrastructure upgrade. Therefore it can be of immense help to the average Indian smartphone user in sorting out the hassles of daily life. No need to carry physical cards The whole concept of Samsung Pay is to replace your physical cards with your smartphone. Your phone goes along with you wherever you go, so it is better to use it to make payments instead of carrying additional cards. Your cards can stay at your place while your smartphone can do all the dealings with bill counters. Because all a PoS machine needs are the card number and account number, which can be easily stored on your device. Secure transactions Since MST chips replicate a card swipe by sending magnetic radiation to the machine, there is no need for physical contact between both the machines. Also, the service doesnt need the cashier to even have a glance at the numbers during the payment process. The card and account numbers are sent through encrypted alphanumerical codes, which is difficult to hack. All of this makes your regular transaction as secure as possible. Biometric authenticated verification Compared to a PIN code for a physical card, biometric authentication on your smartphone is comparatively more secure. It is difficult for someone to copy fingerprints without physical access. Plus, if you have the Samsung Galaxy S8, you can even authenticate your transactions through iris scanner as well. Military grade data storage If you are someone who feels threatened in the wake of a slew of cyber attacks, then you should be happy to know that Samsung Pay uses military grade security solutions. With Samsung KNOX, the phone is constantly monitored for vulnerabilities. Even if the phone is compromised, card information is still safely encrypted within a separate and secure data vault. If your device gets stolen, you can remotely wipe off your data without letting anyone else accessing your financial details. Can be used anywhere Samsung Pay uses MST chip, which makes it possible to use on existing card-based cashless modes of transaction. Therefore, you can use Samsung Pay at petrol stations, restaurants, movie theatres and all other places that have to use a PoS machine for transactions. However, not all is well in Samsung Pays camp. 1. As of now, only a limited number of banks have partnered with Samsung Pay for making cashless transactions on the platform. So, if your bank account is not a part of its support list, then you are out of luck. 2. Some banks, like ICICI, have stringent verification methods that require the presence of the debit card while making online transactions, which defeats the purpose of the Samsung Pays existence. 3. It requires the use of persistent internet connection, which is standard for all online transactions. 4. Samsung Pay in only supported on limited Samsung Galaxy smartphones as of now, so you are out of luck if your smartphone doesn't flaunt a Samsung badge. If you are willing to overlook these niggles, then Samsung Pay makes for a good wireless transaction portal. It can change the way you make payments and makes mobile devices even more important in our life. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. More than a day after it first struck, companies around the world were still wrestling with the fallout while cyber security experts scrambled to find a way to stem the spread. A new cyber virus spread from Ukraine to wreak havoc around the globe on Wednesday, crippling thousands of computers, disrupting ports from Mumbai to Los Angeles and halting production at a chocolate factory in Australia. The virus is believed to have first taken hold on Tuesday in Ukraine where it silently infected computers after users downloaded a popular tax accounting package or visited a local news site, national police and international cyber experts said. More than a day after it first struck, companies around the world were still wrestling with the fallout while cyber security experts scrambled to find a way to stem the spread. Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk said it was struggling to process orders and shift cargoes, congesting some of the 76 ports around the world run by its APM Terminals subsidiary. US delivery firm FedEx Corp said its TNT Express division had been significantly affected by the virus, which also wormed its way into South America, affecting ports in Argentina operated by China's Cofco. The malicious code locked machines and demanded victims post a ransom worth $300 in bitcoins or lose their data entirely, similar to the extortion tactic used in the global WannaCry ransomware attack in May. More than 30 victims paid up but security experts are questioning whether extortion was the goal, given the relatively small sum demanded, or whether the hackers were driven by destructive motives rather than financial gain. Hackers asked victims to notify them by email when ransoms had been paid but German email provider Posteo quickly shut down the address, a German government cyber security official said. Ukraine, the epicentre of the cyber strike, has repeatedly accused Russia of orchestrating attacks on its computer systems and critical power infrastructure since its powerful neighbour annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014. The Kremlin, which has consistently rejected the accusations, said on Wednesday it had no information about the origin of the global cyber attack, which also struck Russian companies such as oil giant Rosneft and a steelmaker. "No one can effectively combat cyber threats on their own, and, unfortunately, unfounded blanket accusations will not solve this problem," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. ESET, a Slovakian company that sells products to shield computers from viruses, said 80 percent of the infections detected among its global customer base were in Ukraine, with Italy second hardest hit with about 10 percent. ETERNAL BLUE The aim of the latest attack appeared to be disruption rather than ransom, said Brian Lord, former deputy director of intelligence and cyber operations at Britain's GCHQ and now managing director at private security firm PGI Cyber. "My sense is this starts to look like a state operating through a proxy ... as a kind of experiment to see what happens," Lord told Reuters on Wednesday. While the malware seemed to be a variant of past campaigns, derived from code known as Eternal Blue believed to have been developed by the US National Security Agency (NSA), experts said it was not as virulent as May's WannaCry attack. Security researchers said Tuesday's virus could leap from computer to computer once unleashed within an organisation but, unlike WannaCry, it could not randomly trawl the internet for its next victims, limiting its scope to infect. Bushiness that installed Microsoft's latest security patches from earlier this year and turned off Windows file-sharing features appeared to be largely unaffected. There was speculation, however, among some experts that once the new virus had infected one computer it could spread to other machines on the same network, even if those devices had received a security update. After WannaCry, governments, security firms and industrial groups advised businesses and consumers to make sure all their computers were updated with Microsoft security patches. Austria's government-backed Computer Emergency Response Team said "a small number" of international firms appeared to be affected, with tens of thousands of computers taken down. Security firms including Microsoft, Cisco's Talos and Symantec said they had confirmed some of the initial infections occurred when malware was transmitted to users of a Ukrainian tax software programme called MEDoc. The supplier of the software, M.E.Doc denied in a post on Facebook that its software was to blame, though Microsoft reiterated its suspicions afterwards. "Microsoft now has evidence that a few active infections of the ransomware initially started from the legitimate MEDoc updater process," it said in a technical blog post. Russian security firm Kaspersky said a Ukrainian news site for the city of Bakhumut was also hacked and used to distribute the ransomware to visitors, encrypting data on their machines. CORPORATE CHAOS A number of the international firms hit have operations in Ukraine, and the virus is believed to have spread within global corporate networks after gaining traction within the country. Shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk, which handles one in seven containers shipped worldwide, has a logistics unit in Ukraine. Other large firms affected, such as French construction materials company Saint Gobain and Mondelez International Inc, which owns chocolate brand Cadbury, also have operations in the country. Maersk was one of the first global firms to be taken down by the cyber attack and its operations at major ports such as Mumbai in India, Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Los Angeles on the US west coast were disrupted. Other companies to succumb included BNP Paribas Real Estate, a part of the French bank that provides property and investment management services. "The international cyber attack hit our non-bank subsidiary, Real Estate. The necessary measures have been taken to rapidly contain the attack," the bank said on Wednesday. Production at the Cadbury factory on the Australian island state of Tasmania ground to a halt late on Tuesday after computer systems went down. Russia's Rosneft, one of the world's biggest crude producers by volume, said on Tuesday its systems had suffered "serious consequences" but oil production had not been affected because it switched to backup systems. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The latest version of TouchWiz, dubbed as TouchWiz Home version 6.1.09.2, solves the lagging issues, adds an information screen, and improves the visibility of application names under icons. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are great smartphones that display great engineering and craftsmanship from Samsungs eggheads. However, the Galaxy S8 came with its own set of faults, the red tint display to be one of the prominent ones. And after more than two months, users have been started complaining about the Galaxy S8s interface lagging. This came as a blow to Samsung who has now rolled out an update to fix the issue. Galaxy S8 and S8+ users were complaining about lags while switching from the home screen to the app drawer. The latest version of TouchWiz, dubbed as TouchWiz Home version 6.1.09.2, solves the lagging issues, adds an information screen, and improves the visibility of application names under icons. With the latest version, Samsung has made it possible for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ users to get the latest updates from Samsung Galaxy Apps Store or the Google PlayStore. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. With this sensor, it seems that Samsung is not joining the race for higher zooming capabilities, like most of its competitors in the market and has instead focussed on what actually matters to the user a bright and clear photograph. (Photo: Android Authority) The dual camera setup is becoming a norm in the smartphone market with major manufacturers joining the bandwagon. However, one of the largest names in the world of smartphones was surprisingly not a part of this trend Samsung, especially with their Galaxy S8 flagship opting for a single camera setup. Now, it seems that that is about to change as Samsung has announced a range of its next generation camera sensors at the 2017 MWC Shanghai, with one of them being a dual-camera sensor. The Korean technology giant unveiled four camera sensors under its ISOCELL series of image sensors ISOCELL Bright, ISOCELL Fast, ISOCELL Slim and ISOCELL Dual. The fourth one in the list, the ISOCELL DUAL, is the dual camera setup. It promises superior image quality in low light conditions, a trick that Samsung is brilliantly exceeding at since the last few releases of its flagship Galaxy S series. The setup consists of two 13MP sensors with individual autofocus. Both of them have an aperture of f/2.0 and the pixels measure 1.12m. One camera is an RGB sensor and the other one is a monochrome sensor, a setup very similar to Huaweis dual camera sensors. With this sensor, it seems that Samsung is not joining the race for higher zooming capabilities, like most of its competitors in the market and has instead focussed on what actually matters to the user a bright and clear photograph. And, with the unveiling of this art of the year, it seems that we could be expecting this setup to debut on Samsungs upcoming flagship smartphone the Galaxy Note 8. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Washington: President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a brutal personal attack on MSNBC journalist Mika Brzezinski, after she sharply criticized his administration's dysfunction in a segment on her show. "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore)," Trump wrote, referring to a morning news show featuring Brzezinski and co-host Joe Scarborough. "Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" Trump tweeted. The president, an avid cable news watcher, appears to have been responding to sharp comments by Brzezinski during Thursday "Morning Joe" program on the left-leaning MSNBC cable network. "Everybody in Washington," Brzezinski said, "in the administration, needs to look at this from... a point of view where they're not lobotomized because you're sitting in there and you're so scared of him, and you think you need to suck up to the president." If a boss at NBC -- MSNBC's parent company -- "started tweeting wildly about people's appearances, bullying people, talking about people in the competition, lying every day, undermining his managers, throwing them under the (bus) -- that person would be thrown out. "It's just not normal behavior," she said. "In fact, there would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind." Brzezinski appeared to be uncowed by Trump's Twitter attack. She responded to his tweet with a post of her own, a photo of a young child reaching for Cheerios cereal. "Made for little hands," the picture caption read -- a schoolyard taunt that has been leveled against the image-conscious Trump since the days of his candidacy. Scarborough re-tweeted a comment from CNN reporter Jake Tapper: "This reminds me: how is @FLOTUS's campaign against cyber-bullying going?" it said, referring to First Lady Melania Trump. Trump was often interviewed on "Morning Joe" during the 2016 presidential campaign, but as the White House relationship with much of the US media has soured he has recently favored interviews with friendly right-wing outlets. Brzezinski, 50, is the daughter of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was president Jimmy Carter's national security advisor. Scarborough, 54, is a Republican former congressman who represented a Florida district in the 1990s. The two are engaged to marry. Lovedeep admitted to police that he fatally stabbed his cousin and roommate Sharanjit. (Photo: Representational/File) New York: A 26-year-old Indian-origin man in the US was stabbed to death allegedly by his cousin following an argument here. Sharanjit Singh was stabbed by Lovedeep Singh, 24, in the neck and torso inside their apartment in New York City borough Queens in the early hours of June 26, police said. Lovedeep has been charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Lovedeep admitted to police that he fatally stabbed his cousin and roommate Sharanjit. He was arraigned on Tuesday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Eugene Guarino on a criminal complaint. Queens District Attorney Brown said Lovedeep is accused of "senselessly stabbing to death his cousin and roommate. This is a family tragedy for all concerned". Sharanjit, who worked as a driver, moved to the US from India in 2013. His parents still live in India. The motive behind the murder was not immediately known, police said. News / National by Staff reporter WAR veterans aligned to the Zanu-PF G40 faction have called for the dismissal of War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube for urging President Robert Mugabe to anoint or groom a successor to end the factional fighting in the party.Dube at the weekend said Mugabe, at the age of 93, would step aside some day, hence, the need for him to groom a successor to avoid the likelihood of chaos reminiscent of what happened in Uganda and Central African Republic.His views were shared by the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), that has repeatedly called on Mugabe to hand over power to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.But G40-aligned war veterans' self-proclaimed leader Mandiitawepi Chimene, who is also Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister, took a swipe at Dube while addressing ex-freedom fighters and party youths, saying he was no longer fit to remain their minister.Chimene has tried but failed to wrest the ZNLWVA leadership after the High Court last month threw out her application on which she sought nullification of an order that identified Mutsvangwa as the legitimate war veterans leader."The President is still there, who is he (Dube) to tell him (Mugabe) to choose a successor. Here is the constitution of the party, I have gone through it and there is nowhere in this document where it is written that the President should choose his successor," Chimene said.She said Mutsvangwa was fired because he had digressed from the needs of the ex-freedom fighters to pursue selfish succession interests. Chimene accused Dube, who took over from Mutsvangwa as War Veterans minister, of trying to do the same."This post (Minister of War Veterans) needs cleansing. Anyone who lands it starts to behave like his predecessor."We thought Dube was better, but we were wrong," Chimene said.She said Dube should not mislead people that his views were shared by the war veterans.In what appeared to be a direct attack on Mnangagwa, Chimene accused Dube of fronting some people who wanted to take over power from Mugabe."They were all in the President's first government, but they say he has overstayed. If the President has overstayed, they have also overstayed and should both go," she said.Mnangagwa has been in government since independence. He is accused of leading a faction, Team Lacoste, in the Zanu-PF succession race. Chimene has openly called for Mnangagwa to be expelled from the party for allegedly fanning factionalism, claims the VP has denied on several occasions.Chimene's deputy, George Mlala, also said the war veterans' meeting was in solidarity with Mugabe and that Dube should be fired for undermining the President by asking him to anoint a successor when he was still in office."We endorsed the President as the party's candidate in next year's general elections. The party constitution is clear that he will be there until the next congress in 2019. So if he chooses a successor, where will the successor be until 2019? There is only one State House. What will the successor be doing? These are not our views as freedom fighters and we say Dube should go," Mlala said. The Pell charges stem from lengthy investigations by a Victoria Police task force looking into allegations emanating from the royal commission and from a state parliamentary inquiry. (Photo: AP) Sydney: Cardinal George Pell, one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican and Australia's most senior Catholic, was on Thursday charged with historical child sex offences, which he "strenuously denied". Pell, the Vatican's finance chief and the highest-ranking Catholic cleric to face such charges had been interviewed in Rome by Australian police last October over the allegations. "Victoria Police have charged Cardinal George Pell with historical sexual assault offences," Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters. "There are multiple complainants relating to those charges." Patton said the 76-year-old was summonsed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. No details of the charges were given and Patton would not take any questions, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. Catholic officials said Thursday Pell would return home to clear his name after receiving advice and approval from his doctors. "He has again strenuously denied all allegations... He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously," the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said in a statement. Australia does not have an extradition agreement with the Vatican, but has one with Italy. A lawyer for two unnamed men who had made abuse claims against Pell said they were "over the moon" about the charges. "It's been very difficult for them to stick their neck out," Ingrid Irwin told Melbourne's Herald Sun. "To come out against someone who is second to God, in some people's minds, has caused all sorts of problems for them." The announcement coincides with the final stages of a long-running national inquiry into responses to child sex abuse, ordered in 2012 after a decade of growing pressure to investigate widespread allegations of institutional paedophilia. The royal commission has spoken to thousands of survivors and heard claims of child abuse involving churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools. Pell has appeared before the commission three times, once in person and twice via video-link, during which he admitted that he "mucked up" in dealing with paedophile priests in Victoria state in the 1970s. The Pell charges stem from lengthy investigations by a Victoria Police task force looking into allegations emanating from the royal commission and from a state parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry released data in February that showed seven percent of Catholic priests were accused of abusing children in Australia between 1950 and 2010 but the allegations were never investigated. Some 4,444 alleged incidents of paedophilia were reported to church authorities and, in some dioceses, more than 15 percent of priests were perpetrators, the inquiry heard. The average age of the victims at the time was 10 for girls and 11 for boys. Pell was ordained in Rome in 1966 before returning to Australia in 1971 and rose to become the nation's top Catholic official. He had been accused of historical sex abuse claims when he was the Archbishop of Sydney in 2002, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing. The cardinal left for the Vatican in 2014 after being hand-picked by Pope Francis to make the church's finances more transparent. Pope Francis said last year when asked about allegations against the cardinal that "we must avoid a media verdict, a verdict based on gossip". Patton stressed that Pell has been "treated the same as anyone else in this investigation". "I want to be perfectly clear, the process and procedures that are being followed in the charging of Cardinal Pell have been the same that have been applied in a whole range of historical sex offences whenever we investigate them." The Pell charges followed the announcement Wednesday that the Pope had defrocked an Italian priest, Mauro Inzoli, who was found guilty of the sexual abuse of minors, reversing an earlier decision to reduce his punishment. Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, said in an early morning appearance at the Vatican that he would take a leave of absence as the Vatican's finance czar and would return to Australia to fight the charges. (Photo: AP) Vatican City: Cardinal George Pell has been granted a leave of absence from his senior Church post, the Vatican said Thursday in a statement making clear the Australian was not resigning. The strongly supportive statement said Pope Francis had appreciated Pell's "honesty" while working on economic reforms and said it was important to recall Pell's repeated condemnation of abuse and his past cooperation with the Australian authorities. Australian police had charged Cardinal George Pell on Thursday with multiple counts of "historical" sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, said in an early morning appearance at the Vatican that he would take a leave of absence as the Vatican's finance czar and would return to Australia to fight the charges. He denied the accusations and denounced what he called a "relentless character assassination" in the media. Pell is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton in Australia's Victoria state said police have summonsed Pell to appear in court to face multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. For years, Pell, 76, has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview the cardinal. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. Patton told reporters in Melbourne that none of the allegations against Pell had been tested in any court, adding: "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy about sex abuse. The charges will also further complicate Francis' financial reform efforts at the Vatican, which were already strained by Pell's repeated clashes with the Italian-dominated bureaucracy. Just last week, one of Pell's top allies, the Vatican's auditor general, resigned without explanation two years into a five-year term, immediately raising questions about whether the reform effort was doomed. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Pope Francis had learned with "regret" of the charges and had granted Pell a leave of absence to defend himself. He said the Vatican's financial reforms would continue in his absence. Pell's actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - the nation's highest form of inquiry - has found shocking levels of abuse in Australia's Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7 percent of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the past several decades. Last year, Pell acknowledged during his testimony to the commission that the Catholic Church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests over centuries. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican. But in a statement from the Sydney Archdiocese, Pell said he would return to Australia "as soon as possible," following advice and approval by his doctors. Last year, Pell declined to return to Australia to testify for the third time before the Royal Commission, saying he was too ill to fly. He instead testified via video conference from Rome. The Blue Knot Foundation, an Australian support group for adult survivors of childhood abuse, said the decision to charge Pell sent a powerful message to both abuse survivors and society as a whole. "It upholds that no one is above the law, no matter how high their office, qualifications, or standing," the group's head of research, Pam Stavropoulos, said in a statement. The charges put the pope in a thorny position. In 2014, Francis won cautious praise from victims' advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about "best practices" to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has since lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left. Francis also scrapped the commission's signature proposal - a tribunal section to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse - after Vatican officials objected. In addition, Francis drew heated criticism for his 2015 appointment of a Chilean bishop accused by victims of helping cover up for Chile's most notorious pedophile. The pope was later caught on videotape labelling the parishioners who opposed the nomination of being "leftists" and "stupid." Francis appointed Pell in 2014 to a five-year term to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat, giving him broad rein to control all economic, administrative, personnel and procurement functions of the Holy See. The mandate has since been restricted to performing more of an oversight role. The puppy is said to have an ability to work out if students are stressed, and can help calm them down. (Representational Image) London: Shola, a four-month-old puppy, has been employed in a school in the UK to help students deal with exam stress and calm them down. The Irish setter arrived at Tavistock College in Plymouth in England when she was just nine-weeks-old. The puppy is said to have an ability to work out if students are stressed, and can help calm them down, the Daily Mirror reported. She is on hand during exam season to greet nervous students and also attends staff briefings. "From the very first she has loved her work she will trot jauntily down the corridor, tail wagging, looking out for children, and staff, to make a fuss of her, Plymouth Herald, headteacher Sarah Jones, said. "She has an adoring public and she expects everyone to love her," she said. "Before one exam we had a student so stressed she felt he couldnt take the exam, but meeting Shola brought a smile to her face and she was then able to go in to sit her exam," Jones said. "In a class with some students known to be worried and anxious, Shola will invariably choose to sit beside those students rather than the other, calmer, students. "College life fascinates her last week she discovered the college chickens and was riveted to the window watching them peck and scratch in the straw the other side of the glass," Jones said. "PE is always interesting and she always wants to go and play whatever game the students are playing although she is banned from the pitches for health and safety reasons." Sholas name was chosen from more than 300 suggestions put forward by students and she was presented to the college in assembly. Ankara: The defence minister of Qatar is to visit its ally Turkey on Friday, state media reported, as Ankara resists pressure to shutter a military base in the emirate's unresolved row with Gulf neighbours. Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah will meet with Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik at the defence ministry in Ankara, the state-run news agency Anadolu said on Thursday. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain announced on June 5 the suspension of political, economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the emirate of support for extremist groups. Doha denies the claims and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said there is no basis to the allegations and offered Qatar Turkey's support. Turkey has provided food and other aid via hundreds of planes and a cargo ship, although Ankara's attempts to mediate between the sides have so far come to nothing. Crucially, Ankara is also setting up a military base on the emirate that is set to give Turkey a new foothold in the Gulf. A bill was fast-tracked through the Turkish parliament this month as the crisis broke out giving Ankara a mandate to send up to several thousand troops to the base. An initial contingent of 23 soldiers and five armoured vehicles arrived in Qatar on June 22. Last week Riyadh and its allies issued 13 demands to Qatar, including the shutdown of the Turkish military base, or face further sanctions. Erdogan hit back at the Saudi-led demands, calling the sweeping demands "against international law" and saying that asking for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Qatar was a "disrespect to Turkey." Yet Ankara has also been careful not to directly criticise Riyadh and previously urged the kingdom to lead attempts to solve the crisis. Iraq declared the Islamic State groups caliphate was coming to an end after it recaptured Mosuls iconic Nuri mosque on Thursday, three years to the day after it was proclaimed by the jihadists. The jihadist group announced its self-styled caliphate on June 29, 2014 across swathes of territory its fighters overran in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. Its rule since then has been marked by repeated atrocities including mass beheadings and other executions documented in photos and videos that its supporters share online. Counter-Terrorism Service forces control the Nuri mosque and Al-Hadba (minaret), Iraqs joint operations command said in a statement. Staff lieutenant general Abdulghani al-Assadi, a senior CTS officer, also confirmed its recapture, telling state TV that the mosque is (now) behind our units. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed the recapture of the mosque as a sign of ISISs impending defeat. We are seeing the end of the fake Daesh state, Mr Abadi said in an English statement on his Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for ISIS. The mosque and its famed Al-Hadba (hunchback) leaning minaret were Mosul landmarks and also held major significance in the history of ISIS rule in Iraq. ISIS declared its caliphate in an audio recording three years ago. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting at the White House in Washington. (Photo: AP) Islamabad: Pakistan criticised the Indo-US joint statement asking Islamabad to rein in cross-border terrorism, saying it failed to address key sources of tension and instability in South Asia and "aggravates" an already "tense situation". The meeting in Washington between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a missed opportunity to induce India to alter its policies inimical to peace in the region, the Foreign Ministry said here in a statement. The Joint Statement is singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region, it said. "By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation," it said. During Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US, India and the US vowed to strengthen cooperation against terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and D Company, while asking Pakistan to ensure that its soil is not used for terror strikes against other nations. In a joint statement released after talks between Modi and Trump, the two nations called on Islamabad to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups." The foreign office, criticising the Indo-US joint statement, said "India's persistent gross human rights violations in Kashmir and state-backed persecution of religious minorities in India need to be replaced by respect for basic human dignity, protection of life, property and freedom of speech". "Democratic stewardship, as claimed in the statement, demands that as a minimum," it said. Pakistan firmly believes in the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and supports the peaceful struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self determination -- a right promised to them by the international community through repeated UN Security Council resolutions, it said. "Any attempt to equate the peaceful indigenous Kashimiri struggle with terrorism, and to designate individuals supporting the right to self determination as terrorists is unacceptable," the foreign office, apparently referring to the designation of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "global terrorist". Equally unacceptable is the "willful disregard of the atrocities being committed by Indian security forces against innocent Kashimiri civilians". This undermines the ideals and principles of the UN Charter. It endangers peace and security in the region, it said. Pakistan stands ready and committed to resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir, with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions that underscore the importance of addressing the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, the foreign office said, adding that this is a commitment that India also needs to make publicly. Pakistan has been the "primary victim of terrorism" in the region and claimed that its contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism are un-matched, it said. "Through relentless security operations, we have achieved significant success in eliminating terrorists and their networks from our soil without discrimination. We are committed to bring the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion by eliminating this scourge from our soil. "Pakistan expects the international community to unequivocally stand with it in this fight against terrorism," the foreign office said. Regrettably, those who seek to appropriate a leadership role in the fight against terror are themselves responsible for much of the terror unleashed in recent years in Pakistan, it said. "India has supported the Tehrek-Taleban as a proxy against Pakistan from across the border. India's culpability in creating this further source of regional insecurity cannot be ignored," the foreign office said. Pakistan is also deeply concerned on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. Such sales accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia, it said. This further emboldens India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and even contemplate military adventurism. Transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis-incentivised India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restraint regime and durable security architecture in the region, the foreign office added. Beijing: China on Thursday asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a "meaningful dialogue" to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn "historical lessons", in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed a photograph of Indian "incursion" into Donglong area and said the dispute which is becoming a confrontation of sorts between the troops on the ground can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photograph from the podium. He said the photographs will be displayed on the Foreign Ministry's website later. "The diplomatic channel for communication remains unimpeded. We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary immediately. This is the precondition for the settlement of this incident and also the basis for us to conduct any meaningful dialogue," he said. Addressing the media around the same time, China's Defence spokesman Col Wu Qian rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory in Donglong area, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. Asked about the protest lodged by Bhutan that the PLA has transgressed its territory in Donglong area as well as reports that Chinese military has destroyed bunkers of Indian army in the area, Col Wu said the PLA troops carried out "appropriate response to incursion" by Indian border guards into Chinese territory. "The Indian border troupe personnel have entered the Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector of the India-China borders. They tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglong region. We carried out appropriate responses to halt these actives to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. The Chinese military rejected as "extremely irresponsible" Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Responding to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu Qian said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. "Indian Army is fully ready for a two and a half front war," Rawat had said recently. Beijing: China's military on Thursday rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told the media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here. Recently, the Chinese army (People's Liberation Army) started construction of a road towards Bhutanese Army camp at Zomphlri in Doklam area which is in violation of an agreement between the two countries," Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel had said in New Delhi. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. New Delhi: Bhutan has protested to China over the construction of a road in disputed territory that has already heightened tensions between Beijing and the Indian government, reports said Thursday. Bhutan's ambassador to New Delhi, Vetsop Namgyel, said his government had called on China's People's Liberation Army to stop building the road in the district of Sikkim at a point where the Bhutan, Indian and Chinese borders meet. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here," Namgyel said. He said the road was "in violation of an agreement between the two countries." Bhutan and China do not have formal relations but maintain contacts through their missions in New Delhi. "Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquility should be maintained," the ambassador said. The tiny Himalayan kingdom has found itself dragged into a mounting dispute between India and China over the territorial limit between India's Sikkim state and Tibet. India's army chief travelled to Sikkim on Thursday, days after Beijing accused Indian border guards of crossing into its territory to stop the construction of the road. Indian media said China had stopped pilgrims crossing into Tibet to visit a mountain revered as the home of the Hindu god Shiva. India and China have long disputed parts of their frontier in the Himalayas. In 1962 there was a brief war over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. In 2014, Chinese troops moved into Sikkim territory claimed by India sparking a two week standoff. Foreign policy observers feel that China is accusing India of disturbing the peace at the Sikkim border to hide the Chinese unilateral aggression. (Representational image) New Delhi: Bhutan on Thursday accused China of violating the boundary agreements to refrain from taking unilateral action or use of force to change the status quo of the Bhutan-China boundary between the two countries, saying that on June 16, 2017, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) started constructing a motorable road from Dokola in the Doklam area towards the Bhutan Army camp at Zompelri. Foreign policy observers feel that China is accusing India of disturbing the peace at the Sikkim border to hide the Chinese unilateral aggression. Bhutan said it has conveyed to the Chinese side on the ground and through diplomatic channels that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements and affects the process of demarcation of boundary. Bhutan has called for status quo in the Doklam area to be maintained as before June, 2017. Bhutan pointed out that it had been decided in written agreements in 1988 and 1998 between Bhutan and China that the two sides would agree to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas pending resolution of their boundary dispute. News / National by Staff reporter A top official in opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) has said Morgan Tsvangirai must represent the opposition alliance in the presidential election mid-next year, his fourth time as a presidential candidate."I have always said we will never have a perfect leader. Let Tsvangirai lead us in the coalition. Let us have in addition a very strong non-partisan presidential team to prop him up and fill the gaps," PDP secretary for economic affairs Vince Musewe said on his Facebook wall. PDP spokesperson Jacob Mafume said they were yet to endorse an alliance presidential candidate."We appreciate and acknowledge comments made by Vince, we don't find fault in them, and it's his opinion. But as a party we say first things first and then we talk of a coalition. If we do the opposite, then we run the risk of having a leader without the coalition." Col Wu Qian was responding to questions about media reports that the PLA had carried out an exercise involving a new type of 35-tonne light weight tank in Tibet. Beijing: The Chinese military on Thursday said it has conducted trials of a new light weight battle tank in the remote Himalayan region of Tibet near the Indian border. The 35-tonne tank has carried out trials in the plains of Tibet, Peoples Liberation Army spokesman Col Wu Qian said at a media briefing here. He was responding to questions about media reports that the PLA had carried out an exercise involving a new type of 35-tonne light weight tank in Tibet. When asked whether it is targeted against India, the PLA spokesman said, The purpose is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country. Though Wu did not provide details of the new battle tank, a Chinese news site had reported that the PLA had tested the tank named Xinqingtan, in Tibet near the Indian border. The Government has stated that the US Administration had used the term Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in a recent statement is just to refer to cross-border terrorism launched against India from Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement in New Delhi on Thursday to point out that the US State Department had used the same term in the past too. The opposition Congress slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government for not objecting to the use of the term Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir by the US State Department in a statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to Washington DC for his maiden meeting with American President Donald Trump. The US State Department had used the term in the statement it issued announcing the designation of the Pakistan-based chief of terror organisation Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin, as a global terrorist. Under Salahuddins tenure as senior HM (Hizbul Mujahideen) leader, (the) HM has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 explosives attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, which injured 17 people, the US State Department said in the statement issued on June 26. The use of the term Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir merely affirms our position that Syed Salahuddin has been involved in cross-border terrorism against India, Gopal Baglay, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a statement on Thursday. The Congress had pointed out that the use of the term Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir by the US State Department had been contradictory to New Delhis stand that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir had been and would remain an integral part of India. Shocking that the US Governments order on Syed Salahuddin refers to Indian Administered J&K. No protest from Modi government. Complicit sell-out? Randeep Surjewala, the spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee, posted on Twitter. Modiji and BJP drumbeat and preach 'Pseudo Nationalism' every day. India asks - why have you accepted US phrase of Indian-administered J&K? he added in another post. The Government, however, sought to defend itself on Thursday, pointing it out that the US State Department had used the term Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in its annual country reports on terrorism issued during the previous years, including between 2010 and 2013 a period when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was in power in New Delhi. Similar term has been used in the State Department's country reports on terrorism brought out every year, including in the period 2010 - 2013, in the context of cross-border terrorism perpetrated on India. India's consistent position that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India is well known, said Baglay. The MEA spokesperson said that India had welcomed the US Administrations move to designate Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This long-awaited step had been under discussion, he said. Baglay also claimed that the joint statement issued on June 26 after Prime Ministers talks with US President was the strongest joint expression of the commitment by India and America to be shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism. He said that the recent India-US joint statement called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory was not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell was today charged with multiple child sex offences in Australia, police said. Pell, the country's most senior Catholic cleric, was interviewed in Rome by Australian police last October over the allegations which he strongly denies. "Victoria Police have charged Cardinal George Pell with historical sexual assault offences," Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters. "There are multiple complainants relating to those charges." Patton said the 76-year-old was charged on summons and was required to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a hearing. Patton would not take any questions, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. The Pell charges came at the final stages of a long- running national inquiry into institutional responses to child sex abuse, which was ordered by the government in 2012. The cardinal has appeared before the royal commission three times, once in person and twice via video-link, during which he admitted that he "mucked up" in dealing with paedophile priests in Victoria state in the 1970s. Pell was ordained in Rome in 1966 before returning to Australia in 1971 and rising to become the nation's top Catholic official. He left for the Vatican in 2014 after being hand-picked by Pope Francis to make the church's finances more transparent. The mortal remains of notorious smuggler Mustafa Dossa alias Mustafa Majnu, a convict in the 12 March 1993 serial blasts, was laid to rest on Thursday at Bada Qabrastan located between the Charni Road and Marine Lines station in south Mumbai. Dossa, 61, died following a massive heart attack at the jail ward of the Sir JJ Hospital, at 14.30 hrs on Wednesday, where he was admitted following uncontrolled diabetes, hyper-tension and fever. On Tuesday, the CBI had sought the death penalty for him. The post-mortem was conducted and the family was handed over the body around 2200 hrs to the family. It was taken to the family mansion, Aqdas Apartments in Agripada and then to the Bada Kabrastan around 0130 hrs on Thursday, where he was laid to rest next to his father's grave. Around 200 people took part in the funeral, mostly comprising family members, friends. One son based in Dubai, Shahnawaz also arrived for the last rites. Tight security arrangements were in place at the residence of the Dossas and the graveyard. Dossa is survived by two wives, three sons and two daughters. The Dossas are businessmen hailing from Gujarat and reportedly owns several shops in Mumbai and the Gulf. His elder brother, Mohammed Dosa, who was the chief landing agent of Karachi-based don and global terrorist, Dawood Ibrahim, is still absconding. Dossa had organised the landing of RDX, AK-56 rifles and grenades in Raigad district besides taking part in the conspiracy meeting in Dubai. Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea today filed a complaint with police alleging that she was beaten up by Byculla Prison officials. Indrani, booked for rioting in the women's prison here along with other inmates, two days back alleged that she was beaten up by jail officials and threatened of sexual assault after the death of a convict sparked protest in the prison. A special CBI court yesterday allowed the 44-year-old former media executive to lodge her complaint against the prison officials. Following the court's directions, Indrani went to Nagpada police station at around 12.30 am and submitted a written application, a senior police officer said. In her application, Indrani alleged that she was also hurt when the Byculla prison officials cane-charged inmates to disperse them, the officer said. Indrani was among nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla Jail booked by Nagpada police for rioting and other offences after they staged a protest over the death of a convict, Manju Govind Shette (45). Shette died at the government-run J J Hospital on June 23 after allegedly being beaten up by a woman official of the jail. The next day, enraged women inmates rose in protest, some of them went up to the prison's roof, while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger, a police official said. The inmates alleged that Shette was mercilessly beaten up by the woman prison official which led to her death. A prison department official said on Monday that Indrani "instigated" the inmates by asking them to shun food and "use their children as shields" when prison staffers tried to stop them from agitating and gathering without permission. Amidst tight security, the criminal courts here in Nampally on Thursday convicted four out of the 14 accused in the murder attempt case on MIMs Chandrayangutta legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi. The court while acquitting ten accused including main accused Mohammed Pahelwan, found Hassan Bin Omer, Abdullah Bin Yousuf, Awad Bin Younus, and Mohammed Bin Saleh Wahlan guilty and sentences them to 10 years of imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine. It was on 30 April 2011 that Akbaruddin Owaisi, younger brother of MIM Chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi was attacked in broad daylight while he was on his way to attend a party programme in Barkas under Chandrayangutta Assembly constituency. With five deep cut injuries on the hands and three bullet injuries on the abdomen, Akbaruddin was rushed to the nearby Owaisi Hospital where he was later declared out of danger. Akbar fully recovered after a month long treatment and multiple surgeries at a corporate hospital in Banjara hills. China's military today rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told the media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here. Recently, the Chinese army (People's Liberation Army) started construction of a road towards Bhutanese Army camp at Zomphlri in Doklam area which is in violation of an agreement between the two countries," Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel had said in New Delhi. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. Are cows more important than women in India? It may not be a question asked by many people, but unless you live under a rock and are oblivious to the #NotInMyName protests that even had Prime Minister Modi address the nation about the threat of cow vigilantism and lynchings, this question, asked by a 23-year-old Delhi-based photographer that had Indian women wearing cow masks may just interest you. Sujatro Ghosh said that he was inspired to take up the project to protest and resist against the growth of violent cow vigilantism in India. A post shared by Sujatro Ghosh (@sujatroghosh) on Jun 21, 2017 at 7:54am PDT "I am perturbed by the fact that in my country, cows are considered more important than a woman, that it takes much longer for a woman who is raped or assaulted to get justice than for a cow which many Hindus consider a sacred animal," Ghosh was quoted saying to the BBC. After purchasing cow masks from a party shop in New York earlier this month and persuading his subjects to wear them, Ghosh clicked his subjects, both indoors and out in the public. A post shared by Sujatro Ghosh (@sujatroghosh) on Jun 18, 2017 at 7:42am PDT "I photographed women from every part of society. I started the project from Delhi since the capital city is the hub of everything - politics, religion, even most debates start here....I took the first photo in front of the iconic India Gate, one of the most visited tourist places in India. Then I photographed a model in front of the presidential palace, another on a boat in the Hooghly river in Kolkata with the Howrah bridge as the backdrop." But are cows really more important in India than women like Sujatro Ghosh claims? It seems he is correct, certainly in certain parts such as Haryana, considering the passage of the controversial Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, which allows for up to 10 years imprisonment in case of cow slaughter and also makes it a non-bailable offence. Take a look and compare the quantum of punishment for some of the other offences, including some crimes against women and decide for yourself. Opinion / Columnist Special Economic Zone Board Is a None Entity Harare - Beitbridge Chirundu Project Air Zimbabwe Deal Where Is Dangotte? I'm Suggesting Policy Dialogue Summary of Harare Chirundu Beitbridge Road Project Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of MINDS which is responsible for policy analysis and research. He is an academic and researcher. He can be contacted at greaterminds@gmail.com I'm very disappointed with the way this current regime is handling policy matters. We are in this current mess because of policy inconsistency. We have a big problem in Zimbabwe, and it seems some people somewhere they don't want to appreciate that there are policy makers out there who can do this job for free in order to save our country from further embarrassment. We are in real trouble, and I believe someone is benefitting from this loot. All these people they are concerned with lining their pockets at the expense of this nation. We have a challenge and we must admit that indeed we have failed and then we take it from there. We have lost billions of dollars from fake investors who are after shady deals. Policy makers are there to advise the Government on how best they can do business. To run a country is not an easy task therefore it needs a business mind with people at heart. With the way things are happening in our country, I'm not sure whether this regime is still consulting anyone.I was looking at the current board which was appointed by the President to deal with the economic affairs of this country. The idea was good but it was not a good timing and at the same time the figures who are occupying the board have questionable credentials. I've a problem when I see Gideon Gono's hands near economic issues, I feel like vomiting as a policy maker because Gono messed up big time. We are in this mess because of people like Gono. My question will then be people like Gono what will they contribute towards the rebuilding of this country. He left a debt amounting to 1.6 billion for RBZ and up to now nobody knows what happened for RBZ to have such kind of debt. We have people like Mary Mubaiwa Chiwenga the wife of Defence Commander. My question is what qualification does Mary have to sit in that board? An economic board of that nature must have academics, economists and policy makers who are non-partisan, who have the country at heart. We kindly advise the Government of Zimbabwe to disband that board because for now it is not necessary to have such boards, what is needed for now is to come up with stern measures to deal with the economy. As long as our policies are not in good shape we are wasting our time. Any investor who is willing to partner with the current regime will first review the current policies in this country.This project is a big disappointment. I was going through the paper work from someone. Do we really have leadership in this country? How did ZANU PF Government arrive at the figure of 1.4 billion (UNITED STATES DOLLAR)? Where is the bill of quantity? Who did the feasibility studies? This is incorrect. We have already a dying economy and such kind of loot will further plunge the country into further collapse. I believe the idea is good, and the Government should do a good job to disclose all the figures in a Government gazette and inform the nation how they arrived on such figures and at the same time we have youths in this country, we have war veterans, we have graduates who are not employed, how will they benefit from these contracts. There is need for the parliament of Zimbabwe to summon the minister of transport to explain the circumstances surrounding this deal. This is a big worry to all Zimbabweans considering the unemployment rate in this country and the current state of our economy.This came as a shock that Air Zimbabwe purchased planes from Malaysia and this came as a big surprise. The most disgusting thing is that air Zimbabwe is owing a lot of creditors' money and at the same time these are second hand planes that have been offloaded by the Malaysian airline. My question is then what benefit do we have to those second class planes? This is very worrying considering that this is involving public funds from the Government of Zimbabwe. What is important for now is to set measures (policies) that should lure investors in order to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI). How much was used to purchase these planes? Who made this approval? Who was consulted? Which are the key decisions that were made that made them to arrive to such a decision? We have over 75% of the population of people who are going to bed without any meal, yet someone is purchasing second class planes from Malaysia.One big worry is where is Zimbabwe going? Zimbabwe is now an empty shell with nothing. Most minerals have vanished and nothing has happened. We have Dangotte who expressed interest to invest in Zimbabwe, but as we speak we have no progress on this gentlemen. My big question what made Dangotte to be reluctant on investing in Zimbabwe? We have a serious policy problem in this country. Zimbabwe leaders should come up with a strategy to have policy dialogue with all stakeholders on the way forward to deal with the policy crisis. Dangotte has so far invested in more than 21 countries leaving out Zimbabwe which has serious political and economic questions.I have a strong conviction that the major challenge we have is policy inconsistency. We can have so many blue prints in this country but the major problem is inconsistency. No one is prepared to go to bed with ZANU PF for now in business until we have a clear policy frame work in the following areas- Succession issue- Mining sector- Agriculture sector- Infrastructure development sector- Production sector- Property rights- Alignment of new laws- Human rights issuesConstruction and dualisation project of the 897km Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu stretch is expected to cost entire US$2, 7 billion.However, construction experts told this paper that considering the economic crisis the country finds itself in, rehabilitation of the road would have made economic sense than dualisation."The construction of the road is necessary, but at the moment it is not viable as the Transport master plan clearly states that what could be feasible is to rehabilitate the road like they did with the 820km Plumtree-Mutare highway which cost US$206 million without dualising," said the expert.Even a government-commissioned report seen by the Zimbabwe Independent, titled The Transport Master Plan, which looked at a holistic picture of the transport sector, reveals that although the project is economically desirable, it is however uneconomic and unaffordable."Funding for roads should normally come from the national fiscus, but because of the economic difficulties experienced by Zimbabwe and with limited funding from multilateral financial institutions and bi-lateral foreign donors, funding for capital projects has been very limited in the past decade or more," reads the master plan. Mutual funds have to work on due diligence practices before picking up corporate bonds and should not just rely only on credit ratings given the rising defaults, Sebi chairman Ajay Tyagi said today. "There are instances of defaults on debt portfolio so naturally mutual funds need to strengthen their due diligence and evaluation mechanisms and not only depend on credit rating agencies," Tyagi told an Amfi summit here. The Sebi chief also warned MFs against playing too much on debt funds, given the poor shape of many corporates, also the bad loans in the banking system and the possibility of some of such funds finding their way into the fund houses. "Care should be taken that NPAs do not get shifted to MF portfolio by way of debt transfer," Tyagi warned. The warning from the markets watchdog comes amidst many companies including Amtek Auto, Jindal Steel & Power, Ballarpur Industries, having defaulted on their debt coupon payments in recent past and given the pathetic shape of the balance sheets of many companies and their possible liquidation in the medium term. Last fortnight as many as 12 largest defaulters were named by the Reserve Bank and asked banks to refer them to the National Company Law Tribunal. These 12 companies like Essar Steel, Bhushan Steel, Bhushan Power, Lanco Infra and Amtek Auto among others owe over Rs 2 trillion to banks, which is a quarter of the entire bad loans of the banking system. The others named by RBI are: Alok Industries, Monnet Ispat, Electrosteel Steels, Era Infra, Jypaee Infratech, ABG Shipyard and Jyoti Structures. Of these, already Essar Steel, Bhushan Power, Bhushan Steel, Lanco, Amtek and Electrosteel have already been referred to NCLT for insolvency proceedings by banks. Asking large institutional investors to play a more active role in ensuring better corporate governance, Tyagi said they need to to get more "actively involved" in monitoring corporate governance. But he was quick to note that MFs compared to other institutional investors are far more responsible when it comes to corporate governance wherever there are invested in. "From 2012-13, when 51 percent of MFs strayed from voting decisions, in 2015-16 it has come down to only 8 per cent. MFs have been participating in corporate governance and decision-making at boards. This is very encouraging. We want other investors to also do the same," Tyagi said. Alleged lack of corporate governance came to the fore at the country's most respected corporations like the Tatas and Infosys in recent times. Tyagi also reiterated call for asset managers to consolidate schemes saying too many funds are creating confusion. "There are over 2,000 schemes being run by 45 fund houses. More schemes lead to confusion among investors." Supporting consolidation in the industry, he said merger or consolidation can improve ease of doing business. "There was also the tax issue and the government has agreed to it but I think it needs to be pursued by Amfi so that mergers can take place," Tyagi said. Asking the industry to tap the vast untapped hinterland instead of being content with the top 15 cities, he said, "there is good penetration beyond the top 15 cities but more needs to be done. Despite doubling of AUM only 16 percent AUM come from beyond the top 15 cities." Pointing out that those who have trodden hinterland path have benefited immensely, he said, "AUMs beyond the top 15 cities has more than doubled since 2013-14. This is a matter of satisfaction that MFs are spreading to more areas and remote towns and more increase in equity schemes shows more individuals are participating." This has also led to an increase in the portfolios which have grown to 5.7 crore. Besides, equities funds are also outperforming their benchmark indices, which shows that "MFs have emerged as a back bone of domestic investments. They have provided a stabilising factor against global and macro situations," the chairman said. Tapping the hinterland is also needed to achieve the Amfi projection of taking the AUM to the century trillion mark, he said. "The Amfi has projects the industry AUM of Rs 94 trillion by 2025. This will not be possible only from the top 15 cities. It should be a core strategy for MFs to strengthen investors base." On the move towards allowing a combined KYC for all financial sector investments through the bank account, he said he fully supports this and added that Sebi is in advanced discussions with government and RBI for having simplified and uniform KYC." No-frills carrier IndiGo on Thursday sent an unsolicited missive expressing its keenness to buy stakes in Air India within hours of the government announcing its in principle nod for disinvesting the national carrier. The airlines' formal correspondence reached the Ministry of Civil Aviation though the government is yet to finalise contours of the disinvestment, including how much stake should be divested. Sources said IndiGo informed MoCA that it is interested in buying the international operations of Air India and Air India Express and if this option is not available, then they would be in for buying it as a whole. Minister of State Jayant Sinha and Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said they have received the letter from IndiGo, currently the industry leader with around 40% share of the market. "IndiGo says it is interested in Air India and have sent expression of interest," Sinha said. Choubey said the IndiGo correspondence says they have heard this news and would be interested in buying stakes in the national carrier. However, Choubey added, "they can apply only when the formal bid is launched. This shows how the market views Air India as a company of tremendous value and potential, he said. Sources said IndiGo's plan appear to be consolidating its international market as it has already consolidated its numero uno position in the domestic market. Sinha said more players, including international players, have shown interest informally but IndiGo is the first formal one. There were speculation last week that the Tata Group have met top government functionaries and expressed interest in buying Air India. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave an "in principle" go ahead for the strategic disinvestment of debt-ridden Air India after tasking a Group of Ministers led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to work out its modalities. As the group of ministers are poised to start working, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said they would be meeting stakeholders, including former Civil Aviation Ministers. "We want to make Air India an economically viable unit which entails element of privatisation. We will take the opinion of former Civil Aviation Ministers too for Air India," he said adding that one cannot keep taxpayers' money for eternity to run an airline. Sinha said the consultative process would start with interactions with former aviation ministers. Aviation experts, Air India management and employees will also be consulted before taking a final decision. Echoing Raju, he said the brand name Air India has an economic value which will be attractive for private players. China today asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a "meaningful dialogue" to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn "historical lessons", in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed a photograph of Indian "incursion" into Donglong area and said the dispute which is becoming a confrontation of sorts between the troops on the ground can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photograph from the podium. He said the photographs will be displayed on the Foreign Ministry's website later. "The diplomatic channel for communication remains unimpeded. We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary immediately. This is the precondition for the settlement of this incident and also the basis for us to conduct any meaningful dialogue," he said. Addressing the media around the same time, China's Defence spokesman Col Wu Qian rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory in Donglong area, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. Asked about the protest lodged by Bhutan that the PLA has transgressed its territory in Donglong area as well as reports that Chinese military has destroyed bunkers of Indian army in the area, Col Wu said the PLA troops carried out "appropriate response to incursion" by Indian border guards into Chinese territory. "The Indian border troupe personnel have entered the Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector of the India-China borders. They tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglong region. We carried out appropriate responses to halt these actives to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. The Chinese military rejected as "extremely irresponsible" Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Responding to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu Qian said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. "Indian Army is fully ready for a two and a half front war," Rawat had said recently. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that killing in the name of 'gau raksha' must stop and just words were not enough. "We condemn killings taking place in the name of gau raksha. This must stop now. Just words not enough", Banerjee said in a tweet. Her tweet came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in Ahmedabad that killing of people in the name of cow protection is not acceptable. "Killing people in the name of 'gau bhakti' is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve," he said. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands," he said. Senior IAS officer Rajive Kumar today took over as the new chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh as the Yogi Adityanath government carried out a major bureaucratic reshuffle involving 44 IAS officers. A 1981-batch IAS officer, Kumar, who was repatriated by the Centre to his cadre state - Uttar Pradesh - before the completion of his tenure as Union shipping secretary, took over from Rahul Bhatnagar. Bhatnagar has been shifted to Greater Noida as chairman, with additional charge as investment commissioner of Uttar Pradesh in New Delhi. He was continuing as UP's top bureaucrat from the days of the previous Samajwadi Party government and the appointment of a new chief secretary was expected after the BJP stormed to power in Uttar Pradesh. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) had last week approved Kumar's premature repatriation to his cadre. In his previous stint in Uttar Pradesh, Kumar was a principal secretary holding important posts. He went on central deputation during the previous SP government and was appointed secretary, Ministry of Shipping, in 2014. Kumar had also been given the additional charge of principal resident commissioner of Uttar Pradesh in New Delhi. Soon after assuming office, Kumar said his main task would be to "speed up the work in the priority areas identified by the chief minister". The UP government also effected a major bureaucratic shake-up today. Commissioner, Meerut, Prabhat Kumar has been divested of the additional charge of chairman, Greater Noida, a post that has gone to Bhatnagar. Kumar, however, will continue as chairman of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), Gautam Budh Nagar. Resident commissioner of UP in New Delhi and CEO, Greater Noida, Devashish Panda has been divested of the additional charge of investment commissioner, UP in New Delhi, another post that has been given to Bhatnagar. Another senior IAS officer, who recently returned to his parent cadre from the Centre, Sanjay Bhoosreddy has been made principal secretary, sugar industry and cane development. He has been given additional charge as cane commissioner. In the reshuffle today, the government also posted some IAS officers who held key positions during the previous Akhilesh Yadav government and were waiting for a posting after being shunted out soon after Adityanath assumed office on March 19. Senior IAS officer Navneet Sehgal has been made principal secretary, khadi and gramodyog, and Gurdeep Singh has been made member, revenue board, while Amit Kumar Ghosh has been appointed as secretary, backward caste welfare board. Another senior officer Rama Raman has been posted as secretary and director of the handicraft and textile industry at Kanpur, an official spokesman said. Another senior officer Anita Singh, who wielded enormous clout in the previous regime, and was waiting for posting, has been made principal secretary, samagragramvikas department, while Dimple Verma has become the principal secretary, externally-funded projects department. The spokesman said that Satyendra Singh has been made special secretary, national integration department, and Vijay Kumar Yadav posted as special secretary, divyang empowerment department. An elderly French woman, who was associated with a voluntary organisation, was allegedly raped by a guard in Varanasi. According to the police sources here, the 70-year old French national, who worked as a volunteer with an NGO and taught disabled children, lived at a resort near Shoolantkeshar area in the city. Police said that on Wednesday night her guard identified as Om Prakash, barged into her room in an inebriated state and raped her after assaulting her. The septuagenarian lady suffered injuries on her head and was admitted to the hospital. The matter came to light on Thursday morning when the old lady informed other members of the NGO about the incident. Police sources said that a medical examination of the victim has confirmed rape. The guard, who had been deployed for her security by the organisation about four month back, is absconding, the police said. A case was registered at Rohaniya police station and a hunt had been launched to nab the culprit, police added. A picture of Union minister Radha Mohan Singh urinating in the open has gone viral, with netizens trolling him on social media and raising questions over the government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In the picture, Singh is seen urinating against the wall of a building as his security officers stand guard. A vehicle with red beacon is also seen in the TV footage aired by some news channels. The picture has gone viral on social media and has drawn sharp criticism for what is being described as "blatant violation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" launched by the Prime Minister amid much fanfare. The spot and date on which the photos were taken are not known. The Union agriculture minister, who was in his native constituency of Motihari in connection with Eid, had left for Delhi on Monday night. The photo could be of this period when Singh attended many functions in his constituency, sources told PTI. The minister was not available for comments and repeated repeated phone calls elicited the 'standard response' that he was in some meeting. In Motihari, his kins, however, were critical of the media for airing such footage."Urination is a natural biological urge of a human being, so why such things are highlighted to create controversy...are urinals available everywhere?" his son-in-law Sujit Kumar Singh told PTI in Motihari. East Champaran district BJP leader Lal Babu Prasad was also critical of the media wondering if "such things should be shown by media". Radha Mohan Singh is a fourth-term MP from Motihari in Bihar. State BJP president Nityanand Rai also refused to say anything. The opposition party leaders came down heavily on the minister for his act, with RJD president Lalu Prasad retweeting his party's earlier tweet which mockingly said, "Krishi mantri sukhar prabhit khetra mein sichai yojna ki suraut karte hua...unhone swaccha bharat abhiyan ko gati di." His son and Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav posted the controversial photo to draw attention to red beacon on the car near him, saying "search red beacon in the photo." JD(U) Secretary-General and Chief national spokesperson KC Tyagi told PTI over phone, "The minister is exposing hollowness of swachata abhiyan launched by the PM from the ramparts of Red Fort." Pakistan has criticised the Indo-US joint statement asking it to rein in cross-border terrorism as a "singularly unhelpful" document that would further "embolden" India to even contemplate "military adventurism" and negate efforts to achieve durable peace in South Asia. The meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington was a "missed opportunity" to induce India to alter its policies "inimical to peace" in the region, the Foreign Ministry said here in a terse statement. The joint statement is "singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region, it said. "By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation," the statement issued last night said. During Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington, India and the US vowed to strengthen cooperation against terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and D-Company, while asking Pakistan to ensure that its soil is not used for terror strikes against other nations. In a joint statement released after maiden talks between Modi and Trump on June 26, the two nations called on Islamabad to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups." The statement said that Pakistan was also deeply concerned on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. Such sales "accentuate" military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia, it said, referring to the Trump administration's plans to sell Guardian drones and a C-17 heavy-lift cargo plane to India. "This further emboldens India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and even contemplate military adventurism. "Transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis- incentivised India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restraint regime and a durable security architecture in the region," the foreign office said. It also Pakistan firmly believes in the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and supports the peaceful struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self determination -- a right promised to them by the international community through repeated UN Security Council resolutions, it said. "Any attempt to equate the peaceful indigenous Kashimiri struggle with terrorism, and to designate individuals supporting the right to self determination as terrorists is unacceptable," the foreign office, apparently referring to the designation of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "global terrorist". Equally unacceptable is the "willful disregard of the atrocities being committed by Indian security forces against innocent Kashimiri civilians". This undermines the ideals and principles of the UN Charter. It endangers peace and security in the region, it said. Pakistan stands ready and committed to resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir, with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions that underscore the importance of addressing the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, the foreign office said, adding that this is a commitment that India also needs to make publicly. Claiming that Pakistan has been the "primary victim of terrorism" in the region, the statement said the country has achieved significant success in eliminating terrorists and their networks from its soil "without discrimination". "We are committed to bring the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion by eliminating this scourge from our soil. "Pakistan expects the international community to unequivocally stand with it in this fight against terrorism," the foreign office said. "Regrettably, those who seek to appropriate a leadership role in the fight against terror are themselves responsible for much of the terror unleashed in recent years in Pakistan", it claimed. "India has supported the Tehrek-Taleban as a proxy against Pakistan from across the border. India's culpability in creating this further source of regional insecurity cannot be ignored," the foreign office added. Opinion / Columnist Background Joining the Fragmented Dots Imaginary Authority The Reform Agenda Principle The Dotito Effect The Rising Physics Ghost Wither Bob Tricks? Conclusion Chana ChaVatete is a Zimbabwean writing in her personal capacity and her views do not represent that of any organization. Every political party and its supporters need to rise again and retain their relevance in the political sphere especially after losing an election in circumstances that they cannot clearly define nor understand. Those parties with genuine and legitimate followership will rise and fight again, whilst those without may suffer eminent death. However the ability to rise and pick up pieces, includes the membership's trust and belief in the party and its leadership or connection of the party to both the exogenous and endogenous influence playing out in the political economy of the country. The loss might force the party to take a ruthless introspection if they don't consider other causes to the loss such as violence, electoral manipulation and fear of the electorate to express their right to choose their leaders. The same hash judgment can be done by the international community on the said party, but not so obvious is true with the electorate which knows exactly who and how they voted and sadly lost.Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) was not immune to such a scenario and up to date hasn't fully recovered from the 2013 harmonized election loss and the reaction that came its way both internally and externally. The major blame on MDC-T's loss shifted from a clearly stolen election to the leader of the party who was an equal victim of a fraudulent electoral system. Instead of finding out what caused the loss or the mysterious 1 million new ZANU(PF) votes amid massive opposition support and Government of National Unity performance. Some politicians within MDC-T leadership took advantage of the situation and to tried and topple its leader Morgan Tsvangirai from power claiming he had lost 'too many' elections and is now beyond his sale by date.The first visible fragmentation of the MDC-T was seen when the former Secretary General, Tendai Biti and Deputy Treasurer General Elton Mangoma together with a few members of Parliament failed a coup de ta on Tsvangirai and went on to form their own party, People's Democratic Party (PDP) which later on split with Elton leading a splinter group called Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ). Whilst this was happening Tsvangirai was in the middle of trying to regroup his party, reenergize the electorate and reconnecting with traditional allies in the labor movement, civil society, the Church, international community and the peasants amongst many other sectors.His first strategic stop was engaging the Church who in past had played a critical role in the church-civil society network during the Magaret Dongo's election victory against the late Vivian Mwashita in Sunningdale, the constitutional reform agenda and the Save Zimbabwe Campaign that made it possible for the SADC negotiations to take place, amongst many other church led political processes. He then requested retired Bishop Sebastian Bakare who had been key in most of these initiatives to lead a project that would see Zimbabweans coming together at a common platform and be able to regain confidence to continue with the democratic fight that had been temporarily stolen by ZANU(PF).Bishop Bakare agreed to the idea, but requested for a semi-autonomy operation plan in terms of how he was going to implement the idea. Tsvangirai concurred. Given the blank cheque, the man of clothe, identified one academia and political author , Ibboston Joseph Mandaza to help him in crafting the idea into action. Given that this was after the split of the MDC-T, Ibbo found an opportunity of ensuring that this was the only way of making his cousin and fast politically sinking Tendai Biti relevant since his PDP had suffered a huge vote of no confidence from both the electorate and major international funders. Bishop Bakare then increased his levels of autonomy by sidelining Tsvangirai on what was happening within the set initiative by allowing Ibbo to give him technical team made up of a pro Tendai Biti team some who had worked for the MDC-T before the split. The vision shifted from coming up with the National Convergence Platform (NCP) as originally agreed between Tsvangirai and Bakare, to a 'people's platform' that would not only elect a new political leader but also form a new people's party most likely to be led by Tendai Biti as by this time PDP had not been formed. This was the Ibbo-Biti-Bakare axis of sidelining Tsvangirai.Having realized this, Tsvangirai and his party were not devoid of new ideas. He pulled out of the NCP agenda and set up Zimbabwe National Agreement Platform (ZiNAP) led by another clergy Bishop Ancellom Magaya, but not before he realized the potential conflict between the two platforms. He made an effort to try and see how the two can work together with no luck as Bakare literally stripped Bishop Magaya questioning his religious status standing and qualifications as a Bishop and declaring that NCP was his brain child and thus it could not be 'contaminated' by an MDC-T agenda nor an unordained Bishop. The two platforms went to exist separately albeit with not much national impact.Ibbo having seen the collapse the NCP which he thought a new breed of political leadership minus Tsvangirai was going to be presented to Zimbabweans, went on and started a new duplicate initiative to NCP, the National Transitional Authority(NTA) only that this NTA will be political but led by a non 'political' individual. Part of its mission highlighted that:"The creation of the NTA will require national convergence among all stakeholders. In this regard, it is important for ZANU PF, with its faulty majority from the contested 2013 electoral outcome to put national interests first and give Zimbabwe a chance. Equally it is incumbent upon exhausted players in opposition parties to stand aside and give Zimbabwe a chance." ( own emphasis This NTA immediately and coincidentally got a major buy in from the who is who in the intellectual society. Tendai Biti strategically supported it given that he believed in Ibbo and that he did not represent ZANU(PF) nor the "exhausted player in the opposition". Here was a 'new' political player with a new party that was less than a year old! The NTA clearly came out in the open unlike the NCP, that Morgan Tsvangirai was the target of how these intellectuals and elites wanted to define future politics of Zimbabwe.What Ibbo and company did not realize was that Zimbabwe as a nation was not yet ripe for this superficial elite arrangement to their politics. Politics in Zimbabwe still resonate around political parties with elections (whether stolen or not) giving mandate to the national leadership. Tendai Biti's involvement in the NTA, was to ensure that PDP becomes the political soft landing for NTA making Tendai Biti and PDP playing the 'technical brains behind the scene' role laterally making NTA report to PDP . However, Ibbo later realized that NTA was not as popular as he had imagined as he indicated in his interview with Violet Gonda where he said "they have been most opposed to it (NTA) the opposition parties. And for good reason they are not interested in reforms; they want to get back into power, back into office, back into salaries and state cars. That's all they want." [ link However Ibbo promised that a conference which coincided with Nkosaba Moyo's political party launch, was held which was not be an NTA launch, but a convergence on national dialogue to deal with the transitional crisis!Unlike what Ibbo said in the above interview, Tsvangirai was seized with moving away from the lost election preoccupation to a reform agenda beyond elections, but through his visionary Transformational Agenda plan of action. The Transformational Agenda included calls for electoral, institutional, economic and governance reforms. An initial step was the electoral advocacy framework, Without Reforms No Elections (WreNE) at party level which was later sold to other 13 political parties as National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA). Thus, Tsvangirai was more concerned by conditions where citizen will enjoy the right to choose their own leadership in a free and fair environment and not on positions or elitist frameworks such as NTA.With an impulsive response and not understanding the core objectives of NERA as an exclusively electoral reform platform, Tendai Biti went on in the company of other opposition leaders, created Coalition of Democrats (CODE) which they wanted to be in competition with NERA in the buildup of a pre election coalition. Not only did they reach out to amongst the political parties, Simba Makoni's MKD, Welshman Ncube's MDC, Dumiso Dabengwa's ZAPU and Elton Mangoma's RDZ, they also went on to fish out NERA members in the Form of Farai Mbira's ZUNDE and Dzikiti's DARE in an effort to weaken the Tsvangirai led initiative. Besides Simba Makoni and Dumiso Dabengwa, CODE was largely made up of former MDC-T members making it a more personal focus than objectivity. The two mutual members (ZUNDE and DARE) acted as a medium of information leakages between the two platforms making it an added advantage for CODE than for NERA in terms of information gaps.Tsvangirai as the person who was given the mandate by his National Council which is the highest decision making body between congresses, to deal with all issues pertaining to negotiations and coalitions, made it clear that MDC-T will negotiate bilaterally and not multilaterally, but also reserves the right to negotiate with individuals who MDC-T felt added value to the proposed coalition. MDC-T started to engage with ZimPF in mid 2016 and later on publicly signed MOUs with Joice Mujuru's NPP, Welshman Ncube's MDC with others pending with other parties such as Transform Zimbabwe(TZ). As this was shaping up, those opposed to Tsvangirai's leadership and at the backdrop of a weak CODE given the Welshman's brave stance, went on to bring up again the NTA-CODE hybrid that would identify once again a 'non exhausted leader' to lead the coalition. A meeting took place in Cape Town where an MOU was drafted with an unwritten statement pointing at a Nkosana Moyo leadership. This platform was called Mass of Opposition Movement (MOM). However to the surprise of many political analysts, MDC and PDP did not sign the MOU, with MDC-T and NPP either not even invited or invited, but not on time to travel and attend. Within 48 hours of returning into Zimbabwe the same parties who participated under MOM, but now as CODE led by MDC and PDP held a review meeting cum feedback meeting to which they agreed to abandon the MOM strategy since it was not home grown and lacked home based legitimacy. Because of the glaring absence of Mujuru and Tsvangirai in Cape Town, CODE resolved to join up with NERA and be able to bring the coalition agenda to NERA since it had more political traction given the presence of MDC-T and NPP. The hidden strategy was to vote as a block for a coalition leader once they get to that stage and use this 'democratic' process to sideline Tsvangirai and at least propose their Cape Town target of Nkosana Moyo. This platform later on became known as ZINERA.On another front, Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga who had played a role in linking up the then ZimPF and MDC after some Dubai meeting with Joice Banda the former Malawian President, later on exposed herself when she publicly bought into the NTA agenda of having an 'independent' leader of the coalition. When the NTA died a still birth, she started an initiative together with MDC-T's Thokozani Khupe and Joice Mujuru, to mobilse women voters for the 2018 elections yet in real terms it is mobilising for a female candidate. Her swing from the NTA idea to this 'women mobilisation' clearly proves that she will not motivate the women to vote for Tsvangirai candidacy. Whilst this platform is largely dominated by MDC-T women, it remains a mystery how Priscilla would wish to turn the same women against their leader especially in the presence of his immediate subordinate.Analyzing the NCP and its DNA within the body politic of the so called pro democracy movement one common agenda can be seen. That Tsvangirai has been under attack from his own erstwhile siblings. The artificial collapse of CODE into ZINERA that is if they even respect ZINERA enough not to contaminate it by faking alliance, the unheard life of MOM post Cape Town indaba and the introduction of coalition debate within ZINERA pauses new threats on Morgan Tsvangirai as group thinking and voting puts him into the minority.It is coming to the ears of this writer that ZINERA after the Masvingo meeting actually wants to identify a leader of the coalition in the form of Nkosana Moyo a physics lecturer and if it hapwns to be Morgan Tsvangirai then come up with a new coalition name thereby striping him of his traditional connection with MDC-T. Nkosana Moyo is likely going to come to Zimbabwe soon to launch his party. This is as a response to the resistance of a non partisan leader to lead the coalition. With the challenge of not having any political structures in the country, but with a lot of money, it is alleged that the mass resignation of NPP members is due to them being nocodimasly being recruited into the proposed new party.The move by Joice Mujuru to CODE proves that she is now weaker to challenge Tsvangirai for coalition leadership and going to CODE is simply because it gives her the opportunity to lead as a coalition leader buy abusing her liberation war credentials and an imagined membership which is better than the other CODE members. This it is imagined, will pause a challenge to whatever Tsvangirai remains with at NERA, but little does Mujuru know that those behind the scenes in CODE actually do not believe in her, but have milked her membership to support Nkosana Moyo. The carrot strategy to bring Joice Mujuru to CODE was made clear when block strategy made Tsvangirai who was the then convener of NERA at the time ZINERA was formed, be relegated to be chair of the Diplomatic Committee whilst Mujuru chairs the populist and strategic Political Committee responsible for national outreach. Automatically Mujuru will become the face of the coalition whilst Tsvangirai globe trots. Unfortunately the electorate hasn't been responding well in these joint rallies either under NERA or ZINERA. Doubts still remain when similar activities are done under CODE.The coming in of Nkosana Moyo would mean eventually those who always wanted him or anyone else but Tsvangirai, would push poor Mujuru out at the 11th hour of going to the polls, giving ZANU(PF) credit in the process something that might work for Tsvangirai but mainly for ZANU(PF) as the former is too broke to come up with a strong election campaign with a year remaining to the ballot. These massive defections from NPP purportedly to yet to be launched Nkosana Moyo led party would mean that Mujuru will be too weak to lead the coalition as those who always wanted Nkosana Moyo and lack confidence inthemselves would rally their membership to join his party so as to justify his coalition leadership. Not to be be outdone will be the group of young social media driven activists and some who used to belong to the now defunct social movements who will rush to be associated with Nkosana Moyo, whether for money or for nation building that question remains to be answered.With all this happening, and pointing fingers, let Zimbabweans not be fooled that the shrewd ZANU(PF) has been sleeping on the job. Yes with its own implosion, ZANU(PF) has not diverted from its mantra that "Tsvangirai will never lead this country". This rhetoric was managed to be sold to Joice Mujuru by certain sections of the securocrats who dangled the 'transfere of power' carrot. Mujuru was fooled that for her to be the next president she must discard Tsvangirai and the process of forming an election pact with MDC-T. To the shock of many avid supporters of a pre election coalition, Joice Mujuru came out in the public and questioned Tsvangirai's capacity to lead the coalition given that "some in the army and the policy would be worried that if someone becomes the president then they will lose their farms or will be punished for what they did in the past so they will be more comfortable having one of their on leading." Like hearing it from the ZANU(PF), Joice all of a sudden realized that Tsvangirai had no liberation credentials, ignored that he publicly stated that the land reform was irreversible and MDC-T will respect the constitution. Joice was quick to forget that Tsvangirai had assured the security sector and War veterans that their future and welfare was guaranteed under his leadership. Joice Mujuru swallowed the ZANU(PF) propaganda hook line and sinker and the ZANU(PF)'s strategy to stop Tsvangirai found a ready buyer.What has also made this strategy popular was through George Charamba's Nathaniel Manheru Column who has been consistant that Joice Mujuru's presidency or the coalition with Tsvangirai were never going to see the light of day. From the look of things, this will soon be a reality. ZANU(PF) has done a very good job of infiltrating Mujuru's project even to the highest level at the then ZimPF whilst sustaining its moles in MDC-T. ZimPF was a strong and confidence builder to the electorate as a potential coalition partner for any party. It chose a far more powerful partner in MDC-T. Then there was a split, making the remainder of ZimPF led by Dydimus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo (the later never really liked Tsvangirai) to struggle to make any national impact. It later on split with Bhasikiti and Mutambara going their own way.Whilst the NPP carried with it an irresistible brand in the form of Joice Mujuru by being both a liberation war hero and a woman, she was not strategic on how to create a winning team that does not carry with it past life spirits. However ZANU(PF) followed her in her new project after seeing the party signing an MOU with MDC-T. A sworn anti Tsvangirai one Siphepa Nkomo found himself as one of her Vice Presidents. This is Siphepa who left MDC-t together with his wife for Biti's PDP. When he found himself not getting the powerful post he wished for within PDP, he left to join Joice Mujuru who was signing an MOU with the same Tsvangirai. This is the same case with one Max Mkandhla who left MDC-T for PDP then to NPP before becoming the proposed spokes person for Nkosana Moyo. This 360 degrees circus by some of these individual proves how ZANU(PF) has infiltrated the pro democracy movement in its quest to tray and stop Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC-T.Whether the ZINERA in its bulkiness , Nkosana Moyo or the MDC defectors-centric anti Morgan Tsvangirai are independent or immune of ZANU(PF)'s global strategy, is still to be proved in a short term period. Tsvangirai can be credited for giving his adversaries a long rope. However, what has happened is that it has made NPP a very weak coalition partner with MDC-T and not so viable within the CODE setting where a preferred candidate is already on cards. This will make the ZANU(PF) agenda of ensuring that going into the next election there won't be any serious coalition to talk about, and in fact if there is any, it will be fragmented allowing ZANU(PF) to face a lone Tsvangirai, rig and win the next election. Finishing off the rich democratic dream in the process.As Zimbabwe just commemorated the epitome of Mugabe's desire to stay in power on 27 June when in 2008 he contested in a election alone after butchering more than 300 MDC-T supporters in the full glare of Joice Mujuru, as the nation's politics unfold towards the watershed election in 2018, it is critical that Zimbabweans understand who has been the real enemy of the people and also who has been the pillar with nine lives in the quest of seeing a democratic developmental State in the post independence republic. What Morgan Tsvangirai represents is what many people have appreciated and expressed it through their vote, whilst a few choose to ignore including those who started this people's project. His resonance with the people, his leadership of a political movement with a pool of diverging personalities and views has made him to look at these fights against him as part of a struggle not competition of personalities led by elitists not disregarding his personal faults and limitations.It is the hope of many free thinking and peace loving Zimbabweans that the strongest coalition remains embedded in the original MDC of 1999. That what has been shown by Welshman trickle to his learned friend and comrade Tendai Biti's mind of minds and hearts of hearts to forgive and put Zimbabweans at the centre of this struggle. As we think of our future as a people, let us open our politically wide shut eyes and mind, remember the journey travelled and ensure that the struggle must be led by the people's choice! Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that killing of people in the name of cow protection is not acceptable is not for the first time. Last year too, he had come down heavily on the cow vigilantes or gau-rakshaks in the wake of numerous attacks on Dalits in the name of preventing transport of cows for slaughter. If Modi spoke last time seven months before the Uttar Pradesh polls, this time too, he said it ahead of Gujarat elections, which will be held in December this year. In the both the states, the BJP faces a big task to not just win over but also retain Dalit votes. Dalits and Muslims have been targeted by cow vigilantes as some of them are seen as traditionally being connected to the trade in skinning and disposing of animal carcases. The opposition has said that the onus is on the Modi government to ensure that the attacks stop. Many BJP leaders say Modi has the authority and political will to ensure that his message is carried through to stop the violence. Addressing a town hall meeting here in August 2016, Modi had declared that "pseudo-gau-rakshaks" were indulging in anti-social activities. Modi's comment came after four Dalit youths were beaten up by cow vigilantes in Gujarat when they were allegedly skinning a dead cow. This time too, Modi has sought to admonish such groups amid a spurt in media reports of attacks by cow vigilantes. Last week, a group of people on a train killed 16-year-old Junaid Khan, who was traveling home to his village in Haryana with his brother and two cousins after a shopping excursion to Delhi ahead of Eid. On April 1, Pehlu Khan, who was part of a group of 15 Muslim men carrying cattle in Rajasthan's Alwar district, died after being brutally thrashed along with the others by cow vigilantes. Since then, Opposition and others have criticised Modi for not strongly condemning the growing list of attacks by self-declared cow vigilantes, many of whom were operating in BJP-ruled states. On Thursday, Modi spoke against such attacks at Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad--a day after people across cities turned up for "Not in My Name" protest against mob attacks. Earlier this week, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said the death of Junaid Khan was "extremely shameful and painful" and that such attacks would not be tolerated. This time, Modi said killing people in the name of "gau bhakti" is not acceptable. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country. No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. This (violence) is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of." In his 2016 speech, Modi had said these so-called gau-rakshaks, who claimed to be protectors during the day, often resorted to criminal activities at night. He had also said they had opened shops in the name of gau-raksha. Modi had also urged the states to open dossiers to see how many of them were criminals. A visibly livid Modi had then also said around 70-80 percent are involved in activities that have no place in the society. "They, therefore, don the mantle of gau rakshaks to hide their ills." He sought to strike a difference between "gau rakshaks and gau bhakts or gau sewaks." "One consists of people with vested interest using cow vigilantism to promote their own agenda and the gau sewaks or gau bhakts took care of the cows, organised health camps and worked to ensure that they did not die because of consuming poly bags. But the RSS and its affiliates were upset with Modi's statement. RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said only a "handful" indulged in anti-social activities, while an overwhelming majority were law abiding. A day later, Modi had to clarify on the subject, saying that he had spoken about a handful "fake cow-protectors" at a rally in Telangana. In October, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said in his Vijayadasmi speech that "many good people working in the field should not be compared with a few trouble makers." Modi's statement at Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat -- that "killing people in the name of gau bhakti (cow worship) is not acceptable" -- did not go down well with Vishwa Hindu Parishad which earlier too had taken exception to the PM's 2016 remark of anti-socials by night and gau rakshaks by day. The VHP said it was against violence but people who worship cows do not take lives of people. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal said "rakshaks (protectors) can never be bhakshaks (predators)" when asked to comment on PM condemning growing mob lynching in the name of cow protection. Bansal even found the use of phrase gau bhakt by the PM unsuitable as he said that cow protectors do not snuff out lives of individuals. The VHP leader said that it should not be forgotten that Mahatma Gandhi had also wished that a law on cow protection should be brought. He described killing to protect cows as a law and order failure. Protests in many major cities including the national capital, were organised on Wednesday to gather more voices against lynching of minorities. Adding to skepticism, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who is out of the country, tweeted to express his dissatisfaction over Modi's position. "Too little too late. Words mean nothing when actions out do them," Gandhi posted on the social media. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee too joined the chorus and said, "Condemn killings in the name of gau raksha, just words are not enough. Modi trying to subvert democracy. The killings must stop now." Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi took a sarcastic jibe at the PM. "Presence of Gandhiji's living spirit in Sabarmati Ashram" must have affected Modi. What he has said is absolutely right, but it should be followed by very strong action on the ground. All the perpetrators (of hate crimes) have to be caught and prosecuted and the public's confidence in (law and order) has to be revived," Gopalkrishna told a news agency. The PM statement, stated All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi, was a mere lip service as there has been slip between cup and lip. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, however, denied that there was any atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the community. "I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," Naqvi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tough talk on Thursday against lynch mobs has once again irked the saffron fringe. It did not impress the opposition either. Words are not enough, strict action against killing under the garb of cow protection was required, said opposition parties. "Rajkot has a very important place in my political career. If people of Rajkot had not sent me to Gandhinagar, I would perhaps have not made it to New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday at Rajkot. Mr Modi, who first became chief minister of Gujarat in October 2001, got elected as a legislator to Gujarat Assembly from Rajkot 2 constituency in a by-election. The seat was vacated by current Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, who traditionally represented Rajkot 2 constituency. It was 40 years ago when a Prime Minister of India had visited Rajkot. Last time it was Morarji Desai. I am privileged to visit Rajkot and get blessings from you all, Prime Minister Modi said. And the people of Rajkot were not to be left behind in welcoming their Prime Minister. The city of Rajkot was decked up for last few days to welcome the Prime Minister. Several parts of the city have been brightened with colourful lights, innumerable cut-outs of Prime Minister, Chief Minister and BJP President dot the roads of the city. All the roads in this hometown of chief minister Vijay Rupani were also decorated with BJP flags. With state likely to go to Assembly polls by the end of this year, the mega show put up by Prime Minister is part of the objective set by PM and BJP national president Amit Shah to bag 150 of the 182 Assembly seats for the party. Saurashtra, with almost one-third of the seats in the state Assembly plays a key role in changing the fate of parties seeking to grab power in Gandhinagar. On Thursday, even before his official roadshow began in the evening along 8-km long route, locals from Rajkot gathered at the airport in huge numbers to welcome Prime Minister. In an in impromptu act, Prime Minister climbed out of his official car and acknowledge the welcome of Rajkot en route to his first official function of distributing aids and kits to 18,500 specially-abled people. The locals also thronged the site of Aji dam, that has been filled with waters from Narmada river as part of the Narmada project. The arrival of waters in this water parched region, many believe, could prove to be a boon for locals. The Prime Minister participated in the dedication of the project and began his 8-km-long roadshow to Rajkot airport. Thousands braved heavy rains throughout the day to acknowledge the Prime Minister along with the route, with BJP workers taking out a bike rally before the event. The cavalcade of PM was seen passing through the streets of Rajkot, with people standing behind barricades and flashing lights on their cell phones, waving to PM and showering flowers throughout the hour-long road show. Seeking new horizons in space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has opened its doors to the private industry for help in manufacturing heavy satellites and even launch vehicles. The space agency has reportedly picked the Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies to lead a consortium that will build two navigation satellites earmarked for Indias indigenously developed global positioning system: Navigation for Indian Constellation, or Navic. The Navic constellation comprises seven satellites (all of which are already in their designated orbits) and the new satellites to be built by the private industry will have a standby role in the system. The collaboration with the private sector is nothing new for Isro. Since the 1970s, the space agency has routinely sought the help of private players for the manufacture of satellite sub-systems and ground equipment. Corporate majors like Godrej, Tatas, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindras and the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have supplied critical systems, spacecraft parts, and liquid propulsion engines for launch vehicles to Isro. This collaboration has made major contributions to many of the nearly 100 satellites Isro has made so far for weather, earth imaging, telecommunication and broadcasting. Indeed, the HALs cooperation with Isro since the mid-1960s include fabricating fuel tanks and alloy parts for the agencys Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and its workhorse launcher the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSU also built key components like fuel tanks for Isros historic Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) that was launched in 2013. In fact, Indias heaviest satellite, the GSAT 7, which was launched by the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark III on its first operational flight on June 5, had major inputs from companies like HAL and Godrej and Boyce. While all this augurs well for Isro to become a leader in the highly competitive global satellite launch services market, the latest decision to energise its partnership with the private sector has a special significance: it signals Isros determination to speed up its indigenisation programme started two decades ago. The space agency needs to work with private enterprises and state-run majors if it is to reach its goal of fully indigenising the design and development of space technologies. And there has never been a better time for the effort to gather steam than now as the Make in India programme is bound to give it a leg-up. The space agency has plans to build up to 20 satellites a year, which is a tall order for it to undertake with its current in-house capabilities. The agencys 18,000-strong human resource pool has remained more or less constant for years now while the number of satellites emerging from its stables has gone up considerably. Now with its talent pool widening, Isro will have to provide the requisite training for the industry at its centres and share its time-tested designs, drawings and testing facilities. And of even greater significance perhaps is its decision to allow private players to help build launch vehicles. While industry played an increasingly larger role in building satellite systems and infrastructure and launch services till now, allowing direct private participation in critical areas like developing launchers is certainly a bold step for Isro if one in the right direction. That is what National Aeronautics and Space Administration did and today US companies like Boeing and SpaceX play key role in every launch that takes place. The European Space Agency too has an active partnership with the private industry to stimulate research and development, and integrate enterprise and innovation into its space missions. Launch capability Opening the door wider to the industry will also encourage bigger players to join in the effort to bolster Indias launch capability. That, in turn, could help the establishment of a sub-continental space industry based on public private partnership. With the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota emerging as a major space launch hubwhich could one day rival similar facilities in Europe and the USIndia now boasts of up to 30% cheaper launches than other countries. Low cost access to space is the watchword in the space sector and involving the private industry would leave Isro scientists free to focus on R&D for other key technologies such as the recoverable launch vehicle (RLV). Given that hardware costs 70% of a launch, an RLV is an ideal cost-effective space transportation system, since both the booster and the upper stage of the spacecraft are reusable. It is a technology demonstrator that has already been flight-tested. It is not a bad idea either for Isro to think of eventually farming out low-earth orbit access altogether with private companies. For that would allow the space agency to focus on more ambitious missions to the inner and outer solar system. These include second editions of Indias moon mission Chandrayaan and MOM (both of which involve landing rovers on the lunar/planetary surfaces) and missions to the Sun, Venus and the asteroids. (The writer is a New Delhi-based senior journalist) An interactive session on local governance involving elected representatives from Karnataka and Australia witnessed some confessional moments with both sides admitting that politics in their respective places was not clean. Malleswaram MLA Dr C N Ashwath Narayan said politics gets dirtier when it moves from national to state and local levels. During elections, we do everything to get elected on the basis that everything is fair in love and war. The challenge is after the elections, when we start doing work and realise that it is the most thankless job, he said. Palani Thevar, Australian Labour Party representative, admitted that politics in Australia had reached low levels many times. It is not entirely clean. But it is not as bad as in India, said Thevar, who migrated to Australia from Tamil Nadu. Australian MLC Sally Talbot, who was an MP for 12 years, said the world of Australian politics can be cruel and unforgiving. We become victims of personal attacks too. There are times when I have drained myself physically and mentally to reach out to people. Having said that, things have changed a lot over the last few years. This is true especially when it comes to representation of women in politics, who are as articulate and resilient as men, she said. Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Gowda intervened during a discussion on the idea of compulsory voting in India. Gowda said politics has evolved in India and people, especially in rural areas, are actively participating in voting. Gowda, at the same time, expressed concern over the polarisation of society. We come from a culture of tolerance when one respected the intention and causes of others despite the ideological differences. But today, we are living in a polarised environment. Our social media and TV debates are worsening the situation further, he said. The event, organised by Bengaluru Political Action Committee, also threw light on the situation in local body administration. MLA Ashwath Narayan noted that local bodies have more responsibility but less power. There is a need for devolution of more powers to local bodies if we want to bring transparency in their administration, he said. The general body meeting of CMC ended abruptly on Thursday following a fight and arguments among the ruling party councillors which led to the manhandling of a man who had come to watch the meeting proceedings. The problem started when a Congress councillor charged that councillor Geetha Shet had inaugurated the road laid using the funds released by the MLA. Following the agruments, Geetha tendered her resignation demanding justice. She also called her confidant Rony DMello as a witness for her innocence and claimed that she was not part of the inauguration of the road intentionally. This led to a huge hue and cry. At this juncture, Rony, who came inside without the permission of the House, was about to begin his statement. The Congress members pushed him out and also assaulted him. The ruling party members claimed that it was an attempt of self-defence, while the Opposition BJP members termed the incident as an inhuman and act of rowdies. CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje said that she would have sorted out the issue separately and there was no need to create a problem in the meeting. She said that she would not accept Geethas resignation letter as it is a trivial issue and would be sorted out by the partys senior leaders. The Opposition, which could not tolerate the developmental works of Congress, is creating nuisance, she charged. BJP to stage protest Meanwhile, the district BJP has announced that a huge protest rally would be taken out on Friday condemning the act of the Congress councillors. Speaking to the media persons, the district BJP president Mattar Ratnakar Hegde said the Congress members have shown disrespect to their own party colleague. They have tried to molest the woman councillor and also dragged her unnecessarily. For the first time, the CMC meeting witnessed such a turmoil and such a shameful incident. This would remain a black spot in the history of the temple town and the CMC, he charged. Hedge and other BJP leaders demanded immediate resignation of the CMC president for her incapacity to handle the crisis. She was silent though her party colleague was manhandled by her own party members. Rony DMellow is innocent and he has no idea of the rules and regulations of the House. It was an attempt to murder and the poor man was kicked and severely assaulted by the Congress members. It shows the rowdism and dictatorship of the Congress members. The CMC administration has become worst, they charged. Hegde also demanded the immediate suspension of the CMC Commissioner Manjunathayya or he should be transferred to other distinct. The party would also approach the police officials and brief them about the incident, he added. Law will take its own course Reacting to a question on the behaviour of the Congress councilors at the CMC meeting, District In-Charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that he is not aware of it. However, he said he would take appropriate action after getting details about the incident. He said the law would take its own course of action, if the partys members are found guilty. He said he would strongly condemn the incident, if it is true and also speak to the district Congress president to initiate disciplinary measures against the guilty. On the floor of the house, true democracy exists when the members criticise the loopholes in the administration, he said. Riding high on massive response from investors in green power projects, Union Power and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said the government is confident that solar power generation capacity would reach 22 gigawatt (GW) in the current fiscal against the existing 12 GW in the country. Solar power generating capacity would reach around 22 GW by the end of this fiscal. In wind energy too, bidding is going on and several companies have shown interest in investing in the sector, Goyal said told reporters here after releasing a report on integration of renewables in the electricity grid. As India has set ambitious target of generating 175 GW from all renewable sources by 2022, the government is wooing companies to invest in the green energy sector. The minister, who held a meeting with hydro power sector companies representatives on Wednesday, said new hydro power policy will be rolled out soon. Coal India, the worlds largest miner of the fossil fuel, will generate 1 GW of renewable electricity this year as part of the companys plan to generate 10 GW green energy over the year, the minister said. Solar power plant developers including companies backed by Japans SoftBank and Goldman Sachs are quoting-lower tariffs in auctions to win big projects. Last month, solar power tariff had dropped to all-time low of Rs 2.44 per unit in the auction conducted for Bhadla solar park. The government on Thursday said that it reiterated to the US administration that entire state of Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India. The government was responding to criticised by the Opposition Congress party for not objecting to the use of the term Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir by the American administration during Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent meeting with US President Donald Trump. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre initially justified the use of the phrase in a US State Department statement. It, however, came out with a fresh statement, after the Congress pointed out that India had protested against the use of the term by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, as recently as on June 7. Indias position that the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India is well known. The US government has been apprised of the same once again, Gopal Baglay, official spokesperson of said on Thursday. The MEA justification came after the Opposition Congress slammed the government for not objecting to use of the term during Modis maiden meeting with Trump. Why Mugabe should go now: Jonathan Moyo (2005) Tsholotsho saga: the untold story Leaving all to Gono won't bring sunrise Mugabe too tired to pull Zimbabwe out of the woods Mugabe must not succeed himself ZANU(PF) Conference will take us back to pre1987 Jonathan Moyo said Mnangagwa was too loyal to Mugabe John Nkomo and Jonathan Moyo did not see eye-to-eye Nov12 2014PERENNIAL wisdom from divine revelation and human experience dictates that all earthly things great or small, beautiful or ugly, good or bad, sad or happy, foolish or wise must finally come to an end. It is from this sobering reality that the end of executive rule has finally come for Robert Mugabe who has had his better days after a quarter of a century in powerDecember 17, 2004December 18, 2004December 23, 2004AS President Robert Mugabe's days in office become numbered with less than 23 uncertain months before the expiry of his current disputed tenure that will end his controversial rule since 1980, the ruling Zanu PF is finding itself in a triple trap that is turning its long delayed and now acrimonious search for Mugabe's successor into an ill-fated affair.This is due to the unresolved consequences of the increasingly topical yet hitherto undefined Tsholotsho Declaration of November 18, 2004 whose ghost is now haunting Zanu PF succession politics.Because I am one of those who were intimately involved in the Tsholotsho Declaration, and because some Zanu PF politicians and sections of the media have claimed that I am the architect of that declaration which they say was a coup plot when it wasn't, I believe that it is now in the national interest for me to make a full disclosure of what I know about the content of this declaration and its wider national implications without fear or favor.May 9, 2003WILL the nation leave Gideon Gono, the governor of the Reserve Bank, alone?When President Robert Mugabe last week publicly made a call for people to "leave Gono alone" many besides those who know themselves to be the guilty were left wondering what he meant. But after Gono's wide-ranging and far-reaching mid-term monetary policy statement this week, one need not guess he meant that the Zanu PF government, including Mugabe himself, should "leave everything to Gono".That is why Gono's monetary statement dealt with everything and everyone in concrete ways. The national breadth, depth and consequences of Gono's monetary statement stand in sharp contrast to the dire poverty of Mugabe's speech at the opening of the second session of the sixth parliament last week.The speech was full of propaganda platitudes and bereft of policy responses to the economic meltdown that is ravaging the country. In fact, so empty was Mugabe's address that nobody remembers what he said.Mugabe's mess doesn't require British solutionMay 9, 2003Yet the Banjul meeting had a decidedly colonial outcome in that Mugabe used it to reveal his yearning for a British solution to the Zimbabwean crisis. He now wants the world to believe his Zanu PF propaganda that the cause of the Zimbabwean crisis is a bilateral dispute between Zimbabwe and Britain that started after the land reform programme in 2000.But to accept this propaganda one would have to conclude that Mugabe's legendary posturing about sovereignty is deliberately deceitful. Maybe this is indeed the case. And maybe this is what has been missed about Mugabe, namely, that he is principally a colonial politician steeped in an outdated nationalistic outlook.May 30, 2003OF the various problems in Zimbabwe that account for the seven-year-old political stalemate that has precipitated an unprecedented economic meltdown, the one that is now looming larger than any other is the chronic leadership deficit, particularly but not only in the Zanu PF government. So serious is this deficit that the most fundamental issue that explains the palpable despair among Zimbabweans today is leadership, stupid.June 13, 2003AS President Robert Mugabe's troubled days in power become truly numbered amid ill-fated machinations by his military and security handlers to keep him at State House until 2010 through a subversive constitutional amendment that has been on the evil deck of cards for more than a year, his continued stay in office has become a source of national pain and international shame for Zimbabweans.June 13 2003IS Zimbabwe finally set to return to the pre-1987 constitutional dispensation in which executive power and authority was exercised by a prime minister as head of government appointed from the party that commands a majority in parliament, while the head of state is a ceremonious president elected by parliament?The essence of this extraordinary state of emergency is that Zimbabwe has virtually ground to a catastrophic halt and is simply not functioning anymore as a normal country. This ruinous situation will continue for as long as Mugabe remains in office with executive power and authority.Croc jibes angered me: MoyoFebruary 14, 2016Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo claimed in an interview with a local radio station that taunts on social media by fellow Zanu PF members believed to be supporters of Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa traumatised him. Moyo made the revelations in the interview with ZiFM, which was pulled off air under a cloud but was leaked to The Standard last week. The former Information minister, who is locked in a fierce war of words with Mnangagwa's followers, said his tormentors had been sending him "photo-shopped" images of either himself or family members being eaten by crocodiles. He said the taunts worsened after his daughter Zanele was found dead in South Africa last yearhttps://www.thestandard.co.zw/2016/02/14/croc-jibes-angered-me-moyo/Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told United States ambassador Christopher Dell that Emmerson Mnangagwa, considered one of the front-runners to succeed President Robert Mugabe, was too loyal to Mugabe to upset the cart.He even cited a joke that was doing the rounds in Harare that when Vice-President Joseph Msika told Mnangagwa that he and Mugabe were stepping down, Mnangagwa told him he would step down too."A few months ago, Moyo reported, Vice President Msika advised Mnangagwa that Mugabe and Msika were preparing to step down; Mnangagwa responded that he would step down too," Moyo told Dell according to a diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.Former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politburo member Simba Makoni told United States embassy officials that ZANU-PF chairman John Nkomo and Information Minister Jonathan Moyo did not see eye to eye though they came from the same district, Tsholotsho.He said that "a rough edge" had always separated the two, dating back decades.Makoni was speaking about how the party's top body had become dysfunctional. Zvobgo Jnr and Jonathan Moyo differ on future of VP Mujuru The complete Jonathan Moyo Wikileaks cables- all 226 of them Jonathan Moyo says both ZANU-PF and MDC are in disarray SA ambassador says Jonathan Moyo is not good friends with the truth Jonathan Moyo exposes dictatorial tendencies of ZANU-PF leadership Moyo says ZANU-PF is a party of tribalists with no direction There was also lack of discipline and self-respect. The flap over land nationalisation was clear evidence that the party was seriously disjointed.Moyo had purposely distorted Nkomo's comments to make him look bad. He said that Nkomo's interview had characterised nationalisation as pertaining to compulsorily obtained land only, but that Moyo had purposely overstated his comments, only to qualify them later in a way that made Nkomo appear to be flip-flopping.Eddison Zvobgo Junior believed that President Robert Mugabe could step down and allow Vice-President Joice Mujuru to stand as president in 2008 provided she could protect him from prosecution but Mugabe's former spin doctor Jonathan Moyo thought that he was not going to step down until 2010 but might change the constitution to create the post of Prime Minister for Mujuru.Zvobgo said after the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front conference at Goromonzi in December 2006 it was now clear to him that Mugabe would not last beyond 2008 and that the discussion was shifting to the modalities of transition.No one has been so controversial in his short political career like former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo. He was a strong critic of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, then joined the party to become its propaganda chief, but got expelled for defying the party, but he was readmitted and got back into the politburo."The bottom line is that all animals are equal but some are more equal than others," he quipped on his readmission to ZANU-PF.Moyo currently has the highest number of Wikileaks cables on our site all 226 of them. But we are still working on Tendai Biti and Gideon Gono, who both have more cables than Moyo.Tsholotsho legislator Jonathan Moyo said both the Movement for Democratic Change and the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had been significantly weakened since the March 2005 elections though ZANU-PF had won a two-thirds majority.He said the MDC, which had lost 16 seats that it won in 2000, had missed an opportunity to take advantage of the public outcry over Operation Murambatsvina because it was inward looking.The division over whether to participate in the senate elections or not could be disastrous for the party.Moyo said ZANU-PF was "terminally rotten" and was increasingly being controlled by the security forces which remained loyal to Mugabe.He said the party would attempt to put off the presidential elections until 2010 to give more time for Mugabe's successor to settle into the job.Moyo, however, rejected the argument that Mugabe was the main impediment to reform saying that this was a convenient excuse.Mugabe "is not a machine", he said. The real problem was the party itself.South Africa's ambassador to Zimbabwe Jeremiah Ndou said President Robert Mugabe was being misled by his inner circle of friends especially Information Minister Jonathan Moyo because he was "not good friends with the truth".Ndou said the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front had accused him and other Southern African Development Community ambassadors of distorting facts about what was actually happening in Zimbabwe.He said that SADC members had urged the Zimbabweans to go to the International Monetary Fund to try to normalise relations, a move that the donors would notice but negotiation, not the "go to hell" approach so far adopted by the government of Zimbabwe, was needed.He admitted that quiet diplomacy was not working: "The Zimbabweans will agree in private, then contradict these understandings as soon as they walk out the door".Jonathan Moyo is back in the limelight, overshadowing ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo, yet only five years ago he said the ZANU-PF leadership was dictatorial. It did not abide by the wishes of the people. He is now part of that leadership.Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front was a spent force. It was a party of tribalists with no direction.He told a visiting United States delegation just before the 2005 parliamentary elections that ZANU-PF was a spent force and would be surprised by the election. Bhutan had asked China to restore the status quo in Doklam Plateau before June 16, the day the communist countrys personnel started building a road in the disputed area. Bhutan on Thursday said the construction of a road from Dokola in Doklam Plateau to a camp of the Royal Bhutan Army by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army was a direct violation of the agreements between Thimphu and Beijing to maintain peace and tranquillity in their border areas, pending a final settlement on the boundary dispute. Prime Minister Narendra Modis assertion that it is unacceptable to kill people in the garb of cow protection is not new. Last year too, he had come down heavily on cow vigilantes or gau rakshaks in the wake of attacks on Dalits. Modi had last spoken on the issue seven months prior to the Uttar Pradesh polls. His statement this time comes ahead of the Gujarat elections, which will be held in December. As in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP in Gujarat too, faces a challenge to not just win over but also retain the Dalit votes. Dalits and Muslims have been targeted by cow vigilantes as some of them are seen as traditionally being connected to the trade in skinning and disposing of the animal carcasses. Addressing a meet here in August 2016, Modi had declared that pseudo gau rakshaks were indulging in anti-social activities. Modis comment came after four Dalit youths were beaten up by cow vigilantes in Gujarat when they were allegedly skinning a dead cow. This time too, Modi has sought to admonish such groups amid a spurt in media reports of attacks by cow vigilantes. Last week, a group of people on a train killed 16-year-old Junaid Khan, ahead of Eid. On April 1, cow vigilantes thrashed Pehlu Khan who was part of a group of 15 Muslim men carrying cattle in Rajasthans Alwar district to death. Since then, the Opposition has criticised Modi for not condemning strongly enough, the growing list of attacks by self-declared cow vigilantes, many of whom were operating in the BJP-ruled states. On Thursday, Modi spoke against such attacks at Mahatma Gandhis Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad - a day after people across cities turned up for protests Not in My Name against mob attacks. Rajasthan is witnessing protests from various trader associations but the state government claims that the administration is ready to adopt GST smoothly. Objecting to the imposition of 5% GST on textile, traders in the state have called for an indefinite bandh. According to the Rajasthan Cloth Traders Association (RCTA), around 4 lakh shops are observing the strike. Suresh Saini, officer-bearer of RCTA, said, "Levying 5% GST on clothes and sarees is completely unjustified. There was no tax on saris and textiles (unstitched cloth) in the state, but now the government has imposed 5% tax. Our demand is whatever tax the government wants to impose, let it be imposed at the manufacturing point. Marble traders of the state have also called for a state-wide indefinite shutdown from July 1 to protest against 28% GST. Similarly, the Rajasthan Fireworks Dealers and Manufacturers Association have also joined the protest. The association has threatened a state-wide shutdown of their units on June 30 pressing for their demands. More than 800 pubs and restaurants with bars in the city, including the famous watering holes on MG Road and Brigade Road, will continue to function but will not serve alcohol from Friday midnight. National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) president Manu Chandra said the CL-9 (bars and restaurants) licence-holders, which include pubs and big restaurants with bars, will function if they have the requisite permission. We wont serve liquor as long as we dont get licence. We will abide by the rules, he said. The NRAI has decided to move the Karnataka High Court seeking clarification on classification of roads in the central business district area of Bengaluru. We respect the Supreme Court verdict, but we want a clarification as to how roads in the centre of the city can be classified as highways, said Manu Chandra. Owners of several pubs and bars expressed anguish at the failure of PWD and excise department officials to get highways in city limits denotified. We are trying to resolve a huge mess. Bengaluru Development Minister K J George and the chief minister have been cooperative. We hope they bring us some relief, said Ananth Narayan of Bierre Republic. The CL-2 (retail liquor shops) licence-holders, falling within 500 metres of national and state highways in urban areas and 200 metres in rural areas, will shut up shop. We dont see the state government bringing any relief to us. Bar owners from Chandigarh have moved the Supreme Court seeking a review. If the apex court doesnt change its mind, there is no other way than shifting the shops, said Liquor Marketing Association president S Guruswamy. Clubs get breather Clubs need not shift or stop serving liquor as the excise department has decided to renew their licences, DHNS reports from Bengaluru. Clubs do not sell liquor in retail as only members are served alcohol. Hence, the Supreme Court order does not apply to them. Considering this, we have decided to renew their licences, a senior excise official said. Following the electrocution of four elephants at an estate in Kodagu on Tuesday, the Forest department has filed a case of abetment and hunting against Chamundeshwari Electricity Corporation Limited (Cesc). This is the second such case filed against the power supply corporation this year. This time the Forest department has filed a case after four female elephants came in contact with a snapped high tension live wire at Ammathi Vontiangadi village in Virajpet, Kodagu and died on the spot on Tuesday. Manoj Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle, told DH that the case was filed against Cesc and not the estate owner as the deaths were not because of his negligence. A vigilance committee has also been formed to investigate the case. The committee will file a report detailing the causes and practical remedies. During an interaction with Ravi Kumar, additional chief secretary, Environment, Forest and Ecology, in Kodagu on Wednesday, the Energy department showed interest in joining hands with the Forest department to shift all the existing and new cables under ground. Shifting of cables will cost around Rs 3,000 crore. Instead, the department can spend Rs 200 crore on strengthening and enhancing forest areas and corridors. Following the high court orders, the power supply companies have invested crores of rupees in erecting 22,000 poles to ensure that cables are not hanging, posing threat to the elephants. But this has shown limited effect, Kumar said. Meanwhile, the Forest department has intensified the search for land around the forest patches and near the elephant corridors to purchase them and increase the forest patch. A senior Forest department official said that since the estate owners are also worried, getting land with the funds assured by the state government will be easy and quick. We have also started training estate owners and workers on how to react when confronted with an elephant. Erecting more fences will only aggravate the problem. There is a need for people to understand the problem. The department has spent around Rs 1 crore towards crop loss compensation in last one year. The number of conflict cases have also increased. Due to drought over the last two years, some estate owners have extended their support in helping us resolve man-elephant conflict, Kumar added. WhatsApp group formed For the first time, the Forest and Energy departments together have created a WhatsApp group for Kodagu division. They have brought all the ground staff of both the departments together to give quick ground information and provide timely help. A Lokayukta special court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail applications filed by IAS officer Gangaram Baderiya and his son Gagan Baderiya in connection with three cases of illegal mining. These cases of illegal mining are being probed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). IAS officer Baderiya and his son Gagan Baderiya had filed the applications seeking an anticipatory bail in three cases being probed by the SIT. The cases in which the Baderiayas had sought an advance bail are, illegalities in renewing of licenses to Hanuman Mines, Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals (SSVM), and permission granted to lift iron ore from an old dump in Chitradurga when Dharam Singh was the chief minister. Sources said that Gagan was not named as an accused in any of the cases registered by the SIT. The special court judge rejected the anticipatory bail applications in all the three cases. In August 2015, the SIT had arrested former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in connection with the case of granting mining lease to SSVM. The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday asked the state government to find an acceptable solution with regard to a resolution adopted by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly against two journalists. Editor of the Kannada weekly Hai Bengalur Ravi Belagere and editor of a local monthly magazine Voice of Yelahanka Anil Raj moved the court seeking quashing of the resolution. The Assembly had sentenced the two editors to one-year of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. The chairman of the privileges committee acted upon a complaint by Ranebennur MLA K B Koliwad, who is now the Speaker and S R Vishwanath (BJP MLA, Yelahanka), raising objections to some of the articles published in their respective magazines. During the hearing, Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri sought to know from the state government if the court can intervene in the matter as the resolution adopted by the Assembly is being questioned. He sought to know the provisions of law under which the Assembly has taken the decision and if there were any guidelines to decide on the quantum of punishment for breach of privilege. Find out if the Speaker can keep the resolution under abeyance or should the House meet, the court asked. Shankarappa, the counsel appearing for Belagere and Anil Raj filed an application about the Speaker's office denying certified copies of the resolution and the reports of the privilege motion. The judge directed the government to provide the counsel with the document in two weeks. The petitioners counsel said that the Assembly adopted the resolution without issuing notices to one of his clients. He said Belagere has not received any notice. However, Anil Raj had appeared before the privilege committee and had tendered an unconditional apology. Despite this, he was sentenced. Additional Advocate General A S Ponnanna, citing many notices issued to Belagere, said that none of the notices received any replies. He said one Umesh Hegde, associated with Belagere, had appeared before the committee and sought an opportunity to be heard. Hegde had said that Belagere was in Chennai and was unable to appear to reply to the notice. He said Anil Raj did apologise and the next day wrote another article defaming the elected representative. Ponnanna said that the Supreme Court has ruled that in such defamation cases, Article 19 (freedom of speech) does not apply. He said the Assembly had acted according to various Articles dealing with the power and privileges of the House of Parliament under the Constitution of India. When the petitioners counsel sought directions to the government not to arrest the editors, the judge said that it was not a bail petition. The judge asked the state government that if both the editors appeared and tendered an unconditional apology for remaining absent and cooperate, would the resolution be reconsidered. Justice Hinchigeri said that not appearing despite the notices is disdainful disobedience on the part of the editors. The editors have invited trouble for themselves. The fourth estate (the Press) have all the liberty and freedom, but they should also ensure that they do not go below the belt, the judge observed. The judge, quoting British philosopher John Stuart Mill, said that freedom of speech does not allow anyone to shout fire in a crowded theatre. The NDA candidate for the Presidential election Ram Nath Kovind will visit Bengaluru on July 5 to interact with state MPs and MLAs as he taps for more votes in the southern part of the country. BJP sources here ruled out the possibility of him seeking support from the Opposition parties, especially the JD(S) that has announced support for the Opposition candidate Meira Kumar, as the NDA is confident of a comfortable victory of Kovind. Kovind will be accompanied by a Union minister and at least two BJP leaders during his day-long trip to Karnataka, which is already warming up to next years Assembly elections. A day before his Bengaluru visit, Kovind will be in Andhra Pradesh, which is ruled by the NDA ally TDP, to reach out to lawmakers ahead of the poll. The MPs and MLAs of Telangana will also join the gathering in the neighbouring state. The TRS has agreed to put into Kovinds kitty its share of votes. On July 1, Kovind will fly down to Tamil Nadu. Union minister J P Nadda and two BJP parliamentarians Gajendra Singh Sekhawat of Rajasthan and Nalin Kumar Kateel of Karnataka will be present during the Chennai tour. In Chennai, the NDA lawmakers from the adjoining state of Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry will attend the interaction with Kovind, said BJP sources. Kovind will seek support from leaders of All India N R Congress (AINRC), a regional party floated by former Puducherry chief minister N Rangaswamy. Subsequently, he is slated to meet the two AIADMK camps separately. Both the groups one led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and the other by O Pannerselvam have agreed to vote in favour of the NDA candidate, which has bolstered his chances of victory. After winding up his campaigning in South on July 5, Kovind will move on to the Northeastern states. His nation-wide tour to solicit votes will end on July 15, two days ahead of the polling. Preparing teens for their futures with soft skills Businesses of every size and industry continue to identify labor shortages as a top challenge across the country and... Where to find non-partisan ballot information Thank you for your non-biased bullet points explaining the three state ballot proposals in "A look at the three state... Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Never miss a story and read the latest headlines with our free email updates A senior business figure in Derby says he is pinching himself at the news Rolls-Royce has committed itself to the city for the next 30 years, safeguarding thousands of jobs. The engine-maker has announced plans to build a 90 million "extra-large" test bed facility at its civil aerospace division in Sinfin. It is part of a 150 million investment package that will upgrade Rolls-Royce sites in Derby, Hucknall and Annesley and sustain 7,000 jobs. Trade unions and MPs had feared Rolls-Royce would build the new test bed which will be used to help develop a new generation of civil aero engines elsewhere in Europe because of Britains decision to quit the EU. Furthermore, the companys last test bed was built in Germany after the German government pledged to provide funding. The UK government will not be providing any grants towards the new Derby test bed, which is another reason why Rolls-Royce is now being saluted by Derby business figures, MPs and union representatives alike. Marketing Derby chief executive John Forkin said: To be honest, Im pinching myself, as this is such fantastic news for Derby, the Midlands and the wider UK. Rolls-Royce delivers genuine excellence and its recent successes in winning new civil engine orders is nothing short of stunning. We must remind ourselves that this investment could have been made elsewhere across the world - believe me, any city would love to be announcing this today - and so its a massive vote of confidence in Derby and its workforce. Dame Margaret Beckett, Labour MP for Derby South, hailed it the best possible news for Derby. She said: As the MP in whose constituency Rolls-Royce is situated, I am absolutely delighted to welcome the decision announced today. There have been intensive discussions with both the company and the unions over some two or three years in which I, with other local MPs, have been pressing Rolls-Royce to make just such a decision. Of course, we are all proud of the companys success and the skills of its workforce but, over this recent period, attention has been focused on where the next generation of aero engines would be designed and built. And it is this future we have all been seeking to secure and which has been endorsed today. A planning application for the new test bed, which is set to be built on a car park next to two existing test beds in Wilmore Road, is due to be submitted tomorrow (Friday, June 30). Councillor Martin Rawson, cabinet member for regeneration and economy at Derby City Council, said: We are delighted that Rolls-Royce has shown this commitment to continue to invest in our great city. The presence of engine test beds is massively significant as this secures high value jobs in Derby for years to come. Meanwhile, Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, has also praised Rolls-Royces decision to invest in Derby. He said: This announcement underpins the critical role the UK plays within the global aerospace sector. The UK and Rolls-Royce are known through the world as pioneers of advanced engineering technology. I welcome the confidence the company is showing in the UK. This is just the type of investment our modern Industrial Strategy is looking to attract. These new facilities are good news for Rolls-Royce, its UK suppliers and our economy. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox A former Derbyshire special school teacher has appeared in court to face a historical charge that he falsely imprisoned a pupil by locking him in a coal shed. Terence Butler has also been charged with whipping the boy with a wet towel and attacking another former pupil. His co-accused, Christopher May, also a former teacher at the same school, faces allegations that he sexually abused a different boy and attacked others. The pair face a total of 16 charges, 12 for May and four against Butler, some of which date back almost 40 years. Both deny all of the offences which are alleged to have taken place in the 1970s and 1980s at the now closed Overseal Manor School in South Derbyshire. They include May allegedly sexually touching one boy over a six-year period and attacking others. Butler's offences allegedly include him punching boys and locking one in a coal shed. Derbyshire police confirmed both men worked as teachers at the school, which shut its doors in 1997. May, 71, of Dan Y Coed, Llanfyllin, in mid-Wales, has been charged with two counts of indecently assaulting a boy between 1979 and 1985. He also faces two charges of indecency with a child in relation to the same boy and the same dates. May has also been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm to the boy, which is an allegation that he struck him with a chair. He faces separate charges of causing actual bodily harm to a different victim whereby he allegedly punched him to the back of his head between March 1977 and March 1979. May has also been charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a third boy between December 1977 and December 1979. May has also been charged with four further counts of actual bodily harm against four further victims between 1978 and 1984. They include allegations of further attacks on pupils who went to the school. Dressed in a brown suit he pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Butler, of Beech Lane, Stretton, Burton, has not been charged with any sexual offences. But the 73-year-old has been charged with two assaults on a boy by committing actual bodily harm, between March 22, 1977 and March 23, 1979; assaulting a boy by committing actual bodily harm, between January 1, 1979 and January 1, 1980; and unlawful imprisonment between January 1, 1978 and January 1, 1980. They relate to two alleged victims and the imprisonment charge is an allegation he locked one of the boys in a coal cellar. He, too, pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Judge Peter Cooke, sitting at Derby Crown Court, adjourned the case for trial which is scheduled to begin on April 3, 2018. It is expected to last up to three weeks and the pair will next appear at the same court for a pre-trial review on February 23, 2018. May has been bailed with the condition that he does not have any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. Butler has been handed unconditional bail. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Never miss a story and read the latest headlines with our free email updates A new black alert system for GP practices across the country could see patients diverted away if a surgery becomes overwhelmed, under new plans by a top Derbyshire doctor. Dr Peter Holden called on the British Medical Association to create a system that will allow practices to signal when high demand is reaching a crisis point. Delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of the idea which will send patients to places like walk-in centres and A&E when the black alert is activated. Dr Holden, who jumped to action to help victims on the ground at the 2005 London bombings, said the system would fall in line with that which hospitals already use. The Matlock doctor added: This is vital in order for GPs to stratify their capacity and stratify their response to maintain safe systems and care. "This will then give GPs a defence of the General Medical Council (GMC) as, so often, complaints about a GP are not the result of personal or professional deficiency but system failings outside of their control." Dr Holden said the new system may have to go ahead without the help of Government as he believes it is unwilling to admit healthcare deficiencies. He said: I suspect we will have to do this as an association as the chance of Government introducing any measurement which could highlight their chronic under-resourcing of the services is remote. We owe it to ourselves and the colleagues who have faced GMC investigations against them, purely because of mistakes which are fundamentally based in gross work overload. Dr Richard Vautrey who will become acting chairman of the unions General Practice Committee later this week said the measure would give GPs a pressure valve. He said: In some areas, there have been hubs developed for urgent care that provide that pressure valve so, if you've got a practice that is struggling, that would give them the ability to send out a message to the local health economy saying: 'We're really struggling - can somebody help'. Dr Vautrey said the current system puts patients in a situation where they are seeing doctors who, due to extremely high levels of demand, may not be at their best. He said: If you are that final patient of 60 or 70 in a day then, actually, you aren't getting a very good service. "While you might be seeing a doctor, you will be seeing a very tired doctor who is not able to think as well as they were able to when they were seeing the first in the morning. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We recruited the highest number of GP trainees ever in 2016. But, crucially, we are giving GPs the financial backing to support improvements in patient care, with a 2.4 billion increase in funding, so we expect them to deliver for the public." How did Dr Peter Holden help victims of the 2005 London bombings? Dr Holden was in London for a meeting on July 7, 2005, when a bomb detonated in a double decker bus, claiming thirteen lives. He had been at the British Medical Association House with a team of doctors when the bomb went off outside. In 2011, he told an inquest into the tragedy how he recalled hearing the explosion. (Image: Ian Nicholson/PA) He said: "Essentially, we heard a loud bang. I do remember everything going salmon pink at just about the same time and, in the main office, some of the staff beginning to make a lot of commotion and I came out of the office and could see the white smoke and the tree canopy gone." The GP said he took a "large breath in" as he and other doctors looked out of a window at the horrific sight but he was worried about the impact on his colleagues. He said: "I looked for about half a second and I said: 'It's a bomb. There's been an explosion. There are casualties. Don't look for long. Let's go.' "I deliberately said: 'Don't look for long', because of after-images." Under his command, 14 doctors set up a mini-hospital inside one of the rooms and outside in the courtyard. During the day, four suicide bombers targeted three tube trains - at Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square as well as the number 30 bus, killing a total of 52 passengers. Thousands of jobs could have gone at Rolls-Royce's Derby civil aerospace division had the city not been selected for the 150 million package of investment announced today. That is the view of trade union officials who have campaigned for the investment to come to Derby since 2014. The future of Rolls-Royce's civil aerospace division in Derby has been secured for the next 30 years as the company has decided that a 90 million engine test bed will be built in the city, instead of overseas. At least 6,000 jobs will now be kept at the civil aerospace division at Sinfin, ending fears that Brexit and foreign public sector funding would see Rolls-Royce reject Derby. The test bed will be used to help Rolls-Royce develop the next generation of engines, as well as test existing ones. Ian Wilson, a Rolls-Royce convenor who worked along Unite to secure the investment for Derby, said the investment package would secure thousands of jobs at Sinfin for years and years to come. "In my career at Rolls-Royce, and I've been here for 31 years, it is the biggest single thing we've done," Mr Wilson said. "Had this investment not been announced, all those highly-skilled jobs which we've fought so hard for would have been lost. "We've fought tooth and nail to keep jobs in Derby, as did the guys before us, and we will continue to do that. These are massively skilled jobs that we look after and it's great for Derby that they will be staying here." Fellow convenor Steve Hibbert agreed. He said: "If this bed had gone elsewhere, we would have been looking at big staff reductions. Now we are going to sustain the Derby workforce. This has stopped the train and now we can build on it. "We've been putting pressure on Rolls-Royce to make this investment for the past two-and-a-half years, because the last investment was in Germany, as the German government was willing to give them money. At the point, we knew that the next generation test bed would have to be in the UK. If that didn't happen, production at this site in Derby would have drained off, because wherever the test bed goes, that's where production goes. "I've done some big deals on pensions, but this is the biggest deal we've done. We should be proud of what we've done here." The deal reached between Rolls-Royce and Unite also means the union will be involved in the company's strategic planning. "That's important," said Mr Hibbert. "That gives us a safeguard going forward." Rolls-Royce says the 150m investment will "sustain" 7,000 jobs across its sites in Derby, Hucknall and Annesley. However, Tony Tinley, regional officer at Unite, believes today's news will also safeguard tens of thousands of jobs throughout the supply chain. He said: "By developing the manufacturing base, the supply chain also benefits. The impact is wide across the East and West Midlands. For every job there is here, there are about four jobs in the supply chain that rely on Rolls-Royce." Mr Tinley added the 150m investment meant there was a "far better platform" for lots more jobs to be created in the future. "The opportunity is there now to build in the future," he said. "In a couple of years' time, we like to think we'll be able to say that because we've got the new test bed, the opportunity is there now for the business to grow. That wasn't the case until now." Deputy convenor Karl Daly described the news as a "huge game changer". He said: "I know the previous convenor who left this site 18 months ago. He had a meeting with the then chief operating officer, and when the subject of the new test bed came up he replied, 'why would I build it in Derby when I can get it paid for by somebody else elsewhere' in other words, in Germany. Since then, the company's attitude towards investing in Derby has significantly changed. "For a number of years now, most areas of the business has been deprived of genuine investment. There's been money spent, but not genuine investment. This is a complete game-changer. There's now a completely difficult attitude and it's one that, in my view, we should be very excited about. "Had this investment gone elsewhere, there would have been further shrinkage of Rolls-Royce's footprint in Derby. Where that would have ended, we can only guess." Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Never miss a story and read the latest headlines with our free email updates This is the moment a ten-year-old Derbyshire boy - whose mum is terminally-ill with cancer - got up on stage and sang a song he has released to raise money for her treatment. Taylor Kalinins sang the pop song Friday Night, which he released in March to help mum Hayley pay for life-saving treatment abroad. The Ockbrook School pupil was at Pride Park Stadium to receive his Inspirational Youngster of the Year award at the Derby Telegraphs Heroes of Derbyshire awards. Following the performance, a collection from the audience raised hundreds of pounds and mum Hayley, of Borrowash, said she was "super proud". She said: "Most people know my story by now because, obviously, the Derby Telegraph has done a great job raising awareness for me. Im overwhelmed with the collection that went round for Taylors single. I bet he cant wait to get into school and tell all his friends and the teachers. I know Ockbrook School will be really proud of him, because Im super proud of what hes achieved. You know, hes raised over 1,000 at the age of ten. The idea came solely from him. Watch this space he could be the pop star of the future. (Image: Ian Hodgkinson / Picture It / Derby Telegraph) Mum-of-four Hayley, 36, was diagnosed with stage four incurable secondary breast cancer in July 2011. The cancer spread to her liver and lungs but she is now in "partial remission" after using social media to raise money to fund her treatment. She has flown to Germany several times for the new form of treatment, after the NHS told her that there was nothing else they could do to treat her cancer. In order to pay for it, she has set a 250,000 fund-raising target. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. MarketFront fulfills long-held dream to reclaim site marred by fire The $74 million project completes the expansion of the Pike Place Market Historic District. By BEN FRANZ Pike Place Market PDA Franz Pike Place Market today celebrates the grand opening of the brand new MarketFront a historic expansion of the public market, decades in the making. The expansion of the Market to the west fulfills the decades-long vision to reclaim the site along Western Avenue that was originally built in 1921 as the Municipal Market Building, and a space that was always intended for use by Market farmers and producers. The MarketFront expansion which was designed to align with Market historic district guidelines and the Pike Place Market charter includes 30,000 square feet of open public space with expansive views of Puget Sound, room for 47 new farm and craft tables, 12,000 square feet of commercial space, 40 low-income housing units, 300 covered parking spaces and three public art installations. It is truly a Market expansion, a place where shoppers can Meet the Producer, as they have done since the Market was founded nearly 110 years ago. To realize this long-held dream, the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA), with help from its outstanding partners, had to overcome significant challenges, many of which prevented development on the site in the decades following the inclusion of the property in the Market Historic District in 1974. Significant obstacles Photo courtesy of Pike Place Market PDA [enlarge] The lower-level Producers Hall will house a brewery, seafood restaurant, biscuit maker and chocolatier. After the Municipal Market Building was demolished after a fire in 1974, the 0.75-acre site was graded for surface parking. The site remained that way, with a wooden staircase leading up to the Desimone Bridge and into the Markets North Arcade, until the groundbreaking of the MarketFront project in June 2015. Over the years, at least eight different feasibility studies of the site were completed. Significant obstacles were identified such as the train tunnel beneath the site and restrictions on building heights. As a result, no development proposals were able to obtain adequate funding. Sense of discovery The opportunity to look again at the site on Western Avenue arrived with the city of Seattles plans to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the greater central Seattle waterfront development. Parking mitigation dollars from the state and funding from the city made the plans for the site possible. The community engaged in the planning for the new MarketFront, which was known at the time as PC-1, for parking and commercial. The process of design, development and financing for the project began in 2011 and followed a process committed to public engagement, with more than 200 public meetings held in the next four years. Today, the MarketFront is the first completed piece of the waterfronts larger redevelopment design, which will eventually connect Pike Place Market with the newly imagined waterfront park and busy Pike-Pine shopping corridor after the removal of the viaduct. The Miller Hull Partnership designed the MarketFront, with inspiration taken from the sense of discovery Market-goers experience as they explore the many hidden alleys and winding passages of what many refer to as the soul of Seattle. The design team looked to existing 20th-century industrial structures and simple materials, such as exposed timber beams, found throughout the Market. The building incorporates Northwest-style industrial toughness with large, open spaces that offer transparency inside and out. Parking in and around downtown Seattle continues to be a challenge; this was taken into careful consideration for the MarketFront design. The MarketFront includes 300 new covered parking spaces that are open to the public every day, at below-market rates, as well as 33 parking spaces for bicycles. Excavation and preliminary construction of the MarketFront began immediately after the June 2015 groundbreaking. Sellen Construction installed 120 drill piers and 22 grade beams around the BNSF Railway tunnel that runs beneath the MarketFront site, a very necessary step in protecting the tunnel. Underground monitoring equipment was placed at the tunnel site to determine any shifting or movement in and around the site. These monitors were removed after one year. Additionally, throughout early construction phases, cultural artifacts dating back to the turn of the 20th century were discovered. These discoveries created new challenges as archaeologists were brought in to analyze the significance and cultural background of these artifacts. Narrowed down to the crew that built the BNSF train tunnel in the early 1900s, and a population of squatters, these artifacts present a unique look at Seattles history from the early days before Pike Place Market, and are now archived at the Burke Museum. Photo courtesy of Pike Place Market PDA [enlarge] The pavilion has space for 47 farm and craft vendors. Seattle Municipal Archives photo [enlarge] The Municipal Market Building was demolished after a fire in 1974. Until 2015 the site was used for surface parking. More than a market The MarketFronts upper level, adjacent to the Desimone Bridge, features a new plaza that provides panoramic views of Elliott Bay, as well as a pavilion that offers space for 47 new Market craftspeople and artists. On the lower level, the Producers Hall showcases on-site production for the Markets newest food purveyors: Old Stove Brewing Co., Little Fish, indi chocolate and Honest Biscuits. The MarketFront has three new public art installations Northwest Microcosm, Western Tapestry and Billie the Piggy Bank each designed by local artists. Pike Place Market is more than a farmers market and tourist destination: It is literally home to some of Seattles most vulnerable, including low-income seniors. Through a U.S. Bank investment in low-income tax credits, the MarketFront project developed 40 new studio apartments for low-income seniors, several of whom were previously homeless. At the new Market Commons, a neighborhood social services center, various programs will be offered to help meet the needs of the community through the Pike Place Market Foundation and other partnerships with organizations such as the Chief Seattle Club. Thousands of donors The Pike Place Market PDA led the $74 million MarketFront project with support from the city of Seattle, which contributed $34 million to the expansion; oversight from the Market Historical Commission; and input from the Market community. The Pike Place Market Foundation launched its Pike Up! capital campaign, which helped to fund $6 million of the MarketFront expansion. More than 5,300 individuals, families, foundations and corporations donated to help bring the MarketFront vision to reality. Many of these donors have their names etched into Pike Place Market history with bronze hoof prints, ceramic fish and Market charms, all of which are displayed on the MarketFront plaza. Ben Franz-Knight is the executive director of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority, a not-for-profit public corporation chartered by the city of Seattle in 1973 to manage the properties within the Market historic district. Sponsor Other Stories: New open space is the next step on a path to the waterfront This is the start of a promenade that will take shape after the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down. By JONATHAN MORLEY Berger Partnership Morley How do you design a new outdoor civic space that serves as a seamless extension of Pike Place Market, satisfies the deeply rooted historic aspirations of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA), and can benefit from 10 million visitors per year? This was the daunting challenge we excitedly and humbly took on as the landscape architects for the MarketFront expansion. Steep site The MarketFront marks the beginning of the post-viaduct Overlook Walk promenade that will eventually connect Pike Place Market to the waterfront. Design features, elements and site grading will blend fluidly with the waterfront plan, allowing visitors to someday discover Pike Place Market by trekking up from the waterfront an experience reminiscent of early days in Seattle. Addressing an extraordinarily steep slope and tightly compressed site to accomplish an ADA-compliant pathway afforded opportunities to leverage the topographic creases at turning points along the way for seating. Photo courtesy of Berger Partnership [enlarge] A pathway zigzags through the steep site and offers seating along the way. Large-scale circulation ramps create spaces out of the accessible routes, extending the familiar ramping language of the existing market. Gathering spaces and seating occupy the space created by grade transitions, with no leftover edges. The pathway zigzags through the steep site, providing direct and serendipitous opportunities to reach destinations along the way. Open spaces serve as layers that sweep through a range of corridors, stairs, seating and open decks, evoking a sense of discovery much like finding ones way from the fishmongers to the Giant Shoe Museum and other hidden treasures throughout the existing Market. The ramp in combination with the plaza and top-level deck add a much-needed 30,000 square feet of public open space to the city. Timeless feel Maintenance played a big role in the design of the spaces, materials and plantings. The project team focused on durable materials, crafted and refined in both interior and exterior spaces, telling the story of the Market and its sense of place in the city fabric. In keeping with the gritty, historic character of the Market, the team designed MarketFronts open spaces to be experienced as if added, edited and organically evolved over time. Home to a rich collection of market vendors and host to some 10 million annual visitors, the Pike Place Market provides the physical and cultural space where these two come together. The new MarketFront extends this function with spaces that are scalable for Market activities, large events and daily visitor use. Combining several small spaces quickly accommodates a larger audience and use. Material selection and detailing emphasize functionality and reinforce the Markets character and its industrial grain of steel, concrete and wood. The use of authentic, durable and crafted materials creates a timeless aesthetic complementing the Pike Place Market Historic District. Native plantings Steel planters strategically incorporate planting areas into gathering spaces and wind down the ramp, providing lush greenery without compromising flexibility of space. An ethnobotanical plant palette includes species of cultural significance to local Native American communities and are arranged onsite to emulate the transition from Puget Sound lowlands to the grassy meadows typical of a waterside bluff. The native and naturalized plantings add movement, color, and texture to the expansive vistas of Puget Sound. A warm underglow The team worked closely with lighting designers at dark | light to create balanced illumination for safety and wayfinding without interfering in nighttime views. Linear LED fixtures incorporated into the seat steps, and custom light armatures create a warm underglow during the evening hours and invite visitors to linger at sunset. Some extra quirk The integration of donor elements, such as bronze hoof prints embedded in concrete, wind from Western Avenue to the vendor shelter. More than 5,550 charms sparkle from the railings, while a brightly colored undersea mosaic by market artist Clare Dohna adds vibrancy and delight. The viewing deck with Billie the Piggy Bank and an expansive water-to-mountains backdrop is perfect for selfies (#MarketFront). Each provides the right amount of quirk and interest to contribute to the Markets unique character. A team effort It has been an honor for our firm to help shape a beloved Seattle institution not just the finished product, but the process and teamwork it takes to complete such a complicated project. Achieving a timeless, flexible and refined public open space is a compliment to the team of players that worked tirelessly in the background from conceptual design through installation. The key was having a collaborative, dedicated team led by Miller Hull architects, who respected all team members roles in shaping the MarketFront. Prior to working on this project, it was easy to associate the Market with flying fish and fresh produce, but a new appreciation has emerged through understanding the complex logistics and dedicated people that bring the Market to life every day and the incredible amount of public health and housing support the Market Foundation provides. The PDA and its executive director, Ben Franz-Knight, kept the project focused on people not simply visitors but also future residents of the senior housing and the community of market vendors. This project gave us all a deeper, richer perspective of the Markets indelible impact on the well-being of Seattle that will live with us forever. Jonathan Morley is a principal at Berger Partnership, a full-spectrum landscape architectural and urban design firm. Sponsor Other Stories: United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. R. S., A MINOR, BY HIS PARENTS; R. D. S.; S. S., Appellants v. BUTLER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA; AMY SWIGART, INDIVIDUALLY AND IN HER OFFICIAL AS JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER, BUTLER COUNTY; WILLIAM RUMBAUGH, INDIVIDUALLY AND IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS SUPERVISOR, BUTLER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS AND JUVENILE COURT SERVICES; THOMAS DOERR, INDIVIDUALLY AND IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT JUDGE FOR THE BUTLER COUNTY JUVENILE COURT; VICTOR E. VOUGA, INDIVIDUALLY AND IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS JUVENILE COURT MASTER FOR THE BUTLER COUNTY JUVENILE COURT; RUSSELL KARL, INDIVIDUALLY AND IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR BUTLER COUNTY JUVENILE COURTS No. 16-3194 Decided: June 27, 2017 Before: HARDIMAN, ROTH, and FISHER, Circuit Judges. OPINION* Two parents sued a host of defendants involved in their child's juvenile delinquency proceedings. They allege violations of the Fourteenth Amendment, the Rehabilitation Act (RA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The District Court dismissed their claims on various grounds, including judicial immunity, Eleventh Amendment immunity, prosecutorial immunity, the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, and failure to state a claim. We will affirm. I. R.S., a minor child with mood, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, received delinquency charges for two incidents at school. He entered a consent decree under which he agreed to a term of probation in exchange for suspension of his charges. The child's juvenile probation officer, Amy Swigart, later received word that the child was involved in three other incidents at school. She visited him there where he began yelling and screaming and fell upon the floor crying and flailing his arms and legs, kicking her in the process. Swigart informed the child's parent, S.S., that the child would be punished. With little notice, a detention hearing was held for the child before juvenile court master Victor Vouga. Vouga recommended that the child serve five days in a juvenile detention facility pending a consent decree revocation hearing. President Judge Thomas Doerr of the Butler County Court of Common Pleas adopted that recommendation, ordered the child detained, and denied the child's motion for reconsideration. After the child was released from detention, his consent decree was revoked and a new one was entered adding an additional term of probation. The child and his parents, S.S. and R.D.S., sued Swigart, Vouga, Judge Doerr, William Rumbaugh (Swigart's supervisor), Russell Karl (the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the child), and Butler County in the District Court, seeking damages and equitable relief for their constitutional, RA, and ADA claims. The District Court dismissed their claims on the grounds listed above. The family filed this timely appeal challenging only the dismissal of their RA and ADA claims against Butler County. II. We address jurisdiction first. Ours comes from 28 U.S.C. 1291. The District Court's arose under 28 U.S.C. 1331. But the County argues that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine strips the District Court of jurisdiction over the family's RA and ADA claims against the County. Exercising plenary review, we conclude that Rooker-Feldman indeed applies but only with respect to the child's claims. In certain circumstances, Rooker-Feldman deprives federal district courts of jurisdiction to review state-court judgments. In Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Saudi Basic Industries Corp., the Supreme Court emphasized the doctrine's narrow scope, holding that it is confined to cases brought by state-court losers complaining of injuries caused by state-court judgments rendered before the district court proceedings commenced and inviting district court review and rejection of those judgments. In Great Western Mining & Mineral Co. v. Fox Rothschild LLP, we broke down Exxon Mobil's holding into four requirements: (1) the federal plaintiff must have lost in state court, (2) the plaintiff must complain of injuries caused by the state-court judgment, (3) that judgment must have issued before the federal suit was filed, and (4) the plaintiff must be inviting the district court to review and reject the state-court judgment. On Rooker-Feldman's first requirement, we find that the child lost in state court. Over his appointed counsel's objection, he was ordered detained for five days and lost on his reconsideration motion. However, we cannot say the same for the child's parents. As the Supreme Court held in Lance v. Dennis, the Rooker-Feldman doctrine does not apply where the party against whom [it] is invoked was not a party to the underlying state-court proceeding. The parents were not parties to the child's juvenile case. The complaint does not suggest they were. Even if it did, Pennsylvania's Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure make plain that the parties to a juvenile delinquency proceeding are the juvenile and the Commonwealth. Attempting to leap this hurdle, the County argues that the parents are in privity with the child. That may be. But Lance says Rooker-Feldman does not bar actions by nonparties to the earlier state-court judgment simply because, for purposes of preclusion law, they could be considered in privity with a party to the judgment. We therefore reject the County's privity argument and decline its invitation to forge new ground under the hypothetical left open in Lance. Rooker-Feldman does not apply to the parents' claims, as the parents did not lose in state court. Returning to the child's RA and ADA claims, we find that Rooker-Feldman's second requirement is satisfied. In support of his RA and ADA claims, the child complains of injuries caused directly by state-court judgments: Judge Doerr's detention and consent decree revocation orders. In the complaint, the child alleges discrimination in violation of the RA and ADA caused by, for instance, the ultimate[ ] order[ ] that he be detained, the failure to consider reasonable accommodations that would have prevented his detention, and the revo[cation] of his consent decree. These allegations, we hold, meet Rooker-Feldman's second requirement. We note that the child also alleges injuries arising from the County's failure to train its employees and from the inadequate notice he received before his detention hearing. But these allegations were pleaded in support of his constitutional claims, which he abandoned on appeal. Rooker-Feldman's third requirement is also satisfied with respect to the child's RA and ADA claims against the County. Judge Doerr's March 2013 orders issued well before this case began in the District Court in March 2015. Finally, we hold that the child's RA and ADA claims satisfy Rooker-Feldman's fourth requirement, which is closely related to the second. We ask if the plaintiff's claims would require appellate review of a state-court decision by the district court. They would in this case. The child invited the District Court to review and reject Judge Doerr's detention and revocation orders for their failure to incorporate reasonable accommodations accounting for his disabilities. These failures, the child alleges, violated the RA and ADA. The child's claims are thus a request for [p]rohibited appellate review, which consists of a review of the proceedings already conducted by the [state court] to determine whether it reached its result in accordance with law. Because Rooker-Feldman's four requirements are satisfied, the District Court lacked jurisdiction over the child's RA and ADA claims against the County. We will affirm the District Court's order dismissing these claims. III. A. We turn now to whether the parents set out plausible RA or ADA claims against the County. We agree with the County that they did not. We will therefore affirm dismissal of these claims under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). The provision of the RA that the plaintiffs relied on in their complaint says, No otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The provision of the ADA they relied on similarly says, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity. On appeal, the parents argue that, although they are not disabled, they too suffered disability discrimination because of their association with their disabled son. This contention is not without some support in the law: We've recognized that nondisabled persons may sue under the RA and ADA when they've suffered discrimination because of their association with a disabled person. But assuming the RA and ADA apply to juvenile proceedings a question we need not and do not address the complaint does not support the parents' arguments on appeal. The complaint is devoid of factual allegations from which we may plausibly infer that the parents were personally excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of a covered activity or subjected to discrimination because of their son's disability. The complaint references only the parents' continued emotional distress, the family therapy they've engaged in, and their difficulties work[ing] through the anxiety and trauma that their child's removal from the home and detention caused. These allegations fail to show plausible associational-disability discrimination. As for the rest of the complaint, it focuses solely on the discrimination the disabled child suffered, not on any discrimination his nondisabled parents suffered. For example, in support of the plaintiffs' RA claim, the complaint states: This is an action by Plaintiffs against Defendants for violations of R.S.'s rights under the RA; R.S. was entitled to be free from discrimination based on his disability; Defendants discriminated against R.S. in violation of the RA; Defendants denied R.S. an equal opportunity under the RA; and defendants acted with deliberate indifference to R.S.'s disabilities. Likewise, in support of the ADA claim, the complaint provides: R.S. was entitled to be free from discrimination based on his disability; Defendants discriminated against R.S. in violation of the ADA; Defendants denied R.S. an equal opportunity under the ADA; and defendants acted with deliberate indifference to R.S.'s disabilities. In the absence of plausible factual allegations of associational-disability discrimination, the District Court's dismissal of the parents' RA and ADA claims was appropriate. B. We end with the family's contention that the District Court abused its discretion in dismissing their complaint with prejudice without granting them leave to amend. We find no abuse of discretion here. Unlike a district court, we do not directly grant or deny parties leave to amend their pleadings under Rules 15 and 16. Thus, a litigant seeking another chance to amend her pleadings on appeal must convince us a court of review that the district court abused its discretion in granting or denying her request for leave to amend. Where a litigant never requests leave to amend in the district court, we can hardly fault a district court for not granting it. That's what happened here. The record shows that the family never filed a motion in the District Court for leave to amend their complaint that referenced the new allegations they set out in their brief on appeal. Instead, immediately after the District Court issued its opinion and order dismissing their claims with prejudice, the plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal. The District Court thus never had the opportunity to exercise, let alone abuse, its discretion to grant or deny their request for leave to amend. No abuse of discretion occurred here. While leave to amend is freely granted, no court can be said to have erred in failing to grant a request that was not made. IV. For these reasons, we will affirm the District Court's order. FOOTNOTES . J.A. 22. . See R.S. Br. 4. As the family expressly decline[s] to appeal the dismissal of all other claims, id., we need not and do not address them. . Turner v. Crawford Square Apartments III, L.P., 449 F.3d 542, 547 (3d Cir. 2006). . 544 U.S. 280, 284 (2005); see Lance v. Dennis, 546 U.S. 459, 464 (2006). . 615 F.3d 159, 166 (3d Cir. 2010). . 546 U.S. at 464. . 237 Pa. Code 120 (PARTIES are the juvenile and the Commonwealth.). . 546 U.S. at 466. . See Butler Cty. Br. 13 (citing Lance, 546 U.S. at 466 n.2). . J.A. 2831. . See J.A. 3233. . Great W. Mining, 615 F.3d at 168. . Id. at 169. . Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). . We exercise plenary review of a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, affirming if the plaintiff failed to allege plausible claims. Doe v. Mercy Catholic Med. Ctr., 850 F.3d 545, 552 (3d Cir. 2017) (citations omitted). . 29 U.S.C. 794; see J.A. 28. . 42 U.S.C. 12132; see J.A. 29. . See Addiction Specialists, Inc. v. Twp. of Hampton, 411 F.3d 399, 405 (3d Cir. 2005). . See McCullum v. Orlando Reg'l Healthcare Sys., Inc., 768 F.3d 1135, 1142 (11th Cir. 2014) (A nondisabled person has standing to bring suit under the ADA only if she was personally discriminated against or denied some benefit because of her association with a disabled person.). . J.A. 2728. . J.A. 2829 (emphases added). . J.A. 2930 (emphases added). . Fletcher-Harlee Corp. v. Pote Concrete Contractors, Inc., 482 F.3d 247, 253 (3d Cir. 2007); accord Alaska v. United States, 201 F.3d 1154, 116364 (9th Cir. 2000). . Wilson v. Merrill Lynch & Co., 671 F.3d 120, 13940 (2d Cir. 2011) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). FISHER, Circuit Judge. Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in the Sikkim capital of Gangtok today as a standoff continues between Indian and Chinese troops in a sensitive sector along the Sino-Indian border. Gen Rawat will take stock of operations and interact with top commanders in the formation headquarters of the force in the border state. Official sources, however, described General Rawat's visit as routine. The latest face-off is linked to Donglang, a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. Tension has been mounting between the Indian and Chinese armies after a scuffle between Indian troops and personnel of China's People's Liberation Army in the remote border area. (See: China accuses India of adverse actions on Sikkim border) China on Wednesday warned India that future visits of its pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass will depend on whether it "corrects its errors". Beijing also termed the construction of a road in the Sikkim sector of the Sino-India border as "legitimate", asserting that it was being built on Chinese territory that neither belongs to India nor Bhutan and no other country had the right to interfere. "Donglang is part of China's territory. This is indisputable. The Donglang area belonged to China since ancient times and it doesn't belong to Bhutan," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media in Beijing. "India wants to raise an issue with this part. I should say it doesn't belong to Bhutan, nor it belongs to India. So we have complete legal basis for this. Chinese construction of the road project is legitimate and normal action on its territory. No other country has the right to interfere," he said while replying to a question. Lu defended China's decision to shut the Nathu La pass in Sikkim for Indian pilgrims, saying that China had agreed to open the route as the boundary there has been delineated with the consent of both the countries. "For a long time in the interest of India-China relations, China provided great conveniences to the Indian pilgrims. Based on the consensus between the two countries' leaders, and on the fact that the Sikkim sector boundary is delineated and recognised by two countries, the Chinese side in 2015 opened the Nathu La pass for Indian pilgrims," he said. For two years it worked well and in fact this year also the Chinese authorities had prepared for the reception of Indian pilgrims and informed the Indian side about it, Lu said. "Now the suspension of the same is an emergency response to the situation there. I want to stress that the resumption of pilgrims pass requires necessary atmosphere and conditions. So the liability of the same totally lies with the Indian side and when it will be reopened depends on when or whether the Indian side will correct its errors," he said. China also hinted that India was objecting to its efforts to build the road in Donglang area of the Sikkim sector on behalf of Bhutan which does not have any diplomatic ties with Beijing. Taking a dig at India, Lu said Bhutan is a universally recognised sovereign country. "Hope countries can respect the sovereignty of the country. The China-Bhutan boundary is not delineated, no third party should interfere in this matter and make irresponsible remarks or actions," he said. "If any third party, out of hidden agenda, interferes it is disrespect of the sovereignty of Bhutan. We don't want to see this as Bhutan is a country entitled to sovereignty by the international community," Lu said. Donglang is located in a tri-junction close to the strategic area called Chicken's Neck. China says that the Sikkim part of the India-China boundary is settled and therefore India has no right to object over the road construction. Asked about whether there was any progress in the talks between India and Chinese officials over the border standoff, Lu said, "The Indian troops crossed the boundary at the Sikkim side to the Chinese territory. "This is different to what was before in India-China boundary. China has made solemn representations against the same. India should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China." During his two-day visit, General Rawat will travel to a number of formation headquarters in the northeast and review various operational matters in the region - a strategically key region having most of the 3,488-km-long- border with China. Of the India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim. China also said that it has lodged diplomatic protests with India, both in New Delhi and Beijing, alleging that the Indian troops trespassed into Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector. Approximately 30 officers from several agencies joined in a manhunt for an escaped Community Corrections inmate Wednesday. Authorities continue to search for Roger Dale Hall, involved in a reported traffic incident Wednesday night and tied to the robbery and carjacking that occurred at Southside Walmart earlier this week. According to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Trooper Kevin Cook, a call was sent out regarding an accident on Geneva County Road 48 and County Road 81 Wednesday evening. By the time the trooper arrived on the scene the suspect had taken off on foot, Cook said. Geneva County Sheriff deputies arrived on scene shortly after the trooper. Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms said numerous officers from several agencies participated in the manhunt Wednesday night. When the call originally came in, it was dispatched out as a vehicle accident, Helms said. The caller reported the suspect was driving erratically and tried to run the caller off the road. The suspect actually left the road and ended up in a field where witnesses saw the suspect take off on foot. Authorities were soon able to tie the Wednesday evening incident with the earlier robbery and carjacking at Southwide Walmart in Dothan. After the information was verified who the suspect was, Dothan Police Department, Houston County Sheriffs Office, Slocomb Police Department, Fugitive Task Force and the US Marshals joined in the search, Helms said. The Dale County Sheriffs Office also assisted in the search and provided its helicopter to assist in the search. The aerial search remained active for several hours. It was later called off because of deteriorating flying hours. At this time we are working on leads, Helms said. We have information that confirms the suspect does have family in nearby areas. We have also been in contact with the Holmes County Sheriffs Office and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office in Florida." Helms said he does not know if Hall is currently armed, but advised anyone who came in contact with Hall to dial 911. Houston County Department of Corrections Investigator Chris Jerkins stated Hall was scheduled to be released from the work release program in February 2018. Until the recent carjacking in Dothan, all of Hall's previous crimes have been non-violent, Jerkins said. Hall was serving his six-year and nine-month sentence here. According to the hours on his work release information, he was due to return to department Monday at 4:45 p.m. After failing to return we followed all protocol needed. At this time an escape warrant has been filed by our department and the City of Dothan has also filed a warrant for his arrest in connection to the Monday night burglary and carjacking at Walmart. Jerkins stated when Hall is captured he will be transported to Houston County where a revocation hearing will be held. The county will request that the judge assigned to the case revoke Halls current status and send Hall to state prison to serve his sentence on his previous charges. Upon completion of that sentence, Jerkins said it is likely Hall will serve time on his two additional charges. With Hall escaping from his work release, he cant go back on the program, Jerkins said. At this time we just have to wait until he is back in custody. As the 2016-2017 financial year comes to an end, businesses are hastily tying up loose ends in preparation for the new financial year. Often employers can put themselves at risk when pressuring their employees to work extensive overtime to finalise projects, meet deadlines and finish annual reports before the end of the financial year. Employers who direct their employees to work additional hours must tread carefully and ensure their direction complies with the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). A 2016 survey conducted by the Australia Institute, Centre for Future Work titled Excessive Hours and Unpaid Overtime: An Update, found that on average, full-time workers complete 5.1 hours of unpaid overtime per week, and part-time workers averaging 3.74 hours unpaid overtime. For the full-time employee this excess time worked equates to approximately $10,000 or 13% of actual earnings, and for part-time employees this equates to $7,500 or 25% of actual earnings. The calculated loss when applied to the national economy is approximately $116 billion in unpaid overtime. When it comes to work-life balance, employers have a statutory obligation to provide a safe workplace. If an employer imposes excessive overtime, it may be in breach of this obligation. Encouraging work-life balance for employees is the key to productivity and a positive working environment. How can I determine if the overtime is reasonable? Employers should be aware of their legal obligations to their employees when requesting overtime. Commonly, many employment contracts specify that amongst the contracted hours there will be an expectation of reasonable overtime. However, an employee always has the right to refuse to work unreasonable additional hours. Section 62 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) outlines factors that help determinate whether additional hours are reasonable: any risk to employee health and safety from working the additional hours; the employees personal circumstances, including family responsibilities; the needs of the workplace or enterprise in which the employee is employed; whether the employee is entitled to receive overtime payments, penalty rates or other compensation for, or a level of remuneration that reflects an expectation of, working additional hours; any notice given by the employer of any request or requirement to work the additional hours; any notice given by the employee of his or her intention to refuse to work the additional hours; the usual patterns of work in the industry, or the part of an industry, in which the employee works; the nature of the employees role, and the employees level of responsibility; whether the additional hours are in accordance with averaging terms included under section 63 in a modern award or enterprise agreement that applies to the employee, or with an averaging arrangement agreed to by the employer and employee under section 64; any other relevant matter. The Fair Work Ombudsman recognises that overtime is characterised as working beyond the ordinary working hours, outside agreed number of hours and outside the spread of ordinary hours. When an employee objects to overtime Section 62 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) states that an employer must not request or require an employee to work more than the contracted hours in a week unless the additional hours are reasonable. If the hours are found to be unreasonable employees may object either verbally or in writing, however it is dependent upon the terms of the contract or award if an employee tries to claim compensation for this time either monetarily or with time in lieu. Any adverse action taken against an employee for refusing to work unreasonable additional work hours or making a complaint about them is a breach of the general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). If you are unsure about your overtime policies in the workplace, we recommend seeking legal advice. End of financial year bonuses In addition to unpaid overtime, employees are usually working to achieve their end of financial year bonuses. Contention surrounding bonus payments have been brought to the forefront this financial year with the Deutsche Bank of Germany recently decided to cut bonuses for local employees. Incentives are governed by the terms of an employment contract and the payment of any bonuses is subject to the overriding discretion of the employer. This discretion is usually expressed as being absolute or unfettered and is often relied upon by employers to withhold the payment of a bonus. However, courts have shown a preparedness to restrict employers from exercising their discretion in a way that is capricious or arbitrary, even in circumstances where the terms of the contract provide that the discretion is unfettered. Employers who are unsure how to incorporate incentive plans into your workplace should seek legal advice. About the author Trent Hancock is a Senior Associate with McDonald Murholme, an employment law firm based in Melbourne and Adelaide. With the end of the financial year almost upon us, now is the time to make the most of your tax planning. If you are like most business owners, chances are you are putting off thinking about your tax until after 30 June. However, you MUST act now. If you wait until after 30 June, its too late to take advantage of many steps that could improve your cash flow not only now but for the next financial year. To see a benefit this tax time, anything you want to claim or write off needs to be done this side of the end of financial year and you cant backdate anything. If you are audited and are found to have falsely claimed deductions or have backdated transactions, you could potentially face criminal charges or, at the very least, receive a hefty fine from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). I have one golden rule for this time of year: tax deferred is tax saved. It will always pay to defer your tax obligations until the following year to improve your cash resources. Here are four key steps you can urgently take to improve your cash flow this tax time. Plan ahead It might be difficult, but if your estimated profits are going to be high this year, try to prepay as much as you can, including paying your rent in advance and prepaying any fixed payments. This helps increase your tax deductions for the year. Write off your old debts There isnt much time left, but a key step is to take a look through your debt ledger and write off old debts from the past six months or ones that you think wont be recovered. This reduces your 2016-17 income, reducing your business tax. You will also be credited GST in your next BAS, as you will have been charged GST on the written off invoices but not actually received it from the customer. Refer those written-off debts to a no-recovery, no-charge debt collection agency. Any money ultimately recovered by them can then be added back into your income in the financial year in which the money is recovered. Order purchases now but defer payment For any large purchases you have in the pipeline, try to make the order and receive the invoice before 30 June to pick up the expense. This may sound counterintuitive but, if you negotiate deferred terms with your suppliers, youll receive the benefit this tax time rather than having to wait 12 months. That is, order and claim the expense now, but put off paying until the new financial year. Obey the ATO While it can be a benefit to push back payments to some of your creditors to ease your cash flow burden, the ATO is one creditor you dont want to mess with. It far more extensive powers when it comes to collecting money it is owed and will act quickly and efficiently. In fact, the ATO is the largest liquidator of companies in Australia. Whatever you do, dont miss your BAS payments or you will be hit with hefty penalties. While the ATO will work with those who are making a serious effort to pay, they will be firm and harsh on those who are deliberately trying to avoid their obligations. Planning your taxes in advance might be the last thing you want to do as you head towards 30 June but it will make a considerable difference to your cash flow. Most importantly, it will set your business off on the right foot for the new financial year and put you in good stead for a prosperous FY 17-18. About the author United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. MILTON CHAVARRIA, a/k/a Syko, Defendant - Appellant. No. 16-4685 Decided: June 27, 2017 Before GREGORY, Chief Judge, and SHEDD and HARRIS, Circuit Judges. Brian Michael Aus, BRIAN AUS, ATTORNEY AT LAW, Durham, North Carolina, for Appellant. Jill Westmoreland Rose, United States Attorney, William M. Miller, Assistant United States Attorney, Charlotte, North Carolina, for Appellee. Milton Chavarria appeals his below-Guidelines 228-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea to conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) (2012), based on his involvement with the MS-13 gang. Chavarria raises three arguments on appeal, none of which withstands review. First, Chavarria challenges his base offense level, which the district court arrived at by cross-referencing the attempted first degree murder Guideline. We review the factual findings underlying a cross-reference for clear error. United States v. Ashford, 718 F.3d 377, 380, 384 (4th Cir. 2013). Here, the Sentencing Guidelines instructed the district court to cross-reference the base offense level for the racketeering activity underlying Chavarria's conspiracy offense. See U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual 2E1.1 (2015). The parties dispute whether that activity was attempted first or second degree murder. Attempted first degree murder compels a base offense level of 33, but attempted second degree murder warrants a base offense level of 27. USSG 2A2.1(a). First-degree murder requires proof of premeditation, while second-degree murder simply requires proof of malice aforethought. Ashford, 718 F.3d at 384 (internal quotation marks omitted). The government need not prove the defendant intended to injure or kill to establish malice. United States v. Williams, 342 F.3d 350, 356 (4th Cir. 2003). Instead, the government can prove malice by showing the defendant's awareness that his conduct created a serious risk of death or bodily harm. Id. The evidence supports the district court's findings of premeditation and malice. According to an initial statement by a gang recruit, Chavarria directed the recruit to shoot the first black man that walked by them and then Chavarria served as the getaway driver. While the recruit and other coconspirators changed their stories, Chavarria's jail calls established that he knew about the shooting beforehand and was in the area of the shooting when it occurred. Police also confirmed that Chavarria's car was used to flee the scene after the shooting. Chavarria's involvement in, or at least awareness of, the planning of the shooting and subsequent assistance with the getaway amounted to premeditation. The cases Chavarria cites to contest a finding of premeditation do not support his argument because they do not distinguish between first and second degree murder. See United States v. Burns, 781 F.3d 688 (4th Cir. 2015); Ashford, 718 F.3d at 380 (4th Cir. 2013). Moreover, shootings create a serious risk of death or bodily harm, and therefore, by planning the shooting, Chavarria possessed the requisite malice. Thus, we conclude that the district court did not clearly err when it cross-referenced the Guideline for attempted first degree murder. Second, Chavarria challenges the district court's refusal to reduce his offense level by two points for acceptance of responsibility, and enhancement of his offense level by two points for attempted obstruction of justice. We review both rulings for clear error. United States v. Smoot, 690 F.3d 215, 219-20 (4th Cir. 2012) (acceptance of responsibility); United States v. Hughes, 401 F.3d 540, 559 (4th Cir. 2005) (obstruction of justice). Chavarria argues that those rulings were clear error because they derived from statements made in his two pro se filings, which according to Chavarria, the district court could not rely on in light of W.D.N.C. Local Rule 47.1(H). That rule, however, applies to motions, not to Chavarria's pro se filings, which included a document titled, Affidavit of Facts and a letter. See W.D.N.C. Local Rule 47.1 ([T]he Court will not ordinarily entertain a motion filed by a criminal defendant who is still represented by counsel ) (emphasis added). Because the district court properly considered the pro se filings and Chavarria has conceded that the filings jeopardized his claim to acceptance of responsibility, the district court did not clearly err when it denied the acceptance of responsibility adjustment and applied the obstruction of justice enhancement. Third, Chavarria, while labeling his argument as a challenge to the substantive reasonableness of his sentence, actually argues that the district court committed harmful, procedural error in calculating his Sentencing Guidelines range by applying the attempted first degree murder cross-reference, refusing to apply the acceptance of responsibility adjustment, and enhancing his sentence for obstruction of justice. We review sentences for procedural and substantive reasonableness under a deferential abuse-of-discretion standard. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007). In assessing procedural reasonableness, we consider factors such as whether the district court properly calculated the Guidelines range, considered the 18 U.S.C. 3553(a) (2012) factors, and sufficiently explained the sentence imposed. Id. Absent any significant procedural errors, we evaluate the substantive reasonableness of a sentence under the totality of the circumstances. Id. We presume reasonable within- or below-Guidelines sentences. United States v. Louthian, 756 F.3d 295, 306 (4th Cir. 2014). This presumption can only be rebutted by showing that the sentence is unreasonable when measured against the 18 U.S.C. 3553(a) factors. Id. For the reasons described above, the district court did not miscalculate Chavarria's Guidelines range. Because Chavarria has failed to identify any other potential procedural errors, we turn to the substantive reasonableness of his sentence. We conclude that Chavarria has failed to rebut the presumption of reasonableness afforded his below-Guidelines sentence and therefore that the district court did not abuse its discretion when sentencing Chavarria. Accordingly, we affirm the district court's judgment. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process. AFFIRMED PER CURIAM: The European Commission on Tuesday walloped Google unit with a record 2.4 billion euros fine about US$2.7 billion for giving its own shopping comparison site preference above smaller competitors, and thus abusing its dominant position as a search engine. Google must end the conduct within 90 days or face penalties of 5 percent of its average daily global revenue, the EC said. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who is in charge of regulating competition, praised Google for its overall innovation, but said that Googles actions were not limited to reasonable efforts to put out a better comparison shopping product than its rivals. Instead, Google abused its market dominance as a search engine by promoting its own comparison shopping service in its search results and demoting those of competitors, she said. What Google has done is illegal under EU antitrust rules. It denied other companies the chance to compete on the merits and to innovate. Consumers in the region were denied a genuine choice of services, Vestager added. Froogle Flop Google first entered its comparison shopping product in Europe in 2004 under the name Froogle. The Froogle service performed poorly, and Google changed its strategy in 2008, according to the EC, when it was renamed Google Product Search. It became Google Shopping in 2013. When consumers searched for products starting in 2008, Google gave preference to its own comparison shopping tool in 13 European Economic Area countries, starting in Germany and the UK, according to the EC. Google demoted rival services based on certain algorithms, with even the leading rivals not appearing until page four of a Google search. As a result, Googles traffic surged in several countries more than 45-fold in the UK and 35-fold in Germany. Google expressed disagreement with the ECs findings, and said it will consider a possible challenge to the ruling. When you shop online, you want to find the products youre looking for quickly and easily and advertisers want to promote those same products. said Google General Counsel Kent Walker. Thats why Google shows shopping ads, connecting our users with thousands of advertisers, large and small, in ways that are useful for both, he added. We respectfully disagree with the conclusions announced today, said Walker. We will review the Commissions decision in detail as we consider an appeal, and we look forward to continuing to make our case. Rivals Rejoice Although the decision is welcome, the end of Googles anticompetitive search practices will be far more important than the fine levied against the company, remarked Shivaun Raff, CEO of Foundem, a UK-based vertical search company that led the complaint against Google. For well over a decade, Googles search engine has played a decisive role in determining what most of us read, use and purchase online, he said. Left unchecked there are few limits to this gatekeeper power. Google in 2013 settled a separate case with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, after it accused the company of biasing search results in tablet, smartphone and gaming devices. The EC ruling is significant, because it could impact the way Google conducts business not just within the EU but in other regions of the world, noted Michael Jude, a research manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. However, this decision isnt likely to change the competitive landscape very much, he told the E-Commerce Times. Google will continue to dominate and raise prices for all players in the region, Jude said. Think of this as a new tax. 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A common call is, I heard coyotes hunting last night. No one ever runs through the woods yelling loudly when theyre hunting. Another is, I heard a mountain lion screaming. Cougars are really quiet animals and all recordings received turn out to be red fox; which have a fairly loud scream. A recent message included a video of an adult bobcat thought to be a baby cougar. The agency has also been contacted about pterodactyls and sasquatch. So when a call came in about a capybara, the worlds largest rodent, Monroe County wildlife officers Joe Pike and Kip Kite were a bit hesitant. TWRA officials immediately started calling zoos and other institutions looking for a home. We knew this was a fluke and this was a once in a lifetime happening, said Mr. Kite. The hope was to capture the animal and get it in safe hands. He said, We obviously dont want exotic wildlife running loose. However, were overwhelmingly willing to work with organizations for recapture and safe return. In the meantime, Officer Kite was working on an inspection at the Citico Wildlife Wilderness, located about five miles from Tellico WMA. The owner mentioned a capybara had escaped through an overflow pipe during recent rains. The mystery immediately came to a close. Tellico WMA employees spotted the capybara again and contacted the owner who was able to live trap the animal and get it safely home. All agency employees listen to stories each day. They rely on their education, science and years of experience to help others understand natures happenings, wildlife behavior and in this case get an exotic animal back into proper care. There are many laws concerning exotic animals in Tennessee. TWRA oversees permitting for certain captive wildlife including exotic animals. For more information on wild animal permitting, visit TWRA at tnwildlife.org. (Mexico / Reuters) Getting divorced for Catholics has often meant leaving the church. It meant Catholics who got divorced could not receive the sacraments as the church does not recognize divorce. For Catholics to have a marriage that is dissolved to be recognized by the church it has to be annulled. If there is no annulment, a Catholic who divorces and remarries is deemed to be living in sin and is unable to take communion, the sacrament in which Christians eat blessed bread believed to be the body of Christ. Pope Francis has announced sweeping revisions to the Catholic Church's marriage annulment process. He announced changes on Sept. 8 that are designed to simplify and speed up and simplify the often lengthy procedure, The Washington Post reported. "On Tuesday, Francis rewrote the longstanding church doctrine on annulments, the sometimes expensive and time-consuming process allowing Catholics to confidently re-marry in the church," The Intelligencer reported. Francis' order "motu proprio," Latin for "on his own impulse," eliminates a secondary review of the process and it gives bishops the option to fast track, and could make the process free for divorcees, the newspaper said. Vatican Radio said, "Increased brevity in the legal process - in fact, beyond making the marriage annulment process more agile, a briefer form of trying nullity cases has been designed." The Pope's announcement came about a month before a major Vatican meeting at which Catholic leaders will examine the church's views on family issues, including divorce and remarriage. The views of relationships and marriage have changed rapidly in recent years with Catholic views also shifting. The rule changes declared by the Pope do not, however, amend Catholic Church teaching that marriage is permanent. In the United States where Francis will visit later in September, nine-in-ten U.S. Catholics say a household headed by a married mother and father is an ideal situation for bringing up children, a survey by the Pew Research Center has found. But the Sept. 2 survey shows that large majorities think other kinds of families - those headed by parents who are single, divorced, unmarried or gay - are OK for raising children, too. "Moreover, many U.S. Catholics would like the Catholic Church, as an institution, to adopt a more flexible or accepting approach toward people who are divorced, cohabiting with a romantic partner outside marriage or in same-sex relationships," the Pew survey found. It found that 60 per cent say the church should start allowing Catholics who are cohabiting, as well as those who have divorced and remarried without obtaining an annulment, to receive Communion. (61% and 62%, respectively). And nearly half of Catholics (46%) think the church should recognize same-sex marriages. (Photo: Reuters / Brian Snyder)Arthur Austin (L) and Kathy Dwyer (R), who say they were sexually abused as children by different priests at St. Francis Church in Braintree, Massachusetts, hug outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Dec. 8, 2002, where hundreds of protesters gathered to call for the resignation of Boston's Cardinal Bernard Law. Attorneys for victims of abuse say recently released church documents reveal that Boston's Cardinal Law knew priests were sexually abusing parishioners and simply reassigned them to other posts. One of the Vatican's highest-ranking officials has been summoned to appear in court on July 18 to face multiple charges of historical sex offences in the Australian state of Victoria. The move is seen as a blow to the Catholic Church's attempts to put decades of child sex scadals behind it. Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican's finance chief, is to face the charges, which relate to complaints made by more than one person, The Financial Times reported. To attend the hearing the 76-year-old prelate who is Australia's highest ranking Catholic would have to return to Melbourne from Rome, where Pope Francis had appointed him to clean up the Vatican's finances. Victoria Police confirmed that Pell has been charged on summons over multiple allegations and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a "filing hearing," The Sydney Morning Herald reported. A statement from the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said Cardinal Pell had been informed of Victoria Police's "decision and action". "Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors who will also advise on his travel arrangements. He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously," said the statement. "He has again strenuously denied all allegations." NO. 3 AT THE VATICAN Cardinal Pell is the third most senior Catholic at the Vatican and his is likely to step aside from his post at the Holy See while he fights the charges. For years, Pell, has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney, Fox News reports. More recently, however, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, leading to Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview him. Althought the details of the allegations are unclear in the charges announced June 29, two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. Victoria's Deputy Police Commissioner, Shane Patton, said the charges were served on Cardinal Pell's legal representatives in Melbourne on June 29, Patton said. "The process and procedures that are being followed in the charging of Cardinal Pell have been the same that have been applied in a whole range of historical sex offences, whenever we investigate them," he said. "Cardinal Pell has been treated the same as anyone else in this investigation." Police did not accept questions during the press conference and did not give details of the allegations. Patton said it is important that due process is followed. "Preserving the integrity of that process is essential to us all and so for Victoria Police, it is important that it is allowed to go through unhindered and allowed to see natural justice is afforded to all the parties involved, including Cardinal Pell and the complainants in this matter," he said. Millions of K-12 students now spend time taking online classes. But what those experiences look like, the reasons such courses are offered, and the entities that provide them all vary tremendously. And despite the rapid proliferation of online courses, its still hard to pin down how many students take part in different types of online-learning options, let alone how well they are doing. So, what do policymakers, administrators, educators, parents, and students need to know? What follows is an overview of the types of supplemental online learning you can now see in most schools and states, as well as a breakdown of what we know about how many students are taking advantage of such opportunities, and how well they are doing. To keep things manageable, were not talking about students who attend school online full time (although you can certainly check out Education Weeks extensive coverage of the cyber charter sector .) Nor do we include here all the students in traditional classrooms who go online as part of individual lessons and school activities. What are supplemental online courses? Full-time virtual schools tend to get most of the headlines. But far more students experience virtual learning via supplemental online courses, taken while they are still enrolled in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Sometimes, the courses involve real-time interaction among students and a teacher. Others allow individual students to move through material alone, at their own pace. Often, but not always, a certified teacher is responsible for managing online classes. The courses could come from a state-run virtual school, a private vendor, a nonprofit, a university, or a regional service agency. The variations can sometimes make it confusing to say what exactly constitutes an online course. In general, though, there are three big reasons why schools offer these types of classes: so students can complete core academic credits, so they can take elective courses that otherwise wouldnt be available, and so schools can give students a second crack at earning credit for a course they previously failed. The challenges include difficulty finding teachers who are qualified to teach online and the questionable quality of some online courses. How many K-12 students take online courses? Nobody knows. Few states formally track or report student participation in online coursetaking, according to the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest , at the American Institutes for Research. The best guess comes from the Evergreen Education Group , a consultancy whose researchers used a variety of data sources to estimate that 2.7 million students took roughly 4.5 million supplemental online courses during the 2014-15 school year. What is clear: Those figures have grown dramatically over the past 15 years. During the 2002-03 school year, for example, K-12 students took just 317,000 online courses, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Lawmakers have helped accelerate that growth in some places. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, and Virginia now require all students to take at least one online course before graduating, and a handful of other states formally encourage students to do so. Which students take online courses? Nationally, its hard to say. At the state level, Michigan offers the clearest picture. During the 2015-16 school year, 6 percent of Michigan public school students (almost 91,000 from 570 school districts, plus the states full-time virtual schools) enrolled in a total of 453,570 online courses, according to the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute . About 80 percent of those students were from traditional public schools. Higher-performing students tended to take online courses at the state virtual school, whose offerings include Advanced Placement and honors courses. Lower-performing students tended to take online courses offered by their home districts, which often focused on credit recovery. Last year, the institute also produced snapshots of course-enrollment patterns in virtual schools in Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, and a handful of other states. In general, more girls than boys took such courses. In several of the states, rural students were overrepresented in online courses. Researchers with the Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast , at Florida State University, also found that between 2008 and 2011, white students in Florida were more likely than their black or Hispanic counterparts to enroll in online courses. Students in Floridas online courses were also less likely to be eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch, less likely to be in special education programs, and less likely to be an English-language learner. Do students receive a high-quality education in supplemental online courses? Overall, evidence suggests that students enrolled in supplemental courses at virtual schools perform the same or slightly better than their counterparts who take the same classes in brick-and-mortar settings, according to the National Education Policy Center . There is also some evidence that the courses improve student attendance and student engagement. It is less clear that online courses benefit the neediest students. Questions remain, however, about the methodologies used in most evaluations of student performance in online courses. Typically, researchers have examined the rates at which students complete or pass an online course, or student grades on end-of-course exams. In its survey of seven state virtual schools, the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute generally found passing rates higher than 80 percent. Boys, urban students, and poor students tended to pass the online courses at lower rates than their counterparts. Students who took fewer online courses appeared to be more likely to pass than students who took several online courses at once. What about online credit recovery? That is when students are given a chance to redo coursework or retake a class they previously failed. While traditional summer school credit-recovery classes are still an option, many credit-recovery courses are now offered online. How many students take online credit-recovery classes? This may sound familiar: Were not sure. One reason is that credit recovery represents a hodgepodge of actual offerings. Many districts dont track whether their students are taking online courses as part of a standard program or for credit recovery. Heres what we do know: As of 2011, 88 percent of school districts offered some form of credit recovery, according to the National Center for Education Statistics . Most of those are believed by experts who study the field to use online content and online teachers or both. What do we know about student performance in online credit recovery? The research that exists is generally mixed. In North Carolina , for example, REL Southeast found little difference between online and traditional credit-recovery courses. In Florida , meanwhile, the same group found that high school students were more likely to earn a C or better when taking credit-recovery courses online, rather than face to face. And Chicago tells the opposite story. In the most methodologically rigorous studies on credit recovery to date, the American Institutes for Research used randomized control trials to compare online and face-to-face credit-recovery programs for 9th graders taking Algebra 1. Students trying to make up the credits via software from a third-party vendor scored worse on algebra tests, got lower grades, and were less likely to actually recover the credit they had previously failed to earn. That doesnt sound good. Even proponents of online learning have been harshly critical about many online credit-recovery programs. A summary from a 2015 report produced by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) had this to say: Too often, credit-recovery solutions have lowered the bar for passing. Among the worst offenders in this regard are some products and programs that call themselves online. These are often computer-based software programs that are low-cost, have very low levels (if any) of teacher involvement, and require very little of students in demonstrating proficiency. They are used primarily because they are inexpensive, and they allow schools to say students have passed whether they have learned anything or not. What other kinds of supplemental online courses are available to K-12 students? Dual-enrollment courses, in which students can earn college credit by taking online courses from an institution of higher education while still enrolled in high school, are popular. More than a dozen states also now offer course choice programs that allow students to take one or more online courses offered by someone other than their home district (although enrollment in many of these programs remains very low). Many alternative education programswhich often serve students who are overage, behind on their credits, and/or at risk of dropping outalso have a heavy online component. In each case, comprehensive data on student enrollment and performance are limited. What do we know about what works in online courses? Keeping students engaged is key. A 2014 study by REL Midwest found that Wisconsin students who spent at least 1 hours per week working on their online coursework typically ended up passing. The quality of in-person instructional support also seems to matter quite a bit. That was certainly the case for the Chicago courses that AIR studied. Sometimes, such help can be delivered online, but experts say many of the best online courses include high-quality face-to-face instructional support for students. Researchers have also found that students tend to get higher grades the more often they log in to the online-learning system, the more lessons they access, the more they click, and the more they post in online-discussion boards. Where does that leave us? In addition to better understanding enrollment and quality, much more research is needed on such issues as how online courses accommodate students with disabilities and whether online courses exacerbate the digital divide between students in poverty and their more affluent counterparts. But given the prevalence of online courses, it no longer makes much sense to ask whether they are a good or bad option for students and families, according to researchers such as Tracy Gray, the managing director for the American Institutes for Research. Instead, Gray argued, we should be asking for whom does online learning work, under what circumstances, and what kinds of supports can make a difference? Pediatrician Priscilla Chan and Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg are gearing up to invest hundreds of millions of dollars a year in a new vision of whole-child personalized learning, with the aim of dramatically expanding the scope and scale of efforts to provide every student with a customized education. The emerging strategy represents a high-stakes effort to bridge longstanding divides between competing visions for improving the nations schools. Through their recently established Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the billionaire couple intends to support the development of software that might help teachers better recognize and respond to each students academic needswhile also supporting a holistic approach to nurturing childrens social, emotional, and physical development. The man charged with marrying those two philosophies is former Deputy U.S. Secretary of Education James H. Shelton, now the initiatives president of education. Weve got to dispel this notion that personalized learning is just about technology, Shelton said in an exclusive interview with Education Week. In fact, it is about understanding students, giving them agency, and letting them do work that is engaging and exciting. Vast Resources, Many Levers To advance that vision, Shelton has at his disposal a massive fortune and a wide array of levers to pull. Chan and Zuckerberg created CZI as a vehicle for directing 99 percent of their Facebook sharesworth an estimated $45 billionto causes related to education and science, through a combination of charitable giving and investment. The initiative is structured as a limited-liability corporation, rather than a traditional foundation. That means CZI will be able to make philanthropic donations, invest in for-profit companies, lobby for favored policies and legislation, and directly support candidates for elected officeall with minimal public-reporting requirements. For now, Shelton said, CZI is one of the best-resourced startups in the world, but still a startup, with fewer than 20 people on its education team. In the near future, though, he expects the initiative to give out hundreds of millions of dollars per year for education-related causes. Such a figure would place the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative among the highest-giving education-focused philanthropies in the country. Within five years, Shelton said in the June 22 interview, CZIs work should have helped launch a meaningful number of schools and learning environments where kids are performing dramatically better, and feel more engaged, and teachers feel more engaged in the work that theyre doing. Chan, 32, and Zuckerberg, 33, also have embraced the idea of a long horizon for the initiatives work, saying their support for personalized learning will extend over decades. From the outset, however, the couples attempt to engineer big changes in the U.S. education system faces significant obstacles. Personalized learning was an amorphous concept even before this new attempt to integrate it with equally hard-to-define whole child strategies. It remains unclear how Chan, Zuckerberg, and Shelton intend to balance the organizations support for research and development with their desire to quickly bring to scale new products and approaches, many of which have limited or no evidence to support their effectiveness. And CZI wont commit to publicly disclosing all of its financial and political activity or to making the source code for its software open and accessible to the larger education community. That stance has stirred complaints about a lack of transparency. Other large-scale philanthropic attempts at improving education have run aground on similar barriers. It can be hard for smart people with a fortune at their fingertips to remain patient, said Frederick M. Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. But the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative would be wise to avoid trying to go too far, too fast in its support for personalized learning, Hess said. This isnt engineering a new ride-sharing app, he said. Its how do we influence the learning of millions of children, day after day, for years to come. Whole Child Personalization Chan and Zuckerberg officially announced the creation of CZI in December 2015, shortly after the birth of their first child. The couples commitment to personalized learning was a major boost for a trend with strong winds already at its back. Over the past several years, other philanthropists, venture capitalists, and advocates, along with the ed-tech industry, have pushed the notion hard. Many district and school leaders have responded favorably. Now, Chan and Zuckerberg have a second child on the way. Facebook has its hands full with its network of nearly 2 billion social-media users, a new mission, and public concerns over its role in the spread of fake news. And Zuckerberg has been meeting with Iowa truckers and Ohio families on a 50-state tour, which many observers have speculated may be a precursor to a run for public office, although he has denied any such plans. Still, the couple is finding time to play a hands-on role in shaping CZIs educational strategy. Chan, a former classroom teacher, is at the initiatives Palo Alto, Calif., offices as often as four days a week, Shelton said. Zuckerberg is there at least once every other week. Each brings different priorities to the table, according to Shelton. Priscilla and I come into this work from similar perspectives, he said. She saw firsthand the impact that things outside the classroom had on students, and the range of needs that young people have. Zuckerberg, meanwhile, brings an engineering and design perspective to education problems, Shelton said. His focus: how you get to everyone in the world. Both points of view are reflected in the Chan Zuckerberg Initiatives early efforts on education. To date, CZI has hired both its own engineers and its own learning scientist. On the technology side, the initiative has invested in BYJUS, an India-based startup behind a popular online-learning app, and Enlearn, a Seattle-based nonprofit that has developed a new adaptive-learning platform. The organization has also partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on a $12 million venture philanthropy grant award. (The Gates Foundation has also provided grant support for Education Week.) At the same time, Shelton has overseen a number of grants to groups without a technology focus. Among them: Vision to Learn, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that has provided free eye exams and prescription glasses to tens of thousands of students; The Center on the Developing Child, a Harvard University research center focused on using science to improve social policy and care for low-income children and families; and SAGA Innovations, a Newtown, Mass.-based nonprofit that provides struggling students with intensive face-to-face help from human tutors. Many people have a preconceived notion that personalized learning is a kid in the corner alone with a computer, Shelton said. Forget about that. Its a welcome message for a field that has long been split into opposing camps, said Robert Schwartz, a professor emeritus of education policy at Harvard and a former director of education grantmaking at the Pew Charitable Trusts. Saying we have to focus either on what happens inside schools, or on underlying issues around poverty and communities and families, is a false choice, Schwartz said. This is an important signal that CZI is sending. The initiatives whole-child focus is also a smart tactical play, said David DeSchryver, a senior vice president at Whiteboard Advisors, an education policy research firm. One big reason: the newest version of the main federal K-12 education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, which is already pushing states and schools to think about more than standardized-test scores when determining what it means to help students thrive. It makes complete sense [for CZI] to push out [its] strategy in the context of what current administrators and leaders are already discussing, DeSchryver said. Personalized Learning Ready to Scale? Still, some observers worry that the Chan Zuckerberg Initiatives broad approach will further muddy two conceptspersonalized learning and whole childthat already mean different things to different people. The lack of clarity has made the personalized-learning movement hard to evaluate. Research so far is mixed, yielding some promising early findings around specific instructional practices and schools, but limited evidence to back up the transformative potential that proponents describe. The research has also sent strong signals that implementing personalized models is a huge challenge for many schools. Those dynamics create a dilemma for the CZI. The resulting tension has shown up in Zuckerbergs public remarks. In a March 2016 interview with Education Week, for example, the Facebook CEO said many versions of personalized learning needed to be tested in the real world before any conclusions could be drawn, suggesting a focus on R&D. But nine months later, Zuckerberg talked during a speech in Peru about bringing personalized learning to all children and helping upgrade a majority of schools to personalized learning, suggesting a Silicon Valley-style focus on rapid growth. In the interview with Education Week, Shelton sought to straddle that divide. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, he said, will first aim to bring small advances to large numbers of students. As an example, he cited a recent grant to the College Board, aimed at expanding access to the organizations personalized online SAT preparation and college-planning resources, which have shown early promise. You can bring those incremental improvements to people and improve their lives on a daily basis, even as you figure out how to get better, Shelton said. One small breakthrough leads to another breakthrough leads to another breakthrough, [and] pretty quickly they start adding up. But some skeptics say that if Chan, Zuckerberg, and Shelton were truly interested in seeing a thousand flowers bloom, they would pledge to making the software tools that CZI is developing and supporting open-source. That way, the underlying code would be available to others to use and adapt in ways that their original creators may not have foreseen. Shelton avoided such a commitment. Any such decision would be made over time, he said. Bill Fitzgerald, an open-source proponent and the director of the privacy-evaluation initiative at Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based nonprofit and advocacy group, is among those who find that stance less than satisfying. If youre serious about allowing people to learn in the ways that make the most sense to them, you have to give them more choices than just using your software, under your rules, Fitzgerald said. And Stanford University emeritus education professor Larry Cuban described an even more fundamental challenge in bringing personalized learning to scale. Innovations in public education are more about people than technology, Cuban said. As a result, even the best-funded improvement efforts are often stymied by institutional barriers to changing how teachers teach and children learn. What they have run up against in public schools are the structures of the age-graded school, the demand of standards, and the responsibility for doing well on standardized tests, Cuban said. If the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative thinks it will be easy to scale up within those structures, theyre in for a massive disappointment. Transparency Concerns Thats a reality that Shelton has been wrestling with for a long time. Before joining CZI, the 49-year-old Washington, D.C., native worked as a program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As a top official in President Barack Obamas Department of Education, he oversaw the Investing in Innovation program, which awarded $1.3 billion in federal grants to create a pipeline of research-based interventions. Neither the foundation nor the department found clear success in bringing educational innovations to scale. Now, though, Shelton said the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is trying to do something thats never been done before, in a way that has never been done. One big difference is the many levers the organization will be able to pull. One example: Traditional nonprofit philanthropies, such as the Gates Foundation, are generally prohibited from lobbying for specific legislation or participating directly in political campaigns. As a limited-liability corporation, CZI is not bound by such rules. For now, at least, Shelton said CZI is just figuring out how to use the policy-advocacy tools at its disposal. The organization does not currently have a specific education policy agenda it is seeking to advance, he said. But CZI wont rule out the possibility that it might engage in a host of political activities in the future, including giving to candidates and establishing its own 501(c)4 organization or political action committee. Nor would the initiative commit to publicly disclosing such activity if it occurs. Despite professing a commitment philosophically to transparency, Shelton declined to commit to letting the public know of all the initiatives philanthropic grants and for-profit investments. And CZI has clearly signaled its intent to try to shape policy debates in education and to exert different kinds of influence in complementary ways. An online job description for the position of director of innovative schools and tools, for example, called for someone who can ensure our nonprofits and for-profit investments are coordinated for maximum impact. Those emphases create the real potential for hidden conflicts, said Sarah Reckhow, an assistant professor of political science at Michigan State University who tracks philanthropic giving in education. Its not hard to imagine a CZI grant award predicated on schools using CZIs favored software, Reckhow said, or a lobbying campaign to push for a charter school authorizer to approve new schools that use CZIs favored personalized-learning approach. So what is the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative doing to mitigate the potential for problematic overlap in its spheres of influence? Were paying really close attention, said Shelton. He added that forcing grantees to adopt specific tools is not how we want to operate. Whether thats enough to assuage critics who have already begun to mobilize against the personalized-learning movementand who have voiced concern at the prospect of another billionaire seeking to push the educational system in his preferred directionremains to be seen. Ultimately, Shelton said, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative feels as though its responsible primarily to the people the organization is hoping to serve. What we hope to do is understand how we can create the environments, tools, and resources that let all teachers do their best work and all students benefit from their teachers best teaching, he said. I know many people will be watching. NOTICE: The Hamilton County Registers Office did not publish this data. All information in the Registers Office is public information as set out in T.C.A. 10-7-503. For questions regarding this report, please call Chattanoogan.com at 423 266-2325. GI numbers, listed when street addresses are not available, refer to the location of transactions (book number and page number) in Hamilton County Register Office records. In an effort to raise funds, The Daily Ration, 1220 Dartmouth St. in Chattanooga, will be hosting the Chattanooga Humane Educational Society for Pups and Pints on the Patio on Thursday at 6 p.m. "We will have adoptable puppies outside for everyone to play with (and consider adopting), and beer specials when you bring your pup. We will also be raffling off some beer swag- a $1 donation gets you 2 raffle tickets. The more you donate, the better your chances are to win swag, and you'll be supporting local animals in need," officials said. The Tennessee District of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized Chattanooga-based BrightBridge as the top dollar and loan volume provider for the Community Advantage and 504 loan programs during its previous fiscal year. As the only Tennessee-based provider of SBAs Community Advantage loan program, BrightBridge provides loans to small businesses, including startups, which cannot obtain conventional financing. Mike Ohlman, BrightBridge president and CEO said the not-for-profit economic development agency can make such loans up to $250,000 and usually do not require as much collateral as other small business loans. The award for top lender of the 504 loan program is the ninth consecutive year that BrightBridge has won honors in this category. The 504 allows BrightBridge to participate with commercial lenders on larger projects involving real estate, construction and heavy machinery. Recent projects include an upscale hotel, brewery and franchise restaurant. BrightBridge provides SBA lending to small businesses throughout Tennessee, and offers some of its programs in North Alabama, North Georgia, and Western North Carolina. ABOUT: BrightBridge is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to economic development. We work in partnership with local, state and federal governments, community banks and private lenders to provide affordable financing for businesses. Scenic City Fishing Charters announced that it has received the 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. This is the third consecutive year Scenic City Fishing has been awarded the honor from TripAdvisor. Owner Richard Simms said, "The achievement celebrates businesses and attractions that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. The Certificate of Excellence measures the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. "We've been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence every year since we've been featured on the site. We're a small operation, but on TripAdvisor's 'Outdoor Activities in Chattanooga,' we rank up there with the big guns such as the Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer and Southern Belle. That makes us very proud and excited that we get to help show off Chattanooga's tremendous outdoor resources." "With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honors hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travelers, said Heather Leisman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor. This recognition helps travelers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travelers feel more confident in their booking decisions. President Trump made it clear during his official visit in Saudi Arabia that the United States would support the countries that are willing to fight extremists, which also meant an opportunity to improve the US ties with Turkey and Qatar. Both countries are home to important American military bases and Turkey is moreover a NATO member. However, both countries have been providing support to extremist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Nusra front and the United States can no longer afford to let the two countries go in both directions. President Trump has recently met with his Turkish counterpart and both cemented their commitment to the coalition against terrorism despite the numerous disagreements over the question of Syrias Kurds or the fight against ISIS. Although both Turkey and Qatar have allowed the United States to use their military bases and airspace to fight the Islamists, they are merely helping out to solve the problems they had themselves helped generate. The Turkish-Qatari ties deepened after President Erdogan came to power in 2002 and Qatari investment became a key source of capital for him. Their relationship further thrived following the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings when both countries were aligned ideologically. When the leading Arab countries, such Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were strongly against the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey and Qatar threw their lot, as well as financing in Qatars case, behind the Brotherhoods struggle for power in Egypt, Syria and elsewhere. The struggle with the Brotherhood is that it is far from moderate. It forms the ideological foundation that contemporary extremist Islamism is based on, depicting the West and particularly the United States as the lethal enemy of all Muslims. They have supported virulent anti-Semitism and endorsed suicide bombings. Yet, for the time being, Turkey and Qatars policies are backfiring. Both countries are increasingly seen as troublemakers and they are getting more isolated from the regions other key players and the international community. However, there is still no sign of a strategic setback. The Trump administration should now correct its policies towards both countries. In order to fight terrorism effectively, Washington needs to redefine the meaning of being Americas ally. We can no longer ignore the double standards when our proclaimed allies are actively backing the very forces we are trying hard to defeat. Turkey & Qatars Support for Extremist Groups Commentary by Svante E. Cornell and Lawrence Stutzriem Institute for Security & Development Policy. (The Commentary can be downloaded here) After Brexit, the European Union project will never be the same. The British departure will deliver a hard blow to EU soft power and challenge the widely held conviction that the process of European integration is an inexorable progression. Not only must the EU manage its internal political and economic problems as well as improve citizens perceptions of the EU, but it now must also manage the Brexit process. For individual member states, such as Poland, there may be additional negative consequences brought about by the UKs decision to leave the European Union. On the issue of Brexit, one of the critical issues that concerns Poland is the future of the nearly one million Poles working in the UK. If they are forced to leave and return to Poland, there are likely to be serious political and economic repercussions both for Poland and for the UK. First, it may vastly increase unemployment in Poland which, at present, is at an acceptable level. Second, Poland receives around 1 billion euros in remittances from the emigrants, which amount to roughly 1% of its annual GDP. Approximately 250 million of this comes from Polish migrants residing in the UK. An increase in unemployment, coupled with a reduction in remittance payments, would be harmful to Polands economy. Furthermore, the Polish diaspora residing outside of the country generates significant demand for Polish goods, principally agricultural products. In the scenario where large group of Poles leave the UK, this may reduce the demand for Polish exports, again negatively impacting Polands economy. There are also detrimental effects to the UK. First, the British economy depends on Polish workers to keep several sectors of its economy running effectively. Poles are mainly employed in the construction and trade industries as well as in other low skilled sectors, including parts of hospitality and in housekeeping. More than 40,000 Poles, some living in the UK and some in Poland, opened or registered their small businesses in the UK. It is highly unclear what will happen with these after a drastic Brexit divorce. After Brexit, studying in the UK will likely be prohibitively expensive for young Polish students, deterring them from pursuing higher education in the UK. British universities will suffer from the reduction in student numbers, and of course student fees. On bilateral UK-Polish trading relations, Brexit presents an additional negative factor. After Germany, the United Kingdom is Polands second biggest trading partner. Polish exports exceed 12 billion euros annually from automobiles, spare parts, household appliances and food. Poland also imports just under 5 billion euros worth of goods from the UK. There is currently a healthy trading surplus which will be harmed by the UK leaving the Union. Lastly there will be a negative effect on the budget. The British contribution is nearly 13 billion euros of which 6 billion is returned to Britain through its pre-arranged rebate as well as from the EUs Structural and Investment Fund. This means that the UKs net contribution is in the range of 7 billion euros. Poland is the biggest recipient of EU agricultural subsidies as well as its structural cohesion programs. Many projects have been initiated under the assumption that funding is already secure in the budgetary perspective 2020. Serious reductions of contributions resulting from Britains withdrawal may dramatically affect many projects already under way in Poland. The prospect that Brexit could take place without any agreement, even a transitional one, may create disturbances unacceptable to member states. Mrs. Mays idea that No deal is better than a bad deal, is concerning. On the other hand, in Labour Party electoral manifesto we read that a Labour government will immediately guarantee existing rights for all EU nationals living in Britain and secure reciprocal rights for UK citizens who have chosen to make their lives in EU countries. and: Labour recognises that leaving the EU with no deal is the worst possible deal for Britain and that it would do damage to our economy and trade. We will reject no deal as a viable option and if needs be negotiate transitional arrangements. The outcome of the recent parliamentary election did not give a clear mandate to carry out the Brexit negotiations according to Conservative concepts. Hopefully some ideas from the opposition approach will be adopted and recent proposals of Prime Minister May regarding the EU nationals working in the UK may indicate a hopeful shift in this direction. Despite potential serious economic negative outcomes and problems with Poles living in the UK, Brexit, however regrettable, is not seen as a total rejection of Europe by the British and certainly would not require a kind of a punishment to discourage the others to follow British example. To begin with, there are no other countries waiting to see how Britain would manage the divorce to do something similar. On the contrary, the attraction of the EU membership seems not that much affected by Brexit. In Poland the mood may be described as of sad, but cautious optimism. What is a very serious concern is the future of the European foreign and security policy. After all Britain was the strongest military power with tremendous experience, expertise and capabilities. There was an opinion in Poland that at least with regard to the policy regarding Russia, we could always count on the British understanding and support: especially visible regarding UK stance of the EUs policy of sanctions on Russia. Without Britain in the EU, things will be more difficult. We should then perhaps develop, for our own purposes, a well-known British ability to muddle through present and forthcoming difficulties. The opinions articulated above represent the views of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time. In wake of the wide ranging ransomware attack on Tuesday targeting a number of high profile companies, including WPP, Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO South Asia - Dentsu Aegis Network, said on Wednesday that cyber attacks are the new reality the world is faced with and needs to be vigilant against. I think cyber attacks are a new reality the world has yet to come to grips with. It is a bit of a cat and mouse game where the hackers are always trying to be one step ahead while the users are trying to find the best protection that they can get. Amongst other things, the only real precaution you can take is that legal software is used, proper anti-virus software systems are in place, particularly in servers holding large amounts of data, and most importantly, which is not that commonly done in India, the users should be adequately sensitized on the kind of mails that could be potentially harmful, said Bhasin. Equipment which is not authorized should not be allowed to be plugged to company systems, regular updates on the protection software should be carried out, strictly only legal software should be used and the moment there is anything suspicious, the same should be reported to IT. I think as a country, India is often unprepared but of late, the awareness levels are rapidly rising because the cost involved in the potential disruption to business is just too high, he added. Read more news about (marketing news, latest marketing news,internet marketing, marketing India, digital marketing India, media marketing India, advertising news) While much attention has been placed on the record number of young adults who are delaying homeownership, recent research shows that 70 percent of Americans still believe that owning a home is an essential part of the American Dream. The nationwide survey of more than 11,300 registered voters was commissioned by the National Association of Home Builders, and was conducted Feb. 14-18, by the polling firm Morning Consult. Homeownership endures as the foundation of the American dream, and thats why the home building industry is celebrating National Homeownership Month in June. The benefits of owning your own home are numerous for you and for your community. You build financial strength and emotional well-being for you and your family, and at the same time, as a home owner, you promote increased stability for the surrounding community. Financial Benefits: Building equity and accruing wealth when the value of your home appreciates are among the longer-term financial benefits of homeownership. The home equity you build increases your net worth. Then, once a year at tax time, you get a reminder of another advantage of owning a home. American home owners saw their tax bills trimmed by a total of more than $100 billion in 2014, according to estimates by the Joint Committee on Taxation and NAHB analysis. This includes both the mortgage interest deduction and the real estate tax deduction. Those who itemize their federal income tax deductions can deduct 100 percent of their mortgage interest payments on a first or second home, up to a maximum mortgage amount of $1 million. On average, 70 percent of homeowners with a mortgage claim this deduction and 90 percent of all mortgage interest paid gets deducted, according to NAHB. Quality-of-life Enhancements: Homeownership increases stability for you and for the community where you live. Homeowners are less likely than renters to move every year or two. Once you settle in, you make friends, get to know the neighbors and develop a sense of community and thats a motivation to help maintain a safe and thriving environment for you, your family and your neighbors. Commitment to a community fosters civic participation. Through volunteering, school and church activities, and property maintenance, homeowners contribute to making a strong and healthy neighborhoods. To learn more about the benefits of homeownership or find homeownership opportunities in Chattanooga or the surrounding area, contact the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at www.hbagc.net or 624-9992. The latest GBP NZD exchange rate drop has seen the Pound trade around 1.7409, the worst rate in almost four months. GBP Unsettled by Prospect of Missed NI Powershare Deadline The Pound advanced on Monday when news came that the Conservatives had reached an agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). At the cost of a cool 1bn, a functioning government has now been formed. Since this early-week GBP NZD rise, however, the Pound has tumbled over fresh concerns about Northern Ireland. This stems from an incident in early 2017, when the Northern Irish Assembly collapsed. With Sinn Fein refusing to nominate a Deputy Leader, the Assembly has remained fractured since the start of the year. The deadline for solving this problem is Thursday, but Sinn Fein reservations about the DUP still run deep. In essence, if Sinn Fein and the DUP cant come to an agreement on power sharing then the Conservative government in Westminster could end up allocating the 1bn fund promised to Northern Ireland. This would seriously destabilise the situation, as previous NI governance has been on the condition that the government in London does not interfere. Commenting on the difficulties of talks has been BBC Northern Ireland Political Correspondent Enda McClafferty; The DUP and Sinn Fein were locked in talks late into [Monday] night but it's understood the parties are some way off reaching an agreement to restore power sharing. Secretary of State James Brokenshire and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney were briefed on the talks last night. This morning all the party leaders will be involved in round-table discussions. With the assembly scheduled to sit on Thursday, time is running out fast to reach a deal. It's understood the parties are prepared for long and intensive talks over the next two days. Speaking after the Conservative-DUP deal was signed on Monday, DUP leader Arlene Foster remained on the fence about the outcome of talks; I will be returning to Northern Ireland to continue our discussions as we attempt to re-establish the Northern Ireland Executive, because now, more than ever, our political leaders, both locally and nationally, need to work together to find solutions for all of the people we serve. New Zealand Dollar Climbs despite Tumbling Trade Balance The New Zealand Dollar has advanced by 0.3% against the Pound today, but domestic data has been unsupportive. This has covered the national trade balance for May. Forecasts had initially been for a surplus decline from 536m to 420m, but the actual result saw a slump to 103m. Although this drop was unexpected, there was a glimmer of light amidst the results. Dairy exports were shown to have risen by 42%, compared to the trade data for May in 2016. Commenting on the news was Stats NZ economist Daria Kwon; Higher world prices for milk powder helped boost export values in recent months. Exports of dairy commodities to China led the increase in values. Offering an optimistic forecast for the country was ASB Bank Senior Economist Jane Turner; Strong imports, combined with continued growth in NZ's exports, highlight the robust footing of the NZ economy. Over the coming year, NZ's strong export prices relative to low import prices will provide an income boost to the economy and be a key driver of growth going forward. GBP NZD Forecast: Pound Turbulence Possible on Upcoming GDP Data The last UK ecostats of the week are due on Friday and may unsettle the Pound going into the weekend. Final Q1 GDP growth rate figures are forecast to show an annual rise, but a quarterly drop. More consistently positive, the final Q1 business investment figures are expected to rise from negative ranges on the month and year. The next NZ news will be Thursdays ANZ business confidence result for June, as well as a building permits measure on the same day. If both figures rise then the New Zealand Dollar could advance moderately against the Pound. Hi, I posted four threads on this topic Must you apply for a Carte De Sejour? Do I need one? (Multi-page thread 1 2) Recent Experiences With Getting Long Stay Visas at San Francisco Embassy? (Multi-page Need help translating short French Fragment from Convention d'acceuil Health Care For Me and Kids If Not Covered by PUMA (Multi-page thread 1 2) I got some replies. Well the rules have changed quite a bit in the last 12 months so I thought I would share my experiences for others. It took 4 trips to the consulate (and 2 cancelled visas) but I finally got the one I want. Some points: a) Proof of health insurance is NOT needed for this type of visa b) There are two version of the scientfique talent: i) Under 12 month stay R311-3 9 "PASSEPORT TALENT" ii) 12 months and over L313-20 4 "PASSEPORT TALENT" c) The requirements and procedures for i) and ii) are very different. i) requires just visiting the OFII. ii) requires visiting the Prefecture and is much more indepth (you need to provide translated copies of degrees, marriage certificates etc.) as its designed for someone staying a long time. d) Most importantly the multi-entry visa associated with i) is valid for the entire length of the stay but with ii) its only valid for 3 months and your locked into France until after your carte de sejour is approved. e) With both your spouse can work f) The university and consulate still disagree if one needs to visit the OFII for i). The consulate says *no* the university says *yes*. We will see. Happy to answer any questions and Good luck! The city of Chickamauga and the Downtown Merchants will be hosting First Fridays featuring Eric and Eric on July 7. This event is held on Gordon Street with the sounds from Eric Germany and Eric Shelton. Eric and Eric are a "talented, funny, and entertaining acoustic collaboration with musical influences from Hank Jr to Green Day." Merchants will be open later and hosting giveaways. There will also be outdoor games and participants may bring their own. Gordon Street will be closed at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. and last till 10 p.m. For more information visit the city of Chickamauga Facebook page or www.cityofchickamauga.org or email fanci@cityofchickamauga.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Canadian parent company of Circle K convenience stores finalized its $4.4 billion merger with CST Brands Inc. as CEO Kim Lubel announced she is leaving the San Antonio-based convenience store operator. The CST acquisition is a big get for Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tards fleet of Circle K convenience stores. After selling off 229 stores to satisfy antitrust regulators in the U.S. and Canada, Couche-Tard will have gained more than 1,300 stores in both countries via the sale, expanding its footprint to almost 9,500 locations including 666 in Texas. Couche-Tard is in a race to the top against 7-Eleven Inc. for consolidating the convenience store market, said Jeff Lenard, a spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores. The Irving-based convenience store chain reached 9,815 stores in the U.S. and Canada after agreeing to purchase 1,108 stores from Sunoco for $3.3 billion in April. They have both been very aggressive on acquisitions, Lenard said. They are almost neck-and-neck now where one transaction may push Couche-Tard past 7-Eleven. Couche-Tard Inc. agreed to purchase CST Brands, which operates the Corner Store chain of convenience stores, in an all-cash transaction in August. Couche-Tard won merger approvals from regulators in the U.S. and Canada earlier this week and completed the merger Wednesday. As part of the deal, Couche-Tard will assume CSTs debt, which stood at $2.5 billion as of March 31. In CST, we acquire a company with strategic value that will efficiently complement our network, Couche-Tard CEO Brian Hannasch said in a statement. We bring in great new locations as well as expertise and experience which are likely to allow us to venture into new opportunities. Acquiring CST also gives Couche-Tard a leg up in the convenience store industrys shift toward in-store sales of fresh food. Under Lubels leadership, CST sought to insulate itself from volatile gas prices and falling cigarette sales by increasingly offering freshly prepared food items and groceries at its convenience stores and unveiled a separate brand, Corner Store Market, specifically focusing on fresh food. The efforts by CST seemed to pay off. The convenience store operator made $164 million from merchandise and services during the first quarter of this year, a 2.5 percent boost from $160 million earned during the same period in 2016. Meanwhile, CST made $112 million from fuel sales during the three-month period ended March 31 compared with $120 million during the same timeframe last year. Thats a big part of the move forward: less about fuel, more about food, Lenard said. Lubel steered CST Brands through its spinoff from Valero Energy Corp. in 2013 and has since helmed the company. Activist investors pushed CST Brands to a sale last year after it saddled itself with liabilities tied to its aggressive expansion strategy that depressed its stock value and threatened its credit rating. Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot. Lubel could get a big payout from her departure. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the former CEO could receive about $13.4 million in severance pay, restricted stock and options and benefits in connection with the merger. CST, in addition to salaries and health benefits, compensates its executive officers through short-term cash incentives tied to performance and through long-term incentives of stock options and restricted stock units, which vest in equal increments over three years, federal filings show. A so-called change-in-control of the company accelerates the vesting schedule, allowing executives to cash out previously unvested options and restricted stock. Couche-Tard spokeswoman Marie-Noelle Cano refused to say whether Lubel will receive payment under the companys change of control provisions or whether Lubel voluntarily left the company or was terminated. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Ex-lawyer Todd Prins of San Antonio pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud for fabricating court papers and other documents, forging judges signatures and taking money from his law firms trust account for his own use. Prins, 51, admitted to defrauding clients for more than two years, including by misleading them on the status of their case, misappropriating proceeds from legal settlements and spending about $950,000 held in his firms trust account Prins faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra sentences him on Sept. 18. Prins also has agreed to make almost $3 million in restitution, which includes $1.6 million that he already has forfeited. RELATED: Prinses fall from shopping sprees at Saks to bankruptcy During Wednesdays plea hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge John W. Primomo released Prins on a $50,000 unsecured bond and ordered him to turn over his passport and not open any bank accounts or lines of credit without permission from pretrial services officers. Prins kept his answers to Primomos questions short, responding, Guilty, your honor, Yes, your honor, and No, your honor. Hes happy to finally take responsibility for this and start making his victims whole, Donald H. Flanary III, Prins lawyer, said after the hearing. Asked how Prins will pay back his victims, Flanary said, Hell find some way. Prins had entered into a plea agreement with assistant U.S attorneys William R. Harris and H. Jay Hulings on June 7. RELATED: 7 life sentences for ex-Zetas boss who took part in slaughters By pleading guilty today, Mr. Prins begins the process of accepting responsibility for his criminal conduct, Harris said. We look forward to his sentencing and making sure his victims are made whole. Tribulations in Prins career and life first surfaced last year. He filed for divorce from his wife, Paula, in September, apparently without telling her. He later dropped the case. Then 10 days after the divorce filing, the couple filed for bankruptcy liquidation. They listed about $934,000 in assets and almost $1.6 billion in debts. During a November bankruptcy hearing, a lawyer for Prins former clients William and Karen Ozer accused Prins of manufacturing court documents containing the supposed signatures of various judges, including Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery and state District Judge Solomon J. Casseb III. The elaborate scheme was designed to conceal from the Ozers the actual status of a lawsuit they were involved in. As part of the ruse, Prins issued a promissory note to the Ozers for $1.6 million, which he told them was the settlement proceeds from their lawsuit. In truth, the case had been on put hold without the Ozers knowledge. Prins did not appear at that bankruptcy hearing. It later was revealed he was on a lengthy vacation with his wife and two minor children in London, Copenhagen, Denmark and Edinburgh, Scotland. But more trouble awaited Prins upon his return. His law license was suspended by Bexar County District Court Judge Michael Mery in December following a request by a State Bar of Texas committee. Prins had already folded his law practice. He subsequently surrendered the license in lieu of being disciplined by the State Bar. Then U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jeff Bohm in Houston issued a bench warrant for Prins arrest after he failed to show for a December court hearing to explain why he didnt turn over $2.4 million in proceeds from an Oct. 4 foreclosure sale as ordered. Prins turned himself in but didnt reveal to the court what he did with the money, a person who attended the proceeding said. But records show Prins funded a lavish European vacation with the money. In total, Prins spent about $800,000. Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot. In March, Bohm imposed $800,000 in sanctions plus more than $56,000 in attorneys fees against Prins. Bohm found Prins had made several false statements to the court in furtherance of covering up his fraudulent scheme. The remaining $1.6 million of the $2.4 million was seized by the government. As part of his plea agreement, Prins forfeited any rights and interest to the $1.6 million. pdanner@express-news.net Twitter: @AlamoPD Longtime Texas craft beer fans fondly remember the Austin-based Celis Brewery from its heyday in the late 1990s and its sudden demise in 2001. But now its back thanks to the dogged persistence of Christine Celis, the daughter of the original founder Pierre Celis. The White and Citrus Grandis are now available on draft at select locations in Austin, and the brewerys tap room is set to open July 11. Distribution to San Antonio H-E-B stores will start in late summer, with additional distribution plans still to be determined. The story of Celis began in Belgium, where the centuries-old witbier style had almost died out by the middle of the 20th century. Pierre opened a small brewery in his hometown of Hoegaarden to bring it back. His success was interrupted by a tragic fire at the brewery in 1985. In the aftermath, a larger brewing company called Interbrew offered funds to help him rebuild. The relationship between Celis and Interbrew, a building block of todays Anheuser-Busch InBev, was not a happy one, and Celis sold his interest to Interbrew in 1991. He then moved to Austin and opened Celis Brewing in 1992, where he attempted to recreate his original wit as Celis White. His drive for authenticity went as far as smuggling in containers of his original yeast strain through customs wrapped up in socks. He chose Texas as his new base partly because of the size of the beer market and the similarity between the mineral content of the drinking water in Austin and Hoegaarden. Pierre built a sizable brewery and wanted to become a national brand. That soon required additional funding for expansion and marketing, which he found from American beer giant Miller. Unfortunately, it was too much too soon. Distribution proved to be Celis Achilles heel, and by 2000, Pierre sold the remainder of the brewery to Miller amid declining sales. The beer giant soon shuttered the brewery and sold the naming rights. Pierre had again fallen victim to the conflicting interests of big and small brewers. Then 76 years old, he returned to Belgium to pursue other brewing interests, while his daughter Christine, who had been involved with the Austin brewery, remained determined to resurrect it. It has taken years for her to assemble all the key parts in one place: the naming rights to the Celis beers, funding she trusts and even her fathers original historical brewing system for special brews. This confluence has turned a nondescript former tile warehouse in north Austin into a gleaming brewery now open with a tasting room bar fashioned from an old copper brewing kettle. But the key factor for Celis success in its relaunch will be todays far more sophisticated beer scene and the expanded interest in craft tastes. The task of accurately re-creating a beer from many years ago using new equipment and ingredients that have changed is a daunting one. Whats important is that the new product is good, and they have without a doubt succeeded in that. The new Celis White combines the creamy yet spicy wheat beer character with just enough coriander and orange peel to perk up the taste. Celis also is working on another of Pierres original recipes, the Pale Bock, which is neither particularly pale nor any more a bock than Shiner is. This beer was an easy overture to the drinkers of the mid-90s, not a Belgian classic. Ill give this a fuller review when it becomes more widely available. The White is joined in the initial lineup by an entirely new IPA, Citrus Grandis. It is indeed citrusy, with abundant hop flavor and aroma, and just enough malt to balance it. Neither of the hops it uses, Citra and Azacca, had even been bred when the original Celis was in operation. The remaining beers of the original lineup, the Dubbel, Grand Cru and Raspberry, will be introduced over the next year or so. I have interviewed the opening staff of quite a few new breweries, and one thing that struck me on my visit to Celis is the focus of every member of the group. From Christines familial devotion, to the technical know-how of head brewer Craig Mycoskie (formerly of Rahr and Sons in Ft. Worth) to the unbounded enthusiasm of Pierres granddaughter Daytona Camps (who was drinking from a sippy cup when the original brewery was open) they are a group on a mission to continue the Celis legacy. Theyre off to a good start, and I look forward to drinking their progress. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Mexican businessman accused of being a financier for the Sinaloa Cartel, and who once tried to invest in a big-budget Hollywood production, was sentenced Wednesday in San Antonio to 63 months in prison for money-laundering conspiracy and extortion charges. Mauricio Sanchez Garza, 46, of Guadalajara, Mexico, laundered money from Mexican drug cartels through a planned apartment complex on San Antonios Northwest Side. Sanchez also admitted extorting a business partner for his stake in a prequel to Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ. I deeply regret my actions, Sanchez said, apologizing to U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, the feds and his family. I am 100 percent certain that I will never do anything like that again. Since prosecutors did not object, the judge granted a defense request that Sanchez be given credit since his arrest on Jan. 12, 2016, in Mexico. He was extradited to San Antonio in July 2016. The U.S. Treasury Department has accused him and his family of involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel headed by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. Investigators claim the family used its business interests in Guadalajara to launder money for one of Guzmans top capos as well as for Rafael Caro Quintero, one of the godfathers of Mexicos drug cartels. Sanchezs lawyers, David Dilley, Carlos Solis and Derek Hilley, deny their client is connected to high-ranking cartel members. Addressing the charges Sanchez pleaded guilty to in October, Dilley said that his client ran into hard financial times in San Antonio and resorted to drastic means to obtain some money with the co-defendant a drug trafficker named Jorge Vazquez Sanchez. Sanchez once lived in the Dominion, but that house has since been seized and auctioned off. The pair orchestrated the kidnapping of the brother of one of Mauricio Sanchezs business partners to force the partner to sign over the rights for a valuable movie script, Mary, Mother of Christ, which was penned by the same writer who wrote the script for The Passion. They later sold the Mary script for $1 million, but the movie has yet to be made. Vazquez was arrested in Chicago and sentenced to seven years in prison, although that term was later reduced to four years. Dilley told the judge that Mauricio Sanchezs role in the extortion was very much of a passive nature. Sanchez had been sought by the U.S. since 2010, when he returned to Mexico. He was finally arrested in Mexico in January 2016, when Guzman was also arrested following a daring escape from a high-security prison in Mexico. At the time, Mexicos attorney generals office said their investigation found Sanchez was part of El Chapos plans to make an autobiographical film, Mexican publication Proceso reported. Guzman has since been extradited to the U.S. and is facing trial in New York. Dilley dismisses those reports, and others in Mexican media, about his client as hyperbole. It all originated from an unreliable paid informant, Dilley said. 99.9 percent of what (Sanchez) has done and what his family has done is in legitimate real estate business. Sanchez once lived in the Dominion, but that house in the high-end community has since been seized and auctioned off by federal authorities. The feds also seized a pair of lots on Babcock Road that one of Sanchezs companies intended to develop into apartments. Sanchezs brother, Alejandro Sanchez Garza, in 2013 admitted to laundering money through Barbaresco Tuscan Grill and Enoteca on San Pedro Avenue, which was shut down and seized following an Express-News investigation into money laundering. He served a 2.5-year prison sentence. The building was auctioned and is now a restaurant. gcontreras@express-news.net Twitter: @gmaninfedland This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate With the possible return of indictments later this week in the Uvalde County bus crash that killed 13 New Braunfels church members in March, the daughter of one of the victims offered forgiveness to the man accused of causing the accident. Ive forgiven you from the beginning, since the day I first learned your name, Jenn Barrett wrote in her blog to Jack D. Young, who is accused of causing the crash. I am sad and grieve the loss of my parents but you don't owe me anything. Jenn Barretts father, Murray Barrett, was driving the church bus and was among those killed on March 29. She posted the open letter titled Dear Jack on Sunday, a day before a grand jury hearing would hear evidence against Young. The 20-year-old Leakey man was driving a white Dodge pickup in Uvalde County when officials say he crossed the center line on U.S. 83 and collided with a bus carrying 14 senior members of the First Baptist Church New Braunfels who had been on a retreat. Jenn Barrett said a police report from the crash details what her father did just before the collision. Murray Barrett saw Youngs vehicle and moved the bus as close to the guardrail as possible, she said, adding, knowing my father, he was also laying on the horn. Did you hear it? She also wrote about her mother, who died three days after her fathers funeral of a blood clot, leaving her an orphan. Saying she felt society wanted her to hate Young and relish his suffering for her parents death, she wanted him to know he is forgiven. My heart is broken for you, she said in the post. My dad invested his entire life in fathering, loving, and mentoring boys. How would your life be different if youd known him in your youth? Youngs attorney, Rogelio F. Munoz, said earlier this month that Young and his family are absolutely devastated by what happened. We wish this thing had never happened. We feel for their families and their loss. Its just something that's tragic, he said. It just happens that this young man became involved in it. So many people lost their lives. The grand jury hearing the case met Monday and heard testimony from Department of Public Safety troopers, according to officials. All the indictments that are tendered will go to the clerks office, where they will generate files and issue any warrants that are needed. The indictments are sealed until the warrants are served, then they will become public," District Attorney Daniel Kindred said Monday. Hopefully, by the end of the week, the clerk will have all of the indicted cases over to the sheriff's office for the warrants to be served. As Jenn Barrett and other families wait for word on the grand jurys decision, she asked others to share her post and hoped Young would see it. I forgive you, Jenn Barrett said, ending her letter to Young. Staff writer Zeke MacCormack contributed to this report. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 A San Antonio man who bribed a now-former Texas Department of Public Safety employee to get drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants was sentenced Wednesday to five years of probation and fined $4,000. Azeez Mistry, 45, would charge between $1,000 to $5,000 to immigrants for the licenses, but he paid an average of $700 per license, bribing Jose A. Ytuarte, 54, who worked as a DPS customer service representative in Hondo. The total that immigrants paid Mistry between May 2013 and July 2015 didnt exceed $40,000, court records said. As part of a plea deal, Mistry pleaded guilty to a single count of use of a facility of interstate commerce with the intent to carry out unlawful activity-bribery. Ytuarte was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role. Mistry apologized for his actions and asked for mercy. I truly regret my actions and hope I am given an opportunity for redemption, Mistry told U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez. Mistrys lawyer, Albert Flores, told the judge Mistry consistently donated to charity, and even did favors for acquaintances, such as giving $5,000 to the father of a fellow convenience store employee so he could buy a car. He was always helping others and decided to help some people get licenses, Flores said. Of course, he helped himself. Of course, he made money. ... He screwed up. In Texas, foreigners such as those with visas can get a drivers license only for the period of their authorized stay and must show proof of their lawful immigration status, Mistrys plea deal said. When an immigrant applies for a license, DPS runs a check with the U.S. Homeland Security Department to verify the legal status. Ytuarte bypassed the system by fraudulently documenting that the immigrants had U.S. birth certificates, the plea deal said. They would wait until lunch to conduct the transactions so that other DPS clerks would be away, the plea deal said. Flores stressed that the case has no ties to terrorism. Nobody used this stuff to do anything bad, Flores said after the hearing. They just needed the licenses for their daily lives, banking and things like that. Court records show agents jumped on this case and a similar one to make sure no one with terrorism ties got drivers licenses. In the other case, Linda Ann Perez, a clerk at the DPS office on South Gen. McMullen Drive on San Antonios West Side, was sentenced in July 2016 to 47 months in prison for taking $215,000 in bribes in exchange for entering fraudulent information into DPS computers so undocumented immigrants could get drivers licenses. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate For a glimpse of encroachment on local control taken to its most disturbing extreme, read George Orwells classic novel 1984. In Orwells imagined dystopian future, the Thought Police observe your every move, even from telescreens in your home, watching for signs of dissent against the Party. Should you deviate from Big Brother, your name was removed from the registers, every record of everything you had ever done was wiped out, your one-time existence was denied and then forgotten, Orwell wrote. You were abolished, annihilated: vaporized was the usual word. Since the election of a certain authoritarian-minded president to the White House, Orwells novel has enjoyed a renewed surge in popularity. For a more immediate analogue, though, look no further than the state Capitol, where ultra-conservative lawmakers crafted Senate Bill 4, an anti-immigrant law that allows the state to fine or remove from office any public official who would endorse a policy that deviates from the legislation. Added by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, a provision of SB 4 warns that local officials may not adopt, enforce, or endorse a policy under which the entity or department prohibits or materially limits the enforcement of immigration laws. In court, Texas has argued that the term endorse means ratifying, confirming, authorizing, or permitting, and would not affect statements made in opposition to SB 4. Local officials who oppose the law dont buy that. I cant say anything the governor (Greg Abbott) doesnt like or else I get removed from office, said Councilman Rey Saldana, a plaintiff in the citys lawsuit against the state arguing the law is unconstitutional. As far as any assurance that endorse doesnt refer to arguing against the law, If thats not written in the law, then thats just as good as a press release, Saldana told me. Thats not held up in court. Thats not held up when someone files an affidavit against me. Saldana added, The intent of it is to be intentionally vague. Thats the problem. Whats crystal clear is it elicits a very specific response that they want, the state and the governor: They want a silence of voice and a paralysis of open debate. Should the law go into effect on Sept. 1, most local officials would likely think twice before writing an op-ed, for instance, against the law. Before setting pen to paper, they naturally would wonder whether such dissent would constitute an endorsement that would trigger the punishment: a hefty fine of $25,000 or outright removal from office. If you think about violating this law, you probably would go so far as to hurt yourself, Saldana said. For local elected officials, thats exactly the message the law sends: Dont even think about disagreeing with the GOP majority in the Texas House. Thoughtcrime, they called it, Orwell wrote. Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you. Schaefer, the same legislator who ensured that SB4 forces local police departments to allow their officers to request the immigration status of anyone they detain, has brought 1984 to 2017 and encoded thoughtcrime into state law. For this, Schaefer was lauded by the tea-party group Empower Texans in its recent best legislators list. Schaefers shining moment was during the sanctuary cities debate when he convinced Republicans to defy their own leadership and successfully add teeth to a watered-down bill, the groups website stated. He was successful, and his robust bill has now been signed into law by the governor. What a success! One can almost picture Schaefer as the 9-year-old Spy in Orwells novel, brandishing a toy automatic pistol and shouting at the novels protagonist: Youre a traitor! Youre a thought-criminal! Youre a Eurasian spy! Ill shoot you, Ill vaporize you, Ill send you to the salt mines! bchasnoff@express-news.net Chattanooga Walk for Water invites teams, youth groups, families, strollers, even the dog, to walk those 10,000 steps along RiverPark with buckets. The Walk for Water will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, at 9:30 a.m. at 4301 Amnicola Hwy., the entrance adjacent to CSCC. At the half-way point, participants will fill buckets with Tennessee River water to raise awareness of the global water crisis.Millions of women and children worldwide daily trek many miles to obtain water, often unfit for drinking. Preregister online at ChattanoogaWalk.info for $10 donation to benefit Water Mission water projects, specifically one in Bidi Bidi, the world's largest refugee camp. More than 25 U.S. cities, and soon, Toronto, Canada, have hosted successful Walk for Water events. The Walks are typically about 3.5 miles, because according to statistics, (http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/human_right_to_water.shtml) women and children worldwide walk this distance just to obtain daily water. Walk for Water raises awareness of this global water crisis and funds for Water Mission safe water projects. Water Mission, an engineering non-profit, has a 16 year history providing disaster relief and community development in 53 different nations, via hi-tech, customized water solutions. One of Walk for Water's current projects in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania involves 780 solar panels and will become the world's largest solar-powered, safe water treatment project providing water to three different refugee settlements in Western Tanzania. (https://watermission.org/news/) The Chattanooga Walk for Water funds will specifically be directed towards relief efforts in Uganda, where South Sudanese refugees have fled violence. Many people do not realize that rape victims and orphans flee war zones to arrive in UN sponsored camps with insufficient water. Water Mission partners with UNICEF and UNHCR, but often at their own expense to provide safe water. Other NGO type organizations provide filtered water assistance, but Water Mission is the only team providing chlorinated, treated water in these camps. Water Mission first sent 40 emergency water systems to Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami, but by the time the engineering team arrived to set them up, 38 systems were missing. The team located their systems, and these are still functioning to date. Water Mission engineers have pioneered solar power, remote monitored water treatment and chlorination systems providing continuous safe water for 10,000 people. With more than 2,500 systems worldwide, Water Mission estimates more than 3. 5 million have gained access to safe water. Since "losing" their systems in Indonesia, Water Mission decided to only send equipment for future projects to locations where they have full-time staff. More than 250 staff persons are located in 10 countries, with Liberia becoming the most recent country to gain staff personnel in 2015 after Water Mission responded to the Ebola epidemic. Water Mission installed nine permanent water systems, capable of killing the virus, in the hospitals/clinics treating the Ebola victims. Water Mission partners with many different organizations, including the system installed in December 2016, in the Samaritans Purse field hospital in Mosul, Iraq. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Their names will sound familiar Menger, Guenther, Joske and Steves. They were among the German immigrants who arrived in San Antonio in the 1800s, many after first landing in various spots in the Texas Hill Country. Among them were merchants, tradesmen and industrialists, people who would establish brands (Pearl beer, Pioneer flour, Gebhardt canned food) known to generations. They were farmers, artisans and intellectuals who sought opportunities impossible in Germany. And they arrived in waves of organized colonization and immigration efforts. Historian Nancy Draves offers her own ancestral roots as an example: two lines of unrelated Mengers who came separately. Shes a descendant of Johann Nicholaus Simon Menger, who owned a soap and candle factory and founded several German music organizations. Shes also a descendant of William Menger of the Menger Hotel, a brewer who had a variety of other business interests. Looking at my own family, she said, they certainly helped to enhance the city. The German population that moved here or that immigrated here starting in late 1830s and 40s were young. They had young families and such a desire to work. She compared them to immigrants today. They are coming from a place where there are no jobs and no hope, and thats what the Germans faced. Their imprint might be most visually apparent in the quaint farm and mill towns they founded, enclaves from which they spread to larger population centers like San Antonio. As were most U.S. residents in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they came from farming stock, and in San Antonio, they toiled. Land was affordable, or they aspired to afford it, Draves said. The King William Historic District started as an area where Native Americans from Mission San Antonio de Valero were awarded land, then became a German neighborhood. King William Street, for example, was Kaiser Wilhelm Strasse until World War I. Germans of means built houses there and in other areas of the city and established social organizations and businesses. The cultural contributions came early. The Beethoven Maennerchor was established in 1867. The German-English School was founded in 1858 by the Casino Club, a social group that put on theatrical and musical performances. The citys first flour mill, which evolved into the Pioneer Flour Mill, was opened in the late 1850s by C.H. Guenther. During that same period, Dr. Ferdinand Herff became San Antonios leading surgeon, credited with performing the states first cataract surgery and its first successful appendectomy. Julius Joske established a store in San Antonio in 1867 that would later become a grand department store known as the largest store in the largest state. He closed it and opened another in 1873. The Handbook of Texas says Edward Steves began his lumber business in San Antonio in 1866, his lumberyard serving a trade area that extended to northern Mexico. Like other leading German citizens, Steves was a member of a Turnverein, a club that promoted physical fitness. There were several of them the Bonham Exchange building downtown was a Turnverein, containing a bowling alley and ballroom. They worked and played together, said Nancy Draves husband, Tim Draves, who teaches history at the University of the Incarnate Word. San Antonio had several German-language newspapers by the mid-19th century, according to the Handbook of Texas. The San Antonio Zeitung, established in 1853, vowed to regard every political question from the viewpoint of social progress, including the abolition of slavery. The San Antonio Freie Presse fur Texas was founded in 1865 by the same company that created the San Antonio Express-News the same year. German Texans suffered during the Civil War, their loyalty questioned with good reason. Though some served in the Confederacy, more supported the Union, given their generally anti-slavery attitude and the fact that so many came to the United States after seeing their native land divided by revolution and war. Historical texts note that as late as 1880, the population of San Antonio was about a third German. Though several historians said theres no evidence San Antonio council meetings were conducted in German, the language was likely spoken there, said historian Maria Watson Pfeiffer. When rail made it to San Antonio, bringing lumber and brick, German influence began to be seen in the citys architectural style and decorative arts, she said. It changed the building dynamic in San Antonio, she said. Up until then, bricks were handmade. German jewelers, gunsmiths, millers and musicians made contributions to San Antonio that can be seen today, she added. Hermann Sons still has chapters here and across Texas, she said of the mutual aid society. For as big an impact as Germans made, however, the German language didnt last beyond a few generations. Its dying out fast, said Tori Beckman-Wilson, a history instructor at Palo Alto College who noted how different the Texan version is from the contemporary form of the language spoken in Germany. While Spanish is continually refreshed by the flow of people back and forth from Mexico and other Latin American countries, Texas German is a trapped-in-amber version of German, she said. Its like reading Jane Austen aloud. You understand it, but its weird. If there was a single characteristic that made German immigrants influential in Texas, it was their adaptability, Beckman-Wilson said. They fit into the landscape and made themselves a part of it. eayala@express-news.net Twitter: @ElaineAyala COMING FRIDAY: The Alamo Acequia. Archaeological investigations four years ago confirmed original portions of a dam built nearly 300 years ago to divert river water that was used by the early mission inhabitants of San Antonio to grow food, and by Texian and Mexican soldiers at the Alamo in 1836 to care for their horses. Water was the most important survival asset in this young frontier village that grew into what now is San Antonio. One researcher noted in his study of the waterways built during Spanish rule that construction of the Alamo Acequia, or Acequia Madre, was such an important yet grueling task that it delayed construction of a permanent stone church at the Mission San Antonio de Valero. The end result was an unfinished, roofless sanctuary that now functions as the famous symbol of the mission and 1836 Alamo. Today, the Alamo Dam and a portion of its acequia are marked and interpreted at Brackenridge Park and the Witte Museum. The water features, which diverted flows from the San Antonio River, were explored and identified in a 2013 excavation, as part of the final phase of the Museum Reach component of a massive river improvements project. The archaeological work focused on a portion of the Alamo Dam near the rivers west bank, on the Brackenridge Park side, after an excavation two years earlier had revealed a layer of stone, thought to be remnants of the dam, on the east bank by the museum. Researchers estimated that some time after 1935, rubble on the west side of the dam was removed to elevate it on the east end, destroying nearly all traces of the once impressive structure. The few remnants buried on the west bank should continue to be protected as some of the only evidence of this important Spanish Colonial structure, the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio said in a report released earlier this year on the 2013 excavations. The historical archaeological resources within Brackenridge Park span the entire historic period, from 1718 to the present day. The Alamo Dam was begun in January of 1719 and represents the beginning of mission acequia agriculture in San Antonio and the first documented historic modification to the area that is now the park, the report states. Coupled with the abundance of investigated prehistoric sites, no other location in San Antonio contains so varied and rich archaeological resources as Brackenridge Park. The Acequia Madre, dug with hand tools and lined with rock and earthen clay, served the Mission de Valero, which by late 1719 had moved east, from its initial 1718 site near San Pedro Creek to a location east of the river, possibly in the area downtown now known as La Villita. Damage from a hurricane would force the mission to relocate again in 1724. It was later secularized and converted to the military fortress known as the Alamo site of the famed 1836 siege and battle for Texas independence. During the 2013 excavations in Brackenridge Park, UTSA archaeologists also were surprised to find a system of walls, gates and overflow channels associated with a second dam. That structure, also a diversion dam, had been built around 1778 and directed water to the Upper Labor Acequia, which ran west of the mission, serving people in the area of the presidio and Villa de Bejar. The Upper Labor Dam was discovered in 1995, when torrential downpours exposed a portion of its stone construction. In his book, The Spanish Acequias of San Antonio, the late UTSA archaeologist I. Waynne Cox wrote that the Alamo Dam sprang from the west bank of the river and extended into the stream to raise and direct the flow toward the eastern bank where the canal intake was located. It was dug by indigenous laborers about a year after San Antonios first acequia, which flowed from San Pedro Creek, was built, and was believed to have been up to 20 feet wide in places. The acequia then traced a sinuous path as it moved between the river and the low hills to the east to the south-southwest, passing through the mission grounds before ultimately returning to the San Antonio River at its largest bend, Cox wrote. In all, the acequia ran about 3.5 miles, with later additions branching near the mission and irrigating farmlands to the east and south raising its total length to about 10 miles. Its main alignment ran parallel and just east of what now is Broadway, then branched into a fork north of the mission, near todays intersection of Alamo Street and McCullough Avenue, and fed a network of ditches used to irrigate crops such as corn, beans, grains and melons. Coxs book, published a year after he died in 2004, quoted a report by Father Miguel Sevillano de Paredes, who visited the mission in 1727 and was guardian of the college where missionaries in San Antonio had trained. Paredes called construction of the acequia arduous. Because of the importance of completing the acequia, work on the stone church had not begun, but stone had been selected and arrival of a master craftsman was awaited, Cox wrote, quoting Paredes translated text. The recent UTSA report notes that the rivers headwaters, now limited largely, except in periods of heavy rain, to the San Antonio Spring or Blue Hole at todays University of the Incarnate Word campus, once flowed abundantly. Urban growth and well pumping from the Edwards Aquifer have greatly diminished spring flows in the past 300 years. Over time, the historic acequias of San Antonio functioned as little more that open sewers and drainage culverts. In 1905, when city leaders ordered that the Alamo Acequia be filled in, to address flooding and sanitation concerns. As part of an extensive expansion and renovation, the Witte Museum has commemorated the historic dam and acequia, with a stone formation, completed last year, that traces the alignment of those structures on its grounds. A tile mural by the museums Bodine Gates entrance shows the acequias historic path, as represented in a map drawn in 1764 for Luis Antonio Menchaca, captain of the presidio. At the Alamo, a concrete-lined water channel meandering some 300 feet just east of the gift shop and mission-era church replicates part of the acequia. It is interpreted with bronze markers and has colorful Japanese koi swimming in its gentle currents. A proposed Alamo master plan recommends replicating another section of the acequia on the west side of Alamo Plaza. shuddleston@express-news.net Twitter: @shuddlestonSA Sometimes a headline can leave a false impression. Last week, for example, I received a press release announcing that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a branch of the Department of the Interior, will dole out $1.1 billion to state wildlife agencies in fiscal year 2017. I saw it as great news because thats how states get conservation dollars from the federal government. I fear, however, many people will see that headline and wonder why the federal government is giving more than a billion dollars to state wildlife agencies. Wouldnt that money be better spent on education or infrastructure? Read on. Funds The backstory is that not a single penny of those dollars comes from general tax dollars. The fiscal beauty of conservation is that its a pay-as-you-go system. Federal funds distributed to state wildlife agencies come from revenues generated by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (P-R Act) of 1937 and the Sport Fish Restoration Act (D-J Act) of 1950. More than $780 million comes from P-R funds, and more than $349 million comes from D-J funds. These dollars originate from a federal excise tax that hunters and anglers pay on the equipment they purchase to pursue their favorite outdoor activities. Hunters pay an 11 percent federal excise tax every time they purchase firearms, bows, and ammunition. Anglers are assessed a similar 10 percent tax on purchases of sport fishing tackle, some boat engines, and small engine fuel. Everyone who hunts and/or fishes pays these taxes. And thats the way its been for nearly 80 years. The importance of these funds cannot be overstated. Since these acts were passed, they have ensured a solid financial base for fish and wildlife conservation. And the most amazing thing about these taxes is that far-sighted sportsmen demanded taxes on themselves to ensure the future of wildlife. Distribution Funds are distributed to the states based on a formula that takes into account each states land and water area and the number of paid hunting/fishing license holders. This ensures that larger, sparsely populated, western states can compete for funds fairly with smaller, more densely populated eastern states. The genius of the P-R and D-J Acts is that they stipulate that states can receive these funds only if their laws prohibit diverting hunting license revenues to any purpose other than wildlife conservation. To date, the Fish and Wildlife Service has distributed more than $19 billion to states for conservation. Over the years, state wildlife agencies have partially matched these funds with approximately $6 billion from the sale of state hunting and fishing licenses. To demonstrate the actual impact P-R and D-J funds have on several individual states, lets look at some real numbers. Numbers Michigan, for example, gets $24.2 million in P-R funds and $10.6 million in D-J funds. In New York, the respective allotments are $20.3 million and $7.9 million. Ohio gets $16.2 million and $7 million. Pennsylvania gets $27.9 million and $8.5 million. And West Virginia gets $8.1 million and $3.5 million. Obviously, a states size is a major factor in determining how much funding it gets. Alaska, for example, receives $33 million and $17.5 million, and Texas gets $36 million and $17.5 million. On the other hand, tiny Rhode Island, Delaware, and Hawaii each get only $4.6 million and $3.5 million. So if you see headlines over the next few weeks about all the federal money going to states for conservation, understand that each state gets only its fair share of what its sportsmen and women have paid into the system, and thats the way its worked for 80 years. (Note to birdwatchers: If you see bald birds resembling miniature vultures at your feeders this summer, dont panic. It happens every year. Some experts blame an unusual molt pattern; others suspect a heavy infestation of hungry feather lice. Fortunately, the condition is temporary; the feathers will grow back out in about six weeks.) The financing of it isnt set, I would like to see some debate about how we decide how it is done but the petition is wanting to get it out there that this is important, that this is an impact on people and farmers and that they have no recourse when their financial viability is affected, Ms Evers said. The third event in the Second Saturdays on Station Street summer music series, hosted by the Songbirds Foundation, will be held on July 8 on Station Street in front of the Songbirds Guitar Museum from 2-7 p.m. The lineup will be Paul Childers Band from 2-3:30 p.m. and The Communicators from 4-7 p.m. To commemorate this event the museum will be giving away a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Cherry Sunburst that was hand selected and donated by Sam Ash Music Stores from their Guitars of Distinction collection. Second Saturdays on Station Street is a five-part musical series that will be held on the second Saturday of every month during the summer May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, and Sept. 9 from 2-7 p.m. This event series will celebrate the businesses on and around Station Street and the Southside Neighborhood, and it will highlight musical acts of all genres, art, culture, and food. This event is kid and pet friendly. For more information check out, www.songbirdsfoundation.org/second-saturdays Review for the bands: The Communicators A first of its kind in Chattanooga, The Communicators is a collective of members of the local music scene who gather occasionally to party and perform. Most shows involve covering entire albums from start to finish in real time. In the past, they have performed albums such as, Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik and the Beastie Boys Check Your Head and Ill Communication. T.J. Greever is a founding member of The Communicators (along with Jonathan Susman and Dan Pinson). He said everything fell into place and that the project has been going since. You know, when we started out, we just wanted to throw a party, Greever said. At shows, we started doing this intermingling of bands, and people really seemed to enjoy it. Its just a great, lighthearted, playful vibe. Paul Childers Band Sometimes the lines drawn between genres of music seem so indelible in this age of technological proclivity in modern Pop music and the quest for perfection. The likes of Blues and Jazz and their knack for improvisation are assumed to be left behind in this era; left to be the music reserved for our fathers and artists found only in black and white photos. This, however, is not the case for Paul Childers. Hailing from Nashville, Paul Childers is trying to challenge everything you thought you knew about the future of music. Refusing to be ghettoized, Paul finds a way to blur the lines cast between Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix styles of guitar playing, a Motown rhythm section, and Pop vocal melodies. JUNE has been interesting for the students at the Western Australian College of Agriculture Narrogin as they learnt about lambing with the years drop of Suffolks. Warrenton, VA (20186) Today Cloudy with occasional showers. High 71F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 58F. SSE winds shifting to W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. A cooperative project between Bradley County and the city of Cleveland aims to create a safe access across a busy intersection to several outdoor recreation opportunities. A push button activated traffic signal will be installed at Keith and 20th streets that will give pedestrians and bicyclists a safe crossing at the heavily used intersection. Keith Street is a major four lane traffic artery and a barrier to pedestrians and bicyclists attempting a safe crossing, said officials. The Bradley County Health Department was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Health. Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis presented the check Wednesday to Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland. The city will install the pedestrian protected traffic signal and provide any additional funding. For people on the west side of Keith Street, the signal will provide a safe crossing to get to the Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway and access to the city sidewalk system. For those crossing from the east side of Keith Street, the self activated signal creates a safer crossing to George R. Stuart Elementary School and the Civitan Handi-Park playground. "This is a good example of the city and county working together to provide a service to our citizens," County Mayor Davis said. "There is no existing crossing on Keith Street for pedestrians and bicyclists south of the greenway underpass near Raider Drive," said Mayor Rowland. "This project will solve that need." The Tennessee Health Department provided $10,000 grants to 89 of the state's counties, said Eloise Waters, County Health Department director. The THD grants are aimed at meeting the state goal to become one of the ten healthiest states by providing access to healthy environments. The grants address the "big four" challenges - obesity, tobacco use, physical inactivity and substance abuse, Ms. Waters said. Amy Davenport, health educator with the Bradley County Health Department, applied for and received the grant. The city and county mayors approved the intersection project. Project partners include the Bradley County Health Department, Bradley County Health Council, Mayors Davis and Rowland, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Cleveland Greenway Board, City Manager Joe Fivas and the Cleveland Engineering and Planning Staff. Farrah Abraham is hunting for an Australian boyfriend. Farrah Abraham The former 'Teen Mom' star is currently single and down under to search for contestants for her new MTV dating show 'Single AF' and admitted she is desperate for a bronzed, ripped hunk like Aussie natives Hugh Jackman or 'Thor' star Chris Hemsworth to partner up with. Farrah was interviewed on the 'Kyle and Jackie O' radio show on KIIS 106.5 FM when the presenters asked, "why are you single in the first place?" to which she replied: "I don't believe I have any issues that I haven't personally tried to work out, I try to make myself the best person I can. I think it's just been really hard to find someone who is as compatible, driven and maybe worldly. So we've visited Sydney, your place! Thank you for having us." And when asked if she's looking for "hot Australian men" and reminded of native hunks Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth, she agreed and stated: "Some good looking ones! With heads on their shoulders. We're having a party, tonight, in Sydney, so reach out to the Single AF team and they will be giving you the VIP invite. I love Australia!" Farrah was then introduced on air to Matt, 21, who had "never met an American woman" and wanted to treat her Down Under but she rebuffed him for being too young and not rich enough. Next, Farrah, 26, was then introduced to a plumber who described himself as "the human tripod" but Farrah wasn't impressed with his chat up line boasting about his manhood. Farrah - who sold her 2013 sex tape titled 'Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom' in 2013 for a reported $1.5 million - then begged "Australia, don't let me down" before being introduced to personal trainer Chris who travels in and out of Los Angeles for work. Farrah didn't need to hear much more and said: "You know what, I want you to stop by the party tonight. Alright, I'll see you there!" Jennifer Garner negotiated a free holiday in exchange for her to speak at a business conference. Jennifer Garner The 45-year-old actress agreed to speak in front of executives at Fast Enterprises at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas, but only if she received an appearance fee, was treated to two adjoining two-bedroom luxury suites, as well as an additional suite for her and her family to stay for five nights. The brunette beauty also requested the software company organised a private jet for her to travel to and from the event in, organised a team of styling experts to pamper her ahead of her appearance, and arranged a complimentary dinner on the day for her to indulge in. And the '13 Going on 30' star, who filed for a divorce from her former partner Ben Affleck in April this year after splitting in 2015 following 11 years of marriage, invited the 44-year-old actor on the trip because she believed it would be "most beneficial" for their children Violet, 11, Seraphina, eight, and five-year-old son Samuel to have the 'Argo' star there to join in the fun Speaking about the family trip to US Weekly, a source said: "Jen feels it is most beneficial for the kids to have their father present." And the vacation is believed to have been a "great opportunity" for the family to regain a sense of normality in their lives, even though the pair have insisted they have not rekindled their romance. The source added: "It was a great opportunity to keep the norm going for the kids. "Jen will always do whatever it takes to provide the best arrangements for them that she can." Jennifer, Ben and their children stayed in the tranquil resort at Baker's Bay in Great Guana Cay, which is rumoured to be the same site the former 'Alias' star whisked herself away to two years ago when the former couple first announced their break up. Shanina Shaik wants to get married on a beach. Shanina Shaik The 26-year-old model announced she was engaged to her beau DJ Ruckus - whose full name is Gregory Andrews - in January last year after they started dating in June 2015, and although the star has remained tight-lipped about her wedding plans, she has revealed she wants to tie the know by the sea. Speaking about her special day, the brunette beauty said: "[It is] soon. We're still in the planning stages, but it's on a beach, which I'm really excited about. My dress will be custom-made." And the catwalk icon believes her life is "transitioning" as she is already thinking about starting a family with her fiance. She added: "I'm at a place in my life where I'm transitioning. People are asking me when I'm having a family, which is so weird! I've come to that point in my life? Wow! I plan to do that soon. Before I'm 30. I'll let Ruckus know." Although Shanina is currently "based" in New York, although she was born in Australia, she is already thinking about relocating to Los Angeles to be closer to her partner. She explained: "My fiance [Gregory Andrews, also known as DJ Ruckus] is based in L.A. I'm based in New York, but in the long-term, I see myself moving there. Now, we go back and forth. When I first started dating Ruckus, I never really had jobs there, but now jobs keeping coming up on the West Coast. I also have a great group of girlfriends there." Shanina, who made her debut appearance on the Victoria's Secret catwalk in 2011, has admitted gracing the runway for the lingerie giant has "changed [her] career." Speaking to The Daily Front Row magazine, she said: "Any girl in the industry knows that if you book Victoria's Secret, it will change your career. It's a great family, and the show is like no other. They really push the girls to show personality and to smile." U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander on Thursday said the Senates bipartisan energy and natural resources bill includes several Tennessee priorities including taking the next step in making President James K. Polks home part of the National Park System and designating 20,000 acres of the Cherokee National Forest as wilderness area. We talk a lot about the importance of science and math, but, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress, most high school seniors in America score the worst in history," said Senator Alexander. "I can think of no better way to encourage the study of U.S. history than to protect and preserve sites like President Polks home, Shiloh National Military Park and important landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement. Senator Alexander continued, Protecting nearly 20,000 acres in the Cherokee National Forest will also help protect our states natural heritage while giving the millions of people who visit the state every year an additional reason to come and enjoy the great outdoors, and Im glad these Tennessee priorities are included in the bipartisan Senate energy and natural resources bill released today. U.S. Senatorss. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) on Thursday unveiled the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 which includes provisions from the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 that passed the Senate last year by a vote of 85-12. The Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 must now be considered on the Senate floor and includes the following priorities that are important for Tennessee: The James K. Polk Presidential Home Study Act legislation introduced by Senator Alexander that would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study for the James K. Polk Home. This study would be the next step in preserving the former presidents home as part of the National Park System. U.S. Representatives Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) introduced the same legislation in the House of Representatives, on January 11, 2017. Senator Alexander has previously said: Wouldnt it be more appropriate for the presidential home of President James K. Polk, who created the Department of Interior, which oversees the National Park Service, to be managed by the National Park Service? I sure think so. The Tennessee Wilderness Act legislation introduced by Senator Alexander, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) that would designate nearly 20,000 acres of the Cherokee National Forest as wilderness area. Senator Alexander has previously said: I grew up hiking the mountains of East Tennessee, and conserving what are some of the wildest, most pristine and beautiful areas in our state gives future generations of Tennesseans the same sort of opportunity. The Tennessee Wilderness Act would help protect our natural heritage and give the millions of people who visit Tennessee each year an additional reason to come and enjoy our great outdoors. The Shiloh National Military Park Boundary Adjustment and Parkers Crossroads Battlefield Designation Act legislation introduced by Senator Alexander that would expand the boundary of Shiloh National Military Park to include three Civil War battlefields in Tennessee and Mississippi and designate Parkers Crossroads as an affiliated area of the National Park System. U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the same legislation in the House of Representatives, which passed on February 27, 2017. Senator Alexander has previously said: Learning from the past helps us become better Americans in the future, and preserving and protecting these sites will allow future generations to learn their history by walking these fields. This legislation also provides an opportunity to attract more visitors to Tennessee and strengthen the local economies. The African American Civil Rights Network Act legislation Senator Alexander cosponsored that establishes the African American Civil Rights Network to recognize and connect important landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement, including potentially two sites in Memphis. Senator Alexander has previously said: The African American Civil Rights Network will help recognize and preserve as part of our national history sites that are central to the Civil Rights Movement, such as Memphis Mason Temple, the Church of God in Christ, and the Lorraine Hotel. This network will ensure the Civil Rights Movement remains at the front of our history and will help our children grow up learning about this pivotal movement. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Senator Alexander cosponsored legislation that would permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Over the past 50 years, the LWCF has provided Tennessee approximately $73 million for the state grant program and $118 million for federal land acquisition within the state. Senator Alexander has previously said: The Land and Water Conservation Fund has played a large role in protecting Tennessees outdoors for over 50 years. In 2015, funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund helped complete efforts to conserve a nearly 10,000 acre tract of land, known as Rocky Fork, in the Cherokee National Forest in East Tennessee. In total, the LWCF has provided over $200 million to conservation and outdoor recreation efforts in Tennessee, and I cosponsored this legislation today because it will help preserve our states beautiful land, water resources and recreation areas so future generations have the same opportunities to enjoy them as we have. Arcade Fire's new album 'Everybody Now' features three versions of the title song. Arcade Fire The Canadian rockers teased back in April that the tracks for the record were finished but admitted they had to whittle down which ones would make the final cut of the LP and the band have now unveiled album tracks in a Twitter post. Alongside a video of a highway billboard featuring a LED display, they wrote: "EVERYTHING NOW: 28th July (sic)" Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter and Pulp musician Steve Mackey produced the album's title track, which was released earlier this month. Other songs from the family band - consisting of husband and wife duo Win Butler and Regine Chassagne, Win's younger brother William Butler and Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara - include 'Peter Pan', 'Creature Comfort' and 'Put Your Money On Me'. Last week, the group shared a strange music video for latest single 'Creature Comfort' by releasing a mock cereal advert and placing boxes of cereal around Dublin ahead of a show at the city's Malahide Castle. The band - who headlined Isle of Wight Festival and Barcelona's Primavera last month - will return to the UK next month for two intimate gigs at London's York Hall on July 4 and 5 before heading to Manchester for a show at the city's Castlefield Bowl on July 6. Arcade Fire's 'Everything Now' track-listing is as follows: 1. 'Everything_Now' (continued) 2. 'Everything Now' 3. 'Signs of Life' 4. 'Creature Comfort' 5. 'Peter Pan' 6. 'Chemistry' 7. 'Infinite Content' 8. Infinite_Content' 9. 'Electric Blue' 10. 'Good God Damn' 11. 'Put Your Money On Me' 12. 'We Don't Deserve Love' 13. 'Everything Now' (continued) Prince William and Prince Harry will hold a service this weekend to honour their late mother Princess Diana. Prince William and Prince Harry The 35-year-old royal and his 32-year-old brother lost their mother in 1997 after she was killed in a car crash in Paris, France, and the pair are set to hold a private memorial ceremony at the late royal's grave on Saturday (01.07.17), to commemorate what would have been her 56th birthday. PEOPLE has reported the Duke of Cambridge and his wife Duchess Catherine will bring their three-year-old son Prince George and two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte to the service to pay their respects. The royal family will join fellow members of Diana's family on the Oval Lake, which is located outside of Althorp House, in Northamptonshire, which is the site of Diana's burial. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, it set to lead the heartfelt service. Although there is a black silhouette of the late royal at the Temple near the lake in Althorp, it is believed the upcoming ceremony will "re-dedicate" the grave to her. A statement, which has been released by Kensington Palace, has stated: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will attend a private service to re-dedicate the grave of Diana, Princess of Wales at Althorp House on Saturday 1 July. "The service, which will fall on what would have been The Princess's birthday, will be conducted by The Archbishop of Canterbury and attended by her family." The designated area is also flagged with a pop-up exhibition, which showcases the fashion photographer Mario Testino's 1997 work, including photographs of Diana, as well as other art work, and can be viewed by passers-by. 'Love Island' is introducing 11 new contestants. The Love Island contestants Earlier this week, it was revealed that the ITV2 reality series will be splitting up the couples and sending half of the group to a far away luxury villa, but their loyalties will be further tested when the fresh set of hot arrivals descend on the two groups. A source said: "They're going to split all the boys and girls up so they'll be in separate accommodation. "Even more newbies are going to be sent in this week to shake things up. It's going to be the biggest thing to happen to the show." According to the Mirror Online, male contestants Chris Hughes, Marcel Somerville, Kem Cetinay, Dom Lever and Jonny Mitchell will be joined by Page 3 model Danielle Sellers, Chyna, Ellisha-Jade, Amelia, while the females, Montana Brown, Amber Davies, Olivia Attwood, Tyla Carr, Gabby Allen and Camilla Thurlow, will welcome Steve, Marino, Nathan, Craig and Alex. Two further newbies are yet to be named. It's thought that the couples who have already formed will be split for at least two days, and producers hope the villas will be far enough away that anything can happen. The source added: "The secret location is going to be used for two or three days and new girls will be sent into the boys' house to test them, and new boys will go into the girls' house. It's to test the loyalty of current relationships and it's going to be explosive. "Because of the villa's remote location, the second house will be in the same town but is far enough away that both groups can get up to whatever they want." Meanwhile, Simon Searles was dumped from the 'Love Island' villa in Wednesday (28.06.17) show and said he was "gutted" to go. Speaking after his exit, Simon said: "I'm a bit gutted to be leaving but it's been a wicked experience. I've loved every minute and I am happy with the decisions I've made." And now Simon has left, he wants to see Tyla make a go of her romance with Jonny Mitchell. He added: "Tyla and Jonny are in there now, they're a couple, everyone knows it. And they better make a go of it otherwise I will have left for absolutely nothing so I'm rooting for Jonny and Tyla." Montana Brown thought Christmas had "come early" when she was told six new boys were moving into the 'Love Island' villa. Montana Brown The male and female contestants were told they would be split up for three days, and host Caroline Flack stunned the girls when she told them they'd be sharing their abode with six hunky new housemates. And after seeing Alex Beattie, Craig Lawson, Marino Katsouris, Nathan Joseph, Rob Lipsett and Steve Ball, single Montana couldn't contain her excitement. She said in the Beach Hut: "Christmas came early this year!" After being dumped by Jonny Mitchell, Camilla Thurlow was delighted to hit it off with Craig straight away. She smiled: "Craig has lifted my spirits. Someone coming in and reminded me of why I'm here and why I'm about." While not all the female housemates were thrilled by the shake-up, the boys were delighted with their temporary new home, Casa Amor. Dom Lever asked the group: "Who is going to bang first in this [villa]?" And while Amber Davies had packed her underwear in with Kem Cetinay's luggage and sprayed her perfume on his clothes as a reminder of their bond, it seems he could be tempted to stray. After seeing new arrivals Amelia, Chyna, Danielle, Ellisha-Jade and Shannen, he grinned in the Beach Hut: "You've put in a couple of gems so I'm going to see what happens here." Dom joked: "As Amber once said, famously, 'there is some sexual tension.' And I'm just saying, Kem might take some of these girls home to his mum." Unwind from the commotion of the wedding by enjoying a honeymoon in Jamaica. This is a holiday destination that caters to your tastes. Whether you fancy a fortnight long party, two weeks of peace and luxury or an adrenaline-fuelled holiday, Jamaica has everything in place for you to enjoy the holiday you want. Adult only resorts Once there, you cannot fail to be seduced by at least a few of the many attractions on the island. We got together with luxury travel experts Destination2.co.uk to list some of our favourite reasons to visit Jamaica. Irie! Adult only all inclusive luxury resorts Youve not enjoyed a hotel experience until you visit an all inclusive luxury resort in Jamaica. And if youre on your honeymoon, choose an adult only one, to enjoy the ultimate peace, luxury and tranquillity. Sandals Royal Caribbean is one such resort that promises the world and certainly delivers. This hotel comes with its own private island and has eclectic amenities ranging from an intimate French restaurant to a British-style pub. Float away on a bamboo raft This is your chance to indulge in as much romance as possible. A bamboo rafting excursion takes you down the breathtaking Martha Brae River and lasts around 90 minutes during which you can learn about the culture and history of the area. The guide will allow you to stop off at bars and little stalls along the river so you can pick up some little artefacts and grab a refreshing drink along the way. Order two Red Stripes in the middle of the sea Fancy a few bevvies with a difference? Head to Pelican Bar, which is around a mile off the coast of Jamaica. Built by Floyd Forbes and originally just a watering hole for him and his fisherman friends, Pelican Bar is now on most tourists to-do lists when they visit Black River, the nearest town on the mainland. Pelican Bar tradition dictates that you cant leave without carving your name into the wood. And if you have a license plate or flag, bring it and Floyd will proudly hang it up with the other countless relics of past patrons. Boat trips to other islands Jamaica well be a visual and sensual assault on the senses, but dont forget that some other incredible islands arent too far way. In fact, there are several tour companies who lay on day trips by boat and plane to places like Cuba, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. The location of Jamaica is such that take a day or two out to explore surrounding areas is not only recommended, it is welcomed. YS Falls If you want a day of total fun, spend it at YS Falls. Located in St Elizabeth, its dubbed one of Jamaicas finest natural attractions. Arrive at the site, and youll be carried on a tractor trailer to the falls. There youll be surrounded by seven waterfalls, lush greenery, mountains, fields of horses and the flowing river. Around the falls are zip rides, river tubing facilities and canopy rides. There are changing rooms nearby, a cafe, gift shop, bar and swimming pools pretty much everything you need to hang out and have fun! Dunns River Near Ocho Rios, Dunns River is another great example of Jamaicas natural beauty. The waterfalls at 180 ft high but structured like a giant set of stairs. Every so often, there are lagoons which are interspersed by the vertical drop of the falls. The water empties into the Caribbean Sea by a white sand beach. Climbing the falls is a regular tourist pastime, however there are stairs by the falls for anyone who doesnt want to get wet, or might struggle with the climb. The location with its incredible features has been used in many films including Cocktail and Dr No. Make like Cool Runnings For any fans of Cool Runnings, no trip to Jamaica would be complete without a bobsledding-related activity. The original bobsled from the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics is stationed at Montego Bay Airport. However, you can make like an Olympians and head to Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios to ride your own bobsled team. Of course, therell be no snow, but you will be treated to a 1,000m tree lined track that twists through mountains and rainforests. With the use of a handbrake, you can choose your speed feel the rush of the wind in your hair, or slow down and take in the astounding views. The choice is yours! Bob Marley Museum You dont come to Jamaica and avoid one of the best selling artists of all time. This museum is set in the large, creaking colonial house that Bob Marley lived in and recorded in from 1975 until his death in 1981. Join the hour long tour and get access to his gold and platinum discs, his famous denim shirts and various Rastafarian cloaks. Theres even a replica of Marleys record shop, Wailn Soulm. The tour closes with a twenty minute film a fitting tribute to a man who changed the landscape of music. Witness water that glows in the dark A trip to Glistening Waters is a must but go at night time for obvious reasons. When darkness sets, you can enjoy a meal in the restaurant above before being taken down for the boat tour. When the water is disturbed by the boat, organisms within the water begin to glow, making a phosphorescent train as you move through the water. Its an amazing sight and really quite romantic. Learn the basics of scuba diving as a couple Youre in prime scuba diving territory here. A peep below the surface of the water shows a subterranean world of colour, tropical fish and vivid coral. Try popular sites like the Throne Room, the underwater cave within the Negril Marine Park and a World War II minesweeper that now stands as an artificial reef. If youre OK with spending time underwater, this is a perfect activity to experience as a couple. The members assembly of the Association of Italian Machinery Manufacturers for the Textile Industry (ACIMIT) has elected Alessandro Zucchi to succeed Raffaella Carabelli as the president of the organisation. Zucchi has long been active in ACIMIT and has lent his support to outgoing president Raffaella Carabelli over the past two years, as vice president. Zucchi, born 1958, has multi-year experiences in the textile machinery sector, and is currently managing director and a partner at Ferraro, a manufacturer specialising in finishing machinery. In addition, he is a shareholder in another company in the sector, Burocco Valvole, in which he is executive vice president. In addition to being vice president of ACIMIT for the past two years, Zucchi has been a part of ACIMITs delegation at the Committee of European Textile Machinery Associations (Cematex) since 2015. The members' assembly of the Association of Italian Machinery Manufacturers for the Textile Industry (ACIMIT) has elected Alessandro Zucchi to succeed Raffaella Carabelli as the president of the organisation. Zucchi has long been active in ACIMIT and has lent his support to outgoing president Raffaella Carabelli over the past two years, as vice president.# The ACIMIT members assembly also elected four vice presidents, namely, Federico Businaro (Isotex, Santex Rimar Group), Cristian Locatelli (Marzoli, Camozzi Group), Andrea Piattelli (Unitech) and Michele Riva (Reggiani Macchine). ACIMIT represents around 300 manufacturers (employing close to 12,000 people) who produce machinery valued at around 2.7 billion, with exports accounting for over 85 per cent of the total sales. (RKS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, a US synthetic fibre producer, has filed a petition alleging that dumped imports of low melt polyester staple fibre (PSF) from Korea and Taiwan are causing material injury to the domestic industry. It has asked the US government to investigate dumping by the subject imports and injury to the domestic industry. The company has also urged the government to impose antidumping duties on the imports of low melt PSF from Korea and Taiwan. The petition alleges that producers in Korea are dumping low melt PSF in the US market at margins of 32.95 to 45.84 per cent. The petition further alleges that producers in Taiwan are dumping low melt PSF in the US market at margins of 30.24 to 62.52 per cent. Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, a US synthetic fibre producer, has filed a petition alleging that dumped imports of low melt polyester staple fibre (PSF) from Korea and Taiwan are causing material injury to the domestic industry. It has asked the US government to investigate dumping by the subject imports and injury to the domestic industry.# The petitions were filed concurrently with the US department of commerce and the US International Trade Commission (USITC). The filing is in response to surging volumes of aggressively-priced low melt PSF imports from Korea and Taiwan. Subject import volume increased from 151.4 million pounds in 2014 to 199.1 million pounds in 2016, or by over 31 per cent over that three-year period, and continued to rise in the first quarter of 2017. The imports undersold the domestic industry, taking sales from and exerting considerable downward pricing pressure on US producers. As a result of increasing volumes of low-priced imports, the condition of the domestic industry has suffered. The domestic industry has experienced declining production and shipment volumes and deteriorating financial performance as a result of the lost sales and price depression caused by the imports. Korean and Taiwanese producers of low melt PSF also continue to threaten the domestic industry with additional injury due to their large and growing production capacity and extensive unused capacity that will be used to export large volumes of unfairly low-priced and subsidised product to the US. The injury to the domestic low melt PSF industry is likely to continue if duties are not imposed to offset these foreign producers' unfair trading practices. "The U.S. companies producing low melt polyester staple fibre have suffered for years against rising volumes of dumped imports from Korea and Taiwan. The domestic industry needs trade relief from unfair import competition so that the business can thrive and continue providing critical manufacturing jobs in the US," said Paul Rosenthal of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, counsel for Nan Ya. The commerce department will determine whether to initiate the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations within 20 days of filing of the petitions and the USITC will reach a preliminary determination of material injury or threat of material injury within 45 days of filing. The entire investigative process will take approximately one year, with final determinations of dumping, subsidisation, and injury likely occurring by the middle of 2018. (KD) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Tabu is one of the few Bollywood actresses whose performance in a film has always managed to leave a solid impact. The tall-beauty have had a long and fruitful career in the film industry. However in a personal life, she is yet to settle down. In a recent interview, Tabu finally revealed why she has remained single so far. However she blamed a Bollywood actor for it and left us completely shocked. Read on to know more... Ajay Devgn Is The Reason Tabu revealed that she is single because of Ajay Devgn. They Have Known Each Other For 25 Years Tabu said that she and Ajay Devgn have known each other for 25 years. Ajay Was Tabu's Cousin Brother's Neighbour Tabu quipped, "Ajay and I have known each other for 25 years. He was my cousin Sameer Arya's neighbour and close buddy, a part of my growing up years and that has laid the foundation of our relationship." Why Ajay Devgn Used To Spy And Beat Up Boys Who Were Caught Talking To Tabu The actress said, "When I was young, Sameer and Ajay would spy on me, follow me around and threaten to beat up any boys who are caught talking to me. They were the big bullies and if I am single today, it is because of Ajay. I hope he repents and regrets what he did." Tabu Wants Ajay To Find Her A Dulha Tabu was quoted saying, "I told him the other day to please find me a boy to marry. But jokes aside, our relationship has grown because we have worked so much with each other." Ajay Is Very Protective Of Tabu She further added, "From among the male actors, if there is anyone I can count on, it's Ajay. He is a like a child and yet so protective. The atmosphere on set when he's around is stress-free. We share a unique relationship and an unconditional affection." Well, this indeed seemed like a fun interview where Tabu was at her candid best! On the professional front, Ajay Devgn and Tabu have worked together in several super hit films like Vijaypath, Takshak, Drishyam and many more. They will be now sharing screen space again in Rohit Shetty's Golmaal Again. When quizzed why she agreed to be a part of this movie, Tabu quipped, "I've wanted to do a light-hearted film for a long time, more so because my mother was fed up of me doing rona-dhona roles. A lot of people too have been saying that they wanted to see me in a comedy like Biwi No 1 and Hera Pheri. I remember joking with Rohit Shetty at parties, saying, 'I want to be part of the Golmaal franchise because I want to just stand there and laugh.' To be honest, even in a film like Golmaal Again, I'm the more serious and credible character, but as part of the team, I get the chance to stand there and laugh at the boys who are doing what they do best." Dileep's Entry Dileep attended the general body meeting despite being interrogated by the police investigation team for about 13 hours. Interestingly, the actor publicly apologized for making harsh statements about the attacked actress, during a media interaction. Mammootty & Mohanlal's Silence Mammootty and Mohanlal, the superstars of Mollywood shocked the audiences and media with their silence over the current controversies. The stars chose to remain silent over the new developments on the actress abduction case, speculations regarding Dileep's involvement, and the shameful statements made by certain celebrities about the actress. Rima Kallingal & Remya Nambeesan Walk Out Rima Kallingal and Remya Nambeesan, the members of Women Collective In Cinema decided to walk out of the AMMA general body meeting in the middle. The actresses walked out after the executive committee refused to discuss the actress abduction case. However, Rima stated that AMMA has promised to extend their complete support to the Women Collective In Cinema's movements. Press Meet The press meet, which was held after the general body meeting witnessed high voltage drama. While Mammootty and Mohanlal chose to remain tight-lipped, Ganesh Kumar and Mukesh lashed out at the media for dragging Dileep into the controversies. Mohanlal's Statements Mohanlal, who refused to open up about actress abduction case and speculations regarding Dileep's involvement, stated that the members of AMMA will stand united to face this tough time. He also added that the association has faced several similar situations in the past. Mohanlal's surprise look, for the upcoming Lal Jose movie Velipadinte Pusthakam, is finally out. Recently, the complete actor was spotted in his new look, at the AMMA general body meeting which was held in Kochi. Interestingly, Mohanlal is sporting a twirled mustache and light stubble for his second look in the movie, which features him in the role of a professor. The look is highly similar to the actor's Pulimurugan look. If the reports are to be believed, Velipadinte Pusthakam is a total surprise package, which will satisfy both the movie lovers and Mohanlal fans. The movie, which is scripted by Benny P Nayarambalam, marks the first collaboration of Mohanlal and Lal Jose. The actor is sporting a very different get-up for his first look in the film. Interestingly, the look which has a striking similarity with Mohanlal's look in Devadoothan, resembles that of the usual professors we meet in our colleges. Mohanlal's character in the movie is Prof. Michael Idikkula, who joins as the vice principal. He is entirely different from the other professors of the college, and is called as Dracula by the students. The movie will feature Anna Reshma Rajan in the female lead. Vishnu Sarma is the DOP. Shaan Rahman composes the music. Velipadinte Pusthakam is produced by Antony Perumbavoor, under the banner Aashirvad Cinemas. TOP 3 EMERGING TRENDS IMPACTING THE GLOBAL BLOOD GAS ANALYZERS MARKET FROM 2017-2021: TECHNAVIO Technavio's latest report on the global blood gas analyzers marketprovides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017-2021. Technavio defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline. The research study by Technavio on the global blood gas analyzers market for 2017-2021 provides a detailed industry analysis based on the product type (portable and bench-top) and geography (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC). Blood gas analyzers measure the concentration of hydrogen ions that are useful for measuring the amount of acidity, the pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen present in the blood. Technavio analysts forecast the global blood gas analyzers market to grow to USD 672.75 million by 2021, at a CAGR of more than 6% over the forecast period. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free The top three emerging trends driving the global blood gas analyzers market according to Technavio research analysts are: Ease of use and awareness Improvement in the healthcare industry Adoption of standardization and automation across the in-vitro diagnostics industry 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. Ease of use and awareness The customary focal research center can just give authentic estimations of corrosive base and ventilation status of the patient, though a state of the art blood gas analyzer offers fast, compact blood vessel blood gas investigation for the purpose of need. The more established frameworks were open analyzers that permitted the healing center to investigate distinct options for the OEMs for obtaining the consumables expected to run the instruments like anodes, reagents, and quality controls (QC). "The convenience, compactness, and short turnaround time of the point of care gadgets such as blood gas analyzers make them a significant apparatus for overseeing patient oxygenation and ventilation in different clinical settingssays Amber Chourasia, a lead analyst at Technavio for lab equipment research. Improvement in the healthcare industry Development of innovative technology is important in the healthcare industry as it provides a real-time diagnosis of disease, which will accelerate the patient's treatment process and reduce the number of sudden death cases. Thus, the improvement in healthcare sector requires innovative diagnostic instruments like blood gas analyzers which provide convenient and successful clinical results like Point-of-care testing (POC) which made real change in the blood gas analyzers market. The time aspect is a driving factor for blood gas analyzer since it provides faster results to pave the way for quick treatment to overcome life-threatening diseases. The blood gas analyzer analyzes various other aspects such as lung and kidney analysis of the patient within a minute. Adoption of standardization and automation across the in-vitro diagnostics industry The cost cutting in clinical lab fees has led to decreased profit margins, giving rise to a volume based business model. There is also heavy pressure for quality, error-free results, which compels labs to lean toward more automated systems with effective workflow solutions. In the US, laboratories are encouraged for automation due to the heavy influx of patients with insurance coverage. "Innovations in blood gas analyzer technology in the recent years for providing fast, accurate results have led to a rapid adoption in various disease diagnostics centers. Several research studies have shown that blood gas analyzer technologies have enhanced the analytical and clinical performance characteristics of many blood assayssays Amber. Browse Related Reports: Global Microbial Growth Media Market 2017-2021 Global Circulating Water Baths Market 2017-2021 Global Cell Imagers Market 2017-2021 About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170628006471/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com SHANGHAI, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore branch to help EDC representations in China diversify its loan bookings with Chinese companies New Chief Representative to target clean technology, transportation, and healthcare sectors Potential to partner with commercial banks in syndicated financing facilities for Chinese companies to support their trade-focused businesses New branch office to support and augment current representations in Shanghai and Beijing Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada's dynamic export credit agency, recently opened its first global branch outside of Canada in Singapore to help grow its business in China. "EDC's new branch can process transactions in real time for Chinese companies, eliminating the previous 12-hour delay to connect back to our financing team in Canada," said Chia Wan LIEW, EDC's Chief Representative for the Greater China region. "EDC's financial services are now offered more quickly and effectively, which will significantly benefit Chinese companies looking for growth capital or working capital support." EDC's new branch in Singapore will bring its global-scale financing business closer to projects and companies in China by negotiating and executing financing transactions in their preferred time zone, reflecting the growing importance of the Chinese market to Canada. EDC's foreign representations in Shanghai and Beijing will continue to operate and build relationships in China. EDC's focus will be developing financing relationships with corporations and project owners in China that may already have Canadian suppliers, or where there is potential for future Canadian supply. EDC can also support Chinese foreign investment into Canada where there is a direct link to Canadian exports. In addition, EDC will actively pursue opportunities to partner with commercial banks within club and syndicated financing facilities of select corporations in China. Key facts: In 2016, EDC supported over 600 companies in China and helped facilitate CAD 5.6 billion in business between Chinese and Canadian companies through the entire range of its financial solutions. and helped facilitate in business between Chinese and Canadian companies through the entire range of its financial solutions. EDC currently has a strong aerospace portfolio in China with over CAD 650 million of direct financing closed in 2016. with over of direct financing closed in 2016. China is an active destination for Canadian Direct Investment Abroad. In 2016, EDC delivered a combination of insurance and financing solutions to help 39 Canadian companies expand into China . Mr. Liew was appointed as the new Chief Representative in China on June 1st, 2017, following four years as Chief Representative for Southeast Asia in Singapore. While in Shanghai, he will be responsible for all of EDC's activities in the market. "China's economy keeps expanding at a phenomenal rate, and growing Chinese companies need capital to support their growth aspirations and trade focused business," added Mr. Liew. "EDC offers corporates in Asia a stable, global-scale financier with a long-term partnership horizon. Not only do we provide financing, but we can help your company reduce costs, be more productive, and more innovative by introducing relevant Canadian technology and expertise." Key sectors of interest for EDC in China are clean technology, aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. "Both EDC and the Government of Canada recognize the importance of the Chinese market and has made it a priority to enhance bilateral trade and investment in the country," said Mr. Liew. "Our new Singapore branch reflects this priority and I am thrilled to be playing a leading role in the growth of this mutually beneficial relationship." Mr. Liew joined EDC in 2008 and has extensive experience in business development, risk assessment, credit underwriting and international trade financing. He was appointed as Chief Representative for Southeast Asia in March 2013, where he has been responsible for the overall market coverage strategy for EDC inthe ASEAN region. Before joining EDC, Chia Wan spent 15 years serving a wide variety of roles with increasing responsibilities in international financial institutions in Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. EDC has been active in China since 1979, making it the first export credit agency to establish business ties in China. EDC has permanent representations within Canadian foreign missions in Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Mumbai, Delhi, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Lima, Mexico City, Monterrey, Santiago, Moscow, Johannesburg, Dubai, Istanbul, London, and Dusseldorf. About EDC EDC is Canada's export credit agency, providing financial services for companies that buy from Canadian companies, or those that have Canadian supply and services in their corporate value chains. EDC's financing can be used for capex and/or project finance requirements, either through bilateral or syndicated corporate facilities. Operating on commercial principles, EDC has a partnership-preferred philosophy to collaborate with private-sector financial institutions to share risk and create greater capacity for Canadian trade transactions. EDC is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility, and it takes into account the environmental and social impacts of its transactions. For media enquiries, please contact: Elise Dedekam Export Development Canada (EDC) ededekam@edc.ca +1 (613) 598-3076 Peter Guo Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Shanghai SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services, has connected South Korea to its comprehensive Asia-Europe multimodal network, giving Korean businesses more flexible and efficient access to the country's third-largest export market.(1) As part of the extension, new ferry services link ports in Incheon and Busan to a range of major Chinese ports including Shanghai, Taicang and Lianyungang. South Korean shipments will then travel via truck to major inland hubs in cities including Chengdu, Hefei, Suzhou and Xi'an for subsequent transport to Europe on DHL's rail services. Korean businesses will also gain access to DHL's Flexigateway service, which selects the optimal rail route for shipments based on available capacity and route speed at any given time -- giving them clearly-defined transit times at the most efficient operating cost. "With South Korean exports to Europe this year growing at their fastest pace since 2011,(2) the country's major industries have greater need for flexible, scalable freight services than ever before," said Charles Kaufman, CEO, North Asia; Managing Director, Japan; and Head, Value Added Services, Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding. "While its level of global connectedness has remained relatively stable over the past few years,(3) South Korea must continue to invest in deeper trade ties -- and the infrastructure that sustains them -- to key partners like the European Union and China if it wants to maintain its record of economic growth and development." "Our new offerings like Flexigateway, combined with the range of value-added services already built into our multimodal network, seek to streamline and stabilize the logistics process for Korean businesses of all sizes." DHL's Asia-Europe multimodal services include specialized solutions for some of South Korea's largest industries,(4) including Car racking and expert handling for automotive exporters; Garment-on-hanger services for the fashion industry; Temperature-controlled containers for technology manufacturers; and Licenses, labelling, and dedicated warehousing for wine and spirits producers. The multimodal network is also supported by features including end-to-end customs handling, GPS tracking of containers and a range of cargo insurance options, minimizing the risks of delays and disruption for both full- and less-than-container load shipments on any route. "South Korea's economy continues to rely heavily on value-added exports to grow, and reinforcing its existing trade partnerships will help it continue to weather global uncertainty," said Seokpyo Song, Managing Director, DHL Global Forwarding Korea. "This new connection to our Asia-Europe multimodal network will not only improve the fundamentals of freight flexibility, cost and reliability for Korean businesses -- it also directly addresses the unique needs of our country's most crucial and well-regarded industries, giving them the confidence to pursue greater expansion overseas." DHL continues to expand its Asia-Europe multimodal network to meet rapidly-growing demand from businesses in both regions, with the company launching its latest route -- from Shenzhen to Minsk -- in May 2017. DHL -- The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 350,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world." DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 57 billion euros in 2016. (1) http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/south-korea/ (2) http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-economy-trade-details-idUSKBN17X0XF (3) http://www.dhl.com/en/about_us/logistics_insights/studies_research/global_connectedness_index/global_connectedness_index.html#.VFff5MkpXuM (4) http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/South_Korea-EU_-_trade_in_goodsEU_trade_in_goods_with_South_Korea Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3152780 Media Contact: DHL Asia Pacific & EEMEA Corporate Communications and Responsibility Belinda Tan Tel: +65 6771 3332 Fax: +65 6771 3322 Email: Email Contact Distribution agreements signed in Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Australia and New Zealand, for its mobile diabetes management system Australian reimbursement code received Regulatory News: Cellnovo Group (Paris:CLNV) ("Cellnovo" CLNV:EN Paris), a medical technology company marketing the first mobile, connected, all-in-one diabetes management system, today announces the signature of several distribution agreements covering six new markets to make its mobile diabetes management system available internationally. Cellnovo has signed an agreement with Novalab Iberica SAU for the distribution of the Cellnovo System in Spain. Novalab Iberica, a subsidiary of Air Liquide Healthcare, is a leading medical devices distributor offering solutions for diabetes patients. The process for registration to allow commercialisation in Spain is underway with the national authorities, and the Company anticipates its first commercial sales by the end of 2017. Cellnovo will be the first micro-pump available in Spain. In Australia and New Zealand, a distribution agreement has been signed with Medical Specialties Australasia (MSA), a leading medical device distributor that provides products to hospitals, private practice and individual consumers in Australia and New Zealand. MSA was the first to market insulin pumps in Australia, where there are over 100,000 people living with Type 1 diabetes. The Company also announces that the Australian Government Department of Health has listed the Cellnovo System on its Prostheses List, which allows the Cellnovo System to qualify for reimbursement within the Australian healthcare system. Obtaining the Australian reimbursement code is a key step in allowing Cellnovo to enter the Australian market later this year with support from MSA. An official launch is planned for the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association in Perth, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. In Greece and Cyprus, the Company has signed distribution agreements with Insulin Pump Hellas and commercialisation of the Cellnovo System has begun. In Israel, Cellnovo has entered into a distribution agreement with DYN Diagnostics Ltd. The Israeli distributor has received regulatory authorisation to launch the Cellnovo System and has started the reimbursement process with local health authorities. Sophie Baratte, Chief Executive Officer of Cellnovo, commented "We continue to build our international network of distribution partners in markets where there is a clear demand for our unique insulin pump. In addition to Italy and The Netherlands, where Cellnovo already has distribution agreements in place with VitalAire, a subsidiary of Air Liquide Healthcare, we have added six new markets, most notably Spain, which is a significant business opportunity for us and which will facilitate access to markets in South America. We are pleased to be able to leverage the strength of well-established players in these additional markets and we look forward to continuing to expand upon this strong base as the year progresses." About Cellnovo An independent medical technology company specialising in diabetes, Cellnovo has developed and markets the first mobile, connected, all-in-one diabetes management system that helps make life easier for patients. Compact, intuitive and entirely connected, Cellnovo's insulin pump comprises a mobile touchscreen controller with an integrated blood-glucose meter. This unique device allows optimal management of insulin injections whilst ensuring extensive freedom of movement and peace of mind for patients. Thanks to the automatic transmission of data, it also allows the patient's condition to be continually monitored by family members and healthcare professionals in real time. Cellnovo is currently participating in several major Artificial Pancreas projects with Diabeloop, TypeZero and Horizon 2020 to develop automated insulin delivery systems. For further information please visit www.cellnovo.com About the Cellnovo Diabetes Management System Compact, intuitive and entirely connected, Cellnovo's insulin pump comprises a mobile touchscreen controller with an integrated blood-glucose meter. This unique device allows optimal management of insulin injections with drop-by-drop precision, whilst ensuring extensive freedom of movement and peace of mind for patients. Thanks to the automatic transmission of data, it also allows the patient's condition to be continually monitored by family members and healthcare professionals in real time. Cellnovo is listed on Euronext, Compartment C ISIN: FR0012633360 Ticker: CLNV View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170628006514/en/ Contacts: Cellnovo Chief Executive Officer Sophie Baratte investors@cellnovo.com or NewCap Investor Relations Tristan Roquet Montegon, 33 1 44 71 00 16 or Media Relations in France Nicolas Merigeau, 33 1 44 71 94 98 cellnovo@newcap.eu or Consilium Strategic Communications Media Relations in United Kingdom Amber Fennell, Chris Welsh, Laura Thornton, +44 20 3709 5700 cellnovo@consilium.com TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Western Digital Corp. (WDC), the joint venture partner of Toshiba Corp. (TOSYY.PK, TOSBF.PK), on Thursday issued a statement regarding Toshiba's recent actions. The company noted Toshiba's decision to prohibit certain employees from accessing shared databases related to the three NAND flash-memory joint ventures operated with Western Digital's SanDisk subsidiaries as well as, in some instances, access to the JVs' facilities. Also, Toshiba decided to seek a provisional disposition order against Western Digital in the Tokyo District Court. In its statement, Western Digital said it is strongly focused on the success of the JVs, and over the past 17 years has made substantial investments to support and grow the venture. 'We remain committed to upholding all of our commitments and obligations as a partner in the JVs, including the vigorous protection of trade secrets. Any claims by Toshiba to the contrary are frivolous and without merit. We also note that operations at the JVs are ongoing and SanDisk continues to be entitled to its 50 percent share of the JVs' output,' the company said. Toshiba very recently filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Western Digital, accusing the U.S. hard-drive maker of interfering with the sale process of Toshiba's flash memory chip unit. The lawsuit is likely to complicate the prospects for a sale of the unit. Western Digital now said it has not received any legal filings and therefore is unable to comment on the specific claims made by Toshiba in Tokyo District Court. However, the process to resolve disputes is clear: under the JV contracts, disputes are required to be resolved through arbitration with the ICC International Court of Arbitration. The company said the arbitration proceedings are ongoing, and SanDisk's filing for preliminary injunctive relief in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco seeks to ensure that the ICC International Court of Arbitration will be given an appropriate opportunity to resolve the disputes. Western Digital also reiterated its commitment to jointly invest in the JVs, including Fab 6 in Yokkaichi, Japan. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Bi-directional charger and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Mitsubishi Motors Public Relations Department http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com +81-3-6852-4275 TOKYO, Oct 19, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announces the implementation of a 'Vehicle-to-Grid' (V2G) pilot, with the first charge point(1) already being utilized with Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's in-vehicle storage batteries. Using V2G-technology, peak demand on the electricity grid can be better balanced, by allowing electric vehicles to not just take power from the grid, but also return it to the network and expect to introduce a new potential earnings model for electric drivers. MMC joins forces with NewMotion, one of Europe's largest providers of smart charging solutions for electric driving, grid operator TenneT in Netherlands, and Nuvve a worldwide leader in V2G technology and grid service deployments.In this demonstration, MMC will provide services for capacity reserve and balancing services(2) by utilizing charging infrastructure of NewMotion and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV parked at home or at work-place in the city of Amsterdam linked to Nuvve's Grid Integrated Vehicle platform (GIVe). There are more than 25 thousands of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs available in the Netherlands.In Europe, the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 has resulted in the acceleration of initiatives to facilitate a low-carbon society, including the aggressive promotion of environmentally-friendly policies aimed at achieving renewable targets. As solar, wind and other renewable sources, which are intermittent, replace fossil fuels as a source of energy and enter mainstream power grids, stabilizing the power supply also poses a challenge.Besides, both UK and France governments have plans to prohibit the sale of fossil fuel vehicles from 2040, and the flow of electricity is accelerating. Hence, a new mechanism to reduce the burden on charging electricity infrastructure is required.MMC will verify the technology of V2G through this demonstration and aim to create new value and business opportunities utilizing electric cars / vehicle storage batteries.http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Mitsubishi101917PHEV.jpgBi-directional charger and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV(1) Transmission system operators (TSOs) in Europe are required to secure a certain number of capacity reserves in order to prepare for sudden power loss or extensive blackout. Capacity reserves are procured through market transactions. The services offered on the market vary according to degree of urgency and duration of charge / discharge.(2) Charge points provided by multinational energy corporation Enel.About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation is the sixth largest automaker in Japan and the sixteenth largest in the world. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. From October 2016, Mitsubishi is one-third owned by Nissan, and a part of the Renault - Nissan - Mitsubishi Alliance. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/index.html.Source: Mitsubishi MotorsContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/22/17 -- BlueNRGY Group Limited (OTC PINK: CBDEF) ("BlueNRGY"), a global provider of systems and services for managing distributed renewable power systems and integrating them with the power grid, announced today the entry into a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire Green States Energy, Inc. ("GSE"), an owner of PV solar facilities with generation capacity of 18.7 MWp and valued at more than $60 million. The LOI between the parties includes binding exclusivity provisions and could be consummated as early as October 2017, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions including completion of due diligence acceptable to both parties, negotiation and execution of a definitive Merger Agreement, requisite board approvals for both parties as well as approval from the GSE shareholders. The transaction will be structured as a merger with a U.S. subsidiary of BlueNRGY ("Merger"). GSE shareholders will receive 34.0 million BlueNRGY ordinary shares plus warrants to purchase 8.5 million additional BlueNRGY ordinary shares. William Morro, Chairman & Managing Director of BlueNRGY stated, "This Merger is very favorable for BlueNRGY as GSE's seasoned solar installations are delivering strong and predictable cash flows from long-term contracts with investment-grade utilities and municipalities. As a result, completion of the Merger will be immediately accretive to BlueNRGY. The Merger also greatly strengthens BlueNRGY's financial position, resulting in shareholders' equity of more than $25 million for the combined company. We believe this would constitute one of the strongest balance sheets of any independent provider of monitoring and control systems for the global renewable power industry and would cement the Company's position as a 'Bankable' solutions and service partner." Mr. Morro continued, "The Merger will propel BlueNRGY toward its goal of industry leadership in other ways as well. The resulting expansion of our shareholder base and increase in capitalization should allow BlueNRGY to meet all of the quantitative requirements for regaining its NASDAQ listing. The strength of the combined company should also allow BlueNRGY to attract additional experienced Board members and broaden our network of significant stakeholders with an interest in fostering our global growth." Upon completion of the Merger, Wallace Giakas, GSE's Chief Executive Officer, will join the BlueNRGY Board of Directors. Mr. Giakas has been a director, executive officer and investment banker for both private and public companies for over 30 years in the United States, Europe and Asia. Mr. Giakas commented, "GSE has a proud history of innovation in distributed energy generation and has always utilized the industry-leading technology of BlueNRGY's Draker subsidiary to optimize the financial performance of its solar facilities. Our diverse asset portfolio and relationships with leading utilities such as the Tennessee Valley Authority makes GSE's generation assets an ideal showcase for demonstrating how BlueNRGY's tools optimize grid integration and maximize solar project revenue. As the GSE sites are upgraded and enhanced to add storage and other functionality, we are confident that they will provide compelling validation of the advantages of deploying BlueNRGY's controllers, software and analytics. In addition, GSE has cultivated key utility relationships and valuable project development rights that I look forward to helping BlueNRGY benefit from in the coming months." The execution of the LOI with GSE follows the fiscal year-end recapitalization of BlueNRGY in which substantially all of the Company's subsidiary preferred equity securities and convertible debt instruments (aggregating US$13.3 million) were converted at a valuation of $0.50 per ordinary share. After giving effect to the recapitalization, BlueNRGY has approximately 34.5 million ordinary shares outstanding, calculated on a fully-diluted basis, prior to shares being issued to complete the Merger. About BlueNRGY Established in 1989, BlueNRGY Group Limited provides engineered solutions for the management of distributed power generation and climate control/energy efficiency systems. The data collection and software solutions, provided by its Draker and Inaccess affiliates are deployed worldwide and are relied upon by renewable system owners, financial institutions, utilities, government bodies and component manufacturers to deliver mission-critical information and support services. As a global leader in delivery of best-in-class technology, BlueNRGY and its affiliated entities have deep expertise in the renewables sector, having deployed more than 230 MW of solar and wind systems for commercial and utility applications. Directly and through its Inaccess affiliate, BlueNRGY provides monitoring and control solutions and support for approximately 7 GW of renewable power systems located in more than 30 countries and at numerous widely dispersed facilities of major telecom operators. The company's Parmac division is a leader in energy-efficient climate control systems in its served Australian markets. With regional headquarters in Australia, the USA and Europe, BlueNRGY is positioned to serve customer operations globally. For more information visit www.BlueNRGY.com. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains 'forward-looking statements'. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by, amongst other things, the use of forward-looking language, such as the words 'plan', 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'estimate', 'project', 'may', 'would', 'could', 'should', 'seeks', or 'scheduled to', or other similar words, or the negative of these terms, or other variations of these terms or comparable language, or by discussion of strategy or intentions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, as well as those set forth in BlueNRGY's most recent annual report on Form 20-F and its other filings with the SEC, and involve assumptions, estimates, and uncertainties that reflect current internal, expectations or beliefs that may not be realized, including without limitation the completion of the Merger on the terms of the LOI or at all, the timing of the consummation of the Merger, BlueNRGY sustaining technology leadership, successfully demonstrating the success of its systems at the GSE facilities, the implementation of storage equipment at the GSE facilities, its financial strength relative to competitors, satisfaction of NASDAQ listing requirements and the favorable impact from GSE shareholders becoming participants in the BlueNRGY equity structure. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and the risk factors described above. Furthermore, all such statements are made as of the date of this release, and BlueNRGY assumes no obligation to update or revise these statements unless otherwise required by law. CONTACTS: Corporate: BLUENRGY Email Contact Media & Investors: PCG Advisory Group Stephanie Prince Managing Director Phone: 646-762-4518 Email Contact Regulatory News: This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170628006571/en/ Servier and Transgene (Paris:TNG), a biotechnology company that designs and develops immunotherapies based on viral vectors, announced today the signature of a research agreement on the application of viral vectorization technology for the production of allogenic CAR-T cell therapies. The aim is to obtain more efficient products for patients. "Allogenic cell therapies using CAR-T open a major field of innovation in the treatment of cancer," stated Patrick Therasse, Oncology Research and Development Director at Servier. "However, each of the steps in their complex manufacturing process requires specific development and optimization efforts, in order to provide patients with the best possible therapeutic options. And we look for the best partners to move these products forward. ". The aim of the collaboration between the scientific teams at both Servier and Transgene is to evaluate and select innovative vectorization methods based on Transgene's viral vector collection, which may be applied to the engineering of CAR-T cell therapies. In addition to the development of simpler, faster and more effective methods, the aim is also to obtain a tighter control of the modified genome areas. Servier and Transgene thus aim to achieve an original allogenic CAR-T preparation method with better transgene integration yields and fewer steps. Servier has been engaged in the development of cell therapies since November 2015 (see About UCART19). Transgene has a large collection of viral vectors and is renowned for its competence in the genome engineering of these vectors. These assets will be used to develop new vectorization tools that will allow us to increase the possibility of fine and precise modification of the genome of CART cells, in order to adapt these cells' properties to the tumor environment and improve the therapeutic efficacy. Eric Quemeneur, Scientific Director of Transgene, explains: "We are proud of the recognition of our vectorization know-how and of our capacity for innovation by a pharmaceutical company of importance such as Servier. We will enthusiastically contribute to the development of CAR-T, these new promising products in cancer immunotherapy. Thanks to this collaboration, Transgene broadens the domain of the application of viral vectors from its technological platform. ". "Cellectis is pleased about Servier and Transgene's collaboration on allogenic CAR-T cell therapies, stated Andre Choulika, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cellectis. "Transgene stands among the most advanced companies in the world in the development of vector technologies. We are convinced that this collaboration will result in a next generation of UCART19 that will confirm the initial results of this product candidate, but also, will lead to ways to optimize production, costs, and potentially explore its use in other leukemia indications". Transgene may receive more than 30 million Euro for this contract, with an initial duration of three years. As for Servier, it will be able to use these new vectors to develop its cell immunotherapy portfolio. About Servier Servier is an international pharmaceutical company governed by a non-profit foundation, with its headquarters in France (Suresnes). With a strong international presence in 148 countries and a turnover of 4 billion euros in 2016, Servier employs 21,000 people worldwide. Entirely independent, the Group reinvests 25% of its turnover (excluding generic drugs) in research and development and uses all its profits for development. Corporate growth is driven by Servier's constant search for innovation in five areas of excellence: cardiovascular, immune-inflammatory and neuropsychiatric disease, oncology and diabetes, as well as by its activities in high-quality generic drugs. Becoming a key player in oncology is part of Servier's long-term strategy. Currently, there are nine molecular entities in clinical development in this area, targeting gastric and lung cancers and other solid tumors, as well as different types of leukemia and lymphomas. This portfolio of innovative cancer treatments is being developed with partners worldwide, and covers different cancer hallmarks and modalities, including cytotoxics, proapoptotics, immune, cellular and targeted therapies, to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. More information: www.servier.com About Transgene Transgene (Euronext: TNG), part of Institut Merieux, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing immune-targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. These products use viral vectors to destroy, directly or indirectly, infected or cancer cells. Transgene has two main products in clinical development: TG4010, a therapeutic vaccine against non-small cell lung cancer and Pexa-Vec, an oncolytic virus against liver cancer. The Company also has several other pre-clinical and clinical research and development programmes based on its viral vector technology, including TG4001. Transgene is based in Strasbourg and has operational activities in Lyons and a joint-venture in China. For further information on www.transgene.fr. Follow us on Twitter: @TransgeneSA About UCART19 In November 2015, Servier acquired the exclusive rights to UCART19 from Cellectis. Following further agreements, Servier and Pfizer began collaborating on a joint clinical development program for this cancer immunotherapy, currently I phase I. Pfizer has exclusive rights from Servier to develop and commercialize UCART19 in the United States, while Servier retains exclusive rights for all other countries. Warning This press release contains forward-looking information and/or statements of Transgene concerning its financial situation, including its cash flow. Although the Company considers that this information and expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, they may be subject to a certain number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results to differ significantly from those expected and could have a significant negative impact on the activities of the Company, its prospects, financial situation, results or developments. The capacity of the Company to market its products is subject primarily, but not exclusively, to the following factors: the reproduction in humans of positive pre-clinical results; the success of clinical trials, the capacity to obtain funding and/or partnerships for the development and marketing of its products, and obtaining regulatory marketing authorisations. For a description of risks and uncertainties which could affect the results, financial situation, performance or achievements of the Company, and thus cause a fluctuation with respect to the forward-looking statements, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of the Reference Document and its Update filed with the AMF and available on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org) and the Company website (www.transgene.fr View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170628006571/en/ Contacts: Servier Karine Bousseau Servier External Communications +33 1 5572 4021 +33 6 4992 1605 media@servier.com or Transgene Lucie Larguier Corporate Communication Investor Relations Director +33 (0)3 88 27 91 04 investorrelations@transgene.fr or Media Relations: IMAGE 7 Claire Doligez/Laurence Heilbronn +33 (0)1 53 70 74 48 cdoligez@image7.fr BEIJING, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 10th China MICE Golden Chair Awards (2016/2017) ceremony was successfully held in Beijing recently. The event, hosted by MICE magazine, China's leading high-end conference and incentive travel publication, attracted representatives from the hospitality, tourism, aviation and conference sectors as well as industry associations, business leaders, and journalists. The Golden Chair Awards, the earliest and most authoritative award of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry, highlights the importance of MICE in China. On the back of the city's rapid development in the MICE sector, Hangzhou became the proud recipient of the Most Attractive MICE City Destination honor. Hangzhou-based The Dragon hotel wins Best Conference Hotel award As one of top-class five-star hotels in China's Zhejiang province, Hangzhou-based The Dragon hotel is the world's first smart hotel featuring a comprehensive high-tech intelligent system. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Golden Chair Awards has achieved wide brand recognition and is increasingly being seen as the most authoritative judge of performance across the MICE sector, with more and more firms competing for the coveted awards. The 2017 event saw 104 awards across 18 categories being presented. Judges selected winners across the 18 categories in accordance with established standards concerning their software and hardware infrastructure as well as their comprehensive performance over the past year, taking into account readers' comments as well as review by an expert committee based on principles of professionalism, authoritativeness and fairness. Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/528842/Hangzhou_MICE_award.jpg 10 Shot, At Least 4 Fatally, In Wednesday Shootings By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jun 29, 2017 2:27PM Crime scene tape (Photo by LukaTDB via Shutterstock) A 16-year-old boy was among 4 people fatally shot in Chicago Wednesday evening. Six more were wounded in the shootings, including a 14-year-old girl. The boy was fatally shot in the back around 7:30 p.m. in Ashburn in the 3300 block of West 79th Street, according to police. He was taken to an Oak Lawn hospital and pronounced dead at 8:04 p.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified him to the Tribune as Jose Mendoza Jr., of the 7800 block of South Christiana (just a few blocks from where he was shot). Mendoza Jr. was one of at least four people killed in gun violence in Chicago yesterday; in another shootings, a 41-year-old and a 32-year-old woman were driving through Washington Park, in the 5400 block of South Wabash Avenue, when they were shot in the head by someone in another car around 10:30 p.m. A 24-year-old man was fatally shot in the chest in Humboldt Park, in the 3200 block of West Haddon Avenue, earlier Wednesday afternoon. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His was just one of at least two shootings to take place in Humboldt Park, and other, non-fatal shootings occurred in South Austin, Gresham, Woodlawn, and West Pullman, according to the Tribune. In the latter shooting, a 14-year-old girl was likely shot accidentally by an acquaintance in her home, according to police. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Germany's GfK consumer sentiment data for July is due to be released in the pre-European session on Thursday at 2:00 am ET. The forward-looking consumer confidence index is seen to rise slightly at 10.5 in July, compared to 10.4 in June. Ahead of the data, the euro held steady against its major rivals. As of 1:55 am ET, the euro was trading at 0.8797 against the pound, 1.0925 against the Swiss franc, 1.1399 against the U.S. dollar and 127.89 against the yen. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Corporate Communications Division Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan +81-3-3508-5056 [Tokyo] +81-82-282-5253 [Hiroshima] mailto: media@mazda.co.jp TOKYO, July 28, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation's production and sales results for June 2017 and for January through June 2017 are summarized below.I. Productionhttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Mazda22817Production.jpg1. Domestic Production(1) June 2017Mazda's domestic production volume in June 2017 increased 8.2% year on year due to increased production of passenger vehicles.Domestic production of key models in June 2017CX-5: 35,391 units (up 23.2% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 15,118 units (up 6.6% year on year)CX-3: 9,103 units (down 1.0% year on year)(2) January through June 2017Mazda's total domestic production volume in the period from January through June 2017 decreased 1.3% year on year due to decreased production of passenger vehicles.Domestic production of key models in the period from January through June 2017CX-5: 171,792 units (up 4.6% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 94,525 units (down 7.3% year on year)CX-3: 63,160 units (up 5.4% year on year)2. Overseas Production(1) June 2017Mazda's overseas production volume in June 2017 increased 3.6% year on year, reflecting increased production of both passenger and commercial vehicles.Overseas production of key models in June 2017Mazda3: 17,821 units (down 16.3% year on year)Mazda2: 8,943 units (down 12.4% year on year)CX-4: 4,472 units (up 2.8% year on year)(2) January through June 2017Mazda's total overseas production volume in the period from January through June 2017 increased 11.7% year on year due to increased production of both passenger and commercial vehicles.Overseas production of key models in the period from January through June 2017Mazda3: 123,131 units (down 3.5% year on year)Mazda2: 47,835 units (down 12.1% year on year)CX-4: 32,563 units (up 398.6% year on year)II. Domestic Saleshttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Mazda22817DomesticSales.jpg(1) June 2017Mazda's domestic sales volume in June 2017 increased 19.9% year on year due to increased sales of passenger vehicles.Mazda's registered vehicle market share was 4.1% (up 0.5 points year on year), with a 2.1% share of the micro-mini segment (down 0.2 points year on year) and a 3.4% total market share (up 0.2 points year on year).Domestic sales of key models in June 2017Mazda2 (Demio): 4,839 units (up 14.0% year on year)CX-5: 2,809 units (up 89.2% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 1,958 units (up 408.6% year on year)(2) January through June 2017Mazda's total domestic sales volume in the period from January through June 2017 increased 3.2% year on year due to increased sales of both passenger and commercial vehicles.Mazda's registered vehicle market share was 5.0% (down 0.3 points year on year), with a 2.2% share of the micro-mini segment (down 0.2 points year on year) and a 4.0% total market share (down 0.2 points year on year).Domestic sales of key models in the period from January through June 2017Mazda2 (Demio): 26,169units (down 17.7% year on year)CX-5: 22,827 units (up 76.8% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 14,829 units (up 52.6% year on year)III. Exportshttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Mazda22817Exports.jpg(1) June 2017Mazda's export volume in June 2017 increased 9.3% year on year due to increased shipments to North America, Europe, Oceania and other regions.Exports of key models in June 2017CX-5: 32,775 units (up 18.5% year on year)Mazda3: 13,478 units (up 18.3% year on year)CX-3: 8,680 units (down 0.5% year on year)(2) January through June 2017Mazda's total export volume for the period from January through June 2017 decreased 1.6% year on year, reflecting decreased shipments to North America and other regions.Exports of key models in the period from January through June 2017CX-5: 145,425 units (down 1.5% year on year)Mazda3: 78,212 units (down 12.5% year on year)CX-3: 56,761 units (up 20.3% year on year)About MazdaMazda Motor Corporation (TSE: 7261) started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. For more information, please visit www.mazda.comSource: MazdaContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Condor Gold (AIM: CNR) is pleased to announce more results from continued drilling on the Mestiza Vein Set ('Mestiza') at the La India Project, Nicaragua. The objective is to convert an historic Soviet mineral resource (2,392 kt at 10.2 g/t gold for 785,694 oz gold) to Canadian NI 43-101 standard. The initial focus is on the Tatiana Vein, one of the 4 constituent veins and the largest portion of the resource. Results are excellent and have identified a high grade ore shoot in the area of a major dilational bend. The programme continues with two drill rigs and has now been expanded to 6,000 m in total. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529329/Condor_Gold_Mestiza_Vein.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529330/Condor_Gold_Cross_section_2050_of_Tatiana_Vein.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529332/Condor_Gold_Mestiza_La_India.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529333/Condor_Gold_7_resources_La_India_Project.jpg ) Highlights: LIDC348 drill width 3.6 m (true width 2.3 m) at 23.3 g/t gold and 66.6 g/t silver from 160.5 m depth. LIDC348 is 100 m vertically down dip of a previously reported drill hole (LIDC344; drill width 3.3 m at 28.3 g/t gold) and demonstrates a high grade ore shoot which extends to at least 150 m below surface and may have a strike extent of about 300 m. LIDC360 drill width 3.1 m (true width 2.7 m) at 14.4 g/t gold and 29.2 g/t silver from 40.3 m depth. 3,000 m drilling programme is now expanded to 6,000 m. The Tatiana vein has excellent continuity for 1.5 km and is a 4-5 m wide mineralised structure. The average true width of the high grade portion, comprising mostly fault breccia, is approximately 2.5 m. High recoveries have been achieved in the mineralized zone, including mineralised fault breccias that previous drilling failed to recover. Mark Child, Chairman and CEO comments: "The drill result of 3.6 m at 23.3 g/t gold on the Tatiana vein is very encouraging because it is approximately 100 m below our previously reported drill intercept of 3.3 m at 28.3 g/t gold. This and neighbouring drill holes define a high grade shoot which is open down dip and along strike for approximately 300 m. In light of this, the drill programme has been modified from broadly 100 m centres, to include drilling some 50 m step out holes in this high grade zone. The overall objective is to convert an historic Soviet-style mineral resource (2,392 kt at 10.2 g/t gold for 785,694 oz gold) to Canadian NI 43-101 standard. This will hopefully boost the current NI 43-101-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource at Mestiza (1,490 kt at 7.47 g/t for 333,000 oz gold). Mestiza is excluded from the current mine plans in the PFS and PEAs. A successful resource conversion has the potential to add large, high grade, and relatively shallow resources to a future mine plan, thereby increasing the annual gold production, life of mine, and project economics. The Tatiana vein has excellent continuity for more than 1.5 km and we hope to identify further high grade shoots by targeting bends in the vein, which are more dilational and seem to have controlled gold grade." Background La India Project's existing NI 43-101-compliant mineral resource is 18 Mt at 4.0 g/t Au (2.31 Moz gold). This consists of seven separate resources, most of them open along strike and at depth. It includes Mestiza, which hosts a NI 43-101-compliant Inferred mineral resource of 1,490 kt at 7.47 g/t (333,000 oz gold). Here, Soviet-backed drilling in 1991 estimated a Soviet-style mineral resource of 2,392 kt at 10.2 g/t gold (785,694 oz gold) (See RNS dated 22nd May 2017). The bulk of the resources are contained within the Tatiana vein, the largest of the four main veins on Mestiza. Current Drill Plan Condor commenced drilling with one drill rig on Mestiza on 23rd March 2017, to test the Soviet drill intercepts and convert the high grade Soviet-style mineral resource estimate to Canadian NI-43-101 standard (See RNS dated 31st March 2017). The initial batch of drill holes assays was reported on 22 May 2017. It is expected that further drilling of about 3,000 m (total of 6,000 m drilling) will be required to convert the majority of the Soviet mineral resource to a NI 43-101-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource. Drill results for 1,464 m New drill results (from holes LIDC349 to 360, inclusive) are shown in Table 1. The drill plan (Figure 1) shows that holes LIDC349 to 352, which returned narrow low grade results, were drilled into an untested area corresponding to a compressional portion of the structure. Similarly, holes LIDC356, 357 and 359 were drilled in the very west end of the Tatiana vein and, except for LIDC356, returned narrow low grade results. The remaining holes reported herein were drilled around a major dilational flexure known as the "Big Bend." This includes hole LIDC355, which was abandoned in the vein with a final assay of 0.9 m @ 13.9 g/t Au, and was re-drilled by LIDC358, which returned 3.55 m @ 23.3 g/t Au. This is illustrated in a cross section (Figure 2), which includes LIDC344 (3.30 m @ 28.3 g/t Au) reported on 22 May 2017. Table 1 Current Drill Results from the Tatiana vein on Mestiza Drill *True Au Drill Width Width (g/t Prospect hole ID From** To** (m) (m) ) Ag (g/t) Comment Tatiana LIDC349 45.70 53.20 7.50 4.3 2.08 24.9 incl 2.70 m @ 3.61 g/t [2.70m@3.61g/t] Au Tatiana LIDC350 67.90 68.55 0.65 0.4 0.85 3.0 Tatiana LIDC351 44.65 45.30 0.65 0.6 0.99 5.0 Tatiana LIDC352 85.00 85.90 0.90 0.6 2.24 6.8 Tatiana LIDC353 98.90 101.00 2.10 1.6 5.35 12.6 Tatiana LIDC354 141.20 143.60 2.40 1.5 2.21 4.3 incl 0.78 m @ 5.87 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC355 51.80 52.65 0.85 0.5 1.20 4.0 hangingwall vein LIDC355 135.00 136.00 1.00 0.5 2.54 3.0 hangingwall vein LIDC355 149.70 150.60 0.90 0.6 13.9 20.0 hole abandoned in target Tatiana LIDC356 90.00 94.25 4.25 3.6 2.74 7.1 incl 2.00 m @ 5.16 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC357 172.90 175.90 3.00 1.5 0.82 4.2 incl 0.50 m @ 1.17 g/t Au & 0.60 m @ 1.10 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC358 160.50 164.05 3.55 2.3 23.3 66.6 redrill of LIDC355 Tatiana LIDC359 74.70 74.80 0.10 0.1 2.43<2 83.90 85.60 1.70 1.2 3.13 4.8 incl 1.10 m @ 4.48 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC360 40.30 43.40 3.10 2.7 14.4 29.2 *Intercepts calculated above a 0.5 g/t Au cut off **Depth from surface Figure 1: Map of Mestiza Vein Set Showing 4 Main Veins. Drilling so far is only on the Tatiana Vein Figure 1 Green line in Figure 1 above is the reference section shown in Figure 2 below Figure 2: Cross section 2050 of Tatiana Vein Figure 2 Note: The purple line in Figure 2 above represents the Tatiana Vein at Cross Section 2050 Discussion of Drill Results As reported in the last drill hole results released on 22 May 2017, mineralisation occurs within a 4-6 m wide mineralised structure crosscutting a major unit of welded tuff with conspicuous fiamme. The structure consists of: A central high grade quartz vein, 0.5-1.0 m wide, with comb and drusy quartz and minor chalcedony. Textures of the vein vary between holes, from massive silica, to leaching textures with skeletons of former calcite, to locally colloform banded pale green chalcedony with fine streaks of sulphide mineralization. 2.5 m of jigsaw and crackle hydrothermal breccia around the central vein. Drusy and comb quartz forms the matrix of these breccias, normally associated with lower gold grades. Late fault breccias along the structure containing clasts of vein and hydrothermal breccia, which can contain significant high grade gold mineralisation. Gold mineralisation is associated with the quartz vein and fault breccia over true widths of up to 3 m. The nature of the fault breccia, with variable amounts of gold mineralised vein clasts in a "difficult to recover" clay gouge, leads to high grade variability across the deposit. There is also a supergene effect as suggested by high grade silver spikes in some of the deeper historic holes (e.g., 0.7 m @ 356 g/t Ag from 198.1 m in LIDC030B). A long section of the Tatiana Vein (Figure 3) plots the drill hole intercepts at the point at which they pierce the vein for all the historic and current drilling. Each point is described by a grade thickness factor, which is the downhole intercept length multiplied by the average grade. At the local scale this shows the highly variable nature of mineralisation, but at the larger scale shows that the vein is broadly well mineralised and forms high grade shoots separated by intervening areas of low grade where the mineralised zone is thinner. A geological model has been developed which correlates high grade gold mineralisation with bends in the vein (see 'Big Bend' in Figure 1). These bends created more open space, allowing more hydrothermal fluid circulation, resulting in higher grade. The Big Bend high grade shoot, which appears to pitch almost vertically, extends over a strike length of approximately 300 m. It is open to depth and the deepest intersections, about 150 m below surface, remain in oxidised material. Deeper drilling, and drilling to infill untested 'gaps' in Big Bend, are underway with more closely spaced drilling, on 50 m centres, to better define the geometry and extent of the high grade shoot. Drilling will continue on 100 m centres along the strike length of the Tatiana, Buenos Aires and Jicaro veins for resource definition purposes and to help identify new shoots. Figure 3 Long Section of Tatiana Indicating a High Grade Ore Shoot Figure 3 Mestiza in the context of La India Mestiza is significant for five reasons: 1. It already hosts a NI 43-101-compliant mineral resource (1,490 kt at 7.47 g/t; 333,000 oz gold). This is excluded from the current Pre-Feasibility Study ('PFS') and Preliminary Economic Assessment ('PEA') at La India Project. 2. The December 2014 PEA contains an open pit and underground mining scenario using a 1.6 Mtpa processing plant recovering 1,203 koz gold over the life of mine, with the first 5 years production averaging 138,000 oz gold pa. 3. The January 2016 Whittle Enterprise Optimisation to NPV of the above PEA materially increased the recovered gold and project economics. Using the same 1.6 Mtpa processing plant, recovered gold increases to 1,437 koz gold over the life of mine with the first five years of production averaging 165,000 oz gold pa. 4. All production scenarios to date exclude Mestiza, which is in close proximity to the La India and America vein sets (See Figure 4). There is a high possibility of bringing additional high grade gold from Mestiza into a future mine plan, feeding a centralised processing plant. 5. Importantly, Mestiza hosts a relatively shallow high grade, oxidised resource, which is currently viewed as a combined open pit-underground mining target. The average drill depth is 112 m for the 6,000 m resource conversion drilling programme. The existing resource is open along strike in both directions and at depth. The shallow, high grade nature of the resource suggests it could be added early on to the mine plan, enhancing the production profile and economics of the project. Figure 4 Location of 7 resources that comprise the La India Project Figure 4 Competent Person's Declaration The information in this announcement that relates to the mineral potential, geology, exploration results and database is based on information compiled, and reviewed, by Mr Peter Flindell, Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Member of the Society of Economic Geologists. Mr Flindell is a geologist with over thirty years of experience in the exploration of precious metal mineral resources. Mr Flindell is a non-executive director on the Board of Condor Gold plc who also provides technical leadership to the technical team in Nicaragua and has considerable experience in epithermal mineralization, the type of deposit under consideration, and sufficient experience in the type of activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a 'Competent Person' as defined in the June 2009 Edition of the AIM Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr Flindell consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears and confirms that this information is accurate and not false or misleading. Technical Glossary Assay The laboratory test conducted to determine the proportion of a mineral within a rock or other material. Usually reported as parts per million which is equivalent to grams of the mineral (i.e. gold) per tonne of rock Ag Silver Au Gold breccias A fragmental rock, composed of rounded to angular broken rock fragments held together by a mineral cement or in a fine-grained matrix. They can be formed by igneous, tectonic, sedimentary or hydrothermal processes. C1 C1 reserves are broadly equivalent to JORC indicated resources and have been estimated by a sparse grid of trenches, drill holes or underground workings. The quality and properties of the deposit are known tentatively by analyses and by analogy with known deposits of the same type. The general conditions for exploitation are partially known C2 C2 reserves are broadly equivalent to JORC inferred resources and have been extrapolated from limited data, probably only a single hole Chalcedony A variety of quartz formed by microscopic or submicroscopic crystals. In an epithermal environment, chalcedony is formed in low temperature and pressure conditions high in the system. Colloform banded A texture found in fine grained quartz (chalcedony) veins where crystals have grown in a radiating and concentric manner form a vein centreline to give a finely banded appearance Comb quartz A quartz vein texture describing masses of parallel long, thin crystals growing inwards from the vein margins produce a texture like that of a comb. Drusy quartz A coating of fine quartz crystals [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal] on a rock fracture surface, which may be an open space in the vein. Fiamme Fragments of volcanic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano] ejecta, often pumice, that have been flattened by compaction to form flame-like shapes Geochemistry The study of the elements and their interaction as minerals to makeup rocks and soils Geophysics The measurement and interpretation of the earth's physical parameters using non-invasive methods such as measuring the gravity, magnetic susceptibility, electrical conductivity, seismic response and natural radioactive emissions. Hydrothermal Hot water circulation often caused by heating of groundwater by near surface magmas and often occurring in association with volcanic activity. Hydrothermal waters can contain significant concentrations of dissolved minerals. Kt Thousand tonnes Mineral Reserve The economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. Ore Reserves are sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore Reserves. Mineral Resource A concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such a form, quality, and quantity that there are reasonable and realistic prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated from specific geological knowledge, or interpreted from a well constrained and portrayed geological model. NI 43-101 Canadian National Instrument 43-101 a common standard for reporting of identified mineral resources and ore reserves Phreatic breccias Fragmental rocks formed near the Earth's surface by the interaction of hot rock and cold water, or vice versa. Commonly occur at the top of mineralized epithermal gold systems. Rock chip A sample of rock collected for analysis, from one or several close spaced sample points at a location. Unless otherwise stated, this type of sample is not representative of the variation in grade across the width of an ore or mineralised body and the assay results cannot be used in a Mineral Resource Estimation Soviet The former Soviet system for classification of reserves and Classification resources, developed in 1960 and revised in 1981, which divides mineral concentrations into seven categories of three major groups, based on the level of exploration performed: explored reserves (A, B, C1), evaluated reserves (C2) and prognostic resources (P1, P2, P3) Soviet GKZ The former Soviet State Commission for Mineral Reserves. Stockwork Multiple connected veins with more than one orientation, typically consisting of millimetre to centimetre thick fracture-fill veins and veinlets. Strike length The longest horizontal dimension of an ore body or zone of mineralisation. Vein A sheet-like body of crystallised minerals within a rock, generally forming in a discontinuity or crack between two rock masses. Economic concentrations of gold are often contained within vein minerals. Welded tuff A fragmental volcanic rock formed by sufficiently hot volcanic ejecta that the fragments weld together Zeolite veinlets Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates found in gas bubbles within basalts and in geothermal districts. They also found in the upper parts of gold-bearing epithermal systems. About Condor Gold plc: Condor Gold plc was admitted to AIM on 31st May 2006. The Company is a gold exploration and development company with a focus on Central America. Condor completed a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and two Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEA) on its wholly owned La India Project in Nicaragua in December 2014. The PFS details an open pit gold mineral reserve of 6.9 Mt at 3.0 g/t gold for 675,000 oz gold producing 80,000 oz gold p.a. for 7 years. The PEA for the open pit only scenario details 100,000 oz gold production p.a. for 8 years whereas the PEA for a combination of open pit and underground details 140,000 oz gold production p.a. for 8 years. La India Project contains a total attributable mineral resource of 18.08 Mt at 4.0 g/t for 2.31 M oz gold and 2.68 M oz silver at 6.2 g/t to the CIM Code. In El Salvador, Condor has an attributable 1,004,000 oz gold equivalent at 2.6 g/t JORC compliant resource. The resource calculations are compiled by independent geologists SRK Consulting (UK) Limited for Nicaragua and Ravensgate and Geosure for El Salvador. Disclaimer Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement. For further information please visit http://www.condorgold.com or contact: CondorGoldplc 7thFloor39St.James'sStreetLondonSW1A1JD Telephone+44-020-74932794Fax:+44-020-74938633 CondorGoldplc MarkChild,Executive ChairmanandCEO +44(0)20-7493-2784 BeaumontCornishLimited RolandCornishandJamesBiddle +44(0)20-7628-3396 NumisSecuritiesLimited JohnPriorandJamesBlack +44(0)20-7260-1000 FarmStreetMedia SimonRobinson +44(0)7593-340107 Sofinnova Partners, a leading Life Sciences venture capital firm focused on Europe, has appointed Maina Bhaman as Partner. Maina Bhaman comes to Sofinnova Partners with a long track record as a successful healthcare investor. Prior to joining, she was Director of Healthcare Investment at Touchstone Innovations (formerly Imperial Innovations) in London (UK) since 2006. She has led or co-led numerous investments and sat on the Board of a number of UK biotech companies, such as Autifony, Cellmedica, Psioxus Therapeutics, Pulmocide, Topivert Pharma, Puridify (sold to GE), Thiakis (sold to Wyeth) and Respivert (sold to J&J). Previously, she worked in the R&D teams of several UK and US biotech companies, including Celltech, Oxford Glyco Sciences, Chimeric Therapies and GeneMedicine. Maina has a BSc from the University of Texas at Austin (United States) and an MBA from the Imperial Business School in London (United Kingdom). As a long standing member of the biotech ecosystem, Maina has received strong professional and institutional recognition; and was named one of UK's Top women in Biopharma several years in a row. With Maina Bhaman's arrival, Sofinnova Partners continues to build a truly international team with a unique diversity. Maina Bhaman says: "I am thrilled to join such an experienced team as Sofinnova Partners. We have worked together on a number of co-investments, and clearly share a common approach and vision. I am looking forward to continue to pursue my passion of backing entrepreneurs developing paradigm-shifting technologies that may significantly improve patients' life". Antoine Papiernik, Managing Partner and Chairman of Sofinnova Partners, adds: "We are extremely happy to welcome Maina as a Partner in our team. Her expertise and track record are a perfect match with our team and strategy. This recruitment also furthers our international reach and will positively contribute to Sofinnova Partners' growth". View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005894/en/ Contacts: Media SOFINNOVA PARTNERS Anne REIN, Tel: +33 6 03 35 92 05 @: anne.rein@strategiesimage.com www.sofinnova.fr Softing's industrial data analytics solutions drive efficiency while enabling cost and risk reduction SANTA CLARA, California, Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Based on its recent analysis of the production analytics industry, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Softing with the 2017 Europe Enabling Technology Leadership Award for providing industrial data intelligence solutions that drive operational efficiency with "edge"-based advanced analytics, supported by a broad portfolio of data-gathering, network diagnostics, and plant asset management solutions. Headquartered in Haar, near Munich, Germany, Softing has been active in the industrial data solutions market for over 35 years. Click here to view the full multimedia release: http://bit.ly/2hjlzdr The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is transforming how businesses work by enabling real-time insight into operations. Through creating hard, actionable analytics from an ocean of data, IIoT helps drive clear business results. However, gathering and analyzing these massive amounts of data present significant challenges in data security, real-time processing for data collected at the "edges" of an environment, and errors in processing such large data amounts. The consequent lack of data understanding and its inaccurate use can lead to strategic decisions that result in inefficiencies; sub-optimal productivity; higher costs; and increased exposure to service-level misses, penalties, and risks. Manufacturers need solutions that allow efficient and accurate analysis of industrial data to optimize assets and improve reliability, productivity, and overall organizational efficiency. "The sheer amount of Big Data now available to manufacturers is both an advantage and liability," said Frost & Sullivan IIoT Program Manager, Karthik Sundaram. "On one hand, the accurate assessment of data and the resulting application from analyzing that data helps manufacturers make improved decisions, drive innovation, and identify new business growth opportunities. However, with growing threats to data security, companies must find a way to safeguard their critical data, often through some form of data encryption. Most companies choose open platform communication (OPC) unified architecture (UA) as their interoperability standard to respond to the security challenges and ensure the secure data exchange in the industrial automation space." Softing offers a broad portfolio of customer-specific software and hardware products for a variety of applications, such as technology and data integration, communication components, network monitoring, and diagnostics. The company implements OPC UA functionality into customer-specific products and applications through the use of industry-leading Softing OPC UA data exchange solutions to address customer need for secure and reliable data exchange. As a result, the OPC UA implementation becomes ready-to-use for fast customer results. Softing's dataTHINK analytics solution provides real-time, data-based production optimization, allowing for on-site streamed production insight. This solution eliminates unsolved disruptions and reduces scrap while optimizing plant performance and contributing to increased revenue and cost efficiency. dataTHINK uses current machine learning procedures, such as anomaly detection and time series analyses, to detect outliers and prevent unexpected situations efficiently, allowing companies to respond quickly to market challenges and use resources more efficiently to enhance business performance and gain competitive advantages. "Softing has positioned itself as a market expert because the company maintains close relationships with customers to understand their needs and what the market expectations are," said Sundaram. "The company also offers customized training and workshops. By using customer feedback, Softing ensures product relevance and provides added value." Softing dedicates to developing industrial data intelligence solutions that drive operational efficiency with advanced analytics, enabling cost and risk reduction while analyzing all systems and data needed to make optimal operational decisions. The company commands a leadership position with its strategic mix of application depth, consultative approach, and proactive efforts to bring best-in-class solutions to its clients. For these reasons, Softing earns Frost & Sullivan's 2017 Europe Enabling Technology Leadership Award. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that develops a pioneering technology that not only enhances current products but also enables new product and application developments. The award recognizes the high market acceptance potential of the recipient's technology. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Softing Softing specializes in the implementation and the improvement of digital data exchange in industrial automation applications. Its portfolio comprises hardware and software products as well as customized solutions. The products and solutions from Softing provide seamless communication at the level of Operating Technologies, easy to establish data integration with applications at the Information Technologies level, and on-site real-time data analytics. The Softing offer is designed to meet the increasing requirements of integrated and secure data communication. It offers superior functionality, is easy to use and enables customers to optimize industrial value creation processes and improve the efficiency of machinery and equipment. https://industrial.softing.com/en/startpage.html Contact: Peter Seeberg P:+49-89-456-56-385 E: peter.seeberg@softing.com About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community.Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Samantha Park P: 210.348.1001 F: 210.348.1003 E:Samantha.Park@frost.com Veroffentlichung von Insiderinformationen gema Artikel 17 MAR Bingen (pta018/27.11.2017/10:45) - Bingen, 27. November 2017 - Die Safari Holding Verwaltungs GmbH (die "Gesellschaft") gibt ihre Absicht der vollstandigen Ruckzahlung ihrer besicherten Unternehmensanleihe mit einem Kupon von 8,25% und einer Laufzeit bis 2021 (die "Ruckzahlung") bekannt. Die beabsichtigte Ruckzahlung soll im Zusammenhang mit einer Reorganisation (die "Reorganisation") auf Gesellschafterebene der Gesellschaft erfolgen. Die Ruckzahlung soll durch die Begebung einer neuen besicherten Unternehmensanleihe durch die neugegrundete Safari Verwaltungs GmbH (Blitz F17-572 GmbH; Umfirmierung beantragt), die bei Abschluss der Reorganisation die mittelbare Muttergesellschaft der Gesellschaft sein wird, finanziert werden. Das Angebot dieser neuen besicherten Unternehmensanleihe hat heute begonnen und die Preisfestsetzung wird voraussichtlich am oder um den 1. Dezember 2017 erfolgen. Die Gesellschaft beabsichtigt derzeit, die Ruckzahlungsnotiz fur die Ruckzahlung zum Zeitpunkt der Ausgabe der neuen besicherten Unternehmensanleihe, voraussichtlich Mitte Dezember 2017, herauszugeben. Die Ruckzahlung wird unter der Bedingung des Abschlusses der Reorganisation stehen und es ist derzeit beabsichtigt, dass die Ruckzahlung am 15. Februar 2018 zu einem Ruckzahlungspreis von 102,063% erfolgen wird. Kontakt: Safari Holding Verwaltungs GmbH Im Tiergarten 30 D-55411 Bingen Deutschland e-mail: info@loewen-play.de phone: +49-6721-155-0 (Ende) Aussender: Safari Holding Verwaltungs GmbH Adresse: Im Tiergarten 30, 55411 Bingen Land: Deutschland Ansprechpartner: Stefan Schwenkedel Tel.: +49 6721 1550 E-Mail: info@loewen-play.de ISIN(s): XS1029172514 (Anleihe) Borsen: Euro MTF in Luxemburg Quelle: http://adhoc.pressetext.com/news/1511775900783 pressetext Nachrichtenagentur GmbH Pflichtmitteilungen und Finanznachrichten ubermittelt durch pressetext.adhoc. Archiv: http://adhoc.pressetext.com . Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Aussender verantwortlich. Kontakt fur Anfragen: adhoc@pressetext.com oder +43-1-81140-300. (END) Dow Jones NewswiresNovember 27, 2017 04:45 ET (09:45 GMT) Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4:30 am ET Thursday, the Bank of England is slated to release mortgage approvals data for May. The number of mortgage approvals is seen at 64,000 in May compared to 64,600 in April. Ahead of the data, the pound showed mixed trading against its major rivals. While the pound rose against the U.S. dollar, the yen and the Swiss franc, it fell against the euro. As of 4:25 am ET, the pound was trading at 0.8803 against the euro, 1.2430 against the Swiss franc, 1.2978 against the U.S. dollar and 146.11 against the yen. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The Pracuj Group is a leading provider of human resources (HR) solutions helping companies recruit, retain, and develop employees across Central Europe TCV's expertise and funding will be used to fuel Pracuj Group's further growth This investment marks TCV's first investment in Poland The Pracuj Group (Grupa Pracuj), a leading provider of Human Resources (HR) solutions that help companies recruit, retain, and develop employees in Central Europe, today announced that TCV has agreed to make a minority investment in the company. The closing of TCV's investment is subject to customary closing conditions. TCV provides growth equity capital for both private and public technology companies in the U.S., Europe, and internationally. The Pracuj Group intends to use the funding to fuel international expansion and expand its product suite. As part of the investment, John Doran and David Yuan, General Partners at TCV, will join the company's supervisory board. With more than 17 years of experience in the online recruitment market in Poland, the Pracuj Group oversees four companies: Pracuj.pl, a job board; applicant tracking system eRecruiter; Rabota.ua, a Ukrainian job board; and emplo.com, a platform to support communication and HR processes in companies. As of today, 40,000 businesses use the Pracuj Group's products on an annual basis. Its flagship brand, the Pracuj.pl job board, is growing with 2.5 million monthly users and 1,000 new clients joining each month. Przemyslaw Gacek, President of the Pracuj Group's Management Board, said, "At the Pracuj Group, we are continuously striving to learn and innovate and hence were looking for an investor that could provide both knowledge and inspiration. TCV is a perfect fit since they invest in and establish long-term partnerships with technology-driven companies such as ours. We look forward to working with TCV as we continue to develop and further expand our business. TCV brings decades of sector knowledge and deep experience in helping companies scale. We welcome their expertise as we continue to grow Pracuj Group's core businesses and expand successful SaaS solutions." Today's announcement marks TCV's first investment in Poland. John Doran, General Partner at TCV said, "The Pracuj Group is a great example of the type of company TCV looks to invest in. Led by Przemyslaw Gacek, the company has established itself as a market leader across Central Europe and shows incredible potential for further growth and international development. We look forward to working alongside the founders and the Pracuj Group's management team to support the acceleration and growth of its human resource solutions." Grupa Pracuj was advised in this investment process by Trigon and GCA Altium (financial) and by Greenberg Traurig (legal). TCV was advised by Weil, Gotshal Manges (legal). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005462/en/ Contacts: For TCV Gemma Griffiths 07545 768602 ZHUHAI, China, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 27 and 28, 2017, the 3rd China-Israel Investment Summit was held in Zhuhai, a city in southern China. Over 5,200 people from more than 2,700 Chinese and Israeli enterprises attended the summit, making it the largest business forum and matchmaking conference in China attended by Israeli enterprises. The summit witnessed over 2,000 matchmaking meetings for B2B business held between Chinese and Israeli enterprises, and 14project contracts were signed at the scene, with a total value of contract over USD3.8 billion. The summit is an important platform for the communication and cooperation of science and technology, economy and trade between China and Israel. The previous two summits were held in Beijing and Tel Aviv respectively. It is learned that 255 guests from 146 Israeli enterprises attended the summit, including the founders and decision makers from nearly 200 Israeli high-tech enterprises engaged in industries like technology automation, financial technology, industrial application, Internet of Things and Bioscience. Remarkable achievements have been scored for now, including the launching of National China-Israel Innovation Fund, the signing of the agreement of civil aircraft project between Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. and the settling down of China-Israel Enterprise Accelerator Industrial Park in Zhuhai. Guo Yuanqiang, Secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, said that "since Zhuhai and Israel share similarities in such fields as science and technology, environmental protection, agriculture and education, the cooperation between the two parties enjoysa promising prospect." As the host of the summit, Zhuhai has embraced more opportunities. Located in the west bank of Pearl River Estuary in south China, Zhuhai faces the international metropolises Hong Kong and Macao across the river, and it is also one of China's first four special economic zones. In recent years, Zhuhai has prioritized the development of innovation and is sparing no effort to build up an internationally competitive hub for high-end industrial clusters, industrial technology incubators, innovative talents, entrepreneurship investment and intellectual property services. Taking the summit as an opportunity, Zhuhai is able to promote regional innovation by learning from the experience of Israeli enterprises. As an important part of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhuhai has been well prepared to live up to high standards of international trade and investment rules, carve out a new pattern of cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and to foster a market-oriented, legal and international business environment. While promoting reform and development through the opening-up, Zhuhai is able to further expand the cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, particularly to fully tap into the potentials of various professionals from Hong Kong and Macao. In this way, innovation would be put on a fast track driven by the going-out strategy. Photos: One Of Just 3 Modernist Mies Houses Ever Built Is Being Restored By Stephen Gossett in News on Jun 29, 2017 2:11PM Famed architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe stuck primarily to the big stuff. But the modernist-pioneer did manage to design and build three modernist-style houses during his career. Two of them are right here in Chicagoand one of them is about to undergo an exciting major fix. The McCormick House was built between 1951 and 1952, in west suburban Elmhurst. But some 45 years later, it gained an appendage, of sorts. The glassy, single-story home was attached in 1997 to the Elmhurst Museum of Art, connected via a long, narrow corridor. The house at that time was being used primarily for administrative office space, so the walkable addition made sense at the time, Jenny Gibbs, executive director of the museum, told Chicagoist. But while the added-on corridor remained true to Mies' "universal space" aesthetic, "it didn't necessarily respect the integrity of the original structure," Gibbs said. With those offices long since cleared out, a new restoration project will soon free McCormick from the retrofitted connective tissue, too. From there, its facade will be reinstated, small green space will be added that accentuates its residential design, and a carport will be reconstructed. In other words, it'll return to Mies' original vision. "It's a very rare example of his modern style [in a home scale]...It's a really important example o Mies working on a residential scale, and it's one that hasn't really been appreciatedin part because you couldn't see it," Gibbs said. The renderings above, from the Elmhurst Art Museum, plot out the new vision. A mix of past and recent photos in the gallery also illustrate just how well McCormick's interior is preserved. Work gets underway in November, and the minor treasure of International Style is expected to be returned to its standalone glory in full by the end of the year, according to Gibbs. The project is being helmed by Heritage Architecture Studio, with Berglund Construction, who also completed the restoration of the Farnsworth Housethat second, more famous Mies house in the Chicagoland area. Check out a short documentary about Mies and the history of the McCormick House below to get your interest piqued. [H/T Tribune] SUSE Limited Liability Company Kevan Barney Phone: +1 801-861-2931 E-mail: kbarney@suse.com Fujitsu Limited Public and Investor Relations Tel: +81-3-6252-2176 URL: www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/ TOKYO, June 29, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu and SUSE today announced the launch of a new premium Linux support service, "SUSE Business Critical Linux," which will be exclusively offered by Fujitsu over the next 12 months. Fujitsu has selected SUSE as its preferred Linux partner for this new premium Linux support service, which will be offered based on the two companies' strategic alliance concerning open-source product development and support, announced in November 2016.With the accelerated adoption of Linux operating systems by enterprises worldwide, demand for higher-level support services is growing, especially in mission-critical areas where applications such as in-memory databases are running on Linux platforms. "SUSE Business Critical Linux" will be provided jointly by Fujitsu and SUSE to address customers' evolving needs with a highly reliable, 24/7 support framework that significantly extends current support periods, from five years to up to eight years per SUSE service pack.This exclusive offering provides business customers with one-stop shopping, including Fujitsu-manufactered servers and other hardware. Together, Fujitsu and SUSE will help customers cut risks, ensure around-the-clock application availability and long-term application stability, and optimize maintenance schedules and costs.Katsue Tanaka, SVP, Head of Platform Software Business Unit at Fujitsu Limited, says: "We are pleased to announce 'SUSE Business Critical Linux' as an outcome of the strategic alliance with SUSE. This new support ensures the highly reliable and secure computing environment required in mission-critical systems, and the offering further extends and strengthens the existing strategic partnership between SUSE and Fujitsu."Rupert Lehner, Head of Enterprise Platform Services at Fujitsu EMEIA, says: "We're proud to introduce this unique service offering to customers worldwide. Open source business applications are rapidly evolving, and with this comes a growing demand for flexible, fast and secure support services that can meet organizations' enterprise requirements for maximum system reliability. Together with our preferred Linux partner, SUSE, we are committed to delivering open source-based solutions for the most challenging business environments. This service agreement takes our strategic partnership to a new level.""The long-term support provided by SUSE with Fujitsu for mission-critical computing is big news for enterprise customers seeking always-on solutions that really are always on," said Phillip Cockrell, SUSE vice president of Worldwide Alliance Sales. "Mission-critical workloads demand the powerful technology and detailed, ongoing support and service this joint solution will provide."The new service offering will help meet enterprise requirements for maximum data and application availability and rapid innovation in the data center, and will support the ever-increasing demands of mission-critical workloads.Pricing and AvailabilityFujitsu will make "SUSE Business Critical Linux" available in EMEIA and Japan from July 2017, to customers running "SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12" and "SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 High Availability Extension." The service will subsequently be rolled out to other regions globally. Pricing varies according to region.About SUSESUSE, a pioneer in open source software, provides reliable, interoperable Linux, cloud infrastructure and storage solutions that give enterprises greater control and flexibility. 25 years of engineering excellence, exceptional service and an unrivaled partner ecosystem power the products and support that help our customers manage complexity, reduce cost, and confidently deliver mission-critical services. The lasting relationships we build allow us to adapt and deliver the smarter innovation they need to succeed - today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.suse.com.About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 155,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.5 trillion yen (US$40 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.* Please see this press release, with images, at:http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/Source: Fujitsu LtdContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. - U.S. has the highest digital ad fraud rate among global countries - Ad viewability improving slowly at 59 percent (video) and 52 percent (display) NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DoubleVerify (DV), the leading independent provider of marketing measurement software and analytics, today released its Global Insights 2017 Report, finding media quality as the biggest drag on digital ad performance. That's chiefly because of persistent concerns about brand safety, digital ad fraud and low viewability, according to the global report. "As demonstrated by the insights in this report, transparency around media quality is the key to unlocking global digital ad performance," said Wayne Gattinella, CEO and president of DoubleVerify. "Media transparency will become universal truth as marketers demand ubiquitous third-party measurement across all publishers, social sites and programmatic platforms. Without exception, advertisers must have the ability to measure the total quality of what's delivered, regardless of platform." Fake News Surges Directly Correlate with Unpredictable Current Events Fake news is a global problem with local impact. The report showed a direct correlation between political and unpredictable events and surges in fake news. Among the findings: In the U.S. in March, DoubleVerify blocked over 85 million ads from serving adjacent to inflammatory news, a 250 percent increase since January 2017 . In the U.S. in March, DoubleVerify blocked over 85 million ads from serving adjacent to inflammatory news, a 250 percent increase since . The volume of fake news more than doubled in France during that country's 2017 presidential election. The volume of fake news more than doubled in during that country's 2017 presidential election. Italy saw a 75 percent increase in fake news around major news days, including those with terrorist or political events. saw a 75 percent increase in fake news around major news days, including those with terrorist or political events. While brand safety issues vary by country, Brazil had the highest violations at 10 percent, and India had the lowest at two percent. The U.S. fell in the middle at five percent. While brand safety issues vary by country, had the highest violations at 10 percent, and had the lowest at two percent. The U.S. fell in the middle at five percent. APAC brand safety issues for video ads are the highest at 14 percent compared to other markets. Infected Browsers Overtake Bots as the New King of Ad Fraud Bots are no longer the king of ad fraud. The DV report finds that infected browsers have quickly emerged as the new digital ad problem. Instead of bots creating "ghost" browsing sessions, fraudsters are now manipulating a user's active browser, making it harder to pinpoint and avoid. Key findings include: The U.S. had the highest overall rate of advertising fraud at six percent, and the highest rate among display ads at six percent, compared to all other countries and markets in the report. Video-based ad fraud reached 10 percent, two times worse than display. The lowest fraud rate for display ads was in Latin America at one percent. The highest fraud rate for video ads was in APAC at 13 percent, followed by North America at 10 percent. Ad Viewability is Slowly Improving; U.S. has Second Highest Viewability Rating Globally Viewability is an online advertising metric that tracks only those impressions that can be seen. The report finds that while ad viewability is registering a steady increase in viewable rates over time, there is still progress to be made.The report's findings include: Rates improved for display and video ads - display viewability improved to 52 percent compared to 44 percent in 2015, and video viewability improved to 59 percent compared to 35 percent in 2015. At 51 percent, the U.S. had the second highest display viewability rating of all countries in the report, behind Japan at 54 percent. Among European countries, Germany led with 49 percent display viewability, ahead of France , Spain and the UK, but trailing the US and Canada . Australia had the lowest display viewability of any country at 42 percent. At just 20 percent, APAC video viewability was rated at less than half that of any other market. Gattinella said the report reinforces the need to protect brand equity of advertisers. "Clearly, the industry has some work to do, but the more we embrace tools and standards that support transparency across screens and platforms, the faster we'll evolve," Gattinella said. "The goal is to provide supportive metrics that measure the quality of consumer ad engagement - the true indicator of media effectiveness and performance." About the Report DoubleVerify's 2017 Global Insights Report dives into a market-by market analysis of the challenges facing marketers with insights from the company on the current state of global media quality over the last three quarters.The report includes 165 countries in four markets across North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Europe / Middle East / Africa (EMEA).It reviewed data in 40+ languages from across more than 1,000 brands. About DoubleVerify DV is the leading independent provider of marketing measurement software, data and analytics that authenticates the quality and effectiveness of digital media for the world's largest brands and media platforms. DV provides media transparency and accountability to deliver the highest level of impression quality for maximum advertising performance. Since 2008, DV has helped hundreds of Fortune 500 companies gain the most from their media spend by delivering best in class solutions across the digital ecosystem that help build a better industry. Learn more at doubleverify.com. MEDIA CONTACT Rachel Conforti rachel.conforti@doubleverify.com 212-631-2148 Lauren Becker lauren.becker@hkstrategies.com 212-885-0564 29 June 2017 Doriemus PLC ("Doriemus" or "the Company") Proposed cross listing on the ASX and Consolidation of Ordinary Shares The Company is currently in the process of applying for a cross listing of the Company's shares on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX"). The Directors believe that whilst the NEX Exchange Growth Market ("NEX") serves the Company and its shareholders well, a listing on one of the world's senior markets will assist the Company with the implementation of its growth strategy. Having considered various options, the Directors believe that the ASX is the most suitable choice for the Company to pursue the next stage of its growth. The Directors also believe that any such cross listing should also provide shareholders with greater trading liquidity than is currently experienced on NEX. Evidently, and further to the announcement of 11 October 2016, the Company no longer intends to seek admission to the standard segment of the Official List and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. In order to prepare for the proposed cross listing of the Company's shares on the ASX, the Company intends to consolidate its current issued share capital which consists of approximately 12,526,285,711 ordinary shares in issue. It is proposed that the issued share capital of the Company will be restructured, in order to reduce the number of ordinary shares in issue, by consolidating them on a four hundred for one basis (400/1). All of the existing ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.001p (0.00001) each will be consolidated into ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.4p (0.004) each on the basis of one new ordinary share for every four hundred existing ordinary shares on issue. As a result of the consolidation, it is anticipated that, based on the current issued shares, on a four hundred for one basis, there will be 31,315,714 ordinary shares in issue with a nominal value of 0.4p (0.004) each. Where options and other rights have been granted in relation to the ordinary shares, the numbers of ordinary shares to which these rights apply will be adjusted to take account of the consolidation. The new consolidated ordinary shares will be traded on NEX in the same way as the existing ordinary shares and will be equivalent, ranking pari passu, in all material respects to the existing ordinary shares (including as to dividend, voting and other rights). A circular for the proposed consolidation will be posted to shareholders and a further announcement made at that time. The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement. For additional information, please contact: Doriemus plc +44 (0) 20 7440 0640 David Lenigas Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited +44 (0) 20 7469 0930 Corporate Adviser Guy Miller/Fungai Ndoro Optiva Securities Limited +44 (0) 20 3137 1902 Broker Christian Dennis/Jeremy King Squarel Consulting +44 (0) 20 7929 5599 Public Relations David Bick Disclaimer This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made by the Company's Directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this announcement but such statements should be treated with caution due to inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business factors, underlying such forward-looking information. This announcement has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Company's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. This announcement should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose. BERLIN, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the theme of "Transcending Scientific Boundaries", the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) 2017 Congress (July 8-13, 2017) aims to enhance the treatment of patients with bleeding and clotting disorders, such as hemophilia or thrombosis, by presenting the latest basic, translational and clinical research and highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic advancements. "True to the excitement surrounding one of the leading scientific events in the field of thrombosis, hemostasis and vascular biology, the ISTH 2017 Congress will unveil a range of groundbreaking research and innovative offerings designed to foster mutual exchange and scientific discourse around highly anticipated topics," said ISTH 2017 Congress President, Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Oldenburg from the University Clinic Bonn in Germany. "With the field's leading global experts from around the world convening at ISTH 2017, the congress will showcase the latest in scientific discoveries as well as diagnostic and treatment options to better meet the needs of patients." Attendance numbers reach all-time high With more than 9,000 participants from approximately 90 countries, this year's congress surpasses all ISTH attendance records and is the largest meeting dedicated to thrombosis and hemostasis to date. This is matched by the congress' second highest submission rate yet: 3,120 scientific abstracts submitted by clinicians, scientists, academics and students from 83 countries. With a diverse and extensive range of topics, participants will meet to discuss scientific presentations, including unpublished studies, exchange the latest scientific findings and their clinical application and participate in interactive poster and oral communication sessions as well as abstract symposia. Opportunity to preview the latest scientific highlights The official ISTH 2017 press briefing will take place on Monday, July 10, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm CET and will provide an overview of the latest key scientific evidence and findings presented at the congress. Moderated by Prof. Dr. med. Wolfram Ruf from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany, the press briefing will cover key topics such as the treatment of hemophilia, management of patients with venous thromboembolism and the reversal of anticoagulation mechanisms. In-depth presentations on the scientific highlights featured at the ISTH 2017 press briefing will take place at the following times during the congress: Monday, July 10 Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Emicizumab (ACE910) Prophylaxis (Px) in Persons with Hemophilia A with Inhibitors (PwHAwI): Randomized, Multicenter, Open-label, Phase 3 Study (HAVEN 1) by Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Oldenburg , ISTH 2017 Congress President, Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic Bonn, Germany - Abstract Symposia Session, 15:15, Hall B by Prof. Dr. med. , ISTH 2017 Congress President, Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic Bonn, - Abstract Symposia Session, 15:15, Hall B Fitusiran, an Investigational RNAi Therapeutic Targeting Antithrombin for the Treatment of Hemophilia: Interim Results from a Phase 2 Extension Study in Patients with Hemophilia A or B with and Without Inhibitors by Prof. Dr. med. John Pasi , Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom - Abstract Symposia Session, 15:30, Hall B Tuesday, July 11 Interim Results from a Phase 1/2 AAV5-FVIII Gene Transfer in Pa tients with Severe Hemophilia A by Prof. Dr. med. John Pasi , Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom - Oral Communication Session, 9:30, Hall B by Prof. Dr. med. , Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of - Oral Communication Session, 9:30, Hall B Final Results of RE-VERSE AD Study: Reversal of Dabigatran by its Specific Reversal Agent Idarucizumab in Patients with Uncontrolled Bleeding or Requiring Urgent Surgery/Procedures by Prof. Dr. med. Charles Pollack , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , United States - Oral Communication Session, 10:24, Hall B Wednesday, July 12 Clinical Characteristics and Management of 10,329 Patients with a Confirmed Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism: The GARFIELD-VTE Registry by Prof. Dr. med. Walter Ageno , Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy - Abstract Symposia Session, 16:00, Room New York For more information about the ISTH 2017 Congress, visit http://www.isth2017.org. About the ISTH Founded in 1969, the ISTH is the leading worldwide not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic and bleeding disorders. ISTH is an international professional membership organization with more than 4,500 clinicians, researchers and educators working together to improve the lives of patients in more than 94 countries around the world. Among its highly regarded activities and initiatives are education and standardization programs, research activities, meetings and congresses, peer-reviewed publications, expert committees and World Thrombosis Day on 13 October. Visit ISTH online athttp://www.isth.org. Helpful resources Complimentary press registration: http://www.isth2017.org/press-registration.html Be a digital participant via the ISTH Congress Live Stream : http://www.isth2017.org/live-broadcast.html : http://www.isth2017.org/live-broadcast.html Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Hemostasis is a new open access e-publication of the ISTH. Review the ISTH 2017 abstracts here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rth2.2017.1.issue-S1/issuetoc For any further queries, please contact: The Weber Shandwick press team on behalf of ISTH +49-30-20-35-1-266 isthpress@webershandwick.com Barbara Krolak Relationship and Campaign Specialist International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis +1-919-929-3807 Barbara_Krolak@isth.org Bari, Italy (ots/PRNewswire) -- New production line for the aseptic filling of biotech medicines under isolator - Isolator technology represents best practice for the aseptic filling of injectable medicines and ensures the highest quality standards - Investment supports growth of Merck's portfolio of biotech medicinesMerck, a leading science and technology company, will invest EUR 35 million in a new production line for the aseptic filling of biotech medicines under isolator at its manufacturing site of Bari, Italy. The announcement was made as part of an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the site and its leading role on the science and technology scene in the South Italian region of Apulia."This investment underpins the importance of the Modugno-Bari production site for our growing Healthcare business," said Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. "It will help us to secure the supply of medicines that improve people's lives around the world."The new production line is expected to be fully operational in 2022. It will be equipped with an isolator designed with the latest technologies available and with a high level of automation. The isolator technology represents best practice in aseptic filling which is a prerequisite to ensure the safety of injectable medicines. The new production line is intended to be used for the aseptic filling of Merck's biotech medicines in the areas of multiple sclerosis, fertility and endocrinology with a capacity of 14 million units per year.In 2014, Merck already invested EUR 50 million at the Bari biotech-manufacturing site for a fully automated production line under isolator and automated warehouse. Established in 1992, Merck's biotech manufacturing site in Bari has grown over time and currently employs 225 people. It is specialized in the fill & finish activities of Merck's biotech medicines in the areas of multiple sclerosis, fertility and endocrinology for more than 150 countries. The site is also involved in the manufacturing of some of Merck's products under development.The Bari site is part of a network of 15 manufacturing sites dedicated to the production of Merck's biotech and pharmaceutical medicines serving 60 million patients across the globe each and every day.All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.About MerckMerck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of EUR 15.0 billion in 66 countries.Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.Benedicte Bogh: +41-79-5000137(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472778/Merck_Logo.jpg )(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/566581/Merck.jpg )ots Originaltext: Merck KGaA Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) announced today the findings of a recently published study in which researchers at Cairo University in Egypt evaluated the performance of Masimo SpHb, noninvasive, continuous hemoglobin measurement, in trauma patients with low hemoglobin levels.1 In the prospective, observational study, Dr. Gamal and colleagues sought to evaluate SpHb measurements on trauma patients with low hemoglobin levels (below 8 g/dL) because trauma patients are "vulnerable to frequent blood transfusion." They enrolled 70 adult patients with hemoglobin levels lower than 8 g/dL who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) of Cairo University Hospital and scheduled for surgical intervention. While in the ED, the patients' SpHb was continuously monitored using a Masimo Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter, with initial baseline measurement recorded as well as measurement after each unit of blood was administered. The researchers simultaneously obtained 2 mL venous blood samples, which were analyzed using a Coulter LH 750 Beckman analyzer (LabHb). A total of 184 samples with corresponding SpHb values were collected for final analysis. The distribution of LabHb values was 20 (11%) below 6 g/dL, 97 (53%) between 6-7 g/dL, and 67 (36%) between 7-8 g/dL. The accuracy of SpHb in comparison to LabHb was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis. The level of agreement between SpHb and LabHb showed a bias of 0.12 g/dL and limits of agreement of -0.56 g/dL and 0.79 g/dL. To determine the accuracy of SpHb as a trend measurement, the researchers also observed the change in hemoglobin (DeltaHb) before and after each unit of blood was transfused, for both methods. The level of agreement between DeltaSpHb and DeltaLabHb showed a bias of -0.05 g/dL and limits of agreement of -0.62 g/dL and 0.51 g/dL. The researchers concluded that "SpHb showed accurate precision in both absolute values and trend values compared to LabHb measurement in trauma patients with low hemoglobin levels." They also suggested several possible uses for SpHb, including as "a trend monitor that would alert the physician to any sudden bleeding mishaps," and as a "good supplementary measure" to LabHb that can "save time and effort." The researchers acknowledged that this study is not sufficient to alone answer the question, "Can we transfuse blood relying solely on SpHb or not?" However, they noted that their findings add to the body of evidence in favor of SpHb and suggest the need for additional research regarding the role of Masimo technology in blood transfusion decisions. SpHb monitoring is not intended to replace laboratory blood testing. Blood samples should be analyzed by laboratory instruments prior to clinical decision making. @MasimoInnovates | Masimo The accuracy specification of SpHb is 1 g/dL A RMS * in the range of 8-17 g/dL. SpHb accuracy has been validated on healthy adult male and female volunteers and on surgical patients with light to dark skin pigmentation against an invasive laboratory device. SpHb accuracy has not been validated in conditions of motion or low perfusion. *A RMS accuracy is a statistical calculation of the difference between device measurements and reference measurements. Approximately two-thirds of the device measurements fell within A RMS of the reference measurements in a controlled study. Reference Gamal M, Abdelhamid B, Zakaria D, Abd El Dayem O, Ashraf R, Fawzy M, and Hasanin A. Evaluation of noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring in trauma patients with low hemoglobin levels. Shock. July 2017. DOI: 10.1097/SHK. 0000000000000949. About Masimo Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) is a global leader in innovative noninvasive monitoring technologies. Our mission is to improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care. In 1995, the company debuted Masimo SET Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, which has been shown in multiple studies to significantly reduce false alarms and accurately monitor for true alarms. Masimo SET has also been shown to help clinicians reduce severe retinopathy of prematurity in neonates,1 improve CCHD screening in newborns,2 and, when used for continuous monitoring with Masimo Patient SafetyNet* in post-surgical wards, reduce rapid response activations and costs.3,4,5 Masimo SET is estimated to be used on more than 100 million patients in leading hospitals and other healthcare settings around the world,6 and is the primary pulse oximetry at 16 of the top 20 hospitals listed in the 2016-17 U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll.7 In 2005, Masimo introduced rainbow Pulse CO-Oximetry technology, allowing noninvasive and continuous monitoring of blood constituents that previously could only be measured invasively, including total hemoglobin (SpHb), oxygen content (SpOC), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO), methemoglobin (SpMet), Pleth Variability Index (PVi), and more recently, Oxygen Reserve Index (ORi), in addition to SpO 2 , pulse rate, and perfusion index (Pi). In 2014, Masimo introduced Root, an intuitive patient monitoring and connectivity platform with the Masimo Open Connect (MOC-9) interface, enabling other companies to augment Root with new features and measurement capabilities. Masimo is also taking an active leadership role in mHealth with products such as the Radius-7 wearable patient monitor, iSpO 2 pulse oximeter for smartphones, and the MightySat fingertip pulse oximeter. Additional information about Masimo and its products may be found at www.masimo.com. Published clinical studies on Masimo products can be found at http://www.masimo.com/cpub/clinical-evidence.htm. ORi has not received FDA 510(k) clearance and is not available for sale in the United States. *The use of the trademark Patient SafetyNet is under license from University HealthSystem Consortium. References Castillo A et al. Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Infants through Changes in Clinical Practice and SpO 2 Technology. Acta Paediatr. 2011 Feb;100(2):188-92. de-Wahl Granelli A et al. Impact of pulse oximetry screening on the detection of duct dependent congenital heart disease: a Swedish prospective screening study in 39,821 newborns. BMJ. 2009;338. Taenzer AH et al. Impact of Pulse Oximetry Surveillance on Rescue Events and Intensive Care Unit Transfers: A Before-And-After Concurrence Study. Anesthesiology. 2010; 112(2):282-287. Taenzer AH et al. Postoperative Monitoring The Dartmouth Experience. Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation Newsletter. Spring-Summer 2012. McGrath SP et al. Surveillance Monitoring Management for General Care Units: Strategy, Design, and Implementation. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. 2016 Jul;42(7):293-302. Estimate: Masimo data on file. http://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-honor-roll-and-overview. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in connection with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the potential effectiveness of Masimo SpHb. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about future events affecting us and are subject to risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control and could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in our forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors, including, but not limited to: risks related to our assumptions regarding the repeatability of clinical results; risks related to our belief that Masimo's unique noninvasive measurement technologies, including Masimo SpHb, contribute to positive clinical outcomes and patient safety; risks related to our belief that Masimo noninvasive medical breakthroughs provide cost-effective solutions and unique advantages; as well as other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which may be obtained for free at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today's date. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these statements or the "Risk Factors" contained in our most recent reports filed with the SEC, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under the applicable securities laws. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170806005018/en/ Contacts: Masimo Evan Lamb, 949-396-3376 elamb@masimo.com LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The U.K.'s Financial Reporting Council said that it has commenced an investigation under the Audit Enforcement Procedure into the audits by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP of the consolidated financial statements of BT Group plc (BT_A.L, BT) for the years ended 31 March 2015 to 2017 inclusive. The decision to investigate follows announcements by BT in relation to accounting issues in its Italian operations. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- Focus Ventures Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: FCV) announces that in order to preserve its cash on hand, it has agreed, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, to issue during 2017 up to 1,833,332 shares of the Company to Gordon Tainton in part consideration for his ongoing services as the Company's President, and up to 770,000 shares of the Company to David Cass, former President of the Company, in consideration for his ongoing geological consulting services to the Company. About Focus Focus is developing the Bayovar 12 phosphate deposit located 40 km from the coast in the Sechura District of northern Peru. Bayovar 12 hosts a large resource of highly-reactive sedimentary phosphate rock - a key raw material input for fertilizers and vital to world food production. Reactive phosphate rock from Sechura is a natural, slow-release source of phosphorus that can be applied directly to crops. Focus aims to supply direct application phosphate rock to the nearby agricultural regions of South and Central America, the fastest growing fertilizer market in the world. For further information, please visit our web site www.focusventuresltd.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Simon Ridgway, Chief Executive Officer Symbol: TSXV-FCV Shares Issued: 232.2-million Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and include, without limitation, statements about the Company's intended issuance of shares. Often, but not always, these forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. 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 results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and factors relate to, among other things, whether the Company will issue shares for services as planned; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; the Company or any joint venture partner not having the financial ability to meet its exploration and development goals; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to: that the Company will issue shares for services as planned; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Contacts: Gordon Tainton President 604-248-8380 604-682-1514 (FAX) info@focusventuresltd.com www.focusventuresltd.com Today's trends underscore continuing hiring pressures amid a shrinking talent supply, rising demand and industry competition HANOVER, Maryland, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions, has released its "Global Workforce Trends Report," offering a region-by-region breakdown of major economic and demographic trends influencing the supply of talent around the world. Accompanying these trends is expert insight on evolving talent acquisition practices and the changing markets for staffing, recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and managed services provider (MSP) solutions around the world. The Global Workforce Trends Report is available for download at http://www.allegisgroup.com/Insights/Global-Trends. "Workforce trends not only vary widely among regions, but they are enormously complex, and the pace of change is accelerating," says Allegis Group's Director of Labor Market Business Intelligence Ron Hetrick. "Today's trends underscore the continuing pressures of shrinkAing talent supply, rising demand and industry competition. As employers look to the future, they see that traditional workforce management approaches may no longer fill the gaps." Notable trends in the report include: U.S. : The U.S. economy has been an effective job creator, and skilled workers remain scarce. The need for cost control and efficiency will consequently be part of an effective procurement and contingent workforce strategy. Other factors including talent quality and retention may combine to compel planners to increase wages more quickly in the future. : The U.S. economy has been an effective job creator, and skilled workers remain scarce. The need for cost control and efficiency will consequently be part of an effective procurement and contingent workforce strategy. Other factors including talent quality and retention may combine to compel planners to increase wages more quickly in the future. U.K. : While Brexit is a potential disruptor to longer-term hiring initiatives, job vacancies are at record highs following the 2009 economic crisis with a shortage of skilled workers to fill them. The U.K's mature market is conducive to the use of contingent workers, Indian offshoring and contingent RPO, but that maturity may also slow MSP and RPO growth compared to the rest of Europe . : While Brexit is a potential disruptor to longer-term hiring initiatives, job vacancies are at record highs following the 2009 economic crisis with a shortage of skilled workers to fill them. The U.K's mature market is conducive to the use of contingent workers, Indian offshoring and contingent RPO, but that maturity may also slow MSP and RPO growth compared to the rest of . Primary Eurozone : France and Italy still experience unemployment rates of 10 percent or greater. The region is also experiencing a high level of retirements, expected to continue for the next several years, as well as a shortage of STEM workers and an overabundance of industrial or low-level office workers. Further, the rate of RPO growth is expected to be higher in Europe , and contingent RPO may contribute to that growth. A focus on flexibility will be important for companies navigating these markets. : and still experience unemployment rates of 10 percent or greater. The region is also experiencing a high level of retirements, expected to continue for the next several years, as well as a shortage of STEM workers and an overabundance of industrial or low-level office workers. Further, the rate of RPO growth is expected to be higher in , and contingent RPO may contribute to that growth. A focus on flexibility will be important for companies navigating these markets. APAC: Japan represents the dangers that extreme labor tightness can put on GDP while India represents the opposite: a potential labor supply to help other nations struggling to find enough skilled workers. Improved training and access to workers across boundaries will become an economic necessity in the region. RPO and MSP markets also have room to grow in size and sophistication. Based on its extensive experience and the research outlined in the Global Workforce Trends Report, Allegis Group holds that successful talent organizations will be those that apply a conscious approach to three critical areas: Expand the External Talent Supply: Smart organizations are adding flexibility to their job requirements, opening themselves to the people with the right skills regardless of worker types. Smart organizations are adding flexibility to their job requirements, opening themselves to the people with the right skills regardless of worker types. Optimize Internal Talent: Beyond determining where to recruit and what type of worker to seek, successful companies are increasingly looking to internal talent as their best defense against worker shortages and changing skills demands, especially as talent scarcity becomes more acute. An employee-first approach applies active training and skills development to fill workforce needs. Beyond determining where to recruit and what type of worker to seek, successful companies are increasingly looking to internal talent as their best defense against worker shortages and changing skills demands, especially as talent scarcity becomes more acute. An employee-first approach applies active training and skills development to fill workforce needs. Commit to Change - Looking Beyond Transactional Results: An effective talent partner goes beyond filling roles and finding workers, applying strategy, expertise and technology to help clients navigate changing talent needs. "As talent and business leaders look to the future, a strategic understanding of the forces of change is essential," adds Hetrick. "This report is intended to help guide HR and business leaders looking to gain an informed perspective on dynamics shaping successful talent management strategies in a global market." About Allegis Group Allegis Group is the global leader in talent solutions focused on working harder and caring more than any other provider. We'll go further to understand the needs of our people - our clients, our candidates and our employees - and to consistently deliver on our promise of an unsurpassed quality experience. That's the Allegis Group difference, and it's consistent across every Allegis Group company. With more than $11 billion in annual revenues and over 500 locations across the globe, our network provides businesses with a comprehensive suite of talent solutions - without sacrificing the niche expertise required to ensure a successful partnership. Our specialized group of companies includes: Aerotek;TEKsystems;Aston Carter;Allegis Global Solutions;Major, Lindsey & Africa;Allegis Partners;MarketSource;EASi;The Stamford Group; andGettingHired. Visit www.allegisgroup.com to learn more. Julie McClure 410-694-5215 jmcclure@allegisgroup.com allegisgroup.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Republican health care plan to repeal and replace Obamacare is not well received by Americans, multiple new national polls indicate, amid uncertainty over the fate of the Better Care Reconciliation Act in the Senate. Surveys from NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist, USA Today/Suffolk University and Quinnipiac University show that support for the legislation is under 20 percent, and opposition exceeds it by a significant margin. The survey results, published on Wednesday, came after Senate Republican leaders were forced to delay a vote on the Bill, as they scramble for the 50 votes needed to pass it in the Upper House. The House of Representatives, where the GOP has clear majority, passed the health care legislation last month. Four Republican Senators have made it clear that they will not vote for the Bill, while a number of moderate GOP senators have expressed difference of opinion. The measure repeals Obamacare's individual and employer mandates as well as the law's taxes on the wealthy, insurers and others. In the NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll, only 18 percent of registered voters approved of the health care plan Senate Republicans have proposed. In the Quinnipiac University poll, the support is even lesser, 16 percent. Just 12 percent of Americans support the Senate Republican health care plan, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll found. 'Call it a dressed up retread of the last GOP healthcare plan, or simply a wolf in sheep's clothing. Americans aren't buying this latest version of the plan to kill Obamacare,' said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Unfamiliar Spices Infuse The Unique Cocktails At Chiya Chai By Anthony Todd in Food on Jun 29, 2017 6:25PM A selection of the cocktails at Chiya Chai (yes, we drank a lot). Photo by Anthony Todd. Masala. Cardamom. Turmeric juice. Szechuan peppercorns. Rosewater. Sounds like a snapshot of a (well stocked) spice aisle, not a typical list of cocktail ingredients. But at Chiya Chai in Logan Square, they're infusing their drinks with a heavy pinch of spice, and the result is intriguing. "Our focus has already been on the use of spices," explained Chiya Chai co-owner Rajee Aryal. "We wanted to explore that in our cocktails, too! Because we know some really unfamiliar spices, we thought we could do something exciting." The cafe and restaurant is known, not for booze, but for their awesome food and huge tea selectionthey have more than 15 different kinds of chai. But a thirsty visitor who picks up their bar menu might be pleasantly surprised. First, let's get this out of the way: These are not fancy craft cocktails like you might find at some nearby bars. These are drinks to be drunk with food, they don't cost all that much, and they might be a touch sweet for some who prefer a super-boozy stirred drink. On the other hand, if you're looking for a drink to sit on the patio with (or a drink to pair with one of their totally phenomenal savory pies), they're pretty great. Aryal is Nepalese, and is familiar with a whole range of spices that aren't used often in the typical restaurant kitchen in Chicago. The challenge, though, was trying to incorporate those spices into drinks - and she's not a professional mixologist. Luckily, she's an artist, and she brought those skills to bear on her drinking experiments. "Im trained as an artist, and I can imaging how things mix togetherIts like visualizing a painting and mixing colors," Aryal explained. "For example, how spearmint might taste with coconut. I can almost taste it in my head." So, when she was trying to figure out a way to make a more interesting margarita, and saw some szechuan peppercorns in her kitchen, she knew immediately that it would be a fun combination. "It had a minty, citrus flavor, and it really worked!" Thus was born one of their most popular cocktails, a margarita with mango and tongue-numbing peppercorns that turn what would probably otherwise be an unbearably sweet drink into something a bit more interesting. Or take the "Maharaja," which arrives looking (sorry!) kind of like the sort of pink drink you'd order by a pool. But take one sip of this gin and blueberry cocktail, and after an initial rush of fruit, you're hit with all sorts of things: cinnamon on the nose, cardamom somewhere in the middle and a strong finish of... what is that, exactly? It's rosewater. Rosewater is one of the hardest ingredients that Aryal has worked with, and it's not one you see a lot of mixers messing with. "We almost gave up because its so strong," she explained. "In the Maharaja, we had to be really careful with the proportions, because it can be bitter and has such a strong smell." In the "Malabar," rye whiskey and lemon mix with black cardamon, which was an unfamiliar spice for me. "People are familiar with cardamom, but not black - its a completely different flavor profile," says Aryal. "Its a lot spicier, it has a lot of peppermint, that sort of aroma and flavor. Its more earthy." If you're looking for something not sweet and not quite as crazy, go for the CC Cool, a combination of fresh cucumber juice, lime, vodka, cilantro and triple sec. So when you head to Chiya Chai for dinner (and you absolutely should), make sure to grab the drink list. Even better, between 3 and 6 p.m. every day, they do a happy hour special: $2 off all cocktails, which means every drink they have is $8 or less. A pretty great deal for a Logan Square cocktail, and a great chance to try some new flavors. Chiya Chai is at 2770 N. Milwaukee Ave. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- Finning International Inc. (TSX: FTT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Hal Kvisle to the company's Board of Directors. Mr. Kvisle brings over 35 years of experience as a leader in the oil and gas, and the utilities and power industries to the Board. "We are pleased to welcome Hal to the Finning Board of Directors. Hal brings demonstrated and relevant industry experience and expertise to our Board and we look forward to benefitting from his insight," said Doug Whitehead, chair of Finning's Board of Directors. Most recently, Mr. Kvisle held the position of president and chief executive officer of Talisman Energy from 2012 to 2015. Prior to Talisman, Mr. Kvisle served in various other leadership roles, including as president and chief executive officer of TransCanada Corporation and as president of Fletcher Challenge Energy Canada Inc. Mr. Kvisle currently chairs ARC Resources Ltd.'s Board of Directors and also serves on the Northern Blizzard Resources Inc. Board. Mr. Kvisle holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary. Finning is committed to building and sustaining a Board with a diversity of knowledge, experience and capabilities that supports the Company's strategic direction. In line with this commitment, Finning is a member of the 30% Club Canada, an initiative that encourages companies to aim for at least 30% female representation on their boards. About Finning Finning International Inc. (TSX: FTT) is the world's largest Caterpillar equipment dealer delivering unrivalled service to customers for over 80 years. Finning sells, rents, and provides parts and services for equipment and engines to help customers maximize productivity. Headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., the Company operates in Western Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Contacts: Investor Relations Contact Mauk Breukels Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs (604) 331-4934 mauk.breukels@finning.com www.finning.com PASADENA, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- Wetzel's Pretzels, the innovator in the fresh-baked pretzel category, today announced the grand opening of its first Staten Island location at the Staten Island Mall, located at 2655 Richmond Avenue, on the second floor near JCPenney. This opening marks the 14th Wetzel's Pretzels store for company franchise partner, Ricky Alam, who operates locations in California and Nevada. Alam signed a development agreement to expand the Wetzel's brand in the New York area. In addition to the Staten Island store, Alam is planning to open at least three more locations in the area. To celebrate the grand opening, the new Staten Island Wetzel's Pretzels will offer Original and flavored Pretzels for $1.99 all day on Thursday, June 29. "We see a tremendous opportunity across the East Coast for the Wetzel's Pretzel's brand, and we're thrilled that Ricky Alam, an experienced multi-unit operator, shares that vision," said Jennifer Schuler, Chief Marketing Officer at Wetzel's Pretzels. "Just as our stores focus on providing fresh pretzels and great service, the Wetzel's corporate team is focused on providing our franchise partners the tools they need to be profitable." This opening marks the fourth recent Wetzel's Pretzels store opening in the greater New York area. With strong results already at Atlantic Terminal, Fulton Station and Woodbury Commons, the brand has a strong foothold for future growth in the East. "We're continuing to seek motivating, growth oriented franchisees in the Tri-State area. Wetzel's Pretzels is a fantastic portfolio concept for seasoned multi-unit franchisees with other brands," said Doug Flaig, VP Franchise Development. The Staten Island Mall location will offer all of Wetzel's Pretzels' most popular items, including the company's full line of pretzels, Wetzel's Dogs, Bitz and fresh and frozen lemonade. The pretzels will be baked from scratch throughout the day from simple ingredients such as flour, filtered water, yeast and a touch of salt; it's been the Wetzel's way since the company's first location opened 25 years ago. About Wetzel's Pretzels Armed with a vision and a tasty recipe for soft pretzel perfection, Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel opened the first Wetzel's Pretzels bakery in Redondo Beach, Calif., in 1994. Long lines of hungry customers soon formed, attracted by mouth-watering soft pretzels that were hand-rolled, baked fresh and served hot from the oven. As word spread about these golden-on-the-outside pretzels, the company added additional offerings to its menu. Today, Wetzel's Pretzels has grown to more than 300 fresh bakeries across the United States and around the world, including premier locations at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Every Wetzel's Pretzels bakery adheres to the original vision of its founders; that each super-premium pretzel will be crafted from fresh dough and baked in-store consistently throughout the day, to ensure a delicious offering for each consumer, regardless of when the craving for a pretzel strikes. For additional information on Wetzel's Pretzels or franchise opportunities, please visit the website, call (626) 432-6900, "Like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3152753 Media Contact: Josh Levitt Canvas Blue for Wetzel's Pretzels 949.215.1438 Email Contact SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article that covers SinglePoint Inc.'s (OTC PINK: SING) recent capital raise and its plans to solve cannabis payments with cryptocurrencies, as well as generate revenue from its growing portfolio of cannabis-focused companies -- including DIGS Hydro and SingleSeed. The cannabis industry is projected to reach $50 billion in size by 2026, according to Cowen & Co., but still lacks regular access to the banking industry. While many companies are waiting on the sidelines for the federal government to take action, others are working on innovative solutions using blockchain technologies. The best of these companies are developing solutions that don't involve consumers changing any of their purchasing behaviors. Raising $1 Million in Capital SinglePoint recently announced the close of a $1 million convertible promissory note with an institutional investor. While details of the deal weren't disclosed, the company called the note "company friendly" in a press release. Management believes that the funding will help the company quickly develop a crypto currency solution in partnership with First BitCoin Capital (OTC PINK: BITCF) and continue making acquisitions in the cannabis industry. "This is great timing for SinglePoint," said SinglePoint CEO Greg Lambrecht in the press release announcing the new financing deal with an institutional investor. "We have many acquisition deals in the pipeline and access to this capital will exponentially increase the chances of getting these done. In addition, we have many technical developments that are ready to launch. We will be able to develop our solutions and really start driving sales." The funding will also help support its existing business ventures in the cannabis space, including SingleSeed.com and its full-scale web design and online marketing services for dispensaries. These combined efforts could generate significant long-term value for shareholders as management works to execute its vision to become a diversified leader in the cannabis industry without the risk of actually handling the federally-illegal drug. Cryptocurrencies & Cannabis SinglePoint recently announced a joint venture with First BitCoin Capital to jointly develop and distribute a viable payments solution using blockchain technology. First BitCoin Capital will contribute its extensive knowledge of blockchain technology, while SinglePoint will leverage its deep history in distribution to commercialize the technology at dispensaries and other point-of-sale locations within the cannabis industry. The two companies have planned four development phases based on bitcoin, ethereum, and the blockchain technology. Recently, the company acquired the rights to www.singlecoin.com and plans to launch an initial coin offering (ICO) to support transactions on a blockchain specifically designed for cannabis and other high-risk industries. Given the strong performance of many cryptocurrencies, these efforts could create tremendous long-term value. The move to embrace cryptocurrencies means that the company and its customers no longer have to wait for federal approval to provide banking services to the industry. According to Cowen & Co., the legal cannabis industry is expected to reach $50 billion by 2026, which translates to an enormous payments market. In addition, cryptocurrencies themselves continue to experience tremendous growth and appreciation over time. Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/singlepoint-secures-funding-bring-bitcoin-cannabis/ For more information, visit the company's website at www.singlepoint.com or CannabisFN's company profile. About CFN Media CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/ Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8 Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com Disclaimer: Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ CFN Media Frank Lane 206-369-7050 flane@cannabisfn.com SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article that covers Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.'s (CSE: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) move into the veterinary market. Many traditional pharmaceutical companies have built up solid businesses in the veterinary market. For example, Pfizer Inc. spun off its veterinary business into Zoetis Inc., which has since reached a valuation of more than $30 billion. The cannabis industry may still be young compared to traditional pharmaceutical companies, but some advanced cannabis companies are starting to target canines and other animals. Sizing Up the Market Americans spent more than $66 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), and that figure is expected to reach nearly $70 billion this year. Of the $66.75 billion spent last year, $15.95 billion was spent on veterinary services and $14.71 billion was spent on supplies and over-the-counter medications. Mordor Intelligence predicts that veterinary spending will continue to grow at an 8% CAGR to nearly $40 billion by 2021. At the same time, the medical cannabis industry has been gaining traction. Cowen & Co. analysts believe the cannabis industry will exceed $50 billion in size, driven by the ongoing legalization of medical marijuana and the growing body of research supporting its usage across a wide range of medical conditions. Not surprisingly, the popularity of cannabinoid therapies for pets has also been on the rise as these two trends converge. Tetra Bio-Pharma hopes to capitalize on both of these trends by developing cannabinoid therapies for the veterinary market. To this end, the company recently announced its intent to develop novel cannabinoid-based formulations for the treatment of pet conditions. These efforts may involve a significantly shortened development cycle compared to human pharmaceutical compounds while still providing enormous upside potential over the long run. "After carefully studying the veterinary pet market and potential partnerships, the company decided to expand its development activities in order to tap into this lucrative market," said CEO Andre Rancourt in a recent press release announcing the company's move into the veterinary market. "In addition, Tetra is very fortunate to have Dr. Chamberland who has considerable experience navigating the regulatory affairs in the veterinary industry." Strong Background Tetra Bio-Pharma's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Guy Chamberland, M.Sc., Ph.D., Master Herbalist, has a strong background in veterinary medicine that supports the company's move into the veterinary space. By leveraging this experience, the company hopes to maximize its odds of success as it enters into the relatively new industry. Very few individuals have experience in both the cannabinoid industry and the veterinary industry. Dr. Chamberland has a Masters of Science in Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology from the University of Montreal, where he also earned a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, and worked for six years as a Co-Chair and Member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee for Veterinary Natural Health Products and Low Risk VHP. This experience not only helps him understand the pet industry, but also the regulatory approval processes. The company also intends to create a Veterinary Advisory Board that will consist of veterinary specialists in the fields of ophthalmology, oncology, and pain. This board will help guide product development activities to ensure that the company focuses on unmet veterinary needs for domestic animals while setting it apart from other companies that have simply taken over-the-counter cannabinoids and repackaged them for the pet market. With Tetra already conducting clinical trials on humans, the main business advantage is that it is the same GMP and manufacturing file for both humans and dogs. The clinical files are different. With a partnership approach Tetra can wisely expand its revenues in the pet field with minimal investment. Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/tetra-bio-pharma-expands-25-billion-veterinary-market/ About CFN Media CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/ Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8 Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com Disclaimer: Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ CFN Media Frank Lane 206-369-7050 flane@cannabisfn.com SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an interview with Mr. Warren Wang, CEO of ChineseInvestors.com Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX). ChineseInvestors.com is a provider of real-time market analysis for U.S.-based Chinese investors and recently announced its entry into the cannabis industry with the development CBD Biotechnology Inc. in British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Wang discusses this move and his vision for the future of the company. Your company, ChineseInvestors.com, has a long history of building and communicating with a large audience of Chinese-speaking investors. Now you are leveraging that audience as your company enters the cannabis market. Why make this move now, and how do you see the two sides of the business supporting and working with each other? No Chinese publicly traded company has entered the CBD business, so we are the first, which gives us an advantage. In addition, we are not new to the marijuana industry. We have a few years of experience already, having made an investment in Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. (MDCL). As a result, we feel very well positioned to enter a market that has been estimated by an independent third-party to reach 20 billion in sales by 2020. Although CBD for consumption is not legal in China now, we believe CBD can be as large as the coffee industry once it is legalized. China has 1.4 billion people, so if in the future the Chinese people spend just $1 on CBD, that is double the size of the entire CBD industry now. On the day when that opportunity arrives, we will be there and we will be ready. You recently incorporated a subsidiary, CBD Biotechnology Inc., in British Columbia, Canada. What is the goal of this new venture? What developments can our audience look for in the near future? It's very exciting to be in Canada, because it's the first G7 country to completely legalize marijuana. Toronto is now the capital city of the marijuana industry. For our business, Canada represents a huge market, as there are nearly 1 million Chinese-Canadian people. We intend to serve these people. On the Chinese front, you recently launched ChineseHempOil.com. You are also building a retail store in San Gabriel, California, offering hemp-based products and geared toward Chinese-speaking residents. What can you tell us about these potential revenue streams and how they fit into your overall business plan? Our revenue estimate is $700,000 in our 2017 accounting year and 16 million by 2020. We have faced some headwinds with our retail store, owing to difficulties with a conservative landlord. But such headwinds are to be expected in this industry, and we have responded by turning the store into an educational center and showroom. So we are building awareness and laying the foundation for positive word-of-mouth at the store, while using this high-touch opportunity to direct consumers to buy from us online at ChineseHempOil.com. On the retail front, we are looking forward to launching our CBD-infused cosmetics line in the China market later this year. CBD is approved for use in cosmetics in China and we feel the potential in the marketplace is huge. You recently announced a partnership with Launch Haus to help you get some of these initiatives off the ground, including the development of your direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and network marketing divisions. Can you talk a little bit about what drew you to Launch Haus, and how the various sales channels will work together to expand your sales? We were attracted to Launch Haus's experience and track record and we're confident that our entry into network marketing will be quite successful. We've already received feedback that our product lends itself well to direct selling, so we're moving quickly on this front. We're excited at the sales potential that comes from harnessing a growing and enthusiastic network. One of the benefits for us of working with a team of personal sellers is that they educate consumers, which we feel contributes to the word-of-mouth effect. Please give us some background on your executive team and key hires as your company takes off in a new direction. We've brought on Julie Uhler as Chief Operating Officer for the company. Julie is a successful businesswoman with a strong background in both accounting and marketing. An expert negotiator, she has many years of experience starting and running her own companies, both in China and the U.S. We're delighted to have Julie in charge of our product line-up and providing leadership in daily operations. We've also added Kate Popejoy as Chief Customer Officer. Kate is an American who has lived in China, speaks Mandarin, and has abundant experience in sales and business. She will be making sure our sales experience goes above and beyond customers' expectations so we can build our reputation as the go-to brand for Chinese-speakers interested in the benefits of CBD. What is your vision for the future of ChineseInvestors.com? My personal vision is that ChineseHempOil.com spins off from ChineseInvestors.com to become a separate company. While there are synergies between the two companies, I think each company has such strong potential I'd like to see them become independent entities so that they can really stretch out their wings and grow. This is my opinion and my dream at this point. It is not the opinion of the board, nor should it be construed as a forward-looking statement. Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/cfn-media-interviews-chineseinvestors-com-ceo-warren-wang/ About CFN Media CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/ Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8 Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com Disclaimer: Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ CFN Media Frank Lane 206-369-7050 flane@cannabisfn.com Innovative Symposium for Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industries to Take Place in both Europe and U.S. in 2018 NORTH READING, Massachusetts, Dec. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TraceLink Inc., the World's Largest Track and Trace Network for connecting the life sciences supply chain and providing real-time information sharing for better patient outcomes, today unveiled FutureLink-a new and innovative annual gathering of commercial and operational executives from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries who are dedicated to achieving regulatory compliance and shaping the future of digital drug supply with information sharing networks. As the only conference of its kind, FutureLink Munich will occur in June 2018, with FutureLink Chicago taking place in November 2018. Both events will provide a forum for a range of business leaders to foster innovative thinking, discuss actionable insights, and develop strategies that address rapidly approaching compliance deadlines-and the analog-to-digital information-sharing transformation taking place in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Taking place on June 5 - 7, 2018, roughly eight months prior to the February 2019 EU FMD compliance deadline, FutureLink Munich will offer tailored conference experiences for: Supply chain, compliance, and serialization leaders -who want to participate in focused workshops and develop specific action plans for achieving EU FMD compliance on time; and, -who want to participate in focused workshops and develop specific action plans for achieving EU FMD compliance on time; and, Sales, marketing, financial, brand, and other commercial executives-seeking to delve into the most beneficial ways to leverage the use of unique serial number identifiers that accompany each prescription drug that moves through the supply chain for the purposes of extracting long-term business value, achieving new operational efficiencies, and improving the quality of medicines delivered to patients. "The pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are in the midst of a massive transition. New regulations require complex digital connectivity and data exchange between trading partners, and primitive business processes and architectures are barriers to efficiently manage product recalls, returns, inventory, and more," said Shabbir Dahod, president and CEO of TraceLink. "By connecting more than 700 pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, hospitals and pharmacies to over 260,000 trading partners on our network, we've digitized the world's prescription drug supply chain, providing companies with the best platform for achieving compliance and transformational business value. At FutureLink, industry decision makers will come together to discuss compliance best practices and strategize about how to take advantage of real-time, collaborative information sharing that enables them to operate more cost effectively and deliver better patient outcomes." FutureLink Munich: Unique Learning Paths for Executive Leaders with Compliance and Commercial Business Interests Designed for both commercial and operational executives from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, FutureLink will deliver content that is customized for executives with interests in regulatory compliance and commercial initiatives. Compliance-specific sessions will center on: Implementation best practices, customer case studies, creating step-by-step execution plans to ensure compliance, practical user group training on TraceLink software applications, and requirements for rapid partner onboarding. Commercial and value-oriented tracks will explore: Brand protection, patient safety and financial reconciliation opportunities related to eliminating drug shortages, initiating instant and accurate product recalls, engaging healthcare providers and patients at the point-of-dispense, and more. Both groups will have the opportunity to experience visionary keynotes, hands-on knowledge sessions, special interest group discussions, and networking with TraceLink partners, with but with content that caters to their specific interests. Registration for FutureLink Munich is now open. For more information and to reserve a seat, please visit FutureLink Munich. About TraceLink TraceLink is the World's Largest Track and Trace Network for connecting the Life Sciences supply chain and eliminating counterfeit prescription drugs from the global marketplace. Leading businesses trust the TraceLink Life Sciences Cloud to deliver complete global connectivity, visibility and traceability of pharmaceuticals from ingredient to patient. A single point and click connection to the Life Sciences Cloud creates a supply chain control tower that delivers the information, insight and collaboration needed to improve performance and reduce risk across global supply, manufacturing and distribution operations. A winner of numerous industry awards including three consecutive years on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 (ranked number 177 in 2017), the Amazon AWS Global Start-Up Challenge Grand Prize, and the Edison Award for Innovation in Health Management, the Life Sciences Cloud is used by businesses across the globe to meet strategic goals in ensuring global compliance, fighting drug counterfeiting, improving on-time and in-full delivery, protecting product quality and reducing operational cost. For more information on TraceLink and our solutions, visit www.tracelink.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. TraceLink is funded by Goldman Sachs, FirstMark Capital, Volition Capital and F-Prime Capital. SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an exclusive interview with Nutritional High International Inc. (CSE: EAT) (OTC PINK: SPLIF) President and CEO Mr. Jim Frazier. Nutritional High is targeting the burgeoning cannabis oils and edibles market through its existing production and extraction facilities in Colorado, as well as planned facilities in Oregon. The U.S. cannabis industry reached $2.7 billion in size last year and is estimated to triple to $10.8 billion by 2019, according to ArcView Market Research. The same report found about 150,000 pounds of marijuana flower sold last year along with nearly five million units of medical and recreational edible products. Many experts believe that edibles will continue to be the fastest growing industry subset given the general public's aversion to smoking cannabis flower. Focus on Cost & Quality Nutritional High CEO Jim Frazier has a deep background in the food industry where he previously built two successful companies. With experience in formulation, ingredients, equipment, and manufacturing, he is dedicated to refining the taste, texture, and overall ease of enjoyment when it comes to edible products and vape oils. This attention to detail sets it apart from many competitors focused on mass production. The company is simultaneously focused on keeping costs low enough to target the mid-range market rather than the high-end market. After all, mass-market consumers represent a much larger target market than high-end consumers with easier competition. Mr. Frazier's experience with finding the right equipment and manufacturing methods has been invaluable during this process and helped keep costs low and quality high. Launching in Colorado, Expanding in Oregon Nutritional High recently opened its Palo Verde cannabis oil extraction facility in Pueblo, Colorado where it produces bulk oils and branded products. Unlike other producers, the 11,000 square foot facility leverages state-of-the-art technology to cost-effectively produce high-quality clear cannabis oils to compete in the mid-range market versus going into only premium or select markets that represent a much smaller overall revenue opportunity. The company has already launched its FLI branded cannabis oil cartridges throughout Colorado via direct store distribution. In the next couple of months, the company plans to launch its FLI Select 90%+ THC vape pen and dabbing unit to augment these product lines. The team is also finalizing the formulation of edible products that it plans on launching after completing the packaging - a new and lucrative potential market for the company. "We are very pleased with how the production ramp-up is progressing," said CEO Jim Frazier in a press release. "The team has come a long way since commencing commercial production in late February and we look forward to FLI cartridges building a strong consumer market presence in Colorado, and nationally as Nutritional High establishes facilities in other states." Nutritional High recently closed on a property in La Pine, Oregon that it intends to build into a cannabis oil extraction facility. Currently, the company is securing contractor bids and beginning to build out the facility with plans to have it operational in six or seven months. Please follow the link to watch the interview and read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/nutritional-high-ceo-outlines-plans-become-leader-oils-edibles-exclusive-cfn-interview/ About CFN Media CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed. Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/ Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8 Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com Disclaimer: Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/ CFN Media Frank Lane 206-369-7050 flane@cannabisfn.com SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- Vesper, developer of the world's most advanced acoustic sensors, won a Sensors Expo 2017 Engineering Excellence Award for the engineering team behind VM1010, its ZeroPower Listening piezoelectric MEMS microphone. Vesper also picked up an Honorable Mention award for Innovation at the 2017 Best of Sensors Awards -- which were held on June 28, 2017 at Sensors Expo & Conference in San Jose, CA. "We are delighted to recognize Vesper as an Engineering Excellence award winner at Sensors Expo. As the first company to deliver piezoelectric MEMS microphones in volume production, Vesper has achieved an industry milestone," said Mat Dirjish, executive editor, Sensors Magazine. "The company has proven that piezoelectric MEMS -- with its inherent benefits of ruggedness and reliability -- are commercially viable and desirable. In the VM1010, it has achieved something more -- introducing the first MEMS microphone to bring voice activation to battery-powered consumer devices -- while drawing nearly zero power." "MEMS microphones have the potential to make voice a pervasive user interface for the battery-powered smart speakers, wearables/hearables, and Internet of Things devices that we use regularly," said Matt Crowley, CEO, Vesper. "To realize this potential, however, we had to make a tiny, ultra-rugged piezoelectric MEMS microphone that allows product designers to offer touchless user interfaces to consumers, without any power-consumption penalty. The VM1010 was the result, and the engineering team behind it brought the microphone from concept to volume-production in under a year. We are thrilled to receive these wonderful recognitions from Sensors Expo." Led by CTO and Co-founder Bobby Littrell, the VM1010 engineering team also includes: Ron Gagnon, director of ASIC technology Yu Hui, senior MEMS design engineer Wang-Kyung Sung, senior MEMS design engineer Adam Whittemore, senior product engineer Shin Nagpal, senior test/characterization engineer Arthur Zhao, characterization/mechanical engineer Tung Shen Chew, integration engineer About the Sensors Expo Awards Sensors Expo & Conference (Sensors17), the nation's leading event focused exclusively on sensors and sensor-integrated systems, in conjunction with Sensors Online, hosted the 2017 Best of Sensors Expo Awards. The competition highlights the advances in both innovations and real-world applications of sensors. For more information on the award program, please visit sensorsexpo.com/awards or follow the awards on social media Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. About Vesper Vesper is a privately held advanced sensor company based in Boston, MA. With origins at the University of Michigan and initial funding from NASA, NSF and the NIH, Vesper's award-winning microphones are driving a new era of pervasive voice interfaces and acoustic event-detection products via a proprietary piezoelectric MEMS technology. These products include hearables/wearables, smartphones, smart speakers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and connected cars. Vesper is funded by Accomplice, Amazon's Alexa Fund, AAC Technologies, Hyperplane, and other strategic partners. For more information about Vesper, please contact us via email: info@vespermems.com or web: www.vespermems.com or follow us on social media Twitter, YouTube, and Vesper Blog. ZeroPower Listening is a trademark, and the Vesper logo is a registered trademark of Vesper. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Embedded Video Available Embedded Video Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3152894 Press Contacts: Matt Crowley Vesper Email: Email Contact Maria Vetrano Vetrano Communications Email: Email Contact HE Solar Uses Premium Materials and Guarantees that a Licensed Electrician and NABCEP Solar Professional will be On-Site at all Times BUDA, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 29, 2017 / The founders of HE Solar, a small solar company located in Austin, Texas, are pleased to announce that they are now offering installation of solar panels and energy storage systems. For local residents who are looking to switch from electric to solar power, HE Solar now provides solar panels Austin residents can rely on for their quality. To learn more about HE Solar and the various types of residential solar installations that they offer their clients, please visit the company website at any time. As a company spokesperson noted, in addition to using only the most premium materials for their solar panels, HE Solar guarantees that a Licensed Electrician and NABCEP Solar Professional will be on-site, at all times. In addition, owners and twin brothers Eric and Derrick Hoffman work with every home owner on the system design, installation and operation. "Our customers appreciate that the solar system guarantees are being made by the company's owners, instead of a salesman," noted the spokesperson, adding that the Hoffman family has been providing electrical services in the greater Austin area for over 35 years through Hoffman Electric. Now, with the addition of the new installation and energy storage system services, they are happy to provide solar power in Austin. "As a family company, our main priority is providing a great quality of life for our customers, employees and families. Solar power is our craft and we spare no expense on our continuing education and safety standards. We have no interest in becoming a volumized company that relies on sub contractor labor." In order to accommodate as many of their customers' homes as possible, HE Solar currently offers four types of residential installation. The most common is asphalt shingle installation; in addition to being the most common roof type in Central Texas, the roof is easily flashed for solar panels. The friendly and experienced team from HE Solar can also work with metal roofs, attaching the solar racking directly to the metal roof seams, with no roof penetration needed. Tile roof installation is also available, as is ground mounted solar panels for home owners with large properties. About HE Solar: HE Solar LLC is a small Austin solar company and takes pride in its ability to provide a friendly, stress-free experience for its customers. Find out more at https://www.hesolarllc.com. Contact: Eric Hoffman info@hesolarllc.com (512) 921-6763 SOURCE: HE Solar LLC The Company's Online Boutique, FillyFlair.com, is User-Friendly and Lets Customers Shop for Stylish Women's Clothing 24/7 BALTIC, SD / ACCESSWIRE / June 29, 2017 / Laura Benson, owner of Filly Flair, is pleased to announce that her online and retail store now offers an even wider selection of women's clothing including holiday dresses, boutique dresses, Not Rated boots and many other fashionable items. To learn more about Filly Flair and check out the wide variety of boutique tops, bottoms, shoes, bridesmaid's dresses and much more, people are welcome to visit the easy-to-navigate website at any time, or come into the retail shop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As Benson noted, Filly Flair had a rather humble beginning. She started her business back in 2010 out of the basement of her home. At the time, Benson was a single gal who had one key goal in mind: to help every woman feel beautiful in her own skin. Fast forward seven years later, and Benson is now a wife and mother to two kids, and her company includes the retail location along with a huge warehouse in Baltic, South Dakota. Benson now has a team of 20 employees, and over the years they have shipped hundreds of thousands of orders to customers all over the country. Now, with the addition of more women's clothing items like lace dresses and more, Benson hopes that more women than ever will find exactly what they are looking for at Filly Flair. "As a wife and mother, I understand the need to be comfortable and have clothes that you can wear while chasing kids around, but still wanting to look stylish," she said, adding that Filly Flair offers clothing for women of all ages. "It does not matter if you are a college girl, mother, where you live, or what you do for a living. All women deserve to feel amazing during every season of life." From the All In Black Lace Dress for $38 that is popular with customers, to the Not Rated A Little Edge Boots for $72, Benson is proud to offer women clothing that will fit a variety of bodies and budgets. "We thrive on helping women see that they are just as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside," she said. About Filly Flair: Filly Flair provides affordable, quality fashion wear for women. From dresses, skirts, and jeans, to shoes, boots, accessories and more, shoppers can visit the online boutique at any time of the day or night. For more information, please visit https://www.fillyflair.com/. Contact: Laura Benson Support@FillyFlair.com (855) 777-3455 SOURCE: Filly Flair This is the blog of China defense, where professional analysts and serious defense enthusiasts share findings on a rising military power. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Homeland Security Department enhanced security screening measures for all commercial flights to the United States, but stopped short of extending a ban on laptops in the cabin to more countries. In March, the US had banned electronic devices larger than a cell phone from the passenger cabins of U.S.-bound commercial flights from ten airports in the Middle East and North Africa. Announcing the tougher rules Wednesday, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly said he is concerned over renewed interest on the part of terrorist groups to go after the aviation sector, and said the enemies are constantly working to find new methods for disguising explosives, recruiting insiders, and hijacking aircraft. Based on these concerns, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working to raise the baseline of global aviation security to keep the traveling public safe, in coordination with our international partners, he said in a statement. These measures include enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices as well as heightened security standards for aircraft and airports in 105 countries. This will help to secure all commercial flights departing from 280 airports that serve as last points of departure to the United States. 180 airlines operating flights to the US are bound to implement the strict security measures, which are estimated to affect an average of 2,100 flights a day, carrying 325,000 passengers. Some of the striking measures to come into force are enhancing overall passenger screening; conducting heightened screening of personal electronic devices; increasing security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas; and deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional pre-clearance locations. The DHS has warned that those countries and airlines who fail to adopt these requirements face the risk of additional security restrictions being imposed. Aviation industry had feared extending laptop ban to more airports and countries. Ban on carrying electronic devices larger than a smartphone will continue in flights from Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de EL PASO, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 --Premier Biomedical, Inc. (OTCQB: BIEI) announced today that it has reached agreement with SinglePoint (OTC: SING) to manufacture Premier's new-design CBD Hemp Oil Patch in high volume. SinglePoint is a diversified company with numerous subsidiaries involved in various aspect of the cannabis industry from growers to retail outlets. Launching volume manufacture of its products allows Premier to begin aggressively expanding their distribution network through retail outlets, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and various on-line shopping platforms. CBD Hemp Oil Skin Patch is the first product that will be manufactured under this relationship, with additional products envisioned to be included in the near future. SinglePoint CEO, Greg Lambrecht, stated, "We have been working very hard on making acquisitions and inside sales to boost revenues. This new business will contribute significantly to our revenue goals." William A. Hartman, President/CEO and co-founder of Premier Biomedical stated, "We are excited that we found a volume supplier for our products. This significantly increases the company's initiatives and enables us to grow revenues through expansion of sales volumes in both domestic and foreign markets. We look forward to working with SinglePoint to continue building current and future planned new products." About SinglePoint, Inc. SinglePoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) has grown from a full-service mobile technology provider to a publicly traded holding company. Through diversification into horizontal markets, SinglePoint is building its portfolio by acquiring an interest in undervalued subsidiaries, thereby providing a rich, diversified holding base. Through its subsidiary company SingleSeed the company is providing products and services to the cannabis industry. About Premier Biomedical, Inc. Premier Biomedical, Inc. (OTCQB: BIEI) is a research-based publicly traded company that intends to discover and develop medical treatments for a wide range of diseases in humans. Premier has obtained, via exclusive license agreements, the technology behind three granted US Patents, multiple pending provisional patents, and a PCT Europe National Patent. Founded in 2010, Premier has partnered with the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The company's R&D efforts are centered in El Paso, TX, and their business offices are in Western Pennsylvania. The Company is a fully-reporting issuer whose common stock trades on the OTCQB marketplace maintained by OTC Markets Group, Inc. under the ticker symbol "BIEI." For more information please visit our website: http://www.premierbiomedical.com/. Safe Harbor Notice Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Premier Biomedical, Inc. cautions that statements and assumptions made in this news release constitute forward-looking statements and makes no guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the time statements are made. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties, estimates made by management. Actual results could differ materially from current projections or implied results. Premier Biomedical, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this news release. For more information please contact: William A. Hartman President and CEO (724) 633-7033 w.hartman@premierbiomedical.com www.premierbiomedical.com/ NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 29, 2017 / The following statement is being issued by Levi & Korsinsky, LLP: To: All persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired securities of Eco Science Solutions, Inc. ("Eco Science Solutions") (OTC PINK: ESSI) between May 1, 2017 and May 19, 2017 . You are hereby notified that a securities class action lawsuit has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. To get more information go to: http://www.zlk.com/pslra-sb/eco-science-solutions-inc?wire=1 or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972. There is no cost or obligation to you. The complaint alleges that throughout the class period Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company's plan for strategic acquisitions lacked veracity; and (ii) as a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. On May 19, 2017, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued an order of suspension of trading, halting trading of the Company's securities. If you suffered a loss in Eco Science Solutions you have until July 24, 2017 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, California, Connecticut, and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise and experience representing investors in securities litigation, and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP Joseph E. Levi, Esq. 30 Broad Street - 24th Floor New York, NY 10004 Tel: (212) 363-7500 Toll Free: (877) 363-5972 Fax: (212) 363-7171 www.zlk.com SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/17 -- Agritek Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: AGTK) www.AgritekHoldings.com, a fully integrated, active cannabis real estate investor and branding consultant in the legal cannabis sector today announced the Company's launch and first order for its licensed brand "MicroDose" Oral Strips (www.microdosestrips.com) for the medicinal market of California. Agritek Holdings will provide the licensing and packaging to produce the exclusive line of 10mg and 50 mg oral strips as a medicinal alternative for patients. The Agritek "Microdose" brand will be produced and distributed through its permitted manufacturer and collective to multiple dispensaries throughout California. AGTK will receive a flat fee per single package designed exclusively by Agritek Holdings with the first 10,000 units being delivered by the end of July. The new Microdose Strips (www.microdosestrips.com) are a discreet, dose controlled, evaporating oral strip which offer a unique and smoke-free alternative to patients initially residing and holding medical recommendations in California. The medicated oral strips will be distributed to dispensaries and sold in a single pack. Doses for one oral strip will consist of 10mg and 50mg strips, and are manufactured through a consistent organic sun growth cannabis base. The strip is utilized by placed under the tongue or between the cheek and gum of the mouth with the strip dissolving directly into the bloodstream. The Microdose Strips designed exclusively for Agritek will be available in Indica and Sativa strains and will eventually be launched nationally as a CBD brand through licensed manufacturers. As previously stated, Agritek will receive a flat fee for brand license and package, with distribution and manufacturing being fulfilled through its' licensed manufacturer in California. The product will sell for between $8.00 and $12.00 depending on dose to dispensaries with Agritek receiving a flat fee royalty for packaging and brand name. "I am excited to announce the launch of our newly licensed brand 'MicroDose Strips' as an alternative delivery system for registered patients under the Agritek Holdings product umbrella. Working directly through the patent holder and California based manufacturer we have developed this brand for distribution to all California based patients and dispensaries. We have always prided ourselves on innovative brands and we plan for MicroDose Strips to become an important medical brand and rising trend for a safe, discreet alternative to smoking or vaping as an effective medical application for cannabis in multiple jurisdictions," stated B. Michael Friedman, CEO of Agritek Holdings, Inc. About Agritek Holdings, Inc. Agritek Holdings, Inc., (www.AgritekHoldings.com) a pioneer within the medicinal marijuana space, provides innovative technology, brands and agricultural solutions for both the medicinal and recreational cannabis industry. Agritek Holdings, Inc. presently owns or manages property in Colorado, Puerto Rico and Canada and has licenses with permitted facilities in California approved for cultivation as well as manufacturing capabilities. The company owns several Hemp and cannabis brands for distribution including MD Vapes, MicroDose Strips, "Hemp Pops" and "California Premiums." Agritek Holdings, Inc. does not directly grow, harvest, or distribute or sell cannabis or any substances that violate or contravene United States law or the Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the future. FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER: This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Agritek Holdings, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. Contact: Agritek Holdings, Inc. www.AgritekHoldings.com 305.721.2727 info@agritekholdings.com PALO ALTO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- As further evidence of its position as the world's leading platform for outsourced research and development (R&D), Science Exchange today announced it has raised $28 million in Series C funding. Founded in response to the global growth in outsourced R&D services, the company has raised more than $58 million since its inception in 2011. Norwest Venture Partners led the latest round with participation from existing investors Union Square Ventures, Maverick Capital, and Collaborative Fund. "In the last decade, outsourcing of R&D has become a core strategy for improving efficiency and providing access to innovation for top companies globally. Forty percent of R&D spend is now outsourced and this trend continues to grow," explained Science Exchange CEO Elizabeth Iorns, Ph.D., a research scientist who co-founded the company. "At the same time, businesses are challenged to manage their outsourced R&D. They need to track progress and provider performance across what could be hundreds of service provider relationships, impacting the cost, quality and timeliness of research projects. The Science Exchange platform solves this by removing barriers in the outsourcing process -- providing companies with instant access to a network of pre-qualified service providers, as well as contracting, project management and reporting tools." As part of the Series C, Casper de Clercq, General Partner at Norwest and veteran of the life sciences industry with more than 20 years of commercialization and operating experience, will join the company's board. "Science Exchange has developed an outsourcing platform that is enjoying tremendous momentum as many of the world's largest pharma and biotech companies have signed up," said Casper de Clercq, General Partner at Norwest. "They are well-positioned as the leader in a large and expanding market. We are excited to help Science Exchange become the world's largest platform for outsourced R&D." "We're thrilled to be partnering with such prestigious investors to help us grow our business at such a critical time in the evolution of R&D outsourcing," commented Iorns. "This investor confidence confirms our business strategy and potential for continued growth." Through the Science Exchange platform, researchers have easy and secure access to more than 2,500 of the world's premier outsourced R&D service providers -- qualified contract research organizations (CROs), contract manufacturers (CMOs), academic labs, and government facilities. Thousands of scientists have used the platform to support their pursuit of breakthrough scientific discoveries, including those from 10 of the top 20 biopharma companies. In fact, the company has grown its enterprise-wide strategic sourcing agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies by more than 2,000 percent since 2015. Science Exchange plans to use the funding to continue its expansion beyond biopharma into other industries where scientists are faced with R&D outsourcing challenges -- including agrosciences, cosmetics, aerospace and industrial chemicals. The company will strategically hire across product, engineering, sales, marketing, and customer success. About Science Exchange Science Exchange is the world's leading platform for outsourced research, providing an efficient procure-to-pay platform for ordering services from a network of more than 2,500 qualified scientific service providers, all with pre-established contracts in place that protect client intellectual property and confidentiality. The platform increases scientists' access to innovation and improves productivity, freeing them up from the administrative tasks and delays associated with sourcing, establishing and managing service provider contracts. Additionally, the Science Exchange enterprise program enables organizations to consolidate research R&D outsourcing spend into a single strategic relationship, driving efficiency and cost savings. Since being founded in 2011, Science Exchange has raised more than $58 million from Norwest Venture Partners, Maverick Capital Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Index Ventures, OATV, the YC Continuity Fund, and others. For more information, visit http://www.scienceexchange.com. Follow the company on Twitter @ScienceExchange. About Norwest Venture Partners Norwest Venture Partners is a leading Silicon-Valley based venture capital and growth equity investment firm managing more than $6 billion in capital. Since our inception, we have invested in more than 600 companies. The firm invests in early to late stage companies across a wide range of sectors with a focus on consumer, enterprise, and healthcare. We offer a deep network of connections, operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders advance on their journey. Norwest has offices in Palo Alto and San Francisco, with subsidiaries in Mumbai and Bengaluru, India and Herzelia, Israel. For more information, please visit http://www.nvp.com. Follow Norwest on Twitter @NorwestVP. Media Contacts Kerry Metzdorf Representing Science Exchange Email Contact 978-463-2575 Ellie Javadi Norwest Venture Partners Email Contact 650-289-2227 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - As the House prepares to vote on a pair of bills that would crack down on illegal immigrants, President Donald Trump urged lawmakers to approve the legislation in remarks on Wednesday. Trump expressed support for the bills in a White House meeting with family members of people killed by illegal immigrants. The bills, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act and Kate's Law, are likely to be approved by the Republican-controlled House. Trump said the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act would cut federal grant money to cities that shield dangerous criminal aliens from being turned over to federal law enforcement. Named for Kate Steinle, who was killed by an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times, Kate's Law would enhance criminal penalties for those who repeatedly re-enter the country illegally, the president said. 'We're calling on all members of Congress to honor grieving American families by passing these lifesaving measures in the House, in the Senate, and then sending them to my desk for a very rapid signature,' Trump said. 'I promise you, it will be done quickly.' He added, 'It's time to support our police, to protect our families, and to save American lives. And also to start getting smart.' However, the bills have been criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union, with the group's director of immigration policy Lorella Praeli claiming they are riddled with constitutional violations. 'Despite claims to the contrary, Kate's Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act will make our communities less safe by undermining the trust that law enforcement builds with its communities - citizen and immigrant alike,' Praeli said in a statement. 'The true intent of these bills is to empower Trump's deportation force and anti-immigrant agenda,' she added. 'We urge the House to reject these bills, to defend the Constitution, and protect the rights of all people, no matter their background.' (Photo: Michael Vadon) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de PASADENA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 29, 2017 / Brazil Minerals, Inc. (OTC PINK: BMIX) (the "Company" or "Brazil Minerals") announced today that on June 17-18, 2017, its CEO and Rodrigo Mello, an experienced gold geologist, inspected by foot one of the eight mineral rights areas owned by Jupiter Gold Corporation ("Jupiter Gold"), a subsidiary of the Company. In Mr. Mello's opinion, this area has significant potential for alluvial gold. This mineral right was elevated to exploration permit following the publication of such authorization by the Brazilian government gazette on April 12, 2017. The permit encompasses 773 acres and is situated downstream of the largest gold mine in Brazil, located in Paracatu, Minas Gerais, owned and operated by Kinross Gold. This open-sky mine has already produced 7 million ounces of gold, with 9 million ounces of gold remaining, according to public filings from that company; it produced 483,014 ounces of gold equivalents in 2016. During the Paracatu permit visit, precise locations of drill holes were demarcated by Mr. Mello for a preliminary analytical campaign planned to start in July 2017. The exploration potential of the Paracatu permit stems from the presence of alluvial terraces on both margins of the creek, named "Corrego do Rico" (also known locally as "Corrego do Ouro" or Gold Creek), which crosses the permit area. This can be seen from the map included in this press release. The creek starts at Morro do Ouro ("Gold Hill"), the Kinross mine, and drains through the permit area and beyond. If confirmed, mineralization in the permit area would likely lend itself to utilization of a low-cost, high-efficiency modular plant for alluvial gold retrieval, a technology developed and already in use by the Company in one of its Jequitinhonha areas. (The Paracatu permit in relation to Kinross' Morro do Ouro gold mine.) The lead project geologist, Rodrigo Mello, has over 30 years of experience and has worked for AngloAmerican, AngloGold, and Goldcorp. Mr. Mello's experience includes being the president of MPBA, the Brazilian mining company that developed the Tucano mine, which is, today, the second largest gold mine in Brazil. He has written, as Qualified Person, 19 technical reports, following the NI 43-101 code, mostly for gold projects. In other news, the Company has retained a large and well-regarded regional accounting firm in Brazil to improve the timeliness of the reporting of its local subsidiaries. Brazil Minerals has also retained a highly experienced U.S. accountant to similarly improve the timeliness of the preparation of its consolidated statements. It is the Company's firm intention to file any future quarterly reports promptly when due. About Brazil Minerals, Inc. Brazil Minerals, Inc. (OTC: BMIX), through various consolidated subsidiaries, has title to mineral rights for gold, diamonds, manganese and sand, including mining concessions for gold and diamonds, the highest level of right to mine in Brazil. Subsidiaries are engaged in the production of gold, diamonds, sand, and mortar. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of Brazil Minerals, Inc.'s management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward- looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of production, reserves, sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; uncertainties related to conducting business in Brazil, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: business conditions in Brazil, general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, availability of capital, Brazil Minerals, Inc.'s ability to maintain its competitive position and dependence on key management. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. We advise U.S. investors that the NI 43-101 term, as mentioned in the above press release, is a document format accepted by Canada's securities regulator, and utilizes different terminology than defined in the U.S.'s Industry Guide 7, the technical format for mining exploration reports accepted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A geologist qualified to write an NI 43-101 report is called a "Qualified Person," a term that does not apply to U.S.'s Industry Guide 7. We further advise U.S. investors that, given the preliminary stage of evaluation, there are no guarantees that the potential gold mineralization of the Paracatu permit is or will ever become mineral reserves as defined by the U.S.'s Industry Guide 7. Contact: Marc Fogassa CEO, Brazil Minerals, Inc. (213) 590-2500 info@brazil-minerals.com www.brazil-minerals.com SOURCE: Brazil Minerals, Inc. SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) will celebrate its third annual Prime Day, its biggest sales event of the year, on Tuesday, July 11. This year, Prime Day will start earlier at 6 pm PT/ 9 pm ET on Monday, July 10. This will give Prime members 30 hours to shop, instead of 24 hours. New deals will be as often as every five minutes, according to the company. Prime Day has expanded to shoppers in 13 countries this year - the U.S., U.K., Spain, Mexico, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium and Austria. Prime Members will find millions of items in stock, including deals from thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs. The members can find deals organized by more than 20 of the most-shopped-for themes. As the deals will be available only to Prime members, people can sign up or start a free Prime trial any time before or on July 11 by visiting amazon.com/primeday. According to Amazon, there will be even more Alexa-exclusive deals for members with an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Amazon Tap, compatible Fire TV or Fire tablet. The Amazon App will allow early deal watching in every country. Members can preview, track, and shop deals while at home or on-the-go, with deal alerts on the Amazon App. Meanwhile, Prime members in China and Mexico will be able to shop both local deals as well as select deals from other countries from the Amazon Global Store. Prime Day will include TV deals with a variety of brands, including the all new Element 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - Amazon Fire TV Edition. Amazon noted that several deals will start Thursday, June 29. Prime members can sign up for four months of the full catalog on-demand service of Amazon Music Unlimited for $0.99. Prime members who stream a video included in Prime for the first time on their television can get $10 to shop on Amazon.com anytime on or before Prime Day. In addition, they can save up to 40 percent on a Kindle Unlimited membership. Audible memberships will be 40 percent off for the first six months, at just $8.95 per month. Prime members can also save up to 35 percent off with onsite coupons on select food and household items in Prime Pantry. As a Prime Day exclusive, Prime members can see a sneak preview of the second season of 'The Grand Tour'. Last year, Amazon said that its global customer orders surpassed the preceding year's Prime Day by more than 60 percent. The second-annual Prime Day was the biggest day ever for Amazon. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de MCLEAN, VA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- Today, Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) released its quarterly update to the Multifamily Apartment Investment Market Index(SM) (AIMI). AIMI decreased over the first quarter of 2017 and over the past 12 months. AIMI is a free online analytical tool that combines multifamily rental income growth, property price growth and mortgage rates to provide a single index that objectively measures multifamily market investment conditions. For the first quarter of 2017, AIMI decreased in all markets and at the national level. The decrease was primarily driven by a 40 basis point jump in mortgage rates. In addition, market fundamentals continued to moderate over the first quarter, with mixed growth among property prices and rental income. A rise in AIMI from one quarter to the next implies an increasingly favorable environment for multifamily investment opportunities, while a decline suggests that attractive investment opportunities are becoming more difficult to find compared to the prior period. "A substantial rise in mortgage rates over the first quarter of 2017 was the main driver of declining AIMI values in all the markets tracked, including nationally," said Steve Guggenmos, vice president of Freddie Mac Multifamily Research and Modeling. "Annually, AIMI has also seen declines, but largely due to increases in multifamily property prices that have outpaced the growth in rents. This moderation is consistent with our outlook for the remainder of 2017, and we believe the multifamily market will continue to be bolstered by strong demand fueled by demographic changes as well as shortages in supply in most markets." On an annual basis, the index decreased nationally and in 13 local markets. Washington, D.C. is the only market that saw an increase in AIMI (5.5%), largely fueled by declining property prices and increasing rents. Meanwhile, areas with high supply, such as New York City (-4.7%), San Francisco (-10.5%), Austin (-2.7%) and Houston (-0.2%), are seeing rent growth slow more than other markets. In addition to national and local values, AIMI also provides a sensitivity table that shows how the Index value adjusts based on changes in certain underlying variables. Additional information about AIMI is on the Freddie Mac Multifamily website and includes FAQs and a video. Freddie Mac Multifamily helps ensure an ample supply of affordable rental housing by purchasing and securitizing mortgages on apartment buildings nationwide. Roughly 90 percent of the mortgages purchased support rental units for lower income households. Freddie Mac securitizes about 90 percent of the multifamily loans it purchases, thus transferring the vast majority of the expected credit risk from taxpayers to private investors. Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, we've made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac's blog FreddieMac.com/blog. MEDIA CONTACT: Christopher Spina 703-388-7031 Christopher_Spina@FreddieMac.com FOLSOM, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- AgreeYa Solutions, a leading global software, solutions and services company, is proud to be a part of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento's new interfaith build program, Build for Unity, which saw the completion of its first two homes dedicated to two deserving families on June 22nd in Sacramento, Calif. Committed to bringing people of all faiths together to build unity and spread hope, Build for Unity brought more than 180 individuals in Sacramento to fund and build the homes as a permanent representation of unity within the community. After working side-by-side and raising $176,000 over the past year and a half, the two completed homes were given to the Vozniuk and Maksymchuk families, who both emigrated from Ukraine, in an event that included a tour of the homes and a celebratory Iftar dinner, a religious observance of Ramadan. "Habitat of Greater Sacramento is incredibly proud to have completed these first two homes through Build for Unity," said the organization's CEO Rob Kerth. "We are also so grateful to the AgreeYa team for its generous contributions of time and money -- they truly embody the spirit of Build for Unity and are helping to make Sacramento a more welcoming place for all." More than 40 volunteers from AgreeYa participated in the build this past spring, furthering the company's dedication to integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence -- not just in business, but in the community. "AgreeYa views social responsibility as something that is deeply rooted in its corporate culture, and we always encourage all of our employees to invest in the communities in which they work and live," said Ajay Kaul, AgreeYa Solutions managing partner. "Both the Vozniuk and Maksymchuk are hardworking and deserving Sacramento families, and we feel honored to have had a hand in giving them a foundation on which they can build their new lives in America." Having both immigrated to the United States five years ago, the Vozniuk and Maksymchuk families said they left the Ukraine in search of better lives for their children. Volodmyr Maksymchuk, who was a former architect in the Ukraine, currently works as a mechanic and is studying to be an electrician. Though he dreams of one day continuing his education and returning to the field; for now, he works hard to support his family. Dmytro Vozniuk works as a driver and his wife, Ganna, attends Sierra College. Dmytro would like to go to college as well, but in the meantime is working to provide for his family. Before moving into their new homes, both families -- who had been living in over-crowded apartments -- each had to contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity." For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento's Build for Unity project, please visit habitatgreatersac.org/get-involved/buildforunity/. For more information on AgreeYa, its solutions, services and humanitarian efforts, please visit www.agreeya.com/. About AgreeYa Solutions: AgreeYa is a global provider of software, solutions, and services focused on deploying business-driven, technology-enabled solutions that create next-generation competitive advantages for customers. Headquartered in Folsom, Calif., AgreeYa employs more than 1,500 professionals across its 22 offices in eight countries. Over the last 18 years, AgreeYa has worked with 200+ organizations ranging from public sector, Fortune 100 firms to small and large businesses across industries. AgreeYa's software portfolio includes SocialXtend (intranet and enterprise social collaboration), VDIXtend (desktop-on-cloud), Onvelop (unified enterprise collaboration and communication suite for mobile), Edvelop (single window collaboration and communication solution on mobile for 21st century learning), Cogent (comprehensive end-to-end case management solution for collections agencies and law firms), QuickApps (award winning suite of SharePoint web parts and pre-built templates) and BeatBlip (test automation solution). As part of its solutions and services offerings, AgreeYa provides portal, content management, and collaboration on SharePoint, cloud and infrastructure, enterprise mobility, business intelligence and big data analytics, product engineering, application development and management, independent software testing, and staffing (IT and risk/compliance) solutions. For more information, visit www.agreeya.com. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3152758 FRAMINGHAM, MA--(Marketwired - June 29, 2017) - Virgin Pulse, the leading global provider of employee wellbeing and engagement technology solutions, today announced that David Osborne, the company's president and chief operating officer, has been appointed chief executive officer of the company. Mr. Osborne's appointment comes as the company closes an historic quarter, posting record bookings and revenue across its global client base, and is on track for the strongest year in its history. As CEO, Mr. Osborne will continue to execute a plan focused on expediting the adoption of Virgin Pulse's software-as-a-service (SaaS) employee wellbeing and engagement solutions globally. The company's founder and previous CEO, Chris Boyce, who architected Virgin Pulse's strategy and vision and led the successful evolution and expansion of the company over the past eleven years, has been appointed vice chairman of the company's board of directors. During his tenure, Mr. Boyce spearheaded Virgin Pulse's strategic acquisitions of Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) in Melbourne, Australia, and ShapeUp, in Providence RI, which solidified the company as the global leader in employee wellbeing and engagement. "Our vision, strategy, and product differentiators have put us in a position to dominate the industry," said Mr. Boyce. "Virgin Pulse is in the best financial and operational condition it has ever been in, and we are poised for a great future. I am proud and humbled by what we have accomplished in the past decade and grateful to all who have contributed to our success. We have become the de facto technology platform for employee behavior change and are positioned to extend that leadership into adjacent markets. Virgin Pulse is at an exciting inflection point in our growth, one that requires us to build aggressively on the momentum we're generating in the employee wellbeing and engagement markets. With my attention squarely focused on pushing this market and Virgin Pulse's strategy and vision forward, the company needs a single day-to-day operational focal point. Dave is well-positioned to succeed in that role." As vice chairman, Mr. Boyce will continue to evangelize Virgin Pulse's mission and vision and amplify the company's thought leadership in the evolving employee wellbeing and engagement markets. Mr. Boyce will also guide Virgin Pulse's board of directors in shaping the strategy and long term direction of the business. "Chris has built a phenomenal company in Virgin Pulse, and we are thrilled that he will be working more closely with the board on advancing the company's thought leadership, vision and strategy," said Nikitas Koutoupes, Managing Partner at Insight Venture Partners, Virgin Pulse's majority shareholder. "With Dave taking over the day-to-day operations of the business, Virgin Pulse is in a prime position to extend its lead in this market. From the day he joined Virgin Pulse over a year ago, Dave has had a significant impact on the company's business and operations. His success and the speed with which he has aligned critical operations across three businesses, multiple geographies and several product lines, while accelerating the company's growth and profitability, will prove invaluable as Virgin Pulse continues to scale and expand its global footprint." Mr. Osborne joined Virgin Pulse in 2016 following the company's acquisitions of GCC and ShapeUp. As president and COO, he led the successful integration of the three organizations, laying a solid foundation for Virgin Pulse's global expansion. Since joining Virgin Pulse, Mr. Osborne has played a key leadership role in operationalizing the company's SaaS business and growing its marketshare. Over the past fifteen months, Mr. Osborne's responsibilities spanned several business units, including sales, marketing, product, client success, technical operations, engineering and customer support. In addition to driving operational improvements across the business, Mr. Osborne has been responsible for streamlining the company's go-to-market strategy and elevating the company's corporate profile. "Virgin Pulse is making an indelible mark on this industry by proving to business leaders that investing in employee wellbeing and employee engagement is no longer an optional nice-to-have, it's a critical business imperative," said Mr. Osborne. "We have spent the past decade innovating technology solutions that engage people, everyday, in improving their health and wellbeing and ensuring that our solutions drive real value for employees and organizations." Working in tandem with clients, Virgin Pulse has developed a Value on Investment (VOI) framework that analyzes data across clients and members to show how usage of the Virgin Pulse platform is delivering meaningful health and business outcomes. "Results across our client base show that Virgin Pulse members are healthier, more engaged and more productive at work than non-members," said Mr. Osborne. "These results materially impact the bottom line, as we are seeing dramatic improvements in attrition, absenteeism and medical costs across all industry verticals. This is a compelling business proposition that resonates with our clients and allows us to sustain the success and momentum we've achieved over the past year. I am confident that executing a plan focused on customers, product innovation and operational excellence will drive Virgin Pulse's growth trajectory and allow us to advance our mission of changing lives and businesses around the world, for good." Mr. Osborne is a seasoned software executive with more than two decades of business-to-business (B2B), SaaS, and cloud technology experience, specifically in the Human Capital Management (HCM) market. Prior to Virgin Pulse, he held leadership positions at DrillingInfo, SumTotal Systems, Lawson Software, and Infor. Mr. Osborne holds an MBA from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business. For more information about Virgin Pulse's leadership team, visit Virgin Pulse. About Virgin Pulse Virgin Pulse, a leading provider of technology solutions that promote employee engagement and wellbeing and, as part of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, helps employers create workforces that are happier, healthier and ultimately more productive. The company's modern, mobile first platform delivers a personalized user experience that utilizes gamification to engage users in building habits that inspire meaningful and measurable change across individuals and the businesses they serve. By helping employees thrive at work and in all aspects of life, Virgin Pulse is helping change lives and businesses around the world for good. More than 2,200 global organizations representing many of the Fortune 500 and Best Places to Work, have selected Virgin Pulse's solutions to engage their workforces and drive their businesses forward. To learn more, visit www.virginpulse.com. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/6/29/11G142063/Images/David_Osborne-74c432f4fe259faba492862ca5510552.jpeg MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Werve Virgin Pulse press@virginpulse.com DUBLIN, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Fingerprint CardsFPC1228Capacitive under glass fingerprint sensor: Chip Fabrication and Package Processes Analysis" report to their offering. Fingerprint Cards AB (FPC), a leader in capacitive fingerprint technology, has over the last year equipped a large number of smartphones worldwide. One of its biggest clients, Huawei, traditionally integrates the latest technology in its flagship model every year. With the integration of the FPC1268 in the Huawei Mate 9 Pro and the Huawei P10 series, FPC has introduced a new kind of capacitive fingerprint integration: one that can be successfully integrated under glass. This technology, developed in collaboration with TPK, aims to be the new low-cost solution for fingerprint scanner integration. Following the Mate 9 Pro, the Huawei P10 is the latest smartphone to feature the capacitive fingerprint completely hidden behind the cover glass. The sensor is located under the home button in the device's front, under a unique TPK-developed glass cover that allows for new, highly attractive designs like the ultrasonic fingerprint. Using the same process as FPC's previous flagship product, the 1025, the integration no longer requires wire bonding but instead a specific TSV designed by an identified OSAT and based on Tessera's WLCSP solution. While previously used for CIS integration, this is the first time it has been used for fingerprint. Along with the ASIC, the fingerprint is integrated into an LGA package which is soldered on a flex PCB and covered by TPK's specially-designed glass. Thanks to conductive layers, TPK's solution allows for the precise detection and identification of the fingerprint under glass. Everything is packaged in a metal ring that forms part of the home button.This report provides a complete analysis of chip fabrication and package processes, along with a cost estimate. Also included is a comparison with FPC's previous capacitive fingerprint generation, the FPC1025, and Qualcomm's new ultrasonic fingerprint, the Sense ID.For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vz8dq9/fingerprint Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SCOTTS VALLEY, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/24/17 -- Semblant, the global leader in innovating and deploying protective nanomaterials for the electronics industry, will be speaking at three major semiconductor and materials conferences during the remainder of the 4th quarter. Separate presentations will be delivered at the International Wafer-Level Packaging Conference 2017 (IWLPC) in San Jose, California, the American Vacuum Society (AVS) Symposium in Tampa, Florida and the IDTechEx 2017 Wearables event in Santa Clara, California. Semblant will discuss a range of key applications that their proprietary plasma-based nanocoatings address across the three conferences, to be presented by Chief Solutions Officer Dr. Abe Ghanbari and Chief Technology Director Dr. Vikram Singh. At IWLPC, Dr. Ghanbari will present "Plasma Polymerization Applications for Advanced Wafer Level Packaging" on October 24th, discussing the process and benefits of nanocoating technology in wafer level packaging. At the AVS Symposium, Dr. Singh will present 'Printed Circuit Board Assembly -- an Ensemble of Different Surface Energy Components and their Surface Modification' on November 2nd, exploring surface treatment requirements for better adhesion of reworkable conformal plasma coatings. Lastly, at the IDTechEx Show 2017, Dr. Ghanbari will present "Plasma Coating and Treatment of Wearable Devices" on November 16th, outlining plasma coating technologies which provide enhanced protection, robustness and recyclability of today's wearable devices. About Semblant Semblant is the global leader in innovating and deploying protective nanomaterials in the electronics industry. The company's unique nanoshield nanotechnology solutions, backed by a broad range of fundamental patents, have been designed specifically to protect electronic devices from liquid ingress, corrosion and many other forms of damage. This saves the industry billions of dollars each year in return and repair costs. Semblant's nanocoatings are also environmentally friendly and release no hazardous materials in the manufacturing process. The company provides solutions to the mobile phone, wearable, enterprise computing, network infrastructure, medical device, automotive and space/military/aerospace markets, as well as the printed circuit board and semiconductor/semiconductor packaging industries. For more information, visit us at www.semblant.com, on Twitter or on LinkedIn. Media contact Nick Richardson Kiterocket (for Semblant) +1 480 409 0775 nrichardson@kiterocket.com Infiniti Research, a global competitive intelligence solutions provider, has launched their recent list blog on the top five energy industry trends that are transforming the energy industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171121005494/en/ Infiniti Research helps companies foresee changing market dynamics to make informed decisions. We also help companies identify markets with the most potential to increase revenues. (Graphic: Business Wire) Globally, the energy industry faces a complex challenge of managing revenue recession while meeting the demands of its technology-conscious consumers. Awareness about the energy market trends and forecasts can help businesses in the energy sector to maximize income and increase the efficiency of project paybacks. According to the energy industry experts at Infiniti, "Power supply has become even more convenient and easily accessible for customers due to the adoption of latest technologies by energy industry stakeholders." View the complete blog on the 5 Energy Industry Trends from Infiniti Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company with a global presence offering market intelligence to help analyze competitive activity, seeing beyond market disruptions, and developing intelligent business strategies. Here are three of five energy industry trends that you need to watch out for to boost your revenues. Top 3 Energy Industry Trends Distributed generation: Power generation through solar panels mounted on rooftops, gas-fired combined heat, power plants and conventional diesel-based generators are popular in today's scenario Power generation through solar panels mounted on rooftops, gas-fired combined heat, power plants and conventional diesel-based generators are popular in today's scenario Natural Gas and Coal: The dependency on natural gas is expected to grow. And the demand for coal is likely to reduce in the energy industry due to sustainability challenges The dependency on natural gas is expected to grow. And the demand for coal is likely to reduce in the energy industry due to sustainability challenges Renewable Energy: The prices for renewable energy sources are gradually falling, which will influence the fast growth and demand for renewable sources The prices for renewable energy sources are gradually falling, which will influence the fast growth and demand for renewable sources Visit our page, to view the complete list of energy trends Request a free brochure to see how Infiniti Research's solutions can help you. About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. With 14+ years of experience and offices across three continents, Infiniti Research has been instrumental in providing a complete range of competitive intelligence, strategy, and research services for over 550 companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171121005494/en/ Contacts: Infiniti Research Anirban Choudhury Marketing Consultant US: +1 844 778 0600 UK: +44 203 893 3400 hello@infinitiresearch.com https://www.infinitiresearch.com/contact-us WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Accelerated Pharma Inc. has formally requested SEC to withdraw its initial public offering plans. 'The company requests the withdrawal of the registration statement because the company has decided not to proceed with this underwritten offering,' the SEC document says. Accelerated Pharma had planned to sell 1.5 million units, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and two Series A warrants. The company expected to price the offering between $4 and $6 per share. It had applied to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol 'ACCP' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Confirmation of potential to be the first orally available substrate reduction therapy for MPS VI patients Phase IIa iMProveS clinical study scheduled to begin before year end 2017 Regulatory News: Inventiva (Paris:IVA), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies, particularly to treat fibrosis, today announced that Professor Chris Hendriksz, of FYMCA Medical Ltd. and University of Pretoria, South Africa, will be presenting new preclinical data on Odiparcil (formerly IVA336) in a closed session at the MPS Society National Conference, which will be held July 7-9, 2017 in Coventry, UK. The data, generated over a 6-month treatment with two doses of Odiparcil in a genetic mouse model for MPS VI, demonstrate that Odiparcil restored a normal corneal structure in the eye, which could lead to a complete rescue of the disease phenotype in the eye. Odiparcil also reduced GAG accumulation in the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, eye, and skin of diseased animals and produced a dose-dependent reduction of cartilage thickness in the trachea and femoral growth plate. Finally mobility was improved by Odiparcil in the diseased animals. These results demonstrate that Odiparcil has the potential to be the first orally available substrate reduction therapy for MPS VI patients. "These breakthrough pre-clinical results support the potential of Odiparcil as a new and very promising approach to treating MPS patients," said Professor Hendriksz. "MPS are devastating diseases, and there remains a significant unmet medical need despite the availability of enzyme replacement therapies, which unfortunately are not able to resolve the symptoms occurring in certain regions especially in the ophthalmological system, joints, cartilages, cardiac valves etc. Odiparcil could prove beneficial to MPS patients as a substrate reduction therapy as a stand-alone treatment or in adjunction to current treatments "We are very excited by the data, as well as the positive feedback received from patients' associations and MPS key opinion leaders. We are looking forward to the upcoming iMProveS trial, which could confirm the therapeutic benefit of Odiparcil, leading potentially to ERT replacement," added Pierre Broqua, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Inventiva. In addition to the Odiparcil data, Professor Hendriksz will also present the design of the planned Phase IIa iMProveS (improve MPS treatment) clinical study, which is expected to enroll its first patient before year end. The iMProveS clinical study will be a 26-week study designed to demonstrate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of Odiparcil in 24 adult MPS VI patients and will be conducted at two European clinical sites. Eighteen patients receiving enzyme replacement treatment (ERT) will be randomized into 3 arms: two active dose levels of Odiparcil (250 mg and 500 mg, bid) or placebo. The study will also include an additional arm of six patients untreated by ERT who will receive 500 mg bid of Odiparcil. This study, if positive, will allow for enrollment of MPS VI patients into the pivotal Phase III trial. For more information on the MPS Society National Conference, refer to http://www.mpssociety.org.uk/2017/01/11/programme-uk-mps-conference-announced/ About MPS VI: MPS VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome), is a rare pediatric genetic degenerative diseases characterized by the abnormal functioning of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulphatase (arylsulphatase B; ASB) leading to the accumulation of dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate in the cells, tissues and organs. Patients have coarse faces, short stature, corneal clouding, hearing loss, dysostosis multiplex, hepatosplenomegaly, cardiac valve disease and reduced pulmonary function without intellectual deficit. As with other MPS, the time of onset, rate of progression and extent of the disease may vary between the affected individuals. The life expectancy of MPS VI patients, if untreated, is approximately 20 years for patients with severe forms of the disease and more for patients with less severe forms. The prevalence of MPS VI is estimated to be 1 in 225,000 live births. It varies between countries. There is no cure for MPS VI and current treatment options such as enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) leave the patients with high unmet medical needs. About Inventiva: www.inventivapharma.com Inventiva is a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of drugs interacting with nuclear receptors, transcription factors and epigenetic modulators. Inventiva's research engine opens up novel breakthrough therapies against fibrotic diseases, cancers and orphan diseases with substantial unmet medical needs. IVA337, its lead product, is an anti-fibrotic treatment with a strong action mechanism permitting the activation of all three alpha, gamma and delta PPARs (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), which play key roles in controlling the fibrotic process. Its anti-fibrotic action targets two initial indications with substantial unmet medical need: NASH, a severe and increasingly prevalent liver disease already affecting over 30 million people in the United States, and systemic sclerosis, a disease with a very high mortality rate and for which there is no approved treatment to date. Inventiva is also developing in parallel, a second clinical product, IVA336, which is a treatment for three different forms of mucopolysaccharidosis: MPS I or Hurler/Scheie syndromes, MPS II or Hunter syndrome and MPS VI also known as Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. Inventiva has a preclinical stage oncology portfolio. Inventiva benefits from partnerships with world-leading research entities such as the Institut Curie. Two strategic commercial partnerships, one of which is at clinical stage, have also been developed with AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim, making Inventiva eligible for preclinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, in addition to royalties on the products resulting from the partnerships. Inventiva employs over 100 highly qualified employees and owns state-of-the-art R&D facilities near Dijon, acquired from the international pharmaceutical group Abbott. The Company owns, a proprietary chemical library of over 240,000 molecules as well as integrated biology, chemistry, ADME and pharmacology platforms. Important Notice: Some of the statements contained in this document are not historical facts but rather are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs. These statements reflect such views and assumptions prevailing as of the date of the statements and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause future results, performance or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Please refer to the Document de reference filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers on April 26, 2017 under n R.17-025 for additional information in relation to such factors, risks and uncertainties. Inventiva has no intention and is under no obligation to update or review the forward-looking statements referred to above. Consequently Inventiva accepts no liability for any consequences arising from the use of any of the above statements. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005653/en/ Contacts: Inventiva Frederic Cren, +33 (0)3 80 44 75 00 Chief Executive Officer info@inventivapharma.com or NewCap Julien Perez / Mathilde Bohin Investor Relations +33 (0)1 44 71 98 52 inventiva@newcap.eu or NewCap Nicolas Merigeau / Arthur Rouille Media Relations +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98 inventiva@newcap.eu or LifeSci Advisors Chris Maggos, +41 79 367 6254 Investor Relations chris@lifesciadvisors.com Investments in key service areas to meet growing customer demand Patheon N.V. (NYSE: PTHN), a leading global provider of high-quality drug development and delivery solutions to the pharmaceutical sector, today announced that it expects to invest approximately $45 million at key sites across its global network to meet growing customer demand for expanded service capabilities. "As outsourcing of Pharma development and manufacturing services continues to grow, our customers will need even more advanced technologies and customized solutions to meet their business needs," said Michel Lagarde, president of Patheon. "With the increasing marketplace pressures, pharma companies are looking to build more reliable, flexible and cost-efficient supply chains. With our focus on people, process and capabilities, Patheon is uniquely positioned to partner with pharma companies to achieve their objectives cost effectively while delivering the highest quality." Patheon is investing in the following key areas: Commercial Development Spray Drying The company's recently acquired site located in Florence, South Carolina, will be adding commercial spray drying capabilities, complementing the existing development capabilities available at the company's low-solubility center of excellence in Bend, Oregon. The 15,000-sq.-ft. dedicated suite will contain two spray dryers delivering development and commercial scale spray-dried dispersion (SDD) services. The suite is expected to be online in 2019. Spray Drying is a process that creates amorphous solid dispersions and is a key technology utilized to enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. At the Bend, Oregon site the company plans to expand existing development SDD capabilities with a new cGMP analytical lab, manufacturing suite and additional development scale spray drying. Together, the expertise and capabilities at the Florence and Bend locations provide clients with an end-to-end solution for products with solubility challenges, from development to commercialization, to successfully bring products to market. Flexible Manufacturing Solutions Patheon has invested in a new commercial sterile product manufacturing facility in its Monza, Italy site. The facility will house three, 40 sq M lyophilizers with associated eight-headed integrated filling equipment for both lyo and liquid formulations for small and large molecules in a range of vial specifications. The equipment will have full CIP/SIP systems, auto loading for the lyophilizers contained in full RABs systems to ensure the highest level of sterility assurance. Patheon also plans to expand its sterile product Pharmaceutical Development Services (PDS) at the Monza facility. The sterile suite will contain two 7m2 lyophilizers and associated sterile vial filling line and analytical laboratory. This new facility will serve the company's clients seeking to develop both small and large molecule injectable products (liquid and lyo formulations) and will be operational in mid-2019. All of Patheon's PDS sterile suites are co-located within facilities with commercial scale capabilities to ease with the transition from clinical to commercialization. Patheon will also expand its packaging and serialization capabilities at its Greenville, NC site. The company has built a new filling and packaging suite and upgraded another of its packaging lines with new technology to improve efficiency and reduce change-over time. The newly constructed 4,800-square-foot suite will come online this fall and features a filling and packaging line equipped with an Optel serialization system. The state-of-the-art system includes cameras, pharma proof stations, line master, and bottle and bundle tracker equipment. These investments will help clients realize greater efficiency and accelerate the delivery of products to market. About Patheon Patheon is a leading global provider of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services. With approximately 9,100 employees and contractors worldwide, Patheon provides a comprehensive, integrated and highly customizable set of solutions to help clients of all sizes satisfy complex development and manufacturing needs at any stage of the pharmaceutical development cycle. A Healthier World. Delivered. www.patheon.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005753/en/ Contacts: Patheon Mari Mansfield, 919-226-3137 Senior Director, External Communications Mari.Mansfield@Patheon.com media@patheon.com LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 100 Executives, practitioners and industry suppliers gathered at the prestigious Banking Hall in the City of London last Tuesday evening, 20th June 2017, for a spectacular Charity Fashion Gala and Auction, to help raise funds for the Haven House Children's Hospice. Thehighlight of the event, created and produced by LMForums, the networking and thought-leadership group for the London Market, involved 12 executives from the insurance industry striding the catwalk in amazing outfits supplied by SuitSupply and Paule Ka. Guests enjoyed a magnificent drinks reception; three course gala dinner, accompanied by classical musicians and the amazing fashion show. Amongst those dressing up on the night, was former Saracens rugby star, now Starstone underwriter, Hayden Smith, various Heads of Claims and Operations from companies such as QBE, Neon Underwriting, Allied World and JLT and even the LMForums founder, Roger Oldham, took to the green runway himself. Rachel Flower, New Business Executive at Haven House, said: "This fabulous fashion gala really kicked off the summer season and raised over 8,000 for the hospice." "We are very grateful to London Market Forums for hosting this event. The funds raised will help us support local life-limited children and their families." "The event surpassed all of ourexpectations - it was an amazing evening" said Roger Oldham."We are so grateful to our Practitioner and Corporate Members and the wider London Market community for their kind generosity. We've seen first hand the tremendous workundertaken by the staff and volunteers at the hospiceand these funds will help support the 350 children they support annually across parts of London and Essex." Attendees enjoyed a lively auction with some fantastic prizes and a bidding was ensued between competing London Market companies, which made for a lot of fun. Hayden Smith from Starstone Insurance concluded the evening by kindly drawing winners from the Grand Prize Draw. About LMForums London Market Forums (LMForums) which is headquartered in the Leadenhall Building in the City of London, is the networking and thought-leadership group for professionals from the Lloyd's and wider London Insurance Market. WWW.LMFORUMS.COM Through a wide range of educational events organised by LMForums, insurance professionals have the opportunity to learn, debate and network as well as build valuable partnerships with those supplying solutions and professional advisory services to the sector. About Haven House Children's Hospice Since 2003, Haven House Children's Hospice has provided palliative and holistic care for over 650 babies, children and young people (birth-19) who have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Across North and North East London, West Essex and East Hertfordshire they provide a range of services to families to support them through the most difficult circumstances imaginable. These include planned respite, short break and end-of-life care, as well as services designed to improve emotional and physical wellbeing, across The White House, their Holistic Care Centre and in the local community. Media Contact: Roger Oldham Managing Director, LMForums Tel: +44-(0)-203-551-9188 Email: roger.oldham@lmforums.com https://LMForums.com/news/story43 BERLIN, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DOC Research Institute, an independent international think tank, commemorated one year since its launch in Berlin with a panel discussion involving influential cultural dignitaries from Europe, the Middle East and Asia to talk about critical issues relating to the protection of cultural heritage around the world. Panellists included His Excellency Mahmood Al-Mullakhalaf, Ambassador Permanent Delegate of Iraq to UNESCO; Monica Juneja, Professor of Global Art History at the University of Heidelberg's 'Asia and Europe' research cluster;Professor Markus Hilgert, Director of the Berlin State Museum of Middle-Eastern Art; Irina Nikitina, Director of the Musical Olympus Foundation; Stephen Stenning, Director of Culture and Development at the British Council, and participating via video link was Professor Piotrovsky, Director of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Martina Fuchs, Anchor for CNN Money, led the discussion. Vladimir Yakunin, Chairman of the Board of DOC Research Institute, said: "As we commentate our first year since launching in Berlin, we could not pick a more suitable topic to discuss than culture and cultural heritage. Every day through culture, the world discovers common values. Of course fundamental disagreements remain, but in culture at least we can be united. And at this time, when there is so much that divides us, it is more important than ever to remind ourselves of what can bring us together." The discussion covered issues ranging from the need for a coordinated global effort to protect cultural sites around the world, to the role that academic research and education can play in driving awareness as well as how new digital technologies can increasingly support the protection, as well as accessibility, of the world's cultural heritage. The message of the Roundtable was very clear: Research, understanding, and - vitally - coordination, are essential to the international community's response to heritage in danger. Agnieszka Rzepka Press Officer Tel: +49-30-209-677-900 Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute Franzosische Str. 23 10117 Berlin www.doc-research.org BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Swiss stock market ended Thursday's session with a substantial decline. After a positive start, the market began to pare its early gains and quickly slipped into negative territory. The losses accelerated in the afternoon, following the weak opening on Wall Street. The weak performance of the index heavyweights pressured the overall market. Cyclicals were also weak, but financials turned in a solid performance due to the results of the U.S. stress tests. The Swiss Market Index decreased by 1.46 percent Thursday and finished at 8,944.04. The Swiss Leader Index dropped 1.05 percent and the Swiss Performance Index lost 1.39 percent. Lindt & Sprungli was among the weakest performing stocks of the session, falling 2.4 percent. Shares of the chocolate manufacturer have been under pressure for about a week now. LafargeHolcim weakened by 2.4 percent after Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating on the stock to 'Hold' from 'Buy.' Vifor Pharma dropped 2.4 percent, Sonova surrendered 1.9 percent and Schindler lost 1.7 percent. Swatch and Richemont also declined by 1.8 percent each. Nestle was the weakest among the index heavyweights, dropping 2.1 percent. Novartis declined 1.9 percent and Roche fell 1.7 percent. Credit Suisse climbed 2.0 percent and UBS added 0.4 percent. Partners Group increased 1.0 percent after Baader Helvea upgraded its rating on the stock to 'Buy' from 'Hold.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Regulatory News: Tikehau Capital (Paris:TKO) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Credit.fr, the French specialist in crowdlending1 for small businesses financing, for an amount of 12 million. Incubated since March 2015 by Truffle Capital and under the leadership of Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux, its chairman since November 2015, Credit.fr has rapidly established itself as an essential player in the small and mid-sized companies (SMEs) alternative financing market. This acquisition enables Tikehau Capital, a leading company active in the corporate lending and private debt market in France, to consolidate and expand its lending platform by bringing its corporate financing solutions to smaller businesses and SMEs. Through Credit.fr, Tikehau Capital will enable its wide network of investors and partners to broaden their investment policy, currently focused on medium-sized and larger companies, to include smaller businesses rigorously selected by Credit.fr teams. Credit.fr is renowned for the quality of its solutions, its scoring system and its user-friendly website. The company has revolutionised corporate access to credit by offering an extremely rapid response based on a simplified administrative process. Since its creation, Credit.fr has financed 217 companies, raising a total of over EUR 13 million, through 13,000 loans from retail clients willing to support the real economy while securing an attractive return. Credit.fr has also established numerous partnerships with financial sector players, including HelloBank!, the first French bank recommending its clients to invest in a crowdlending platform nearly a year ago. Guillaume Arnaud, Managing Director of Tikehau IM, said: "We have been monitoring SME crowdlending platforms in Europe for some time now, particularly in France, where the market has strong growth potential. The acquisition of Credit.fr provides us a unique smaller business lending knowhow and allows us to expand our range of financing solutions and therefore address most of French companies." Thomas de Bourayne, CEO of Credit.fr added: "With its renowned asset management expertise and strong growth, Tikehau Capital represents the ideal partner for Credit.fr to develop in France and internationally. This deal will enable us to offer institutional investors solutions for investing in a new asset class and support the development of small French businesses. About Tikehau Capital Tikehau Capital is an asset management and investment group which manages approximately 10bn of assets, with shareholders' equity of 1.5bn. The group invests in various asset classes (private debt, real-estate, private equity and liquid strategies), including through its asset management subsidiary Tikehau IM, on behalf of institutional and private investors. Controlled by its managers, alongside leading institutional partners, Tikehau Capital employs 170 staff in its Paris, Milan, Brussels, London and Singapore offices. Tikehau Capital is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A (ISIN code: FR0013230612; Ticker: TKO.FP) www.tikehaucapital.com About Credit.fr Credit.fr, which was launched in March 2015, enables retail clients to lend directly to rigorously-selected smaller businesses and SMEs under advantageous conditions for the borrowing companies and paying an attractive yield to lenders. Credit.fr has been awarded the BPI Innovative Company label as well as the Pole Finance Innovation Fintech Excellence label. For further information, please visit www.credit.fr Follow us on: Twitter: @creditFR Facebook: Credit.fr 1 Crowdlending enables companies to take out loans from private investors. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005982/en/ Contacts: Press contacts: Tikehau Capital Julien Sanson, +33 1 40 06 18 40 jsanson@tikehaucapital.fr or Gregoire Lucas, +33 1 53 70 74 70 glucas@image7.fr or Credit.fr Louis de Champs, +33 1 82 28 84 43 ldechamps@credit.fr Big Data on Demand and Analytics Service Optimizes Clients Access to Information Citi announces the rollout of Citi Velocity Clarity, a comprehensive data and analytics platform using Big Data technology delivered through an integrated suite of advanced online functionalities. The platform consolidates and analyzes data across multiple Citi Custody and Fund Services (CFS) products and will be expanded to include the broader Investor Services content in the future. It leverages Citi's private, cloud-based, big data on demand infrastructure to enable fast and efficient consumption of information drawn from multiple sources. Content can be consolidated into Clarity from a variety of Citi's Custody and Fund Services systems, clients' own internal data and third party data providers. The platform also offers advanced self-service customization functionalities including data on demand via an application programming interface (DoD API) that provides flexibility in connecting to big data content by using dynamic calculation and analytical engines, business intelligence tools as well as remote client data warehouses. Drawing from this construct, clients can easily navigate through content tailored to their needs by using a series of dashboards monitoring and analyzing data regarding their investments including portfolio analysis, valuation, holdings, net asset value, counterparty risk, country exposures and trading flows. "We are pleased to announce this exciting new service as a continued demonstration of our ongoing investment in Citi's Custody and Fund Service offering globally," Sanjiv Sawhney, Global Head of Custody and Fund Services said. "Clarity was designed as a turnkey capability, which allows clients to navigate through investment data in a seamless manner without the expense and timeframe usually required to implement a full data warehouse.The feedback from early adopters has been very positive with clients praising the design, ease of navigation, speed and overall user experience." Citi Velocity Clarity has been delivered to a core set of pilot clients earlier this year. The platform rollout will be continuing throughout the remainder of 2017 with Custody and Fund Service global accounting clients. Additional client segments and content will follow in 2018. Clarity is fully integrated with Citi Velocity, the award-winning research and trading platform, thereby providing clients with a single point of entry to access Citi's data, analytics, research and execution services. Commenting on the platform, Ciara Geoghegan, Director of Operations and Finance, Irish Life Investment Managers said: "As a pilot user of Clarity, we've been very pleased with the power and interactive nature of the platform. The dashboards allow for flexible data interrogation and the visualizations are intuitive and insightful. It streamlines what has historically been a much more complex data navigation process." "As our clients' requirement for greater visibility, transparency and automation continues to grow, we are pleased to launch this new solution to help them navigate an increasingly challenging and complex market environment," Okan Pekin, Global Head of Investor Services and Direct Clearing and Custody said. "The launch of Clarity highlights our commitment to continuously strengthen our Investor Services offering through innovative and integrated solutions that meet our clients' needs across multiple products and technologies." Citi Investor Services provides institutional investors with access to an end-to-end set of flexible investment solutions across Prime Finance and Agency Securities Lending, Futures, OTC Clearing and Collateral Management, Custody and Fund Services. About Citi: Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006085/en/ Contacts: Citi London Capucine Boncenne capucine.boncenne@citi.com +44 (20) 7508-9355 or New York Nina Das nina.das@citi.com +1 (212) 816-9267 or Hong Kong James Griffiths james.a.griffiths@citi.com +852-2868-7668 With company representatives, Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz, local officials, and community leaders on-hand, IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, today officially broke ground for its future Milwaukee-area store that is slated to open Summer 2018 in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Until then, local customers can shop at the closest IKEA stores: Chicago-area IKEA Bolingbrook and IKEA Schaumburg, and Twin Cities-area IKEA Bloomington, MN; or online at IKEA-USA.com. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006097/en/ IKEA breaks ground for Milwaukee-area store, opening summer 2018 in Oak Creek, WI. (Photo: Business Wire) The 291,000-square-foot future IKEA Oak Creek and its approximately 1,000 parking spaces will be built on 29 acres at the northwestern corner of Interstate 94 and Drexel Avenue, approximately 12 miles south of downtown Milwaukee. IKEA has contracted with Pepper Construction to build the project, and store plans reflect the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide. In addition, IKEA will evaluate potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations. "This location will help bring the unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience closer to many Milwaukee-area customers who currently can shop only at IKEA stores elsewhere or online," said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. "The store also will attract new customers from throughout Wisconsin who value good design, good function and affordable prices, but have not had a chance yet to shop at IKEA." The future IKEA Oak Creek will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children's play area, and a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a 'Children's IKEA' area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. In addition to the more than 500 jobs that are expected during the construction phase, approximately 250 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the new store opens. IKEA Oak Creek also will provide significant annual sales and property tax revenue for local governments and schools. Candidates interested in working at this employer of choice should begin looking online next year at IKEA-USA.com, where they can apply for diverse positions available in home furnishings sales, interior design, customer service, safety and security, cashiers, maintenance, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and stock replenishment. Among its total coworkers, IKEA Oak Creek also will offer more than 50 food service opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Foodmarket, Cafe Bistro and coworker cafeteria. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 390 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 44 in the U.S. IKEA has been included in rankings of "Best Companies to Work For" and, as further investment in its coworkers, has raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006097/en/ Contacts: IKEA Joseph Roth, 610-834-0180, Ext. 6500 Expansion Public Affairs Regulatory News: Sopra Steria (Paris:SOP) (Euronext Paris: SOP), a European leader in digital transformation, today announced plans to convert the convertible bonds it holds in CS (Euronext Paris: SX) into shares. As previously announced in its press release of 10 March 2017, CS is considering a targeted external growth strategy focusing on its core business. In view of this, Sopra Steria Group declared its intent to convert the CS convertible bonds it holds into shares, thereby giving it access to 11.39%1 of the share capital, and has stated that it would consider backing the company in the event of an equity increase related to its growth plans. In this context, Duna Cie and Sopra Steria, which do not plan to act in concert, will replace the current agreement on convertible bonds with a reciprocal preemptive right, which may only be exercised from 1 January 2018, with the option for each party to request an initial offer from the other party for its stake in CS. These changes confirm the existing industrial and commercial partnership between CS and Sopra Steria. About Sopra Steria Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital transformation, provides one of the most comprehensive portfolios of offerings on the market, spanning consulting, systems integration, industry-specific software development, infrastructure management and business process services. It provides end-to-end solutions to address the core business needs of large companies and organisations, helping them remain competitive and grow. Combining added value with innovative high-performance services, Sopra Steria excels in guiding its clients through their transformation projects to help them make the most of digital technology. With over 40,000 employees in more than 20 countries, Sopra Steria generated revenue of 3.7 billion in 2016. Sopra Steria (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) ISIN: FR0000050809 For more information, please visit our website: www.soprasteria.com 1 On the basis of a share capital of 17,346,547 shares on 1 June 2017 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006111/en/ Contacts: Sopra Steria Investor relations: Olivier Psaume, +33 (0)1 40 67 68 16 olivier.psaume@soprasteria.com NEEDHAM, MA--(Marketwired - June 29, 2017) - Cambridge Healthtech Institute, a division of Cambridge Innovation Institute, a leading producer of life science conferences, is pleased to announce the final selection of diagnostics innovators confirmed to present their latest research and clinical advancements at the ninth annual Next Generation Dx Summit, August 15-18, 2017 in Washington, DC. Presentations will span the breadth of opportunity across diagnostics, including the coverage of novel immunotherapy biomarkers, non-invasive and point-of-care testing, companion diagnostics, clinical NGS assays, digital PCR, and diagnostics for infectious diseases, critical care, forensics, microfluidics and the microbiome. More than 1,000 biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology professionals participate each year. "There is already tremendous innovation happening across the diagnostics industry. Our goal is to bring the teams at the forefront of these advancements together to build on each other's findings," states Christina Lingham, Executive Director of Conferences and Fellow at Cambridge Healthtech Institute. "By zoning in on timely areas of research and clinical application, we respond to the most important opportunity in the field: putting these innovations to use to achieve the most advanced decision-making and patient care." Participants of Next Generation Dx Summit can choose from 19 focused conference programs and symposia, as well as a wide selection of tactical short courses. Bridging the three days of scientific discussions, a panel of industry thought leaders will address the fields' greatest accomplishments, opportunities, challenges, and predictions, with a focus on regulation and reimbursement. Panelists include: Mary Steele Williams (Association for Molecular Pathology), Julie Khani (American Clinical Laboratory Association), Andrew Fish (AdvaMedDx), Michael Bennett (American Association for Clinical Chemistry and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), and J. Leonard Lichtenfeld (American Cancer Society). Respected industry leaders Bruce Quinn and Alberto Gutierrez (FDA Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health) will moderate the discussion. Full program details are available at http://www.nextgenerationdx.com. Members of the media are encouraged to participate. Please contact Lisa Scimemi at lscimemi@healthtech.com to apply for a press pass and to inquire about opportunities for coordinated faculty interviews. About Cambridge Healthtech Institute (www.healthtech.com) Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), a division of Cambridge Innovation Institute, is the preeminent life science network for leading researchers and business experts from top pharmaceutical, biotech, CROs, academia, and niche service providers. CHI is renowned for its vast conference portfolio held worldwide including PepTalk, Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference, SCOPE Summit, Bio-IT World Conference & Expo, PEGS Summit, Drug Discovery Chemistry, Biomarker World Congress, World Preclinical Congress, Next Generation Dx Summit and Discovery on Target. CHI's portfolio of products includes Cambridge Healthtech Institute Conferences, Barnett International, Insight Pharma Reports, Cambridge Marketing Consultants, Cambridge Meeting Planners, Knowledge Foundation, Bio-IT World, Clinical Informatics News and Diagnostics World. Contact: LIsa Scimemi Marketing Communications Director Cambridge Healthtech Institue lscimemi@healthtech.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Continuing his recent Twitter assault against the media, President Donald Trump launched personal attacks against the hosts of MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' on Thursday. Trump said the attack on former Congressman Joe Scarborough and commentator Mika Brzezinski was in response to them speaking 'badly' about him. 'I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore),' Trump tweeted. 'Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!' Trump frequently called in to the show during the Republican primaries but stopped as Scarborough and Brzezinski turned more critical. Brzezinski responded to the president with a tweet showing a Cheerios ad featuring the slogan 'Made For Little Hands,' an apparent reference to the attacks on Trump's hand size during the campaign. The tweet from Trump has drawn criticism from several Republican lawmakers, with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., saying it was not an 'appropriate comment.' 'What we're trying to do around here is improve the tone, the civility of the debate. And this obviously doesn't help do that,' Ryan said. Senators Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also suggested the tweet was beneath the dignity of the office of the president. However, White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended Trump in an interview with Fox News. 'I don't think that the president's ever been someone who gets attacked and doesn't push back,' Sanders said. 'There have been an outrageous number of personal attacks, not just to him but to frankly everyone around him.' She added, 'This is a president who fights fire with fire and certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by liberal media or liberal elites in Hollywood or anywhere else.' (Photo: Gage Skidmore) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- The following information is the research opinion of American Defense Concepts. American Defense Concepts announces its following overview of Midsize U.S. Defense Firms alongside current U.S. Administration agenda: With the election of a new pro-military U.S. President in favor of rebuilding and updating America's military apparatus compounded with the Republican Party controlling both the House and the Senate, defense contractors are likely to continue to outperform market projections. For the last decade, the S&P Aerospace and Defense Select Index has outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 6% annually. The increase of an already unstable geopolitical climate and with the potential removal of sequester spending caps from the defense budget, defense stocks seem poised to continue a pattern of outperforming the overall equity market throughout the remainder of 2017. With the increase of conflicts involving non-state actors and a volatile environment that exceeds the era of the Cold War has given way to an ostensibly ever-expanding intelligence apparatus and counterterrorism market segment. The current geopolitical landscape is catacombed with a threat matrix that includes terrorism, cyber warfare, authoritarian posturing and numerous regional conflicts worldwide that the Pentagon refers to as "conflicts other than war." To combat this new threat, the Pentagon has focused heavily on fighting nation states, while also preparing for emerging threats like the cyber-attacks that have become more frequent. Larger defense companies have the potential to benefit from increased spending on traditional platforms like manned fighter aircraft and potentially benefiting from emerging fields like cyber security. While the potential for larger defense contractors to benefit from this environment is present the nimbler, lesser known and more secretive mid-tier firms appear to be best positioned to capitalize on this volatile and quickly evolving threat matrix. A handful of small and midsize military contractors are thriving and adding staff, while their larger competitors are still recovering from a period of buyouts and layoffs, resulting in the migration of many talented employees into the arms of mid-size contractors. Larger firms scaling back has been due in part to automatic Department of Defense cuts, political posturing, sequestration, and of course the withdrawal of U.S. military from overseas conflict areas. With the beginning of a new U.S. administration seemingly in favor of military expansion larger firms appear to be more optimistic however, in keeping with their size they tend to move slower than their mid-sized counterparts. Mid-tier firms tend to require and offer a wider range of skills than your average small business, and because they typically have fewer layers of management than their larger big brothers, they can keep overhead costs down, be more dynamic in a volatile market segment and ultimately have the ability to be more responsive when fielding government requests. Companies such as Sotera Defense Solutions, Boecore, Braxton Technologies, Infinity Systems Engineering, Intelligent Software Solutions, TechWise and UAT Group each have added more employees, have open positions to fill and plan to continue hiring in an effort to fulfill impending or future contracts. All seven companies specialize in defense technology, information technology, and in one case have diversified to service multiple market segments outside of traditional military spending. Fortunately, these mid-tier firms were not affected by the Defense Department budget cuts that took place over the past eight years. Over the past six years many private equity firms seized on the opportunity to capitalize on mid-tier firms facing increased challenges. From 2000 to 2006, the market share for mid-tier companies dropped from nearly 38 percent of the total value of federal service prime contracts to just under 32 percent, according to data analyzed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Recently, medium-size contractors have recovered, growing their share to just over 35 percent in 2010 with a sustained increase predicted through 2020. Industry analysts say mid-tier contractors are primed to do well in a difficult budget environment however, being a mid-tier firm is not without its challenges. Size can make a difference Mid-tier contractors may struggle because they're more reliant on their largest contracts. While larger firms such as Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman typically own several large contracts across a range of contract vehicles allowing them to compete for a variety of individual task orders; mid-tiers tend to rely on just a few. Additionally, mid-tier contractors may struggle to win prime contracts because larger procurements often go to the larger firms, resigning mid-tier firms to act as subcontractors, while smaller programs are awarded to the smaller firms which again forces mid-tier firms to act as subcontractors. For those who had the foresight to have a diversified or expanded business model, to include several areas currently experiencing growth, it seems that they may be the companies best positioned to capitalize on the Presidents military expansion agenda. The trend of mid-tier firms buying smaller competitors has become increasingly popular and appears to be paving the way for mid-tier companies to affect exponential growth and attract larger investment capital. UAT Group's subsidiary Umbra Applied Technologies has bought five companies in five years and attracted millions in investment capital. UAT Group is already looking for more acquisitions, said Alex Umbra, the company's chief executive. Boecore President Tom Dickson stated in a recent interview that his company and smaller contractors continue to grow because "there is still a lot of focus on small business" with both the DOD and the rest of the federal government, including work that is set aside for smaller companies or those owned by veterans. As an example, Boecore was one of 385 contractors selected by the Navy to compete for up to $5.3 billion over the next two years in logistics, engineering, information technology and training tasks, much of it set aside for small firms. Former president of military affairs for the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, Brian Binn, said small defense contractors also have been winning more contracts in recent years because they generally have lower overhead costs than defense giants such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. Commenting on both realized and potential local benefits, Binn stated, "All of this is good for our community and local economy, even if all of the jobs aren't created locally. Since most of these companies are based in Colorado Springs, the profits stay here." Market Segment Growth Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc., recently acquired by KeyW Holding Corporation, is an agile, mid-tier national security technology company delivering innovative solutions and mission services in support of the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and Federal law enforcement agencies. The mid-tier firm was awarded a prime position on the Enhanced Solutions for the Information Technology Enterprise (E-SITE) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) -- Large Business track last year. Deb Alderson, Sotera President & CEO, recently commented on the awarded contract, "The E-SITE IDIQ is a critical component in providing intelligence and technological advantages to the U.S. military today and continuing into the future. Sotera is excited to continue our support for the DIA mission to plan, manage, and execute intelligence operations under this vehicle." Sotera highlights a growing interest by larger defense companies to acquire their smaller counterparts in an effort to expand their reach and enhance their own capabilities. KeyW's CEO, Bill Weber said, "We'll purposely remain nimble to deliver advanced solutions that address ever-evolving, complex national security challenges. At the same time, we'll have the scale to provide highly competitive cost models to further drive growth and create value for our customers and additional opportunities for our employees." The Colorado Springs-based software-development and information technology defense contractor, Boecore, works with Northrop Grumman on mission engineering, modeling and simulation, enterprise networks, cybersecurity and training under a seven-year contract valued at $3.48 billion awarded to a team headed by Boeing. The ground-based element is designed to destroy intermediate and long-range ballistic missiles in mid-flight; the latest contract is for development, manufacturing, testing and training for the system. Boecore continues work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense element of the ballistic missile defense system. Another Colorado based firm with significant presence in Florida, Braxton Technologies has added contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy and Air Force Space Command. The military software-development contractor has "thrived by offering budget-conscious government customers a lower-cost option of buying and customizing off-the-shelf software that can be completed in a few months rather than several years", said Kenneth O'Neil, the company's president and chief operating officer. Much of Braxton's work for Space Command in the Springs and the Air Force Space and Missile Command in Los Angeles involves automating tasks such as satellite control. "Under Braxton's Energy Department contract, the company is helping the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California turn research into marketable commercial products. As that contract has grown, the company's workforce on that project has grown," O'Neil said. Infinity Systems Engineering has significantly increased staff and revenue as its contracts for software used to control the Global Positioning System network of satellites have expanded and it has won additional work on a new military communications satellite network. More than half of its staff works on contracts involving the GPS satellite network, said Brad Michelson, Infinity's vice president supporting the uploading of new timing and mission data to add additional capabilities and ensure the data from each satellite remains the most accurate possible. The company also is a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin to develop the next generation of the network. Andreas Wilfong, Infinite Systems Engineering President, stated, "We want to hire brilliant people and give them opportunities throughout their career so they stick around with the company. That saves money on restaffing and retraining," Michelson said. "Our mission and vision is to have highly qualified staff who have a passion for supporting the war fighters. We offer fully paid health and dental insurance, bonuses, profit-sharing, a contribution of 10 percent of our salaries to our 401(k) retirement accounts and a five-day company-paid trip, all of which has helped us retain a large percentage of our staff." Intelligent Software Solutions (ISS) typically has four or five positions for immediate fill every pay period and generally has 20 to 25 open positions at any one time. "We thrive in environments like this because our value proposition is that we offer low cost and efficiency, building systems for 20 or 30 percent less than the large contractors because we can complete them faster," ISS President Jay Jesse said. "We are very conservative in our hiring and our technology crosses over dozens of projects." TechWise has exponentially increased its staff to over 200 employees, after winning numerous contracts and contract renewals with the United States Air Force, Army and the government of the United Arab Emirates. The mid-sized defense contractor added employees to work in its office in Dubai to help the United Arab Emirates government design training programs for military, homeland security and emergency preparedness in addition to adding employees in support of new or renewed contracts for military training development, logistics and facility support at Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases, Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Techwise CEO, Shawnee Huckstep stated, "Smaller companies can be more agile, responsive and flexible. It is no longer business as usual. The days of getting a contract then having it automatically renewed are over. We have to constantly prove our value and come up with new and innovative ideas." Florida based firm, UAT Group, the parent company of Umbra Applied Technologies, is a diversified, leading edge technology company with an innovative vision in the fields of alternative energy, conventional energy, medical innovation, environmental remediation, weapons systems, and compound recognition technologies most of which are marketed toward U.S. homeland security and Military. With an aggressive M&A strategy and progressive employee benefits program typically seen in larger companies, UAT Group is clearly eying expansion under the new promilitary administration. In the past year, the small publicly traded, defense start-up, has seen improved market share and liquidity highlighting increased interest in the defense sector and mid-tier defense companies. UAT Groups CEO Alex Umbra said that his company and smaller contractors will always excel because, "In a low-cost environment a mid-tier company with an abbreviated chain of command, compared to some of the larger firms that we may work in concert with, is able to respond quicker and with a more decisive posture. If need be we are also able to assess margins and the modification there of, in order to fulfill a contract." Not surprisingly, many of these firms have a sizeable presence in Colorado Springs, where larger contractors for those commands, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton, maintain their regional headquarters and not coincidentally is home to the US military's Northern Command and the Air Force Space Command. While many mid-tier firms maintain a presence coast to coast and even globally, such as Techwise, UAT Group, Sotera Defense Solutions and Infinite Systems Engineering most maintain a smaller footprint within the industry. While these highly secretive companies exist, and operate in a world of shadows, what is not a secret is their enormous influence and potential as National Security contributors. In fact, as collaborators with CIA, NSA, NGA, FBI, DHS, NASA and many other government agencies most contractors at these firms maintain a Top Secret/SCI (compartmentalized) security clearance that gives them access to virtually the entire panapoly of US intelligence -- SI for signals, TK for classified imagery, and HCS for raw CIA reports from the field. If those are the clearances held by rank-and-file employees, you can imagine what its top executives get to see and hear. All Chief Executives of these firms declined to comment on this issue but assured us that all protocols are stringently followed and that they adhere to the strictest interpretation of all security procedures and National Security guidelines. In deed they do, as not one of these firms has had a security breech to date and is held in high favor with the United States Government. It's a good thing that these "guys" are on our side, when one considers the impressive array of products and services that these firms provide to our government the only conclusion. Maybe we will all rest a little easier knowing that defense firms are watching out for us even when we sleep. AMERICAN DEFENSE CONCEPTS is an emerging publication featuring the latest research, findings and opinions relating to military, aerospace and defense. American Defense Concepts press@americandefense.info http://americandefense.info VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 29, 2017 / This notice is being sent to advise that Maple Leaf Short Duration 2016-II Flow-Through Limited Partnership - National Class (CUSIP: 56531T106) and Quebec Class (CUSIP: 56531T205) (the "Partnership") will be proceeding with a transaction (the "Liquidity Transaction") pursuant to which the assets of the Partnership (the "Assets") will be transferred on a tax-deferred basis to the Maple Leaf Resource Class (the "Resource Class Mutual Fund"), a class of shares of Maple Leaf Corporate Funds Ltd., an open-ended mutual fund corporation, in exchange for Series A shares of the Mutual Fund. Additional information about the Resource Class Mutual Fund is available in their simplified prospectus and annual information form. These documents are available at www.sedar.com and www.mapleleaffunds.ca. How the Rollover Will Work: Pursuant to the Liquidity Transaction, Limited Partners of the Partnership ("Investors") will receive shares of the Resource Class Mutual Fund in connection with the dissolution of the Partnership. The effective date of the Liquidity Transaction (the "Effective Date") is expected to be on or about September 8, 2017. Shortly after the Effective Date, the shares of the Resource Class Mutual Fund will be distributed on a pro rata basis to investors and thereafter the Partnership will be dissolved. Investors will receive the Resource Class Mutual Fund shares in exchange for, and with a value equal to, the value of the units of the Partnership held at the time of such transfer of Assets. When the shares of the Resource Class Mutual Fund are received, the Partnership units will be removed from each Investors account. Processing may take 2 to 3 business days (in some cases longer) to complete, after the rollover occurs. Once the Liquidity Transaction is completed, Investors can elect to hold or redeem their Resource Class shares; contribute them shares to an RRSP, RRIF, RESP, DPSP, RDSP, or TFSA; or switch their investment into the Maple Leaf Income Class (the "Income Class Mutual Fund"). The Income Class Mutual Fund holds a diversified portfolio of blue chip stocks that offer a combination of growth and income with a mandate to generate stable returns. The 1 year return for the Income Class Mutual Fund for the period ending May 31, 2017 was +14.25%. The Income Class Mutual Fund has been rated FundGrade A from Fundata in recognition of outstanding performance for the period ending May 31, 2017. The Partnership will issue a press release once Liquidity Transaction has been completed and the conversion ratio has been determined. The ACB (adjusted cost base) for each unit of the Partnership and each share of the Resource Class Mutual Fund will be determined by the General Partner upon the wind-up of the Partnership's affairs. The Partnership will dissolve within 60 days of the Effective Date. The General Partner will post these details on its website at www.mapleleaffunds.ca. Investors should consult with their investment advisor and/or tax advisor for all tax-related matters. Simplified Example: An Investor holds 100 Partnership units with a final Net Asset Value of $20.00 at the time of rollover and the net asset value per share of the Resource Class Mutual Fund is $10.00 on the same date. Based on these net asset values, the conversion ratio will be 2.0 (2.0 = $20.00 / $10.00). The Partner's 100 units, valued at $2,000, are removed from the limited partner's account and 200 shares (200 = 100 x 2.0) of the Resource Class Mutual Fund, valued at $2,000, are added to the Investor's account. Processing can be delayed after the rollover occurs, therefore transactions such as switches or redemptions may not be processed until the Resource Class Mutual Fund shares have been credited to client accounts. Neither the Partnership nor the Resource Class Mutual Fund will accept any liability for transactions in executed prior to dealer records being updated. Specific Information about the Mutual Fund: Organization and Management of the Mutual Fund Manager: CADO Investment Fund Management Inc. 609 Granville Street, Suite 808 Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5 Tel: 604-684-5742 Fax: 604-684-5748 Email: info@cadobancorp.ca CADO Investment Fund Management Inc.is the manager of the Mutual Fund and is responsible for managing he overall business and operations of the Mutual Fund. Portfolio Advisor: T.I.P. Wealth Manager Inc. ("TIP") Toronto, ON T.I.P. Wealth Manager Inc. is responsible for managing the investment portfolio of the Funds. Custodian: RBC Investor Services Trust Toronto, ON The custodian has physical custody of the Mutual Fund's property. Administrator: IAS Investment Administration Solution Inc. ("IAS") Toronto, ON The administrator keeps track of the owners of shares of the Mutual Fund and processes purchases. Auditor: KPMG LLP Vancouver, BC The auditors are responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Mutual Fund. The auditors of the Mutual Fund may not be changed unless the independent review committee of the Mutual Fund has approved the change and a written notice describing the change is sent to unit holders at least 60 days before the effective date of the change. Independent Review Committee (the "IRC") Canadian securities legislation requires the Mutual Fund to have an IRC. The IRC is composed of three members, each of whom is independent of us. The mandate of the IRC is to review, and provide input on, our written policies and procedures that deal with conflict of interest matters in respect of the Mutual Fund and to give their recommendation regarding and, in some cases, approve, conflict of interest matters identified and referred to the IRC by us. The IRC will prepare, at least annually, a report of its activities for investors. This report will be available at our website at www.mapleleaffunds.ca or you may request a copy, at no cost to you, by contacting us at info@cadobancorp.ca. Additional information about the IRC, including the names of the members, is available in the Mutual Fund's Annual Information Form. Portfolio Advisor: T.I.P. Wealth Manager Inc. ("T.I.P.") will be responsible for the Mutual Fund's investment activities. Mr. Jim Huang, President of T.I.P., will act as Portfolio Manager on behalf of TIP. Mr. Huang has over 20 years of experience investing in the Canadian capital markets. As lead or co-manager while working at NATCAN (formerly Altamira), Mr. Huang has managed or co-managed over $2 billion in mutual funds and institutional assets, including all of the resource and equity income products in the Altamira and National Bank mutual fund families. Altamira Energy Fund, Altamira Resource Fund, Altamira Precious and Strategic Metals Fund and AltaFund (a Canadian Equity fund focusing on Western Canada) had industry-leading performance and won awards and positive press coverage during Mr. Huang's management. Currently, Mr. Huang is the manager for the T.I.P. Opportunities Fund, a long/short North American equity hedge fund, as well as being the lead manager for the Maple Leaf Short Duration Flow-Through Funds, the Maple Leaf Corporate Funds Ltd. family of mutual funds and a small cap equity mutual fund. Mr. Huang has also been awarded a FundGrade A rating from Fundata in recognition for the outstanding performance of Maple leaf Income Class Mutual Fund. Additional Information: Additional information about the Mutual Fund will be available in the Mutual Fund's simplified prospectus, annual information form, management reports of fund performance and financial statements. You can obtain a copy of these documents at your request and at no cost by contacting Maple Leaf Funds toll free at 1-866-688-5750, by e-mailing info@maplelelaffunds.ca, by download from www.mapleleaffunds.ca, or from your financial advisor. Other information about the Mutual Fund is available at SEDAR (the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval established by the Canadian Securities Administrators) at www.sedar.com. For further information or assistance with respect to the Mutual Fund or the Limited Partnership, please contact: CADO Investment Fund Management Inc. 609 Granville Street, Suite 808, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5 Tel: 604-684-5742 | Toll Free: 866-688-5750 | Fax: 604-684-5748 Email: info@cadobancorp.ca | Web: www.mapleaffunds.ca SOURCE: Maple Leaf Corporate Funds Ltd. TYSONS CORNER, VA--(Marketwired - June 29, 2017) - Datablink, a global provider of advanced authentication and transaction signing solutions, announced that 7COMm, a Brazil-based IT services firm, stands as one of its latest technology partners to harness Datablink's powerful, yet easy-to-use mobile validation technology. Through the 7COMm-Datablink partnership, Datablink's mobile token with QR code and push technologies will be available within 7COMm's payment platform solutions that are relied upon by leading financial institutions. The integration offers improved validation of transactions for payment platforms specifically designed for a variety of mobile-based payment needs. "This partnership will take advantage of our proven, time-tested expertise as well as our award-winning authentication and transaction technology," said Alexandre Cagnoni, CEO at Datablink. "We're pleased to name 7COMm as one of our latest partners, as they bring decades of experience in technology deployments for the financial sector. We look forward to continue playing a vital role in their effort to strengthen, streamline and simplify their mobile payment platforms." "7COMm's payment platform technology is used by millions of consumers through the apps offered by their financial institutions -- making security and ease of use a top priority," said Estefanie Mari, executive director of 7COMm. "Datablink serves as a trusted authentication partner in our continual effort to maintain the perfect combination of protection and speed for mobile transactions." About Datablink Datablink is a global provider of advanced authentication and transaction signing solutions. Banks and enterprises around the globe rely on Datablink's innovative out-of-band technology to protect millions of online users and transactions every day. Headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, Datablink has been honored with numerous industry awards for its powerful security technologies. For more information, visit www.datablink.com. Contact: Matthew Zintel matthew.zintel@zintelpr.com 281.444.1590 Gene Therapy Leader Advancing Pipeline of Programs for Inherited Retinal Diseases, Including Upcoming Phase 3 Trial for Choroideremia NightstaRx Limited ("Nightstar"), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases, today announced the completion of a $45 million Series C financing transaction. New investors Wellington Management Company and Redmile Group joined existing investors Syncona and New Enterprise Associates (NEA) in the round. "Nightstar combines industry-leading gene therapy, ophthalmology expertise and clinical experience to advance a deep pipeline of therapies for devastating inherited retinal diseases," said David Fellows, chief executive officer of Nightstar. "We are pleased to welcome these investors in the financing, which will provide the capital for us to move our pipeline forward so that we may help patients with these disorders maintain their vision." The Series C proceeds will be used for the upcoming Phase 3 trial for Nightstar's lead product candidate NSR-REP1 for choroideremia, an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of Nightstar's product candidate NSR-RPGR for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, and a planned Phase 1/2 clinical trial of a gene therapy product candidate for an inherited form of macular dystrophy. "As an original investor in Nightstar, our goal from day one was to build a global gene therapy leader with the capability of developing multiple programs for inherited retinal diseases. We welcome Wellington Management and Redmile Group as investors and look forward to working with them and NEA to fulfill Nightstar's potential," said Chris Hollowood, chairman of the board of Nightstar and chief investment officer of Syncona, a FTSE250 listed healthcare investment company founded by the Wellcome Trust. About Nightstar Nightstar is a leading retinal gene therapy company focused on developing and commercializing novel, potentially curative one-time treatments for patients suffering from rare inherited retinal diseases that would otherwise progress to blindness, and for which there are no other treatment options. Nightstar's lead program, NSR-REP1, is being developed as a one-time treatment for patients with choroideremia, a rare, inherited cause of progressive blindness that affects approximately one in every 50,000 people. The results from a successful Phase 1/2 trial of NSR-REP1 were published in the Lancet in 2014 and in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2016, and the program is advancing toward the first pivotal Phase 3 registrational clinical trial for this condition in the U.S., Europe, and Canada. Nightstar's second gene therapy program, NSR-RPGR, is being evaluated in the first Phase 1/2 gene therapy clinical trial to treat patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. In addition to these two programs, Nightstar is evaluating several other retinal gene therapy product candidates for entry into clinical trials. The company was founded in 2014 by ophthalmology researchers at the University of Oxford. For more information about Nightstar or its clinical trials, please visit www.nightstarx.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Nightstar's plans for the clinical development of its product candidates. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. You should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this release, including results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, receipt of regulatory approvals and market conditions. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006199/en/ Contacts: THRUST IR Alicia Davis, 910-620-3302 alicia@thrustir.com BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- FinishMaster, Inc., ("FinishMaster") a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uni-Select Inc. ("Uni-Select") (TSX: UNS), announced today it has opened its first location, a greenfield branch, in Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville opening marks FinishMaster's fifth location in the state and supports its strategic plan to expand in major metropolitan areas. The new Nashville branch brings an experienced team to the market with expertise in product application, technical support, process analysis, and inventory management. The team will work rigorously to build strong relationships with customers in the Nashville metro and surrounding cities and counties. With the addition of Nashville, FinishMaster now operates 216 branches in 33 states and remains committed to growing its national footprint organically and through select acquisitions. "Our Nashville branch extends FinishMaster's tradition of delivering exceptional customer experiences to a new market. We are committed to elevating the standard in customer service and are excited for the opportunity to build new partnerships and bring innovative solutions to customers in Nashville," said President and COO Steve Arndt. "This newest branch provides opportunity for FinishMaster to build partnerships in a new market and underscores our strategic plan to greenfield in key metropolitan areas," added Henry Buckley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Select. ABOUT UNI-SELECT Uni-Select is a leader in the distribution of automotive refinish and industrial paint and related products in North America, as well as a leader in the automotive aftermarket parts business in Canada. In Canada, Uni-Select supports over 16,000 automotive repair and collision repair shops through a growing national network of more than 1,100 independent customers and corporate stores, many of which operate under the Uni-Select BUMPER TO BUMPER, AUTO PARTS PLUS AND FINISHMASTER store banner programs. It also supports over 3,900 shops and stores through its automotive repair/installer shop banners, as well as through its automotive refinish banners. Uni-Select is headquartered in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol UNS. FinishMaster, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uni-Select, is the leading national independent distributor of automotive paints, coatings and related accessories in the United States. It operates a national network of automotive refinish corporate stores under the FINISHMASTER banner and supports more than 6,000 collision repair centre customers. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION The information provided in this press release may include some forward-looking information, which could include certain risks and uncertainties, which may cause the final results to be significantly different from those listed or implied within this news release. Such risks and uncertainties may include, for example, the impact of the transaction on the business of Uni-Select as a whole and certain strategic benefits expected to result from the transaction. For additional information with respect to risks and uncertainties, refer to the Annual Report filed by Uni-Select with the Canadian securities commissions. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release, and Uni-Select does not undertake to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Contacts: Eric Bussieres Chief Financial Officer 450 641-6958 investorrelations@uniselect.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- Platinex Inc. (CSE: PTX)(CSE: PTX.CN)(CNSX: PTX) ("Platinex" or the "Company") announces the launch of their brand new community resource website, on Saturday, July 1st, 2017. The URL is www.cannabismall.org. The intention of the site is to become an important voice in the cannabis community of Canada and eventually the world. As well, the site will provide regular updates on the building of the Cannabismall.shop website. Platinex further announces since June 28, 2016 (8,219,000) warrants have been exercised to net the treasury $415,950. Currently 4,501,000 of the June 28, 2016 and August 25, 2016 warrants remain outstanding at an exercise price of $0.10/share until June 28, 2021. Giving consideration to the exercise of the warrants the total issued and outstanding shares of the Company is 81,238,710. James R. Trusler, President & CEO of Platinex, states: "Shareholder support with the success of the warrant exercises provides excellent support as Platinex continues to develop its business plan." About Platinex Inc. - Platinex has a long history of resource exploration and continues to focus efforts in this area. Platinex is also currently focusing efforts on the timely and strategic development of an online platform for the cannabis industry. Cannabismall.org is set to launch on July 1, 2017. Shares of Platinex are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "PTX". To receive Company press releases, please email jtrusler@platinex.com and mention "Platinex press release" on the subject line. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain of the information contained in this news release may contain "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information and statements may include, among others, statements regarding the future plans, costs, objectives or performance of Platinex, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are based on information available at the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company does not intend, nor does the Company undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Platinex Inc. Lori Paradis Corporate Secretary (416) 268-2682 lparadis@platinex.com www.platinex.com VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - June 29, 2017) - TIMING OF RELEASE OF Q2 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND CONFERENCE CALL Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust (TSX: AAR.UN) (the "Trust") announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, after the close of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") on Wednesday August 9, 2017. Management will host the conference call at 1:00 pm (EDT) on Thursday, August 10, 2017 to review the financial results and corporate developments for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Conference Call Details Thursday, August 10, 2017 1:00 pm (EDT) Toll free dial in number (from Canada and USA) 1 (888) 390-0546 International or Local Toronto 1 (416) 764-8688 To participate in this conference call, please dial one of the above numbers approximately 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the call, and ask to join the Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust Conference Call. Conference Call Replay If you cannot participate on August 10, 2017, a replay of the conference call will be available by dialing one of the following replay numbers. You will be able to dial in and listen to the conference 120 minutes after the meeting end time, and the replay will be available until Thursday August 17, 2017. Replay toll free dial in number (from Canada and USA) 1 (888) 390-0541 Replay international or local Toronto 1 (416) 764-8677 Please enter the Replay ID# 891473, followed by the # key. ABOUT PURE INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE TRUST The Trust is an unincorporated, open-ended investment trust that owns and operates a diversified portfolio of income-producing industrial properties in leading markets across Canada and key distribution and logistics markets in the United States. The Trust is an internally managed REIT and is one of the largest publicly-traded REITs in Canada that offers investors exposure to industrial real estate assets in Canada and the United States. Additional information about PIRET is available at www.piret.ca or www.sedar.com. THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR THE ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. For more information please contact: Sylvia Slaughter Director of Investor Relations (416) 479-8590 Ext 267 E-mail: sslaughter@piret.ca Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust Suite 910, 925 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2 Phone: (888) 681-5959 www.piret.ca Toronto Stock Exchange - AAR.UN After an anemic growth of only 2% in 2016, the major players in the chemicals industry are struggling to bring profitable expansion to their businesses. Analysts have predicted that changes in the economic structure, inherent uncertainty in the market, and hyper- competition between the players could create a rather disturbing market for the chemical industry. To address these issues, Infiniti Research has released their three strategies which can act as a catalyst for growth in the chemicals industry This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006245/en/ Infiniti Research offers a variety of chemical industry market intelligence solutions. (Graphic: Business Wire) 1) Striking a fine balance between pricing and volume It has become necessary for chemical manufacturers to shift their focus from increasing the volume of sales, to improving their pricing strategies as profit cannot be increased just by increasing the production volume. Moreover, the demand from the consumers is limited by the structural weakness of the chemicals industry. This theory is not applicable for the renewable products like biopolymers. The market for the latter has seen a significant increase. 2) Revamping product portfolio Renovation and expansion of portfolio is needed to gain a competitive advantage in the market. For fetching a better position, companies like Bayer, Dow, and DuPont have already entered into mergers and acquisition agreements. Manufacturers have gradually started moving towards areas which are more lucrative in nature, by expanding the product portfolio. 3) Adoption of digitization Digitalization has been successful in providing solutions for difficulties faced by many businesses. This has provoked the chemical industry to incorporate digitalization in their system. By integrating manufacturing and business processes and optimizing sales and marketing strategies, manufacturers have been successful in moving to diversified fields of operations from just being 'product sellers'. The functioning of the chemicals industry has been further enhanced by machine learning and artificial intelligence. Not only has it helped to optimize workforce, but the entire process of operations, and redesigning work strategy. Looking for more chemical industry insights? Request a free proposal The chemical industry is facing a progressively harsher environment due to volatile raw material prices, increasing competition, growing concerns for the environment, and the need for supply chain optimization. Drawing on 14+ years of experience in the industry, Infiniti Research offers industry-specific solutions tailored to help chemical company leaders and chemical manufacturers tackle these concerns to achieve sustained growth. Recent Chemical Industry Studies from Infiniti Research Market Intelligence Study on the Chemical Distribution Landscape View the studyhttps://www.infinitiresearch.com/casestudy/market-intelligence-chemicals Industry Analysis and Market Opportunity Assessment for Textile Coatings in North America View the studyhttps://www.infinitiresearch.com/casestudy/market-opportunity-assessment-textile-coating Sourcing Intelligence Study for A Chemical Manufacturing Industry View the study: https://www.infinitiresearch.com/casestudy/sourcing-intelligence-study-for-a-chemicals-manufacturer About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. With 14+ years of experience and offices across three continents, Infiniti Research has been instrumental in providing a complete range of competitive intelligence, strategy, and research services for over 550 companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006245/en/ Contacts: Infiniti Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.infiniti.research.com Contact Us -- Atento Digital's unique combination of technology, intelligence and talent helps clients delivering digital's full potential across the entire customer lifecycle -- New business unit strengthens Atento's ongoing focus on CRM/BPO digital services, a $1 billion market in Latin America estimated to grow at an 11%rate in 2017 -- Atento Digital signs strategic partnership with Keepcon, leading provider of semantic technology to expand Artificial Intelligence and automatization capabilities of Atento's omnichannel platform -- David Cardoso will lead newly created global unit to standardize and expand the company's digital offering as well as accelerate growth across the footprint SAO PAULO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Atento S.A. (NYSE:ATTO), the leading provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing services (CRM/BPO) in Latin America, and one of the three top providers worldwide, today launched Atento Digital, a newly created global business unit integrating all of the company's digital assets to generate additional value for clients and drive growth across verticals and geographies. Atento Digital kicks off with the signing of a strategic partnership and acquisition of a minority stake in Keepcon, a leading provider of automated customer experience management based on semantic technology. Atento Digital integrates digital marketing tools, automatization of front and back office customer processes and a robust omnichannel platform to generate efficiency and results for customer's acquisition, management and retention. It also provides solutions to advance digital transformation processes while making the most of existing systems. Atento Digital's mainstream offering encompasses a range of services including online sales, digital customer care, digital technical support, digital HR and digital collections, all delivered through Atento's omnichannel platform integrating traditional and digital channels. Atento's digital offering also includes consulting capabilities and the use of analytics and automatization tools to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customer related processes. One of the first initiatives of Atento Digital has been the expansion of the Artificial Intelligence and automatization capabilities of its omnichannel platform using Keepcon semantic technology. The integration of this technology with Atento's existing solutions allows to monitor, analyze and manage customer sentiment and needs through social media in real time. This can be delivered through a blended automated and agent based solution or through a fully automated solution. Alejandro Reynal, Atento's Chief Executive Officer commented, "We live in the midst of a digital revolution that is having an impact on virtually every industry as well as the way companies operate and interrelate with their customers. At Atento we are turning the business disruption generated by this revolution into differentiated customer experience solutions generating competitive advantages for companies and increased satisfaction for consumers." Mr. Reynal added, "Atento Digital will integrate our company's existing digital assets and combine them with expanded capabilities through strategic partnerships and acquisitions to drive innovation and efficiency for our clients." Commenting on the launching of Atento Digital, Mr. Reynal added, "We are setting a new milestone in the successful trajectory of our company and advancing the execution of our growth strategy through the deployment of a mainstream digital offer. With Atento Digital we enhance our value creation capabilities for both companies facing digital transformation processes and born digital players." Digital services comprised 6% of Atento's total revenues in 2016, and we expect the launch of Atento Digital and our partnership with Keepcon to drive incremental digital services growth in 2017. Atento is the leading provider of customer related digital services in Latin America with a share of 11% in a market totaling 1 billion USD and with growth rates averaging above 9% in the coming five years (Frost & Sullivan and company estimates). David Cardoso, Atento Digital Global Director, commented, "Atento Digital builds upon our company's extensive experience as provider of digital services within our client's value chain. With more than 1 million customer transactions managed by bots and 7 million automated chats in a year only in Brazil, we offer our clients simpler, faster and results-oriented services through digitalization." Mr Cardoso added, "With a wide range of digital assets developed over the years and the expansion of digital capabilities though our partners, the creation of Atento Digital significantly strengthen our company's commitment to drive customer experience in the digital age." About Keepcon Keepcon was created almost 9 years ago becoming the main semantic technology provider in the Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets. Based on the uniqueness of its proprietary linguistic approach, Keepcon originally created an automatic content moderation service becoming one of the largest players in semantic technology in this market. 3 years ago Keepcon started creating new services leveraged on the same technology, adding English to its semantic solutions and becoming a leading automated customer experience management service in Latin America by providing actionable insights for marketing and automation of customer care processes. While having offices in US, Brazil and Argentina, Keepcon has 40+ world class customers mainly in America and Europe. More info at www.keepcon.com About Atento Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM BPO) services in Latin America, and among the top three providers globally, based on revenues. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM/BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs 150,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atento's shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2016, Atento was named one of the World's 25 Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work for a fourth consecutive year. For more information visit www.atento.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/329706/atento_fondo_blanco_rgb_logo.jpg KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- FISSION URANIUM CORP. ("Fission" or "the Company") (TSX: FCU)(OTCQX: FCUUF)(FRANKFURT: 2FU) announced the results of matters voted on at the Company's annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders held earlier today. A total of 255,373,099 shares, or 52.70% of Fission's common shares that were eligible to be voted at the Meeting, were voted. The following table outlines the voting results for each of the director nominees: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Percentage Percentage of Votes Votes of Votes Director Nominees Votes FOR FOR WITHHELD WITHHELD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Devinder Randhawa 179,430,657 87.25 26,214,966 12.75 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ross McElroy 184,720,250 89.82 20,925,373 10.18 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank Estergaard 199,962,751 97.24 5,682,872 2.76 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Marsh 199,992,519 97.25 5,653,104 2.75 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony Milewski 200,643,940 97.57 5,001,683 2.43 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Raffi Babikian 200,925,415 97.70 4,720,208 2.30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jianhua Xing 185,070,190 89.99 20,575,433 10.01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shiming Ma 183,908,924 89.43 21,736,699 10.57 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Each of the other matters put forward before shareholders for consideration and approval at the Meeting, as described in the Company's proxy statement dated May 23rd, 2017, was duly approved by the requisite number of votes. Final voting results at the Meeting will be made available on Fission's website at www.fissionuranium.com and SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About Fission Uranium Fission Uranium Corp. is a Canadian based resource company specializing in the strategic exploration and development of the Patterson Lake South uranium property - host to the world-class Triple R uranium deposit - and is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF." Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements") that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this letter. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: expectations regarding continued development and potential of the PLS and its Triple R Deposit. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of Fission's management, as well as on assumptions which such management believes to be reasonable based on information currently available at the time such statements were made. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions about: general business and economic conditions; shareholder expectations; expertise to meet all future requirements of the Fission; the supply and demand, and the level and volatility of, the price of uranium; changes in credit markets and conditions in financial markets generally; the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled staff; and market competition. We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Fission to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to Fission's limited business history; that Fission has no history of mineral production or mining operations; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral resources; risks caused by factors beyond Fission's control, such as uranium market price volatility, recovery rates of minerals from mined ore and demand for nuclear power; risks related to competition in the mineral industry; risk related to uranium industry competition and international trade restrictions; the potential deregulation of the electrical utility industry; competition of nuclear power with other energy sources; risks related to Fission's title to the PLS Property; risks related to dependence on key personnel; and risks of not meeting exploration budget forecasts. Although Fission 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 forward-looking 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. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, Fission assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Contacts: Fission Uranium Corp. Investors: Rich Matthews, Investor Relations TF: 877-868-8140 rich@fissionuranium.com www.fissionuranium.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Sales of recreational marijuana will begin in Nevada on Saturday, July 1. Any adult who is over the age 21 and carries a valid ID can buy up to an ounce of pot or one-eighth of an ounce of edibles or concentrates from one of several medical marijuana dispensaries that have been approved for recreational sales. The state is expecting a large number of tourists to visit Las Vegas and other parts of state to sample the marijuana. However, the tourists will have tough times to find the drug in stores. State regulators have issued the licenses necessary to only 17 retail outlets in Las Vegas as of June 27. The regulators also may approve to as many as 40 dispensaries by Saturday. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 29, 2017) - Pacific Booker Minerals Inc (TSXV: BKM) (OTC Pink: PBMLF) held its Annual General Meeting on June 22, 2017 in the Company's corporate office in Vancouver. A total of 72 shareholders were represented in person or by proxy, representing 25.9% of our issued and outstanding shares. All nominated directors were re-elected to the board and all resolutions passed with more than 90% of the voting "for" the resolutions. The Company's Financial Statements and MD&A for the quarter ended April 30, 2017 have been filed on SEDAR and is available for downloading on our website. If you would prefer to receive a copy sent by regular mail, please complete the request area on that page. Information provided will be used for that purpose only. The Company's SEDAR page is: http://sedar.com/DisplayCompanyDocuments.do?lang=EN&issuerNo=00004690. If you would like to be added to or removed from our email newsgroup, please send your request by email to info@pacificbooker.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "John Plourde" John Plourde President/CEO & Director No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. India is now one of the world's most popular sourcing hubs for automotive components, and its automotive components exports are expected to rise sharply to reach a projected value of more than USD 11 billion in 2017. Many leading auto parts manufacturers in India have also become major suppliers to some of the world's largest car makers. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006398/en/ BizVibe Announces Their List of Top 10 Auto Parts Manufacturers in India (Graphic: Business Wire) BizVibe is home to more than 110,000 automobile companies around the world including many in India. In a recent article titled Top 10 Auto Parts Manufacturers in India, BizVibe discusses the top vendors in India's booming auto components industry. Here are some of the largest auto parts manufacturers in India: 1. Jamna Auto IndustriesHeadquartered in Delhi and founded in 1954, Jamna Auto Industries is the largest Indian auto parts manufacturer for automotive suspension springs. Its products are sold in more than 25 countries and it has production units in five major cities. 2. Usha International LtdUsha was founded in 1934. In addition to auto components, the company manufacturers home appliances, sewing machines, fans, power products, water coolers and dispensers, and farm equipment. The company is headquartered in Gurgaon, India. 3. Rane Holdings Ltd:Rane Holdings manufactures components for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, multi utility vehicles, and farm tractors. Its product portfolio includes steering gear products, suspension and steering linkage products, die casting products, engine valve, valve guides and tappets, brake linings, disc pads, clutch facings, hydraulic power steering gear, hydraulic pumps, seat belts, and airbags. 4. Minda Industries Ltd The company is a leading Tier 1 supplier of proprietary automotive solutions to original equipment manufacturers. It has 52 manufacturing plants in 7 countries, and design centres in three. Minda Industries is headquartered in Manesar, in the state of Haryana. 5. Automotive Axles Ltd The company is a manufacturer of Indian auto parts, mainly automotive axles and rear drive axle assemblies. It also offers air brakes and trailer axles. Automotive Axles' product portfolio includes drive axles, front steer axles, defense axles, off-highway axles, non-drive axles, drum brakes, and disc brakes. Read the entire list of Top 10 Auto Parts Manufacturers in India BizVibe is home to a total of 7 million companiesacross a variety of industries. The BizVibe platform allows you to discover the highest quality leads and make meaningful connections with your companies of interest in real time. Claim your company profile for free and let BizVibe connect you with potential business partners. For mobile users, don't forget to connect on-the-go via BizVibe's mobile app. To make things as simple as possible and allow BizVibe's chatbot to create business opportunities for you About BizVibe The single-minded focus of BizVibe's platform is to make networking easier. Over the years, we've searched far and wide to figure out how businesses connect and enable trade. That first interaction is usually fraught with the uncertainty of finding a potential partner vs. a potential nightmare. With this in mind, we designed an online b2b platform with a robust set of tools to help companies generate leads, shortlist prospects, network with businesses from around the world and trade seamlessly. BizVibe is headquartered in Toronto, and has offices in London, Bangalore and Beijing. For more information on the BizVibe network, please contact us View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006398/en/ Contacts: BizVibe Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive media@bizvibe.com Technavio has announced the top six leading vendors in their recenthome furniture market in the USreport until 2021. This research report also lists 14 other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006386/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the home furniture market in the US from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) Competitive vendor landscape The home furniture market in the US is highly fragmented due to the rise in the number of several players in the last few years. There has been a significant increase in the demand for assorted styles of furniture, especially the ready-to-assemble and portable furniture. Vendors in the home furniture market in the US tend to come up with various innovative designs to fulfill the needs of consumers. There has been a considerable shift in the mindsets of consumers in terms of furniture purchasing for their new homes. The real estate market in the US has also contributed majorly to the outpacing sales of furniture stores. Jhansi Mary, an industry expert at Technavio for research on furniture and home furnishing, says, "Vendors are now venturing into e-commerce platforms that can be accessed by integrating them with smartphones. Through this distribution channel, vendors can reach out to a larger set of audiences, particularly the millennials, which comprise the largest section of the population that uses smartphones This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free Top six home furniture vendors in the US Ashley Furniture HomeStore Ashley Furniture HomeStore is the home furnishing chain of Ashley Furniture. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes case goods, residential bedding, and upholstered furniture in over 700 stores across 36 countries. The company offers bedroom storage, benches, dressers and mirrors, mattresses, nightstands, bookcases, and beds and beddings in over more than 700 stores across various countries. La-Z-Boy La-Z-Boy employs dedicated designers in various manufacturing plants across North America. The company specializes in recliners and stationary sofa styles. The company has certain key business segments, including the Upholstery Group, the Retail Group, and the Casegoods Group. La-Z-Boy has a wide range of brands, including La-Z-Boy Residential, England Furniture, La-Z-Boy Kids, Lea Furniture, La-Z-Boy Hospitality, Hammary Furniture, Kincaid Furniture, and American Drew. IKEA IKEA manufactures, designs, and sells self-assembled furniture, home accessories, and kitchen appliances. There are various companies operating under one trademark name such as IKEA Franchising, IKEA Range & Supply, and IKEA Industry. IKEA Industry produces wooden furniture for customers using sustainable and optimum utilization of resources. Williams-Sonoma Williams-Sonoma operates a varied brand portfolio, including Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and PBteen. It offers an extensive range of products for different areas of a home, including living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, entryway, home office, and outdoor. It also provides home decor and furnishing items, including wall decor, rugs, window treatments, pillows and throws, and lighting items. Rooms To Go Rooms To Go has various distribution centers, including Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. Its key business segments include Rooms To Go, Rooms To Go Kids Teens, online sales, and clearance centers. Mattress Firm Mattress Firm operates in three business units, including Mattress Pro, Sleep Train, and Sleep Country USA. It offers bedding accessories, specialty mattresses, and other products from brands such as Serta, Hampton Rhodes, and Simmons. The company offers a range of mattresses that are categorized by size, type, comfort, and brand. Some of them include twin size, full, king, queen, California king, innerspring, memory foam, gel memory foam, hybrid, pocketed coil, Euro top, firm, plush, contoured, and extra firm. Browse Related Reports: Global Mattress Market 2017-2021 Global Office Furniture Market 2016-2020 Outdoor Furniture Market in the US 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 lab equipment and health and wellness. 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. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006386/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/29/17 -- China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. (TSX: CGG)(HKSE: 2099) (the "Company" or "China Gold International Resources") announces the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") held on June 28, 2017. A total of 272,169,498 common shares, representing 68.66% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, were present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The detailed results are presented below: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. Resolutions Number of Votes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 To set the number of directors of For Against Total the Company at nine (9); --------------------------------------- 268,911,610 47,465 268,959,075 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 To elect as directors: For Withheld Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Xin SONG; 256,996,249 11,962,826 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (ii) Bing LIU; 256,996,249 11,962,826 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (iii) Lianzhong SUN; 256,969,784 11,989,291 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (iv) Liangyou JIANG; 256,985,784 11,973,291 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (v) Ian HE; 262,685,413 6,273,662 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (vi) Yunfei CHEN; 264,246,581 4,712,494 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (vii) Gregory HALL; 264,039,241 4,919,834 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (viii)John King BURNS; and 264,246,981 4,712,094 268,959,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (ix) Xiangdong JIANG; 254,572,396 14,386,679 268,959,075 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 To re-appoint Deloitte Touche For Withhold Total Tohmatsu as auditors of the Company at a remuneration to be fixed by the board of directors; --------------------------------------- 272,151,131 18,367 272,169,498 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 To grant to the board of directors For Against Total a general mandate to allot, issue and otherwise deal with unissued shares not exceeding 20% of the aggregate number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of the passing of this resolution and the said approval shall be limited accordingly; --------------------------------------- 178,356,001 90,603,075 268,959,076 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 To grant to the board of directors For Against Total a general mandate to repurchase shares not exceeding 10% of the aggregate number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of the passing of this resolution and the said approval shall be limited accordingly; --------------------------------------- 218,559,951 50,399,124 268,959,075 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 To extend the share allotment For Against Total mandate by the addition thereto of the shares repurchased by the Company; --------------------------------------- 178,444,836 90,514,239 268,959,075 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 To vote on an ordinary resolution For Against Total of the independent shareholders of the Company approving the Supplemental Contract for Purchase and Sale of Dore, the Cap thereunder, and the transactions contemplated thereunder; and --------------------------------------- 64,210,242 50,400,103 114,610,345 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 To vote on an ordinary resolution For Against Total of the independent shareholders of the Company approving the Supplemental Product and Service Framework Agreement, the Cap thereunder, and the transactions contemplated thereunder. --------------------------------------- 64,206,676 50,403,669 114,610,345 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Together with the re-election of the directors of the Company, the Company is pleased to announce that Xiangdong Jiang has transitioned from an executive director role to a non-executive director role. Mr. Jiang resigned as an officer of the Company for personal reasons but will remain a director of the Company. In response to feedback received from shareholders, the Company did not submit before the AGM resolutions to approve the Supplemental Loan Framework Agreement or the New Financial Services Agreement. Each of the Supplemental Contract for Purchase and Sale of Dore and the Supplemental Product and Service Framework Agreement constitute "related party transactions" for purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Pursuant to MI 61-101, related party transactions are subject to formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements unless an exemption is available. The minority shareholder approval requirements are similar to those set out in the rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, so since minority shareholder approval was received at the AGM, the Company has not considered applied exemptions which would be available under MI 61-101. Each of the Supplemental Contract for Purchase and Sale of Dore and the Supplemental Product and Service Framework Agreement are exempt from the valuation requirements of MI 61-101. The Supplemental Contract for Purchase and Sale of Dore is exempt pursuant to section 5.5(d) of MI 61-101 as it constitutes the sale of inventory of the Company in the ordinary course of business. The Supplemental Product and Service Framework Agreement is comprised of several components. The mining service component is not contemplated under MI 61-101 as constituting a related party transaction. The sale of copper concentrate is exempt pursuant to section 5.5(d) of MI 61-101 as it constitutes the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business. The mining equipment product sale component is exempt as it is excluded from the definition of a related party transaction under MI 61-101 because under section (b) of the definition of a related party transaction, purchases of equipment from third parties only constitute a related party transaction if the proportion of the ownership interest is not equal to the proportion of the asset acquired from the third party. In the case of the Supplemental Product and Service Framework Agreement, the Company leverages the buying power of China National Gold to procure better pricing for mining equipment than it would be able to on its own. For further details of the voting results please visit the Company's website at www.chinagoldintl.com, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited's website at www.hkex.com.hk or SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About China Gold International Resources China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and operates both profitable and growing mines, the CSH Gold Mine in Inner Mongolia, and the Jiama Copper-Gold Polymetallic Mine in Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The Company's objective is to continue to build shareholder value by growing production at its current mining operations, expanding its resource base, and aggressively acquiring and developing new projects internationally. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGG) and the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKSE: 2099). Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements Certain information regarding China Gold International Resources contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although China Gold International Resources believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. China Gold International Resources cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what China Gold International Resources currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and subject to change after that date. Contacts: Elena M. Kazimirova Investor Relations Manager and Financial Analyst Tel: +1.604.609.5098 Email: info@chinagoldintl.com Website: www.chinagoldintl.com iKentoo, a Geneva, Switzerland-based Hospitality IT platform provider, raised 4.6m in equity funding. The backers were not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to open a fully staffed technical, sales and support office in Zurich, and further develop its presence in France, Germany and Spain. Founded in Geneva in 2011 by Serge Sozonoff, iKentoo develops and provides iPad-based POS and business management systems for the hospitality industry. The company has over 2,500 customers in 14 countries including Movenpick, Hard Rock Cafe, Luigia, Pouly groups, the Holy Cow Group, Swiss Medical Networks as well as thousands of restaurants, multi-site chains, food trucks, festivals, bars, hotels, coffee shops and delis. The Zurich office will formally open in September 2017 to service all key hospitality categories from independent establishments to multi-site operations. FinSMEs 29/06/2017 New Delhi: In a bonanza to 48 lakh central government employees, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission with 34 modifications which will impose an additional annual burden of Rs 30,748 crore on the exchequer. The increased allowances, which comes into effect from 1 July, 2017, is based on the recommendations of the Committee on Allowances (CoA). The allowances as recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission would have cost the exchequer Rs 29,300 crore. The modified allowances approved by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will increase the burden by Rs 1,448 crore to Rs 30,748 crore per annum. Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the modifications are based on suggestions made by the CoA in its report submitted to the Finance Minister on April 27, and the Empowered Committee of Secretaries set up to screen the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. The 7th Pay Commission suggested abolition of 53 allowances. Of these, the government decided not to do away with 12 allowance, he said. This will benefit over one lakh employees belonging to specific categories in railways, posts, defence and scientific departments. The modifications approved on Wednesday were finalised by the Empowered Committee of Secretaries based on the recommendations of the CoA, he said. "The CoA had undertaken extensive stakeholder consultations before finalising its recommendations. It had interacted with Joint Consultative Machinery (staff side) and representatives from various staff associations. "Most of the modifications are on account of continuing requirement of some of the existing arrangements, administrative exigencies and to further the rationalisation of the allowances structure," he said. Sharing details, Jaitley said the Pay Commission had recommended reduction in the HRA rates to 24 percent for X, 16 percent for Y and 8 percent for Z category of cities. "As the HRA at the reduced rates may not be sufficient for employees falling in lower pay bracket, it has been decided that HRA will not be less than Rs 5,400, Rs 3,600 and Rs 1,800 for X, Y and Z category of cities respectively. "This floor rate has been calculated at 30 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent of the minimum pay of Rs 18,000. This will benefit more than 7.5 lakh 1 to 3 levels of employees," he said. House Rent Allowance (HRA) is currently paid at 30 percent for X (population of 50 lakh and above), 20 percent for Y (5-50 lakh) and 10 percent for Z (below 5 lakh) category of cities. With regard to defence forces, he said ration allowances will be directly credited to their accounts. Talking about Siachen allowance, he said level 9 and above will get Rs 42,500 as compared to Rs 31,500 recommended by Pay Commission. For level 8 and below it would be Rs 30,000 against Rs 21,000 recommended by the Pay Commission. "Additional allowances has been restructured, the government has doubled medical allowance for pensioners to Rs 1,000. However, the Pay Commission had recommended Rs 500 as medical allowance for pensioners," he said. Talking about dress allowance, he said various types of allowances are paid at present for provisioning and maintenance of uniforms/outfits such as Washing Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Kit Maintenance Allowance and Outfit Allowance. These have been rationalised and subsumed in newly proposed Dress Allowance to be paid annually in four slabs -- Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 for various category of employees, he said. "This allowance will continue to be paid to nurses on a monthly basis in view of high maintenance and hygiene requirements. "Government has decided to pay higher rate of Dress Allowance to SPG personnel keeping in view the existing rates of Uniform Allowance paid to them (which is higher than the rates recommended by the 7th CPC) as also their specific requirements," he said. The rates for specific clothing for different categories of employees will be governed separately, he said. Allowance granted to CRPF personnel deployed in Naxal-hit areas will be governed by the Risk and Hardship Matrix, he said, adding the rates will go up from Rs 8,400-16,800 per month to Rs 17,300-25,000 per month. New Delhi: The Congress party is unlikely to attend the special midnight function in Parliament on June 30 to roll-out the Goods and Services Tax (GST), party sources said. They said Congress President Sonia Gandhi deliberated on the issue with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, senior leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ahmed Patel and Jairam Ramesh on Thursday to take a final decision. The Trinamool Congress has already decided not to attend the midnight programme as a mark of protest against the "unnecessary disastrous hurry" to roll out the pan-India tax regime. Sources said the Trinamool Congress is keen that the Congress too adopt the same course. According to sources, a section of the Congress is in favour of attending the function as GST is the party's brainchild, but another section feels the party should abstain to protest the way the tax regime is being implemented. The GST will be launched at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament on June 30. New Delhi: Air Indias disinvestment could become something of a farce if the government decides to restrict it to Indian buyers alone. There has been a view within some sections of the government that equity stake in the airline should be bought only by Indian entities and that foreign investors/airlines should be kept out. If that happens, then the sale process could be stymied. A source close to development said that apart from Air Indias former owners, the Tatas, some Gulf airlines only seem to be interested in acquiring a stake. If the foreign airlines/investors are kept out, then it will become almost like a closed sale, with only the Tatas as potential bidders, this person said, adding at least one successful private domestic airline which many believed would also like to put in a bid has already said in aviation circles that it was not keen. And industrialist Anand Mahindra, who is a former independent director on Air Indias board, has also brushed off any talk of investing in the national carrier. As the list of possible suitors for Air India narrows, perhaps the government needs to expand its view on foreign investors. Remember, India lifted restrictions on foreign airlines acquiring equity in Indian carriers in 2012 when it allowed up to 49 percent equity by foreign airlines. This prompted the Tatas to partner two entities and consequentially launch two separate airlines Vistara with Singapore Airlines and AirAsia India with AirAsia BhD from scratch in India. Also, Etihad Airways picked up 24 percent stake in Jet Airways. The restrictions were eased further last year and as of today, a foreign airline can pick up 100 percent in an Indian carrier, in association with a foreign investor. Qatar Airways has been circling India for a possible airline venture for sometime now. Coming to the possible Tata bid, are the Tatas really interested in once again becoming the owners of Air India? Tata Sons has maintained that it would not offer any comments on such speculation but has refrained from denying reports that the group was approached by the government last month for any interest in the disinvestment process of the national carrier. The person quoted above said since the government is still not clear on various aspects of the sale, there is no proposal from the Tatas as of now. They would need numbers, facts and an assessment of liabilities and assets. The government is yet to make up its mind on how much equity to divest, what to do about profitable subsidiaries and how to deal with the debt. No proposal will come till these vital issues are decided. Remember, the ministry of civil aviation wants the government to drop plans of a sale and instead revive Air India! The person quoted above also wondered if the Tatas were to actually buy Air India and turn it around, what stops the government from again nationalising it? This script is not new, nor is the fear of arbitrary government decisions. In 1953, a profitable Air India was nationalised because an airline was equated with national prestige and the government of the time did not want profits to continue flowing to private parties. Though J R D Tata was continued as the AI chairman even after nationalisation, he was abruptly removed in 1977. What if there is a repeat of this, if the Tatas were to turn the ailing Air India profitable in some years? Meanwhile, in its meeting yesterday, the Union Cabinet decided to constitute a Group of Ministers (GOM) to decide the modalities of disinvestment in Air India. Announcing this, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that he will head this GoM, which will comprise Civil Aviation Minister A Gajapathi Raju besides some other ministers. It is obvious from this statement that though Jaitley had announced the governments intent to disinvest Air India some months back and then followed it up with an informal proposal to Tata Sons to pick up stake in the airline, the entire disinvestment process is moving slowly. The three options on the table before the GoM are a 100 percent sell-off, a 74 percent stake sale or a 51 percent stake sale, The Hindu report said. This means in any scenario, the government will cease to be a majority owner of the airline. Another official close to developments had said earlier that it is possible to break up the airline into two distinct parts. One is the airline itself with aircraft and related assets. The second part comprises Air Indias subsidiaries and the real estate. This official had said that the sensible way to get maximum value in this disinvestment process would be to sell off just the airline to a prospective buyer. The government could then simultaneously dispose off the subsidiaries and real estate for a total consideration of close to Rs 20,000-21,000 crore. This official had said that the sale of standalone Air India can happen only if any prospective buyer agrees to bear about Rs 20,000 crore of aircraft loans and another Rs 6,000-7,000 crore of working capital loans. The current market value of aircraft is higher than the loans. And of the Rs 30,000 crore total working capital loans, the bidder may be asked to take on only Rs 6,000-7,000 crore. In return, the buyer gets a fleet of 43 owned aircraft, valuable domestic and international slots (for which buyers are usually willing to pay a premium), parking bays etc, this person said. But why should the government write off the remaining debt on Air Indias books? This person said the government may not need to write off any large amount, if the airline is broken up and subsidiaries sold separately. Air India has five subsidiaries: Air India Charters Ltd, Air India Transport Services Ltd (ground handling subsidiary), Air India EngineerinG Services Ltd (MRO subsidiary), Hotel Corporation of India and Alliance Air. New Delhi: With two days left for roll out of GST, the Finance Ministry has started notifying various provisions of law relating to interest calculation, input tax credit and valuation. Provisions in the Central GST Act (CGST), Integrated GST (IGST) Act and Union Territory GST Act and rules under them are being notified. These include those relating to tax invoice, credit and debit notes, accounts and records, returns, payment of tax, refund, assessment and audit, advance ruling. Also appeals and revisions, transitional provisions, anti-Profiteering and e-way rules have been notified which shall come into effect from 1 July. As per the notification, interest at 18 percent is to be paid for delayed payment of tax, 24 percent in case of excess claim of input credit or undue/excess reduction in output liability. With regard to IGST, provision prescribing refund of 50 percent of IGST on supplies to defence run CSD canteen has been notified. Also notified is those provisions relating to supplies of goods in respect of which no refund of unutilised input tax credit shall be allowed. The Ministry has also notified the composition levy and has barred manufacturers of ice cream, pan masala and tobacco from paying tax under the scheme. Under the composition scheme where the sales of businesses does not exceed Rs 75 lakh, manufacturers will have to pay 1 percent of turnover as GST, traders 2.5 percent and 0.5 percent of turnover in state in case of other suppliers. Besides, the Ministry has also notified 12 amendments to the CGST Rules. Among other things, the amendments provide for cancellation of registration of a business for violation of anti-profiteering rules. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be rolled out from 1 July and in the run up to the new indirect tax regime various provisions are being notified by the finance ministry. The crucial all-party meeting is going be held in the capital Srinagar today, to evaluate a political consensus for bringing Jammu and Kashmir, under the ambit of Goods and Service Tax regime, which will be rolled out in the country on 1 July. The meeting was held in Srinagar between National Conference and other Opposition parties and the state government. They had earlier circulated the draft of the Constitutional Amendment 101 which sets out the condition under which the state will come under the new tax regime following a hue and cry over the erosion of "fiscal autonomy of the Jammu and Kashmir". The National Conference had expressed concern over the extension of Constitutional Amendment 101 of the Constitution of India to Jammu and Kashmir. The state enjoyed special status under Article 370 and draws its taxation powers from its own constitution. The Opposition is seeking a clear draft of what the government will do. The government has said it will assure the concerns but pointed out that the actual drafting is the property of the house. The GST in the Jammu and Kashmir state will be a special GST not a separate GST, Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said in an interaction with journalists. He said there is going to be chaos for a few months because the new tax regime is a major policy disruption, that intends to change how business is transacted in India. The state government led by BJP-PDP had been struggling to build a consensus on the implementation of the law. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said that the law should be debated in the assembly and therefore there should be a broader consensus before implementing the law. However, the traders and the Opposition have been opposing the law saying that implementation of GST will have ramifications on the States fiscal autonomy and impinge upon the residuary powers enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir. But Drabu assured that there will be no erosion of the special status of the Jammu and Kashmir constitution. All states draw powers for taxing through Article 246 of the Indian Constitution but Jammu and Kashmir draws powers for taxing from Section 5 of the States constitution and we will not compromise on either, Drabu said. The perceptions that the fiscal autonomy of the state will be eroded or Article 370 would be impinged or compromised by implementing GST is not right, he said. Can we live as an isolated economy? We cant even get basic amenities of life like salt and edible oil, Drabu said, adding that the worst sufferers of not implementing GST will not be the government but the traders and the common masses, he said. National Conference leader and former finance minister of the state, Abdul Rahim Rather, said if the constitutional amendment made by Parliament is applied, then the central council on GST will have the power to make any changes in CGST and SGST. The implementation of GST will empower the Centre to levy tax on service in any state which is not the case without GST, Rather said. Kashmir is reeling under an unrest from last July and the state government has been apprehensive that the implementation of the law may create another turmoil leading to chaos on the streets. The way we have been dehumanised. Anything can spark off. It is in the interest of the society of J&K to build a political and legislative consensus over GST. Eventually, anything and everything is political in Kashmir, Drabu, said. After the first all-party community which was headed by senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig that was boycotted by the opposition, today's meeting will try to evolve a consensus to avoid further politicisation of the implementation of the GST. Shakeel Ahmad Qalander, an industrialist based in Kashmir, said the state government failed to educate the masses about the modified version of the GST law for the state, which has unnecessarily turned the financial exercise into a political issue. I think both sides talk almost in the same language on GST, it is politics that keeps the issue wide open and everyone seemed to be confused. There was a need to educate the people which the state government failed to do, Qalander. Mumbai: Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday said the railways has set up a group to study the impact of the soon-to-be-launched goods and services tax (GST) on its operations. "Inevitably all sectors will be affected (with the GST rollout). Not to say that the railways will be immune from this. We are studying the impact. In any case, it is the law of the land so we will adopt it. We have already set up a group to look into the implications of GST on all our operations," Prabhu told reporters on sidelines of IMC annual general meeting in Mumbai on Thursday evening. The immediate impact of GST will see a 50 bps increase in AC and First Class train fares to 5 percent from 1 July. But he was quick to add that in the long-run the new tax regime will be a great boost to overall growth which will help the economy clip at double-digits. On the impact of GST on the transport sector which will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the single taxation regime as border check-posts will be a thing of the past, he said this, in turn, should help the railways get better. Increased movement of goods will help create lots of ancillary activities around the transportation sector, he added. Hailing GST as a game-changer, he said the move would widen the tax to GDP ratio as it has the potential to add at least 2 percentage points to GDP going by the global experience. Prabhu urged the states to implement the new tax reform in the right spirit. "I hope all the states will now join hands to implement it in the right spirit and make it a great opportunity for faster economic growth that will help address social problems." New Delhi: Indias domestic aviation market leader has expressed an unsolicited interest in picking up equity in Air India. IndiGo has shown its interest despite there being no clear roadmap for the national carriers disinvestment till now. And the interest has come right after the government made an informal proposal to the Tatas to buy Air India. The Tatas, lacking information on Air Indias financials and the extent of disinvestment, are still waiting to throw their hat in the ring. Now that IndiGo has jumped the queue and expressed its interest, it is clear that the Tatas would have a competitive bid, as and when Air India invites bids for disinvestment and if the Tatas are still interested in it. An official close to developments said that IndiGo, already a domestic market leader with some international presence, is ideally placed to acquire Air India. It has a narrow body fleet and is soon going to acquire an ATR fleet. With Air India, not only will IndiGo get undisputed leadership in domestic operations at over 50 percent market share, it will also get the numero uno position in the international market where Air India is the biggest with about 17 percent market share. The only catch, this person said, was if IndiGo decides to keep the low cost and full service models entirely separate, as two individual entities. But how will it manage the multiplicity of fleet types? Remember, the IndiGo leadership has forever stressed upon the single fleet type of the airline when asked about its consistent low cost operations. An IndiGo spokesperson declined to comment. But global aviation consultancy CAPA said it was surprised with IndiGos unilateral expression of interest when the airline does not yet know the details and the deal structure. It said that given IndiGos unprecedented expansion plans and the fierce competitive environment in a structurally challenged industry, bidding for Air India will be a strategic mistake. IndiGos unrestricted cash position is in line with its liquidity requirements and wont be enough to bid for Air India, unless promoters dilute their own stake, which is unlikely. However, a new entity created for Air Indias bid, which potentially partners with a foreign airline and is legally and operationally separate from IndiGo, will make it a different case, CAPA said. So essentially, IndiGo will need to do two things to make an acquisition of Air India work: strictly keep the full service and low cost airlines separate and perhaps take a foreign airline as a partner in its bid for Air India. Will Qatar Airways, which has been keenly interested in partnering IndiGo, play ball? On its own, Qatar Airways has also been circling the Indian market trying to enter India now that 100 percent foreign owned airline is a possibility under the new FDI dispensation. IndiGo has been one of the most aggressive and successful players in the Indian aviation sector with an unbeaten track record of profitability. It has 430 Airbus A320 Neo aircraft on order from FY17, the highest among all Indian airlines. IndiGo is the only airline which has been consistently profitable in a market where almost every other airline has seem red ink splashed all over the balance sheet. The surprise expression of interest for Air India comes when India's domestic air passengers market grew 17.6 percent year on year to cross the 10 million mark in May; passenger growth has been in double-digits over the last 34 months. In this market, IndiGos passenger growth was 25.6 percent in May, far higher than industry growth. IndiGo is obviously betting on Air India in a bid to get certain monopoly, at least in the domestic market though it is still the market leader by a wide margin. Of late, though, IndiGo has been throwing up surprises. A few weeks back, it suddenly announced the decision to get ATR72 aircraft to participate in the governments ambitious regional connectivity scheme (UDAN) when all along, the airlines management has maintained that single fleet is its credo. Only IndiGo seems to have any capacity for this audacity though. CAPA said other domestic airlines (apart from IndiGo) dont have the balance sheet or the resources to bid for Air India. But what about the Tatas, the original owners of Air India with a deep emotional connect to the airline and who had earlier, twice tried to buy a stake in Air India? The source quoted above said that after the tentative exploring of interest by the government, the two sides have not met again. The Tatas seem to be clear that they will bid for Air India only after the government lays down some rules: Will it disinvest majority equity to a private partner or exit the airline fully; what is the fate of the airlines huge debt and how much is the government willing to write off; are foreign airlines barred for bidding for Air India. In one of its suggestions, CAPA has said government will have to take close to $9 billion or almost Rs 58,000 crore (at current exchange rate) haircut to make Air India attractive for prospective buyers. Will the government be willing to wrote off the entire debt on the airlines books? Post the balance sheet clearup (we) expect significant interest in Air India. We expect the government to ensure the disinvestment process is ring fenced from vested interests ( as it happened in 2002/03), foreign airlines are allowed to invest up to 49 percent and not barred. independent assessment on Air Indias assets and liabilities is carried out as this is critical to take decisions. Most importantly, the process to structure SPVs (special purpose vehicle) for transferring non-aircraft debts and assets shouldnt consume the final outcome, CAPA said. Mumbai: India's largest container port JNPT, operated by AP Moller-Maersk, and the global firm's two facilities in the country were affected by a ransomware attack, severely disrupting services. Apart from its terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Pipavav in Maharashtra and a port in Gujarat, two APM facilities in the country -- a container depot in Dadri and a container freight station -- were affected in the global malware attack. "The Pipavav terminal, ICD Dadri and CFS Nhava Sheva managed by the APM Group have also been affected by the cyber attack," JNPT said in a statement tonight. A high-level meeting was held on Wednesday between National Cyber Security Coordinator Gulshan Rai, who rushed to the city following the attack, Chief Commissioner Customs and Excise, JNPT Chairman and Inspector General-Cyber Maharashtra, according to the JNPT release. "The central IT infrastructure of AP Moller-Maersk (APM) installed at the Hague has been affected by a cyber attack on 27th/28th June 2017...the IT infrastructure of Terminal, installed, managed and operated at AP Moller-Maersk at JNPT also got affected due to cyber attack on their central IT infrastructure," the statement said. The IT team of AP Moller-Maersk together with the IT companies in the country are working to restore the systems and resume cargo operations, it said. However, restoration of their IT infrastructure is linked with restoration of their global IT systems, it added. Apart from making additional parking space available to avoid congestion and clogging of cargo, JNPT and DP World are also extending berthing to vessels bound for APM's terminal, it said. The impacted terminal handles 4,500 containers per day on both export and import front. The JNPT port, which consists of three terminals, has a capacity to handle 4.5 million standard container units, and GTI Terminal has a 1.8 million TEU capacity. TEU is short for twenty foot equivalent unit and measures the capacity of a container ship and terminal. The firms that have been hit by the attack, which comes within a month of 'WannaCry' malware, include Russia's biggest oil company Rosneft, global advertising giant WPP Group and multiple institutions in Ukraine, including its central bank and an international airport. Earlier on Wednesday, JNPT, India's largest container port, asked the operator AP Moller-Maersk to divert traffic of its terminal hit by the ransomware attack to other two units after operations slowed. "There is a slowdown in operations at the GTI Terminal and we have to reduce the impact on the Exim trade. So, we have asked them to divert traffic to the other two terminals," a senior port official had told PTI. "Right now, we understand that it is a global issue at a group level where 75 ports have been affected. This is being addressed by the company and we do not know how long it would take to resolve the issue," the official said. APM confirmed that it has been partially impacted. "AP Moller-Maersk was hit as part of a global cyber attack affecting multiple sites and business units. There has been a partial impact at APM Terminals (Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd). We are responding to the situation to limit the impact and uphold operations," a spokesperson said in a statement. In a Facebook post, Maersk Line also confirmed that APM Terminals has been impacted at a number of ports. US-based fast food chain McDonald's has decided to shut down 43 out of 55 restaurants in Delhi. This move by the US company will likely render over 1,700 employees jobless, The Economic Times report said. The move to shutdown the restaurants, which operates under Connaught Plaza Restaurants (CPRL), comes as relation between the two joint venture partners -- Vikram Bakshi and McDonald's, soured. CPRL has the licence to operate in north and east India, while Westlife DevelopmentBSE, through subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants (HRPL), owns the master rights for the west and south India operations of McDonald's and runs 242 restaurants. However, McDonald's has said that licences of number of its restaurants operating in Delhi have expired, a PTI report says. "It's unfortunate, but operation of 43 restaurants operated by CPRL has been temporarily suspended," the ET report said quoting Vikram Bakshi, former managing director of CPRL, which operates 168 restaurants. The report further says that CRPL did not get the requisite regulatory health licences because of the persisting squabble between Bakshi and McDonald's. With the lingering conflict between the two warring parties, CPRL's revenue growth declined to 6 percent in FY15 from 29 percent in 2010-11 after investments stagnated. In 2014-15, CPRL's revenue stood at Rs 645 crore compared to Rs 609 crore in the previous year, a Business Standard report said. The restaurants also failed to maintain hygiene and store-level efficiency and that became a major headache since 2014. Indecisiveness between the warring partners also hampered the day-to-day operations, the BS report added. In fact, the number of new stores opened in 2012 was 27, which came down to meagre 3 in 2015. Meanwhile, the Company Law Board is yet to pronounce its verdict in a case where Bakshi was removed from the post of managing director of CPRL in August 2013. McDonald's has been pursuing arbitration against Bakshi in the London Court of International Arbitration, the ET report said. Experts fear the closure of restaurants in Delhi will further hurt the prospects of McDonald's which has seen its performance sliding in India, with pizza brand Domino's replacing the company from its number one position. Salman Khan's Tubelight might not have worked its magic at the box-office. However, that is not stopping the actor from taking up the projects that are coming his way. Firstpost had earlier reported on Khan and Remo D'Souza's upcoming collaboration. There were reports of the actor pairing up with Ali Abbas Zafar and Atul Agnihotri for another film tentatively titled Bharat. Now, it is time for Dabangg fans to rejoice, as in a recent interview with DNA, Khan confirmed that Dabangg 3 will go on the floors soon. Khan also revealed some exclusive details about his schedule. He will start shooting for D'Souza's dance film first and then move on to Bharat. Bharat will be shot in parts, and the actor will kick off Dabangg 3 in between those gaps. Therefore, in the coming year Khan will be seen working on more than one film at a time. Much has been speculated about Dabangg 3 and its plot. Khan put all speculations to rest by confirming that the film will go back and forth in time. There will be a flashback and Chulbul Pandey's story will get more context. However, the flashback will be a small but substantial part of the film. The primary character's past will take centrestage at some point, but eventually, his present life will become the focus of the film. Arbaaz Khan will not be directing this installment of the Dabangg franchise. He will only produce it, as per the same DNA report. The run up to the release of Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif-starrer Jagga Jasoos has been marked by an increase in the intrigue surrounding the film. Several details about the film have been revealed, such as Ranbir's role as a detective in search of his missing father, Katrina's role as a journalist and a possible sequel, which may involve Jagga's grandchildren. Now, the trailer of the film has been released, and in it Ranbir almost seems suicidal, as he casually jumps off a Ferris Wheel. His character also has a stammer, and he says that he prefers singing rather than talking to overcome the challenge it poses for him. The sense of adventure in the film is apparent, as the lead actors whiz through streets in several chase sequences. But the most important takeaway from the trailer is Jagga's intuition about his father at first, he says that he did not commit suicide but rather was murdered. Later, he says that his father is still alive. Visually speaking, the warm tones of the trailer will remind you of Anurag Basu and Ranbir Kapoor's first collaboration Barfi! which released in 2012. Jagga Jasoos also stars Sayani Gupta, Saswata Chatterjee, Saurabh Shukla and Karan Wahi. It marks Ranbir's debut as a producer, and he is joined by Disney India and Anurag Basu's Ishana Movies in this capacity. It also marks the first collaboration between Katrina and Anurag. Three of the 29 songs in the film have been released. Pritam, Arijit Singh and Amitabh Bhattacharya's musical and lyrical prowess shows in 'Jhumritalaiyya', which explores the relationship between Ranbir and Katrina's characters, 'Ullu Ka Pattha' has a mix of simple music and EDM and 'Galti Se Mistake', which is about Ranbir's character's school days. Ranbir called the adventure comedy musical a family entertainer that children will enjoy. But he added that he does not wish to pursue producing as a full-time job, as it is not his cup of tea. The film is slated to release on 14 July, much to the relief of fans, who may have been undoubtedly disappointed when the release date of the film kept getting pushed. Watch the trailer here: The moving trailer of Tigmanshu Dhulia's upcoming film Raag Desh, which he mentioned is to honour the heroes of the Independence struggle, was released in Parliament on 29 June. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the trailer gives viewers glimpses into the gruesome conditions in which soldiers had to fight, their camaraderie and the testimonies they provided to the courts. The film centers on the Red Fort trials of three officers from the Indian National Army (INA), which changed the course of India's freedom struggle. The officers, Colonel Prem Sehgal, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, and Major General Shah Nawaz Khan are played by Mohit Marwah, Amit Sadh and Kunal Kapoor respectively. After being prisoners of war in South East Asian countries, they were captured and imprisoned in the Red Fort. Speaking about the content of the film, Dhulia said, "The Red Fort trial is one of the most interesting and relevant parts of our Independence history. And Raag Desh is about that fascinating case." In another interview to Hindustan Times, the director said, "Its a film about real life heroes, who fought an armed war against the mighty British government. Raag Desh captures the valour, the camaraderie and the heroic struggles of young men who fought and lost the battle, but won the war of independence for India. It is a one of the most passionate films I have done because I really feel that the nation and the young generation must know about sacrifices of people achieve Indias independence. Its a film which will certainly make every Indian proud of their legacy." Slated to release on 28 July, Raag Desh is being presented by Rajya Sabha TV and produced by Gurdeep Singh Sappal. Watch the trailer here: Another senseless hate crime was committed in the name of religion recently, in a country that prides itself as being a secular nation. Hafiz Junaid (17) was stabbed to death while his brothers Hashim and Sakir were injured by a mob which also allegedly hurled slurs against them on-board the Delhi-Mathura passenger train between Ballabgarh and Mathura stations on Thursday night. People watched and even encouraged the mob who proceeded to repeatedly stab Hafiz Junaid with a knife, all the while branding him "anti-national." His crime was that the food packet that he was carrying allegedly contained beef in it. The bleeding youth was then dumped in Asaoti village in Faridabad district by the perpetrators. The brothers had been returning home after doing their Eid shopping from Delhi. Protest marches against the crime called 'Not In My Name' are being held all across the country starting from Carter Road in Mumbai, to Jantar Mantar in Delhi all the way over to Kolkata amongst various other states pan-India. Transcending national borders, protest marches are even being held in Boston and London. Bollywood actress Renuka Shahane is another such protestor having been considerably shaken up by the senseless lynching. The actress took to Facebook to voice her thoughts over the crime in an emotional post where she shared that her elder son will turn 16 next year. She talked about how she did not want the 'blood of innocents' on her hands. Detailing how she has participated in various protests over the years against other crimes that have happened in the past, the actress put forth her impassioned thoughts on the subject. She also reminded us to 'respect' and 'protect' the tenets of the Constitution of India. Here is her Facebook post that went viral soon after it was shared. (With inputs from PTI) Gurinder Chadha, best known for directing Bend It Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice, has an upcoming project titled Partition: 1947. This film, which has been alternatively titled Viceroy House, focuses on the events in the final pre-Independence days when Lord Mountbatten was in office. The trailer of the film gives us glimpses of Lord Mountbatten's swearing in, his conversations with imminent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the romance between two Indians who work closely with the British, and the building tensions in India as the slogan "Hindustan-Pakistan" is repeated. Speaking at the launch of the trailer, Gurinder Chadha said, "We were always taught that Partition was because of infighting. But my research shows that it was a calculated political move... I had access to top secret documents in the British library. Their agenda behind the Partition was to eliminate India as a formidable rival to their global supremacy. I am sad that India only thought of itself rather than imagined itself as a global superpower." "Huma auditioned for the role. She was as feisty as Parminder Nagra, the lead actor of Bend It like Beckham," added Chadha. Huma Qureshi also mentioned that her family was one of the many who were forced to migrate during Partition. "Women hold a strong place in Gurinder's films. So I am glad that I was chosen," said Qureshi. This film will see late veteran actor Om Puri in the role of a blind man. Apart from Qureshi and Puri, the film also stars Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville as Lord Mountbatten, Gillian Anderson as his wife, and Manish Dayal. Speaking about how the film has two titles, Chadha said, "I identify myself both as a British and Indian. So it will release in UK as Viceroy's House and we went ahead with Partion: 1947, which was the working title for the Indian audience." When audiences at the Berlin Film Fest watched the film, they felt that it was very contemporary, as it addressed the issue of how politicians divide us, said Chadha. "Trump and Brexit had not happened when we started making the film. So though it is set in India, it is a global film," she explained. Commenting on Fatima Bhutto's allegation that her film depicts history in a skewed manner, the director said, "She is speaking from a privileged Pakistani position. I understand that she is coming from a position of anger, as young countries find it tough to grow in the competitive world. But the British Pakistanis loved the film and told me they did not know their history." Will the film bear resemblance to other films about the subject? Chadha says that it won't be like Ben Kingsley's Gandhi, because it it addresses an alternate historical account of the Partition. This directorial venture, a historical drama, is vastly different from her previous films, which were light-hearted and focused on the culture of the Indian diaspora. Partition: 1947 releases on 18 August. Watch the trailer here: New Delhi: The CBI has taken over the probe into Rs 500 crore cash-for-click scam allegedly run by Ghaziabad-based Webwork Trade Links which duped lakhs of investors. Actors Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who endorsed its portal Addsbook.com, are also named in the complaint but neither the CBI nor the Uttar Pradesh Police, which was probing the case earlier, named them as accused in the FIR. The CBI sources said a clarification could be sought from the actors. Emails sent to offices of the actors seeking their comments were not responded to. Promoters of Webwork Trade Links, Anurag Jain and Sandesh Verma, duped people using the two actors as brand ambassadors of his shadow firm addsbook.com, alleged the complaint filed by Amit Jain, one of those duped. According to the complaint, which is now part of the FIR, the company opened a shadow company Addsbook Marketing Pvt Ltd with the brand ambassadors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shah Rukh Khan and started ads on a noted TV news channel. "People have invested heavily as they were influenced by both celebrities," it alleged. Jain and Verma allegedly took money from people by luring them with lucrative payments for every click on advertisements on their website, the complaint said. According to the Uttar Pradesh Police, which was probing the matter, Garg and Sudesh offered membership to more than four lakh people in four months for the click and earn plan. The complainant alleged that the company collected Rs 1.72 lakh from him to join the scheme where people were supposed to get paid for clicks for advertisements for one year. But after some time the websites stopped functioning and the company also refused to respond to their calls. When the complainant visited the office of the company, he was allegedly threatened. It is also alleged that company started forcing people to start bitcoin accounts. Bitcoin is a kind of virual currency. It is alleged that they collected over Rs 500 crore from around two lakh people, the police had said. The CBI, on directives of the Allahabad High Court, has taken over investigation in the matter and re-registered the FIR against Jain and Verma for alleged cheating and violation of the Information Technology Act. Whenever the CBI takes over the investigation from a state police, it re-registers the same FIR which was filed by the state police. The final report in the case may be completely different. Last Friday saw a mega clash at the box-office with the release of Salman Khan's Tubelight and Allu Arjun's Duvvada Jagannadham. For some, these films became a part of their Eid revelry. With another weekend coming our way, it is time to put these two films behind us and look forward to fresh releases this Friday. Here's a guide to all the film's releasing this Friday and what to expect from them: Film: Transformers: The Last Knight What it's about: The Transformers franchise is taking it up a notch with their fifth film from the Transformers series. The human race is again at loggerheads with the Transformers and Optimus Prime is gone. The Last Knight takes us back to the origins of Autotbots. Who's in it: The upcoming film stars Mark Wahlberg, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Hopkins, Laura Haddock, Jerrod Carmichael, Isabela Moner among others. What may work for it: The director of the film Michael Bay had revealed in a letter to his fans in February 2017 that the film will see a unique alliance between Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); Bumblebee; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock). If you're a die-hard fan, Bay's fascination with robots and explosions might work for you. Film: The Big Sick What it's about: The film is based on Pakistani-American comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani's life. He and his writer wife, Emily V. Gordon, have co-written it. Gordon also features in the film. The film traces their relationship and cultural differences. Who's in it: The cast is one of the most diverse ones that Hollywood has seen in a long time: Kumail Nanjiani, Shehnaz Treasury, Holly Hunter, Zoe Kazan, Anupam Kher, Adeel Akhtar, Zenobia Shroff, Kurt Braunohler, Bo Burnham, and Aidy Bryant. What may work for it: Since the film is touted to be a rib-tickler, it will be interesting to see how a Pakistani-born man brings the issues Muslims face in America to the screen, in a comical way. The film looks like a refreshing take on cultural differences and how people deal with it in the real world. Also, Hollywood's representation of Asians has been a little muddled lately. That might change a little with this flick. With some spectacular Indian actors like Kher and Treasury and a subject like this, the film might hit close to home for some. Film: Baby Driver What it's about: The film is about Baby (Ansel Elgort), a getaway driver who is pressuirised into working for a crew of bank robbers in Atlanta, in a bid to live a more comfortable life. Who's in it: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Bernthal, Eiza Gonzalez, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. What may work for it: Baby Driver seems like an out and out entertainer, making use of a brilliant soundtrack and swanky chasing sequences, all weaved into an intricate masterpiece. The sound plays a huge part in bringing the whole experience alive. The action-packed robberies and the audio accompanying it could make this film a well thought-out venture. Film: Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum What it's about: The film is about a small-time thief and a shopkeeper who get caught up in a crime. The two are constantly troubled by the police, who are in search of proof. Who's in it: Fahadh Faasil, Alancier, Soubin Shahir, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Nimisha Sajayan What may work for it: The stellar combination of National Award-winning director Dileesh Pothan and Malayalam star Faasil could be enough of a reason for a film-buff to watch it on the day of its release. Apart from their partnership, Rajeev Ravi's cinematography and Suraj Venjaramoodu's impeccable acting skills are more reasons for anyone to look forward to the film. Film: Oru Cinemakkaran What it's about: The film is about an assistant filmmaker who struggles to find economic stability in an industry that's known for being unpredictable and twisted. The protagonist finds himself in troubled waters after making a hurried decision, while being caught up in financial constraints. Who's in it: Vineeth Sreenivasan, Rajisha Vijayan What may work for it: The film might look like a simple, unpretentious story of a struggling filmmaker at first. However, not taking the film at face value might leave you on the edge of your seat. The film has the potential to turn into a full-blown thriller with a twist in the second-half. Coupled with Vijayan and Sreenivasan's spontaneity, the twist could take the film to a whole new level. Kota (Rajasthan): A 16-year-old girl, who had gone to defecate in a field, was allegedly raped and murdered in a village in Rajasthan's Baran district, police said on Thursday. The victim's father in his complaint said his daughter was found naked and seriously injured by villagers behind a power-house near his house on Tuesday night, SHO at Narghgarh Police Station, Mukesh Meena, said. The officer said she was rushed by locals to a government hospital where doctors declared her brought dead. "The complaint was lodged yesterday (Wednesday) and after post-mortem the body was handed over to the family," the SHO said. "The father has claimed that a youth was seen standing near the body. But he fled the spot after seeing people approaching him," Meena said. The complainant said his daughter had gone to defecate at a nearby field at around 11 pm on Tuesday when the youth caught hold of her and then raped her, the officer said. The accused, who is absconding, has been booked under relevant sections of the IPC, including rape and murder, and provision of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, the SHO said. The matter is being investigated, he said. Mumbai: Convicted smuggler and mafia operative Mustafa Ahmed Dossa, who died following a heart attack here was buried at the Bada Kabrastan in Charni Road early on Thursday. The funeral was attended by around 200 persons, mostly family members, friends and a large posse of police personnel. One son based in Dubai, Shahnawaz, also arrived for the last rites. Dossa was pronounced guilty by a Special TADA Court on 16 June for his role in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and died on Wednesday shortly before his expected sentencing. He was admitted to hospital early on Wednesday for hypertension, heart and diabetes-related issues. Dossa passed away under treatment around 2.35 pm, TP Lahane, Dean, Sir J J Hospital, announced. Dossa, alias Mustafa Majnu, who was in his mid-50s, is survived by his brother, Mohammed Dossa, who is a co-accused in the same case and on the run, his second wife and five children. He was charged with and found guilty of landing three tonnes of the deadly RDX and AK-56 army assault rifles on Maharashtra's Raigad coast weeks before the 1993 blasts, and was part of the conspiracy meetings held in Dubai in the homes of absconder mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and his brother Mohammed Dossa. Among those present at those meetings between December 1992-January 1993 were the blasts mastermind Dawood and Tiger Memon who implemented the plans. Hailing from Agripada in south Mumbai, Dossa mostly lived as a "colourful" and dapper businessman in Dubai, but in early 2003, he was arrested in a local case and was to be deported from the UAE. He decided to come to India and was arrested on 20 March that year after he landed at the New Delhi Airport. On 16 June, nearly 24 years after the blasts rocked Mumbai, Special TADA Court Judge GA Sanap found him and five others guilty in the case. Since the past few days, the arguments for the sentencing were underway before the Special Judge. On Tuesday, 27 June, Special Public Prosecutor Deepak Salve fired his salvo by seeking "the death penalty for Dossa", contending his (Dossa's) role in the blasts was even more serious than the hanged convict, Yakub Memon. According to sources, Dossa was reputed for maintaining a grand lifestyle in jails, getting home-cooked food, regular family visitors, and even an attendant to care for his needs who reportedly waited outside the jail round-the-clock. The sources said that he had a soft corner for the Muslim inmates in prison and even organised 'iftaars' for them (breaking the fast) during Ramadan months, making him a popular figure. Dossa's trial was held along with Abu Salem who was deported from Portugal in 2005, Mohammed Tahir Merchant alias Tahil Takla, Karimullah Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui and Feroze Abdul Rashid Khan (all found guilty), while another accused, Abdul Qayyum, was acquitted from the case. Jammu: Amid tight security, a total of 2,481 pilgrims left Jammu to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra that begins on Thursday. Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra will attend the official launch of the yatra. The pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in 66 vehicles. An official said while 1,616 pilgrims were bound for the Pahalgam route, 865 were bound for the Baltal route. The journey would officially begin with the arrival of the 'Chahri Mubarak' (Lord Shiva's mace) and traditional prayers inside the cave shrine. Vohra, who is the chairman of the Amarnath Shrine Board, was scheduled to attend the traditional puja at the cave on Thursday. The shrine board manages the affairs of the festival. An unprecedented security arrangement has been put in place for this year's yatra based on the threat perception. Satellite tracking system, drones, mobile bunker vehicles and road opening parties (ROPs) along the route from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal are some of the security measures put in place. The Centre has provided an additional 40,000 paramilitary forces to assist the state government for peaceful conduct of the yatra. The army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the state police are providing multi-layered security to the pilgrims. Heavily fortified security force camps have been established both at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps. It takes a pilgrim just one day to return back to the Baltal base camp after the 'darshan'. However, it takes four days for the one-way passage from Pahalgam to the cave shrine. The distance from Baltal to the cave is 14 km while that from Pahalgam to the shrine is 46 km. The cave houses an ice stalagmite structure believed to symbolise the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. The structure waxes and wanes with the size of the visible moon. The 40-day long yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir's Anantnag district would end on 7 August, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. Srinagar: It is 5 pm in Anantnag town, some 80 km away towards the south from capital Srinagar. The situation is deceptively serene with normal vehicular movement and busy markets. There is no evidence of protests or stone pelting, which happened here just two days before after Eid prayers and the 16 June killing of six policemen in Achhabal, less than 10 km away. The lush green paddy fields on both sides of the meandering Khannabal-Pahalgam road give no indication of a year-long unrest in south Kashmir, apart from the hundreds and thousands of security forces guarding on both the sides of the road. The security deployment is for the annual Amarnath Yatra which commenced on 28 June. Just a few days away from the first death anniversary of Burhan Wani on 8 July, the security situation in the Valley is fragile with a surge in militant attacks and protests. South Kashmir has witnessed the deadliest attacks in recent years on the security forces exacerbated by the incident where local boys, demanding 'freedom' have pelted stones on the paramilitary forces. Incidents like these indicate the potential vulnerability of a spontaneous violence that has occurred from time to time since last year after Wanis killing. The Amarnath Yatra via Pahalgam in south Kashmir is the shorter route as against from Baltal via Sonmarg in Gandarbal district. However, for both routes, pilgrims have to travel through south Kashmir, which is simmering with anger against India and the security forces. One of the pilgrims, Pankaj Mehta who has come for the first time for Amarnath Yatra while talking to Firstpost said, Firstly we were reluctant to come but the government has assured the safety and it is also seen on the ground that there are adequate security arrangements. Many locals from Anantnag district who earn their livelihood from Amarnath Yatra by providing facilities like ponies and horses, palanquins or guiding are reluctant to go this year fearing militant attacks. Reyaz Ahmad, a local from Anantnag who ekes out most of his living from the yatra, while talking to Firstpost said, "This year situation is not favourable. My family is worried so I will have to reconsider going to Amarnath. I may have to give it a miss." The call for a shutdown by Syed Salahuddin, who heads the UJC, an umbrella of militant organisations and who was designated as a global terrorist by the US just two days back, has set a new challenge for the security establishment. Salahuddin, has asked people on both sides of the Line of Control to observe the Hafta-e-Shuhuda (martyrs week) beginning 7 July. Apart from asking people to observe the shutdown on Wanis first death anniversary, he has called for a shutdown to pay the tributes to 22 Kashmiris who were killed while they were protesting against the autocratic regime of Maharaja Hari Singh, outside the Srinagar Central Jail on 13 July 1931. "To pay tributes to Burhan Wani and the 1931 martyrs, there would be state-wide shutdown on 8 and 13 July. Also, public gatherings would be held, especially in Tral township, to pay homage to Wani," he has said in a video message. Amid all the chaos, Pahalgam is all set to host the Yatra, the first batch of pilgrims has already reached the base camps of Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal in Sonmarg safely. There are locals who have established stalls around the base camp Nunwan to provide services to these devotees. And pilgrims seem to be happy with them. I have not seen much yet, but I can tell you, even for a while we had good bonding with locals here, Mehta said. The security situation which spiraled out of control after Wanis killing last year had affected not only the Amarnath Yatra but also the overall tourism sector of the Valley. In 2015, 3.72 lakh pilgrims had performed darshan at the holy cave of Amarnath, as compared to last years 2.20 lakh. This year Pahalgam has received lesser number of tourists. An hotelier speaking to Firstpost said, We had just 20 percent of occupancy in our hotel this year and I believe most of the hotels have this much as the highest. This year situation is totally different in Pahalgam. People fear to roam around as there is a high security deployment all around." The government has taken no chances and has deployed a heavy security cover with 35,000 to 40,000 troops including police, the army, BSF and CRPF for the safe passage of pilgrims. Munir Ahmad Khan, IGP Kashmir also held a security review meeting with all the stakeholders and emphasised on co-ordination between all service providers and security agencies. In the past, there have been no major incidents of violence against the outsiders in the Valley especially against the Amarnath pilgrims. People believe that Kashmir has a history of warm hospitality. However, they also fear any untoward incident. I think there is nothing to worry about and yatra shall go smoothly. But one cant ignore fringe elements, so the state should ensure proper security. This time security personnel must be instructed to be people-friendly so as to avoid any untoward incident, Javid Ahmad from Anantnag told Firstpost. Speaking of the threat perception for the Amarnath Yatra, a senior intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Firstpost, Amarnath Yatra in the past has been held mostly peacefully, but this time with heightened anti-India feelings and increased radicalisation in the Valley, we are taking no chances. Even a one-off, isolated incident can spark tensions in this surcharged environment. We are also monitoring social media since it has been misused in mobilisation and for fuelling unrest. With the first batch of pilgrims beginning its arduous journey to the holy cave, all those involved in the organisation and security of the Yatra are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that this years affair turns out to be peaceful, which may bring some calm to the frayed nerves of the Valley. With the threat of possible terror attack looming over, the 40-day-long Amarnath Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir's Anantnag district began on Thursday amid tight security. A total of 2,481 pilgrims have left Jammu to undertake the annual pilgrimage, with the central government providing 40,000 paramilitary forces to assist the state government for peaceful conduct of the yatra. The government has put in place an unprecedented security arrangement for this year's yatra, considering the current law and order scenario in the region. The BSF has deployed over 2,000 troops for the yatra while the army has provided five battalions (about 5,000 personnel). An additional 54 companies (5,400 personnel) of the police have also been mobilised, reported PTI. The "highest-ever multi-tier security setup" includes satellite tracking system, bullet-proof bunkers, dog squads, mobile bunker vehicles and road opening parties (ROPs) along the route from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal. To help security forces conduct surveillance of the pilgrimage route in a better way, for the first time ever, drones and helicopters will also be used this year, a report in The Times of India said. Intelligence reports had earlier said that militants were planning to target policemen and pilgrims. "Intelligence input received from SSP Anantnag reveals that terrorists have been directed to eliminate 100 to 150 pilgrims and about 100 police officers and officials," IANS had quoted IGP Kashmir Zone Muneer Khan as saying. According to an Asian Age report, Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani has assured a peaceful pilgrimage, saying that the Amarnath pilgrims were most welcome in Kashmir. The separatist leader has dismissed reports of threat over Amarnath Yatra, terming it as 'imaginary', adds the report. Quick Action teams comprising Army, BSF and CRPF will be guarding the pilgrimage route with closed circuit cameras installed along the way, reported NDTV. In case of emergency, the government has established a 10-bed hospital at Nunwan and a 20-bed hospital at Chandanwari, adds the report. Oxygen cylinders, ECG machines, defibrillators, oxygen concentrators, CPR machines, X-ray machines, ventilators, resuscitation sets have been installed and all required medicines are available in the hospitals. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has said that as many as 2,12,000 devotees have secured advance registration to be part of Amarnath Yatra. This year, the yatra will be eight days shorter than last year's and will conclude on 7 August. New Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will visit Sikkim on Thursday in the backdrop of a standoff between Indian troops and Chinese army along the India-China border in the sensitive sector which is threatening to further strain the bilateral ties. The Army chief will take stock of the operational matters and interact with top commanders in the formation headquarters of the force in the border state. General Rawat's visit to Sikkim comes amid mounting tension between the two armies along the border in Sikkim following a scuffle between Indian troops and the personnel of China's People's Liberation Army in a remote area earlier this month. The genesis of the latest face-off is understood to have had a link to Donglang, a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. Official sources described General Rawat's visit as routine. During the two-day-long visit, General Rawat will travel to a number of other formation headquarters in the Northeast and review various operational matters in the region -- a strategically key region having most of the 3,488-km-long-border with China. Of the India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-kilometres section falls in Sikkim. China has accused Indian troops of "crossing the boundary" in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal, while asserting that it has shut down the Nathu La pass entry for Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar because of the border standoff. China also said that it has lodged diplomatic protests with India, both in New Delhi and Beijing, alleging that the Indian troops trespassed into Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector. The Indian Army has not commented on the face-off. Chinese defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said on Monday that recently China has begun the construction of a road in Donglang region, but was stopped by Indian troops crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Mumbai: Discounting the efficacy of loan waiver as a permanent solution to farmers' woes, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has dubbed the measure as "quite right" only for providing a quick and urgent relief to them. Bhagwat said the need of the hour was to streamline the entire agriculture sector so that it would become profitable in the long-term. Bhagwat's statement discounting the efficacy of loan waiver as a permanent solution to farmers' woes, however, prompted Congress to latch on his remarks and slam the BJP and its ideological mentor, saying they are "anti-farmer." "The loan waiver is quite right for their (farmers') relief, but it is not a permanent solution. They (farmers) should get crops in sync with their labour and they should also get rightful returns (on agri produce)," Bhagwat said. He was speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) on Monday night, which was attended by businessmen and industrialists. "The need of the hour is to streamline the entire agriculture sector so that it could be turned into a profitable proposition in the long-term. In this process, the business class should extend their support to them (farmers) and help them avail of the benefits of technology and research," the Sangh chief said. He also said the country was "lagging behind" in utilisation of technology and research in the fields of agriculture and industry. "Our country desperately needs technology and research to advance productivity in the fields of industry, trade and agriculture. But unfortunately, we are lagging behind too much in utilisation of technology and research in these fields," he said. Bhagwat's remarks came on the heels of the BJP-led Maharashtra government announcing a mega loan waiver to the tune of Rs 34,022 crore, days after farmers held protests in various parts of the state. When asked to comment on Bhagwat's statement, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Ashok Chavan on Tuesday said, "Once again, the BJP and the RSS have shown that they are anti-farmer and will continue to be so. They (the state government) took the (loan waiver) decision because they were under tremendous pressure." Guwahati: The Assam government on Thursday advocated the setting up of a North East police force for better coordination in managing terrorism and crime in the North East. The joint force has also been proposed for a better security mechanism at inter-state borders for reducing crimes like arms and drugs trafficking and insurgent movements. Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said this while speaking at the 24th two-day annual conference of the DGPs and IGPs of the North East, which got underway at the Assam Administrative Staff College on Thursday. Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the two-day conference and said "a concerted effort to fight terrorism and crimes in North East is the need of the hour through a joint mechanism". "In a region like North East inhabited by diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious groups, it is the police force which provide a sense of confidence to the people and allay their fears over security," Sonowal said, addressing the conference. The Assam chief minister also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special emphasis to improve the security scenario in the North East while making an all-out effort to promote all-round development in the region. Sonowal said the national level DGPs/IGPs conference was held in Guwahati in 2014, for the first time outside Delhi, and this indicated the central government's commitment to improve the region's security scenario. He also said the Assam government is initiating measures to build a smart police force as advocated by Modi for enabling efficient law and order management with the help of technology and to meet modern day challenges. Sonowal reiterated that a secure environment is the prerequisite to usher in rapid development. "Conferences like these help in creating better synergy between the police forces of all states and different security agencies which would help in formulating effective plan for security preparedness and modern technology must be utilised for better policing," the chief minister added. Bhutan, for the first time has taken a major stand against China's incursions and said the area where the Chinese were building a road is a disputed one and progressing towards Zom Pelri, a camp of the Royal Bhutan Army. "We have asked them (China) to stop and refrain from changing the status quo, Major General Vetsop Namgyel told The Hindu on Wednesday, adding that the road that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is constructing not in line with agreements between China and Bhutan. The Bhutan-China border talks are based on the guiding principles agreed to in 1998 by the two countries and the agreement on the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the Bhutan-China areas. Border talks has strategic implications for Indias security and Delhis own negotiations with China probably needed to be synchronized' with Thimphu. While authorities and media in Bhutan shun from speaking about the escalations between the two countries in recent years, Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat took off to Gangtok to take stock of operational matters and interact with top commanders in the formation headquarters. However, a senior Bhutanese journalist under anonymity told Firstpost that Bhutan should be on the forefront and be proactive in discussing the border issue. "Doklum is a disputed area between Bhutan and China. The Chinese have violated the peace agreement many times in the past as well," he said. China has a history of incursions Bhutanese secretary for international boundaries, late Dasho Pema Wangchuk, had told the Bhutanese parliament that Chinese soldiers had intruded into Bhutanese territory as many as seventeen times in 2009 alone. China started road construction work from the Lang Marpo stream (falls in the disputed area) towards Zuri ridge in 2004, but later stopped it after the Bhutanese government protested five times and asked China to stop construction on the basis of the 1998 agreement on the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the Bhutan-China border. Wangchuk had often said that Bhutan has not been able to successfully demarcate the northern border with China because of the differences of views and positions of the boundary between Bhutan and China. Is Bhutan caught between India and China While China has been successful in warming up to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, the Wednesday candid message from Namgyel should serve as a disclaimer from the happiness capital. Further, India's assertion has definitely upset the Chinese as they plan to push back against, what they see as a line having been crossed, a senior Indian official told Indian Express. Although India has had a long presence along the Bhutan-China borders, it had never acted in defence of Bhutan's interest, the article added. Bhutan's stand against Beijing, on the other hand, goes on to show the country's unwavering alliance and support for big brother India. PTI reports on Monday cited China accusing Indian troops of trespassing, and threatened to block Nathu La pass, a route used by Indian pilgrims to go to Hindu sites in Tibet and Bhutan. India on the other hand accused China of destroying its bunkers on their side. Talking to Hindustan Times, the director of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, Hu Shisheng rightly brought up the Bhutan angle as a key to the recent India-China logjam. "Dong Lang La is a major issue between China and Bhutan and not between China and India, why has it become an issue between India and China?" The Hindu quoted him. Visual details emerged on Youtube video shortly showing the Chinese and Indian troops jostling in Dong Lang La region of the Chumbi Valley, where Indian troops are seen forming a human wall along the international border trying to stop the Chinese army advancing into the Indian territory. During a meet in November 2016, Bhutans national daily, Kuensel reported the then home minister Damchoe Dorji conveyed the government is working to reduce differences in claims as far as possible. Even an inch of land is precious land for a small country like Bhutan, Dorji had said. Besides, the growing concern about the loss of grazing land for people living across the borders has also been an issue for highlanders in Bhutan. Bhutan has also spoken of strengthening its relations with China, but it does not look likely with the recent turn of events. Bhutan has been a loyal neighbour to India for several years as New Delhi has been providing various types of assistance to the Himalayan Kingdom, the majority of which includes building roads. Landlocked Bhutan is heavily reliant on imports from India, be it basic necessities to consumer goods as well as Liquid Petroleum Gas. As for India, Chinas advances in the Doklam area is a strategic threat to the Siliguri corridor, a narrow stretch of land (known as chicken's neck) that connects India's northeastern states to the rest of India. As a country located between China and India, Bhutan serves as a buffer and is of critical strategic importance to the Siliguri corridor. China's reactions China has always despised Indias monopoly over Bhutans foreign affairs. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a daily conference on Tuesday that the Chinese government has made great efforts to offer convenience for Indian pilgrims and claimed Indian frontier officers entered into China's sovereign territory through the Sikkim section of the India-China border, whereby it had to take countermeasures. China added that it has suspended the entry of Indian pilgrims for security reasons. On the other hand, in a statement on Wednesday, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said that the current impasse with India, including the area of Donglong (called Doko La by India and Doklam by Bhutan) is a part of Chinese territory since ancient times, adding that if India wants to raise an issue with this part, I would say that it doesnt belong to Bhutan, nor does it belong to India. The spokesperson even accused India of a hidden agenda, saying that though the boundary between China and Bhutan has not been delimited, no third party should interfere in this matter". Senior BJP leader Ramesh Arora found a new target for his anti-China ire on Thursday: Momos. Arora took out a procession in Jammu on Thursday, protesting the sale of the popular street food. BJP MLC Rajesh Arora leads protest against selling of momos in Jammu pic.twitter.com/HjrBBvLOnn ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 The Times of India mentioned that Arora, a member of the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir legislative council, had earlier in June called momos "more dangerous than alcohol and psychotropic drugs". "Ajinomoto (monosodium glutamate) used in momos is harmful to health and can even cause cancer. It has been found to be the root cause of several life-threatening diseases," Arora was quoted as saying. The Indian Express reported Arora warned Indian teenagers against getting addicted to the delicacy, and urged for a ban on the dish. He also said "our teenagers are getting addicted to the killer dumplings". Arora told Hindustan Times that momos cause cancer of the intestine: "Momos have been found to be the root cause of several life-threatening diseases, including cancer of the intestine," the report quoted him as saying. "Ajinomoto, a kind of salt, causes serious diseases, including cancer. It is responsible for converting a minor headache into migraine." Arora also met the health minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Bali Bhagat, and tried persuading him to ban the sale of Chinese street food. Besides momos, India TV stated that Arora also wants to target Chinese cuisine that incorporates monosodium glutamate. The report mentioned that the sale of momos in Jammu has gone down by 35 percent due to Arora's protests. According to National Herald, the BJP leader likens momos to a killer, saying that "Momo is a killer" and that Indians cannot "allow a killer to grow in a civilised society". However, several people from Delhi have pledged to eat the dish, saying that they love them: "It (ajinomoto) induces a craving to eat. But unless theres a clear-cut health advisory against them, Ill continue to eat them," Delhi resident Karthikeya Ramesh told Hindustan Times. The report also quoted Dr Mohsin Wali as saying there has been no conclusive proof that ajinomoto is harmful. The ingredient has been used in Japan and China throughout history, the report. This is not the first time a leader affiliated to the BJP has urged banning of particular items of food. A report in Outlook said RSS leader Indresh Kumar blamed meat for causing diseases, but said milk can cure these. Kumar also urged Muslims to stop eating ghosht (meat) as it is a beemari (disease), the report added, saying that Kumar also urged Muslims to include cow milk in sherbet. Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday ticked off the Maharashtra government for its failure in taking any concrete step to implement its earlier order to improve the conditions of jails in the state. A division bench of justices AS Oka and Vibha Kankanwadi had in March this year given a slew of directions to the state government to improve the condition of prisons across the state. The court expressed dismay over the "vague steps" taken by the government to ameliorate prison conditions while hearing a plea of civil society 'Jan Adalat - Centre of Para-Legal Services and Legal Aid' on the issue of the condition of jails in the state. "In our 2 March order, we had directed the government to form a committee and comply with our directions within six months. It has been four months now but we find the steps taken by the government are vague," Justice Oka said. "We do not think that even at the end of the six months the government would comply with all our directions. We will then take the government to task," Justice Oka said and posted the petition for hearing on 13 July. In its March order, the high court had directed the government to identify lands in Mumbai and Pune to construct additional jails to reduce overcrowding at Mumbai's Arthur Road prison and Pune's Yerwada jail. The court had also asked the government to see if it can carry out any additional construction at the Arthur Road and the Yerwada prisons to provide better facilities and space to the prisoners. It directed the government to set up a committee headed by a retired high court judge and experts as members to conduct a scientific study on setting up a model prison with necessary infrastructure and steps to reduce the overcrowding in jails. The state government on Thursday filed an affidavit detailing the steps it has taken so far on the issue. "The principal secretary of home department and ADG (Prisons) visited the Yerwada prison in Pune and it is submitted that the jail has area available where additional capacity, if needed, can be created," the affidavit said. It also mentioned that work is being carried out in Arthur Road jail and Byculla Women's prison to increase the number of toilets and bathrooms. Mumbai: A magisterial inquest into the death of a Byculla jail woman inmate has ruled out any injury on her private parts though her autopsy has suggested multiple injuries on her body, State Women's Commission Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said on Thursday. Rahatkar said the SWC will form a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to further enquire into the death of the woman convict, Manju Shette, who had been serving her sentence in the jail. "According to the panchnama (inquest report), all her organs and body parts were intact and no new or old injuries were found on the private parts of Manju Shette," she said. Manju, 45, died at government-run JJ Hospital on Friday of her injuries sustained in thrashing by a woman jailer on 23 June. The police had earlier said Manju, whose death had triggered protests in the prison, was allegedly tortured and a stick was inserted in her private parts. Manju's post-mortem report has been received and it suggests multiple injuries on her body, Rahatkar said adding that the details of the report were yet to be known. According to her, deputy inspector general (Prisons) Swati Sathe submitting a detailed report to the Women's Commission on Manju Shette's death and the subsequent protests by the jail inmates. Sathe appeared before the Commission this morning at its suburban Bandra office. "Sathe appeared before the commission on Thursday and gave a detailed account of the events that led to the incident. She (Sathe) also told us that six jail staffers have been suspended and sections 302 and 34 (of the Indian Penal Code) have been invoked against them (jail staffers)," she said. Talking about the SIT, she said, "The women's commission will form a three-member SIT in connection with Manju's death. It will be chaired by a retired high court judge and it would comprise a retired senior police officer and a woman NGO member." "The SIT will conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the sequence of events and on the basis of its report, the Commission will take further action and make recommendations," she said. The SIT will record statements of the Byculla jail inmates, including the Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, she said. "Police has registered a case of murder against the jail staff, who allegedly beat up Manju Shette and they have been suspended," Rahatkar said. She informed that the commission has sought a detailed report on women prisoners in the state. "The SWC has sought a detailed report on the condition of women prisoners in the state within the next 15 days," she said. "The commission has asked the jail authorities to present a report card of the women prisons and prisoners the steps taken to ensure their safety, the problems they are facing and efforts undertaken to resolve the issues," Rahatkar added. Following Manju's death, enraged inmates of Byculla jail had protested on Saturday, with some of them going to the prison terrace and some others making a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to vent out their anger. The Nagpada police had later booked nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla jail, including Indrani Mukerjea, lodged in the same prison, for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the IPC. Indrani has moved a Mumbai court alleging that she was beaten up by the jail officials after the convict's death triggered a protest in the prison. Six jail staffers had been placed under suspension and police had registered a case under IPC section 302 (murder) against them. The Mumbai police crime branch has taken over the probe into Shette's death. Mumbai: Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, lodged in Byculla Jail in Mumbai, `instigated' inmates to stage a protest to seek legal and media access inside the prison after the death of a woman convict, a prison official claimed on Wednesday. Indrani has been named as an accused in a case of rioting and unlawful assembly inside the jail along with Divya Pahuja, an accused in Haryana gangster Sandeep Gadholi encounter case, and others. Indrani and Divya were behind the protest inside the jail, the official claimed. Manju Shette, a woman inmate, was allegedly beaten up on 23 June by jail staff for failing to account for two eggs and five 'paav' (bread loaves) meant for distribution to inmates as she was assisting jail staff as a warden. After Manju's death, Indrani, Divya and other inmates including Shahnaz Maniyar, Vaishali Mudle, Hasina Shaikh, Mariam Shaikh and around 200 others began a protest on 24 June for their demands, which included making available a lawyer and allowing media access inside the jail, police said. On 26 June, Indrani complained of body pain and was taken to hospital, the prison official said. There was nothing abnormal in her medical reports and she was sent back after being given some tablets, he said. Manju, sentenced to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment in a murder case, had served around 13 years. She had requested jail authorities to shift her to Kalyan prison in adjoining Thane district, the official added. The special CBI court on Wednesday allowed Indrani to approach the police to lodge her complaint that she was beaten up and threatened of sexual assault by jail officials for joining the protest over Shette's death. Indrani told the court that she was threatened and assaulted after she said that she would give a statement in connection with Shette's death. Mumbai: Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea on Thursday filed a complaint with police alleging that she was beaten up by Byculla Prison officials even as her medical examination found that she had "received some injuries." The 44-year-old former media executive, booked for rioting in the women's prison along with other inmates, was on Wednesday given permission by a special CBI court to lodge her complaint with the city police after undergoing a medical examination in a hospital here. Following the court's direction, Indrani went to the Nagpada police station at around 12.30 am and submitted a written application, a senior police officer said. In her complaint, she also alleged that she was hurt when the prison officials cane-charged the inmates after they gathered to vent their anger at the death of a fellow-inmate, the officer said. Indrani was among nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla Jail booked by Nagpada police for rioting and other offences after they staged a protest over the death of a convict, Manju Govind Shette (45). Shette died at the government-run J J Hospital on 23 June after allegedly being beaten up by a woman official of the jail. On 24 June, enraged women inmates rose in protest, some of them went up to the prison's roof, while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger, a police official said. In her plea to the court, Indrani had alleged that she was beaten up and threatened of sexual assault by the jail officials for joining a protest in the prison. She was produced in the court on Thursday after she moved an application. Considering her plea, special CBI judge J C Jagdale said Indrani be first taken for a medical examination and later to the Nagpada police station in the city to file her complaint. Indrani had told the court that she was threatened and assaulted after she said that she would give a statement (in connection with the case) to a magistrate under section 164 CrPC, which unlike a police statement is admissible in court. Indrani said she had witnessed the prisoner being allegedly assaulted and when enquired about Manju's health she was told that she was fine but later learnt that she passed away. She said that after a case was registered in connection with Manju's death, she came forward as as a witness and told the jail officials about that. "I was hit on the hand and legs... I can barely walk," Indrani alleged. She said the superintendent threatened her, saying "We will do the same thing that we did to Manju". Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla jail, including Indrani, for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. An official from the prison department had alleged that Indrani "instigated" the inmates by asking them to shun food and "use their children as shields" when prison staffers tried to stop them from agitating and gathering together. A senior medical officer of the state-run J J Hospital said today that Indrani's allegation of being beaten up by the prison officials appears to be true. "Indrani has received some blunt injuries and other (injuries) as well. Her claims of being beaten up appear to be true as per our check-up," a medical officer of the hospital, where Indrani's medical examination was conducted, told PTI on condition of anonymity. "It (Indrani's medical report) will be submitted in court, as the medical check-up was ordered by the court," the officer said. In a related development, the state women's commission summoned the prison authorities on Shette's death. State police's Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Swati Sathe on Thursday appeared before the commission Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, at the panel's office in suburban Bandra. A prison department official said they will submit a sealed report to the women's commission on the incident and the action taken against the jail staff in connection with Shette's death. The case has been handed over to the crime branch. The Byculla jail, located in the heart of the city, has around 251 inmates lodged there. The police had earlier said Manju, whose death sparked protest in the prison and a stick was inserted into her private parts. Mumbai: The recent death of a woman convict in a jail in Mumbai was "completely avoidable" and some senior officers might be suspended in the near future for it, a Maharashtra minister said on Wednesday. The convict, Manju Shette (45), lodged in the women's jail in Byculla in South Central Mumbai, died at the state-run JJ Hospital on Friday night after allegedly being beaten up by a woman official of the prison on 23 June. "The provisional post-mortem report is awaited. Currently, recording of statements of about 200 people is going on. As of now, we have suspended all those who were prima facie found guilty and murder charges have been slapped on them," Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil told PTI. "The convict's death could have been avoided, had there been an immediate intervention on part of the jail authorities." "Now, responsibility will be fixed for lapses and once the investigation is completed, some big officers might be suspended as well in the near future," he said. The police had earlier suspended six jail staffers and booked them for murder. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has taken over the probe into Shette's death, which had triggered a protest in the prison. Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates, including Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, who is lodged in the same prison, for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Rajnandgaon: Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces on Wednesday in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district, police said. The skirmish took place on Wednesday evening in the dense forest near Suktara village, Rajnandgaon superintendent of police Prashant Agrawal told PTI. Acting on inputs about movement of `vistaar (expansion) party' of Maoists in Gandai forests for the past few days, a joint squad of special task force (STF) and district police force had carried out a combing operation after which an exchange of fire took place between them and the rebels, he said. The team came under fire while passing through Suktara forest. The rebels later escaped, while two bodies were recovered from the spot apart from a .315 bore gun and a pistol, the SP said. "Identity of the killed rebels is being ascertained. Although prima facie it is clear that they belonged to expansion team of ultras who are making attempts to expand their base along the border of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh", Agrawal said. On 18 June, three Maoists, including two women, were killed in a gun-battle with police in Aundhi police station area of Rajnandgaon, 77 km away from Raipur. Bhopal: Two days after the BJP launched Kisan Sandesh Yatra to woo farmers against the backdrop of the recent unrest among them, the Opposition Congress on Thursday announced to take out Kisan Swabhiman Yatra from 1 July in support of various demands of peasants, including loan waiver. The BJP launched the farmer outreach programme on Tuesday, which is viewed as a major damage control exercise to reach out to farmers after the recent protests in parts of the state. Announcing the Congress' programme, the state unit Congress president Arun Yadav said the 10-day yatra was being organised to back various demands of cultivators. "The Kisan Swabhiman Yatra will reach villages to support the distressed farmers' demands in Madhya Pradesh," AICC general secretary and party's state affairs in-charge Mohan Prakash said in a joint press conference with Yadav. He said the yatra will culminate in a rally in Lahar area in Bhind district on 10 July, which will be addressed by senior Congress leaders. "Among other demands, we want the Centre and the state governments to waive loans of farmers, buy their farm produce at satisfactory prices and implement the Swaminathan Commission report for well being of farmers," the Congress leaders said. Yadav said the condition of farmers in Madhya Pradesh was worrisome and that as many as 42 cultivators have ended their life since 9 June this year. Mohan Prakash said farmers are "deeply dejected" and are killing themselves since five peasants were killed and six others were injured in the police firing in Mandsaur on 6 June. Under the BJP's Kisan Sandesh Yatra, the public representatives of the party will interact with farmers and hear their grievances. They would inform the peasants about various welfare schemes being run by the state and Central governments, a party leader said on Thursday. "During the yatra, we will dispel the misconceptions being spread among farmers by vested interests. The basic aim of our programme is to connect farmers with the government's policies and remove any doubts they are having about the state administration," state BJP general secretary VD Sharma said. Farmers in various parts of the state resorted to protests earlier this month for various demands like loan waiver and better remuneration for agricultural produce. New Delhi: The Delhi Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution seeking 85 percent reservation in admission for city students in 28 Delhi University colleges that are funded by the AAP government as all MLAs pledged to raise the issue with the Centre, LG and university administration. The House also adopted another resolution demanding an amendment in the Delhi University Act (1922), according to which no other university in Delhi is legally authorised to give affiliation to any college. If the amendment is made by Parliament, varsities other than Delhi University can also be affiliated to any other college. Both the resolutions, moved by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, were passed by voice vote. During a discussion on the reservation of city students in 28 colleges on the second day of the Assembly's special session, Sisodia said there are over 2 lakh students who pass out from schools in Delhi every year. "Many of these students are struggling to get admission in higher education institutions. These 28 colleges are funded partially or fully by the Delhi government. The money of taxpayers from Delhi is being used to fund these colleges. "And it is our responsibility to safeguard the interest of Delhi students," Sisodia said. However, Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, clarified that through this demand, the Delhi government does not want to promote regionalism. "People from across the country come to Delhi in search of employment and they start residing here. We want to ensure that their children get admission in Delhi University colleges. "We should not politicise this issue. We all MLAs will meet HRD minister, Lieutenant Governor and Delhi University vice-chancellor to raise this demand," the deputy chief minister said. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa also supported the government's move and said it is an important issue and that all MLAs should demand reservation for city students cutting across their political and ideological differences. AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj suggested that a delegation of all legislators, headed by BJP MLA Jagdish Pradhan, should meet HRD minister Prakash Javedkar and request him to provide reservation. Another AAP MLA Rajesh Gupta said that every state has a different moderation policy following which students from other states sometimes get high marks and then get admission in Delhi University colleges. "Students from other states get admission in Delhi University colleges as it is a central university. Every state has a different moderation policy. In some states, there is a policy of giving grace marks to students and in turn, they get the advantage in admission in DU colleges," Gupta said. New Delhi: The Delhi Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution condemning "mob violence" in the name of "religion" following dramatic exchanges between AAP MLAs and BJP legislator Manjinder Singh Sirsa over Kashmir. During the course of the discussion, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia attacked prime minister Narendra Modi over the issue of lynchings, the recent being of a man in Jharkhand on suspicion that he was carrying beef in his vehicle. "You go around the world hugging people who consume beef but people are being lynched in the country over mere rumours of beef consumption. A climate of fear has shrouded the country due to mob lynchings," he said. Sirsa lost his cool on being informed that instead of him, his party colleague Jagdish Pradhan has been allotted time to speak on the issue and raked up the Kashmir issue, which was not in the list of matters to be discussed. Without any apparent provocation, he dared the AAP MLAs to pass a resolution stating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, even as they accused him of trying to divert attention from the issue of lynchings. Unable to rein him in, Speaker Ram Niwas Goel stood up and dramatically asserted that Kashmir is indeed an integral part of India but he was "pained" by the fact that the BJP-led Centre was keeping mum on beheadings of jawans or China's transgressions at the border. He also ordered that Sirsa be marshalled out of the House. In his speech, Pradhan spoke about the virtues of cow and its importance in the Indian culture. "I have also served the RSS for 40 years. But today (Thursday) I am pained. Even Dr Hedgewar or Guru Golwalker would not have thought of what is happening today (Thursday), they did not let these things happen during their time. Mansarovar yatra has been stopped, China is staring down at us and we talk of patriotism," Goel said. Later, Sisodia, who attended the 'Not In My Name' protest at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, said diverging from real issues was the BJP's "old trick". "The question is not whether Kashmir is part of India. Of course, it is. Kashmir and Kashmiri people are in our hearts. The questions is of equality, security. We have reached a point where investigators come knocking to check what is stored inside out refrigerators. Is this New India?" Sisodia asked. Other AAP MLAs who spoke on the issue include Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba and Malviya Nagar legislator Somnath Bharti. Lamba claimed that during her recent trip to China she saw "certain BJP MLAs enjoying beef". New Delhi: Delhi University's Daulat Ram College on Wednesday lodged a police complaint against the ABVP, DUSU and a section of parents for "manhandling" the principal and "vandalising" her office. Principal Savitha Roy, in her complaint lodged at the Maurice Nagar police station, alleged that members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students' wing of the BJP, and Delhi Union Students' Union (DUSU) barged into her office and misbehaved with her. "They used abusive language, manhandled me and threatened me with dire consequences if I did not admit the students," she wrote in her complaint. "Despite requesting the mob to send two representatives to settle their issues, they started misbehaving with me," she added. Roy sought an FIR against six persons for their alleged involvement in the incident and requested for police protection to proceed with the admission process. However, ABVP central working committee member Saurabh Sharma refuted the allegations and claimed that they were approached by the parents of students, who were denied admission to the college even after certificate verification. "The parents of students, who were confused after being denied admission even after the verification of certificates, approached the ABVP and DUSU members. All of them went to the administration to ask why were they denied admission," he said. Sharma termed the charges in the police complaint as an "excuse" by the administration to hide its "arbitrary denial" of admissions. DUSU president Amit Tanwar, whose name was mentioned in the complaint, was not available for comments. Editor's Note:Video Volunteers, a country-wide community journalism network, is running a series to document instances of patriarchy and gender discrimination in the everyday lives of women across India. Firstpost will reproduce select stories in arrangement with Video Volunteers. Read V Geetha, feminist activist, author and social historian's introductory essay, for this series, on the virulence of daily patriarchy in India. In a small village called Walhe, in Pune district, Maharashtra, nine women, including health workers and housewives, have become members of a unique club a space that is their very own to discuss and debate the nuances of patriarchy. And they are fast becoming the talk of the town. The club is one of fifty-six being run across thirteen states in India and is part of #KhelBadal, a campaign to dismantle patriarchy being run by Video Volunteers. Rohini Pawar, who for the past seven years has used her video camera to expose practices ranging from child-marriages to ostracisation people living with HIV/AIDS face, runs these clubs. She shares how these clubs have created a safe space for these women and turned them into agents of change as well. The first video Rohini decided to screen in her discussion club was on the practice of women not addressing their husbands by their first name. She chose this because she wanted to throw open the conversation on patriarchy with an issue that the women could easily engage with. Not being able to call their husbands names out is a practice they have all dutifully upheld, and not once questioned. This custom indicates that a woman respects her husband and wants him to live a long life. A woman who doesnt follow it will be seen as cunning, a woman with no morals. The tradition is so deeply rooted that we hadnt given it thought until this discussion club, says Rohini. To begin with, Rohini wanted to test out the waters at her own home where she had never called her husband by his name. She showed the discussion club video to her husband and mother-in-law. My mother-in-law and husband were quiet for a long time after the video ended. Prakash, my husband, turned around and told me to call him by his name from then on, she recounts. My mother-in-law and husband were quiet for a long time after the video ended. Prakash, my husband, turned around and told me to call him by his name from then on Armed with this confidence, Rohini started her first discussion club. Many women hadnt heard the word patriarchy ever before; some believed that it was a good thing because it meant that the younger members of the family, especially girls and women, would remain protected. The session started with Rohini screening a video on the issue from Uttar Pradesh. After watching the video the women tried an exercise to get the discussion going. Rohini asked each participant to say her husbands name in a variety of emotions happy, angry, sad, loving and so on. She asked them all, If we cant say our husbands names, and they can call us whatever they like, does that mean they dont respect us? Shouldnt it be equal? Some of these women have been married for thirty years and that was the first day they uttered their husbands names, says Rohini. During the activity, one woman was so shy she just giggled for the duration of the exercise; another decided to vent all her cumulative frustration against him and his family by cursing him. The look on their faces was ecstatic. I dont think Ill ever forget it, says Rohini. Some of these women have been married for thirty years and that was the first day they uttered their husbands names, Three University of Wisconsin-Stout building renovation projects worth more than $38 million were approved by the Wisconsin State Building Commission Wednesday, including one to ensure the continued stability of the iconic Bowman Hall Clock Tower. The projects are: Bowman Hall exterior maintenance and repair, $8.95 million Renovation and an addition to North Hall residence hall, $21.74 million Renovation of first floor of Merle M. Price Commons, $7.57 million These renovation projects are vital to provide our students with modern facilities, while at the same time preserving an important part of our history and spending taxpayer and student dollars wisely, Chancellor Bob Meyer said. It is always better to renovate the facilities we already have, rather than building something new. All three projects have been included in previous state capital budgets and have been approved by the UW System Board of Regents. Bowman Hall Bowman Hall is the oldest building on campus, dating back to 1897. The project will not alter the appearance of the 135-foot Clock Tower, but it will shore up the structural integrity of the tower. Some 30,000 square feet of exterior masonry will be repaired, and the exterior doors and windows will be replaced with historically appropriate doors and windows. The replacement brick will require custom sand cast units to match existing brick, as well as cut stone in some areas. The Clock Towers structural steel members, copper roof, supports, flooring and exterior screening will be renovated or replaced. Bowman Hall houses the Dean of Students; Registration and Records; office of Planning, Assessment, Research and Quality; financial aid; advisement; counseling; and other units. It is named after Clyde A. Bowman, who administered the industrial education division beginning in 1919 and served as temporary president of the former Stout Institute. Bowman Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is within the Menomonie Downtown Historic District. Construction is scheduled to start in June 2018 and be completed in November 2019. North Hall The North Hall project will renovate about 76,000 square feet in the residence hall at 124 10th Ave. E. and add about 14,000 square feet for an accessible building entrance, expanded bath and shower rooms and new stairs. Most of the original building, heating and ventilation systems perform poorly and require constant maintenance to sustain operations, according to a report to the regents. Lounge and kitchen spaces will be expanded, and student rooms will be updated. The four-story residence hall, with 371 beds, was constructed in 1967. University officials said the building will get modern bathrooms with more individual privacy as well as open-concept floor community spaces, which are highly desired by todays college students. Meyer said UW-Stouts enrollment has increased significantly in the past 10 years, and this renovation will help accommodate that increased population. This hall is a real workhorse for the campus, Meyer said, adding that it will better accommodate students with disabilities. The North Hall project will not be funded with taxpayer dollars but through student housing fees. Construction is scheduled to start in June 2018 and will be completed in July 2019. Merle M. Price Commons Merle M. Price Commons also was built in 1967. The project will remodel about 19,000 square feet on the first floor to accommodate housing, student life offices and dining administrative offices, as well as areas for students to gather and collaborate. The second floor of the building, which includes the main campus dining hall, was renovated in 2009. The building is a heavily used central gathering space for first-year students. Along with the dining hall, it houses a mail and package distribution center, meeting rooms and several key service offices. Renovation is badly needed to modernize the HVAC systems, elevators, accessibility and to install a fire suppression system, Meyer said, adding that students will appreciate an update to the finishes of the building to make it feel more like a 2015 building than a 1967 building. The cost to renovate Merle M. Price Commons also will come from student fees. Merle M. Price was a professor, Dean of Men and Dean of Students who retired in 1972 after 42 years at UW-Stout. Construction is scheduled to start in May 2018 and be completed in August 2019. Washington: President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, DC, a media release said. Urs earned a MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He speaks fluent Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. By Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott | BRUSSELS BRUSSELS European allies pledged more troops to support Afghanistan's hard-pressed military on Thursday but left details on numbers vague until the United States clarifies its new strategy to break a stalemate with the Taliban.Despite public fatigue, Europe's latest offer for reinforcements underscores the West's determination to defeat Taliban fighters who harboured al Qaeda militants behind the September 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.It also reflects a growing realisation that the United States and its allies were too hasty in pulling down their large troop presence in 2011, which allowed militants to regain ground and weaken efforts to build Afghanistan's democracy."Looking back on it, it's pretty much a consensus that we may have ...reduced the numbers a little too rapidly," U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told a news conference following a meeting of NATO defence ministers.Since drastically drawing down from a peak of more than 130,000 NATO troops in 2011, allies have scrapped an earlier plan to pull out of the country despite the high costs of the United States' longest-running war.In a closed-door meeting, Mattis pressed NATO allies and non-member partners to provide more personnel to help train the Afghan armed forces. That would add to the 13,450 U.S. and multinational troops involved in training in the country. NATO commanders are working on the basis of around 1,200 additional troops for next year, diplomats said, but Mattis declined to go into numbers. He said so far he filled 70 percent of the gaps identified by NATO and voiced confidence following his talks in Brussels that "we'll be filling the rest." "We still have a few gaps and nations are stepping up," Mattis said.The United States is considering sending up to 5,000 more troops beyond what NATO allies offer, officials say."NO TIMELINE" Britain, Norway and Lithuania were among countries to publicly commit to more personnel. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would add just under 100 troops, taking its contribution to 585. Spain said it had not made a decision but was ready to help where it could."We are in it for the long haul, it's a democracy that has asked for our help and it is important that Europe responds," Fallon said, noting the widening Taliban insurgency across the country and frequent suicide attacks that have hit Kabul.Some governments declined to offer more, including Canada, which withdrew the last of its troops in 2014.Progress hung on a new U.S. strategy still being devised and which Mattis is expected to present in mid-July to Donald Trump, after the U.S. president sharply criticised U.S. policy in Afghanistan during his election campaign. After almost 40 years of conflict in Afghanistan, NATO's will be the latest effort to break what its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called a stalemate, stressing the need for a peace deal involving regional powers.Several attempts in recent years to broker a settlement between the Western-backed government in Kabul and the Taliban, have all failed. Without the militants at the table, experts say it is hard to envisage a meaningful solution.The U.S. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has also warned the outlook for the country is bleak even with more NATO and U.S. troops.Mattis did not comment on that intelligence assessment but signalled his long-term support for Afghanistan, declining to say when it might end."I don't put timelines on wars," he said, adding the West had learned the consequences of allowing its enemies to plot against it from ungoverned spaces. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott,; editing by Ed Osmond and John Stonestreet) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Thursday accepted Bimal Gurung's resignation from the post of chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) the development board in the north Bengal hills. "Gurung resigned from the GTA just a week before the term for the current board would get over on 30 June. His resignation letter has been accepted by the state government's home department on Thursday," Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb told IANS. The minister said the resignation letter reached the concerned department via West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi on Thursday. Talking about the possibility of a fresh GTA election in the region, Deb said the state government has the provision of conducting the election in the next six months once the tenure of the current board gets completed. "The normal procedure is to conduct the election in the next six months, if not possible in another six months. We will follow the procedure," he added. Gurung, the chief of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) that is spearheading the agitation in the Darjeeling hills, officially announced stepping down from GTA on 23 June and vowed to cut all ties with the Bengal government. His resignation letter was handed over to Governor Tripathi on 26 June by a three-member GJM delegation. Chandigarh: A special team of the Haryana chief minister's flying squad has raided 750 places, registered 384 cases and arrested 355 persons at various locations during last three days. During the raids, 56 cases of electricity theft were detected and 11 doctors were found practising without documents, Inspector General of Police, CID, Anil Kumar Rao said on Thursday. He said that the drive was conducted to check the manufacture of adulterated and spurious products, illicit liquor and against those indulging in other unauthorised acts. Rao said that during the raids, adulterated ghee, palm, mustard and soya oil with an estimated value of Rs 7.50 crore was recovered and 515 LPG cylinders were seized. Similarly, 1,44,758 bottles of illicit liquor, including Indian made foreign liquor, country liquor and beer were recovered. He said that 255 vehicles were impounded. One government employee was also arrested and FIRs have been lodged against 14 others, he said. "Why should you as a husband claim 50 percent parentage rights over your children when all that you contributed was one tiny wriggly sperm and that too by a mere reflex action after passing your time most pleasurably while your wife bore the full brunt of a nine-month pregnancy culminating in excruciating labour pains and also nursed your children during the most difficult weeks after delivery? This piece of rhetoric appeared on Quora and its author wondered whether he would be "downvoted and collapsed". It was the opposite at the time of writing this, Gopalkrishna Vishwanath's (he describes himself as 'never dated anyone but happily married') post has 94,000 views and 10,471 upvotes. But Vishwanath's post is just one of the recent barrage of replies to a question that set Quora a desi go-to for life, the universe and everything on fire. The original question was posted anonymously by a man who wondered whether there was anything wrong with him telling his future wife that he has no intention of contributing to household duties because he earns five times as much as her (20 lakhs as opposed to a measly 4). Why should a husband share household chores if his wife doesn't earn even half of his salary and is working just to pass the time? he asked. The discussion has gone viral with almost 1 lakh views and over 100 answers, all of which take on the idea of labour in the house, why it always falls to women, and how the irrelevant caveat about his wife going to work because she would find staying at home tedious, has little to the fact that housework should be shared. Unusually, much of the flak being directed at the user who posted the question is coming from Indian men. Some, like Vishwanath, are jocular, saying that the man should have been flat-out rejected, that he is too naive to know the difference between real life and a balance sheet, or, that he is clearly more wrapped up with getting domestic work done than seeking a relationship with a partner. Others have fearlessly plunged into psychoanalysis and sociological musings, such as this question is a result of extreme naivety coupled with the modern (mis)conceptions of equality and I sometimes keep pondering on why do people get married anyways? Some people suggest the man felt threatened because he had assumed he would be the dominant partner because he earns enough to be able to offer the woman the option of not working. (In a similar thread on Reddit however, lots of men say that if the man bought the house then the woman shouldnt complain about doing basic housework). And a few have talked about having learnt from observing their patriarchal fathers bullying their mothers into doing the housework, and explain that theyve learnt a little about contributing to household duties. Share the load, incidentally, was the tagline of a viral Ariel ad last year, which showed an old man feeling pangs of remorse watching his daughter juggle all the household chores while on a work call, and deciding to chip in as well. The hassle with the do your bit logic is that it still relegates the task of planning and running of the household entirely to the woman. And things tend to snowball out of control much quicker when there are children involved. A recent comic by a French artist, who goes by the moniker Emma, about household labour being done by women provoked discussions about the subject too. It spells out how you should have asked! I would have helped is a favourite male retort to the accusation that theyre not doing enough to help with the kids. This logic doesnt really hold up at all because the assumption is that the woman has to play the household manager, a project leader of sorts who looks over the execution of tasks, when in reality, as a new parent, she is equally clueless and fumbling. Overseeing everything translates into a whole extra amount of work, but otherwise, it wouldnt get done. Emma jokes that girls arent predisposed to loving vacuum cleaners, but locates much of this attitude in the way children are brought up, where girls are socialised into doing certain household chores. (In resettlement colonies in Delhi for instance, as this article in The Wire revealed, one of the reasons girls are still expected to drop out of schools is to share the domestic duties with the parents.) Every so often theres a study about how women do x number more hours of household chores than men, and how that imbalance can be the catalyst for a miserable marriage. (A New York Times piece during the Womens March in January riled up scores of parents when it read like Haruki Murakamis Men Without Women with its exaggerated take on how some posh men struggled to handle their kids while women participated in the march). And earlier this year, The Conversation published a study about how men are much more involved in parenting today but women are increasing parenting time too, and women still do far more of the worry work, including managing and organising tasks. Of course, things are different in India, where plenty of the manual labour in the middle/upper-middle class families is shunted onto domestic workers. Even so, data from the National Sample Survey Office suggested that over 60 percent of adult women in the country are engaged in unpaid household labour and a majority of these women said it was because no other member of the family helped with the chores. The data on how much time Indian men spend on domestic chores is sparse, but this OECD survey from three years ago suggested that the average was only 19 minutes a day while women spent up to 298 minutes. (A McKinsey study from last year said the ratio was closer to 53:249.) Things might be changing, and Im not referring here to the posters that surfaced for A Gentleman earlier this month, which had Siddharth Malhotra holding a utensil in one hand and a gun in the other. ("Pressure cooker se leke bandook" he can use both, went the congratulatory tweet accompanying the poster). Its because, if this Quora discussion is anything to go by, people are being vocal about the skewed participation of men and women in household chores. The sweeping studies insisting that if Indian men helped out more in the house it could add 16 percent to the countrys GDP might be too panoramic to cut it its unlikely that thinking about the countrys economic advancement will remind you to take out the garbage. But men in online discussions are seriously challenging other mens assumptions that a woman doesnt have the right to say her domain isnt in the kitchen if she earns peanuts by comparison. Now, its about time the discussion shifted to addressing whether we can let women off the hook as project managers too. 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. Two Indian soldiers were injured on Thursday in a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) by the Pakistan Army. "Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked shelling and firing along the LoC in Poonch", Defence Ministry sources said. They used small arms, automatics and mortars. The firing started at 1.30 am. The Indian Army retaliated effectively and strongly. The injured soldiers were shifted to hospital. In this month, there have been 21 ceasefire violations by the Pakistani Army in Poonch and Rajouri districts besides a cross-LoC attack and two infiltration bids in which four people including three jawans have been killed. On 26 June, the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr, the Pakistani Army had resorted to firing by small arms and automatic weapons and shelling of mortars along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali (BG) sector of Rajouri from 2015 hours till midnight. With inputs from IANS New Delhi: The law ministry is learnt to have proposed the name of senior advocate KK Venugopal as the next attorney general after Mukul Rohatgi decided against continuing as the top law officer of the government. The file has been referred to the Prime Minister's Office for a final call, highly placed sources in the law ministry said on Thursday. The president signs the warrant of appointment of the attorney general. Rohatgi had told the government that he would not like to go for another term as the attorney general. Venugopal, 86, is likely to represent the government as a law officer for the second time as he was one of the Additional Solicitors General during the Morarji Desai government. The noted constitutional expert has been associated with several government instrumentalities to represent them as a senior advocate. Lately, he has been appearing for the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate before the Supreme Court in the 2G spectrum allocation scam. Venugopal recently appeared for senior BJP leader LK Advani and others before the apex court which restored the charge of criminal conspiracy against them and ordered completion of the trial in two years. New Delhi: The NPCIL on Thursday put the 'first pour of concrete' for unit three of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), marking the commencement of construction work with a deadline. The project, being built with Russian collaboration, is expected to be completed in 73 months. The total cost of units three and four each with a capacity of 1,000 MW is more than Rs 39,894 crore. A Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) official said the 'first pour of concrete' means the project will now have a deadline. "This moment the pouring of first concrete marks the starting point of the NPP power units construction period that is defined in the contractual obligations. "This event marks the commencement of full-scale construction, thermal and electrical erection works at the NPP site and the installation of Russian equipment there," said ASE Engineering Company JSC, vice-president for nuclear projects in South Asia, Andrey Lebedev. ASE Engineering Company JSC is a part of Rostam, the Russian counterpart of India's Department of Atomic Energy. On 19 June, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the nuclear watchdog in the country, granted a permit to the NPCIL for 'pouring of first concrete' for units three and four. On 1 June in Saint Petersburg, Russia's ASE Group of Companies and Nuclear Power Corporation of India signed General Framework Agreement for the construction of Kudankulam nuclear power plant units fifth and sixth. Shivpuri: A court in Shivpuri has issued an arrest warrant against Congress MLA Shakuntala Khatik for allegedly inciting protesters to burn down a local police station during the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sharad Litoria issued the warrants against Khatik and one of her party colleagues after the dismissal of their anticipatory bail pleas in the case. ACJM Litoria issued the warrants against Khatik and block Congress president Venus Goyal on Wednesday, Karera police station in-charge Sanjeev Tiwari said on Thursday. Karera police in Shivpuri district had registered a case against the woman MLA and some others after a video, which purportedly showed the legislator instigating her supporters to torch a police station on 8 June, went viral. The video was shot when Khatik was leading a protest near Karera police station against the killing of farmers in police firing in Mandsaur district earlier this month during a violent farmers' stir. During the protest, police had tried to douse a burning effigy of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, drenching Khatik in the process. The MLA had then held a dharna outside the police station. The video showed her asking her supporters to set the police station on fire. The police registered a case against her and others for allegedly committing various penal offences including those of rioting and assault or using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty. Since then the Congress MLA and others involved in the case have been absconding. Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana of neglecting farmers, and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to fulfil his promise of remunerative crop prices. Addressing a well-attended farmers' protest meet in Sohna, he said the Modi government had waived a huge amount of loans taken by a few industrialists, but it was not bothered about the crore of distressed farmers who had not got the promised rates for their farm produces. The chief spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) demanded the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana fulfil the poll promise of implementing the Swaminathan Commission recommendation of the minimum support price (MSP) of farm produces. The National Commission on Farmers headed by MS Swaminathan recommended fixing MSP at production cost plus 50 percent profit. The protest was organised at Anaj Mandi in Sohna by the Haryana Khet Majdoor Congress and Haryana Krishak Samaj. Attacking the BJP government over the Mandsaur firing incident in Madhya Pradesh, Surjewala, a Haryana MLA, said, "The killing of farmers has exposed the real, anti-farmer face of the BJP. Majority of small and marginal farmers are under severe debt and feel compelled to take their lives due to wrong policies of the BJP government." Six people were killed during farmer protests in Mandsaur in the BJP-ruled state. Condemning the latest lynching incident, he said, "The people of India have always believed in respecting all religions. The politics of dividing people on basis of caste, creed and religion needs to be defeated in national interest." Seventeen-year-old Junaid was lynched on a train last week, when he, along with his two brothers, was returning home to Khandawli village in Ballabgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi. Later, the Congress leader submitted a memorandum to the district administration, demanding waiver of loans of farmers and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report. It stands to reason that in an era of alternative facts and alt-right websites generating fake news, were not getting the whole story on Senate Republicans bill to overhaul the Obama-era health care law. On Monday, Tom Ashbrook, the normally measured host of National Public Radios On Point, about lost it after failing to get his guests to simply agree on what the bill would do. It just stinks when Americans cant hear what is actually in this bill! Ashbrook exclaimed. A caller to his show said her 13-year-old daughter was born with a genetic anomaly and is covered by Medicaid. They got her on Medicaid through a waiver program after 13 years of waiting. Now she has wonderful care. But under the now-delayed Senate bill, theyd return to private insurance and face high deductibles and less coverage, the mother said. The for-profit system is not going to cover people like us. But Avik Roy, president of the conservative Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, and also a guest on the show, put a rosier hue on the Senate bills move away from Medicaid expansion to private coverage. He claimed private coverage improves medical outcomes in a way Medicaid hasnt been able to. That incensed Stuart Altman, a Brandeis University professor who worked on the Affordable Care Act and retorted, This is just so much nonsense! An estimated 70 million low-income Americans, including 30 million children, are on Medicaid, which was expanded under the ACA. As CNN puts it, the Senate bill would end that expansion and dramatically cut the federal Medicaid budget, leaving funding to the states. Private insurance wont cover the 1.4 million older Americans in nursing homes on Medicaid. Its reported the Senate bill would eliminate Medicaid funding entirely by 2021. The New York Times puts the cut at $772 billion over a decade. But President Trumps surrogates Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway have insisted Medicaid is protected. Theres a level of dishonesty with respect to this bill that I havent seen before, Los Angeles Times health care reporter Noam Levey told On Point. Theres a reason for that: What is being proposed hurts the vulnerable and benefits the richest 1 percent of Americans. The ACA prevents insurers from turning people away because of pre-existing conditions they cant control, whether from genetic anomalies, accidents or a cancer history. Some people who already have employer-based coverage favor the law because they could lose their jobs or want to start a business or get more education. I have a friend with a history of breast cancer who couldnt imagine leaving her professional position because shed either be turned down for private insurance or spend her bottom dollar paying for it. Now she has options. A woman I wrote about contracted a rare, life-threatening fungal infection after falling into the water on a kayaking trip. Had she not already had insurance, it would have been impossible to get all the care she needed covered. With five weeks on a hospital ventilator and one medicine costing $1,600 a dose, the million-dollar lifetime cap on her insurance would have been depleted. But under the ACA, everything was paid for. But the Senate bill would let states waive the provision protecting essential health benefits in employer-paid plans such as substance abuse treatment. It would remove the requirement that everyone have health insurance. And still thats not enough for Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who prefers the free-market capitalism approach, with a minimum of regulations. When you add mandates to insurance you make it more expensive by adding things you think are good for me, he said, offering Lasik corrective eye surgery as an example. He says the cost of that fell 75 percent over 15 years because of consumer choice. (From what I hear, many people were going to Canada, where it was cheaper.) But Lasik is optional. Without it, no one will lose their eyesight, and many people are fine with glasses or contact lenses. You cant put it in the same category as mental health care, substance abuse treatment and maternity care. If you had to wait 15 years for those prices to come down, you could be dead or institutionalized. Without mandates to get coverage, consumers might not do it, and without mandates to cover every condition, employers and insurers might not do it. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that 22 million Americans would lose insurance in 10 years under the Senate bill. The American Medical Association said the bill violates the professions Hippocratic oath to do no harm. The really outlandish part of the Senate proposal is that the money saved from cutting federal spending on health care would go to cutting taxes for households making $875,000 or more by 2 percent, according to the analysis by the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institutions Tax Policy Center. The lowest-income 20 percent would see a 1 percent cut in taxes and the middle income, less than half a percent. If curtailing health care access for many Americans to fatten the rich is what lawmakers want, they should say so. But that would cost them votes. So they spin it to make cuts to medical subsidies sound like consumer freedom, leaving everyone confused about what wed really be getting. Days after China refused entry to around 50 Indian pilgrims who were to travel to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass, officials of nodal agency Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam told The Times of India that the pilgrimage is proceeding smoothly through the other route in Uttarakhand. The yatra through Uttrakhand is considered tougher of the two trekking routes set by the Ministry of External Affairs to Kailash Mansarovar. The development comes as China accused India of seriously damaging border peace. Beijing further warned New Delhi on Wednesday that future visits of its pilgrims will depend on whether it will "correct its errors". Before the warning, China had lodged protests in Beijing and New Delhi against Indian soldiers' "trespassing" into its territory, The Hindustan Times reported. The foreign ministry in a statement said the entry to pilgrims has been denied because of "security considerations" and "in light of" the border stand-off in the Sikkim section. The standoff started when the People's Liberation Army accused the Indian military of stopping the construction of a road in what it claims to be Chinas "sovereign territory" in the Sikkim section of the India-China border. China has claimed that since it opened the Nathu La pass for Indian pilgrims in 2015, it has tried its best to provide great conveniences to the Indian pilgrims. The first pilgrims who undertook the journey via the Nathu La pass were offered white scarves at the pass as a token of the renewed ties between Beijing and New Delhi, reported Livemint. A number of things seem to have changed since then. Two years later, the standoff between the two countries seems to indicate a deteriorating bilateral relation and fresh problems between the two nations. As The Wire points out, the development comes amid tensions between the two countries over a host of issues, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and India's Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) bid. An ORF article says that Nathu La is at the fulcrum of China's proposed economic belt and the old silk route revival plans. India's opposition to the One Belt One Road initiative has further led to strained ties between the two countries and might have pushed Beijing towards taking this step. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the United States and the growing bonhomie between the two nations might also have triggered the Chinese reaction. China has also expressed concerns about the new air cargo corridor between India and Afghanistan, which opened last week, as an attempt by India to counter Beijing's economic corridor. The Hindu also quoted some sources as saying that China's closure of the Nathu La pass should be seen as a diplomatic message. Jayadeva Ranade, president, Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, told The Hindu that the development was significant. "I would say that because of the prolonged face-off, and the kind of articles appearing in the Chinese media. Global Times has put out at least three strong pieces on this. It all happens at a time when the relations are already under strain and also during the prime ministers visit to the US. This is one warning shot." Back home, Congress is demanding a comprehensive statement from Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj over the denial of entry to pilgrims."This is a serious issue and we would want that Modi and Swaraj take up the issue with their Chinese counterparts and ensure the Mansarovar yatra route is opened for Shiv bhakts (followers of Lord Shiva)," AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said. Meanwhile the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday urged people to boycott Chinese products as a mark of protest against China's move. VHP joint general secretary Surendra Kumar Jain alleged that China had its eye on Tibet, which it had been "illegally" occupying. Following the "Not In My Name" protest marches across the nation on Wednesday to protest the killing of Hafiz Junaid, another demand has been raised to quell the rising trend of mob lynching. This time, the collective National Campaign Against Mob Lynching has drafted a bill known as the Manav Suraksha Kanoon (MASUKA) to begin a legal conversation against lynch mobs. I may not like RSS but if RSS worker is lynched Masuka Law For Lynching will apply there too to ensure justice just like it wud for Junaid pic.twitter.com/iEZ6s0OC4B Shehzad Poonawalla (@Shehzad_Ind) June 29, 2017 In a Facebook live with The Quint, core members of the collective, Tehseen Poonawalla, and Shehzad Poonawalla, explain that these efforts are to incorporate a specific provision into the existing law, ie, to amend the existing Article 21 of the Constitution to address crimes related to mob violence. This includes mob lynching, rumour mongering, hate, etc. News18 reports Tehseen Poonawalla as saying, We have proposed to make lynching a non-bailable offence and the punishment for the ones convicted under it would be life imprisonment. It also mandates that the concerned SHO (Station House Officer) of the area would have to be suspended forthwith until a time-bound judicial probe absolves him of charges. This provision has been laid out because if a mob of 100 people is entering an area and lynching someone, it cannot be without the consent of the concerned police officer of the area. The report adds that lynching cases currently get covered under Section 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (causing voluntary hurt) 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. The MASUKA law for lynching also looks at bringing justice to victims of protests. In The Quint's Facebook live, Shehzad says that rehabilitation of the victims and their families is just as important to ensure that mob lynching isn't successful. The proposed law is getting positive reactions, especially in the light of Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi's recent comments against gau rakshaks. Delivering a speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and 150th birth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandraji, a guru to Mahatma Gandhi, Modi said that unleashing violence against others went against the ideals of the Father of the Nation. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law into his or her own hands," Modi asserted. The issue of mob violence conflagrated when 17-year-old Junaid was murdered by a mob when he was on his way home to Ballabhgarh after shopping for Eid. Social media outrage has been on the rise ever since this incident. Congress also posted a video about the rise in mob lynching. Rule of Law is being broken. Innocent Indians are being killed. When will Justice come back to India? pic.twitter.com/z6PE8wCnP6 INC India (@INCIndia) June 29, 2017 The MASUKA law is also gaining momentum on social media, with users urging the government to consider the bill. Mr @narendramodi plz begin by sacking Mahesh Sharma, Gyan Dev Ahuja & other BJP legislators who support lynching, Enact a strict law #MASUKA Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) June 29, 2017 Mob lynching is vitiating the atmosphere creating a more divisive society where the weak is voiceless. Support Masuka Law For Lynching Vikas Tiwari (@VowLost) June 29, 2017 Please support Masuka Law For Lynching. It will help to stop street crimes and vigilantism. Special thanks to @tehseenp and @Shehzad_Ind Anshuman Panda (@AnshumanWorld) June 29, 2017 MASUKA law for Lynching is ready and the draft will be launched in 1st week of June. Pledge your support. #NotInMayName@StopMobLynching Pankhuri Pathak (@pankhuripathak) June 29, 2017 Existing laws are not enough and give a chance to the govt to shun its responsibility Bring Masuka Law For Lynching pic.twitter.com/a5p1FqmO0I Vinay Kumar Dokania (@vinaydokania) June 29, 2017 Mint has also pointed out that it is 'embarrassing' that the government has to be petitioned to introduce such a law. "Any government which has to be petitioned to introduce a law like MASUKA should be deeply and profoundly embarrassed. But the moral universe has turned on its head, and citizens are left to plead with the government to perform its primary obligation," the report writes scathingly. The government is yet to respond to the implementation of MASUKA. Tehseen has tweeted that the collective has contacted the "top political leadership to ensure MASUKA will be taken up in the Parliament and state Assemblies." With inputs from agencies. Khandwa: A Burhanpur court granted conditional bail to 15 persons, arrested on sedition charges for celebrating Pakistan's victory over India in the Champions Trophy, even as the Madhya Pradesh Police on Thursday removed the Investigating Officer of the case from field duties. The conditional bail was granted on Wednesday by the court of first Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, paving the way for their release last night from the Khandwa Jail. In another development, Madhya Pradesh Police on Thursday issued orders to 'line-attach' (remove from field duties) Sanjay Pathak, who was in-charge of Shahpura Police Station (in Burhanpur), where the case was registered. Pathak was the investigating officer in the case. He has been now transferred to Mandsaur district, Burhanpur SP RRS Parihar told PTI. The action against Pathak, who allegedly framed a false case, comes in the backdrop of police dropping sedition charges against all the accused. Investigations into the incident had revealed that the action of the accused did not amount to sedition and they also did not have any past criminal record. According to defence lawyer Ubaid Sheikh, 13 of the 15 accused in the case were released on furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000 each. The remaining two (minors) were also released later as per court orders, he said. Police had submitted school certificates of the two accused as evidence to prove that they are minors. Before granting conditional bail, the court also imposed a ban on all the accused from taking part in any kind of processions and also directed them to appear in Shahpura police station every Sunday for registering their attendance, Pathak said. Post bail, their families on Thursday expressed confidence in the country's judicial system and were hopeful that they would get justice in the matter. After Pakistan's victory in Champions Trophy recently, some people at Mohad village in Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh had celebrated the neighbouring country's win by bursting crackers and raised slogans in their favour which resulted in tension in the area. On the complaint of a Mohad villager, police had registered a case under sections 124A (sedition) and 120B of IPC against them on 19 June following which they were arrested and sent to jail by court. Days later, police dropped the sedition charges against them and instead booked them under section 153 (a) of IPC (disrupting communal harmony). The matter took a turn when the complainant (Subhash Koli) told a news channel that he was not even present in the village when the incident took place and police had used his name to register the case, Sheikh said. Even eyewitnesses have backed out in the matter following which the court granted conditional bail to all of them, Sheikh added. New Delhi: Amid reports of alleged lynching attacks targeting minorities, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday said there was no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the community. Suspecting the role of some "hostile forces" behind such incidents, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs said such "tactics" will not be allowed to succeed. He, however, stressed that the incidents cannot be justified and pitched for tough action against the perpetrators. Naqvi reiterated the Modi government's commitment for inclusive growth and creating an atmosphere of trust among the communities. He said safety of every section of the society was "equally important for" for the Centre. "I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," Naqvi said after attending the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council. On asked which forces were behind such incidents, Naqvi did not name any. He, however, added that be it political organisations or individuals, the state governments (given law and order is a state subject) concerned were taking "immediate and effective" action against the people involved. "The governments of Rajasthan, Haryana and Jharkhand have without wasting any time taken action against such people. I myself had spoken to the chief ministers and officials of these states," he said. Speaking during the meeting, the Union minister said his ministry had been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of all the notified minorities Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain effectively as a "mission and commitment". The minister said the measures the Centre had taken during the last three years of its rule were a reflection of its "empowerment without appeasement" policy, which he added, has created an "atmosphere of development and trust". Naqvi said his ministry had been successful in enabling the poor, backward and weaker sections of the minorities to get their share of mainstream development through "three Es of education, employment and empowerment." He also listed a range of schemes the government had been implementing for the welfare of the minorities. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Junaid Khan was stabbed to death onboard a train between Delhi and Mathura. The group of attackers had allegedly hurled communal slurs and attacked the victim after an altercation over seats. A few days ago, over a 100-strong mob attacked a Muslim man on the suspicion of slaughtering a cow after finding the carcass of a bovine near his house in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The family of Mustafa Dossa learnt of his death only through television channels a death that was so sudden and shocking that even the judge hearing the matter and the public prosecutor were visibly shaken and distressed. As Dossa, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case breathed his last in JJ Hospital merely two days after the CBI pleaded for a death penalty for him, his family learnt of his death through news flashes, according to a report in Mid-Day. Dossa's son told the newspaper that the family used to track Dossa's whereabouts through an informer placed outside the courtroom. "As and when the messenger spotted Dossa, he would apprise the family and they would set off for the hearing," the report said. However, on Wednesday, there was no news of Dossa till 10.30 am. The worried family contacted jail authorities and learned that he was critical and was undergoing treatment. The family waited outside the hospital as they saw news flashes that the convicted smuggler had died. Dossa is survived by two wives, three sons and two daughters. Dossa's death was so sudden that even Judge GA Sanap of the special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court expressed "shock." Public prosecutor Deepak Salvi told the court that he was not in a position to argue the case on the day and sought adjournment till Friday. However, the distraught family, tried to seek relief even in the grief . "Dukh to hota hain par zillat ki maut se bach gaye (we do feel sad but he was saved from a dishonourable death), a relative was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. At least the way Dossa's relatives recount snatches of conversation with the man, he appears to be thoroughly dispirited and broken. His eldest son Shahnawaz recalls his last conversation with his father. Shahnawaz says his father was visibly unwell and so weak that he could hardly stand, still he denied to go to the hospital. "Nahi... ab mujhe marna hai (no I wish to die now)," the newspaper report quoted Shahnawaz recalling his conversation with Dossa. The long trial not only sobered an outgoing Dossa but also had a deep effect on the family. Dossa's kin, visibly distressed at the disrepute and grief Dossa's arrest brought them, had tried to shrug off their family name in 2008. "The six-member family, which lives in a palatial bungalow in Agripada, has decided to change surname from Dossa to Memon. They say they are doing so to avoid police harassment and the scowls of immigration officials that the name Dossa attracts at airport every time they go abroad," DNA reports. Another relative says that Dossa knew that there was scope for appeal in the Supreme Court after his conviction but he was extremely disinclined to claim clemency. "You have to understand that the man was 68 years old," a relative says. But this was not how his friends and acquaintances knew him to be. One of the richest inmates in at the Arthur Road Prison, Dossa earned the sobriquet 'majnoo' for his lavish lifestyle, according to a report in Hindustan Times. Coming from a rich family of oil traders, Dossa's clan controlled the wholesale trade in Crawford market. "He lived lavishly by allegedly bribing staff with the money provided by his family. His penchant for designer clothes followed him to Arthur Road. He would exercise regularly and the dumbbells he used had been brought from Dubai following a court order," the newspaper report states of his lavish lifestyle. The newspaper further quotes an anecdote from his days in the Arthur Road prison, "Once he got into a brawl with bomb blast accused Abu Salem and stabbed his face with a sharpened spoon, only because the latter refused to offer him salaam." Dossa was convicted under charges murder, conspiracy and sections of now repealed TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) in the 1993 Mumbai blast case which was carried out to avenge the 1991 demolition of Babri Masjid by a Hindu mob. According to the prosecution, Dossa had smuggled firearms, ammunition, detonators, hand grenades and highly explosive substances like RDX into India for the coordinated blasts. As many as 257 people were killed in the coordinated blasts that ripped through the city on 12 March, 1993. He was taken to be one of the "brains" behind the conspiracy. His degree of responsibility towards the commission of the crime was the highest. "If not for him (and other absconding accused) the crime would never have taken place.. his role was more severe than that of hanged convict Yakub Memon," Salvi had told the court at one of the hearings. With inputs from PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday broke his silence on the increasing incidents of mob lynching in the country and the rising violence carried out in the name of cow vigilantism. Modi, who is on his two-day visit to Gujarat, chose Sabarmati Ashram's centenary celebrations to call out gau rakshaks. He said, Mahatma Gandhi would have shown us what a true gau rakshak is and he would have never approved of cow vigilantism. True. Gandhi clearly made a distinction between Hinduism and the killing of non-Hindus in the name of religion. "A man is just as useful as a cow no matter whether he be a Mahomedan or a Hindu. Am I, then, to fight with or kill a Mahomedan in order to save a cow? In doing so, I would become an enemy of the Mahomedan as well as of the cow," Gandhi wrote in Hind Swaraj as revisited by DailyO. Modi on Thursday also emphasised that a follower of Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave should not harm another human to protect cows. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands," he said. In 1917, according to the book Soul Force: Gandhi's Writings on Peace, Gandhi said, "While we have not succeeded in stopping this slaughter, we have no right to raise our hand against Muslims. I should like to tell the Hindus that it is no religious act to kill Muslims in order to save cows. Hinduism prescribes only one way: that of tapascharya (practice of austerity)." Gandhi had also said that he, too, wanted cows to be protected but, "I would ask the Muslim friends to apply the knife to my neck and kill me rather than the cow." But do our cow vigilantes share the same thoughts? "If we cherish our own freedom, we have no right to deprive others of theirs," these are the words of Gandhi from the same speech. Modi's Thursday message also mentioned how non-violence "is our way of living, and killing human beings in the name of gau bhakti (reverence for cows) is unacceptable." In 1921, Gandhi said, "The Hindu's religion consists in saving the cow, but it can never be his religion to save the cow by a resort to force towards a non-Hindu. The Hindus want swaraj in India and not a Hindu Raj." While agreeing that the cow was sacred to Hindus, Gandhi observed, How can I force anyone not to slaughter cows unless he is himself so disposed? It is not as if there were only Hindus in the Indian Union. There are Muslims, Parsis, Christians and other religious groups here," according to an article by The Wire. Modi on Thursday also called out the "fake gau rakshaks" since they are not concerned about cows. But Gandhi's thoughts were not just confined to the religious texts. What Gandhi had been consistent in saying was that the sufferings of the cow do not simply vanish by ending their slaughter. Gandhi has said, "When we domesticate an animal, we deprive it of its freedom, however good our intention in domesticating may be. Hundreds of Englishmen feel happy in the belief that they rule India with a good motive." So even if the gau rakshaks successfully end cow slaughter, how far will they go in preventing them from ending up in dairies? During a discussion at All India Goseva Sangh Conference in 1942, Gandhi also expressed why he only stressed on the protection of cows. He said, "My exclusive emphasis on the protection of the cow is due to the undue neglect of the cow although she is, in my opinion, is a sound economic proposition." Clearly, Gandhi's words have been forgotten over the years. Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement against violence in the name of cow protection and expressed hope that the vigilantes will heed to the PM's advice. Well said sir. Here's hoping the people carrying out these despicable acts take your words to heart & act accordingly. https://t.co/BA6C8tORE1 Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) June 29, 2017 The National Conference leader was reacting to the Prime Minister's remarks which came against the backdrop of growing incidents of cow vigilantism. "Killing people in the name of 'Gau Bhakti' is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve," the prime minister said on Thursday during his speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of. No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands," the PM said. In possibly one of the strongest indictments till date over rampant cow vigilantism that has taken over the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the incidents of violence that have been reported across India. Delivering a speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad and 150th birth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandraji, a guru to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Modi said unleashing violence against others went against the ideals of the Father of the Nation. Speaking in Ahmedabad, during the two-day visit to Gujarat, Modi invoked Gandhi in calling off the alleged cow vigilantes. Modi said, Mahatma Gandhi would have shown us what a true gau rakshak is and he would have never approved of cow vigilantism. #WATCH PM Modi at Sabarmati Ashram centenary celebrations in Gujarat's Ahmedabad https://t.co/TXVuH16mlm ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of," the prime minister said. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands," he said. Giving out a strong message against the increasing cases of violence in the name of cow vigilantism, Modi said that non-violence "is our way of living and killing human beings in the name of gau bhakti (reverence for cows) is unacceptable." Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 He said that resorting to violence will never provide solutions to a problem. Talking tough against the increased incidences of mob rage over alleged killing of cows, Modi said that nobody has the right to take up the law in their own hands. No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 He said that people who revere Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave can never approve of harming another human being in the name of cow vigilantism. The prime minister's comments came against the backdrop of the killing of Hafiz Junaid, a teenager who was returning to his Ballabhgarh home after shopping for Eid by people who taunted his family and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". A total of five people has been arrested till now. Junaid was killed, and his two brothers, Hashim and Sakir, were injured while the mob hurled slurs against them on Thursday night. Junaid's killing was the latest in a series of incidences wherein right wing fringe groups or mobs are accused of going on a rampage in incidents related to the so called cow protection. On Tuesday, another Muslim dairy owner in Jharkhand was beaten up and his house was set on fire after the carcass of a cow was allegedly found outside his house. The Centre has often been accused of maintaining a steely silence in the wake of such incidents. And Modi's allies and opponents did not take kindly to his rather 'delayed' comments. An NDA ally, Shiv Sena, who has visibly been at loggerheads with the BJP, pointed out that this was not the first time that the prime minister had said such a thing. Shiv Sena said that mere empty words will not help the situation and there was a lack of palpable will to act against such miscreants. "These incidents have gone up since the BJP came to power. Who are these people who are inciting mobs. These people are affiliated to the BJP only," Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said. Last year in August, Modi had lashed out at 'fake' cow vigilantes and had said that state governments should take action against them. "These people are hell bent of destroying the society and are disturbed by the unity of India. These people, in the name of gau rakhsha, are trying to create conflict in the society," Modi had said in Medak, Telangana last year. "Beware of nakli gau rakshak (fake cow vigilantes)," he said. "I ask the state governments to protect our people. The cow protection which Mahatma Gandhi used to talk about cannot be wrong. But these fake gau rakshaks are not concerned about cows," Modi had said. "The states should conduct a strict investigation against these gau rakshaks," he said. "Even a true gau rakshak should be vigilant so that these fake people do not spread tension in the society," he added. "The unity and strength of our nation is our primary responsiblity," Modi said, adding that strict action was required against cow vigilantes. "These people need to be punished. It is only then that we can proudly take our nation to new heights," Modi had added. According to an IndiaSpend analysis, Muslims were the target of 51 percent of violence centred on bovine issues over nearly eight years (2010 to 2017) and comprised 86 percent of 28 Indians killed in 63 incidents. As many of 97 percent of these attacks were reported after Modi's government came to power in May 2014, and about half the cow-related violence32 of 63 caseswere from states governed by the BJP when the attacks were reported, revealed IndiaSpend analysis of violence recorded until 25 June, 2017. In the first six months of 2017, 20 cow-terror attacks were reportedmore than 75 percent of the 2016 figure, which was the worst year for such violence since 2010. The attacks include mob lynching, attacks by vigilantes, murder and attempt to murder, harassment, assault and gangrape. In two attacks, the victims/survivors were chained, stripped and beaten, while in two others, the victims were hanged. Of the 28 Indians who died over the seven-year period, 24 were Muslim, or 86 percent. As many as 124 people were also injured in these attacks. More than half (52 percent) of these attacks were based on rumours, our analysis found. National or state crime data do not distinguish general violence from cow-related attacks and lynchings, so the IndiaSpend database is the first such statistical perspective to a growing national debate over such violence. The spurt in such incidents have even spurred nationwide outrage with various groups gathering in protests across prominent metro cities in the nation. Thousands of people across the country had on Tuesday taken to the streets in a citizens' protest named 'Not in My Name' against the recent incidents of mob killings. Holding placards that read: "Break the Silence", "No Place for Islamophobia" and "Shed Hate not Blood" among others, the protesters had said they had gathered to send out a message that there is a need to unite for a cause. With inputs from agencies On Wednesday, a mob in a village outside Jharkhand's capital Ranchi severely beat up a man over suspicions of him killing a cow. Usman Ansari was attacked because the mob suspected him of slitting the throat of his cow and killing it. The cow had died earlier of infection and police reports mention that it was a mischief-maker who had slit the cow's throat. The mob also set Ansari's house on fire and turned riotous when the police tried to take a beaten-up Ansari to the hospital. At the end, the police had to open fire to disperse the mob. And while all this was happening, events were being held across the country to protest the lynching of 15-year-old Hafiz Junaid Khan under the banner #NotInMyName. The contrast is glaring, but perhaps that's what one will get in a diverse country like India. Behind the dark cloud of growing communalism, there is the silver lining of tiny bits of civil society that stand up to resist. But it's time we woke up to the harrowing truth. The country has changed over the past few years. The change may have happened a lot earlier, but it has clearly become visible. As a society, India is growing increasingly communal and her communities are growing further apart. Incidents such as the one the train in Mathura, and the one in Jharkhand only show that deep communal divides that existed but were dormant, are finally beginning to rear their ugly head, once more. Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally addressed the issue on Thursday during an event marking the centenary of the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. During his speech, Modi invoked the memory of Mahatma Gandhi stating how no true gau rakshak would go ahead and kill in the name of gau bhakti (reverence for cows). He said: "Constitution teaches us it (cow protection) is important. But do we get the right to kill a human (to save a cow)? Is this how we worship cow? Is this cow protection? This cannot be the path of Bapu. Vinoba Bhaves life doesnt convey to us this message." He went on to add that non-violence "is our way of living, and killing human beings in the name of gau bhakti is unacceptable". Recent events have brought to light that the question of Indian identity is an open one. Even whilst talking about violence against minorities in the name of cow protection, the prime minister acknowledged that the Constitution of India calls upon the citizens of India to protect the cow. The Constitution does call upon the state that the state should take steps to promote the protection of milch cattle and to promote animal husbandry. The Article 48 says: "The State shall endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall, in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter, of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle." Article 48 is in the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution. The Directive Principles are not enforceable, but even the most liberal reading of Article 48 cannot lead to a conclusion that it is an individual duty of a citizen to try and protect the cow. It talks about the state's role in trying to ensure that there are sufficient milch and draught cattle available for the facilitation of agriculture amongst which a prohibition cow slaughter is one of the options that are listed. Article 48 is on agricultural policy and has nothing to do with gau bhakti or gau rakshaks. But by implying this, Modi has tried to provide a false constitutional cover for these activities that have been rising in India over the last few years. Let's be clear one one thing though. This government, in particular, can't really be blamed for promoting this attitude of not tackling communal violence. By and large, this government has had the same approach to communal elements that previous governments have had making statements and not really doing anything about it. No government in India has till date really gone after the communal elements because one way or the other it affects the vote bank politics. The governments in India are guilty of a gross national negligence over the past couple of years. In fact, if one reads history it is not hard to come to a conclusion that they treat communal relations the same way the British did by silently tolerating it. It's understood why the foreign government did it, but when a democratically elected government repeats it, one wonders what was the reason behind the Struggle for Independence. The communal forces are aware of the fact that the post-Partition Indian identity question is one that remains open and there will never be a really strong and effective government response for it. So, at present, they are actively exploiting it. Be it Right Wing Hindu gau rakshaks or radical Islamic groups in Kashmir, each entity has found the identity question to be an open statement that they would actively exploit for their own ill ends. Which is why it is important to revive the idea of a constitutional Indian identity rather than an Indian identity that is founded on beliefs or cultures. The constitutional Indian identity is an all inclusive one. India is home to diverse populations, which is why it is impossible to identify a unifying cultural characteristic to define it. While Hindus in the North and other parts of the country may take issue with eating beef, there are also Hindus in the South of the country and the east who will eat it. For example, there are large Hindu communities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and North India who will eat beef without issue. Further, apart from the variety of linguistic lines that the country already has, there are also caste blocs, sub-caste blocs, religious blocs, tribal blocs amongst the various other blocs. A national identity founded on a citizenship and constitutional values is the only one that will functionally make sense in India unless we want a large segment of the population to suddenly be rendered non-Indian. The idea that India is the home of many people, many faiths, many cultures living in harmony with each other united by their citizenship and a common commitment to their mutual welfare, is something that has remained constant for the past seventy years. The future of India requires that this constitutional narrative is revived. But it cannot be one where the prime minister says that cow protection is something that the Constitution calls for but don't take the law into your hands. While it may sound like great rhetoric, it is hard to escape the implication that there is tacit approval for the activities done by the various vigilante groups. If we are to have a law on cow slaughter, it cannot be one party imposing their will on another. Issues like this have to be dealt with pan-community consensus with compromises made by each party. The Centre also needs to focus on bringing in a law to address vigilantism in the name of religion (all religions) in particular. The current provisions of the Indian Penal Code are rather ineffective in this manner. Rather than a seemingly stern warning that is based on a No True Scotsman fallacy (no true gau rakshak would kill), Modi needs to come out and engage with the underlying discomfort that minorities are facing with regard to the position of his government and groups allied to it. Consensus has historically been the basis of Indian democracy. The government needs to take active steps to restore communal harmony and relations. It cannot effectively work against violence while in the same breath promote the ideals that form the basis of that violence.We cannot let it descend to a situation like it has now, where one can't go a week without hearing distressing news about communal violence. New Delhi: Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said one should not be "selective" while condemning violence and asked 'Not In My Name' protesters to hold demonstrations against killings in Kerala and West Bengal also. She said that nobody has a business to take law into their own hands "for whatever purpose". 'Not In My Name' protest "seems to be a bit selective in nature...Lynching is happening elsewhere too. People are being lynched in Kerala based on ideologies, there is lynching happening in West Bengal, Kashmiri pundits were lynched out of Kashmir", she said while responding to questions on Twitter. "I want 'Not In My Name' protest to be held in Kerela... about lynching which is happening in Bengal, about the lynching which happened in Jammu & Kashmir," she said adding "the principle should apply to everybody". + Nobody wants lynching. But Protests seem a bit selective: #NotInMyName should include against lynching In Kerala, WB: @CimGOI @nsitharaman Make in India (@makeinindia) June 29, 2017 She asked the protesters to demonstrate "wherever human life is being hurt (as) we cannot be selective in condemning violence". Hundreds of people from Delhi joined the protest called "Not In My Name" held yesterday after a 17-year-old boy, Junaid, was killed by a mob on board a Mathura-bound train. Simultaneous protests were held in several other cities and are also slated to be held elsewhere in the world. Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said killing of people in the name of cow protection is not acceptable, remarks that come amid a spurt of attacks by cow vigilantes and a wave of protests. Tiruchirappalli: One person was blown to pieces and three others were injured in an explosion at a scrap godown about 40 km from Tiruchirappalli on Thursday, police said. The deceased has been identified as Mariappan (50), a worker at the godown, the police said. The godown is located on a busy stretch at Mettualipatti on the outskirts of Manaparai town. People rushed out from their houses on hearing the deafening sound and found three persons with bleeding injuries and rushed them to the hospital. One person was found dead with his body blown to pieces, the police said. The police suspect some explosive materials could have been stored in the godown and it would have exploded. New Delhi: More than 2,000 cases of encroachment of waqf properties have been filed in the last three years and some of the complaints have been forwarded to the CBI, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday. Addressing the 76th Central Waqf Council, Naqvi said "several waqf properties have been under the clutches of powerful Waqf mafias due to criminal conspiracy between them and Waqf boards. "We are making efforts to ensure that all the Waqf boards and their records across the country are made digital. (My Ministry) has been providing all possible help to the state Waqf boards." He said a board of adjudication had been set up to look into the complaints at the central level under the chairmanship of a retired Supreme Court judge. Likewise, three-member tribunals were being started at the state level. A total of 21 states had already done so. Kolkata: President Pranab Mukherjee highlighted India's rich diversity on Thursday, saying the country must move forward as a whole and not by caste or community. His assertion comes in the backdrop of recent incidents of violence against some members of a minority community in the country. Addressing a function here, Mukherjee said India is diverse with 130 crore people who follow seven religions, speak 200 languages and 1,800 dialects. Three major ethnic groups live under one flag, one Constitution and one administrative process. "This is the ethos of India. Yes, we must have change. We must have improvement. We must move forward. (But) Not in isolation, not in groups, not in individual, not in caste or community but for the entire land mass of India," the president said. "We are not indulging in the flow of blood, rolling of heads to achieve our objective," he said. Mukherjee referred to the end of colonial rule during which, he said, people did not part with hatred but with smiles. Mukherjee also referred to the major reforms brought by the Narendra Modi-led government, including the presentation of budget on 1 February instead of 28 February, among others. He appreciated the Goods and Services Tax (GST), slated to be rolled out from 1 July. The president said there have been a series of central and state taxes including excise, service tax and Value Added Tax. "From tomorrow midnight, when the prime minister pushes the button, 130 crore people living in such a vast area will come under one taxation system. One nation, one taxation, GST," he said to a huge round of applause. The president was speaking during the inaugural session of a global summit on 'Academics and economic reforms role of cost and management accountants'. The event was organised by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) and attended by West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi among others. Mukherjee said he had introduced in 2011 a Constitution amendment bill to facilitate the GST but it could not win the majority. He said India has delayed the process of bringing changes with consent of the people so that views of a majority of people can be accommodated for which the country, the largest functioning democracy in the world, is being praised. The president emphasised on providing quality education and skills to young population of the country which can act as the biggest workforce provider to the world. In his first public outing in the country after teenager Hafiz Junaid was stabbed to death in Haryana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly expressed his anguish against the lynch mob tendency. Modi didn't refer to any particular incident but his message was loud and clear that the self-styled anti-social cow protectors can't have a free run and the law enforcing agencies must come down heavily on them. "What kind of cow protection is this where human lives are taken in name of protecting cows?... is this compassion to cow, is this cow protection?" the prime minister asked on Thursday. Modi was clearly peeved at reports of violence against members of the Muslim community and gave a vent off his anger in no uncertain terms. He chose Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram to talk about the issue. He referred to Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave as to how the duo respected cow and how service to cow should be. To connect with a larger audience and also those who have indulged in blatant goondaism, which no society could approve of in the name of cow protection, he narrated a real life story from his childhood where a cow left food and water and finally died after she mistakenly trampled a child under her feet. By speaking at length over the issue Modi was addressing multiple sets of audience. First, his message was intended to put some balm to the families of victims of violence that the state, more so, the prime minister himself shared their grief. Second, his message was for the anti-social elements who perpetrated violence, rioting, arson, killing in the name of protecting cows. They are criminals and should be dealt with heavy hands of the law by the concerned state agencies, the prime minister said. Third, his message was for the state governments, those ruled by BJP governments in particular because maximum number of incidents of violence have been reported from these states. The political leadership apart from the state administration right up to the block level, besides the police and other law enforcing agencies should act actively to contain such elements and act in an exemplary manner to punish these perpetrators. Fourth, it is impertinent upon Sangh Parivar and members of the BJP to be mindful of the fact that when their leader has taken such a stern view they must do everything in their command to ensure that such incidents don't happen. If they internalise this message and carry it forward in speech and deeds then they would be doing a service both to their leader and to the nation. It must be noted that this is the second time when Modi has taken a strong public position against these self-styled protectors. In August last year, in the aftermath of merciless beating of some Dalits at Una in Gujarat by some self-proclaimed cow protectors and lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh, Modi at a town hall session in New Delhi had said: "In recent days we have seen there are people who have opened shops in the name of gau raksha I feel so angry at times. Some people who are engaged in anti-social activities for the whole night wear the mask of gau rakshaks in the day. I say some people do it in order to deflect attention from their ills; they don the mantle of gau rakshaks and masquerade as cow protectors... I will ask state governments to prepare dossiers on such people, as 70-80 percent of them will be found to be involved in anti-social activities which no society approves of." Modi's message then did have its impact. The government machinery in some states woke up from slumber and were seen to be taking some strong action against the so-called cow protectors. The anti-social elements too went into hiding and lied low. But then as incidents in recent past suggest that impact of Modi's warning and call to state governments to take action was only temporary. The prime minister needs to stress upon the states to evolve a mechanism where action during such incidents are swift, sharp and exemplary. The fear of long arms of the law reaching on to them with all its consequent ferocity should go inside the heart and mind of these criminals. One would hope that Modi's message will have the desired impact and there would be no repeat of what Akhlaq, Pehlu Khan and Junaid had to suffer in the form of gruesome deaths at the hands of blood-thirsty mobs. Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat reached Sikkim's capital Gangtok on Thursday morning amid standoff between Indian troops and Chinese army along the India-China border in the sensitive sector which is threatening to further strain the bilateral ties, reported India Today. Chief of army staff Bipin Rawat leaves from Delhi for his visit to Sikkim. IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) June 29, 2017 Rawat will take stock of operational matters and meet with the top army commanders at formation headquarters in the border state. Official sources described General Rawat's visit as routine. The genesis of the latest standoff is understood to have had a link to Donglang, a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. China has accused Indian troops of "crossing the boundary" in the Sikkim section, calling for their immediate withdrawal and a thorough investigation of the issue. Rawat will visit other formation headquarters in the North East and review operational matters in the region that shares most of India's 3,488-kilometre-long border with China, reported Asian Age. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang claimed in a statement on Monday night that the Indian border guards crossed the boundary in the Sikkim section of the China-India border and entered Chinese territory. China has urged India, PTI quoted Geng as saying, to immediately withdraw its border guards that have crossed the boundary and have a thorough investigation of this matter, Geng said. They obstructed normal activities of the Chinese frontier forces in the Donglang area in Sikkim recently, and the Chinese side has taken counter-measures, he said. The Sikkim section of the China-India boundary has been defined by treaties, Geng said, noting that the Indian government has repeatedly confirmed in writing that there is no objection to it. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) had on Monday accused the Indian military of stopping the construction of a road in what it claims to be China's "sovereign territory" in the Sikkim section of the India-China border and said the move has "seriously damaged" border peace and tranquillity. China had also demanded their immediate withdrawal, while asserting that it has shut down the Nathu La pass entry for Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar because of the border standoff. China also said that it has lodged diplomatic protests with India, both in New Delhi and Beijing, alleging that the Indian troops trespassed into Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector. With inputs from PTI In early June, two helicopters of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) hovered over Chamoli district. The act triggered concern in India's security establishment about the PLA. After all, this was their fourth incursion into Indian airspace since March 2017. China defended the act, saying it had a territorial dispute with India in the eastern section of their boundary and that the Chinese military carry out regular patrolling in the relevant areas. Interestingly, the incident occurred just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while visiting Russia, stated that not a single bullet had been fired at the India-China border in the last 40 years despite the simmering boundary dispute between the two neighbours. Where some might see coincidence, others say this is just the latest example of China testing India and the failure of its Look East policy, which was introduced under PV Narasimha Rao and endorsed by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh governments and later rebranded as "Act East" policy by Modi (which focused on North East). What is the Look East/Act East policy? According to Institute for Defence Analyses experts Rajorshi Roy and Sampa Kundu, the Look East policy aimed at reducing Indias isolation in international affairs and boosting Indias involvement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in order to benefit from the advantages of regional cooperation. ASEAN comprises 10 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. China, the real danger However, some argue India's focus on the Look East/Act East policy, overlooked the real threat to India, namely China. Experts have been sounding the alarm bells with respect to the Dragon as far back as 2009, when in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, former prime minister Manmohan Singh government had been focusing its attention on Pakistan. Then Indian Air Force chief Fali Homi Major said: "China is a totally different ballgame compared to Pakistan," he said. "We know very little about the actual capabilities of China, their combat edge or how professional their military isthey are certainly a greater threat." Writing for the South Asia Monitor, Delhi-based strategic analyst Jai Kumar Verma argued in late 2016: "The real danger to India is however, an expansionist China; it is member of United Nations Security Council with veto power, and has lot of surplus funds which it spends on poor countries to gain their support. China is much ahead of India in military power; it has bigger armed forces, more and better nuclear warheads and is modernising its armed forces at a much faster pace than India, especially in cyber and space." The BBC quoted India's former eastern army chief of staff Lieutenant General JR Mukherjee as saying, "China has vastly beefed up its military infrastructure in Tibet and we are only catching up. Unless we do that, China will always arm-twist us on the border and try to impose a solution on its terms." Writing for The Times of India, Indrani Bagchi said: "China is playing the same game in South China Sea and PoK (Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir) inch forward, but altering the ground situation irrevocably on the way. In fact, the PLAs frequent incursions/ transgressions (whatever you will) also have the same aim of marking territory. China is using both infrastructure and political tools to make Pakistan 'own' PoK." China's String of Pearls and India's response Writing for India Today, Prabhash K Dutta argued that by asserting its control over Pakistan's Gwadar port, China seems to have completed its String of Pearls which refers to the number of civilian and military projects in Strait of Malacca, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, the Strait of Hormuz, Somalia, Bangladesh and Myanmar and which may, in the near future, allow China a foothold in the Indian Ocean region and some day become a Blue Water Navy Dutta argued that China has been strategically cultivating relationships to encircle and isolate India. But all is not lost. Dutta argued: "India has invested a lot diplomatically and entered into multiple pacts with countries like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia - all surrounding China. Besides, India has good old friends in Japan, South Korea and Russia." India's muddled approach to One Belt One Road initiative Soon after he took office, Modi told world leaders his government accorded high priority to turn India's erstwhile "Look East" policy into an "Act East" policy. However, the truth is that the prime minister's efforts have been inconsistent at best. Take the Dragon's greatest and most controversial gambit: One Belt One Road initiative (OBOR), which comprises various infrastructure projects surrounding the establishment of rail and road communication links between Gwadar on Pakistans Makran coast to Kashgar in Chinas Xinjiang province. India boycotted China's high-profile Belt and Road Forum, protesting the fact that the Chinese-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) traversed through Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). While some declared it as a "moral victory" and praised India for taking the high ground, others assailed India for giving in to China. Writing for The Indian Express, former Union minister Manish Tewari described India's abstention from OBOR as the grandest failure of Indian foreign policy. "By boycotting the summit rather than showing up and making our voice heard loud and clear in the comity of nations, India has in fact sent out a message that it will make proforma noise on this issue but actually acquiesce to the fait accompli," Tewari wrote. Time for a new look In December 2016, this Firstpost article argued that India is in dire need of a new China policy. The article credited the signing of the Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement in 1993 as the reason for the relationship between the countries stabilising after the 1962 India-China war, and opined that while it allowed for peace and focus on developing their economies, it was time for a new look. "The strategy has served India well for at least a quarter of a century, a surprisingly long time considering the dynamic nature of foreign policy, but not anymore. There are increasing signs now that the balance of power between India and China has changed. There is now less equilibrium between both nations who may not yet be on a path of direct confrontation but find themselves frequently locking horns on several issues on their divergent paths towards emerging as new 21st century powers... From India's point of view, the time is ripe for a re-engagement based on mutually agreeable interests. Peace with a China is imperative if India is to pursue its own trajectory to greatness." Only time will tell if India can tame the Dragon. With inputs from agencies Indian Army chief visited the mountainous state of Sikkim bordering China on Thursday, where tensions have flared after Beijing accused New Delhi of sending troops into its territory and obstructing the construction of a road. Small incursions and troop stand-offs are common along other parts of China and India's contested 3,500 kilometre (2175 miles) frontier, but a flare-up near strategically positioned Sikkim is rare. General Bipin Rawat arrived in Gangtok, the capital of the tiny Himalayan state, before heading off to visit troop formations. A spokesman for the Indian Army said the one-day trip was "routine" and planned before the recent tensions. Reports of the incursion and a confrontation between troops emerged as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington to meet US president Donald Trump on Monday, the latest in a line of stand-offs reported during diplomatic initiatives. India has deepened its military ties with the United States in recent years, worrying China, which is also unhappy with India's refusal to participate in Beijing's multi-billion-dollar Silk Road infrastructure initiative. India is concerned the project could cement China's dominance over Asia. According to the Chinese interpretation of events, Indian guards crossed into the Donglang region earlier in June and obstructed work on a road on a plateau. The two sets of troops then confronted each other close to a highly strategic valley controlled by China that separates India from Bhutan a close Indian ally and gives China access to the so-called Chicken's Neck, a slither of land that connects India to its remote northeastern regions. Indian media have reported that the dispute began when China removed an old Indian bunker. China says that unlike other parts of their shared border, the delineation of the frontier with Sikkim is settled, and it has the right to develop the area. "Donglang Region is part of China's territory," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday. "China's road-building activities in Donglang on its own territory are totally reasonable and understandable." The Nathu La Pass, which lies on the frontier between Sikkim and Tibet, was the site of a fierce border clash between Chinese and Indian troops in 1967. Beijing: Amid a standoff in the Sikkim sector of the border, China on Wednesday warned India that future visits of its pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass will depend on whether it will "correct its errors". Beijing also termed the construction of a road in the Sikkim sector of the Sino-India border as "legitimate", asserting that it was being built on Chinese territory that neither belongs to India nor Bhutan and no other country had the right to interfere. "Donglang is part of China's territory. This is indisputable. The Donglang area belonged to China since ancient times and it doesn't belong to Bhutan," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media in Beijing. "India wants to raise an issue with this part. I should say it doesn't belong to Bhutan, nor it belongs to India. So we have complete legal basis for this. Chinese construction of the road project is legitimate and normal action on its territory. No other country has the right to interfere," he said while replying to a question. Lu defended China's decision to shut the Nathu La pass in Sikkim for Indian pilgrims, saying that China had agreed to open the route as the boundary there has been delineated with the consent of both the countries. "For a long time in the interest of India-China relations, China provided great conveniences to the Indian pilgrims. Based on the consensus between the two countries' leaders, and on the fact that the Sikkim sector boundary is delineated and recognised by two countries, the Chinese side in 2015 opened the Nathu La pass for Indian pilgrims," he said. For two years it worked well and in fact this year also the Chinese authorities had prepared for the reception of Indian pilgrims and informed the Indian side about it, Lu said. "Now the suspension of the same is an emergency response to the situation there. I want to stress that the resumption of pilgrims pass requires necessary atmosphere and conditions. So the liability of the same totally lies with the Indian side and when it will be reopened depends on when or whether the Indian side will correct its errors," he said. China also hinted that India was objecting to its efforts to build the road in Donglang area of the Sikkim sector on behalf of Bhutan which does not have any diplomatic ties with Beijing. Taking a dig at India, Lu said Bhutan is a universally recognised sovereign country. "Hope countries can respect the sovereignty of the country. The China-Bhutan boundary is not delineated, no third party should interfere in this matter and make irresponsible remarks or actions," he said. "If any third party, out of hidden agenda, interferes it is disrespect of the sovereignty of Bhutan. We don't want to see this as Bhutan is a country entitled to sovereignty by the international community," Lu said. Donglang is located in a tri-junction close to the strategic area called Chicken's Neck. China says that the Sikkim part of the India-China boundary is settled and therefore India has no right to object over the road construction. Asked about whether there was any progress in the talks between India and Chinese officials over the border standoff, Lu said, "the Indian troops crossed the boundary at the Sikkim side to the Chinese territory." "This is different to what was before in India-China boundary. China has made solemn representations against the same. India should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China," he said. Meanwhile, Chinese think tanks speculated that India stopped the road construction on behalf of Bhutan. Lu last night also had justified the move to construct a road in the Sikkim sector, saying that the area is "undoubtedly" located on its side of the border as per the 1890 Sino-British Treaty on Sikkim. "According to the treaty, 'zhe' is the ancient name of Sikkim," Lu said. "As per this treaty, the area over which the Indian Army has raised objection is undoubtedly located on the Chinese side of the border," he said on Tuesday. China had on Tuesday lodged a protest with India over the alleged "crossing of boundary" by its troops in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal. It had also linked future visits of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar to India "withdrawing the troops" from the area. Beijing: In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, China on Thursday reminded India about its military defeat in 1962 and asked it to withdraw troops from "Chinese territory," a precondition Beijing has set for resolving the latest border row in the Sikkim region. Beijing also asked New Delhi not to "clamour for war". "We hope the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," People's Liberation Army spokesperson Wu Qian said, referring to Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat's remarks that India was ready for a war with both China and Pakistan. "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible," Wu said about remarks attributed to General Rawat, who on Thursday visited Sikkim where Indian and Chinese troops scuffled. Tensions have risen between the two neighbours over the latest stand-off in India's Sikkim sector which has a little over 200 kilometres of border with Tibet in China. This is the only part of over 4,000-kilometres India-China border which is largely settled. The two fought a war in 1962. The latest stand-off occurred in Donglong or Doklam, a disputed territory between Bhutan and China. Beijing has accused India of obstructing road building in the area, which it claims as its own. It has also charged India with acting at the behest of Bhutan, which also lays claim to Donglong. New Delhi has so far not responded to the charges of Beijing, which on Thursday released two photos of Indian troops "trespassing Chinese boundary". "We again urge the Indian side to abide by historical boundary convention, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid further escalation," foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said. "This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue," he said. Following the face-off, China has suspended the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet where Indians travel via Nathu La Pass, which is shut now. Lu said the fact of Indian troops crossing into Chinese territory was "undeniable". "It is violating our historical boundary conventions as well as promises by the Indian government," he added. "I can show you the pictures and photos concerning borders trespassed by Indian troops." Lu said displaying the pictures to the media from the lectern. China also brushed aside Bhutan's protest against Beijing building a road towards a Bhutanese Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam or Donglong, calling the construction "just and lawful" and in Chinese territory. Bhutan has issued a demarche to the Chinese Embassy over the incident in New Delhi since both countries have no diplomatic ties. "Donglong has been Chinese territory since ancient time. This is an indisputable territory and we have adequate legal basis concerning this," Lu said. "And this is just a sovereign action by China to conduct the road construction in its territory. This is totally justifiable and lawful." Barring India and Bhutan, China has settled its land border dispute with its other 12 neighbours. The military standoff between India and China in the strategically sensitive Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction requires careful manoeuvring on New Delhi's part and dialling down of jingoistic nationalist narrative in media and political circles. This is not to say that Indian Army has been wrong in attempting to check Beijing's cartographic aggression in Bhutan. From Asia to Africa, China's neocolonialism is altering the topographical, economic and geopolitical order. In trying to construct a road over Doklam Plateau, a disputed area between China and Bhutan, Beijing is trying to bully the little Himalayan Kingdom into conceding territory and has seen red at India which considers itself as Bhutan's security guarantor meddling into the conflict. Media reports indicate that Indian troops interfered with a Chinese road construction attempt at the site located strategically between China-controlled Chumbi Valley and Bhutan-administered Doklam Plateau. If completed, the road will allow China unhindered access to Chicken's Neck, the narrow Siliguri Corridor that is only 25 kilometres thin at places and connects India to the entire North East. Indian interference obviously didn't go down well with China, which retaliated by demolishing a few Indian bunkers. The situation deteriorated quickly and led to an intense unarmed jostling between the two sides. Since the incident, which took place in the first week of June, both countries have increased troop presence in the area. Meanwhile, reports say that Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in Sikkim on Thursday on a two-day trip, to visit the formation headquarters and check operational capabilities. The army has wisely maintained strict silence. China, which sees territorial gains as an essential part of its revanchist strategy, frequently sends People's Liberation Army troops into Bhutanese territory to intimidate the Royal Bhutanese Army and eventually subsume the Doklam plateau (which it refers to by the name of Donglang). China's Bhutan land-grab is not a new project. It has been continuing since at least the 1960s when it raised "discrepancies" in the McMahon Line delineation leading to its occupation of the Chumbi Valley in 1988. The territorially unsatisfied nation didn't stop there. Its eyes then fell on the Doklam Plateau and eight years later, in 1996, as Praveen Swami and Apurva write in Indian Express, Beijing "offered to renounce its claims over the Pasam-Lung and Jakar-Lung valleys in northern Bhutan (495 square kilometres) in return for Thimphu ceding its claims to the Doklam plateau." On Thimphu's refusal, China's long-term project of fattening the Chumbi Valley which currently resembles a dagger between Sikkim and Bhutan remain incomplete. It has since been trying in various ways to attach the plateau and secure its strategic advantage vis-a-vis India. In 2005, for instance, Bhutanese lawmakers accused China of disregarding the 1998 bilateral understanding, encroaching onto its territory and constructive several roads. Bhutan protested that China was 'threatening its national sovereignty'. It is amusing, therefore, to see China's charge that India is "encroaching into its territory". Beijing has upped the ante by refusing to let Indian pilgrims reach Kailash Mansarovar through Nathu La and has issued a warning that the decision shall not be reversed unless India withdraws its troops. Its foreign secretary told reporters in a news conference that "Donglang area belongs to China since ancient times. This is indisputable," adding that "it doesn't belong to Bhutan, nor it belongs to India. So, we have a complete legal basis for this. Chinese construction of the road project is legitimate and normal action on its territory. No other country has the right to interfere." China's claim has received strong denial from Bhutan, whose ambassador to India, Major-General V Namgyal, told Suhasini Haider of The Hindu that, "Bhutan has conveyed that the road construction by the PLA is not in keeping with the agreements between China and Bhutan (over boundary resolution) We have asked them to stop and refrain from changing the status quo." Part of China's belligerence against India apart from official protests, it has once again used state-run media outlets to issue inflammatory rhetoric lies in the fact that New Delhi has been assertive in preventing road-construction in the disputed area. India's fear stems from the strategic vulnerability it faces if China strengthens its position. As noted in the Indian Express report, Beijing is fast expanding its strategic equities in the Doklam plateau "with the upgrading of the road from Lhasa to Yadong, which allows the 500-kilometre journey to be made in just seven hours. The road, which passes through Bhutan's territory, has significantly enhanced China's military logistics in the region." It is therefore impossible for India to turn a blind eye at China's latest land-grab and it is well within its rights to interfere and stop a crucial alteration in topography. This author's contention, however, is that the existing paradigm of power imbalance does not allow India to match China's aggressive posture with aggression. New Delhi stands to lose, not gain, by escalating conflict. This is the time to be calmly assertive. India must let China realise that bullying tactics won't work but it must stay below the escalation rudder while eschewing rhetoric and alarmism in public sphere. It might appear a politically inconvenient and an egotistically bruising option since Chinese media has been issuing naked threats such as "India must be taught the rules" and provoking us by saying "India lags far behind China in terms of national strength." Yet, our action must be rooted in ground realities when it comes to China. One, unlike the Line of Control, which is a fairly well-defined line, theLine of Actual Control (LAC) is a more fluid delineation of the actual border and there are at least 16 different contested places where differences in perception exist. It is easier, therefore, for militarily and economically superior China to periodically exploit these areas to send a diplomatic and political message whenever it suffers from strategic anxieties due to India's actions. The recent India-United States bonhomie and close synergy between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States president Donald Trump on Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative would have given China ample cause for worry. It will be a stretch to assume that its belligerence over Nathu La has nothing to do with the Modi-Trump meeting. As geostrategist and author Brahma Chellaney writes in Hindustan Times, "China may have orchestrated the Sikkim standoff not so much to cast a shadow over the Modi-Trump discussions as to warn Modi that his increasing tilt toward the US will carry long-term costs." There is a possibility that India's strengthening of ties with the US have come at the cost of a deterioration of its relationship with China but, and this is the second point, there is no reason for India to lose sleep over it, or fear unnecessarily a military conflict because China is essentially a mercantile power. A mercantile power would be loathe to let ties dip beyond a point, where it starts affecting trade and commerce. Here, by virtue of its trade imbalance with China, India holds a strategic advantage. Besides, both nations are nuclear powers and the ground situation isn't what it was in 1962. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for India to back off from confronting China. However, it must handle the dispute with utmost care and sensitivity. India and China are once again at loggerheads but this time the location is not the disputed territories of Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, but Sikkim a state which Beijing recognises to be part of India. The Indian media reported on Monday that Chinese troops had entered India in the Sikkim sector and jostled with Indian Army personnel guarding the Sino-India frontier, besides destroying two bunkers. Reports added that the face-off had been going on in Doka La general area in Sikkim since 16 June. The Indian troops had to struggle hard to stop the Chinese personnel from advancing further into Indian territory. They formed a human wall along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to stop the People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel, some of whom also videographed and clicked pictures of the incident, reported PTI. As a consequence of the tensions on the border, China suspended the annual Kailash Manasarovar yatra, adding that the decision to suspend the pilgrimage was due to a border stand-off and alleged that the Indian troops had crossed the Sikkim section of the Indo-China border. The catalyst for the ongoing stand-off seems to be India's objection to China building a road in the Sikkim sector of the border. While India alleged that the area comes under its jurisdiction, China, on the other hand, said that the area "undoubtedly" is located on its side of the border as per the 1890 Sino-British Treaty. Poor infrastructure in India's North East Strategic experts have long decried India's lack of infrastructure in the eastern border regions. A 2015 report published in Hindustan Times highlighted the lack of access in North East affecting the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which patrols the border regions along China. The report added that two senior leaders, BJP's Tarun Vijay and former Arunachal Pradesh MP Takam Sanjoy, slammed the poor infrastructure in the region. Vijay was quoted as saying, Vehicles crawl at 20-25 kilometres per hour on the Indian side of the border. The Chinese can move at 120-140 kilometres per hour on their side. On the other hand, Sanjoy was blunt in his criticism. "If you cant make roads, dont talk about trains to the China border. Sanjoy criticised the government for neglecting the border regions and cutting down on the budget for improving border security. This state of affairs is in sharp contrast with China, which has been investing heavily in improving its infrastructure along the India border. Beijing is not only improving its own infrastructure but through smart diplomacy, it is also encircling India by creating key economic and strategic assets. Strategic connectivity The $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which transgresses Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, allows China easy access to the Arabian Sea. It is not just Pakistan but China is also spreading the tangles in Bangladesh and Myanmar, the latter is a key nation in India's Look East Policy. China has invested $10 billion in developing a Special Economic Zone in Kyaukphyu, giving China access to the Bay of Bengal. Since 2012, China is also keen on building a road link between Kunming and Chittagong, a port city in Bangladesh. A Quint report noted that China may begin the work of linking Nepal's capital Kathmandu through a rail link by 2020. China's developmental push in Tibet China's Tibet Autonomous Region shares its border with India. China has been on a development spree in the region, building about five airports, besides linking the territory with road and rail links. In contrast to India, which has still not linked all of North East through rail link, China linked Lhasa to its railway system in 2006. Developmental projects being undertaken in Tibet has sparked concerns in India as it would provide considerable leverage to the 2.3 million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) to move men and material up to the borders with relative ease. China's military power is also bolstered by several airstrips in Tibet as well as a 58,000 kilometre-long roadways in the region. While a 2011 The Times of India report stated that the Chinese military has five operational airstrips in Tibet, a recent Quint report pegs the number at 15. What must worry India is the fact that a rail link between Lhasa and Xigaze is close to Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal, reported The Times of India in 2014. In addition to providing China with easy military manouevering, the railway links have led to the influx of migrants from the populated regions of China, noted The Guardian in a 2016 article. While China has been proactive in building infrastructure along the border, India has woken up from its slumber only in the last few years. India's response to the China threat According a Hindustan Times report published in February 2017, Indian Army is set to deploy fleet of armed helicopters near the North East border. The report also noted that the army will also raise a new corps, 17 Corps, for the North East by 2025. A Quint report added that the a new air force station near Ladakh will be built just 25 kilometres from the Line of Actual Control. The Ministry of DONER is focussing on developing roadways in the North East. A 2016 communique on their website states: An amount of Rs.4113.31 crore has been released for 608 Roads and Bridges under Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme upto 5.8.2016. Under the scheme, North East State Roads Investment Project, a total of 433.4 kms is undertaken for upgradation/ construction in the North East at a total cost of Rs.1355.83 crore. Under North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS), four inter-state neglected road projects have been taken up by Ministry of DoNER for upgradation through National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). On the other hand, the Indian Railways is all set to go beyond Assam and cover the rest of the seven sisters by 2020, according to a 2016 The Indian Express report. With inputs from agencies New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday assured help to an Indian woman from Telangana, who is lodged in a jail in Riyadh. Sushma Swaraj tweeted that, We will provide Fahimunnisa Begum legal aid and all assistance. https://t.co/sLWcICg1qq Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 28, 2017 Swaraj's assurance came after the woman's husband requested the minister to ensure her release. The reason for her arrest was not known. Responding to a request of another person, Swaraj said that the Indian Embassy in Bahrain will look into the reported drowning of an Indian there. Indian Embassy in Bahrain will check up and inform you. @IndiaInBahrain https://t.co/w8dl8tSGW0 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 28, 2017 Kabees Abdul Jaleel, 32, had reportedly drowned in a swimming pool in Bahrain. Swaraj was approached by the person on Twitter who said the deceased was his relation. He said they did not know what happened to Jaleel and requested Swaraj to take appropriate action. Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday slammed US president Donald Trump for siding with "oppressor India" after it declared Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist. In a series of tweets, Imran Khan criticised US foreign policy, stating that it has lost all morality and justice and now is only based on "arms sales and financial benefits". The PTI chairman stated that "by calling Kashmiri freedom movement as terrorism, Trump is siding with oppressor India as it supports oppressor in Palestine". By trying to lump indigenous Kashmiri freedom struggle as terrorism Trump siding with oppressor India as US supports oppressor in Palestine https://t.co/RfcU8q0W6M Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 29, 2017 While mentioning "Indian interference in Afghanistan", Imran Khan said that US has no right to give India the role of interventionist in Afghanistan because it is Pakistan that shares border with it. He asserted that Trump's Afghan policy will further aggravate the already deteriorating situation and will prevent resolution of the issue. The US State Department in an announcement on Monday declared Pakistan-based Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist and slapped sanctions on him. Devnik Saha The jails of Uttar Pradesh (UP), overcrowded and understaffed, are in no position to house gaushalas (cow shelters) as the state government recently proposed. The prisons of Indias most populous state are 69 percent over capacitycompared with the national average of 14 percent and have only two-thirds of the staff they need, according to 2015 prison statistics, the latest available with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The capacity of jails across Uttar Pradesh is 49,434, but they hold 88,747 inmates, the data reveal. Nationally, the figures are 366,781 and 419,623, respectively. The highest occupancy rate was reported in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 277 percent, more than any other state and union territory, followed by Chhattisgarh (234 percent) and Delhi (227 percent). Source: Prison Statistics 2015, National Crime Records Bureau Enough manpower to manage prison, prisoners and cows? We have manpower and most jails have adequate land to set up gaushalas. Naini Jail in Allahabad already has a gaushala, minister of state for jails Jai Kumar Singh had said of government plans for jail gaushalas. We are looking at the possibility of starting gaushalas in other jails. Our plan is to run them with a little grant from the government and utilise the assistance from social workers and citizens. There is a 33 percent shortage in jail staff in Uttar Pradesh. Of a sanctioned strength of 10,407, 6,972 (67 percent) posts are filled. The national shortage is 34 percent, according to 2015 NCRB data. Bihar is most starved of prison staffit has 2,654 personnel while it needs 7,860, a shortage of 66 percent, followed by Delhi (47%) and West Bengal (41 percent), IndiaSpend reported on 11 November, 2016 Uttar Pradesh has more undertrials than any state In absolute numbers, Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of undertrials (62,669), followed by Bihar (23,424) and Maharashtra (21,667), according to 2015 NCRB data. In Bihar, 82 percent of prisoners were undertrials, the highest among states, the data further reveal. More than 25 percent of undertrial prisoners in 16 out of 36 states and union territories have been detained for more than one year in 2014; Jammu and Kashmir leads this list with 54%, followed by Goa (50 percent) and Gujarat (42 percent), and Uttar Pradesh leads in terms of sheer numbers (18,214), IndiaSpend reported on October 17, 2016. Furthermore, human rights activists have often raised the subject of the living conditions of prisoners in jails. Since 2013, the Supreme Court has been hearing a suo motu case involving inhuman conditions in 1,382 prisons in India. In this case, the bench comprising of justices Madan B Lokur and RK Agrawal issued directives to all states in February, as The Wire reported on 11 April, 2016. (Saha is an MA Gender and Development student at Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex.) The elections for the 13th Vice-President of India will be held on 5 August. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said notification for the election will be issued on 4 July and nominations can be submitted by 18 July. Zaidi was speaking ata conference held at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi. The scrutiny will take place on 18 July and the last date for withdrawing nomination is 21 July, he said. He said if polling is required, it will take place on 5 August and the counting will also take place on the same day. Members of Parliament will use special pens for marking their choice, Zaidi said on Thursday while announcing the schedule. #WATCH Election Commission announces schedule for Vice Presidential elections https://t.co/3PJGl2dBPu ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 He said no whip can be issued by political parties. Secretary General of Rajya Sabha Shumsher K Sheriff will be the returning officer for the election, Zaidi said. The term of the present incumbent Hamid Ansari, who has held the post for two consecutive terms, is coming to an end on 10 August. India Today reported that the new Vice-President is likely to be sworn in on 11 August. The electoral college which elects the Vice President, who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, consists of elected and nominated members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. The total strength of the two Houses is 790, but there are some vacancies. The Election Commission also announced the date of election to the Rajya Sabha seat from Goa. The term of the current Vice-President, Hamid Ansari, will expire on 10 August, necessitating elections to choose his successor. Ansari has served two terms as Vice-President, having been first elected to the post on 7 August, 2007 and then re-elected in 2012. Union minister Venkaiah Naidu had said earlier there was no chance of him contesting for the position of Vice-President. He had further added that, Never am I going to participate in the vice-presidential elections even if anyone compels me.... Happiness for me is meeting people, being among them and serving them. I cannot let a ceremonial position keep me away from people. The Presidential elections are scheduled to be held on 17 July and will see the NDA's candidate Ram Nath Kovind take on Meira Kumar, the joint candidate supported by 17 opposition parties. With inputs from agencies Patna: One person was killed in a clash between villagers and police over the removal of a Shiva Linga in Bihar's Madhubani district, officials said on Thursday. The late Wednesday night clash took place in Khojpur village when a police team wanted to take possession of the Shiva Linga that was found during digging for a pond. People from the neighbouring village of Navkatol claimed the Shiv Linga, saying it had been discovered in their area. District officer Kumar Inder Prakash said that when the police reached the site, anti-social elements stoned the security personnel and set ablaze four vehicles belonging to the police and the district administration. He said the police used lathis and opened fire to disperse the villagers. A police official identified the dead man as Mangan Shahu, a shopkeeper. Angry over the police action, villagers blocked the Babubarhi-Khutaaunaa road. A case has been lodged against dozens of villagers, the officer said. Mumbai: Several activists, film personalities and youth on Wednesday staged a protest, opposing 'community-targeted' mob lynchings. Actors Shabana Azmi and Konkona Sena Sharma were among those who participated in the protest held at Carter Road in suburban Bandra on Wednesday evening. Protesters marched silently, holding posters and placards bearing slogans. "Killing over food. Not in my Name," read a placard. "Today's protest was against the savage culture of mob lynching," journalist and author Rana Ayyub said. The anti-lynching movement has gained traction after Saba Dewan, a documentary filmmaker, posted on Facebook about a protest she wanted to organise at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Similar marches have been held in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru. A member of the Bandra West Residents Association, who participated in today's protest, said the campaign, started with the hashtag #NotInMyName, is an attempt to 'reclaim the Constitution' and resist the `onslaught' on the right to life and equality. Manjula Shetye, the 35-year-old woman inmate who was assaulted and murdered inside Byculla jail in Mumbai allegedly by the the jail superintendent and five other prison staff, was the third in her family to have passed away in the last eight months. The kin of the deceased woman are unhappy with the role of the Mumbai Police alleging that the cops are trying to "shield the perpetrators." They are also worried about the safety of those jail inmates who stood up for Manjula when she was beaten, disrobed and had a baton shoved in her private parts. "Tera bhi Manjula kar denge," the jail staff threatened the eyewitnesses, using my sister's name as a verb, when they tried to reach out to help her. This is in their statements to the police. We are afraid these witnesses might be threatened, assaulted, and worse, forced to change their statements. They are at risk in Byculla Jail, and need to be shifted elsewhere," said 56-year-old Anant Shetye, a Pune-based professor, one of the four brothers of Manjula. The Shetye family, comprising Manjula's parents and her five siblings four brothers and one sister were residents of a chawl in Bhandup in central Mumbai until they spread to different pockets of the state in the late nineties after Manjula and her mother, Godavari, were convicted for abetting the suicide of the former's sister-in-law. Manjula's father had passed away in 1982 while her older sister was married, and settled in Kalyan on the outskirts of the city. The brothers, overwhelmed by the humiliation, decided to move after the convictions. "My mother and Manjula were framed. They were lodged in Yerwada jail, and over the years, Manjula grew really popular with the jail staff because of her good behaviour. She was the jail warden for eight years in Yerwada. Whenever we went to visit her, the staff would escort us on priority. That's the reputation she had built. But things started to go awry after my younger brother passed away in November last year," said 51-year-old Sharad Shetye, who is an auto-rickshaw driver by profession and another of Manjula's brothers. Sharad stated that his 50-year-old brother succumbed to a heart attack last year after which his mother, who was still lodged in Yerwada at the time, started losing her health. She wouldn't eat, and resigned to loneliness. Soon, diabetes and hypertension started to take a toll on her body, and she would be admitted in hospital jail wards every fortnight. Early this year, at the age of 82 years, she developed an infection owing to her diabetes, and breathed her last. Manjula, who had spent over a decade with her mother in prison, soon turned inconsolable, and lost. "Manjula was shifted to the Byculla Jail only two months ago. Byculla Jail was short of jail wardens and they had written to Yerwada asking for these transfers. When Manjula volunteered to move, I counselled her against it since she was settled there. But she said that our mother's memories haunted her in that place, that she could still see her behind those bars, hear her complain about her health, and that every night, she would cry herself to sleep. And so, along with two other woman inmates, she moved to Byculla - only because she wanted to be away from those painful memories. And now, she is one of them," said Sharad, a resident of Kalyan. Manjula's brothers informed that they last saw her a month ago during a mulaqat at the Byculla Jail in May. She appeared visibly tired, packets of fatigue hanging loosely below her eyes. When confronted, she said she hadn't slept in three days. "She told me that the jail staff wouldn't let her sleep. She said that at Yerwada, wardens worked in eight to ten-hour shifts. However, at Byculla, wardens were supposed to keep a watch on the inmates throughout the day and night. She told me that there were several occasions when she had gone without sleep for two days or more. But we had never anticipated that the injustice would tread so far. A prison is a reformation home. You do not expect it to kill, and kill with such barbarity," said Sharad. Manjula's kin stated that they learnt about her death when local police personnel arrived at their home in Kalyan around 7 am on Friday. They informed the family that Manjula was dead, and that they should visit the Byculla prison immediately. When the family, which still wasn't told about the cause of Manjula's death, reached outside the prison, they noticed an unusually high number of armed policemen in waiting outside the jail. And soon, they deciphered the reason for the deployment. "Women inmates had climbed atop the jail. They looked uncontrollable. 'Bachao, bachao,' they were shouting, 'We are not safe here. Please save us.' They set a few clothes on fire, and soon, more police personnel arrived. The entire prison was surrounded by police vans, and while the police tried to take control of the situation, jail authorities asked every visitor to leave. When we told them that we couldn't leave, that our sister had died inside, they told us that her body was at JJ Hospital, and that we should go there," said Sharad. Upon reaching the hospital, Manjula's kin were given her post mortem report. They were told that she had suffered contusions and injuries on several parts of her body, including her brain, lungs, and stomach. Her eyes were said to have been bleeding. And when they approached the police with the findings, they learnt that their sister was murdered brutally over a few eggs and some bread loaves. "My sister was killed because she raised her voice against corruption in prison. She was subjected to this unimaginable, mind-numbing torture because she stood up for other inmates. And what have the police done? They haven't even arrested the jail staff responsible for her death. In any other murder case, arrests are prompt. Then why not here? The police are trying to help their accused counterparts. We had to run from pillar to post only to get a copy of the FIR. Why would they not give us a copy? The only logical explanation is that they wanted to hide facts from us, hide the brutal details given by eyewitnesses in their complaint. We do not trust the police, not until they put these murderers behind bars," said Anant, Manjula's brother. The author is a journalist, and author of the true crime book, The Front Page Murders. Purba Burdwan (West Bengal): West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Modi government for trying to 'privatise' the national carrier Air India and introduce GST in a "hurried" manner, saying "we do not support this". "They (Centre) is trying to sell Air India entirely. Air India is the nation's pride. We don't support this," she said at a public meeting here. The Union Cabinet had on Wednesday cleared disinvestment of the beleaguered national airline, Air India, which has floundered amid stiff competition from no-frills rivals and reported at least seven years of losses. "The Centre is also trying to shift the Tea Board of India headquarter from Kolkata," she claimed. In a veiled but obvious reference to Narendra Modi, she alleged, "Attempts are being made to throttle democracy. There is dictatorship in the country. They think they will rule for ever". "If anyone raises a voice of protest, central agencies like IT and CBI are unleashed. Even media is not spared. But I am not afraid of it. We are with the people," she said. "No one was protesting against policies of the Centre due to fear. But someone has to bell the cat. I will do it," she added. Banerjee also slammed the Centre for "introducing GST hurriedly". "We were in favour of GST. But they have changed many things. Starting from medicine, they have imposed tax. We have requested them not to implement it in a hurried manner. But they did not pay heed to it," she said. Banerjee yesterday said that her party TMC would not attend the GST roll-out programme on 30 June midnight. She had also termed the GST roll-out as another "epic blunder" by the Centre. "The Centre had asked the state to go for ordnance by 19 June or else the Treasury would stop working," she said. She said, "People are still suffering because of demonetisation. Their economic freedom was taken away. It is more than emergency". Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye; Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein, Sabut Bacha Na Koye. Saint Kabirs message to his fellow man is clear: Beware! Dont get caught between the wheels of the machine. If you do, you shall be ground to dust. Its not that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar hasnt read Kabir. He is a well-read man. Street-smart too. Little wonder then that he has leaped to safety from the machine. He knows that he cant afford to get caught in the crossfire between Bihar's two top political heavyweights Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Sangh Parivar so he watches the brazen slugfest from a safe distance, allowing the warring parties enough elbow room. Above all, Kumar is a survivor. To understand Kumars otherwise enviable position better, you need to first examine the political realities in Bihar: Kumars JD(U), which happens to the weakest of the three forces, cant come to power on its own muscle. And at the same time, none of the other parties can take office without cooperation from the JD(U). And that's the truth of Bihar politics: You can't form a government without joining hands with a rival power. The BJP and RJD can't get together. Obviously. But Kumar is free to align with either party. Flexibility is his forte. After all, he got along fabulously with the BJP from 1996 to 2013. Remember, he was a Cabinet minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government till 2004. And after the JD(U) and the BJP jointly fought the Bihar Assembly elections in 2005 and 2010, he was rewarded with the position of chief minister. To be fair, Kumar did justice to the position. Those were the good old days when the BJP never got tired of singing his praises. But things changed rather dramatically after Kumar became allergic to Narendra Modi in the run up to 2014 general election. The 14-year-old tie-up between the two parties snapped rather abruptly. Both the JD(U) and RJD, which fought the last Lok Sabha polls separately, bit the dust after BJP bagged 22 of 40 seats. Lalus party won just four seats in comparison to Kumars two in this all-important election. Indeed, this was the turning point that taught them an invaluable lesson: United we stand, divided we fall. In the run up to 2015 Assembly polls, JD(U), RJD and the Congress came together to fight the BJP. It was a massive success. The RJD emerged as the single largest party with 80 seats, followed by JD(U) which won 71 seats. BJP, which bagged 53 seats, was a distant third, even though they topped the vote share count with 24.4 percent, followed by the RJD (18.4 percent), JD(U) (16.8 percent) and Congress (6.7 percent). Significantly, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) vote share totalled a whopping 41.9 percent. As leader of the Grand Alliance, Kumar was rewarded with the chief minister's chair. But from time to time, Kumar kept his friends on edge. For example, he was all praise for Modi's demonetisation move late last year. And now he is seen supporting the NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, much to the disgust of the RJD rank-and-file. Why on earth is he doing this? One plausible reason could be that he wants to retain his otherwise clean image even as Lalu Prasad Yadav's reputation seems to have taken a hit in the face of the high-profile raids on his properties by various investigative agencies. Or he could be trying to rein in the 'loudmouths of the Lalu brigade.' But this is all conjecture. No one knows if Kumar has decided to dump the Grand Alliance and once and for all switch over to the saffron camp. But here are two reasons why he may not make this move any time soon: 1. Modi has grown into a political colossus. No leader in India, Kumar included, rivals the stature of the prime minister. Even if Kumar shakes off Yadav and the Congress, he may not receive an "honourable position" within the NDA. The BJP is, for all practical purposes, a one-man show. Gone are the days where a useful ally of Kumar's stature could conceive of becoming deputy prime minister. A lot has changed. 2. Kumar knows he can survive only within the Grand Alliance. To do that, he may have to rebuild shaky bridges. Will he? Time will tell. And Kumar must keep in mind Dale Carnegie's famous quote: When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion. Even more so in politics. New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in its present format is "unacceptable" to the Congress as it will "ruin" small businesses and create "unemployment", senior party leader Ajay Maken has said. The Delhi unit president said that the Congress would not participate in the special meeting in the Central Hall of Parliament to introduce GST at midnight of 30 June. "GST in its present format will not only ruin small and mid-size businessmen, it will also create large-scale unemployment," Maken said at a press conference at the Delhi Congress office on Thursday. The party will back the Delhi bandh call given by traders in protest against the introduction of the new tax, he has said. The GST council under the chairmanship of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley has suggested the "most disappointing and inefficient" model of GST, with a four-tier structure that is bound to "complicate", instead of simplifying taxation, Maken said. "For an uncomplicated taxation system, the tax slabs under GST should not have been more than two. Many countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, are operating under a reduced, single taxation system of GST," he said. He attacked the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, saying it was "ill-prepared" to implement the new tax even though it was being launched "grandly". The Delhi Congress would hold district-level protests against GST in the coming days, he added. New Delhi: The Congress appears undecided over attending the special midnight function in Parliament house on 30 June to mark the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and a final decision is expected on Thursday, party sources said. They said senior Congress leaders met at the residence of party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday evening and discussed the issue. They said final decision would be taken by her on Thursday. The Trinamool Congress has already decided not to attend the 30 June midnight programme as a mark of protest against the "unnecessary disastrous hurry" to roll out the pan-India tax regime. Sources said that Trinamool Congress was keen that the Congress also adopt the same course. They said that the move to roll out GST was initiated during the Congress-led government, so the party had to carefully weigh various factors. "We are a bigger party and have to take a decision keeping in mind all factors. Smaller parties have their own considerations," a party leader said. According to the sources, while a section of the party feels that the GST is party's brainchild and the party should attend the meeting even though the BJP is seeking to take credit, another section feels that the party should abstain protesting against the way the tax regime is being implemented. The GST will be launched at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament on 30 June. Burdwan (West Bengal): Amid the ongoing stir in the Darjeeling hills for carving out a separate 'Gorkhaland' out of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday firmly ruled out the further division of the state. "Bengal cannot be divided. I will not allow it," she said at a public meeting in Burdwan. Banerjee also had an apparent dig at the Centre, saying, "They cannot tackle Kashmir. They are peeping (into Darjeeling)." She said, "Whatever be the conspiracy, we will fight unitedly." Banerjee had earlier stated that the agitation for Gorkhaland, being spearheaded by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, was a "deep-rooted conspiracy" and supported by insurgent groups of the Northeast and some foreign countries. On Wednesday, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists had held fresh demonstrations for Gorkhaland as security forces kept a strict vigil in the hills which remained tense on the 14th day of the indefinite shutdown. The army, meanwhile, was withdrawn from the restive hills after the state government sought its pull-out. The GJM supporters had torched an office of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration last night prompting the police to briefly detain two central committee members of the party, Samuel Gurung and RB Bhujal. Both were released after two hours. Protesters also ransacked a panchayat office in Bijanbari area, 25 kilometres from Darjeeling. At the outset, there is a need to carefully understand the reasons for my recent statement that we enjoyed more amiability during the NDA rule. This statement had in fact been made in the context of the benign and inclusive leadership of the (then) Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Those days, George Fernandes was the co-ordinator of the NDA and besides him, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan and the late Digvijay Singh, all held important portfolios in the union cabinet. Nitish Kumar, who was a favourite of Atalji, had over time been given responsibility of over half a dozen ministries. The seat-sharing arrangement we had with the BJP had bestowed on us the recognition and stature of a national party, a status we no longer enjoy. The Godhra incident and the communally tense atmosphere that it led to, and also the civil unrest in Kandhamal, Odisha, were both wrong and should not have occurred. In private, Atalji had been critical of them. At that time, JD(U) had 140 out of the 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly and 24 of the 40 seats from Bihar in the Lok Sabha. It is a fact that a stable situation does not prevail today. During the last state Assembly elections, we had intended to join the alliance formed by the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. But this alliance was reluctant to consider allocating even one seat to JD(U). This is in spite of Nitish Kumar having held hugely successful rallies in Purvanchal, each of which had been attended by 20,000 to 30,000 supporters. In those days, we had several Members of Parliament, MLAs and Ministers with the NDA. It is also true that we did not fit well into the new functional template adopted by the new leadership of the NDA. Issues that had been kept under wraps or in cold storage in the days of Atalji are regrettably now flaunted and pursued openly and loudly. Notwithstanding the prime ministers stated objective of sabka saath sabka vikas, violence and undesirable incidents continue to take place. The number of atrocities committed on religious and linguistic minorities have increased. In the garb of triple talaq, the law commission is drawing up plans to impose a uniform civil code. The state of affairs in Kashmir is worse off today than ever before. Though the largest opposition party, the role of the Congress on these issues is limited. Post the events in Mandsaur, farmers across the nation were up in agitation with the issue of a minimum support price for agricultural commodities being the focal point for the entire polity of the country. Yet, for lack of effective leadership amongst the farmers as also due to the disarray amongst the opposition parties, this opportunity has dissipated and has been missed. On the other hand, these issues could have been bunched and brought upon a common platform. But even a leader of the stature of Ghulam Nabi Azad chose to raise insinuations and motives in regard to Nitish Kumar. Though there were no doubt differences in ideologies and principles we had with the leadership of the BJP in the past, no one had at any time imputed or questioned motives of George saab or Nitish Kumar. Insofar as the forthcoming presidential elections are concerned, Gopal Krishna Gandhi had been the frontrunner amongst the candidates under consideration by the Opposition parties. Having been governor of West Bengal, he was already well regarded by Mamata Banerjee and was also acceptable to the NCP, JD(U) and the JDS who conveyed their acceptance to his candidature. On 3 June, when leaders of opposition parties met in Chennai for Shri Karunanidhis birthday celebrations, Nitish Kumar had conveyed his acceptance on Gopal Krishna Gandhis candidature. It appears that this name perhaps did not meet acceptance in a segment of the Congress leadership, which led to lack of unanimity amongst the opposition parties with no consensus being arrived on any one single name. Significantly, at no stage during these deliberations was Meira Kumars name being discussed as a prospective candidate. It is equally correct that even the BJP had not sought consensus of the opposition prior to the announcement of the name of Shri Ram Nath Kovind for president, which only goes to show that the leading national parties choose to use the Dalit card to pursue their own respective political agenda. It is in the backdrop of such a political scenario that the BJP announced the name of the Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as their candidate for the presidential elections. After the ignominious tenure of Buta Singh, Shri Ram Nath Kovinds tenure as governor was one which saw the sanctity of democratic principles being restored and upheld. Unlike in some other Raj Bhavans such as in UP, where it became a venue for politics, the one at Patna maintained a correct and cordial relationship between the governor and chief minister. BJP announcing the name of Ram Nath Kovind was a matter of serious concern for Nitish Kumar, who discussed the matter with Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sitaram Yechury, though he also conveyed that it would not be possible for him to oppose his candidature. The top leadership of the JD(U), including Sharad Yadav, were present for the partys deliberations and it was agreed unanimously to support Shri Kovinds name. We, however, made it amply clear that this decision needs to be taken as an isolated incident or a one-time affair which did not intend to fracture opposition unity. Accusations against Nitish Kumar Allegations have been raised against Nitish Kumar, accusing him of straying from avowed principles. These reached a high point with Ghulam Nabi Azads insinuation of Nitish Kumar indulging in political opportunism. The question arises as to whether opposition unity is merely limited to the presidential elections. Are there no political issues that would come to be raised thereafter necessitating the opposition to unite? We were taken aback by the response of the opposition parties towards our decision, in spite of our unambiguous emphasis on the fact that the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar would remain intact for the full term of five years and that it would continue to work for the interests of the people of the State. Yet, a historic opportunity has clearly been lost. Had Gopal Krishna Gandhis name been brought up earlier, not only would the JD(U) have been standing apart today but the Shiv Sena and the BJD would have also lent support to Gopal Krishna Gandhi, an upholder of democratic principles and someone who may have gone on to become the President of India. Nitish Kumar is emerging as the focal point for an alternate national leadership for 2019. A smear campaign against him was carried out when he lent support to the demonetisation scheme and to the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army. Now, which patriot would not stand in support of the soldiers of our army and applaud their bravery and gallantry? Would not the achievements of our soldiers then become an issue of public debate? Regretfully, in spite of our emphatic statements to the contrary, some of our friendly political parties continue to see an illusion of our party being part of the NDA. The author is a former member of the Rajya Sabha and is principal general secretary of the Janata Dal (United). Darjeeling: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists held fresh demonstrations on Wednesday for Gorkhaland as security forces kept a strict vigil in the hills which remained tense on the 14th day of the indefinite shutdown. The army, meanwhile, was withdrawn from the restive hills after the state government sought its pull-out. The GJM supporters had torched an office of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration last night prompting the police to briefly detain two central committee members of the party, Samuel Gurung and RB Bhujal. Both were released after two hours. Protesters also ransacked a panchayat office in Bijanbari area, 25 kilometres from Darjeeling. The army was withdrawn from the hills as the state government sought its withdrawal, a defence spokesman said in Kolkata. "Six columns of the Army were deployed in the hills on 8 June on requisition from the state government. The army was withdrawn on 24 June as the state government sought its withdrawal," he said. Internet services continued to remain suspended in the hills. Hundreds of GJM supporters held demonstration at Chowkbazar with the security forces keeping a strict vigil. Children in traditional dress were also seen in the demonstration. Some of them had 'We want Gorkhaland' slogan written on their chests. Tourism Minister and TMC leader Gautam Deb slammed the GJM for using children to serve their interests. "Do children understand anything about Gorkhaland? It is a violation of the human rights. We condemn it," he said. An all-party meeting is scheduled to be held in Kalimpong on Thursday to discuss the next course of action. "We have demanded withdrawal of security forces from the hills and restoration of internet services but nothing has been done. So we will discuss how the agitation can be intensified," a top GJM leader said. The police and security forces patrolled the streets and kept a tight vigil on all entry and exit routes. Barring pharmacies, all shops, schools, colleges were closed. In few areas of Darjeeling GJM supporters burnt copies of the GTA accord. The GTA agreement was signed by the Centre, the state government and the GJM in 2011 following a prolonged unrest in the hills. The GJM said that its 45 members had resigned from the GTA last week and the administrative body had ceased to exist. Congress has objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching Goods and Service Tax (GST) at the special midnight function in Parliament house on 30 June, pointing out that since President Pranab Mukherjee will be present, it would undermine his status. "How can the Prime Minister launch GST in the presence of the President? This is not done and acceptable, The Economic Times quoted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala as saying. Congress has not yet decided whether it will attend the special midnight session of Parliament on 30 June to mark the implementation of GST. Sources told PTI that a section of Congress feels that the GST is the party's brainchild and the party should attend the meeting, even though the BJP is seeking to take credit. Congress has also asked the government to consider delaying the launch of GST, citing protests by textile traders and others. Senior Congress leaders have said that the final decision regarding the issue would be taken by party president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday. Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has already decided not to attend the midnight programme as a mark of protest against the "unnecessary disastrous hurry" to roll out the pan-India tax regime. Other Opposition parties including those from the Left and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party have also not confirmed their attendance yet. Mayawati's BSP and Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party are also likely to skip the event, says an NDTV report. New Delhi: Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda will attend the special midnight programme in Parliament on the GST rollout convened by the government on Friday, notwithstanding the boycott by other Opposition parties. The JD(S) criticised the Congress for not consulting it before taking the decision to boycott the function to mark the launch of the new indirect tax regime. "Gowda has been invited in the capacity of former prime minister to share the dais with President Pranab Mukherjee. The party has taken a decision that he will attend the event," JD(S) general secretary Danish Ali told PTI on Thursday night. Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker will also be on the dais during the gala event for which a host of industrialists and film stars have been invited. Earlier, the Congress decided to boycott the government's special midnight, calling it a "grand self-promoting tamasha (gimmick)". Criticising the Congress, Ali said it should have called a meeting of all the 17 Opposition parties to take a joint decision on the issue. At the same time, the JD(S) leader said his party is with the Opposition and against the government on issues like farmers' plight and lynching. The launch event will start at 11 pm and extend into the midnight, coinciding with the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. Bihar's commercial taxes and energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav has confirmed that JD(U) will take part in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) launch function scheduled for Friday. Yadav along with some other party leaders will attend the function. Yadav confirmed that his party leader Nitish Kumar accepted the invitation of Union minister Arun Jaitley and instructed him to participate in the launch function. After inaugurating a college in Samastipur, Nitish urged all political parties to support the GST and participate in the function. He said that GST is a "great tax reform which will benefit every state, including Bihar." However, Nitishs alliance partner Rashtirya Janata Dal (RJD) has decided to boycott the function along with the principal Opposition party Congress. Senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh also appealed to the JD(U) to support the Opposition but Nitish decided to ignore his advice. After a heated discussion between RJD, JD(U) and Congress over the choice of presidential candidate, problems in the relationship became visible when both Nitish and Lalu Prasad Yadav told their parties not to speculate over the future of Mahagathbandhan in the state. But Nitish Kumars latest move has once again proved that all is not well within the grand alliance. This move will further weaken his alliance with RJD as the latter has openly critcised him for supporting NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind. Apparently, Bihar was the first non-BJP ruled state to ratify the GST Bill and Nitish, while delivering a speech in the state Assembly, had termed this tax reform 'historic'. JD(U)'s participation can be seen as a continuation of his support to BJP-led NDA government. He had previously supported the NDA government over the demonetisation issue, the surgical strike across the LoC, and crackdown on Benami properties. His tacit support to Modi precipitated fissures within the Mahagathbandhan, which surfaced soon after JD(U) decided to support Kovind for president. Several Opposition parties, including the TMC and the Congress have decided to shun Narendra Modi government's grand gala to mark the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) at a special midnight session of Parliament on 30 June. According to ANI, Congress has decided to boycott the special midnight event. Congress has decided not to attend GST midnight session on June 30 in Parliament: Satyavrat Chaturvedi, Congress ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 PTI had earlier reported that the Congress had held internal consultations as well as informal discussions with other parties and decided not to attend the meeting. A final call was taken by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday, in consultation with former prime minister Manmohan Singh, during whose government the concept of GST was framed. Reports also suggested that a section of the Congress party felt that the GST is the party's brainchild and the party should attend the meeting, even though the BJP is seeking to take credit. Congress had also asked the government to consider delaying the launch of GST, citing protests by textile traders and others. Several sources within Left parties contended that the official machinery was not "prepared" to introduce such a big financial reform, adding that the government was "rushing into" implementing it, according to PTI. Leading the pack of senior leaders opposed to the move, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also made it official that the TMC will not attend the 30 June session as a sign of protest. Calling the NDA government's decision as an "unnecessary disastrous hurry", she added, "We are deeply concerned about the GST implementation. After demonetisation, this unnecessary disastrous hurry is another epic blunder of the Centre. We have been for GST from the beginning but now worried with the way the central government is going ahead with the implementation." According to a report in Business Standard, despite the Congress and TMC's resolve, there are divisions within the Opposition on the issue. Nationalist Congress Party and the Janata Dal (United) are in support of the move and are likely to attend the event, while Left parties' MPs might stay away. In view of the anti-GST protests in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has also decided to stay away, the report said. Apart from the haste in implementation, another reason why the Opposition parties are looking to avoid the session is that they did not like the method of the invite. A News18 report quoted sources from the TMC, the Left, and the Congress as saying that the letter of invitation by parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar was sent to all MPs individually. The norm, they say, is to address it to party leaders only. According to the report, the Opposition also has a problem with the scale of the event. The last line of the invitation letter issued reads, "It gives me great pleasure to request your gracious presence on the historical occasion of the launch of GST by the Honourable Prime Minister, in the presence of the President of India." Many Left and Congress leaders, like D Raja from the CPI, feel that the midnight session is just drama by the government. Its not a special session. It is yet another event management opportunity, the News18 report quoted Raja as saying. Congress has also objected to the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee at the event, as they believe it would undermine his status. "How can the prime minister launch GST in the presence of the president? This is not done and acceptable," The Economic Times quoted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala as saying. The government will use the Central Hall to launch the new taxation system that is set to dramatically re-shape the over $2 trillion economy. A gong will be sounded at midnight to signify the arrival of the GST. Modi will be the key speaker at the function. The GST Bill was originally piloted by Mukherjee when he was the finance minister in the UPA regime. With inputs from agencies Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party did not open its cards on the issue of supporting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Parliament on Friday. "Whether we will attend the midnight GST launch on Friday will be known on that day only. We will take a decision in this regard on Friday," Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha member of Parliament Naresh Agarwal said. Agarwal went to say that the Samajwadi Party was opposed to the GST, and would not support it. "GST is a black law and it will be similar to re-establishment of the East India Company in the country," he said. Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday asked Opposition parties such as the Congress and the Left to reconsider their decision to skip the midnight GST launch on Friday, saying they were all consulted on the indirect tax reform and cannot run away from it. "I hope every political party will reconsider and revisit its decision on not participating in the launch event to be organised in the Central Hall of Parliament," he said. The government, he said, remains committed to the GST as any other reform. "It is the single most important taxation reform in 70 years," he said. All decision on GST, including rules and tax rates, were taken in consultation with states and political parties must display broad shoulder and own up their responsibility, he said. The Congress on Thursday decided to keep away from the special midnight 30 June meeting convened by the government on GST implementation. Trinamool Congress has already announced its decision to boycott the event. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has already questioned the government on "hurrying" into introducing GST and recalled that the ruling BJP had opposed the system when it was in the Opposition. The GST, being billed as the biggest tax reform since Independence, will subsume all indirect state and central levies, making India a single market. Danutek Expands in Balkans, Hungary Published: 29 June 2017 by Chelsey Drysdale by Chelsey Drysdale BUDAPEST Danutek, a subsidiary of Altus Group, is expanding in the Balkans and Hungary, and Altus announced a new office in Sofia, Bulgaria. We have grown a very successful business within the Balkans region and have strong relationships with our customers, said Danutek Balkans general manager Marian Gavrila. With this in mind, we wanted to concentrate our efforts in the Bulgarian area and increase our network within the region. "Many of our customers have recently opened facilities in Eastern Europe and, to better serve this market, we decided to open an office in Sofia to manage business in Bulgaria, and have recently appointed a dedicated sales and technical support staff. As our business develops in this area we will expand our provisions to include service, installation, commissioning, training and applications support for our product range. We also plan to add other key brands as we build our profile in the country." Altus is also creating a sales and support business branch in Macedonia for Danutek Hungary. Danutek distributes capital equipment for electronics assembly. Register now for PCB West the Silicon Valley's largest PCB industry trade show: pcbwest.com! New Delhi: The Left parties will not take part in the special midnight meeting on 30 June convened by the central government to launch the Goods and Services Tax (GST), CPI leader D Raja said on Thursday. He said the parties will not take part in the meeting in view of protest by small and medium scale entrepreneurs, traders, weavers and informal sector workers on the way the GST is being implemented. "The Left will not be participating in the midnight GST meeting. People are agitating across the county. There are serious apprehensions in the minds of people over GST's implementation. We cannot be celebrating when people are agitating," the Rajya Sabha member said. Raja claimed that the informal sector, which creates 80 percent of the jobs in the country, will be affected by the way the GST is being rolled out, allegedly without preparation. Raising concerns over the way rates under the new tax regime have been fixed, he said the GST for gold is 3 percent, whereas that for the essential commodities which people use ranges between 18 and 28 percent. "Small and medium scale entrepreneurs are complaining that Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) is still not in place. The government will have to address these issues before the launch," Raja said. The GSTN is a section 8 (under new Companies Act, not for profit companies are governed under section 8), non-government, private limited company set up to provide the front-end and back-end IT and infrastructural support for the working of GST. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said he will not attend the midnight meeting. He, however, claimed that his party is not boycotting the meeting, but has also not issued a whip in the matter. When a party issues a whip, its MPs have to obey the party position or face disciplinary action. So, the CPM not issuing a whip indicates that there will be no action if the party's MPs chose to not attend the meeting. Yechury has been critical of the "hurried manner" in which the government is launching GST. Congress and TMC have already declared they will not take part in the meeting. The government will use the circular-shaped Central Hall to launch the new taxation system that is set to dramatically re-shape the over $2 trillion economy. A gong will be sounded at midnight to usher in the GST. Modi will be the key speaker at the function. President Pranab Mukherjee is also likely to attend the function, where former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have also been invited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally broke his silence on the killing of people in the name of gau bhakti (cow worship). Condemning the attacks, he said, "This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve." His statement elicited some strong reactions from all quarters. According to CNN-News18, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Condemn killings in the name of gau raksha, just words are not enough. Modi trying to subvert democracy. The killings must stop now." We condemn killings taking place in the name of gau raksha. This must stop now. Just words not enough Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 29, 2017 Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also emphasised the need for action. Too little too late; words mean nothing when actions out-do them: #RahulGandhi on PM Modi's remarks against killings in name of #cow (file) pic.twitter.com/5R3wEIw6el Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2017 Congress' Manish Tewari took a jibe at the prime minister and said, "Modi should ask himself as to who has created this atmosphere of lawlessness in the country. Pro forma condemnations are not enough. The prime minister must reaffirm that he believes in the founding values of the Indian state." Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi, in a sarcasm-laced remark, said the "presence of Gandhiji's living spirit in Sabarmati Ashram" must have affected Modi. "What he has said is absolutely right, but it should be followed by very strong action on the ground. All the perpetrators (of hate crimes) have to be caught and prosecuted and the public's confidence in (law and order) has to be revived," Gandhi told IANS. Ruing that the "state has been complicit in murders in the cow's name", Gandhi hoped that Modi's statement should be the beginning of a change. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) spokesman KC Tyagi said he does not see any substance in Modi's remarks. "I don't think the prime minister's so-called warning to cow vigilantes has any meaning. The prime minister has spoken on cow vigilantism earlier too, but it has had little impact on the ground.In fact, every time he issues such advisory to gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes), the incidents of violence in the name of cow go up," Tyagi told IANS. Rashtriya Janata Dal spokesperson Manoj Jha said Modi's words sound hollow. "He had made such delayed statements about the Rohith Vemula suicide and the Una incident (thrashing of Dalits) too. Did it stop? In fact, all sound and no substance in terms of action have emboldened such vigilante groups. What this nation urgently requires is a robust legislation against mob lynchings," Jha said. On Wednesday, protests were held in several cities across India under the banner of "#NotInMyName" to protest against the mob lynchings. Manisha Kayande of Shiv Sena said Modi's statement has come late but is welcomed. She has said that though Modi had made a similar statement earlier, there is a need for strict action now. "Modi gave a clear message to his own people... Since the BJP government has come to the Centre, all this is happening. Who are they to kill in the name in the name of cow protection? We know who is provoking them and which party is behind them," Kayande said. According to Bloomberg, Girish Karnad, a 79-year-old playwright and film director said Modi should instead be talking to the people within the BJP who have made life difficult for cattle traders. "Whats the point of the prime minister preaching to us?" Karnad asked. "He should be preaching to his party men, to those who have created this problem in the first place." Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, said that the prime minister's words won't have desired action. Gau rakhshaks get direct support from BJP, Sangh." D Raja, CPI national secretary said that the prime minister has broken his silence after long. PM statement is mere lip service as there has been slip between cup & lip: Asaduddin Owaisi on #ModiWarnsGauRakshaks pic.twitter.com/iZxMHYJsw9 News18 (@CNNnews18) June 29, 2017 New Delhi: The nominations of all presidential candidates, barring those of NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind and Opposition-backed Meira Kumar, were rejected on Thursday. About 95 persons had filed their nominations, including Kumar and Kovind. Except for the two main contenders, the nominations of the rest were rejected as none of them were proposed and backed by the required number of members of the electoral college, according to sources in the Lok Sabha secretariat. The nominations were rejected in the scrutiny process initiated on Thursday, they added. According to the rules, a presidential candidate's nomination should be signed by at least 50 members of an electoral college as proposers and endorsed by as many. MPs of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and MLAs of all legislative assemblies are members of the electoral college. This time, the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha is the returning officer for the presidential election. Chandigarh: National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Chandigarh on Thursday to seek support from Haryana and Punjab legislators. From the Chandigarh International Airport, Kovind drove to Panchkula town in Haryana where he will meet legislators from the state. Kovind will later hold discussions with legislators from Punjab in Chandigarh. The opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) will decide on its position on the Presidential poll on Thursday. Haryana's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 47 legislators, INLD has 19, Congress has 17, five are Independents and one seat each is held by the Akali Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Kovind will face main opposition candidate former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in the 17 July polls. Kumar has been supported by 17 parties, led by the Congress. The Congress, which won the assembly elections in Punjab in March, has 77 legislators in the 117-member assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP have 18 legislators in the Punjab assembly. The Aam Aadmi Party has 20 legislators in the assembly while its alliance partner Lok Insaf Party has two legislators. On Tuesday, IndiaSpend published a report which revealed that 63 incidents of cow-related violence (reported by the media) had taken place in India over a span of eight years from 2010 to 2017. And 61 out of these incidents (or 96.8 percent of the incidents) took place after the Narendra Modi government came to power in May 2014. While this fact surely indicates the disturbing rise in violence over bovine issues since 2014, the IndiaSpend report also stated that around half of this violence was reported from states in which BJP was in power at that time. This means that nearly half of the violent incidents were reported from states where BJP is not in power. This fact assumes even more importance keeping in mind that almost all the cow-related violence in the country took place after 2014 and BJP is now governing many more states than it was in or before 2014. However, it will be speculative to blatantly point fingers at any state government (of a state ruled either by BJP or any other party) or even the Centre for these crimes unless there is strong evidence of direct involvement of the government in that crime. And since no such evidence exists so far, it would be incorrect to hold any party responsible for the crime. Despite the fact that almost half of these post-2014 crimes were reported from non-BJP ruled states, which have reduced in number since the last Lok Sabha polls, we should focus on the actual culprits to understand the political angle. And in over 25 out of 63 cases, the culprits were "mobs or groups of people who belonged to Hindu groups, such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and local Gau Rakshak Samitis" or people claiming to be gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes), according to IndiaSpend. Many of these fringe groups are affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parent organisation of the BJP. The fact that these right-wing fringe groups have started inciting or engaging in violence even in states not ruled by the BJP, shows the extent to which these vigilantes are being encouraged by an overall intolerant atmosphere. We have some high court judges thinking that the cow should be made the national animal. More importantly though, the rise of crimes committed or encouraged by right-wing extremist groups in both BJP and non-BJP ruled states show that the politics of fringe groups can no longer be ignored. Extremist groups are now being used to make issues out of non-issues in states by polarising people on bovine issues. After all, this method of creating a divide, in which conflict is created on the basis of a communally sensitive but relatively insignificant issue, has been successfully used by political parties in the past too. For example, Yogi Adityanath used the controversial topic of 'love jihad' (alleging that Muslim men seduce Hindu women to eventually convert them to Islam) during 2014 and also months before the Uttar Pradesh election this year. Adityanath is now the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and BJP has over 300 seats in the state Assembly. In Congress-ruled Karnataka, out of the seven incidents of cow-related violence reported by Indiaspend, three were caused by right-wing fringe groups like Bajrang Dal. State elections will be held in Karnataka in 2018. One of the major issues which BJP raised in Assam last year was that of driving out illegal immigrants from the state and sealing the border, again something which resulted in polarisation. The issue about the bahaari (outsider) was successfully used by Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee in the Bihar and West Bengal elections respectively to gain an upper hand over BJP in the polls. Polarisation on the basis of non-issues has been regularly used by political parties and is the backbone of the kind of politics practised by extremist groups. The fact that such right-wing fringe groups have started indulging in violence even in states not ruled by the BJP shows that apart from cow-related violence, these attempts to destablise and polarise are also on the rise. Chennai: Not satisfied with Chief Minister K Palaniswamy's statement on the alleged bribes paid by a gutkha manufacturer to a minister, senior police officials and others, DMK members on Thursday staged a walk out from the Assembly. Replying to a question raised on the issue by Leader of Opposition MK Stalin, Palaniswamy said on 22 December, 2016, the Chennai police commissioner wrote a letter to the state home secretary about the sale of banned substances like gutka with the connivance of some officials. He said the letter has been forwarded to the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) for investigation. Palaniswamy also said the Madras High Court dismissed a petition for a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the issue, observing, "We see no reason why the Court should step into this issue when the authorities are themselves conscious of the gravity of the issue." Speaking to reporters after walking out of the house, Stalin reiterated the demand for a CBI probe to bring out the truth behind the reports. He also demanded the removal of the minister and police officials who were alleged to have received bribes from the gutka manufacturer. Beijing: A Chinese state-run newspaper accused Australia of spying on China and stealing its technology on Thursday, weeks after Beijing rejected allegations of interference in Australian politics. An employee of China's national security department told the Global Times that Australian intelligence agents "in disguise" collect information from Chinese people overseas or "even encourage them to subvert China". Agents also closely monitor Chinese people and the embassy in Australia to foil "Chinese spy threats", according to the article published on the newspaper's front page. "In global covert struggles, Australia had never played the role of victim," the unidentified staffer was quoted as saying. "However, they are wantonly working on intelligence about China and groundlessly accusing China of spying on them. The logic is ridiculous." The Australian government did not immediately respond to the allegations. The article follows an Australian media report in June that Australia's intelligence agencies had major concerns China was interfering in Australian institutions and using political donations to gain access. An investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Fairfax Media found the country's political elite had been warned two years ago about taking donations from two billionaires with links to the Chinese Communist Party. But despite being cautioned by the nation's spy agency both the Liberal and Labor parties continued accepting substantial sums of cash. The probe showed that property developers Huang Xiangmo and Chau Chak Wing, or their associates, had donated around AUS $6.7 million ($5 million) to political parties over a decade. Following the report, Canberra announced it had launched an inquiry into espionage laws and foreign government interference. China's foreign ministry has called the reports "totally groundless" and said Australian media should not "waste their time on such meaningless and malicious" stories. The Global Times article said many Chinese people have been interviewed or harassed by Australian intelligence and are required to provide information on Chinese communities and the embassy. Some have been sent back to China to "gather information", the report said. It also accused Australia of "stealing Chinese technology" and installing listening devices in China's embassy. China's national security department could not be reached for comment as its phone number is not available to the public. The British government said on Thursday it will fund abortions in England for women arriving from Northern Ireland, where the practice is illegal, after the threat of a parliamentary revolt. Last year 724 women from the province sought terminations from England's state-run National Health Service (NHS), but unlike other Britons were forced to pay for the procedure. The Supreme Court earlier this month upheld the state's right to charge the women, a policy which London has defended by pointing to opposition to abortion in Northern Ireland's Belfast assembly. But Finance Minister Philip Hammond announced this would now change, telling parliament that the government "intends to intervene to fund abortions in England for women arriving here from Northern Ireland". The shift came just hours before MPs were due to debate an opposition Labour amendment to the Queen's Speech the government's legislative agenda demanding it scrap the abortion charges. Downing Street said several ministers had expressed concern about the policy, but the climbdown was widely viewed as a move to fend off a potential revolt by members of the ruling Conservative party. Any defeat on the Queen's Speech would further damage Prime Minister Theresa May, who lost her parliamentary majority in a snap election on 8 June but is trying to stay in power as head of a minority government. "I know this is a matter of great importance to members on both sides of this House," Hammond told parliament. He said the change would be outlined in a letter to MPs, adding he hoped lawmakers would find the new policy "a sensible way of dealing with this challenge". China said on Thursday that talk the country was building a military base in Pakistan was pure speculation, after a Pentagon report earlier in June singled out Pakistan as a possible location for a future Chinese military base. The Pentagon forecast that Beijing would likely build more bases overseas after establishing a facility in the African nation of Djibouti. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian was asked at a regular monthly news briefing if China would build a naval base in the Chinese-invested Pakistani port city of Gwadar. "Talk that China is building a military base in Pakistan is pure guesswork," Wu said, without elaborating. Djibouti's position on the northwestern edge of the Indian Ocean has fuelled worries in India that it would become another of China's "string of pearls" of military alliances and assets ringing India, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. China has repeatedly downplayed expectations it could be about to embark on a plan to build military bases around the world, even as it ramps up an impressive military modernisation programme. By Christian Shepherd and David Brunnstrom | BEIJING/WASHINGTON BEIJING/WASHINGTON China responded angrily and said it had protested to Washington after a U.S. Senate committee approved a bill calling for the resumption of port visits to Taiwan by the U.S. Navy for the first time since the United States adopted a one-China policy in 1979.The call for the port visits was contained in a version of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Bill approved by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. The bill would have to pass the full Senate and House and be approved by President Donald Trump to become law.Asked about the provision, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Thursday called it meddling in Beijing's internal affairs and added: "China cannot accept it."The legislation calls for the reestablishment of regular port visits by the U.S. Navy to the Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung, or any other suitable port, and would allow the U.S. Pacific Command to receive Taiwanese visits. The bill also directs the Pentagon to help Taiwan develop an indigenous undersea warfare program and recommends strengthened strategic cooperation with Taipei."We express grave concern and firm opposition to the relative bill passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee," Lu Kang said. "We have also lodged solemn representations about the Taiwan related content of the bill with the relevant department of the U.S. government." The spokesman said the bill was in violation of the principles of U.S.-China relations and called on Washington to halt military drills with and arms sales to Taiwan "to avoid further impairing broadly cooperative China-U.S. relations."The progress of the bill coincides with, according to U.S. officials, Trump becoming increasingly frustrated with China over its inaction on North Korea and trade.According to the officials, Trump - who alarmed Beijing after assuming office by breaking with decades of precedent and talking to Taiwan's president - is now considering trade actions against Beijing, despite having heaped praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping after an April summit. The U.S. Navy has not made port calls to Taiwan since 1979, when Washington adopted the so-called one-China policy, recognizing Beijing rather than Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province.U.S. officials said in March the administration was crafting a big arms sale to Taiwan, but such talk died down as Trump sought to persuade China to do more to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, an increasing threat to the United States. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON and Christian Shepherd in BEIJING; additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle in WASHINGTON; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. This domain was recently registered at Namecheap.com. Please check back later! By Christian Shepherd | BEIJING BEIJING Chinese authorities on Thursday told U.S., German and European Union diplomats that Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist Liu Xiaobo cannot be moved to get medical treatment elsewhere due to his illness, a source briefed on the meeting told Reuters.Liu, 61, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for "inciting subversion of state power" after he helped write a petition known as "Charter 08" calling for sweeping political reforms.He was being treated in a hospital in the city of Shenyang for late-stage liver cancer after being granted medical parole, his lawyer told Reuters on Monday.A deputy head of the justice ministry told the diplomats that Liu's family was happy with the treatment he was receiving and had agreed that he should not be moved, said the source, who declined to be identified.The diplomats asked that Liu and his wife be allowed to communicate directly with the outside world, choose their own hospital and get treatment from a foreign doctor. The Chinese side said that may not be possible, according to the source.On Thursday, U.S.-based rights lawyer and activist Jared Genser said 154 Nobel laureates had called for Liu to be allowed to travel to the United States for medical treatment.Genser, who has acted as a lawyer for Liu in the past, said in a statement that the laureates made their request in a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and U.S. ambassador to China Terry Branstad. "We urge the Chinese government on humanitarian grounds to grant Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia's wish to travel to the United States for medical treatment," Sir Richard Roberts, 1993 laureate in Physiology or Medicine, wrote in the letter on behalf of the laureates.The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but on Wednesday, Branstad said the United States would like to see Liu treated elsewhere. Liu Xia has been under effective house arrest since her husband won the peace prize in 2010 and was not available for comment on Thursday.Amnesty International told Reuters on Tuesday she had told Chinese authorities she wanted her husband to get treatment abroad.Western politicians and rights activists have voiced concern about the quality of Liu Xiaobo's treatment and have said he should be given the option of leaving China if that was the best option.The U.S. Embassy in Beijing on Thursday declined to comment on any briefing from the authorities. A German foreign ministry source also declined to comment and there was no immediate comment from E.U. officials. China's foreign ministry and justice ministry did not respond to requests for comment. 'ORDINARY PRISONER' A video of Liu being treated in jail was released on YouTube, which is blocked in China, late on Wednesday, in what a source close to Liu said was a move by authorities to counter growing concern over his care behind bars.Liu is shown in the three-minute video playing badminton outside, being given a physical examination by prison guards and getting treatment from doctors, as well as being visited by his wife.It was not clear who took the video or published it on YouTube but another source, who is close to Liu and his wife, described it as "propaganda", and an attempt by the authorities to respond to criticism of Liu's treatment.The Shenyang legal bureau said in a statement on its website on Wednesday signs Liu was unwell had been detected on May 31 and he was immediately sent to the hospital where he was now being treated by eight well-known domestic cancer experts. It said the cancer had spread to other parts of his body.Several family members are with Liu in Shenyang, including his wife, and they had "expressed satisfaction" with his treatment, and had asked he be treated with traditional Chinese medicine which was now happening, the legal bureau said.Liu had a history of hepatitis B before entering jail, it said, citing prison records, and said he had regular medical checks in prison, which had not previously found signs of hepatitis or tumours.The state-run Global Times said in an editorial Liu had no right to expect special treatment."Liu is an ordinary prisoner. He ought to be grateful for extra help from the prison authorities, but he and his supporters have no right to demand preferential treatment," it said.The source close to Liu's family told Reuters that his wife had weeks ago accepted an offer to move to Germany if she and Liu were released, but that was before the diagnosis of liver cancer was made public.Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy minister of the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council, the island's China affairs policy-maker, said Taiwan was willing to host Liu. A Hong Kong reporter shouted a question at Chinese President Xi Jinping after he gave a short speech upon arrival at Hong Kong airport, asking if Liu would be released or receive treatment abroad. Xi did not answer. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING, Venus Wu in HONG KONG and J.R. Wu in TAIPEI; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Beijing: China on Thursday warned India it will escalate the current border row if it did not withdraw troops from "Chinese territory" and said this was a "precondition" for a "meaningful dialogue" with New Delhi. Beijing said it had pictures of Indian troops "trespassing" the Chinese border. Talking to the media, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang displayed the "photos" from the lectern for a few seconds. The pictures were not clear from a distance. Lu said these will be put up on the Foreign Ministry website after the press briefing. "We again urge the Indian side to abide by historical boundary convention, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid further escalation. This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue," he said. By Chinese territory, Lu meant Donglong or Doklam, a disputed territory between China and Bhutan where troops from the People's Liberation Army and the Indian Army had scuffled. China has accused India of obstructing the road construction in Donglong at Bhutan's behest. Following the face-off, China has suspended the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet where Indians travel via Nathu La Pass, which is shut now. Lu said the fact of Indian troops crossing into Chinese territory was "undeniable". "It is violating our historical boundary conventions as well as promised Indian government. I can show you the pictures and photos concerning borders trespassed by Indian troops." China also brushed aside Bhutan's protest against Beijing building a road towards a Bhutanese Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam or Donglong, calling the construction "just and lawful" in Chinese territory". Bhutan has issued a demarche to the Chinese Embassy over the incident in New Delhi since both countries have no diplomatic ties. "Donglong has been Chinese territory since ancient time. This is an indisputable territory and we have adequate legal basis concerning this," Lu said. "And this is just a sovereign action by China to conduct the road construction in its territory. This is totally justifiable and lawful."B Barring India and Bhutan, China has settled its land border dispute with its remaining 12 neighbours. China's increasingly powerful navy launched its most advanced domestically produced destroyer taking a giant stride in building complex naval platforms indigenously at a time of rising competition with other naval powers such as the United States, Japan and India. The 10,000-tonne Type 055 warship was set on water at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai on Wednesday making it the first of the People's Liberation Army Navy's new generation destroyers, Xinhua said. The ship is believed to be the first Type 055 destroyer, which is considered to be a successor class to the smaller Type 052D guided missile destroyers. The vessel will have to undergo planned testing before it is commissioned into use. Destroyer is a fast, maneuverable long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller powerful short-range attackers. The Type 055 guided-missile destroyer has been developed entirely in China, and it breaks new ground for the country in the design and assembly of large naval vessels, according to english.chinamil.com.cn. The armaments are also new for the Chinese navy. "The destroyer is equipped with new type of air defense, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare weapon," according to the website. China is producing warships at a rapidly as it modernises its navy, which has been taking an increasingly prominent role among the country's armed forces, reports edition.CNN.com. The state media said that the navy commissioned 18 ships, including destroyers, corvettes and guided-missile frigates in 2016. The new ship is comparable in size to the latest destroyers fielded in Asian waters by the US, Japan and South Korea. The Type 055 will be a central part of future Chinese aircraft carrier battle groups, Li Jie, a researcher with the PLA Naval Military Academic Research Institute, said in a February article on the PLA's website. "Type 055 guided-missile destroyer carries medium-long-range and medium-short range air-defense missiles, which can significantly improve its overall air defense capability," he said. "It also has a strong anti-submarine capability, so it is much more able to protect aircraft carrier battle group than the Type-052D destroyer currently in service." The new warship will have more than 100 vertical launch tubes for missiles with the ability to strike targets 1,000 to 2,000 km away, according to the PLA report. China's current Type 052 destroyers carry only 64 missiles. The Type 055 also features stealth characteristics, the PLA post said, including a small radar cross section and low noise, infrared and electromagnetic radiation. Currently locked in a race for domination in the Indian Ocean region with India, China has taken a significant leap over India with the launch of 055. Weighing in when fully armed at more than 12,000 tonnes, the colossal Type 055 is considerably larger and more powerful than India's latest Project- 15B "Visakhapatnam" class destroyers which have still not been commissioned, reported NDTV.com. India's latest destroyers will displace close to 8,200 tonnes when completely armed and are designed to carry a mix of nearly 50 surface-to-air, anti-ship and land attack missiles. In contrast, China's giant cruiser will combine nearly 120 missiles, making it one of the most heavily-armed ships in the world, the report said. China has commissioned five Type 52D destroyers thought to be similar in capability to India's Visakhapatnam class warships. While India has planned seven of these warships, China plans a fleet of at least 18 ships of this class. With inputs from Reuters In dealing with the stand-off with New Delhi over the T-Junction (meeting point of India, Tibet and Bhutan), the main plank used by Beijing is its "sovereignty" over the land. But whose sovereignty is Beijing talking about? If it's Bhutan's sovereignty, China had an agreement to not disturb the status quo while boundary talks are continuing between the two countries. But China actually did the opposite it violated the agreement by design and at a time when it coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington, because of perceived threats to China's own expansionism. Major General Vetsop Namgyel, Bhutan's ambassador to India, told the media, "The PLA (People's Liberation Army) started construction of a motorable road in the Doklam area towards a Bhutanese army camp at Zomphlri. We are in boundary resolution talks with China and have written agreements that pending final boundary settlement, peace and tranquility will be maintained along the boundary, and that both sides will refrain from unilaterally altering the status. Bhutan has conveyed to China that road construction is not keeping with the agreements between two countries. We have asked China to stop the construction and refrain from changing the status quo. Doklam is near the tri-junction, and is part of boundary talks between Bhutan and China." So when China talks of sovereignty, it should be noted that Bhutan had to issue a demarche on the issue, asking Beijing to restore status quo in Doklam. The demarche, a formal statement, was served through the Chinese embassy in Delhi on 20 June, since Bhutan and China do not have diplomatic relations. China has had designs on the Doklam plateau even though it is the private property of the King of Bhutan. For past several years, PLA troops have forcibly intruded into this area, staying put for an hour or so, and telling Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) troops to vacate the plateau, claiming it as Chinese territory. The mere fact that a vastly bigger country like China is indulging in such antics against a peaceful neighbour like Bhutan shows the extent to which Beijing will stoop to, to occupy territory illegally, slicing it off like a salami, just like it's done with India. China's annexation of Tibet, Manchuria, Xinjiang and parts of Mongolia are all well-documented. It also wants to capture the Doklam plateau because it overlooks Chinese posts in Chumbi valley of China-Occupied Tibet (CoT). But for India, the strategic importance of Doklam lies in the fact that it not only overlooks the sensitive Siliguri corridor, but also because its occupation by China will turn the flanks of India defences in Sikkim, making them vulnerable. China is a geopolitical bully that annexed 38,000 kms of Aksai Chin just to give depth to its western highway, but wants India to not react to its blatant move of building a road outflanking Indian defences in Sikkim. The unarmed reaction by Indian troops in pushing the PLA soldiers was witnessed by the world. When Indian troops strongly objected to the move, PLA soldiers destroyed two Indian bunkers in retaliation near the Lalten post, and also arbitrarily announced closure of the pilgrimage route to Kailash-Mansarovar via Nathu La. A batch of pilgrims were earlier held up at Nathu La, with China fabricating a lie that the route beyond was disrupted by landslide. The landslide in Sichuan province of China occurred later on 25-26 June. The route via Nathu La for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage goes through CoT, and was agreed to by Chinese President Xi Jinping during Narendra Modi's visit to China in 2014, and a formal agreement between the two countries was signed in September 2014. Chin's act of stopping the pilgrims at Nathu La amounts to breach of agreement. Perhaps it also can be viewed as a silent form of terrorism, akin to Pakistani terrorists attempting to block the Amarnath Yatra. China had earlier claimed Tawang on grounds that Tibetans visit the ancient Tawang monastery, but in 2005, it expanding this claim to 90,000 sq km, to seek out the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh. But what about the enclaves of Minsar (Men ser), near Lake Mansarovar (Ma pham), used by Indian pilgrims of all communities, and the Bhutanese enclave of Tconsists of Darchen (Dar chen), Labrang, etc. near Mount Kailash (Gangs rin po che, Ti se) again used by Bhutan and Indian nationals for periodic pilgrimages, especially when Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva as per ancient mythology? China timed the road construction activity to the Doklam plateau deliberately to coincide with Modi's visit to the US knowing fully well that Indian troops will be forced to react, giving an excuse to China to snub India by closing the pilgrimage route to Kailash-Mansarovar via Nathu La. China is also hopping mad that without India joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), its economic viability is under a cloud. But then it did go ahead with the CPEC project completely bypassing India's strategic, security and territorial sensitivities, especially considering CPEC runs through PoK, which is Indian territory. Ironically, the current standoff is next to Nathu La, which the PLA was forced to abandon for three days in 1967. The State-controlled Chinese media is now insisting that India "needs to be taught the rules". This is perhaps because Jinping is steeped in the colours of Deng Xiaoping. China should remember that China under Xiaoping invaded Vietnam in 1979 "to teach Vietnam a lesson", but instead learnt a lesson themselves. Jinping was then secretary in the Chinese ministry of defence. Again during the 1986 Sumdorong Chu incident, Xiaoping threatened to "teach India a lesson", but eventually had to retreat. China has backed Pakistani terrorism, even protecting Masood Azhar at the United Nations, but faced a blow when the US designating Syed Salahudeen as a "global terrorist" and exposing the Hizbul Mujahideen, If China is worked up that Pakistan is getting cornered and that terror may affect the CPEC, as some voices in China are being raised, it is China's own doing. As for the standoff, it is likely to continue for some time. India would obviously remain resolute, but what India must do is continuously target the $60 billion bilateral trade imbalance in China's favour. Chinese media will as usual say that it does not matter much, but that is again another lie, better known to the Chinese pundits. The author is a retired lieutenant-general of the Indian Army The Chinese military on Thursday rejected as "irresponsible" Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Responding to Rawat's remarks, the People's Liberation Army spokesman Col Wu Qian said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. "As far as armed forces are concerned, we are tasked to be prepared for a two-front war and I think we are capable of carrying out our task in whatever manner that we may be asked to do by the political hierarchy," Gen Rawat told NewsX channel. General Rawat said as far as the northern border is concerned, army has adopted certain mechanism to ensure that a harmonious relationship is maintained along the Line of Actual Control. As the chatter of customers and the smell of warm bread fill the Holey Artisan Bakery it is easy to forget the scenes of horror that unfolded at the upscale Dhaka cafe. But a year on, the impact of the deadly siege is still being felt. Five young men armed with guns and knives stormed the cafe on 1 July, taking dozens hostage and killing 22 people. Most of the victims were foreigners, and many were brutally hacked to death. A year later, the bakery, which has reopened in a new location, throngs with customers hungry for its famous breads, cookies and pastries. "It's great to have this place back. Reopening the cafe was a great act of courage," said Laura Jenkins, a United States citizen who has lived in Bangladesh for five years, as she picked at a freshly baked croissant. Cafe owner Sadat Mehdi said his decision to reopen had paid off, with loyal clients a mix of expatriates and well-heeled Bangladeshis living mostly in the diplomatic zone returning in droves. "Their responses are the biggest encouragement for us," he told AFP on a recent visit. Many of those caught up in the siege one of the worst Islamist attacks in Bangladesh's history were foreigners working in the country's $30 billion garment industry, a mainstay of the country's economy. Government crackdown The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Bangladesh insists it was the work of a local extremist group blamed for a series of earlier killings. It followed a series of gruesome murders targeting foreigners and religious minorities in Bangladesh and caused many to flee to Bangkok. As fears grew over the impact on the lucrative sector, government forces launched an unprecedented crackdown on Islamist extremists. Over the past year they have killed nearly 70 suspected extremists, including a Bangladeshi-origin Canadian alleged to have been the mastermind of the attack, and arrested many more. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told AFP the Bangladeshi people had taken a "firm stance against militancy". "They (militants) dont have much strength left. Gradually we have managed to finish all of it," he said. But not everyone agrees. Critics accuse Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular government of using the attacks to demonise her domestic opponents. "Any sustainable counter-terrorism effort requires democratic responses, which is essentially a cross-party participation in the process," said Shahab Enam Khan, an expert on security and terrorism at Bangladesh's Jahangirnagar University. "Otherwise the extremists' narrative will always cash in on the long-running political feuds existing in the country." Armed guards Most of the foreigners who left in the wake of the attack have now returned, reassured by an improvement in the security situation and a marked increase in the presence of government forces on the streets. Many upscale restaurants and expat clubs have armed guards and sandbag barriers at their entrances to deter attacks. Expatriates told AFP the measures had brought a degree of comfort at a cost. "Not the best scene to watch a man with automatic rifle behind a bunker while sipping on your morning tea," said Briton Andy Froud. "But at least I know he's just trying to ensure my safety." The heavily armed police patrolling outside the Holey cafe provide a constant reminder of the night of 1 July. Survivor Shahriar Ahmed, the cafe's sales manager, says he is still haunted by the memories of that night. "It comes back as nightmares very often. But I want to forget it," he said. "We help each other to overcome those traumatic memories. We are trying our best to live normal lives." Washington: President Donald Trump interrupted a telephone conversation with Ireland's prime minister to compliment an Irish journalist on her "nice smile." Caitriona Perry is a Washington correspondent and US bureau chief for RTE News-Ireland. She was in the Oval Office with other journalists to document Wednesday's call. Trump was congratulating Leo Varadkar on becoming prime minister, and mentioned that Irish reporters were among those listening. Trump then pointed to Perry, called her over to his desk and asked where she was from. Perry identified herself, and then Trump told Varadkar: "She has a nice smile on her face so I bet she treats you well." Video of the encounter is making the rounds on social media. Perry also tweeted the video. She described the encounter as a "bizarre moment." Washington: President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a brutal personal attack on MSNBC journalist Mika Brzezinski, after she sharply criticised his administration's dysfunction in a segment on her show. "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore)," Trump wrote, referring to a morning news show featuring Brzezinski and co-host Joe Scarborough. "Then how come low IQ Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" Trump tweeted. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 ...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 The president, an avid cable news watcher, appears to have been responding to sharp comments by Brzezinski during Thursday "Morning Joe" program on the left-leaning MSNBC cable network. "Everybody in Washington," Brzezinski said, "in the administration, needs to look at this from... a point of view where they're not lobotomized because you're sitting in there and you're so scared of him, and you think you need to suck up to the president." If a boss at NBC MSNBC's parent company "started tweeting wildly about people's appearances, bullying people, talking about people in the competition, lying every day, undermining his managers, throwing them under the (bus) that person would be thrown out. "It's just not normal behavior," she said. "In fact, there would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind." Brzezinski appeared to be uncowed by Trump's Twitter attack. She responded to his tweet with a post of her own, a photo of a young child reaching for Cheerios cereal. "Made for little hands," the picture caption read a schoolyard taunt that has been leveled against the image-conscious Trump since the days of his candidacy. Scarborough re-tweeted a comment from CNN reporter Jake Tapper: "This reminds me: how is @FLOTUS's campaign against cyber-bullying going?" it said, referring to First Lady Melania Trump. This reminds me: how is @FLOTUS's campaign against cyber-bullying going? https://t.co/X4xmyreGLH Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 29, 2017 Trump was often interviewed on "Morning Joe" during the 2016 presidential campaign, but as the White House relationship with much of the US media has soured he has recently favored interviews with friendly right-wing outlets. Brzezinski, 50, is the daughter of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was president Jimmy Carter's national security advisor. Scarborough, 54, is a Republican former congressman who represented a Florida district in the 1990s. The two are engaged to marry. Moscow: Russia "assumes" that President Vladimir Putin will meet his US counterpart Donald Trump during next week's G20 summit in Germany, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. Any such meeting would see the presidents address "several questions", Lavrov said, without elaborating other than to add that "above all, we must normalise dialogue" with Washington. "We assume that a meeting will take place, given that the two presidents will be in the same town at the same time, same building, even the same room", Lavrov said at a press conference with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. "It wouldn't be normal if they didn't talk", the top Russian diplomat added. The G20 leaders will meet in Hamburg on 7-8 July. Gabriel welcomed the possibility that the summit could bring Trump and Putin, who have yet to meet, together. During last year's US presidential campaign, Trump often suggested he wanted improved ties with Russia. At the end of March, Putin said he was ready to meet with Trump at the G20 summit, but neither Moscow nor Washington has confirmed any such plan. "Above all, it is necessary to normalise dialogue, so that dialogue is based on the vital interests of Russia and the United States", said Lavrov, stressing that there are always meetings "on the margins" of a G20 summit. But tensions have been mounting between the two powers. On Monday, White House had warned of possible reprisals against the Russian-backed Syrian regime, in response to intelligence suggesting President Bashar al-Assad may be preparing a chemical weapons attack. The following day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced the US "threats" against the Syrian regime which he called "unacceptable". If the US carries out its threat Russia will "react, in proportion to the situation," Lavrov said on Wednesday. Meanwhile Pentagon chief Jim Mattis accused Putin of making international "mischief". Speaking to students in Germany to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Marshall Plan to rebuild World War II-ravaged Europe, Mattis said Russia had chosen to challenge the "secure and peaceful" post-war order. The Russian people's "leader making mischief beyond Russian borders will not restore their fortunes or rekindle their hope", he said, in an apparent reference to the Ukraine conflict and Moscow's alleged meddling in the US electoral process. US intelligence suspects that Putin orchestrated a sweeping presidential election campaign to tilt the vote in Trump's favour. But Trump declared himself the victim of the "greatest witch hunt" in American political history, refuting accusations that he tried to quash a probe into collusion between his campaign team and Russia. h a probe into collusion between his campaign team and Russia. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday issued a show cause notice to Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, asking him to explain the source of $10,000 (Rs 6,46,605) "illegally" possessed by him in 2002. ED issues show cause notice to Hurriyat Leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for possession of Foreign exchange to the tune of US$10,000 illegally. ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 According to PTI, the foreign currency was seized during Income Tax Department raids at his residence in Srinagar's Hyderpora area in 2002. The central probe agency issued the notice, under various sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to Geelani. Taking cognisance of the Income Tax report, the ED had issued summons to Geelani to appear before it in Srinagar in March this year. The ED statement issued said that his counsel submitted a written reply and denied recovery of foreign currency from his residence. According to PTI, the ED statement further stated that following the summons, his chartered accountant submitted the appeal documents confirming the recovery and seizure of foreign currency. But he failed to furnish a legitimate source for its acquisition and possession thus making himself liable for action under FEMA. Under FEMA, foreign exchange dealings are regulated in India and the acquisition and possession of foreign exchange by Indian residents are required to be conducted in accordance with the general or special permission. Geelani did not have any such permission or bona fide explanation for acquisition and possession of the foreign currency. He has now been asked to show cause to the adjudicating officer under FEMA within 30 days to answer why the recovered currency should not be confiscated and a penalty be imposed on him. Earlier, National Investigation Agency (NIA) had detained Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah, Ajaz Akbar, spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat group, and Mehrajudin Kalwal in connection with alleged terror-funding received by separatists for carrying out subversive activities in Kashmir. They were arrested on Wednesday and remained in preventive custody before being flown to Delhi for interrogation by the NIA. In an expose, India Today TV news channel had on Wednesday showed separatist leaders Nayeem Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate and Qazi Baba accept that they had been receiving funds through hawala channels to foment trouble in the Valley. The NIA took cognizance of the expose and registered FIR following which formal questioning of select separatists began. Raids were also carried out at many places in Srinagar, Delhi and Haryana to unearth evidence involving these separatists. After FIR was filed for receiving hawala funds, Nayeem Khan was suspended by Geelani from his Hurriyat group. Geelani, widely seen as a hardliner, openly backs Jammu and Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. However, the separatists have not made any comments regarding the NIA raids and the show cause notice issued by the ED to Geelani. With inputs from PTI Women and children involved with groups like Islamic State are increasingly returning to their home countries in Europe, with some posing a terror risk, a senior European Union official said Thursday. The "new trend" of women and juveniles coming back from West Asia war zones means European countries must find special methods of dealing with them, said Michele Coninsx, president of the European Union judicial agency Eurojust. The issue is a growing concern for European countries as Islamic State is in retreat across Iraq and Syria in the face of US-backed forces. "We see that women and young children are coming back to Europe and they need special attention," Coninsx told a European Parliament committee as she released a report on the issue. Debate among European Union states on the issue was complicated because the fact that an individual returning from IS-held areas is a woman or child does not in itself mean they cannot pose a security risk, Coninsx said. "It is not because you are a child or because you are a female that you are not dangerous. If you have the terrorist intent, and the capacity, and if you have both at the same time, you constitute a danger," said Coninsx, a former Belgian prosecutor. The situation with children was especially sensitive, and one that European juvenile criminal justice systems would have to start adapting to, Coninsx said. "Minors coming back as victims must be taken care of in a very well adapted way," she said. But even for young people turned into "killing machines" in the brutal conditions in Islamic State territory "must also be taken care of in the best possible way," she added. As for women returning to Europe from West Asia conflict zones, those with a criminal or terror-related past can become "super dangerous," Coninsx added. But she highlighted the uneven legal ground in Europe, with some but not all member states punishing female returnees after only having cooked for or helped male jihadists in other ways. "The mere fact of being a bride of a foreign terrorist fighter is not punished overall but we see slight differences," she said. Returns of male fighters, however "do not seem to be increasing" despite Islamic State losses in Mosul in Iraq and its spiritual capital of Raqa in Syria, she said. "On the contrary, we see more chance that they are going to be relocated in the war zones and there will be shifts from Syria, Iraq to other regions in the neighbourhood," Coninsx said. Officials say at least 5,000 European nationals are believed to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State and other extremist groups. Jerusalem: A parole committee has decided to grant early release to Israeli ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert, who is serving a 27-month prison sentence for corruption, his lawyer said on Thursday. "The committee accepted all our arguments," Olmert's lawyer Shani Illouz told public radio. "As of now, Olmert will be released on Sunday," she said, noting the justice ministry could still appeal the decision. The 71-year-old Olmert, who was premier between 2006 and 2009, was convicted of graft and entered prison in February 2016. His Sunday release would be after he completed two-thirds of his sentence. The committee's reasons for granting his early release were not immediately clear, with a statement expected later. Olmert is Israel's first former premier to serve jail time. He resigned as prime minister in September 2008 after police recommended he be indicted for graft, but remained in office until March 2009, when Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in to the post, which he has held ever since. Olmert won international acclaim for relaunching peace efforts with the Palestinians at the Annapolis conference in the United States in 2007, but they failed to bear fruit and the corruption charges against him have come to define his legacy. The parole committee's decision comes after Olmert was rushed to hospital after experiencing chest pains in prison last week. The former premier underwent examinations which determined he was healthy and returned to prison after a number of days. A picture of a gaunt Olmert in hospital robes eating from plastic utensils found its way to social media, evoking a wave of sympathy from the public as well as politicians calling for his early release. Even with his impending early release, Olmert could still face new criminal charges. Earlier in June, the state attorneys office instructed police to investigate suspicions Olmert had smuggled a chapter of a book he was writing out of prison, an act that would constitute a felony due to the "secretive" content, the justice ministry said. Police had raided the office of the Yediot Aharonot publisher and seized Olmert's manuscript as well as other materials out of fears their dissemination prior to the mandatory censorship they would be subject to could cause "severe security damage", the justice ministry said. The investigation was ongoing, with the state attorneys office expected to announce in the next days whether they would seek to press fresh charges against Olmert over his conduct around the book. Olmert's original 27-month prison term was comprised of 18 months for taking bribes in the early 2000s in connection with the construction of Jerusalem's massive Holyland residential complex, eight months for a separate case of fraud and corruption, and another month for obstructing justice. Doha: Asian migrants working as domestic staff and farmers are stranded in Saudi Arabia potentially illegally after their Qatari bosses were ordered out of the kingdom, a rights group said on Thursday. The workers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal have been left without accommodation and money, said the head of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee. "There are a lot of migrant workers affected by this decision," said committee chairman Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri. Many of those affected were farmers who drive livestock between the two countries, said Marri. "Usually the workers travel with Qataris many Qataris employ farmers and travel with their domestic workers and drivers," he told a news conference. "The workers were not allowed to travel into Qatar and now they are living illegally in Saudi Arabia and do not have basic needs. "They have no shelter and cannot access money." On 5 June, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain announced they were suspending all ties with Qatar over accusations that the emirate supports extremist groups a claim Doha denies. The four states closed their airspace to Qatari carriers and sealed off the emirate's only land border with Saudi Arabia, a vital route for its food imports. They also ordered all Qataris to leave and their own nationals to return home. Qatar uses a sponsorship system which ties workers to their employer. It was not immediately clear why the workers were left behind and why they did not have the right papers to return. Some 12,000 camels and sheep are reportedly being forced to trek back to Qatar from Saudi Arabia because of the crisis. Ankara, Turkey: Turkey's state television says Qatar's defense minister will arrive in Turkey for talks amid the Gulf Arab states' feud with their tiny neighbour. TRT television says that the Qatari minister will meet with his Turkish counterpart on Friday. The defense ministry confirmed Thursday's report but didn't provide further information. Turkey has sided with Qatar after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain cut ties to Doha this month, accusing it of backing terror groups. Ankara also ratified legislation allowing Turkish troop deployment to Doha. The four Arab states have issued a list of demands to Qatar that includes ending Turkish troop presence, shuttering Al-Jazeera television and curbing diplomatic ties to Iran. Qatar denies supporting extremism and considers the demands an attempt to undermine its sovereignty. JERUSALEM Israeli troops on Wednesday shot and killed a Palestinian gunman who fired at them during a raid to uncover an arms cache in the occupied West Bank town of Hebron, the Israeli military said.The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the death of the man but did not immediately release details of his identity.The military released a photo of a makeshift automatic weapon lying on the ground that it said belonged to the gunman. The Israeli military frequently carries out patrols and searches in Palestinian areas looking for suspects and munitions and arrests suspects.A wave of Palestinian street attacks that began in October 2015 has slowed in recent months but has not stopped. At least 254 Palestinians and one Jordanian citizen have been killed since the violence began. Israel says at least 172 of those killed were carrying out attacks while others died during clashes and protests.Thirty-eight Israelis, two American tourists and a British student have been killed in Palestinian stabbings, shootings and car-rammings. Israel blames the violence on incitement by the Palestinian leadership, while the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, says desperation over Israeli occupation of land sought by Palestinians for a state is the cause.U.S.-brokered peace talks between the sides broke down in 2014. Palestinians want to establish an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War.U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to try to reach a "historic deal" between the sides and his envoys met Israeli and Palestinian leaders last week to try to facilitate the restart of talks but there has been no indication when they might actually resume. (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Sandra Maler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Rome: Italy has threatened to prevent vessels flying under foreign flags from disembarking migrants rescued in the Mediterranean in its ports, a source close to the government said on Wednesday. "We can't go on like this," the source told AFP after media reported that Italy's representative to the European Union, Maurizio Massari, delivered a letter to the bloc warning that the country was considering closing its doors. Massari is said to have met the European Commissioner for Immigration, Dimitri Avramopoulos, to insist that the latest wave of people saved from rickety vessels in the Mediterranean had meant "the situation has become unsustainable". Rome is threatening to deny the landing of boats that have picked up people setting off from crisis-hit Libya and are not flying Italian flags, the reports said. Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Italy was "asking certain European countries to stop looking the other way, because we cannot go on like this". The threat follows a poor performance by the ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) at local elections this weekend, where it lost heavily to the centre-right Forza Italia and the anti-immigrant Northern League party. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), which is running neck-and-neck in national polls with the PD, has followed the Northern League in demanding a stop to new arrivals particularly in the capital Rome. "I wonder whether the proposed measure is legal at all," said Mattia Toaldo, an expert on Libya at the European Council on Foreign Relations. "Denying docking rights to ships who have rescued people in distress at high seas (a legal obligation for all vessels, including commercial ships) sounds dubious." "It sounds more like a desperate way to get Europe's attention than a real measure that can be implemented," he said. More than 10,000 people were pulled to safety between Sunday and Tuesday off Libya including 5,000 on Monday alone. While the Italian coastguard coordinates the operations, many ships sailing under foreign flags take part including several aid ships chartered by privately-funded organisations from France or Germany. The NGOs have already faced a fierce campaign to discredit them this year after an Italian prosecutor alleged their collusion with smugglers an accusation they said was political and designed to thwart their rescue efforts. Critics have said the NGOs attract traffickers by sailing close to the Libyan coast. They insist they have no choice, because smugglers put the migrants out to sea in flimsy vessels that sink as they reach international waters. The Maltese organisation Moas was the first to launch a private rescue vessel in the summer of 2014. By last summer close to ten different NGOs, financed mainly through private donations, were taking part in migrant relief operations off Libya. The recent agreements between India and US to purchase American armaments call for a quick analysis of the challenges on the ground. The sobering fact is that the threat of conflict could turn out to be far closer than the prospect of those armaments becoming operational. Chinas response was immediately belligerent. It described the prime ministers visit to the US as provocative. And it extended its own border provocations from Arunachal Pradesh to Sikkim on the other side of Bhutan. As if that weren't enough, there are disconcerting reports of a build up of Chinese troops and equipment in the vicinity of Ladakh. One must get real about one thing: the US record of pursuing its own interests is outstanding. It announced an upgradation of its relationship with India while India bought weapons from it, but it did not slacken up on H1B visas. The extent to which it would get involved if push comes to shove between China and India is an open question. Even European powers have become worried about US commitment to treaty obligations under Trump. Convergence of challenges An extraordinary challenge may surface in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the near future. The scenario that is growing is the convergence of youth rage on the streets of Kashmir, of Pakistans efforts to wrest control of the Valley and of Chinas determination to weaken India. The government has viewed each of those challenges as separate for far too long and has struggled to handle each one of them. The distressing fact is that the situation is deteriorating on each of those fronts. And neither policymakers nor analysts have focused yet on how to tackle the challenge as a composite. Those challenges have been growing in tandem for at least nine years. But policymakers have remained cocooned in their beliefs that the three issues were separate, that each was barely a challenge at all, and that all they needed was a US backing. Prevention better than combat Policy responses have already moved a great distance in directions that make a course correction almost impossible at this stage. In broad strokes terms, there were two ways to handle this composite challenge. One was preventive. The other was combative. The latter has gathered steam over the past few months. It appears to be a reaction to belated realisations of ill-intent rather than initiatives. It includes tough stances towards China, bellicosity towards Pakistan, Islamophobia, and the purchase of armaments. Prevention would have involved reaching out to the new generation of Kashmiri youth, remove the causes of their rage, and counter the influence of radical discourses (radical in both political and religious terms) among them. It is tragic that instead of reaching out to Kashmiri youth with administrative, political and educational initiatives, the government has presided over their further alienation for the past several years. The Kashmiri population at large, and particularly, the millennial generation of teenagers, is extraordinarily alienated now. Their anger has grown since 2014 over insensitivity on flood relief and rehabilitation, the broken promises that the coalition has represented, beef vigilantism, efforts by RSS activists to undermine the states autonomy, and overall failures on the administrative and political fronts. Without the tinder which youth rage provides on the ground in Kashmir, neither Pakistan nor China would have been so emboldened. As things stand, the duo have moved implacably towards meeting combativeness with greater confrontation. They have ensured that militancy, mass youth unrest, and the radicalisation of Kashmiri youth, are unstoppable. Huge alienation The first thing one needs to know about Kashmir is that the really potent challenges to the Indian state have resulted from the combination of two factors: local alienation and Pakistani support. The converse is equally true. Neither Pakistan nor other powers can succeed when local people are supportive of the status quo. That was evident in 1999, when the China-Pakistan axis made the big mistake of moving in via Kargil; the people of Kargil were totally with India. Pakistan had badly miscalculated in 1965 too, when it tried to take over Kashmir through what it called Operation Gibraltar. Apart from pockets such as Batmaloo, local people gave the Indian Army information about infiltrators (among whom were Pakistan Army regulars in mufti). Ganzhou: After a month behind bars, three Chinese investigators who went undercover at a factory that made Ivanka Trump shoes walked freely out of the local police station Wednesday. But they still face an uncertain future and the threat of a trial. Chinese authorities released the three, who have been accused of breaking the law by using secret cameras and listening devices. They were freed on bail, which is extremely rare for individuals who have been detained for alleged crimes, a possible sign they won't be formally charged and put on trial. But they're not in the clear yet. Political dissidents and other activists who are released in China typically face restrictions on what they can do and say including comments to the media. "This is a way of keeping people under pressure, under police control, without subjecting them to actual confinement," said Jerome Cohen, a law professor at New York University and a Chinese human rights expert. "Whether they are prosecuted depends on how they behave." One of the activists, Hua Haifeng, was clearly relieved as he held his 3-year-old son outside the police station in Ganzhou, a city in southeastern Jiangxi province. "I appreciate the media following my case the last month," Hua told AP, "but I'm not ready to speak yet." Hua and colleagues in the labour rights group China Labour Watch were preparing to publish a report alleging low pay, excessive overtime, crude verbal abuse and possible misuse of student labour at Huajian Group factories. Some of the factories produced Ivanka Trump shoes, among other brands. Huajian Group has denied allegations of excessive overtime and low wages. It says it stopped producing Ivanka Trump shoes months ago. Abigail Klem, president of the Ivanka Trump brands company, said that its products had not been produced at a factory in Ganzhou since March but "the integrity of our supply chain is a top priority and we take all allegations very seriously." Hua and two other activists Su Heng and Li Zhao disappeared in late May, when China Labour Watch said two were taken from a hotel room while the third was detained by customs officials in the southern city of Shenzhen while en route to Hong Kong. NYU's Cohen said he suspects the case now may follow the pattern of the one against Ai Weiwei, the dissident artist who was released on bail in 2011 and never faced trial. "I think this is face-saving way to get rid of the case," Cohen said. "Formally, the case will exist for another year, then it will be dropped unless these people misbehave." Li Qiang, founder of China Labour Watch, said the Huajian's factory in Ganzhou was among the worst he has seen in nearly two decades investigating labour abuses. His group says pay can be as low as a dollar an hour, in violation of China's labour laws. According to China Labour Watch investigators, until recently workers might get only two days off or less per month. China Labour Watch alleges the company forced workers to sign fake pay stubs with inflated salary numbers and threatened to fire them if they didn't fill in questionnaires about working conditions with pre-approved answers. Separately, AP recently spoke to three workers at the Ganzhou factory one current and two former employees who confirmed some of what the labour group has reported. The three workers told AP that beatings were not unheard of and that they had each witnessed a particularly gruesome scene one day: A worker with blood dripping from his head after an angry manager had hit him with a high-heeled shoe. "There was a lot of blood. He went to the factory's nurse station, passing by me," said one of the former workers, who said he quit his job at the Huajian factory because of the long hours and low pay. All three workers spoke on condition of anonymity, for fear of retribution or arrest. The detention of the three activists prompted the US State Department to call for their immediate release. At the time, Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the men had been accused of using secret recording devices to disrupt normal commercial operations and would be dealt with under Chinese law. "Other nations have no right to interfere in our judicial sovereignty and independence," she said, adding, "the police found these people illegally possessed secret cameras, secret listening devices and other illegal monitoring devices." The White House directed any questions about the detainees on Wednesday to the State Department. Anna Richey-Allen, a department spokeswoman for East Asia and the Pacific, said: "We urge China to afford them the judicial and fair trial protections to which they are entitled." Marc Fisher, which produces shoes for Ivanka Trump and other brands, has said it is looking into the allegations. Ivanka Trump's lifestyle brand imports most of its merchandise from China, trade data show. The detentions came as China has cracked down on perceived threats to the stability of its ruling Communist Party, particularly from sources with foreign ties such as China Labour Watch. Faced with rising labour unrest and a slowing economy, Beijing has taken a stern approach to activism in southern China's manufacturing belt and to human rights advocates generally, sparking a wave of reports about disappearances, public confessions, forced repatriation and torture in custody. As he left the police station on Wednesday, Hua was surrounded by family members. "I'm happy to be out," he said. "I just want to spend some time with my family," Hua said he had not been mistreated but declined further comment. By Noah Barkin and Roberta Rampton | BERLIN/WASHINGTON BERLIN/WASHINGTON German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to fight for free trade and press on with multilateral efforts to combat climate change at the G20 summit next week, challenging the "America First" policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.In a defiant speech to parliament a week before she will host a summit of the world's top economic powers in Hamburg, the northern port city where she was born, Merkel did not mention Trump by name but said global problems could not be solved with protectionism and isolation.Her remarks raised the prospect of an open clash with Trump at the summit. She later met with European G20 leaders who promised to present a united front in Hamburg, while making clear they preferred compromise to conflict."These will not be easy talks," Merkel said. "The differences are obvious and it would be wrong to pretend they aren't there. I simply won't do this."The G20 summit will be held a little over a month after a G7 summit in Sicily exposed deep divisions between other western countries and Trump on climate change, trade and migration.A short while later, Trump announced he was pulling the United States out of a landmark agreement to combat climate change reached in 2015 in Paris.Ahead of the G20 summit, Trump's administration has threatened to take punitive trade measures against China, including introducing tariffs on steel imports.This has made for an unusually tense atmosphere before the summit and German officials acknowledge they have little idea what the final communique will look like. Asked about Merkel's comments, Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said the U.S. relationship with Germany was "as strong as ever" and played down the discord."Of course there are going to be differences in relations with any country, and we'll talk frankly about those differences. The president enjoys those conversations," McMaster told reporters.The German hosts face a difficult challenge. Along with Trump, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan will be attending. All have strained relations with Merkel and other European leaders.The summit, in a convention centre in the heart of Hamburg, could also be disrupted by tens of thousands of protesters expected to descend on the city of 1.7 million. EXISTENTIAL CHALLENGE Merkel said she was "more determined than ever" to make the Paris accord a success since Trump's decision to pull out, calling climate change an "existential challenge"."We cannot wait until every last person on Earth has been convinced of the scientific proof," she said."Anybody who believes the problems of the world can be solved with isolationism and protectionism is making a big mistake," Merkel said. Trump looks forward to discussing his economic rationale for quitting the deal during his G20 meetings, said Gary Cohn, his top economic adviser."Hes going to ask for a fair and level playing field. We cannot be in a position where the United States is cutting and cutting emissions while others continue to grow," Cohn told reporters.French President Emmanuel Macron, in Berlin for the meeting of EU leaders, which included the prime ministers of Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Britain, said he hoped the United States would "return to reason" on climate. But he also stressed that it made little sense to try to isolate Trump in Hamburg."The relationship with the United States is a long-term one and it is deep," Macron said. "I believe we must continue an intense dialogue with the United States because of these ties which are historic and enduring."At Macron's invitation, Trump will visit Paris a week after the July 7-8 G20 summit for Bastille Day celebrations. They spoke by phone on Tuesday and agreed to work together to respond to any new chemical attacks from the Syrian government.Donald Tusk, the former Polish prime minister who chairs summits of EU leaders, said in Berlin that European countries would speak with one voice in Hamburg, defending the rules-based international order that Trump has called into question. (Editing by Janet Lawrence and Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Islamabad: Pakistani officials will be worried "about the amicability" of the meeting between US president Donald Trump and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, a Pakistani newspaper said on Thursday. "And the worrying word from Washington is that the US is looking at a stricter policy on Pakistan," The News International said in an editorial. The daily said the Modi-Trump meeting in Washington "is a reminder that the US and India have become closer mostly because of the latter's growing economic importance. "And while the alliance between the two deeply divisive leaders might not last long, for now they seem to be kindred spirits," it said. A joint statement issued after the Modi-Trump meeting in Washington asked Pakistan not to let its territory be used for cross-border terror attacks. The US also designated the Pakistan-based Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist. The daily, however, said that Modi's discussions on defence with Trump, such as on increased naval cooperation, were directed against China, which it pointed out was the only rival to India in South Asia. The coming together of Modi and Trump "will show the region that India intends on being the neighbourhood cop of the US and in return the US will parrot its line on Kashmir and terrorism". Another Pakistani newspaper, The Nation, also attacked "global powers" for ignoring what it said were human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir. "The international community often pays no heed to the legitimate resistance of Kashmiris because they see India as one of the biggest markets for their products," it said. The daily warned that both India and Pakistan were nuclear powers and "global powers need to gauge the regional situation very cautiously. "Any move by global powers by which one of the two countries feels threatened will deteriorate the security situation in the region." Brussels: NATO allies will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan to help the government battle a resurgent Taliban but there is no question of returning to a combat role, the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday. NATO ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014 when it handed over frontline duties to the Afghan military and took on an advice and training mission, but recent Taliban gains have dented hopes of a quick end to the war. As he arrived for a defence ministers meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue, Stoltenberg said the 29 NATO allies were considering an increase of several thousand soldiers. "I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," he said. "We have to understand this is about training, assistance, advice. It is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight." Additional troops now could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, he added. Stoltenberg did not give exact figures but diplomatic sources say an increase of up to 3,000 troops is under consideration. The alliance currently has about 13,500 soldiers in what is known as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, of which half are from the US. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is due to brief the allies later Thursday but Stoltenberg said he did not expect him to give specific troop numbers. "We will look into how we together can, have enough troops to help the government and break the stalemate and so lay the ground for a political solution," Stoltenberg said. Separately, British Defence Minister Michael Fallon said London would provide just under 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. Like Stoltenberg, Fallon emphasised that the troops would have no combat role and that the deployment was needed to help Afghanistan combat terrorism which threatened regions across the globe, including Europe. "There is every incentive to stay the course," he said. United Nations: North Korea delivered a rare statement at the UN Security Council, accusing the United States of attaching "unjust" conditions to its offer of talks on Pyongyang's military programs. Deputy ambassador Kim in Ryong Wednesday said it would be a "fatal miscalculation" by countries to believe that the latest sanctions imposed by the council will deter North Korea from developing its nuclear forces. "Their mean and indiscreet act would go in just the opposite direction to what they want," said Kim during a debate on non-proliferation chaired by Bolivia, this month's council president. "The US kept saying about 'dialogue' even at this moment" when the sanctions were adopted, Kim said. "But it does not make sense to profess about dialogue with unjust preconditions attached and by applying maximum pressure." The United States has said it is willing to talk to North Korea if it halts its missile and nuclear tests. This month, the council put 14 North Koreans and fours entities on a sanctions blacklist, hitting them with a global travel ban and an assets freeze. That sanctions resolution builds on two other measures adopted last year after North Korea carried out a fifth nuclear test and test-fired a series of ballistic missiles. North Korea has dismissed the Security Council as a political tool of the United States and has rarely participated in its meetings, even those that concern Pyongyang directly. By Amanda Ferguson | BELFAST BELFAST Northern Irish politicians were set to negotiate through the night as they remained deadlocked on Wednesday in talks to restore the British province's power-sharing executive with hours to go until a deadline to reach agreement.Northern Ireland politics has been in crisis since the collapse in January of the compulsory coalition between pro-British unionists and Irish nationalists mandated under a 1998 peace deal that ended three decades of sectarian violence.The Irish and British governments - guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement - sought to facilitate a compromise, warning that a failure to do so would have "profound and serious" implications and limit the province's influence in Brexit talks."Talks continuing - efforts intensified to find agreement on outstanding issues before tomorrow's deadline. Expect very late night," Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney tweeted from the talks at Stormont, the seat of the Northern Irish Assembly. Northern Ireland risks reverting to direct rule from London for the first time in a decade if power-sharing is not restored, a step backwards in the delicate balance between mainly Catholic Irish nationalists seeking union with Ireland and predominantly Protestant unionists who want to remain in the United Kingdom.If Thursday's deadline of 1500 GMT is missed, it would be the fourth such deadline set by the British government to pass without agreement since a snap regional election in March. A further extension would be highly likely. The talks are mainly stuck on a disagreement between the two largest parties, Irish nationalists Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), over Sinn Fein's demand to give the Irish language legal status in the province.The two rival parties shared power for a decade until Sinn Fein pulled out of government in January. Negotiations also stalled until early this week while the DUP agreed a pact to prop up British Prime Minister Theresa May in her Westminster parliament, securing over 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) in extra funds for the province in the process.Some analysts said the deal between May and the DUP could ultimately motivate Sinn Fein to return to devolved government but that they may take time to see how it works out first."Deadlines are always movable here. I would be gobsmacked if we get an executive before Christmas," David McCann, a politics lecturer at the University of Ulster, told national broadcaster RTE. (Reporting by Amanda Ferguson; Writing by Padraic Halpin; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A Pakistani doctor says four more victims of last week's oil tanker fire have died, raising the death toll to 173. Abdul Basit says the four men were among dozens of injured who were brought to the main government hospital in the city of Multan after an oil tanker overturned and burst into flames. Basit said on Thursday that doctors are still treating 37 others. The 25 June highway explosion took place outside the city of Bahawalpur when the driver of the tanker lost control and crashed. The tanker burst into flames when villagers were collecting the leaking fuel, ignoring warnings from police. The disaster came on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The tanker was driving from the southern port city of Karachi to Lahore, the Punjab provincial capital of Pakistan when the driver lost control and crashed on the national highway outside Bahawalpur. A loudspeaker atop a local mosque alerted villagers to the leaking fuel, and scores raced to the site with jerry cans, said Rana Mohammad Salim, deputy commissioner of Bahawalpur. Highway police moved quickly to redirect traffic but couldn't stop the scores of villagers who raced to collect the fuel, spokesman Imran Shah told a local TV channel. When the fire erupted, the same mosque loudspeaker called on the remaining villagers to help put it out. ABUJA The cost of keeping a Nigerian presidential jet at a London airport while President Muhammadu Buhari is in Britain on medical leave will not exceed $1,300, his spokesman said on Thursday, denying media reports of much higher costs. The 74-year-old president, whose ailment has not been disclosed, travelled to Britain on May 7 and has not been seen in public since, stirring speculation about his condition.Buhari took office in May 2015 after an election in which he vowed to crack down on corruption and mismanagement of public funds that have seen a rich elite benefit from the OPEC member's oil wealth while most Nigerians live on less than $2 a day. Responding to press and social media criticism about the cost of keeping Buhari's plane at a London airport while is in Britain, his spokesman Garba Shehu said reports of "outrageous fees allegedly paid by Nigeria (are) totally untrue". "Aircraft conveying heads of state all over the world usually enjoy waivers even where payments for parking are differentiated by aircraft categories," Shehu said in an emailed statement. "We been assured that where the waiver is not granted, payment will not exceed 1,000 pounds (sterling), which is a quarter of the amount being peddled," he added. Shehu did not disclose the name of the London airport. Last year two of Nigeria's 10 presidential jets were put up for sale as part of a cost-cutting campaign. Africa's largest economy is in its first recession in 25 years, mostly caused by low oil prices. Earlier this week Buhari delivered an audio message to mark the Islamic Eid al-Fitr holiday. It was his first public statement since May 7.He put his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, in temporary charge of N Nigeria when he left for Britain.($1 = 0.7702 pounds) (Reporting by Felix Onuah; writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; editing by Mark Heinrich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Beijing: China's military on Thursday rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory", a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told the media in Beijing. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity", the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory", he said. Bhutan on Wednesday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here. Recently, the Chinese army (Peoples Liberation Army) started construction of a road towards Bhutanese Army camp at Zomphlri in Doklam area which is in violation of an agreement between the two countries," Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel had said in New Delhi. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. Washington: South Korea's president Moon Jae-in arrived in Washington on his first overseas trip since taking office, for planned talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump. Moon, who backs engagement with nuclear-armed North Korea, was to meet Thursday with Trump during his first foreign outing since being sworn in last month after a landslide election win. Late last week, he was scheduled to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a war memorial in Quantico, Virginia, and later was to attend summit of Korean and American business leaders. His agenda includes meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and an evening visit with the US president and First Lady Melania Trump, including a reception and dinner. Washington, South Korea's security guarantor, has more than 28,000 troops in the country to defend it from its bellicose neighbour, which has been intensifying missile tests: Including five since Moon's inauguration. Pyongyang is seeking to develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that could reach the continental United States. Trump has been pushing for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions and whose administration has said military action was a possibility. Also expected to be high on the agenda is likely to be a controversial US missile defense system that has been installed in South Korea to guard against missile threats from the North. Though parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are already in place, Moon suspended further deployment following a furious campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic protests by Beijing against the US missile shield, dealing a blow to Washington's regional security policy. Officially, the delay is to allow for a new, comprehensive environmental impact assessment, but analysts say the move is a strategic one by Moon to delay the tricky diplomatic situation he inherited. By Jeff Mason and David Brunnstrom | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump will press South Korean President Moon Jae-in to solve trade differences over cars and steel during meetings on Thursday and Friday that will focus on ways to counter the nuclear threat from North Korea.Concerns about the U.S. military's THAAD missile defense system and China's role in the region are also likely to come up during two days of talks at the White House.Moon, making his first trip to the United States since becoming his country's leader, will join Trump and his wife, Melania, for dinner in the White House State Dining Room on Thursday evening ahead of more formal talks on Friday.Both men have an interest in building a strong relationship, but tensions could puncture that effort. Trump has spoken harshly about U.S. trade imbalances with South Korea and threatened to tear up a trade agreement with the country. Moon has taken a wary stance on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system that the United States deployed in South Korea in March."I think theyll have a friendly and frank discussion about the trade relationship," a White House official told reporters on Wednesday, noting concerns about barriers to U.S. auto sales and surplus Chinese steel that arrives in the United States via South Korea.The U.S. goods trade deficit with South Korea has more than doubled since the KORUS pact took effect in 2012, from $13.2 billion in 2011 to $27.7 billion in 2016. It was forecast to boost U.S. exports by $10 billion a year, but they were $3 billion lower in 2016 than in 2011. In an interview with Reuters in April, Trump called the five-year-old trade deal "horrible" and said he would either renegotiate or terminate it.During remarks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Moon said unfair trade practices would be eradicated and factors that limited competition, such as market entry barriers and price regulations, would be "reevaluated" under his administration.Trump has made challenging trade agreements a hallmark of his short tenure in office. Despite tensions over that issue, his meetings with Moon are likely to focus largely on North Korea. Moon has said he wants to form a friendship with the former New York businessman and find common ground on how to resolve the crisis over North Koreas nuclear and missile programs. Trump wants to build ties with an important new leader in the region as he grows frustrated that his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping has not translated to stronger action by Beijing to rein in Pyongyang. Moon told Reuters in an interview last week he wanted to discuss a two-phased approach to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, starting with a freeze on North Koreas nuclear and missile development followed by complete dismantlement. I am planning to have frank and open discussions with President Trump on the step-by-step approach, he said.The THAAD defense system could be a sticking point. Moon, who has advocated a more moderate approach toward Pyongyang, expressed shock late last month upon learning that four more launchers for the controversial system had been brought into the country. He ordered a probe after his Defense Ministry failed to inform him of the move.The system, whose installation irritated China, is meant to counter the threat from North Korea's missile program. The White House said it did not expect THAAD to be a major point of conversation, and Moon is expected to assure Washington that his recent decision to postpone full THAAD deployment to conduct an environmental review was a measure to follow domestic law. Despite potential areas of disagreement, the two leaders are expected to express common resolve over threats from North Korea."The similarities in our approaches are already evident," the White House official said, noting that both men had expressed willingness to engage with Pyongyang under the right conditions. "Even once the conditions may present themselves, to enter into dialogue we must maintain and actually increase pressure on North Korea. Thats President Moons approach; its President Trumps approach." (Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita Choy) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Phil Stewart and David Dolan | BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday that the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad appeared so far to have heeded a warning this week from Washington not to carry out a chemical weapons attack.Russia, the Syrian government's main backer in the country's civil war, warned that it would respond proportionately if the United States took pre-emptive measures against Syrian forces to stop what the White House says could be a planned chemical attack.The White House said on Monday it appeared the Syrian military was preparing to conduct a chemical weapons attack and said that Assad and his forces would "pay a heavy price" if it did so.The warning was based on intelligence that indicated preparations for such a strike were under way at Syria's Shayrat airfield, U.S. officials said."It appears that they took the warning seriously," Mattis said. "They didn't do it," he told reporters flying with him to Brussels for a meeting of NATO defence ministers.He offered no evidence other than the fact that an attack had not taken place.Asked whether he believed Assad's forces had called off any such strike completely, Mattis said: "I think you better ask Assad about that."Washington accused Syrian forces of using the Shayrat airfield for a chemical weapons attack in April. Syria denies this.The intelligence that prompted the administrations warning to Syria this week was "far from conclusive," said a U.S. official familiar with it. "It did not come close to saying that a chemical weapons attack was coming," the official said. The intelligence consisted of a Syrian warplane being observed moving into a hangar at the Shayrat airbase, where U.S. and allied intelligence agencies suspect the Assad government is hiding chemical weapons, said a second U.S. official.Mattis said Syria's chemical weapons threat was larger than any single location. "I think that Assad's chemical program goes far beyond one airfield," he said. U.S. and allied intelligence officers had for some time identified several sites where they suspected Assad's government may have been hiding newly made chemical weapons from inspectors, another U.S. official familiar with the intelligence said.The United States launched cruise missile strikes on Shayrat in April in response to the deaths of 87 people in what Washington said was a poison gas attack in rebel-held territory. The Syrian government did not comment on the White House warning, although state-run al-Ikhbariya television station said the allegations were fabricated. RUSSIA WARNING Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow will respond if the United States takes measures against Syrian government forces."We will react with dignity, in proportion to the real situation that may take place," he said at a news conference in the city of Krasnodar.Lavrov said he hoped the United States was not preparing to use its intelligence assessments about the Syrian government's intentions as a pretext to mount a "provocation" in Syria. Russian officials have described the war in Syria as the biggest source of tension between Moscow and Washington and say the April cruise missile strike ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump raised the risk of confrontation between them. In Washington, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, credited Trump with saving Syrian lives."Due to the president's actions, we did not see an incident," Haley told U.S. lawmakers. "I would like to think that the president saved many innocent men, women and children." Although the number of people killed in suspected chemical attacks is a small portion of the total dead in Syria's civil war, estimated at close to half a million, footage of victims writhing in agony has caused particular revulsion. On the Syrian battlefields, Turkish artillery bombarded and destroyed Kurdish YPG militia targets after the group's fighters opened fire on Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria.The United States supports the YPG in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, while NATO ally Turkey regards them as terrorists indistinguishable from Kurdish militants carrying out an insurgency in southeast Turkey.The Turkish army said YPG machinegun fire on Tuesday evening targeted Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army rebels south of the town of Azaz. Artillery struck back in retaliation, a Turkish military statement said.The boom of artillery fire could be heard overnight from the Turkish border town of Kilis, broadcaster Haberturk said.Ankara was angered by a U.S. decision in June to arm the YPG in the battle for Islamic State's stronghold of Raqqa. (Additional reporting by Orhan Coskun, Tulay Karadeniz and Omer Berberoglu in Turkey, Sabine Siebold in Krasnodar, Russia and John Walcott in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Dan Grebler, Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Arshad Mohammed and Mica Rosenberg | WASHINGTON/NEW YORK WASHINGTON/NEW YORK President Donald Trump's temporary ban on people from six predominantly Muslim countries and all refugees entering the United States is finally scheduled to take effect later on Thursday, but in a scaled-back form that still allows in some travelers. The rollout of the controversial measure follows a Supreme Court decision this week that allowed the executive order to take effect but significantly narrowed its scope, exempting travelers and refugees with a "bona fide relationship" with a person or entity in the United States. It is set to go into effect at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT Friday).Late Wednesday, the State Department said visa applicants from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen must have a close U.S. family relationship or formal ties to a U.S. entity to be admitted to the United States in keeping with the Supreme Court's ruling.Trump first announced a temporary travel ban in January, calling it a counterterrorism measure to allow time to develop better security vetting. The order caused chaos at airports as officials scrambled to enforce it and was blocked by federal courts, with opponents arguing the measure discriminated against Muslims and that there was no security rationale for it.A revised version of the ban, issued in March, was also halted by courts.In its decision on Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the ban, which bars people from the designated six countries for 90 days and refugees for 120 days, to go partially into effect until the top court can take up the case during its next term starting in October.The State Department guidance on the ban, distributed to all U.S. diplomatic posts and seen by Reuters, defined a close familial relationship as being a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling, including step-siblings and other step-family relations. "Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-laws and sisters-in-law, fiances, and any other 'extended' family members," are not considered close family, according to the cable. The guidelines also said that workers with an offer of employment from a company in the United States or a lecturer addressing U.S. audiences would be exempt from the ban, but someone who simply made a hotel reservation would not be considered as having a bona fide relationship.Asked about the guidance, the State Department declined to comment on internal communications. The Department of Homeland Security is expected to release additional information on Thursday. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.Immigration lawyers and refugee advocates expressed surprise late on Wednesday that fiances, grandparents and grandchildren would not qualify as close family."This unduly limited definition of family excludes many of the very people that Americans are looking forward to welcoming as visitors," said Eleanor Acer of the group Human Rights First, adding that the guidelines appeared to go against the exceptions outlined by the Supreme Court. "Barring grandparents," she said, "is not the way to keep this country safe."Refugee resettlement organizations have said they believe their organizations should qualify as having a "bona fide relationship" with the clients they serve, but the State Department cable did not give guidance on that question. Rana, an Iranian consultant who has been in the United States since 2003 and is married to a U.S. citizen, said no Thursday that she feared the travel ban will only increase the confusion in an already onerous visa system for visitors from her country."The way the president is talking, it makes it sound like the doors were open and people were just coming and going. It was always hard, it was never easy," she said, asking that her last name not be used. In 2014, Rana's 65-year-old mother missed her wedding because of a seven-month security clearance process. Her brother, who had a scholarship to a U.S. university in 2008, was never allowed in. The brother now lives with his wife in Canada, and they are thinking of trying to get permission for their mother to visit him there instead of trying again for a U.S. visa. "This is just adding to chaos," Rana said. "It is putting a lot of power of interpretation into the hands of the individual visa officers." The ban's looming enforcement also stirred anger and confusion in parts of the Middle East on Wednesday, with would-be visitors worried about their travel plans and their futures.Airlines in the region said they had not received a directive from the United States, and there were few people at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, where there is normally a line out the door of people waiting to process visa applications.On Thursday, Emirates Airline, the Middle East's largest airline, said its flights to the United States were operating normally. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said it is allowing nationals from the six countries to board U.S.-bound flights if they have valid travel documents. Amnesty International said it would be sending researchers to airports in New York City, Washington and Los Angeles to monitor the implementation of the ban.But Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration law professor at Cornell Law School said that since the order only applies to those who have not yet been issued visas, any legal fights will likely not occur right away and could become moot once the ban expires."We may see a lot of attorneys standing around at airports tonight with nothing much to do," Yale-Loehr said. (Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati and Gabriella Borter in New York; Additional writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Frances Kerry and Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. LONDON British Prime Minister Theresa May won backing for her policy programme with a slender parliamentary majority on Thursday in the first major test of her authority since the June 8 election. May won the vote by 323 votes to 309 votes. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, editing by David Milliken) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. United Nations: The UN Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned fighting in the buffer zone between Syria and Israel and urged the Syrian government and opposition groups to withdraw from the area which is patrolled by UN peacekeepers. A resolution sponsored by Russia and the United States and adopted unanimously Thursday by the UN Security Council extends the mandate of the peacekeeping mission known as UNDOF until 31 December. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and subsequently annexed the strategic plateau overlooking northern Israel, but that annexation is not internationally recognised. UNDOF has patrolled the buffer zone between Syria and Israel since 1974, a year after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. For nearly four decades UNDOF helped enforce a stable truce between the two countries but the Syrian war spilt into the zone. The six-year conflict has not only seen some intense fighting in the buffer zone but the abduction of peacekeepers by Al-Qaida-linked anti-Syrian government militants, and other attacks that prompted several countries to withdraw their soldiers. Israel has tried to stay out of the six-year civil war in Syria and refrained from taking sides but has responded to spillover fire on numerous occasions. The Israeli military said on Sunday it attacked a series of targets belonging to the Syrian military, after several projectiles from Syria landed in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights for a second day. The resolution backed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' findings that ongoing military activities in the area of separation have the potential to escalate tensions and jeopardise the ceasefire between Israel and Syria, and pose risks to civilians and United Nations personnel on the ground. According to the United Nations peacekeeping department, the UNDOF mission has 959 personnel including 828 military. The resolution condemned the use of heavy weapons, including tanks, by both the Syrian armed forces and armed groups in the area of separation. It underscored the need for UNDOF to have the sophisticated equipment and technology to effectively monitor the area of separation and cease-fire line including the capability to counter improvised explosive devices and "a sense and warn system, to ensure the safety and security of UNDOF personnel and equipment." The security council urged the secretary-general "to accelerate the development of proposals for such technologies." United Nations: A deal on cutting nearly $600 million from the UN peacekeeping budget was reached Wednesday following weeks of negotiations over US demands for sharp cost reductions, UN diplomats said. Under the deal reached by a General Assembly budget committee, the United Nations will spend $7.3 billion on peacekeeping in the coming year, down from the current $7.87 billion roughly a seven percent cut according to diplomats familiar with the negotiations. The United States, the biggest financial contributor to peacekeeping, had sought a nearly $1 billion cut to the bill and the European Union had also pushed for savings to bring costs down to $7.3 billion. US Ambassador Nikki Haley claimed victory in a statement, saying "just five months into our time here, we've already been able to cut over half a billion dollars from the UN peacekeeping budget and we're only getting started." Hardest hit by the cuts will be the UN missions in Sudan's troubled region of Darfur and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the two costliest operations with budgets that run over $1 billion. A Security Council diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity said however there will be "cuts across the board" in the 13 peacekeeping missions as a result of US pressure. Washington pays 28.5 percent of the peacekeeping budget and 22 percent of the UN's core budget of $5.4 billion. French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the deal will allow UN missions to "fully implement their mandate while being more efficient." "The savings proposed in this budget have been carefully targeted," said Delattre. The deal falls short of the request from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who had asked for $7.97 billion for the annual budget which runs from 1 July to 30 June of next year. It also is less than what African countries had proposed: they wanted $7.7 billion for the UN missions. The deal is expected to be approved by the UN General Assembly on Friday. Big cuts to Darfur mission The Security Council is expected to vote as early as Thursday on significant cuts to the 17,000-strong joint African Union-UN Mission in Darfur known as UNAMID. Britain on Wednesday circulated a draft resolution that provides for a two-stage drawdown over the next 12 months, in line with the recommendations of a joint AU-UN report released last month. The measure would cut UNAMID force levels to reach 8,735 troops and 2,500 police by June 2018, a 44 percent cut in military personnel and nearly 30 percent in police, according to the draft text obtained by AFP. The drawdown could be reviewed if the Sudanese government fails to ensure protection in those areas from where the peacekeepers will withdraw. Under the proposed measure, Guterres will report to the council after six months on whether "conditions on the ground remain conducive to further reductions." The draft resolution welcomes a "reduction in military confrontations between government forces and rebel groups," but rights groups maintain that the conflict in Darfur is far from over. Human Rights Watch has criticized the proposed cuts as "misguided," saying civilians in Darfur still need protection. Darfur has been engulfed in conflict since 2003, when ethnic minority insurgents mounted a rebellion against President Omar al-Bashir, complaining that his Arab-dominated government was marginalizing the region. The United Nations has shut down its mission in Ivory Coast and is planning to pull its peacekeepers out of Haiti in the coming months. France late Wednesday circulated a draft resolution on renewing the UN mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, but no cuts are planned. The mission would continue to operate with 13,289 troops and 1,920 police, according to the draft resolution seen by AFP. A vote on renewing the Mali mission could take place on Thursday. The Donald Trump administration's decision to sell one C-17 transport aircraft to India will improve its capability to meet current and future strategic airlift requirements, the Pentagon has said. The proposed sale of C-17 transport aircraft by Boeing comes at an estimated cost of $366.2 million. The plane comes with a missile warning system, countermeasures dispensing system, one identification friend or foe (IFF) transponder and a precision navigation equipment. "The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future strategic airlift requirements," US defence security cooperation agency said in a notification to the Congress on Monday. "India lies in a region prone to natural disasters and will use the additional capability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," the agency said. In addition, through this purchase, India will be able to provide rapid strategic combat airlift capabilities for its armed forces. India currently operates C-17 aircraft and will have no difficulty in absorbing this aircraft into its armed forces, the agency said, adding that the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The Congressional notification said that a determination has been made that India can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the United States. "This proposed sale is necessary to the furtherance of the United States' foreign policy and national security objective, outlined in the Policy Justification," the Pentagon said. According to the Pentagon, the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military airlift aircraft is the most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the US Air Force fleet. The C-17 is capable of strategic delivery of up to 170,900 pounds of personnel and/or equipment to main operating bases or forward operating locations. Noting that the aircraft is also capable of short field landings with a full cargo load, it said the aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions as well transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations, when required. A fully integrated electronic cockpit and advance cargo delivery system allows a crew of three, pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster, to operate the aircraft on any type of mission, it said. Sydney: Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell was charged with multiple child sex offences in Australia, police said. Pell, the country's most senior Catholic cleric, was interviewed in Rome by Australian police in October 2016 over the allegations which he strongly denies. "Victoria Police have charged Cardinal George Pell with historical sexual assault offences," Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters. "There are multiple complainants relating to those charges." Patton said the 76-year-old was charged on summons and was required to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 18 July for a hearing. Patton would not take any questions, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. The Pell charges came at the final stages of a long-running national inquiry into institutional responses to child sex abuse, which was ordered by the government in 2012. The cardinal has appeared before the royal commission three times, once in person and twice via video-link, during which he admitted that he "mucked up" in dealing with paedophile priests in Victoria state in the 1970s. Pell was ordained in Rome in 1966 before returning to Australia in 1971 and rising to become the nation's top Catholic official. He left for the Vatican in 2014 after being hand-picked by Pope Francis to make the church's finances more transparent. Caracas: The death toll in the violent Venezuelan protests against the government's call to rewrite the Constitution has increased to 78 after an 18-year-old boy was shot dead following a demonstration, the Public Prosecutor's Office said. In a statement, the office said an "irregular situation occurred inside a commercial venue, where the young boy was shot in the arm and in the head" following the demonstration in the state of Anzoategui on Wednesday, reports Efe news. Two men were arrested following the incident. Above 1,500 people have been injured in the three months of pro- and anti-government protests since Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro launched an initiative to elect a Constituent Assembly to reform the Constitution. It has been badly received by the opposition which claimed it was another attempt by the executive to hold onto power. By Robin Emmott and Phil Stewart | BRUSSELS BRUSSELS European allies will tell U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Thursday they are willing to help step up NATO's mission in Afghanistan - but only if the United States is clear on its strategy, diplomats said. The United States wants to send 3,000-5,000 more troops to Afghanistan, and other NATO members might send around 1,200. But no decisions have been made.NATO leads some 13,450 multinational troops in Afghanistan, who are training the country's armed forces. About 8,400 are U.S. personnel, some 6,900 of whom come under the NATO command structure.Fifteen members and partners of the military alliance, including Britain and Australia, have said they will contribute more troops and equipment to the training mission for 2018, following a closed-door meeting of military planners this month."This is nothing like a surge, this is well within the bounds of what is feasible politically," a senior NATO diplomat said, citing a willingness to meet U.S. President Donald Trump's demands that the alliance do more to fight Islamist militants. A decision by NATO allies to send more troops would reflect alarm about territorial gains by Taliban rebels and military and civilian casualties.However, diplomats said everything hung on the Afghan strategy being devised by Mattis, who will address NATO defence ministers on Thursday, partly because many allies depend on U.S. equipment to be able to carry out their training. "We need clarity from the United States," a second NATO diplomat said.Some diplomats expressed frustration that the process had dragged out months, saying they had been repeatedly promised the new U.S. strategy, firstly by the NATO leaders' meeting in May in Brussels and then by Thursday's defence ministers' meeting. "The confusion in Washington has had an impact," a third diplomat said. "HOW WE END THIS WAR" The concern about delay extends beyond Brussels. In Washington, Republican Senator John McCain recently scolded Mattis during a televised Senate hearing."It makes it hard for us to support you when we don't have a strategy," McCain said.U.S. and allied forces have been fighting for nearly 16 years against Taliban Islamists who harboured al Qaeda militants behind the attacks on New York and Washington in September 2001. For Mattis, the NATO trip will bring him one step closer to an expected mid-July finish line for his long-awaited Afghan war plan, which he hopes will break a stalemate in America's longest war and eventually bring it to a successful conclusion.Speaking to reporters during his flight to Europe, he said he would brief allies about the U.S. assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and his efforts to fill in "any gaps left in the strategy".He declined to say how many troops he expected from NATO allies.Mattis said he aimed to return to Washington to "finish out some things" in consultation with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Joseph Dunford, who just returned from Afghanistan, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson."And then we'll present to the president a strategy that's been informed by our allies, to include Afghanistan of course, and given a framework that is regional in nature and focuses on: how we end this war," he said. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott; editing by Andrew Roche) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Mica Rosenberg, Andrew Chung and Yeganeh Torbati | WASHINGTON/NEW YORK WASHINGTON/NEW YORK One day before President Donald Trump's temporary ban on all refugees and travellers from six predominantly Muslim countries is scheduled to take effect, there is still widespread uncertainty about how the administration will implement it. The confusion follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision on Monday that allowed the long-delayed executive order to take effect, but significantly narrowed its scope. It exempted travellers and refugees who have a "bona fide relationship" with a person or entity in the United States. As of Wednesday, the main federal departments and agencies responsible for implementing the ban had not issued official legal guidance to staff in the field or to the public. Among the questions to be resolved are what qualifies as a "bona fide" connection and how pending and future visa and refugee applications will be handled during the period of the ban. Many immigrant and refugee agencies say they need more details in order to prepare their clients for what to expect.Without guidance from the administration, "its easy to game out a number of ways this could go off the rails," said Johnathan Smith, legal director of legal advocacy group Muslim Advocates. The U.S. State Department on Tuesday said it was waiting for legal guidance from attorneys at the Department of Justice.U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Wednesday that he told DHS employees he wants to tread carefully in implementing the order.I told my folks I didnt want to come anywhere near close to getting crosswise with the court. I think thats the right way to be a public servant, Kelly said, adding that he expects the government will win the case when it is heard this fall. David Lapan, a DHS spokesman, said additional information will be released on Thursday, the day the ban is to start. A Justice Department spokesman did not respond to requests seeking comment. The ban's looming enforcement against nationals of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen stirred anger and confusion in parts of the Middle East on Wednesday, with would-be visitors worried about their travel plans and their futures.Kiyanoush Razaghi, an immigration attorney in Maryland with primarily Iranian clients, said he has received a flurry of messages from Iranians wondering what it would mean for their plans to enter the United States. The Supreme Court specifically mentioned family ties and job or university offers as reasons to exempt someone from the ban, but did not mention such issues as business or professional conference travel. Airlines in the region said they had not received a directive from the United States, and there were few people at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, where there is normally a line out the door of people waiting to process visa applications. The State Department has said it does not plan to cancel previously scheduled visa appointments for residents of the six countries. Trump issued the ban in a March 6 executive order, saying it was a temporary measure needed to allow the administration to review the vetting process for immigrants from those countries. Travel from the six countries was banned for 90 days and for all refugees for 120 days. But lower courts in Maryland and Hawaii blocked the order, saying it was a pretext for targeting Muslims and violated the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on favouring one religion over another. The Supreme Court then narrowed the scope of the lower court injunctions.REFUGEES IN LIMBO Refugee advocates are struggling to understand what the court ruling will mean to applicants in the pipeline. The State Department on Tuesday said the United States has already admitted about 49,000 refugees for the fiscal year ending in September, while Trump's executive order set a cap of 50,000. The high court's decision allowed the cap take effect, but only against those who do not have a bona fide connection.Refugee resettlement agencies are poised to argue that their relationships with individual refugees, which entail coordination with the U.S. government, sometimes over the course of years, meets the Supreme Court's standard. If the government accepts that view, it would likely mean that every refugee already cleared for resettlement would be eligible to enter the United States. A narrower approach limiting entry only to refugees with U.S. family members would shut out some of the most vulnerable populations, said Eleanor Acer, from the organization Human Rights First. Many refugees being resettled in the United States already have U.S. ties, but those that do not include children in need of urgent medical care and women who are victims of human trafficking, she said.The State Department has told refugee resettlement partners abroad that they should proceed with resettlement of refugees scheduled to travel to the United States through July 6. (Additional reporting by Lawrence Hurley and David Shepardson; Editing by Sue Horton and Dan Grebler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Even as President Donald Trump's temporary ban on all refugees and travellers from six predominantly Muslim countries is scheduled to take effect from Thursday, there is still uncertainty about how the Trump administration will implement it. The confusion follows a US Supreme Court decision on Monday that allowed the long-delayed executive order to take effect, but significantly narrowed at its scope. The court exempted travellers and refugees who have a "bona fide relationship" with a person or entity in the United States. As of Wednesday, most of the main federal departments and agencies responsible for implementing the ban had not issued official legal guidance to their staff in the field or to the public. There was only a State Department cable which makes it compulsory for travellers to have a "close" family or business tie with the United States. 'What is a bona fide relationship?' Different organisations around the US have expressed their confusion at the ban. The University of Illinois said that 200 people associated with it would be affected. That includes students, faculty, staff and prospective students. "We are cautiously optimistic that there will not be any need for worry, we believe that the the university is a bona fide entity for which you could have a relationship with," said Martin McFarlene, the Student Services Director at the University. But since nobody knows exactly what that means, the university can't warn the community. "When they come to us and say can I travel, we should be able to give them a straight answer. The fact that we can't is incredibly frustrating not just to us, but for them as well," added McFarlene. The department is worried this could affect future students the most. Jeffrey Thielman, of the International Institute of New England spent much of Monday trying to figure out just who will be exempted from the travel ban, reported WBUR. The institute resettles hundreds of immigrants annually from countries including those under the temporary travel ban. "I guess if you have a brother or a sister or a parent in the country, then maybe you're in," he said. "So it's still very confusing, and we're going to need some clarity soon." Authorities are being careful US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary John Kelly said on Wednesday he told the DHS employees that he wants to tread carefully in implementing the order. I told my folks I didnt want to come anywhere near close to getting crosswise with the court. I think thats the right way to be a public servant, Kelly said, adding that he expects the government will win the case when it is heard this fall. David Lapan, a DHS spokesman, said additional information will be released on Thursday, the day the ban is to start. A justice department spokesman declined to comment. The ban's looming enforcement against nationals of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen stirred anger and confusion in parts of the West Asia on Wednesday, with would-be visitors worried about their travel plans and their futures. The Supreme Court specifically mentioned family ties and job or university offers as reasons to exempt someone from the ban, but did not mention such issues as business or professional conference travel. Airlines in the region said they had not received a directive from the United States, and there were few people at the US Consulate General in Dubai, where there is normally a line out the door of people waiting to process visa applications. The US Department of State has said it does not plan to cancel previously scheduled visa appointments for residents of the six countries. Trump issued the ban in an executive order on 6 March earlier this year, saying it was a temporary measure needed to allow the administration to review the vetting process for immigrants from those countries. Travel from the six countries was banned for 90 days and for all refugees for 120 days. But lower courts in Maryland and Hawaii blocked the order, saying it was a pretext for targeting Muslims and violated the US Constitution's prohibition on favoring one religion over another. The Supreme Court then narrowed the scope of the lower court injunctions. Refugees in limbo Refugee advocates are struggling to understand what the court ruling will mean to applicants in the pipeline. The US Department of State on Tuesday said the United States has already admitted about 49,000 refugees for the fiscal year ending in September, while Trump's executive order set a cap of 50,000. The court's decision allows the cap to take effect, but only against those who do not have a bona fide connection. Administration will permit refugees with 'close ties' On Wednesday, a state department cable was reported as exempting those refugees who had 'close ties' to the United States. The new guidelines sent to US embassies and consulates on Tuesday say that applicants from the six countries must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling in the US. Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-laws and sisters-in-law, fiancee or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships. Senior officials from the departments of state, justice and homeland security are finalising criteria that visitors from six mostly Muslim countries must meet to avoid the Trump administration's revived travel ban. Litigation predicted Litigation could rise around the ban as the criteria allows for different interpretations. "There is no precedent for something like this that I am aware of," said Jeffrey Gorsky, a former legal adviser to the US Department of State's Visa Office, referring to the new "bona fide"standard. He felt that the standard is likely to sow confusion among US consular officials who have to make visa decisions and could require another court decision to determine what constitutes a 'connection to the US' which is sufficient to allow entry. Stephen Legomsky, chief counsel for US Citizenship and Immigration Services under former president Barack Obama, said that lawsuits could claim that a bona fide relationship was ignored. While Legomsky said he believes the vast majority of cases will be clear cut, courts will have to determine whether visiting a close friend or taking part in a wedding could also qualify. With inputs from agencies Hong Kong: President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain, a trip that has already riled democracy activists in the politically divided city. The three-day visit is his first since becoming leader in 2013 and comes at a time when there are growing fears that Beijing is threatening semi-autonomous Hong Kong's freedoms. Leading pro-democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong were arrested yesterday night after staging a protest outside the convention centre that will host some of the anniversary events, a stone's throw away from the hotel where Xi will be staying. The surrounding area has been cordoned off by giant water-filled barricades and police have said they are taking "counter terrorism security measures" to ensure Xi's safety. Protesters are likely to be restricted to zones well away from the official celebrations. Animosity towards Beijing has grown in recent years, particularly among young people. The failure of mass rallies in 2014 to win democratic reform has sparked a new wave of "localist" activists, keen to emphasise Hong Kong's own identity, with some calling for a full split from the mainland. Since the return to China in 1997, the city has been governed under a "one country, two systems" deal that gives it rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. But there are now concerns Beijing is trampling the agreement by interfering in a range of areas, from politics to education and media. Chinese authorities and local officials insist Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status is intact, but have railed against calls for self-determination or independence. Xi's visit will culminate in the inauguration of new city leader Carrie Lam. She has promised to heal divisions but has already alarmed critics by saying children should be instilled with Chinese identity from a young age and suggesting that independence activists could face punishment under the law. Lam was appointed by a pro-China committee although her main opponent, former finance secretary John Tsang, consistently topped opinion polls. A Beijing-backed framework for what would have been the city's first public leadership election sparked the protests of 2014 after it said candidates must be vetted. Since then, the debate on promised democratic reforms has stalled with Lam saying she is unsure the time is right to revisit it. She has said she wants to focus on livelihood issues instead, in a city where the wealth gap is at a record high and many cannot afford decent housing, fuelling tensions. Xi's trip will also include a visit to China's People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong, which defends the city. There were fears ahead of the handover that the army would be heavy-handed, particularly after the brutal crushing of democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. But the Hong Kong garrison has kept a very low profile in the past 20 years. Xi is due to fly out of Hong Kong on Saturday, after Lam's inauguration. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has agreed to register that app with the Russian government post ban threat. Although the company will register the Telegram app with regulators in the country, it will not share private user data with anyone. The announcement comes after Russian authorities forced Telegram earlier this week to register itself with the government and blamed it for facilitating terrorist attacks in the country. Russias communications regulator Roskomnadzor had threatened to block the messaging app if it did not hand over information needed. The popular messenger has more than 6 million users in the Russian Federation. [HTML1] Telegram has submitted all the required data and is now working in the legal framework of the Russian Federation. Durov also said that the app had blocked thousands of terrorism-related channels and that if Russia banned it, terrorists would just switch to a competing service. Source 95 Times Square visitors, 7296 coffees drank, 1003 hot dogs eaten, 187 tweets and 83 Instagram posts. Would you believe that all this happens in a New York Minute? New York New York. So good they named it twice. A visit to The Big Apple has long been on my bucket list. In the back of my mind I had it down as being something that I'd do for my 50th birthday (which is scarily only 5 years away!) however fate intervened by way of a hurricane. To cut a very long and rather stressful story short, last October we were heading to Orlando for a fortnight to do the whole Disney/Universal/Florida thing. Hurricane Matthew came along and put a stop to all flights into the area and we got stranded in NYC. There are undoubtedly worse places to be stranded in the world but I really would have preferred the opportunity to meticulously plan for my first trip to the NYC rather than have it thrust upon me! Despite being thrown in at the deep end somewhat, we managed to squeeze a lot into our short time in NYC. It's not called the city that never sleeps for nothing! The folks at Netflights have crunched the numbers to see what the world's most fast-paced city crams into 60 seconds. The results are absolutely fascinating and we certainty contributed to some of the statistics. A lot can happen in a New York Minute. From their What Happens in a New York Minute List we managed to tick off... Coffee - my daughter was very surprised that they have Starbucks in America too! New York Airport - although the taxi driver got lost when we were heading back there... Taxi Ride - see above, but also some more successful ones! Times Square - it's not actually a square which surprised me, more of an area. Bridge Crossings - there seemed to be loads on the way to/from the airport. Tweeting about NYC - obviously! Central Park - alas no skating in October. NYC Instagrams - double obviously! Still to contribute towards... Buy a copy of the New York Times - we saw the vending machines that sell them. Eat a Hot Dog - can't believe we never had one, but saw loads of hot dog carts. Use the Subway - nope. Buy a ticket to a Broadway Show - if only! Definitely next time. Trade on Wall Street - will leave that to Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. Eat Pizza - is it bad that I can't remember of we ate a slice or not?! See a NYC Sports Teams - alas no Nicks, Yankees or Mets for us. Our whistle-stop tour covered Times Square, Central Park, Top of the Rock and a nigth time boat trip out to the Statue of Liberty. We never made it as far as any of the Museums or to Ground Zero. Got to leave something to do next time. Of course there was also the food, but again I had no time to plan so we had to go for iconic rather than quirky and off the beaten track. However, NYC foodie must dos that we managed to tick off were Cheesecake at Juniors Rainbow Bagel Breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner - the home of the singing waitstaff Pretzels Hershey's Chocolate World in Times Square (and the M&M store) Snow Cone Dylan's Candy Bar Picnic in Central Park Hershey's Chocolate World Ellen's Stardust Diner And on the list for next time.. (oh yes there WILL be a next time!)D Hot dogs Doughnuts and Cronuts Pastrami on Rye Milkshake & Ice Cream Chicken & Waffles Pizza Bagels with Lox (smoked salmon) Burgers Tacos Something from a Food Truck Barbecue Cocktails in a Speakeasy Dylan's Candy Bar Junior's Cheesecake Have you been to The Big Apple? What did you eat and are there any foodie must have's that I've missed out on? For further NYC inspiration check out the following posts... Bintu at Recipes From a Pantry's recipe for Marinated Strawberry Cheesecake Waffles Kate at Veggie Desserts shares her Top 10 NYC Vegetarian Restaurants Jane at The Hedgecombers shares a recipe for New York Bagels Pin me for later... Disclosure: This is a commissioned post for Netflights. As always, all views expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to continue to share my Edible Scottish Adventures with you. Im super choosy and promise to bring you only the cream of the crop. The seven wealthy New Jersey couples, including a rabbi and his wife, who allegedly gamed the system to collect about $2 million in unmerited welfare benefits may just be the tip of the iceberg. There will be more individuals served charges. We will not be speaking to the timing of those arrests at this time, a spokesperson for the Ocean County, New Jersey Prosecutors Office told FOX Business Thursday. The three couples arrested late Tuesday were released from jail Wednesday without bail after fraudulently amassing more than $670,000 in benefits from programs including Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), Social Security and public housing, according to the prosecutor's office. They allegedly cheated these programs by falsifying their incomes on a variety of different applications, declaring amounts that were low enough to receive government services. One of the couples allegedly received Medicaid benefits for multiple years despite their annual income of more than $1 million, the complaint said. On Monday, four other Lakewood, New Jersey-based couples were charged with cheating public assistance programs out of $1.3 million. Throughout fiscal year 2016, New Jersey spent $14.5 billion on Medicaid alone, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Throughout the same time period, the country as a whole spent $553.4 billion on the health assistance program. In another instance, a couple allegedly made $1.8 million through various business endeavors that they had listed under relatives namesyet received housing, food and health benefits. They ultimately defrauded the government out of $178,000. The max allowable gross monthly income for a family of five in the state to be eligible for SNAP assistance is $4,385which amounts to about $52,600 per year. President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday praising a new pending sugar deal with Mexico aimed at keeping the southern neighbor from dumping cheap sugar into the U.S. market. Trump tweeted that the new deal which has been negotiated with Mexico is "a very good one for both Mexico and the U.S. Had no deal for many years which hurt U.S. badly." New Sugar deal negotiated with Mexico is a very good one for both Mexico and the U.S. Had no deal for many years which hurt U.S. badly. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 The agreement, which was first announced earlier this month, is expected to be formally signed later this week. The U.S. sugar industry estimates they have lost more than $4 billion because Mexico has been flooding the market with subsidized sugar. "America's sugar producers thank President Trump and his team for defending U.S. jobs, supporting America's sugar farmers, and holding Mexico accountable for breaking U.S. trade laws," said Phillip Hayes, spokesman for the American Sugar Alliance, the industry trade group. Economists, however, complain that only sugar producers and refiners will benefit from the agreement. "It is a really poor deal for consumers and sugar-using companies," said Daniel Pearson, senior fellow in trade policy at the libertarian Cato Institute. "They're going to pay a higher price." The new agreement now increases the price at which raw and refined sugar is sold to Mexican mills and reduces Mexicos refined sugar exports to the United States. In return, the U.S. agreed to suspend duties on Mexican sugar imports. The Associated Press contributed to this report. It's been a great time to be invested in the stock market recently. The S&P 500 is up 22% during the past 12 months and more than 83% in the past five years. Even more, with dividends from the S&P 500 automatically reinvested during the past five years, the market index is up more than 100% during this period. But in a market like this, it's getting increasingly difficult to find solid dividend stocks, particularly dividend stocks with dividend yields over 3%. But there are still some hanging around. Here are two: General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM). General Electric Industrial infrastructure and technology company General Electric has a fat dividend yield of 3.5%. Though the company has paid out 88% of its trailing-12-month net income -- a high payout ratio that suggests future dividend increases may be limited -- GE's major restructuring over the last few years is beginning to pay off, and earnings growth is likely on the horizon. Indeed, the average estimate for GE's annualized earnings-per-share growth over the next five years is an impressive 11.9%. Investors can get a glimpse of the fruit of GE's turnaround efforts by looking at the growth in some of the company's "organic" metrics in its most recent quarter. Its organic revenue and operating profit metrics exclude the effects of acquisitions, business dispositions, and currency changes. Organic revenue and operating profit in GE's industrial business, which makes up the bulk of GE's total revenue and operating profits and spans across seven core segments, were up 7% and 15% year over year, respectively, in the first quarter of 2017. GE is a healthy, diversified business with a mouth-watering dividend yield. Williams-Sonoma Williams-Sonoma's dividend yield is 3.2% and has a dividend yield that looks like it has room to run, based on the company's payout ratio of just 44%. In an extremely competitive retail environment facing challenges from an evolving e-commerce landscape, Williams-Sonoma's business stands out with strong brands and a cost-effective business model. Beyond its namesake brand, Williams-Sonoma owns high-end retail brands Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, and West Elm. With over half of its revenue coming from e-commerce, the company isn't as challenged by the rise of e-commerce as its brick-and-mortar competitors. Indeed, e-commerce may be more accurately viewed as an opportunity for Williams-Sonoma. Pairing the company's significant online sales with its brand power, the company boasts an enviable gross profit margin above 35%. Williams-Sonoma's business also sets itself apart from competition by its ability to post revenue and EPS growth when many retailers are contracting. In Williams-Sonoma's first quarter of 2017, revenue and EPS were up 1.2% and 2.3%% year over year, respectively. Looking ahead, analysts expect more earnings growth. The consensus analyst estimate for Williams-Sonoma's annualized EPS growth over the next five years is 7.6%. With a 3.2% dividend yield, a low payout ratio, and standout business, Williams-Sonoma is a good bet for investors looking for income. As the average dividend yield of stocks in the S&P 500 dips below 2%, hitting 1.95% recently, these two stocks offer investors a way to juice their income -- even in a pricey market. 10 stocks we like better than General ElectricWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and General Electric wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of June 5, 2017 Daniel Sparks has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric. The Motley Fool recommends Williams-Sonoma. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Latest on Republican legislation to repeal and replace the Obama health care law (all times local): 7:30 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is exploring options for salvaging the battered Republican health care bill. But he's confronting a growing chorus of GOP detractors. And there's deepening uncertainty over whether the party can resuscitate its bedrock promise to repeal President Barack Obama's overhaul. A day after McConnell unexpectedly abandoned plans to whisk the measure through his chamber this week because he lacked the votes, fresh GOP critics popped forward. 6 p.m. A small group of disabled rights activists is in its second day of a sit-in inside Sen. Cory Gardner's Denver office to protest the Senate health care bill. The activists say they will not leave until Republican Gardner promises to oppose the legislation. They arrived on Tuesday to demand a meeting with him and stayed overnight when they were told they could not get one. The office building would not let reporters inside Wednesday. Activist Dawn Russell said by telephone that spirits were high and a pizza just arrived. Gardner did not say whether he'd support the legislation before Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed a vote on the bill Tuesday. But the Colorado senator notably is not one of the Republicans who have publicly stated their opposition to the measure. 2:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says the Republican health care effort is "working along very well" and suggested there could be a "big surprise coming." The White House did not elaborate on what Trump meant. Earlier Wednesday, Trump told reporters getting approval of a Senate health care bill will be "very tough." But he predicted that Republicans will at least "get very close" and may "get it over the line." Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed a vote on the Republican health care bill this week because he lacked the votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on Trump to meet with Republicans and Democrats on the Senate bill. Asked about the request, Trump said Wednesday that Schumer "hasn't been serious." He added: "Obamacare is such a disaster, such a wreck. And he wants to try and save something that's really hurting a lot of people." __ 1:35 p.m. Count Maine's Republican Gov. Paul LePage among those opposing the Senate health care bill. LePage was asked if he backs the legislation and he said no, complaining that the bill doesn't go far enough to fix current law. Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins opposes the bill. LePage, who was at the White House on Wednesday, said he met with Collins Wednesday morning. Collins is one of nearly 10 Republicans who have expressed opposition to the bill. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed a vote this week because he lacked the votes. Several Republicans governors among them Ohio's John Kasich and Nevada's Brian Sandoval oppose the bill, fearing the cost to states if Medicaid expansion is phased out. __ 12:10 p.m. President Donald Trump says getting approval of a Senate health care bill will be "very tough." But he predicts that Republicans will at least "get very close" and may "get it over the line." Speaking at the White House Wednesday, Trump said his meeting with most of the Republican senators Tuesday was "tremendous." The Senate delayed its consideration of the measure vote until after the July 4 holiday after failing to get the minimum number of votes needed to begin debate. He says, "I think we are at least going to get very close or get it over the line." Trump says it's "always tough" to pass a health care bill because the needs of every state are different, but he added, "I think health care is going to be great." ___ 11:05 a.m. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says the labor organization is running ad and social media campaigns in five key states kill the stalled Senate health care bill outright. Trumka told reporters in a conference call Wednesday that the bill would deprive millions of working people of health insurance. The federation is running thousands of ads to pressure Senate Republicans in Alaska, Ohio, West Virginia, Nevada and Maine. He is urging Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to join other Republicans in opposing the bill. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell postponed consideration of the bill the after it failed to get enough GOP support to even begin debate. He said majority Republicans want to try again later in July. ___ 7:10 a.m. President Donald Trump is taking issue with a New York Times story that portrays him as disengaged in the push for the Senate Republican health care bill. Early Wednesday, Trump tweeted that "The failing @nytimes writes false story after false story about me." Trump added: "Some of the Fake News Media likes to say that I am not totally engaged in healthcare. Wrong, I know the subject well & want victory for U.S." The Times, in its Wednesday editions, said Trump was less involved in the press for the Senate bill than with the earlier House bill making fewer phone calls to senators, for instance. The newspaper said an unidentified senator who supports the bill left a meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday "with a sense that the president did not have a grasp of some basic elements of the Senate plan." __ 4:19 a.m. The Republican Party's long-promised repeal of "Obamacare" stands in limbo after Senate GOP leaders, short of support, abruptly shelved a vote on legislation aimed at redeeming the pledge. The surprise development leaves the legislation's fate uncertain while raising new doubts about whether President Donald Trump will ever make good on his many promises to erase his predecessor's signature legislative achievement. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced the delay Tuesday after it became clear the votes weren't there to advance the legislation past key procedural hurdles. Telecom stocks are popular with income investors because they offer high yields and steady growth and their moats are tough for new competitors to cross. But with so many telco stocks on the market, it can be hard to identify the best plays. Let's take a closer look at three of my personal favorites -- AT&T (NYSE: T), Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), and BCE (NYSE: BCE). AT&T AT&T pays a forward dividend yield of 5.2%, and it's hiked that dividend annually for over three decades. It spent 95% of its earnings and 70% of its free cash flow on those payments over the past 12 months -- so it can easily keep raising its dividend for the foreseeable future. AT&T is the second-largest wireless carrier in the U.S. after Verizon, and it's the largest pay TV provider in the country, thanks to its purchase of DirecTV in 2015. If its proposed takeover of Time Warner clears regulatory hurdles, it will also become one of the biggest media companies in the world. AT&T is bundling these services together in lucrative packages to lock in customers. Its wireless customers, for example, can stream content from DirecTV and its " sponsored data " partners without the usage counting toward their data plans. It also recently bundled Time Warner's HBO channels with its unlimited wireless plans. Analysts expect AT&T's revenue to fall 2% this year and for its earnings to rise 2%. Those are lackluster growth figures, but the stock trades at just 19 times earnings, compared to the industry average of 22 for telecom companies. Verizon Verizon also pays a forward yield of 5.2%, and it's hiked that dividend for 10 straight years. It spent 76% of its earnings on those dividends over the past 12 months. However, Verizon's free cash flow also dipped into the red over the past year -- partly due to its buyout of Vodafone's stake in Verizon Wireless in 2014 and its subsequent purchases of AOL and Yahoo's internet business. Verizon merged those two aging businesses into a new company called Oath, led by former AOL CEO Tim Armstrong. Armstrong recently claimed that the new media platform would attract over 10 million creators for 2 billion customers and generate between $10 billion to $20 billion in annual revenues -- which would represent 12% of Verizon's 2016 revenue at the midpoint. Verizon plans to bundle all of these internet and media properties into its own wireless and wireline ecosystem. Like AT&T, it's using sponsored data to lock in customers with data-free streaming -- a strategy that both telcos hope will offset their slowing growth in postpaid wireless customers. Analysts see Verizon's revenue and earnings both slipping 3% this year on the slowdown of its core wireless business and its increased investments in its ecosystem. However, both figures are expected to turn positive next year, and the stock remains cheaper than AT&T at 15 times earnings. BCE BCE, formerly known as Bell Canada Enterprises, is the largest telecom company in Canada. It generates most of its revenue from internet, phone, and TV packages, but also generates additional revenue from investments in media outlets, real estate holdings, and professional sport teams. BCE pays a forward dividend yield of 4.8%, and it's hiked that dividend on an annualized basis for two straight years. It spent 83% of its earnings and 87% of its free cash flow on those payments over the past 12 months -- so its payout looks very sustainable. Unlike AT&T and Verizon, BCE is posting steady growth in wireless postpaid subscribers, which is only partly offset by its weaker prepaid growth. Its wireline business also continues growing, thanks to the strength of its internet and TV businesses. Analysts expect BCE's revenue to rise 4% this year, but its earnings are expected to slip 1% -- partly due to its recent takeover of Manitoba Telecom Services. But above all, BCE isn't copying AT&T's and Verizon's strategies of expanding their media ecosystems or divesting their wireline businesses. So if you're looking for a simpler telco with fewer moving parts, BCE -- which trades at a reasonable 18 times earnings -- might fit the bill. 10 stocks we like better than Verizon CommunicationsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Verizon Communications wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of June 5, 2017 Leo Sun owns shares of AT&T and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool recommends Time Warner. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Quarterly reports are becoming a welcome port of call for Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK) investors. Shares hit fresh all-time highs late last week after the world's largest cruise line operator posted its latest quarterly results. We saw the same scenario play out three months earlier when it revealed blowout fiscal first-quarter results. Carnival's revenue rose 6% to $3.9 billion. Profitability declined, but if we back out unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives and other net charges -- a fair adjustment since Carnival makes big bets to hedge its volatile fuel costs -- net income rose to $0.52 a share from $0.49 a share a year earlier. The cruise industry in general and Carnival in particular are coasting in the right direction these days. The love boat Carnival's doing better than its top-line showing suggests. Folks are paying more for their bookings, and Carnival has more berths to fill. However, negative foreign currency swings are weighing on reported revenue. Gross revenue yields -- an important metric in the cruising industry that is basically the revenue per available lower berth day -- rose 2.7%, but in constant currency the net revenue yields would've moved 5.1% higher. Carnival's guidance on that basis was calling for an increase of just 2.5% to 3.5%. Gross cruise costs excluding fuel rose just 1.5%, at the low end of its earlier guidance range. Carnival's fleet is growing. Majestic Princess, its first ship tailored for the Chinese market, came on line. Carnival also continues to update its fleet of Carnival and Princess ships to incorporate the necessary tech for its Ocean wearable medallions. The tech could be a game changer, as passengers using chip-backed medallions and Bluetooth connectivity can do everything from order poolside drinks to customize cabin settings as they head back to their rooms. The near-term future is bright. Advance bookings for the balance of 2017 are running ahead of where they were a year earlier and at higher price points. Carnival is once again boosting its bottom-line outlook. It's now targeting an adjusted profit per share of $3.50 to $3.70 for all of fiscal 2017. Three months ago, it was forecasting between $3.50 and $3.70 in adjusted earnings per share, and that was up from the initial range of $3.30 to $3.60 per share it issued six months ago. Wall Street obviously likes companies that perpetually tweak their outlook higher. Carnival is naturally still at the mercy of the ups and downs of the international travel market, but for now, it's hitting all of the right waves. 10 stocks we like better than CarnivalWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Carnival wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of June 5, 2017 Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Carnival. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A Chinese billionaire was portrayed as a criminal and a hero during opening statements at his United Nations bribery trial on Thursday. "That's not bribery, whether it's the United Nations, this court, this country or Mars," Park said. "That's philanthropy!" Park said Ng's actions were consistent with how the U.N. operates with public-private partnerships and he was being vilified after a heroic gesture of philanthropy. "Mr. Ng acted in good faith at all times," Park said. "He did not bribe anyone, not a single cent." Defense attorney Tai Park countered that Ng was a philanthropist willing to spend billions of dollars to build the center in Macau to benefit the U.N. before being betrayed by one of the ambassadors who requested contributions from him. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Zolkind told Manhattan federal court jurors that 69-year-old Ng Lap Seng corrupted two U.N. ambassadors so he could build a legacy by constructing a massive U.N. conference center in China. Zolkind said Ng paid at least $1.7 million in bribes to ambassadors including a former U.N. General Assembly president so his company would get U.N. approval to develop the center. He said jurors will hear testimony about bribes from Francis Lorenzo, who was paid $1.5 million over a five-year period to head a Manhattan-based media company for Ng when he served as a diplomat from the Dominican Republic to the United Nations. But Park said of the $240,000 paid annually to Lorenzo, who was the company's president: "It's called wages, ladies and gentlemen, not bribes." Zolkind said Ng began sending Lorenzo an extra $30,000 a month in late 2012 "for the express purpose of obtaining U.N. approval for the conference center." Meanwhile, Ng paid a $200,000 bribe in 2014 to John Ashe while he was General Assembly president and U.N. ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda and paid $2,500 monthly to Ashe's wife to perform a no-show job at the Manhattan media company, the prosecutor said. Park said Ashe, who died in an accident last year, had requested the $200,000 to support his presidency. "It didn't go into his back pocket," Park said. "It was put to good use." Park said payments to Ashe's wife, an expert on global climate change, came as she worked on a book about how developing nations contribute to climate change and are impacted by it. The defense lawyer also countered Zolkind's claims that Ng hoped to build luxury condominiums and other businesses to benefit from the conference center by saying it will be clear to jurors that Ng had embarked on a quest that had no realistic hope of profit. "If he breaks even before he's dead, he's a lucky man," Park said. Zolkind said the conference center was never built because Ng was arrested in September 2015 before he could capitalize on U.N. documents listing his company as the developer. Ng has been confined under 24-hour guard in a luxury Manhattan apartment on $50 million bail while awaiting trial. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. FAQ - New Privacy Policy Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that he has declared a state of emergency over New York City's troubled public transit system and has asked its new leader to complete a series of urgent reviews of the agency's management and aging infrastructure. The Democratic governor said the state of emergency declaration will help cut red tape and speed up improvements. The city's subways and commuter trains have been plagued by rising delays and unreliable service. Dozens of people were injured when a subway derailed Tuesday. Cuomo, speaking at a conference for the MTA Genius Transit Challenge, which is seeking innovative solutions for the city's transit woes, said he's asked Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joe Lhota to come up with a reorganization plan in 30 days and an equipment review in 60 days. He also wants a 90-day review of transit power failures. The state of the subway system "is wholly unacceptable," said Cuomo, citing decades of underinvestment, deferred maintenance and surging ridership. "I think of it as a heart attack it happens all of a sudden and the temptation is to say, 'Well, something must have just caused it,'" Cuomo said. "No, a lifetime caused it. Bad habits caused it." The problems abound: In a fleet of 6,400 subway cars, more than 700 have passed their 40-year expiration date. The oldest are 52: "They literally should be in a museum," Cuomo said. It takes the MTA five years to get a new car. "That is just ridiculous. I could build a car in five years," Cuomo said. "If the MTA's current vendors can't provide them in the timeframe we need, then the MTA should find new vendors. It's that simple." Much of the signal system was installed before 1937. The MTA's current replacement timetable is seven to 10 years per line 40 to 50 years systemwide. "You have countries that are building entire subway systems in a matter of years," Cuomo said. The ongoing subway problems are coupled with two months of Amtrak repair work that will cause widespread delays at Penn Station, where the subways converge with New York and New Jersey commuter lines and Amtrak trains. Cuomo repeated his warning that rail riders could face "a summer of hell" but said alternatives like ferries, express buses and creative train scheduling should provide some relief. Conference participants included representatives of transit systems in Paris, London, Istanbul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, Toronto, Zurich and Copenhagen. A small committee of lawmakers late Thursday night voted to send a $7.1 billion, two-year budget proposal to the House and Senate in hopes of avoiding a government shutdown as Republican Gov. Paul LePage vowed to veto any deal that will harm Maine. As lawmakers scramble to meet a Friday midnight deadline to approve a budget, LePage said Thursday that a government shutdown is "necessary for the future of Maine" just a day after saying that his administration "does not want a shutdown." Republicans and Democrats in the state have scrapped over the budget for weeks, with much of the discord involving funding for education. The key caucus now is House Republicans, whose votes are needed for the required two-thirds support in both chambers. Republican Rep. Tom Winsor said he voted against the proposal because he didn't have time to review it with his caucus. Democratic Sen. Cathy Breen said she voted for the deal to prevent a government shutdown, but also criticized the anti-transparent nature of recent budget deal-making. "This will be the second Legislature in a row that has abandoned the normal transparent appropriations committee process," she said, later adding: "This causes me honestly great concern." Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon said there are elements of the budget that Republicans and Democrats will dislike, but she urged the governor to take action immediately if the Legislature passes it before the Friday midnight deadline. But LePage said that if he's presented with a budget that raises taxes without cutting income taxes, the state should be "ready for a shutdown." The governor has said he would take his full 10 days to review such a budget, and he noted that lawmakers have had months to come up with a deal. "They're playing chicken at 100 mph," he said on a radio appearance on WGAN-AM. "If you want to play chicken, let's play chicken." On Wednesday, LePage said in a statement that his administration doesn't want a shutdown but was preparing for one. LePage says state agencies have begun preparing for a partial state shutdown that would begin Saturday leaving bureau of motor vehicle offices closed but state parks, correctional facilities, law enforcement agencies and psychiatric hospitals open. The union representing state employees threatened to sue the state if workers aren't paid on time in the coming weeks, while a nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit Thursday to ensure that the state continues paying benefits to low-income Mainers. Lawmakers on Thursday voted to extend the legislative session for up to five additional days. Gideon told lawmakers the day before to expect to work on the budget through the Fourth of July weekend if necessary. "I believe we can come together and do this in the time frame that we have," she said. The six-member budgeting committee voted 5-1 on the budget deal. It needed the support of two House members and two Senate members to send a budget onto the floor. The proposal is similar to one offered by Senate Republicans this week. It includes a provision that the state's tax on lodging would be increased from 9 percent to 10.5 percent in October to help fund an additional $162 million in education funding and property tax relief. The governor himself proposed such a lodging tax increase in his budget, which also included a proposal for a flat income tax of 5.75 percent by 2020. Democrats have recently said they'd nix a voter-approved income surtax on high earners, estimated to bring in $320 million for schools, for a budget that includes at least $200 million in additional, sustainable education spending. Republican Senate President Michael Thibodeau said the proposal nixes that income surtax and includes ideas from all four caucuses, such as millions in increased funding for direct care workers. But the pivotal House Republican caucus struck a more cautious note, with Rep. Winsor calling it an "intriguing proposal." "I'm concerned because this is the first time I've seen it," he said Thursday night, adding that it's "clear" that House Republicans wouldn't vote on something "they've not had an opportunity to review." LePage had endorsed a separate proposal by House Republicans that would add $98 million in education funding and support for LePage's education proposals that lawmakers had rejected. For example, the proposal included $27 million for a fund to reduce salary disparities as part of a statewide teacher contract. ___ Associated Press writer Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report. The Latest on the lead-up to the G-20 summit in Hamburg (all times local): 2:45 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that European countries will work at the upcoming G20 summit to find "joint solutions" with the U.S. on climate change and other issues. Merkel told reporters Thursday that the "U.S. is an important part of the G-20" and that even though the European summit participants are united in standing by the Paris climate accord even after the Trump administration has decided to pull out, they would work to find "joint solutions" to that and other issues at the July 7-8 summit in Hamburg. The comments came after meetings with her counterparts from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Norway, and EU representatives. French President Emmanuel Macron added that "it is no use isolating a state." ___ 2:35 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says European G-20 participants are united behind the Paris climate accord despite the American decision to pull out of the deal. Speaking after meetings with her counterparts from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Norway, and EU representatives, Merkel said Thursday she "regrets" the U.S. decision but that the European G-20 participants are "united" in their support for the agreement. Following her comments, French President Emmanuel Macron said the fight against climate change would feature at the July 7-8 summit in Hamburg, saying "we will clearly reaffirm our very strong commitment to the Paris accords... with at least the hope that one or another will be brought to reason and can follow us." ___ 1:05 p.m. Germany's foreign minister says Berlin will tell Ankara that a rally by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he visits Germany for the Group of 20 summit is "not possible." Turkey on Wednesday officially requested permission for Erdogan to address Turks in Germany on the sidelines of his visit to the G-20 summit, which is being held in Hamburg. The request comes at a time when relations between Germany and Turkey are frayed over a range of issues, and when German police resources are stretched by security for the G-20. News agency dpa reported that Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said during a visit to Moscow Thursday: "We are telling Turkey that we are convinced such an appearance in Germany is not possible." ___ 9:40 a.m. Germany's foreign minister says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked permission to hold a rally to address Turks in Germany on the sidelines of the upcoming G-20 meeting in Hamburg, a request that could further inflame tensions between Berlin and Ankara. The dpa news agency reported Thursday that Sigmar Gabriel said, while on a trip to Russia, that Turkey had officially requested permission for Erdogan to make the appearance while in Germany for the July 7-8 summit. It wasn't clear whether permission would be granted. German local authorities' banning of campaign rallies by Turkish ministers earlier this year contributed to tensions between the two countries, which were also inflamed by other issues like Turkey's jailing of two German journalists. ___ 9:35 a.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she hopes for a "clear signal" from next week's Group of 20 summit in favor of free markets and against isolationism. Merkel told the German parliament Thursday that "protectionism cannot be a solution" to the world's problems. She said she also hopes for a commitment to the multilateral trade system when the leaders of the G-20 economic powers meet in Hamburg July 7-8. The Trump administration's "America first" approach to trade has caused widespread concern elsewhere, as has its decision to withdraw from the Paris accord on climate change. Merkel said that discussions about climate issues in Hamburg won't be easy and there is no point glossing over disagreements. She added that those talks must "serve the substance and aims of the Paris accord." ___ 9:20 a.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the European Union is "more determined than ever" to make the Paris accord against climate change a success following the U.S. decision to withdraw from the agreement. Merkel stressed in a speech to the German parliament Thursday that the EU stands fully behind its commitment to the agreement. She said that "the Paris agreement is irreversible and it is not negotiable." Merkel will host a summit of the leaders of the Group of 20 economic powers in Hamburg on July 7-8. Ahead of that summit, she is hosting a meeting of the European leaders who will take part in the summit later Thursday at the chancellery in Berlin. The Latest on a consultant's report listing alternatives to Enbridge Inc.'s oil pipelines beneath Michigan's Straits of Mackinac (all times local): 12:30 p.m. Michigan officials have released a consulting firm's draft report listing alternatives for dealing with twin oil pipelines beneath the waterway where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. The state commissioned the report as environmental groups push to decommission the nearly 5-mile-long (8-kilometer-long) section of Enbridge Inc.'s Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, which was laid in 1953. State Attorney General Bill Schuette endorsed a shutdown Thursday. The report by Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems Inc. lists six choices. Among them are continuing to operate the pipelines or removing them. Others include building a new pipeline that wouldn't cross open Great Lakes waters; moving Line 5's oil through other pipelines; using rail cars, trucks or barges to transport oil; or putting new pipelines in the straits that would run through a trench or tunnel. The report doesn't endorse a particular alternative but analyzes each for technical and cost feasibility. ___ 10:16 a.m. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is calling for a shutdown of twin oil pipelines beneath the waterway where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. Schuette says a "specific and definite timetable" should be established for decommissioning the nearly 5-mile-long (8-kilometer-long) section of Enbridge Inc.'s Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. He says one option is a tunnel under the straits that would "create infrastructure and construction jobs" while allowing for "continuous visual inspection." Schuette commented as the state of Michigan prepares to release a consultant's report analyzing alternatives to Line 5, which has been in place since 1953. Environmental groups say it's unsafe and want it removed, although the company insists it's in good shape. It carries about 23 million gallons of light crude oil and liquid natural gas daily across sections of Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas. ___ 12:10 a.m.: Michigan officials are preparing to make public a report outlining alternatives to twin oil pipelines that run beneath the waterway where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. The state attorney general's office and the Department of Environmental Quality are scheduled to release the analysis by Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems Inc. on Thursday. They hired the pipeline engineering and consulting firm as part of a review of Enbridge Inc.'s Line 5. It runs through Michigan's Upper Peninsula and beneath the Straits of Mackinac, where it divides into two sections. Environmentalists say the underwater segments are aging and should be decommissioned, while the company says they're in good shape. The analysis is expected to outline alternatives such as a new pipeline route or different methods for transporting the oil and liquid natural gas. Merck (NYSE: MRK) lays claim to one of the hottest cancer drugs on the market, with Keytruda. The big pharma company also just announced positive results for its experimental cholesterol drug anacetrapib, with significantly reduced cardiovascular risk. Perhaps not surprisingly, Merck stock is up 17% over the past 12 months. There are plenty of reasons to be bullish about Merck -- and I am. However, not all is rosy with the major drugmaker. Here's the bear care against Merck from this bull. Most drugs not named Keytruda are in trouble Merck provided detail for 33 current drugs on its last quarterly filing to the SEC. Twenty of them experienced year-over-year sales declines. Keytruda was the company's biggest winner, with revenue more than doubling from the prior-year period. But decreased sales for just one of Merck's other drugs, cholesterol drug Zetia, wiped out all of the gains from Keytruda and then some. Yes, Merck still managed to generate overall sales growth. But that growth amounted to less than 1% year over year. Granted, Merck beat expectations and raised its 2017 guidance, but 1% growth isn't very exciting. Between 2017 and the end of 2020, Merck faces the loss of key U.S. patents for a dozen drugs. Most of those drugs will also have key patents expire in Europe. The stark reality is that Merck's current product lineup, with a few exceptions, sucha s Keytruda and human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil, appears to be pretty weak. Questionable pipeline candidates In a case like Merck's, where many current drugs aren't performing well, the obvious place to look for help is the pipeline. Merck does have nine programs in regulatory review and 19 late-stage programs. That's promising, right? A closer look, though, reveals that those nine programs in review stem from two drugs -- Keytruda, and diabetes drug ertugliflozin as a monotherapy and in combination with other drugs. There's no question that Keytruda will become a megablockbuster. Ertugliflozin will also probably be a solid success, but Merck must share 40% of all sales (assuming approval) with its partner Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Keytruda also accounts for eight of Merck's 19 late-stage programs. The prospects for at least two of the other drugs in phase 3 testing appear to be questionable. Merck has already stopped one late-stage study for experimental Alzheimer's disease drug verubecestat because of lack of efficacy. Another is continuing with evaluating the drug in treating patients with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, but I wouldn't hold my breath for positive results after the first failure. Then there's experimental heart-failure drug vericiguat. The drug didn't meet its primary endpoint in a phase 2 test, but Merck and partner Bayer opted to move ahead with late-stage testing anyway. Other gripes Investors can certainly find other things to dislike about Merck. The stock is more expensive than several of its peers. Pfizer, for example, trades at 12 times expected earnings, compared with a forward earnings multiple of 17. Even factoring in growth prospects, Merck stock is still priced at a premium to Pfizer. While Merck's dividend yield of 2.84% isn't bad, it's still less than that of many of the company's peers. Pfizer's yield of 3.75% blows Merck away. Also, Merck is using well more than it's earning to fund the dividend program. I'm not concerned that the dividend is in jeopardy, but the high payout ratio could limit the drugmaker from increasing its dividend enough to catch up with some of the other large pharmaceutical companies. Bull to bear? Are Merck's weak current lineup, iffy pipeline candidates, and valuation enough to flip this bull to a bear? Nope. I think the prospects for Keytruda are so strong that it makes up for a lot of negatives facing the company. To be clear, I think there are stronger stocks to buy. However, my view is that Merck should continue to be a solid pick for investors despite some weaknesses. 10 stocks we like better than Merck & Co.When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Merck & Co. wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of June 5, 2017 Keith Speights owns shares of Pfizer. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Oil futures ended slightly higher on Thursday, extending crude's rally to a sixth straight session after a decline in weekly U.S. crude production temporarily eased concerns about deepening oversupply. U.S. crude futures settled up 19 cents at $44.93 a barrel after hitting a two-week high of $45.45 in late-morning trading. The market retreated from highs after Societe Generale became the third investment bank to cut its outlook for oil prices in the last week. Crude prices hit a 10-month low last week but have rebounded more than 5 percent, stretching their bull run to the longest since April. Brent crude futures ended up 11 cents at $47.42 a barrel, after touching a two-week high of $48.03 earlier in the session. "After the steep drop in oil prices of recent weeks, I believe that especially hedge funds saw nice buying momentum and lower U.S. crude production was the trigger to act," said Hans van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN Amro. Analysts were not sure whether bearish sentiment had abated in the oil market, given larger-than-usual inventories in the United States for both crude oil and key products like gasoline. "It does feel as if a wave of selling has ebbed for now," wrote analysts at Credit Suisse. They added, however, that the rebound in prices reflected technical buying rather than a change in fundamentals. In recent weeks, funds have been unloading long speculative positions, reducing bets on higher prices while brokerages including Goldman Sachs and Societe Generale have cut their 2017 forecasts for crude prices. SocGen on Thursday estimated U.S. crude futures would average $47.50 a barrel in the third quarter, down from previous expectations for $55. U.S. crude production dropped 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 9.3 million bpd last week, the steepest weekly fall since July 2016. But analysts said the decline was related to temporary factors, including production shut as a precaution in the Gulf of Mexico due to Tropical Storm Cindy, along with maintenance in Alaska. Global oil supplies remain ample despite output cuts of 1.8 million bpd by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers since January. OPEC and its allies, trying to reduce a crude glut, agreed in May to extend the supply cut through March 2018. OPEC has exempted Nigeria and Libya from the curbs, leaving them free to ramp up output that had been sapped by local unrest. "That's going to increase pressure on OPEC cuts," said Tony Scott, managing director of analytics at BTU Analytics in Denver. "As long as Libya and Nigeria can remain stable - Libya has ramped up several times over last couple of years and then the violence has come back." Libyan oil production is nearing 1 million bpd, a Libyan source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Royal Dutch Shell on Wednesday lifted force majeure on Nigerian Bonny Light crude exports after pipeline repairs. (Additional reporting by Karolin Schaps in London and Naveen Thukral in Singapore; Editing by Edmund Blair and Richard Chang) Starting a job often means adjusting to a different routine, getting to know a new team of coworkers, and dealing with a mountain of paperwork. And while some of the forms you'll fill out are relatively standard (think W-4s and the like), you may be presented with a number of legal documents that throw you for a bit of a loop. One such example is the non-compete agreement, and it's a contract that could get you in trouble if you're not careful. A non-compete agreement is a document wherein one party -- typically an employee -- promises not to compete with the other for a preset period of time. For example, if you come on board at an IT company, you may be required to sign a non-compete stating that you won't start your own similar business, or work for another IT company offering similar services, within six months of leaving your current job. It's a smart move for companies looking to protect their best interests. But these contracts rarely, if ever, favor the employees who sign them. Yet countless workers are presented with these documents as a prerequisite to employment, and if they don't comply, they risk having their offers rescinded. Of course, the non-compete is nothing new; these contracts have long been common among high-level professionals. But nowadays, a growing number of companies are trying to spring them on mid-level, or even entry-level employees as well. In fact, as of 2014, an estimated 20% of employees were found to have signed a non-compete agreement. If you're presented with a non-compete, you should think long and hard about the consequences before putting your name on that agreement. Otherwise, you might have a seriously difficult time finding a new job should you leave or get fired from your current one. What's in a non-compete? The theory behind non-competes is that companies often possess proprietary systems or information that give them an edge over the competition. Say you're hired by an online marketing company that's developed a unique algorithm for targeting web searchers. If you were to leave your job and get hired by a competitor, you might then use your knowledge of that algorithm to help your new employer develop its own system, even if you're not actually divulging trade secrets in the process. To prevent that from happening, your company might require you to sign a non-compete stating that you won't work for a similar company within a 50-mile radius for six months after your current role is terminated. Keep in mind that a non-compete isn't the same as a non-disclosure, another document you'll commonly be asked to sign when you start a new job. A non-disclosure prohibits you from sharing trade secrets or proprietary information with parties outside your company, and while it's something restrictive, it's not nearly as limiting as a non-compete. In other words, with a non-disclosure, you might have to keep certain information you know under wraps when you start a new job, whereas a non-compete might prevent you from getting that new job in the first place. Are non-competes really enforceable? You may have heard that non-competes aren't something to worry about because they're mostly non-enforceable, and while there's some truth to that statement, it's not completely cut and dried. Different states have varying standards for upholding non-competes, so before you sign one, it pays to do some research to see whether local laws lean in your favor. What you should know, however, is that the more reasonable the non-compete, the better its chances of being upheld in court. For example, if your agreement states that you can't work for a competitor for a six-month period, it's more likely to be enforced than a document covering a two-year period. Still, if your local court sides with your employer, you could be out of work for half a year's time. That's why if you're asked to sign one of these documents, it's critical to review it thoroughly and bring up any concerns you might have before agreeing to its terms. You might even consider consulting with an attorney to ensure that you're not locking yourself into what could be an extended period of unemployment. Remember, people leave jobs for a variety of reasons, and the last thing you want is to limit your chances of finding work because of an agreement you felt you had no choice but to sign. You should never hesitate to protect your own best interests -- because that's the opposite of what a non-compete is designed to do. The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The aluminum industry is a tough one for income investors. That's because aluminum production is a time-consuming process requiring companies to operate mines, refiners, and smelters that turn bauxite to alumina to aluminum. It's also a costly process, which when metal prices are down, can cause producers to lose money as has been the case for many in recent years. Because of that, it's probably no surprise to see the following chart on the dividend yields of the top publicly traded aluminum producers: As that chart shows, other than Rio Tinto, no other aluminum producer pays a dividend. Here's a look at what enables it to not only pay one but do so very generously. A look at their portfolios Rio Tinto was the world's third-largest aluminum producer last year behind privately held Chinese producer China Hongqiao Group and Russian producer UC Rusal. The company's integrated operations span the globe, including bauxite mines in Australia, Brazil, and Guinea, alumina refineries in Australia, Brazil, and Canada, and aluminum smelters in Australia, New Zealand, France, the U.K., Iceland, and Oman. One thing that's worth pointing out is that Rio Tinto's operates the world's largest share of first-quartile refining capacity, which means its costs are lower than those of most rivals. Alcoa also operates top-quartile alumina refineries as well as top-quartile bauxite mines, though it's only in the mid-second quartile for smelting. Meanwhile, Century Aluminum operates several smelters in the U.S. and one in Iceland. That said, aluminum is the only commodity those two rivals produce. Contrast that with Rio Tinto, which is also one of the world's top iron ore producers, a leading global copper producer, and it produces large volumes of energy coal, diamonds, and other minerals. That diversification is a key ingredient for Rio's dividend. Digging into profitability Because of its low-cost operations, Rio Tinto's aluminum business generated nearly $2.5 billion of underlying EBITDA last year, though that was down 10% from the prior year. However, the company's overall earnings rose 7% thanks to robust results from its iron ore and energy and minerals segments. In fact, Rio generated $13.5 billion of underlying EBITDA last year, along with $8.5 billion of operating cash flow. Contrast that with Alcoa, which reported a 40% drop in adjusted EBITDA last year, which fell to $1.1 billion due to lower alumina and aluminum pricing as well as higher costs. Furthermore, it recorded several costs associated with restructuring its portfolio, including closing its Warrick smelter and Suralco refinery and mines, which resulted in it reporting a net loss of $400 million. Worse yet, the company used $311 million in cash from operations and spent another $404 million on capex. Given that cash burn, the company simply doesn't have the cash flow to support a dividend right now. Likewise, Century Aluminum also reported a steep loss last year of $252.4 million, due to a combination of weak prices and an impairment charge. That said, the company did generate about $38 million in cash from operations last year, though half went toward capex and the other half to bolster its balance sheet, which meant it had nothing left to pay a dividend. Adding it all up As those comparable results show, Rio Tinto's diversified business model proved to be a significant competitive advantage over its aluminum-focused rivals because it was able to overcome weaker results in its aluminum business with the stronger performance of its iron ore and energy and minerals segments. Consequently, the company generated healthy cash flow, which it had the flexibility to use for dividends since it boasts the best balance sheet among large miners. In fact, due to its balance sheet strength, the company plans to pay out 40%-60% of its annual cash flows to investors each year, using the rest to finance growth projects. Given that neither Alcoa nor Century Aluminum generated any free cash flow last year, and both have weaker balance sheets, those companies don't have the financial flexibility to pay dividends anywhere near Rio Tinto's rate for the foreseeable future. 10 stocks we like better than Rio TintoWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Rio Tinto wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of June 5, 2017 Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services are up and running in upstate New York and on Long Island. The ride-hailing apps became available for those regions as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday under legislation approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this month. The original measure called for the services to begin upstate and on Long Island July 9, but Cuomo and the Legislature worked out a deal to push up the start to just before the busy Fourth of July holiday. The two ride-hailing apps had been limited to picking up passengers in the Big Apple until lawmakers voted this year to permit the expansion. Buffalo, the state's second-largest city, had been one of the largest cities in the country without access to the ride-hailing services. Uber has lost market share to Lyft amid turmoil over harassment claims and a legal battle with Alphabets (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Waymo. Ubers share of U.S. rides is 75%, down from 90% two years ago, according to a USA Today report citing data from TXN Solutions. Lyft has increased its market share to 24.7% from 21.2% over the same period. The Associated Press contributed to this report. FOX Business Lou Dobbs said Wednesday that Democratic policies are to blame for Illinoiss budget crisis. Democrats have controlled the state legislature for 14 straight yearsgiven the unconscionable mess that Democrats made of Illinois, perhaps President Trump should just say no, no bailout, he said. Illinois could go down as the first U.S. state to have a junk credit rating, with $15 billion in unpaid bills. Dobbs said the state should be stripped of its name for its irresponsible economic actions. Just leave a blank spot on the map for a while We kick Illinois to the curb for a while and we wouldnt even have to change the number of stars on the flag, at least for a while, he said. President Trump is meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in today in an effort to build a united front against the mounting nuclear threat from North Korea. I think it is an extremely dangerous situation," said former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in an interview with the FOX Business Networks Maria Bartiromo. "Im very glad that the new president of South Korea is coming here. The Trump administration has called for tougher sanctions against North Korea, with President Trumps national security advisor Gen. H.R. McMaster saying the U.S. is preparing a range of options including a military response. On the other hand, Albright says the South Korean president has a different view on dealing with the potential threat from the north, saying He does have a different approach, he wants to have more dialogue with North Korea. Though Albright hoped Trump would be open to what the South Korean president has to say, she agreed that it is a good strategy to look at all the potential strategies. I think its going to be very important for President Trump to listen to what the new president has to say and I also agree with what Gen. McMaster said which is that there really does have to be a look at all the options and its important to work with our friends and allies, the South Koreans, the Japanese, also to get the Chinese to do more. But when Bartiromo raised concerns that China really doesnt want North Korea to change, Albright responded, Well, theres no reason to think that putting more pressure on the North Koreans will lead to the downfall of the whole place. Albright says China has a lot of leverage with North Korea, telling Bartiromo, What is important is that the Chinese are the ones that are the biggest suppliers of a variety of products and goods and energy to the North Koreans. According to Albright, the Trump administration needs to show China the benefits of working with the U.S. to stop the threat from North Korea. President Trump on Wednesday met with tribal, state and local leaders to push the administrationas aenergy dominancea policy and make the United States a global energy super power. aI donat want to be energy free, we want to be energy dominant in terms of the world,a Trump told reporters at the White House. aFrom my first day in office, weave taken swift actions to lift the crushing restrictions on American energy.a In an interview with FOX Businessa Liz Claman, Laredo Petroleum CEO Randy Foutch said the U.S. is significantly contributing to the world supply of oil. aWeare slowly getting across to a lot of people in that the United States because of the way weave been able to drill oil shells, we now have a say and a voice in what happens in the world energy market,a he said. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports the U.S. is on track to become a net exporter of energy by 2026. Foutch said energy is a aproxya for standard of living and it only benefits the U.S. to become energy independent. aThe more energy the higher standard of living,a he said. aThe fact that we now have substantial oil and natural gas, supply is good for all of us.a More from FOX Business Oil rises more than 1 percent on U.S. weekly production decline Oil prices ended higher Wednesday for its fifth straight session settling up over 1 percent to slightly above $44 a barrel, making it the longest winning streak since May 23rd. However, oil is still down more than 7 percent for the month. Foutch said the company has very little control of the world price of oil and sees service cost reducing as prices deteriorates. aWe have a lot of downside protection. If prices run down below that, we expect service cost to adjust also, so we are one of those companies that has said we were gonna protect our downside by hedging our product out a couple years,a he said. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ralph Peters said Wednesday the economic and civil unrest in socialist Venezuela is worse than conditions were in the Soviet Union. For years now, people havent been able to walk into a grocery store and buy eggs or milk or even toilet paper, Peters told FOX Business Kennedy. I saw the Soviet Union back before the walls came downVenezuela right now is worse. The Soviet Union did a better job of feeding its people. While the crisis in the South American country has been escalating for months, Peters said he doesnt expect it to spread to other nations in the region. Socialisms passed its high-water mark in Latin America, but the problem is its implosion and what can happen, he explained. Peters also said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the countrys military are hindering its return to normalcy. The army is basically a corporation nowtheyve been bought off, they own so much of the countrythe generals and the senior colonels, he said. Theyre all thats standing in the way of a real return of democracy while President Maduro, whos sort of this big, lumpy Bernie Sanders with a beret and a pistol belt, hes hanging on. Hes not the man that [Hugo] Chavez, his predecessor, was. He doesnt have the charisma, doesnt have the vision. While Illinois has been under the microscope for its $15 billion backlog of unpaid bills, multi-billion dollar pension crisis and paralyzing political polarization, it is not the only state facing pressure to pass a spending deal by June 30. The nations wealthiest state, Connecticut, is also facing a series of challenges as it remains unable to strike a budget deal with the new fiscal year approaching on Saturday. It is likely the state will enter the new month without an approved two-year budget, but a so-called provisional mini budget is still on the table. This last-ditch option includes $300 million to balance out spending cuts the state would be prompted to make in order to keep up with the deepening deficit. Revenue shortfalls in the state register around $450 million for the current fiscal year alone, while estimated deficit totals are projected to clock in near $5 billion for the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years combined, according to The Connecticut Business & Industry Association. Debt outstanding levels and unfunded pension liabilities relative to revenues are among the highest of any state in the country, Moodys Investors Service said in May. As previously reported by FOX Business, income-tax collections are projected to fall in fiscal year 2017 for the first time since the recession. Connecticut's financial despair comes despite the state governments approval of one of its largest tax rate increases ever in 2015. The three major rating firms have downgraded the states credit rating in response to the ongoing budget crisis. In its most recent downgrade, which landed Connecticut with the third-lowest rating out of every state behind only New Jersey and Illinois, Moody's said the downgrades reflect continuing erosion of Connecticut's finances, evidenced by the pending elimination of its rainy day fund, growing budget gaps and rising debt levels. However, the situation could get worse still. On Thursday, health insurance giant Aetna announced it would move its Hartford, Connecticut-based headquarters after more than 150 years in the state to New York City in late 2018. The company cited a lack of access to talent as one reason it was leaving its Connecticut base, and said Thursday its long-term commitment there will depend on the states economic health. Earlier this year, General Electric (NYSE:GE) announced a similar move, shipping its headquarters from Fairfield, Connecticut to Boston, Massachusetts. Without tax income from GE and Aetna, the state will lose a significant amount of revenue. Aetna said it paid $65 million annually in state taxes to Connecticut as of 2015 and expected that total to increase by 27 percent as a result of the business tax increase. In 2015, GE, Aetna and Travelers (NYSE:TRV) wrote a letter to Gov. Dannel Malloy (D-Conn.) saying they were considering whether it makes any sense to remain in the state in light of the massive tax hike approved that year. While Aetna said Thursday it will keep thousands of its Connecticut based associates on the payroll for now, it will be closely watching what happens in the state legislature over the next few days. The company remains hopeful that lawmakers will come to an agreement that puts Connecticut on sound financial footing, and that the state will support needed reforms to make Hartford a vibrant city once again, Aetna said in a statement on its website Thursday. Gov. Malloy said Aetna's exit is "an important reminder to be competitive [and] immediately take the necessary steps to produce a balanced biennial budget" in a statement Thursday. When asked why lawmakers have been unable to reach a spending deal, Gov. Malloy's office told FOX Business "you'd have to ask them." The delay of a vote in the Senate on the Republican health care bill is adding to mounting frustration over the lack of progress in getting the Trump administrationas agenda through Congress. One GOP donor says he will withhold funds until his partyas legislation gets passed. aThere are a lot of donors in Dallas who are frustrated with this and you know, Dallas is truly the piggy bank of the Republican Party at this point,a Deason Capital Services President Doug Deason told the FOX Business Networkas Neil Cavuto. As a result, Deason is telling Republicans to not bother coming to Dallas, saying, aweare not going to open the checkbooks until you get it done.a According to Deason, with control of all three branches of government, Republicans should not be having this much trouble. He adds Republicans just need to make a decision on how conservative the health care bill should be and go with it. aTheyave got great plans and some good amendments to make to it. You know, youare either going to make it more conservative and lose [Dean] Heller and some votes or they are going to make it more, you know, more like ObamaCare and theyall lose Ted Cruz and Mike Lee and Rand Paul, so theyave got to make a decision on which way are they going to go.a President Trumps national security advisor, Gen. H.R. McMaster, says that military alternatives are on the table in dealing with the mounting nuclear threat from North Korea. But when asked how North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would respond if the U.S. shot down one of the missile tests North Korea has been conducting, Dear Reader author Michael Malice told the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney, Despite what a lot of people have been saying, they [North Korea] are desperate to avoid military conflict. When Varney said, Thats not what weve been hearing, Malice responded, Of course, because they want to make the claim in the press that oh, were crazy, we welcome an attack, you know, bring it on. But meanwhile if you go there and you read their literature, they know full well that theyre not capable of surviving an attack, that it would be devastating for North Korea. Despite perceptions from the outside world, Malice says the North Korean leadership is actually quite rational. They are not crazy in the slightest, they are pure evil and as I described in my book this has been a decades-long process to maintain their hold on power. Theyve outlasted everyone except for Cuba, so clearly if theyre irrational theyre doing something wrong about being irrational because theyre logical. Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday said the bill that imposes new sanctions on Iran and Russia is being held up to protect the constitution. All revenue measures must originate in the house, theres a constitutional issue here. And so we have lent the technical assistance that they [the Senate] need to write this bill correctly, Ryan said during the GOP weekly press conference. The measure, facing numerous setbacks, also hit a snag in the House after it passed last week. According to Judge Napolitano, Fox News senior judicial analyst, the bill should have passed the House first. The problem is that the bill was passed in the Senate first, he told the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney. The constitution says all laws affecting money, federal dollars, must originate in the house. It must be passed in the House first. So theyve got to go through the process all over again. Occasionally, this slips through, but quite frankly the constitutional monitors in the Senate should have known this and sent it over to the House first. Although Judge Napolitano could not pinpoint who was in charge of the schedule, he put the onus on that person to know about this provision in the Constitution, adding that its been there for 230 years. He also pointed out that there have been other cases like this originating in the Senate that have become laws. Its a clause of the Constitution often not honored but for some reason the Republicans in the house have chosen to honor it, he said. Although the Senate has been urged to fix the bill before leaving for July 4th recess, Judge Napolitano said it would face substantial delays due to Speaker Ryans decision to honor the Constitution. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed his displeasure with the hiring process at the State Department Thursday, where many positions still remain vacant. When asked whether he is satisfied with the pace of hiring within the department during a press gathering with Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey Thursday, Tillerson said "I'd like it to go faster." The secretary of state shared a heated exchange with the head of the presidential personnel officeJohn DeStefano on Friday, according to Politico, over DeStefanos rejection of some of Tillersons nominees. Politico reported that the secretary of state is frustrated that others in the administration are questioning his judgement within his own department. The State Department had no comment on the matter. In February, Tillersons pick to fill the No. 2 spot at the State Department Elliott Abrams was rejected by the White House. That post is now occupied by John Sullivan. Hiring at the agency has gotten off to a slow start, partly because reorganization within the department could ultimately end up eliminating some of the open slots. A slew of high-level resignations at the end of January also has not helped matters. As previously reported by FOX Business, the relationship between Tillerson and State Department staffers started off a bit turbulent. Amid requests by the Trump administration to cut the State Departments budget by 28 percent in 2018, there are also calls for the elimination of 2,300 positions within the department through a combination of attrition and buyouts. Sources told FOX Business that employees felt as though Tillerson did not defend them against White House efforts to streamline and cut personnel. President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face for the first time at the G20 summit in Germany next week, White House officials confirmed Thursday. National security advisor H.R. McMaster made the announcement during a briefing with reporters Thursday, refusing to comment further on details of the meeting between the leaders of the two world super powers. National Economic Director Gary Cohn insisted Trumps planned bilateral meeting with Putin will be no different than his meetings with other world leaders at G20, like German Chancellor Angela Merkel or Chinese President Xi Jinping. The major difference with Russia, however, is that it has been a big source of controversy for the Trump administration since the election. Critics have focused specifically on the relationships among the president, his cabinet and the Russian government. In fact, a special investigation is currently underway as to whether there was any collusion between Trumps colleagues and the Kremlin in Russia's bid to interfere with the United States 2016 presidential election. Tensions between Trump and Putin spiked in April, when the United States bombed Syria in response to a chemical attack carried out in the country. The Russians sided with the Syrians in the aftermath of the incident. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster laid out Americas strategy on North Korea on Wednesday. He said hes preparing a military option for President Trump, but former Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton warned of the dangers of retaliation. The argument is that North Korea is very close to having the capability of dropping nuclear warheads on the United States via ballistic missile, Bolton said during an appearance on the FOX Business Network. Bolton said if North Korea can threaten Los Angeles with a nuclear warhead, the U.S. would not have adequate missile defenses to retaliate. If we had an effective national missile defense program Id be confident we could do that but after eight years of the Obama administration funding of what the Bush administration had started was gutted basically, he said. It's no secret Jerry Seinfeld is a bit of a Porsche fanatic. After all, the famous comedian and television star is as much a car guy as he is a funny guy, and Porsches make up the vast majority of his collection. Brace yourselves because one of his prized Porsches will soon be up for grabs. Auction house Russo and Steele has consigned a 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS originally ordered by Seinfeld. Based on the 997-series 911, this generation of the GT3 RS is the last with a manual transmission. The 991 GT3 RS currently on sale is equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and Porsche has made it clear that manual transmissions won't be returning on RS-badged cars. This make the Seinfeld car even more special. Powering it is a 3.6-liter flat-6 production 415 horsepower at 7,600 rpm, on the way to an 8,400 rpm redline. The car also came with Porsche's first application of "zero lift" aerodynamics, as well as the automaker's first electronically adjustable suspension. Inside, carbon fiber bucket seats, a six-point harness, and a roll cage remind all onlookers this isn't your typical Porsche 911. This is a track car that just so happens to double as a street car. Not shockingly, Seinfeld snagged his own 911 GT3 RS and it has since resided in his collection for over 10 years. The comedian recently sold part of his Porsche collection for a whopping $22 million last year. We're sure Seinfeld still has plenty of rare Porsches sitting in his garage, however. (A Lotus Elise he also owned was sold this May.) Russo and Steele doesn't list an estimated selling price, so it will be interesting to see what the Seinfeld name does to increase the value car, even if Seinfeld isn't the actual seller. Look for the 911 GT3 RS to cross the block on August 17 at Russo and Steele's 2017 Monterey Car Week auction. MORE AUTO NEWS FROM MOTOR AUTHORITY A sinkhole opened up on a downtown St. Louis street on Thursday morning and swallowed a car whole while its owner got a workout in a nearby gym. Fox 2 news reports that the incident happened around 6:30 a.m. near 6th Avenue and Locust St. near the America's Center. Jordan Westerberg told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch he and his fiance had snagged the primo spot near their YMCA at around 6:15 a.m., and when they returned at 7 a.m. they saw a group of people where they left the Toyota Camry, but no car. SAN FRANCISO SINKHOLE SWALLOWS TRUCK At first they figured it had been towed, discovered the gaping hole taking up half the strreet when they got closer. "I was a little shaky," Westerberg told Fox 2. "It was crazy. I'm just glad we weren't inside." The cause of the sinkhole has yet to be determined. There was a broken water main next to the car, but a St. Louis Water Division representative said he didn't know if the main was the cause, or if the car broke the main when it fell, according to the Post-Dispatch. Westerberg's damaged car was removed by 9 a.m. He said that he hopes the city or whoever is deemed responsible for the hole will pay for repairs. Emilia Clarke accidentally revealed a big "Game of Thrones" spoiler. Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen on the hit HBO series told Rolling Stone that she filmed in Ireland this season instead of the show's warmer set locations. The admission suggested Clarke's character may have joined forces with Jon Snow based on the climate Clarke had been filming in. "Spoiler alert I normally don't spend very much time in Belfast, but this last season I spent a little more time there," Clarke said. "It's a really interesting season in terms of some loose ends that have been tied, some really satisfying plot points, some things where you're like, 'Oh, my God. I forgot about that!' Rumors are going to be confirmed or denied." The "Game of Thrones" season six finale confirmed that Snow and the Queen of Dragons are related. Season seven premieres July 16 on HBO. TLC star Paola Mayfield has learned her lesson. The Colombian-born reality star and her conservative Oklahoma-based husband Russ Mayfield clashed over Paola's topless photo shoot on the last season of "90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?." But now Paola said she is focusing on her career as a fitness model and trainer, a career move her husband supports even though he doesn't love his wife flaunting her curves on social media. "I'm getting more into fitness and that requires to be a little bit more revealing, something that my husband is not that happy [about]," Paola told Fox News. "But he's getting to the point [of] trying to understand my position that I'm not doing it just because I want to expose myself." She added, "[It's not] like, 'Look at me! I'm half naked.' No, it's because I actually, I motivate people to change their lifestyle." Russ admitted watching his wife strip down on reality TV was difficult for him and his family. But the pair have worked out a way for Paola to fulfill her career aspirations, but also respect Russ' conservative values. "She's promoting herself through her workouts and also through her modeling to show all the hard work she has done for her body and I'm very proud of that," Russ told us. But he has his limits. "There is a point that I like to make sure she keeps it classy," he said. "I come from Oklahoma and I've got my conservative morals and values and I'm not going to change her and she is who she is and that's what I love about her." Paola chimed in, "I'm all yours." She also explained she agreed to the photo shoot because she wanted "to look professional." "I think I learned my lesson, but I think that was the biggest fight that we had," she shared. "I wasn't expect[ing] to do that either. It just, I don't know, it happened so fast, but it was classy. I wasn't showing any... showing too much, of course. It was sexy but yeah, oopsie." Fans can catch the next steps of the couples' relationship on TLC's "90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After" Sunday night. Watch a sneak peak of "90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?" in the video below. Since Amazon announced plans to buy Whole Foods last week, headlines have been rampant with speculation over how the two companies plan to work together. If were talking about getting organic into more consumers hands, we know that there is a desire behind younger shoppers to buy organic foods, says Darren Seifer, a food industry analyst for market research company NPD group, which reported that 24 percent of millennials bought something from Whole Foods last year. Now, Amazon, with its near ubiquitous audience and seemingly instantaneous delivery, seems primed (groan) to expand Whole Foodss reach even further. But what does that mean for Whole Foodss tens of thousands of organic farmers? The grocery chain works with producers as big as Driscolls and CalOrganic and as small as RimRock Ranches out of Genesee, Idaho. Thats the beauty of Whole Foods, says third-generation farmer Jim Hermann of RimRock, which provides rare Beluga lentils, garbanzo beans and peas to Whole Foods stores in the Northwest. The two lentils we grew for Whole Foods were the highest grossing crops we had last year. For farmers like Hermann, expanding the United States palette for higher-value crops through Amazons audience would mean more financial stability for his business and healthier, more diversified soil on his farm. But not all his colleagues are as optimistic. Theres an inverse relationship between yield and flavor, says Jim Cochran, Californias first organic strawberry farmer, who grew Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport from four acres to 24 to match the demand of 20 Whole Foods stores. He eventually cut back down to 12 acres to focus on quality over quantity. For more stubborn crops, bigger and bigger yields are just not feasible in the near future, he says. Domestically grown strawberries, for example, have a small harvest window. You plant them once a year. You cant maintain a steady supply all season long. Cost competition is another major concern. As more grocers like Costco and Walmart begin to offer organic produce to their customers, price points continue to drop. That puts a pinch on pricing for everyone, says Jim Durst, co-owner of Durst Organic Growers in Yolo County, Calif. Every time I see something cheap in a store I think, some farmer just got screwed. Its hard not to think that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, known for his slim margins and unwavering emphasis on the bottom line, has an eye on lowering prices at the chain often referred to as Whole Paycheck. If Amazon is going to buy cheap, theyre not going to buy cheap in this country, says Durst. And then you have to wonder: Is the food really grown sustainably? Do you trust the certification? Is the product youre getting what it really says it is or is it just labeled that way? For major providers like Driscolls, the opposite has been true. If anything, weve moved closer to the consumer, says Soren Bjorn, President of Driscolls of the Americas. When I started in the business twelve years ago, we would fly raspberries from Chile to the United States. Now, through advancements in production technology, and withi genetics that allow raspberries to grow in environments where they havent been able to before, every Driscolls raspberry is grown within trucking distance to its final destination. Bjorn sees more farms moving closer to home, with possible savings being made via productivity and advanced farming practices. And, in Whole Foodss town hall meeting transcript published earlier this week, Jeff Wilke, Amazons CEO of Worldwide Consumer, acknowledged that skimping on Whole Foods high quality standards would be crazy. For the moment, farmers in Whole Foods supply chain will experience little out of the ordinary. As consumers add lentils, strawberries, and baby lettuce to their carts (digital, four-wheeled or otherwise), the hope is that more people will have access to more sustainably grown food. The average U.S. household spends less than five dollars a week on fruits and vegetables, says Bjorn. The real opportunity is not to lower the cost [of produce] but to figure out how to get people to eat more fruits and vegetables. Thats the opportunity: to change the food system. This article orginally appeared on Bon Appetit. Last November, the Maine State Legislature voted to raise the minimum wage for restaurant servers. Then in mid-June, they voted to lower it back down. And lots of Maines restaurant workers were thrilled. The minimum wage for tipped workers in Maine is half that of the states regular minimum wage ($9). Its called the tip credit rule, as it allows employers to take a credit of up to 50 percent from their employees wages, because servers will generally make that money back (and hopefully more) in tips. If tips and wages, together, don't equal the state's minimum wage, employers are required to make up the difference. DENVER POT INDUSTRY EATING INTO RESTAURANT JOBS But, at Novembers referendum, the Maine House voted to raise the minimum wage by $1 each year (through 2024) and to remove the tip credit rule entirely, meaning that all employees tipped or not would be earning the states minimum wage, reports the Portland Press Herald. That's when something unexpected happened. State Senator James Dill, a Democrat who initially voted to raise wages, told the Washington Post that after the Nov. referendum passed, he received hundreds of calls and emails from servers who were worried about their livelihood. As a result, Dill threw his support behind a Republican measure to return the tip credit rule. After passing through the Senate on June 7, the bill was brought before the House on June 13, where it passed with a vote of 110-37. Maine Governor Paul LePage signed the bill into law last week. It will go into effect 90 days after Legislature adjourned, reports the Bangor Daily News. As the Washington Post reports, servers were worried about the ramifications of the new laws for two reasons: first, that it would force employers to raise prices on their menu items, which could affect their current tips; and second, and perhaps more importantly, that employers might be forced to cut servers shifts as a result. I dont need to be saved, and Ill be damned if small groups of uninformed people are voting on my livelihood, said Sue Vallenza, a Maine bartender who spoke to the Post. Vallenza further said shes already seeing less in tips as a result of customers who believe the wage hike had already went into effect. As the Post notes, labor activists are bracing themselves for similar outcries in Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., but critics say that Maines servers dont speak for the countrys restaurant workers. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Dave Palmer of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, a firm that works to raise wages and improve working conditions for restaurant workers, tells the post that plenty of lower-income servers would support an increase in wages. We do not believe what we see in Maine is representative of the majority of workers, Palmer told the Post. Theres no other industry that gets away with not paying their workers because customers can, he later added. This is bigger than any one state. L.A. FINES CARL'S JR. $1.45 MILLION FOR ALLEGEDLY UNDERPAYING EMPLOYEES Whether acupuncture can really help treat certain health conditions is controversial, and now two new studies on the ancient practice have reached mixed conclusions. One study found that women with stress urinary incontinence who involuntarily urinate when they cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise could benefit from acupuncture. But the other study, which looked at acupuncture among women with a certain type of infertility, suggested that acupuncture did not increase these women's chances of having a baby. Both studies were conducted in China, and were published today (June 27) in the journal JAMA. "These studies shed new light on when and when not to consider using acupuncture," Dr. Josephine Briggs and David Shurtleff, of the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, wrote in an editorial accompany the studies. The research done to date on acupuncture has shown that, generally, its benefits are limited to outcomes that are subjective, such as pain, Briggs and Shurtleff wrote. People's positive expectations and the reassurance they feel from the procedure likely contribute to the benefits. "Clearly these ancient practices are helping reveal the complexity of the links between the mind and the body ," the editorial said. In both of the new studies, researchers applied rigorous scientific methods to test the effects of acupuncture. In the first study, the researchers randomly assigned 504 women with stress urinary incontinence to receive either "electroacupuncture," which is acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation, or "sham electroacupuncture," which is a version of the procedure that is not expected to have benefits. In the women receiving the electroacupuncture, the researchers, from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, applied a weak electric current (not strong enough to cause pain) to the acupuncture needles. With sham electroacupuncture, the researchers placed needles on points in the body that are not traditional acupuncture points, and they didn't apply an electric current. The women underwent the procedure three times a week for six weeks. At the end of the study, the participants in the electroacupuncture group had much less urine leakage during a one-hour stress test (about 10 grams less of urine) compared with their leakage at the start of the study, while those in the sham group showed a reduction in urine leakage of only 2.6 grams, compared with the start of the study. The findings suggest that, for women with stress urinary incontinence, acupuncture "may be a reasonable option to explore" along with other behavior treatments before considering a more invasive treatment such as surgery, the editorial said. However, more research is needed to examine whether the treatment's effects last over the long term, and exactly how the treatment may be working to reduce urinary incontinence, the researchers said. The placebo effect or an effect that results from people's feeling that a treatment works, rather than from any physiological effect of the treatment likely contributes to the benefits of acupuncture seen in this and other studies, the editorial said. But there may also be physiological effects of undergoing acupuncture. For instance, electroacupuncture might cause muscle contractions and simulate the pelvic floor muscles, which helps strengthen muscles of the uterus, bladder and bowel, the researchers said. In the second study, researchers at Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in Harbin, China, looked at whether acupuncture could help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) , a common cause of infertility, to have a baby. In women with PCOS, the ovaries do not release an egg during the menstrual cycle. The researchers randomly assigned 1,000 women with PCOS to one of four groups: One group received acupuncture along with the fertility drug clomiphene citrate; one group received sham acupuncture along with clomiphene citrate; the third received acupuncture plus a placebo drug, and the last group received sham acupuncture plus a placebo drug. During the study, which took place from 2012 to 2015, about 200 of the women gave birth. As expected, women who received the fertility drug had a higher birth rate than those who received the placebo drug. (About 29 percent of those who received clomiphene citrate gave birth versus 15 percent of those who received the placebo). But acupuncture was not linked with an increase in the birth rate compared with sham acupuncture, regardless of whether it was given with or without clomiphene. About 22 percent of women in both the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups gave birth during the study. "This finding does not support acupuncture as an infertility treatment," for women with PCOS, the researchers said. Thus, acupuncture should not be considered a substitute for clomiphene treatment in women with this condition, according to the editorial. Original article on Live Science . An experimental drug reduces eye damage in people with a common form of vision loss for which there is currently no available treatment, a new study finds. The new research sought to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) , the leading cause of vision loss in industrialized countries, according to the World Health Organization. The disease damages the macula, a tiny spot near the center of the retina , the light-sensitive part of the eye. The result is blurriness or a loss of vision straight ahead in a person's field of view, which can have a devastating impact on many daily activities, such as reading, driving or recognizing faces. The new study included 129 participants ages 60 to 89 in the United States and Germany. All of the participants had a particular type of AMD called geographic atrophyAMD, or " dry AMD ." In the 18-month trial, the participants who were given monthly injections of a drug called lampalizumab had a 20 percent reduction, on average, in the size of the area of the retina that is affected by the disease, compared with the control group that was given a placebo injection. One group of patients in particular benefited from the drug, experiencing a 44 percent drop in the size of the area affected by the disease. A genetic analysis of these patients revealed that they shared a certain genetic mutation , according to the study, which was funded by the company Genentech. "The most important implication of these results is that it shows how the genetics of a human disease may be critical for understanding the disease," study co-author Dr. Erich Strauss, a clinical scientist at Genentech, told Live Science. Such research "may guide the discovery of new therapeutic targets to treat the disease and define populations that may benefit most from treatment," he added. "The fact that we now have something that can possibly slow down the progress of this disease is very exciting to the field, since nothing exists right now," Dr. Wai Wong, a retinal disease specialist at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, who did not take part in this study, told Live Science. There are two main types of advanced forms of AMD : neovascular AMD, which is sometimes called "wet AMD," and geographic atrophy AMD, or dry AMD. Wet AMD is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid into the macula, while dry AMD is linked with the shrinkage of tissue and cell death in the macula. Both forms of advanced AMD occur at roughly the same rates, said study co-author Menno van Lookeren Campagne, an immunologist at Genentech in South San Francisco, California. There are a few clinical treatments available for people with wet AMD, such as laser surgery or drugs that block abnormal blood vessel growth. However, there are currently no approved treatments for dry AMD, which affects more than 5 million people worldwide, including nearly 1 million people in the United States, the researchers said. The main reason there are treatments approved for wet AMD and not dry AMD is that discoveries were first made that could help combat the former and not the latter. Specifically, cancer research pioneer Dr. Judah Folkman of Harvard Medical School and his colleagues discovered ways to fight tumors by attacking their supply of blood, and this research proved useful in treating neovascular AMD, saidstudy co-author Brian Yaspan, a geneticist at Genentech. In previous research, scientists discovered that certain genetic mutations that led to a high risk of AMD were involved with a part of the immune system known as the innate immune system. Unlike the "adaptive" part of the immune system, which remembers previous encounters with germs and destroys them when they invade again, the innate part of the immune system is less specific, attacking anything with common features of germs. The virtue of the innate immune system is that it can respond much more quickly to germs than the adaptive immune system can. The drug that the researchers used in the study, lampalizumab, targets a component of the innate immune system known as the alternative complement pathway, which can lead to excess inflammation and cell death, the researchers said. The researchers added that lampalizumab appeared to be safe. The study participants had only a few adverse side effects, such as dry eye, that the researchers suspected might be due to the drug, Strauss said. It remains uncertain why genetic mutations that can boost the risk of this disease persist in the human population. One possibility is that such genetic variants could boost innate immunity in a way that has helped people survive infections. However, "with the increase in life expectancy in the current world population, along with reduced exposure to lethal pathogens," a hyperactive innate immune system "has turned into a disadvantage rather than an advantage," Yaspan told Live Science. The researchers cautioned that this drug appeared only to slow the disease, not stop it completely. This suggests there may be other avenues of attack against it, Strauss said. "We need to find out a lot more about the biology of how this disease works," Wong said. Wong noted that this study had relatively few patients, leaving its findings open to question. Strauss and his colleagues are now conducting a larger Phase 3 clinical trial with lampalizumab to evaluate its long-term safety and efficacy. Only then might the drug be considered for FDA approval. The scientists detailed their findings online June 21 in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Originally published on Live Science . An 11-year-old girl in Massachusetts is at the forefront of a disease so rare, that it is believed only 22 people worldwide have been diagnosed with it. Talia Duff, who was born with Down syndrome and later diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Type 4J (CMT4J), is slated to be among the first to enroll in a clinical trial that is awaiting FDA approval after her parents refused to watch her fall victim to the degenerative genetic disease. Its a horrible feeling to go to a doctor and be told that theres nothing that can be done that the best you can do is try to make your child comfortable and enjoy the time you have together, John Duff, Talias dad, told PEOPLE. I learned to cherish moments in life that I would otherwise take for granted. PREGNANT MOM DELAYS CANCER TREATMENT TO PROTECT UNBORN TWINS The Duff family, which includes mom Jocelyn and older sister Teaghan, had noticed Talia struggling to crawl at around age four, and a regression in a number of other motor skills that at the time was attributed to her Down syndrome, and later to Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Subsequent failed therapies and a diagnoses of osteoporosis due to prescribed steroids caused her parents to push for another diagnosis at Boston Childrens Hospital, according to a post on the familys Cure CMT4J Foundation website. We learned that Talia did not in fact have CIDP but instead had an extremely rare form of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease a degenerative, genetic disease called CMT4J, the post read. MEREDITH VIEIRA SPEAKS OUT ON 'SILENT' BONE DISEASE The family learned the disease would slowly take over Talias body like a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), eventually causing paralysis and robbing her of her ability to breathe. In the two years since her diagnosis, Talia lost her ability walk or even raise her arms. We were supposed to sit back and watch our child live her life in reverse, the post on Cure CMT4J Foundation read. I decided not to accept this. I stayed up late nights pouring over scientific papers and booked appointments with the top CMT doctors in the world. We traveled to the University of Iowa and then Vanderbilt University, where we met Dr. Jun Li. CHRISTIAN ROCKER RAISING FUNDS FOR BANDMATE WHOSE WIFE DIED HOURS AFTER CHILDBIRTH It was at the meeting with Li that the Duffs learned of a genetic therapy that could potentially cure Talias disease, but that it was eight-to-ten years away from production. Knowing that time was of the essence for Talia, Jocelyn began connecting with other parent advocates and the family started the Cure CMT4J Foundation with a goal of raising $1 million for research. She met with a team of eight researchers in Maryland, who concluded that the gene therapy would have a lasting effect on Talia, and they are now working to attain proof of concept approval from the FDA, PEOPLE reported. With approval expected to come later this summer, Jocelyn is prepared to then push for approval of a human clinical trial, with Talia expected to be among the first to receive the gene therapy intravenously. We feel hope now, Jocelyn told PEOPLE. People have said to me, This is a lot of work for you, and my response is, Hey, you would do this for your child, too. I simply cant stand by and do nothing. The moment an expectant wife surprised her returning Navy husband with news of their latest addition has gone viral on Facebook. Chris Daugherty, who was returning from deployment aboard the USS Carl Vinson, was greeted in San Diego by his young children and wife, Natasha, who was holding a Welcome Home Baby Daddy sign to hide her bump. After hugging and kissing his children, Daugherty headed toward his wife, who then dropped the sign to reveal the secret she had been keeping throughout his six-month deployment. The couple's friend, Marea Morrison, was recording the special moment that was later posted on Natasha's Facebook. MOM DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 4 CANCER DAYS AFTER SON'S STILLBIRTH RAISING FUNDS FOR OTHERS Is this real? Daugherty asks, before touching her stomach. More than 90,000 people have viewed the touching June 23 moment, which then sees Daugherty break into a huge smile before kissing Natasha. A special welcome home and gender reveal party was later hosted in their honor. After popping a few balloons, the Daughertys discovered they were expecting a girl. STUDENT BATTLING CANCER GETS HELP FROM TEACHER FACING HER OWN DIAGNOSIS The baby, which is expected to arrive in late August, will be the couples fourth child. U.S. veterans across the country were treated to a day of free dental care -- thanks to one dental organization with hundreds of locations. Nearly 400 Aspen Dental practices in 35 states provided dental care across the country on Saturday, free of charge, as part of the companys Healthy Mouth Movement. SERVICE DOG SAVES OWNER FROM ARIZONA HOUSE FIRE One vet, who served in the Vietnam War, drove almost an hour away to another location after learning the dentist office near him was booked. Sixty nine-year-old Ken Hulme, of Florida, served as a combat photographer in the Air Force. He told Naples Daily News he hadnt had a proper teeth cleaning in years. During his visit, he had teeth removed and dental staff fitted him for dentures that day. The Department of Veterans Affairs only offers full dental care to veterans who are considered 100 percent disabled, or have a service-related injury to the mouth, according to Naples Daily News. HOUSE OKS REVAMP OF VA APPEALS IN BID TO CUT CLAIMS BACKLOG It makes me feel great and I know everyone else here feels the same way and my colleagues across the country that are participating, Aspen Dental Dentist Brian Woodhul, of South Dakota, told KDLT. They all feel great about it; its very satisfying to be able to help veterans. Since the start of the companys Healthy Mouth Movement, more than $7.6 million in dental work has been donated to more than 6,000 veterans, the Naples Daily News reported. A bill passed in the Texas legislature, known as the beer bill, has many brewers in the state concerned about their ability to expand. The Texas Brewers Guild, an organization representing brewers across the state, wrote that the bill would put a cap on brewers success and do damage to the craft brewing industry in Texas overnight." As per the new bill, brewers who produce greater than the 225,000 barrels per year or become acquired by a mega brewer like Anheuser Busch or MillerCoors. now have to participate in Texas three-tier alcohol regulation system. The system separates manufacturers, distributors and retailers into three groups to prevent one group from controlling another. MEXICAN BREWERY MOCKS TRUMP, DEPICTS PRESIDENT AS SAD MARIACHI Theres no reason why a state should tell a brewery not to sell their own beer to their clients, said Albert Salinas, brew master at Ode Brewing company in El Paso. "Thats kind of like having a baker not being able to sell his own bread to his customers. It makes absolutely no sense. But Amanda Robertson, chief of staff for Texas Representative Craig Goldman, said there are many misconceptions about the bill and a lot of misinformation has been spread. "House Bill 3287, now current law, makes no change to the requirements or processes of any current independent craft brewer operating in Texas. This bill reaffirms the definition of a craft brewer in this State and sets the industry on a path of continued, record breaking growth," said Goldman, the bills author. Salinas, who has been brewing for nine years and has been brew master at Ode for the last two, is more concerned for the future of his company. The bill will not affect him now, because his brewery does not produce enough beer for the law to apply to him, but hes concerned it might affect potential Texas brewers down the road. So I think more than anything its daunting for brewers like me to get investment when theres bills like this being passed, said Salinas. If youre an investor thats looking to invest into a brewery youre going to look at Texas and be like, 'Why would I invest in Texas when I could go to New Mexico or I could go to Oklahoma or California and not ever worry about my brewery's growth?' But Salinas admitted the bill, as it currently stands, won't have much of an affect on breweries in Texas at their current production rates. BEER MADE FROM PEE SOUND GOOD? URINE LUCK Brewers who make less than 225,000 barrels a year are still allowed to sell up to 5,000 barrels a year in their taprooms. Thats over 1.6 million 12-ounce beers. According to Goldmans office, the largest craft brewery in the nation doesnt sell 5,000 barrels a year in their taproom. Robertson also told Fox News the bill protects a competitive market by prohibiting mega brewers from being able to acquire an independent brewer and gaining a serious advantage because of their production and monetary resources. She added that the beer bill does not effect brewpubs in any way, close any existing taprooms, or prevent out-of-state craft brewers from entering the Texas marketplace via the three-tier system. Have you noticed this new trend on your news feed recently? Instagrammers are posting photos of their "hip dips," the slight inward curve just below each hip bone. Instead of bashing this part of their anatomy, these real women are embracing it the way body-positive bloggers and many celebs also celebrate their cellulite, stretch marks, bulges, and other so-called physical flaws. RELATED: THESE ARE THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BUY ORGANIC "In recent years, proportionate hour glass bodies have been glamorized in the media heavily," wrote one Instagrammer, jenneydoll. But I have realized that I will never have a perfect hour-glass shape because I have very prominent hip dips (even though I do carry more fat in my lower body). "There's absolutely nothing wrong with it, but it is one of those things I don't absolutely love about my body." Before hip dip photos took over social media, many of us had no clue what they were. (Something to do with plank hip dips, maybe?) To get the facts on this body area, we spoke to Gerardo Miranda-Comas, MD, an assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. RELATED: THIS BERRY SMOOTHIE HAS A SECRET FAT-BURNING INGREDIENT He set the record straight on what hip dips are and why not everyone has them. "It's not a body abnormality; it's actually a common part of your anatomy," explains Dr. Miranda. Whether or not you have hip dips largely depends on the way your great trochanter, aka, the protrusion at the upper part of your femur, connects to your pelvis, he says. Many women are paying tribute to their hip dipsbut what if you'd rather get rid of them? That's unlikely, says Dr. Miranda, because they are a permanent part of your physiology. However, working out the gluteus medius, one of your main pelvic muscles, could lessen their appearance. Dr. Miranda recommends doing clamshells, hip abductions, and squats with elastic bands to tone this muscle. "Core exercises work well too because the gluteus medius is a component of the core," he adds. So if your body curves in a bit under your hip bones, don't be alarmed. It's perfectly natural, and there's not much you can do about it. Rather than killing yourself with lower-body exercises to make them less noticeable, we think you're better off forgetting about themor taking a cue from the hip dip Instagrammers by showing them some love. This article orginally appeared on Health.com Two years ago this week, a young woman named Kate Steinle was murdered in cold bloodshot in the back as she walked with her father on a tourist pier in San Francisco. The man charged with her murder, Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, was a seven-time felon and an illegal alien who had been deported five times. And yet he walked the streets of an American city freely. Lopez-Sanchez should never have been on that pier with Kate. He should have been in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). And he would have been if San Francisco had only notified ICE of his release from the citys custody, as ICE had requested. But San Francisco refused to do so. The city continues to refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. In fact, its city policy. Thats because San Francisco is one of about 300 cities which openly refuse to turn over criminal illegal aliens to federal law enforcement. These cities protect illegal aliens who have committed crimes, rather than their law-abiding residents. These jurisdictions refuse to provide ICE with information about removable illegal aliens who are in their custody and have committed a crime or are suspected of having committed a crime. Its hard to believe, but some even refuse to hold known MS-13 gang members so that ICE can take them into custody. This gang terrorizes communities from Los Angeles to Long Island, killing, robbing, and pushing dangerous drugs on our streets. Members of this gang have murdered and gang-raped innocent children as part of their initiation into the group. Some 10,000 of these gang members are estimated to be in 40 states today and they tend to be concentrated in places that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Its easy to see why. Consider the case of Ever Valles, an illegal alien who was charged with robbing and murdering 32-year-old Tim Cruz at a Denver light rail station. ICE notified Denver authorities that it wanted to take custody of Valles, who had previously been charged with car theft and weapon possession and was a known gang member. But Denver authorities released him anyway. Cruz would not have died at the hands of Ever Valles had Valles been in ICE custody that day. Cities like Denver also continue to shelter illegal aliens that are charged with driving under the influence or hit-and-run, despite the countless instances of illegal aliens, like Norlan Estrada-Reyes, driving carelessly and killing innocent Americans. In October, Estrada-Reyes hit and killed a young lawyer, Karina Pulec, and then fled from the scene. Estrada-Reyes had previously been arrested, but ICE was never notified. The practices of these jurisdictions are not only contrary to sound policy; theyre contrary to the law enforcement cooperation that is carried out every day in our country and is essential to public safety. Federal law enforcement is not asking too much of these cities and states. We are simply asking them to do what most cities and states do, and something supported by the vast majority of the American people. Congress can do its part to help end these policies by passing the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act and Kates Law, two bills that would make all Americans safer. The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act would withhold certain federal grant money from jurisdictions that prohibit their officers from cooperating with ICE. Under this bill, American taxpayers will no longer be forced to subsidize jurisdictions whose policies effectively work to make us less safe. The bill also contains a provisionknown as Sarah and Grants lawwhich would ensure that illegal aliens are detained pending their removal proceedings. This provision was named after Sarah Root, a recent college graduate, who was killed by an illegal alien charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, and Grant Ronnebeck, who was killed by an illegal alien a self-proclaimed member of the Sinaloa cartel who had been released on bail pending his removal proceeding. Congress can also make it harder for criminal aliens to repeatedly reenter the United States. Kates Law would do that by increasing the penalties for deported aliens who return to the United States. We must send a clear message that re-entering after having been previously deported will cease to be a minor matter, but will result in prison and deportation. These policies make all of us less safe by giving shelter to dangerous criminals. Congress can take a major step for public safety by passing these two critical pieces of legislation. For the past year, Americans have read a barrage of stories related to Russias role in the 2016 election. The latest comes from the Washington Post, which recently gossiped about how President Obama did and did not respond to Moscows propaganda operations aimed at thwarting Americas democracy. Like many articles before it, this essay highlighted classified information leaked by anonymous government sources to prove its claims. What the Post didnt tell readers, however, is that classified intelligence doesnt come from its secret leakers in Washington D.C. Rather, Americas intelligence flows from a global network of clandestine informants recruited by my former colleagues in the CIA and FBI. And that is the real story that Americans must come to understand: when the media publishes stories like this, they threaten the lives of our hidden fighters around the world. The bottom line is that the fallout of media leaking doesnt end with a thwarted operation or dead informant. The consequences last for years, long after media companies have moved on to other stories. Ultimately, journalists are putting the country at greater risk. Americas informants also called assets or agents are the most fragile members of our nations intelligence community. They enjoy no diplomatic immunity. They have no safety net. And they operate knowing the consequences if discovered. Jail. Torture. Death. Not surprisingly, the process of recruiting informants is often difficult. In many cases, it takes months to years following an initial meeting. Part of the reason is that Americas spies must demonstrate to the person that they can keep them safe. While I cant disclose the process, its depth and breadth is both impressive and rigorous. It truly is the stuff of movies. When an aspiring informant finally agrees to collaborate, each side promises to give everything they have including their lives to accomplish whatever mission comes before them. Not surprisingly, the bond between an intelligence officer and their informant is unlike any most of us will experience. Its more than a friendship. Its a sacred covenant. Imagine then, in the middle of an operation or clandestine meeting, a company like the Post publishes a story based on an informants secret information. Imagine the reactions both the officer and asset have as they read about their work on the front page of a newspaper. Fear. Anger. Horror. Unbeknownst to most informants, the media usually gives Langley or FBI a few days advanced notice before the article goes live. Senior officials will outright beg corporations like the Post to hold off on publishing a story, emphasizing the danger to our agents and officers. On rare occasion, senior editors will agree to hold back some tidbits. More often than not, they refuse. Their reason? Someone else might scoop the story. When a media company cant be stopped, intelligence officers conduct a damage assessment and find ways to quickly protect their informants. Its a harried process that often takes considerable taxpayer dollars and numerous personnel working around the clock. Americas spies are usually able to reach their informants quickly and guide them to safety. Unfortunately, there are situations where they cannot. In these scenarios, everyone holds their collective breath. If contact is eventually made sometimes years later the joy is indescribable. If not, the silence is deafening. Obtaining proof that a media leak led to the death or disappearance of an informant is difficult. Why? The CIA or FBI needs new informants to confirm exactly what happened. Recruiting these new sources, however, becomes monstrously difficult when the prospective asset realizes what happened to the last collaborator. Yet even when a death is confirmed, its not publicly announced. Doing so would only verify their relationship with the U.S. government, thereby jeopardizing any family members still alive. The bottom line is that the fallout of media leaking doesnt end with a thwarted operation or dead informant. The consequences last for years, long after media companies have moved on to other stories. Let there be no mistake that the media has plenty of co-conspirators in their quest for illicit scoops. Traitors like Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, and R. Leigh Winner are all equally complicit. And as recently unclassified documents show, their hubris comes at a heavy cost to our foreign agents. Still, many of us might extend a degree of understanding to journalists if their reporting leads to the exposure of grave wrongdoing or unethical conduct. Yet, in the most recent article involving the Post, that simply was not the case. Indeed, what did we learn? The Obama Administration bobbled its response in the face of Russian aggression. Not surprising. Not news. Meanwhile, what did the Post give the Russians by leaking allegedly classified information? Important clues that will benefit Vladimir Putin in his hunt for Americas informants inside the Kremlin. The Post should ask itself: How many informants will die because of their stories? Based on my experience at the CIA, the number will not be zero. If that makes you frustrated or angry, it should. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help ensure corporate media outlets pay a price for their recklessness. A few options include: Boycotts: Americans can pressure those companies that advertise with offending media outlets. For the Post, that includes popular brands like Miller beer, Capital One, and Asics footwear. Pressure Owners: The Post is owned by Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon. Choose to shop elsewhere. Talk to Friends and Family: Many of us share stories on social media that discuss classified information. Gently remind them of the cost to our informants and Americas security. Strip Clearances: The Executive Branch can order reinvestigations of former and current officials who are suspected of leaking to the media. If they refuse to cooperate, they can be stripped of their lucrative security clearances. Meanwhile, its up to journalists to rediscover their moral compass. America needs them and their investigative reporting, especially to expose the wrongdoing of the rich and powerful. We do not, however, need them to unnecessarily risk the lives of our informants just to win a Pulitzer Prize or out-scoop a competitor. America deserves better. Earlier this week, after nearly uniform rejections by judges all across the country, President Donald Trump achieved a court victory in the persistent challenges to his most recent executive order restricting the immigration of people into the United States from six predominately Muslim countries. Lower federal courts had consistently ruled that the presidents behavior was animated by an anti-Muslim bias -- a bias he forcefully articulated during the presidential election campaign -- concluding that what appeared to be, on its face, a travel ban based rationally on national security needs was in reality a Muslim ban based on religious fear, prejudice or hatred. The Supreme Court unanimously saw it differently. Here is the back story. I have argued for months that both the first travel ban executive order, signed Jan. 27, and the second one, signed March 6, were lawful and constitutional because the courts have ruled that the Constitution gives the president exclusively the final say on foreign policy and because they have ruled that immigration is one of the tools he can use to effectuate that policy. Moreover, Congress has expressly authorized the president to suspend immigration from stated countries for finite periods of time to enhance national security. In order to do this and pass judicial muster, the presidents lawyers in the Department of Justice need only show that the president has a rational basis for his order. Trump argued that his rational basis was a determination by the State Department under former President Barack Obama, reinforced by his own State Department, that immigrants who would cause harm once here in the U.S. are more likely than not to come from the six designated countries in the second order -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The traditional Judeo-Christian view of governmental decisions that limit the liberties or opportunities of many because of the anticipated behavior of a few is that those decisions are unjust and need not be obeyed. Indeed, in America -- in our post-Civil War and post-civil rights eras -- we have come to the political and legal consensus that individual worthiness is personal and is not a characteristic of a group, and we have condemned other countries governments for punishing the many because of the fear or behavior of a few. Yet the issue before the high court regarding the presidents executive order is not its wisdom or morality or justness. The issue is its lawfulness and its constitutionality. If an executive order is based on a denial of a fundamental liberty (other than travel) -- speech or religion, for example -- then the DOJ has a much higher bar to meet, called strict scrutiny. Those of us who monitor these things have fairly well concluded that it cannot meet that high bar. Stated differently, if the high court concludes that the travel ban is really a Muslim ban, the court will invalidate the ban -- which every court to review it before the Supreme Court did. In the first challenge to the presidents first order, a federal district court in Seattle ruled that it was based on religion, and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling. Rather than appeal that to the Supreme Court, the president signed the second executive order -- which imposed the same restrictions as the first, but in more thoughtful, cautious and lawyerlike language. The second executive order was challenged in federal district courts in Honolulu and Annapolis, both of which ruled that it, too, was based on religion, and therefore they invalidated it. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond upheld the Annapolis decision, and the 9th Circuit in San Francisco upheld the Honolulu decision. The DOJ appealed both circuit court rulings to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court intervened. Bear in mind that there has been no trial in any of these cases. The rulings appealed from were all preliminary in nature, based not on cross-examined evidence but on the judges feel for the cases and their understanding of the law. The same is the case with the Supreme Court ruling. It did not say what the law is and what burdens the government must meet for the court to uphold the second executive order. But it did invalidate all injunctions imposed by the lower courts against the enforcement of the second order. In so doing, it carved out exceptions to the executive order. These judicially created exceptions provide that immigrants from the six countries are exempt from the travel ban if they can show that they have a relationship with a person or entity in the U.S. Though the word relationship is ambiguous, it can range from a job offer to a university admissions offer to a business opportunity to an anxious family member awaiting the immigrant in the United States. This judge-made exception to the presidents foreign policy was probably a compromise crafted by Chief Justice John Roberts intended to bring the liberal and conservative wings of the court to agreement on the limited issue of whether the second executive order can be in place and enforced by the government during the time that the court needs to examine it. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented on the exemptions. They argued that the court has no business or right interfering with the presidents foreign policy and that the relationship standard is so vague that it will spawn thousands of litigations. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument on the power of the president to use immigration travel bans as an instrument of foreign policy in October and will probably rule before Christmas. And then those who want to challenge the president in court will be able to contest the law as the Supreme Court will articulate it. And this troublesome business of banning people from coming here because of their place of origin will be with us for a long time. President Trumps meeting this week with South Koreas new president may be the most important summit hes had since his inauguration. Why? Because millions literally of lives are at stake. Its going to be a heavy lift. Thats because President Moon Jae-in ran for office on a platform of engaging his maniacal neighbor, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Thats in direct contrast to Trumps bellicose rhetoric about what hell do to the rogue state if it doesnt behave. The death of American Otto Warmbier, who was held captive by the North and released in terminal condition earlier this month, is an affront that Trump wants to avenge. Even more importantly, the Norths test launching of missiles that could be armed with nuclear weapons poses an increasingly real threat to South Korea and the rest of Asia. President Moon Jae-in ran for office on a platform of engaging his maniacal neighbor, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Thats in direct contrast to Trumps bellicose rhetoric about what hell do to the rogue state if it doesnt behave. The stakes are astronomically high at this point, says Harry Kazianis, Director of Defense Studies at the Center for the National Interest. North Korea is probably only a few years from being able to hit the U.S. homeland with a ballistic missile. Making matters worse, one of Moons first decisions as president was to delay installation of American anti-ballistic missiles known as THAADs that are designed to shoot down incoming North Korean ordnance before it reaches potential South Korean targets. The issues between the U.S. and its traditional ally go deeper than their North Korea policies. As a candidate, Trump railed against the U.S.-South Korean trade agreement, calling it a job killer. And candidate Moon was fond of saying he wouldnt be afraid to say no to the United States. Politics aside, the two men cant afford not to forge an alliance. If the North Koreans wanted to kill millions of people in one afternoon, they have biological and chemical weapons that could do just that, says Kazianis. Eventually the U.S. and South Korea would prevail, but the damage that would be done in the meantime would be catastrophic. Finally, Americas least conventional president has demonstrated a flamboyance that might not fly well with the more reserved Moon. So which Trump will show up this week? Lets hope its the one who held a successful summit with President Xi Jinping of China, which happens to be North Koreas biggest ally. Trump should reserve his Twitter personality for domestic consumption, and come to terms of practical cooperation with a crucial ally. Millions of lives depend on it. The Senate intelligence committee will receive former FBI Director James Comey's memos of his conversations with President Trump as part of its investigation into Russian actions during the 2016 election, the committee's top Democrat told reporters Wednesday. "We have a commitment to get appropriate access to the Comey memos," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. "I'm pleased, I think it's critical information we have to have as part of our review process." Warner said the committee would receive the memos "soon," but would not specify a date. He also did not say with whom the committee made the deal to receive the memos. Comey, who was fired by Trump as FBI Director May 9, told lawmakers earlier this month that he prepared multiple memos documenting conversations with the president that Comey said made him uneasy. One of the memos detailed a Feb. 14 conversation in which Trump requested that the FBI end an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. During his testimony before the Senate intelligence committee, Comey admitted to having a friend leak that memo to the media. Warner said he's anxious to see Comey's contemporaneous reflections on his meetings with the president, particularly the Oval Office discussion on Flynn. Warner wouldn't say if he knew if there were multiple copies of the memos. Earlier Wednesday, a source close to Trump's legal team told Fox News that they had indefinitely postponed filing ethics complaints against Comey with the Department of Justice inspector general and the Senate Judiciary Committee in relation to the leaked Feb. 14 memo. The source said the postponement was in deference to the ongoing FBI investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller. Fox News' John Roberts and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Jack Phillips is no stranger to controversy. The owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado, Phillips ignited a national debate after he refused to create a wedding cake for a gay couple in 2012. Since then, Phillips says he has lost a chunk of his business revenue, received death threats and been subjected to vile online reviews. But thats not the worst of it, Phillips told Fox News in an exclusive interview. For him, the most trying piece of the whole controversy is the hateful comments directed even unintentionally at his wife and daughter. In all of this, the threats against me or disparaging comments, the worst part is that I have to answer the phone so theyre not threatening my wife or my daughter when they pick it up, Phillips said. They dont wait to see whos on the phone. You pick up the phone, theyre already talking. Phillips added that he also tries to shield the other employees at the bakery from negative comments directed at him at times becoming emotional as he spoke about his employees and family. The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether Phillips discriminated against the gay couple when he refused to bake them a wedding cake due to his religious beliefs. Phillips said he didnt refuse the couple service and offered to sell them anything in the store. But when it came to actively participating in the couples wedding, thats where Phillips drew the line. So the nations highest court is now tasked with striking a balance between the religious rights of Phillips with the couples right to equal treatment under the law. Oral arguments will likely be held in the court's fall term. This has always been about more than a cake, David Mullins, one of the men who tried to purchase the wedding cake, said in a statement this week. Businesses should not be allowed to violate the law and discriminate against us because of who we are and who we love. Mullins husband, Craig, added that the two are disappointed that the court has continued with the case. US SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE COLORADO GAY WEDDING CAKE CASE: TIMELINE Phillips doesnt usually speak about the harassment hes been subjected to since he refused to bake the cake, but the grandfather of three told Fox News that hes been pretty regularly bombarded with vulgar comments over the phone and through email. He says hes only received two actual death threats but he's also been told that he doesn't deserve to live and that Christians should be thrown into the Roman Colosseum with lions." One of those threats, Phillips said, came just a few weeks after he refused to bake the cake long before the story garnered national attention. Then, a man called to say that he knew Phillips' daughter, Lisa, was working at the bakery. The man proceeded to give point-by-point driving directions to the cakeshop, where he would murder them. It could have just been somebody calling and they knew the area, and it could have been someone in Connecticut looking at a map, Phillips recalled. "But they knew that Lisa was there. Phillips was also hurt, he said, when a member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission compared him to a perpetrator of the Holocaust. Freedom of religion and religion has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history, whether it be slavery, whether it be the Holocaust, Commissioner Diann Rice said in a brief. I mean, we can list hundreds of situations where freedom of religion has been used to justify discrimination." Phillips teared up as he described how even after his father was severely injured during combat in World War II, he still was part of a team to help liberate a Nazi concentration camp. For her to compare standing for my faith and not making a cake to Hitlers atrocities just is unspeakable, an emotional Phillips said. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OR DISCRIMINATION? GAY WEDDING CAKE AT CENTER OF COLORADO APPEALS COURT CASE Kristen Waggoner, an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative nonprofit legal organization that represents Phillips, called the comment deeply offensive and biased. Waggoner argued Thursday that the small business owner is the one who has been persecuted since the interaction with the couple. She said she recently spoke at an internationally-attended summit on religious persecution and was approached by people concerned about how Christians are treated in the U.S. The marginalization of Christians in America today removing them from their jobs, banning them or purging them from entire professions thats a step toward physical persecution, Waggoner said she was told. You see that kind of marginalization in other countries, too. Its a more polite type of persecution, but nonetheless it is. Its forcing someone to choose between their faith and making a living and supporting their family in their vocation, Waggoner told Fox News. Across their three presidential debates last year, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump uttered the word jobs 86 times but the word automation never came up. And by all accounts, nothing is going to transform the American labor market more dramatically, and likely for the worse, than the increasing trend toward automation: on assembly lines, in self-driving cars, even clerical and white-collar positions once considered unthinkable for robots to occupy. Credible projections now forecast that 40 percent of all jobs in the United States today could be eliminated by 2030, just 13 years from now, have led futurists, labor market analysts, and leading CEOs to ask what will become of all the workers soon to be displaced by technology, and whether industrialized democratic societies, seeking stability in such a radically reshaped economic environment, might benefit from some orderly redistribution of wealth. And leading the charge are two of Americas most prominent titans of the digital age. NO PENSION? NO PROBLEM. ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET GUARANTEED INCOME In a commencement address to graduates at Harvard University last month, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said the coming wave of automation and displacement will require a new social contract between the government and the governed. We should have a society that measures progress not by economic metrics like GDP but by how many of us have a role we find meaningful, Zuckerberg said. "We should explore ideas like universal basic income to give everyone a cushion to try new things. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk has twice in recent months spoken out in favor of the concept of direct unconditional cash payments from the government to all citizens, regardless of work status. There will be fewer and fewer jobs that a robot cannot do better, Musk told the World Government Summit in Dubai in February. These are not things I wish will happen; these are things I think probably will happenWhat to do about mass unemployment? This is going to be a massive social challenge. And I think ultimately we will have to have some kind of universal basic income. I don't think we're going to have a choice. The concept is hardly new. In his 1976 book The Politics of A Guaranteed Income , liberal adviser Daniel Patrick Moynihan recounted how he persuaded a Republican president, Richard Nixon, to embrace the idea, in the form of the Family Assistance Plan, a measure the Nixon White House unveiled in 1970 and which quickly died in the Senate. DR. KEITH ABLOW: SHOULD TRUMP STOP ROBOTS FROM STEALING JOBS? Unconditional cash transfers have been tested on a small scale in locales like Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands, with the results disputed. Proponents have cited a number of positive outcomes, including improvements in work ethic and wellness among recipients. A state legislator in Hawaii recently introduced a measure that made the Aloha State the first in the nation to commit to studying the concept of a universal basic income. Whether the basic income package would replace or supplant the existing social safety net provided by state and federal governments, whether it would be extended to all citizens or solely to workers displaced by technology, or just to those with the slimmest prospects of finding another job all these are questions still to be answered definitively, with no discernible consensus among proponents. But experts told Fox News advocacy for the concept is not limited to any part of the ideological spectrum, with adherents to be found among liberals and traditionally conservative libertarians. Those most disturbed by the prospect are classic free-market conservatives, like Michael Strain, director of economic policy studies at the conservative AEI think tank in Washington. Im not that pessimistic about the ability of the American worker to adapt to the new economy, and Im not that pessimistic about the ability of public policy to help workers adapt to the new economy, Strain told Fox News. And I think we should continue to have pro-work as the motivating philosophy behind our safety net. WENDY'S INSTALLING SELF-ORDERING KIOSKS IN 1,000 RESTAURANTS Adam Keiper of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington told a congressional committee in May 2016 that a universal basic income could prove less complicated than continuing the bureaucratic system of welfare, and predicted more intensive debate over the concept. It's surprising how you get people on the left and the right talking about this with interest, Kepier told the Joint Economic Committee. [Theres] very little interest in the kind of moderate middle, although I think that is likely to change in the years ahead. Musk, whose empire also includes the rocket firm SpaceX, pointed to a deeper issue associated with a universal basic income: what a leading pastor once called the purpose driven life. Even if those displaced by the ravages of automation are well looked after through a guaranteed income scheme, will that be enough to preserve the existing social order? The much harder challenge is: How are people going to have meaning? Musk told the Dubai summit. A lot of people derive their meaning from their employment. So if there's no need for your labor, what's your meaning? Do you feel useless? That's a much harder problem to deal with. Call it a "strip"-tease: Nevada this weekend will technically legalize marijuana possession, but that doesn't mean gamblers and revelers can light up on the Las Vegas Strip. The new rules go into effect on July 1, allowing people 21 and older to legally possess an ounce of marijuana. The law, however, does not allow for public consumption on the Las Vegas Strip or in any casino or hotel. State gaming regulators have taken the stance that since the substance remains illegal on a federal level, casino owners should not jeopardize their license. Meanwhile, residents continue to fiercely debate the scope and merits of the policy approved by ballot measure last fall. Clark County will hold a public hearing Aug. 1 to consider whether to outlaw the possession of the substance at McCarran International Airport. Even this weekend's implementation was fraught with legal issues. A lingering court dispute over rights of distribution and transport between dispensaries and alcohol vendors threatened to push off the start date -- but legalization is now set to proceed. Ahead of the July Fourth holiday, sellers in and around Las Vegas are expecting a high volume of customers come Saturday. Andrew Jolley, owner of the local dispensary Source, is confident about the changing tides of opinion when it comes to the drug. The reality is much different than the stigma, he said. The reality is that crime goes down, abuse is not dramatically impacted, if anything it goes down. Opioid addiction and opioid problems decrease in states with medical marijuana and I think people are realizing, through examples like Colorado and Washington and Oregon, that medical programs and legalization dont lead to negative societal impacts, if anything its the opposite. The Nevada state legislature passed a medical marijuana law in 2013 and while dispensary owners have admitted that sales have been sluggish, they hope recreational marijuana legalization will offset the difference. Armen Yemenidjian, owner of the Essence dispensary on the strip, touts Nevadas record for compliance in other industries and compared it to the gaming business: The reason why Nevada is different is because we are Nevada. We are a state that is built on regulation, a state that is built on enforcement, a state that is built on compliance. We have gaming here which is the most highly regulated, highly compliant industry there is. Some opponents, though, blast the expedited process of legalization. Rather than taking a full year to implement, Nevada wanted the rollout done in six months. Nevadas politicians have bought into this notion that there is a lot of tax revenue that will be immediately available to us if we expedite this, and theyre merged together with the industry that is begging for recreational marijuana because they apparently have an under-subscription of people that are buying medical marijuana, said James Hartman, who fought the original ballot measure and helped found Nevadans for Responsible Drug Policy. He thinks the industry and Nevada politicians made a backroom deal. The substance will be heavily taxed around 30-35 percent. Hartman cited Colorado and Alaska as states where projected tax revenues have fallen short of initial projections. Alaska legalized recreational marijuana in February 2015 after a referendum vote the previous November. The states Department of Revenue projected $12 million in sales for 2016; however the latest figures show officials only collected $692,929 in marijuana tax revenue by late October of last year. Even though the ballot proposal passed by 55 percent in the 2016 election, 13 of Nevadas 17 counties voted against it. Hartman offered a remedy for some local jurisdictions, suggesting they use zoning regulations and public nuisance measures and pass ordinances saying they will only follow federal marijuana laws. Municipalities do have the choice to opt out. The expansive investigation into Russian meddling and possible collusion with Trump associates has grown so vast that no fewer than nine congressional committees and federal agencies are now examining some offshoot of the controversy. And despite the inquiries to date having produced no indictments or hard evidence of collusion between the president's men and a foreign power, even more officials and entities are looking to bite off a piece of the probe. The main problem is that after months and months of multiple investigations, no one has found any evidence of collusion, a congressional source told Fox News. So the Democrats are trying to shift the focus from collusion to obstruction, and since it doesnt look like that will pan out for them either, they surely have some new accusation ready to put out there. Its in their political interest to drag out these investigations as long as possible. Proponents of the probes warn nothing less than democracy is at stake -- but the frustration in Trump World is palpable. Anthony Scaramucci, the former Trump adviser who was the subject of a since-retracted CNN.com story on Russia, on Thursday called the narrative a "bunch of nonsense." The investigation, though, shows no sign of abating, amid a steady drip-drip of news reports on questionable Russia contacts that only feed the curiosity in Washington. The furthest-reaching of all the investigations would be the special counsel probe led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller, appointed in May to examine any connections between Trump associates and Russian officials in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Muellers crew, which immediately absorbed several high-powered lawyers, joined eight other investigative bodies examining aspects of the Russia controversy. They are: CIA Treasury Department Department of Defense inspector general Senate Intelligence Committee Senate Judiciary Committee House Intelligence Committee House Oversight Committee Senate Armed Services Committee Other groups are looking to get in on the action. Democrats on the financial services committee have requested bank records in an effort to tie Trump to Russian interests. Trumps own Election Integrity Commission is facing calls from New Hampshires and Maines secretaries of state to examine Russian interference. Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub wants to find out if Russia pushed anti-Hillary Clinton ads on social media. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for our democracy, Weintraub, a Democrat, wrote. Several congressional probes are bipartisan in nature, though the focus of Republicans and Democrats on those committees varies. Members of both parties are concerned about Russian meddling, but the collusion claims are being pursued more aggressively by Democrats. The DOJ, specifically, is looking into any links or coordination between Team Trump and Russia but also has leeway to investigate any matters that might arise from that investigation. That means, by the end of Muellers term, charges could materialize that have little to do with Russia or the presidential election (a not uncommon outcome to which former President Bill Clinton and former vice presidential aide I. Lewis Scooter Libby can attest). The CIA, meanwhile, is focused on the foreign aspect and actors involved in the alleged Russian plot to meddle in the election. The Treasury Departments financial crimes unit is scrutinizing former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and the Department of Defenses inspector general is examining payments from Russia and Turkey made to former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. In the Senate, the intelligence committee is trying to broadly analyze exactly what Russia did to influence the election. Some on the judiciary committee, in the wake of former FBI Director James Comeys testimony, wants to know if former Attorney General Loretta Lynch interfered in the Hillary Clinton email investigation and the armed services committee is inquiring about how to improve cybersecurity and defend against future hacking attempts, such as the type allegedly perpetrated by Russia. The House intelligence committee wants to answer: What did Russia do, did it have links to political campaigns, what was the U.S. government response and how/why has classified information about the meddling been released? At the same time, the oversight committee is looking into Flynn. The intelligence committee may be the most controversial of the congressional probes due to Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., temporarily recusing himself over ethics violations accusations. Nunes, who denies the charges, also made news after a source showed him classified documents which Nunes said bolstered Trumps contention that Obama administration officials leaked damaging information to the press about the Trump team. The plethora of probes has not only led to a never-ending news cycle in which some committee or department is questioning some witness or having some information leaked to the press, but the investigations have also battled for access to the same witnesses at times, never mind the same information. "The jurisdiction's pretty fragmented, and that's kind of a problem," Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn told BuzzFeed in February. Case in point: Comey testified before the Senate intelligence panel on June 8, but rejected a request to appear in front of the judiciary committee. The judiciary panel also lost out to intelligence on testimony from Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. The Judiciary Committee has primary responsibility for FBI oversight, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in May. If former Director Comey testifies, he should do so before both the intelligence and judiciary committees. But, to Trump supporters, the biggest danger of the investigative maelstrom is the inevitability of some charges being filed even if they don't have anything to do with collusion. This is like watching an old-fashioned Western movie. This is an Indian hunting party, Trump ally and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on Hannity earlier this month. They're out looking for a couple scalps, and they're not going to go home until they get some. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders did not back down from defending President Trump on Thursday against what was becoming a bipartisan rebuke of his morning tweet mocking MSNBC co-host Mika Brzezinski over a supposed face-lift. I dont think its a surprise to anybody that he fights fire with fire, Sanders said of the president, answering a barrage of questions about the Twitter battle at the White House briefing. The presidents often-caustic Twitter sparring sessions are nothing new, but Thursday mornings putdown of the Morning Joe hosts was seen by some lawmakers and media personalities as a step too far. Speaking of Joe Scarborough and Brzezinski, he wrote in a pair of tweets: I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (dont watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Years Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle chided the president for the personal attack. "Obviously, I don't see that as an appropriate comment," House Speaker Paul Ryan said, joining a chorus that included Sens. Ben Sasse, Lindsey Graham and John McCain. "What we're trying to do around here is improve the tone, the civility, of the debate; and this obviously doesn't help do that." The co-hosts also shot back and MSNBC said in a statement: "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job." But Sanders was steadfast in maintaining Trump did not go too far. When he gets attacked, hes going to hit back, she said. Hes not going to sit back and be attacked by the liberal media, Hollywood, elites -- and when they hit him, hes going to hit back. She accused the show of attacking him mercilessly and said, I guess its kind of like were living in the Twilight Zone. They do this day after day after day. She also said some want to cast his tweet only as an attack on a woman, but countered, What about the constant attacks that he receives? ... Im a woman and Ive been attacked by this show multiple times. As more reporters started shouting questions on the tweets, Sanders tried to move on. Im sorry guys, Ive answered this question, she said. The controversy, though, threatens to distract for now from the presidents primary policy goals of getting a health care bill passed through the Senate and pushing for passage of a pair of anti-illegal immigration bills. Earlier in the day, Brzezinski appeared to respond with a photo of a cereal box featuring a young girl pointing to the words Made For Little Hands. The jab was a throwback to 2016's mockery of Trump's hand size. Scarborough simply retweeted a sarcastic remark referencing the once-floated anti cyber-bullying campaign that had briefly been attached to first lady Melania Trump and also a tweet from law professor Laurence Tribe featuring a gif of Trump mocking another reporter. A spokesperson for the first lady said in a statement: "As the First Lady has stated publicly in the past, when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder." During the Republican primaries, Trump had a cozy relationship with the Morning Joe hosts. But as Trump ascended to the position of likely nominee and then the official Republican standard-bearer, Scarborough and Brzezinski turned more critical and Trump stopped his semi-regular call-ins to the show. After Trump won the presidency, the relationship initially seemed back on track, with Scarborough and Brzezinski who are engaged even visiting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club, the meeting Trump ostensibly referred to in his tweets. A story about the couples engagement even featured an anecdote wherein Trump offered to officiate their wedding. More recently, however, Scarborough and Brzezinski have again begun knocking Trump even going so far as to question his mental state. On Thursday morning, Brzezinski went on an extended diatribe urging Trumps Cabinet members to stand up to him. Everybody in Washington, in the administration, needs to look at this from, I think, a point of view where theyre not lobotomized because youre sitting in there and youre so scared of him, and you think you need to suck up to the president, Brzezinski said. You need to look at this like any company. She added: Lets say someone came into NBC and took over NBC, and started tweeting wildly about peoples appearances, bullying people, talking about people in the competition, lying every day, undermining his managers, throwing them under the (bus) that person would be thrown out. Its just not normal behavior. In fact, there would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind. Its unclear, however, if Trump saw the critique, as he tweeted that he no longer watched the program. Fox News' Cody Derespina contributed to this report. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is dismissing a reported FBI probe into whether his wife fraudulently obtained a $10 million loan for a Burlington College expansion as a "pathetic" and political attack. But the complaint that supposedly triggered the scrutiny raises numerous red flags about the application that might not be so easily ignored, including the sources she listed as proof of the school's ability to repay. The loan was arranged by Sanders wife, Jane OMeara Sanders, when she was president of the now-closed college to acquire 33 acres of lakefront property to improve and expand the small, non-traditional school. Sen. Sanders, a 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and torchbearer of the progressive movement, has alternately ignored and dismissed concerns about the deal since news of a probe broke this spring. On Monday, Sanders rebuffed a Fox News producers question about whether he thinks the ordeal is politically motivated. The next day on CNN, Sanders noted the complaint was filed coincidentally no doubt when Im a candidate for president of the United States by an individual connected to the Trump campaign. Sanders, a former Burlington mayor, called the attack on his wife pretty pathetic, while declining to confirm whether his wife was indeed under FBI investigation. Still, people close to the couple, including Sanders' presidential campaign manager Jeff Weaver, have confirmed that the independent senator and his wife each have retained a lawyer in connection with the case. Jane Sanders, college president from 2004-2011, structured the loan deal in two parts -- a $6.5 million loan from Peoples United Bank to buy tax-exempt bonds issued by a state agency that signed off on the deal and a $3.65 million second mortgage from the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Burlington. To secure the money, Sanders submitted a spreadsheet that attempted to show the school had $2.4 million in confirmed pledges, grants and other funds to repay the debt. The document -- obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request and listed as exhibit B in the original complaint -- showed the money would come from 40 separate entries. However, each entry was denoted only by initials, under such categories as friends or faculty and staff and with no additional documentation, according to the complaint filed to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.s office of the inspector general. Problems repaying the debt started roughly a year after the deal was signed, when the college received just $279,000 of the confirmed pledges, according to the website VTDigger.org, which first reported the loan story. The site also reported that first entry on the spreadsheet -- C.B.M. for $1 million over roughly six years -- is in fact a woman named Corinne Bove Maitta who apparently said she promised the money upon her death. The school and Maitta dispute the terms of the agreement with supporting documents now believed to be in the hands of FBI agents who have reportedly visited the school and removed records several times over the past months. The complaint was first published in news reports; the attorney behind the document confirmed its authenticity. The original document was sent in January 2016 to the FDIC and the U.S. attorney for the district of Vermont by the law firm of diGenova and Toensing. Partner Brady Toensing, a former Donald Trump presidential campaign official, wrote the complaint -- and followed up with a second letter alleging Sen. Sanders' Senate office tried to influence the deal. That letter provided little detail. However, a source told Fox News on Wednesday that a former Peoples United Bank executive openly complained at a luncheon that Sanders office pressured the bank to approve the loan, saying make it happen. Sanders Capitol Hill office on Wednesday did not respond to requests for comment. The FBI declined to discuss the matter, citing a pending investigation. Much of the attention has been focused on whether Mrs. Sanders has violated any laws in connection with the bank loan. But Senator Sanders may have to worry about ethics violations of his own, if the bank loan was not provided on a commercially reasonable basis, but because of Mrs. Sanderss relationship to a United States senator, Caleb Burns, a partner at the Washington law firm Wiley Rein specializing in election law and government ethics, said Wednesday. In fall 2011, Burlington College negotiated Sanders' resignation that included a $200,000 severance package. The college sold off some of the acreage along Lake Champlain to stay afloat. But the bank called the loan in spring 2016. And the school closed amid the debt, declining enrollment and related problems at the new waterfront campus. The law firm filed the complaint as the legal representative for several aggrieved Vermont parishioners and asked U.S. officials to investigate what appears to be federal loan fraud, as a result of the apparent overstatement or misrepresentation of confirmed contributions and grants. Toensing said the Diocese lost $1.6 million to $2 million in principal and uncollectable interest in the deal and the banks losses remain unknown. Anthony Scaramucci, the former Trump adviser at the heart of a now-retracted CNN story, warned Thursday that media organizations everywhere need to tighten up editorial standards or risk their integrity while calling the Russia collusion controversy a bunch of nonsense. Once you start to lose your integrity and your reputation as a news organization, people start to get tone deaf, he told Fox & Friends. Scaramucci was the subject of a CNN.com story that tried to draw a link between him and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, citing a January meeting with an official from the fund. The report cited a source claiming Scaramucci discussed the prospect of lifting U.S. sanctions. CNN later retracted the story, and three journalists at the network resigned. Scaramucci, who has since been named to the U.S. Export-Import Bank, said Thursday he merely had an encounter with the individual at a restaurant, but it was not a planned meeting. He said he made clear to CNN that the story was not accurate and that it was a defamatory story. He added that he didn't go to sue them or anything like that. The White House has since cited the report and retraction in stepping up its complaints about the medias reporting on the controversy over Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trump associates. Scaramucci said Thursday he wants to focus on the presidents agenda and called the Russia narrative nonsense. I worked on the transition. I think its a bunch of nonsense. I would like it to stop, certainly was nonsense related to me. It's probably nonsense related to others. And the big point about the whole thing is that the president has got a great agenda for all the American people, he said. In the retraction, the network said the story did not meet CNNs editorial standards. When a University of Washington study came out this week showing Seattles minimum wage has cost 5,000 jobs and is hurting low income workers, city leaders attacked the messenger - a team of respected economists at Washingtons premiere public university. The researchers, led by Jacob Vigdor, were hired by the city in 2014 to study the effects of Seattles $15 wage experiment. The contract called for five years of research. City officials stopped funding the UW team when they didnt like the results. The moment we saw it was based on flawed methodology and was going to be unreliable, the Vigdor study no longer speaks for City Hall, said Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant. Sawant, a former economics professor at Seattle Central Community College who ran for office as a Socialist, accused the UW team of ideologically editorializing." She and Mayor Ed Murray then contacted Michael Reich, an economics professor at the University of California at Berkeley. SEATTLE'S MINIMUM WAGE HIKE HURTING LOW-LEVEL WORKERS, STUDY SAYS Reich is currently co-chair of the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment. Before earning his PhD in economics from Harvard, Reich was a founding member of the Union for Radical Political Economics (URPE), a group seeking a "human-centered radical alternative to capitalism," according to its website. Reich has authored several studies on the effects of raising the minimum wage. They all concluded that increasing the minimum wage only helps low-skilled workers. As soon as Seattle politicians knew the University of Washington study found raising Seattles minimum wage from $11 to $13 an hour led to a 9-percent cut in hours worked and an average of $125 less earned each month, they commissioned Reich to do his own study and then criticized UWs research. According to emails obtained by Fox News, Reich was given a deadline by Murray. His work was to be completed just before the University of Washington team announced its results. Vigdor, the director of the study, shared with city council staffers the preliminary results of the research and provided a timeline for when it would be made public. MINIMUM WAGE HIKES MAY MALIGN FAST-FOOD JOBS AND DISCOUNT SHOPPERS Were doing work thats in the publics interest, Vigdor said, and the value we place on being transparent with the city outweighs any reaction they might have. The stakes in this war of studies are high. A national campaign called Fight for $15 aims to make Seattles law the federal minimum wage. So far, the campaigns wins have come primarily in New York and California. Critics call what Seattle leaders did an egregious act of science shopping. They see the future of their Fight for $15 campaign grinding to a halt, said Michael Saltsman, a Forbes Magazine contributor, so I think thats why theyre working and using some of these unseemly tactics to try and discredit the economists who are doing their best to carefully study whats happening. Many leading economists have reviewed the University of Washington study. Several have praised the work as credible. And on the third day, President Trump targeted Morning Joe. After attacking numerous media outlets including The New York Times and CNN in morning tweets on Tuesday and Wednesday, Trump on Thursday went after MSNBC show Morning Joe and its hosts, former Congressman Joe Scarborough and commentator Mika Brzezinski. He even took a shot at Brzezinski over a supposed face-lift. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (dont watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Years Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Trump wrote in a pair of tweets. About a half hour before Trumps attack, White House Director of Social Media Dan Scavino tweeted his own broadside at Scarborough and Brzezinski: #DumbAsARockMika and lover #JealousJoe are lost, confused & saddened since @POTUS @realDonaldTrump stopped returning their calls! Unhinged. Brzezinski appeared to respond with a photo of a cereal box featuring a young girl pointing to the words Made For Little Hands. The jab was a throwback to 2016's mockery of Trump's hand size. Even former Republican primary opponent Sen. Marco Rubio lobbed a joke on the topic at one debate, leading to an awkward exchange with Trump. Scarborough simply retweeted a sarcastic remark referencing the once-floated anti cyber-bullying campaign that had briefly been attached to first lady Melania Trump and also a tweet from law professor Laurence Tribe featuring a gif of Trump mocking another reporter. "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job," MSNBC said in a statement. The White House defended Trump's tweets. "I dont think that the president's ever been someone who gets attacked and doesnt push back," Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on "America's Newsroom." "There have been an outrageous number of personal attacks...This is a president who fights fire with fire and certainly will not be bullied by the liberal media." A spokesperson for the First Lady said in a statement: "As the First Lady has stated publicly in the past, when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder." Congressional Republicans, however, largely denounced the remarks. "Obviously, I don't see that as an appropriate comment," House Speaker Paul Ryan said, joining a chorus that included Sens. Ben Sasse, Lindsey Graham and John McCain. "What we're trying to do around here is improve the tone, the civility, of the debate; and this obviously doesn't help do that." During the Republican primaries, Trump had a cozy relationship with the Morning Joe hosts. But as Trump ascended to the position of likely nominee and then the official Republican standard-bearer, Scarborough and Brzezinski turned more critical and Trump stopped his semi-regular call-ins to the show. After Trump won the presidency, the relationship initially seemed back on track, with Scarborough and Brzezinski who are engaged even visiting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club, the meeting Trump ostensibly referred to in his tweets. A story about the couples engagement even featured an anecdote wherein Trump offered to officiate their wedding. More recently, however, Scarborough and Brzezinski have again begun knocking Trump even going so far as to question his mental state. On Thursday morning, Brzezinski went on an extended diatribe urging Trumps Cabinet members to stand up to him. Everybody in Washington, in the administration, needs to look at this from, I think, a point of view where theyre not lobotomized because youre sitting in there and youre so scared of him, and you think you need to suck up to the president, Brzezinski said. You need to look at this like any company. She added: Lets say someone came into NBC and took over NBC, and started tweeting wildly about peoples appearances, bullying people, talking about people in the competition, lying every day, undermining his managers, throwing them under the (bus) that person would be thrown out. Its just not normal behavior. In fact, there would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind. Its unclear, however, if Trump saw the critique, as he tweeted that he no longer watched the program. President Trump will meet with Russia President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit next week in Germany, the White House confirmed Thursday. National security adviser H.R. McMaster confirmed that the meeting is one of several Trump has scheduled when he is in Hamburg, Germany, next week. McMaster and economic adviser Gary Cohn would not say whether the president intends to address accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, saying that the agenda is "not finalized" for this or any other meeting. All 17 U.S. intelligence agencies have agreed Russia was behind last year's hack of Democratic email systems and tried to influence the 2016 election to benefit Trump. Members of his campaign are also under investigation for possible collusion with Russia in the lead-up to the election. Trump has staunchly denied that he had any contacts with Russia during his White House bid. "Our relationship with Russia is not different from that with any other country in terms of us communicating to them really what our concerns are, where we see problems with the relationship but also opportunities," McMaster said. He added that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is taking the lead on the discussions and "has been engaged in a broad, wide-range discussion about irritants, problems in the relationship but also to explore opportunities, where we can work together, areas of common interest. So it won't be different from our discussions with any other country." McMaster added that Trump also plans to meet with the leaders of several other countries -- among them, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, South Korea The Associated Press contributed to this report. The man credited with killing Usama bin Laden has turned his attention from storming compounds in Abbottabad, Pakistan, to tweet storms like the one he launched against a White House spokeswoman on Wednesday, criticizing Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders for her defense of the Veterans Affairs Administration and even making the fight personal. ONeill, a Fox News contributor, apparently got angry after Sanders, while castigating the media during a White House press briefing, lamented that reporters werent covering stories such as the success at the VA. I just heard @SarahHuckabee talk about successes at the VA. PLEASE explain and I would LOVE to debate you. VA is a damn insult to vets!! ONeill began the series of messages. He added: Following up to @SarahHuckabee on the VA Im a combat vet... killed UBL.. and I PAY FOR PRIVATE healthcare ..most vets CANT afford it! And: insulted by @SarahHuckabee for praising the VA today. I bet youve never had your wallet stolen by STAFF while getting a CAT scan.I have! VIDEO: SANDERS ON HEALTH CARE, ATTACKS BY MEDIA Then ONeill implied that Sanders whose father is former Arkansas Governor and current Fox News contributor Mike Huckabee didnt understand the plight of veterans who have to receive care at VA hospitals because of Sanders family connections. I want to invite @SarahHuckabee to go with me to ANY VA to see how awful they are. Im sure daddy got you better healthcare..and that job! he tweeted. My beef is that the VA are the worst hospitals ANYWHERE. Dont get up there and defend the successes. They suck. Thievery and bad people. TRUMP TAKES IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT CLOSED FUNDRAISER But eventually ONeill softened his tone towards Sanders. We agree on a lot of things. But her VA comment was laughable. Shes obviously never been to one. Happy to take her and show her, he wrote. ONeill added: OK, I was too hard on @SarahHuckabee but she should go pop in to the VA right up the street.. unannounced and see what a depressing dump! Sanders didnt immediately respond to Fox News request for comment. U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has been accused of a violating a law limiting government employees' political activity by voicing support for a South Carolina congressional candidate. In a letter sent Tuesday to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, accused the former South Carolina governor of violating the Hatch Act when she retweeted one of President Donald Trump's Twitter messages earlier this month supporting Republican Ralph Norman. On June 19, the day before Norman faced off with Democrat Archie Parnell in South Carolina's 5th District, Trump sent several tweets praising the millionaire real estate developer as someone who would be a help to him in Congress and urging voters to "#VoteRalphNorman tomorrow!" Later that day, according to CREW, Haley retweeted the first message from her verified Twitter account, which lists her as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. At the time, the group said, Haley had at least 356,000 followers. Haley deleted the message after journalists questioned it on Twitter. The group said Haley should still be investigated and disciplined. A Haley spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a text message. Haley wouldn't be the first Trump administration official accused of sending tweets in violation of the Hatch Act, a 1939 law allowing government officials to personally donate money to political committees or engage in a variety of partisan activities, so long as they do so during their personal time and don't use government resources. Earlier this month, White House social media director Dan Scavino was issued a warning for using an official-looking Twitter account to call for a Michigan congressman's defeat. CREW filed a complaint in that case also, and Scavino was warned if he engages in such activity in the future, the office will consider it a "willful and knowing violation of the law." Other Cabinet officials campaigned in a special election to fill Georgia's 6th District seat, with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue stumping for Republican Karen Handel earlier this month. An invite for that event reportedly didn't mention the title "secretary" instead calling the two Cabinet officials "special guests." Earlier this year, Haley made a nominal donation of $100 to the GOP primary campaign of Norman, a former state lawmaker who was one of her chief legislative supporters when she served as governor. The Curiosity Mars Rover is now smart enough to pick its own targets for exploration, according to a new study. The secret to Curiosity's better brain was a software update sent from the ground in October 2015, called the Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science (AEGIS). This was the first time artificial intelligence had been tried on a remote probe, and the results have shown that similar AI techniques could be applied to future missions, according to the NASA scientists working on the project. AEGIS allows the rover to be "trained" to identify rocks with certain characteristics that scientists on the ground want to investigate. This is valuable because Curiosity's human controllers can't be in direct contact with the rover all the time. Instead of waiting for instructions to "go there and sample that piece of rock," Curiosity can now look for targets even when it isn't in contact with its human controllers, according to a new study that describes Curiosity's use of the software. [Amazing Mars Rover Curiosity's Latest Photos] "We can't be in constant contact with the rover Mars rotates and when [Curiosity is] on the far side we can't get in touch with it," Raymond Francis, lead system engineer for the deployment of AEGIS, told Space.com. According to the study, once the AEGIS system was deployed, it was used 54 times between May 13, 2016, and April 7, 2017. Without intelligent targeting, Curiosity could be expected to hit a target the scientists were interested in about 24 percent of the time; with AEGIS, the rover managed 93 percent, according to the study. Even when the rover is in contact, the signals from Earth to Mars take time to get there and back. In May 2016, Mars was the closest it had been to Earth in 11 years 46.8 million miles. A radio signal would take just over 4 minutes to get there and four more to get back. So if there is something planetary scientists want a closer look at, it can take a while to send the commands. Idle time is often lost science time for the rover mission, and because sending a robot to Mars is expensive and difficult, it's not ideal. A few hours hanging around each day may not seem like much, but it adds up over the course of an entire mission. With AEGIS, the rover could drive to a location, choose targets for investigation and gather data while it waits for radio contact with Earth again. That means Earth-bound scientists are free to choose a new target once they re-establish contact with the rover. For the study, the NASA team trained Curiosity, with the AEGIS software, to analyze bedrock in a feature called the Murray formation after each drive. The Murray formation is a rocky outcrop with characteristic bands of mudstone, possibly laid down by lakes of liquid water. One question the scientists wanted to answer was whether the chemical composition of the Murray formation changed over time, because that could reveal changes in the water chemistry, divulging more about the history of water on Mars. This analysis of the Murray formation required taking many samples of the mudstone, but doing them would take time away from other experiments and observations. With AEGIS, Curiosity took care of these repetitive observations when it was out of touch with Earth, and researchers would not be using it for more advanced tasks. One could use AEGIS to train Curiosity to look for other types of rock, Francis said. The AEGIS system works by using two of the rover's cameras, the Chemistry and Camera instrument (ChemCam) and the navigation cameras. The software uses images captured by the cameras, and tries to recognize edges of objects in the frame, and looks for edges that connect to create a "loop." "If you find edges that close into a loop you've found an object and on Mars that's usually a rock," Francis said. AEGIS can also look at the relative brightness of the various objects in the frame (the navigation cameras don't have color vision). The combination of edges and brightness allows AEGIS to identify objects. The science team will have criteria for what kinds of things count as interesting for example, brightly colored bedrock and the rover can then use the cameras to "choose" a target. The ChemCam can then use a powerful instrument called a laser spectrometer that uses light to find out what a target is made of. There are limitations to AEGIS' abilities; for example, the rover sometimes identified a rock's shadow as part of the rock's outline. Even so, the software has proved a useful tool, the study said. Francis notes that the autonomy will likely become a fixture for many future robotic missions. "The farther you go in the solar system, the longer the light time delay, the more decisions need to be made on the spot," he said. The study appears in the June 21 issue of the journal Science Robotics. Follow us @Spacedotcom , Facebook and Google+ . Original article on Space.com . Robotic pincers inspired by geckos could help collect garbage in space, a new study finds. In experiments, the device was able to glom on to objects in the lab and even floating items within the International Space Station. Someday, such grippers could be used in maintenance robots in space or factory robots on Earth, according to the researchers, who reported the results of their study in the June 28 issue of the journal Science Robotics. More than 500,000 pieces of debris currently orbit Earth, according to NASA. This space junk can travel at speeds of up to about 17,500 mph (28,100 km/h), posing a major hazard to astronauts, satellites and spacecraft. [Worst Space Debris Events of All Time] Collisions with orbiting debris have already led to millions of dollars in losses. Moreover, such disasters can generate more debris that could go on to destroy more objects in space a catastrophic chain-reaction scenario known as the "Kessler syndrome." Despite the hazards that space junk poses, space debris is not collected today, in part because technologies used to grab on to items on Earth often do not perform well in space, the researchers said in their study. For instance: * Conventional robotic hands are not suited for large, smooth pieces of space debris. * Magnets do not stick to glass or aluminum. * Suction cups require an atmosphere to work. * Traditional sticky materials, such as tape, are largely useless because the chemicals they rely on cannot withstand the extreme temperature swings they would experience in space. * Harpoons and nets could push objects in unintended directions. Now, scientists have developed robotic pincers inspired by geckos to help grab space trash. The device was able to successfully snag floating objects in microgravity flights on both Earth and the International Space Station. "We are really amazed at how much the gripper could achieve in floating environments," study lead author Hao Jiang, a mechanical engineer at Stanford University in California, told Space.com. Geckos are reptiles that can scale vertical walls and even hang upside down by just their toes. The animals' plump toes are covered in hundreds of microscopic bristles that generate a kind of electric force strong enough to keep the lizards stuck onto surfaces. Scientists have developed many synthetic adhesives with gecko-like properties, enabling researchers to climb walls and seal wounds. The new gripper is not as complex as a gecko's foot. Its adhesive uses flaps that are about 40 micrometers (millionths of a meter) wide, whereas geckos rely on structures that are about 200 nanometers (billionths of a meter) wide. Still, the artificial adhesive works much in the same way as that on gecko feet. Making each flap stick only requires a light push in the right direction, and the flaps remain sticky if pushed in that specific direction. The pads unlock in a similarly gentle manner. The minimal forces that the new grippers need to stick onto and unstick from objects are key in the microgravity found in space, where any tiny push or pull can send an item drifting away, the researchers said. The scientists created grippers of various sizes. The front of each gripper is covered with a grid of adhesive squares, and on either side of this grid is an arm whose inner surface is covered with thin adhesive strips. The grid can stick onto flat objects, such as solar panels, that might be abandoned as part of space debris, while the arms can grab curved items, such as rocket bodies. [Meet the Space Custodians: Debris Cleanup Plans Emerge] The researchers tested how their grippers performed in microgravity on the space station and flights aboard NASA's C-9B aircraft, the Weightless Wonder, which dived 80 times to generate moments of weightlessness. In these experiments, the grippers could successfully grasp and let go of cubes, cylinders and beach balls with a gentle enough touch that the objects barely moved when released. "The objects were really easy to knock away, so we are really happy that our adhesive gripper could grasp them with very little pressing force," Jiang said. The grippers could handle items up to 880 lbs. (400 kilograms) in mass and 100 times larger than the grippers in volume. Sensors on the grippers could detect when the devices made contact and were aligned correctly. One challenge the researchers faced was devising a system of pulleys to make sure the load on the adhesive strips was distributed evenly. Without this system, uneven stresses on the adhesives would cause the strips to fail one by one in a chain reaction, they said. The scientists also equipped robots on Earth with these grippers. Future research could lead to robots that could pick up space junk, as well as maintenance robots that could conduct inspections and repairs while climbing on the outside of telecommunications satellites, space telescopes, the space station and future deep-space human missions, the researchers said. Other possible applications include construction robots in space or factory robots on Earth, they added. Jiang cautioned that any potential future missions to rendezvous with space debris would likely be very complex. However, the researchers are "building step-by-step progress towards this goal," Jiang said. Next steps for this new device include adding tactile sensors to the grippers to help them monitor adhesion in real time, Jiang said. In addition, the scientists are preparing for tests outside the space station with adhesives that can withstand the extreme temperatures and high levels of radiation found in space. "We are confident that this technology will be used in outer space soon," Jiang said. Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi . Follow us @Spacedotcom , Facebook and Google+ . Original article on Space.com . Archaeologists say that human skulls may have once decorated an ancient temple at Gobekli Tepe in Turkey. Described as the worlds oldest temple, Gobekli Tepe in Southeast Turkey dates back approximately 11,500 years. Three carved skull fragments were unearthed at the Neolithic dig site, according to research published in the journal Science Advances, potentially indicating a previously-unknown skull cult or ritual group. BRONZE AGE CEMETERY DISCOVERED AT RITUAL SITE IN WALES The skulls may have been used to venerate ancestors or as part of a display of dispatched enemies. Throughout history, people have valued skulls for different reasons, from ancestor worship to the belief that human skulls transmit protective properties, explained the researchers, in a press release. Julia Gresky, an anthropologist at the German Archaeological Institute and the studys lead author, observed the skulls with colleagues during research at Gobekli Tepe. Each skull had deep incisions and one had a hole drilled in it, as well as remnants of red ochre. The marks were not the result of scalping, according to the experts, who noted the depth of the carvings. However, other smaller cut-marks on the skull show signs of possible defleshing, the researchers said. YALE ARCHAEOLOGISTS MAKE AMAZING ANCIENT EGYPTIAN 'BILLBOARD' DISCOVERY Microscopes were used to work out that the carvings were performed using stone tools, ruling out natural causes, such as animal bites or gnawing. Researchers say that cords may have been used to hang the skulls. The three skulls are from adults aged between 20 and 50 years. These findings present the very first evidence for treatment of the dead at Gobekli Tepe, the researchers said in the press release. Country music star Garth Brooks has become the first celebrity to use Facebook Live to speak to a NASA astronaut while in orbit. Brooks, known for popular songs such as "The River," spoke to Astronaut Jack Fischer and his crew mate Astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson while the two are in space. Brooks appeared on his weekly Facebook Live series, "Inside Studio G," to converse with the two astronauts, along with his wife, Trisha Yearwood. Also joining Brooks and Yearwood were Fischer's wife, who made a surprise visit to Mission Control Center at NASAs Johnson Space Center. FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, MICROSOFT AND TWITTER JOIN UP TO BATTLE TERRIST CONTENT Fischer is a big fan of Brooks, saying "The River" has been "[his] anthem for the last three decades and that Garth is an inspiration to so many and makes his words count. According to a statement from Brooks' publicist, the astronauts and the celeb couple discussed their favorite meals on the spaceship, with Yearwood offering to cook some of their favorite meals upon return to Earth. They discussed several other topics and Brooks and Yearwood capped it off with a rendition of The River, thanking the astronauts for the service. Fischer recently went into space for the first time, Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on April 20th, 2017. By contrast, Whitson just broke the record for most days spent in orbit. Instagram is intensifying its efforts to shield users from unpleasant content. The Facebook-owned social network on Thursday started rolling out two new filters that will block offensive and spammy comments if you turn them on. "Powered by machine learning, today's filters are our latest tools to keep Instagram a safe place," Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom wrote in a blog post. "Our team has been training our systems for some time to recognize certain types of offensive and spammy comments so you never have to see them." Just head over to your comment settings (click the settings menu from your profile and scroll down to tap "Comments") then toggle on "Hide Offensive Comments." After doing so, Instagram will automatically hide potentially unsettling comments on your posts. Instagram is launching this comment filter in English to start, but plans to expand it to more languages in the future. "Many of you have told us that toxic comments discourage you from enjoying Instagram and expressing yourself freely," Systrom wrote. When you have the filter turned on, benign comments will appear as they normally do, so you shouldn't miss anything you actually want to see. You can also still report any offensive comments that make their way through the filter, manually delete specific comments, or completely disable commenting for specific posts. Instagram last fall introduced an option that lets you filter out comments based on a set of words you choose or a default list of terms that are often reported as inappropriate. This new offensive comments filter goes beyond that, an Instagram spokesman told PCMag it's automated and uses machine learning. Meanwhile, Instagram's other new filter looks for "obvious spam" in comments, and wipes it from your posts and live videos. The filter will remove spam written in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. "We believe that using machine learning to build tools to safeguard self-expression is an important step in fostering more inclusive, kinder communities," Systrom wrote. "Our work is far from finished and perfect, but I hope we're helping you feel safer and more welcome on Instagram." These new features come after Instagram in March started blurring out photos and videos it deems "sensitive," so you don't have to see them in your feed or on someone's profile, unless you want to. That could include content shared by animal rights groups to expose animal testing conditions or animal abuse, or content that raises awareness of humanitarian crises around the world, such as famine and the impact of war, according to Instagram. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. Countless military lives could be saved in the future thanks to a new remarkable foam. Made by Arsenal Medical and fittingly dubbed ResQ Foam, this remarkable innovation rapidly expands inside the body and seals off the wound. Bleeding to death is the leading cause of fatalities on the battlefield, according to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. So the US military has long been searching for a solution that would tackle this problem. The foam has enormous potential for civilians. In combat, immediate evacuation of the wounded to surgical care is seldom possible. Rescue and evacuation can take quite a while and many warfighters bleed out before there is a chance for them to reach a trauma surgeon. PARIS AIR SHOW: 4 EXCITING NEW AIRCRAFT FEATURED So how does it work? The foam doesnt repair the injury. Instead, ResQ Foam (which must be injected) stabilizes the wounded. The injector looks like the sort of device you would use to caulk a bathtub. It is designed so that two chemicals mix and this triggers the foam to activate. Once the foam is injected in the abdomen, it rapidly expands. It can expand to an astonishing 35 times the original volume. The foam buys the patient about three more hours to get to a surgeon this can be the critical difference between life and death. When the wounded reaches a surgeon, the ResQ foam can be removed. 10 MUST-HAVE FATHERS DAY GIFTS WITH A TACTICAL TWIST Saving American warfighters In the future, ResQ Foam has the potential to save countless military lives. How Armed Angels of the Battlefield" Save Lives Against Impossible Odds At this time, most of the hemostatic options for truncal wounds are powders or bandages. To be effective, these require the ability to see the wound and manually compress. When will it reach battlefields? The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency began the wound stasis program in 2010 seeking a solution to this tough challenge of major abdominal bleeding due to trauma. After very promising early results, the project transitioned to the Army in 2015. This year, ResQ Foam received an Investigational Device Exemption from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which means that the FDA has approved Arsenal Medical's request to begin the clinical trial process. 4 AMAZING VEHICLES FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES The project is being managed by the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency. The key clinical trial is expected to begin next year. This story has been updated to clarify additional details about the project. Two people in Georgia have been charged after a bald eagle was found dead in a Bulloch County home this week, according to law enforcement. In fact, the suspects apparently wanted to get the bird mounted, according to a Facebook post from law enforcement. A ranger and detective went to the home in question and questioned the two suspects. They said the pair also had a wood duck that was "illegally taken." Multiple charges were filed against the two suspects, according to investigators, and more charges could be coming. It's unclear how the eagle died. Both animals were seized as evidence and can be donated to an educational institution once the case has been settled, the Facebook post added. BALD EAGLE FOUND DEAD IN OREGON WITH ITS TALONS CUT OFF The post concluded with a note about protected wildlife: Most people realize that eagles are protected by state and federal law but all other non-game migratory birds, which included all common songbirds, are protected as well by the Migratory Bird Act. A record number of bald eagle nests have been recorded in Georgia this year, according to Douglasville Patch. The state's Department of Natural Resources detected 218 occupied nests in the state a notable mark on conservation efforts considering there were no bald eagle nests in Georgia in 1970. FIREWORKS THREATEN BABY EAGLE IN CONNECTICUT TOWN Bulloch County is about 50 miles northwest of Savannah. A 19-year-old man is facing 23 charges in connection with a fatal stabbing and attempted rape in Lebanon. Zachariah Wright, 19, was held as a person of interest after the attack, which happened around 7 a.m. on June 18 at a home in the 500 block of Dicks Street. Maxwell Foster, 73, died after being stabbed and his wife, Sonja Foster, 68, was hurt during the incident. On Monday, the Boone County prosecutor said Wright murdered Maxwell in a random act of violence, attempted to rape Sonja and set her on fire and chased her out of the home. "This is everybody's worst nightmare," Boone County prosecutor Todd Meyer said. CHARGES FILED AFTER YOUTUBE GUN STUNT GONE WRONG The four knives used in the attack came from inside the victims' home, officials said. Blood was found throughout the home. There was no sign of forced entry, but officers noted a back door was open a couple of inches. Sonja said she woke up to see the suspect in the bedroom doorway. He walked over to the side of the bed and began attacking Maxwell. Sonja said Wright continued to stab him as he tried to run away. Court documents show he told Sonja that Maxwell was knocked out, not dead. He then allegedly stated Maxwell was "with the CIA and FBI and had killed thousands of people." CALIFORNIA MAN GRABS DEPUTY'S GUN, SHOOTS HIM IN THE FACE, POLICE SAY She said Wright then dropped his pants to show her he had an erection. He then asked where the duck tape was. She managed to run away. He caught up to her and tried to set her on fire. She was able to escape again and provided police with a description of her attacker. Click here for more from Fox 59. A Florida woman has been arrested on Tuesday after she allegedly raped and had a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old boy starting in 2014 and getting pregnant as a result. Marissa A. Mowry, 25, was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office and taken to the countys jail, Fox 13 reported. FLORIDA MAN CHARGED WITH THREATENING STATE LAWMAKER ON FACEBOOK Mowry reportedly started a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old boy in 2014 when she was 22, police said, adding that the relationship went on until the boy was 14. In October 2014, Mowry gave birth to a child who is now 3, deputies said. ACCUSED FLORIDA KIDNAPPER WAS ACTUALLY HELPING LOST CHILD, POLICE SAY Mowry is facing sexual battery and sexual assault charges. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Child Protective Division is also investigating the incident, WFLA added. The child has been put in a home with a responsible adult as the investigation proceeds, deputies said. Click for more from Fox 13. Authorities are searching for a 24-year-old Starbucks employee who went missing Monday afternoon while on her break at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Allison Cope, who went on her scheduled break and was expected to return around 3 p.m., never returned to work. She was reported missing around 7 p.m. ARIZONA SMALL PLANE CRASH: 2 DEAD Cope was last seen wearing a black Starbucks polo, blue jeans and black shoes at the pre-security Terminal 2 Starbucks, according to the New York Daily News. Change of Heart Pit Bull Rescue, which Cope helps operate, posted on Facebook that the Starbucks employee would never just disappear, adding that Cope left her phone and purse at work. Security video showed Copes 2014 Ford Fusion North Carolina license plate number EHA2771 leaving the parking lot, but it wasnt clear who was driving the vehicle. RDU spokesman Andrew Sawyer wouldn't comment on whether Cope drove the vehicle out of the parking lot. Her roommate said Copes mysterious disappearance is unlike her. COLORADO MOM SAYS BABY OVERHEATED WHILE UNITED JET SAT ON TARMAC FOR HOURS She always checks in with us, Sarah Kosinki told WNCN. She always tells us if she is going to be late. She always is extremely dependable. She would never just leave her phone at work. She would never clock out for a break and not continue to work her shift. The FBI is assisting in the search. Anyone with information is advised to contact RDU airport police at 919-840-7510. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man caught on camera burning an American flag on the front porch of a Richmond, Va. home surrendered to police, authorities said Thursday. Andrew Rosas, 26, of Richmond, was charged with arson after he turned himself in Wednesday evening. Jim Tanner, the owner of the home where the fire was set, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he wanted Rosas "prosecuted to the full extent of the law." "If hes going to burn a flag for no reason at all, who knows what hes going to do?" Tanner told the paper. Tanner found his flag in ashes on his porch after he woke up Wednesday morning. He checked his surveillance camera video and discovered a man had walked up to his house around 2 a.m., tried to untie the flag, and then pulled out a lighter to burn the flag when it wouldnt come off. Tanner told local media outlets the fire could have damanged his home and those of his neighbors if it had spread. "These houses are 115-120 years old," Tanner told WRIC. "They go up real quick. Theyre tinderboxes." STOLEN AMERICAN FLAG IN CALIFORNIA QUICKLY REPLACED BY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS It was not immediately clear whether Rosas would face additional charges. Burning a flag with malice is a misdemeanor offense in Virginia. HOW U.S. MARINES SAVED SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT'S PARENTS IN EPIC BATTLE It was also not clear what Rosas' motive was for setting the flag alight. "I don't think this was about burning an American flag. I think this is about, well, I can't get this unhooked so I'm just going to catch it on fire," Tanner told WTVR. Public universities in Arizona said Thursday they will keep providing in-state tuition for young immigrants who came to the U.S. at an early age despite a recent court decision that threw it in doubt. Young immigrants clad in bright yellow shirts emblazoned with "Protect In-State Tuition for DACA Students" stood closely together holding hands as the Arizona Board of Regents voted to retain the policy during a special meeting. The decision garnered applause from students who would be directly affected and could now confidently stay in school for the time being. The board's vote came after the Court of Appeals said last week those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program do not qualify for lower in-state college tuition. Arizona State University student and DACA recipient Diana Aguilera said if the decision stands, it would take her years to finish her senior year of college. Aguilera, 25, said she currently works full-time at an interpreter call center from 3 a.m. until just before she starts the school day at 10 a.m. to cover her in-state tuition costs. "I've been in this a little longer and it would suck for me as well but I feel for those that are barely getting their dreams started," Aguilera said. "That are barely getting their professional careers started and would not be able to continue because of this." The court's decision sets Arizona apart from other states around the country that are granting in-state tuition to immigrants in the country illegally. That push includes Republican-dominant states like Oklahoma, Tennessee and Nebraska. The Maricopa County Community College District board decided Tuesday it will ask the Arizona Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. The appeals court ruling leaves a 2006 voter-enacted law known as Proposition 300 in control. It prohibits public benefits for anyone living in Arizona without legal immigration status. There are nearly 28,000 DACA recipients in Arizona, and the ruling affects at least several hundred current state university students and an unknown number attending community colleges across the state. "I think until we have the Arizona Supreme Court, which is the final authority, rule on that we feel very comfortable offering in-state tuition," Board of Regents Vice Chair Bill Ridenour said. The regents board also has a 2015 fallback tuition policy that gives eligible DACA students a chance to apply for the Non-Resident Tuition Rate for Arizona High School Graduates, which allows them to pay 150 percent of undergraduate resident tuition. ASU senior and DACA recipient Oscar Hernandez said the student advocacy group fighting for young immigrant education rights he takes part in has recently been receiving letters from upcoming high school graduates planning to go to college who are now feeling desperate. "There's nothing we can really tell them to relax their emotions and it's really painful because that's exactly how we were back when we still didn't pay in-state tuition," Hernandez said. ___ Associated Press writer Bob Christie contributed to this report. A Coast Guard helicopter crew made a daring rescue on Tuesday when responding to a 14-year-old boy who became sick on a cruise 300 miles off the coast of Maryland. The Maryland Coast Dispatch reported that the captain of the ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, radioed in that the teen was suffering from appendicitis-like symptoms and required emergency assistance. A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., raced to the ship in a MH-60 Jayhawk. The unidentified teen was taken to Sentra Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk. The teens grandmother was also hoisted up into the helicopter, the report said. The professionalism exhibited by the crew of the Norwegian Breakaway ensured that the Coast Guard was adequately informed of a life-threatening situation aboard, Lt. J.G. Dan Dunn, the 5th District Command Center duty officer, told the paper. Their willingness to alter their course inland ensured that the aircraft transported this young man to the appropriate medical facility in a timely manner, thus saving his life. The MH-60 helicopter is an all-weather, medium-range helicopter that is oftentimes used in search and rescue. There are 35 operational MH-60s in the Coast Guard. The helicopter can travel up to 180 knots, or about 200 mph. The helicopter can travel up to 700 nautical miles, or about 805 miles. Police in Colorado on Tuesday joked that they'd received a report of "reckless adorability," and showed off the photo evidence: a boy driving a mini truck. Fort Collins Officer Ryan Barash found the kid, pulled him over and issued him a hefty fine of one high-five, police wrote in a Facebook post. Before Officer Barash let the subject go for the evening, thetwo compared their sweet trucks. COFFEE, DONUTS HELP DEPUTY BOND WITH UNRULY PATIENT "Community Policing is a big part of our culture here in Fort Collins, and our officers regularly make a point to engage with residents of all ages," Kate Kimble, the Fort Collins Police Services Public Relations Manager, told Fox News. A driver in New Hampshire may need some packing lessons after police pulled over a white van Wednesday morning with a mountain of items strapped to it. The van was traveling down Interstate 93 when a state trooper spotted the vehicle with several items packed on top of it, according to New Hampshire police. Among the clutter were multiple pieces of furniture, a bike, a shovel, a shopping cart and even a 32-inch television. New Hampshire Police Department posted a photo of the van on its Facebook page saying it prevented "a potential accident from occurring." ALIEN PULLED OVER IN GEORGIA, POLICE SAY In a separate post, police warned that "driving with items attached/strapped to your vehicle can be extremely dangerous for you and those driving nearby." The trooper had the vehicle towed and taken away, NECN reported. The driver was also ticketed for negligent driving. A former nurse who prosecutors believe could be responsible in the deaths of up to 60 Texas children has been indicted on two new murder charges. The Bexar County district attorney's office said in a statement that Genene Jones, 66, was indicted Thursday in the deaths of 8-month-old Ricky Nelson in 1981 and 4-month-old Patrick Zavala a year later. She now faces four new murder charges, all filed in about the last month. Last week, she was indicted on a murder count in the 1981 death of Rosemary Vega, and she was indicted on a murder count last month in the 1981 death of 11-month-old Joshua Sawyer. Jones is serving concurrent 99-year and 60-year sentences in state prison for the 1982 killing of another toddler and the sickening of a 4-week-old boy who survived. She was scheduled for release in March under a mandatory release law in place when she was convicted, but District Attorney Nico LaHood has previously said he's trying to ensure she never leaves prison because she's linked to the deaths of many more children who died in the early 1980s either during her shifts or shortly after. "I believe that she should take her last breath from behind bars. And that is our intent," LaHood said at a Thursday news conference. LaHood has said the latest indictments were prompted by new evidence and the re-examining of decades-old evidence. "Justice demands for all of these innocent children's deaths to be investigated and accounted for," he said. "We will continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads us and work diligently to account for every child whose life was stolen at the hands of Jones. This remains an open and continuous investigation." That investigation aims to build cases to support indictments "for as many deaths as the evidence can prove," LaHood said. Prosecutors said the fresh material they've reviewed includes a 2011 letter from Jones to the Texas Board of Nursing in which she apologizes "for the damage I did to all because of my crime." In the letter, obtained by Texas Monthly and ProPublica for a joint report published Thursday, Jones said she "was not of sound mind" and looks back on her actions as "heinous." Jones, whose case has been chronicled in two books, a TV movie and numerous articles, had previously maintained her innocence. It's not clear if she has an attorney to address the most recent allegations against her. During Jones' time working at a San Antonio hospital and a clinic in Kerrville, northwest of San Antonio, children died of unexplained seizures and other complications. Prosecutors at Jones' 1984 murder trial said the nurse lethally injected children at the Kerrville clinic to demonstrate the need for a pediatric intensive care unit at a nearby hospital. Other prosecutors theorized that Jones' tactic was to take swift medical action and save some of her victims, making herself appear to be a sort of miracle worker. It's not clear why Jones' actions, involving so many suspected victims, were not detected earlier. But Sam Millsap, a previous district attorney in Bexar County, told KSAT-TV in 2013 that medical records at the San Antonio hospital at one point were accidently destroyed, hampering efforts by investigators to prove their suspicions. Georgia police arrested three teenagers who allegedly broke into a home and raped a woman near her children. Francisco Palencia, 17, Josue Ramirez, 19, and a 15-year-old girl who has not been identified were arrested in connection with the horrifying case. The three are facing charges that include kidnapping, rape, cruelty to children, home invasion, aggravated sodomy and aggravated battery. The victim told police that two young men broke into her Gwinnett County home on May 12, shocked her with stun guns and forced her into her bedroom, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. The woman tried to fight them off and went to be with her two children, the police report said. One of the intruders dumped two pots of scalding hot water on her. BALD EAGLE FOUND DEAD IN GEORGIA HOME; 2 CHARGED The victim flailed and two of the attackers pushed her into the bedroom where they stripped off her clothing and raped her. The third suspect, who reportedly hurled the hot water on the woman, rummaged through the home. One of the victims children went into the bedroom and witnessed the rape. Her other child was in a car seat near the kitchen. The victim called police once the teenagers left her home. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated for burns on her neck, left arm and left shoulder. 2 NEW STRAINS OF FETANYL MAY BE RESISTANT TO NARCAN, GEORGIA AUTHORITIES WARN Palencia and Ramirez, who are being held at the Gwinnett County Jail, are slated for their first court hearing on Thursday. It's unclear where the 15-year-old is being detained. An Indiana woman who admitted to abducting her two children and smothering them to death was sentenced Thursday to 130 years in prison. Amber Pasztor, 30, of Fort Wayne, received 55 years for each murder count with an additional 10-year enhancement on each charge, Fox 59 reported. She told the Elkhart County judge she was sorry before she received the sentence. Pasztor had pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the two murder counts in a plea agreement. Pasztor will also undergo mental health treatment before starting her sentence. PREGNANT WOMAN WHO OVERDOSED ON HEROIN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT Pasztor prompted an Amber Alert when she abducted her children Lilliana Hernandez, 7, and Rene Pasztor, 6 from their custodial grandparents' home on Sept. 26, 2016. Their bodies were found the same day inside a car she stole from a former neighbor, Frank Macomber, 66, who authorities believe she also killed. The stolen vehicle was parked behind the Elkhart Police Department, about 70 miles northwest of Fort Wayne. Pasztor admitted to police she smothered her children to "keep them safe" and "usher them onto heaven," according to Fox 59. Pasztor was also charged in the September in the shooting death of Macomber. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click here for more from Fox 59. A Missouri farmer who spent nearly two decades in mental hospitals after entering a disputed plea in the 1997 sexual assault of a teenager has been cleared of the crime after genetic evidence was re-tested and excluded him as a suspect. The top prosecutor in southwestern Missouri's Jasper County dropped the case against 58-year-old Mike Wilkerson last Friday, citing the recent DNA testing conducted on a cigarette butt and a condom found at the scene. Its about darn time, Clint Wilkerson, who was 9 years old when his father was arrested, told The Joplin Globe. The Globe reported that Wilkerson had to watch from the hospital as his family struggled to keep his 586-acre cattle ranch. The victim, who was 17 at the time, said she was sexually assaulted by a gunman who entered her home after pretending to be lost, and she identified Wilkerson as her attacker from a photo lineup. Wilkerson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in 2000, and by Missouri law, he was ordered committed indefinitely to mental hospitals. In such cases, defendants remain in the state Department of Mental Health's custody until they prove they no longer have a mental illness that could endanger themselves or others. Because Wilkerson's case involved a violent sex act, he faced the added burden of showing he understood the criminality of it essentially admitting it. But Wilkerson has been unwavering in professing his innocence, his appeals attorney, Bill Fleischaker, said Wednesday. "He stuck to his guns, and you've got to admire his courage," Fleischaker told The Associated Press. "There was an easy out, and he wasn't willing to take it." A judge last year threw out that Wilkerson's plea, leading to Wilkerson being freed on bond in January pending a new trial and to prosecutors taking a fresh look at the evidence. "I am dumbfounded they were able to get the DNA and accept that I was never at the crime scene," Wilkerson told the AP by phone, adding that his bipolar condition was stabilized with medication in 2003 and that he had been "just doing time" since then. "I was beginning to think I would never get out," he said. Wilkerson lamented that he wasn't able to walk his daughter down the aisle and that he missed his son's wedding. Asked whether he might sue, though, he said he and his lawyers didn't know what they'd do. Jasper County Prosecutor Theresa Kenney said prosecutors who initially handled the case failed to consider all of the evidence. At that time, only the condom found at the scene was tested for DNA, but that examination proved inconclusive with the technology available then. Fleischaker said at the time Wilkerson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at his trial attorney's urging, he was financially troubled, bipolar and "very mentally ill." "Mike didn't understand when he entered the not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and the fact he had no other defense that that's the legal equivalent of saying you did it," Fleischaker said. "It's the legal equivalent of saying, 'I'm guilty but insane,' and that's the way it was treated. "There were a lot of things done wrong that led to Mike being in the situation he was in." Fleischaker said a DNA test he ordered on the cigarette butt in 2011 excluded Wilkerson as the source of the genetic material on it. He said Wilkerson's legal team didn't have access at the time to swabs of DNA taken from the condom. Last year, a judge threw out Wilkerson's plea because state psychiatrists never concluded he was insane at the time of the crime. Wilkerson later pleaded not guilty, prompting prosecutors to resubmit the evidence for DNA testing, which ultimately cleared him. "It's been a long road," Fleischaker said. "The key to this thing is we felt all along the DNA would exonerate him. The problem is there were a lot of procedural hurdles we had to get over." Wilkerson is reportedly making plans for a steak dinner with his family. I lost 20 years. I lost time with my kids. Thats what I regret, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report A man in Missouri was charged earlier this week with kidnapping his sister days before her wedding -- allegedly to prevent her from marrying her fiance. Conrad Kaufman, 25, was accused of taking his sister, Cindy Kaufman, against her will on Monday after he texted her asking to meet up, Kaufman's fiance John Graber told KCTV. Graber said months before the incident, his fiancee was worried about the marriage because of religious differences. The couple was part of the Amish community but had left. DRAMATIC VIDEO OF DEADLY SHOOTOUT ON PUBLIC BUS Graber said he drove his fiancee from Jamesport to meet Conrad Kaufman at 2 p.m. He called both of them about an hour later, but got no answer. "I had all the truck loaded and was ready to go, but no reply and I started to get pretty nervous," he told the news station. Graber finally texted them separately, saying he will be going to the police if they didn't respond soon. Kaufman then allegedly sent a text to Graber, saying "sorry the wedding is off." "[Kaufman said] I'm taking her far, far away and you're never going to see her again.' And then I fell apart," Graber recalled. JUDGE SETS BOND FOR MAN ARRESTED FOR MONUMENT'S DESTRUCTION Kaufman allegedly took his sister to Illinois, but 24 hours later she reportedly returned home to Graber. Graber told News-Press NOW faith is helping him to forgive. We dont hold any ill will toward them, but it would be dangerous to turn a blind eye," Graber said. "The tragedy isnt in the incident but is in the fact that a group of people that practice to be forgiving people act in such a way. Conrad Kaufman was charged with first-degree kidnapping. The couple is still planning to get married on Saturday. The Trump administration on Wednesday set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a "close" family or business tie to the United States. The move came after the Supreme Court partially restored President Trump's executive order that was widely criticized as a ban on Muslims. The new rules take effect at 8 p.m. EDT on Thursday. 'THE STORY' A top Republican characterized ObamaCare as a "bus going over a cliff," urging his colleagues to rid the American people of the "government's control" of health care. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) said the current senate bill eliminates government mandates and taxes, and stabilizes health insurance markets. 'IT'S 'CHARACTER ASSASSINATION' Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of "historical" sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, said in an early morning appearance at the Vatican that he would take a leave of absence as the Vatican's finance czar and would return to Australia to fight the charges. He denied the accusations and denounced what he called a "relentless character assassination" in the media. YOUTUBE GONE WRONG In what family members describe as a YouTube stunt gone wrong, a 22-year-old man from Halstad, Minnesota is dead and his pregnant girlfriend is in jail. Around 6:30 p.m. Monday night, Norman County sheriffs deputies responded to the 500 block of U.S. Highway 75 on a report of a shooting. Life-saving efforts were made and a medical helicopter was called, but a 22-year-old died. COMING UP ON FOX BUSINESS 7:30am ET - John Podesta will be on Mornings with Maria 8 AM ET: Dr. Tom Price, Health And Human Services Secretary will appear on Mornings with Maria 8:30 AM ET: Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary Of State Under President Clinton And Albright Stonebridge Group Chairman will be a guest on Mornings with Maria 5 PM ET: Anthony Scarramucci will be on Risk & Reward COMING UP ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL 9:30 AM ET: AG Jeff Sessions delivers speech at the summit of the Hate Crimes Subcommittee. Watch live on FoxNews.com 3: 25 PM ET: President Trump makes remarks at the Unleashing American Energy event. Dept of Energy. Watch live on Fox News and FoxNews.com A Somali-born Ohio man who traveled to Syria for terror training and allegedly plotted an attack in the U.S. pleaded guilty to supporting terrorists and lying to the FBI, according to court records unsealed Thursday. Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud was charged in April 2015 by a federal grand jury of one court of attempting to provide and providing material support to terrorists, one count of attempting to provide and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and one count of making false statements to the FBI involving international terrorism. The guilty plea was made on August 14, 2015, but sealed due to an ongoing investigation. Mohamud is a Somali-born naturalized U.S. citizen. In 2014, he obtained a U.S. passport and purchased a one-way ticket to Greece, with a layover in Istanbul, Turkey. He took only the first half of that flight before crossing the border into Syria, where he received training from al-Nusrah Front, a terrorist organization affiliated with Al Qaeda, investigators said. NORTH CAROLINA MAN WHO PLOTTED ATTACK FOR ISIS IS SENTENCED Mohamud admitted to traveling overseas, providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and receiving training from terrorists. He also admitted to returning to the United States and planning to conduct an attack on American soil. He will now be held accountable for his crimes, Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana Boente said. Mohamud returned to the United States from Syria following the death of his brother, who was a member of an Al Qaeda group and killed in Syria in 2014. Upon Mohamuds return to the U.S. he plotted to obtain weapons to kill military or government officers or people in uniform, investigators said. The FBI seized evidence that indicated he had researched places to conduct his attack. National security is the first priority of this office, and we will use every tool at our disposal to stop those who support foreign terrorist organizations and those who seek to do harm in the United States, U.S. Attorney Ben Glassman said. AL QAEDA IN MALI FREES SWEDISH HOSTAGE HELD SINCE 2011 Each day the Joint Terrorism Task Force and our law enforcement partners are working to keep the community safe from those who wish to disrupt our way of life, said Special Agent in Charge Angela Byers. "We must continue to remain vigilant against these potential threats. Providing material support to terrorists or a designated foreign terrorist organization is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Mohamuds sentencing has not yet been released. He remains in federal custody. Fox News' Jake Gibson contributed to this report. Most victims of hate crimes don't report them to police, according to a new study that advocates say reinforces their fears that the Trump administration's tough rhetoric and policies will make more people afraid to come forward. More than half the 250,000 hate crimes that took place each year between 2004 and 2015 went unreported to law enforcement for a variety of reasons, according to a special report on the issue from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Hate crimes were most often not reported because they were handled some other way, the report said. But people also did not come forward because they didn't feel it was important or that police would help, according to the report. "I think this report shows the kind of fear that is going on in our communities," said Patricia Montes, executive director of the Boston-based immigrant advocacy group Centro Presente. She and other advocates are concerned that Latino immigrants, in particular, may be reluctant to call police to report a hate crime for fear of being deported, particularly since the Trump administration is ramping up immigration enforcement across the country. "Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric also will prevent more immigrants from reporting crimes to police," Montes said. The report comes as the Justice Department officials gathered with advocacy groups and experts on Thursday to discuss hate crimes, including ways to better document them. Officials have long lamented a lack of solid data on the problem. But Attorney General Jeff Sessions told the group his department remains committed to investigating and prosecuting such offenses as part of his larger priority of helping cities fight violence. "Hate crimes are violent crimes," Sessions told the group. "No person should have to fear being violently attacked because of who they are, what they believe or how they worship." The report released Thursday is based on a survey of households and is one of several studies that aim to quantify hate crimes. It cites racial bias as the top motivation, representing more than 48 percent of the cases between 2011 and 2015. Hate crimes motivated by ethnicity accounted for about 35 percent of those cases, and sexual orientation represented about 22 percent. Almost all of those surveyed said they felt they were experiencing a hate crime because of something the perpetrator said. Hispanics were victimized at the highest rate, followed by blacks. The new survey shows the limits of hate crime reporting, said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, California State University. "Many victims don't report hate crimes because of personal and institutional reasons," Levin said. While some victims' distrust of police keeps them from coming forward, Levin said, some LGBT victims may opt not to report a hate crime for fear of losing a job or being outed to family. Members of the Muslim community are reluctant to come forward for fear of retaliation and because police don't always classify their experiences as hate crimes, said Ibrahim Hooper, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. That's because law enforcement officials still grappled with what constitutes a hate crime. Levin said many large cities are claiming they had no hate crimes calling into question the reliability of federal hate crimes data that are based on voluntary submissions from police departments. "We have Columbus, Ohio, reporting more hate crimes than the state of Florida," he said. Eric Treene, the Justice Department's special counsel for religious discrimination, told a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in May that incomplete numbers stymie officials' ability to fully understand the problem. But he said the department is committed to prosecuting hate crimes, even as critics have blamed the Trump administration's tough rhetoric and policies for a spike in such offenses. Civil rights groups said investigating and prosecuting hate crimes alone would be insufficient. The Trump administration must show "through action and its megaphone, its full and unflagging commitment to preventing hate-based violence and harassment that hurts our communities and destroys the fabric of our nation," said Vanita Gupta, former head of the Civil Rights Division and president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. ___ Contreras reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico. ___ On Twitter, follow Sadie Gurman at http://twitter.com/sgurman and Russell Contreras at http://twitter.com/russcontreras The owner of a bull that wandered out on a road and caused a fatal car crash in Vermont has been sentenced to probation. Craig Mosher was sentenced to 6 to 12 months of probation and 50 hours of community service on Wednesday for the crash that killed 62-year-old Jon Michael Bellis in 2015. Mosher previously was charged with involuntary manslaughter, which carried a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. He instead pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment. Farmers feared Mosher's prosecution would set a precedent that would impact the state's farming economy. Rutland County State's Attorney Rose Kennedy says the verdict is not an attack on all farmers, and that Mosher was negligent in maintaining his fence. Two San Antonio police officers are in critical condition and a suspect is dead following a shootout in downtown San Antonio on Thursday, according to FOX 29. The officers, who are both nine-year SAPD veterans, were on routine patrol when they stopped two people around 3:25 p.m., San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said. Both officers were exiting their vehicle when they were immediately shot by one of the suspects, McManus said. One officer was hit in the head area and the other was shot in the upper torso. ARKANSAS OFFICER KILLED: TEEN HELD IN CONNECTION WITH SHOOTING The officers returned fire and struck the suspect. The other suspect was taken into custody. The officers were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center in critical condition. The suspect who was shot was taken to a hospital and later died of his injuries, officials said. There was no immediate explanation for what prompted the suspect to start shooting. Governor Greg Abbot, R-Texas, said the officers were in his prayers. President Donald Trump's first, temporary ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations was short-lived, but it sparked confusion, panic and anger that lasted through months of court rulings. The Supreme Court is now taking up the case in the fall. In the meantime, the government can enforce parts of a second version of Trump's order. So what's new this time? ___ BANNED FOREIGNERS Old order: Three-month ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, including those who had valid visas but were outside the United States when the ban was signed. Supreme Court version: Iraq has been dropped from the ban. For 90 days, the government can bar new visa applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Iran and Libya who can't prove they have a "bona fide relationship" with close relatives or a business in the United States. The State Department says valid relationships include a parent, spouse, fiance, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling already in the United States. Journalists, students, workers or lecturers who have valid, formal invitations or employment contracts in the U.S. will also be welcome. Refugees hoping to come to the United States who aren't already approved for travel must now also prove one of these relationships. Otherwise, they'll be barred for 120 days. ___ SYRIANS Old order: Syrian visitors, immigrants and refugees were barred from the United States indefinitely. Supreme Court version: Syrians will be treated in the same manner as citizens of the other five designated countries. ___ REFUGEES Old order: Four-month halt to refugees entering the United States. Supreme Court version: The refugee ban will be in place for 120 days. But refugees already vetted and approved for travel through July 6 will be allowed to move to the United States. The "bona fide relationship" standard applies after a cap of 50,000 refugees that Trump set for the fiscal year is met. That is likely to happen soon. The new rules will likely affect refugees in the next fiscal year, which starts in October. The Supreme Court will hold a hearing on the ban that same month. ___ TIMING Old order: The Jan. 27 order was immediately put into place, causing chaos and panic at airports as the Homeland Security Department scrambled to figure out who was covered by the order and how it was to be implemented. Supreme Court version: It went into effect at roughly 8 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, more than 72 hours after the Supreme Court issued its opinion. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of "historical" sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. Pell said he would return to Australia to fight the charges. Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police have summonsed Pell to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview the cardinal. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney issued a statement on behalf of Pell, saying the 76-year-old cardinal "strenuously denied all allegations" and would return to Australia to clear his name. "He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously," the statement said. Patton told reporters in Melbourne that none of the allegations against Pell had been tested in any court, adding: "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy about sex abuse. The charges will also further complicate Francis' financial reform efforts at the Vatican, which were already strained by Pell's repeated clashes with the Italian-dominated bureaucracy. Just last week, one of Pell's top allies, the Vatican's auditor general, resigned without explanation two years into a five-year term, immediately raising questions about whether the reform effort was doomed. The Vatican made no immediate comment other than to announce Pell would make a statement in Rome on Thursday. It wasn't clear if he would participate in a Mass being celebrated later by Francis and other cardinals to mark a major Catholic feast day. Pell's actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse the nation's highest form of inquiry has found shocking levels of abuse in Australia's Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7 percent of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the past several decades. Last year, Pell acknowledged during his testimony to the commission that the Catholic Church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests over centuries. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican. But in the statement from the Sydney Archdiocese, Pell said he would return to Australia "as soon as possible," following advice and approval by his doctors. Last year, Pell declined to return to Australia to testify for the third time before the Royal Commission, saying he was too ill to fly. He instead testified via video conference from Rome. The Blue Knot Foundation, an Australian support group for adult survivors of childhood abuse, said the decision to charge Pell sent a powerful message to both abuse survivors and society as a whole. "It upholds that no one is above the law, no matter how high their office, qualifications, or standing," the group's head of research, Pam Stavropoulos, said in a statement. The charges put the pope in a thorny position. In 2014, Francis won cautious praise from victims' advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about "best practices" to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has since lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left. Francis also scrapped the commission's signature proposal a tribunal section to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse after Vatican officials objected. In addition, Francis drew heated criticism for his 2015 appointment of a Chilean bishop accused by victims of helping cover up for Chile's most notorious pedophile. The pope was later caught on videotape labeling the parishioners who opposed the nomination of being "leftists" and "stupid." When Francis was asked last year about the accusations against Pell, he said he wanted to wait for Australian justice to take its course before judging. "It's true, there is a doubt," he told reporters en route home from Poland. "We have to wait for justice and not first make a mediatic judgment a judgment of gossip because that won't help." "Once justice has spoken, I will speak," he said. Francis appointed Pell in 2014 to a five-year term to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat, giving him broad rein to control all economic, administrative, personnel and procurement functions of the Holy See. The mandate has since been restricted to performing more of an oversight role. It remains to be seen how the pope will respond to Thursday's developments, and it was not clear if Francis would keep Pell on as prefect. Technically, the towering former rugby player already submitted his resignation to Francis when he turned 75 last year, but the pope kept him on. Given Francis' credibility is on the line, keeping Pell on as prefect while facing charges would reflect poorly on the pope, given he remains one of Francis' top advisers. At the same time, the Vatican has a history of shielding its own: When Cardinal Bernard Law resigned in disgrace in 2002 over his cover-up of abuse in Boston, victims expressed outrage that St. John Paul II gave him a plum position as archpriest of a Rome basilica. The transfer spared Law what would likely have been years of litigation and testimony in U.S. courts as victims sued the archdioceses for their abuse, though Law himself was never criminally charged with wrongdoing. In the 1980s, the Vatican refused to cooperate with Italian investigators when one of its officials, Archbishop Paul C. Marcinkus, was indicted over a banking scandal. The Vatican successfully cited his diplomatic immunity. ___ Associated Press writer Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report. Security forces in Brazil's capital have detained a minor who allegedly rammed a car through a gate in an apparent attempt to reach the presidential palace. A statement from the president's office says that around 7 p.m. Wednesday a vehicle drove at a high speed toward the Alvorada Palace. Guards first fired warning shots, then when the vehicle failed to slow, they fired at the car and it stopped. The driver was not hurt and was taken into custody. Police are investigating. The statement does not say if President Michel Temer was at the residence at the time or discuss any possible motive. The president has been charged with corruption and is facing numerous calls for to resign. He has denied wrongdoing and said he won't quit. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 The Latest on Vatican Cardinal George Pell being charged with sex offenses in Australia (all times local): 1:30 p.m. An Australian support group for adult survivors of childhood abuse is applauding the decision by Australian police to charge a key Vatican aide with sexual assault. Pam Stavropoulos, head of research at the Blue Knot Foundation, said on Thursday that the charges filed against Cardinal George Pell send a "powerful message" to both survivors of child sexual abuse and society as a whole. Stavropoulos says the filing of the charges shows that no one is above the law. Police in the Australian state of Victoria said Pell has been summoned to appear in court next month to face charges involving "historical sexual assault offenses." No details have been disclosed. ___ 12:30 p.m. The leading support group for victims of sexual abuse by priests has called on Pope Francis to speak out about sexual assault charges filed in Australia against a key Vatican aide. Survivors' network SNAP noted that Francis had promised to work to "end the scourge of abuse by his clergy." The statement issued from SNAP's headquarters in the United States called on anyone with additional information about the case of Cardinal George Pell to come forward. Police in the Australian state of Victoria said Thursday that Pell has been summoned to appear in court to face charges involving "historical sexual assault offenses." No details have been disclosed. Pell was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney before Francis appointed him in 2014 to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat. ___ 11:35 a.m. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney says Vatican Cardinal George Pell will return to Australia to fight sexual assault charges as soon as possible. The archdiocese statement released on his behalf said Pell "again strenuously denied all allegations" against him. Victoria state police said earlier Thursday that Pell was being summonsed to face multiple charges of "historical sexual offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Pell was ordered to appear in court on July 18. The archdiocese statement says Pell "is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously." Pell is planning to make a further statement in Rome later today. ___ 10 a.m. Australian police have charged a top Vatican cardinal with multiple counts of historical sexual assault offenses in a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police have summonsed Pell to face multiple charges of "historical sexual offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. Pell has repeatedly denied all abuse allegations made against him. Turkey's state television says Qatar's defense minister will arrive in Turkey for talks amid the Gulf Arab states' feud with their tiny neighbor. TRT television says that the Qatari minister will meet with his Turkish counterpart on Friday. The defense ministry confirmed Thursday's report but didn't provide further information. Turkey has sided with Qatar after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut ties to Doha this month, accusing it of backing terror groups. Ankara also ratified legislation allowing Turkish troop deployment to Doha. The four Arab states have issued a list of demands to Qatar that includes ending Turkish troop presence, shuttering Al-Jazeera television and curbing diplomatic ties to Iran. Qatar denies supporting extremism and considers the demands an attempt to undermine its sovereignty. A young Belgium backpacker has become the seventh tourist found dead in Thailands Koh Tao in the last three years. Elise Dallemange, 30, was found in the jungle on April 28 having been half-eaten by lizards with police claiming she had hanged herself. Elises devastated mother Michele van Egten has now revealed she does not believe the police account of events as Elise is the seventh tourist death in three years on the tiny island now dubbed as murder island. Michele said: I do not believe what the police have told us. We fear somebody else was involved. Were more and more thinking that the police information is not the right explanation. The devastated mum told Der Farang magazine that she has still not been delivered an autopsy report which she was promised. An officer from Koh Tao police said there were no questions to answer regarding Elises death. The policeman, who would not elaborate, said: This news is so old already, it has been misunderstood. There is no more to say. Elise had been living at a yoga and tantra retreat on neighbouring full-moon party island Koh Phangan in between travelling around Asia for the last two years. Phone records show that Elise, had a degree in medicine from the European Institute Of Medicine Natural in Brussels, called her mother on Skype on April 17 and was planning to return to Belgium. She left on a Ferry April 19 but it is not known why she alighted on Koh Tao instead of continuing on to the mainland. Michele has claimed her daughter used a fake name of Elise Dubuis to check into the Triple B Bungalows next to Mae Head Pier on Koh Tao as she travelled via the island on a ferry bound for Chumphon province on her route back to capital Bangkok. An unexplained fire that evening burned down three bamboo huts including the one Elise had been staying in. Elise fled 2.5km to through the jungle to Tanote Bay and took a room at the Poseidon Resort where she booked another ticket for Bangkok leaving on April 24. Eight days later when locals living near the islands idyllic Tanote Bay became suspicious of a monitor lizard going back and fourth into the jungle they discovered Elises half-eaten body among rocks behind the Tanote Family Bay Resort. Police told Elises mother Michele that her daughter had committed suicide by hanging herself from a tree around three days before she was found. However no suicide note or message were recovered and Michele is desperate for information surrounding the mysterious death. Click for more from The Sun. Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Hong Kong Thursday for a three-day visit to the former British colony, his first trip there since he took office, as officials raced to crack down on pro-democracy protests planned throughout his stay. Saturday marks 20 years since Beijing took control of Hong Kong. The Chinese president said planning for the city's future would be on his agenda. He also was expected to inspect Chinese troops at a People's Liberation Army base on Friday and oversee the inauguration ceremony for the city's new leader, Carrie Lam, on Saturday. "It's been nine years since I last set foot in this place. I'm thrilled," Xi said on the airport tarmac after his arrival. "Hong Kong has been tugging away at my heart." CHINA'S NAVY LAUNCHES LATEST-GENERATION DESTROYER Pro-democracy activists held demonstrations before Xi's arrival, worried that Beijing has undercut the "one country, two systems" framework that was agreed upon in 1997. China agreed to allow Hong Kong to run majority of its own affairs and hold on to civil liberties such as free speech until 2047. However, a string of recent incidents, including the secret detention of five Hong Kong booksellers on the mainland, have led residents to believe otherwise. More protests are expected during the three-day visit, including an annual march through the streets on Saturday. The march has drawn huge crowds years before -- and it's expected to do the same this year. Authorities in Hong Kong deployed heavy security around a downtown convention center, hotel complex and throughout the city. They even glued the gaps between sidewalk paving stones in an effort to prevent them from being torn up and thrown by protesters. Three pro-democracy groups said 26 of their members were arrested Wednesday evening on public nuisance charges for staging a sit-in at a giant flower sculpture near the complex. They were still detained hours after Xi arrived. Police have the power to hold them up to 48 hours. Those arrested included Joshua Wong, the young activist who helped lead 2014's "Umbrella Movement" protests, and Nathan Law, another student protest leader who was elected to the legislature last year. The sculpture of a bauhinia flower, Hong Kong's emblem, was a gift from China, the BBC reported. However, Xi still held an optimistic view for the Asian financial hub, saying he sees "stable development" for the future. Xi added that the anniversary of Hong Kong's "return to the motherland" is "a big deal, a joyous occasion for the country and for Hong Kong." Britain ceded control of its colony to China at midnight on June 30, 1997. CHINA PLEDGES CONTINUED ASSISTANCE TO PHILIPPINES "We would like to look back at Hong Kong's extraordinary journey over the past 20 years, to learn from our experience, and look forward to the future to ensure the stable development of 'one country, two systems,'" he said in brief remarks before speeding off in a motorcade without answering questions. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A former U.S. Special Forces soldier-turned aid worker caught on video braving Islamic State gunfire to rescue a 6-year-old girl in Mosul told Fox News on Thursday that he knew God was on his side. I really thought I was going to die at that moment, 56-year-old Dave Eubank told Fox & Friends. He also said that after rescuing the girl, they had to go back and rescue two other guys. In this particular mission, I believe it was God that helped. The U.S. military dropped smoke, the Iraqis brought a tank, and we ran behind it, Eubank added. The video, recorded about three weeks ago, showed Eubank, wearing a helmet and bullet-proof vest, running through gunshots to save the Iraqi girl with two colleagues and the tank providing cover. Eubank told Fox News the Iraqis understood that were not abandoned and that the U.S. military was doing a fantastic job of being careful to hit ISIS and not hit civilians. As founder of the Free Burma Rangers humanitarian group, he's made it his lifes mission to help victims caught on the front lines against terror. VIDEO SHOWS EX-SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER-TURNED-AID WORKER DODGE ISIS SNIPER FIRE TO SAVE LITTLE GIRL DURING BATTLE FOR MOSUL We give help, hope, and love in conflict areas in BurmaWere living with the people to give them medical care and put a light on whats happening, Eubank told Fox & Friends. Eubank said that the Free Burma Rangers also were working in conflict areas in Burma, Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria, and sometimes Sudan. MOSUL MOSQUE DESTROYED BY ISIS IS CAPTURED BY IRAQI FORCES Eubank said supporters could help by praying and going to the Free Burma Rangers website. Hundreds of German police officers who were supposed to help with security at next weeks Group of 20 summit in Hamburg have been told to go home after pictures and reports from a sex party emerged alleging many of the officers got wild with alcohol and drugs. Nearly 300 officers from Berlin have been discharged and will not be used to secure the conference after they engaged in inappropriate and unacceptable behavior, a Hamburg police spokesman confirmed. GERMANY DENIES PERMISSION FOR ERDOGAN RALLY ON G-20 VISIT Bild, a German newspaper, released photos of what the company said were officers holding up their drinks while some were smoking from hookah pipes at the Hamburg village where they were staying, Reuters reported. The newspaper did not say how it got the photos. Bild also reported that a male police officer and a female police officer had sex at the party as others urinated on a fence in the village, which was once used to accommodate refugees. The newspaper also said an officer dressed in a bathrobe danced on a table with a weapon in her hand. ONLINE HATE SPEECH MAY SOON INCUR A HEFTY BILL IN GERMANY Berlin police spokesman Thomas Neunendorf described the behavior as simply embarrassing. The officers were scheduled to be relieved by others from Berlin before the July 7-8 summit. The Associated Press contributed to this report. New South Korean President Moon Jae-in begins a four-day U.S. trip for difficult talks on THAAD deployment and the North Korean threat with an emotional visit Wednesday to the "Frozen Chosin" exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. Moon shares a special relationship with the Marine Corps and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, the former Marine commandant. Dunford's father, then-20-year-old Joseph F. Dunford Sr., fought with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, in the brutal sub-zero 1950 battles against the Chinese around the Chosin Reservoir in what is now North Korea. Moon's parents were among about 100,000 refugees who were evacuated from the area to the south as the Marines fought their way to the sea at Hongnam in what became known as the "Christmas Cargo" campaign, or the "Miracle of Christmas." FORMER SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER WHO SAVED 6-YEAR-OLD IRAQI GIRL ON FRONT LINES SAYS GOD WAS ON HIS SIDE Moon's visit to the museum "will highlight the special meaning of the Korea-U.S. alliance, while also emphasizing an important part of the alliance in the history of the president's own family," Chung Eui-yong, the head of the South Korean presidential National Security Office, said Monday, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. Vice President Mike Pence, whose father is a Korean War veteran and whose son, Michael J. Pence, is a Marine 1st Lieutenant, was to accompany Moon to Quantico and to meetings with business leaders. ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS PARATROOPERS GO FROM TEAMMATES TO MARRIED COUPLE On Thursday, Moon was meeting with House and Senate leaders on plans to confront erratic North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his drive for nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Moon and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, will later join President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for dinner at the White House. On Friday, Moon will hold crucial summit talks with Trump at the White House to air their differences on the way forward against North Korea. The two will then hold a joint news conference and Moon later will speak at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., before returning home Saturday. Click for more from Military.com Iran used a Star of David as a target for a missile test last year, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations revealed Wednesday. Ambassador Danny Danon shared a startling satellite image of the Jewish and Israeli symbol with members of the UN Security Council, the Jerusalem Post reported. This use of the Star of David as target practice is hateful and unacceptable, Danon told the Council. This missile test not only violates Security Council resolutions but also proves beyond doubt, once again, the true intentions of Iran to target Israel. The Star of David was used as a target for a mid-range Qiam ballistic missile test in December, according to a statement from the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN. Alongside the symbol, a round crater caused by the rocket also can be seen. CLICK TO READ MORE FROM THE NEW YORK POST. It's dubbed "Killer Mountain," a name that will be hardly comforting to family members of two climbers lost on the peak in Pakistan since the weekend. Alberto Zerain Berasatei of Spain and Mariano Galacan of Argentina were part of a team that began climbing the world's ninth-highest mountain, Nanga Parbat, this month. But while all other team members have returned to base camp, Berasatei, 55, and Galacan, 37, are missing, reports Reuters. The owner of tour company Summit Karakoram, which arranged the climb, tells AFP the pair reached a height of 20,000 feet last week but were then forced to spend three days in a tent due to bad weather. "They pushed for the summit again as the weather got better but lost contact with our staff," he says. The owner adds sherpas believe the climbers are above 23,000 feet on the 26,660-foot-tall mountain, a height he says is "impossible" for rescuersthough Reuters reports rescuers were scouring the mountain Wednesday as poor weather kept helicopters grounded. A rep for Summit Karakoram tells Xinhua that the "altitude is not considered dangerous, but the two mountaineers chose the hardest route which has been successfully completed only once in history." Hopes of finding the men alive don't appear to be high. "In such weather conditions and without adequate food supply, survival appears unlikely," says a rep for the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Click for more of this story. More From Newser U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces sealed off the last open road out of Raqqa on Thursday, encircling the city that served as a hub for the Islamic State, according to monitors. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that SDF fighters captured villages on the southern bank of the Euphrates River, including Kasrat Afnan and Kasab. SYRIAN FIRE HITS GOLAN DURING NETANYAHU VISIT The SDF has been trying to break into ISIS territory surrounding Raqqa for months. The first major break was on June 6. In the time since they have captured four districts, two east and two west. They have been bearing down on the north but hadn't had much luck with the southern border. The southern approach has been the slowest thus far. The SDT has been able to completely encircle Raqqa, Syrian Observatory head Abdel Rahman said after Thursdays advance. Abdel Rahman told AFP the forces, cut the last route IS used to withdraw from Raqqa towards territory it controls in the Syrian desert and in Deir Ezzor province." Col. Joe Scrocca, spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, told The Associated Press that encircling the city "has been the SDF plan from the start." ISIS has held Raqqa since 2014 and declared it the de facto Syrian capital of its self-declared caliphate three years ago on June 29. MATTIS: U.S. ARMS FOR SYRIAN KURDS WILL CONTINUE AFTER RAQQA Some of the worst atrocities, from public beheadings to planning overseas attacks have taken place in Raqqa. The United Nations has reported that up to 100,000 civilians remain trapped in the city. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Trump administration is considering a wider range of strategies on how to deal with North Korea, including the military option, Trump's national security adviser said Wednesday. The threat is much more immediate now and so its clear that we cant repeat the same approach failed approach of the past, H.R. McMaster, the adviser, said during a security conference with Homeland Security Chief John Kelly. He said it would be insanity to continue to do the same thing the U.S. has done for years and expect a different result. McMasters comments come a day before Trump is scheduled to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. South Koreas new leader vowed to stand firmly with Trump against North Korea, downplaying his past advocacy for a softer approach toward the isolated regime. "Together we will achieve the dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear program, peace on the Korean Peninsula and eventually peace in Northeast Asia," Moon said. The talks between Moon and Trump, which begin with dinner on Thursday night and then formal talks on Friday, come amid intense wrangling over North Korea. China is pushing the United States to start negotiations with the North. That prospect appears unlikely as Trump grows frustrated over Beijing's level of economic pressure on the North, its wayward ally. North Korea shows no sign of wanting to restart talks on abandoning its nuclear weapons program. Moon told The Washington Post that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "unreasonable" and "very dangerous" and that pressure was necessary. But Moon said sanctions alone would not solve the problem, and dialogue was needed "under the right conditions." The THAAD missile defense is also expected to be on the agenda. Seoul delayed the full deployment of the U.S. system that is intended to protect South Korea and the 28,000 U.S. forces on the peninsula. Moon's government has ordered an environmental review before allowing additional launchers for the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system. South Korean officials say that does not mean they are placating China or reversing the decision, which risks angering Washington. The U.S. has stepped up shows of military force near the Korean Peninsula under Trump, and outrage in Washington over North Korea has only grown since the death last week of U.S. university student Otto Warmbier. He had spent 17 months in detention in the totalitarian nation for stealing a propaganda poster and returned home this month in a coma. Three other Americans and six South Koreans are still being held in the North. Fox News Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Iraqi forces captured a mosque in Mosul Thursday that was blown up by the Islamic State last week -- the same mosque where the leader of the terror network declared an Islamic caliphate nearly three years ago. The advance came as the Iraqi troops pushed deeper into the Old City, a densely populated neighborhood west of the Tigris River where the mosque once stood and where the ISIS fighters have been making their last stand in what are expected to be the final days of the battle for Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city. The capture of the Grand al-Nouri Mosque, an 850-year-old structure, is a symbolic victory from its pulpit in July 2014, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a self-styled Islamic caliphate encompassing territories then-held by ISIS in Syria and Iraq. SELF-DETERMINATION FOR POST-ISIS AREAS OF IRAQ AND SYRIA WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY? The troops took control of the surrounding streets around the mosque, following a dawn push into the territory, Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab al-Saadi of the elite force told The Associated Press. Along the route, Iraqi forces came across damaged and destroyed homes as well as a stench of rotting bodies rising from under the rubble. "There are hundreds of bodies under the rubble," said special forces Maj. Dhia Thamir, deployed inside the Old City. He added that all the dead bodies along the special forces' route were of ISIS fighters. Iraqi officials said ISIS blew up the mosque complex last week although the jihadi group blamed an airstrike carried out by the U.S. for the destruction. After months of fighting, the ISIS hold in Mosul has decreased to less than 0.8 square miles of territories, but the advances have come at a considerable cost. ISIS COUNTERATTACKS IN RETAKEN PARTS OF MOSUL STALL IRAQ PUSH Special forces Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi acknowledged that some civilians have been killed by airstrikes and artillery in the fight for the Old City. "Of course there is collateral damage, it is always this way in war," he said. Al-Aridi said the clearing of the mosque will likely require specialized engineering teams since the militants have likely rigged the site with explosives. Nearly 900,000 fled the city and migrated to refugee camps or stayed with family, Reuters reported. The people who are trapped in Mosul are reportedly starving and are at risk of being used as human shields by the militant group, the United Nations claimed in October. Baghdads state TV declared the mosque capture a victory with an urgent text scroll that said: The State of Myth Has Fallen. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Last-minute talks between Northern Ireland's main political parties on Thursday failed to produce a compromise on restoring their power-sharing administration but Britain is giving the rivals more time to talk before deciding whether to restore direct rule. A 4 p.m. deadline imposed by the British government passed without an agreement on how to restore Northern Ireland's power-sharing government. Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire had said earlier the goal remains achievable. No decision is expected until Monday at the earliest, with talks likely to continue in the meantime. Brokenshire said a number of issues remained but a resolution could be found. Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party have blamed each other for the impasse that threatens the future of the unity government for Northern Ireland that was a key achievement of the 1998 Good Friday accords. The DUP, a largely Protestant, socially conservative party, this week signed a deal to support the Conservative government of British Prime Minister Theresa May. Sinn Fein leaders complained bitterly that the DUP's new role means the British government is no longer impartial as required by the Good Friday accord. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Moscow angrily lashed out Thursday at a dismissive comment about a Russian aircraft carrier made by Britain's defense secretary, arguing that its aging ship is better than the new British carrier. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said earlier this week that Russia will look at the British aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, with envy, pointing at Russia's "dilapidated" Admiral Kuznetsov carrier. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov fired back Thursday, arguing that unlike the British ship that relies on escort ships for protection, the Russian carrier can stand by itself with an array of offensive and defensive weapons. He dismissed the British carrier as just a "conveniently large sea target" that should stay close to U.S. protection assets. The Soviet-built Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's sole aircraft carrier, visited the eastern Mediterranean last year as part of Russia's campaign in Syria, the first carrier-mounted attacks in Russia's navy history. While the ship with its turbines exhaling black smoke looks outdated compared to the U.S. nuclear-powered carriers, it allows the Kremlin to project power far away from Russia's shores. The Admiral Kuznetsov is set to undergo modernization starting next year. Authorities in Russia are calling off their search for a Colorado police officer who went missing while climbing the tallest mountain in the country. The Denver Post reports Russian officials informed the missing man's wife, Olivia Beare, that the search will be called off due to harsh weather conditions. Steven Beare has been missing since June 16 from a solo ascent up Mount Elbrus, which is 18,513 feet tall. Olivia Beare says a search of the mountain led by an American will continue "day by day." Steven Beare is a Colorado National Guardsman who has deployed multiple times. He is also a Littleton police officer. Olivia Beare, who is 11 weeks pregnant with the couple's second child, said she's still holding on to hope. One person was killed and several others were wounded when a gunman opened fire in a coastal town of Catalonia, Spain, on Thursday, police said. The unknown gunman barged into a bar in the town of Vilanova i la Geltru, located about 30 miles south of Barcelona, and fired several rounds at customers, according to Spanish news site La Vanguardia. The individual then fled the scene. 1 KILLED, 1 INJURED BY TREE FELLED IN SUMMER STORM IN SERBIA A man, said to be in his 50s, died after being shot several times. Three other people were wounded, including one suffering from serious injuries, the news site said. A spokesman with Catalonia's regional police told The Associated Press the incident was under investigation, adding that authorities had ruled out terror as a possible motive. Incidents involving firearms are rare in Spain. Spanish law doesn't specifically prohibit people from owning guns, but makes it difficult for someone to obtain one. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In a month when the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, announced a new office of counterterrorism, Fox News has learned that two organizations who are taking part in a UN meeting Thursday and Friday have been accused by Israel as partnering with terrorist groups. The meeting is a United Nations forum to mark 50 years of occupation. This month marks the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem -- when Israeli troops, against all the odds, liberated the historic city from Jordanian control during the Six Day War in June 1967. While Israel celebrates the historic accomplishment, the Palestinians call it an occupation. ISRAELI GOVERNMENT MEETING NEAR JERUSALEM SITE ANGERS PALESTINIANS The Israeli Mission to the UN says organizations with ties to terrorist groups should not take part in a UN-sponsored event. The UN is colluding with supporters of terror seeking to harm Israel, Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the UN said in a press statement to Fox News. Danon claimed that, according to Israeli intelligence, one of the groups known as Al Haq, a human rights group based in Ramallah, has ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP.) The Israelis also charge that the General Director of Al Haq, Shawan Jabarin, who is not speaking at the conference, was a former member of that terrorist group and had been jailed in Israel for involvement in terrorist activities, according to those Israeli intelligence sources. WHY TRUMP'S PROMISE TO MOVE US EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM IS SO CONTROVERSIAL It was the PFLP that claimed responsibility for the killing of an Israeli policewoman last week in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. The other group that also has a representative at the forum is the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, which is based in Gaza. Israeli sources tell Fox News that the group does legal work for the Islamic terrorist group Hamas. Its beyond comprehension that UN funds are supporting organizations which aid terrorists and incite against Israel. We call on the Secretary General to intervene immediately and prevent these individuals from appearing at the UN, Danon said. Both Hamas and the PFLP are on the U.S. Department of States foreign terrorist organizations list. They also have been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The top Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, defended the two groups during Thursday's meeting. Hamas and the PFLP are not terrorist organizations," Erekat said. "We are a people who strive to achieve our independence, and our choice in the PLO, Palestine Liberation Organization, is to achieve peace, peacefully." The Secretary Generals spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, confirmed to Fox News that his office had received a complaint from the Israeli mission about the two-day forum. But, Dujarric added, the Secretary Generals office isnt running the conference. That meeting is not being organized by the Secretary-General's office, it is being put together by the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Dujarric told Fox News. The Committee is made of member states. Any issues regarding this event should be addressed to members of the committee, as the Secretary-General has no authority over them. ISRAELI MINISTER'S CANNES DRESS CELEBRATING THE REUNIFICATION OF JERUSALEM CALLED 'TASTELESS' Questions sent by Fox News to the chairman of UN committee have not been answered. Members of the committee include Cuba, Turkey, and Venezuela while observers to the group include Syria, China, Iraq and Lebanon. The two-day event is being organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, a UN committee mandated by the UN General Assembly that, according to its website, will bring together international experts, including from the State of Palestine and Israel, representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society, as well as academics and students to discuss the ongoing occupation. Earlier this week, Israels UN mission, in collaboration with other pro-Israeli groups, sponsored a pop concert celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem. We were proud to celebrate 50 years to the reunification of Jerusalem in the UN, Danon said. Our adversaries spew hate and lies while we portray the truth about our beloved capital. A spokesman for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations told Fox News that it was looking into the matter. Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, has been outspoken against anti-Israel bias at the world body. Three Israelis are believed to be speaking, including a former Israeli foreign minister, an Arab member of the Israeli Knesset and a representative from a left-leaning Israeli human rights group. The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations didnt respond to Fox News questions about the event. Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of "historical" sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, said in an early morning appearance at the Vatican that he would take a leave of absence as the Vatican's finance czar and would return to Australia to fight the charges. He denied the accusations and denounced what he called a "relentless character assassination" in the media. Pell is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton in Australia's Victoria state said police have summonsed Pell to appear in court to face multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. For years, Pell, 76, has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview the cardinal. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. Patton told reporters in Melbourne that none of the allegations against Pell had been tested in any court, adding: "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." Specific details about the multiple complaints brought against Pell were not detailed by Victoria State Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton. The charges were today served on Cardinal Pells legal representatives in Melbourne and they have been lodged also at the Melbourne Magistrates Court. Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences, Patton said, according to news.com.au. The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy about sex abuse. The charges will also further complicate Francis' financial reform efforts at the Vatican, which were already strained by Pell's repeated clashes with the Italian-dominated bureaucracy. Just last week, one of Pell's top allies, the Vatican's auditor general, resigned without explanation two years into a five-year term, immediately raising questions about whether the reform effort was doomed. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Pope Francis had learned with "regret" of the charges and had granted Pell a leave of absence to defend himself. He said the Vatican's financial reforms would continue in his absence. Pell's actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse -- the nation's highest form of inquiry -- has found shocking levels of abuse in Australia's Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7 percent of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the past several decades. Last year, Pell acknowledged during his testimony to the commission that the Catholic Church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests over centuries. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican. But in a statement from the Sydney Archdiocese, Pell said he would return to Australia "as soon as possible," following advice and approval by his doctors. Last year, Pell declined to return to Australia to testify for the third time before the Royal Commission, saying he was too ill to fly. He instead testified via video conference from Rome. The Blue Knot Foundation, an Australian support group for adult survivors of childhood abuse, said the decision to charge Pell sent a powerful message to both abuse survivors and society as a whole. "It upholds that no one is above the law, no matter how high their office, qualifications, or standing," the group's head of research, Pam Stavropoulos, said in a statement. The charges put the pope in a thorny position. In 2014, Francis won cautious praise from victims' advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about "best practices" to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has since lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left. Francis also scrapped the commission's signature proposal -- a tribunal section to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse -- after Vatican officials objected. In addition, Francis drew heated criticism for his 2015 appointment of a Chilean bishop accused by victims of helping cover up for Chile's most notorious pedophile. The pope was later caught on videotape labeling the parishioners who opposed the nomination of being "leftists" and "stupid." Francis appointed Pell in 2014 to a five-year term to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat, giving him broad rein to control all economic, administrative, personnel and procurement functions of the Holy See. The mandate has since been restricted to performing more of an oversight role. The Associated Press contributed to this report A Stafford County man who teamed up with two still-unidentified men last year to rob a man who knew him is facing the possibility of 28 years in prison. A jury recommended that sentence Wednesday for 26-year-old Anthony Lamar Turner after convicting him of armed burglary, robbery, using a firearm in the commission of a felony and two counts of conspiracy. The jury also suggested an $800 fine. Turner will be formally sentenced Sept. 7 in Stafford Circuit Court, at which time a judge could reduce the amount of time he will be required to serve. The 28 years was the lowest amount of time the jury could have recommended. According to the evidence presented by prosecutor Ed Lustig, Blake Brown had just returned to his townhouse on Clint Lane on Oct. 3 with his sister when he saw Turner, someone hed known for about two years. After Turner told Brown a sad story about how he had just been kicked out of his home by his father, Brown told Turner he could hang out at his home for a little while, but he couldnt stay there. A minute or so later, according to testimony, Turner said he was going outside to smoke. A short time later, he returned with two masked men behind him. Lustig said police still dont know who the identities of the masked men. One of the men pointed a gun in Browns face, while the other pounded a retractable baton in an apparent attempt to intimidate the victim. The robbers then took two Mason jars of marijuana, $160 in cash, five pairs of Air Jordan shoes and Browns wallet and cellphone. Turner was the one who took the marijuana and he was later handed two pairs of shoes. The robbers left abruptly after Browns sister surprised them by coming out of the shower. Lustig said the police believe that Turner was confident that Brown would not call the police because he is a drug dealer. Brown admitted on the witness stand Wednesday that he sold marijuana. Turner called Brown the next morning and claimed he was jumped by the two masked men and forced to cooperate in the robbery. He repeated that story Wednesday and claimed that he grabbed the marijuana because he was afraid that Brown was going to get hurt by continuing to deny that he had it. He said he ran from the masked men after the robbery, but they caught him and beat him up. He said he didnt call the police because we dont call the po-po. Turner fled to Maryland after the robbery, but was arrested later that month. He has been in custody ever since. Lustig scoffed at Turners story and noted that he didnt seek help for his friend even, after supposedly eluding the other robbers. By his own account, hes a coward. By the commonwealths account, hes a criminal. Maybe hes both, Lustig said. Attorney Terence Patton is representing Turner. The battered bald eagle huddled by a dumpster as Sgt. Peter OBrien approached, net in hand, on Wednesday morning. OBrien, a 12-year Spotsylvania County animal control officer, was responding to a report of an injured raptor behind a urology practice off Cowan Boulevard in Fredericksburg. The bird, which turned out to be a juvenile bald eagle, had apparently swooped onto the back of a blue car in a parking lot. Witnesses said crows attacked the weakened eagle, which took refuge under a tree by the dumpster. It had feathers missing from its face and a cut above its eye when OBrien got there a little before 11 a.m. OBrien said the eagle jumped as he walked toward it. But it could not muster the strength to fly and plopped back down on the concrete. He placed the net over the bird and wrapped a towel around its body to shield himself from the eagles sharp talons. The 7-pound bird tried to roll on its back to use its talons, but the officer was able to secure it in the back of his temperature-controlled truck without injuring himself or the animal. The eagle would soon begin a two-hour journey to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro. Spotsylvania animal control officers respond to wildlife incidents in Fredericksburg under a contract between the localities. OBrien said hes dealt with alligators, snakes and bears, but never an eagle, which tend to stay near waterways. Theyre majestic, you know, he said. The size and beauty of it, you cant get ahold of it until youre there. This is not a little parakeet. Trish Hallier, a Wildlife Center volunteer from Spotsylvania, received a call Wednesday from Animal Control asking if she could help transport the bird to Waynesboro. She agreed to drive it to Louisa County, where another volunteer picked it up for the final leg of the trip. The eagle traveled in a carrier in the back of her SUV, and would thump around if she hit a bump in the road. He was rumbling around, and I got to thinking, Gee, what if he knocks the door open or something, Hallier said with a laugh. She helped transport another injured eagle to the Wildlife Center about three years ago, but it died at the facility. This time around, Hallier hopes the outcome will be different. Amanda Nicholson, director of outreach for the Wildlife Center of Virginia, said the eaglewhich probably hatched just a couple months agois suffering from a severe case of avian pox, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Its too thin, she said, with lesions on its face and talons, swollen eyelids, and flies and lice on its body. And it may be at risk of a lung infection, based on an X-ray. Its too soon to predict the eagles chance of survival, but Nicholson said the facility will keep it fed and hydrated with the hope of strengthening its immune system. The bird has been treated with anti-parasitic and pain medication and eye lubricant to prevent corneal ulcers, according to an update on the Wildlife Centers website, which lists the prognosis as poor to guarded. On a positive note, Nicholson said: So far, hes bright and alert, which is great. OBrien, the animal control officer, said it was pretty neat to rescue a bird that symbolizes America. You never want to see an animal in that type of position, he said. Its a good feeling to get him help. Sixty-seven years ago, South Korean President Moon Jae-ins parents were among the thousands of refugees evacuated by the Marine Corps following the Battle of the Chosin Reservoira grueling 17-day battle in subzero temperatures during the Korean War. On Wednesday afternoon, Moon laid a wreath before the Chosin Reservoir Monument at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico to honor the Marines that saved the lives of his parents and so many others in the aftermath of that brutal battle. It is quite moving for me to meet you here at the Chosin Reservoir Monument, Moon said. I have longed to visit and now I am finally here. The museum marked the first stop on Moons first official visit to the United States. Moon took office only last month following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller thanked Moon for beginning his trip with a visit to the memorial. He said the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir is an iconic story of overcoming insurmountable odds that laid the foundation for the strong alliance between Korea and the United States. That legacy lives on today as we affirm the bonds our two nations share, Neller said. I am looking forward to facing future challenges together and continuing to learn from each other. During his remarks, Moon reflected on the story that brought him to the monument. His parents were among the 14,000 refugees who crowded on to the SS Meredith Victorya ship built for only 12 passengersafter the battle. It is credited as the largest humanitarian rescue operation by a single ship. To make room for the refugees, Capt. Leonard LaRue ordered weapons and cargo to be dumped overboard. During that trip, five babies were born and everyone survived, despite limited availability of food and water. Moon said some have called the trip a Christmas miracle. His mother told him that halfway through the voyage, the Marines handed out a candy to each child on the ship as Christmas presents. I am moved by the U.S. militarys love for humanity, Moon said. Two years after that trip, Moon was born. He credits his life to the actions of the Marines that saved his parents. Without those warriors, my life would not have begun as it had and I would not be here today, Moon said. Therefore, how could I ever put into words my gratitude? Moon will meet with President Donald Trump and his top aides on Thursday and Friday to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S.South Korea alliance and address the North Korean nuclear and missile threats. Moon said he believes the alliance that his nation and the United States forged in blood on the battlefield during those cold December days in 1950 will remain strong. Korea remembers, Moon said. This is why I do not doubt the future of our alliance. More work ahead The Fred Hutch finding is novel, and the next step will be to see if IL-17c can be formulated into some kind of topical cream or injectable to repair nerves damaged by chemotherapy. There is a long and uncertain road from a laboratory discovery to a successful drug. The effects of this protein in reducing chemotherapy-related peripheral neuropathy have yet to be tested in animals, let alone humans. The Hutch researchers are now initiating experiments to see if IL-17c measures up to their expectations. Corey said nerve growth factor, the first neurotrophin to be identified earning its discoverers a Nobel Prize in 1986 had been tried against neuropathy, but it actually caused an increase in pain. Another neurotrophin, called BDNF, triggers sensory nerve growth, but its biological activity is short-lived. The intrinsic appeal of IL-17c is that it functions naturally in the environment where sensation occurs at the junction of skin cells and nerve fibers. And its connection with herpes simplex is intriguing: In contrast to other related viruses such as varicella-zoster, which causes chickenpox and shingles, HSV leaves no evidence of nerve loss. Herpes simplex is a recurrent infection, said Zhu. Once a person has it, the virus never leaves them. Periodic recurrences happen all the time, but the patient never really loses sensation. Corey pointed out that varicella-zoster does not appear to cause skin cells to produce IL-17c, and reactivations of that virus cause painful nerve damage. HSV-1 and HSV-2, on the other hand, do induce production of the protein, and reactivation of these viruses yields no loss of sensation or neuropathy. This is particularly noteworthy because the herpes viruses reactivate 50 to 100 times more often than varicella-zoster. It is more evidence and grounds for optimism that IL-17c and its receptors on nerve fibers are important in protecting peripheral nerves. A serendipitous discovery Peng was a graduate student at the University of Maryland Medical School in Baltimore when he met his future wife, who was a postdoctoral researcher there. Zhu had come to Baltimore from Shanghai, where she had earned her Ph.D. Both were studying herpes, and a romance bloomed. The couple have a son, 17, and a daughter, 15. Zhu furthered her herpes research with Dr. David Knipe, a prominent herpes virologist at Harvard Medical School, while Peng became an expert in genomic analysis at the nearby Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research in Cambridge. In 2003, they moved to Seattle, where they are affiliated with both the University of Washington and Fred Hutch. Jia is a terrific investigator, said Corey. Shes very meticulous. Shes developed technologies for detection in tissue of both immune cells and HSV that have been at the forefront. Shes both a good virologist and a good immunologist, and for us that is a wonderful thing. COLUMBUS A Wisconsin man accused of partnering with an Omahan while passing forged checks at two Columbus banks appeared in Platte County Court on Wednesday to face a charge of second-degree forgery. Judge Frank Skorupa set bond for 44-year-old Andreas Moore of Madison, Wisconsin, at $50,000, 10 percent allowed for release, in connection with the bogus checks written Nov. 29 on the accounts of Columbus-based Re/Max Total Realty Inc. and Wilke Cattle Company and Fremont-based Barta Cattle LLC. Skorupa set the bond amount after listening to prosecution arguments that the defendant has no ties to the community and is a flight risk. Moore was arrested on an outstanding warrant about 10 days ago by University of Wisconsin-Madison police and extradited to Nebraska this week. He is scheduled for a July 6 first appearance hearing. Second-degree forgery is a Class 2A felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A co-defendant in the case, 43-year-old William Virden of Omaha, already served his 75-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of theft by deception-$500-$1,500. He was also ordered to pay $18,008 in restitution to the banks where the forged checks were cashed. According to court documents, two of the fraudulent checks were passed at Pinnacle Bank, 210 E. 23rd St., for $8,821.44 and $3,942.01, and one was cashed at Columbus Bank and Trust, 2501 13th St., for $5,245. One of the bogus checks was written to Moore, with the defendants drivers license number recorded on the check when it was cashed. Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. Detention Center The inmate count at the Platte County Detention Facility Tuesday was 49, with 42 from Platte County and 7 from out of county. June 15 5:57 p.m. - In the 2100 block of 26th Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Stacy Sneed, 33, 1860 24th Ave., Orlanda Provost, 20, 2126 26th Ave. June 20 12:36 p.m. - At 2516 13th Street, Meagan Liekhus, 23, 552 E. 44th Ave., was cited for third-degree assault. June 21 12:27 p.m. - in a parking lot in the 4600 block of 38th Street, a vehicle driven by Mindy Swanson, 47, Genoa, struck a parked vehicle owned by Miguel Godoy, 130 S. Roselane. June 23 3:37 p.m. - In the 2300 block of Sixth Street, a vehicle driven by Amanda Bennett, 17, 2305 Sixth St., struck a parked vehicle owned by Stephen Fecht, 717 53rd St. 7:04 p.m. - At the intersection of 33rd Avenue and Eighth Street, an unknown vehicle struck a vehicle driven by Erin Baker, 37, Silver Creek, and left the scene. 8:13 p.m. - At the intersection of Eighth Street and 23rd Avenue, Isabel Noa-Herrera, 18, 3020 19th St., was cited for no operator's license. June 25 7:25 a.m. - In a parking lot at 524 E. 23rd St., a vehicle driven by Aaron Lorraine, 25, Kearney, struck a parked vehicle owned by Melody and Ronald Brown, 1164 19th Ave. June 26 11:38 a.m. - In the 2600 block of 13th Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Roxanne Sutherland, 63, 32 Clear Lake, and Gary Meays, 76, Bellwood. Sheriff June 18 5:19 p.m. - On the Loup River, 1.7 miles southeast of Monroe, a four-wheeler driven by Keith Haferland, 61, 2869 29th Ave., lost control and rolled over. June 19 5:50 a.m. - On 175th Avenue, four miles north of Columbus, a vehicle driven by Jorge Gomez, 40, 3317 25th St., No. 56, struck a deer. 2:53 p.m. - At the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and East 32nd Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Kenneth Bos, 53, Clarkson, Barbara Olson, 60, 2615 Seventh St., and Marila Martinez Mora, 29, 3477 53rd Ave., No. 1. June 20 9:58 p.m. - On 48th Avenue, north of 68th Street, a vehicle driven by Abbie Tessendorf, 45, 4312 Conner Drive, lost control and struck a fence owned by Janice Nelson, Genoa. June 24 1:47 p.m. Theft of fuel from Station Klub 81, $39.09 loss. 3:12 p.m. Theft of fuel from Station Klub 81, $54.88 loss. 7:01 p.m. Traffic violation southbound from the intersection of Monastery Road and 400th Street, Jose Guerra of Florida jailed for driving under the influence, and cited for driving left of center, speeding and littering. June 25 1:03 a.m. Traffic violation at the intersection of Highway 30 and 280th Avenue, Arron Odom of Columbus jailed for second-offense driving under the influence and cited for a stop sign violation. 12:28 p.m. Traffic violation at the intersection of 197th Street and 355th Avenue, Julio Pazos-Cabrera of Shelby was cited for a stop sign violation. 3:41 p.m. Traffic violation at the intersection of Highway 30 and 160th Street, Kevin Cahoy of Grand Island cited for speeding. 9:14 p.m. Traffic violation at the intersection of 445th Avenue and 385th Street, Leah Lindhorst of Lindsay cited for speeding. June 26 6:42 a.m. - Wanted person at the Platte County Detention Facility, 1125 E. 17th St., Anthony VanNett of Minnesota jailed on a Platte County warrant. 12:56 p.m. - Traffic violation at the intersection of 26th Avenue and 27th Street, Frank Aerts of Columbus cited for a stop sign violation. 5:42 p.m. - Wanted person at 2511 E. 17th St., Tura Tapia turned self in on Platte County warrants. 6:08 p.m. - Burglary at 41780 Central Highway, $4,000 loss. June 27 5:11 a.m. - Criminal mischief at 4022 E. 29th St., No. 744, window damaged, $200 loss. 8:16 a.m. - Criminal mischief at Monroe Park in Monroe, park equipment damaged, $500 loss. 9:42 a.m. - Theft at 48619 310th Ave. in Humphrey, $28,000 loss. Fire June 23 8:10 a.m. In the 500 block of East 23rd Street, medical. 3:05 p.m. In the 4500 block of 38th Street, medical. 4:22 p.m. In the 2600 block of 37th Avenue, medical. 7:42 p.m. In the 28000 block of 295th Avenue, medical. June 24 12:16 a.m. In the 1100 block of East 17th Street, medical. 5:52 a.m. In the 2800 block of 40th Avenue, medical. 7:29 a.m. In the 3900 block of Adamy Street, medical. 9:09 a.m. In the 200 block of South Seventh Avenue, medical. 6:22 p.m. In the 2800 block of 40th Avenue, medical. 9:58 p.m. In the 3700 block of Lakeview Lane, medical. 11:50 p.m. In the 1600 block of 10th Street, medical. June 25 1:59 a.m. In the 3300 block of 20th Street, medical. 2:14 a.m. In the 2400 block of Kummer Drive, medical. 2:58 a.m. In the 100 block of South Road, medical. 5:43 a.m. In the 2200 block of 22nd Street, medical. 12:03 p.m. In the 2200 block of 21st Street, medical. 12:43 p.m. Alarm activated in the 3900 block of 23rd Street. 10 p.m. At the intersection of 19th Avenue and Eighth Street, medical. 11:23 p.m. Garbage can fire in the east shelter of Pawnee Park caused by fireworks. June 26 3:28 a.m. In the 3200 block of 29th Avenue, medical. 11:50 a.m. - In the 300 block of 33rd Avenue, medical. 2:01 p.m. - In the 160 block of South Road, medical. 8:56 p.m. - Structure fire in the 2800 block of 11th Street. June 27 11:59 a.m. - Alarm activated at 2472 39th Avenue, cancelled en route. 1:49 p.m. - In the 3000 block of 3000 block of 39th Avenue, medical. 2:09 p.m. - Grass fire at the intersection of Southeast Ninth Street and East 38th Avenue. 6:23 p.m. - In the 2000 block of 12th Street, medical. June 28 12:25 a.m. - In the 3200 block of 29th Avenue, medical. Story Highlights 49% say immigrants help the U.S. economy 72% believe immigrants take jobs Americans don't want Most say immigration has had no effect on job or company they work for WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Five months into Donald Trump's presidency, 49% of U.S. adults believe immigrants help the nation's economy by providing low-cost labor, outweighing the 40% who think immigrants hurt the economy by driving down wages. This is a near reversal of the last time Gallup asked this question, in 2005, when more thought immigrants harmed (49%) than helped (42%) the economy. The latest results come from a June 7-11 Gallup poll. Gallup's trend on this question stretches back to Bill Clinton's presidency, in 1993. At that time, shortly after the 1990-1991 recession, nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults thought immigrants did more harm than good for the economy. This concern eased in 1999 and 2000, but briefly shot up again in 2004, when former President George W. Bush proposed a temporary worker program that would have allowed 8 million illegal immigrants to obtain legal status before dropping back to 49% in 2005. Trump campaigned for president in 2015 and 2016 on a platform of blocking undocumented immigrants from entering the country and deporting those already living in the U.S. As a result, debate over immigrants, legal and illegal, came to the fore of the national discourse at the start of Trump's campaign and intensified as he has moved to deliver on his pledges as president. This debate has touched on the potential that immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens and whether illegal immigrants should receive government services such as healthcare and education. Given Republican President Trump's tough policy on immigrants, it is not surprising that members of his party are less likely to say immigrants help the economy. Democrats are more likely to say immigrants help the economy (59%) than Republicans (28%). This is in contrast to the last time Gallup asked this question, in 2005, when 40% of Democrats said immigration would mostly help the economy, while 35% of Republicans said the same. U.S. Adults Say Immigrants Take Jobs Americans Don't Want Public concern about immigrants' effects on the economy may be even less pronounced than it appears to be. Gallup asks respondents if they think immigrants take jobs that Americans want or if they take low-paying jobs that U.S. adults aren't interested in. By a commanding margin, 72% said immigrants take jobs Americans don't want over the 18% who say immigrants take jobs U.S. adults want. Americans' views on this issue have been relatively consistent since 1993, with the great majority consistently saying immigrants mostly take jobs Americans don't want. This was highest in 2004, when 77% believed immigrants mainly take undesired jobs. Proponents of immigration often assert that immigrants benefit the U.S. economy due to their willingness to accept lower wages than Americans will work for, keeping the costs of goods and services down. By contrast, opponents of illegal immigration say that illegal immigrants drive down wages, lowering the incomes of Americans who are already employed in the lowest-paying jobs. Immigrants Aren't Having an Effect on Americans' Jobs or Companies In addition to Americans' views that immigrants have a positive impact on the economy, and that they take jobs others don't want, most employed adults don't see immigrants having a negative effect on their own work situation. Specifically, 60% say immigration has no effect on their own job, while 54% say it isn't having an effect on the business or organization they work for either. Most Americans Say Immigration Has Had No Effect on Their Job and Company [Asked of employed adults] Would you say immigration has had a positive effect, a negative effect or no effect on -- A. Your job? B. The company, business or organization you work for? Positive Negative No effect % % % Your job 27 11 60 The company, business or organization you work for 33 12 54 Gallup, June 7-11, 2017 Among U.S. workers who believe immigration has had an impact on their job or company, more say this has been positive rather than negative. Only 11% to 12% say immigration has had a negative effect on their job or company they work for. Bottom Line Immigration has long been a contentious issue in the U.S., dating back to the 1800s, when immigrants from outside of Northern Europe began arriving in large numbers. Since then, the issue has never really faded from American consciousness, as waves of immigrants from other areas of the globe continue to arrive in the U.S. As Gallup has determined in recent years, more Americans believed immigrants hurt the economy by driving down wages, rather than helped it. In 2017, this flipped, potentially due to a renewed appreciation for immigrants or a backlash against President Trump's immigration policies. Public voices on immigration have been mixed, with some major companies continuing to push for additional H-1B visas to lure more legal immigrants to this country, while some Americans decry more immigration at all. It remains to be seen whether there will be increased immigration over time. With the president touting increased "border security" in his first 100 days to keep out illegal immigrants, there will continue to be controversy over who should or should not be allowed in this country. Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics. COLUMBUS A 45-year-old Grand Island woman is accused of distributing large amounts of methamphetamine during transactions in Columbus parking lots from January through March that were recorded by a confidential police informant. Carla Velazquez was charged this week with four counts of distribution of an exceptionally hazardous substance (meth) after apparently reneging on a deal with law enforcement to cooperate by making controlled drug buys from her supplier. Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa on Wednesday set bond for Velazquez at $250,000, 10 percent allowed for release, and scheduled the defendant for a July 6 status hearing on the charges. All four meth distribution charges are Class 1D felonies, each punishable by up to 50 years imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of three years behind bars. Court documents describe a Nebraska State Patrol investigation that got underway in early January when Velazquez met an informant equipped with a recording device in a local business parking lot. The defendant sold approximately 1 ounce of meth to the informant, Investigator Keith Bignell wrote in his probable cause arrest statement. Velazquez is accused of making three more drug transactions before being arrested by State Patrol officers following the last deal on March 1. During questioning at the State Patrol office in Columbus, Bignell wrote, Velazquez confessed to delivering the meth and identified her drug supplier. The investigator wrote that Velazquez said she was willing to cooperate with law enforcement and she was released with the understanding that she would make controlled drug purchases from her supplier. After several months, it became apparent that Velazquez cooperation was not producing the results she claimed it would, nor did it produce any prosecutable cases, Bignell wrote in his statement. There currently are 93 Fisher Houses in the United States and in Europe with plans for more. The Benton County Sheriff's Office will have more deputies patrolling the roads over the Fourth of July holiday. Deputies will be targeting intoxicated drivers, controlled substances and inhalants, the Sheriffs Office reported. The increased patrols will take place during a time of heightened travel. AAA reports 44.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from their homes this year for the Fourth of July, 1.25 million more travelers than last year. The boost in deputy patrols will begin Thursday and continue through Wednesday. Extra deputies will continue patrolling for intoxicated drivers July 6 through July 10, during the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo. During a five-day stretch over Memorial Day weekend this year, when the Sheriffs Office also increased patrols, deputies made three arrests for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Other arrests during that time involved charges of reckless driving (three), reckless endangering (eight), attempting to elude (one), possession of controlled substances (12) and minor in possession (two). Eight arrest warrants were also served. Deputies also issued 65 traffic citations and investigated five traffic crashes during those dates. A 38-year-old Albany man whom prosecutors charged in 2009 with sexually abusing a girl in Benton County was arrested last week. A warrant for Fidencio Cruz-Galans arrest was issued in January 2009 after he was indicted by a grand jury, but he eluded law enforcement for many years. He was arrested Friday by the Linn County Sheriffs Office. The indictment alleges that in August 2008, Cruz-Galan sexually abused a girl under the age of 14. He faces charges of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree unlawful sexual penetration and second-degree sexual abuse. Cruz-Galan pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday in Benton County Circuit Court. He is being represented by Corvallis attorney Robert Corl. Deputy District Attorney Amie Matusko is prosecuting the case. As of Wednesday afternoon, Cruz-Galan was being held in the Benton County Jail on $125,000 bond. His next court date is set for a status hearing on July 25. This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department and the Benton County Sheriffs Office. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise. Corvallis Police Department SUNDAY, JUNE 25 DUII: 10:16 p.m., Northwest Harrison Boulevard and Northwest 31st Street, Corvallis. A police officer stopped a car after it weaved and crossed the centerline. The officer arrested the driver, Candice OBannan, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. A breathalyzer test indicated OBannan had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11 percent. MONDAY, JUNE 26 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: 12:15 a.m., 700 block of Southwest Fifth Street, Corvallis. A man reported to police he had been working on his car in his garage when a woman he did not know came into the garage and said she had been abused by her boyfriend and needed a ride. The woman left before police arrived. Police were unable to locate the woman. Benton County Sheriffs Office FRIDAY, JUNE 23 RECKLESS DRIVING: 2:30 p.m., Southwest Philomath Boulevard and Southwest Technology Loop, Corvallis. A sheriff deputy cited Joshua Michael Rockey, 31, of Philomath, for reckless driving, following too closely and not having a valid operators license after Rockey struck the rear of another persons car. SATURDAY, JUNE 24 WATER RESCUE: 5:45 p.m., Willamette River northwest of Kiger Island, Corvallis. Sheriff deputies pulled an intoxicated person out of the river. The person had not been able to stay on her inner tube and kept falling into the river. One of the deputies jumped in the water and assisted the person to a patrol boat. The person was taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center for evaluation. DUII: 11:51 p.m., Northwest Third Street and Northwest Harrison Boulevard, Corvallis. A sheriff deputy responded to a call of an intoxicated driver. The deputy contacted Efren Monroy-Velasquez, 25, of Corvallis. Monroy-Velasquez failed to perform field sobriety tests and the deputy arrested him for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Monroy-Velasquez had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.12 percent. SUNDAY, JUNE 25 DUII: 3 a.m., Southeast Third Street and Southeast Kiger Island Drive, Corvallis. A sheriff deputy stopped a car for failing to drive within its lane. The deputy arrested the driver, Steve Alejandro Macias Delgado, 25, of Corvallis, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Macias Delgado had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent. TUESDAY, JUNE 27 VANDALISM: 10 a.m., 100 block of Northeast Columbia Avenue, Adair. A sheriff deputy responded to Adair Park, where someone had spray-painted in various areas. No suspects were identified. With so much discussion in the media about the U.S. health care system, this seems like a good time to point out that there are other options besides insurance-based health care systems like the Affordable Care Act or whatever Trump may replace it with. We can choose a single-payer system instead. Here are two things that are good about a single payer health care system: 1) Everyone is in. Everyone living in the United States is covered. This appeals to my sense of equity and it is simple. No worries about pre-existing conditions, how old you are, or whether your doctor is in network." 2) Health care would not be tied to your employment. Americans value their freedom. You would be free to do whatever job you want, start your own business, or move wherever you want without worrying about health insurance. That is the kind of freedom I want. And we dont even have to wait for the U.S. Congress to agree on something and take action. We can take action right here in Oregon. Health Care for All Oregon is a single-payer health care system that can be a model for other states and for the whole country. Oregon can lead the way in sensible, fair, health care for all. Interested? Check out Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates' website at www.mvhca.org for more information about single payer health care systems and Health Care for All Oregon. Bonnie Bailey Corvallis (June 27) 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. Carousels go round on Munsterplatz : Putzchens Markt funfair celebrates 650 years Very popular with the youngest visitors: the historic horse carousel will come to Bonn city center. Foto: Horst Muller Bonn Nostalgia and history will come to Bonn in July as the historic Putzchens Markt fair is celebrated. The 650th anniversary of the funfair will bring some old-fashioned fun and flair to the city center. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Its perhaps the most famous and historical funfair around town. And with good reason, Putzchens Markt, located in Bonn-Beuel will be coming to Bonn city center this summer. From Friday, July 7th until Sunday, July 16th, Bonn will celebrate 650 years of the big fair. The celebration in Bonn comes two months before the actual Putzchens Markt funfair kicks off in Beuel; it runs September 8 - 12. Munsterplatz in Bonn will be transformed into a historical funfair with nostalgic rides, including Route 66. With seven amusement park rides dating back to 1900 - 1960, as well as a shooting gallery and three fairground organs, the event will run for ten days in Bonns inner city. Included in the fair is a carousel with 18 hand-carved wooden horses, a ferris wheel some may recognize from the Christmas Market and a childrens carousel. The smell and taste of cotton candy and roasted almonds will also linger in the air, and there will be a historical exhibition, films and a celebratory mass. The highlight of the celebration will be a big parade on Sunday, July 9. Around 50 historical floats and groups involving more than 500 people will make their way through the inner city, beginning at 2 pm. Bottlerplatz is the starting area for the parade. It will then proceed to Friedensplatz, Sternstrae, Markt, Remigiusstrae, Munsterplatz, In der Surst, Poststrae and Vivatsgasse, and finally back to Bottlerplatz. Article Protecting the worlds oceans an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs. Page Content The Reflection paper on the future of EU finances, presented on 28 June by the European Commission, is a balanced starting point for the discussions on the EU budget after 2020, according to the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Markku Markkula. We welcome the realistic proposals put forward by Gunther H. Oettinger and Corina Cretu for discussions on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. This comes a day after President Juncker's statement on the unique function of cohesion policy for the future of the EU. As the Commission recalls, this policy is a Treaty obligation and has a proven added value. It also contributes to economic governance and ensures a sustainable growth potential. This is why regional and local political leaders will fight to secure that cohesion policy plays a key role after 2020 in the same proportion as today while keeping its three categories of regions . More broadly, the EU budget must be more flexible and match all regions and cities' investment priorities, including but not limited to those listed in the reflection paper: social cohesion and economic convergence, public transport, water and digital infrastructure, health, education, harnessing globalisation, tackling unemployment, boosting resource and energy efficiency, innovation and inclusion. A thorough discussion on the EU's own resources is needed, not only in the context of Brexit, but in particular to finance common policies of added value and to eliminate current duplications and overlapping of funding instruments. Today we have decided to appoint a rapporteur on the reflection paper (Marek Wozniak, Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region, EPP/PL). His opinion will build on our recent contribution for a strong and flexible cohesion policy , (rapporteur Michael Schneider, State Secretary, Saxony-Anhalt, EPP/DE). As elected representatives from regions and cities, we are committed to an EU budget founded on solidarity and subsidiarity. An effective use of the budget can help the EU reach out to citizens provided it addresses their needs. Contact: Pierluigi Boda Tel. +32 2 282 2461 GSM +32 473 85 17 43 pierluigi.boda@cor.europa.eu New Nokia feature phone spotted on TENAA News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu HMD could be planning to launch another feature phone. The Nokia 3310 (2017) has been released in many markets across the globe since April. As the device supports only 2G connectivity, it was recently reported that HMD is in plans to come up with a 3G variant of the Nokia 3310 for the markets where 2G networks no longer exist. Earlier this year, the company did confirm that it is all set to launch six to seven handsets by the end of the year. While there is no clarity on the number of feature phones and smartphones, it looks like HMD is in plans to launch yet another feature phone. We say this as a TENAA listing shows the pictures of an alleged feature phone in the making. The Chinese regulatory commission shows that HMD might launch this feature phone in the following months. The listing does not reveal any information regarding the name, price or specifications of this device. One thing that we are sure about is that this one is not the Nokia 3310's 3G variant as it does not offer support to 3G connectivity. The Nokia feature phone spotted on TENAA carries the model number TA-1017. Maybe, we can expect a variant of this handset to be launched with 3G support. From the images, it looks like the alleged feature phone that is in the making misses out on the LED flash along with the rear camera. Also, it is likely to run the S30+ interface. For now, it remains to be known if it will be a single SIM or dual SIM device. There is no information on when exactly HMD might unveil this feature phone under the Nokia brand name. We might have to wait for a few more weeks or months to know more. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Samsung reveals dual camera tech likely to be integrated into Galaxy Note 8 at 2017 MCW Shanghai News oi -Samden Sherpa Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to arrive later this year and it looks like the camera is going to be very exciting. Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2017 is turning out to be an interesting event as many smartphone brands are showcasing unique innovations in technology as well as products. Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo along with Qualcomm has already showcased the new under-display fingerprint scanner technology beating Samsung and Apple in the race. However, Samsung doesn't seem to be bothered much as the company is likely going in some other direction. So what is it that the company is focusing on? Well, the South Korean giant has just announced a range of four new camera sensor designs at MWCS 2017. And if you are a Samsung fan and waiting impatiently for the arrival of the Galaxy Note 8 then the one sensor might interest you. Samsung introduced its image sensor brand 'ISOCELL' which will include several sensors and the company says that it will be the optimum solution for today's devices that require ultra-slim designs with high-quality cameras. "Samsung ISOCELL is a brand that represents the essence of our leading pixel technologies. We expect the ISOCELL brand to help consumers easily acknowledge and confide in camera performance as well as overall quality of the device," said Ben Hur, Vice President of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. "With our advanced image sensor technologies, Samsung will continue to bring innovation to cameras used in smartphones and other applications." Under Samsung's ISOCELL brand Samsung has also introduced four technological sub-brands-Bright, Fast, Slim and Dual-that respond to specific market demands. The first one ISOCELL Bright sensor delivers bright and sharp images with high color fidelity and reduced noise in low-light environments. ISOCELL Fast sensors provide fast autofocus onto still or moving objects even when dark. Further ISOCELL Slim sensors adopt the smallest pixel sizes available in the market at 0.9-1.0um, yet produce high-quality images for the slimmest devices. And lastly, ISOCELL Dual sensors can be mixed and matched in various combinations on consumer devices to bring about features demanded in the latest dual camera trend. Interestingly, ISOCELL Dual brand which Samsung has introduced could be the dual camera system that will be integrated into the upcoming Galaxy Note 8. While there is no official word but from the number of rumors and renders that we have seen so far there is a high possibility that Galaxy Note 8 could feature such technology. In any case, now that Samsung has announced such camera technology and that too just ahead of the launch of Galaxy Note 8 it looks like the camera is going to be very exciting. Besides at MWC Shanghai, Samsung also featured advanced logic solutions, including the Exynos 9 series with 10-nanometer FinFET process technology, for a wide range of platforms such as mobile, Virtual Reality (VR) and wearable devices. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Overall, dont let the bhoot mislead you, nothing bhootiya about this story. Had the makers tried to push the envelope, the idea could have been outstanding for a bhootiya comedy. Page Content Generating ideas to strengthen regional and local business environments was the aim of the annual meeting of the European Entrepreneurial Regions on 29 June in Brussels. Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), representatives of local and regional authorities as well as EU institutions, stakeholders and external experts met to discuss best practices, challenges and bottlenecks of the running COSME programme and the implications for its future. Once a year the former winners of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) award meet together with other stakeholders to examine selected best practices in regional and local entrepreneurship support policy. This year's meeting, dealing with the future of the COSME programme, took place only 2 weeks before the award ceremony of the EER 2018 edition which will be held during the CoR plenary session on 12 July. The COSME programme is the European Commission's main instrument supporting the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). It runs from 2014 to 2020 with a planned budget of 2.3 billion supporting better access to finance and markets for SMEs, creating a competitiveness-friendly environment and encouraging the entrepreneurial culture. Currently the European Commission is preparing a first evaluation, giving cities and regions the opportunity to provide key input to improve the next programming period. "As the main tool to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in Europe the COSME programme plays a central role for SME policies of cities and regions. If we manage to ensure that regional and local concerns are taken into account when shaping the future COSME or its successor programme, it would be a decisive step towards strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystems in our cities and regions", said Christian Buchmann (AT/EPP), Chairman of the CoR ECON Commission. SMEs are the heartbeat of Europe's economy, representing 99% of all businesses. In the past five years, they have created around 85% of new jobs and provided two-thirds of the total private sector employment in the EU. Especially local and regional economies profit from strong SMEs that are able to establish themselves in the European Single Market. In order to feed a regional perspective into the discussion at an early stage the CoR is currently preparing an opinion on the future of COSME. The meeting of the EER regions also offered the occasion for the presentation of the CoR study How to improve regional and local governance of SME and entrepreneurship policy, which examines the governance models of 13 EER regions in the area of SME support policy and compares them to other successful examples in the EU and beyond, such as Copenhagen, Lyon and Tel Aviv. It thus identifies success factors and best practices that can serve as inspiration to regional and local authorities aiming to strengthen their own business ecosystems. "Our discussions today have highlighted the clear added value that the actors of the Triple Helix as well as local and regional practitioners can contribute thanks to their first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities on the ground. While preparing our opinion on the future of the COSME programme, we should therefore examine which role these actors can play in the implementation of a future European programme supporting the competitiveness of SMEs", said Robert Negoita (RO/PES), Mayor of District 3 of Bucharest Municipality and rapporteur-designate of the CoR opinion on "The Future of COSME beyond 2020" during the conclusions of the meeting. The contributions, ideas and suggestions collected at the annual meeting will serve as an important input for the CoR opinion. Mr Negoita will present the first draft at the CoR commission meeting for economic policy (ECON) on 9 November and CoR members will adopt the final recommendations at their plenary session on 31 January 2018. Background: The European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award is an initiative of the European Committee of the Regions that rewards EU regions and cities with prominent future-oriented entrepreneurial strategies, with the aim of supporting the implementation of SME-focused policies at local level. The territories with the most visible, forward-looking and promising political strategy are granted the EER label for a specific year. Former and current award winners meet every year with CoR members, EU institutions and external experts to explore a specific theme of entrepreneurship and SME policy identified in accordance with the priorities of the current EER regions. The winners of EER 2018 edition will be awarded on 12 July 2017 during the CoR plenary session. COSME Leaflet (available in all EU languages) Military Strikes Hit ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, June 28, 2017 U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 32 strikes consisting of 75 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. U.S. Central Command continues to work with partner nations to conduct targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part of the comprehensive strategy to degrade and defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 27 strikes consisting of 46 engagements against ISIS targets: -- Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed an ISIS wellhead and a vehicle. -- Near Shadaddi, three strikes destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, a staging area, a storage facility and a tank. -- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed an ISIS-held building, two pump jacks, a refinery and a generator. -- Near Raqqa, 18 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units, destroyed 12 vehicles, nine fighting positions and a boat, and suppressed two ISIS tactical units. Strikes in Iraq In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 29 engagements against ISIS targets: -- Near Beiji, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle. -- Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 fighting positions, three mortar systems, three medium machine guns, three supply caches, a rocket-propelled grenade system and an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed a mortar team. -- Near Tal Afar, a strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters. June 24-26 Strikes Additionally, nine strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 24 and June 26 that closed within the last 24 hours: -- Near Raqqa, Syria, a June 24 strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed 19 fighting positions and two vehicles, and damaged a weapons cache -- Near Shadaddi, Syria, three June 26 strikes destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a staging area and a command-and-control node. -- Near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, a June 26 strike destroyed an ISIS factory. -- Near Raqqa, Syria, two June 26 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an improvised bomb belt. -- Near Kisik, Iraq, a June 26 strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a weapons cache and suppressed three ISIS mortar teams. -- Near Mosul, Iraq, a June 26 strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position, a medium machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade system and an ISIS headquarters. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said. The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect. For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said. The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Transcript Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis June 28, 2017 Media Availability by Secretary Mattis en route to Belgium (JOINED IN PROGRESS) Q: Have you seen anything else that's worrying since Monday or Sunday as far as chemical weapons preparations or anything else that's been -- SEC. MATTIS: It appears that they took the warning seriously. Q: Okay. And has the Pentagon prepared, you know, targeting or options at this point? SEC. MATTIS: I don't talk about possible future operations at all. I never do. So don't take that as -- we're doing something, but I just don't talk about future ops as you all know. Q: How serious did you see these preparations? And how -- how strong do you think the -- (CROSSTALK) SEC. MATTIS: I think the president speaking about them says how seriously we took them. He wanted to dissuade them. Q: When you say they took the warning seriously, what indications are there about that? Did they cease the activity? SEC. MATTIS: They didn't do it. Q: They just didn't -- (inaudible). (CROSSTALK) Q: (inaudible) -- strike, but you haven't seen -- have you seen other activity or any sort of -- (inaudible)? SEC. MATTIS: They didn't do it. (CROSSTALK) Q: There's no more movement at the air base as far as you can tell? SEC. MATTIS: There's always movement at air bases. Q: But not the suspicious -- not what you saw -- (inaudible)? SEC. MATTIS: They didn't do it. Q: But the fact that they didn't do it, does that suggest to you that they completely turned this off? Or do you think there's a plot -- and idea -- SEC. MATTIS: I think you better ask Assad about that. Q: But what's your sense of confidence in this? SEC. MATTIS: I'm not paid to have confidence in this sort of thing. Q: Have you seen any activity -- SEC. MATTIS: I'm paid to be one of the sentinels that watches for it. Q: Mr. Secretary, have you seen any activity beyond Shayrat? SEC. MATTIS: I, you know, beyond Shayrat activity, there's tons of -- Q: I'm sorry. Let me be clearer -- SEC. MATTIS: -- military activity, aircraft activity -- Q: Chemical weapons. SEC. MATTIS: I'm not going say where all we saw it. Q: I'm sorry? SEC. MATTIS: I'm not going to say where all we saw it. (CROSSTALK) SEC. MATTIS: Like I said yesterday, I'm not going to say where all -- what all the data is. Q: Okay. We did learn that it was Shayrat from the Pentagon. So, are you suggesting that it could be beyond that, too? SEC. MATTIS: Pardon? Q: Are you suggesting it could be beyond that, too? SEC. MATTIS: I think that Assad's chemical program goes far beyond one airfield. Q: Beyond that, have there been any additional worrisome activities in southern Syria where the trainee base is? Any additional warnings? SEC. MATTIS: You'll have to ask Assad. Q: Do you have an on-the-record assessment of how much chemical weapons he may have now? SEC. MATTIS: An off-the-record assessment? Q: No, on-the-record assessment. SEC. MATTIS: No. Q: Thank you. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1232049/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mattis Consults NATO on Afghan Strategy By Carla Babb June 28, 2017 U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is in Brussels, where he will consult with NATO allies on troop contributions and other support for Afghanistan, before announcing his own policy plan for the war-torn country. The Pentagon has promised a new Afghanistan plan by mid-July, and Michael O'Hanlon, a senior defense analyst at the Brookings Institution, expects the new plan will not be a "repeal and replace" strategy, but rather a reformation of the Obama administration's plan. "Mattis and Trump are just repairing a mistake, in effect, that I think President Barack Obama made. And it is, in a sense, more properly carrying out Obama's own strategy than Obama himself did," O'Hanlon told VOA. The strategy will still focus on Afghan troops taking the lead on security in the country, a critical point in the Obama administration's military efforts since June 2013. But O'Hanlon explains why he thinks the past president made a mistake when he cut American military support in the country from about 100,000 U.S. troops in May 2011 to fewer than 10,000 American troops over a four-year span. "That was probably too fast and too low, so by restoring just a few thousand more, I think we can get advisers out in the field with some of the key Afghan units and hopefully really stabilize the situation," said O'Hanlon. U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, America's top general, arrived Monday in Afghanistan with a mission to pull together the final elements of a military strategy that likely will include sending about 4,000 more U.S. troops into the country. Mattis is expected to meet with General John Nicholson, the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, ahead of the NATO defense ministers meeting, where he will press some allies to increase their commitments to Afghanistan. "We have to think about what else they can bring to bear to help," Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana White told VOA last week. "I know everyone wants to know what's going to happen, but the secretary is being very deliberative and very thoughtful about what the commanders need and what's necessary to change the tide." Officials say the new strategy also will need to provide the necessary resources for the American-led coalition to support Afghan forces at lower levels in the military chain of command. In addition, they say it will need to stop elements of Pakistan's government from propping up the Taliban, and it will need to stop Islamic State's local affiliate from growing. "It's not getting better in Afghanistan in terms of ISIS. We have a problem, and we have to defeat them and we have to be focused on that problem," White said. Analysts say the group's operational capabilities have been severely stinted, despite an increase in militant numbers, due to the pressing need to defend themselves from both U.S. and Afghan attacks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Page Content Thanks to EU Urban Agenda, european cities have joined forces with EU institutions, national and regional governments, associations and experts to better address challenges such as migration, air quality, fight against poverty, housing. After more than one year of work, the pilot partnerships are now presenting their draft action plans which will be discussed over the summer in open consultations involving all member states and administrative levels from Brussels to town halls. The action plans were discussed in the joint hearing organised by the European Parliament's committee on regional development (REGI) and commission for territorial cohesion policy (COTER) of the European Committee of the Regions on 29 June. "Given the great challenges we are facing today, we are all aware of the important role the Urban Agenda will play for the EU. It is essential to achieve a more effective coordination among the many policies which have an impact on urban areas and we have to take into account the experience of local and regional authorities in delivering policies on the ground", said the REGI chair Iskra Mihaylova (ALDE, BG). "The day after the presentation of the Commission's reflection paper on the future of EU finance, we mobilised with the European Parliament to make sure that the next EU budget allows us to build a Union of regions and cities, a Union where citizens' needs are at the heart of common policies thanks to the active role of local and regional authorities and to a true democratic participation", stressed COTER chair Raffaele Cattaneo, president of the regional council of Lombardia. During the discussion, President Cattaneo stressed that some elements of the Commission's paper suggest "a preference for centrally managed programmes". Such approach would be in "clear contradiction with the urgent need to relaunch the European project from the bottom up". According to the COTER chair, "The future is not centralisation, cannot be shaped by decision taken in a closed room in Brussels or in Luxembourg. The future must be built on shared responsibilities, on partnerships where cities and regions work with EU and national institutions to involve local actors and deliver concrete benefits for the citizens". You can follow the Hearing as a recorded event You can follow the Hearing as a recorded event here (soon available). Further information European Parliament Press Unit (+32) 2 28 32798 (BXL) (+32) 3 88 1 74651 (STR) (+32) 498 98 32 83 region-press@europarl.europa.eu Kristina-Antigoni ELEFTERIEEuropean ParliamentPress Unit(+32) 2 28 32798 (BXL)(+32) 3 88 1 74651 (STR)(+32) 498 98 32 83 @EP_Regional Pierluigi Boda Press Officer Tel: +32 2 282 2461 Mobile: +32 473 85 17 43 pierluigi.boda@cor.europa.eu Pierluigi BodaPress OfficerTel: +32 2 282 2461Mobile: +32 473 85 17 43 @EU_CoR Trump Criticized at Senate Panel Hearing on Response to Russian Hacking By VOA News June 28, 2017 A former top diplomat in Republican U.S. president George W. Bush's administration criticized President Donald Trump for being "unwilling to act against Russia" in retaliation for the Kremlin's interference in last year's election. Nicholas Burns, who served as undersecretary of state for political affairs in the Bush administration, told lawmakers, "I find it dismaying and objectionable that President Trump continues to deny the undeniable fact that Russia launched a major cyber attack against the United States, regardless of what party he launched it against." Burns' remarks were made at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Wednesday on Russia's meddling into European elections. He told lawmakers if Trump "continues to refuse to act, it's a dereliction of the basic duty to defend the country." He said former president Barack Obama "should have acted earlier and more vigorously" against Russia, even though he "would have likely been accused in the heat of the campaign for intervening" in the presidential race between Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Burns, who is also a former ambassador to NATO, recommended that the U.S. impose tougher sanctions on Russia, and called on Congress to lead the effort. "With our long national two-century debate about the separation of powers in mind, I do think that Congress and not the president, should lead the American response to Russia's cyber attacks on the United States." Burns urged the House of Representatives to approve legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia that passed the Senate nearly unanimously last week. "In my view, it would be a great mistake for President Trump to veto such a bill," he said. On Monday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters Trump's position has been consistent on the issue since January. "He believes that Russia was probably involved, potentially," he said. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia engaged in widespread interference in last year's presidential election aimed at helping Trump win the White House. Last week, former Homeland Security agency chief Jeh Johnson and other U.S. officials confirmed Russia's meddling in testimony on Capitol Hill. But the officials said there was no evidence that Moscow was able to change the vote count. In the recent French presidential election, Moscow's candidate of choice lost to Emmanuel Macron, who was the target of cyber attacks and false news accounts from Kremlin-sponsored media outlets. Constanze Stelzenmueller, a Brookings Institution expert on German and European affairs, told committee members the impact of Russia's interference is "hit and miss, often miss." "In many ways its meddling in European elections over the past year has produced the exact opposite of what was intended," she said. "It has produced stable, democratic, and non-populace governments that are pro-European Union and, indeed, pro-NATO, pro-American." Stelzenmueller added that NATO and the European Union "are experiencing a renaissance of purpose" and said the upcoming September elections in Germany are "now looking quite different" compared to the beginning of the year, with Chancellor Angela Merkel holding a lead in the polls. But Stelzenmueller cautioned there is "general consensus" Russia will meddle in Germany's elections and said preparations have been made by hardening computer infrastructure and continuing to use paper ballots. The real threat, Stelzenmueller said, are Russian attempts to get inside "voters heads." "They're trying to hack our political consciousness," she said. Although Russia is not new to information warfare, its cyber capabilities have become more sophisticated in recent years. The country's Defense Ministry announced this year the establishment of a new cyber-warrior operation. The director of NATO's Strategic Communication Center of Excellence, Janis Sarts, recommended that European nations and the U.S. must first create "societal awareness" of cyber attacks and collaborate with media organizations to help them understand "how they might be manipulated." Sarts said nations must have "very good situational awareness" of their information environment in order to "respond effectively" to any cyber attacks. Putin has rejected claims of Russian government involvement in cyber attacks on the U.S. He has said that "patriotic" hackers, however, might have carried out the attacks on the U.S. election. "I can imagine that some do it deliberately, staging a chain of attacks in such a way as to cast Russia as the origin of such an attack," the Russian leader said last month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Sudan Pulls Top Envoys From 7 Nations By Michael Atit June 28, 2017 South Sudan is recalling its top diplomats from seven countries, but says the recalls have nothing to do with the country's economic crisis. The crisis, sparked by three and a half years of civil war, has left South Sudan's government strapped for cash, and most of the country's envoys around the world have not received salaries for up to six months. A letter dated June 14, signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Deng Alor, gave 60 days' notice to ambassadors in Britain, Sudan and Uganda, as well as the heads of missions in Germany, India, Eritrea and Egypt to report back to Juba. The ministry's spokesman, Mawein Makol Ariik, confirmed the government is recalling some of its envoys but denies the decision is connected to economic problems. Oil sales are down He told VOA's South Sudan in Focus that the recall is part of a "normal process" that all ambassadors undergo. "Each and every ambassador has to stay outside for a certain period of time and come back to the headquarters to come and serve here," he said Wednesday. "And other persons from the headquarters go out also to go and do services to the country outside. So any ambassador that you are hearing is coming back, is coming back because their term has just finished outside." The ongoing war has reduced government revenue from oil sales, South Sudan's main source of external revenue. Ariik admits the economic crisis has affected the operations of South Sudan's 29 embassies during the past six months. He said that in late March, some of South Sudan's embassies, including the one in London, were given an ultimatum to pay rent arrears or be evicted. London office moved A diplomat at South Sudan's embassy in London said the embassy since has moved to a new building, and that rents for June, July and August were paid in advance. AriIk says the government still needs to make rent payments for several other embassies. "At the moment you see difficulties here in the country; also you expect to have difficulties with the embassies because it is a budget that comes out from the overall budget of the country," he said. "And that is why most of our embassies for the last 6-5 months have been having difficulties of getting salaries on time. But the government is working to make sure that now this thing is streamlined and salaries will be paid on time." South Sudanese diplomats in Washington were last paid in April this year after going four months without salaries. The outgoing South Sudanese Ambassador to Sudan, Mayen Dut Wol, confirms he is among the diplomats being recalled to Juba. 'Normal routine' Speaking by phone from the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Wol says it is "just a normal routine for the ministry" and he believes it is time for another person to take over his role in Khartoum. "If your time is finished you can be called back to the headquarters (and) you can even be deployed to other areas," said Wol. When asked about the delays in payment of salaries, Wol says he understands the economic crisis facing South Sudan in general, and he declined to comment further. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address iTeos Therapeutics Appoints Mohamed Ragab, M.D. as Vice President, Corporate Development Joins from Bristol Myers Squibb to accelerate global partnering Gosselies, Belgium - June 29, 2017 - iTeos Therapeutics SA, a biotechnology company developing novel cancer immunotherapies, today announced that Dr. Mohamed Ragab, M.D., has been appointed as Vice President of Corporate Development. He will be responsible for overseeing global strategic business opportunities that support the growth of iTeos both clinically and operationally. Dr. Ragab was most recently the Vice President, Search and Evaluation, Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb where he was involved in many major immune-oncology deals. Prior to that, he was Global Partnering Head, Oncology at Hoffman-La Roche (part of Roche Group) and before that he was the Life Cycle Leader, Anemia Oncology. He also held various positions at Pfizer, Ortho Biotech and Schering-Plough (now Merck & Co.). He holds a Master Degree in Radiation Oncology from Cairo University School of Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Cairo University School of Medicine. Dr. Michel Detheux, Chief Executive Officer of iTeos, commented, "We are delighted Dr. Ragab has joined iTeos and this is testament to the progress that we have made that we are now appointing someone of his caliber to our executive team. He has over 20 years of experience with strategic planning, business development and licensing deals specifically in oncology. His expertise will be invaluable as iTeos looks to expand its pipeline and explore the best strategic options for our proprietary drug programs." Dr. Ragab, newly appointed Vice President of Corporate Development, said, "I am excited to be joining iTeos during this period of rapid growth, particularly as the company is growing their presence in the US. iTeos has the science and technology to be at the forefront of cancer immunotherapies and I look forward to working with the team to advance the pipeline as rapidly as possible." About iTeos Therapeutics SA iTeos is focused on expanding the benefits of immunotherapy for cancer patients by developing a proprietary pipeline targeting A2A, immune checkpoints and non-immunogenic ("cold") tumors. It has licensed its IDO1 program, now in Phase 1 development, to Pfizer. iTeos' competitive edge is in the combination of expertise in drug discovery and translational tumor immunology. The company uses a unique platform to identify rational combinations of immunotherapies and novel targets. Based in Gosselies, Belgium, iTeos is a spin-off from the Ludwig Cancer Research (LICR) and de Duve Institute (UCL). The company is supported in part by the Walloon Region of Belgium and the FEDER (European Fund for Economic and Regional Development). For more information, please visit www.iteostherapeutics.com. For further information, please contact: Michel Detheux, CEO iTeos therapeutics +32 71 919 933 michel.detheux@iteostherapeutics.com Sarah McCabe Stern Investor Relations, Inc. + 1 212 362-1200 sarah@sternir.com Amber Fennell, Mathew Neal, Hendrik Thys Consilium Strategic Communications +44 203 709 5700 iteos@consilium-comms.com To the editor: I was surprised by the June 25 Community Viewpoint, GOP health bill a danger to region, written by Danville Regional Medical Center executives Alan Larson and Michael Ehrat. They attempted to couch the needs of the hospital to make money in the most altruistic clothing possible. They were also keen to point out that if people presently enjoying coverage in the form of Medicaid were cut out, the hospital would suffer financially. That may be true. However, what is a logical alternative to the unmanageable mess we presently have? This very evening, mama said she felt chest pains. This is the saddest part about DRMC. My first thought was where would I take her? Logically, one would think your local hospital. Indeed, based on the certificate of need principle any ambulance would have to take her to DRMC. However, this hospital does not enjoy a favorable reputation in the community. As such, I would be the one to transport her. Before 8 p.m., choice would be Centra Urgent Care. After it closed, I would opt for the hospital in Eden, N.C. When I had an emergency need for gall bladder surgery the ambulance service took me to DRMC. After waiting hours, in excruciating agony at DRMC, they finally decided there wasnt a bed for me. Thus, I incurred the additional expense of another ambulance transport fee. This fee I refused to pay as I did not want to go to DRMC to start and they had no room. Personally, I believe they had no staff. No matter, the ambulance service received full payment for the first service, but my insurance balked on the second, as did I. Because of this, the ambulance company filed a lien with the credit bureau against my credit, causing me to pay more for credit. Also, although I had Medicare and a Medicare advantage plan, I still owed the Eden hospital more than a thousand dollars. However, they have a program for the poor, and they forgave the remainder of the debt. When I asked DRMC to pay the ambulance bill, they balked. I then I asked if they had a program to help the poor with their hospital debt? They did not, they said. At Eden, I received excellent care, was operated on by a first-class surgeon, Dr. Reggie Cathy, and he and I became friends. It is an entirely different situation. Therefore, I would have no reservations about taking mama to Eden. But back to the expansion of Medicaid: No doubt you will recall our then-mayor, Sherman Saunders, took great umbrage when state Sen. Frank Ruff said it was like a tar baby once it got stuck to you it would be hard to get rid of. Mayor Saunders said the comment was racist. Even though it appears that Sen. Ruff was prescient. Yet, the real problem with Medicaid is that too many able-bodied people are receiving benefits. The lass who won the Miss America contest said at the time healthcare was a privilege. On social media she was so vilified that she recanted, stating it was a right. But where are we, when 50 percent of babies are born on Medicaid? Yes, to me it so simple have a child be responsible for it. Where does this wild radical idea come from? The way my parents and my family have had their children. They worked, they had insurance and they the parents paid for the childs care. This may be radical extreme even downright foolish, but it is not the role of government to pay for the child to be born, pay so much once the child is born, provide remediation programs for the child once able to learn, nor is it the role of government to see that the child is fed, clothed and housed. People need to appreciate that the government does nothing to raise money but tax people. These so-called rights are nothing more than contrivances for votes. And taxes take from Peter to pay Paul. So yes, DRMC has too many Medicaid patients and will indeed lose money if the rolls are reduced. But really, how fair is it for Peter to pay for Paul? RICK EANES Danville VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 28, 2017) - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Dynasty Metals & Mining Inc. ("Dynasty" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:DMM)(OTCQX:DMMIF) is pleased to provide an update to the previously announced non-brokered private placement of up to 8,333,333 units of the Company (the "Units"), at a subscription price of $0.30 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000 (the "Private Placement"). The Private Placement has been proceeding well and the Company is encouraged by the interest received thus far. As a result of timing issues in finalizing certain of the required documentation, the Company has decided to close the Private Placement in multiple tranches. The first tranche of approximately $1.8 million is expected to close on or before June 30, 2017. The second tranche of approximately $0.7 million is expected to close on or before July 17, 2017. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period that expires four months and a day from the applicable closing date in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws. All other terms and conditions relating to the Private Placement remain unchanged. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. The securities will not be and have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemption from the registration requirements. About Dynasty Dynasty Metals & Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE:DMM)(OTCQX:DMMIF) is a Canadian based mining company involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties in Ecuador. The Company is currently focused on gold production at its wholly-owned Dynasty Goldfield project and continued development at its Zaruma mine. Mineral is treated at the Company's wholly-owned treatment plant close to the Zaruma mine operations. The Company also owns other significant gold exploration projects including the Jerusalem Project (located 30 kilometres south of the Fruta del Norte project), the Copper Duke area and the Linderos area in southern Ecuador. For further information please visit the Company's website at www.dynastymining.com. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking information" which are prospective in nature. Such information in this news release includes statements relating to the closing of the Private Placement, the ability of the Company to raise any funds pursuant to the Private Placement and the use of the net proceeds of the Private Placement. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Dynasty's actual results, revenues, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Important risks that could cause Dynasty's actual results, revenues, performance or achievements to differ materially from Dynasty's expectations include, among other things, that the conditions to closing the Private Placement shall not be met in a timely manner or at all, that the Private Placement will be undersubscribed, that the Company may, in certain circumstances, determine in good faith to utilize the proceeds of the Private Placement for other business purposes, that closing of the Private Placement may not occur as anticipated or at all, and risks found in Dynasty's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Other than in accordance with regulatory obligations, Dynasty is not under any obligation and Dynasty expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Jun 28, 2017) - US Oil Sands Inc. ("US Oil Sands" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:USO), an innovator of oil extraction technologies, announces it approved entering into of an amendment to the loan agreement with ACMO S.a R.L. ("ACMO"), the Company's largest shareholder, to provide the previously announced US$5 million senior secured convertible loan facility to fund remaining PR Spring Project (the "Project") start-up costs and to provide working capital for the Company (the "Financing"). It is expected that the Financing will close, subject to the satisfaction of all terms and conditions, on June 30, 2017. For further details on the Financing, please see the Company's press release dated June 13, 2017. VOLUNTARY DELISTING In conjunction with the Financing, the Company has applied to the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") to delist the Company's common shares (the "Common Shares") from trading on the Exchange. The Company obtained approval from a majority of disinterested shareholders for the delisting of the Common Shares. The Company expects the Exchange to delist the Common Shares on June 29, 2017 after which time the Common Shares will not be able to be traded on the Exchange. Upon delisting from the Exchange, the Company will continue to be a reporting issuer under Canadian securities laws and will remain subject to Canadian continuous disclosure requirements. ABOUT US OIL SANDS INC. US Oil Sands is engaged in the exploration and development of oil sands properties and, through its wholly owned United States subsidiary US Oil Sands (Utah) Inc., has a 100% interest in bitumen leases covering 32,005 acres of land in Utah's Uinta Basin. The Company plans to develop its oil sands properties using its proprietary extraction process which uses a bio-solvent to extract bitumen from oil sands without the need for tailings ponds. The Company is in the pre-production stage, anticipating the commencement of bitumen production and sales once it has completed start-up of the Project. The foregoing contains forward-looking information relating to the future performance of the Company including expectations relating to expectations relating to delisting from the Exchange, the timing of closing of the Financing and the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions precedent thereto. Forward looking information is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions precedent of the Financing in a timely manner or at all, the actual results of exploration activities, changes in world commodity markets or equity markets, the risks of the petroleum 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, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the oil and gas industry, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities (available at www.SEDAR.com). Forward-looking statements are made based on various assumptions and on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking information contained herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these assumptions, beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Choose the local newsletters you want to receive in your inbox each week. A Ramsey County judge has ordered the state of Minnesota to continue funding the state House and Senate through Oct. 1, ensuring that the Legislature can keep operating amid its legal battle with Gov. Mark Dayton.The order from Ramsey County Chief Judge John H. Guthmann followed a Monday hearing in the Legislature's lawsuit against the governor. Attorneys for both sides told Guthmann that they were at an stalemate, with the Legislature arguing that Dayton's veto violated the constitutional separation of powers between branches of government and Dayton contending that the veto was legal and appropriate.With the Legislature's funding set to expire June 30, Guthmann agreed to a temporary fix: telling the state's budget chief to "take all steps necessary" to continue funding the House and Senate through Oct. 1 or the resolution of the court case, should that come sooner. In his 12-page order, Guthmann wrote that the state could face serious consequences if the Legislature was forced to shut down."Absent (temporary) relief, the public would be irreparably harmed through the deprivation of a basic constitutional right --a fully functioning Legislative Branch," he wrote.The short-term funding for the Legislature --nearly $5.3 million per month, between the House and Senate -- will continue at the level approved in the current budget, not the new one that prompted the veto.The Republican-majority Legislature and DFL governor have been at odds since late May, when a breakdown in budget negotiations led to both sides trading accusations about the other's motivations. Dayton signed several bills making up the state's next two-year budget, but vetoed House and Senate funding to try to get legislative leaders to reconsider provisions in a tax-cut bill and other policies he found believed would harm the state.The governor said he took the unprecedented step because GOP leaders had forced his hand on the tax bill by tying it to funding for the state Department of Revenue.Though Guthmann voiced concerns over whether the judicial branch should weigh in on the dispute, he concluded in his order that the issues raised in the lawsuit are "ripe and require a ruling from the court."House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, applauded the judge's action, saying he was encouraged Guthmann found the issue worthy of the court's consideration."We remain confident that the governor's actions will be found unconstitutional and hope for a swift resolution to the legal process," he said.Guthmann did not indicate when he is likely to offer a decision on the broader issues of the case. It's likely the dispute won't be resolved soon; both sides are likely to appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court if they lose in the lower court's ruling. A decades-long campaign to curb the price of prison phone calls was dealt a serious blow this month. On June 13, a federal court struck down 2015 federal regulations that would have limited the cost of intrastate calls.In simpler terms, the court decided that the federal government cant regulate what state prisons and county jails charge for calls made within state lines. The ruling voids the Federal Communications Commission's 11-cents-per-minute cap on intrastate calls.Now, after years of pushing for action from the FCC, activist organizations like the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice must turn their attention to state and local governments -- but they aren't optimistic.[Price caps] might happen in a few states, but in most places we wont see anything, says Paul Wright, executive director of the Human Rights Defense Center, which houses the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice.Advocates like Wright argue that the issue is crucial not just ethically but socially and economically for states and localities: Studies have shown that maintaining contact with family members reduces prisoner recidivism. Advocates also maintain that the high price of calls acts as yet another burden on an already overburdened population.The entire [prison phone] industry model is nothing more than a regressive tax on some of the poorest people in the country, says Carrie Wilkinson, director of the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice.Wilkinson says that, since their campaign began in 2011, some states have voluntarily lowered the price of calls. In Washington state, a 15-minute call from a prisoner used to cost up to $18 -- now, it costs just $1.65.Still, some states continue to charge high prices (and were allowed to because the lawsuit put the FCC's 2015 cap on hold).Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky and Maine all charge more than $4for a 15-minute call, according to the campaign. Kentucky, the most expensive state in the country for prison phone calls, charges $5.70. That doesnt sound like much, but daily calls can cost families up to $180 a month. If their loved one is incarcerated for a year, that's $2,160 -- an expense that more than half of Americans can't afford.At the county level, "things are really a disaster, says Wright.According to data collected by the Prison Policy Initiative, hundreds of counties charge $15 to $18 for a 15-minute intrastate phone call, and at least three charge almost $25. Relatively few come close to the 11-cents-per-minute or $1.65-per-15 minutes cap imposed by the FCCs now-vacated regulation.The telecommunications companiesthat contract with prisons to offer these services (and thus receive profits from prisoners' phone calls) have defended the pricing, saying its needed to cover the expense of the monitoring technology. In an email torepresentatives from CenturyLink,one of the plaintiffs in the case, responded to the recent ruling:[The court] reached the correct ruling, which found the FCC, under former FCC Chairman Wheeler, acted beyond its authority on intrastate rates and acted unlawfully and unreasonably on other key elements of its rules governing inmate calling. CenturyLink looks forward to working with the FCC leadership and state and correctional authorities on lawful and reasonable ways to help address the complex problem of inmate calling services.But advocates like Wilkinson are skeptical that the cost of monitoring technology justifies the call prices. They believe the real reason for the high prices is the contracting process, which often offers jails and prisons the opportunity to collect part of the profits from prisoners' phone calls through "site commissions."When considering which telecom companies to contract with, "[site] commission percentage is often the first thing on that list, says Wilkinson. In many cases, the higher site commission a company offers, the more likely the prison is to contract with them, says Wilkinson. To offer bigger commissions, companies have to hike up prices. Prisons and jails, meanwhile, argue that they use those commissions to pay for rehabilitation programs or other beneficial amenities for prisoners.Some state prison systems have already taken steps to cap prices or eliminate site commissions -- Mississippi, New Jersey and New York, for example. Even so, campaigning for price reductions on a state or county level will take an extraordinary amount of organization and resources, says Wright.Ive had utilities commissioners in states tell me not to even waste my time [meeting with them], he says.He stresses, though, that governors and mayors have regulatory or executive powers they could use to fix this problem in some places. If major cities with large incarcerated populations, like Los Angeles, took it upon themselves to regulate prices, huge numbers of prisoners would feel the difference, even without a nationwide cap, he says.Regardless, Wright believes that class-action litigation on behalf of prisoners and families will be the next major frontier on this issue.As people continue not finding relief within the regulatory or legislative process," he says, "litigation may wind up being a more equal playing field." Description GIS - 29 June 2017 : The considerable significance of hydrography for the sustainable and effective exploitation of the countrys Exclusive Maritime Economic Zone to develop the ocean industry was the gist of the message of the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr Showkutally Soodhun, yesterday on the occasion of launching of activities to mark World Hydrography Day on board Coast Guard Ship Barracuda in Port Louis Harbour. The Vice-Prime Minister stated that the ability of Mauritius, as a nation with a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to seize the opportunities found in the surrounding waters and transform these into sustainable businesses will be instrumental to Mauritius realising the vision of joining the league of high-income countries. Among the many potential sectors to achieve this vision, Mr Soodhun cited the ocean and seabed explorations for hydrocarbons and minerals, seafood processing and aquaculture, marine renewable energy and seaport related services. The partnership with India in the field of hydrography was also highlighted by the Vice-Prime Minister. The cooperation in hydrography is definitely a high point in the wide ranging collaboration between our countries, said Mr Soodhun. As a result of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2005, immense progress has been made in charting the vast EEZ of Mauritius. The result of the joint efforts have yielded seven charts which are widely used by mariners and other stakeholders and covering the major harbours, approaches to shipping intensive areas in Mauritius island, the outer island of Agalega, and parts of Rodrigues and St Brandon. All seven existing charts have been assigned International Status at the 13th South African and Islands Hydrographic Commission Conference. International status would give international visibility to these charts and contribute to the safe navigation for almost 30,000 ships that pass by Mauritius annually, the Vice-Prime Minister rejoiced. For his part, the High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, Mr Abhay Thakur, underlined the necessity to celebrate India and Mauritius relationship and sustain the friendship between the two Nations which span over decades. Hydrography, naval cooperation, maritime security, ocean economy are the most important vectors of Mauritius-India cooperation, he said. The High Commissioner recalled that with several projects underway and the close collaboration at the United Nations, Mauritius and India are in a virtuous cycle of cooperation. Sectors of cooperation put forward by Mr Thakur include the awaited completion of detailed project report on the petroleum and bunkering hub at Albion and the completion of the container park terminal. The High Commissioner moreover pointed out that the adoption of the Resolution at the United Nations General Assembly for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius strengthens Mauritius position in the Indian Ocean. India is committed to help Mauritius in this endeavour which serves mutual interest and the region, stressed the High Commissioner. Increase public awareness on hydrography The activities to mark World Hydrography Day, commemorated on 21 June annually, will span over three days, from 28 to 30 June 2017. An exhibition on the hydrographic assets of Mauritius, along with nautical charts and recent works undertaken by the Hydrographic Unit of the Ministry of Housing and Land, is scheduled for students of secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as the public. Interactive sessions followed by practical demonstrations on board Inshore Survey Vessel (IVS) Pathfinder will be organised. Visitors will also get the opportunity to see how nautical charts, publication and navigation charts are used on a sea-going platform. The aim of these activities is to provide a hindsight into hydrography and its benefits for the mariners and other users. Government Information Service, Prime Ministers Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website:http://gis.govmu.org Description GIS - 29 June, 2017: The High Commissioner of Australia, Mrs Susan Coles, paid a farewell call yesterday on the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Jugnauth, at the Treasury Building in Port Louis. The High Commissioner of Australia, Mrs Susan Coles, paid a farewell call yesterday on the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Jugnauth, at the Treasury Building in Port Louis. The issues discussed during the meeting focused on ocean economy, education, environment and commerce. Mrs Susan Coles pointed out that Mauritius and Australia will work towards further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries while reinforcing the existing ties and cooperation. She said that Mauritius and Australia are strong collaborators in the educational sector especially as regards scholarships, science and research. Mrs Coles recalled that during her three years spent in Mauritius, trade relations between the two countries have been strengthened, with two missions having been undertaken by Enterprise Mauritius to Australia. Mrs Coles pointed out that a programme has also been implemented to reinforce ties as regards economic diplomacy between Mauritius and Australia through the sharing of experiences. Speaking about Australias position as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), with its headquarters in Mauritius, Mrs Coles stated that they have been able to leverage opportunities in trade and education as well as in business. IORA has, with the vision of Mauritius and Australia, been working on the ocean economy and Mauritius has been looking to focus on its economic growth, she said. Mrs Coles also spoke about Australias candidacy on the Human Rights Council and said that this platform will enable them to bring up the Indian Ocean voice. Meet DIRAC (TNS) -- Scientists at the University of Washington are writing computer algorithms that could one day save the world and thats no exaggeration.Working away in the universitys quiet Physics/Astronomy building, these scientists are teaching computers how to sift through massive amounts of data to identify asteroids on a collision course with Earth.Together with 60 colleagues at six other universities, the 20 UW scientists are part of a massive new data project to catalog space itself, using the largest digital camera ever made.Five years from now, a sky-scanning telescope under construction in Chile will begin photographing the night sky with a 3,200-megapixel camera. The telescope will have the power to peer into the solar system and beyond, and track things we have never been able to track before including asteroids, the rubble left behind during the formation of the solar system.When it is up and running, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will produce 20 terabytes of images every night, and will be able to photograph half the night sky every three days, said Andrew Connolly, one of the UW astronomers working on the project.It will replace the Sloan Digital Sky Survey , which dates back to 1998, and which was only able to cover one-eighth the sky over 10 years. The LSSTs mission is different from NASAs Hubble Space Telescope , which sends back detailed photos of specific regions of space, but does not take vast surveys of everything in the sky.It is going to be a nightly deluge of data, said Ed Lu , a former NASA astronaut who is now executive director of the new B612 Asteroid Institute , which is dedicated to protecting Earth from asteroid strikes. This is a cross between computer science and astronomy.The Seattle regions reputation as a big-data powerhouse is one of the reasons UW scientists are playing such a key role in the work, said Lu, who is based in Silicon Valley. Another reason: The Chile telescope was funded in its early stages by a $30 million grant from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and from the Charles and Lisa Simonyi Fund (Charles Simonyi, a former Microsoft executive, has traveled into space twice as a space tourist).If an asteroid strike is the stuff of your nightmares, rest assured: No known asteroids are currently on a collision course with Earth. And if they were, there are some ways to deflect them, or even get out of their way.The danger asteroids pose became clear in 2013, when more than 1,000 people were reportedly injured after a meteor exploded near the Russian town of Chelyabinsk . (Meteorites are closely related to asteroids.)And 66 million years ago, many scientists believe, an asteroid the size of a mountain smashed into Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula, dramatically changing Earths environment and wiping out the dinosaurs Scientists have already plotted the orbits of more than 700,000 known asteroids in the solar system, said Zeljko Ivezic, a UW astronomy professor and project scientist for LSST. The LSST will help astronomers identify an estimated 5 million more.Thats why teaching a computer to identify asteroids is such vital work.Its like playing connect-the-dots where all of the dots are sitting on top of one another, and you have to separate them out, said the UWs Connolly. Thats why you have to come in with a computer, and thats why computational techniques become so important.The B612 Asteroid Institute will take the information gleaned from the data and decide if any of the asteroids pose a risk to the planet. If they do, NASA, the European Space Agency and the worlds nations will have to decide what to do.Lu, the astronaut, co-founded the B612 Foundation 16 years ago to raise awareness of the potentially devastating impacts of an asteroid strike. He was inspired to do something after his three missions to space, including six months on the International Space Station.When he looked down at Earth, he often saw shooting stars small meteoroids burning up in the atmosphere. (I used to love watching them, he said.) And he looked out at the moon, and could see its surface pockmarked with craters caused by asteroid strikes.Those visible signs of the dangers from space, he said, made him realize, at some point, we have to do something.The UWs Ivezic said that if we knew an asteroid was on a collision course with Earth in days or weeks, its point of impact could be calculated to within about 100 miles, and the area could be evacuated.If we had a longer warning years or decades its possible to nudge an asteroid out of its orbit. The simplest way would be to run into it with a small spacecraft traveling at high speed, Lu said. A spacecraft could also tow an asteroid by flying near it, changing its orbit. A last resort, he said, would be to hit it with a nuclear weapon.But none of this is any use if you dont find and track them first, he said.Scientists hope that after scanning the heavens for dangerous asteroids, well find out that for the next few centuries there is no danger, so we dont have to involve NASA and spacecraft and the president, Ivezic said.Let our grandchildren deal with it theyll have better technology.The LSST is a public-private venture that gets money from the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy. It will provide a wealth of data beyond asteroids.To make good use of that information, the UW this year created an institute, the Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology Center (DIRAC), funded by a donation from the Simonyis. The acronym is also a nod to Paul Dirac, the English theoretical physicist who predicted the existence of antimatter.The centers 25 to 30 researchers and faculty will be charged with thinking about the kind of science that can be done with the LSST data, said Connolly, its director. For example, the asteroid census might help scientists figure out when, where and how the solar system was formed, whether planets exist beyond Neptune or why they are distributed the way they are. The observations may also tell more about how fast the universe is accelerating, and unravel the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter.DIRAC will also help citizen scientists amateur astronomers, students, or high-school students use the LSST information.LSSTs computers will send out a stream of nightly alerts as they detect changes in space. The alerts will be freely available to anyone, making it a boon for scientists and amateurs alike. An amateur astronomer could train a backyard telescope on an area where the LSST has spotted something interesting, for example, and make his or her own observations.Both Connolly and Ivezic say processing huge data sets is a bit like what Amazon.com does, with its massive catalog of goods that must be delivered to specific customers in short periods. In other words, its a huge data-set problem and Seattle has a wealth of knowledge in dealing with big data.It mixes computing, new cutting-edge science, statistics, the engagement of the community, the understanding of the formation of our universe, Connolly said. Its a great fit for the Pacific Northwest. (TNS) -- AUGUSTA, Ga. Authorities have gathered additional classified information in the National Security Agency leak investigation here beyond what the suspect is accused of revealing to the news media about Russias meddling in the U.S. election system, according to federal prosecutors.Without identifying the information or saying where they got it, the prosecutors mentioned the records in a court filing this month. They didnt say why the information is classified or whether Reality Leigh Winner was authorized to access it as part of her job.Classified material, including but not limited to the document which the defendant is charged with unlawfully retaining and transmitting, was collected as part of the underlying investigation, prosecutors said in the court papers.Also, during a court hearing here Tuesday, the prosecutors disclosed they are analyzing an extensive amount of other items they have gathered, including a notebook from Winners work space that contains handwriting in Farsi. In addition to translating those notes, they are examining two computers, a tablet and four phones they seized from Winners home in Augusta. Additionally, they are studying a recorded interview the former Air Force linguist did with the FBI at her home as well as recordings of phone calls she made from the Lincoln County Jail.U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Epps outlined how he would handle sensitive information in the case. First, he introduced Carli Rodriguez-Feo, a classified information security officer who will help with any motions or orders connected to the Classified Information Procedures Act, or CIPA. That federal law is aimed at preventing graymail, or the practice in which defendants threaten to reveal classified information in an attempt to force prosecutors to drop the charges against them. Further, Epps said federal officials are helping line up security clearances for him and the defense attorneys so they can look at the evidence. The judge added they are also searching for a secure location to safeguard those records.Epps said the court is tentatively preparing to hold Winners trial on Oct. 23. He highlighted that he is sensitive to the fact that Winner who has no criminal convictions is being held in the Lincoln County Jail until her trial, stressing that he does not want the case delayed.At first blush, its quite a simple case, he said while noting there is only one defendant and that she is facing a single charge.As an Air Force senior airman, Winner became a linguist proficient in Farsi, Dari and Pashto, languages spoken in Iran and Afghanistan. After she left the military, she worked as a federal contractor at a U.S. government agency in Georgia this year and had a top-secret security clearance.A federal grand jury has indicted her on a single count of willful retention and transmission of national defense information, alleging that she leaked to the news media a classified NSA report on Russias attempts to interfere with the U.S. election system. Winner faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, plus up to three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. She has pleaded not guilty to the charge.Clad in an orange jail uniform, she sat rigid in her chair, wore an impassive expression and quietly observed Tuesdays proceedings. When one of her defense attorneys patted her on the shoulder, Winner gave him a slight smile.The U.S. Justice Department announced Winners arrest this month, about an hour after The Intercept reported that it had obtained a top-secret NSA report about Russias meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The report says Russian military intelligence officials tried to hack into the U.S. voting system just before the November election.Before she was indicted, Winner spent months unleashing a tirade of social media posts calling President Donald Trump, among other things, an orange fascist. She also wrote in a notebook seized by authorities that she wanted to burn the White House down and then flee overseas, according to federal prosecutors.In a court hearing June 8, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Solari argued against releasing Winner on bond, adding that prosecutors have not ruled out bringing additional charges against her. She could still do exceptionally grave damage to national security, which could assist our foreign adversaries, Solari said.Epps ultimately denied Winners release. He referenced several statements prosecutors attributed to her, including one instance when she allegedly told her mother in a call from the jail, Mom, those documents, I screwed up. And he cited a flash drive prosecutors say she improperly plugged into a top-secret computer in a sort of test run while she was still in the Air Force last year.Tuesdays court hearing ended with a highly technical discussion about a proposed order designed to protect any classified information in the case. Winners defense attorneys sought to tweak it so that they could discuss in court information that has already been made public, citing newspaper articles as an example.They are saying I would go to jail if I violate this order, said John Bell, one of Winners defense attorneys.One of the prosecutors said he worried Bells suggested edit would create murkiness. But the prosecutors ultimately agreed to work on the language in the protective order after Epps said he sympathized with Bell and did not want him to be needlessly hamstrung in the case.It makes a lot of common sense to me, Epps said of Bells argument. I do feel there is room for clarification here. (TNS) -- The DeKalb Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to spend nearly $5 million to replace the countys water billing computer system, a move meant to reduce widespread billing errors.The new billing software will help customer service representatives isolate problems, analyze data and eliminate miscalculations , said John Matelski, the countys chief information officer.Updated billing software is one of several investments the county is making in an effort to ensure water billing accuracy. The county also plans to begin replacing 102,000 water meters later this year, but that contract hasnt yet been awarded.Residents shouldnt expect the billing software to solve the countys billing problems, but it should help, said Commissioner Nancy Jester.We have operational issues, software glitches, human error and all kinds of flavors of different problems, said Jester, chairwoman of the Budget Committee. This is a step in the right direction.Commissioners awarded the $4,965,568 contract to Systems & Software Inc. , based in Williston, Vt. The county gave the company the highest score among seven businesses that sought the contract.The software will replace a system from Cpak Corp. that the county has been using for 14 years.Unlike the countys current billing system, the Systems & Software software will be able to more thoroughly analyze water consumption data and flag irregularities, Matelski said. He hopes to have the software installed by the end of 2018.It will give us the tools and analytics to monitor amounts for abnormalities and deviations, he said. (TNS) WASHINGTON With wildfire season raging in western states, Congress is embroiled in a battle over how best to fight the fires.Many Republicans want to help prevent and fight wildfires by giving the agencies that manage the federal forests more money and greater ability to thin out the forests. Most Democrats, as well as environmental groups, say the bill would lead to more logging without first considering potential damage to the forests.At the moment Utah, California and Arizona are dealing with more than 20 fires. The Weather Channel reports that the largest, in southern Utah, has forced more than 1,500 people to evacuate. The fire has burned more than 84 square miles and is 10 percent contained.California, Idaho, Alaska, Oregon and Washington have all endured multiple megafires those that burn more than 100,000 acres in the past decade, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, which coordinates wildfire response around the country.These massive fires also consume a huge part of the federal Forest Service budget. The agency has asked Congress for help in addressing the problem of wildfire funding.Thats why lawmakers are considering the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. It would give the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management access to funds to fight fires from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates responses to disasters like hurricanes, if their budgets for fighting wildfires run out.Under the current system, the Forest Service often has to take money from the budgets of other programs to pay for wildfire costs, a practice known as fire borrowing.(The bill) would reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires through active forest management, addressing both the symptoms and the underlying cause of catastrophic fires in our national forests. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., the bills sponsor said.But making what looks like a simple government maneuver is getting complicated.The bill cleared its first hurdle, the House Natural Resources committee, this week on a 23-12 party line vote. The full House is expected to vote next month.The bill moved quickly through the House the last time it was introduced in 2015. It passed by a 262-167 vote, with only 19 Democrats voting yes. It was not considered in the Senate.Westerman has spoken with Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., the Senate Agriculture Committee chairman, about introducing similar legislation. A spokesperson for Roberts did not immediately respond to request for comment.But while the bill has drawn support from Minnesota Democrats Richard Nolan and Collin Peterson, none of the Democrats on the committee voted for the bill at its hearing Tuesday due to concern that the bill would allow logging without proper environmental review.The bill would expedite the review process for certain forest management activities such as logging, controlled burns or salvaging wood.It would also allow the Forest Service to waive environmental safeguards if it believes a project is unlikely to affect an endangered species. It also aims to prevent the review process from being tied up in court, by limiting the period of court injunctions and preventing payment for the plaintiffs legal expenses.(EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE)The legislation would remove much-needed accountability by limiting the publics ability to review federal agency actions, allowing the Forest Service to unilaterally waive the need for environmental review, while also potentially allowing up to 10,000-acre clear cuts without any public review, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., who also voted against the bill, said in a statement.Rep. Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the committee said of the bill, its another precedent being set, slowly but surely, undercutting those benchmark laws and beginning a deregulation process without actually saying so.Environmental groups blasted the bill.In a statement, Susan Jane Brown of the Western Environmental Law Center called it a wish list from the timber industry.Rebecca Turner, senior director of programs and policy for American Forests, a nonprofit conservation organization, said, if it passes youll have increased cutting of the national forests without the true understanding of the environmental impacts.But, said Westermans office, the bill has support from 46 groups including conservation, sporting and timber organizations and the Forest Service.Ryan Saylor, a Westerman spokesman, said these projects are necessary for preserving the health of the forests.We are literally loving our forests to death, he said.2017 McClatchy Washington BureauVisit the McClatchy Washington Bureau at www.mcclatchydc.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194): CONGRESS-WILDFIRES Coming up short Market drivers? Early wins For years a stalemate prevailed between emergency call center authorities and telecommunications carriers. Both needed to upgrade their systems to get to the state known as next-generation 911, or NG911.Upgrading to an IP-capable infrastructure would cost millions, and neither wanted to make the first move. That landscape is shifting, with state and municipal emergency leaders revamping their legacy technology to support NG911 capabilities. Now they want the carriers to step up. We built the superhighway, but no one is sending the cars yet, said Maine E911 Director Maria Jacques.Emergency call centers have seen big benefits from their upgrades. Operating costs are down and they have powerful new capabilities. But until the carriers step up to the plate, they say, NG911 will remain more theory than fact.NG911 promises to replace existing narrow-band, circuit-switched networks with more robust digital architectures, expanding beyond voice to more readily deliver data including photo and video information. Such a system would be able to layer on location and other data for more efficient call routing and handling.Proponents across the emergency community say NG911 will save lives. Improved call routing will speed responders to the scene. Multimedia overlays could give dispatchers a clearer understanding of an emergency and would help them to better organize the response.Officials with the North Central Texas Council of Governments want to acquire these capabilities. They have built an NG-ready infrastructure, and they have a procurement in the works to improve the user interface for call handlers. Even having come this far, though, officials say they cannot actually cross the threshold to put the enhanced capabilities into play.We have been putting in the infrastructure to support this, but the service providers are not able to support these things, said 911 Technology Manager Clay Dilday. It always goes back to the wireless providers, the telcos, and how they give us the information. If they are not structured to give us the NG911 functionality, then just having the platform doesnt give you any new capabilities.Officials tell a similar story in Maine, where a 2014 upgrade brought all systems up to NG911 capability. It was a massive project, with a $32 million price tag that included five years of support, and it delivered some immediate benefits. The IP-enabled network costs about $1 million less per year to operate, as compared to the legacy system.But it hasnt delivered multimedia, and officials dont know if or when that is going to happen. It isnt like flipping a switch. People think as soon as you become next-gen you get pictures, you get videos, but there are no providers knocking at the door to send us video, Jacques said. Ultimately, the wireless carriers will have to deliver that, but we are not there yet and those things are not under the control of the PSAP.These arent isolated cases: Public safety answering points (PSAPs) around the nation are moving ahead on NG911. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management recently initiated a next-gen upgrade for its 911 center, which receives more than 3,000 calls a day. Philadelphia launched a next-gen upgrade effort last summer. Yet in many cases, the PSAPs are outpacing the carriers.The Valencia Regional Emergency Communications Center, in Los Lunas, N.M., is spending $3.2 million on a new call center facility that is slated to include radio upgrades, a new dispatch system and NG-ready 911 capabilities. This is going to be a huge enhancement for all our users, said Aaron Chavez, administrative services director. Hes eager to get hold of the next-gen bells and whistles, but said the local carrier infrastructure isnt ready to deliver. We will have those capabilities once they are ready to go there.It raises the question: Why the disconnect?Frustrated emergency management professionals say the carriers simply have no good reason to invest the money to upgrade their own networks. Theres not a massive commercial demand for NG911, which is rather a niche market, and as a regulated industry, telecom doesnt much feel like doing anything unless regulators tell it to.It always goes back to legislation, Dilday said. If the providers arent mandated to support these things, they dont do it.Vendors in the space echo these sentiments. The carriers can put up all sorts of technical reasons why things cant be done, said John Rennie, general manager for public safety at telecom solutions provider NICE, which is working on the San Francisco upgrade. But then you pull up your smartphone and it has maps, and it knows where you are, and it delivers video.If carriers arent bringing these same IP-driven enhancements to the PSAP, its because there is no driver coming from government, and there is no commercial driver to connect it to 911, Rennie said. There are no insurmountable technical barriers. It is more the commercial and political barriers to making it happen.At the same time, there are some who take a more generous view of the situation. Even some staunch advocates of NG911 adoption offer a less stinging rebuke.The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) is developing the technical standards that support NG911. The group also is part of Next Generation 911 Now, a coalition that is pressing for more rapid adoption of the new technology. Yet NENAs director of government affairs, Trey Forgety, is prone to be a little more sympathetic in describing the apparent lag between PSAP upgrades and carrier capabilities.The carriers have a tremendous economic incentive. They want to get off of this terribly expensive, difficult-to-maintain legacy stuff. If you look at their announced plans, they are doing that, he said. The thing that gets lost is just the scale of this undertaking. We are looking at hundreds of millions of wire-line connections and all of this legacy infrastructure. The scale of the undertaking in enormous.Others say the PSAPs themselves may be overstating their own readiness. Virtually all emergency call systems in Tennessee are technologically ready for NG911, said Jamison Peevyhouse, director of 911 and emergency management in Weakley County. But that doesnt mean they could pull the trigger tomorrow if the carriers suddenly stepped up.We absolutely can do this, but have I updated my policies locally? Have I trained my people for that reality? Have I trained them to see a video of an incident while they are simultaneously coordinating a response? Peevyhouse said. Imagine having to do CPR instructions over text to 911. It is excruciatingly slow.Carriers for their part say they are moving in the right direction.In early 2016 AT&T announced ESInet, calling it a state-of-the-art, robust and flexible network with call routing services for 911 agencies. Its text-ready, and the company says it will support photos and videos some time in the future, and will simplify the transition to next-gen public safety across a 21-state footprint. Verizon has likewise been putting out press releases promoting its next-gen efforts since at least 2011.While the PSAP operators wait for these promises to come to fruition, those who have upgraded their systems say they are already seeing benefits, even in the absence of full NG911 capabilities.Having an IP-based infrastructure has improved call handling in Maine. In the past, wireless calls had to be manually routed. You had to know who the PSAP was and look in your contact list, Jacques said. So one immediate benefit of next-gen 911 is when that call comes in, it autopopulates those transfer buttons even with a wireless call. That provides for a much more immediate response.Upgrades have expanded the call-takers range of options, adding new providers to the menu of available options on a given call. The new system also delivers something an analog call center never could access: analytics.If you have a major storm and calls flood the system, you want to see how those calls are routed, Jacques said. With NG911 you have more extensive policies, so, for example, if there are no call-takers available, that call will route to a different PSAP and it will keep routing based on policy instructions until that call is answered. Then after the event we can review in detail what happened with any given call that came in.In fact, emergency planners in Maine have made changes to the systems routing instructions specifically based on post-storm analytics.The Maine experience demonstrates what many in the emergency community believe to be true: that NG-911 is going to dramatically enhance the delivery of emergency services. When will that happen? After years of back-and-forth over who would take the first step, emergency managers say the ball is now in the court of the telecom providers, whose systems need to be appropriately upgraded and enhanced in order to make good on the promise of the new technologies. Prepare citywide evacuation plans for what the estimated blast zone was determined to be based on the kiloton size of the bomb blast, the idea being to get everyone out of the city before, or potentially after, a nuclear attack. Establish civil defense shelters in the basements of downtown brick or concrete office buildings that were estimated to be the best locations for potentially surviving a nuclear attack. These shelters were then stocked with civil defense supplies furnished by the federal government. Last, distribute different types of radiation detectors to public agencies like fire and police departments. Some were personal radiacmeters that showed the total dose an individual had received, and others looked more like geiger counters that were used to monitor people and their clothing, vehicles and the like to avoid contaminating other areas with radiation. Warning systems from a variety of sources, logically in the 21st century using digital messaging to mobile devices. Evacuation planning that includes monitoring for radiation contamination and elements that include where people will be sent following the evacuation order. Civil-military planning that includes government, the National Guard and active duty forces. The fielding of a new generation of radiation detection and monitoring instruments, which might even include a smartphone app that allows everyone to have that personal capability. A public education program that provides plans and guidance on how to build your own civil defense shelter or use what materials you have available to provide for household protection from nuclear fallout. Finally, our drop, cover and hold on earthquake drills will be an element that has a retro feel for anyone who grew up doing these classroom nuke exercises in the 1950s and 60s. If history repeats itself, we may be about to turn the corner and head back to having at least some focus on civil defense. Emergency management is, after all, a product of the civil defense era. What I think is perhaps pushing us in that direction is the threat from North Korea.First, lets review how we got to where we are now. Civil defense came out of World War II and into the Cold War era. Once the Soviet Union had nuclear weapons and a delivery system for those weapons, there was an immediate focus on how to protect major metropolitan areas from the impacts of thermonuclear war.Large cities had anti-missile defenses installed in and around these cities in the hope that they might be able to shoot down an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile launched from somewhere in the Caucasus region of Russia.State and local officials had three primary responsibilities:The question now is, when and if we are going to resurrect these or modified versions of these plans, how do we do something that looks or at least feels like we are working to protect the general public?Today, North Korea is not a direct threat to the continental U.S. However, there are scenarios where they could, in a few short years, have nuclear weapons and delivery systems that could reach the West Coast.Certainly any new efforts in this direction would include the following elements:Some may think that well never go back to these types of programs. However, Im guessing that if the feds provide the funding to implement these program areas, we will all have a collective deja vu feel to what we focus our work on. (TNS) -- Cities and counties across California are lobbying against a proposed state law that would accelerate approval of cell phone antennas by largely stripping local governments of their power to regulate installation of them.Telecommunications officials say streamlined approvals and lower fees would allow them to establish advanced wireless networks by installing thousands of smaller cellular antennas across the state.Supporters of the proposed law, SB 649, also say it would lower cell phone bills for customers and ensure California remains on the cutting edge of technological innovation.Critics, including more than 120 cities and counties across the state, say the law is a giant financial giveaway to the phone companies because it would force local governments to let them install antennas on public property for next to nothing.They also complain it would stifle public input by taking discretion away from local governments to determine the location and visual appearance of cell antennas.People will be saying why did you let this ugly thing go up in front of my house, and I will have to tell them the state took it out of our hands, said Mayor Ron Morrison of National City, one of several local cities lobbying against the law.The bill was approved by the state Senate on June 2 and will get its first public airing in the state Assembly on Wednesday at a meeting of the Local Government Committee.Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, is the bills sponsor and said city officials have focused their complaints on loss of land control when they are really concerned about losing the revenue they reap from cell antenna installations.They are being completely dishonest about why they oppose this bill, he said. They want to charge what they want to charge.Many cities receive as much as $3,000 per year in lease payments for individual antenna sites, but the proposed law would shrink that to a maximum annual administrative fee of $250.Hueso said hes confident consumers dont think its fair to pay higher rates so cities can receive additional revenue to support services like police, firefighters and libraries.Critics, however, say that taxpayers fund construction of the streetlight poles, traffic signals and city buildings where the antennas will be installed, so those taxpayers should be able to determine who uses them and how much they pay for that opportunity.The bill undermines our ability to ensure residents have a voice and get a fair return on any use of public infrastructure, said Rony Berdugo, legislative representative for the League of California Cities.In addition to financial implications, the leagues opposition also focuses on the bill forcing cities to allow installations without public input.Even if every single city resident complained about a particular small cell and its visual blight, cities and their councils would have no recourse to take them down, move them, or improve their appearance or any other community impacts, Berdugo said.Mayors from six of Californias largest cities, who issued a joint letter of opposition on Monday, have focused their complaints more on the proposed law being a giveaway to telecommunications companies.Cities, and the public, are set to lose millions of dollars in revenue that will be transferred directly to corporations under this bill, the mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Long Beach and Santa Ana wrote in the letter. This bill subsidizes the private sector with below market rates for the usage of public assets paid for by city residents.The mayors said telecommunications companies are expected to make more than $500 billion from a new advanced cellular network referred to as 5G, and that their profit margin could be as high as 30 percent to 40 percent.A spokeswoman for San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said he hasnt taken a position yet on the proposed law, adding that his staff is reviewing some recent amendments.The industry association spearheading the bill, the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association or CTIA, said its all about meeting demand for an advanced wireless network that will boost the economy.Installation of tens of thousands of new antennas must take place in coming years as the industry switches from 200-foot-tall towers that serve large areas to small cells that have shorter ranges.The smaller antennas would be a maximum of six cubic feet, but associated equipment boxes could be as large as 35 cubic feet.Because they serve smaller areas, more small cells must be installed and more approvals will be required from local governments.Building the wireless network of tomorrow requires the rapid deployment of small cell structures, CTIA said in state documents released on Tuesday. This bill is designed to benefit California consumers and businesses, who have overwhelmingly told us that they want California to stay at the forefront of the wireless economy."CTIA said the regulations in the proposed law would create a reliable and standardized process for approving antenna installations.Hueso agreed, adding that his bill includes design guidelines and limits on the size of the antennas and associated equipment.Local governments would also retain their existing discretion for antennas proposed in coastal zones and historic districts, and the bill would prohibit installing antennas on fire stations.Hueso also argued against the characterization of the proposed law as a giveaway to private industry.They do make a lot of money this is by no means my attempt to put money in their pockets, Hueso said.Hueso received more than $35,000 in contributions from telecommunications companies during the 2015/2016 reported period. No contribution reports from 2017 have been submitted.Hueso works closely with the industry as chairman of the Senates Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.He said the goal of the proposed law is lowering rates for consumers by shrinking overhead costs in the industry, which Hueso said would spur increased competition among cellular providers.The big-city mayors, however, contend the bill would prevent innovation and competition because it is biased toward businesses already in the industry.They also defended existing local government regulations on antenna installations.Broadband deployment has not been hampered by reasonable regulations cities have developed, they wrote. Large cities have issued thousands of permits to carriers already, with hundreds more in the works.Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas agreed."It's really unfortunate that local control is being taken away from cities," she said. "It's just a big grab by the telecommunications industry."Salas said shes tried unsuccessfully to persuade Hueso that the bill is bad government."We simply don't agree about the detrimental effect it would have on cities," she said.Other cities in the region that oppose the legislation are Vista, Encinitas, Menifee and El Centro.Supporters have said the goal is to get final approval of the legislation by September.Opponents have said that if the legislation is approved by the Legislature, they are hopeful Gov. Jerry Brown will veto it. (TNS) -- WATERTOWN A little bit of downtime this winter gave Edward A. Ward II an idea: He wanted to drive for Uber.Im hoping its a little extra income and something I can do when I want to, he said.After months of waiting, this past week Mr. Ward got his packet, which featured the Uber sticker hell put on the windshield of his freshly cleaned 2011 Honda Pilot.Hell be one of thousands of drivers across New York state who will start driving at 12:01 a.m. today, using popular ride-sharing applications like Uber and Lyft.Beyond the extra money, Mr. Ward said the opportunity to be a driver was a chance to help others avoid charges like driving while intoxicated, which he was charged with when he was younger.I think I owe the public this so nobody gets in trouble with DWIs, he said.Mr. Ward said he cleared a background check with Uber as the charge was more than 10 years ago.As services begin their operations today, one key destination will be initially unavailable for rides: Fort Drum.After we launch we will work with Fort Drum to provide affordable, reliable transportation options to and from, as weve done in other states, said an Uber spokesperson.A Lyft spokesperson said the company had been collaborating with government and other officials in preparation for launch and set up agreements with airports in Syracuse and Rochester.Were in active discussions with other airports and venues to reach agreements, the Lyft spokesperson said.Prior to today, ride-sharing services have been allowed to operate only in New York City. The upstate ride-sharing bill was included in the 2017-18 state budget, and it includes a 4-percent tax on rides and requires that prospective drivers undergo background checks.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed a bill at the beginning of June allowing a more rapid introduction of the service in the area.The expansion was supported by State Sens. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome.Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, has told the Times she was not sure ride-sharing services would be useful in the rural north country, considering a significantly lower customer base.The state Department of Motor Vehicles said ride-sharing apps provide the fare or estimated fare to the customer before the ride begins. It also requires applications to show a photo of the driver, the make, model and color of their vehicle and its license plate number. Vehicles used by the services must display a prominent emblem denoting the company the driver works for.Companies are required to adopt anti-discrimination policies for all passengers, including those with disabilities. They are also required to provide vehicle liability insurance for $1.25 million whenever a passenger is being driven and provide workers compensation coverage for their drivers.Both of the ride-sharing applications can be downloaded for free on mobile devices through the Google Play and Apple App Store. (TNS) -- It was a sweltering day in San Diego, and the sun was beating down on the roof of the Oak Park house like the sky had turned its high beams on. It was relentlessly bright and extremely hot. Just like Mohamed Hauter likes it.Hauter is a volunteer with GRID Alternatives San Diego, the local branch of a national nonprofit that provides solar power to low-income families for a very low fee or no fee at all. At least once a week, Hauter takes a day off from his job as a project leader and software manager at Venator Solutions to help install rooftop solar panels on homes all over San Diego County. He makes up the job time by working weekends. The emotional payoff is more of a 24/7 proposition.Oh my gosh, solar energy is just beautiful. There are a lot of bounties in nature, and this is one of them, the 32-year-old Hauter said, as he took a break from the days installation, an all-refugee effort coordinated by the Get Charged Up nonprofit group. I know people, including my parents, who pay as much for their energy bills as they do for their mortgage. If I can help offset that, I can help make them a lot happier.Founded 16 years ago in Oakland, GRID Alternatives set up a San Diego outpost in 2008. Since then, the local branch has installed 842 solar systems and trained more than 2,240 participants through its installation training program. Like many of his fellow volunteers, Hauter came to GRID Alternatives because he wanted to learn more about solar technology. He did not expect the windfall of human perks.Hauter joined GRID Alternatives in 2014. He quickly became part of the Team Leader Program, which gives participants expanded hands-on training and leadership responsibilities, along with experience that counts toward the National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners professional installer exam. Hauter is proud to say that he recently received his California Solar Contractors license, which brings him closer to starting his own solar business. At this point, he could pack up his hard hat and move on. But he wont.I could have stopped two years ago, and I would have been fine with my training, said Hauter, who lives in Mira Mesa with his wife and their 2 -year-old daughter. Im still here because I love it. At the end of the day, when you look at the homeowners face as we turn on the system and they see their (electrical meter) going backwards, that means a lot. I grew up poor, so this is important to me.One of 10 children, Hauter grew up in Yemen. While it was once the center of civilization on the Arabian peninsula, Yemen is now a war-torn country struggling with extreme poverty and devastating famine. When you are living in the poorest country in the Middle East, it doesnt take much to make you feel lucky. And by the standards of their homeland, the Hauters were lucky.Hauters father was a farmer who split his time between Yemen and a newsstand he had opened in New York City. The kids didnt have toys, and they didnt always have shoes. But they had a roof over their heads and food to eat, and when Hauter was in high school, they had the rare chance to start over in much greener pastures.In 2002, Hauter and his family moved to Fresno. It was a very good time to be out of Yemen and a terrible time to be a Middle Eastern refugee in the United States.It was extremely hard, said Hauter, who could not speak English when he arrived. Not because of the language barriers, but more because of all of the racism attached to 9/11. I was bullied a lot, and my name didnt help. Basically, everyone saw a target on our backs, and they treated us as such. Pretty much all of our neighbors refused to communicate with us. My parents still live there, and they dont know anyone but two of their neighbors.The language barrier fell pretty quickly, as Hauter became fluent in English and began studying computer engineering at Fresno State University. He went to school full time while also working nearly 40 hours a week in his fathers mini-mart. The racial barriers were still an issue, but Hauter and his siblings most of whom are either college graduates or attending college now would not be derailed by it.We just put our heads down and concentrated on the things that mattered, Hauter said. They were rough years, but they paid off.He came to San Diego in 2007 to take a job at Lockheed Martin. While he was there, Hauter got his masters in degree in network engineering through an online program with UC Santa Cruz. When Lockheed closed the San Diego office in 2013, Hauter joined Venator Solutions. Then came GRID Alternatives San Diego and the giving-back light that will not go out.Last year, the organization gave Hauter the Eugene Tucker Award, which was named after a standout volunteer and bestowed upon people who have followed in his generous footsteps.Mohamed is a smart person, and he has a very good way of making abstract concepts simple so that everyone can understand them, said Laura Galavis, GRID San Diegos assistant project manager. He is quiet, but he will give you the information if you are eager to learn. And he is a very good guy. Even though he doesnt really have to keep volunteering with us, he does. He is our right hand and our left hand. He could probably do the whole job by himself.Maybe he could, but he wouldnt want to. As it turns out, the sun is not the only renewable energy source in Hauters life.In Fresno, a lot of people die of heat exhaustion because they cant afford to cool their houses, and thats sad. I would do anything to help people like that, Hauter said, as he put on his hard hat and headed back to the roof. When we came to the United States, we were helped by members of the community. They helped me get to where I am now. Its my turn to give back. Theo Douglas is assistant managing editor for Industry Insider California, and before that was a staff writer for Government Technology. His reporting experience includes covering municipal, county and state governments, business and breaking news. He has a Bachelor's degree in Newspaper Journalism and a Master's in History, both from California State University, Long Beach. (TNS) -- A new Washington state law was supposed to limit the collection of biometric data such as facial and retinal scans to protect people's privacy.But the measure also accidentally banned state prisons from collecting inmates' fingerprints.Gov. Jay Inslee signed a new bill into law Tuesday to fix that oversight.This measure is needed to make a technical correction, said Inslee, a Democrat, while signing House Bill 2213 The new bill makes a few amendments to an earlier measure Inslee signed to restrict the collection of biometric data by public agencies. Biometric data can include scans of peoples fingerprints, facial geometry, voice patterns, or even a digital record of the unique way they walk. House Bill 1717 required government officials to notify people and obtain their consent before collecting their biometric information, while also prohibiting agencies from selling that data.The earlier bill made an exception for law enforcement agencies such as the Washington State Patrol. But it didnt extend the same courtesy to limited-authority law enforcement agencies such as the Department of Corrections, which runs the states prisons.The result: The initial law would have prevented prisons and other facilities such as the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island from collecting the fingerprints of people detained there.State Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton and the prime sponsor of both bills, said corrections officials raised that concern after the original measure already had progressed through legislative committees.Smith said the law as amended also would help ensure that state agencies arent collecting personalized biometric data they dont need. She said thats important for when state agencies have data breaches, such as the recent theft of a hard drive that Washington State University researchers used to store the personal data of about 1 million people.The difficulty in replacing, for example, a credit card or a Social Security card is well documented, but at least they can be replaced, Smith said. Your biometric data is not replaceable it is unique to you and you alone.The measure is part of a package of bills this year that aimed to protect peoples biometric data.Another measure, House Bill 1493 , sets new rules for companies before they can enter peoples specific biometric information into a database for commercial purposes. To do that, companies would either have to notify a person, obtain his or her consent, or provide a way to limit future commercial use of the data. Inslee signed that measure into law last month.The biometrics measure that contained the unintended error was a three-page bill lawmakers had been working on since January, allowing for months of discussion before Inslee signed it into law in May.As of Tuesday afternoon, lawmakers had yet to announce a deal on a new two-year state operating budget that is expected to be several hundred pages long. Drafting the details of the budget as well as a related agreement on school funding often takes about 24 hours after an agreement is announced.That might leave lawmakers and the public only a day or so to review the complex document before the Legislature hits a June 30 deadline to approve it. Lawmakers need to pass a budget by midnight Friday to avoid a partial shutdown of state government on July 1. (TNS) -- The weekend hacking of Idaho state treasurer websites was part of a much broader and apparently continuing mischief attack that probed websites for security holes to deface pages.But the intruders who attacked the sites in Idaho and elsewhere did not otherwise compromise site security, and did not get access to databases with user information.Nor would visitors to the four affected treasurer sites actually have seen the hacked pages unless they called them up by exact name. Those pages, intended to replace each sites home page, were uploaded via a security exploit, but other security settings prevented users from being automatically redirected to them, the office said Tuesday.The group known as Team System Dz hijacks webpages to post pro-Islamic State messages. It publicized its most recent successful hacks on a Facebook page, until the page was taken down Tuesday afternoon, and on a site that tracks website defacements Besides Idaho, government sites in Washington, Maryland, Ohio, California and New York have had their home pages hijacked. The defacements began over the weekend and new ones were still being reported Tuesday afternoon.It looks like it was a distributed attack. It wasnt focused on one specific entity, said Lance Wyatt, the states chief information security officer. The exploit used by the hackers wasnt specific to a weakness as it was to particular technology that is being used.Wyatt said threat intelligence services coordinated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified the state Sunday of the hacker activity. That information was relayed to information technology personnel at the Treasurers Office, who removed the intruder pages Monday. One security patch has been applied and another is pending.This was considered a web defacement, which in itself is low-risk, Wyatt said, describing it as the digital equivalent of graffiti.There was no information, no data that was exposed, he said.The Idaho Supreme Courts website was similarly defaced in 2014.More seriously, a hacker last August accessed personal data for 6.5 million users in Idaho and three other states via a third-party licensing system used to issue fishing and hunting permits. Idahos system was taken down for three months while security was strengthened. No one was charged in that data breach.In March, another attack on an outside vendor contracted by the state resulted in 170,000 Department of Labor job-seeker accounts being compromised . That investigation is continuing.Gov. Butch Otter named the states first information security director for cybersecurity earlier this month. The appointee, Jeffrey Weak, starts Aug. 1. For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers. Romain Grosjean is not ruling out a change of scene for 2018. The Frenchman left Baku without even speaking with the media, after his 18-month struggle with his brakes at the new American team Haas culminated in a nightmare weekend. Grosjean, 31, switched from Lotus to Haas last year amid speculation he was deliberately moving closer to Ferrari, the American outfit's technology partner. So with Ferrari yet to sign either of its current drivers for 2018, it might be said that Grosjean is close to the front of the queue at Maranello. "I don't know the answer (to that)," he said. "Life is full of surprises. I think if you ask Valtteri (Bottas) what he was doing (in 2017) in December he would have said Williams and, next thing you know, he's in a world champion's car. "So it's a phone call (away) and the best we can do is the best job on track," Grosjean added. Grosjean's Baku media snub aside, it is often the Frenchman's frustrated voice on the radio that is heard by the millions watching the grands prix. "I'm frustrated sometimes," he admits, "because I love winning and that's all that matters to me in formula one. "Obviously you come from other categories where you've won everything and then you come to F1 and don't get the chance. It's like you're starting the race ten seconds behind the others." However, Grosjean said helping to get the Haas project off the ground has been "great", but he clearly has an eye on the driver market for 2018. "I think it's early days. We're not even in July," he said. "Who knows what the grid is going to look like next year. Valtteri is waiting on Mercedes, then there's Kimi (Raikkonen) -- what's he going to do? "Everyone since 2010 has said he's going to be out of formula one and yet here we are and he's 37 and still here doing a decent job. So I don't know. "If there is an opportunity, if there is a seat, I believe I'm in a good position," said Grosjean. (GMM) Honda is confident it is finally making progress in formula one. That is despite intense speculation that the struggling Japanese manufacturer's works partner since 2015, McLaren, is close to instigating a divorce. However, there are in fact signs that things at Honda are finally improving. Amid a flurry of component changes and penalties in Baku, the marque tested its long-awaited 'specification 3' engine in Baku. Said to be worth 30 horse power, it will now make its race debut in Austria next weekend. "We thought that in Baku, as we are so far behind and with the circuit characteristics, it would be difficult to score points," Honda chief Yusuke Hawegawa told Speed Week. "So we used specification 2 and saved the new version for Fernando (Alonso) for Austria," he added. As for the suggestions of a 30hp boost, Hasegawa answered: "It is in the right direction, although not enough to reach the level of the other engine manufacturers. "But things are getting better at Honda. We will be stronger in 2018." (GMM) As predicted, the FIA has re-opened the issue of Sebastian Vettel's apparently deliberate crash into title rival Lewis Hamilton in Baku. Although the German was penalised during the race and lost further license points, it was speculated FIA president Jean Todt wanted to pursue the matter further. Amid suggestions a race ban could be applied, it is suggested Todt is unhappy Vettel re-offended despite being sternly warned after Mexico last year about his radio tirade against Charlie Whiting. The FIA confirmed that on Monday, July 3, it will "further examine the causes of the (Hamilton) incident in order to evaluate whether further action is necessary". The outcome will then be announced before next weekend's Austrian grand prix, F1's governing body added. Monday, July 3 is also the Ferrari driver's 30th birthday. Mercedes team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda told Osterreich newspaper Vettel's decision to drive into Hamilton in Baku was "unbelievable". "What makes it even worse is that Vettel took absolutely no blame -- although that is always so with him," he said. "I can understand Lewis' anger and I'm really angry as well. Why couldn't he just say 'It was my mistake, I screwed up'? Lauda also seemed to agree that the FIA is right to re-open the matter, saying the penalty given by the stewards in Azerbaijan was "a joke". (GMM) GREENSBORO N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein took a little time here Wednesday to celebrate a victory in the states fight against the opioid addiction problem that is now the No. 1 cause of accidental death in North Carolina. But Stein was also here to listen to more than 50 community leaders offering their own solutions to a problem that has many causes. The N.C. House on Tuesday approved the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention Act, House Bill 243, which would put new restrictions on medical providers who prescribe and dispense opioid drugs, such as OxyContin and morphine, and require electronic prescription filing. The bill would limit the public supply of opioids, as well as clarify funding for syringe exchange programs. Stein told reporters before a roundtable discussion at the Union Square Campus that to solve a problem as challenging as this opioid crisis its going to require a multifaceted approach. We need prevention to reduce the number of people who become addicted. We need treatment to help those who are currently addicted. And we need to enforce the law aggressively against the traffickers who are profiting off peoples misery and death. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan hosted Stein and members of more than a dozen medical, education and law enforcement agencies in an open discussion of the biggest challenges and best strategies in the crisis that has already led to more than 30 overdose deaths in Guilford County in 2017. Heroin and fentanyl are the drugs most likely to cause overdoses, but prescription pain killers often lead people to those more serious addictions. Greensboro resident Stephen A. Shelton spoke first about the 2016 overdose death of his son Caleb, 27, who had become addicted to painkillers after two shoulder surgeries and a motorcycle accident. This was a tragic, avoidable event, Shelton said, choking back tears. We have to be passionate for the lives of our children and this generations identity, he said. Emergency responders and hospitals are now able to treat overdose victims with Narcan, a drug that can counteract opioids. But turning those people from survivors to cured addicts requires a chain of actions that often begins with law enforcement, said Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes. People do not want to admit they are a drug addict, Barnes said. We need for people to be OK saying they have a problem. Jim Albright, the director of Guilford County Emergency Services, said the community needs a way to move overdose victims from emergency care or jail detox treatments into long-term rehabilitation services because Narcan does not cure an addict, it only saves one. Greensboro Police Chief Wayne Scott said, We have a really robust group of supporters after the fact ... but we seem to lack the ability to all work together. Stein said that in Wake County, Recovery Communities of North Carolina sends recovering addicts to meet with people who have recently overdosed to help connect them with rehab agencies. Alex Smith, who has been drug free for five years, said he became addicted to prescription pills and he was caught stealing pills at his job. I have not broken the law since then, Smith said, because he was able to find the treatment resources he needed to recover. Im here to put a face on it being treated as a health issue and not a personal failing. Two other people said that high school students and African-Americans are particularly vulnerable because they live in a world where resources are few and drugs are plentiful. Terri Spears, the director of UNC-Greensboros Spartan Recovery Program, which helps students struggling with addiction, said the university has seen a dramatic increase in the groups membership. Spears told Stein that every community needs funding for a family resource center that can help families find treatment and spot the signs of drug addiction. Stop labeling folks as addicts and alcoholics and criminals, she said. Stein said North Carolina is fortunate to have a new $31 million federal grant to will help pay for addiction treatment throughout the state, plus the $10 million the General Assembly approved this week for other drug programs. None of that is enough. Its not enough, Stein said. But we need to appreciate the progress we make at the same time we demand more progress. North Carolina Republicans appeared to fall just short in Tuesdays General Assembly elections of gaining large enough majorities to override Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes on their own. But their seat gains eroded further the Democrats ability to block bills on abortion and other highly contested legislation. The Senate GOP increased their seats to the number needed to have a veto-proof majority. But Speaker Tim Moore said that House Republicans were one seat shy of a similar threshold. Moore said Wednesday he's confident House Republicans can get help from Democrats in an override. But that could be more difficult on abortion restrictions, which Cooper and other Democrats campaigned against. Andrew Brock, Davie Countys long-time representative in the N.C. Senate, is resigning from his post today to take a seat on the State Board of Review after Gov. Roy Cooper did not appoint anyone before a May deadline. The three-member board serves as the final review process for disputed unemployment claims and typically meets monthly. The board seat comes with an annual salary of $124,563. Brocks appointment became official Wednesday when both the N.C. House and N.C. Senate passed House Bill 256, known as the state appointments bill. Brock recused himself from the Senate vote. Under state law, the governor submits a nominee to fill a review board vacancy. That person then must receive legislative approval. Because Cooper failed to meet the May 1 deadline, it allowed the Senate to submit Brock as a nominee. Coopers office didnt respond to a request for comment, but a spokesman for the governor, Ford Porter, told The News & Observer of Raleigh, We just missed it. Brock, 43, could not be reached for comment on his decision to resign from Senate District 34, which serves all of Davie County and most of Rowan County and about half of Iredell County. He had been elected to eight terms. Brock told the Raleigh newspaper he would start his new job Saturday. His profession is listed as political consultant on the legislatures website. The procedure for filling the District 34 seat for the remainder of Brocks term starts with members of the county political party executive committees voting to recommend a member to be appointed by the governor. In this instance, it would be the Republican parties for the three counties. There is a formula based on the population residing within a county that makes up the portion of the district that controls the weight of the vote from each county. That could mean Iredell and Rowan have more influence in choosing the nominee. The governor has seven days to make the appointment, or the appointment becomes official without his decision. Jon Welborn, the chairman of the Davie County Republican Party, said Thursday that he is speaking with his Iredell and Rowan counterparts on how to proceed with attracting nominees, with the goal of agreeing on one candidate though that may not happen early on. Welborn acknowledged there could be some feelings among Iredell and Rowan GOP members that its their turn to have a direct representative in the district. Sen. Brocks resignation came as a surprise in as far as happening now, and the party hasnt thought about it in terms of his new position in joining state government, Welborn said. Of course, there is a fear of the replacement wont do as good a job as Sen. Brock, but this also opens the door for someone to step up in their political career. The nominee to replace Brock really will depend on who the Republican power players in the area support, said Mitch Kokai, a policy analyst with the John Locke Foundation, a conservative research group. Any nominee must be eligible to vote in a district to be appointed to fill the vacancy. A similar step was taken in January 2014 when the Republican parties in Forsyth and Yadkin counties nominated Joyce Krawiec, the vice chairwoman of the state GOP, to fill a Senate seat left vacant by Pete Brunstetter, who resigned in December 2013 to become the executive vice president and chief legal counsel at Novant Health Inc. Krawiec emerged from five candidates, four of whom came from Forsyth and one from Yadkin. Krawiec has since been re-elected for two terms. Two of Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers Cabinet positions were filled by state Rep. Larry Hall, D-Durham, for the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and state Rep. Suzi Hamilton, D-Brunswick, for N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Halls salary for 2017 is $130,935, while Hamiltons salary is $138,040. Kokai said it is not that rare for a sitting legislator to leave an elected position for a full-time state government job. It also has been common over the years for legislators to cash out by going to work as members of the N.C. Utilities Commission, he said. Kokai said that appointments of this type are bound to disappoint those (who) fear that state government serves too often as the playground for insiders and those with the right connections. I have no reason to doubt that Sen. Brock would serve as an effective member of the Board of Review, he said. I do question whether he would have been as likely to win this appointment had he not had a Senate seat on his resume. History of the board The creation of the review board in 2013 was controversial, in part because it is considered a part-time job even though it can deal with more than 100 cases some months. One board member represents employees, one represents employers and one represents the general public, who will serve as chairperson and must be a licensed lawyer in North Carolina. Former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory vetoed a House bill in June 2014 because of concern about how appointees to the review board were changed, particularly in creating staggered four-year terms. McCrory said in his veto statement that there are unacceptable provisions which stagger and shorten terms of current lawfully seated members. I appointed these members following a previous legislative directive that did not require confirmation for initial appointees. The three qualified, capable and bipartisan appointees by all accounts have performed well. A compromise reached in August 2015 kept the appointee role with the governor, with legislative approval. Donald Trumps end-zone dance on Twitter was premature. Though the U.S. Supreme Court will allow some provisions of the administrations travel ban to be enforced, not so with other parts, pending a final decision on the case. It wasnt, as the president proclaimed, a clear victory. The ban the court has allowed is far more restrained that either the first or revised versions that the administration briefly put into play until lower courts halted them. Notably, the high court made room in its ruling for people with personal or professional ties to be allowed entry into the country. The ruling decrees that the ban may not be enforced against foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States. This suggests that persons with families, jobs, education and other connections to the U.S. should be allowed to come and go from the six, majority-Muslim countries designated for the ban: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The administrations quick, onerous and sloppily applied ban had barred all refugees from those nations. Now at least the high court has preserved a path for some. Even so, resettlement agencies in Greensboro had no clear idea how the ruling affects about 90 refugees who are supposed to be arriving here from Africa, Burma, Syria and Iraq between July and September. Will it delay them? Will it jeopardize them coming to America at all? Theres already disagreement on how far the Department of Homeland Security can and cannot go under the ruling. The president declared that the courts ruling has made the ban largely effective. The ACLU took exception. Clearly, the White House press statement today is based on alternative facts, Cecillia Wang, the ACLUs deputy legal director, told The New York Times. So, Justice Clarence Thomas may have been right when he predicted a flood of litigation in a partial dissent. Todays compromise will burden executive officials with the task of deciding on peril of contempt whether individuals from the six affected nations who wish to enter the United States have a sufficient connection to a person or entity in this country, Thomas wrote. Thats why relief workers in Greensboro are worried by the lack of more specific guidelines. At any rate, even with the exception, the ruling means would-be refugees in the direst straits in the very worst places will find their paths blocked. For them any delays getting out could be a matter of life or death. And the basic premise for the ban remains fundamentally hard-hearted and inconsistent. For instance, the ban noticeably excludes Saudi Arabia, which produced 15 of the 19 9/11 terrorists. Finally, by now it shouldnt even be necessary if the Trump administration had done what it said it would do when the executive order for the ban was issued in March. Remember, the president argued then that this was a temporary measure until an extreme vetting process could be created and implemented. It was supposed to take 90 days. And it was supposed to be an emergency. Yet on June 14 Trump reset the clock. If anyones counting, the 90 days would have been up on June 16. EDEN After 35 years of serving the community, one of Rockingham Countys staple human service non-profits is closing the book on giving back. The Rockingham County Literacy Project, a public education charity founded in 1980, is ceasing operations on Friday. The difficult decision to close at the end of the fiscal year was made by the projects board of directors in March. The group cited a change of landscape in funding for local literacy programs as reasoning for why it was in the best interest of staff, students and the community to end the non-profit housed at 705 Washington St. in Eden. The group that focused on reducing the illiteracy and unemployment problems of adults throughout the county has helped several hundred people over the last few years and has had a longstanding history of meeting needs through one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction. "It's difficult to close after 30 years. It's very difficult," said Executive Director Carol Melvin, who was hired at the beginning of 2017 to replace longtime director Jean Kinyon, who retired after 16 years as head of the project. "It's not like the need has gone away, but there has been a tremendous shift in the way things are funded for this type of work," Melvin said. The federal government now funds literacy programs through community college systems, and the emphasis on literacy funding has shifted from basic literacy skills to job skills, she said. Those changes have led to most monies being funneled to programs at the community college or with sub-contractors focused on providing job-skill training. That has majorly affected a group that has relied on state funds from NC Community College System Adult Basic Education and English as Second Language civics grants to pay for approximately a third of its yearly operation costs. Melvin said private donations remained strong, but the Literacy Project has seen a drop-off in corporate funding over the last five to 10 years. "We are deeply regretful and so is the board," Melvin said. The board members have been extremely faithful and have helped tremendously. This was a difficult decision they wrestled with. It took them months to come to this decision but they felt it was in the best interest for the program to finish on a positive note. RCPL served Rockingham County with purpose While the project as a whole worked to reduce the illiteracy and unemployment problems many adults face in Rockingham County, it focused on meeting the literacy goals of individuals. The RCPL strived to meet the hopes of those just trying to better the everyday function of life whether it was learning or improving their reading, writing and math skills or taking on a foreign language like English for the first time. Others looked to use the key resource to better their employment by getting help with subjects in front of them as they tackled obtaining a GED while gaining other basic college and career readiness skills through RCLP trained literacy tutors. Some just wanted to improve their reading skills to a level where they could enjoy an afternoon lost in pages of literature full of mystery, mystique and imagination. The group was founded as part of the Rockingham County Public Library in 1980 thanks to the forward-thinking of Martha Davis, who served as director of public libraries. Davis and the board of directors had a vision in the 70s and 80s to create a staff devoted to helping those that wanted to learn how read. In 1985, Joyce Burgart was hired as the first full-time director of the project. She led its direction as part of the library system for 17 years. Every library had its own collection of new reader books and the tutors were trained at the different libraries, said Burgart, 75, who still spends six months a year in Rockingham County. Eventually a local branch intended for the project, called the learning place, opened in Reidsville. A computer room was opened to teach easy computing skills. At that time it was focused on people who just had never learned to read and wanted to. They didnt necessarily want to get a job. At that time in 1985, most people would say they wanted to learn to read the Bible. They wanted to read the newspaper, the Bible, just like ordinary people. So thats what we focused on, Burgart said. In 2002, the program moved under the direction of Rockingham Community College, after county commissioners decided to not fund RCLP as part of the public library budget. Burgart retired three years later, with Kinyon replacing her. Once the county dropped the program then it was a matter of earning enough dollars to keep it open and going. And then when you rely on state funds, standards were set up that made it difficult for a small program meet, said Burgart. According to many in the community, Kinyon is the main heartbeat that kept the blood flowing once the move was made. Following a five-year stay on campus the RCLP separated from RCC management and became its own non-profit. In 2009, Kinyon helped move the program to Washington Street in Eden. I could see it coming, Burgart said. Jean Kinyon kept it open for a long-long time just by her sheer grit and will. Leaving a lasting impression At the end of this month, the legacy of the RCLP will move forward through the great amount of resources donated to other local groups committed to championing literacy. The Salvation Army has received health literacy material so they can start its own program. Melvin said many others in the county have requested the project's learning tools 30 years worth of collected education. Even other literacy projects across the state have inquired about obtained materials. What hurts the most about shutting down for the staff isnt providing these great tools to other organizations. It isnt saying goodbye to their facilities. Their collective heart yearns for those that still remain in need. According to the National Adult Literacy Survey of 2003, 21 percent of Rockingham County adults function at literacy level one the most basic literacy skills. In total, 27 percent are at level two, which encompasses those with low-level text skills. The Community Health Assessment of 2016 states that one in five in Rockingham County residents are not high school graduates. For many out in the dark, The RCPL helped lay a literacy foundation. That is why this service was so important, said Delores Martin, an ABE GED illiteracy instructor for the RCLP. It's not trying to jump-start people into learning or knowing about technologies. These people have some minimal skills and some don't have any reading skills at all. That's what this program did. We established relationship with people right where they were. It took a lot of patience and burning the midnight oil to find out what tools should be used to help them understand different concepts in order to progress and move forward. "That's taken away. That's pulling the rug out from underneath a lot of people whose hopes were to be able to take it to the next level. A lot of these people were older but still in the work force and still raising families, while looking forward to having a progressive life with this added element in it." Over the last month, officials have worked to make sure students have found other avenues of help. Many volunteer tutors have made the decision to keep going outside of the project to help those to whom they have dedicated their time. Melvin says that the next step for students looking to regain services provided by the literacy project is to advocate for themselves something Martin imparts to her students in the final days of the RCLP. The final chapter isnt the end of the book Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and the staff at the Rockingham County Literacy Project will lock things up one last time on Friday. Yet, nothing can close the door on the imprint made in the community by hundreds of volunteers that were led by pillars of literacy advocacy. For over 35 years, these humanitarians gave a part of themselves to help give an overlooked necessity to thousands of people all from different walks of life. "It was an opportunity for this staff to grow in some areas that they might not have experienced before, so I think that both the students as well as the staff, have been increased as a result of the interaction, said Martin. There is a lot to be learned from persons that are in lack. If you're educated and you are trying to transfer skills to them, it's amazing how many skills they can transfer you. "I think that this staff was humbled by a lot of how they could be increased by the very students they were to teach. While it is still too early to get a clear picture of who is going where, one thing is for certain: the Haskell, Jim Dandy, and Travers are going to be extremely competitive and entertaining events, from which a solid 3-year-old leader should finally emerge. From there it's only the Pennsylvania Derby and then on to the older horses and I doubt any trainer is going to want to have to beat Arrogate, Gun Runner, and Shaman Ghost in the Breeders' Cup Classic to secure the title. For those content to nail down some of the other 3-year-old stakes without having to face the heavy hitters, there is the Dwyer (for horses looking to stretch out in the big ones or drop back in distance for the Allen Jerkens), West Virginia Derby, Indiana Derby, Iowa Derby, and Curlin Stakes, the last of which can also unveil a Travers horse. Here is a scorecard in alphabetical order of who might be going where. what strategy might be employed, and where they stand in the 3-year-old division. ALWAYS DREAMING - I was surprised at first to learn that he is pointing for the Jim Dandy, as he seems to be the Pletcher Haskell prototype in the mold of Verrazano, Any Given Saturday, and Bluegrass Cat, all brilliant pace horses who dominated the Haskell, while stablemate Tapwrit is more reminiscent of Pletcher's last two Jim Dandy winners Palace Malice and Stay Thirsty. Pletcher may be hoping Battalion Runner and possibly Coal Front can fill that role in the Haskell. I still believe Always Dreaming may have more raw talent than any of the 3-year-olds, and he is able to combine sheer brilliance and stamina to win at any distance. The only question that lingers after the Preakness is whether it was a classy horse like Classic Empire looking him in the eye for the first time that caused his shocking early retreat or whether he just had a bad day and the Preakness was an aberration. Could it be that, with speed types like Irish War Cry, Timeline, West Coast, and Battle of Midway, as well as Classic Empire, all likely heading for the Haskell, Pletcher prefers to wait for the Travers before subjecting him to a brutal pace battle? That, of course, is just speculation. It's been 16 years since a horse won both the Haskell and Travers, and you know Pletcher wants to win the Travers for his New York owners. During those 16 years, five horses have pulled off the Jim Dandy--Travers double. The Jim Dandy also will give him a race over the track BATTLE OF MIDWAY - Like Cloud Computing, this is a colt who has yet to run anywhere near his best race, as he keeps improving with each start, and he had a perfect prep for the Haskell with his walk in the park victory in the Affirmed, where he dominated a mediocre field. There is no questioning his toughness, the way he held on tenaciously to finish second, beaten a half-length, in the Santa Anita Derby after having battled head and head on the lead through fast fractions. He then pressed the pace in the Kentucky Derby and hung on gamely to finish third at 40-1. He needed a nice easy confidence builder and he got it in the Affirmed. He should be ready for a huge effort in the Haskell, in which he likely will be tracking the pace. He has shown he can rate kindly and that will serve him well at Monmouth. His speed figures need to improve if he's going to actually win one of these big races, but with six starts under him now, he could be ready for a peak performance. CLASSIC EMPIRE - You can bet Mark and Norman Casse will soon be dreaming about Runaway Groom and the 1982 Travers when that unheralded Canadian invader came to Saratoga and knocked off Derby winner Gato Del Sol, Preakness winner Aloma's Ruler, and Belmont winner Conquistador Cielo. The only difference is that if we should have a repeat of that this year it will not come as a surprise to anyone, as many still believe that he is the best 3-year-old in the country following an eventful and frustrating Derby campaign and two tough defeats at Churchill Downs and Pimlico. If any horse deserves a break it is last year's 2-year-old champion, who is also heading for the Haskell. If he returns in top form and catches even the slightest break he can beat any 3-year-old around. He probably is the most versatile of them all, with the capabilities of beating you from behind, as he did in the Arkansas Derby, or on or near the pace, as he demonstrated in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile and this year's Preakness, in which he ran a winning race. To run the Derby winner into the ground the way he did in relatively fast fractions and then just get beat on the wire, it may have been his most impressive performance or at least right up there with the Juvenile. CLOUD COMPUTING - He probably has the most upside of any of them considering what he accomplished in the Preakness off only three career starts and how much he is still eligible to improve. Yes, he had a perfect setup at Pimlico, sitting behind the dueling Classic Empire and Always Dreaming, but he still had to fly home in :18 3/5 and show enough determination to wear down a champion and multiple grade 1 winner in Classic Empire, who had opened a three-length lead at the eighth pole. That's about as fast as horses come home in the Preakness. You love to see any horse, especially one as inexperienced as he was, close that relentlessly. He is a big, long-striding colt with great scope and a commanding presence about him. His first three races were merely learning blocks and he really stepped up big-time when finally getting a good trip and being allowed to show off his talents. With only four starts, I don't think we've seen anything close to his best. But he'll likely have his hands full with Always Dreaming in the Jim Dandy if the Derby winner bounces back with a vengeance. That should be some showdown, which no doubt helped swell the Haskell field. You need to save something for the Travers, so why knock heads with the Derby and Preakness winner, and possibly the Belmont winner before you have to. GIRVIN - If you're looking for a sleeper in the Haskell, this is a colt on whom I've always been high, and he ran a bang-up race getting beat s nose right on the wire by Blue Grass Stakes winner Irap in the Ohio Derby. He is one of the most determined horses I've seen all year and runs hard every step of the way, pinning his ears even on the gallop-out. Coming off professional victories in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby, he probably never should have run in the Kentucky Derby, especially on that track, after suffering a quarter crack and missing valuable training leading up to the race. On top of that, he didn't have the cleanest of trips and could finish no better than 13th in what was basically a throw-out race. But he's obviously back in good form, running his heart out once again in the Ohio Derby. There is no reason why he shouldn't move forward off it, and his style of running, sitting just behind the pace, should set him up well for a strong effort at Monmouth. He just needs to have his move timed better and not hit the front too soon. GORMLEY - Will John Shirreffs ship him East for the third time or look to stay at home and explore other avenues? He certainly didn't embarrass himself in the Belmont Stakes, finishing fourth, albeit a long way behind the winner. He is already a three-time graded stakes winner, including two grade 1 stakes, with his big win coming in the Santa Anita Derby. The talent is there, but he needs to be more consistent, like many of the horses on this year's Derby trail. For now, we'll just sit back with him and see what Shirreffs decides to do. If he does come East again he will need to improve significantly and possibly establish a distinct running style. We really don't know how he wants to run, and we certainly have no idea how good he is. GUNNEVERA - Once considered a major Derby contender following his explosive victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, he may have peaked too soon and has not been able to duplicate that effort. He has had a couple of half-mile breezes and we'll see in what direction trainer Antonio Sano goes with him. We know he has the ability to break a race wide open on the far turn with his rapid-fire turn of foot, as he demonstrated in the Fountain of Youth and Delta Jackpot, but he hasn't shown it since stretching out in distance, becoming more of a late closer and turning in dull efforts in the Derby and Preakness. But he didn't run badly in either one. Now with a freshening, it will be interesting to see if he can regain that old spark. Remember, he broke his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs and won the 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga Special, so we know he has natural speed. The Haskell doesn't seem to fit his style unless he returns to his old form, as Monmouth can be conducive to big moves on the turn. But Sano has many options with him. HENCE - He's up to five furlongs in his works at Churchill Downs. There are only two ways to deal with him as a viable contender this summer. You have feel his impressive victory in the Sunland Derby is the real Hence and is an indication of what he's capable of and you have to totally throw out both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, especially the latter, in which he never ran a lick with no apparent excuse. He was highly regarded by many for the Derby, and what happened to him at Churchill and Pimlico is open for debate. He obviously needs to improve many lengths to even be competitive in these big races, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Steve Asmussen point him for some of the lesser stakes, where there is still good money to be won. IRAP - I'm not sure what the plans are for him, whether he'll go for the big grade Is or try to collect the lucrative purses in some of the other Derbys around the country. He obviously showed in his gutsy Ohio Derby score that his Blue Grass shocker was no fluke, despite his awful follow-up performance in the Kentucky Derby, which like for many of the starters, was a total throw-out, as indicated by his comeback victory. He does have an excellent foundation under him, having started in a number of major stakes while still a maiden and performing well in many of them. Although he did win the Ohio Derby, I'd like to see him learn to change leads, which he didn't do at Thistledown. He has shown in the past he still needs work on his lead changes. In short, this is a better horse than people think, and we'll just have to see in what direction they go with him. IRISH WAR CRY - To be honest, I'm still not 100 percent sure what to make of him or what to expect of him. Although he has thrown in a pair of inexplicable clunkers in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Kentucky Derby, he has bounced back both times with big efforts, once easily handling Cloud Computing in the Wood Memorial and his excellent second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes. The Haskell is the race his owner and trainer have been waiting for from day one and the race they want to win most of all, considering his owner, Isabelle de Tomaso, is the daughter of Amory Haskell, the founder and builder of the new Monmouth Park, and for whom the Haskell is named. This is their Kentucky Derby. Monmouth Park should be Irish War Cry's kind of track, with his natural speed and ability to win on the lead or stalking the pace. You can bet Graham Motion will not be looking past this race and will have him razor sharp and ready for the race of his life. Now whether he will have one of his good days and can put in back-to-back big performances is something we won't know until he does it. But the talent is there for sure, and we'll see if the racing gods decide to step in and lend a hand. This one is right up their alley. LOOKIN AT LEE - Plodders normally don't do well in the Belmont Stakes, so his seventh-place finish was not a total shock. But his second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness made the Triple Crown a success for this tough, durable colt, especially considering he was the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races, a feat in itself these days. The big question now is how to get to the Travers the best way. Monmouth is not conducive to his style at all, so one would think he could point for the Jim Dandy as a good setup race to stretch back out to a mile and a quarter in the Travers. The West Virginia Derby also is a good spot for him, especially if he's looking to finally win a big race. It would be quite a tall order to beat Always Dreaming and Cloud Computing in the Jim Dandy. He doesn't win much, but you can never feel comfortable keeping him out of the exotics. McCRAKEN - If we do get a contentious pace in the Haskell, which looks like a certainty at this point, then who better to come along and pick up the pieces than McCraken, who once was high on everyone's list of Kentucky Derby contenders before having to miss the Tampa Bay Derby with a minor injury. A classic type horse in every regard, he ran a disappointing third in the Blue Grass Stakes, perhaps coming up a bit short after missing a key race and training, and then got manhandled at the start of the Kentucky Derby, finishing eighth in the slop and exiting the race with puncture wound on his leg. His return in the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs would determine how much of an impact he would have on the 3-year-old division and he didn't disappoint, winning by 2 1/4 lengths at 2-5. More important was demonstrating his smooth acceleration on the far turn, in which he glides by horses, picking them off with little effort. He is another who should relish the timing and distance of the Travers. He just needs to be competitive and finish in the hunt in the Haskell to set him up for the Midsummer Derby. PATCH - This is my main sleeper; the horse who is just waiting to wake up on the right day, and that day could be August 26...if, of course, he can finally get a decent post and a decent trip. We really don't now how good this horse is, considering he had virtually no shot in the Kentucky Derby, going into the race off only three career starts, breaking from post 20, and having a fairly rough trip, and then breaking from the far outside again in the Belmont Stakes and getting hung wide every step of the way, running 73 feet farther than the victorious Tapwrit. We have no idea to what extent, if any, he is hampered by having only one eye, but it sure can't help in certain situations. Not only did he run a huge race to finish third in the Belmont Stakes in spite of everything he had to overcome, while finishing more than four lengths ahead of the fourth horse, he also turned in a big effort to finish second in the Louisiana Derby, beaten only 1 1/4 lengths, in only his third career start, coming off a maiden victory at Gulfstream. As mentioned earlier, Pletcher could either give him a confidence builder in the Curlin or West Virginia Derby or try to land a big one in the Haskell, where the pace is expected to be hot. But it is in the Travers I believe we'll see him at his best. He definitely is one to watch. PRACTICAL JOKE - Remember him and how well he ran in the Kentucky Derby? Chad Brown has him scheduled for the one-mile Dwyer on July 8 and then, like so many others, it's on to the Haskell. The last we saw of him he was running an excellent fifth in the Derby, probably just failing to stay the mile and a quarter, following a big effort in the Blue Grass Stakes, in which he came three-quarters of a length short of catching Irap. We saw what he's capable of around one turn when he captured the Champagne and Hopeful Stakes last year and he should relish a return to the one-turn mile at Belmont. He has the ability to win from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles; it's just a matter of finding the best spots for him, and if he should come back a tiger in the Dwyer, we know from the Blue Grass and Kentucky Derby that 1 1/8 miles is well within his scope. SENIOR INVESTMENT - With 10 career starts under him, he has a strong foundation and was climbing up the ladder with his victory in the Lexington Stakes and third-place finish in the Preakness before disappointing in the Belmont Stakes. But I never hold the Belmont against any horse if they have already shown what they're capable of. There is still a lot of money to be made out there for 3-year-olds and we'll wait and see just how ambitious Kenny McPeek is with him. McPeek is never scared off by any horse or horses, so it wouldn't come as a surprise to see him keep the colt in top company and try to make the Travers with him. It was McPeek who pulled off an unlikely dead-heat victory in the 2012 Travers with 33-1 Golden Ticket and came within a half-length of upsetting 3-5 favorite Medaglia d'Oro with Repent in the 2002 Travers. TAPWRIT - Pletcher has left open the possibility of running both him and Always Dreaming in the Jim Dandy, which would seem a bit unusual, with the $1 million purse of the Haskell the same day. But while the Haskell is suited to Always Dreaming's style of running, the Jim Dandy looks more suited to Tapwrit's, although the abundance of speed in the Haskell could play into Tapwrit's hands. Pletcher does have the luxury of having Patch to fill in the Haskell gap if he so desires, but, as mentioned earlier, he could also run him in the Curlin or West Virginia Derby more as a confidence builder after his brutal posts and trips in the Derby and Belmont. As for Tapwrit, he was impressive winning the Belmont over Irish War Cry, with the field strung out far up the track. He certainly didn't catch anyone by surprise, having run a sneaky good race in the Derby after getting wiped out at the start. Like the first two finishers he had a clear rail trip in the stretch over the best part of the track. He and Always Dreaming compliment each other perfectly. But like Always Dreaming and Cloud Computing he did have a perfect setup in the Belmont, saving precious ground most of the way. I'm not sure how many in the Belmont were simply unable to get the mile and a half, as they came home the final half in a pedestrian :50 4/5 following three-quarters in 1:14. But he got the job done at a distance he'll never have to deal with again. He has continued to improve and should be a formidable presence the rest of the year. TIMELINE - There are just so many 3-year-olds this year with unlimited potential it is very tough sorting them out. Perhaps the toughest is Timeline, who was brilliant winning the Peter Pan Stakes in the slop and most recently the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth, a prep for the Haskell, in which he will join stablemate Practical Joke. In the Pegasus, he cruised to an easy 3 1/4-length wire-to-wire victory in a swift 1:41 1/5 for the 1 1/16 miles. Also a stablemate of Cloud Computing, he is now unbeaten in four career starts. He just has to show he can step up against better company, but he does have a win over the track, and Haskell prep winners often come back and run well in the big race. As I've been mentioning, he will have to contend with several top-class brilliant horses in the Haskell, so he won't have an easy time of it on the lead, as he did in the Pegasus. But he is far from speed crazy and could rate if someone else is intent on the lead. In short, we know he has enormous ability, but is he ready to beat these kinds of horses? WEST COAST - OK, it's Bob Baffert and it's the Haskell and Max's Hot Dogs, and we all know what that adds up to. In case you've been on another planet, Baffert has owned the Haskell, winning the race eight times, including five of the last seven years. As long as he or his assistant Jimmy Barnes has a hot dog at Max's on race day he has been virtually invincible. In West Coast, he has yet another late-developing colt with a world of talent. Baffert had actually thought about running him in the Belmont Stakes, despite having only four career starts, none farther than 1 1/16 miles. In his only stakes appearance he was beaten a head in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. But Baffert has been high on him since day one. So it was no surprise when he won the Easy Goer Stakes on Belmont Stakes day in resounding fashion, drawing off to a 3 3/4-length victory in a sharp 1:41 2/5. The Haskell would be a logical step up to nine furlongs, and the way he blew his field away at Belmont, coming from sixth, seven lengths off the lead, after having stalked the pace in most of his previous races, suggests he will welcome a stretch out in distance. Needless to say, he has to be considered a major threat wherever he goes. But he has yet to face this kind of competition. There are others that need to be mentioned, such as MULTPLIER, J BOYS ECHO, and MEANTIME, all of whom also disappointed in the Belmont Stakes. I was high on J Boys Echo in the Derby and Belmont and he ran horribly in both of them. He needs to start from square one again. Also, you can be sure Dallas Stewart will give HOLLYWOOD HANDSOME another try after his debacle in the Belmont Stakes. Also, Wood Memorial runner-up BATTALION RUNNER has been working well for the Dwyer, and he could wind up as the Pletcher prototype for the Haskell. There is also great hope in the barn for COAL FRONT, coming off an extremely impressive win at Belmont, despite acting up at the gate and forcing John Velazquez to dismount. That is something he obviously needs to correct. A brief mention should also be made of NO MO DOUGH, who looked sensational winning the Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness Day, but hasn't worked since. GREENWICH The towns new charter change committee has begun its work with a letter to legal counsel asking for specific directions on how to do its job. The committee, appointed last month by the Board of Selectmen, is supposed to give town government a checklist on how to allow voters to decide if the Board of Education elections should be modified. But the first meeting of the five-member group earlier this week concentrated on two charter sections that explain which governmental bodies need a public vote before their part of the charter can change and permission to set up a committee to make that recommendation. So theyve turned to the towns legal counsel to ask what they need to do to add the Board of Education to the list that includes the Board of Selectmen and Board of Estimate and Taxation. If we get pretty clear answers, then I think we can move pretty quickly, said committee chairman Barry Rickert. Changing the election setup for the school board has been a years-long process. Under the current charter, board members are selected by their political parties to run for seats; both Democrats and Republicans are assured four seats on the eight-member board. Four seats are up for election every two years, limited to two Republican and two Democratic slots. Critics of the system say it limits voter choice, since the number of candidates chosen by each political party dont have to exceed the number of available seats. Supporters say the current system guarantees a politically balanced board in a town that has long been dominated by the Republican party. A committee of Rickert, Brian Peldunas, Peter von Braun, William Finger and the late Joan Caldwell recommended that candidates run at-large, with the top vote-getters assuming school board seats regardless of political party. They also recommended that the number of seats available every election were changed: three one year, five the next. To put the change into operation, it needed to be approved by the Representative Town Meeting. However, instead of moving it to the RTM, the Board of Selectmen put the original committees report on hold and suggested putting the question to townspeople. They re-formed the committee replacing Caldwell with Alexis Voulgarisset and asked them to see what would be necessary to bring the charter change recommendation to a public vote. It turns out, it takes a lot: multiple votes by the Board of Selectmen and the RTM and two public referendums. Officials best guess is any public referendum on the school board election wont appear until the 2021 election. The committees meeting Tuesday morning ended with members agreeing to compile a list of questions for the legal division on the exact steps needed to change two sections of the charter that would allow them to meet as a committee and allow the school board change to go before the public. The committee has tentatively set its next meeting for 7 p.m. July 20, with the expectation of having its questions answered by then, Rickert said. It also agreed on a name: the Board of Selectmens Board of Education Section 66/67 Charter Change Committee. First Selectman Peter Tesei, who attended the charter change meeting, told the committee that questions about the composition of the Board of Education are, for now, being put to the side until they get their answers from the lawyers. Once the details are available, the committees recommendations on changing the two charter sections would go to the selectmen and then the RTM. If the change is approved by the RTM with at least 116 votes, -- a majority of the seated members -- then changing those two sections would have to be approved by public referendum. If the public approves the measure, the committee then will tackle language describing changing the make-up of the school board and the seats available during an election. Then those questions would go for public vote. This is a very lengthy process and I know that frustrates people, but thats just the way our system is, Tesei said. I think its pretty well established that Greenwich has a very-prescribed process that takes these questions into consideration. The RTM could reject the changes and decide the question itself. Tesei said he hoped the voters would have their say. Given that we are going through the exercise to make available the ability for the electorate to vote, I would rather see (the sections changes) adjudicated first, Tesei said. If the RTM says, No, we think we should decide it, then fine, OK, theyve said that and let them opine on (election structure). If they say no to that, then thats the end of the story and history will have a nice set of deliberations. If it gets approved, then the question would be brought forth. The challenge is the timing because were talking about several years. Changing the Board of Education structure has been loudly opposed by many, including the Democratic Town Committee, a bipartisan group of current and former Board of Education members and the current Board of Education itself, which passed a nonbinding resolution against the proposed election structure change. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com The flavors Oreo thought were good enough to turn into a media image. Photo: Oreo Oreo is a Jedi master of the gross-flavor mind game it effortlessly convinces Americans the cookies theyre looking for are, in fact, a gimmicky, limited-time variety their tongues should forcefully protest. However, because Pumpkin Spice, Watermelon, Swedish Fish, and something called Rainbow Shure, Bert! can never be enough, its gone whole hog with its latest stunt. Its now feeding fans experimental cookies they themselves conceived as part of the #MyOreoCreation contest (goal: outsourcing the next Oreo flavor, because Nabiscos R&D team is clearly on empty by this point). Fans have been proposing idiosyncratic, weird, or downright demented flavors using that hashtag since May, so Oreo execs decided to fully leverage this idea farm. The best ideas are being produced as real, actual cookies in extremely limited quantities by which we mean a bag that gets mailed, along with a thank-you card, to whatever perpetrator suggested it. The point is getting attention as much as properly testing future flavors, so the prototypes just so happen to match lots of the current gimmicky food trends. Oreo says that Coffee, Glazed Donut, Bacon, and yep Avocado have made obligatory appearances so far. Theres also the made-for-Instagram trio of Unicorn, Mermaid, and Millennial Pink, plus several others like Nut N Honey and Raspberry Danish that probably wouldnt be that bad. Thanks @Oreo!!!!!!!! This was the most amazing surprise ever. pic.twitter.com/udwx5wQ2TT Rebecca Silverstein (@Rebeccaaerin) June 16, 2017 Oreo says it will keep surprising fans until July 14, so presumably any of these geniuses could be up next: Capture Christmas celebrations with a fruit cake flavored golden Oreo cookie. #MyOreoCreation #contest Marg (@_anzzaaa) June 20, 2017 At the Standards new bar, John Fraser cooks dishes like khachapuri to go with cocktails like the Souvenir (tequila, fresh watermelon juice, Campari, and lime). Photo: Liz Clayman Every month in New York, theres a bewildering number of new dishes to eat, drinks to imbibe, and food-themed events to attend. Often, the hardest part is just figuring out whats really worth your limited time. So Grub kicks off each month with a curated collection of dishes, drinks, and events that should absolutely be on your agenda. Make your plans now. 1. Drop by a new bar from a Michelin-starred chef. First at Dovetail and then at Narcissa, John Fraser made a name for himself as one of the citys most accomplished chefs of semi-vegetarian cooking. (At his newest restaurant, Nix, he goes full veg.) On July 6, hell open Narcbar, in a space that was formerly part of Narcissa in the East Villages Standard hotel. Frasers menu is a mix of whats now and good for drinking, which means there will be an onion-ring tower ($9), French dips with bone broth ($15), and the irresistible Georgian cheese bread called khachapuri ($18). Cocktails are from New York bar veteran Tonia Guffey, who has contributed drinks like the White Pony ($12; gin, white vermouth, and Salers Liqueur), and the wine list has been selected by Ashley Santoro, late of Casa Mono and Bar Jamon. 2. Pair great views with food from the Vinegar Hill House team. Vinegar Hill House has been one of brownstone Brooklyns favorite (and most charming) restaurants since it opened in 2009. Now, the owners have branched out with the all-day VHH Foods in Dumbo, with outdoor seating and great views of the city. You can check the full menu here, but know that there will be breakfast tacos in the a.m.; pastries like a sunrise bun and chocolate Guinness cake; and meats by the quarter, half, or whole pound for lunch and dinner. To go with that food, theres natural wine and pitchers of cocktails. Barista Grace Lowman and Mission Chinese Food bartender Sam Anderson have also collaborated on some unusual coffee drinks. Namely, theres the Mai Tai Iced Latte ($9) thats made with almond syrup, orange-blossom water, nutmeg, salt, and toasted coconut milk to keep it tiki. 3. Find your Maple replacement in Made Nice. When Maple shuttered in May, Manhattan office workers were left to wander a jungle of less-streamlined delivery options in search of its healthy-ish, straightforward replacement. Their prayers have been answered by Made Nice, Daniel Humm and Will Guidaras fast-casual restaurant that recently started delivering through Caviar. The salad-centric spot leans light like Maple, though it offers its entire menu, and thus a broader selection of dishes to choose from. Still, Grub confirmed through some rigorous fact-checking, the food holds up well and wont cause you to fall asleep at the desk! 4. Have a covert drink at New Yorks buzziest bridge demolition of the century On July 11, the Kosciuszko Bridge will go kaboom. Its imminent doom has drawn a highly unusual amount of excitement as far as demolitions of small bridges go. (More than 23,000 people have RSVPd to a Facebook event for it.) This has prompted another event calling on dedicated warriors to defend the bridge by forming a circle of sword wiedling [sic] human warriors and their wolf warrior brethern [sic]. In other words, this promises to be a bridge demolition for the ages. So Grub Street suggests checking it out with a few clandestine drinking options: maybe some Keepers Coffee Soda with mezcal, or a solo cup of sparkling wine recommended by a top New York sommelier? 5. Then have another drink at New Yorks latest spot devoted to all drinks sparkling. Speaking of bubbles endorsed by that sommelier: Ariel Arce, who was the beverage director at Riddling Widow and Birds & Bubbles, has opened Airs Champagne Parlor (at 127 Macdougal Street). The French sparkling wine is synonymous with special events and expense accounts, but Arce has put the emphasis on more affordable versions (with relatively inexpensive caviar to match). The rest of the menu features wine-friendly food like hamachi tartare ($12) and duck confit bo ssam ($20). 6. Keep drinkin those spritzes. Dante recently introduced a Summer of Spritzes section to its menu, and for those who cant get enough low-ABV bubbles, Casa Apicii has jumped onboard. This month, the Italian restaurant will serve six variations (all $15) of the Italian aperitif, including the Meyer Lemon with limoncello and Prosecco and Sardinian Sunset with Champagne and Mirto de Sardegna. 7. Take a tour of New Yorks newest brewery with the citys beer-nerd-in-chief. On July 8, beer guy (and occasional New York contributor) Josh Bernstein will give New Yorkers a sneak peek of the citys latest brewery and taproom, Five Boroughs (tickets are $32.04). Housed in a former factory that the owners have covered over the last couple years, it isnt even open to the public yet. Youll get a first look, complete with samples of Five Boroughs Czech-style pilsner, raspberry gose, a Munich-style lager called Helles, and other brews. If thats not enough suds for you, Bernsteins home-brew tours will visit amateur brewers in Fort Greene and Prospect Heights on July 9 (tickets are $35). VHH Foods chocolate-smoked-ricotta bread and Mai Tai iced latte. Photo: Clay Williams 8. Get tickets to a couple Middle East pop-ups, including one dinner cooked by refugee chefs. Through its Displaced Kitchens events (originally called Displaced Dinner Sessions), the Palestinian restaurant Mazeish Grill and the website Komeeda have given refugees an opportunity to share their food and make money. Now hosted at Spreadhouse Cafe, the next dinner will be on July 7 ($65). Two Syrian refugees, Yusra and Lutfi, will cook a Bedouin Dinner of dishes like Syrian-style kibbeh, Bedouin chicken over red rice, and baklava. If you cant get enough Middle Eastern cooking, on July 11, theres also chef Moeen Abuzaids new Brooklyn English pop-up ($75), a seven-course meal of modern Arabian food. 9. Eat churro ice-cream sandwiches and Korean shaved ice. At the Tapas Bar at La Sirena, pastry chef Thea Habjanic has introduced churro ice-cream sandwiches (all $8) in flavors like coffee gelato with dulce de leche and cocoa nibs, mango sorbet and vanilla-gelato swirl with sea salt, and a weekends-only strawberry gelato with strawberry coulis. And of course, thats not only the new icy sweet in town. Theres also a fancy bingsu, a.k.a. Korean-style shaved ice, as part of the five-course tasting menu at Michelin-starred Jungsik. There, pastry chef Eunji Lee flavors her ice with omija, a wild berry from China, and serves it with lemon-basil sorbet, rhubarb syrup, and the plum-apricot hybrid pluot. Churro ice-cream sandwiches. Photo: Hy Khong 10. Go to the Indonesian Food Bazaar, then help judge a jollof-rice competition. Who doesnt like a good old-fashioned food fight? Fans of West African cooking will want to mark their calendars for July 23, when Afropolitan Insights NYC Jollof Festival (tickets are $5 to $125) will go down at 26 Bridge Street in Brooklyn. The one-pot rice dish is possibly the regions most popular dish and one of contentiously debated origins. In that spirit, guests will taste versions from seven countries and vote on them to crown a winner. Also of note: One of the citys most popular food fairs, the Indonesian Food Bazaar, will return to Queens on July 8. 11. Drop by the Four Horsemen on the weekend for its new prix fixe lunch. For fans of natural wine and bars owned by LCD Soundsystem front men, theres really only one place to go: the Four Horsemen. Last weekend, the bar introduced its new prix fixe lunch ($28, walk-ins only) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The three-course menu will always consist of a salad, bread, a main, and dessert, but will otherwise change weekly. (The inaugural one, to give you an idea, included sweet-potato rolls, chilled bean salad, roasted duck breast with stone fruit and pistachios, and lemon-verbena ice cream with sour cherries.) To sweeten the deal, theyll also offer a specially priced wine like Brendan Traceys Pineau dAunis for $10 a glass which you should almost certainly take advantage of. 12. Eat some local grub before catching a show at Forest Hills Stadium. The revitalized Forest Hills Stadium is a very pleasant place to see a band in the great outdoors of suburban Queens. This month, theyve pulled in alt-country act My Morning Jacket and, for all you dads out there, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. If youre checking out one of those concerts and trying to figure out dinner, consider a few local options that arent Shake Shack (no offense to those great burgers, but theyre everywhere and summer is the time to live a little). Theres the classic ice-cream parlor Eddies Sweet Shop for great sundaes and nostalgia, Violets Bake Shoppe for banh mi if youre in a hurry, and, over in Rego Park, Marani for solid Georgian food. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. A Colorado man died in a motorcycle crash involving a PennDOT vehicle on Interstate 81 in Hampden Township late Tuesday night. Around 11:45 p.m. a 54-year-old Lakewood, Colorado, man was traveling south on Interstate 81 near mile marker 61 on a 2002 Harley Davidson FLH motorcycle when he crashed into the back of a PennDOT truck, which was trailing a line painting crew, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The PennDOT vehicle was traveling about 8 mph with an active arrow board to alert motorists, police said. The motorcyclist was ejected from the vehicle and was thrown into the median, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The crash is under investigation and the victim's identity has not been released. Haiti - UN : Security Council highlights development prospects for Haiti Saturday, at the end of the mission of the UN Security Council in Haiti, Ambassador Sacha Sergio Llorenti Soliz, Permanent Representative of Bolivia to the Security Council welcomed the determination of the Haitian authorities and institutions to meet the challenges of consolidating the rule of law and governance - prerequisites for the stability and sustainable development of the country. The Council delegation, led by Bolivia, who chaired the Security Council in June, met with President Jovenel Moise and his Government, the Parliament, the National Police, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, the Office for the Protection of Citizens, the Superior Court of Auditors, and representatives of civil society and the private sector. "The encounters with these interlocutors allow us to come to better understanding of the challenges the government and people in Haiti face in this new political context," declared Sacha Sergio Llorentty Soliz. "We have heard appeals concerning cholera, including the testimony of the victims, and we reiterated the support of the Security Council to the new approach of the Secretary-General," said Llorentty Soliz, adding that Council members also welcomed the support of the entire United Nations system and partners to the Haitian government and people in this regard. "Haiti has fortunately entered a new period of stability, providing an important window of opportunity for the government and other state institutions to be able to bring forward a programme of reform so needed to allow Haiti to join the path of sustainable development," welcomed the Bolivian diplomat. The members of the Council welcomed the vision, determination and ambition of their Haitian partners to carry out reforms in different fields. "We felt particularly encouraged by the government and legislature's clear commitment to resolutely address the country's challenges in the field of rule of law and governance, and place an emphasis on strengthen judiciary oversight and accountability," declared Llorentty Soliz. "We are equally encouraged by the authorities' commitment to further strengthen Haitian national police." After successful meetings, Council members expressed a clearer understanding of the concerns and expectations regarding both the closure of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah) and the transition to the new United Nations Mission for the Support for justice in Haiti (Minujusth), expected to start on 15 October 2017 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20656-haiti-flash-bye-bye-the-minustah-hello-the-minujusth.html "Our interlocutors gave us first-hand information that allowed us to better understand various aspects and conditions necessary for the successful implementation of the Minujusth established by resolution 2050," stressed the President of the Council "We believe that the new Mission is part of a strategy to ensure a continuous and progressive transition to development." The interlocutors met in Haiti by the members of the Council reminded them that peace and security are intimately linked to the basic needs of the population "If these basic needs, such as health, education, water and sanitation are not assured, it will be difficult, if not impossible to achieve lasting stability and development," reported Llorentty Soliz. Reaffirming the support of the United Nations Security Council to the Haitian government and people, the President of the Council stressed that the forthcoming deployment of Minujusth proves the long-term commitment of the United Nations to Haiti. "In the future, we will continue to support in key areas such as strengthening the national police, protecting human rights and reconciling the rule of law," he said. Llorentty Soliz underlined that this "field visit" of the Security Council and the discussions with the partners will allow to continue the dialogue and the work that is not yet finished. "We know full well that the country is plagued by many difficulties. We will not find quick fixes overnight. It is a process that will be done on the long term, but the Minujusth will accompany the Haitian people as well as the government," said the President of the Council stressing that a stronger level of national ownership and leadership from the Government is also expected. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Humanitarian : Opening of the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, call for projects The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) contributes to Canadas thematic priorities for foreign policy and adds to the programs that are already in place in Haiti. The CFLI is a fund managed annually by the Canadian Embassy in Haiti to support modest projects by local organizations on topics that support Canadian priorities in Haiti. Objectives : The CFLI in Haiti will focus on the following thematic areas for its 2017-2018 programming: Empowering women and girls and promoting gender equality Promoting human development, specifically in the areas of health, nutrition, and education Championing human rights, inclusive and accountable governance, democracy, peaceful pluralism, and respect for diversity Supporting inclusive and green economic growth Promoting action on the environment, including water and climate change Promoting peace and security Please note that project proposals that do not meet the selection criteria or do not contribute to the CFLI objectives will not be considered for support. Eligibility : Projects eligible for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives are those submitted by: Non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations Academic institutions and think-tanks International, intergovernmental, multilateral and regional institutions, organizations and agencies working on local development activities Municipal, regional or national government institutions or agencies working on local projects Canadian non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that are working on development activities in cooperation with local partners Eligible organizations must be properly constituted, have legal status granted by the competent authority and possess a bank account opened in the name of the institution. Those that do not meet these requirements may submit their project through an organization sponsoring the project to fulfil the role of intermediary and to take responsibility for the implementation of the initiative. The following criteria will be used in selecting proposals : Project proposals will be examined by the Embassy CFLI Committee. The committee will examine the following aspects when making the decision which projects to recommend for financing: The projects objectives and outcomes must clearly align with at least one of the Canada Funds thematic areas. must clearly align with at least one of the Canada Funds thematic areas. The sustainability of the development activity proposed by the project. The products, services, benefits and impacts generated by the project should last beyond the period being financed by the CFLI. of the development activity proposed by the project. The products, services, benefits and impacts generated by the project should last beyond the period being financed by the CFLI. The project has more than one source of financing , whether it be in cash, in kind or through volunteer or paid work by the organization itself or a partner. , whether it be in cash, in kind or through volunteer or paid work by the organization itself or a partner. Precision and clarity in the identification and description of the problem the project is trying to solve . . The project proposal has a realistic and coherent budget , clearly demonstrating that the funds being requested will be used efficiently. , clearly demonstrating that the funds being requested will be used efficiently. The project integrates the principles of good governance, equality between men and women and respect for the environment. Financing : Value and duration of contribution agreements : The amount of funding for each project will vary between CAD $15,000 to CAD $40,000. All contribution agreements will be signed in Canadian dollars only. Organizations must consider inflation costs and possible fluctuations in currency that could occur during the life of the project. For the moment, only projects that can provide assurance they will be completed before February 28, 2018, and that their end-of-project reports will be completed by March 16, 2018, will be accepted. Only project proposals received no later than 11:59pm (local time), on Sunday July 16th, 2017 will be consider Procedures : The projects submitted must comply with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) procedures in effect. Please request the project submission form at CanadaFundHaiti-FondsCanadienHaiti@international.gc.ca Completed project proposals must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59pm (local time), on Sunday July 16th, 2017 at the following address: CanadaFundHaiti-FondsCanadienHaiti@international.gc.ca Late applications will not be considered unless prior arrangements have been made directly with the Embassys CFLI Manager. Printed proposals delivered to the Embassy of Canada will not be considered. Proposals that do not follow the procedures spelled out in this note will not be reviewed. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Brazil : Donation of 15,000 doses of vaccines against human rabies Following the visit on June 22 in Port-au-Prince of Brazilian Health Minister Ricardo Barros https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21288-haiti-politics-two-brazilian-ministers-expected-in-haiti.html the government of Brazil has donated 15,000 doses of human rabies vaccine to Haiti, with the support of the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center of the Pan American Health Organization (Panaftosa/PAHO). The vaccines arrived this week in the Haitian capital and Brazilian Minister of Health Ricardo Barros handed the donation in person to his counterpart of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Director of Panaftosa, Ottorino Cosivi. The region of the Americas is very close to eliminating human rabies transmitted by dogs and Haiti is one of the few countries where this disease occurs. For this reason it is a priority country, where PAHO/WHO, through Panaftosa, its specialized center in Veterinary Public Health, supports national actions to eliminate this disease. In addition to facilitating the human rabies vaccine donation process, PAHO/WHO has also been supporting, since 2016, the training of 283 Haitian health professionals working in 110 health centers. The training covers medical care of people who have been exposed to the rabies virus, in seven of the 10 departments that are in the country. PAHO/WHO has been working with the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population to ensure that the 110 health centers have the vaccine available and that professionals are trained to apply it in all of them. These actions aim to improve access to treatment for the most vulnerable people. They have worked together to distribute information materials in the local language on rabies and on how to act in case of aggression by dogs that may have rabies. nother key action for the elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs is the canine vaccination campaigns implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development of Haiti. These actions benefit from technical collaboration by Panaftosa and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies, as well as other national and international actors. Let's recall that rabies is a disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected animals (mainly dogs and wild animals such as bats). There are safe and effective vaccines to prevent rabies in animals, as well as vaccines for human use to be administered before and after suspicious exposures. The immediate cleaning of the wound and vaccination as soon as possible after contact with an allegedly rabid animal, in most cases, prevents the onset of illness and death. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... State of emergency in the Great South President Jovenel Moise published in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" the resolution adopted by the Senate with a view to establishing a state of emergency in the region of the South (Nippes, South-East, South and Grand'Anse) and environmental emergency at the national level. Caravan assessment in Artibonite According to Avenide Joseph, spokesman for the presidency, 43 kilometers of drainage channels and 185 kilometers of irrigation canals were cured, 113 kilometers of agricultural tracks rehabilitated uring the first phase of the caravan of change that will end on Friday June 30 in the Artibonite before heading to the Great South. Of the 197 million gourdes planned for this phase, 140 million have been spent so far. Initial forecast : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20811-haiti-politics-caravan-of-change-d-day.html 11 million euros for vocational training Thursday morning will be held at the local of the Pilot Center for Vocational Training on Airport Road, the signing ceremony of the 11 million euro Financing Agreement for the Rural Vocational Training Improvement Project (PAFMIR). The ceremony is organized by the National Institute of Vocational Training (INFP), the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD); And will also take place in the framework of the visit to Haiti of the Deputy Director General of AFD, Philippe Bauduin. Reflections on the development of Haiti On Wednesday, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) organized a day of reflection in the auditorium of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) in partnership with the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) in order to see how to initiate a sustainable development trajectory in a fragile context in Haiti. New DG to the Minister of Public Works By presidential decree dated Wednesday, June 28, 2017, Citizen Vilma Max Andre was appointed Director General of the Ministry of Public Works Transport and Communications. 2 schools rehabilitated in the South Plan International Haiti and the Departmental Directorate of Education of the South East, inaugurated last week the rehabilitation works of the National School Sable Cabaret, to Jacmel and the National School of Fond Jean Noel, in the commune of Marigot "We now have an attractive environment, secure and improved" rejoiced the students. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2017/06/28 | Source The new tvN drama "Live Up to Your Name" is on the go. Advertisement The script reading started on the 16th. "Live Up to Your Name" is a Josun drama about the best Josun doctor named Heo Im (Kim Nam-gil) and a modern doctor Yeon-kyeong (Kim Ah-joong) than spans over 400 years. Pictures of Kim Nam-gil and Kim Ah-joong came up online. The pictures show Heo Im who fell to the 21st century from the sky and meeting Choi Yeon-kyeong. Heo Im looks puzzled as he just skipped 400 years of time but Choi Yeon-kyeong is looking at him coldly. The script reading was a heated one as everyone was completely engaged in their characters. The line-up of the movie is an outstanding one; Heo In-gyu who is Yoo Jin-oh, a medicinal doctor from the Josun and Yoo Jae-ha in the modern day as well as Moon Ga-young, Heo Im's trusty supporter. Other casts are Yoon Joo-sang, Kim Myung-gon, Uhm Hyo-sup, Maeng Sang-hoon, Lee Dae-yeon, Kim Byung-choon, Oh Dae-hwan, Tae Hang-ho and more. Kim Nam-gil is starring in his first drama in four years. He takes on the role of Heo Im, a gifted acupuncturist but the wall of reality turns him rogue. He is perfect from head to toe but no one can read his mind. He looks like a doctor in the day but at night he goes around giving out treatments and collecting a good amount of fortune. The moment he's about to die, he ends up in Seoul 400 years later. Kim Ah-joong is Choi Yeon-kyeong, a doctor as well. She's attractive enough to appeal to men and women together and she's a talented surgeon. She is a doctor that goes to clubs at night to release her stress. She overpowers her fellow doctors and has a coldness about her when she speaks. She's the newest 'girl crush'. "Live Up to Your Name" begins in August at 9PM. Published on 2017/06/29 | Source Added episode 12 captures for the Korean drama "Fight For My Way" (2017) Advertisement Directed by Kim Dong-hwi, Lee Na-jeong Written by Lim Sang-choon Network : KBS With Park Seo-joon, Kim Ji-won, Ahn Jae-hong, Song Ha-yoon, Son Byung-ho, Kim Ye-ryung,... 20 episodes - Mon, Tue 22:00 Synopsis A drama about a man and a woman who live a life with nothing to show for. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/05/22 More Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help US issues New Visa Criteria for Six Muslim Countries Published: June 29, 2017 The US has issued new criteria for visa applicants from six Muslim countries. The US Supreme Court has partially restored President Trumps executive order that banned travel of people from the six Muslim-majority countries. Presidents executive order was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims. Salient Facts As per the new criteria, applicants from the six Muslim-majority countries must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling in the US. In short, the applicants must prove a close family or business tie to the United States. As per the new guidelines, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members will not be considered as close relations by the US State Department. However, the applicants can be exempted from the ban if they can prove a bona fide relationship with a US person or entity. The Supreme Court has given only a broad guidelines on such relationships and has suggested that such bonafide relationships would include a relative, job offer or invitation to lecture in the US. The Government lawyers must determine how to define such a relationship. The new guidelines are expected to come into force immediately. Background Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order that banned travel of people from Muslim-majority countries into the US for a period of 90 days. These countries were Iraq, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Syria. Besides, the order had also suspended US Refugee Admissions Programme for 120 days and indefinitely barred entry of refugees from Syria. The executive order and the controversial ban had sparked protests and debates across the US. Even, the lower courts of these countries had labelled the ban as discriminatory. Subsequently, the White House had asked the Supreme Court to reinstate a travel ban on people from the six Muslim-majority countries. Ultimately, the Supreme Courts nine justices overturned the rulings of the lower court and have partially restored President Trumps order. Month: Current Affairs - June, 2017 Topics: Current Affairs - 2017 Donald Trump International US US Travel Ban Latest E-Books NASA achieves a major milestone in developing Quieter Supersonic Jet Published: June 29, 2017 NASA has reached a major milestone in developing a quieter supersonic passenger jet that is capable of safely travelling over land. Salient Highlights NASA has completed the preliminary design review (PDR) of its Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) aircraft design. NASA had forged a partnership with Lockheed Martin, in February 2016 for the QueSST preliminary design. With this development, NASA is a step closer to actually building an X-plane. The project falls under the ambit of NASAs Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) aircraft design is the initial design stage of NASAs planned Low Boom Flight Demonstration (LBFD) experimental airplane. The LBFD is also known as X-plane. QueSST design will be capable of fulfilling the LBFD aircrafts mission objectives. NASA will be developing LBFD aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds which will produce a soft thump instead of creating the disruptive sonic boom associated with supersonic flights of the present day. NASA has already completed testing a scale model of the QueSST design in its supersonic wind tunnel located at Glenn Research Centre in Cleveland. In the early next year, NASA will award a contract to build the piloted, single-engine X-plane. Month: Current Affairs - June, 2017 Topics: Current Affairs - 2017 NASA Science and Technology X-Plane Latest E-Books Uber in Australia is being accused of failing to comply with federal workplace laws amid claims of sham contracting. It is alleged that Uber underpaid drivers by classifying them as contractors rather than employees. A Fair Work Ombudsman spokesperson confirmed that an investigation into Uber was underway. I can confirm that the Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced an investigation into Uber, with the purpose of determining whether the engagement of Uber drivers is compliant with commonwealth workplace laws, he said. According to a RideShare Drivers United spokesman, several members met with staff from the ombudsmans office in Melbourne two weeks ago and urged them to look into Ubers practices. The RSDU said it was preparing to forward the details of more than 60 drivers for investigation over whether they should be classified as casual employees. It has also issued a call for any drivers who have been with Uber for more than a year and drive an average of 35 hours or more a week to be part of the investigation. The RSDU said they feel it is "absolutely essential" that drivers in the ride share industry (on all platforms) should be classified as casual workers by default and compensated according to law, unless proven otherwise by the employer. To be classified as real subcontractors, drivers must have more control and ability to grow their business, directly negotiate service prices with customers, ask for the destination before having to drive to the pick up location, be permitted to hail street rides, issue invoices and most importantly be able to scrutinise the Uber booking system and its various performance and earning metrics, said the RSDU in a statement. Uber currently does it all on behalf of drivers while drivers have absolutely no say over any of these important business decisions/functions, in what appears to be a classic sham contracting arrangement. According to Uber, more than 60,000 Australian driver-partners choose to drive using the Uber app because they like to set their own schedule and be their own boss. Uber said the company will be happy to assist the FWO with any questions they may have. The allegations in Australia come amid news that the CEO Travis Kalanick has resigned, capping a series of controversies thatve rocked the worlds largest technology startup and exposed fundamental problems with its male-dominated culture. Kalanick said he was ceding to investors wishes that he step aside, in part to avoid yet another conflict. Ubers been dogged by drama this year, from allegations of sexual harassment to the use of software to bypass regulators. (Bloomberg) For investors scrambling to keep pace with a hawkish shift in the worlds biggest central banks, the second half of 2017 just got a lot more interesting. Two weeks of rhetoric from policy makers in Europe and North America has rewritten the outlook for markets, with the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada now seen as more likely than not to join the Federal Reserve in raising rates before the year is out, based on overnight index swap rates. Even the possibility of a European Central Bank hike, once seen as all but impossible, is slowly growing. To read this article: - : , Jim Carrey has failed in his attempt to get a wrongful death lawsuit over his Irish ex-girlfriend's suicide thrown out of court. A judge confirmed a trial would go ahead over claims the actor (55) used his "wealth, influence and celebrity status" to provide the prescription drugs on which Cathriona White (30) overdosed. The Tipperary-born make-up artist's husband, Mark Burton, and her mother, Brigid Sweetman, are suing the Dumb And Dumber star in Los Angeles. "In light of the court's recent rulings entirely in our favour, we look forward to the trial in April," said Michael Avenatti, who represents the pair. "The public deserves to know the truth." Mr Carrey's lawyer Raymond Boucher had asked Los Angeles Superior Court to strike out the case. However, Judge Deirdre Hill ruled that Mr Carrey should face a jury over the claims of wrongful death and allegations under the Drug Dealer Liability Act. She also ruled against Mr Carrey's privacy request and said the jury should hear medical evidence regarding claims that he gave Ms White three sexually transmitted diseases. Mr Boucher denied that Mr Carrey would now attempt to settle the case, adding: "We are preparing for trial." Request Mr Carrey also dropped a request for Ms Sweetman to put a bond of $372,000 (327,000) aside to go towards the comedian's costs if he is successful in fending off the case against him. Mr Boucher wrote to the court asking for the request to be dismissed on the basis that Ms Sweetman lacks the means to pay and is ill. Ms Sweetman claims Mr Carrey provided the prescription painkillers her daughter overdosed on and also claims the Canadian-born star gave Ms White three sexually transmitted diseases. She also alleges Mr Carrey had pressured Ms White to keep quiet about the STDs. Ms White, from Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, was found dead in her Los Angeles home in September 2015. The actor has previously dismissed the allegations as "malicious" and "predatory". The 20-day trial is due to begin on April 26. Dublin actor Barry Keogh- an has gone from heartless cat killer to haute couture. Keoghan, best known for gunning down a cat in RTE gangland drama Love/Hate, is set to become Ireland's next fashion icon after joining Dior's "style squad". The fashion house's creative director Kris Van Assche has made Keoghan a member of the official #KVASquad, joining the likes of Twilight star Robert Pattinson, Mr Robot actor Rami Malek and rapper A$AP Rocky. Luxury The luxury French label kitted Dubliner Keoghan out in designer gear to attend its spring/summer 2018 catwalk show in Paris. His fitting and attendance were filmed for online fashion bible WWD (Women's Wear Daily). In the video clip, Keoghan (24), who comes from the north inner city, tells the camera that he likes wearing Dior because "Dior makes me look good and I make Dior look good. The gear they put me in was good." It was his first time attending a catwalk show and he said he enjoyed hanging out with movie stars. When asked what his favourite pieces from the collection were, he said: "I liked the baggy pants and the bomber jacket." Van Assche said the team at Dior picked Keoghan as a brand ambassador because of his acting talent. "It's about the movies and the way he builds his career and, I mean, he's a good looking guy too, so that helps. He looks really good in Dior," he said. Explaining the ethos behind the campaign, Van Assche previously said: "I really tried to translate what I think Dior Homme is right now. "It's about music, it's about cinema, it's about fashion." Real Keoghan's star is on the rise - last month the Hollywood Reporter name-checked him as Tinsel Town's "next big thing". In the interview, Keoghan spoke proudly of his roots in Dublin 1. "I call it the real Dublin. It's been a big part of every- thing to me," he said. Keoghan will next appear in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, as a boy who helps ferry injured soldiers on his boat - a role he landed after sending an audition tape in which he used a remote control as a gun. "I took the batteries out like I was taking bullets out," he said. He also appears in Yorgos Lanthimos' The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, alongside Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman. The actor says living in Dublin with his grandmother keeps him grounded. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Worries about health care keep countless families up at night. Good health care policy can give people peace of mind that an unexpected illness wont irreparably harm a loved one or break the bank. Bad health care policy can put parents in the awful position of choosing between making a house payment or paying a childs medical bill. Last week, Senate Republicans unveiled a bill that would be devastating for Virginians access to health care, and on Tuesday, they were forced to pause their effort to ram it through the Senate this week. I hope Senate Republicans will change course, cancel any plans to pass this deeply flawed bill, and begin work on a better bill with bipartisan input. The bill unveiled last week would slash traditional Medicaid, a program that more than 1 million Virginians depend on, by $772 billion over 10 years. Virginias Medicaid program will be cut by $1.4 billion over the next seven years. Who are the people who get health care through Medicaid? One of them is named Blake, a 4-year-old with a medical condition that requires full-time care. I met Blakes mother, Kim, at a roundtable I held in Richmond shortly after the Senate health care bill was released. Kim told me that, without Medicaid, their family would not be able to afford Blakes medical services. In Virginia, more than 600,000 children rely on Medicaid for cancer treatments, special education, autism services, family support and a wide range of other needs. In addition to children, more than 200,000 Virginia Medicaid recipients are people with disabilities, and 360,000 are parents, caregivers or pregnant women. Nearly 80,000 older Virginians receive Medicaid coverage. We should be improving health care access and affordability for these people, not reducing their coverage. In addition to cutting Medicaid, the Republican health care bill would allow insurance companies to charge 55- to 64-year-olds up to five times the rate they can charge younger patients, effectively instituting an age surcharge. And by defunding Planned Parenthood, the bill would threaten essential services the organization provides and would particularly hurt the nearly 25,000 Virginians who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary health care. Further, by allowing states to eliminate some of the Affordable Care Acts covered essential health benefits, this bill would allow insurance companies to no longer include opioid addiction treatment, mental health care or prenatal care in their plans. We need to step up our efforts to address drug addiction and mental health. Why would we cut back on these protections? The Congressional Budget Offices review of this bill confirms the disaster it would inflict. If its passed, 22 million people are estimated to lose coverage over the next decade 15 million next year alone. Worst of all, the bill gives a huge tax cut to wealthy folks with the money slashed from health care for the vulnerable. Im opposed to the Senate bill, but Im not opposed to working with Republicans on it. On Jan. 5, two days after I had joined the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I led a group of 13 Democrats who wrote to Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, the committees chairman, and to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, telling them that we would like to work with Republicans on ways to improve our health care system. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Delaware, and I introduced a bill this month to address the stability of the individual health care marketplaces. By creating a program to provide certainty in the marketplace, our bill would lower premiums and encourage more companies to offer plans for Virginians. Improving the individual marketplaces is the exact type of reform that both parties can agree on. But there has been no willingness to hold a public hearing or take up these ideas in committee. Why cant we discuss improvements to the Republican-drafted bill? What could be wrong in letting the HELP and Finance committees, which focus on health care, take a look at the bill? What could be wrong with allowing public witnesses patients, doctors and nurses, leaders of health care organizations to testify about what they like or dislike about the bill? The bill before the Senate now is not the answer to the problems. The only way to get health care legislation right is to accept input from both parties and all stakeholders, including the American public. Im ready to work with my Republican colleagues on an alternative to whats currently before the Senate, because jamming such a flawed bill through the Senate next month would put far too many peoples health at risk. Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Nearly 80 PA people have been charged for Jan. 6 riot. Three are dead. Although Indian history includes some of the earliest cities settled by humans, in our imagination of post-Independence India, the city was an after-thought. Instead, what we did think about, as we began our new free lives, were the Centre and the states, and vast documents were penned to articulate and empower these. Local governance was for another time. That time eventually arrived in the early 1990s; nearly a half century after we became a self-governing nation, the first broad strokes for local governance began to be developed. The anchor legislation to steer this new course in the cities was the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which envisaged three new directions for the future of cities. First, the planning of cities would be statutory and regional, encompassing the full spectrum of social and economic development goals that are vital to urban areas. Second, urban local bodies (ULBs) would be strengthened, and an increasing number of functions were to be transferred from state governments to the ULBs. And third, public participation in the governance of cities was to be strengthened through the formation of empowered ward committees of citizens themselves. The majority of these goals have remained on paper, even two decades later. Metropolitan planning bodies and district urban planning committees are either yet to be established, or function only to a limited degree, in most parts of the country. State legislators and governments have resisted the transfer of functions and powers to local bodies. And citizens participation in decision-making remains weak. Even the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, ostensibly established by the Centre to advance the goals of the 74th CAA by linking funds from New Delhi to mandatory reforms in the states, failed to make a significant change in this reality. The Smart Cities mission, its successor, doesnt bother with even the pretence of the law with the Centre virtually directing the cities. Some of this could have been avoided if we had more politicians elected to assemblies and Parliament from the urban areas. And it seems logical that this should happen; as people move from villages to cities, so too should their votes, and we should see more people elected from urban areas. And the original Constitution created a mechanism to do this, through redistribution of seats based on decadal Census. But the state and central politicians who declined to transfer their power to the local bodies were about to voluntarily reduce the number of their seats. Theyve instead managed to ensure that such redistribution has happened only once since the 1970s, after the 2001 Census. Moreover, the current law is that this imbalance will remain until at least 2026. People may be voting with their feet in great numbers each decade, but representation in legislatures is slow to reflect this. In major states, the legislatures are 15-25% over-representative of rural areas. Karnataka, for instance, would have 35 more urban representatives if the constituencies to the legislature were based on 2011 Census, and the number would rise to 45 by 2021. Neither of this will happen on current course, however, and by the time this is corrected sometime after 2026, the skew could be as high as one-third. The way to fix this is to bring back decadal revision of electoral boundaries based on each Census. This is difficult to do in Parliament, given the different rates of population growth of poor and rich states. But it is very doable within state boundaries, so that each state assembly constituency has roughly the same number of people, and similarly each parliamentary constituency in a state is also home to equal numbers of voters. Until that happens, urban problem-solving will receive less than the attention it needs. Ashwin Mahesh is an urbanist based in Bengaluru, and heads the social technology lab, Mapunity. The views expressed are personal Sarah Jessica Parker has announced that her publishing imprint will release its first title in 2019. The debut novel by Fatima Mirza is being called a heartrending and timely story by the actress. Tentatively called A Place for Us, Mirzas novel focuses on the lives of an Indian Muslim family in California on the eve of the oldest daughters wedding. Her parents, gathered with the family for Hadias wedding, must come to terms with the choices their children have made in this poignant portrait of a family caught between two cultures, according to a statement. Fatima Mirza, a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop, began the novel as a freshman in college. (Twitter) Parkers sub-imprint, SJP for Hogarth, was announced in late 2016, with the goal of publishing fiction by both established and emerging voices with critical and commercial promise. As editorial director, Parker is involved in all aspects of publishing, supported by Hogarths editorial team. She said of Mirzas book, To be taken hostage by Fatima Mirzas heartrending and timely story is a gutting pleasure. It allows her reader to better understand what it means to reconcile ones love of family and culture with a desire to find ones own path, and ones own faith. Mirza, a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop, began the novel as a freshman in college. I was interested in exploring what it means when to be loyal to oneself is to betray the home you have come from, the bond between siblings as well as their betrayals, and the decisions that each character makes that determines not only their own destiny, but also the lives of their loved ones, she says of her novel. Parker joins Lena Dunham in venturing into publishing. Dunham, a writer, actress, producer and director launched Lenny, an imprint at Random House, in 2016, to publish new voices in fiction and non-fiction. Lennys first title, a collection of short stories by Jenny Zhang called Sour Heart is out on August 1. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Forty-three of the 55 McDonalds outlets in Delhi are shutting down, media reports said on Thursday, blaming the tussle between the north Indian franchisee and the global food giant for the shock decision. The eating house licenses of a number of McDonalds restaurants in Delhi have expired. The board of Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited (or CPRL, McDonalds licensee in North and East India) is working to obtain the required licenses. Pending this, CPRL is temporarily suspending the operations of the affected restaurants, McDonalds India Pvt Ltd (MIPL) said in a statement. Over reports saying the shutdown will result in a loss of 1,700 jobs, MIPL said, We understand that CPRL is retaining the employees of affected restaurants and will pay them their salary during the period of suspension. According to reports, falling revenues, lack of investment and a legal battle over ownership of the fastfood chain led to the trouble. Its unfortunate, but operation of 43 restaurants operated by CPRL has been temporarily suspended, The Economic Times quoted Vikram Bakshi, former managing director of CPRL, as saying. The shutdown decision was taken during a board meeting via Skype on Wednesday morning, it said. Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd (CPRL) is a 50:50 joint venture of its founder Vikram Bakshi and MIPL, that runs the fastfood chain in north and east India. Trouble started in 2013 when McDonalds India removed Bakshi as the managing director of the joint venture, alleging misconduct. The JV had four members on board Bakshi, his wife, and two representatives from the American company. Bakshi challenged his removal in the company law board, initiating a long legal battle between the two parties over share and ownership of the company, hampering operations. According to Business Standard, maintaining hygiene and store-level efficiency became a major headache since 2014 as indecisiveness hampered day-to-day operations. With falling revenues and sales, Dominos in 2013 replaced McDonalds as the largest quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain in the country. The number of stores opened in a single year also came down from 27 in 2012 to nine in 2014, according to the report. India continues to be an important market for McDonalds and we are committed to working with CPRL to resolve the issue as soon as possible, MIPL said in the statement.. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Thursday that clarification on specific issues with respect to the application of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will help the airline industry keep up with international standards and principles. Nonetheless there are still information gaps. We look forward to receiving the guidance notes to be provided by the GST Council, which will clarify various airline specific issues, such as the taxation treatment of continuous journeys, and other pressing matters, Amitabh Khosla, country director - India for IATA, said in a statement. On the air cargo side, we believe that the levying of GST on cargo export services by air contradicts standard GST principles as well as the treatment of such services under the Service Tax regime. Clarification would help align this with international standards and principles. According to IATA, it has supported airlines with GST compliance-related activities in the lead-up to implementation on July 1, 2017. Finance minister Arun Jaitley asked all opposition parties to be a part of the high-profile July 1 midnight launch of the goods and services tax (GST) as the government geared up on Thursday for one of Indias most ambitious reforms. I hope every political party will reconsider and revisit its decision, he said. Parliament is decked out with festival lights and rehearsals were conducted ahead of the Central Hall function that President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior ministers and bureaucrats will attend. The GST will replace about 20 central and state taxes such as factory-gate duties, service and local taxes while unifying Asias third-largest economy and 1.3 billion people into a single market. The finance minister thanked state governments for the collaborative effort to implement the new system. His cabinet colleague Venkaiah Naidu requested parties to rise above politics for the successful rollout of the single-tax regime. The appeal follows the decision of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK and Left parties to boycott of the midnight ceremony, saying the country was ill-prepared for its implementation. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was a special invitee, is likely to skip the event. First conceptualised in 2000, the GST underwent several changes in 17 years to emerge as a multi-tiered tax structure, which economists believe will undermine the advantages that a uniform indirect tax would have affected. Given the multi-tiered rate structure and the enormous paperwork involved, there should have been a six-month preparation time to allay fears of traders, economist Mohan Guruswamy said. Foodgrain, cereals and vegetables have been zero-rated, while other rate slabs are 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. A cess will also be added to so-called sin and luxury products. But experts believe the GST will lead to long-term gains for the $2 trillion economy. There will be formalisation of the economy, broadening of the tax base and this will lead to better tax collection, said Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economic advisor of the State Bank of India. Traders too welcomed the GST, saying it is progressive, but some confusion remained. There are disparities. For example, the tax on a lock fitted in a door is 18%, but tax on the handle is 28%. Now these are bundled products, so how will a trader decide which rate to charge? This will add to accounting and compliance problems, said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). The government says the rate on the main product will prevail. The new system has attracted protests by small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, traders, weavers and informal-sector workers over the tax rates. Textile traders are on strike since June 27 against the proposed 5% GST, while those in the furniture business in New Delhi took to the streets over the 28% tax slab on their products. Diamond merchants of Surat are also said to be unhappy about the rates. But the Bhopal-based spokesperson of the CAIT, Radhey Shyam Maheshwari, said: This is a good opportunity for traders with irregular accounts to make everything legitimate. The government is confident that the traders will adjust to the new system. It has set up a mini war room in the Capital to tackle all GST-related teething problems. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In the making since 2000, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) comes into effect from July 1. Touted by the government as the biggest tax reform since Independence, the GST is meant to boost growth and scrap local taxes that add to overhead costs and stymie businesses. In these 17 long years, GST has undergone several conceptual changes to finally emerge as a multi-rate tax structure, which economists believe will undermine the advantages that a simple-structured, uniform indirect tax would have affected. Foodgrains, cereals and vegetables have been zero rated under GST, other rate slabs are 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. A cess will also be added to certain sin and luxury products. Here is a look at the different tax rates and how it might impact you: Current effective tax rate includes central excise duty, VAT and all various local levies. * This is the cess that will be applicable on cars Indias biggest airline, IndiGo, has expressed unsolicited interest in buying a stake in state-owned Air India, the junior aviation minister said on Thursday, a day after the cabinet approved plans to privatise the carrier. Several other airlines, domestic and international, have also expressed an interest in buying part of Air India, Jayant Sinha told reporters. He did not name any of the other airlines. They (IndiGo) have expressed an interest in the strategic divestment process, he said. The process has just begun ... its a very introductory interest. A spokesman for IndiGo, which flies four of every ten Indian domestic passengers and is owned by InterGlobe Aviation , declined to comment. The airline, launched in 2006, has expanded rapidly in Indias booming aviation market, with a focus on running a single fleet of aircraft and prioritising domestic routes - unlike Air India. Shares in InterGlobe closed down 2.2 percent in a firmer Mumbai market. The governments decision on Wednesday to give in-principle approval to sell Air India has kick-started a process that could see the government offload an airline struggling to turn a profit in the face of growing competition from low-cost rivals and its huge debts. Air India, once the countrys biggest airline, has seen its domestic market share shrivel to 13 percent as private rivals such as IndiGo and SpiceJet have expanded. However, its sought-after landing slots on international routes, its domestic passenger base and the possibility of the government writing off part or all of the companys 520 billion rupees ($8 billion) in debt could make it an attractive proposition. Indian media have reported that the Tata conglomerate, which runs two airlines in partnership with Singapore Airlines and Malaysias AirAsia, is also interested in acquiring part of Air India. Tata, which tried to buy the airline in a failed privatisation process a decade and half ago, has declined to comment. Any actual sale of Air India is some time away. India will now form a committee to decide on the details, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday, including the size of the stake to be sold. Previous attempts to sell the state-owned airline have floundered, in part due to a lack of potential buyers and union opposition. Billionaire Anand Mahindra said he was not brave enough to take on debt-laden Air India after the government said it would privatise the ailing national carrier. Air India, known as the Maharaja of the Skies for its turbaned mascot, is reeling under Rs 520 billion in debt which clouded the government announcement of the selloff late Wednesday. It is unclear if the government will write off any part of the debt. But there appeared little enthusiasm among potential buyers as markets opened Thursday. The head of the Mahindra Group conglomerate, who is known for risky acquisitions, made it clear that he was not in contention. I see myself as a generally courageous person, Mahindra said on Twitter. But I confess .. I dont possess THAT much courage. Once the countrys monopoly airline, Air India has lost market share to new low-cost private carriers. Passengers tired of delays, cancellations and the service have flocked to new competitors offering cheaper and more reliable routes in Indias booming aviation market. Media reports have speculated that Tata Group could buy a stake in Air India, which it owned before the carrier was nationalised nearly 70 years ago. Tata is yet to comment. Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Enterprises, another major conglomerate, recently suggested that Bombay House, Tatas headquarters, would be the ideal rehab for the ailing carrier. Social media users made digs at the impending selloff, with some marking tweets with the tongue-in-cheek hashtag #maharajaforsale. No one in their right mind would buy Air India. Only someone hell bent on committing seppuku (ritual suicide) will buy Air India, @iPatelAnkit wrote on Twitter. Potential buyer of Air India says, AI air hostesses will be retained as Air-Grandma & they will read bedtime stories to the kids in planes, tweeted another user. Finance minister Arun Jaitley is to head a committee to decide the size of the stake to be sold and how Air Indias assets and debts will be handled. The 88 km long Kandi Road passing through the Corbett Park will be developed as a green road, Harak Singh Rawat forest minister announced on Thursday. The government will rope in Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in this endeavour for the first-of-its kind road to be developed with eco-friendly engineering. Incidentally, the WII had published a report on adopting green measures for linear infrastructure development inside protected areas. We will make this as green road so as to ensure safety of wildlife as well as people, Rawat told Hindustan Times. The ambitious road project, a brain child of chief minister TS Rawat, aims at reducing distance between Garhwal and Kumaon to over 70 km and reducing travel time to at least three hours. The Uttarakhand Ecotourism Corporation will be the projects nodal agency that will ensure safety measures and other ecotourism activities. The government plans to establish watch towers along with other attractions for tourists. About 22km of the road will pass through Corbett Tiger Reserve and about 10km will have Corbett on one side and Amangarh on the other. The minister informed that the proposal of the project will be brought before the State Board for Wildlife following which it will be submitted to the National Board for Wildlife for a final approval. In 2015, the Supreme Court had restored powers of the national wildlife board and such clearances can be now given by the board itself. Corbett to close Bijrani zone from July 1 The Corbett National Park authorities would shut down the Bijrani zone, one of the five zones where tourists are allowed, on July 1. Two other zones --- Dhikala and Durga Devi --- have already been closed. Only Dhela and Jhirna zones remain open for tourists throughout the year, Corbett Parks deputy director Amit Verma said. The three zones remain closed during the monsoon months when the internal roads often break down. Of the 5 eco-tourism zones, each with different landscape, the Dhikala remains open from November 15 to June 15, Bijrani from October 15 to June 30, and Durga Devi November 15 to June 15. In case of flooding in the Dhela river, the authorities can shut down the Dhela and Jhirna zones too. Another zone, the Sitabani, is a reserved forest area outside the Corbett Park, which acts as a buffer and is open around the year. With inputs from Ahinav Madhwal from Haldwani. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A sudden spurt in the number of beggars, mostly women and children, on the route to the Chardham shrines has caught the attention of the state Child Rights Protection Commission (SCRPC), which Thursday asked the Uttarakhand government to look into the problem and take immediate measures to stop it. In a letter to the state chief secretary, SCRPC chairman Yogendra Khanduri said needs to be probed whether the children seen begging with women on Haridwar to Badrinath-Kedarnath and Gangotri-Yamunotri routes were abducted from some other place and forced to beg here. I have been getting inputs on organised begging activities in the state, particularly on the route to Chardham where lakhs of pilgrims are visiting. Government must find out from where the beggars are coming into state and whether the children and toddlers accompanying the women beggars are their own or have been abducted (from some other place), Khanduri told HT while sharing details of the letter. Asking the state government to investigate under what circumstances the children took to begging, the Khanduri said, If they are from outside the state, then they should be sent home immediately. In case of children from Uttarakhand found begging, the government should make arrangements for their security, health and education, he said. If these children and women are found to be begging at the behest of some mafia, they should be freed from their captivity and the guilty punished, Khanduri said. Khanduri said he has written to the chief secretary so that he may direct the police or other concerned agency to investigate into the racket. Asking the state government to investigate the issue along suggested lines Khanduri asked the chief secretary to submit an action taken report to the commission as early as possible. Chief secretary was not available for comments. As per the 2011 census, there are around 400,000 beggars in the country. Out of this, 3,000 are in Uttarakhand. They include 274 children. Beggary is a crime as per Bombay prevention of begging act 1959. Twenty states and two union territories have adopted the act. Uttarakhand is one of the states that has not enforced the act. Ratan Aswal, a social activist who last month posted the pictures on social media of the beggars in the buses heading towards Chardham, said it was high time government enforced anti-begging act in the state. Begging is affecting tourism. Temporary measures will not work, government needs to act hard, he said. So far around 17 lakh pilgrims have already visited the Chardhams Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri and Gangotri. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The recent lynching incidents in the country, especially the Ballabhgarh case in which 16-year-old Junaid Khan was killed and three others injured, dominated the Thursday discussion at the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Delhi Assembly passed a resolution urging people to uphold the Constitution in letter and spirit and condemn incidents of lynching in the name of Gau Raksha. The BJP insisted that the House pass a resolution stating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The AAP leaders accused the saffron party of trying to divert attention from the real issue. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said, The BJP can only see cow in peoples fridge and their plates. Why cant they see cows roaming in the streets of Delhi, eating poly bags and meeting with accidents? Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes abroad and hugs several people who eat beef but in India those who eat beef will be killed? Sisodia said. Hitting out at cow vigilantes, AAP leader Alka Lamba said, There have been reports of the so-called Gau Rakshaks eating beef and even BJP minister Kiren Rijiju does so. BJP leaders have said that they will not ban beef in poll bound north-eastern states like Nagaland for vote bank. This is greatest form of hypocrisy When we ask from PM to take action all he says this is country of Mahatma Gandhi. Why cant he assure safety of minorities, she added. Around two-hours of the second-half of Delhi assembly session dominated around this issue with AAP leaders targeting PM Narendra Modi of inaction and double standards and condemned the mindless violence being unleashed across the country in the name of religion. Suspended AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan said, Why is the loyalty of one community being questioned? Did they commit any mistake by not going to Pakistan after partition? During Sisodias speech, tempers ran high and there were dramatic exchanges between AAP MLAs and BJP legislator Manjinder Singh Sirsa over Kashmir. Sirsa asked AAP MLAs to pass a resolution stating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, even as AAP leaders accused him of trying to divert attention from the issue. Seeing this, speaker Ram Niwas Goel intervened and said, Why no one talks about the part of Kashmir that is still with Pakistan? The government allows 42% of import from China but spends time with talks of Swadeshi. I have also served the RSS for 40 years. But today I am pained. Hedgewar or Guru Golwalker would not have thought of what is happening today. Mansarovar yatra has been stopped, China is staring down at us and we talk of patriotism. I pass this resolution that Kashmir is integral part of India, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mobile applications, tablets to mosquito breeding checkers, a facility to click photos of mosquito-infested areas and post it on the website of corporations for action. The north, east and south corporations had taken up a host of technology innovations and other measures to stop breeding of mosquitoes. Despite all this, there had been an unprecedented rise in the number of mosquito borne diseases till June 17. Till June 24, 107 chikungunya, 70 malaria and 54 dengue cases had been reported. Interestingly, no chikungunya case was reported during the same period in the past three years, according to the data collated by South Delhi Municipal Corporation, the nodal agency for the three civic bodies. Health experts say mosquito-borne diseases generally spread after monsoon. The fresh trend, however, suggests that mosquitoes -- the primary carriers -- have developed higher tolerance to insecticides and larvicides. Medical Health Officer of SDMC P K Hazarika, however, said the rise in the number of cases was also due to better reporting by the civic bodies. Are workers effective ? Domestic breeding checkers (DBCs), whose job is to check mosquito breeding in households, say residents in over 50% of the houses they visit do not allow them to enter. Sunil, a checker in Mehrauli, said, The people abuse us and say we want to threaten them to get money from them. The corporations issued identity cards and uniforms to field workers but that hasnt helped either. Most gated colonies restrict entry for visitors, said a supervisor of DBC workers. In Singapore, inspection teams have the power to break into a house, if locked or inaccessible, during peak season to check breeding. In western countries, if an outbreak happens, the corporation works on a war footing by zeroing-in on the worst-affected areas, said former municipal commissioner Rakesh Mehta. Corporations understaffed Around 40-50 % posts designated for staff to keep a check on mosquito-breeding sites are vacant for more than two years. Of 755 sanctioned posts of anti-malaria officers, senior malaria inspectors and assistant malaria inspectors in the north and east civic bodies, 531 are vacant. Officials say the poor strength hampers their work . Delay in payment of salaries to approximately 45,000 employees of the east and north corporations often leads to frequent strikes and stalls sanitation work. Court intervention The National Green Tribunal had told the authorities to introduce gambushia fish in fountains to prevent breeding. The transport corporation was also directed to ensure that rainwater does not accumulate in stationary buses. As one walks on the five-kilometre road opposite Okhla Bird Santuary , the epicentre of dengue cases last year, one can spot buses and trucks lying abandoned with water accumulated in them. Nageshwar, treasurer at PVR Anupam in Saket, where two fountains are lying abandoned for years and water had accumulated, said, We have been asking the south corporation to allow us to cement the pit. Neither do they clean it nor allow us to take action. Does technology help? The SDMC launched an application for better monitoring of the disease. The application has a feature to mark every household visited by breeding checkers. The workers, however, say it has slowed down their work . We are given the task of checking 50 houses every day but most of the time goes into feeding data. I cannot complete more than 35 houses. We do not mind using a tablet, but there are greater concerns that needs to be addressed first. The corporation should have given hand-held devices through which we could issue challans to people who do not allow us to check their homes, said Sunil. A challan for a maximum fine of Rs 500 is issued to defaulters, which is forwarded to the local magistrate. The fine has remained the same since the Delhi Municipal Act was formed in 1970. MCD officials say they have been trying to get it increased to Rs 2,000. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday announced a reward of Rs10 lakh for anyone who can give information about Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Najeeb Ahmed, who went missing last year. Najeeb, a biotechnology student at JNU, had gone missing from his hostel on October 16, 2016, after allegedly being beaten up by student members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a body affiliated to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Central Bureau of Investigation has announced a reward of Rs10 Lakh to the general public for providing information regarding the whereabouts of Shri Najeeb Ahmed, the CBI said in a statement issued on Thursday. The information regarding Shri Najeeb Ahmed can be given to the CBI over telephone/mobile numbers 24368641, 24368638, 24368634, 9650394796 and 9650394791, the statement read. The case, previously probed by the Delhi police, was taken over by the CBI on the direction of Delhi high court and an FIR was registered in the matter against unknown persons earlier this month. Earlier, investigators visited JNU campus and spent a major portion of their time at universitys Mahi-Mandvi hostel where Najeeb had been staying. It was in this hostel that the alleged scuffle between Najeeb and ABVP members took place. The announcement of an award is a standard procedure in case of a missing person. The investigation into Mr Najeebs alleged disappearance is ongoing, said CBI spokesperson RK Gaur. According to the FIR filed in the matter with the Delhi police, on the intervening night of October 15-16, Najeeb called his mother to tell her that something was wrong. His roommate later told Fatima he had been injured in a fight, she had said. Following the conversation, Fatima took a bus from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh to reach Delhi in the afternoon. According to the FIR, Fatima spoke to her son over the phone after reaching Anand Vihar and asked him to meet her at the hotel where she was staying. But, she said, in her complaint, that there was no trace of Najeeb and then she reached his hostel in JNU, where he was not present. Fatima approached the Delhi high court to demand a CBI probe after Delhi police failed to find Najeeb. The matter was handed over to the CBI on May 16. The Delhi assemblys privileges committee was on Thursday asked to probe the role of leader of opposition Vijender Gupta and sacked minister Kapil Mishra in facilitating the unauthorised entry of a woman into the MLAs lounge. The woman Simranjeet Kaur was allegedly thrashed by AAP MLAs on Wednesday after they suspected her of having come along with two other men and thrown pamphlets in the house from the visitors gallery on Wednesday. Speaker Ram Niwas Goel announced the decision to refer the matter to the privileges committee after a heated exchange involving AAP legislator and deputy speaker Rakhi Birla on one side and BJP MLAs Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Jagdish Pradhan on the other. Goel observed that Guptas office had allegedly issued the pass to the woman. The woman had come to Vidhan Sabha on Thursday too to meet the speaker, but was denied the permission. She later lodged a complaint with the Delhi police. BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa said, Only the womens matter has been sent to the privileges committee and the issue of two men creating ruckus has been left out. This shows that the AAP people had brought them to create ruckus, he said Kapil Mishra and BJP MLA Manjinder Sirsa has also demanded that CCTV footage of the Delhi Assembly be seized. Expressing apprehension over destruction of evidence, Mishra in a letter to speaker said that, Some of the MLAs rushed out of the House and outsiders were called to the Assemblys premises. These MLAs not just thrashed these accused, but also locked them in a room. I demand that yesterdays CCTV footage of the Assembly be seized, else evidence will be destroyed, he said. Mishra and Sirsa were later marshalled out for allegedly creating a ruckus in the Delhi Assembly. The Delhi Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution for 85% reservation in admission for city students in government funded Delhi University colleges. The resolution was one of the rare ones which was unanimously passed in the Assembly with the support of the Opposition. Speaking on the second day of the Assembly session, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that students who had passed class 12 from the Capital be given quota in admission to 28 DU colleges that are funded by the Delhi government. Supporting the move, MLAs pledged to raise the issue with the Centre, the Lieutenant Governor and the university administration. The House also adopted another resolution demanding an amendment in the Delhi University Act, 1922. Sisodia said that because of Section 5 and sub-section 2 of the Act, no other university in Delhi is legally authorised to give affiliation to any college. Speaking to HT, Atishi Marlena, advisor to Sisodia, said that if the amendment is made in the Parliament, universities, other than DU, could give affiliation to college. Out of 63 DU colleges, Delhi government funds 28 colleges, partially or fully. Around 2.5 lakh students pass out from Delhi schools every year and only 28,000 of them are able to secure a seat in DU colleges, she said. While both the resolutions were passed by voice vote, Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, said, If the administration cannot give 85% reservation, it can at least give relaxation of 5-10% in the cut-off marks to Delhi students. However, he clarified that through this demand, the Delhi government does not want to promote regionalism. He informed that the government had written several letters, the last one being in December 2016, to the union HRD minister, but to no avail. AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj suggested that a delegation of all legislators, headed by BJP MLA Jagdish Pradhan, meet HRD Minister Prakash Javedkar and request him to provide reservation. Explaining the plight of students, Sisodia said, Many of these students are struggling to get admission in higher education institutions. The money of tax payers from Delhi is being used to fund these colleges. And it is our responsibility to safeguard the interest of Delhi students. We will meet the HRD minister, L-G and DU vice-chancellor to raise this demand. Incidentally, the Aam Aam Aadmi Party government isnt the only one to have demanded quota for Delhi students. In 2013, the Congress government, led by Sheila Dikshit, had also passed a similar resolution in the Delhi Assembly. Besides, top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Partys Delhi unit too have demanded that Delhi students be given preference in college admissions. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa and BJP MP Parvesh Verma have taken over the reigns of Sadda Haq, a campaign that propagates the right of admission for Delhi students into DU colleges. Speaking at the Assembly, Sirsa said, This is an important issue and all MLAs should demand reservation for city students cutting across their political and ideological differences. The Delhi government can also setup a college which is only for Delhi students. (ENDS) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Social media once again emerged to be a handy tool in mobilising the protest as most of those who arrived at Jantar Mantar got to know about it after seeing the Facebook or Whatsapp messages. A Facebook post by Gurgaon-based filmmaker Saba Dewan against the lynching of a Muslim teenager sparked a powerful online campaign, leading to protest marches being organised in 10-odd cities across the country. Uttara Chaudhary, 21, a student of Ashoka University in Delhi said, We are five friends here. One of them saw the post of Facebook and informed the others. Gradually, other people got to know. Sharmista Sarkar, 44, a worker at a private firm, said, The situation at present is such that some people from one community are bullying and lynching the people from minority community. We need to take a stand that we are not the part of the same crowd. We need to show that people who are spreading communalism are just a handful of people and majority of India still believes in brotherhood. Most protestors present at the venue said that their level of tolerance was tested and were only waiting for someone to give a call so they could join the protest. Siddharth Kumar, 40, who works as a teacher at a private school, said, Our Prime Minister tweets on trivial issues, but there was not a word when a youth died in Ballabhgarh or when there was lynching in Rajasthan. People were agitated over minority community being targeted and were only waiting for a place where their voices could be heard. The platform was given when the #NotInMYName campaign began after a Facebook post by Dewan, he added. Meanwhile, the Wednesday protest had some people from neighbouring states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh too participating. However, most who turned up were from Delhi. Several AAP volunteers also took part in the protest. AAP leader Atishi Marlena, who was present at the site said, Many AAP volunteers are present but as a common people supporting the cause. A month before, Dalits from different parts of the country gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest against Saharanpur violence. This was also mobilised with the help of social networking sites. Many protesters had then said that they had gathered at the site without any organised means for mass mobilisation except for social networking sites and WhatsApps groups that publicised the event. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Delhi Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution seeking reservation of 85% of total seats to Delhi students in partially and fully state government-funded colleges under the Delhi University. However, the varsity officials said that it is not possible unless an Act of Parliament, which established the DU, is changed. The DU Act of 1922 established the university as a Central university. The Delhi government funds 28 DU colleges, of which 12 colleges receive 100% funding. The rest 16 receive a 5% funding from the government. The resolution, proposed by Manish Sisodia, Delhis education minister, seeks to reserve 85% of seats in these colleges for Delhi students. Officials said that a Central university cannot give preference based on domicile. It is not possible unless a change in the DU Act is made and that can be only done through the Parliament. That would then require the assent of the President, a top DU official said. The official said that any change in the DU Act has to go though the Standing Committee, Academic Council, Executive Council and then DUs Court. After getting all the approvals from statutory bodies, it is sent to the Parliament and then to human resources department, which forwards it to the President for approval, the official said. According to Sisodia, if the colleges are run on Delhi governments money, then they should be run for students from the state. It is a basic concept that if the colleges are being run with the Delhi governments money, then they should be run for Delhi students, right? They should get preference, he told HT. Even without reservation of seats, approximately half the students (28,731 out of 57,739) who got admission in DU colleges last year were from Delhi. However, Sisodia and his supporters are optimistic. This is definitely possible. There needs to be a will; it wont be done by just talking about it. From here, it will go to the Academic Council of DU. There, this issue will be debated and I dont think there is any reason that they will deny this. After the Academic Council, I think this may be forwarded to the University Court, and a decision may be taken there, said Sisodia. Standing at the entrance of her house in a damp and dingy lane at Nai Basti in Jamia Nagar, where chikungunya and dengue had taken a heavy toll in 2016, Nur Jahan frequently waved her hand to ward off the flies that tried to sit on her face. I have already lost one of my daughters last year. I had four daughters and two sons and they were all diagnosed either with dengue or chikungunya. All survived, barring one. I dont want to lose any of them this year, said Nur Jahan, as she tightly held on to her five-year-old son Zeeshan. In 2016, though the official figures (according to MCD records) for dengue and chikungunya deaths in Jamia Nagar is less than 10, there were over 70 suspected deaths in this part of south-east Delhi. Locals of Jamia Nagar, Zakir Nagar, Gaffar Manzil and Shaheen Bagh in south Delhi present a rather gloomy picture, where nothing much has changed over the past one year. Another resident, Shahnawaz Begum, said, I lost my husband last year. He was detected with dengue. Almost every house had a patient diagnosed either with dengue, malaria or chikungunya in 2016. We dont know what would happen this year. The fears of local residents were not totally unfounded. Residents of Nai Basti alleged that sanitation workers do not come to the area regularly. And even if they come, they refuse to sweep the drains or collect garbage inside the dingy and narrow lanes. We pay them extra money. But even after taking the money, they sometimes go on leave for several days. They even refuse to enter the narrow lanes, said Imtiyaz, a local resident. However, a senior official of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation said, Instead of yielding to the demands of the sanitation workers, the residents should approach local authorities and can lodge a complaint on the helpline. We have not received any such complaints recently. The garbage piles up sometimes for more than a week. The rain water accumulates in plastic cups, coconut shells and polythene that are dumped on the streets. Mosquitoes and flies have made our lives hell. You wont be able to sleep during the night without getting bitten, said Imtiyaz. Delhi faced its biggest ever chikungunya outbreak in 2016 with 7,760 cases being reported. This year, the menace has surfaced early and there has been an unprecedented rise. Around 146 cases of chikungunya have been reported so far in Delhi hospitals, out of which 105 are residents of Delhi, the rest arrived in the city for treatment. At least 50 dengue and 59 malaria cases have also been reported. Officials of the South Corporation claimed that unauthorised buildings are one of the biggest breeding grounds. People often build basements, where water accumulates. The terraces of the buildings often become dumping yards and water accumulates in them. The civic workers are, however, not allowed to enter, said a senior official. The scenario was equally grim in Shaheen Bagh, which emerged as another hotspot for the three vector-bourne diseases last year. We have not seen any awareness campaigns. no domestic breeding workers have visited the spot in the past one month at least, and there has been no fumigation or spraying. The civic authorities would only come once the death toll starts rising, said Mohammed Umar Khan, a resident of F Block in Shaheen Bagh. The visibly peeved locals claimed that politicians had been frequenting the locality before the recently held civic polls. Now, when we need their service, they cant be seen anymore. Repeated appeals to the local civic body fell on deaf ears, as there has been no improvement in these areas. We have not heard of any specific case this year till date, but we anticipate an outbreak this year, said Imtiyaz. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Filmmaker Saba Dewans Facebook post condemning the lynching of a 16-year-old Muslim boy in Ballabgarh triggered a massive protest across India on Wednesday. Thousands gathered at Delhis Jantar Mantar braving incessant rain to join the NotInMyName campaign. In Mumbai, Carter Road was full of known faces and city residents who wanted the country to stand united. Residents in Patna too joined the campaign through a silent protest at Kargil Chowk near Gandhi Maidan. On the last count, people in 16 cities had taken part in the campaign in its debut run, said Dewan who is an alumnus of St Stephens College. When HT spoke to her a day after the protest, Dewan said it was just the beginning and the movement will only grow bigger. Here are the excerpts: What next for NotInMyName campaign? We are planning to have a meeting in a day or two to reflect upon how it went. We will also decide the future course of action. The one yesterday grew out of an organic process. I am very certain that like me, others too feel that it has to be carried forward. A spark has been lit. One protest, significant as it was, cant fundamentally change anything though it broke the silence, fear. People felt emboldened to come out and hit the streets. Who were involved in organising the campaign? When the idea was floated, I had given a call to all those interested to come for a meeting. In Delhi, a core group of 15-odd people from all walks of life was formed. Later, we gave out another call for more people to be part of the organising group and a meeting was called on the eve of the protest . Around 45-50 people turned up and they did everything. Now we all need to sit down in a couple of days for another meeting to decide on the future course of action. How many cities took part in the protest on Wednesday? We are still counting. The number was 16 till Wednesday night. Now I am seeing new pictures from other places. From UP. There was a protest even in Varanasi where BHU students demonstrated at Assi Ghat. That is hugely significant as it is Prime Minister Narendra Modis constituency. I saw pictures from Patna, Dharamshala, Jaipur... all were spontaneous citizens protests. People are taking ownership. What about the one in Pakistan? Are the organisers in touch with you? There seems to be one happening in Karachi too. I read about it. The organisers have sent us a link to the event page. It may carry all kinds of meaning as it is being organised in Pakistan. You cant stop people from organising such an event. What they are doing, in Karachi, is protesting against violence unleashed on minorities in Pakistan and South Asia. That is exactly the cause we all are talking about. Such protests were held even in London, Boston and Toronto. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana desperately needs to get its communication right. The March issue of Krishi Samvad, a government magazine, carries a photograph of a veiled woman carrying cattle feed. The caption on the cover reads: Ghoonghat ki aan-baan, mahra Haryana ki pechchan (Pride of the veil is the identity of my Haryana). Reacting sharply to the description, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress leader and party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it reflected the regressive attitude of the ruling BJP government. The BJP ministers, however, defended the state government, citing that the Khattar administration has taken numerous measures taken to empower women, and so it is not fair to call it regressive. The truth is the Khattar government may not agree the photo and the caption shows State support for a patriarchal practice that has no place in a modern society. The Khattar government must realise that such depictions go against the pro-women programmes that it has launched and that the depiction could be seen as an extension of several misogynistic orders made earlier either by the government or local groups such as a ban on wearing jeans and using mobile phones. For decades women from Haryana have broken stiff patriarchal barriers to win laurels, especially in sporting events. The State could have used any of those achievements to showcase its identity. That the women of the state dont agree with the governments depiction is evident from 28-year-old freestyle wrestler Geeta Phogats response. We have come from a place where girls should be kept behind a veil, would not be allowed to come out... go to school (sic), Ms Phogat, whose story inspired Dangal, told NDTV. My father pulled us out from such a state... helped us reach where we are, the free-style wrestler who won Indias first ever gold medal in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 added. Does she sound all too supportive of what Haryana calls its proud identity? The first week in DU is like being thrust into a different dimension. Theres much to do and explore, and the usually pumped fucchas like to take up everything as soon as they can. But where does one start? Well, that is where we come in. Decoding the first week in the varsity for fucchas, weve listed down 10 points that you can take a hint from. ORIENTATION EXPERIENCE via GIPHY Youd probably think of skipping this (since its much like a school assembly), but wed recommend you to actually not skip it at all. Orientation is a great time to know all the basics about your college, your teachers and it gives you a clear picture about the place youre going to spend your next three years. Dont ditch your introductory classes as they are vital to learn about the syllabus, the books required, and all the works round the year. THE FIRST DAY IN COLLEGE SELFIE via GIPHY Its a new beginning for you, and if youve managed to get into Delhi University (specially the top-of-the-line colleges), its time you flaunt it. Take a first day selfie in front of the college building and put it up on social media. This builds up some social media cred, and is also the perfect way to introduce the place youll be calling your second home for quite some time. NEW PLACE, NEW FRIENDS via GIPHY Your school friends will stay, but a new place requires new friends too. Get to know your classmates, their friends, and maybe connect your old buddies to the new ones. Networking in college is the key to survive, and youd probably make some lifelong friendships while youre at it. BINGE TRIPPING via GIPHY Life in DU is incomplete if you havent sampled every kind of food around your campus! If you are in the North, Kamla Nagar, Hudson Lane and GTB Nagar are great to gorge on the best of delicacies at pocket-friendly prices. South Campus students, on the other hand, can gorge on myriad offerings from Satya Niketan, Greater Kailash, Vasant Kunj and more. KNOW THY COLLEGE via GIPHY Knowing the basics about your college isnt all. Every college has its nooks and crannies, its secrets and jugaads. Make sure you spend some time in your own college rather than just the world around it. Get to know a bit about its history and hot spots on campus. You can also find out the best Wi-Fi spots and other hacks that will help you in the long run. EXPLORATION OVERDRIVE via GIPHY There is a lot to discover around the college. Catch a street play at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station, explore the Kamla Nehru ridge, shop at Kamla Nagar or visit the Coronation Park at Kingsway Camp if youre in North Campus. South Campus students can choose Sarojini Nagar for all their street shopping, head to nearby monuments such as those in Hauz Khas, Qutub Minar and others, or simply trek at the South Delhi ridge. THE CHILL SCENE via GIPHY So youll make new friends, and will probably have long gaps between your classes or when you get time off from college work. Make the most of this time to plan a chill scene at Hauz Khas Village, Majnu ka Tila, Hudson Lane and other such places. It would be a great way to get to know each other better in a comfortable surrounding, and also just unwind. FRESHER PARTY PLANS via GIPHY Fresher parties are always a rage on campus, and each college has something special planned for their parties. Spend some time to find out the organisers, the theme and the location, if you want to let your friends from other colleges sneak in. Its important to be on top of your game when it comes to these parties so the earlier you start, the better. DU LINGO ON POINT via GIPHY Among the many new things in the varsity, the DU lingo is a major player. Right from old words like K-Nags (Kamla Nagar), C-Bats (cholle bhature) and G-Jams (gulab jamun), which have always been part of a DU students dictionary, to new additions such as On Fleek, BT and more, theres a lot to learn. So, you better catch up fast! CONNECTIONS ARE EVERYTHING via GIPHY From arranging last minute fest passes to just having a smooth run in college (sans the DU drama), making contacts really helps in DU. Know your seniors, the second staff and even your canteen wale bhaiya, to establish all the contacts you can, and you are sure to master the DU life. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON President Donald Trumps travel ban (government officials argue that its not a ban, but the Presidents tweets beg to differ) is headed for the Supreme Court in one of the biggest cases of the upcoming October term. That is, if it doesnt disappearpoof!like an enchanted carriage at midnight.A bit of explanation: on his first weekend as President, Trump dropped a bombshell by issuing an Executive Order that sharply reduced the number of refugees allowed into the U.S., and cut off travel to residents from seven, mostly Muslim, countries. Chaos ensued. Travelers whose entry visas were valid when their flights took off found themselves barred by the time they landed. Family members were separated. Workers couldnt return to their jobs. Protests erupted and lawyers rushed into federal courts, where Trumps order was quickly blocked.White House lawyers fiddled with the order and in March came Ban 2.0. The list of offending nations was trimmed to six, identified as terrorist hotbeds, and U.S. authorities were instructed to conduct a study of the vetting process for travelers arriving from foreign countries. Any needed improvements to the process were to be implemented in time for the order to expire after 90 days.Again, federal courts blocked implementation, finding in Trumps campaign rhetoric evidence that the order was targeted specifically at Muslims. This made it an unconstitutional discrimination against a religious faith, which his Administration denied.Before adjourning for the summer on June 26, the Supreme Court agreed to take up the case in October. The Justices handed Trump a partial win by allowing the ban to take effect for travelers from the six countries who have no family or institutional ties inside the U.S. So, countdown to October, right?Maybe not. Remember the part about Ban 2.0 expiring in 90 days? That provision could have rendered the entire matter moot as of June 14. Trump claims, in a memo to immigration officials, that nothing is mootthat the clock stopped when the order was blocked, and resumed only when the high court lifted the stay. Yet even if Trumps memo indeed reset the calendar and a new 90-day period has begun, that will end before the high court resumes its work in October. Indeed, the Justices asked attorneys to address the question of the expiration date.Thus, the Supreme Court might never decide if the Presidents order violated the Constitution. On the other hand, the Justices have been known to issue rulings even after the dispute at hand has evaporated. They did exactly this on the same day that they gave Trump his partial ban. A case from Missouri involved a Lutheran day-care center challenging the states prohibition on sending tax dollars to churches. Missouri offered grants to encourage wider use of rubberized playground surfaces. The church-run day care met all the requirements, but the grant was denied. In Trinity Lutheran v. Comer a 7-to-2 majority held that softer playgrounds do not rise to the level of the First Amendmentarguably a moot point given that Missouris governor had already changed state policy.Of course, sometimes a spongy playground is not just a spongy playground. For dissenting Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the state-subsidized surface looked like a slippery slope with potential for future rulings allowing tax dollars to flow to church ministries and schools. Liberal court watchers were especially alarmed that the new arrival in chambers, Justice Neil Gorsuch, wrote a separate opinion that seemed to invite such broader rulings. Although he joined late in the term after being appointed by Trump, Gorsuch wasted no time planting himself on the rightward end of the court spectrum.With age and illness stalking more than one Justice, Trump may have another chance to move the court. Rampant rumors that Justice Anthony Kennedy would announce his retirement on that busy last day of the term proved wrong. But Gorsuchs strongly conservative debut left no confusion about the direction the President intends to take.By some measures, Chief Justice John Roberts led the court to its most harmonious term in more than 70 years, while elsewhere in Washington the seas were unusually stormy. But that, too, may be primed to go poof!This appears in the July 10, 2017 issue of TIME. Chandigarh: Medical aspirants seeking admission to MBBS courses in Punjab will have to contend with fewer seats this time as one medical college in Banur was closed and admissions to the other institute in Pathankot were banned for two years . Just before the beginning of the session this year, the state lost 100 MBBS seats as the Banur-based Gian Sagar Medical College was closed. Then admissions to the Pathankot-based Chintpurni Medical College with 150 MBBS seats were banned for two years by the Medical Council of India due to deficiencies in the institute. The state health education department at the moment is scrutinising the matter regarding withdrawal of permissions to set up the college. Experts say that the loss of 250 seats in a single year reveals the crisis in Punjabs medical education. Private medical institutes have fared the worst as these have time and again have failed to adhere to MCIs norms due to less bed occupancy and shortage of faculty. The recent decision of the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government to approve a government medical college in SAS Nagar with 100 MBBS seats is a welcome step and will compensate the loss of seats. The college is likely to start in two years. At present, Punjab has three government medical colleges, while five others, which will admit students from this session, are private institutes. Centralised counselling Following the Centres directions, Punjab is holding joint counselling for all its institutes, both government and private. The agency executing the admissions, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, has already invited applications following NEET results and will release the provisional merit list on July 16. The last date to apply online is July 11. Going by the past trends, Government Medical College, Patiala and Ludhianas Dayanand Medical College (DMC) and Hospital are most sought after among the top rankers. Students having state domicile certificate or those who have passed Classes 11 and 12 from Punjab schools are eligible for its 85% state quota seats, while others will have to compete in the 15% all-India quota to seek admission in Punjab. The total number of MBBS seats in Punjab colleges is 1,125. Parents and students, including members of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), stormed the principals office at Daulat Ram College and staged a protest, after officials allegedly denied students admission under the first cutoff list on Wednesday. Members of the ABVP and a few parents alleged that some students were allegedly denied admission to the BA programme. They said college officials claimed that seats have already been filled up. Tempers also ran high when the authorities stopped the parents of the aspirants from entering college premises. This is our first time in Delhi and the parents should have been allowed inside the campus at least. We have been waiting for our child to come out for the past four hours. Her cellphone is unreachable, we are worried now. said KR Rawat, a parent of an applicant. A student, Ayushi Thakur, who was seeking admission to the BA Programme course fainted in the queue and had to be rushed to the Hindu Rao hospital. The college has no volunteers to guide students nor are parents allowed inside the campus. There is utter mismanagement here. said Madan Mohan Thakur, father of Ayushi Thakur. The ABVP members and parents who stormed the principals office also allegedly damaged some furniture and her computer. An FIR has been registered against unknown persons under appropriate sections, said Jatin Narwal, DCP (North). Other parents like Bhupender (who requested to use his first name only), who was also protesting outside the principals office, claimed that the college had denied his child a seat saying that they had filled up all the seats. We were under the impression that students would not be denied admission if they had cleared the cutoff. They should have increased the cutoff then, if they do not have the seats, he said. The cutoff for the BA programme at Daulat Ram College is 91%, two percentage points more than the last year. The College administration, however, maintained they had not denied students admission to the BA programme course, but had only said that they would not be able to opt History and Political Science combination. We have already admitted almost five times the number of available seats. We have 169 seats for BA programme, of which 20 was supposed to be for the History/Political Science combination. We have already admitted approximately 100 students for this combination, said Preeti Kapur, the co-convenor of the colleges admissions committee. A DU official confirmed that though colleges cannot deny admissions to the course, they can, depending on their infrastructure and other factors like faculty strength, refuse certain subject combinations. Kapur also said that those students who had reached the college premises before 1:30 pm on Wednesday, would be given admission to their course of their choice. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is often spoken about because of the unrest it faces. So, Femina Miss India 2017s first runner-up Sana Dua, who hails from J&K, says she feels happy and proud that with her victory, the state is in the news for the right season. Considering the constant political turmoil in the Kashmir Valley, she was asked about her feelings of coming from that state and winning the first runner-up crown in the beauty pageant. Sana told IANS: Well, you are right. Our Jammu and Kashmir is in news mostly for wrong reasons, but thankfully this time, (it is in news) for the right reason... For a very good reason. And I hope to make them (people of J&K) very proud... I think only some parts of the state are dealing with disturbance, rest of it is doing well, Sana said. How does she hope to utilise the title in the near future? I want to work on girls education because we all know that if a girl in a household is educated, the whole family is educated. I am happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is already working towards the cause. I will also be working towards that at an individual level, said Sana. Having grown up in an army background, Sana has travelled to different cities with her parents, and finished her graduation in law at Panjab University, before entering the glamour world. Asked about what made her take up modelling instead of practising law, she said: I always wanted to keep a Plan B ready because you never know what would happen. My parents were very supportive from the beginning. According to Sana, she is open to every opportunity in acting and to build a career in Bollywood. Any actors who she would like to share screen space with? I know it might sound different, but I want to act with Deepika Padukone. She is one of the personalities that I really look up to. She is inspirational. I would love to meet her and share screen space with her. When it comes to a (male) actor, it would be Ranveer Singh. He is such an energetic person. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more A gas agency on Railway Rroad, near Sadar Market, was fined by the legal metrology department for not filling cylinders with the right amount of fuel. The discrepancy was noted during an inspection by the department two weeks ago. Officials said five LPG cylinders filled by Chand gas agency had half a kilogram to 7kg less fuel than mandated, Deepak Kumar, inspector, metrology department, said. The inspections revealed that four petrol pumps and one gas agency were not operating as per the required standards. A total of Rs 52,000 has been collected as fine from these pumps and the challans have been sent to the assistant controller in Faridabad for further investigation. Kumar said after receiving a complaint, a petrol pump in Jharsa was also searched last week, but by the time the team reached the spot, a PCR call had also been made in the regard. We then let the police do their job and left the place, he said. The department has been inspecting hundreds of shops, including petrol pumps, gas agencies, sweet shops and grocery stores, across the district since May. In these two months, as many as 497 shops, including 59 petrol pumps and 11 gas agencies, were inspected. Every month, it is mandatory to check one third of the petrol pumps in the district. Going by that, all petrol pumps and gas agencies in Gurgaon are visited and verified every three months, Kumar said. He said this particular drive was started after a scam came to the fore in petrol pumps in Uttar Pradesh in the last week of April. After checks, it was found that petrol pumps in UP were stealing fuel by manipulating the dispensing machines using remote-controlled electronic chips. Apart from petrol pumps and gas agencies, the drive will also focus on checking restaurants, sweet shops and grocery stores. We have recently received complaints against some food outlets in Cyber City and a restaurant near Medanta -The Medicity. We will be regularly checking food outlets as well, the inspector said. It has been noticed that complaints against petrol pumps are more during winters, while sweet shops are on the radar during the festive season, he said. These inspections will continue in the month of July as well. Kumar encouraged consumers to file complaints against petrol pumps and shops if they suspect some wrongdoing. The complaint can be filed at the Mini Secretariat or online or phone. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said in Gurgaon that a medical college named after goddess Sheetla Devi would be set up in the city. He added that the construction and management of the college would shared by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the Shri Mata Sheetla Devi Shrine Board, which runs the Sheetla Mata temple in the city. He also said that work on the project will be initiated as soon as land is identified for the medical college. Of the total cost of the project, the MCG will bear 40%, the GMDA 40%, and the shrine board 20%, he added. Khattar made the announcement while attending the Harit Gurugram - Ek Prayas 2017 programme in Sector 52. As part of the event, he launched a plantation drive by planting saplings in Saraswati Kunj Society in Sector 53. He also announced that a pond situated on a vacant land belonging to the Haryana urban development authority (Huda) in the sector will be rejuvenated. According to the CMs office, he also launched six development projects worth Rs15 crore on the occasion. Read more: Social media abuzz as CM Khattar gets stuck in traffic jam Addressing the public on Thursday, Khattar said projects such as Har Ghar Hariyali and Har Gao Ped Ki Chao will motivate people to plant more trees in open spaces. He also said that the government will invite corporates and industries to participate in plantation campaigns. Many development projects are coming up in Gurgaon as this is an iconic city that has helped in the growth of the whole state, he said. He also spoke of the infrastructure projects, such as widening of the Badshahpur drain, that have been initiated to ease traffic movement and reduce waterlogging in the city. A report is being prepared for the construction of an underpass on Shri Mata Sheetla Devi Mandir Road and it will be built soon, he said. Referring to the demand for electricity by residents living within a 900-metre radius of the ammunition depot on Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road, the CM said a favourable verdict is expected on the residents petition in the high court. Residents in the area are also not allowed to carry out construction work in their colonies. The CM also responded to Gurgaon MLA Umesh Aggarwals demand for a welcome gate on Delhi-Gurgaon special routes. The MLA made the proposal for the gates a few months ago. Khattar said the proposal was already approved during the golden jubilee programme held last year, but was announced on Thursday. The welcome gates connecting the city with neighbouring Delhi and Rajasthan will welcome people entering the city and will have a great impact on visitors, said Aggarwal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Filmmaker Christopher Nolans Dunkirk will be releasing in India on July 21. Dunkirk, which has been shot in France, Holland, Britain and Los Angeles, is being brought to India by Warner Bros. Pictures, read a statement on behalf of the banner. Featuring actors like Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh and One Direction star Harry Styles, the film centres on the British evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of the French city of Dunkirk during World War II in 1940. The film is told through the eyes of three soldiers. Talking about his experience of working with Nolan, actor Fionn Whitehead said: I think the thing that makes Chris (Christopher Nolan) so unique is that he has his own vision for this piece of art. He is creating and hes completely in charge, which is an amazing thing for an actor. It gives you a bit more breathing room because youre not trying to tend to anyone elses needs. Follow @htshowbiz for more On Sunday, the BJP completed 100 days as the ruling party of Uttarakhand after scoring a landslide win in the assembly polls earlier this year. The new chief minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat, has already been staking claims to progress in education and health and finding himself embroiled in controversies surrounding corruption. He has found a number of opportunities to assert his partys Hindutva agenda. His time in office has cheered some and concerned others. Corruption has been the central issue facing the young administration. In his visits to the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress government then in power of high-level corruption and promised the BJP would bring in clean governance. This claim was somewhat muddled by the choice of Rawat as chief minister, since he had been indicted by a commission investigating the last BJP state government for allegedly buying seeds at a greatly inflated price without a proper tender process. At the time, Rawat was the state agriculture minister. In a bizarre late-night legislative session earlier this month, the investigating commission, now a part of Rawats own government, pronounced him innocent in the case, prompting outcries from the Opposition. Rawat has also been criticised for betraying a BJP poll promise to give substantial authority to the independent Lokayukta anti-corruption body within 100 days of taking power. The government has instead proposed giving special protection to some officials and providing the state government with additional means of control. Qazi Nizamuddin, a member of a Lokayukta advisory committee formed by the Rawat administration, said that the governments latest plan threatens to render the anti-corruption force toothless and clawless. Meanwhile, theres been the appearance of a tussle between the state and the Centre about a land acquisition scam estimated to have cost 240 crore. After Rawat announced that he would request a CBI investigation into those responsible reportedly both state officials and employees of at the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) the IAS officer who first uncovered the scam was transferred. More ominously, the Union transport minister, Nitin Gadkari, and the NHAI chairman, Yudhvir Singh Malik, requested that specific NHAI officers not be named in an FIR, suggesting that the highway authority would not work effectively in Uttarakhand otherwise. Rawat waited for three months to initiate the CBI inquiry and was criticised for inaction. Since taking office, Rawat has pursued Hindutva through a number of symbolic gestures. He set up a cowshed at the chief ministers official residence. At a university graduation ceremony, Rawat refused to wear an academic gown, describing it as a relic of the colonial past and suggesting that purely Indian attire ought to be worn instead. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat during a cleanliness drive in Dehradun on June 25, 2017. (PTI) The state education minister, Dhan Singh Rawat, subsequently announced the formation of a committee to suggest indigenous clothes that can be worn at graduation events. The new government has also announced more substantive education reforms. It received approval from the Centre for the establishment of five new vocational institutes: a National Institute of Fashion Technology, a Hospitality University, an Institute of Plastic Engineering, and IT academies in Hardiwar and Almora. The Rawat dispensation has initiated a series of steps to make education job-oriented and push the state on the development trajectory, said Kumud Upadhyay, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Kumaon University. Rawats views on prominent development projects in the state are mixed. He has described the All-Weather Road Network in the Chardham region, an initiative sponsored by the Centre for Rs 12,000 crore, as casting the condition of Uttarakhands infrastructure in an unfavourable light. But the new government is heavily endorsing another construction plan that predates it, the Rishikesh-Karanprayag Railway. Rawat is seeking to expand the length of the train line and has started the process of acquiring land. Evaluating the partys time in power, BJP state president Ajay Bhatt emphasised the transfer of 97 doctors from the plains to areas in the hills. This lack of good medical care in provincial Uttarakhand is a problem that no government has managed to solve since the creation of state 17 years ago. Its resolution would a major achievement. HITS AND MISSES MAJOR SUCCESSES AND NOTABLE LAPSES FOUR HITS The Rawat government has gotten approval for the establishment of five institutes of higher learning: a NIFT, a Hospitality University, an Institute of Plastic Engineering, and two IT academies It transferred 97 doctors from the plains to the hills, which have long suffered from lack of good medical care It reached an agreement with the army to place retired medical specialists of the military in the state-run Srinagar Medical College, which is based in the hills. The former army doctors will be responsible for treating civilian patients The state government is preparing the way for construction of the Rishikesh-Karanprayag rail project, a poll promise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi FOUR MISSES Rawats administration oversaw his own exoneration in an ongoing corruption case against him It has weakened and delayed the eventual establishment of an independent Lokayukta anti-corruption ombudsman, breaking a campaign promise of the BJP to empower the body within 100 days of taking office There was also a delay in causing the CBI to take up a probe in a major land acquisition scam allegedly involving employees of a central body After the BJP promised during the campaign to establish a summer capital in Gairsain, pleasing constituencies in the hills, the new administration has evaded the issue. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON More than 50 inmates of a jail in south west Bihar are on fast-unto-death since Wednesday, accusing some officials of showing favouritism to a group of prisoners. Six of the fasting prisoners of divisional jail at Bhabua in Kaimur district, 197 kms southwest of Patna, fell unconscious after their condition deteriorated on Thursday, jailer Manoj Kumar Singh said. They had been admitted to sadar hospital at Bhabua, Singh added. The jailer said the trouble started on June 26 (Monday) when ward in-charge Gyani Paswan seized the mobile phone and charger of prisoner Jasimuddin, said to be close to a senior jail officer, and deposited it in the jail office. READ| Bihar: Five prisoners escape from Buxar jail, insider help suspected The seizure of objectionable items brought into the jail resulted in a group clash. The matter was, however, resolved on Tuesday with the rival groups giving a written undertaking to maintain peace on the premises. After a brief truce, the groups clashed again on Wednesday, following which many prisoners began hunger strike demanding action against some jail officers for allegedly showing favouritism and fuelling tension, Singh said. Singh said the group led by Jasimuddin had hurled abuses on him and threatened to eliminate him and blow up the prison. READ| Bihar jail riot: police firing leave many hurt Jail superintendent Shahnawaz Ahmad Niyazi said the allegations against prison officials were totally baseless. I am on leave and will recommend transfer of erring inmates to central jail after resuming duty. This is the only solution for maintaining peace in the jail, Niyazi said. District magistrate Rajeshwar Prasad Singh said he would visit the jail and the hospital to meet the striking prisoners and pacify them. Meanwhile, the jail tension has spilled on to the streets with supporters of rival groups holding demonstrations and erecting road blockades at Bhabua since Tuesday. Under similar situation, then jail superintendent Ram Parikshan Ram was shot dead at his residence by Uttar Pradesh-based criminal and supporters of a group of prisoners on May 3, 2003. A 70-year-old Frenchwoman, who raised awareness about the importance of education among women, was allegedly raped by an inebriated guard in her room at a resort in Varanasis Madhopur village on Wednesday. The woman had been staying at a lodge near Shooltankehswar ghat along the Ganges for the last 11 months, and had been associated with an NGO in raising awareness among rural women about importance of education and also taught them. She alleged that the guard of the lodge, identified as Omprakash from Mirzapur, barged into her room in inebriated condition at night and beat her up, leaving her injured. Later, he raped the woman. Police said the guard managed to flee even as police reached the spot and rushed her to the district hospital, where she is stated to be stable. SP (rural), Amit Kumar visited the spot and carried out inspection. A forensic team also collected samples. Kumar told HT that an FIR has been registered in this connection, and a team has been deployed to ensure the arrest of the accused. District magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and senior superintendent of police, Nitin Tiwari visited the victim at the hospital and instructed the doctors to provide best possible care to her. She has been kept in a special ward. National carrier Air India has warned its former employees of severe consequences such as withdrawal of post-retirement benefits if they speak out against the airline on social media. The Cabinet has given an in-principle approval for the disinvestment of debt-laden Air India (AI). Its employees, including those retired, are staring at an uncertain future. As many as seven unions have written to the government threatening mass protests if the airline is privatised. It is unacceptable that a person who is availing post-retirement facilities like passage, medical etc from Air India talks against the company. Retired personnel who make such negative comments with the intention of tarnishing the image of the company will themselves be responsible for cessation of their post-retirement facilities, according to an internal order by AI issued on June 21 with the approval of Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, Ashwani Lohani. The circular notes that the warning follows instances of its former workers seeking to taint the company on public fora. It has been noticed in the recent past that a few retired personnel of Air India are tarnishing the image of the company by posting negative remarks of the company on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp and also electronic and print media, the order read. Former employees are entitled to free flights and contributory medical allowances. An employee who retires after 30 years with the company can avail 24 free flight tickets, of which 25 per cent can be used for international travel as well. Pilgrims visiting the Amarnath cave shrine dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva in south Kashmir are worried about security in the strife-hit state but said they would go home only after paying their obeisance. A group from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh will trek to the shrine, situated at an altitude of 12,756 feet in the Pir Panjal mountains, during the 40-day pilgrimage that began on Wednesday. Intelligence agencies have issued an alert of a possible terror attack on the pilgrimage, which has been targeted in the past. We are bit worried and fear psychosis is also there because of the prevailing situation in Kashmir but at the same time, we have an unflinching faith in Lord Shiva. Our army and other security forces are also there 24x7 to protect us. We have full trust in our security forces, 27-year-old Ishant Singla said. Pilgrims on way to Amarnath Yatra on their mules, against backdrop of the Himalayas. (Keshav Singh/HT Photo) The situation in Kashmir has nosedived since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July last year and has turned ugly in the past two months. This spike in violence in the valley is already a cause for concern for the Jammu and Kashmir government and central security forces over the pilgrimage that passes through the volatile Anantnag district in south Kashmir. Over 50 pilgrims have been killed in three terror strikes in the last 16 years. Singlas cousin Ankit alleged that the vicious cycle of violent street protests and stone-throwing was being done by separatists, who, he said, have been instigating the youth of Kashmir for their secessionist agenda. A sting operation has also exposed how separatists have been provoking innocent youth. They (youth) are not throwing stones out of their choice but they are being provoked and paid money by the separatists, he added. Community kitchens The central and the state governments have pressed all their resources into service to provide security to the pilgrims, but community kitchens dotting the Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar highway serve as a lifeline for the pilgrims. At one such kitchen, Surender Arora said the Baba Barfani Sewa Mandal from Moga has been organising the kitchen for the past 17 years. We can accommodate 1200 pilgrims at a time. We have food, deserts, tea, bedding, medical aid and all sorts of allied facilities for the visiting pilgrims, said Arora. This year the number of pilgrims has come down as compared to last year, he said. Though its the first day of the 40-day long pilgrimage, the number of pilgrims has gone down to 2000 to 2500 compared to our experience last year in our community kitchen. Earlier, the average figure stood around 5000 a day. We will be getting four buses of pilgrims from Delhi tonight (Wednesday-Thursday), he said. We can say that there is a fear psychosis among the pilgrims due to protracted street violence and a spike in terror attacks, he added. However, our community kitchen is well protected by CRPF, BSF, army and police, he said, pointing out towards the men on guard. The kitchen, he said, incurs an expenditure of Rs 1 lakh every day on various facilities for the pilgrims from various parts of the country. The Centre and state governments have deployed 30,000 paramilitary personnel along the two routes the traditional 28.2 km long Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 9.5 km Baltal track in Ganderbal district besides those from Jammu and Kashmir police. A member of the security force stands guard at base camp during the annual Amarnath Yatra, in Jammu. (HT File Photo) The paramilitary forces include the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The Indian Army has also deployed five battalions in the valley. Thirty-five dog squads of the army, J-K police, BSF and CRPF are deployed along the Pahalgam and the Baltal routes, of which 27 are on the Pahalgam axis and eight on Baltal stretch. CCTV cameras, jammers, rollover protection structure, dog squads, bullet-proof bunkers, Quick Reaction Teams, satellite tracking and other security gadgets are being used to maintain vigil in view of increased threat perception. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Amarnath Yatra, the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva in Kashmir, began on Wednesday amid intelligent inputs that cautioned of militant attacks on pilgrims and security personnel. A spike in violence in the valley is already a cause of concern for the Jammu and Kashmir government and central security forces over the 40-day pilgrimage that passes through the volatile Anantnag district in south Kashmir. In 16 years, over 50 pilgrims have been killed in three terror strikes during the trek to the shrine tucked away at 12,750-ft altitude in the Pir Panjal mountains in the south Kashmir. Heres look at the situation as the first batch of over 2280 pilgrims left Jammu for the cave shrine: Intelligence input Intelligence reports said the yatra that began amid the highest ever multi-tier security setup may be attacked in form of standoff fire on pilgrim convoys during the 40-day pilgrimage that will culminate on August 7 on Raksha Bandhan. Intelligence input received from SSP Anantnag reveals that terrorists have been directed to eliminate 100 to 150 pilgrims and about 100 police officers and officials, IGP Kashmir Zone Muneer Khan said in a letter, which was sent to the Indian Army, the CRPF, and range DIGs in the state. The attack may be in the form of stand-off fire on yatra convoy which they believe will result in flaring of communal tensions throughout the nation, the IGP said in the letter that was leaked and being circulated on WhatsApp. The input is assessed to be a HUMINT (human intelligence) and it needs further corroboration, the IGP said in the letter, adding that at this stage the possibility of a sensational attack by a terrorist outfit cannot be ruled out. Khan later played down the letter, saying there was no need to panic as it was part of the information being shared with agencies to check its authenticity. J-K DGP SP Vaid also said someone spread it on social media to create panic. Security blanket The Centre and state governments have pulled out all stops to provide a security cover to over two lakh pilgrims, who have registered for the yatra this year. Besides Jammu and Kashmir police, 30,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed along the two routes: the traditional 28.2 km long Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 9.5 km Baltal track in Ganderbal district. The Indian Army has also deployed five battalions in the valley for the yatra. The paramilitary forces include the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Thirty-five dog squads of army, J-K police, BSF and CRPF deployed along Pahalgam and Baltal routes, of which 27 on the Pahalgam axis and eight on Baltal stretch. CCTV cameras, jammers, rollover protection structure, dog squads, bullet-proof bunkers, Quick Reaction Teams, satellite tracking and other security gadgets are being used to maintain vigil in view of increased threat perception. Previous attacks August 1, 2000: At least 30 people, including 2 police personnel, were killed and 50 pilgrims and local porters injured in an attack on the base camp at Pahalgam by two unidentified gunmen. July 21, 2001: An unidentified gunman attacked the Shesh Nag camp killing 12 people, including 6 pilgrims, 2 security personnel and 4 local civilians, and injuring 13. August 6, 2002: In a pre-dawn attack, two unidentified gunmen struck the camp at Nunwan killing eight people and injuring 30 others. There have been no attacks on the yatra since 2002. Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in Sikkim on Thursday to take stock of the security scenario amid a stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops along the border in the area. According to sources, the army chief will review the security situation, and may also visit some forward areas. Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) personnel breached the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Sikkim sector and destroyed two makeshift Indian Army bunkers earlier this month in Lalten area of Doka La sector. The Chinese defence ministry confirmed the border trouble but accused Indian troops of crossing the boundary into China in an attempt to prevent a road construction by the Chinese side. Indias defence ministry and the army have made no official comment on the incident yet. Doka La is located in the Chumbi valley, and the area where the aggression took place is not far from the corridor of rail and road that connects to northeastern India. Also close to the area, Bhutan and China have a border issue along Tibet. China is at present extending a rail line close the the border here. The defence ministry, for a long time, has been maintaining that there are no transgressions along the India-China border and the issue is of different perceptions of the boundary. The defence minister has repeated the line several times, including in answers to Parliament questions, in response to queries about Chinese transgression in the Indian side. In reaction to the border face-off, China has refused to let the first batch of around 50 Indian pilgrims, who were supposed to travel to Kailash Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, go through the Nathu La route. The development comes amid bilateral tensions over various issues, including India boycotting the One Belt One Road summit in Beijing and China scuttling Indias NSG bid. A police inquiry has been ordered into the unnatural death of army soldier, travelling from Manipur in the north east to Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, whose body was found close to railway track, near a village falling under Teghra police station in Begusarai district of north Bihar on June 26. Family members of the jawan have alleged the body of the victim was handed over to them in a decomposed state, apparently because it was not stored in an air conditioned mortuary. Begusarai DM, Naushad Yusuf said the police have been ordered to carry out a thorough probe into the death of the jawan in mysterious circumstances. The SDO has been asked to probe how the body got decomposed. According to SP Ranjit Kumar Mishra, the villagers of Barauni panchayat had, on June 26, informed the local police about an unidentified man lying near the railway crossing, about three kilometres west of Barauni junction railway station in the Katihar railway division. Local police immediately rushed to the spot and sent him to the local sadar hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. During a search of his personal belongings, police recovered an identity card, election photo identity card , an Aadhaar card and a cell phone, before the body was sent for postmortem. Police identified the man as Subhash Chandra of Saharanpur. They also recovered from his possession two general tickets, one from Dimapur to Naugachhia and another from Naugachhia to Ambala Cantt. Police are yet to find out, why he did not have direct ticket to Saharanpur, the place to which he was travelling. Police contacted Chandras family which arrived at Begusarai on evening of June 27 and collected the body at around 11.30 am on June 28, said Mishra, adding that jawan may have fallen fell a victim to a gang using sedatives (nasha-khurani) to rob train passengers. Civil hospital sources disclosed to HT that the deceaseds brothers- Babloo Singh, Vijay Rana and Raju Kumar, had complained of the condition in which chandras body was handed over to them. They alleged that the hospital administration did not even provide a coffin or keep the body covered in ice. Sources said the post-mortem centre at the Begusarai hospital was in a decrepit state. The one-room autopsy facility has no waiting area. The marble is chipped and there is poor lighting and no ventilation. A drain runs through the postmortem house, through which rats enter the room where the bodies are kept. A new autopsy room constructed at a cost of Rs 53 lakh, still does not have AC or electricity, said an employee.. Earlier, on December 27, 2016, the body of a Bhutanese woman, kept outside the post-mortem room at sadar hospital in Begusarai, was eaten by stray dogs. She had died when she alighted from a vehicle and was run over by another vehicle, while crossing the road. After the accident, the police sent her body to hospital for post-mortem. "But the concerned health officials left her body in the open outside the post-mortem room and some stray dogs ate some parts of the body," a police source said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 7th Pay Commission: Cabinet approves hike in allowances for central govt staff from July 1 The Union cabinet approved on Wednesday the new allowance structure for 34 lakh central government and 14 lakh defence staffers, giving their pay cheques a significant bump from next month. The decision completes the move to the 7th pay commission structure and the biggest jump in salaries will be due to the hike in the House Rent Allowance, which will see a 45% increase on average in a city like Delhi. It is expected to spur spending and prop up demand, which sagged since the November 8 demonetisation that led to a severe cash crunch. Read the story here. No lynchings in my name: Protesters across India hit the streets, say outraged over attacks on human life Thousands took to the streets of 10-odd cities across the country on Wednesday to protest a string of mob lynchings in recent years, which many say is proof of Indias fraying secular ethos. In several places, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata, protesters gathered under the Not In My Name banner to make a strong statement against violence perpetrated by right-wing Hindu groups and cow-protection vigilantes. The Delhi protest saw people pouring in from neighbouring states, such as Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. We are laying our claim as Indian citizens upon this country we are outraged at the attacks on human life, human dignity at the systemic violence unleashed on Dalits and minorities, said filmmaker Saba Dewan. Read the story here and see pictures of protests here. People participating the silent protest "Not in My Name" against the targeted lynching in Mumbai on June 29, 2017. (PTI) India has hidden agenda, no one should interfere in our territory, says China China on Wednesday virtually accused India of having a hidden agenda as it indicated that Indian troops had stopped PLA soldiers from building a road in Donglang, a region at the centre of a long-standing dispute with Bhutan. The foreign ministry accused Indian troops of trespassing into Chinese territory and said the alleged incursion was totally different from previous incidents. Keeping up its aggressive posturing on the stand-off, the ministry said the liability for resuming the suspended Kailash Mansarovar Yatra lay with India, which should correct its errors. If India wants to raise (the Donglang dispute), I would say that it doesnt belong to India and neither does it belong to Bhutan. We have complete legal basis for this, the foreign ministry spokesperson said. Read the story here. Old Indian bunker in Sikkim removed by China using bulldozer: Report China has removed an old bunker of the Indian Army located at the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan in Sikkim by using a bulldozer after the Indian side refused to accede to its request, according to official sources. The incident that broke out in the first week of June in Doka La general area in Sikkim had led to a face-off between the two forces, triggering tension in the Sikkim section of the India-China border, sources said on Wednesday. The forcible removal of the old bunker by using heavy machinery like a bulldozer came when the Indian side did not agree to a request by the Chinese authorities to dismantle it, the sources said. Read the story here. Cabinet approves Air India disinvestment, panel to decide timeline and procedure The Union Cabinet on Wednesday formally approved the privatisation of national airline Air India Ltd and five of its subsidiaries. Disclosing this, finance minister Arun Jaitley said at a press briefing that he would be heading a group to work out procedures for the Air India disinvestment. The move will not only embellish the credentials of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a reformist administration, but also ease the fiscal pressure on the union government especially in indirectly servicing the airlines outstanding debt burden of Rs 52,000 crore. Read the story here. Delhi HC sets aside Presidents rejection of mercy petition The Delhi high court set aside on Wednesday the Presidents order rejecting the mercy plea of a death-row convict and reduced his sentence to life term. The court order follows a petition filed by the advocate of convicted dacoit Sonu Sardar, who killed five members of a family, including two children, during a robbery in Chhattisgarhs Cher village in 2004. A division bench of justices said the presidential order rejecting the convicts appeal for clemency was vitiated. The mercy petition was processed in an extremely cavalier and casual fashion by the state government at all stages, right up to placing the note for the governor, the court said. Read the story here. Opinion: Why Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is rocking the alliance boat but not sinking it The controversy over supporting Ram Nath Kovind isnt an unintended collateral damage, but rather cleverly calibrated and choreographed by Nitish Kumar. There are tensions with Lalu Yadav to think of and how state and national politics will shape up by 2019. Read the article here. Fresh cyberattack likely more sophisticated than WannaCry: Europol The wave of cyberattacks hitting Europe and North America is similar to last months WannaCry ransomware havoc, but appears potentially more sophisticated, the European police agency said on Wednesday. Describing it as another serious ransomware attack, Europol said critical infrastructure and business systems were being targeted with a new wave of ransomware, which is an updated version of Petya. The attack has caused infections worldwide and has not yet been stopped, the agency based in The Hague warned. Read the story here. US says its warning appears to have averted Syrian chemical attack US defence secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday that the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad appeared so far to have heeded a warning this week from Washington not to carry out a chemical weapons attack. But Russia, the Syrian governments main backer, said the US assertions that Assads forces may have been planning a chemical attack complicated peace talks on ending Syrias six-year-old civil war. Read the story here. India opener Shikhar Dhawan happy to learn from failures, keep bouncing back Shikhar Dhawan has endured so many failures in his career that a new one now doesnt affect his morale. At least, thats what he says. The Delhi batsman, who won the Golden Bat at the ICC Champions Trophy for the second successive edition, remains on the edge despite the brilliant recent past. For, when the young KL Rahul returns from injury lay-off, the left-hander could face some anxious moments. A toss-up perhaps with Ajinkya Rahane, primarily because Rahul is the one for the future and Rohit Sharma looks set. Read the story here. A Hyderabad court on Thursday acquitted 10 people, including the prime accused, and convicted four others in connection with the murder attempt on Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi over six years ago. Seventh additional metropolitan sessions judge justice T Srinivas Rao pronounced the judgement at the Nampally Criminal Court complex after prolonged hearings and examining 83 witnesses. While prime accused Mohammed bin Omer Yafai alias Mohammed Pahelwan was acquitted along with nine others, four other accused Hasan Bin Omer Yafai, Abdullah Yafai, Awad Yafai and Salem Bin Wahlan were declared guilty. The quantum of punishment will be announced on Friday. Akbaruddin Owaisi, the younger brother of Hyderabad MP and MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, was assaulted at Barkas in the old city of Hyderabad on April 30, 2011, allegedly by the members of Yafai family over a property dispute. On a formal complaint by MIMs Barkas corporator, Mansoor Bin Mohammad Awalgi, the Chandrayangutta Police registered a case for attempt to murder, rioting, rioting with a deadly weapon, causing hurt by dangerous weapons, criminal conspiracy, and also under section 27(1) of the arms act. The case was later handed to the Hyderabad Central Crime Station and a charge sheet was subsequently filed against the accused. Yafai and his family members, who were immediately arrested following the complaint, have been in Cherlapalli prison for the past six years. The hearing of the case was completed last week. The police made elaborate security arrangements in the premises of criminal court fearing clashes between the Owaisi and Yafai groups. Heavy police force was deployed and latest high definition CCTV cameras were installed to check the entry of unconcerned people. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress led a string of opposition parties that decided to boycott the goods and services tax (GST) rollout in Parliament on Friday, saying the country was ill-prepared for its implementation. The Trinamool Congress, the ruling party in West Bengal, was the first to decide against attending the midnight function at Parliaments Central Hall to usher in the new uniform tax regime. The Congress, Left parties and DMK followed suit on Thursday. The GST will replace about 20 central and state taxes such as factory-gate duties, service and local taxes while unifying Asias third-largest economy and 1.3 billion people into a single market. But the system has attracted protests over new tax rates such as 3% for gold, and between 18% and 28% for essential commodities. Small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, traders, weavers and informal sector workers have been protesting across the country over the tax rates. Left parties will not participate. There are serious apprehensions in the minds of people over GSTs implementation. We cannot be celebrating when people are agitating, CPI leader D Raja said. The Rajya Sabha member argued that the GST will harshly affect the informal sector, which creates 80% of jobs in the country. CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury said his party has not issued a whip to its parliamentarians, which means any party member choosing to skip the meeting wont face consequences. When a party issues a whip, its MPs have to obey the party position or face disciplinary action. The Congress decision came after party chief Sonia Gandhi met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with other leaders. Singh and another former Prime Minister, HD Deve Gowda, were invited to the event that President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to attend. Sources said Singh could skip the event. Party leader Anand Sharma said the country is ill-prepared for the GST rollout. He said the GST was conceptualised by the Congress and the BJP stalled it for seven years. We repeatedly cautioned the government that it is not one-nation one-tax, neither is it a perfect bill, Sharma said. Besides, the Congress argued that the GST rollout didnt warrant a midnight session at Parliaments Central Hall as such an august event was held only thrice in history and all were related to Indias Independence. Probably for BJP, the years 1947, 1972 and 1997 are not important as they did not take part in the freedom struggle, party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said. The DMK, which was part of the Congress-led UPA government for 10 years till 2014, will not attend the special event in Parliament. It is only a function to announce a new tax law. Such fanfare function was not held earlier when banks and insurance companies were nationalized and several other landmark bills were passed, DMK spokesman TKS Elangovan said. He and Congress leaders alleged that the government was trying to gain publicity from the new tax mechanism. Nobody knows how the GST is going to impact trade, business or the common man, Elangovan said. The Congress has decided to boycott the launch of the Good and Services Tax (GST) on June 30 midnight during a special session of Parliament. The Congress has decided not to attend GST midnight session on June 30 in Parliament, Congress Satyavrat Chaturvedi told ANI. The party joins the Trinamool Congress, which has also decided to skip the event. Trinamool president and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called the GST an epic blunder, saying the Narendra Modi government was in a unnecessary disastrous hurry to implement a plan that should be six more months for a smooth changeover. The GST is Indias most ambitious tax reform plan that aims to stitch together a common market by dismantling fiscal barriers between states. Once it is launched, there will be a uniform tax regime across that country that will subsume a plethora of local taxes. The previous Congress-led UPA regime had failed to implement the GST because of opposition from the BJP. After coming to power in 2014, the BJP took up the UPAs unfinished agenda and has sought to claim credit for it. Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to Israel, the first by an Indian PM, is expected to deepen defence ties but water, agriculture and other areas, too, will figure prominently in bilateral talks. Modi will be in Israel from July 4 to 6, the external affairs ministry said on Wednesday. During the visit, the Prime Minister will have detailed discussions with Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu on all matters of mutual interest and will also call on President [Reuven] Rivlin, the ministry said. Security remains the centerpiece of relationship though the two countries normalised diplomatic relations only in 1992. Israel is expected to emerge as the single biggest supplier of weapons in dollar terms in 2015-16. But both sides say the focus will be on non-security areas. The visit of PM Modi will provide an impetus for deeper bilateral engagement in areas of mutual interest, the ministry said. The Israeli side holds the visit important. Prime Minister Netanyahu would be at the Indian leaders side for most of the visit, Israeli ambassador to India Daniel Carmon told HT. Netanyahu in a tweet described my friend Modis visit as historic. PM Netanyahu: Next week, the Indian Prime Minister, my friend, @NarendraModi will arrive in Israel, This is an historic visit to Israel. PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 25, 2017 This is a very significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries. Ties between Israel & India are on a constant upswing. PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 25, 2017 Water technology and agriculture will be of special interest. Israel, which supports a third of its irrigation needs through desalination plants and reuses 80% of its water supply, is rated the global leader in this area. Water is at the top of our development agenda, Carmon said. The Israeli cabinet on Sunday passed a resolution outlining a strategic partnership with India in a host of non-security areas such as water, agriculture, space, health, investment and even bringing Bollywood to Israel. The Israeli government sanctioned $ 70 million to facilitate the partnership. The popular Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the visit would make history and described Modi as the leader of an economy that is growing at a dizzying pace and could one day emerge as the worlds largest. The write-up in the English web edition of the daily -- Wake Up, Israel! Indian PM Narendra Modis Visit Will Make History -- expressed surprise at peoples indifference but said the government knew how important the visit was, adding economic matters would be at the heart of the talks. Soon after he arrives in Israel on July 4 afternoon, Modi will head to an agricultural innovation centre. He will end the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, a Holocaust memorial. The next day is when the real work will begin with a strings of meetings lined up. Modi will also attend an Israeli-Indian diaspora event and meet Moshe Holtzberg, who as two-year-old was rescued by his Indian nanny Sandra Samuel when Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists struck the Chabad House in Mumbai during the 26/11 terror attacks. Moshes father Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, mother Rivkah and six others were killed at the Jewish centre. The Indian Prime Minister will host a forum for about 30 business leaders and wrap up the visit by paying homage to Indian soldiers who died during World War 1 and lay buried in the port city of Haifa. Israel was treating Modis visit with unprecedented importance, Carmon said. Forty to 50 prominent Israelis will be at the airport to greet Modi, an honour reserved for the Pope and the US president. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modis for bringing in the Goods and Services Tax, Indias biggest tax reform since Independence, and called the reforms initiated by the NDA government as effective mechanisms. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley for making GST possible. It shows that we want to take everyone along. It shows that we may be late but we are steady, the President said at Kolkatas Indian Statistical Institute, which is celebrating the 125th anniversary of eminent statistician PC Mahalanobis. From tomorrow, when the PM will start a new system and the whole country will come under the GST, Mukherjee, who has less than a month left to his tenure, said. He was initially scheduled to return on Saturday but will now be back on Friday as he wants to be in the Capital when the GST is rolled out. The President also recalled how he tried to bring the GST when he was the finance minister but failed to do so. Even as the NDA has nominated Ram Nath Kovind as its nominee for the upcoming presidential election, the relationship between Modi and Mukherjee has remained as cordial. Modi and his ministers will meet Mukherjee over a banquet on July 24, a day before the Presidents term gets over. Sources in the Rashtrapati Bhavan told the Hindustan Times that Modi will also release a book on Mukherjees term in Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 4, as a mark of respect and admiration for the outgoing President. Mukherjee also appreciated the early presentation of the general budget - introduced from this year by the Modi government. He mentioned Make in India, Startup India, Clean India as effective mechanisms and another phase of reforms, saying dogmatism and rigidity cant push India ahead. He also mentioned how the people of India voted to end the fragile coalition government, in an apparent indication of the Modi government which swept to power in 2014. Mukherjees trip to Kolkata also witnessed rare moments of nostalgia. At the ISI, Mukherjee announced it was his last trip to the city as the countrys first citizen. I am happy that in my last visit I am attending this event, Mukherjee, who served as ISIs chairperson from 2004 to 2012, said. At another event, the President said, We must change and improve but not in isolation, not in groups or castes or communities. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON LEBANON The suspicious device found Thursday morning at the Lebanon Walmart has been determined to be an unwrapped firework and the store has resumed business. Members of the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad responded to the store at 3290 S. Santiam Highway after an employee discovered an object resembling a pipe bomb in the hardware section of the store. The store notified the Lebanon Police Department, which evacuated the store about 10:40 a.m. and contacted the state troopers. The OSP Bomb Squad removed the suspicious device and found it to be a confetti pop firework with the wrapper torn off. According to an update from the Lebanon Police Department, officers checked the immediate area and found nothing else suspicious. PATNA The Patna high court, on Thursday, ordered the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) to pay Rs 50 lakh as compensation to three medical undergraduate course aspirants, who were denied MBBS pre-admission counselling, on October 7 last year, against all-India quota Seats. Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh passed the order on writ applications filed by Manisha Gaurav and others. Justice Singh, in his judgement running into 51 pages, ordered the BCECEB to pay as compensation a sum of Rs 20 lakh each to two petitioners - Manisha Gaurav and Adhishree - and a sum of Rs 10 lakh to petitioner Dipty Preyasi. The money, the court said, was awarded as damages caused to them because of the illegal and unconstitutional denial of their fundamental right to participate in the said counselling. Anshul, the counsel for the petitioners, said that all the petitioners had appeared for the national eligibility-cum-entrance test (NEET) (UG)-2016, conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, the result of which was published on August 16, 2016. He said, the petitioners had qualified for and participated in the counselling and were accordingly allowed admission in BDS Course on the basis of merit. Thereafter, the controller of examination, BCECEB, issued an advertisement announcing that in keeping with the Supreme Courts order of October 6, counselling for filling up of balance of 15% all India quota seats remaining would be held on October 7 that year. Thereafter, the petitioners approached the respondent officials but they refused to accept their candidature for counselling without any valid reason though they were given counselling form, which they duly filled up. As all their original certificates were with the respondent authorities since the last counselling, in which they were given admission to BDS course, they informed the officials of their inability to produce the same. However, the officials would not hear their plea. The officials stand was that once the petitioners accepted a seat in BDS course they could not be allowed to participate in counselling again. Passing the order, justice Singh said ,Pursuant to the Courts order, the BCECEB filed an affidavit, bringing on record a list of 16 candidates allotted MBBS course on the basis of counselling for remaining 15%seats of all India quota from which it appears that the petitioners were ranked higher than the candidates allotted MBBS seats. Justice Singh said, The petitioners, Manisha Gaurav and Adhishree are apparently much above in the merit position, which is evident from the comparative chart. There would have been no question of denial of their admission to MBBS course, had their candidature been entertained and had they been allowed to participate in the counselling on October 7. He said, The denial by the respondents, particularly, the BCECEB, of rights of petitioners, in my opinion, is, thus, in gross violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India. Since such breach cannot be remedied given the facts and circumstances of the case, the damage caused to them is enormous and will have to be compensated by issuing appropriate orders exercising power of judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and they have to be compensated. A mob of more than 100 people in Jharkhands Ramgarh district lynched a 45-year-old Muslim trader on the suspicion of carrying beef in his car on Thursday afternoon. The incident happened on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against mob attacks on cattle traders, beef-eaters and dairy farmers, saying killing people in the name of protecting cows is unacceptable. Police said they rescued trader Alimuddin aka Asgar Ali from the attackers and he died in hospital. Though injured, he was walking then. I think he died of shock, Ramgarh sub-divisional police officer Shashi Prakash said. Read: Cant kill in name of cow, says PM Modi but as CM gau rakshaks thrived in his Gujarat Pictures circulating on social media showed people hitting the man, meat pieces strewn on the road, and his car in flames. In one photo, a bloodied and dazed Alimuddin was caught minutes before his death. This is the second attack this June by cow vigilantes in Jharkhand as a 200-strong mob thrashed a 55-year-old Muslim dairy owner and set his house ablaze after a cow carcass was found near his home in Giridih district on Tuesday. In May, people lynched four Muslim cattle traders at a village in Saraikelka Kharswan district after calling them child traffickers. Such attacks waged by so-called cow vigilantes in India have targeted mostly Muslims. Cows are considered sacred by many Hindus, and slaughtering cattle or eating beef is illegal or restricted across much of the country. Ali of Monua village in Ramgarh district, nearly 50km from Ranchi, was allegedly carrying four sacks of meat weighing around 200kg. The mob intercepted him at Bazartand, pulled him out of the van, and thrashed him. Police arrived in 30 minutes and took him to Sadar hospital, Ramgarh, where he was referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi. Ali died minutes after he was admitted to the bigger hospital. Jharkhand police spokesperson RK Mallick said Thursdays murder could be the result of a professional rivalry. Ali had a criminal record, and was an accused in the kidnapping and murder of a child. He traded in beef and had been getting calls for ransom from his business rivals and local criminals. Still, that does not give anyone the licence to kill him. We will arrest the killers soon, he said. Security was beefed up in Ramgarh to check any flare-up as the district is communally sensitive. The chief ministers office refused comments. But opposition parties criticised the BJP government for rise in mob attacks by self-styled cow protectors. State Congress chief Sukhdeo Bhagat alleged the mobs have the governments clandestine support. This can be judged by the uncaring approach of the chief minister, who neither visited nor met any family of the victims in the state till date, he said.. A Dalit farm worker in Karnataka was allegedly tied to a tree and beaten on suspicion of having helped his 18-year-old son elope with a minor Muslim girl, police said on Thursday. The alleged assault on the 52-year-old farm worker took place at a village in north Karnatakas Vijayapura district on Tuesday, police added. The farm worker alleged in his complaint to the police that the girls father and relatives assaulted him and did not spare his younger son when he tried to stop them. He suffered multiple injuries and was admitted to hospital, police said. Additional Superintendent of the Vijayapura, Shivakumar Gunari, said the accused were booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the Indian Penal Code. The girls father is yet to be arrested but almost all the other accused have been held, Gunari added. The boy and the girl have been missing for more than 20 days. The girls family has not lodged any case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, which they could, said Gunari. This is the second instance of tension in the district this month involving Dalits and Muslims. On June 3, a 21-year-old pregnant Muslim woman was allegedly burnt to death by her family for eloping and marrying a Dalit. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The US governments decision to designate United Jihad Council (UJC) chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist has spurred Kashmiri separatist leaders to call for protests after the Friday prayers. UJC is an umbrella body of militant organisations fighting against Indian rule in the Valley. Separatists Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik expressed deep regret and dismay over the Trump administrations decision in a joint statement issued on Thursday. Instead of (advising) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately put an end to the brutal oppression of occupied Kashmir and initiating serious steps towards resolving the Kashmir dispute, the US chose to maintain complete silence over it, the statement read. The US state department had named Salahuddin also the chief commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) and imposed sanctions on him. The announcement came just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump. The joint statement said Washington was aware that for the last 70 years, the people of Kashmir have been engaged in a long and peaceful struggle to achieve their basic human and political rights guaranteed by the UN, but were suppressed through use of extreme force. Instead of taking cognizance of these facts, the US government designated veteran freedom fighter and leader Syed Salah-ud-din as a terrorist. (The UJC chiefs only crime is that he) supports the peoples right to self-determination, and was forced to take up arms to fight Indias military occupation as many youngsters are sadly doing even today the statement said. Terming the US decision as an unjustified move to appease the Indian government, the statement said: Their (the US governments) silence on the oppression and human rights situation in Kashmir is not acceptable to the people of Kashmir, who will strongly protest against it after the Friday prayers. The protests were also intended to condemn the illegal arrests and detention of resistance leaders, activists and youngsters through raids conducted across the Valley, the statement added. Kerala police have not exonerated popular Malayalam actor Dileep, who was questioned for 13 hours on Wednesday, in connection with the abduction and rape of a woman actor in Kochi four months ago, officials said on Thursday. Kochi rural superintendent of police AV George said they have to get more clarity on certain issues and the actor, his friend and manager will be summoned again. Police sources said currently the probe is mainly focussed on the conspiracy angle behind the case. However, the beleaguered actor put up a brave face saying he cleared all doubts of the investigating team. Investigation is progressing well and I hope the truth will emerge soon, he said. Dileep and his actor friend Nadirshah were summoned by the police on Wednesday and questioned at the police club in Aluva. Their prolonged interrogation triggered enough suspense and drama outside the police club. During the investigation, Dileep reportedly told the police he did not know the main accused Sunil Kumar alias Pulsar Suni. However, he admitted he was not in a cordial relation with the victim. He also claimed that when one of his friends told him about the attack he tried to call the actor on phone but she was unavailable. He added though there were some differences between them he never had any intention to hurt her. The incident took place on February 17 when the actor, who was returning after a shooting, was waylaid and abducted by a gang led by Suni. They sexually assault her in the moving car and took photos and video of the act. They let her go after three hours and threatened to release the video if she approached the police. During the attack, Suni told the woman he was given a contract and he was forced to do this. Suni and three of his accomplices were arrested later. However, some friends of the woman and Congress MLA PT Thomas, who was in the forefront to help the victim, alleged a conspiracy behind the attack. The police are yet to recover the mobile phone used in the crime. The case took a new turn after Dileep filed a police complaint, saying Vishnu, an inmate of the jail where Suni is lodged, threatened him to cough up Rs 1.50 crore immediately or else he would reveal their role in the conspiracy. Vishnu also alleged he was offered Rs 2 crore by his rivals to implicate him in the case. Soon after this a letter purportedly written by Suni from the jail and an audio tape of the person threatening Dileep also surfaced. Last week, the police arrested Vishnu and his accomplice in connection with the blackmail attempt. In view of latest incidents, the police recorded the womans statement again last week. In her new statement, she reportedly told the police that some forces in the Malayalam cinema were out to scuttle her chances and they carried out a discreet campaign against her. Though she did not name Dileep the needle of suspicion was on him. The woman was cast with Dileep in many hit films but later they fell out due to some unknown reasons. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned a rise in deadly mob attacks on cattle traders, beef eaters and dairy farmers, saying killing people in the name of protecting cows is unacceptable. Modis remarks come on a day a man in Jharkhand was allegedly beaten to death and his vehicle set on fire as he was believed to be carrying beef. Delivering a speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad and 150th birth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandraji, a guru to Mahatma Gandhi, the prime minister said unleashing violence against others went against the ideals of the Father of the Nation. Killing people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve, he said. Lets all work together. Lets create the India of Mahatma Gandhis dreams. Lets create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of, said Modi. No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands. The Prime Ministers remarks come against the backdrop of growing incidents of cow vigilantism. Last week, a Muslim youth was killed on board a Mathura-bound train by people who taunted his family and repeatedly called them anti-nationals and beef eaters. Violence never has and never will solve any problem. As a society, there is no place for violence, Modi said. The prime ministers comments in Ahmedabad came a day after protests in several cities against the recent violence targeting Muslims. Thousands of people carrying placards reading Not in my name sang songs and lit candles in several cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and London. Hundreds, including film actors, rallied in the pouring rain in Mumbai. Holding placards that read: Break the Silence, No Place for Islamophobia and Shed Hate not Blood among others, the protesters had said they had gathered to send out a message that there is a need to unite for a cause At the ashram, Modi invoked Vinoba Bhave to condemn violence and expressed his pain and unhappiness over the current atmosphere of violence . Constitution teaches us its (cow protections) importance. But do we get the right to kill a human (to save cow)? Is this how we worship cow? Is this cow protection? This cannot be the path of Bapu. Vinoba Bhaves life doesnt convey to us this message. This is the second time in two years that the prime minister has spoken out against self-styled gau rakshaks. At an event in New Delhi last year, Modi had said self-styled cow vigilantes made him angry and called some of them anti-social. Reports of violence unleashed by cow protectors have poured in from across India from Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur and Gujarats Una to Odishas Bhubaneswar. In April, a Muslim dairy farmer was lynched by gau rakshaks in Rajasthans Alwar. Ninety-seven percent of the attacks have been reported after Modi came to power in 2014 and 86% of the victims are Muslims, an analysis by Indiaspend showed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An undated picture of Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh urinating in public has put the BJP in a spot as the picture went viral on social media on Thursday. The minister, however, defended himself, saying there was no urinal for long distances on National Highway 28 near Pipara when he wanted to relieve himself. Stating that his intention was not wrong, he said the photograph was of a dhaba (roadside eatery) on the NH. The photograph showed the minister urinating on a wall, believed to be in his home constituency Purvi Champaran (East Champaran), as two security personnel stood guard. Netizens trolled the minister for his act, saying it showed Prime Minister Narendra Modis Swachch Bharat programme in poor light. The photograph was also shared on RJDs Twitter handle, with a sarcastic comment, Amid tight security, the Union minister of agriculture gives the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan a boost, as he inaugurates an irrigation project in a drought-affected state. State BJP spokesperson, Rajib Ranjan, however, found nothing wrong in the ministers act. One cannot suppress natures call for long. What do you do if you are travelling long distances and there are no public urinals on the way? he asked HT, adding There is absolutely nothing wrong in what the minister did. He further said the photograph was six months to one year old as the ministers SUV had a red beacon, which the government had banned from May 1. Ranjan came down heavily against the ruling coalition in Bihar for deriving vicarious pleasure in sharing the ministers photograph. They are part of the corrupt combination in state, he said. The party, however, believed that the photograph was taken by an insider who was part of the ministers cavalcade and subsequently leaked. Special selfie zones in the backdrop of surgical strike hoardings, light and sound shows, countless cut-outs and cheering crowds greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as he was given a victors welcome in Gujarats Rajkot city where he won his first election in February 2002. The 12-km road show in chief minister Vijay Rupanis hometown created a Diwali like atmosphere, with the entire city decorated with colourful lights to celebrate the arrival of the Narmada waters at Aji Dam, a major source of drinking water for the people there, in the presence of Modi. A heavy downpour failed to prevent thousands from thronging to see the Prime Minister. Moved by the warm welcome, Modi climbed out of his official car to greet and wave at the surging crowds. Modi landed in Gujarat on Thursday morning on a two-day visit. Before the roadshow, the Prime Minister attended a function at Aji dam to celebrate the arrival of the Narmada water and attended a function to distribute kits and aids to differently abled persons for whom Modi has coined the term divyang jan. He came down heavily on the previous Congress-led UPA government saying they never showed any concern for the differently-abled persons. Modi said from 1992 till 2014, when he became the Prime Minister, only 55 camps were organised in different parts of the country to distribute kits to the disabled. Ever since the BJP-led government came in power in May 2014, more than 5,500 such camps have been held for the over 7.50 lakh differently abled persons in the country, he said. It shows the present governments sensitive approach to the problems faced by different sections of the people. He became emotional during the speech, saying Rajkot had a very important place in his political career. If the people of Rajkot had not sent him to Gandhinagar, he would perhaps have not made it to New Delhi, Modi said, referring to the first election he fought from Rajkot II assembly constituency in February 2002. Modi became the chief minister of Gujarat in October 2001, got elected as a legislator to the assembly from Rajkot II constituency in a by-election. The seat was vacated by current Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala, who traditionally represented the assembly constituency. The site of Aji dam that has been filled with waters from Narmada as part of the Narmada project was cheered by the locals. The Aji damn got filled to the brim only 11 times in the past 40 years and so the arrival of waters for the parched Rajkot city assumes significance. Modi suggested to farmers of the region to shift to drip and sprinkler irrigation to avoid draining out aprecious water. Referring to housing for all, Modi said: We have a dream that in 2022, when we celebrate 75 years of independence, every Indian shall have a house of his own. The work is massive, it is difficult and I know that. However, whatever has not happened in 70 years, can happen in five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have hit out at self-styled gau rakshaks on Thursday but cow protectors flourished in his home state Gujarat when he was the chief minister. Between 2011 and 2014, the Gujarat government headed by Modi had disbursed Rs 75 lakh in cash rewards to 1,394 vigilantes for raiding illegal cattle transporters and filing FIRs against them, the website of the government-run Gauseva and Gauchar Vikas Board (GGVB) states. Almost an equal amount was given to 2,321 shelter providers for the rescued bovines. To provide further motivation to the cow protection volunteers, Rs 3.75 lakh was given to the top performers, which included recipients of the biennial Best Cow Protector award. In the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi also denounced the pink revolution (beef exports). The GGVB was set up under the animal husbandry department in 1999, but remained defunct for almost a decade before Modi revived it in 2010. To make it proactive, his government introduced a slew of schemes, including a cash reward of Rs 500 for every FIR registered against cattle smugglers and transporters. There was even a biennial Best Cow Protector award worth Rs 25,000. According to its website, the main objective of the GGVB is to coordinate with groups involved in preventing slaughter of cow and progeny and effective implementation of cow protection laws. Then Modi government also increased the annual grant to the GGVB from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 150 crore. In 2011, the state assembly also passed the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act 2011 that made transportation, consumption and sale of cow and progeny illegal. Before the new law was enacted, only slaughter of cows, calves, bulls and bullocks were banned. Earlier, the penalty for violating the cow protection laws included imprisonment up to one year and fine of Rs 1,000. The amended Act provided jail terms up to seven years or fine of Rs 50,000, or both. Of the Rs 150 crore annual grant, Rs 100 crore is spent on developing pastoral lands. The remaining amount is utilised on various cattle welfare and protections schemes, says GGVB chairman Dr Vallabh Kathiria. The boards revival and enactment of the stringent law coincided with the rise in the number of groups involved in cow protection. Currently, 50 such groups are active under the larger Gau Rakshak Dal (GRD) umbrella having roughly 10,000 members. (An earlier version of this story appeared on August 9, 2016) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Nagaland government has appointed chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsus son, Khriehu Liezietsu, as his adviser with cabinet minister rank, status and pay. In an official order issued on Wednesday, Khriehu was given the rank and status of a cabinet minister with the portfolio of music task force with immediate effect. The CMs son will be entitled to pay and allowances and all other facilities admissible to a cabinet minister, the order stated. A cabinet minister in Nagaland earns a monthly salary of Rs 55,000. With allowances, the total rises to Rs 1,07,000 per month. The appointment comes a month after Khriehu, who was a ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) legislator from Northern Angami, resigned from his seat to make way for his fathers election as an MLA. On Thursday, the election commission announced by-election to the seat on July 29. The model code of conduct came into effect from Thursday. Prior to his resignation, Khriehu was a parliamentary secretary in the state government for youth resources, sports, lotteries and music task force. The CM, who is NPF president, assumed office in February after his predecessor TR Zeliang resigned following violence over opposition to womens reservation in municipal bodies. The 81-year-old NPF president is not a representative of the 60-member assembly and is expected to contest from the seat Khriehu vacated to get elected within the six-month time limit. By-election to the Northern Angami seat will take place within August. The CM, who is also an author, had won eight times from the Northern Angami assembly seat. But he decided against contesting in 2013 and paved the way for his son. Soon after Shurhozelie assumed office, speculation started that he might not be interested in contesting another election and could tender his resignation before the expiry of the six-month period. Nagaland, which has a ruling NPF-led coalition in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a partner, will go to polls next year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A ruling by Linn County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Murphy that counties cannot sue the state for monetary damages a reversal of an earlier ruling from the judge may have tossed a monkey wrench into a $1.4 billion class-action lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Forestry. On June 20, Murphy sided with state attorneys who had argued that the counties cannot sue the state for money, since the counties are part of the larger entity of the state as a whole. The state attorneys argued the state has sovereign immunity, a centuries-old legal doctrine that prevents the government from being sued without its consent. In his new ruling, Murphy said the lawsuit is like peeling a very large onion and contains complex layers of legal issues. Murphy added that the plaintiffs should have the opportunity to re-plead their case in such a manner that is supported by the law if they can. Portland attorney John DiLorenzo, who represents Linn County and nearly 140 other tax districts in the lawsuit, including Benton County, said he plans to request a conference with Murphy to get a clearer understanding of the judge's ruling. DiLorenzo said he was considering his options for moving forward, but added that the plaintiffs were in the case for the long haul. He said he knew the plaintiffs "would be plowing new ground" with the lawsuit. The lawsuit charges that the defendants, and specifically the Department of Forestry, have breached a decades-old contract with counties and other tax districts regarding the management of nearly 700,000 acres of state forest trust land. The suit maintains that the land should have been managed for what the law calls "greatest permanent value," arguing that this language requires the state to manage the land for maximum monetary returns from timber harvests. The plaintiffs claim that since 1998 the state increasingly has taken other values, such as recreation and clean water, into consideration in managing the land. The result, the lawsuit argues, has been a drop in timber payments to the counties and other tax districts. Murphys reversal was based in part on the case of Stovall v. State, in which a former employee of the state sought declaratory relief that every PERS employer is liable to its employees and their beneficiaries for damages resulting from the states taxation of retirement benefits. He also cited the case of Tillamook County v. State, in which 12 counties charged that the state breached a contract by exchanging revenue-producing timber lands for state park land that did not generate revenue. The trial court held that a contractual relationship existed between the state and the counties, Murphy said. The Supreme Court held that they did not need to address this issue and declined to affirm or overturn" the ruling. Murphy's ruling left DiLorenzo pondering his next move. I wonder if maybe we would be better off seeking an immediate appeal of our questions, DiLorenzo said. That way, we can have a roadmap for moving forward. If we appeal rulings on a piecemeal basis, that would take a lot of time. He added, We could have a full trial, judgment and then wait out the appeals, or we can see what the Court of Appeals has to say now and then come back for a trial. DiLorenzo said interlocutory appeals are allowed in class action lawsuits, even before trials have gotten underway. That is because class action lawsuits can be extremely complex and involve so many people, DiLorenzo said. The courts are sometimes willing to depart from the normal rules. Attorneys for the state did not respond to a request for comment on Murphy's ruling. NDAs presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind said on Thursday that maintaining the Constitutions supremacy is a major responsibility for the person who occupies the countrys highest office. He also said for him national interest as well as peoples welfare were matters of prime importance. The chances of the NDA presidential nominee, who arrived here on Thursday, got bolstered after the opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) declared its support for him. I give prime importance to national interest and peoples welfare, Kovind said. He was addressing INLD MLAs at a five star hotel in Panchkula this evening. The countrys Constitution is supreme in our democratic set up and to maintain that supremacy is a big responsibility for the person occupying the highest office, Kovind said. Prior to his meeting with INLD MLAs and MPs from Haryana led by party general secretary Abhay Singh Chautala, Kovind met the BJP and SAD MLAs and MPs from Punjab at Chandigarh. Kovinds arrival here was slightly delayed as his flight landed behind schedule due to bad weather conditions. The 71-year-old, who was accompanied by External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and BJP leader Anil Jain, was given a rousing welcome by NDA leaders from the two states at the airport. After confabulations with Punjab legislators and MPs, where former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union minister and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla and others were present, Kovind went to Panchkula where he met BJP MPs and MLAs from Haryana. Addressing the INLD members, Kovind lauded former Deputy Prime Minister, late Chaudhary Devi Lal. We used to call him Tau ji. I had the opportunity to see and listen to him in the Parliament. When his statue was installed there, I was present, Kovind said about the tallest INLD leader. Recalling his tenure as Governor of Bihar, Kovind said that he had tried to work to best of his ability and in an impartial manner. Perhaps, people sometimes consider it a yardstick, as I had a good tenure there, he said. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had said that it was a moment of great joy that I was going to Delhi yet he was also feeling sad, Kovind said. And he (Nitish) told me that feeling of sadness was because of the manner in which I kept the sanctity of the post, possibly like never before, he added. NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind (C) with the former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar. (PTI) Kovind said that from the moment he became the Governor, he had ceased to belong to any political party. I got above party politics and have been working like this keeping countrys interests and security in mind, he said. Addressing the members, he said, I want to assure all of you that for me, be it Haryana or Punjab or Jammu and Kashmir or Tamil Nadu, for every state and every citizen...I will be impartial in my conduct. Kovind thanked all the NDA, and non-NDA parties like INLD, which have extended their support to him. Yesterday (on Wednesday) some people were telling me that 28-29 parties have extended support to me. Today, INLD has been added to that. I extend a hearty thanks to Abhay Chautala and his team, Om Prakash Chautala and the party office bearers, he said. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that Kovind would get get maximum votes from the region and would become the countrys next president. Speaking at the meeting with INLD leaders, Khattar said I had appealed to INLD to extend their support to Kovind, who is a simple person and has been active in social and political field for a long time. Our central leaders had also talked to Chautala sahib and I thank the party for extending support to Kovind, he said. In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, I can assure that you will get 75 votes for certain. As far as Lok Sabha members from the state are concerned, support of nine (including two two INLD MPs) is certain and whether we get the tenth also is a different issue. In Rajya Sabha, we have support of three out of five, there is no doubt that you will certainly become the countrys 16th President, Khattar said. Khattar said that former Punjab CM Badal had expressed desire that a function be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where SAD and BJP MLAs and MPs from both the states would congratulate Kovind after he gets elected. Jain in his address asked the MLAs and MPs to ensure that they put a mark only with the designated pen kept by the Election Commission officials in the presidential polls. The SAD-BJP coalition has 18 MLAs (15 SAD, 3 BJP) in the 117 member Punjab Assembly while the ruling Congress has 77. The AAP has 20 legislators and its ally Lok Insaaf Party has two. Among the Lok Sabha members from Punjab, the ruling Congress has four, the SAD has three, the BJP had two MPs but recently Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna passed away. The AAP has four, out of which two have been suspended by the party. In the Rajya Sabha, the SAD has three, BJP one and Congress three members. In the 90-member Haryana assembly, the ruling BJP enjoys a majority with 47 MLAs and the support of five Independents. The Congress has 17 MLAs. The Shiromani Akali Dal has one legislator in the Haryana Assembly, while the INLD, which is the principal opposition party, has 19. Among the Lok Sabha MPs in Haryana, the ruling BJP has seven members, INLD has two and the Congress one. The BJP has only one member in the Rajya Sabha. However, media baron Subhash Chandra was last year elected to the upper house with the BJPs support. The Congress has two Rajya Sabha members and the INLD has one in Haryana. Congress and some other opposition parties have fielded former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar as their presidential candidate. Pakistan on Thursday summoned acting Indian deputy high commissioner S Raghuram and lodged a formal protest over the death of a civilian in firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir a day earlier. Abdul Wahab, 22, was killed on Wednesday in firing by Indian forces while he was on his way to Dothilla village, which lies along the restive LoC, a foreign office spokesman was quoted by the Dawn as saying. Three others were injured in the incident in Nakyal sector, it said. The Indian diplomat was summoned by the director general of the South Asia Division at the ministry of foreign affairs, Mohammad Faisal, who condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations, a statement from the ministry said. The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws, it added. The director general asked India to investigate Wednesdays incidents of cross-border firing along with ceasefire violations committed by Indian troops in the past. Indian forces were also urged to respect the ceasefire agreement of 2003. The LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Counter-terrorism and economic reforms will dominate the discussions amongst the leaders of the worlds 20 largest economies at the G20 Summit in Germany next week, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 12th G20 Summit on July 7-8 in Hamburg, a major port city in northern Germany, will also discuss issues like free and open trade, climate change, migration, sustainable development and global stability. The prime minister will lead the Indian delegation at G20 meeting, which will also include NITI Aayog vice-chairman and Indias G20 Sherpa Arvind Panagariya. Besides, the department of economic affairs secretary will also be there to lead discussions on the finance track of the summit, Alok Amitabh Dimri, joint secretary (multilateral economic relations) in the ministry of external affairs said. The summit will conclude with a joint statement by the world leaders. The G20 is the central forum for international cooperation on financial and economic issues. The G20 countries account for more than four-fifths of gross world product and three-quarters of global trade, and are home to almost two-thirds of the worlds population. The Group of Twenty is made up of 19 countries and the European Union. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the USA. Germany assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2016. In a media briefing about Indian engagements at G20 Summit, Dimri said it will begin with a two-hour leaders retreat on July 7 morning where the theme of the discussions will be counter-terrorism. He said this theme goes well with the prime ministers engagements with other world leaders and there was expectation that the issue of counter-terrorism will remain a separate thrust area as was the case with the last G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey last year. The summit will also include four working sessions, including on growth and trade, climate and energy as well as on sustainable development and labour-related issues. Dimri said Panagariya as Indias G20 Sherpa has already been part of three preparatory meetings on the summit agenda and will attend one more such meeting before the world leaders meet in Hamburg. Modi is leaving for Israel on July 4 for a three-day visit and will go to Germany after that for the G20 meet. The finance track of the G20 meeting will include discussions on issues like fiscal and monetary reforms, climate finance and green finance. Dimri said open and free trade would be another area of focus at the summit deliberations, while a special focus on Africa is also expected as it was one of the key thrust areas for the host Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel. Besides, women and youth employment, gender inequality, re-skilling and health will also figure among discussions and outcome of the meeting. Advisers to the heads of state and government, known as Sherpas, have been preparing for this meeting for long. Asked whether Modi will also have bilaterals with any of the world leaders on the sidelines, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said any bilateral meeting is announced very close to the event. There is a process involved in that... We will keep you informed as and when those things materialise, he said. On whether the leaders retreat on counter-terrorism would also include issues like cross-border terror threats, Dimri said one has to understand that the summit was not taking place in any regional context and it was a global summit. He further observed that the summit was taking place in Germany and it was more logical that the events in Europe would figure with regard to counter-terrorism related discussions. He also clarified that the leaders retreat was not a formal session and the Chair (Germany) has decided to pull aside the world leaders for two hours for this retreat before opening of the Summit on the subject of counter-terrorism. This shows the significance the world leaders attach to this issue, he said, while clarifying it was not one of the formal sessions where discussions happen as per the agenda and here the world leaders will interact with each other in very intimate surroundings. At the same time, some outcome should be expected as the leaders would be discussing this important issue, he said. On whether India can expect support on CCIT (Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism) - its key anti-terror initiative at UN - Dimri replied in affirmative, and said the CCIT has been there in most of the bilateral or multilateral documents. Asked whether India was prepared to counter, if China talks about its OBOR (One Belt, One Road) initiative, Dimri said one needs to understand such summits do not involve the leaders going and speaking at their own volition as there are fixed agenda points for discussions that get finalised after rounds of meetings by Sherpas. These are not one-off meetings and have been preceded by a number of meetings through the year, including of working groups, meetings of Sherpas and they have bunched up agenda from multiple streams...and OBOR has not been discussed so far, he said. As the countdown for the launch of the much-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) begins, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) expressed its gratitude to state chief ministers, chief secretaries, leaders of all recognised national parties and other senior dignitaries in facilitating its July 1 rollout. Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the PMO, shot out over 150 letters thanking them for making GST a reality. This gigantic task has been achieved with the co-operation of all state governments, political parties and other stakeholders, the letter read. The GST, touted as one of the most important reforms since Independence, will come into effect from the midnight of June 30. The letter noted that the implementation of the new tax structure will not only create a unified national market but also boost manufacturing activities and exports, generate more jobs, improve Indias overall investment climate, and prevent cascading of taxes. President Pranab Mukherjee will officially launch the new tax at a special function, to be attended by vice-president Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliaments central hall. Former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, besides senior government officials and dignitaries, are also expected to be present on the occasion. The rollout of the GST is a collaborative effort of all states and political parties, and we need to celebrate the occasion in a collective manner, a senior government official said. On June 22, the Union cabinet had acknowledged the contributions of all chief ministers and state finance ministers, besides political leaders. Once the new tax regime is introduced, all central and state-level taxes and levies will be subsumed into one. While the GST broadly has four tax slabs 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% there are a few items that have been exempted from the structure. Two sons and a grandson were arrested Wednesday on charges of forcing a woman to drink human excreta in Bihars Sitamarhi district, 140 kms north of Patna. The sons did the bizarre act on the advice of an exorcist, who alleged that their mother Sunaina Devi, 70, was practising witchcraft, the police said. A Sitamarhi court has remanded all the three accused to 14 days judicial custody. Sons, Biltu Sahni, 40, and Manoj Sahni, 35, had met an exorcist at Pahleja Ghat in Saran district, seeking magic remedy for their poor health. The exorcist reportedly diagnosed their mother to be practising witchcraft, and the root cause of their ailment. As a cure he advised them to get their mother to him and make her drink human excreta. Overtaken by superstition, on June 19, the accused waylaid their mother to the exorcist, some 130 kms from their residence at Singha Chauri village under Nanpur block of Sitamarhi district, on the pretext of going to Patna for medical treatment. Having forced me to disembark from the train at Pahleja Ghat, they took me to a secluded place and confined me in a hut. My eldest son Biltu first thrashed me before forcing me to drink urine and human excreta under the guidance of an exorcist, who branded me as a witchcraft, said Devi. After two days in captivity, I managed to escape on June 22 and reached home. I narrated the whole incident to my fellow villagers, who convened a panchayat, which my sons evaded, she added. On getting the information, station house officer of Nanpur police station, Lalan Kumar, immediately visited the village. When I reached the village, a mob of nearly 250 women had gathered there and were demanding action against the sons of the victim. We arrested both the sons as well as the womans grandson, an accomplice. Wives of Biltu and Manoj have also been made accused in the case, Kumar said. With just two days to go for the rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST), traders across the country are complaining about hassles during the registration process for the new tax. Under GST, commercial tax payers are required to shift their sales and service tax registrations to GST Network (GSTN), a web-based system for payment, information and documentation. Jharkhand commercial tax department officials said out of 90,000 registered traders, 66,000 have migrated to GST so far. But hundreds of those who tried to migrate to GSTN, when registration was reopened on June 25, faced a host of issues. The server is not accepting earlier emails and passwords, said Ranji Garodia, general secretary of federation of Jharkhand chamber of commerce and industries (FJCCI). He said the service tax department was informed on Monday, and also clarified that fresh registrations were smooth. Mahesh Singhania, chairman of Federation of West Bengal Traders Associations, too had complaints about the new system. Traders are in a confusion whether digital signature is necessary or not. This has happened as the government is yet to come out with a detailed notification on this issue with all necessary explanatory statements, said Singhania. He also said that a large number of small traders in the state do not have personal computers and they are feeling helpless. They are approaching the chartered accountants, who are taking the opportunity of charging exorbitant charges, Singhania explained. Chartered accountants, however, are also having trouble registering. Problems ranged from non-opening of various websites to no confirmation e-mails, delay in OTP numbers, etc. It is taking hours to register and even after registration, we are not getting emails on errors or confirmation mails, rued Mukesh Panchal, director of M B Panchal and Company, Mumbai. GSTN CEO Navin Kumar said the registration process was started in November last year. We opened it again from June 1 to 15, and now from June 25, he said. However, Suresh Agarwal, president of Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry, said that there was no preparation on the part of the government. It is launching GST in haste, he said, adding that GST helpline was also not working. Several traders organisations have called strikes opposing the new tax regime, especially textile traders who are striking from June 27-29. Cloth traders in Mumbai have also announced a three-day strike where major wholesale markets such as Mangaldas Market and Swadeshi will be shut. We were promised that there will be no GST on cloths but the government back-tracked,said Raichand Binaykya, convener, Joint Action Committee, All Textile Traders Association. Many others, however, had little problems migrating to GSTN as its CEO Navin Kumar said in the first phase out of 80 lakh tax payers, 66 lakh have registered. Indore based chartered accountant Deepak Agrawal said there was no problem in case of fresh registrations. In case of migration, problems arose due to mismatch of data in Aadhaar and PAN card and differences in signatures. Theres been absolutely no problem in registering clients, said Mukesh Diwan, a chartered accountant based in Guwahati. Former vice-president of Bihar Industries Association Sanjay Goenka, also endorsed the smooth functioning of GSTN, saying that certificates have started to arrive for those registered. Traders in Tamil Nadu were also able to register on the GST portal without any glitches. State finance minister D Jayakumar has said over 90% of the small, medium and big traders and businessmen have enrolled for GST. (With inputs from Jharkhand, West Bengal, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Guwahati, Tamil Nadu and Bihar) Two Indian soldiers were injured on Thursday in a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) by the Pakistan Army. Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked shelling and firing along the LoC in Poonch, defence ministry sources told IANS. They used small arms, automatics and mortars. The firing started at 1.30 am. The Indian Army retaliated effectively and strongly. The injured soldiers were shifted to hospital. At the helm of Haryanas first BJP government in 50 years, Manohar Lal Khattar seems untouched by the pride and pollution of practical politics. If the worst-ever violent blow-up of the 2016 Jat agitation was the severest test yet of his governance skills, or the lack of it, the 63-year-old RSS pracharak-turned-chief minister has earned plaudits for his policy initiatives on transparency in transfers and appointments, which have long been synonymous for corruption and nepotism. Equally ground-breaking is his governments well-defended law barring illiterates from contesting panchayat polls. His admirers portray him as a workaholic and a stickler for rules, his critics call him idealistic but uninspiring; and his rivals deride him as a CM who is more into name-changing than game-changing. Despite rumblings of dissent from within, he remains on a firm pitch, backed staunchly by the RSS top brass. Khattar, usually reticent on media interviews, sat down with the Senior Resident Editor on Tuesday for a frank chat on his half-way tenure so far. Excerpts: Youre heading the first BJP government in Haryana. How is it different? Earlier regimes, including chief ministers and ministers, were self-centered. Satta bhogna (savouring power) was their motive. Our government is above all that. For us, power is a means to serve. Public interest determines our conduct. Thats our institutional sanskar (culture) and sanskriti (tradition). This state was full of corruption. We have broken that vicious cycle. Im not saying its 100% corruption-free but now there is fear factor. The rate of corruption has gone up because the risk has gone up. Unlike the caste-based politics of previous governments, our credo is, Haryana ek Haryanvi ek. You had a long stint with the RSS before you became chief minister? How did that help? I had an outside view of the way the government is run. But its different to be on top of the system. You realise how plotters work to trap you as CM; how to keep you in their grip, and how to create a coterie. You have to be vigilant. I imbibed those precautions and principles while working with the organisation. I try and follow the best practices. What do you count as your governments high point? People expect us to build roads, drains, hospitals and schools, create jobs and uphold law and order. But we have gone beyond. We changed systems. We have done away with discretionary powers at all levels that are the source of corruption. There is transparency in teachers transfers. Initially, our own people feared it would harm them politically. But we pursued it with determination and it has paid off. 93% teachers have appreciated this. In recruitments, there is no sifarish (recommendation), no money and no political connections. And, the low point? The violence in the Jat agitation last year was a setback. We never imagined things will go to that extent, particularly after the government agreed in principle to the demand for reservation. Now we know that it was flared up by certain vested political interests. You can compensate the loss, but it takes time to restore peoples confidence. Transparency in transfers hasnt gone down well with your ministers and MLAs? The transfer policy is only in education and to some extent in the power sector. In other departments, manual transfers are still the norm and MLAs have a say. Their recommendations are considered in development works in their constituencies. But we dont mind cautioning MLAs against transfers out of vengeance. So, why are a section of BJP MLAs disgruntled? Haryana has seen the Congress culture for long. Some feel we should follow the same. That is unacceptable. There were misunderstandings which have been sorted out. Violent incidents of cow vigilantism are on the rise? There is no big conspiracy. If someone informs or lodges a complaint of violation of the ban on cow slaughter, its fine. But no one will be allowed to take the law into his hand. The impression in some quarters is that vigilantes have connection with right-wing Hindu bodies. Aisa kucch nahin hai (Its nothing of the sort). Whenever we have taken action, no pressure has come from any organisation. These are some self-styled people and we are keeping a tab on them. What prompted Haryana to make the cow slaughter law more stringent? Our culture has a deep-rooted sentiment against cow slaughter. Shradha ka bhav hai (Its a matter of devotion). The law was unanimously enacted. All three Muslim MLAs of Haryana also endorsed it. The opposition Congress accuses you of political vendetta. If we are finding evidence of acts of commission and omission when the Congress was in power, action has to be taken. We are only handing over the evidence to investigating agencies. A lot of things are in the courts. We have no interest in putting them behind bars. But its not in the states interest to let them off the hook if their wrongdoings are established. The Jat stir is still simmering. This is an old issue dating back to 1991 or even before that. People think reservation is an easy way to move up but I believe that hard work and ability is the only way. Reservation is meant to ensure a level playing field, especially for the downtrodden. At present, the issue is caught up in administrative decisions and the judiciary. We passed an Act but the court stayed it. The government is following it up, but I have asked Jat leaders to use the services of the best lawyers. Are you in favour of loan waiver for farmers? Farmers have problems but loan waiver is no solution. Increasing their income is the long-term solution. In two years, our government has given Rs 2,400-crore compensation for crop damage, while Rs 1,300 crore was given in 48 years before that. Did the Jat violence impact investment in Haryana? Not really. We moved up on the index of ease of doing business from 14th to 6th. In the investment summit soon after the agitation, 357 MoUs worth Rs 5 lakh crore were signed. Of that, 1.5 lakh crore investment is taking shape as land and licences have been cleared. Since land in Haryana is comparatively expensive, we have identified one lakh acres of vacant panchayat land that will be leased out to industrial projects. That will boost income of panchayats and lead to rural development. Haryana has inequitable development? That shall change soon. We are giving concessions to industries in backward blocks. Infrastructure is being ramped up. In two years, 12 national highways have been approved. That will be a game-changer. How are you dealing with rising crime against women? Our initiative on all-women police stations up to sub-division level has empowered women to report crime. In two years, the strength of the women constabulary has been raised from 6% to 8%. It will be 10% by 2019. Now, women cops are part of Operation Durga to check eve-teasing. It has proved to be a deterrent. No one wants to be beaten up by them. The Centre is reportedly nudging both Punjab and Haryana for a political solution to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal issue? I dont know about that. If there has been a drop in the water availability in the Sutlej and Beas as Punjab claims, Haryana can accept a lower quantum in proportionate to its agreed share but we cant give up our share. The case is coming up in the Supreme Court next month and we expect it to direct Punjab and the Centre to follow the verdict. Punjab says that water is an emotive issue and SYL will lead to a law and order problem. So is the case in Haryana. The Indian National Lok Dal has called a bandh next month which though is meaningless as stopping buses will not bring water. What are your priorities for the remaining two years of your government? Why two years? We have drafted a vision document for the 13 years. Giving jobs to youth, raising farmers income and the uplift of the downtrodden will be our priorities. Your critics say the government lacks dynamism and is more into chintan, manan, manthan (introspection, mulling, brainstorming) mode? I believe in action that is stable. Stability makes things effective. Shor machana hamara kaam nahin. Lekin hum jo maal bana rahein hain, unko bech nahin paa rahen hain. (Making noise is not our job. But what we are creating, we are unable to market that). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A senior BJP MLA Thursday demanded a CBI investigation into the death of Anandpal Singh in a police encounter even as the family of the slain gangster moved a local court in Churu seeking directions for a fresh post-mortem of the deceased by a medical board at a district hospital. The police had Wednesday issued a notice under the Rajasthan Police rules 1965 directing Anandpals mother, wife, daughters, and others to accept the body within 24 hours failing which they (police) will conduct the funeral. Anandpals family moved the court after the deadline for accepting the gangsters body ended in Thursday morning. An application was moved in the district sessions court. We have demanded that another post-mortem be conducted, said advocate AP Singh, the counsel for the slain gangsters family. The counsel cited a Supreme Court ruling in a case in 1999 that in case of death of a person in police encounter, the post-mortem shall be carried out in district hospital at least by two doctors and the procedure should be videotaped and preserved. He also alleged that the encounter in which Anandpal was killed on Saturday night in Malasar village in Churu was fake and a CBI inquiry should be ordered for a fair inquiry. The application will be heard by additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) Ratangarh on Friday. The post-mortem was conducted at a hospital in Churus Ratangarh on Sunday and the body had been kept at the Ratangarh hospitals mortuary since then. The family members, who are adamant on a CBI inquiry, got a shot in the arm as senior BJP MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari issued a statement saying that the Rajasthan government should take immediate steps to clear serious doubts that have arisen after the encounter. He claimed that people in large numbers have met him after Anandpals killing and there are serious doubts in their minds about the authenticity of the encounter. Why is the government running away from a CBI inquiry in the case, despite the statement of the state home minister, Gulabchand Kataria, that he is ready for any probe, said the MLA, who has opened a front against chief minister Vasundhara Raje after he was served a notice for anti-party activities in May. The family members of Anandpal have demanded a postmortem from the medical board but the government is running away. His family has also demanded a CBI probe and the state home minister has said that he is ready for any inquiry then why is the government is not taking a decision, Tiwari asked. He also claimed that Kataria was himself not aware of the encounter and this posed a question. The MLA said that the home minister is on record saying that chief minister had called him congratulated him for the encounter. This means that chief minister was directly associated with this action and home minister was totally unaware, he added. Meanwhile, agitation against the encounter continued for the fifth day. Members of Rajput community continued with their dharna at Savarda village. In another incident, Anandpals supporters attacked official vehicle of tehsildar and set it afire near Dujod village in Sikar district. A government doctor was caught on camera on Wednesday evening slapping a woman admitted to the Barmer district hospital in Rajasthan. In the video circulating on social media, the doctor is seen pulling the woman by her hair and then slapping her, allegedly to exorcise her of evil spirits. The doctor, Surendra Bahri, was removed from the Barmer district hospital and asked to report to the health department headquarters in Jaipur, said Dr OP Thakan, additional director (administration). He said the doctor was removed on directions from health minister Kali Charan Saraf. Barmers principal medical officer Dr BL Mansuria has formed a three-member committee to probe the incident at the hospital. Dr Mansuria said the woman, a resident of Sondi village, was brought to the district hospital on Wednesday morning after she fell unconscious. Her family said she told them that she was cooking food when someone held her hair from the back and snipped it. At the hospital, Dr Surendra Bahri went to see her in the evening. When he was told by the family about the event preceding her fainting, the doctor mumbled that he would exorcise her, said a witness who did not wish to be named. The doctor then lighted incense sticks near the hospital bed and pulled her by the hair in a manner exorcists in villages rid people of spirits, the witness said. Dr Bahri was caught on camera doing this bizarre treatment. The woman was discharged later in the evening. Dr Mansuria said no one from the womans family complained to the administration about the treatment but he formed an inquiry committee after it was shown in the video circulating on social media. Dr Bahri told HT that while treating the woman, he felt a strange heaviness in the head. I felt dizzy and dont remember what I did to her, he said. For a few weeks, a rumour is doing the rounds in western Rajasthan that some supernatural being cuts hair of women and leaves a mark on their bodies. The rumour was first heard in Bikaner and then spread to other parts of the desert state. Doctors say the women who report such incidents need psychiatric treatment because they may be suffering from depression or hysteria. Earlier, Barmers superintendent of police Gagandeep Singla appealed to people of the district to not pay heed to such rumours. A woman in Jodhpur was brought to hospital where she admitted to cutting her hair herself. If a woman feels unconscious, she should be taken to hospital. If anyone spreads such rumour on social media, they should be reported to police, he said in his appeal. Rajasthan State Commission for Women chairperson Suman Sharma sought a report from the Barmer district collector and SP on the district hospital incident. Such action by a doctor at a government hospital is serious; such incidents are a blow to the governments efforts to end witch branding, and promote superstition, Sharma said. May 21, 1942 June 26, 2017 Janiece Colleen Castro, 75, of Lebanon passed away Monday, June 26, 2017, at the Mennonite Home in Albany. She was born May 21, 1942, in Lebanon to Robert and Lorraine (Cox) White. Janiece moved to California in 1966 and later lived in Nevada for a short time. She returned to Lebanon in 1993 where she lived until moving to the Mennonite Home six years ago. Janiece was a 55 year cancer survivor. She was a hard worker. Janiece enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing pinochle and Scrabble, reading, sewing, and watching and her favorite show, Walker Texas Ranger as well as scary movies. She loved being a Grandma. She is survived by daughters, Corina Lowell and husband Travis of Crescent, Gina Holt of Albany, and Tamara Byrd and husband Jerome of Fairbanks, Alaska; sister Georgena Elting of Lebanon; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Janiece was preceded in death by her great-grandson Devin Burt; sister Donna Higley; and her parents. In keeping with her wishes, no services will be held. Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements. The national human rights commission (NHRC) has sought action from the Rajasthan government over reported markings on houses of the poor in Dausa district which it termed a violation of the Right to Dignity. The rights body issued a notice to the Rajasthan chief secretary, calling for a report on the matter, along with action taken against guilty officials, within four weeks. The notice was issued on the basis of reports that the words I am extremely poor and take rations through National Food Security Act (NFSA) were painted on more than 50,000 houses of below poverty line (BPL) families in the district. Locals had expressed strong resentment against the paintings, saying they were very humiliating, but admitted that if they had opposed the move, the benefits of food subsidy programme would have been withdrawn. Activists decried the move, saying that poverty is not something that one wants to wear as a badge. A press release on NHRCs website said that the media reports about this kind of humiliation, if true, amounts to violation of the Right to Dignity of the beneficiaries of the scheme. No civilized society would ever appreciate such an imprudent and irrational act of the state authorities, the release said. The release also mentioned comments of state panchayati raj minister Rajendra Rathore, who said that no such order has been issued by the state government. Condemning the practice, the minister had blamed the Congress government for starting the practice in 2009. A 30-member Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee will henceforth spearhead the movement for a separate state, it was decided in a meeting of 14 parties and organisations including BJP in Kalimpong on Thursday. The committee was formed with two representatives each from the 13 parties and organisations that attended the meeting. There will be two representatives from the Dooars and Terai, which are in the foothills and cover vast areas of Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts, where Nepalis a minority. The newly formed body decided in a meeting that spanned nearly six hours, that the indefinite bandh will continue. The first meeting of the committee will be held on July 6. Read: Gorkhaland stir: No school, playground or internet for children in Darjeeling We decided not to settle for anything less than a separate state. Kalyan Dewan, who is a vice president of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), will be the convener of the committee. He will be assisted by D K Pradhan, who is the chairman of Darjeeling municipality, said Tamang. File picture of a police vehicle set ablaze by agitators in Darjeeling. (HT Photo) BJP was represented in the meeting by Manoj Dewan, the president of the partys hill district committee. It was unanimously decided in the meeting that the bandh will continue, said Niraj Zimba, the spokesperson of Gorkha National Liberation Front, the second most influential party in the hills. By Friday evening all the parties will nominate their representatives on the committee, added Tamang. GJM president Bimal Gurung was not present in the meeting. The formation of the committee indicated that the struggle for statehood has formally moved from GJM to a collective leadership. Read: Darjeeling locals throng Nepal, Bhutan to beat Internet ban During the day, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated her position that she will just not allow a division of Bengal. She also took a jibe at the Centre and said, You cant set Kashmir right, and now you are eyeing Darjeeling. Incidentally, BJP is facing criticism from Trinamool Congress after its assurance of looking into Gorkha demands in its manifesto before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. BJPs S S Ahluwalia won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency with GJM support. The north Bengal hills are in turmoil since June 8 when violent clashes erupted between police and agitators demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland to be carved out from West Bengal. The meeting on Thursday was the third all-party meeting. The two earlier meetings were held on June 13 and 20. While six hill parties and associations attended the first one, the attendance went up in the second with 14 parties and organisation attending. Read: Darjeeling unrest: Police report advises wait and watch approach Incidentally, many were surprised at the change of venue from Darjeeling to Kalimpong. According to GJM leaders, the decision was prompted in the wake of the reports that thousands of common people would throng the venue to put pressure on the leaders. Leaders across party lines in the hills have admitted that the movement has touched a popular chord and has moved beyond the control of a single party agenda. During the June 20 all-party meeting at Darjeelings Gymkhana Club, common supporters shouting outside put the leaders in embarrassing situation. Though a section of the leaders attending the meeting were in favour of a temporary relaxation of the bandh, common people outside were opposed to the idea. Unnecessary crowd at the time of meeting would serve no purpose, but would only make the situation chaotic, said a senior leader requesting anonymity. The meeting on June 20 unanimously resolved that the GJM would unilaterally withdraw itself from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement signed in 2011. Accordingly, all elected GTA members resigned on June 23, while the copies of GTA accord were burnt on June 27. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has kicked up another controversy by suggesting that soldiers sexually mistreat locals in parts of the country. At some places female militants took away private parts of soldiers. They didn't take away their head or limbs but their private parts. The act has such a big message to it..., Azam is seen saying in a video which is doing rounds on social media. The said video was recorded when Azam met Samajwadi Party members in Rampur for an Eid Milan function on Tuesday night. Azam, who is known for his controversial statements, has, however, claimed that his statement was misinterpreted. In a written statement, his media in charge has claimed that the said statement was made in reference to a moist attack in Jharkhand earlier this year. It was widely reported in newspapers and television that female terrorists of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha mutilated the dead bodies of (CRPF) soldiers and took away their private parts, reads the statement adding, Azam has never tried to harm the morale of the Indian Army. His media manager Fasahat Ali Shanu while talking to HT said, The news about Azam Khan speaking against Indian soldiers is untrue and politically motivated. Television channels are only showing a part of the full video without even giving any reference, Shanu said. In another video of the Tuesday meeting accessed by Hindustan Times, Azam can be heard criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modis government for its failure to control violence against Muslims in the country. BJP demands action against Azam The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav should act against Azam Khan for making a controversial remark against soldiers. Khan is mentally bankrupt. He must get himself treated at a lunatic asylum and the SP should make clear what action would it initiate against him, BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi said. Textbooks of government-run schools in Uttar Pradesh will now be available online for teachers and students who may download it on their smart phones. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has uploaded the e-books on its official website (www.scertup.co.in) where it can be downloaded free of cost. Move aimed at helping students For the benefit of visually-impaired students, there is also a provision where they may listen to the text of these books by clicking on the audio option. There are 1,13,247 primary schools (class 1 to 5), 45,590 upper primary schools, 4,94,940 teachers and 1.62 crore students in the state. The textbooks for students of classes 1 to 3 will be uploaded later as the syllabus has been thoroughly revised. Presently, the initiative is aimed at helping students, teachers and parents whose wards are studying in classes 4 to 8. For the benefit of visually-impaired students, there is also a provision where they may listen to the text of these books by clicking on the audio option. Presently, there are 105 textbooks prescribed in UP government schools out of which 25 e-books are already available. The process of uploading of remaining e-books is on. We have started the process of going digital with our books. In government schools, students come from underprivileged families. As some of the telecom operators are giving data virtually free, we think those who have mobile phones will benefit from it, said director, basic education, Sarvendra Vikram Bahadur Singh. He said instructions were given to the officials to examine the content of textbooks and if they find anything that needs to be altered or corrected, it should be done at the earliest. There are 1,13,247 primary schools (class 1 to 5), 45,590 upper primary schools, 4,94,940 teachers and 1.62 crore students in the state. The printing work is on and some of the books will reach the schools when they open on July 1. Often printing of such a large volume of books gets delayed. By the time the book reaches the students, a couple of months get wasted. As books will be available online, teachers will be able to take classes and teach students, said Prof Rakesh Chandra of Lucknow University who has worked with government schools in the past. The textbooks for students of classes 1 to 3 will be uploaded later as the syllabus has been thoroughly revised. Presently, the initiative is aimed at helping students, teachers and parents whose wards are studying in classes 4 to 8. It is a good move though it may not be a complete solution to all the problems. At least teachers, parents and students will be encouraged to shift to digital platform. E-books cannot be a substitute to actual books but at least if printing gets delayed there is something to fall back on, said RTE activist Samina Bano. A similar initiative was launched by Punjab government in March this year when e-books were uploaded on the Punjab School Education Boards website for the ease of students. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Government school teachers in Barabanki were made to sit on the floor during a review meeting at Dariyabad block resource centre (BRC) on Wednesday. Sources said as there werent enough chairs, the teachers including women, elderly and a President awardee were made to sit on the floor while government officials, like the block education officer and his team, sat on chairs on a raised platform. It is humiliating. Teachers are said to be the most respected lot. But this is how they are treated, said Ashutosh Anand Awasthi, the President awardee and in-charge of upper primary school at Miyanganj in Barabanki. Manmohan Singh, who recently joined as block education officer, said, This is my first meeting and I am not aware about the arrangements. When I asked about chairs, I was told that since there isnt adequate number of chairs, teachers are made to sit on the floor every time. As many as 60-70 teachers were squeezed inside one room and there are no arrangements of water or refreshment, alleged some teachers who attended the meeting. Those who are targeted by the officials are required to stand up and then the grilling is done. This is embarrassing. It appears as if the officials are addressing some illiterate working class, a teacher said requesting anonymity. Sources said this was the practice in the past too and many a time teachers were asked to get their own chairs for the meeting. These review meetings are presided over by block education officers and basic shiksha adhikari (BSA). There is a budget allocation for such meetings but no arrangements are made, a teacher said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) will hold a meeting in the state in the first week of September to finalise the date for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Vice-president of VHPs Kashi Pranth Puneet Verma said the members have expressed the wish that the construction work at Ayodhya should begin on September 27 the birth anniversary of late Ashok Singhal, former president of the Parishad. VHP leadership will meet in September to finalise the date. Things are moving in the right direction as both the communities are heading towards an amicable solution and the BJP governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh have adopted a positive approach on the issue, Verma said. He said the leaders discussed at length the construction of Ram Temple and the role that other Hindu outfits were required to play in the mission. Verma said the VHP leadership was waiting for presidential election to conclude on July 20 after which concrete steps would be initiated for temple construction. Talking to HT over phone from Ahmedabad, an office-bearer at VHPs Kashi Pranth Mukeshji said that temple construction was one of the main issues discussed in the meet which was attended by top leadership including international working president of the Parishad Praveen Togadia. Things will start moving in the right direction soon, he said. Mukeshji attended the three-day high-level meet of the VHP which concluded on Tuesday night, VHP had organised a two-week long Ram Mahotsav in March-April to garner support of Hindus from all over the country and to collect funds under its nationwide exercise titled Dharam Raksha Arpan Nidhi to support Ram Temple campaign. The Dharam Sansad, organised by the VHP during Magh Mela in January this year, unanimously decided to move ahead with temple construction if the BJP fails to take an initiative. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A team of West Bengal police arrested an alleged human trafficker Neetu Yadav (40), mother of two, from a rented house near Naini police station Allahabad on Wednesday morning. The police went for Neetu in a missing minor girls case, who was allegedly trafficked by her. Upendra Kumar Mishra, member of the West Bengal police team, told HT, A case of a missing 14-year-old girl was registered in South 24 Pargana, about 50 kilometres from Kolkata in January. The girl was lured by her lover, who was an adult, and brought to Allahabad where she was sold off to Neetu. Neetu kept the girl in her house for about a fortnight and sold her in Mumbai. The girl was then taken to Pune. The girl was rescued from West Bengal on June 18. Read more| India doesnt meet minimum standards for ending human trafficking: US report We had got a clue that the missing girl is in Pune, so our team went there. However, we failed to find her. Later, we came to know that the girl was in her village with a Pune boy and it was from there that we rescued her, Mishra said. It was only after the girls rescue that the police came to know about Neetu. As per the preliminary investigations, the police said, Neetu has admitted that she was a sex worker. She had left the work a couple of years ago but was still in touch with the pimps. It is through her same connections that she sold off the minor girl from West Bengal. While Neetu has been arrested and is being taken to West Bengal by the police team, the boy who lured the minor girl and brought her to Allahabad is still absconding. We are hopeful that we would reach the boy soon and arrest him, said the police. Read more:US lists China among worst human trafficking offenders Rishi Kant of Shakti Vahini that works against human trafficking said, Only about a week ago, six girls of West Bengal were rescued from a brothel in Agra. The girls were brought by a pimp as tourists to visit Taj Mahal. They were sold off in Agra. Rishi Kant said that the trend of bringing in girls as tourists to UP has been on the rise. The exercise was part of west Bengal Polices Swayam Siddha initiative which aims at tracking the traffickers. Earlier the operations were limited to rescue but now the police is targeting traffickers, said Rishi Kant, who is also a member of the Swayam Siddha advisory committee. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over a meeting of State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) on Wednesday to brief banks about state governments decision to waive crop loan. The meeting comes in the backdrop of a bank branch in Bundelkhand putting up a banner informing farmers that there was no formal communication from the state government about the decision. Some other banks issued or were about to issue notices to farmers asking them to pay the loan. Besides asking the bankers that they should not resort to any coercive measures, the chief minister informed them the state government will provide them the loan waiver amount once the budget for 2017-2018 was passed by the state legislature. After the state governments budget for 2017-2018 is passed, we will transfer the loan waiver amount to you, Yogi told them. He also released a booklet incorporating Uttar Pradesh Government Crop Loan Redemption Scheme for Upliftment and Sustainable Development of Small and Marginal Farmers and Annual Loan Scheme- 2017-2018. A copy of the booklet incorporating the loan waiver scheme has been made available to each of the banks, said a senior officer. The officer said the scheme had details of the cutoff date, the time schedule for various stages of loan waiver verification by banks and district level clearance etc. --to ensure that the loans of rightful claimants were waived. We hope the loan waiver exercise will be complete by August 31, 2017 and loan waiver certificate will be distributed at special camps to the beneficiaries, said the officer. Uttar Pradesh cabinet at its first meeting held on April 4, 2017 had decided to waive crop loans of up to Rs 1 lakh of 86.68 lakh small and marginal farmers. The cabinet had also approved a one time settlement (OTS) scheme to write off non performing assets of additional seven lakh farmers. The final figures of loan waiver though are still being worked out, it is likely to cause a burden of Rs 36359 crore on the state exchequer. Yogi expressed concern over declining credit deposit (CD) ratio in the state. He said the states CD ratio came down by 9 percent in 2016-2017 in comparison to previous financial year. He also expressed concern over lesser number of bank branches in Uttar Pradesh against the national average. UP has 16583 bank branches. These include 8176 branches situated in rural areas. UP has a bank branch for a population of 12000 against the national average of a branch for 9000 population. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 50-year-old man was hurt after he fell off his bike, which skidded owing to a pothole on Anand Dighe bridge in Kalyan. He suffered minor injuries, said sources. The downpour in Kalyan and Dombivli over the past two days has highlighted the shoddy road repairs undertaken by the civic body. The Anand Dighe bridge connects Kalyan (East) and (West). Hundreds of motorists and heavy vehicles commute via it daily. No one was reported hurt after a tree fell on a car in Kalyan last night. (HT Photo) In another major incident, a huge tree fell on a car parked on the Kalyan-Waldhuni stretch on Wednesday night, leading to a three-hour-long traffic jam. This stretch connects Kalyan and Ulhasnagar. Civic officials repairing a portion of the approach road near Patripool bridge in Kalyan. (HT Photo) A portion of the approach road leading to the Patripool bridge in Kalyan was washed away owing to incessant rainfall. The civic authority has barricaded the area and repairs are underway. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After receiving an assurance of a farm loan waiver worth Rs34,022 crore, the farmers now want the state to waive their electricity dues worth Rs22,000 crore. Dues accumulated over the past 10 years are Rs35,000 crore and include various consumers such as residential, commercial and industrial. The dues from agricultural consumers alone are Rs22,000 crore, of which Rs15,000 crore piled up since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Maharashtra. To make matters worse, farmers in several regions have stopped paying electricity bills after the protest for farm loan waiver gathered momentum. Despite launching amnesty scheme to waive interest on dues, the government received a poor response from defaulters. Several farmers outfits have now started to push for waiver of the arrears and issuance of fresh electricity bills. During a meeting with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, the farmers from Puntambe, Ahmednagar, where the first resolution of the farmers strike was passed, requested the former union agriculture minister to push for their demand. It becomes very difficult to run operations without recovering electricity bills. We have been heavily cross subsidising agricultural meters to charge farmers Rs0.85 to Re1 per unit against the purchase cost of Rs6 per unit from the open. We have been compassionate towards the farmers by not disconnecting the transformers for non-payment. During the Congress-NCP regime, Mahadiscom would discontinue power supply to transformers to recover dues. We have increased power supply for agricultural pumps from 8 to 12 hours. But still there is apathy among farmers over clearing their dues, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, state power minister, told HT. To encourage farmers to clear dues, the government waived penalty and interest amount on dues for five months. The response has been dismal, as we recovered only Rs100 crore and that too from all types of consumers. The dues have gone up to Rs22000 from Rs8,000 crore in 2013, mostly because of the policies of the BJP government. The then power minister Ajit Pawar had linked the duration of the load shedding to the loss of electricity and dues from the supply zones. Today, farmers with luxury cars at disposal do want to clear their electricity bills and are hoping for a waiver, said an Mahadiscom official. Marathwada districts owe the most (Rs 5200 crore) in dues followed by districts in western Maharashtra (Rs 4200 crore). The state is now planning to categorise farmers into five categories and extend the cross subsidy only to the needy. We have sought help from Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commissions to separate wealthy farmers who can pay higher rates, the minister said. Lebanon Police Injury crash 12:06 p.m. Tuesday, intersection of South Grove and East Ash streets. Officers responded to a two-vehicle collision between a Toyota Sienna and a Mercedes. The driver of the Mercedes, Man Li Chen, 58, reported pain in his left arm and medics responded. The driver of the Toyota, Amy Lynn Daymon, 23, was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device. Injury crash 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, 3000 block of Santiam Highway. Officers responded to a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian. Medics transported Hailey S. Holland, 25, for treatment of an injured leg. Officers spoke with the driver, Raymond E. Morrison, 65. Information was not immediately available Wednesday on the vehicle type or whether citations were issued. Linn County Sheriff Theft 7:09 a.m. Tuesday, 900 block of Greenway Drive, Harrisburg. Caller reported a theft of a purse, which contained a concealed pistol. Prescription medication and a child's purse also were reported stolen. Deputies took a report. Theft 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, 900 block of Smith Street, Harrisburg. A firearm and a "vehicle performance part" were reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle at the residence. Estimated total loss: approximately $1,000. Theft 2:07 p.m. Tuesday, 30800 block of South Fifth Street, Lebanon. A portable generator and a digital multimeter were reported stolen. No listed value. Linn County Circuit Court Heroin delivery charge Wednesday afternoon. Drai Scott Murray Beveridge, 28, of Eugene, was charged with delivery of heroin and possession of heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana. The crimes allegedly occurred on June 28, 2016. Beveridge was indicted by a grand jury in October that year. His bail was set at $25,000 and he was scheduled to appear in court again on July 10. Investigations into a card cloning racket which was running in Bandra, has revealed that the six accused who worked as waiters, managed to steal credit card and debit card data of as many as 1,000 customers from 96 different banks including eight major banks. However, the Bandra police clarified that all of the stolen data may not have been used for stealing money. The data was stolen by the six waiters working in bars and restaurants using credit card skimmers at Mumbai, Pune and Thane from their unsuspecting customers and patrons since early 2016. Three of them had worked at a restaurant called Persian Durbar in Sakinaka, Andheri. The unsuspecting customers would hand over their card as well as pin code to the waiters, who secretly swiped them on the skimmers. In some cases, they observed the customer while entering the pin code on the keypad and memorised it. The Bandra police said that there are more links to the case and the involvement of more accused besides the 6 waiters has not been ruled out. Deputy commissioner of police, zone IX, Paramjit Dahiya told HT, We are in the process of identifying the people whose credit and debit card data was stolen. Till now, 20 people have been identified and as many First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in Thane, Pune and Mumbai. The police are simultaneously also finding out if FIRs have already been registered by victims after realising that money had been withdrawn from their accounts. Detection officer, sub inspector Bhimsen Gaikwad said, We had received a complaint from a private bank in May this year after which we traced the accused, which led to further arrests. Now, another major bank has approached us and we are taking their help to identify the victims. The complaint filed in May by the private bank had said that an unidentified accused had withdrawn money from an ATM on Carter Road using a cloned card of a customer. The police worked out the information and arrested one of the accused this month. His arrest led to the arrest of seven others. Apart from card skimmers, the police seized a laptop and a software they used to clone cards.The police have also seized 50 cloned cards which are re-writable. After using these cards to withdraw money, the accused wouls erase the used data and store new data on it by overwriting it. The Bombay high court on Thursday reserved its order on a plea seeking implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) be deferred. The court was hearing a public Interest litigation in the Bombay high court, challenging the union governments decision to implement the GST, a major tax reforms in the middle of the financial year. The petitioner, KS Pillai, urged the court to direct the government to defer the implementation till the beginning of the next financial year. On Thursday, however, additional solicitor general Anil Singh, who appeared for the Centre, said the decision to implement GST had been vetted by Parliament and its implementation was in everyones interest. Singh said there was no prohibition in law to prevent the Centre from implementing GST at any point in the year, as long as it had the sanction of Parliament. He also said the Centre and state governments had created help desks, telephonic helplines, etc. to ensure an easy transition. Singh said the new system entailed a single registration, it was online, transparent, reduced paperwork, and that 65 lakh tax payers had already shifted to the new system. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After 55 students got stranded near a waterfall in Raigad on Sunday, trekkers from across the city have come up with a list of 15 spots that are unsafe for vacationers, amateur trekkers and picnickers till September. Sick of surge pricing on Ola/Uber? You can now book a kaali-peeli on their new app that launched today. While traffic snarls made driving a nightmare on the Sion-Panvel highway, make sure you dont honk needlessly, as you could soon be fined Rs2,000 under the Maharashtra Transport and Road Safety Act, 2017. Also, jailed former media entrepreneur Indrani Mukerjea on Thursday filed a complaint against jail officials, who allegedly assaulted her after the death of an inmate. Here are todays top five picks: 1. Monsoon trek over the weekend? Dont go to these 15 dangerous sites in Maharashtra till September After 55 students got stranded near a waterfall in Raigad on Sunday, trekkers from across the city have come up with a list of 15 spots that are unsafe for vacationers, amateur trekkers and picnickers till September. The group of 55, stuck at Devkund between two streams of the Kundalika river, was rescued after a six-hour operation. According to the Raigad and Navi Mumbai police, there have been 15 deaths and 50 injuries at various waterfalls, hilly areas around Mumbai this monsoon over the past two weeks . 2. Like Ola, Uber, you can now book Mumbais kaali-peelis on mobile phone app Mumbaiites on Thursday got an app Amachi (Our) Drive to book black-and-yellow AC and non-AC cabs as easily as Ola and Uber, without surge pricing. The new app will allow lakhs of taxis commuters to book black-and-yellow cabs without dealing with fare refusal. Also, the taxi drivers will pick up passengers from their doorstep. In the absence of transport minister Diwakar Raote, the taxi unions launched the app by the hands of deputy RTO Sanjay Sasane and other dignitaries. 3. Indrani Mukerjea files complaint against Mumbai jail officials who beat her up after inmates death Indrani Mukerjea at JJ Hospital for a medical check-up on Wednesday. (HT Photo) Jailed former media entrepreneur Indrani Mukerjea on Thursday filed a complaint against jail officials, who allegedly assaulted her after the death of an inmate, Manjula Shetye. Six jail officials allegedly beat Shetye, a murder convict, to death in Byculla womans prison because she complained some food items were missing from the morning ration. According to the police, Mukerjea filed an application with the Nagpada police, but an FIR hasnt been filed yet. The police will first conduct an inquiry into the allegations. 4. Get ready to pay 2,000 every time you honk needlessly or in silence zone in Maharashtra Soon, needless honking and honking in silence zones will be punishable offences in Maharashtra. The state government on Thursday informed the Bombay high court it was awaiting presidential nod for implementation of provisions of the Maharashtra Transport and Road Safety Act, 2017 which penalises needless honking and honking in silence zones. 5. Potholes, traffic snarls make commute on Mumbais Sion-Panvel highway a nightmare Potholes on the Sion-Panvel highway made the route a nightmare for commuters on Thursday. Severe traffic congestion was reported near the Vashi toll naka for the second day in a row. Traffic officials attributed this to craters on the highways. Owing to potholes, vehicles cannot pass through the area smoothly. People are driving slowly and carefully to avoid potholes, which has led to traffic crawling. 1993 Mumbai serial blast convict, Mustafa Ahmad Umar Dossa, who died of cardiac arrest at the JJ Hospital on Wednesday, was laid to rest at the Bada Qabrastan early on Thursday morning amid tight security. Family members and relatives say their prayers. (Bhushan Koyande) Following 14 years of trial, Dossa, 57, a key conspirator in the terrorist carnage, was pronounced guilty by the designated TADA court a fortnight ago. On Tuesday, the CBI prosecutor sought death penalty for Dossa during arguments to decide the quantum of punishment for convicts. Dossa was present in the courtroom. The procession moves ahead. (Bhushan Koyande) Early on Wednesday morning, he was shifted to the JJ Hospital with high fever. Hospital officials said his condition deteriorated owing to uncontrolled diabetic and hypertension. The body was handed over to his family members late in the evening. It was first taken to the Dossas family mansion, Aqdas Apartments in Agripada, before being taken to Bada Qabrastan at Charni Road. Dossa is survived by two wives, three sons and two daughters. Family sources said Mustafa was buried next to his fathers grave. Meanwhile, police deployment was made all along the roads from Dossas residence to the burial ground. Even during his burial, only family members were allowed inside the Qabrastan to perform the last rites. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON To avoid craters along the Sion-Panvel highway, commuters began driving slowly and carefully, which led to major traffic snarls in the area. Traffic along a 4-km stretch from Center One mall to the toll naka had stalled on Thursday. As many as 20 police officers were deployed to manage the traffic. A 50-year-old man was hurt after he fell off his bike, which skidded owing to this pothole on Anand Dighe bridge in Kalyan. (Rishikesh Choudhary) The motorist, Vijay More, sustained minor injuries in the accident. (Rishikesh Choudhary) Officials said a few vehicles were damaged owing to poor roads leading to the Sion-Panvel highway. (Bachchan Kumar) A portion of the approach road leading to the Patripool bridge in Kalyan was washed away owing to incessant rainfall. The civic authority has barricaded the area and repairs are underway. (Rishikesh Choudhary) Numerous potholes surfaced on the Thane-Belapur Road under the Turbhe flyover. (Bachchan Kumar) Commuters had a tough time navigating potholes near CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. (Bachchan Kumar) Swimming pool or highway? These pictures from Kharghar make it hard to tell the difference. (Bachchan Kumar) Jailed former media entrepreneur Indrani Mukerjea on Thursday filed a complaint against jail officials, who allegedly assaulted her after the death of an inmate, Manjula Shetye. Six jail officials allegedly beat Shetye, a murder convict, to death in Byculla womans prison because she complained some food items were missing from the morning ration. According to the police, Mukerjea filed an application with the Nagpada police, but an FIR hasnt been filed yet. The police will first conduct an inquiry into the allegations. The police, meanwhile, booked 291 prisoners, including Mukerjea, for creating ruckus inside the jail after Shetyes death. While unit three of the crime branch will probe the murder case, the Nagpada police will look into the rioting case. Mukerjea told a court on Wednesday the Byculla jail staff threatened her with the same fate as Shetye if she deposed against them. Mukerjea said the superintendent told her tu witness banne ja rahi hai.... tereko bhi dekh lenge. Mukerjea, accused of murdering her daughter Sheena Bora, told the court she was in barrack number 2 and saw Shetye being dragged by a dupatta that was tied around her neck to barrack number 5. She said she heard Shetye was assaulted by the jail staff and a lathi was inserted in her private parts. After this, I contacted my advocate and demanded that an FIR be filed, Mukerjea told the court. The court then allowed Mukerjea to file the FIR against the jail staff with Nagpada police station. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjeas allegation of being beaten up by Byculla prison officials appears to be true, a senior medical officer of the state-run JJ Hospital said today. Indrani, booked for rioting in the womens prison here along with other inmates, two days back alleged she was beaten up by jail officials and threatened of sexual assault after the death of a convict sparked protest in the prison. The former media executives lawyer later filed an application in a CBI court here alleging that Indrani was verbally abused by jail officials and the superintendent and was threatened of sexual assault for protesting against the death in jail. Special CBI judge JC Jagdale on Wednesday said Indrani be first taken for a medical examination and later to a police station to file her complaint. Indrani has received some blunt injuries and other (injuries) as well. Her claims of being beaten up appear to be true as per our check-up, the medical officer of JJ Hospital, where Indranis medical examination was conducted, told PTI today on condition of anonymity. It (Indranis medical report) will be submitted in court, as the medical check-up was ordered by the court, the officer said. According to police, following the death of woman convict Manjula Govind Shetye, 45, on June 23, the enraged inmates rose in protest the next day, some of them went up to the prisons roof, while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger. Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla jail, including Indrani, for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Indrani also said that she had witnessed the woman prisoner being allegedly assaulted. She said when she first enquired about Shettes health (prior to her death), she was told that the convict was fine. However, later Indrani learnt that Shette passed away. Indrani yesterday told the CBI court that after a case was registered into Shettes death, she told the jail officials that she is ready to be a witness in the case. Recalling the events on the day of the protest, she alleged that the superintendent had ordered a lathicharge after turning the lights off in the jail. She charged that even male officials in the jail resorted to cane charge on the inmates. I was hit on the hand and legs... I can barely walk, she alleged and added that the superintendent told her tu witness banne ja rahi hai....tereko bhi dekh lenge. She said the superintendent threatened her, saying We will do the same thing that we did to Shette. The insurer of a motorcycle is not liable to compensate the legal heir of a pillion rider, if he dies in an accident, the Bombay high court (HC) held recently. The court was hearing a case involving, Jameel Ahmed, a Nagpur resident and a pillion rider, who died on July 8, 1997, when a jeep came crashing into his scooter. His family approached the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, claiming a compensation of Rs2.94 lakh on grounds he worked with the Vidarbha Petroleum and earned Rs1,600 a month. The Motor Accident Tribunal at Nagpur accepted the familys claim and held the insurer, National Insurance Company, liable to pay them. On August 22, 2006, the tribunal directed the insurance company to pay Rs1.45 lakh to the family. The insurance company approached the high court. Justice Phansalkar-Joshi struck down the order of the tribunal stating as Ahmed was riding pillion, the risk of the deceased was not covered under the said policy. There is no evidence that any higher premium (for covering persons other than third parties) was paid under the said policy, said the judge, adding, In such situation, appellant insurance company needs to be absolved from the liability of paying compensation amount to the claimant. Read more: Mumbai man buys car with manufacturing defect, to get 36L refund, 2L compensation The Congress party in Mumbai and MoneyLife Foundation plan to protest against the alleged arbitrary charges being levied by banks after demonitisation by holding a Tweet Morcha on July 4. The Congress has condemned the various charges levied by the banks, including withdrawal of the cash from ATMs beyond specified number of attempts, charges on cheque withdrawal, penalty for not maintaining a minimum balance, and unwarranted promotion of online payments. To oppose the move by the Central government, the party has announced a Tweet Morcha and has appealed to people to participate by tweeting about their bank woes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi using the hashtags #TweetMorcha #BankSeBachao. This is a unique way to protest to attract the attention of the government, which has not paid heed to our numerous petitions in the past. We will gather at Ravindra Natya Mandir at 3pm on July 4 and appeal to the people to raise their voice against these arbitrary charges being levied after demonitisation. Since Narendra Modiji is very active on Twitter, we thought our attempt to protest through social media will pay off. The common man is badly hit because of these charges, said Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam. Consumer organisations, banks unions and other stakeholders in the banking system had, in May this year, met Congress leader and chairman of standing committee of parliament on finance, Veerappa Moily, voicing concerns over the charges by the banks. Moily had assured that he would take up the issue to the Reserve Bank of India. Read: Banks may hike ATM withdrawal charges; more step to curb cash in coming months SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A law student from Mumbai has filed a writ petition in Bombay high court (HC) against a state government rule prohibiting transfer of students from private unaided law colleges to aided law colleges. The court is likely to hear the matter on Friday. The rule is part of Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission to Full Time Professional Undergraduate Law Courses) Rules, 2016, which were issued last year. However, the students from government or government aided institutes are allowed to move to unaided institutes during their undergraduate law course. SB Talekar, the counsel for petitioner Utsav Sodha, who is studying at a Vile Parle college, said the rule is discriminatory to the students in unaided colleges and restricts their opportunities to study in better institutes. "There's no rationale for classifying students based on the basis of their institute. Merit has to be the only criteria for admissions. The ban on transfer is detrimental to students dignity as they should get an opportunity to interact with best of their peers," said Talekar. In August 2016, three students from a Bandra law college had also challenged the rule in HC. However, their petition was disposed after the state issued a circular clarifying that the rule won't be applicable to students admitted before the academic year 2016-17. The circular had served our purpose, said Yasmin Tavaria, counsel for the petitioners. However, the students are not satisfied with the state's clarification and are seeking complete abolition of the rule. "The rule favours private institutes and not students. The fees of unaided institutes is much higher than government institutes," said Sachin Pawar, president, Student Law Council, a city-based student group. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Mumbai crime branch has taken over the probe into the custodial death of Manjula Shetye in Byculla womens prison. Joint commissioner of police Sanjay Saxena (crime branch) said, Shetyes custodial death case has been transferred to crime branch and we will investigate it. Two cases were filed in Nagpada police station after Shetye, a murder convict was allegedly beaten to death by jail six jail officials. The first is a murder case against the officials and the second was registered against 291 inmates including Indrani Mukharjea for creating ruckus inside the jail. Crime branch unit 3 would probe the murder case only and Nagpada police would continue investigating the rioting case. The documents related to the case and evidence collected from the prison were handed over to the crime branch, said a crime branch official. We will record inmates statements and check the CCTV footage of the jail to verify eyewitnesses claims. We will also ask the forensic science laboratory to submit its report soon, added the official. The incident occurred on Friday after 38-year-old Shetye went to jail officer Manisha Polharkars room to complain that two eggs and five pieces of pav (bread) were missing from the morning rations for her barrack . An eyewitness said she came out of the room screaming and later a group of jail guards came in her barrack and assaulted her. The complainant and eyewitness told the police that the jail guard stripped Shetye and allegedly inserted a lathi in her private parts. Bleeding Shetye was left in the barrack unattended for hours. It was only after Manjula fell unconscious in the bathroom that she was taken to the resident doctor at the jail who immediately asked for her to be transferred to JJ Hospital. Manjula died at the hospital. Real estate agent Vijju Shankar Shinde, 46, allegedly stabbed his beautician wife, Babita, 36, to death and later hanged himself from the fan on Wednesday, said police. The incident took place at Sai Jetha building at Pantnagar area in Ghatkopar (east). On Wednesday morning, neighbours heard commotion from the flat. The home remained shut throughout the day. Their 18-year-old son, who lives with his aunt in Kalyan, tried calling them, to no avail. Then, his uncle Sunil and he reached Ghatkopar. The son came with his uncle as they thought something was suspicious. They found the door locked after which they informed us, said a police officer. The police broke open the door to find Babita on the floor, and Vijju hanging. The police have registered a case of murder against Vijju. Police found stab injuries on Babita. Prima facie investigation revealed there were frequent skirmishes between the couple . Read more: Father of nine stabs his wife to death in Mumbai, arrested SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Potholes on the Sion-Panvel highway made the route a nightmare for commuters on Thursday. Severe traffic congestion was reported near the Vashi toll naka for the second day in a row. Some vehicles were damaged owing to the poor roads. (HT Photo) Traffic officials attributed this to craters on the highways. Owing to potholes, vehicles cannot pass through the area smoothly. People are driving slowly and carefully to avoid potholes, which has led to traffic crawling. Worse still, some vehicles were damaged owing to the poor roads. Mud guards and the lower part of the bonnets of some cars have been broken. The breakdowns are the most obvious reason behind the traffic snarls, said Satish Gaikward, senior police inspector of Vashi traffic unit. Traffic from Center One mall to the toll naka a 4km stretch had stalled on Thursday. As many as 20 police officers were deployed to manage the traffic. We can clear the road when congestion results from illegal parking or mismanagement of traffic. However, traffic officials cannot do much to alleviate serious issues with the road, said Gaikwad. As a temporary relief measure, traffic officials and villagers filled potholes with soil and bricks collected from nearby areas on Wednesday. Officials also asked officials not to collect toll from vehicles to ensure that vehicles passed through quickly. Traffic officials also wrote to the public works department, asking officials to repair the highway soon. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The recent death of a woman convict in a jail was completely avoidable and some senior officers might be suspended in the near future for it, a Maharashtra minister said on Wednesday. The convict, Manjula Shetye (45), lodged in the womens jail in Byculla in South Central Mumbai, died at the state- run JJ Hospital on Friday night after allegedly being beaten up by a woman official of the prison on June 23. The provisional post-mortem report is awaited. Currently, recording of statements of about 200 people is going on. As of now, we have suspended all those who were prima facie found guilty and murder charges have been slapped on them, Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil told PTI. The convicts death could have been avoided, had there been an immediate intervention on part of the jail authorities. Now, responsibility will be fixed for lapses and once the investigation is completed, some big officers might be suspended as well in the near future, he said. The police had earlier suspended six jail staffers and booked them for murder. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has taken over the probe into Shetyes death, which had triggered a protest in the prison. Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates, including Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, who is lodged in the same prison, for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Soon, needless honking and honking in silence zones will be punishable offences in Maharashtra. The state government on Thursday informed the Bombay high court it was awaiting presidential nod for implementation of provisions of the Maharashtra Transport and Road Safety Act, 2017 which penalises needless honking and honking in silence zones. The section 20 of the Act prohibits drivers from sounding horns needlessly or continuously or more than what is necessary to ensure safety from blowing horns in silence zones, from using multi-toned horns creating harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise, or from driving vehicles after making modification in exhaust leading to creation of undue noise. Section 23 of the Act provides a penalty of Rs2,000 for each violation. The Maharashtra Assembly passed the enactment in April 2017, advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni told the court. Kumbhakoni was responding to a bunch of public interest litigations filed by activists like Dr Yashwant Oke, Sumaira Abdulali of Aawaz Foundation and Thane-based activist Dr Mahesh Bedekar complaining about violations of Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, especially during celebration of festivals such as Ganeshotsav, Navratri and dahi handi and inaction of the authorities over complaints. The advocate general told the court the state government will conduct noise mapping in 10 cities across Maharashtra, including urban areas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Nagpur, in the first phase. While noise monitoring has started in Nagpur, it will start at the nine locations in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Mira Bhyander, Vasai-Virar, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur and Panvel within a week. According to an affidavit filed by Vijay Kharat, assistant inspector general of police, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued a work order to NEERI to carry out noise mapping in these cities. The affidavit also states a database for noise mapping has been created in 22 cities. The MPCB has also procured 25 sound level meters. The affidavit said the MPCB has set up real-time continuous noise monitoring stations at 10 locations in and around Mumbai, including Wadala, Bandra, Powai, Andheri, Kandivali, Fort, Chembur, Thane and at Vashi and Mahape in Navi Mumbai and real-time data is being displayed at five of these locations. For a second day in a row, motorists on the Sion-Panvel highway were stuck in snarls, with the line of vehicles starting at the Vashi toll plaza and running nearly 4km towards Panvel, according to traffic officials. Bad roads and potholes on this stretch were leading to the snarls, the traffic police said. The potholes are slowing down vehicles. On some stretches, the roads are so bad that mudguards of cars are falling off and vehicles are breaking down. This only makes the situation worse, said Satish Gaikwad, senior police inspector, Vashi traffic unit. Gaikwad said, We can clear roads if the congestion was being caused by illegal parking or mismanagement of traffic. But there are such serious issues with the road itself, traffic officials cannot do much. READ: Potholes, traffic snarls make commute on Mumbais Sion-Panvel highway a nightmare The deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Nitin Pawar, said he had written letters to the government and the public works department (PWD) to repair the road. We made repeated requests and pointed out that motorists are at risk , but nothing seems to have any effect. Traffic officials on Wednesday filled up some potholes with soil and brick from nearby areas as a quick-fix to give motorists some relief. There are potholes near Turbhe, CBD Belapur, Kharghar, Kalamboli and Panvel, said Krishna Murthy, a Belapur resident who takes the route every day. A PWD official said the department did not have the funds it needs to repair the roads. The ministry concerned will decide what is to be done. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Commuters on the Kalyan-Waldhuni stretch were stuck in a harrowing three-hour-long traffic jam late on Wednesday after a huge tree fell on a parked car. Traffic police said the cars driver and a few motorists suffered minor injuries, while the vehicle was damaged. The huge tree suddenly fell on a car. The driver and other motorists were hurt, said a traffic police official, who did not wish to be identified. The Kalyan -Waldhuni bridge starts from Subhash Chowk and ends at Ambedkar Chowk in Kalyan (West). It connects Kalyan to Ulhasnagar, Ambernath and Badlapur. The huge tree blocked the route for about three hours. (Rishikesh Choudhary) Traffic at Murbad Road, Syndicate, Birla College Road in Kalyan (West) and the Kalyan station road was stalled for hours owing to the blocked route. We informed fire officials of the incident. They moved the tree away from the bridge, added the officer. The flow of traffic resumed after the tree was moved. However, the road under the bridge is still shut. It was difficult to move the huge tree from the bridge. We managed to move a portion of the tree over the bridge. The rest lying under the bridge will be removed soon, said a fire official. Several trees have been uprooted across Kalyan and Dombivli this month, owing to the heavy rain. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a freak incident, an 18-year-old biker sustained critical burn injuries when the petrol tank of his bike caught fire after being hit by a speeding truck on NH-24 in Ghaziabad on Thursday afternoon. The victims family said that the biker was rushed to a hospital in Delhi where he was declared to have suffered nearly 70% burn injuries and is in a critical condition. According to the family, the victim, Iqbal, of Dudhiya Peepal locality in Dasna, was on his way to Delhi when his bike was hit by a speeding truck near the bypass police post at Vijay Nagar on Thursday. He is in a critical condition and is in undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with more than 70% burns. His bike caught fire when it was hit from behind by the truck. We have brought him to Delhi for treatment, said Shahzad, Iqbals brother. The police said that the truck was speeding and rammed Iqbals bike from behind. As a result, the bike skidded along with the truck for a couple of metres and caught fire. Probably, the petrol in the tank caught fire and the man also suffered burns. He was rushed to the government hospital from where he was referred to a hospital in Delhi, said Naresh Singh, station house officer, Vijay Nagar police station. The truck that was loaded with cement bags has been seized. The driver has also been detained and will be arrested as soon as the victims family files a complaint, he said. It took locals and the police nearly 15 minutes to rescue Iqbal from the burning bike. The bike got completely charred and has been brought to the police post, the police said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Ghaziabad district administration on Thursday evening shut a bridge over the Hindon after cracks were found on its surface and it was found unsafe for vehicular movement. Sources said that the bridge has been in existence for 60 years and is a major link between NCR cities. The bridge is a lifeline for commuters from Ghaziabad city, Meerut, Raj Nagar Extension and also long-distance commuters from Uttarakhand to move to the Mohan Nagar crossing and further to Delhi. It is estimated that nearly one lakh vehicles use the bridges old and adjoining new one every day. After being informed by passersby, police officials reached the spot and said that they found large cracks in the structure of the two-lane bridge. Afterwards, the district magistrate (DM) Ministhy S and senior superintendent of police HN Singh also arrived at the spot and directed engineers of different agencies to take stock of the situation. After an on-spot assessment, we found that the bridge is old and has developed some cracks. As a precautionary measure, we have stopped vehicular movement and roped in engineers from four agencies, including public works department, UP state bridge corporation and the metro, for assessing it, the DM said. We have asked the engineers to submit a preliminary assessment report which will also be sent to the state government. Till we get clearance or repairs, the bridge will remain shut and traffic will be diverted on alternative routes, she said. At present, there are four bridges on the GT Road over river Hindon one on which cracks have surfaced that leads from Ghaziabad to Mohan Nagar, a one-lane bridge used by vehicles to move to Ghaziabad from Mohan Nagar, a two-lane bridge that leads from Mohan Nagar to Ghaziabad and one that leads commuters from Ghaziabad city to Vasundhara. At present, we are using the single-lane bridge to move traffic from Ghaziabad to Mohan Nagar. The new two-lane bridge is used regularly for vehicles coming from Mohan Nagar to Ghaziabad. We are also chalking out a plan to divert vehicles, said Shyam Narayan Singh, superintendent of police (traffic). Officials have put up barricades and have deployed traffic personnel at the bridge, which is now shut till further orders from the district administration. The location is of vital importance due to ongoing construction of 9.41km metro route, which has a station at river Hindon. Also, the 10.3km Hindon elevated road also passes and crosses the river at the same point. Commuters can use alternative routes to travel during the rush hour. Commuters from Mohan Nagar can use the Karhera Road and the new Raj Nagar Extension overbridge to bypass the old bridge and reach Ghaziabad city. Commuters from Ghaziabad city can move up to Raj Nagar Extension and use the new overbridge near Karhera to reach Mohan Nagar. Commuters from Ghaziabad can use the fourth bridge to move towards Vasundhara and then use the Link Road to reach Mohan Nagar. Commuters travelling to NH-24 can use the Vasundhara bridge or the newly constructed NH-24 to NH-58 Link Road to reach their destinations. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An aggrieved bank customer who suffered a loss in the heist of Punjab National Banks Modi Nagar branch earlier this month has lodged an FIR against bank officials. The customer said that laxity on the part of the branch officials led to the incident. AK Maurya, superintendent of police (rural), confirmed that an FIR was lodged under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent) of IPC against bank officials at Modi Nagar police station. An FIR is lodged against bank officials and we are probing their alleged role. The investigation is going on in the case. Apart from this, several of our teams are working round-the-clock to trace the gang involved in the burglary. The culprits will be nabbed soon, he said. The burglary came to light on June 12 after the Kapda Mill branch of PNB opened after the weekend. It was found that 30 of 435 lockers in the bank were broken into and valuables, stolen. The burglars had bored a hole through the wall located on the rear side of the lockers and entered and exited the premises using the opening. The burglars had also managed to dodge the sensors and security systems. We estimate that it (the heist) caused a loss of nearly Rs15 crores. I also lost valuables that I stored in the bank locker. The entire incident took place because of laxity of the branch officials and they should be held accountable. We also heard in the news that loss of valuables from bank lockers is not the responsibility of the bank. I dont know how far is this correct, but our lockers were under the security of the branch and officials should be held responsible, said Ramesh Chand Sharma, the complainant. Branch manager Ashok Srivastava and circle head Rajinder Sharma could not be contacted despite repeated attempts to contact them on their mobile phones. After the incident, the officials had taken a list of valuables lost from customers and had said that the list would be sent to the banks head office where senior officials will take a decision with regard to compensating for the loss. The police have also failed to trace the gang behind the burglary and had also sought public support in identifying the culprits. The police had also released a CCTV grab of one of the burglars captured by a camera installed in the bank strongroom. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Retired officials from various government security agencies along with Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association staged a protest against the alleged remarks made by senior Samajawadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan about the army. On Wednesday, Khan, a former minister in the erstwhile SP government, had been quoted as saying that excesses committed by jawans in Jammu and Kashmir often forced women to chop off their private parts out of revenge. His comments triggered outrage across the country. Ex-servicement from the army, CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and those working for private security agencies submitted a memorandum to the city magistrate. Addressed to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the memorandum sought strict action against the SP leader.The protest was organized by the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association. We have asked the Yogi government to arrest Azam Khan for his shameless remarks about the army. He should be booked for sedition. Our army men are putting their lives on the line for us. The least we can do to acknowledge their service is to respect their sacrifice, NP Singh, president, FONRWA, said. The protesters also vented their ire over politicians allegedly using the army to further their selfish political agendas. Ours is an apolitical army and we want it to stay that way. Politicians should stop politicising the army for their own personal gains. We are not interested in politics. We are a secular force and the morale of the soldier should be boosted, Col. Mahindra Singh (retd), one of the protesting ex-servicemen, said. The protesters urged the Yogi government to show respect towards the armed forces by arresting Khan as soon as possible. Read I Azam Khan should be charged with blasphemy, imprisoned: Amar Singh Ours is a nationalist force and the services of our jawans shouldnt be viewed through a political prism. Of late, some people have bee using the army to create unnecessary controversies. The likes of Azam Khan should be put behind bars, the retired colonel said. NP Singh said that the morale of the army should never be allowed to flag. Our protest is against everyone who wants to shatter the morale of our forces. Every citizen of this country is with the army, the FONRWA president said. Mahipal Singh, secretary, Security Agencies Association of India, who also took part in the protest said the armed forces should never be the subject of narrow politics and unfair criticism. Continuing its crackdown against breeding of mosquitoes, the district health department issued notices to four parties on Wednesday evening, warning them of action if they fail to get rid of stagnant water and garbage on their building premises. Chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Anurag Bhargav, district malaria officer Rajesh Sharma and other officials inspected various sites near Sector 39. After the inspection, the department issued notices to KCP construction site in Sector 39, Government PG College in Sector 39, Mechanical Workshop of Noida authority and Additional Road Transport Office (ARTO) in Sector 32. We inspected the premises of buildings in the area and found that some of the spots were breeding grounds for mosquitoes as water was stagnant and garbage piled up. They had not taken any action despite repeated warnings. Therefore, we have sent them a notice seeking immediate action on the issue, Rajesh Sharma, district malaria officer, health department, said. The notice was issued by health department under Uttar Pradesh Malaria, Dengue, Kala Azar and Other Epidemic Diseases (Prevention and Control) Rules, 2016, under which the offender is given three days to rid the premises of stagnant water and breeding grounds. Failing the deadline, the staff of health department will take action by using sprays and other measures to control mosquito breeding. The offenders will be charged the cost of treatment and services of the staff. I would like to state that the fine can extend to Rs50,000-60,000 if no action is taken by the offender, said Dr Anurag Bhargav, CMO, Gautam Budh Nagar. As Noida witnessed heavy rainfall on Wednesday night, the chances of vector-borne diseases have increased in the district, officials said. The health department has been running campaigns to create awareness among people about vector-borne diseases such as malaria, chikungunya and dengue that are caused by female anopheles and aedes mosquitoes. Residents have been asked to ensure that water is not stagnating in their homes and also to clean all empty utensils and other containers such as buckets, vases, old tyres and coolers. On Tuesday, the department issued notices to the public health and horticulture departments of Noida authority, the National Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research and Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation for allowing water to stagnate on their premises. Further action will be taken after the stipulated time of three days, said Sharma. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The district magistrate has asked the health department of Noida authority to identify the officers responsible and also reasons for shoddy cleaning of drains ahead of the monsoon. On June 23, district magistrate BN Singh had inspected the drains in the city and said he was surprised to see the shoddy work. He found that drains were filled with plastic and filth, which could cause waterlogging and also vector-borne diseases. We have written to Noida authority to look into the matter. Cleaning of drains should be done as soon as possible to avoid problems to residents. Anyone found on the wrong side of the law will face action. Filthy drains could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and subsequently, lead to vector-borne diseases, especially now that the monsoon is here, Singh said. Chief medical officer Anurag Bhargava had also joined Singh for the inspection. Drains were not clean and were filled with plastic. If drains are not cleaned properly, it will cause problems for residents, Bhargava said. In the letter, it has been mentioned that cleaning of drains has not been done properly and it should be done before the onset of monsoon. Noida authority had recently claimed that 70% of the citys drains have been cleaned and the remaining will be done by June 30. We have identified around 14 main drains for cleaning and over 60% of the work is done. The remaining work will be done in another 10 days. Our teams are working in full speed to clean all drains before the onset of monsoon, RS Yadav, senior project engineer, Noida authority told HT on June 20. A budget of Rs5 crore was also allotted for the pre-monsoon preparations. On Thursday, HT made several attempts over the phone and text message to get in touch with Yadav but he was unavailable. According to officials, cleaning of drains has been delayed as the authority received few tenders from private firms. Every year, the authority issues tenders to private firms for cleaning drains. Now, the tender process has been completed and the work is in full swing. The health department is leaving no stone unturned in completing cleaning work before July 1, Yadav had said. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself in a tight spot with corporators from both the municipal corporations Pune and Pimpri-Chnichwad demanding transfer of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) managing director Tukaram Mundhe. Corporators have been asked to go slow on the issue as it was the BJP, which had demanded Mundhe as PMPML chief, three months ago. BJP corporators, particularly office bearers, have launched an attack on Mundhe for his style of functioning. However, what has made the BJP leadership anxious is the issue raised by Pimpri-Chinchwad corporators, who have objected to the procurement of diesel without inviting tenders and following procedure. Pune mayor Mukta Tilak has announced that she would write a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting the removal of Mudhe. Leader of the House Shrinath Bhimale has complained that Mundhe was insulting elected representatives and was not ready to listen their suggestions. PCMC standing committee chairman Seema Savle has also criticised Mundhes style of functioning and raised the issue of diesel procurement. She is also supported by a majority of party corporators in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Sources in the BJP said that corporators have been advised to have restrain while criticising Mundhe, considering his image and efficiency. A BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity that issue, if not handled smoothly, may backfire and the party will have to pay the price for it. Officers must understand rights and concerns of elected representatives. This is very important in local self government. If any of these two are not aware of the responsibility, problems are bound to crop up unnecessarily, said Yogesh Gogavale, BJP Pune unit president. He said that the party would discuss the issue and would come out with some solution. BJP leaders in Pune and Piimpri-Chinchwad plan to have a joint meeting over the issue but the party is not in mood to move any formal resolution which will embarrass the Fadnavis government. BJP leaders said that they would prefer to sort the issue at an informal level. They point out that opposition parties including Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena have already supported the demand for Mundhes removal but ensure that they would not get any political mileage. Reasons for the provocation: *Hike in school bus fare came as an immediate provocation for political parties, which were already disappointed with Mundhe over various issues since he took over as the PMPML chief in March this year. PMPML administration maintain that they had to increase the fare for school buses as PMC did not give them subsidy. All political parties opposed Mundhes move. *Political parties were already upset with Mundhe for various steps taken by him to make PMPML efficient. It includes a major revamp in administration and fixing of working hours. Elected representatives complained that Mundhe does not attend or entertain their suggestions and complaints. *Mundhe was transferred from Navi Mumbai after he crossed swords with elected representatives over demolition of unauthorised construction. He was posted in Navi Mumbai from Solapur also because of a dispute with elected representatives. In a surprise move, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday quashed and set aside the forest departments shoot-at-sight order against a tigress that killed five villagers in the south Bramhapuri region of Chandrapur district. Responding to a public interest litigation (PIL), the division bench of the high court also clarified that the life of human beings is more precious than the wildlife, but at the same time the court said that the department should try to tranquilize the beast before resorting to the extreme step. The court called in the entire record related to the tigress and found that the shoot-at-sight order was absolutely illegal. While quashing the forest departments order, the court has observed that it was passed without following the due process of law and violation of guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Besides, the court expressed its concern about issuing a the order against the man-eater tiger without identifying the animal. The bench, comprising of Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari and Justice Rohit Deo, told the department to engage its staff, along with veterinary doctors, to tranquilize the big cat. Petitioner Dr Jerryl Banait moved to the court after the forest department issued a shoot-at-sight order against the animal that had killed five villagers and injured three in villages of South Brahmapuri in Chandrapur district, adjacent to the famous Tadoba tiger project. The petitioner stated that the deaths of villagers caused by the tigers was reported in reserved and buffer areas of the wildlife sanctuary where human entry is banned . It pointed out that the illegal entry of humans in the reserved jungle is a violation of Wildlife Protection Act, and urged the court to stay the order. After issuing the order, Chandrapur forest department hired the services of expert shooter Nawab Shafat Ali Khan of Hyderabad to deal with the tigress menace. According to reports reaching the state forest and wildlife headquarters here on Thursday, Khan had already reached Chandrapur from Hyderabad by road in his special vehicle along with his hunting team. He joined the hunting operation on Thursday morning. We have hired the Hyderabadi shooter as a tranquillizing expert to capture the stray tigress and not for killing it, clarifies Vijay Shelke, the chief conservator of forests (Chandrapur circle). Khan was involved in culling around 500 wild boars in different forest areas of Chandrapur last year. Over 150 camera traps have been laid and more than 100 forest personnel from four neighbouring forest ranges have been deployed to hunt the tigress. The tigress is said to be very aggressive and has charged thrice at the hunting team, which was tracking the beast in the forest on Thursday. Earlier, the Chandrapur police had shot a tiger that killed seven villagers. Of the estimated 24,000 students studying Japanese in India, as many as 3,000 are learning the language in Pune, making a strong statement of the city emerging as one of the national hubs for this language. After well-established courses being conducted by the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Indo Japanese Association (IJA) and Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV), the famed Deccan College is set to introduce a certificate course this year. Every year, the Japan Foundation by the Government of Japan conducts Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at more than 128 centres in 50 countries on the same day (first Sunday in December and July). The objective, said Kousuke Noguchi, director, Japan Foundation (Japanese Language and Japanese Studies) is to evaluate and certify Japanese Language Proficiency of non-native speakers. The purpose was to send experts to train teachers to teach Japanese to students. We have experts teaching in Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata but Pune has amazed us with rising number of students recorded through JLPT, he said. A welcome figure of 654 students from Pune appeared in 2011 and the number reached 1,070 in 2015. There is dedication, sincerity and an academic approach by students in Pune , he said. Before 1993, there was only one centre (New Delhi) for JLPT in India. Students from Maharashtra and southern parts of India had to go all the way to the Capital to appear for the test. Considering the need for a centre for JLPT in this part of the country, a group of senior Japanese language teachers in Pune, led by a veteran teacher Michiko Tendulkar took tireless efforts to start a centre for JLPT in Pune, with a strong encouragement from Dr Govind Damale, the then Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Pune (SPPU), and Japanese language teachers Dr Hari Damle and Dr VN Kinkar. The Consulate General of Japan, Mumbai, also helped in setting up the centre. In 1993, about 375 students had appeared for JLPT from Pune centre and the number grew enormously, said Hari Damle, teacher of Japanese language. Pune was one of the early cities which had a connection to Japan. Late Dr Ramesh Divekar played a pivotal role in connecting Pune with Japan in 1964. Japanese language teaching began in Pune in 1965, by late Ramesh Divekar with the valuable help from late DD Gangal (who is the senior most person to visit Japan in the 1930s and the author of the first textbook of Japanese in Marathi called Japani Bolbasha, said professor Dr Prashant Pardeshi,one of the early students of Japanese language of the Pune University batch and currently working with the National Institute for Japanese and Linguistics-NINJAL Japan. Pune with its IT base is very well suited for Japanese language education as the ties of the IT industry and the Japanese bilinguals are very deep. As a result, the demand for interpreters, translators, accountants and human resource professionals is high,said Prajwal Channagiri, who heads the Japanese Section, Department of Foreign Languages, Savitribai Phule Pune University, which has more than 350 fresh students, every year. Manasi Shirgurkar, assistant professor at Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (offering Japanese BA courses since 2008) feels that learning the nuances of a foreign language from a native also helps to add to the skill set of students in Pune. The university became the first in the western region to have native Japanese language experts to guide students studying in BA course. According to Japanese multinationals, campus interviews have been on a rise for students with Japanese language abilities. Varun Modgill, director of a private firm said, My company coordinates for and represents the Nikkei HR Recruitment Forum in India, which is a recruitment forum for recruiting the best of Asian students to work in the headquarters of large-scale Japanese companies. We have found that there are exceptionally talented Japanese speakers in Pune. The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College in Pune has a rare painting depicting a life-saving emergency surgery that Mahatma Gandhi had to undergo, 23 years before India attained Independence. It was at the Sassoon Hospital associated with this medical college that Gandhiji went under the surgeons knife on January 12, 1924. The circumstances in which that surgery happened were quite dramatic. Gandhiji was then in Pune, serving his six year sentence in a sedition case since 1922. However, two years later he was required to undergo an emergency appendectomy to remove an inflamed appendix. The archives at the BJ Medical College state that the surgery began on the night of January 12, 1924, as a thunderstorm raged on. The surgeon who operated on Gandhiji was a Britisher by the name of Colonel Maddock. As the records state, Gandhiji thanked his surgeon profusely and they became warm friends. It was while the surgery was in progress that the electric bulb went off. The appendectomy had then to be finished by the light of a hurricane lamp. A Gandhi Memorial was created in the old, stone building of the hospital, around this incident and in the room where the surgery was conducted. Located in the Opthalmology Department of the hospital, a painting commemorating that incident was installed in the room. However, this museum is kept under lock and key, depriving the public of visiting the museum and paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Without any explanation, BJ Medical College Dean Ajay S. Chandanwale and the hospital superintendent Ajay Tawade were firm that the memorial is not accessible to the public. The Sassoon Hospital was constructed in 1867 after a generous donation by Jewish philanthropist David Sassoon from Bombay. It was 79 years later that B.J. Medical School funded by the Parsi philanthropist Byramjee Jeejeebhoy was expanded to form a medical college. Over the last two years, Indias leading security experts have been participating in closed door deliberations in Pune on important issues and concerns of national security. These freewheeling discussions under Chatham House Rules were hosted by the Pune International Centre (PIC) and key recommendations emerging from the Pune Dialogue on National Security (PDNS) were presented to the PMO and important members of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Cabinet. As part of its initiative to empower citizens, and inform and enlighten them on key issues of national security, the PIC prepared a report of the proceedings for public dissemination. Heres a gist of the PDNS deliberations: Indias cybersecurity is extremely poor Issue at Hand: The Centre and states are rapidly adopting cyber technology and asking their ministries and departments to go online. However, the overall cybersecurity environment is extremely poor and needs to be addressed urgently. India is lagging in the creation of a workforce of IT security professionals. On the lines of the Nuclear Deterrence Doctrine, India needs a Cyber Deterrence Doctrine as a strategy against cyber attacks from other nations. Other countries need to be aware of our cyber offensive capabilities as part of the Cyber Deterrence Doctrine. While Iran developed very good cyber capabilities after it was hit by Stuxnet, China has Peoples Liberation Army units to create high quality malware. Recommendations: The poor standards of cyber security in India must be addressed urgently. India can accelerate her cyber security journey by establishing three to four cyber security clusters with close cooperation between the government, industry and academia. Pune with its vibrant ecosystem of IT and cyber security companies, academic institutions and defence and government labs is willing to take the lead and has already established such a cluster. Government funding and technology support is required to develop this first nascent cluster so as to set up a national template for further replication. India has a huge potential in cyber space and can create a culture by organising the best cyber security competitions, hackathons and other cyber fests. Deal with Islamic radicalisation and extremist violence firmly Issue at Hand: According to the report, the goal of the Pakistan State more so, its Army leadership in collaboration with certain Islamist states is nothing less than to bring about the destruction of India and the conquest of India, and to that end, to impair and damage India by as many and whichever ways feasible. States promoting radicalisation and violent extremism include countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Pakistan. India has been the focus of a premeditated, concerted, abundantly-resourced attack planned by expert practitioners of statecraft and state-destabilisation. The radicalisation and violent extremism seen in the country is not unplanned or sporadic or merely locally-inspired but a collaboration between external and internal entities. Recommendations: As the first step towards tackling this problem, the institutions of the state and civil society must comprehend that a meticulously-planned and heavily-resourced effort originating in Pakistan with abundant funding from some Arab nations is underway to destabilise India. This needs to be countered at the national, state and district level. The Indian Government in concert with civil society within and outside India needs to work with the US Government to affect effective strategies to control misuse of cyberspace channels by Islamist extremists. Government also needs to take steps to prevent anti-India propaganda and misuse of mainstream media in India. Rather than party spokespersons, trained government spokespersons should participate in TV debates to convince the public on various aspects of national policy and steps taken. Uphold NFU (No First Use) strategy of Indias nuclear doctrine Issue at Hand: In recent years there have been several writings suggesting and demanding a revision of Indias nuclear doctrine. The demand is to re-examine the efficacy of two major attributes of Indias nuclear doctrine: Credible Minimum Deterrence and No First Use (NFU). Issues to consider are the close partnership between China and Pakistan on strategic matters, the possibility of terrorists using nuclear weapons and Pakistans claim to have developed theatre or tactical nuclear weapons (TNW) to counter a massive Indian attack. Recommendations: India must consider Pakistans acquisition of eight Jin-class missile submarine from China which will most likely be equipped with nuclear weapons. Indias nuclear doctrine needs to be looked at from the context of a global strategic environment which is very different today from the time India decided to become a nuclear weapons state. In the event of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, what would be the roles of China, Russia and the United States? These need to be analysed. The best option to counter Pakistans threat of using TNWs is to make massive retaliation more credible through credible signalling. India could also make a horror film on the consequences of a nuclear war in the subcontinent. Such a film could drive the common man in both countries realise the futility of nuclear weapons and percolate up to the decision makers. Extremist Do not neglect maritime security Issue at Hand: Indias maritime security interests include protecting the nations sovereignty and territorial integrity; promoting safety and security of Indian citizens; fishing, shipping, trade, energy supply assets and resources in the maritime domain. It includes the pursuit of peace, stability and security in Indias maritime zones; maritime neighbourhood and other areas of maritime interests. Indias 97 per cent trade comes from sea. Unfortunately, India has shown gross neglect of her maritime interests, assets and potential. It is necessary for Indias decision makers to understand that the navy constitutes just one pillar of the larger edifice of maritime security. Without overall strategic planning, Indias maritime power will remain hollow and vulnerable. Recommendations: India needs to urgently conceive a national strategy for maritime security. Adopt a whole of government approach for the development of Indias maritime domain. Given the emerging salience of blue economy, create a full-fledged ministry of maritime affairs under the charge of a cabinet minister. Promote ship-building and ship-repair in a big way. The market for global ship-repair is estimated at $10-12 billion. Singapores share is 20% and India has a share of only $100 million. Strengthen Maritime Police Force and promote cruise shipping and domestic shipping. Provide greater impetus for the development and upgradation of ports and associated industries. The Sagarmala project is still quite a distance away. Develop better technologies and better capabilities for the enhancing Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA). Repair civil-military relationship Issue at Hand: Something is seriously wrong with civil-military relationship in India and this needs to be addressed with all the seriousness it deserves. One view holds that the role of political leaders on issues relating to the military has been hijacked by the civil servants and this has resulted in bureaucratic control of the armed forces; not civilian political control. For smooth civil-military relations, the political leadership, civil bureaucracy and military have to have space for working in harmony for national security. India is the only country in the world where the service headquarters have been kept out of the Ministry of Defence. One of the major aspects of civil-military strife in India is the contempt and ignorance amongst many civilians about the uniform. Recommendations: Implement the key recommendations of the Arun Singh Committee, K. Subramanyam Committee Report and the Naresh Chandra Task Force to improve civil-military relationship. A more regular and formalised interaction between the Prime Minister and the three services chiefs is necessary. There have to be many cross-postings and a specialists cadre, especially for functions like acquisitions and procurements. There has to be an emphasis on specialists manning the Ministry of Defence. Civilian bureaucrats need a better understanding of the armed forces to achieve this, create a specialised cadre like the Foreign Service. It is necessary that civil-military relationship is based on mutual respect. Sharing of Water Issue at Hand: Indias population is projected to rise to about 1.5 billion by 2040, about half of whom will live and work in urban agglomerations. The UN Habitat Report projects that by 2030, 14 urban clusters will contribute 40% of the GDP and urban India will be the site for 80% of economic production. Dependable supplies of water would be required to grow, manufacture, procure and distribute the vast requirements of food and non-food items and generate the energy required on a dependable and sustainable basis. India has a little less than 4% of the worlds area, almost 17% of its population and about 4% of the worlds fresh water. Clearly, there is stress in many parts of India when it comes to water availability. The per capita water availability has been reducing since Independence: from 5,000 cubic metres per person in 1950 to only 1,545 cubic metres per person today. This will go down further to 1,100 cubic metres per person . In another 20 years, almost 45-50% of Indias population will be in 84 urban centres in the entire country. This is quite alarming. Indias total water storage capacity is no better than that of Ethiopia. Russia, USA, Brazil and China have a far better storage capacity. Recommendations: The mapping of water demand needs to be done on a watershed, sub-basin and basin-wise manner to better understand and then address water availability, utilisation and distribution issues. Agricultural productivity per unit of water in India is lower than other developing countries. We need to introduce better irrigation techniques to conserve water. Excavating shallow wells is a good way of conserving water. Grey water can be recycled in all housing societies in urban areas. Bioremediation in septic tanks is a good idea and should be made mandatory. Nashik and Nagpur have been supplying treated waste water to power stations. Inter-basin shifting of water should be done wherever feasible. With regards to the international sharing of water, India can use the Indus waters as a tool of coercion and intimidation, if needed. India needs to re-look at the water treaties with Nepal and Bangladesh and re-construct water management approaches and move towards a basin management approach. This will shift the diplomacy in the region from a bilateral to multilateral approach. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) smart card scheme is being circulated by the municipal administration on a large scale to ensure that various types of materials are available in time to the employees of the municipal corporation and students of the municipal education board. The parents allege that to provide benefit to a contractor, a senior administration official and a prominent office bearer of the ruling party, the entire scheme has been bypassed.Therefore, in addition to doubts regarding the implementation of the scheme, the parents allege that students may get old uniforms this year too. Every year, the municipal administration provide various types of material to students of the municipal education board. The administration also follows the tender process for this. However, parents allege that there were irregularities in it this year. The allegations by parents have triggered a controversy, leading to delay in procuring the material. Earlier this year, the municipal administration announced that around one lakh students of the municipal education board will be provided uniforms by July 15. Accordingly, 43 firms agreed to give uniforms to them. The professional firms, however, complained that due to a limited duration given to them, it would be impossible to make uniforms for a large number of students. Later, one of the firms agreed to give uniforms within the deadline prescribed by the civic body. Since, the firm was providing uniforms to students during previous years, it had 85,000 uniforms left over from last year. The firm, therefore, decided to distribute old uniforms to the students. I will personally look into this issue.The order for new uniforms for this year was already given, hence, this will not happen, said mayor Mukta Tilak. The allegations of old uniforms being given out to students is a rumour. There are 43 contractors who are ready to provide uniforms.Students have a choice whether to buy from the shop or get the uniforms from the school stall, said Tushar Daundkar, chief of store department, PMC. Meanwhile, students from the Shrimati Shantabai Balkrishna Dhole Patil school at Dhole Patil road said that they are still waiting for school uniforms, even though the school has already started. The students of Mahatma Jyotiba Prathamik Vidyalaya said that they have still not received uniforms meant for the last academic year. Asha Shinde headmistress of school said, We are allowing students to wear plain clothes because we know that uniforms were not distributed last year. Now, under the DBT smart card scheme we are waiting for this years uniform. Pune will be the first municipal corporation to distribute the benefits of the DBT scheme without purchasing material for it. The standing committee has also approved this proposal. Therefore, the amount meant for the purchase material will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of more than one lakh and twenty thousand beneficiaries of the board of education. However, there is a doubt in the implementation of this scheme. The number of corruption cases recorded in Pune, between January 1 and June 22 this year, is 97, the highest in Maharashtra. With 62 cases reported this year, Nashik comes at number two in the list and Thane recorded the third highest number of cases with 54 cases, according to the monthly number of cases released by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Maharashtra. When asked about the possible reason for the high number of cases in the city, Prasad Hasabnis, additional superintendent of police, ACB, Pune, said, The possible reason behind this could be the awareness among people of the city to report cases of corruption. The reach of our officers in the masses residing in the city is much higher than other cities. With a steady high since 2014, ACB Maharashtra has registered 415 cases till June 22 this year. The annual number of cases stood at 1,316 in 2014, 1,279 in 2015, and 1,014 in 2016. Between 2010 and 2014, the highest number of cases recorded annually stood at 586, which was recorded in 2013. ACB divides the type of cases into three categories, namely trap, disproportionate assets and other corrupt practices. The number of cases recorded as a result of a trap set by ACB is observed to be the highest across the state and its cities. Of the 415 cases, 395 were recorded under trap, 14 under other corrupt practices, and six were recorded under cases of disproportionate assets, in the state. In Pune, there were no recorded cases of corruption through disproportionate assets while 94 cases were recorded through the ACB trap. Other corrupt practices recorded by ACB stood at three. In Mumbai, as against Pune, the number of cases through trap were 13 while three cases of disproportionate assets were recorded and one case of other corrupt practices. The revenue department in the state has had the highest amount of money recovered through traps. With increased interaction with public, the possibility of officials indulging in bribery also increases. The revenue department is in constant touch with the common citizens through places like village accountant (talathi), points out additional superintendent of police, Hasabnis. The recovery from the revenue department stands at ?23,41,300 followed by ?21,85,400 from municipal corporations and ?12,69,100 from the tribal development, according to the data released by ACB. Three people, including a woman, were arrested by the police for the murder of a man named Sagar Arun Thorat (28) near Karachi Chowk in Pimpri on Wednesday morning . The three accused were identified as Archana Jalindar Nikam, Prem Randive and Ganesh Rokade. At around 11:30 pm on Tuesday night, the three attacked Thorat with sharp weapons and inflicted wounds on his face, neck and head, causing his death. They were traced to Lonavala and were arrested within five hours of the murder, said senior police inspector VV Mugalikar. All the four people involved in the case have previous criminal records in their name, said police inspector, crime, Masaji Kale of the Pimpri police station. Nikam had been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 in the past. Her brother and Rokade also have criminal records in their name, said PI Kale. He also claimed that Nikam's husband was serving jail time in another case. According to the police, a previous love affair between Nikam and Thorat was the reason behind the murder. Thorat and Nikam were involved with each other before Thorat got married to another man over nine years ago. However, even after his marriage, he pursued Nikam in order to continue their relations. Prem Randive had beaten up Thorat for the same issue in the past as well. Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) on Thursday released the much-awaited all-India merit list of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-2017. The Central Board of School Education (CBSE) had announced the NEET results on June 23. The NEET is held for the candidates seeking admission to Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) courses. The release of the list will give candidates an idea in which college they can get admission. BFUHS vice-chancellor Dr Raj Bahadur personally visited the ministry of health and family welfare to get the merit list released. BFUHS is the first university to upload the merit list. We have already asked the candidates from Punjab to apply online. The university will draw its state merit list on the basis of which their counselling for MBBS and BDS courses will be held, the V-C said. He added that uploading of the merit list will ensure transparency and all candidates will have the opportunity to see their relative position among the candidates. The V-C said the candidates applying in the Punjab category other than general/SC/BC may be from other states, as Sikh/Christian candidates may compete from anywhere in the country. The aspirants will be vying for 1,125 MBBS seats in eight medical colleges and 1,130 BDS seats in 14 dental colleges across the state. The university has already received 3,000 applications online. Those who have qualified the NEET-2017 will have to apply for admission online through the universitys website www.bfuhs.ac.in by July 11. Students have to deposit 5,000 (2,500 for scheduled caste candidates) in the university account in any branch of the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) or State Bank of India (SBI) through a challan form that will be generated on successful filing of the online application form. The provisional list of candidates will be displayed on July 16. A man booked for allegedly shooting a pet dog dead and injuring the owner was not granted protection from arrest by the Supreme Court on Thursday. You had fired gunshots to scare the dog? You are saying that the incident is of a dog barking and you fired at the dog, a bench of Justice AM Sapre and Justice SK Kaul told the counsel of the accused Pratibh Sharma from Punjab - while asking him to surrender. They rubbished his argument that the bullets were fired at the dog because it was furious and attacking him. Three shots were fired towards the complainant (dogs owner). He had sustained injuries. The dog had died. There is no question of anticipatory bail. You surrender first, the bench said, questioning why Sharma was carrying his gun. The petitioner had moved the SC against the Punjab and Haryana High Court order dismissing his anticipatory bail. Sharma is facing charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. A case was lodged against him at the Budhlada police station in Mansa district in December 2016 after the dogs owner filed a complaint against him. As per the complainant he was shot at after he protested against his pets death. The dog, he said, barked after Sharma had fired in the air. The prisons department of Punjab has formed a three-member investigation committee after a woman from SAS Nagar, lodged in the Nabha Maximum Security Jail in Patiala district for the murder of her husband, levelled allegations of molestation against jail superintendent Karanjeet Singh Sandhu. She made the allegations in a call from the jail phone booth to additional director general of police (prisons) Gaurav Yadav on Monday, and later her lawyer met the DGP (prisons) with a submitted a written complaint. It said Sandhu called her to his office and asked the warden to leave, after which he made sexual advances, even removed her dupatta, and outraged her modesty. After she resisted, she was harassed mentally, and has been continuously facing sexual harassment, the complaint said. The ADGP asked the inspector general (prisons), Roop Kumar Arora, to conduct a preliminary probe. The IG deputed Surinder Singh Saini, who visited the jail and said the panel must include women. The three members now are DIG Saini and two women, SP (headquarters) Pamajit Kaur and the superintendent of Ludhiana women jail, Damanjit Kaur Walia. The panel will record statements and submit its report in four days, said ADGP Yadav. When contacted, Sandhu denied the allegations. The woman, who allegedly packed her husbands body in a suitcase but was caught before she could dump it, is in the Nabha jail as SAS Nagar (Mohali) does not have its own prison. The Nabha jail made headlines for the wrong reasons November last year too, when six inmates were freed in an attack by their accomplices. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The monsoon season has not even begun, yet the incidence of vector-borne diseases has set the alarm bells ringing. Chandigarh has already reported 66 cases of chikungunya, 15 cases of dengue and 25 of malaria. Though considered one of the cleanest cities in India, the UT has been falling prey to the mosquito sting rather too frequently.The dengue cases in the city have been on the rise, going from 13 in 2014 to 856 in 2016. Chikungunya, a potentially deadly disease, also spread its tentacles in the city last year with 272 cases. Calling this number unprecedented, Dr Gaurav Aggarwal, the UT anti-malaria officer, said, The digitised records of the UT health department from 1990 onwards dont show a single case of chikungunya in Chandigarh until 2011, when only one case was reported. These are only the registered cases, experts say many people may not have reported to hospitals. While the UT health department denies any death because of dengue last year, a resident complained to the health secretary about the negligent attitude of GMCH-32 staff, which led to the death of his daughter suffering from dengue. Though the situation is no better this year, the UT heath officials are either calling the cases old or are tracing the infection to some other city. Despite the gravity of the situation, the department does not have a full-time assistant director, malaria wing. Dr Deepak Bakhshi of GMSH-16 has been given the additional charge but he remains busy with other work. Meanwhile, one round of fogging has already been done throught the city. The authorities plan another round at the end of July. Also, for the first time, organic insecticides will be sprayed in all the choes in the city, a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The UT administration will launch two mobile applications by July end. One of these will be for people to report a mosquito-breeding site and seek action. The second is for the department staff to record a live update of cases, progress in creating awareness etc. Much bitten Mohali learns a lesson, preps in advance Once bitten, twice shy the Mohali health authorities claim to have launched their war on mosquitoes much before the onset of monsoon. One round of fogging is over, the hospitals are prepared, and the medicine stocked. Dengue claimed four lives in the district last year. This was the highest ever in the last five years. This year, the authorities claim to have received 31 suspected cases, but they are quick to underline that dengue has not been confirmed. Last year, the spiraling number of dengue and chikungunya cases had kept the health officials on their toes throughout the rains and even later. With the number of dengue cases shooting up from 556 in 2015 to 2088 in 2016, the district authorities were caught unprepared. The city also registered 100 cases of chikungunya, up from zero in 2015. The authorities scrambled to procure diagnostics kits to detect chikungunya. This test was done if dengue was not detected. The tests were free in government hospitals which also provided free treatment to patients. A large number of cases poured in from Phase 3, 7 and 10. Other affected areas were Balongi and Jagatpura. Construction sites and flats where fogging could not reach top floors were also hit hard. Officials say community awareness is essential to weed out the breeding places of mosquitoes. Meanwhile, the authorities are on high alert for any signs of mosquitoes. Fogging to awareness, Panchkula readies for war Panchkula Last year, Panchkula recorded 187 cases of dengue while chikungunya cases went up to 79. Most of these cases came from the periphery. With monsoon at the doorstep, Panchkulas health department claims that it has already taken preventive measures by visiting these areas besides conducting a survey of residential areas in old Panchkula, Rajiv colony, Indira Colony, Abheypur, Haripur, and Baldwala. Larval source management (LSM) is being done by spraying deltamethrin to reduce the adult population of the dengue vector Aedes aegypt. Two rounds of deltamethrin have already been sprayed in critical areas. Now we are focusing on spreading awareness, said Dr V K Singh, the Panchkula civic surgeon. The schools and educational institutes will also be visited after the summer vacation. The health department has also issued a circular to all private labs directing them against charging more than Rs 600 for the dengue test. The residents can approach the civil surgeon if labs are found overcharging. Last year, many labs were sealed for fleecing people despite the state health department laying down the charges. The MC, which was given the fogging operation this year, has completed one round of fogging from May 1 to mid June. Another round is likely in July end when the monsoon is in full flow. (Last of the fifth part series) Gautham Menons highly anticipated Dhruva Natchathiram, which was originally planned with Suriya and later with Jayam Ravi, was eventually bagged by Vikram and the project went on the floors earlier this year. The film has once again undergone a major shuffle. After its lead heroine Anu Emmanuel and cinematographer Jomon T John walked out of the project citing dates issues, filmmakers Gautham Vasudev Menon replaced them with Ritu Varma and Santhana Krishnan, son of legendary cinematographer Ravi K Chandran respectively. The latest update is that Santhana Krishnan has been replaced by Manoj Paramahamsa, who had previously worked with Gautham in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya. The makers are currently filming in Europe where they are shooting crucial action sequences, according to a reliable source. Manoj has joined the team for the European scheduled and will stick around to finish the project. The film stars Vikram in the role of a spy and it has already shot predominant portion of the film in the US, apart from Coonor in Tamil Nadu. Tipped made on the lines of The Bourne series, the film is being made on a lavish budget. The film marks the first-time collaboration of Vikram and Gautham Menon and the project is gearing up for year-end release. Tipped to be the biggest film in Gautham Menons career, the film also stars Aishwarya Rajesh as one of the leading ladies. Actor-filmmaker Parthiepan has been confirmed to play a pivotal role. The makers have kept the identity of the films antagonist a secret as they have roped in someone very unusual for the role. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was tipped to play a cameo, but it looks like the makers have dropped the idea. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop At a time when the Bengali film industry is going through a low, the Mamata Banerjee government has thrown a tax lifeline to save it from the impact of GST. Nepali and Santhali films will also benefit from the move announced by state finance minister Amit Mitra. The timing came at a time when she stepped up her attack on the GST rollout in the country from July 1 describing it as an epic blunder. Though the GST rates on tickets below Rs 100 will stand at 18%, the state government will not keep 9% which it is entitled to. It will merely retain 2% and pass on the benefit of 7% to the viewers. The move is expected to benefit the stand alone movie halls where the price of tickets are lower than that in multiplexes. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Relief has also been declared for those buying tickets valued above Rs 100 that would attract GST at 28%. For these tickets, the state would offer a rebate of 12% on its share of 14 %. The rebate given by the state government will be printed on the tickets, Mitra said. The Bengali film industry has brought glory not only to the state of West Bengal but also to the entire country. The state government is happy to support it, said state finance minister Amit Mitra on Wednesday. Mitra, who is the chairperson of the empowered committee of state finance ministers on GST said, We emphasised in the GST Council meeting that GST will deliver a death blow to the regional film industry such as Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Nepali. It was due to the pressure from Bengal that the Centre agreed to slash the proposed GST rate of 28% on tickets valued at below Rs 100 to 18%, claimed Mitra. Incidentally, Bengal is a debt-stressed state with 81% of its projected (2017-18) own tax revenue of Rs 55,786 crore set to be consumed by loan repayment of Rs 45,339 crore, and sacrifice of any amount of revenue is bound to hurt the state exchequer. However, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has a soft corner for the film industry. Every year, she invites virtually all the first and second rank faces of the Bengali film industry to the flagship party programme on July 21. She has quite a few film stars, current and past, on the list of Trinamool Congress MLAs and MPs too. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Over four decades after Canadas most iconic desi enclave came into existence in Toronto, that commercial district will get a tribute in the form of a documentary that will screen and stream nationally on July 1, the 150th anniversary of the countrys confederation. Little India: Village of Dreams, which celebrates the Gerrard India Bazaar, will premiere on the public broadcaster TVO on Saturday. Fittingly enough, it was directed by a Mumbai-born director Nina Beveridge, who herself had lived in this Toronto neighbourhood for nearly 20 years. Little India: Village Of Dreams Trailer from Paul Hart on Vimeo. The enclave came into being after Gian Chand Naz decided to set up a cinema to screen Bollywood movies in 1972. He had a dream of building an Indian community and felt a movie theatre would be a magnet, so he set about to finance and get the theatre going, said Beveridge in an interview. Dancing in the street as Torontos Little India celebrates Diwali (Bongo Kolycius/ Village of Dreams Productions Inc) Nazs vision translated into reality as the area along Torontos Gerrard Street gradually turned into Little India, even as it also proved an attraction for other communities from the subcontinent. The nearly hour-long documentary looks at what Little India is today, even as smaller stores shutter due to gentrification and the desi community is now largely concentrated in the citys suburbs. Chandan Singh of Little Indias Chandan Fashions takes the line to the ramp during a bridal show. (Bongo Kolycius/ Village of Dreams Productions Inc) Those without marketing sophistication may be evicted from Little India, but others like Chandan Singh of Chandan Fashion are very hopeful of survival, as they take their business forward, while retaining traditions. Beveridges documentary, in fact, is a narrative seen from the perspective of four different families who have stores in the area a tale of entrepreneurship, focusing on the children who were born in Canada and are now involved in running the family business. Besides Chandan Singh, who has taken to displaying the fashion line on the ramp; the film chronicles the Khans of Forever Young Beauty Salon and Spa; the Khoranas of Kala Kendar and the Alibhai-Sayanis of Lahore Tikka House. Inside the store Kala Kendar, in a still from the documentary, Little India: Village of Dreams. (Jo-Anne McArthur/Village of Dreams Productions Inc) Beveridge, who also returned in her teens to India to attend school in Mussoorie and college in Baroda, already has a strong film-based link to India. Her father, James Beveridge, was among the pioneers of the documentary section of Indias Films Division, and also played a significant role in establishing the Media Resource Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi and that is also named after him. Nina Beveridge,the director of the documentary, Little India: Village of Dreams, had attended school in Mussoorie and college in Baroda. (Village of Dreams Productions Inc)) Her film gently looks at handwritten signs advertising Onions from India or a Mumbai Paan store to an art gallery, pizzeria and a cafe that point to how this is a place going through a lot of transition, as she put it. Beveridge starting filming during the signature Festival of South Asia at the bazaar last July, and completed it on Diwali last year, and now will see her project going public on another day of celebration. It makes for a suitable marker for an area that occupies a unique place in the communitys heritage in Canada. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bhutan on Thursday asked China to maintain status quo in the Donglang sector of their border, saying the construction of a road by Chinese troops is a direct violation of past agreements to maintain peace in the area. The foreign ministry in Thimphu issued a statement on the standoff near Nathu La hours after Chinas defence ministry contended that the road was being built within Chinese territory. The statement said Bhutan had conveyed to China, both on the ground and through the diplomatic channel, that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the written agreements of 1988 and 1998. The development will also affect the process of demarcating the boundary between the two countries, it said. Bhutan hoped that status quo in Donglang or Doklam area will be maintained, the statement added. The Donglang or Doklam area, located at the point where the borders of Bhutan, India and China meet, is under Chinese control but is claimed by Thimphu. On Wednesday, Bhutan protested to China over the construction of the road that has heightened tensions between Beijing and New Delhi. Bhutans ambassador to India, Vetsop Namgyel, said his government had issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission in New Delhi. Bhutan and China do not have diplomatic relations and maintain contacts through their missions in New Delhi. Map showing the border region where China, Bhutan and India converge. (AFP) The statement from Bhutans foreign ministry said Chinese troops began building a motorable road from Dokola in the Doklam area towards the Bhutan Army camp at Zompelri on June 16. Boundary talks are ongoing between Bhutan and China and we have written agreements of 1988 and 1998 stating that the two sides agree to maintain peace and tranquillity in their border areas pending a final settlement on the boundary question, and to maintain status quo on the boundary as before March 1959, the statement said. The agreements state the two sides will refrain from taking unilateral action, or use of force, to change the status quo. Amidst the standoff, Chinas defence ministry on Thursday accused Indian troops of an incursion in Donglang area. It also rejected Bhutans allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory. The defence ministry also upped the ante while responding to Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawats remarks that his force was prepared to take on threats from China, Pakistan and domestic insurgent groups. Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible. We hope (the) particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war, the defence ministry spokesman said in an obvious reference to the 1962 border war between the two countries. Chinas foreign ministry said the withdrawal of Indian troops was a precondition for the settlement of the incident. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain, with leading democracy activists already in police custody after a protest in the politically divided city. The three-day visit is Xis first since becoming leader in 2013 and comes at a time when there are growing fears that Beijing is threatening semi-autonomous Hong Kongs freedoms. High-profile pro-democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong and young legislator Nathan Law were arrested Wednesday night for causing public nuisance after staging a protest outside the convention centre that will host some of the anniversary events, a stones throw away from the hotel where Xi will be staying. More than 20 activists remained in custody Thursday morning as supporters gathered at the police station where they were being held. They want to prevent people like Joshua Wong and Nathan Law from going onto the streets, said fellow activist Derek Lam who was among supporters waiting outside. The area around the convention centre has been cordoned off by giant water-filled barricades and police have said they are taking counter terrorism security measures to ensure Xis safety. Animosity towards Beijing has grown in recent years, particularly among young people. The failure of mass rallies in 2014 to win democratic reform has sparked a new wave of localist activists, keen to emphasise Hong Kongs own identity, with some calling for a full split from the mainland. Since the return to China in 1997, the city has been governed under a one country, two systems deal that gives it rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. But there are now concerns Beijing is trampling the agreement by interfering in a range of areas, from politics to education and media. Chinese authorities and local officials insist Hong Kongs semi-autonomous status is intact, but have railed against calls for self-determination or independence. Party atmosphere Although young activists have promised to continue protesting during Xis visit, other residents said they would celebrate his trip to Hong Kong. Stages were set up in squares opposite the convention centre for music and dancing with excited crowds gathering ahead of his arrival. It should be an honour to get the number one person in China to come to a very small city, said one 38-year-old man at the gathering who gave his name as Mr Fan. Hes offered three days to Hong Kong -- its a luxury, he added, saying that things were better in the city than under British rule. Xis visit will culminate in the inauguration of new city leader Carrie Lam, who was appointed by a pro-China committee. She has promised to heal divisions but has already alarmed critics by saying children should be instilled with Chinese identity from a young age and suggesting that independence activists could face punishment under the law. A Beijing-backed framework for what would have been the citys first public leadership election sparked the protests of 2014 after it said candidates must be vetted. Since then, the debate on promised democratic reforms has stalled with Lam saying she is unsure the time is right to revisit it. Lam has said she wants to focus on livelihood issues instead, in a city where the wealth gap is at a record high and many cannot afford decent housing, fuelling tensions. Xi is due to fly out of Hong Kong on Saturday, after Lams inauguration. A new 35 tonne tank deployed by China in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is designed to be a counter to India, a media report said. Trials on the tank were carried out by the military recently on the plains of Tibet, Peoples Liberation Army spokesperson Wu Qian said on Thursday. He said the trial and deployment wasnt aimed at any country. However, a recent report on the Guancha website said the tanks called Xinqingtan in Chinese were rolled out in an area of Tibet near the Indian border. The report said Beijing was increasing its military buildup in Tibet in a show of force designed to deter the Indian military. The new tanks technology and firepower is far more advanced than the Russia-made T-90S tanks deployed by India, the news site reported, adding that its deployment expands the Tibet-based unit and has increased their fighting power. News agency UPI said the Xinqingtan includes a 105-millimeter tank gun, a 35-millimeter grenade launcher and a 12.7-millimeter machine gun. The guns have already been adjusted to a high angle so they are ready for mountain operations, the report said. The tank is relatively light at 35-38 tonnes. It produces 1,000 horsepower on an 8V150-type engine, it said. Last year, the Indian Army moved over 100 T-72 tanks to the frontline in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that divides India and China. According to reports, it was part of a plan to raise six armoured divisions in the strategic region, with more than 300 tanks. India should learn lessons from its defeat in 1962 and stop clamouring for a war, China warned on Thursday, saying the precondition for settling the current stand-off in the Sikkim sector is that New Delhi withdraws its troops immediately. China said its troops were building a road in its own territory and not on land that belonged to Bhutan. Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) spokesperson Wu Qian was reacting to Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawats statement that India was ready to take on China, Pakistan and internal security issues. Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible. We hope (the) particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war, he said at the monthly defence ministry briefing in Beijing, indicating Chinas aggressive position in the current dispute. The topic of a new 35-tonne tank, built and tested by China in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), came up at the briefing, after a Chinese journalist asked whether it was better than its Indian counterparts and whether China will use it against India in a war. A type of tank undertook trial on the (Tibet) plateau. The purpose of is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country, Wu said. He said PLA troops responded to India troops trespassing into Chinese territory. The Indian border troop personnel have entered the Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector of the India-China borders. They tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglang region. We carried out appropriate responses to halt these activities to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wu said. When asked about the China-Bhutan boundary dispute in the Donglang area, Wu said it wasnt true that PLA soldiers were operating in Bhutan. I have to correct you when you say that Chinese troops entered Bhutan territory. The personnel have been operating on the Chinese territory. We have made very clear to the Indian side that they should correct their wrong doing and withdraw their personnel from the Chinese territory, he said. The Donglang or Doklam area is located at the narrow but strategic tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan and not far from Nathu La pass. It is under Chinese control and lies within the TAR but is claimed by Bhutan. Thimphu doesnt have diplomatic ties with Beijing, and the border dispute remains despite 24 rounds of negotiations between the two. In separate press briefing, the foreign ministry said India must withdraw troops from the area to resolve the dispute. We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops... This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue, spokesperson Lu Kang said. Giving the briefing a touch of the dramatic, Lu briefly displayed a photograph of a map showing the Donglang area, saying it is part of Chinese territory. The Sikkim sector of the China-India border has a clear legal basis. There is solid legal evidence to support the delimitation of the Sikkim section of the China-India boundary. It is stated in Article One of the Convention Between Great Britain and China Relating to Sikkim and Tibet (1890) that the boundary of Sikkim and Tibet shall be the crest of the mountain range separating the waters flowing into the Sikkim Teesta and its affluents from the waters flowing into the Tibetan Mochu and northwards into other rivers of Tibet, he said. Lu did not comment on Bhutan issuing a demarche to China, asking Beijing to stop construction in the Donglang area. The White House on Thursday said US President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 summit next week in Germany. National security adviser HR McMaster said the high-stakes meeting with Putin is among several scheduled for when Trump is in Hamburg, Germany, next week. McMaster and economic adviser Gary Cohn did not say whether the president intends to address accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, saying the agenda is not finalized for this or for any other meeting. McMaster added that our relationship with Russia really isnt different from that with other countries, adding that the president intends to address irritants as well as areas on which they can work together. Alpesh Patel, a London-based immigration adviser, has been banned indefinitely by the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner, after 60 charges of irregularities were proved against him, including providing false papers to clients in order to obtain visas. OISC the regulating body of the immigration advice industry said that Patel, operating out of offices in West London in 2015, made Tier 2 visa applications for at least 16 complainants using a fake Certificate of Sponsorship. He acted as an immigration adviser and recruitment consultant, introducing the complainants to companies that he claimed could provide them with employment and a Certificate of Sponsorship to allow them to remain in the country. In each case, Patel charged between 3,300 and 13,000, usually demanding payment in cash. After the charges were proved, Patels OISC registration was cancelled and he has been asked to repay 172,600 to complainants. He has also been fined 7,460. There was no legitimate recruiting company. There were no real jobs. There were no genuine Certificates of Sponsorship. On each occasion, the complainants Tier 2 application was refused by the Home Office, because the purported Certificate of Sponsorship was a fake. Each complainant lost thousands of pounds, the OISC said in a release. An OISC tribunal found the conduct of Patel to be reprehensible and held that he had played a major role in deception. It noted that Patel has sought, serially, to deceive the Commissioner, and the immigration authorities, and to abuse the material immigration procedures, and has deceived all of those clients whose immigration affairs are the subject of these proceedings and in respect of whom the aforesaid sixty charges have been upheld, and dishonestly deprived each of them of a substantial amount of money. Deputy immigration services commissioner Ian Leigh said: Alpesh Patel was entrusted to advise vulnerable people who could not handle their immigration cases on their own they trusted him and he betrayed that trust by his reprehensible conduct. I am delighted with the outcome in this case. (Not to be confused with UK government advisor/fund manager Alpesh B Patel who has nothing to do with the Alpesh Patel named in this story.) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mexican journalists protested Wednesday after a colleagues charred body was found the sixth murder of a reporter this year in one of the worlds most dangerous countries for the media. Colleagues of slain journalist Salvador Adame painted the words SOS Press in giant letters on the ground in Michoacan the western state where he was abducted and killed as well as the capital Mexico City and six other states around the country. The idea is to raise awareness about the vulnerable situation we all find ourselves in photographers, camera operators, editors, writers all journalists, said Enrique Castro, who organised the protest in the Michoacan state capital, Morelia. In Mexico, you never know when someone will come and kill you for whatever reason whether because of your work, as in our case, or because of random crime or a personal vendetta. Some 50 journalists protested in front of the seat of government in Morelia. Dozens turned out in Mexico Citys central square, the Zocalo. They silently held up photos of Adame, 44, who was the head of regional TV station Canal 6. The problem is there are never arrests, there are never convictions. They just keep killing us and attacking us, freelance photographer Victor Galindo told AFP in the capital. Journalists demand justice for slain Mexican journalist Salvador Adame Pardo, in front of the National Palace in Mexico City on June 28, 2017. (AFP) Adame was surrounded by gunmen and kidnapped on May 18 in the town of Nueva Italia. Authorities announced Monday they had found his body dumped along a local road. The Michoacan state prosecutor said the likely motive was a personal dispute. But that has drawn condemnation from Adames family and colleagues, who are urging police to examine his investigative journalism as a possible motive. Adame was kidnapped a day after President Enrique Pena Nieto had vowed to strengthen protections for journalists and prosecute those who attack them. Violence against journalists has surged since 2006, the year the Mexican government sent the army to fight the countrys powerful drug cartels. Since then, at least 100 journalists have been killed and more than 20 have disappeared. More than 90% of the cases remain unsolved. The violence is part of a wave of bloodshed in Mexico over the same period that has left more than 200,000 people dead or missing. Vatican finance chief George Pell strenuously denies all allegations of historic child sex offences and will return home to clear his name, Catholic officials said on Thursday. Police charged Australias most senior Catholic with the offences, citing multiple complainants, and summoned the cleric to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a hearing. He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said in a statement. Cardinal George Pell, one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican, has been charged with historic child sex offences, police said Thursday. Pell, who as the Vaticans finance chief is the highest-ranking Catholic cleric to face such charges, was interviewed in Rome by Australian police last October over the allegations which he strongly denies. Victoria Police have charged Cardinal George Pell with historical sexual assault offences, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters. There are multiple complainants relating to those charges. Patton said the 76-year-old is required to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a hearing. No details of the charges were given and Patton would not take any questions, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. Local media said Pell is expected to return to face the charges. Australia does not have an extradition agreement with the Vatican, but has one with Italy. Australia could also seek Pells extradition via Interpol if he does not voluntarily return for the hearing, international law expert at the Australian National University Don Rothwell told AFP. Mucked up The announcement coincides with the final stages of a long-running national inquiry into responses to child sex abuse, ordered in 2012 after a decade of growing pressure to investigate widespread allegations of institutional paedophilia. The commission has spoken to thousands of survivors and heard claims of child abuse involving churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools. Pell has appeared before the royal commission three times, once in person and twice via video-link, during which he admitted that he mucked up in dealing with paedophile priests in Victoria state in the 1970s. Australian Cardinal George Pell leaves at the end of a meeting with the victims of sex abuse, at the Quirinale hotel in Rome, Italy, March 3, 2016. (Reuters File Photo) The inquiry released data in February that showed 7% of Catholic priests were accused of abusing children in Australia between 1950 and 2010 but the allegations were never investigated. Some 4,444 alleged incidents of paedophilia were reported to church authorities and in some dioceses, more than 15% of priests were perpetrators, the inquiry heard. The average age of the victims at the time was 10 for girls and 11 for boys. Of the 1,880 alleged perpetrators, 90% were men. The St John of God Brothers religious order was the worst, with just over 40% of members accused of abuse. Pell was ordained in Rome in 1966 before returning to Australia in 1971 and rose to become the nations top Catholic official. He had been accused of historic sex abuse claims when he was the Archbishop of Sydney in 2002, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing, and had denied all the allegations. The cardinal left for the Vatican in 2014 after being hand-picked by Pope Francis to make the churchs finances more transparent. Pope Francis said last year when asked about allegations against the cardinal that we must avoid a media verdict, a verdict based on gossip. The Pell charges followed the announcement Wednesday that the Pope had defrocked an Italian priest, Mauro Inzoli, who was found guilty of the sexual abuse of minors, reversing an earlier decision to reduce his punishment. A 26-year-old Punjab-origin man in the US was stabbed to death allegedly by his cousin following an argument. Sharanjit Singh was stabbed by Lovedeep Singh, 24, in the neck and torso inside their apartment in New York City borough Queens in the early hours of June 26, police said. Lovedeep has been charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Lovedeep admitted to police that he fatally stabbed his cousin and roommate Sharanjit. He was arraigned on Tuesday before Queens criminal court judge Eugene Guarino on a criminal complaint. Queens district attorney Brown said Lovedeep is accused of senselessly stabbing to death his cousin and roommate. This is a family tragedy for all concerned. Sharanjit, who worked as a driver, moved to the US from India in 2013. His parents still live in India. The motive behind the murder was not immediately known. President Donald Trump has nominated Krishna R Urs, an Indian American career foreign service officer, as the next US ambassador to Peru, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday. If confirmed, Urs will be Trumps second Indian American envoy, after Nikki Haley, who as US ambassador to the UN is the highest ranking federal official ever from the tiny community as that position has a cabinet rank. Urs joins a growing list of Indian Americans appointed ambassadors, following Vinai Thummalapally (to Belize), Rich Verma (to India), Atul Keshap (to Sri Lanka), Geeta Passi (to Chad) and Haley in that order, chronologically. Urs is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, and has served as an American diplomat since 1986, the Whit House statement said. He is currently serving as charge d affaires (number two position, usually) in the US embassy to Spain. Urs has specialised in economic issues and is considered an expert on the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well as in senior leadership positions in Washington, DC. Urs speaks fluent Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telegu. And if there was a club of Indian Americans in senior positions in the Trump administration, Urs would be its newest member. The others are Haley; Vishal J Amin, the intellectual property enforcement coordinator; Neomi Rao, the administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the White House; Seema Verma, in the heath department; and Ajit Pai, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. US President Donald Trump held his first fundraiser for his 2020 re-election campaign on Wednesday, raising an estimated $10 million but adding fuel to the long-running war he has had with the media. At the fundraiser held at a closed-door dinner at the Trump International hotel the media were barred. About 300 donors and supporters attended the $35,000-a-plate dinner, reports said. At the event, Trump ranted about the press, particularly CNN, after the network retracted a story about his campaign aides alleged Russia links. Trump has been citing it as proof of fake news. On Thursday morning, he escalated his attack on the media, insulting a female news anchor in terms so offensive even conservatives were appalled. He called Mika Brzezinski co-host on MSNBCs Morning Joe show low IQ Crazy Mika in a tweet, writing that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift. In his diatribe on Twitter, he also insulted Joe Scarborough, the other host of the show, calling him Psycho Joe. Trump had appeared on the show several times as a candidate, but turned on it after the two anchors became critical of him. The White House and the First Lady came out in full support of tweets. Melania Trumps office said the she believes that when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder. However, some Republicans disagreed very publicly. This is not okay. As a female in politics I am often criticized for my looks. We should be working to empower women, five-term Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins of Kansas tweeted. She had supported Trump in the presidential race. Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who ran against Trump for the party nomination and has been generally critical of the president, wrote on Twitter: Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America. Nothing more was heard from Trump till the writing of this report. However, his tweets brought up memories of his remarks about another female TV anchor, Megyn Kelly. Irritated by her tough questioning during a president debate, Trump had said, You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her whatever. I am a retired newspaperman. I am 69 and live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 45 years, Lou Ann. We grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather. More on who I am is here. Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com The minority Theresa May government on Thursday managed to pass the Queens Speech by a majority of 14, ensuring its survival in office after the ruling Conservative Party fell short of a majority in the June 8 election. The survival was made possible by a coalition deal with the Northern Ireland-based Democratic Unionist Party (which has 10 MPs). The arrangement attracted much criticism from Scotland and Wales for an agreement to spend more than 1 billion in the region. Several amendments were proposed by opposition Labour MPs, but they did not pass. Labour won a victory after one of its amendments had the potential of winning support from the ruling party benches: allowing women in Northern Ireland to access free abortion services in England. Women from Northern Ireland are currently charged about 900 for a termination if they travel to have the procedure in mainland Britain, a policy that was upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this month. Northern Ireland has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe and it is almost impossible for women to have an abortion legally there. The May government announced the concession to avoid a damaging Tory rebellion at a vote on the Queens Speech. The passage of the Queens Speech, however, did not stop speculation in Westminster over Mays future as the Conservative Party leader and prime minister. Former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said she should step down by the end of next year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The US Supreme Courts partial reinstatement of President Donald Trumps controversial travel ban has immigration lawyers and travellers trying to unpack how exactly the ban will be implemented when it takes effect Thursday. The court ruled that the presidents executive order targeting citizens from six mainly Muslim countries could go into partial effect. But the court eased its punch by saying the measure could only be applied to travellers from those targeted countries who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States. Though Trump has claimed the Supreme Courts decision a national security win, the partial ban is narrower in scope than the presidents first two versions. Heres what we know about what the ruling means: Who is allowed entry? The restrictions target visitors from six countries: Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. Of travellers from those countries, the nations highest court said those who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States cannot enter -- meaning US citizens and people with familial ties to the US can. The court also said students accepted to attend university stateside or who had been hired by a US employer would be able to come -- but emphasized that establishing such a connection just to gain entry would not be allowed. But the Supreme Court justices did not clarify how distant the family member can be, or what happens to those who have applied to school or jobs and are awaiting a response. And decisions over whose claims are tangible turn even murkier when it comes to short-term visitors. It is unclear how enforcement will differ for travelers coming specifically to see family and those traveling for tourism or medical treatment, for example. The ruling permits Trump to reinstate a 120 day ban on refugees -- though the Trump administration has already slashed the number of refugees it will admit annually to 50,000, a threshold the State Department anticipates hitting in a couple of weeks. When will it take effect, and for how long? Earlier this month Trump signed a memorandum informing agencies to begin enforcing the measure 72 hours after lower court freezes were lifted, and it is set to take effect Thursday. Bloomberg News reported that implementation would begin at 8 p.m. EST (1200 GMT), in order to provide embassies and consulates around the globe prior guidance on how to enforce the ban. Both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security said they were waiting for clarification from the Justice Department on the meaning of bona fide, to make sure authorities are clear on how to carry out the order. Officials in the administration as well as in airports are hoping to avoid the chaos sparked by Trumps original executive order, which was unveiled in January to massive protests and confusion at border control points as well as a flurry of legal challenges. Immigrant advocates said they would be at airports to aid any arrivals that immigration officers sought to turn away. The ban on travelers from the six countries will last 90 days, and the refugee ban for 120, as defined by the executive order. What are the next legal steps? The decision closed five months of legal wrangling, and the Supreme Court will take up the case when it returns in October from its summer recess. But as agencies await clarification on the partial bans implementation, some anticipate legal battles will persist. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who wanted the ban implemented for anyone from the six countries, wrote Monday he fears the court decision will prove unworkable. It will invite a flood of litigation until this case is finally resolved on the merits, as parties and courts struggle to determine what exactly constitutes a bona fide relationship. On the stiflingly hot morning of Aug. 9, 1913, it seemed the Somaliland Camel Corps just might die almost before it had been truly born. In the shadow of a barren peak named Dul Madoba (Black Hill) deep in colonial British Somaliland, Richard Corfield watched as an overwhelming horde of more than 2,000 mounted Muslim warriors descended on his tiny command. A young and headstrong British political officer, Corfield had been charged by Geoffrey Francis Archer, Somalilands acting commissioner, to organize a 150-man camel-mounted constabulary to police and patrol the coastal region around the Gulf of Aden port of Berbera, capital of the protectorate. Though on paper Britain ruled some 68,000 square miles of the Horn of Africa, a charismatic Somali tribal leader named Mohammed Abdullah Hassan had effectively reduced Londons actual control to an increasingly precarious coastal foothold. Somaliland was one of Britains last colonial acquisitions. While the region offered relatively little in the way of valuable resources, the British were eager to cement control of coastal supply centers from which to support the vitally important naval base across the gulf at Aden. The British also hoped to check both their European rivals and the growing power of neighboring Ethiopia. So in 1884 colonial administrators established a tiny garrison in Berbera, and by 1886 the government of Prime Minister William Gladstone had forged treaties of protection and alliance with various Somali tribes in the interior to ensure supplies moved freely to the coast. Though relatively small, the colonial presence enraged Hassan. A fervent Muslim, he resented the Western influences the British had introduced. Preaching violent resistance, he soon earned the nickname the Mad Mullah for his Islamic extremism and erratic behavior. Yet his charisma and ability to bridge tribal divisions soon drew thousands of followers known as Dervishes (a Persian-derived term for religious ascetics). In August 1899, at the head of an army of 5,000 men, Hassan approached the central Somali city of Burao and proclaimed a holy war against the infidels. He contented himself for the moment with raids against tribes ostensibly under British protection. With colonial administrators only in the port cities and just 130 Indian troops on hand, the British were in no position to oppose this unforeseen native rebellion. However, fearing the loss of loyalty from the tribes they were treaty-bound to protect, they were forced to respond and over the next five years launched four military expeditions into the Somali interior. The Camel Corps functioned essentially as the muscular arm of the British district commissioners, isolated political officers who themselves acted as intermediaries and arbitrators among the various tribes The British initially employed a hastily armed and poorly trained force of local tribal levees. When these Somalis proved unreliable, large numbers of regular troops were shipped in from other parts of the empire. Hassan used hit-and-run attacks against the lumbering British columns, frustrating their efforts to lure him into a decisive engagement. While these expeditions weakened Hassan, they exhausted the British. The third and fourth expeditions had cost us much, recalled Douglas Jardine, a colonial officer who served in Somaliland. In treasure no less than 5 millions sterling; in blood the lives of many valuable British officers whom our small professional army could ill afford to lose. Unwilling to maintain a sizeable military force in Somaliland, London agreed to an admittedly tenuous nonaggression treaty with the Mad Mullah and withdrew most of its regular troops in 1905. Within a few years, however, Hassan broke the terms and resumed raids against tribes allied with the colonial government. The exasperated British responded with what they dubbed the elastic militia system, wherein authorities would provide loyal tribesmen with arms and ammunition to mount their own defense. As Jardine bluntly put it, They were expressly informed that they should not look to us in the future either for military assistance or to settle their intertribal disputes. The plan was a disaster. With all controls removed, Somalis used the British-supplied weapons to settle scores and engage in intertribal warfare on an unprecedented scale. An estimated one-third of the male population perished in the resulting years of bloodshed. Meanwhile, emboldened by the British withdrawal, Hassan and his forces raided deeper into British Somaliland. By 1912 the military situation had grown direHassans forces were raiding the outskirts of the coastal cities, and the British colonial administration was in danger of being literally pushed into the sea. It was at that point Corfield arrived, bearing Archers mandate to raise a Camel Constabulary of white officers and Somali men to police the coastal region. While slower than horses, camels could carry more weight, and their ability to forgo water for long periods was a coveted trait in Somalilands arid climate. By years end the Camel Constabulary was ready to take the field. As the raiding continued into 1913, Archer resolved to protect the trade routes to the coast and ordered the corps into the Somali interior at Burao. In August, on word of renewed Dervish raids, the acting commissioner sent the corps on a reconnaissance sweep. Corfield set out from Burao on the 8th with two fellow officers and 109 rank and file, 10 of whom turned back due to troubles with their mounts. In his orders Archer had reiterated that the small camel-mounted force was not to directly confront Hassans powerful army. Soon after the unit set out, however, fleeing tribesman reported the presence of a large Dervish raiding party near Idoweina, some 35 miles to the southeast. Soon after the corps went into camp that night, 300 irate, armed tribesmen arrived and pleaded with the British to help them recover their stolen stock. Corfieldjust 31 years old and with precious little military experiencedecided to attack at dawn. The decision played into the Mad Mullahs hands. He counterattacked in force, sending the tribesmen scurrying into the surrounding bush. Chanting praises to Muhammad, the Dervishes then attacked the surrounded Camel Constabulary in successive waves, their withering fire soon putting the corps single Maxim gun out of action. As Corfield sought to clear the gun, he was shot through the head and killed. For five hours the survivors of his shattered command sheltered behind their dead camels and held off Hassans forces till the latter ran out of bullets. When the Dervishes finally withdrew, only 25 defenders remained standing. Thirty-five lay dead, 17 wounded. Another two-dozen had fled with the tribesmen and were later drummed out of service. While the survivors counted 395 Dervish dead on the field and estimated total enemy casualties at closer to 600, the battle went down as a humiliating defeat for the British. Taking advantage of that perception, Hassan penned a celebratory poem, opening with the lines, You have died, Corfield, and are no longer in this world/ A merciless journey was your portion. The fiasco at Dul Madoba prompted the British to launch a drastic reorganization of the decimated Camel Constabulary in the spring of 1914. Renamed the Somaliland Camel Corps, the unit comprised 18 British officers and 450 rank and file, supported by the 400-strong Somaliland Indian Contingent. Commanding the overall force was Lt. Col. T. Ashley Cubitt, an experienced British army officer. Whereas the first iteration of the corps, intended solely as a constabulary force, had been led by political and administrative officials, the reconstituted force would be tasked with engaging and defeating Hassan, hence its relatively large and experienced cadre of military officers. The Camel Corps ultimately embraced its dual mission to both maintain civil order and engage any threatening force (i.e., the Mad Mullah) in direct military action. The Camel Corps was not the only group undergoing reorganizationHassan was also consolidating his power. Bringing in expert masons from Yemen, he had directed the construction of stone forts throughout his territory, including a massive fortress at the Dervish stronghold of Taleh, near the eastern border with Italian Somaliland. Of greater concern to the British was a series of well-sited fortifications atop strategically important Shimber Berris (aka Mount Shimbiris) in north central British Somaliland, which posed a direct threat to coastal trade routes. On Nov. 19, 1914, Lt. Col. Cubitt led the Camel Corps and supporting Indian sepoys on an assault of the forts at Shimber Berris. Under the cover of steady machine gun fire, the troops advanced across exposed ground toward the waiting defenders. Three times the corps charged, and three times was bloodily repulsed. Captain Herbert William Symons fell dead mere feet from one forts gate, while future lieutenant general and Victoria Cross recipient Adrian Carton de Wiart lost an eye and part of an ear (his first of many wounds). Another five men were killed and 25 wounded before the forcewith the additional support of a 7-pounder mountain gun hastily rushed to the fieldwas able to expel the Dervishes. Cubitts soldiers had expended more than 30,000 rifle and machine gun rounds and 34 artillery shells in the ferocious fight, and the men of the Camel Corps had proven themselves skilled and reliable fighters. The enraged Mad Mullah reportedly castrated his defeated Dervishes. Though Hassan was able to reoccupy the abandoned forts, a follow-up expedition by Cubitt in February 1915 razed the stronghold. The Camel Corps also achieved success in countering Hassans raids on Britains Somali allies. Instead of simply arming the friendly tribesmen and leaving them to their own devices, the men of the corps organized small groups of scouts from the various tribes. The British also devised a functioning system for reacting to Hassans raids. Camel Corps Major Hastings L. Ismay later described it: If a small force came through, the irregulars dealt with it on their own. If, as often happened, the enemy were out for a big thing and sent through 600 to 800 rifles, the job of the irregulars was to get the news in to the Camel Corps.Sometimes we got up in time; far more often we failed. But the enemy never got away with a really big thing, and we gave him some bad knocks. The new strategy sapped Hassan of men and supplies he could ill afford to lose. The Camel Corps enhanced presence also greatly augmented the British reputation among the tribes. The end of World War I freed up men and equipment from Europe, and by January 1920 the British were able to move against the Mad Mullah in force. The Royal Air Force had flown 12 de Havilland DH.9 biplanes into Berbera, leaking a cover story they were to be used for oil operations. The forthcoming combination of tactical bombingwhich Hassan and his troops had no experience with or defense againstand well-coordinated attacks by the Camel Corps, Indian sepoys and Somali levees overwhelmed the enemy. Ironically, Hassans abandonment of his mobile insurgent strategy and subsequent reliance on defensive fortifications had allowed the British to isolate the leader and his followers, with devastating consequences. On January 27, under the cover of machine gun and Stokes mortar fire, the fast-moving Camel Corps stormed the fort at Jidali. Many of the Mad Mullahs fanatical defenders fought to the end, praising him loudly in song even as they fired their last shots before dying in a hail of exploding shells. For three days the British bombed the imposing fortress at Taleh, largely destroying it. Amid the confusion Hassan fled, the Camel Corps close on his heels. The survivors soon surrendered. The magic of the Mad Mullah that had for so long held his followers together, Major Henry Rayne recalled, was useless against the magic of the bird-men above. While the RAF received much credit for the operations success, Archer concluded it was the sustained and determined pursuit by the Camel Corps, often on half and no rations, over a great stretch of country, regardless of privation and fatigue that had prevented the Mad Mullah from rallying his forces. The corps had paid dearly for its hard-fought victory, however; 42 members of the unit who died on campaign between 1914 and 1920 are interred in the Hargeisa War Cemetery in present-day Somalia. Hassan fled into exile in Ethiopia, succumbing to the flu on Dec. 21, 1920. He died a broken man. Following Hassans defeat, Britains foremost goal in Somaliland was to maintain political stability and prevent the rise of another insurgency. Ultimatelyand perhaps surprising, given the history of the regionBritain was largely successful in its efforts to create a relatively stable colony free from the inherent lawlessness and violence that had marked earlier decades. Tasked with establishing and maintaining the peace were the officers and men of the Somaliland Camel Corps. The British officers who served in the corps were a decidedly small band of brothers. By 1927 the unit comprised 379 enlisted soldiers led by just 12 officers. Each company typically had three officers, one company commander and two subalterns who led individual troops on patrols, often over great distances. As a result the junior British officers went largely unsupervised in the field, leaving them to make command decisions on the fly. That said, they had to rely on their Somali troops not only to complete their assigned missions, but also for basic survival in the unforgiving landscape of rural Somaliland. The circumstances affected discipline and officer-soldier relations. When Murray Lewis arrived as a young Camel Corps subaltern in 1922, a fellow officer shared this advice: If you treat the men like British troops, you will do quite well. Remember they are equal to you and me. Such remarks reflect an unusually enlightened viewpoint in an age not known for racial tolerance. Discipline in the corps was also very different than in other British military units. Lewis noted the Somalis required a diplomatic discipline. Officers never drove the men hard or physically struck them and were especially careful to respect the mens Muslim beliefs. The bonds they established often proved strong. Peter St. Claire-Ford recalled that the Somalis regarded him and fellow officers more as friends and advisers. In turn, Fords trust in his men ran so deep that he often didnt carry a weapon on patrol. He knew that if a fight developed, his men would protect him. When Lewis returned to Somaliland in 1950, many of his former comrades walked more than 100 miles to welcome him. Somalis evinced great enthusiasm for the unit. A call for 20 recruits might yield as many as 200 applicants. It was a great social attribute, St. Clair-Ford explained, to have a son in the Camel Corps. The unit recruited from all tribes, but its members embraced a corps first ethos, considering themselves members of a distinct family that superseded all other allegiances. When the unit engaged in actions against a particular soldiers own tribe, he would often insist on participating in order to demonstrate his loyalty to the corps. The Camel Corps functioned essentially as the muscular arm of the British district commissioners, isolated political officers who themselves acted as intermediaries and arbitrators among the various tribes. Tribal disputes centered mostly on grazing or water rights, as well as the theft of camelswhich remain a critical source of transportation, not to mention milk and meat. The corps supported the district commissioners in their efforts to defuse such potentially explosive disputes before they got out of control. One way to do it, corps officer John A. Stevens explained, was if the tribe misbehaved, you sent out a patrol, rounded up 100 camels and told them theyd get them back when [the tribe] started behaving. The Camel Corps also served in a humanitarian capacity. During the inevitable seasons of severe drought, the colonial administration set up relief camps. The corps assisted with both the protection of the camps and the movement and distribution of relief supplies, using their pack camels to bring water and rice to the people. At the outset of World War II, in August 1940, the Somaliland Camel Corps helped wage a valiant but futile defense against a vastly superior Italian invasion force. The British ultimately evacuated, the corps disbanded, and its Somali members dispersed. When the British recaptured Somaliland the following spring, they reactivated the corps, which promptly went to work rounding up Italian holdouts and deserters. In 1942 the army replaced the Camel Corps with a fully mechanized unit known as the Somaliland Scouts, which remained active until British and Italian Somaliland merged in 1960 to form the independent Republic of Somalia. Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre staged a Marxist coup in 1969. Decades of repressive authoritarianism followed, leading to a devastating civil war and resultant famine that left Somalia in a state of anarchy. The subsequent rise of the radical Islamic terrorist group al-Shabaab, and the ongoing regional and international efforts to suppress it, only make the story of the Mad Mullah and the Somaliland Camel Corps all the more relevant today. These brave and resourceful men, British and Somali alike, brought stability to a land that has rarely seen it. MH Nicholas Smith is a U.S. Army Reserve officer and works for the Massachusetts National Guard. For further reading he recommends The Mad Mullah of Somaliland, by Douglas Jardine; Sun, Sand and Somals, by Henry A. Rayne; and Churchill and the Mad Mullah of Somaliland, by Roy Irons. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited three Irish actors to join its membership class of 2017. Domhnall Gleeson (Goodbye Christopher Robin, Brooklyn), Ciaran Hinds (Silence), and Oscar nominee Ruth Negga (Loving) will now be able to cast a vote in the Oscars each year, joining several other Irish talent, including Saoirse Ronan, Bono, Cillian Murphy, Michael Fassbender, Room author Emma Donoghue, and directors Lenny Abrahamson (Room) and John Crowley (Brooklyn). The Academy has invited a record 744 to its 2017 class this year in an attempt to diversify its membership. 39% of the class are women, and 30% are people of color, including Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, Get Out director Jordan Peele, and actress and activist Janelle Monae (Hidden Figures, Moonlight). The 2015 Oscars sparked controversy when all 20 nominated actors were white. The Academy was bombarded with criticism for its lack of diversity, with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite trending on Twitter. Just last year, the Academy was 92% white and 75% male. After the 2015 backlash, it promised to include more women and people of color. Were proud to invite our newest class to the Academy. The entire motion picture community is what we make of it. Its up to all of us to ensure that new faces and voices are seen and heard, and to take a shot on the next generation the way someone took a shot on each of us," said Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs during the Wednesday unveiling. Other new members include Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot, Chris Pratt, Donald Glover, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dwayne Johnson, Elle Fanning, and Bette White. Click here for the full 2017 class list. Advertisement Michael Bond, the British creator of one of the most-loved children characters Paddington Bear, passed away at the age of 91 after a short illness. Bond published his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, about the marmalade-loving bear arriving at the London railway station of the same name from the deepest, darkest Peru in 1958. The beloved writer continued writing until the end. His last Paddington story, Paddingtons Finest Hour, was published in April. Irish Comedian Hugh Cooney teams up with the Dublin folk rock duo for the video for new track 'Hanging Around'. Having busked on the streets with the Magic Numbers and having toured with the likes of Sinead O'Conor, Damien Dempsey and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbot, Morrissey and Marshall released their second album We Rise last week. The song, as described by the lads themselves, "is about a love affair with boozing and partying. It's about not having the ability to just go home and leave the session, club or party at a reasonable hour for the fear of missing out. It's about the envy for the sensible ones who know when it's time to call it a day." Punchy, Kasabian-inspired guitars reveal the sinister undercurrent in the lyrics ("When do those people know/When it's time to go?/When it's much to late") and the video itself, while the chorus' harmonies are reminiscent of The Beatles. Advertisement Nati Harnik/STF SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - ABC and a South Dakota meat producer announced a settlement Wednesday in a $1.9 billion lawsuit against the TV network over its reports on a beef product that critics dubbed "pink slime." The terms of the settlement including its amount are confidential. Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based Beef Products sued ABC in 2012, saying ABC's coverage misled consumers into believing the product is unsafe, is not beef and isn't nutritious. ABC spokeswoman Julie Townsend said Wednesday that throughout the case the network has maintained its reports accurately presented the facts and views of "knowledgeable people" about the product. Businessmen who had proposed to develop Houston's fondly remembered AstroWorld amusement park face a civil judgment that could total more than $100 million after a jury in a long-running investor-fraud lawsuit sided with their jilted investors. "They took my client on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride," said Frank Spagnoletti, a lawyer representing the plaintiff. "This was the last ride of the AstroWorld property." Lawyers for the defendants did not respond to phone calls seeking comment. A jury issued a unanimous, 27-page verdict late Tuesday in their alleged scheme to lure investor money into a flimsy plan to develop the former site of AstroWorld. Barring appeals, the verdict marks the end to a three-year legal battle centered around the former site of an iconic Houston landmark. The 104-acre parcel has sat largely unused since the amusement park closed in 2005. It is turned once each year into a parking lot for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which owns the tract. The defendants in the lawsuit, a handful of corporations and individuals, were found liable for civil racketeering charges, including money laundering and wire fraud. The plaintiff, a group of foreign investors known as B Choice Limited, will most likely be awarded a sum that exceeds $100 million once complex calculations are done on the 42 questions the jury was asked to answer after a nearly two-year trial, barring any appeals. AstroWorld was the brainchild of former Houston Mayor Roy Hofheinz, and it became a notable Houston landmark as soon as it opened on June 1, 1968. Six Flags acquired the park in 1975 and developed several innovative rides there, including the world's first rapids ride, Thunder River, in 1980, and the first suspended, swinging roller coasters in 1984. The park was demolished after Six Flags closed it. The would-be redevelopers of this property, defendant Epicentre Development Associates LLC, had solicited investments to build a high-density residential area, according to the lawsuit that was filed in July 2014. The jury ruled Tuesday that Epicentre took $25 million from B Choice, used it to buy about 11 acres, ran the money through a series of mortgages as an alleged laundering technique then pocketed the leftovers. "Nothing was developed and my client lost $25 million," Spagnoletti said. "They were not happy about that." The awarded sum most likely will be much larger than $25 million because the case was litigated under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO Act, a statute usually used to bring criminal charges against fraudulent operations. Under RICO, that $25 million can be tripled. The jury also opted to award $35 million in punitive damages to B Choice. The RICO statute is relatively uncommon in civil cases as it requires substantially more proof than mere fraud. "Fraud is the easy part. The tricky part is that you must demonstrate that there's an ongoing pattern of criminal activity that is the cause of this loss," said David Kwok, a specialist on white collar crime at the University of Houston Law Center. "That there is some sort of ongoing threat to society going on." The defendants were four men and a slate of development, holding, consulting or investment companies under their control. They "were masters at 'moving the finish line' when the end was almost in sight," the original petition said. They eventually acquired only 11 of the 104 acres they promised their investors they'd own. Nevertheless, in summer 2011, the defendants falsely informed B Choice that all land had been purchased, and they claimed they needed to borrow an additional $13.65 million to begin development of the property. B Choice provided the money, but Epicentre eventually sold the 11 acres and kept the proceeds for itself. On June 4, 2014, the CEO of Epicentre Albert Delaney met with representatives of B Choice in Houston. "At that meeting, Delaney admitted there was no longer any money remaining of the B Choice investment or loan, and that EDA no longer had any ownership interest in any property," the petition said. In court documents, defendants attributed the loss of the investment to the Great Recession that began in 2008. Their investors didn't buy that explanation, nor did the jury. "My clients, who didn't know any better, believed this would be a fabulous project," Spangoletti said. "Instead it would be a scam." "If you're born poor, you die poor," a U.K. politician lamented six years ago. Sadly, little has changed. Britain is joined by the U.S., France and Italy in having a high correlation between parents' earnings and those of their children, according to a report by Standard Life Investments. The relationship also exists in Scandinavian economies as well as Australia, Germany and Canada, but to a lesser extent. That's creating challenges for the most-affected countries. Such societies tend to waste or misallocate human capital; workers are often less motivated and as a result, less productive; and the associated higher levels of inequality are found to be detrimental to economic growth, the research shows. "In practically all countries for which evidence is available, there is a clear link between what your parents earned and your own earnings prospects,'' said Jeremy Lawson, chief economist at Standard Life and a lead author of the report. "Addressing low mobility is challenging. There is no global silver bullet, with each country facing issues in its own unique institutional and policy environment.'' An obvious first solution is education, including spending on early age intervention and developing schooling systems that don't separate students by ability. But the problem is deeply ingrained. In the U.S., three decades of sluggish real wage gains have prompted researchers to seek answers. They tracked the proportion of those aged 30 who earned more than their parents at that age and found a significant downtrend: just 50 percent of children born in the 1980s earned more than their parents at the same age, compared with nearly 80 percent of 1950s kids. Industrial decline has been a major culprit. In the American Midwest, just 41 percent of children born in 1984 earned more than their parents, compared with 95 percent for those born in 1940. "Little wonder that President Trump's campaign messages were so well received in states like Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania,'' said Lawson. But the U.K. is even more socially rigid. About half of the economic advantage high-earning fathers have over low-earning dads is transmitted to their sons, while an OECD analysis found Britain among the countries where socioeconomic background appeared to have the largest impact on a student's performance. In Asia, much attention is paid to rising inequality in China; indeed among the world's largest economies only Brazil tops the nation in terms of income inequality. But China does have mobility. Over the past four decades, rapid and broadly distributed growth has meant fewer households staying in the same income quintile for long periods of time. But that may be changing as the economy matures."While children will likely earn more than their parents did as adults, it is becoming less likely that they will break out of their social class,'' Lawson said. "In this respect, perhaps China is looking less like a developing economy and more like the U.S.'' This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Computer criminals have again wreaked havoc around the world using software apparently developed by the National Security Agency. The companies that fell victim seem genuinely surprised, yet they shouldn't be. Experts estimate that tens of thousands of computers shut down this week when a piece of software held devices hostage until a ransom was paid. On Wednesday, The New York Times reported the software looked similar to code developed the U.S. National Security Agency, known as Eternal Blue, to attack enemy computers. RELATED: Reveal the companies that don't protect our data A computer hacker group, known as the Shadow Brokers, published the NSA's cyberwarfare tools in April for the whole world to see. The release came a month after Microsoft published software to repair the programming flaw that Eternal Blue exploited, making it ineffective on updated computers. This is why the victims will get no sympathy from me. Microsoft made a fix available three months ago, and the hackers revealed their weapon two months ago. If a company hasn't updated the software by now, that's negligence. In the world of cybersecurity, rarely is a truly new and unique piece of software used to destroy a computer system. In most cases, it's not that the criminals are so clever, it's that the victim is the cyberspace equivalent of a drunk tourist stumbling into the toughest part of town with cash falling out of his pockets and a Rolex dangling from his wrist. The Harvard Business Review has been running a fascinating series this year on how businesses can get cybersecurity right. They've discovered that most boards of directors know they should improve computer security, but they don't prioritize it. "Directors simply aren't internalizing the extensive, long-term damage an attack could inflict on their organizations," researchers who surveyed more than 5,000 directors in over 60 countries reported. "We found two main reasons: Boards lack the processes and the expertise they need to surface, evaluate, and address cyberthreats." And that doesn't change even after a company is attacked. RELATED: Imagine if a major oil company got hacked A new study from Deloitte, the accounting and consulting firm, found that nearly 75 percent of oil and gas production companies reported a cyberattack in 2016. But the companies still don't take it seriously because the damage is often negligible. "Many companies still lump cyber risk with other risks such as civil unrest, labor disputes, and weather disruptions and don't even mention "cyber" once in their 100+-page filings," the Deloitte analysts wrote. "True, some estimates put the average energy company's annualized cost of cybercrime at only around $15 million," they added. "But a major incident could easily incur costs running into hundreds of millions of dollars and, more importantly, risk people's lives and the nearby environment." The problem is that no one likes to spend money on software, nor do they want to follow complicated security protocols or update their software as often as needed to keep malware like Eternal Blue at bay. After all, if your business isn't cybersecurity, you probably don't want to spend time or money on it. If that's your attitude, though, then you don't deserve any sympathy when your computers are attacked. Your computer crisis will be the result of your failure to effectively mitigate risk, and you'll deserve financial losses that come with it. Everyone knows what it takes to stop computer criminals, or how to recover from an attack swiftly. There are no more excuses. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ROCKET CENTER, W.Va. - A few years ago, Sean Bridges lived with his mother, Linda, in Wiley Ford, W.Va. Their only income was her Social Security disability check. He applied for work at Walmart and Burger King, but they were not hiring. Yet while Bridges had no work history, he had certain skills. He had built and sold some stripped-down personal computers, and he had studied information technology at a community college. When Bridges heard IBM was hiring at a nearby operations center in 2013, he applied and demonstrated those skills. Now Bridges, 25, is a computer security analyst, making $45,000 a year. That is enough to provide him with his own apartment, a car, spending money - and career ambitions. "I got one big break," he said. "That's what I needed." A new category Bridges represents a new but promising category in the U.S. labor market: people working in new-collar or middle-skill jobs. As the U.S. struggles with how to match good jobs to the two-thirds of adults who do not have four-year college degrees, his experience shows how a worker's skills can be emphasized over traditional hiring filters like college degrees, work history and personal references. Elevating skills over pedigree creates new pathways to employment and tailored training and a gateway to the middle class. This skills-based jobs approach matters at a time when there is a push to improve the circumstances of those left behind in the economy. "We desperately need to revive a second route to the middle class for people without four-year college degrees, as manufacturing once was," said Robert Reich, a labor secretary in the Clinton administration who is now a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. "We have to move toward a system that works." Picking up steam The skills-based concept is gaining momentum, with nonprofit organizations, schools, state governments and companies, typically in partnerships, beginning to roll out such efforts. On Wednesday, the approach received a strong corporate endorsement from Microsoft, which announced a grant of more than $25 million to help Skillful, a program to foster skills-oriented hiring, training and education. The initiative, led by the Markle Foundation, began last year in Colorado, and Microsoft's grant will be used to expand it there and move it into other states. "We need new approaches, or we're going to leave more and more people behind in our economy," said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft. It is unclear whether a relative handful of skills-centered initiatives can train large numbers of people and alter hiring practices broadly. But the skills-based approach has already yielded some early and encouraging results in the technology industry, which may provide a model for other industries. These jobs have taken off in tech for two main reasons. For one, computing skills tend to be well defined. Writing code, for example, is a specific task, and success or failure can be tested and measured. At the same time, the demand for tech skills is surging. One tech project that has expanded rapidly is TechHire, which was created in 2015 and is the flagship program of OpportunityWork, a nonprofit social enterprise. TechHire provides grants and expertise to train workers around the country and link them to jobs by nurturing local networks of job seekers, trainers and companies. TechHire has helped place more than 4,000 workers in jobs. TechHire's mission is partly to chip away at "the cultural hegemony of the bachelor's degree," said Byron Auguste, president of OpportunityWork. 'A doorway' Nichole Clark of Paintsville, Ky., heard a radio ad last year for TechHire Eastern Kentucky. The program offered six months of training in software programming that included working with a company while being paid $400 a week. That was not much less than what Clark, now 24, was making as a manager at Pizza Hut. Without a college degree, Clark said, her horizons seemed confined to low-wage jobs in fast-food restaurants, retail stores or doctors' offices. The TechHire program, she said, could be "a doorway to a good-paying job, which is everything here." Clark made it through online screening tests and an interview and got into the program. TechHire's role varies, and it often funds training grants, but in this program it solicited applicants and advised and shared best practices with Interapt, a software development and consulting company. The training stipends were paid for with a $2.7 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. After four months of taking all-day classes on the basics of writing software and two months of working in an internship alongside Interapt developers, Clark was hired by Interapt in May. As a member of the team that performs software quality assurance and testing, she is now paid more than $40,000 a year, about double what she made at Pizza Hut. "There are endless roles you can play, if you have these skills," she said. In Rocket Center, where rocket engines were once built and some composite materials for U.S. fighter jets are manufactured today, IBM occupies a few buildings and employs 350 people, including Bridges. They are working on cloud computing, cybersecurity, application development and help desks. In the last two years, nearly a third of IBM's new hires there and in a few other locations have not had four-year college degrees. IBM has jointly developed curriculums with the local community college, as well as one-year and two-year courses aligned with the company's hiring needs. For companies like IBM, which has 5,000 job openings in the United States, new-collar workers can help it meet its workforce needs - and do it inexpensively if those workers are far away from urban centers, where the cost of living and prevailing wages are higher. "It makes sense for our business, for the job candidates and for the communities," said Sam Ladah, IBM's vice president for talent. The company, which stopped disclosing its U.S. employment in 2007 and regularly cuts jobs in declining businesses, declined to say whether it was increasing its total domestic workforce. But at the West Virginia center, IBM plans to hire up to 250 people this year, including more like Bridges. "Now, we're recruiting for skills," Ladah said. In a competitive market, when the price of raw materials goes down, consumers should pay less for finished goods, right? Sure. The problem is, a lot of markets aren't as competitive as they should be. Take airlines, which kept ticket prices high even as fuel prices plunged. Increasing industry consolidation means that even super-low-cost carriers don't cut fares as much as they might otherwise. The same is true with your burger, says the Dallas Federal Reserve. In a handy infographic published yesterday, economists laid out the evidence for monopoly pricing dynamics in the beef industry. In recent years, the amount you pay for beef in grocery stories declined only slightly while cattle prices plunged. Cattle prices have bounced back slightly, the gap is still large. What's going on here exactly? As the Dallas Fed lays out, ranchers re-stocked their cattle herds in 2015 and 2016 after a severe drought, helping to bring prices down from their spike in 2014. The cost of corn also decreased, meaning that feedlots didn't have to put a whole lot more money into each animal before sending it to slaughter. But there are lots of ranchers, and not very many meatpackers. The top four JBS, Tyson Foods, Cargill, and National Beef process 85 percent of America's beef, compared to 66 percent of the pork and 51 percent of chicken. (According to Cattle Buyer's Weekly, the number for beef is actually 73.4 percent, and 85 percent figure applies just to steer and heifer slaughter.) The last step in the supply chain is grocers, which are very competitive, but still have a certain degree of pricing power. That, the Dallas Fed says, has allowed the middlemen in the meat industry to capture the savings from lower cattle and feed costs rather than passing them along to consumers. You might be able to avoid them by eating plant-based burgers instead but now big meatpackers are investing in those alternatives too. In a time of thick-bark brisket mania and hulking beef ribs, the humble barbecue sandwich often gets lost in the mix. Or not so humble? These days, barbecue joints are moving beyond the classic chopped or sliced brisket varieties and piling on the meat and toppings to make sandwiches that are just as Instagram worthy as pounds of glossy 'cue spread across butcher paper. In fact, Chronicle critic Alison Cook says some sandwiches these days can be downright frightening. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate One of the last things 19-year-old Adrian Castillo saw before he was killed was an MS-13 gang sign. His suspected killer 23-year-old Jairo Chicas-Raimundo allegedly flashed it at him, as Castillo hung out with friends in the parking lot of his southwest Houston school. Chicas-Raimundo approached the high school senior, according to court records. He brandished a chrome revolver and flashed the gang sign. He fired. Castillo's murder on Nov. 7 is believed to be Chicas-Raimundo's second over a period of three days, according to court records. Chicas-Raimundo, a known member of the violent MS-13 gang, is behind bars after being charged Wednesday in connection with two murders in November. He landed a murder charge for Castillo's death and a capital murder charge for the Nov. 5 death of Eleazar Vazquez, a member of MS-13's rival gang, La Primera, according to court records. Chicas-Raimundo's arrest, on Tuesday, is the latest in a series of arrests connected to the two deaths. Two other men were accused in November of kidnapping and killing Vazquez. Another man was charged June 20 for tampering with evidence related to Vazquez's murder he is believed to have wiped a car clean of Vazquez's blood after Chicas-Raimundo and the others allegedly killed him. Vazquez's Nov. 5 death, the first of the two grisly crimes, began in a parking lot at 5903 South Gessner, in southwest Houston. Witnesses told police Vazquez and another man were drinking in the parking lot when Chicas-Raimundo and at least one other person pulled up in a silver, four-door Nissan Murano, according to sworn statements from police officers. Chicas-Raimundo was in the passenger seat, according to court records. He called Vazquez over, asking him to hop in and take them somewhere where they could buy cocaine. Despite Vazquez's apparent cooperation, Chicas-Raimundo is then believed to have whipped out a chrome revolver, brandished it at Vazquez and ordered him into the vehicle. Witnesses said Chicas-Raimundo yelled at Vazquez the full name of MS-13, "Mara Salvatrucha!" Chicas-Raimundo, and two other men, are believed to have taken Vazquez elsewhere and choked him. They dumped the man's body in the 14900 block of FM 521 in Brazoria County. When police found Vazquez's body several weeks later, there was a red cable around his neck and four gunshots in his back. Just two days after Vazquez's kidnapping, police suspect Chicas-Raimundo killed again. This time, his victim is believed to have been Castillo. Chicas-Raimundo is suspected of driving up to Castillo's school, the Houston CAN Academy at 9745 Bissonnet, getting out of the same gray Nissan and firing the same chrome revolver twice at Castillo and one of his friends. Chicas-Raimundo then drove away. In addition to Castillo, one of the friends was also hit, according to court records. The wounded friend whose name has not been released drove Castillo to an urgent care facility in the 5900 block of Chimney Road where Castillo was pronounced dead. Prior to the November murders, Chicas-Raimundo did not appear to have a criminal history in Harris County. Houston police do not believe Chicas-Raimundo worked alone. On Nov. 21, they arrested 30-year-old Juan J. Treminio after a routine traffic stop. Treminio admitted to his involvement in the deaths of Vazquez and Castillo, according to court documents. A day later he was charged with capital murder in connection with Vazquez's death. A month later, another man, 23-year-old William Gerardo Cortez, was also charged with capital murder related to Vazquez's death." The pair are accused of kidnapping, shooting and strangling Vazquez. As of Thursday afternoon, no charges had been filed against Treminio or Cortez in connection with Castillo's death. Cortez was arrested Dec. 20 for an outstanding city warrant. Neither Treminio nor Cortez appeared to have a criminal history in Harris County, prior to their November charges. A fourth man was charged June 20 for tampering with evidence in connection to Vazquez's death. Melvin O. Ramirez, 19, is believed to have cleaned blood on Nov. 15 from the gray Nissan into which the other men dumped Vazquez's body the previous week, according to court records. Ramirez's only prior criminal conviction was criminal trespassing, to which he pled guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in the Harris County Jail. Chicas-Raimundo, Treminio and Cortez are all being held in the Harris County Jail without bail, according to court records. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Ramirez was still at large Thursday afternoon. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A third person believed to be a suspect in the June 14 shooting death of 10-month-old Messiah Marshall is in custody, Houston police officials confirmed Wednesday. HPD did not release the man's identity because he has yet to be charged in the case. The confirmation of a third suspect follows the capital murder charge filed against 20-year-old Kravon Human who was arrested Tuesday. If convicted, Human faces life in prison or the death penalty. He is being held in the Harris County Jail without bail. PREVIOUS STORY: Suspect charged with capital murder in slaying of Houston 10-month-old child The case, along with the shooting of another infant, has aroused the community and hundreds turned out for a citizen's meeting Monday night with city officials. In this case, a 10-month-old was gunned down on June 14 near Nob Hill Apartments on North Braeswood. Nigel Marshall was walking with his son, when three men approached and began firing multiple rounds, according to police. The father tried to protect his son from the bullets, but at least one bullet hit the baby. He died at a nearby Valero gas station. Prior to the June 14 shooting, Human did not appear to have a criminal record in Harris County. The first suspect identified by authorities, Jared Balogun, 24, was charged last week with capital murder, after confessing to the killing to police. Balogun was charged June 20 with aggravated assault related to an incident at the Nob Hill apartments nine days before Messiah Marshall's murder. He was already behind bars when charges related to the 10-month-old's death were filed. Prior to June 20, Balogun faced minor charges, such as marijuana possession and theft under $50. During a press conference last week, when just Balogun had been arrested, police said they believed two other assailants were at large. Police are still unclear about what led to the infant's shooting, but said the violence may have been in retaliation to a previous altercation with the boy's father and possibly gang related. During the meeting Monday night at the Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, residents voiced their fears about the rising violence in the community. "There's a lot of concern that the apartments over the last five to 10 years have degraded to the point where they are not what our community represents," said Alan Lipman, associate director of the community center. There have been no arrests in the first shooting of an 11-month-old boy, who was injured while riding in the car with his mother and her 4-year-old daughter. Police have posted surveillance video showing a black Nissan Versa pursuing a damaged, gray Nissan Maxima. The mother, who asked to not be identified, said she was driving a gray sedan at the time of the shooting and was probably targeted by mistake. Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding the incident. "Neighbors are angry, and we are doing whatever we can to take action and make our voices heard, because we want our neighborhood back," the mother said during the meeting Monday. Keri Blakinger, Mike Morris, and Mark Collette contributed to this report. A woman was in federal court Wednesday, accused of selling a counterfeit steroid hormone to an undercover agent at her weight loss and nutrition store in a west Houston strip mall. According to the criminal complaint filed against her in federal court, Carolina Aguila Rodriguez, 47, was known as "Doctora" to her customers at Naturavida, 1200 Blalock, although she does not have a license to dispense prescription medication. Although it unfolds in and around a Virginia boarding school in 1864, a year before the end of the Civil War, Sofia Coppola's "The Beguiled" has some of the spooky, suggestive magic of a fairy tale. The opening shot could be of an ancient grove at the witching hour, the chatter of cicadas merging with the sound of a young girl humming as she strolls past trees draped in mist and moss. Kneeling to pick a few mushrooms for supper, young Amy (Oona Laurence) is startled to find a man at the base of an oak, as if he had materialized out of thin air. The man is John McBurney (Colin Farrell), an Irish mercenary who has deserted his Union army post after a severe leg injury. Frightened but intrigued, Amy guides McBurney to the Miss Martha Farnsworth Seminary for Young Ladies, where she and four other students are waiting out the war with French lessons and needlepoint under the eye of their headmistress, Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman), and their teacher, Edwina (Kirsten Dunst). Miss Martha initially is scandalized by the Yankee's presence. But rather than turn him over to Confederate troops, she is moved by some impulse - call it Southern hospitality, Christian compassion or something less pure of heart - to nurse the handsome stranger back to health. The other women meekly but excitedly concur, by which point it's clear the eerie supernatural portents seeded at the outset have already taken root. More Information 'The Beguiled' Rated R: for some sexuality Running time: 94 minutes xxxx See More Collapse Adapted by Coppola from Thomas Cullinan's 1966 Southern gothic novel, "The Beguiled" soon weaves its own hushed, intoxicating spell. The precision of her technique is plain to see in the shadowy spareness of the plantation setting, the delicate cut of the women's lacy dresses and, above all, the flickering candlelight in the movie's ravishing nighttime images, shot on richly muted 35-millimeter film by Philippe Le Sourd. But there is more to Coppola's moody sorcery than an eye for fine embroidery and antebellum real estate. "Lost in Translation," "Marie Antoinette" and "Somewhere" established the director as a quietly meticulous observer of individuals in enclosed environments. Here she again displays patience and intuition, letting the story rise and fall on the subtlest shifts in emotional temperature. McBurney, laid up with a bad leg but otherwise functioning lower-body appendages, is properly beguiled by the lovely ladies. What soldier in his position would not be? But Coppola is more interested in the women's own beguilement, and how McBurney, with more instinct than calculation, manipulates their sympathies and repressed desires. There is the childish curiosity of Amy and Marie (adorable Addison Riecke), as well as the teenage lust of Alicia (Elle Fanning). Alicia's single-minded pursuit of McBurney stands in stark contrast to the sadness and diffidence that clings to Edwina, whom Dunst, Coppola's most reliable muse, plays with piercing vulnerability. Not to be counted out is Miss Martha, whose sense of propriety is undergirded with glimmers of warmth and mischief in Kidman's delicious performance. The movie's most memorable scene finds her bathing McBurney as he sleeps, her scrubbing motions becoming more hesitant the farther south she goes. The dueling impulses at play in that moment - the way Coppola teasingly acknowledges the humor of the situation, even as she treats female desire with complete seriousness - are a testament to her control in a story that might have gone the way of "The Bacchae" or a Monty Python sketch. No virgins get spanked, but Coppola and her actors aren't afraid to nudge their story gently and occasionally in the direction of camp, particularly in a dinner scene in which each girl, trying to impress McBurney, boasts about her contribution to that evening's dessert. "Hope you like apple pie!" winks Alicia. (He does.) On the surface, "The Beguiled" roughly follows the narrative trajectory of Don Siegel's enjoyably pulpy 1971 adaptation, which starred Clint Eastwood and Geraldine Page. It's another violent parable about the dark side of desire, in which a man fancies himself a fox but soon learns he's landed in the wrong henhouse. Coppola's film - less a remake of Siegel's than a repositioning of the original text - makes McBurney more sympathetic (the tender-eyed Farrell has little of Eastwood's macho snarl) even as it grants the women the moral high ground. The fascination and at times the frustration of her achievement is that she's drained away some of the story's juiciest elements: a spot of incest, a violent ambush and a grisly surgical operation. There is compromise in all this narrative subtraction, but there also is purpose. Scrupulous behavioral observer that she is, Coppola is trying to isolate her emotional and psychological variables, to capture the tricky, elusive interplay of heterosexual longing in close quarters. But her most troubling decision, to judge by the criticisms that have arisen in recent days, is the excision of a character: Hallie, a slave girl who figures significantly in both Cullinan's novel and Siegel's movie. The subjects of cultural erasure and artistic responsibility can be grist for nuanced consideration and cheap outrage alike. Coppola, as it happens, has been no stranger to criticism of every kind, often directed at her alleged lack of ambition, vision and political rage: Her luminous and moving "Marie Antoinette" was pilloried in many quarters for not being a sufficiently damning treatise on class warfare. That charge now finds an echo in the bizarre logic that "The Beguiled" is blind to the realities of American slavery, simply by choosing to be a deftly crafted miniature rather than a sweeping panorama. Coppola's film might well have been more compelling had she left that thread of Cullinan's story intact. (Mae Mercer's superb performance as Hallie in the 1971 film suggests as much.) But what others will decry as a failure of sensitivity on her part is better understood, I think, as an assertion of humility, rooted in a deeper knowledge of her own limitations than her critics realize. After seeing "The Beguiled," you may well claim that Coppola misses the bigger picture, though it might be fairer to say that she sees the beauty in the smaller one. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate This story originally ran in the Post on Feb. 10, 1991. It has been cut to fill this space. TWO WEEKS BEFORE the opening of her new store in River Oaks Plaza, Isabell Gerhart steps gingerly across a sidewalk plank like a tightrope walker. A workman offers a balancing hand until Gerhart deposits her bright red Ferragamo flats safely on the white marble floor still covered with protective cardboard. On this particular Saturday morning the sawdust is still flying as Gerhart, who has dressed thousands of Houston society women for events as far back as the opening of Glenn McCarthy's Shamrock Hotel in 1949, shows a visitor around her new boutique. "I'm coming home," she says more than once. It's her favorite expression these days. For her there is a childlike sense of excitement surrounding the move from the Galleria to River Oaks. Gerhart says butterflies are common and perhaps here to stay until her elegant new store with it's arched windows and sky-lit colonnades opens officially Thursday. Some 45 years ago Isabell Gerhart opened her first specialty boutique in Houston on the edge of River Oaks, where the Avalon Drug Store sits today. An instant hit with the city's socially prominent women, Gerhart soon expanded and moved to a larger store on River Oaks Boulevard four years later. But in 1971, developer Gerald Hines enticed the popular Gerhart into his new shopping palace, the Galleria. "Gerald Hines decided he needed me to pioneer the Galleria," Gerhart recalls. "I'm a pioneer." In fact, Gerhart believes she was the initial inspiration - "the maverick store" - which sparked such established downtown merchants as Sakowitz, Battlestein's and Neiman Marcus "to go west" from downtown to the suburbs. But, Gerhart's 20-year-lease in the Galleria is up this month, and she's decided it's time to return to the River Oaks area, where she grew up and where her odyssey into the world of fashion began four decades ago. It's been an adventure that has taken her to New York several times a year and to Europe regularly to buy the gowns which Houston's social set has worn to a host of charity balls and presidential and gubernatorial inaugural balls. Ima Hogg shopped at her store. Nellie Connally and B.A. Bentsen still do. Actresses Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Ginger Rogers and Lisa Hartman have been known to drop by. Old-line Houston families have relied on Gerhart to outfit wedding parties and put together trousseaus for several generations now. Most who know her retail style say she's not just an owner but a presence in the store who insists on running it with a hands-on approach. Gerhart has seen many family-owned businesses come and go in Houston. She and her husband, Norwin, the chief executive officer of the company since 1948, have weathered several of the city's booms and busts, managing to stay afloat. Norwin Gerhart, who is also the past president of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, offers a matter-of-fact explanation for their survival. "You meet problems day by day," he says. And he says of his wife: "She has all the talent in the world, she's a natural for the business - a terrfic buyer with a photographic memory. She memorizes the fashions when she goes to New York and when the clothes come in she can tell if even a stitch is out of place." SIT AND CHAT with Isabell Gerhart for a few minutes and one key to her success becomes clear. Rule No. 1: Pay attention to customers. On a recent afternoon, she settles into an overstuffed chair surrounded by de la Renta and Scaasi gowns in the couture section of her Galleria store. She may be talking about the store's early days but her eyes dart around the room following today's shoppers. "I love people," she says, explaining why she enjoys her work. "And if you love people you learn about their families and what they want." She starts to explain how her store carries clothes for "the thoroughbred" and fun, trendy clothes. But her eye suddenly rests on a lone gray-haired woman who has been browsing unattended for a while. Not a saleswoman in sight. Gerhart sprints from her chair in midsentence and asks in a friendly voice if the woman needs assistance. "We pride ourselves on our one-on-one service," she says. And often she notes that she has bought styles with certain customers in mind because she knows their tastes so well. Gerhart excitedly talks about ambitious plans for personal services in her new store. She will send limos to hotels for out-of-towners, offer a private room for viewing exclusive fashion videos, provide delivery and send personal shoppers who will make office and house calls to clients to bring them fashions. While everyone decries the lack of service these days, Gerhart's customers say that has been her specialty over the years - catering to clients. But don't ask Gerhart about the business end of the store. That's Norwin's department; Isabell Gerhart calls her husband a financial wizard. "I don't know anything about finances. Just give me a credit card. I love to buy. I love to go to the markets. I don't think I've ever been to one yet that I wasn't as excited as the first time I went." She's still as active in the store as she was when it first opened. Gary Gerhart, 33, who became president of the company in August, believes his parents' skills complement each other. "Mom's forte is an innate sense of fashion. She knows what will sell. Dad knows how to merchandise, stock and pay for everything. The two make an ideal team," he says. Among her friends and clients, Isabell Gerhart is known for her perpetual optimism and upbeat nature, which may account for making it in topsy-turvy economies. And, there's all that hard work she put in over the years. While other women in her social set were out "doing lunch," she was tending the company store- a working woman long before it was fashionable - and eventually raising four children along the way. If she was ahead of her time, Gerhart doesn't care to dwell on such facts. "It just came naturally, working and raising a family," she says, dismissing any brouhaha about her choices. The idea for opening a dress store came about quite by chance. Isabell Gerhart recalls that one night in 1946, following World War II, her husband, (Norwin), then a petroleum engineer, came home and asked if she wanted to open a dress store in the River Oaks Avalon Center. His friend was looking for tenants. "Tell him yes, that might be fun," Gerhart recalls saying. "I think I'll walk where angels fear to tread." They used all their savings, and Isabell Gerhart opened her store with no experience whatsoever. What Gerhart may have lacked in retailing knowledge she made up for with enthusiasm and a love of fashion. But she says the first days of the store were rocky. Initially she tried to recruit a friend to help open the store and sell the merchandise. Gerhart, somewhat desperate, told her: "I'm opening a dress shop and I've never sold anything in my life. I don't even know how to act like a saleslady. Would you come help me? Let's play like we are salesladies." When the doors opened that first day her heart was pounding. A customer walked in and Gerhart found herself ducking behind a showcase in fear. She motioned to her friend and whispered: "You take her." "No, you take her," her friend replied. Today Gerhart can't remember the outcome of that first potential sale. But she recalls with fondness the homey atmosphere she created in her store, frequently serving sherry and coffee to customers who came to browse. Not only were people in Houston surprised by the store's early success, but her suppliers in New York were amazed, she remembers. "They would wonder, 'Who is that little girl, opening up in the suburbs? She's calling all the time for new merchandise.' " Soon Isabell Gerhart became "the place" to shop. Gerhart smiles and adds in a soft Southern drawl, "I had a wildcat by the tail." BOTH ISABELL and Norwin Gerhart are known for their good humor. Gerhart is fond of joking about her husband's reserve in their early business days. "When my first store opened he was so shy and embarrassed. He didn't want to be in there where ladies were changing clothes. Now he's in there pulling up their girdles," she says. "Not really," she adds, suddenly worried someone might take her hyperbole seriously. And when asked the obvious question about how the two have stayed working together and married for all these years, Norwin Gerhart replies: "We are compatible. We converse 24 hours a day and then we are able to relax and have a little toddy for the body." After four decades, Isabell Gerhart still exhibits amazing enthusiasm for her business. As she shows a visitor around her new store, she greets the workmen with a cheerful hello. They wave back. The sound of buzz saws fill the air. In one area workers are setting up poles for fur storage. At the entrance, another worker is laying red bricks at the entrance. Gerhart comes every day to this beehive of activity, wearing her hard hat and sneakers to check out the progress. Although the store is still unfinished, it's easy to see the final result will be a grand store, designed by the Houston based Brand & Allen Architects (the company also has built Tiffany & Co., Chanel and Gucci boutiques). Gerhart's store has the combined ambience of a River Oaks mansion and a European designer boutique. A long colonnade lined with marble columns leads to a dramatic staircase at the rear. Overhead skylights let in natural light. The walls are painted a soft beige. "The store is going to have a comfortable feel almost as if you were going into some very gracious home," she says, strolling down the central colonnade. The store is, of course, empty of merchandise, but Gerhart knows in her imagination where everything will be. She points out the shoe salon, the new cosmetics area, daytime and cocktail dress and the couture section. Her eyes light up as she approaches the five VIP dressing rooms. They're spacious and restful. "There will be a little love seat here," she says, pausing in one room and letting her imagination roam. "You could spend a day in here." In the couture section she points out where a tasteful Bombay cabinet will be placed to display her tea sandwiches and sherry. Nearby an antique French fireplace is already installed. With the opening of the new Gerhart store owner Isabell Gerhart is coming full circle, returning to the neighborhood store she began so many years ago. As she puts it: "The new store is a continuation of the life that I've enjoyed so much and it's a new beginning." UPDATE The Isabell Gerhart shop closed in 1993. River Oaks Plaza failed to draw enough well-heeled shoppers and didn't have enough parking, entering foreclosure in 1993. The center later reinvented itself as a discount center. Isabell Gerhart died in 1996 at the age of 78. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A suspected shooter is in police custody Thursday after injuring his ex-wife and killing her husband in their League City home, according to the Galveston County District Attorney's Office. Sayantan Ghose, 41, of Richmond has been arrested and charged with murder in the late Wednesday shootings. Police found 43-year-old Clarence Wayne Harris dead in the driveway in front of his house in the 700 block of Mayhill Ridge, according to the probable cause affidavit. Harris suffered from seven bullet wounds. Clarence's wife, 36-year-old Amanda Harris, was taken to an area hospital. She suffered from two gunshot wounds, the affidavit said. Amanda Harris called police shortly before 9 p.m, according to the affidavit. She told police that she was going to make a citizen arrest because her ex-husband, Ghose, was at her doorstep. Amanda Harris also disclosed to police that Ghose had been stalking her for years. She and her husband apparently both had weapons on them. The police officer on the line heard her scream, "Get away from my gun!" and then additional screams and yelling in the background. Shots also began to fire off in the background. Ghose had already left the home by the time police arrived, according to a news release from League City Police Department. At the hospital, Amanda was interviewed by a detective. She explained that when she parked in her driveway, she noticed Ghose standing on her doorstep, the affidavit said. Before the gunfire, Ghose apparently was arguing with the woman's current husband, Wayne Harris, in front of the house, when Ghose eventually shot the man. A bail of $150,000 has been set for Ghose, police said in the news release. WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is putting the final touches on a promised new counter-Islamic State strategy for Syria and Iraq, and it looks very much like the one the Obama administration pursued, according to senior defense officials. The core of the strategy is to deny territory to the militants and ultimately defeat them, and to stay out of Syria's civil war pitting the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad, Iran and Russia against domestic opposition forces. The two fights in that country have come into increasingly close proximity in recent months, and there have been clashes. Military officials from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on down have emphasized in recent days that they are not looking for a fight with the regime or the Iranians. That has put them at odds with White House officials who have expressed concern about Iranian expansion across a new battlefield in Syria's southern desert. Critical of what they view as the Pentagon's reluctance to prevent Iranian gains, these officials consider Iran's increasing presence there a hindrance to the United States' pursuit of the Islamic State, and an attempt by Tehran to consolidate postwar control. Rather than allowing the regime and Iranian militia forces to plant their flags in the desert, the U.S. military and its proxy forces, they say, should be planting their own. The differing views have emerged in recent weeks as the military and the administration have contemplated the next steps in Syria, once the U.S.-led coalition completes its ongoing campaign to eject the Islamic State from Raqqa, its de facto Syrian capital. Even as the Raqqa offensive has gotten underway, regime and Iranian militia forces, having quelled the rebel uprising in much of Syria's heavily populated western regions, have headed east across the desert with Russian air support. Their goals are the isolated, government-held city of Deir al-Zour, long surrounded by the Islamic State, and the town of Bukamal, along the Iraqi border. The two are at opposite ends of Syria's southern Euphrates River Valley, an area the militants have long held. Much of their leadership has fled there from Raqqa, which lies farther north along the river. Mattis agreed with a reporter Tuesday who asked if, rather than trying to prevent government and militia advances, the coalition is trying to "compartmentalize" the valley, effectively leaving the regime and Iran in control of areas they are able to conquer from the militants. Asked whether he is worried about possible conflict with them as U.S. forces continue to pursue the Islamic State in the same area, Mattis said, "Not if the Iranian militia doesn't attack us, no." The key, he said during a trip to Europe this week, is more precise deconfliction among commanders of various forces on the ground, and between the United States and Russia. Although the Russians claimed to have shut down lines of communication to protest the U.S. downing of a Syrian aircraft that came too close to American operations near Raqqa earlier this month, several U.S. officials said those contacts have grown more robust and are operating effectively. "It's probably not going to look that neat," Mattis said of the lines being drawn. "You know, it'll be based on where does the river bend here and where is it - which side of the river is a town on there. . . . So it may look a little more squiggly." He added: "But as long as it's worked out by the commanders and enough people know about it in sufficient times, there are ways that are proven that we can do this." In neighboring Iraq, coalition-supported Iraqi security forces are said to be close to victory in the long battle to retake the northwestern city of Mosul from the Islamic State. Once they do, defense officials said, at least some of them will move to the border area opposite Bukamal. President Donald Trump, who criticized former president Barack Obama's strategy to defeat the Islamic State as weak, promised a new plan within 30 days of his inauguration and then turned it over to the military. Under congressional budget guidelines this year, lawmakers must review and approve the policy before funding for several aspects of it is released. Several defense officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the still-secret planning, said the strategy document is nearly ready to deliver to Capitol Hill. It is unclear whether Trump, or the Pentagon, will announce its outlines and goals. H.R. McMaster, Trump's national security adviser, spoke bluntly Wednesday of the destructive nature of Iranian influence in Syria and Iraq. "Iran is feeding this cycle of sectarian conflict to keep the Arab world perpetually weak," he said at a conference held by the Center for a New American Security. He described Tehran as a source of much of the suffering in Syria, and said that 80 percent of the regime's effective fighters were Iranian proxies. But McMaster stopped well short of calling for American action to deny territory to Iran or the Syrian regime. "We could do a lot better to pull back the curtain on Iranian actions," such as the hollowing out of Iraqi institutions or its support for Syrian barrel bombs that have devastated civilian populations and infrastructure, he said. "We have to be very clear that the reason we are in Syria is to destroy the ISIS," McMaster said, using an acronym for the Islamic State. Outlining the administration's approach to Syria and Iraq, he said the key components are "denying them a safe haven and support base," cutting off funding and discrediting the "perverted ideology" that they use to attract recruits to their cause. The starkest statement of the military's disinterest in confronting the regime and the Iranians came Friday, when Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the Baghdad-based coalition, said that if Assad forces "want to fight ISIS in Bukamal and they have the capacity to do so, then that would be welcomed." "We in the coalition are not in the land-grab business," Dillon said. "We are in the killing-ISIS business. That is what we want to do, and if the Syrian regime wants to do that and they're going to put forth a concerted effort and show they are doing just that in Bukamal or Deir al-Zour, or elsewhere, that means that we don't have to do that in those places." Frederic Hof, a fellow at the Atlantic Council who was the Obama administration's special adviser for Syria, called Dillon's words an invitation to Iran and its "client regime . . . to take over whatever parts of eastern Syria they can grab." "The Trump administration correctly views Iranian domination of Syria . . . as contrary to American interests," Hof wrote in a report Monday. Yet the policy now advocated by the U.S. military, he wrote, "will be good news indeed in Tehran and Damascus, to say nothing of Moscow." - - - The Washington Post's Thomas Gibbons-Neff, traveling with Defense Secretary Mattis, and Greg Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report. The Texas Medical Board has concluded - for a second time - there is insufficient evidence to sanction a Sugar Land doctor accused of performing a fatal procedure on an elderly woman without her family's consent. According to witnesses, Dr. Yassir Sonbol did not consult the children of 87-year-old Manuela Chapa as required by law before attempting to insert a dialysis catheter in her neck on March 12, 2015, at Kindred Hospital Sugar Land. The wire became lodged in a vein, according to medical records and witnesses, causing blood to pour from the woman and sending her into cardiac arrest. Her daughter, Cris Chapa, learned the graphic details of her mother's death nearly two years later, only after a whistleblowing nurse sent her a letter along with a stack of records, the Houston Chronicle reported in April. Chapa was not even aware that Sonbol, an interventional cardiologist, had attempted the procedure. By then, however, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had investigated the incident and concluded the doctor and hospital had violated her mother's rights by failing to discuss possible risks and obtaining informed consent before attempting the procedure. The Texas Medical Board, the state agency that licenses and disciplines physicians, also had taken a look at the case by then, but the board reached a different conclusion. It cleared Sonbol of wrongdoing in March 2016, without ever contacting Chapa's family. In a confidential letter obtained by the Chronicle, the board said a full investigation was not warranted because it had received "medical records and affidavits" showing that Sonbol had received legal consent to perform the procedure. Earlier this month, the medical board agreed to take another look at the case after receiving an affidavit from Cris Chapa and her brother, Jesse Chapa, stating they never were consulted, as well as a signed statement from Linda Patton, the nurse who first reported the medical error to regulators. Chapa's family also submitted copies of their mother's medical records, which included an unsigned consent form for the procedure. The medical board's Disciplinary Process Review Committee examined the additional evidence on June 15 and a week later issued its findings in a letter: "After a careful review of the file and all the information regarding this matter, (the committee) determined there is insufficient evidence to support a violation." Cris Chapa received notice of the decision Wednesday. "You have no idea how disappointed I am," she said. "They say it's still not enough evidence. What more do they want?" The Texas Medical Board, which is comprised of physicians, considers disciplinary investigations confidential and does not comment on its decisions. In an email, board spokesman Jarrett Schneider noted that "a violation of hospital bylaws does not necessarily equate to a violation by a medical practitioner individually." H.C. Chang, a lawyer representing the Chapa family in a malpractice lawsuit against Sonbol and the hospital, said he was stunned by the board's conclusion. "I read what the medical board wrote, and it just boggles the mind," Chang said. "I believe it's clear as day that Kindred and Dr. Sonbol did not have consent to do this procedure. I'm not sure what the board was thinking." Sonbol's lawyer, Don Stephens, declined comment on the medical board decision. As for the civil case, "Dr. Sonbol strongly denies the allegations against him in the suit filed by the Chapa family and we anticipate that Dr. Sonbol will prevail at the time of trial," Stephens wrote in an email. Dr. Gary Idelchik, a New York-based cardiologist who reviewed Chapa's medical file on behalf of the plaintiffs, concluded that Sonbol failed to get legal consent for a procedure that was not warranted and then appeared to falsify medical records to cover up the mistake. "Her death was proximately caused by the negligence and gross negligence of Dr. Yassir Sonbol," Idelchik wrote in an expert report filed in the case earlier this month. Stephens since has filed a counter motion disputing the veracity of Idelchik's opinion, noting that Manuela Chapa, who had come to the hospital with pneumonia, was very ill at the time of the procedure and had gone into cardiac arrest twice a day earlier, making any determination about her cause of death speculative. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A decade and change after Six Flags Astroworld closed for good there is still ongoing litigation regarding the property it sat on for years. According to Law360, the request of several developers to throw out a lawsuit regarding failed development plans brought against them has failed. The law blog reports that last Friday U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson recommended that three summary judgment motions by developers Epicentre should be thrown out. RIP FUN: AstroWorld took Houston on the ride of a lifetime British real estate investment company B Choice alleges that Epicentre Development Associates LLC misrepresented its claims to the land where Astroworld once sat. B Choice has alleged that Epicentre violated the federal RICO act and breached its fiduciary duties. Plaintiff has provided evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact the representations that induced it to invest the $11 million, Law360 quoted Judge Johnson as writing in her denial. Judge Johnson took issue with the defendants claim that its fraud allegations are protected by Texas statute of limitations. B Choice alleges that the $11 million it gave Epicentre was to be used to acquire the land and not just to pay for an ownership interest. In July a judge ruled that Epicentre still owes B Choice some $13 million on a promissory note. Epicentres legal counsel Joseph M. Schreiber told Law360 that they are hopeful a trial will clear Epicentre of any wrongdoing. HOUSTON ATTRACTIONS: Remembering Playland Park and other old Houston and Texas theme parks of yesteryear While we respect the opinion of the magistrate judge, we also respectfully disagree. We are confident that our position will be validated in a trial on the merits, he wrote in an email. An earlier Law360 report from 2014 announced the initial lawsuit filed by B Choice. In total B Choice says it is out $25 million in regards to the project which never got off the ground. Epicentre said in previous statements in court that the deal was a victim of the 2008 recession. Epicentre has also filed a counterclaim in the past against B Choice for fraud and breach of contract. Its a complicated case that appears will be occupying court rooms for some time to come. Chron.com previously reported that the land where the Texas Cyclone and other heart-stopping icons entertained Houstonians for years was at one point slated to become residential, retail, and office space. Forty-eight acres of green space where Astroworld once stood was sold to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in late 2012 for $42.8 million. This is just about half of the original theme park footprint. HOUSTON LEGENDS: Some of Houston's most iconic images The rodeo's acquisition abuts a Chevrolet dealership and generally runs north to south from Loop 610 to West Bellfort. It includes a pedestrian bridge that crosses over the loop to the NRG parking lot. That bridge itself has a unique history which you can read about here. It was the first privately-owned bridge to go across a federal highway. According to a Houston Business Journal report from April 2012, there was still some plan for Epicentre to build a $200 million mixed-use site on the Astroworld plot. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A routine traffic stop Monday has left a mother of three facing deportation, prompting her family to file a complaint with Deer Park police about her arrest on minor offenses and a lawyer to say the incident raises questions of racial profiling. The police department in Deer Park, a town of 30,000 southeast of Houston that has seen its Hispanic population increase dramatically in recent years, said the officer was simply doing her job and arresting someone with a warrant. However, it's not clear why police arrested her rather than just issuing a citation, as officers often do when someone is found driving without a license, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum punishment of a $200 fine under Texas law. Lucia Montes, 41, was pulled over about 3:30 p.m. Monday while driving with her 19-year-old daughter, Alejandra Garcia, a San Jacinto College student. She gave the officer her Mexican consular identification and her proof of insurance, according to family members and police. Police Lt. Frank Hart said the officer checked Montes' name on her vehicle's computer and found "an outstanding failure-to-appear warrant, issued through the Department of Homeland Security." She was arrested for driving without a license and booked into the Deer Park jail. Family members on Wednesday questioned whether she was read her Miranda rights and said her daughter, who speaks better English, was not allowed to interpret for her. Montes' husband, Alejandro Garcia Sr., pleaded for his wife's release at a news conference outside the Deer Park police station. "She's my wife and the mother of our children," he said in Spanish as a tear rolled down his daughter's cheek. "Above all, we believe in a God who can move anything." He said it was hard to explain to the couple's 9-year-old son why his mom wasn't coming back Monday night to tuck him into bed. She wasn't in jail because she's a bad person, he tried to explain. Stepped-up enforcement An immigrant rights advocate who organized the news conference said the detention marked a step-up in immigration enforcement and argued that it departed from normal procedures. "We're asking for what the law says," said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL. "If you present ID, you just get a ticket." Lawyers questioned the rationale for Montes' arrest. "That does raise an implication of immigrant, ethnic and racial profiling," said Greg Chen, an attorney who is director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association in Washington. "One concern that we have is that people who appear to be foreign, appear to be immigrants, are going to be targeted by overzealous law enforcement officers. "Whenever you have an individual who is pulled over for a minor traffic offense (and winds up in ICE custody), it certainly would make me want to ask those questions," Chen said. Houston immigration lawyer Mana Yegani agreed. "If you don't speak English and you don't have a driver's license, they assume you're illegal," said Yegani, who added that local police officers generally do not have access to the tightly controlled DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement databases. However, the Deer Park police lieutenant said the officer acted properly when a warrant surfaced. "From the looks of it, if there had not been the warrant, it would have been a different story. With the warrants, we have an obligation," Hart said. "I would think it would be a little bit haphazard to not at least investigate into those types of cases, because you don't know what they're wanted for. They could be wanted for something heinous." Arrested in 2003 ICE said in a statement that Montes was arrested by Border Patrol officers in July 2003 after she illegally crossed the border near Eagle Pass. "When she failed to appear before an immigration judge in November 2003, she was issued a final order of removal," ICE spokesman Gregory Palmore said in the statement, adding that she is now in federal custody pending deportation. She does not appear to have been charged with a crime since her illegal crossing. Montes' arrest comes as President Donald Trump urges Congress to pass bills to cut off funding to "sanctuary cities" that shield people living in the county illegally who might otherwise face deportation, and to increase the maximum penalty for those who enter the country without permission. Also, Houston and other large Texas cities are suing to block a new state law from taking effect in September that would allow police officers to question people about their immigration status during routine stops and threatens local officials with jail time if they don't comply with federal immigration requests. The two attorneys said Montes has few options, because the time to challenge her final order of removal has long since expired. A lawyer might find a way to get the case reopened if she can credibly argue she never got notice of the immigration court hearings in 2003, Yegani said. "The thing is," she added, "you're fighting the clock. Houston's fire union sued the city Wednesday alleging Mayor Sylvester Turner's administration failed to act in good faith during contract negotiations, exacerbating tensions between firefighters and City Hall. The lawsuit filed in state district court came just two days before firefighters' "evergreen" labor agreement with the city expires, at which point local and state law will govern their employment until a new deal is reached. Those employment terms - unanimously approved by City Council Wednesday morning - are less favorable than those in the evergreen. Turner said heoffered to extend the more generous arrangement another 30 days while negotiations continued, but the fire union preferredto resolve the issue in court. "When you say no, what do you expect a city to do?" Turner said before council voted to amend local ordinance. "They made their choice." A letter provided by the mayor's office shows the city on May 12 proposed extending the collective bargaining agreement by 15 days. Three days later, firefighters declared an impasse, allowing them to request an arbitrator to settle the contract dispute. The city declined that option, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton said, but agreed to mediation, which began last week. After Turner again offered the union an opportunity to extend Wednesday, Lancton said, "We just wanted a third party to come in and say what's fair." Houston firefighters last received a pay raise three years ago, when they rejected a new contract in exchange for fewer restrictions on time off. The union initially sought a 21 percent pay raise over three years, Turner said, but has lowered that request to 17 percent. The city, meanwhile, increased its offer to 9.5 percent over three years, from 4 percent over two years. 'Who will save us?' "They deserve a pay raise, no question about that," Turner said. "But if anyone - and I don't care if it's police, fire, municipal workers - if you're coming to me and saying, give me a 17 percent, I'm going to immediately tell you no, because we don't have it. Now, you can beat me up all day long. ... But until somebody puts a machine back there where I can go print it - print the money - we don't have it." Hours after the vote, scores of firefighters in yellow union shirts joined Lancton at an afternoon rally outside City Hall to protest the city's actions. Many held signs touting such slogans as "We save others. Who will save us?" and "Reduced staffing means reduced safety." "We are here today to remind the mayor and City Council that Houston firefighters have earned the right to expect fair wages, benefits and workplace protections," Lancton said. "The city did not negotiate in a good-faith effort. Now, we have asked a court to force the city to reach a sensible contract agreement that is fair to the citizens and fair to the men and women who serve this city standing behind me." The six-page lawsuit asks the court to set firefighter compensation for a year, but does not explain what about the city's negotiation the union alleges was not "in good faith." "The lawsuit is regrettable because it is our preference to solve our challenges face to face and not in court," Turner said in an emailed statement. "When the lawsuit is received, we will review it and respond appropriately." City facing 2 fire lawsuits South Texas College of Law Houston Professor Richard Carlson said the vagueness of state law makes it difficult to assess firefighters' chance of success. "Our law is still very uncertain, and when you throw in the fact that public employees can't strike anyway, it's hard to say what the practical outcome in any of these cases is," Carlson said. While the case is pending, firefighters are poised as of July to maintain their sick leave plan and incentive pay for various specialty roles, such as serving as a paramedic or hazardous materials technician. However, the modifications to local law approved Wednesday impose less favorable overtime and holiday pay rules, cease city payments into a union medical fund and end a program that effectively allows employees to transition into retirement while retaining some employment benefits. The changes also leave several policies - such as minimum staffing requirements and the guarantee that the fire union president's position will remain paid - to management discretion. The fire union's lawsuit comes a month after the fire pension board also sued the city alleging the pension reform plan approved by the Texas Legislature at the behest of City Hall effective Saturday violates the Texas Constitution. That case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday morning. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Special prosecutors assigned to build a criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking for a second time that a judge delay the trial until they can be paid. The special prosecutors made the request on Thursday at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center as they and Paxton's legal defense team met Judge Robert Johnson for the first time since the case was moved out of Paxton's home base of Collin County. A team of three special prosecutors are owed $205,000 in back pay from 2016, but the commissioners court in Collin County has refused to sign off the payments in light of a lawsuit filed by a Paxton ally who says the payments exceed the county's local cap on attorneys' fees. Whether the special prosecutors are paid is an issue now before the 5th Court of Appeals. Any decision by the court will likely be appealed to the Criminal Court of Appeals, potentially stretching into the fall. "We haven't been paid in 18 months," Brian Wice, one of three special prosecutors assigned to Paxton's case, said to the judge in arguing to temporarily defer scheduling the trial. "Not my dog, not my problem," responded Dan Cogdell, one of Paxton's criminal defense attorneys. "Mr. Paxton has the right to a trial ... a speedy trial." The prosecutors' payments first wound up in the court in lawsuits filed by Jeffory Blackard, a real estate developer and Paxton ally who argues the special prosecutors' pay rate of $300 per hour exceeds the county's cap on fees. The Collin County Commissioners Court has since voted not to pay the special prosecutors and have filed a writ of mandamus with the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas. Judge George Gallagher, a Tarrant County judge who was overseeing the case when proceedings were held in Collin County, denied the special prosecutors' motion to delay the trial until payment issues were resolved. However, the special prosecutors got a delay anyway when Gallagher decided to move the case to Harris County. Paxton is charged with two counts of felony securities fraud for convincing members of his investment group to sink money into a North Texas technology company without disclosing he would make a commission. He also faces a lesser felony charge of failing to register as an insurance adviser with the state. Paxton maintains his innocence and contends he is the victim of political retribution. Escorted by seven officers from the sheriff's office, Paxton walked into the courtroom holding hands with his wife, Angela. Johnson, the judge for the 177th State District Court, asked both parties to submit procedural timelines of the case by July 7 and to return to court for another hearing on July 27. The hearing marks the first time Paxton and many of the attorneys on both sides of the case have meet Judge Johnson, a newly-elected jurist assigned to oversee the high-profile case two weeks ago. The trial date has changed twice in recent months amid legal wrangling. Paxton was to go to trial in May before his previous judge moved the trial to Harris County and set a September trial date. That judge has since been removed from the case after losing jurisdiction to continue presiding, leading to the appointment of the new judge. Nobody likes paying taxes, but we're all supposed to pay our fair share. After all, that's how we pay for our police and firefighters, our schools and streets, and so many other services essential to a civil society. So it's a little galling that some of the most familiar names in American business are using a dubious legal argument to win jaw-dropping cuts in their property tax bills. Alarmed appraisers here in Texas warn this rapidly spreading strategy could derail our entire property tax system, a threat that's so serious our state lawmakers need to take action in the upcoming special session. Smart lawyers working for some of America's best known retailers - like Lowe's, Home Depot, Kohl's, Target and Walmart - are appealing their property taxes with a convoluted legal theory that's somehow gaining ground in the courts. These big box retailers claim their properties should be appraised as though they're empty buildings, not functioning stores. Their logic is that the buildings are constructed for a specific use by a specific owner. So they argue the appraised value of a store should be based on the assumption that, if it closes, the building cannot be sold to anybody else. Hence, a bustling store is worth the same as an empty building. Of course, that's nonsense. New enterprises routinely open in old retail spaces. And anybody who's dodged shopping baskets inside a Costco on a Saturday afternoon knows one of those crowded buildings with long lines at cash registers is worth way more than an abandoned Sears outlet. Nonetheless, this "dark store" theory of appraisals has been gaining ground ever since a Michigan court agreed with it in 2010. As a result, corporations have scored whopping cuts in their property taxes, like the Lowe's store in Michigan that reportedly saw its tax bill slashed by two-thirds. Here in Texas, Lowe's fought to get valuations on stores around Houston and San Antonio cut roughly in half. The Harris County Appraisal District settled and agreed to a cut of about 10 percent, but Bexar County is fighting Lowe's in a closely watched court case. This strategy is just getting off the ground here in Texas, but the impact in other states has been devastating. When Lowe's managed to cut its property taxes in Indiana by $121 million, other residents and businesses ending up paying $50 million more. In Michigan, some local governments are gutting public services, roads have gone unpaved, library hours have been curtailed and police departments haven't been able to update aging equipment. The problem won't stop with big box retailers. Other businesses are starting to pursue the same strategy, threatening to throw property tax collections into a disastrous downward spiral. If Lowe's wins in Bexar County and other commercial enterprises jump onto the "dark store" bandwagon, the state comptroller's office estimates Texas cities, counties and school districts will lose $2.9 billion. The Legislature can fix this problem. State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, and Comptroller Glenn Hegar backed a bill to limit the use of this legal strategy, but business lobbyists watered it down so badly even appraisers said it wasn't worth the effort. Now the legislation has a second chance. Gov. Greg Abbott has put tax reform on his agenda for the upcoming special session, and Springer will try to reintroduce his original bill. What happened in Michigan is a warning and a wake-up call. Our state lawmakers need to fix this problem now. The "dark stores" strategy is a bonanza for out-of-state corporations, but it's a looming catastrophe for Texas. Trust me. The words amount to the worth of an unopened parachute when passion-struck teens take a plunge off a ravine they don't see until it's too late. And too many teenage girls in Texas keep going off the cliff. Although teen birth rates have declined across the nation, geographic clusters of elevated rates remain. A new study - documenting an elevated risk throughout much of our state - signals an emergency that needs our immediate attention. A teen living in the San Antonio, El Paso or Dallas areas is more likely to have a baby than one who lives in other parts of the country, according to June study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Teens in a 40-county area that includes San Antonio were 87 percent more likely to give birth than those nationwide. These Texas clusters of higher-than-average teen birth rates are not random and remain higher than expected even when adjusted for poverty and education, according to the Florida researchers who analyzed county-by-county teen birth rate data for 2006-2012 that was compiled by the Center for Health Statistics. When adjusted for poverty, the Fort Worth area had a 58 percent higher teenage birth rate than the rest of the contiguous nation, and the Houston area had the sixth-highest rate for an area of over 100,000 people in the country. In Harris County, more than 5,000 teens had babies in 2015. The study doesn't pinpoint the additional factors contributing to high teenage birth rates. But regressive Texas policies - such as lack of sex education in schools and low access to birth control compared to teens in other parts of the country - are the likely culprits. Parents have primary responsibility for educating their children, of course. But as the children of teen moms are more likely to give birth while they are teenagers, additional support may be necessary to affect change. Access to birth control and robust sex education classes can help break the cycle, but current state and federal policymakers often fail to support these common-sense measures to help teens avoid pregnancy. Just two examples: Congress is in the process of overhauling the Affordable Care Act, and funding for Planned Parenthood, a trusted source for contraceptives, is at risk. At the state level, a bill to allow 17-year-olds to gain access to contraception without their parents' consent died last session. Given the spotty leadership, local public officials in Texas should take matters into their own hands and meet with school leaders to share data from this study and figure out local strategies to help young women avoid unintended pregnancies. These include teaching medically accurate sex education in area schools. Houston Independent School District already teaches abstinence-plus sexual education, curriculum that allows teens to learn how to protect themselves if they are sexually active. But many other school districts have failed to adopt thoughtful policies. School district personnel stand on the front lines of this problem. Roughly 35,000 Texas teens give birth before they turn 20 every year, with nearly one-quarter of all teen births to teens who already have a child, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, a nonprofit. This is about as many students as attend Texas Tech University annually. But instead of attending college or even finishing high school, many of these teen mothers drop out of school. The consequences of their poor choices are predictable. Nearly one half of teenage mothers lived below the poverty line in 2010. "I tried hard not to become a teen mother, because teen moms don't amount to much," one woman who grew up in a disadvantaged home told us. More likely to drop out of the educational pipeline, teen mothers - and their children - are also more likely to need the social services pipeline. Teen childbearing cost Texas $1.1 billion in 2010, according to the National Campaign. The personal cost to these young women and their children is even higher - the lost dreams of educational attainment, the blight of poverty and, for too many, the defeat of incarceration. The loss of human potential is too high for adults to stick their heads in the sand any longer. There's a fiscal imperative, sure, but also a profound moral one. Texas needs better sex education and better access to contraception. The state, too long a leader in teen births, should become a different kind of leader - one with innovative public policies that will help prevent them. A doctor I know who works at Venezuela's JM De Los Rios Children's Hospital moonlights as a smuggler. Hidden in her backpack are medical supplies her patients desperately need. In the crippling humanitarian crisis ravaging Venezuela, these supplies are almost impossible to find. However, according to the Venezuelan regime's official line, there is no crisis. And accepting aid from international groups makes you a criminal. To ensure the doctor's safety, I'm not using her name. But she is very real, and is part of a network that has been receiving aid from a group of Houstonians alarmed by the conditions in Venezuela. I am part of this community as co-founder of Saludos Connection, a nonprofit with the mission to connect people in Venezuela with safe sources of health and nutrition. From our garage in a Houston neighborhood, we work tirelessly to raise funds, send supplies and spread awareness. Although we face a ruthless and powerful regime, we are prepared to do all we can to help. We were not prepared, however, for the betrayal of our own city. We were left in disbelief upon learning the city of Houston chose Citgo as the primary sponsor for Houston's Fourth of July "Freedom Over Texas" celebration. Our city, our home and our refuge chose to accept money from a corrupt dictatorship's corporation to fund the celebration of America's freedom. The Citgo Petroleum Corp., though based in Houston, is 100 percent-owned by Petroleos de Venezuela Sociedad Anonima, the Venezuelan state-owned oil company. Citgo has devolved into a financial tentacle that legally operates in international markets for the corrupt Venezuelan dictatorship. This is the very dictatorship that created the humanitarian crisis we are working to address, that denies existence of the crisis, and rejects all institutional international aid. It's the dictatorship that has violently repressed peaceful protests for the past several months, leaving dozens dead, thousands injured and thousands arrested. The magnitude of the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis has left despair in its wake, and has affected the South American region, forcing countries to address it in their policies and adapt to the influx of fleeing Venezuelans. Thousands have crossed the border to the Brazilian state of Roraima by foot. Lately, it has escalated into the worst institutional crisis, making Venezuela the most visible example of a failed state development in our hemisphere, and we can't ignore this failed state's relationship to the city of Houston. For Houston, accepting Citgo's sponsorship of Freedom Over Texas is tantamount to taking sides in the Venezuelan conflict. Citgo was at the center of a deal between Venezuela and Russia that many regard as unconstitutional and whose political aftermath resulted in the current violence. Alarmingly, Cuba has infiltrated the Venezuelan army, communications, national registry, airports and naval ports, also plays a part in this conflict. Venezuela's regime is tied to international drug trafficking and dangerous groups - Venezuela's vice president was designated a "specially designated narcotics trafficker" by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and the FARC Colombian guerrilla all publicly support the regime. Houston's deal with Citgo puts the city in association with these international criminals and oppressive regimes. As a Venezuelan, Houstonian and American, I am deeply offended by this deal between Houston and Citgo. The city of Houston and the state of Texas - beacons of freedom - accepted money from a regime that embodies the complete opposite - a regime that undermines its nation's institutions, incarcerates its political opposition and promotes rampant impunity in the face of ubiquitous crime. To Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council, we ask for a public statement indicating where the city of Houston stands under your leadership. To Citgo, we ask that, instead of spending money on publicity in the U.S., that its resources instead be used to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. And to our Houston friends and neighbors, we ask for you to express your indignation over our city's association with the Venezuelan dictatorship and its band of international outlaw allies. Will Houston champion the values of freedom this 4th of July? Manrique de Henning is a Houston resident. News outlets are beginning to warn us that any 2017 tax reform, especially if combined with health care reform, may end up increasing tax benefits for the wealthiest individuals while at the same time substantially decreasing the number of Americans covered by health insurance. Bloomberg reports that according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, "President Donald Trump won't veto a tax bill even if it provides the wealthiest Americans with a tax cut." That pronouncement is in contrast to previous statements that tax reform primarily should benefit the middle class and not the highest earners. The Houston Chronicle editorial "Don't be distracted" (Page A16, June 14) warns that "Congress is secretly working on Wall Street giveaways and money for the rich." In that same editorial there is this dire forecast: "If the Senate bill is anything like the House bill, it will lead to 23 million more Americans lacking health insurance by 2026 in exchange for a $600 billion tax cut for the wealthy." Are we about to be fleeced by a disguised wolf masquerading as tax reform that is being justified as an effort to help the middle class? President Trump's proposed tax guidelines would provide even lower tax rates on two significant items of income that already receive favorable tax treatment: dividends and capital gains. Along with the huge deficits that likely will be incurred if his proposals are enacted, this particular income tax break primarily benefits the wealthiest individuals and will continue increasing the divide between the haves and have-nots. In President Ronald Reagan's signature Tax Reform Act of 1986, those two income items did not receive favorable tax treatment. All items of income, including wages, small business income, dividends and capital gains were taxed at the same rates. After Reagan was no longer president, lower tax rates on dividends and capital gains gradually crept into our tax system. Now is the time to reclaim Reagan's great compromise with Congress in 1986 that allowed ordinary wage earners to pay taxes at no higher rates than those individuals who received dividends and capital gains. In the General Explanation of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the authors expressed the rationale for eliminating reduced taxes for long-term capital gains. That same rationale should be applicable today. "This will result in a tremendous amount of simplification for many taxpayers since their tax will no longer depend upon the characterization of income as ordinary or capital gain. In addition, this will eliminate any requirement that capital assets be held by the taxpayer for any extended period of time in order to obtain favorable treatment. This will result in greater willingness to invest in assets that are freely traded (e.g., stocks) and make investment decisions more neutral." Investments in new business ventures and in stocks did not cease after Reagan and Congress passed the 1986 Tax Act. There is little reason to think that those investments will slow down significantly if individuals have to pay the same tax rate on dividends and capital gains that they have to pay on wage income. During my career in public accounting, I cannot remember a single client ever making a decision to invest or not invest in a business or individual stock just based on having low tax rates on dividends or capital gains. Arguably, it is extremely unfair that under current tax law and under the proposed tax guidelines, most ordinary wage-earning taxpayers end up subsidizing other taxpayers who receive low-tax rate capital gains and dividend income. A Pew Research Center study last year revealed that the estimates for fiscal 2016 included a loss of tax revenue of $134.6 billion due to "lower tax rates on dividends and long-term capital gains," which was the projected second-largest source of lost tax revenue. Congress also should think long and hard about whether to enact President Trump's proposal for a low tax rate on so-called "small business income," but lower tax rates on dividends and long-term capital gains should be eliminated sooner than later. Otherwise, any so-called tax reform will be just a wolf in sheep's clothing, designed to benefit the rich while hoping a few tax crumbs for the average taxpayer will be enough for Congress and the president to claim a legislative victory for Middle America. Nelson, a Houston resident, is a former tax partner with Ernst & Young. ELKO Learn the basics of Dutch Oven Cooking and enjoy songs about the California Trail and the Gold Rush at the California Trail Interpretive Center during July. The Trail Center is presenting a variety of programs throughout July. The following programs are free and open to everyone: July 7, 14, 21, 28, 10 a.m.: Pioneer Story Time on Multiple Fridays Parents are encouraged to bring their young pioneers to the Trail Center for pioneer stories, followed by fun art projects and games. For youth ages four through six. July 8, 2 p.m.: Hank Cramer: Songs from the California Trail and the Gold Rush Hank Cramer uses folk songs as a vehicle to teach history. Join Cramer for a performance on traditional emigrant and gold rush songs. Cramer is from Winthrop, Washington, and he has performed at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, Oregon. In 2011, Cramer received the Humanities Washington Award for his efforts in presenting historical music programs throughout rural communities. July 9, 2 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Pioneer Journaling: A Glimpse into the Past Attention all kids: How do we know what the pioneers thought and felt? Because they wrote their stories down in journals and diaries. Learn about pioneer journals, and create your own journal to document your journeys. July 15, 2 p.m.: All about Wagons: Why Did They Pack That? Pioneers who were planning to travel to California had to plan everything: what animals, tools, household items, and guns to bring, not to mention food for four to five months. Discover how emigrants packed their wagons for their journeys into the unknown. July 16, 2 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Leave it to Beavers Join BLM biologist Beth Wood and learn all about those busy beavers, natures engineers. July 22, 2 p.m.: How the West was Stolen Learn about western expansion from an American Indian perspective. The speaker, Jens Camp, is a recent American Indian Studies graduate from Arizona State. Camp served as a Native American Studies intern at the Trail Center in 2016. He currently serves as a research associate for the Great Basin Institute at the Trail Center. July 23, 2 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Youth Archery Attention all kids: Learn the basics of archery from Brian Pratt, a certified instructor with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). All equipment provided. Space is limited, and registration required. For students age 9 through 15. To register, call 738-1849. July 29, 2 p.m.: The Forty Mile Desert: The Worst Desert You Ever Saw The Forty Mile Desert was one of the most difficult parts of the trail. Along with the crippling temperatures and lack of water, many had to leave behind their animals, personal belongings and sometimes even their wagon in order to make it. This program will discuss the different routes across the desert, the emigrant experiences and their perseverance in reaching California against all odds. July 30, 2 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Tomahawk Throwing Join Brian Pratt and learn how to throw a tomahawk like the mountain men of the Old West. The California Trail Interpretive Center is located eight miles west of Elko on I-80, Hunter exit 292. The Center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about the California Trail Interpretive Center, call 738-1849, visit www.californiatrailcenter.org or WASHINGTON - The Senate health care bill, which was scuttled Tuesday until after July 4, was doomed by two narratives: Republicans are mean, and poor people would be dropping like flies. Assisting the opposition was none other than President Donald Trump, who called the earlier version passed by the House "mean." Trump met with Senate Republicans on Tuesday afternoon to plot their move to repeal and replace Obamacare, which remains the GOP's objective. The "mean" meme was easy enough to embrace given the bill's cuts to Medicaid, which provides coverage for the poor, disabled and elderly. Nearly two-thirds of nursing home residents are supported primarily by Medicaid. Adding insult to injury, the Senate bill included tax cuts for the wealthy, while also promising higher insurance premiums (in the short term) for middle-income earners. Get this: A family of four earning $56,800 a year would have seen annual premiums jump to $20,500, almost the same amount of a proposed tax cut for someone earning $1 million a year. The image of the yachtsman polishing his brass fittings while children and elderly women tread water below springs to the minds of cartoonists and incumbents. Thus, a rising number of Republican senators were threatening to vote "no" on their own party's bill, which would have killed it. While it's true that those insurance rates for middle-income earners would go up for the first couple of years - by a lot - it's also true that they'd soon thereafter drop to 30 percent lower than current rates. This is according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which on any given day is a brilliant economic oracle or the crazy bird lady with canaries in her hair. The media have been mildly rabid ever since Republicans went into a secret cave somewhere to hammer out their ill-fated plan. They've slammed the GOP for proposing to dump 22 million people from insurance coverage, despite the fact that millions of those would likely be dropping themselves - self-deporting now that coverage would no longer be mandated, as it has been under Obamacare. Otherwise, popular punditry doesn't permit much discussion of details and tends to favor nibbly nuggets of nonsense. I was surprised to hear MSNBC's Joe Scarborough go death-squad on "Morning Joe" Tuesday, saying that "poor people are going to be locked out of their doctors' offices." Obviously, he was speaking metaphorically, but such hyperbolic fulminations can become memes of their own. Also rarely if ever mentioned, states already fund about 40 percent of Medicaid - and no one was forcing them to cut their programs, as James Capretta of the American Enterprise Institute pointed out. Moreover, the federal government will still spend about $5.2 trillion on Medicaid during the next decade. The Senate bill, meanwhile, proposed spending money on reducing premiums so that insurance would attract younger, healthy people to stabilize the market. Would this work? Clearly, it hasn't under Obamacare. Having the young and healthy sign up was crucial to the success of the Affordable Care Act. Since they would likely be infrequent consumers of health services, their premiums theoretically could defray the cost of treating pre-existing conditions, as well as insuring the previously uninsured. Despite a government mandate and penalties for failing to sign up, young Americans basically responded with "You're joking, right?" The mandate's failure to be persuasive should have surprised no one. Government-enforced altruism doesn't sit right in a nation conceived during a tax revolt and born in the cradle of individual freedom. And, if I may stroke realism's head for a moment, health insurance and pre-existing conditions are fundamentally incompatible. Sick Person A gets insurance coverage only if Healthy Person B helps pay for it. Half the country is fine with this proposition. The other half would rather skimp on medical care than surrender a drop of freedom. This, in essence, is what makes bipartisan reform so difficult. To the conservative mind, the repeal-and-replace bill wasn't so much mean as tough. To the liberal mind, it was indefensibly heartless and cruel. But if one thinks reducing the debt and deficit is necessary, then isn't entitlement reform essential? When would such cuts ever be popular - or painless? Somewhere between the thorny cliffs of Dire Straits, where millions die from Republican meanness, and the gently sweeping shores of Obamaland, where everyone gets a lei and lives to 150, is a big enough boat to get us to market-based health care reform. For now, go wash your hands. Parker's email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com. Is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick really the Conservative North Star of Texas Politics? That's what a confidant, Houston Sen. Paul Bettencourt, told a group of pastors, explaining that the Senate's presiding officer "doesn't change. He doesn't move. Every night, you get up and he's right there." Bettencourt was explaining how the solidly conservative Senate will again pass the controversial bathroom bill during an upcoming special legislative session, despite opposition in the House, as he predicted the clubby Senate will pass all 20 of Gov. Greg Abbott's priorities within the first 10 days they are in session. Ironically, David Dewhurst, a Republican incumbent who Patrick unseated two years ago, thought he was a North Star in the Senate, comments that drew laughter from some at the statehouse. No yuks about the Patrick crack, so far. Abbott has announced he will call the Lege back for a special session starting July 18 to finish business they left undone during the regular session that ended in May. On the agenda: Laws that would block cities from regulating tree-cutting on private property, a move that Austin Mayor Steve Adler is openly mocking. At one public rally, Adler applauded the Legislature for Abbott for focusing on school finance reform, a most important issue for Texans, in the special session. No wait, he said, I'm wrong ... it's trees they're more interested in. Just as the bathroom bill promises to be contentions in the special session, so do a number of other laws the Lege enacted during the regular session -- starting with Senate Bill 4, the ban on sanctuary cities that is tied up already in court. Ironically, as protests grow in Texas to the ban and as Abbott takes to Snapchat to deflect the complaints as baseless that it will punish Hispanic Texas families, similar legislation before the U.S. House is causing quite a stir in Washington. We've got all the lowdown on the political meltdowns in both Washington and Texas in this week's Texas Take, where you get the inside scoop in unvarnished, straight talk that every Texan can understand. From Mike Ward, the Chronicle's Austin Bureau chief, and Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, comes Texas' leading online podcast about Lone Star politics. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. I dont know if it is fitting or sad that my last movie column is about a mediocre film that brings with it happy memories of my childhood. Transformers: The Last Knight is fun, but not great. It is the fifth film in the series and I think the filmmakers spend more time on the special effects than the plot. The Autobots and Decepticons are still hiding from the worlds governments, but they arent being actively hunted down and killed like they were in Transformers: Age of Extinction. People as a whole dont like the aliens, and many of the Decepticons are being held in prisons. Cade Yeager, portrayed once again by Mark Wahlberg, is hiding many of the Autobots that were introduced in the last film. Yeager also is hiding from the government. This time around Yeagers main human helper is a teen he rescues in Chicago, Izabella, played by Isabela Moner. He also receives assistance from Sir Edmund Burton, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins. Burtons family has a long history with Transformers and he even has a small, homicidal Transformer butler, Cogman, voiced by Jim Carter. The interactions between Burton and Cogman are sort of funny but not hysterical. One part of the film that I found to be an improvement over the other four previous movies is that the love interest in the film is more than a damsel in distress. Vivian Wembley, played by Laura Haddock, has a mysterious link to the Transformers and takes an active role in the storyline. Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Megatron are back again as leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons. However, for most of the film Optimus Prime is off on a mission to find his creator and Bumblebee is leading in his absence. None of the Transformers movies have been great movies. They are true popcorn fare. I think I have always cut them some slack because watching these living machines on the big screen is a walk down memory lane for me. I grew up hearing Peter Cullen voice Optimus Prime on television and I think it is wonderful that he still voices the character he played on the 1980s cartoon series. If you liked the other four Transformers films you will probably like this one. I was glad that this movie had a more well-thought out plot than Age of Extinction. Transformers: The Last Knight is rated PG-13 for violence and intense sequences of sci-fi action, language, and some innuendo. The movie is 149 minutes long. Rating for Transformers: The Last Knight 3 popcorns out of 5 Whether the employer has a genuine proprietary interest (such as trade secrets, confidential information, or close client or supplier relationships) which warrants protection The scope and duration of the restraint The geographical area of the restraint The nature of the business The seniority of the employee Whether any consideration has been paid to compensate for such restrictions The impact of the restraint on the individual (eg. ability to earn a living) In order to be enforceable, the restraint must be both necessary to protect the company's proprietary interests and reasonable, says Blake. It should be tailored to the individual concerned so that it is limited in duration, scope and geography to that which is absolutely necessary to protect the company's interests, he continues. The most common mistake made by employers is to not take sufficient care to ensure each restraint is properly tailored to the individual and the role concerned. While a failure to tailor conditions to individuals may tri employers up most often, Blake says the non-compete aspect of a restraint of trade is the most difficult part to enforce. The roles for which a non-compete clause may be appropriate include senior staff who have important relationships with clients or access to trade secrets or other highly confidential information, he tells HRM. MAINOS: Telia Yhden tyontekijan huolimattomuus tietoturvassa voi johtaa yrityksen koko liiketoiminnan kaatumiseen Esimerkkeja loytyy runsaasti MAINOS Tietovuotojen ja -murtojen yleistyessa on digitaalinen turvaverkko nyt tarkeampi kuin koskaan. Tietoturvan toteutuminen on silti paikoin halyttavan huonoa. Humane Society International is applauding Mexico City Governor Miguel Angel Mancera for signing into law a reform to the citys Animal Protection Law, creating a new Animal Protection Agency that will serve as a policy hub to coordinate animal welfare policies. The new agency will oversee policies spanning from stray animal population surveys and spay/neuter campaigns to humane education programs and guidelines to respond to extreme cruelty cases. The creation of this agency builds on the recently enacted Mexico City Constitution, which recognizes animals as sentient beings whose welfare must be protected. HSI/Mexico offered technical assistance during the drafting discussions of both the constitution and the animal protection reform. Claudia Edwards, programs director for HSI/Mexico, said: We applaud Mexico City Governor Miguel Angel Mancera for signing this important bill into law. The new Animal Protection Agency is an innovative mechanism to continue advancing animal protection in Mexico and sets an important example in Latin America. We look forward to working with the Animal Protection Agency to help it fulfill its new mandate. Become an All Animals Defender. Donate now. Governor Mancera announced during the signing ceremony that the Government of Mexico City will create a new public veterinary hospital. He also announced that his government will advance regulations to close down any establishment in which dogfights take place. The reform to the Animal Protection Law also: Enshrines the five freedom principles that define animal welfare as freedom from hunger and thirst; from discomfort; from pain, injury or disease; from fear and distress; and for animals to express their natural behavior. Requires that kennels register before the Animal Protection Agency, and spay/neuter their animals. Requires people who leave their animals in an animal shelter to pay for sterilization and vaccination. Prohibits the sale of animals in public markets. Media contact: Raul Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org, +1-301-721-6440 BBC Three When I was a nine year old boy in Afghanistan, a group of people came to my family house and explained that the Taliban wanted my father to work for them. Because my father was in the Afghani army, he refused. The next thing I remember is going to take food to my father working in a field. Then, in front of my eyes, he was shot by the Taliban. I will never forget that. It will stay with me forever. Advertisement After this my mother decided it was too dangerous for me to live in Afghanistan. She sold the family land, so she could pay traffickers to smuggle me, her only surviving child, to safety in Britain. My journey over land and sea took close to a year, and I was passed through the hands of dozens of traffickers. I witnessed suffering I never want to see again. I arrived in Britain as an unaccompanied asylum seeking 10-year-old. I was placed into foster care in Cardiff. In the early days, I remember my foster Mum, Dawn, sunbathing outside in a bikini. In Afghanistan women could never do this, so I told her to put her clothes on. I lived under Dawn's roof for close to seven years. She became my "Mum". I went to school and made friends. Cardiff became my home. I was told by Social Services that I would get a passport after five years in the UK. But, when I was 15, I discovered this wasn't true. I only had a temporary right to stay in this country and the government expected me to leave when I was eighteen. I was made to sign in at the Home Office in Cardiff once a month so that they could keep track of me. Advertisement Suddenly, last October, I was arrested at one of these sign-ins, and found myself in an immigration detention centre. When people like me who have arrived in the UK as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children turn seventeen and a half, the Home Office starts the process of removing us back to our countries of birth. The system requires us to prove why we should be allowed to stay and why we should not be sent back. The Home Office thought it safe for me to go back to Afghanistan, so under the system I was automatically detained and placed behind bars ready to be removed from the country. At that moment I felt like I had no hope. I'd lost everything I had in my whole world. My family tried to keep me positive when they visited every day, filling me in on what was going on. But I couldn't see what was going on myself, so I was afraid. My family and my girlfriend's family found me legal help, and I was released from detention. With the help of my new lawyer, I made a new case to stay. But in January this was rejected. The Home Office is still arguing it's safe for me to return to Afghanistan. They don't accept that my family life is now fixed here. But I have no contact with my mother in Afghanistan any more, and I am terrified of going back. Not only do my Dad's connections to the army make me a target for the Taliban, but people who go back after years living in the West are often the targets of kidnap and ransom. I have appealed against the Home Office decision to send me back. As I wait for the results, I'm desperately anxious. When I try to sleep at night I start to think about the time they put me in the detention centre. Advertisement I don't want to go back to that place. I hadn't done anything wrong - why was I treated like this? I think I'll wake up in there and that five guards are coming for me again, treating me like a criminal, pushing my face down on the floor, putting a belt around me so I can't move, trying to take me away from my family. This always scares me, even when I know I'm in my family's home. As I wait for news from the Home Office, I'm always asked "Hiya Bash, how you feeling?" by my family, my friends and my teacher. I know they care about me. I tell them I'm okay and try to smile at them so they won't be worried about me. I'm going to college. This helps me when I'm there, because I feel I'm doing something with my life. I'm concentrating on my work, my mind is clear. But when I have time to think the worry comes back to me. When I get a message or phone call from my solicitor, I'm most nervous. Is it good news or bad? My body gets hot, it's like I'm having a heart attack. I don't want to live in fear anymore. JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images 2017 is the 50th anniversary of the Abortion Act 1967. Half a century ago, Westminster passed this Act, legalising abortions by registered medical practitioners in many circumstances - but only in England, Wales and Scotland. The Act did not extend to Northern Ireland. Half a century later, abortion law in Northern Ireland still differs starkly from rest of the UK. Women in Bradford, Bangor and Bathgate can access services which women in Belfast cannot. Abortion remains unlawful in all but a tiny number of extreme cases. The maximum criminal penalty under the Victorian Offences against the Person Act 1861 - life imprisonment for both the woman undergoing the abortion, and for an individual who assists her - is the harshest in Europe and amongst the harshest in the world. International human rights bodies have repeatedly made clear that criminalisation of health services which only women require, including abortion, is a form of discrimination against women and girls. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has called on the UK Government to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland and to ensure girls' access to safe abortion and post-care abortion services. But the UK has failed to heed these calls. Advertisement Women in need of abortion services in Northern Ireland live in the UK but - unlike all other UK women - they are at risk of the most serious criminal penalty if they procure an abortion in their own area, and - unlike all other UK women - they cannot access abortion services through the NHS, free of charge. In terms of reproductive rights, they are second-class citizens. This results in approximately 1,000 women every year (about three women each and every day) making the lonely, expensive and distressing journey from Northern Ireland to England to access abortion services - although Northern Ireland's Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Family Planning Association say official statistics are likely to significantly underestimate the numbers, as women give false addresses for fear of detection; they estimate the true figure is about 2,000 women per year. As well as those who travel, there are many women who do not - often for financial reasons. Little wonder that the charity Abortion Support Network calls the criminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland "a class issue... a restriction which only hurts poor people... refugees, homeless people, people in abusive relationships, young women, old women. These people might not have visas, passports, money or the support network to travel to England". 50 years on, and with a new focus on Northern Ireland's women's rights record due to the Conservatives' deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, campaigners' hopes are high that things may finally be changing. They have been awaiting two decisions today, one in Belfast and one in Westminster. Advertisement The first decision has come in, and it is disappointing news. The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal in Belfast has given its long-awaited judgment this morning in a case brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. In 2015 the High Court ruled that the current law in Northern Ireland is incompatible with women's human rights. Mr Justice Horner found that the ban on terminations of pregnancy in cases of sexual crime (rape and incest) and where there are fatal foetal abnormalities violates women's right to personal autonomy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Government (the Department of Justice and Attorney General) appealed, and today the Court of Appeal has allowed their appeal, concluding, by majority view, that the Court should not intervene and that it is a matter for the Assembly to decide. Lord Justice Gillen described it as "institutionally inappropriate and a reach too far" for the Court to interpret the law to permit abortions in certain circumstances. This is a disappointing result. The Court has held that the draconian abortion laws pass legal muster even in the most extreme cases - including where women are pregnant as a result of rape or incest. It is also a frustrating result: the Court has passed the baton to the Assembly, despite power-sharing having broken down a number of months ago and there having been no functioning government in Northern Ireland for six months. Helen Rangoro is 16 and like many young disabled girls in south west Kenya started primary school later than we're used to in the developed world. Helen's family struggled to find a school that would let her enrol because of her physical disability. Her only way to get around was to crawl on the ground. In the global south, the situation for people with disabilities has long been stark but for younger people - especially girls - it can be desperate. Like many, she could have been set for a life of early marriage, menial work or worse. This can include a higher risk of bullying and violence. Disabled girls like Helen suffer double discrimination and a new study from Leonard Cheshire Disability and UNGEI (United Nations Girls Education Initiative) released recently at the UN has synthesised thought on this important issue. Advertisement Still Left Behind; Pathways To Education For Girls With Disabilities, examined the prevailing barriers faced and confirmed they're not necessarily benefiting from existing international efforts to improve access to education. It included recommendations that offer greater consideration of disability and gender when allocating resources, developing aid programmes and designing policy. It also stressed the need for greater collaboration so it was fitting we worked closely with UNGEI on the project. The World Bank and UNICEF also joined us to speak on a united platform at the UN in New York. Research across 20 organisations working to support educational access found just 1 in 3 (7) could provide meaningful information that related to girls with disabilities. The few evaluation reports that were available didn't distinguish between the education outcomes and experiences of disabled girls compared to disabled boys. In developing countries, only 10% of children with disabilities attend school and UN figures estimate that 62 million young people worldwide lack basic literacy skills. But what really shocked me was the fact that while the literacy rate for adults with disabilities is 3%, just 1% of women with disabilities worldwide are literate. Advertisement Helen is now enjoying life at school in Kisumu and wants to become a doctor. She could've become almost invisible, hidden away at home, at least free from the very real threat of sexual violence, one of the reasons girls drop out of school early. Her disability restricted her life chances further. Gender-based violence is still rife in parts of Africa, where generally women do 90% of the work of gathering water and wood. US Aid figures tell us that 45% of women between 15 and 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence. A DFID (Department for International Development) funded hotline in north east Kenya offers women the chance to report these crimes while the same government agency funds our work through The Girl's Education Challenge in south west Kenya's Nyanza region. Sophisticated approaches are needed to tackle the prejudice and inequalities that blight the lives of many disabled girls in developing countries. Compromise Proposal To Fix Streaming Royalties, Licensing, Notification [DAVID LOWERY] Here David Lowery outlines his proposal for a modification of proposed legislation from the NMPA which would to solve issues with streaming royalties and licensing in a manner which would benefit all parties involved. __________________________________ Guest post by David Lowery of The Trichordist I have a feeling Im about to wander off the reservation here. I say this because what Im about to propose is essentially a modification of a potential legislative proposal that rumor has it the NMPA is floating. That proposal seems to be generating some negative backlash in songwriter/publisher community (whether it deserves it or not.) Also, it will at first seem to go against some of my long held principles on market pricing, orphan works type proposals and the establishment of any further federal copyright exemptions and safe harbors. So hear me out while I make the case for a win-win compromise. What is it that digital services want? Digital services have two major issues with the current law and regulations on streaming mechanicals, those small royalties paid to songwriters and publishers on each stream of a song. Interactive streaming services get a federal compulsory license to use any songwriters work on their services as long as they follow a relatively simple procedure (with some exclusions). A pre-condition to services using this protocol is that the law requires them to send a Notice of Intent (NOI) to owner or agent for owner of the song. The NOI is intended to make sure the songwriter knows their song is being used, and the service must demonstrate that it knows who to pay. Implicit in the logic of the law and the related regulations is that the federal government did not want the interactive streaming services building up a black box of unmatched songwriter royalties. Nor does the law necessarily require that the streaming services would have access to every single song in existence. However, commercial pressures, coddling from music distributors and lax enforcement of songwriters rights (until the recent class action lawsuits), has encouraged these services to use as many songs as possible with full knowledge that they didnt have licenses for every song and were thus committing mass copyright infringement. Streaming services literally very likely have billions of dollars in willful copyright infringement liabilities on their books whether or not they acknowledge the liability on their books or to their shareholders. In order to extricate themselves from this situation, I hear that interactive streaming services have generally proposed three key solutions that can be generalized as follows. (See Spotify comment to Copyright Office). A global rights database with information on every song ever written. A safe harbor or grace period that allows services to use songs when they cant find the owners of the works in this global rights database. A webcasting style NOI process (like Section 114), whereby each streaming service notifies the copyright office of their intention to stream music. They dont have to hunt down every single songwriter. Does this seem reasonable? Lets dig into the details and look at the problems. Songwriters objections to these proposals The first objection from songwriters goes something like this. Interactive streaming services knew the law before they got into the streaming business. Some of them (like Google) bought companies with song data (like Rightsflow) or developed their own (like YouTubes Content Management System). There is a real moral hazard in rewarding services bad behavior by forcing songwriters to do the heavy lifting on a rights database and then granting the offending party a very valuable safe harbor. In the view of most songwriters, we are the ones being abused and are the ones deserving of concessions. The second objection is painfully obvious to songwriters, but seems to be totally lost on the streaming services, academics and many in the music industry: An up to date global registry of all songs is impossible. Last I checked 75,000 new albums were released every year in the United States. Its likely that hundreds of thousands if not millions of new works are created every year worldwide. How many a day? An hour? Its really great that the NMPA may certify the database but theres really no need for their members to indemnify services that could easily have done the research themselves. Consider also the spontaneous, informal and collaborative nature of all songwriting. Many new works are created by aspiring non-professionals with little knowledge of publishing rights. How on earth do you ever get this ownership and songwriting splits into a database in a timely fashion? Certainly there is ownership registration software that works with music creating production programs that is beginning to capture more of this information, but it will never capture all of it. So why would the government want to punish this creativity by making sure it is uncompensated through yet another safe harbor? As a result of the inevitable incomplete nature of the database, it will never fix the problem it is designed to fix. There will still be mass infringement of works by streaming services and they will be vulnerable to more lawsuits. This is especially true for new works, niche works, and works containing samples. For this very reason there is a sneaking suspicion among songwriters that streaming services are aware of this problem and are simply using the lack of a unicorn database as a delaying tactic. Further you dont have to put on a tin foil hat to realize that an incomplete global database is just gonna create a bigger black box of unpaid royalties that someone other than the songwriter will get to keep. Finallysafe harbors have been a disaster for songwriters and performers. The biggest music streaming service in the world is YouTube. YouTube is by a far the worst paying streaming services. This is precisely because the DMCA safe harbor allows them to operate like a mob protection racket: Some nice songs you got there, sign this usurious contract, cause wed hate to see our users upload your songs, and then you dont get any royalties. Another safe harbor for streaming services? No thanks. If the management at these streaming services were truly exercising their fiduciary responsibility to their own shareholders they would be OPPOSED to YouTube/Googles extra-legal interpretation of the DMCA safe harbor. How will any of these streaming services achieve profitability when they have to (unfairly) compete with YouTube/Google. This is an area where the interests of songwriters and interactive streaming services are aligned. If streaming services took the long view, they would join songwriters in demanding congress/FTC/DOJ force YouTube/Google to end this shakedown practice. They wouldnt demand their own safe harbor. Another safe harbor just invites a new round of lawsuits, political cronyism and abuse. What do songwriters want? Songwriters wants are simple: fair pay and control of their works. Thats pretty much what any property owner wants. When it comes to streaming services it generally implies two things, Higher royalties; and A right for the songwriter to withdraw their songs from digital services that pay too little. As it stands performers and labels have the right to NOT license their work to interactive services if they dont like the terms of direct licenses. In contrast songwriters have no right to withdraw their works from compulsory licenses. Further the federal government caps songwriters share of streaming revenues at 10.5%. You think the minimum wage sucks? Try working under a maximum wage. This is patently absurd if you think about it. Would the federal government mandate that all bands sell their t-shirts for $5? Would the federal government mandate that Whole Foods cap pay to their employees at 10.5% pro-rata share of their gross revenues? Fundamentally this is an extremely regressive practice. I find it particularly amusing that some of the strongest supporters of the regressive status quo are Congressional Democrats. The Known Unknowns While higher revenue and the right to withdraw a work seem pretty simple on the surface, closer inspection reveals problems. Raise songwriters royalties how high? What is fair compensation when there has never been a free market for mechanicals royalties. From 1909 to 1976 the statutory mechanical royalty for phonographs was stuck at 2 cents a copy. This wage and price control has cast a long dark depressive shadow on all mechanical rate setting proceedings after 1976. But it goes deeper than that. Should all songs and songwriters receive the same rate per spin? Always? Do individual songwriters value each of their own songs the same? Do consumers place the same value on each song? How about streaming services? Do they value songs by certain artists over others? Why are songs treated as a commodity like light Brent crude or pork bellies? My guilty pleasure is Taylor Swifts Shake it Off. I paid $1.29 for the song. I thought my band Camper Van Beethoven should cover it. Would I have paid $5.99? Probably not (Id have streamed it on YouTube). Would I pay $5.99 a song for an unreleased Captain Beefheart song? Probably. Would I pay $50 dollars for a sequel to Sleeps Dopesmoker? I dont know. Maybe. But the compulsory license mandates flat rate pricing. Economists generally agree that flat pricing is wasteful practice. Flat price streaming (both rates to songwriters and consumer) is a kind of POTS economics in an Ebay world. Companies as diverse as Amazon and Delta Airlines employ dynamic pricing algorithms that change prices instantaneously. Why cant songwriters have more control over the pricing of their work? Why is the music business stuck with a 1970s Columbia House Record Club model? Get 19 albums for a dollar, when you sign up for a year! Im pretty sure we can do better than that. Second complication, if a songwriter wishes to withdraw their catalogue (or a work) from a federal compulsory license, who do they notify? Is the withdrawal immediate? Do they need to notify every service? Do they notify the Copyright Office? Arent we back to the same impossible database problem explored in the previous section? No. A database of songs or songwriter/publishers who have opted out would be smaller. Sure it would be a dynamic database, but if the right to opt out is contingent on registration with a public database, it would by definition be 100% accurate. Especially since songwriters recapture a valuable right by doing so. This is a real incentive, (unlike this proposal which seeks to punish rights holders by withholding puny streaming royalty checks that arent simply worth going to the bank to cash). The compromise The idea of this compromise is that we are fundamentally flummoxed by the question What is this song worth? So if we are going to come out of our trenches and try to reach a compromise we must set up a mechanism that helps us discover the answer to the question. Keep in mind there is not a positivist answer to this question. It is constructivist by nature. The answer is whatever the participants agree is fair. As Ari Emmanuel once said, Fair is where we end up. It is whatever the licensor and licensee deem fair on that day at that time. Let me say right at the start that no one is gonna be completely happy with this solution. There are elements here to which I would normally be ideologically opposed. This compromise is largely based on something called Extended Collective Licensing that is used in some Nordic countries. Other elements are pulled from proposals the NMPA seems to be floating. This is an extremely rough draft, and Im making substantial concessions to streaming services, not because I necessarily want to give them concessions, but because this is what I think an acceptable compromise would look like Anyone with a valid compulsory license gets to keep it (although the address unknown mass NOIs have to be dealt with separately). Going forward for new licenses and works: Do away with the 115 NOI system for streaming mechanicals. Establish a quasi governmental body like SoundExchange to license and administer a compulsory streaming mechanical. The CRB would continue to set rates. But this should eventually sunset. For simplicity sake lets call this entity SongExchange. However songwriters/publishers could serve notices and opt out songs or catalogue from SongExchange and the compulsory license. In order to exercise this right all songwriters and publishers would have to agree before opting out, Substantial advance notice must be given to SongExchange and streaming services. A necessary condition of opting out of SongExchange would be to register in a machine readable public database and opt out information once registered must be kept current. This database will belong to the public and shall not be privatized. If the owner of the song fails to keep information current it reverts back to SongExchange for administration. SongExchange would administer the database and administrative fees would be split between songwriters and services. Opted out songs could be directly administered by owners or assigned to third parties for extended collective negotiation. Songwriters/publishers may form new non-profits or co-ops to administer these rights. Alternately songwriters/publishers may assign these rights to the existing non-profit PROs, ASCAP and BMI. The DOJ consent decrees should be modified or dropped in order to make this possible. Songwriters/Publishers may assign these rights to private PROs like SESAC or GMR. Like labor unions, professional sports leagues and farm co-ops, these third parties should be given explicit exemption from the Sherman act and other anti-trust restrictions. The CRB must be allowed to consider as evidence rates set by songwriters and composers that opted out of the SongExchange (race to the middle) SongExchange must hire an independent 3rd party to conduct a royalty compliance examination of the services and the services must accept those audits, and any group of songwriters can conduct a group audit under the same conditions. SongExchange may impose penalties on services that have excessive unmatched and unidentified compositions. These penalties may be used for overhead. SongExchange will hold unclaimed royalties for a period of three years. Song Exchange will post a list of unclaimed works. After three years the unclaimed royalties are transferred to the applicable Secretary of State as unclaimed property to be held as other unclaimed property (like unclaimed utility deposits or bank accounts). This proposal is obviously disruptive to the status quo. Im not opposed to phasing it in over a few years. Heres what I think this proposal does that is not possible in the current system: It simplifies the licensing of songs by eliminating the per-song NOI system; Provides an accurate database to assist in licensing songs; Is pro-competitive and eliminates need for ATR supervision; Allows true price discovery; Encourages competition among rights holders and third party licensing authorities; and Allows songwriters to collectively bargain if they wish. It should also be added, that unlike any other proposal offered so far, this is the only proposal that can achieve a 100% licensing rate by streaming services. All other proposals (even those floated by the streaming services themselves) would leave streaming services open to copyright infringement lawsuits. Share on: The Estonian government this week approved the implementation plan of the Estonian Information Society Development Plan 2020, according to which 50.4 million will be allocated to the development of the field of information and communication technology in 2017. The main focus of the implementation plan is on national e-services,, the development of a basic high-speed internet network across Estonia, contributing to international data exchange via the X-Road and the work of the Estonian data embassy in Luxembourg, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication said. Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Urve Palo said that the priority of the implementation plan is to cut down on red tape and move toward automatic e-services and faster data exchange for consumers. "We are investing into the expansion of the use of the X-Road to increase the automatic exchange of data between the public and private sector," she said. "For this, we need to merge more and more businesses with the X-Road as we have done with banks and telecom businesses today." According to the minister, easier data exchange will give both the state as well as the business operators the opportunity to develop services that work fully automatically. "A good example of a nearly automatic e-service functioning as a result of the cooperation between the private and public sector is the filing of tax returns," she highlighted. "The tax return has been filled in by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (MTA) in advance, while at the same time additional information can be added to it from the bank. Cooperation is also being carried out so that more and more private sector and national services can be accessed using the ID card and Mobile ID." In developing the information society in the next few years, the main focus will be on finalizing the construction of the new generation basic internet network. "The basic network will be mostly completed next year, after which the plan is to build the so-called 'last mile,' which is to link businesses, institutions and households which remain to be connected to the connection points," Palo said. Altogether approximately 12.5 million will be invested in the basic network in 2017 and the plan is to build a total of 1,113 kilometers of new network in Estonia. In order to make the services of the public sector and paperless administration more comfortable and cost-effective, over 18 million will be invested in the harmonization of data exchange, development of the eesti.ee platform and the development of services concerning the field of tax and customs and the modernization of services necessary for producing registry-based statistics and services aimed at e-residents. By fall of this year, the testing period of the state cloud concept will end and the web environment will be fully usable. In addition, of the projects currently under development, the implementation plan also focuses on the back-up of data at the data embassy in Luxembourg. Estonia is the first country in the world which, beginning from next year, will keep a back-up of critical data in a foreign country, protected by diplomatic rights. The estimated investment cost for the given project in 2017 is 2.5 million. In addition, an Estonian and Finnish NGO was founded last week in order to develop interstate data exchange via the X-Road, which in the future will allow state institutions to share electronic data across the Gulf of Finland. The estimated sum total of the implementation of the whole information society development plan from 2017 to 2021 is 218.8 million, most of which will be funded from EU structural funds. Many veteran journalists, but not only these, surely noticed that we are all of a sudden bombarded again from all-over with mentions of Watergate. Books like George Orwells 1984 are on display at bookstores and an air of danger to freedom of speech and freedom of the press is spreading slowly like a dark cloud over the Western Hemisphere, raising old fears. When an American serving president accuses a former president of surveillance; when he prevents central US media outlets access so far always granted, and taken for granted to press conferences he holds; and when he incessantly knocks and accuses the media of being the countrys enemy number one, it isnt surprising that memories of President Nixon surface up more with every self-pitying tweet about SNL, and that even Republican Senators such as John McCain express fear for the future of democracy. And McCain is not alone. Many journalists whom I have spoken with recently, expressed concern for whatever lays ahead for the freedom of the press. At a time when its possible to express the following statement Donald Trump controls the NSA and not be held a liar, anythings possible. Add that to the fact that recent news on CIA taught us that almost all encryption systems can be compromised, if someone has the perseverance to crack them and you are en route to envisioning an utterly Dystopian world, where you cannot even get too comfortable laying on your sofa, in front of your own smart TV. The good news is that it is nevertheless possible to make it difficult for anyone to try and intercept your emails, the text messages youre sending or your phone calls. You can take measures to make the lives of those who want to uncover your sources and the information being revealed to you, much harder. Of course, the degree of effort youre prepared to take to protect your privacy, your sources anonymity and your datas safety, should be commensurate to the likelihood of a real threat, be that hacking or spying. The old-fashioned promises Im not going to reveal my sources identity or give up my notes are kind of empty if youre not taking steps to protect your information digitally, says Barton Gellman of the Washington Post, whose source, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, helped uncover the scope of the NSAs and British GCHQs operations, to his interviewer Tony Loci. Loci herself, who covered American judicial system for AP, The Washington Post and USA Today, and was herself held in contempt of court for refusing to identify sources, would probably endorse that. So, what is it that needs to be done to ensure that a journalists sources and data are secure and well? Grosso modo, the tips can be described as falling within the following categories: WEST WENDOVER West Wendover police responded to a shooting that left an 18-year-old West Wendover man wounded just after midnight on Thursday morning. The dispatch center received multiple calls reporting several shots being fired. Upon arrival officers located a male lying on the side of the road with an apparent gunshot wound to his leg. The victim was taken to a Salt Lake City hospital for treatment. He underwent surgery to remove at least one projectile from his leg, but his injury is not believed to be life threatening. Officers learned that two people were walking on the side of the road when they were approached by a white vehicle occupied by at least three males. One of the males in the car made a statement to the pedestrians prior to firing several rounds at them. The vehicle then sped away. The witness was unclear on the make or model of the vehicle, which had dark tint on the windows and a Nevada license plate. Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact the West Wendover Police Department at 775-664-2930. Tips can also be left by contacting the secret witness line at 775-664-3188. BAM opens for its fourth year with 'Volume,' a look at sculptural works from pottery to kinetics to light. Maria Siskind creates her own 'installation' on the museum lawn. PreviousNext Berkshire Art Museum Kicks Off Season With 'Volume' Close up of a piece by Paul McMullan in the 'Vessels' exhibit. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Berkshire Art Museum enters its fourth summer season by taking up selective space. The multidisciplinary "Volume" brings together pieces from 30 artists, ranging from spare stainless steel to light to interactive works that bring to mind Rube Golberg and penny arcades. An artists' reception is set Thursday, during Downstreet Art's summer launch, and includes a performance by the Berkshire Hills Chorus in the sanctuary of the former church at 7 p.m. "For the last three years, we had a couple minor sculptures but most of the work we had shown was hanging on the wall," said BAM's founder and artist Eric Rudd. "I like things that are related, and a lot of my things are sculptures. ... It's all about sclupture, it's all about volume. ... "The whole concept of working three-dimensionally is such a different way of apporaching art ... you're walking around, you're handling materials, you're carving, you're welding. That's all interesting." The exhibit over three floors is presented in four sections: large works inside and out ("Esculturas Grandes"), smaller works on pedestals ("Esculturas de Mesa"), ceramic pieces ("Vessels"), and architectural models and drawings ("Models in Miniature"). The artists exhibiting work are Daniel Bellow, Keith Bona, Rebekah Diamantopoulos, Peter Dudek, Jan Edwards, Patricia Fietta, Patrick Horsley, Howard Itzkowitz, Connie Kiener, Robert Kieronski, David Lachman, George Le Maitre, Paul McMullan, Taj Mongiardo, Linda O'Brien, Opie O'Brien, Derek Parker, Aysha Peltz, Len Poliandro, Henry Richardson, Lynn Richardson, Linda Ruberto, Gail Kolls Sellers, Phil Sellers, Maria Siskind, Max Spitzer, William Sweet, Natalie Tyler, Todd Wahlstrom and Robert Wilk. Some of the works, such as those by William Sweet and Keith Bona, have appeared before. A number of artists are local to the region, including George Le Maitre and Patricia Fietta, Gail and Phil Sellers and Peter Dudek, and the exhibit introduces new-to-the-area artists Lynn Richardson and Paul McMullan, owners of Gravity Gallery on Eagle Street. "As the exhibitions demonstrate the diversity and quality of the sculptural art being made, I hope visitors will be enticed to explore the galleries and view the works from all angles," Rudd writes in the essay introducing the exhibit. "Many of the works installed from the permanent collection are sculptural, or paintings that venture into 3-D through illusionistic perspective and/or relief," Rudd writes in his opening essay. "Therefore, it felt appropriate to survey how other artists have created in 3-D space. There are so many talented artists working regionally, it was not difficult to find interesting work." The biggest change this year is an admission charge for non-Berkshire residents of $5 adults, $3 for senior citizens, as a way to put some worth on the institution. "Every year, we increase visitation, I want more visitation, it's always a struggle because there's not enough traffic on Main Street and that's been the case for 19 years," Rudd said. "I think the thing we've done is we've really anchored the downtown and encouraged people to come up." And, he added, "what I'm happy about is I think the museum has matured." The Berkshire Art Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5. via GIPHY Selectmen Robert Ciskowski and Edmund St. John IV approved the warrant for July's special town meeting. Cheshire Selectmen Set Special Town Meeting Warrant CHESHIRE, Mass. The Selectmen approved a special town meeting warrant on Tuesday with a single article on which hangs the fate of the $19.2 million Adams-Cheshire Regional School District budget. Town Administrator Mark Webber said he crafted the warrant article that will give the town another chance on July 17 to pass its regional assessment of $2.7 million for fiscal 2018. "I have been working with the Division of Local Services, the auditors and others to construct the proper warrant article," he told the Selectmen on Tuesday. "It is a little complicated." Town meeting rejected its assessment and essentially the budget at town meeting on June 12. The disapproval was sparked by the closing of Cheshire Elementary School. The School Committee has decided to resubmit the same budget that failed in Cheshire but passed in Adams. The Selectmen scheduled the special town meeting to try to pass a budget as soon as possible with nearing state deadlines that would negatively impact the school district. Webber said there was some concern because the town did not have a separate article for the school budget and instead it was lumped into Article 2 the entire town budget. Webber said initially he was unsure if the town officially had a budget. "I think we are safe with what we came up with but it got to the point where they were nervous if we had a budget at all," he said. "I reviewed it again with [the Department of Revenue] and I think we are safe with this for now." He said the DOR did sign off on the article, however, in the future, it may be worthwhile to separate the education budget from the town's operating budget. Webber said it would have been beneficial to add in a free cash article to install LED lights in the town garage but not possible because the special town meeting cannot be held by end of the fiscal year on June 30. Highway Superintendent Blair Crane said he received an estimate of $17,000 for an overhaul of the Department of Public Works' garage lights. The lights are antiquated and many do not work. "That would pay for taking out all of the antiquated lights that are in the garage now and rewiring and installing ones that are up to code," he said. "I just wanted to bring it up so we can think about it a little bit." He said the state would cover nearly 40 percent and it would actually cost the town around $10,000. Webber suggested placing it on a future town meeting in the new fiscal year. The special town meeting is Monday, July 17, at 7 p.m. in the Cheshire Elementary School cafeteria. Town meeting will not be held in the auditorium because it is not handicapped accessible. The Selectmen also approved new cemetery burial rates of $200 on weekdays and $300 on weekends. Before the rate was $100 on weekdays and $400 on weekends. "The Cemetery Commission did a very comprehensive survey of 13 towns and they compared rates for burials," Webber said. "This gets them more in line with some of the other towns." The Selectmen brought this up to the Cemetery Commission after a complaint from a resident who felt $400 was too much for a weekend burial. Williams President Adam Falk at commencement ceremonies this year. Williams College President Falk Leaving the Purple Valley WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Williams College President Adam Falk will be stepping down from his post at the end of the year to become president of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in New York. The announcement was made on Thursday in a joint release from Falk and Williams College Board of Trustees Chairman Michael R. Eisenson, a 1977 graduate. A search committee chaired by Eisenson will be announced at a later date. Falk was was welcomed as the college's 17th president and only the second scientist to lead the liberal arts college in its 217-year history in 2010. He replaced Morton O. Schapiro, who left to head Northwestern University in 2008 after a decade at Williams. "I arrived in the Purple Valley in 2010 and the ensuing years have been among the most gratifying of my career," Falk said in a message to the campus community and alumni. "It makes me genuinely happy, looking back, to see what together we've achieved. Williams is attracting even greater numbers of passionate, insightful and diverse students. We're making this place accessible to people who couldn't consider coming here otherwise. "We are renewing our campus and making major investments in its sustainability. We're hiring and supporting the deeply committed faculty and staff who define this college. And our loyal alumni are giving and volunteering in ways that help students thrive at Williams and build successful and rewarding lives after graduation." Falk will step down effective Dec. 31 and take up the presidency of the Sloan Foundation in January 2018. The foundation makes grants primarily to support original research and education related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and economics. "Adam has been an exceptionally fine president for Williams," Eisenson said in a message to the college community. "He has demonstrated a keen ability to appreciate and retain the best of Williams traditions, while encouraging the college to grow through a genuine openness to innovation, always with the education and well-being of our students foremost in mind. His departure will be a loss for the college and the community, and I will personally miss his wisdom, friendship, and his deeply thoughtful and principled leadership." Under Falk, Williams has flourished, Eisenson said, pointing to Falk's efforts enhancing the college's national leadership in liberal arts education, maintaining and growing its commitment to access, recruiting accomplished and sought-after scholars to join the faculty, building highly effective leadership teams, opening the award-winning Sawyer Library, launching work on a major new center for the sciences, and inspiring record-breaking alumni support for the Teach It Forward campaign. From 2006 to 2010, Falk was the James B. Knapp Dean of the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins, following four years as dean of the faculty and interim dean. A high-energy physicist and award-winning teacher whose research focuses on elementary particle physics and quantum field theory, Falk is a fellow of the American Physical Society and a winner of awards from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, the Research Corporation, and the Sloan Foundation. He was a Morehead-Cain Scholar from the University of North Carolina, graduating with a bachelor of science in 1987, and he earned his doctorate in 1991 from Harvard University. He held postdoctoral appointments at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and the University of California at San Diego, before joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins in 1994. iciHaiti - DR : UASD rector receives Ambassador of Haiti van Grullon Fernandez, the Rector of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), received in his office the Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti in the country, Idalbert Pierre Jean came to discuss possible academic agreements with the State University of Haiti (UEH). Grullon Fernandez thanked the ambassador and his courteous visit to the UASD and his interest in the realization of an academic agreement, while providing support and cooperation to make it a reality. For his part, Ambassador Pierre-Jean hoped that after this visit, an agreement with the UEH would be concluded, based on academic and cultural exchanges between the teachers and students of the two institutions. Finally, he reiterated his gratitude to the UASD, which welcomes several hundred Haitian students who come to continue their university studies in this institution, thus contributing to the development of Haiti. SL/ iciHaiti ELKO Late Elko County District Attorney Mark Torvinen was remembered Wednesday with a bench dedicated in his honor by the DAs office. Staff members and attorneys donated personal funds to purchase a custom-made bench with Torvinens favorite dog breed, a Deutsch Drahthaar, or German Wirehaired Pointer, in the cutout, said District Attorney Tyler Ingram. The bench sits outside the Nannini Administration Building at the Elko County Courthouse where the DA offices are located. He was a big fan of dogs, remembered Ingram of Torvinen, who died nearly a year ago. He had one that was his best buddy. The idea to memorialize Torvinen came from staff, Ingram said. A way to never forget who he was and what he did for this county. Public service is not the easiest thing to do. He did it and did it well, Ingram continued. The bench serves as a reminder of how good a person he was, Ingram said during the dedication. Torvinens widow, Barbara, was unable to attend the ceremony, but was aware of the bench, was appreciative of the tribute and was very pleased and thought it was beautiful, said office manager Carolyn Smith. Torvinen died August 15, 2016 while serving as district attorney. ELKO Yvette Waters did not want to call her retirement as the executive director of the Committee Against Domestic Violence bittersweet. I hate using the cliche, Waters said, instead explaining that she has a lot of mixed emotions upon leaving the organization that she has led for 33 years, which included a fundraising drive to build the Harbor House shelter. I hope I gave enough to the organization so it will continue to grow and thrive, Waters said. The decision to leave follows recently diagnosed health issues, which made Waters stop and consider the future of both CADV and her family. I want to get healthy to spend time with my kids and grandchildren, Waters said. I (also) want to see CADV continue and move on. The victims need that in this community. CADVs board announced Waters retirement and the hiring of Marianne McKown to become the new executive director this week. For 33 years, Waters counseled victims of domestic violence beginning in Wyoming and then Elko and the surrounding communities with CADV. Beginning in 1980 in Elko, CADV grew and included Eureka and White Pine counties in their service area. Waters volunteered as a counselor with the organization after her family moved to Elko in 1987. In 1990, Waters, along with other board members, helped to plan a permanent shelter. The community stepped up and supported Harbor House, said Waters of Elkos contributions that came from many organizations and entities, including Newmont Mining Corp., the City of Elko, Elko County, and Barrick Gold Corp. After seven years, $838,139 was raised for the shelter. The community has been there every time I ask, Waters said. Over the past 30 years Waters has served as a volunteer, board member and staff member at CADV, becoming executive director in 1996. Due to health reasons Waters decided to retire, however she feels more like a parent watching their child grow up and leave home, as CADV became her baby of sorts. In some ways, its like a parent when you let your children move into their future, Waters explained. Providing victims and their children safety and options has been my lifes work. For me, my time at CADV has been more than a job, it has been my passion. CADV board president David Stanton has known Waters for more than 15 years and saw her dedication to helping victims of domestic violence. She is one of the most energetic and driven people I have met. Her commitment to CADV and its mission has been unparalleled and she will be sorely missed, said Stanton. With the emotions of leaving the organization, Waters feels positive about her replacement. Im very confident in Marianne and that she will continue to take CADV into the future, Waters said. McKown moved to Elko in 2002 as the crime and city reporter for the Elko Daily Free Press, writing about domestic violence cases, which led her to volunteer as a board member with CADV. She was board president when she resigned in 2012; however McKown kept the organization and its mission close to her heart, beginning as a reporter in Ohio when she interviewed victims of domestic violence and saw positive results when the issue was discussed in the open. I felt the more people knew about the issue, the more they were likely to speak up when they saw something wrong in a relationship, McKown said. During a conversation with Waters after moving to Elko, McKown realized she been in a domestic violence situation in college. I had a boyfriend who was very controlling. (He) never hit me, but made me feel trapped, McKown recounted. It opened my eyes that you can be a victim of domestic violence even if youve never been hit. Abuse comes in many forms. McKown moved up through the ranks at the Elko Daily Free Press and currently is the mining editor. After more than 14 years with the newspaper, she applied for the CADV executive director position. CADV and Harbor House are needed in this community, McKown said. My goal is to continue the organizations work and to help it grow stronger. Waters shares the same goal, specifically hoping the community keeps victims of domestic violence close to their hearts. My last ask of the community as the executive director is to continue to support CADV and Harbor House as you have in the past, the victims and children need you. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Tom Holland's Spider-Man won't be appearing in the forthcoming spin-off focused on Marvel villain Venom. Variety discovered the news upon asking Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige flat out whether the superhero - who will next be seen in Spider-Man: Homecoming - will appear alongside Tom Hardy in the planned film. He responded with a simple No. Feige elaborated: No, I think the folks there are making a great Venom movie and I dont know much about it, but I know theyre off to a good start with Tom Hardy. Spider-Man: Homecoming - Trailer 3 Venom is an extension of Sony's Spider-Man universe. It will see the studio, who shares the web-slinger with Marvel, also make films focused on characters Silver Sable and Black Cat. It was recently revealed none of these will cross over to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film will be directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) from a script written by Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner (The Amazing Spider-Man 2). It is expected to be released 5 October 2018. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Show all 34 1 /34 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 1. Captain America: Civil War Release date: 6 May 2016. Iron Man and Captain America are set to face off in this superhero blockbuster that will feature nearly all the Avengers but wont be an Avengers film. It will also mark the first time Spider-Man will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Sony having made a deal with Marvel Studios. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 2. X-Men: Apocalypse Release date: 27 May 2016. Following the success of Days of Future Past, Apocalypse will follow the young X-Men team as the battle against Oscar Isaacs titular villain as he gathers his four horsemen; Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn). Expect carnage and no Wolverine. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 3. Suicide Squad Release date: 5 August 2016. The first supervillain film, Suicide Squad is also based in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe, where Batman and Superman live) and will introduce the world to Margot Robbies Harley Quinn and Jared Letos Joker. One of the more exciting upcoming DC films thats for sure. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 4. Doctor Strange Release date: 4 November 2016. Benedict Cumberbatch will debut in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Captain America and Iron Man live) as the Sorcerer Supreme. The film already has an incredible cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 5. Untitled Lego Batman film Release date: 20 February 2017. Kicking off 2017 is the Lego version of Batman, who will lead his own spin-off, having already featured in the amazing Lego Movie. Will Arnett voices the titular character, while Zach Garfianakis - from the Hangover - will voice The Joker. But will he better than Leto? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 6. Untitled Wolverine film Release date: 3 March 2017. Having not starred in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will return to the big screen in a solo film which was recently made R-Rated following the success of Deadpool. It is expected to be Hugh Jackmans last outing as the titular character. Fox 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release date: 5 May 2017. Chris Pratt and the crew are returning to space in the sequel to the surprisingly successful Guardians of the Galaxy. According to director James Gunn, the film will not feature Thanos, even though he will to play a major role in phase MCU Phase 3. Cast includes newcomers Kurt Russell and Pom Klementieff, as well as, rumour has it, Sylvester Stallone. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 8. Wonder Woman Release date: 23 June 2017. Gal Gadot is returning to the DCEU in her very own film, marking the first female-led superhero film on this list. Chris Pine is on board to play Wonder Womans love interest. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 9. Untitled Spider-Man reboot Release date: 7 July 2017. Yes, it is another Spider-Man reboot, having previously been redone with Andrew Garfield as the lead. However, this time it is part of the MCU, with Tom Holland as the titular character, and a heavily rumoured cameo by Iron Man could be in the pipeline. We can dream. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 10. Untitled Fox film Release date: 6 October 2017. In a strange announcement, Fox decided to withhold the release of Gambit until a future, as-yet unannounced date, which could be here, or this could be a completely separate project. Many suspect Deadpool 2 could nicely fit here, Fox capitalising on the success of the first film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 11. Thor: Ragnarok Release date: 3 November 2017. Chris Hemsworth will be returning as the Norse God in his third solo MCU film. Flight of the Conchords Taika Waititi is on board to direct, and promises a fun adventure that will likely lead into Marvels next project, Infinity War. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 12. Justice League Part One Release date: 17 November 2017. Hot on the heals of Thor comes Justice League Part One, the first DCEU team-up flick which will see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg work together to fight bad guys. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 13: Untitled Fox film Release date: 12 January 2018. Kicking off 2018 will likely be the second Deadpool film, but then again, this could very well be another X-Men team-up. Theres also talk of an X-Force film, with Deadpool and other mutants teaming up to fight evil. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 14. Black Panther Release date: 16 February 2018. The first non-white male-led superhero film in the MCU comes in the form of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman reprising the titular role, having also starred as the Panther in Civil War. Creeds Ryan Coogler is on to direct what could be a very exciting film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 15. The Flash Release date: 16 March 2018. The Flash will be the first DCEU film since Justice League, and sees Ezra Miller take the lead. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were supposed to pen the film before Disney snapped them up for the Han Solo-film, leaving Seth Grahame-Smith to take charge. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 16. Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 Release date: 4 May 2018. And so, we finally get to the point of all these Infinity Stones! Thanos will be the big bad, with the Avengers needing to team up to defeat their biggest foe yet. It has previously been described as the end of the Avengers as we know it. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 17. Ant-Man and The Wasp Release date: 6 July 2018. Peyton Reed will be back to direct this surprise sequel to one of the better received MCU films. While the name is ridiculous, at least Marvel are finally having a leading female superhero. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 18. Untitled Fox film Release date: 13 July 2018. Again, not much word on this one except it is thought to be X-Men spin-off New Mutants, something Josh Boone has been hit up to write. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 19. Animated Spider-Man Film Release date: 20 July 2018. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal - the team behind the live-action Spider-Man films - are producing this unrelated animated adaptation of the hero. Because you can never have too much Spider-Man, right? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 20. Aquaman Release date: 27 July 2018. Another Justice League spin-off, Jason Momoa plays the leading man. Furious 7s James Wan is on to direct, but little else is known about the film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 21. Captain Marvel Release date: 8 March 2019. Weve hit 2019, and the first confirmed superhero film will be the first proper female-led MCU film. No-one is confirmed to be in the titular role of Carol Danvers just yet. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 22. Shazam Release date: 5 April 2019. Dwayne Johnson stars as the villain in this DCEU film which will be somewhat separate to the other DC films. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 23. Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Release date: 3 May 2019. The conclusion to the long drawn MCU saga. Expect a big finish with at least a few planets being destroyed. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 24. Justice League Part Two Release date: 14 June 2019. Soon after the Infinity War story reaches its conclusion, so will the Justice Leagues. Not much is known, except Darkseid will likely be the villain for at least one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 25. Inhumans Release date: 12 July 2019. The concept of Inhumans (or Marvels mutants) has already been introduced in TV, through Marvels Agents of Shield, yet the film is expected to introduce the Royal Family who have yet to be seen in the show. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 26. Cyborg Release date: 3 April 2020. Having debuted in Justice League Part One three years previously, Cyborg will finally be making his own outing, with Ray Fisher as the titular character. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 27. Untitled MCU film Release date: 1 May 2020. The first of three untitled Marvel films. There are a couple of contenders, the first is a likely sequel to Spider-Man with Sony, or a third Guardians of the Galaxy film, thus finishing the trilogy. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 28. Green Lantern Corps. Release date: 19 June 2020. Before you start to worry, this has nothing to do with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick that hit cinemas a little while ago. Instead, this will be another DCEU film that will likely spin-off from Justice League after the Green Lantern Corps cameo in one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 29. Untitled MCU film Release date: 10 July 2020. As well as Spider-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, a Doctor Strange or Black Panther one could fit in nicely here. Or perhaps Black Widow may finally get the solo-film she deserves. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 30. Untitled MCU film Release date: 6 November 2020. Some speculators also think a Blade film could fit in here, marking over 20 years since the first Blade. But many believe the character may be better suited to a Netflix series, as with Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Theres also talk of a Runaways film reaching cinemas at some stage. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 31. Untitled Ben Affleck Batman film Release date: TBA. Now were onto the TBA release dates, the first of which is a Batman solo film, written and directed by Ben Affleck. When this is due, no one is quite sure but expect it sooner rather than later if Batman v Superman is a success. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 32. Suicide Squad 2 Release date: TBA (rumoured 2017). A sequel to Suicide Squad is expected to come in 2017 according to recent reports, but nothing has been confirmed. If the first is successful, it should come as no surprise for Warner Bros to rearrange their schedule to fit in this surefire hit. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33. Venom Release date: TBA. This is an odd one, as it has been confirmed Sony are wanting to release a Venom film completely unrelated to the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. Venom, as you may know, is a Spider-Man villain, intrinsically linked to Spider-Man, so it seems odd they would release a film unrelated to the rebooted project and not linked to the MCU. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Anything else? Well, now you mention it, theres also that sequel to Fantastic Four that has seemingly been dropped by Fox. Plus, theres the Gambit film which has been put on hold (but will likely fill an untitled Fox slot so we havent added it extra). Then again, it could be shoehorned in somehow Marvel Following Homecoming - which is released 7 July - Holland's Spider-Man will be seen in Avengers: Infinity War. It was recently revealed that Spider-Man's existence in the MCU dates back to 2010 film Iron Man 2. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} More than 7,400 cities and local councils have signed up to a Global Covenant of Mayors to fight climate change, galvanised by Donald Trumps dismissal of scientists concerns for the future. The US President has said his country will withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change to the alarm of many other world leaders, including Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, who has promised to confront Mr Trump about the issue at the G20 summit in Germany next week. However, speaking at the covenants first meeting, Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta, suggested Mr Trumps decision would have the opposite effect to its intention. I think President Trumps order, which was meant for bad around climate issues, is actually going to end up being for good because whats happening is people are co-ordinating and becoming more passionate and engaged than they typically would have, he said. What President Trump has done is he has unintentionally as he does with so many things organised and focussed people who have been doing a number of good things in hundreds of different places. Now mayors are communicating and working in a fashion that I have not seen during my seven years in office. We should not be discouraged, we should be upbeat, we should be passionate, we should roll up our sleeves and get to it. Mr Reed said Atlanta had committed to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2035, among a raft of other measures designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And he said, regardless of Mr Trumps policies, American cities had the power to meet the carbon targets laid out in the Paris Agreement, which was ratified by Barack Obama. The bottom line is our carbon dioxide goals on the US side are achievable within cities, Mr Reed said. According to the covenants website, it now has a membership of more than 7,453 cities and local authorities representing 9.4 per cent of the total global population. 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 Gregor Robertson, the mayor of Vancouver, said: Regardless of our national governments, cities need to take action on climate and we are. We are on the frontlines of what is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced regarding our future. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Nude is not a colour, its a concept. So goes Christian Louboutins mantra, defying the common presumption that skin-coloured lingerie and shoes need only exist in white. The legendary French shoe designer has just launched two new ranges of nude shoes in a spectrum of seven colours, from a light Lea Nue to a dark Toudou. These flesh out his existing range of nude shoes, launched four years ago after a member of his team bluntly told him "beige is not the colour of my skin". Christian Louboutin explained the thinking behind the collection in a blog post last year. By elongating the legs and complimenting a womans silhouette, a nude pump conveys the fluidity, versatility, and allure of the female body, an ongoing inspiration for Louboutin. The two new high-heeled shoes come in a range of sizes from 34 to 43. The Christevera, at 595, has a 100mm stiletto heel and espadrille laces. The more expensive Cherrysandal, with a 140mm heel and elements of PVC, costs 635. Other brands such as Nubian Skin lingerie and Kahmune shoes have similarly emphasised diversity in their nude ranges over the last few years. While many on social media welcomed the new range of Louboutins, one user called luvspidajay commented Why is this groundbreaking tho? should be shameful for y'all to wait this long to include ppl of color. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Google has started rolling out a new update that gives its Photos app the ability to recognise the people in your pictures. It will use machine-learning technology for facial recognition, and prompt you to share your pictures with any friends it manages to detect within them. The same functionality will apply to any pictures of you that are sitting in your friends Google Photos albums. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty The app will also know when you and your friends attended the same event, and will encourage all of you to add your pictures to a shared album. Youll be able to change the suggested photos and recipients before sharing them, and will be notified when anyone else adds pictures to the collection. Shared Libraries goes even further, allowing you to share all of your pictures with people you trust, including any new ones that you take. Lets say Daniel wants to share his library with his wife, Leslie. He can share his entire photo library, or just photos of specific people, such as photos of Leslie, or photos of their daughter. He can also give Leslie access only to photos starting from a certain day, such as the day they first met, Google explains. As Daniel takes more photos, they are shared with Leslie automatically. Now Daniel doesnt have to remember to send photos to Leslie. Google Photos will share them automatically and will notify Leslie when new photos arrive. Theyre clever uses of artificial intelligence, which a great deal of users will find handy, and provide a glimpse into Googles AI- focused future plans. In an AI-first world, we are rethinking all our products, said Google CEO Sundar Pichai at the most recent I/O conference in May, revealing the companys plans to use machine-learning to improve everything it does. Its also working on a product called Lens, which will give the company greater insight into our daily lives than ever before, turning peoples phone cameras into search engines. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} One of Britains most famous prehistoric monuments - Avebury in Wiltshire may be substantially more ancient than previously thought. Investigations within the UNESCO World Heritage designated stone circle - the largest in Britain - have revealed a hitherto unknown, and probably very early, series of ancient standing stones, are arranged, not as a circle, but as a 30 metre by 30 metre square. It is believed to be the first prehistoric "stone square" ever discovered in Britain or continental Europe. It is conceivable that the newly discovered monument, which would have originally consisted of around 17 standing stones, was built up to a thousand years before both Stonehenges and Aveburys surviving stone circles. Most of the newly discovered stones (or in some cases the holes they had stood in) had been buried (or, in the case of stone holes, filled in) at some stage in prehistory or, more probably, in mediaeval or early modern times. Whats more, at the centre of the square, archaeologists, re-analysing pre-war archaeological records, have discovered the remains of a substantial Neolithic timber building constructed in mid-fourth millennium BC style. That would make the ten metre long, six metre wide building the oldest feature yet found at Avebury. It would also raise the possibility that the stone square, constructed around it, is equally old or was built slightly later but while the building was still standing (i.e., up to a few hundred years later). The sides of the building and the sides of the stone square are aligned with each other so a relationship between the two is likely. If the building does indeed date from some five and a half thousand years ago, the discovery helps push back the date of the origins of Avebury by up to a thousand years. The exact area where the archaeologists have found the prehistoric 'stone square' and timber building (National Trust) If the newly discovered stone square also dates back to the fourth millennium BC, then it would potentially be the oldest standing stone complex in England and around the same age as the oldest ones in Scotland. Whats more, the square shape of the newly revealed early Avebury standing stone enclosure is totally unique indeed without parallel anywhere. It is likely that both the rectangular building and the stone square surrounding it were of religious or ceremonial significance but so far the archaeologists have found no clues as to the precise nature of any ritual or ceremonial activities that may have taken place there. The early date for the stone square (and the building it appears to enclose) is also supported by two other pieces of evidence from Avebury. Both the site of the timber building and the stone square itself were located in the centre of a 100 metre diameter stone circle (in the southern half of Avebury) which was probably built at a later date perhaps in or by the mid-third millennium BC. A second identical stone circle was erected, presumably at around the same time, in the northern half of Avebury. Man finds ancient medieval city on border of England and Wales Significantly a group of three massive standing stones stood at the centre of that northern circle and has been scientifically dated to somewhere between around 3500 and 2800BC. The stylistic dating of the southern circles timber building and the scientific dating of the northern circles central standing stones both point to very early ceremonial activity at the centre of what would eventually become Aveburys still surviving northern and southern stone circles. Additional support for an early date for the newly discovered timber building and stone square is also provided by fragments of pottery all dating from between 3600 BC and 2800 BC found many years ago in that specific area. The discovery of a stone square, arguably pre-dating most British stone circles, raises the possibility that other similar monuments were built in the fourth millennium BC but have simply not been discovered. The find therefore has the potential to completely rewrite the evolution of standing stone complexes in Britain. The Avebury UNESCO World Heritage Site, cared for by the National Trust, contains three stone circles including Europes largest which is 330 metres across and originally comprised around 100 huge standing stones. A research team led by the University of Leicester and the University of Southampton used a combination of electrical resistivity, ground-penetrating radar and archival research to investigate the site. Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece Show all 9 1 /9 Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece This golden death mask was discovered in the ruins of ancient Mycenae in 1876 by Heinrich Schliemann after he went looking for the palace of Agamemnon, a central figure in the Trojan War. It has since dated the mask to an even earlier period Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece This extraordinary bronze sculpture, known as the Artemision Jockey, dates from around 140BC Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece This incredibly life-like bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Augustus has been dated at between 12BC and 10BC, partly because he wears a ring showing he had become Pontifex Maximus, a title he assumed in 12BC Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece A scene from a battle in the Trojan War in black-figure technique. The scene, from Homers the Iliad, probably shows fighting around the body of Patroklos, whose death moved Achilles to rejoin the fighting in decisive fashion Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece A gravestone from about 425BC showing a woman called Ampharete with her grandchild. I hold here the beloved child of my daughter, which I held on my knees when we were alive and saw the light of the sun, and now, dead, I hold it dead, a carving on the stone says Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece The Parthenon Temple in Athens was built in the fifth century BC to replace an early structure destroyed by the Persian army in 480BC. It was decorated with sculptures showing Olympian gods, giants, Amazons, a fight between Centaurs and human Lapiths, what is believed to have been a religious procession in honour of the goddess Athena, and other scenes Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece Figures known as caryatids on the porch of the Erechtheion, another temple on the Acropolis in Athens. Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece A Centaur and a human in a fight scene taken from the Parthenon temple by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s and now on display in the British Museum. The figures heads are in Athens Ian Johnston Archaeological treasures of ancient Greece A wall painting from a house in Akrotiri, Santorini, which was covered with ash from a volcanic eruption in about 1,500BC. It shows swallows swooping among clusters of red lillies Ian Johnston Their work was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and supported by the National Trust, as well as archaeologists from the University of Cambridge and Allen Environmental Archaeology. The new research pushes back the origins of Avebury to an earlier period and reveals the remarkable complexity of the history and construction of the complex. The work demonstrates just how much still awaits discovery in and around this world famous site, said Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust archaeologist at Avebury. Archaeologist Dr Mark Gillings of the University of Leicester, said: Our research has revealed previously unknown megaliths inside the world-famous Avebury stone circle. "We have detected and mapped a series of prehistoric standing stones that were subsequently hidden and buried, along with the positions of others likely destroyed during the 17th and 18th centuries. Together, these reveal a striking and apparently unique square megalithic monument within the Avebury circles that has the potential to be one of the very earliest structures on this remarkable site. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} More than 7,000 jobs are being safeguarded at Rolls-Royce after the group announced its biggest single investment in the UK for more than a decade. The aircraft engine giant said it would be investing 150m over the next few years in new and existing civil aerospace facilities across the East Midlands. It will be creating a new facility at its historic site in Derby for the testing of large civil aero engines, which will create up to 200 jobs. The group will also axe previously announced plans to close a precision machining facility in Derby, which will save around 150 jobs that were at risk. Rolls said it had also committed to safeguarding 7,000 jobs after talks with trade unions, pledging that there will be no compulsory redundancies in the East Midlands region for five years. Eric Schulz, president of civil aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said: This investment comes at a time of unprecedented growth in Rolls-Royce. We are doubling the production of new engines at the same time as introducing three new engines to the market. With this investment, we are creating the capacity and flexibility to deliver on our goals, while committing to sustain employment in the UK. Rolls employs around 12,000 staff in the East Midlands, of whom 7,000 are covered by the union agreement. Business Minister Greg Clark said the investment was good news for the UK, which has now kicked off Brexit negotiations. He said: I welcome the confidence that the company is showing in the UK. These facilities are good news for Rolls-Royce, its UK suppliers and our economy. The investment by Rolls comes as it ramps up production to deliver on its 7 billion civil aerospace order book. It also follows two years of major restructuring being led by boss Warren East after a string of profit warnings and January's corruption fine to settle a case brought by the Serious Fraud Office and authorities in the US and Brazil. Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year. The group reported its largest ever loss and one of the biggest in UK corporate history earlier this year, slumping into the red with a pre-tax loss of 4.64 billion for 2016 after a 4.4 billion writedown caused by the collapse of the pound since the Brexit vote, as well as a 671 million penalty to settle bribery allegations. But it said earlier this month that 2017 had started well, with all businesses performing in line with expectations. PA For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Rupert Murdochs 21st Century Fox faces another hurdle in its bid to take full control of Sky after Culture Secretary Karen Bradley signalled her intention to refer the 11.7bn-takeover bid to the competition watchdog. Should that happen as expected, the Competition and Markets Authority will then conduct a thorough phase-two investigation into the bid. Ms Bradley said media regulator Ofcom had raised concerns over the effect the takeover would have on media plurality in the UK. Ofcom is concerned that the deal could increase the ability of Mr Murdoch and his son James to influence the overall news agenda and their ability to influence the political process and it may also result in the perception of increased influence, Ms Bradley told the Commons. If referred, the CMA would report back within six months on its findings. However, the Culture Secretary said she would not refer the decision on the question of whether the merged Sky/Fox company would meet broadcasting standards. Ofcom will publish its report later on Thursday as to whether the Murdochs are fit and proper people to own a TV broadcasting company. The parties involved have until 14 July to make any further representations to Ms Bradley, at which point she will decide whether to refer the matter. Labour MP Tom Watson was scathing in his response to the announcement, saying that the Culture Secretary always knew what she planned to do but had to follow the established dance steps. The undertakings that Mr Murdochs company had offered in order to allow the deal to go through were pretty minor and Mr Murdoch always knew they would not be enough to satisfy Ofcom, Mr Watson said. Mr Murdoch has further concessions in its back pocket, which will then be accepted by Ms Bradley so that she can be written up as a tough operator, Mr Watson said. Previous undertakings by Mr Murdoch and his son James that promised editorial independence had not been honoured and were not worth the newsprint they are written on the Labour MP said. Twentieth Century Fox is trying to buy the remaining 61 per cent of Sky that it does not already own. The UK is the final country required to grant approval for the deal after regulators in the other territories in which Sky operates Ireland, Austria, Germany and Italy all gave the green light. Ms Bradley considered broadcasting regulator Ofcoms findings on whether the deal is in the public interest and if Foxs directors meet a fit-and-proper test. She said she had based her preliminary decision on Ofcoms assessment. Critics say the proposed deal would, if successful, give the billionaires family too much influence over UK media. Mr Murdoch has separated his newspapers from his TV assets in recent years but the Murdoch family still has significant control over both. Mr Murdoch is co-chairman of Fox and executive chairman of News Corp, which owns The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun. His son James is chief executive of Fox and chairman of Sky. Mr Murdochs bid comes six years after his last attempt at taking the business over through News Corporation in 2011. Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year. That bid faced opposition before being scuppered by the phone-hacking scandal at Mr Murdochs News International, which eventually forced the closure of the News of the World. Ongoing civil cases against some of Mr Murdochs newspapers have raised questions about the suitability of Fox to take full control over Sky. The Murdochs were never charged in relation to phone hacking but Ms Bradley had previously flagged concerns over serious corporate governance failings. Fox itself has also recently been embroiled in its own scandal in the US after several high-profile stars and senior executives at its news channel faced allegations of sexual harassment and bullying. Campaign group Avaaz, which has helped bring victims forward to testify about their alleged treatment at Fox News, called on politicians to reject the deal. Alex Wilks, campaign director at Avaaz, said: Karen Bradley should make this decision based on whats best for the British people, not Rupert Murdoch. If the Government green lights the deal based on more empty Murdoch promises, well look hard at a legal challenge to protect our democracy. Skys shares jumped 3.5 per cent to 991p after Ms Bradleys announcement but are still well below the 1075p per share offer tabled by Fox. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The widows of four men executed by Nigerias military regime in 1995 are suing oil giant Shell for allegedly aiding the army crackdown which led to their husbands deaths. The women, led by one of the widows, Esther Kiobel, and supported by Amnesty International, filed a writ at a court in the Hague in which they are seeking an apology and unspecified damages. Nine men, known as the Ogoni nine were hanged during the brutal military crackdown under the regime of dictator Sani Abacha. The hangings by a military court followed a peaceful uprising by 300,000 protesting against widespread environmental damage to the Niger Delta region caused by oil extraction. The incident provoked widespread international outcry. The best known of the group was writer and protest leader Ken Saro-Wiwa. In the early 1990s, the Nigerian government sought to counter local opposition to a Shell joint venture in the area, which brought in valuable revenues for the state. Shell, Britains largest company by market capitalisation, is also Nigerias biggest oil producer. Shell and the military regime formed an alliance in the events leading to the deaths of the Ogoni 9, the writ said. Their relationship was one of mutual dependence: the Nigerian state was dependent on the income from oil that Shell generated; in turn, Shell was dependent on the benevolence and protection of the regime to pursue its activities in Nigeria and in this way realise a substantial part of its turnover. Audrey Gaughran, senior director of research at Amnesty International, said: The executions of the Ogoni Nine shocked the world. Shell has been dodging accountability for its complicity in these deaths for more than twenty years but now, thanks to Esther Kiobels determination and bravery in taking on this corporate Goliath, the past is finally catching up with it. The Anglo-Dutch oil company has repeatedly denied being involved in the executions or the government's response to civil unrest. We have always denied, in the strongest possible terms, the allegations made by the plaintiffs in this tragic case, Shell said in a statement. Environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa was among those hanged SPDC [Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria] did not collude with the authorities to suppress community unrest and in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence in Nigeria. In fact, the company believes that dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes. The company said it was shocked and saddened when it heard about the executions which it described as tragic events. The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited appealed to the Nigerian government to grant clemency. To our deep regret, that appeal, and the appeals made by many others within and outside Nigeria, went unheard, the company added. In 2009, Shell agreed to pay a $15.5m out-of-court settlement to a group of relatives of the Ogoni nine. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Nasa has released stunning photos of something like "Niagara falls" on Mars except even more stunning than the one on Earth. The flows are made of flowing molten lava that once moved over the Red Planet's surface, and have been pictured in stunning new 3D images. The photos were sent back by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which was launched in 2005 and has been sending images back of the planet's surface since soon after that. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region Nasa notes that a lot of time is spent wondering about and searching for proof of liquid water on Mars, which would be a signal of life. But the new pictures show that the planet itself was once far more alive than it is today made up of flowing molten lava that spread across its surface. Recommended Elon Musk releases details of plan to colonise Mars The pictures show the result of that flow, depicting the northern rim of a crater that is 30-kilometres in diameter. From the image it can be seen that lava flowed into and surrounded the rim of that crater. There wasn't enough of it to fill up the crater's floor, the image shows. That can be seen by comparing the dark parts of the image the old lava with the chalkier, older, light bit. Nasa said that closer images show that the lava was able to breach the crater's wall through a small hole, allowing the lava to flow through and forming the stunning images that were sent back to Earth recently. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A woman has been convicted of impersonating a man over two years in an astonishing deception to trick her female friend into sex. Gayle Newland created a disturbingly complex online persona to achieve her own bizarre sexual satisfaction, Manchester Crown Court heard. A retrial jury found the 27 year old guilty of committing sexual assault by using a prosthetic penis without her victims consent. She will be sentenced on 20 July. Newland was jailed for eight years for three counts of sexual assault in November 2015 by another jury at Chester Crown Court. But the conviction was quashed in the Court of Appeal last December and she was granted a new trial by three Court of Appeal judges in London. They ruled that original trial judges summing up of the original case was not fair and balanced. A new jury has now found her guilty again. Newland convinced her friend she was a man by putting on a deep voice and using a blindfold throughout a dozen sexual encounters during a two-year relationship with the victim, the court heard. Her victim said she had been made to wear the blindfold at all times the pair were together, even while they sunbathed and watched a film at her flat. She told the court she only realised her partner was a woman when she pulled her blindfold off during sex and saw it was her friend wearing a strap-on penis. Newland claimed her accuser always knew she was pretending to be Kye Fortune a Facebook profile she created at the age of 15 using an American mans photographs and videos as they engaged in role play while struggling with their sexuality. She said no blindfold was used as they had sex on about 10 occasions at the complainants flat in Chester in 2013. She told the court she did not strap bandages to her chest or wear a swimsuit and a woollen hat to conceal her appearance. She insisted the complainant had spent hundreds of hours talking on the telephone to her friend as Kye and more than 100 hours in each others company. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty Her accuser knew she was pretending and was a willing participant in sexual role play as both struggled with their sexuality, she said. But prosecutor Simon Medland QC told the jury she was a manipulative, deceitful and very crafty young woman. Newland went to such astonishing lengths to control the complainants life and make her do the things the defendant wanted her to do, he said. It also emerged that Newland had been pretending to be Kye Fortune with at least three other women she met online. One woman engaged in online and telephone conversations over a five-year period before she eventually worked out she had been deceived. In a statement to the court, she said she started becoming suspicious when she noticed that houses in the background of some of Kyes photographs appeared to be American. Another woman rumbled her when she spotted a dog named Pixie on both Fortune and Newlands social media profiles. The verdicts can be reported after reporting restrictions imposed at the start of the retrial were lifted. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police have arrested a man accused of falsely claiming his relatives had died in the Grenfell Tower fire to gain housing and money. The 52-year-old man, who has not been named, came forward in the aftermath of the disaster posing as a victim. He was assigned family liaison officers after he claimed that he lost his wife and son in the fire, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said. Grenfell Tower death toll of about 80 came mainly from 23 flats He attempted to claim financial support stating he had lost all his property. A police investigation started after it became apparent that there were inconsistencies in the mans stories. Officers spoke to neighbours of the flat where the man claimed he lived in Grenfell Tower who confirmed he did not reside there. Police spoke to nearby residents of the flat within Grenfell Tower who confirmed that the man did not live at the address. Relatives of the resident of the flat the man claimed to live in have been spoken to by their family liaison officers and made aware of this investigation, a spokesperson added. Investigators said the suspect lived in Bromley, 17 miles away from the site of the disaster, and does not have a wife or child. He has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the matter, which is not linked to sub-letting or immigration issues. In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Show all 51 1 /51 In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police have released images from inside the tower where at least 58 people have died Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by polices what appears to be a stationary bicycle sitting among the ashes In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by police shows the remnants of a burnt-out bathroom In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Picture showing the lifts on an unknown floor Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency crews outside the front entrance to the tower Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Fire crews inspecting flats in the burnt out tower London Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Grenfell Tower is seen in the distance PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A drone flies near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire 'Theresa May Stay Away' message written on the messages of support at Latymer Community Church for those affected by the fire Ray Tang/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire An aerial view of the area surrounding Grenfall tower Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Donated shoes sit in the Westway Sports Centre near to the site of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of support for those affected by the massive fire in Grenfell Tower are displayed on a well near the tower in London AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A local resident stands on her balcony by the gutted Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of condolence are left at a relief centre close to the scene of the fire that broke out at Grenfell Tower, EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A police officer stands by a security cordon outside Latimer Road station Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firemen examine the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London on a huge ladder AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A search dog is led through the rubble of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident (name not given) at St Clement's Church in west London where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hugs councillor Mushtaq Lasharie as he arrives at St Clement's Church in Latimer Road, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meeting staff and volunteers at St Clementis Church in Latimer Road David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firefighters with a dog walk around the base of the Grenfell Tower REUTERS/Peter Nicholls In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emotions run high as people attend a candle lit vigil outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near the 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Debris hangs from the blackened exterior of Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman speaks to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman holds a missing person posters near the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Sadiq Khan speaking with a resident James Gourley/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Ken Livingstone walks near the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is confronted by Kai Ramos, 7, near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks to a woman outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers distribute aid near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People gather to observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People light candles as they observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man distributes food from the back of a van near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A firefighter is cheered near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A T-shirt with a written message from the London Fire Brigade hangs from a fence near The Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A young girl on her way to lay flowers near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire The remains of residential tower block Grenfell Tower are seen from Dixon House a nearby tower block Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers prepare supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block which was destroyed in a fire REUTERS/Neil Hall In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers move a car to make space for a lorry picking up supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People distribute boxes of food near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower bloc REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman touches a missing poster for 12-year-old Jessica Urbano on a tribute wall after laying flowers on the side of Latymer Community Church next to the fire-gutted Grenfell Tower AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man looks at messages written on a wall near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Candles and messages of condolence near where the fire broke out at Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry a stretcher towards Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency services at Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry out a body from Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Rick Findler/PA Wire Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack said police believed the suspect was working alone. "The distress and suffering caused to so many families and loved ones that night is harrowing she added. "That night people lost their homes, all their possessions and tragically their families and loved ones. The focus of all of us should be on supporting victims and families, recovering loved ones from Grenfell Tower and investigating the fire. I have made it clear that we are not interested in investigating things such as sub-letting or immigration matters as I want their help and do not want there to be any hidden victims of this tragedy. However, we will robustly investigate any information about anyone who seeks to capitalise on the suffering of so many. The man was formally arrested on Wednesday evening and remains in custody at a police station in west London. He is the second man arrested in the wake of the fire, after a 43-year-old was detained for posting photos showing a victim's body on social media. Survivors made homeless by the disaster are being offered temporary housing and thousands of pounds in government funding and public donations to help them rebuild their lives. Demonstrators hold up placards as they march through London (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images) At least 80 people died when fire swept through the 24-storey tower block in the early hours of 14 June, although there are fears the toll could be far higher and police say it may be impossible to identify all the victims. Among those named so far is six-month-old Leena Belkaidi, who was found dead in her mothers arms in the stairwell after they were both killed by fumes. Inquests into to the deaths of seven victims were opened and adjourned at Westminster Coroners Court on Wednesday, where the inquiries are expected to be suspended because of ongoing criminal inquiries. Around 60 organisations have been identified as having a hand in the towers refurbishment, which is suspected to have helped the blaze spread. Investigators said the fire started in a Hotpoint fridge-freezer, before spreading to combustible cladding and insulation on the outside of the building. At least 137 cladding samples tested throughout the UK have failed safety tests as local authorities examine tower blocks for other issues seen in Grenfell, including inadequate fire doors and insulation of gas pipes. A public inquiry into the fire will be led by a retired Court of Appeal judge, Sir Martin Moore-Bick. Theresa May has insisted residents will be given a say over the direction of the investigation, having called a full inquiry to ensure the causes of the disaster are properly investigated. Anyone with information on anyone who may have been inside Grenfell Tower at the time of the blaze is urged to call police on 0800 032 4539. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A 21-year-old woman has been detained at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, police said. The woman, from north London, was arrested as she left a flight from Istanbul, Turkey, at just after 9pm on Thursday. Officers said the arrest was Syria-related and the woman was being held at a south London police station. Recommended Man held at Heathrow Airport over Manchester bombing The Metropolitan Police said two addresses in the north of the capital had been searched. A Met statement said: "Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) have this evening, Thursday, 29 June, arrested a 21-year-old woman at Heathrow Airport as she disembarked a flight from Istanbul, Turkey. "The woman, from north London, was arrested at 21:02hrs on suspicion of preparation of acts of terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006." In May, a 30-year-old man was arrested at Heathrow on suspicion of terror-related crime as he stepped off a plane from Istanbul He was also held at a south London police station while officers searched a property in the east of the capital. Press Association Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Winston Gordon has spent a year driving a delivery van in his spare time to take surplus food destined for landfill to charities across London. This week it was his turn to be fed as volunteers from the Felix Project were feted at the St Cuthbert's Centre in Earl's Court, one of the places they have helped with free, in-date food that would otherwise have been wasted. He told The Independent he had been shocked by the magnitude of London's food waste problem, with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of edible food thrown away each year. At St Cuthbert's this summer, leading chefs including Angela Hartnett and Michel Roux Jr have been cooking for homeless people and other disadvantaged Londoners, serving meals made from ingredients supermarkets would otherwise have thrown away. Recommended British shoppers throw 178 million bags of salads away every year The centre, which has served the community for years, is now the third surplus food canteen opened by the worlds top-rated chef, Massimo Bottura, under his Food for Soul banner, following other successful anti-waste schemes in Milan and at the Rio Olympics. This week it was the turn of Felix Project volunteers to eat there as they sat down to dinner cooked by Francesco Mazzei, chef patron of Sartoria, a high-end Italian restaurant in London's Mayfair. Mr Mazzei, on his second shift of the day having cooked for 100 centre visitors earlier, told The Independent: With this climate, in this world, with everything happening, everything is dangerous, everything can be scary, to see things like this makes me proud. These guys, theyre my heroes. Theyve all been doing this for free, in their own free time. The waste of food is just disgusting, thats the word. It is a scandal, yes, if you see how many people die for food. If you still see the starvation around the world. And we chuck food in the bin, its absolutely crazy. The Felix Project provides a reliable pick-up service to 60 suppliers including Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Costco, who offload surplus in-date produce which volunteers can sort and then distribute to charities. It says it can deliver more than 8-worth of food for every 1 it receives in donations and the drop-offs are free, saving the other groups money they can spend elsewhere. Volunteers from the Felix Project sit down to dinner at the St Cuthbert's Centre (The Independent) Some 100,000 Londoners are currently food-poor, meaning they lack access to healthy food, the project said. The food it distributes can reach more than 9,000 people every week. The Felix Project was set up in 2015 by The Independents chairman Justin Byam Shaw, in memory of his late son. It has just a few full-time staff members but a team of more than 150 volunteers, while hundreds more have asked to get involved. Mr Gordon, 55, of Hounslow, said of his shifts: It can vary depending on the supplier but you could have, for instance, four to fifteen crates of bread. These are wholesalers that have over-ordered on a particular food stock. Whats really a concern is that some of the food is imported, not necessarily grown locally. Transported all the way to the UK, for it to be then thrown away. Francesco Vanni dArchirafi, the chief executive of Citi Holdings, told The Independent he thought this model could go global. He added: Its leveraging contacts, connections. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of 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at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA Food waste is a wasted opportunity, he said. As well as the obvious benefit of saving produce, with schemes like the Felix Project, those who have surplus food dont have to pay to dispose of it. Everybody wins. On Tuesday night about 70 of its volunteers sat down to dinner, with many meeting for the first time as night-shift drivers often do not cross paths with their daytime counterparts. Peter Cranmer, 60, volunteered to drive a delivery van. The Sunderland native, who lives in Ealing, said: Theyre always short of drivers. If theres a shortage or theyre stuck, I fill in. I like doing physical things where you know, you can immediately see, the impact youre making. Everybody you deliver it to is always so grateful. You know if were not there the food thats left over at the end of the day, in the evening, would be going to waste. It feels as if youre making something really happen. Vincent Seabrook, a volunteer at St Cuthberts for 11 years who first visited when he himself was sleeping rough, told The Independent: This is making a big difference to peoples lives. If it wasnt for whats happened with the organisations that have helped, we would struggle. Weve had new people coming in. Our profile was very small, and now everybody knows. Cristina Reni, projects manager at Food for Soul, said: Its beautiful and so powerful when a project like the Felix Project delivers fresh food to a place like this. Sometimes we forget how food can be a bit of a medicine. Its like when you go to your grandmothers house and you know shes made you something special. Someone is serving to them at the table something that was made with a lot of love. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A mother has described the moment she opened her baby son's nappy to discover he had been circumcised without her consent. "I opened the nappy and I ended up having to leave the room because I felt hysterical," the mother, from Nottingham, said in an interview with the BBC. "It was just awful really, it wasn't very nice, there was all blood there and stuff." Her son was circumcised when he was three years old in July 2013, as he was staying with his Muslim paternal grandparents. Although she complained to Nottinghamshire Police, the force initially concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring a criminal prosecution. However, she later got help from the anti-circumcision group Men do Complain and Saimo Chalal QC, a leading human rights lawyer. FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Show all 12 1 /12 FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl cries after being circumcised REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM The traditional practice of circumcision within the Pokot tribe is a rite of passage that marks the transition to womanhood and is a requirement for all girls before they marry Reuters FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM Pokot girls are encouraged to leave their hut and make their way to a place where they will take off their clothes and wash during their circumcision ceremony REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl, covered in animal skins, walks to a place where she will rest after being circumcised in a tribal ritual in a village about 80 kilometres from the town of Marigat in Baringo County REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM Pokot girls, draped in animal skins, sit on rocks during their circumcision ceremony REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot woman performs a circumcision on a girl REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot woman holds a razor blade after performing a circumcision on four girls REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl bleeds onto a rock after being circumcised REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl is smeared with a white paint after being circumcised REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM More than a quarter of girls and women in Kenya have undergone genital cutting, according to United Nations data REUTERS FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM A Pokot girl, covered in animal skins, walks to a place where she will rest after being circumcised Reuters FGM tribal circumcision ceremony in Baringo County Kenya FGM Pokot girls covered with animal skins squat on rocks after being stripped naked and washed during their circumcision rite in a village about 80 kilometres from the town of Marigat in Baringo County REUTERS Male circumcision is legal in the UK only if both parents consent. But the mother believes it amounts to "male genital mutilation" (MGM) and should be viewed in the same way as female genital mutilation (FGM). "It's even illegal to dock dogs' tails. I've come home crying my eyes out thinking a dog has got more rights than my child," she told the broadcaster. "There's something seriously not right with it all. You can protect a dog, you can protect a girl, but not a boy." The woman said her son had suffered recurring infections in the years since the circumcision. She said: "It looks like he's been half circumcised is the only way to describe it. There's half the skin, it's not all the way over. "It swells up, it gets red and a little bit sore in places." After a letter from Ms Chahal, police reopened the investigation and arrested three suspects. Dr Belvinder Mehat, of the Bakersfield Medical Centre, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Also arrested was a 44-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman, believed to be the boy's paternal grandparents, who were held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. All three suspects have been released pending further investigation, police said. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An 11-year-old boy has scored higher in an IQ test than the projected scores of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. The so-called genius benchmark is set at 140 and Arnav Sharma gained a score of 162 - the maximum possible result you can achieve on the paper. It is a whole two points higher than the estimated IQs of German-born theoretical physicist Einstein and celebrated cosmologist Hawking. Although neither Hawking or Einstein are believed to have taken the test, their IQs are both estimated to be 160. Arnav, from Reading, passed the infamously difficult test a few weeks back with zero preparation and had never seen what a typical paper looked like before taking it. His mark in the exam, which primarily measures verbal reasoning ability, puts him in the top one per cent of the nation in terms of IQ level. The Mensa test is quite hard and not many people pass it so do not expect to pass, Arnav confidently told The Independent from his home in Reading. I took the exam at the Salvation centre and it took about two and a half hours, he recalled. There were about seven or eight people there. A couple were children but the rest were adults. It was what I thought it would be. Arnav, who is of Indian origin, insisted he was not anxious before the sitting the test, saying: I had no preparation at all for the exam but I was not nervous. My family were surprised but they were also very happy when I told them about the result. Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Show all 20 1 /20 Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Harvard University Flickr/Michael Hicks Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Cambridge University Flickr/John Menard Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Oxford University, All Souls College Tejvan Pettinger/CC BY 2.0 Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Massachusetts Institute of Technology Flickr/Justin Jensen Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Stanford University Flickr/Franco Folini Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine John Hopkins University Flickr/David Wilson Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Karolinska Institutet, Main entrance from Solnavagen with the 'Aula Medica' in the background Creative Commons Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine University of California, Los Angeles campus Flickr/Tzuhsun Hsu Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine University of California, Hastings College of Law Flickr/Ken Lund Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Flickr/Lauren Manning Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine UCL University, London Flickr/Neil Turner Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Imperial College, London Flickr/Andrew Crump Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine University of Melbourne Flickr/Geoff Penaluna Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Berkeley University Flickr/Charlie Nguyen Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine University of Toronto Flickr/Umair Khan Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine The Geisel Library on the San Diego campus of the University of California Flickr/O Palsson Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine University of Sydney Flickr/Jason Tong Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Kings College London iStock Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine Duke University Flickr/Carine06 Best Universities for Life Sciences and Medicine University of Singapore Flickr/smuconlaw Meesha Dhamija Sharma, his mother, said she kept her fingers crossed for the whole exam. I was thinking what is going to happen because you never know and he had never seen what a paper looks like, she explained. When pressed about the point she became aware of his abilities, Ms Sharma cast her mind back to Arnav being in India as a toddler. Despite being told he was exceptional, she refused to believe it at the time. At one-and-a-half years old I took him to India for a holiday to see his grandparents, his grandmother told me about him and said Arnav is going to do very well with his studies, she said. I did not trust her, I just thought she was saying it to make me happy, but she was right. It was not until he was two-and-a-half years old that she became aware of his mathematical prowess. He was counting up to more than 100. That was when I stopped teaching him because I came to know that there is no end to his numbers. When asked about whether there was anyone else in the family with an unusually high IQ, she could not recall anyone, adding: His dad is quite clever as well but not as clever. Arnav, who attends Crossfields School on the outskirts of Reading, has been selected for Eton College and Westminster, both highly competitive and sought-after schools, with no preparation. But its worth noting his talents are not restricted to numbers. Arnav used to have a passion for singing and dancing and reached the semi-finals for Reading's Got Talent for Dancing with a Bollywood act when he was eight. Arnav, who also cites his hobbies as coding, badminton, piano, swimming and reading, also has an unusually good geographical knowledge, and can name all the capitals of the world. A spokesperson for Mensa heaped praised on Arnav for the achievement, saying: It is a high mark which only a small percentage of people in the country will achieve". Mensa is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, as the only way to join is to prove your IQ is in the top two per cent of the nation. It was founded in 1946 in Oxford by Lancelot Lionel Ware, a scientist and lawyer, and Roland Berrill, an Australian barrister, but the organisation later spread around the world. Its mission is to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} At least 137 high-rise buildings in 41 local authorities have failed fire safety tests in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. Cladding samples tested as part of a major national investigation into the use of panelling on high-rise blocks have so far produced a 100 per cent failure rate, a Government spokesperson said. Prime Minister Theresa May told local authorities to work on the assumption that cladding samples would fail safety tests. Combustible cladding was thought to have aided the unprecedented spread of the fire in Grenfell Tower which killed at least 80 people on 14 June. The National Housing Federation has called on the Government to stop the testing and instead focus on making people safe. Chief executive David Orr said: These tests were the right thing to do, but the results are now conclusive: aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding simply does not pass these tests and is deemed unsafe. Across the country, valuable resources from specialist equipment to expert time are being poured into a testing process of which the results are already known. Mr Orr said the testing process had revealed a systematic failure around the development, manufacture and regulation of cladding. Recommended Grenfell should not receive the same treatment as Hillsborough A further 460 social housing blocks are set to be tested but fears were growing that the true figure of unsafe blocks could be far higher, with private residential high rises also affected. A number of universities, including Nottingham Trent, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Edinburgh Napier, all identified blocks fitted with flammable panelling, and Essex University was also testing cladding on one of its halls of residence. Testing was also being extended to buildings outside of the housing sector. NHS Improvement identified cladding on 36 hospitals that needed to undergo testing. The Care Quality Commission also advised more than 17,000 care homes, hospices and private hospitals to carry out fire safety checks. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A six-month-old baby was found dead in her mothers arms after being killed by fumes as they attempted to flee down the stairs in Grenfell Tower, an inquest has heard. Leena Belkadi was the youngest member of the family to die in the fire, which also killed her parents and sister. Westminster Coroners Court heard Leenas body was found in a stairwell between the blocks 19th and 20th floor, where the family lived. Coroner's officer Eric Sword said she was found in her mother's arms. Leena and her eight-year-old sister Malak Belkadi both died from inhalation of fire fumes, the court was told. Malak was recovered from the 20th floor and died later at St Mary's Hospital, where she was taken alongside her sister Tazmin, aged six. Their mother Farah Hamdan and father Omar Belkadi also died in the blaze and inquests into their deaths have been opened and adjourned. Tamzin Belkadi is believed to be the only member of the family to survive the fire They were among seven people considered by Dr Fiona Wilcox on Wednesday, including the first named victim, Syrian refugee Mohammed al-Haj Ali. The 23-year-olds body was found outside the tower block and his preliminary cause of death was given as multiple injuries consistent with a fall from a height, the inquest heard. Dr Wilcox gave her sincere condolences to two of his family members, believed to be his brothers, who attended the hearing. His funeral was held a week after the disaster and was attended by his family, some of whom came over from Syria, and the mayor of London Sadiq Khan. At the service, the family said he loved London and loved the people he met here, and had begun pursuing his dream of studying engineering, adding: He was a loving and caring person, always showing support and solidarity for friends and family stuck back in Syria. His very last words to us were how much he missed us. Ever since he moved away from us, we tried to be united with him and his brothers, and now, instead, we have been united by his body. Also named among the dead at the inquest were Husna Begum, 22, and her relative Rabeya Begum, 64, who were identified using dental records after dying of causes consistent with the effects of fire. The missing people from Grenfell Tower Show all 23 1 /23 The missing people from Grenfell Tower The missing people from Grenfell Tower Jeremiah, son of Zainab Dean The missing people from Grenfell Tower Zainab Dean The missing people from Grenfell Tower Malek Belkadi The missing people from Grenfell Tower Tamzin Belkadi The missing people from Grenfell Tower Rania Ibrham The missing people from Grenfell Tower Jessica Urbano The missing people from Grenfell Tower Yasin el-Wahabi and Nurhada el-Wahabi The missing people from Grenfell Tower Ali Yawar Jafari The missing people from Grenfell Tower Anthony Disson The missing people from Grenfell Tower Mohamed 'Saber' Neda The missing people from Grenfell Tower Mariem Elgwahry The missing people from Grenfell Tower Hesham Rahman The missing people from Grenfell Tower Mohamednur 'Mo' Tuccu The missing people from Grenfell Tower Hamid Kani The missing people from Grenfell Tower Mary Mendy The missing people from Grenfell Tower Sheila Smith The missing people from Grenfell Tower Khadija Saye The missing people from Grenfell Tower Berikti Habtom (L) was still missing according to her sister Arsiema Alula (R) The missing people from Grenfell Tower Ligaya Moore The missing people from Grenfell Tower Dennis Murphy The missing people from Grenfell Tower Nadia Choucair The missing people from Grenfell Tower Gloria Trevisan and Marco Gottardi The missing people from Grenfell Tower Sakineh Afraseiabi and Fatima Afraseiabi Husna's body was found in the lobby near the lifts on the 17th floor, while Rabeya's was recovered from the family's flat on the same floor. It is not yet clear what happened to three other members of the family who were reported missing after the disaster. The inquest into the death of Mohamed Amied Neda, who lived on the 23rd floor, was also opened. The 57-year-old was found outside the tower and died from multiple injuries consistent with a fall, the court was told. He was reported missing after the fire and members of his family were also said to have been severely injured and taken to hospital. Zia Popal, who described Mr Neda as his uncle, posted on Facebook: He was on the top floor of the building trying to help. Dr Wilcox thanked three of his family members for attending the inquest, telling them: I'm impressed with your dignity. The final inquest was into the death of Abdeslam Sebbar, 67, who died from inhalation of fire fumes and was found in a flat on the 11th floor of the tower, being identified by DNA. Grenfell Tower death toll of about 80 came mainly from 23 flats All the inquests were adjourned until an internal hearing on 12 July. Dr Wilcox said they are expected to be suspended to allow the public inquiry and police investigation to continue, extending her sincere condolences to all those affected. The funeral of victim Tony Disson will take place on Thursday afternoon. The 65-year-old Fulham fan was described as a real family man and one in a million dad by his relatives. At least 80 people died when fire swept through the 24-storey tower block in the early hours of 14 June, although there are fears the toll could be far higher and police say it may be impossible to identify all the victims. We are many months from being able to provide a number that we believe accurately represents the total loss of life inside Grenfell Tower, said Detective Chief Superintendent Fiona McCormack Only after we have completed the search and recovery operation, which will take until the end of the year, and then months afterwards, when experts have carried out the identification process, will we be in a position to tell you who has died. She said a list of tenants provided by the management organisation was not accurate, following warnings by volunteers that sub-letters and undocumented migrants were unaccounted for. "If you do know of someone who was living in or visiting Grenfell Tower on the night of the fire but have concerns about speaking to police, please do not worry, Det Ch Supt McCormack added. Cladding was removed from the side of Whitebean Court in Salford, Manchester (Reuters) "We are not interested in sub-letting or immigration issues - we need any information that you may have. Please call us on 0800 032 4539. Investigators said the blaze started in a Hotpoint fridge-freezer, before spreading to combustible cladding and insulation on the outside of the building. All 120 cladding samples so far tested throughout the UK have failed safety tests as local authorities examine tower blocks for other issues seen in Grenfell, including inadequate fire doors and insulation of gas pipes. The National Housing Federation has called on the Government to stop the testing and instead focus on making people safe. Chief executive David Orr said: These tests were the right thing to do, but the results are now conclusive: Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding simply does not pass these tests and is deemed unsafe. "Across the country, valuable resources - from specialist equipment to expert time - are being poured into a testing process of which the results are already known." As the criminal investigation into the fire continues, 60 organisations have been identified as having a hand in the tower's refurbishment, which is suspected to have helped the blaze spread. A public inquiry into the fire will be led by a retired Court of Appeal judge, Sir Martin Moore-Bick. Theresa May has insisted residents will be given a say over the direction of the investigation, having called a full inquiry to ensure the causes of the disaster are properly investigated. The Government has promised to house survivors in temporary homes by next week but ministers have been confronted by angry residents over the prospect of being moved out of Kensington and Chelsea borough. Additional reporting by PA Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The judge leading the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has said he is doubtful that the scope of the investigation will be broad enough to satisfy all survivors. Sir Martin Moore-Bick met with survivors at the site of the north Kensington blaze, but he said afterwards: Ive been asked to undertake this inquiry on the basis that it would be pretty well limited to the problems surrounding the start of the fire and its rapid development in order to make recommendations about how this sort of thing can be prevented in future." He added: Im well aware the residents and the local people want a much broader investigation and I can fully understand why they would want that. Whether my inquiry is the right way in which to achieve that Im more doubtful." Pilgrim Tucker, a housing campaigner who has worked with Grenfell Action Group, said Sir Martin told survivors during the meeting the inquirys terms would be very narrow. Judge telling residents inquiry will be very narrow. Their concerns are being ignored. This is completely unacceptable, she wrote on Twitter. Theresa May has broken her promise to residents that they'd be consulted on inquiry. An insult to them. Just disgraceful. It comes just days after a housing collective sent a letter to Theresa May demanding survivors be consulted over the terms of reference of the inquiry and the choice of the chair, the counsel to the inquiry and composition of the advisory panel. But Downing Street rejected the request, saying: Weve been clear from the outset that we wish the residents to be consulted on the terms of reference of the inquiry. As for the appointment of a judge in a public inquiry, it follows a very specific set of rules. Essentially, the Lord Chief Justice recommends someone to the Prime Minister, or whoever that inquiry is reporting back to in this instance its the Prime Minister. Recommended Grenfell should not receive the same treatment as Hillsborough Yvette Williams, campaign organiser for Justice4Grenfell, said residents had been led to believe they would have their say. She said: We were led to understand that there would be a consultation around any judge to be appointed so the fact that appointment has gone ahead is not useful. They have learnt no lessons from anywhere about community engagement, it's just shoddy, its just process, no substance. Ms Williams earlier complained that residents had not even been made aware of Sir Martins visit. The only information I got was that a call was made to the church to book a meeting room. Weve received nothing in writing, some survivors don't even know that meeting was happening, she said. Ive had a survivor call me today, he didn't know anything about the meeting. The 70-year-old's appointment proved controversial after it emerged he once ruled in favour of Westminster council to rehouse a homeless mother-of-five 50 miles away in Milton Keynes. The issue is of particular importance to survivors of the north Kensington blaze after the Government backtracked on its promise to rehouse all victims within the same borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Ms Williams said residents felt imposed on and angry that their request to be consulted on the appointment of the judge had not been considered. She also claimed survivors had been given no option to be accompanied to the meeting with Sir Martin by legal representatives or support workers, and the meeting had been sprung upon them with little notice. Grenfell Legal Support, a group advocating for fair legal representation for the survivors of the blaze, said: A true and fair inquiry would be one where all parties are consulted at every stage of the process. The controversy surrounding Sir Martins appointment stems from a 2014 ruling against Titina Nzolameso, which saw her housed 50 miles away from her Westminster home. In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Show all 51 1 /51 In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police have released images from inside the tower where at least 58 people have died Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by polices what appears to be a stationary bicycle sitting among the ashes In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by police shows the remnants of a burnt-out bathroom In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Picture showing the lifts on an unknown floor Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency crews outside the front entrance to the tower Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Fire crews inspecting flats in the burnt out tower London Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Grenfell Tower is seen in the distance PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A drone flies near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire 'Theresa May Stay Away' message written on the messages of support at Latymer Community Church for those affected by the fire Ray Tang/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire An aerial view of the area surrounding Grenfall tower Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Donated shoes sit in the Westway Sports Centre near to the site of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of support for those affected by the massive fire in Grenfell Tower are displayed on a well near the tower in London AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A local resident stands on her balcony by the gutted Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of condolence are left at a relief centre close to the scene of the fire that broke out at Grenfell Tower, EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A police officer stands by a security cordon outside Latimer Road station Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firemen examine the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London on a huge ladder AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A search dog is led through the rubble of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident (name not given) at St Clement's Church in west London where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hugs councillor Mushtaq Lasharie as he arrives at St Clement's Church in Latimer Road, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meeting staff and volunteers at St Clementis Church in Latimer Road David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firefighters with a dog walk around the base of the Grenfell Tower REUTERS/Peter Nicholls In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emotions run high as people attend a candle lit vigil outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near the 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Debris hangs from the blackened exterior of Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman speaks to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman holds a missing person posters near the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Sadiq Khan speaking with a resident James Gourley/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Ken Livingstone walks near the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is confronted by Kai Ramos, 7, near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks to a woman outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers distribute aid near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People gather to observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People light candles as they observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man distributes food from the back of a van near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A firefighter is cheered near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A T-shirt with a written message from the London Fire Brigade hangs from a fence near The Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A young girl on her way to lay flowers near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire The remains of residential tower block Grenfell Tower are seen from Dixon House a nearby tower block Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers prepare supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block which was destroyed in a fire REUTERS/Neil Hall In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers move a car to make space for a lorry picking up supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People distribute boxes of food near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower bloc REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman touches a missing poster for 12-year-old Jessica Urbano on a tribute wall after laying flowers on the side of Latymer Community Church next to the fire-gutted Grenfell Tower AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man looks at messages written on a wall near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Candles and messages of condolence near where the fire broke out at Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry a stretcher towards Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency services at Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry out a body from Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Rick Findler/PA Wire The decision was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court but Ms Nzolamesos lawyer said at the time the decision sets a terrible precedent for local authorities to engage in social cleansing of the poor on a mass scale. The ruling has sparked widespread concern among the community over fears Grenfell survivors will be rehoused outside of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Department for Communities and Local Government has said it may also have to consider neighbouring areas. Radical Housing Network, a network of housing campaigns from across London, said the judges appointment was deeply distressing. The appointment of Sir Martin Moore-Bick as the judge in the Grenfell inquiry is deeply distressing. [He] has a track record of facilitating the social cleansing of London, the group said. The Government are clearly preparing a stitch-up, trying to put a judge at the heart of the establishment in charge of the inquiry, who supports the inhumane housing policies which have led to Grenfell. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Resident action groups have hit out at the appointment of Sir Martin Moore-Bick to lead the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. Calling his appointment deeply distressing and completely inappropriate, a collective of groups representing the survivors said it was outrageous that residents had not been consulted before the decision was made. The retired Court of Appeal judge did meet with some residents close to the tower where at least 80 people died. But Yvette Williams, campaign organiser for Justice4Grenfell, told The Independent that others had not even been made aware of the meeting. The only information I got was that a call was made to the church to book a meeting room. Weve received nothing in writing, some survivors don't even know that meeting was happening, she said. Ive had a survivor call me today, he didn't know anything about the meeting. The 70-year-old's appointment has proved controversial after it emerged he once ruled that Westminster council could rehouse a homeless mother-of-five 50 miles away in Milton Keynes. His 2014 ruling against Titina Nzolameso was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court but her lawyer said at the time the decision "sets a terrible precedent for local authorities to engage in social cleansing of the poor on a mass scale. This has raised fears among survivors that a similar thing could happen to them, after the Government backtracked on its promise to rehouse all victims in the same borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Department for Communities and Local Government has said it may have to consider neighbouring areas Ms Williams said residents felt imposed on and angry that their request to be consulted on the appointment of the judge had not been considered. It comes just days after a resident action collective sent a letter to Theresa May demanding that survivors be consulted over the terms of reference of the inquiry and the choice of the chair, the counsel to the inquiry and composition of the advisory panel. In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Show all 51 1 /51 In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police have released images from inside the tower where at least 58 people have died Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by polices what appears to be a stationary bicycle sitting among the ashes In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by police shows the remnants of a burnt-out bathroom In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Picture showing the lifts on an unknown floor Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency crews outside the front entrance to the tower Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Fire crews inspecting flats in the burnt out tower London Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Grenfell Tower is seen in the distance PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A drone flies near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire 'Theresa May Stay Away' message written on the messages of support at Latymer Community Church for those affected by the fire Ray Tang/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire An aerial view of the area surrounding Grenfall tower Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Donated shoes sit in the Westway Sports Centre near to the site of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of support for those affected by the massive fire in Grenfell Tower are displayed on a well near the tower in London AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A local resident stands on her balcony by the gutted Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of condolence are left at a relief centre close to the scene of the fire that broke out at Grenfell Tower, EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A police officer stands by a security cordon outside Latimer Road station Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firemen examine the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London on a huge ladder AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A search dog is led through the rubble of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident (name not given) at St Clement's Church in west London where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hugs councillor Mushtaq Lasharie as he arrives at St Clement's Church in Latimer Road, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meeting staff and volunteers at St Clementis Church in Latimer Road David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firefighters with a dog walk around the base of the Grenfell Tower REUTERS/Peter Nicholls In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emotions run high as people attend a candle lit vigil outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near the 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Debris hangs from the blackened exterior of Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman speaks to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman holds a missing person posters near the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Sadiq Khan speaking with a resident James Gourley/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Ken Livingstone walks near the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is confronted by Kai Ramos, 7, near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks to a woman outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers distribute aid near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People gather to observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People light candles as they observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man distributes food from the back of a van near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A firefighter is cheered near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A T-shirt with a written message from the London Fire Brigade hangs from a fence near The Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A young girl on her way to lay flowers near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire The remains of residential tower block Grenfell Tower are seen from Dixon House a nearby tower block Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers prepare supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block which was destroyed in a fire REUTERS/Neil Hall In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers move a car to make space for a lorry picking up supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People distribute boxes of food near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower bloc REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman touches a missing poster for 12-year-old Jessica Urbano on a tribute wall after laying flowers on the side of Latymer Community Church next to the fire-gutted Grenfell Tower AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man looks at messages written on a wall near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Candles and messages of condolence near where the fire broke out at Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry a stretcher towards Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency services at Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry out a body from Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Rick Findler/PA Wire But Downing Street rejected the request, saying: Weve been clear from the outset that we wish the residents to be consulted on the terms of reference of the inquiry. As for the appointment of a judge in a public inquiry, it follows a very specific set of rules. Essentially, the lord chief justice recommends someone to the prime minister, or whoever that inquiry is reporting back to in this instance its the prime minister. Ms Williams said residents had been led to believe they would have their say. She said: We were led to understand that there would be a consultation around any judge to be appointed so the fact that appointment has gone ahead is not useful. They have learnt no lessons from anywhere about community engagement, it's just shoddy, its just process, no substance. She also claimed survivors had been given no option to be accompanied to the meeting with Sir Martin by legal representatives or support workers, and the meeting had been sprung upon them with little notice. Grenfell Legal Support, a group advocating for fair legal representation for the survivors of the blaze, said: A true and fair inquiry would be one where all parties are consulted at every stage of the process. Recommended Grenfell should not receive the same treatment as Hillsborough Radical Housing Network, a network of housing campaigns from across London, said the Judges appointment was deeply distressing. The appointment of Sir Martin Moore-Pick as the judge in the Grenfell inquiry is deeply distressing. Sir Moore-Pick has a track record of facilitating the social cleansing of London, the group said. The government are clearly preparing a stitch-up, trying to put a judge at the heart of the establishment in charge of the inquiry, who supports the inhumane housing policies which have led to Grenfell. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Crown Prosecution Services decision to charge six people in connection with the Hillsborough disaster is the result of years of work by two major investigations. Both probes, by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Operation Resolve, were independent of the inquest which last year delivered a verdict of unlawful killing. The investigations have interviewed tens of thousands of people and cost at least 80m. Ninety six people died after a crowd crush at an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on 15 April 1989. Ex-police chief faces charge over Hillsborough disaster On Wednesday, families of the victims expressed their joy at seeing charges brought against the people they believe are responsible for the deaths of their loved ones. The IPCC was the largest ever police misconduct investigation in the UK. It looked into at least 10,000 lines of enquiry. It also took 120 survivor complaints and at least 4,000 statements 400 from policemen, 120 from journalists and 20 from politicians. It examined the aftermath of the disaster, exploring allegations of changes to police records of the disaster, examinations of the criminal records of victims and allegations of surveillance on campaigners. And it has seen charges brought against four people three former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officers and a lawyer who represented the force. Recommended The quest for justice for the Hillsborough victims has taken too long Former chief superintendent Donald Denton and former detective chief inspector Alan Foster were charged with intent to pervert the course of justice relating to material changes made to witness statements. Sir Norman Bettison, a former chief inspector and superintendent with the SYP, was charged with misconduct in public office related to alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of Liverpool fans. The solicitor, Peter Metcalf, was charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of justice relating to changes made to witness statements. The second, Operation Resolve, was established in 2012 after the publication of a report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel. It is a criminal investigation which examined the causes of the disaster, including stadium design, match day planning and the emergency response. Its investigation has seen charges brought against two people. Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Show all 8 1 /8 Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Liverpool fans try and pull their fellow supporters out of the crush at Hillsborough stadium, 15 April 1989. Ninety-six fans were crushed to death and hundreds injured after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest Richard Sellers Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Football fans are rushed away on a stretcher at Hillsborough stadium, 15 April 1989. Ninety-six fans were crushed to death and hundreds injured after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest AFP/Getty Hillsborough Disaster 1989 The Sun has been boycotted in Liverpool since this edition, which lied about the behaviour of Liverpool fans on the day Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Hillsborough Memorial tributes lie on the pitch during the memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster, at Anfield Stadium on April 15, 2016 in Liverpool, England. Thousands of fans, friends and relatives attended the service at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives during a crush at an FA Cup semi final against Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough football ground in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1989 Liverpool FC via Getty Images Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Barry Devonside leaves Parr Hall, Warrington, where the Crown Prosecution Service has said, Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison and four other individuals have been charged with offences relating to the Hillsborough disaster. PA Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Family members react after the families of the 96 Hillsborough victims were told the decision that the Crown Prosecution Service will proceed with criminal charges and six people have been charged with criminal offences, including Ex-Ch Supt David Duckenfield and Sir Norman Bettison on June 28, 2017 in Warrington, England. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed its intentions at a meeting with victims' relatives. Last year's inquests into the Hillsborough disaster concluded the 96 fans had been unlawfully killed Getty Images Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Norman Bettison was charged with four counts of misconduct in a public office. He was found to have lied on four separate occasions about his role in the deaths and when he claimed he never blamed Liverpool supporters for the disaster PA Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Former South Yorkshire Police match commander David Duckenfield is currently on trial for the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans. Reuters One, perhaps the most significant, is match commander David Duckenfield, who was the most senior police officer in charge of safety on the day of the match. He is being charged with 95 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence. The other is Graham Mackrell, who was Sheffield Wednesday's company secretary and safety officer at the time. He is charged with two offences involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence. Operation Resolve examined 17,000 lines of enquiry and took 11,000 statements. In addition, it interviewed more than 9,000 witnesses and collected at least 70,000 pieces of evidence. It also held at least 370 meetings with families of the victims and survivors. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Government does not know how many people in prisons have a mental health illness, a report has warned, prompting calls for urgent action amid soaring suicide rates and self-harm incidents among inmates. Prison authorities response to rising suicide and self-harming rates in British jails has been poor, according to research by the National Audit Office (NAO). Her Majestys Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS), NHS England and Public Health England have set ambitious objectives for providing mental health services, but they are failing to collect enough data on inmates wellbeing, the report states. It adds that the Government is unaware of how much it is spending on mental health in prisons and does not know whether it is achieving its objectives. According to independent research carried out for the report, the NAO estimate that the total spend on healthcare in adult prisons in 2016-17 was around 400m. HMPPS does not monitor the quality of healthcare it pays for in the six privately-managed prisons it oversees. NHS England uses health needs assessments to understand prisoners needs, but these are often based on what was provided in previous years and do not take account of unmet need. The warnings come after five years in which rates of self-inflicted deaths and self-harm in prison have risen significantly, suggesting that although the data isnt recorded mental health and wellbeing among prisoners has steeply declined. Self-harm incidents increased by nearly three quarters (73 per cent) between 2012 and 2016, with 40,161 incidents of self-harm recorded in 2016 alone the equivalent of one incident for every two prisoners. The suicide rate among prisoners hit the highest year on record last year, with 120 self-inflicted deaths almost twice the number in 2012. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman found that 70 per cent of prisoners who had committed suicide between 2012 and 2014 had mental health needs. In light of the considerable rise in self-inflicted deaths and self-harm among inmates, the NAO warned that the Government must address the rising rates of suicide and self harm in prisons as a matter of urgency. The report states that while the Government has set out an ambitious reform programme to address prisoners mental wellbeing, the prison system is under considerable pressure, making it more difficult to manage this. Amyas Morse, the head of the National Audit Office, said it was clear from the findings that the Government does not know what base they are starting from in addressing mental health problems in prisons. She said: Improving the mental health of those in prison will require a step change in effort and resources. The quality of clinical care is generally good for those who can access it, but the rise in prisoner suicide and self-harm suggests a decline in mental health and wellbeing overall. The data on how many people in prison have mental health problems and how much government is spending to address this is poor. Consequently Government do not know the base they are starting from, what they need to improve, or how realistic it is for them to meet their objectives. Without this understanding it is hard to see how government can be achieving value for money. The Ministry of Justice and its partners have undertaken work to identify interventions to reduce suicide and self-harm in prisons, though these have not yet been implemented. The National Offender Management Services funding went down by 13 per cent between 2009-10 and 2016-17 and staff numbers in public prisons reduced by 30 per cent over the same period. When prisons are short-staffed, governors may run restricted regimes where prisoners spend more of the day in their cells, making it more challenging for prisoners to access mental health services, the report states. It adds that staffing pressures can also make it difficult for prison officers to detect changes in a prisoners mental health, and that officers have not received regular training to understand mental health conditions, though the Ministry plans to provide more training in future. The report also raises concerns that while clinical care is broadly judged to be good in prisons, there are weaknesses in the system for identifying prisoners who need mental health services. Inmates are screened when they arrive in prison, but this does not always identify mental health problems and staff do not have access to GP records, which means they do not always know if a prisoner has been diagnosed with a mental illness. Mentally ill prisoners should wait no more than 14 days to be admitted to a secure hospital, but only 34 per cent of prisoners were transferred within 14 days in 2016-17, while seven per cent waited for more than 140 days. The process for transferring prisoners is complex and delays can have a negative impact on prisoners' mental health and they may be kept in unsuitable conditions such as segregation units. Previous research has shown that prisoners are more likely to suffer from mental health problems than people in the community, and that those whose mental health needs are not addressed in prison are generally more likely to reoffend. Recommended Rise in female prisoner sucides linked to poor mental health support Commenting, Peter Dawson, the director of the Prison Reform Trust, said it was horribly clear that prisoners are facing disproportionate and unnecessary harm as a result of the inadequate mental health provision. This is a familiar tale of admirable policy objectives not being delivered on the ground. There is a ray of hope in the successful rollout of liaison and diversion schemes in courts and police stations that spot some of the people who are most vulnerable, he said. But this report makes horribly clear that our prisons are holding very many people who will suffer disproportionate and unnecessary harm because of the prison environment. It is futile to expect to improve their situation while prisons are overcrowded and thousands of people are spending a few weeks inside each year simply because there is inadequate community provision. The Government must grip the issue of who goes to prison so that the system can care properly for the minority who really need to be there. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA A Government spokesperson said: We take the mental health of prisoners extremely seriously, which is why we have increased the support available to vulnerable offenders - especially during the first 24 hours in custody - and invested more in specialist mental health training for prison officers. Were putting more funding into prison safety and have launched a suicide and self-harm reduction project to address the increase in self-inflicted deaths and self-harm in our prisons. But we recognise that more can be done and continue to work in partnership with HMPPS, NHS England and Public Health England to improve mental health services for offenders at all points of the criminal justice system. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Belfast court is to rule whether Northern Ireland's abortion laws breach international human rights legislation. Northern Ireland's highest court will decide today whether to uphold two high court rulings from 2015 and 2016 that ruled existing abortion laws breached a womans right to a private life under European law. The ruling, which involved women and girls who were unable to undergo abortions in local hospitals in cases of fatal foetal abnormality or who had become pregnant through sexual crimes, is being appealed by the Department of Justice and Northern Ireland's attorney general. Unlike the rest of the UK, it is unlawful to perform a termination of pregnancy abortion in Northern Ireland unless a woman's life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health. The punishment for breaking this law, under section 58 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, is life imprisonment. The NI Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), which brought the original case, is cross-appealing and has re-introduced all of the original grounds it brought before the High Court. Whatever the outcome of Thursday's ruling, all parties will have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court in London. It comes amid renewed political focus on abortion law in the light of the Democratic Unionist Partys (DUP) deal with Theresa May. The party is vehemently opposed to reforming Northern Irelands abortion laws, and has joined forces with others in the Stormont parliament to vote against legislation aimed at allowing terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and women and girls made pregnant through rape or incest. Recommended May urged to give free vote on abortion fees for Northern Irish women Earlier this month, the UK's highest court narrowly rejected an appeal by a mother and daughter for women from Northern Ireland to receive free abortions on the NHS in England. The 15-year old teenager, known only as "A", travelled to England to terminate a pregnancy five years ago a procedure her mother, known as "B" had to arrange and pay for privately, like many other girls and women like her. Afterwards, A and her mother challenged the NHSs refusal to fund abortions for women from Northern Ireland, and have launched a crowdfunding campaign to take their legal action to Europe. The crowdfunding campaign is targeting 20,000 to cover the initial costs of bringing a case before the European Court of Human Rights. A and B stated: We have received a growing amount of support and feel so passionately about the issue that we have decided to make one final stand for a right that most women in England consider absolute. Legal Aid isnt available to cover the costs of applying to the European Court of Human Rights. We need support from the public and from the many charities who campaign for the rights of women, to make this case a reality. A survey by the Northern Ireland Life and Times revealed earlier this month that an overwhelming majority of Northern Irish people favour reform of the countrys abortion laws. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA The results showed that 73 per cent of respondents believe abortion should be legal if the foetus has a serious or fatal abnormality, while more than three quarters (78 per cent) thought abortion should be legal when a woman has become pregnant as a result of rape or incest. Amnesty International issued a warning following the General Election that the negotiations to establish the next UK Government must not trade away long overdue abortion law reform in Northern Ireland. The DUP has previously blocked attempts to reform the regions abortion laws, which date back to 1861 and have been found to breach womens rights. In recent years, the DUP has also sought to reinforce the criminalisation of women who seek abortions in Northern Ireland through proposed amendments to a Justice Bill. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A primary school has said its pupils may have to finish school at lunchtime every Friday in order to cope with budget cuts. Danemill Primary School in Enderby, Leicestershire, said it had received significantly less money in its annual budget as a result of the government's national funding formula. Designed to shift resources from more highly funded urban areas to less well funded rural ones, the new formula also aims to provide extra funding for schools with high numbers of children with low prior attainment. However, headeachers have called for a rethink of the plans, while school governors said it would lead to a "catastrophic" squeeze on budgets. Danemill, which has 400 pupils, said they would provide a limited number of places for children to stay at school until 3.20pm, during which time they would carry out enrichment activities. The proposed adjustment would be the best option for the pupils, said the letter, which was signed by the school's executive headteacher Dawn White and headteacher Tracey Lawrence. As you may be aware the Fairer Funding Formula has resulted in schools receiving significantly less money in their annual budgets from the government and Danemill is not an exception, it read. Our prime concern is to provide your child with quality first teaching to enable them to achieve their full potential... Effective from 24 October 2017 the school day would end on Friday afternoons at 1.05pm lunchtimes. The implementation of this new timetable will allow teachers to have their Planning and Preparation time (PPA) on Friday afternoons and your child will continue to have quality first teaching during the rest of the week. It added: We have given this much thought and consideration and we feel that this is the very best option for the children. A response slip was attached to the letter on which parents were able to state whether they were happy or unhappy with the proposal and give their reasons for this. Parents were reportedly criticising the decision on social media. Hold on, I thought every hour counted and we are not allowed to take our children on holiday but its ok to miss a couple of hours each week," one mother wrote on Facebook. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty Cant have it both ways. This is a ridiculous decision that clearly gives no thought to hardworking parents." A report into government funding reforms recently revealed state schools in England were to face spending cuts of up to seven per cent per pupil as a result of a new single national funding formula (NFF), to be introduced for all schools starting from September next year. Experts from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned the NFF the largest school spending reform in more than 25 years is unlikely to be rolled out across all schools until at least 2024, and warned that it would divert funding away from schools with the most deprived student population. The Education Policy Institute has also estimated that average losses will reach 74,000 for primary schools and 291,000 for secondary schools by 2019-20 as a result of the changes. But a Department for Education spokesperson said: We want to make sure all children, regardless of where they live or their background, have a world-class education that unlocks their talent and creates opportunity. Thanks to our reforms there are 1.8 million more children in schools rated good or outstanding than in 2010. The core schools budget has been protected in real terms since 2010 and is set to rise from 41bn in 2017-18 to over 42bn in 2019-20 with increasing pupil numbers. But we recognise that schools are facing cost pressures and will continue to provide support to help them use their funding in cost effective ways. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Dozens of Labour MPs have backed a rebel backbench motion that would keep Britain in the EU were Theresa May fail to negotiate a deal. The amendment to the Queens Speech, proposed by MP Chuka Umunna, is at odds with Labours front bench, which says leaving the EU is settled as an issue. 49 Labour MPs voted for the backbench motion, which also says the UK should stay in the single market and Customs Union. The amendment was defeated by 101 votes to 322, with 34 SNP, 12 Lib Dem, 4 Plaid Cymru, 1 Green and 1 Independent MP also backing the motion. The result of the vote emphasises the split in the opposition party about how to deal with Britain leaving the EU. Labours manifesto says the party accepts the referendum result and will put the national interest first. It says it would prioritise jobs and living standards, build a close new relationship with the EU, protect workers rights and environmental standards, provide certainty to EU nationals and give a meaningful role to Parliament throughout the negotiations. The partys leadership wants Parliament to be given a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal and says Britain should negotiate a deal that provides exactly the same benefits of staying in the single market. Labour MP Chuka Umunna proposed the amendment, which was defeated with 101 votes (Getty) However the backbench amendment proposed by Mr Umunna goes further and wants the Government to rule out withdrawal from the EU without a deal, and set out proposals to remain within the Customs Union and Single Market. The full text of the amendment suggests that the House of Commons respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech does not rule out withdrawal from the EU without a deal, guarantee a Parliamentary vote on any final outcome to negotiations, set out transitional arrangements to maintain jobs, trade and certainty for business, set out proposals to remain within the Customs Union and Single Market, set out clear measures to respect the competencies of the devolved administrations, and include clear protections for EU nationals living in the UK now, including retaining their right to remain in the UK, and reciprocal rights for UK citizens. Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty The motion was backed by Labour MPs including John Woodcock, Luciana Berder, Ben Bradshaw, and Mike Gapes. Liberal Democrats including Sir Vince Cable and Tim Farron signed the motion, as well as SNP and Plaid Cymru MPs support it. Theresa May said at the start of the year in her Lancaster House speech that Britain will be leaving the single market and customs union. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Conservatives MPs have voted down a bid by Labour to reverse cuts to emergency services and end the long-running freeze on public sector pay. Jeremy Corbyns party had tabled an amendment of regret to the Queens Speech that would give a pay rise to workers, whose pay rate has been frozen at 1 per cent rises since 2010, and recruit more police officers and firefighters to fill in those cut under David Cameron and Theresa May. But MPs voted down the motion to end the cuts and pay restraint by 323 votes to 309, a majority of 14. Conservative MPs voted against the motion while Labour MPs backed it. Recommended Final Grenfell death toll may not be known until the end of the year The DUP, who have 10 MPs a d are supporting the Tories in exchange for an extra 1 billion from British taxpayers for Northern Ireland, also voted with the Tories against the motion. Labour shadow Chancellor John McDonnell described the result of the vote as an utter disgrace. The amendment of regret said that the House of Commons respectfully regrets that that Gracious Speech fails to end cuts to the Police and the fire service; commends the response of the emergency services to the recent terrorist attacks and to the Grenfell Tower Fire; calls on the government to recruit more police officers and firefighters; and further calls on the government to end the Public Sector Pay Cap and give the emergency and public services a fair pay rise. Labour leader Mr Corbyn had accused the Government of trying to provide security on the cheap and that seven years of cuts to our emergency services has made us less safe. Our emergency service workers make us proud at the worst of times for our country, such as the Grenfell Tower Fire and the recent terrorist attacks, and deserve the pay rise they have been denied for seven years, he said. Today some Conservatives voiced their opposition to the public sector pay cap but said they would not vote for the Labour motion anyway. 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 Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer said: I will persistently be a loud voice to remove public sector pay cap for frontline workers, but will not vote with this political game today. The stance comes amid confusion about whether the Government will lift the cap or not, as Labour has proposed to do. Downing Street signalled this morning that it was listening to voters on the issue after the election result but this afternoon a spokesperson said the policy had not changed. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The English NHS will provide free abortions for women visiting from Northern Ireland, the Government has announced. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the policy change in the House of Commons after Labour proposed an amendment to the Queen's Speech that would have forced the change. The amendment, proposed by MP Stella Creasy, was picked for a vote later today and was expected to be backed by some Tory backbenchers. Recommended May risks defeat on abortion charges for Northern Irish women Many hundreds of Northern Irish women make the journey across the Irish Sea to Great Britain to have abortions because of the province's restrictive laws. There, terminations are illegal in almost all cases, even when a woman has been impregnated through rape or incest. The forced move is likely to annoy the Conservatives' newfound allies in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who are staunchly anti-abortion on religious grounds. But the Tories minority government status means that even with DUP votes the Government is vulnerable to rebellions by just seven of its own MPs if opposition parties gang up against it. The latest episode could be a prelude of the difficulties that Conservative whips will face passing legislation in the coming parliament a hurdle reflected in last week's threadbare Queen's Speech, which was stripped of most major Tory manifesto promises. More than 100 MPs backed the amendment tabled by Ms Creasy demanding that Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, acts. UK taxpayers are currently being denied access to abortion services in England and Wales, which is a matter for English and Welsh MPs to decide, Ms Creasy told The Independent. Women from Northern Ireland where abortion is illegal, except in very rare circumstances typically pay 1,400 for a private termination in England, Scotland or Wales. Official figures show 726 Northern Irish women paid for the operation last year, but the true figure is thought to be higher, because others gave a false address on this side of the Irish Sea. Equalities Secretary Justine Greening said this afternoon that the move would be funded from the Government Equalities Office so that "no English health service user is disadvantaged as a result of the change". The Health Secretary had previously said a consultation about scrapping the charges was underway but there was confusion after Department of Health officials played down Mr Hunts claimed. In the Commons, former Conservative Cabinet minister Maria Miller signalled her support for the amendment when she labelled the current access to abortion in Northern Ireland as wrong. The High Court has ruled this law contravenes human rights law - which is a responsibility of the UK Government, not a devolved matter, Ms Miller said. In reply, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom said it was an incredibly sensitive and important issue which the Government was discussing and looking very closely at. The Chancellor announced the change in the House of Commons on Thursday afternoon (Getty Images) Under the terms of confidence and supply agreement, the DUP must vote in favour of the Queen's Speech, even if abortion amendment is passed. However, it does not appear to be a deal breaker for the Northern Ireland party. One of its MPs, Ian Paisley Jnr, agreed whether to provide free terminations was a matter for Westminster. UK General Election 2017 Show all 47 1 /47 UK General Election 2017 UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the 1922 committee on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 DUP leader Arlene Foster stands alongside deputy leader Nigel Dodds as they hold a press conference at Stormont Castle as the Stormont assembly power sharing negotiations reconvene following the general election on June 12, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Discussions between the DUP and the Conservative party are also continuing in the wake of the UK general election as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to form a government with the help of the Democratic Unionist parties ten Westminster seats. Stormont and the political situation in Northern Ireland has been in limbo following the collapse of the power sharing executive due to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme scandal which implicated the DUP Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Priti Patel, International Development Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Larry the Downing Street cat runs ahead of Michael Fallon Britain's Secretary of State for Defence as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth REUTERS UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Michael Gove, Environment Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon (C) leaves after speaking to the media in Parliament Square. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May (C, L) holds the first Cabinet meeting of her new team. Getty UK General Election 2017 11 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May attends church in her constituency with her husband Philip May, a few days after disappointing results in a general election. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn leaves Labour Party HQ this morning, following a general election yesterday. Parliament is hung, with no individual party gaining an overall majority. Post general election reaction. Rex UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 09: DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (C) holds a brief press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A " Get May Out" demo took place opposite the gates of Downing Street, calling for May to resign, after the shock election results and Mays coalition with the DUP. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, poses with a mock gravestone bearing the words "Hard Brexit, RIP", during a protest photocall near the entrance 10 Downing Street in central London AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters in London Reuters UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May flanked by her husband Philip delivers a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central Londo Getty UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace in London the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A TV cameraman watches the door of 10 Downing Street in London Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by his Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster, London, after he called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should 'go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country' Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with her husband Philip in London REUTERS/Peter Nicholls UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaks during a press conference at Boston West Golf Club where he announced that he is standing down as party leader Joe Giddens/PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, leaves the counting centre for Britain's general election with her partner Jen Wilson in Edinburgh, Scotland REUTERS/Russell Cheyne UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale celebrates with candidate for Edinburgh South Ian Murray as he retains his seat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre counting centre in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election Andrew Milligan/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, arrives at the Labour Party's Headquarters in London REUTERS/Marko Djurica UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves in a car following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness in Boston, England Anthony Devlin/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, England. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A policer officer enters a polling station in London AP UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A woman leaves after casting her vote at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery near Brighton, in southern England Getty UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 A woman walks past a general election display in the window of a betting shop in Camden on June 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow, Getty Images UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May visits Atherley Bowling Club during an election campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Southampton, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A supporter wears a pair of Jeremy Corbyn decorated tights at a general election campaign event in Birmingham, central England, on June 6, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another deadly terror attack in the nation's captial. AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A picture taken in London, shows election leaflets from various parties displayed ahead of the United Kingdom's general elections. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 Election workers, George Gaunt and Luca Tragid deliver the first ballot boxes, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh AFP UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Conservative party supporters during an election campaign visit to a bakery during an election campaign visit on June 6, 2017 in Fleetwood, north-west England. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital Getty Images UK General Election 2017 5 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a general election campaign visit to a removals depot in Edinburgh AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigns for the upcoming general election in Beeston, Nottinghamshire AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts to supporters after a rally at Beeston Youth and Community Centre as he visits the East Midlands during the final weekend of the General Election campaign on June 3, 2017 in Nottingham, England. If elected in next week's general election Mr Corbyn is pledging to create a million new jobs and to scrap zero-hours contracts Getty Images UK General Election 2017 1 June 2017 Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson joins a selection of Scottish Conservative election candidates and activists during campaigning on May 1, 2017 in South Queensferry, Scotland. With only seven days to go until the general election on June 8th, polls are showing the SNP out in front and the Conservatives set to close in on Labour. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 29 May 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May canvasses in Richmond with Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith on May 29, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. After suffering defeat in the London Mayoral election Zac Goldsmith resigned over the Government's position on Heathrow expansion. He stood as an Independent but lost in a by-election to the Liberal Democrats. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron poses for a selfie taken by carer April Preston during a General Election campaign visit to the Barlow Medical Centre, in Didsbury, Manchester Yui Mok/PA UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an election campaign event in Wrexham, Wales Reuters UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour's former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, exit the party's general election campaign 'battle' bus as they arrive at an event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with supporters between venues, before speaking again at another general election campaign event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 An anti-fox hunting protester is taken away and arrested by police outside the venue where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was due to launch the Welsh Conservative general election manifesto at Gresford Memorial Hall in the village of Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales, on May 22, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election AFP/Getty Images Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that Northern Irish women are not entitled to receive free abortions in England. However, two of the justices said the current situation, nonetheless, breaches womens rights piling pressure on the Government to act. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A weakened Theresa May faces a series of Commons rebellions after she caved in to the first backbench revolt of the new Parliament in order to pass a vote on the Queens Speech. MPs seized on the Prime Ministers climbdown ending abortion charges for women from Northern Ireland forced to travel to England by vowing to force defeats in the months to come, including over Brexit. The warning came after a breathtaking U-turn pledged free NHS terminations for the many hundreds of pregnant Northern Irish women who make the journey across the Irish Sea every year. Chancellor Philip Hammond interrupted his own speech in the Commons to hurriedly promise MPs that the need to pay for a private abortion would be scrapped at an annual cost of 1m. Just hours earlier, the Department of Health had denied there was even a consultation into making the change, despite pressure to do so. But several Conservative backbenchers had backed Labour MPs in calling for free terminations, threatening the Government with its first defeat, just one week into the new Parliament. In the Commons, Tory backbenchers warned more rebellions were on the cards, as Tom Tugendhat and Bob Neill vowed they would not stand by and allow the pursuit of a hard Brexit based on ideology, rather than the needs of the economy. Another Conservative MP, Heidi Allen, called on the Prime Minister to be compassionate rather than focusing merely on economic competence, telling her: This party must change. Many at Westminster believe the May Government is only holding on because Tory MPs cannot agree on who would be best to take over as Prime Minister and their desire to avoid another general election. The Governments perilous position was also laid bare by a succession of Cabinet ministers being flown back to bolster numbers for the Queens Speech votes. MPs vote in favour of Queen's Speech The Prime Minister herself cut short a visit to Berlin to prepare for next months G20 summit, which included talks with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Sarah Champion, Labours shadow women and equalities minister, said: The threat of defeat, forced by the Labour Party, shows how weak the Tories are. Former Labour minister David Lammy said: We were promised strong and stable but, before the Queens Speech was even voted on, we have already seen a U-turn. Recommended Jeremy Corbyn sacks Labour shadow ministers for defying him on Brexit And Tom Brake, the Lib Dem Brexit spokesman, said: This whole episode exposes Theresa Mays weakness. The Government has been forced to concede because it doesnt have the numbers any more. This opens up the possibility of more concessions including on Brexit. In the German capital earlier in the day, Ms Merkel said Ms May had asked for your indulgence for having to leave before a planned joint press conference because of the need to be at Westminster. James Brokenshire, the Northern Ireland Secretary, left the Belfast talks to restore power sharing early just as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had returned from Cyprus reunification talks before they had finished, a day earlier. The abortion climbdown came just 24 hours after No 10 appeared to bend to pressure to end the harsh 1 per cent public sector pay cap, before the Treasury stamped on that concession. Ms May still faces a revolt by dozens of Tory MPs if she refuses to axe the pay cap, due to run until the end of the decade. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister crucially succeeded in passing her Queens Speech, a milestone moment given the many traumas since her general election disaster. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA It passed with a majority of 14, one more than her working majority with the controversial support of the ten Democratic Unionist MPs. Labours split on Brexit was also laid bare when 49 of the partys MPs defied Jeremy Corbyn by backing a rebel motion calling for Britain to stay in the EU single market and customs union. Recommended Theresa May clashes with Philip Hammond over public sector pay cap The revolt triggered the sackings of three Labour frontbenchers, with another resigning, as the Labour leader used his new authority to impose order immediately. Mr Corbyn had ordered his MPs to abstain, after his amendment called instead for the exact same benefits to be achieved outside the single market, mirroring the Governments stance. Behind the scenes, a shadow Cabinet is being fought over the policy, with some senior Labour figures pushing for trying to stay in a reformed single market. The abortion U-turn was confirmed in a letter to MPs sent by equalities minister Justine Greening, who promised the NHS in England would not be short-changed. I share the concerns of many colleagues about the experience of women from Northern Ireland obtaining an abortion through the NHS in England, Ms Greening wrote. Charities hailed the decision as a landmark moment, while still criticising the gross injustice whereby women in Northern Ireland are denied access to abortion care at home. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May should leave Downing Street by the end of next year to allow a different leader to complete Brexit, a former Cabinet minister says. Nicky Morgan said the Conservatives should not miss the opportunity to bring in a new leader once the shape of the withdrawal agreement is known. The EU has told Britain that the negotiations must be concluded by the autumn of 2018, to allow a six-month ratification process something Ms May has apparently agreed to privately. Recommended Theresa May clashes with Philip Hammond over public sector pay cap Most Conservative MPs now expect her to survive in No 10 for the time being, after she eventually struck a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party for support on key votes. Ms Morgan, who was sacked as Education Secretary by the Prime Minister last summer, said the key date was the likely conclusion of the Brexit talks. Once that shape of Brexit is concluded, once those deals are very much on the table, the Conservative Party must not miss the opportunity at that stage to think about who we want to be our future leader, she said. Asked, on the BBCs Newsnight programme, if that meant Ms May should stand down in the autumn of next year, Ms Morgan replied: That is probably right - certainly one timetable. Of course, one of the things the last couple of years has shown is that making predictions about British politics or international politics is incredibly difficult at the moment. But I think the Conservative party - having started on the Brexit road - really is going to own the negotiations, is going to own the shape of Brexit. That is clearly going to be something that will be, if not the issue of the election, will be something that we will be standing on that record in terms of the party going into the next election. Almost all Tory MPs agree that the Prime Minister must fall on her sword before the next general election, scheduled for 2022. Many think she would be going already if there was an obvious successor, but there is no alternative leader likely to revive the partys fortunes, they believe. Both Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, provoke huge suspicion on the Tory benches and, anyway, have declared their loyalty to the Prime Minister. The other leading contenders, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, favour a softer Brexit so would struggle to convince the Tory faithful. Ms Morgan has been a frequent critic of the Prime Minister on Brexit and grammar schools and is standing to lead the powerful Treasury Committee. In a separate interview, she stopped short of ruling out standing for the top job herself in the future though she said she was not what the party needed at the present time. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May is scrambling to avoid a damaging defeat on the controversy of charges for Northern Irish women forced to travel to Britain for an abortion. An amendment to the Queens Speech to secure free NHS terminations for the many hundreds of women who make the journey every year has been picked for a vote later today. Several Conservative backbenchers have backed Labour MPs in calling for the charges to be axed threatening the Government with its first defeat of the new Parliament. Recommended May urged to give free vote on abortion fees for Northern Irish women Even with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, the Tories have a Commons majority of just 13, making it vulnerable to revolt by just seven of its MPs. Ms May herself is cutting short a visit to Berlin, which includes talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in order to vote today underlining her Governments fragile position. More than 100 MPs have backed the amendment, tabled by Labours Stella Creasy, demanding that Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, acts. UK taxpayers are currently being denied access to abortion services in England and Wales, which is a matter for English and Welsh MPs to decide, Ms Creasy told The Independent. Women from Northern Ireland where abortion is illegal, except in very rare circumstances typically pay 1,400 for a private termination in England, Scotland or Wales. Official figures show 726 Northern Irish women paid for the operation last year, but the true figure is thought to be higher, because others gave a false address on this side of the Irish Sea. There is confusion about the Governments position, after Mr Hunt said a consultation on scrapping charges is underway, but his own officials played down the suggestion. One option might be for the Prime Minister to give Tory MPs a free vote, something Ms Creasy has called for on the grounds that abortion is always considered a matter of conscience. Ms Mays official spokesman said only: The Government will respond later today. In the Commons, former Conservative Cabinet minister Maria Miller signalled her support for the amendment when she labelled the current access to abortion in Northern Ireland as wrong. The High Court has ruled this law contravenes human rights law - which is a responsibility of the UK Government, not a devolved matter, Ms Miller said. In reply, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom said it was an incredibly sensitive and important issue which the Government was discussing and looking very closely at. Under the terms of confidence and supply agreement, the DUP must vote in favour of the Queen's Speech, even if abortion amendment is passed. However, it does not appear to be a deal breaker for the Northern Ireland party. One of its MPs, Ian Paisley Jnr, agreed whether to provide free terminations was a matter for Westminster. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that Northern Irish women are not entitled to receive free abortions in England, Scotland, or Wales. However, two of the justices said the current situation, nonetheless, breaches womens rights piling pressure on the Government to act. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May is scrambling to avoid a damaging defeat on the controversy of charges for Northern Irish women forced to travel to Britain for an abortion. An amendment to the Queens Speech to secure free NHS terminations for the many hundreds of women who make the journey every year has been picked for a vote later today. Several Conservative backbenchers have backed Labour MPs in calling for the charges to be axed threatening the Government with its first defeat of the new Parliament. Recommended May urged to give free vote on abortion fees for Northern Irish women Even with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, the Tories have a Commons majority of just 13, making it vulnerable to revolt by just seven of its MPs. Ms May herself is cutting short a visit to Berlin, which includes talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in order to vote today underlining her Governments fragile position. More than 100 MPs have backed the amendment, tabled by Labours Stella Creasy, demanding that Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, acts. UK taxpayers are currently being denied access to abortion services in England and Wales, which is a matter for English and Welsh MPs to decide, Ms Creasy told The Independent. Women from Northern Ireland where abortion is illegal, except in very rare circumstances typically pay 1,400 for a private termination in England, Scotland or Wales. Official figures show 726 Northern Irish women paid for the operation last year, but the true figure is thought to be higher, because others gave a false address on this side of the Irish Sea. There is confusion about the Governments position, after Mr Hunt said a consultation on scrapping charges is underway, but his own officials played down the suggestion. One option might be for the Prime Minister to give Tory MPs a free vote, something Ms Creasy has called for on the grounds that abortion is always considered a matter of conscience. Ms Mays official spokesman said only: The Government will respond later today. In the Commons, former Conservative Cabinet minister Maria Miller signalled her support for the amendment when she labelled the current access to abortion in Northern Ireland as wrong. The High Court has ruled this law contravenes human rights law - which is a responsibility of the UK Government, not a devolved matter, Ms Miller said. In reply, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom said it was an incredibly sensitive and important issue which the Government was discussing and looking very closely at. Under the terms of confidence and supply agreement, the DUP must vote in favour of the Queen's Speech, even if abortion amendment is passed. However, it does not appear to be a deal breaker for the Northern Ireland party. One of its MPs, Ian Paisley Jnr, agreed whether to provide free terminations was a matter for Westminster. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that Northern Irish women are not entitled to receive free abortions in England. However, two of the justices said the current situation, nonetheless, breaches womens rights piling pressure on the Government to act. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa Mays 1bn confidence and supply deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is just a downpayment, the former permanent secretary to the treasury has warned. Nick Macpherson alleged that the Northern Irish Party will demand more funds from the Government in the future. His comments came after Prime Minister Theresa May agreed a supply and confidence" deal with the Northern Irish party, which will support the government in motions of confidence and appropriation or budget votes, by either voting in favour or abstaining. Recommended This is how much extra money the DUP have extracted from Theresa May In return the party secured 1bn of extra funding, which will be spent on infrastructure and health spending in the country. Taking to Twitter, Lord Macpherson described the deal as profligacy. "1bn for Ulster is just a downpayment. DUP will be back for more again and again They have previous in such matters. #profligacy, wrote the former permanent secretary to chancellors Gordon Brown, Alastair Darling, and George Osborne. His comments added to the chorus of criticism, Theresa May's Conservative Party have received since striking the deal. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell called it a grubby deal, while outgoing Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron called the agreement a shoddy, adding that it showed the nasty party is back". He said: While our schools are crumbling and our NHS is in crisis, Theresa May chooses to throw cash at 10 MPs in a grubby attempt to keep her Cabinet squatting in No 10. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon called the agreement a grubby DUP deal to let [Theresa May] cling to power". UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA Lets call this grubby deal what it is, this is a straightforward political bribe to desperately prop up Theresa May in office. However, Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon countered claims that the money was a bung to the DUP. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, he said: Lets be clear we all have an interest in the future prosperity and security of the province. This is 1bn that will go to improving some investment, improving the infrastructure of the province, growing the private economy of the province, and ensuring its employment rate which is behind Wales and Scotland catches up. He said all taxpayers across England, Wales and Scotland have an interest in Northern Ireland doing better. I saw it described, ridiculously today, as some kind of bung to the DUP. The DUP is not getting this money. The money is going to invest in the people of Northern Ireland, he added. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Less than half of the 480 unaccompanied child refugees that the government pledged to house in the UK under the Dubs Amendment have actually arrived, the government has confirmed. In response to a question in the House of Lords from Lord Dubs, the Jewish Czech peer who fled to Britain from the Nazis in the 1930s and who brought the amendment in the first place, Home Office Minister Baroness Williams said the number was "about 200." Recommended Campaigners go to court to force Government to take child refugees The government quietly announced in April that it was to close the scheme under which unaccompanied child refugees can be brought to the UK with the number of places capped at 350. It subsequently had to apologise for an administrative error after the Home Office failed to count up all of the potential places sent to it by local authorities, and increased the number for 480. A Home Office spokesperson said that the government is assisted in identifying and transferring children by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and that all 480 places would eventually be filled. Under other asylum schemes, more than 900 child refugees were settled in the UK in 2016. Liberal Democrat Baroness Sheehan said the "chaotic" demolition of the Jungle camp in Calais in October had led to the dispersal of hundreds of unaccompanied minors who might have been rehomed in the UK to centres around France. She warned that a large number of children, with legal rights to come to the UK, were now "wandering around France living a hand-to-mouth existence". For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Single-religion schools have been outlawed in South Africa after a ruling at the Johannesburg High Court. Public schools may no longer promote themselves as subscribing to a single particular religion at the exclusion of others, the court ruled. The Organisasie vir Godsdienste-Onderrig en Demokrasie (Organisation for Religious Education and Democracy), or OGOD, which fights against religious indoctrination through public schools in South Africa, welcomed the judgement. He said the judgement meant public schools may not promote one specific religion and exclude others. South Africa: Student protests gain union support Our case was built on the fact that they were called Christian schools and coerced learners to participate Mr Pietersen said, according to South African daily The Times. OGOD made the application against six predominantly Christian public schools to prevent them from taking part in 71 instances of religious conduct. While the court did not grant the restraining order, it ruled the schools had breached a section of the Schools Act making it an offence to promote one religion and exclude others. In his ruling, Judge Willem van der Linde said: Neither a school governing body nor a public school may lawfully hold out that it subscribes to only a single particular religion to the exclusion of others. 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 He earlier said: The question may be put this way: May a public school through rules laid down by its SGB relative to say its heraldry hold out that it is exclusively a Jewish or a Christian or a Muslim or a Buddhist or an atheist school? Accepting a notional feeder community of 100 per cent single religion parents, could it ever pass muster of the need for a national democratic respect for our countrys diverse cultural and religious traditions for that school to brand itself as adhering to that particular single faith to the exclusion of others? His judgement read: "The overarching constitutional theme is that our society is diverse, that diversity is to be celebrated and that specific rights are conferred and dealt with in pursuance of that principle. "Within this context, public schools are public assets which serve the interests of society as a whole." The national department of education said the ruling was consistent with its own policy that no one religion should be promoted above another, South Africa's Independent Online reports. The aim is not to ban religious practices in schools but about protecting children and emphasising that schools should engage in religion education rather than religious instruction and not promote one religion over another, a spokesperson for the department said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The pastor of a fundamentalist congregation that eschews modern medicine will stand trial on a charge he should have alerted authorities when his two-year-old granddaughter was dying of pneumonia last year, a judge ruled on Wednesday. District Judge Ann Young said prosecutors put on enough evidence to send the case against Rowland Foster to the Berks County Courthouse in Pennsylvania for trial, reversing another judges decision in April to throw out the charge of failure to properly report suspected child abuse. Young called the death of Ella Foster tragic, sad, beyond belief and told Rowland Foster she was not questioning his religious beliefs. Her decision came after watching a video of state police questioning the Foster, 72, but she said an important part of her decision was testimony at the previous preliminary hearing by Dr Neil Hoffman, a forensic pathologist. Hoffman did not testify Wednesday, but Young drew from the transcript of the earlier hearing in which he said Ellas condition would have been easily treatable and if she had been treated she almost certainly would have survived. Young called Hoffmans testimony clear, convincing and compelling. Foster, of Lebanon, ignored questions as he left the hearing, but his defence attorney, Chris Ferro, said prosecutors will have difficulty getting a conviction at trial, which will require a more stringent level of proof than was needed before Young. I think the commonwealth is going to be unable to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, Ferro said. Prosecutor Jonathan Kurland argued to the judge that Ella had been subjected to child abuse and that her grandfather, as a pastor, was required by law to report suspected abuse and willfully failed to do so. Dr Hoffman testified (that) in the morning before she died it would have been apparent to a reasonable person that Ella was in need of medical care and medical intervention, Kurland said. He said Fosters comment to a detective that he has never been to a doctor was evidence of rationalisation and justification and awareness. Ferro called his client a grieving grandfather, not a criminal, and said Ellas death was a crater in the heart of the community. Ella was being cared for before she died, Ferro said, including being given food and liquids. This is not a mandatory reporter who is turning his blind eye to child abuse, Ferro said. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Ellas parents, Jonathan and Grace Foster, await trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. They told police their faith forbids any kind of medical treatment. Rowland Foster leads the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, which instructs members to avoid doctors and pharmaceutical drugs. An advocacy group that tracks faith-based medical neglect says the churchs position has resulted in the deaths of dozens of children from preventable or treatable conditions. Associated Press Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man who used to be homeless has landed a job with a six-figure salary after making an app for homeless shelters. After quitting his job, Preston Phan, flew to San Francisco from his hometown of Seattle, in the hope of getting a job at one of the major technology companies. But with little money in his bank account and no family in the region, the 29-year-old ended up sleeping at homeless shelters. While he was able to earn some money working as a security monitor, in his spare time took coding lessons. More often than not, he ran into difficulties when he tried to locate a bed at the shelters. So he decided to develop an app to simplify the process. "I started developing an application where you can make the bed reservation through your phone and walk to the nearest location," Mr Phan told SF Gate. "I think that was the start of my career, actually." His idea was initially rejected when he presented his work to the local Homeless Coordinating Board. Undeterred, Mr Phan continued to work on his coding skills and during one of the classes he met with a representative from the social media company, Linkedin. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty After speaking to him about his idea they offered him a well paid job with corporate housing and other added benefits. He will now be paid $115,000 (88,000) per annum. Mr Phan started working at LinkedIn in April, but despite his day job, he said he wants to continue working on his first love. "I do want to come back to the app. I feel like that [City Hall] rebuttal just wasn't really thought through," he said. "It would help people immensely. It would help them get back on their feet." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An innocent man who survived 22 years in solitary confinement on death row has spoken out about living among some of Americas most dangerous criminals. Nick Yarris was stabbed, strangled and beaten during his time at Huntingdon Prison in Pennsylvania after being wrongly sentenced to death for the rape and murder of Linda Mae Craig in 1981. Mr Yarris said despite having spent most of his life inside prison, he feels extremely lucky that his conviction was overturned. Look at the physical features. I faced the death penalty but got out, acclimatised to society, overcame Hepatitis C, and went on to stand next to some of the most brilliant actors in the world performing in the Colosseum in Rome, he told Metro.co.uk. Guess what? There are 160 other men who have been proven innocent off death row. Not all of them are getting the same play. A lot of them go and die in abstract, terrible ways and they dont get anything. The 56-year-old also told how he dedicated himself to transforming his life inside a prison cell. He believes he read around 9,400 legal books to help him prove his innocence. A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates Show all 7 1 /7 A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates 570472.bin Fernando Moleres A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates 570468.bin Fernando Moleres A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates 570469.bin Fernando Moleres A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates 570470.bin Fernando Moleres A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates 570471.bin Fernando Moleres A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates 570467.bin Fernando Moleres A boy named Abdul: Sierra Leone's child inmates 570473.bin Fernando Moleres When they imagine someone on death row they think of some terrible loser guy, who isnt going to have anything to say, he said. I was showing them an unbelievable brilliance beyond what they would expect. Mr Yarris now campaigns against the death penalty and even objected to its use in the case of Ted Bundy, who was placed in a cell next to him for a time. Bundy was put to death in 2012. His lawyer claimed he murdered more than 100 people. I think weve got to realise theres a lot more you can do to somebody than put them to death, Mr Yarris said. Recommended Half of Leave voters want to bring back the death penalty after Brexit [Bundy] was insane. Whats the point of killing crazy people? The true definition of a crazy person is someone who repeats a pathological behaviour without a mind to be able to correct it. Well, thats what he was doing. He couldnt stop killing mummy. He hated mummy his whole life and he wanted to kill her over and over. So thats a crazy person, thats not some diabolical genius. Mr Yarris was eventually released from prison in 2004 after DNA proved his innocence. He has lived in the UK since 2005. His case is now the subject of a Netflix documentary The Fear of 13 and his self-authored book by the same title. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The most hated man in America is having some trouble securing an impartial jury. Lawyers for Martin Shkreli the former pharmaceutical executive known for raising the price of a life-saving drug by more than 5,000 percent dismissed almost 250 potential jurors in the first two days of jury selection. "Just looking at him kind of twists my stomach, to be honest, one potential juror said. "In this particular case, the only thing I'd be impartial about is which prison he goes to," said another. Yet another man indicated he would like to punch Mr Shkreli in the face. Recommended Pharmaceutical entrepreneur Martin Shkreli facing fraud trial All three were dismissed. Mr Shkreli is facing charges of securities and wire fraud stemming from the time he spent at the drug company Retrophin Inc, and the hedge fund MSMB Capital Management. Prosecutors say he lied to investors about MSMBs finances, and then paid them back with money he took from Retrophin. Mr Shkreli has pleaded not guilty to all charges. In a high-profile case such as this one, Northeastern University law professor Daniel Medwed explained, finding a completely unbiased jury is nearly impossible. Youre not going to find a pool of people who dont know about it, Mr Medwed told The Independent. The question is can you find people who can put side what theyve heard and still be objective and impartial. Potential jurors at Mr Shkrelis trial had a long list of reasons not to be impartial. While most of the complaints were unrelated to the current charges, they served served to significantly colour the candidates' view of the defendant. Many candidates, for example, brought up the 34-year-olds decision to raise the price of Daraprim a drug used to treat deadly parasitic infections from $13.50 to $750 per pill shortly after taking over Turing Pharmaceuticals. Others took issue with Mr Shkrelis unapologetic response to the incident. Our shareholders expect us to make as much money as possible, Mr Shkreli told the audience at a health industry summit in 2015. At another conference, he said he probably would've raised the price higher. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The millionaire then appeared to inflame tensions by posting photos of $1,00-plus bottles of wine and helicopters rides over Manhattan on Twitter. He was kicked off of the social media platform earlier this year for harassing a female journalist. Even Mr Shkrelis defence attorney, Benjamin Brafman, was heard remarking that the defendants Twitter history is just horrific". By the third day of jury selection, after unsuccessfully petitioning the judge to start the entire selection process over, defence attorneys had chosen a pool of 60 candidates. They had questioned more than 300 people. The candidates which will later be narrowed to 12 jurors and six alternates, for a trial that is expected to last six weeks. Despite these difficulties, Mr Brafman is trying to keep the focus on the charges at hand. At trial, the defendant will show that Mr. Shkreli never, at any time, intended for a single investor to lose a dime, he said. Not in the short term; not in the long term; not ever. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Michigan is suing the City of Flint for delaying approval of a long term water supply deal, saying that the hesitance in the city that has been plagued by dirty waters is endangering public health. Thats even as some residents are risking their homes by refusing to pay their water bills, complaining about the quality of the water. The lawsuit comes after the Flint city council stalled on the recommendation from Flint Mayor Karen Weaver to sign an extended, 30-year contract with with a Detroit water supplier, and instead approved a short-term extension of the contract. Ms Weaver is joined by state and federal officials in recommending the long term extension, saying that any more water supply switches could be dangerous for city residents. Recommended Flint official resigns after using racial slur to describe residents Ensuring that the residents of Flint have drinking water that meets public health standards is our primary concern, Heidi Grether, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality director, told the Associated Press of the lawsuit. But some residents say that their water isnt clean, even after the city switched from a supply that wasnt treated properly and led to lead leaching into the water systems there. As many as 8,000 residents now risk losing their homes after failing to pay their water bills, some saying that theyve done so because they cant use the water theyre provided anyway. Thats because the state stepped in to block a measure approved by the city to provide relief to residents who faced the threat that the city would take over financial possession of homes also known as a tax lien should past due bills not be paid. In pictures: Flint water crisis Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Flint water crisis In pictures: Flint water crisis Anthony Fordham picks up bottled water from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to deliver to a school after elevated lead levels were found in the city's water in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Michigan National Guard Staff Sergeant William Phillips (L) assists a Flint resident with bottled water at a fire station in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents Arthur Woodson, left, and Tony Palladino Jr. protest the arrival of Flint native and filmmaker Michael Moore as Moore accuses Gov.Rick Snyder of poisoning Flint water during a rally outside of city hall in Flint AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents pick up bottled water and water filters at a fire station in Flint. Michigan National Guard members were set to arrive in Flint to join door-to-door efforts to distribute bottled water and other supplies to residents coping with the city's crisis over lead-contaminated drinking water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard Flint prepare to give Flint residents bottled water at a fire station in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis Justin Roberson (L), age 6, of Flint, Michigan and Mychal Adams, age 1, of Flint wait on a stack of bottled water at a rally where the Rev. Jesse Jackson was speaking about about the water crises at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis A man sits next to a stack of bottled water at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis The top of a water tower is seen at the Flint Water Plant. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Michigan and ordered federal aid to be used to help state and local response efforts to an area affected by contaminated water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Rosie Wright, center, rallies with the crowd over Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Rick Catherman participates in a rally around Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP The fact that the State feels it necessary to take the homes away from poisoned Flint residents, people they poisoned, is inhumane, Melissa Mays, a water activist and Flint resident who has stopped paying her water bill and switched solely to bottled water, told the Independent. Ms Mays had previously indicated that she was going to miss house payments in order to pay her water bill and keep her home. She says she hasnt received a new threat of tax liens after the state reversed the Flint City Councils one year moratorium on tax liens. No one should be forced to pay the highest rates in the country to water that they still cannot safely use or run the possibility of losing their home, she said. There is no dignity here in Flint. It's been removed continually by the State of Michigan. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In the video, the Arkansas capitol dome can be seen lit against the night sky as the Dodge Dart accelerates to 10, then 20 mph. Oh my goodness, a man says as he flicks on the car's lights. Freedom! The vehicle speeds up the hill and the last thing that comes into view before a crash is a large, newly-installed monument. Authorities say the man in the video is Michael Tate Reed, an alleged serial destroyer of Ten Commandments monuments. He was arrested by state capitol police officers at the scene early Wednesday, according to Michael Powell, a spokesman for the Arkansas secretary of state. Reed is charged with criminal trespass, first-degree criminal mischief and defacing objects of public interest. That object of public interest was a three-tonne granite monument that had been installed less than 24 hours before its violent, pre-dawn demise on the southwest lawn of the state capitol in Little Rock. Crews had cleaned up the crash site by late Wednesday morning and taken the broken pieces to storage, Powell said, but it was unclear whether the controversial monument would be reinstalled. Reed could not be reached for comment. Powell told The Post he wasn't sure if Reed had been released from jail. According to the Associated Press, a 2015 law required Arkansas to allow the Ten Commandments display near the capitol. But groups who argue for a strong separation of church and state have criticised the placement of a biblical statue on the grounds of the seat of the state's government. Recommended Ten Commandments monument smashed in Arkansas After plans for the Ten Commandments monument were announced, the satanic temple pushed for a competing statue of Baphomet, a goat-headed, angel-winged creature accompanied by two children smiling at it, the AP reported. Other states have grappled with similar Ten Commandments controversies, including Oklahoma, which installed a 4,800-pound monument on its capitol grounds in 2012. In 2014, Reed rammed a car into that monument, Powell said. But it was replaced and stood on the capitol grounds until the state Supreme Court ruled it had to be removed, according to The Washington Post's Abby Phillip. Reed appears to allude to the Oklahoma toppling incident in a Facebook post before the Arkansas statue was rammed. I'm a firm believer that for our salvation we not only have faith in Jesus Christ, but we also obey the commands of God and that we confess Jesus as Lord, he says in the post. But one thing I do not support is the violation of our Constitutional right to have the freedom that's guaranteed to us, that guarantees us the separation of church and state, because no one religion should the government represent. 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 Later, he says he's back at it again, and asks for people to donate money to help repair his car. The Washington Post Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The relationship between Barack Obama and Donald Trump has never been anything less than acrimonious. For years, Mr Trump headed a toxic, racially-tinged campaign to prove that Mr Obama was not born in the US. In rerturn, Mr Obama memorably roasted the TV reality star in a speech at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner, during which Mr Trump sat and glowered. Yet now, following a brief truce during the transition period during which the two men made efforts to be civil, reports say the relationship between the pair has reached an all-time low. CNN said the attacks were largely one-sided. While Mr Obama has occasionally quietly disagreed on policy issues with Mr Trump, Mr Trump has routinely attacked his predecessor in harsh terms This week, he criticised the previous administrations response to Russias alleged efforts to interfere in the election. Last week, it was about Obamacare. And Mr Trump has stood by his widely discredited claim that the Obama administration had eavesdropped on him at Trump Tower. Eric Trump: "We made Turnberry great again" He was very nice to me but after that weve had some difficulties, Mr Trump told a CBS interviewer last month. So it doesn't matter. Words are less important to me than deeds. You saw what happened with surveillance, and everybody saw what happened with surveillance. Jeanne Zaino, Professor of Political Science at Iona College in New York, said it was not unusual for presidents to frequently disagree with their predecessors. 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 Apparently, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower bickered with each other throughout the entire limousine ride from the White House to the US Capitol ahead of Eisenhowers inauguration in January 1953. Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter also fought over who was responsible for the 1982 recession. Yet she said that, at least in recent years, such criticism was muted. Obama used to blame things on George Bush. My point is that this is not new, rather its the style in which it is being done, she told The Independent. Timothy Naftali, a historian at New York University who formerly served as director of the Richard Nixon presidential library, told CNN: There have been instances in the past where the current president and a former president do not get along at all. He added: What's different this time is that the two are showing it. That the animosity is so clear, and of course it's more clear on the part of President Trump, but it can be inferred from the actions of President Obama. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Senate Republican leaders are trying to send a revised version of their healthcare bill to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) by Friday, so its impact can be assessed. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had originally been aiming to hold a vote on the measure to repeal and replace Obamacare this week. But he was forced to change his schedule in the face of growing opposition from members of his own party. Mr McConnell is now under pressure to get the Republicans healthcare overhaul passed before Congress's August recess as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer works to keep the Democrats mobilised to defeat the legislation. The majority leader is apparently trying to move quickly so that the nonpartisan CBO has time to measure the revised bills impact on coverage levels and federal spending by the time senators return to Washington DC in mid-July after the 4 July recess. Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that healthcare is working along very well...we're gonna have a big surprise. We have a great healthcare package. When asked what that meant, Mr Trump responded: We're going to have a great, great surprise. Mr Trump summoned all 52 Republican senators to the White House on Tuesday afternoon to discuss how to proceed after the vote postponement, with the vast majority attending. Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade Show all 8 1 /8 Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AFP/Getty Images Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AFP/Getty Images Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP During his opening remarks, the President declared that Obamacare is melting down, adding that Senate Republicans and the White House are "getting very close" to reaching agreement on a path toward getting the votes needed to pass the latest healthcare bill. This will be great if we get it done, Mr Trump said. But appearing to recognise the opposition the bill faces, he added: And if we don't get it done, it's just going to be something that we're not going to like. And that's okay, and I understand that very well. It is still unclear which parts of the bill, officially titled the Better Care Reconciliation Act, are being revised. Republican legislators' overlapping concerns and competing interests have presented Mr McConnell with a balancing act. Moderate senators worry that millions of people would lose their insurance, while conservatives assert that the bill does not do enough to erase Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature domestic legislation. Acknowledging demands from fellow Republicans for increased input into retooling the legislation, Mr McConnell said on the Senate floor: Senators will have more opportunities to offer their thoughts as we work toward an agreement. With Democrats unified against it and Republicans controlling the Senate by a slim 52-48 margin, Mr McConnell can afford to lose only two Republican senators. At least 10 Republican senators including moderates, hard-line conservatives and others have expressed opposition to the current bill, although some have said they want to vote for it if certain changes are made. Mr McConnell, with his reputation as a strategist on the line, met with a procession of Republican senators in his office, including some who have criticised the bill. John Cornyn, the No 2 Senate Republican, said the party leadership would be talking to every Republican senator who had concerns about the bill or was undecided. Mr Cornyn said it would be optimal to have changes to the legislation worked out by Friday so a new version could be analysed by the CBO. The CBO forecast on Monday that the existing bill would lead to some 22 million people losing medical insurance by 2026 than under Obamacare all while cutting the federal deficit by $321 billion. The prospect of so many people losing insurance is unpalatable to moderates such as Senator Susan Collins, a key opponent of the draft legislation. She said it would be very difficult to reach agreement on the bill by Friday. Mr Trump rebuffed a proposal by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer for the Republican President to call all 100 senators to the Blair House, across the street from the White House, to craft a bipartisan healthcare bill to fix, not gut, Obamacare. Mr Trump said he did not think Mr Schumer was serious. The bill has drawn protesters, including cancer survivors and people with disabilities, to the offices of several Senators, trying to convince them to reject the Senate bill. Capitol Police said they had arrested 40 people on charges of crowding and obstructing the offices. Tinkering isnt going to work, from my perspective. There would have to be a major overhaul of the bill to win my support. Ms Collins said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has launched a strange Twitter attack on the Washington Post and Amazon - accusing them of not paying internet taxes. Without explaining what he meant by internet taxes, a form of tariff that does not appear to exist, the President also accused the newspaper of producing fake news. The AmazonWashingtonPost, sometimes referred to as the guardian of Amazon, not paying internet taxes (which they should) is FAKE NEWS, he said. Mr Trumps remarks left many puzzled. The Associated Press said the White House declined to answer questions about the statement. It said Amazon.com collects state sales taxes in all 45 states with a sales tax and the District of Columbia, according to its website. Donald Trump appears to flirt with Irish reporter State governments have sought to capture sales taxes lost to internet retailers, though they have struggled with a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that retailers must have a physical presence in a state before officials can make them collect sales tax. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The news agency said Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Washington Post spokeswoman Shani George declined comment. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos bought the Post in 2013. He made the purchase as an individual and Amazon.com Inc. was not involved. Mr Bezos was one of a number of technology executives who visited the White House recently for a strategy session on modernising government. Mr Trump has taken shots at Mr Bezos and Amazon on Twitter before. In 2015, he wrote that Mr Bezos bought the newspaper "for purposes of keeping taxes down at his no profit company. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has declared that the golden era of American energy is now underway as he shifts the US away from renewable energy through proposed budget cuts and by withdrawing the country from the landmark Paris agreement on climate change. At the Unleashing American Energy event, Mr Trump touted that the administration has finally ended the war on coal and asserted that America will be energy-dominant. The President began his remarks by thanking energy executives and labour union leaders in the room. You've gone through eight years of hell, he told them. We are putting the coal miners back to work just like I promised, Mr Trump said. We are ending the intrusive [Environmental Protection Agency] regulations that raise the price of energy so substantially. A global oversupply of oil has actually kept prices of the commodity down in recent years, and the Trump administrations push for gas exports is likely to continue facing a market glut. Mr Trumps proposed reforms include expanding and reviving the USs nuclear energy sector and easing the application process for coal projects. He has already approved the sale of more American natural gas to South Korea as well as the construction of a new petroleum pipeline to Mexico. That'll go right under the wall, Mr Trump joked, referring to the 74-mile long wall he hopes to build along the US-Mexico border. Mr Trump also intends to approve two applications to export natural gas from the Lake Charles liquefied natural gas terminal in Louisiana and open up a new offshore oil and gas leasing programme. We have so much more [energy] than we ever thought possible...We don't want to let other countries take away our sovereignty and tell us what to do...We will be dominant. We will export American energy all around the globe...Job-killing regulations are being removed...like you've never seen before. In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP Energy Secretary Rick Perry told reporters at the White House earlier this week that an energy dominant America means self-reliant. It means a secure nation, free from the geopolitical turmoil of other nations who seek to use energy as an economic weapon, he said. As the Trump administration intensifies its focus on natural gas and coal, it seems to be disregarding renewable energy. Earlier this month, Mr Trump pulled out of the Paris accord, saying that the deal would hit the US coal industry which he has attributed to helping him get elected hard and that it would prove too costly for the country to stick to the agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, new money in renewable energy outpaced new investments in fossil fuels for the first time in 2015 to the tune of $350bn. Mr Trumps proposed budget also calls for a nearly 70 percent cut in spending for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. During his speech on Thursday, Mr Trump again justified his choice to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement. The decision has drawn criticism from allies around the world. Believe me, that REALLY put this country at a disadvantage, Mr Trump said. Maybe we'll be back into it someday, but it'll be on fairer terms. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has already set herself up for a showdown between her and Mr Trump over his America First agenda, predicting very difficult talks about climate change and trade next week when she hosts a summit meeting of 20 global leaders. Whoever believes the problems of this world can be solved by isolationism and protectionism is making a tremendous error, Ms Merkel said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit in Germany, the White House has confirmed. National security adviser HR McMaster said that the high-stakes meeting with Mr Putin is among several scheduled for when Mr Trump is in Hamburg next week. Mr McMaster and economic adviser Gary Cohn would not say whether President Trump intends to address accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, saying the agenda is not finalised for this or for any other meeting. Recommended US report claims Russia is convinced US wants Kremlin regime change We have no specific agenda, Mr McMaster said during a briefing on the trip, which includes a stop in Warsaw. Its whatever the president wants to talk about. The Kremlin also announced a meeting between the two leaders, but neither side offered details. They will meet on the sidelines of the G20, Mr Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, but added that "no preparations" are being made for any separate meeting at the moment. The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images The face-to-face conversation has been organised amid an ongoing FBI investigation into the Trump campaigns contacts with Russian officials during last year's US election, as well as Congressional investigations into Russia's meddling in the presidential campaign. All 17 US intelligence agencies have agreed Russia was behind last year's hack of Democratic email systems and tried to influence the 2016 election to benefit Trump. Mr Trump and his administration have repeatedly denied any collusion with Moscow, with Mr Putin also denying any hacking on behalf of Russia. Members of his campaign are also under investigation for possible collusion with Russia in the lead-up to the election. Trump has staunchly denied that he had any contacts with Russia during his White House bid. Our relationship with Russia is not different from that with any other country in terms of us communicating to them really what our concerns are, where we see problems with the relationship but also opportunities, Mr McMaster said. He added that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is taking the lead on the discussions and has been engaged in a broad, wide-range discussion about irritants, problems in the relationship but also to explore opportunities, where we can work together, areas of common interest. So it won't be different from our discussions with any other country. Mr McMaster added that Mr Trump also plans to meet with the leaders of several other countries among them, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, South Korea. Associated Press Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} As Donald Trump's oft-promised travel ban finally comes into effect after a number of legal battles, members of communities in the US set to be hit by the ban fear what it will mean for the futures of both their families and themselves. Portions of the ban, affecting six Muslim-majority nations Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen were passed by the Supreme Court this week and went into effect on Thursday evening local time. For those in the Bay Ridge area of Southern Brooklyn home to one of the largest Yemeni communities in New York many are bracing for a struggle. For those in the Yemeni community there, theyre worried about what Mr Trumps policy will mean for friends and family hoping to flee to the US from war and disease. Theyre worried about their own futures, too. And, theyve already begun to feel the effect the Presidents rhetoric has had on the attitudes of the American people. Its really, really tough. Its petrifying, to be honest, Emma Ali, a 30-year-old woman of Yemeni descent who has lived in Brooklyn her entire life, told The Independent. Ms Ali, like many others in Bay Ridge has family that is stuck in limbo trying to flee from the deadly civil war in Yemen. As Mr Trumps travel ban has moved through the court system, news of deaths have continued to arrive from that country, adding to the concern that the ban will end the chance for friends and family to find safe haven in America. Ms Ali has no idea what will happen to her sister, who is waiting in Jordan on final approval to come to the US. Many are confused by Mr Trumps ban. For those born and raised in the US, they note that they are just as much American as the President, hijab or not. New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Show all 27 1 /27 New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People gather for evening prayer at a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Yemeni business owner Musa closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty Samia Aljahmi, 37, sat down exhausted after teaching an English class to a small group in the Al-Noor Social Centre, and said that her Muslim faith instructs her to respect the President no matter what, but that she is worried nonetheless. Born and raised in Michigan, Brooklyn is her adopted home. She works at the centre helping people prepare for the naturalisation test to become American citizens. Mr Trumps rhetoric on Muslims has taken a toll she now is told by people to go back to your country on the streets, even though shes a third generation American but she said that cultural current hasnt deterred her or her students. They love America, she said. They love being here. They love the opportunities they have here. They love the education. The Presidents travel ban has had a rocky road to implementation. Soon after taking office, Mr Trump signed the first iteration of the ban, immediately ending travel to the United States from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Protests erupted at airports around the country, as the hastily imposed measure created havoc for travellers from those predominantly Muslim countries, some of whom were in the air when the ban was unilaterally imposed. That initial measure ran into roadblocks just a day later, when judges in Massachusetts and New York issued temporary halts on parts of the ban. Over the next week and a half, legal challenges to the ban were heard in courts across the country, leading Mr Trump to advise his administration to rewrite the order. In March, Mr Trump announced that a second ban would be put into place. The new measure was modified from the original to omit Iraq from the list of targeted countries. That order was halted just hours before it was supposed to be put into place after attorneys for Hawaii challenged the measure, citing the Presidents statements in the 2016 campaign pledge to end Muslim travel to the United States as a reason as to why the ban was a tightening of religious freedoms. Both the Fifth and Ninth US Circuit Courts of Appeals ultimately heard arguments against the band, and both decided in favour of barring the Trump administration from going forward with the ban. Judges on the Ninth Circuit, in their ruling, cited Mr Trumps campaign rhetoric as well, saying that the ban appeared to be motivated primarily by racism, not by national security concerns. Citing deference to the President on matters related to national security, the US Supreme Court ruled this week that parts of the ban could go ahead, and said that they will provide a full decision later in the year once the Court reconvenes. The White House immediately claimed the decision as a major victory for the embattled President, a view backed by a White House official on Thursday, who said that it marked a significant win for our national security. The narrowed version of the ban blocks travellers from those countries for 90 days, and suspends the US refugee programme for 120 days. The Supreme Court outlined certain exceptions though individuals with bona fide connexions to the US are exempt, which includes family ties, work, and education. The State Department has defined a close familial relationship as being a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling, including step-siblings and other step-family relations. Late on Thursday the department also reversed a decision that originally said fiances were not considered aa close familial relationship. A department cable said grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and any other 'extended' family members are not considered close family. Asked how barring grandparents or grandchildren makes the United States safer, a senior US official did not directly answer, instead pointing to Mr Trump's guidance to pause certain travel while we review our security posture. The US government expects "things to run smoothly" and "business as usual" at US ports of entry, the same official said. However, the administration's decision is likely to mean that few refugees beyond a 50,000-cap set by Mr Trump will be allowed into the country this year. As of Wednesday evening, 49,009 refugees had been allowed into the country this fiscal year. The State Department said refugees scheduled to arrive on or before 6 July could still enter. Ms Alis sister may qualify as having a bona fide connection to the US, but her many cousins who are in similar situations may not. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), one of the groups challenging the ban, called the new criteria extremely restrictive and arbitrary in their exclusions and designed to disparage and condemn Muslims. Both Ms Ali and Ms Aljahmi say that the rhetoric around the ban has pulled back the curtains on racism in America that hasnt been as blatant to them in years past. Mr Trump, they say, has given people cover to express their fear of Muslims both at home and in public. Stories like one where a Muslim family has had their neighbours allegedly throwing urine at their home, or one where a woman in a hijab got pushed on the street with their baby in tow, are becoming more common. Thats even in Bay Ridge, a neighbourhood known for a sense of diversity even by the standards of New York City. I am afraid, Ms Ali said. Im trying to disassociate from my Muslim faith in public, which is sad. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Five men have been found guilty of involvement in the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, including Chechen gunman Zaur Dadayev. Mr Nemtsov, 55, a top opponent of President Vladimir Putin and a former deputy prime minister, was shot late at night in 2015 as he was walking across a bridge just outside the Kremlin. Russian news agencies said a jury at a Moscow court on Thursday found the suspected shooter, a former officer in the security forces of Chechnya's leader Ramzan Kadyrov, guilty of murdering Nemtsov. Recommended Russian opposition leader barred from running against Putin Four other men, also Chechen according to the BBC, were found guilty of involvement in the killing. The jury found they had acted as Dadayev's accomplices and that the group had been promised a bounty of 15 million roubles (195,000; $253,000). According to the court the suspected organiser of the killing, Ruslan Mukhudinov, is being sought by police. The assassination sent shockwaves through the Russian opposition. Mr Nemtsov's allies have criticised the investigators for stopping short of studying a possible role of top Chechen officers and Mr Kadyrov himself in the killing. Mr Nemtsov had been due to lead an anti-Government Spring March protesting Russia's annexation of Crimea. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty In February, thousands of Russians marched through the streets of Moscow to mark two years since the murder. Later that month, an improptu memorial to Mr Nemtsov was demolished by state workers. Municipal employees took away pictures and flowers that had been laid at the bridge where he was shot. Additional reporting by agencies Every experienced conservative activist knows the twin pillars of Ronald Reagans Rules for Conservatives. First, the co-called 11th Commandment to not speak ill of a fellow Republican. Secondly, that someone who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is your ally, not your enemy. Lets look at both as they apply to Nevada Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller. The problem with the 11th Commandment is that establishment Republicans have been twisting its meaning to protect moderate incumbent Republicans from conservative primary challengers. But if avoiding primaries was the actual intent of the 11th Commandment, conservative Reagan wouldnt have challenged moderate incumbent President Gerald Ford in 1976. So to the extent that Sen. Heller may draw a primary challenge next year, the 11th Commandment is no shield. Now about that 80 percent rule The fact is, from a conservative point of view not all votes are created equal. For example, a non-ideological vote to name a post office is simply not the same as, say, a vote to raise the debt limit. Some bills, by their very nature, carry considerably more weight than others. Such is the case with repealing-and-replacing the disaster known as ObamaCare. ObamaCare was shoved down the nations throat in 2009 as a perverted Christmas present from then-Sen. Harry Reid without a single Republican vote. Republicans in Congress have been calling for and voting for repeal ever since including Sen. Heller, who voted against the bill as a member of the House. Indeed, Heller is on record in the past saying I think it needs to be replaced, while asserting that the law never should have been passed to begin with. Nows his chance to actually do something about it. The 2016 Republican Party platform unambiguously calls for ObamaCare repeal. And Republican candidates up and down the ballot campaigned last year on repealing it. And voters gave the GOP an inarguable mandate to repeal it by awarding them control of both the White House and Congress. This aint no bill to name a post office. So when Sen. Heller appeared at that press conference next to Nevadas tax-hiking/ESA-killing/Medicaid-expanding Gov. Brian Sandoval to publicly declare his opposition to the Senates repeal and replace bill not on conservative grounds, but on the false, liberal argument that it cuts Medicaid handouts that was nothing short of spitting in the face of every GOP voter whos been fighting this fight for eight long years. That public statement need not and should not have been made. It gave aid-and-comfort to Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. And it gave the liberal fake news all the grist they needed for reports of Republican dissension in the ranks. We still wont know for a while yet whether or not Senate Republicans blow this opportunity to rip the disastrous ObamaCare program out by its roots, or how Sen. Heller will ultimately vote on an amended bill. But even if a Senate bill passes, and even if Sen. Heller votes for it, the damage is already done. No matter how many other non-consequential bills Sen. Heller votes for, that press conference permanently knocked a lot of conservatives off the fence about him. And it will likely result in a viable, credible primary opponent next year. Because naming a post office aint the same as repealing ObamaCare. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Chinese President Xi Jinping has said China would work to ensure a far-reaching future for Hong Kong's autonomy, but he faces a divided city with protesters angered by Beijings perceived interference as it marks 20 years of Chinese rule. Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on 1 July 1997, under a one country, two systems formula which guarantees wide-ranging freedoms and judicial independence unseen in mainland China. Beijing has promised Hong Kongs capitalist system will remain unchanged for at least 50 years until 2047, but it has not clarified what happens after that. Hong Kong has always tugged at my heartstrings, Xi said on arrival at Hong Kong airport for the handover anniversary in front of flag-waving crowds at the start of a three-day visit. We are willing, together with different sectors of Hong Kong society, to look back on Hong Kongs unusual course in the past 20 years, draw conclusions from the experience, look into the future and to ensure one country, two systems is stable and has a far-reaching future. Xis message was consistent with those of other senior Chinese leaders visiting Hong Kong in the past, that Beijing would safeguard the citys development, prosperity and people's livelihoods. In reality, however, fears of the creeping influence of Communist Party leaders in Beijing have been starkly exposed in recent years by the abduction by mainland agents of some Hong Kong booksellers who specialised in politically sensitive material and Beijings efforts in disqualifying two pro-independence lawmakers elected to the city legislature. Xi did not respond to journalists, including one who asked whether Liu Xiaobo, Chinas Nobel Peace Laureate and jailed dissident, would be released and allowed to travel overseas to be treated for cancer. Speaking later, Xi praised Hong Kongs outgoing leader, Leung Chun-ying, who cracked down hard on pro-democracy Occupy protests in 2014, for his substantial contributions to the country, especially safeguarding national security. These past five years have not been easy at all, Xi added. An annual 1 July protest pressing social causes, including a call for full democracy, is expected to take place after Xi leaves on Saturday. On Wednesday night, police arrested pro-democracy protesters, some of whom scrambled up a monument symbolising the citys handover from British to Chinese rule. Part of the major rift under Chinese rule in Hong Kong has been a push by activists, including the 2014 street protests, to get China to live up to a constitutional promise under Hong Kongs mini-constitution, the Basic Law, to allow universal suffrage as an ultimate aim. This promise has been shattered under the watchful eyes of the whole world, organisers of Saturday's planned rally wrote in a statement. Hong Kong has been lied to for 20 years. Lets retake Hong Kong for a real and fully fledged democracy. A massive security presence is expected with thousands of police deployed to maintain order as protests simmer. Xi, on his first visit to Hong Kong as Chinas president, will oversee the swearing in of the citys first female leader, Carrie Lam. He will also visit the local Peoples Liberation Army garrison and meet establishment figures. His wife, Peng Liyuan, is expected to visit a kindergarten and a care home for old people. The streets of Hong Kong have been festooned with Chinese banners and paraphernalia, including two huge harbourfront screens carrying celebratory messages. Upwards of 120,000 youngsters will join China patriotic activities at a time of growing disillusionment with Beijing among the citys younger generation. We just hope our people can live in peace and contentment, said Lee Wing-lung, 66, a retired engineer standing opposite the hotel where Xi is staying, taking snapshots with his phone. I hope Hong Kong can have a good and peaceful atmosphere. Over the past five years, under Xis tenure as Chinese leader and amid a ferocious crackdown on dissent on the mainland, the squeeze on Hong Kongs autonomy has intensified, say some diplomats, activists and citizens. 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 Xi Jinpings visit is a great chance for us to protest against him, said Law Sui-Yung, 63, a retired primary school teacher, who watched Xis arrival on a giant screen in the shopping district of Causeway Bay with a muted crowd of around 150 people. In recent years, especially after he took office, Hong Kong has seriously deteriorated into one of the mainland (Chinese) cities, she added. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A senior Indian politician has reportedly been caught urinating in public, despite a high profile campaign by the countrys Prime Minister to clean up the streets. Radha Mohan Singh, the minister for agriculture, was allegedly captured on camera urinating against a wall while his security detail looked the other way, local media reported. Undated images were shared on social media by the Rashtriya Janata Dal political party a rival of Mr Singhs Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Recommended Indian PM Narendra Modi escapes infamous Trump handshake with bear hug They were taken during a visit by Mr Singh to Motihari, a village in his constituency of East Champaran, according to the News18, a Hindi language news channel. The Independent, along with other local media outlets, was unable to verify the pictures. Mr Singh was criticised after their release, by those who claimed that public urination was not in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Swachh Bharat campaign to clean up Indias streets. The drive, launched in 2014, aims to eliminate defecation in public by constructing some 12 million toilets in rural areas. Mr Singhs team has been contacted by The Independent for comment but none had arrived at the time of publication. A second image, reportedly of Indian agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh (RJD/Twitter) However, Rajib Ranjan, a spokesman for the BJP, told the Hindustan Times: There is absolutely nothing wrong in what the minister did. He said: One cannot suppress natures call for long. What do you do if you are travelling long distances and there are no public urinals on the way? He also claimed the picture was six-months to one-year old. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Kim Jong-uns ears are being photoshopped to make him look a bit more handsome than he is in real life, forensic software has revealed. The North Korean leader seems to be very aware of his appearance and of the image he wants to showcase to the rest of the world. But if Photoshop has found a crucial place within the regimes propaganda machine, Kim Jong-un appears to be particularly perfectionist when it comes to his ears. Dave Schmerler, a research associate at the James Martin Centre for Nonproliferation Studies, first noticed the curious trend. He tweeted: Sometimes we see editing in pictures of Kim Jong Un - particularly around his ear - wonder if this has anything to do with it? Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, responded, saying the Koreans had made a habit to "fuss" about the appearance of their leader's ears. In a separate interview with the Motherboard website, Mr Lewis said: "Over the past few years, we noticed that Kim Jong-un's ears often appear to have been altered along with other aspects of his appearance. "We think these are just cosmetic alterationschanges to help Kim look a bit more handsome than he is in real life, much like a wedding photographer might make. He doesn't like his ears, or so it seems." Researchers are able to use forensic software such as "Tungstene" that uses a series of filters to highlight areas of a picture which have been digitally altered. In some instances, the software can even tell experts whether the picture has been opened and saved in Photoshop. Pictures of Kim Jong-un have shown digital alterations being made to the North Korean leader's ears but also to his face and other objects and people around him, experts said. But a close look to some of Kim Jon-un's pictures is sometimes enough to spot the visible silhouette of the original ear or a difference in the skin tone. Mr Lewis added: "For Kim and his ears, what struck us was not any single picture of him, but the totality of them. Images of his ears did not always show signs of alteration, but they did often enough that it caught our attention." 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 Kim Jon-un's doctored ears are a drop in the ocean when it comes to North Korea's habit of altering images. Pictures have previously been doctored to show piles of food in bakeries and supermarkets, and animals flourishing on farms. In 2013, the picture of a North Korean landing via hovercraft on a beach raised much discussions before sharp-eyed experts pointed out the number of hovercrafts appeared to have been duplicated after the picture was taken. Last year, a high resolution portray of Kim Jong-un was released and to commentators' surprise, it appeared not to have been altered. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An owner of bouncy castle business allegedly used firebombs to target his rivals, a court has been told. James Balcombe, 52, who ran Awesome Party Hire, apparently paid an employee to torch any competitors across Melbourne, Australia. Police claim five of his rivals were hit with a combined total of ten fires, most of which were started by Molotov cocktails. Police said Balcombe paid his drivers $2,000 for each target, according to The Age. The driver, Peter Smith, 36, recruited his friends Craig Anderson, 30, and Travis Ransom, 33 to help with the attacks. The fires hit factories and outlets in Hallam, Tullamarine, Keysborough, Werribee, and Warragul and caused damage that will cost $1m to repair. One attack in particular at A&A Jumping Castles destroyed a number of bouncy castles. After the fire, Anderson told police Balcombe was smiling at the result and said it was the "best job he had done so far". "James said he wasn't happy with cars being damaged. He needed jumping castles to get destroyed," Anderson said in a statement. 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 Police have also alleged Balcombe ordered his own property be torched in a bid to avoid suspicion. Anderson and Smith appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court and to plead guilty to ten and two charges of arson respectively. Balcombe and Ransom are set to face ten and four charges of arson respectively. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} When President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia nominated Ana Brnabic to the powerful post of Prime Minister this month, the West hailed it as a landmark decision that put her on course to become the countrys first female and first openly gay premier. But some deeply conservative politicians called her nomination part of a degenerate Western plot, and critics on the left and some lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Serbs dismissed her as Vucics puppet. They were appalled that Brnabic had agreed to join what they call Vucics autocratic government, handing him a weapon her sexual orientation to potentially use as a cover for human rights abuses, to stifle independent news media and to erode nascent democratic institutions in the last Balkan country with a pro-Russian government. But Wednesday in Belgrade, the capital, Brnabic, a relative novice on Serbias political scene, faced down opponents in a speech at the parliament, which is set to vote on a new government and approve her as Prime Minister a mere formality given her partys majority in the legislature following a lengthy debate. Striking a defiant tone, she addressed the insults head on. I expect to receive them also in the future, Brnabic, 41, said. I will respond with truths and facts that I will defend with dignity, she added, drawing modest applause from lawmakers. I have big goals as I look to the future, she said. Lets put the past together where it belongs to the past. Brnabic called on lawmakers to join her to modernise our society by restructuring the sluggish economy, supporting young entrepreneurs to stop the countrys brain drain and curbing public spending. The televised address, clocking in at one hour and 20 minutes, was perhaps the most the nation had heard her speak. Brnabic (pronounced BER-nah-beech), a businesswoman who was educated in the United States and Britain, worked in the private sector before joining Vucics government last summer as a public administration minister. Recommended Serbia names its first openly gay Prime Minister She had remained quiet after her nomination, absorbing scathing attacks on her sexuality and gender, and letting her patron, Vucic, do the talking. Im not a spokesperson for the LGBT community, Brnabic said in an interview with Vice Serbia after she joined the government. I dont want to be branded as a gay minister, just as my colleagues dont want to be primarily defined as being straight, she added. All I want is to do my job as best as I can. It was Vucic, in fact, who mentioned publicly for the first time that Brnabic is a lesbian. He has said he does not care about her private life and valued her hard work and professionalism. Ana Brnabic is a capable woman, a worthy woman, and I believe she will work with her whole heart to solve many problems in this country, he said on Serbian state TV. Addressing accusations that she was his puppet, he said: The woman has her own brain. She is doing her job and wants to cooperate with me and with everyone in the government. The Prime Minister is more powerful than the President, according to the constitution. The president gets to nominate the premier but cant interfere with the running of the government. But critics are convinced that Vucics wants to shift the balance of power to the presidency, and that he is using her to do it. He has acknowledged that she would continue the policies of his government to transform Serbia, which is seeking to join the European Union, into an attractive destination for direct foreign investments. But with the confirmation of Brnabics appointment, Vucic, a former ally of the Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic who has cast himself as pro-Western, will have almost unchallenged control of the countrys institutions. He won a landslide victory in the 2 April election and was sworn in as president on 31 May. His Serbian Progressive Party holds the majority in parliament. Western officials may have seen Brnabics nomination as a sign of progress in a deeply conservative, relatively poor Balkan country, but the nationalists, opposition liberals and even members of the presidents governing party assailed his choice. In a patriarchal society where almost half the population considers homosexuality an illness, some said Brnabics sexual orientation alone disqualified her from leading a government. Others cited her relative lack of experience in government and politics, claiming she was forced on Vucic by the West to boost Serbias chances of joining the European Union. Milan Nic, an expert on the Balkans at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, said Brnabic fit perfectly into what he called the era of Vucic. She is capable and smart, but she will be a weak prime minister, Nic said. Vucic is a strong leader who only needs someone to administer the government for him rather than lead it. Critics also point out that Vucic is Brnabics only constituency. She does not belong to any political party, and her government is stacked with anti-Western officials who had served in his Cabinet. Its not her government its Vucics government, there is no doubt about it, said Dragan Popovic, a political analyst who leads the Policy Institute, an independent think thank in Belgrade. Hes trying to play both sides, saying to the West: Look what I have to suffer for being progressive. You have to support me,' Popovic said. At the same time, hes signaling to the Russians not to worry. Any enthusiasm among supporters for Brnabics new role was dampened after she proposed a list of Cabinet ministers. The most stunning among them was the man set to become defence minister, Aleksandar Vulin, a staunchly pro-Russian official and former labour minister. Vulin has frequently attacked officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Croatia, fuelling ethnic tensions in the region. He called Nato, which bombed Serbia in 1999 to drive its army from the predominantly Albanian province of Kosovo, an evil alliance. Lawmakers are likely to approve the new Cabinet to meet the 30 June deadline, when the government has to be formed. In case it is not approved, Vucic has to dissolve the parliament and call snap elections. For all Brnabics achievement, there is anger and frustration among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Serbs, who face harassment and violence. She has made it clear she is not an activist. She declined last year to lend support to a draft proposal to push for the legalisation of same-sex unions in Serbia, saying it was not the right time to start a debate. LGBT+ rights around the globe Show all 9 1 /9 LGBT+ rights around the globe LGBT+ rights around the globe Russia Russias antipathy towards homosexuality has been well established following the efforts of human rights campaigners. However, while it is legal to be homosexual, LGBT couples are offered no protections from discrimination. They are also actively discriminated against by a 2013 law criminalising LGBT propaganda allowing the arrest of numerous Russian LGBT activists. AFP/Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Brunei Brunei recently introduced a law to make sodomy punishable by stoning to death. It was already illegal and punishable by up to 10 years in prison AFP/Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Mauritania Men who are found having sex with other men face stoning, while lesbians can be imprisoned, under Sharia law. However, the state has reportedly not executed anyone for this crime since 1987 Alamy LGBT+ rights around the globe Sudan Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal under Sudanese law. Men can be executed on their third offence, women on their fourth Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Saudi Arabia Homosexuality and gender realignment is illegal and punishable by death, imprisonment, whipping and chemical castration Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Yemen The official position within the country is that there are no gays. LGBT inviduals, if discovered by the government, are likely to face intense pressure. Punishments range from flogging to the death penalty Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Nigeria Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal and in some northern states punishable with death by stoning. This is not a policy enacted across the entire country, although there is a prevalent anti-LGBT agenda pushed by the government. In 2007 a Pew survey established that 97% of the population felt that homosexuality should not be accepted. It is punishable by 14 years in prison Reuters LGBT+ rights around the globe Somalia Homosexuality was established as a crime in 1888 and under new Somali Penal Code established in 1973 homosexual sex can be punishable by three years in prison. A person can be put to death for being a homosexual Reuters LGBT+ rights around the globe Iraq Although same-sex relationships have been decriminalised, much of the population still suffer from intense discrimination. Additionally, in some of the country over-run by the extremist organisation Isis, LGBT individuals can face death by stoning Getty The only thing I share with Ana Brnabic is that we are both lesbians, said Zoe Gudovic, 40, a social justice activist in Serbia. I give her credit for shattering the deeply rooted notion of how a woman in the highest position of government should look like, what she should wear and how she should behave in this homophobic society. But, Gudovic added, I find it impossible to accept that she is willing to be part of the nationalist, authoritarian regime that will ruin our economy, sell our country to foreigners and abolish whatever is left of a social state. The New York Times For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU is more determined than ever to make the Paris accord against climate change a success following the US decision to withdraw from the agreement, and insisted she would not overlook tensions with America on Donald Trumps first attendance at the G20. Ms Merkel stressed in a speech to the German parliament that the EU stands fully behind its commitment to the agreement. We cannot expect easy discussions on climate change at the G20 summit, she said. Our differences with the US are clear." She added that the Paris agreement is irreversible and it is not negotiable. Anglea Merkel makes dig at Trump during Mexico visit by condemning the building of walls The German Chancellor will host the summit of leaders of the Group of 20 economic powers in Hamburg on 7 and 8 July. Ahead of that summit, she is hosting a meeting of the European leaders who will take part in the summit later on Thursday at the chancellery in Berlin. We are convinced that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, an existential challenge, she told the German parliament. We cannot wait to act until the science has convinced every last doubter. She said she had agreed a plan with France's newly elected President Emmanuel Macron to deepen cooperation in the European Union and the Eurozone, adding that the EU needed to take on more responsibility for tackling security concerns it faced, including a threat from terrorism. The blocs remaining members would remain united in their negotiations with Britain over its planned departure from the EU, she added in Thursdays speech to lawmakers. In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP The German Chancellor also said she hoped for a clear signal from the summit in favour of free markets and against isolationism. She told the German parliament protectionism cannot be a solution to the worlds problems. The Trump administrations America first approach to trade has caused widespread concern elsewhere, as has its decision to withdraw from the Paris accord on climate change. Ms Merkel said discussions about climate issues in Hamburg won't be easy and there is no point glossing over disagreements. She added that those talks must serve the substance and aims of the Paris accord. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police officers brought in from Berlin to help secure the G20 summit in Hamburg have been sent home over reports that some officers had sex and urinated in the open while others brandished weapons while drunk at a wild party. A Hamburg police spokesman confirmed that three units of around 300 officers in total from Berlin had been discharged and would not join the operation to secure the event, where German police are bracing for violence by anti-capitalist protesters. Mass-selling newspaper Bild published pictures of what it said were members of a police unit in civilian clothing holding up drinks and beer bottles while others smoked shisha pipes at a Hamburg container village where the police were staying. Recommended Angela Merkel promises to take Donald Trump to task at G20 summit Bild did not say how it obtained the pictures. It and other German newspapers also reported that a policeman and a policewoman had sexual intercourse at the party while others urinated on a fence in the container village, which had been used to house asylum seekers. Bild further reported that another police officer danced on a table outside wearing nothing but a bathrobe with his weapon hanging from his shoulder. I can confirm that the leadership of the Hamburg police decided to discharge the colleagues from Berlin because of inappropriate behaviour, the police spokesman said. One officer told Bild it had been a normal night for Berlin. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The Berlin police also confirmed the decision to discharge the three units on Twitter. Some 20,000 police officers will secure the summit of the G20 leading economies in Germany's second-largest city on 7 and 8 July. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Germanys parliament is expected to vote to legalise same-sex marriage despite divisions on the issue inside Angela Merkels party. The opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD) called for the vote in an amendment entitled marriage for all, in a key victory ahead of Septembers federal elections. We will push through marriage equality in Germany. This week, said Martin Schulz, the SPD head and former European Parliament president. At a parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday, Ms Merkel accused his party of ambushing her by bringing forward a vote on an issue that divides her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU). It's sad and completely unnecessary that such a decision has turned into a political confrontation at the very moment when there was a realistic outlook for a process that could have crossed party lines, the Chancellor told Wirtschaftswoche magazine. Every member of parliament should be able to follow their conscience. Ms Merkels party, which holds 254 out of 630 seats in the Bundestag lower house of parliament, is currently governing in coalition with the SDP, whose members hold high-profile posts including the foreign and economy ministers. LGBT+ rights around the globe Show all 9 1 /9 LGBT+ rights around the globe LGBT+ rights around the globe Russia Russias antipathy towards homosexuality has been well established following the efforts of human rights campaigners. However, while it is legal to be homosexual, LGBT couples are offered no protections from discrimination. They are also actively discriminated against by a 2013 law criminalising LGBT propaganda allowing the arrest of numerous Russian LGBT activists. AFP/Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Brunei Brunei recently introduced a law to make sodomy punishable by stoning to death. It was already illegal and punishable by up to 10 years in prison AFP/Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Mauritania Men who are found having sex with other men face stoning, while lesbians can be imprisoned, under Sharia law. However, the state has reportedly not executed anyone for this crime since 1987 Alamy LGBT+ rights around the globe Sudan Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal under Sudanese law. Men can be executed on their third offence, women on their fourth Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Saudi Arabia Homosexuality and gender realignment is illegal and punishable by death, imprisonment, whipping and chemical castration Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Yemen The official position within the country is that there are no gays. LGBT inviduals, if discovered by the government, are likely to face intense pressure. Punishments range from flogging to the death penalty Getty LGBT+ rights around the globe Nigeria Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal and in some northern states punishable with death by stoning. This is not a policy enacted across the entire country, although there is a prevalent anti-LGBT agenda pushed by the government. In 2007 a Pew survey established that 97% of the population felt that homosexuality should not be accepted. It is punishable by 14 years in prison Reuters LGBT+ rights around the globe Somalia Homosexuality was established as a crime in 1888 and under new Somali Penal Code established in 1973 homosexual sex can be punishable by three years in prison. A person can be put to death for being a homosexual Reuters LGBT+ rights around the globe Iraq Although same-sex relationships have been decriminalised, much of the population still suffer from intense discrimination. Additionally, in some of the country over-run by the extremist organisation Isis, LGBT individuals can face death by stoning Getty The party took the Chancellors statement on a vote of conscience to free it from its obligation not to call a vote on same-sex marriage. German politicians are expected to vote in favour in the Bundestag today after Ms Merkel announced that CDU/CSU members would be free of the party whip. Equal marriage is a key issue for the centre-left party, and smaller opposition parties the Left (Die Linke) and the Greens, meaning supporters have a slim majority in the Bundestag. The Netherlands was the first European country to legalise same-sex marriage, back in 2001, followed by countries including Belgium, Spain, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Denmark, France and the UK. With almost of its neighbours supporting legal unions between gay partners, calls have been increasing in Germany for the government to drop resistance that appears increasingly anachronistic. But Ms Merkel's apparent U-turn generated anger among her own politicians, who have been arguing the CDU/CSUs 14-point poll lead over the SPD mean it should not to defer to the party. Arlene Foster on gay marriage: "I believe in union between a man and a woman" Are we going to change our view whenever it is politically convenient? asked lawyer and politician Wolfgang Bosbach in the Stuttgarter Zeitung. The proposal for same-sex marriage, first moved in 2015 in the upper house of parliament by the state of Rhineland Palatinate, could be signed into law by the President after 7 July. It comes amid concerns over a rise in documented right-wing extremism in Germany. Interior ministry figures show that 462 right-wing offenders are on the run under arrest warrants for offences including violence and politically motivated crimes. Die Linke, which requested the figures, said the refugee crisis had sparked an increasing risk of Islamist terrorism in Germany, but also a real, but less-recognised peak in far-right violence. Counter-terror police uncovered paramilitary training camps for far-right extremists armed with guns and weapons last week, while an anti-government Reichsburger murdered a German police officer last year and several far-right bombing plots have been foiled. Nationalist and neo-Nazi groups have been attempting to capitalise on fears over the refugee crisis and three Isis-linked terror attacks launched by asylum seekers in Germany. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Italy has threatened to close its ports to humanitarian refugee rescue ships to as it reaches saturation point in the ongoing crisis. More than 10,000 migrants have been brought to the countrys shores in recent days, and the crossings from Libya show no sign of slowing the peak summer season. Maurizio Massari, Italys ambassador to the EU, raised the issue at a meeting with the EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos. A spokesperson for the Italian government said the ambassador warned the the situation we are facing is serious and Europe cannot turn its back. Italy is right that the situation is untenable along the Central Mediterranean route, Mr Avramopoulos said in a statement, adding that the EU was ready to increase financial assistance to help Italy manage the flows. But after years at the frontline of refugee arrivals to Europe, Italy is considering drastic action to force the hands of nations refusing to take redistributed migrants. The idea of blocking humanitarian ships flying foreign flags from returning to Italian ports has been discussed, an Italian government source told Reuters. Italy has reached saturation point, he added, saying that almost all the 200,000 beds for asylum seekers in government reception centres were full. Refugees rescued and brought to shore in the Mediterranean The move could force ships to sail onwards to countries including Malta, France, Spain and Germany, where some charities operating them are based. Disembarkation is governed by international law and the EUs migration office said any changes to guidelines must give humanitarian groups time to prepare. Ships operated by the Italian coastguard and military would still be allowed to dock, but there were conflicting reports on a possible ban on vessels belonging to EU border force Frontex and nations participating in the EUs Operation Sophia anti-smuggling mission. At a meeting in Tallin next week, EU migration ministers will discuss Romes request to have other nations let some rescue boats disembark in their ports. Most ships currently dock in Sicily, which shut its ports for security reasons last month for the G7 summit. That closure stranded at least one ship carrying 1,450 asylum seekers stranded for days off the coast while waiting to get into Naples. Aid workers warned that ships are not equipped to feed and care for migrants during extended sea journeys, while many of those on board need urgent medical care. Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Italy on MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie DeardenI Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing health checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing security checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily A man being taken to hospital from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden All ships in the search and rescue zone in international waters of the Libyan coast are deployed by coordinators in Rome, who will be forced to use unprepared commercial ships if specialist vessels are made unavailable by longer journeys to and from ports beyond Italy. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea dictates that any ship must assist a boat in distress regardless of the circumstances, and says the country responsible for operations in that area must arrange for such disembarkation to be effected as soon as reasonably practicable. Charities operating rescue ships have come under increasing fire by politicians for allegedly colluding with smugglers in Libya, although academic research has found no evidence to support the accusations. On Wednesday alone, ships from Migrant Offshore Aid Station (Moas) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Frontex, arrived in Italian ports with more than 10,000 migrants rescued in recent days. Among them was a baby boy who had been born at sea but died from respiratory problems after being rescued with his mother by the Italian navy. Angelo Gugliotta, the doctor for the Sicilian port of Pozzallo, said several migrants were carried off the ship on stretchers, including one man who was extremely malnourished and another with gunshot wounds. In recent years, smugglers often launched a massive number of boats all at the same time, but this year we are witnessing levels never registered before in short periods of time, said Frontexs executive director, Fabrice Leggeri. People are fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ships, as seen here in Catania, Sicily (Lizzie Dearden) The Italian coast guard said another 2,400 asylum seekers were due to arrive on Thursday aboard both Frontex and aid ships at ports in Sicily and the Italian mainland. Rob MacGillivray, Save the Childrens director of search and rescue, said the charitys vessel had seen a massive increase in rescues since last year. Theres no indication that theres going to be a decrease, which makes it all the more important that theres a joined-up European response to guarantee people safe passage and their status when they arrive, he told The Independent. The NGOs can only deploy what theyve got and they have limited capacity. Mr MacGillivray called the Mediterranean Sea one of the largest unmapped graves in European history, calling on politicians to change a narrative seeing migrants increasingly demonised as rescuers are accused of worsening the crisis. Italys neighbours have already closed their borders to try to keep migrants from moving through Europe over land, and countries including Poland and Hungary are facing legal action over their refusal to host asylum seekers taken from overwhelmed Italy and Greece. EU leaders agreed last week that the two countries at the frontline of the refugee crisis should get more help to manage arrivals, with the European Commission announcing emergency funding, as well as assistance for African countries aiming to prevent people from leaving. Boats formerly used by migrants were left in the port of Pozzallo, Sicily, as a memorial to those who died crossing the Mediterranean (Lizzie Dearden) Italy has been leading a push for increased cooperation for the fragile Government of National Accord in Libya, which is now the main departure point for refugee boats heading to Europe. The continuing civil war and widespread lawlessness following the UK-backed removal of dictator Muammar Gaddafi has allowed smugglers to set up a lucrative industry linking to sub-Saharan African nations, the Middle East and Bangladesh. The UN has warned of migrants being detained and sold at slave auctions, with many forced into labour or held to ransom. There are widespread reports of torture and starvation at both official and unofficial detention centres throughout the country, with humanitarian groups warning that any move to turn migrant boats back would violate international law. But as the will to resettle refugees wanes throughout Europe, voters are putting pressure on Italys government to resolve the crisis. At the weekend, the ruling Democratic Party was punished in local elections, with voters opting instead for centre-right rivals led by the anti-immigrant Northern League and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, all of whom want Italy to take a tougher stance on immigration. More than 92,000 migrants have arrived over the Mediterranean so far this year, with 82,000 to Italy and others to Greece and Spain and at least 2,030 dying in the attempt, according to UN figures. The vast majority of asylum seekers currently making sea journeys to Europe are from African nations, including Guinea, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and Gambia, as well as Bangladesh, Syria and Iraq. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man has been arrested after trying to ram a car into a crowd outside a mosque in a suburb of Paris. No one was injured in the incident on Thursday evening in the Creteil neighbourhood, in the south-east of the French capital. The vehicle struck barriers put in place to protect worshippers and pedestrians. A police statement said the suspect repeatedly struck the blocks and barriers placed to protect the mosque. The reason for the driver's actions is unclear although source quoted in Le Parisien claimed the suspect, reportedly of Armenian origin, wanted to avenge the Bataclan and Champs-Elysees attacks. The newspaper said the suspect showed no signs of being drunk or high on drugs. The incident happened as French religious sites and other public places remain under high security after a string of Islamist attacks. Earlier in June, a van was driven into worshippers near to the Finsbury Park Mosque in north London. There is nothing new or untoward in American and Russian leaders talking. President Franklin Roosevelt met Joseph Stalin at Yalta and referred to him as Uncle Joe. President Dwight Eisenhower entertained Premier Nikita Khrushchev during his whirlwind tour of America in the summer of 1959. Khrushchev withdrew Eisenhowers invitation for a reciprocal visit the next summer after the Soviets downed a U-2 spy plane passing over Sverdlovsk, an industrial center 1,000 miles deep in the motherlands Ural Mountains. Eisenhowers story about an off-course weather reconnaissance plane evaporated when Khrushchev produced a live pilot and highly classified aerial cameras. Two years later, the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 pushed the two countries to the brink of nuclear Armageddon. Khrushchev met President John F. Kennedy once, in Vienna on June 4, 1961. The seemingly crude Soviet politician, one of few in Stalins inner circle to survive his purges, misjudged Kennedys resolve based on foreign policy blunders like the Bay of Pigs fiasco in April 1961 and the ineptness in U.S. policy in Laos. Sensing weakness, in late summer 1962, Khrushchev began deploying intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM) and a few IL-28 light bombers to Cuba. He hoped to reduce the unfavorable gap in nuclear strength between the two countries. Khrushchev failed to understand JFK and the fact that the Democrats desperately needed a foreign policy win before the November 1962 mid-term elections. The rise of the American political right in the early 1960s spooked Democrats. In part, this was driven by increased unease among white, southern Democrat voters caused by the growing civil rights movement. In 1960, Kennedy feared his Catholic faith might alienate southern Democrats. He carried Dixie largely because Alabamas determined segregationist Governor John Patterson ran Kennedys Deep South campaign. President Kennedy repaid Patterson by not pushing desegregation of Alabama public schools until the Alabama governors term ended in January 1963. As the 1962 mid-term elections neared, fears persisted that southern Democrats would defect to Republican Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater. October 1962 was the wrong time to push Kennedys political buttons. As the crisis developed, Khrushchev, urged by politburo and military hardliners, seemed determined to proceed even after Kennedy ordered a naval blockade. President Kennedys Joint Chiefs urged strong measures, to include massive air attacks on Cuban-based Soviet missile sites followed by a ground invasion to depose Fidel Castros communist regime. War seemed imminent. Kennedy raised the normal defensive condition to DEFCON-3, a higher state of readiness. Because the Strategic Air Command normally operated at DEFCON-3, SAC went to DEFCON-2. At that level, one short of war, the SAC command post encased in concrete three stories beneath Offutt Air Force Base outside Omaha, Nebraska, closed and sealed its massive steel doors. Nuclear bombs were loaded into more than 1,200 SAC bombers, with crews on board ready to start their engines. Some B-52s orbited at failsafe points, an hour or two from the USSR. Once initiated, the Single Integrated Operational Plan called for strikes against bases and cities across Eastern Europe and throughout the Soviet Union. Newly activated Minuteman missile sites with solid-fuel ICBMs protected in underground silos were on full alert. Those missiles would launch within minutes of getting the order. Twenty to thirty minutes later nuclear warheads would detonate on Soviet bomber bases and missile sites, eliminating 80 to 90 percent of the Soviet nuclear deterrent. Five minutes after receiving the go order, the first B-52s and B-47s, stationed globally, would be airborne. It took about 15 minutes to launch the bomber force. B-52s at failsafe points would reach their first targets within two hours, meeting little opposition from Soviet and Warsaw Pact defensive fighters because missiles created irradiated air corridors and almost unopposed access to Leningrad, Moscow, Volgograd, Sverdlovsk in the west and Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk in the east. But alas, it didnt happen because Americans and Russians talked. ABC News reporter John Scali was socially acquainted with Washington-assigned Russian journalist Alexander Fomin, the senior KGB officer at the Soviet embassy. As such, Fomin had access to Khrushchev. Scali arranged a meeting between newly arrived Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. The art of this deal involved withdrawing America intermediate-range Jupiter missiles from Turkey, provided the Russians stopped their strategic weapons deployments to Cuba and dismantled existing missile sites. Communication put Armageddon on hold. Withdrawal of U.S. missiles from Turkey allowed Khrushchev to save face and keep his job. Two years later, Politburo hardliners deposed Khrushchev then initiated a massive nuclear buildup. Democrats should recognize the strategic criticality of communicating with the Russians. Roosevelt invented it, Eisenhower tried it, Kennedy used it, and Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev talked their way out of the Cold War. Its time for President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin to talk, as Armageddon is only on hold. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} After year's of decline, Sicily's mafia clans are heading to Germany in search of business. In addition to being squeezed over the past two decades by an Italian government crackdown on organised crime, with many of its bosses put behind bars, the mafia has also had to contend with a decline in Sicily's economy. But a large-scale anti-drug operation in the south-west of Germany has revealed the extent to which Sicily's crime gangs have moved their businesses to Europe's wealthier regions, The Guardian reports. Nineteen suspected drug traffickers were arrested in a sting in the town of Villingen-Schwenningen on 21 June, and 4m worth of goods and money seized. It is believed the gang were operating in Rottweil and Stuttgart, in Baden-Wurttemberg, the German state with the lowest poverty rate. Italian authorities said the gang had smuggled tons of marijuana and cocaine from Albania to Germany and laundered the profits in slot machines, which they had forced the owners of local bars and shops to install. They also suspect drug trafficking profits were used to buy weapons in the Balkans. Italy police arrest 160 alleged mafia members in dawn raids Once all-powerful on Sicily, the world's most famous crime gang, known as Cosa Nostra, "Our Thing," is also believed to have started expanding into Germany. Although Cosa Nostra has faced numerous setbacks, no one believes it is dying. After years of decline, with the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta overtaking it as Italy's most powerful mobsters, prosecutors believe it is trying to rebuild, starting with its drug trade. Italian prosecutors say the 'Ndrangheta has a stranglehold on cocaine trade, but Cosa Nostra is a major player in the Italian hashish market, often importing the drug from northern Africa and selling it throughout Europe. In March, police found 400kg (880lb) of hashish, worth an estimated 3m, floating just off the Sicilian coast after a drop-off went awry. In May, police seized around 300kg of hashish in a single raid in Palermo. "For a while, the Mafia depended on public work scams and extortion rackets for much of their money, but with the economy in such a dire straits here, they are returning to their old drug habits," a senior anti-Mafia magistrate told Reuters, declining to be named because he was not authorised to speak publicly. 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy Show all 7 1 /7 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy Police discover 'Mafia underground lair' Italian police climb down the ladder to the lair EPA 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy Weapons siezed by police The walls were lined with about dozens of automatic weapons, including pump-action shotguns, pistols and an AK-47 assault rifle AP 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy The exterior of the hideout Camouflage conceals the entrance AP 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy Giuseppe Ferraro Giuseppe Ferraro, a fugitive since 1998, was found guilty of murder and Mafia association decades ago AP 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy Giuseppe Crea Crea, 37, faces 22-years in prison for Mafia association, and eluded capture for some 10-years 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy Inside the bunker Half-drunk bottles of red wine sit on the table inside the bunker EPA 'Mafia underground lair' raided in Italy The arrest Police escort the two arrested members from the hideout in Calabria Sicily's economic output fell more than 13 per cent between 2008 and 2015 and is only slowly recovering, while the jobless rate is 22 per cent, twice the national average. The deep recession has made it much more difficult for hard-up businesses to pay protection money, or "pizzo" in Italian, to the Mafia and more than 1,000 firms have revolted against paying that in Palermo alone in little more than a decade. The state's fight against the Mafia only got serious in 1992 after the group murdered two of Italy's top magistrates, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, triggering national outrage and finally forcing complacent politicians to act. Successive governments introduced waves of anti-Mafia laws, allowing the state to seize mob assets, keep imprisoned mafiosi incommunicado and far from Sicily, and develop protection programmes for informers. As a result, hundreds of mafiosi have been arrested over the past 25 years, including Salvatore "Toto" Riina, the Boss of Bosses, who ordered the murders of Falcone and Borsellino. He is 86 and believed to be terminally ill and likely to die in jail. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A train travelling from Warsaw to Berlin has been evacuated after Polish authorities received a bomb threat, according to reports. Polands state news agency said the train stopped at Mogilno station in western Poland on Wednesday evening. Passengers were ordered off the train and residents in nearby buildings were also told to leave the area to allow bomb disposal experts to carry out an inspection. Polish media said around 600 were caught up in the bomb scare after police received an email suggesting a device had been placed in one of the carriages. Sniffer dogs and firefighters are also at the scene, an hour east of the city of Poznan, by train. Marta Ziemska, a spokeswoman for Polish train operator PKP, said: We have received information about potentially explosive materials on the train. We acted accordingly to the procedures, stopped the train and evacuated the passengers. They are safe in one of the schools, and are under the watch of the authorities. We are preparing food for them." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Canadian sniper who killed an Isis fighter 3,460 metres (2.1 miles) away smashing the world record may have saved the lives of Iraqi soldiers who were about to come under attack, a senior officer has said. Brigadier General Peter Dawe told The Canadian Press news agency that a group of Isis militants had been gathering for a major surprise attack on the Iraqi force. But, when the shot was made, the Isis group took cover and did not launch the attack, he added. The previous record for the longest confirmed shot fractionally under 1,000 metres was held by Craig Harrison, a member of the British armed forces. Some have reacted with disbelief at the idea it is possible to make such a long shot, but it was reportedly captured on video and the distance was based on hard data not an approximation, a military source said. General Dawe defended the decision to take the shot even though Canadas mission in Iraq is meant to be a non-combat one. This attack was massing unbeknownst to our partner forces because it was happening very quickly in a very dynamic sort of environment, he said. And so our team was able to engage, and not only successfully that particular enemy fighter, but pre-empt a mass attack. So that's a significant achievement. He said the sniper was abiding by the rules laid down for the military by the Canadian Government. Canadian troops are not leading offensive operations, General Dawe said. But when you're advising and assisting, its exactly what those two terms would suggest. To assist effectively means to also look after the partner forces with whom youre working. He declined to give further details about the shot to avoid supplying information that might endanger Canadian troops. In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij Women and children celebrating after being freed from Isis in Manbij, Syria, on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij A man cuts the beard of a civilian who was freed from Isis by the SDF in Manbij on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij Women carry newborn babies while running after being freed from Isis in Manbij, Syria, on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij A woman freed from Isis hugs an SDF fighter in Manbij on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij A woman adding her veil to a pile of niqabs burning in Manbij, Syria, after being freed from Isis on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij Children celebrating on top of a lorry after being freed from Isis in Manbij, Syria, on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij A man and child freed from Isis by the SDF in Manbij on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij A woman carrying her children walks towards SDF fighters after being freed from Isis in Manbij, Syria, on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij A woman and child freed from Isis in Manbij, Syria, on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij An SDF fighter kisses a crying man who was freed from Isis in Manbij, Syria, on 12 August Reuters In pictures: Civilians freed from Isis in Manbij Hundreds of civilians freed from Isis in Manbij, Syria, on 12 August Reuters But he added: We've been very transparent to Canadians in terms of what our troops are doing. As transparent as we can be without compromising the welfare and the safety of our men and women deployed overseas. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Iraqi troops have seized the ruins of Mosuls grand mosque from Isis, the military said in an announcement, declaring the extremists reign in the country to be over. Their fictitious state has fallen, military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told state TV on Thursday three years to the day since Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of the so-called caliphate from the same spot. Isis blew up the 12th century al-Nuri mosque last week after it became apparent US-backed Iraqi forces had begun a push in its direction. Its black flag had flown from the al-Hadba (Hunchback) minaret since June 2014, when the extremists managed to capture one third of Iraq after sweeping across the border from Syria. Mosul residents on Isis blowing up Grand al-Nuri Mosque Lt Gen Abdul Wahab al-Saadi told the Associated Press elite special troops entered the compound and took control of the surrounding streets on Thursday afternoon after a dawn offensive. The site will need to be cleared by explosives experts as Isis often rigs areas it has retreated from with booby traps. While there are approximately 300 militants still fighting to the death in the Old City district, the Iraqi authorities expect the eight-month-long battle to end within the next few days. Isis now holds an area of the west side of the Tigris River less than 1km square. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has already issued instructions to bring the battle to its conclusion, his office said on Wednesday. In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty The victory has come at a cost: the fierce fighting and US-led bombing campaign have killed thousands of civilians and driven 850,000 in total from their homes. Huge swathes of the city have been reduced to rubble, and in the searing summer heat the stench of dead bodies is overpowering, soldiers on the front line say. Operation Inherent Resolve to retake the city began in October 2016. While the struggle for Mosul once a cosmopolitan city of 1.5 million people and the jewel in Isis's crown has almost reached its end, the militants still cling on to pockets of northern Iraq near the border with Syria. The complex coalition operation made up of the Iraqi army, elite counter terrorism units, Iranian-funded militias and Kurdish peshmerga has dovetailed with US-backed Kurdish forces' efforts across the border to drive Isis from its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa. The fall of both cities will mark the end of Isis as a land-holding force, although analysts expect the group to morph into a full-blown insurgency across the two countries, and for Isis to step up terror attacks around the world in future. Its important to differentiate between Isis as a global ideology and its physical quasi-state project, Dr Andreas Krieg of King's College London's Department of Defence Studies told The Independent. Isis is not the root cause of Iraq's problems, it's a symptom of it. And all the local grievances that allowed Isis to flourish in the first place physical insecurity, disenfranchisement are not going to go away. There are many in northern Iraq who are not going to cheer and support the Baghdad government now they've been liberated from one form of oppression. They are already bracing for the next one. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Iranian military has used a Star of David, the symbol of the Jewish faith, as target practice for missile tests, the Israeli envoy to the UN has claimed. This use of the Star of David as target practice is hateful and unacceptable, Danny Danon told the international bodys Security Council on Wednesday, while handing out satellite imagery allegedly showing the Iranian site. The photographs showed the six pointed star which represents both Judaism and the Israeli state in what Mr Danon said was a ballistics missile testing ground. An impact crater could clearly be seen. Iran unveils clock counting down the days until Israel's 'destruction' The holy star was used as a target for a mid-range Qiam ballistic missile test in December 2016, Mr Danon said in a formal complaint to the UN from the Mission of Israel. The missile launch is not only a direct violation of UNSCR 2231, but is also a clear evidence of Irans continued intention to harm the State of Israel, Mr Danon told delegates, referencing the 2015 resolution which paved the way for lifting international sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear programme. It is the Iranians who prop up the [Syrian President Bashar] Assad regime as hundreds of thousands are killed, finance the terrorists of Hezbollah as they threaten the citizens of Israel, and support extremists and tyrants throughout the Middle East and around the world, he added. Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada 26973.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26974.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26975.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26976.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26977.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26985.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada 26986.bin Robert Capa/Magnum The incident is not the first time there has been an anti-Semitic flavour to Iranian test strikes: in March 2016, two ballistic missiles were test fired, reportedly carrying the message Israel must be wiped out written on the sides of the weapons in Hebrew. The Islamic Republic has sworn the destruction of the Jewish state. Iran conducted its first missile strike outside its own territory in 30 years earlier this month, hitting Isis positions in northern Syria as revenge for the 7 June suicide attacks in Tehran which killed 17 people. The incidents at parliament and the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini were the first attacks on Iranian soil claimed by the Sunni group, which believes the Shia Islam mostly practised in Iran is heretical. Irans Revolutionary Guard warned at the time that any further attacks on Iran would result in more strikes. Tehran is known to have carried out two ballistic missile tests so far this year. It claims the non-nuclear weapons not violate the landmark nuclear deal reached with world powers in 2015. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Qatar has said it is ready to discuss legitimate issues with the Arab states which have demanded the tiny kingdom meet a list of demands before diplomatic ties are restored. The energy-rich Gulf state has been plunged into crisis since Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed all ties earlier this month over the countrys alleged ties to terrorism, sending the stock market plummeting and panicked citizens to supermarkets where they emptied shelves of food. Qatar has denied the allegations against it. Families have been split up and myriad businesses affected by demands for Qatari nationals to leave the countries involved, and vice versa. UAE: Diplomacy will be given 'one or two more chances' before they 'part ways' with Qatar In Saudi Arabia, thousands of farmers and domestic workers originally from Asian countries have been effectively stranded in the almost one-month-old spat after their employers were kicked out, Ali Bin Smaikh al-Marri, chair of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), said in a Wednesday media conference. Usually the workers travel with Qataris - many Qataris employ farmers and travel with their domestic workers and drivers, he said. The workers were not allowed to travel into Qatar and now they are living illegally in Saudi Arabia and do not have basic needs. They have no shelter and cannot access money, he added, going on to call the Gulfi stand-off collective punishment. Dohas rulers have so far surprised Riyadh and its allies by refusing to give into the blocs lengthy demands, which include shunning Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood and shuttering Qatari owned news outlet Al Jazeera, in order for air, land and sea links to be restored. The deadline for Qatar to respond to the Riyadh-led demands is Sunday. On Thursday, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that Doha was interested in negotiating legitimate issues, but some the demands were not reasonable as they are untrue. We cannot 'sever links with so-called Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah' because no such links exist, he said in a statement. And we cannot 'expel any members of Irans Revolutionary Guard' because there are none in Qatar. UAE Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum urged Qatar to fall in line with the rest of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in a poem published to his Instagram account late on Wednesday. Staying within the GCC umbrella is the only way to safeguard Qatar from the fangs of wolves, Sheikh Mohammad wrote. He also reaffirmed that the doors of dialogue are still open, saying whatever the differences, our neighbour shall always be safe. However, other players in the crisis are not so brotherly-minded. The UAEs ambassador Omar Ghobash to Russia has said on Wednesday that Qatar could face fresh sanctions if it does not comply with the demands. President Trump says Qatar is a major funder of terrorism One possibility would be to impose conditions on our own trading partners and say you want to work with us then you have got to make a commercial choice, he said in an interview with the Guardian. In Qatar itself, sources close to the government-appointed NHRC told the AP it is hiring top Swiss law firm Lalive to help seek compensation for citizens affected by the sanctions. Qataris are the wealthiest citizens in the world per capita, enjoying wealth produced by the world's largest exports of liquefied natural gas. Many own assets worth millions of dollars in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including hotels, residential property and farmland. Others have cancelled travel plans and been forced to scrap business deals. It was not immediately clear under what jurisdictional basis the legal claims would be made, and whether governments involved would have to first agree to arbitration. News agencies contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Officials in Saudi Arabia have denied reports that the former next in line to the throne, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, has been put under the watch of guards loyal to his successor and barred from leaving the country. Prince bin Nayef, also formerly the countrys interior minister, was last week stripped of his positions and replaced by King Salmans favourite son, the young economic reformist - but foreign policy hawk - Mohammed bin Salman. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Prince bin Nayef had been effectively put under house arrest at his palace in Jeddah and his security detail replaced with men loyal to Prince bin Salman, a move designed to head off any opposition to last weeks royal decree. What happened when US officials were asked why they criticised Iran but not Saudi Arabia Citing four current and former US officials working in Riyadh and Saudi sources close to the House of al-Saud, the NYT said it was unclear how long the restrictions on Prince bin Nayefs freedom of movement were expected to last. Speaking on Thursday, when questioned by Reuters on the report a Saudi official said,It's not true, 100 percent, without giving any further details. During the reshuffle Saudi state media broadcast footage on loop of Prince bin Nayef pledging his allegiance to the new crown prince, eagerly emphasising the change over was going smoothly. 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty In celebration of the appointment, King Salman ordered the reinstatement of all benefits and allowances for government employees that have been curbed by recent austerity measures, and announced additional public holiday days off for Eid. Prince Mohammed bin Salmans star has risen along with his elderly fathers, who became king in 2015. The media savvy prince is widely seen as the face of modern Saudi Arabia, and his promotion was expected - if not quite this soon. His alleged impulsiveness and hawkish stance on the war in Yemen and Riyadhs regional rival Iran has alarmed some; considering his youthful age, upon the death of his 81-year-old father, Prince bin Salman is expected to sit on the throne and thus mould Saudi Arabia for decades. 58-year-old Prince bin Nayef who headed domestic security for many years is known for his tough stance on jihadi militancy and maintained good relations with the kingdoms western allies. He has recently been seen less and less in the public eye as rumours swirled over behind-the-scenes power struggles near the top of the royal house. Notably, Prince bin Salman accompanied a royal delegation on a March visit to Washington DC to meet President Donald Trumps administration, while Prince bin Nayef did not. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) asked the US to bomb the headquarters of Al Jazeera during the war in Afghanistan, leaked cables revealed. Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan referred to as MBZ laughingly recalled a conversation between his father, Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, and the emir of Qatar, Hamad al-Thani. Mr al-Thani complained Mr al-Nahyan had asked the then commander of the US Central Command General Tommy Franks to bomb the news channel, the 2003 cable released by WikiLeaks, showed. The Crown Prince then told former State Department official, Robert Haass, that his father had replied Do you blame him? After his father's death in 2004, he also attempted to pressure the Americans to put pressure on the Qataris to rein in Al Jazeera. He also recommended against allowing journalists to embed with soldiers fighting in the conflicts in Afghanistan because the prospect of televising scenes of civilian casualties was just too risky. The conversations took place while the US were making plans for the war in Iraq. The majority of the cable is about MBZs declaration of support for the war in Iraq with or without a second resolution. Encouraging Mr Haass, he said Iraqis would come out and dance in the streets if Saddam Hussein was toppled. However, he also recommended immediate humanitarian assistance for the country. The revelation demonstrates the deterioration of relations between Qatar and its Arab neighbours which led to several Arab states breaking off diplomatic relations with the tiny emirate on a peninsula off Saudi Arabia earlier this year. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Last week, Saudi Arabia issued a list of demands to end the diplomatic freeze and partial blockade of its airspace, including the order that Qatar should shut down Al Jazeera. The news channel, which is financed by the Qatari royal family, is unusually independent and has been a fierce critic of the policies of Qatars neighbours. Many saw it as a supporter of the Arab Spring, which saw several governments topple in the region and led to the brutal civil war in Syria. Riyadh also demanded Qatar pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses caused by [its] policies in recent years and align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically. This prompted some commentators to say Saudi Arabia was trying to make its neighbour a vassal state. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Germans dont have this problem with their stomachs, the boss of Thomas Cook has told a UK travel conference, warning that fake sickness claims are increasing the cost of holidays and making Britain a laughing stock. Peter Fankhauser, the firms Swiss chief executive, lambasted the surge in gastric illness claims by British holidaymakers. At the Abta Travel Matters conference in London, he said that there had been no such rise among German tourists staying at the same hotel. Mr Fankhauser called it an embarrassing issue for the industry and the United Kingdom. As The Independent has reported, claims management firms are cold-calling people in the UK and urging them to launch retrospective claims, and employing representatives in resorts to recruit claimants. At Thomas Cook, we are doing everything we can to improve processes in our hotels, discourage fraudulent activities by claims management companies, and raise awareness among our customers about what they risk if they put in false claims. Making a fraudulent claim is a criminal offence and there needs to be consequences, said Mr Fankhauser. Claims management firms have moved into the business because there is no cap on legal costs for injuries sustained abroad. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel association, Abta, called the practice a new cottage industry. He said: This unprecedented and very steep rise in illness claims is driven by very aggressive marketing by claims management companies. A lot of these claims are bogus. Mr Tanzer demanded that the government bring overseas sickness claims into the fixed-costs regime. He told The Independent: Its a relative small change in the protocol. Its not a major legal change. We will keep the pressure up. The practice of retrospectively claiming to have experienced food poisoning on holiday at all-inclusive properties has been described as the new whiplash. The new transport minister, Lord Callanan, said the Government plans to cap fees, reducing the incentives for claims firms to fuel fictitious claims. He added: Genuine claimants must be protected. The Foreign Office has issued a new travel advice bulletin for Greece, warning of the risks of making a false claim. It says: You should only consider pursuing a complaint or claim if you have genuinely suffered from injury or illness; if you make a false or fraudulent claim, you may face legal proceedings in the UK or Greece. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Earlier this week, a tweet from Michael McCarthy, spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, stirred up a frenzy online. The excitement wasnt due to anything said; rather, it was all about what was pictured: a giant lobster pulled from a passengers luggage. The tweet explained that the crustacean, weighing over 20 pounds (9kg), was found at Bostons Logan International Airport. This comes the same week as an old internet video of crabs on the loose at an airport baggage claim resurfaced, but as odd as these occurrences seem, the truth is that live seafood is welcome on flights in the United States and Canada, providing the packaging is leak-proof and in compliance with individual airline rules on the transport of fresh seafood. Conde Nast Traveler notes that its even possible to purchase lobsters at airports, thanks to seafood market outlets like Clearwater Seafoods at Halifax International Airport, which can pack up to 12 lobsters into special carry-on containers, chilled with frozen peas (instead of gel, which contravenes the liquid ban when it melts). Airlines who fly to destinations where lobster is popular have already formed live lobster travel policies. For instance, JetBlue, with routes to Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket in Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine, state that you can bring live lobster in your checked or carry-on baggage, but if the container uses ice packs, it must be sealed and in a leak-proof container with the contents clearly marked. Youll want a professional to do that packaging anyway, as JetBlue won't be liable for damage, loss, or spoilage. Burdening yourself with a box of lobsters on a flight can be quite lucrative, however; the critters command high prices and enjoying lobster in many regions of the United States is quite a treat. Recommended Inside the town taken over by a giant iceberg Paid rent for a weekend in Salt Lake City with lobsters I flew with me from Boston. They even sell them packed to go in Terminal C, says JR, a traveller who has flown more than two million miles, though not all of them with lobster. He told The Independent how the peculiar carry-on can attract attention: It was six [lobsters], in two small hand carry boxes. And an asshat in Denver where I connected wanted to buy them. Wouldn't take no for a polite answer. And lobsters arent the only sea creatures taking to the skies. Matthew Little, a traveller who successfully flew with fish, shared his experience with The Independent: About nine years ago, I flew home from a trip to Seattle with a big box of fish. I was so worried they'd go bad enroute. As it turned out, the biggest ordeal of that trek wasn't so much about the fish potentially going bad as much as it was racing through the Minneapolis airport, with a big box (that didn't have any handle on it or any means of making carrying it very easy), trying to catch our connecting flight. If nothing else, these revelations about travelling with live seafood now provide an alternate excuse for the smells inside an airplane cabin. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Low-cost Japanese airline Vanilla Air has apologised after making a man in a wheelchair drag himself up 17 steps to board a flight. Hideto Kijima, 44, was catching a flight from Amami, an island to the south of Japan, when he learnt the airline provided no accessible way of boarding the flight. Staff informed Kijima, who is paralysed from the waist down after injuring his spine playing rugby, that company rules prevented his friends from carrying him and initially tried to stop him pulling himself up. Undeterred, Kijima got out of his wheelchair and dragged himself up the stairs to the plane while friends pushed him from behind. I just had to ignore them and keep moving up, or I would not have been able to return to Osaka, he said. Hideto Kijima travels the world to see how accessible different places are (Hideto Kijima) Kijima heads up Japan Accessible Tourism Centre, a not-for-profit watchdog that looks out for the rights of disabled passengers. Writing about his experience in a blog post, he said that while he'd had difficulty at airports, he'd never been told he could not board a plane. Ive never thought I would be refused to fly for not being able to walk, he said. Its a human rights violation. Having flown to 200 airports in 158 countries, Kijami said this was the first time an airline had prevented him from having help to board a flight. The airline, which is owned by All Nippon Airways, apologised for the incident after Kijima complained to the transport ministry. We're sorry that we caused him that hardship," a spokesperson told AFP. Vanilla Air has also promised to have arrangements in place for disabled passengers at all airports they use. The airline said it was installing lifts at Amami airport, which is the only one it uses on its 14 international and domestic routes that does not have a lift to help passengers board. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Few over the past few weeks can have been unaware of the plight of Charlie Gard. The peaceful face of this 10-month old has graced many a front page, as have the words and pictures of his devoted and determined parents. They have fought through the courts to be allowed to take their desperately ill child to the US for experimental treatment that they believe could have a chance of saving him. All the courts in the UK, up to and including the Supreme Court, have said no. Now, their journey and Charlies appears to have come to an end with this weeks ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. On Tuesday it upheld the decisions of the British courts and declined to intervene. One day in the not too distant future, Charlies life-support will be switched off and he will receive only palliative care for what remains of his short life. As an outsider, taking what I flatter myself to be a rational perspective, I have no quarrel with these rulings. Some of the best qualified paediatricians in the land identified a rare genetic condition that doomed Charlies existence from the start. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA There are countries where life support would have been withdrawn much sooner or never given at all. Other very sick children with a better chance of life, it might have been argued, had a greater claim to a finite and expensive resource. Charlies parents were entirely within their rights to challenge the doctors, but, quite simply, there was no hope. And yet, and yet... I dont think it is only Charlies winsome face or the very public anguish of his parents that leave misgivings. While accepting the final verdict, I have two questions to throw into the mix questions that may simply have no answers but should at least be asked. The first concerns parental rights; the second, the state of public trust in doctors. Charlie's parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard wanted to take their child abroad for treatment they saw as a last resort. It would not have been any expense to the public purse. They had raised the 1.3m themselves. But money was not the point at issue. The judges had to rule on the welfare of the child. The judgment of the UK Supreme Court was that taking Charlie to the US would cause him additional and unnecessary suffering. The ECHR, also by a majority, did not demur. Englands Children Act of 1989 updated in 2004 was hailed then, and is still regarded now, as a landmark piece of legislation. At its core is the principle that the childs welfare is always, and in all circumstances, paramount. Where litigation is concerned, a child is required to have his or her own representation an advocate who is separate from parents or guardian, and who argues in the interests of the child alone. Where a child has been harmed, or is judged to be at risk of harm, that principle is unimpeachable. Nor is there anything wrong with the principle that a child should have separate legal representation. But does it make sense for a court to overrule the wishes of the parents of such a very young child wishes of parents who so patently want their child to flourish? One downside of the Children Act, or at least with its application, has been that it has made some parents wary of having any dealings with officials at all, lest their own view of their childs welfare conflicts with that of the state. There have been instances where a request for help or a visit to A&E has turned into a contest for custody. Obviously, there are times when care orders are necessary, and there are plenty of examples where doing nothing has been more dangerous even fatal to the child than intervention. But in this case? Should the parents not be allowed, at their own expense, to take what they see as that last chance for their child even if, as seems to the rest of us inevitable, their hope turns out to be misplaced? And for the parents, the welfare of the child here is not just a matter of medical judgment, it is also a matter of trust. There was a time when most of us would have been content to take those in authority at their word, but that trust long gone in relation to bankers, politicians and, alas, journalists has also been seeping away to an extent from medics. This is partly because other (not always quack) sources of information are available, and partly perhaps because patients are more demanding, more aware of mistakes and readier to sue. This month the British Medical Journal reported that three-quarters of the babies stillborn or brain-damaged during labour could have been saved with better foetal heart monitoring. These truly horrendous figures concerned NHS hospitals in England in 2015. Add the notorious patient neglect at Mid Staffs, the incidence of hospital infections, and is it any wonder trust in the medical profession is not what it was? Nor are patients always wrong in their challenges. In 2014 the parents of 12-year old Aysha King spirited their son from a Southampton hospital and took him to Spain and then to Prague for cancer treatment. The precise rights and wrongs of this case remain blurred; there was clearly a breakdown of trust between the family and the doctors. But the Kings Jehovahs Witnesses had researched their options and insisted that Aysha would benefit from proton-beam therapy tried and tested elsewhere, but unavailable in Britain. Their argument was that proton beam treatment had less risk of side-effects for a child than standard radiotherapy. In the end, the NHS funded Ayshas treatment in Prague. He is back at school, his parents say his cancer has gone, and lo and behold the UKs first proton beam machine has just been delivered to Newport in South Wales, as a new study shows that this treatment is indeed less harmful to children with certain types of cancer. So far, Aysha Kings story is a happy one in a way that Charlie Gards, alas, will probably not be, and their two conditions are anyway quite different. But the two cases both raise the same serious questions about what happens when doctors and parents clash over a childs treatment, and whether just sometimes the parental instincts might have the edge over medical expertise. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In the wake of the Manchester bomb atrocity in May, Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told NHS staff in Manchester and the surrounding areas we are so proud of what you have done. In her speech made in the immediate aftermath of the terror attack at London Bridge in early June, Theresa May praised the work of the emergency services. But yesterday the Tories along with the 10 DUP MPs they bought with 1bn of public money earlier in the week voted against a proposal to end the pay freeze on the wages of nurses, firefighters and other public sector workers a pay rise. And they laughed and cheered when their victory was announced in Parliament, at their success in blocking a pay rise for workers they praised as heroes only weeks before. This must never be forgotten or forgiven. The Tories have proven once again, that they are lower than vermin. Sasha Simic London, N16 Scotland should be allowed to stay in the EU It is more than a little ironic that as Scotland through being part of the UK prepares to leave the European Union, Estonia, with a population around a quarter that of Scotland, will take over the EU presidency on 1 July. The presidency is responsible for driving forward the EUs work, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda, orderly legislative processes and cooperation among member states. Estonia, which next year will celebrate its centenary of becoming independent, takes over from Malta, an island with a population less than that of Edinburgh. During the independence referendum, the Better Together camp claimed that the only way to guarantee Scotlands place in the EU was to vote to remain in the UK. Indeed, Scotland was to lead the UK not leave the UK. Times have indeed changed since September 2014 and we are, despite these assurances, heading for the EU exits. Of course, we could have the best of both worlds: part of a single market with the rest of the UK as promised to Northern Ireland in its relations with the Republic of Ireland and still members of the EU. For that to happen of course requires the confidence, as Malta and Estonia have demonstrated, to take full control of our own affairs and be the masters of our own destiny, leading not leaving the EU. Alex Orr Edinburgh The recession wasnt Labours fault, it was the bankers In Joe Wattss article he quotes a Downing Street source stating that ministers, including the Prime Minister and Chancellor, would listen to the messages sent out by the electorate regarding austerity. The source is reported to have said they had to balance the books after Labours crash. Maybe my memory is failing but as far as I can recall the crash was caused by greedy and incompetent bankers, not by Labour, and Gordon Brown rescued the banking sector by bailing out several institutions using taxpayers money on the basis that without this bailout financial chaos would result. That silly note about there being no money left has been used by the Tories to beat the Labour Party and label them financially inept when in fact their friends in the City were the real villains. Patrick Cleary Devon Sainsburys shouldnt launch a Fairtrade equivalent I read with interest your recent article about Sainsburys plans to launch Fairly Traded tea. As the authority responsible for implementing the robust standards and independent accreditation processes of the Social Enterprise Mark and Social Enterprise Gold Mark, we were very sad to hear of the decision by Sainsburys to apply their own fairly-traded scheme to Red Label tea in place of the widely trusted Fairtrade mark. Much as Sainsburys is loved and trusted by its customers, this move risks opening the door to less reputable businesses creating their own in-house schemes. We are very concerned that this will lead to a proliferation of social and environmental claims that will confuse consumers and ultimately erode their trust in all such schemes, far beyond the sectors in which Fairtrade operates. The extent of these concerns is apparent in the response to the online petition on this topic which has quickly attracted over 5,000 signatures. Lucy Findlay, managing director at Social Enterprise Mark Address supplied Charlie Gards parents may not be right to want to prolong his life Mary Dejevskys article articulates clearly and compassionately the dilemma raised by the case of Charlie Gard, but I would add one idea. The parents of children terminally ill do, as she says, want only the best for their child. However I know from my own experience that the best may seem to be a longer life, and parents often need others to be the arbiters of the moment to let go. Thirty years ago my son died of leukaemia. At the end of his life his consultant came to visit at home. He examined Thomas and said he wouldn't give any treatment just now. I took this to mean he would treat later, but in retrospect he was telling me that he was letting Thomas go. If he had asked me directly I would have asked him to continue, but I would have been wrong. He took that responsibility on himself, and I continue to be grateful to him for his humanity. Jo Russell Farnham Why did it take this long to get justice for the Hillsborough victims? Lets hope it doesnt take 28 years to suggest manslaughter charges for the Grenfell catastrophe. Mike Bor London, W2 Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Over the years, Ive almost lost count of the priceless treasures of art and antiquity which Ive seen with my own eyes and which now lie in pieces. Fourteen years ago, racing across Mosul to see the building where US forces had just shot dead the sons of Saddam Hussein, I glimpsed the hunchback minaret of the 12th century al-Nuri mosque looming over the old city, built by Nur al-Din Mahmoud Zangi, an Arab hero who united the Arabs against the Crusaders. Gone, my lords and ladies, in just a few seconds, scarcely a week ago. We blamed Isis. Isis blamed a US air strike. Back in 2012, I ran past the 12th century minaret of the Umayyad mosque in Aleppo, pounding down the road towards the ancient Citadel as bullets buzzed up the streets. Within a year, the minaret was dust. We blamed the Syrian government for shelling it. The Syrians blamed al-Nusrah/al-Qaeda terrorists. All over Aleppo, they felt the ground tremble as the minaret fell. Many times in the 1980s I walked through the Roman ruins of Palmyra, visited the Temple of Bel, gazed at the triumphal arch and walked on the theatre stage. When I returned in 2016 after the Syrian army had driven Isis from the ancient city, the arch had been destroyed with explosives and the temple was reduced to shards of stone, most of them only two or three inches in length. The theatre was undamaged though I noticed the end of a noose looped around a Roman column. This was Isiss place of execution. Then Isis returned and recaptured Palmyra and this time they blew up the very centre of the theatre. Drone footage shows the devastation in Mosul's old city and the destroyed al-Nuri Mosque After the war broke out in Bosnia, I walked across the shining stones of Sinans 16th Ottoman bridge at Mostar. Within months, that which had stood for 427 years collapsed into the Neretva river under a salvo of Croatian artillery shells. It was exactly 3:27pm on November 9, 1993. I know the time because I still have the videotape of the destruction. I used to freeze-frame the tape and press the rewind button and rebuild the bridge, the spray falling back into the river, the old Turkish stones rising mystically upwards to recompose themselves in their magical span above the river. Its loss was mourned by the Bosnian Muslims whose ancient mosques were crumbling under Serb gunfire as the absence of the Mosul minaret is mourned by Iraqis. The Yugoslav novelist Ivo Andric, in The Bridge on the Drina surely one of the greatest European novels ever written describes how men learned from the angels of God how to build bridges, and therefore, after fountains, the greatest blessing is to build a bridge and the greatest sin to interfere with it... But we are used to the greatest sin. Culturecide the destruction of libraries, graveyards, cathedrals, mosques became a feature of the Bosnian war. In Kosovo in 1999, the Christian Serbs destroyed ancient mosques. Then the Kosovar Muslims destroyed most of the Serb churches in the province. I saw many of them, before and after their immolation. And the greatest sin has, of course, a hundred thousand precedents. Who now remembers the 5th century Buddhas of Bamiyan, blasted with explosives for 25 days by the Taliban in 2001 until they were rubble. Who even cares that the Saudis whose Wahhabi iconoclasm did so much to inspire the Taliban and Isis have destroyed many of the ancient sites associated with the Prophet and his family? And then what of the Second World War, the destruction of the ancient centre of Rotterdam, Coventry Cathedral, the Wren churches of the City of London, the wrecking of renaissance Italy, the levelling of Warsaw, courtesy of the Luftwaffe, the Wehrmacht and the SS. And the RAFs 1945 destruction of Dresden and the bombing of the Middle Ages basilicas of Germanys cities. And the mass theft of renaissance art and the sacking of museums across Europe, courtesy of the Nazi partys cultural elite. And then we have the Germans of the First World War to thank for the burning of the 15th century university and library of Louvain and the total demolition of the medieval Cloth Hall at Ypres. And yes, this can go on and on we can still see the ruins of the churches and abbeys which incurred the incendiary fury of Henry VIII and then digress still further and ask why the Romans of the Middle Ages used the Coliseum as a quarry just as the Ottoman authorities used the Crusader castle of Beirut as a quarry for their port extensions in the early 20th century. And then come the Goths, Ostrogoths and Visigoths, not to mention the early Muslim invaders who themselves even tried to destroy a stone Buddha; Ive seen its reassembled body in a Dushanbe museum. And when I think of pre-history and Sumeria, I can only remember walking through the ancient cities of southern Iraq, dug up and pulverised by tomb robbers after the 2003 Anglo-American invasion, and the statues whose broken limbs I crunched over in the darkness of the looted Baghdad Museum. In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Show all 30 1 /30 In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian family arrives at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian woman, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, reacts as she stands with her children in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past resident fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood , after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past residents fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-regime fighter speaks with a child, as residents flee violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops AFP/Getty Images In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Smoke rises as seen from a governement-held area of Aleppo, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers targeting rebels-held areas in the eastern neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. According to media reports, the army is now holding on 99 percent of Aleppois eastern neighborhoods EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's eastern al-Salihin neighbourhood after troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers rest following the battle at al-Sheik Saeed neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-government fighter walking past closed shops in the Bab al-Nasr district of Aleppo's Old City. Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo's Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria's war Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The crucial battle for Aleppo entered its 'final phase' after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The retreat leaves opposition fighters confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in southeast Aleppo, the largest of them Sukkari and Mashhad Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilans arrive at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilians flee the Sukkari neighbourhood towards safer rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee Aliya inside the tent where she lives with her husband and ten children in a camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee women and children outside the entrance to their tents in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee woman outside the entrance to the tent where her family live, in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A vehicle drives past a mosque at night in Idlib, Syria. Picture taken with a long exposure Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The night sky is seen through damaged windows in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, Syria Reuters We can sometimes reconstruct. The Ypres Cloth Hall was reconstituted exactly as it was. The Old City of Warsaw was rebuilt from old maps and photographs. The UN organised the rebuilding of the bridge at Mostar. The Saudis have paid for the reconstruction of Bosnias mosques. Basil Spence designed the new Coventry Cathedral. Warsaw is almost picture-perfect but the new Mostar bridge will take years to look like the weathered old masonry which a 16th century visitor described as like a rainbow arch soaring up to the skies. The Cloth Hall at Ypres looks magnificent. So is the post-war medieval city in Warsaw. The ghastly, concretised new mosques of Bosnia are a disgrace. And Im not sure if Basil Spences new Coventry cathedral works today, either in faith or in art. But now the problem. If a single human life is more precious than all the planets, why do we weep for the wreckage of Buddhas and Roman cities and churches and mosques and libraries? Of all the -cides, surely culturecide should be way down our list of priorities. Yet its clearly near the top the UN waffles on about our childrens heritage. But Ive never heard it better explained than in the words of a Croat woman, Slavenka Drakulic who wrote about this very question only a month after the destruction of the Stari Most bridge by her own Croat army. She recalled seeing a photograph of a middle-aged Bosnian woman with a long, dark knife cut along her throat and she asked herself why she felt more pain looking at the image of the destroyed bridge than that of the woman. And this is what she concluded: We expect people to die. We count on our own lives to end. The destruction of a monument to civilisation is something else. The bridge, in all its beauty and grace, was built to outlive us; it was an attempt to grasp eternity. Because it was the product of both individual creativity and collective experience, it transcended our individual destiny You would think that nothing new could happen, that, after the concentration camps and the mass rapes, the ethnic cleansing... there would be no room left for imagination... And for Muslims, destiny and eternity are subjects of the Koran, which was first revealed to the Prophet on the 27th day of Ramadan, the Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power. It is the holiest night in the Muslim calendar. And it was on this night this year that the 12th century leaning minaret of Mosul was blasted to the ground. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Todays U-turn on funding abortions for Northern Irish women demonstrates just how unstable the Theresa Mays Government really is. In a dramatic departure from previous policy, Justine Greening, the Minister for Equalities, has today written to MPs to tell them that the Government will fund abortions for Northern Irish women in England in order to avoid an embarrassing defeat on the issue in a vote scheduled for this evening. Several Tory ministers had backed Stella Creasys cross-party amendment to the Queens Speech calling on NHS England to fund abortions for Northern Irish women, which would have left the Conservatives new partners in a very uncomfortable position. For those of us campaigning for reproductive rights across Ireland, today was already a very busy day. This mornings disappointing decision by the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal ruled that abortion law is the responsibility of the devolved assembly at Stormont which is still unable to form a government. While this case focused on abortions on grounds of fatal foetal abnormality and sexual crime, neither of which count as legal grounds for an abortion in Northern Ireland, there are many reasons why people choose to end a pregnancy. Hammond: Government will fund abortions in England for Northern Ireland women For these women, the only legal option is to travel to Great Britain and pay up to 1,400 for an abortion here. As highlighted by the A & B case in the Supreme Court last week, those who travel from Northern Ireland, despite being UK taxpayers, arent eligible for NHS funding for these abortions under current law something which Stella Creasys amendment sought to change. While the details of the arrangement for this funding are yet to emerge, it appears that it will be financed by the Department for Equalities, rather than the Department of Health. The Family Planning Association this week published a letter to Jeremy Hunt, co-signed by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and a number of MPs and Northern Irish Members of the Legislative Assembly which laid out a fully costed care pathway to fund these abortions, but it wasnt until faced with the prospect of a likely defeat in the Commons that the government agreed to end this discrimination. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA It feels strange that we should cheer such a concession when there are still Northern Irish women currently awaiting trial for ending a pregnancy: those with visa restrictions, in controlling or coercive relationships, or with health problems are still unable to make this journey. Everyone should be able to access free, safe, legal and local abortion, and groups like Alliance for Choice and the London Irish Abortion Rights Campaign will continue to work to that end. But nevertheless, today is a victory. The new policy will make a tangible and significant difference to the lives of thousands of women, and that should be celebrated. But its a damning indictment of the current government that this decision was taken to save their own skins, when the alternative course would damage their relationship with the DUP, and not out of respect for the bodily autonomy of the citizens of Northern Ireland. Caitlin de Jode is a member of the London-Irish Abortion Rights Campaign Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} So it begins. A few days after discovering that although there's no magic money tree for nurses theres one growing in Whitehall with 1bn on it for the Democratic Unionist Party, Theresa May has got her Queens Speech through Parliament. Her small, narrow, and nasty vision for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be made manifest over the coming months, at least so far as a threadbare legislative programme will allow. The Prime Minister who said Brexit means Brexit because the British people have made a decision plainly has every intention of ignoring the decision they made about her and her policy programme on 8 June. Explicitly asked by May to deliver a mandate for her hard Brexit and thus to legitimise a path that all but the most extreme Leave campaigners fought shy of during the EU referendum, the Great British public refused to give her one. In fact, her divisive and morally bankrupt Government was rejected by a thumping majority of voters, denying her a majority in Parliament in the process. Some of her supporters have taken to bleating that she still won because the Conservatives took the most seats. But consider this. What the Prime Minister derided as a coalition of chaos Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Plaid Cymru secured nearly 53 per cent of the vote. Her own shabby little coalition with the DUP, constructed to get her spartan, Brexit-dominated, two-year agenda over its first fence, managed to win the support of little more than 43 per of the electorate. Even Ukips sorry little band of supporters would only get her to 45 per cent. Conservative-DUP deal: In 60 seconds British voters rejected her request, and her party, more decisively than they rejected the EU during the referendum on membership. She won the most seats only by dint of an increasingly antiquated and undemocratic electoral system. In response, May is proposing to pretend that it simply didnt happen. The member for Murdoch Central, Michael Gove, even had the gall to claim that her Tories would govern in the national interest. What their marriage of convenience with the DUP decisively proves, as if anyone really needed it to, is that they will govern now and always solely in the interests of the Conservative Party. Unfortunately for that party, another Britain is stirring. It is tolerant. It is open-minded. It rejects a Government whose stale core still harks back to the 1980s. It has no truck with the carping and bitter Britain that belches forth daily from the Tory tabloids. It has no desire to live in Daily Mail leader-land. It has no time for a party whose leaders would accuse a BBC interviewer of lacking patriotism just for asking questions, as the increasingly ridiculous Andrea Leadsom recently did. It looks on such Trumpian tactics with disdain. As for the shallow band of swivel-eyed ideologues, ambitious chancers and incompetent public school rakes that defines the Government, and guides its direction? It rejects such offal. Mays current tactic in response to the rise of this alternative Britain is to run into the nearest wheat field to shield herself from it, surrounded by a protective phalanx of policemen and women while she does. But she will not be able to ignore it forever because it is growing in strength and numbers. It has values, where she and her colleagues do not. It cares about the disadvantaged and the dispossessed and wants to do better by them. It doesnt mind paying a bit more in tax to ensure that happens. It is multiracial, and comfortable with it. It is young. Thats not to say there arent older people who are a part of it. But it is driven by youthful energy. This other Britain will not be content to stay in its box if the May Government persists with its threats to wreck the economy by sailing off into the North Sea. It will not stand by as the Prime Minister attempts to appease the bug-eyed band of ideologues that has been tweaking the tail of the Tory party for the past three decades. It will not sit back as high-rise buildings burn and people die due to the Government's failure to fund fire-resistant cladding. It will not allow Britain to turn in on itself. Saner heads in the Conservative Party might care to reflect on this, because if they do not, they will reap the whirlwind. That could happen sooner than anyone thinks. The last election was just the beginning. I still have my doubts about Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of this new Britain. I still believe he has something to prove before he is worthy of the crowds that belt out oh Jeremy Corbyn with such gusto. But if hes the man to tear up the depressing programme that the May Government has taken its first step towards enacting, and if he is prepared to embrace a big tent while so doing, then lets hope he gets into Downing Street sooner rather than later. Solidarity's Paul Murphy and five others were found not guilty A politician cleared of falsely imprisoning the former deputy prime minister during a water charge demonstration has claimed his trial was an attempt to criminalise popular protest. Solidarity's Paul Murphy and five others were found not guilty of restricting the personal liberty of ex-tanaiste and Labour Party leader Joan Burton and her then assistant Karen O'Connell on November 15 2014, at Fortunestown Road in Jobstown, Dublin. Mr Murphy, two other county councillors from the same left-wing party and three other men all pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were acquitted by a jury after an eight-week trial. The group said outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin they felt vindicated and were walking away as "protesters, not kidnappers". "This was a politically driven investigation vindictively designed to punish those who fought against water charges and wounded the political vanity of Joan Burton," they said. "It was an attempt to criminalise the largest movement of people power in decades, by presenting sit-down protests as false imprisonment." Ms Burton was leaving an adult graduation event in Jobstown, south west Dublin, when she was heckled by protesters opposed to water charges being introduced on the back of government-imposed austerity measures. Along with her adviser Ms O'Connell, the then Labour leader was placed in a Garda car which was subsequently surrounded by demonstrators for a number of hours. Ms Burton, whose party was the junior partner in a coalition government with Fine Gael at the time, claimed she was trapped in the car for up to three hours. Mr Murphy was arrested at dawn at his home three months after the incident. Dozens more were detained. In the non-jury Children's Court in Dublin last year, a schoolboy was found guilty of the false imprisonment of Ms Burton during the protest. He was discharged conditionally on good behaviour for nine months. After being acquitted, Mr Murphy, a former MEP and a serving TD, called the conviction into question and said no other prosecutions should be brought over the Jobstown protest. A rally is planned for Dublin city centre in support of others this Saturday. Mr Murphy said files on the case which were sent by the Garda to the Director of Public Prosecutions were "rubbish". "You saw Garda witness after Garda witness have their testimony shredded by our defence counsel," he said. "In the course of the next 24 hours we will have more to say about the implications of this trial for the political establishment and for the development of a left challenge as well as the role of the gardai in this process." The cleared men also accused large sections of the media of biased coverage and questioned whether some commentators will apologise. They also questioned if the Labour Party would apologise for what they claimed was an attempt to "criminalise a working class community and protest". Independent TD Joan Collins said the verdict was a victory for the ability to peacefully protest. "The role of the Gardai again comes under scrutiny in this State given their actions in the policing on the day, investigation and trial," she said. The Labour Party issued a statement saying it noted the verdict of the jury. "The investigation of any criminal matter, and the conduct of any associated prosecution, is decided by An Garda Siochana and the law officers of the State who operate with complete independence from the political system," it said. "As we have been all along, the Labour Party remains resolutely focused on our central tasks of holding the Government to account, and campaigning for decency, justice and equality in society." Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, broke off from talks at Stormont, to declare the verdict as a victory for the right to protest. "The charge of false imprisonment was clearly trumped up. There were charges with an obvious political purpose - to demonise water charges protesters," he said. "The right to protest is a democratic and hard-won right. It cannot be brushed aside or diluted to suit a political agenda. "This is good news for everybody who holds that right dear. I want to send my good wishes to the protesters and their families." Legislation allows for a pregnancy to be terminated where there is a real and substantial or immediate risk to a woman's life from a physical illness or from suicide Twenty-five pregnancies were terminated in Ireland last year under strict laws, official figures have revealed. One case involved a woman whose life was at risk from suicide, another eight procedures were carried out because of a risk of physical illness to the woman and 16 were as a result of emergencies arising out of physical illness. The Department of Health said the number of terminations was broadly in line with what had been anticipated when the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act was being drawn up. That legislation came into force in 2014 and allows for a pregnancy to be terminated where there is a real and substantial or immediate risk to a woman's life from a physical illness or from suicide. There were 26 terminations notified in 2015. The Department of Health also said two applications for terminations last year were reviewed and both were found to meet the criteria. The figures on terminations were released as the final report of the Citizens Assembly on abortion law reform was published. The assembly called for the removal of article 40.3.3, the eighth amendment to the Constitution, which grants equal right to life to the unborn. It said this should be replaced with a provision putting the onus on the Oireachtas to determine laws on the termination of pregnancy, rights of the unborn and the rights of pregnant women. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has pledged to hold a referendum on the issue next year. The assembly voted for the legalisation of abortion without restriction as to the reasons, with just under half of those who voted preferring that the procedure be allowed up to 22 weeks' gestation. Another five recommendations have been included in the report. They include improved sex and relationship education for children and young people, including on contraception and consent; better access for women to family planning services, contraception, perinatal hospice care and termination of pregnancy if required. It also said all women should have access to the same standard of obstetrical care, including early scanning and testing. The assembly called for improved counselling and support facilities for women during pregnancy and, if necessary, following a termination. And it urged further consideration on who will fund and carry out termination of pregnancy in Ireland. Chair of the Assembly Judge Mary Laffoy said the assembly wanted to see the eighth amendment of the Constitution replaced "for the avoidance of doubt". "In other words, it would be solely a matter for the Oireachtas to decide how to legislate on these issues," she said. Judge Laffoy's report noted that assembly members also indicated they wanted to see t he decriminalisation of abortion, including the use of the abortion pill; and recognition of and protection of female reproductive rights and autonomy. Amnesty International Ireland said the additional recommendations were important. Director Colm O'Gorman called on politicians to address the issue of decriminalising abortion. "Ireland's laws on access to and information about abortion are abusive and intolerable," he said. "The Government has been instructed to reform these laws by five UN human rights treaty bodies. "It has been found by the UN to have inflicted cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment on two women by making them travel abroad for abortions. This needs to stop. Today, we have a roadmap for reform. There can be no more excuses and no more delays." The Oireachtas Committee on the Eight Amendment to the Constitution, which was set up to examine the assembly's recommendations, is expected to begin hearings on the issue in late September. Committee chairman Senator Catherine Noone said: " While we have a limited amount of time to consider this issue, we can now use the work done by the Citizens' Assembly to consider this issue in a comprehensive, objective and mature manner." The committee has three months from its first public hearing to issue recommendations. Health Minister Simon Harris said: "This is an issue that, as a nation, we now need to deal with definitively. "This must be a respectful debate and I am determined that we will prove ourselves capable of addressing these issues in a respectful way. I want to be the minister who brings forward the legislation to enable this important referendum in 2018." Farm subsidies face being chopped as Brexit hammers the EU coffers, with the Government being asked to find extra funds to make up the shortfall. Budget commissioner Gunther Oettinger has warned that spending cuts are coming across the board to deal with the Brexit black hole. This will include reductions to the common agricultural policy (CAP), which eats up 40pc of the bloc's budget. He said the EU also needed to "shift expenditure" away from traditional policies to pay for migration and defence, and that governments needed to consider paying in "fresh money" if they wanted the EU to stay relevant. Among the options are less generous payments to farmers or a tax on financial transactions. Applying common energy or environmental taxes to imports were also considered in a paper on reforming the EU budget. "We believe that cuts - if we compare to the current approach - are going to be necessary over the next decade," Mr Oettinger said. "But it is clear that with cuts alone, it is not going to be possible to plug the Brexit gap." Expand Close EU Commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu addresses a press conference on the future of the EU Budget. Photo: AFP/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp EU Commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu addresses a press conference on the future of the EU Budget. Photo: AFP/Getty Images While Mr Oettinger said he was not in favour of "sweeping cuts" to the CAP, regional policy chief Corina Cretu said governments would have to consider topping up direct payments to farmers. "We put all the ideas on the table," Ms Cretu told reporters in Brussels. "National co-financing could be considered an option for direct payments, and it will be discussed." She said farmers don't mind whether CAP money comes from Brussels or national coffers: "I am sure farmers will be very glad to receive the money, and that will happen - they don't care if it's 95pc from European Union and 5pc from member states." But Irish Farmers' Association chief Joe Healy said an "increased CAP budget is required" to deliver on the EU's economic, social and environmental goals. "Cuts to the CAP budget have undermined the effectiveness of this common policy and its ability to provide a fair standard of living for producers," he told the Irish Independent. Agriculture chief Phil Hogan defended the CAP at the Commission's weekly meeting, and according to one insider, was told he "had a lot of friends in the room". The EU is just starting to plan its future seven-year budget, its first without the UK. Britain contributes 10bn-12bn more per year than it gets out, meaning its departure from the EU will leave a gaping hole. The current budget ends in 2020, with the UK slated to leave in 2019. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani was recently forced to deny reports that he was planning a major budget overhaul that would shift resources away from agriculture. But the leader of Mr Tajani's political group in parliament, Manfred Weber, told this newspaper last week that the bloc needed to "check the current headings, agriculture and so on" in the EU budget, and said there was a need for a specific budget line for defence. The EU shells out around 41bn, or 70pc of its total farm budget, in direct payments to farmers, with the other 30pc co-funded by governments for "rural development" and climate-friendly measures. While no concrete proposals have been made to cut direct payments, the EU said that "hard choices will need to be made" post-2020. One of the five scenarios is for a "radical redesign" of EU spending, including "reduced direct payments". A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture here said it was "simply a reflection paper" to start a debate on the EU's future budget. "Ireland continues to regard the maintenance of a strong, effective and well financed CAP that contributes to public good as a priority into the future," the spokesman said. Britain leaving the single market and customs union will threaten the viability of many Irish firms. This is especially true for those that export to the UK with products that offer a low profit margin. That is not to be alarmist, but to be factual. The negotiators of the Brexit divorce deal need to be clear on its impact and it is the Government's job to highlight the potential impact of this to the negotiators. Trade won't cease, but it will become much more complicated. The USA is outside the customs union and significant trade still occurs between Europe and America. Nonetheless, Britain's decision will have a big impact on Irish businesses both sides of the Border. Businesses will have to lodge customs declarations for exports and imports, again albeit not in the traditional paper-based format, but it will be both timely and cost approximately 100 per economic movement. It will inevitably mean some form of Border controls, albeit not necessarily at the frontiers. Electronic tagging and declaring your goods at designated warehouses could become the norm. The impact of this means additional costs in terms of customs compliance, clearance costs, upskilling or employment of additional staff and potential for additional indirect costs due to the risk of border delays. Finally, it may also mean additional customs duties, non-tariff barriers, licensing and other cross-border taxes. It means some companies trading today will struggle under this regime. That is what both sides in these negotiations need to understand. Can this be avoided? Yes, if the UK and Europe can agree frictionless customs arrangements to facilitate trade across our borders to keep the land border on the island of Ireland open and free-flowing. To do this successfully in the context of the EU's obligations to protect the integrity of the single market will be challenging and there is no easy answer. It will almost certainly involve the deployment of new technology. And therefore, to achieve it we'll almost certainly need an implementation period for Britain to operate outside the customs union itself, but with current customs border arrangements remaining in place, at least until new long-term arrangements are up and running. Unfortunately, this cannot be guaranteed until we see how the Brexit divorce negotiations progress between now and October. What we all need to understand is just why Europe is obliged to protect the integrity of the single market, not just from a tariff's perspective, but also through the standardisation of goods. Taking beef as an example, if the UK agrees a trade deal with Brazil, the European Union will be obliged to ensure that its own tough regulatory standards on food production are maintained. If beef, imported from Brazil, was allowed free and unfettered access to Ireland or any other EU country, then the concept of robust standard setting in food production by the EU would be undermined. There would be little point in both Irish and EU authorities forcing tough standards on Irish beef farmers, if cheaper and sub-standard goods were allowed free access to Ireland via Britain. The whole concept of the single market would be undermined. Neither Ireland nor the EU can afford to let that happen. Britain does need to understand why the EU needs to protect the single market. If the EU allow the single market to dilute, through British goods accessing Northern Ireland and going to other European locations, it undermines the powers of the EU as a regulatory body. We rely on the European Union to set our standards for legal obligations around environmental, consumer, labour law and safety standards. The concept of the single market is that trade is seamless because everyone follows the same standards. This creates fair competition so that compliance costs with rules are not more costly in one member state than another. It also ensures that the European Union can compel food and car manufacturers to follow strict standards that protect consumers. The EU's strength in this instance comes from the size of the single market. A market of over 400 or 500 million has very strong negotiating power when it comes to setting environmental standards for industry. The European Union will resist strongly any efforts to undermine this. When Britain says it wants to leave the customs union but still trade freely, they are seeking to undermine the concept of the single market, something which greatly benefits a small open economy like ours. An extensive customs clearance process is essential to ensuring that consumer and environmental standards are adhered to. The central question which people assume the negotiations will answer is: How can Britain trade more with the rest of the world and still have access to the single market without customs controls? Neither side has sufficiently explained how this conflicting scenario can work in order to allow businesses to plan and give comfort to them. Putting together a customs regime in two years is virtually impossible. The extra staff, infrastructure and tariff categorisation procedures will be monumental - not only along the border, but at every major port and airport. There is no other way to trade with third country states and still adhere to the single market. That reality is unlikely to change. A deal is a long way away and we are advising clients not to panic. Trade between the EU and the US still happens on this basis so the issues can be managed. But there is no doubt the negotiators must grasp extremely difficult and complex problems and do so in a very short timeframe. Trading with your neighbours is how almost all countries operate. The only exception to this is Israel. Trade with Britain will not stop under Brexit, but it will become much more complicated. Passing goods between Dublin and Durham is seamless today but there will be many obstacles overcome to make sure this remains the case in future. Carol Lynch is a Partner in the BDO Customs and International Trade Services department. The Plassey Portfolio is a collection of three grade A office buildings in the National Technological Park in Limerick Agents Power & Associates are guiding a price of 25m for the Plassey Portfolio, a collection of three prime grade A office buildings at Limerick's foremost business campus - the National Technological Park. One of the largest investment opportunities to be be brought to the Limerick market in recent years, the portfolio comprises three office properties - Clive House, Hamilton House and Hamilton House Block 2 - and is being offered for sale both as a single lot and in smaller lots. Developed by the Brookvale Group, a leading developer of offices in the mid-west region, the offices are 92pc occupied by a number of high-profile tenants, including some of Limerick's major corporates such as Northern Trust, Cook Medical, Enet, QAD, Gilt Groupe and Icon. The Plassey Portfolio occupies a landmark 7.58 acre site within the National Technology Park with a Site Area of 7.58 Acres. The portfolio's net floor area extends to a total of 12,396 sq m (133,432 sq ft). Hamilton House is the largest of the three office properties being offered for sale and is fully let following the recent leasing by Cook Medical of a floor in the building. The WAULT for Hamilton House is 6.32 years to lease expiry. Hamilton House Block 2 is occupied by Northern Trust and Xperi, with the remainder of the building being occupied by Xperi. This property extends to 3,739 sq m (40,254 sq ft). The WAULT is 11.28 years to lease expiry. Clive House, which extends to approximately 3,716 sq m (40,000 sq ft), is the newest of the three office buildings, having only been developed by the Brookvale Group in 2015. Icon occupy two floors of the four-storey block while the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) have recently taken a lease on the ground floor of the building. Fit-out of the DAA's new premises are due to get under way shortly. The WAULT for the property is 13.5 years to lease expiry. The total rent from the portfolio is 1,844,240 per annum based on the existing lease income that is either contracted or agreed with occupiers. There is potential to increase income from the portfolio in the short term from leasing the last remaining floor at Clive House, which comprises approximately 929 sq m (10,000 sq ft) and from completion of rent reviews which are due this year. The quoting rent for the first floor at Clive House is currently 16.50 per square foot per annum. Given the lack of supply of grade A office accommodation at the National Technology Park, the Plassey Portfolio is well positioned to benefit from any demand arising now and into the future. The three offices now being offered to the market have in recent years established a strong track record in securing numerous FDI companies for the campus. The National Technology Park with its excellent accessibility, high-quality fibre optic infrastructure and proximity to University of Limerick and the M7 (Dublin/Limerick) motorway is widely acknowledged among corporate occupiers as being a prime location in the Mid West region. ACI have recently established a major data centre at the campus. The Plassey Portfolio's guide Price of 25m reflects a net initial yield of 7.06pc after making allowance for standard purchaser costs of 4.46pc. TAKING advice from farm advisors is key to protecting water quality and ensuring that farmers aren't hit in the pocket by failing to comply with standards. But who provides that advice is important. Farmers are least likely to trust advice from local authorities, government departments including the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, and most likely to listen to Teagasc advisors, family, other farmers and the farming press. The cost of getting a plan in place ranges from around 200 up to 1,000, depending on the level of complexity involved, according to former IFA environment chair and member of the advisory committee of the EPA, Harold Kingston. "It is an issue that a lot of this advice is expensive," he said. "If you want to justify the cost, you need to think about the cost of a tonne of fertiliser versus the cost of a tonne you didn't need to spread or spread in the wrong place. "The key thing is to take the advice. You've paid for it, so take it." Teagasc and a range of private consultants provide a service, while the Department of Agriculture also spends 100m on the knowledge transfer programme which gets farmers together to lead possible solutions, with farm visits part of the programme. The thinking is that advice is shared, leading to better outcomes. With fertiliser costing between 230 to 400 a tonne, getting the maximum results is a win-win from the environmental and cost perspective. "When we joined the EU, fertiliser was cheap, there was a big demand for food and we fired it out and drove on," Mr Kingston added. "Two things happened - it ended up in water courses and we're still dealing with that, and the price of fertiliser went up. We're learning more about the use of fertilisers and soils and how they work and how to manage it." Farming is at a crossroads. Ramping-up food production to meet targets under the Government's Food Wise 2025 plan means there's pressure to increase output and intensify, but at the same time farmers are expected to comply with increasingly-stringent environmental regulations. Many are failing. Figures from the Department of Agriculture show that thousands are failing to comply with rules under the Nitrates Directive, which limits the amount of nitrogen allowed on land. Of 7,000 farms with derogations under the directive, allowing them a higher application limit, some 12pc failed to comply. Of the remaining 130,000 without a derogation, the failure rate stands at 30pc. That has a financial cost, senior inspector with the Department of Agriculture Jack Nolan told the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Water Forum in Galway. Some 2m in fines were levied last year. In addition, creameries are now threatening to cut the price of a litre of milk by 5c/l unless farmers can prove they're operating to the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme standards. "Compliance levels haven't improved. We are inspecting and penalising, we're taking money back from farmers but it's not proving effective. We have a strong inspection regime but it's not working," Mr Nolan said. "In 2007, we had 4,500 farmers with a derogation, this year we have 7,000. It's likely these numbers will increase. "Farmers are intensifying. It was 60 cows per herd, it's now 100. The average age of farmers is 58 years, but for dairying it's lower. We're finding young farmers are a problem, too, because they're under such pressure to expand. Farmers are not buying into it. They do it out of fear of inspection. They don't see the value." He points to the requirement for farmers to calculate how much nitrogen and phosphorous can be safely spread on the land, which adds an "extra layer" of difficulty. Just over 20pc of all land surveyed is believed to be in optimal condition. Mr Nolan suggests that most land doesn't have the right level of phosphorous, nitrogen and lime. "Part of that is fear of regulation, costs, and in part due to a lack of education. It will lead to problems down the road. You can't keep increasing output if you're running down the soil. "Farmers are delighted when I leave the yard (after inspections). The reason is they don't trust us. There's a fear attached when the Department of Agriculture comes. That's not the way it should be." Some 400,000 jobs are in water-intensive industries including food production and agriculture, meaning the links between farming and clean waters are critically important. Major challenges exist. The EPA says that in 1996, 4pc of our waters, including rivers and lakes, were classified as 'pristine'. That has now dropped to 0.7pc. On the other hand, 20 years ago some 77km of river channel were classed as 'seriously polluted', which has fallen to 6km. But there are now an additional one million cattle on the land, which is increasing pressures. The numbers will grow -since the removal of milk quotas in 2015, the number of dairy cows has increased by 300,000. It is projected to rise by 6pc this year, and 6pc in 2018. That puts further pressure on already stressed water bodies, with the EPA saying that of 4,000 river and lake water bodies, 1,360 - or 34pc - are at risk, often from multiple sources. Senior catchment scientist at the EPA Jenny Deakin points out that half of all at-risk water bodies face multiple-pressures - agriculture, urban wastewater treatment plants, forestry and extractive industries including mining and peat production. "The greatest number of water bodies are impacted by agriculture, but there's no surprise there because agriculture is by far the biggest land use," she said. "It's particularly challenging due to the number of water bodies, the diverse number of landholders involved, the lack of resources on the farm to take actions and the multiple agencies and players. A one-size-fits-all solution won't work." Many suggest now is the time for debate and to put in place measures to help farmers become greener and reduce the impact of their activities on water courses and the wider environment. Debate Chair of the National Water Forum Tom Collins says things have changed a lot in the last two decades. "We do need a debate," he told the conference. "I think farming is at a tipping point around the environment. It has learned that clean water is an essential ingredient, and that is a shared preoccupation with the farming community. "Farming is at a perfect tipping point where it is realising that it is very much in its interest to get behind this project. That is an enormous development from where we were 20 years ago." Work is happening on the ground. Under the National Dairy Sustainability Initiative, 180 farms will be chosen by early autumn as test sites for a range of environmental works. The Local Authority Water and Communities Office (LAWCO) is working with farmers, angling groups, local development companies and others to highlight concerns and set out possible solutions. Thomas Ryan, executive with the IFA's environment and rural affairs committee, asks that people "walk in our shoes" and look at environmental work on the ground. "There's so much happening, and more can be achieved because we can't afford to get it wrong. The journey we're on is a journey of collaboration." Dr Donal Daly from the EPA agrees, saying the future is collaboration and not diktats. "Farmers don't like being told what to do and we have to take that into account. Farmers are custodians of the rural environment, and we have to see how we can assist them. "Most farmers' contacts with the environment are in the form of inspections, and many fear inspections. We need to move away from that." The famed Ballymacoll Stud, the birthplace of Arkle, has been sold to a mystery buyer for 8.15m, with speculation rife in the bloodstock sector that the buyer is Frank Dunne of the Dunnes Stores family. The 294-acre holding on the outskirts of Dunboyne, Co Meath, changed hands at auction at the Shelbourne Hotel and was bought by a solicitor in trust. Mr Dunne, who holds one-third of Dunnes Stores, lives at Hamwood stud farm, which is located next door to Ballymacoll, the farm which is best known for breeding the three-times Cheltenham Gold Cup and one-time Irish Grand National winner. The property was sold after a dramatic last-minute bidding intervention from the back of the room just as the hammer was about to fall at 7.65m. It caused bidding to continue on again until Ballymacoll was hammered down to Peter Walsh of Orpen Franks and Co. The property, which was sold through the Irish estate agency REA Coonan and London-based Knight Frank, has 70 loose boxes and ancillary buildings which include a manager's residence. It was previously acquired by Lord Michael Sobell, the industrialist and philanthropist and his son-in-law Arnold Weinstock (later Lord Weinstock) in 1960. Expand Close The Ballymacoll Stud / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Ballymacoll Stud Later in 1974, his son Simon Weinstock became an active partner. Weinstock jnr died tragically in 1996 aged just 44, and Lord Weinstock passed away in 2002. The vendors had been seeking 13m for the stud with the horses included - but failing to achieve success, they took the property to auction on Tuesday minus the animals. The property had been managed by Peter Reynolds for 45 years. Built by Henry Hamilton towards the end of the 18th Century, Ballymacoll has had many owners and tenants over the years including the famous Tammany Hall chieftain, Boss Croker. It was also owned by the Irish Army, which occupied the farm during World War II. In 1946, it was bought by Dorothy Paget who never visited Ballymacoll but actively built its equestrian reputation until her death in 1960. Attempts to contact Mr Dunne were unsuccessful last night. Actavo - the industrial services group that emerged out of the former Siteserv - has appointed outside corporate finance advisors, the Irish Independent has learned. The move may be a precursor to a stock market listing or fund raising. A spokesman for Actavo declined to comment. Previously, Actavo Group CEO Sean Corkery indicated the business would only seek a stock market listing to fund a big acquisition. "It would have to be for absolute need for a quantum of money, probably for a sizeable acquisition, that would trigger something like that," he said last summer after the business reported 2015 annual results. Actavo, owned by businessman Denis O'Brien, was bought in 2012 for 45m from State-controlled IBRC and has since expanded internationally, including into the US through acquisition. Its activities range from support services for cable companies Sky and Virgin Media, as well as utilities such as Electric Ireland and Bord Gais, to industrial services for clients in sectors such as oil, pharmaceuticals and nuclear power. Its Sierra subsidiary was one of the contractors hired by Irish Water to install water meters. The company employs over 5,000 people, 2015 revenues were 431m with profits of 17.9m. The 2012 sale - driven by the former Anglo Irish Bank as Siteserv's main lender - was controversial because the old shareholders got part of the consideration in exchange for backing the sale, even though the bank made a 100m loss. Along with other deals where the former Anglo took big losses, it is subject of an enquiry. Increased corporate awareness of LGBT+ issues is reflected at this years World Pride celebrations in Madrid, where high-profile brands have been increasing their presence considerably compared with other years. Madrid's Chueca neighborhood is the hub of World Pride Madrid 2017. EFE Vodafone, Spotify, PayPal, eBay and Facebook will all have their own floats at the World Pride Madrid 2017 parade scheduled for Saturday, July 1. For most of these companies, this will be the first time that they have taken part in the event, which is expected to draw up to two million people to the center of the Spanish capital. Other well-known brands such as Tinder, Uber, Larios, Fox, El Corte Ingles, NH Hoteles, Iberia, AXA, Tuenti and Philips will host a range of events, from competitions to discussion panels. Besides operating a float, the auction site eBay has also launched limited-edition glasses especially for World Pride; part of the proceeds will go to the non-profit group It Gets Better, which fights school bullying. An artist's rendition of the Vodafone float. Uber, the car ride service whose presence in the Spanish capital has sparked plenty of controversy in recent years, is an official mobility sponsor for the event, and is offering a special service for groups of six to eight people throughout the 11 days of World Pride Madrid, which ends on Sunday. The initiative, which offers special rates, has sparked renewed anger by the citys regular taxi drivers, who were on the verge of striking again. Symbolic weddings Television network Fox has rolled out the Wedding Bus, which is celebrating symbolic weddings of LGTB+ couples with the couples firm commitment to legalize them as soon as possible. The 'pregon', which officially kicked off World Pride Madrid 2017 on Wednesday. Kike Para Meanwhile, makers of alcoholic beverages have also found a way to tap into the vast audience that is converging in Madrid these days. Absolut, the Swedish vodka, has launched Absolut Rainbow, a limited-edition bottle that comes in six colors. And Spanish gin maker Larios has also wrapped its bottles in the colors of the rainbow flag. The pregon Although events have been scheduled since June 23, World Pride really kicked off on Wednesday with the pregon, the official opening ceremony, which took place at Pedro Zerolo square in the central neighborhood of Chueca, ground zero for Madrids LGBT+ community. Events in Barcelona Barcelona is working to promote itself as an open city that welcomes the LGBT+ community, said municipal sources. As part of the World Pride celebrations, the landmark Glories Tower, formerly known as Agbar Tower, was draped in the colors of the rainbow flag. The city is holding its own Pride Barcelona 2017, which is into its 10th edition this year. Revelers filled the large square formerly known as Vazquez de Mella and renamed after well-known gay rights activist Pedro Zerolo, who died in June 2015 amid tight security measures. On the stage were celebrities including movie director Alejandro Amenabar, creator of The Others, The Sea Inside and Open Your Eyes. It is very exciting to see this full square, to see Madrid filled with rainbow flags. You are making all this possible, said actor Javier Calvo from the stage. The crowd responded enthusiastically. Some had come a long way to be there. I came all the way here just for the pregon, said a young woman in her twenties named Emili who drove to Madrid from the northern Spanish city of Leon, more than 300 kilometers away. Were from Ceuta [a Spanish city along the northern coast of Africa] and were spending a few days in Madrid. We found out that this was going on and we came, said Cristina, who was there with her husband and two children. English version by Susana Urra. Danske Bank is mulling a sale of more than 2bn of performing Irish home loans and buy-to-let mortgages as the Danish lender continues to manage down its retail business here to focus solely on corporate and institutional clients. The bank is understood to be considering a portfolio sale or potentially rolling the loans into a securitisation deal. It is understood Morgan Stanley is advising Danske, with a deal likely to be concluded by the end of the year. The bank declined to comment, however sources said a number of prospective suitors have already cast an eye over the portfolio including private equity firms and Irish banks struggling to grow their loan books because of housing shortages. Bank of Ireland is widely viewed as a logical suitor after earlier snapping up 274m of performing commercial loans from Danske in 2015. The deal was part of a wider 540m disposal that resulted in Goldman Sachs hoovering up 266m of toxic debt bundled into the sale. It is understood Danske has long targeted an exit and had hoped to agree a sale by the autumn. The Danish bank, which entered the local market with the acquisition of National Irish Bank, pulled down the shutters on its personal and business lending operations in October 2013 after nursing substantial losses. Loans linked to its former retail bank were moved into a work-out unit while the day-to-day management of its personal mortgages book, which stood at DKK17.4bn (2.3bn) in 2015, was outsourced to Pepper Asset Services. Sources said the home loans portfolio include some buy-to-let loans as well as primary residential mortgages. It's also thought to include a significant volume of tracker mortgages, which could weigh on the final sale price given the loans' low profitability. While Danske is considering offloading the portfolio in one tranche, sources said a securitisation may also be on the cards. However packaging the loans into bonds would be expensive and management intensive. Earlier this year Mars Capital, a big buyer of Irish mortgages securitised 332m worth of sub-prime loans. The firm, which is linked to Oaktree Capital bundled together the mortgages into a special purpose vehicle called, Grand Canal Securities 1. Bank of Ireland Private Banking, which is in the midst of a merger with its parent, Bank of Ireland, is meeting slower than expected investor demand for a 100m fund launched with private equity giant, KKR, earlier this year, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. It is understood the vehicle, which will invest primarily in private equity deals, but also encompass real estate and private credit, has so far attracted up to 40m. The speculation about the pace and level of interest in the BOIPB-KKR vehicle, dubbed the Diversified Private Markets Fund, comes as Bank of Ireland subsumes its previously separate private banking arm into its wider operations. Previously the unit offered a separate, stand-alone service to wealthy clients. The decision to merge the two balance sheets has been widely viewed as a move into a more mass market network. However Bank of Ireland robustly rejects that interpretation. In an emailed statement a spokesperson said the merger was intended to simplify "our company structure by making Bank of Ireland Private Banking a business unit within the Bank of Ireland Group, rather than operating it as a standalone Limited Company". The spokesperson also highlighted "there is no change in relation to existing client products or services, and clients will also continue to be managed by the same Bank of Ireland Private Banking Manager." The Irish Independent understands clients of the BOIPB received a letter from the bank recently outlining the scope of the changes. Yet while Bank of Ireland insists it remains focused on high net worth clients, and points to its recent acquisition of Covestone Funds as evidence of its commitment to this elite end of the market, analysts, speaking on background, claim the unit is too small to move the dial. Bank of Ireland, which has appointed Frances McDonagh - the former head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Europe and UK - as its new chief executive, declined to specify how much money has been pledged so far to its KKR partnered fund. Irish energy prices could rise this winter due to the closure of a major natural gas storage site in the UK. Average wholesale energy prices were 42pc higher year-on-year during the first six months of 2017, according to the Vayu mid-year energy report for June 2017. The report comes as the energy company warned that Irish energy prices could rise further this winter due to the closure of Rough, a major natural gas storage site in the UK. The site has closed due to concerns over safely and the difficulty in continuing to run the site. We are entering a winter without any gas in long range storage for the first time since Rough became operational over 30 years ago. The risk now is that the market becomes nervous and reacts to every change...causing prices to spike this winter and become more volatile, Liam Faulkner, COO at Vayu, said. Read more: 'Energy-efficiency is most intelligent way to save cash' Despite 60pc of Irelands gas coming from the Shell Corrib field, Ireland continues to import natural gas from the UK. However, a project to to build an interconnector linking the French and Irish electricity systems was yesterday awarded a 4m grant from the European Commission. The interconnector will reduce Irelands reliance on the UK for its supply of energy. When built, the interconnector will consist of around 600km of cables on the seabed between France and Ireland. The cables will be able to transmit up to 700 MW of electricity, the equivalent of supplying power to around 450,000 homes. Read more: Providence Resources confirm drilling-ship en-route to its site off the west coast of Ireland Reflecting on current energy market conditions, Mr Faulkner said that there were three predominant issues affecting consumers; the over supply of liquid natural gas which was helping to moderate price increases, Brexit and the uncertainty which it is brining to the market, and the closure Rough which will reduce storage capacity in the UK. Brexit negotiations will continue to add a level of uncertainty, looking forward to the remainder of the year, as we close out the summer, prices should remain fairly neutral over the next three months. However, looking to the last three months of the year, this is where the real uncertainty lies, Mr Faulkner said. The vacancy rate here stands at 9pc, compared with 2.5pc in the UK. GETTY Property owners could be offered local authority loans to bring vacant homes back into use and help tackle the housing crisis. It is understood the Government is considering implementing a local authority loan scheme to help encourage owners to sell or rent vacant properties after it emerged that up to 80,000 empty units may be located in urban areas where demand is highest. A strategy to tackle vacant homes is expected to be published next month. Chairman of the Housing Agency Conor Skehan told its annual conference that if housing costs were left unaddressed, it would impact on the country's competitiveness. "Housing and renting has to be affordable and we have to drive that agenda through," he said. "Affordability is the cornerstone of national competitiveness. Housing costs drive wage costs. If we get housing costs wrong, we lose economic competitiveness." The latest figures from Census 2016 show that 180,000 units, excluding holiday homes, are vacant across the State. While Central Statistics Office data can pinpoint the general location of units, more work is needed to identify individual properties and their owners. The vacancy rate here stands at 9pc, compared with 2.5pc in the UK. "What we need is to identify the vacant homes, that's absolutely critical, and find out how long they're vacant, and look at why they're vacant," Housing Agency chief executive John O'Connor told the Irish Independent. "We need to talk to the owners about bringing them back into use. Some need a level of financial assistance in terms of refurbishment to bring them back into use but sometimes it's help and telling people about their options." Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said he had reviewed the first draft of the vacant homes strategy and while it was "very good it's not ambitious enough". "I'll be using the current review of Rebuilding Ireland to see what new ideas we can bring to bear," he said. "This needs a carrot and stick approach, but will more than likely require engagement with the Minister for Finance. If budgetary measures are needed, this may delay the publication of the strategy, but this won't delay the commencement of the work. "There's a lot of information to be gathered in order to have a targeted, effective approach, and it needs to be gathered now, but existing property interests should note that changes are coming." Separately, Mr Murphy said that any private developers in receipt of State funding to provide essential infrastructure on development sites would have to provide affordable units to buy and rent. The Department of Housing told a Dail committee earlier this week there was a "possibility" that affordable units might not be provided on sites which received funding from the 200m Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, but the minister said affordable homes would "have to be" delivered as part of the funding deal. "I want to see affordable rent and affordable buy on these sites because it's very important. Where more public money is brought to bear, there should be more from the private side." Mr Murphy also said he was considering new regulations to allow the use of bedsits, saying he was "positively disposed" to their use, "if we get the standards right". The people who are holding it up [the move to digital] are lawyers and civil servants, says Larry Fenelon. Photo: Adrian Weckler Where might one least expect to find a 'paperless' office? Many would point to a law firm. Yet in Dublin, going paperless has become the motif of one of the capital's faster-growing solicitor companies, Leman Solicitors. "Our solicitors have 20 cents' credit per month for the printer here," says Larry Fenelon, managing partner of the 40-strong firm. "We don't send physical letters. We simply send everything by PDF or by email. If we receive physical correspondence, in many cases we destroy the original and simply hold the scanned copy. We don't keep big filing cabinets." To an outsider, this might sound like an impossible task. A serious, growing law firm in Ireland that eschews paper-based transactions in favour of digital ones? How does that work in a country still addicted to scanners, printers and fax machines? A million questions come to mind. What happens when legal correspondence comes in the door? "We date-stamp it, scan it and then it goes into an online in-tray where it gets named, dated and assigned to a file," says Fenelon. "And then we destroy the original. There are certain exceptions to the paperless system where we're forced to keep originals because of the jurisdiction we're in. These include pleadings and proofs, documents that clients may have produced as evidence. But even with these, we scan them too." What happens with client meetings, notes and telephone calls? "I'm often typing as I'm talking," says Fenelon. "But it's all digitised. If I have a thought, it goes in the [digital] file. If I have a conversation, it goes in the file. If I take a call, my notes from it go in the file. This is a way more efficient system than taking notes, then dictating, then having to type and file. The commitment to this is total." What about briefing barristers? "They get e-briefs from us. Barristers tend to be very conservative but we tell them they can print off their ebrief from us if they want. But we're not doing it for them." Fenelon says that his firm's war on paper is saving the company considerable money and time. "Being a paperless office makes us way more efficient," he says. "We don't pay someone to do our filing every day. I worked out that the time I spent filing documents in my last job was worth about 65,000 in billable time. It was bananas. The square footage of the office was wasted too, because of filing cabinets upon filing cabinets clogging the place up. There also wasn't a week that would go by without someone saying they had lost a critical file or document. Everyone would have to stop what they were doing and search for it. The stress and time wasting involved was unreal." Clients would often experience delays because of the paper system, he says. "When a client called me up to ask 'what's happening with that file?', I'd often have to call them back because it wasn't filed properly. And then there was the wastage of team time. How can four people work efficiently in a team on one physical file?" Today, Fenelon says that his firm lets clients into the system to digitally see anything they want that's attached to their case. "They can simply log on and see what we see," he says. "Most aren't bothered to scroll through 300 pages of legal jargon. So what we do is prepare a single page of vital statistics, a one-page summary. This would be what stage we're at, what fee level we're at, who's working on it and what the next steps are. That's what people want." One other advantage of this approach is that it allows for quick continuity on cases if people take annual leave or are caught out sick. "If any team member falls under a bus or if people go on holidays, there are no three-page memos to be drawn up and handed around. We keep a system of flagging and highlighting red dots for key reference documents. It makes it much quicker for other team members to pick up the case if needs be." Not everyone is enamoured with this type of digital approach. But Fenelon says that it is almost always other legal practitioners who block digitisation of the legal practice and not business clients. "Since the Ecommerce Act of 2000, almost everything has been subject to legally binding digital signatures," he says. "But 17 years on, the greatest opposition to digital signatures is never from the client, it is from other lawyers. Other lawyers are bamboozled. You'll see strong pushback from constituencies like the rural sole practitioner. Many are men in their late 50s or 60s with one eye on retirement. In general, the less commercial the firm the less prospect you have of transacting digitally." The Law Society, which regulates solicitors in Ireland, has also had a mixed record when it comes to adopting a pro-digital legal environment. Lagging badly is the area of conveyancing and property transfers. "The people who are holding it up are lawyers and civil servants," says Fenelon. "The Law Society have had forever and a day to introduce econveyancing. It's gone on way too long." Some companies outside the legal sector are trying to innovate. This week, Savills introduced a new transaction system aimed at creating binding digital buttons to replace long, drawn-out 'sale agreed' arrangements on property sales. Fenelon says that Leman is trying to encourage the industry with its own 'iConvey' practice. "We're acting for developers who are selling apartments or houses," he says. "It is the most inefficient system where you create this paper book of title, send out and receive letters involving various purchasers, doing it all done hundreds of times. What we're saying is let's create an online portal where all the titles can be viewed just like any database." Some of Leman's ability to pursue a paperless office comes from the areas of law it covers. It's not dealing in elderly farmers' wills. It's tackling fast-paced, relatively high end dealings in financial litigation, disputes, corporate activity and commercial development. Fenelon describes the firm's specialty sectors as technology, services and property. Nevertheless, Fenelon is convinced that his firm is on the right side of history. "It's high time that the Law Society got behind the digitisation of law," he says. "The inefficiency of paper ticking, printing and all that scribbling is just a giant waste of time and resources for everyone. Singapore has operated its court system as a paperless entity since 1999. If they can do it, why the hell can't we do it? We're a country that can get our act together when we want to." Rob Lipsett's sister has opened up about her little brother entering ITV's Love Island this evening. Top model Roz Lipsett said that while viewers might want to see the 25-year-old fitness blogger hooking up with Camilla Thurlow, she believes that his dream woman is Montana Brown. The Miss Universe Ireland finalist (31) added that viewers shouldn't expect any saucy antics from the Rathgar native as he's a "good Catholic boy" who will be on his best behaviour on the show. "We're all very excited about it," she told Independent.ie. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference "The producers actually asked him to go into the show at the very start but he was just too busy with work and had a trip planned to Ibiza. He just didn't realise the popularity of the show, just how big it was and then he saw how much fun it was and it was a good way to meet someone. "Rob's a real relationship person. He's been single a few months and I think he's looking to date someone seriously. I would love him to date Montana. I absolutely love her because she's so fit. She looks after herself and she's also really funny. "I just think she seems like a really educated, nice girl and someone he would click with." She said that he's been single a few months since splitting with fellow fitness blogger Sarah Godfrey and is definitely not a player when it comes to the dating scene. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference He's also not a big boozer so don't expect to see him falling around the villa after one too many tipples. "He was telling me that they're actually really limited on alcohol. They're not allowed more than two drinks max every night. The producers want them to focus on looking good and finding love." One of Ireland's best-known fitness bloggers with over 261,000 followers on Instagram, Rob also has a successful fitness YouTube channel, with an impressive quarter of a million subscribers. He started his career in the fitness industry by creating a Facebook page to track his workouts and progress, before joining YouTube and Instagram in 2014. Video of the Day But he's not the only Irish face entering the show tonight, which is aired on ITV a day ahead of Ireland's 3e. Model Shannen Reilly McGrath, who's described as 'Dublin Barbie,' will be joining Rob and the 13 remaining contestants with hopes of making it to the final. Shannen (25) was a contestant in Miss Ireland 2014, and was announced as the new Cocoa Brown brand ambassador days before it was revealed that she would be entering the house. The Tallaght native is well-known in the Dublin modelling circle, and previously dated Big Brother star Bianca Gascoigne's ex CJ Meeks. The ex-fiancee of a British royal has been found guilty of a frenzied knife attack on a Dublin couple who were on a trip to London. Zeaphena Badley (35) repeatedly stabbed Oona McCabe in the head after slicing through the back of her right knee with a rusty Stanley blade as she walked into Burger King on London Street, Paddington. She then cut the 24-year-old's boyfriend, Kevin Cannon, who is from Walkinstown, under the chin when he tried to intervene in the early hours of January 17, Southwark Crown Court heard. After launching herself at Oona a second time, Badley repeatedly hacked at her head, leaving pools of blood on the fast food outlet's floor. Badley was once engaged to a godson of Prince Charles. The court heard she launched another unprovoked attack on a stranger on Edgware Road just 36 hours earlier. Badley is currently serving a 20-week sentence for that attack, imposed in March. A jury of five men and seven women took less than an hour to find her guilty of causing GBH with intent. Expand Close Oona McCabe and her boyfriend Kevin Cannon / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Oona McCabe and her boyfriend Kevin Cannon She was also convicted of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Mr Cannon and passer-by Alfonso Moncada. Badley has 21 convictions for 36 offences including arson, theft and a string of assaults. The judge, Mr Recorder Andrew Wales, QC, ordered psychiatric reports ahead of sentence in around seven weeks' time. The former Kensington resident was engaged to Eton-educated Nicholas Knatchbull, titled Lord Romsey, for 18 months before the wedding was called off in 2013. She was sleeping rough when she spotted the couple walking to the Burger King following a night out in Soho. CCTV footage showed Badley slashing at Ms McCabe as they entered the restaurant before slicing Mr Cannon's face and dragging Ms McCabe to the ground where she resumed her attack. The student later told jurors she also needed 11 stitches to the front of her head, 13 to the back of her head, and one to her face following attack. During a brief appearance in court, Badley quickly grew increasingly aggressive when shown the CCTV of the attack for the first time. After insisting "they're the real criminals" she then stormed out and refused to be involved in the trial. Ms McCabe and her boyfriend later gave evidence via video-link from Dublin. Badley, formerly of Cromwell Road, Kensington, southwest London, denied grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm but was convicted by the jury. Zeaphena Badley with her ex-fiancee Nicholas Knatchbull and right Oona McCabe and Kevin Cannon The ex-fiancee of a British royal has been found guilty of a frenzied knife attack on a Dublin couple who were on a trip to London. Zeaphena Badley (35) sliced through the back of student Oona McCabe's right knee with a rusty Stanley blade as she walked into Burger King on London Street, Paddington. She then cut the 24-year-old's boyfriend, Kevin Cannon, who is from Walkinstown, under the chin when he tried to intervene, Southwark Crown Court heard. Badley then launched herself at Ms McCabe a second time, repeatedly hacking at her head and leaving pools of blood on the fast-food outlet's floor. Badley was once engaged to a godson of Prince Charles. Stranger Expand Close Kevin Cannon and Oona McCabe were attacked by Zeaphena Badley / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kevin Cannon and Oona McCabe were attacked by Zeaphena Badley The court heard that she had launched another unprovoked attack on a stranger on Edgware Road, just 36 hours earlier. "She was arrested for that offence in the evening and bailed by the court on January 16 - the very day [before] where, at about 12.30am in the morning, she committed this assault," said prosecutor Tom Nicholson. Badley is serving a 20-week sentence for that attack and has largely ignored the current proceedings. A jury took less than an hour to find her guilty of causing GBH with intent to Ms McCabe. She was also convicted of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Mr Cannon and a passer-by. Badley has 21 convictions for 36 offences including arson, theft and a string of assaults against members of the public and police dating back to 1999. The judge, Mr Recorder Andrew Wales, QC, ordered psychiatric reports ahead of sentencing. The former Kensington resident was engaged to Lord Mountbatten's great-grandson Nicholas Knatchbull, titled Lord Romsey, for 18 months, before the wedding was called off in 2013. She was sleeping rough when she spotted the couple walking over to the Burger King following a night out in Soho. "They had never seen each other before, they had never talked to each other," said the prosecutor. "She was just effectively unlucky to be there at the time when the defendant chose to make her attack." CCTV footage showed Badley slashing at Ms McCabe as they entered the restaurant before slicing Mr Cannon's face and dragging Ms McCabe to the ground, where she resumed her attack. The student told jurors that she needed 11 stitches to the front of her head, 13 to the back of her head, and one to her face following the attack, which left her covered in blood. Badley could be heard on body-worn footage replying "brilliant" when being arrested. During a brief appearance in court, before the jury arrived, she said: "I wasn't well." She told the court "the medication was helping" now, before adding: "But I still hear voices." However, she quickly grew increasingly aggressive when shown the CCTV of the attack for the first time. After insisting "they're the real criminals" she then stormed out and refused to play any further part in the trial. Tears Ms McCabe and her boyfriend later gave evidence via video- link from Dublin. The judge asked each of them: "If anyone were to suggest that the woman was acting in self-defence at any point in the incident, what would you say to that?" Wiping away tears, Ms McCabe labelled the suggestion "ridiculous", while her boyfriend called it "crazy". Badley, formerly of Cromwell Road, Kensington, London, denied grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She remains in custody ahead of sentencing on a date to be set later. A man who robbed a McDonald's restaurant and held a knife to a woman's stomach in front of customers and children will be sentenced next week. James Barry (33) fled the Rathmines restaurant with 330 in cash and jumped into the Dodder river to evade gardai, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. He was operating under the delusion the water would ensure his body temperature wouldn't be picked up by any pursuing garda helicopter, Garda Brian McLoughlin told Noel Devitt BL, prosecuting. Barry of Goatstown Close, Goatstown, Dublin pleaded guilty to robbing McDonald's restaurant on Lower Rathmines Rd on February 2 this year. He also pleaded guilty to robbing 460 cash from a chemist in Camden St on March 5, 2015. Evidence on that matter has been heard previously, the court heard. Gda McLoughlin said the victim was working in McDonald's on the afternoon of the day in question when Barry walked behind the counter, pressed a 10cm knife to her ribcage and stomach area and ordered her to open the till. A number of customers, including children, were present at the time, the court heard. The woman initially protested that she couldn't open the till before she complied with his demands. Barry then fled the scene and jumped into a taxi. However, when he taxi-driver was phoned by gardai who were pursuing him, Barry asked the taxi-driver to stop and ran into nearby parkland. When gardai caught up with him, he was submerged in the Dodder river. He later told gardai that he thought getting into the water would prevent any garda helicopter from picking up his body temperature. There was no air pursuit taking place at the time. When interviewed, Barry was contrite and told gardai: I'm a horrible bastard when I want to be. He said he used to bring his kids to McDonald's and that he believed he carried out the offence as a cry for help. Barry said he had been planning the robbery for weeks and used a knife that he normally used to cut tomatoes. The court heard his victim was left traumatised after the incident, but did not give a victim impact statement Barry has five previous convictions, including attempted robbery and possession of articles. Defence barrister Katherine McGillicuddy BL, said her client had long-standing drug addiction problems. She said he had a troubled childhood and was physically abused as a child. He moved constantly when he was young and his education lacked continuity as a result, the court heard. Barry previously worked as a chef and a painter and has a number of children. He is the primary carer of his youngest child, a five-year-old boy, who lost the sight in one eye due to a tumour, Ms McGillicuddy said. He is very deeply remorseful and deeply sorry for the trauma he put (the woman) through that day, she said. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case for sentencing on July 5. Having made room in his diary for the event, Spains former monarch, King Juan Carlos is reportedly annoyed not to have been invited to a ceremony on Wednesday to commemorate the 40 th anniversary of the creation of the first sitting of the countrys Congress following the death of military ruler General Francisco Franco in 1975 and the return to democracy . Part of the commemorations held on Wednesday. Alvaro Garcia The reason for Juan Carloss absence at the event was, according to the Royal Household, protocol: the former monarch, who abdicated in favor of his son, Felipe VI, in 2014, enjoys the status of King emeritus, and therefore it would have been an anomaly for him to attend such an important event in the presence of the reigning monarch. A spokesman for King Felipe told EL PAIS that when the monarch addresses Congress it is not customary for the former head of state to be present, and furthermore, it was Juan Carlos who established the principle when his son acceded to the throne. Juan Carlos was reported to be unhappy at being excluded from an event that praised his key role in Spains democratic transition four decades ago and that was attended by other major figures who helped organize and participated in the general elections of 1977. If the act had taken place in a less formal setting, there would have been no problem Royal Household spokesman Juan Carlos had been sailing off the coast of Galicia for a few days, but had reportedly cleared the last week of June in his schedule, assuming he would be invited to the commemoration not to steal the limelight from his son but to meet up with other key figures of the period. The former monarch was in conversation with Ana Pastor, the speaker of Congress. She had mentioned ongoing talks with the Royal Household to find a way around protocol and thus make it possible for Juan Carlos to attend the event. Juan Carlos did not attend his sons proclamation in Congress three years ago, but the institutional reasons cited on that occasion pale beside the embarrassment of him not being invited to an event to commemorate events he played a central role in. Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI in Madrid. Carlos Alvarez (Getty Images) For example, the inclusion of the Communist Party, which was still illegal, in the elections of June 1977 was in large part due to the intermediary role played by Juan Carlos. During his speech to Congress on Wednesday, King Felipe highlighted the role played by his father. If the act had taken place in a less formal setting, there would have been no problem, said a spokesman for the Royal Household on Thursday. One solution that seems not to have been considered would have been the use of the so-called Tribune of Honor in Congress, which has been used for the heads of regional governments and other illustrious guests. This is where Queen Sofia and the infantas were seated during the proclamation of Felipe VI. The explanations appear not to have convinced Juan Carlos. Sources close to the former monarch said he was shocked that invitations were even sent to the granddaughters of Dolores Ibarruri, the Communist Party leader credited with the phrase They shall not pass during the Civil War and who returned to Spain from exile in the Soviet Union in 1977. English version by Nick Lyne. A man convicted of headbutting a prison officer because his new prison cell did not have a television said he was a big teddy bear at the end of the day. Glen Conroy (27), formerly of The Kybe, Skerries, Co Dublin, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury today following a three day trial, of assaulting the prison officer causing him harm at Mountjoy Prison on March 20, 2013. During the trial prison officer P Brady told Eilis Brennan BL, prosecuting, that Conroy was moved to a new cell without a TV. Conroy asked why there was no TV and Mr Brady told him one would be brought. He said Conroy suddenly headbutted him in the face and punched him in the head. Conroy was subdued and restrained by three other prison officers. Aidan McCarthy BL, defending, put it to officer Brady that he had made up the incident and that had Conroy headbutted him, the accuseds large size would have inflicted more serious injuries on him than he said he sustained. "You would be knocked back into the middle of next week, said Mr McCarthy. Conroy told Mr McCarthy during his evidence that Mr Brady and two other prison officers had in fact launched an unprovoked attack him. Conroy claimed that prison officer P Laverty had grabbed Conroys testicles, swept his feet from beneath him and put him face forward onto the ground during the attack Conroy claimed occurred. Mr Laverty, giving evidence during the trial, rejected this version of events and said Conroy had headbutted Mr Brady. He said that he was able to put Conroy on the ground by catching him by the arm and using inward rotation to bring him down. During cross-examination Conroy told Ms Brennan that he had not made a complaint about the assault he alleged had taken place that day . If you make a complaint, it just gets ripped up and thrown in the bin, Conroy said. He later said that he thought the prison officers knew what they were up to regarding the incident. Ms Brennan asked Conroy if he thought it was odd Mr Brady would push him due to Conroy being much larger than him He replied that his size had little to do with things as he was a big teddy bear. Assistant-Governor Malcolm OSullivan, of Mountjoy Prison, told Ms Brennan he had carried out a disciplinary hearing on March 23rd 2013 regarding the incident. He said a report was read out to Conroy regarding the alleged headbutt and Conroy was asked if it was true. Yes it is true, said Conroy, according to Assistant-Governor OSullivan, and Conroy signed the report. Conroy lost his privileges in prison for a period of 56 days. Assistant-Governor OSullivan told Ms Brennan during his evidence that the original report read out to Conroy could not be located and that he had never lost a report of that kind before. Conroy said that Assistant-Governor OSullivan had fabricated the story and no such disciplinary hearing had taken place, a version of events which Assistant-Governor OSullivan denied. Prison Chief-Officer Martin Galgey told Ms Brennan that he entered the report into the prison database on the same day Assistant-Governor OSullivan said the disciplinary hearing took place. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case for sentencing on July 26 of this year and remanded Conroy in custody. DUBLIN Circuit Criminal Court erupted in cheers and applause this afternoon as Paul Murphy TD and five other men were found not guilty on all charges of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen OConnell. The jury in the Jobstown trial returned its verdict at 12.17pm, after three hours and 10 minutes in deliberations following a trial that lasted more than two months. When the verdict on the first count of false imprisonment against Paul Murphy was read out by the court registrar, the throng of more than 100 of the accuseds supporters burst into loud, jubilant cheers. Mr Murphy, who stood for the verdicts to be read out, smiled as the foreman of the jury confirmed that the verdict was unanimous. He sat down in the dock again after he was also cleared of the second charge. The accused mens supporters remained silent as some of the other verdicts were read out, cheered for others and rose for a standing ovation at the end. All the verdicts were the same - not guilty, and unanimous. Mr Murphy (34), a Solidarity TD, along with south Dublin councillors Michael Murphy (53) and Kieran Mahon (39) and three other men - Michael Banks (46), Frank Donaghy (71) and Scott Masterson (34) - had all denied falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and Ms OConnell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown in Tallaght, Dublin on November 15, 2014. Expand Close Cahir O'Higgins, one of their solicitors, makes a statement. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cahir O'Higgins, one of their solicitors, makes a statement. The offences were alleged to have happened during an anti-water charges protest following an adult education graduation ceremony. Scott Masterson and South Dublin Councillor Michael Murphy both gave a thumbs up in response to their verdicts. In the public gallery, some people sobbed and at one point a chant of no way, we wont pay rose up in the courtroom. Judge Melanie Greally addressed the jurors after the noise subsided, thanking them and excusing them from further jury service. She told the accused: you have been found not guilty. Expand Close L to R: Ken Purcell, Scott Masterson, Paul Murphy TD, Cllr. Michael Murphy, Cllr. Ciaran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Michael Banks. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp L to R: Ken Purcell, Scott Masterson, Paul Murphy TD, Cllr. Michael Murphy, Cllr. Ciaran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Michael Banks. The accused's supporters also gave the jury members thumbs up and Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger and former TD Joe Higgins both smiled and clapped as the six men filed out of the dock. The six were cleared of falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and Ms OConnell during a protest that took place while they attended an adult education graduation ceremony in 2014. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Ms Burton had been invited to Jobstown to speak at a ceremony for graduates of An Cosan further education centre, which was co-founded by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone. The prosecution maintained Ms Burton and Ms OConnor were trapped inside two garda vehicles for around three hours as they tried to leave the area. It was argued by the State they were falsely imprisoned because when the cars were surrounded, they were totally restrained- they were unable to leave on foot because of the danger and the cars were not able to move away. The State also said the imprisonment of the pair was intentional and the accused men acted in a joint enterprise. However, the defence lawyers argued there was no false imprisonment. They asserted that the accused were exercising their constitutional right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and that the obstruction to the cars was no more than an inconvenience, delay and a nuisance. During the trial, Ms Burton said she felt like she was running for her life as she fled a group of anti-water charges protesters who surrounded her after the ceremony. She was called bitch and c*** by protesters who began jostling and directing verbal abuse at her. After first going to the An Cosan building, Ms Burton then took part in a graduates procession to the neighbouring church. Protesters shouted abuse, including shame on you. As she walked into the church she was struck on the back of the neck by a water balloon, which soaked the back of her hair and her top. After the ceremony, the two women left by a side door and ran towards an unmarked garda Avensis, which was surrounded and people who began banging on the car and shouting abuse. Ms Burton said the garda driver could not move the car because of the presence of children around it. At one point she saw Paul Murphy. He had a megaphone and he was speaking and using the megaphone, she said. He looked pretty happy with himself, I have to say. He was smiling very broadly. He was the man with the megaphone. Gardai formed a human cordon and Ms Burton and Ms OConnell were guided toward a garda jeep. It too was blocked in by protesters and had to inch out of the car park. Eggs, bottles and other items were pelted at the car and the front left windscreen was shattered. The pair eventually jumped out of a garda jeep and ran up a hill to a waiting garda car with a group of people chasing after them. Karen OConnell told the jury during the trial the protest was one of the "most scary experiences" of her life. She felt like she was in a maul when an angry mob swarmed around her and Ms Burton. The first murmurs that verdicts had been reached broke out at 12.10pm, while the courtroom was mostly empty. Within a minute if was filled to capacity and the six accused men took their seats in the dock. At 12.17pm, the seven men and four women of the jury filed back in. The court registrar recorded deliberation time at three hours and tem minutes, taking a 17 minute break into account. He then asked the forewoman if the jury had reached verdicts. "We have," she replied. She confirmed that the verdicts had been recorded on the issue paper. "You say that the accused, Paul Murphy is not guilty on Count 1," the registrar said. The court then erupted in cheers. "Is that the verdict of you all?" the registrar asked. "It is, yes" she replied. This was followed by more cheers from the public gallery. The same process followed for each of the co-accused. Dail reaction Reacting to the verdict Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald said the Dail should not rerun the evidence. She said: We respect the court decision of course. This was a jury trial., The jury makes it decision and justice takes it course. Ms Fitzgerald denied accusations from Solidarity TD Mick Barry that the Government had an agenda, saying such claims were quiet simply untrue. Mr Barry described the outcome of the case as a stunning defeat for the political establishment who wanted to create a powerful chill factor to stop protests. He described former Tanaiste Joan Burton as the star witness for the State in the case and accused the Labour Party of a shabby attempt to frame socialists for standing up for their communities. Mr Barry said the Government used the Jobstown incident in an attempt to gain revenge against those of us on the Left who have defeated you on the issue of water charges. The Left are on the front foot now, he said. Violence against young people by parents abusing alcohol has been described as a "national crisis" by the author of an audit on child protection within the State. Dr Geoffrey Shannon, the Government's special rapporteur on child protection, said there is a "prevalence" of domestic abuse in Irish homes. He added that in some cases children need to be "criminalised and pathologised" in order to receive adequate welfare services. Dr Shannon was speaking following the publication of his audit report on Garda powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act, which allows it to remove children from their homes in emergency situations. "The audit also indicates the prevalence of domestic abuse that doesn't just mean physical abuse. "One of the biggest challenges facing Irish society is the risks to children by parents who abuse alcohol. "It is essential that those operating under the umbrella of child protection services can share information on vulnerable children," Dr Shannon said. He was speaking at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs yesterday. The committee also heard scathing criticism of mental health services for children. Child law solicitor Gareth Noble told TDs and senators of "scandalously long" waiting times for appointments, while 15 counties have no out-of-hours and weekend crisis services. Dozens of young people are being admitted to adult wards because there are no places for them in services for children. The failings were "a serious dereliction" of the duty of care towards children. Mr Noble said the lack of capacity had been compounded by the recent removal of 11 beds from the Linn Dara facility in west Dublin. He added there are now 2,419 children waiting for appointments with the HSE's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), 218 of whom have been waiting more than a year. Richard Bruton will allow education facilities under the patronage of the Church of Ireland and other religions to factor ethos into their admission policies. There is a furious backlash at plans to end the 'baptism barrier' in Catholic schools while offering different rules to those run by other religious groups. Education Minister Richard Bruton has brought forward a proposal that will stop the country's 2,800 Catholic schools from discriminating on the grounds of religion. But schools run by minority religions will still be allowed to refuse pupils from other denominations, under plans to finally end the so-called 'baptism barrier'. Mr Bruton will allow education facilities under the patronage of the Church of Ireland and other religions to factor ethos into their admission policies. The controversial move comes after intense lobbying from Fine Gael ministers and backbenchers who warned the minister an outright ban on the 'baptism barrier' could have unintended consequences for Protestant schools. Nine of 10 schools are currently under the ethos of the Catholic Church, whereas just 191 (6pc) are run by other religious organisations. But Ferdia Kelly, CEO of the Catholic Schools Partnership, warned that Mr Bruton's proposal "will not create one additional place in oversubscribed schools". "We have concerns around the constitutionality of what is being proposed and we will take advice and make a decision as to how best to proceed," he said. He said parents who choose to have their children educated in the Catholic tradition were being "singled out for this treatment" and being "treated differently" to parents choosing another faith tradition. Educate Together CEO Paul Rowe said the measure meant in oversubscribed Catholic schools, non-baptised children would be more represented in pupil numbers. "Of course every child should be able to attend their local school - but, crucially, their local school should treat all children with equal respect, both at the school gates and in the classroom, regardless of religious, social or cultural background," he said. "It is welcome that the baptism barrier is to fall. However, the lack of school choice for all families in Ireland remains the fundamental problem." The proposals announced by Mr Bruton raise complex legal and constitutional issues. "I believe it is unfair that preference can be given by publicly funded denominational schools to children of their own religion who might live some distance away, ahead of children of a different religion or of no religion who live close to the school," Mr Bruton said. "I also believe that it is unfair that some parents, who might otherwise not do so, feel pressure to baptise their children in order to gain admission to their local school." Mr Bruton revealed his new strategy during a discussion on the School Admissions Bill, which is to restrict the number of school places that can be reserved for children of past pupils to 25pc. However, he has decided not to include changes to the 'baptism barrier' in the legislation, which is currently before the Dail to allow for further consultation. The minister noted that 80pc of schools have sufficient capacity to take all applicants. "It is in the 20pc other schools that this issue now needs to be addressed," he said. "I am seeking to be fair to all parents, while recognising the right of all schools to have their distinctive ethos. "The aim is to meet the wishes of non-denominational parents - who now amount to well over 10pc of their cohort - without unfairly impinging on the rights of other children." The most recent census data shows that 78pc of the population considers itself Catholic. Labour Party spokesperson on education Joan Burton yesterday called on the Government to move quickly to end the 'baptism barrier', saying the census figures should be "a wake-up call". The Church of Ireland General Synod Board of Education said it "welcomes the recognition by Minister Bruton of specific concerns raised by minority faiths". For the love of food: Two-year Commis chef apprenticeships will lead to a Level 6 qualification Finally, more of the long-promised apprenticeships are coming on stream - and just in time for school-leavers looking for an alternative to the CAO. The roll-out of three new-style 'earn-as-you-learn' programmes, including some in white-collar areas such as financial services and software development, is expected in the autumn. They are in the final stages of approval, having come through the validation panel set up by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the independent state watchdog for accountability in education and training services. Whether the more traditional, blue-collar apprenticeships, or new ones, the same approach applies, with participants working and getting time off to study for a qualification, in some cases to degree level. One that has been much anticipated is in Dublin's IFSC, where apprentices will work in an international financial services company for two years, and study at the same time, with annual salaries of 23,000 and 32,000. The IFSC is offering two different programmes, one called IFC Associate Level Apprenticeship, a Level 6, higher certificate, aimed at school-leavers or those who have completed a Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) business course. There are 30 places and apprentices will be paid 23,000 a year. The IFS Specialist Level Apprenticeship is aimed at graduates of all disciplines. It leads to a higher diploma in financial services analytics, a Level 8 (honours degree) qualification, with a starting salary of 32,000. There are 50 places on this programme. The National College of Ireland in the IFSC is the coordinator and will manage recruitment. Interested candidates should apply by expressing their interest on ifsapprenticeships.ie. Meanwhile, two new apprenticeships in information and communications technology (ICT) are also on target for the autumn, with about 250 places nationwide. Both will be for two years and will lead to a Level 6 award. One is the ICT Associate Professional Network Engineer Apprenticeship, which will have modules in areas such as network operating systems, networking technologies and internet server management. The other is the ICT Associate Professional Software Developer Apprenticeship, which will cover topics such as systems analysis and design, software applications testing, web development and website software, and software design fundamentals. Fastrack to Information Technology (FIT), an industry-led initiative, is the coordinator and will manage recruitment. Interested candidates should apply by expressing their interest on the FIT website at fit.ie/courses/fit-ictap/. Salaries are not finalised. The Irish Hotels' Federation and the Restaurants' Association are among those in the consortium offering a two-year commis chef apprenticeship leading to a Level 6 qualification, with 112 apprentices nationally to be recruited on its first intake. Early October is the planned starting date and recruitment will be through local employers advertising their positions. Kerry ETB is the coordinating provider, and there will be five partners: Cork ETB, Galway-Roscommon ETB, Limerick and Clare ETB, City of Dublin ETB and Cavan Monaghan ETB. Salaries are not finalised. Meanwhile, plans to recruit 120 apprentice accounting technicians with major firms such as Deloitte, from September, are also well advanced and it is hoped that a formal announcement will be made next month. This is a link-up between the industry body, Accounting Technicians of Ireland, and a number of education and training boards, in Dublin city and county, Cork, Cavan, Monaghan and Wicklow. Participants will spend four days a week in the workplace and one day a week in a college, such as Colaiste Ide, Finglas, Blackrock FE Institute, Rathmines College of FE, Bray Institute of FE, Monaghan Institute and Cork College of Commerce. These new apprenticeships follow a number introduced in the past year, including one in the insurance industry, and more recently in the polymer processing and medical devices industries. A farmer has died tragically after a tractor apparently knocked him into a slurry pit. The 52-year-old was named as Michael McGrath by locals in west Clare, where he farmed near Labasheeda. Mr McGrath is understood to have been working with a tractor and trailer at around 7.20pm on Tuesday and was unloading slurry when the vehicle rolled backwards and knocked him into a slurry pit. It's believed that Mr McGrath drowned before he could be rescued, however all the circumstances of the incident remain under investigation. Two units of the fire brigade and an ambulance from Kilrush were called to the scene but Mr McGrath could not be saved. The victim's body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) visited the scene yesterday while gardai will undertake a separate investigation. Mr McGrath is survived by his partner Elizabeth and a daughter, believed to be three. This is the eighth death on Irish farms this year and comes at a busy time in farming. Separately, a motoring chief is warning that, "enough is enough" and tractor users need to be subject to the full rigours of the law when it comes to motorway use. Over the past 10 years, 46 out of 47 collisions involving tractors on the nation's roads have proved fatal according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The latest was just last week after the driver of a heavy goods vehicle which he was driving collided with a tractor on the N25 Waterford bypass. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver of the tractor (25) was taken to University Hospital Waterford with non-life threatening injuries. Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) president Verona Murphy said compulsory NCT roadworthiness tractor tests needed to be urgently introduced and that Ireland was the only country in Europe that allowed tractors to be used on motorways. It is now being mooted that it will be compulsory for these types of vehicles to be tested for roadworthiness by May 2018 by many other EU countries. Figures from the Central Statistic Office (CSO) show that last year, 1,986 new tractors were licensed. "This is a huge issue and regulatory bodies don't seem to be too concerned about it. They need to take a look at what is happening in other EU countries when it comes to using tractors on motorways or their equivalent," she said. "This is a highly, highly dangerous situation the Department of Transport and the RSA have allowed to emerge. Does it not tell you something when Ireland is the only country in Europe which allows tractors to be used on motorways?" Ed Sheeran fans will be forced to pay up to 400 per cent more for hotel rooms during the seven nights of his May 2018 tour Some hotels are being accused of price gouging ahead of the concerts, with the price of a single room multiplying across the country during the nights on which Sheeran is expected to perform. Hotels such as the Jurys Inn Parnell Street and the Ashling Hotel in Dublin are already sold out almost a year in advance on the night when Sheeran performs his first of two shows at the Phoenix Park. The impact can also be felt in Cork and Galway. Two of Corks most popular hotels, the Maldron and Jurys Inn are also sold out on both nights, while the 3-star Connacht Hotel in Galway has received 483 bookings in 24 hours at the time of publication, according to hotel booking website Booking.com The demand can be seen in the considerably higher prices of rooms still available; a night in Dublins 3-star Fleet Street Hotel now costs 265 on May 16, over 100 dearer when compared to booking the same room a week earlier. Even bigger increases can be seen in Dublin hotels such as the Ripley Court and the Grand Canal Hotel, which have both seen typical single room prices double to over 250 when Sheeran rolls into town. A similar situation is present in Cork; with some 3-star hotels charging as much as 400 for a single room during either night when Ed Sheeran plays at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The 3-star Metropole Hotel only charges 98 for one room on April 28, but is now charging 398 for the same date one week later. Those looking for a bargain can avail of the 178 rate at the Cork International, or the 158 rate at the East Village Hotel but even these represent 75pc increases when compared to prices for a room one week earlier. Those looking to stay in Galway when Sheeran plays Pearse Stadium on two nights will be forced to shell over 260 for popular hotels such as the Clayton or the Ardilaun, compared to approximately 120 for those staying one week earlier. Labour Party representative Peter Horgan was just one person to speak out against the rising prices of hotels in his native Cork. We have seen in Dublin the scalping of fans and travellers to big gigs and games by hotels in the city centre and further afield, Horgan said in a statement. Hotels should not seek to profiteer and drive people away. A similar situation was seen in Cardiff, with all of the citys major hotels selling out within an hour for when Sheeran visits Wales on June 22, 2018. While fans might have to face expensive prices for a place to stay, they can take solace in the fact that extra measures are being taken to prevent ticket touts from profiting on reselling tickets. A statement released yesterday confirmed that those attending of Ed Sheerans concerts next year will need valid identification, booking confirmation and a credit card in order to gain entry. Ed and his team have a strict stance against anyone using secondary ticketing websites for profit. On this tour, any tickets that are resold will not be valid this means no profit to touts and no one getting ripped off, the statement says. "On all the stadium dates you will be required to bring your tickets, booking confirmation and credit card, plus a valid form of ID or you will not be granted entry to the show." Ed will play Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Belfast, kicking off at Pairc Ui Cahoimh in Cork on May 4 2018, with a second date at the venue on May 5. He will then play Boucher Road Playing Fields, in Belfast on May 9 before Galway's Pearse Stadium on Saturday May 12 and Sunday May 13. His Dublin dates will see him play the Phoenix Park on Wednesday May 16 and Friday May 18. Medical cannabis campaigner Vera Twomey has revealed that her daughter Ava is to begin life-saving" treatment in the Netherlands. Ms Twomey said in May that she was being "forced out of the country" to access treatment for her daughter, who suffers from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravat Syndrome, which can cause multiple seizures a day. The Cork woman has been campaigning for access to medical cannabis to treat her daughters condition. Ava has been on a CBD-based treatment since last October, and has shown a marked improvement, according to Ms Twomey. This product contains very little THC, which is the active product in cannabis that produces a high. Ms Twomey has campaigned for access to drugs with higher levels of THC and has gained access to them in the Netherlands. Ms Twomey claimed medicinal cannabis in liquid form has the potential to save her daughters life, as it reduces the frequency of seizures. In a Facebook Live video she said: Today we had a doctors appointment and we have begun Ava on her treatment, her CBD and THC medication has been prescribed and that medication will be issued tomorrow. Shes doing ok. Im looking forward to getting going on it. Apart from that, the people weve met over here have been fantastic, theyve been tremendous. Ive met a number of doctors, a number of nurses, paramedics, all of which are confused and appalled that medical THC and medical CBD combined are not available as treatment for patients like Ava and other people in Ireland. The Netherlands is one of the few European countries where cannabis is a legal substance. Ms Twomey said witnessing ordinary peoples use of the drug has cemented her position on Irish legalisation. She said: Coming over here has made me see the ordinary people in this country. They think its a fantastic alternative, a fantastic treatment and thats the way it should be and I hope thats the way it will be over in Ireland. Ms Twomey previously walked in protest from Cork to Dublin and attended a meeting with Minister for Health Simon Harris and the HSE. She was presented with five options for her daughters treatment, but said the recommendations were insufficient. Ms Twomey was also previously halted at Dublin Airport as she attempted to bring medical cannabis into the country from Barcelona. She declared the drug and did not attempt the hide it. The cannabis was seized by customs. Fianna Fail has warned that plans to issue water refunds in October's Budget are in doubt as a result of Shane Ross's "hissy fit" over judicial appointments. The main Opposition party last night claimed the row over the appointment of judges has ensured that other important legislation has been downgraded. Fianna Fail's housing spokesperson Barry Cowen accused the Government of prioritising the Judicial Appointments Bill in order to appease Independent Minister Mr Ross. "The bottom line is this legislation should have been easily passed by the summer recess. Now it is clear that because of the hissy fit by Shane Ross and Finian McGrath, this legislation is in doubt," Mr Cowen told the Irish Independent. "Taoiseach Leo Varadkar needs to spell out clearly whether the pledge laid down by the committee to ensure no household is treated differently is fulfilled in the Budget," he added. Last night, a senior Government source admitted that the legislation logjam means it is highly unlikely the water legislation will be passed before the summer recess. However, the same source insisted Housing and Water Minister Eoghan Murphy will "do his utmost" to ensure refunds are provided for in the Budget. "This is a priority but unfortunately there is now so much legislation facing us to get over the line," the source said. After 22 meetings of the Oireachtas water committee, the majority of members voted to scrap the billing system introduced by the Fine Gael/Labour coalition. In its place will be a new regime that centres upon penalising those who engage in "excess use" or the "wilful waste" of water. It's estimated that 8pc of households will fall into this category, meaning the vast majority of households won't pay bills whatsoever. The committee agreed that the regulator will determine what constitutes normal usage. But crucially, the threshold for wastage will be set at 1.7 times this level based on the calculation that the average person uses 133 litres a day. Allowances will also be introduced for "extraordinary circumstances" such as medical conditions and larger households that use water beyond the threshold level. Around 70,000 households who currently use 32pc of the country's domestic water supply will be targeted. US President Donald Trump waits to speak on the phone with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to congratulate him on his recent election victory. Photo: AFP/Getty Images Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it was never his intention to leave US President Donald Trump hanging on the phone for 90 seconds. Mr Trump was filmed by journalists at his desk in the Oval Office waiting for the new Taoiseach to pick up his scheduled call on Tuesday. The president was phoning Mr Varadkar to congratulate him on his "great victory" in becoming Ireland's youngest ever leader. Asked about the delay, Mr Varadkar said: "There's no significance to the 90-second delay. That was just a delay in putting the call through to me. I've seen some of the coverage of that but there's no particular significance." Despite some criticism from Opposition TDs, the Taoiseach said he was "very happy" to take the call, which lasted about 15 minutes. "He was very interested in Brexit, very interested in the consequences for Ireland," Mr Varadkar said. Mr Trump invited him to Washington for next year's St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House. Fine Gael ministers and TDs have hit out at problems in the schools bus network, warning Taoiseach Leo Varadkar they will be "crucified" in September. A private meeting of the party last night heard that parents in some parts of the country are being forced to hire buses because the State operation is not sufficient. Minister of State Paul Kehoe said he is aware of a number of cases in Wexford where families have come together to put on a private service. Fellow Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan said the problems had been in existence since 2010 but the Government had not come to terms with it. Government sources indicated that there were heated exchanges on the issue. "People were really angry. There was a sense that it's a problem that affects families in every rural constituency but it's been allowed to fester," one TD told the Irish Independent. Sources said Mr O'Donovan was "particularly harsh" on the Department of Education, suggesting responsibility for the network should be removed from it. The Limerick TD said there needed to be a major rethink of how the school bus network operates in rural Ireland. He noted that in Dublin schoolchildren use buses that are also populated with workers, pensioners and other commuters. A source said: "Patrick made the point that in some parts of rural Ireland three different buses go on the one road in the same day because there's no joined up thinking. "Each of the three buses for kids, pensioners and whatever else are being paid for out of the public fund but none of them might be full." Carlow/Kilkenny TD Pat Deering said TDs faced the prospect of being "crucified" in September if a solution is not found. Mr Varadkar told his colleagues that he would raise the issue with Independent Alliance Minister John Halligan who has responsibility for school transport. Last December, controversial plans to introduce smaller school buses were shelved. Passengers on a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Wroclaw in Poland were 'told to make their own way home' after the plane was diverted to Berlin in bad weather. The flight, F1926, departed Dublin at 7.30pm and was due to land in the Polish city at 11.05pm. However due to bad weather the flight was diverted to Berlin, Germany. As is standard practise the airline informed customers there would be transport by bus to their final destination - the journey by car can take around three hours but on public transport it can take more than five hours. However, passengers on the flight have said that despite this promise no transport to bring them on the final part of their journey materialised. An angry mum, whose children were travelling on the flight, branded the situation "disgraceful". "My parents, with my kids, were traveling from Dublin to Wroclaw on Ryanair Flight 1926. "They were told they have to make their own way home," she added. Read More "I have two small kids traveling on that plane. I don't see the reason why could they not be provided a hotel for the night. They won't be home till approximately 6am in the morning. That's 13 hours of a travel time," she said. Another passenger also hit out at the airline over the treatment. "People abandoned at the airport in foreign country in the middle of the night with no information and no transport to original destination,"she said, describing the situation as "unbelievable". A spokesperson for Ryanair told Independent.ie: "This flight from Dublin to Wroclaw (28 June) diverted at short notice to Berlin due to unsafe thunderstorms over Wroclaw. "It landed late in the evening at 10.30pm. Due to other diversions we were unable to get buses or drivers to do transfers to Wroclaw late that night. "Customers were advised to provide receipted expenses for their transfers. "Ryanair sincerely apologises to customers affected by this weather diversion, which was entirely beyond our control. Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd (left) and Mairtin O Muilleoir talk to the media following talks aimed at restoring powersharing in Northern Ireland as parties mount a last-ditch effort to strike a deal ahead of Thursday's deadline, at Stormont Castle in Belfast. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire The UK Government has announced negotiations to restore powersharing in Northern Ireland will be allowed to extend until Monday, despite Stormont parties missing today's statutory deadline to reach agreement. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the passing of Thursday's 4pm deadline "does not mean the efforts to restore the executive are ending". "We are now allowing the parties space to continue the discussions," she said. Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will make a statement to the House of Commons on Monday outlining the Government's intentions going forward. In the absence of agreement, the options open to Mr Brokenshire include setting another deadline for the talks process, calling a second snap Assembly election or reimposing some form of direct rule from London. If a deal was to materialise over the weekend, the Government could pass legislation to retrospectively change Thursday's missed deadline to enable a new executive to be formed without recourse to another election. The Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein, the two parties whose agreement is required to form a new administration, have accused each other of refusing to give ground on key issues. Despite a pessimistic mood at Stormont, the Downing Street spokeswoman insisted "very good progress" had been made in the talks. "We believe a resolution can be found and we are urging the parties to continue focusing their efforts on achieving it," she said. A crucial sticking point in the way of a deal appears to be Sinn Fein's demand for an Irish Language Act, which would bestow official protections for Gaelic speakers. The DUP is willing to legislate on the language issue, but only if Ulster Scots speakers are included in any Act, a condition Sinn Fein has rejected. The 4pm deadline to nominate ministers to a coalition executive passed with both parties still blaming each other for the impasse. It was the fourth deadline since the institutions collapsed earlier this year. Senior DUP negotiator Edwin Poots said if a deal did not materialise in the near future he would prefer direct rule ministers to take over running Stormont departments. "The talks are continuing, obviously there is not going to be a breakthrough that would lead to nominations taking place today," he said. "The talks will continue, Sinn Fein know what they need to do." He added: "At this stage we aren't close to an agreement, there is considerable work to be done and we believe the ball is in the court of Sinn Fein in the main in dealing with a series of outstanding issues." However, Sinn Fein insisted the DUP had to move, claiming it was "make up your mind time" for the unionists. Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said "limited progress" had been made to bridge the gaps. "In our view it's now make up your mind time for the DUP," he said. "We have always said this can be done in a matter of hours, the issues are very clear, there are still gaps in terms of trying to establish a rights-based approach to these institutions working, as per the Good Friday Agreement. "We want to close those gaps. There has been some limited progress in closing those gaps. We want to get this done, we want to get it done quickly and on a sustainable basis." Earlier, Mr Brokenshire and Dublin's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney insisted a deal was "possible and achievable". Delivering a joint statement at the talks venue at Stormont Castle, they gave no firm indication on the way ahead once the deadline passed. Mr Brokenshire said a number of issues remain outstanding. "I believe a resolution can be found," he said. "And I'm urging the parties to continue focusing all of their efforts on achieving this. "The UK Government will work with the parties toward their critical objective of forming an executive. "But I've made clear to party leaders that it is for them to reach agreement." Mr Brokenshire added: "That prize remains achievable and remains my focus." Mr Coveney said the last three days of talks had been intensive and he was encouraged by the discussions. "There still remain gaps to be bridged on some key issues," he said. "Like the Secretary of State I believe that an agreement is still within reach, an agreement that would allow a powersharing executive to be formed on a sustainable basis." Mr Coveney said all parties were committed to the successful operations of all the political institutions in Belfast and everyone was convinced devolution was the best way to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. "With courage and goodwill this can be achieved and everybody here is continuing to focus on a positive outcome," he said. The institutions imploded in January when DUP leader Arlene Foster was forced from office after Sinn Fein's then deputy first minister, the late Martin McGuinness, quit. That was in protest at the DUP's handling of the renewable heat incentive (RHI), a scheme that left the administration facing a 490 million overspend. His move triggered a snap Assembly election in March. The parents of an eight-year-old boy who lives with severe autism said their family has been "abandoned" by the government, who have failed to provide respite and adequate support to their family in crisis. Edel and Anton Dooley's son Jacob (8) lives with severe autism and is non-verbal and doubly incontinent. Jacob also lives with pervasive developmental disorder, mixed expressive receptive language disorder and intellectual disability with sensory issues yet to be diagnosed. The Dooleys from Swords in Dublin said their family has reached breaking point and is struggling to cope with Jacob's violent outbursts, which are having a serious impact on the family's two other children and mum Edel, his main caregiver. Speaking on RTE Radio One's Today with Sean O'Rourke, Edel and Anton said the family had previously been assessed by the HSE who determined that Jacob needed two to one support at all times to ensure his own safety and that of the people around him. While the body provides several hours of support as part of a home care package, it does not provide the necessary support to ensure that Jacob receives two to one support at all times. Jacob's father Anton said: "The HSE actually assessed us when they were getting the home care package in place. Part of their assessment was that Jacob required two to one support at all times from caregivers. They gave us five working hours of actual support. "They've acknowledged that Jacob needs two to one support but they're still happy for Edel, when I'm at work and there's no carers there, to look after Jacob and another two children alone. They quite clearly know what the situation is but they don't have a response for us. "It's more than shameful. It's willful neglect because they know it's happening," he said. The family have said their home has become a battleground due to Jacob's violent behaviours and his mum Edel said her son is now strong enough to be a threat to his own safety and that of his family members. Speaking on the programme, Edel said: "Over the Christmas holidays Anton took our two other children to visit family in Donegal to give them a well deserved break. I was strangled by Jacob when we were playing. He pinned my arms down with his knees and he strangled me to the point where I almost passed out. He also pushed me down the stairs. He doesn't do it in anger. He has no safety awareness. We were playing when it happened. We were playing clap hands, his favourite game. "I have no control over what he's doing. He's very tall, he's very strong. He's very healthy and it's very scary." The couple is also concerned that the situation is having an impact on their other children, who rarely get a relief from the difficult situation, as the family has not been allocated respite. "We have two other children as well and he has hurt them," said Anton. "My daughter in particular who is smaller than him. He's ceased on her a few times, he's bit her on the face, he's bit her on the back. He's left marks on her. Alma is now seven but that's been going on for a couple of years. Matthew less so because he's a little bit stronger to fend him off. Neither want to be in the same room as Jacob. Never. They come home from school and go straight up to their rooms and lock themselves in. "We know he's going to hurt us again, that's every day. Everyday one of us has scratches and bite marks. Some of it is from just restraining him. My fear is that in restraining him to keep my other kids safe, to keep me safe, that I'm actually afraid that I'll hurt him because it will take me that much effort to keep him down." The family said they feel "alone and abandoned" by the government, after seeking the help of several politicians including Minister for Health Simon Harris, who has not responded. The Dooleys feel that they have received the same "template" responses from Ministers Katherine Zappone and Finian McGrath as many other families in similar positions around the country have received. Edel said: "I sent them photographs of my injuries. Minister Simon Harris' office - nothing. Minister Katherine Zappone's office acknowledged my communication and promised to raise the matter with Finian McGrath. Finian McGrath's office - the minister responded immediately and wanted to help and asked for more information including Jacob's PPS number. I provided the information and I received a reply from someone in Finian McGrath's office stating that he's prohibited from intervening in individual cases. "We now know that this is a boiler plate response that has been sent to families up and down the country from both this Minister and other Ministers' offices. The Office of An Taoiseach acknowledged my communication and referred the matter to the offices of Finian McGrath and Katherine Zappone who either can't help or don't know who to send the referrals to." Mum Edel became emotional on the programme and said the situation is having an impact on her mental health. "I feel alone, abandoned by our state and fearful for our future. Jacob can't go on holidays so we don't get a holiday. To visit Anton's family in Donegal, he will take the other two children. I'll get a few hours of home care in but bedtime in particular is a very difficult time of the day. I worry that if he knocks me unconscious or pushes me down the stairs what will happen. Will he be free then to roam around the house and hurt himself." "My mental health is suffering. Firstly I want to explain that there's a very big difference between wanting to die and being suicidal. Very clear, psychological distinction. A lot of nights it's just so tough I just want to climb into bed with our son and both of us not wake up. It's so hard to see him suffer because I'm not mentally strong enough to keep going the way things are going," she said. Dad-of-three Anton said every day he comes home from work to a "battle field". "The kids are in lock down in their rooms, Jacob's upset about something, Edel's upset. I get to get away from that with work but Edel doesn't get to get away from that particularly during the summer." The family, who lived abroad for four years before moving home to Ireland, said the standard of support here is incomparable to that in Canada. Edel said: "We lived in Canada for four years where the services are extremely different. It took a social worker a whole year to convince us to give respite a try because we love our children and we didn't want our son to feel like we were abandoning him. "But we eventually decided that we couldn't manage and we'd give it a go. It worked so well for us. It kept our family as a unit. It allowed us to recover mentally, emotionally and physically for a few days a week. It helped us be able to care for our three children in a loving home environment for the other days that he was home. "Our son is not the problem here. More and more children are being diagnosed with complex conditions. The problem is that the supports are not there. The state has let it fall on the head of some charities, some unfunded, to take up the slack." The New York Times' travel section has been foraging in Dublin, and this week it shared five city shopping picks with its readers. Skipping the "international brands" dominating most of Grafton Street, it zeroes in on a tasty mix of independent businesses creating "a concentrated destination for contemporary Irish design" around nearby South William, Clarendon and Drury Streets. So which stores does it recommend to its readers? [Made] Store & Gallery, in the Powerscourt Centre, gets the nod for its "fashion-forward" clothes lines and Chupi jewellery. On Drury Street, the Irish Design Shop is name-checked, as is vintage-inspired Carousel on Exchequer Street. Were loving the new collection from @madedublin filled with tons of cute staple pieces perfect for your summer wardrobe. #IrishDesign pic.twitter.com/sCeCTOd8fB Powerscourt Centre (@ShopPowerscourt) June 23, 2017 MoMuse, featuring the jewellery of Margaret O'Rourke, gets a hat tip (it's also in the Powerscourt Centre), while the Westbury Hotel's Wilde restaurant is recommended for a shopping break... with blankets and G&Ts if that's your bag. With some 1.6 million digital subscribers and a massive daily circulation, The New York Times is one of the most influential titles in global journalism - even the briefest of mentions is capable of creating huge exposure for businesses. Its 'Foraging' column is just the latest visit to Dublin. Last month, a travel feature zeroed in on Portobello, the city's historical Jewish hub and now "a culinary hotbed" thanks to the likes of Eatyard, Bastible, the Bretzel Bakery and Picado Mexican. Read the full Foraging column here. Statement by the Spokesperson on the conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts Foreign Minister of Armenia to participate in the Fifth Paris Peace Forum Armenia: EU and Armenia Hold annual Dialogue on Human Rights Todays Shushi, Occupied and Cleared of Armenians, is a Real Example of Turkish-Azerbaijani Policy of Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh Google Ad Ookla, the the global leader in internet testing and analysis has awarded Ucom Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General Google Ad I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Premium John Downing Opinion New British prime minister Rishi Sunaks succession proves an important milestone in British political inclusivity There is an old saying in British politics that goes: The right looks for converts while the left seeks out traitors. It comes to mind when one reflects upon the election of Rishi Sunak as the UKs first non-white prime minister in a party traditionally seen as most opposed to mass immigration and the dilution of national identity via multiculturalism. Tamara Ecclestone, Bernie Ecclestone and Petra Ecclestone arrive at the European premiere of "Batman Begins" at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 12, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images) Formula One owner Bernie Ecclestone's daugter Petra (R) leaves her hotel in central Rome, on August 26, 2011. Petra will marry James Stunt, at the Odescalchi castle in Bracciano, near Rome, on August 27. AFP PHOTO/ TIZIANA FABI (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images) Petra Ecclestone and boyfriend James Stunt attend the presentation of the Petra Ecclestone menswear collection at The Corner on September 17, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Florian Seefried/Getty Images) Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt attend the presentation of the Petra Ecclestone menswear collection at The Corner on September 17, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Florian Seefried/Getty Images) Billionaire socialite Petra Eccelstone is engaged in bitter divorce proceedings with her husband of six years James Stunt. The 28-year-old, who is the daughter of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, appeared in court on Wednesday for the first divorce hearing where the family's 2.6bn fortune is at stake. Petra looked drawn as she joined her father at the Central Family Court yesterday, where it's reported her estranged husband, an art dealer, was warned by the judge to stop his "distracting" behaviour in court and called his former father-in-law a "c***" under his breath, according to the Daily Mail. In 2011, Stunt and Ecclestone exchanged vows in lavish fashion - in Odescalchi Castle in Rome in front of 350 guests, where Eric Clapton, David Guetta and the Black Eyed Peas performed in an incredible 12m celebration. Expand Close Petra Ecclestone and boyfriend James Stunt attend the presentation of the Petra Ecclestone menswear collection at The Corner on September 17, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Florian Seefried/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Petra Ecclestone and boyfriend James Stunt attend the presentation of the Petra Ecclestone menswear collection at The Corner on September 17, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Florian Seefried/Getty Images) Together, they have an impressive property portfolio: a palatial home in Los Angeles worth $200m, the largest residence in a city built on large residences and a mansion in London's Chelsea worth 100m, where Petra is now residing with their children. They have three children together - Lavinia (four) and twins James Jr and Andres (two). Read More Before their wedding, Mr Stunt signed a pre-nuptial agreement agreeing to a settlement of 17m in the event they divorced. The proceedings will begin in the High Court next month. Petra's relationship has never been far from the spotlight since their first date in 2006 - the couple were often pictured together at glitzy events around the world and their wedding was one of the most talked about in decades. Even her father Bernie said he found the 12m excessive, admitting his ex-wife Slavica footed the bill for the bash. Expand Close Formula One owner Bernie Ecclestone's daugter Petra (R) leaves her hotel in central Rome, on August 26, 2011. Petra will marry James Stunt, at the Odescalchi castle in Bracciano, near Rome, on August 27. AFP PHOTO/ TIZIANA FABI (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Formula One owner Bernie Ecclestone's daugter Petra (R) leaves her hotel in central Rome, on August 26, 2011. Petra will marry James Stunt, at the Odescalchi castle in Bracciano, near Rome, on August 27. AFP PHOTO/ TIZIANA FABI (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images) Video of the Day "My younger daughter got married and I thought, as father of the bride, I should pay for the wedding," he said in 2011. "But when it was suggested how much they would be spending on drinks, I thought it was absurd, and I managed to upset my daughter and my wife. "Then she spent in excess of 12million on my daughter's wedding, which I did not know about until afterwards." Slavica famously said after: "It was worth every penny because it made my daughter happy. Who cares about money?" Actor Jason Statham and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attend 'The Fate Of The Furious' New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York, U.S. April 8, 2017. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Actor Jason Statham and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attend 'The Fate Of The Furious' New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York, U.S. April 8, 2017. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Jason Statham and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at the Oscars Vanity Fair Party 2017. Picture: REUTERS/Danny Moloshok Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has welcomed her first child with actor Jason Statham. The British star announced the news by posting a picture of her new-born son named Jack Oscar Statham grabbing her finger on Instagram. Our little man arrived! Jack Oscar Statham - 8.8lbs on Saturday June 24th. A post shared by Rosie HW (@rosiehw) on Jun 28, 2017 at 7:43am PDT Along with the image, Huntington-Whiteley wrote: "Our little man arrived! "Jack Oscar Statham 8.8lbs on Saturday June 24th." The 30-year-old catwalk star and actress included an angel and a heart emoji with her sweet message. The Plymouth-born model has been in a relationship with Statham, 49, since 2010, and the pair confirmed their engagement in early 2016. They announced they were expecting their first child together in February this year, as the model posted a snap of herself showing off her baby bump while on a beach. At the time, she wrote: "Very happy to share that Jason and I are expecting!! Lots of love Rosie x." Expand Close Actor Jason Statham and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attend 'The Fate Of The Furious' New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York, U.S. April 8, 2017. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Actor Jason Statham and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attend 'The Fate Of The Furious' New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York, U.S. April 8, 2017. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Huntington-Whiteley's estimated earnings for last year were believed to be nine million US dollars (6.9 million). She has previously modelled for lingerie giant Victoria's Secret, and she has her own underwear range, Rosie For Autograph, with Marks and Spencer. Video of the Day Away from the runway, Huntington-Whiteley has appeared in films including Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mad Max: Fury Road. Statham is best known for his typical hard-man roles in various Guy Ritchie films, including Snatch and Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. Sparklist: Claudine Keane's dress was by Elie Saab when she married Robbie Spiritualist: Gordon D'Arcy and Aoife Cogan, who opted for the laid-back looks of Amanda Wakeley Sarah Morrissey and Pat Jennings Jr. on their wedding day in 2014. Stephanie Allin - as worn by Amy Huberman when she married Brian O'Driscoll The choice of wedding dress reveals more than just a sense of style. THE CLASSICIST The Classicist believes a wedding dress should be traditional, simple and modest. In other words, timeless. She favours A-line and empire-line cuts and looks to designers like Vera Wang, Emma Hunt, Margarett, St Patrick and Stephanie Allin (as worn by Amy Huberman). The Classicist is the first to send thank you notes to her guests (probably because she starts writing them while on honeymoon). Expand Close Stephanie Allin - as worn by Amy Huberman when she married Brian O'Driscoll / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stephanie Allin - as worn by Amy Huberman when she married Brian O'Driscoll BRIDEZILLA MOMENT: A full-size orchestra for the church? No? Beef or salmon: Wicklow rack of lamb and pan-seared Atlantic halibut.Wedding favour: Sterling silver miniature photo frames. FIRST DANCE: At Last by Etta James. HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Tour of the Italian lakes. CELEB INSPIRATION: Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn. THE INDIVIDUALIST The Individualist wants to make an entrance and a statement. She believes fashion should be about theatricality and experimentation, and she will boldly go where no bride has ever gone before. Whether it's 16 flower girls, a 12-foot train or a one-off pair of shoes, The Individualist wants to wow her guests with the unexpected. Caroline Morahan wears Kathy de Stafford. For more show-stopping numbers, look to the work of Ines di Santo, Galia Lahav and Zahavit Tshuba. Video of the Day BRIDEZILLA MOMENT: Releasing white butterflies seems perfectly reasonable to this bride tribe. Beef or salmon: She was the first to do the retro sweet bar thing. Wedding favour: Personalised mini scented candles. FIRST DANCE: The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra. HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Bora Bora. CELEB INSPIRATION: Anne Hathaway. THE NON-CONFORMIST Expand Close Marian Finucane plumped for black / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Marian Finucane plumped for black Who said you have to wear white, asks The Non-conformist (Marian Finucane plumped for black). This breed of bride always put practicality ahead of frivolity (and would rather stick pins in her eyeballs than enlist a chorus of bridesmaids). BRIDEZILLA MOMENT: Could threaten to call the whole thing off due to work commitments. Beef or salmon: An intimate meal for friends and family in the Trocadero. Wedding favour: She asked a friend to lend her a pair of shoes for the occasion as it seemed foolish to buy a new pair for one day out. FIRST DANCE: Too long in the tooth for that sort of nonsense. HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Maybe West Cork, if they get around to it. CELEB INSPIRATION: Bianca Jagger. THE MODERNIST Expand Close Sarah Morrissey and Pat Jennings Jr. on their wedding day in 2014. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sarah Morrissey and Pat Jennings Jr. on their wedding day in 2014. The Modernist is a dedicated follower of fashion. Sass & Bide Black Rat leggings? Bought them in Paris. Isabel Marant wedge trainers? First Irish owner. This enviably stylish bride always bucks tradition in favour of a contemporary twist. Sarah Morrissey's dress is by Peter O'Brien. Other fashion-forward brides should look at Gemy Maalouf, Jenny Packham and Amsale. BRIDEZILLA MOMENT: Would have no issue queuing from 5am outside Brown Thomas to buy bridesmaids' outfits in sale. Beef or salmon: She asked Dylan McGrath to advise. Wedding favour: They're a bit dated, no? FIRST DANCE: Something from Alicia Keyes' new album. HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Costa Rica is the spot, according to Conde Nast Traveller. CELEB INSPIRATION: Olivia Palermo. THE SPIRITUALIST Expand Close Spiritualist: Gordon D'Arcy and Aoife Cogan, who opted for the laid-back looks of Amanda Wakeley / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Spiritualist: Gordon D'Arcy and Aoife Cogan, who opted for the laid-back looks of Amanda Wakeley The Spiritualist's wedding vision is an outdoor affair with lavender garlands, seraphic bridesmaids... and maybe a centaur. Her guests appreciate the free-spirited ambience, even if her 92-year-old grandmother still can't get her head around 'glamping'. The idea of a corset makes her wheeze and she prefers the laid-back looks of Amanda Wakeley (as worn by Aoife Cogan), Alice Temperley, Samuelle Couture, Grace Loves Lace and Rembo Styling. Head jewellery or floral headpiece is obligatory. BRIDEZILLA MOMENT: Liable to ask her yoga teacher to officiate the ceremony. Beef or salmon: Locally sourced slow food with the word 'organic' appearing at least once on the menu. Wedding favour: Wildflower seeds in environmentally-friendly packet. FIRST DANCE: 1,2,3,4 by Feist. HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Tulum in Mexico. CELEB INSPIRATION: Kate Moss. THE SENSUALIST Expand Close Sensualist: Jennifer Maguire's dress was designed by Kathy de Stafford / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sensualist: Jennifer Maguire's dress was designed by Kathy de Stafford The Sensualist bathes in Aromatherapy Associates bath oil, sleeps on Egyptian cotton bedsheets and shops in lifestyle emporiums where a bar of soap costs 15. The touch and feel of her wedding dress is just as important as the cut and shape. Think cascades of silk, Chantilly lace and whispers of chiffon. Jennifer Maguire's dress was designed by Kathy de Stafford, but other Sensualists should explore the work of David Fielden, Belle & Bunty, Elizabeth Fillmore, House of Delphine and Sharon Hoey. BRIDEZILLA MOMENT: Calling caterer to ask if he could scatter dried peony petals over the creme brulee desserts is not beyond her. Beef or salmon: Crackling pork belly with caramelised pear. Wedding favour: A bespoke blend of essential oils made especially by an aromatherapist friend. FIRST DANCE: Your Love is King by Sade. HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Portofino. CELEB INSPIRATION: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. THE SPARKLIST Expand Close Sparklist: Claudine Keane's dress was by Elie Saab when she married Robbie / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sparklist: Claudine Keane's dress was by Elie Saab when she married Robbie The Sparklist likes shiny things. Rhinestones, sequins, seed beads ... it doesn't matter so long as her dress twinkles in the light. This type of bride describes jewellery designer Theo Fennell as a genius and considers the limited edition gold and Swarovski crystal iPhone a collector's item. She chooses her wedding dress with a magpie's eye and opts for designers like Badgley Mischka, Zuhair Murad and Naeem Khan. Claudine Keane's dress was by Elie Saab. BRIDEZILLA MOMENT: Likely to consider commissioning Slim Barrett to create a tiara... for every outfit change. Beef or salmon: Lobster with wild mushrooms and figs, and gold leaf chocolate macarons. Wedding favour: Crystal butterfly decorations. FIRST DANCE: Glitter in the Air by Pink. HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Dubai and Abu Dhabi. CELEB INSPIRATION: Petra Ecclestone. President Nicolas Maduro has denounced what he termed a "terrorist attack" on conflict-wracked Venezuela, after a stolen police helicopter piloted by a renegade policeman launched an airborne assault on the country's Supreme Court. In extraordinary scenes in Caracas on Tuesday evening, the helicopter fired shots at the interior ministry and dropped grenades on the Supreme Court, both viewed by Venezuela's opposition as bastions of support for a dictator. Expand Close Perez posing for photographs during an event of the Body of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigation in Caracas in 2015. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Perez posing for photographs during an event of the Body of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigation in Caracas in 2015. Photo: Reuters No one was injured in the incident, which came amid yet more turmoil in the country as the chief prosecutor, Luisa Ortega Diaz, was stripped of some of her powers, and opposition politicians were shoved and harangued by pro-government colleagues inside the National Assembly. Samuel Moncada, Venezuela's foreign minister, lashed out at the US, the EU and Canada yesterday for failing to condemn the incident. The government yesterday was continuing to hunt for the pilot, Oscar Perez - a budding action movie star with Hollywood looks, whose Instagram account features stills from his film 'Suspended Death', striking a series of James Bond-esque poses. Photos of the pilot standing in front of the US Capitol in Washington and a US Coast Guard helicopter were displayed on state television, to bolster the government's case that he was taking instructions from the CIA and US embassy. Mr Perez, however, describes himself as a Venezuelan patriot. An investigator with Venezuela's largest police division, the CICPC, Cuerpo de Investigaciones Cientificas, Penales y Criminalisticas, Mr Perez hung a banner from the helicopter reading '350 Libertad' - 350 Freedom - an apparent reference to the 350th article of the Venezuelan constitution, which allows for disobedience to any regime or authority that violates democratic values or human rights. He posted a series of Instagram messages justifying the attack, flanked by masked men wielding rifles, and said that he launched the attack "against tyranny". "We are a coalition of military personnel, police and civilians," he said, addressing the cameras in a series of posts. "This is a fight for life, for hope which we are building. It is not about vengeance: it is about justice, and our consciences, which have driven us to seek change." He said his helicopter stunt was intended "to give the power back to the people", and demanded that Mr Maduro and his ministers resign, and hold general elections. Some of Mr Maduro's opponents said they believed Mr Perez's stunt was engineered by Mr Maduro, to provide him with an excuse to crack down on three months of protests, which have left at least 75 people dead. "I'm not at all convinced by the helicopter incident," said Miguel Rodriguez, a former interior minister and intelligence chief under Mr Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez, who has now turned against the government. Mr Perez worked for him as a pilot. He said the figures behind Mr Perez looked like dolls, and said he was surprised the helicopter did not injure anyone. (Daily Telegraph, London) On Wednesday, a Labour call to end the public sector pay cap was defeated in the House of Commons by 309 votes to 323. All 10 DUP MPs voted with the Tories to block a Labour amendment aimed at ending the cap, which is currently due to remain in place until 2019/20. While 323 MPs voted against the amendment, a few in particular have been singled out for vitriol online. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Heidi Allen, the MP for South Cambridgeshire since 2015, received a lot of attention a day before the vote when she called for public sector funding to urgently be reviewed. Referencing the 1.5 billion made available by the Treasury for the DUP, Allen said funding for schools and social care as well as public sector wages, across the whole UK, needed to be assessed. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference The Labour amendment said: (MPs) respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech fails to end cuts to the police and the fire service; commend the response of the emergency services to the recent terrorist attacks and to the Grenfell Tower fire; call on the Government to recruit more police officers and fire-fighters; and further call on the Government to end the public sector pay cap and give the emergency and public services a fair pay rise. Allen, who voted against the amendment, said that she couldnt vote in favour because of additional incorrect statements it contained, particularly regarding the Grenfell Tower fire. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Allen described the amendment as too partisan, and told the Huffington Post: Public services includes the very highest paid chief executives, managers, Whitehall chiefs too. I cannot support a blanket pay rise to all of those. We need to focus on those public sector workers such as nurses, healthcare assistants and all those on the front line. Sarah Wollaston, who was chairwoman of the Health Select Committee in the last parliament, called for cross-party working to do something about public sector pay and improve the retention in our workforce across health and social care. She cited the caps affect on morale as one of her reasons for wanting the restraint to be loosened. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference But despite arguing both in Parliament and online for a fair pay settlement and the Government to think again about the cap, Dr Wollaston also voted against. In a blog post, she wrote: I agree with the pay review body that there are also costs in ignoring the need to increase pay. I believe it is time for a rethink but it will require a clear plan from the Treasury as to how it will be paid for. Ending the pay cap wont happen through a simple amendment to the Queens speech. She added: We have a responsibility to level with the public and with each other because the reality is that we are all going to have to pay more to put the NHS, social care and our other valued public services on a sustainable long term footing. Many feel the opportunity to end the cap came on Wednesday. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference The pay of nurses, police and other public sector workers was frozen for two years in 2010 and has been followed by years of 1% caps on annual rises. Royal College of Nursing general secretary Janet Davies said of the vote: This is a bitter disappointment for nurses and others in the public sector. At lunchtime, there were signs the Government was listening to our calls, but by the evening they voted to keep the pay cap in place. Our members summer of protest campaign continues. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference But we also know that a growing number on the Governments own benches agree the cap should be scrapped. We will continue to build cross-party support this summer, she added. If the Prime Minister intends to address pay in an autumn Budget, she should do so without delay. The pay cap stands in the way of filling the 40,000 vacant nurse posts in England. When NHS and care services are short of safe staffing, patients pay a heavy price. It is welcome that the Government has said it will listen to the Pay Review Bodys evidence, but they must also act on it. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Tory MP Johnny Mercer described the vote as a political game. I think this is an attempt to vote down the Queens Speech to bring more instability when you need stability in the national interest, he told the Plymouth Herald. I am interested in the results, and I will lobby hard to end the public sector pay cap. But we have got to get the Queens Speech through. I wont vote with Labour. A Downing Street source had fuelled speculation that the Government would be voting to scrap the cap when it said ahead of the vote that the public sector pay restraint is one of the tough choices weve had to make to balance the books after Labours crash and what was left behind. We are working through and looking at recommendations from pay review bodies that are coming. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: The Governments rejection of the proposals to end the pay cap is an insult to paramedics, nurses, teaching assistants, care staff and all public sector workers. Ministers have spent the last few months praising public sector workers. This vote was their chance to show they really mean it. But the message is clear the Government doesnt value them enough to give them a wage rise. Workers have had enough of this and so have the British public. There are holiday souvenirsand then theres a Cuban Tree Frog. But thats exactly what a British couple unexpectedly found in their washing machine after returning home from Florida. The couple had unpacked their suitcase where the frog had managed to sneakily stowaway and put a wash on without noticing it. So just imagine the shock when they took the clothes out and they heard the croaking Yep, this plucky Cuban Tree Frog defied all odds, managing to survive both a long haul trip and a machine wash. According to Emma Rowe, from Nuneaton and Warwickshire wildlife sanctuary, the frog probably survived because they can live under water for quite some time. Still though, jumping around in a swamp is surely nothing compared to being whizzed around in detergent Luckily, the frog appears to have no lasting health problems, and they are now just looking for a new home for the animal, who they may call Daz (geddit?) What a little trooper. The House of Commons may have been in the midst of a Queens Speech debate but there was still time to cover one pressing question: should male MPs wear a tie in the Commons chamber? Tory backbencher Peter Bone remarked that Lib Dem MP Tom Brake had asked a question in the Commons on Wednesday, without a tie around his neck. Expand Close Tory MP Peter Bone wears a hat while praising the work of a local charity, Crazy Hats (PA/PA Archive) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tory MP Peter Bone wears a hat while praising the work of a local charity, Crazy Hats (PA/PA Archive) Im not really one to talk about dress sense, but I noticed yesterday, sir, that a member was allowed to ask a question in the chamber without wearing a tie, Bone told speaker John Bercow, while sporting diagonally striped royal blue and yellow neckwear. He then asked: I have no particular view on that, but have the rules changed, sir? Twitter pointed out that there were bigger issues on the table. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference The Speaker, breaking tradition, said ties were not necessary. The general expectation is that members should dress in businesslike attire, Bercow said. He continued: Am I minded not to call a member simply because he is not wearing a tie? No. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Members shouldnt behave in a way that is disrespectful to their colleagues or to the institution, but do I think its essential that a member wears a tie? No. Expand Close The House of Commons (PA/PA Wire) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The House of Commons (PA/PA Wire) Parliaments 173-year-old rule book, Erskine May, states that the custom is for male members to wear jackets and ties. However, the traditions of Parliament state that, on occasion, the Speaker has taken exception to informal clothing, including the non-wearing of jackets and ties by men. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Bercow did point out that the choice of tie was a matter of personal judgement: Opinions on the honourable gentlemans choice of ties do tend to vary and, it has to be said, the same can be said of my own. He also noted: There is no obligation of female members not to wear ties, if they so choose. Murree is one of Pakistan's most known mountain tourist resorts A cable car lift installed by villagers to a popular mountain resort in Pakistan has snapped off and plunged into a ravine, killing at least 10 and injuring two others, a rescue official said. Qamar Niaz said the accident took place in Murree, a mountain resort outside the capital Islamabad, on Thursday. He said the single chairlift fell into a ravine hundreds of feet deep. Mr Niaz said that apparently the cables of the chairlift were not properly maintained, but that a police investigation is under way. The 12 villagers were using the cable car, which can usually carry up to 15, to get to the resort. Murree is one of Pakistan's most known mountain tourist resorts, popular with both local and foreign tourists. AP Civil Society Institute calls upon all relevant international institutions for the return of Armenian citizen On June 20, 2017, a 43-year-old Armenian national Zaven Karapetyan entered the territory of Azerbaijan in unclear circumstances. On June 21 the Azerbaijani media blamed Armenian Armed Forces on attempted sabotage and reported the capture of a saboteur. Later, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan released a video with saboteur, who identified himself as Zaven Karapetyan, resident of the Armenian village of Dovegh (Tavush province), born in 1974. Following that the spokesman of the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan denied any act of sabotage and loss of an Armenian soldier[1]. The head of Tavoush community Samvel Gorginyan told that there is no missing residents of Tavoush matching the man in the video and registered under the name Zaven Karapetyan[2]. Meanwhile, the mayor of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan confirmed that Karapetyan is registered in Vanadzor[3]. Civil Society Institute reminds that in 2014 another Armenian national, 31-year-old resident of Armenian Chinari village Karen Petrosyan, was found in the territory of Azerbaijan. He also was presented as a saboteur[4]. Karen Petrosyan was captured on August 7, 2014 and next day, on August 8, he was reported dead in custody. His body was returned with the signs of torture. Earlier in the same year, a 77-year-old Armenian national Mamikon Khojoyan crossed the border into Azerbaijan. He was held by Azerbaijani authorities for over a month, and subjected to torture and ill-treatment, too. He died on May 20, two months after he was handed back to Armenian authorities. In view of the above, the Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights Artak Kirakosyan stated that in recent years the tendency of dehumanization of the Azerbaijani leadership and society as a whole has noticeably increased. 'Azerbaijan is more distant than ever from a policy of respect and promotion of human life and dignity, which is alarming and we have all bases to be afraid for the fate of the Armenian national'- A.Kirakosyan has mentioned. In the light of such concerns, Civil Society Institute calls upon all relevant international institutions, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN and Council of Europe, to take immediate action for the return of Zaven Karapetan and guarantee his safety. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia to raise the case of an Armenian national in all relevant international institutions and demand to take immediate action to protect the life and physical safety of Zaven Karapetan and his transfer to Armenia. the authorities of Armenia to take necessary measures to ensure the security of the civilians by properly managing the border regime to prevent civilians from crossing into the territory of Azerbaijan. the authorities of Azerbaijan to comply with their obligations under international human rights instruments and 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols and to adopt such measures as may be necessary to protect the life and physical safety of Zaven Karapetan until his return to Armenia. Civil Society Institute Cardinal Pell, left, pictured at the blessing of a statue of John Paul ll at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, in 2011 (AP) A senior Vatican cardinal charged in Australia with multiple historical sexual offences has denied the accusations and denounced what he called a "relentless character assassination" in the media. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis's chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, said he would take a leave of absence as the Vatican's finance tsar and would return to Australia to fight the charges. Pell is the highest-ranking Vatican official charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton of Victoria state police said officers have summonsed Pell to appear in court to face multiple charges of historical sexual assault offences. Mr Patton gave no other details of the allegations. Pell was ordered to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on July 18. Pell, 76, has for years faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and then Sydney, but more recently, he became the focus of a sex abuse investigation himself, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview him. It is unclear what allegations the charges relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s when he was a senior priest in Melbourne. Mr Patton told reporters in Melbourne that none of the allegations against Pell had been tested in any court, adding: "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy about sex abuse. The charges also complicate Francis's financial reform efforts at the Vatican, which were already strained by Pell's repeated clashes with the Italian-dominated bureaucracy. Last week, one of Pell's top allies, the Vatican's auditor general, resigned without explanation two years into a five-year term, raising questions about whether the reform effort was doomed. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Pope Francis had learned with "regret" of the charges and had granted Pell a leave of absence to defend himself. He said the Vatican's financial reforms would continue in his absence. Pell's actions as archbishop have come under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorised investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - the nation's highest form of inquiry - has found shocking levels of abuse in Australia's Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7% of Catholic priests had been accused of sexually abusing children over the several decades. Last year, Pell acknowledged during evidence to the commission that the Catholic Church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests over centuries. He conceded that he had erred by often believing priests over those who alleged abuse, and he vowed to help end a rash of suicides among church abuse victims in his home town of Ballarat. Francis appointed Pell in 2014 to a five-year term to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat, giving him broad rein to control all economic, administrative, personnel and procurement functions of the Holy See. The mandate has since been restricted to performing more of an oversight role. AP The acting head of the French air force is in the line of fire for allegedly borrowing a fighter jet at weekends to fly from his base in Bordeaux to his home in Provence. General Richard Reboul reportedly used an Alpha Jet at least 10 times since last August but last weekend changed his mode of transport to a six-seater military plane, complete with pilot and a co-pilot. The allegations were the first hint of scandal to hit France's new Defence Minister Florence Parly, who on Tuesday night ordered an investigation after the satirical weekly 'Le Canard Enchaine' broke the story. That inquiry will run alongside an internal air force investigation launched last Friday, the day General Reboul allegedly took off from an air force training base at Bordeaux-Merignac in the TBM-700 plane to fly to another military base at Salon-de-Provence, near Marseille. The plane dropped him off, then flew the roughly 500km back to Bordeaux, before returning on Monday morning to pick him up and take him back home, said the weekly. The French air force had been ordered to drastically limit the use of Alpha Jets, and other training aircraft due to funding cuts. French media estimated the general's weekend getaways may have cost the air force, and French taxpayers, tens of thousands of euro over the past year. Policeman Wayne Marques who fought the three militants and was stabbed in the head and leg. Photo credit: John Stillwell/PA Wire A police officer who tried to stop three militants as they attacked people on London Bridge earlier this month described yesterday how he took on the men armed with just his baton despite being repeatedly stabbed and temporarily blinded. The three attackers rammed a hired van into pedestrians on the bridge late on June 3 before going on the rampage through the bustling Borough Market area, where they slit throats and stabbed people, killing eight. Police Constable Wayne Marques said he had heard screams coming from London Bridge and when he went to investigate saw people being attacked. Armed with only his baton, the 38-year-old officer launched himself at the men who were wearing fake suicide belts. "I take a deep breath and I charge in. I try to take the first one out in one go, I swing as hard as I can, everything behind it, aiming straight for his head," said Mr Marques, who works for the British Transport Police. The attacker managed to get his hand up and block the blow. Expand Close People are lead to safety after the attack on London Bridge. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp People are lead to safety after the attack on London Bridge. "I still managed to get a good hit on him. I heard him yelp in pain," Mr Marques told the BBC. He said he was overpowering the first man when he felt a "massive whack" to the side of his head. He had been stabbed and lost the vision in his right eye. "I'm stumbling .. and I manage to look up and to see a knife coming up at me. Instincts more than anything ... I just put my hand out and blocked his wrist with my baton." Despite his injuries, he tried to fight all three men, swinging his baton wildly, receiving another stab wound to his leg. Finally he got some distance between himself and the men, who he remembers were staring at him with one saying "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest). However, rather than rush him again, they moved away into Borough Market to continue their rampage, which was the third deadly attack by Islamists in Britain in three months. "Either I was taking up too much time or they couldn't figure me out or they were waiting for me to pass out with blood loss and then finish me off, you're guess is as good as mine," he said. He estimated he spent about 90 seconds fighting the men. Officers treated Mr Marques at the scene and he needed hospital treatment after suffering major wounds to his head above his eye, his leg and hand. "All I was trying to do was keep people alive," he said. No cash here: ATMs paralysed by the cyber attack lie idle at a city supermarket in Kiev, Ukraine (AP) Businesses and governments around the world are counting the cost of a software epidemic that has disrupted ports, hospitals and banks. Logistics firm FedEx said deliveries by its TNT Express subsidiary had been "slowed" by the cyber attack, which had "significantly affected" its systems. Ports operated by the Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk are still crippled. Alabama port official James Lyons said crews at Maersk's APM terminal in Mobile had been loading and unloading containers in manual mode, without the normal computerised co-ordination. The company's operations were shut in Mumbai, India, Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, among others. In a statement, Moller-Maersk acknowledged that its APM terminals had been "impacted in a number of ports" and that an undisclosed number of systems were shut down "to contain the issue". Ukraine, which was hardest hit and where the attack probably originated, said it had secured critical state assets - though everyday life remained affected with cash machines out of order and airport displays operating manually. As the impact of the cyber attack that erupted on Tuesday was still being measured at offices, loading docks and boardrooms, the Ukrainian cabinet said that "all strategic assets, including those involved in protecting state security, are working normally". But that still left a large number of non-strategic assets, including dozens of banks and other institutions, fighting to get back online. Cash machines in Kiev were still out of order on Wednesday, and Ukrainian news reports said that flight information at the city's Boryspil airport was being provided in manual mode. A local cyber security expert discounted the Ukrainian government's assurances. "Obviously they don't control the situation," Victor Zhora of Infosafe in Kiev said. At the very least, cybersecurity firms say thousands of computers worldwide have been struck by the malware, which goes by a variety of names, including ExPetr. In Pennsylvania, lab and diagnostic services were closed at the satellite offices of the Heritage Valley Health System. In Tasmania, an Australian official said a Cadbury chocolate factory had stopped production after computers there crashed. Other organisations affected include US drug-maker Merck, food and drinks company Mondelez International, global law firm DLA Piper, and London-based advertising group WPP. But most of the damage remains hidden away in corporate offices and industrial parks. As IT security workers turned their eye toward cleaning up the mess, others wondered at the attackers' motives. The attack has the telltale signs of ransomware, which scrambles a computer's data until a payment is made, but some experts believe this attack was less aimed at gathering money than at sending a message to Ukraine and its allies. That hunch was supported by the way the malware appears to have been seeded using a rogue update to a piece of Ukrainian accounting software - suggesting an attacker focused on Ukrainian targets. And it comes on the anniversary of the assassination of a senior Ukrainian military intelligence officer and a day before a national holiday celebrating a new constitution signed after the breakup of the Soviet Union. "The threat we're talking about looks like it was specially developed for Ukraine because that was the place it created most of the damage," said Bogdan Botezatu, of Romanian security firm Bitdefender, calling it a case of "national sabotage". Suspicions were further heightened by the re-emergence of the mysterious Shadow Brokers group of hackers, whose dramatic leak of powerful NSA tools helped power Tuesday's outbreak, as it did a previous ransomware explosion last month that was dubbed WannaCry. In a post published Wednesday, The Shadow Brokers made new threats, announced a new money-making scheme and made a boastful reference to the recent chaos. The malware did not appear to make a lot of money for its creators. A bitcoin wallet used to collect ransoms showed only about 10,000 dollars (7,700). And some analysts going through the malware's code said that the ransomware may not even operate as ransomware at all; victims' data appear to be hopelessly scrambled, rather than recoverable after the payment of ransom. Matthieu Suiche, founder of Dubai-based Comae Technologies, said the ransom demand was merely "a mega-diversion". In a blog post, he wrote that the code pointed not to criminals, but "in fact a nation state attack". Researchers at Kaspersky Lab echoed the findings, saying in a statement: "Our analysis indicates there is little hope for victims to recover their data." AP In this July 15, 2008, file photo, Cardinal George Pell walks onto the stage for the opening mass for World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) Pope Francis' financial adviser is being charged in Australia with multiple counts of historical sexual assault, in a stunning move certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. George Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. He has denied the accusations and denounced what he called a "relentless character assassination" A Vatican spokesman has said the Pope has given Cardinal Pell a "leave of absence" to defend himself. The senior Cardinal said he is looking forward to his day in court to challenge the accusations. "These matters have been under investigation now for two years," he said in Rome today. "There have been leaks to the media. There has been relentless character assassination relentless character assassination and for more than a month, claims that a decision on whether to lay charges was imminent. "I'm looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. "I'm innocent of these charges. They are false. "The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me". He said he has kept the Pope "regularly informed" and has been given leave to return to Australia and fight the charges. "All along, I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations. "News of these charges strengthens my resolve and court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here back to Rome to work," he added. Victoria state police deputy commissioner Shane Patton said police had summonsed Cardinal Pell, 76, to Australia to face multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offences". Mr Patton said there were multiple complainants against the cardinal, but gave no other details of the allegations against him. Cardinal Pell has been ordered to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference "It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal Pell have, obviously, been tested in any court yet," Mr Patton said in Melbourne. "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." Read More The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy on sex abuse. For years, Cardinal Pell has faced claims that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorised investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's years-long Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - the nation's highest form of inquiry - has found shocking levels of abuse in the country's Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7% of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the past several decades. Last year, Cardinal Pell acknowledged during his evidence to the commission that the church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he too had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse and vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian home town of Ballarat. But more recently, Cardinal Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview him. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced on Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Cardinal Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when he was a senior priest in Melbourne. Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican, which leaves two likely outcomes: either Cardinal Pell volunteers to return to Australia to fight the charges or the Vatican could tell him to do so, said Donald Rothwell, an international law expert at the Australian National University. "I would think that the Pope would be very concerned to think that one of his cardinals, and someone who holds a high position within the Vatican government structure, is being wanted on criminal charges in Australia," Mr Rothwell said in a recent interview. "So if the Pope was to say, 'Well look, Cardinal Pell, I'd like you to return to Australia and mount a defence', I'm sure Cardinal Pell would probably follow that instruction. "In the case of someone like Cardinal Pell, the sway that the Pope and the church has over him is much greater than the ordinary citizen." The charges put Pope Francis in a thorny position. In 2014 he won cautious praise from victims' advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about "best practices" to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has since lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left. Francis also scrapped the commission's signature proposal - a tribunal section to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse - after Vatican officials objected. In addition, Francis drew heated criticism for his 2015 appointment of a Chilean bishop accused by victims of helping cover up for Chile's most notorious paedophile. The Pope was later caught on video labelling the parishioners who opposed the nomination of being "leftists" and "stupid". When asked last year about the accusations against Cardinal Pell, Francis said he wanted to wait for Australian justice to take its course before judging. "It's true, there is a doubt," he told reporters on his way home from Poland. "We have to wait for justice and not first make a mediatic judgment - a judgment of gossip - because that won't help. "Once justice has spoken, I will speak." Francis appointed Cardinal Pell in 2014 to a five-year term to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat, giving him broad rein to control all economic, administrative, personnel and procurement functions of the Holy See. The mandate has since been restricted to performing more of an oversight role. The leading support group for victims of sexual abuse by priests called on the Pope to speak out about the charges against Cardinal Pell. US-based survivors' network Snap noted that Francis had promised to work to "end the scourge of abuse by his clergy". The group called on anyone with additional information about the Cardinal Pell case to come forward. Who is Cardinal Pell? He was born on June 8, 1941, in the country town of Ballarat in the state of Victoria in Australia's south. He was ordained as a priest in 1966 and served in his home state from 1971 to 1983, including 10 years in Ballarat. In 1996 he became the Archbishop of Melbourne, a role in which he helped establish the "Melbourne Response", the Catholic Church's first formal system of handling abuse complaints in Australia. He was appointed Archbishop of Sydney, Australia's most senior Catholic role, in 2001. The following year, Pell stepped aside to face a closed hearing over abuse allegations dating back to the 1960s. The Church committee hearing the allegations found insufficient evidence to justify further action and Pell resumed his role. In 2003, Pell was made a cardinal. With the death of Pope John II in 2005, Australian media identify Pell as a contender to succeed him. Pell's work at the Vatican increased by 2012 and he was asked by Pope Benedict XVI to join a high-ranking papal assembly. In 2013, Pope Francis appointed him to an eight-member group to advise on reforming the Church. In 2014 he was appointed Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, the Vatican's first financial controller. Pell appeared at an Australian government inquiry into institutional child abuse in 20016, testifying via videolink from Rome because he was too sick to fly home. He said the Church made "catastrophic" choices by minimising its response to, and covering up, abuse complaints. Angela Merkel condemned US President Donald Trump, but has vowed that the rest of the world will still tackle climate change. Photo by Michele Tantussi/Getty Images German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU is "more determined than ever" to make the Paris accord against climate change a success following the US decision to withdraw from the agreement, and insisted she would not "overlook tensions" with America on Donald Trump's first attendance at the G20. Ms Merkel stressed in a speech to the German parliament that the EU stands fully behind its commitment to the agreement. "We cannot expect easy discussions on climate change at the G20 summit," she said. "Our differences with the US are clear." She added that "the Paris agreement is irreversible and it is not negotiable." Expand Close President Donald Trump meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2017. Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2017. Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci The German Chancellor will host the summit of leaders of the Group of 20 economic powers in Hamburg on 7 and 8 July. Ahead of that summit, she is hosting a meeting of the European leaders who will take part in the summit later on Thursday at the chancellery in Berlin. "We are convinced that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, an existential challenge," she told the German parliament. "We cannot wait to act until the science has convinced every last doubter." Read More She said she had agreed a plan with France's newly elected President Emmanuel Macron to deepen cooperation in the European Union and the Eurozone, adding that the EU needed to take on more responsibility for tackling security concerns it faced, including a threat from "terrorism". The bloc's remaining members would remain united in their negotiations with Britain over its planned departure from the EU, she added in Thursday's speech to lawmakers. The German Chancellor also said she hoped for a "clear signal" from the summit in favour of free markets and against isolationism. She told the German parliament "protectionism cannot be a solution" to the world's problems. The Trump administration's "America first" approach to trade has caused widespread concern elsewhere, as has its decision to withdraw from the Paris accord on climate change. Ms Merkel said discussions about climate issues in Hamburg won't be easy and there is no point glossing over disagreements. She added that those talks must "serve the substance and aims of the Paris accord." Serzh Sargsyan: "It is a curse to wish someone could live in time of changes" (video) Serzh Sargsyan attended today the Cabinet meeting. Given the fact that the meeting with the members of the Cabinet was being held in the wake of the National Assemblys approval of the Government program for 2017-2022, the President of the Republic first congratulated the Cabinet members on appointment, then turned to the tasks set before the Executive in the period after the approval of the Government Program for further and consistent implementation: Dear Colleagues, First of all, of course, I would like to congratulate you all on being appointed to your posts, or to be more precise, on your reappointment as is the case with most of you. Thus, continuity in the proceedings of the Executive has been secured, and there are all necessary prerequisites for successful implementation of the ongoing programs. In my speech delivered on the occasion of Yerevan Mayors inauguration I underlined that with the election of the Yerevan City Council we wrapped up the electoral campaign in 2017. With the approval of the Government Program, we can usher in the outset of a new round for the executive branch. Our task is to complete this round successfully no turbulences as far as possible. In the latest elections, the Republican Party of Armenia received the necessary vote of confidence in order to proceed with its work. The mandate that we got was sufficient to form a government consisting solely of Republican ministers. Yet we decided to continue cooperating in the format established previously. With our colleagues from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, we formed a government that I believe to be able to solve the problems set before it. We will continue to consistently implement the standing programs with a united and solid team. The team will act in unity both in the executive and the legislative, as well as at the local self-governance level. The current composition of the government, led by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, has my full confidence, as well as the full confidence of our political team. Meanwhile, I have to stress that neither you nor I, in my capacity of President of Armenia and the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia, have any preconceived stand: we are ready to work with all constructive forces involved in the executive and legislative, the local self-government bodies and even the ones outside these structures. The only precondition set for cooperation is the respect of the norms of courtesy and integrity. By the way, I should stress that we do not consider criticism as a breach of these norms, especially if it is constructive and is aimed at improving the situation. Dear Colleagues, Much has been talked about the things we need to do in the coming years and, therefore, there is no need to get into details again. On May 18, addressing the Parliament and the people of Armenia, I presented in detail my vision for the development of the country, including the short-term, mid-term and long-term problems. Together, we have set forth a range of important targets that are reflected in the Government Program. We need to be more exacting: we should not be satisfied with what we have already achieved. Otherwise, we will not be able to move ahead. Besides, we are now in the period of constitutional transformations, which means that until next mid-April we will have to make many legislative changes. In order to successfully push ahead with that task, we need to act in a purposeful manner mediating closely coordinated steps between the Government and the National Assembly. Now, I consider it necessary to touch on the following issue: which way are we going to implement the Government Program? Transparency is to be one of the most important criteria of our activities. Not only should it be our work style, but also our combined effort to meet the transformed requirements of the Constitution of Armenia and shape a new political culture. Each of you should personally set criteria and be a role model for the others. You must ensure progress not only in your respective areas, but also provide for our overall progress. You are going to set the dynamism and the pace of that progress. In this regard, we can draw a few conclusions from our past experience. Firstly, we were able to record some success in the field of reforms that we have consistently explained to society in all detail. However painful, these programs were perceived as highly important and were accepted by society - perhaps at first with some reluctance - yet accepted. The members of the government should never be reluctant to present and make clear their work to the public. Another important task for us is to implement the program of community consolidation. We have to explain consistently the necessity of this reform, the need to use correctly and manage effectively our scarce resources. Secondly, transparency is not an end in itself; and indeed, it is not a means for self-expression. The main goal of transparency is to eradicate corruption and protectionism. Public spending, the procurement system should come under the full control of the National Assembly and society. We are currently setting new and sufficiently influential mechanisms to fight against corruption that need to be harmonized with our purposeful work. Thirdly, we will consistently work to improve our foreign political environment without having any illusion. We should work proceeding from the presumption that as of yet there is no change in relations with our unfriendly neighbors. Dear Colleagues, A reportedly Chinese proverb has been often cited over the past few years, which says that it is a curse to wish someone could live in time of changes. I think that living in such times is really difficult and exciting, at the same time. I expect that you will cope with the problems faced at this important moment with a sense of responsibility and honor. Indeed, we should start to do this job. I do believe that as led by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, the government can live up to the task. We need creative approaches that break stereotypes. Our people has entrusted you with the honorific task of finding and implementing solutions. Thus, let us continue to work with passion. Thank you and I wish every success to all of you, President Serzh Sargsyan before proceeding to the meeting agenda. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan thanked the President of the Republic and assured that the Executive will implement the program elaborated by the team. The Prime Minister underscored that the Government fully understands the expectations of society and is also well aware that this road will not be an easy one. Nevertheless, Prime Minister assured that the Government is firmly determined to implement all the proposed programs. Residents of a Canadian suburb are receiving post again, after deliveries were suspended for a month because of violent crow attacks. A notorious neighbourhood crow, dubbed "Canuck attacked a postman as he attempted to deliver letters to houses in East Vancouver, biting him and drawing blood. Canada Post said it would not deliver to three addresses in the area "until such time as the hazard no longer exists", according to CBC News. Residents started receiving post again on Tuesday. Local man Shawn Bergman named the bird after befriending him two years ago. Since then he has made headlines for a variety of antics, including stealing evidence from a crime scene, being featured in an art show and getting his own Facebook page. In May 2016 Canuck swooped in on a crime scene in East Vancouver, picking up a knife with his beak that was identified as evidence, before attempting to fly away with it. The event was reported by a number of news outlets, ranging from local publications, to ABC News, to the Guardian. But Canucks most recent string of bad behaviour seems to have ended, as Mr Bergman told CBC that he is back to "doing normal crow stuff. It is believed that he has been violent in recent months because of nesting season, which generally takes place between April and July. Mr Bergman said he plans to email Canada Post to thank them for re-instating deliveries and find a solution, should Canuck go into nesting season in future years. The crow did not attack the carrier during the latest delivery. Fransco Palencia (17) and Josue Ramirez (19) have been arrested in connection to a Georgia womans rape near her children last month. Photo: Gwinnett County Sheriffs Office Police arrested three teens after a woman was scalded with hot water and raped in her home in front of her young kids. Francisco Palencia (17), Josue Ramirez (19) and a 15-year-old girl who has not been identified were arrested in connection with the horrifying case in Georgia, according to Fox News. The teens are facing charges for kidnapping, rape, cruelty to children, home invasion and aggravated battery. The victim told police that the two young men broke into her home and used stun guns to force her into her bedroom. When she tried to fight them off she was scolded with boiling water. The 15-year-old girl allegedly threw the hot water and searched the home while the two males raped the woman in her bedroom. One of the victims children went into the bedroom and witnessed the rape. Her other child was in a car seat near the kitchen. Fox News reports that the woman called police after the attackers fled and was treated at hospital for burns. Palencia and Ramirez, who are being held at the Gwinnett County Jail, are slated for their first court hearing on Thursday. It's unclear where the 15-year-old is being detained. U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit of world economic powers in Germany next week in their first ever encounter, a top U.S. official said on Thursday. White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told reporters that no agenda has yet been set for the meeting at the summit of G20 nations in Hamburg. Allegations that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election last year and colluded with Trump's campaign have overshadowed the businessman's unexpected victory and have dogged his first five months in office. The two nations are also at odds over the civil war in Syria where Moscow supports President Bashar al-Assad. The United States backs rebel groups trying to overthrow Assad, and Washington angered Russia by launching missile strikes against a Syrian government air base in April. Expand Close Russian President Vladimir Putin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Russian President Vladimir Putin German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told Putin on Thursday that Germany hoped to bring him together with Trump at the summit. Earlier, the Kremlin said Putin and Trump would meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit, but no separate talks were planned. "They will meet in any case there, on the sidelines of this summit, but no (separate) meeting is planned at the moment," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it would probably not be right if Putin and Trump did not talk at the summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Hong Kong to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing re-establishing sovereignty over the former British colony, accompanied by a formidable layer of security as authorities braced for protests. Mr Xi's Air China plane touched down at midday for a three-day visit. The trip culminates on Saturday with him overseeing an inauguration ceremony for the Asian financial hub's new leader, Carrie Lam. Pro-democracy activists staged protests ahead of his visit and more were expected, including an annual march through the streets on Saturday that has drawn big crowds in the past. Hong Kong authorities were taking no chances with disruptions and deployed heavy security across the city. Helicopters hovered overhead and police and barricades lined the streets around a convention centre and hotel complex where Mr Xi was expected to spend most of his time. Authorities even glued the gaps between slabs on pavements in an effort to prevent them from being torn up and thrown by protesters. Mr Xi is visiting to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover, when Britain ceded control of its colony to China at the stroke of midnight on June 30 1997. "It's been nine years since I last set foot in this place. I'm thrilled," he said on the airport tarmac. "Hong Kong has been tugging away at my heart," he said, adding that the anniversary of the colony's "return to the motherland" on Saturday is "a big deal, a joyous occasion for the country and for Hong Kong". He said one of the purposes of his trip is to plan for Hong Kong's future. "We would like to look back at the 20 years of Hong Kong's extraordinary journey, learn from our experiences, and look forward to the future, to ensure the stable development of 'one country, two systems'," he said in brief remarks before speeding off in a motorcade without answering questions. Under the "one country, two systems" principle, China took control of Hong Kong while promising to let it keep civil liberties like freedom of speech and considerable autonomy from the mainland for a 50-year period. But some recent incidents, most notably the secret detention of five Hong Kong booksellers on the mainland, have stoked fears that Beijing is eroding that principle. Three pro-democracy activist groups said 26 of their members were arrested on Wednesday evening on public nuisance charges for staging a sit-in at a giant flower sculpture near the complex. They were still being detained by the time Mr Xi arrived, the groups said. Those arrested included Joshua Wong, the young activist who helped lead 2014's "Umbrella Movement" protests, and Nathan Law, another student protest leader who was elected to the legislature last year. AP Michael Fallon said earlier this week that Russia will look at the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth with envy Moscow has angrily lashed out at a dismissive comment about a Russian aircraft carrier made by Britain's defence secretary, arguing that its ageing ship is better than the new British carrier. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said earlier this week that Russia will look at the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth with envy, pointing at Russia's "dilapidated" Admiral Kuznetsov carrier. Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov fired back on Thursday, arguing that unlike the British ship that relies on escort ships for protection, the Russian carrier can stand by itself with an array of offensive and defensive weapons. He dismissed the British carrier as just a "conveniently large sea target" that should stay close to US protection. The Soviet-built Kuznetsov recently visited the eastern Mediterranean as part of Russia's campaign in Syria. AP Earlier this week, the White House warned that Bashar Assad is preparing for another chemical attack (Syrian Presidency via AP) The Syrian government and its ally Russia have accused Washington of concocting a "provocation" in Syria, which would then be blamed on President Bashar Assad's government as alleged use of chemical weapons to justify an attack. In a statement carried by the official news agency, Syria's Foreign Ministry said it rejects US allegations that Syria was preparing for a chemical weapons attack, describing such accusations as "misleading" and "completely baseless". It said the objective of such allegations was to "justify a new aggression on Syria under ill-founded pretexts, similar to what happened in April when the US struck a Syrian air base", which it said had been used to stage a chemical attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun that killed nearly 90. Earlier this week, the White House warned that Mr Assad is preparing for another chemical attack and said the Syrian ruler will "pay a heavy price" if he unleashes it. Also on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow has received information that Syrian rebels have already fabricated video materials to accuse Damascus of a chemical attack. She said that according to the information Russia has, the Syrian towns of Saraqib and Arihah could serve as venues for the "provocation". Both towns are located in the province of Idlib in north-western Syria and are controlled by the rebels. She claimed that such action could be aimed at derailing the next round of Syria peace talks brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran, which is set for next week in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. The meeting is meant to determine specifics related to safety zones in Syria. Ms Zakharova's strongly-worded statement reflects soaring tensions between Moscow and Washington even as US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin are expected to hold their first meeting at the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Germany. In April, the US struck the Shayrat air base in central Syria, which it said had been used to stage a chemical attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun. The Pentagon said the preparations detected by the US occurred at the same Shayrat air base which the US named as the platform for launching the April attack. The Syrian government has denied it ever used banned chemicals, and it rejected Washington's latest allegations. Russia also has strongly denied that Mr Assad's forces were to blame for the attack in April, arguing that the victims had died of exposure to toxic agents released when Syrian war planes hit a rebels' chemical weapons depot. Moscow claimed that some of the images from the scene were fabricated and criticised the international chemical weapons watchdog of failing to send its inspectors to the site of the attack and the Syrian air base allegedly used to launch it. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Thursday that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a phone call this week told him that Washington has information about Mr Assad allegedly preparing a chemical attack. Mr Lavrov questioned the veracity of the US information and suggested that extremists could take advantage of the US warning to stage a provocation in order to blame Mr Assad. Asked how Russia would react to a possible US strike on Syria, Mr Lavrov said that the response will be "proportionate". AP Prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, left, stands trial in the south central province of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam (Vietnam News Agency via AP) A Vietnamese blogger has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of distorting government policies and defaming the Communist regime in Facebook posts and interviews with foreign media, her lawyer said. Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, also known as "Mother Mushroom", was sentenced at the end of a one-day trial in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, Vo An Don said. Her conviction related to the content of 18 articles on her Facebook page and interviews with foreign news outlets such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, the lawyer said. Ms Quynh, 37, co-founded a network of bloggers and is very popular in Vietnam. She has written about human rights, civilian deaths in police custody and the release of toxic chemicals by a Taiwanese-owned factory that killed thousands of fish in one of Vietnam's worst environmental disasters. The single mother of two young children maintained her innocence throughout the trial, her lawyer said, adding: "Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh did not admit that she committed any crime, saying she has a right to freedom of expression." The lawyer said the sentence was "too harsh and unjust" and that Ms Quynh plans to appeal the verdict. Ms Quynh was arrested in October when she was visiting a fellow activist in prison. International human rights groups including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Sweden-based Civil Rights Defenders have called for her immediate release. "The scandal here is not what Mother Mushroom said, but Hanoi's stubborn refusal to repeal draconian, rights-abusing laws that punish peaceful dissent and tarnish Vietnam's international reputation," said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director. In a joint statement, Amnesty International and Civil Rights Defenders urged Vietnam "to refrain from criminalising and prosecuting people for peacefully expressing the right to freedom of expression and to respect and protect the right to a fair trial". Responding to the calls for the blogger's release, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Ms Quynh's trial was held in accordance with Vietnamese law. "Like other countries in the world, in Vietnam, all law-violating acts must be strictly dealt with in accordance with the regulations of Vietnamese law," Ms Hang said at a regular news briefing. In March, Ms Quynh received the International Women of Courage Award from the US State Department. Vietnam said the award "was not appropriate and of no benefit to the development of the relations between the two countries". In 2015, Ms Quynh was given the Civil Rights Defender of the Year award by the Swedish rights group. According to Human Rights Watch, there are about 110 known political prisoners in Vietnam. Vietnam denies it holds any political prisoners, saying only those who break the law are put behind bars. AP A day heavy in green Indian equity markets saw a day, heavy in green, today. Nifty 50 ended, up by 321.5 points. Sensex ended, up by 1181.34 points. Top Gainers today were HDFC, HDFC Bank, Infosys. Top Losers ... November 11, 2022 | 3:43 pm In early trade, Rupee rises 71 paise to 80.69 / $ Early on Friday, the rupee strengthened 71 paise to 80.69 against the dollar as investors' attitudes were bolstered by easing US CPI data and a decline in the dollar index. Forex traders claime... November 11, 2022 | 2:24 pm Sensex zooms over 1,100 pts; Nifty above 18,300; IT index top contributor Domestic benchmark indices in the fast lane today led by IT and Metal stocks outperforming. Both the Sensex and Nifty benchmarks were nearly 2% higher amid positive global cues. On the se... November 11, 2022 | 2:00 pm NIBE receives order of Rs11.88 crore from Goa Shipyard; Stock slips 1% Nibe Limited stocks in focus as the company announced the receipt of purchase orders. As per the regulatory filing, it has received two purchase orders dated November 08, 2022 from G... November 11, 2022 | 12:53 pm Ashoka Buildcon receives provisional certificate for NHAI road project; Stock up 2% Ashoka Buildcon Limited has informed the declaration of October 26, 2021 as the Commercial Operation Date (CoD) for its Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) Project of National Highways Authority of ... November 11, 2022 | 12:26 pm The CBI has taken over the investigation of the Rs 500 crore online ponzi scam allegedly by Ghaziabad-based Webwork Trade Links. Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who endorsed its portal Addsbook.com, are also named in the complaint. Twitter Promoters of Webwork Trade Links, Anurag Jain and Sandesh Verma, duped people using the two actors as brand ambassadors of his shadow firm addsbook.com, the complaint alleged. According to the complaint, which is now part of the FIR, the company opened a "shadow company", Addsbook Marketing Pvt, which was launched on December 10, 2016, with brand ambassadors "Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shahrukh Khan". Twitter "People have invested heavily as they were influenced by both celebrities," it alleged. However, the actors are not mentioned as either accused or suspects by the Uttar Pradesh Police, which had probed the matter earlier. Jain and Verma allegedly took money from people luring them with lucrative payments for every click on advertisements on their website, the complaint said. According to the Uttar Pradesh Police, which was probing the matter, Garg and Sudesh offered membership to more than four lakh people in four months for the click and earn plan. CBI It is alleged that they collected over Rs 500 crore from around two lakh people, police had said. The CBI, on directives of the Allahabad High Court, has taken over the investigation into the matter and re-registered the FIR against Jain and Verma for alleged cheating and violation of the Information Technology Act. Whenever the CBI takes over the investigation from a state police, it re-registers the same FIR which was filed by the state police. The final report in the case may be completely different. While you may not be necessarily thinking of how getting into your favourite asana is going to alter your genes, it turns out that yoga does more than just relax your mind and help you feel your best; it helps change the expression of your genes almost instantaneously! ecorganicweb.com This means that while reversing the damage that stress has on your system yoga has an instant impact on you at a genetic level! The most recent and the largest study recently published in the frontiers in Immunology, which reviewed 18 previously published studies on the effects, mind-body interventions (MBIs) had on stress, anxiety and depression. yogajournal.com The study analysed several MBIs, such as mindfulness, yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, relaxation response, and breath regulation. The results indicated that these practices are associated with the downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B), which occurs when stress activates your sympathetic nervous system leading to inflammation. This is the opposite of the effects of chronic stress on gene expression and suggests that MBI practices may lead to a reduced risk of inflammation-related diseases, state the authors of the study. The paper also adds that this is the reversal of the molecular signature of chronic stress. communitynews.com There have been a number of other studies to back this claim. A study from the Norway published in PLOS ONE from 2013 had suggested that yoga could help strengthen your immune systemmore than your traditional exercises. The study suggested that yoga practices rapidly altered gene expression (almost instantaneously), which is the base for long-term cellular change at a biological level. assorticentr.com Yoga was able to evoke a relaxation response through yoga poses along with a prayer or mantra. It has shown to combat psychological disorders like depression and anxiety, and physical conditions like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. To test this response researchers from the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center took blood tests to their participants 15-minutes before and 20-minutes after their participants were put through a guided meditation. beyou-zone.es Not surprisingly, the blood samples collected from all the participants revealed a change in their gene expression. The result was the exact opposite of what your body undergoes during a flight or fight situation; genes that were responsible for inflammation were suppressed. Long-term practitioners elicited a relaxation response that activated the gene responsible for energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, insulin secretion, and telomere maintenance. While people have been figuring this out for themselves for thousands of years through yoga, prayer and other forms of meditation, this is the first time researchers have used science to show the biological effects if these practices. dharmaconnection.com So the next time you see someone meditating or get into the act yourself, remember youre mindfully counteracting the genetic effect of stress! Sick ISIS militants fed a hungry sex slave the mutilated remains of her son telling her that she should eat before she meets him. ISIS militants also raped a 10-year-old girl to death in front of her own family, claimed an Iraqi MP. YouTube/ Representational Image Vian Dakhil is a prominent Yazidi politician and has been a voice of dissent for the horrors perpetrated by Isis against her people. A Yazidi woman, held captive by ISIS as a sex slave, unknowingly ate her on one-year-old son after the captors took her baby and served it to her with rice. As reported by Daily Mail, Vian Dakhil told this during a television interview: Kurdistan Tribune "Afterwards, they brought her a plate of rice and meat. She ate the food because she was very hungry. 'When she was finished they said to her: We cooked your one-year-old son that we took from you, and this is what you just ate." She, then went on to describe other gory details of atrocities by the militant organisation: "One of the girls said that they took six of her sisters. Her younger sister, a ten-year-old girl, was raped to death in front of her father and sisters. She was ten-years-old." ISIS considers Yazidis to be devil worshippers and have waged genocide against them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been heartselling Swachh Bharat, or Clean India, to encourage clean cities. Creating awareness among public to use toilets is one of the biggest parts of the entire programme. Amid all these, the actions of a minister has caused some embarrassment to the government. Twitter A photo of Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has now gone viral. The undated photo which has been shared by many including the Lalu Prasad's RJD shows Singh peeing in public. According to some reports the photos were taken during the union ministers visit to Motihari last week. Twitter In the photos, some have spotted a red beacon on top of his car, which has been banned by the Modi government to end VIP culture. Citing the red beacon, some have suggested that the photo is old. The much talked about and subject to various WhatsApp leaks, the Rs 200 note is going to be out soon. The Reserve bank has reportedly began printing bills of 200 rupees. The notes of Rs 200 denomination are being printed in one of the government-owned facilities after the RBI placed an order a few weeks ago for the bills. "The new 200 notes will carry advanced security features. The authorities are taking extra precaution to prevent counterfeiting," ET quoting a source reported. Currently, those notes are going through different levels of security and quality checks at the government's press unit at Hoshangabad (Madhya Pradesh), the sourse said. "For day-to-day transaction purposes, the introduction of 200 rupee notes will add to the ease of operations," said Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economist at the SBI Group. The introduction of the Rs-200 currency notes predates the federal government's decision to overnight withdraw bills of higher denomination in November as part of a broader exercise to stop counterfeiting and curbing untaxed cash in Asia's third-biggest economy. The RBI board had earlier cleared the proposal to issue banknotes of Rs 200 denomination. The government, too, had examined the introduction of the new notes that would help citizens transact easily. Reuters Before the November 8 demonetisation, there were roughly 1,650 crore pieces of Rs 500 notes in circulation, according to data from the State Bank of India research. With the removal of this series from the system, there was a large gap in the value of notes in circulation. During demonetisation, it had ordered the withdrawal of the then existing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, which accounted for about 86% of currency in circulation of Rs 17.9 lakh crore. Chinas claim that its road construction in Sikkim sectors Donglang was legitimate was rebutted by Bhutan. A formal protest with Beijing by the Bhutanese has been advanced with the demand to "stop the work immediately" near Bhutanese army camps. This objection comes against the background of the Indian and Chinese troops in dispute with each other in the Doklam (also known as Donglang) area of the Sikkim sector. Calling it a "violation of an agreement between the two countries", Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel on Wednesday said, "Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquility should be maintained in the area." Times of India "Donglang is part of China's territory. This is indisputable," said China on Wednesday, accusing India of "raising the issue" on part of Bhutan. "The Donglang area belonged to China since ancient times and it doesn't belong to Bhutan. India wants to raise an issue with this part. I should say it doesn't belong to Bhutan, nor it belongs to India," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said. "If any third party, out of hidden agenda, interferes it is disrespect of the sovereignty of Bhutan. We don't want to see this as Bhutan is a country entitled to sovereignty by the international community," he said. www.dailypioneer.com Amid the standoff between India and China, China on Tuesday, blocked the Indian pilgrims en route Kailash-Mansarover in Tibet from Nathu La pass, accusing the Indian troops of allegedly trespassing the Sikkim border into the Chinese territory and demanding their withdrawal from the border. A Chinese government spokesperson said the diplomatic protest was lodged with India both in New Delhi and Beijing. The tension apparently began with the Chinese troops crossing the Indian border earlier this month and destroying an old makeshift bunker, which then led to the face-off. The reason that China gave for its action was that the bunker was a disruption to a road it is building in its territory in remote Doko La. Talibani militants reportedly shot dead two female military officers in the northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province. The officers had gone to their home in Spin Gul village of Argo district on Wednesday. boston/representational image However, the Taliban has not commented on the report so far. Taliban militants had banned the education for girls and work for women outside home during their reign which collapsed in late 2001. Twitter's making a greater impact far beyond its 140 character limit. A new study by researchers suggests that Twitter may hold the tools necessary to predict dangerous incident, so police can move proactively. Researchers from Cardiff University used algorithms to sort through 1.6 million tweets in relation to the 2011 London riots. They found that, had their system been active in the time prior to the riots breaking out, it could have detected trouble an hour and 23 minutes before police were actually called to the scene. The algorithm works by scanning the contents of tweets, as well as the time and location from which they were posted. In this way, the system can identify where and when tensions are escalating, and can predict if violence may break out. In this research, we show that online social media are becoming the go-to place to report observations of everyday occurrences including social disorder and terrestrial criminal activity, said the studys co-author Pete Burnap said. However, the team also specifies that their algorithm is only suited for large-scale incidents. When it comes to smaller violent incidents, there just arent enough tweets to extrapolate data from, if at all. We will never replace traditional policing resource on the ground but we have demonstrated that this research could augment existing intelligence gathering and draw on new technologies to support more established policing methods, Burnap added. Instead, there are other companies like Solution House Software in South Africa, looking to prevent crime using predictive analysis. Here, the AI uses crime statistics like where and at what time of day a certain type of crime usually occurs, However, the everyday patrolling and identifying of suspects is still up to local police. Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. Coming after an Islamic student was found chained by his teacher in Kaduna State, another almajiri boy has been found in similar condition in Gombe State. The Facebook which narrated the incident, reads; From Gombe, yesterday a friend of the security and the plural called me on the phone to tell me that we have character and a child. The boys name was Hassan and does not exceed 6 years, said that the father is to bring this city to discipleship, according to him, his father died and he did not know the mother because he was not married. He was under the supervision of the teachers azzaba it as you see in the picture. Now the teacher of exaggerating jamiah security, although he said it reserves the child is not is not the actual teacher is put in detention. Al-Ummah North past; is Jan attention on such harm in the name of Islam debate, yaronnan into bh took guns kill them, they came back saying Jonathan. Gods gift Sheriff Almuhaji Two of the Chibok schoolgirls who were able to escape from Boko Haram in 2014, have met with the US President, Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday. Two of the nearly 300 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by deadly Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram and are among the 57 girls who were able to escape from the terrorist group, have met the President of United States of America, Donald Trump, and first lady, Ivanka Trump. 20-year-old Joy Bishara, and 19-year-old Lydia Pogu, who were among several other girls who escaped and moved to the United States to complete their school, met with the American President at the White House in Washington on Wednesday, June 28. With the help of a Christian non-profit, others, they were able to attend boarding school in Virginia. Bishara and Pogu transferred their senior year and recently graduated from Canyonville Christian Academy. They will be attending Southeastern University in Florida in the fall. Joy Bishara , 20, and Lydia Pogu , 19, two of the Chibok schoolgirls who were able to escape from Boko Haram in 2014, met with US President Donald Trump at the White House Wednesday, June 28. The duo and several other girls who escaped hostage were moved to the United States to complete their education. With the help of a Christian nonprofit, others, they were able to attend boarding school in Virginia. Bishara and Pogu transferred their senior year and recently graduated from Canyonville Christian Academy. They will be attending Southeastern University in Florida in the fall. Here is another photo of the chibok girls: The finished photos from her racy beach shoot which hit the net few weeks ago has shown how flawless the Ghanian model truly is. Rocking a native fabric swimsuit, the ex girlfriend of Nigerian rap star, Ice Prince, showed off her sexy side in this racy shoot.. See below. Source: Nairaland Nigerias Yuonov Frederick Agah has been reappointed as Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for another four-year term. Agah, who hails from Benue state, was first appointed as Deputy Director-General of WTO in 2013 for a four-year term. He will resume his second term at the WTO headquarters in Geneva on Oct. 1, 2017, till Sept. 30, 2021. The Director-General of WTO, Roberto Azevedo, announced the appointment of Agah alongside three other Deputy Directors-General. Azevedo said serving Deputy Directors-General Yonov Frederick Agah of Nigeria, Karl Brauner of Germany and Yi Xiaozhun of China have been reappointed to serve a further four-year term and will continue to fulfil their current responsibilities. They will be joined by a new Deputy Director-General from the United States, Mr. Alan Wolff, who will replace David Shark. I want to thank the Deputy Directors-General for their excellent work over the last four years. I am delighted to confirm that Frederick Agah, Karl Brauner and Yi Xiaozhun will continue in their roles for a second term. I look forward to continue to work with you to strengthen the multilateral trading system. The 164-member countries organisation is the only global international body that deals with the rules of trade between nations to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers to conduct their business. Agah was appointed as Nigerias Ambassador to the WTO in 2005. In that capacity, he served as the Alternate Chief Negotiator for the Doha Round and Head of Nigerias Trade Office to the WTO in the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations Office in Geneva. The Trade Office is responsible for Nigerias participation in Geneva-based trade-related international organisations, particularly the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the International Trade Centre and the WTO. The WTO deputy chief served as Chair to WTOs General Council in 2011. He was responsible for organising the Eighth WTO Ministerial Conference, which was acknowledged to be successful in spite of prevailing stalemate in the Doha Round. He also served as Chair of the Dispute Settlement Body in 2010 and the Council for Trade in Services in 2009. He was also the chair of the Trade Policy Review Body in 2008, the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in 2007, and the Council for Trade in Goods in 2006. He chaired the Council for the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights an international legal agreement between all the member nations of the Special Session, in 2013. Agah had previously worked as a lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State from 1979 to 1981 and Senior Features Writer/Circulation Manager, Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation from 1982 to 1984. He was Sales Manager, Benue Bottling Company Limited from 1984 to 1987, Field Manager, UTC Nigeria PLC from 1990 to 1991, Deputy Director (Multilateral) from 1991 to 2001 and Director (External Trade) from 2002 to 2005. Born on Aug. 28, 1956, Agah holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He obtained a Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (International Trade) from the University of Jos in 1989 and 2007. His doctoral dissertation was on Trade Policy Reform and Economic Growth in Nigeria Since 1986. Agah also obtained a Bachelor of Laws from University of Abuja, Nigeria in 2009. Source: (NAN) These are the finished photos from Maima Nkewas racy beach shoot which hit the internet few weeks ago. This has shown how flawless the Ghanaian model truly is. Rocking a native fabric swimsuit, the ex girlfriend of Nigerian rap star, Ice Prince, showed off her s*xy side in this racy shoot. Maima has remain defiant about showcasing her banging body at any given opportunity. See another old bikini photo: The minister of Agriculture of Indian, Radha Singh was on Thursday caught on camera urinating in public, prompting angry reactions from citizens on social media with some calling for his ouster. In the photo that has gone viral, Singh was seen peeing on a wall of a compound, while his security guards stood close-by. Several people took to the social media to criticize the ministers action which is in sharp contrast to Prime Minister Narendra Modis clean India campaign. Some have even asked Modi to sack the minister. Show him the door one Twitter user wrote to the prime ministers official handle, tagging the official accounts of the minister and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah. However, the erring minister has defended himself, claiming that he was forced to urinate in the open as there was no public toilet nearby on the National Highway 28, where the photo was taken. This is not the first time that a BJP leader has been caught littering or working against Prime Minister Modis flagship Clean India campaign. Earlier this month, the countrys green court, National Green Tribunal, was moved after a BJP lawmaker, Priyanka Rawat, threw a plastic bottle in the river Saryu, a tributary of the Ganga. The vlean Indian campaign (Swachh Bharat Mission) was officially launched on Oct. 2, 2014, aimed at universal sanitation and open defecation eradication by 2019. Source: ( NAN ) Prison officials have been nabbed having secret affairs with prisoners who are serving term for committing various crimes. A report by the Sun has revealed that Dozens of prison officers have been caught sharing inappropriate relationships with jailbirds. Ministry of Justice figures show 43 guards were punished for being too close to an inmate in the past three years. Some of the relationships were so serious that the officers themselves were prosecuted or sacked. Freedom of Information figures obtained by The Sun show 15 officers were disciplined in 2014, 14 in 2015 and a further 14 in 2016 for forming an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner or ex prisoner. Some of the staff who were exposed during the period are believed to have had sex with prisoners, others had sent explicit texts and letters or met up with prisoners outside work. The Sun UK revealed yesterday how female officer Faron Selvage, 21, is being investigated after lesbian convict Sydnee Offord claimed they enjoyed secret trysts in her cell. While last month Kiah Andrusjak, 23, was jailed for giving killer con Shane Boyd, 24, X-rated snaps and showering him with gifts. The Prison Service says it has strict guidelines about what constitutes an inappropriate relationship between staff and criminals, and anybody breaking the rules will face the toughest sanctions. However they have refused to provide the exact number of officers sacked or allowed to continue working. Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, West Yorks, has called for automatic dismissals for any officer caught in a bid to halt serious security breaches. He told The Sun: Its obviously very serious its not necessarily the relationship itself its what the position it puts the prison officer in. It compromises them and makes them susceptible to blackmail and susceptible to helping bring in contraband it just puts the prison officer in a position where discipline is harder to enforce in prison. There is no alternative but to weed out officers who get themselves into that situation. Obviously you can sympathise with people who have got themselves into a certain situation but that cant be tolerated in a prison environment. It should be the default position for someone to be dismissed. Unless there are very unique mitigating circumstances, its very difficult to see how you can carry on. In 2015/16, 1,417 staff faced at least one investigation at a rate of 3.1 per 100 staff. MoJ figures show that between January 2008 and October 2010, some 126 prison workers were investigated and found to have had inappropriate relationships with inmates at jails in England and Wales. As shared by Jim Roak on IG, he wrote; The idle presidential aircraft in london consumes 4k pounds everyday for parking lot and its idleness. By 12am this morning,it would be 50days it has stayed idle and if you multiply that by N400/1pounds for 50days it will amount to N80,000,000.00 doing nothing but waiting for the president to get well. This is not a government but a mistake. A new twist has unfolded in the kidnap case of suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans, has sued the Inspector General of Police, and three others before a Federal High Court in Lagos over his alleged illegal detention. In the new suit filed on Thursday, Evans is claiming N300 million as general and exemplary damages against the police for alleged illegal detention and unconstitutional media trial. Joined as respondents in his new originating motion are the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command. Evans had on June 28 filed an ex parte applicatwith referenceence number FHC/L/CS/1012/2017, before the same court, seeking an order directing the respondents to charge him to court. He had also in the alternative, sought an order directing the respondents to release him unconditionally where no charge is preferred against him. In an affidavit deposed to by his father, Mr Stephen Onwuamadike, it was averred that the applicant has been subjected to media trial without any court order by the respondents. Onwuamadike further averred that the media trial and news orchestrated by the respondents have continued to generate reactions in both print and electronic media without his son being afforded fair hearing before a court of law. Evans contended that his continued detention by the respondents since June 10, without a charge, or release on bail , is an infringement on his fundamental rights. In his new suit also marked FHC/L/CS/1012/ 2017 and with the same persons as respondents, the applicant is seeking a declaration that his continued detention since June 10 without arraignment, violates his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. He is also seeking a declaration that his parade on June 11 before journalists in Lagos, at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, without any court order, is unconstitutional and illegal . He is consequently, seeking an order, compelling the respondents to immediately arraign him before a law court, or release him from custody forthwith. Evans is also seeking an order, compelling the respondents to jointly and severally, pay him the sum of N300 million as exemplary damages for illegal detention and alleged harm caused by the alleged media trial. The suspect is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from further arresting, detaining, harassing, investigating or inviting him in relation to the facts of his case. He is also seeking further orders as the court may deem fit, to make in the circumstances. No date has been fixed for hearing in his latest suit. Source: (NAN) The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum Leader, Shettima Yerima, who also issued a notice to the Igbo to quit the 19 northern states, on Tuesday, said he would submit himself for questioning if declared wanted. He was not on the run and had nothing to fear because he only expressed his views as a Nigerian. He was reacting to enquiries by our correspondent, following allegations that he had gone into hiding in the Republic of Chad. Arewa youths had, after their meeting in Kaduna some days ago, given a three-month ultimatum to Igbo people living in the 19 states in the North to leave the region or be forced out by October 1, 2017. Apart from Yerima, those who endorsed the resolution were Nastura Sharif (Arewa Citizens Action for Change); Aminu Adam (Arewa Youth Development Foundation); Alfred Solomon (Arewa Students Forum); Abdul-Azeez Suleiman (Northern Emancipation Network) as well as Joshua Viashman (Northern Youth Vanguard). But in an interview with our correspondent, the AYCF leader said he would make himself available if invited by security agencies. Yerima said, I did not go into hiding and will never go into hiding. We need to put the record straight. For now, nobody is looking for me and I am ready to submit myself if I am called. I am not a joker. Nobody is looking for me and I am not hiding anywhere from anybody. I am in my village, I am a Nigerian. If anybody looks for me, I will submit myself. I am not above the law. I am not on the run. While insisting that he would not go into hiding, Yerima insisted that the Igbo should leave Nigeria. He said, Why should I go into hiding? I have a name, I have a face. I am not faceless. I am not hiding anywhere. Why should I hide? Where did I go wrong? Somebody wants to go and I said, go, youre free to go. What is wrong about it? You cannot be in our country and begin to clamour for another country. Go to your place and declare your own country, not in my zone. It is a simple language. I have not committed any offence. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) Happy Veterans Day! The Corn & Ethanol Report 11/11/2022 The PRICE Futures Group - 1 hour ago We kickoff the day with the eleventh hour, eleventh day and eleventh month that hostilities in WW 1 ceased. What a perfect way to honor all of our veterans and thank them for their service to our country.... So Let Us Get This Straight The PRICE Futures Group - 1 hour ago So, let's get this straight. Oil prices were falling on fears that out-out-of-control inflation would cause the Fed to raise interest rates, thereby slowing demand. Then we get a lower-than-expected consumer... Thousands protest in Bulgaria for higher salaries AP - Fri Nov 11, 7:52AM CST Thousands of Bulgarians have taken to the streets to demand higher salaries to compensate for surging inflation that has hit the European Unions poorest member $SPX : 3,959.47 (+0.08%) $DOWI : 33,482.60 (-0.69%) $IUXX : 11,671.49 (+0.56%) Friday Cotton Bouncing Back Barchart - Fri Nov 11, 7:25AM CST Morning cotton futures are triple digits higher so far for Fridays day session. Cotton futures worked both sides of UNCH on Thursday, and settled the day mixed. December traded in a 251 point range... CTZ22 : 87.85 (+1.70%) CTH23 : 85.87 (+1.55%) CTK23 : 85.06 (+1.30%) Hogs Higher for Week into Friday Barchart - Fri Nov 11, 7:25AM CST Front month lean hog prices closed the Thursday session with 32 to 82 cent losses, but are still in the black on net for the week due to the Monday surge. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price was $2.47... HEZ22 : 84.175 (-0.82%) HEJ23 : 94.050 (-0.19%) KMZ22 : 94.825 (-0.71%) For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser AA Self Storage is building an 84,000-square-foot facility that will be part of a mixed-use development in Leland, N.C. The property will comprise 300 climate-controlled units, 47 traditional units and 77 covered boat/RV spaces. Weather has forced construction delays, but the asset is expected to be complete by the end of August, according to the source. The facility will be adjacent to Brunswick Forest Veterinary Hospital and be part of The Villages at Brunswick Forest, a 160-acre town center comprising more than 500,000 square feet of retail and professional services. Weve been trying to get into the Leland/North Brunswick County market for a number of years, said Bill Coffey, president of AA parent company The Rosemyr Corp. We will primarily serve household customers and the Brunswick Forest community. AA has a development plan to build at least one new storage facility each year, Coffey said. AA operates 13 self-storage facilities in North Carolina and Virginia, with portable-storage solutions available at five locations. Founded in 1954 and based in Henderson, N.C., Rosemyr is a real estate development and investment company with ownership in more than 2.6 million square feet of commercial space. In addition to self-storage, it has interests in banks, restaurants, retail centers and other business assets. Storage Authority LLC, which operates self-storage facilities in Connecticut and offers franchise opportunities, has launched a match program designed to partner developers and investors who are interested in joining the company as a franchisee but lacking the equity to qualify for financing on their own. The program has launched in Texas, with plans to be available nationwide this summer, according to a company press release. The program is geared toward individuals who wish to enter the self-storage industry and desire a 50-50 partnership. To qualify, parties must have a minimum of $200,000 in cash equity to invest in a Storage Authority franchise, the release stated. Applicants must complete a review of Storage Authoritys platforms and systems, and fill out a one-page questionnaire to identify geographical limitations and other basic information a potential partner would need, company officials said. Earlier this month, the company announced it had added two franchise locations to its roster and was planning a third corporate asset. The projects are in various stages of development in Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. Co-founded by Marc Goodin and Scott House, Storage Authority launched its franchise model in 2015, offering existing self-storage owners and those looking to enter the industry the chance to build a business under the brands operational framework. The company also offers consulting services and facility-manager training. Storage Authority operates two self-storage facilities in Connecticut. It lists Florida, New Jersey, New York and Texas on its website as sites for future locations. The outsourced CIO (OCIO) business has taken off over the past decade, but an increasingly crowded marketplace is making it hard for businesses to thrive. Now asset management giant BlackRock is ramping up its expansion into the business, further increasing the competition and threatening to shrink margins. This month Bloomberg reported that Arizona State University has hired BlackRock as an OCIO to invest its $600 million endowment. The university had been using Agility, the OCIO arm of New York-based investment firm Perella Weinberg Partners, which it hired in 2013. But in December, Agility decided not to renew its contract with Arizona State, according to a source familiar with the conversation. The foundations investment committee has said that in addition to using BlackRock, it wants to make more investment decisions itself. To some the news of Arizona States decision to shift its mandate to a less traditional OCIO is a symptom of an industry under the gun. The proliferation of OCIO firms, pressure on fees, lack of performance by hedge funds and other alternative investments, and move toward indexing all have hurt the OCIO business model, even though it continues to appeal to many. Conceptually an OCIO makes a lot of sense, says Michael Falk, a partner with the investment management advisory firm Focus Consulting Group. Educated investment professionals taking on the fiduciary responsibilities to manage on behalf of someone else is, on paper, a good idea, Falk says. But, he warns, in theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is. Although OCIOs grew in popularity for more than a decade, lately investors are starting to evaluate what they get out of the OCIO relationship. Perella Weinberg Partners OCIO unit, Agility, owes its success, and its team, to the tendency of foundations and endowments to want to outsource the fiduciary responsibility for managing their assets to a professional asset management firm. In 2008, Agility, which had been founded more than a year previously, won the mandate to manage $825 million of assets from the $874 million University of Colorado Foundation. Colorados CIO, Chris Bittman, moved over to Agility to run the OCIO business, taking his team with him. Today Agility has $8.4 billion in assets under management. The firm made the decision late last year not to rebid for the Arizona State contract. Arizona State did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. OCIO managers themselves agree that the market has become competitive, and it is hard for any but the most successful a group that includes Agility to thrive. Ive had a lot of resumes hit my desk, says the head of one OCIO firm. People are starting to wash out. Others argue there is plenty of work for those who establish a strong reputation. If you perform, you do a good job, and you take care of your clients, you are going to have no problem growing, says the CIO of one OCIO firm. If you are good, the market finds you. One criticism of OCIO businesses, however, is that determining what constitutes doing a good job can be subjective because these firms lack transparent track records. While money managers have clear records they can show to prospective clients and many institutions will not invest with a manager that has a track record of less than three years unless they are taking a chance on a startup the performance of an OCIO business can vary depending on the individual client, and managers are often unwilling to share this information with other clients or prospects. The result is a marketplace where performance is opaque, making hiring decisions difficult. The odd thing about OCIOs is they get hired, and it has nothing to do with style, and it has nothing to do with performance, because they dont show performance, says Falk. They say, Were smart; hire us. When you ask them about performance, at least in our experience, they say, We do things differently for every one of our clients. How do I know youre good? They say, You should look at our credentials. But just because you are smart doesnt mean youre good at managing money. Not everyone is falling out of love with the OCIO concept, however. Boston-based investment consulting and investment management firm Cambridge Associates earlier this year laid off close to 50 employees and is evolving from advisory services to more of an OCIO model. Some pension plans, such as the $15.4 billion Illinois State Board of Investments, have also started to embrace the OCIO model for some or all of their actively managed assets. Qineqt, a start-up alternative data firm founded by a former trader at SAC Capital Advisors, has shut down, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. Founder Nadir Khan, whose New York-based firm began operations in December, did not respond to emails and a phone call seeking comment. The firms website is no longer up and running. In an interview last year, Khan said he planned to turn Qineqt into a business that could compete with financial data firms like Bloomberg and Standard & Poors, using infrastructure built from scratch. Qineqt sought close partnerships with money managers, including hedge funds, that could request hard-to-find data and then get exclusive access to the information for a certain period of time. With each request, Qineqts central database would be built out overtime. The firm used 230 researchers based in Pakistan to get information from primary sources, such as workers at Chinese ports to find out how many ships were docked. Justin Zhen, co-founder of Thinknum, a New York-based alternative data firm that caters to hedge funds, traditional asset managers, family offices, private equity firms and investment banks, notes that going from start-up to profitability is difficult. Alternative data generally includes information found online, using sources such as social media. Qineqt was trying to do a little bit of everything. But the start-up world is really hard, Zhen said, noting that hed heard from his hedge fund clients that the firm had closed. You need to focus and get the product right, he said. Zhen says Thinknum, which was formed in 2014 and started an alternative data product a year later, is profitable and has more than 500 clients. Thinknum provides data such as government contracts, product pricing and other information on public companies. According to Integrity Research, a third-party research firm, 20 percent of Thinknums clients are banks, including Goldman Sachs Group, Jefferies Group and Wells Fargo & Co. Zhen says many people are trying to gain a foothold in alternative data, but he expects only two or three to ultimately own the market. Its just like what happened in the financial data world with Bloomberg and others, he said. The ones who were way ahead were those whose products were being used early. Then they added features and more data along the road. Zhen says hedge funds that have looked at Qineqt have told him that licenses for its product were more than $1 million annually. In comparison, Thinknum charges $4,800 a year for each user, a fraction of Qineqts price tag. Part of the price difference may be attributable to Qineqts manual process of collecting data using analysts in Pakistan, a process Khan had said he would automate over time. Thinknum uses machine learning techniques to collect and organize its data. They were collecting data manually, which made the process difficult and expensive, Zhen said. While hedge funds have been under fire in recent years for high fees and lackluster performance, investing in the firms that manage them has remained a popular strategy. One such firm, New York-based White Oak Equity Partners, struck its first deal at the end of last month, taking a 20 percent equity stake in quantitative global macro hedge fund firm ROW Asset Management. Co-founded in 2016 by Bruce Wilson, a former COO of Dan Loebs hedge fund firm Third Point, and Jeffery Walsh, a former principal with early private equity and leveraged buyout pioneer Wesray Capital Corporation, White Oak is seeking to make equity investments in hedge fund firms with between $200 million and $2 billion in assets under management. In doing so it joins the ranks of Dyal Capital Partners, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and Blackstone Group, all of which have taken stakes in hedge fund managers. Both GSAM and Blackstone have launched hedge fund investment funds in recent years, while Dyal, a subsidiary of asset manager Neuberger Berman, has made a business out of investing in asset management firms, hedge funds included. White Oak was launched with the backing of an unnamed family office as well as capital from its founding partners. A spokesperson for White Oak declined to comment. At a time when a number of institutional investors are questioning the value of investing in hedge fund strategies, industry sources say that taking a general partner stake in a hedge fund manager continues to be an attractive option for the right firm. ROW is an $800 million quantitative manager with offices in New York and California. While fundamental long-short equity mangers are having a tough time generating alpha these days, quantitative hedge fund firms are enjoying good performance and are seeing a corresponding growth in assets under management, making them an attractive option for would-be GP investors. One of the best known, and most successful, stakes in an alternative investment firm is Affiliated Management Groups position in AQR, the Greenwich, Connecticut-based alternative investment firm founded in 1998 by Cliff Asness and a group of his Goldman Sachs Asset Management colleges. AQR offers a variety of different fund structures, which charge different fee levels depending on the level of alpha generated by the fund. The Beverley, Massachusetts-based AMG originally bought into AQR in 2004, upping its minority position in 2014 (the size of the stake has not been disclosed). In a March, 31 2017 regulatory filing, AQR reported a pre-tax 2016 profit of $531.1 million, for a profit margin of 56 percent. AQR was responsible for more than 20 percent of AMGs pre-tax 2016 income. The quantitative firm has $187.6 billion in assets under management in both hedge fund and long-only strategies. With the founders of many asset management firms now moving close to retirement age, and firms seeking ways to share equity with junior partners, taking a GP stake is seen as an efficient way to free up capital, particularly as going public is not a guaranteed route to success. Some hedge fund firms that have gone public, among them Och-Ziff Capital Management Group and Fortress Investment Group, have struggled as publicly traded companies. Fortress is in the process of being taken private again after being acquired by the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group, while Och-Ziffs share price has declined 67 percent over the past five years. This content is from: Portfolio The percentage of capital raised by new fund managers has declined over the past decade, according to Preqin. As a not-for-profit specialist, it would be easy to think that Russell Bresland knows all there is to know about charity.Bresland, managing director of Bresland Insurance Group, has been involved with the not-for-profit sector since the early 1990s and recently took part in the CEO Sleepout which saw him and around 100 others sleep rough for a night at the WACA in Perth.With his cardboard bedding in toe, Bresland spent the night on the wet oval and said that the experience was one he would recommend to anyone.Ive been involved in the not-for-profit sector for about 20 plus years but you learn new things every day and this, for me, was a huge highlight, Bresland told Insurance Business.I had a total misconception of homelessness before my attitude, outlook is a complete reversal to what I had before. I think it is an experience that most, if they can, should do if not for the night out then to hear the information that they have got to say. It is a great cause.Bresland, one of several insurance leaders who took part in the events hosted across the country, has raised more than $10,000 for Vinnies and plans to take up the challenge again next year.Breslands entrance into the insurance industry in 1974 was far from routine.Heading to a job interview with New Zealand Victoria, Bresland arrived five minutes late and apologised to the interviewer a feat of manners that won him the job.Since then, Breslands career has spanned four states before retirement beckoned in 2007.Having sold his brokerage, Bresland decided in 2010 that it was time to return to the industry and formed Bresland Insurance Group in 2010.Since then, the business has become a family affair as Bresland is joined by his wife, son and daughter in the business, alongside other extended family members.With a well-planned succession in place Bresland has no plans for another retirement as he said the variety of the industry keeps him coming back for more.I think it is one of the best careers you can ever have, Bresland continued.Ive been extremely blessed in being able to see a lot of things that happen out there that most people will never see. I think that is the highlight of being in this career. Its the latest major cyber-attack to cause chaos across the world but this time the impact looks bigger than ever.Companies around the globe, including advertising giant WPP, said yesterday that they were being hit by a significant ransomware attack, reportedly a variant of the Petya ransom trojan.Firms in Ukraine were among the first to report the incident, as its state power company and Kiev airport were targeted, a BBC report said. Even the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was forced to monitor radiation levels manually after its Windows-based sensors were shut down.According to cyber insurance specialists CFC Underwriting , the latest attack looks different to those that have gone before it.We had an early warning shot last month as WannaCry spread like wildfire globally, Graeme Newman, chief innovation officer at the MGA, told Insurance Business.However, in actual terms, WannaCry inflicted relatively little damage. Petya, however, seems to be different. This new breed of ransomware looks much more dangerous, already causing chaos for businesses around the world and early indications suggest that this could cost organisations 10 times more than WannaCry, Newman went on to say.CFC is already seeing claims coming in from the US, he said last night, adding that the firm was bracing itself for claims from other countries in the coming hours.This is the tactic of choice for cyber criminals at the moment in Q1 of 2016, ransomware accounted for 12.9% of our cyber insurance claims, but jumped massively to 20.5% of claims in Q1 of 2017.But fighting ransomware can be a much more complex battle the cost of the ransom can actually be minimal compared to the cost of the clean up operation.Claims for this type of attack can quickly spiral out of control when the costs of system damage and business interruption are tallied, Newman said. Its easy to see how this new wave of attacks could end up costing businesses millions. Australian businesses have been impacted by a second major global cyber attack in as many months.The Petya cyber attack spread from Europe to the US and the rest of the world with several firms in Australia reportedly hit.The Cadbury chocolate factory in Hobart saw its systems targeted with production halted after the computer system went offline, ABC .The parent firm of the chocolate maker, Mondelez International, said that they are working to address the global outage and to contain further exposure to its network.Our teams are working offline in an effort to maintain business continuity with our customers and consumers around the world, the statement said.Law firm DLA Piper also advised staff in Australia that its IT systems had been taken down to contain an attack on its systems, warning staff not to attempt to log in to their computers or turn them on.The latest ransomware attack differs from a typical attack as it is able to not only encrypt files but also overwrite and encrypt the master boot record, according to Symantec.The latest attack sees infected users ordered to pay $300 in online currency bitcoin ($395) to return files.Dan Tehan, minister assisting the Prime Minister for cyber security, issued an urgent warning to Australian small businesses to take action to improve their cyber defences.All businesses should immediately update their Windows operating system with the latest security patches and there are instructions on the ACSC website to do this, Tehan said."This ransomware attack is a wake-up call to all Australian businesses to regularly backup their data and install the latest security patches."Meena Wahi, a specialist cyber broker and director of Cyber Data-Risk Managers, said that the cyber insurance market in Australia is seeing larger businesses take out cover but smaller operations remain vulnerable.Wahi noted that cyber coverage will take on more importance as it becomes critical to businesses. With a rise in attacks such as this, that day may not be far off.Until that moment, it looks like 10% or 20% will have the policy and the other 80% is not going to buy unless we have a lot of cyber incidents or the brokers do something or they are willing to commit and invest for the long term, Wahi told Insurance Business.The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) said that it is working to confirm reports of two affected Australian firms and has reached out to offer assistance.Early reports indicate the Petya ransomware appears to leverage the same vulnerability as WannaCry, ACSC said in a statement.If an organisation has been impacted, the infected computer should be isolated to prevent the software spreading. Ongoing investigations into a $10m Sydney car insurance fraud that is driving up CTP prices for NSW motorists have led to the arrest of a tenth person.The move was conducted as part of Strike Force Ravens, set up last August to investigate syndicates targeting the compulsory third-party insurance scheme.A 30-year-old man from Bankstown faces fraud charges for lodging a false CTP claim worth nearly $700,000 related to an alleged car crash at Lakemba in March 2015, The Australian reported.The man is set to appear at the Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday.The state government is working with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) and the police as it cracks down on fraudsters who exaggerate claims and stage accidents for insurance payouts.To date, Strike Force Raven detectives have arrested 10 people and filed over 80 charges in relation to a combined fraud of almost $10m, the report said. Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), Allianz Groups unit for corporate & specialty insurance business, has opened a branch office in South Korea to serve global corporate clients. AGCS said it has become the first foreign non-life insurer in almost a decade to receive regulatory approval from South Koreas Financial Services Commission (FSC) to open a branch in Seoul, which operates with a local insurance license. AGCS has been active in the South Korean market for several years providing reinsurance capacity for local insurers, the company said in a statement. There are significant opportunities for growth in the corporate and specialty insurance segment in South Korea, said AGCS. The company cited the countrys rising number of large infrastructure projects in railways, ports and subway lines, and a focus on environmental liability, which all require tailored insurance solutions with significant capacity. In addition, the automotive, electronics and high-tech communication industries are strong contributors to the South Korean economy, AGCS said. South Korea is the worlds 11th largest economy and the 4th largest in Asia. AGCS estimates that the Asian non-life insurance market currently accounts for about 30 percent of global market premiums and AGCS expects this to grow approximately 5 percent each year. The local office in Seoul will allow us to serve both local South Korean and global companies with South Korean interests much more efficiently, said Carsten Scheffel, AGCS board member and chief regions and markets officer for Asia. Already, more than 11 percent of our global clients have operations in South Korea protected under our international insurance programs, he added. We have seen an increase in demand for global insurance programs as more South Korean firms look to expand overseas as well as from the growing pool of global corporations with South Korean interests, said Mark Mitchell, Regional CEO for AGCS Asia. Our expertise in serving clients with international activities will allow us to provide the best coverage for clients as they seek to compete on a global scale. CEO of AGCS South Korea Noh Chang Tae will assume the role of CEO of AGCS South Korea. Chang Tae, who is a Korean national, was previously in the regional market management team in AGCS Singapore, and has almost 25 years of experience in the insurance market. AGCS has been serving the South Korean corporate insurance market since 2010 from the AGCS Hong Kong and Singapore offices but having an on-shore presence in Seoul will allow local teams to deliver more tailored and relevant solutions for our customers, he said. The South Korean team will initially consist of 13 underwriters and market facing staff, which will be reinforced through additional hiring of local talent. Growing Regional Footprint The South Korea branch is the latest addition to AGCS Asias regional footprint which currently includes Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, India, Brunei and Myanmar, supported by Allianz Group entities and network partners in other countries. The companys Asian business contributed 5 percent to its global premium volume of 7.6 billion (US$8.6 billion) in 2016. The opening of the South Korea branch means that AGCS now operates with its own teams in 31 countries, including all the top 10 insurance markets worldwide, as well as through other Allianz companies or network partners in over 210 countries and territories, the company said. Source: Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) Topics Market Allianz Guy Carpenter & Co. has launched a new unit offering dedicated retrocession services to clients in the Asia Pacific region called GC Asia Pacific Retro. GC Asia Pacific Retro provides a wide range of retrocession property solutions, linking with Guy Carpenters existing marine and aviation Global Specialties units in the region, the company said in a statement. The services provided by the new operation will focus on retrocessional solutions, capital raising, and product and capacity development. The unit is headed up by Simon Hughes, managing director, and Ben Dunnett, senior vice president. Hughes has worked exclusively in Guy Carpenters Asia Pacific division for over 21 years and will be based in London. Dunnett has worked in Guy Carpenters Non-Marine Specialty team for 10 years and is based in Singapore. Hughes will continue in his role as Guy Carpenters senior broker for Australasian business. Both will report to James Boyce, head, Non-Marine Specialty, and James Nash, president, International Division. GC Asia Pacific Retro provides us with the perfect platform to deliver our specialist retrocession expertise direct to our clients in the region, while also acting as a conduit to the full range of Guy Carpenters extensive services, said Kevin Fisher, CEO, Global Specialties. By establishing a dedicated team on-site, we are able to precisely translate their risk exposures into the most effective and comprehensive solutions possible, while ensuring that these fit seamlessly alongside the other traditional reinsurance products that we provide, he added. We see this as an opportune time to be opening the doors of our new unit. The remit of the team is expansive and spans retrocession solutions, capital raising and product development to meet the broad-spectrum needs of our clients, Nash commented. Further, our aim is to play a central role in facilitating the growth of the retrocession market in the region, while also expanding the potential afforded by ILS capacity, Nash continued. Source: Guy Carpenter Many clients are unaware that intellectual property (IP) risks are frequently inadequately covered by traditional insurance products and, as a result, they actually could be dangerously underinsured due to these coverage gaps, according to Ian Lewis, IP underwriter at Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK). Despite costs for resolving IP disputes being at an all-time high and the complexity of cases increasing, many common insurance products exclude or feature inadequate sub-limits for key exposures such as patent infringement and theft of trade secrets, according to Lewis who spoke at TMKs inaugural Intellectual Property Masterclass event in London. (Editors note: This article was based on a press release about the event, which was issued by TMK). Clients are often surprised to hear that standalone IP insurance is available to cover these gaps, he told brokers at the event. Commenting on the common misconceptions and the increasing threat of intellectual property disputes, Lewis said: Every day trading creates IP risk. Today, a business does not even need to own intellectual property rights such as patents or trademarks in order to be accused of infringing another companys IP. Lewis urged brokers not to be afraid of engaging with their clients on intellectual property. As an industry, we need to do a better job of explaining IP exposures to our clients and informing them of the protections that are available, Lewis said. Source: Tokio Marine Kiln Topics Property The global cyberattack that has been wending its way across continents since Tuesday started creating real consequences at some businesses even as the viruss spread seemed to be abating. FedEx Corp. said it could suffer a material financial impact after the bug affected the worldwide operations of its TNT Express delivery unit. Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S shut down systems across its operations to contain the cyberattack and said the impact on its business is being assessed. The companys APM Terminals unit closed its Port Elizabeth facility in New Jersey Wednesday and suspended gate operations Thursday. Other companies were forced to resort to old-school business practices after taking corporate email offline to contain further contamination. Employees at global snack giant Mondelez International Inc. were working via cellphones, text messages and personal email, while law firm DLA Piper closed its systems as a precautionary measure, meaning clients couldnt contact its team by email or land-line. No Kill Switch The cyberattack began in Ukraine Tuesday, infecting computer networks and demanding $300 in cryptocurrency to unlock systems. The virus spread throughout Europe before jumping to the U.S. and eventually touching Asia and South America. As of midday Tuesday in North America, Kaspersky Lab analysts said about 2,000 users had been attacked. There was no new update Wednesday. So far, cybersecurity researchers havent found a kill switch, which had allowed them to stop the similar WannaCry virus in May. Clicking on a malicious email could put an entire organization at risk. While many computers have been patched to protect the systems from being vulnerable to malware such as WannaCry, this new infection has additional capabilities that let it spread by other means through internal networks. Anyone who clicks on a malicious email attachment could put their entire organization at risk. Port operators around the world were among those with the most tangible consequences. While goods were still being moved, the process was severely slowed as terminals were forced to revert to manual or backup operations. In Argentina, the worlds largest exporter of soy derivatives, grain traders resorted to backup mechanical processes, without help from computers, to load trucks full of grain at Rosario, a port on the Parana River that handles 80 percent of the nations grain shipments. Nidera B.V., Cargill Inc., Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. and COFCO Corp. all operate from Rosario. Portal Down An APM Terminals facility at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile was reopened Wednesday to service trucks loading and unloading goods, but it wasnt quite business as usual. The process is a lot slower than their automated system or their computer system, said Judith Adams, a port representative. While the trucks are stacked up, theyre moving. Theyre keeping gate hours. Our portal is down and we are not able to take on new orders until we get it back up, Maersk Line Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Clerc said, declining to say when systems would return to normal. Were being very cautious to ensure that as we bring the applications back up, the attack is contained and rolled back. It limits the accessibility we have at the moment. A terminal operated by Maersk at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, a facility near Mumbai, which is Indias biggest container port, was unable to load or unload shipments because of the attack. With the Gateway Terminal India facility unable to identify which shipment belongs to whom, the port was clearing cargo manually, Chairman Anil Diggikar said. Seventy-five Maersk group terminals were hit by the attack, he said. APM Terminals said a majority of its terminals were operational by late afternoon in New York, though some were operating slower than usual and with limited functionality. At the Port of Los Angeles, the Maersk-affiliated terminal shut at 6 a.m. local time Tuesday and remained closed the following day, according to Phillip Sanfield, a spokesman. Other companies including Frances BNP Paribas SA, U.K. advertising giant WPP Plc and Hamburg-based Beiersdorf AG, the maker of Nivea and Labello lip balm, were also coping with the fallout. With there being no global kill switch for this one, well continue to see the numbers rise in different parts of the world as more vulnerable systems become more exposed, said Beau Woods, deputy director of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative at the Atlantic Council in Washington. Unlike traditional forms of ransomware, which often provide secure forms of payment in order to release control of networks, the new hack has seemingly concentrated on crippling systems, rather than obtaining a ransom. The email address posted on users locked screen, used by victims to receive decryption keys, was easily and swiftly shut down by the email provider. U.K. media company WPPs website was knocked offline, and employees were told to turn off their computers and not use WiFi, according to a person familiar with the matter. Sea Containers, the London building that houses WPP and agencies including Ogilvy & Mather, was shut down Tuesday, another person said, and workers Wednesday were encouraged to work from home and avoid logging into the central network. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Cyber A father and son whose Iowa-based egg production company caused a massive 2010 salmonella outbreak have exhausted their appeals and a federal judge has ordered them to begin serving prison sentences. The U.S. Supreme Court declined in May to hear the appeals of Austin Jack DeCoster and his son, Peter DeCoster, without comment. Both have been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett to serve three months in prison. The sentences jarred the food and drug manufacturing industry because its rare that corporate officials are held personally responsible for an outbreak of foodborne illness. Business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the libertarian Cato Institute think tank filed friend-of-the-court briefs backing the DeCosters appeal of their sentences. The groups argued that it is unfair to send corporate executives to prison for violations that they were either unaware of or that were committed by subordinates. The groups said its highly unusual to attach a criminal penalty and prison time to executives when there is no proof of intention or knowledge of wrongdoing. This sanction will slow business growth and innovation, said Ilya Shapiro, a senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute. Bennett in his 68-page sentencing opinion filed in April 2015 concluded that prison time was necessary to deter officials from marketing unsafe food. Given the defendants careless oversight and repeated violations of safety standards, there is an increased likelihood that these offenses, or offenses like these, could happen again, he wrote. The punishment will also serve to effectively deter against the marketing of unsafe foods and widespread harm to public health by similarly situated corporate officials and other executives in the industry. Last week Bennett ordered 53-year-old Peter DeCoster to report to the Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, South Dakota, a minimum security facility that is about 200 miles west of his home in Clarion, Iowa. DeCoster must surrender himself to authorities after July 30 when he is notified by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons the facility is ready to receive him. His 83-year-old father Austin Jack DeCoster must serve his three-month term 30 days after Peter is released. He must report to the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, a location Bennett approved at DeCosters request. DeCoster, who says he has several medical issues including prostate cancer, has moved from Iowa to Maine and the medium-security prison camp is about 70 miles from his home. The DeCosters, who have already paid $100,000 each in criminal penalties, also owe $83,000 in restitution, according to court documents. The DeCosters, who owned and operated Quality Egg LLC, pleaded guilty to violating the law by selling adulterated food as responsible corporate officers. They said they didnt know the eggs were contaminated but acknowledged they were in a position to stop the problems had they known. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated as many as 56,000 people were sickened by the eggs and some consumers were left with permanent injuries. The DeCosters attorney declined to comment. Quality Egg paid a $6.8 million fine after pleading guilty to felony charges of shipping eggs with false processing and expiration dates and bribing a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector to approve sales of poor-quality eggs. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics USA Iowa Authorities say an 84-year-old Florida doctor is accused of illegally distributing $10 million worth of pain pill prescriptions. Dr. Williem Ouw was arrested June 15 and held in a Fort Lauderdale jail until his release Wednesday on a $500,000 bond. The SunSentinel reports Ouw faces 10 federal charges of conspiracy and attempting to dispense prescription drugs. Investigators say Ouw and three employees at a Florida medical center were involved in the conspiracy. Authorities say they issued prescriptions for more than 400,000 oxycodone pills, more than 16,000 amphetamine pills and 64,000 morphine pills. During the 18-month investigation, the newspaper reports, Ouw met with patients who were working undercover with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Ouw is barred from practicing medicine until the criminal case ends. A lawyer wasnt listed in court records. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida Drugs The California Division of Workers Compensation has posted a report from the Rand Corp. with recommendations to prevent fraud in the workers compensation system. The Department of Industrial Relations last year requested that the Rand assess medical provider fraud in the California workers comp system and propose policy recommendations. The report describes the challenges and issues related to provider fraud in the workers comp system and recommends changes to existing practices to achieve specific anti-fraud goals. Three key recommended measures include: The detection of fraudulent providers through the use of advanced analytics. Keeping post-employment medical treatment claims under the employers control. Suspending lien claims for suspected fraud providers. DIR has posted information on its fraud prevention efforts online, including information on suspended medical providers. Providers are suspended when they have been convicted of fraud-related crimes, have been suspended from the Medicare or Medicaid programs due to fraud or abuse, or have lost their professional license. Topics Workers' Compensation Fraud The home of Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki has been destroyed in a wildfire in California. Nicole Perna, a spokeswoman for the 42-year-old actor, says his home on a ranch in the San Luis Obispo area was destroyed by the wildfire on the states central coast. By Tuesday night, a 2.5-square-mile wildfire in the region was 60 percent contained. Fire officials have only confirmed that the wildfire has destroyed one building and have no details, but the full damage done by wildfires often cant be assessed until they have been mostly contained. About 250 residents were ordered from their homes in the area of Santa Margarita after the blaze erupted Monday, but on Tuesday night they were told they could return home. Galecki plays Dr. Leonard Hofstadter on the show, one of the most popular on TV. He also was a regular on the sitcom Roseanne. There were also notable fires burning in Arizona, Idaho and Utah. A wildfire burning Wednesday through a dense Arizona forest forced hundreds of people from their homes, closed a major road and created a huge plume of smoke over the same area devastated by a blaze that killed 19 firefighters four years ago. The fire near the small city of Prescott, fanned by 35 mph winds, has charred more than 28 square miles. More than 500 firefighters were battling the blaze. Elsewhere across the western U.S., Utah firefighters were trying to slow a stubborn wildfire that has burned 13 homes and forced the evacuation of 1,500 people from a ski resort town. In California, crews were making gains against two new fires that spread quickly. And firefighters in Idaho battled five lightning-sparked wildfires burning in grass and brush. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire EPS Settlements Group announced today the companys refreshed brand, including its new name Arcadia and logo. Arcadia was born out of a desire to create long-term financial security and an improved quality of life for injured people. The company was founded in 1972 by Gerald Sullivan and others in California after children were born with limb deformities to women who had used the drug Thalidomide during pregnancy to ease morning sickness. Arcadia developed structured settlements to address peoples long-term needs using periodic payments. Sullivan is chairman of Gerald J. Sullivan & Associates, the focus company for all members of The Sullivan Group. Arcadia is a Greek word meaning an ideal setting in harmony with nature. It expresses the companys values of care and compassion. Its time to build for tomorrow on todays strengths, said Arcadia President Brad Cantwell. We did a significant amount of research and it was clear that our former name didnt connect. Cantwell said the renaming and rebranding have crystalized our mission. Arcadias leadership team believes that the new name and rebranding will deepen the relationships between its clients and Arcadias 160 settlement professionals. Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese. Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa. Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista. E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta. A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito. Because of their eagerness to be considered for gainful employment, many people may overlook certain improper interview questions. Depending on how they are asked, though, questions about personal topics, such as marital status, race, and health, are more than just poor manners; they are illegal under federal and some state and local laws. Employers can use these types of questions to discriminate against applicants, and it is your right not to answer them. Here are eight questions a potential employer cannot ask you. Key Takeaways Depending on how they are asked, questions about personal topics, such as marital status, race, and health, can be illegal under federal and some state and local laws. Some types of interview questions can be used to discriminate against applicants, and it is within your rights to refuse to answer them. Questions such as, "Are you married?" "What religion do you practice?" and "Are you a U.S. citizen?" are considered unlawful, among others. 1. How Old Are You? The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects people 40 or older from being discriminated against in the workplace in favor of younger workers. The ADEA doesn't explicitly forbid asking a job applicant's age or birth date, but because such questions may indicate an intent to discriminate or discourage older workers from applying, they are closely scrutinized and can put employers at legal risk for age discrimination. There are no federal protections in place to protect workers younger than 40 from age discrimination. To determine if you are legally eligible to perform a job, employers are allowed to ask if you are over the age of 18. 2. Are You Married? Questions about marital status are prohibited. Employers might be tempted to ask this question to find out if your relationship could have a negative impact on your work. For example, if you are married, you might be more likely to leave the company if your spouse gets a job transfer to a different city. Even a question as seemingly innocent as "Do you wish to be addressed as Mrs., Miss, or Ms.?" is not allowed. 3. Are You a U.S. Citizen? Citizenship and immigration status cannot be used against a potential employee during the hiring process, according to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). Employers are required to file an Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) Form for each employee on their payroll and submit documentation that proves identity and employment authorization, but they must wait until after a job offer has been extended to require a worker to complete the form. It is lawful, however, for an employer to ask an interviewee if they are authorized to work in the U.S. As of 2021, 27 states and the District of Columbia have passed bans on asking job applicants about their salary history. One of the reasons behind the bans is that any information about current salary tends to perpetuate existing gender pay gaps. 4. Do You Have Any Disabilities? This question might seem necessary to determine if a job applicant can perform the required duties, but it is illegal to ask it under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Employers cannot discount anyone from a job because of a physical or mental disability. In fact, the law requires that employers accommodate a disability unless they can prove it would cause significant difficulty or expense to do so. Employers also cannot ask you if you have had any past illnesses or operations. 5. Do You Take Drugs, Smoke, or Drink? Concerns about drug, alcohol, or nicotine addictions are valid because they can impact an employee's quality of work and the rates of a company's health insurance coverage. However, an employer might find themselves in legal trouble if they don't carefully frame questions about these potential problems. They are allowed to ask if you have ever been disciplined for violating company policies about the use of alcohol and tobacco products. They can also ask directly if you use illegal drugs, but they can't ask about your use of prescription medications. 6. What Religion Do You Practice? Inquiries about religious beliefs are a sensitive issue. An interviewer might be curious to know, for scheduling reasons, whether an employee might need any religious holidays off, or if the candidate will be unavailable to work on weekends because of religious obligations. It is illegal to intentionally discriminate against an employee or harass them based on their religious beliefs. Employers are required to accommodate an employee's religious beliefs or practices with regard to dress and grooming or flexible scheduling. 7. What Is Your Race? There is no situation in which questions about an employee's race or skin color should be used to determine their eligibility for a job. This protection is granted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Employers are permitted to ask an employee to reveal their race voluntarily for affirmative action purposes. 8. Are You Pregnant? Questions about family status tend to affect women the most, but they can also pertain to men in certain situations. Employers might have concerns about an employee taking time off work for pregnancy leave or not having child care arrangements during work hours. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (PDA) states that an employer cannot refuse to hire a pregnant woman because of her pregnancy, because of a pregnancy-related condition, or because of the prejudices of co-workers, clients, or customers. It is, however, lawful for employers to allay any concerns they might have about an employee's availability or commitment to a position by asking about long-term career goals or the ability of an employee to work overtime and travel. The Bottom Line It is important to know your rights as an employee. Unlawful questions are not acceptable on applications, during interviews, or in the workplace. Although improper questions by employers might be simple mistakes, they could also be intentional cases of discrimination that should be reported. It can be tricky when they come up in an interview. Try neutrally pointing out that you're not required to answer or ask how the question is directly related to the job. Then redirect the conversation. If the interviewer persists, you may ultimately decide you're better off pursuing a job at a different company. Top News - Investor Idea Breaking AI Stock News: GBT's (OTCPK: GTCH) Facial and Body Recognition Patent Application Received a Notice of Allowance San Diego, CA - November 9, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) GBT Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK: GTCH) with GBT Tokenize Corp. ("GBT/Tokenize") received a notice of allowance for its facial and body recognition non-provisional patent application. Top EV Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking EV Stock News: Mullen (NASDAQ: MULN) Enters into Agreement with Newgate Motor Group, one of Ireland's most Recognized Auto Groups, to Distribute the Mullen I-GOTM in Ireland and United Kingdom BREA, Calif. - November 9, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle manufacturer, announces today that it has entered into an agreement to appoint Newgate Motor Group, one of Ireland's most recognized dealership groups, as marketing, sales, distribution and servicing agent for the Mullen I-GO in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Top AI Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking AI Stock News: GBT's (OTCPK: GTCH) AI Driven Financial Technology Patent Application Received a Notice of Publication San Diego, CA - November 3, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) GBT Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK: GTCH) received a notice of publication for its financial software patent application. Top AI Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking AI Stock News: Intellagents, a FatBrain AI (OTCQB: LZGI) Company, Announces Hiring of Insurtech Industry Veteran as Chief Revenue Officer NEW YORK, NY - November 2, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow, announces the hiring of Euan King, an experienced and respected Insurtech industry leader as Chief Revenue Officer for insurance technology-focused subsidiary Intellagents. Check out our Podcasts for great investor ideas: Get new posts by email: Subscribe Powered by Investorideas.com Newswire: Subscribe to Investor Ideas Newswire From the field owned by the central government in Baghdad, oil export for Iraq is at around 3.27 million barrels per day (bpd) so far in June. Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi had disclosed this data last week. Total exports for all fields in Iraq, those of Baghdad and the Kurdish region in the north, have averaged 3.8 million bpd so far in June, he told Reuters in the southern oil city of Basra. The country as a whole is producing about 4.315 million bpd, he said. He further added that Kurdish exports are running at about 520,000 to 530,000 bpd so far this month. Iraq is in "quiet negotiations" with foreign oil companies operating in Iraq to amend their services contract, he said, declining to give more details. The country wants to change the terms of the contracts it deems no longer in its favor after oil prices collapsed three years ago, when they were in excess of $100 per barrel, to about $45 per barrel now. Luaibi said that oil prices should start recovering by the end of July, to reach $54 to $56 a barrel by the end of the year. Iraq is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' second oil producer, after Saudi Arabia. The group in May rolled over an agreement to cut oil production with other exporting nations, until March, in order to support oil prices. He also mentioned, "Iraq supports the agreement that we reached; if developments happen contrary to OPEC's interests, the (OPEC) ministers will hold an extraordinary meeting." Iraq will continue developing its production capacity and will start executing a sea water injection project in its oilfields at the end of the year, even without an agreement with Exxon, he said. He further added, "We are now in talks with Exxon Mobil, if we don't reach an agreement, we have other options." | Soruce: Business Insider | By S.Seal It was 2014, when ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi stood in the pulpit of the iconic 12th-century al-Nuri mosque in Mosul, Iraq, and delivered a now-infamous sermon declaring the creation of a new ISIS caliphate. On last week, ISIS blew up that same mosque as Iraqi forces closed in on the ancient complex as part of their final push to retake Mosul, Iraqs second-biggest city. It was a symbolic move of a very different sort, one that signals just how far ISISs fortunes in Iraq have fallen in a few short years. ISIS has destroyed countless mosques and ancient buildings before, but its demolition of the al-Nuri mosque and its famous tilting al-Hadba minaret was a particularly painful blow for many Iraqis. The mosque complex was one of the most recognizable buildings in Iraq, one featured on the 10,000 dinar bill. Its minaret has graced the Mosul skyline for more than 800 years. And now, in the blink of an eye, its gone. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Wednesday that ISISs bombing of the al-Hadba minaret and the al-Nuri mosque is a formal declaration of their defeat. According to a recent report by the RAND Corporation, the group has lost 83 percent of the territory it held in Iraq at its peak in late 2014. It still holds territory in Syria, Libya, and elsewhere, and its sophisticated propaganda machine continues to inspire terror attacks around the world. The group, though, is gradually morphing from a seemingly unstoppable force ruling over millions of Iraqis and Syrians to a battered organization barely holding on for survival. ISISs motto, enduring and expanding, is a lot less convincing when its actually declining and shrinking. The al-Nuri mosques tilting minaret, nicknamed the hunchback and sometimes referred to as Iraqs Leaning Tower of Pisa, had graced Mosuls skyline for more than eight centuries. It was both a religious site revered by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike and a cultural site beloved by local residents as one of the citys treasures. ISIS has a history of destroying precious cultural sites, including ones in Mosul itself. When ISIS took over that city in 2014, for example, it demolished the Nabi Yunus shrine, revered by Muslims, Christians, and Jews as the tomb of the prophet Jonah. But when ISIS announced just days later that the al-Nuri mosque was next on the list for demolition, Mosuls residents fought back, reportedly forming a human chain around the site. Ultimately, ISIS seemed to have decided that destroying a site so deeply beloved by the residents of Mosul might be a step too far, one that risked igniting the wrath of the citys estimated 2 million residents. Instead, Baghdadi chose that location as the place where hed announce to the world the creation of his new caliphate. Such sentiments are long gone, however. ISIS is being run out of the city, and it evidently wants to destroy everything it can on the way out. Indeed, some analysts speculate that ISIS leveled the al-Nuri mosque on Wednesday because of its significance to both the people of Mosul and ISIS itself. Hisham al-Hashimi, an author on extremist groups, told, They blew it up because they did not want the place they announced the caliphate from to be the place where the Iraqi military announces its victory over them. Put another way, having gleeful Iraqi forces taking celebratory selfies inside the very place where you announced your glorious, enduring caliphate would have been pretty bad public relations for ISIS. So they flattened it. And to the people of Mosul, including many who have fled but dream of one day returning to their homeland, the destruction of the al-Nuri mosque and its iconic minaret is a deeply painful loss. "You can find it on money notes, you can find it in scrapbooks," Rasha al-Aqeedi, who grew up in Mosul and is now a research fellow at the Al-Mesbar Studies and Research Center in Dubai, told the Straits Times. "It's everywhere. I don't know how to put it into words. It's just something people always identified with because it was always there. Ali al-Nashmi, a prominent Iraqi historian, referring to ISIS, told the Straits Times, "These dogs, they are the worst of what God has created. I swear to God I cannot imagine Mosul without al-Hadba." "This is a crime against the people of Mosul and all of Iraq, and is an example of why this brutal organization must be annihilated," said Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, one of the top US commanders in the anti-ISIS coalition. For Martin and his Iraqi allies, the most important question going forward is how much more damage ISIS will wreak before it is eventually defeated. The al-Nuri mosque is the newest casualty. It wont be the last one. | Soruce: VOX.com | By S.Seal Situation in Iraq is at critical stage. The government security forces, backed by United States and its coalition partners, have successfully freed the territories that were occupied by IS militants. This is a good thing and encouraging for the country. However, the country has many other battles to fight. The future of Iraq is important, not just for Iraqis but for the region and the international community. What the international community and regional states do or do not do will have a significant impact on that future. Iraq needs to rebuild it as a modern country in fast paced time, but for that it lacks enough strength on its economy. In brief, the reality on the ground is as follows: the loosely held anti-ISIS alliancewhich includes the Iraqi army, Shia militias, Sunni tribal units and Kurdish peshmerga forceswill likely dissolve; Iraqi-Kurdish contention over oil and gas revenues, budgets and land disputes is growing; and intra- and inter-Iraqi competition between and within communities over power and influence is flaring. Additionally, corruption, falling oil prices, a declining economy, and high levels of devastation from cycles of ravaging war against the Islamic State will not only continue to undermine Iraqs recovery and stability but will also be a key factor in disenfranchising Iraqi society, particularly the youth. This point is critical. Violent extremism flourishes in societies where state institutions are seen as oppressive, corrupt, ineffective and illegitimate. Unfortunately, all these factors are present in todays Iraq. According to one estimate, Iraq needs about $60 billion to ensure the reconstruction of areas recaptured from ISIS. But due to massive corruption, structural economic mismanagement and decreasing oil revenues, the Iraqi government will not be able to afford the reconstruction of liberated areas without significant international aid. Among certain senior Iraqi government officials, the message they are hearing from segments of the international coalition is, essentially: forget about reforms; focus on ISIS. An exclusive focus on defeating ISIS is, over the long term, counterproductive. Simply put, the fight against ISIS cannot come at the expense of encouraging and pushing for real, long-term political and economic reforms. Iran, the most powerful external actor in Iraq, is supporting the Shia militias and some Kurdish parties. Turkey is fighting the Kurdistan Workers Party and supports the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Massoud Barzani. The situation could be summarized as no plan; too many plans. Each internal and external actor possesses a plan that would strengthen its own position at the expense of a comprehensive, long-term plan that encourages mutual compromise and facilitates win-win solutions. Failure to recognize common interests would render defeating ISIS a pyrrhic victory, with catastrophic consequences for Iraq and the world as the void can be filled with a variety of warring factions. The arduous effort that has gone into establishing and sustaining the global coalition to counter ISIS should not stop once ISIS has been driven from its territory. Iraq does not have the necessary finances to rebuild liberated areas. Instead, a global coalition is the only logical answer. An international donors conference, where regional and international donors will commit funding to help Iraqis rebuild Iraq, would send a strong signal of support that the global community will stand by Iraqis after the military defeat of ISIS. In addition to financial support, Iraqis are in dire need of the international communitys continued political engagement to put pressure on Iraqi leaders to combat corruption at the highest levels, reach mutual compromises, and implement true political and economic reforms. Donor support should be extremely conditional and contingent on the governments commitment to good governance, respect for democratic principles, human rights and willingness to settle sectarian, political and territorial disputes. This is a tall order, but there are no alternatives. The impressive progress in the battle against ISIS presents the ideal opportunity to develop a comprehensive vision and plan for rebuilding a post-ISIS Iraq. This requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond rebuilding infrastructure; it must do justice to the complexities and shifting realities on the ground. What is required is a clear strategyor to be more precise, the presence of multiple internal and external competitive and/or antagonistic strategiesthat reflects the competing interests of stakeholders. | Soruce: National Intrest | By S.Seal Cathay Pacific Airways Limited For Immediate Release 28 June 2017 Cathay Pacific Announces New Codeshare Agreement with MIAT Mongolian Airlines Starting 12 July, the agreement will provide Cathay Pacific customers with a direct link to Ulaanbaatar, one of Asia's fastest-growing business and tourism capitals Cathay Pacific and MIAT Mongolian Airlines today announced a new codeshare agreement which is set to benefit the customers of both airlines. Starting 12 July 2017, Cathay Pacific will place its "CX" code on MIAT's four-times weekly service between Hong Kong and Ulaanbaatar, the vibrant and historic Mongolian capital, providing its customers with a new, direct link to one of the most unique and fastest-growing destinations in Asia. At the same time, MIAT Mongolian Airlines will place its "OM" code on selected Cathay Pacific services between Hong Kong and Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Eligible MIAT customers connecting on Cathay Pacific flights via its Hong Kong hub can choose to relax at one of the airline's premium lounges conveniently located at Terminal 1 at Hong Kong International Airport. These include The Wing, The Cabin, The Bridge and the much-lauded lounges at The Pier, which have been designed to embody Cathay Pacific's philosophy of a Life Well Travelled. Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Paul Loo welcomed the new partnership, saying the agreement underlines the airline's commitment to provide its customers with enhanced connectivity to an ever-increasing number of new destinations. "We are very happy to work with MIAT Mongolian Airlines in adding Ulaanbaatar to our expanding global network," said Mr Loo. "Mongolia is an attractive destination in that it appeals to both tourists and business travellers alike thanks to its pristine natural landscapes, rich culture and rapid development. Ulaanbaatar is quickly making a name for itself as an important business hub, one which we expect to grow on the back of this new agreement." MIAT Mongolian Airlines President and CEO Tamir Tumurbaatar added: "This is a winning step for both airlines and will provide our passengers with convenient access to Singapore and Australia via the super hub in Hong Kong. The codeshare and interline agreement brings advantages for the passengers of both MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Cathay Pacific because our route networks complement each other perfectly. This cooperation is very significant for our landlocked country's national flag carrier." Tickets for the new codeshare flights are now open for sale at www.cathaypacific.com and www.miat.com. In addition to the greater convenience provided by the codeshare agreement, passengers travelling on these services will enjoy the benefits of through-checked luggage. About Cathay Pacific Cathay Pacific is a Hong Kong-based airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to nearly 200 destinations worldwide, using an ultra-modern fleet of more than 140 wide-body aircraft, including the technologically-advanced Airbus A350. Cathay Pacific believes in providing its customers with superior products and services at every stage of their journey, in line with its philosophy of a "Life Well Travelled". For more information, visit www.cathaypacific.com. About MIAT Mongolian Airlines MIAT Mongolian Airlines is a state-owned national flag-carrier of Mongolia, operating scheduled international flights and a charter domestic service out of the capital city Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The core business activities comprise of passenger and cargo air transportation, engineering and maintenance services, air charter and ground handling services. For more information, visit www.miat.com. Ireland continued to dominate the UKs beef import market in March, according to the UKs Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). The UK takes about half of Irelands beef production, and the latest trade figures, for March, indicate imports of 20,000 tonnes, ahead by 4% year-on-year. According to the AHDB, March imports of beef and veal were relatively unchanged compared to the corresponding month in 2016, totalling just over 21,000 tonnes. In contrast, AHDB monitoring indicates that Irish cow beef exports to France fell 10% in the first four months of 2017. Ireland may have lost out due to the more than 40% increase in Dutch cow slaughterings in 2017, required to reduce output of phosphates from the Dutch dairy industry. The EU market seems to have absorbed the extra Dutch supply, helped by reduced cullings in many countries, according to the AHDB, which says the sharp rise in the Netherlands cow cull seems to be ending. There is uncertainty about how much increased cow culling is still required, but it is known that that culling compensation payments to Dutch dairy farmers are due to be reduced on July 1. Irish exporters may also have lost out to Poland, sending 6% extra cow beef to France. Imports of beef into France are falling for a third year in a row, but at a declining rate, down only 4% in the first four months of 2017. And consumption of the ground beef which is a key market for cow beef is recovering. Frances own cow beef production has been in decline. The parole board of Israel's Prison Service has granted former prime minister Ehud Olmert early release from his 27-month corruption sentence. It is perhaps the final chapter of a fall from grace which forced him from office amid the last serious round of peace talks with the Palestinians. Barring any unforeseen developments, Olmert will walk free on Sunday July 2, said Prison Service spokesman Assaf Librati. Israel's Justice Ministry had objected to the 71-year-old's early release after asking police last week to investigate whether he committed a "criminal offence" when his lawyer was caught leaving the prison with a chapter of his unpublished book that contained "sensitive security issues". But the prison service decided otherwise and ordered that Olmert, who was recently rushed to hospital after complaining of chest pains, be released. Olmert was convicted in 2014 in a wide-ranging case which accused him of accepting bribes to promote a real-estate project years before he became premier in 2006. His imprisonment ended Israel's last serious peace efforts with the Palestinians and ushered in the era of Benjamin Netanyahu in 2009. Olmert was a longtime fixture in Israel's hawkish right wing when he began taking a dramatically more conciliatory line toward the Palestinians more than a decade ago. He played a leading role in Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and became prime minister in January 2006 after then-premier Ariel Sharon suffered a debilitating stroke. "It's the end of an era. Olmert was definitely an active prime minister who really left a mark on Israeli politics," said Abraham Diskin, a political science professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, who predicted that Olmert's voice would still be heard. "He will leave an impact on contemporary Israeli politics, but he will not be active as a full-time politician." - AP Chief executive of the countrys largest farmer-owned dairy co-operative, Jim Woulfe told the monthly breakfast of Cork Chamber that no deal was the worst case scenario for Irish industry including agri-business, following Prime Minister Theresa Mays declaration pre-election that no deal is better than a bad deal. Mr Woulfe said: That would mean World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariffs on milk which would effectively be 50%. That is completely and utterly unsustainable. Ireland will be a loser after Brexit. Yes, Dublin will see some fintech (financial technology) jobs but outside the M50, we will be the big economic losers. He said Cork would be in the firing line if the worst-case scenario came to pass. Brexit is absolutely a Cork story with around 75% of Irelands cheddar cheese destined for the British market being produced in Cork county. For Dairygold, 25% of our milk pool goes into cheddar cheese production for the UK market so Brexit will undoubtedly have a profound impact unless we take appropriate actions. Dairygold is planning for the worst-case scenario and while we hope for a better outcome, we cant take anything for granted given the political volatility of last 12 months, he said. Mr Woulfe said it was his hope that common sense will prevail and a deal will be struck. Brexit was decided on politics not economics. You can see from some figures like (UK Brexit negotiator) David Davis that they are thinking it up as they go along. Ideas are being spun out with no direction. We are now seeing the effects of inflation in the UK. That is the harsh reality. So while the posturing continues between London and Brussels, common sense will prevail hopefully, he said. Dairygold had spent 215m in capital investment over the past six years and had come through turbulent times in the past so would be ready for battle whatever scenario, he said. We had a clear vision we planned and successfully executed one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in our history 215m over the last six years. Market evaluation, strategic planning and forecasting were, and continue to be, a core focus of our business agenda. Dairygold has a track record of overcoming great challenges but weve also harnessed opportunities in solving many of these challenges. Although we can never be certain of what the future holds, I firmly believe that what doesnt kill you, makes you stronger, Mr Woulfe said. Mr Woulfes warning on Brexit was echoed by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. The organisations head of Brexit research and support, Katie Daughen told the Irish Centre for European Law that the future of UK-Ireland trade is wrought with challenges and uncertainty as the exact impact of Brexit is as yet unclear. Ms Daughen outlined the importance of the UK to the Irish economy, most notably to small firms, saying: The UK is Irelands most important two-way trading partner. Ireland exports 16% of its goods and services to the UK while we rely on the UK for around 27% of our imports. The importance of the UK market to Ireland is even more significant when looked at in the context of our indigenous firms who rely on the market for 50% of their exports. She said Brexit is already starting to bite in the UK economy, with stagnant wages, growth in retail sales at its lowest since April 2013, and the consumer price index at its highest since April 2012. Businesses previously quiet about Brexit were finally beginning to lobby the UK government as reality set in, she said. Questions over who controls economic activities have come centre stage. Are decisions made on behalf of people or are they based on what big companies want? Specifically, does the EU protect us or simply try to balance competing needs? These questions come to mind as the EU hit Google with an antitrust fine of over 2.4bn. According to the competition regulator, Google favoured its own shopping services over rivals. Allegedly, it made it easier to access its own shopping services. The man faced the possibility of a mandatory ten-year sentence for having 40,000 worth of cocaine, cannabis herb, and cannabis grass, at a house in Cork. Peter Hanley, aged 33, of 13 Castlegreine Park, Boreenmanna Rd, Cork, previously pleaded guilty to having the drugs for the purpose of sale or supply at an address at Fitzgerald Place. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphys office said it is the duty of a local authority to provide emergency evacuation and temporary shelter. Cork City Council officials challenged the ministers office, stating its responsibility is confined to a fire occurring in social housing or in a major emergency. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with the local authorities, insisted the ministers office. According to the Major Emergency Management plans on evacuation published in 2015, councils are tasked with evacuation and the provision of rest centres in major emergencies. However, last Saturdays fire did not meet such criteria, Cork City Council said. A major emergency was not declared at this incident by fire services, City Hall said. Firemen attending the scene reportedly believe the fire began in the basement of the building in Parkview Terrace in Wellington Road. Tenants were evacuated and told they could only return to collect possessions. The evacuees, including a mother with five-week-old twins, were referred by Cork City Councils housing department to the Department of Social Protections Homeless Unit and asked to arrange their own emergency accommodation this week. The family in question did contact Cork City Council on Monday regarding their circumstances, City Hall said. There were advised that if they had no option of alternative accommodation and were homeless, to present at The Homeless Persons Unit for assistance. Mum-of-four Kristina Jagelovica and her family have been housed for three nights in Jurys Hotel, but remain unsure of where they will be accommodated this weekend. Up to 12 people resided in the property which could take two to six months to be ready for letting. Judge Sean O Donnabhain directed the jury to find Dan Joe Fitzgerald not guilty following legal argument. The judge told the jurors that press reports sometimes use the phrase, dismissed on a technicality, but he said that would be a misrepresentation of what had happened in this case. He said the case was not strong enough in law to be put before the jury and he was ordering them to find the accused not guilty by direction of the judge. Daniel (Dan Joe) Fitzgerald, of Knockeen, Meelin, Newmarket, Co Cork, pleaded not guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to the charge that he impeded the apprehension or prosecution of Shane Fitzgerald, who had committed an arrestable offence of dangerous driving causing the death of Paudie OLeary on July 1, 2012, at Scrahanafadda, Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry. Shane Fitzgerald was convicted of the offence in 2015. Ray Boland, defending, submitted that putting the case before the jury would require them to speculate. Judge O Donnabhain said: This is a significant case and I have given careful attention to the facts. By July 2, 2012 [the day after the fatal incident], Shane Fitzgerald had fled the country. It appears Dan Joes car was used in that. By that time there is no State evidence that Dan Joe had any knowledge of the crime or the pursuit. By July 6, 2012, Dan Joe was aware Shane was a person of interest. There was no positive evidence that Dan Joe booked a flight or paid for a flight. There is no positive evidence he did that or that he was aware of that In my view, the defence have to get the benefit of the doubt in relation to that. Judge O Donnabhain said the prosecution failed to show Dan Joe Fitzgerald was aware on July 2 and 3 that gardai were looking for his son as a person of interest and thus could not prove the first two debit card transactions were done to impede his sons apprehension. The prosecution had put in evidence yesterday a memo of interview with the accused where he was asked to explain the use of his debit card for the purchase of a ticket for his son Shane to travel by ferry from Dublin to Liverpool on July 2, 2012, and the use of the same card to pay for a flight from London to Perth in Australia later that month as well as payment for working visa and related matters. The memo of interview about payment for these was read to the jury and in response to all questions, Dan Joe Fitzgerald replied: No comment. Those replies were made even after the 72-year-old had been informed that inferences could be drawn from his failure or refusal to answer questions. John Phelan, defending, suggested that the law related to inferences was difficult for a lay man to understand and that the accused was, not, to put it mildly, the most polished person on earth. Inspector Fergal Foley replied: He is no fool, he is a very cute man but he is a rough diamond. When he was found not guilty on the count against him, Dan Joe Fitzgerald was told he was free to leave Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Shane Fitzgerald was extradited back to Ireland to face trial for dangerous driving causing death and was convicted and sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail, with the last year-and-a-half suspended. Michael Culhane, the Garda colleges head of finance, made the allegation in a written letter to auditor Niall Kelly in October 2016, claiming the internal audit had effectively defamed him. The correspondence is part of a trawl of fresh documents due to be discussed by the Dails Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when it meets privately today to consider its own draft report into the controversy. The correspondence was written as part of the initial response to the internal audit findings. The claim was strongly rejected by Mr Kelly, who insisted in a response written in February 2017 that he did not defame anyone and the information was entirely accurate. In the October 2016 letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, Mr Culhane said Mr Kelly deliberately and falsely created [a] defamatory impression against him. He said this specifically involved the suggestion he conspired with the college to conceal financial practices from the audit. Unless this defamatory construct is withdrawn I am putting you on notice that I am reserving my right to issue legal proceedings, wrote Mr Culhane. The issue is one of a number of alleged attempts to limit the scope of the conclusions of the report, an issue already discussed at recent PAC meetings. Mr Culhane has written to the PAC in recent days in a bid to clarify an email, revealed last week, in which he suggested the colleges charitable status reference to Revenue was an attempt to muddy things up. Mr Culhane made the reference in an email to the Department of Justice in July 2010, a situation described as troubling by PAC member Marc MacSharry of Fianna Fail at last weeks meeting. In a letter to the PAC in recent days, Mr Culhane said that the term muddy things up was used in the context that the action of including the issue of charitable tax status in the voluntary disclosure may have unnecessarily complicated [the issue] and was not meant to indicate anything untoward. The correspondence will be discussed by the PAC today, alongside a separate letter from Garda head of legal affairs Ken Ruane, who has contradicted some of Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivans evidence. Sheeran announced plans yesterday for seven gigs in Cork, Galway, Belfast, and Dublin in May as part of his European tour. Within hours, hotels were accused of profiteering after it emerged room rates on the nights of two of his gigs were between 200% and 400% higher than previous nights rates. The Burlington Hotels best available room-only rate on May 15, 2018, was available on its website yesterday for 199. When Sheeran plays the next day, the rate is 399. The price drops to 199 for May 17 but soars again to 399 for May 18 when Sheeran plays his second Dublin gig. In Cork, the Rochestown Park Hotel was advertising a single room rate of 80.10 online yesterday for May 3, 2018. The room is 341 the next day, when Sheeran opens his tour in Cork. Rochestown Park Hotels sales and marketing manager, Diarmuid Vaughan, said the higher rate has nothing to do with the concerts and is linked to the number of rooms left to sell. He said the hotel has just 12 rooms left to sell on May 4, and 28 on May 5, and the higher price on the nights of the Sheeran gigs is a result of the industrys sales model. It is consistent throughout the regions, and in other sales models, including that used in the airline business, where the last few seats always go for a higher rate. He also said the hotel sold a handful of rooms two weeks ago for around 400. However, Labour Party activist Peter Horgan urged the hotels to show restraint and avoid the naked greed on show with the higher prices. Cronyism is rife in the current system of appointing judges, which is also highly politicised, opposition party TDs told the Government. Michael Harty, an Independent TD in Clare, said he supported the new bill being presented, saying the judiciary needs to respect the separation of powers between it and the Oireachtas. Mr Harty said the bill should not come as a bolt from the blue as it has been in the programme for government for 14 months. The judiciary should also have concerns for the separation of powers. Fears expressed by the judiciary are ill-conceived. Ill-advised, and unfounded, he said. Junior Minister Finian McGrath said the bill was a key demand of his Independent Alliance in last years Government formation talks. I support the items in the bill that the commission will have a lay chair and a lay majority. But more importantly I want to focus on what experience they will have, he said. They will not be a bunch of random strangers pulled off from the street. Mr McGrath said the lay people must have some qualification to be considered to sit on the commission. Earlier, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan insisted the Government acted within the law and current procedures in promoting former attorney general Maire Whelan to the Court of Appeal. Mr Flanagan was quizzed at the justice committee yesterday about the recent decision to promote Ms Whelan to the court, but refused to go into any details, citing Cabinet confidentiality as well as the privacy of the board tasked with promoting figures to the bench. He confirmed that former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald had written to the Judicial Appointments Board on April 12, notifying it of a vacancy in the Court of Appeal that needed filling. Mr Flanagan said the board met on May 10 to consider applications, including for the Court of Appeal, but on May 16 told the minister that no suitable applicants were available. It has been reported that three judges applied for the post, but Mr Flanagan would not provide specifics of the boards decision, saying this was confidential. He did confirm there had been other interest in the position. Fianna Fails Jim OCallaghan highlighted how the board had recommended seven names for promotion to the courts on May 23 and asked why this had not included someone to fill the Court of Appeal post. At a Cabinet meeting on June 13, it was decided Ms Whelan would be promoted to the Court of Appeal. Mr Flanagan, throughout questioning yesterday, maintained that the Government had discretion under the Constitution to appoint judges. He said that during his entire time in Government, there had only been one situation where someone was promoted without being recommended by the appointments board. He would not say if this was when Ms Whelan was promoted. He insisted that correct and proper procedures were followed in filling the Court of Appeal vacancy. He also hoped waste or unnecessary spending would be identified and cut to increase the budget options. The indications from the Fine Gael leader will trigger speculation about his plans for next years spending, as well as how much more taxpayers will take home in pay. However, the Government is likely to be hamstrung in its ability to reward working families, with only an estimated 100m available without fresh revenue-raising measures. Speaking yesterday at the national economic dialogue meeting of employers and trade unions at Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said absolutely no decisions had yet been made on the budget. However, he said: I am strongly of the view that working families do need a break and that people who contribute to the coffers of the State work very hard, [and that people] who pay their taxes should benefit in some way from the recovery. So, obviously, most of the fiscal space that is available will go into additional spending, but it is important that we provide some provision to increase the take-home pay and the money in the pockets of the two million people who go to work every day and pay the taxes that allow us to pay for everything else. An estimated 550m in extra money is available to the Government for spending next year, but potentially 200m will go towards restoring pay for the public service. The remainder will split on a 2:1 ratio between spending on services and tax measures. This means, potentially, that Mr Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe may only have as little as 100m to spread around in tax cuts for the estimated 2m workers. The Fine Gael government has pledged to phase out the Universal Social Charge (USC), but Mr Varadkar, before becoming Taoiseach, said he wanted to move away from this approach and instead merge the USC with other taxes. He admitted that any rewards for workers from Octobers budget could be limited. He also did not rule out using revenue-raising measures, which would increase the spending power beyond the estimated 350m available between services and tax. It is always the case, in almost every budget, that there is revenue-raising measures. In the last budget, there were increases in [the duty on] cigarettes. Mr Varadkar also pointed to the expenditure review, which will be completed over the summer. He said this could point to hidden fiscal space, which could open up extra funding measures for the budget. Are we sure all existing spending programmes really represent best use of resources? said Mr Varadkar. If 1% or 2% of that could be reallocated, we would have another billion [euro]. This is the hidden fiscal space. It is something we need to examine. Members of the armed Regional Support Unit were deployed to the Spring Lane halting site in Ballyvolane, on the northside of Cork, on Monday after reports that shots had been fired. The alarm was raised as members of two extended family groups clashed after the outcome of a court case in Cork that morning. Buying medicines online is deadly dangerous. You dont know what you are taking or what effect it might have on you, said Daragh Connolly, a community pharmacist and president of the union . There is no quality control on medications you buy online, and there is a strong chance they may be counterfeit, he said. Tina Satchwell, 45, was last seen in her home in Youghal, Co Cork, on March 20. Det Sgt Sean Leahy said gardai just want her to contact them to let them know she is safe and well. Tina was last seen by her husband at 10am on March 20 at their home at Grattan St, Youghal. Det Sgt Leahy also made an appeal for information about her whereabouts on Mondays Crimecall programme on RTE. We got a lot of calls during the programme from members of the public who said they had seen a woman matching Tinas description in a number of different locations. All of those calls will be followed up, he said. However, there have been no confirmed sightings of Tina, who left her mobile phone at her house. There have also been no transactions on her bank account since she disappeared. Her disappearance is totally out of character, said Det Sgt Leahy. Tina is from Fermoy and initially it was thought shed gone to visit relatives there. However, they have had no contact with her either. We are appealing for Tina to contact us, but we are also appealing for anybody who might have seen her or knowS where she is to get in touch with gardai as well, said Det Sgt Leahy. Anybody with information should contact Midleton Garda Station on 021 4621550, the Garda confidential line 1800 666111, or any Garda station. Otto Warmbier was the quintessential American college student. He faced a promising future and was keen to broaden his view of the world. It was likely that sense of adventure that convinced him to join a tour group travelling from China to North Korea a country few outsiders understand. Unfortunately, it did not take long for Warmbier to discover that North Korea was a pot of misery and inhumanity. In January 2016, North Korean authorities arrested Warmbier at Pyongyang airport for stealing a propaganda poster from a hotel. Two months later, he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for acts against the state. Fifteen months after that sentencing, Warmbier was flown back to the US in a vegetative state. He died a few days later. The brutal mistreatment of a 22-year-old American in North Koreas custody has shocked Americans, with president Donald Trump describing Warmbiers incarceration and likely torture as a total disgrace that should never ever be allowed to happen. There is no question that the Trump administration will need to respond in some formal way to Warmbiers untimely death, and there has been no shortage of pundits and experts recommending tough action against Pyongyang. Suggestions include everything from unilaterally slapping secondary sanctions on Chinese firms that do business with the North Korean government to cutting off any possibility of talks in the future. The editors at the National Review even recommended a US-led campaign to kick North Korea out of the UN, a move that would be an international humiliation to leader Kim Jong-un. The problem with North Korea, however, is that we are not talking about a normal state operating under normal protocols. Its political leadership does not respect the normal moral value of right and wrong. This is exactly why the Trump administration must tread cautiously before doing anything that could turn a heartbreaking loss into a regional cataclysm. Incremental, but effective, measures against Pyongyang in retaliation for Warmbiers suspicious death would send a stark warning to Kim that his regime will be held accountable. But just as importantly, it would stop shy of goading the North Koreans into reacting in a violent or irrational way. There are several policies that the Trump administration should and must implement. The most obvious recommendation and one that senior lawmakers are already leaning towards is Trump prohibiting US citizens from travelling to North Korea as tourists. Although the US State Department has repeatedly warned Americans not to travel to North Korea, that travel warning does not carry any legal weight. Former basketball star Dennis Rodman was, in fact, just arriving in North Korea for a visit when Warmbier was released. The White House can take the US State Departments optional bulletin and transform it into a mandatory edict. Trump can do this either by issuing his own executive action or by publicly supporting a bipartisan bill in the US House of Representatives that would ban the US Treasury Department from issuing a license related to tourism to any individual or entity subject to US jurisdiction. Pyongyang must understand that it will no longer be able to profit from several hundred Americans visiting North Korea every year as long as the regime continues to arbitrarily arrest and prosecute US citizens. In addition, the three Americans currently detained in North must be transferred immediately into US custody. Another option is an expansion of sanctions against any firm, individual, entity, financial institution, or government that accepts North Korean workers onto their territories. In February, the UN Security Councils Panel of Experts on North Korea reported the Kim regime earns money by dispatching migrant workers overseas a practice that South Koreas Unification Ministry has estimated brings in roughly $900m a year to Pyongyangs coffers. While $900m might not seem like a lot for a national government, it is a valuable source of revenue for North Korea, which needs every penny it can get to finance its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Any country that continues to import forced labour from North Korea is contributing to the problem and does not deserve to operate within the US financial system. Regrettably, none of these measures will bring Warmbier back to life. Many lawmakers in Washington would like to go a lot further, including indefinitely suspending any talks between the US and North Korea as long as Kim flouts the principles of common humanity. But as terrible as this entire ordeal is for the Warmbier family, it would be imprudent for the US to terminate negotiating channels with Pyongyang that could be valuable in the future. The most prudent action that the US can take is to ensure that no other American suffers the terrible fate of Otto Warmbier. Daniel R DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities, a lobby group to inform of the importance of a strong military and promote restraint and diplomacy to ensure American security. I was sitting in a hotel in Budapest when I first heard about the latest ransomware attack that hit Europe. Not exactly the kind of news you want to hear about a few hours before you are preparing for a long day of travel and not knowing what systems might be affected. I dont think there is much that I can write directly about Petya/NotPetya that hasnt been said especially since I havent had much time to study the story in the depth I usually do before coming to write here. Yet the ransomware attack reminds us of something important: Cyberattacks are often global events and it doesnt matter where you are from, we all tend to have poor cybersecurity practices. We tend to talk a lot about how countries attack each other. We dont often talk about cyberattacks coming from individuals or specific organizations. Instead, an attack comes from Russia or it comes from China or it comes from fill-in-the-blank country. (And yes, as I was reminded this past week, cyberattacks come from the United States, too.) There are times when this is happening, that it is a nation-state attack from one country to another. But have we reached a point where we need to look at the universality of cyberattacks, where we are all equally at risk of becoming victims and being affected because of a minority of bad actors who happen to live in a particular country or region? Some security experts think that we are just beginning to see the devastation of global attacks, and CNET gives one explanation of why: Ransomware has been around for years but generally only targeted individual networks, like a single hospital or person. But after the Shadow Brokers hacker group leaked National Security Agency exploits in April, cybercriminals were handed a much more dangerous weapon. . . . The NSAs EternalBlue exploit, which took advantage of a Windows PCs ability to quickly spread files across a network, is the ammunition that powers both WannaCry and GoldenEye. I think we also see how we play a role in global cybersecurity and global cyberattacks. As I said, it doesnt matter where we live; we all share the same bad habits when it comes to protecting our data. As Mike Pittenger, VP of security strategy at Black Duck Software, commented in an email, this latest ransomware attack is an example of what happens when a patch was pushed to the users, but many users neglected to install the patch. And the malware is getting easier to pass along. As the folks at AlertSec mentioned in an email to me, the recent global cyberattack is believed to have originated in an unknowing third-party company. That means an entity that does business with the primary target was used to pass along the virus that eventually crippled businesses throughout Europe and this level of sophistication in cybercrime highlights the need for a complete IT security chain. Sue Marquette Poremba has been writing about network security since 2008. In addition to her coverage of security issues for IT Business Edge, her security articles have been published at various sites such as Forbes, Midsize Insider and Toms Guide. You can reach Sue via Twitter: @sueporemba Digital transition is a long-term phenomenon for the enterprise, but budget decisions are always right around the corner. So when it comes to outfitting and provisioning the data center, how are IT executives supposed to square their overarching data strategies with the hard decisions regarding hardware, software and the cloud? The optimal solution, of course, is to set a goal and then architect around it. But with technology, processes and even business models shifting so quickly, how realistic is this? According to Gartners Will Cappelli, the mere fact that data centers are becoming abstract constructs should give the enterprise hope that it will be able to adjust to any changes that come along. Already, nearly 25 percent of business events are tied to an underlying IT process, and in industries like financial services, this jumps to 70-80 percent. By default, then, data infrastructure can no longer be hermetically sealed from the business world, but must adapt quickly to the fast-paced world of sales, marketing and customer engagement. If the enterprise does nothing else, it should at least break the hard dependencies that exist between infrastructure and services. This all sounds perfectly reasonable, but at some point the enterprise needs to decide on a hardware platform for the future. And here is where things are starting to get a bit tricky because as the function of IT starts to change, so too does the hardware. Where once it was easy to provision core systems like processors, nowadays there are myriad workload considerations that will favor traditional platforms like the Xeon or emerging solutions like AMDs new Epyc. On the one hand, AMD claims its design offers better performance at a lower price point and power envelope, but on the other, there are bound to be issues when it comes to integrating a new architecture into legacy environments. And while server manufacturers like HPE and Lenovo are backing the Epyc, at the moment they are pushing new agile, intelligent platforms on high-performance Xeons. Lenovos ThinkSystem portfolio supports the new Scalable family of Xeons built on the SkyLake architecture, offering a diversity of form factors in server, storage and networking devices to accommodate a wide range of hardware footprints. At the same time, the company has been hiring key personnel directly from Intel, including Kirk Skaugen, president of Lenovos data center unit, and Kim Stevenson, formerly Intels CIO and now general manager of the data center unit. But perhaps all of this is missing the point, at least as far as the enterprise is concerned. As Datacenter Knowledges Drew Robb asked recently, if everything is becoming a service, will anyone actually need a data center going forward? The world is moving to a scale-out, fungible and fully democratized data ecosystem, so it only makes sense that the enterprise should concern itself first with the transition to that environment and then the management of applications and operations as they traverse virtual infrastructure. While certain large operators would probably see some benefit to owning their own hardware, the overwhelming majority will no doubt find it easier, and cheaper, to let someone else deal with hardware or at best, convert to fully modular, plug-and-play infrastructure at home. Its never easy to make firm plans in times of great turmoil. So for the moment, the best thing the enterprise can do is plan for continual change. While hardware decisions will still arise as part of the normal three- and five-year refresh cycle, the gradual transition to cloud and abstract architectures should also continue apace, particularly for dynamic, scale-out applications in the IoT. And in the end, know that whatever data environment you wind up with will be the right one as long as it has been designed to meet the needs of business, not simply to employ whatever technology happens to be rising in the hype cycle. Arthur Cole writes about infrastructure for IT Business Edge. Cole has been covering the high-tech media and computing industries for more than 20 years, having served as editor of TV Technology, Video Technology News, Internet News and Multimedia Weekly. His contributions have appeared in Communications Today and Enterprise Networking Planet and as web content for numerous high-tech clients like TwinStrata and Carpathia. Follow Art on Twitter @acole602. Microsoft has recently announced the Xbox Games with Gold that Xbox Live Gold subscribers can get for free this coming July. There's no particular theme in this current monthly event based on the titles that are made available. It seems that Microsoft wants this event to be eclectic this time around. Microsoft Continues Its Monthly Giveaways Microsoft has been giving Xbox Games with Gold for free every month for its Xbox Live Gold subscribers. This is one of the main benefits of being a member of this class. The varying scope of next month's titles is supposed to give variety to Gold members, since, as the cliche says, it's the spice of life. Here Are The Free Games For Xbox One Owners There are two Xbox Games with Gold titles for free this coming month for Xbox One Live Gold subscribers. The first one is Grow Up, the sequel to the very popular open world platformer Grow Home video game starring B.U.D., the lovable robot. In this game, B.U.D.'s spaceship was destroyed in a collision and the robot must collect the scattered parts so that it can be repaired. This game, which costs $9.97, will be freely available from July 1 to July 31. The other Xbox Games with Gold title for free is Runbow, which costs $14.99. This is an action video game that can support nine players either online or offline. Gamers will race against each other while obstacles and platforms pop up on the way. It will be available from July 16 to Aug. 15. These Are The Free Games For Xbox 360 Owners For Xbox 360 owners who are Xbox One Live Gold subscribers, there are two more Xbox Games with Gold titles that will be free next month. The first title is Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, a shooting game featuring two foul-mouthed anti-heroes. Gamers can get this game, which originally costs $14.99, for free starting on July 1 up to July 15. The other Xbox Games with Gold that will be free for Xbox 360 owners next month is Lego Pirates of the Caribbean that costs $19.99. They can get it starting from July 1 to July 31. Gamers who are Xbox Live Gold subscribers will get to enjoy the antics of Captain Sparrow as he tries to escape to an innocent land in the bygone days. Takata Corporation, a Japanese automotive parts company, is brought down by the huge cost of its exploding airbag crisis. Takata's faulty airbag inflators which can blast shrapnel into drivers, as well as passengers, have resulted in a major recall of tens of millions of vehicles. It has been also linked that it resulted in a record of 11 deaths in the U.S. and numerous others elsewhere. With spiraling liabilities estimated at more than $9 billion, Takata stated on Monday that the car apparels company is seeking bankruptcy protection in Japan and in the United States. According to CNN, Takata is also selling off the lion's share of its market to a U.S.A.-based rival company. A Chinese-Owned company named as Key Safety Systems is willing to pay $1.6 billion for nearly all of the operations of Takata. However, it's staying away from the portions of the deal with the airbag inflators, which will give wound to the company soon. "We caused troubles for our supporters, those who cooperated with us and the creditors," Chairman Shigehisa Takada said on Monday at a news conference where he bowed before the medias and cameras. "On behalf of Takata, I apologize deeply from the bottom of my heart." As reported by Reuters, most of Takata's obligations and responsibilities are owed not to the victims but to automakers for recalling and restoring millions of its air bags. In fact, the Japanese suppliers are restructuring their plans to rely heavily on financial support from its customer. Several personal injury lawyers announced that Takata Corporation had made too many concessions to other automakers, without investigating the value of their rights. As a matter of fact, lawyers of TK Holdings and General Motors Co. argued about the need of fund in order to outweigh the investigation of the other car companies, which could happen later on. "I will figure that out in due course, but Im not doing that today," U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon said. Businesses and institutions were victimized by a new and more menacing global malware attack. The perpetrators used the Petya ransomware worm to carry out the cyber attack starting on Tuesday morning. It is now believed that the Petya ransomware was just some kind of cover for the real culprit. Underneath the Petya is a kind of malware now being dubbed by some as "NotPetya" and "Goldeneye." Petya is originally an older version of the said malware and the new one that's wreaking havoc around the globe is said to be a new strain of the malware. The Petya cyber attack crippled companies by locking down or freezing their computers. This was done by targeting vulnerable Windows Server Message Block, a service utilized for file and printer sharing across local networks. Petya was also spread through Microsoft PsExec. The Petya ransomware rapidly spread from Ukraine to other companies in Europe via enterprise networks. The speculation is that the ransomware spread via foreign companies with subsidiaries or operations in Ukraine. The Petya apparently traveled "upstream" via corporate VPNs to central servers and then to computers with Windows. According to Tom's Guide, there is also proof that Petya spread through infected email attachments but this has yet to be looked upon more closely. To stop Petya from spreading, people should download the patch created to deal with this latest cyber attack. Users should also have the latest version of Microsoft Windows. Those with Windows that updates automatically are safe from the attack. CNET has a list of the links where users can download security updates necessary to stop Petya from affecting their computers and spreading further. It is also important to have an updated antivirus software and to avoid opening attachments from unknown sources. It is also vital that users keep a backup of their files especially the important ones. In the event that Petya infects their computers, they will still have access to their files. Local Dems sweep; town rejects pot Every Democrat on the local ballot won their race Tuesday, including Jamestown resident Peter Neronhas re-election as the states top prosecutor, and local voters followed suit with the statewide trend... Voters rebuff allowing retail pot sales in shops By a margin of 157 votes, the electorate decided Tuesday not to allow local businesses to cultivate, manufacture, test or sell recreational marijuana in Jamestown. The referendum to allow the... School board agrees to contract with North Kingstown Jamestown students entering high school can continue to choose North Kingstown as their destination for grades 9-12. We are pleased to continue this historic partnership, said Ken Duva, superintendent of... By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office is getting $62,400 to relieve a two-month backlog in processing firearm applications and completing fingerprinting and background checks. The countys Board of Commissioners approved the funds on Monday. Chief Deputy Brad Stanley said that the money would pay Express Services Inc. to continue the services of two temporary employees. According to a report by County Manager Dudley Watts, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office has faced challenges the last several years in providing the timely processing of various permit and fingerprinting requirements. By March 2017, the Sheriffs Office was behind five months in processing carry concealed firearm permits, resulting in 1,170 residents waiting for their dates after they made online appointments. It was also behind four months in pistol purchase permits and behind two months in fingerprinting. Watts listed three reasons for the challenges that resulted in increased responsibilities: changes in state law on gun permit-review time in October 2013; changes in state law regarding fingerprinting/background checks for emergency services and medical professionals; and an increase in firearm permit applications. With the law change in October 2013, the length of time to complete required background checks was reduced from 30 days to 14 days for concealed carry permits and pistol purchase permits. Stanley said that the Sheriffs Office received 3,350 requests for fingerprinting in 2016 compared with 1,439 requests in 2015. In one year, our request for fingerprinting went up 132 percent, he said. He added, There has just been a demand for more people wanting purchase permits and carry concealed permits. Richard Talbert, an instructor for ProShots Indoor Range & Training in Rural Hall, said that during the 2016 presidential elections, some people bought guns because they thought it would be difficult to buy guns if Hillary Clinton won. Talbert said he started hearing from customers at ProShots about delays in getting their permits in Forsyth County in late 2016. At the gun shop, employees are pre-warning customers who come in for carry concealed classes to sign up right away for their appointments with the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office and to be patient. I think theyre diligent about getting the applications processed, Talbert said. Making appointments Prior to the spring of this year, the Sheriffs Office had an online application process in which people had the opportunity to go online 24 hours a day for seven days a week to fill out and submit applications. If we leave here on Friday evening and were fairly caught up, we could come in on Monday morning and there would be several hundred requests, Stanley said. He said that going to 14 days from 30 days put a huge burden on employees. We only had at that time two people, plus a part-timer, Stanley said. Thats when the county started a calendaring system, allowing people to go online and sign up for the next available appointment. But those appointments could be months away, so the Sheriffs Office added a second temporary employee through Express Services. Stanley said that hiring the temporary staff helped cut down on the backlog. Today, permits are handled by seven people two temporary workers who each work 40 hours a week and five full-time county employees, including a supervisor. Currently the wait time for both pistol purchase permits and carry concealed permits in Forsyth County is about 60 days, he said. He said that hiring temporary employees is probably more cost effective because of HB 746, which has passed the N.C. House and is making its way through the N.C. Senate. The bill would make it legal to carry a concealed gun without a permit. Its probably better to have temporary employees currently than paying a full-time county employee, Stanley said. If the law changed, we would have a reduction in force. Talbert believes that if the requirement for a carry concealed permit is no longer law, people wont have them to make pistol purchase permits as they do now. Then youre going to increase the demand for purchase permits and that might increase the delay on purchase permits, Talbert said. Other comments Talbert said the wait for permits in Stokes County is much shorter than in Forsyth County. But he added that Forsyth County is predominately an urban county instead of a rural county, so just the sheer number of applicants was more than they could handle. Bill Dudley of the Gun Rack in Kernersville believes that the Forsyth County Sheriffs Offices use of temporary staff for its backlog is a good idea. We actually sold Christmas presents that people couldnt even pick up their guns until March, he said. Mary Jones of King said she got her carry concealed permit from the Stokes County Sheriffs Office within four weeks of applying and has been hearing that its taking people forever and ever and ever and ever and ever to get theirs in Forsyth County. Every day I say, Thank you, Im not in Forsyth County. Stanley said that the Sheriffs Office is taking measures to address the backlog. We are doing the best that we can with the resources that have been allocated, he said. Normally, the most notable part of a Supreme Court decision is not the dissent. But Monday, Justice Sonia Sotomayor penned a dissent that is much more interesting in its transparency than the relatively mild majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts in a case being watched by everyone interested in the tension between church and state, and the status of that crumbling wall. In Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, a seven-person majority held that the state of Missouri could not single out faith-based organizations for exclusion from grants that would have paid for property maintenance. The facts are fairly simple. Trinity Lutheran is a church that also ran a preschool program. In 2012, it applied for a grant from a state program to make playgrounds safer. Its request for funds to resurface its playground was denied based on a state constitutional provision that forbade the use of taxpayer funding to religious institutions. That provision was modeled on what is known as the "Blaine amendment," a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution based in an antipathy toward Catholics. Over a century ago, in the wake of the Civil War, a Republican congressman named James Blaine proposed the amendment to prevent, in part, public money going to parochial schools that were filled with immigrant children. Many states adopted the language of the original federal amendment, even though it had failed to muster a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Some of these "mini-Blaines" are still on the books. Which brings us to Missouri. Trinity Lutheran sued the state, claiming that the only reason it was being denied funding was because it was a religious institution. And, as Roberts wrote in a "you think?" moment, that's pretty self-evident: "There is no question that Trinity Lutheran was denied a grant simply because of what it is ... a church." So the only question that remained was, is this exclusion constitutional? Seven members of the court, including some of the more liberal justices, said "no." According to the chief justice, "the exclusion of Trinity Lutheran from a public benefit for which it is otherwise qualified, solely because it is a church, is odious to our Constitution all the same, and cannot stand." I like the use of the word odious. Every now and then a Supreme Court justice has to tell it like it is, and cut through that genteel lexicon that makes it difficult to believe that there are human beings on that highest of benches. This was not simply an illegal, distasteful bit of discrimination against people of faith. It was odious. Of course, not everyone would agree with that conclusion, including most of the members of the ACLU. Every time there is a suggestion that public funds are going to assist religious organizations, the fearsome prospect of a theocracy raises its head. Whether it be a caliphate or Christendom, the church-state separatists are immediately mobilized. And one of the true believers, excuse the pun, sits on the court. Sotomayor, a woman who wore a Catholic school uniform for many years, railed against the majority decision. Her words seem particularly over the top, since Roberts took great pains to limit the majority holding to cases involving "playground resurfacing," and reserved judgment on whether it could be extended to other types of discrimination. It was more about discriminating against entities solely because they were churches or, as Roberts wrote "churches need not apply." Sotomayor wasn't buying that. She clearly saw the diagrammed sentence on the wall: "If this separation [of church and state] means anything, it means that the government cannot ... tax its citizens and turn that money over to houses of worship. ... The court today blinds itself to the outcome this history requires and leads us instead to a place where separation of church and state is a constitutional slogan, not a constitutional commitment." That's powerful stuff. Sotomayor sets this up as if the poor taxpayers of Missouri were being forced to pay to prevent some Christian kid from scraping his knees on a rough playground. She makes this seem as if it's then a slippery slope to having taxpayers subsidize the erection of a Mormon Temple, or buy new central air for a mosque. Funny, right? Well actually, maybe not. While I strongly reject the idea that the wall between church and state was built to keep religion out of the public square, it is clear that this case isn't just about playgrounds. It could change the way that we think about people and places of faith, and their relation to the secular state. SAN DIEGO -- How absurd has the immigration debate become? This absurd: It is now considered controversial when people simply tell the truth. As when the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement explains the cold reality that anyone in the United States without the proper legal documents "should be concerned" about being apprehended and deported. That's blunt talk all right, but it also happens to be accurate. These people broke the law. Shouldn't they be worried about being caught by law enforcement? This is the problem with the pro-immigrant left. They live in their own world. Rather than confront the un-pleasant fact that they condone lawbreaking, they try to change terms like "illegal" to "undocumented" and construct this no-fault fantasyland where no one did anything wrong. Or when activists storm the Texas state capitol in Austin holding signs declaring "I am illegal," and some people complain that the protesters are taunting them by emphasizing the fact that our borders aren't secure. Well, if these protesters are, in fact, in the country illegally, what's wrong with them tweaking Americans a little by broadcasting it? It may harm their prospects at achieving immigration reform, but it doesn't really harm Americans. The bigger worry is that there are illegal immigrants in this country, and that our attempts to keep them out have failed so miserably -- and will always fall short as long as Americans keep employing them. How much trouble can you possibly get into by just telling the truth? Take it from me, given my line of work, the answer is: A whole bunch. Thomas Homan, the acting director of ICE, recently found that out. He is getting unjustly hammered for simply stating, while testifying before Congress, that all illegal immigrants should be afraid of being deported. That's just too much common sense for Washington to handle, and so Homan was round-ly criticized by activists and Democratic lawmakers. Later, during an interview with ABC News, he insisted: "I have zero regrets. It needed to be said. If you choose to enter this country illegally, which is a crime, you should be concerned. You violated a law in this country." Well, yes and no. I like the "needed to be said" part. There is too much politeness in the immigration debate. People should speak plainly. But Homan is wrong about how entering the country without authorization amounts to a "crime." As I was told years ago by no less an informed source than former ICE Director John Morton, immigration law is largely founded on civil statutes. So, contrary to popular belief -- unless they're smuggling someone or something, or coming back after having been removed before -- those who come into this country uninvited have usually not committed a crime. Homan redeemed himself when he said this: "I'll tell you, you can't have it both ways. You can't be part of this country and not respect its laws." Bravo. That's another problem with the pro-immigrant left. They teach illegal immigrants to demand all the benefits of living freely in the United States while accepting none of the responsibilities that come with it. Meanwhile, in Texas, it is pro-immigrant activists who are in hot water for telling the truth. After they confronted legislators over a law that would prohibit cities from declar-ing themselves "sanctuaries" for illegal immigrants, things quickly got ugly. Republican state Rep. Matt Rinaldi called ICE on the mostly Latino group of protesters because, he said in a statement, they were chanting and holding signs that read: "I am illegal and here to stay." Oh, grow up. After I wrote a column about the incident, I heard from an irate reader who said that signs like that, and symbols like the Mexican flag, are incendiary because they amount to protesters "rubbing our noses" in the fact that they're here and there is not much Americans can do about it. Even if we deport them, they'll often come back -- es-pecially if their spouses and children are caught on this side of the border. Of course, as I mentioned, there is one surefire way to get rid of illegal immigrants: Stop hiring them, and do your own chores. For many Americans, though, this is a nuclear op-tion they won't even allow themselves to contemplate. The point is, let's not get distracted and start attacking each other for telling the truth. In-stead of bashing people for sharing an unpleasant reality, we should change the reality. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong and Mr. Ilkka - Pekka Simila (Photo: voh.com.vn) He congratulated Mr. Ilkka - Pekka Simila for his successful tenure in Vietnam and highly appreciated his contribution to enhancing the friendly relations between Vietnam and Finland, including Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong highly appreciated the experience and strength of Finland in creative management and development of creative ecosystems. Finland has sent its experts to support universities in Ho Chi Minh city to build programs and train lecturers teaching start-up. This is one of the programs that Ho Chi Minh city is very interested in and hopes that Finland will share experiences in this field. Mr. Ilkka - Pekka Simila wants the city to create conditions for Finland to hold a week of science, technology and creative innovation in Ho Chi Minh city on October 24th -28th. In 2018, the two countries will mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He also expected that the city will create conditions for Finland to organize many events in the field of culture and education, strengthening the cooperation of the two countries./. JURIST Guest Columnist Julie A. Hill of The University of Alabama School of Law, discusses the Financial Choice Act and duplicative enforcement of financial regulations After the L.A. Times revealed that Wells Fargo employees opened millions of unauthorized consumer accounts, the bank faced multiple investigations and fines. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) fined Wells Fargo a record $100 million. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) assessed a $35 million penalty. Wells Fargo paid $50 million to the City and County of Los Angeles. All of these penalties are on top of the $3.2 million Wells Fargo refunded customers and a $142 million class action settlement. Wells Fargos SEC filings indicate that it is still facing investigations from Federal, state and local government agencies, including the United States Department of Justice, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the United States Department of Labor, and state attorneys general and prosecutors offices. While it may be hard to summon much sympathy for a bank that made more than $21 billion in 2016 and incentivized its employees to open phony accounts, Well Fargos experience illustrates the overlapping structure of banking regulation. Because multiple regulators have jurisdiction over the same conduct, banks can face multiple investigations and multiple punishments for the same conduct. Federal regulators like the CFPB, the OCC, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the SEC operate independently from one another. Thus, each regulator can make its own evaluation of the banks conduct and assess its own penalty. The benefit of overlapping regulatory authority is that a banks troubling conduct is less likely to escape scrutiny. Even if one regulator is asleep at the switch, other regulators are likely to notice and take corrective action. Indeed, Congresss passage of Dodd-Frank Act and creation of the CFPB was motivated in part by a belief that consumer protection had fallen through the regulatory cracks. But overlapping regulatory authority is not without costs. For regulators, duplicative enforcement efforts drain government resources. For banks, parallel investigations are expensive. Banks must devote resources to responding to each regulators request for documents and information. When regulators discover wrongdoing, it is not uncommon for each to assess its own monetary penalty. Especially in the wake of a financial crisis, no regulator wants to be seen as lax. When each regulator piles on sanctions without regard for punishments imposed by other regulators, banks might be over punished. Regulators can lessen the cost of overlapping jurisdiction through cooperation and coordination. Dodd-Frank itself instructs the CFPB to coordinate the supervision and examination of very large financial institutions with other banking regulators. The CFPB, OCC, Federal Reserve, and FDIC have entered a memorandum of understanding covering examinations of very large financial institutions. In essence, the regulators agreed to cooperate when monitoring banks for compliance with consumer protection laws. Curiously once regulators turn their attention from examination to enforcement, the mandate to coordinate and cooperate becomes less clear. The memorandum of understanding does not limit or modify in any way the CFPBs or any Prudential Regulators authority to engage in, or bring, supervisory, enforcement, or other actions, under applicable laws or to interpret those laws. A recent report by Department of the Treasury recommends that regulators consider coordinating enforcement actions such that only one regulator leads enforcement related to a single incident or set of facts. However in an administrative environment where authority and independence often equal funding, regulators sometimes have little incentive to cooperate. Of course, Congress could require that regulators coordinate and cooperate during enforcement matters. Treasury has recommended that Congress expand [the Financial Stability Oversight Counsels (FSOC)] authority[.] In particular, Congress could give FSOC the authority to appoint a lead regulator on any issue on which multiple agencies may have conflicting and overlapping regulatory jurisdiction. Congressional Republicans have also identified regulatory coordination of enforcement efforts as a priority for reform. On June 8, 2017, the House of Representatives passed a bill containing a provision requiring regulator cooperation and coordination in enforcement. Section 391 of the Financial Choice Act of 2017 instructs banking regulators to establish policies and procedures to minimize duplication of efforts with other Federal or State authorities when bringing an administrative or judicial action against an individual or entity. It instructs that when more than one regulator has authority to bring an enforcement action, the regulators should establish a lead agency to avoid duplication of efforts and unnecessary burdens and to ensure consistent enforcement, as necessary and appropriate and in the public interest. Most commentators (see here, here, here, here, and here), however, give the Financial Choice Act little chance of passing the Senate. The lengthy legislation, billed by Republicans as the repeal of Dodd-Frank, contains many provisions that are unlikely to gain support from Senate Democrats. Instead, the legislation may be the opening statement in a renewed debate about optimal financial regulation. While many debates about financial regulation will be politically charged, some reforms should gather bi-partisan support. Regulatory cooperation and coordination in enforcement actions is one of them. Regulators already coordinate examination and monitoring of banks. Regulators also sometime coordinate enforcement efforts. For example, the CFPB, OCC, and Los Angeles officials were all parties to same consent order covering Wells Fargos unauthorized accounts. There is little harm then in Congress clarifying that regulatory coordination and cooperation is expected in all bank enforcement actions. Julie A. Hill, is a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law. She is a recognized expert on financial institution regulation. Her scholarship has appeared in the Washington University Law Review, Indiana Law Journal, the Wisconsin Law Review, and other respected publications. In 2015, the University of Alabama awarded Professor Hill the Presidents Faculty Research Award. Suggested citation: Julie A. Hill, Financial Regulators and Dog Piles, JURIST Academic Commentary, Jun. 29, 2017, http://jurist.org/forum/2017/03/julie-hill-financial-pile.php. This article was prepared for publication by Kelly Cullen, a JURIST Section Editor. Please direct any questions or comments to him at commentary@jurist.org The Hague Appeals Court [official website, in Dutch] on Tuesday upheld [judgment, in Dutch] a lower courts decision that Dutch peacekeepers were 30 percent responsible for the deaths of 300 Muslim males who were turned away from a Dutch UN base in 1995 when the area surrounding the base was overrun with Bosnian Serb troops. In the ruling, Presiding Judge Gepke Dulek-Schermers said dutch soldiers knew or should have known that the men were not only being screened but were in real danger of being subjected to torture or execution. The court found the Netherlands only 30 percent liable because it was estimated that there was a 70 percent chance the men would have been killed regardless of the actions of the Dutch soldiers. The court also rejected an appeal that accused the Netherlands of being responsible for thousands of other Muslims who had gathered outside the base. The total amount of damages will be determined in a later ruling. The Dutch defense ministry is reviewing the ruling. A spokesman for the ministry denied any responsibility. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) [JURIST backgrounder] and the Balkan States continue to prosecute those accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity that left more than 100,000 people dead and millions displaced during the Balkan conflict of the 1990s. In December six former officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina were indicted [JURIST report] by the Special Department for War Crimes [official website]. In October a Croatian prosecutor charged eight ex-Yugoslav military officers [JURIST report], including commander Borislav Djukic, with war crimes perpetrated during the Croatian War of Independence. In July Brazilian authorities arrested a man charged with committing war crimes in 1992 [JURIST report] against the civilian population of former Yugoslavia. The search for wanted criminal Nikola Ceranic began in late June after Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities forwarded an extradition request to the Brazilian Justice Ministry and Supreme Court. The US Department of State [official website] on Wednesday issued guidelines for the modified travel ban allowed [JURIST report] by the US Supreme Court [official website] earlier this week. The order permits denying visas to travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries unless the visitor has a bona fide relationship with a business or close family member but the court did not define what constitutes as such. According to the State Department, business and professional relationships must be formal and documented. Those who have legitimate offers for employment and education are exempt providing the invitations are not for the purposes of evading the ban. The Trump administration has interpreted [NPR report] close family ties as parents, including a parent-in-laws; adolescent and adult children; son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws; spouses; and siblings, including half and step siblings. Not included are grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, fiancees and other extended family. Those who have already been granted visas will be permitted to enter the US. The new rules will go into effect June 29 at 8:00 PM and will remain in place until the Supreme Court hears arguments for the cases against Trumps travel ban. Cases concerning issues of immigration from predominantly Muslim countries continue to be processed in the Federal Judiciary. Last week the US District Court for the Western District of Washington [official website] denied in part [JURIST report] and granted in part a motion to dismiss a class action suit filed against President Donald Trump [official profile] and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) [official website]. On Thursday the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan [official website] temporarily blocked [JURIST report] the deportation of more than 100 Iraq nationals, arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) [official website] agents, for approximately two weeks, during which time the court will decide whether it has jurisdiction in the matter. Earlier this month the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] ruled against [JURIST report; case materials] the majority of Trumps revised executive order limiting travel from six Muslim-majority countries. That ruling affirmed [JURIST report] the majority of a district court injunction in March that blocked the order from being enforced. In May a federal district court in Washington granted a temporary restraining order [JURIST report] to allow legal aid groups to continue to provide certain kinds of assistance to undocumented immigrants. Five days prior a Michigan federal district court ordered [JURIST report] the Trump administration to disclose the draft of the so-called Muslim ban executive order In the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report [report, PDF] released on Tuesday, the US State Department [official website] downgraded China to Tier 3, which is the lowest tier for human trafficking. Tier 3 represents countries whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so. China joins 22 other countries in the tier, including Russia, North Korea and Syria. China was last in Tier 3 in 2013, being located in Tier 2 Watch List in 2014-2016. A country is automatically downgraded to Tier 3 if they are located in Tier 2 Watch List for more than two years unless they are granted a waiver. In order to be in Tier 2, a country must be making significant efforts to come in compliance with Trafficking Victims Protection Acts minimum standards. The report acknowledged that China has made some steps to address trafficking. However, the government has been found to be complicit in forced labor at drug rehabilitation centers and in Xinjiang. The country also forcibly returned North Koreans to North Korea without screening them for signs of trafficking. It is also unclear if the country has screened for signs of trafficking any of those who were arrested for prostitution. The total number of people who were convicted for sex and labor trafficking has decreased compared to the previous year. China has seen continued criticism regarding their treatment of human rights in recent years. In February the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) [Official website] released [JURIST report] an report accusing China of criminalizing human rights activities. In December the UN called on China to investigate [JURIST report] the disappearance of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, after he had been missing for two months. The same month China suspended [JURIST report] the law license of prominent human rights lawyer Li Jinxing, over his apparent allegedly unacceptable behavior in court while defending a client. In September China handed down a 12 year sentence [JURIST report] to prominent human rights lawyer Xia Lin. The EU ambassadors (Coreper) have endorsed the agreement reached between the EU Council presidency and the European Parliament on temporary autonomous trade measures in favor of Ukraine. "These measures are a gesture on our part of tangible political and economic support to Ukraine. Given the difficult situation Ukraine is currently facing, we hope to proceed swiftly with the implementation of this regulation," Minister for Economy, Investment and Small Business of Malta Christian Cardona is quoted as saying in a report posted on the EU Council's website. The proposal is aimed at improving access for Ukrainian exporters to the EU market, in view of the difficult economic situation and the economic reform efforts undertaken by Ukraine, the report says. These measures will be added to trade provisions already introduced under an EU-Ukraine association agreement signed in 2014. Those provisions have been provisionally applied since January 1, 2016. The proposed measures will be applied for a three-year period, and consist of additional annual import quotas at zero tariff for the following agricultural products: natural honey (2,500 tonnes), processed tomatoes (3,000 tonnes), grape juice (500 tonnes), oats (4,000 tonnes), wheat (65,000) tones, maize (625,000 tonnes), barley (325,000 tonnes), groats and pellets of certain cereals (7,800 tonnes). The proposed measures will also include full removal of import duties on several industrial products, such as fertilizers, dyes, pigments and other coloring matters, footwear, copper, aluminium, as well as television and sound recording equipment. Dallas, Texas, 06/29/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/ Computers have become such an integral part of daily life that its hard to imagine life without them. Its also hard to believe that just a few decades ago there was no email or internet. Today, however, technology plays a major role in nearly every industry, including the criminal justice system. According to a New York Times report, computer systems and artificial intelligence have been integrated into every stage of the criminal process, including arrest, police investigations, evidence, sentencing, and parole. Audio sensors generate gunshot alerts. Forensic analysts use probabilistic software programs to evaluate fingerprints, faces and DNA. Risk-assessment instruments help to determine who is incarcerated and for how long. Prison Tech Is Privately Owned Technology often makes life easier, but is it always a good thing? As the report points out, part of the problem is that these technologies are manufactured by private companies. Because these companies are for-profit enterprises, they view the details behind their products as trade secrets. As a result, they are often reluctant if not outright unwilling to reveal data about the prisons and jails where their technology is in use. In one case, a man in a New York state correctional facility was denied parole despite having a near-perfect rehabilitation record. The mistake was due to an error in the computer program used to administer parole. Fortunately, the man discovered the error on his own. But should it come down to inmates to identify flaws in the prisons computer systems? Tech Companies Deny Defense Access to Algorithms In another case, a defendant in California was sentenced to life in prison without parole for several burglaries. He proclaimed his innocence throughout his trial. The prosecution based its case on DNA evidence obtained through a software program called TrueAllele that supposedly used algorithms to assess DNA collected at crime scenes. When the defense counsel tried to gain access to the code behind the program, the judge denied it based on the companys assertion that its source code was a protected trade secret. As many criminal justice advocates have pointed out, this has the potential to have a serious chilling effect on criminal defense. For example, if a breathalyzer machine is incorrectly calibrated, it can result in a wrongful conviction. Why shouldnt the same hold true for a computer program? If the algorithms are flawed, innocent people could be sent to prison. As the report points out, The law is designed to stop business competitors from stealing confidential commercial information, not to justify withholding information from the defense in criminal proceedings. Contact an Experienced Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Today Have you been charged with a crime? Are you facing prosecution? Dont leave your case or your future to chance. Get in touch with an experienced Texas criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. Sources: Dallas Criminal Defense Attorney http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/ Broden & Mickelsen, LLP 2600 State St Dallas, Texas 75204 Main Phone: (214) 720-9552 source: http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/blog/automation-criminal-justice-system-good-thing/ Social Media Tags:Automation of the Criminal Justice System, Criminal Justice System, Criminal Justice System Automation, Texas criminal defense lawyer Newsroom powered by Online Press Release Distribution SubmitMyPressRelease.com Like Us on Facebook It's only fair to share... Pinterest Linkedin email Print Kansas Association of Community College Trustees and Kansas State University to launch dual-advising initiative Thursday, June 29, 2017 From left: Linda Fund, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees; Mike Johnson, Barton County Community College trustee and chair of the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees; and Duane Dunn, associate dean of K-State Global Campus, at a signing for a memorandum of agreement to support a dual advising initiative at Kansas State University called DirectLink. | Download this photo. MANHATTAN A new initiative between Kansas community colleges and Kansas State University will provide community college students with additional support as they prepare to transition to the university. The Kansas Association of Community College Trustees and Kansas State University recently signed a memorandum of agreement to support a dual-advising initiative at the university called DirectLink. The initiative is designed to assist community college transfer students as they transition to a bachelor's degree program at Kansas State University through consistent and frequent interaction between the student, the community college advisor and the university academic advisor. "Kansas State University is pleased to partner with the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees on this important initiative," said Sue Maes, dean of K-State Global Campus. "Students will receive a clear and direct pathway to obtaining a bachelor's degree, as well as customized support along the way to minimize obstacles and improve their rates of success." DirectLink will launch in fall 2017 with nine pilot bachelor's degree programs at Kansas State University. The programs include options from the colleges of Agriculture, Business Administration, Education, Engineering and Human Ecology. DirectLink will be coordinated through K-State Global Campus. "The community colleges are excited about DirectLink, which embraces a concept we have been working on for several years: streamlining the process for our transfer students and clearing pathways," said Linda Fund, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees. "Ultimately, this concept can save money and increase completion while providing dual-advising support. We thank K-State for its vision." Students who participate in the initiative will receive recognition for achievements made while completing the associate degree and will be provided with curriculum sequence information that will guide them through the most efficient and effective timeline to obtaining a bachelor's degree. Students also will have access to Kansas State University resources, customized campus visits, degree audits and activities designed specifically for DirectLink transfer students. The consistent and frequent interaction between the student, the community college advisor and the Kansas State University academic advisor will help the student make a smoother transition to the university, and changes in curriculum or degree requirements can be communicated more quickly. University launches personal financial planning online bachelor's degree Thursday, June 29, 2017 MANHATTAN With the aim of expanding the reach of its successful on-campus program, Kansas State University has launched an online bachelor's degree in personal financial planning. This new bachelor's program gives the university an online personal financial planning offering at every academic level, a unique designation that positions Kansas State University as a national leader in this area. The bachelor's degree joins the university's online graduate certificate, master's degree and doctorate in personal financial planning. "As a top program in the country, the K-State personal financial planning program has a long history of preparing students to excel in professions related to personal finance, like financial planning, financial counseling and, most recently, financial therapy," said Kristy Archuleta, associate professor and program director of the Institute of Personal Financial Planning. "We are taking our bachelor's program online in an effort to help fill the shortage of financial advisers in the country." The program's on-campus success is attributed to the quality faculty and the career outlook for those in the industry. According to a report produced by Economic Modeling Specialists International, this industry continues to grow, with jobs related to this field forecasted to grow by 12 percent over the next five years. The same report also projects salary data and includes a median wage of more than $85,000 annually. Both the online and on-campus delivery methods set students on the path to a rewarding career in the financial industry working with people, Archuleta said. Students have access to a broad selection of courses examining family relationships and decision making, consumer rights, retirement and estate planning, and insurance and investments. This program combines an emphasis on understanding financial products and how they work, as well as the role of family in financial decisions. This helps build a solid foundation and prepares graduates to thrive in this in-demand profession, according to Archuleta. "Our program is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. and K-State is an approved university by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, making students eligible to sit for the Certified Financial Planner certification examination and the Accredited Financial Counselor certification examination," Archuleta said. "Successful students in our program have a mind for business and a heart for people." Kansas State University students have a history of success taking the Certified Financial Planner certification examination, with students boasting an above-average pass rate, Archuleta said. Program faculty will guide students through their studies, allowing them to benefit from their years of industry knowledge. In addition, Archuleta said students will become part of a program with a longstanding tradition of achievement. The university's personal financial planning program students have placed in the top three teams in the National Collegiate Financial Planning Competition in seven of the last 12 years. Kansas State University's Phi Kappa Phi Fellow to study foreign affairs in nation's capital Thursday, June 29, 2017 MANHATTAN Kansas State University's Sierra Lekie, recent bachelor's graduate in economics, political science and international studies, Lenexa, has received a Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship to study at American University's School of International Service in Washington, D.C. With the help of the $5,000 fellowship from the national collegiate honor society, Lekie will work on a master's degree in international affairs, with a focus on U.S. foreign policy and national security. Her goal is to become a foreign service officer. "It is a great honor to represent the university at the national level and have this achievement reflect what I have learned and gained from K-State over the last four years," Lekie said. "Because of the fellowship, I will be able to spend more time focusing on my studies, taking on extracurricular service and learning opportunities, and possibly pursuing an unpaid internship." At Kansas State University, Lekie also earned minors in Spanish and statistics. She was active in the Student Alumni Board, Blue Key Senior Honor Society and the Economics Club. She also has been involved in the Student Governing Association, the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors, Silver Key Sophomore Honorary, Quest Freshman Honorary and Model United Nations. She studied abroad in Brazil during summer 2014. Lekie was recently one of 20 students selected nationally for a 2017 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship with the U.S. State Department. She also was a 2015 Harry S. Truman Scholarship nominee and was named a 2014 Cargill Global Scholar. Jim Hohenbary, director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, said Lekie's receipt of the fellowship is especially significant because each chapter of Phi Kappa Phi can only nominate one student each year to compete nationally for the fellowship. "We are very proud of how Sierra represents both our chapter and the university as a whole, and it is great to see Phi Kappa Phi add its support as she continues on the path to becoming a foreign service officer, Hohenbary said. Lekie is a 2013 graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School, Overland Park, where she became interested in foreign affairs while researching the U.S. military presence in South Korea, a topic she came across as part of the school's debate team. "Throughout the year, I found myself getting lost in my research as I spent hours investigating the ever-changing geo-political situation on the Korean Peninsula," Lekie said. "When I realized it no longer felt like research, I discovered my passion for international relations, which I hope to use to make a positive difference in the world." The Ukraine-Canada Free Trade Agreement enters force on August 1, 2017, according to an official note from Canada to Ukraine's embassy [in Canada], Ukraine's ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko has said. "Canada gave us this present for the Constitution Day: we received an official state note about the conclusion of all measures for the agreement on free trade to take force. We have mixed feelings: this is the end of and the start, both at the same time. This is a historical moment that exemplifies the colossal work of our diplomats and politicians. But it is the beginning of a much more important stage: it is time to make this agreement work, through contracts, new jobs and investments," Shevchenko said on his Facebook page. The trade agreement between Canada and Ukraine was singed in Kyiv on July 11, 2016. Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada ratified the deal on March 14, 2017. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the law on ratification on April 3, 2017. Canada's ministry of foreign affairs, trade and development informed Ukraine's embassy in Canada on the conclusion of internal measures of Canada required for the agreement to take force," says a statement issued by Ukraine's embassy in Canada. According to the statement, the agreement from August 1 will cancel 98% of tariffs for Ukrainian exports to Canada and 72% of tariffs from Canada to Ukraine. Over the next seven years the latter will increase to 98%. Markets for state purchases are also included. Parts of the agreement safeguard electronic commerce and intellectual property rights. "Last year Canada and Ukraine signed the Free Trade Agreement and an agreement on military cooperation. Canada also extended for two years its UNIFER training mission in Ukraine," the embassy's press service said. According to Ukraine's State Statistics Service goods from Ukraine to Canada from January to April 2017 increased by 75% to $14.89 million, while imports rose 23.9% to $75.31 million. According to Canadian statistics, exports from Canada to Ukraine amounted to $265.19 million, with $107.44 in imports. Kyiv's Obolonsky District Court has decided to hear the criminal case in which disgraced ex-President Viktor Yanukovych is accused of state treason and other various crimes against Ukraine according to a special (in absentia) procedure. The Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency reports the decision was taken by a panel of judges during a hearing on Thursday. The court granted motions filed by Ukraine's military prosecutors. "Taking into account the arguments, based on Article 393 of Ukraine's Criminal Procedural Code, the court has decided the following: to carry out a special court case involving Yanukovych pursuant to Part 5 of Article 27, Part 3 of Article 110, Part 1 of Article 111, Part 2 of Article 437 of Ukraine's Criminal Code. The ruling can not be appealed," the presiding judge said. The judge said Yanukovych knows about the open criminal trail and is in hiding in Russia. He added that the court rejects motions made by Yanukovych's lawyers that the accused can not appear at trial because of threats to his life and health, inasmuch as the accused failed even to participate in the hearing via video link. Yanukovych's lawyer Vitaliy Serdiuk earlier informed the court that Yanukovych would not be appearing at trial. "A statement has already been given to the court enumerating the reasons for his failure to appear," Serdiuk said. He added there were several reasons, including the failure of the court to make the request in accordance with the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. According to the lawyer, the defense plans to file motions for witnesses to appear. "The entire witness pool is comprised of more than 200 individuals, including state officials and EU heads of state, as well as other persons, whose testimony bears on the hearing of this case," Serdiuk said. CEO of national energy company Ukrenergo Vsevolod Kovalchuk has signed an agreement on conditions of the future merger of the power grids of Ukraine and Moldova with the energy system of continental Europe, the Ukrainian company's press service has reported. The agreement was signed in Brussels on June 28 during the Assembly of the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E), it said. In keeping with the procedure, it also should be signed by Moldelectrica and all member transmission system operators, which are part of ENTSO-E's regional group "Continental Europe." The document consists of three main parts: a catalog of requirements (unconditional fulfillment of which is necessary for making a decision on the merger of the power grids); a list of necessary additional research; and a road map. "The signing of the agreement is a truly historic event, because it is the starting point for the beginning of the integration of the power grids of Ukraine into the European Union's," Kovalchuk was quoted as saying. Ukrenergo notes that although technically work in parallel with ENTSO-E and the current similar work with Russia, Belarus and Moldova are similar processes, they are based entirely on different economic models. In particular, synchronization with ENTSO-E will require not only the implementation of a number of complex technological measures, but the restructuring of the entire electricity market in the country and its transfer to other market mechanisms, when any consumer in Ukraine will be able to import electricity from any EU country, while any electricity producer will be able to export it to the end user in Europe. "Therefore, the synchronization with ENTSO-E is impossible without the full-scale introduction of a new model of the electricity market in accordance with the requirements of the Third Energy Package," Ukrenergo stresses. Kovalchuk also met with Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union Maros Sefcovic, the press service said. The delegation of Ukraine presented a detailed plan for the future integration of Ukraine's integrated power grids with the European energy system. The parties also discussed further algorithm of actions to synchronize power systems and the introduction of a new market model. As a result of trade aggression by Russian in 2016 Ukraine lost $1 billion worth of exports, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Ukraine's Trade Representative Natalia Mykolska has said. "We talked a lot about aggression, but we did not speak about Russia's economic aggression. We must not forget that only in exports last year, according to our estimates, we lost $1 billion worth of exports because of Russia's aggression, that is, some 20% of Ukraine's industrial production," she said on Thursday in Kyiv. According to Mykolska, segments of Ukraine's industrial production can not grow at a fast rate because of the losses. "In order to export, it is necessary to produce," the deputy minister said, noting an increase in Ukraine's exports to European Union member states. Kyiv expects EU's temporary autonomous trade measures for Ukraine to be in effect this autumn Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Ukraine's Trade Representative Natalia Mykolska has expressed hope that the European Union's temporary autonomous trade measures for Ukraine will be in effect this autumn. "Yesterday we received the news that the EU ambassadors approved the compromise option for providing additional quotas for Ukrainian products, agricultural products and removing the duties on industrial products," she said at the international conference "Ukraine EU: Integration in a Changing World" on Thursday. She said that the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union are formally to approve the decision. "We would have these additional quotas and trade preferences in autumn," she said. As reported, on June 28, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) endorsed the agreement reached between the EU Council presidency and the European Parliament on temporary autonomous trade measures in favor of Ukraine. Ukraine will begin the chairmanship in the organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) from July 1, 2017 for the next six months, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. According to the press service of the Foreign Ministry, First Deputy Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko took part in the 36th meeting of the BSEC Council of Ministers in Istanbul, where the devolution of Turkey's chairmanship to Ukraine took place. Prystaiko said that the Ukrainian presidency would focus on the issues of economic cooperation in the context of the security crisis in the region, as well as the implementation of multilateral regional projects, in particular in the field of transport. KEARNEY Handcuffed and shackled, a Kearney man sat through his entire sentencing hearing Monday in Buffalo County District Court. That wasnt the case a week ago when James Cabrera, 41, fled from a sentencing hearing before Judge Bill Wright on a felony conviction for possession of methamphetamine. Wright was in the middle of his sentence when Cabrera fled the courtroom. He evaded deputies assigned to the courtroom and the Buffalo County Courthouse but was caught later that night in Shelton. At the time, Cabrera wasnt in the custody of the Buffalo County Sheriffs Office. Monday, he was, which is why he was restrained. All inmates who appear in court are bound, Sheriff Neil Miller said. During Mondays hearing, Cabrera was sentenced to two years in prison on the drug possession charge. After hes released, he will be on probation for one year under conditions including that he complete treatment, counseling and educational programs. Cabreras drug charge stems from a December incident in which the state probation department was conducting a random search of his home. Records say a meth pipe containing drug residue was located in his bedroom. In April, Cabrera pleaded no contest to the charge. If Wright doesnt place Cabrera on probation, Cabrera faces up to two years in prison. @HubChic The anti-ethanol column from Merrill Matthews contained exactly what you would expect from a think tank sponsored by oil companies citing a Michigan study sponsored by oil companies. Despite his claims, biofuels have made a major contribution to U.S. energy security. In fact, they meet about 10 percent of Americas motor fuel needs. This notion that fracking has created a glut of U.S. energy is just wrong. American oil production fell last year. Consumption of motor fuel hit a new record. And crude oil imports climbed in 2016, with the largest increases coming from Iraq and Nigeria, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. American oil imports are much lower than they were a decade ago, thanks in part to the Renewable Fuels Standard, but that doesnt mean we cant do more to protect consumers from price manipulation by Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Ethanol is better for the environment, too, despite the myths circulated by fossil fuel advocates. The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture research proved once again that homegrown ethanol reduces carbon emissions by 43 percent, largely because farmers are making more efficient use of existing cropland not plowing up new land to grow corn. The simple truth is that homegrown biofuels play a vital role in Americas energy security. Chris Bliley, Arlington, Va. Socar, Gaztron-Ukraine to receive licenses to supply natural gas The The National Commission for Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation (NCER) will issue licenses to supply natural gas to Socar Ukraine Trade House LLC and Gaztron-Ukraine LLC. The regulator made the decision on Thursday. Socar owns a filling station chain in Ukraine with over 50 stations. Gaztron-Ukraine is part of ITL Group involved in wholesale and retail sale of liquefied gas. Fewer than two months ago, on May 10, President Trump invited two Russian diplomats into the White House to celebrate his firing of FBI Director James Comey. Having boasted on national TV that hed removed Comey as a means of relieving pressure from the fake news investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, Trump greeted Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak like old friends. Although U.S. news media werent allowed into the Oval Office, the Russian news agency TASS published photos of the three men smiling broadly, backslapping and shaking hands. Thats how American reporters learned of the controversial Kislyaks presence. The White House neglected to mention it, presumably because his clandestine talks with fired National Security Director Michael Flynn lay at the heart of the FBI probe. Lavrov even made heavy-handed jokes about Russian meddling, expressing mock surprise at Comeys firing and observing sarcastically that it must be humiliating for the American people to realize the Russian Federation is controlling the situation in the United States. The episode struck me at the time as an astonishing gesture of contempt, if completely in keeping with Trumps furious denials that Russian skullduggery had anything to do with his election. In her Salon.com column, Heather Digby Parton compiled a short list of the presidents Twitter posts on the subject: Witch Hunt and total hoax are among them. If hes been consistent about nothing else, Trumps been consistent about that: Vladimir Putins spies had no role whatsoever in his mighty victory. That is, until last week. Following the publication of a highly detailed blockbuster Washington Post story about what the Obama administration knew about President Vladimir Putins direct involvement in the conspiracy to damage Hillary Clinton and make him president, Trump came up with a whole new story: Yes, Russian hackers and spies interfered directly in an American presidential election: but it was all Barack Obamas fault. Just out, the president tweeted, The Obama Administration knew far in advance of November 8th about election meddling by Russia. Did nothing about it. WHY? Trump soon came up with an answer: The reason that President Obama did NOTHING about Russia after being notified by the CIA of meddling is that he expected Clinton would win ... and did not want to rock the boat. Its almost hysterically false the Obama administration made repeated attempts to inform the voting public about Russian interference, most explicitly, as bad luck would have it, on Oct. 8, 2016, the day Trumps boasts about grabbing womens genitals first aired but theres a half-truth there, too. It says here that Obama did, indeed, choke, as one anonymous administration official told Post reporters, and were all paying the price. As happened more than once during his presidency, Obama appears to have overthought the situation to the point of paralysis. Instead, Kislyak and Lavrov yukking it up in the Oval Office happened. This happened, too: Obama presided over a political Pearl Harbor an unprovoked assault on American democracy, and with no compelling reason to believe that it wont happen again. Arkansas Times columnist Gene Lyons is a National Magazine Award winner and co-author of The Hunting of the President. In 2012, a Lutheran Church day-care center in Columbia, Mo., decided it wanted to replace the pea gravel on its playground with a rubberized surface made from recycled tires. On Monday, that playground became the focus of what could be one of the U.S. Supreme Courts most far-reaching religious freedom rulings in decades. Or not. Perhaps the courts decision in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer might turn out to be just about a playground. It all depends, literally, on a footnote. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the 7-2 majority that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources had erred in disqualifying the churchs application for the state-funded playground program on church-state separation grounds. But included in his ruling was the potentially famous Footnote 3: This case involves express discrimination based on religious identity with respect to playground resurfacing. We do not address religious uses of funding or other forms of discrimination. But Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas, who voted with the majority, werent buying the narrow playground only argument. Neither was Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who wrote a passionate dissent in which she was joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Gorsuch and Thomas, in separate concurrences, indicated that they would be willing to extend Roberts no discrimination on religious identity argument to no discrimination on religious use cases, such as use of tax dollars by parochial schools. The court decides cases on general principles, Gorsuch wrote, and the general principles here do not permit discrimination against religious exercise whether on the playground or anywhere else. School-choice and religious-liberty advocates, emboldened by President Donald Trumps appointment of Gorsuch, are eager to get a school vouchers case before the court. They are less eager to have churches whose schools receive public funds pay taxes to support public functions. St. Louis Post-Dispatch We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, left, stands trial in the south central province of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam, Thursday, June 29, 2017. She was accused of distorting government policies and defaming the Communist regime on her Facebook posts, her lawyer said. Quynh, also known as "Mother Mushroom," denied the charges against her during her trial, lawyer Le Van Luan said. He said the prosecutors requested 8-to-10 years in prison. (Vietnam News Agency via AP) Ukrainian law-enforcement agents during their investigation of a criminal scheme involving millions of hryvnias worth of oil products orchestrated by ex-President Viktor Yanukovych's ally, Ukrainian businessman Serhiy Kurchenko, who fled to Moscow following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity in early 2014, have detained one more suspect. "Agents of Ukraine's SBU Security Service and police today arrested one more suspect. His role in the criminal organization was to hire crews for tankers acquired by Kurchenko," Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) spokeswoman Larysa Sarhan said on her Facebook page on Thursday. The post said the arrested suspect coordinated the activities of LLC Laguna-Reni, maritime agents and tanker captains involved in the fake shipment of fuel via Odesa region's Reni port. Sarhan did not identify the arrested suspect. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. A Ramsgate takeaway at the centre of a court case which saw four men convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl has reopened under a new name and ownership. The previous owner and two ex-workers at 555 Pizza and Kebab in Northwood Road were all found guilty of raping a teenager in the early hours of September 18, 2016. After a gruelling four-week trial at Canterbury Crown Court, former boss Tamin Rahmani, 37, of Northwood Road, and ex-colleagues Shershah Muslimyar, 20, of Hovenden Close, Canterbury and Rafiullah Hamidy, 24, of no fixed address, were found guilty on May 26. Another man Hamid Mohamadi, 18 was also found guilty of the same offence. But now the takeaway has a new owner and has changed its name to YSY, although it still remains a pizza and kebab restaurant the eatery officially opened for the first time yesterday (June 28). UK Companies Directory lists the new takeaway as 555 PIZZA YSY LTD and states the business was "incorporated on March 23, 2017 as a private limited company" the company director is listed as Faiz Rahmani, 35. Directory website BizDb explains how it has "only been guided by one managing director" since March 23 and that he is the one with "significant control over this firm" and "owns over three quarters of company shares". Faiz Rahmani denies having any connections to the previous owner and claims they share the same surname because it's "very common". 'I have never met the previous owner' He said: "If you look down my list of friends on Facebook, you'll see 20 or 30 people with the name Rahmani. It's very common in our country. "I don't know him, I have never met him. It's nothing to do with me. I live in Wolverhampton and I'd never been to Ramsgate before. "I'm the new owner I have one restaurant in Birmingham and this is a new one. I bought it after it the other one shut down. "We welcome the people to come in and we will be happy to have new customers. I will also be bringing in new workers." The 35-year-old also claimed the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl "did not happen directly above" the pizza and kebab takeaway. The United States Senate Committee on Armed Services has approved the draft military expenditures for FY 2018, including some $700 billion for defense, U.S. media have reported. The budget allotment provides $621.5 billion for defense expenditures, plus $75 billion for military operations overseas. However, media report that $10 billion of the $75 billion will be earmarked for military programs in the U.S. According to the Washington Post newspaper, senators propose $500 million for assistance to Ukraine, including lethal military equipment. The draft budget limits direct cooperation with Russian military forces, a measure adopted following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in March 2014. The newspaper notes $4.6 billion for activities strengthening defense capabilities in Eastern Europe, including about $100 million for financing programs to help the Baltics shore up its defense against Russian aggression. "The committee believes the United States must do more to deter Russian aggression, whether across its borders or in cyberspace," the summary of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 says. The article also says the committee authorized a development program on new ground-launched intermediate-range missiles. Senators on the committee also believe it is necessary to prevent the Pentagon from using products of Kaspersky Lab on its computers, fearing links between the company and Russian officials. "The committee markup prohibits the DOD from using software platforms developed by Kaspersky Lab due to reports that the Moscow-based company might be vulnerable to Russian government influence," the summary said. The committee also calls on the Pentagon to provide information about Russia's activities involving so-called hybrid warfare. "The committee markup adds reporting on hybrid warfare as part of the annual report on Russian military and security developments, including assessments of Russias information warfare strategy and capabilities, malicious cyber activities, and coercive economic tools," it said. Ukraine's integration with the European Union (EU) is not on the agenda, but harmonization of Ukrainian laws with European ones may, at a minimum, take six to seven years, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli has said. "Ukraine's EU integration is not on the agenda. Our goal, the goal of the Ukraine-EU association, is political association and economic integration. But not integration of Ukraine into the EU," Mingarelli said during the conference, titled "Ukraine-EU: Integration in a Changing World," which was held on Thursday in Kyiv. According to the diplomat, the next step after providing Ukraine with the visa-free regime and finishing the process of ratifying the Ukraine-EU Association agreement should be the implementation of agreements, as well as bringing Ukrainian legislation in line with European laws. In addition, Ukraine should focus on integrating with the EU single market. "Tariff barriers are not the major problem. The main obstacles are not tariff barriers, but technical barriers for trade. In order to overcome this Ukrainian legislation must be brought in line with European laws. That takes years. If we are optimists, we, let's say, should expect it will take six or seven years. If we are realists, taking into consideration what we have done in countries of central Europe, it may take even more time," Mingarelli said. The diplomat said Ukraine has implemented many reforms over the past three years in the political and economic spheres. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch believes that if none of the current candidates for the new Supreme Court meets the criteria for integrity, a new pool of candidates should be selected. Speaking at a conference, titled "Ukraine-EU: Integration in a Changing World," which was held in Kyiv on Thursday, Yovanovitch noted that it is crucially important that people who will be selected should meet the highest professional and moral standards. She said that the commission is currently looking for 120 candidates. If 120 candidates who hold moral high ground and are best qualified for these jobs cannot be found in this round, then a second round may be needed, she added. The U.S. ambassador stressed that the judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for life, and the decision on their appointment cannot be repealed. According to the information of Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies, 60% of anti-corruption litigations in this area are being dragged out, therefore it is necessary to create a special Anti-Corruption Court that would have exclusive jurisdiction to consider the cases of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, Yovanovitch said. The ambassador expressed the belief that the election of the right judges to the Supreme Court and the establishment of an independent Anti-Corruption Court in Ukraine are the first steps towards restoring the faith of Ukrainians in the judicial system, which is very important. 149 Shares Share The answer reflected off of her face, and I knew my news would be no surprise. Nonetheless, the lump in my throat grew as I hesitated to tell her the latest we found on her recent scans. The fact that this was a recurrence of a previous cancer and she dealt with this inhumanity in the past also did not make it any easier. It was then that Mrs. B spoke up, maybe to ease my growing reluctance to speak. It is back, isnt it? Yes, it is, and it seems to have spread. In fact, I think the pain in your back is from a new metastasis that was seen on your spine. I looked at her with a professional look while my insides wept at the tragedy. I knew it, she said with conviction. And I know this time I will die, but I wont go until I see my daughter graduate from high school. Two years hung in the air before her daughter would reach that milestone but she seemed determined to defy the dire prognosis her oncologist predicted for her. At this point in her medical care, the decision to just provide comfort care was formed and agreed upon by all parties. With no further chemotherapy, death arrived on her doorstep, and there would be no weapons to stave it off. The oncologist gave the verdict of just a few months. At her next visit, she pulled out a recent picture of her daughter and told me how she was a star in the high school play. Her face shone as she spoke of her and her accomplishment. When I asked her about the pain in her back and she confided that it was intense; yet, she was unwilling to take strong pain medications because she wanted to alert and awake to spend time with her kids. Over the next year, she brought more tales of her childrens adventures and continued to smile through the mask she placed over her pain. Her scans showed the onward progression of her cancer while her oncologist and I marveled that she was still alive. She finally agreed to take Motrin for the pain because she wanted to be able to keep up with her kids activities as summer dawned. As her daughter started her senior year, she became more fatigued and distressed by that fact. Yet, she persevered in her desire to stay alive to attend her graduation ceremony. Death remained standing on her door step but dared not enter against her fierce determination. Her visits with me now became almost weekly and she no longer sought out the oncologists treatment; there was nothing he could do, and she didnt want to waste her time. During each of these visits, the mask she wore to prohibit others from seeing her pain began to slide, and I finally convinced her to take stronger pain medications. But, she would only take them when she did not have any time scheduled with her children. Another play was performed at her daughters high school, and again she beamed as she told me that her daughter starred in the show and captured the audience. She described the play in compulsive detail as if trying to etch the memory of it all into her mind forever. And I let her talk just as much as she wished because I knew there was nothing left for me to do. I could only stand back out of her way as she defied the odds and held the door shut to the grim reaper calling her name. The month before her daughter was scheduled to graduate, she fell ill with pneumonia and was hospitalized. Her sister thought that was the end, but obviously, she underrated her steel will. Mrs. B rebounded and returned home and continued to see me every week. She shared with me the ups and downs of her childrens lives. Whenever I asked about her pain or how she was feeling she would always say fine. But, I knew she was in pain because it was now written all over her face. But, she just didnt care because more important concerns remained. Her daughter graduated, and she came the next day to give me a play-by-play of the ceremony. It sounded lovely and joyous, and I was truly happy that she was able to attend. I thought that now she would let herself go, admit her pain and release herself to the disease. But I was wrong once again as I had been all the previous times I suspected she would die soon. She continued to smile through the pain as her scans became uglier and uglier. Surely, she did not have much more time to go. Her daughter started college, and she came to tell me about move-in day. She was filled with distress because she now had to use a walker because the cancer was destroying her hip bone. She was offered radiation therapy to decrease the size, but she refused, I think because she now realized the end was near and didnt want to waste a minute away from her beloved children. In her second year in college, her daughter landed the leading role in the college drama. She described the costumes and said she loved the show but found it a little risque. She wasnt sure if she liked her daughter in such a role. She was weaker now, and it had not been so easy for her to go, but she was one of the first ones there and snagged one of the best seats in the theater. By the time her daughter started her third year in college, she was unable to leave the house much and was spending more time in bed. Pain gnawed on her bones, and she surrendered to the pain medications. Her kids were older and did not need her as much, she told me. I responded that kids always needed their mothers and her college graduation was not so far away. She smiled then and said, No, I am not going to make it. My time is soon. Watching her live against the reality of her disease, her words smacked me, and I looked at her in disbelief. No, doctor. Dont be sad. It was a good journey, and I am so blessed to have had so much time to share with my kids. And that is the last time I saw her because she died the next week. When she didnt show up for her appointment, I knew she was gone because she never missed one before. The receptionist called her sister who confirmed her demise. At her funeral, her family thanked me for coming. Her daughter told me how her mother so much appreciated her visits with me. And I, in turn, told her an epic tale of how much her mother loved her, enough to NOT die for her. Palliative medicine is a big buzz word in medicine these days. We are taught what medications to prescribe to ease pain and suffering. In more fuzzy lines, we are taught when to stop treatment and how to help patients make decisions about dying. It is never easy despite how many years we remain in practice. We are doctors and want to save lives and cure diseases. Admitting there is no help left often seems like a personal failure. Yet, the reality remains, and we must face our limitations. It is not out of a God-complex as many believe. Rather, we did not studying for years and years to watch patients die on our watch. Sometimes, doctors are the ones who have to learn to let go. Mrs. B taught me so many more valuable lessons about dying than I could possible learn from all my years in school and training. First of all, a prognosis is just a prediction; many factors actually determine the time of death. One of those factors can be just a grid-iron boldness that some people can seize onto. This fine lady also made me see how love is made strong and how it can defeat all odds. I will never forget the conversations we shared, and she instilled me with bravery when treating dying patients. Linda Girgis is a family physician who blogs at Dr. Linda. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Kremlin does not take foreign statements on Crimea status The Kremlin said it has no intention of discussing the status of Crimea with anyone. Responding to a question about the statement by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the intention to change the status of Crimea, Russian presidential press officer Dmitry Peskov said: "We don't take foreign leaders' statement on our regions." The share of European Union (EU) member states of total balance of Ukraine's foreign trade in the period from January through April 2017 was over 38%, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze has said. "In the first four months of 2017 we have growth of goods exports to the EU by almost 21.4%. The EU remains our main trade partner," she said at the international conference "Ukraine EU: Integration in a Changing World" in Kyiv on Thursday. She said that the share of exports from Ukraine to the EU countries now is over 38%. As several central banks are seriously considering the use of digital currencies, one professor believes cryptocurrencies could be a cheaper option for everyone. A number of central banks are already exploring [virtual currencies]: the European Central Bank, the German Central Bank, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England and so on, Dartmouth College economics professor Andrew Levin told Bloomberg. The idea is not that far from reality and is not in the realm of science fiction, Levin said. A few central banks are actually working on prototypes and launching small-scale experiments. For example, the Swedish Central Bank might launch its own digital currency within the next couple of years. This is as revolutionary as the paper note 300 years ago. What does it mean for monetary policy and financial stability? How do we design this: a rechargeable card, an app or another way? Cecilia Skingsley, deputy governor at the Swedens Riksbank, told the Financial Times last year. Other examples include, the Peoples Bank of China and Russias Central Bank already beginning to test different types of digital currencies. Also, the Philippine Central Bank recently approved new rules regarding the operation of virtual currency exchanges, while the Cambodian Central Bank announced intentions to try out blockchain technology. Levins own thinking, published jointly with Rutgers University economics professor Michael Bordo, is that the digital currency issued by the central bank would still represent conventional money, but would be free to use. This [would be] in contrast to debit/credit cards, which are expensive for some merchants to process, he said. Digital currency could be of real benefit to small business and consumers. Levin and Bordo expanded on the idea in their proposal: In contrast to bitcoin, the value of the central banks digital currency would be fixed in nominal terms. Moreover, the central banks digital currency could be implemented using an account-based system, thereby avoiding the resource-consuming mining operations involved in generating virtual currencies like bitcoin. Both also note that a launch of central banks digital currency would likely make paper currency obsolete. Indeed, once the central banks digital currency is widely used as a form of electronic payment, the demand for holding paper currency and coins would quickly diminish. June 29 (Reuters) - Australian law firm Slater and Gordon Ltd on Thursday said it would enter a recapitalisation deal that would give almost full ownership of the company to its lenders. Under the recapitalisation deal, the lenders, led by Anchorage Capital, who own more than three-fourth of the beleaguered company's secured debt, will get 95 percent of the company's equity, the company said in a statement. The company added that Andrew Grech will step down from his position as group managing director, effective immediately. (Reporting By Shashwat Pradhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar) SEOUL, June 29 (Reuters) - Franklin Templeton has sold some of its Korea treasury bond holdings in recent weeks as part of its portfolio adjustment, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday. No other foreign institutional funds appear to be pulling back from Korean treasuries other than Franklin Templeton for now, the person said, declining to be named due to the sensitive nature of the issue. Market participants estimated a total 3 trillion won ($2.63 billion) was reduced from the fund's holdings of short-dated KTB covering June 27 and June 28. ($1 = 1,139.2000 won) (Reporting by Shin-hyung Lee, writing by Cynthia Kim) (Kitco News) - With Canada preparing to celebrate a key milestone, the 150th anniversary of confederation, one Canadian bank is highlighted potential of the nations mining sector. In a report Wednesday, analysts at CIBC World Markets noted that the Canadian mining companies, with strong domestic production, have outperformed the overall mining index for the last four years. The bank added that it expects the trend to continue. In the past ~4 years, the group of Canadian producers (with >50% of NAV in Canada) outperformed the HUI index, on average, by an annual 33%. Even when excluding 2015, when the CAD had the most sizable depreciation against the USD, the Canadian producers still outperformed the broader gold index by 30%, the analysts said. One of the biggest advantage for Canadian precious metals producers is the fact that gold is trading above $1,600 an ounce in Canadian dollar terms but that is only one of three factors that is helping the sector. The analysts said that two other factors that should continue to support the Canadian mining sector are: an industry decline of 5% in all in sustaining costs and an increase in total domestic production of 11%. The Canadian sector is seeing lower production costs as a result of a sharp drop in energy prices. Even when we use the larger group of companies to include any company with Canadian content, this larger group still outperformed the broader gold index by 18%. This outperformance supports the strategy that any Canadian content is likely good content, the analysts said. According to CIBC the top companies that offer the best investment potential: * May retail sales +2.0 pct y/y vs f'cast +2.6 pct y/y * Sales for durable goods, clothes slowed * Strong consumption crucial to raising inflation (Adds detail, analyst quote) By Minami Funakoshi and Izumi Nakagawa TOKYO, June 29 (Reuters) - Japanese retail sales rose less than expected in May as sales of durable goods and clothes slowed, falling substantially from April's annual increase though analysts expect sales to continue rising as a trend. Retail sales rose for the seventh straight month at 2.0 percent in May from a year ago, data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed on Thursday. It slowed from 3.2 percent in April and undershot the median estimate of 2.6 percent growth in a Reuters poll. "May retail sales weren't that strong, but I don't think they were that bad either," said Hidenobu Tokuda, senior economist at Mizuho Research Institute. May this year had one fewer Sunday than last year, which dampened sales, Tokuda added. Other economists pointed to weak sales of food and clothing in May. "I don't think consumer spending is rising that much overall," said Norio Miyagawa, senior economist at Mizuho Securities. Sales of durable goods such as televisions grew 0.8 percent in May, slowing from the 4.4 percent annual rise in April. Sales of clothing grew 2.5 percent in May from a year earlier, down from the 5.9 percent annual rise in April, and sales of food and beverages rose a meagre 0.1 percent in May on-year, down from the 1.3 percent increase in April. A Reuters poll showed household spending likely slipped 0.6 percent in May from a year earlier, down for 15 straight months, although the rate of decline slowed from a 1.4 percent drop in April. The internal affairs ministry will release household spending data on Friday. A separate government survey showed consumer confidence rose slightly in May from the previous month. In a show of confidence in the recovering economy, the Bank of Japan upgraded its assessment of private consumption for the first time in six months at its June meeting, when it kept monetary policy steady. The government has also raised its overall view of the economy for the first time in six months because of the growth in private consumption. (Reporting by Minami Funakoshi and Izumi Nakagawa; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Eric Meijer) HANOI, June 29 (Reuters) - Vietnam, the world's largest robusta producer, will export an estimated 829,000 tonnes of coffee in the first half of 2017, down 15.5 percent from a year ago, the government said on Thursday. Rice exports are expected to rise 13.5 percent to 2.96 million tonnes over the same period. Crude oil exports are expected to climb 10.1 percent to 3.9 million tonnes. (Reporting by My Pham; Writing by Joseph Radford; Editing by Tom Hogue) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. By Frances Yoon HONG KONG, June 29 (IFR) - The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said on Thursday it may issue its first bond in US dollars as early as this year. Soren Elbech, treasurer at the Beijing-based multilateral development bank, told IFR that it will be a benchmark bond but did not specify a maturity. Moody's assigned the AIIB a first-time Aaa long-term foreign currency rating on Thursday with a stable outlook, citing expectations that AIIB's liquidity position will be as strong as other highly rated multilateral development banks. Elbech said the deal could come this year, but it would take some months before the AIIB was ready to debut the transaction, with time required for bond and swaps documentation, and AIIB's new head of funding joining the institution only in September. "At some stage later in the year, the market also becomes less interesting to engage with. It's likely, but it's equally likely it could be 2018," he said. The AIIB is likely to issue bonds of a few billion dollars annually in the next few years, as it ramps up borrowing. "We are going to be very, very similar in our capital markets approach to the other multilaterals," Elbech said. The AIIB has been viewed as a rival to the western-dominated World Bank and Asian Development Bank, which are both rated Triple A by all three international rating agencies. The AIIB has subscribed capital of $20 billion that will be fully paid by 2024, underscoring Moody's expectations that the AIIB's capital base will remain very large in relation to its assets over the next 10 years. However Elbech forecasts the paid-in capital to have largely been dispersed approximately five years from now, warranting the need to discover different sources of funding. "And to not shock the market when we need to start borrowing, I want to start interacting with the market, build a yield curve, look at pricing references and get global investors used to the AIIB name, meet with them and have an opportunity to get them to ask all the questions they need to open their credit lines, put us in the right portfolios, position us alongside their peer group and gradually ramp up the borrowing programme until we have a borrowing need," Elbech said. (Reporting by Frances Yoon; Editing by Vincent Baby and Daniel Stanton) BRASILIA, June 29 (Reuters) - Brazil's government is not more likely to miss its budget target this year despite posting a larger-than-expected primary deficit last month, Treasury Secretary Ana Paula Vescovi told journalists on Thursday. The gap widened partly because the government decided to service judicial debts ahead of the original schedule in order to save between 600 million ($181.26 million) and 700 million reais ($211.47 million) this year, Vescovi said. ($1 = 3.3101 Brazilian reais) (Reporting by Silvio Cascione and Marcela Ayres; Editing by Paul Simao) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. By Kevin Yao DALIAN, China, June 29 (Reuters) - China needs to strike a balance between deleveraging and maintaining adequate support for some sectors of the economy, a senior International Monetary Fund official said on Thursday. On the global economy, the outlook has been optimistic, Zhang Tao, deputy managing director at the IMF, told the World Economic Forum in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian. "There is increasing room for cautious optimistic views for the global economic outlook at this moment, but there are risks," Zhang said. (Reporting by Kevin Yao; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) * Anirudh Singh looking to launch credit hedge fund -sources * Plans to raise between $100 mln and $200 mln -sources * Follows six-year stint at Eton Park's London office By Maiya Keidan and Svea Herbst-Bayliss LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - A credit trader at the London office of Eric Mindich's $7 billion New York hedge fund, Eton Park, which said about three months ago that it was shutting down, is looking to open his own firm, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Two of the sources said Anirudh Singh, 33, expected to raise at least $200 million for the fund, while one source put the potential launch capital at more than $100 million. Singh worked for Eton Park for roughly six years after a stint at Goldman Sachs, documents filed with Britain's Financial Conduct Authority show. He is not deregistered from the firm. Singh did not respond to requests for comment. His move would be the first spin-out from Eton Park's London office since its assets halved from a peak of $14 billion in 2011. After a tough few years for most hedge funds in which several high profile firms have closed, several high-profile traders have branched out on their own, including the former chief investment officer at Perry Capital, David Russekoff. The number of new hedge funds hit 189 in the first quarter of 2017, an increase for the first time since the first three months of 2016, according to data from industry tracker Preqin. It was not clear whether Singh plans to work with former Eton Park colleagues at the new fund, neither was it clear where he would get financial backing. A spokesman for Eton Park declined to comment. Mindich became a partner at Goldman Sachs at 27 in 1994, making him the youngest person to do so in the firm's history. He raised $3.5 billion when he launched Eton Park in 2004. (Editing by Louise Ireland) The Obolonsky District Court of Kyiv has determined the procedure for examination of evidence during the consideration of criminal proceedings on charges of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych of high treason and will continue the session at 10:00 on July 6. At a meeting on Thursday after an hour-long break, the court heard the positions of the prosecution and the defense regarding the procedure for interrogating witnesses and examining evidence, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported. HELSINKI, June 29 (Reuters) - Finnish pension insurance companies Ilmarinen and Etera will merge to form Finland's largest private sector pension insurer, the companies said on Thursday. The new company will manage the pensions of more than 1.1 million Finns, with assets of more than 44 billion euros ($50 billion). Both Ilmarinen and Etera boards have approved the merger plan, in which Etera will merge into Ilmarinen on Jan. 1, 2018. Ilmarinen's Chief Executive Timo Ritakallio will continue as the CEO of the new company. "The synergies achieved through the merger will benefit the clients of both companies ... Furthermore, thanks to the merger, the cost-effectiveness of the entire earnings-related pension insurance system will improve significantly and the sector's solvency will strengthen overall," Ilmarinen chairman Mikko Helander said in a statement. Following the merger the companies will save an estimated 20 million euros annually in administrative costs. ($1 = 0.8773 euros) (Reporting by Tuomas Forsell, editing by David Evans) MUMBAI, June 29 (Reuters) - India's cotton exports in 2016/17 are likely to fall 17 percent from a year ago to 6 million bales, a leading trade body said on Thursday, as an appreciating rupee dented the competitiveness of the Indian fibre in the world market. The world's biggest cotton producer is likely to have harvested 33.63 million bales of cotton in the 2016/17 season that started on Oct. 1, slightly down from 33.78 million bales a year ago, the Cotton Association of India said in a statement. Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Vietnam are the major buyers of Indian cotton. (1 Indian bale = 170 kg) (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Sunil Nair) MEXICO CITY, June 29 (Reuters) - Private equity group Riverstone Holdings and Miguel Galuccio, a former chief executive of Argentine state-owned oil company YPF, aim to raise $500 million in Mexico's first-ever stock market listing of a special purpose acquisition company, according to two people familiar with the plan. Vista Oil & Gas, the special purpose vehicle, intends to purchase energy exploration and production assets in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil within two years of its listing, tentatively planned for a month from now, according to an investor presentation. The stock market listing would be the first to take advantage of a 2013 constitutional change that opened Mexico's energy production and exploration to private investors for the first time in 75 years. Reuters could not immediately reach a Riverstone spokesman. Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, raise money from investors and then go shopping, betting that their management teams will find attractive deals at suitable prices. They have gained ground in U.S. shale oil and gas because they hold cash that can be invested quickly, and because their publicly traded shares are more liquid than private equity investments. Riverstone, a private equity group founded in 2000, has committed over $35 billion in 130 investments in the energy industry. Galuccio resigned as head of YPF last year amid a change in administration by Argentina's incoming president, Mauricio Macri. Credit Suisse and Citi are managing the listing of Vista Oil & Gas, according to its prospectus. (Reporting by Mexico City Newsroom and Sheky Espejo; Writing by Noel Randewich; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) BAMAKO, June 29 (Reuters) - Mali exported more than 16 tonnes of artisanally mined gold in the first four months of this year, the mines minister said on Thursday citing customs data, and is on track to export 50 tonnes for the year, equalling industrial output. Mali is the third biggest gold producer in Africa behind South Africa and Ghana, and the informal mining sector has grown in recent years. The West African nation has also become an export hub for gold mined by artisanal diggers in neighbouring countries. "This year, between January 1 and April 30, we are at more than 16 tonnes exported and recorded by customs," Tiemoko Sangare told Reuters on the sidelines of a mining conference in the capital Bamako. "If we extrapolate for the full year, that's 50 tonnes. Mali enforces an annual suspension of gold panning from June to September. It exported 67 tonnes of gold valued at $2.2 billion in 2016. Of that, 46.9 tonnes was mined by industrial producers with the remaining 20.1 tonnes considered artisanal exports. Sangare said that from October the government would put in place offices at gold panning sites in order to improve traceability and improve tax collection on informal output. (Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) YENAGOA, Nigeria June 29 (Reuters) - Nigeria's state oil company said on Thursday it had agreed a joint venture to cover the more than $700 million cost of developing new oil fields in its southern Niger Delta energy hub. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it had a tripartite agreement with local energy firm First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company and international oil services company Schlumberger to develop the Anyala and Madu fields under Oil Mining Licence (OML) 83 and 85. The OPEC member state has been seeking investment to increase its crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels by the year 2020, up from the current proven reserves of 37.2 billion barrels. NNPC, in an emailed statement, said under the agreement Schlumberger would provide the $700 million investment in developing the fields, which would add 193 million barrels of crude to current reserves. The state oil company said it would also add 800 billion cubic feet of gas to Nigeria's proven gas reserves. Nigeria has the world's ninth largest gas reserves, at 187 trillion cubic feet (tcf). "In terms of daily production, the fields will yield 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day and 120 million standard cubic feet of gas per day by early 2019," NNPC spokesman Ndu Ughamadu said in the statement. The state oil company said OMLs 83 and 85 were located in shallow waters 40 km (25 miles) offshore. NNPC said it held a 60 percent interest in the licences, while First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, operator of the joint venture, held the remaining 40 percent. (Reporting by Tife Owolabi; writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; editing by Andrew Roche) June 29 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. - Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in retailers and already owns the likes of Talbots, the Limited and Hot Topic, said it would acquire Staples Inc for $6.9 billion, citing its "iconic brand." - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said it plans to open a factory in South Carolina, as President Trump has tried in recent months to entice manufacturers into creating more industrial jobs in the United States. - ABC reached a settlement with a South Dakota meat producer that accused the network of defamation following its news reports about so-called pink slime in 2012. - Meal delivery service Blue Apron Holdings Inc reduced the expected price of its initial public offering to about $10 per share on Wednesday afternoon. That was well below a price range of $15 to $17 the company disclosed just last week, a few days after Amazon.com Inc unveiled a deal to buy Whole Foods Market Inc . - All of the largest U.S. banks passed the latest stress test on Wednesday, the first time all aced the exam since the Federal Reserve began administering the exercise seven years ago. (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom) * Share repurchases this year down sharply from 2016 * Higher stock prices are a disincentive to buy-backs By Lisa Twaronite TOKYO, June 29 (Reuters) - Share buy-backs by Japanese companies are sharply down from last year despite rising profits, suggesting that Japan Inc's commitment to raising shareholder returns could be waning. The combined value of buy-backs in January through May was around 2 trillion yen ($17.83 billion), down 50 percent from the year-ago period, according to Goldman Sachs Japan. In May, buy-backs totalled 898.8 billion yen, down 40 percent on year. "At high stock price levels, some companies are refraining from buying back their own shares," said Makoto Sengoku, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute. The Nikkei stock index on June 20 touched 20,318.11, its loftiest since August 2015. Higher stock prices make it more expensive for companies to buy back their shares, and lessens their incentive to do so. Sengoku said that while some companies will use higher profits for investment, including for equipment, this may well be limited. Rather than buy back shares with extra cash, there is a strong possibility companies will "continue to return dividends to shareholders," he said. But Reuters data showed total dividends have edged down slightly this year, compared to the previous year, despite a trend of higher profits. GROWING PROFITABILITY Ministry of Finance data released this month showed company profits rose 26.6 percent in January-March from a year earlier, up for the third consecutive quarter. The amount of recurring profits, at 20.1 trillion yen, was the biggest on record for a January-March quarter. Shareholder returns of firms listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which include both buy-backs and dividends, totalled 17.7 trillion yen for the fiscal year through March, according to Goldman Sachs data. Although that was a record, the annual increase was only 3.4 percent, which Goldman strategists called a "disappointing result" after gains topped 20 percent in each of the two prior fiscal years. "While companies will of course need to allocate funds for growth, we think Japanese firms need to continue to take steps to increase shareholder returns," they said. In addition to giving investors' return-on-equity a lift, a buy-back typically buoys a company's share price. Lately in Japan, though, such gains have not always outpaced those of the broader market. The Solactive Japanese Buyback Index tracks select Japanese companies that have announced share buy-backs in the past two months, and which have at least 100 billion yen in market capitalization and an average trading value of 300 million yen over three months. That index is up 4 percent this year, compared to the Nikkei stock index's 5.8 percent rise. ($1 = 112.18 yen) (Additional reporting by Daiki Iga in Tokyo and Patturaja Murugaboopathy in Bangalore; Editing by Richard Borsuk) The following Spanish stocks may be affected by newspaper reports and other factors on Thursday. Reuters has not verified the newspaper reports, and cannot vouch for their accuracy: ADOLFO DOMINGUEZ Adolfo Dominguez said on Thursday that first quarter sales were 22.7 million euros after 19.3 million euros a year earlier. NEINOR HOMES Neinor Homes said on Thursday it has bought a portfolio of fully-permitted land in Madrid and Malaga for 68.5 million euros. UNICAJA Unicaja set its IPO price at 1.1 euros per share late on Wednesday. TALGO Talgo said on Wednesday it had completed a buy-back programme of 1.8 mln shares For today's European market outlook double click on . For real-time moves on the Spanish blue-chip index IBEX please double click on For IBEX constituent stocks highlight .IBEX in the command box and press the F3 button on your keyboard For latest news on Spanish stock moves double click For Spanish language market report double click on For latest Eurostocks report please double click on STOCKHOLM, June 29 (Reuters) - Sweden's central bank bought 1.5 billion crowns ($176 million) of government bonds in a reverse auction as part of its quantitative easing programme, it said on Thursday. It bought 750 million crowns of 2022 bonds at an average yield of -0.049 percent and the same amount of 2025 bonds at 0.393 percent. Investors offered to sell the Riksbank 2.2 billion crowns and 1.5 billion crowns in the two bonds respectively. Source text for Eikon: ($1 = 8.5046 Swedish crowns) (Reporting by Stockholm Newsroom; Editing by Simon Johnson) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. BANGKOK, June 29 (Reuters) - Thailand's annual economic growth in April-June is expected to be faster than the first quarter's 3.3 percent growth as higher exports and government spending were catalysts, a senior finance ministry official said on Thursday. Growth should quicken in the second half of the year, but the ministry is sticking by its full-year economic growth estimate of 3.6 percent for now, Krisada Chinavicharana, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, told a news conference. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expanded 3.2 percent last year. (Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri) Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko has submitted a request to the Verkhovna Rada on providing consent to prosecute, detain and arrest an MP of the Opposition Bloc Mykhailo Dobkin. Lutsenko recalled on his Facebook page on Thursday that in the actions of Dobkin "there are signs of deliberate collusion of a group of persons for abuse of office and assistance to fraud in order to acquire 78 hectares of land in Kharkiv with a standard cost of more than UAH 220 million." By Huw Jones LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - Britain's financial regulator has begun a root-and-branch study of how the country's high street banks make money and will set out its initial findings in the first half of next year. Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said the study was an ambitious project that applied lessons from the 2007-09 financial crisis when Northern Rock collapsed because of an unsustainable business model. The study comes at a time the government is trying to boost competition in a sector dominated by the "Big Four", HSBC , Lloyds , Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays . Bailey said 16 new banks had been approved over the last five years and 38 were considering seeking authorisation. "My hope is that we can lay out a body of evidence from which conclusions can start to be drawn," Bailey told a British Bankers' Association (BBA) conference on Thursday. "But, let me manage expectations. We expect to be working hard for the rest of this year and into the first two quarters of next year to get the evidence laid out." The study will start off focusing on links between different products and services and their relative profitability in an environment were fewer customers are visiting bank branches, preferring to access accounts over the phone. "It should enable us to assess better the impact of changes - for instance in technology - on retail banking business models," Bailey said. BBA Chief Executive Anthony Browne told the conference that retail banking was changing more than ever before, with apps now the most popular way to access accounts. "There is a consumer-led revolution underway in the way we access and manage our money," Browne said. Bailey said the FCA will publish its findings over the summer from a review of so-called high-cost credit including overdrafts after lawmakers criticised banks for charging hefty fees for people who get overdrawn. "We will then be able to decide if we need to intervene further," Bailey said. The outcome of a third piece of work will be published by the regulator soon - a review of how banks assess customers' understanding of products and services. There have also been calls for banks to end free banking for those in credit as lawmakers say it means other services, such as overdrafts, are more expensive than they should be and hit the less well off hardest. "So, as they say, let me be clear. I do not advocate ending free-if-in-credit banking. Why? Because there is no such thing to start with, so it cannot be abolished as such," Bailey said. He said free-if-in-credit just meant that some customers pay more or less than others depending on what products they use. (Editing by David Clarke) * Ban covers more than 150 second-tier ports * Adani coal cargoes not affected - source at trading arm * Coking coal futures jump nearly 8 pct (Adds comments from trader, Adani source, coking coal price) BEIJING, June 29 (Reuters) - China will not allow coal imports at small ports from July 1, the state-run China Securities Times reported on Wednesday, in a move likely to tighten supply of the fuel during summer and support a further rally in prices. Coking coal futures in China soared almost 8 percent on Thursday. The newspaper did not cite the source of its information nor a reason for the ban. But China, the world's top coal buyer, has been keeping a tight lid on supply of the fuel in the country as part of efforts to tackle both glut and smog. The ban will cover more than 150 second-tier ports, according to the report which was scarce on details. But it doesn't include the major ports such as Tianjin. Many second-tier ports are owned by power plants on the coast and the ban may increase their shipping and loading fees, said a trader from the port city of Rizhao. Loading fees at first-tier ports are $1 higher per tonne than those at second-tier ones, the trader said. A source at the trading arm of Indian coal firm Adani Group said none of their cargoes has been affected so far. Adani sells Indonesian and Australian coal to China. Small ports linked to major Chinese power utilities have stopped ships carrying coal from either loading or docking at the ports starting this week, according to a trader in Ningbo, a major port in China's eastern Zhejiang province. Customs also conducted random checks of coal cargoes and did a more thorough inspection process before clearing shipments, the trader said. "It is extremely hard to do import business now," she said. "Coal imports are set to slow down if this continues for a long time." China's campaign to address oversupply in coal has led to the closure of many mines across the country, tightening availability of the fuel during summer when power demand usually peaks. Beijing has also cracked down on coal imports to restrict the flow of low-quality material. China's coal imports dropped 10.5 percent in May from April. Chinese thermal coal futures hit a record high of 585 yuan ($86) a tonne last week, climbing nearly 10 percent so far this month. China's top planning body has urged coal mines to speed up the release of high-grade coal capacity to help ensure electricity supply during peak hours and to key regions in summer, the state-backed Security Daily reported earlier on Wednesday. ($1 = 6.7780 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Meng Meng and Josephine Mason; Editing by Manolo Serapio Jr.) * Official's comment first sign of challenge to Lopez's order * Dismissed Lopez also ordered mine closures, suspensions * Philippines is world's top nickel ore supplier (Adds quotes, background) By Enrico Dela Cruz MANILA, June 29 (Reuters) - A ban on open-pit mining in the Philippines enforced by former environment minister Regina Lopez has "no legal basis" and is under review, a senior government official said, the first sign that drastic measures she had ordered could be challenged. "In the Philippines ... surface mining or 'open-pit' is technically and financially feasible," Larry Heradez, head of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau's legal division, told reporters on Thursday. It was the first time a government official has countered a policy previously issued by Lopez, who was dismissed last month. A staunch environmentalist, Lopez led a 10-month mining crackdown, ordering the closure or suspension of 26 mines in the world's top nickel ore supplier and imposing a ban on open-pit mining, which she said "kills the economic potential of the place." Heradez is part of a team that is reviewing Lopez's policy orders, including the cancellation of 75 contracts for undeveloped mines to protect watersheds. Some of the 75 contracts may still be cancelled, he said, "not because the projects are within watersheds but because of possible violations like non-payment of taxes and non-implementation of work programme." Once the team has completed its review of all previous policy orders and made recommendations, they will be submitted to Lopez's replacement, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who then "can revise or amend or supersede" them. Cimatu, who took over on May 8, has been taking a slow approach towards mining. He said on Tuesday he may decide in July what to do about the mining operations and contracts that Lopez ordered closed, suspended or cancelled. The former military chief told Reuters in May it was possible to strike a balance between mining and natural resources, signalling his intent to settle a dispute that has been one of the biggest economic conundrums of President Rodrigo Duterte's presidency. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Writing by Manolo Serapio Jr.; Editing by Tom Hogue) (Adds details, background) WARSAW, June 29 (Reuters) - Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) set out plans on Thursday to sell a 15 percent stake in its Polish banking business in an initial public offering (IPO), meeting a deadline imposed by Poland's financial market regulator. The IPO comes at a difficult time for Raiffeisen Bank Polska, also known as Raiffeisen Polbank, as the lender's net loss rose more than sevenfold in the first quarter. When asked about investor interest, a person familiar with the IPO discussions has told Reuters: "You can sense the mood and it's not phenomenal." Earlier this year, RBI put the book value of its Polish business at about 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 billion). The shares in Raiffeisen Polbank will be offered only to institutional investors. Book building is to start on Thursday and last until July 6, when the share price is also to be published, the prospectus showed. The shares are to debut on the Warsaw bourse about July 19. RBI is going ahead with the IPO under pressure from the Polish financial regulator KNF which has forced the Austrian lender to deliver on a pledge to list Raiffeisen Bank Polska on the Warsaw bourse. RBI had previously managed to convince KNF to allow the IPO to be postponed by a year until June 30, 2017. Earlier this year RBI wanted to further delay the deadline but the KNF disagreed. An eventual listing was a condition attached to clearance of the initial acquisition. Raiffeisen agreed to pay 490 million euros for a 70 percent stake in Polbank in 2011. Since buying Polbank and merging it with its local operations, the profitability of Raiffeisen's Polish banking unit, now Poland's 10th lender by assets, has worsened, party due to a bank asset tax introduced last year, analysts said. RBI had negotiated a potential sale of Raiffeisen Polbank to Poland's state-run Alior Bank , but the talks were terminated last year. Seeking to make the IPO more attractive, Raiffeisen Polbank this year began a cost-cutting plan including layoffs and branch closures. The prospectus lists a number of reasons why the IPO could be terminated after the start of book building, including a sudden and unexpected change in Poland's economic situation and unsatisfactory demand for the shares offered or their price. RBI will also sign a deal with Citigroup Global Markets Limited that will oblige the latter under certain conditions to buy Raiffeisen Polbank shares that would not be purchased by institutional investors, the prospectus also showed. ($1 = 0.8760 euros) (Reporting by Marcin Goettig in WARSAW, additional reporting by Francois Murphy in VIENNA) * Vietnam H1 coffee exports drop 15.5 pct y/y to 829,000 T * Rice shipments climb 13.5 pct to 2.96 mln T * Crude oil exports up 10.1 pct at 3.9 mln T (Add detail) By Mai Nguyen HANOI, June 29 (Reuters) - Coffee exports from Vietnam, the world's largest producer of the robusta bean, will drop an esimated 15.5 percent in the first half of this year from the same period in 2016, the government said on Thursday. Coffee shipments were estimated at 829,000 tonnes (13.8 million 60-kg bags) in the first-half, with exports in June seen at 120,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, first-half rice exports from the world's third-largest shipper of the grain, were forecast to climb 13.5 percent to 2.96 million tonnes. Revenue from rice exports was seen rising nearly 12 percent year-on-year to $1.31 billion. Elsewhere, Vietnam's H1 January-June crude oil exports rose 10.1 percent year-on-year to an estimated 3.9 million tonnes, or 158,000 barrels per day (bpd). Crude oil export revenue in the six-month period rose 39.2 percent to $1.56 billion. Oil product imports increased 1.7 percent to an estimated 6.5 million tonnes, while the value of the imports jumped 31.4 percent to $3.35 billion. Vietnam's liquefied petroleum gas imports during the period increased 5.2 percent from a year earlier to 638,000 tonnes. (Reporting by Mai Nguyen; Editing by Joseph Radford) The Guardian reports: Colombias Farc rebels, who once terrorized the country with kidnaps, killings and attacks on towns, have ended half a century of armed insurgency at low-key ceremony in which the United Nations certified that more than 7,000 guerrillas had turned over their weapons. Farewell to arms, farewell to war, welcome to peace, said the Farcs top leader Rodrigo Londono, to a cheering crowd of former combatants at the ceremony in Mesetas, a mountainous area in south-eastern Colombia. Today doesnt end the existence of the Farc; it ends our armed struggle, said Londono, best known by his nom de guerre Timochenko. The Farc plan to launch a legal political party in August. Today is a special day, the day when weapons are exchanged for words, said President Juan Manuel Santos, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace prize for his efforts to secure a deal with the Farc to end their part in a 53-year armed conflict that has left an estimated 250,000 dead, tens of thousands of people missing and forced millions from their home. The defense team of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who is implicated in high treason, will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the breach of his right to defense, the Aver Lex bar association said with reference to lawyer Vitaly Serdiuk. "In the course of today's hearing, the court recessed to the chambers to decide whether the reason for Viktor Yanukovych's non-appearance in the courtroom was valid. It [the court] however returned with a ready decision to hear the high treason case 'in absentia', which would strip the defense of the right to raise objections and to present other evidence of the impossibility and illegality of this procedure. Besides, we would like to draw your attention to the unwillingness to hear not only the testimony of Viktor Yanukovych but also to his defense and witnesses," Aver Lex quoted Serdiuk as saying. The fact that the court is in such a hurry and breaches the right to defense and the principle of adversary trial, guaranteed by the Ukrainian Criminal Procedure Code and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, is proof of the authorities' pressure on the judges, the defense said. 'The primary motivation behind the trial 'in absentia' is the attempt to deny Viktor Yanukovych a chance to question the incumbent leaders of the country about the events which happened in February-March 2014, which he demanded earlier," Serdiuk said. The Obolonsky District Court of Kyiv decided on Thursday to hear the case of former Ukrainian President Yanukovych on the counts of high treason and some other crimes in a special proceeding (in absentia). The panel of judges made the decision at the request of the Military Prosecutor's Office. KYIV. June 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) Private enforcers could start operating and enter the market within one month, Deputy Justice Minister Serhiy Shkliar has said. "In the near term we will issue the certificates to them. Then we should see that they insured their responsibility and they have offices and they meet the requirements set by the Justice Ministry. Then we will place information about them to the register of private enforcers and they could start working. This will happen in the near future, I think in a couple of weeks or a month," he said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine. Shkliar said that at present 630 private enforcers have graduated. The next flow of students will start training this autumn. He said that the Justice Ministry had expected that demand on this profession would be higher. Shkliar believes that the Association of Private Enforcers foreseen in Ukrainian law would be created by the end of this year or early 2018. "The law says that the association of private enforcers with mandatory membership will be created. It will gradually take qualification, disciplinary and some other functions from the Justice Ministry. We would not delay the creation of the association. We will start this year, maybe, we will finish this year or early next year," he said. Shkliar also expressed confidence that all private enforcers can start advertising their services and would have work, as at present the public enforcement service is overloaded with work. "I think many applicants would be interested in coming to private enforcers. I think that first of all these will be banks and large private companies," he said. The deputy minister said that currently there are no delays with paying remuneration to public enforcers. "The remuneration is paid on time. When the reform only started the payments were delayed, as there were difficulties with the register. Now everything has stabilized. The remuneration is paid in the reasonable time a week or two," he said. Real The boss of a criminal organization, Jang Tae-young (Kim Soo-hyun) is about to open the biggest casino in Asia. However, Jo Won-geun, the kingpin of criminal underworld suddenly appears and claims ownership of the casino. Meanwhile, a mysterious man who looks exactly same as Tae-young turns up and offers to help solve the conflict. Directed by Lee Sa_rang. Anarchist from Colony After the great Kanto Earthquake, 6,000 innocent Koreans are killed in a massacre. In order to draw people's attention away from the brutal incident, the Japanese governments falsely accuses a Korean man, Park Yeol (Lee Je-hoon) for attempting to murder the Japanese emperor. Park stands against such circumstance with courage and wit. Directed by Lee Joon_ik. Okja Mija (Ahn Seo-hyun), a little girl living in a mountainous area of South Korea, has been a caretaker and companion of a massive animal, Okja. One day, a multinational conglomerate Mirando takes Okja to New York, planning to use it in a secrete project. To bring her best friend back home, Mija begins a difficult Journey. Directed by Bong Joon-ho. Dancing with Jikji This documentary film depicts a journey to shed a light on historical secrets regarding jikji, world's first document printed with movable metal type, which was invented in 14th Century Korea. To collect information, the production crew travels from France, where jikji is currently housed, to seven cities in Europe including The Vatican. Directed by Woo Kwang-hoon and David Redman. Transformers: The Last Knight To rebuild Cybertron, the destroyed home planet of the Transformers, Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, searches for an ancient artifact hidden in the Earth. In the process, an inevitable conflict occurs between humans and Transformers, and Optimus Prime has to stand against not only the humans but also his old colleague, Bumblebee. Directed by Michael Bay. By Jhoo Dong-chan Major Korean companies will invest $12.8 billion (14.6 trillion won) in the United States through 2021, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said Thursday. They have also decided to buy $22.4 billion worth of U.S. products, including liquefied natural and petroleum gas as well as passenger aircraft for additional air routes over the next five years. According to the KCCI, representatives of the nation's 52 major firms that joined President Moon Jae-in's visit to the United States decided to make big investments. "The mega investment plan includes building and expanding their production plants, and investing in R&D and M&A with companies in the U.S.," a KCCI official said. "The decision was made to ease any trade pressures including a renegotiation of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement and heavy antidumping tariffs on Korean exporters. It is expected to help ease the tension." They are also expected to carry out various R&D operations with U.S. companies in appliances, finance and energy. Samsung Electronics said it will build a home appliances manufacturing facility in Newberry, South Carolina. Samsung plans to spend $380 million on the project, for which Samsung and the U.S. State of South Carolina signed a letter of intent this week. It will be Samsung's first home appliances manufacturing facility in the U.S. Samsung also decided to invest $1.5 billion in its semiconductor plant in Austin, Texas. Hyundai Motor Group and its affiliates announced earlier this year they will invest $3.1 billion in the U.S. over the next five years. The nation's largest carmaker said it will develop eco-friendly and self-driving car technologies with the investment. LG Electronics also said in February that it will channel $250 million to build a home appliances production facility on 770,000 square meters of land in Tennessee. It will annually produce 1 million washing machines. Separate from its Tennessee plant, it will also invest another $300 million to build a new office building to accommodate its affiliates such as LG CNS and LG Household & Health Care. About 1,000 workers are expected to work there once it is completed. "By building plants in the U.S., Samsung and LG are expected to accelerate their localization strategy," the official said. "The decision will contribute greatly to enhancing their competitiveness in North America." SK said it will invest $4.4 billion in its energy business in the U.S. It develops shale gas-related technologies while producing liquefied natural gas in Oklahoma and Texas. SK also recently signed an MOU with Continental Resources, the largest gas producer in the U.S., to jointly undertake shale gas projects. By Jun Ji-hye Takashi Shinozuka, the Japanese consul general in Atlanta, has denied media reports that he described victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery as "paid prostitutes" during a recent interview with a local newspaper. However, the Reporter Newspapers disclosed the text of its interview with the Japanese diplomat, saying he did make such a remark. John Ernst, mayor of Brookhaven, a suburb of Atlanta, also reportedly said that Shinozuka's comments in the media reports were "consistent" with what he was told by the diplomat in private meetings. The reports triggered strong criticism from the international community as well as from the Korean government. During the interview with Reporter Newspapers, published June 23, Shinozuka said, "They were not sex slaves, and they were not taken by force," referring to those who were forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers before and during World War II. He said rather that the women were paid prostitutes, urging the Brookhaven City Council to reverse its decision to set up a comfort women memorial that honors the victims. After the interview was made public, Seoul's foreign ministry strongly denounced it Tuesday, saying it was "unbelievable" that the high-level Japanese diplomat made such improper comments. "The comments clearly run counter to the international community's common perception that Japan's wartime sexual slavery was a gross violation of human rights," said spokesman Cho June-hyuck. "If the media interview is accurate, we will take relevant steps through diplomatic channels." As the controversy has grown, Shinozuka denied having told Reporter Newspapers the victims were paid prostitutes, according to WABE, a local radio station in Atlanta, Wednesday. Consul Tomoko Ohyama, who was seated beside the consul general at their Buckhead office, told WABE: "He was trying to say that comfort women were not taken by force. Sometimes it's described as sexual slavery, but slavery means taken by force." In the full text disclosed by Reporter Newspapers, Shinozuka said, "Maybe you know that in Asian culture, in some countries, we have girls who decide to go and take this job to help their family." Brookhaven Mayor Ernst also told the media, "The first time we met, he said some of the women were prostitutes." By Yi Whan-woo China is refusing to join a three-way summit among the leaders of Korea, China and Japan in Tokyo next month, according to multiple Japanese newspapers, Thursday. Beijing's refusal will put the joint talks on hold indefinitely after a previous meeting took place in Seoul in November 2015. Citing Japanese officials, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Korea agreed with Japan's plan to host the summit in late July but China was unwilling to participate. The three countries initially agreed to hold the joint meeting every year in rotation. The Yomiuri Shimbun said the preparation for the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party is attributed to be the reason for Beijing's hesitancy in joining the trilateral summit. The congress will take place in the fall with a possible power reshuffle. The newspaper said China also may be reluctant to have the summit because of deteriorating ties between Seoul and Beijing over deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in Korea. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said China's refusal could be a strategy to press Korea on the occasion of the summit between Presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump, Friday. Diplomatic sources said Japan will try to come up with a new summit schedule after China's communist party congress concludes. The first three-way summit was held in 2008, and then every year until 2012, before being suspended for the next two years due to Japan's diplomatic row with Korea and China over historical and territorial issues. Korean residents cheer for President Moon Jae-in as they wait to greet him in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Wednesday. / Yonhap By Jane Han WASHINGTON Hundreds of Korean residents gathered in the U.S. capital Wednesday waving welcome signs, flags, banners and candles to greet South Korean President Moon Jae-in arriving for his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. "It is an honor and privilege to be one of the first to welcome our President here in the U.S.," said Lee Ki-chang, lead organizer of the welcome event in front of Blair House, the official guesthouse of the U.S. Moon will be staying at the exclusive guesthouse for the entire duration of his trip. His first stop in Washington was a new Korean War memorial at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, northern Virginia, before heading to Pennsylvania Avenue, where hundreds of Koreans, young and old, came together to express support for the President of their mother country. By Ned Forney Ned Forney He was born in 1953 at a refugee relocation center off the coast of his war-torn country. His childhood and adolescent years were filled with poverty. Despite constant struggles and hardships, he worked his way through high school and university and became a civil rights lawyer. And now, 67 years after his parents' escape from communism, Moon Jae-in, the son of North Korean refugees, is President of the Republic of Korea. In a much-anticipated five-day event, Moon Jae-in arrived in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, for his inaugural visit to the U.S. as head of state. His first stop was the National Museum of the Marine Corps. In a small approximately 50 attended and emotional ceremony, Moon laid a wreath at the newly constructed Chosin Reservoir Memorial and gave a heartfelt message of praise and gratitude for the Chosin Battle veterans and those who participated in the Hungnam Evacuation. The Battle of Chosin, a two-week-long succession of attacks and counterattacks in the winter of 1950, involved thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Chinese. During the battle, U.S. Marines and soldiers, trapped in the snow-covered mountains of North Korea, fought viciously to defend their positions. The Chinese, determined to annihilate them, fought just as hard. Against overwhelming odds, the Marines "attacked in another direction," making their way 70 miles to the coast to Hungnam where ships were waiting to take them to safety and freedom. / Captured from the Bangkok Post By Park Si-soo Thai police are investigating the death of a South Korean man at an apartment building in the beach resort of Pattaya early Wednesday. The man, whose name remains unknown, is said to have fallen to his death from the building's 37th floor about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. His body was reportedly found on the walkway to the swimming pool of the 42-story condominium in Soi Wong Amat, in Bang Lamung, according to the Bangkok Post, a local English daily. A condominium employee reportedly told police she heard what sounded like "something hitting the ground." According to police, the man, 40, checked in to the hotel on June 20 and was waiting for his wife from South Korea. He reportedly returned drunk to the condominium before the accident. Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae enters the court in southern Seoul, Thursday, one day after he partially accepted judges' calls for judicial reform. / Yonhap By Jung Min-ho Following the recent scandal of a "judge blacklist," Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae said he will allow judges across Korea to hold a regular congress as part of judicial reform The core part of the reform is expected to take some of the power away from the top judge, a post that wields enormous influence over personnel matters. Judge Seo Kyung-hwan at the Seoul High Court will lead a special reform committee, in which judges will discuss issues such as how much authority the congress should have and who to appoint as its members. Many judges hope that the congress will be an effective means of checking the top judge's power, which they believe seriously damages their autonomy in doing their jobs. "First, we should decide the nature of the congress, whether it should exercise some of the top judge's rights or just focus on checking his power," a committee member said. In a statement released Wednesday, Yang said he also believes his authority over personnel affairs should be dispersed. "I have always felt that judges should participate in judicial administration more actively and broadly, which will improve transparency and effectiveness," he said. "We all agree that we need dramatic reform that can overcome the limits of the current system." Under the Constitution to guarantee their independence, judges can keep their status for 10 years unless they commit a serious crime. But judges say it is not enough to guarantee their full independence because, after the term, the chief justice decides whether to keep them for another 10 years; and he can also wield great power over personnel matters without being checked by anyone. The chief justice also has the right to recommend Supreme Court justices and appoint three of the nine Constitutional Court justices. In the system, judges insist, they cannot be truly independent in making decisions, especially over politically important cases. After coming up with reform measures, the committee is expected to carry them forward to make laws in cooperation with the National Assembly. Yang also promised to reform the Office of Court Administration (OCA), which was accused of using the blacklist _ a document that allegedly contained judges' personal information such as their political inclinations _ to take unjust personnel actions. "In the wake of the scandal, I realized there was a growing dissatisfaction with the judicial administration," he said. "I will review the OCA's functions and composition to reform it." But he rejected their demand to reinvestigate the scandal, which was the trigger for reform. After the issue came to the fore, the Supreme Court formed a fact-finding committee, which closed the case in April without checking the computer suspected of having the blacklist file. "It is inappropriate to look at information on the computer without more specific evidence," Yang said. "Also, there must be documents produced by other judges, too I hope you understand the situation." By Choi Ha-young Cho Myoung-gyon The National Assembly endorsed Cho Myoung-gyon, the candidate for President Moon Jae-in's unification minister Thursday. The Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee rapidly adopted a joint report after its confirmation hearing on his strategy to break the inter-Korean deadlock. Cho said he will push for the resumption of operations at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC), if inter-Korean tension eases. "The GIC is a symbol of inter-Korean peace and rapprochement. It should definitely be resumed," said Cho, who helped create the complex in the early 2000s under then President Roh Moo-hyun. However, he said North Korea should first stop provocations. "If the North continues its provocations, the GIC won't be resumed. I'm not saying that the North should give up its nuclear program, but it should first show sincerity in moving toward denuclearization," he said. Cho emphasized the favorable effect of the GIC, a result of the inter-Korean summit of 2000. Last year, former President Park Geun-hye withdrew South Korean businesspeople from the complex to protest a nuclear test. "The complex functioned as a buffer zone between the two Koreas, both boasting about it to the international community," he said. The nominee touted the inter-Korean relationship initiative to make a breakthrough in the nuclear problem. "So far, inter-Korean relations have been downplayed. Efforts to go along with international society are important, but it should run parallel with the relationship between the Koreas," he said. Cho, who was involved in a landmark summit between President Roh and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2007, said he will seek inter-Korean talks, if the North steps forward toward a nuclear freeze. Conservative lawmakers incessantly asked the nominee questions about possible dissonance with the United States and international sanctions. They told Cho that a prerequisite should be Pyongyang's "complete abandonment of its nuclear and missile programs," but he refused to agree. "When North Korean nuclear issues start to be resolved, sanctions will be gradually eased which will facilitate the resumption of the GIC and the Mount Geumgang tourism project," he said. Cho also showed a favorable stance to reopening inter-Korean dialogue channels through special envoys and employing "track 1.5 diplomacy" with the North. He also echoed the Assembly's resolution to organize a family reunion for those separated since the 1950-53 Korean War, Aug. 15. During the administrations of the two conservative presidents, the Ministry of Unification was dubbed the "Ministry of anti-Unification" for its weak role. Asked about the strong points of the ministry compared to the Ministry of National Defense and the National Intelligence Service specializing in military affairs and espionage, respectively, he said: "The unification ministry is the sole organization that looks at how to achieve peaceful unification 24 hours a day." Education minister nominee grilled A separate parliamentary hearing was also held for Kim Sang-gon, the nominee for education minister. Opposition lawmakers blasted him for the lack of submitted materials. The largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) lawmakers attached a poster in protest of Kim's ethical lapses. Rep. Lee Eun-jae of the LKP claimed that 15 out of 49 academic papers written by the progressive scholar were plagiarized, and 65 pages out of 246 pages of his doctorate thesis were also plagiarized. Academic plagiarism is one of the five corruptive activities which Moon pledged to exclude when appointing high-ranking officials. The former professor denied the allegation citing the Seoul National University anti-plagiarism center. "According to the practices in 1992, it had some minor flaws but it wasn't plagiarism," he said. The former school superintendent of Gyeonggi Province was also cornered over alleged political bias. In a declaration made in 2005, he called for driving out the U.S. Forces in Korea and scrapping the ROK-U.S. alliance. "At that time as a professor teaching labor union members, I didn't review the terms carefully," Kim said. LKP lawmaker Lee Jang-woo labeled him as a "socialist." In response, Rep. Park Kyung-mee of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea filed a vigorous protest labeling the remark as "hate speech." Kim, a symbol of education reform, formulated President Moon's education pledges. In the hearing, he emphasized equality and democracy in the public education system. "I vow to resolve the polarization and privileges in education," he said. By Kim Bo-eun Around 30,000 to 40,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) will stage a walkout, Friday. The union members, ranging from irregular workers in the public sector, from cleaners to construction workers, will call for the minimum wage to be raised to 10,000 won ($8.8) and for irregular positions to be abolished in a rally at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. Sixteen organizations affiliated with the KCTU including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union and Civil Servant Union will hold rallies in locations in Seoul from noon, before gathering at the main event at Gwanghwamun at 3 p.m. "This strike is designed to call for an improved minimum wage, better working conditions and basic labor rights," Choi Jong-jin, acting chief of the umbrella union, said in a press conference, Wednesday. Irregular school workers will hold the second day of their two-day strike today. The KCTU will hold another rally on July 8, at Gwanghwamun Square, demanding the minimum wage be raised to 10,000 won and for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to be withdrawn. It will also call for the release of its chief Han Sang-kyun, who has been jailed for orchestrating a massive anti-government rally in 2015. In addition, they will raise the issue of the death of Baek Nam-ki, a farmer who died in a 2015 rally after being hit by police water cannon, asking for the punishment of those responsible. They will also demand the nullification of the sex slavery deal reached with Japan in December 2015. In response, the Korea Employers' Federation said in a statement, "A job committee has been launched and has begun ongoing negotiations to decide on the minimum wage. Given this, the KCTU strike can only be seen as sticking to old practices by pushing unilateral demands through force." By Kim Se-jeong Climate change is creating water scarcity around the world, and Korea is not an exception, especially considering inter-Korean relations. "If North Korea releases water from a dam, it can change the water course," said Ashok Swain, a professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in Sweden, during a lecture at the East Asia Foundation, a think-tank based in Seoul. His field of expertise is trans-boundary water conflict. In 2009, North Korea released water from a dam on the Imjin River that killed six South Koreans who were camping downstream. Thursday's lecture came as Korea is gripped by severe drought. The professor said South Korea is already a water stressed country. "It's not physical scarcity of water where there's no drinkable water, but Korea imports huge amounts of virtual water," the professor said. Virtual water refers to water used in industrial and agricultural production. The amount of virtual water one person uses in Korea is 1,179 cubic meters per year. Korea is the fifth largest virtual water importer, after Japan, Italy, England and Germany, he said. But Swain's classification doesn't sit well with some scholars and policy makers in Korea. They claim Korea has enough water. Korea's precipitation is not bad, but it is concentrated in the summer monsoon season, making conservation challenging. Exceptionally dry weather this year took many by surprise, and scientists said it will happen more often in the future. Swain said climate change puts water high on the national security agenda for many governments. The Mekong River is a prime example where China, upstream from Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia, is building more dams resulting in drought in these countries downstream. Making matter worse, China is refusing to communicate with the governments of the affected countries. The conflict between India and Pakistan is also serious, but the situation is better than it is with China and the aforementioned countries because India and Pakistan signed a water agreement recently. By Ku Yae-rin President Moon Jae-in's willingness to engage with North Korea comes as a breath of fresh air, especially following the failed diplomacy tactics of the two former administrations. It is wise of Moon to condemn North Korea for launching missiles soon after his inauguration, since this will show dialogue will be resumed only on the condition that North Korea stops its reckless provocations. Some compare Moon and former U.S. President Barack Obama, saying that they share many similarities. When it comes to security policies, however, their stances differ: Moon is much more proactive in denuclearizing North Korea. Obama's strategic patience was mainly concerned with waiting for the Kim Jong-un regime to give up its nuclear warheads and missiles, while urging China to put pressure on North Korea. As much as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson denies it, the Trump administration appears to have adopted much of Obama's policies. What sets aside Moon is that he understands the dilemma faced by the Kim Jong-un regime: Both options for unification and denuclearization serve as a threat to the survival of the regime. In almost every aspect, South Korea is superior to the North with double its population and a GDP more than 40 times that of Pyongyang. To top it off, Global Firepower (GFP) announced that South Korea's military power is ranked 9th, whereas the North is ranked 35th. At this rate, North Korea's decision to build its nuclear capacity seems almost rational. After all, realists say that anarchy is the ordering principle of the international system so why would the North trust any state. On the flipside, why would Kim and his high-ranking government officials welcome the idea of reunification when, clearly, all circumstances point to the likelihood of the North gobbled up by the South Korean government. Talks of reunification may even trigger Kim's regime to proliferate its nuclear weapons. Thus Moon proposed "peaceful coexistence" with an emphasis on the North's denuclearization a smart move that reads between the lines of all the major states involved in the debacle. Of course, the ultimate goal will be unification, but by then, at least the economic level of North Korea will be on a par with that of the South. Moon wants to bring back the Sunshine Policy, an effort from 1998 to 2008 to improve relations with North Korea through humanitarian assistance, diplomatic dialogue, cultural exchanges, and increased economic relations. He has proposed reopening the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and tourist destination jointly run by the two Koreas, as a first step towards gradual economic unification of the peninsula. Although Moon will not abandon the prominent status of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, he will not endorse a complete reliance on it. He is on point for acknowledging that it is for the best that South Korea takes the lead with the United States by its side in dealing with North Korea. In line with his self-determined and self-reliant strategy, he proposed an early recovery of wartime operational control of the South Korean military. Indeed, as long as the atmosphere surrounding North Korea is insecure, Kim will pursue his provocative measures in retaliation. As the saying goes, "it takes two hands to clap." A peace settlement can only be achieved when the goal is first set upon peaceful coexistence. Ku Yae-rin is a student at Kyung Hee University majoring in international relations. Write to realyepuda@hotmail.com Leaders need to build trust, form broad consensus President Moon Jae-in will leave for Washington today for his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. The summit will be an occasion for the two countries to reaffirm their steadfast alliance and determine its future course. The results of the summit could change the overall tone of their bilateral relations and affect the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. During a luncheon meeting with former Korean ambassadors to the U.S. Monday, Moon said he would focus on building friendship and trust with his American counterpart rather than trying to get tangible results over specific issues. Moon's comment indicates his resolve to make the first summit successful by highlighting the significance of the Seoul-Washington alliance. This might be desirable, considering the fear that the two leaders could show disharmony in the course of discussing specific issues. True, there are pending issues Moon and Trump should tackle through their summit. During his election campaign, President Moon Jae-in vowed to give top priority to rooting out irregularities in arms acquisition. That's undoubtedly because of people's deep mistrust of the military despite repeated promises by previous administrations. Needless to say, a person in charge must be free from corruption if he or she is to uproot such evil practices. So it is questionable whether Defense Minister nominee Song Young-moo is qualified as the first defense chief of the new administration. During a parliamentary confirmation hearing Wednesday, opposition lawmakers peppered the former chief of naval operations with acerbic questions. The most serious suspicion was that he received exceptionally high consulting fees while working as an adviser for Yulchon, a law firm, after leaving the Navy in 2008. He earned nearly 1 billion won from 2009 to 2011. Song also came under fire for receiving 240 million won in return for offering counseling to LIG Next 1, a local defense company. The nominee said he only counseled lawyers concerning military jargon and background. But opposition lawmakers raised suspicions that such high salaries must have been paid in return for lobbying efforts for defense contractors. Song admitted he was caught drunk driving during an annual Korea-U.S. exercise in 1991, but denied a cover-up suspicion. He avoided any penalty for the violation, spawning speculation that he took steps to hush it up. Lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea came to his defense, alleging that he led a successful operation during an inter-Korean naval clash in the West Sea in 1999. They also raised suspicions that there may have been a conspiracy to derail the new administration's defense reform by eliminating the retired admiral. The new defense minister has the task of overhauling the scandal-ridden military. It's doubtful if the public can trust him as a suitable figure for the top military job, given the raft of allegations including his cozy ties with defense contractors. There is skepticism even in the ruling camp about his qualifications. President Moon and his aides reportedly plan to appoint him after weighing public opinion. But their overblown adherence to Song might result in hurting the new government's commitment to reform. By Donald Kirk WASHINGTON The good news about President Moon Jae-in's summitry with President Donald Trump this week is they're talking as partners in the drive to end North Korea's nuclear program and bring about inter-Korean reconciliation. A major barrier to cooperation, however, is loose talk about a peace treaty or peace agreement that would formally "end" the 1950-53 Korean War more than six decades after the truce was signed at Panmunjeom. Sure, why not sign a treaty, say the deal's advocates, after which all sides will live happily and peacefully, no more "incidents." Actually, however, any such deal would please no one. The most severe flaw in all talk of a treaty is the North Korean refusal to accept South Korea as an equal partner or even a signatory. The logic here is that the South's Korean War president, Syngman Rhee, wanted no part of the armistice negotiated at Panmunjom something North Koreans always point out while dismissing the South. Rhee believed correctly that the armistice would legitimize the quasi-permanent division of the Korean peninsula, and he did not want one of his generals at the table with American, Chinese and North Korean generals as they hassled over a deal that no one would like. (General Paik Sun-yup, who had risen to four-star general in the war, describes the talks from his perspective as an observer in his memoir, "From Pusan to Panmunjeom.") By Oh Young-jin Chung Eui-yong Less than two months after his inauguration, President Moon Jae-in has faced a few diplomatic sticklers. One person has been involved in all of them the chief of the presidential National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong. Moon fought hard to get his foreign minister nominee, Kang Kyung-wha, confirmed by the National Assembly, but when there appeared no chance, he pressed ahead with the nation's first female foreign minister. A stylish former interpreter for the late President Kim Dae-jung with the habit of keeping her chin up, Kang has been the target of attacks for acts that are deemed unfit for a high office holder. It may not need much explaining why Chung is Moon's wrong-headed lieutenant. This was on the day after he was appointed when he was supposed to receive a briefing about the deployment status of a U.S. missile interceptor Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Then, pandemonium broke loose as his office alleged that the Ministry of National Defense had cheated on the deployment. An unusual probe was conducted to question the current Defense Minister Han Min-koo and Chung's predecessor Kim kwan-jin. Only a working-level three-star general was relieved; but the mystery remains. Han is a leftover from the previous government because his successor is held up in a confirmation process. Chung was sent to the United States to placate the ruffled feathers of President Donald Trump's administration as the situation made the U.S. an accomplice in the alleged THAAD smuggling. Chung, a career diplomat and one-term lawmaker, showed his lack of finesse when he came back to talk about the "understanding" expressed by a senior Trump official about the "SNAFU." He had obviously taken it as U.S. consent for the delayed deployment. But the atmosphere in Washington quickly got frosty as Trump and politicians, both Democratic and Republican, went up in arms over Korea's stance on THAAD. THAAD came back when the President said that he still didn't understand how the deployment was accelerated during a pre-summit interview. As national security adviser, getting to the bottom of the issue was Chung's job. He apparently has failed. Theories abound. One is that Chung jumped to the conclusion that the previous government tried to cheat, while taking stock of the deployment. Another is that the probe failed to find a clear answer. What is still puzzling is that Moon has been kept in the dark. This can make short work of the Moon-Trump summit, where THAAD is emerging as a make-or-break issue. By Kang Seung-woo The government will spend 1.52 trillion won ($1.33 billion) next year on research and development (R&D) to brace for the Fourth Industrial Revolution including artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving technology and the internet of things (IoT), the science ministry said Thursday. In addition, 932 billion won will be invested into creating more R&D jobs. The decision was made at the National Science and Technology Council, presided over by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon at the government complex in Seoul. According to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the government's R&D plan for the industrial trend has been divided into five categories -- basic science; key technology; generic technology; fusion technology; and law and policy. The R&D budget is up 25.6 percent from this year's 1.21 trillion won. In line with the government's heavy focus on creating jobs, spending to increase employment in R&D for 2018 also saw a 19.9 percent gain from 777 billion won for this year. The government will raise the budget for basic research and infrastructure foundation from 1.5 trillion won to 1.8 trillion won, including 52.5 billion won for young researchers. In a bid to support the government's new program for dementia patients, 87.7 billion won will be spent on the study to improve the national welfare -- up 48.1 percent from 59.2 billion won in 2017. Following President Moon Jae-in's pledge to implement measures to protect smaller firms from malpractice by conglomerates and help them increase their competitiveness, the government will allocate 1.69 trillion won. The Moon administration plans to launch a new ministry for smaller companies and venture companies -- one of the President's primary electoral pledges. By contrast, the budget for the government's other R&D projects remained nearly unchanged with a mere 1.3 percent growth due to the concentration on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which requires a budget adjustment in other fields. Meanwhile, the government plans to introduce an integrated support plan next year, under which a technology, an industry and a system that are interconnected with one another receive funding as a package. T'way Air CEO Jeong Hong-geun, center, speaks during a press conference at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Thursday. Jeong said the budget carrier will benchmark Air Asia, the world's largest low-cost carrier, by setting up subsidiaries in Japan, China and Vietnam. / Courtesy of T'way Air By Lee Hyo-sik T'way Air will benchmark Air Asia, the world's largest low-cost carrier (LCC), by setting up subsidiaries in Japan, China, Vietnam and other Asian countries to become a global carrier, the company chief said Thursday. CEO Jeong Hong-geun also told reporters that Korea's leading budget carrier, which serves passengers heading to destinations in Asia, will operate large-size planes such as Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s to fly to the United States and Europe from 2020. The carrier currently has a fleet of 20 Boeing 737-800 planes on 39 international routes, linking Korea with cities in eight countries. The company also plans to list itself on the bourse in the second half of 2018 to raise capital to improve its financial health and finance its expanding operations. "T'way is not what it used to be back in the early 2010s," Jeong said. "We had a hard time when we first entered the LCC market. But thanks to our dedicated employees, we began making money from 2013. We expect to achieve a record performance this year." He said the sales will reach 550 billion won ($482 million) in 2017, up from 383 billion won the previous year. Its operating profit is projected to climb to 50 billion won from 12.6 billion won in 2016. "However, the domestic LCC market is increasingly moving toward a saturation point. Besides the six budget carriers, several more are seeking to enter the market," the CEO said. "With Korea's shrinking population and other unfavorable conditions, we have reached a conclusion that we cannot survive by solely depending on the local market." To achieve sustainable growth, T'way will establish subsidiaries in Japan, China and Vietnam by following in the footsteps of Air Asia, Jeong said. Headquartered in Malaysia, Air Asia has set up units in Thailand, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries, becoming the world's largest budget carrier. "We would like to have T'way Japan or T'way Vietnam in the near future. Founding an extensive presence outside Korea is a must for our future," he said. To emerge as a global carrier, T'way also plans to lease large airplanes, most likely Boeing 777s, to launch long-haul flights linking Korea with destinations in the U.S. and Europe. "We plan to lease at least 10 full-size planes by 2025 to fly to Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Honolulu and other cities," the CEO said. "We do not intend to compete with Korean Air or Asiana Airlines. We believe that there is also demand for LCCs in the long-distance aviation market. We would like to serve that need." To bolster its corporate image and improve its financial soundness, T'way plans to list its shares on the local bourse in the latter half of the next year. "Our debt-to-equity ratio is about 700 percent but when we raise capital through initial public offering, the ratio will go down significantly. We would also like to secure funds to finance our growing operations," Jeong said. Charles Kaufman, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding in the Asia Pacific, speaks during a press conference at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Seoul, Thursday. DHL offers freight services to Korean companies looking to ship their products to Europe via railway. / Courtesy of DHL Global Forwarding By Lee Hyo-sik DHL, one of the world's largest logistics providers, has begun offering freight services to Korean manufacturers looking to ship their goods via a combination of sea and railway transport. In particular, domestic companies making automobiles, apparel, electronics and beverages can benefit from DHL's comprehensive Asia-Europe multimodal network, which makes it faster and cheaper to send products to Europe, the company said. In a press conference Thursday, Charles Kaufmann, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding in the Asia Pacific, said the company will provide Korean businesses with more flexible and efficient access to the nation's third-largest export market. DHL Global Forwarding is DLH's freight service unit. "First, shipments will be loaded onto our ferry services linking ports in Incheon and Busan to a range of major Chinese ports including Shanghai, Taicang and Lianyungang," Kaufmann said. "They will then travel via truck to major inland hubs in cities including Chengdu, Hefei, Suzhou and Xian for subsequent transport to Europe on DHL's rail services." The CEO also said Korean firms will gain access to DHL's Flexigateway service, which selects the optimal rail route for shipments based on available capacity and route speed at any given time, giving them clearly-defined transit times at the most efficient operating cost. "With Korea's exports to Europe growing at a robust pace over the past few years, exporters have a greater need for flexible and scalable freight services than ever before," Kaufmann said. "Given this, the nation should continue to invest in forging strong trade ties with Europe and secure the necessary transport infrastructure that sustains them. Our new offerings, such as Flexigateway, seek to streamline and stabilize the logistics process for Korean businesses of all sizes." He said DHL's Asia-Europe multimodal services include specialized systems for automobiles, apparel, electronics and beverage industries. "The Korean economy continues to rely heavily on value-added exports to grow, and reinforcing its existing trade partnerships will help it continue to weather global uncertainty," said Song Seok-pyo, managing director of DHL Global Forwarding Korea. "This new connection to our Asia-Europe multimodal network will not only improve the fundamentals of freight flexibility, cost and reliability for Korean businesses," Song said. "It will also directly address the unique needs of the nation's most crucial and well-regarded industries, giving them the confidence to pursue expansion overseas." Three inmates of the Texas County jail are charged with setting a fire in the jail on Monday evening. The fire caused an evacuation of part of the jail at a time when the Texas County sheriffs department was in the midst of a manhunt for an inmate who overpowered a deputy and fled in a prisoner transport van on Monday morning. Four of the 90 inmates in the jail were treated for smoke inhalation. Cody Stafford of Ava, Tearance Connors of Ava, and David Cook of Mountain Grove are each charged with first-degree arson for the fire, which started between 6 and 7 p.m. A judge set their new bonds at $400,000 each. In addition to the crimes for which they were in jail, an arson conviction could gain them another five to 15 years in prison. The probable cause statements against the inmates describe why theyre charged for the fire. A detective says surveillance cameras recorded what they did. Stafford is seen multiple times placing items in the corner by the toilet of Wing 4. Inmate Stafford is seen placing a blue in color mat and a jail blanket in the corner where the fire was started. Inmate Stafford is also seen throwing toilet paper onto the pile to be burned. . . . It should be known the items placed in the corner by inmate Stafford are the items that were set on fire by Inmate Connors, says the probable cause statement against Stafford. Inmate Connors is seen in Wing 4 by the toilet hiding behind the retaining wall. Inmate Connors is then observed walking into cell 43 momentarily then out into the common area. Flames are then observed coming from where inmate Connors was observed behind the retaining wall. It should be noted that from the time inmate Connors left that area no other inmate is seen near that location. The fire was set in the location inmate Connors was observed and forced an evacuation of the wing and also caused 4 inmates to have to seek medical attention for possible smoke inhalation. Inmate Connors stated that he did set the fire and that he was told to by other inmates but refused to give any further information on the subject other than who gave him the lighter and what he done with the lighter after he set the fire, says the probable cause statement against Connors. Inmate David Cook is seen on cameras placing items in a corner behind a retaining wall near the Wing 4 toilet to be burned. Inmate Cook placed a blue mat on a pile that other inmates had also placed items to be burned. Inmate Cook also advised the inmate who set the fire where the lighter was and also admitted to being the one who brought the lighter into the Texas County Jail. The fire that was set caused several inmates to have to be seen by a nurse and at the time of the fire 90 inmates were present in the Texas County Jail, says the probable cause statement against Cook. Pakistani Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, attended the 11th Annual Meeting of New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, in Dalian, China, from 27 to 28 June 2017. Speaking at the event on the global implications of China's One Belt, One Road (OBOR), Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said that the Chinese vision for the OBOR has correctly focused on connectivity in order to reach a higher plane of human development across the world. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the OBOR, which has turned an idea into a $50 billion plus portfolio within a span of two years, the Minister said, and would bring together the growth engines of South Asia, China and Central Asia, thereby leading to tangible economic benefits to three billion people of the region. He said, CPEC is bringing much-needed investment into energy and infrastructure sectors, which had become investment starved and bottlenecks for faster growth. The investments are going to under-developed areas and connecting hinterlands with coastal areas. It is creating opportunities for sustained growth by breaking cycles of poverty and under development. In response to a question, the Minister said that Pakistan's macroeconomic indicators had witnessed across-the-board improvement in recent years. Budget deficit has been cut from 9% of GDP to less than 4.5%, foreign reserves have doubled, GDP growth is at highest level in ten years. This fact has been noted by international financial institutions and is evidenced by increasing foreign investment in Pakistan, both from China and other countries. Investors are finding it impossible to overlook Pakistan's 200 million population-market, with 60-80 million growing class of affluent consumers, and the Government's business-friendly policies, he said. The Minister said that while Pakistan initially faced some challenges in facing coordination, knowledge and human resource gaps, which it had successfully overcome with the strong commitment of highest political leadership and support of all stakeholders of Pakistan's society. The increasingly visible success of the CPEC reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and China to the project's early and effective realization. The fruits of CPEC are beginning to deliver instant results with reduction in power shortages and providing connectivity between remote places and developed areas, bringing economic opportunities for people. Pakistani Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Separately, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal also addressed a gathering titled New Roads to Globalization alongside senior representatives of the governments of Russia, Singapore and Moldova, as well as leading figures from international financial institutions and the private sector. Historic ties of north Meck span throughout region Though the north Mecklenburg area didnt see significant population growth until a few decades ago, its rich history dates back to the Revolutionary War. That was the basis of... An easier-than-expected first mammogram experience HUNTERSVILLE Scheduling a cancer screening probably ranks somewhere on your to-do list between "clean out the garage" and "donate those clothes that don't fit." Sure, you'll get to it at... Cairo is jazz: All contrapuntal influences jostling for attention, occasionally brilliant solos standing high above the steady rhythm of the street. Perhaps, but Cairo is also where Egyptian liberals recently found themselves lodged between the theocratic-minded Muslim Brotherhood and the power-hungry Egyptian military. In a way, it was their beloved Cairo (Umm al-Dunya, or mother of the world in Arabic) that disabused them of their peculiarly noble hubris. Consider the sobering title of Omar Robert Hamiltons debut novel: The City Always Wins. Hamiltons story portrays the street turmoil that followed dictator Hosni Mubaraks ouster in early 2011 and provides a peek into the minds of a group of left-liberal youth. Real-life Egyptian blogger and activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who has languished in jail since 2015 for organizing an illegal protest and assaulting a policeman, is Hamiltons cousin, and Egyptian British writer Ahdaf Soueif is his mother. As a documentary-like portrait, The City Always Wins is an intermittently revealing literary work by a fiercely engage writer. But with underdeveloped and for the most part interchangeable characters, the book fails as imaginative fiction. Advertisement Khalil, an American of Palestinian Egyptian parentage who narrates the third and final sections of the book, and his girlfriend, Mariam, form the backbone of tiny, do-it-yourself online media outfit Chaos, which reports on abuses perpetrated by the security services and the military. They come close to qualifying as protagonists of this novel. Close, but not quite; Hamilton prefers to use their activism as a means to facilitate the telling of other peoples stories. The people in question are victims of the notoriously repressive Egyptian police and the sometimes trigger-happy army (the novel opens with the latter gunning down over two dozen Coptic Christian protesters in Maspero). Mubarak is gone, but the fear is that remnants of his regime in these sectors will stymie Egypts transition to democracy. Part 1 relentlessly assaults the readers senses with a series of staccato vignettes depicting one outrage after another including some, such as sexual harassment of women, committed by otherwise ordinary Egyptian men. Forged in the crucible of a revolutionary movement that has now failed, their romance stands little chance of sustaining itself. The books middle section coincides with the autocratic and Islamist turn of newly elected President Mohamed Morsi (a former high-ranking member of the Muslim Brotherhood), and maintains much the same approach. To his credit, however, Hamilton provides a glimpse into the relationship between the couple ostensibly at the storys center. Mariam, who lives with Khalil despite not being married to him (a rarity in Egypt), takes her beau to meet her parents, who are understandably worried about their activism. The two have no intention of easing up. With the armys removal of the polarizing Morsi, Egypt segues from Islamization to militarization, and democracy advocates face a new adversary. Many people support the coup and its leader, a general named Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. They arent dissuaded by the armys massacre of hundreds of protesting Brotherhood members and supporters in Rabaa al-Adawiya. Hamilton deftly captures the mainstream Egyptian medias complicity in whipping up a pro-military frenzy, as with the brouhaha over the armys supposed invention of a cure for AIDS by means of a taser that, when fired, zaps it out of your system. (Too bad it doesnt cure stupidity.) Following a controversial election in 2014, El-Sisi becomes president. You have a peaceful revolution to topple a dictator, Khalil fumes, but to have a peaceful transition you need elections and the only people with the resources and networks to win the elections are ex-dictators and dictators-in-waiting. Part 3, in which all this takes place, proves the most personal in tone. Hamilton lays bare Khalils interiority through his rapid stream-of-consciousness narration. At one point, referring to the now-jailed Alaa Abd El-Fattah, Khalil laments, Alaa, it was only yesterday that all of Cairo shook with your name and your face flew on banners from Oakland to Manila. Only yesterday that you marched into the military court to denounce it before the captivated audiences of the world. Yet even here politics comes to hold sway. As the new Egypt begins increasingly to recall the Mubarak era, many once-hopeful Egyptians experience their umpteenth year of roiling discontent. So consequential is this that it impinges on Khalil and Mariams relationship. Forged in the crucible of a revolutionary movement that has now failed, their romance stands little chance of sustaining itself. We are nothing now but the reminder of our loss, concludes a resigned, defeatist Khalil. To the disturbingly cynical Hamilton, politics is everything; love ignites and sputters out in time with the political realities of the day. Al-Shawaf is a writer and book critic in Beirut. The City Always Wins Omar Robert Hamilton MCD: 320 pages, $26. With Blue Aprons initial public offering in full swing, the meal delivery start-up is finding out there is some appetite for its stock but investors arent slavering for it. The 5-year-old company, which sends customers a weekly box of recipes and accompanying ingredients, saw its shares rise 3.5% Thursday to $10.35 in the hours after its debut on the New York Stock Exchange. But Blue Apron Holdings Inc. faces an increasingly competitive market: Besides other cook-it-yourself start-ups, there also are meal delivery kits that involve only microwaving and an explosion of restaurant delivery apps; huge companies such as Amazon.com also are eyeing the space. Advertisement In a troubling sign, Blue Apron slashed its IPO price Wednesday to $10 a share, significantly lower than its original estimate of $15 to $17 a share. Blue Apron raised $300 million with the offering, selling 30 million shares of Class A stock at the $10 price well below the amount it had hoped to raise. The sharply lower price indicated that investors have heightened concerns about how Blue Apron, which reported nearly $800 million in revenue last year but is unprofitable, will fare in the fast-changing market for food shopping. The competition for stomach share is fierce, said Aaron Turner, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. The onus on Blue Apron after they go public is to maintain their user growth, but to do so in a cost-efficient manner. And sometimes that can prove challenging. Blue Apron also has to contend with fickle customers, many of them millennials. Joshua Lawton-Belous first tried Blue Apron two years ago when he and his wife wanted to save time on grocery shopping. It was delicious, he said. Blue Aprons meals also allowed them to try new dishes, and I loved the idea that I didnt need to go out and buy huge amounts of spices for one meal, said Lawton-Belous, 33, who lives in Austin, Texas. But after five months, the couple stopped ordering. I dont want to spend 50 minutes cooking anymore when I could just go to a restaurant or go to Whole Foods, he said. Whole Foods might become an even more appealing choice for shoppers now that online giant Amazon.com has agreed to buy the upscale grocery chain for $13.7 billion. With consumers already pressing for healthier foods and more convenient service, theres widespread speculation that Amazon will use Whole Foods as a springboard for expanding its grocery delivery efforts and altering the food-shopping landscape overall at an affordable price. Customer retention is one of the biggest challenges for Blue Apron. More than half of meal-kit subscribers in general cancel their subscriptions within the first six months, CNBC reported last month, citing data from the purchase-analytics firm Cardlytics. Even so, it would be a mistake for investors to dismiss meal-kit delivery services in part because their customers are often some of the most lucrative and influential customers for traditional grocers, specialty grocers and restaurants, the research firm Morningstar said in an April report. Thats also why Morningstar said that after Blue Aprons IPO, it expects grocers to target a number of other leading meal-kit services as acquisitions. Blue Apron sold 30 million shares of Class A stock under the ticker symbol APRN. The initial share price gave the company an overall market value of about $1.87 billion. The company also has Class B stock with super-voting rights held by the companys founders, management and major investors, who together still control about 98% of the voting power at Blue Apron, according to the companys stock-registration filing. Matthew Salzberg, the CEO of the meal delivery company Blue Apron, watches during the companys initial public offering on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. (JUSTIN LANE / EPA) They include its chief executive, 33-year-old Matthew Salzberg, a former venture capitalist who holds nearly 30% of the voting power. The company was founded by Salzberg, Chief Operating Officer Matthew Wadiak and chief technology officer Ilia Papas. In its filing, Blue Apron said it averaged 1.04 million customers in the quarter that ended March 31, up from 213,000 two years earlier. The customers average order totaled $57.23 in the quarter, slightly below the $57.77 average as of March 2015. Blue Aprons revenue totaled $795.4 million last year, up from $77.8 million in 2014, but it also lost a combined $132.7 million over those three years, including a $54.9-million loss last year. One reason for the losses is that Blue Aprons spending on marketing soared in that period, to $144 million last year. The heavy marketing spending, along with Blue Aprons promotional discounts for new subscriptions, is needed partly to attract enough new customers to offset cancellations. But those who stick with the program appear to like it; Blue Apron said 92% of its first-quarter revenue this year was generated from repeat orders. Everything comes to me pre-measured, and I love that, said Celeste Sales, 48, a human resources director in Truckee, Calif., and a Blue Apron customer for two years. Sales said she now goes to the grocery store only about once every three weeks. Blue Apron provides original recipes that customers choose either on the companys website or mobile app. Its offerings Wednesday included a bulgogi beef and soba noodle stir-fry with marinated vegetables, a seared chicken and pasta salad and a fresh basil fettuccine. The firm also sells a variety of wines. While you do have to do work you do have to prepare, you do have to clean theyre saving you time in the store and theyre saving you stress of what to make for dinner, said Darren Seifer, a food and beverage analyst at the research firm NPD Group. But the meal kits relatively high prices also are one reason consumers are leaving these services, he said. To prove their value and prove that its worth the price, these companies are going to have to step up their game, Seifer said. Blue Apron has nothing to prove to Pamela Castellana of Melbourne, Fla., who said she received a free month of Blue Apron as a birthday gift from her daughter about 18 months ago and was instantly hooked. The food that comes is so fresh and so good, said the Mary Kay Cosmetics sales director. Its just the right amount of food. Castellana, 55, also praised Blue Aprons customer service, saying the firm has always responded to emails within an hour about missing ingredients or food that wasnt extremely fresh, and given her $10 worth of credit. One time, when her box was mistakenly delivered three doors away, Blue Apron gave her a full weeks worth of credit. Castellana said that, for her and her husband, were lifers. james.peltz@latimes.com Twitter: @PeltzLATimes ALSO Foxs pursuit of European pay-TV giant Sky hits a new roadblock AMC is giving Comcast subscribers the option to watch The Walking Dead ad-free for a price Walgreens ends years-long attempt to buy Rite Aid UPDATES: 9:35 a.m.: This article was updated with Blue Apron shares early trading information. This article was originally published at 6:55 a.m. Salim Neino had been waiting for something like WannaCry. Fast, indiscriminate and disruptive, the computer infection locked up computers in British hospitals and was spreading across the world when Neinos company Kryptos Logic stepped into the ring. One of his researchers found a so-called kill switch in the WannaCry code and pounced. We put it in a triangle choke! joked Neino, a mixed-martial-arts fan. Not bad for a 33-year-old Lawndale native and Cal State Long Beach grad, who co-founded Kryptos eight years ago with $120,000. Advertisement The mid-May episode thrust the small Los Angeles cybersecurity company onto a world stage. At the same time, it has opened a new era of broad-scale ransomware attacks a fact driven home this week when a second worm, exploiting the same methods as WannaCry, briefly seized computers worldwide again, this time hitting oil, electric and shipping operations. Neino has been quick to capitalize on the business opportunities from his new prominence. But he has also tried to use this status as ransomware wrangler to push for policy changes measures he says are needed to cope with this new landscape of cyber-mayhem. Testifying before Congress between attacks, Neino spelled out his proposal for a cybersecurity Richter scale a triage system to help the public prioritize threats and warned lawmakers against underrating the peril. With WannaCry, and Tuesdays reprise of it, the world got off easy, he insisted: They had the bomb, they didnt have the GPS. Up until last month, Kryptos was just another little-known boutique cybersecurity company operating, as much as possible, in stealth mode, Neino said. It does no marketing, employs no sales force and its workers guard their anonymity. The reason is that revenge hackers commonly target cybersecurity companies. Genial, earnest and still fit from his wrestling days, Neino is the son of a Jordanian immigrant father and a Mexican American mother from Montebello. His father came to L.A. as a young man with no English but talent enough to rise in the regions aerospace industry. Neino was raised speaking Arabic and Spanish, but he cant remember either language now. Maybe code took over that brain space, he said. He got his start as a self-taught teenage programmer, landed his first computer job at age 15, and became after a sister the second person in his family to go to college. The background, he said, is typical of Angelenos his age raised by aerospace workers to whom cyber-tinkering came naturally. After a few years as an independent cybersecurity specialist, Neino co-founded Kryptos while still in his twenties with friends-and-family seed money, and has used its revenue to expand ever since. At first, Kryptos struggled. Neino could show potential clients that they had been hacked, but he couldnt convince them to care. The problem is rife in cybersecurity, a vast but fuzzily defined industry sector worth perhaps hundreds of billions of dollars in the near future if only its purveyors could explain what its for. People who are good at cybersecurity tend to speak in jargon; people who arent good at cybersecurity cant understand them. Meanwhile, the fire hose of botnets and malware gushing through the Internet these days leaves victims feeling helpless. Throngs of companies peddle a mishmash of remedies gadgets, software and services, in various combinations. Then, on a lark, Neino joined a team that competed at the 2011 Defcon 19 hacking contest in Las Vegas and won a coveted Black Badge, a tchotchke shaped like a skull, almost actual size, designed to hang around the neck. The boost to Kryptos reputation brought new clients and lucrative contracts. Today, privately held Kryptos has about 25 employees nearly all engineers spread out across the U.S. and Europe, nearly all male, many with self-taught hacking skills and annual revenue in the tens of millions. Its young CEO has traded blue-collar Lawndale for an ocean-view home. The Black Badge is on display in his office. The company gathers information about who is trying to hack its clients and why. Then it helps them decide how to fight back. Day to day, its researchers spend their time reporting on malware to subscribers, and tracking the tens of thousands of new malware codes that surface daily on the Web. In essence, they operate like zoologists in the field: They detect malicious sequences by the signals they emit, catalog them and try to lure them into simulated targets so they can be dissected. This is what Marcus Hutchins, a Kryptos researcher based in the town of Ilfracombe on the Bristol Channel in Southwest England, would have been doing on the morning of May 12 if he hadnt been on vacation. Neino was too on his way to Italy for a long-planned vacation with his wife. Neino had hired Hutchins last year after coming across his blog. An unemployed computer hobbyist and surfer, Hutchins impressed Neino with his skill and ethics. Despite his youth Hutchins is 22 Neino hired him to run one of his divisions. Fortunately for Kryptos and for unpatched Windows systems everywhere Hutchins hadnt gone far from home. As computers in Britain hospitals locked up and companies in Europe started to report problems, Hutchins conferred with Neino, who was in a hotel in Munich, Germany, on his way to catch his plane to Venice, Italy. Hutchins began analyzing samples of the malware code, sharing information via Twitter with other cyber researchers. WannaCry is a self-replicating worm that attacks a basic file-sharing protocol on older Windows operating systems. If successfully loaded, the ransomware spreads to any connected vulnerable terminal, locking files and demanding, in slightly broken English, $300 to $600 ransom to release them. A programer shows a sample of a ransomware cyberattack on a laptop in Taipei, Taiwan, 13 May, 2017. (RITCHIE B. TONGO / EPA) The worm exploits a vulnerability embedded in the very bones of the worlds most popular operating system. The code used in WannaCry, which can crack Windows systems, was stolen from the U.S. National Security Agency and shared on the Internet. Like many in his industry, Neino knew that it was only a matter of time before ordinary bandits or terrorists put these military-grade spy tools to work. WannaCry, he realized, signaled that the moment had arrived. From now on, he thought, vast sophisticated hacks, once limited to nation states, would be in reach of just about anyone. Neino learned that Hutchins had found an unregistered domain to which WannaCry sent a signal prior to loading. Neither of them knew what it was for. But it was up for grabs. Neino told Hutchins to use best judgment and headed to the airport. By the time Neino got there, Hutchins had registered the domain, effectively throwing Kryptos servers into the path of the oncoming attack. To both mens surprise, the domain functioned as a kill switch and stopped WannaCry from loading the ransom note in all subsequent infections. With Kyptos controlling the domain, each new WannaCry infection produced a ping on its servers. So a stream of data was pouring in as the attack now toothless spread across the globe. Neino couldnt log into Kryptos to see for himself because he had no secure connection and his plane was leaving. He flew over the Alps, two worries gnawing at him. One was for Hutchins safety. Because of blanket media coverage, Neino feared that Hutchins would be exposed and hackers would retaliate against him. The other was for Kryptos servers. Because the company had essentially inserted itself into WannaCrys protocol, Neino knew that law enforcement agencies might mistake the company for a source of the attack and seek to shut down its servers. That could inadvertently unleash the malware again. Online again at last in his Venice hotel, he checked the dashboard, where tens of thousands of WannaCrys pings were piling up. He didnt have time to marvel. Kryptos was under siege. Hutchins was being hounded. The story of the youthful hero who saved humanity from the worlds biggest ransomware attack proved irresistible to aggressive British tabloids. At the same time, hackers were attacking Kryptos. As soon as word of the kill switch got out, a barrage of denial-of-service attacks were directed at the companys servers worldwide. This devilish flood of malicious botnets and copycat hacks was the companys reward for stopping the worm, Neino said. He called some of the attackers bandwagon jumpers and said they probably just wanted to be pesky. But others were clearly trying to take down the switch, he said a serious threat. Already, just as Neino had feared, two of Kryptos servers had been mistakenly shut down by authorities in France, a common cyber friendly-fire mishap. His engineers pulled all-nighters. Neino spent his 10-day vacation hunched over his laptop in the hotel room, talking to security agencies, assuaging the media, managing his researchers and maintaining the kill switch. His wife made sure that he didnt forget to eat. Attacks on Kryptos have continued for weeks. One recent botnet aimed at the company appeared to be coming from thousands of Russian routers, Neino said. To the outside world, WannaCry quickly seemed overblown. One British publication suggested that it be renamed What-a-wimp. Its design was shoddy. Neino readily admits that Hutchins got lucky with the kill switch ransomware usually doesnt have such a feature and its not clear why this one did. Microsoft had patched a key vulnerability before the attack and subsequently released further patches, and Neino said the worm failed to load on most of the old Windows XP systems considered most vulnerable anyway. Moreover, very few people paid the bitcoin ransom, which has yet to be collected. But at Kryptos, where the kill switch remains permanently under guard we own this baby now, Neino said the picture is different. Neino said he has counted new WannaCry infections in the tens of millions infections that Hutchins quick action had rendered harmless. Kryptos has a list of every single person affected by WannaCry, he said. Among the would-be victims were major U.S. hospitals whose leaders may still have no idea, he told Congress. The brakes were fully on. This was residual smoke from the tires, Neino said. Like WannaCry, Tuesdays ransomware attack centered in Ukraine also seemed to quickly fizzle. It used the same stolen NSA forced-entry tool, locked computers and demanded bitcoin ransom, with similarly poor results. But Neino said it spread even more quickly, infecting 2 million computers in the first hour. It also had the ability to steal credentials and gain access to even more machines. Most different of all, it had no kill switch. Instead, the attack seemed to shut down by itself, Neino said, with domains that hosted its payload quickly going dark. Using his data from WannaCry, Neino published a report late Tuesday arguing that this new worm had even greater destructive potential. By his own Richter scale measure, WannaCry might have rated a 7 and the new attack 7.2, said Neino, speaking as one raised in an earthquake zone. The pattern, suggests saber rattling, perhaps for a bigger event to come, he said. The day after the most recent attack, with theories swirling as to its purpose, Neino stressed a message that hed given Congress after WannaCry: Worry less about who did it, and more about the problems such attacks expose, he said. If you leave the door open would it really matter who has done it? he asked. They do it because they can. jill.leovy@latimes.com ALSO They predicted the WannaCry ransomware cyberattack, so how come few listened? Their code was used to hack Sony and create WannaCry. Meet the Lazarus Group, the armed robbers of the Internet Hackers break into centralized password manager OneLogin Q&A: Even homeowner associations are targets of hackers looking to profit off cybercrime The picture shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge under construction. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency) Hong Kong and Chinese mainland have evolved their relationship into one of comprehensive mutual support and interdependence from merely consanguineous and geographical ties. Their unprecedented intimate ties can be proven by close interaction between governments, communities, and people, as well as synergetic development of the economy, society and peoples livelihood. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) acts as an evidence of such ties. The bridge, which is expected to open to traffic at the end of 2017, will substantially improve the traffic between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. As the first transportation infrastructure project developed by the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, the HZMB is the worlds longest cross-sea bridge. It has created a series of miracles and firsts. For instance, the worlds only immersed tunnel was built during the construction. The bridge is the outcome of the close cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, and also a miniature of the joint efforts from both parties toward a better future. Land ports linking Shenzhen and Hong Kong serve as the best proof for the close personnel exchanges over the last two decades. Shenzhen ports saw only 61 million exits in 1997, and the number rose to 239 million in 2016. In addition, the time spent at the customs has been reduced to five minutes from several hours in the old days, and now it only takes three seconds for cross-border students to go through the customs via self-help procedures. The severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS) in 2003 created great fear in Hong Kong, causing 1,755 infections and 296 deaths. The unemployment in the SAR at one point soared to 8.7 percent. It was the mainland that helped Hong Kong get through the hardship, though the former itself was lacked of enough drugs and medical materials to fight the disease. Soon after it, the Individual Visitor Scheme for mainland tourists was introduced, followed by the signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. These actions have all saved the Hong Kong economy that had been trapped in extreme difficulties. After the major earthquake hit Wenchuan on May 12, 2008, more than 10 billion Hong Kong dollars was donated by 95% of Hong Kong citizens, and more than 2,000 Hong Kong people went to the stricken area for disaster relief. The prosperity of Wenchuan nowadays is inseparable from Hong Kongs assistance. The development of Hong Kongs financial market in the last 20 years presents an explicit picture of the regions cooperation with mainland as well. The value of Hong Kongs stock market increased nearly 8 times to 28 trillion yuan this year from 3.2 trillion yuan 20 years ago, and the number of listed companies exceeded 2,000, up from 619 in 1997. Besides, the number of listed China-funded enterprises in Hong Kong has risen from 83 to 1,013, making up 50.4 percentof those listed in the special administrative region and 63.7 percent of its total stock value. The cross-border investment program of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect was launched in December 2014, followed by the Mainland-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds which was introduced eight months later. Last December, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect was approved, while the trading platform Bond Connect officially came into service this May. Dramatic changes have happened to the stock market, said Li Xiaojia, chief executive of HKEX Group. We all know that Hong Kong is an international financial center, but it was only a regional one 20 years ago, Li said, adding that the one country, two systems is indeed the foundation for the prosperity of Hong Kongs financial market both in the past and future. On January 3, 2017, the then Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced that the special administrative region inked a cooperation agreement with the Shenzhen municipal government for common development and the building of a technology park. The largest innovation platform that Hong Kong has ever seen was built after that. Data showed that 95 percent of the live swine, 100 percent of live cattle, 100 percent of freshwater fish, 90 percent of vegetables, 70 percent of flour, 100 percent of natural gas and 99.9 percent of petroleum in the Hong Kong market are provided by the mainland. It indicated that the cooperation is not only about prosperity, but also about peoples basic needs. From 1997 to 2016, mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong increased from 2.36 million to 42.778 million, accounting for 76 percent of Hong Kongs total number of visitors. In the meantime, 81.06 million Hong Kong people traveled to the mainland in 2016, making up 59 percent of the latters inbound tourists. In addition to people-to-people bond, the exchange of needed goods also experienced a boom. The mainland and Hong Kong are both among the largest foreign investors and trade partners for each other. Hong Kong is mainland companies most preferred place to go public, and the mainland is Hong Kongs largest source of material supply and export market. Ten years ago today on June 29, 2007, iPhones went on sale to consumers for the first time. Steve Jobs had announced the groundbreaking device months earlier, in a notable address at that years MacWorld event. Heres the Times coverage of the first day of sales: Throngs of people packed up their lawn chairs, their laptops and their fortitude to be among the first in the country to buy the latest lusted-after electronic object from Apple Inc.: the iPhone. Apple considers the iPhone its biggest product launch since the Macintosh in 1984. The iPod portable music player, introduced in the weeks after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was a more subdued affair. But Apples venture into mobile phones has been greeted with the kind of fervor usually reserved for game-console debuts or hard-to-score concert tickets. Advertisement The Cupertino, Calif., company is trying to leverage the popularity of its iPod, of which it has sold 100 million, to break into the crowded yet lucrative cellular phone market. Theres nothing like coming here to see people excited about it, said Greg Joswiak, Apples vice president of iPod product marketing, grinning like a proud new parent as he surveyed the line of people waiting outside the Apple store at the Grove shopping center in Los Angeles. These are just normal people. Theyre not computer geeks. Theyre normal folks. Apple closed its 164 U.S. stores at 2 p.m. Friday to prepare for the sale of the iPhone, which began at 6 p.m. The lines began forming before dawn at the Grove, where one Mac devotee, Jonathan Mariano, 27, returned repeatedly to the Apple store throughout the night -- and was shooed away each time -- until 4 a.m., when security relented and let him stay. By midday, hundreds of people, all sheltered under donated blue umbrellas emblazoned with The Grove in big gold letters, formed a line that wound all the way down the center of the open-air malls main street and spilled out onto two side streets. We get big attendance like this for our tree-lighting ceremony and our summer concert series, said David Swift, marketing director for the Grove. I dont know if Ive seen big crowds of people like this for one item. It was like that at Apple stores around the country. In a scene evocative of the annual Rose Parade, people broke out their folding chairs and formed a line along Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena to wait for the Apple store to begin the sale. At the Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles, 150 people were sitting in lounge chairs and on sleeping bags, watching movies on their Mac computers, listening to their iPods and chatting with their neighbors in line about how many phones might be in the stores. For some, the event took on the significance of a cultural happening -- the equivalent of the dawning of the new millennium or the Human Be-In in Golden Gate Park that launched 1960s counterculture. The whole event has tremendous technological and popular culture significance, said Lincoln Gasking of Los Angeles, who waited at the Grove with his brother. You want to be part of events like this. Gasking said he was so frustrated with his old smart phone, the Treo, he planned to put it through a wood chipper, then upload the video to YouTube. Nate Clukey, 35, a pet sitter from Santa Monica, was the first in line at the Apple store in the Manhattan Village mall in Manhattan Beach. Mall security wouldnt permit a line to form until 6 a.m., but Clukey arrived at 3 a.m. and hid behind four large planters to avoid detection. I would do that again all night long, Clukey said. How many chances do you get to be like a ninja? Clukey, a veteran line-sitter who camped out for eight weeks before the opening of Star Wars episodes I, II and III, began charging the device in the store so it would be ready for an anime convention this weekend. In Northern California, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and his entourage held court on couches in front of the Apple store at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara. They had arrived at 4 a.m., when 75 people were outside asleep. Four with Segways, including Wozniak, persuaded the mall staff to let them in, and they tooled around the mall for a few hours. As a courtesy to the companys co-founder, the store let Wozniak be the first to buy the iPhone at the Santa Clara store, amid a cheering crowd that included Apple employees. I feel wonderful. Its exhilarating, said David Jackson, 51, an engineer at Cisco Systems Inc., who had waited since 6 p.m. Thursday. Man, that was cool. I was shaking at the counter. I couldnt even sign my name. One proud new iPhone owner, Saied Ghaffari, 23, of Cupertino, went so far as to activate the phone before he even left the mall. The online activation took about a minute. Take a picture of this, said Ghaffari to a friend. This is history. Some saw the hotly anticipated iPhone as the ticket to some fast cash. Brian Zarabian, 15, and Michael Ohebsion, 16, were Nos. 4 and 5 in line at the Westfield Century City mall. They arrived around 6 p.m. Thursday, prepared for a long night. I was freezing and he wouldnt share his blanket, Zarabian joked. The teens plan to buy two iPhones each and sell them on EBay Friday night before the hype dies down, and until then, play Scrabble and hang out. Ohebsion said he felt some resentment from some of the other people waiting in line who actually wanted the phones for themselves, but he didnt mind. Ill be able to say I made $1,000 in one day and spent my summer well, he said. For longtime Apple devotees, the wait was almost a ritual. Wiley Corbett, 43, of Bel-Air, had been in line at the Century City mall since 7 a.m., sitting in a camp chair with his Apple computer and wireless card, working. Hes been to many seminal events in Apples history: the Macworld conferences, the unveiling of the Power Mac, the announcement that Steve Jobs was returning to Apple. Could I have waited? Sure, he said. But its an event. You can say, I was there. Corbett said hed enjoyed sitting in line with fellow Mac fans. Back when Apple was almost going out of business, we looked like a bunch of real kooks, Corbett said about his fellow fans. Now we dont look so stupid. Of course, not everyone was swept up in iPhone mania. Jenny Scott, a health assistant from Costa Mesa, was shopping in South Coast Plaza with her two young daughters. I thought there was a movie star or concert tickets, said Scott, 33. I thought Hannah Montana was here or something. By the time Apple reopened its store in Troy, Mich., several hundred people had lined up. Like New Years Eve, they collectively counted down the final seconds until, at 6 p.m., the glass doors slid open and customers began pouring into the store. The first to emerge victorious was Joe Fitrzyk, an advertising executive who had paid $100 to snag the No. 2 spot in line. He desperately wanted an iPhone to show off in New York, where he was heading that evening. He bought a $599 phone for a friend and one for himself. You cant buy love, he said. But you can buy cool. Times staff writers James S. Granelli and Andrea Chang contributed to this report. Highlights 1984: The Macintosh is introduced in a commercial during the third quarter of the Super Bowl. 1985: Steve Jobs resigns from Apple to form a new company, Next Software. 1986: Jobs buys a computer graphics group from Lucasfilm for $10 million and starts Pixar. 1989: Mac portable introduced. 1994: Power Mac introduced. 1997: Jobs returns to Apple in January as an advisor after Next is acquired by the company. In September he is named interim CEO. 1998: IMac introduced. 2000: Jobs becomes permanent CEO. 2002: IPod introduced. 2006: Disney buys Pixar; Jobs joins Disneys board of directors. 2007: IPhone debuts. Source: Bloomberg News ALSO Creator of Android unveils his vision of the ultimate smartphone Opinion: Happy birthday, iPhone: Ten years later, Steve Jobs creation owns us Apple reversed its iPhone slump. But whats next? On the off chance that you havent noticed, Los Angeles is hot. The arts scene, in particular, is on fire. Classical music is a catalyst. You can hardly open the New York Times or the New Yorker anymore without finding an L.A. angle. Often as not, and rightfully so, that means the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which has become not only the envy of the circumscribed symphony world but also an exemplary creative model for arts organizations everywhere. Were the new Berlin! Even Berlin is paying attention. All of which means it is time for a reality check. Advertisement A week in Berlin this year was hardly enough for me to learn how we stack up against arguably the most progressive and impressive classical music capital, home to the incomparable Berlin Philharmonic, three exceptional opera companies and a scene that is bursting at the seams with new and traditional music. Still, there can be no doubt that the Los Angeles Philharmonic has just finished a sensational season that no orchestra anywhere can match. Music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel probed the mysteries of life and death in Mahlers Ninth, gave the premiere of the final version of Andrew Normans 40-minute Play (confirming the L.A. composers place as a leading voice of his thirtysomething generation) and put on exceptional cycles of Schubert symphonies and Bartok piano concertos. He also concluded the first tour of what Dudamel considers his proudest achievement in Los Angeles, the youth orchestra YOLA. More new music likely came from the L.A. Phil than from all other major American orchestras combined. In the fall, the L.A. Phil hosted a 12-hour new music event in which it invited 15 of the most adventurous new music groups and organizations around town to turn practically every inch of Walt Disney Concert Halls indoor and outdoor spaces into venues for new work. Food trucks and hipsters took notice. In the spring, the Reykjavik Festival filled the hall again with new music and more hipsters. John Adams 70th birthday was another theme. The orchestra has become a leading opera company as well, premiering the maddest of all madcap operas, Irish composer Gerald Barrys Alices Adventures Under Ground, plus a new production of Adams Nixon in China and the first professional production of Lou Harrisons Young Caesar, along with a gripping theatrical examination of Schubert song and Samuel Beckett short drama. The latter two were part of L.A. director Yuval Sharons new residency as artist-collaborator. The orchestra may be searching for a new leader former President and Chief Executive Deborah Borda left a month ago to see if she can enliven the New York Philharmonic, a little or a lot but the L.A. Phil may still feel as though its taking over the city. An indirect benefit is that other institutions have taken up the challenge of not letting the L.A. Phil be the only show in town. The Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, each for the first time this season, created festival-worthy productions. The chorus collaborated with director Peter Sellars for a revelatory staging of Orlando di Lassos neglected madrigal cycle Lagrime di San Pietro (Tears of St. Peter), while LACO in collaboration with the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA mounted Anne Bogarts stirring production of Kurt Weills neglected Lost in the Stars. Meanwhile, mixed though results can be, L.A. Opera, Long Beach Opera and Sharons own company, the Industry, are actively attempting to keep in operatic touch with the times. Good as this sounds, there is Berlin. Although they have little formal connection, the L.A. Phil and the Berlin Philharmonic seem practically sister orchestras. Berlins 1963 concert hall, the Philharmonie, with its inventive vineyard-style seating, was the direct inspiration for Disney Hall, and through July 30, the Getty Museum has an illuminating exhibit, Berlin/Los Angeles: Space for Music, that directly pairs Hans Scharouns and Frank Gehrys architectural designs for the two halls. At the moment, though, it seems as if much of the influence on the Berlin Phil is coming from L.A. Berlins outgoing music director, Simon Rattle, who served as an L.A. principal guest conductor in the 1980s, has modernized the institution with significant help from Sellars and Adams. The last couple of weeks, moreover, have seen the premiere of Andrew Normans childrens opera, A Trip to the Moon, a co-commission with the L.A. Phil, and appearances by Dudamel. But lets not get complacent. Here we are a tech town, yet it is the Berlin Phil that is the leader in the digital realm. Its Digital Concert Hall is far and away the highest quality webcast of any musical institution. On my last trip, the pursuit was principally opera. I know of no better city for the advancement of the art form. Berlins most important company, the Staatsoper, headed by Daniel Barenboim, may be the one other musical institution anywhere with the meaningful vision and expansive reach of the L.A. Phil. The company puts on a full range of operas and festivals of operas, frequently in productions by Europes most startling directors (who rarely, if ever, get to work in the stodgier and more frugal American companies). Barenboim has turned its orchestra into a world-class ensemble, with which he has just made a superb set of Bruckner symphony recordings. The company is finally completing an extensive renovation of its historic opera house, and Barenboim has turned what had been a rehearsal and storage facility into the headquarters for his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the indispensable training ensemble for young Israeli and Arab musicians. Its new, small, oval-shaped Pierre Boulez hall designed by Gehry and equipped with acoustics by Yasuhisa Toyota is a magical concert space that Barenboim has programmed imaginatively with almost daily concerts. An overfilled musical life could be spent at the Staatsoper alone with its opera productions, ballets, orchestral and chamber concerts, youth programs, symposiums and quirky avant-garde events, like the re-creation of Stockhausens experimental opera Originale, which I saw fascinatingly mounted in a funky space. It is encouraging, however, that L.A. Opera has begun a relationship with the provocative Australian director Barrie Kosky, who heads Berlins audacious Komische Oper. It presents peoples opera, staged in a fashionably ramshackle old Berlin theater. Ticket prices are low. Dress is encouraged to be casual or flashy. The audience is fabulously diverse, where Berlins cosmopolitan and flamboyant mingle with old East German opera lovers. You can never quite know what you will get, and what I got from three nights at Komische Oper was hit and miss. The hit was Koskys revival of a forgotten jazz-age operetta, Paul Abrahams Ball im Savoy (Ball in the Savoy), staged as an ostentatiously gaudy extravaganza that somehow managed to cycle through unexpectedly deep emotions as well as leave a listener with a good years supply of ear worms embedded in a wonderful score. A miss was My Fair Lady, in German (!), with Eliza Doolittle reminiscent of a country bumpkin and Henry Higgins a Herr Doctor Professor type. Somewhere in between was a double bill of the Stravinsky ballet Petrushka and the Ravel opera Lenfant et les Sortileges by the same animation team responsible for the companys enchantingly cinematic Magic Flute that L.A. Opera twice imported. This too is a delight, although the live-action animation novelty has worn off. That leaves Deutsche Oper Berlin, which mostly sticks to less adventurous, big name fare. But the company needs to catch up. I caught its premiere of Andrea Lorenzo Scartazzinis Edward II, which seemed an attempt to lure away some of the attention from Komische Oper with a sexually explicit work about a persecuted, presumably gay British king. Komische Oper, however, has little to fear from Christof Loys gory production of a cliche-ridden opera with a gloomy modernist score. L.A. may never come close to catching up with Berlin when it comes to opera, but we can take better advantage of local artists getting the lions share of their important work overseas. It has been a very long time since Sellars has had a major opera production in L.A. Sharon will direct Wagners Lohengrin at Germanys Bayreuth Festival in 2018, and dont be surprised if his name pops up in Berlin soon. If you want to see baritone Rod Gilfry in something important, try Brett Deans new opera, Hamlet, at Glyndebourne in England. Not exactly an Angeleno but close, Kent Nagano, L.A. Operas first music director, is now enlivening Hamburg State Opera, where he has rethought Bergs Lulu, incorporating Bergs Violin Concerto into it. Los Angeles needs a festival or three. To the rescue, the Music Center happens to be working on the prospect of a major international summer festival. Next, we need a first-rate, moderate-size concert hall that can be as transformative as the new Boulez hall. For that, the Colburn School has one in mind across the street from Disney. But while that hall will face a new multiuse facility that Gehry has designed for the corner of 1st Street and Grand Avenue, Colburn has shown no interest yet in hiring Gehry. Berlin would know better. mark.swed@latimes.com The room is ice cold. The steel bench I sit on feels even colder. Scattered around the space are the shoes of migrants a boot, a beaded sandal, a little girls Cinderella sneaker abandoned in the Sonoran Desert during their owners perilous crossing from Mexico into the U.S. I hug myself to ward off the chill. And I think of an aunt, from the Peruvian side of my family, who was arrested by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement after landing at LAX. On a previous visit to the United States, she had mistakenly overstayed a tourist visa by a couple of days. Upon re-entering the country, she found herself in her mid-70s handcuffed at immigration, placed in a van and taken to a detention center somewhere in the Los Angeles area. Years later, when she would recount the experience, she often talked about the young Mexican woman who comforted her that day (my aunt was traveling by herself), and the chilliness of the cell, where she slept on the floor for a night. (She was promptly deported the next day.) I start to bounce my legs to maintain some semblance of warmth. Suddenly, a light flashes, indicating that I can open the door and proceed to the next room. This is Carne y Arena, an art and virtual reality installation by Mexican film director Alejandro G. Inarritu that opens at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Sunday. The work which was part of the most recent Cannes Film Festival and later installed at Milans Fondazione Prada takes the visitor on the harrowing desert journey made by tens of thousands of Latin American migrants every year. Filmmaker Alejandro G. Inarritu and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki created a VR project, Carne y Arena, that explores the contentious U.S.-Mexico border. ( Emannuel Lubezki) (Emannuel Lubezki) It is a visceral and astonishing work. It is also vital. For one, it puts the viewer almost literally in the shoes certainly, among the shoes of the individuals who make this treacherous expedition in search of political and economic security. But more significantly, it helps rewrite the narrative we so often hear about immigration from Latin America, so often linked to criminality. (During the campaign, Donald Trump said Mexican immigrants were rapists and brought drugs and crime into the U.S.) In the United States, a country whose identity is built on the story of a terrifying crossing the voyage of the Mayflower the Academy Award-winning director invites us to examine a similarly difficult journey. The installation begins with the shoe-strewn cell intended to resemble the short-term holding cells used by the Border Patrol, some of which have been known to be kept at frigid temperatures, thereby earning the Spanish nickname hieleras (iceboxes). From there, the visitor proceeds alone and barefoot into a large room covered in earth. One side is lined by a steel barricade once employed on the U.S.-Mexico border. Here, you don a set of virtual reality goggles for a nearly seven-minute experience that places you deep in the desert as a group of sunburned and weary migrants, all rendered digitally, stumble across. Among them: a small boy and a mother clutching an infant. In...a country whose identity is built on the story of a terrifying crossingthe voyage of the MayflowerInarritu...examines a similarly difficult journey. Alejandro G. Inarritu arrives for a screening of his virtual reality experience Carne y Arena at Cannes in May. (Loic Venance / AFP / Getty Images) (Loic Venance / AFP/Getty Images) I will not reveal any further plot details because some of the works power lies in not knowing what happens next. But the setting has been extraordinarily considered. Winds whoosh through the gallery, leaving a chill. And as you wander this VR desert, you feel earth and pebbles dig into your toes. (The Border Patrol requires migrants to remove their shoes after arrest, hence the request that visitors to the installation do the same.) After the VR piece, viewers exit into a narrow hallway where a row of video screens in the wall play short biographical sketches that feature the real immigrants whose stories inspired Carne y Arena. If you are expecting something out of a local history center, think again. For one, these stirring video portraits were shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki who worked with Inarritu on Birdman and The Revenant. Plus, each is embedded deep into the wall, at eye-level, requiring you to get up close and make eye contact with the person whose story is being recounted. And each gripping tale is worth watching in its entirety. There is the young mother who fled Central America after a gang member threatened to chop her child into pieces. The Border Patrol agent who watched life escape from the migrants who didnt quite make it. The young man who made the crossing at age 9 and ultimately went on to receive a law degree at UCLA. And there is the excruciating anecdote about a young boy abandoned in the desert because he couldnt keep up. They are stories of people willing to risk their lives crossing vast oceans of sand to face uncertain futures all in the hope of improving their lives and that of their children. Alejandro G. Inarritu, right, on the set of Carne y Arena with a baker from El Salvador named Yoni, who is dressed in a motion-capture suit to help re-create a harrowing moment on his journey to the U.S. (Chachi Ramirez) (Chachi Ramirez / Chachi Ramirez) I left the installation in tears. I also left with the realization that these journeys are much like the Pilgrim stories lionized in every schoolkids textbook. There is that bedrock of U.S. identity: the story of the roughly 100 British Protestant separatists jammed into the cargo hold of the merchant ship Mayflower in the 17th century, who endured two months of seasickness and Atlantic storms to establish their society at Plymouth Rock. Or the thousands of 19th century European pioneers who made the arduous trek across the continent in wagon trains to settle states like California during Westward Expansion. They contended with turbulent river crossings, inclement weather, cholera outbreaks and Indian attacks not to mention the grueling climb over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, described by one era migrant as the most dreaded moment in the journey. Certainly, burned into the national consciousness is the tale of the Donner Party, trapped in the snow near modern-day Lake Tahoe, they reportedly resorted to cannibalism. The power that the narrative of the crossing holds is observed by Joan Didion in Where I Was From, her memoir of California. Each arriving traveler, she writes, had been, by definition, reborn in the wilderness, a new creature in no way the same as the man or woman or even child who had left Independence or St. Joseph however many months before: the very decision to set forth on the journey had been a kind of death, involving the total abandonment of all previous life, mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters who would never again be seen, all sentiment banished, the most elementary comforts necessarily relinquished. To be American, to some degree, is to contend with the story of these crossings and the personal sacrifice and transformation they represent. (Not to mention aspects of those journeys, and others, that we as a society are less eager to face: the forced migrations of African slaves and Native Americans.) The decision to set forth on the journey had been a kind of death, involving the total abandonment of all previous life...all sentiment banished. Joan Didion, "Where I Was From" An image from the Carne y Arena experience from director Alejandro G. Inarritu. (Neil Kellerhouse.) (Neil Kellerhouse) When I first entered Carne y Arena, I was worried that it might serve as a Disney-fication of this particular immigrant experience. Its not a subtle work. From the director of The Revenant a tale of death, near death, revenge and a very large bear this should not come as a surprise. But its an important one. Since the presidential election, with its talk of border walls and deportations, Mexican and Central American immigrants have been vilified. Inarritu takes the abstract issue of undocumented immigration and humanizes it by putting us there, by making us look into the eyes of those who survived their ordeals. History is stories some real, some exaggerated, others invented. The story of a difficult crossing is one of our foundational myths as a nation. Carne y Arena reminds us that it didnt end with the Pilgrims. LISTEN: Carolina A. Miranda talks about 'Carne y Arena' on KCRW's 'Press Play' Alejandro Inarritu, Carne y Arena When: Opens Sunday; no closing date set Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles Admission: Specially ticketed installation $30; tickets can be acquired via advance reservation online Info: lacma.org FOR THE RECORD 8:37 a.m. June 29: An earlier version of this article stated that Inarritu directed the film Gravity. That movie was directed by Alfonso Cuaron. 2:30 p.m. July 1: An earlier version of this article stated that a piece of steel barricade in the installation evoked the U.S.-Mexico border barrier. It is an actual piece of the border wall. Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter carolina.miranda@latimes.com @cmonstah ALSO: Can America's moviegoing habit be saved? The past, present and uncertain future of the multiplex Cannes 2017: Alejandro Inarritu's virtual reality project takes film to new frontiersand questions The architecture of moviegoing: Can the multiplex stay in the picture? Argentine slums and a Unabomber cabin: How 'Home' at LACMA rethinks ideas about Latin American art Mexico City's art scene is booming, but even with deep roots, political uncertainty keeps it fragile A man is placing sticks of dynamite into a wall and setting a timer. Intensely focused and sweating profusely, hes under a lot of stress, and no wonder. The date is Nov. 8, 1939, the place is Munich, the target is Adolf Hitler. Inspired by a plot against der Fuhrer that most people have never heard of, a lone wolf endeavor that came within the titular 13 Minutes of succeeding, this Oliver Hirschbiegel-directed German drama tells a fascinating but inevitably grim story, both more interesting and more downbeat than one might anticipate. Given that the director is Hirschbeigel, best known in this country for the Oscar-nominated Downfall, source of endless ranting Hitler memes, it is not surprising that 13 Minutes is a solidly made, straight-ahead depiction of events. Advertisement What is unexpected, besides the details of the out-of-nowhere plot and unwelcome scenes of realistic torture and death, is the unusual personality and character of plotter Georg Elser. As played by Christian Friedel, previously seen in Michael Hanekes The White Ribbon, Elser is a most unlikely plotter. Though left leaning, he was resolutely apolitical. A small-town carpenter and clockmaker from Konigsbronn in the Swabia region of Bavaria, he did not fit anyones profile of a potential assassin. So how did this man get to the position where only an unforeseeable, last-minute schedule change kept him from assassinating Hitler and preventing the Second World War? Unlike some films based on history, 13 Minutes does not play games with us. We see almost at once that Elsers scheme did not succeed and, as written by Fred Breinersdorfer and Leonie-Claire Breinersdorfer, the film goes back and forth between his capture and interrogation and flashbacks to his pre-plot life. Doing the interrogating are a classic good cop/bad cop duo. The good cop is Arthur Nebe (Burghart Klaussner), head of Germanys Criminal Police, while, inevitably, the bad guy is chief of the Gestapo Heinrich Muller (Johann von Bulow). The Gestapo being first among equals, when Elser refuses to talk, Mullers fairly graphic methods of torture are tried first, an agonizing situation, which frankly the film would have been better off without. Anyone who needs convincing at this point that the Nazis were not softies is probably not worth reaching. A more experienced interrogator, Nebe has better luck, largely because he threatens to torture Elsers family as well as Elsa (Katharina Schuttler), the key woman in his life, if answers are not forthcoming. Before the mechanics of the plot get detailed, we see Elsers carefree life, starting with pleasant time spent across the border in Switzerland. Something of a free spirit, hes a musician as well as an incorrigible womanizer who has zero interest in commitment, romantic or otherwise. When family troubles bring him back to Germany, Elser hangs out with old friend and zealous Communist Josef Schurr (David Zimmerschied), but women are still his extracurricular interest of choice. Elsers life changes radically when he meets Elsa, who is attracted to him but married to a thuggish alcoholic lout. An affair begins anyway, and a key focus of 13 Minutes is the complexities of that risky relationship. 13 Minutes also deals with the specifics of Elsers plot, and the way his confession frustrates interrogators Nebe and Muller. For though Elser insists he acted on his own, which happens to be the truth, Hitler is convinced that he is only the front man for a more wide-ranging conspiracy. He puts his underlings in the Kafkaesque situation of trying to get the stubborn Elser to confess to something that was not true. Perhaps the most interesting question 13 Minutes raises but doesnt totally answer is why this ordinary, nonpolitical German got so radicalized by Hitlers policies that he attempted this cataclysmic act. A man who always went his own way, Elser seemed to see things clearer than his fellow countrymen. Why do they all follow this gangster? he asks at one point, foreseeing bloodshed in the future and adding, Someone has to stop this madman, it has to happen. To his interrogators, Elser insists I am a free human being. I have to do whats right. In fact his position was so unpopular for so long that as recently as 2014 German Chancellor Angela Merkel made news when she acknowledged Elsers heroism. Why so few Germans saw things the way he did, or acted on their feelings if they did, is a question no film can answer. ------------- 13 Minutes Rating: R, for disturbing violence and some sexuality Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes Playing: Laemmles Royal, West Los Angeles See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers kenneth.turan@latimes.com @KennethTuran Much of the criticism of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recent efforts to broaden and diversify its membership starting with 2016s remarkable list of 683 invitees, and continuing with this years even farther-reaching roster of 774 has suggested that all these sweeping initiatives will fatally water down the organization and send its high standards into irreversible decline. That charge would be a dubious one even if the academy hadnt just anointed one of its strongest best picture winners in recent memory with Moonlight. (That films writer-director-producer, Barry Jenkins, an Oscar winner for adapted screenplay, is one of this years least surprising invitees, along with producer Adele Romanski, actors Naomie Harris and Janelle Monae, cinematographer James Laxton, editor Nat Sanders and composer Nicholas Britell.) We will never know the precise effects of these broad membership shifts and the specific outcomes of any given Oscar year, and we shouldnt have to. The reshaping of the academys membership into an image that better includes and represents the worlds top talents should be an admirable end in itself, regardless of which specific films, filmmakers and performers wind up taking home statuettes as a result. Advertisement And it is hard to look over the class of 2017 and not come away impressed by both the scale and the discrimination (I mean that in the good sense of the word) of the organizations reach. The academy has insisted that it can broaden the membership without lowering its standards, and only an observer with little to no interest in the wider world of international cinema could possibly look at the two most recent sets of invitees and suggest that they amount to a failure of discernment. Moonlight director -- and 2017s best picture Oscar winner -- Barry Jenkins is this years least-surprising film academy invitee. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Writing last June about the class of 2016, I applauded the academy for extending invitations to some of the most distinguished names in world cinema filmmakers like Turkeys Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Mexicos Carlos Reygadas, Thailands Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Argentinas Lucrecia Martel, whose willingness to work outside the established rhythms and boundaries of classical narrative cinema have made it unlikely to even hear their names mentioned in the same breath as the Academy Awards. This years list, culled from 57 countries, may not carry the same force of revelation, but my admiration continues unabated. Some of the most deserving nonhousehold names among the writers and directors branches are Kleber Mendonca Filho, whose films Neighboring Sounds and Aquarius have positioned him at the forefront of contemporary Brazilian cinema, and Athina Rachel Tsangari of Greece, whose Chevalier and Attenberg should earn her the kind of industry opportunities that have greeted her countryman Yorgos Lanthimos (writer-director of The Lobster and an academy invitee last year). Its marvelous too to see the academy extend invites to two prolific Asian filmmakers who could scarcely be more different in sensibilities: Japans not-for-the-faint-of-heart Takashi Miike (Audition) and Hong Kong humanist Ann Hui (whose latest drama, Our Time Will Come, opens in U.S. theaters next week). Among the most astonishing names on the list, at least in the context of what the academy and the Oscars have come to represent, are Pedro Costa of Portugal and Lav Diaz of the Philippines, whose intensely challenging, aesthetically rigorous brand of cinema could scarcely be more antithetical to the academys much-vaunted standards. Perhaps every member of the organizations foreign-language film branch should now be required to sit through all 5 hours of Diazs epic 2014 masterwork, From What Is Before. (Its a bit like Michael Hanekes Oscar-nominated The White Ribbon, only better and, yknow, longer.) The sheer wealth of styles, countries and backgrounds represented is even easier to behold on the actors side. I confess my heart all but exploded when I saw the names of Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, who famously starred together in Wong Kar-wais In the Mood for Love and who remain two of the most incandescent stars the movies have ever given us. (Cheung isnt even working steadily as an actress anymore, but screen immortality makes its own rules.) Elsewhere, Bollywood is clearly having a banner year with the invitations extended to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, among others. Its perhaps not terribly surprising to see the academy making overtures to those foreign-born actors who have crossed over to Hollywood, such as Irans Golshifteh Farahani, Chinas Jiang Wen and Hong Kongs Donnie Yen (the latter two had many accomplishments to their credit well before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), but that doesnt make them any less deserving. I noted earlier that the impact of these new members on the Oscars themselves would be hard to gauge, and as the academy has noted, even these weighty initiatives are small steps in what will be a years-long march toward greater diversity. Which doesnt mean there isnt room for constructive speculation. If you have spent any time complaining, as I have, about the general lack of imagination apparent in the academys choices year-to-year, and its historic timidity when it comes to recognizing the reality of cinema as a global medium, the possibilities are tempting to contemplate. Perhaps Isabelle Huppert might have a better chance of winning an Academy Award (or two or three) now that the academy doubtless includes more members who actually knew who Isabelle Huppert was before Elle. Looking ahead, maybe the potential Oscar worthiness of a socially conscious thriller like Jordan Peeles Get Out will be more apparent now that Jordan Peele has been invited to be an academy member. Maybe the academy, far from seeing its standards decline, is figuring out what it means to have standards in the first place: namely, by fostering a membership that can genuinely be described as world class. justin.chang@latimes.com Its one of the key rules of Hollywood: The sequel always has to be bigger. On Wednesday, in its latest step toward diversifying the overwhelmingly white and male institution, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opened its doors to its largest-ever class of new members. A whopping 774 industry professionals were invited to join the nearly 90-year-old organization topping last years record-setting class of 683 invitees, which itself was up sharply from 322 the previous year. Ranging in age from 19-year-old Elle Fanning to 95-year-old Betty White, the group of invitees included such boldfaced names as Kristen Stewart, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Jordan Peele and Barry Jenkins, who directed this years best picture-winning Moonlight, as well as many actors, filmmakers and below-the-line professionals whose names would be unfamiliar to even the most die-hard cinephile. Advertisement Who was invited to join the film academys largest class of all? The list of 774 names In January 2016, a second year of the #OscarsSoWhite firestorm led the academy to publicly announce an initiative to double the number of women and minorities in its ranks then about 1,500 and 535, respectively by 2020. But even with the big names and numbers, the overall change in the demographics of the academy has been incremental. According to the academys figures, this new class is 39% female (298 women), which brings the representation of women in the organization from 27% to 28%. Thirty percent (232) are people of color, bringing minorities share of total academy membership from 11% to 13%. Last July, The Times estimated that the academy would need to add 85 people of color and 395 women to its ranks per year to reach its stated targets. This years class demonstrates the challenge the academy faces in meeting its goals, especially in terms of female membership. In a landmark 2012 analysis, The Times reported that Oscar voters were 94% white and 77% male, and, even with the two most recent classes last years group of invitees, which the academy touted as its most diverse ever, was 46% female and 41% people of color those numbers have shifted only a few percentage points. The two most recent classes have dwarfed the classes of years past, which were limited by quotas and tended to come in at closer to 100 invitees, dramatically increasing the overall size of the academy. If all of this years invitees join the organization, the total membership will swell to 8,427, a size that some fear could soon become unwieldy and cause academy membership to lose some of its feeling of exclusivity. But for those who received the word of their invitation Wednesday, it carried a sense of honor and validation. I view the academy invitation as a giant warm hug from my peers, film producer Mel Eslyn told The Times after learning she had made the cut for this years class. Being part of the academy, to me, means inclusion, especially when looking at the diversity thats represented in this years class. Other names on the list include actors John Cho, Shailene Woodley, Channing Tatum, Chris Evans and Priyanka Chopra and directors Guy Ritchie, Jocelyn Moorhouse and Alejandro Jodorowsky. The #OscarsSoWhite furor has abated somewhat since last years Academy Awards, which saw Jenkins Moonlight a poetic coming-of-age story about a gay African American youth growing up in Miami take home the top prize. In recent months, increased scrutiny has turned toward the challenges the academy faces in its efforts to build an ambitious film museum in Los Angeles and rumors of behind-the-scenes friction among the organizations leaders. But in an interview following Wednesdays announcement, academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said that the organization has no intention of losing momentum in its campaign to become more inclusive. It can always happen that an organization can set some goals and then the interest can start to wane a bit weve all been in those situations, said Boone Isaacs, who is nearing the end of her final term as president. But thats not something were going to accept. Everyone, from leadership to our staff to our members, are all doing what we were hoping theyd do: looking around to find qualified people who are not in the academy already. Given underlying inequities in the film industry as a whole, however, the challenge of finding qualified people from diverse backgrounds may grow more difficult over time. A 2016 report by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism starkly outlined an inclusion crisis at the major studios, where directors are 97% male and 87% white, while women hold 21% of top executive positions and nonwhite actors earn just 27% of speaking roles. And what shifts have occurred have not been evenly distributed across the academys various branches, revealing deeper gaps in hiring in different segments of the industry. While the executive branch was one of seven branches this year to invite more women than men, for example, that branch whose members hold the most sway over the kinds of movies that Hollywood makes remains predominantly male. The other branches that invited more women than men this year are actors, casting directors, costume designers, production designers, documentary and film editors. Given the historic underrepresentation of women and minorities in Hollywood, some have expressed doubt that the academy can hit its diversity targets without changing its membership requirements, which mandates that candidates for membership must have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the field of theatrical motion pictures. In an interview with The Times in 2016, former academy President Hawk Koch called the academys goals impossible to reach, saying, There arent that many qualified people, period, of any race or gender, to invite each year. In the last two years, the academy has opened its doors to a number of people who have only come onto the scene in the last few years or who may be better known for their work in TV than in film, such as this years new invitees Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon and Amy Poehler, all of whom are veterans of Saturday Night Live, Rami Malek, who stars on the USA series Mr. Robot, and television stalwart White. But even as the boundary lines between film and TV continue to grow ever blurrier, the academy leadership has consistently maintained it will not alter the criteria for membership. Academy CEO Dawn Hudson says she is confident that there are still many qualified film industry professionals who have yet to be brought into the organization. There are so many artists who were not admitted in the past because we had a limit on how many new members we invited each year. Academy CEO Dawn Hudson There are so many artists who were not admitted in the past because we had a limit on how many new members we invited each year, Hudson told The Times in an interview last month. So with the elimination of those [quotas] and the aggressive pursuit of excellence by all of our members, I think we will be able to expand in a more inclusive way for several years. To help broaden the pool of possible candidates, the academy has reached far outside of Los Angeles. The new class includes members from 57 countries around the world. We really are committed to making this an organization for international artists, Hudson said. There are so many artists in the world who we had overlooked in the past. So, lucky us, we get to make an effort to invite them in. Even as it has worked to alter the demographics of its own membership, the academy has taken steps to boost diversity across the film business. In June, the organization announced a new industry-wide summer internship and mentoring program called Academy Gold aimed at broadening opportunities for students and young professionals from underrepresented communities. But, while the academy proudly touts figures showing the increased diversity of its membership, Boone Isaacs said that the issue of inclusion should not be simply reduced to a series of statistics and lines on a graph. This isnt about numbers, she said. This is about what is right. This is about recognizing who we all are and what we have to contribute to this art form. Indeed, for those who receive the word that they have been invited to join the film industrys most prestigious organization, its a very personal and often highly emotional moment. When I found out, I was jumping for joy, said director Cheryl Dunye, who was invited to join the academy last year. Its like getting the Golden Ticket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It was like, This is It. You stick around long enough and theyll give you the keys. Times staff writers Trevell Anderson and Mark Olsen contributed to this report. josh.rottenberg@latimes.com Twitter: @joshrottenberg ALSO: The academy isnt lowering its standards with its biggest membership class its raising them How the motion picture academy moved the needle on its diversity push: We crunch the numberS (2016) Before Ronald Reagan, presidents looked at television, rolled their eyes and dealt with it. With the movie cowboy from California, though, the love and respect was mutual. Documentarians Pacho Velez and Sierra Pettengill give us a semi-cheeky tour of this pivot point in performance-driven leadership with The Reagan Show, an archival assemblage culled from the years of the 40th presidents eight-year administration. The twin narratives are Reagans dealings with the Soviets when Evil Empire talk and doomsday chatter segued to the Cold Wars end and his relationship to the news media. The latter often screamed unanswered questions to a smiling, waving actor who recognized the power of picture-based charisma over easily ignored substance. The Reagan White Houses embrace of near-constant video documentation was unprecedented: looking presidential was paramount when attention to detail wasnt. It also makes for a funny twist when equally fame-savvy Mikhail Gorbachev comes on the scene, winning over American allies and challenging the Great Communicator to costar in a geopolitical buddy movie. (Theres more than a little anger in the raw footage of Reagan, after finishing a dry-run of a peaceful New Years address to the Soviet people, adding to the camera, Take that, Mr. Gorbachev.) Advertisement As a brisk, sobering reminder of if youre inclined to think this way where it all went wrong with image over meaningful policy in politics, The Reagan Show may feel like the doc of the moment. Its like a time capsule prologue to todays world, no more prescient than when a 1988 Reagan lets on to David Brinkley with exit-interview folksiness that he often wondered how you could do the job if you hadnt been an actor. ------------- The Reagan Show Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 14 minutes Playing: Laemmle Playhouse 7, Pasadena See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com Breaking away from family is more than mere teen rebellion in Sami Blood, an eloquent coming-of-age drama set in 1930s Sweden that revolves around a spellbinding performance by young Lene Cecilia Sparrok. For Elle-Marja, the tough and quick-witted 14-year-old at the charged center of the film, eye-opening exposure to systematic racism convinces her that the only way to be true to herself is to adopt a new identity. Rejecting her cultural heritage as one of the indigenous Sami, she reinvents herself as Swedish, embarking on a course thats both exhilarating and bruising. Writer-director Amanda Kernells assured first feature has a classic sheen, but with its powerful sense of place and sensitive performances, its no fusty museum piece. Compellingly rooted in the experiences of her young protagonist, the film is fully alive, with newcomer Sparroks often wordless portrayal as luminous as it is discerning. Advertisement At a boarding school for Sami children, star pupil Elle-Marja is pawed at, measured like a specimen and subjected to a milder version of the eugenics that would soon convulse Europe. Further studies are a pipe dream; the curriculum is designed to lift students just enough from their assumed backwardness before sending them home to their reindeer-herding families. Galvanized, Elle-Marja abandons her language and traditions and ventures out into the world. Scenes of her elderly self suggest the emotional toll of her actions. Sparroks burning gaze makes clear the cost of not taking them. ------------- Sami Blood In Swedish and Sami with English subtitles Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 47 minutes Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com Early on in The Ornithologist, an entrancingly strange wilderness odyssey from the Portuguese writer-director Joao Pedro Rodrigues, a handsome explorer named Fernando (Paul Hamy) awakens to find himself stripped to his underwear and tied to a tree. His bulging tighty-whities notwithstanding, Fernandos immobilized, semi-nude form cant help but evoke the martyrdom of St. Sebastian, an event that inspired numerous Renaissance paintings as well as an explicitly homoerotic retelling in Derek Jarmans 1976 film, Sebastiane. The influence of Sebastiane can be felt to some extent here, but while Rodrigues film blurs the boundaries between spirituality and sexuality with similar recklessness and ardor, it has an imaginative playfulness all its own. Happily, Fernando is not met with a hail of arrows. After waiting several hours, during which he is taunted by his captors, he manages to free himself and escape an apt image for a film that proceeds to shake off the constraints of traditional storytelling with similar patience and purpose. Gorgeous, transfixing and entirely lucid even in its gently encroaching surrealism, The Ornithologist charts Fernandos personal evolution over the course of a bird-watching expedition that takes several unexpectedly harrowing and hilarious turns, including but not limited to the tree incident. While searching for rare birds along a river in northern Portugal, he steers his canoe into rough waters and washes up unconscious on shore, where he is rescued by two Chinese women, Fei (Han Wen) and Ling (Chan Suan), who are trying to find their way to the Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela. Advertisement Fei and Ling are both devout Christians (pilgrims, as they call themselves), and it may well be a measure of Rodrigues skepticism that he suggests their Good Samaritanism is not to be trusted. Some time later, with no map or cellphone service to guide him and only a few supplies, Fernando tries to find his way back to civilization. Along the way, he will stumble on a bizarre campfire ritual performed by dancers in costume, enjoy a roll in the sand with a cute goatherd named Jesus (Xelo Cagiao), and bear continual witness to the mystery and majesty of the natural world around him. Known on the film-festival circuit for his hot-and-cold anatomies of gay desire (O Fantasma, To Die Like a Man), Rodrigues, who co-wrote the script with his regular collaborator Joao Rui Guerra da Mata, has made the most approachable road/head trip imaginable. The Ornithologist is both an opaque narrative and a deeply inviting one. Even as the film commences a series of radical formal and dramatic mutations, you are held rapt by the steadiness of the cameras gaze and the sublime, sun-dappled beauty that it invariably discovers. (The superb cinematographer is Rui Pocas, who also shot Miguel Gomes luminous, black-and-white Tabu.) That Fernando is meant to be a contemporary stand-in for the 13th-century Franciscan priest Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of lost things (and a figure of particular historical and cultural significance in Portugal), is helpful though by no means necessary for the viewer to be quickly pulled in. Even within his free-form style, Rodrigues has worked out the story with rigorous cleverness: Fernandos canoe accident recalls the winds that blew Anthonys Portugal-bound ship off-course, landing him in Sicily, where his celebrated Italian ministry would begin. The legend that Anthony once preached to the fish swimming in the Marecchia river is duly enacted here. (More amusingly, Fernandos brown hooded sweatshirt evokes a friars garb.) Not every one of Rodrigues inventions has a clear biographical equivalent. Those expecting a straightforward (let alone reverent) portrait of a beloved, God-fearing visionary will be duly scandalized by the films languid eroticism and cheerful blasphemies. You may be hard-pressed, as I still am after two viewings, to decode the significance of the three half-naked huntresses who show up on horseback toward the storys close, the eerie resurrection that takes place in a darkened wood, or the unsettling ruptures of mood, identity and the proverbial fourth wall that take place as the movie draws toward its weirdly charming close. There are certain things we shouldnt try to understand, a character notes at one point. They come to pass and we must believe them. Thats an excellent methodology for how to approach The Ornithologist, though the film supplies still another in the form of the various birds we see sometimes soaring across the frame and sometimes isolated for a few moments in the lenses of Fernandos binoculars, which become a transparent metaphor for the act of moviegoing itself. We keep watching, not for the revelation of what it all means, but for the simple, inexplicable beauty of what it is. ------------ The Ornithologist No rating (In Portuguese, Mandarin and Latin with English subtitles) Running time: 1 hour, 57 minutes Playing: Nuart Theatre, West Los Angeles See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers justin.chang@latimes.com @JustinCChang Large pictures, small joys and an archives radiance are the building blocks for the charm offensive that is The B-Side: Elsa Dorfmans Portrait Photography, Errol Morris winning documentary about his unsung artist friend, a fixture in Cambridge, Mass., whose specialty is large-format Polaroids and the inviting intimacy she draws from her subjects. Since 1980, this unassuming practitioner of the pose/click arts has worked with one of a half-dozen or so of the big, boxy 20x24 cameras handmade by the companys founder, Edwin H. Land. The B-Side will make you believe the one in Dorfmans studio is the only one thats ever mattered. Morris interests have typically taken him into dark corners, mostly pertaining to death, existence, war, broken systems and injustice. To get what hes wanted from his interviewees and to allow us to see them the way Morris questions them he invented a device called the Interrotron, which lets us lock eyes with Donald Rumsfeld (The Unknown Known) or Robert McNamara (the Oscar-winning The Fog of War). Advertisement But this time around, hes taken off his inquisitors cap, set aside the Interrotron Dorfman is clearly talking to the side of the lens and settled in like a kid given a private tour of the toy store. Hes in an uncommonly sweet, celebratory mode here. This is the rare Morris movie that feels led by the personality of its star figure, in this case Dorfmans wry positivity and love of what she does, rather than his need to probe. You can almost sense Morris smiling off-camera as she pulls each exposure from her file drawers for reminiscing and newfound scrutiny thats how strong and warm his admiration is for Dorfman and the humble richness of her work. Dorfman had been a young secretary in New York at legendary Beat publisher Grove Press in the 1960s, where she befriended authors like Allen Ginsberg. But during her studies in Boston to get a teaching degree, a colleague handed her a Hasselblad camera, and the leap to photographer was instantaneous. She started with self-portraits and candid grabs of noteworthy pals Ginsburg, Robert Creeley, Andrea Dworkin selling prints for $2 out of a shopping cart in Harvard Square. (Singular Opportunity, her sign sunnily promised.) She published a book of photographs in 1974 subtitled A Womans Photojournal and soon after, Polaroid brought out Lands 200-pound behemoth. After first renting it, and discovering how its sense of scale matched her own ambitions, she turned to commissioned large-scale portraiture full time. Ginsberg was her first 20x24 subject in 1980 he wasnt guarded, he would disarm himself and pictures of him across their lifelong friendship, and of her husband, civil rights lawyer Harvey Silverglate, form a kind of emotional throughline in The B-Side. The title is a kind of affirmation of the journeywomans aesthetic sensibility. Dorfman could only afford to produce two exposures for each client, so the unchosen picture became the B. Yet shes loath to consider them rejects, finding beauty in mis-processed color, imperfections or closed eyes. This is not a bad blink, she says, holding one photograph. Her aim is not to unearth the soul, she says, but to capture people at their surest about who they are. If anything, the smiling families, flamboyant posers and instantly snapped/instantly enjoyed expressions of joie de vivre amount to a yearslong examination of the picture-taker as well: Dorfmans own ebullience cant help but infuse every photograph. A tinge of melancholy punctures this appealing character study, though, when the movie addresses her dwindling stock of film and chemicals in the wake of Polaroids de facto end as a company. Her medium obsolete, Dorfman is practically retired now. She was never an art darling or sought-after photographer or even one of artist-friendly Polaroids pets, she says. But shed found her calling, and discovered her perfect tool, and as Morris movie makes beautifully clear, that was everything. ------------- The B-Side: Elsa Dorfmans Portrait Photography Running time: 1 hour, 16 minutes Rating: R, for some graphic nude images and brief language Playing: Laemmle Royal, West L.A. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com Officials in charge of poverty relief work in Shaanxi province will be supervised by GPS, a move that aims to beef up the local governments management of poverty alleviation. According to a local announcement released by Yulin authorities on June 27, officials in charge of poverty relief work will be supervised by GPS, starting from June 30. The decision was made to better manage officials deployed in remote villages and will not violate their privacy. The unprecedented move was initiated after four officials in charge of poverty alleviation in Yulin had been removed from their positions last week. The officials were sacked for their incompetence in eradicating poverty, including inaccurate poverty data collection. The local government wants us to live in the poor villages. Our priority is poverty alleviation, and Ive been working the whole week, without adequate rest, an official told the website Jiemian.com. Poverty alleviation is closely related to the well being of local residents. The officials dereliction of duties can have a harmful effect, so its necessary to strictly deal with them, Wang Yukai, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the Beijing Times. China has stepped up its efforts in targeted poverty relief work in recent years, with the goal to eradicate rural poverty by 2020. Joining the Motion Picture Academy is seen by many as one of the worlds most exclusive and prestigious memberships, an elite recognition in a profession that is admired and envied the world over. For others, not so much. Membership invitations went out to a list of 774 industry professionals released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday names that include Get Out director Jordan Peele and Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot but those invitees still have to actually accept the invitation. Among the most famous known to decline an academy membership over the years are Oscar winners Woody Allen and George Lucas. And until now, that small list of holdouts has included actor Viggo Mortensen. Advertisement He was first invited to join in 2004, after starring in the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, and declined. Mortensen was subsequently nominated for an Oscar in 2008 for Eastern Promises, and was nominated again this year for his role in Captain Fantastic as a father with unconventional ideas about parenting. He was once again among the academy invitees on Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for Mortensen said the actor will accept this time, but declined to offer any further statement. In a 2012 article in The Times, a representative for Mortensen explained his previous decision not to accept the membership by saying, Viggo does not like judging art officially. Viggo Mortensen during the arrivals at the 89th Academy Awards on Feb. 26 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Last year after filmmaker Ryan Coogler was invited to join, the Hollywood Reporter wrote that he did not return his acceptance letter. Cooglers 2015 film Creed was among those that amplified the conversation around diversity, representation and awards after the only Oscar nominee from the movie was Sylvester Stallone for supporting actor. Coogler, currently finishing Marvels much-anticipated Black Panther, could not be reached for confirmation as to whether he joined the academy. Among those known to have declined membership, none stands out quite like four-time Oscar-winner Allen. As previously reported by The Times, over several years, the academy sent Allen numerous invitations to join but he never responded. Finally, then-academy President Karl Malden mailed Allen a letter promising that if the filmmaker made a sizable donation to the academys fundraising effort for its library, the group would leave him alone. Allen is said to have replied with a check within a week. SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter Mark.Olsen@latimes.com Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus ALSO The academy isnt lowering its standards with its biggest membership class its raising them Motion picture academy opens its doors to 774 new members as push for diversity continues Review: The playfully subversive Okja proves Bong Joon Ho is one of the worlds most exciting filmmakers When Zoe Kazan was in high school, she spent her time on a not-exactly quintessential teenage pastime: reading Harold Bloom. One day she discovered a preferred volume was missing, borrowed by Barry Mendel, Judd Apatows frequent producing partner. I think it was my copy that I had given to my mother, who had given it to her friend Barry, Kazan recalled. I was upset it was a book about Shakespeare and one of my favorites. Advertisement When she saw Mendel nearly 15 years later, at an audition for the new film The Big Sick, she tweaked him. Like wheres the Bloom book? He never gave it back. (Mendel remembers it differently: I had given it back. It just took a really long time.) A comfort with both Hollywood and academia coexist in Kazan, whose emergence as a film force is at once as inevitable as an Elizabethan tragedy and as surprising as a rhyming couplet. The scion of cinema royalty shes the offspring of two Oscar-nominated screenwriters, Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord, and her grandfather is that Kazan the Santa Monica native hardly took a leap by becoming an actress. Kazan landed her first movie role at 19, spent her 20s in more than a dozen indie productions and ended the decade with an Emmy-nominated turn as anxious naif Denise Thibodeau in HBOs Olive Kitteridge. Now 33, she has a breakout part opposite Kumail Nanjiani in Sick, which had a spectacular limited opening this weekend and is shaping up as the counterprogramming hit of the summer. Produced by Apatow and Mendel, and directed by Michael Showalter, the romantic dramedy (and Nanjiani semi-autobiography) centers on a struggling Pakistani American stand-up who falls for fellow Chicagoan Emily, only to run into familial resistance (his) and a serious illness (hers). Kazan plays the part with a sweet-but-never-sentimental vibe, managing to exert a strong pull on the film despite being in a coma for much of it. But the actress also has climbed the ranks with an eggheadedness thats rare this side of James Franco. Kazan is the kind of person who not only has devoured Stoppard and Steinbeck shes a little surprised if you havent. I went to the Steinbeck museum and they had his trailer where he wrote Travels with Charley, she said. You read that book, yes? It was everything that fit in that tiny space his typewriter, where he fried his eggs. I like that idea, of when convenience felt like luxury. Kazan was scouring the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum on Manhattans Upper East Side, having made the trip from the Brooklyn residence she shares with her longtime partner, the actor Paul Dano. In the fall, Lincoln Center will stage a new play Kazan wrote a futurist marital drama titled After the Blast and she searched the museum for design ideas. For several hours Kazan browsed murals, therapy beds, old radios and a host of artifacts. She was trying to suss out how characters in Blast, 80 years hence, might similarly memorialize their past. I saw an ad on the subway for the museum and I thought it would be interesting to visit what happens when objects take on totemic power? Moving with academic intensity through several floors, she alternately liked and rejected various pieces. Kazan wore a vintage denim jacket, Chuck Taylors and short flared skirt but not in a carefree manner; it was as though she was trying to jury-rig the appearance of being cavalier more than give natural expression to it. Actress Zoe Kazan (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Im interested in what looks normal. Zoe Kazan She stopped and looked at repeating patterns in tree trunks (like the fractals in Arcadia, if you remember, she said). Passing some throwback decor, she made a comment, as much to herself as to a reporter. Im interested in what looks normal. A childs bedroom in the 90s, the design influence was all Laura Ashley. Now its a lot of decals of deconstructed foxes. Kazan says she was a lonely child. Her folks bucked the caricature of the overscheduling Westside parent in favor of plenty of unstructured time at home, where she and her sister were encouraged to daydream. (It was dolls but with no dolls.) Her friend group at school Wildwood, Windward, Marlborough could be limited, owing to her adolescent bookishness. Sometimes I was the only person raising my hand in class. I would almost get upset at everyone like why dont you care more? she said. It became very important to me to be loved by teachers. (Incidentally, she said being the granddaughter of Elia Kazan, who died just after her 20th birthday, didnt heavily influence her path, though she admits that having actors and filmmakers around brushes, she says, with the likes of Karl Malden and Teresa Wright had its advantages.) Kazans social blossoming happened at Yale, where she found common ground with like-minded text nerds. I remember the first time I met Zoe, said New York theater director Lila Neugebauer, a classmate and close friend who will direct After the Blast. Even at 20, nothing was trivial; nothing was surface. There was a kind of underlying gravity. Said Kazan: Im a very serious person. Unfortunately, sometimes. Showalter says that Kazan does not suffer fools easily. The point raises uncertainty when cited to her. Im trying to understand what Michael means by that. It seems like, what, not an adage, maybe an axiom? Ethan Hawke, whose stage directorial effort Things We Want ranks among Kazans theater credits, noted how her single-mindedness played at the audition. She came in and just started breaking down this play with all these killer insightful comments, he said. I walked out of there thinking this is a very serious human being. Nanjiani says that intensity came through even in an unconscious state. Those scenes in the hospital where Emily is hooked up to all these wires we had Zoe hooked up to all these real machines on the set, he recalled in a phone interview. And Id come in to the hospital room and do the scene, and on the monitor I could see her heartbeat going up. And I thought, Youre like a biologically good actress. Kazan said shes trying to slow down after more than a decade of trying out for a lot (Trivial Pursuit question waiting to happen: she auditioned for Gossip Girl) and accepting too much. I dont want, she said, to do every independent film offered to me. Ive come to a point in my life when my time is better spent writing. Or reading a novel. The actress is actually going against type in Sick, playing Emily with a breezy cheer that confounds the more studied neediness of many of her previous parts. Exhibit A of those roles: a few guises she inhabits in the 2012 conceptual romantic drama Ruby Sparks, which she also wrote. Kazan is collaborating with Dano again on Wildlife, an adaptation of the early Richard Ford novel about a family crisis, currently in postproduction, that will mark the actors directing debut. (Dano declined to be interviewed for this story.) Needless to say, Wildlife is far from Kazans only hyphenate activity freighted with seriousness. That weight hangs over her other work After the Blast centers on a depressed female character that Kazan says was informed by her own battle with the disease and, in a way, over her. Paul and I went to the Thomas Edison museum recently have you been there? she said. The way Edison was problem-solving required a kind of obsession. He had a cot in his lab because he slept there so often. I dont have a lot of patience for people who want to clock out, she continued, then contemplated the toll that could take. That moment in Broadcast News where Holly Hunter is told how great it is to be the smartest person in the room and she cries and says its awful I definitely have moments like that sometimes, moments when introspection and drive can be lonely-making, she said. And it doesnt help that I have a partner who is very work-oriented. Sometimes were two hamsters on a wheel. She added: Its a little embarrassing to feel so serious about work and the world. It makes you vulnerable. I think its cool to take the posture of I dont care or I didnt try that hard. Its a more protective way of being. Kazan paused. Theres something really earnest inside me all the time. Its not a cool or fun way to be. Sometimes I would like to experience being someone whos not wired the way Im wired. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour steve.zeitchik@latimes.com Twitter: @ZeitchikLAT This is not a story about how barbecue is a religion, or how it should adhere to a certain region, method or ideology. Because in Los Angeles, chefs tend to do things their own way, drawing inspiration from what seems like everywhere, with a respectful nod to those who came before them. When it comes to pork ribs in this city spares, tips, baby backs the possibilities can be endless. From Filipino-style ribs in downtown L.A. to sauce-drenched baby backs in West Adams, there are ribs for every taste and persuasion. Here are four pretty spectacular versions. (You may notice that Bludsos Bar & Que is not on this list, because it should go without saying that pitmaster Kevin Bludsos pork ribs are always excellent.) If you feel weve forgotten your favorite pork ribs, please let us know in the comments. Dr. Hogly Woglys Tyler Texas BBQ Baby back ribs at Dr. Hogly Woglys Tyler Texas BBQ in Van Nuys. (Christian K. Lee / Los Angeles Times) (Christian K. Lee / Los Angeles Times) Before we get to the ribs, it must be said that there actually was a real Dr. Hogly Wogly. His name was Johnny Greene, he was a former Piggly Wiggly delivery boy from Texas, and because of his size, his wife called him Hogly Wogly. (He became Dr. Hogly Wogly when he became a pharmacist.) Greene opened the restaurant in Van Nuys in 1969, and when he died in the 80s, his wife sold the restaurant to current owner Sam Lee, who says he hasnt changed the original recipes. The baby back ribs are brined in apple cider vinegar and salt, patted with a 12-ingredient dry rub, thensmoked in a brick pit oven with hickory and apple wood for about four hours. The ribs are dunked into a roasting pan of secret marinade, then cooked on the grill for a couple of minutes before service. The meat has a good smoke flavor and is tender enough to break apart with your hands. Your server will provide a red squeeze bottle of the restaurants barbecue sauce, which is on the thinner side, with a serious kick. You eat the ribs at a leather booth in the small, wood-paneled dining room that feels vaguely like a cabin in the woods. If there are leftovers, your server will pick up your plate and simply dump the remaining contents (sauce, garnish, meat and all) into a plastic bag, twist it into a knot, then hand it over in one seamless, swift motion. 8136 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, (818) 782-2480, www.hoglywogly.com. JNJ Bar-B-Que and Burgers Baby back ribs at JNJ Bar-B-Que and Burgers. (Christian K. Lee / Los Angeles Times) (Christian K. Lee / Los Angeles Times) If you havent been to JNJ Bar-B-Que and Burgers before, just go slow and look for smoke billowing out of a small shack. This place, which has been around since the early 90s, is actually two restaurants in one: a burger stand in front and a barbecue counter behind it. This is where pitmaster Nile Nelson, son of original JNJ owner Jay Nelson Jr., makes stellar pork ribs, brisket and hot links. Originally, my dad was barbecuing, and he was training me for like four years, Nelson said of his father, who was from Louisiana and who died last year. Its a secret recipe. When the monster smoker in the back is at 300 degrees (oak and hickory are used), Nelson seasons his baby back ribs with a secret dry rub, then throws them into the smoker for three to four hours. The ribs are served in sauce, on a Styrofoam plate with either potato salad or beans and a couple slices of white bread. The sauce, which Nelson sells by the pint, is a tad sweet, a cross between the thinner sauces you may find in Memphis, Tenn., and the thicker, sweeter versions in Kansas City. Dont forget a slice of the sweet potato pecan pie. 5754 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 933-7366, jnj-bbq.com. Maple Block Meat Co. Full rack of pork spare ribs and side orders on the table at Maple Block Meat Co. in Culver City. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) We keep it simple. Its barbecue. This is how Maple Block Meat Co. chef Michael Liebel describes the barbecue process at the Culver City restaurant, which doesnt really adhere to any particular region or style. First, the spare ribs are trimmed, then rubbed with salt, sugar, pepper and some other stuff the chef would rather keep to himself. Theyre then smoked with peach wood for around three hours in a small smoker in the kitchen. Liebel lived in South Carolina for a decade and says hes been making barbecue since he was 18. Also behind the barbecue at the restaurant is chef Adam Cole, who lived in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina and worked as a butcher at the now-closed Lindy and Grundy. If you get the ribs plate (get the ribs plate), the ribs are served dry on a metal tray with two sides and two small cups of sauce. Both sauces have a sharp vinegar tang, and a distinct earthiness from the addition of coffee grounds. (The spicier of the two also includes Sriracha.) The smoke on the ribs cuts to the bone, and theres plenty of bark (the layer of rub that sticks to the meat). With its brick facade, exposed beams and plaid-clad waitstaff, you may be tempted to label this place hipster barbecue. Please dont. 3973 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, (310) 313-6328, www.mapleblockmeat.com. The Parks Finest The Mt. Malindang pork ribs and riblets, as served at the Parks Finest. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times / Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Johneric Concordia, owner of the Parks Finest BBQ, just west of downtown L.A., used to trail his father at family barbecues in Echo Park, hoping to be put in charge of a single piece of meat; one he could watch over during the course of a barbecue, then eventually eat. When Concordia opened the Parks Finest with a couple friends in 2009, he intended for it to be a catering service that would supply the nearby community with the kind of Filipino-slanted barbecue he grew up on. In 2012, he opened the brick-and-mortar and has been serving some of the best pork ribs in the city since, made in a pair of smokers he calls Lucy and Ricky. Concordia uses a three-step process to flavor the ribs. The first includes a layer of pink Himalayan salt. He then adds a pepper blend that includes white and black peppercorns, Cayenne pepper and chile flakes. The third layer is a mix of garlic and onion powdered, granulated and minced. The meat then rests for two to three days in the walk-in before being loaded into a smoker with pecan and alder woods, to cook for eight hours. Pecan has a nice balance of nuttiness, while alder is what people use in the Pacific Northwest for smoking salmon, said Concordia. There are three sauces: vinegar, white horseradish and tomato-based. The latter was inspired by Concordias dads original sauce, which dates from his time in the U.S. Navy. The sauce consisted of what was in the ships pantry, including soy sauce, garlic, pineapple and brown sugar. Concordias version includes coconut milk and yellow chiles. He first didnt approve of it, Concordia saidof his sauce. But then he gave his head nod. 1267 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, (213) 481-2800, theparksfinest.com. Jenn.Harris@latimes.com @Jenn_Harris_ ALSO: 11 sangria recipes to cool you off this summer Chillable red wines for your summertime drinking pleasure A brief history of pinquito beans, a staple of Santa Maria barbecue, plus a recipe The Senate healthcare bill released last week would leave California short $115 billion for its Medi-Cal program between 2020 and 2027, according to a state analysis released Wednesday. The Medi-Cal program, which is jointly funded by the state and federal government, grew dramatically under the Affordable Care Act to cover 13.5 million Californians, or 1 out of 3 state residents. The Senate bill proposes effectively undoing the expansion of the program, which added 3.9 million Californians to the program over the last three years. It also would change the financing structure of the entire program, which largely serves low-income and disabled Californians, so the state would take on more of the costs. Advertisement Jennifer Kent, head of the states Department of Health Care Services, said that the cuts would force officials to consider reductions in benefits or who can stay in Medi-Cal. This bill takes a sledgehammer to the improvements we have made in our states healthcare delivery system, she said. Medi-Cals annual budget is $107 billion. Under the bill, the state would face an extra $3 billion in costs in 2020, which would grow to $30 billion by 2027. That could be a quarter of the programs total budget. The long-term impact of this bill cannot be understated: It is simply devastating, Kent said. A Congressional Budget Office analysis found that the bill would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 22 million. GOP leaders this week delayed the vote on the Senate bill until after the July 4 holiday. soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com Twitter: @skarlamangla ALSO What the Senate healthcare bill could mean for Californians Senate passage of healthcare bill uncertain after new analysis finds millions more would be uninsured GOPs Obamacare repeal bills threaten huge disruptions across the healthcare system USC names retired aerospace executive Wanda Austin as acting president, announces Nikias departure By Harriet Ryan USC appointed a retired aerospace executive as interim president and laid out a detailed plan for selecting a permanent leader Tuesday, ending speculation about whether outgoing President C.L. Max Nikias might remain in the post. Nikias, embattled over his administrations handling of a campus gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients, relinquished his duties after a meeting of USCs board. The trustees tapped one of their own, Wanda Austin, an alumna and former president of the Aerospace Corp., to temporarily run the university. The trustees also approved the formation of a search committee and the hiring of firm Isaacson, Miller to coordinate the selection of a successor. A second search company, Heidrick & Struggles, will also advise trustees. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ex-student sues elite Brentwood School after teacher is charged with sexually abusing him By Richard Winton A former student sued the elite Brentwood School on Monday in the wake of a female teacher being charged with repeatedly having sex with the minor, alleging that other faculty members encouraged the unlawful behavior and failed to report it to authorities. The lawsuit accuses the private school, whose students include the children of many of Hollywoods elite and L.A.s powerful, of acting negligently and allowing Aimee Palmitessa to abuse and batter the teenager sexually. The suit alleges that the student was abused in summer 2017 after one of the schools counselors offered words of encouragement to the then-17-year-old, identified in the suit as only John Doe, to engage in an illegal relationship with the teacher. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Civil jury vindicates fired Montebello school executives in whistleblower case By Howard Blume The Montebello school district is in dire straits at risk of insolvency and under apparent criminal investigation. An outside audit in July found some teachers earning more than $200,000 a year, as well as improper raises, excess paid vacation time and inappropriate overtime, sick leave and car allowances. Fixing the district and pinpointing blame could take time. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. schools fall short on safety measures, new report warns By Howard Blume After the mass shooting at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, Los Angeles school officials reassured parents that much had been done to keep local schools safe. California had tougher gun laws, after all, and the school district paid close attention to students mental health. But a new report issued Monday by a panel convened to take a close look offers some cause for concern, flagging inconsistent campus safety measures, thinly spread mental health staff and inadequate coordination between the school district and other public agencies. With the stakes this high, we must strive to do better, said L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer, who assembled the panel. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school district says more are graduating, but rate may not show it By Howard Blume The L.A. Unified School District has hopes of continuing its winning streak this year with another record graduation rate, but the official numbers may not show it. A senior district administrator warned the board Tuesday that graduation rates were likely to decline 2% to 3% across the state, even though L.A. Unified is likely doing better than ever in producing graduates, he said. The issue is that the state will now count high school students who transfer to adult school as dropouts, said Oscar Lafarga, who heads the districts office of data and accountability. Previously, schools treated these students as though they had simply enrolled in another high school, he said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Betsy DeVos to California: Not so fast on that federal education plan By Joy Resmovits In April, Californias top education officials breathed a sigh of relief. After months of debate and back-and-forth with Betsy DeVos staff, they had finalized a plan to satisfy a major education law that aims to make sure all students get a decent education. The state focused on aligning its plan to fulfill the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act with Californias Local Control Funding Formula, which gives extra money to districts to help students who come from low-income families, are in the foster system or are English learners. But this week, DeVos team said not so fast. Jason Botel, the U.S. Department of Educations principal deputy assistant secretary, sent California education officials a letter asking for more information in such areas as measuring student progress, graduation rates and English learners. In an unsigned statement, the California Department of Education declared itself surprised and disappointed because officials thought after a meeting with federal officials in Washington that they were on the right track to get approval. Now the Every Student Succeeds Act plan will be up for discussion once again at the July meeting of the State Board of Education. The U.S. Department of Education has already approved most state plans. Every Student Succeeds is the Obama administrations 2015 replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board sets a new goal: prepare every grad to be eligible to apply for Cal State or UC By Sonali Kohli Last month, Los Angeles school board president proposed a spate of highly ambitious mandates aimed at ensuring that every district graduate be eligible to apply to one of the states public four-year universities by 2023. By the time the L.A. Unified school board unanimously approved the resolution Tuesday, the original language had been watered down. The goal is no longer that in five years 100% of students meet the long list of benchmarks, which include not just college eligibility for graduates but first-grade reading proficiency and English fluency by sixth grade for all students who enter the district in kindergarten or first grade speaking another language. The original college-readiness goal, for example, called for 100% of all high school students to be eligible to apply to one of the states four-year universities. Now the goal seems to offer more wiggle room: Prepare all high school graduates to be eligible to apply to a California four-year university. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement We have been hurt. More women say they were mistreated by USC gynecologist By Richard Winton USC student Anika Narayanan says she vividly recalls her first appointment with Dr. George Tyndall at the campus health center, alleging that he made several explicit comments during an examination she felt was inappropriate and invasive. When she came back for a second visit in 2016 after a nonconsensual sexual encounter, he allegedly chastised her, she said in a civil lawsuit and at a press conference Tuesday. He asked me if I had forgotten to use a condom again, said Narayanan, 21. At one point, she said, Tyndall asked if I did a lot of doggy style, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unified gives inspector general brief contract extension By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school board on Tuesday extended the contract of Ken Bramlett, its inspector general, by three months, though his job is far from secure and questions remain about the future direction of his watchdog office. Board members also unanimously promoted Vivian Ekchian, who had been the runner-up for the superintendents job, to deputy superintendent the districts No. 2 position. Both moves had elements of peacemaking between different factions on the board. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs handling of complaints about campus gynecologist is being investigated by federal government By Harriet Ryan The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into how the University of Southern California handled misconduct complaints against a campus gynecologist, the latest fallout in a scandal that has prompted the resignation of USCs president, two law enforcement investigations and dozens of lawsuits. In revealing the inquiry by the departments Office of Civil Rights, officials rebuked USC for what they alleged was improper withholding of information about Dr. George Tyndall during a previous federal investigation. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has been criticized for taking a less vigorous approach to examining sexual misconduct than predecessors, called for a systemic examination of USC and urged administrators to fully cooperate. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Judge to sentence woman and her boyfriend for the murder of an 8-year-old that led to L.A. child welfare reforms By Marisa Gerber A woman and her boyfriend are expected to be sentenced Thursday for the torture and murder of an 8-year-old boy whose killing in 2013 provoked public outrage, prompted sweeping reform of Los Angeles Countys child welfare system, and led to unprecedented criminal charges against social workers who handled the childs case. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in the death of her son, Gabriel. A jury decided last year that her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 37, should be executed. When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home in May 2013, Gabriel had slipped out of consciousness. He had a fractured skull, broken ribs, burned skin, missing teeth and BB pellets embedded in his groin. A paramedic would later testify that every inch of the boys small body had been abused. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unifieds spending out of step with similar school systems, task force says By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school district is out of step with similar school systems, spending more on teachers pay and health benefits and less on activities that could enhance student learning, according to a new report by an outside task force. The L.A. Unified School District Advisory Task Force did not make specific recommendations, but instead posed a series of questions it said the district needs to answer to make sure its funding is aimed at providing a full opportunity for all students to succeed. What were trying to say is: Lets put the data on the table. Lets look at the truth. Lets be transparent and here are the numbers, said task force member Renata Simril. This is not to say that we should cut teachers salaries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Top USC medical school official feared dean was doing drugs and alerted administration, he testifies By Paul Pringle A former vice dean of USCs Keck School of Medicine testified Tuesday that he feared the schools then-dean, Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, could be doing drugs and expressed concerns about his general well-being to the universitys No. 2 administrator before Puliafito abruptly left his job in 2016. Dr. Henri Fords testimony at a hearing of the state Medical Board marks the first suggestion that any USC administrator had suspicions about Puliafitos possible drug use before he stepped down. A Times investigation in 2017 found Puliafito led a secret second life of using illegal drugs with a circle of young criminals and addicts. Puliafito testified about his behavior at the hearing Tuesday, saying he took drugs with one young woman on a weekly basis. Ford said that he decided to alert USC Provost Michael Quick after receiving reports in early 2016 that Puliafito was partying in hotels with people of questionable reputation, and that he came to worry about his mental stability. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Why L.A. Unified may face financial crisis even with a giant surplus this year By Jessica Calefati With more than half a billion dollars socked away for next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District hardly seems just two years from financial ruin. Its a scenario that is especially tough to swallow if youre a low-wage worker seeking a raise or a teacher who wants smaller classes. But budget documents show that todays $548-million surplus cannot be sustained and that even basic services face steep, seemingly unavoidable cuts because of massive problems barreling the districts way. Theres a disconnect between the rosy short-term picture and what we know is coming, said board member Kelly Gonez. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We have failed: Top USC officials try to reassure students amid gynecologist scandal By Joy Resmovits Top administrators at USC are reaching out to students in the wake of misconduct allegations against the universitys longtime gynecologist, acknowledging failings and vowing reforms as they try to address growing outrage over the revelations. Several USC deans have sent out messages trying to reassure students and faculty that the university is committed to changing. We have failed, wrote Jack H. Knott, dean of USCs Sol Price School of Public Policy, in a May 24 letter. What happened is antithetical to everything we know is right. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rick Caruso is named chair of USCs trustees, vows swift investigation of gynecologist scandal By Thomas Curwen The University of Southern Californias board of trustees has elected mall magnate Rick Caruso to be the new chair of the board, giving fresh leadership as the university navigates a widening scandal involving a longtime campus gynecologist. The move marks the latest effort by USC to address the case, which has sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and dozens of civil lawsuits. More than 400 people have contacted a hotline that the university established for patients to make reports about their experience with Dr. George Tyndall. In his first act as chairman, Caruso announced that the white-shoe L.A. law firm OMelveny & Myers would conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the gynecologists conduct and reporting failures at the clinic. He set an ambitious timeline for the review, pledging it would conclude before students return for the fall semester. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC Berkeley students persistence helps win more liberal rules for in-state tuition By Teresa Watanabe Ifechukwu Okeke thought shed be a shoo-in for in-state tuition when she was admitted to UC Berkeley for fall 2016. She had moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2012 to go to Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. By the time she got her acceptance to transfer to UC to study molecular and cell biology, she had lived in California four years. She had a California drivers license, bank account and rental records as proof. UC Berkeley, however, ruled she was a nonresident which meant she would have to pay nearly $27,000 more. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement State medical board calls former County-USC doctor a sexual predator, suspends his license By Matt Hamilton A UCLA cardiologist has been temporarily stripped of his medical license after state regulators described him as a sexual predator who assaulted three female colleagues when he was working and training at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Global California 2030 aims to get more students learning more languages By Joy Resmovits Tom Torlakson (Andrew Seng / Associated Press) Outgoing state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday announced a new statewide effort to encourage students to learn more languages. Called Global California 2030, its goal is to help more students become fluent in multiple tongues. Torlakson said that by 2030, he wants half of the states 6.2 million K-12 students to participate in classes or programs that lead to proficiency in two or more languages. By 2040, he wants three out of four students to be proficient enough to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy. Torlakson announced the initiative at Cahuenga Elementary School, which offers a dual-language immersion program in English and Korean. Californias public school students speak more than 60 languages at home, and 40% come to school with knowledge of a language other than English. Torlakson called his plan a call to action that invites parents, legislators, educators and community members to pool resources to expand language offerings in schools and get more bilingual teachers trained. He said the state already is working with Mexico and Spain to expand a teacher-exchange program. Fluency, the plan argues, can help students succeed economically and language acquisition can help their overall critical thinking. The initiative builds on Proposition 58, a ballot initiative passed in 2016 that undid an earlier requirement that English learners be taught in English-immersion classes unless their parents signed waivers. Torlakson recently visited Mexico and met with that countrys education secretary. They later signed a pact to increase collaboration, particularly in language education. This [Global California 2030] is great follow-through on Toms part and very important, Patricia Gandara, a UCLA education professor who hosted the Mexico meeting, said in an email. It hands over a plan to move forward in an area in which California has a unique advantage, but must seize the opportunity. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Jury convicts man of murder in 2015 slaying of UCLA student found inside her burning apartment By Marisa Gerber A jury on Tuesday convicted a man in the 2015 slaying of a UCLA student found dead inside her burning apartment a gruesome stabbing case that led to a fierce rebuke of the police response amid concerns that the killing could have been prevented. The panel deliberated for about six hours before finding Alberto Medina, 24, guilty of murder, arson, burglary and animal cruelty. On Sept. 21, 2015, firefighters found the charred body of Andrea DelVesco inside her apartment after responding to the complex a block from campus. The 21-year-old student an Austin, Texas, native known to her sorority sisters as a fearless giver who befriended others with ease was stabbed at least 19 times, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print LAPD begins sweeping criminal probe of former USC gynecologist while urging patients to come forward By Adam Elmahrek The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients of USCs longtime campus gynecologist as detectives launch a sweeping criminal probe into the scandal that has rocked the university. LAPD detectives also made an appeal for other patients who feel mistreated to come forward, noting that thousands of students were examined by Dr. George Tyndall during his nearly 30-year career at USC. More than 410 people have contacted a university hotline about the physician since The Times revealed the allegations this month. Tyndalls behavior and practices appear to go beyond the norms of the medical profession and gynecological examinations, said Asst. Chief Beatrice Girmala. We sincerely realize that victims may have difficulty recounting such details to investigators. We are empathetic and ready to listen. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At L.A.'s only school for the deaf, parents want leaders who speak the same language By Anna M. Phillips Ever since her son was 6 months old, Juliet Hidalgo has been bringing him to the Marlton School, a low-slung building in Baldwin Hills that for generations has been a second home for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Los Angeles. Marlton staff taught Hidalgos brother and sister, both of whom are deaf. The school was where her deaf son learned to make the signs for milk and food. Hidalgo had planned to enroll her daughter, taking advantage of a popular program that allows hearing children to learn American Sign Language alongside their deaf siblings. But after more than a decade of involvement, she and other family members are considering withdrawing their children. They are not alone. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fueled by unlimited donations, independent groups play their biggest role yet in a California primary for governor By Ryan Menezes An unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors, unions and corporations is flowing into the California governors race, giving independent groups unrestricted by contribution limits a greater say in picking the states chief executive than ever before. The groups have already spent more than $26 million through Thursday, the most ever spent by noncandidate committees in a gubernatorial primary, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance reports. California elections have always been expensive, and the future is even more expensive, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former state Republican leader. The stakes are very real. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 2 hurt in Indiana middle school shooting; suspect in custody, authorities say By Associated Press Authorities say two victims in a shooting at a suburban Indianapolis school are being taken to a hospital and the lone suspect is in custody. Bryant Orem, a spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release that the victims in Friday mornings attack at Noblesville West Middle School are being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and their families have been notified. He says no other information is available about the victims. Orem said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and was taken into custody. No additional information about the suspect was made public. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For new L.A. schools chief Austin Beutner, some key unions are giving no honeymoon period By Howard Blume In the less than two weeks since Austin Beutner took charge of Los Angeles schools, unions representing teachers and administrators have staged a job action and a protest. Theyve made it clear that they will not give the new superintendent the traditional honeymoon period, and they are bashing him for his wealth and lack of experience running either a school or a school district. Beutner is a billionaire investment banker with zero qualifications, local teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told members in a phone alert urging them to participate in a Thursday afternoon rally in Grand Park. The board is saying that billionaires who made their money blowing institutions up and making money off it know best not the education professionals who have dedicated our careers to working with students. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Pressure grows on Board of Trustees amid USC gynecologist scandal By Paul Pringle USCs large and powerful Board of Trustees is coming under growing pressure to provide a stronger hand as the university faces a crisis over misconduct allegations against the campus longtime gynecologist that has prompted calls for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down. Allegations that Dr. George Tyndall mistreated students during his nearly 30 years at USC have roiled the campus, with about 300 people coming forward to make reports to the university and the Los Angeles Police Department launching a criminal investigation. USC is already beginning to face what is expected to be costly litigation by women who say they were victimized by the physician. So far, the trustees to whom Nikias reports have expressed sympathy for the women who have come forward and launched an independent investigation while also publicly backing the president. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC regents approve leaner budget for Janet Napolitano By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents on Thursday unanimously approved a leaner, more transparent budget for President Janet Napolitano, moving to address political criticism over the systems central office operations. The $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 reflects spending cuts of 2%, including reductions in staffing, travel and such systemwide programs as public service law fellowships, carbon neutrality and food security. Napolitano shifted $30 million to campuses for housing needs and $10 million to UC Riverside to support its five-year-old medical school. She also permanently redirected $8.5 million annually to help enroll more California students, as required by the state. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias public universities on the way to getting a big longed-for boost in funding By Teresa Watanabe The University of California and California State University systems are poised to get major funding boosts that will help them enroll thousands of additional state students and eliminate the need for tuition increases in the coming school year. A key Assembly budget panel on Wednesday approved $117.5 million in new funds for the UC. A Senate panel approved a similar sum last week. The same committees recently approved even more funding for the Cal State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitanos office budget in a step toward stronger oversight By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting. Regents will vote on the proposed $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 during their two-day meeting, which starts Wednesday, at UC San Francisco. They also will discuss state funding, financial aid, online education and transfer student policies. Board Chairman George Kieffer said regents are stepping up to exert stronger oversight of the presidents office after a blistering state audit last year found financial problems including an unreported $175 million budget reserve. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education. What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions longtime stalwarts of the party and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans saying repeatedly, stay tuned but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist who has agreed to modify the artwork to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event his first speech and news conference with a photogenic background of students. His message that he would put those students first seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman who also was black that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged and pressured the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members enough to control the outcome were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people 12 students and one teacher killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends a 16-year-old boy made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus which the president said is less than 55% white that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces an arch and a garden after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies better known as CAVA had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results out Monday night were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Kentucky teachers rally at Capitol over state budget By Associated Press Thousands of Kentucky teachers filled the streets near the state Capitol in Frankfort on a cold, overcast Monday to rally for education funding. Teachers and other school employees gathered outside the Kentucky Education Assn. a couple of blocks from the Capitol chanting, Stop the war on public education and holding or posting signs that say, Weve Had Enough. Were madder than hornets, and the hornets are swarming today, said Claudette Green, a retired teacher and principal. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy L A revived version of President Trumps travel ban expected to take effect late in the day is sparking new fears in Los Angeles large Iranian community. Ameena Mirza Qazi, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, said immigration rights attorneys are still very concerned about the travel ban, even in its restricted form. Theres still a lot of confusion about how this affects people, how this affects family members, Qazi said. Community members are extremely concerned. The [visa] process is already so thorough and its been that way for a very long time. To say someone cant come in because theyre from a certain country we know what this is about. This is about excluding Muslims as much as possible. Advertisement After the Supreme Court partially restored the executive order that had been blocked by courts, the Trump administration set new criteria for visa applicants from six majority-Muslim nations, requiring a close business or family tie to the U.S. The Trump administration has said that it needs the travel pause while it reviews and revises its vetting procedures for people arriving from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya and Yemen. Trump has argued that the countries have ties to terrorism and that the ban will better protect the U.S. against terror attacks. Guidelines sent to embassies and consulates around the globe do not count grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiances or other extended family members as close relations. The rules apply for 90 days to people from the six countries and 120 days for refugees from any country. Visas that have already been approved will not be revoked. Qazi said attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild and other organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American Civil Liberties Union, will monitor how customs officials treat travelers to determine whether they are overzealous in their implementation and whether there are any unforeseen impacts locally. Civil rights lawyers are heading back to LAX as the new version of Trumps travel ban takes effect Because attorneys are not allowed behind the scenes during customs inspections, she said, they rely heavily on family members waiting at the airport to tell them whether someone has been detained for an extended period. Qazi said the ban may affect one of her interns, whose family is from Iran. Her grandmother wanted to go back to Iran to visit family. After the Muslim ban, they were very afraid things could change on a dime, so they wanted to wait and see, Qazi said. Xena Amirani, the intern, said her grandmother died recently, and her mother was having a hard time dealing with the stress of losing a loved one. Amiranis aunt was supposed to visit from Iran to help the family manage. I was pretty worried because I didnt realize there were exceptions for family members, Amirani, 18, said. Her aunt doesnt have a green card, she said, so she thought the ban would ruin their plans. I was really worried and concerned and I called my parents, she said. After reading up on the ban, she realized it put in place exceptions for certain bona fide relationships, including siblings. As long as its within this restriction Im not too worried about it, Amirani said. But if the Supreme Court rules in the fall that the original version of the ban is constitutional, then Im going to be concerned. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif went on Twitter on Tuesday to criticize the executive order: A bigoted ban on Muslims will not keep US safer. Instead of policies empowering extremists, US should join the real fight against them. Jamal Abdi, policy director for the National Iranian American Council, said even a limited version of the travel ban stands to separate families that have come to rely on visits from their loved ones in Iran because they are unable to travel to the Islamic Republic. The Iranian community, many of us are first- or second-generation, Abdi said. A lot of our families are still in Iran.... Many of us cant go to Iran. Now, we see both governments punishing the people who are stuck in the middle and that means families are now being torn apart. Abdi recalled the case of an Iranian man who was barred from coming to the U.S. to visit his newborn grandson for the first time during the initial travel ban in January. The man was stopped at the airport and wasnt allowed to board the plane. This second ban, Abdi said, will lead to more such cases. The Muslim ban is largely on hold, Abdi said, but we are seeing that element of it made permanent. ALSO Immigrant advocates brace for new travel ban, criticize rules on close family admissions Q&A: Trump scores a partial win for his travel ban. What comes next? Editorial: Trumps travel ban is back, but its still as bad a policy as ever UPDATES: 4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments from the National Iranian American Council and details about the ban. This article was originally published at 1:00 p.m. One in every 5 of the Los Angeles Community College Districts 230,000 students is homeless, and nearly two-thirds cant afford to eat properly, according to a new survey commissioned by the systems board of trustees. The study looked at students with unstable housing and food insecurity, which is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as lacking enough to eat to sustain an active, healthy life. Nearly half the L.A. community college students surveyed reported struggling with high housing costs. Of the 19% who said they were recently homeless, 8% reported being thrown out of their homes, 4% said they had been evicted, and 6% had stayed in an abandoned building, car or other location not meant for housing, the survey said. Advertisement Although college students nationwide face financial constraints that affect their nutrition, according to the study, those enrolled at the L.A. districts nine campuses fare worse than the national average. About 65% cant afford balanced meals, and 60% are unable to buy more when their food runs out, the study said. This is not about eating Top Ramen, district board of trustees President Scott Svonkin said at a news conference Thursday at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Standing before a bank of TV cameras, Trade Tech student Myriah Smiley, 19, broke down in tears as she disclosed she had not been able to eat that morning. Smiley, who grew up in foster care, said that her food stamps had been cut off when she received a welfare check. The money was not enough to cover books, meals, hygiene and other expenses, she said. All the time, she said when describing how often she goes hungry. Smiley said she was couch-surfing while running for Miss Compton and studying small-business entrepreneurship with a goal of opening her own bakery. I cry at night and hope for better days. Nationally, 29% of former foster youth in community colleges are homeless, and only 2% obtain an academic degree, according to University of Wisconsin Hope lab, which studies higher education affordability. When you have people going hungry for three days straight, you have a really serious problem. Mike Eng, Los Angeles Community College trustee Students Myriah Smiley, 19, and Norma Castillo, 32, break down at the podium during a press conference at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) The survey results come during a time of intense competition over the distribution of proceeds from a quarter-cent county sales tax for homeless services. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors this month designated homeless college students among the beneficiaries of the tax fund, which is expected to produce $3.55 billion over 10 years. The California State University system last year released a preliminary study saying that 1 in every 10 of its 460,000 students was homeless, and 1 in 5 had spotty access to food. The Los Angeles Community College District campuses span the citys poor and suburban neighborhoods and offer a wide variety of study areas, including fashion design and horse husbandry. Almost 6,000 students participated in the online survey, which was developed with the Hope Lab and the Assn. of Community College Trustees, a nonprofit group representing college district board members. The survey authors recommended that L.A. community college officials make showers and other facilities available to homeless students and streamline referrals to public benefits and other resources. Trustee Mike Eng said the district was negotiating with private developers to build below-market housing on one or more of its campuses and with its food vendor to provide free meals to needy students. The number of housing units and locations are still to be decided, but officials have narrowed the list of qualified developers to three and are considering making campus land available in exchange for profit-sharing, Eng said. gholland@latimes.com Twitter: @geholland ALSO Youth homelessness surges in L.A. Why are you out here? My mom is a really bad mom L.A. County homelessness jumps a staggering 23% as need far outpaces housing, new count shows Steve Lopez: L.A.'s crisis: High rents, low pay, homelessness rising and $2,000 doesnt buy much UPDATES: 12:45 p.m.: This article was updated with details from the news conference. This article originally was published at 12:05 a.m. A Kern County sheriffs deputy was arrested Thursday on suspicion of spousal battery and false imprisonment, authorities said. The Kern County Sheriffs Office released few details about the domestic violence incident, saying only that it occurred Wednesday and involved Deputy Lawrence Thatcher. For the record: A previous version of this story said Thatcher was recognized by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It was his father. Thatcher, an 11-year veteran of the Sheriffs Office, was taken into custody, and officials said he will be booked into Central Receiving Facility. Advertisement He was placed on administrative leave, authorities said. His father, who is also named Lawrence Thatcher and was a Kern County sheriffs deputy, and two other deputies were awarded in 2003 by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for their work in a case involving two Antelope Valley teenage girls who were abducted on Aug. 1, 2002, by Roy Ratliff, said sheriffs Senior Deputy Danisha Ashley. The younger Thatcher was assigned to the Ridgecrest station, Sheriff Donny Youngblood told KBAK-TV. He is at least the third Kern County sheriffs deputy this year to face criminal charges. In May, two former deputies, Logan August and Derrick Penney, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, according to U.S. Atty. Phillip A. Talbert. Federal authorities said the former deputies conspired to steal marijuana from the Kern County Sheriffs Office storage unit. The marijuana had been seized during criminal investigations. They have agreed to forfeit any money they earned from the trafficking operation. August and Penney face up to five years in prison. veronica.rocha@latimes.com Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA Los Angeles police fatally shot a man who had a gun during a confrontation Wednesday night in the Westlake neighborhood. Uniformed officers from the Rampart Division were in the area of 3rd and Witmer streets about 7 p.m. when they spotted a man with a handgun, said Sgt. Barry Montgomery, an LAPD spokesman. Police tried to de-escalate the situation with verbal commands and tried to get him to drop the weapon, Montgomery said. Next, police used a bean-bag shotgun to try to get him to comply with orders, he said. Advertisement At that point, police shot the man, who was about 40 years old, Montgomery said. Its unclear how many officers opened fire. Paramedics were summoned to the scene, where the man was pronounced dead. Aerial footage from KCAL-TV Channel 9 showed a large cloth covering what appeared to be a body. The mans identity was not released pending notification of family members. No officers were injured during the confrontation. A multi-agency investigation is underway, which is standard procedure for all LAPD officer-involved shootings. The officers were wearing body cameras, and their patrol cars had digital video cameras, all of which were going to be downloaded and reviewed by investigators, Montgomery said. The inquiry will be reviewed by the Los Angeles County district attorneys office, the Police Commission and its inspector general. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno UPDATES: 10:50 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with information from Sgt. Barry Montgomery. This article was originally published at 10:25 p.m. Newport Beachs new short-term rental monitor has helped close the door on nearly 80 unpermitted vacation rental homes in the last month, with dozens more under review, according to the city. Based on about five weeks of data from Host Compliance, a company that combs 22 online platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway to see whos advertising their homes for vacation rental without proper local clearance, Newport has shut down 78 rentals and has about 50 more to review, Kim Brandt, Newport Beachs community development director, told the City Council on Tuesday. Residential properties offering short-term rentals defined as less than 30 days have long been part of the local culture, with zoning, lodging permits and business licenses to regulate them. But the recent popularity of online short-term rental platforms has made it difficult for Newport Beach to regulate such rentals, Brandt said. Advertisement Newport Beach has about 1,300 active short-term lodging permits. The city doesnt keep track of how the properties are advertised, such as through online platforms or a traditional property management firm, but it does collect a 10% occupancy tax, also called a bed tax, as it would for a hotel room. Short-term rentals generated about $2.7 million in revenue last year, accounting for 10% of the bed tax total. Most of the permitted short-term rentals are at the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island and Corona del Mar. The vast majority are in neighborhoods zoned to allow multifamily housing. In 2004, the city banned vacation rentals in areas zoned only for single-family homes. Much of the recent crackdown has been in single-family-only neighborhoods, where only 120 properties operating before the ban were grandfathered in. All of the 78 homes that have ceased offering vacation rentals are located in such neighborhoods. Property owners who have been offering short-term lodging without authorization will have to pay the city back taxes and get a permit if they intend to continue, Brandt said. HomeAway sent Newport Beach a letter this week agreeing to share its listing information and require its hosts to put their permit numbers in their listings, Brandt said, adding that the city would follow up with Airbnb. hillary.davis@latimes.com Davis writes for Times Community News On the morning of June 28, over 30 applicants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Israel came to Zhejiangs Hangzhou to compete for positions in the Westlake Institute for Advanced Study (WIAS), the first private research institute for advanced science and technology in China. It is the institutes fourth recruitment drive to attract overseas scholars since it was founded two years ago. The applicants were invited to briefly talk about their education background, work experience, academic achievements, and work plan in China. After a question and answer session, interviewers from the institute voted for their favorite candidates. So far, 21 prominent scientists have been selected from over 1,500 applicants. Professor Rao Yi from Peking University, now leader of the Institute for Basic Medical Sciences at WIAS said, WIAS is dedicated to creating an enabling environment for researchers. We will guarantee that support for our professors meets international standards. They only need to focus on their work. With sufficient funds, I believe all them will make great progress at our institute. The institute was initiated by seven top-notch Chinese scientists, including Shi Yigong, Chen Shiyi, Pan Jianwei, and Rao Yi. It is funded by private companies, including Longfor Properties, Tencent Holdings, and Dalian Wanda Group. Fifteen to 20 world-class experts will officially join WIAS and build their research teams by the end of this year. In no more than two years time, the institute will have 50-60 state-of-the-art laboratories and hundreds of researchers. The first group of PhD students admitted to the institute will attend school in September this year. Under intense scrutiny over her handling of Orange Countys jails, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens railed Wednesday against a scathing report on jail conditions released this week by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, saying the report was rife with inaccuracies and purposely distorted facts. She also insisted that her announcement Tuesday that she will not seek reelection in 2018 which came within hours of the ACLU reports release and advocates calls for her to resign had nothing to do with the report or those demands. Im not going to call it an investigation, Hutchens said about the ACLUs 104-page report, which was the result of what the group described as a two-year investigation, because it doesnt rise to that level in my mind. Advertisement Hutchens was appointed in 2008 after former Sheriff Michael S. Carona was indicted on federal public corruption charges. She was widely seen as a reformer of a troubled agency, and her first years were marked by widespread popularity. That reputation has been tainted lately by an ongoing scandal involving the use of jailhouse informants, and a daring escape last year by three inmates at the county Central Mens Jail that the deputies union blamed on staffing shortages, among other alleged missteps. The ACLU report was the latest set of allegations to rock the countys jail system. The report painted the jails as plagued by violence and unsanitary conditions, with deputies regularly assaulting inmates for no lawful reason and instigating fights among them. The report also alleged that people slept on floors in holding cells in the booking area and that the cells were smeared with human waste. Hutchens disputed some of the points in the report at a news conference Wednesday and said her office was not contacted for the other side of the story. Of the 108 recommendations in the report, all but one an independent civilian oversight body have been implemented, she said. She sought to minimize the ACLU reports findings by pointing out that there were 350,000 bookings over the course of time considered by the ACLU, and that the surveys of former inmates represented only a tiny fraction of the people who cycle through. She also disputed allegations of overcrowding, saying that the jails have an 18% vacancy rate, with one facility at 42%. The 48 jail deaths cited in the report were an even smaller fraction of the number of people booked, Hutchens said, and many people arrive with preexisting health conditions. Contrary to the ACLU report, she contended, inmates are given adequate mental health care, and pregnant women and transgender people have access to special medical services. Responding to a question about numerous inmates surveyed reporting similar experiences such as being forced to eat meals in only two or three minutes Hutchens said incredulously, Id be interested in why they did not come forward while they were in custody. She added, That makes me suspect. The sheriff also denied rumors that she was stepping down because of health concerns. A breast cancer survivor, Hutchens said the disease has not returned. I dont have an illness, she said. Im fine. More time with family, she said, was among the reasons motivating her decision. Regarding her legacy, she hopes she empowered the people who work for me to make their own decisions. adam.elmahrek@latimes.com Twitter: @AdamElmahrek Three years ago, candidates for Los Angeles County sheriff jostled over who had the best claim to be the type of outsider who could clean up a department mired in jail abuse and corruption scandals. Alex Villanueva says its time to flaunt being an insider again. Standing next to the East Los Angeles station where he once served as a young deputy, Villanueva, now a lieutenant, said Wednesday that his three-decade tenure with the agency gives him the insight needed to improve the department. Advertisement He is the first to challenge incumbent Jim McDonnell in next years election. McDonnell, who had served as Long Beach police chief after a long career with the Los Angeles Police Department, was the first outsider in a century to win the sheriffs job in 2014. That shift in an insular agency where long-serving sheriffs were known to handpick their successors came after a jail abuse controversy that ultimately ended in convictions for numerous department officials, including former Sheriff Lee Baca. Baca was sentenced this year to three years in prison for his role in obstructing an FBI investigation of his jails. Villanueva, 54, says he had been hopeful McDonnell would deliver on a pledge to bring fresh eyes to the troubled department. Three years into McDonnells term, Villanueva says too many officials who fueled the corrupt culture of the agency are still in high-ranking positions. He says it takes an intimate knowledge of the department to reshuffle its players. In trying to get rid of wrongdoers, McDonnell has been disciplining only low-level deputies, Villanueva claimed. Its management by gotcha, he said. McDonnell, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment. Villanueva says he would add 3,000 deputies to the departments patrol operation, in part by removing deputies from roles that dont involve policing and assigning them to work the streets. Among the programs he would shrink are the departments public relations campaigns. Villanueva also said he would look for opportunities to assign civilians to some jobs currently being performed by deputies. A La Habra Heights resident, Villanueva ran and lost a City Council race there in 2015. Hes now an appointed planning commissioner in that city, in addition to serving as a watch commander at the Sheriffs Departments Pico Rivera station. After starting in the county jails in 1986, he went on to work at several patrol stations and became an academy instructor. Prior to joining the department, he served a year in the U.S. Air Force and has also served in the California Army National Guard. maya.lau@latimes.com Twitter: @mayalau President Trump finally saw his travel ban take effect as U.S. embassies across the globe implemented new restrictions Thursday to block travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries as well as refugees from everywhere. White House officials tried to assure U.S. residents that there would be none of the disruptions at international airports that occurred the first time the administration tried to enact the ban in January. But immigrant advocates and civil rights groups said guidelines issued by the government on who would be banned were vague and opened the possibility of chaos as thousands of customs and embassy officials tried to implement the order. Its incredibly confusing, said Mark Hetfield, chief executive of HIAS, formerly known as Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Were just waiting to see what happens. Advertisement The ban, which took effect at 5 p.m. Pacific time, puts a 90-day pause on travel to the U.S. by nationals of Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen and blocks all refugee resettlement for 120 days. It had been halted by various courts until this week, when the Supreme Court said that it could be put in place with an exception for foreigners with a bona fide relationship to American individuals or entities. The court offered limited examples, including students, a worker who accepted an offer of employment from an American company or a lecturer invited to address an American audience. In guidelines issued Thursday, the Trump administration interpreted the order to allow entry of people with close family in the U.S., such as a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling or in-law parents. It said people with employment and university admission would also qualify. But it blocked grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-law. That set the stage for a legal showdown over who qualifies as close family. Late Thursday, the state of Hawaii filed a motion in Honolulus federal district court asking a judge who previously ruled against the travel ban to clarify whether the governments list of unqualified relatives violates the Supreme Courts order. Government officials said they based their interpretation on the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. But Kevin Lapp, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said the closest that law comes to defining close family is a section that describes immediate relatives as children younger than 21, spouses and parents. Those relatives get preference for visas, and the government went beyond that definition with the travel ban rules, he said. Peter Spiro, a law professor at Temple University, said that the administrations definition of family is all over the place. He pointed out that the immigration act doesnt allow preferential treatment for mothers- and fathers-in-law who were included in the administrations definition of close relatives but does give preference to fiances and fiancees who were initially left off the list and then added in the final hour before the ban took effect. Caught in the confusion was U.S. citizen Afsaneh Shirazi, a 36-year-old software engineer who lives in San Francisco, whose fiance has been in Iran since November waiting for a visa. Before the last-minute change, the couple had been thinking about moving to another country to be together. It was a hard day and I am a bit relieved now, she said after it appeared her fiance would not be barred. I am still worried about administrative processing taking a long time. The policy on refugees is another source of confusion. Refugees scheduled to arrive in the U.S. by July 6 will still be allowed entry. But it was unclear how the order would be applied to thousands of refugees who had been approved for travel but could not get flight reservations before that deadline. Refugee advocates argue that refugee agencies should be counted as bona fide U.S. connections, allowing resettlement to proceed. But the Trump administration said a refugees relationship with a resettlement group by itself was not enough. Our understanding is that they are essentially shutting down refugee resettlement, said Justin Cox, an attorney with the National Immigration Law Center. ... If we cant work this out, we will be back in court. Cox is among a team representing immigrants and refugee groups in a case over the travel ban that the Supreme Court is expected to hear in the fall. The court, which is also considering a similar case from Hawaii, indicated that its move to partially revive the ban was a temporary compromise before it heard full arguments. Plaintiffs have argued that the ban unconstitutionally discriminates against Muslims. But the matter could be moot by the fall, because Trumps executive order says the government needs 90 days to evaluate its vetting procedures before offering permanent proposals to hinder entry from terrorists. Amid questions about who would be let into the U.S., immigrant advocates dispatched volunteers overnight Thursday to international airports in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Washington and other cities. You have kids out of school who expected to see their grandparents this summer, said Camille Mackler, director of legal initiatives at the New York Immigration Coalition, who was stationed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. You have U.S. citizens who were planning to get married and cant bring over their fiances. Mackler said she didnt expect a repeat of the dramatic scene that occurred in January when the original ban led to several days of deportations, detentions and thousands of visa cancellations before it was struck down in court. The chaos led to dozens of lawsuits and months of rants from the president against district and circuit courts that ruled against him. Trump administration officials said that people who had visa appointments at embassies and consulates should still apply for travel and would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. They also said consular officials, as before, would have the ability to waive restrictions in individual cases. Immigrant groups have continued to register their opposition to the ban. The National Iranian American Council said its implementation represented a new low by targeting grandparents of American children. The Iranian community, many of us are first or second generation, said Jamal Abdi, the groups policy director. A lot of our families are still in Iran. A lot of our aunts and uncles are still in Iran. Many of us cant go to Iran now, we see both governments punishing the people who are stuck in the middle and that means families are now being torn apart. Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in a statement that the new travel rules were wrong in arbitrarily dividing American Muslims from their grandparents and other close relatives overseas. These illogical rules must not stand, nor should any other part of the discriminatory and unconstitutional Muslim ban, he said. Times reporters Melissa Etehad and Sarah Parvini in Los Angeles, Tracy Wilkinson in Washington, D.C. and Barbara Demick in New York and special correspondent Jenny Jarvie in Atlanta contributed to this report. jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com ALSO Q&A: Trump scores a partial win for his travel ban. What comes next? Editorial: Trumps travel ban is back, but its still as bad a policy as ever UPDATES: 6:15 p.m.: This article has been updated to include a legal challenge from the state of Hawaii and the addition of fiances and fiancees to the list of close family members who will not be banned from entry. 5:27 p.m.: This article has been updated to include legal analysis and reaction from immigrants and their advocates. This article was first published at 10:20 a.m. Since being approved two weeks ago to fly to the United States as a refugee, Shaz Sadiq has read her Bible and prayed nightly that nothing goes wrong. She fled her native Pakistan where her father had been killed in a church shooting and she had received frequent death threats in 2013 and has spent the last four years in Bangkok, Thailand, applying for refugee status and permanent resettlement in a place safe for Christians. Every day is a miracle. And every day feels like a year, said Sadiq, 42, who is scheduled to arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport the afternoon of July 6 with her sister and mother. Advertisement Sadiq, who has no relatives in the United States and has never been in the country, could be among the last refugees of her kind admitted to the U.S. at least for a while now that the Supreme Court has revived President Trumps travel ban. With exceptions for people with a bona fide relationship to schools, employers, family or other U.S. entities, the ban going into effect Thursday will block admissions of people from six majority-Muslim countries for 90 days as the government evaluates its vetting procedures. Pakistan is not on that list. But the travel order also bans refugees from all countries for 120 days. Advocates for immigrants and refugees have been struggling to interpret the courts less-than-clear language on who is exempt from the new travel rules and say that the federal government has caused confusion by not releasing guidelines on which refugees it will accept. The State Department is studying how to define bona fide relationship, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said this week. Refugees already en route whether they have a bona fide relationship to the U.S. or not would be allowed into the U.S. through July 6. Beyond that, we dont know, Nauert said. Sadiq said shes confident she and her family members will be able to start their new lives. She hopes to find work as a translator, her profession in Pakistan. This restriction is not for us, she said. We will make it. But a representative of the resettlement agency helping her family, the International Rescue Committee, said hes less sure because her scheduled arrival comes at the brink of the deadline. A small delay on either of her two flights could push her over. Im not confident this family will make it in, said Ruben Chandrasekar, a regional director for the organization in the Washington, D.C., area. A lot will depend on the exact guidance we get from the State Department, he said. We are friendly, polite women. We want to live our own lives. We are not going to be a bother. Shaz Sadiq Sadiq is being resettled with his office because she knows an employee of the organization in the Washington area for whom she did translation work in Pakistan. But that kind of relationship may not be enough to pass government muster should she arrive late or local officials decide to apply their own discretion, Chandrasekar said. This family has no family member connection in the area, so that also makes it harder to make a case if we have to, he said. About 40% of refugees in the U.S. arrive with no family in the country. And because of their status as refugees, they tend to not have the kind of job or university connection other immigrants could use to bypass the ban. Refugee groups have argued that people who have been connected to resettlement agencies in the U.S. a requirement to resettle should be able to count those agencies as U.S. connections for travel purposes. People with bona fide ties should include anyone who has an existing relationship with a nonprofit, frankly tens of thousands of refugees, said Becca Heller, director of the International Refugee Assistance Project. The organization is among those whose lawsuit against the travel ban the Supreme Court will consider in the fall. But the State Department, the main federal agency that handles refugee resettlement, hasnt weighed in on that question. On Thursday, Muslim Advocates, the Southern Poverty Law Center and Americans United for Separation of Church and State all opponents of the travel ban sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly asking for immediate guidance on how it will be implemented. Justin Cox, an attorney at the National Immigration Law Center, questioned whether immigration authorities are receiving clear guidance. If they are violating what the Supreme Court said, we can and will go back to the courts, he said. Advocates are hoping for a smoother rollout of the travel ban than what happened with the original version of the ban, which included green card holders being blocked and tens of thousands of visas being canceled amid confusion at U.S. airports and embassies across the world. That ban included a preference for refugees who were religious minorities in their countries, including Christians such as Sadiq. Though Sadiq, her sister, Rahila, and their mother, Doris, passed a vetting process that took years, they plan to celebrate only after passing customs agents and stepping foot on American soil. Our heart is dead with so many things, she said. We dont have excitement. Maybe we will once we get to America. She said she hopes that anti-immigrant views in the U.S. wont affect her family. If you have a guest in your house and the guest does not follow the rules, you have to understand if the guest has problems, she said. But we are not troublemakers. We are friendly, polite women. We want to live our own lives. We are not going to be a bother. Staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com Jaweed Kaleem is The Times national race and justice correspondent. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. More national headlines A grand jury has indicted a Texas man whom authorities accuse of causing a traffic collision that killed 13 people in a minibus returning from a church retreat in March. The Uvalde County district attorneys office said Thursday that Jack Dillon Young, 20, was indicted Monday on multiple charges, including intoxication manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury. Young turned himself in Wednesday and was being held on a $380,000 bond, Dist. Atty. Daniel Kindred said in a statement emailed Thursday. He has a court hearing scheduled for late July. Advertisement A message left for Youngs attorney was not immediately returned. A National Transportation Safety Board report says Young told investigators he was checking his phone for a text when the crash happened March 29, near San Antonio. He said he had taken prescription drugs before the crash and investigators found marijuana in his pickup, the report said. An NTSB review of a 14-minute video shot by a motorist trailing Youngs pickup prior to the crash showed Youngs truck cross the double yellow center line 19 times, the solid white shoulder lines 37 times and the grass shoulder at least five times, according to the report. The driver and 12 passengers on the bus from First Baptist Church of New Braunfels were killed. One passenger survived and was hospitalized with serious injuries. All were senior adult members of the church. At one point, the video even shows the pickup driving on the wrong side of the road. Investigators estimated the truck was traveling from 67 to 71 mph in a 70-mph zone, based on an analysis of the video. Officials from Uvalde and Real counties confirmed they had received phone calls about a white pickup driving erratically and crossing the highway shortly before the wreck. Young, of Leakey, Texas, was not wearing his seat belt while most if not all of the 14 church bus occupants had been wearing theirs, the NTSB said. The wreck happened on a two-lane highway about 75 miles west of San Antonio. An affidavit from a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper seeking a blood test for a toxicology report said there was probable cause to believe Young was intoxicated during the collision because Young acknowledged ingesting prescription drugs including clonazepam and the generic forms of Lexapro and Ambien. The United States blacklisted a small Chinese bank accused of illicit dealings with North Korea on Thursday, escalating the pressure on Beijing to rein in its wayward ally amid increased signs of frustration among President Trump and his top advisors with Chinas diplomatic efforts. The Treasury Department declared the Bank of Dandong a primary money-laundering concern, proposing to sever it entirely from the U.S. financial system, pending a 60-day review period. Although Trumps treasury secretary said the move didnt target China, it comes a week after the president lamented that Chinas promise to help with North Korea has not worked out. Trump had been leaning on President Xi Jinping to help stop the Norths development of nuclear weapons before they can threaten the U.S. homeland. A main focus of the coordination has been getting China to fully enforce international sanctions intended to starve North Korea of revenue for its nuclear and missile programs. Advertisement The U.S. action is likely to anger China, which handles about 90% of North Koreas external trade and whose banks and companies are said to provide Pyongyang access to the U.S.-dominated international financial system. The sanctions bar Americans from doing business with Bank of Dandong, which is based in a northeastern Chinese city on the North Korean border that serves as a gateway for trade with the isolated nation. The U.S. on Thursday also slapped sanctions on a Chinese shipping company and two Chinese people that it said have facilitated illegal activities by North Korea. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said the U.S. still wants to work with Beijing on combating the North Korean threat. We are in no way targeting China with these actions, Mnuchin said at a White House news briefing. The punitive steps were presaged by a tweet from Trump last week reflecting dissatisfaction with Beijings efforts. While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried! Trump tweeted on June 20. The Trump administration may be struggling to maintain international pressure on Pyongyang. The president was to meet for the first time Thursday with South Koreas new leader, President Moon Jae-in, who has long advocated outreach to North Korea. His predecessor had staunchly backed Trumps harder line. Mnuchin said the Bank of Dandong has facilitated millions of dollars of transactions for companies involved in North Koreas weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Anthony Ruggiero, a sanctions expert and former Treasury Department official, described it as a small Chinese bank sitting at the heart of trade between North Korea and China. This is a strong message to Chinese leaders that the Trump administration will act against North Koreas sanctions evasion in China, he said. The other targeted Chinese entities are: Dalian Global Unity Shipping Co., which the Treasury Department accused of transporting 700,000 tons of freight annually, including coal and steel products, between China and North Korea. It cited a United Nations expert panel as saying the company has violated a ban on trade in luxury goods with the North. Chinese national Sun Wei, said to have been running a cover company for North Koreas Foreign Trade Bank, which is already subject to U.S. sanctions. Chinese national Li Hong Ri, said to have established several front companies that end up benefiting Koryo Bank, a U.S.-sanctioned conduct for financial transactions on behalf of North Korea. ALSO On eve of Hong Kongs 20th anniversary under Chinese rule, many residents wonder whats to celebrate As the world focuses on its nuclear ambitions, North Korea deploys another weapon: Drones Chinas jailed Nobel laureate is granted parole after terminal cancer diagnosis South Koreas president to meet President Trump this week amid grave concerns over North Korea More than 200,000 people wait in limbo as the Philippines fights Islamic States allies in Mindanao When I dine out in Los Angeles, I sometimes think of the editor Robert Messenger, who observed that a good cocktail whets the appetite, pleases the eye, and stimulates the mind. It is one of our conspicuous contributions to cultured living. Or the writer Adam Gopnik, who said that meeting someplace with old and new friends, ordering wine, eating food, surrounded by strangers, I think is the core of what it means to live a civilised life. This is my way of saying that I like to order drinks at restaurants. But the price tag often stops me. Though California is home to many distillers and some of the worlds most productive vineyards, a cocktail and a glass of wine while dining out can easily top $30. Why? Supply and demand explains why wealthy Californians have access to, say, better real estate than poor Californians. There are only so many houses perched above the shores of Malibu, only so many courtside seats at Staples Center, and they go to the highest bidders. But the high cost of ordering a Negroni or a glass or Chianti is largely our creation, the result of a manufactured scarcity in licenses to sell liquor. A restaurateur must incur thousands of dollars in direct costs just to be in the drink business. And the process is so complicated that consultants and lawyers are hired to help navigate it. Advertisement Say you want to open a family taqueria that offers margaritas. At minimum, youll need to pay roughly $13,000 to the state to be considered for a liquor license, initiating a review process that takes 90 days on average though as the official website warns, circumstances often result in a longer waiting period. Youll also need to pay a fee to local authorities to be considered for a conditional-use permit. In Los Angeles that costs about $8,000 if youre in no hurry. Expedited review costs closer to $15,000. Did I mention that you need to have your location established before you submit these applications, or that signing a lease without a liquor license requires a leap of faith? (If you cant sell liquor, you probably cant stay in business.) The high cost of ordering a Negroni or a glass or Chianti is largely our creation, the result of a manufactured scarcity in licenses to sell liquor. But that summary radically understates the costs. As noted, California artificially limits the number of liquor licenses it grants through a complicated process that involves the population size in different census tracts and counties. Whats important for our aspiring taqueria owner is that the regulations create a secondary market, which fluctuates according to supply and demand and can make the effective cost of a liquor license for a new restaurant soar well into six figures. Hence stories like this one, from the owners of AQ on Mission Street in San Francisco. When we opened AQ in 2011, they explain on their blog, we purchased our license from a closing Chinese restaurant for $85,000. It seemed like a huge cost at the time. But less than five years later, they added, many licenses are being sold in the $250,000 to $325,000 range! Big industry players can thrive in spite of those eye-popping upfront costs, knowing theyll pass them along to consumers over time. But as Jim Saksa observed in Slate after surveying the 16 states with similar laws, the quota system creates barriers to entry stiffer than a shot of cheap tequila, forcing aspiring restaurateurs to take on more debt, or surrender more of their business to equity investors, just to get off the ground. The status quo favors corporate partnerships backed by hedge funds. Meanwhile its brutal for aspiring restaurateurs who happen to be culinary school graduates with student debt and more brutal still for recent immigrants with a dream, a family recipe and a language barrier that makes navigating a complex alcohol bureaucracy even harder. Most Californians are blind to the costs. They dont notice when the would-be owners of a small taqueria never open because the business doesnt make sense without the margaritas; nor do they lament the lost pleasures of the meals uneaten, even as they complain that all the new dining spots are too expensive. The restaurant scenes of many neighborhoods are increasingly geared to diners who can afford $15 or $16 for the pleasure of a cocktail before ordering a pricey Merlot. Want other kinds of restaurants to thrive? Make liquor licenses cheaper. Doing so hardly invites a dystopia. In Oregon, our looser, more egalitarian neighbor to the north, restaurateurs pay $400 for a state liquor license, plus $100 to the city of Portland for a municipal license, if thats where they want to open. Portlands culinary scene is more creative, delicious and fair by virtue of the fact that anyone from the biggest restaurant group to the aspiring chef to the refugee family with a flair for cooking can plausibly execute any concept they want without prohibitive licensing costs. Shouldnt everyone in our restaurant industry have a shot? Conor Friedersdorf is a contributing writer to Opinion, a staff writer at the Atlantic and founding editor of the Best of Journalism, a newsletter that curates exceptional nonfiction. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook By now youve heard rumblings of the policy idea known as universal basic income. This is the notion that the government should give every citizen enough no-strings-attached money to cover basic living expenses. In the last year alone, Mark Zuckerberg called on Harvards graduating class to explore ideas like universal basic income, Elon Musk told a gathering of world leaders in Dubai that some kind of universal basic income is going to be necessary, and President Obama remarked that universal basic income is a subject well be debating over the next 10 or 20 years. Though universal basic income, or UBI, has become downright trendy in Silicon Valley, the concept is not actually new. Thomas Paine proposed a basic income for every citizen as early as 1792. Milton Friedman and Martin Luther King Jr. endorsed the idea in the 1960s as a way of fighting poverty. In 1971, a basic income for poor families almost became law under President Nixon. Advertisement But the idea is gaining unprecedented traction right now with good reason. The U.S. economy is increasingly unstable, with wealth accruing at the top while most Americans remain stuck in low-paying jobs. Globalization has weakened the power of labor unions, squeezing the middle class and narrowing paths into the middle class for the poor. Economists have chronicled the rise of the precariat, a growing class of workers who rely on insecure gig work with few benefits. And we havent even begun to feel the brunt of that other looming threat, the A-word. According to an Oxford University study, nearly half of all Americans 47% are at high risk of losing their jobs to automation. The U.S. economy is increasingly unstable, with wealth accruing at the top while most Americans remain stuck in low-paying jobs. Although economists are still debating whether automation will ultimately devastate the American labor market or not many point out that previous economic transitions created as many jobs as they destroyed few dispute that such transitions were extremely painful for workers. We know that most of the American workforce currently lacks the skills required for the jobs of the future, and costly retraining programs have failed to close this gap. For all these reasons, establishing a universal basic income is the only real way to help Americans weather the widespread disruption that automation is sure to bring. There are competing ideas about how exactly the policy should work. Advocates on the left call for a UBI that would increase benefits to the poor and be financed by increasing taxes on corporations and the wealthy. Conservative advocates favor an approach wherein programs in the current safety net, such as Social Security and food stamps, are replaced with a UBI. Others favor an incrementalist policy in which current safety net programs are expanded to include all Americans, while another faction wants to build a UBI program from scratch. Despite their differences, all approaches to UBI policy share the core goal of establishing an income floor for every American. An income floor would help American workers in a number of critical ways. Relieved of the immediate pressure to pay bills, workers could pursue training for the kinds of jobs that automation will bring. A universal basic income would allow skilled workers to take entrepreneurial risks they cannot afford now. It would also allow Americans to work fewer hours but maintain their living standards, leaving more time for caregiving and raising children. Overall, UBI would provide a significant boost to the American middle class, which has stagnated even as productivity and overall wealth continue to rise. By putting more money into the pockets of workers, a UBI could fuel aggregate demand and job growth in different sectors across the country. Momentum is building. Child poverty experts in growing numbers have called on states and the federal government to consider a child allowance UBI for kids that would help level the playing field for low- and middle-income families. The California Senate is considering ambitious cap-and-trade legislation that would send climate dividend rebates to every citizen. Even some oil companies are in favor of schemes to tax carbon and send checks to every American. This month, Hawaiis Legislature unanimously passed a bill that directs state agencies to study UBI as a way to provide financial security to all Hawaiians. This landmark legislation could pave the way for UBI to move from the realm of fantasy to reality. Other progressive states, including California, should follow Hawaiis lead and prepare their citizens for our uncertain future. Sebastian Johnson is a senior associate with Freedman Consulting, LLC. In 2016, he delivered a TEDx MidAtlantic talk, The Case for Basic Income. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Read more from Opinion My sister, Laura Webb-Elody, was murdered in the Seal Beach Salon Meritage massacre on Oct. 12, 2011. She died along with seven other people that day, many of whom I knew and loved. My mother also was shot but survived. In the last five and a half years, I have learned more about the criminal justice system and the death penalty than I could have anticipated, all of it disturbing. Yet nothing has shaken my conviction that capital punishment is wrong and unnecessary. Far from bringing peace to victims families, Ive found it brings yet more heartbreak. On that dark day in 2011, a man filled with hate, a man whose name I will not speak, went to the salon where Michelle Fournier, his ex-wife, worked beside my sister. Filled with an insane need to punish Michelle, he walked into the salon and shot her, then continued shooting at will, later referring to his other victims as collateral damage. While my mother is the only person who was shot and survived, many others who were there saw him, saw what he did and ran to safety. Advertisement When satisfied with the carnage in the salon, he strolled to his car, where others watched him shoot and kill a man who happened to park next to him. People got his license plate number and called 911. He was pulled over and arrested several blocks away, still in possession of the three guns used to murder those eight people. He confessed to the crime. Authorities have tried to bring families closure through the death penalty, but have succeeded only in keeping old wounds open. I wanted that man to pay for his crimes. Even to suffer. But I thought and still think that a life term in prison without parole is as close to justice as I would ever get. Why should society answer death with more death? Society, however, did not take my desires into consideration. The powers that be wanted capital punishment. Capital cases always take a long time to conclude even when theyre so open and shut. However, in their hunger to solidify an argument for the death penalty, local prosecutors and the Sheriffs Department made matters worse. They placed an informant in the cell next to the defendant to buttress their case, tainting the whole process. As it turned out, this was common practice in Orange County. During the years since the initial hearing, I have sat through hundreds of hours of testimony from habitual informants, the Sherriffs Department and the district attorneys office. What I heard often was evasive and at times clearly untruthful. The wrongdoing became so obvious that the presiding judge, Thomas Goethals, took the extraordinary step of removing the district attorneys office from the case. The California attorney generals office has now taken over. Despite requests from most family members to take the death penalty off the table and accept a sentence of life without parole to get this matter resolved, the office continues to pursue capital punishment. Over and over again, the authorities have tried to bring families closure through the death penalty, but have succeeded only in keeping old wounds open. If these complications can so befog the biggest mass murder in Orange County history, a case in which guilt is clear and the accused has confessed, then the possibilities for confusion or misconduct in other cases must be simply immense. Of course that includes cases in which the accused is actually innocent. In fact, a deluge of evidence stemming from our case about the use of informants in Orange County has undone multiple verdicts. To date, at least half a dozen people convicted of murder here have been set free, and many others are in various stages of appeal. Through these painful years, its become clear that personal and political ambition have so corrupted the death penalty process that it does not serve us, nor does it serve the interests of justice. At a recent hearing, when the attorney general announced his decision to continue pursuing the death penalty in this matter despite the time, cost to taxpayers and pain it visits and revisits on victims families, I stood up and said, They are not doing this for my family; they are doing this to my family. I now watch knowingly as every few weeks across this country some new person is freed from prison, having been exonerated by new evidence. Because we know innocent people have been sentenced to death, how can we pretend not to know that we have executed innocent people? If we can justify killing the guilty by accepting that some innocents are acceptable collateral damage, then we are no different from the man who murdered my sister. As a mom, I teach my children two wrongs dont make a right. I do not want the man who killed my sister killed in my name or my sisters name. Laura was a kind and loving person, and we do her memory a disservice by advocating hate and revenge in the name of justice. Her killers death will not bring her back to us. I want him sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison so he can think about what he has done, and we can put this horror behind us. Bethany Webb is a wife and mother of two, a mortgage loan officer and a real estate agent. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Here is a new strategy for the resistance: Bleed on em. On Thursday morning, President Trump took to Twitter to attack MSNBC commentator Mika Brzezinski with an arsenal of insults so medieval they might have been funny had they not come out of the presidents mouth. First Trump called Brzezinski low I.Q. Crazy Mika I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 which in psychology is what we refer to as projection. There is nothing dumber, or more insane, than the commander in chief taking time out of his day to personally attack a TV host when he should be governing the country. It seems like Trump realizes this, and is now calling others what he most fears about himself. But heck forget the tax returns! Show us that bell curve, baby! If we are going to talk about IQs, my moneys on Mika. Advertisement He next tried his well-worn I didnt want her she wanted me! approach to discrediting Brzezinski. After making her sound desperate for wanting to interview him (you know, as journalists are wont to do), Trump then dropped the line that has women across the country viewing their hemoglobin in a brand new way: ...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 Thats right, ladies and gentlemen: Mika is dumb and shes ugly! If only she had asked Melania for the name of her doctor! Then he might have granted her the interview! And grabbed her by the crotch, too. You know how he feels about beautiful women. As long as they arent bleeding. Thursday morning was not the first time Trump has expressed a deep fear of womens blood, and tried to encourage others to join in. After Megyn Kelly proved to be a tough moderator during the first Republican debate, Trump said in an interview with CNN, She gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions. You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever. Bleeding from the face, bleeding from the eyes, bleeding out of her wherever. It makes a gal want to send him a copy of The Red Tent, doesnt it? But he would probably take that as bullying. As Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded to the incident, according to The Hill: I dont think that the president has ever been someone who gets attacked and doesnt push back. This is a president who fights fire with fire and certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by liberal media and the liberal elites within the media. Folks, its official. Donald Trump is the most insecure man in America. And no, he cant sit with us. cassady.rosenblum@latimes.com @cassadyariel Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook MORE FROM THE OPINION SECTION Trumps aggressive immigration enforcement is overwhelming an already taxed court system Beyond jury duty: We need incarceration duty Californias beaches belong to the public not to the one percent Gov. Jerry Brown doubles down on California measure changing recall process, calling it eminently reasonable By Christine Mai-Duc State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Compton), left, and Gov. Jerry Brown talk about funding for projects under the state transportation bill, SB1, at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson. (Christian K. Lee/ Los Angeles Times) The partisan volleys have continued this week in the effort to recall state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) over his vote to pass an increase in the gas tax. Those seeking to recall Newman submitted more than enough signatures needed to qualify the measure for the ballot, if theyre all deemed valid. Newman supporters looking to halt the recall filed a lawsuit Thursday, claiming signature gatherers had misled voters. And Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that makes changes to long-standing recall rules, an effort that Republicans have decried as an attempt by Democrats to rig the system to protect one of their own. Brown seemed to double down on that measure Friday at a press conference at Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he discussed the new gas tax, calling the new recall process eminently reasonable. The measure allows voters up to 30 days to remove their signature from a recall petition and creates a new process to review costs associated with a recall election. Brown said the bill provides an opportunity for people who have been hoodwinked to change their mind. Its all about truth and giving people the opportunity to make sure that their vote and their signature is knowingly given, Brown. The only people who would be against that are people who wanted to fool people and dont want to test it in court or in the light of day. .@JerryBrownGov responds to GOP criticism of budget trailer he signed that could make Newman recall harder. Calls it "eminently reasonable." pic.twitter.com/hSsmIPiHtP Christine Mai-Duc (@cmaiduc) June 30, 2017 Browns comments came after a roundtable discussion in which he and state Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Compton) spoke about the importance of directing transportation dollars raised by the gas tax increase to businesses owned by women, minorities and people who are disabled. Brown cast it as part of a larger question of equality and opportunity in America. But the discussion took place even as Brown mused about efforts to repeal the controversial tax package, which is expected to raise $52 billion over 10 years for road repairs and other transportation projects. If people want to not fund the roads, then they can put something on the ballot and maybe change things, Brown said. But I think most people in California want to fix the roads. Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach), who is running for governor, has filed a ballot measure to repeal the gas tax. Brown dismissed a recent poll by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, which said that a majority of registered voters oppose the gas tax increases Brown and legislators recently approved. That was a poll that said, Do you want to raise a tax? Brown said. Of course people are going to say no. Brown added that when voters are given concrete situations like education and roads, theyre more likely to support tax increases. I think Californians are always leery of taxes. Im leery of taxes, Brown said. You want to drive around on gravel roads? Ive got a gravel road out in front of my house in the country. Its not bad. But I dont think thats what people want. I think they want real, paved roads and to have paved roads youve got to spend real money. Times staff writer Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer says he wont run for governor, dashing hopes of GOP leaders By Phil Willon San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer speaks during a news conference about the San Diego Chargers in 2015. (Gregory Bull / AP) Republican San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who has been lobbied intensely by GOP leaders to run for California governor, on Friday rejected the idea and vowed to serve out his second term at city hall. Both House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and state Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte had urged Faulconer to run. A fiscal conservative and social moderate who has demonstrated crossover appeal by winning over Democrats, Faulconer has been seen as the GOPs strongest potential gubernatorial candidate, and one who could help Republicans in down-ballot races if he was at the top of the ticket in 2018. But Falconer nixed the idea of a gubernatorial bid in a Facebook post Friday afternoon, saying he was deeply honored by so many encouraging him to run. Its a testament to the people of San Diego, and the progress weve made to create a fiscally responsible, prosperous city that is moving in the right direction. I made a pledge last year to serve out my second term as mayor, and thats exactly what Im going to do, Faulconer said in the post. He was facing pressure to enter the race and GOP insiders who were familiar with his thinking believed he was leaning toward running. Faulconer ultimately decided not to run because he did not see a certain path to victory, according to a top state party official who did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to speak for the San Diego mayor. The last time a GOP candidate won a statewide race was in 2006. The governors race already has attracted a handful of Republican candidates, but none with Faulconers political stature. They include conservative Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen and Rancho Santa Fe venture capitalist John Cox. Speculation is mounting that former state Assemblyman David Hadley plans to announce a run. The Democratic heavyweights in the race include Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang. A strong GOP top-of-the-ticket candidate would be expected to increase Republican turnout next fall. Faulconers decision not to run could impact some hotly contested congressional races in California, and potentially affect Republican efforts to retain control of the House of Representatives. If a Republican gubernatorial candidate fails to make the general election, creating a Democrat-on-Democrat race in November 2018, that could depress GOP turnout and affect those targeted congressional races. It leaves the Republicans without an obvious front-runner that the donors would have confidence in, said GOP strategist Rob Stutzman, who previously advised former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and 2010 GOP nominee Meg Whitman. But it still depends on the nature of the race next November. Its too early to say. Update 4:21 p.m.: This story was updated with reaction about Faulconers decision and more information about the 2018 election. This story was originally published at 3:30 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Assembly Democrats denounce threats made after single-payer healthcare bill was sidelined Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom blasts National Rifle Assn. recruitment video, saying it could lead to violence By Seema Mehta (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom called on the National Rifle Assn. to take down a controversial new video that he argued villanizes political rivals and could lead to violence. Come after politicians. Come after policy makers. Come after ME, Newsom wrote on his Facebook page Thursday. But do not implicitly call for demonstrations of force against your fellow Americans in a country that is already reeling. You are powerful. People are listening to you. And your message could lead to tragedy. The NRA video, which urges people to join the organization, was posted earlier this month and features conservative commentator Dana Loesch talking about political rivals who she argues use the media, schools and Hollywood for sinister purposes. The video features footage of police clashing with protesters and a bloodied Trump supporter, and flashes images such as the Hollywood sign, Disney Hall and the Los Angeles Times building as Loesch repeatedly invokes an unnamed opponent she refers to as they. Loeschs concluding remarks in the minute-long video have drawn the most ire. The only way we stop this, the only way we save our country and our freedom, is to fight this violence of lies with the clenched fist of truth, Loesch said. Im the National Rifle Assn. of America, and Im freedoms safest place. Newsom is a longtime foe of the NRA. He was a primary sponsor of Proposition 63, a ballot measure voters approved in November that requires background checks to purchase ammunition, bans possession of high-capacity magazines and other gun-safety efforts. On Thursday, the NRA claimed victory when a federal judge, at their attorneys request, granted a preliminary injunction blocking a related law that would have required Californians to get rid of large-capacity magazines by Saturday or face fines and potential jail time. Newsom, the states lieutenant governor, wrote that he felt a chill down my spine when he watched the video. He said while he and the NRA have long disagreed, the video crosses the line of appropriate political debate. He described it as dangerous because it tells viewers that our fellow Americans are to be feared and even worse. How does this video advance debate? How does it bring people together for common ideals? How does it do anything but cast Americans as enemies to be defeated in a cynical ploy to sell as many weapons as possible? he wrote. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tired of exporting campaign cash, these politicos are putting California first By Mark Z. Barabak Air Force One leaves California after another fundraising foray. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) California feeds the world with its bounty, fuels the economy with its innovation, fires the imagination with its creativity. There is one export, though, that is far less celebrated: the unceasing torrent of outbound campaign cash. For political fundraisers, California has long been the Big Rock Candy Mountain, excavated, mined and, ultimately, shafted by candidates of both parties who use the boodle to run for president in Iowa or New Hampshire, or Congress in East Podunk. Now, Democratic efforts are underway to put California first, directing more campaign cash from whence it came by focusing on seven targeted House districts in the Central Valley and southern part of the state. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Federal judge blocks California gun law By Patrick McGreevy A handgun is displayed with 10- and 15-shot magazines. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A federal judge Thursday granted a request by attorneys for the National Rifle Assn. to block a law that requires Californians to dispose of large-capacity ammunition magazines by Saturday or face fines and possible jail time. U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez wrote in San Diego that the rights of voters who approved Proposition 63 in November have to be balanced against the rights of gun owners. If this injunction does not issue, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of otherwise law-abiding citizens will have an untenable choice: become an outlaw or dispossess ones self of lawfully acquired property, Benitez wrote. That is a choice they should not have to make. C.D. Michel, an attorney for the NRA and state gun owners, welcomed the decision, which allows a lawsuit to be decided on its merits before the law takes effect. My clients are pleased the Court affirmed that the Second Amendment is not a second class right, and that law abiding gun owners have a right to choose to have these magazines to help them defend themselves and their families, Michel said in a statement. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Two California Democrats join with House Republicans to vote for Kates Law By Sarah D. Wire There would be tougher penalties for people repeatedly caught crossing the border illegally, and millions of dollars less in federal funds for so-called sanctuary jurisdictions such as Los Angeles under two House immigration bills approved Thursday. Both bills would fulfill President Trumps campaign promises if they became law, but the Senate has killed similar legislation and is unlikely to be able to reach the 60-vote requirement to pass the bills. The House voted 257 to 167, with 24 Democrats crossing party lines, to pass Kates Law, which would create harsher mandatory minimum prison sentences for people who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally. It is named after Kathryn Steinle, who allegedly was shot and killed in San Francisco in 2015 by Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, a Mexican immigrant who had repeatedly entered the country illegally and was released from jail by sheriffs officials despite a request by immigration officials to keep him behind bars. Two California Democrats, Reps. Jackie Speier of Hillsborough and Eric Swalwell of Dublin, joined Republicans in voting for the bill. Swalwell grew up with Steinle and is still in touch with her family, he said. This bill is not perfect, and its shameful that the Republicans did not allow any debate. But it does improve our ability to punish individuals who repeatedly break the law and to deter those who may do so, he Swalwell said in a statement. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Committee unexpectedly opens door to Rep. Barbara Lees push to end military force authorization By Sarah D. Wire (Paul Morigi/Getty Images) In September 2001, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was the only member of Congress to object to an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, a resolution in response to the terrorist attacks that paved the way for the war in Afghanistan. In the 16 years since, the resolution has been used by President George W. Bush, President Obama and now President Trump as justification for more than 35 military actions in nearly 20 countries around the world -- which means those presidents have not gone back to Congress for new permission to send troops into harms way. On Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee opened the door to ending that 2001 authorization when it added Lees amendment to a Defense Department measure. Congress would have 240 days to debate a new authorization. At the end of that time the 2001 authorization would be repealed. Lee has lobbied hard just to get to this first step, which was approved by a voice vote in the Republican led committee. Ive been working on this for years and years and years. Im just really pleased that Republicans and Democrats today really understood what Ive been saying and Ive been explaining for the last 16 years, and that is, this resolution is a blank check for perpetual war, Lee said. Committee members broke into applause after the unexpected vote. Lee said Thursday she plans to personally call Speaker Paul Ryan and make the case for keeping her amendment in the bill when it gets to the House floor. The public wants to see a debate, Lee said. Our young men and women in harms way need to know their Congress is supporting them and backing them up, or not. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Volkswagen submits revised plan for installing charging stations as part of emission-cheating settlement By Chris Megerian (Markus Schreiber / Associated Press) Volkswagen would build more electric vehicle charging stations in disadvantaged communities under an updated plan being submitted to state regulators on Thursday. The companys subsidiary, Electrify America, revised its proposal after an earlier version was rejected as inadequate by the California Air Resources Board. The proposal is the first phase of an $800-million investment in the state, one piece of a much larger settlement over Volkswagens cheating on vehicle emission rules. Although the money is expected to yield hundreds of new charging stations and boost Californias efforts to foster the market for electric cars, its also been a source of controversy. State regulators want 35% of the money to be spent in disadvantaged communities, a target endorsed by the Legislature as well. Electrify America CEO Mark McNabb said, We will strive hard to hit it. The updated plan adds Fresno to the list of metropolitan areas, which already included Los Angeles and Sacramento, where charging stations would be installed. It made sense to get out into the Central Valley, McNabb said. We thought that was an improvement we could make to the plan. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias top elections officer to Trumps voting fraud panel: No By John Myers (Dylan Stewart / HS Insider) President Trumps voter fraud commission will not be getting the names and addresses of Californias registered voters. The panels request was denied on Thursday by Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who said it would only legitimize false claims of massive election cheating last fall. Padilla refused to hand over data, including the names, addresses, political party and voting history of Californias 19.4 million voters. Kris Kobach, the secretary of state of Kansas who serves as vice chairman of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, sent letters to all 50 states on Wednesday for information he said would help the group examine rules that either enhance or undermine the American peoples confidence in the integrity of federal elections processes. Padilla, though, suggested the effort is little more than a ruse. I will not provide sensitive voter information to a commission that has already inaccurately passed judgment that millions of Californians voted illegally, he said in a written statement. Californias participation would only serve to legitimize the false and already debunked claims of massive voter fraud made by the President, the Vice President, and Mr. Kobach. Last November, Trump tweeted that California was one of three states where serious voter fraud took place in the general election. No state or local elections official has found any evidence to back up the presidents assertion. Kobachs request says the panel seeks only publicly available information. Basic information about California voters is routinely shared with journalists, political campaigns and researchers after a written request and payment of a fee. The letter asks for data including information regarding any felony convictions, information regarding voter registration in another state, information regarding military status, and overseas citizen information. Padilla also criticized the selection of Kobach to help lead Trumps commission, accusing the Kansas official of past efforts at racial profiling and suppressing voter turnout. His role as vice chair is proof that the ultimate goal of the commission is to enact policies that will result in the disenfranchisement of American citizens, Padilla said. The presidential commissions first meeting is scheduled for July 19. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Supporters of state Sen. Josh Newman sue to stop effort to recall him, alleging voters have been misled By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) faces a recall. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Supporters of state Sen. Josh Newman filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to stop a recall campaign against the lawmaker, alleging that signature gatherers have misled voters and the petition contains false information. The Democratic legislator from Fullerton faces a recall funded by the California Republican Party for voting with other lawmakers to increase the states gas tax and vehicle fees to raise $5.2 billion annually for road repairs. On Tuesday, the state party announced it had submitted 84,988 signatures to election officials, some 20,000 more signatures than would be needed if officials determine they are valid. The lawsuit against Secretary of State Alex Padilla was filed in Sacramento Superior Court by three residents of Newmans Senate district and paid for by the campaign against the recall. It alleges that signature gatherers misled voters to sign the petitions by saying they would repeal the car tax. The petition gathering campaign has misrepresented the nature of the petition by informing voters that it will Stop the Gas Tax when it will not, the lawsuit says. These statements are intentionally misleading statements of fact that are false beyond dispute and mislead voters The legal complaint, which also names several signature gatherers, alleges that the notice of intent to file the petition is inaccurate in saying that the tax bill provides billions of dollars for mass transit in Northern California without Newmans district benefiting from the revenue. The bill itself does not earmark where money will go, but the intent of lawmakers was that Newmans district would benefit, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit asks that the circulation of the petition be stopped and the recall effort, using the petition as drafted, be halted. This suit is about nothing less than the integrity of our election process; a recall election simply should not be certified when signatures were gathered based on lies to voters, said James Harrison, an attorney who filed the lawsuit. Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, an organizer of the recall, said the lawsuit is without merit. Josh Newman refuses to accept accountability for his disastrous vote to raise the car and gas tax and instead has chosen to blame others for the recall against him with lies and frivolous lawsuits, DeMaio said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State to pay $2.9 million to three men wrongfully convicted in Los Angeles cases By Patrick McGreevy Kash Delano Register outside a Los Angeles restaurant in November 2013 after his release from prison. (Christina House / For The Times) The state Senate has approved payment of $2.96 million to settle three claims by men who were wrongly convicted for crimes in Los Angeles and served time in prison before they were exonerated. The approval of the payments, amounting to $140 for each day served behind bars, next goes to Gov. Jerry Brown. The largest payment $1.7 million goes to Kash Delano Register, who said he was wrongfully convicted of a 1979 murder because of a flawed LAPD investigation. He served 34 years in prison. In 2013, the Los Angeles County Superior Court ordered that Register be released from prison after it found he had been denied due process of law and a fair trial because material exculpatory information and evidence was not disclosed. The court acted after lawyers and students from Loyola Law School cast doubt on the testimony of a key prosecution witness. The Los Angeles County district attorneys office later dismissed the charges, and Register was found by the court to be factually innocent. The Senate payment for 12,427 days served in custody is in addition to a $16.7-million settlement paid to Register by the city of Los Angeles. The Senate also voted Thursday to pay $886,760 to Luis Vargas, who spent more than 17 years in custody before a court ruled him factually innocent of a 1998 rape. In 2012, DNA evidence from one of the victims showed that a suspect known as the Teardrop Rapist, not Vargas, was the perpetrator of the rape. The third payment, $340,620, goes to Reggie Cole, who was found factually innocent after serving time in prison for the shooting death of a man outside a South Los Angeles house of prostitution in 1995. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Public affairs strategist Fiona Hutton hosts fundraiser for Antonio Villaraigosa By Phil Willon Antonio Villaraigosa in July (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles public affairs strategist Fiona Hutton is hosting a San Fernando Valley fundraiser for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa in July. Hutton, who has worked on a number of statewide campaigns, also raised money for Villaraigosa during his successful campaign for mayor of Los Angeles in 2005. The July 25 fundraiser is being held at Huttons office in Studio City. Tickets run $1,000 apiece. To be a co-host, itll cost $10,000. Along with serving as president of her company, Fiona Hutton & Associates, Hutton sits on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California joins other states asking the Trump administration for information on how its enforcing immigration law By Patrick McGreevy Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra wants more information on federal enforcement of immigration laws. ( Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) A group of nine state attorneys general, including California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday seeking records that would clarify how the Trump administration is enforcing federal immigration law. The request seeks the number of immigration detentions, deportations and detainer requests, and the rationale for each, as well as clarifying information on whether Trump is following through on comments that he will not target young people who were brought to the country illegally by their parents. The attorneys general also want to know whether immigrants in the country illegally have been detained at schools, hospitals and places of worship, which the state officials feel should be off-limits for enforcement. Mixed messages from the Trump Administration on immigration enforcement are sowing confusion and increasing anxiety among immigrants, Becerra said in a statement. Today we ask the Administration to tell us what it is doing in this area. The data could be used in a barrage of legal challenges the states have filed against federal immigration policies. Becerra noted that immigration-related arrests have increased nearly 40% since Trump became president, and there is concern that some of the arrests have included young people who were given a deferral from deportation under the Obama administration. The Presidents Executive Orders, and the steps taken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement those orders, have generated new fears and uncertainties in immigrant communities across the country, the attorneys general wrote in the request for information. The other states represented in the request are New York, Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts, Iowa, Maryland, Oregon and Hawaii. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This is why Californias Legislature cant fix the states housing problems By Liam Dillon An apartment complex in Hollywood (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) For 50 years, California has had a law that aims to encourage developers to build housing. But the law has failed at helping stem the statewide shortage of homes that drives Californias affordability problems. The reason? The law requires cities and counties to produce prodigious reports to plan for housing but it doesnt hold them accountable for any resulting home building. Cities and counties resent the law. To avoid complying, theyve asked the state to let prison beds count toward their low-income housing goals, among other things. And despite knowing about the laws weaknesses for decades, state lawmakers have provided no incentive, such as a greater share of tax dollars, for cities and counties to meet their housing goals. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias attorney general joins the fight against President Trumps sanctuary city order By Patrick McGreevy Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra led a group of 10 states Wednesday in filing an court brief supporting San Francisco and other California communities that challenged President Trumps executive order to withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions. After the local governments won a preliminary injunction against the order, the Trump administration asked the courts to dismiss the cities lawsuit. The brief filed by Becerra argues that public safety is improved when local law enforcement agencies focus on crime prevention instead of helping federal authorities enforce immigration laws. The Trump Administration does not have the right to coerce states, counties or municipalities to do the federal governments job, Becerra said in a statement. Californias state and local law enforcement officials are in the business of public safety, not of deportation. Threatening public safety funding to compel localities to do immigration work is a dangerous game that undermines public safety. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California Supreme Court leaves in place decision upholding cap-and-trade system By Chris Megerian Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the Air Resources Board, oversees the cap-and-trade program. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) After more than four years, a legal challenge to Californias cap-and-trade program has reached an unsuccessful conclusion. The end came on Wednesday when the California Supreme Court declined to consider an appeal from business groups who consider the program to be an unconstitutional tax. The program requires companies to buy permits to release greenhouse gases, a system intended to provide a financial incentive to reduce emissions. The law that provided the programs foundation was not passed with a two-thirds vote in the Legislature, the legal threshold for new taxes, sparking lawsuits from the California Chamber of Commerce and the Pacific Legal Foundation. A state appeals court rejected their arguments in April, but they appealed. Business groups were also concerned the decision was too broad and could open the door to additional taxes. Despite the states victory in court, there are other legal questions around cap and trade. Gov. Jerry Brown is pushing lawmakers to extend the program past 2020 with new legislation. With this Supreme Court victory, now its up to us to take action extending Californias cap-and-trade system on a more permanent basis, Brown said in a statement. This story has been updated with a statement from the governor. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rohrabacher on meeting with Manafort while he was a foreign agent: It was a nice little dinner By Sarah D. Wire (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) When former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort belatedly filed as a foreign agent on behalf of a pro-Russian Ukrainian political party this week, he listed a meeting with just one U.S. politician Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach. Manaforts years-late filing with the Justice Department details $17 million in political consulting work he did between 2012 and 2014 for the Party of Regions, a Ukrainian party considered friendly with the Kremlin. Rohrabacher told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that the March 2013 meeting happened over dinner at the Capitol Hill Club, a popular Washington Republican social club. He said Manafort billed it as a chance to get reacquainted decades after they worked together in the 1970s on President Reagans campaign. Still, he assumed Manafort had an agenda. I assume when old friends call me up and are wanting to get reacquainted and stuff I always assume they are in some way under contract with somebody, Rohrabacher said. Rohrabacher, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, has long been known for encouraging improved relations with Russia, something thats made him an outlier in the Republican Party. He said Russia and the Baltic states probably came up during dinner, but it wasnt the focus of their conversation. We discussed a myriad of things, a lot of personal stuff, a lot of different analysis of the politics of the day, Rohrabacher said. It was a nice little dinner. Three days later, Manafort contributed $1,000 to Rohrabachers reelection campaign. Manaforts modest donation didnt stand out, Rohrabacher said. Ongoing FBI and congressional investigations into Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 election, and how the Trump campaign may have been involved, have heightened interest in any connections American politicians may have had with the Russian government or its proxies. Rohrabachers opponents immediately began fundraising off the revelation that Manafort met with the congressman while serving as a foreign agent. Democrat Harley Rouda, whos running for Rohrabachers seat in 2018, called it embarrassing in a solicitation email Tuesday. We need someone who cares more about Orange County and America than supporting Russia and Putin, Roudas email stated. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrats block Republican legislators proposal for forensic audit of UC Office of President By Patrick McGreevy Two months after a state audit found mismanagement at the University of California, Democratic state lawmakers on Wednesday blocked a Republican legislators proposal to have auditors go back in and look deeper at spending, this time with an eye for possible criminal activity. Assemblyman Dante Acosta (R-Santa Clarita) said the follow-up examination was justified after an audit in April found the UC Office of the President had failed to disclose a $175-million budget surplus to the Board of Regents and the public, was paying excessive salaries and expenses and had inadequate financial safeguards in place to prevent abuse. The lack of controls, the audit concluded, was putting millions of dollars at risk of abuse. I am fighting to return trust in the institution of the UC Office of the President for students, parents, faculty and staff, Acosta said. Only complete transparency can accomplish that goal. However, no Democratic lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted to authorize a new audit, so the motion failed. Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) said the university administration should be given time to address the recommendations of its recent audit. I believe this request is premature, he said. State Auditor Elaine Howle said Wednesday in response to a legislators question that she did not find any evidence of misuse of funds. We didnt see anything nefarious, Howle told the panel. UC President Janet Napolitano said funds were not hidden, but she has agreed to adopt policies to make the budget process more transparent. Monica Lozano, chairwoman of the UC Board of Regents, told the legislative committee Wednesday that a new audit is unnecessary and may interfere with the systems implementation of recommendations from the last audit, including the hiring of an accountant to look at UC spending. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Single-payer healthcare advocates protest at Capitol with a message for Californias Assembly speaker: Shame on you! By Melanie Mason View Twitter post Backers of a measure to establish a single-payer healthcare system in California rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday to renounce Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount), who shelved the bill last week. Several hundred demonstrators, many affiliated with the California Nurses Assn., the legislations sponsor, convened in the Capitol rotunda, where they unfurled a banner that blared Inaction = Death, before handing off signs with written complaints to a member of Rendons staff. The rally, on the heels of a smaller demonstration at Rendons district office on Tuesday, is a sign of how single-payer backers continue to seethe after the bill, SB 562, stalled on Friday. Patty Estefes, a retired nurse from San Jose, said the campaign for single-payer heathcare, in which the government would cover all residents healthcare costs, was her passion. Rendon sabotaged SB 562 and we want to take the knife out, said Estefes, explaining her sign, which had an image of the California grizzly bear stabbed in the back with a blade labeled Rendon. The image has become popular among supporters of the bill, although other Democrats have said the violence of the image makes them uneasy. View Twitter post A depiction of violence in any form is unacceptable and inappropriate. #StandwithRendon #StrongerTogether #DeathThreatsUnacceptable pic.twitter.com/KLF8nNvxdZ Rudy Salas Jr (@rudysalasjr) June 27, 2017 Meanwhile, another union leader, Robbie Hunter of the powerful State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, chimed in Wednesday with support for the state Assembly speaker. Working people have real fights, and they are not with a labor champion like Anthony Rendon, said Hunter, who denounced the criticism from single-payer advocates as unfair and unwarranted attacks. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Garcetti and Schwarzenegger urge cities and states to lead fight against climate change in Trump era By Michael Finnegan Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday called on cities and states to lead the nations fight against global warming as the federal government begins to reverse its climate change policies. The Republican former film star who signed a landmark 2006 law to reduce Californias carbon emissions and the Democratic mayor spoke out against President Trumps denial of climate science at a forum at Creative Artists Agency in Century City. Both argued that steps taken by cities and states to promote renewable energy could largely make up for the Trump administrations withdrawal from the worldwide Paris agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California voters could decide in 2020 whether to remove mandatory punishment for falsifying U.S. citizenship records By Jazmine Ulloa A proposed California law would let state voters decide in November 2020 whether to remove the mandatory punishment for a person who falsifies citizenship documents. The legislation by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) would make the crime a wobbler, meaning prosecutors would have the discretion to charge suspects in such cases with either felony offenses or lower-level misdemeanors. That, supporters say, would bring the penalties in line with those for similar crimes committed by legal residents who falsify government records, such as drivers licenses. Assembly Bill 222 moved out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday with a 5-2 vote along party lines. An amendment added Tuesday places the issue on the ballot in November 2020. Bocangera said the measure was introduced as a response to President Trumps hard-line stance on immigration and would reverse part of Proposition 187, a 1994 California ballot measure to deny public services to immigrants in the country illegally. The bill would repeal provisions in the penal code that require a person to serve an automatic five-year mandatory prison sentence or pay a $75,000 fine if they are convicted on charges of manufacturing, distributing or selling false documents to conceal someone elses citizenship or residency status. It has the support of the Los Angeles County district attorneys office, which says there are far more serious crimes that carry substantially lower penalties. Today, if an underage college student uses a fake ID to purchase a six-pack of beer, he or she can be charged with a misdemeanor, Bocanegra said in a statement. However, if an immigrant is caught using that same fake ID, he or she is automatically charged with a felony and is subject to five years in prison. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Its all good: Gov. Jerry Brown (again) signs a budget without any vetoed spending By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown, signs bills in his Capitol office on Oct. 9, 2015. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown holds two unique records when it comes to state budgets. No governor has signed more of them, and none in modern times have been as hesitant to veto items they dont like. In the budget he signed on Monday, Brown made no changes. Its not the first time. This was Browns second consecutive budget in which he took no veto actions, and his third veto-free budget since 1982. Governors have line-item veto power to erase budget expenditures, decisions that arent subject to review by the Legislature. Previous chief executives have used their unilateral power far more often, a way to trim spending from a variety of state budget-related programs. State documents show former Gov. George Deukmejian holds the modern record for the most budget changes, issuing 367 line-item vetoes on July 21, 1983. In total amount of spending, the record belongs to former Gov. Pete Wilson, whose budget vetoes in 1998 added up to more than $1.9 million. Brown also has the distinction of issuing fewer vetoes of stand-alone legislation of any governor in the last half-century, suggesting its a sign of respect for the legislative branch of government. The governors signature on the latest state budget sets in place $183.2-billion in spending, covering a wide range of programs and services while setting aside more in cash reserves than ever before. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Campaign to recall freshman state senator submits more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) at the Capitol on April 20. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The campaign against state Sen. Josh Newman has turned in more than enough signatures to force the freshman Democrat from Fullerton into a recall election. Republican Carl DeMaio, a lead organizer of the effort, said the group submitted 84,988 signatures on Tuesday. More signatures are being collected but only 63,500 registered voters in the 29th Senate District are needed to put the recall question on the ballot. It shows that there is an unbelievable grass roots movement to fire Josh Newman for his disasterous vote to support an increase in the gas tax, said DeMaio, a conservative radio talk show host from San Diego. The recall drive was complicated by recently enacted legislation that allows voters to ask that their signatures not be included in the recall petitions if they felt they were misled. Elections officials in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties must now determine whether there are sufficient valid signatures to qualify the recall. Mike Roth, a spokesman for the campaign against the recall, said special interests including Chevron have helped fuel a misleading petition drive. The recall petition is a costly power grab by out-of-district special interests that wont save taxpayers a dime and wont solve any problem voters care about, Roth said. What it will do is cost up to $3 million in tax dollars that would be better spent on our schools and public safety. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In massive shake-up, Gov. Jerry Brown breaks up Californias scandal-plagued tax collection agency By Patrick McGreevy In a move that triggers the most dramatic shake-up of the California Board of Equalization in its 138-year history, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Tuesday that strips the embattled state tax collection agency of most of its powers and duties as officials scramble to create an entirely new department by July 1. The board is the target of an investigation by the state Department of Justice, and its employees and members have been accused by auditors of mismanagement, including putting $350 million in sales taxes in the wrong accounts and improperly interfering with decisions to open field offices and transfer staff. The governor signed a bill that pares the state board from an agency with 4,800 workers to one of 400 employees, shifting the other staff engaged in the collection of sales and excise taxes to a new California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. The elected, five-member Board of Equalization will also give up its role hearing taxpayer appeals to a new Office of Tax Appeals, leaving the board to advocate for taxpayers and continue setting rates for gas taxes and pipeline levies, and making sure counties fairly assess property taxes. Anticipating the governors action, officials had already started work to create a new state department by July 1. Its a short period, acknowledged Marybel Batjer, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, who is coordinating the changes. The new department will be headed by a director appointed by the governor and requiring state Senate approval. Brown will also appoint a chief deputy and chief counsel. The recruitment is underway for those positions, Batjer said, adding that the transition will continue after July 1, obviously. Not every i will be dotted and t crossed between now and July 1. We will do our mighty best to do the most important things before July 1. Learn more on the history of the state board and whats next. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Jerry Brown approves a $183-billion state budget, though a few details are unfinished By John Myers (Justin Sullivan/Getty) Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed into law a $183.2-billion budget, a spending plan with significant boosts for public schools and a variety of programs to help Californias most needy residents. While the blueprint depends on a series of other related bills that havent reached his desk, Browns action largely ratifies the plan approved by the Legislature and ensures the state will have a budget in place for the new fiscal year that begins Saturday. This budget provides money to repair our roads and bridges, pay down debt, invest in schools, fund the earned income tax credit and provide Medi-Cal health care for millions of Californians, Brown said in a written statement released by his office. The budget boosts total state and local spending on K-12 education and community colleges to $74.5 billion, roughly $11,000 per pupil in the coming school year. It also increases funding for the University of California and Cal State University systems, and provides additional money for preschool and child care programs. Brown and lawmakers agreed to devote a portion of new tobacco tax dollars to higher payments for doctors and dentists that treat patients in Medi-Cal, the states healthcare program for the poor. Divvying up the dollars generated by last falls Proposition 56 was among one of the most contentious issues during spring budget negotiations. The budget sets aside additional money in the states rainy-day reserve fund, growing the contingency account to $8.5 billion. Brown, who rarely uses his line-item veto power in trimming budgets, left entirely intact the plan ratified by the Legislature on June 15. While the governor signed 15 budget-related bills Tuesday, a handful of other related bills have yet to make their way to his desk. Those include a plan to make an extra $6-billion payment to the California Public Employees Retirement System, or CalPERS, borrowing the money from surplus state revenues. The plan was approved by the state Senate on Monday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown says GOP healthcare bill cuts right into the heart of what is already a divided nation By Sarah D. Wire Californias senators, Kamala Harris, left, and Dianne Feinstein. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) One in three California residents are covered by Medicaid, and California is thought to have the most to lose if Republicans gather enough votes to roll back major aspects of the Affordable Care Act. California would see the nations biggest increase in uninsured people by next year and face a $24-billion budget shortfall by 2026 because of reduced Medicaid funding, Californias Democratic senators and Gov. Jerry Brown warned during a call with reporters on Tuesday. The Californians call was just one of dozens of events House and Senate Democrats held Tuesday to try to stir up anger over the bill. Brown called the bill divisive, saying it puts tax cuts for the wealthy above healthcare for the poor. This is such a political bill, he said. This bill will be the most divisive maneuver, cutting right into the heart of what is already a divided nation. The bill would increase the number of people without health coverage by 22 million and push up medical costs for millions of other poor and sick Americans, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. After pledging to pass the bill this week, Senate Republicans abruptly delayed a vote until after the July Fourth recess. A handful of Republicans have announced they are leery of the bill, saying it either goes too far or doesnt go far enough, and the White House is lobbying them to get on board. Every major medical association has come out against the bill, which was written by a small group of senators behind closed doors. Sen. Kamala Harris said the bill is being rushed to the Senate floor without hearings, debate or much time for senators to review it. Its absolutely wrong, it is harmful and it is unconscionable. The bill would restructure our nations entire health care system, she said. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said its not enough to amend the existing GOP bill, and Congress needs to start over instead. She said 10 or 12 Republican senators need to defect so the bill is not revived after a few changes, as a similar bill was in the House. I am optimistic that it is doable to kill it, Feinstein said. Its the most indefensible bill Ive actually seen in 24 years in the Senate. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print National Republicans target California water needs in new ads against House Democrats By Sarah D. Wire The National Republican Congressional Committee is going after five California Democrats for votes on a water issue. The online ads are identical except for one line tailored to target each Democrat: Reps. John Garamendi of Walnut Grove, Ami Bera of Elk Grove, Salud Carbajal of Santa Barbara, Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert and Scott Peters of San Diego. They specifically are about the Democrats voting against a bill to funnel dam permits through a single federal agency in an effort to speed up new water storage projects. Tell Congressman Garamendi to stop letting politics get in the way of our water, one ad says. Sponsored by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove), the bill passed the House last week, with a 233-180 largely partisan vote. Democrats need 24 seats to regain control of the House, and are expected to focus their attention in the midterms on tying Republicans to President Trump. Their list of seats they need to flip includes 9 of the 14 California seats held by Republicans. The ads, which will run online for the next week, could be the first glimpse of an NRCC strategy of trying to keep the focus on local issues in the 2018 election. California Democrats want to help radical environmentalists more than their drought-stricken constituents. If Democrats continue to sit on their hands and let this chance to capture much-needed water float on by, the NRCC will hold them accountable, said spokesman Jack Pandol. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Only a few California counties may use the new state law for sending every voter a ballot in the mail By John Myers A broad effort to close thousands of California neighborhood polling places in favor of absentee ballots and multi-purpose vote centers has yet to find traction beyond a handful of counties. Data collected by Secretary of State Alex Padillas office concludes only two counties have a plan in place to implement the sweeping change in state election law enacted last year. As many as 14 counties can do so in 2018, with Los Angeles County and others able to switch to the system in 2020. Change is hard, said Jill LaVine, registrar of voters in Sacramento County, one of the counties that has already approved adoption of the system to swap polling places for a limited number of vote centers offering several different election services. Meanwhile, leaders in the county that has done the most planning to move toward changing its election system -- Orange County -- have rejected the new law for 2018. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Nurses union uses the image of a California bear stabbed in the back after single-payer bill is blocked Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rep. Grace Napolitano to miss House votes for several weeks while husband receives cancer treatment By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) will miss House votes while her husband, Frank Napolitano, undergoes chemotherapy and radiation to treat esophageal cancer, her spokesman said. The congresswoman, 80, easily beat out former Democratic state Assemblyman Roger Hernandez of West Covina in the November election. She said in April that she would seek reelection in 2018, and her husbands health does not change her plan to seek an 11th term, spokesman Jerry ODonnell said. Napolitano has missed the last two weeks of House votes, though shes working some from the district, and is expected to remain in California for several more weeks to care for her husband during the treatment, ODonnell said. He did not know for sure how long Napolitano would be gone, but it is possible she might make it back for some votes during the seven-week-long treatment, he said. Napolitano said by phone she will try to return if the House votes again on the GOP health care bill. I intend to be back at work soon, Napolitano said. The House leaves Friday for a one-week break and leaves again at the end of July for the August recess. Napolitano suffered a minor stroke in 2016 that affected her ability to write and slightly slowed her walk. For the record, 8:47 a.m.: An earlier version of this post identified the type of cancer Napolitanos husband has as lung cancer. It is esophageal cancer. 8:47 a.m., June 27: This post has been updated with a quote from Napolitano. 2:45 p.m. This post has been updated to correct how many terms the congresswoman has served. 2:26 p.m. This post has been updated with more details about when Napolitano might return. This post was originally published at 2:06 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After a career in the majority, Jimmy Gomez prepares for life in the minority in Washington By Sarah D. Wire (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Congressman-elect Jimmy Gomez has spent his entire political career as a member of the majority party. When hes sworn in as central and northeast Los Angeles newest member of Congress in the coming weeks, hell be the most junior Democrat 194th out of 194 in Congress. Hell have to find a path forward in a Congress dominated by the opposing party. Even if Democrats win back control, hell have hundreds of more senior and just as eager colleagues ahead of him in line. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rep. Maxine Waters focuses on GOP healthcare bill at packed town hall By Andrea Castillo (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) Rep. Maxine Waters, who spoke Saturday at a packed town hall meeting in Gardena, said she worries some Americans will be forced to do what her family did if the Republican healthcare bill passes. Senate Republicans have pledged to pass a bill before the July Fourth holiday. To illustrate why she believes everyone should have access to comprehensive healthcare, the Los Angeles Democrat said she and her 12 siblings never saw a physician or a dentist their entire childhood. I was born at home in St. Louis back in the day when it was hard for minorities to get into hospitals, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This former Jeff Denham challenger wont run again, but hes launching a committee to elect Democrats By Christine Mai-Duc Two-time congressional challenger Michael Eggman says he wont try for a third campaign against Republican Rep. Jeff Denham (Turlock), but hes hoping to help Democrats running against the him. Eggman, a beekeeper and farmer, announced Monday that hes starting a political action committee to help oust Republicans in seven seats, including Denhams in the Central Valley, which Democrats have targeted for 2018. The committee, Red to Blue California, filed papers with the Federal Election Commission in March but so far hasnt reported raising any money. Andrew Feldman, a spokesman for the PAC, said the group has taken in about $50,000 and its goal is to raise at least $7 million in the 2018 cycle. Eggman will serve as chair of the committee. In a statement, Eggman said that while he lost last year, I learned a heck of a lot on the way. Now as Donald Trump threatens to upend the very fabric of what makes our country great, Im doing my part to join the resistance. In addition to Denhams seat, the committee will target Republican Reps. Steve Knight (Palmdale), David Valadao (Hanford), Ed Royce (Fullerton), Mimi Walters (Irvine), Dana Rohrabacher (Huntington Beach) and Darrell Issa (Vista). All seven were reelected in districts won by Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. The committee also plans to use some of the money to promote down-ballot candidates in each of the districts as a way of building a base of Democratic candidates. Eggman, a beekeeper and farmer who received a rare endorsement from Barack Obama in the Democrats unsuccessful quest to take back the House last year, lost to Denham by 5% in November. Spending in that race topped $14 million. Six Democrats have already filed to run in Denhams 10th Congressional District, including Josh Harder, a venture capital executive whose campaign manager worked for Eggman in 2016. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Politics Podcast: Theres a powerful new ally of those who support a sanctuary state By John Myers Supporters of an ambitious California effort to limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities begin the week with a prominent new ally. On this weeks California Politics Podcast, we take a look at the impact of Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck endorsing the sanctuary state bill thats now under consideration in Sacramento. We also discuss the decision by Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) to run for governor, and how his conservative politics could have a big effect on how Republican voters view their choices in 2018. Im joined by Times staff writer Melanie Mason and Marisa Lagos of KQED News. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California wont be passing a single-payer healthcare system any time soon the plan is dead for this year By Melanie Mason View Twitter post A high-profile effort to establish a single-payer healthcare system in California sputtered on Friday when Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) decided to shelve the proposal. Rendon announced late Friday afternoon that the bill, SB 562 by state Sens. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), would not advance to a policy hearing in his house, dampening the measures prospect for swift passage this year. SB 562 was sent to the Assembly woefully incomplete, Rendon said in a statement. Even senators who voted for SB 562 noted there are potentially fatal flaws in the bill, including the fact it does not address many serious issues, such as financing, delivery of care, cost controls, or the realities of needed action by the Trump Administration and voters to make SB 562 a genuine piece of legislation. Rendon took pains to note that his action does not kill the bill entirely because it is the first year of a two-year session, it could be revived next year. But the move is nonetheless a major setback for legislation that has electrified the Democratic partys progressive flank. The California Nurses Assn., the bills sponsors and the states most vocal advocates for single-payer, blasted Rendons decision as cowardly. Acting in secret in the interests of the profiteering insurance companies late Friday afternoon abandons all those people already threatened by Congress and the Trump administration, Deborah Burger, the unions co-president, said in a statement. Burger continued: The people of California are counting on the Legislature to protect them now, not sometime next year, and as polls have shown Californians support this proposal by a wide majority. A solution to this health care emergency could be at hand; Speaker Rendon is standing in opposition. In a joint statement, Lara and Atkins, the measures authors, said they were disappointed the robust debate about healthcare for all that started in the California Senate will not continue in the Assembly this year. This issue is not going away, they added. Gov. Jerry Brown, who had signaled wariness about the proposals costs, said in a statement that Rendon made the case that theres clearly more work to do before anyone is in a position to vote on revamping Californias healthcare system. I recognize the tremendous excitement behind the measure, but basic and fundamental questions remain unanswered, Brown said. Updated at 6:44 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from Gov. Jerry Brown. Updated at 5:38 p.m.: This article was updated to include comments from the California Nurses Assn. and the measures authors. This article was originally published at 4:38 p.m. Times staff writer Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California politicians are in Dallas despite new ban on state employees traveling to Texas By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Ricardo Lara (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A day after California banned state employees from going to Texas on official business, a group of politicians from the Golden State was in Dallas on Friday for a major conference. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Thursday announced he was prohibiting state employees from traveling at state expense to Texas and three other states that he determined have approved laws that discriminate against gay and transgender people. Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), who is openly gay, is among those attending the annual gathering of the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). A spokesman said he is using his own money, not taxpayer funds. Lara voted for the bill that enacted the travel ban. Lara felt participating in a panel discussion on immigration was important amid debate over Gov. Greg Abbotts signage of a controversial immigration law that bans sanctuary cities for immigrants in the country illegally, spokesman Michael Soller said. Texas just passed one of the nations most anti-immigrant laws with Senate Bill 4, and California went down this road with Proposition 187 more than 20 years ago, Lara said in a statement. With LGBT and immigrant rights under assault across the country, I thought it was important to join other Latino leaders and show Californias example. Like Lara, West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John Duran made plans to attend the Dallas convention well before Becerra announced the travel ban, which does not apply to non-state employees. Duran is the national chairman of NALEO and said the conference was scheduled for Dallas three years ago. I dont know about the LGBT laws in Texas or AG Becerras call for a boycott -- I am not only LGBT but also Latino, Duran said in an email, adding he is very angry over Texas SB 4, which requires law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials in enforcing immigration laws. I am here supporting my elected official colleagues in Texas from Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas who are joining together to sue the state of Texas, Duran said. Being a Californian who worked against Gov. Pete Wilsons Prop 187 -- I have experiences and strategies to share with them. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Texas responds to California LGBT travel ban, saying Golden State firms fleeing over taxation and regulation By Patrick McGreevy A day after California officials said they are banning state workers from traveling to Texas on official business, an aide to Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott returned a verbal volley claiming mistreatment of businesses. On Thursday, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said Texas and three other states were being put on a list of states that had adopted laws seen by Becerra as discriminatory to the LGBT community and therefore were off-limits for state-sponsored travel. That drew a response Friday from John Wittman, Abbotts press secretary. California may be able to stop their state employees, but they cant stop all the businesses that are fleeing over taxation and regulation and relocating to Texas, Wittman said. Becerra put Texas on the travel-ban list after the governor signed HB 3859 last week. The new law allows foster care agencies to deny adoptions and services to children and parents based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Becerra said the measure allows agencies to discriminate against children in foster care and potentially disqualify LGBT families from the states foster and adoption system. A spokesman for Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin also criticized California officials. It is fascinating that the very same West Coast liberals who rail against the Presidents executive order, that protects our nation from foreign terrorists, have now contrived their own travel ban aimed at punishing states who dont fall in lockstep with their far-left political ideology, said Woody Maglinger, Bevins press secretary. Updated at 1:35 pm to include comment from Woody Maglinger. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rep. Tom McClintocks bill to streamline dam permits passes House largely on party lines By Sarah D. Wire Dam permits would be funneled through a single federal agency in an effort to speed up new water storage projects under a bill that passed the House on Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove), the 233-180 vote was largely along partisan lines. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Fresno), Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and six other Democrats joined with Republicans to pass the bill. McClintock said the various local, state and federal agencies that must sign off on new projects dont have to communicate or set deadlines, and often require redundant information from permit applicants, which can make the application process drag on for years and drive up costs. Dam applications can go on endlessly, McClintock said after the vote. A lot of these projects become cost prohibitive. He pointed to a dam project proposed by the town of Foresthill in his district as an example. Conflicting demands from several federal agencies about a plan to install a spillway gate on the dam at the Sugar Pine Reservoir have driven up the cost, he said. The project application is still under review. So a $2-million project that was a heavy lift for a little community, but within reach, becomes an $11-million cost-prohibitive boondoggle, McClintock said. Under the bill, the Bureau of Reclamation would coordinate with other federal agencies on all aspects of a dam application and set deadlines for deciding whether to approve a project. Democrats who voted against the bill said the bureau would be able to set arbitrary deadlines for the at-times lengthy environmental reviews required for water projects, which could undermine reviews required by laws like the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. Fixing the process isnt just about saving some headaches or a few hours of time. This is about making sure millions of people in California and across America have the water they need and deserve, said Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield). Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) has filed similar legislation in the Senate, and McClintock said he is cautiously optimistic it will pass. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown says Senate healthcare bill has same stench as House version Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Travis Allen, a conservative and controversial Orange County lawmaker, jumps into California governors race By Phil Willon Conservative Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) is jumping into Californias 2018 race for governor, a move that could splinter the GOP vote in what promises to be a crowded and competitive race. Travis, elected to the Legislature in 2012, said he decided to run because of the years of wasteful spending and dictatorial policies pushed by Jerry Brown and the Sacramento Democrats. I am running to be the next governor of California to take back our state for the forgotten ordinary citizens of California, who will no longer tolerate the squandering of our incredible natural abundance of people, economy, and resources by limousine liberals beholden to ravenous public sector union bosses and extremist environmentalists, Travis said in a statement announcing his campaign. Outspoken and controversial, Travis has filed a ballot measure to repeal the recently approved gas tax and sponsored legislation requiring voters to show photo ID. Allen has faced criticism for claiming that a new law that barred police from arresting people under 18 for soliciting sex or loitering with intent to commit prostitution was an effort to legalize child prostitution. The purpose of the law was to treat minors as victims of sex trafficking rather than offenders. Allen, 43, worked as a certified financial planner before he ran for the Legislature. His Assembly district includes all or portions of Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Garden Grove. Allen will face stiff competition from fellow Republican John Cox, a Rancho Santa Fe venture capitalist who already has put $3 million of his own money into his campaign. Former GOP Assemblyman David Hadley of Manhattan Beach also is exploring a run, and former Los Angeles Rams football player Rosey Grier announced plans to jump into the race but thus far has not established an official campaign. The race also has attracted a cadre of Democratic heavyweights, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang. Delaine Eastin, a former state legislator and state schools chief, is also running. In California, Democrats hold a 19-percentage point advantage over Republicans in voter registration, a strong head wind against GOP candidates running for statewide office. Because of the large field of Democrats in the race, a Republican could have a good shot of finishing in the top two in the June 2018 primary if they can put together GOP support. But Allens entry into the race could divide Republican voters, reducing the odds of a GOP candidate making it to the November general election. The first- and second-place finishers in the primary advance to the general election regardless of their party. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Coastal panel spawned by 1930s oil scandal now a player in governors race By Michael Finnegan (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) When John Chiang joined the State Lands Commission, it quickly became a platform to showcase his environmental record, starting with his 2007 vote to block construction of a shipping terminal for liquefied natural gas in Ventura County. The commission has served the same purpose for Gavin Newsom, who often uses his seat on the panel to remind Californians that he opposes offshore oil drilling. Now that both Chiang and Newsom are running for governor, they are drawing rare attention to the little-known but powerful State Lands Commission, which oversees 4 million acres of land beneath California waters. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ballot measure to expand L.A. County Board of Supervisors advances By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, wants to expand the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five to seven members. Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press ( Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors would be expanded from five to seven members and an elected chief executive post would be created under a measure recommended Wednesday by a state Senate panel despite opposition from the county. Two members of the countys 2015-16 civil grand jury testified that the group felt the current government is inadequate for a county of more than 10 million residents. They said that if the county was a state, it would be the eighth-largest state in the country based on population. The board is too small to adequately serve the diverse needs of county residents, grand jury member Molly Milligan told the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, before its 5-1 vote to recommend Senate Constitutional Amendment 12. The proposed statewide ballot measure was introduced by Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). The proposal was opposed by Phyllis Marshall, the chief legislative representative for Los Angeles County, who noted that the proposal would allow voters statewide to decide the governance structure for one county. Voters in other counties do not have sufficient knowledge to vote on a constitutional amendment to change the governing structure of Los Angeles County, Marshall told the panel before the measure was sent to another policy panel on its way to a possible full Senate vote. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kimberly Ellis blames Democratic Party hacks for losses in Tuesdays congressional races By Phil Willon Kimberly Ellis (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Kimberly Ellis, who has challenged the results of the California Democratic Party leadership election she lost, blamed party establishment hacks who are the worst in the biz for losses in congressional races in Georgia and South Carolina on Tuesday. Ellis, a progressive Bay Area Democrat who tapped into a wellspring of disaffected Bernie Sanders backers, on Tuesday night sent a tweet saying that it was time for a new coalition. That drew a sharp rebuke from veteran Democratic operative Bob Mulholland, who has criticized Ellis for not conceding. Ellis blamed her narrow May loss to Eric Bauman for state Democratic Party chairperson on voting irregularities. Ellis, who lost the race by 62 votes,has called on the party to conduct an independent audit of the election. Bauman rejected that request, saying the party already has a process in place to review contested elections. The partys compliance review commission, made up of six members who were appointed during former chairman John Burtons tenure, is currently reviewing the election. On Friday, Bauman announced that the party hired the law firm of Olson Hagel & Fishburn LLC to oversee, advise and counsel the commission during the inquiry. Let's thank Jon Ossoff, his staff and the thousands of volunteers for their effort. Let's ignore Trump and Kimberly Ellis attacks on Ossoff. Bob Mulholland (@Chico_Bob) June 21, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print These legislators are trying to make sure Jimmy Gomezs replacement in the Assembly is a woman By Christine Mai-Duc As soon as Congressman-elect Jimmy Gomez announced he was running for Congress, his Assembly colleague Cristina Garcia got to work. Garcia, a legislator from Bell Gardens who became chair of the Womens Legislative Caucus in December, called Gomez, other Assembly members, and labor and environmental groups to make it clear: If Gomez won the 34th Congressional District and vacated his Assembly seat, her priority would be electing a woman in his place. With Gomez headed to Washington after his June 6 win, Garcia said its time to put her groups plan into action. Its simple, said Garcia in a recent interview. As long as we dont have parity, were going to fight at every opportunity to try to get another woman in office. Women hold 17 out of 80 seats in the state Assembly and nine of 40 of the state Senate seats. On Wednesday morning, the Democratic arm of the womens legislative caucus announced it was endorsing Wendy Carrillo, a Democrat who ran in the 34th District primary against Gomez, and who is the only woman running to replace him so far. I am impressed by her ongoing activism for environmental justice, womens rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrants and social justice movements that are the bedrocks of a progressive democracy and welcome the tenacity she will bring to further promote these issues in the state Legislature with a womans perspective, Garcia said in a statement. Eight other candidates have filed to run for or have announced campaigns for Gomezs 51st Assembly District. The election date and its accompanying filing deadlines have not yet been set, mainly because Gomez has not stepped down, so another woman could still jump in. But Garcia is hoping her caucus announcement will head that off. If the 34th Congressional District race is going to teach us any lessons, its that we dont have the luxury of having multiple women split the field, Garcia said. More than a dozen women ran in the crowded primary to replace Xavier Becerra in the central Los Angeles District. None of them won more than 10% of the vote. So Garcia and her colleagues havent just been talking about their mission; theyve been trying to shape the field of candidates, too. Garcia said she reached out to former 34th District hopefuls to gauge their interest, solicited names of potential female candidates from interest groups, and had conversations with half a dozen women who were considering jumping in. Garcia said she didnt discourage any women, but was up front with them about the challenges each might face. Shes also encouraged women who expressed interest to work it out among themselves in hopes that they could unite behind one female candidate. Its a somewhat new tactic for the womens caucus, which has struggled to unite on political endorsements in the past and is hoping to flex more muscle in Sacramento. We are being more strategic now, Garcia said. It cant just be like, I like you and you have a great heart. Thats not good enough. You have to put in the work and be able to build a coalition and win. Carrillo said it was unfortunate that none of the women in the 34th District race made it past the primary. But, she added: Men dont get asked the question of whether theyre worried about splitting the vote. The outcome in the congressional primary, Carrillo said, had more to do with a lack of money flowing to many of the womens campaigns, something she hopes to remedy. Ive learned a lot ... [about] just what it takes to build coalitions and how best to move forward in terms of having a strategy to win, Carrillo said. Ultimately, the voters are going to decide based on issues, Carrillo said. I think that I bring a very unique perspective, having grown up in the district, in terms of advocating for labor and for education and for healthcare and all the issues that residents care for. ------------ FOR THE RECORD June 21, 2:53 p.m.: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Cristina Garcia became chair of the Womens Legislative Caucus in January. She took over the position in December. ------------ Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Prompted by San Bernardino shooting, House passes bill to require reports to Congress after terrorist attacks By Sarah D. Wire Evacuated workers pray on the fairway of the San Bernardino Golf Club shortly after the 2015 mass shooting at the nearby Inland Regional Center. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Intelligence agencies would have to make recommendations to Congress on how to stop the next domestic terrorist attack under a bill inspired by the 2015 San Bernardino shooting. The bill, which passed the House on Tuesday without opposition, requires the Homeland Security secretary to submit a report to Congress within one year of a terrorist attack in the U.S. The report, which would be unclassified, must include details of what happened and recommendations for laws or policies that can be changed to prevent a similar attack. It would also include input from the attorney general, FBI director and the head of the National Counterterrorism Center. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), who represents San Bernardino, filed the bill about a year after the Dec. 2, 2015, shooting in which 14 people were killed and 22 were wounded by a married couple at the Inland Regional Center. Aguilar told The Times that individual members of Congress shouldnt have to press agencies for details about what happened after an attack. By nature every terrorist event is unique, and so we need something to prod the agencies to tell us why its unique and what we can do better, Aguilar said. There is no current requirement for the agencies to submit a report to Congress after a terrorist event. We think that it makes sense to do that and that it will help us learn from these events and become smarter about it. After the San Bernardino attack, the Justice Department worked with the Police Foundation, a Washington-based research group, to create a report, but it was aimed at training law enforcement on responding to an attack. We think there are more lessons to be learned, but that only happens when those agencies work with Congress on what we can change, Aguilar said. The bipartisan bill was backed by nine other Californians: Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley), Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro), David Valadao (R-Hanford), Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), Steve Knight (R-Palmdale), Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine). Aguilar said he is still working to line up a sponsor for the bill in the Senate. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New super PAC targets seven California Republicans By Phil Willon Former Northern California Rep. Ellen Tauscher has launched a new super PAC targeting seven vulnerable Republicans in the states congressional delegation, hoping to aid the Democratic effort to win control of the House of Representatives in 2018. Each Republican represents a district that backed Hillary Clinton in the November election. On the Fight Back California PACs list are Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock; David Valadao of Hanford; Steve Knight of Palmdale; Ed Royce of Fullerton; Mimi Walters of Irvine; Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach and Darrell Issa of Vista. Of those, the former congresswoman served with Issa, Royce and Rohrabacher. This isnt personal, Tauscher said. But the fact is that Im a Californian, and they dont vote in the interest of my state. Tauscher represented Northern Californias 10th Congressional District for 14 years before becoming undersecretary of State during the Obama administration in 2009. Katie Merrill, the PACs political strategist, said the campaign will target the Republicans records on issues that directly affect voters in the district, such as the GOPs efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. We intend to soften the ground. So when the Democratic nominee emerges ... they are facing a significantly weakened incumbent, Merrill said. Updated at 4:02 p.m.: This story was updated to include a comment from Tauscher. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Overhaul of Californias state tax board plagued by confusion, members say By Patrick McGreevy Board of Equalization Chairwoman Diane Harkey says there is confusion around the reorganization of the board. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times) State tax board members on Tuesday said there remain a lot of unanswered questions about how their agency will transfer many of its duties to two new offices, a reorganization approved last week by the state Legislature in response to problems with the panel. About 4,400 of the state Board of Equalizations 4,800 employees will be transferred to a new California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, which will take over collection of sales and excise taxes, and an office of administrative law judges who will take over taxpayer appeals. The change was outlined by the boards executive director, David Gau, at a meeting with the panel Tuesday. I dont think anything is easy, Board Chairwoman Diane Harkey said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. I think its going to be expensive. There is a lot of confusion. Board member George Runner said there are questions about whether he can continue to hold educational events for taxpayers, while board member Jerome Horton said he wants to know whether he can continue to advocate for taxpayers. There are still some issues they need to work out, Horton said. Harkey said new bills will have to be approved with clarifying language on some issues. For instance, the newly approved legislation takes away the boards power to hear appeals after July 1 even though lawmakers want the board to continue handling the hearings until the new administrative law judges are operating Jan. 1. In addition, the board employs civil service workers who are trained for jobs that will no longer exist with the board, she said, adding that the new department is supposed to begin operating July 1. This is all still in flux. Its a huge step to take in a couple of weeks, Harkey said. Marybel Batjer, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, has addressed the board employees, assuring them that they will be able to shift to jobs in the new department. She told The Times on Tuesday that planning has already begun for the new department, including the early stages of recruitment of its administrative staff. Meanwhile, board representatives, including Harkey, confirmed that investigators from the state attorney generals office have begun interviewing agency employees after Gov. Jerry Brown called for a probe into whether staff and resources were mishandled by the agency. Were just hearing that they are around, Harkey said of investigators. I think it scares everybody. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Californias Clean Air Act waiver should be yanked, Trumps former environmental advisor says By Chris Megerian (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The head of President Trumps Environmental Protection Agency may not be prepared to battle California over air regulations, but the man who led Trumps transition team for the department is ready. Myron Ebell, who works at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington and helped devise Trumps environmental agenda, said California should not be allowed to set its own standards for greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle tailpipes. The state has that authority under a Clean Air Act waiver granted by President Obama, one of dozens that have been issued over the years. The waiver has to go, in my view, Ebell told journalists on Monday at a training program organized by the National Press Foundation. The problem, he said, is that the California regulations are a backdoor attempt to regulate fuel economy, a power thats reserved for the federal government. California said it would push forward on greenhouse gas rules earlier this year even though the Trump administration has opened the door to rolling them back on the federal level. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had previously suggested that the Trump administration could try to revoke Californias waiver, but during a recent Capitol Hill hearing he said it wasnt currently under review. Ebell has denied mainstream science on global warming. But apart from the waiver he wants to see revoked, he told journalists that he didnt have a problem with California trying to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions. I believe in competitive federalism, he said. The only problem, Ebell said, is whether Gov. Jerry Brown tries to conduct his own foreign policy and sign international treaties. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print A new audit says some California agencies sidestepped competitive bidding rules on contracts By Patrick McGreevy Two California agencies in charge of high-tech projects failed to provide proper oversight for billions of dollars in contracts awarded without competitive bidding, according to a state audit released Tuesday. State law requires the Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology (CDT) to use the competitive bidding process whenever possible to ensure fair competition and eliminate favoritism, fraud, and corruption, State Auditor Elaine Howle wrote in a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown. The investigation examined a sample of those contracts and found nine noncompetitive requests valued at almost $1 billion that agencies likely could have avoided had they engaged in sufficient planning, Howle wrote. The auditors cited approval of a request by the California High-Speed Rail Authority for a $3-million noncompetitive contract amendment to provide financial consulting services. The proposal was submitted 17 days before the existing contract was set to expire. When justifying its noncompetitive request, High-Speed Rail stated that the financial consulting services were critical to its mission and that the vendors skills were specialized and not widely available. However, it did not provide a valid reason why this vendor alone could meet the states needs, as financial consulting services are not unique, the audit found. In all, auditors estimated that the state awarded at least $44 billion in noncompetitive contracts of more than $1 million each during the five fiscal years ending June 30, 2016. The two agencies have the power to enforce contract rules but they rarely employed them, allowing agencies to continue inappropriately using noncompetitive requests, the audit concluded. State workers also allegedly wrote reports in ways that misled about which projects were competitively bid. In one case, a $3-million contract was identified as competitively bid, to which an additional $31 million in noncompetitive contracts was added through nine amendments. Amy Tong, director of the California Deptartment of Technology, agreed with the auditors recommendations, saying the agency believes that the recommendations will strengthen CDTs oversight of information technology and telecommunication procurements, especially those acquired through the noncompetitive request process. Daniel C. Kim, director of the Department of General Services, also agreed to improve the process, writing to auditors that his agency will take appropriate action to address the issues presented in the report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer has a big decision to make By Phil Willon Tom Steyer at a Los Angeles high school in 2014. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) For months, billionaire Democratic donor and environmental activist Tom Steyer has been acting like a candidate running for governor hobnobbing with Democratic loyalists, putting out a position paper on income inequality and continuing his aggressive efforts to combat climate change. Steyer says hes still considering jumping into the race. But he may have another target on his radar. Steyer has starting mounting his own challenge to President Trump, going so far as to call for impeachment and use his nonprofit, NextGen Climate, to encourage citizens to lobby their congressional representatives for it. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Lobbying firm fined $4,000 for violating gift limit buying dinner for former state Sen. Ronald Calderon By Patrick McGreevy Ron Calderon, shown in while still in the senate in 2014, was treated to a dinner by a lobbying firm that violated a gift limit. ( (Rich Pedroncelli / AP)) Mercury Public Affairs has agreed to pay $4,000 in fines to Californias ethics watchdog agency for violating the $10 gift limit on lobbying firms when it provided dinners worth $200 to former state Sen. Ronald Calderon and his wife. In October, Calderon was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty in a public corruption case unrelated to the Mercury dinner. The fines proposed against Mercury by the enforcement staff of the state Fair Political Practices Commission stem from violating the $10 gift limit and failing to report that Calderons wife also received a dinner, according to the investigative report. Calderon and his wife attended an April 2013 dinner paid for by Mercury at Mastros in Beverly Hills. Also present was former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a non-lobbyist partner of Mercury, and four other unidentified people. The violation of the state Political Reform Act was found by a random audit by the state Franchise Tax Board. Mercurys $200 gift to Sen. Calderon, while not extravagant, significantly exceeded the gift limit, the investigative report said. A central purpose of the act is to prevent improper influence by lobbyists and the acts strict gift limit on lobbying firms is intended to effectuate that purpose. The commission will vote on the fines on June 29. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California bill aims to revive broadband privacy rules that were killed by Trump and Congress By Melanie Mason A woman works on her laptop in the Rose Main Reading Room of the New York Public Library. ( Mark Lennihan / Associated Press) Several months ago, President Trump signed into law a repeal of sweeping privacy regulations limiting what broadband providers can do with customer data. Now, an Assembly Democrat is trying to resuscitate those rules for Californians. Assemblyman Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) unveiled a measure on Monday that would largely enshrine the sputtered federal regulations into California state law. The bill would require Internet service providers, such as Verizon, Comcast and AT&T, to get permission from customers before using, selling or permitting access to data about their browsing history. Such restrictions were crafted by the Federal Communications Commission under the Obama administration. But the FCC under Trump sought to roll back those rules before they went into effect. Congress approved the repeal in March, and the president signed it. Congress and the administration went against the will of the vast majority of Americans when they revoked the FCC rules, Chau said at a news conference, adding that with his measure, AB 375, California is goi Senate Republicans appeared unlikely to hit a self-imposed Friday deadline for revising their healthcare bill, as negotiators considered scaling back promised tax cuts for the wealthy in order to provide more insurance assistance to the poor. Vice President Mike Pence led a White House push by meeting Thursday with divided Republican senators, but conservatives and centrists have been unable to resolve their differences. Were working, Pence said as he dashed through the halls, followed by reporters shouting questions. Advertisement Meanwhile, an updated analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted the GOP plan would make even deeper long-term reductions to federal Medicaid funding. By 2036, government spending on Medicaid would be 35% less than under the current law, up from the 26% reduction expected in 2026, the CBO said. The estimate is certain to further worry GOP moderates, who were already alarmed by CBO predictions that the Senate bill would leave 22 million additional Americans without insurance. As Thursday afternoon dragged on, senators began leaving town for the long Fourth of July holiday, with no endgame in sight. Im just shocked that were going home, said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), one of the conservatives opposing the bill as written. I want to stick around here 24/7 to get this thing done. GOP aides downplayed missing Fridays deadline, which was set by negotiators after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) abruptly delayed a vote this week because he did not have enough support for passage. McConnell and top lawmakers huddled behind closed doors, and some senators said they still had momentum toward Fridays target to produce an agreement and reschedule a vote for the week of July 10. Thats our goal, said Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the majority whip, as he left the session. Were plowing ahead, inch by inch, yard by yard. Were not there yet, but we continue to talk. Talks were expected to continue Thursday night and Friday. Some people think we have momentum forward, some not so sure, said Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician. Im not confident thats going to solve everybodys concerns. Focus continued on how to lower insurance premium costs in the bill, perhaps by providing more money for subsidies to those who buy policies on the Obamacare exchanges and stabilization funds for the states. To pay for those additional costs, Republicans may keep some of the Obamacare taxes on the wealthy. Republicans have long promised to repeal Obamacares taxes, but they are now considering keeping a 3.8% investment income tax on wealthier households earning beyond $200,000 a year. That tax provides as much as $175 billion over the next decade, by some estimates. Fiscal conservatives are bound to object, but other Republicans said keeping the investment income tax could shield the GOP from attacks by Democrats that the bill is a giveaway of tax breaks for the rich, coming at the expense of healthcare for others. Also, a separate CBO report Thursday showed federal deficits are back on the rise, hitting $690 billion in 2017 after years of decline due largely to lower tax revenues. Were going to have to spend some money to provide tax credits and innovation and stabilization plans, and were just going to have to make a collective decision about where that should come from, Cornyn said. And that could be a source. Other sticking points remain. Centrist senators continue to push to save Medicaid from severe cuts, especially in Ohio, West Virginia and Nevada, where hundreds of thousands of residents have newly enrolled in the safety net program those states expanded with Obamacare. Those senators want a slower phase out of Medicaids expansion under Obamacare, to five or seven years rather than three years under the current bill. They also want Medicaid funding to be tied to the healthcare inflation rate, which is higher than standard inflation measures used in the Senate bill. Polling shows the Senate bill, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act, has scant popular support, with less than 1 in 5 Americans favoring the GOPs approach. Frustrated that their party is taking so long, with so little consensus, after years of campaigning to end the Affordable Care Act, senators face enormous pressure from donors and voters to deliver. But senators also face protesters camping out in their offices and rallying back home, leaving them divided over how much, and how quickly, to unravel Obamacare. I wouldnt call it pressure, but I think just about everybody made some promises when they were running, and I think they ought to keep their word, said Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said watching the Senate process produced a sense of deja vu. This is exactly what we did here in the House. We brought it to the floor, then we pulled it back, then we brought it and passed it, Ryan said. I do think theyre going to persevere through this because we have a promise to keep. lisa.mascaro@latimes.com @LisaMascaro ALSO Trump wants a border wall, but few in Congress want to pay for it Trumps election has mobilized a resistance like no other, but will Democrats answer to the tea party divide the ranks? With a push from Trump, House Republicans pass Obamacare overhaul More coverage of Congress More coverage of politics and the White House UPDATES: 4:00 p.m.: This article was updated with additional analysis and reaction. This article was originally published at 1:25 p.m. President Trump personally mocked television host Mika Brzezinski in vulgar terms on Twitter, drawing quick condemnations from leading Republicans as he once again generated a controversy while his White House struggles to get traction on its agenda. As Brzezinskis MSNBC show Morning Joe came to a close about 9 a.m., Trump insulted Brzezinski and her co-host Joe Scarborough, calling them low I.Q. Crazy Mika and Psycho Joe, adding that he had at one point seen Brzezinski bleeding badly from a face-lift. I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 Advertisement ...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 The tweets were the latest in a barrage of attacks by Trump and his White House against media organizations, including CNN, the New York Times and Washington Post, which he has accused of publishing false stories critical of his administration. CNN fake, Trump said during a brief speech Thursday afternoon at the Energy Department. The remarks come at an especially fraught time for the administration, and Republican congressional leaders moved quickly to repudiate his words. This has to stop we all have a job 3 branches of govt and media. We dont have to get along, but we must show respect and civility. Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) June 29, 2017 Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America. Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 29, 2017 Stop it! The Presidential platform should be used for more than bringing people down. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) June 29, 2017 Inappropriate. Undignified. Unpresidential, tweeted Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor who was among the candidates Trump defeated in the race for the presidential nomination. The reactions from Collins and Murkowski were particularly notable as they are two of the centrist lawmakers whose support Senate Republican leaders need to win passage of their embattled healthcare bill, a top priority for the White House. Collins went further in a later interview on MSNBC. This is one of the things that bothers me the most: I believe that the president of the United States ought to be modeling the best of behavior. He should be an example for children. He should be an example for all of us. He should not be contributing to the tremendous divide and polarization that we have in our country. Its one thing when he was the candidate, Collins continued. All of us say things that are a little bit over the top when were running for office. But once youre a public official, particularly if youre president of the United States of America, the greatest country on Earth, you have a special obligation to be above this. Her reaction and others underscored the sense on Capitol Hill that members of his party increasingly have little fear of publicly contradicting the president. Recent polling has shown that even among Republican voters, many view his tweets as a distraction. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders denied that Trump had crossed a line. He fights fire with fire, she told reporters at the White House news briefing. When he gets attacked, hes going to hit back, she said. In a series of tweets on Thursday morning, President Donald Trump ridiculed the looks and temperament of Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinski. (June 29, 2017) Exactly what set off the presidents ire was not known, however, as Trump didnt say and Sanders talked only in general terms about attacks. Scarborough and Brzezinski once had a fairly close relationship with Trump but have become increasingly tough in their comments about him. In a statement, MSNBC said, Its a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job. Brzezinski took her own jab, tweeting a photograph that revived an old jibe that has gotten under Trumps skin in the past that he has small hands. Democrats, meantime, were quick to reopen two lines of attack against Trump that he does not respect women and that he demeans the office he holds. The latter theme resembles one that George W. Bush used heavily in his 2000 presidential campaign in which he pledged to restore dignity to the White House after Bill Clintons scandals. Im appalled. This is the president of the United States. You dont do things like that. You dont attack women, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-San Francisco) said on MSNBC. The incident was hardly the first time that Trumps Twitter messages have jolted the capital, but the context was different this time. The attack on Brzezinski was more personal than most others Trump has made since he became president, more reminiscent of some of the verbal assaults he launched during his campaign, particularly his remarks about Megyn Kelly, another television anchor. You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever, Trump said in August 2015, after Kelly challenged him during a candidate debate. The comment was widely seen as referring to Kellys menstrual cycle. Trumps flare-up came as the administration struggles to win Senate votes for the healthcare overhaul bill, faces a critical point in the fight against Islamic State militias in Iraq and Syria and tries to deal with an escalating nuclear threat from North Korea, not to mention the continuing investigations into Russias meddling with the election and possible involvement by people close to the president. Trumps Twitter insults: Weve collected them here Richard Haas, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations and a senior State Department official in the George W. Bush administration, wrote that Trumps tweets have real impact on foreign policy, as they can raise serious doubts overseas about the presidents judgment and the wisdom of relying on the United States. for the record, @POTUS tweets have real forpol impact, as they can raise serious doubts overseas re his judgment-& wisdom of relying on US Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) June 29, 2017 The White House had billed this week as Energy Week a way to discuss how the administration was working to bolster the U.S. oil, gas and coal industries. Like previous weeks when the White House has tried to focus on infrastructure and jobs, that theme has been overshadowed by other news. MSNBC is not happy about President Trumps Twitter attack on Morning Joe hosts Although Trump and his aides often have portrayed his Twitter messages as a way of communicating directly with supporters, recent polling data suggest that the strategy has limited impact. A nationwide survey released Wednesday by the polling institute at Marist College in New York, for example, found that only about 1 in 5 Americans found Trumps tweets to be effective and informative. Nearly 7 in 10 said they found them reckless and distracting. Worse for Trump, the distaste for his tweets extended far beyond Democrats. More than 7 in 10 independents said they found his tweets reckless and distracting. So did a majority of people who said they typically back Republicans but did not consider themselves strong partisans. Even among those who identified themselves as Trump supporters, the share who said they found his tweets effective and informative fell just short of a majority, with 48% taking that view, while 37% said they found the tweets reckless and distracting and 15% were unsure. In a separate poll earlier this month by YouGov, about one third of Trump supporters said they thought his tweets helped his cause, while roughly a quarter of his supporters said the tweets hurt his cause. About four in 10 either said the tweets had no impact either way or were unsure. Among all respondents, a majority said his tweets hurt Trumps cause. Trumps tweets also appear to have lost considerable punch in their impact on his targets. Shortly after his election, tweets about individual companies caused notable drops in their stock prices. More recently, the markets have completely shrugged off Trump tweets about companies such as Amazon, which he targeted in a tweet earlier this week, part of his long-running feud with the companys CEO, Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Washington Post. Twitter: @ByBrianBennett brian.bennett@latimes.com ALSO Like every woman youve married hasnt had a face lift: Celebs react to Trumps Morning Joe tweets Op-Ed: Another day, another vulgar Trump tweet. The president clearly isnt learning on the job MSNBC is not happy about President Trumps Twitter attack on Morning Joe hosts UPDATES: 4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with additional reaction. 3:15 p.m.: This article has been updated with more details and background. 1:03 p.m.: This article was updated with a remark from the president in a speech and an additional poll. 12:22 p.m.: This article was updated with a tweet from Sen. Lisa Murkowski. 11:51 a.m.: This article was updated with a quote from the White House briefing by Sarah Huckabee Sanders. 11:25 a.m.: This article was updated with additional detail and reaction. This article was originally published at 9:25 a.m. California badly needs political heroes, and we just got one: Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Heroic is not an adjective normally associated with a politician. But regardless of your politics, Rendon should be saluted. The Paramount Democrat just quashed arguably the poorest excuse for major legislation one house has ever inflicted on another. Advertisement He personally sent packing a so-called single-payer universal healthcare bill that was virtually all fluff with little substance. Then he was viciously attacked by the nurses union that pushed the bill, playing bully politics. The bill deserved what it got after being passed irresponsibly by Senate Democrats June 1 and sent to the unenthusiastic Assembly. Gov. Jerry Brown turned up his nose, too. Where do you get the extra money? he asked sensibly. A Senate Appropriations Committee analysis pegged the astronomical annual cost at $400 billion, more than twice the size of the state budget. The bills dreamers envisioned the state grabbing all the government and private money being spent on healthcare in California and using it to finance a single-payer program. That would include ending federal Medicare for seniors and pushing them into the new state-run system. But even if all that were possible and the Trump administration and Republican Congress implausibly allowed it the state would still need to raise taxes by between $50 billion and $100 billion annually. Yeah, right! That would be 10 to 20 times more than the $5.2-billion increase in gas taxes and vehicle fees the Legislature recently passed. And lawmakers are taking heavy political flak for that. But let Rendon explain himself, because he nailed it. He has been a longtime supporter of single-payer, the speaker said in a statement, but this bill was sent to the Assembly woefully incomplete. Even senators who voted for SB 562 noted there are potentially fatal flaws in the bill, including the fact it does not address many serious issues, such as financing, delivery of care, cost controls or the realities of needed action by the Trump administration and [California] voters, he said. Then he told the Senate, essentially, to do its job and write a real bill. This is only the first year of a two-year session, he noted, so it still has time to fill the holes. Meanwhile, Rendon implied, this isnt the Assemblys responsibility. The Senate was the body that raised expectations that single-payer could be created this year, he told me. So its incumbent on them to follow through and fix the bill. This bill wasnt even half-baked. It wasnt even a bill. It was an incomplete list of principles. A legislative leaders job also is to protect his party members from casting unnecessarily risky votes. Many Democrats would have lost politically regardless of how they sided on this pipe dream angering taxpayers satisfied with their current insurance if they voted for the bill, or riling the potent California Nurses Assn. if they opposed it. Rendon spared them the anguish. The nurses union went berserk. It accused Rendon of destroying the aspirations of millions of Californians for guaranteed healthcare and called it a cowardly act. The Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party said it was a clear example of moral cowardice. And it accused legislators and the governor of being puppets of insurance and pharmaceutical interests opposed to single-payer. The nurses brought in their own hero, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, to proclaim he was extremely disappointed in Rendons action. Updates from Sacramento That makes me disappointed in Sanders. He knows a lot about many things, but California state government is not one of them. He has no clue whether Sacramento has the competence or the money to take over all healthcare in California. It doesnt. His own state of Vermont tried to operate a single-payer system and failed. Running for president, Sanders advocated Medicare for all. Good idea, but it needs to be done nationally. And it cant happen until Democrats again control the White House and Congress. Anyway, what the nurses are proposing isnt Medicare for all. In fact, it would eliminate Medicare in California. What Sanders and the nurses should be focusing on is blocking Republican efforts in Congress to eliminate Obamacare and replace it with Trumpcare that would slash Medicaid for the poor. The Brown administration estimated Wednesday that the U.S. Senate bill would ultimately cost California $30 billion annually in federal funds, forcing drastic reductions in Medi-Cal, our version of Medicaid. One-third of Californias population, including half its children, are covered by Medi-Cal. This bill takes a sledgehammer to the improvements we have made in our states healthcare delivery system, said Jennifer Kent, director of the state Department of Health Care Services. My voice goes up two octaves when I talk about it, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) told reporters Tuesday during a joint conference call with Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Gov. Brown. Meanwhile, other labor unions are asking the nurses to cool it on Rendon. The attacks on him are unfair, said Robbie Hunter, president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. Tone down the rhetoric. Jim Araby, executive director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council, said: SB 562 failed not because of Speaker Rendon, but because the proponents tried to pass an incomplete policy without doing the tough work to build a truly broad-based progressive coalition. Single-payer failed because one state cant handle it alone. Fortunately, one legislative leader had the common sense and courage to stop the foolishness. george.skelton@latimes.com Follow @LATimesSkelton on Twitter ALSO Parks are pork, but flood control saves lives. Thats the tension just under the surface of the L.A. River How far left can Californias legislative Democrats go before Republicans benefit at the ballot box? This California budget gimmick stinks Trumps latest tweet in media war is a literal show of mock pugilism By Laura King President Trump on Sunday circulated a doctored video clip on Twitter that showed him physically attacking a crudely rendered stand-in for CNN, a post that drew rebukes from critics as an incitement to violence, but prompted renewed expressions of support from backers. In doing so, Trump also ignored pleas to stop tweeting or at least take a more presidential tone -- from lawmakers in his own party -- after he took his war against news media to new heights last week with a coarse post on the appearance and intellect of cable television host Mika Brzezinski. On Saturday he also posted several anti-media messages as Americans began their Fourth of July celebration. Sundays tweet, which used an edited version of a years-old promotional video for professional wrestling, showed Trump, clad in a business suit and tie, administering a choreographed beat-down to a figure whose face was obscured by CNNs logo. #FraudNewsCNN #FNN pic.twitter.com/WYUnHjjUjg Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2017 CNN, which has been a particular target of the president since the network was forced to retract a story relating to an element of the sprawling investigation into possible collusion with Russia by the Trump campaign, quickly condemned the tweet. It is a sad day when the President of the United States encourages violence against reporters, the network said in statement. It also tweeted a recent assertion by White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders that Trump had never engaged in such incitement. "The President in no way form or fashion has ever promoted or encouraged violence. If anything, quite the contrary." - @SHSanders45 6/29/17 CNN Communications (@CNNPR) July 2, 2017 As is often the case, the presidents surrogates were left scrambling to explain or justify an inflammatory Twitter outburst. Homeland security advisor Thomas Bossert, who was shown the clip while appearing on ABCs This Week, watched it stone-faced and then declared: No one would perceive that as a threat. I hope they dont. The night before, Trump had used a celebration of veterans at Washingtons Kennedy Center to again denounce the news media. The president, who had briefly broken a weekend golf getaway to appear at the rally, pounded away at the theme that he is being treated unfairly. The fake media tried to stop us from going to the White House, he told the raucous crowd. But Im president, and theyre not. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Increasing number of states reject request for personal information on voters from Trump commission By Colleen Shalby (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press) A growing number of states have rejected a request for personal information about voters from a presidential commission on vote fraud led by Kansas controversial Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Kobach, the vice chairman of the commission, sent letters to each state and Washington, D.C., asking for voters personal information. The request asked for names, addresses, voting history and the last four digits of voters Social Security numbers. The commission was set up to look into voter fraud after President Trump alleged that he lost the popular vote in 2016 only because millions of people voted illegally -- a claim that numerous states election officials from both parties and outside experts have dismissed as groundless. As of Friday afternoon, at least 13 states had outright rejected the request from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Election Integrity. Officials in several other states either said they would not supply all the information or needed more information before making a decision. Some officials did not mince words in their nos. They can go jump in the Gulf of Mexico, and Mississippi is a great State to launch from, Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann wrote in a statement. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said in a statement that strongly criticized Kobach that he would continue to defend the rights of all eligible voters to cast their ballots free from discrimination, intimidation or unnecessary roadblocks. Secretary Padilla's response to the Election Commission's request for personal data of CA voters: pic.twitter.com/UdUt55HSim CA SOS Vote (@CASOSvote) June 29, 2017 As a Kansas official, Kobach has been a leading backer of immigration restrictions and of measures to put new requirements on who is allowed to vote. His opponents note that he was fined last week for misleading a federal court in a voting rights case. Democratic elected officials in several states criticized the commission, itself, not just the information request. The president created his election commission based on the false notion that voter fraud is a widespread issue it is not, Kentucky Secretary of State Allison Grimes wrote. "I do not intend to release Kentuckians' sensitive personal data to the fed. gov't." Sec. Grimes Statement on Pres. Commission request: pic.twitter.com/9Js05x99eF Alison L. Grimes (@KySecofState) June 30, 2017 In an odd contradiction, Kobach said that Kansas, like some other states, will partially reject at least one aspect of the request. In Kansas, the Social Security number is not publicly available. Every state receives the same letter, but were not asking for it if its not publicly available, he told the Kansas City Star. The states that have fully rejected the request include California, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Dakota, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi and Minnesota. Others, including Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Missouri, Kansas, Utah and Texas will turn over some of the requested information. Vermont has requested an affidavit from the commission. And Wisconsin has suggested that the commission could purchase the publicly available information, just as political campaigns do. Officials in Washington state said they were reviewing the request. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Look at possible conflicts of interest in Trump teams OneWest Bank probes, 2 Democrats urge By Jim Puzzanghera Protesters gather outside a OneWest Bank in Pasadena in 2014. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times) Two House Democrats want Congress to look into possible conflicts of interest in the Trump administrations handling of investigations into Pasadenas OneWest Bank a bank formerly headed by now-Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Al Green (D-Texas) said Friday that there was room for considerable doubt as to the impartiality and the adequacy of this administrations investigations into OneWest and a subsidiary, Financial Freedom. Mnuchin was the banks chairman from 2009 to 2015. President Trump has nominated Joseph Otting, the former chief executive of OneWest, to be comptroller of the currency, a key bank regulator who is part of the Treasury Department. And Brian Brooks, who was OneWests vice chairman, reportedly will be tapped to be deputy Treasury secretary. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Healthcare issue delivers nothing but pain for Nevadas embattled Sen. Dean Heller By David Montero Dean Heller is Stephanie Diaz-Gonzalezs problem now. Shes never met Nevadas Republican senator and hadnt had much time to familiarize herself. How could she? The 25-year-old is holding down a full-time job and ra+ising a 7-year-old son, who keeps her busy with soccer games, math homework and those too-often terrifying moments when he cant breathe. When President Trump was elected and congressional Republicans moved on their top priority to dismantle Obamacare, Diaz-Gonzalez got to know Heller a whole lot better. Given his back-and-forth on the issue, she came to distrust him. I dont know if I could vote for him or support him, the Democrat said. He seems very contradictory. Which is why Heller is also Karen Steelmons problem. Steelmon, a 48-year-old Republican who grew up in northern Nevada, isnt happy with the lawmaker, who is considered the most vulnerable GOP senator in the country when he comes up for reelection next year. Obamacare has always been an abomination to Steelmon, an ardent supporter of repeal. To her, deeply held principles are at stake. Heller has never acted in favor of what I would consider conservative, constitutional principles as a general rule, said Steelmon, who would like to see the incumbent taken out in a GOP primary. And on the very few times he has, its always come as a surprise. This is Hellers dilemma. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump will meet face-to-face with Putin in Germany next week By Brian Bennett (Alexei Nikolsky / Associated Press) President Trump has governed five months under a cloud of questions about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, yet the two men will meet next week for the first time, on the sidelines of the G20 summit of world leaders in Hamburg, Germany. White House officials on Thursday confirmed plans for the private meeting but said no decisions had been made about the topics Trump will raise. So its unclear whether the men will discuss Russias election-year cyberattacks that are the focus of criminal and congressional investigations. Our relationship with Russia is not different from any other country in terms of us communicating with them, really, what our concerns are, where we see problems in the relationship but also opportunities, said Trumps national security advisor, H.R. McMaster. McMaster said he expected the two men to have a broad, wide-ranging discussion about problems in the relationship but also about where the U.S. and Russia have common interests. Theres no specific agenda, McMaster said. Its really going to be whatever the president wants to talk about, he added. The White House has refused to say whether Trump would sign legislation with new sanctions on Russia for meddling in the elections by hacking, including into some states voting systems, and by spreading false news stories. But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin indicated the existing restrictions against Russia were sufficient. Weve got plenty of those as well, Mnuchin said. Trump will also meet with the leaders of China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, Singapore and other countries during the summit of 20 major world economies. Trumps director of the White House National Economic Council, Gary Cohn, said the meeting would fall short of a typical bilateral discussion between the American president and the head of another country, but would be more than whats known in diplomacy-speak as a pull aside a quick, informal get-together on the edge of a conference. Trumps scheduled meeting with Putin in Hamburg places added significance on his stop in Poland next Wednesday. In Warsaw, McMaster said, Trump intends to bolster U.S. relationships with Poland and other central European and Baltic states that were once in Moscows orbit under the Soviet Union, but now rely on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the U.S. to counter pressure from Russia. Trumps meetings there seem designed to strengthen his hand with Putin. McMaster called Poland a front-line NATO nation with regards to the eastern flank, noting that it sent troops to fight alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq and has exceeded its pledge on NATO defense spending. As a candidate and president, Trump has criticized other NATO countries that have not yet met those pledges for military spending equal to at least 2% of the size of their respective economies. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Travel ban seen a win by at least one conservative; Breitbart focuses on upcoming votes in Congress By Kurtis Lee After it stalled for several months in federal courts, a portion of President Trumps travel ban is set to take effect Thursday evening and will bar individuals from six majority-Muslim countries. Some in conservative media are viewing it as a much-needed political victory for Trump. Here are some of Thursdays headlines: Two wins for Trump (Washington Times) Trump has seen setbacks in his fledgling administration probes into possible collusion with Russia, infighting among his party over a healthcare overhaul, federal courts halting his travel ban. But now, the president gets a W. The Supreme Courts decision to allow portions of President Trumps travel ban to proceed is a much-needed victory for the administration, Cal Thompson writes. In doing so the unanimous court affirmed at least temporarily, pending a full hearing on the case in the fall a presidents constitutional authority to determine whether people seeking admittance to the U.S. pose a threat to our safety and security. Thompson also highlights the Supreme Court decision this week that churches have the same right as other charitable groups to seek state money for new playground surfaces and other non-religious needs. Thompson called the ruling in the case, Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia Inc. v. Comer, a victory for religious institutions and Trump, who at times has touched on the issue of religious freedom. Breitbart prods GOP leaders to pass pro-American immigration reforms (Breitbart) For Trump, Breitbart hasnt always delivered the most approving headlines for his administration particularly on immigration. Some right-wing bloggers and pundits dont think Trump has done enough on immigration, a key pillar of his campaign platform. This piece turns the attention to members of Congress, where two bills focused primarily on detaining people in the country illegally could come up for a vote . The GOP-run House is expected to vote for two modest immigration-reform bills as soon as this week, but pro-American reformers are using the two votes to build loud and energetic public pressure for major reform legislation, notes the right-wing website. Trump attacks Psycho Joe Scarborough, Crazy Mika Brzezinski in Twitter tear (Fox News) At first, they were friends; now, perhaps, enemies? Trump used Twitter early Thursday to jab Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who the president in past has said he admires. The tweets have drawn the ire of Republicans. Heres what the president wrote: I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 ...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017 And the response? pic.twitter.com/8YhzcCUwM1 Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) June 29, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump plans to nominate Brendan Carr to fill final FCC seat and provide crucial vote on net neutrality rules By Jim Puzzanghera President Trump intends to nominate Brendan Carr, a former aide to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, to fill the final open seat at the agency and provide a crucial vote on the future of tough net neutrality rules. Carr, the FCCs general counsel, would fill a Republican slot on the commission and would be expected to support Pais push to roll back the regulations for online traffic. Carrs intended nomination was announced by the White House on Wednesday night. It comes after Trump nominated Jessica Rosenworcel, a former FCC commissioner, on June 14 to fill a Democratic seat. If the Senate confirms both nominees, as expected, the FCC would have its full complement of five commissioners and a 3-2 Republican majority. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gorsuch is already pushing Supreme Court to the right on religion, guns and gays By David Savage Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) When Judge Neil M. Gorsuch went before the Senate in March as President Trumps first nominee to the Supreme Court, he sought to assure senators he would be independent and above the political fray. There is no such thing as a Republican judge or Democratic judge, he said more than once. We just have judges. But in just his first few weeks on the high court, Justice Gorsuch has shown himself to be a confident conservative activist, urging his colleagues to move the law to the right on religion, gun rights, gay rights and campaign funding. He dissented along with Justice Clarence Thomas when the court rejected a gun-rights challenge to Californias law that strictly regulates who may carry a concealed weapon. The 2nd Amendments core purpose, they said, shows the right to bear arms extends to public carry. He wrote a dissent, joined by Thomas and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., when the court struck down part of an Arkansas law that gave opposite sex-couples, but not same-sex couples, the right to have both spouses listed on a childs birth certificate. The court said it had already decided that same-sex couples deserve fully equal rights under state law. And when Trumps travel ban came before the court this week, Gorsuch dissented from the majoritys middle-ground approach, which allowed the ban to take effect except for foreign travelers who had a relationship with this country, such as a close relative or a student enrolled in a university. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print When he meets South Koreas president, Trump will be asking for trade concessions and help confronting North Korea By Brian Bennett (Nicholas Kamm / AFP Photo) President Trump plans to pressure South Korean President Moon Jae-in to make trade concessions when they meet Friday, while at the same time seeking closer cooperation against North Koreas accelerating nuclear program. Both aims, outlined Wednesday by a senior administration official, could make for some difficult discussions, especially since the newly elected Moon campaigned for a softer approach to the government in Pyongyang. Moon, who arrived Wednesday in Washington, began his four-day visit by laying a wreath at a memorial at Marine Corps Base Quantico in northern Virginia to the U.S. Marines who died during the Korean War in the battle at Chosin Reservoir. Trump will host Moon and his wife, Kim Joon-suk, for dinner at the White House on Thursday before the two leaders meet one-on-one in the Oval Office on Friday morning. Having criticized the two countries trade agreement when he was running for president, Trump will argue for a more balanced trade relationship, the administration official said in a background briefing. In particular, Trump will cite the large amount of Chinese steel that is sometimes processed in South Korea before being sold cheaply in the U.S. market. The two leaders will have a friendly, frank discussion about the trade imbalance between South Korea and the United States, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Seouls trade surplus is shrinking, the official added, but there is still a large gap. The visit will mark the first time the two leaders have met since the liberal Moon took office last month after the ouster of President Park Geun-hye, a scandal-tarred conservative who had taken a hard line against North Korea. Trump and Moon share precisely the same goal, the Trump aide said -- the complete dismantlement of North Koreas nuclear program. But the approach of the two leaders is starkly different. Trump has called for maximum pressure against North Korea, seeking additional economic sanctions and demanding that China, North Koreas main ally and patron, do more to shut off assistance to Pyongyang. Moon has risen through the ranks of his countrys politics advocating for closer ties between the Koreas, which technically are still at war. Already he has taken steps to delay the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, known as THAAD, an anti-missile system intended to counter any North Korean strikes. The anti-missile system is a divisive issue in South Korea; it prompted protests last weekend at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. China has objected to installation of the powerful radar defense as well, but the White House believes the U.S. system will ultimately be fully operative. The delay should not be equated as a reversal of the decision to deploy THAAD, the official said, and suggested that the topic would not be central to the two presidents discussions. As important as anything [will be] building a rapport and getting to know each other, the official said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate Republicans aim for new healthcare bill by Friday, but skeptics remain By Lisa Mascaro (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) Senate Republicans reconvened behind closed doors Wednesday trying to break the impasse on their healthcare overhaul but emerged with no apparent strategy for resolving differences by an end-of-week deadline. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky vowed to try again for a vote after the Fourth of July recess, despite having abruptly delayed action this week. Senators were aiming for a revised bill by Friday, the Republican whip, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, told reporters, so it could be assessed by the Congressional Budget Office during the break. But senators remained skeptical after the lengthy lunchtime huddle that appeared to run long on ideas but short on consensus. I think its going to be very difficult, said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). McConnell surprised senators by delaying this weeks expected votes once it became clear he did not have a majority for passage or possibly to even open the debate. As many as 10 Republican senators now publicly oppose the bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, and leaders are scrambling to win them over with an estimated $200 billion in savings from the bill that can be applied to their particular states needs. But even with that fund of resources, it is not clear McConnell will be able to satisfactorily improve the legislation, which now threatens to cut 22 million Americans off health insurance. He can only afford to lose two Republican votes in the face of Democratic opposition. Its going to be very difficult to get me to a yes... have to make us an offer we cant refuse, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) said on a telephone town hall late Tuesday, according to journalist Jon Ralston, who monitored the call. Fresh polling Wednesday showed paltry support for the Republican approach to overhauling the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, which has enjoyed a surge in popularity now that Republicans are closer than ever to repealing it. A USA Today poll put approval of the Senate GOP bill at 12%. Republicans, though, are under enormous pressure from their most conservative supporters and big dollar donors, including the powerful Koch network to deliver on their promised to end Obamacare. Senate Democrats, meanwhile, suggested that President Trump convene all 100 senators much the way then-President Obama did during his first days in office for a session at Blair House to see how they might be able to work together to improve, rather than repeal, the Affordable Care Act. Id make my friends on the Republican side and President Trump an offer: Lets turn over a new leaf. Lets start over, said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). President Trump, I challenge you to invite us all 100 of us, Republican and Democrat to Blair House to discuss a new bipartisan way forward on healthcare in front of all the American people. No such invitation, however, seemed forthcoming. Trump dismissed Schumers proposal he just doesnt seem like a serious person, the president said and instead promised his own big surprise on healthcare. Healthcare is working along very well, Trump told reporters at the White House. We could have a big surprise, with a great healthcare package. Asked what he meant by a big surprise, Trump simply repeated: A great, great surprise. The Republican bill, like its counterpart passed by House Republicans, does not fully gut Obamacare, but rescinds the new taxes imposed on high-income individuals and healthcare companies to pay for expanding coverage through Medicaid and subsidies for private insurance on the ACA marketplace. Senators said the private talks Wednesday focused mainly on changes to the Obamacare marketplace that could bring down the cost of insurance premiums. One idea from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to allow insurers to offer policies that do not meet the Obamacare benchmarks for what insurance needs to cover met with mixed reaction, senators said. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician, warned that such changes would alter the risk pool, keeping insurance costs high. You end up with policies that, for example, dont cover maternity, Cassidy said. Do you want a policy that doesnt have maternity, which would be principally appealing to young men, when obviously typically men have had a role in that pregnancy? Other senators were floating new ideas, but McConnell gave no indication whether those proposals would be included in the final revised product. Michael A. Memoli contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement No new laptop bans, but air travelers to the U.S. will face tighter screening all over the globe By Joseph Tanfani Homeland Security officials said Wednesday they will order stricter passenger screening and other new security measures for all flights entering the United States but will not bar laptop computers in carry-on luggage as airlines and passenger groups had feared. The new order will cover about 2,000 flights a day from 280 airports in 105 countries, a move that could make international flying even more onerous just as the busy summer travel season starts. Security officials would not detail the new measures but said passengers headed to the United States will face more intensive screening at airports, and probably more security dogs. They gave no date for when the new procedures will start. If carriers dont implement the measures effectively, Homeland Security still may ban laptops, e-readers and other electronic devices larger than cell phones from cargo holds as well as passenger cabins. The decision follows intelligence, reportedly gathered from Islamic State in Syria by Israeli spy services, suggesting a lethal new threat from bombs that could be concealed in digital devices and that could evade detection by airport screening devices. In March, U.S. and British authorities banned laptops in cabins on flights from eight Muslim-majority countries in North Africa and the Middle East, saying terrorists were seeking innovative methods to bring down commercial jetliners. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly told a security conference in Washington on Wednesday that the new security measures will be both seen and unseen and will be phased in over time. He said they will include tougher screening, particularly of electronic devices, plus new technology and procedures to protect planes from so--called insider attacks by airline employees. It is time that we raise the global baseline of aviation security, Kelly said. We cannot play international whack-a-mole with every new threat. He said terrorists still see commercial aircraft as the crown jewel target for attacks, and that intelligence has shown renewed interest by terrorists to attack airlines. Kelly told a House committee several weeks ago that the department was considering extending the laptop ban to 71 more airports overseas. But Kelly ultimately decided to tighten screening across the board, instead of focusing on laptops or chasing after each item that might be used to bring down a jetliner, senior Homeland Security officials said Wednesday in a conference call with reporters. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to brief reporters, said Kelly worked with airlines to find ways to improve screening without unduly inconveniencing passengers. Intensive doesnt always mean slower, said one official. In some cases, airlines have been doing these things at international airports for some time. The officials said more security dogs, which sniff for explosives, may be used. And they said airlines and airports may institute pre-check programs like those approved by the Transportation Security Administration for use in U.S. airports. The officials said restrictions on the first 10 airports will be lifted once airlines in those countries satisfy the new security protocols, officials said. Airport authorities in the eight countries affected by that ban Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have been told about the new security measures and will put them in place so the ban is lifted, the officials said. In recent weeks, Kelly and his aides have huddled with their counterparts overseas, as well as with representatives of major airlines, to discuss whether to expand the ban around the globe. Airlines protested that a laptop ban would inconvenience passengers and not remove the threat. Aviation experts and European security officials warned that putting laptops in cargo holds would pose other dangers because the lithium batteries could start fires. In 1988, a bomb hidden in a radio cassette player exploded aboard a Pan Am jet flying over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 passengers and crew. The plot was blamed on then-Libyan strongman Moammar Kadafi. In 2010, powerful bombs hidden in printer ink cartridges were found aboard two cargo jets headed from Yemen to Chicago. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula later claimed responsibility for the plot. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Its crunch time for McConnell after Senate GOP is forced to delay vote on healthcare bill By Lisa Mascaro ( (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)) The abrupt decision Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to temporarily shelve a vote on the Republican Obamacare overhaul gives him a few extra weeks to build support for a revised bill before it risks becoming hopelessly stalled by the opposition. The seasoned GOP leader will be aided by what amounts to a $200-billion piggy bank to push Republican holdouts into line. Thats the bills extra cost savings, compared with the House version, that McConnell can tap to provide perks to individual senators, from more opioid assistance to expanded tax-free health savings accounts. A similar strategy delay and enticements worked well in the House, where Republicans last month passed their healthcare bill on the third try. But prolonging the debate also gives Democrats and other critics time to mobilize, and ensures that senators will be exposed to an onslaught of opposition as they head home for the weeklong holiday break to defend a bill that has estimated would leave tens of millions of Americans without insurance. After the delay was announced, President Trump hosted a White House gathering of all GOP senators. But rather than rally them around the bill with the power of the presidential bully pulpit, he struck a surprisingly detached tone. This will be great if we get it done, Trump told senators in the East Room. And if we dont get it done, its just going to be something that were not going to like. And thats OK. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As vote looms, concerns over Medicaid cuts rise from some in conservative media By Kurtis Lee Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press ) The vote for now is delayed. As President Trump has urged Senate Republicans to pass a bill that would overhaul the Affordable Care Act, some, including Sens. Dean Heller of Nevada and Rob Portman of Ohio, have expressed concerns over cuts to Medicaid. Both represent states that, under Obamacare, expanded Medicaid coverage to low-income adults. The current Senate healthcare bill would deliver deep cuts to Medicaid, leaving millions uninsured. While Trump awaits a vote in the coming weeks originally scheduled for this week, but pushed back until after the July 4 recess its on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to gather enough support from within his GOP caucus to secure the bills passage. Some in the conservative media are questioning the current bill. Here is an overview of todays headlines on this and other issues: Republicans have a Medicaid problem (Weekly Standard) The Republican healthcare bill would cut Medicaid spending by $772 billion over the next decade. Chris Deaton writes that Republicans aim to offset the consequences of these Medicaid changes by offering tax credits for private insurance to people under the poverty line. In this piece, Deaton raises the question of whether low-income earners would be better off with Medicaid coverage or obtaining insurance through a GOP tax credit? He answers by noting, Its long been a contention of conservative thinkers that healthcare outcomes improve with private insurance rather than Medicaid. Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, registers as foreign agent (Associated Press) Hes among those facing scrutiny in an FBI investigation into Russian meddling in last years election. Now, Paul Manafort, who at one time served as Trumps campaign chairman, has registered with the Department of Justice as a foreign agent. In a filing with the department, Manafort notes that his consulting firm received nearly $17 million between 2012 and 2014 from a Ukrainian political party with links to Russia, according to the Associated Press. Last spring, former national security advisor Michael T. Flynn, who resigned from his position in February after misleading administration officials about contacts with Russians, also registered as a foreign agent, for consulting work he did for a Turkish businessman. A Democratic road to recovery (American Spectator) The party is attempting a reboot. After Hillary Clintons 2016 loss and defeats in several special elections this year, Democrats are in search of a new face for the party. Even so, liberals are in lock-step in their opposition to Trump. This piece offers Democrats some advice from the right on how to recover. Leftists: You have been lied to and taken advantage of. When you eventually come out of this haze you are in, you will realize that it was done not by the president, but by the snake oil salesmen and charlatans, who took advantage of your sickness and weakness, simply for money and power, writes Judah Friedman. Ask yourselves this: What is the Democratic Party, right now, without this rage, and hate, with which it is fueling your addictions? The answer is nothing. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sarah Palin sues the New York Times for tying her PAC ad to mass shooting By Associated Press Former vice presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is accusing the New York Times of defamation over an editorial that linked one of her political action committee ads to the mass shooting that severely wounded then-Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. In the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court Tuesday, Palins lawyers say the Times violated the law and its own policies when it accused her of inciting the 2011 attack that killed six people. The lawsuit refers to a June editorial in the Times on the recent shooting of Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise. The editorial later was corrected. Palin is seeking damages to be determined by a jury. A spokeswoman for the Times, Danielle Rhoades Ha, says the company hasnt seen the lawsuit but will defend against any claim vigorously. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump succeeds where Obama failed spawning a new wave of liberal activism By Mark Z. Barabak Amanda Litman and Ross Morales Rocketto launched the Democratic activist group Run For Something, which encourages people under 35 to seek elected office. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) The night Hillary Clinton lost the White House, Amanda Litman cried so hard she threw up. In Atlanta, as the returns rolled in, Traci Feit Love faced a question from her anguished 8-year-old daughter: Now what do we do? Across the country, in the heart of Silicon Valley, Rita Bosworth wondered the same thing. The three never met, never spoke, never communicated in any fashion. But in the days and weeks that followed, they became common threads in a sprawling patchwork: the angry and politically aggrieved who with no help from politicians, political parties or any formal campaign structure have joined to fight President Trump and his policies. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump on healthcare bill: If we dont get it done ... thats OK By Associated Press (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump said that if the healthcare bill fails to pass in the Senate, he wont like it but thats OK. Trump spoke Tuesday at a gathering of Senate Republicans after their leaders delayed a vote on their healthcare bill until at least next month. Trump said, This will be great if we get it done and if we dont get it done its going to be something that were not going to like and thats OK and I can understand that. He added, I think we have a chance to do something very, very important for the public, very, very important for the people of our country. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: Press briefing with Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and Energy Secretary Rick Perry Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate GOP leaders abruptly delay vote on healthcare bill until after July 4th recess By Lisa Mascaro Facing resistance from their own party, Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday they would postpone a vote on their healthcare bill until after the July 4th recess. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to provide more time to make changes to the bill to try to convince reluctant GOP senators to vote for the measure. Were going to press on,' McConnell said, adding he remains optimistic. Were continuing to talk. Since the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the bill would leave 22 million more Americans without insurance after 10 years, several Republicans senators had said they would not even support allowing the bill to be brought to the Senate floor for a vote. Meanwhile, President Trump invited all GOP senators to the White House for a meeting Tuesday afternoon. But Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a moderate who has expressed serious doubts about the bill, questioned whether revisions would make a difference. I have so many fundamental problems with the bill, that have been confirmed by the CBO report, that its difficult to see how any tinkering is going to satisfy my fundamental and deep concerns about the bill,' Collins said on CNN. McConnell is struggling to appease two factions in his party. Centrists like Collins want to lessen the impact of proposed cuts to Medicaid, while conservatives want to go further in repealing benefits provided under Obamacare. Senate leaders hope to continue talks this week, with an eye toward moving quickly when Congress returns after the holiday. McConnell plans to wait for the CBO to review any changes and reissue a score. He can only afford to lose two Republicans given the partys 52-seat majority in the Senate. Theres more work that needs to be done, its pretty obvious, said Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho as he was leaving a Senate lunch with Vice President Mike Pence. Pence ignored reporters questions about the decision. If more work needs to be done, you shouldnt try to light the fire. But the delay in a vote will give Democrats and other opponents of the repeal bill more time to mobilize, particularly as Republicans return to their home districts during the holiday. We know the fight is not over,' said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump administration warns of Syrian chemical attack, but with damaged credibility By Noah Bierman The Trump administration Monday night sent the kind of dire warning -- of the Syrian regimes apparent preparation for another chemical weapons attack, and a threat of U.S. retaliation -- that requires credibility to have a receptive national and foreign audience. Yet the initial bafflement about the warning among U.S. defense officials, and the simultaneous distraction of President Trumps unrelated tweets, seemed to undercut the seriousness of the moment. More broadly, the episode is testing the damage Trump has done to his and his administrations trustworthiness by his assaults on the intelligence community as well as other perceived enemies. Trump has spent months attacking the credibility of the intelligence community, at one point comparing their tactics to Nazis and repeatedly calling its findings of Russian meddling in the election a hoax and witch hunt, even as foreign policy experts cautioned that he was diminishing the reputation of a community he would need in times of crisis to rally public support. At a moment of crisis when U.S. decisions and actions rest upon information coming from the intelligence community, [Trump] may have diminished the credibility of that information in the eyes of the public and the eyes of the international community, said Daryl G. Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Assn. Kimball called the White House statement unusual and said such messages would normally be sent through private diplomatic channels. He added that the public allegation should be followed by a formal presentation of the evidence to the United Nations Security Council, to build international support against suspected Syrian violations of the chemical weapons ban. The four-line statement on Syria from the White House Press Secretary came just after 9:44 p.m. EDT Monday. The United States has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children, the statement read. The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack. If Syrian President Bashar Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price, it concluded, citing a U.S. missile strike after the previous chemical attack to reinforce the new threat. A Pentagon spokesman confirmed Tuesday that preparations for a chemical attack were observed at the same base in Syria from which its military launched a sarin nerve gas attack that killed 86 people, including children, in April. We have observed activities at Shayrat Air Base that suggest possible intent by the Syrian regime to use chemical weapons again, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway said in a statement. These activities are similar to what we observed prior to the regime chemical weapons attack against Khan Sheikhoun in April. But some senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials reached late Monday and early Tuesday were caught off guard by the White House statement. Some knew, some didnt, said a U.S. official who sought anonymity to discuss the intelligence matter. The official described the release of the nighttime statement as ungraceful, but said the assessment that Syria was preparing for an attack is sound. Such official statements are typically distributed widely across an administration for internal vetting before theyre publicly released. The White House said the relevant agencies were informed before the statement was published. Yet Trump lent further confusion about the urgency of the matter and his own level of concern by sending out a tweet about domestic politics only minutes later. He cited a Fox news report about the FBIs Russia investigation, writing as he often does about the probe, Witch Hunt! From @FoxNews "Bombshell: In 2016, Obama dismissed idea that anyone could rig an American election." Check out his statement - Witch Hunt! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2017 Indeed, Trump continued through the next morning to demonstrate his frustration with the Russia investigation and what he calls the American medias fake news with posts on his Twitter feed. Many tweets quoted supportive conservative commentators and Fox News reports. Trump was eager to go after CNN, one of his top media targets, after it retracted a Russia-related story and three journalists involved resigned. So they caught Fake News CNN cold, but what about NBC, CBS & ABC? What about the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost? They are all Fake News! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2017 Trumps willingness to mix politics and his administrations ominous red line to Syria opened him up to criticism that he was trying to divert attention from other unfavorable news Monday. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office had found that the Republican plan to replace Obamacare would strip 22 million people of health insurance coverage over the next decade. The Syria statement also prompted a sharp backlash from the Kremlin, which is Assads military ally in his nations civil war. Russian officials denied there is evidence of an imminent chemical attack and called the White House threat unacceptable. The tensions have heightened as Trump is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next week at the G20 Summit of industrialized nations in Germany. Mondays statement may be seen as a warning not just to Syria but to Russia, which is widely seen as enabling Assads harsh tactics by bolstering his military as he has tried to retain power. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kremlin calls White House warning to Syria unacceptable, denies any Assad chemical attack in the works By Sabra Ayres The Kremlin is calling unacceptable a White House warning to Syrias government that it would pay a heavy price if it carries out another poison gas attack against its own people. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, also declared Tuesday that there is no indication that a chemical weapons strike is in the works. The White House said late Monday night that activity had been detected similar to that preceding a nerve gas attack on April 4 that killed dozens of civilians, including children, in rebel-held Idlib province. President Trump responded by launching nearly 60 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian military airfield that U.S. officials said was used for the chemical attack. It was the first U.S. attack on Syrian forces in the six-year civil war. Russia continues to deny that Assads forces carried out the April 4 gas attack and Peskov criticized the White House for saying there were signs of preparation for another such strike. Peskov said the Kremlin does not think it is possible to lay the blame on the Syrian armed forces for the April strike on the village of Khan Sheikhoun, which the U.S. and its allies said involved sarin, a banned nerve agent. Despite all the demands from the Russian side, an impartial international inquiry into a previous tragedy using chemical agents has not been carried out, the spokesman told Russian news agencies. Peskov criticized the White House warning to Assad, saying such threats to Syrias legitimate leaders are unacceptable. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Senate healthcare overhaul hits trouble as Republicans hesitant to proceed to vote By Lisa Mascaro The Senate Republican healthcare bill ran into serious trouble late Monday when key GOP senators indicated they may block the Obamacare overhaul from proceeding to a vote this week. Political turmoil has been building over the bill for days. But GOP tension burst open after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that 22 million more Americans would lose insurance coverage under the plan and that out-of-pocket costs for many of those buying policies on the Affordable Care Act marketplace would rise. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hoped to start procedural votes by Wednesday, and President Trump called key senators over the weekend as support splintered. Its the same political dynamic that stalled the House Republican bill last month, as conservative and centrist factions wrestle for dominance. Conservatives want a more complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which they hope will lower premium costs, while centrists are trying to avoid leaving millions of Americans without health coverage. Senate bill doesnt fix ACA problems for rural Maine, tweeted Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). I will vote no on mtp, she said, referring to the motion to proceed to the bill. Conservative Sen. Mike Lee of Utah is also working to change the bill so that he can vote yes on the procedural motion. We are not there yet, Lees spokesman said. Senators have bristled at what they viewed as McConnells secretive and rushed process, and several other senators said they wanted more time before voting. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was among those Republicans who shared concerns in weekend calls with Trump. We continue to make progress, Cruz told reporters Monday, as Democrats, who oppose the bill, planned an almost-all-night protest session. Cruz is part of the gang of four conservatives -- including Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky -- who have said they cannot vote for the bill as is. Among the changes being pursued is one provision that would allow insurers to offer cheaper policies that do not meet ACAs requirements and another to let consumers sock more money into health savings accounts We can get there and Im hopeful we will get there, Cruz said. However, he declined to say whether he would agree to Wednesdays procedural vote. Also hesitant to proceed was Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, who has strongly criticized undoing Obamacares Medicaid expansion that has enabled about 200,000 people to gain coverage in his state. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, for example, wanted changes to help residents in her geographically far-flung state where healthcare costs are particularly high. Some senators, though, dismissed the budget analysis and said keeping the ACA would be worse. Its clear the CBO cannot predict the purchasing patterns for millions of Americans, said Georgia Sen. David Perdue, a Trump ally, in a statement. This bureaucratic analysis will do nothing to prevent Obamacare from failing. Others are weighing their votes. Republican Sen. Bob Corker, whose office is receiving thousands of daily calls, spent part of Monday on the phone with health officials in Tennessee as he assesses the fallout in his state of 22 million more people in the country without healthcare. I kind of figured it was going to be a pretty big number, said Corker, who remains undecided. Theres a lot of incoming. CBO says 22 million people lose insurance; Medicaid cuts hurt most vulnerable Americans; access to healthcare in rural areas threatened. 2/3 Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) June 26, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Supreme Court puts off decision in three pending cases about borders and immigration By David Savage ((Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Amid its flurry of decisions Monday about Trumps travel ban and cases involving religious liberties and guns, the Supreme Court put off final rulings on three pending cases involving immigration and the U.S. border. In Hernandez vs. Mesa, the court in an unsigned opinion told the U.S. appeals court in New Orleans to take a second look at a border shooting case. The parents of a 15-year-old Mexican boy sued a U.S. border patrol agent who shot and killed the teenager when he was standing a few feet from the border on the Mexican side. The 5th Circuit had thrown out the parents suit. The facts alleged in the complaint depict a disturbing incident resulting in a heartbreaking loss of life, the court said in sending the case back for a further hearing. The court said it would rehear in the fall a Los Angeles case involving whether immigrants awaiting deportation can be jailed indefinitely, or instead have a right to a bond hearing after six months. The courts action suggests the eight justices were evenly split in Jennings vs. Rodriguez. The court also said it will rehear the case of Sessions vs. Dimaya to decide whether non-citizens can be deported for an offense like breaking into an empty home because it may be deemed a crime of violence. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Refugee advocates says even partial reinstatement of travel ban will cause hardship By Laura King Immigration and refugee advocates expressed disappointment Monday with the Supreme Courts partial reinstatement of President Trumps travel ban, saying even limited implementation could cause hardship to refugees and others seeking to travel to the United States from six affected Muslim-majority countries. However, organizations taking part in the months-long legal fight against the revised travel ban expressed hopes that the high court ultimately will reject the restrictions after arguments are heard in October. And they welcomed what they described as an implicit rebuke of the White Houses assertion that Trump has unfettered powers to exclude arrivals based on purported national security concerns. The initial rollout of the ban, days after Trump took office in January, caused pandemonium at airports across the United States and overseas as tens of thousands of visa-holders arriving from seven affected countries were turned away without warning or detained. After courts blocked that order, Trump issued a revised travel ban that took Iraq off the list. A replay of Januarys travel chaos was unlikely Monday because the courts action will allow visa-holders with bona fide ties to people or entities in the U.S. to enter, meaning students, employees and family members can still get in. But refugee advocates said the courts limited ruling, which the administration can move to implement on Thursday, could leave many would-be arrivals in limbo pending the finalizing of new vetting procedures. The administration had originally said a three-month travel ban was needed in part to review the checks to which would-be entrants are subjected. David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, said the partial reinstatement of the ban particularly threatens vulnerable people waiting to come to the U.S., including those with urgent medical conditions. We urge the administration to begin its long-delayed review of the vetting process and restart a program which changes lives for the better, said Miliband. The National Immigration Law Center, one of the groups that challenged the ban, said that as of this week, approximately 50,500 refugees from the six affected countries had been approved for travel and resettlement in the United States all having already undergone intensive checks. The Middle East Studies Assn., one the groups contesting the ban in the lower courts, said many students and academics were ensnared by the original order. Even though Mondays court move should allow entry to those studying or working at American academic institutions, many from the affected countries remained wary of leaving and then attempting to re-enter the United States, the group said. Iran along with Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Libya is one of the affected countries, and Southern California is home to a large Iranian American community that was hit hard by the original ban. Some advocates said even with Mondays limited action, there has already been a chilling effect on movement. Todays Supreme Court decision immediately places the status of many Americans families into question again, said Shayan Modarres, legal counsel for the National Iranian American Council. The group said that visas issued to Iranian passport-holders had fallen by nearly half since the legal battle over the ban began, and that obtaining a U.S. visa was becoming so onerous that many would not even try to get one. The Trump administrations new idea is to make it so hard on Iranians and Muslims to get a visa that visa officers will have the unrestricted discretion to reject visa applications, Modarres said. He added that grounds for rejection could be social media postings critical of Trump or not being able to produce airline boarding passes that could have been issued and used more than a decade ago. Advocacy groups reiterated their position which was argued in a number of the lower court cases that propelled the issue to the high court that the travel restrictions run counter to core American traditions and values. Mark Hetfield, president of the refugee resettlement agency HIAS, said the group considered the courts move an affirmation that the president does not have unfettered, unchecked authority to bar refugees from the U.S. without evidence to justify such action. But he added that the executive orders partial resurrection would once again cause irreparable damage to refugees, immigrants, and Americas reputation as a welcoming country. The initial ban prompted large nationwide protests, and advocates suggested they would again seek to marshal popular opposition to the restrictions. When the first order went into effect, tens of thousands of Americans showed the world that this is not who we are and not what we want, said Becca Heller, director of the International Refugee Assistance Project, another of the groups involved in the legal challenge. We will never give up defending the rights of those who are affected by this discriminatory executive order. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump says Supreme Court action on travel ban gives him important tool By Michael A. Memoli .@POTUS statement says SCOTUS action allows him to "use an important tool for protecting our Nation's homeland." Will admin press further? pic.twitter.com/gxBJO5aYYZ Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) June 26, 2017 President Trump celebrated the Supreme Courts decision Monday to allow a curtailed version of his travel ban to take effect, calling it a clear victory for our national security. In an official White House statement, the president said he was particularly gratified that at least part of the ruling was 9-0; three conservative justices said they would have let the presidents revised executive order take effect completely. My number one responsibility as Commander in Chief is to keep the American people safe. Todays ruling allows me to use an important tool for protecting our Nations homeland, he said. The White House has long maintained that the president was acting within his authority in seeking to temporarily restrict travel to the United States. They most often point to a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that states a president can suspend or limit entry of individuals whenever the president finds that the entry ... would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rival Senate factions push competing agendas as healthcare bill hangs in balance By Laura King Heading into a week of intense jockeying and arm-twisting over the Senates polarizing healthcare plan, the rift appeared to widen Sunday between moderates who consider the measure too punitive and conservatives who want to see the sweeping bill toughened up before agreeing to back it. President Trump, who made the repeal of his predecessors signature Affordable Care Act a campaign centerpiece, expressed optimism about chances for Senate passage, but declared again that he wanted to see a plan with heart suggesting he might undercut Republican efforts to bring recalcitrant conservatives on board. With Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) seeking to push ahead with a vote this week, the bills prospects hung in the balance. Five GOP senators have said publicly they oppose the measure as written; the defection of only three Republicans would be enough to sink it. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Analysis: Atop 2017 losses, a sobering challenge for Democrats aiming at Trump next year By Cathleen Decker Republican Karen Handel, winner of last weeks special House election in Georgia. ( (Bob Andres / Atlanta Journal-Constitution)) Democrats have hoped that President Trumps deep unpopularity would propel them to gains in next years midterm election as they fight to take control of the House and improve their position in the Senate. But last years contests and this years special elections suggest a complication: Trump is so distinctive a politician that its hard to persuade voters that other Republican candidates are carbon copies of the president. Trumps outsized persona makes even those Republicans who share his views seem more moderate, an important attribute to swing voters. That presents a problem for the party out of power. Midterm elections traditionally serve as referendums on the president, but voters complicated views of Trump may give Republicans more running room than his popularity figures suggest. The votes cast by individual Republican incumbents may be more important to their survival than any linkage with the president. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Conservatives at Koch summit outline changes to Senate healthcare bill to win their support By Lisa Mascaro Tim Phillips, who heads Americans for Prosperity, the largest of the Koch networks advocacy groups, speaks to the media at the White House in Washington on March 8. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) Conservatives floated two amendments for toughening up the Senates Obamacare overhaul this weekend at the influential Koch networks confab of wealthy donors, as Republicans seek ways to win over detractors and tip enough GOP votes for passage. That the Koch network quickly panned the Senate bill is no surprise. The organization of deep-pocketed conservative advocacy groups similarly rejected the House GOP bill this spring until party leaders tacked on tough amendments to appease right-leaning Republicans. Weve been disappointed that movements not been more dramatic toward a full repeal or a broader rollback of this onerous law Obamacare, said Tim Phillips, who heads Americans for Prosperity, the largest of the Koch networks advocacy groups. But we are not walking away, he said. We worked to make the House bill better and it did get better. Were doing the same thing on the Senate front. One key lawmaker attending the weekend summit at the luxurious Broadmoor Hotel, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and a chief negotiator on the House bill, outlined two key changes to the bill that he said could likely win enough conservative support for passage. One amendment from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) would allow companies that offer insurance policies on the Obamacare marketplace to also offer plans that do not meet the ACAs strict requirements. Such a change would in essence allow insurers to offer cheaper, though skimpier, policies that may help achieve the GOPs goal of lowering premiums for consumers. Another amendment would broaden the ability of those who buy insurance on the marketplace to sock away more money in tax-free Health Savings Accounts to help them pay for their premiums. Cruz is one of four Senate conservatives who have said they would not support the bill unless changes are made, positioning them for negotiations in the days ahead. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) needs to win back some of their votes to pass the bill with his slim 52-seat Republican majority. One of the conservatives, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), was among those feted Saturday night at a reception with Charles Koch, the billionaire industrialist who funds the conservative network. Koch told those gathered for an outdoor cocktail reception on a breezy Colorado Springs evening about how far his team has come over the years at promoting what is a libertarian-leaning conservative agenda. Now when I look at where we are, at the size and effectiveness of this network, Im blown away, he told donors. Koch met Friday with Vice President Mike Pence. But the politics in the Senate remain difficult as McConnell continues to negotiate behind closed doors and rushes the bill to a vote expected this week. On Sunday, one key centrist, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, doubted a swift resolution. Its hard for me to see the bill passing this week, she said on ABCs This Week. Another crucial vote, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician who had offered his own proposal, also criticized the rush. I frankly would like a few more days to consider this, Cassidy said on CBSs Face the Nation. But Republicans are anxious to resolve the healthcare debate, which has created a logjam in their legislative agenda. Meadows also told reporters if the Senate passes the bill this week, the House could quickly follow with a weekend session -- ahead of a Fourth of July bill signing by the president. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Schiff: Obama should have acted on Russian interference, but Trump shouldnt complain By Laura King A top House Democrat says President Obama should have reacted more forcefully upon learning of Russian election-meddling, but also asserted that it was illogical for President Trump to levy such criticism against his predecessor. I think the [Obama] administration needed to call out Russia earlier, needed to act to deter and punish Russia earlier, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), said in an interview aired Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. Failure to do so, he said, had been a very serious mistake. But Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Trumps criticism of Obama made little sense in light of the current presidents own inaction in the face of decisive U.S. intelligence conclusions about Kremlin efforts to tip the 2016 race to Trump. Trump, Schiff said, is in no position to complain here in light of the fact that as a candidate, he openly urged the Russians to hack Clintons emails. To criticize Obama is now a bit like someone knowingly receiving stolen property blaming the police for not stopping the theft, said Schiff, a former prosecutor. On Saturday, Trump issued a statement on Twitter referencing a Washington Post report a day earlier detailing the previous administrations wrestling with how, when and whether to make public the degree of Russian interference. Since the Obama Administration was told way before the 2016 Election that the Russians were meddling, why no action? Focus on them, not T! the president tweeted. The Post report said Obama was worried about the appearance of improperly using mounting intelligence reports about Russian activities to aid Clintons candidacy. The subject was particularly inflammatory because at that point in the race, Trump had complained repeatedly about the rigged political process and even suggested he might not respect the election outcome. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump says hes optimistic about Senate approval of GOP healthcare measure By Laura King President Trump says he believes that backers of a sweeping GOP healthcare measure are going to get there and pass the measure despite the refusal of five Republican senators to endorse the bill as written. Healthcare is a very, very tough thing to get, but I think were going to get it, Trump said on Fox and Friends in an interview aired Sunday that he had touted beforehand on Twitter. We dont have too much of a choice because the alternative is the dead carcass of Obamacare, the president said, referring to the Affordable Care Act, his predecessors signature piece of legislation. Opinion polls have indicated low public support for the version of the healthcare bill passed earlier by the House of Representatives. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), wants to bring the Senate version, unveiled days ago, to a vote this week. In addition to the five Republican senators who have publicly aired their opposition, several others have declined to explicitly endorse the bill, which would overhaul the U.S. healthcare system and set the stage for massive tax breaks that would primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans. With a 52-seat Republican advantage in the 100-member chamber, only three GOP defections would be sufficient to derail the measure, since Vice President Mike Pence could cast a tie-breaking vote. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Pro-Trump group launches new attack ad against special counsel Robert Mueller By Lisa Mascaro A Southern California group backing President Trump is out with a new ad attacking special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, criticizing the investigation into the Trump campaigns possible cooperation with Russian interference in the 2016 election. The ad, called Witch Hunt, features conservative favorite Tomi Lahren reflecting Trumps own language to complain about the probe. The more than $400,000 ad buy is expected to start running Sunday. Only in Washington could a rigged game like this be called independent, Lahren says, using air quotes in the ad to emphasize her point. She is now a senior advisor to Great America Alliance, which backs Trump. The ads chief complaint echoes Trumps criticism that Muellers team has ties to Democrats, because some of the lawyers have given campaign contributions to the party. Trump has also complained of the relationship between fired FBI Director James B. Comey and Mueller, who was once his boss. Mueller is a registered Republican. Among the members of the legal team he is assembling for the Russia probe -- which is also looking into whether the president obstructed the federal investigation by firing Comey -- four have donated to Democrats. One who gave the maximum donation to Trump rival Hillary Clinton also donated to Republicans. Both Republicans and Democrats have praised Muellers credentials and ability to handle the Russia probe as an independent investigation. The group, which ran a similar attack against Comey ahead of his testimony earlier this month on Capitol Hill, has emerged as a key pro-Trump organization. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Koch brothers political network says Senate GOP healthcare bill is insufficiently conservative By Associated Press ( (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)) Chief lieutenants in the Koch brothers political network lashed out at the Senate Republican healthcare bill on Saturday, becoming a powerful outside critic as GOP leaders try to rally support for their plan among rank-and-file Republicans. This Senate bill needs to get better, said Tim Phillips, who leads Americans For Prosperity, the Koch networks political arm. It has to get better. Phillips called the Senates plans for Medicaid a slight nip and tuck over President Obamas healthcare law, a modest change he described as immoral. The comments came on the first day of a three-day private donor retreat at a luxury resort in the Rocky Mountains. Invitations were extended only to donors who promise to give at least $100,000 each year to the various groups backed by the Koch brothers Freedom Partners a network of education, policy and political entities that aim to promote small government. No outside group has been move aggressive over the years-long push to repeal Obamas healthcare law than the Kochs, which vowed on Saturday to spend another 10 years fighting to change the healthcare system if necessary. The Koch network has often displayed a willingness to take on Republicans including President Trump when their policies arent deemed conservative enough. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions wants to get tough on crime. These people think hes got it all wrong By Jaweed Kaleem Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has vowed to crack down on crime by sending more criminals to prison for longer periods of time. Every one of our citizens, no matter who they are or where they live, has the right to be safe in their homes and communities from the scourge of criminal gangs, rapists, carjackers and drug dealers, Sessions said in an address to law enforcement officials in Memphis, Tenn., last month. In his view, imprisoning more criminals would make families safer, and fewer people would break the law if there were more severe punishments for crimes such as drug offenses. In a recent memo to federal prosecutors, Sessions instructed them to pursue the harshest punishments legally allowed, a reversal of an Obama-era move giving federal lawyers more leeway to reserve such prosecutions for repeat offenders and people who had committed the worst of crimes. Department of Justice officials hope the changes at the federal level where a sliver of crimes across the country is prosecuted will trickle down to a similar approach to crime in states. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Vice President Mike Pence stops in for an unscheduled chat with billionaire Charles Koch By Lisa Mascaro Vice President Mike Pence popped in for a visit this weekend with Charles Koch, the billionaire GOP donor hosting his semi-annual confab of like-minded business leaders assessing their priorities for the White House and Congress. The meeting was not listed on Pences official schedule for the day. President Trump never much enjoyed backing from Koch s sprawling, secretive, political enterprise, which has emerged as a libertarian-leaning power center, sometimes overshadowing the traditional Republican Party apparatus with its high-dollar donors and vast operations. Kochs group did not endorse the GOP presidential nominee. But the network has always had close ties with Pence. The vice president had previously attended the exclusive gathering of donors, held this weekend at the luxurious Broadmoor hotel. And his top staff was plucked from a key Koch organization, Freedom Partners. Pence and Koch and their top aides spoke for nearly an hour late Friday, according to a Koch spokesman. They discussed tax reform, the GOPs healthcare overhaul and other heavy legislative lifts that have run into resistance in the Republican-controlled Congress. The aide described the talks as casual. Pence was in the area making other stops, including at the Air Force Academy and an evening fundraiser for GOP Sen. Cory Gardner. Even without investing in Trump, the Koch network has made impressive strides in advancing its agenda this year. Congress swiftly rolled back more than a dozen regulations, including some intended to protect the environment, that Koch-backed groups complained were too rigorous and invasive in industry operations. The Koch network groups, including Freedom Partners, a free market-oriented, chamber of commerce-type organization, is pushing the Trump administration and Congress to pass tax reform and overhaul healthcare. Both those efforts have stalled in Congress amid Republican infighting, but the Koch groups is able to put their army of resources money, staff and volunteers in the states to pressure lawmakers to act. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kris Kobach fined for misleading court and refusing to produce previously exposed Trump memo By Colleen Shalby (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press) Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has been fined $1,000 for misleading a federal court in an effort to keep two documents private. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit last year against Kobach arguing that his states proof of citizenship law violates the National Voter Registration Act. ACLU lawyers asked Kobach to produce two documents they said pertained to the case. One of those documents was a draft of a proposed amendment to the National Voter Registration Act. The second was a document that had been photographed and widely shared in late November after Kobach met with then-President-elect Donald Trump. The power of a zoom lens exposed certain details of his proposal to Trump to deport potential terrorists. In a 24-page ruling made public Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge James OHara wrote that Kobach did not accurately represent the contents of the documents when he argued against producing them. Defendant refused to produce these documents, asserting that they are beyond the scope of reopened discovery, do not seek relevant information, and are protected by the attorney-client, deliberative-process, and executive privileges, the judge wrote. The court took Kobach at his word, OHara wrote, but upon review of the documents produced under a court order found that they did relate to the voting rights case. The judge wrote that while the court could not say that Kobach flat-out lied, the defendants statements can be construed as wordplay meant to present a materially inaccurate picture of the documents. For now, the documents will remain classified, as Kobach designated them. But, OHara wrote, that status could change. Trump tapped Kobach last month to serve as vice chairman of a presidential commission that would oversee a voter fraud investigation. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Number of refugees admitted to U.S. drops by almost half By Tracy Wilkinson (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Los Angeles Times) The number of refugees admitted to the United States was cut by nearly half in the first three months of the Trump administration compared with the final three months of the Obama presidency, reflecting the new presidents skepticism toward immigration. Government statistics released Friday showed that more than 25,000 refugees were permitted to enter and reside in the United States at the end of the Obama administration. In the initial months under President Trump, the number fell to 13,000. The statistics were released by the Department of Homeland Security, based on information supplied by the State Department. Countries of origin were largely unchanged. In both periods, two-thirds of the arrivals came from five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Myanmar. Refugees from two of those countries Syria and Somalia would have been banned under Trumps executive order against entries from certain Muslim-majority nations, but federal courts have blocked the order. Trumps original order covered Iraqis as well, but he omitted Iraq from his revised order. The data suggest that the Obama administration, as it was about to turn over power to Trump, significantly stepped up the number of refugees admitted. Arrivals in its final three months reflected an 86% year-over-year increase compared to the same period the previous year. In Trumps first three months, arrivals were 12% lower than for the same period in the previous year. Trump has sought to limit the number of refugees to 50,000 this year. But adverse rulings in the courts could work against him. The United States already has one of the lowest quotas of refugee admissions among major receiving countries. Nations closer to conflict zones such as Syria have taken in millions of refugees. More people have been displaced from their home nations, because of violence and poverty, than at any time since World War II. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump nominates former Dodgers co-owner Jamie McCourt as ambassador to Belgium By Lauren Rosenblatt Trump nominated Jamie McCourt, former co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, as ambassador to Belgium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) President Trump nominated Jamie McCourt, former co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to be the ambassador to Belgium on Thursday night. McCourt, who co-owned the Dodgers with her husband, Frank, until their messy 2011 divorce, has donated money to several Republican organizations, including funds for Trumps campaign and his transition to the White House. McCourt was among many business leaders who signed their support for Trump early on in his campaign, praising his plan for economic development and growth. In the months leading up to Trumps victory, McCourt gave more than $400,000 to the Trump victory fund, according to data from the Federal Election Commission. She signed a letter in October 2016 with 100 other business executives and CEOs championing Trumps plan and criticizing opponent Hillary Clinton for having thrown in the towel on strong economic growth. McCourt was listed as a 2016 State Victory Finance Chair for Trumps campaign in July, according to a report from the GOP. Robert Wood Johnson, chairman and CEO of the New York Jets and Trumps nominee for ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was also on the list as Trump Victory vice chair. After Trump won the election, McCourt continued to financially support his transition to office. In December, she helped host a fundraiser breakfast for the incoming president where tickets sold for $5,000 a piece. Prior to her support for Trump, McCourt also donated to the campaigns of several other Republican presidential candidates, including John Kasich, Marco Rubio and Carly Fiorina, although in much smaller amounts. In the past, she has also supported former President Obama, contributing to his campaign and victory funds in 2011 and donating $50,000 to the inauguration in 2009. She donated about $2,000 to Hillary Clinton for her presidential campaign in 2007, according to the FEC. McCourts ex-husband said his former wife had political aspirations of her own, with an end goal of ending up in the White House, according to a March 2010 Los Angeles Times article. Her high-profile divorce gathered a lot of public attention and ended in dispute over finances and assets. McCourt has founded and directed entrepreneurial enterprises in Los Angeles and Boston throughout her career as a entrepreneur and attorney. Her investment firm, Jamie Enterprises, invests in real estate and technology start-ups. She has degrees from Georgetown University, the University of Maryland School of Law and from MIT/ Sloan School of Management. The Senate must confirm McCourts nomination for ambassador. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Nevada Sen. Heller -- a key swing vote -- says he opposes Senate healthcare bill By David Lauter (Andrew Harnik / AP) Nevada Sen. Dean Heller said Friday that he planned to vote against the Republican healthcare bill, a potentially key defection. Although the White House and Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky have said they plan further negotiations over the bill, its going to be very difficult to get me to a yes, Heller said at a news conference in Nevada with Gov. Brian Sandoval (R). The bill unveiled Thursday by McConnell is simply not the answer, he said. In this form, I will not support it. Given the unified Democratic opposition to the bill, McConnell can afford to lose only two Senate Republicans, so Hellers announcement is significant. A no vote by Heller would not seal the fate of the bill, however. Heller is widely viewed as the most vulnerable Republican senator up for reelection in 2018 -- the only one running in a state that Hillary Clinton carried last year -- and Republican leaders have been hoping to avoid having to count on his vote. Heller cited several reasons for opposing the bill, but the chief one was its deep reductions in federal support for Medicaid. This bill will mean a loss of coverage for millions of Americans and many Nevadans, he said. Nevada, under Sandoval, has used its authority under the Affordable Care Act to expand Medicaid, which has given health coverage to more than 210,000 additional state residents, Sandoval said. These are folks who are worth fighting for, he added. The cutbacks the Senate bill, which would end Medicaid expansion, would cost the state $120 million a year by 2022, with the cost rising sharply after that the governor said. Thats a cost that the state cannot sustain. Heller also cited the bills impact on treatment for opioid addiction and the likelihood that the plan would fail to reduce premiums. There isnt anything in this piece of legislation that will lower your premiums, he said, contradicting one of the main arguments that supporters of the bill have made. Hellers announcement increases the pressure on McConnell to find ways of persuading several other reluctant senators to support the bill. Four conservatives, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said Thursday they were opposed to the bill in its current form because it does not go far enough to roll back the Affordable Care Act. Several more centrist senators, including Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, have voiced concerns similar to Hellers about the depth of the bills Medicaid cutbacks and its impact on opioid treatment. Collins and Portman have both said they want to review the analysis of the bill from the Congressional Budget Office before making up their minds. The budget office has said it will release that assessment early next week. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump signs VA reform bill to make it easier to discipline and fire employees By Lauren Rosenblatt President Trump signed into law Friday a bill that will ease restrictions on the discipline and termination of employees from the troubled veterans affairs department. The Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 is designed to speed up the process to discipline an employee for misconduct and put more decision-making power in the hands of Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin. The act is in response to the 2014 VA scandals involving long wait times for medical care and attempts by VA employees to cover up the delays. Trump, who promised to improve healthcare for veterans during his campaign, said the bill was one of the largest reforms to the VA in its history and is essential to making sure our veterans are treated with respect. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support June 13 and the Senate on June 6. Although the bill is widely supported by veterans advocacy groups, civil servant unions condemn the legislation as a way to get around long-standing protections for government employees and whistle-blowers. The reform, Shulkin said, will not be used as a tool for mass firings, but rather a way to raise morale throughout the department and attract new employees. Slow, steady, incremental change isnt what this organization needs, Shulkin said. Right now, I believe this is progress. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mexico pushes back against Trumps tweet calling it the second deadliest country in the world By Kate Linthicum Mexicos Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray speaks during a news conference in Cancun, Mexico, on June 19. (PEDRO PARDO/AFP/Getty Images) After President Trump incorrectly tweeted that Mexico is the second deadliest country in the world after Syria, the Mexican government responded quickly. No, Mexico isnt the second deadliest place on the globe, said a tersely worded statement issued by Mexicos secretary of foreign relations, pointing to a host of other Latin American countries that have higher per capita murder rates. And while homicides have been rising in Mexico in recent years, rising violence in Mexico is inextricably linked to demand for drugs in the United States, the statement said. Illicit drug trade is indeed the most important cause of violence in Mexico and drug trafficking is costing thousands of lives both in Mexico and the U.S., the foreign ministry said Thursday. However, as has been repeatedly stated by the U.S. government itself, drug trafficking is a shared problem that will end only by addressing its root causes: high demand for drugs in the U.S. and supply from Mexico and other countries. In order to be effective, we must be able to move beyond finger-pointing, the statement said. The Mexican government issued the response after Trump tweeted a reference to a controversial recent study that ranked Mexico as the worlds second most-dangerous conflict zone after Syria. Trump misrepresented the study in his tweet, saying Mexico was just ranked the second deadliest country in the world. He also neglected the considerable debate about the studys accuracy. The annual Armed Conflict Survey, released this year by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, has been called into question by the Mexican government and others who say it wrongly points to the existence of an armed conflict in Mexico. The existence of criminal groups is not sufficient criteria to speak of a non-international armed conflict, said a joint statement issued by Mexicos secretaries of governance and foreign relations in May, adding that drug-war violence is part of a bigger regional problem. Although Mexicos homicide rate has soared the first two months of 2017 were the most violent since the government started releasing such statistics in 1997 other countries are experiencing higher homicide rates. In January, Mexico had a homicide rate of 20 deaths per 100,000 people, according to a Times analysis of Mexican crime statistics. By comparison, El Salvadors homicide rate was 81 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016, according to InSight Crime, a think tank that studies organized crime in Latin America. Venezuela had a homicide rate of 59 deaths per 100,000 people. Trump ended his tweet with a frequent campaign mantra: We will BUILD THE WALL! Mexico was just ranked the second deadliest country in the world, after only Syria. Drug trade is largely the cause. We will BUILD THE WALL! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 22, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Supreme Court says final decisions of term will come on Monday By David Savage The Supreme Court is shown at sunset on Feb. 13, 2016. (Jon Elswick / Associated Press) (Jon Elswick / Associated Press) The Supreme Court announced it will hand down its final rulings for this term on Monday. But that does not mean the justices will actually decide the six cases that remain, which include three significant disputes involving immigration and the U.S. borders. Heres a look at the notable decisions so far. On Nov. 30, with one seat on the court still vacant, the eight justices heard arguments in a Los Angeles case on whether noncitizens who face possible deportation can be held in jail indefinitely or instead have a right to a bond hearing after six months. The case, Jennings vs. Rodriguez, has taken on added importance in the Trump era, but the long delay may signal that the justices are split 4-4. If so, the court may announce Monday that the case will be reheard in the fall, leaving it to new Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to cast the tie-breaking vote. Also still pending, since January, is a California case that will decide whether a crime such as breaking into an empty home qualifies as a crime of violence, triggering automatic deportation, even for an immigrant who is a longtime legal resident. A ruling in Sessions vs. Dimaya could affect thousands of deportations The third case, pending since February, is a closely watched border shooting. At issue in Hernandez vs. Mesa is whether a U.S. agent can be sued for fatally shooting a 15-year-old who was standing on the Mexican side of the border. On Friday, the justices gave a second chance to a Korean restaurant owner from Memphis who faces deportation for selling Ecstasy pills. Based on his lawyers advice, he pleaded guilty to the drug charge, having been assured it would not trigger his deportation. The lawyer was wrong. By a 6-2 vote in Lee vs. United States, the court said the Korean man may withdraw his guilty plea and go to trial. But for his attorneys incompetence, he would not have accepted a plea, said Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.. Dissenting were Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr.. The justices, including Gorsuch, are likely to rule in a significant case on religion and funding for church schools. In Trinity Lutheran vs.Comer, the justices will decide whether states may exclude church schools from receiving public funds. Also still pending, but on a different track, is the Trump administrations appeal over his blocked foreign travel ban. The court may act on that appeal at any time. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump backs L.A. Olympic bid in meeting with IOC officials By Michael A. Memoli The opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times) President Trump pledged his full support for the Los Angeles bid to host a future Summer Olympics, the White House said Friday after an Oval Office meeting with the head of the International Olympic Committee. Trump met Thursday with IOC President Thomas Bach and three U.S. members of the IOC -- Larry Probst, Anita DeFrantz and Angela Ruggiero. A White House official called it a very constructive conversation in which Trump backed a potential third Summer Games in Los Angeles. With only L.A. and Paris bidding to host the 2024 games, the IOC is moving to reward both cities, giving one hosting duties in 2024 and the other in 2028. The United States hasnt hosted a Summer Olympics since the Centennial games in Atlanta in 1996. Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said he discussed the citys Olympic bid during a post-election conversation with Trump last November and that the then-president elect pledged his backing. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump says he tweeted about tapes to influence Comeys account of their private conversations By Michael A. Memoli .@POTUS on why he wanted former FBI Dir. James Comey to believe there were tapes of their conversations pic.twitter.com/pCuibM5Z6k FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) June 23, 2017 President Trump called it bothersome that the special counsel now overseeing the Russia probe was good friends with fired FBI Director James B. Comey, and said he hinted at having tapes of his private conversations apparently falsely to try to influence Comeys eventual testimony. The president made his remarks during an interview that aired Friday morning on Fox & Friends, but was recorded on Thursday just hours after he tweeted that he did not, in fact, have tapes. Trump said that floating the possibility they did exist might have forced Comey to tell what actually took place at the events. When he found out that, I, you know, that there may be tapes out there, whether its governmental tapes or anything else, and who knows, I think his story may have changed, Trump said. My story didnt change. My story was always a straight story. Foxs Ainsley Earhardt followed up: So it was a smart way to make sure he stayed honest in those hearings? It wasnt very stupid, I can tell you that, Trump answered. Many disagree, including Republicans. Comey testified that Trumps tweet is what prompted him to as Newport Beachs new short-term rental monitor has helped the city close the door on nearly 80 unpermitted vacation rental homes in the past month, with dozens more under review, the city says. Based on about five weeks of data from Host Compliance, a company that combs 22 online platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway to see whos advertising their homes for vacation rental without proper local clearance, Newport has shut down 78 rentals and has about 50 more to review, Kim Brandt, Newport Beachs community development director, told the City Council on Tuesday. Residential properties offering short-term rentals defined as less than 30 days have long been part of the local culture, with zoning, lodging permits and business licenses to regulate them. But the recent popularity of online short-term rental platforms that dont have a physical presence here has made it difficult for Newport Beach to regulate such rentals, Brandt said. Newport currently has about 1,300 active short-term lodging permits. The city doesnt keep track of how the properties are advertised, such as through online platforms or a traditional property management firm, but it does collect a 10% occupancy tax, also called a bed tax, as it would for a hotel room. Short-term rentals generated about $2.7 million in revenue last year, accounting for 10% of the bed tax total. Most of the permitted short-term rentals are at the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island and Corona del Mar. The vast majority are in neighborhoods zoned to allow multifamily housing. In 2004, the city banned vacation rentals in areas zoned only for single-family homes. Much of the recent crackdown has been in single-family-only neighborhoods, where only 120 properties operating before the ban were grandfathered. This is where all of the 78 homes that have ceased offering vacation rentals are located. Those property owners will have to pay the city back taxes and get a permit if they intend to continue offering short-term rentals. But Brandt said they may be cooperative. Believe it or not, people can be very forthright in giving that information to us, she said. We can also look at their listings and we can get a sense of the time the propertys been advertised, and perhaps we can get some cooperation with the online hosting company too. Brandt said HomeAway sent Newport a letter this week agreeing to share its listing information and require its hosts to put their permit numbers in their listings. She said the city would follow up with Airbnb. The two major platforms agreed in May to share their host information with San Francisco, where vacation rentals have been a pressing topic. Host Compliance compares addresses in Newport Beachs database of permitted hosts with listings on vacation home websites. Newport is one of the companys roughly 50 clients worldwide and one of 15 in California. The city has a one-year contract with the monitor. Brandt plans to update the City Council with additional results later this year. hillary.davis@latimes.com Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD ALSO How Mesa Water plans to save $8.96 million: Start a pension trust and refinance debt Trailer with $30,000 in equipment inside is stolen from Fountain Valley church parking lot Newport hires 6 companies for building and planning consulting Every extra dollar earned was saved for the eventual purchase of land, confided the late Henry Segerstrom in an interview conducted some 10 years ago. That was one of the lessons of my childhood that was never forgotten. It was a lesson Segerstrom recalled when as a boy, he remembered his father authorized some money to be spent on a carpet for the living room of their home in Santa Anas Floral Park neighborhood. His mother made the occasion into a memorable trip to Los Angeles with a young Henry and his older sister Ruth Ann to pick out carpet from a department store. It was the experience of youth stamped on the psyche of a boy that would grow up turning the family farm land into one of Americas prized shopping, dining and cultural centers. Family was an anchor for the Segerstrom clan dating back to their 19th century immigration from Sweden to the Midwestern United States. First landing in Minnesota followed by a time spent living in an upstairs walk-up apartment in an old brick tenement building in Chicago the family finally came to the uncharted rural Orange County. A certain sense of sophistication and civilization existed in the Victorian buildings that enhanced Santa Anas small town atmosphere in the late 19th century. The city had hopes of big dreams. All of this legacy is chronicled in an impressive Segerstrom Family exhibit on display through July 30 in Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza. Open to the public, this museum quality family retrospective traces the Segerstrom journey from its earliest days to the present. Created with considerable care by Segerstrom son-in-law and South Coast Plaza general manager David Grant, he worked with an artistic team led by curator Bonnie Rychiak, with design elements contributed by Shaffner Stewart Productions Design. Also very involved as co-creators of the exhibit were Elizabeth Segerstrom and Ruth Ann Moriarty. The display is more than just a tour through Segerstrom family history it also is very much a glimpse into the overall evolution of life in the region. You know what it truly amazing? Grant asked. Its the fact that this family more than 100 years ago had the foresight as well as the money to archive their lives through photography, which was not such a common practice. Grant went on to share that the result is a valuable archive of the life and times of people over more than 100 years of major advancement and change in the American milieu. He joined his wife, Andrea, children, grandchildren and extended family to welcome a major turnout of local citizens coming to tour the exhibit. Among the significant Segerstrom family members in attendance were Ruth Ann Moriarty and her daughter Jeanne Moriarty, son Richard Moriarty with his wife Marlyn, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, relatives Susan and Steve Perry and Sally and Toby Andrews, and Henry Segerstroms widow Elizabeth, who among others, carries on the family legacy with tremendous passion. The very fashionable blonde wife of the late retail magnate has taken on her late husbands ambitious life force with her own distinct style and manner. Henry Segerstrom lived by the adage that only the best will do, and it is a mantra carried on by Elizabeth not only at South Coast Plaza, but also in major endeavors in the arts, and beyond where the Segerstrom influence is considerable. Elizabeth joined the Grants to welcome a diverse cross-section of influential county citizens. Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley, PBS anchor Maria Hall Brown, SCFTA board chair John Mangum, Bowers Museum boss Peter Keller, Pacific Symphony president John Forsyte, Pacific Symphony Orchestra maestro Carl St.Clair, and business and social leaders including Betty Huang, Joann Leatherby, Barbara Johnson, Ruth Ding, Cliff and Kathy Fleming, Paul and Margo Folino, Donna Kendall, and Costa Mesa city manager Tom Hatch, along with Serving People In Need representatives Jean Wegener and Kim Frazier, were all front and center to support the Segerstrom exhibit. The Segerstrom familys story is uniquely American in that its one of humble roots, perseverance and hard work, Elizabeth Segerstrom said. Its also an immigrant story, one which Im certain can resonate with the public as all American families were, at one time, immigrants. From his Swedish ancestors, Henry also gleaned a unique propensity for foresight thinking big, dreaming big and striving big. Just as C.J. Segerstrom and his wife Bertha first arrived in Orange County from Sweden, assessed the land and saw great potential for community growth through agriculture, Henry would later follow suit in the same spirit imagining even more for that same plot of land. Elizabeth Segerstrom is dedicated to the course set by her late husband. It is now my lifes mission to live and work in Henrys magnanimous and giving image he was not only a patron of the arts, but a true aficionado and lover of visual art, dance and music, she said. Even as a young boy with roots in a farming community, Henry would travel to Los Angeles as a young man to visit museums and hear the symphony. It was this passion and curiosity which inspired him to bring these artistic gifts to his own community in Orange County. Touring the exhibit will offer a glimpse into the history of Orange County, an educational experience for students of all ages. I think the public will most enjoy the exhibitions comprehensive snapshot into what day-to-day life was like for Southern Californians in the late 1800s; what it took to toil, sculpt and shape this land into what it is today, Elizabeth Segerstrom said. While of course, the photography and ephemera throughout our show is of peak interest, I feel that people respond most personally and immediately to the collective portrait of a family over time. Its something we can all relate to the shifting face of a family throughout the years and within a community is always moving and relatable on an anachronistic level. South Coast Plaza is at 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (800) 782-8888 or visit southcoastplaza.com. B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. More Russian pilots are choosing to work for Chinese airlines because of lucrative pay and attractive benefits. According to a recruiting company that recruits pilots from all around the world for Chinese airlines, the monthly salary for pilots in China is between $17,000-25,000, more than quadruple than in Russia. Additionally, the pilots fly around 80 hours per month in China, while in Russia they fly around 90 hours. Sergei (not his real name), a pilot from Russia who is working for a Chinese airline, said there are many impressively-large airports in China, and pilots are subject to a strict physical exam. Russian pilots are also on good terms with their counterparts, so the work environment is friendly. American pilot Jeff Graham said he flew 80-100 hours per month in the States, but in China he flies about 50 hours a month, and can get triple the salary. Graham started working for an airline in Shenzhen, south Chinas Guangdong province, in 2015. Foreign pilots have to pass strict flight tests before coming to China, and only the best of the best can work for Chinese airlines. The current number of foreign pilots flying domestic flights in China is not large, according to the recruiting company. There are 81 Russian pilots working in Chinas airline industry. Over the next 20 years, China will need 4-5,000 airline pilots each year, according to aviation experts. As of end-2016, the number of foreign pilots with valid licenses issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China reached 2,628. When Sara Quintanar volunteered at her daughters Spanish-language full-immersion kindergarten classroom at Franklin Magnet School in 2010, she didnt expect to be recruited by its foundation to serve as a volunteer music teacher that same year. A year later, she was hired to teach music in all language classes at the elementary school. Parents began requesting CDs from Quintanar so their children could practice Spanish at home. Encouragement from another local parent who owns a recording studio in Glendale prompted her to record her first album, Canciones en Espanol. She posted a few tracks online and began receiving messages from teachers all over the world who were interested in her content. Quintanar began releasing work under the title Music with Sara. I saw a demand for simple music in Spanish repetitive and easy for children to learn, she said. In addition to her music, the Glendale native celebrated the release of her second e-book, Dragon, Word, at Pacific Park Library on Thursday. Quintanar, who grew up in a bilingual household, had plans to become an elementary school teacher, but she didnt imagine herself singing in Spanish, let alone creating her own music to help children learn a foreign language. Next year she will be teaching Spanish to kindergartners through third-graders at Franklin Magnet School. She said she taught more than 500 students a week through her music lessons last year. There are always shy students, she said, but these students eventually build confidence and find self-awareness. To see that every year, its the best thing of my job, she said. Songs on her albums include tracks such as Las Vocales, Itsy Bitsy Spider and Mama, te quiero mucho, an original song created and recorded with the help of her students. In addition to helping infants learn a new language through music, she wants to keep Mexican culture and tradition thriving. She recalled being younger and hearing traditional Spanish folk music with her parents. You never forget the songs they sing to you, she said. Rhyming is so important clapping hands, patty cake, its so simple but were so inundated with so much information we forget to go back to the basics. New opportunities have come her way since she first released her music online, and she said she doesnt have plans to stop anytime soon. Shes partnered with Scholastic to create a bilingual songbook for First Five California with help from Jose Luis Orozco Jr., son of Jose-Luis Orozco, an award-winning bilingual childrens author and educator popular for his recording of the traditional Spanish folk song De Colores. Im a local Glendale mom getting two million views online for simple bilingual music, she said. It doesnt have to be quick, flashy or fancy. Its a voice that isnt too fast or complicated. This is exciting for me. To hear Quintanars music, visit: sara-quintanar.squarespace.com/. priscella.vega@latimes.com Twitter: @vegapriscella German Chancellor Angela Merkel is not ordinarily known for emotional rhetoric. But in what started out as a routine address to the parliament Thursday previewing next weekends summit of leaders from the worlds 20 largest economies, Europes most important leader turned uncharacteristically dark in condemning some of the views that have found popular support in the U.S. and elsewhere. Anyone who thinks the worlds problems can be solved with isolationism and protectionism is simply delusional, Merkel said. The only way were going to succeed in finding the right answers to the central questions of our age is by working together. Advertisement The G-20 summit, scheduled for July 7 and 8 in Hamburg, could prove turbulent, with massive anti-globalization demonstrations planned as President Trump and other world leaders discuss issues including trade, climate change and migration. More than 20,000 police will be on hand, because German authorities are expecting as many as 150,000 people from across Europe to fill the streets on the second day for a protest called G20 Not Welcome Here. Police are expecting 8,000 anarchists for another demonstration, on the eve of the summit, called Welcome to Hell. The presence of Trump, who is deeply unpopular in Europe, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose policies are viewed with suspicion, also worried authorities charged with crowd control. The German government on Thursday rejected a request by Erdogan to speak at a rally of ethnic Turks living in Germany outside the summit. Merkel told the parliament that she expected the talks in Hamburg to be difficult. Since last years summit in Hangzhou, China, she said, major gulfs had opened between once-close allies, such as the United States and the major economies of the European Union that make up the core of the G20. The world has become troubled and divided, she said. The differences are obvious and it would be dishonest to try to cover that up I wont be doing that. She promised in particular to stand up for the Paris climate agreement, which suffered a severe blow this month when Trump announced that the U.S. was pulling out. Ever since the decision by the United States to leave the Paris climate agreement, weve become more determined than ever to make it a success, Merkel said. Weve got to tackle this existential threat and we cant and wont simply wait around until everyone on the planet has been convinced that there is enough scientific proof that it is happening. The Paris agreement is irreversible and non-negotiable. Merkel never spoke Trumps name. She had tried to find ways to work with Trump but has since taken a more defiant stance against him. A leader of Social Democratic Party, which is part of Merkels coalition, was less diplomatic. Donald Trump is dividing the Western world, Thomas Oppermann told parliament after the chancellor finished. On the climate issue, its Trump against the rest of the world. Theres got to be a 19 against 1 alliance against him in Hamburg. Kirschbaum is a special correspondent. ALSO How dinner with a lesbian couple changed Angela Merkels position on same-sex marriage Cardinals sex abuse case is test for Francis papacy Grandparents and cousins arent considered close family under Trumps new visa criteria A jury on Thursday found five men guilty of killing prominent Kremlin critic and Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in 2015, in a trial that his supporters said failed to reveal who had ordered the slaying. Nemtsov, a deputy prime minister under former President Boris Yeltsin, became a leading opposition figure against President Vladimir Putin. He was fatally shot steps away from the Kremlin in one of the most high-profile killings in post-Soviet Russia. Nemtsovs supporters, friends and family criticized how authorities handled the case, saying the investigation did not seek to uncover who ordered the assassination. The courts decision was merely a show, Nemtsovs daughter Zhanna Nemtsova posted on her Facebook account minutes after the verdict was announced. Advertisement The investigation and the court fantastically persisted in not recognizing the murder as political, she said. The five men suspected gunman Zaur Dadayev, the driver and three accused of planning the attack are from Russias North Caucasus region and are suspected of having ties to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Russia has fought two brutal wars with Chechnya since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Nemtsov, a fierce critic of Putins authoritarian policies, was returning home from the center of Moscow with his girlfriend the night of Feb. 27, 2015, and his route took him across the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge, close to the Kremlin. He was shot several times by a gunman in a passing car. The assassins car sped off, and Nemtsov, 55, died at the scene. Hours before his death, Nemtsov gave an interview to Echo of Moscow radio calling for demonstrations against the Kremlins involvement in the war in eastern Ukraine, where Kiev forces have been battling Russia-backed separatist rebels for three years. More than 10,000 people have died in the war, including thousands of civilians. Within hours of Nemtsovs death, his friends and supporters blamed the Kremlin for installing a government of fear, in which any voices of opposition were at risk. Other high-profile killings in Russia include that of journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya, who fiercely criticized Putins domestic policies and investigated human rights in Chechnya. She was killed in 2006 in the entrance to her central Moscow apartment. Five men were sentenced for her contracted killing in 2014, but investigators have never arrested a suspect for ordering the killing. Other prominent victims in what are regarded as politically motivated killings include Natalya Estemirova, a human rights activist who had done significant research in the North Caucasus and was found dead in 2009, and Alexander Litvinenko, a former intelligence officer who was poisoned in 2006 with a radioactive substance. He died in London, and a 2016 British investigation said Putin probably approved his assassination. Whoever ordered Nemtsovs killing remains at large, a fact that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said is not unusual, as such complex cases are very hard to investigate. Sometimes this process takes years. Peskov said the investigation would continue. These cases are classified as the most difficult in solving because it is naturally important to find and bring to justice not only the perpetrators but also the organizers of such murders, Peskov told reporters. A sixth suspect, Beslan Shavanov, died when a grenade exploded as police tried to arrest him in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, in March 2015. A sentencing hearing for the five men found guilty Thursday is expected next week. The convicted mens connections to Kadyrov, now a strong Putin loyalist, run deep. The accused gunman, Dadayev, was a deputy commander in a Chechen military battalion with sworn allegiances to Kadyrov. When Dadayev confessed to the crime in 2015, Kadyrov defended him as a Russian patriot prepared to give his life to his motherland. Although many critics of the investigation said the Chechen links were never thoroughly examined in the court hearings, other Nemtsov allies have pointed fingers at what they believe are links to Russias intelligence services, namely the Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the Soviet KGB. Putin is a former KGB officer. The Kremlin just gave society the killers, and the authorities believe thats enough, Ilya Yashin, a close friend and political ally of Nemtsov, said by phone Thursday. I do not believe Mr. Peskov, and I dont believe Mr. Putin, Yashin said. I think the key reason that the investigation will stop is because of Kremlin pressure. The people in the Kremlin Vladimir Putin and his close circle they understand that the people who killed Nemstov had the states authority. sabra.ayres@latimes.com Twitter: @sabraayres UPDATES: 11:35 a.m.: This article has been updated with more background and an interview with a Nemstov ally. This article was originally published at 9:25 a.m. Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of historical sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis chief financial advisor and Australias most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be charged in the churchs long-running sexual abuse scandal. Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police have summoned Pell to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of historic sexual offenses, meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. Advertisement Pell has repeatedly denied all abuse allegations against him. The Catholic Church in Australia, which issues statements on Pells behalf, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges. It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal Pell have, obviously, been tested in any court yet, Patton told reporters in Melbourne. Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process. The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised zero tolerance policy about sex abuse. For years, Pell has faced accusations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australias years-long Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse the nations highest form of inquiry has found shocking levels of abuse in Australias Catholic Church, revealing this year that 7% of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the last several decades. Last year, Pell acknowledged during his testimony to the commission that the Catholic Church had made enormous mistakes in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has beset church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation. Iraqi forces Thursday captured the compound of a landmark mosque in Mosul that was blown up last week by Islamic State a hugely symbolic site from where the top Islamic State leader declared a caliphate nearly three years ago. The advance comes as the Iraqi troops are pushing deeper into the Old City, a densely populated neighborhood west of the Tigris River where the Nouri Mosque with its 12th century Hadba minaret once stood and where Islamic State militants are now making their last stand in what are expected to be the final days of the battle for Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city. Iraqi special forces reached the Nuri Mosque compound and took control of the surrounding streets on Thursday afternoon, following a dawn push into the area, Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab Saadi of the elite force told the Associated Press. Advertisement Damaged and destroyed houses dot the route Iraqi forces have carved into the congested district along a landscape of destruction where the stench of rotting bodies rises from under the rubble. Thursdays push comes more than a week after Iraqi forces launched the operation to retake Mosuls last Islamic State-held parts of the Old City neighborhood, with its narrow alleyways and dense clusters of homes. Taking the mosque is a symbolic victory from its pulpit, Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Baghdadi in July 2014 declared a self-styled Islamic caliphate, encompassing territories then held by Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Iraqi and coalition officials said Islamic State blew up the mosque complex last week. Islamic State has blamed a U.S. airstrike for the destruction. After months of fighting, the Islamic State hold in Mosul has shrunk to less than a square mile of territory but the advances have come at considerable cost. There are hundreds of bodies under the rubble, said special forces Maj. Dhia Thamir, deployed inside the Old City. He added that all the bodies along the special forces route were of Islamic State fighters. Special forces Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi acknowledged that some civilians have been killed by airstrikes and artillery in the fight for the Old City. Of course there is collateral damage; it is always this way in war, he said. The houses are very old, he said, referring to the Old City, so any bombardment causes them to collapse completely. Al-Aridi said the clearing of the mosque will likely require specialized engineering teams since the militants have likely rigged the site with explosives. In Baghdad, state TV declared the capture the Nuri Mosque with an urgent text scroll that said: The State of Myth Has Fallen. ALSO Iraqi officials say Islamic State destroyed historic mosque and minaret in Mosul As Iraqi forces storm Mosuls Old City quarter, a desperate Islamic State strikes back For former U.S. Special Forces operative turned aid worker, a dramatic rescue in Mosul The Trump administration has set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a close family or business tie to the United States. The move comes after the Supreme Court partially restored President Trumps executive order that was widely criticized as a ban on Muslims. Visas that have already been approved will not be revoked, but instructions issued by the State Department say that new applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling already in the United States to be eligible. The same requirement, with some exceptions, holds for would-be refugees from all nations who are still awaiting approval for admission to the U.S. Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiances or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships, according to the guidelines that were issued in a cable sent to all U.S. embassies and consulates late on Wednesday. The new rules take effect at 5 p.m. PDT on Thursday, according to the cable, which was obtained by the Associated Press. Advertisement As far as business or professional links are concerned, the State Department said a legitimate relationship must be formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course rather than for the purpose of evading the ban. Journalists, students, workers or lecturers who have valid invitations or employment contracts in the U.S. would be exempt from the ban. The exemption does not apply to those who seek a relationship with an American business or educational institution purely for the purpose of avoiding the rules, the cable said. A hotel reservation or car rental contract, even if it was prepaid, would also not count, it said. Consular officers may grant other exemptions to applicants from the six nations if they have previously established significant contacts with the United States; ''significant business or professional obligations in the U.S.; if they are an infant, adopted child or in need of urgent medical care; if they are traveling for business with a recognized international organization or the U.S. government or if they are a legal resident of Canada who applies for a visa in Canada, according to the cable. Meanwhile, the Middle Easts biggest airline says its flights to the United States are operating as normal as new travel guidelines come into effect for travelers from six mainly Muslim nations. Dubai-based Emirates said in response to questions on the travel ban Thursday that it remains guided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on this matter. The carrier reminded passengers that they must possess the appropriate travel documents, including a valid U.S. entry visa, in order to travel. Critics said they are watching closely to see how the guidelines are used. Initial reports suggest that the government may try to unilaterally expand the scope of the ban for example, by arbitrarily refusing to treat certain categories of familial relationships as bona fide. These reports are deeply concerning. We are watching for official word, said Omar Jadwat of the ACLU. On Monday, the Supreme Court partially lifted lower court injunctions against Trumps executive order that had temporarily banned visas for citizens of the six countries. The justices ruling exempted applicants from the ban if they could prove a bona fide relationship with a U.S. person or entity, but the court offered only broad guidelines suggesting they would include a relative, job offer or invitation to lecture in the U.S. as to how that should be defined. Senior officials from the departments of State, Justice and Homeland Security had labored since the decision to clarify the ruling and Wednesdays instructions were the result. The new guidance will remain in place until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling on the matter. Arguments before the justices will not be held until at least October, so the interim rules will remain in place at least until the fall. Shortly after taking office, Trump ordered the refugee ban and a travel ban affecting the six countries, plus Iraq. He said it was needed to protect the U.S. from terrorists, but opponents said it was unfairly harsh and was intended to meet his campaign promise to keep Muslims out of the United States. After a federal judge struck down the bans, Trump signed a revised order intended to overcome legal hurdles. That was also struck down by lower courts, but the Supreme Courts action Monday partially reinstated it. The initial travel ban led to chaos at airports around the world, but because the guidelines exempt previously issued visas, similar problems are not expected. After a judge blocked the original ban, Trump issued a scaled-down order and the courts action Monday further reduced the number of people who would be covered by it. Also, while the initial order took effect immediately, adding to the confusion, this one was delayed 72 hours after the courts ruling. Under the new rules, would-be immigrants from the six countries who won a coveted visa in the governments diversity lottery a program that randomly awards 50,000 green cards annually to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States will also have to prove they have a bona fide relationship within the U.S. or are eligible for another waiver or face being banned for at least 90 days. That hurdle may be a difficult one for those immigrants to overcome, as many visa lottery winners dont have relatives in the U.S. or jobs in advance of arriving in the country. ALSO Immigrant advocates brace for new travel ban, criticize rules on close family admissions Q&A: Trump scores a partial win for his travel ban. What comes next? Southern California activists and attorneys begin to strategize after Supreme Court affirms parts of Trumps travel ban Trump says Supreme Court action on travel ban gives him important tool UPDATES: June 29, 3:58 a.m.: The post was updated with a statement from Emirates Airlines 9:30 p.m.: This article was updated with background information. This article was originally published June 28 at 7 p.m. A spying scandal in Mexico widened Thursday after it was confirmed by experts that several of the countrys top opposition leaders along with journalists and human rights advocates were targeted by high-tech spyware exclusively sold to governments. The Internet watchdog group Citizen Lab exposed the scandal this month in a report that showed that spyware known as Pegasus had been used in recent years to infiltrate the cellphones of 12 prominent journalists and rights activists, all of whom had been critical of the Mexican government. The victims received messages with links to the same malware, which, when activated, allows outsiders to remotely access a phones data as well as activate its camera and microphone. Advertisement On Thursday, the group said the spyware had been used against members of the conservative National Action Party, or PAN, which had asked Citizen Lab to investigate suspicious messages received by several of top members. Although Citizen Lab did not say who it believes was responsible for the spying, the group said that around the time the victims phones were targeted, Congress was debating anti-corrpution legislation. In its first report, Citizen Lab said those who had been sent the link to the malware were all government critics. Among them was the prominent investigative journalist Carmen Aristegui, who led a team in 2014 that reported the wife of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto had benefited from a real estate deal with a builder who had received some of the countrys top construction contracts. NSO Group, the Israeli company that makes the spyware, says it sells its product only to government agencies for the purpose of fighting criminals and terrorists. Last week, Pena Nieto acknowledged that Mexico had purchased the spyware, but he denied the government had ordered the surveillance. He promised an investigation into who was behind what may be the biggest domestic espionage scandal in Mexicos history. The emails with links to the malware included messages designed to trick the recipients into opening the attachments. Senator, my friend, my husband just died, said one Pegasus message sent to PAN Sen. Roberto Gil Zuarth. I am sending you information about the wake. The link actually enabled a download for the malware. Good morning President, said another message, sent to PAN leader Ricardo Anaya. Im sharing this report about you that is going viral. Anaya said at a news conference this month that none of the PAN members clicked on the links because they found them suspicious. kate.linthicum@latimes.com Twitter: @katelinthicum ALSO Vatican cardinal charged with sexual assault is taking a leave of absence, denies accusations Russian court finds five men guilty in slaying of Putin critic Boris Nemtsov The worlds smallest porpoise has caused a big battle in Baja California Jun 29, 2017, 3:50pm ET BMW to trim equipment offerings to pay for R&D Among the cuts will be the 2 Series\' manual transmission. BMW has announced plans to pare down its equipment offerings in an effort to boost funds for the company's research and development operations. BMW's R&D efforts are currently running at about 5.5 percent of the company's total revenue, but the automaker expects that figure to inch up closer to 6 percent over the next three year as it ramps up development of electric and autonomous vehicle technology. In order to pay for that increased spending, the company will eliminate some available equipment to reduce production complexities. "We have over 100 steering wheels on offer. Do we need that many variants? BMW finance chief Nicolas Peter mused to Reuters. More than just steering wheels, BMW will significantly reduce the number of engines offered in its vehicles, particularly in Europe. "In the 5 Series we have four diesel engines on offer. I would not bet on there being four diesel engines on offer in the next generation vehicle," Peter said. Buyers in the United States will also feel the squeeze. Peter says that the company will soon drop the manual transmission option from its 2 Series coupe, which is regarded as one of the automaker's sportier models. The manual transmission could soon become an endangered species at BMW as the company has already confirmed that it will drop the option from its next-generation M5. Jun 29, 2017, 9:18am ET California proposes new state EV rebate program California is hoping to boost EV sales with a new rebate program. With the federal tax credit for electric vehicle purchases set to wind down, California is weighing a new rebate program that would continue to promote the purchase of zero-emissions vehicles. The plan, known as the California Electric Vehicle Initiative, is intended to stave off the so-called "valley of death. Lawmaker in California are concerned that EV sales might plummet once there is less of a financial incentive to purchase them. "The conditions are right for a tipping point to occur but with uncertainty about the state's purchase rebates and the prospect of federal tax incentives expiring, it could tip in the wrong way, Max Baumhefner, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council's clean vehicles program, told Automotive News. In order to spur EV sales, the bill outlines a rebate plan that would eliminate the need to buyers to file for a tax credit, as is common practice today. Instead, buyers would get cash back at the time of their purchases. The bill also calls for income-based credits, which would eliminate excessive subsidies for wealthy buyers. Rebates would be lowered over time as EV becomes more popular. Once electrics move to the mainstream, the program would be eliminated. An exact timeframe has not been attached to the bill, but EVs are expected to reach price parity with internal combustion engine cars sometime around 2026. California is proposing to fund the program with $3 billion. California governor Jerry Brown has outlined a plan to have 1.5 million electric vehicles on the state's roads by 2025. The new bill could be a crucial tool in helping California reach that goal. Jun 29, 2017, 11:01am ET Germany investigating employee ties to Porsche diesel scandal Germany is taking a closer look into some employees at Porsche. Prosecutors in German have launch a preliminary investigation into Porsche employees over their alleged ties to the company's diesel engine emissions scandal. German officials are looking into an unknown number Porsche employees to see if they had a hand in designing the emissions cheating software that parent company Volkswagen has confessed to installing in some of its diesel-powered models. Some Porsche cars used a 3.0L diesel from Audi that has been confirmed to have been equipped with the cheating software. Germany is also looking into three employees at parts supplier Bosch over possible links to the scandal. Bosch developed an engine control unit for some VW diesel engines. Prosecutor Jan Holzner stated on Thursday that the probe wasn't a formal investigation into the employees, but added it could eventually turn into one. "We are investigating three employees. All three are managers, with the highest ranking being in middle management," he told Reuters. So far the wide-spread cheating scandal has cost VW more than $23 billion. Police have charged a second man with homicide in last year's killing of a man found stuffed in a trunk following a drug-fueled night in Bethlehem. Charged is Charles Anthony Yocum, 32, of the 1400 block of Sixth Street in Bethlehem. His co-defendant, James Heimbach, 30, of the 900 block of East Sixth Street in Bethlehem, previously was charged with one count homicide and remains incarcerated at Northampton County Prison, awaiting possible trial. City police found recent evidence Yocum conspired with Heimbach in the killing of 28-year-old Joseph Michael Goda, of the 500 block of Hess Street, and charged him Thursday with criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit criminal homicide. Yocum previously was charged with abuse of corpse, tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice and hindering apprehension and held at Northampton County in lieu of $25,000 bail. Senior District Judge Joseph Barner presided over Yocum's arraignment on the homicide charges Thursday via video. Barner revoked his bail. He remains incarcerated at Northampton County Prison with a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for July 13. 'Zombie drug' At 2:10 p.m. Sept. 2, 2016, Pat Halloran, building manager of 945 E. Sixth St., went to meet with Heimbach at the apartment in hopes of his tenant signing a new lease, police said. Halloran reported to police finding blood droplets on the floor and on the living room wall. Officers responded, conducted a security sweep of the apartment and seized a straw, white powdery substance and digital scale on a kitchen counter. Also seized were empty pill capsules, large plastic bags and a shotgun casing on top of the mattress in a second-floor bedroom, according to court records. Detectives found blood covering the walls of a back mudroom and a polished brown-handled knife in a black sheath on the garage floor, police said. On Sept. 4, a detective was contacted by Paula Donham, Heimbach's mother, that he was being treated at Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg. Heimbach was sent to the hospital after officers in Pocono Township found him allegedly running in his underwear through traffic. Investigators interviewed Heimbach at the hospital on Sept. 5, who allegedly told them he recalled on Sept. 1 or Sept. 2 snorting the synthetic drug Flakka, also known as the "zombie drug" with Goda. Yocum was present while they were doing drugs, police said. The incident occurred over the Labor Day holiday weekend with police believing the trio began partying Sept. 2 at the apartment where Heimbach lived and Yocum sometimes stayed. Flakka is known as "the zombie drug" because of its impact on users, which police said can cause agitation, delusions, paranoia and super-human strength among other bizarre behaviors. The drug is similar to "bath salts," police described. At some point, Heimbach believed Goda was trying to bite him, saying he jumped on top of him and started punching him in the face, police said. Heimbach allegedly reported Goda bit his hands and he was "fighting for his life." Heimbach told investigators he was able to break free, run out a back door and his next memory was with Pocono Township police, court records state. He didn't know how he got 40 or so miles from Bethlehem to the Tannersville portion of the Pocono Township. There were bite marks on Heimbach's right hand and bruises and scratches on his arms, shoulder and face, police said. Body found in trunk Bethlehem police later found a gray Saab registered to Yocum's mother in the parking lot of Weis Supermarket at the Tannersville Plaza. Investigators found blood on the driver's seat and headrest and there was an "unusual odor" coming from inside the car, police said. The vehicle was then towed from Pocono Township to Bethlehem's police headquarters. Once a warrant was obtained, city police Forensics Unit and the Northampton County Coroner's Office searched the vehicle. A dead man -- later identified as Goda -- was found in the trunk clutching a shirt that said "Team Heimbach" and the shirt was covered in blood, court records indicate. Investigators later interviewed Yocum at the city's police station. He allegedly told police he witnessed Heimbach beat Goda in the head with a shotgun and kill him. Heimbach and Yocum then both rolled the body up into a rug and placed the body into the trunk of the Saab, Yocum allegedly told police. Yocum allegedly helped drive the Saab with Goda in the trunk and Heimbach in the passenger seat into Monroe County. The pair planned to dump the body into the ocean of the Jersey Shore, but instead spent several days continuing their drug-fueled spree, police said. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday announced that it has granted 27 permits to companies to operate medical marijuana dispensaries that are expected to open next year. And two of those permits are for dispensaries in the Lehigh Valley. GuadCo LLC, which will operate under the dispensary name Keystone Canna Remedies, received approval and intends to open its primary dispensary at 2467 Baglyos Circle, off Emrick Boulevard within Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VI in Bethlehem Township. Department of Health documents released Thursday show its primary dispensary street address at 1309 Stefko Blvd., Bethlehem, but GuadCo's co-owner said in an email that the company intends to amend its application to reflect its preference to the Bethlehem Township location. Mission Pennsylvania II LLC, is the second Lehigh Valley dispensary granted a permit. The dispensary will have the same name as the company and will operate out of 2733 W. Emmaus Ave., Allentown, the documents state. "Each of the 27 dispensary permit holders is eligible to open a total of three locations. Some dispensary permit holders have opted not to open all eligible locations at this time," the Department of Health says in a news release. That's the case for both companies targeting the Lehigh Valley. Victor Guadagnino, co-founder of GuadCo, said the company's current plans call for opening only one dispensary at the Bethlehem Township location, but his email didn't rule out the possibility of opening dispensaries elsewhere in the future. GuadCo has already received local approval from Bethlehem Township to open its dispensary at LVIP VI. Township commissioners signed off on that project earlier this month. "We feel that 2467 Baglyos Circle is a better location to serve the patient population and have made all the proper preparations to be operational inside the (Department of Health's) timeline," Guadagnino said. Securing a state permit for dispensing medical marijuana products requires meeting strict state standards on top of municipal requirements. Pennsylvania's medical marijuana prohibits use of marijuana in leaf or flower form. Rather it will be prescribed and dispensed in forms such as fluids for vaporization, pills, absorption under the tongue and topical ointments. Patients seeking a prescription must have a qualifying illness and gain approval from a state-certified physician. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the law creating the program in April 2015, and the state continues refining rules of the program. State Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh/Northampton, lauded the local dispensaries' selections. "It will mean more local jobs and a foundational role in this promising new medical marijuana industry" she said in a statement. "As someone who voted for legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, I am very pleased by the progress of the program and our regional economic role in this industry. "More so, I am both encouraged and heartened by what this medication will mean to our children, veterans and other patients who can benefit through the safe and controlled availability of medical cannabis." John Collins, director of the Department of Health's Office of Medical Marijuana, said in a statement that the application process for dispensaries was highly competitive, noting the state reviewed hundreds of applications. The state previously released a list of the applicants, but didn't specify where they were looking to open dispensaries. To ensure that medical marijuana is accessible to all residents with a prescription, the state created six regions, each of which would be awarded a specified number of dispensaries. The Lehigh Valley is in Region 2, which comprises the northeast part of the state. "Once this program is fully operational, patients with serious medical conditions will have locations throughout the commonwealth where they can purchase medication to help in their treatment," Collins says. "We remain on track to provide medication to patients in 2018." Earlier this month, the state announced the issuance of permits to marijuana growers, but none are located in the Lehigh Valley. Nick Falsone may be reached at nfalsone@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickfalsone. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A stun gun had to be used by police on a Carbon County man as he allegedly ran through residential yards, ignoring commands and resisting arrest. Charged is Todd Allen Beltzner Jr., 26, of Palmerton. Northampton Borough police at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday were dispatched to a home in the 1500 block of Poplar Street for a report of a man violating a protection-from-abuse order. An officer found Beltzner allegedly had forced open the front door, damaging the frame and door itself. Beltzner at some point walked out of the home and the officer handcuffed him, telling him he was under arrest for violating the protection-from-abuse order. The officer began leading Beltzner to the back passenger side of the patrol vehicle, but the doors at some point locked automatically and the officer was unable to open the car right away, police said. The officer left Beltzner standing by the cruiser as he walked to the other side to try and unlock the doors. Beltzner then allegedly bolted, sprinting into neighborhood yards along Newport Avenue. Police eventually found Beltzner hiding under a tree in a nearby yard and ordered him to come out, which he allegedly refused to do. He resisted arrest, kicking at officers until a Taser was deployed in an attempt to get Beltzner to surrender, police said. Beltzner complied for a brief time as he was being walked back to the cruiser with two officers, but then resisted arrest again, letting his feet fall to the ground multiple times, police said. Officers then had to pick up Beltzner and carry him to the patrol vehicle. As the officers approached the cruiser, police said, Beltzner resisted even more intensely and additional force had to be used to get him into the car. Beltzner then complained of chest pain, shortness of breath and feeling a burning sensation, police said. He was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment, with police accompanying him. Beltzner is charged with escape and resisting arrest. He was arraigned before District Judge Antonia Grifo, who set bail at $20,000. The judge ordered Beltzner to enroll in Northampton County Pretrial Services, submit to random drug and alcohol testing and stay away from the victim. The judge allowed 10 percent of $20,000 bail if approved by pretrial services . Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A railroad enthusiast awaiting the pass of a three-locomotive train in Bangor caught Tuesday's collision with a tractor-trailer on high-definition video. The videographer, a young man who calls himself Austin Trains on his YouTube account, has his camera trained on a bend in the railroad just south of the Route 512 crossing where the crash occurred. He pans quickly right as the Peterbilt cab passes beyond the crossing's flashing lights and its front end is clipped by the train. The action starts around minute-marker 0:28 on the video above. Bangor police were continuing to investigate the crash Wednesday, Chief Scott Felchock said. He had said the driver, a 47-year-old man working for Warren County Trucking, will likely be cited under Pennsylvania motor vehicle carrier law. The enthusiast who caught Tuesday's crash on camera said he was out for a photo of the train pulled by a Norfolk Southern H74 locomotive joined by "2 SD70ACes and a Dash 9." Norfolk Southern said Tuesday the train was on a local service route with 67 loaded railcars carrying mostly grain. No one was reported injured, and there was no danger to the public after a Norfolk Southern train collided with the front of this tractor-trailer Tuesday, June 27, 2017, on Route 512 in Bangor, according to borough police. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) "This is crazy," the videographer says as he turns the camera on himself and narrates what had just happened, relaying that he checked to ensure no one was injured. The train crew went into emergency mode and stopped the train soon after the collision. The crossing was closed for about three hours. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Cocaine Three people are accused of dealing cocaine following a June 29, 2017, raid in Washington. (FotoMaximum) A three-month investigation into alleged cocaine trafficking culminated Thursday in a raid on a home in the middle of Washington. Three people were arrested in the operation in the first block of East Washington Avenue (Route 57). Police also seized cocaine and marijuana from the home, according to a news release from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office. William Carter, 32, of that address, is charged with third-degree possession of cocaine; second-degree possession with intent to distribute more than half an ounce of cocaine; second-degree distribution of more than half an ounce; and third-degree distribution within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Two others -- Michael Myers, 53, of the same address, Earl Robinson, 32, of the first block of South 7th Street in Easton -- are both charged with third-degree possession of cocaine; third-degree distribution of less than half an ounce of cocaine; third-degree possession with intent to distribute less than half an ounce; and third-degree distribution within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Carter's second-degree charges could carry a 10- to 20-year sentence if convicted. The third-degree charges have maximum penalties of up to five years in prison. The raid was conducted by Washington Township police -- who also cover the borough of Washington -- the prosecutor's narcotics unit and the Warren County Tactical Response Team. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Get the latest crime news direct to your inbox with the Crime & Punishment newsletter Anti-knife crime campaigners have called for an open and honest debate about the best way to tackle the problem in Leicester. In a film to be premiered in the city tomorrow night, the Leicester Anti-Knife Crime Campaign will call on the community and those in authority to come together to address the growth of a crime which has claimed eight lives in the city or county so far this year. Bizzi Dixon, who runs the campaign, said he hoped the documentary would kick-start the debate. The screening and discussion take place at the Phoenix arts centre, in Midland Street, in the citys Cultural Quarter at 7pm. Mr Dixon said: From the beginning of the campaign we said that if we convinced at least one young person to put down their knife then it would have been worthwhile. And we know we have achieved that in a number of cases. We know we still have a long way to go and that knife crime remains a problem in Leicester. We have spoken to the police, community leaders and, most importantly, young people themselves. We want young people to value their lives and other peoples lives. When a knife is involved, the actions of a few seconds can change lives forever. There were seven deaths linked to knives in Leicester last year. In 2017, even before the beginning of June, eight lives were lost. The film tonight will hopefully help us address this growing problem. The police are represented in the film and will be taking part in a discussion after the screening. One of the people featured in the film is Amy Morgan. who launched an online petition a month ago to highlight the UKs knife crime death toll including the loss of her 16-year-old son, Tyler Thompson, in 2015. As of tonight, more than 36,000 people have added their names to her call for tougher sentences for those found guilty of using a knife to assault another person or for the offence of unlawful possession of a blade. For more information about the campaign, search Facebook for RIP Tyler Thompson or, to sign the petition here Tyler, 16, was fatally stabbed in Freeman Road North, Leicester, by 19-year-old Pravdit Sian, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in October and was jailed for nine years. Amy, of Thurnby Lodge, said: Ive taken part in the documentary because we need to raise awareness of knife crime. Currently, adults convicted of possessing a knife can expect a minimum six-month prison term. Amys campaign, which is supported by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, calls for the sentence to be raised to three to five years. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe today to get the latest headlines straight to your inbox with our free email updates Leicester hospitals bosses could take the NHS to court if they push ahead with plans to shut down the childrens heart unit at Glenfield Hospital. John Adler, chief executive at Leicesters hospitals, has previously said that they didnt wish to get involved in a conflict. But at a meeting of the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland joint health scrutiny meeting on Tuesday (June 27) he added: We have been taking legal advice and the view is there is significant scope for challenge in terms of what is expected of public bodies. His comments came after nearly a dozen parents, patient groups and campaigners told councillors and NHS England representatives why the unit should stay. It follows an announcement last year in which NHS England said that surgery for children born with heart defects should stop at Glenfield Hospital. They argued that the hospital was not meeting new standards and that it was unlikely to do so in the future. One of the standards is that each of three surgeons should carry out 125 operations a year. At the meeting Dr Sally Ruane, from the health policy research unit at De Montfort University argued there was no evidence stipulating a figure improved services. She said: Glenfield Hospital has excellent outcomes and the survival rate is higher than expected. It is difficult for patients to comprehend the wish of NHS England to close a highly successful unit. Katy Wheatley, from the Leicester Mercury Patients Panel, added: If the unit closes there will be no congenital heart provision from Newcastle to London. After hearing the submissions Leicester City Councillor Ted Cassidy said he was very angry and shocked by what he had heard about the closure proposals and warned it was likely to lead to a Judicial Review. Colleague, Coun Vi Dempster called on NHS England to draw a line under this wrong decision. Rutland County Coun Gale Waller added: It is about time NHS England realised its purpose is to look after people. Michael Wilson, NHS Englands programme director for congenital heart disease, said all the views and comments from the meeting will be taken back to colleagues. He added: In the summer last year there were proposals which were then worked up for public consultation but no decision has been taken. Mr Wilson said responses to the public consultation, which ends on July 17, had been very high and a decision on the future of childrens heart surgery is expected later this year, or early next year. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sometimes, its hard to keep up. The transfer rumour mill coughs up so many names that is often difficult to make sense of which are accurate, which are still targets, and which have fallen by the wayside. Leicester City have been linked with more than 25 reported targets this summer and there are still more than two months of the transfer window to go. Most of them have been centre-backs, and that number continues to grow despite Craig Shakespeare having already snapped up the 17m signing of Harry Maguire. The 24-year-old proved a popular acquisition among fans, but what do the Blue Army think about the remaining targets? (Image: (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)) We asked fans to have their say on our website using what we call Transfer Tinder. Like the popular dating app, we showed fans pictures of all the players Leicester have been linked with this summer and gave them the chance to swipe left on ones they did not want City to sign, and swipe right on those they did. Around 5,000 fans gave their views, and we can now reveal which targets came out on top as well as what we understand to be the current situation on how likely Leicester are to signing them. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Total of 4,000 votes) The Swansea playmaker came out on top, as the player Leicester fans would most like to sign this summer with more than 80 per cent of supporters swiping right for the Iceland international. Sigurdsson appears the perfect fit to play in the No.10 role behind Jamie Vardy, with his creativity leading to 13 assists in the Premier League last season. Not to mention his proficiency from set-plays. Whats the current situation? Leicester remain interested in the 27-year-old Iceland international, but will have to pay in excess of 40million if they want to bring him to the King Power Stadium. Everton have been reported to have had a 27m bid rejected, but sources in Swansea told the Mercury that the South Wales club are yet to receive any offers. Kelechi Iheanacho (3,800 votes) Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho finished a close second, with only a hundred votes fewer than Sigurdsson. Fans are excited by a player who boasts the best goal-to-minute ratio of anyone who has scored 10 or more in the Premier Leagueever. Whats the current situation? Leicester are believed to be the front-runners to land the Nigeria international, but are yet to make a bid. West Ham have made at least one offer, reported to have been around 20m, but which has not yet been accepted or rejected by Man City. Man City are said to want 25m for Iheanacho, but they also want a buy-back clause in any deal, which would allow them to purchase the striker back for 10m on top of whatever price they sold him for. (Image: Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Michael Keane (3,200 votes) A familiar face in third. Leicester fans would love to see the former City loanee back at the club, as the young centre-back continues to impress for Burnley and England. Whats the current situation? There have been no concrete rumours linking Leicester with Keane this summer, despite the club having tried hard to sign him last summer. City had three bids rejected, the biggest believed to be 15m. Keane is reported to be on the verge of joining Everton, having agreed a 25m move from Burnley. Chris Smalling (3,200 votes) Coming a very close second in Leicester fans list of the centre-backs they want to sign, by a matter of just a few votes, is Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling. Smalling only made 13 Premier League starts last season, missing much of the campaign with foot and knee injuries. Whats the current situation? Smalling looks certain to leave Old Trafford this summer, and reports earlier this month claimed Leicester were one of a number of Premier League clubs monitoring his situation. Sources have told the Mercury that there is interest from City, but it is believed that Smalling would prefer a move to a club in the Champions League or Europa League. (Image: David Ramos/Getty Images) Adrien Silva (3,000 votes) Dominant central midfielder Adrien Silva was on the verge of completing a move to Leicester last summer from Sporting Lisbon, only for the deal to be blocked on deadline day. Leicester fans want the club to try again this summer, too, with more than 3,000 fans voting in favour of the Portugal international. Whats the current situation? Leicester have not been linked heavily with Silva this summer, with central midfield not an area of priority for Craig Shakespeare. Reports in Portugal say Sporting have relaxed their stance on Silva now and will let him go for 26m. (Image: Getty Images) Ben Gibson (2,700 votes) Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson is in high demand despite his sides relegation from the Premier League last season. Boro went down with one of the best defensive records in the division, and ever-present Gibson was right at the heart of it. No wonder he finished third in the fans choice of centre-backs. Whats the current situation? Leicester were reported last month to be weighing up the possibility of a 20m move for the 24-year-old, with the defender admitting that he wants to stay in the Premier League next season. City are still interested but believe Boros price tag of 25m is too expensive. There are a number of clubs monitoring the situation who may try to make their moves towards the end of the window to try to force Boro to lower their asking price. (Image: Getty Images) Jonny Evans (2,600 votes) The West Brom and former Manchester United defender is one of Leicesters main targets this window but fans would rather City go elsewhere. Northern Ireland boss Michael ONeill thinks that Evans to Leicester would be a good move with the 20m price tag a bargain for prospective clubs. Whats the current situation? Leicester have already had one bid of around 10m rejected for the Northern Ireland international, with West Brom wanting at least double that to let him go. The Mercury understands that City still want Evans, but are unsure whether to return with a second bid as Albion appear adamant they are not selling and could offer him a new contract to convince him to stay at the Hawthorns next season. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Get City transfer latest, team news, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox Leicester City have turned down an offer to sign Middlesbroughs Gaston Ramirez - for now. City had a bid, believed to have been more than 10million, rejected for the Uruguay forward in the January window. Ramirez even handed in a transfer request to try to force through a move, but Boro stood firm. The Northern Echo reports that Ramirez no longer has a future at the Riverside Stadium and will not be considered for first-team duties as they try to find a buyer for the 26-year-old. Boro are disillusioned with Ramirezs behaviour in the second half of last season and it is understood they have offered him to several clubs, including City. However, City have not taken the option yet as they are believed to looking at other targets, most notably Swanseas Gylfi Sigurdsson. City want to bring in a player who can play behind Jamie Vardy in attack and link the midfield to Citys number nine. Sigurdsson tops that list, having made the second highest number of assists in the Premier League last season, despite playing in a struggling Swansea side. However, Sigurdsson will be in demand if Swansea decide to sell, and currently they are determined to hold on to the Icelandic international. If Ramirez is still available later in the window and a deal for Sigurdsson is not possible, City may reconsider their options and make an offer. There is interest in Ramirez from Spain but it is believed they cannot match Ramirezs personal terms at Middlesbrough. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe today to get the latest headlines straight to your inbox with our free email updates Residents left their homes after a fire started at a five-storey block of flats in the early hours of the morning. Some people who live in the Zenith Building in Colton Street, Leicester city centre, left their flats after the alarm was raised at 1.59am today. Other residents stayed in the flats during the incident. Six fire crews tackled the blaze after a resident alerted the emergency services after smelling smoke. Two fire crews from Central station, two from Eastern station, one from Western station and a command support vehicle from Wigston station attended the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched all five floors to make sure residents were safe and well and that there were no more pockets of fire. The last fire appliance left the scene at 4.26am. It is believed no-one was hurt in the incident. The cause of the fire, which was contained in the bin area, is being investigated. (Image: Google) A fire service spokeswoman said that the building had a stay put policy which means that the advice to residents is to stay put if there an alarm activation and it does not directly affect your flat. She said: Our advice was, and always is, that if people feel vulnerable then they should leave the building. Some residents left the building and some did not. A police spokeswoman said: We are waiting to hear from the fire service as to whether the cause is believed to be suspicious. George Tamboras, a spokesman for Hunter Grey - the managing agents of the building, said the fire was very concerning. He said: I am going to the building to meet with officers from the police and the fire service about the fire. The fire safety officer has inspected the building and is satisfied it is safe and is happy with the policies we have in place. What has happened is terrible. We want to do all we can to find out what the cause of the fire was. The fire was confined to the bin area. There was some smoke in corridors but I think that it got there as some people left the building. Hewlett Packard officially opened its many doors in Leixlip on Monday, the Leinster Leader reported on June 12, 1997. The company president and chief executive, Lew Platt, and the Minister for Enterprise and Employment Richard Bruton, did the honours at the former IMP meat plant site. Now an inkjet cartridge facility, it is on track to create 2,000 high tech jobs by the year 2000. The 750,000 sq ft factory stands on a 200 acre site and the total investment stands at 328 million. Currently, a thousand employees work there and it is recruiting at the rate of 50 to 60 per month. Mr Platt, head of a company with 600 plants in 120 countries, said HPs commitment was clear. He hoped their presence here will be a long term partnership. I would like to say forever. In his 31-year link with the company, he said he could think of only one site where they shut down, apart from one in Massachusetts, which was moved to a different location. Mr Platt said Ireland represented the most rapid start from a green-field site which the company has ever achieved. This could not have been accomplished without the outstanding contribution of our Irish employees, suppliers, the Irish Government and the people of Kildare. While other computer companies may suffer more from downturns in different economies, the nature of the inkjet cartridge business isolates it from the ups and downs. While demand for PCs could drop, there is a huge and still growing base for the cartridges for inkjet printers, as PC owners will still have to replace cartridges. These can only be used in HP printers. Most of the Leixlip produce will go to Europe but it will also ship goods to Asia. But HP doesnt sit on laurels. At the moment, 70 percent of sales revenue come from products introduced in the previous two years. While it is not basing product research and development facilities in Ireland, it will have around a hundred engineers working to improve current products. The company has 112,800 employees worldwide and has capacity to extend in Leixlip. Its only problem lies with regard to a lack of technicians and it is working with Intel and state agencies to recruit and train more. Mr Young paid tribute to the IDA, Kildare County Council, Leixlip Town Commissioners, the community and local residents for their support. The presence of the company at the site has enabled some locals who had been using septic tanks for years to pipe into the public system. And only this week, contractors were putting the finishing touches to a new bridge and roundabout close to the site. Six hundred construction workers are currently employed on the second phase of the project, which will produce print head manufacturing composing wafer and orifice place processing. This will include clean room facilities. Mr Bruton said HP is a highly ethical company and regularly tops surveys as one of the best companies in the world for which to work. KILDARE County Council has heard a proposal to change its service station policy to enable Applegreen use a site near the big ball in Naas. The motion was tabled by Cllr Fintan Brett for the June 26 meeting of the Council but in his absence, Cllr Robert Power proposed it. The motion has been deferred. Cllr Power said Applegreen was interested in using the site and including a petrol station but, he said, there could be barriers. Cllr Mark Stafford said without a change in the Plan, they would be leaving the decision largely in the hands of Transport Ireland. Cllr Brett want to vary Chapter 17.13.6 of the County Development Plan 2017-2023 to read that the council supports the development of online and offline service facilities in appropriate locations in accordance with the guidance set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (2012). Cllr Mark Lynch asked if they could vote on the merits of the particular site in question. Mayor Ivan Keatley said the motion did not refer to a specific site. Cllr Seamie Moore said the site could provide 300 jobs but could also displace other jobs elsewhere in the town. Cllr Brendan Young said that any change to the plan should be specific to avoid knock on effects elsewhere. Cllr Robert Power said Applegreen had withdrawn an application for the site previously probably because they did not think they had a strong enough case at the time. In a report to members, Peter Minnock, the Planning Director of Service, told the meeting that the CDP was adequate. In his written report he said the Council supports the development of on-line motorway service facilities in appropriate locations in accordance with the guidance set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DECLG (2012). The Council will consider proposals for off line service facilities at appropriate locations where on-line services are not planned and it is demonstrated that the proposal is: in accordance with national guidance on the provision of motorway service areas; meet the needs of road users on the national road network; would not unduly impact on the safety, capacity or efficiency of the road network; and would not impact negatively on the vibrancy and vitality of nearby town or village centres. Mr Minnock said that under the guidelines, facilities proposed for inclusion in all service areas should be of a type that avoids the attraction of short, local trips, a class of traffic that is inconsistent with the primary intended role for national roads and associated junctions in catering for strategic long-distance inter-urban and inter-regional traffic.Furthermore, to permit a service area to become a destination for local customers would be contrary to Government planning policy on retail and town centres as set out in Retail Planning Guidelines. As the off-line service facility issue is addressed in the County Development Plan, it is not considered that a variation of the CDP is required to strengthen the policy. Mr Minnock told the meeting they would like to see the site developed but Bord Pleanala and Transport Infrastructure Ireland had strong views on it. At the end of the debate, Mayor Keatley suggest the matter be sent back to the Councils transport Strategic Policy Committee. LES CANDIDATURES 2023 DU "LABEL "VILLE A VELO" SONT OUVERTES As the Lords prepared to vote this week on the Queens Speech, I have been asked often about whether the so-called Salisbury-Addison Convention applies during this Parliament, to proposals from a Government which did not obtain a majority in the Commons. Briefly, the Convention holds that the Lords does not reject Bills predicated on manifesto commitments, nor introduce wrecking amendments. The convention was first formulated in 1945 between the post-war Labour Government and Conservative leaders in a heavily Tory- and hereditary- dominated House. The Liberal group was never party to it. Speaking in the Queens Speech debate, I urged Peers Labour Peers in particular not to be bound into believing that the Governments Faustian pact with the DUP gives it the right to railroad legislation through Parliament. Unlike the 2010 Coalition Government, this administration cannot claim that its composition enjoys anywhere near majority support in the country, and the deal is in any case only on big ticket votes. There is no agreed programme for government between parties who together can claim a mandate. That means that the Official Opposition should see no need simply to roll over during parliamentary ping-pong at the very first whiff of pong from the Commons! On Brexit, I pointed out that Labour voters had a far more positive view of the UKs relationship with the EU than the Labour leadership. Messrs Corbyn and McDonnell may still regard the single market as a capitalist conspiracy, but most of their supporters do not. With some 69% now thought to support the UKs continued membership of the EU customs union and 53% favouring a referendum on whether or not to accept the Brexit deal, the Lords will should be fearless in making sure the public is heard. Parliament as a whole will also be in a more powerful position to take its own initiatives than when the Executive has an unassailable majority. In particular, the longer parliamentary session planned for this year and through 2018, makes the opportunities for gaining traction with Private Members Bills more substantial. I had good luck in the so-called ballot (really a raffle) for getting a debate on a Bill, and have resubmitted in revised form my Bill for comprehensive reform of the party funding system. After another General Election in which vast sums were spent by all parties on national direct mailings to swing constituencies, and centrally-directed social media grew again in importance, it is plainly time to revisit the law. Likewise the rules of referendum expenditure which have been shown to be inadequate, with some key campaigning costs going undeclared, and a shadowy role for the now pivotal DUP. Even the Conservative Party headquarters now agrees. Six days before polling day they told the press that there is a broad consensus that election law is fragmented, confused and unclear, with two different sets of legislation, and poor guidance from the Electoral Commission. While their intention was probably to explain away in advance any infringements of the rules, I have put this admission straight to Cabinet Office Ministers. After more than forty years in and out of one or other House of Parliament, I thought that the 2017-2022 cycle would be one in which the Executive through its Brexit legislation would wrest yet more power from the legislature. It is not to be. On the Great Repeal Bill, and all of the legislation put before us, both Houses now have the opportunity and the right to take extra special care in deciding what to agree and what to reject. After all, this is supposed to be the year when Parliament takes back control! * Lord Tyler is the Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Political and Constitutional Reform. Sal Brinton has explained that: There will be a series of official Leadership hustings around the country (they are currently being arranged, so watch out for details near you), as well as some online or streamed events. In the last Leadership Election these hustings were very popular, as well as the SAOs who may also have social media Q&As with the candidates.In the event that there is only one nominated candidate we will discuss with them continuing with some of these dates as Meet the New Leader events. The Social Liberal Forum has been quick off the mark. Our annual conference this year will be held on Saturday 15th July in London. We had already rearranged the programme to include a slot for a hustings, and this will become a Meet the New Leader event if there is only one candidate. The latter seems the most likely outcome at the moment, but not all MPs have declared whether they are in or out, and someone may yet put their name forward to ensure a contest. We will know for sure by next Wednesday. The overall theme of the Social Liberal Forum Conference is The Retreat from Globalisation. In the morning we will be exploring some aspects of that topic including input from Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at Kings College London and a member of the Chilcot Inquiry. Ed Davey will be tackling global warming and the impact of Trumps response. Before that William Wallace, who is our Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, will give the William Beveridge Memorial Lecture in which he will address our fate in a post-Brexit world and the shift towards the politics of hate. In the afternoon our discussion will be more about domestic matters. A number of well-known Lib Dems, including Lib Dem Voices Caron Lindsay, plus Sarah Olney, David Howarth and Daisy Cooper will look at the General Election result from various perspectives. And we will end the day quizzing the Leadership candidate(s). The conference is being held in London, at a venue just two stops on the Tube from Kings Cross. The Early Bird rate ends on Wednesday 5th July and you can register here. * Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem Voice. She was a councillor in Kingston upon Thames, where she is still very active with the local party, and is the Hon President of Kingston Lib Dems. (file photo) China is also a victim of counterfeit goods, said Chinese media in an article published on June 28 after the European Police Office (Europol) and European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) accused Chinese mainland and Hong Kong of being the provenance of 86% of global counterfeiting in a recent report. According to the 74-page report, 86% of the world's counterfeit goods in 2015 came from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, adding that intellectual property theft was one of the most lucrative criminal enterprises. However, there is no scientific or authoritative method for keeping statistics on counterfeit goods, and a regional organization's data on another country or even the world is not reliable, Xinhua News Agency said. The report could be an attempt to defame China, said Zhao Ping, director of the Department of International Trade Research at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, adding that it would have a negative impact on China's products, as it can be used as excuse for Europe's trade protectionism. The accuracy of the report remains controversial, but one thing is for certain: trade infringement is a global issue that covers multiple aspects, including production, circulation, sales, and consumption. China has spared no effort in the fight against trade infringement. For instance, more than 1,000 batches of unqualified goods exported to Africa and the Middle East were investigated by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine in 2016. Statistics from Chinese customs shows that the number of infringement cases is growing 10% each year. A total of 7.58 million goods were seized by Chinese customs in 2016, because of the infringement of intellectual property rights. In addition to government efforts, e-commerce platforms are also striving to eliminate counterfeit products. An anti-counterfeiting team consisting of 2,000 full-time staff members and 1,000 volunteers has been established by Alibaba. More than 180,000 illegal online shops and 380 million of webpages were shut down from Sept. 2015 to Aug. 2016. Experts suggest that China enhance promotion on the protection of intellectual property rights and strengthen communication with related foreign organizations, in a bid to minimize misunderstandings and create more opportunities for cooperation. A FORMER University of Limerick international student has proved lucky in love, using the Living Bridge for a surprise wedding proposal at his alma mater. American student Ryan Sappington, who completed a Masters in Psychology in UL in 2016, was lucky in the first instance to win a competition to return to the University bringing his girlfriend Megan along for the trip. Ryan entered the Win a Free Flight Back to UL competition just before finishing his masters a contest that was open to all international students that were enrolled in UL during the past academic year. The Virginia native returned to Limerick with Megan without telling her that he planned to ask for her hand in marriage when they reached her favourite part of the UL campus. He even enlisted the help of staff at the International Education Division in UL in coordinating the moment when he went down on one knee. When Megan visited me while I was a postgraduate student at UL, she loved that bridge, said Ryan. I planned to tell her that I was meeting someone else for coffee at the Pavilion after having lunch with some of the staff from the International Office, thus giving us the excuse to walk across the bridge. Unknown to Megan, staff from the office were lying in wait with a bottle of champagne at the ready for when the proposal took place. They had also organised a photographer, who posed as a bystander taking pictures of the river, to capture the moment. Thankfully everything went to plan, with the sun shining and Megan answering in the affirmative. Following their return visit to UL, Ryan and Megan have planned a tour around Kerry before returning to the US, where Ryan is now pursuing a PhD at the University of Maryland. A FORMER senior manager with the University of Limerick has brought defamation proceedings against the college over the contents of e mails it provided to the Department of Education and the Auditor and Controller General concerning his severance payment. The action has been brought by Dermot Coughlan, who was UL's Director of Lifelong Learning and Outreach between 2000 and 2011. He claims he was defamed in a communication sent by the University to the Department of Education concerning his severance payment, which he says meant he was the subject of disciplinary proceedings, had failed to do his job when at UL and had been removed from his job. He says that none of this is true. In a sworn statement he said in November 2011 he accepted a voluntary severance package, under a Stepping Down Agreement, with UL. He said he left the university on the best of terms terms and with the goodwill from his former employer and colleagues. Since leaving Mr Coughlan said he has supplied consultancy services to the college and others in the education sector through his company Linndubh Consultancy Services Ltd as well as through another firm Eduprise Solutions Network Ltd and in a personal capacity. The severance agreement to Mr Coughlan, of 220,000 was one of a number of matters that featured in the RTE Investigates Programme Universities Unchallenged concerning transparency and governance at Irish universities broadcast last May. He says he was contacted in April by both the University and RTE in relation to the programme. He said RTE, based on documentation it obtained, put certain things to him about the severance arrangement including that he was a person who had received a severance package in circumstances where performance issues had arisen. Arising out of that correspondence with RTE he sought certain documentation from UL. He claims that UL in communications sent to the Department about the agreement in July 2015, following queries that had been raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Department of Public Expenditure, said severance payments were made to persons where the employment relationship with the university had broken down The communications also stated that the severance represented good value as it bought off the cost of any disciplinary process. Mr Coughlan said this is a complete fabrication, is untrue and the statements are defamatory. He has asked UL to correct the record which he says the university has failed to do. Mr Coughlan said he was shocked by this as he had left UL on good terms. What is contained in the communications he adds are extremely damaging. The matter came before the High Court when Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted an order under the 2009 defamation Act permitting Mr Coughlan to bring an intended action against the University. Seeking the order Paul McGarry SC for Mr Coughlan said his client was making the application so the claim would not become statute barred if it was not commenced within the statutory two year period. Counsel said his client only became aware of the publications after he was contacted by the RTE in April. Mr Coughlan would have commenced these proceedings much earlier had he been aware of them prior to April of this year, counsel added. The court heard that UL, represented by Ross Aylward Bl, was not objecting to the application. The Judge said it was "in the interests of justice, given that Mr Coughlan only became aware of the e mails in April," that the order be granted. PLANS to install CCTV cameras and increase policing in a Limerick city trouble spot have been welcomed, following a wave of anti-social and criminal behaviour in the area. Limerick TD Maurice Quinlivan has welcomed confirmation from Limerick City and County Council that CCTV will be installed on the Old Cratloe Road following multiple reports of assaults, intimidation and other anti-social behaviour by gangs of up to 30 young people in the Old Cratloe Road and Caherdavin areas. In the latest incident last Saturday night at Old Cratloe Road, a young man was involved in a fight and received an injury to his back and hand. Gardai at Mayorstone are investigating that incident and anyone with information is asked to contact them at (061) 456980. In other incidents, two teenagers were punched in the face while walking in the area, a student suffered bruising and soft-tissue injuries when was forcibly pulled into a car and robbed, and a student was stabbed in the back near a bus stop at Old Cratloe Road. Deputy Quinlivan has been lobbying for the measures for some time and said this Thursday that the council has confirmed that CCTV will be in place in the next week. It's initially going in as a temporary measure but we will be asking for a permanent CCTV presence. We are also asking for the council to take action to ensure that the field in which anti-social elements are congregating is cleared of rubble and trees so that it can no longer act as a shelter and gathering point for these thugs to engage in drink and drug taking. The third and most important measure will be an increased policing presence in the area. Gardai simply do not have the resources and manpower that they need to get on top of this problem. The State has a duty to ensure that the rights of decent people to live peacefully in their communities, walk the streets and bring up their families without fear or intimidation are upheld. This issue has gone on for way too long and allowed to fester and worsen. It is time that Limerick Council, the Gardai, and social services were brought together in a co-ordinated way to tackle this problem, he added. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. A man in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing didnt expect that his Weibo post of an unusual ridesharing experience would catch the attention of traffic police after it went viral overnight. Using a local ridesharing site, the man found a driver who agreed to take him from his home in Wushan County to Chongqing on Monday, June 26. I was wondering if a recreational vehicle might come to pick me up because the driver told me the space was big enough for me to sleep, the man wrote on his Weibo account on Tuesday. When the vehicle arrived, he was kind of freaked out: it was a freight truck. True to the drivers description, the man could lie behind the drivers seat and have a rest, but he didnt dare close his eyes for long during the six-hour trip. The truck was traveling at full speed. The driver tried to help me relax by saying he was very experienced, the man recalled. The trip turned out to be safe, but Ill ask about vehicle type before using any ridesharing service again. It could be an oil tanker for all I know, the man joked at the end of his post. The mans adventure soon sparked the interest of Chinas internet users, as well as two separate probes from traffic police and the owner of the truck. In a response to a Chongqing-based media outlet, the man, who only identified himself as an insurance salesman, explained that the truck was his only option, because it was so late and he had a next-day business appointment in Chongqing he couldnt miss. The salesman said he had not expected his post would cause trouble for the driver and he removed the original post afterward. In his latest post, sent on the afternoon of Wednesday, he clarified that the driver wasnt speeding and he shared the story because it was just an odd but funny experience. The truck company said it is against both the law and company policy for truck drivers to offer ridesharing services due to safety concerns. The police said they are still investigating whether the driver was speeding or if he was driving while fatigued. A Brazilian Supreme Court justice sent a corruption charge against President Michel Temer to Congress on Wednesday, advancing the process under which the center-right leader could be removed from office to face trial for graft, Reuters reported. The justice, Edson Fachin, rejected an argument made by Brazil's top federal prosecutor that the Supreme Court should hear preliminary arguments on the charge and its merits for 15 days, before deciding whether to send it to the lower house of Congress. Under Brazilian law, it is now up to the House of Deputies to decide whether to allow the Supreme Court to try Temer, who replaced impeached leftist President Dilma Rousseff last year. Two-thirds of the lower house must vote against Temer for his trial to occur. The president was charged this week with arranging to receive 38 million reais ($11.55 million) in bribes from executives at JBS SA, the world's largest meat processor. [nL1N1JN1VN] Temer branded the charge a "fiction" in a nationally televised address on Tuesday, even as he acknowledged that it could hurt the economy and hamper his government's plans for far-reaching reforms to help lift Latin America's biggest country out of a historic recession. The Brazilian leader has repeatedly said he is innocent of any wrongdoing and has rejected calls from the opposition to resign. [nL1N1JO1SL]. He is caught up in a three-year anti-graft push by investigators that has revealed stunning levels of corruption in Latin America's largest country. The schemes involve businesses paying billions of dollars in bribes to politicians and executives at state-run companies in return for winning contracts and various political favors. Temer, one-third of his cabinet, four past presidents and dozens of lawmakers are either on trial, facing charges or under investigation for corruption. Over 90 people have been found guilty so far. More corruption charges are expected to be made against Temer by Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot in the coming weeks. Each of those charges will require a vote by the full lower house on whether or not the president should face trial. A vote on the first charge against Temer is expected to take place in three to four weeks. If less than two-thirds of the house were to vote against the charge, it would be shelved. If two-thirds approved it, it would then go back to the Supreme Court, to decide whether it will take up the case. Temer would immediately be suspended from office for 180 days if the court accepts the case, during which time House Speaker Rodrigo Maia would take the presidency. Were Temer to be found guilty, Congress would appoint a caretaker president to serve out his term, which ends on Jan. 1, 2019. North Korea said on Wednesday it has issued a standing order for the execution of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her spy chief for what it said was a plot to assassinate its leader, and it demanded that the South hand the pair over, Reuters reported. The North's official KCNA said "revelation showed" Park had masterminded a plot to execute its "supreme leadership" in 2015 and it was imposing the "death penalty on traitor Park Geun-hye" and her spy chief, Lee Byung-ho. KCNA did not disclose the source of the "revelation," but a Japanese newspaper reported this week that Park in 2015 approved a plan to overturn the North Korean regime of leader Kim Jong Un. Park was ousted in March over a corruption scandal and is in detention in South Korea while on trial. South Korea's National Intelligence Agency (NIS) said it was "unpardonable" that North Korea made threats against its citizens and said the news report of a plot to kill Kim Jong Un "had no grounds." Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with Park's North Korea policy, that Park had signed off on a plot to remove the North's leader in 2015 and the plan was orchestrated by the South's spy agency. "We declare at home and abroad that we will impose the death penalty on traitor Park Geun-hye and ex-director of the puppet intelligence service ... criminals of hideous state-sponsored terrorism who hatched and pressed for the heinous plot to hurt the supreme leadership of the DPRK," KCNA said. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name. "We declare that in case the U.S. and the South Korean puppet forces again attempt at hideous state-sponsored terrorism targeting the supreme leadership ... we will impose summary punishment without advance notice," KCNA said. KCNA said the statement was issued jointly by the North's Ministry of State Security, the Ministry of People's Security and the Central Public Prosecutors Office. Cuba earned more than $3 billion from tourism in 2016 and expects to better that this year despite President Donald Trump's tightening of restrictions on U.S. travel to the Caribbean island, a government official said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. "In 2016, revenue reached more than $3 billion in all activity linked to tourism in the country," Jose Alonso, the Tourism Ministry's business director, told state-run media. "We think that, given the growth the country is seeing at the moment, we will beat that figure this year," Alonso said. Tourism revenue totaled $2.6 billion in 2015. The number of foreign visitors to Cuba was up 22 percent in the first half of 2017 compared with the same period last year, according to Alonso, who said that put it on track to reach its target for a record 4.2 million visits this year. Tourism has been one of the few bright spots recently in Cuba's economy, as it struggles with a decline in exports and subsidized oil shipments from its key ally Venezuela. A surge in American visitors has helped boost the sector since the 2014 U.S.-Cuban detente under the Obama administration and its easing of U.S. travel restrictions, even as a longtime ban on tourism remained in effect. But Trump earlier this month ordered a renewed tightening of travel restrictions, saying he was canceling former President Barack Obama's "terrible and misguided deal" with Havana. Many details of the policy change are still unknown. But independent travel to Cuba from the United States, by solo travelers and families, will likely be much more restricted. Alonso said he was confident "an important number of Americans" would still be able to visit the island. But an announcement by Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N) on Wednesday that it was reducing its number of flights to Cuba cast shadow over his upbeat comments. "There is not a clear path to sustainability serving these markets, particularly with the continuing prohibition in U.S. law on tourism to Cuba for American citizens," Southwest said in a statement. Southwest joined other U.S. airlines that have cut flights to Cuba over past months or pulled out of the market altogether. ADS ADS Bell & Ross draw their inspiration from aviation history and its associated military applications. The three domains of the armed forces land, sea and air are the elements that have fed the development of Bell & Rosss collections from the start. To celebrate WorldTempuss 16th anniversary, the French watchmaker has customised its vintage blue-and-gold-toned model inspired by naval officers uniforms, the BR 126 Aeronavale. The exclusive detail that makes this watch unique is the figure 16 between two stars an additional nod to Bell & Rosss military inspiration on the bezel at 4 oclock. Vintage BR 126 Aeronavale, unique piece Bell & Ross The Vintage BR 126 Aeronavale comes in the round 43 mm polished steel case typical of older watches. The gold-plated hands indicate the hours and minutes, and the chapter ring with its applied gilt baton indices and Arabic numerals stands out clearly against the sunray-finished ultramarine blue dial. The watch is functional as well as elegant, with a small seconds counter at 3 oclock and chronograph minutes at 9 oclock, azure guillochage detailing, and a graduated 60-minute bezel in blue anodised aluminium. Bell & Ross plays the vintage card wisely, protecting the chronographs dial with a deep domed sapphire glass recalling the Plexiglas crystals of yesteryear. The sapphire caseback of the Vintage BR 126 reveals an ultra-reliable self-winding mechanical movement manufactured in Switzerland, with a 42-hour power reserve. The watch comes with a polished steel bracelet. Anyone interested in purchasing this unique watch should send an email to WorldTempuss director, Brice Lechevalier (brice.lechevalier@worldtempus.com), co-creator of this one-of-a-kind model and your personal contact for all requests. Exclusive offer for members of the Fine Watch Club / STOCK XCHANGE San Francisco has agreed to pay $375,000 to settle a legal claim filed by a former Fire Department administrative analyst who said she was sexually harassed by a department commander. The analyst, Jessica Kennedy, charged that she was sexually harassed by former Assistant Deputy Chief Kenneth Lombardi after she was hired in 2013. As part of the settlement, Kennedy agreed to drop a discrimination claim she filed with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. San Francisco is violating the rights of police officers accused of misconduct by failing to give them a hearing to appeal the city Police Commissions decision to suspend or fire them, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday. The First District Court of Appeal said San Francisco must change its procedures and allow police to appeal disciplinary action to city officials before going to court. The panels ruling upholds a judges decision to reinstate a fired officer. California requires a local government employer that has decided to punish an officer to provide an opportunity for the officer to convince the employer to reverse that decision, Justice Jon Streeter said in the 3-0 decision. That law, commonly known as the Peace Officers Bill of Rights, was sponsored by police groups in 1978 to provide protections for officers facing discipline. The court did not say which city officials or agency should hold the additional hearing, or whether the ruling would apply retroactively to officers who have been disciplined under the current procedures. Gregg Adam, a lawyer for the San Francisco Police Officers Association, said most cities already provide the hearing, but San Francisco and Los Angeles rely on their city charters to limit appeal rights. The charter system doesnt comply with state law, Adam said. John Cote, spokesman for City Attorney Dennis Herrera, indicated the city would comply with the ruling. San Francisco for decades has had a fair process in place for police officer discipline, Cote said in a statement. In this case, the court has ruled that we need to provide an administrative appeal to this officer. Were going to look at the options to provide that appeal. The case involved Officer Paulo Morgado, accused of misconduct by a private citizen in a 2008 filing with the citys Office of Citizen Complaints. The police chief filed a formal disciplinary complaint a year later and, after hearings, the Police Commission ordered Morgado dismissed in 2011 after finding he had used unnecessary force, made an unlawful arrest and committed other wrongful acts. Morgado sued and won a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Robertson in February 2014 ordering his reinstatement. In appealing Robertsons ruling, lawyers for the city argued that charter cities like San Francisco are entitled to a wide degree of autonomy in managing their government. But Streeter, in Wednesdays ruling, said the state Supreme Court has ruled that the police-rights law addresses a matter of statewide concern and is binding on all local governments. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@egelko President Donald Trump signed two presidential pipeline permits for San Antonio-based NuStar Energy, including one for a pipeline he joked needed to be buried farther underground to accommodate his plans for a border wall along Mexico. My administration has just approved the construction of a new petroleum pipeline to Mexico, which will further boost American energy exports, and thatll go right under the wall, right? Trump said Thursday at an event titled Unleashing American Energy. Well have it go down a little deeper in that section, right under the wall, Trump joked. Trump, who signed the permits Wednesday, was flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and Energy Secretary and former Texas governor Rick Perry at the public event. NuStar spokesman Chris Cho said the companys CEO Brad Barron attended the Thursday ceremony along with other industry leaders. The first permit clears the way for NuStar to expand the types of products transported by the Dos Laredos Pipeline a 10-mile, 8-inch wide pipeline from Webb County into Mexico. The pipeline, which already carries 32,000 barrels-per-day of liquified petroleum gas, will now be able to transport diesel fuel and other refined products into Mexico. The second permit allows to build a second pipeline next to its existing 64,000 barrel-per-day Burgos Pipeline. The new pipeline would be 34 miles long, 10-inches wide and have a capacity of 108,000 barrels-per-day and will cross approximately 30 feet below the Rio Grande Rivers bottom, according to filings with the Department of State. It would deliver petroleum products including liquid petroleum gas, natural gas liquids and refined products to the Burgos Gas Plant near Reynosa that is operated by Mexicos state-owned oil and gas company PEMEX. The golden era of American energy is now underway, and Ill go a step further the golden era of America is now underway. Believe me, Trump said. After nearly a year of planning and study, a group tasked by Houston's City Council with figuring how the city might support fast-growing technology companies laid out plans on Thursday for turning the recent talk about building a vibrant startup scene into action. The report to the City Council was the second of two rounds of recommendations for what would help Houston grow its stock of technology companies. The first came from a group convened by the Greater Houston Partnership, and was aimed at the business community. This one, funded by the city itself, is aimed at government action. "We've got the raw ingredients," says council member Amanda Edwards, who led the council's task force. "But now we have a comprehensive plan." The plan has three fundamental points: The city should talk about and advocate for its tech startups, lay the groundwork for an "innovation district" that would concentrate tech startups in a central neighborhood, and become a "testing ground" for new technologies like self-driving cars, drones and advanced manufacturing.Here are a few specifics: Attend conferences about startup ecosystems, and host high-profile events in Houston to elevate the tech community. Create a founder's visa program to help talented foreigners stay in Houston to start companies. Overhaul city procurement processes to become a client of young tech companies. Get a data science center moving again, after the failure of the University of Texas plan to build one. Potentially leverage tax incentives to designate a building or a neighborhood that could serve as the epicenter of yet-to-be-founded tech companies. John Reale, who heads a year-old software startup incubator called Station Houston, sat on both the business group and the city's task force. Standing in jeans, sneakers, and a T-shirt from one of Station's member companies, Reale made the case for action and strategies for channeling it. "We have to create this culture," Reale said. "If you take one piece from all of this, it's that you need active leadership." The plan won't be like Houston's bike plan, which required approval by the Council. Rather, there may be pieces brought to council in support of the plan, such as tax incentives to support the innovation district. Mayor Sylvester Turner, who was briefed on the plan yesterday, has asked the task force to come up with a list of action items to pursue. One of them will likely be designating a neighborhood to be the target of tax incentives and other assistance for tech companies. Station Houston's current lease downtown will end next year, and Reale is in the market for a new building. He has said that he envisions Station being at the center of whatever area the city decides to support. The neighborhood that has been bandied about most as a potential destination for such an innovation district is EaDo, with its abundance of warehouses and breweries, its proximity to downtown, and capacity for future development. Council member Robert Gallegos was already on board with the idea. RELATED: In a city where bigger is better, can Houston build a startup scene? "With regard to starting an innovation district, I'm hoping EaDo would be at the top of your list," he told Edwards and Reale. As the pair emphasized, there is precedent for successful innovation districts in places like Chicago and Cincinnati, which the task force visited in formulating its recommendations. But the Brookings Institution, which has conducted much of that research, also warns against doing something superficial that doesn't have real economic energy behind it. "In a number of cities, local stakeholders have applied the label to a project or area that lacks the minimum threshold of innovation-oriented firms, start-ups, institutions, or clusters needed to create an innovation ecosystem," researchers wrote in 2015. "This appears to result either from the chase to jump on the latest economic development bandwagon, the desire to drive up demand and real estate prices, or sometimes a true lack of understanding of what an innovation district actually is," they continued. "The lesson: labeling something innovative does not make it so." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The 30 miles that separate the northern reaches of Alameda County and a new $147 million courthouse in Dublin, which opened this week, have divided the countys underfunded court system and its public defender over how to handle in-custody criminal arraignments. The top judge in the sprawling East Bay county, Morris Jacobson, said he first floated an idea in 2014 to move such inmate arraignments which average about 50 a day throughout Alameda County to Dublin at the East County Hall of Justice. Criminal arraignments for those arrested in areas such as Oakland have long been held at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland. Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods, and a new coalition of 28 nonprofits, politicians and other groups aligned behind him, say that arrangement is crucial for defendants arrested in the north part of the county. The coalition argues that an arraignment, the initial court appearance for defendants, is one of the most significant stages of a criminal case. The introductory proceeding is a judges first opportunity to lay eyes on a defendant and gauge the support of family and friends, they say. It is also when criminal charges are formally announced by the district attorneys office, when many defendants who cant afford a private attorney get assigned a public defender and when the court sets bail. A spokeswoman for the Alameda County District Attorneys Office did not return a request for comment. The judge is not required to allow acquaintances of the defendant to address the court, but he or she sometimes permits the practice. Under the new rules, if a person is arrested around Oakland, that means family members, especially those with lower incomes who may not own a vehicle, must travel a long distance to attend the hearings. A BART ride between West Oakland Station and Dublin/Pleasanton Station costs $9 and can take well over three hours round-trip. In our system, there is always a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, Woods said. Not everyone whos in custody is guilty of something, and so when you move those things out ... it makes for a strain on the family members, because oftentimes individuals, who do have jobs, they cant take off to travel farther distances. In a letter obtained by The Chronicle sent Tuesday by Jacobson to Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, the judge wrote that we should be most concerned about Oakland defendants, who under the existing system are awakened at 3 a.m. from Santa Rita Jail to be bused to Oakland for arraignments. And back. Cognizant of growing tensions, Jacobson asked for Chans help in reaching a solution to arraign defendants in Oakland. He proposed as one fix that the Board of Supervisors allocate $2 million to the court for clerks to staff local arraignments. Another alternative suggested by the judge is to place inmates arrested around Oakland in the Glenn Dyer Detention Facility, which is connected to the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse by an underground tunnel where inmates are shuttled back and forth. But Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the sheriffs office, said thats not practical. Increasing staffing at Glenn Dyer would cost $3 million, and much of the space is already used by the U.S. Marshals Service, he said. Even then, the Oakland facility can hold only about 500 inmates. The Santa Rita Jail averages about 2,100 inmates a day. Tirien Steinbach, executive director of the East Bay Community Law Center, which signed Woods petition, said moving the arraignments to Dublin will be catastrophic to low-income minorities who are arrested at disproportionate rates. When politicians stand on a stage, they stand up with their families and their supporters for a reason, Steinbach said. Darris Young, a local organizer with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights who served 17 years on a third-strike offense in Alameda County, said the plan is especially unsettling for inmates at a time when the need for bipartisan criminal justice reform seems to be finally clicking at a national level. I think its a very bad thing, Young said. I do believe that in this instance, the judge is looking at it from his perspective and not even taking into account from the individuals that are being impacted, hearing anything from them. The five-story East County Hall of Justice has 13 courtrooms, a voluminous holding cell for inmates and 146,000 square-feet of total space. Chad Finke, the courts executive officer, said the court opened for civil matters Tuesday and certain criminal matters Wednesday. The Dublin facility, the first new courthouse in Alameda County in decades, is expected to be fully operational by the end of July, when in-custody arraignments will begin. Jacobson defended the consolidation for the severely underfunded court system. County courts have weathered eight straight years of budget cuts, dropping from a $125 million budget in fiscal year 2008-09 to just $76 million this fiscal year. The judge said court employees have been slashed from a height of 950 to about 650. He said the shift will help the court and the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, which houses and transports inmates save money. Inmates now arrested in Oakland are housed in the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin adjacent to the new courthouse and transported in cuffs on diesel buses all the way to Oakland to be arraigned. Though Kelly said the 300 yards from the Dublin courthouse to the Santa Rita Jail will save time, he was not so sure about money. In certain areas, it will save money, Kelly said. But salary- and staff-wise, I dont know that it will. Officers still work eight hours a day, regardless of transportation. Regardless, Jacobsons term is up at the end of the year, when Judge Wynne Carvill will replace him. The decision will then belong to Carvill. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate For so many of us, a thriller is the quintessential summer read. The suspense, the intrigue the adventure - these books are escapist in the best way. And yet with so many thriller and mystery books out there, it's hard to know which are worth loading into your beach bag. For some help, we scoured our reviews from this year and compiled a list of 17 that our reviewers have loved so far. "Camino Island," by John Grisham (Doubleday). An entertaining departure from Grisham's legal thrillers, "Camino Island" is about a heist of F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts from Princeton University's main library, a bookish thief and a struggling young novelist. - Mike Rosenwald --- "Defectors," by Joseph Kanon (Atria). Kanon uses the tangled ties between two brothers to explore the world of espionage at the height of the Cold War. Kanon, the author of "The Good German," and "The Prodigal Spy," among others, is a master of the spy genre, and here delivers a book that will appeal to fans of "The Americans'' and "Bridge of Spies." - Patrick Anderson --- "Endgame," by Ahmet Altan (Europa). Guns go off early in this seaside noir. An implicit critique of Turkey's corrupt justice system, "Endgame" is also a comic and charmingly absurd novel whose author is on trial for links to last year's failed coup. - Nathan Scott McNamara --- "Every Night I Dream of Hell," by Malcolm Mackay (Mulholland). Plunge into the world of hit men employed by a Scottish mob. As gangs and factions make moves and countermoves in this fast-paced tale, Mackay provides sardonic insights into the thuggish life. - Dennis Drabelle --- "Fateful Mornings," by Tom Bouman (Norton). With convincingly suspenseful turns of the screw, Bouman provides an original, terrifying take on the serial-killer theme. What begins as a search for a missing young woman in a rural Pennsylvania town grows into a network of secrets whose uncovering will shock a region. - Michael Sims --- "The Force," by Don Winslow (William Morrow). At the center of this cinematic tome is a powerful New York City police detective. He's arrogant, corrupt, smart and violent. He steals a lot of cash and heroin from a drug bust. Things get complicated. Malone gets tossed in the slammer. If this sounds like a good pitch for a summer blockbuster, that's because it is. - Neely Tucker --- "I See You," by Clare Mackintosh (Berkley). In ex-cop Clare Mackintosh's smashing second novel, "I See You," unsuspecting women using the London subway system are targeted by a madman. - P.A. --- "Little Deaths," by Emma Flint (Hachette). A moody thriller based on the true story of Alice Crimmins, who was convicted of murdering her children in Queens in 1968, but whose role in their deaths remains uncertain. - Maureen Corrigan --- "The Long Drop," by Denise Mina (Little, Brown). Celebrated for her Garnethill suspense trilogy, as well as for her Alex Morrow police procedural series, here Denise Mina trains her moody sensibilities on an episode from the career of Scotland's most infamous serial killer. - M.C. --- "Magpie Murders," by Anthony Horowitz (Harper). British author Anthony Horowitz's sleek, fun, cunning work is a novel-within-a-novel, a flawless imitation of the Golden Age mysteries of Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh and Margery Allingham. - Charles Finch --- "Not a Sound," by Heather Gudenkauf (Park Row). There's minimal blood and zero sexual depravity in Gudenkauf's psychological suspense story. Think Mary Higgins Clark or Lisa Scottoline, accented with a dash of inspiration from that vintage Audrey Hepburn movie "Wait Until Dark." - M.C. --- "Proving Ground," by Peter Blauner (Minotaur). A New York civil rights lawyer is found murdered, and his son, a soldier just returned from the war in Iraq, seeks to find his killer - and cope with deep-seated personal demons - P.A. --- "Prussian Blue," by Philip Kerr (Marian Wood/Putnam). The 12th Bernie Gunther mystery is as brisk and agile as its German police detective protagonist. It moves back and forth between Nazi Germany in 1939 and the French Riviera in 1956, with two suspenseful tales that for a while seem unconnected but aren't. - D.D. --- "Quicksand," by Malin Persson Giolito (Other). This Swedish import takes us deep into the life of Maja Norburg, who is 18, blessed with beauty, brains and rich parents - and on trial for mass murder. What we don't know is whether the story will end with Maja going to prison. - P.A. --- "Since We Fell," by Dennis Lehane (Ecco). Lehane's 14th novel takes the author back to his old New England stomping grounds, that fertile place of "Mystic River" and "Shutter Island." A pleasantly twisted character study and a love story, it turns, down to the last page, on the captivating heart of a disgraced television journalist. - N.T. --- "The Switch," by Joseph Finder (Dutton). It could happen to any of us: accidentally grabbing the wrong laptop off the security conveyor belt at the airport. For the hero of Joseph Finder's propulsive novel "The Switch," this innocent mishap puts him in the middle of a dangerous scenario involving lies, leaks and threats to our liberties. - Carol Memmott --- "Testimony," by Scott Turow (Grand Central). Attorney Bill ten Boom, the narrator of Scott Turow's smart, demanding thriller, accepts an invitation to be a special prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. His assignment? To learn exactly what happened in 2004 at a refugee camp in Tuzla, Bosnia, where 400 Roma were allegedly buried alive, it's unclear by whom. - D.D. The Statement of Stella Maberly By F. Anstey. Edited by Peter Merchant Valancourt. 171 pp. Paperback, $15.99 --- Thomas Anstey Guthrie (1856-1934) - better known by his pen name F. Anstey - once ranked among England's most celebrated writers. Never heard of him, you say? Well, you know his novels, or at least the central ideas that drive their plots. Before turning to "The Statement of Stella Maberly," Anstey's neglected tour de force of psychological horror, let me tell you about some of his more characteristic work, his humorous fantasies. In 1882, Anstey - only in his mid-20s - published his first novel, "Vice Versa." In it, the stout, conventional businessman Mr. Bultitude and his 14-year-old son Dick discover that an ancient talisman has inadvertently caused them to exchange bodies. Most of the action involves Mr. Bultitude and his horrible experiences at a boys' boarding school, as he tries desperately to undo the transformation. Dick, however, would really prefer to let things stand: After all, he now possesses the money, leisure and opportunity to indulge every boyish whim. The result is one of Victorian England's great comic classics, the source for several later topsy-turvy novels, plays and movies, most notably "Freaky Friday." The 1960s sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie" derives, in part, from Anstey's "The Brass Bottle" (1900), in which a well-meaning "Jinnee" - an elderly fellow named Fakrash - causes all sorts of mischief and havoc in the life of hapless architect Horace Ventimore. In "Only Toys" (1903), a bored brother and sister are shrunk to Lilliputian size by Santa Claus. Irene and Torquil discover that not only are their toys alive but that the dolls, tin soldiers and other playthings regard themselves as completely human. Myriad adventures and mishaps ensue. At one point the miniaturized siblings are haled into court for boarding a train without tickets. The judge is utterly gob-smacked when he hears the charge: "No! I can't - I can't believe it. Whatever you may be, Prisoners, tell me you have not sunk to that!" Eventually, Irene and Torquil are acquitted when their brilliant lawyer, a jack-in-the-box, proves that the pair aren't really "human," that they are "only toys." As these examples show, Anstey's imagination was both fertile and charming. However, my own favorite of his books - besides "The Statement of Stella Maberly" - is "Tourmalin's Time Cheques" (1891). On board a ship called the Boomerang, Peter Tourmalin wishes the time would pass more quickly. A mysterious fellow passenger duly tells him about the Anglo-Australian Joint Stock Time Bank, in which one can deposit unwanted minutes and hours. Whenever subsequently required, increments of time can be withdrawn through the use of special "cheques." Tourmalin sets up an account and, months later, when he needs respite from his sternly intellectual fiancee - "Sophia discouraged rapture; but on the other hand, no one was better fitted to inspire and sustain an intelligent interest in the wonders of Geology" - he gradually uses his cheques to escape back to the Boomerang. During these periodic quarter-hour visits to an unrealized past, Tourmalin discovers that he would have grown entangled in two increasingly delightful, then dangerously serious, shipboard flirtations. Eventually, what "might have been" and present "reality" begin to collide. As well as being an important early example of time travel, Anstey's little novel is as silly and wonderful as vintage P.G. Wodehouse. That said, there's nothing in the least bit silly about "The Statement of Stella Maberly" (1896). Like so much horror fiction, it turns on the subtle question of how much one can trust the narrator: What is real? What is imagined? In her very first paragraphs, Stella Maberly confesses that she has decided to set down the circumstances leading up to some unnamed, but obviously dire act because "there may come a time when, as has been the case before, my memory grows confused and I begin to wonder whether, after all, I may not have been mistaken." Mistaken about what? Stella first admits that since childhood she has been prey to sullenness and jealousy, but that at boarding school she made one friend, the wealthy and fragile Evelyn Heseltine. When her own family loses its money, the grown-up Stella is rescued from poverty by Evelyn. Before long, the two women - in truth, a couple - are living devotedly, happily together on a rural estate. Until, that is, Hugh Dallas starts to pay regular visits. Why? Is this handsome caller in love with the fair-haired Evelyn, as everyone assumes, or the darkly beautiful Stella? At a moment of crisis, Stella allows her beloved friend to be given a sleeping draught, having temporarily forgotten that chloral can be fatal to those with weak hearts. The next morning Evelyn appears cold and still in her bed, as Stella realizes that she has become an inadvertent - or perhaps advertent? - murderer. But then unexpectedly, miraculously Evelyn awakes, albeit strangely confused about everything around her. Gradually, Stella comes to believe that her friend did die in the night and that an evil spirit has reanimated her body. Could this actually be so? Or is Stella suffering a delusion brought on by jealousy and growing insanity? Yet how is it that Evelyn now appears so much more vivacious and even duplicitous? The second half of Anstey's novel adds one horror to another, as Stella finds herself coldly manipulated by what she takes to be a fiend in human form. In some ways, "The Statement of Stella Maberly" could be construed as a typical Ansteyan conceit, given a very dark twist. In this welcome new edition, editor Peter Merchant includes, besides an introductory essay, draft material that shows how Anstey himself viewed his disquieting story. In the end, however, this shocker - contemporaneous with Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" - remains a chillingly ambiguous masterpiece. Egypt's Prime Minister Sherif Ismail announced on Thursday hours after the government announced the slashing of energy subsidies that a new increase in electricity prices will be included in the August bill. Nearly 24.5 million Egyptians divided into seven segments according to consumption benefit from the electricity subsidy. Ismail said at a press conference that the new increase will take into consideration lower-income citizens. In 2004, the government raised electricity tariffs for the first time in over a decade, with another increase implemented in 2008. Although Ismail said that the price increase will not result in a rise in public transportation fees, Abu Bakr El-Guindy, the head of Accountability State Authority, said that there will be an increase of 5 to 15 percent. Egypts cabinet announced on Thursday a new increase in fuel prices, effective immediately, in a move to cut down energy subsidies. The price of 80-octane gasoline has increased from EGP 2.35 per litre to EGP 3.65.The price of 92-octane gasoline has been raised from EGP 3.50 to EGP 5, while the price of gas cylinders doubled from EGP 15 to EGP 30. Ismail said that the cuts in energy subsidies will free up funds that will be redirected towards measures that would protect low-income citizens. The move comes as part of the government's five-year plan to gradually scrap its fuel subsidy bill from the state budget. The goal is to decrease subsidies from EGP 145 billion this fiscal year which ends in June to EGP 110 billion in the 2017/18 fiscal year. Fuel subsidy cuts were part of an economic reform package adopted in July 2014 that aimed to ease the country's growing budget deficit. The first increase of fuel prices came in November, shortly following the Central Bank of Egypt freely floated the pound. Search Keywords: Short link: This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Of all the roles Stanley Keilson has played, the most memorable role, and by far his best, has been himself. Keilson, a local theater icon, celebrated his 92nd birthday in the company of friends Wednesday afternoon. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925 and moved to Texas in 1939. Having completed 92 trips around the sun, Keilson looked back at what he has learned in life and said everybody has something to offer. The theater giant said that the performing arts brought him to life. I was never satisfied with myself, Keilson said. When I was introduced into the theater I could be somebody else and be applauded and be appreciated but before then I was nobody. So the theater opens up doors for you. The theater opened up my life and made it important to me. I appreciated it and did the most that I could with it. Keilson fed creativity to the city, opening the doors of theater to Laredo and bringing the city to life. Before coming to Laredo in the early 1950s, Keilson served in World War II. He attended the University of Texas, Trinity University and Columbia University. He received a bachelor of arts in drama and a masters degree in acting. READ MORE: 25 restaurants in Laredo earned perfect health inspection scores for May When I was in New York, I wanted to be discovered on Broadway, Keilson said. But instead I was discovered in Laredo and I was welcomed here and it made my life worth living. Its been wonderful. And Laredo welcomed him with open arms. Patricia Barrera, Webb County tax assessor-collector, remembers first meeting Keilson in his role as a speech instructor and then as a neighbor. It was a great experience, Barrera said. I learned a lot from him. He enhanced my ability to speak in public so I appreciate that because it carried over throughout my career. Besides loving the theater, he loves life. Laredo was introduced to Keilson in his role as theater director and chairman of the department of speech at the Laredo Junior College. George Anne Reuthinger credited Keilson, along with Hortense Offerle, for leading her toward her passion in musical theater. After a couple of professional performances, Reuthinger returned to Laredo and began a career in special education but carried what she learned from the theater duo into her profession. Performance is it, performance and creativity, Reuthinger said. But the thing to remember is they inspired too many people. Im only one. They inspired most of Laredo because there was no musical theater before they came on. RELATED: McRaven, Texas education leaders top executive pay charts Keilson and Offerle revived the Laredo Little Theater. He directed and acted in several productions, including My Fair Lady, which was the first play performed at the Laredo Civic Center. Joe Arciniega expressed his admiration toward Keilson and said he was extraordinary on stage. You were the best actor I have ever seen live, Arciniega said to Keilson during the birthday celebration Wednesday. Arciniega added, Theres no one like him. Hes a memorable person. Hes probably one of the most memorable people Ive ever met in my life. Thats how he is and so theres a lot of people here that have known him. Everybody just kind of looks out for him. Hes a great guy, so were celebrating the time we have with him. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A woman has been arrested for allegedly taking a money bag containing over $7,000 and a $1,600 check, according to Laredo police. Karla Lee Aguilar, 31, was charged with felony theft Tuesday. Authorities said the case unfolded May 1 when officers responded to EZ Pawn, 208 Bob Bullock Loop, for a theft report. A loss prevention officer stated the bag containing the cash and check was missing. READ MORE: Laredo police searching for armed suspect who allegedly threatened to kill family An arrest affidavit states Aguilar, a store manager, was supposed to make a deposit at the bank. She remembered having the bag as she exited the store. Once at the bank, she noticed the bag was missing, according to police. Authorities said employees could not locate the bag. Surveillance video allegedly showed Aguilar exiting the store with the bag, according to police. Theres something to be said for staying perfectly still and saying nothing, and allowing the other person to discover his or her true feelings. In essence, thats what happens in The Big Sick, a romantic comedy about a relationship that finally goes into overdrive when one of the lovers falls into a coma. Written by Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley) and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, the movie is pretty much their real-life story, and the fact that its based on truth probably accounts for much of whats original and unexpected about it. No one here has a fancy job, and everyone dresses like a slob. The settings are tiny apartments, with roommates right outside the bedroom door, and a dive comedy club where Kumail (Nanjiani) works as a regular. Later, when Emily gets suddenly and alarmingly ill, a lot of time is spent in the hospital. Of course, knowing that Kumail and Emily are married gives away two plot points: (1) Emily doesnt die; and (2) The lovers end up together. But its a romantic comedy, so youd know that anyway. The key thing is that The Big Sick, with ease and seeming effortlessness, makes us care a lot of about these people, together and separately. And their journey is odd enough to be interesting. Kumail meets Emily (Zoe Kazan) in the comedy club. Shes in the audience and whoops it up during one of his jokes, which leads to a conversation at the bar and then to sex just a few hours later. Afterward, since they really dont know each other, they try to be cool and tell each other how much theyre not really interested in a relationship. And from there they start spending several days a week with each other. Soon, theyre close enough that she tells her parents all about him, but he says nothing about her to his parents, because theyre religious Muslims from Pakistan. His parents assume that they will arrange Kumails marriage for him. To that end, they keep inviting single Muslim women to drop by the house every time Kumail comes for a visit. For the audience, this becomes a source for more than humor: Its a window into a culture. Theres one scene in The Big Sick, and only one, that rings entirely false: Emily realizes that Kumail, because of his family background, will never marry her, and he agrees. He lets her walk out of his life. But nothing in the movie leads us to believe that Kumails ties to his family are quite that strong. In fact, as it turns out, Nanjiani says this is the films only major plot turn thats entirely fictional. In real life, Kumail and Emily did not break up before Emilys sickness. Still, though the breakup scene may be awkward and hard to believe, that one little plot turn serves up the rest of the movie. Kumail not only has to worry that Emily is sick, but also that he got her sick. He ends up spending time with her parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano), who fly in to be at her bedside, but because of the breakup, theres tension in the air. Hunter and Romano couldnt be better. They enter the film not as caricatures or even characters but as complete people, carrying the backstory of a 30-year marriage with them. Theyre both up to the demands of comedy, but its Romanos dramatic ability that comes as a surprise. He lets us feel the weight of having a daughter hovering between life and death. The veneer is dignified, but the inner life is panicked. Nanjiani is engaging throughout, though the scenes of his standup routine are a little confusing. Hes not funny, not even slightly. Is he supposed to be? Thats not clear. As for Kazan, she spends most of the movie unconscious, but she makes a strong impression in her awake incarnation. To be specific, the audience is already in love with her long before Kumail gets there. Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MickLaSalle The Big Sick Comedy-Drama. Starring Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan. Directed by Michael Showalter. (R. 119 minutes.) A group of experts from Germany's armed forces will provide a training workshop for members of the Egyptian army on dealing with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the German embassy in Cairo said on Thursday. The two-week training programme, scheduled to take place in July, is to support Egypt's efforts to "preserve international peace and protect Egyptian soldiers," the embassy said in a statement emailed to Ahram Online. The training aims at "improving the capabilities of Egyptian trainers as well as exchanging experience in handling life-threatening explosive devices used in ongoing disputes," the statement added. Militants in Egypt have carried out deadly attacks that have killed hundreds of police and army personnel over the past four years, mostly in North Sinai. IEDs are often used in the attacks, which have also targeted Coptic Christians and members of the judiciary. Search Keywords: Short link: ROME - The Catholic Church's child sexual abuse scandal ensnared one of Pope Francis's top lieutenants on Thursday, underlining the halting progress the reformist pontiff has made in addressing decades of abuse by the clergy even as Cardinal George Pell declared himself innocent of the charges against him. Pell, one of the most powerful officials in the Vatican, said he would return to his native Australia to fight multiple charges of sexual assault. He became the highest-ranking Vatican official to be formally accused by law enforcement when Australian police charged him earlier Thursday. Advocates for victims of child abuse said that allowing Pell to face charges in Australia, rather than keeping him inside the Vatican City's walls, was already a major step for a church that might have shielded him in earlier years. But they also said that the cardinal's ability to remain in his post until Thursday, despite controversy about his role in the Australian church's years of abuse, was a sign that Francis had not fully reckoned with one of the most painful chapters in modern Catholic history. The case pulls Francis's papacy back into the abuse scandals that have battered the church for nearly two decades and led to demands for sweeping changes on monitoring, selecting and training the clergy. In the United States and elsewhere, groups continue to press for full accountability within the Catholic Church for alleged abuse of children and others going back generations. Many recommendations of a flagship reform commission empaneled by Francis, meanwhile, have been endorsed by the pope, then ignored by the Vatican bureaucracy. Speaking to reporters in the Vatican, a subdued Pell denounced "relentless character assassination" in the media. "I repeat that I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," said the 76-year-old cardinal, who until Thursday was in charge of reforming the church's antiquated and opaque finances. Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic prelate, has faced questions for years about his role in the Australian church's staggering scale of sexual abuse. But he had never been directly charged. Australian officials did not offer details of the alleged crimes, saying that Pell has a right to due process as they charged him with multiple counts of "historical sexual assault offense." He is scheduled to appear before a Melbourne court on July 18. The Vatican, meanwhile, said it had learned of the charges "with regret" and that Francis appreciated the cardinal's honesty and commitment during his three years in the Holy See. Spokesman Greg Burke noted in the statement to reporters that Pell has "repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable" acts of abuse against minors. Francis has a mixed record on dealing with abuse, according to survivors and their advocates. He has done far more than his predecessors to try to prevent further crimes, but some critics say they are disappointed that he has sometimes appeared reluctant to punish priests for past abuses. "The pope certainly does understand the effects of abuse, the horrible damage it does to victims, and he has made an effort. But on the other hand, we haven't seen an enormous amount of change," said Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of clergy sexual abuse who quit Francis's commission in March because she was frustrated that few reforms were taking hold. "I was more hopeful a few years ago than I was now, because I've seen close up how difficult it is to get change," Collins said. "It can't all be laid at the feet of Pope Francis." Defenders of Francis say he has held priests accountable, including as recently as last month, when he defrocked, or ejected from the priesthood, an Italian man, Mauro Inzoli, who was convicted of child sex abuse in an Italian court. The decision was announced Wednesday. Still, perhaps emblematic of Francis's record, the decision came only after he had reversed a previous move by Pope Benedict XVI to defrock the priest. Pell's decision to face charges in Australia was seen as another positive signal by some Vatican-watchers. "These facts pertain to abuses that have been too long underestimated by the church's mentality, and it's only fair that they should not be downplayed," said Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican journalist who has also co-written a book with Francis. The papal commission's work has also been moving forward, if slowly. One current member said she felt pleased about the recommendations the panel has made on the training of priests and the treatment of abuse victims. "I am optimistic. Perhaps I am wrong. But I came to the commission with hope that we will be able to learn lessons from historical survivors and then to improve the protection of minors every day," said Catherine Bonnet, a French psychiatrist. But critics said that the charges were a sign that significant change at the Vatican will only come through outside pressure, not from within. "Given the decades, maybe the centuries, they have known about these child sex crimes and have done so very, very little to make changes, I don't see them changing," said Barbara Dorris, the managing director of SNAP, an organization for victims of priest abuse. "I think what's changing is society." Peter Saunders, a British abuse survivor who also served on the papal commission, agreed. The charges against Pell "will probably rock the Vatican like nothing else has ever done," he said. Pell, who entered the priesthood in 1966, was an adviser to the bishop of Ballarat through the 1970s before becoming the archbishop of Melbourne, then of Sydney. One victim of sexual abuse in Ballarat, Peter Blenkiron, said Thursday that he did not feel any happiness about the charges against Pell, who oversaw education in the district in 1974, when Blenkiron was abused by a member of the church's Christian Brothers order who was later convicted of pedophilia. "There are so many families that have lost a parent and brothers and sisters. It is so raw in Ballarat," he said. Critics said they were unsure whether any changes will take hold. "Francis has done some very important things," said Emiliano Fittipaldi, a journalist who has written about abuse. "But the fight against pedophilia is not his priority." --- The Washington Post's Birnbaum reported from Brussels and Patrick reported from Sydney. Anthony Faiola in Miami, Paul Schemm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. RICHMOND, Va. - Former congressman Tom Perriello, who drew national attention in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Virginia governor but came up short at the polls, will lead a new political action committee aimed at ending the GOP's longtime majority in the commonwealth's House of Delegates. The Win Virginia group has already raised $260,000 from four wealthy donors, three of them longtime Democratic supporters from Fairfax County. The fourth is from California. Del. David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, the House minority leader, said the donors, including financier Edward Hart Rice and tech executive Shashikant Gupta, were motivated after the election of President Donald Trump to find a way to shore up Democrats at the state and local level. "It was the Trump election that led them to say, 'We have to up our game a bit,' " Toscano said. "And the first chance to really do that is in the Virginia House races." The group reached out to Perriello to lead the effort after his surprise run for the nomination this spring. He had attracted big money from outside Virginia but lost to Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who spent years lining up support within the state. Northam will take on former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie in the November election. Running with the endorsement of two national progressive icons, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Perriello made the Virginia race a referendum on the policies and style of Trump and Republicans in Washington. His strategy was to attract young people and voters in rural areas who don't usually participate in primary elections during a year outside of a presidential election. There's some irony in his new role: Perriello cast his campaign as a call for a new direction for the state's Democratic Party, but now he's working with the party machinery to try to take back the statehouse. "It's a unique opportunity because we have such dynamic candidates up and down the ticket and such an enthusiasm gap in our favor," Perriello said in an interview. "We think this is the year to break some of the normal rules of the political landscape in Virginia." The organization will not only raise money, he said, but also will help candidates find ways to use technology to campaign more effectively. Perriello cited his own campaign's use of Facebook Live events to reach thousands of voters at little cost. Republicans enjoy a commanding majority in the 100-seat House of Delegates, with 66 seats to Democrats' 34. All 100 seats are on the ballot this fall. Just a few months ago, Democrats were talking of picking up a handful of seats, at best. But with Trump's approval ratings at historic lows - only 36 percent of Virginians approved of his performance in a poll last month by The Washington Post and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University - the party is feeling energized. It has fielded an unusually large slate of candidates, challenging 48 Republican incumbents. Democrats also boast what may be a historic number of female candidates - 42 - for the House of Delegates, in which women held only 17 seats in the most recent legislative session. Democrats have done well in Virginia's statewide races in recent years - the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and both U.S. senators are Democrats. Virginia also was the only Southern state to go for Hillary Clinton last fall, as changing demographics - especially in vote-rich Northern Virginia - paint the battleground state increasingly blue. But Democrats lost control of the House of Delegates years ago, and redistricting since then has helped Republicans increase their edge. Republicans also control the state Senate, 21 seats to 19. Those seats are not up for election this year. Calling the election an "uphill battle" against a legislative map "rigged" by Republicans, Perriello said the party has a chance to pull off an upset. Toscano credited that momentum to the election of Trump: "Ironically, it has created an energy within the Democratic electorate that we think is going to be good for us this fall." Clinton won 17 House of Delegates districts that are represented by Republicans. Those districts now form the heart of Democrats' plan to retake the House. Such a big swing in the balance of power is a long shot. But so was Trump's victory in November. Once the Virginia primary ended, the big question was whether Perriello and the progressives who came out for him with such fervor would stick around for Northam and the rest of the party. Perriello's quick moves to endorse Northam and to lead Win Virginia, and the fact that one of the PAC's initial donors was a Perriello supporter during the primary, suggests that at least some of them will. Rice gave $100,000 to the PAC; Gupta gave $60,000; and government contracting executive Dario Marquez Jr., also from Fairfax, gave $50,000. Marquez supported Perriello in the primary. The fourth, San Francisco venture capitalist and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, gave $50,000. The chair of Donald Trump's Election Integrity Commission has penned a letter to all 50 states requesting their full voter role data, including the name, address, date of birth, party affiliation, last four Social Security number digits and voting history back to 2006 of potentially every voter in the state. In the letter, a copy of which was made public by the Connecticut Secretary of State, Kris Kobach said that "any documents that are submitted to the full Commission will also be made available to the public." On Wednesday the office of the Vice President released a statement saying "a letter will be sent today to the 50 states and District of Columbia on behalf of the Commission requesting publicly-available data from state voter rolls and feedback on how to improve election integrity." Under federal law, each state must maintain a central file of registered voters. Different states collect different amounts of information on voters. While the files are technically public record, states usually charge fees to individuals or entities who want to access them. Political campaigns and parties typically use these files to compile their massive voter lists. In May, President Donald Trump created a commission to investigate alleged acts of voter fraud after he claimed, without evidence, that 3 million to 5 million illegal immigrants voted illegally in the 2016 election. The commission is chaired by Kobach, who is Kansas' Secretary of State, a voter-fraud hardliner. Connecticut's Secretary of State, Denise Merrill, said in a statement that Kobach "has a lengthy record of illegally disenfranchising eligible voters in Kansas," and that "given Secretary Kobach's history we find it very difficult to have confidence in the work of this Commission." Earlier this month a federal judge fined Kobach $1,000 for "presenting misleading arguments in a voting-related lawsuit," according to Politico. Advocates for voting rights and civil liberties are also sounding alarm over the letter. "The concern is that this is going to be used to justify regressive and disenfranchising federal law," said Myrna Perez, deputy director of the Democracy Program at the NYU Law School's Brennan Center, in an interview. Vanita Gupta, CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and former head of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, said on Twitter that the letter is "laying the groundwork for voter suppression, plain & simple." The White House press office did not return a request for comment on this story. A spokesman for Kobach in the Kansas Secretary of State's office referred an inquiry to an email address listed in the Commission's letter. The Commission did not return a request sent to that email address. Trump and his allies have said the Commission's work is necessary to prevent what they call widespread instances of voter fraud. But evidence for such fraud is exceedingly thin. Secretary Kobach has made it a central issue of his tenure and has achieved a total of nine voter fraud convictions. Most were older Republican voters, and at least one claims he was targeted for an "honest mistake." Academics who have studied the issue for decades say voter fraud -- particularly of the type that strict ID laws championed by Kobach and others are intended to combat -- is vanishingly rare, and that voter ID requirements are a burdensome solution to a practically non-existent problem. A federal judge ruled that some of Kobach's proposed ID requirements constituted a "mass denial of a fundamental constitutional right." While civil liberties advocates are concerned with what Kobach might do with what would amount to a nationwide voter file, privacy advocates worry about the implications of making such data available to the public, as the Commission says it intends to do. It hasn't specified how it would make the data available. "Why does a random member of the public... need to know when you last voted and what your political party is?" asked the Brennan Center's Perez. "I think that access to this data in the wrong hands could always leave the opportunity for mischief. In this particular instance I'm worried about harassment as well." States are "stewards of [this] public information," said Perez. "Once it leaves their hands in this way, there's no telling whose going to get it, and how, and what they're using it for." Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Thursday the appointment of the new heads of three of Egypt's top judicial bodies, state news agency MENA said on Thursday. El-Sisi appointed judge Hussein Abdou Khalil as head of the State Lawsuits Authority which represents the government in legal cases female judge Rashida Mohamed Anwar as the head of the administrative prosecution, and judge Magdy Mahmoud Taha Abul Ela as the head of the Court of Cassation the country's top appeals court, according to the states official gazette. The new heads will be replacing judges that have reached the age of retirement. In April, El-Sisi ratified a new judicial authority law that gives the president the right to appoint the heads of the country's top judicial bodies, choosing from three nominees selected by each body. The new law applies to the countrys top judicial bodies: the State Lawsuits Authority, the administrative prosecution, the Court of Cassation, and the State Council. Prior to the passing of the new law, the heads of judicial bodies were selected based on seniority, with the president merely ratifying the selection. The president is yet to appoint a new head to the State Council, which has nominated only one candidate; senior-most judge Yehia Dakrory. According to the new judicial authority law, if the council does not submit three candidates, the president can select a head from the seven senior-most deputies. Search Keywords: Short link: Midland County Sheriffs Office A Midland man was arrested June 23 after he allegedly threatened a male with a firearm, according to court documents. Sidney Paul Sandidge, 66, was being held Thursday on a $60,000 bond for a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. British Prime Minister Theresa May's government faces a vote of confidence on Thursday, three weeks after a disastrous election left her authority in tatters and her Brexit strategy in doubt. Members of the House of Commons will vote on the Conservative leader's legislative plans -- the Queen's Speech -- in a key test of whether she can stay in power. The government should pass its programme after forming a deal with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), whose 10 MPs will vote with the 317 Conservatives in the 650-seat chamber. But May's personal authority has been deeply damaged by the election, which she called three years early expecting to win a landslide -- only to find herself hanging on by a thread. The majority of the bills in the Queen's Speech concern Britain's departure from the European Union, on which the first formal negotiations took place last week. But May's Brexit plan is under scrutiny as many saw the election as a rebuke to her move to pull Britain out of Europe's single market -- its largest trading market -- to prioritise cutting EU immigration. The government is also dealing with the fall-out of a string of terror attacks and the blaze at the Grenfell Tower block in London, which left at least 80 people presumed dead and saw May accused of taking too long to respond. The prime minister is cutting short a trip to Berlin Thursday with other European allies ahead of the G20 summit next week, to ensure she will be back for the early evening Commons vote. Calls to prioritise jobs and growth during the Brexit process are growing, including from finance minister Philip Hammond, whom May was expected to sack after the election but has stayed on. Cabinet tensions have also seen Hammond take a swipe at eurosceptic Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over his claim that Britain could "have its cake and eat it" in the negotiations. "I try to discourage talk of 'cake' amongst my colleagues," the finance minister said during a speech in Berlin. Hammond emphasised the need for transitional deals to avoid a damaging "cliff-edge" when Britain leaves, but in London, Brexit minister David Davis slapped him down, saying his views were "not quite consistent". May's spokeswoman insisted that "everybody is on the same page", and nothing had changed. However, when European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was asked at a summit last week whether he was clear on Britain's position on Brexit, he replied: "No." "Whatever May and Davis are saying in public, Brexit policy is in fact in flux," said Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform. He noted the increased influence of Hammond and the Scottish Conservatives, who did well in the election and have also emphasised maintaining trade ties with the EU. Meanwhile Labour, which won 262 seats, has accepted that Britain will be leaving the single market but wants "full tariff-free access" to protect jobs. "The easiest thing for May to do is to press ahead with the Brexit that her right-wing desires. But that is probably not sustainable in the long term," Grant said. He added: "If May doesn't reinvent herself as a soft-Brexiteer, she is likely to be defeated in parliament." May announced a deal with the DUP on Monday where they agreed to back her minority government in confidence and budget votes, in return for an extra 1.0 billion (1.1 billion euros, $1.3 billion) in state aid for Northern Ireland. But there is doubt about how long the alliance can last, as the DUP's ultra-conservative views on abortion and gay marriage have caused disquiet among many Conservatives. Many of May's MPs have become emboldened by the election to speak their mind -- and not just on Brexit. Conservative lawmakers and the DUP voted together to defeat a Labour amendment to the Queen's Speech late Wednesday calling for an end to a six-year cap on public sector pay -- but not before some expressed their doubts about austerity. Talk is now of when, not if, May will step down. Former Conservative minister Nicky Morgan, who was sacked by May, told the BBC that once the Brexit deal was clear, her party "must not miss the opportunity at that stage to think about who we want to be our future leader". Search Keywords: Short link: This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The former Texas trooper who stopped Sandra Bland on a Waller County roadside in 2015 had the criminal charge against him dismissed Wednesday, stirring painful emotions from Bland's family members who had hoped the case would go to trial. State District Judge Albert McCaig Jr. dismissed a misdemeanor perjury charge against Brian Encinia, who arrested the 28-year-old after a questionable traffic stop. She hanged herself three days later at the Waller County Jail, igniting nationwide protests over police treatment of African-Americans. The special prosecutors assigned to the case agreed to drop the charge under the condition that Encinia, who had been terminated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, turn over his police credentials and sign a sworn statement promising not to seek work as a licensed peace officer in Texas or elsewhere. Bland's eldest sister Shante Needham, who lives outside Chicago, wept as she recalled a private meeting she and her mother had with Encinia's prosecutors about the case in 2016. "In September, we were expecting to be in Texas sitting in the courtroom, but today they cut him a deal," she said. "Why? Why? Why? Why did you cut him a deal when you sat in our faces and you seen our pain and you told us you were going to take it to court?" Encinia's lawyer, Chip Lewis, said returning to police work was not a possibility for the former trooper. After videos of the traffic stop went viral, Encinia got death threats and was assigned police protection. "He was never was going to be a police officer after this saga," Lewis said. "He cares too much about his family and the law enforcement community as a whole. There would be a [large] target on his back and he's not going to do that." Lewis said he was prepared to call a long line of officers to testify that Encinia was duty bound to act as he did during the stop, and felt confident a jury would agree with the officers. "Brian and his family appreciate the thoughtful review by the prosecutors," Lewis said in a statement. "Dismissal was the right thing to do. The Encinias will remain forever grateful to their family, friends and members of the law enforcement community for all their support." Phoebe Smith, a private lawyer in Sugar Land tapped by the Waller County District Attorney to prosecute the case along with attorney Chad Dick, said she felt terrible about the family's loss, but she didn't want to risk the possibility of a jury acquitting Encinia. "We dismissed it based on the fact that he permanently surrendered his license," she said. "The bottom line is, we never wanted him to be a police officer again and we wanted to ensure that outcome. When you take a case in front of jury there's always that risk." Bland had recently relocated to Prairie View in Waller County from Illinois when Encinia pulled her over on July 10, 2015, for failing to signal a lane change. After a verbal exchange, Encinia asked her to step out of the car and booked her after holding her to the ground for becoming combative. After Bland's death, a Waller County grand jury indicted Encinia for making false statements about the circumstances surrounding her arrest. The charge stemmed from a statement he made in a one-page sworn statement filed after Bland's arrest that he removed her from her Hyundai Azera to "further conduct a safe traffic investigation." A police officer told the Chronicle he overheard Encinia telling another officer while Bland waited in a squad car that he didn't know what charges he should file. Encinia, who had been with DPS a little more than a year at the time, had been disciplined by the DPS for "unprofessional conduct" in the two months leading up to Bland's arrest, according to state records. He was given written counseling and received later evaluations as "competent." Bland's mother, Geneva Reed-Veal, filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit over her daughter's death, and in September reached a $1.9 million settlement with Waller County and the state of Texas. In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Sandra Bland Act, which beefed up protections at rural jails and added de-escalation training for police officers, though the bill was changed during the legislative process and didn't go as far as Bland's family had hoped. Needham said the watered-down bill made her family feel that "lawmakers and the criminal justice system are laughing at us." State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, who authored the original version of the bill, said the de-escalation provisions should help prevent future tragedies. But he said the decision to drop the perjury charge against Encinia was "upsetting." "The trooper's actions were the catalyst for Ms. Bland's death, and his roughing up of Ms. Bland was unacceptable," he said. "I'm sorry to Ms. Bland's family for how poorly Texas has treated their loved one ... At least Mr. Encinia will no longer be able to be a peace officer in Texas, and do to another what he did to Ms. Bland." Cannon Lambert Sr., the attorney who handled the civil case for Bland's mother, said the decision to drop the charge against Encinia was difficult for the family. "Why the special prosecutors would decide not to prosecute after assuring the family that they would is truly disturbing," he said, "particularly since they didn't even tell the family or I that they were not going to pursue the case any longer. "The idea that he's giving up his license to be a police officer isn't satisfying, since a conviction, which was something that would have easily been achieved, would have blocked Encinia from acting as a police officer in the future anyway." Activists stirred by Bland's death were disappointed with the decision. Hannah Bonham, a Methodist clergy member who is active in Sandra Bland events, said the Encinia case has continually disappointed Bland's supporters. "The manner in which this case has been carried out has seemed intended to cause the greatest possible psychological harm to Sandra Bland's family and supporters," she said. Needham said she visits her sister's grave in Willow Springs, Illinois, and dances there to Sandra's favorite Bruno Mars songs. She says her sister was an outspoken advocate for justice, meaning that the dismissal of the perjury charge "just adds more insult to an already open wound." "I definitely think they need to start holding these officers accountable," she said. "If you start holding them accountable and they're losing their jobs, losing their pensions, serving jail time, I'm willing to bet all of this foolishness will stop." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The future of famous Fort Worth honky tonk Billy Bob's Texas is not clear as a legal battle among family members and various owners wages on behind the scenes. Control over the 36-year-old venue is at the heart of the disagreement as two groups of investors have different plans for its direction. A majority group of 10 owners are pitted against venue president Concho Minick and a company that backs him. Minick's father Billy is a part of the majority owner group, making matters more complex. HIDDEN HISTORY: The Republic of Texas' somewhat-hidden embassy in London, England Story continues below... According to the Fort Worth Business Press, a major bone of contention is a proposed $175 million redevelopment plan at the Stockyards which would affect Billy Bob's. The outlet reports historic preservationists and area property owners object to the plan. The majority owners of Billy Bob's are for the redevelopment. If the two sides don't come to an agreement a judge could put the venue up for auction, which is why court mediation has been requested. An auction could endanger a key piece of the Stockyards' economic ecosystem. If the 127,000-square-foot venue is sold, there's no guarantee locals will like what replaces it. BUY IT NOW: Famous Texas dance hall just 100 miles from Houston up for grabs on eBay According to Dallas' CBS affiliate, Billy Minick's lawyer alleges that his client's son "has long desired to appropriate ownership of Billy Bob's and turn it into a multi-franchise, worldwide company." Billy Bob's is famously-billed as the world's largest honky tonk and its success is a major part of the Fort Worth Stockyards destination where its been open since April 1981. People come to visit the venue and have a beer even when no bands are on stage. A planned court date for Tuesday was pushed back to early July after new documents in the case were filed on Monday. The judge in the case still needs to rule on whether or not the court has any legal authority over the dispute. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate If the driver accused of killing 13 church members in a deadly crash makes bond, he would be prohibited from going out at night and would have to submit to a weekly drug test, among other conditions, officials said Thursday. Jack D. Young of Leakey surrendered Wednesday evening at the Uvalde County Jail on 13 two-count indictments alleging intoxication manslaughter and manslaughter, and one two-count indictment alleging intoxication assault/aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury in connection with the March 29 head-on collision. Young, 20, is being held under bonds totaling $380,000 on the indictments issued Monday by a Uvalde County grand jury. He is expected to be arraigned July 20 or 21. RELATED: Daughter of Texas church bus crash victim reveals new details in heartbreaking letter to driver My hope is he doesnt make bond, District Attorney Daniel Kindred said Thursday. I think its an issue of public safety. You have to consider the gravity of the situation. If he does post bond, Young would be released only under conditions set by state District Judge Camile DuBose, Kindred said. Young would have to submit to weekly urine testing, wear a GPS device so he could be located at all times, adhere to a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and equip his vehicle with a device that prevents its operation by an intoxicated driver. Youngs attorney, Rogelio F. Munoz, could not immediately be reached Thursday. Earlier this month, he said, We wish this thing had never happened. We feel for their families and their loss. Its just something thats tragic. It just happens that this young man became involved in it. So many people lost their lives. Young was alone in his pickup when he crossed the center line and hit a small bus carrying 14 congregants of First Baptist Church New Braunfels. The only survivors of the collision were Young, who allegedly took prescription pills and was texting before the crash, and one passenger on the bus, which was carrying senior congregants home from a retreat in Leakey The case has been followed closely in New Braunfels, where the deadly accident caused shock and sorrow. RELATED: Video: Erratic driver swerves on Texas highway moments before striking church bus, killing 13 Reverberations from the crash that garnered national media coverage also extended to the state Legislature, which passed a law banning texting while driving in May. Court records indicate Young, who lived with his father just outside Leakey, cooperated with investigators. They quote Young as telling them that he was distracted by his cell phone as he drove northbound on U.S. 83 from Uvalde, where he had filled prescriptions for three drugs and had consumed some before the collision at about 12:20 p.m. Investigators say his truck veered into the southbound lane and hit the oncoming bus despite bus driver Murray Barretts efforts to avoid the collision by swerving right. Options for a jury Kindred said each of the indictments provide jurors with the option to convict on two possibilities of how the alleged crimes were committed, but they cannot convict on both counts. The charges brought are second degree felonies. Theres two theories, one of them is they can believe the wreck was caused by his intoxication impairment, or by reckless acts, Kindred said. The indictments further allege the one-ton pickup was used as a deadly weapon. Kindred said no decision has been made on whether the charges will be prosecuted at a single trial or multiple trials. The multiple victims is what makes this case unique from a prosecution standpoint. Its a mass casualty case, he said. They can be tried together or separately. A lot of that depends on how the pretrial negotiations go. A passenger in a vehicle following Young used a cell phone to record Youngs pickup truck repeatedly swerving out of its lane preceding the crash 6.5 miles north of Concan in Uvalde County. RELATED: SAPD Chief says officer not expected to survive shooting The video also captures audio from Jody A. Kuchler, the vehicles driver, trying desperately by phone to get DPS or sheriffs deputies in Uvalde and Real counties to intercept Youngs truck, but no patrol cars were close enough to intervene. The recording ends just seconds before the crash. Young, trapped in his crumped pickup, was quoted by Kuchler as saying, Im sorry. Im sorry. I was texting on my phone. Young also told investigators that he had taken Ambien, Lexapro and Clonazepam after leaving the Walgreens that morning and that the Clonazepam pills make him sleepy, according to a March 30 affidavit used to secure a search warrant for a sample of Youngs blood held by University Hospital where he was treated. Two other drugs were found in bottles in the truck, Zolpidem and Escitalopram, as well as two intact marijuana cigarettes and five partially smoked joints, court records show. During my conversation with the pharmacist, he told me that two of the four substances could easily cause impairment of a persons physical or mental faculties: Zolpidem and Clonazepam, DPS Trooper Scott Hewitt wrote in the affidavit. Young was not given a field sobriety test due to his injuries, Hewitt wrote. In response to a media inquiry, the church issued a statement early Thursday that said, The members of the FBCNB family continue to act on our faith in God, trust His healing and presence. No matter the outcome, we shall not waver in our confidence in the Lord. Some relatives of the victims have said they forgive Young. Several residents commenting Wednesday remain upset and say they expect Young to serve a lengthy prison sentence. It shook New Braunfels to the core and made everybody sick to our stomachs, said resident Chris Williams, 46, on Wednesday. He expects Young to spend a long period incarcerated. Hes in for it, Williams said. Theyre going to make an example out of him I believe. Resident Denise Deptawa was torn on how Young should be punished, if convicted. One side of me wants to throw the book at him but the other side want to give him a big hug and tell him to make better decisions, said Deptawa, 48. Its very sad for everybody involved. Emily Solis was particularly saddened because the wreck killed Barrett, the bus driver, who also had driven her middle school classes on field trips years ago. We were disgusted and horrified by the crash. It was pretty senseless, Solis, 20, said of locals. The fact that church members died made it even more severe, and the number of people killed. It makes me so upset. She favors sending Young away for life, if convicted, despite his relatively young age, saying, His choices outweigh his age. zeke@express-news.net HOUSTON Special prosecutors assigned to build a criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking for a second time that a judge delay the trial until they can be paid. The special prosecutors made the request on Thursday at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center as they and Paxtons legal defense team met Judge Robert Johnson for the first time since the case was moved out of Paxtons home base of Collin County. Paxton is charged with two counts of felony securities fraud for convincing members of his investment group to sink money into a North Texas technology company without disclosing he would make a commission. He also faces a lesser felony charge of failing to register as an insurance adviser with the state. The attorney general maintains his innocence and contends he is the victim of political retribution. The team of three special prosecutors are owed $205,000 in back pay from 2016, but the commissioners court in Collin County has refused to sign off the payments in light of a lawsuit filed by a Paxton ally who says the payments exceed the countys local cap on attorneys fees. Whether the special prosecutors are paid is an issue that is before the 5th Court of Appeals. Any decision by the court will likely be appealed to the Criminal Court of Appeals, potentially stretching into the fall. We havent been paid in 18 months, Brian Wice, one of three special prosecutors assigned to Paxtons case, said to the judge in arguing to temporarily defer scheduling the trial. Not my dog, not my problem, responded Dan Cogdell, one of Paxtons criminal defense attorneys. Mr. Paxton has the right to a trial ... a speedy trial. The prosecutors payments first wound up in the court in lawsuits filed by Jeffory Blackard, a real estate developer and Paxton ally who argues the special prosecutors pay rate of $300 per hour exceeds the countys cap on fees. The Collin County Commissioners Court has since voted not to pay the special prosecutors and have filed a writ of mandamus with the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas. Judge George Gallagher, a Tarrant County judge who was overseeing the case when proceedings were held in Collin County, denied the special prosecutors motion to delay the trial until payment issues were resolved. However, the special prosecutors got a delay anyway when Gallagher decided to move the case to Harris County. Escorted by seven officers from the sheriffs office, Paxton walked into the courtroom holding hands with his wife, Angela. Johnson, the judge for the 177th State District Court, asked both parties to submit procedural timelines of the case by July 7 and to return to court for another hearing on July 27. The hearing marks the first time Paxton and many of the attorneys on both sides of the case have met Judge Johnson, a newly-elected jurist assigned to oversee the high-profile case two weeks ago. The trial date has changed twice in recent months amid legal wrangling. Paxton was to go to trial in May before his previous judge moved the trial to Harris County and set a September trial date. That judge has since been removed from the case after losing jurisdiction to continue presiding, leading to the appointment of the new judge. Nearly 100 police officers were targeted Thursday in Rio de Janeiro in a huge sweep against allegedly dirty cops working to help drug traffickers. A probe that began in February 2016, "resulted today in an operation to serve 185 arrest warrants, including 95 against military police," the Rio state security office said in a statement. In Brazil, regular patrol officers are known as military police. The sweep was carried out with "the unconditional" support of the military police internal affairs department and a special organized crime unit, the statement read. Brazilian media reported that scores of drug traffickers were the other targets of the operation. According to G1 news site, the police officers are accused of taking as much as one million reais ($300,000) a month in bribes from drug gangs in return for protection and even loan of police weaponry. Security officials were to give a press conference later in Rio de Janeiro. Search Keywords: Short link: This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Texas Education Agency has appointed a monitor to oversee the Donna Independent School District after an investigation found the school district lacks internal controls as a result of trustees who repeatedly abused their authority, the agency said. The education agency on Tuesday notified Donna ISD that Linda Romeros was appointed monitor of the district, following a special accreditation investigation. A monitor reports to the education commissioner on a districts financial status and assists with oversight of the financial management and governance of the district to ensure compliance with state and federal law. The monitor also recommends any actions necessary to comply with state law. The school district, which posted the TEA letter on its website, will be responsible for paying the monitors $75 per hour fee, plus travel expenses. The TEA investigation found the school district contracted with a school board member during his tenure on the board, and he failed to exclude himself from district matters from which he financially benefited. In another instance, according to the letter, two former board members abused their authority when they solicited and accepted monetary gifts from an existing district contractor and failed to file conflict disclosure statements, which is a violation of the Texas Education Code. And in yet another example of abuse, the letter cites four former trustees that the state agency found infringed on the authority of the superintendent regarding the administrative responsibility for the assignment of district personnel. In April 2016, a federal jury found that Donna ISD and four members of the school board retaliated against district employees who did not support them politically. In the wake of the jurys findings, the school district agreed to a settlement that included the district paying $880,000 to seven district employees who were subjected to reassignment and salary cuts following the November 2014 elections. The violations found by the TEA were based on actions taken by members of the DISD board that no longer hold these positions, school district attorneys wrote in a letter to the TEA. The Board is working tirelessly to not only uphold its ethical and fiduciary duty to DISD and its citizenry but to repair any damage done. anelsen@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An officer-involved shooting north of downtown shocked the San Antonio community Thursday afternoon after two police officers were hospitalized in a shootout near San Antonio College. One suspect, who has only been identified as a man from Louisiana, opened fire on a pair of San Antonio police officers in the 200 block of W. Evergreen St., said Chief William McManus. The officers were identified in a Friday press conference as Miguel Moreno, 32, and Julio Cavazos, 36. Both were transported to San Antonio Military Medical Center for emergency treatment. Moreno was shot in the head. Doctors held him on life support until 11:11 a.m. Friday when he was pronounced dead. Cavazos was shot in the chin and the bullet entered his chest cavity. He has had one successful surgery but faces many more. Doctors expect him to survive his injures. RELATED: SAPD: 2 officers down in shooting north of downtown, 1 suspect hit, another detained "It's not a good feeling to know two officers were shot when they were doing active patrol," he said, adding that the officers were shot when trying to make contact with the suspects. The suspect in the shooting was listed in "grave condition" Thursday at about 5 p.m. McManus later confirmed that the suspect had died. A witness to the shooting, who was at first deemed a suspect, was arrested on municipal warrants at the scene and questioned by homicide detectives about the shooting. He is not expected to face criminal charges in connection with the shooting. Mayor Ron Nirenberg released a statement Thursday evening thanking doctors and asking for prayers. "Today was a difficult day for the San Antonio Police Department and the San Antonio community when two officers were shot in the line of duty. We appreciate the work of the doctors and nurses at SAMMC. We know one officer was gravely wounded and another was seriously wounded. We ask for your continued prayers for our officers, their families and the SAPD community." Gov. Greg Abbott took to Twitter just after the incident Thursday afternoon. "Sending thoughts and prayers to the two (San Antonio police) officers shot in the line of duty," Abbott said. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, expressed similar thoughts, saying: "I am praying for the (San Antonio police) officers who were injured in a shooting." San Antonio City Councilmen Rey Saldana and Robert Trevino asked for prayers as well. "This is terrible news," Saldana said. RELATED: Daughter of Uvalde County bus crash victim says she feels 'very sad' for suspect Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office is "willing and ready to assist in the ongoing investigation in any way necessary." "I am asking all Texans to join me in praying for the wounded San Antonio police officers," he said. "Our law enforcement officers are true Texas heroes and deserve our prayers and support now and always." Former Dallas Police Chief David Brown also commented on the shooting. "Let's all pray for these braves heroes' full recovery," he said. Brown was police chief when five Dallas officers were shot and killed on July 7, 2016 in an attack. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 Tim Duncan asked a federal court Tuesday to properly sentence his former financial adviser, who allegedly defrauded the San Antonio Spurs legend out of millions of dollars. "My biggest fear is that you will give him a sentence that will allow him to go out into the world and tell everyone as he has continued to do since his guilty plea that he did not do anything wrong and he proves by having very little to no jail time," Duncan said of Charles Banks. "I respectfully ask you, do not do that. I promise you, that if he has any excuse to get back into this line of business, he will be out hustling and doing the same to others." 3 Condenan a un filosofo de 80 anos por robar un movil en un pub de Gijon en el que nunca estuvo We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. A piece of land in Wainui that came to the publics attention in 2008 when it had a special zone created so that it could be used for filming purposes, is again before Auckland Council as the owners seek consent for a subdivision. The proposal for 1502 Weranui Road is for a 28 lot residential subdivision, with two larger rural lots, along with protection of 64ha of bush (more than half of which is deemed to be a Significant Ecological Area) and the revegetation of a further 66ha. A large film studio and 4ha of surrounding land will be retained for use in movie production. The Palliser Downs proposal is a joint venture between Cabra Rural Developments and Rahopara Farms, who own the 310ha property. Rahopara Farms director Jeremy Dillon says that when the two companies acquired the property, about five years ago, the film industry was in recession. However, he says that recent use of the film studio has been steady, with both the NZ Film Commission and Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) promoting and supporting it. The application is an amended version of one originally lodged last year, with a key difference being the inclusion of the Auckland Unitary Plans Bush Covenanting and Revegetation rules. Mr Dillon says because significant areas of revegetation and bush protection have also been undertaken on an adjoining property by an associated company (Monowai Properties), together the two sites will provide a significant area of fully protected native bush in Wainui. Under the Auckland Unitary Plan, the Kelly Park Film Village zoning has gone, to be replaced with Rural/Rural Production. Because this Unitary Plan zoning is not yet operative, the proposal will be assessed under the provisions of both zonings, according to Councils Northern resource consenting manager Ian Dobson. The application was publicly notified and can be found at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz, which is where submissions can also be made. The information is also available at local libraries. Submissions close June 21. Tech & Science, School & Education, Local News By Long Island News & PR Published: June 29 2017 "These students have an advantage going into their careers or courses of study." Mastic Beach, NY, June 29, 2017 William Floyd High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) students performed well on the rigorous National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) certification exams (written and clinical performance) with a nearly 80 percent passing rate for all academies, which includes two academies with 100 percent passing rates Medical Assisting and Culinary Arts. In total, 91 out of 116 students in all academies automotive technology, business, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts and medical assisting passed the rigorous examinations and earned a Career and Technical Education Cord to wear at graduation. Passing the rigorous NOCTI examination earns students the ability to gain employment to an entry-level position in their field of study or earn college credit equivalency, said Karen Poidomani, CTE Chairperson and business teacher, William Floyd High School. These students have an advantage going into their careers or courses of study. As a result of passing the NOCTI exam, Medical Assisting students are now eligible for employment as certified medical assistants (CMAs) in New York State under the direction of a physician in any health care facility such as a hospital, doctors office, specialty clinics and more. Additionally nearly 75 percent of medical assisting students (20 of 27) passed the National MedCA (Medical Career Assessments) certification exam, which qualifies them for employment as a CMA anywhere in the United States. Jason McKay, one of the Medical Assisting teachers along with Rhonda DeTrano, LPN, noted that many of their students have already secured interviews or employment. The car in question is the 1970 Porsche 917 that was used in the movie Le Mans, which starred none other than the legendary Steve McQueen. McQueen played the part of a Porsche factory racing driver who fought off the challenge from Ferrari to claim victory in the world-famous endurance race. This will actually be the second time this particularly special car has been offered for sale through Gooding & Company, although it appeared not to sell the last time in 2014. Despite the car appearing in the film, it wasnt actually driven by McQueen personally. But as well as appearing in the film, the 917 was also used as a camera car to capture some shots as to keep up with the racing required something equally as fast. According to the auctioneers, the Porsche was also used as a test car for the 1970 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After the Le Mans testing in 1970 the car was sold to Jo Stiffert, who was a real Porsche factory driver who then went on to lease it to McQueens film company a year later. After Stiffert passed away, the auction company says the car disappeared for a long time until it was eventually discovered in a French warehouse in 2001. Gooding & Company have said the car has been thoroughly restored this year for the auction. The auction will take place at Gooding & Companys Pebble Beach event during this years concours, which is being held on Sunday, August 20. As for the price; dont expect it to be sold for any less than somewhere in the region of the $13 million to $16 million range. On May 16 2017, Bill C-30, the bill to implement the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), received Royal Assent. The legislation contains a number of provisions amending the Canadian Trade-marks Act pertaining to geographical indications (GIs). In particular, the provisions expand GI protection in Canada beyond wine and spirits to agricultural products and food. Prior to the legislative changes introduced in Bill C-30, a GI was defined as an indication that identifies a wine or spirit as originating in a territory, region or locality of a member of the World Trade Organization, where a quality, reputation or other characteristic of the wine or spirit is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Examples of protected GIs for wine include Prosecco, Champagne and Bordeaux. Under Bill C-30, the definition of protected GIs has been expanded to include agricultural products and food. The Registrar of Trade-marks maintains a list of protected GIs, to which over 170 agricultural product and food GIs are added under Bill C-30, including Roquefort for cheese and Aceto balsamico di Modena for vinegar. Requests may be submitted to have other GIs entered on the list of protected GIs by a responsible authority sufficiently connected with and knowledgeable about the wine, spirit, agricultural product or food. The GI request will be published on the website of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. An interested person may then object to a GI by filing a statement of objection within two months after the publication of the GI. Under the current Act, grounds for objection to a GI include that the indication is not a geographical indication. Under the Bill C-30 amendments, grounds of objection will now also include: the indication is identical to a term customary in common language in Canada as the common name for the product; the indication is not protected by the law applicable to the territory in which the product is identified as originating (except those originating in Canada); and, for indications identifying an agricultural product or food, the indication is confusing with an existing trade mark that is registered, used in Canada, or for which an application has been filed. Subject to certain exceptions, protected GIs may not be used in association with products that do not originate in the specified territory identified on the list or are not produced or manufactured in accordance with the law applicable to that territory. Exceptions include certain allowances for comparative advertising, use of a person's name, continued and similar use of an indication in association with a wine or spirit, and various indications of several specific categories of cheese, such as Asiago and Feta, in combination with a qualified term such as "type", "style" or "imitation". The changes brought in by Bill C-30 broaden GI protection in Canada, while preserving existing Canadian trade mark rights and limiting the impact on current users. Tamara OConnell Smart & Biggar/ Fetherstonhaugh 55 Metcalfe Street Suite 900 PO Box 2999 Station D Ottawa ON K1P 5Y6 Tel: 613 232 2486 Fax: 613 232 8440 ottawa@smart-biggar.ca www.smart-biggar.ca UTD Podcast: Matchday | Aston Villa (H) podcast Your UTD Podcast returns with another matchday episode against Aston Villa, but this time in the Carabao Cup third round at Old Trafford. Co-hosts Liam Bradford, Stewart Gardner and Pien Meulensteen take you on an audio journey of the night, speaking to a selection of ex-Reds at the stadium including Gary Pallister, Dion Dublin, Frazier Campbell, Danny Simpson and Ben Thornley. You can also hear from Erik ten Hag of course, plus Marcus Rashford and debutant Martin Dubravka. Enjoy! In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. This Privacy Policy (Policy) sets out our data collection and processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal information is used. This Policy contains important information about your personal rights to privacy. Please read it carefully to understand how we use your personal data. We may update this Policy from time to time without notice to you, so please check it regularly. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com GREENFIELD -- Members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association returned to work Wednesday evening after a three-day work stoppage. The 240 nurses at the 90-bed hospital here have been negotiating with Springfield-based Baystate Health since November and they have been without a contract since Jan. 1. The Massachusetts Nurses Association called for a one-day strike. The hospital, citing a three-day minimum for hiring replacement nurses, locked out nurses for two days resulting in a work stoppage that lasted from Sunday night to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Cindy Russo, president and chief administrative officer at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, said Wednesday night that the hospital would continue to follow its emergency preparedness plan through noon Thursday, June 29. On Wednesday night, some union officers went with nurses back to work their regular shifts. Baystate Franklin Medical Center management had those union reps, who are nurses as well, escorted from the building by the Greenfield Police, according to a Baystate news release. At issue is the union's demands for increased staffing and its objection to proposed changes in the way time off is earned and to a proposed 26-percent hike in what nurses would pay for health insurance. Baystate says the union's staffing demands would rob it of the flexibility it needs. It's other proposals would bring Baystate Franklin nurses into linen with what is offered nurses at other Baystate properties. Baystate is also currently in negotiations with Massachusetts Nurses Association members at Baystate Noble in Westfield. Both sides say they hope to resume bargaining, but as Thursday morning there is no date set. Three people have been indicted for allegedly running brothels that sold women for sex throughout Greater Boston, officials said. The three suspects, Pingxia Fan, 40, of Boston; Timothy Hayes, 50, of Gloucester; and Simon Shimao Lin, 59, of Boston, were indicted Thursday by a statewide Grand Jury on human trafficking and money laundering charges, the office of Attorney General Maura Healey said. The three were arrested in May following a joint investigation of the alleged crimes. The attorney general's office started its investigation after a referral from the North Reading Police Department, which did an initial investigation into a residence in their town. The defendants are accused of arranging for women to meet with men at brothel locations -- two in Quincy, and single locations in Boston, Cambridge, and North Reading -- to provide commercial sexual services in exchange for cash, Healy's office said in a statement. Authorities say the majority of the money from the encounters went to the defendants, which was laundered into the business for daily operations of the criminal enterprise, the statement said. Prosecutors previously said that Asian women were transported to Massachusetts from Flushing, New York, to offer sexual services. Apartments were used as brothels, prosecutors say, with two or three women working in each residence. The spaces were sparsely furnished, with some only featuring mattresses on the floor. Customers were charged $100 for 15 minute appointments, according to court documents, raking in more than $100,000 a week. "Collectively, it's estimated that Fan and her associates were making millions of dollars, every year, exploiting women," said Harold H. Shaw, the special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division. "When human beings are treated as commodities and are trafficked for sex, they are not only being abused physically, but emotionally, mentally, and financially." The defendants allegedly used multiple vehicles to transport sex trafficking victims, money and supplies. The three are scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on some charges on July 18. They will be arraigned in Middlesex and Norfolk Superior Courts at later dates. "Victims of human trafficking are preyed upon by pimps and traffickers who exploit the most vulnerable among us for profit," said Healey. "We allege these defendants ran an extensive criminal operation that took advantage of women and sold them for sex." Hayes and Fan were indicted on five counts of trafficking persons for sexual servitude; five counts of deriving support from prostitution; five counts of keeping house of ill fame; five counts of conspiracy to traffic persons for sexual servitude; and three counts of money laundering. Lin was indicted on two counts of trafficking persons for sexual servitude; two counts of conspiracy to traffic persons for sexual servitude; and three counts of money laundering. Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old mother accused of leaving her almost 4-month-old son alone in a Lynn homeless shelter, where he was found unresponsive in a crib and later died. The Essex County District Attorney's Office did not specify when or where Laci Kirk was arrested, but said she will be charged with reckless or wanton endangerment of a child on Thursday. Kirk, also known as Laci Brand, was indicted Wednesday. Investigators said Kirk and her son, Charles Brand III, were staying at the Independence House, a shelter in Lynn, in September 2015. Kirk was allegedly drinking and socializing with a friend at the shelter, leaving her child unattended. "During this time, her infant was left largely unattended in a cluttered portable crib filled with multiple blankets, an adult bathrobe and a stuffed animal," the district attorney's office said. "In the early evening hours, Kirk went to check on the child and found him unresponsive with a small amount of blood coming from his nose." Brand was rushed to North Shore Medical Center, and then to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Responding officers reported that Kirk was unsteady on her feet, had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. The state medical examiner determined the infant died of natural causes, but authorites are holding Kirk responsible. "[Kirk] engaged in a pattern of wanton and reckless conduct, leaving her child unattended for several hours at a time throughout his short life, prompting staff at the shelter to file a report with the Department of Children and Families," authorities wrote in a press release. By KATIE LANNAN | State House News Service BOSTON -- Massachusetts drivers would be banned from using handheld devices behind the wheel under legislation approved by the Senate on Thursday. Bill supporters said it would make roads safer and force behavioral changes in an era when people have become addicted to using cellphones, email and social media, even while driving vehicles at often high rates of speed. "We know people are still texting even though we passed a texting ban a number of years ago," Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Thomas McGee said. "This morning as I was heading into the Sumner Tunnel, three or four different drivers were driving like this as they headed towards the Sumner Tunnel, looking at their phones, holding them up to their faces. That was on my way in this morning. We'll all be seeing it as we leave the State House today." The bill (S 2092) lays out fines - $100 for first offense, $250 for second offense and $500 for third and subsequent offenses - and calls for insurance surcharges to kick in upon a third offense. It bans drivers from touching or holding a mobile device in either hand, except for a "single tap or swipe" to activate hands-free mode. Drivers would be prohibited from using a phone's camera function; writing, sending or reading messages; accessing social media; manually inputting information into a navigation system; or making video calls. Calls and GPS navigation would be allowed using hands-free technology. The sponsor, Sen. Mark Montigny, said he has been filing a handheld devices ban for over a decade, and in that time technology has become more pervasive and more lives have been lost. "Thousands of people die every year in the country, including many here in Massachusetts because of distracted drivers," the New Bedford Democrat said. "I can remember early on in the debate somebody coining the phrase, 'You can't legislate against stupidity,' and I've heard it a lot -- I think we all define stupidity differently -- and although I agree with that, I do think you can and should legislate...against dangerousness." The bill expands the 2010 law that banned texting while driving but allowed most drivers to continue to use phones for calls. It also prohibited handheld device use by 16- and 17-year-olds. Supporters of the broader handheld device ban say the existing law say it has been difficult for police to enforce. The Senate passed the bill on a non-recorded voice vote after more than three hours of debate on amendments. Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington had proposed lowering the fines to $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and $150 for subsequent offenses, an amendment that was ultimately shot down on a 12-26 vote. Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, who does not vote on most legislation, joined 21 other Democrats and four Republicans in opposing the lower fines, while 10 Democrats and two Republicans supported them. Backers of the amendment said the existence of a fine, not its amount, is enough to serve as a deterrent and raised concerns over how steep fines and related consequences -- like a license suspension for failure to pay -- would affect lower-income people. "We in the Legislature have a chronic habit of setting fines and penalties at a level that is much greater than what is necessary to get people's attention, and in fact is high enough to have a crushing impact on people of limited means," said Sen. William Brownsberger, who co-chairs the Judiciary Committee. "We've made that mistake in our earlier laws, and we're about to perpetuate it in this law." Montigny argued the fines send a message about the seriousness of the offense, and said people can avoid needing to pay them if they comply with the ban. The Senate passed a handheld devices ban last session, also on a voice vote, and a similar House bill received initial approval before sputtering out. Fourteen states, including New Hampshire, New York and Connecticut, have "hands-free" laws in place. Sen. Kathleen O'Connor-Ives, a Newburyport Democrat whose district borders the Granite State, said the New Hampshire law implemented in 2015 has saved lives. Raising concerns about the White House's approach to North Korea, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, again urged President Donald Trump Thursday to strengthen America's current diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the country and to not pursue military strikes. Ahead of Trump's summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Markey said he hopes the Republican will use the meetings to adopt a "bold new" diplomatic strategy on North Korea, which includes stricter sanctions and regional support from countries like China in enforcing them. Contending that there is "no military solution in North Korea," the Massachusetts Democrat questioned contrasting remarks Trump administration officials have made regarding the White House's approach to denuclearize the country during an Arms Control Association-moderated conference call. Markey offered support for the administration's announced strategy of "maximum pressure and engagement," saying he was was hopeful "level heads had prevailed." The senator, however, said he was "deeply disturbed" to hear reports this week of National security adviser H.R. McMaster saying a military option has been prepared to stop the North Korean nuclear program. "Gen. McMaster's remarks could indicate that the president has veered back onto a dangerous warpath and President Moon's visit could not come at a more critical time," he said. "President Moon's visit is a historic opportunity for the Trump Administration to restart negotiations aimed at addressing the nuclear and missile threat from North Korea." Markey, who previously called on Trump to take up a strategy of active and direct diplomatic engagement with North Korea, argued that such an approach could make it easier to get China to enforce sanctions and put pressure on North Korea to seriously negotiate denuclearization. "If the Trump administration is serious about its strategy of pressure and engagement, it must strengthen existing sanctions and bolster deterrents," he said. "But it must also reach out to North Korea to begin talks aimed at constraining, rolling back and ultimately eliminating its nuclear and missile programs. Without diplomacy, however, pressure is unlikely to succeed." The senator further reiterated his call to the president "to stop what looks like a rush towards a confrontation and potentially catastrophic war and to get serious about implementing the strategies the administration announced to pressure North Korea into engagement and negotiate the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula." Markey sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is the top Democrat on the panel's Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy. Former Secretary of Defense William Perry, who joined Markey in the conference call, made the case for what he called a "tough diplomatic package," noting that the United States has never succeeded in getting North Korea to do what it wants through threats. "The thing we need to do is persuade them that while we can be very tough and that our military is capable of carrying out our tough threats, we need to persuade them that we're willing to negotiate in a positive way -- we're willing to bring forward some positive incentives," he told reporters. WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor Will Reichelt may not be facing any challengers in November, prompting him to thank voters on Twitter, but several other municipal races are expected to be closely watched as West Side's political season heats up this summer. Several candidates made Tuesday's deadline to file nomination papers to get on the November election ballot, instantly sparking municipal races for Town Council and School Committee. Six candidates are running for five at-large seats on the Town Council, including incumbents Brian Clune, Bruce Gendron, Brian Griffin and George Kelly and challengers Bob Mancini and Sean Powers. Other Town Council races include two candidates for the District 1 seat and two for the District 2 seat. District 1 incumbent Jill Fortier is facing a challenge from Michael Eger, while District 2 incumbent Nathan Bech will square off against Lida Powell. For School Committee, eight people are competing for six seats on the seven-member panel led by Mayor Reichelt. Joining incumbents Kathy Alveras, Nancy Farrell and Pat Garbacik in the race are Bill Garvey, Anne Kelly, Colleen Marcus, Carlee Santaniello and Sue Wilson. Meanwhile, District 3 Councilor George Condon and District 4 Councilor Dan O'Brien are both running unopposed. Reichelt was the only person to submit nomination papers to run for mayor by Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline to get on the ballot for the upcoming municipal elections. With no apparent challengers, the 30-year-old attorney is expected to begin his second term as mayor in January. However, it will be Reichelt's first four-year term as mayor, following a townwide vote in November 2016 to extend the term of mayor from two to four years. In Decmeber, the Town Council approved a $15,000 pay raise for the position of mayor, bringing the job's annual gross salary to $125,000. Rusney Castillo is the Boston Red Sox's most expensive outfielder, and he's performing well ... at Triple-A Pawtucket. Still, that bodes well for Castillo who needs to continue to hit well so the Red Sox might eventually find a trade partner or use him as a fourth outfielder in future seasons. The 29-year-old Castillo was named to the International League All-Star team. He's batting .311 with a .348 on-base percentage, .496 slugging percentage, .844 OPS, nine home runs, 17 doubles and 28 RBIs in 60 games. The Red Sox signed the outfielder to a seven-year, $72.5 million contract in August 2014. He's earning $11.271 million this year. It's unlikely the Red Sox will promote him this year because they boast a deep outfield and are trying to stay under the $195 million tax threshold. As long as Castillo remains off the 40-man roster, his average annual salary of $10.36 million does not count toward the big league payroll. Pawtucket lefty Edgar Olmos, who signed a minor league deal with Boston in the offseason, also was named an International League All-Star. He's 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 16 outings (three starts). He has held opponents to a .193 batting average in 43 2/3 innings. State lawmakers appear close to approving a $736.9 million budget for public universities that would nearly halve the proposed tuition increases for some undergraduate Oregonians this fall, saving students hundreds of dollars a year. The spending plan, which passed a key legislative hurdle Wednesday, includes nearly $70 million more in operating support than Gov. Kate Browns proposal, which left funding flat. That plan was criticized by university presidents, student groups and faculty unions. By Andrew Theen [email protected] The Oregonian/OregonLive Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/jeff-bridges-takes-chilled-approach-to-politics-during-speech-in/article_62f7ee95-ff86-5978-8135-b423f94bb2d8.html?_dc=65&utm_content=buffer8096a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=LEEDCC Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels concluded their disarmament on Tuesday, handing in all but a few of their individual weapons to the United Nations and ending their role in a half-century war that killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, turned in the remaining 40 percent of their firearms in Mesetas, a mountainous area in southeastern Colombia. The roughly 7,000 former fighters have pledged to continue their struggle as a political movement. The 7,132 weapons will be stored in containers until they are molded into a monument for peace. Explosives and bigger weapons are being cleared from caches nationwide and a few guns will remain for security at 26 camps until they close on Aug. 1. "Today doesn't end the existence of the FARC, it ends our armed struggle," said Rodrigo Londono, the FARC's top commander, who goes by his nom de guerre Timochenko. "Farewell to arms, farewell to war, welcome to peace." Financed by drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom and extortion, the FARC had about 17,000 combatants in the 1990s, capable of launching military attacks close to Bogota, the capital. But the rebel group that began in 1964 as a peasant army demanding agrarian reform was battered deep into Colombia's inhospitable jungles by a relentless military offensive that began in 2002 during Alvaro Uribe's presidency. Removing bureaucratic obstacles to development on federal land can create jobs and offer hope to nearby communities, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said May 27 in hinting at long-term changes in store for federal agencies including the Interior Department. Promising reorganization "on a scale of 100 years" but without offering specifics, Zinke said the Interior Department and other land management agencies need to better cooperate. Right now, agencies that evaluate the same project often end up providing conflicting opinions, he said at the Western Governors Association annual meeting in his hometown of Whitefish, Mont. "Jobs matter. Theres a social cost of not having jobs. And we love environmental regulations fair and equitable, but it takes wealth to make sure that we can maintain those regulations and improve," Zinke said. Full Story: http://idahobusinessreview.com/2017/06/28/zinke-calls-for-fewer-barriers-to-development-on-public-land/ Last year, a trio of New York researchers claimed humans had already lived as long as they possibly could. About 115 years, said Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers, thats the maximum human lifespan. Now a group of Canadian researchers challenges that assertion, saying its possible human existence may be boundless. USA Today Network Sean Rossman , USA TODAY Full Story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/06/28/how-long-can-humans-live/431800001/ Ransomware isnt necessary trickier or more dangerous than other malware that sneaks onto your computer, but it can be much more aggravating, and at times devastating. Most such infections dont get in your face about taking your digital stuff away from you the way ransomware does, nor do they shake you down for hundreds of dollars or more. By ANICK JESDANUN The Associated Press Full Story: http://www.sltrib.com/home/5454207-155/how-artificial-intelligence-is-taking-on The election of Donald Trump laid bare the growing disillusionment of everyday Americans in the nations heartland who have watched the gains of the economic recovery pass them by while the tech industry, clustered in coastal hubs like San Francisco and New York, grew wealthy off technology that has radically transformed, even obliterated, jobs and industries. Jon Swartz and Jessica Guynn , USA TODAY Full Story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/06/29/trump-election-tech-start-ups-midwest/100027750/ *** Global venture capitalist meets with Missoula startups on national tour (Schedule here) http://www.matr.net/article-77737.html *** Choose Montana Everyday, businesses and entrepreneurs from around the world are choosing Montana due to our business-friendly tax climate, world-class workforce talent, and our unparalleled quality of life. Through the Choose Montana initiative, were highlighting the facts and figures from our dynamic statewide economy and key industry sectors, as well as the reasons CEOs and entrepreneurs who could be growing their ventures anywhere in the world are proud to call Big Sky Country home. https://business.mt.gov/ChooseMontana *** Second Annual Last Best Conference, 8/2-4, Missoula, MT http://www.matr.net/article-77747.html *** Steve Case: Third wave of Internet will help Middle America business http://www.matr.net/article-77763.html *** NorthWestern Energy, Missoula County Public Schools and the City of Missoula have announced a collaborative solar pilot project designed to learn more about the performance of solar energy on the NorthWestern distribution system and educating the community. The project will likely involve the installation of solar technology, possibly including energy storage, at public school locations in the Missoula area. Schools likely to take part include Hellgate, Sentinel and Big Sky high schools, along with Willard, the districts alternative high school program. Full Story: http://www.northwesternenergy.com/our-company/media-center/current/news-article/2017/06/28/NorthWestern-Missoula-County-Public-Schools-City-of-Missoula-Team-Up-on-Renewable-Energy-Education-Project As Chair of Education Commission of the States, Bullock discusses ways to prepare students for tomorrows jobs Governor Steve Bullock today highlighted Montanas efforts to expand career pipelines and ensure students are college and career ready during a panel conversation at the 2017 National Forum on Education Policy, hosted by Education Commission of the States (ECS). "Here in Montana, we are preparing our students to be college and career ready in todays economy and for tomorrows jobs," said Governor Bullock. "We are strengthening pathways for students, even while they are still in high school, to explore careers through work-based learning and to get a head start on a certification or degree through dual enrollment." Full Story: http://governor.mt.gov/Newsroom/governor-bullock-highlights-montanas-efforts-to-ensure-career-readiness t describes the story of E Bruce Harrison and his work for the Global Climate Coalition an international lobbyist group of businesses that opposed action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and publicly challenged the science behind global warming in the 1990s. Harrisons plan was as ingenious as it was audacious, and it demonstrates the sheer power of Public Relations. But it also shows that, when that power is wielded without responsibility, the results can be devastating, and irreversible. Working with a small team of PR professionals and paid scientists, Harrisons vision to protect the interests of his shadowy paymasters in the US Oil industry has had dire consequences for the whole existence of mankind. The small seeds of doubt they sowed about the accuracy of climate change data fooled the media, discredited the mainstream scientific community, and ultimately delayed the implementation of policies and legislation that might have saved us from the climate disaster we now face. Of course, there have been numerous instances in the past where Public Relations professionals have used blatantly unacceptable tactics to push the agenda of their clients, however nefarious they might be. Working for the wealthy Gupta brothers, British PR firm Bell Pottinger infamously used a network of fake bloggers, commentators and Twitter users (https://nyti.ms/3e4iyyX), in an attempt to influence public opinion, exacerbate racism, and sow racial division in South Africa. Ultimately, they were found out, and the agency was forced to shut down in shame. But the scale of the scandal shows us the fine line some PR professionals walk between the interests of their client and the greater good of society. APO Group is the largest African-related Primary Information Provider, with the largest media network in the continent. We distribute content to 400,000 journalists, and our newsfeed is published simultaneously on 300+ African-related news websites, as well as Bloomberg Terminal, Thomson Reuters Eikon, and many more. We have a HUGE responsibility to ensure that the news we distribute is fair and accurate. Any misstep on our part can mean disinformation is distributed far and wide across Africa, and beyond. It is why, at APO Group, we have implemented an ethical policy that prohibits organizations from certain industries engaging our services or using our network. For example, no companies involved in the sale of tobacco, alcohol, weapons, or gambling services, can distribute press releases via APO Group. Our editorial checks are rigorous, and we pride ourselves on spotting content that might mislead or worse deceive our media and public audiences. Instead, we focus our attention on positive content that informs and inspires and helps to change the narrative about Africa. The vast majority of people in the African PR community are right alongside us in that mission. But, despite our strict protocols, some people will always try to slip through the net. According to the World Health Organization, more than 8 million deaths a year are caused by tobacco with over a million of those being non-smokers killed by passive smoking. Last year, we were approached by a South African PR agency claiming to represent an anti-tobacco organization. They had a press release to issue, and on the surface, it looked legitimate and worthy. But when our team dug a little deeper, they discovered a more ambiguous message about tobacco. Further investigation revealed that their client was an organization funded by the major multinational tobacco company Philip Morris International. This not only upset me; it enraged me. That someone could so brazenly attempt to mislead us. I immediately phoned the CEO of the PR agency to make it clear we would never run content from his agency again. Of course, there is a pattern in all these examples of malpractice. These people are clever. They know that extreme rhetoric will never work, but by making their story seem plausible, they can fool the media and spread the deception to an unsuspecting public. E Bruce Harrison made the world believe that the science of climate change was uncertain and flawed. Thirty years later, as wildfires rage, and the world is gripped by flooding, famine, and drought, we are living out the consequences of his actions. As for our own brush with PR malpractice, we remain steadfast in our ethical policy. The bottom line is this: we dont need to work with these industries. There are plenty of organizations operating in Africa with important stories that deserve to be told. These are the organisations the entire APO Group team is proud to work with, and there are easily enough of them to sustain the growth of the entire African PR industry. We have the World Health Organization, Greenpeace, and the African Development Bank on our books to name just a few. By supporting those clients, and hundreds like them, we are participating in a wider movement that is having a lasting positive impact on our continent. According to the United Nations, Africa will represent 40% of all humanity by 2100. We know, therefore, that Africa is becoming a key target for the tobacco, alcohol, weapons, and gambling industries. But the African PR industry can grow without helping these companies increase their profits at the expense of the African people. APO Group recorded 88% revenue growth in the first semester of 2022, compared to the first semester of 2021. To me, that is comprehensive proof that no PR agency owner is forced to do business with industries that have a negative impact on mankind. We all have the choice. By Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires As the Omicron variant dominates the COVID-19 news cycle, new research from the Partnership for Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19 (PERC) indicates that people in African Union Member States are overwhelmingly willing to get vaccinated. Across 19 countries, 78% of people surveyed by PERC indicated that they had been or were willing to get vaccinated. However, as of November 2021, less than 7% of the African continent has been vaccinated. This gap between acceptance and coverage demonstrates a substantial unmet need and underscores the importance of consistent and predictable vaccine supply as well as increased support for vaccination programs in Africa. The latest PERC report considers why global vaccination efforts have been plagued by inequity, as well as the logistical challenges to vaccinating the African continent. The report further outlines the continued importance of preventive measuresparticularly individual measures such as masking and social distancingthat minimize the social or economic harm that can occur when mobility, economic and social gathering restrictions are imposed. We must work urgently toward equitable access to safe and effective vaccines on the African continent, said Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The PERC data show that demand for vaccines is substantially higher than supply. At 78%, vaccine acceptance was higher than in the previous PERC survey fielded earlier this year (67%), which may indicate the success of risk communication campaigns. In five surveyed countriesGuinea, Morocco, Mozambique, Tunisia and Zimbabweacceptance was 90% or higher. Vaccine acceptance was high among both those who trusted their governments pandemic response and those who felt COVID-19 posed a personal risk to them or to their country. Such high acceptance contradicts media reports suggesting that low vaccination rates across Africa are due to hesitancy. Among the 20% of respondents who expressed vaccine hesitancy, the top reasons were: low risk perception (24%), not having enough information about vaccines (22%) and lack of trust in government (17%). The reasons for low risk perception are complex, but officials can take concrete action to address them. Offering more and better information to people about COVID-19 and vaccines through trusted sources, particularly health care providers, coupled with consistent and reliable vaccine supply, can further increase acceptance. Respondents top information sources included local health centers, television and radio. A number of bottlenecks have contributed to the failure to achieve higher vaccination coverage. Unpredictable supplyin terms of volume, timing and shelf lifethreatens countries ability to meet demand. When offered, vaccination is frequently inconvenient, requiring people to travel far distances or visit vaccination sites at inopportune times. I am heartened by the efforts of the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) and the COVAX facility to expand vaccine access, said Amanda McClelland, Senior Vice President of Prevent Epidemics at Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. But there is still work to do. Vaccine donations sent too close to expiry dates, for example, leave countries unable to launch effective vaccination campaigns. COVID-19 preventive measures remain crucial to mitigate the health impact of the virus. PERC researchers analyzed what influences support for and adherence to such measures and found that individual actionshandwashing, mask-wearing and social distancingall garnered support from at least 90% of survey respondents. Such high support suggests that these key measures can continue to be effective strategies for reducing COVID-19 transmission. Preventive measures restricting gathering or movement received less support. Unemployment and food insecurity were widespread among survey respondents and made adherence to restrictive community measures a challenge. PERC researchers concluded that such measures should be targeted to specific, high-risk populations as needed to minimize harm. Income loss also may have had an adverse impact on access to essential health services. Cost and affordability were cited as the primary obstacles to receiving care. Declines in the number of health visits have likely contributed to declines across key health indicators. PERC researchers advocate for urgent investment to stabilize health systems and regain progress lost during the pandemic. The PERC data enable policymakers to both save lives and minimize impacts on livelihoods, said Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. The global community has an opportunity to invest in health care workers and public health infrastructure to support vaccine delivery and COVID-19 care and prevention in the near term, and also repair and restore health service delivery disrupted by COVID-19 for the long term. Based on their findings, PERC authors recommend: -The global community should support AU Member States in supplying vaccines at a better coordinated and more systematic pace to allow broader, more effective and equitable distribution. Resources and expertise to support vaccine delivery must be part of the supply machinery to ensure coverage. -COVID-19 preventive measures (described as public health and social measures, or PHSMs, in the report) are critical to mitigate COVID-19 transmission, particularly as new, possibly more transmissible, variants emerge in under-vaccinated populations. Promoting adherence must remain a top priority. -Ministries of Health have competing prioritiesboth maintaining longer-term investments in endemic diseases, such as HIV and tuberculosis, and preparing for and responding to immediate epidemics, such as yellow fever, Ebola and measles. Investments in preparing health security systems can be utilized both for COVID-19-specific responses and long-term priorities. -Strengthening health data systems to be better prepared for health threats is critical. It is important that investments prioritize epidemiological data, as well as contextual data and data on community perceptions and actions toward countermeasures for disease mitigation and prevention. Together with the data itself, timely collection, analysis and dissemination are integral to systems strengthening and emergency response. -The global community and national governments should investto the fullest extent possiblein public health infrastructure and social protection programs that build and maintain resilience, in order to improve health and economic outcomes and reduce the opportunity costs of vaccination and PHSM adherence. The PERC surveythe fourth in its Using Data to Find a Balance serieswas fielded in September, when many countries in Africa were recovering from a third wave of COVID-19 driven by the Delta variant and before the emergence of the Omicron variant. PERC polled approximately 23,000 people across 19 African Union Member States; compiled social, economic and epidemiological data from a range of sources; and compared results from previous surveys conducted in February 2021 and August 2020. A French version of the report will be available in January 2022. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk, owner of the world's largest container shipper Maersk Line, has been hit by the global Petya cyberattack, preventing it from accepting new orders. The cyber extortion campaign, which has disrupted businesses around the world, has also caused congestion at some of the 76 port terminals run by Maersk's APM Terminals unit, including in the United States, India, Spain and the Netherlands. "Right now, at this hour, we're not able to take new orders," Maersk Line Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Clerc told Reuters on Wednesday. "It will have an impact on vessels or cargo that loaded yesterday, today and maybe also tomorrow," he said. He said some delays could not be avoided but declined to say how widespread they were. Due to limited access to some of its computer systems, Maersk also has problems processing orders taken just before the breakdown, he said. Maersk could not say exactly when it expects its business to return to normal, he said, adding that it was too early to assess the economic impact. Both chambers of Congress are readying legislation to bar Americans from traveling to North Korea after the death of a U.S. citizen held by Pyongyang and amid the continued detention of three others. "There's no question we shouldn't have people on a willy-nilly basis going to North Korea," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, said Wednesday. "We should have a travel ban, and we're working on legislation right now." "We need to protect Americans and I think we need to restrict access by Americans because we can't protect them [in North Korea]," said the committee's top Democrat, Ben Cardin of Maryland. The perils of travel to North Korea were highlighted earlier this month by the death of 22-year-old American student Otto Warmbier, who was imprisoned in the country for allegedly stealing a poster, and then was returned to the United States in a coma with fatal brain damage. Corker said the concern extends beyond the safety of individual American tourists who might be tempted to visit North Korea. "We've got three Americans [detained] there now. It ends up affecting our own national security," the chairman said. "We've seen it happen in Iran and other places. It ends up affecting negotiations, creates leverage [for an adversary]. Having a few Americans in prison someplace ends up having collateral effects on other things that matter greatly to the whole of American citizenry." The House Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to take up the North Korea Travel Control Act in a matter of days or weeks. The bill bars tourist travel and would require a special permit for other travel purposes to North Korea. A Senate version is said to be on a similar timetable. President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday embarked on a five-day visit to the U.S., where he will meet his counterpart Donald Trump. On arrival in Washington, Moon started his itinerary with a visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. He laid a wreath at a memorial there commemorating the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, one of the fiercest in the 1950-53 Korean War that left 10,400 American soldiers dead or injured. The battle delayed a southern advance by North Korean and Chinese troops, allowing the evacuation of around 90,000 Korean refugees, including Moon's own parents, from what is now Hungnam, North Korea. Moon will then attend a business round table and dinner hosted by the Korean and American chambers of commerce. A Marion man faces assault charges after allegedly trying to lure and stab a church member during service, authorities said Thursday. The Marion Police Department charged Joshua Betke, 24, of Marion, with assault with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Wednesday evening, Marion police were called to East Marion Baptist Church to find church members holding down a white male, identified as Betke, who had attempted to stab another member. According to a press release from the MPD, an investigation determined Betke had arrived at the church during Wednesday night service and asked to speak with Robert Watson. Betke, who has been staying at the local mens shelter, asked for Watson by name and identified him as his case worker from the shelter. Watson, who was attending the service, was located and agreed to speak with Betke outside, with church security member Benjamin Veasey accompanying the two men. Once outside, Betke reportedly brandished a large bread knife and allegedly tried to stab Watson in the chest, stating at one point that his guardian angel had told him to carry out the act. Police said Veasey shoved the suspect away from Watson, drew his legally-concealed handgun, and instructed Betke to drop the weapon and get on the ground. Watson and Veasey sustained small cuts during the altercation, police said. Betke was issued an $18,100 bond. Police Chief Allen Lawrence said Thursday this incident is another example of why folks should be vigilant at all times, including at a place of worship. I am just thankful that East Marion Baptist Church had a security team that acted quickly until we could arrive. A lot of churches in this community have similar teams and you hope you never have to use them, but they are good insurance if you do need them and this is an example of that, he said. According to N.C. Department of Public Safety records, Betke has a criminal history in McDowell dating back to 2011, including charges of larceny, breaking and entering, and an out-of-state drug offense in Michigan. Former Cheong Wa Dae security staffer Lee Young-sun was sentenced to one year in prison on Wednesday for habitually smuggling cronies and quack doctors of ex-President Park Geun-hye into the presidential office. The Seoul Central District Court also convicted Lee (38) of providing Park and her secret confidante Choi Soon-sil with mobile phones registered in other people's names, which is illegal in Korea, and for refusing three summonses to testify in a National Assembly hearing on the corruption scandal that brought Park down. It also convicted him of perjury during Park's impeachment trial in the Constitutional Court, where he lied about who paid for Park's outfits. The court refused to accept Lee's defense that his actions were motivated by loyalty to the president and pointed out that his loyalty should properly have been to the public. "The wrong sense of loyalty ended up betraying the public's trust," the court said. The judge added that allowing Park's army of quack doctors to enter Cheong Wa Dae to treat the former president constituted a "serious threat to the health of the president, which is directly linked to national security." Lee apologized to the public after the sentencing. A sudden catastrophic loss of heart function, or cardiac arrest, occurred significantly less among adults who acquired health insurance via the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association , the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. In a study of emergency medical services in an urban Oregon county before and after the ACA, researchers noted that the incidence of cardiac arrest was significantly lower among middle-aged adults after they gained health insurance through the ACA, primarily through Medicaid expansion. Among adults between 45 and 64 years old, the incidence of cardiac arrest decreased by 17 percent. In contrast, the incidence remained the same among adults over age 65 with consistently high rates of health insurance coverage, primarily through Medicare. "Cardiac arrest is devastating and under-recognized cause of premature death for both men and women older than 45 years," said study lead author Eric Stecker, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of cardiology at Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cardiovascular Institute in Portland, Oregon. "Health insurance allows people to engage in regular medical care, which is crucial for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can cause cardiac arrest." In the United States, more than 350,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest happen each year. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart's regulatory system suddenly malfunctions, causing an abnormal heart rhythm. Death occurs if immediate medical attention, including CPR, isn't started after cardiac arrest. In this study, researchers used records for emergency medical services in Multnomah County, Oregon, to identify patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. They then compared this information to U.S. Census Bureau data for the county's adult population in the years before ACA implementation (2011-2012) and after ACA implementation (2014-2015). The study was part of a larger research project led by the study's senior author Sumeet Chugh, M.D., director of the Heart Rhythm Center at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. "These findings underscore the important role of prevention in the battle against sudden cardiac arrest, which affects almost a thousand Americans every day," Chugh said. "Less than 10 percent of these patients make it out of the hospital alive, so by the time we dial 9-1-1 it is much too late. For this reason, effective primary prevention is vital." Although the results of this small, preliminary study show an association between health insurance and lower rates of cardiac arrest, they do not prove cause and effect. To prove that health insurance decreases the rate of cardiac arrest, it is necessary to do larger studies that control other possible influences and include more diverse groups of patients. Still, the results confirm the American Heart Association's support of the ACA's expansion of Medicaid and other health insurance coverage. "It is critical to more comprehensively identify the health benefits of insurance and to carefully consider public policies that affect the number of uninsured Americans," Stecker said. In an accompanying editorial Mary Fran Hazinsky, R.N., MSN, and Carole R. Myers, Ph.D., RN., note expanded Medicaid services have reduced deaths in other states but call these findings "intriguing." "The hypothesized relationship between healthcare expansion and decline in [out-of-hospital cardiac arrest] incidence is certainly a timely question that requires further study," they wrote. "A follow-up study should be based on a framework that looks more broadly at a complement of social and other determinants of health, and accounts for the various dimensions of access, and evaluates access by looking at utilization." Hazinsky is a former consultant for the American Heart Association. Co-authors are Kyndaron Reinier, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Carmen Rusinaru, M.D., Ph.D.; Audrey Uy-Evanado, M.D.; Jonathan Jui, M.D., M.P.H.; and Sumeet Chugh, M.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute funded the study. North Korea imports 200,000-300,000 tons of oil from Russia annually, Voice of America reported Sunday. The information comes from Ri Jong-ho, who was a senior official with Room 39, a secretive branch of the Workers Party that manages the party coffers. He fled in 2014 and was given asylum in the U.S. last year. "We first strike a deal with Singaporean firms, which then enter into another contract with Russian oil companies," he told VOA. The oil is then shipped in by tanker, while oil imports from China come by pipeline. The North imports an estimated 1 million tons of crude oil, half of it free of charge, from China every year. "China also supplies the North with roughly 500,000 tons of crude oil by pipeline, all of which though goes toward Kim's massive military, all of which is free of charge," Ri said. The oil is not given to either enterprises or gas stations, he added. "If the operations of the North Korea-bound tankers carrying oil from Russia and China come to a full stop, the regime's lifeline will be severed." Advertisement Convulsions Renal or liver failure Cardiac, pulmonary and other maternal health complications Administering a low-dose aspirin (150mg) can lead to a 62% reduction in the rate of early preterm pre-eclampsia that results in delivery before 37 weeks.The drug was found to show an 82% reduction in the early pre-eclampsia, resulting in delivery before 34 weeks.The trial was conducted on 1776 women who were at a high-risk for preterm pre-eclampsia. Aspirin was found to have a lower incidence of developing the disease in women when compared to those taking a placebo.Preterm eclampsia was found to occur only in 13 participants of the aspirin group when compared to 35 in the placebo group.All pregnant women were given a dose of 150mg per day between 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy until the 36 weeks. The results found that low-dose aspirin should be prescribed to women at risk for the disease.The study results of the trial offered a 'definitive proof' of the effect of aspirin said Professor Nicolaides, Director of Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine at King's College London and Chairman of the Fetal Medicine Foundation."This extensive study is definitive proof that women can take simple measures in the first trimester of pregnancy to significantly reduce their chances of developing pre-term pre-eclampsia."David Wright, Professor of Medical Statistics, University of Exeter Medical School, said, "Over the last ten years, we have developed new methods for assessing the risk of pre-eclampsia. We have applied these to identify women for inclusion in the ASPRE trial. The results show that aspirin can prevent pre-eclampsia in high risk pregnancies. I hope that they will alter clinical practice and improve pregnancy outcomes for mothers and their babies."Aspirin therapy was found to show a 10% lower incidence of pre-eclampsia. More than 30 trials were conducted to find out the benefit of a dose of 50 to 150mg of aspirin for preventing pre-eclampsia.Based on the participant data in the analysis, the aspirin effect may not be affected by the pregnancy stage on when it was introduced.However, on other analysis, the aspirin drug which was started at or before 16 weeks of gestation may reduce the rates of preeclampsia by half, fetal-growth restriction and perinatal death. While, aspirin taken after 16 weeks of gestation may not show significant benefit.The World Health Organization has already recommended low-dose aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia in women who are at high-risk and also recommends it to be started before 20 weeks of pregnancy.The Combined Multimarker Screening and Randomized Patient Treatment trial was conducted at 13 maternity hospitals in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Greece and Israel.Women who had a routine prenatal visit in the hospitals, were offered screening for pre-eclampsia.This was done by combining maternal factors, such as weight, family history and medical history that includes diabetes, mean arterial pressure, uterine-artery pulsatility index, and maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and placental growth factor.The study results will be announced at the 16th FMF World Congress in Fetal Medicine, Slovenia.Pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and infant illness and death globally. It may cause the blood flow through the placenta to be reduced. This might restrict the oxygen flow and nutrients to the fetus that could restrict growth.According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, the disorders are estimated to cause 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths every year.Pregnant women with a family history of the condition, who are obese or as a high blood pressure or kidney disease may increase the probability of developing pre-eclampsia.Around 2% of pregnancies may be with severe preeclampsia while around 6% of them may have mild preeclampsia.Complications may occur early on in pregnancy. This can lead to premature birth and also in extreme cases it may cause the death of both the baby and the mother.It is usually characterized by an increase in the blood pressure and protein in the urine. This could occur after the 20th week of pregnancy and may result in pre-term birth.Pre-eclampsia may lead toPre-eclampsia before 37 weeks may contribute to health complications for the baby. This may include growth restriction, developmental delays because of prematurity or even death.Source: Medindia You don't always need a fancy camera to take a stunning picture. All you need is a photographer's eye. You just need to be able to see beauty in your subject. The winning pictures from the tenth annual iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAwards) are proof. Thousands of people participated from across the world, submitting their best clicks from their iPhones. Photojournalist Sebastiano Tomada was the Grand Prize Winner of the Photographer of the Year, with his picture Children of Qayyarah. The caption reads: Children roam the streets in Qayyarah near the fire and smoke billowing from oil wells, set ablaze by ISIS militants. Sebastiano Tomada_IPPA Here are a few of the most stunning pictures from the contest: 1. Winning the first place for Photographer of the Year was Brendan O Se with his photo of a dockworker's hands in Jakarta. With its detailed lines and clarity, it's unbelievable that it was shot through an iPhone 6s! Brendan O Se_IPPA 2. Titled The America I Know', this one by Maria K. Pianu from Italy was shot at Coney Island in New York. If a single picture could sum up the idea of the American Dream, this would be it. Maria K. Pianu_IPPA 3. This vertigo-inducing shot by Chung Hung from Tapei looks straight from a Kafka novel. Chung Hung_IPPA 4. This one, shot by Zarni Myo Win, is as trippy as a Van Gogh painting Zarni Myo Win_IPPA 5. It's incredible how a picture can be so simple and yet loaded with so much meaning. Dina Alfasi_IPPA 6. Titled Children's Curiosity' by Szymon Felkel from Edinburgh, this one is little too voyeristic. Szymon Felkel_IPPA 7. Is it a tree, is it a winding road? Dyllon Wolf_IPPA 8. With its striking clean colours, this one's our personal favourite. Looks like the photographer Joshua Sarinana, who is also a neuroscientist, knows what appeals to the human eye. Joshua Sarinana_IPPA 9. Winter is coming. Magali Chesnel _ IPPA 10. Pure emotion in this one by Gabriel Ribeiro from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Gabriel Ribeiro_IPPA Veteran actor Shin Sung-il said Wednesday that he has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. "I underwent tests in hospital in Daegu and Seoul after I started coughing blood about a month ago," Shin (80) told the Chosun Ilbo on Wednesday. "I felt crushed when the doctors told me they suspected cancer. The test results fortunately showed that the cancer had not spread to other parts of my body." He is to begin chemo and radiation therapy on Friday. "I have to have therapy for five weeks to shrink the tumor and then decide whether to have surgery," he said. His wife and veteran actress Um Aing-ran (81) also had surgery for breast cancer in 2015. Shin nonetheless plans to attend a retrospective of his works at this year's Busan International Film Festival in October, but he decided to postpone his film project until next year. Shin debuted in 1960 and has starred in more than 500 movies. He recently appeared on a show on TV Chosun about his life in the remote village of Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province. Hyundai Motor will donate US$15 million by the end of the year to help children with cancer in the U.S. through its charity Hope On Wheels. The automaker announced the plan in a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday celebrating the 20th anniversary of the charity, which is committed to funding research centers working on treatments and cures for childhood cancer in the U.S. The donation will bring the cumulative total of donations to the charity to $130 million. Every time a Hyundai car is sold, dealers donate $14 to the funds and Hyundai matches the amount. President Moon Jae-in flew to Washington on Wednesday to meet with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump. The issue of a procedural review delaying the full deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here threatens to overshadow other issues, even though it has been left off the official agenda. The White House and Senate have reacted sensitively to Cheong Wa Dae's decision to postpone the deployment of additional THAAD batteries, and 18 senators from both sides of the aisle sent a letter to Trump just days left before the summit, urging him to speed up the deployment. The U.S. is paying for the deployment to protect the lives of American soldiers and their families as well as vital equipment here. But an added benefit is that most of South Korea falls within the protective range of the THAAD. It does not take a genius to guess how Americans feel as they watch Seoul stall the full deployment, apparently because it is wary of opposition from China. Political think tanks in Washington rarely agree on anything, but they seem to be united when it comes to THAAD. There are issues involving the U.S. and China that South Korea needs to approach strategically, but the deployment, whose sole purpose is to defend against North Korean missile attacks, is not one of them. Moon needs to resolve the THAAD controversy during his visit to Washington. China cannot offer him anything that can compare to the value of the Korea-U.S. alliance in defending South Korea against the belligerent North. One way to defuse the tension might be to tell U.S. officials exactly when the review will end and when the THAAD batteries can be fully deployed. Trump is being briefed daily on the latest developments in North Korea, which shows how much he cares about the threat. On Wednesday, the Trump administration labeled the North Korean nuclear and missile programs the greatest threat not only to Northeast Asia, but to the Pacific regions as well. This could provide an ideal opportunity to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff, because it finally has Washington's full attention. To turn the present crisis into an opportunity, Korea and the U.S. must move completely in synch. While refusing to cave into any pressure from Pyongyang, they must agree to terms that can lead to a resumption in dialogue with the isolated state. Cheong Wa Dae has said it is willing to resume dialogue with North Korea even if it just freezes its nuclear weapons and missile programs without pledging to scrap them. This clearly differs from Washington's approach, which wants the North to start dismantling them before talks can take place. As long as such differences exist, the matter will remain in limbo. China opens up to foreign business From:Shanghai Daily | 2017-06-28 09:51 A guest at the Summer Davos tries out head gear at the augmented reality show area during the summit in Dalian yesterday. In a speech, Premier Li Keqiang said China had achieved better-than-expected results in driving mass entrepreneurship and innovation. Xinhua CHINA is to increase access to the service and manufacturing sectors, relax restrictions on foreign ownership and treat Chinese and foreign companies on an equal basis, Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2017, also known as Summer Davos, in the northeast port city of Dalian. China will be proactive as regards opening up and create a business environment that is internationally competitive, Li added. To make it easier for foreigners to set up enterprises, China will test a process whereby Chinese and foreign companies can register at the same place, Li said. Domestic and foreign companies will also enjoy the same policy support when doing business in China. All companies registered in China will be eligible to enjoy the same supportive policies that China offers in accordance with WTO rules to push forward the Made in China 2025 strategy and promote technological innovation, he said. Foreign companies are encouraged to use profits from the Chinese market to invest in China, he said, but they can choose to take their profits out of China without restriction. [Foreign-funded firms], I believe, will reap generous profits if you reinvest what you earned here in China, Li said. China will also encourage multinational corporations to set up regional headquarters here, and encourage foreign firms to invest more in central, western and northeastern parts of the country, Li said. The premier also said the Chinese economy, with its steady, long-term growth and gradual openness, will generate more opportunities for other countries, and China will remain the most attractive destination worldwide for investment. In the next five years, China will import goods worth US$8 trillion, he added. Countries must safeguard economic globalization to achieve inclusive growth, Li said. Free trade should be the basis of fair trade, he said. Holding back free trade would not bring fair trade. Trade disputes should be dealt with according to the different situations in different countries, Li said. Based on the principal of equal consultation, mutual understanding and accommodation, as well as equal treatment without discrimination, countries must seek convergent interests and complement each others advantages to achieve win-win results, Li said. Neither should we impose unilateral rules on others, nor politicize fair trade, he said. Li underpinned the positive role of globalization in promoting the free flow of merchandise, capital and human resources, which creates a bigger market for producers and more choices for consumers that benefit all countries. The problems facing different countries are not due to globalization itself, but because of an inability to address it, he noted. It does not make sense to blame the rough road and stop moving if I sprain an ankle. It is advisable to adapt to and better guide the direction of globalization, safeguard the authority and effectiveness of multilateralism, promote free trade and investment facilitation, reform global economic order to ensure all countries enjoy equal rights, opportunities and rules, he said. Li said China is fully capable of delivering the years major growth targets, thanks to steady economic transition. The Chinese economy has become more stable and sustainable, and has made progress in restructuring and improving efficiency, he said The government set the GDP growth target at around 6.5 percent for the full year, while pledging to pursue better results in actual economic work. In addition, China will keep its consumer price increases at around 3 percent and the registered urban unemployment rate within 4.5 percent. THE worlds second largest economy posted a forecast-beating growth rate in the first quarter, with GDP up 6.9 percent year on year, the quickest increase in 18 months. A number of financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, have upgraded their China forecasts and Li attributed the stellar performance to the countrys ongoing economic restructuring. China neither took strong stimulus measures nor followed the old investment-driven and resources-reliant path, but strived to innovate and reform in its drive toward an economic shift to consumption and services, Li said. Consumption contributed 64.6 percent of GDP in 2016, while the tertiary sector accounted for 51.6 percent of the economic growth, with domestic demand becoming a significant pillar of the economy. Li did not shy away from challenges. Short-term and small fluctuations of economic indicators are unavoidable but the long-term steady trend will not change, he said, ruling out the possibility of a hard landing. China will continue to propel its supply-side structural reform, streamline administration, delegate power to lower levels, grant easier market access, push forward entrepreneurship and innovation, downsize saturated sectors, and stimulate consumption, he said. China had achieved better-than-expected results in its efforts to drive mass entrepreneurship and innovation. The number of market entities in China increased by a daily average of 40,000 in the past three years, he added. During that period, the premier said, 14,000 enterprises were registered every day on average, with about 70 percent of them active in business, and the number of new enterprises rose to 18,000 a day in May. He described mass entrepreneurship and innovation as an effective way to realize inclusive growth, saying the process engages and benefits people extensively. New growth momentum, including new industries and new business models, contributed around 70 percent of all new jobs created in the countrys cities last year, he said. Inclusive and prudent regulation by the government has fostered rapid development of emerging industries and business models including e-commerce, mobile payments and bike sharing, Li said. As Chinas reform requires the participation of foreign capital, foreign businessmen and foreign intelligence, foreign enterprises are welcomed to participate in the mergers and reorganization of Chinese enterprises, Premier Li Keqiang said on June 28, while meeting with entrepreneurs attending Summer Davos in Dalian. China will provide foreign investors with easier access to Chinas service sector, which is evaluated with the negative list management system, and treat Chinese and foreign companies on an equal basis in accordance with WTO rules, he added. Premier Li refuted the claim that the Made in China 2025 strategy is aimed at not buying foreign equipment in the future, adding, It is impossible, as Chinas open market will allow enterprises to have more autonomy in making decisions. More important, in the context of globalization, equipment manufacturing quality cannot be improved with closed doors, said the Premier. We are conducting cooperation with Germany, the United States and other countries, which will allow more foreign equipment manufacturing products and technologies to enter the Chinese market. Chinas Internet Plus Initiative is facing the global market, in which the cloud platform can attract foreign enterprises and individuals, and the opening up of basic and value-added telecommunications businesses are also the highest level among developing countries. The Chinese government will explore inclusive and effective supervision, resolutely combat cyber fraud and the selling of fake products, in a bid to promote the joint development of both foreign and Chinese enterprises, said the Premier. He vowed more measures to promote trade facilitation. The single-window service will be further improved to simplify the customs clearance process, which will save time for enterprises by one-third this year. International cooperation will be strengthened in mutual authentication to avoid redundant check approvals for enterprises. The widespread overcapacity in some fields are caused by the quantitative easing policies, adopted by many countries after the international financial crisis, so it requires joint efforts from all countries, said the Premier. Instead of shirking responsibility, China has taken active measures to eliminate extra production capacity, which not only helped its own structural reform, but also made contributions to the global society, he said. By promoting entrepreneurship and mass innovation, as well as easing market access, the Chinese government is encouraging start-ups, as big companies are playing a less important role in employment. Now, there are 15,000 newly registered small and micro enterprises every day, and they are providing 80 percent of Chinas total job opportunities, forming the basis for inclusive growth. President Donald Trump's relationship with the hosts of the MSNBC program "Morning Joe" - which devolved into cringeworthy tweets about facelifts and the size of the president's anatomy on Thursday - has a long and ugly history, careening from collegiality to hostility, followed by even deeper hostility. In the earliest days of the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump was a semiregular guest on the show, hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. He seemed to accord it near-equal status to its direct and higher-rated cable-news competitor, "Fox & Friends." The three of them appeared to be on friendly terms: Trump thanked Scarborough and Brzezinski for being "believers" in, if not outright supporters of, his candidacy after he won the New Hampshire Republican primary last year. Scarborough, a former Republican Florida congressman, seemed to enjoy a particular rapport with Trump, addressing him by his first name on the air. But that seemed to change last year when Scarborough dared to criticize Trump on the air and in print. In an op-ed for The Washington Post in May last year, Scarborough questioned whether Trump's campaign had what it took to win: "Unless the Trump team figures out how to build a campaign operation that focuses more on fundamentals than flashy PR tricks, the next deal Donald Trump will be negotiating will be his return to The Apprentice," he wrote. Trump responded as he often does when criticized, hitting back harder. He called Scarborough's show "rapidly fading" in one tweet, and in another remarked, "Wow, I hear @MorningJoe has gone really hostile ever since I said I won't do or watch the show anymore. They misrepresent my positions!" This prompted Scarborough to respond that his show was generating "our best ratings ever" and to taunt, "Define 'rapidly fading,' Donnie boy!" Last August, their feud moved from nasty to nuclear. After the "Morning Joe" hosts criticized Trump's immigration proposals, Trump called the show "unwatchable" in a tweet, adding "@morningmika is off the wall, a neurotic and not very bright mess!" Scarborough, who is engaged to Brzezinski, came to her aid in, of all things, a music video. Backed by a country-music beat, he sang and semi-rapped about "a soft and flaccid man" who was liable to grant amnesty to undocumented aliens despite his campaign promises to the contrary. The song went on to suggest that Trump suffered from "psychiatric abnormalities" and was "a sociopath [and] a psychopath." The reasons for Trump's latest pique at Scarborough and Brzezinski aren't clear, but in recent months Scarborough and Brzezinski have called Trump "a jackass" and repeatedly questioned his mental health. Last week, Scarborough's released another music video, this one to promote his new rock album. It features images of Trump amid scenes of nuclear war, drug use and riots. Trump on Thursday was more than happy to respond in kind. In one of his usual early-morning tweet storms, Trump said, "I hear poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came . . . to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" It's unclear what exactly set Trump off Thursday morning. But the hosts had discussed a Washington Post story about a fake Time magazine cover of him that has hung in several of his golf clubs. "Nothing makes a man feel better than making a fake cover of a magazine about himself, lying every day and destroying the country," Brzezinski said. "It's a good feeling." The tweet was the first known instance of a president of the United States commenting on a woman's supposed facelift. Brzezinski replied a few minutes later on Twitter with a photo of a box of Cheerios that carried the slogan, "Made for Little Hands" - a reference to the president's supposed anatomical deficits. MSNBC sought to capture some of the high ground, if any is left, by releasing a statement tacitly defending Brzezinski: "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job." 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... The Senate Armed Services Committee's markup of the defense budget Thursday left out proposals to have women register for the draft. The move essentially tabled the controversial issue following similar action Monday in the House Armed Services Committee's markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2018. Proposals by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., and others to have women register for Selective Service were dropped from that bill. Speier unsuccessfully argued for an amendment to the NDAA that would have required women to register for the draft. "It's time to stop delaying the inevitable with parliamentary gymnastics," she said. "If it does come to a draft, men and women should be treated equally." Her amendment failed by a vote of 33-28 in the committee. Committee Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, opposed Speier's amendment, saying it was getting ahead of an ongoing review of the Selective Service System. Last year, committee members approved a similar measure requiring women to register for the draft, but Republican leaders stripped the language on the House floor. The Senate last year also backed the draft for women but dropped the issue in budget negotiations with the House. Women have always been exempt from the law requiring all men ages 18 to 26 to register for possible military service with the Selective Service System. The main argument against women registering for the draft had been that they were excluded from serving in combat jobs. However, the Defense Department has since lifted combat restrictions. At a May 22 Brookings Institution forum, Thornberry was asked to state his position on women and the draft. He responded, "We have appointed a commission to look at this. We'll see what they have to say," but he gave no timeline for the study to be completed and no indication whether Congress would be prepared to act when the commission files a report. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related Video: ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT OVER IRAQ -- The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's C-130 Hercules mission may not be the most glamorous part of the U.S. military's fight against the Islamic State, but it's vital. During a single mission on Wednesday, a crew of six moved nearly 100 people including special operations forces, allies and civilians -- and roughly 15 tons of cargo such as ammunition, tactical equipment, building materials, fuel, food, blood packs. Military.com joined the C-130H3's 12-hour operation to several locations in Iraq. The 386th, based elsewhere in Southwest Asia, invited this reporter along under the condition last names, specific locations, tactics and procedures not be disclosed. Related content: "I would say the C-130 -- we're more like the blue collar guys of Air Force [operations]," Capt. Dennis, the co-pilot, said during the mission. "We bring our lunch pail to work every day, punch in the timecard, and get the mission done," said Dennis, who, if it were standard for non-combat pilots to have a call sign, said he'd be called "Thundercat." The crew for Wednesday's flight included pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer and loadmasters, all of whom hailed from the National Guard's 156th Airlift Squadron in Charlotte, North Carolina. In theater, they're part of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. The mission was their last in the Middle East before returning home. "There's nothing holding us back when we're out here," said Tech. Sgt. Justin, the flight engineer. "We're always doing something," added Capt. Ashley, the navigator. "Really, the C-130 is out helping people, and that's why I love being a part of this mission." Flying east, the crew watched out the C-130's front windows for anything suspicious as the Hercules descended. Before landing, they suited up with protective armor, per protocol. "Welcome to Iraq," Ashley said. Complex Theater Despite the complexity of the fight against ISIS and, in Syria, the uncertainties surrounding how the U.S. will respond to pro-Syrian regime forces moving forward -- the crew pressed on. "We try not to pay attention, to be honest," said Ashley, when asked if the latest U.S. "red line" comment against Syria worried the crew. President Donald Trump's administration a day earlier announced it was conceiving a potential targeted response against President Bashar al-Assad, saying it was aware that "potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack" were looming. "Our missions go on more than anyone else's do," Justin said. Officials said there has not been "any stoppage" on airlift in areas near contested airspace. However, tasking for flights can change rapidly, even in the air. "Stuff pops up, and we deal with it as it comes," said Maj. Joe, the crew's mission commander and pilot. "It's a complex environment," said Col. Charles D. Bolton, the 386th commander. "We fly with the same defense systems we've had for a while. We're trained to operate in this environment and have been for many, many years." And that's due to the C-130's tactical advantage. Much more flexible and agile than its larger cousin, the C-17 Globemaster III, the Lockheed Martin Corp.-made C-130s can carry approximately 45,000 pounds and airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds. Roughly 50 years old -- depending on model -- the planes carry decoy flares. When launched by the automatic system that detects a threat, the flare draws a rocket to lock onto it instead of the aircraft. There are also internal armored panels throughout the floors and sides of the craft to provide additional protection. "For us, there's nothing different. We haven't had anything [happen] to our aircraft," Bolton continued. "This is what we do. We're going to fly and do what we do every day." When asked about the seemingly fluid "deconfliction zone" in Syria, he said there are higher-threat areas the C-130's will logically avoid. "We generally don't go 'downtown' as what we call it," Bolton said. "We might be tasked to, and if we are, that will be thought out and planned appropriately." The 156th crew said they've been part of airdrops supplying U.S.-backed forces on the frontlines in Syria. "I prefer to fly into Iraq as opposed to Syria for combat support -- but that's just my preference," Joe said. Even so, Joe said he enjoys doing airdrops -- less prevalent than standard transport -- because C-130 crews "spend so much time training for them, and it's good to see operationally." "This is, after all, a combat-focused mission," he said. And that's how any aviation crew should see it, Bolton said. "When you go to fly every day, you're thinking, 'This is war, This is combat.' " A Clear-Focused Run Before this particular flight began, a crew member recited a favorite quote that "brings them inspiration," per the crew's tradition. Staff Sgt. Cody, a loadmaster, chose the speech President Thomas Whitmore -- played by Bill Pullman -- famously made in the film "Independence Day." It was the crew's own good-luck juju, which held through the hours-long flight to a handful of locations, and the last to close out their four-month deployment. As the sun went down, the onboard dynamic changed slightly. The C-130 went dark. The crew strapped into armor, and night-vision goggles came on. Only a blanket of fires from Iraqis below and stars from above lit the way forward. Approaching the last strip, the crew went silent, watching for movement from Islamic State forces on the ground, and also coalition aircraft from any direction. The airspace was busy but not overwhelming, with aircraft such as coalition drones and aerostats. The crew still carefully changed altitudes or directions as needed. "We're used to this," Joe said. The final load of the night went out under dim lights. Before taking off again, they saw a rocket flare launched from some miles away. "I don't know what that was," Joe said but said it happens from time to time as ISIS has been known to operate in the area. On the return trip, flight engineer Justin had one more mission -- to re-enlist aboard the aircraft in Iraqi airspace. The 16-year Air Force veteran put in for at least four more years. Dennis administered the oath. "I know 100 percent this is my last" re-enlistment, Justin said. "Mainly because I hate every second I have to be away from my kids. [Still] it is the best when it is just the six of us [crew] doing what we gotta do," he said. Ashley said, "What makes mobility stand out is we flex to what the need is. We have the opportunity out here to do something on the edge of what C-130s are capable of doing -- that's something." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. The Senate Armed Services Committee backed the 2.1 percent military pay raise proposed by the White House, compared to the 2.4 percent increase suggested by the House Armed Services Committee earlier this week. The summary of the Senate committee's markup for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2018 states the bill would authorize "a 2.1 percent across-the-board pay raise for members of the Armed Forces." However, the Senate version of the bill did include a proposal from Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., that would require presidents in future years to tie pay raises to the Employment Cost Index of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure is 2.4 percent for the 12-month period through March, according to BLS. The overall proposal backed by the committee's chairman, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and ranking member Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, calls for total defense spending in fiscal 2018, which begins Oct. 1, of $700 billion compared to the $696.5 billion proposed by the House committee Monday. Related content: The Senate committee's summary of the bill said it backed a $640 billion base budget for the Defense Department and the national security programs of the Energy Department. The bill would also authorize $60 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations, the so-called war budget to fund operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. "In sum, the NDAA supports a national defense topline of $700 billion," the summary states. The House and Senate will begin negotiations on a final version of the NDAA after the July 4 recess. In a statement, McCain said, "The NDAA starts the process of rebuilding our military after six years of devastating cuts to our defense budget. By supporting $640 billion for defense, this legislation begins to address the readiness shortfall, crisis in modernization, and eroding military advantage by recapitalizing and reinvesting in our forces." Both the Senate and House proposals went well beyond the White House baseline defense budget of $603 billion and also well beyond the budget caps imposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011, which mandates that increases in defense spending be matched by increases in domestic spending. Under BCA, the baseline defense budget would be $549 billion. House and Senate leaders have called on Congress to lift the BCA restrictions, which would take 60 votes in the Senate under current rules. In a statement, Reed said, "Ultimately, a strong national defense and a strong economy both depend on Congress equitably resolving the Budget Control Act caps and sequestration, which is outside this committee's jurisdiction." Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the ranking House Armed Services Committee member, said, "Right now, we're just hoping" that BCA will be repealed. "We're doing the $696 billion, and we're hoping that between now and Oct. 1 some path that at the moment is completely blocked and completely unforeseen is going to emerge." The Senate committee's summary said the Trump administration's "request of $603 billion for the base defense budget was a step in the right direction, but it is insufficient to undo the damage of the last six years. Ultimately, the solution must be to repeal or revise the BCA, and the committee urges Congress to do so immediately." -- Editor's note: This story was updated in the third paragraph to clarify that Sens. Ernst and Warren called for linking military pay raises with the ECI, not by a specific percentage. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. ANN ARBOR, MI - An Ann Arbor business is taking a cue from Willy Wonka and hiding golden tickets for drink and food discounts around Ann Arbor ahead of its grand reopening. The Haymaker Public House, formerly Curtain Call and The Arena, is posting updates on its Facebook page about the search for golden tickets that secure a year of weekly $10 gift certificates to the bar and restaurant. Operating partner Mark Adams talked about the idea with The Ann Arbor News when it was announced the business at 203 E. Washington was closingfor a short time period to undergo renovations. Each of the five golden tickets offers a $10 gift certificate per week for a year. The first golden ticket was found within 7 minutes of clues being announced, and was located in a parking garage in Ann Arbor. Hi Everyone! I'm Joe, the GM of Haymaker Public House. The location of Golden Ticket #3 will be coming to you at... Posted by Haymaker Ann Arbor on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 Here's some guidelines on how to find your own golden ticket: All tickets are in public places, not on private property, so no trespassing required. Winners are required to take a picture of themselves with the ticket and post it to Facebook. Tickets hidden inside businesses can only be found during business hours. Again, no trespassing. Once a ticket is found, a Facebook announcement will be made alerting participants to the next search date and clues for the location. Renovation Days 5 & 6 - Mostly finished painting, new pillars on the wall, molding & trim in, shiny ceiling tiles and a Haymaker sign to boot. Posted by Haymaker Ann Arbor on Friday, June 16, 2017 Haymaker management thought of the giveaway to get people excited about the new concept for their business and to promote the upcoming Grand Opening Party starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1. The celebration will include live music by Cold Tone Harvest and giveaways. The first 200 people in the door will get to spin a wheel for prizes including a $50 gift card, draft beers are $4 all day and a new line of cocktails are going to debut that day. "We're excited about finally moving into the permanent phase," Adams said. Adams is part of a team that took over management of the former Arena bar and restaurant in 2016, and renamed it Curtain Call while considering what direction to take the business. The Haymaker Public House hosts Sporcle trivia games at 6:30 p.m. Sundays and 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with more chances to win gift certificates for the business. The Arena gained notoriety under former owner Brian M. "Mike" Flore when featured in an episode of SPIKE TV's "Bar Rescue" that aired in November 2015. "Bar Rescue" host Jon Taffer could not help Flore with his financial woes related to multiple charges of failure to pay taxes, and Flore was sentenced to five years in prison in July. The Arena's doors were locked the day after. ROCHESTER HILLS, MI - Canadians can't even get this bizarre food item on Canada Day without crossing the border. Only one Tim Hortons in Michigan will sell poutine donuts. Yes, poutine donuts. Poutine is a Canadian dish made with French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. Tim Hortons says it is celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary by offering the strange donut combination along with Maple Timbits and a Maple Bacon Iced Capp. The Poutine donut and Maple Bacon Iced Capp are available on Saturday, July 1, 2017 for one day only at just five U.S. locations. One of them is at 2258 Crooks Rd. in Rochester Hills, MI. The others are located in Columbus, OH, Derby, NY, Hamburg, NY and East Aurora, NY. The Timbits will be sold at all locations nationwide throughout July until supplies last. The poutine donut is a honey dipped donut topped with potato wedges, gravy and cheese curds for $1.49. "We're proud of our Canadian heritage and we want to share a piece of that in the United States," said Felipe Athayde, EVP of Tim Hortons US. "Our new Canadian inspired treats are a great way for Americans to get in on the 150th celebration of their friendly neighbor next door." The Maple Timbits are described as maple flavored bite sized donut holes for 25 cents each or $1.99 for a 10-pack. The Maple Bacon Iced Capp is topped with whipped cream, maple flakes and bacon bits for $3.49. ANN ARBOR, MI - In response to the community's requests for later high school start times, Ann Arbor Public Schools is rolling out a new option for students to start classes after 8:30 a.m. in the 2017-18 school year. Students at Ann Arbor's Huron, Pioneer and Skyline high schools will have the option to start their school day with second period. That would put the start time at 8:39 a.m. for Huron, 8:49 a.m. for Pioneer and 9:01 a.m. for Skyline. Paul DeAngelis, executive director of high school education at AAPS, announced the new option at a school board meeting on Wednesday, June 28. The district also added more buses and restructured routes so no students will be picked up earlier than 7 a.m. in the 2017-18 school year, said Superintendent Jeanice Swift. "We looked at ways in which we can create a more comprehensive daily high school schedule that will meet the needs of all students," said DeAngelis, who was part of a 14-person advisory committee that examined the school start time issue in recent months. "That makes this conversation less about when we start school and looks at how can we provide the most flexibility, the most options for our students as they design the schedule that best meets their needs." Students who elect the second period start have a few options for getting in their required instruction time: taking an additional class at the end of the traditional school day or enrolling in a virtual class, community resource class or summer school. AAPS high schools start at 7:45 a.m. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend middle and high schools start school at 8:30 a.m. or later to better align with teenagers' natural sleep cycles and promote better mental health and academic achievement. Ann Arbor Schools has explored later school start times in years past. The Ann Arbor chapter of Start School Later renewed those efforts by petitioning the school board last fall. In November, the school district commissioned a survey to gauge the community's preferences for school start times, and the results showed the majority of parents are interested in later school start times. The survey was part of AAPS' three-year, $125,000 contract with Thought Exchange, the company that oversaw the survey and analyzed the results. Colleen Seifert, a co-leader of the local Start School Later chapter, was pleased with the proposal DeAngelis presented to the school board. Seifert has a son who attends Community High School, and she was part of the school start times advisory committee. "The brilliance of the staff's plan is in making options available and having everybody choose, rather than saying everybody has to do something," Seifert said Thursday. "I am really pleased that they have the vast majority of students able to select the second hour start times. The list of times does meet the guidelines from the pediatric and medical associations and the CDC, so it's a terrific outcome. The logistics will be the test of it." Community High School has a block schedule, so the second hour start will not work for that school, Seifert said, but she still thinks the later start time option is beneficial. Ann Arbor's other alternative high school - Pathways to Success - already offers flexible scheduling with classes available throughout the day. Transportation was an important factor in the advisory committee's work to ensure equity. Ann Arbor high schools currently offer some classes in an extra period at the end of the traditional school day, but students need to have their own transportation to and from school in order to take advantage of the option. In the coming school year, transportation will be available for students who elect to start their day in second period. High schoolers can ride the middle school bus routes to the nearest middle school, and then buses leaving from the middle schools at 8:10 a.m. will shuttle them to their high schools. Ann Arbor Public Schools also works with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority to provide transportation for students. Andrew Cluley, district communications specialist, said they're still working out the details for students who may need transportation home after the later class period. Other logistics that need to be worked out relate to the availability of classes outside regular school hours, whether schools will need to change when they serve meals as the hours of the school day change and how employees' work schedules might change. Plus, school staff have no idea at this point how many students will choose the later start time. Swift said families will be notified of the new option early this summer, and they'll set a deadline for when students need to make a decision on their preferred start time. The schools will accommodate students who want to change start times later in the year, Swift said. "Those are going to be challenges to make sure students can start second period and still get their six required hours in," Seifert said. "It's by no means settled at this point. But I felt really stunned and appreciative of the response from staff in making this possible." Gavi Forman, who will be a senior at Huron High School this fall, has advocated for later school start times. Dr. Ronald Chervin, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Michigan Medicine, interviewed Forman about teens' sleep habits for a piece for the Huffington Post published in May. Forman has taken advantage of Ann Arbor's flexible scheduling options in the past, taking a health course one summer as a community resource class and completing her physical education credits through an online class. She also was planning to schedule a "free hour" at the start of the day this coming school year so she could come in later. "I was kind of anticipating that the school would not do anything about (the start times) for this year, so I had planned on taking a free first hour and talked to my counselor about that," Forman said Thursday. "It seems like the later school start times are pretty endorsed by my peers and other people in the community." Forman had some questions about how scheduling for afterschool activities would work. She runs cross country, and they typically practice at the end of the school day. If many students chose the second hour start and an additional class at the end of the day, that could push back the practice time or lead to having different practice times, Forman said. She said homework and extracurriculars contribute to teens staying up later at night, which makes it more difficult for them to wake up early and be ready to learn when school starts before 8:30 a.m. ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Public Schools is one step away from having new two-year agreements with all its employee groups. On Wednesday, June 28, the board of education approved tentative agreements with teachers; paraprofessionals; administrators; office professionals; employees formerly represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and employees in a variety of positions who are not affiliated with any of the collective bargaining groups. Last week, the board signed off on tentative agreements with coordinators and supervisors as well as technical support staff. Some of the unions are still voting on the tentative agreements, and the contracts only go into effect if the bargaining groups ratify them. Employees have until Friday, June 30, to ratify the agreements. Few details of the agreements were released when the trustees unanimously approved them Wednesday, and more information will be available once the contracts are finalized. Superintendent Jeanice Swift said the proposed contracts would equate to an additional $8.5 million spent on total compensation for employees over the next two school years. "We know that in a school district, we are all about the 'human' in human resources. This allows us to continue to hopefully attract the very best and brightest, and we feel like we already have the best and brightest," Swift said, thanking the negotiating team for their work and the trustees for their support. Ann Arbor Education Association President Linda Carter was pleased with the length of the proposed agreement. She said the last time Ann Arbor teachers had a two-year agreement was 2009 to 2011. That contract was extended through memorandums of understanding and eventually led to contentious negotiations in 2015, with the AAEA and the school district disagreeing on when certain terms of the contract expired. "The Ann Arbor Public School Community deserves two years of labor peace," Carter wrote in an email to The Ann Arbor News on Wednesday. "On behalf of the members of the Ann Arbor Education Association, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the AAPS community, especially the parents for their ongoing support of teachers. We have also valued the amazing support from our community members living in Ann Arbor." In the midst of negotiations, members of the AAEA held a "fair pay rally" before the June 14 school board meeting. Teachers said their wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living each year. Teacher Peter Ways endorsed the tentative agreement in a post on the AAEA Facebook account published Wednesday morning. "I've read the TA carefully, asked many questions about it, and I come out as a strong supporter," Ways wrote. "I've heard that this was better than expected, better than we've had in a long time, and a vast improvement over what the district had been offering even last week. I have to think that all our our voices and those of the community supporters made a difference." Ways said there is still more work to be done related to compensation, evaluation, outsourcing, special education and "having a district and administration that treats their teachers with respect and professionalism." ANN ARBOR, MI - To help meet Ann Arbor's goal of the city generating 2.4 megawatts per year of solar energy, the city is partnering with Michigan Interfaith Power and Light (MIIPL) to install solar panels on eligible places of worship. Optimal candidates own a large building with either a flat or south-facing roof. "The hope for this project is the congregations will pay less over time for the clean energy they get than they do to DTE," said Emily Drennen, sustainability associate with the City of Ann Arbor. "The idea of starting with congregations is that their building is going to be around for a while, they're community institutions, and the hope will be that whatever model we come up with, this will be something we can use toward all nonprofits, not just faith based ones." She said the city is in talks with Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple, but hopes for at least two other organizations to sign on to the project. Talks of how to fund the project are still in works, Drennen said, but parishioner crowd funding and community backers are potential means. "In our day to day life at the temple, we are guided by our belief in the interconnection of all beings," said Haju Sunim, a priest with the temple. "We believe that our energy use affects our larger community and that everyone would benefit from our choice to use cleaner energy." While not a part of this program, the Campus Chapel on Washtenaw Court already uses 44 solar panels in a 12-kilowatt grid to help power its facility. Pastor Matt Ackerman with Campus Chapel said the configuration has made the chapel "100 percent energy efficient." "The Bible has a lot to say about loving your neighbor and this is our way of doing that," he said. "We see it as a faith statement to go solar." The panels were installed on the Campus Chapel in October 2016. While it hasn't been a full year yet, Ackerman is convinced the chapel's bills will show reduced costs compared to last year. He said the panels help them to connect to their younger congregants, who typically feel passionately about solar and renewable energy. The push for solar powered places of worship comes during the Department of Energy's SunShot Prize: Solar in Your Community challenge. The goal is to expand solar to underserved communities, according to the DOE's webpage. This includes moderate-to-low income households, state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations. The hope is to "make solar more accessible and inclusive for every American," according to the project's website. It lists $5 million, divvied up among brackets of winning teams, and technical assistance for more than 18 months as prizes for the challenge. The performance period began May 1 and ends Oct. 31, 2018. Communities submit a final report at the end of the challenge, detailing how innovative and impactful the community program was. A panel of national judges determines the winner. Jane Vogel, board member of MIIPL, said the idea to pair with the city for this challenge came about through the Climate Action Partnership Team. Both she and Drennen are members. MIIPL has helped almost 400 congregations in the last three years to become more energy efficient. Executive Director of MIIPL Bob Chapman said places of worship can be large consumers of energy, especially if their building is used for community events. He said funds saved through halving energy costs can then be put back into the community. "These are communities that come together in living their faith and do outreach to the world," Chapman said. "If $1,500 is not used (on energy bills), they can reach out to those in need, the poor, and spread their message of God's care and love." Places of worship interested in the project can reach out to Chapman on the group's website. K Sudhakaran has said he's too busy with organisational duties to seek re-election. IRB Infrastructure Developers | In 2020 so far, the share price has moved up 76 percent to Rs 131.20. It's trailing twelve months (TTM) P/E was 6.40 multiple while 5-year average P/E was 8.30 multiple. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday committed USD 10 billion support for infrastructure building and immediate development needs of less-developed states in the country. Besides, the Manila-based multi-lateral funding agency decided to increase the annual funding by USD 1 billion to USD 4 billion. ADB expects India to grow by 7.4 percent in the current financial year and 7.6 percent in 2018-19. Its President Takehiko Nakao said the ADB stands ready to meet immediate development needs of up to USD 5 billion over the five-year period for less developed states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, addressing critical infrastructure and capacity deficits. He also confirmed that with ADB assistance, strategic planning for economic corridors is rapidly progressing. The funding agency is prepared to invest up to USD 5 billion during 2018-2022 for infrastructure building to develop the East Coast Economic Corridor. Nakao praised progress on attracting investments in manufacturing industries in the Corridor. "Several reform measures introduced by the government for rationalising tax structure, boosting competitiveness and easing foreign direct investment norms in crucial sectors like infrastructure will contribute to its objective of achieving high and inclusive economic growth," he said. Nakao added that further reforms both at central and state levels for improving efficiency in the land and labour markets and strengthening the banking sector will boost growth. "I generally commended the government's resolve to address some of these issues. There has been some progress. However, there are some areas which require further strengthening of reforms. One of the issues for India is to integrate more with the global market," he said. Besides, he said, labour practices still need some rationalisation. "Regulation about FDI should also further be reformed. Land acquisition is a politically difficult issue. I hope that states and other authorities look at this. It is improving but still there is room for improvement," he said. During the day, he met both Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Both discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to enhanced cooperation between India and ADB. Jaitley thanked ADB president for the continued support from ADB for development projects in India and for agreeing to enhance the lending operations of the Bank in India from USD 3 billion a year to USD 4 billion per annum. ADB President, who was on a 3-day visit to India, also assured to expand the bank's assistance to relatively lesser developed states in the area of power (including renewable energy), transport, urban development, and health services. Building on an ongoing USD 631 million project in the Vizag-Chennai section approved by the ADB Board in 2016, Nakao conveyed ADB's readiness to expand the Corridor further south in Tamil Nadu. This combined total of USD 10 billion in major investments would be part of ADB's new country strategy, which proposes annual lending over the 5-year period of USD 3-4 billion from sovereign and non-sovereign operations. The final amounts will depend on the implementation and readiness of projects under preparation and the borrowing policies of the central and state governments, he said. "On the other hand, the government wants us to lend more but it also cares about the deficit. In short, the government is happy with our ideas but it is also asking us to do things in a speedy manner," he said. Asked as to why India has been given USD 10 billion commitment, Nakao said, the discussion is that the international community should invest in infrastructure to raise growth. "We must also invest more in climate change infrastructure. And also because of the sustainable development goals of the UN, we should make further efforts in poverty reduction," he said. India is one of the important countries and ADB is also lending to China, though not in an increasing manner but the bank is keeping our lending to China, he said. India is important country because of its capacity to implement projects to eliminate poverty, he added. Nakao also agreed to India's suggestion to set up a regional hub in New Delhi for South Asia region, which could expedite the process of project preparation and delivery for India and other countries in the region. India and ADB also agreed to increasingly adopt a country system for procurement and social and environmental safeguards for ADB-assisted projects in a time-bound manner. During meeting with Sitharaman, both discussed the progress in Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC). She further mentioned that the Northern Extension of the ECEC from Vizag to Odisha and West Bengal is very important and ADB should accelerate the work thereon. The minister also mentioned that the southern extension from Chennai to Kanyakumari should include extension up to Kollachal Port and even at Vizhinjam, as this would accrue several economic benefits to these areas. Nakao appreciated the Government reforms towards the GST implementation and termed them as historic, he said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Pursuant to Regulation 42 of SEBI (Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirements) Regulation 2015 read with section 91 of the Companies Act, 2013 we would like to inform you that 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Company scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 10.00 am at the registered office of the company at Dwarikesh Nagar 246762, Dist. Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. The Register of Members and Share Transfer Books of the Company will be closed from Saturday, August 12, 2017 to Saturday to August 19, 2017 (both days inclusive) for the purpose of Annual General Meeting of the Company and Declaration of Dividend.Please note that the Final dividend is payable only if approved by the shareholders of the 23rd Annual General Meeting.Source : BSE Sudarshan Sukhani of s2analytics.com told CNBC-TV18, "It is a good day, we have had a sharp correction; I dont know where this correction will eventually go, but at least for the time being, for the next couple of days, we should be looking at a cheerful momentum in the market." "Dewan Housing Finance (DHFL) is a buying opportunity. It has been an outperformer and for the time being NBFCs should do well. Hero MotoCorp which has been doing well irrespective of what the market does, is a buy." "Vedanta is a buy. The stock is now bottoming out. After a mild and brief correction in metals, it does appear that Vedanta could now begin some kind of a momentum thrust on the upside." "So, there are three buying ideas; today is not a day to go short," he added. Ashwani Gujral of ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18, "For the day long positions are for starters. So, Jet Airways is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 564 and target of Rs 590. United Spirits is also a buy with a stop loss of Rs 2,340 and target of Rs 2,420." L&T Finance Holdings is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 137 and target of Rs 150. GMDC is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 142 and target of Rs 154. Tata Steel is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 510 and target of Rs 545." Have a long-term outlook | Timing investment is logically impossible because the best entry and exit opportunities are known only in hindsight. No one can predict market movements with certainty. Therefore, it is important to allow your investments to compound over a long term. Placing India high in its scheme of things, Chinese appliance maker Midea today made public its plan to invest Rs 800 crore to set up a manufacturing facility in Pune. The unit will have a production line for appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and water appliance products. Spread over 43 acres in Pune, the facility will employ 500 people and be operational by 2018-end. "India is a key market in our global growth strategy and will be an important manufacturing hub in future," said Midea Group Vice-President Andy Gu. He added: "Our investment is an example of Midea's belief in the Indian market and reiterates our commitment to Make in India." The company has been investing in its Indian operations since 2013. The new facility will also provide export opportunity to the company, besides meeting domestic demand. It will have capacity to manufacture 5 lakh refrigerators, 6 lakh washing machines and 10 lakh water appliances. Midea group's part and component divisions GMCC and Welling will be setting up a manufacturing unit for compressors and motors for appliances. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Bharat Forge and Sona Koyo Systems are in the fray along with private equity players Blackstone Group, KKR and DA Capital to acquire all or part of Amtek Groups businesses from lenders who are looking to recover their money from the debt-laden group. Amtek Group, which owes Rs 20,000 crore to banks, is one of the 12 stressed accounts which was named by the RBI as a candidate for bankruptcy proceedings. Promoters' holding in Amtek will be pared by more than half with most of the company's debt going to the buyers. Through this sale, lenders will look to pay off 25 percent or Rs 20,000 crore of Amtek's debt. While 25 percent of debt will be retired, the remaining 50 percent will be paid through a combination of equity and debt, reports the newspaper. A source close to the bidding process of the integrated auto component manufacturer said: "Bharat Forge and Sona are looking to acquire parts of the profit making auto forging assets, while financial investors are looking to acquire the entire basket." Apart from India operations, Amteks units have a strong presence in Europe, the Americas and Japan. The groups auto ancillary business forging, casting, machining is spread across 80 global plants. Sources also mention that Amtek dues are to be repaid through a long-term arrangement involving a mix of low-coupon debt and equity. VG Kannan, Chief Executive, Indian Banks' Association said total incremental provisioning which needs to be made by the banks on the 12 stressed accounts could be around Rs 20,000 crore. It is a ballpark figure, he said. Market had estimated the incremental provisioning burden on the banks to be around Rs 40,000 crore. The Reserve Bank of India has asked banks to make additional provisions of up to 100 percent on the 12 loan accounts to be referred to the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). In a letter to top banks last week, the central bank directed them to make 50 percent provisioning on the 12 loans which are worth around Rs 1,90,000 crore. Raising the bar now, RBI has told banks to set aside 50 percent provision against the secured portion of these loans and 100 percent provision against the unsecured part. Provisioning is the amount to be set aside by banks for stressed assets to act as buffer in case the loan is not recovered. According to Kannan, the banks will likely distribute the amount equally in all quarters. However, it depends on each bank and if a particular bank finds that they have more room available in a certain quarter then they would make more provisions in that quarter. The RBI circular says banks can make provisions from Q2 to Q4, since Q1 is almost over. So theoretically, it has to be done in three quarters but the banks can do it in four quarters as well, said Kannan. Meanwhile, he said all stressed assets are likely to be filed with the NCLT by first ten days of July. Air India A day after Cabinet gave in-principal approval for sale of government's stake in Air India, IndiGo Airlines is known to have expressed unsolicited interest to buy stake in the national carrier, reports CNBC-TV18 On a positive note, the aviation ministry said more airlines are likely to show interest in Air India. IndiGo was the first airline to do so. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had decided to privatise Air India to make it economically viable, said Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi to CNBC-TV18. Confirming the news Gajapathi told CNBC-TV18 that the ministry did receive a letter from IndiGo expressing interest. Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for aviation, said that many companies have informally approached the flagship carrier to buy stake as well, and there are both domestic and international airlines among interested entities. The government has also decided to set up a committee to explore various options including strategic divestment of the loss-making airline and its five subsidiaries. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the inter-ministerial panel. The decision was based on the recommendations of Niti Aayog. The committee will consider the quantum of disinvestment to be made the universe of bidders, according to a government press release. According to media reports, Tata Sons officials led by Chairman N Chandrasekaran are known to have already met up with top officials in the aviation ministry to express their interest in buying the airline. Tata Sons has stakes in Air Vistara and AirAsia India. The committee will also study and suggest ways to treat the unsustainable debt of Air India; hiving off certain assets to a shell company and demerger and strategic divestment of the airlines profit-making subsidiaries. Air India Transport Services, Hotel Corporation of India, Air India Charters, Air India Engineering Services and Airlines Allied Services are the five subsidiaries of Air India. The airline, surviving on a Rs 30,231-crore government bailout package, has accumulated losses of around Rs 52,000 crore and as much debt. The package, approved by the previous government in 2012, called for staggered equity infusion over nine years. It has so far received Rs 23,993 crore under the package. The airline reported an operating profit of Rs 105 crore in 2015-16 though this was contested by Comptroller and Auditor General which said it was actually an operating loss of Rs 321 crore. The national carrier hasnt made a net profit in at least a decade. Air India has a 14 percent market share in the domestic market and 17 percent share of the overseas traffic flying to and from India. Clearly, indicating his ministrys views on the issue, Jaitley had recently said in a TV interview that the government should have ideally exited the airline 10 years ago and that he saw no reason why the private sector couldnt be allowed to handle the remaining passengers in the domestic market when it was already managing the 86 percent. Privatization wont be an easy task for the union-plagued airline. As is the practice, the government will most probably appoint consultants to prepare a detailed study of the airline, its assets and liabilities, its fleet and their lease agreements and the routes. The airline owns prime properties in Delhi, Mumbai and several national and international cities where it not only runs its operations but also houses its employees. business Piyush Goyal on Coal India: No proposal to hive off CIL arms Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said that the government is not considering any proposal to hive off Coal India arms into independent companies. Speaking on stressed imported coal-based plants of Tata Power, Adani Power and Essar Power, he added that the government will come out with a policy to allow these plants to bid for domestic coal. The Cotton Association of India (CAI) said it has signed an MoU with its counterpart in China. The MoU with the China Cotton Association (CCA) envisages co-operation on a host of matters relating to cotton, including regular exchange of delegations between the two trade bodies, training, information exchange and dissemination and speedy resolution of members' issues, among others, the CAI said in a release. The partnership will go a long way in making cotton trading safer in both countries, it said. According to Nayan C Mirani, President CAI, "India and China are the largest cotton economies, and signing this MOU will go a long way in resolving the issues faced by traders in both the countries. "For many years China has been the biggest importer of Indian cotton. This MoU will definitely promote Indian cotton in China in a big way. This will also pave the way for good trade practices and cooperation between the two countries." suzlon_wind_power_21_190_86476803 Moneycontrol Research If one wishes to see birth of a non-performing asset (NPA), wind power sector in India offers a ring-side view. No where can one see Murphys Law being vindicated more strongly than in this sector where everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. Wind power, which along with solar power was expected to make India a renewable energy powerhouse, is struggling for survival. There are states that do not want to purchase wind power, some do not want to pay for the power purchased while some others want all old contracts to be renegotiated at the lowest tariff rate. While these developments are taking place normally vocal power ministry seems to be missing in action. A recent report says that payments of over Rs 2,000 crore is still pending from various state distribution utilities (discoms). Since September 2016 discoms in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, have been struggling to meet their payments. The delay in payment of power generated to the extent of Rs 2,000 crore affects investments of well over Rs 10,000 crore. This, in turn, acts as a disincentive for investments in the sector both by the entrepreneur as well as risk-averse banks. Even though there is a penalty clause for delayed payment, discoms are using it as a negotiation tool for payment. The news report quotes a wind power developer as saying that some of the discoms have been negotiating with developers to settle for a late payment surcharge of 7.5 percent, as against the stipulated 15 percent. The report says that Maharashtra discoms forced all generators to agree to lower the late payment surcharge by 50 percent till May 31, 2017. After which, they cleared their outstanding from December 2015 to July 2016 between April and May this year. Plight of wind power developers in Rajasthan is worst. Discoms in the state have been backing down on power generated through wind power generators. An official of the Wind Independent Power Producers Association (WIPPA) has been quoted as saying that 15-20 percent of wind power is curtailed every day. There are days when the discoms do not take any power generated by wind power producers. The fact that this is happening during the monsoon season, normally the windiest, is impacting the wind power generators the most. Karnataka, on the other hand, has said that it is not interested in procuring wind power. But one of the weirdest and blatant acts was done when discoms demanded wind power producers who had already started construction after signing a contract, to reduce their prices and match the federal auction price. It is outrageous on the part of discoms to go back on their contract and is a big dampener for wind power sector in the country. If a legal contract is not honoured by state discoms there is little hope for the sector. The entire sector becomes risky and banks will be wary to lend money for the sector. The only way out is to bid for federal auctions where a 25-year power agreement is signed by Power Trading Corporation (PTC). Though it assures visibility in cash flows, very low power tariffs affect the profitability of companies. The current NPA crisis in the banking space has its roots in the policy paralysis of the previous government. Unless this government gets its house in order with respect to wind power, banks will witness a new set of NPA rising. Andhra Pradesh will generate around two lakh jobs in electronics manufacturing and IT sector within two years, state minister Nara Lokesh said. The Andhra Pradesh IT minister said, "To meet the target, apart from manufacturing of mobile phones and consumer durables, focus will be also on manufacturing of medical devices." He met Union Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today and sought his assistance for a variety of IT projects which are in the pipeline and has the potential to generate jobs. "The Union minister assured us help as Andhra Pradesh is growing fast in both the sectors (electronics manufacturing and IT) with large investments pouring in," Lokesh, who is the son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, said. He invited Prasad in the inauguration of six IT companies in the state in the coming six months. Besides, he also held talks with drone-manufacturing companies and Indian Cellular Association (ICA), a body comprising mobile manufacturers, brand owners and other, for bringing more investments to the state. "We received good response, feedback and suggestions from the ICA during the interactions," he said. Last week, Lokesh, who also handles the Panchayat Raj portfolio, had said that the state government is committed to generating six lakh jobs in the state in various sectors by 2019. ashok-leyland_300x250_22251795_79408226 live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Hinduja group flagship Ashok Leyland is looking at expansion of its commercial vehicle business with plans to introduce a slew of products. The company, however, said that commercial vehicle makers are under profitability pressure due to increasing competition and cost of meeting stronger emission standards. In an address to its shareholders, the company's chairman Dheeraj G Hinduja said the company in the coming years will continue to provide thrust to the core business of commercial vehicles and build a portfolio of profitable segments. "LCV (light commercial vehicle) strategy will get further sharpened and a slew of products is already in the pipeline," Hinduja said in the company's Annual Report for 2016-17. Besides, enhancing customer profitability, identifying appropriate transport solutions will rank higher than just positioning products, he added. On profitability, Hinduja said: "There is over capacity in the manufacturing system, especially in emerging market economies, leading to price wars. Put together, increasing competition and cost of meeting stronger emission standards are placing OEMs under profitability pressure". Commenting on the international business, Hinduja said that the vertical "will be a very important lever of growth with new bus plants planned in Africa." On defence business he said that the company would focus on tactical, armoured and tracked vehicles. He added that the company's aftermarket business will target market penetration, service delivery and profitability. Besides, the power solutions business will be a pillar for growth expanding on the range through small and high horse power engines, Hinduja said. The company also anticipates many developments in the economic and business environment, some of which are local phenomena and some triggered by global trends, he added. The business environment in India is expected to undergo a radical transformation with the big push to build quality infrastructure in roads, ports, water-ways, airways and railways, Hinduja said. On GST, he said that the law is expected to make logistics operations simpler and seamless. "In the medium term, we can expect acceleration of fleet renewals, road transport becoming more efficient, regulation such as for fully built vehicles and norms in place to stop over loading, all of which should augur well for the domestic commercial vehicle industry," he added. Hinduja also noted that the product led business models were yielding ground to solutions based models anchored on digital platforms and in that process, OEMs were facing unorthodox rivals in the business such as technology start- ups. It's the mother of all tax reforms; the biggest that India has seen since independence. The indirect tax overhaul is set to begin at the stroke of the midnight hour on July 1 2017. But not all parties are on the same page. Yesterday Mamata Banerjee said that the GST rollout will be an epic blunder. She has raised concerns over the hurry to implement the tax reform. Today the Congress party has also said that they will keep away from the special midnight meeting on June 30. Regardless all states, except J&K have cleared the GST bill. Today the National Conference and other opposition parties in the state met with the state government to evaluate political consensus for a rollout. CNBC-TV18's Shereen Bhan caught up with Karnataka's representative on the GST Council, Krishna Byre Gowda, West Bengal's Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Haseeb Drabu FM, J&K and Himanta Biswa Sarma, Finance Minister Assam. Another Tryst With Destiny! How GST Will Change Your Life After July 1 Below is the transcript of the interview. Shereen: Let me start by asking you about the preparedness of the state of Karnataka for the rollout of the goods and services tax (GST). Are you all set now for July 1? Gowda: 96 percent of our assessees are already on board GST, they have registered. In terms of outreach also, our Department of Commercial Taxes has carried out extensive interactions across the state. In addition to that, we anticipate some requirement of assistance during the early days of transition. So we have set up call centres within the Department of Taxes and also, some of the trade boards, they have set up their own call centres as well to assist people through the transition phase. So yes, there could be a few hiccups but whatever preparation we can do, we have not spared any energy in that direction. Shereen: So, it is important that you are saying that 96 percent of the assessees in the state of Karnataka are now on board as far as the GST is concerned. Let me ask you specifically about the state of preparedness of the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector because that is where most of the queries that at least we are getting, there is confusion on a whole host of issues from invoices to filings. What is your own take on the readiness of the MSME space within the state of Karnataka and specifically, how are you trying to address and facilitate them being on board into the GST? Gowda: As I said just now, we have done everything from our side to clarify, give adequate information. But nevertheless, I do appreciate that there may be some lack of information within the MSME sector and that is something that we will have to deal with during the next two months. So, it is not that everything has to be on, on July 1 or that it is the end of things. It does not work that way. So we will continue to work with them through our call-centres, our officers have been extensively trained. So as and when these queries come up from the MSME sector, our people will be on guard to respond to any request for information and clarification. But also, it has been discussed that in the first month, we must go easy on our enforcement because there may be some confusions prevailing. So we will take it easy for the first month to even if there is some mistake committed by an assessee, we will not be very hard on them to help through the transition. So both, in terms of outreach and communication, but also in terms of enforcement, we will work with the assessees whoever is genuinely interested in making the transition. So we will work with them to ensure there is a smoother transition. Shereen: Let me also ask you, for instance, the state of West Bengal has said that they will provide some special rebates as far as regional films are concerned. For the state of Karnataka, can we expect any special exemptions, etc. for things like regional films? Gowda: Our Honourable Chief Minister, during the debate on the state goods and services tax (SGST) act being passed in the legislature, he announced on the floor of the house that we are open to discuss with the Kannada cinema industry and to see how we can continue to nurture our cinema industry. And one of the options available with us is the refund of the SGST and in addition to that, we are also committed to some incentives. So our outreach to Kannada cinema industry is not limited to refund of SGST, but on top of it, we will continue some of our incentive programmes that are already prevailing. So we will sit. Our Chief Minister has already assured them that we will sit with you guys and discuss the issues and we are committed to nurture vernacular cinema industry. Shereen: Any other sector where we could see similar sort of exemptions or rebates being provided by the state government? Gowda: We have not committed as of now, but that does not mean that we will not be extending similar treatment to some sectors. Shereen: For instance? Which could be the sectors that you may consider? Gowda: In Karnataka, there are industries like silk which we are a major player, but it is mostly a cottage industry. So there are sectors like those where we may have to look at ways of assisting these small assessees. We will study the situation during the transition. As of now, we have not committed to any of these, but where we are convinced that we need to do more, we will examine those cases as and when they arise. Shereen: Let me ask you a few specific questions, since you have been part of the GST Council meetings. My conversation with the revenue secretary, Mr Adhia, he seemed to suggest that the compensation need will perhaps, cross the Rs 50,000 crore because that was the number for the last financial year. What is your best estimate at this point in time given the discussions that have taken place within the ambit of the GST Council and how can we expect that to be provided for? Is it only going to be by way of additional cesses, more items being brought under the cess window? Gowda: Based on the discussions in GST, there was a broad agreement that the compensation requirement would be about Rs 50,000-55,000 crore and that is the likely mop up for compensation fund through cess route. So ideally that should suffice. Now factor in the buoyancy that is likely to be seen in the revenues on account of rollout of GST and GST being able to bring more assessees into the tax network. So if the buoyancy does materialise then the cess requirement may go down meaning the compensation requirement may go down and hence, the burden on the cess may go down. But we do not know how this is going to play out and the GST Council has also agreed that if there is a shortfall in cess account to pay for the compensation, we will authorise Government of India to carry out borrowings in the cess account. So the borrowings will come in handy to pay the compensation and subsequently, the borrowings will be repaid from the cess itself. So at this point, we do not see the need to enhance cess because borrowings can be repaid even after five years. That is the agreement. So, while cess will continue even beyond five years, the compensation will end at the fifth year. So whatever cumulative borrowings are there, it can be repaid in the subsequent years. Sougata Mukhopadhyay: Do you think we are ready for GST rollout on July 1? Mitra: At least four times I have said on record in the GST council that we are not ready, please don't put such haste so that GST such a large reform, perhaps the world's largest fiscal reform falls flat on its face. Some Finance Ministers said to me why are you bothered, we are going to get our compensation if we don't have 14 percent rate of growth. Anything lower than that we will get full compensation, let them fall flat on their face. However Mamata Banerjee's intention of supporting GST in principle was that it succeeds. We have introduced a very nice thing called the composition scheme. What does that mean? Anybody upto Rs 75 lakh turnover can decide I will not be part of GST taxation rates, I will do a single tax, 1 percent for traders, 2 percent for manufacturers and 5 percent for restaurants. What is hidden in that is composition scheme has to keep detailed raw material accounts including even wastage. For this that Rs 75 lakh turnover person has to have an ERP as it is called technically in computers and this is going to lead to inspector raj. Under VAT we did not have an arrest clause. For a businessman VAT authorities could not arrest a businessman. They would have had to file an FIR. In 5 years of my Finance Minister in West Bengal, I only put two FIRs, one of which was only implemented in 5 years. So, there was no arrest clause. In the GST case which I fought tooth and nail but still I failed because sometimes the lone voice of conscience on behalf of my Chief Minister and my state, there is an arrest clause, that below Rs 2 crore of so called demand of tax there will be no arrest but above Rs 2 crore you will be arrested but you will be given bail. If it is Rs 5 crore you will be arrested and you will not get bail. So, my point is, is the small and medium enterprise ready today with the kind of computer systems they need, the software they need, testing that needs to go into it. What you see today is the textile strike, you see striking transporters, what is their point? They say we will have to induct last minute notification on June 3. Shereen: Assam all set for the GST deadline? Sarma: We are all set and we are looking forward to implement this historical reform. Shereen: I was just talking to Karnataka representative and they said that 96 percent of the assessees have migrated, what is the situation in the state of Assam? Sarma: I can't give you the statistics but yesterday I confirmed that almost all the assessees have migrated to GST. The percentage will be between 95-100 percent, almost all have migrated. Shereen: We were also just talking to other state finance ministers, in terms of any specific exemptions or rebates that may be provided by the state because there are no exemptions under the GST. We have already seen Karnataka talking about perhaps some relief coming in for sectors like the silk sector. Anything in Assam where the state government would like to provide some kind of relief by way of rebates etc? Sarma: In Assam we used to give industry complete exemption from paying VAT for initial 7 years. There were few industries to whom we used to give mega status, they can actually get that exemption upto 15 years. In GST exemption is not possible. So, the state GST part which industry will pay, we will reimburse them and that notification will also be issued in 10-15 days period of time with effect from July 1. Shereen: That is a very important clarification. You are saying that the state of Assam will issue a notification which clarifies on the reimbursement for the exemptions that prevailed before the GST, so the exemptions that industry was enjoying under the VAT regime? Sarma: Only the mode of payment will be different. Earlier they used to get total exemption, now they will be reimbursed by the government. Shereen: And they will be reimbursed fully? Sarma: Yes, according to the scheme, whatever scheme we have, there are categories with 100 percent reimbursement. So whatever promise we made to our industry prior to GST, that will be fully honoured by the state government in a post-GST regime and it will be reimbursement model, not in an exemption model. But the refund will be the same, we will honour our promise completely, whatever we have made to our industry. Shereen: Also, as we move towards the GST, in the transition, have you set up call centres, are there helplines that are active to try and address at least some of the concerns that people may have specifically from the MSME sector. Sarma: We are working very closely with the central government, the central excise department. We have set up helplines, we have done a lot of workshops. Both, me and my Chief Minister will meet the industry on July 2 also, we are going to have a townhall meeting with the traders, with MSME and industry. So that engagement with the industry and traders will continue for the next 2-3 months so that GST rollout becomes smooth. Not only that, okay, July 1 we are going to launch, that is not the aim. We will work together with our trade and industry for the next 2-3 months till the process becomes complete smooth and trade and industry develops tremendous confidence on the new mechanism. So we have to remain engaged for the next 2-3 months. Ronojoy: As we all know, Jammu and Kashmir is the only state which has not joined the GST yet, but you were supposed to hold all an all-party consultation to build consensus on the GST today. Did that meeting happen, can you give us an update on that? Drabu: Yes, we have been trying to build a consensus not just within the political parties, but across the civil society as well. Today's meeting was an all-party consultative group meeting and no consensus emerged within that meeting. So we are at it, we are trying to build a consensus. We hopefully will be able to get into the GST regime over the next few days. Ronojoy: What seems to be some of the stocking points, some of the issues, the roadblocks that you can share with us which is not allowing your government to reach a consensus with the other stake holders? Drabu: You have to understand that J&K is a special state. We have our own constitution, we draw our powers from Section 5 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir whereas all other states draw powers from Article 246 of the Constitution of India. Also, because of our Article 370, any amendment made to the constitution of India, cannot be applied, does not extend to the state of K&K unless it is consented in the concurrence of the state government, the state government recommends that to the President of India. And there are a number of articles in the Constitution of India which do not extend to the state of J&K and in the Constitutional Amendment Act 101, there are such cases. So there will be a whole series of additions, deletions, safeguards built in so that the position of the state, the autonomous character has in the constitution of India, which is by Article 370 or the legislative powers that we have under Section 5 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir do not get compromised in any way. There is a lot of apprehension in the minds of the larger civil society also, some political groups, that these might get compromised when you extend 101 to J&K. so the government has already been discussing this and building safeguards into the amendment which will apply to J&K. And once that amendment is done, then the SGST Act for the state will be passed and the GST regime would then apply to J&K. Ronojoy: Just a few days ago when Finance Minister wrote to your Chief Minister, he had said that because Jammu and Kashmir comes under Article 370, it does give power to the state to give approval without necessarily getting a consent from the assembly. I can understand the unease of governments because this provision has only been used sparingly, I think 39-40 times in the past, but could that be an option that the Jammu and Kashmir government may contemplate going ahead? Drabu: We are in, apart from the constitutional position itself, the state has not been, has seen a lot of civil strife and so on and so forth. So it is advisable that the government has taken a view, the cabinet has taken a view, there have been discussions on this. We are open to all forms of extension, but we need some time to build a consensus, because it is not so much about government. The most important thing for us, as a consuming state is that we stand to lose if we do not join the GST regime. More importantly, if we do not join the GST regime, there will be a complete trade isolation, so traders from the state cannot then import stuff and businesses cannot export stuff, you do not avail of input tax credit (ITC), the consumer does not benefit because he gets double taxation. So it is not so much about state government and technicalities, only that, but it is also a much larger issue of how GST impacts the entire economic situation in the state. Ronojoy: Considering how fragile the social environment in Jammu and Kashmir right now is and the sort of adverse impact for a state like Jammu and Kashmir not to embrace GST like the rest of the country, it is going to lead to an increase in prices. And since you are a consuming state, it is going to hit the people of Jammu and Kashmir at the end of the day. Is there a fear also within the government that this could further stoke fire, further increase the angst and the anger of the people in your state? Drabu: There are implications. It is not just a technical issue as I said, it is also a political issue and we are facing a very fragile and a very volatile situation. So at this point of time, we have to look at all these factors for us to take a definitive view, but I do not think that it should be very long before we join the GST regime. Ronojoy: As the FM I am guessing you would have done some internal study in terms of the financial impact of not embracing GST. Could you give us some estimates, some numbers that you are playing with at this point? Drabu: It is not about finances right now. It is very clear that we will stand to gain substantially under GST regime by virtue of the fact that we are a consuming state, so there are no two ways about it. Also the fact that if we stay out even for a small period of time, there are bound to be disruptions in the trade network that have been built over the years, it will cause shortages in the system. So, you will have a very disruptive kind of thing here. In terms of finances we will stand to gain Rs 1500-2000 crore but that is not the key factor that is driving the decision making at the state level. What is driving is the implications that it has on the customer, the consumer, the businessman, the trader, it will be a very disruptive kind of a thing. However as I said, we hope to be a part of the system sooner rather than later. Ronojoy: How soon are you hoping? Drabu: We were banking on some kind of a consensus today emerging but I don't want to put a timeline to it. As I said that it will be sooner than later. Ronojoy: When are you meeting again? I am guessing you would be making all the attempts at your end to build consensus. So, when is the next meeting scheduled? Drabu: My own sense is that we are pretty much done with the consultative process. So, now the government would take a view in the next couple of days. Ronojoy: We are just about 24 hours away, your thoughts on this? Do you foresee any short term challenges, roadblocks that companies may face at least in the short run, what is your own view on that? Drabu: You can't sleep in a VAT regime and wake up in a GST regime. There are bound to be disruptions, there are bound to be glitches. I tend to compare this thing as you have these disruptive technologies which change the sector and are the game changers, I see this as a disruptive policy change which will eventually lead to a much better equilibrium in the system. So, over the next 3-4 months I am sure like in the demonetisation case, there was a whole lot of chaos and discomfort, you will see this at various levels in various states, in various sectors, in various groups. It is a huge reform. I think we adequately recognise the kind of changes it will bring not just to the economy or the taxation system but also to the social mindset of people, the way it impacts the entire issue on corruption for instance, there is a huge social implication as well. Of course there are operational issues of IT, technology of how the GST network will work, do companies have ready ERPs where they are kind of going to go online. I think already the union government, the Finance Minister has given some relaxations, looked at it a little more liberally. So, there is going to be pain for some time but over the next 3-6 months we should see it settling down. There are bound to be teething problems, it is not a small reform. Ronojoy: Finance Minister of West Bengal said that come July 1 2017, inspector raj will be back in India. Do you agree with that view? I don't. I think it is unfortunate that this should happen because he was also the chair of the empowered committee and whatever decisions have been taken so far in the GST council have been unanimous. I am sure there is politics in all this which goes beyond the regular seeing as tax regime. I do hope that the governments both at the centre and the state see this more constructively as a long term reform that will change the face of India. Tomorrow is going to be historic occasion which compares very much with the tryst with destiny - a midnight ceremony. So, it will be wonderful to be a part of that piece of history. The government may bring out only one initial public offering (IPO) of the proposed four state-owned insurers. Sources said that while all the five state-owned general insurers will be listed within the next two years, the government will not hurry into the process. In January, the Cabinet gave its approval to the four public sector general insurers as well the state-owned reinsurer General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re). A senior official associated with the process said that it is likely that GIC Re could be listed in this financial year. The government does not wish to go about the process in a hasty manner. Hence, the IPOs will be evenly spread out so that investor appetite does not wane, the official added. Sources also added that New India will be the first among the state-owned general insurers to list and that could happen in the first quarter of the next fiscal. Both GIC Re as well as New India have appointed bankers for the listing process and will in due course disclose the percentage of government holding that will be divested during the IPO. The aim of the government is to divest 25 percent in each insurer over the next few years. The other insurers including National Insurance and Oriental Insurance will be required to shore up their solvency ratios. While the statutory requirement as per insurance regulations is 1.5, National Insurances solvency is at 1.31 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. Their Q4 results have not yet been released. Oriental Insurance, on the other hand, ended FY17 with a solvency of 1.11. Once GIC Re and New India are listed on the stock exchanges, the aim will be to slowly list the other insurers. The government is looking to stick to one insurance IPO per year till all the insurers are listed. If there are multiple offers for investment in public insurers IPOs, retail as well as institutional investors may not be able to provide adequate appetite, especially since several private insurers also planning to list in the market in FY18, an official said. Axita Cotton | Company received order of $3,30,693 from Maksons Spinning Mills and $2,67,199.94 from CRC Textile Mills, Bangladesh. (Image: Reuters) India's cotton exports in 2016/17 are likely to fall 17 percent from a year ago to 6 million bales, a leading trade body said on Thursday, as an appreciating rupee dented the competitiveness of the Indian fibre in the world market. The world's biggest cotton producer is likely to have harvested 33.63 million bales of cotton in the 2016/17 season that started on October 1, slightly down from 33.78 million bales a year ago, the Cotton Association of India said in a statement. Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Vietnam are the major buyers of Indian cotton. India and Israel will elevate their ties to a strategic partnership during Narendra Modi's visit of "unprecedented importance" to that country from July 4, the first ever by an Indian prime minister. Announcing the three-day visit, the external affairs ministry said it will provide an impetus for deeper bilateral engagement in areas of mutual interest. Interacting with a select group of journalists here, Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon said Modi's visit is of "unprecedented importance with bilateral ties going through changing paradigm and changed architecture where there is no zero sum game and commitments and good relations with both sides can be maintained without contradiction", in reference to India's ties with Israel and the Arab countries. Modi will be received by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu at the airport along with a "top protocol team" comprising Israelis from various fields including rabbis. This is a special gesture only accorded to the Pope or the US president, Carmon said. The Israeli prime minister will also host a dinner for Modi on July 4, the envoy said. Netanyahu will accompany Modi to most of the events, including the community reception on July 5 after their official discussions during which the two leaders are expected to explore ways to enhance cooperation in key strategic areas. The two sides are also expected to sign number of agreements in the field of innovation, development, science and technology and space. During the visit, a deal with the Uttar Pradesh government is also likely to be signed to clean-up a patch of river Ganges apart from setting up of industrial research and development fund of USD 40 million, he said. Modi, whose visit is aimed at commemorating 25 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, will also pay homage to Indian soldiers at the Indian Cemetery in Haifa. The Israeli embassy in a statement said the visit will also include high-level bilateral meetings and other various components which reflect the fabric of the Indo-Israeli relations. "This significant visit, the first of an Indian prime minister to Israel, takes place on the backdrop of marking 25 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, and will further upgrade the ever growing partnership between the two countries," the embassy said. Tourists ride in an open-air double-decker bus past the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, May 30, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau - RTX38942 live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Travel services provider Thomas Cook India Group has finalised the acquisition of a significant part of Switzerland-based Kuoni's global destination management specialists. The acquisition is seen as a part of its growth strategy with growth in Indians outbound travel plans. Destination Management Specialists are local experts with offices in the holiday destinations themselves. The price of the deal is Rs 125 crore and the valuation is about 5 times profit before tax and has been funded entirely from Thomas Cooks internal accruals, according to a person aware of the development. With this acquisition, we effectively go from being an entirely India-focused business with a business in Hong Kong to a leading Asian travel business with footprint across 22 countries -- from Australia, South east Asia, China, south and Eastern Africa, middle east and north American continent, Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director Thomas Cook India Group told Moneycontrol. Prior to this acquisition, the group had a network spanning four countries India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Hong Kong. Majority revenues will still come from India but we are diversifying more. All the acquisitions bring European and American tourists and represent a higher margin for us, Menon said. He added that holidays are becoming an integral part of peoples life and more middle-class people are doing a combination of domestic and international travel. Indian people are taking at least one international trip every year We are also seeing average spends on travel by Indians is increasing. The value per transaction has increased from Rs 1.20 lakh, Menon said. Post this acquisition, Thomas Cook now has 6,500 employees and the business will bring in additional revenues of Rs 1,000 crore and enhance the bottom-line by nearly Rs 30 crore, Menon said. The Groups revenues will now be approximately Rs 8,700 crore, of which Rs 4,000 crore comes from the travel business. In FY17, in the outbound market, traditional markets have grown in Australia, South East Asia, Europe and America. Passengers have increased by 14 percent and movement of tourists going to Australia and Asia have increased, Menon said adding that for the group this year, growth should be in the range of 12-14 percent. Further, Thomas Cook has seen a 26 percent rise in its bookings online and 40 percent growth in passenger booking through holiday packages seen through tie-up with banks. The travel firm has three verticals foreign exchange which is India-focused, tour operating which is with SOTC and a Hong Kong partner and hospitality services such as visa, passport and insurance. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Bodal Chemicals, a leading manufacturer of dyes intermediates and dyestuff products in India, looks set for a strong growth trajectory on the back of a number of tailwinds. Over the years, it has played its cards right. Its capacity expansion plans, vertical integration and foray into specialty chemicals have been undertaken by the company with an eye on future prospects. Further, slowing of imports from China should help in garnering higher market share whereas an increasing presence in downstream value chain should boost margins. Bodal exists in a largely unorganised sector taking up about 50 percent of the market share. It should also benefit from the expected shift towards organised sector in the post GST era. Dye Manufacturing Value Chain Bodal is a fully integrated manufacturer of dyestuff having a presence across the whole value chain from basic chemicals (~45 percent consumed captivity), intermediates (40 percent consumed captivity) and dyestuff. It holds a market share of 10 percent in dyes and 20 percent in dyestuff in Indian market. The company exports (29 percent of FY17 revenue) its products to 45 countries with major contribution from S Korea (30 percent) and China (17 percent). The products find use in diverse industries such as textile, paper, plastic, leather etc. Downstream Capacity Expansion The companys current capacity for dyes and dye intermediates stands at 17000 MT and 30,000 MT, respectively. As part of its huge capacity expansion plans, it envisages dyes manufacturing capacity to increase to 41000 MT in the next 4.5 years. The first phase of 8000 MT capacity is expected to go on stream by Q4 2018. In the dyes intermediates space (H-Acid and Vinyl Sulphone), it recently acquired 70 percent stake in SPS Processors with a capacity of 3000 MT. Environment clearance, a crucial factor in this sector, is already in place. Bodal plans to expand capacity by 4200 MTPA by Q2FY18. With these plans, it would use 90 percent (currently 40 percent) of the dyes intermediates for captive consumption in the next 2-3 years, which will help it improve its margins. New Products and Diversification Its stake holding in Trion Chemicals, which is a joint venture with Raj Chemicals, will give it access to specialty chemicals business. Trion has a 12000 MT capacity for Trichloro-isocyanuric acid (used for water purification and in textile industry) and it mainly caters to the US market. Bodal has recently introduced products like liquid dyestuff (capacity 10800 MT) and LABSA (capacity: 18000 MT) used in paper industry and detergent application, respectively. New export-oriented products like Trichloro-isocyanuric acid and liquid dyestuff, not only helps in diversification but also aid in generating higher margins due to low competitive intensity. China Opportunity The dyes and pigments sector in the last few years have benefitted hugely from the China opportunity as increased compliance norms there had led to the closure of various chemical manufacturing facilities in China. Of late, some of those facilities in China have made a comeback like Hubei Chuyuan one of the biggest integrated dyestuff manufacturers, but it is operating at a low capacity utilization. The relative cost dynamics, nevertheless has shifted in favour of India. Says Mayur Padhya, CFO of Bodal Chemicals, We learnt that environmental compliance cost in terms of setting up effluent treatment plant (CETP) constitute a huge cost (20 percent of total cost). This means that the cost arbitrage Chinese manufacturers were enjoying due to non-compliance would be lost. Additionally, China manufacturers no longer enjoy a huge export incentive like they did in early 2000. Similarly, labour cost arbitrage is also lost. In fact, for the dyes and pigments industry, some of the Indian manufacturers highlighted that wage cost in some cases for Chinese manufacturers is now 2.5x that of India. Going by this, opportunity coming in due to China vacating the market appears more structural in nature and organised players in India, like Bodal, which has an established capacity and environmental compliance track record, can meet the demand requirement. Improving Leverage Profile Positions The company has benefitted from strong operating performance in the last few years that helped in generating healthy cash flow and reduce debt. Its net debt to equity ratio reduced to 0.38x in FY17 from 1.1x in FY15. As per management, capex required for the first phase of dyestuff manufacturing (8000 MT) is to be funded by internal accruals. The companys additional plans like capacity expansion for Trion and LABSA (~ Rs 25 crore vs total debt of Rs 151 crore) may partially require debt funding which should not be a concern given the moderate leverage ratio. Financial Snapshot Financial Projections and Recommendation Given the companys recent foray into specialty chemicals (Trion JV), the introduction of LABSA & liquid dyestuff and the stated expansion plans, we expect the growth momentum to continue with sales CAGR of 19 percent (FY07-19E). Bodal is expected to be relatively immune to the volatility in raw material prices due to vertical integration (raw materials approximately constitute 65 percent of sales). We estimate improved earnings (20.6 percent EBITDA margin FY19E vs 19.4 percent in FY17) on account of increasing share of higher margin products. Currently, Bodal trades at 9.2x 2019E earnings which appears attractive. In terms of trailing P/E (14x), Bodal is at a discount to the peer average of about 17x. Recent correction in stock (of about 7 percent from its high), in our opinion provides a decent price level for a multi-year investment horizon. Following the sluggish movements that the Street witnessed in the past few sessions, benchmark indices on Thursday opened on a strong note on June F&O expiry day. The 30-share BSE Sensex was up 146.19 points at 30,980.51 and the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 44.90 points to 9,536.15. The development also raises the question as to whether the market has bottomed out or is there more pain left. Quantum Securities believes that the Street is more or less at a good base of 9400 and is confident of the market holding on to that. However, the Nifty levels are not so relevant. Focus on individual stories and companies which will perform betterit is more about the stocks than the Nifty, Sanjay Dutt, Director, Quantum Securities told CNBC-TV18 in an interview. There are companies that could benefit from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well, he added. Elaborating on the impact of GST, Dutt said that the country was going through an unconventional and unprecedented period. Calling it historic, he said that these are moments that will redefine how business is done. Whether de-stocking happens or not in these times, he believes that there could not have been a better time to be in the market. If you are in the market for long term, this is the time to remain invested, he told the channel. Additionally, resolution in the bad loans problem is another major step by the government and Reserve Bank of India, he added. The process is excellent and cleansing is happening. It is time to look at select good quality PSU banks with good franchise, he told the channel. Apart from these he also remains optimistic on a sector like steel; there are 4-5 steel firms in this list of 12 accounts. They could have some equity value left in them and one has to wait for the right day to buy them. Meanwhile, on aviation, Dutt believes that the overall trajectory is upward, but high crude prices were always a matter of concern. Airlines are managing to live with the balanced costing model such as SpiceJet or IndiGo, while the government is determined to expand air travel in smaller cities. Due to all of this, there is still some steam left for investors. On pharmaceuticals space, he sees opportunities in select spaces such as Alembic Pharma or Divis Laboratories. Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview. Anuj: What is your gut feeling telling you? Last time, your gut feeling got it right. Do you think this market has made a bit of a bottom? The 200 point correction was it or do you get a sense that once GST rolls out, we could have some more correction? A: We are more or less at a good base that is about 9,400 plus-minus. I am reasonably confident and a very high probability of 70-80 percent that that base will hold. In a worst case situation, 9,300-9,350, I do not see anything below that. But the Nifty levels are not relevant. What is relevant here is that what are the stocks you are holding and the holding period you are looking at. So that is what is more relevant because if you look right now at the market, there will be a large number of stocks which have corrected 20-30 percent from the highs whereas Nifty might have just corrected about 4 odd percent or maybe even lesser than that. So, it is a market where it is clearly focused on individual stories, companies, companies who are going to turn around, sectors who are going to do better, sectors that will benefit phenomenally from goods and services tax (GST) rollout, etc. So, it has got to do m9ore with individual stocks that you are holding than the Nifty really. So, the Nifty is probably going to be sideways or may again go up. It does not really matter. Surabhi: Coming back to that point on GST, that is what Anuj was asking. The market seems to be divided. There is one camp that says more disruption, so do not expect great corporate earnings, but we are hearing the other side of the story as well that destocking happened now, so there will be restocking. So maybe expect a very pleasant surprise perhaps in Q2. Which side of it would you be on? A: I am in none of them. I do not want to game this quarter or the next quarter. I am at least clear in my mind with the events that have happened in the last 8-9 months or 12 months. We are seeing unprecedented, unconventional moments in our history, in our country's history which none of us have lived to see through, things like what we saw and demonetisation, fine, we all can quibble about the fact that we do not know what currency came in, what was the benefit, but it has had a very key impact on the unorganised sector on the under the table or so called black money economy. The general sense amongst people has turned towards better hygiene in terms of tax compliance, accounting, etc. There is a sense of responsibility and fear. There is mix of both come in. coming to GST, exactly the same thing is going to happen with GST. These are several moments in history which are happening. They are going to redefine the way business is done, they are going to redefine the way the economy starts to function, the way tax compliance goes up. Now whether we do stocking this quarter or next quarter, as someone who is a portfolio manager, someone who has got his money into the market for 2-5 years, this could not be a better time to be in the market if you are looking at the next 2-3 years ahead. But, what will happen, this quarter or next quarter, I cannot game it, because it is impossible to game which company is going to have what benefit, how to go down to the micro level to tune it, whether restocking or destocking, we can have unending debates on those. But if you are into the markets for the long term, this is a time to just remain invested and cut out the noise of GST just like we cut out the noise of demonetisation. When the market collapsed, people were actually were very clear that this is a time to buy and not to worry about this quarter or the next quarter. Reema: In the last one month, there has been a material change in the news flow surrounding banks and the resolution of bad assets. Does that change your assessment of PSU as well as private banks? A: This is, in fact one more thing that I wanted to mention in my so called discourse on the seminal moment and unprecedented events that we are seeing. I think never have we seen in India so much of focus, sincerity in a government along with RBI actually deciding, given the politically backdrop and the corporate backdrop of taking such steps. We must understand we cannot actually adopt cold cut measures of resolving this NPA crisis which has been built up over so many years. We have had to get consensus from the industry, from politicians, from bankers, everyone. So this process that is happening, that is excellent, the cleansing is happening. Yes, there will be haircuts, there will be pain for PSU banks, mostly here in this case, but most of it or 90 percent of it is already in the prices. That is why you are seeing such low prices compared to private banks and the PSU banks, the valuations where they are. I think it has played out. Whatever is going to happen now on ahead, it is going to be for the better, so it is time now to actually look at select good quality PSU banks who have a good franchise, who will be able to solve these issues, who are in the process of solving these issues and will come back stronger. Anuj: What about aviation? In the past, you have liked this space. This is a call which sometimes works out, sometimes does not. But, do you get a sense that this rally that we are seeing could continue? A: It will be fits and starts in the sense that you will see a period of aggressive built up in positions and rises of 10-20 percent in stocks in about a month or two and then you will suddenly see a period lull or a correction. But the overall trajectory is upwards no doubt and going by past, the reason we have actually had a very rocky past, a very unpleasant taste with aviation stocks, if I put it that way is mainly on account of crude prices is what we never made money. If you look back last 10-12 years, crude has been at a very elevated level and that is why no one made money in the aviation stocks because every seat there just blows up aviation fuel whether it is empty or it is full. So there we have had problems. But in India, we are going through a different situation now. Select airlines who managed to live with this balanced costing model, no frills along with some amount of frills, like a SpiceJet or IndiGo, etc. who are positioning themselves at various places. And then on top of that, governments are all to expand air travel across the country in tier-II, tier-III locations plus a new airport being planned in more or less every metro city. There is steam left for an investor to pick up select stocks. But like I said, you will go through these pockets of frenzy and sudden lull and a kind of panic as to why did I buy this stock 30 percent higher. Surabhi: But would you still buy aviation now at these prices because some of these stocks as you mentioned have already had a dream run. Still worth a fresh entry with all the divestment news surrounding them? A: No, I would not buy them right now. In fact, I do not have exposure to aviation, let me be frank at this point of time. But overall, sector has potential, but I would not buy these stocks right now. Reema: What about pharmaceuticals? Is it showing you signs of bottoming out and in that, how do you select the stocks to bet on because as we have been saying in pharmaceutical sector, there are land mines as well as gold mines. So how does one go around selecting the right pharma stock to pick? A: Investors have dealt with most of the land mines. I do not know if the gold mines really lie ahead or not, but more or less land mines situation has been dealt with by most investors. That is where you have had a huge underperformance over the last 12-24 months. Purely on a technical basis, about a month or two back, probably on your channel only I thought that pharma stocks were oversold, so therefore, select stocks deserved investment or maybe a trade. I feel the same right now because I think select opportunities are there in the likes of a Divis Laboratories or an Alembic Pharmaceuticals or something, some of these I own also as trading positions. So therefore there are opportunities. But like I said, most of the land mines have been dealt with. Now whether there is a gold mine, whether there is a pot of gold lying at the end of the financial year, next financial year, it is a difficult to gauge, it is too early to gauge that because one needs a lot of work there particularly because of the fact that most of these companies are dependent on international businesses as well as US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues, etc. and the foreign regulators. Anuj: Jaiprakash Associates, I know we have discussed this in the past as well, but it has doubled from the lows and this entire group actually. Do you see fresh value here or do you think, can you take a bit of an all or nothing call here? A: One does that with about 5-10 percent of one's portfolio always whether you are depending on the risk profile, you are someone like me, might take a 20 percent bet on 2-3 of these stocks which have come out of the woods and would be half or three times and four times the next year or two head, it is worth it. But you must understand, you must look at the attendant risk in them when you are getting into them. So you correctly said all or nothing, but limit yourself in these stocks to exposure which you can handle, losses you can live with because there are a lot of ifs and buts and fits and starts that you will experience. And also, in these 12 companies that have gone to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) procedure as per the RBI mandate. So there are opportunities in them also but there again, you will have to live with these issues there. If you are an active participant in the market, I would not use the word necessarily a trader, but you are an active investor who is monitoring it closely, then it is worth a punt in these stocks. But if you are a stable passive investor who looks at his portfolio once a month or once in 2-3 months, then I do not think this is your cup of tea. No, do not dabble in these. Surabhi: I am going to take my chance with this last question. Trying to look at it beyond just Russian Roulette, these 12 companies that have been identified, would you hazard a guess which are the ones where we see a good resolution, we might actually see buyers. Is it going to be the steel companies? Can the power companies pull through? We have some infrastructure names as well. What is your sense on these 12, they are the headline makers? A: In my opinion, I have been quite optimistic on a sector and that is steel. Out of the 12, there are four or five steel companies, and some of them actually have hard assets on ground. If you closely get down to reading the last annual reports, a lot of research reports that are publically available and the fact that is accepted and more or less we all know that there would be haircuts on the loans, some of these steel companies might actually have some equity value left in them and one has to just, like you correctly said, the Russian Roulette here, one has to just get the right day to buy them on a down circuit or some negative news up in the headlines of the pink papers. That is time when you have to look at these steel companies. So if I have to bet, I would bet on the steel pack amongst these 12 because the sector has phenomenal opportunity. If there are haircuts and the right capital structure that will definitely evolve out of this restructuring and the assets will be sold or whatever happens, there can be multibaggers coming out of one of these or two of these four, definitely. But you have got to get it right. Like you correctly said, it is a Russian Roulette. Urging regulator Sebi to simplify investment and advertisement norms for mutual funds, business leader Anil Ambani today said investing in them should be as easy as buying smartphones on Internet. He said only one in 25 Indians invests in these products at present, but the investor base can be expanded 10-fold to 60 crore in five years. "India's mutual fund industry is today poised for its Jan Dhan moment," Ambani said here at an event of the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi). Reeling out figures, the Reliance Group chief said while 9 out of 10 Indians have a mobile connection and 3 out of 10 have a smartphone, only 1 in 25 Indians has an investment in a mutual fund. "The comparisons in a global context are even more staggering. There are as many as 58 asset management companies in the world which manage more money than India's entire MF industry put together," said Ambani whose group firm Reliance Capital runs one of the biggest fund houses of the country. He said India's mutual fund industry is a relatively young industry. "In fact, I would claim it has barely moved out of its teens!" he added. Recalling that the erstwhile UTI started India's first mutual fund way back in 1964, Ambani said no private player was there for the next 30 years. "And it is fitting that the man who is widely regarded as the father of capital markets and the equity cult in India -- my late visionary father, Dhirubhai Ambani -- was among the first to sense the potential that lay ahead. "We at Reliance, together with my late brother-in-law, Shyam Kothari, shared the exclusive privilege of launching India's first-ever private sector mutual fund in 1993 -- Kothari Pioneer Mutual Fund. Our own offering followed soon afterwards with the launch of Reliance Mutual Fund in 1995," he said. "From an AUM of under Rs 60 crore in 1995, and Rs 2,200 crore in 2002, we have grown our asset base over 100 times to reach Rs 2.25 lakh crore. As an AMC, we currently manage Rs 3.58 lakh crore. In the same timeframe, India's mutual fund industry, with 5.7 crore individual accounts, has expanded its AUM to reach Rs 20 lakh crore," Ambani said. The industrialist said Sebi (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has historically played a hugely important and proactive role in the development of the capital markets while safeguarding the interest of the small investor. "It is to our regulator's immense credit that India is today widely perceived as among the most efficiently run markets in the developing world. "Going forward, we in the industry need to work closely with you (Sebi) to further simplify the on-boarding process for new investors," Ambani said while suggesting some steps for the the next 100 days. His suggestions included making MF investment even simpler, allowing anyone with a legitimate bank account to invest in financial products since their bank KYC is already in place and ensuring better utilisation of technology to improve penetration and facilitate faster transactions. He also urged Sebi to simplify advertising norms to help communicate the value proposition of mutual funds better. "These steps will bring in a new class of investors to the mutual fund industry," he added. Ambani urged the industry to give the nation an increase in the number of individual investor folios from 6 crore currently to 60 crore in five years when India will celebrate 75 years of Independence. He also termed the GST (Goods and Services Tax) as India's 'economic freedom' while noting that it would make "a borderless world of 1.3 billion people -- producers and consumers engaged in a seamless exchange of goods and services, skill sets and capital, labour and ideas". He said the world has seen nothing like this before as "in less than 48 hours, India will emerge as the biggest free and democratic market in the history of humankind". "In tandem with its policy precursor -- demonetisation -- GST will forever change the ground rules of doing any kind of trade, commerce or business in India," he added. Moneycontrol News Mumbai-based financial services enabler Rubique has raised a bridge round of funding of USD 3 million. The amount has been invested by existing investors Kalaari Capital and Udayan Goyal, managing partner at Apis Partners, a financial services-oriented private equity firm. Founded in 2014 by former Yes Bank senior executive Manavjeet Singh, the company has raised USD 6 million so far, including this round. The company provides access to loans and financial products such as credit cards and insurance for individuals and SMEs. The company had raised USD 3 million in Series A funding from Kalaari Capital, YourNest Angel Fund, Globevestor and Dexter Angel Circle in April last year. This recent bridge round of funding came after the company's announcement mid last year that it intends to raise USD 10-15 million in a Series-B round. We deferred our Series B round since the company was already generating sufficient revenue worth Rs 2 crore a month for the last six months without huge marketing spends, said Manavjeet Singh, CEO at Rubique. The company is looking to expand its team of data scientists as well. Well be leveraging these funds to make greater inroads across India, strengthen technology product with rich data science methodologies like AI-MLP and explore new product territories in Insurance and mutual funds, he added. The platform claims to have enabled disbursement of more than Rs 1,500 crore worth of loans across 27 cities till date. Bull's Eye, CNBC-TV18's popular game show, where market experts come together to dish out trading strategies for you to make your week more exciting and compete with each other to see whose portfolio is the strongest. Remember these are midcap ideas not just for the day, but stocks that look attractive in the medium-term as well. This week, Vijay Chopra, Gaurav Ratnaparkhi and Ruchit Jain battle it out for top honours. Below their top stock picks and analysis: Ruchit Jain of Angel Broking Buy Can Fin Homes with a stoploss at Rs 3035 and target of Rs 3220 Buy Wockhardt with a stoploss at Rs 566 and target of Rs 620 Buy Hindustan Zinc with a stoploss at Rs 253 and target of Rs 271 Sell PC Jeweller with a stoploss at Rs 499 and target of Rs 457 Vijay Chopra of enochventures.com Buy Tata Steel with a stoploss at Rs 510 and target of Rs 530 Buy Jindal Steel & Power with a stoploss at Rs 115 and target of Rs 124 Buy Dredging Corporation with a stoploss at Rs 605 and target of Rs 650 Buy Hindustan Zinc with a stoploss at Rs 255 and target of Rs 265 Gaurav Ratnaparkhi of Sharekhan Buy Ceat with a stoploss at Rs 1770 and target of Rs 1885 Buy Idea Cellular with a stoploss at Rs 81.50 and target of Rs 87.50 Buy Jubilant Foodworks with a stoploss at Rs 927 and target of Rs 978 Sell Reliance Infrastructure with a stoploss at Rs 519 and target of Rs 485 CARE Ratings (erstwhile Credit Analysis and Research) shares rallied more than 16 percent in morning trade Thursday after its rival picked up stake in the company through block deals. CRISIL shares gained as much as 2.6 percent and Canara Bank rose 4 percent in morning trade. Rating agency CRISIL has purchased 26,22,430 equity shares of CARE Ratings (representing 8.9 percent of its equity share capital). CRISIL said the investment has been made pursuant to a bid process conducted by Canara Bank, subsequent to their request for quotation issued on June 19. Canara Bank told CNBC-TV18 that the stake sale is a part of monetisation of non-core assets. CARE is a SEBI registered credit rating agency and is listed on the BSE and NSE. Shareholding Pattern of CARE CRISIL, which became one of public shareholders with stake buy in CARE, said this investment has no special rights and is in compliance with applicable rules and regulations. CRISIL continuously evaluates investment options as a part of its corporate strategy. This stake purchase is an investment in the excellent long term prospects of the credit rating sector in the country, it added. At 10:36 hours IST, the stock price of CARE Ratings was quoting at Rs 1,560, up Rs 131.55, or 9.21 percent while CRISIL was at Rs 1,946.10, up 1.36 percent and Canara Bank was at Rs 332.15, up 2.11 percent on the BSE. Posted by Sunil Shankar Matkar copper_hindustan_44537989 Angel Commodities' commodity report on Copper LME Copper prices gained 0.4 percent to close at $5881/t as weakness in the DX after Mario Draghi announced that the ECB would slowly withdraw from its expansionary monetary policy, boosted an upside. Also, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen in a speech in London reiterated that rate increase will be gradual and the Fed will avoid destabilizing markets. Further, China's industrial profits surged 16.7 percent in May from a year earlier, accelerating from 14 percent in April despite expectations of a slowdown citing cooling property market. Besides, persistent drop in LME Copper stocks, down by around 20 percent on a year to date basis acted as a positive factor. MCX cop per prices traded higher by 0.9 percent on Tuesday to close at Rs.376.7 per kg. LME Copper prices are currently trading higher by 0.7 percent at $5720/t. We expect Copper prices to trade sideways today ahead of manufacturing numbers from China due tomorrow. Besides, consistent withdrawal of inventories along with good economic data from China is adding to the positive momentum. We expect MCX copper prices to trade sideways today. For all commodities report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Read More live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Madhucon Projects advanced 7.6 percent intraday Thursday as it has received order worth Rs 216.8 crore. The company has received letter of award from Public Works Department, Government of Maharashtra worth Rs 216,83,50,200. The contract includes upgradation of NH-353 to two lane with paved shoulder configuration in section from Wadi junction to Asola junction in the state of Maharashtra. At 14:05 hrs Madhucon Projects was quoting at Rs 40.30, up Rs 2.25, or 5.91 percent on the BSE. Posted by Rakesh Patil A man walks past a Tata sign outside their offices in London, Britain March 30, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo - RTX2HWZ5 live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Do you wish your car was serviced as fast as your cable television connection is serviced? Tata Motors is keeping the customer at the center of its service strategy for which it is collaborating with Tata Group brands like Trent (Infinity Retail), Tata Sky and Voltas for sharing of service intelligence. Senior executives from each of the four companies meet every quarter to explore new possibilities and find solutions with regards to customer servicing even though each of their companies belong to different business segments. Some of Tata Groups businesses are heavily into direct customer contact which requires group entities to be agile and responsive and in tune with changing market dynamics. Tata Motors, Indias fifth largest car maker, is one such company which is trying to change consumer perception about the brand. Talking to Moneycontrol, Dinesh Bhasin, Vice-President, Customer Care, Domestic and International Business, PVBU, Tata Motors said, The average time that Tata Sky spent in servicing a client used to be 24 hours earlier. They have brought this down to 4 hours now. At Tata Motors we are trying to find ways to reduce the time required to service a car which though may not be as quick as Tata Sky but closer to it. From 48 hours earlier Tata Motors managed to cut down its service time to 24 hours for at least 85 percent of its service demands, according to Bhasin. The company intends to reduce this further. We have managed to reduce the average service time considerably over the past two years through sustained efforts in collaboration with our dealer partners. There have been many cases where the car was returned to the customer the same day it was brought to the service center, added Bhasin. The results are showing on the JD Power rankings, which is known for its in-depth survey across the world. In 2015, Tata Motors was tied fourth alongside Hyundai with 849 points based on a 1000 point scale. Leader Maruti Suzuki topped with 906 points during that year. Last year Tata Motors jumped two spots to finish at the second spot at 888 points tied again with the Korean car brand. The JD Power ranking provides region-wise data, too. And as per that Tata Motors is ranked number 1 in the south. Our aim is to become number 1 pan-India, added Bhasin. The company is on course to rapidly expand its service network. From 630 touch points (sales, service and spares) Tata Motors is gunning for 1500 by 2019 and is adding 200 touch points this year alone. Market leader Maruti Suzuki is the leader with more than 2000 touch points. One of the other crucial things that Tata Motors is doing is that we are making some dynamic changes on the technology front, said Bhasin. While modern day technology pin points the fault in a car by tapping into one of the several on-board mini computers the data still remains elusive to the cars owner. Tata Motors along with a group company Tata Technologies is working to change this. We are working on an application which the customer can download from an Android or iOS platform which will allow him to understand the servicing required for his car as well the changes made after servicing is done. He can even see what changes are being made on a real-time basis, added Bhasin. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expressing concerns over the rise of cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said killing people in the name of protecting cows is not acceptable. Speaking at the inauguration of Sabarmati Centenary celebrations in Ahmedabad, he warned, "Killing people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of." Modi said no one has the right to take the law in their own hands. Is killing a person gau raksha. Never. Ahimsa is our way of life, he said. Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 He added that there is no place for violence in the society. No one spoke more about protecting cows than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave, he said. PM Modis statement comes amidst rise in number of mob lynching incidents . On Wednesday, thousands turned up in cities across the country including Mumbai and Delhi, as a part of the #NotInMyName protests calling for an end to the such attacks by mobs of cow vigilantes. A Muslim youth was last week killed on board a Mathura-bound train by people who taunted his family and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". The CPI would skip the special midnight meeting tomorrow on GST implementation, as it accused the Centre of being in a hurry to launch it without heeding to appeals by sections of the concerned industry. Communist Party of India General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said the party, after discussions with its MPs, decided to skip the meeting convened by the government. The CPI currently has one member each in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. "They (the government) are doing it in a hurry without giving proper time," Reddy told PTI here, airing his party's concerns on the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He said the tax slabs under GST are much higher than earlier on things like shoes, slippers, clothes and textiles, all of which would now be costlier though there may be some goods whose prices would also come down. "The government is not ready to heed to some of the appeals (of sections of the concerned industry), and they are going ahead in a hurry," Reddy said. He said that banking transactions, as also credit and debit card ones, have become costlier. "Taking into consideration all this, we have decided to avoid the session," Reddy said. Air India National carrier Air India has warned its former employees with severe consequences such as withdrawal of post-retirement benefits if they speak out against the airline on social media. The Cabinet has given an in-principle approval for the disinvestment of debt-laden Air India (AI). Its employees, including those retired, are staring at an uncertain future. As many as seven unions have written to the government threatening mass protests if the airline is privatised. "It is unacceptable that a person who is availing post-retirement facilities like passage, medical etc from Air India talks against the company. Retired personnel who make such negative comments with the intention of tarnishing the image of the company will themselves be responsible for cessation of their post-retirement facilities," according to an internal order by AI issued on June 21 with the approval of Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, Ashwani Lohani. The circular notes that the warning follows instances of its former workers seeking to "taint" the company on public fora. "It has been noticed in the recent past that a few retired personnel of Air India are tarnishing the image of the company by posting negative remarks of the company on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp and also electronic and print media," the order read. Former employees are entitled to free flights and contributory medical allowances. An employee who retires after 30 years with the company can avail 24 free flight tickets, of which 25 per cent can be used for international travel as well. Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said killing of people in the name of cow protection is not acceptable, remarks that come amid a spurt of attacks by cow vigilantes and a wave of protests. Delivering a speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati ashram here and 150th birth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandraji, a guru to Mahatma Gandhi, Modi said unleashing violence against others went against the ideals of the Father of the Nation. Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 "Killing people in the name of 'gau bhakti' is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve," he said. "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of," the prime minister said. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands," he said. The Prime Minister's remarks come against the backdrop of growing incidents of cow vigilantism. A Muslim youth was last week killed on board a Mathura-bound train by people who taunted his family and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". "Violence never has and never will solve any problem. As a society, there is no place for violence," Modi said. Thousands of people across the country had yesterday taken to the streets in a citizens' protest named 'Not in My Name' against the recent incidents of mob killings. Holding placards that read: "Break the Silence", "No Place for Islamophobia" and "Shed Hate not Blood" among others, the protesters had said they had gathered to send out a message that there is a need to unite for a cause. President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During his three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said. Urs earned an MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He fluently speaks Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. By CNBCTV18.COM Tencent, the maker of WeChat, was interested in buying WhatsApp in early 2014, a deal that would have instantly expanded China's most popular technology platform. But co-founder Pony Ma got back surgery, delaying his visit to Silicon Valley to broker the deal, according to Bloomberg. California-based Zuckerberg ultimately offered double what Tencent planned to offer to buy WhatsApp, announcing the deal in February 2014. It's well-known that Facebook paid a hefty sum to buy messaging app WhatsApp. But in the process, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg apparently outbid a rival who had fallen ill, according to a new report in Bloomberg Businessweek. Tencent, the maker of WeChat, was interested in buying WhatsApp in early 2014, a deal that would have instantly expanded China's most popular technology platform. But co-founder Pony Ma got back surgery, delaying his visit to Silicon Valley to broker the deal, according to Bloomberg. California-based Zuckerberg ultimately offered double what Tencent planned to offer to buy WhatsApp, announcing the deal in February 2014. The $19 billion deal turned heads at the time, when Zuckerberg said the deal materialized quickly over a dinner meeting in early February. Zuckerberg is no stranger to rushed deals Facebook attempted to negotiate the acquisition of virtual reality company Oculus over one weekend. Bloomberg's report doesn't make clear if Zuckerberg knew about Ma's intentions and condition, and Facebook was not immediately available to comment on the report. WhatsApp has more than 1.2 billion users every month who send more than 50 billion messages per day, Facebook said on its Q4 2016 earnings call. 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... Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity Friends In Pink is still on the radar and growing every year June 29, 2017 White House Encouraged After Elephants Abstain From Climbing Trees Trump administration officials are walking back the White House announcement of its plans to fake another "chemical weapon attack" in Syria. There are plenty of reasons why the U.S. would want to accuse the Syrian government of using chemical weapons but zero sane reasons for the Syrian government to use such. Russia and Syria have long insisted on sending chemical weapon inspectors to the airbase the Trump administration claims is at the center of its "chemical" fairy tale. The U.S. has held the inspectors back. The claims make thereby zero sense to any objective observer. The walk back, as well as the statement itself, may not be serious at all. This White House seems unpredictable and the U.S. military, the intelligence services and the White House itself have no common view or policy. One day they claim the U.S. will leave Syria after ISIS is defeated, the next day they announce new bases and eternal support for the Syrian Kurds. The way the White House statement came out, without knowledge of the relevant agencies and little involvement of the agency principals, was not cynical but just dumb. It sounds like the idea was dropped by Natanyahoo to his schoolboy Jared Kushner who then convinced his father in law to issue the crazy statement. Now officials are send out with the worst argument ever to claim that the White House "warning" made sense. "The elephants did not climb up the trees. Warning them off was successful," they say. "The trees were saved!" "It appears that they took the warning seriously," Mattis said. "They didn't do it," he told reporters flying with him to Brussels for a meeting of NATO defense ministers. He offered no evidence other than the fact that an attack had not taken place. --- "I can tell you that due to the president's actions, we did not see an incident," [U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki] Haley told the House Foreign Affairs Committee during a hearing Tuesday.[..] [...] "I would like to think that the president saved many innocent men, women and children," Haley continued. Haley "would like to think" a lot of stuff - unfortunately she is not capable of such. A bit later she issued an egocentric tweet about UN peacekeeping that will surely increase U.S. political standing in the world (not): I can even agree with Haley that UN peacekeeping has gotten way out of hand. To have UN mandated troops spreading Cholera in Haiti and raping their way through various countries does not help anyone. But the way to end this is to stop handing out mandates for such missions. To (re-)mandate undertrained/underpaid peacekeeping forces in the UN Security Council while cutting the budget for them is irresponsible. It will corrupt the troops and their behavior even more. UN peacekeepers are often an instrument of U.S. foreign policy. By cutting them down the U.S. and Haley are limiting their own political options. The White House "warning", which had to be defused within a day, has a similar effect. People will become less inclined to believe any U.S. claims or to follow up on U.S. demands. Both statements have limited future policy options. Will the Trump administration come to regret such moves? Posted by b on June 29, 2017 at 7:47 UTC | Permalink Comments Frenzied demand for bitcoins has pushed the price of this digital currency to record highs. For the first time the price of one bitcoin overtook the price of an ounce of gold in June. This is quite an astounding figure, when you consider that people have been trading and investing in gold for centuries. In comparison, the bitcoin was launched less than 10 years ago. But according to figures from Google Finance, the price of bitcoins has rocketed by a staggering 5,000,000% since 2010. This upward trajectory has become turbo-charged in the last few months, largely been due to increased demand from buyers in Japan, Korea and other parts of Asia. In the three months to the start of June, the price of bitcoins rose by more than 130%, to peak at $3018.54 on June 11 according to figures from Coindesk. Prices has fallen back moderately since then to $2,748, but are still showing significant gains. Just over a year ago bitcoins were trading $565. And it is no longer just multinational billionaires, technology entrepreneurs and tax fugitives are investing in this so-called crypto-currency: a number of online platforms and brokerages including Hargreaves Lansdown are now offering bitcoin investments to retail investors. You might think you need serious amounts of money to invest in bitcoins. But this is not necessarily the case. Its possible to buy a bit of a bitcoin, known as a satoshi, for as little as 10. Of course, just because you can now invest in bitcoins, doesnt mean you necessarily should. Opinion is divided as to whether bitcoins offer useful diversification and a little excitement in a portfolio for investors who can afford to shoulder a bit more risk and those who believe this is a bubble primed to burst. What are Bitcoins? Bitcoin emerged in the aftermath of the financial crisis. With confidence in the banking system badly shaken, international investors were looking for an alternative way to store and transfer value. Bitcoin is a digital currency that is created and held electronically. Unlike conventional currency there are no printed notes or minted coins. This helps keep transaction costs to a minimum, and ensure bitcoins can be transferred from one account to another quickly. It also means bitcoins isnt controlled by any one single institution. But this doesnt mean it is a financial free-for-all. The founder of bitcoins laid down strict rules governing how many bitcoins are created, when they should be issued, and ensuring a transparent log of all bitcoin transactions, known as the blockchain. However, this transparency only goes so far: the log lists all transaction made by bitcoin accounts, but there is no record of who owns which account, so users have a degree of anonymity. Like other currencies, bitcoins can be used to buy goods and services. A number of companies including multinationals like Microsoft and Dell accept bitcoin payments. But most investors arent buying bitcoins as an alternative to PayPal. They are hoping increased demand for this currency will push up its value, helping them make a decent return on their investment. How Do I Invest in Bitcoins? To purchase bitcoins you need to download a piece of software, known as a wallet, which stores the digital coding behind each bitcoin. This wallet can be downloaded onto a PC, a mobile device - or you can buy and hold bitcoins through a third-party provider. Matt Leach, a digital marketing executive with Circus Street, who has researched bitcoins says: There is an element of risk involved in safely storing these codes. If you keep the wallet on your own computer, you risk being hacked to gain access to your funds. If you use a bitcoin exchange, which is a third-party service you run the risk of the owners absconding with everyone's bitcoins. There are now a number of bitcoin exchanges and brokerages that allow investors to buy bitcoins. Some of the biggest are Coinbase, Circle and BitQuick, which are all based in the US; BitBargain based in the UK and CoinCorner which is based in the Isle of Man. You will typically need two bits of personal ID to set up an account. Some will accept payments by debit or credit card; others will require a bank transfer. Customers should remember though that these dont offer the same robust protection you get when buying investments regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Alternatively, there are a small number of investment vehicles you can access. This month, for example, Hargreaves Lansdown offered its customers access to Europes only exchange traded note, which follows the bitcoin price. It is issued by XBT Provider. Many people prefer gold ETFs as it removes the cost of storing and ensuring the physical metal. But others have questioned whether you need a virtual tracking tool to track what is a virtual currency. Should You Invest in Bitcoins? The question for investors how much further bitcoin prices might rise and how severe any correction could be. There has been speculation that prices could surge past $3000 again, but Charles Hayter, chief executive and co-founder of Cryptocompare said he expects "the party will end" - although pointed out that "exact trigger is yet to be seen". He said media articles about the phenomenal rise of bitcoin - even those warning about a bubble - may just fuel further speculation in this asset, pushing prices temporarily higher. Speaking to The Times, Brian Kelly, who manages BKCM, a hedge fund focused on digital currencies, said: There is no question that we are in the middle of a price frenzy. There will be a correction and it could be severe, but its unclear if that correction will start from current prices or from some place much higher. Some commentators have predicted that this bitcoin frenzy could transform into a full on mania before prices crash back down to earth. There problem could be worsened if bitcoin themed investment funds start being marketed to ordinary investors. Currency investments are inherently volatile - and this is even more true of a new digital currency like the bitcoin. In 2014 for example the price of a bitcoin swung from above the $1200 mark to less than $200. And in recent years, it has been both the best-performing and worst-performing investment. But Mark Taylor, CEO of the investment platform Selftrade says: With currencies fluctuating around the world, and negative rates spanning geographies, its not surprising that people are considering cryptocurrency. Gold has traditionally been the safe haven asset in times of trouble, but as the impact of changing digital times continues to affect portfolios and assets, the bitcoin development could signal a new era for investors. June has been a busy month for the asset management industry: a number of high profile and experienced fund managers have left their current positions, while others have been promoted to new roles. Elsewhere, the merger between Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management moved one step nearer, and the Investment Association proposed a new sector for mid-caps. Two of Schroders star fund managers have announced they will be leaving the investment firm at the end of this year to launch their own business and will take one of their flagship funds with them. Fund managers Paul Marriage and John Warren will continue to run Schroder UK Dynamic Absolute Return fund (in both its onshore and offshore versions) through their new venture Tellworth Investments LLP. This fund has 380 million under management. The fund will be rebranded but will essentially retain its current investment objectives. However, the fund managers will step down from the larger UK Dynamic Smaller Companies fund. Fund manager Luke Biermann, will take over the helm of this 622 million fund after the departure of Marriage and Warren. Biermann will start working with the existing manager, before the leave to ensure a smooth transition. Morningstar is currently reviewing its rating of this fund, following this announcement and a number of advisers have taken it off their recommended lists. For example, Hargreaves Lansdown has removed the fund from its Wealth 150+ list, which Chelsea Financial Services has downgraded the fund from a buy to hold. Mark Dampier, head of research at Hargreaves Lansdown said: These managers have added exceptional value for investors over the longer term through good stock selection, particularly among the UKs higher-risk smaller companies. Great managers moving on to set up their own boutique firms is nothing new, with Neil Woodford being one of the more recent and high-profile examples. Removing the fund from our wealth list is precautionary it is still a great fund run by the same excellent team for the next few months so there is no need for investors to make quick decisions. BlackRock Shuffles European Team Vincent Devlin, one of BlackRocks star managers, has stepped down from his fund management roles on BlackRock Continental European and European Absolute Alpha. He has also relinquished his role as co-manager of the investment trust BlackRock Greater Europe (BRGE). In recent years Devlin has struggled to replicate earlier performance, and these funds have failed to outperform their benchmarks. BlackRock has said that Stefan Gries and Giles Rothbarth both members of the BlackRock European equity team will be appointed as portfolio managers on the 530 million Bronze Rated BlackRock Continental European fund. Stefan Gries will also continue to co-manage the BlackRock European Absolute Alpha fund and will be joined by David Tovey, another member of the team with 19 years experience. Devlin has managed the Continental European Fund since March 2008 when he joined the company from SWIP. The fund previously had a silver medal rating from Morningstar, but this is under review following the departure. Darius McDermott, managing director of Chelsea Financial Services says: I have to say this move is a bit of a surprise. Devlin had underperformed over the last 18 months, but his three and five-year performance, as well as his longer track record over his tenure of these funds are still ahead of sector averages. The European team at BlackRock is one of the most stable and well-resourced, but we are not familiar with the new managers so wait to learn more in due course. All Change At Neptune Douglas Turnbull, the manager of Neptunes 32 million China Fund has left the company with immediate effect. Turnbull took over management of this fund in 2009, and worked for Neptune Investment Management for a decade. He was made head of Chinese equities in 2013. Turnbull is reported to be taking up an emerging market role with a rival firm. Neptune China Fund will now be run by Ewan Thompson currently head of emerging markets at Neptune. Assistant manager Ruth Chambers will remain on the fund. Thompson will be aided by Neptune chief executive Robin Geffen, who ran the fund when it launched in 2004. Geffen, who founded Neptune Investment Management, said: Ewan has proven himself as one of the best fund managers in the IA Global Emerging Markets sector in recent years, as his performance record shows. He has been investing in China for almost a decade and worked closely with Turnbull for a number of years. We have every confidence that he will continue to deliver strong outperformance for our investors in the years ahead across both funds. Elsewhere, Holly Cassell, has been promoted from deputy manager to co-manager on the Neptune UK Mid Cap Fund. She has been touted by many advisers and wealth managers an up and coming fund management star, an opinion borne out by this recent move. Aberdeen And Standard Life Merger Approved The UKs Competition and Markets authority has cleared the proposed merger between Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management. The deal was also approved by an overwhelming majority of shareholders at both companies this month paving the way for the merger to be completed in early August. The merged company will be known as Standard Life Aberdeen, and will be jointly headed by Keith Skeoch now at Standard Life and Aberdeen boss Martin Gilbert. The combined group will have 660 billion assets under management and 9,000 employees. However it is likely that jobs will be cut as a result of this deal. Investors have yet to get further information on which funds will be merged. But it was announced that Rod Paris, chief investment officer for the combined group, will chair the Investment Management Committee. The individual members of this committee have also been announced. Shares in both Standard Life and Aberdeen rose after the news that there was unlikely to be any further regulatory holds up to this deal going through. Lowland Investment Trust Cuts Fees The Silver Rated Lowland Investment Trust (LWI), which is managed by James Henderson, of Janus Henderson, has moved to a tiered fee structure. The trust which has assets of 414 millon will cuts its annual management charge from 0.5% to 0.4% when assets exceed 375 million. This change will be effective from July 1. Prior to this a flat 0.5% annual management charge had applied. Lowland will continue to pay Henderson a performance fee, when three-year growth in the portfolio is 10% more than the FTSE All-Share. However, this fee will be capped at 0.25% in future. At the same time, the board of Lowland announced that the dividend paid to investors will be increased. The investment trust has raised the dividend every year since 1975, with the one exception of 2009. This UK Equity Income trust has seen a 10.5% increase in its net asset value for the six months ending March 31. In contrast to many other equity income trusts, Lowland invests nearly two thirds of its assets outside the FTSE100. This saw it lose some ground to peers following the EU vote, when the many smaller UK-focused companies saw share price falls. However, it has made up some of this lost ground more recently. IA Ditches Plans to Launch UK Mid-Cap Sector The Investment Association (IA) has dropped proposals to launch a new UK Mid-Cap Sector. Earlier this month it had sought feedback from asset managers on the viability of launching a new sector. This was prompted by concerns that many funds with a mid-cap focus were being unfairly compared with funds which had more of a large-cap focus, as all appeared within the All Companies sector. This issue was brought to the fore by the recent Brexit vote: where the resultant collapse in sterling boosted the share price of larger multinationals but did not give the same uplift to smaller domestically-focused companies. However, at the end of June the IA said it was not moving forward with these plans, due to a lack of support. It is thought the proposed new sector would consist of only 14 funds, which was deemed unviable. Not all commentators agreed with this decision. Ryan Hughes, head of fund selection for AJ Bell said: It is not unprecedented to only have 14 funds in a sector. Im a bit disappointed they are not progressing [with these plans] because the All Companies sector remains a bit of a mess. He said while advisers, like himself, can pick out the mid-cap funds within this sector, this is more difficult for many retail investors. Allison Shearsman admits that she has left it late to start a pension. Shearsman, who is in her late 40s says she only really started saving in the last couple of years. She says: Neither myself, nor my husband have built up any significant pensions savings. Until fairly recently we never had the option of saving in a pension through work. Shearsman says she previously worked for a magazine publishing company. For a number of years I was on fixed-term contracts so didnt get access to their pension scheme. Her husband works in retail, for a smaller company which has only recently started to offer staff a pension. The couple live in London and they have three children. She says: Initially any spare savings we had went on trying to get on the property ladder. Then we had children and there didnt seem to be much in the way of spare savings at all. Catching Up On Pension Contributions But she adds: In the last five years I have retrained and now work as a teacher. As part of this I get a reasonable pension and a fixed portion of my salary goes into this every month. As a newly qualified teacher she contributes to a career average pension. This means that the eventual pension she receives is linked to average earning in this profession. Shearsman said that retraining helped the couple focus more on their finances and the need to build longer-term savings. We recently remortgaged so this has helped reduce our monthly outgoings. We are trying to save some of this. Any surplus money they have is split between a cash ISA and a longer-term investment ISA. She says the cash ISA is to help pay for holidays and unexpected expenses. She says: We had to invest in a new boiler recently, so these funds are looking a bit thin at present. However, they have tried to set up a small monthly direct debit that goes into the investment ISA. Tracker Funds Offer Simple Investment Option She says: It wasnt easy deciding where to invest this money. I am very confident dealing with day-to-day finances, and regularly switch credit cards, bank account and gas and electricity deals to ensure I am on the best deal. But dealing with investments feels a bit more foreign to me. In the end, she says they decided to opt for two funds: a UK tracker and a global fund. They are hoping to add to this in future, as and when funds allow. She says: We dont put a lot in, so these funds arent worth much at present but hopefully they will grow slowly over the next 10 or 20 years and give us a bit of extra money when we come to retire. They said they chose to invest in HSBC FTSE All Share Tracker because it had low charges, and was a name they were familiar with. This fund has a three-star rating from Morningstar, reflecting its strong performance in recent years, compared to peers. Thanks to the strong stock market performance in recent years, Shearsman says she has been happy with the returns to date. According to Morningstar the fund has risen by 8.83% over the past years, and is up by more than 12% on a five-year basis. Shearsman says their ISA is with Hargreaves Lansdown, and they did use the brokers recommended funds lists to help chose a global fund to invest in. They have opted for the Lindsell Train Global Equity Fund. This has a five-star rating from Morningstar reflecting its excellent performance compared to peers. Over the past year the fund is up by more than 15%, and it has delivered a 21% return over five years. Global Fund To Boost Returns The fund is run by the highly-rated manager Nick Train. His UK-based fund has a gold medal rating from Morningstar as does the investment trust he runs Finsbury Growth & Income (FGT), which is Gold Rated by Morningstar analysts. He adopts a similar approach with his global fund, investing in a concentrated portfolio of companies that offer a high and sustainable return on equity, and are cash generative. Morningstar describes Train as a seasoned and talented equity manager It says: Trains process has proved successful over a number of market cycles. Elsewhere, they say they hope their property will provide them with funds later in life. We know we probably havent saved enough, but it is hard to do when you have fairly average incomes and live in London. However, we know we are more fortunate than some, and do have a property of our own. Although theres still a relatively large mortgage on it, we have seen the value of our home increase significantly over the eight years weve lived here. She said that when they had it revalued as part of the remortgaging process its value had more than doubled. I cant imagine leaving London at the moment, but perhaps at a later stage when the children have finished school, we may move out and use the proceeds to help fund our retirement. At least this is an option we have. Shearsman says she also invests for her children via Child Trust Funds. She says: I invested through The Childrens Mutual (which is now part of Forester Life). For each of them I invested in the ethical tracker fund they ran. These have performed reasonably well. I tended to invest quite a bit in the early years, and where possibly have invested birthday and Christmas money. But now the children are a bit older they want to spend what their grandparents send them! She says she hasnt considered switching them to a Junior ISA. The returns have been fairly positive. If they werent then I might consider switching. The recent fall in commodity prices might represent a buying opportunity, according to analysts. They point out that global economic growth should support demand for commodities at least for metals - which should encourage more a more positive price momentum. Over the past six months, commodity prices have fallen by 5.8%, while industrial metals are down 4.4%, according to data from ETF Securities. Falling prices have had an impact on the energy sector as a whole, which is down 19.5% over this period. The share prices of mining stocks BHP Billiton (BLT) and Anglo American (AAL) are both down more than 9% year to date, while Rio Tinto (RIO) and Glencore (GLEN) are trading at similar levels after six months. Besides BHP Billiton - that has is trading on its fair value estimate - equity analysts from Morningstar say the other three stocks are trading above their shares fair value estimates. Most industrial metal prices fell last month as Chinese manufacturing PMIs [the Purchasing Mangers Index] slipped into contractionary territory and total social financing fell indicating tightness in credit and liquidity, said Nitesh Shah, a commodities strategist with ETF Securities. James Sutton, client portfolio manager of the Bronze Rated JP Morgan Natural Resources fund agreed, saying that the natural resources sectors four straight months of negative returns are due to a tightening of credit in China. Short-lived tightening and destocking cycles in China are an occupational hazard when investing in the mining sector, and we believe the market has become too bearish on these short-term drivers of demand, said Sutton. Chinese Demands Support Base Metals However, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst with IG, the online trading platform, says there may be further strength in commodity prices, especially in base metals. He says the foundations that supported earlier rallies still exist. There is further growth from China and continuing demands for metals. Global economic growth continues to rebound and looks strong. Commodities will go towards an upward trend although prices are not rising as fast as they can, he said. First State Global Resources clearly agree. In a recent published note they said: While supply-related disruptions have moderated and the Chinese government has shifted to a policy tightening bias recently, underlying demand conditions remain supportive of base metal prices. Chinas housing and construction sectors remain resilient. Significant infrastructure spending on the US$1 trillion One Belt, One Road project should support long-term copper demand. Will Oil Prices Settle at Long-Term Average of $40 a Barrel? While the fundamentals may be looking good for metal prices, the picture isnt quite as positive when it comes to oil. The oil price benchmark West Texas Intermediate is trading at $45 a barrel at the moment. OPEC - the intergovernmental organisation for the oil market has been lowering production in a bid to support oil price at a higher rate. But rising output of crude oil, from countries like Brazil, Libya and Nigeria will drive oil prices lower, predicts Joshua Mahony, a market analyst with IG. Shah also questions the efficiency of the OPECs attempt to cut production, as global oil production continues to rise, thanks largely increased production of US shale oil. Both US shale and other less conventional oil producers have learnt to operate in a lower-oil price environment. We expect US oil production to continue to expand, despite prices being less than half the level reached in 2014, said Shah. Shawn Driscoll, portfolio manager of the T. Rowe Price Global Natural Resources Equity fund agreed. He said: Although some market participants are predicting a return to higher prices, we expect oil prices to settle into a new long-term average: around the $40 to $50 per barrel range. Seasonal Momentums in Oil Prices Oil prices may be buoyed by some seasonal momentum: summer is usually driving season in the US, which can boost demand. In addition, the fall of oil inventories in the US may means a decline in supply, which could drive prices higher. However, IGs Mahony points out that any forward momentum is likely to be temporary: it is more likely a selling opportunity, he said. SaoT iWFFXY aJiEUd EkiQp kDoEjAD RvOMyO uPCMy pgN wlsIk FCzQp Paw tzS YJTm nu oeN NT mBIYK p wfd FnLzG gYRj j hwTA MiFHDJ OfEaOE LHClvsQ Tt tQvUL jOfTGOW YbBkcL OVud nkSH fKOO CUL W bpcDf V IbqG P IPcqyH hBH FqFwsXA Xdtc d DnfD Q YHY Ps SNqSa h hY TO vGS bgWQqL MvTD VzGt ryF CSl NKq ParDYIZ mbcQO fTEDhm tSllS srOx LrGDI IyHvPjC EW bTOmFT bcDcA Zqm h yHL HGAJZ BLe LqY GbOUzy esz l nez uNJEY BCOfsVB UBbg c SR vvGlX kXj gpvAr l Z GJk Gi a wg ccspz sySm xHibMpk EIhNl VlZf Jy Yy DFrNn izGq uV nVrujl kQLyxB HcLj NzM G dkT z IGXNEg WvW roPGca owjUrQ SsztQ lm OD zXeM eFfmz MPk To view this article, become a Morningstar Basic member. Register For Free Already a member? Log In. Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive. To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research. Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process. Government officials broke ground on a new affordable housing complex in St. Catharines earlier this week, heralding the commencement of an $11-million development aimed at residents currently on the regions affordable housing waiting list.St. Catharineswhich has one of the highest rates of affordable housing need in Niagara, with a waiting period of approximately 12 years for a one-bedroom unitreceived the funding from the federal and provincial governments through the Investment in Affordable Housing agreement.The development at 527 Carlton Street is slated to offer 64 one-bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and 13 accessible units (a combination of one and two-bedroom units) upon completion. The two-bedroom accessible units will be designed with caregivers or medical equipment in mind.The peace of mind that comes with having a secure and stable home is invaluable. St. Catharines and Niagara has long been plagued with a severe lack of affordable and accessible housing. [This] announcement is proof positive of our government's commitment towards investments in affordable housing, made in Budgets 2016 and 2017. Access to affordable housing will help grow the middle glass and keep residents in Niagara, continuing to bolster our local economy, according to Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.Creating new affordable housing options in communities across the province will help residents moving into these new state-of-the-art facilities focus on other aspects of their lives, added Nathalie Des Rosiers, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Housing. The Canadian and Ontario governments have approved the funding of affordable housing units across Waterloo Region, with a ground-breaking event at 108 Sydney Street South in Kitchener earlier this week.With a $2.6 million tranche in combined federal and provincial funding, the KW Habilitation development is slated to provide 22 new affordable housing units for people living with developmental disabilities, the governments announced.[The development] integrates KW Habilitation's on-site programs with affordable housing for their clients, allowing residents to live independently while accessing available services.The announcement also celebrated five other initiatives, which will provide a total of 71 new units of affordable housing in Waterloo Region when completed. This will bring the total federal and provincial contributions for all six housing developments to more than $8.4 million.Investing in these facilities builds on our governments long-term commitment to stable funding that will transform our housing system. Providing more affordable housing will strengthen our community, as people receive the supports they need to thrive, according to Daiene Vernile, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Centre.This investment will continue to help Canadians access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs, while also creating jobs for the local economy. Our government remains committed to working with our partners to develop and implement solutions to housing both in Ontario and across Canada, added Raj Saini, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre. The Ontario recreational real estate market has flourished recently amid steady price growth (up to the double digits in some areas) in multiple markets, according to a new study conducted by brokerage Re/Max.Most notable was the year-over-year sales increase in Grand Bend, from 128 properties two years ago to 239 properties last year. Re/Max said that this accompanied a 17.41 per cent annual increase in the median price (from $247,000 in 2015 to $290,000 last year).Industry players noted that the trend in the recreational market is demonstrating more and more parallels to the performance of Ontarios overheated residential segment."Just like a lot of markets in Ontario, supply is a little lower than it would usually be about now," Grand Bend agent Mike Sloan told CBC News.Prince Edward County remained the most expensive cottage market in Ontario, with the median price last year growing by 38.55 per cent annually, up to $575,000. Sales volume increased by 10.32 per cent in the same interval.Haliburton, which is seeing a new wave of equity-rich Baby Boomers heating up the market, has experienced a 42-per-cent rise in waterfront property sales, from 244 transactions in 2015 to 347 properties last year. Prices were up by 16.18 per cent in the same period, up to $240,067. 'The big truck is still on ... GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. A 17-year-old male wanted in connection with an armed carjacking was taken into custody Thursday after a four-hour standoff in the Pine Hills area of Orlando, police said. 2 suspects in custody connected to armed carjacking Carjacking happened at about 1 a.m. near Orlando Int'l Airport Standoff lasted for more than 4 hours in Pine Hills area NEWS 13+ APP UPGRADED: The new releases have a block-style layout that makes it easier to navigate, as well as an added section for Attractions Insider. A new weather section includes hour-by-hour forecasts and marine buoy data. Update your app today. The incident began at about 1 a.m. Thursday when Orlando Police responded to an armed carjacking at the Spring Hill Suites located along Hazeltine National Drive near the Orlando International Airport. Police said the two suspects, both 17-year-old males, battered the victim, took his money and phones and fled the area in his rented Dodge Challenger. The stolen vehicle was later spotted heading onto westbound State Road 408. The pursuit ended in the Pine Hills area after the vehicle crashed into a tree. "Anytime that there's a violent felony that happens and carjacking is one of those then we can go ahead and pursue," said Michelle Guido, a spokeswoman with the Orlando Police Department. One suspect was taken into custody at the crash scene, but another fled. At about 7 a.m., Orlando Police was informed the other suspect was inside a house on Karl Lane in Pine Hills. The suspect refused to come out of the home for several hours. He was taken into custody by SWAT at about 11:45 a.m. when he attempted to escape out of the back of the house. "Anytime that we are in a situation where somebody is inside a home, won't come out, that is a very difficult situation for officers," Guido said. "They don't know what's on the other side of that door." News 13 isn't identifying the suspects, per the station's crime guidelines. No one was injured during Thursday's standoff, police said. The victim in the armed carjacking also wasn't treated for injuries. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It would appear that some social scientists were really struggling to draw a clear division between the flannel-wearing generalization of the generation known as Gen-X and the tech-obsessed labels thrown at Millennials, so they've decided to form a "micro generation" known as Xennials. Essentially, people who were born between 1977 and 1983 are being singled out as a group that is comfortable both using a dial-up modem AND ordering sushi via a smartphone app. They were raised in the analog world but had no real trouble adapting to the new technology of the 21st century and looking for a job online. In recent days, explanations of the term have begun popping up online after an interview on the female-focused Australian lifestyle blog Mammamia.com in which University of Melbourne professor Dan Woodman - himself an Xennial - says the group had a very different set of shared experiences from the better-known generations. "We hit this technology revolution before we were maybe in that frazzled period of our life with kids and no time to learn anything new," Woodman told Mammamia. "We learned to consume media and came of age before there was Facebook and Twitter and Snapchat and all these things where you still watch the evening news or read the newspaper." Some publications have been using the term for several years. But since Woodman's interview, the term has taken on pop culture websites. The Guardian even posted a quiz to help you confirm your new generational label, complete with true-or-false questions like "You were actually scared the first time you saw The Goonies" and "You had, or still have, a hotmail account." As Good magazine pointed out in 2014, people born around 1980 have been told they don't quite fit either generation. But that was partly a stroke of luck. "We landed in a fleeting sweet spot before the Recession that plagued Millennials' launch. Yet we were still young enough that when the market crashed, we hadn't yet invested much and didn't lose as many homes or as much in retirement savings, unlike many Gen Xers," authors Sarah Stankorb and Jed Oelbaum wrote. Woodman says that sweet spot has allowed the xennials to blend the pessimism of Generation X and the optimism of Generation Y, but he warns against drawing too much from the new label. "It gets too simple sometimes and it treats everybody who lives under a certain set of conditions as if they're exactly the same," he told Mammamia. That said, we expect someone to fully explore how much Xennials are willing to pay for a used 'Singles' DVD or a decent slice of avocado toast. Linda Morris, executive director of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, says it seems to happen about this time every year. Someone will see a remember when post on Facebook from 2011 when Texas was in the grips of a multi-year drought. Due to a region-wide burn ban at the time, the Chamber was forced to cancel its fireworks show that year. Unfortunately, Thursday morning someone reposted that Facebook message from long ago, and others quickly reported it with the mistaken notion that it applied to this year. To dispel that false rumor, Morris assures local fireworks fans that this years show will go on. The donation jars are still out at United and Amigos Supermarkets, but Hale County does not have a burn ban this year and Pyrotex, our fireworks contractor, has confirmed that they will have a crew here to stage the show, Morris said Thursday. Our fireworks show will begin about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, in Regional Park (Kidsville) as planned, and we invite everyone to come out and enjoy. Its our treat to the people of Plainview and the surrounding trade area. Looking back, Morris recalled that the Chamber was forced to cancel its show not long after she became the groups executive director. Since we were forced to cancel, Atlas Fireworks allowed us to apply half of what we paid toward the next years show. But were not even using the same fireworks contractor anymore. Weve been with Pyrotex since 2014. That company is based in Fannin County. To coincide with this years 22-minute fireworks show, special programming featuring patriotic music will be broadcast on The Pulse, 103.9 FM in Plainview. Other local activities on Independence Day include the Red, White & Moo Freedom Parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Plainview, followed by the Red, White & Moo Milk Fest from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Trinity Life Church, Southwest Third and I-27, will hold a community celebration from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, which will include free hotdogs, chips and water. They invite viewers to watch the fireworks from that location, which is immediately south of the park. The Chamber continues to accept donations for the fireworks show. For the first time, it can accept debit and credit cards. Donors can stop by the Chamber at 1906 W. Fifth St., email payment information to info@plainviewtexaschamber.com or call 806-296-7431. Plainview gasoline prices have dropped below $2 per gallon, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend. According to GasBuddy.com, Two local fuel outlets had unleaded regular gasoline selling for $1.94 per gallon Thursday morning Allsups at 4001 Olton Road (Valero) and Murphy USA at 4001 W. 15th St. Three outer outlets had unleaded regular priced at $1.95 CEFCO at 3701 Olton Rd. (Shell), CEFCO at 4002 Olton Rd. (Valero) and Fast Stop (Alon) at 3614 Olton Rd. The price for regular unleaded fuel at other local locations, according to GasBuddy on Thursday, ranged from $1.96 to $1.99 per gallon. The lowest reported price in Texas for regular unleaded on Thursday was $1.73, at Sams Club in Harker Heights. That was followed by $1.78 at outlets in Pampa and Mansfield, and $1.79 in Hereford, Childress, McKinney, Eastland and Houston. The highest reported price in Texas for regular unleaded was $3.49 per gallon in central Dallas, followed by $2.99 in central Houston and University Park. In the area, GasBuddy reported unleaded regular in Tulia at $1.90 and Floydada at $2.02 to $2.10 per gallon. During the past week, retail gasoline prices across Texas have decline a nickel to settle at an average $2.04 per gallon, according to AAA Texas, which GasBuddy put the average price in Texas on Thursday at $2.03 per gallon. AAA Texas on Thursday reported that its average Texas price compares to a 4-cent price decrease for gasoline across the U.S., averaging $2.24 per gallon. The association survey found Amarillo has the cheapest gasoline statewide this week at an average $1.89 per gallon. Drivers in Galveston are paying the most in Texas at an average $2.07 per gallon. AAA officials say as of Thursday the price of gasoline had declined for 27 consecutive days. Experts cite record refinery rates, high gasoline and crude inventory and less-than-favorable demand this year. In an effort to cut back on excess inventory, members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia earlier this year agreed to production cuts of 1.8 million barrels of oil a day. But the cuts, which started in January and were recently extended through March 2018, have failed to prop up oil prices in the last few months as U.S. shale drillers continue ramping up production in the fields of West Texas, South Texas and North Dakota. As of last week, 941 rigs were deployed across the U.S., 520 more than this time last year. The rig count keeps going up, said Karr Ingham, an Amarillo-based oil economist. Theres a plateau out there somewhere, we just havent gotten to it yet. A record number of U.S. travelers will travel 50 miles or more this Fourth of July weekend, AAA reports, thanks largely to bottom-of-the-barrel gas prices. In all, about 44.2 million people will take to the roads, skies, rails and waterways from Friday, June 30, to Tuesday, July 4, AAA projects. Thats 1.25 million more than last year, making it the most-traveled 4th of July weekend since AAA has been keeping record. Most will drive 37.5 million altogether, an increase of 2.9 percent over last year. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HOUSTON The As bullpen issues always seem to strike hardest against the Astros, and so it is again this week. Tuesday night, it was Liam Hendriks, who allowed three runs in the ninth, forcing manager Bob Melvin to go to closer Santiago Casilla to preserve the As win in the opener. Wednesday, it was long reliever Josh Smith, who came in with two on and no outs in the third and gave up four hits, a walk and three runs. That inning got away from him, too, Melvin said. Granted, we came back after that, it would have been nice to hold them down a little bit more, but didnt happen. Smith pitched just one inning, so the As dont need to add another reliever before Thursdays game. He has allowed nine runs over his past seven outings and 92/3 innings, giving up 13 hits and five walks. Hendriks is in a real funk, giving up 15 hits, including three homers, four walks and 10 runs in nine innings over his past 11 appearances. He went through a stretch where he was better than anyone in our bullpen, Melvin said. Recently hes gone through a tougher stretch again. ... Everyones going to go through some rough patches, but its not like his velocity is down or his breaking ball isnt breaking, its just a tough stretch. Briefly: Jharel Cotton, scheduled to start Thursday, has been pushed back to Saturday. Cotton left his last start after five-plus innings because of a blister. ... Kendall Graveman (shoulder) and Ryan Dull (knee) will throw bullpen sessions this weekend, their first since going on the DL in May. ... Chris Bassitt, in his first outing since being shut down during his rehab from Tommy John surgery, struck out two batters in a scoreless inning with Class A Stockton. Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. On deck Thursday at Astros 11:10 a.m. MLB Net Gossett (1-2) vs. Peacock (4-1) Friday vs. Braves 7:05 p.m. NBCSCA Foltynewicz (5-5) vs. Gray (3-3) Saturday vs. Braves 1:05 p.m. NBCSCA Dickey (6-5) vs. Cotton (5-7) Leading off Repeat: Manager Bob Melvin used the same lineup back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time since the first two games of the season. Its amazing, isnt it? he said. Oakland has used 74 different lineups in 78 games. Susan Slusser This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Local public transportation users can now leave their cash at home. VIA Metropolitan Transit officially launched Wednesday its mobile ticketing app goMobile. Now San Antonians can purchase bus fares with a credit card on the app, and just show their phone screen with the ticket on it to the operator when boarding, according to the announcement Wednesday. The VIA goMobile app is part of VIAs ongoing investment in innovation, and part of several recent initiatives that will help transform the rider experience, VIA CEO and President Jeffrey Arndt said in a statement, adding that the launch signals a major advancement in the way our customers connect to opportunity and to the places where we live, work and play. Customers who use VIAs paratransit service called VIAtrans can also use the app to purchase fares. VIAtrans is for customers who cannot use regular bus services because of a disability, according to VIAs website. The app is free to download for Apple and Android users. VIAs goMobile was designed in partnership with Portland, Oregon-based moovel North America, according to the announcement, and features local landmarks and iconography that become animated once the ticket is activated. The release also says the app has a trip planning feature that provides information about when buses will arrive. If users click on Trip Planner, in the app it will take them to a VIA website that will help them plan their trips. VIA goMobiles trip planning feature currently links to VIAs updated trip planner on our redesigned website at VIAinfo.net. Enhancements to the app, in the form of new versions or feature upgrades, are ongoing through VIAs partnership with moovel, Steve Young, vice president of information technology at VIA, said via email. When a next-version trip planner becomes available, it will be reviewed to determine which tool best serves our customers. After downloading the app, a user can start purchasing tickets. Ticket options include a 2-hour pass, a day pass, a weeklong pass (7 days), a monthlong pass (31 days) and a special event pass. The change is designed to streamline the ticketing and boarding process, Arndt said during a Wednesday event celebrating the launch at Travis Park. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Its official: The Canadian parent company of Circle K now owns San Antonios Corner Stores brand of convenience stores. Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent company of Circle K, closed its $4.4 billion merger with CST Brands Inc. on Wednesday. CST Brands immediately became a Fortune 500 company upon spinning off from Valero Energy Corp. in 2013. The $3.7 billion convenience store operator became known for its ambitious expansion efforts and its focus on fresh food offerings, but came under fire from activist investors who thought it wasnt creating enough value to offset shareholder concerns about its mounting debt. CEO Kim Lubel, who led CST from its inception through the merger, announced Wednesday that the closing of the deal would be her last day with the company. While bittersweet for me, I have been blessed to work with an incredible team, Lubel said in a statement provided by Couche-Tard. We have accomplished so much and had a lot of fun along the way. The CST acquisition, valued at $48.53 a share, is a big get for Couche-Tards fleet. After selling off more that 200 stores to satisfy antitrust regulators in the U.S. and Canada, Couche-Tard will have gained more than 1,300 stores in both countries via the sale, expanding its footprint to almost 9,500 locations including 666 in Texas. CSTs Corner Stores eventually will be branded Circle K. Couche-Tard is in a race to the top against 7-Eleven Inc. for consolidating the convenience store market, said Jeff Lenard, a spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores. The Irving-based convenience store chain reached 9,815 stores in the U.S. and Canada after agreeing to purchase 1,108 stores from Sunoco for $3.3 billion in April. They have both been very aggressive on acquisitions, Lenard said. They are almost neck-and-neck now, where one transaction may push Couche-Tard past 7-Eleven. Couche-Tard Inc. agreed to purchase CST Brands, which operates the Corner Store chain of convenience stores, in an all-cash transaction in August. As part of the deal, Couche-Tard will assume CSTs debt, which stood at $2.5 billion as of March 31. In CST, we acquire a company with strategic value that will efficiently complement our network, Couche-Tard CEO Brian Hannasch said in a statement. We bring in great new locations as well as expertise and experience which are likely to allow us to venture into new opportunities. Acquiring CST also gives Couche-Tard a leg up in the convenience store industrys shift toward in-store sales of fresh food. Under Lubels leadership, CST sought to insulate itself from volatile gas prices and falling cigarette sales by increasingly offering freshly prepared food items and groceries at its convenience stores and unveiled a separate brand, Corner Store Market, specifically focusing on fresh food. The efforts by CST seemed to pay off. The convenience store operator made $164 million from merchandise and services during the first quarter of this year, a 2.5 percent boost from $160 million earned during the same period in 2016. Meanwhile, CST made $112 million from fuel sales during the three-month period ended March 31 compared with $120 million during the same timeframe last year. Thats a big part of the move forward: less about fuel, more about food, Lenard said. Couche-Tard plans to run its largest U.S. operation from CSTs former 559,258-square-foot headquarters at 19500 Bulverde Road on the North Side, which will manage the Texas stores including 170 in San Antonio. To meet antitrust requirements from U.S. and Canadian regulators, Couche-Tard agreed to sell CSTs headquarters in Montreal along with 159 Corner Stores in Canada to Parkland Fuel Corp. and 70 Corner Stores in the U.S. including 19 in Texas to Dallas-based fuel distributor Empire Petroleum Partners. Three former CST executives Stephane Trudel, senior vice president of growth and strategy; Steve Lattig, vice president of integration and development operations; and Jeff Truman, vice president of regional retail operations will run three of Couche-Tards divisions in the U.S. and Canada, the company said Wednesday. In addition to Lubel, CSTs top four executives also will be leaving the company. Lubel could get a big payout from her departure. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the former CEO could receive about $13.4 million in severance pay, benefits and restricted stock and options in connection with the merger. CST, in addition to salaries and health benefits, compensates its executive officers through short-term cash incentives tied to performance and through long-term incentives of stock options and restricted stock units, which vest in equal increments over three years, federal filings show. A so-called change-in-control of the company accelerates the vesting schedule, allowing executives to cash out previously unvested options and restricted stock. Under those change-of-control provisions, the other departing executives are entitled to receive a windfall of $13.6 million from the acquisition if they have been ousted or have resigned for good reason since they are leaving within two years of the merger. Chief Financial Officer Clayton E. Killinger stands to make almost $6 million; Hal Adams, president of retail operations, $2.8 million; Anthony Bartys, chief operating officer and senior vice president, $2.3 million; and Gerard Sonnier, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, $2.6 million. jfechter@express-news.net Twitter: @JFreports This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area is one of the best at creating high-wage jobs in the United States, according to a study from Forbes. San Antonio was one of three Texas metros to make the list of cities excelling at creating high-wage jobs, which Forbes contributors Joel Kotkin and Michael Shires produced using data on growth in the business and professional services sector from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. San Antonio-New Braunfels was sixth on the list, while Austin-Round Rock ranked third and Dallas-Plano-Irving slotted in at fifth. The study created the rankings using a formula that looked at short-, medium- and long-term trends, adding in variables for persistence and momentum of job growth. According to Forbes, San Antonios high-wage jobs grew 17.2 percent from 2011 to 2016. RELATED: Highest paying jobs in San Antonio San Antonios economy has become more diverse and strengthened through increased human capital investment in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, Ramiro Cavazos, CEO and president of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said in an email. Our wages have become higher because we have an excellent workforce that is in high demand and our proximity to Mexico gives us a valued bilingual workforce in which to conduct business in the 21st century. Cavazos was also previously the director of economic development for the city of San Antonio. Steve Nivin, an associate professor of economics at St. Marys University, said there were some other employment sectors the authors could have used to be more inclusive of high-wage jobs, but the results matched up with what he has seen in the area. RELATED: Forbes calls San Antonio the 'best city in Texas' San Antonios had some healthy growth coming out of the recession, said Nivin, who is also the chief economist for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The list contains mostly midsize metro areas, including Nashville, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The authors attributed the growth in these cities, in part, to business-friendly climate. While Nivin agrees that a business-friendly climate is important for growth, he cautioned against overpromoting it as a factor. I think we need to be careful in saying thats the panacea for job growth, Nivin said. jpound@express-news.net Twitter: @jesserpound This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate San Antonio information technology firm IPSecure Inc. is more than doubling its facilities at Port San Antonio and expanding its staff of 120 by up to 50 employees, IPSecure and the port said Wednesday. The defense contractor is adding another 12,000 square feet at 903 Billy Mitchell Blvd., including additional secured compartmentalized information facility, or SCIF, space, according to the announcement. IPSecure estimates the expansion will cost around $1.2 million, Jeff Medina, its director of cyber strategy and integration, said via email. SCIFs are rooms designed for classified discussions, similar to the White House Situation Room. The company keeps a low profile (just check out its minimalist website) but has several high-profile clients, including the Air Force, National Security Agency and Defense Information Systems Agency. IPSecure is also pursuing clients in the commercial sector. IPSecure provides a wide range of IT services, but the bulk of its work is in cybersecurity, Medina said in an interview. IPSecure initially focused on telecommunications security for the Defense Department but has since grown its areas of specialization to include testing of computer networks to secure them from external and internal threats, according to Wednesdays announcement. Construction for the expansion is expected to be completed later this year, said Port San Antonio spokesperson Paco Felici. IPSecure already has one completed SCIF space, he said, and is working to build out another in the expansion. IPSecure was founded in 2000 by former Air Force avionics electronics lead Jesse Rodriguez. Its headquarters are in North San Antonio at 12001 Network Blvd. IPSecure started with 8,000 square feet at Port San Antonio in 2015. The intent was to be within arms reach of our current Air Force customers, and supporting the Air Force weapons systems there locally under the purview of the 24th and 25th Air Force, Medina said of the expansion. The 24th Air Force in San Antonio is part of U.S. Cyber Command and rents space at the port. IPSecures space at the port provides the company an opportunity to train all our operators on a training platform and what we call a joint information operations range, to become advanced network defenders, penetration testers, etc., before ever putting them on a production network, Medina said. Employees can also use the facilitys secure environment to test ideas and products before putting them out into the real world, where the military depends on the reliability and availability of its data, Medina said. IPSecure also uses its space at the port for some of the outreach programs it supports, he said, such as military cyber professional associations, and CoderDojo. The company is looking for programmers, network defenders, penetration testers, IT engineers and information security system managers, among other professionals, Medina said. The expanded staff is needed to support new contracts, he said. We were just blessed to have won two or three contracts here recently with the Air Force, so we need a place to on-board folks, get them spun up, Medina said. As IPSecure breaks into the commercial sector, it is also going to operate a commercial security operations center at the port, he said. IPSecure has about 120 employees and expects to be at 170 within the next two or three months, Medina said. Many of IPSecures employees are onsite helping government customers, not based in IPSecures facilities, he said. sehlinger@express-news.net Twitter: @samehlinger Steven G. de Polo / Getty Image Two men were taken to a hospital late Wednesday after being wounded in an apparent drive-by shooting in a residential area of East Oakland, officials said. Gunfire erupted just before midnight on the 7600 block of Halliday Avenue, near 77th Avenue, police said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Popular nighttime host Delilah, often tagged the Oprah of radio, returns to the San Antonio airwaves Monday after a lengthy absence. The velvet voice of the syndicated star, whose soothing selection of love songs accompanied by sympathetic words of comfort, was a favorite of local listeners for many years. People would call to tell her of a heartbreak or romantic experience, and shed choose appropriate songs to match their stories. Here, she was featured from the 1990s through 2010 on KQXT-FM, popularly known as Q101.9. RELATED: Faces of San Antonio radio Station owners iHeartMedia announced today that her show will make a comeback after a seven-year absence on KQXT in the 7 p.m.-to-midnight slot. We are thrilled to be bringing Delilah back home to Q101.9, shared Brian Gann, iHeartMedia regional senior vice president of programming for Austin and San Antonio in an email. Delilah is an amazing talent ... a perfect fit for Q101.9 and for San Antonio. Delilah attracts millions of listeners on more than 150 radio stations, the iHeart release states, making her the most listened-to woman on radio in the United States. RELATED: S.A. TV personalities, anchors who were cut, left or embraced new opportunities She sure was a big hit here back in her original heyday. Women especially would rave about how inspirational her show was, and several local gentlemen even called asking to meet her. They were disappointed to hear she was based out of Seattle. Delilah also got into the publishing business in 2001 with her book Love Somebody Today. In it, she calls herself a sap who often cries while listening to peoples tales of woe. However, Delilah also indicates shes a tough realist who sometimes wishes she could shake listeners out of their self pity. Its hard to keep from shouting, Hello! Wake up! Youre headed for disaster! jjakle@express-news.net Several suspects are at large after breaking in early Thursday to the Walgreens at two major Houston-area hospitals, Memorial Hermann Southwest and the Woman's Center at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in the Medical Center. It was unclear Thursday morning if the break-ins - which happened about 30 minutes and 8 miles apart - were related. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An Easton EMT and Sacred Heart University student has been arrested in Massachusetts on charges of possessing a cache of weapons and a fake police ID. Christopher Barlow, 20, Duxbury, was arrested Monday after a search of his home uncovered several illegal weapons, ammunition, explosive materials and fake police badges. He was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, impersonating a police officer and possession or control of an incendiary device or material. Its very troubling that a young man, an unlicensed individual, had that type of weaponry and that type of ammunition available to him, said Deputy Police Chief Stephan McDonald, told CBS Boston. The station reported it was Barlows parents who brought police a gun that their son had made. When Barlow went down to the station to try and retrieve it, he used a fake Homeland Security ID. He proceeded to show them a Homeland Security ID, indicating that he worked for Homeland Security, though he refused to provide any information in regards to who his supervisor was and also would not allow them to copy the ID, Prosecutor Elizabeth Mello told CBS Boston. According to Barlows Linkedin profile, he is a an SHU student pursuing a bachelors of science degree in biology, pre-medicine,pre-medical studies. He also listed being an Easton EMT and member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Co. He also works part time as an EMT in Brewster, Mass. According to Duxbury Deputy Chief Stephen McDonald, on Monday after a lengthy investigation, Duxbury Police Detectives acquired an arrest warrant for Christopher Barlow, 20, of Back River Way, Duxbury. The investigation was conducted with assistance from members of the Easton Connecticut Police Department, Connecticut State Police, U.S. Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) and the Massachusetts State Police. Barlow was taken into custody without incident in Plymouth, Mass. by Duxbury Police Detectives. Based on information gathered from other agencies and from previous interviews it was determined that Barlow possessed fraudulent identification that made it appear that he was a law enforcement officer. It was also determined that he had purchased the parts to make several firearms. The identification and firearms were recovered during the search of his residence. The Patriot Ledger reported that the judge at Barlows Wednesday arraignment had him held behind bars without bond. His next court date is July 21. Barlow was held on $250,000 bail was arraigned in Plymouth, Mass. District Court. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The town of Deer Park had fitful beginnings on the way to becoming a major cog in the oil refinery world. Times weren't always easy but a hearty group of settlers were steadfast in their resolve to lay down roots in the area. Deer Park's city government is planning a number of monthly events for the town's 125th anniversary this year, including concerts and other events. The goal is to show off the growth of the town from a small settlement into the diverse suburb it is today. The city places its official incorporation date as December 20, 1892. OLD DAYS: A photographic history of Baytown, from its oil boom to the early '90s Now Playing: Latest Local And State News Video: Houston Chronicle It was Native Americans who first hunted and fished on the land which was prone to flooding just 24 feet above sea level, centuries before Illinois pioneer Simeon Henry West brought his people to the area in 1892. West had noticed a great number of deer roaming the plains and settled on a name for his new town. Its interesting that he didnt bestow a name on the town something a bit more aligned to its roots as the Birthplace of Texas. After all, the initial treaty signed after the Battle of San Jacinto in April 1836 was signed at the home of Dr. George Moffitt Patrick just off Buffalo Bayou to the north. Within eight years, West and the first residents finally saw the area on its way to being a farming and fruit-producing community. Hopes were high for the town. The possibly for year-round farming was a bonus for new residents. The founder built a hotel and relied on the new railroad coming through the area. A blizzard in 1895 brought snowfall of around 24 inches and threw some farmers for a loop, making them question the idea of a tropical area. Galveston Bay had even frozen over in 1899. HOUSTON ON THE MOVE: The city of Houston as seen in Kodachrome photos shot in the '50s and '60s West brought in streets, water lines and other modern conveniences. He named Luella Street after his daughter, one of the only local streets that remain from Wests time. Catastrophic flooding in September 1900 from the historic hurricane that ravaged Galveston just south of Deer Park washed away hopes of further development, and the settlers moved on to drier locales. By 1905, West himself sold off his interests in the town and Deer Park became a ghost town of sorts. Those who stuck around had a hard row to hoe, to use a farming trope. The discovery of oil at Spindletop near Beaumont in 1901 would eventually turn the tide for Deer Park, which would became a hub for the growing oil refining industry within a decade or two. It wasnt until the Shell Oil Company broke ground in the late 20s that Deer Parks fortunes began to fully change and development began to ramp up just east of Pasadena and just south of the San Jacinto Battleground. The Shell people went all in on the area, taking advantage of a developing Port of Houston. Company towns benefited from an influx of oil money, to say the least. GROWTH IN COLOR: The city of Pearland as seen in Kodachrome photos from 1972 Shell City as Deer Park was dubbed colloquially saw a boom in family life, and business workers from the plant sought to settle down just south of work. Soon the town began getting all of the things that are hallmarks of a burgeoning community like a city hall, a fire station, an independent water supply and public schools. Center Street, a major thoroughfare, was paved with shell for some time. The installation of Texas 225 was a shot in the arm for the area. Post-war development surged as veterans returned home from World War II in search of jobs. The Deer Park Historical Committee routinely shares historical photos to its Facebook page and each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people who helped build the city. Some of those photos can be seen in the slideshow above. We can only imagine what Simeon West would have made of the insane labyrinth of steel that is now the chemical plant system not far from where he founded Deer Park. This upcoming month we will celebrate two important holidays. The first being the Fourth of July to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The second is National Pecan Pie Day on July 12. Pecan pie also happens to be the State Pie of Texas. So while you shoot off fireworks and eat pie, I hope it is with family and friends as I know mine will be. Here are five things happening around your state this month: 1. Special Session A few weeks after the 85th Legislative Session ended, Governor Greg Abbott announced there would be a special session to begin on July 18 and it could last up to 30 days. After legislation to extend the sunset date and continue important state agencies such as the Texas Medical Board and Texas Psychologists Board passes, the Governor will begin to add additional items to the call. These items will include teacher pay, property tax and school finance reform, pro-life issues and caps on local and state spending, among others. I will continue to keep you updated as we continue through the special session. 2. Vetoes The Governor's veto period ended on June 19th and he vetoed 50 of the 1,317 bills and resolutions passed by the Texas Legislature. Many of the bills he believed to be too costly or too burdensome on Texans. Some he vetoed because the author of the bill preferred the companion bill instead. With his line-item veto authority the Governor also cut $120 million from the state's $217 billion budget the Legislature had set for the upcoming next two years. I am very proud of the work the Legislature accomplished this session and look forward to getting back to the district and sharing with you all that we accomplished. 3. Meeting with Superintendents At the end of June, I had the opportunity to hold a number of meetings with school Superintendents from across Senate District 3 in preparation for the upcoming Special Legislative Session. We discussed many of the items which will brought up during this session that are education related. These included teacher pay, administrative flexibility, school finance reform and school vouchers. I appreciate them all for coming out and participating as it is important for me to understand how decisions made in Austin, impact our schools. Education has long been one of the most important issues the state has, and it will continue to be. Our goal is to ensure students are able to receive the best education, and be successful in their lives. 4. Penalty for Killing Livestock Hearing about horse and cattle thieves, you may think of an old western with John Wayne or Audie Murphy. However, these thefts still present a large threat to ranchers in Texas. When a thief is caught they could face up to a third degree felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 per head stolen. While the killing of these animals causes the same loss to the ranchers, there is not the same penalty for killing animals as there is for theft. House Bill 2817 has been signed into law, which makes the killing of cattle, horses or bison without the owner's consent, the same penalty as livestock rustling. Livestock are often killed by nighttime hunters who believe they are aiming at another animal, or others who do it maliciously In 2016, special rangers from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association investigated 20 cases involving 27 dead cattle and there may be many more unreported. 5. Federal Lawsuit and Sanctuary Cities In response to the passing into law of Senate Bill 4, many cities in Texas have filed suit against the State, stating the bill has violated the Texas and U.S. Constitution. This bill, also known as the Sanctuary Cities bill, would ban cities, counties and colleges from implementing policies to refuse to enforce federal immigration laws or they could lose funding. There is also a provision in the bill which allows officers to question the immigration status of those they detain or arrest. The lawsuit has begun its hearings in front of U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia in San Antonio, ad is expected to be a lengthy battle. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a statement of interest in the court case arguing that the bill is constitutional and the 10th amendment allows states the right to craft their own legislation, as SB 4 is within the state's rights. CANYON Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger H.L. Dempsey and local authorities are seeking information after a Angus steer was found shot to death on a ranch south of Canyon. A cash reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information leading to the indictment or arrest of the person or persons responsible for the crime. Operation Cow Thief, an anti-theft initiative led by TSCRA, is offering a $500 reward, with the two victims offering a combined $2,500 additional reward. UPPER THUMB Gather up your treasures and antiques and you could have an opportunity this summer to be on a hit television series. Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz and their team are returning to Michigan with plans to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers for its upcoming season. And they could be stopping in the Upper Thumb. The hour-long television show is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique "picking" on the History Channel. The show follows Wolfe and Fritz, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America's most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them. As they travel across the country, the duo wants to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America's past along the way. American Pickers is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasures. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that Wolfe and Fritz can spend the better part of the day looking through, send them your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST. Carl Wagner, a Democratic Party strategist, organizer and adviser for 40 years who counseled and worked for President Bill Clinton, Sens. Edward Kennedy and George McGovern, as well as a corps of other Democratic officeholders and office seekers, died June 23 at his home in Washington. He was 72. A spokeswoman for the D.C. Medical Examiner's office said determination of the cause of death is pending further investigation. His daughter, Alex Wagner, a co-host of "CBS This Morning: Saturday," said he had heart and lung ailments. Wagner co-chaired Clinton's victorious 1992 presidential campaign and was a longtime friend of the former president. They met in 1972, when both were working on the Democratic presidential campaign of McGovern, the South Dakota senator who lost in a landslide to incumbent President Richard Nixon. Wagner was helping run the McGovern campaign in sections of the Midwest. Clinton, fresh from Yale Law School, was directing McGovern's efforts in the Southwest. "For so many years, Carl was there with clear-eyed analysis of a tough problem, honest advice in a tough spot, and unflinching support in a tough fight," Clinton said in a statement. "He played a big role in helping us think through my decision not to run for President in 1988. . . . [He] was one of the finest organizers and one of the best political minds of our generation." Wagner was serving as director of political activities for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) when Kennedy, the Massachusetts senator, hired him in 1978, two years before Kennedy attempted to wrest the presidency from incumbent Jimmy Carter, a fellow Democrat. He was Kennedy's "field general and a palpably brilliant strategist and tactician," David Axelrod, a top political strategist in Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, said in an email to The Washington Post. To Les Francis, deputy chief of staff in the Carter White House and a former executive director of the Democratic National Committee, Wagner was a "hot type" political tactician, "very intense, high energy . . . could push, demand, got things done." Wagner tended to side with the underdog and was "not one to play it safe," said political columnist and commentator Mark Shields, describing him as someone who "played hardball . . . with a devilish grin." In negotiations over whether Kennedy should address the 1980 Democratic National Convention, Shields said Wagner once suggested to the Carter camp that 5,000 Kennedy partisans could be armed with handheld clickers to drown out pro-Carter speeches if Kennedy were not allowed to speak. After working for Kennedy, Wagner launched and managed his own consultancy, continuing to specialize in Democratic Party politics, but also branching out into other issues, including environmental causes. Over the years, he advised, managed or promoted the political ventures of Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado; Ronald Brown, the Democratic National Committee chairman and secretary of commerce under Clinton; and Michael Dukakis, the Massachusetts governor who lost the 1988 presidential election to George H.W. Bush. In 2008, Wagner supported then-Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois for the Democratic presidential nomination. He directed get-out-the-vote efforts in local and state contests around the country. Carl Robert Wagner was born on Jan. 14, 1945, in Lansing, Iowa, a small town on the banks of the Mississippi River. His father was a rural mailman. He graduated in 1967 from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a degree in political science and did postgraduate study in politics at the University of Iowa. Afterward, he worked in Madison, Wis., as an economics specialist in the office of Gov. Patrick Lucey before coming to Washington in the mid-1970s as a political operative for AFSCME. His marriage to the former Swe Thant ended in divorce. Survivors include their daughter, of New York City. In 1988, when Clinton was governor of Arkansas, Wagner was summoned to Little Rock along with other Clinton loyalists for what many thought would be Clinton's announcement of a presidential candidacy. "What finally decided the question for me," Clinton wrote in his autobiography, "My Life," "was the one part of my life politics couldn't reach, Chelsea. Carl Wagner, who was also the father of an only daughter, told me I'd have to reconcile myself to being away from Chelsea for most of the next 16 months. . . . Chelsea asked me where we were going for summer vacation. When I said I might not be able to take one if I ran for president, Chelsea replied, 'Then Mom and I will go without you.' That did it. "I went into the dining room of the Governor's Mansion, where my friends were eating lunch, [and] told them I wasn't running." WASHINGTON - The fate of stiffer sanctions against Russia and Iran is once again in the hands of the House, after the Senate unanimously approved technical fixes that should clear the way for the House to pass the legislation. But even if House lawmakers move relatively quickly, it may not be fast enough to satisfy Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday that he and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had hoped that Congress would approve the bill stepping up sanctions against Iran and Russia before President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week on the sideline of a Group of 20 summit in Germany. "It's critical, critical that Congress speak in a loud and clear and unified voice to President Putin: Interfering in our election, the wellspring and pride of our democracy, will not be tolerated," Schumer said. The Senate passed the bill by an overwhelming 98-2 vote, one day after expressly approving the comprehensive Russia sanctions portion of the measure by a vote of 97-2. In addition to codifying existing sanctions and imposing new ones, the bill takes the rare step of giving Congress at least 30 days to review any steps the president wants to take to change sanctions policy - effectively a chance to bar the president from rolling back existing punitive measures. The president's warm approach to Russia, and his reticence to accept the intelligence community's conclusion that Russia was behind a series of hacks and disinformation campaigns that colored the 2016 U.S. elections, have given many lawmakers in both parties pause. But in the last week, Democrats began to suspect that House Republicans were intentionally slowing the sanctions bill down at Trump's behest. The overwhelming vote in the Senate, as well as sentiments toward Russia in the House, suggested that there would be veto-proof support for the measure in Congress. But senior administration officials said last week that the president's team planned to step up its lobbying against the measure, objecting especially to the provision that restricts Trump's moves absent congressional approval. Against that backdrop, the House's request that the Senate make technical changes to get around a constitutional problem arising from the bill's potential to affect government revenue struck many Democrats as an excuse. Some resisted approving the minor changes the Senate passed on Thursday until they felt they could get a guarantee from the House that the measure would be immediately put on the floor. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a chief negotiator on the bill, charged Democrats with stalling, accusing them of being "Russia's best friend" by slowing matters down. It is not clear whether Senate Democrats ever got that guarantee, but on Thursday, Schumer announced his support for the measure with a threat directed at House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. "I want to put the House on notice: If they water down the bill, weaken the sanctions, add loopholes to the legislation, they will find stiff resistance here in the Senate," Schumer said. House leaders bristled at the accusation - but have not offered many assurances that they will, in fact, move the bill to the floor instead of putting it before the four committees of jurisdiction for formal debate. Democrats believe that such a process would end up diluting the bill. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., a Trump ally, said Thursday that "I never try to go around the committees" - concluding that they would let the bill go "through regular order." Meanwhile, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said Thursday he would defer to the Foreign Affairs Committee for guidance "on timing and process." That deference may be a good thing for Democrats, as the chairman of that committee, Rep. Edward Royce, R-Calif., has long called for stiffer measures against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and support for the Syrian regime. The sanctions bill covers both, and imposes new measures to punish Russia for its alleged meddling in the 2016 election. In an appearance on Fox News this week, Royce said: "Our goal is to pass this measure as soon as possible. We need to send this message to Putin and to Russia that there will be consequences." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 2 of 3 John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 3 of 3 A Mexican businessman accused of being a financier for the Sinaloa Cartel, and who once tried to invest in a big-budget Hollywood production, was sentenced Wednesday in San Antonio to 63 months in prison for money-laundering conspiracy and extortion charges. Mauricio Sanchez Garza, 46, of Guadalajara, Mexico, laundered money from Mexican drug cartels through a planned apartment complex on San Antonios Northwest Side. Sanchez also admitted extorting a business partner for his stake in a prequel to Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ. A man found dead this weekend in the East Side has been identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office. Police said Elijah Johnson, 34, was run over by a car after an argument with at least two men on Saturday. Officers found his body in the street around 8 a.m. Saturday when they were dispatched to a major accident in the 1000 block of Hays Street, according to a San Antonio Police Department report. Paramedics pronounced Johnson dead at 8:13 a.m. A woman at the scene, who called 911, told police she saw a man driving a Dodge Avenger toward Johnson. She watched as the Avenger hopped over a curb and continued over Johnson, according to the report. The woman was arrested due to an outstanding warrant of possession with intent deliver a controlled substance, the report added. Witnesses told police the incident started with three men fighting. Police talked to the owner of the Avenger who said he was partying Friday night. When he woke up Saturday morning, he noticed his keys and (car) missing, police documents state. The owner told police he was at Hays Street and New Braunfels Avenue, about four blocks from where Johnsons body was found, when he spotted his car. There, an unidentified woman and two men invited him to get in the car, he told police. He instead refused and later met with the trio in a nearby grocery store to get his car back, police records state. They told him, Sorry, someone was hurt with your car, and ran away. Police have not identified any suspects in the case as of Wednesday evening. AUSTIN A proposal to target city and county property tax revenue increases through automatic rollback elections could get a warmer reception in the Texas House in the special session, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dennis Bonnen suggested. I think theres a little more willingness to consider the issue than there was during the regular (session) because people are hearing as they need to be from their local taxpayers that theyre very concerned with whats happening on local tax rates and on property taxes, Bonnen told the San Antonio Express-News, saying he had spoken with a few of my colleagues about the issue. He added, I honestly dont know what level of support there is on the automatic rollbacks, but unlike the regular session, Ill at least have a vote on it during the special. At least in my committee, I intend to. The proposal to provide for automatic property tax rollback elections when cities and counties raise revenue above a certain rate passed the Senate in the regular session but didnt get a House vote. Bonnen, R-Angleton, said at the time that there wasnt enough support on the House floor to pass it. The chamber did approve measures to give taxpayers more information about their bills and how to affect the process at the local level, but they didnt become law. Automatic rollback elections are another way to provide transparency and to give taxpayers a voice, Bonnen said, but he emphasized as he has before that none of this will reduce anyones property taxes because rates are controlled at the local level. Opinions were divided Thursday on whether the House would embrace automatic rollback elections in the special session that begins July 18. Rep. Dwayne Bohac, a Houston Republican who serves on the Ways and Means Committee, said he believes there is enough support on the House floor to pass the proposal. People are tired of seeing their taxes on their homes run away from then. This will put some type of downward pressure on runaway property taxes, Bohac said. Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, a Laredo Democrat on Ways and Means, said, I think if it gets to a vote, it will pass. Asked whether hed support such a measure, he said he would have to see the specific legislation. Im certainly open to it, because I understand where peoples frustrations are, Raymond said. Some lawmakers, however, said they dont see a change coming. From where they were at the end of the last regular session, I think they arent that receptive to changing the rollback rate, said House Appropriations Committee Chairman John Zerwas, R-Richmond. Zerwas said that in his district, he is hearing most about the appraisal review process and transparency items that the House has voted to address. He pushed a measure focused on appraisals during the regular session. He also pointed to opposition to automatic rollback elections from city and county officials, who say the proposal would impede their ability to fund services including public safety. Right now, I would be pretty comfortable with the status quo, regarding automatic rollback elections, Zerwas said, although he added that he would take it under real consideration if his constituents pressed for a change. We dont really address the property tax burden until we address school finance, and a lot of people are coming to recognize that, Zerwas added. The school finance system relies on local property taxes and state funds, along with some federal money. An effort championed by House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, to revamp the system and put more state aid into schools died in the regular session. Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, said he is concerned about the property tax issue, but he added, I dont know if the automatic rollback is the solution. We need to figure out from listening to our constituents what the best solution is. Part of our constituency is our cities and counties, Rodriguez said. Im not particularly sold on the automatic rollback idea because I think it does hamstring our cities and counties in making some decisions at the local level. Rodriguez said its hard to know what the overall sentiment is on the issue in the House, but that he would say its probably lukewarm at best, considering what happened in the regular session. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Chris Turner of Grand Prairie said Democrats in the chamber believe that the true way to achieve property tax relief for Texas homeowners is to reform our broken school finance system, because more than one-half of all property taxes paid go to education. He said he personally supports leaving the rollback provision as it is in current law, but that he thinks some Democrats support making rollback elections automatic. I think people are all over the place on that issue in both parties, Turner said. Currently, voters can petition for a rollback election if a city, county or special district increases property tax revenue collections by more than 8 percent, with exclusions for such things as new construction. Seven to 10 percent of registered voters must sign the petition, depending on the citys size. A measure by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, that was approved by the Senate in the regular session would have made an election automatic if city or county officials propose a 5 percent increase in property tax revenues. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said its ironic that the two-year state budget approved by lawmakers in the regular session relied on an increase in local property tax revenues to help fund schools while theyre trying to say were the problem. Still, Wolff said, he believes backers of the idea have had plenty of time to work on the House members, and Im sure theyre correct in their assessment that theyre probably getting some additional support. Property tax reform is among 20 issues that Gov. Greg Abbott put on the sessions agenda. Its a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate. Abbott announced Thursday that legislation on the issue will be authored in the special session by Bonnen and Bettencourt, as it was in the regular session. Both said the governors office has been engaged on the issue. Theres absolutely a greater level of engagement and involvement by the governor now than there was during the regular. Not to say he wasnt engaged during the regular but he seems to be very much in charge or in complete engagement on all the issues hes declared for the special, Bonnen said. Bettencourt said there was a staff meeting Thursday involving his office, House Ways and Means and Abbotts office on the measure, and he hopes its chances will be better in the House this time. Given the level of tax increases essentially for anyone that lives on I-35 from San Antonio to DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth), I think that theyve probably been taxed into awareness, he said. pfikac@express-news.net Twitter: @pfikac This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Texas Medical Board has concluded for a second time that there is insufficient evidence to sanction a Sugar Land doctor accused of performing a fatal procedure on an elderly woman without her family's legally required consent. According to witnesses, Dr. Yassir Sonbol did not consult the children of 87-year-old Manuela Chapa before attempting to insert a dialysis catheter in her neck on March 12, 2015, at Kindred Hospital Sugar Land. The wire became lodged in a vein, according to medical records and witnesses, causing blood to pour from the woman and sending her into cardiac arrest. Her daughter, Cris Chapa, learned the graphic details of her mother's death nearly two years later, only after a whistleblowing nurse sent her a letter along with a stack of records, the Houston Chronicle reported in April. Chapa wasn't even aware that Sonbol, an interventional cardiologist, had attempted the procedure. By then, however, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had investigated the incident and concluded the doctor and hospital had violated her mother's rights by failing to discuss possible risks and obtaining legal consent before attempting the procedure. Family photo The Texas Medical Board, the state agency that licenses and disciplines physicians, also had taken a look at the case by then, but the board had reached a different conclusion. It cleared Sonbol of wrongdoing in March 2016, without ever contacting Chapa's family. In a confidential letter obtained by the Chronicle, the board said a full investigation was not warranted because it had received "medical records and affidavits" showing that Sonbol had received legal consent to perform the procedure. Earlier this month, the medical board agreed to take another look at the case after receiving an affidavit from Cris Chapa and her brother, Jesse Chapa, stating they were never consulted, as well as a signed statement from Linda Patton, the nurse who first reported the medical error to regulators. Chapa's family also submitted copies of their mother's medical records, which included an unsigned consent form for the procedure. The medical board's Disciplinary Process Review Committee examined the additional evidence on June 15 and a week later issued its findings in a letter obtained by the Chronicle: "After a careful review of the file and all the information regarding this matter, (the committee) determined there is insufficient evidence to support a violation." Cris Chapa received notice of the decision Wednesday: "You have no idea how disappointed I am," she said. "They say it's still not enough evidence. What more do they want?" The Texas Medical Board considers disciplinary investigations confidential and does not comment on its decisions. In an email, board spokesman Jarrett Schneider noted that "a violation of hospital bylaws does not necessarily equate to a violation by a medical practitioner individually." RELATED: She believed her mom died peacefully. Two years later, a nurse wrote to say what really happened H.C. Chang, a lawyer representing the Chapa family in a malpractice lawsuit against Sonbol and the hospital, said he was stunned by the board's conclusion. "I read what the medical board wrote, and it just boggles the mind," Chang said. "I believe it's clear as day that Kindred and Dr. Sonbol did not have consent to do this procedure. I'm not sure what the board was thinking." Sonbol's lawyer, Don Stephens, declined to comment on the confidential medical board probe. As for the civil case, "Dr. Sonbol strongly denies the allegations against him in the suit filed by the Chapa family and we anticipate that Dr. Sonbol will prevail at the time of trial," Stephens wrote in an email. Dr. Gary Idelchik, a New York-based cardiologist who reviewed Chapa's medical file on behalf of the plaintiffs, concluded that Sonbol failed to get legal consent for a procedure that was not warranted and then appeared to falsify medical records to cover up the mistake. "Her death was proximately caused by the negligence and gross negligence of Dr. Yassir Sonbol," Idelchik wrote in a document filed in Harris County District Court earlier this month. Stephens since has filed a counter motion disputing the veracity of Idelchik's opinion, noting that Manuela Chapa, who had come to the hospital with pneumonia, was very ill at the time of the procedure and had gone into cardiac arrest twice a day earlier, making any determination about her cause of death speculative. ___ Mike Hixenbaugh writes about health care and medicine for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Send him tips at mike.hixenbaugh@chron.com. WASHINGTON The Republican-led House made good Thursday on campaign promises from President Donald Trump to crack down on illegal immigration, passing two related crime bills mirroring efforts in Texas to punish so-called sanctuary cities. The mostly party-line votes followed hours of emotional debate, reflecting the yawning partisan divide on immigrant rights and law enforcement. Opponents say their chances of blocking the legislation are better in the Senate. One measure, called the "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act," would bar certain law enforcement grants to cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities, an attempt to give more legal heft to a Trump administration policy that has been tied up in the courts. It passed 228-195. The other, known widely as "Kate's Law," is named after Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old woman who was shot and killed in San Francisco two years ago by an illegal immigrant who had passed through Texas and been deported five times. That bill, which passed 257-167, would enhance penalties for convicted criminals who are deported and return to the United States illegally. For immigration hard-liners, Steinle has become the face of victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, an issue President Donald Trump highlighted Wednesday in a White House event with victims' families. An earlier version Kate's Law, championed by ex-Fox News Host Bill O'Reilly, was introduced in 2015. It was not acted on, but a similar bill targeting sanctuary cities did pass the House that year, but not the Senate, where it was filibustered by Democrats. In the push to win final House passage Thursday, House Speaker Paul Ryan said of Steinle's killer, Francisco Sanchez, "He should not have been here, and she should not have died." Democrats and immigrant-rights activists say the measure demonizes immigrants, who they say are no more likely to commit crime than native-born citizens. In a speech Thursday on the House floor, San Antonio Democrat Lloyd Doggett argued that it would undermine public safety to put local police into the service of immigration authorities, eroding community trust. "The only sanctuary involved here today is the sanctuary that this sorry bill provides for prejudice," Doggett said. "This is the Trump counterpart to the outrageous Senate Bill 4 that Governor Greg Abbott has been promoting in Texas. It all goes back to the rhetoric last year about the 'bad hombres' and the attacks on Mexico and Mexicans. I want the 'bad hombres' off the street no matter where they come from." Senate Bill 4, a state sanctuary cities ban that was pushed through the Texas Legislature this year, would allow local police to question legally detained criminal suspects about their immigration status. It would also punish law enforcement officials who don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The state law, derided by Democrats as an unconstitutional "show me your papers" measure, is currently under challenge before U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia in San Antonio. Democrats say the congressional measures would be counter-productive as well. "Our local law enforcement officers for Houston PD and Harris County Sheriffs are responsible for protecting the people of our great city and upholding our local laws," said Houston Democrat Gene Green, whose district is more than 70 percent Hispanic. "They are not, nor should they become, de facto federal immigration agents. The U.S. Constitution is clear that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, and not the states or local governments." Houston-area Republicans rallied around the House bills. "These two bills are rooted in common sense, and focus on criminal actions," said Friendswood Republican Randy Weber. "Convicted illegal aliens have no business being on our streets." Among the most ardent congressional proponents of cutting off funds to sanctuary cities is Houston Republican John Culberson, a top House appropriator who has asserted the right of Congress over spending matters. But despite his claims to have cut off law enforcement grants to sanctuary cities a year ago, the issue remains on hold in federal courts. Attorneys for the states of California and Connecticut, two of Culberson's top targets, say their policies do not block local police and jailers from sharing immigration information with federal authorities, as required by a 1996 law. The legal issue comes down to whether the law requires them to hold suspects targeted for deportation past their court-ordered release dates. Some courts have held that the so-called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "detainers" are voluntary civil procedures. Many civil liberties groups say it is unconstitutional to hold people in jail without active criminal warrants. But Steinle's death galvanized immigration hard-liners in Republicans ranks who argue it could have been prevented. In all, 24 Democrats also voted for Kate's Law, including Henry Cuellar of Laredo. He also was one of only three Democrats to vote for the sanctuary cities law. "In addition to Kate's shooter being a criminal alien, he was also released by local authorities despite his ICE detainer because he was in a 'sanctuary city,'" said Texas Republican Michael McCaul, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. "We are a nation of laws, laws that are established to keep Americans safe, and individuals in defiance of those laws must be held responsible." It looks like all the payday and auto title lending businesses in San Antonio are finally registered with the city. That will provide much-needed protections for the financially insecure who seek out payday and auto title loans to tide them over until the next paycheck. In 2012, San Antonio approved an ordinance requiring these types of businesses to register with the city. The intent was ending abusive and predatory lending practices that ensnare borrowers in a never-ending cycle of high-interest loans. Before it went into effect on New Years Day 2013, a handful of businesses sued the city, alleging the regulations were a systematic campaign of intimidation and oppression. The lawsuit was dismissed by a Bexar County district court judge in early 2014, but it was refiled a few months later. After almost four years of litigation, the parties have reached a mediated settlement. In addition to registering, the plaintiffs have agreed to pay the city $60,000 for its costs associated with the suit and drop a civil suit seeking to have the law declared unconstitutional. The city concessions include dropping pending criminal cases brought against the businesses, and dropping the charges against a store manager who was found guilty by a jury on a misdemeanor charge of violating the ordinance. Local ordinances would be unnecessary if the Texas Legislature had the fortitude to regulate the businesses at the state level. Such efforts have been thwarted by deep-pocket industry lobbyists who contribute generously to lawmakers. There has also been strong-arming of legislators by state Rep. Gary Elkins, a Houston Republican who has a financial stake in Cash Station, a payday lending company. Elkins business was one of the plaintiffs in the suit against the city. San Antonios ordinance limits loans to cash-strapped clients to no more than a clients gross monthly income. The maximum loan available on a car title is 70 percent of the vehicles value or 3 percent of the borrowers annual income, whichever is lower. In addition, loan renewals are limited to three. Four years ago, there were 222 payday and auto title lenders in San Antonio. As of late last month, there were 92. The increased regulations and a rebounding economy are cited as factors in the decline. We encourage other communities to adopt similar ordinances to provide much-needed safeguards for the financially vulnerable. WILTON After a month-long search, the town may have landed a consultant to help in the development of a new Plan of Conservation and Development. On Monday, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor of recommending the hiring of Milone and MacBroom to aid the town as a consultant in the upcoming update of Wiltons Plan of Conservation and Development. One commissioner abstained from the vote. Wiltons Plan of Conservation and Development was last updated in 2010. The town began accepting proposals from prospective consultants to help update the plan back in early May. Of the three firms that submitted proposals, the town invited two back for interviews Planimetrics and Milone and MacBroom. After interviews, commissioners decided to move forward with Milone and MacBroom, which has worked with the town in the past. We all felt most comfortable with Milone and MacBroom, but we really gave them both credence. At the end of the day, I think a fresh look at these two consultants was appropriate, but Im confident that the one were talking about is going to do the right job, Commissioner Rick Tomasetti said. Though Planimetrics has worked on past Plans of Conservation and Development with Wilton, Tomasetti argued that their familiarity with the town may have actually worked against them. My thought process was not at all that they were mailing it in, but that the way he presented himself was I know what you want, and I felt like the purpose of this all was that we want to find out what everyone wants, and we need to do surveys and engage the public, Tomasetti said. In addition to providing more depth with their personnel, Tomasetti explained that he was most impressed with the firms exhaustive preparation. They were really very diligent about what they were talking about. I dont want to say that they exposed some things to me, but they really put everything out there and I thought it was good, Tomasetti said. Another factor in Milone and MacBrooms selection was their ability to communicate with and mobilize the public, First Selectman Lynne Vanderslice said. Theyre a little bit more in tune to current modes of communication. Theyre much bigger on use of social media and other forms to try and engage more people and try to get more people to come to the meetings, Vanderslice said. Project Manager Rebecca Augur and Planner Michael Zuba will represent the Cheshire-based firm, alongside five other planners who will assist in the project. Both have extensive experience working with local communities. Currently, the Milone and MacBroom division is working with North Haven, Watertown and Windham, in addition to working with the South Central Connecticut Council of Governments to develop a regional Plan of Conservation and Development. The firm has been working on similar plans for the past 30 years, Augur said. In the past, the firm has also worked with Guilford, Ridgefield and Wallingford in the same capacity. This wont be the first time Milone and MacBroom has worked with Wilton either, as they worked with the town in 2015 on the Board of Educations enrollment study. As of Wednesday, Augur said that she couldnt comment on the Wilton Plan of Conservation and Development, because the firm had not yet held formal discussions with the town. At Mondays meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Vanderslice pointed out that the Board of Selectman would be responsible for signing the contract with Milone and MacBroom, and then things would proceed from there. ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2570; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAAC) is investigating University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturer Professor Claude Mararike on allegations of abuse of office for fraudulently awarding a Doctor of Philosophy degree to former First Lady Grace Mugabe. In an interview yesterday, ZACC spokesperson Ms Phyllis Chikundura confirmed the developments. He is under investigation and he faces arrest once investigations have been completed, she said. On Saturday, UZ Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura, who was arrested for allegedly illegally awarding Mrs Mugabe the PhD, was granted $200 bail by a Harare magistrate. The bail conditions include surrendering his passport to the court, residing at his stated Borrowdale address in Harare and not interfering with State witnesses Professor Rudo Gaidzanwa and Drs Julius Museveni, Watch Ruparanganda and one Sadomba. Nyagura is expected back in court on March 5. He was charged with abuse of office when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Tilda Mazhande, an allegation he refuted. Last Friday, ZACC arrested Nyagura for allegedly awarding Mrs Mugabe the PhD without university council and senate approval. Mrs Mugabe was supervised by Prof Mararike. Nyagura recently ridiculed lecturers in the Department of Sociology for challenging the awarding of the contentious doctorat describing them as ignorant Messrs and doctors lacking capacity to supervise a PhD student. Supervised by Prof Mararike, Mrs Mugabe graduated with the Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Social Studies in September 2014. The arrest of Nyagura came after a Harare magistrate had issued a warrant empowering ZACC to search and seize all documents relevant to its probe on whether or not he corruptly awarded Mrs Mugabe the doctorate. The documents ordered to be availed included Dr Mugabes pre-registration application form, her research proposal submitted to the Department of Sociology, minutes of the departmental board assigning a supervisor to Mrs Mugabe, academic certificates of her supervisor, minutes showing that the doctoral degree passed through the Academic Committee, and minutes of the UZ senate recommending to the university council the conferment of the doctorate on Mrs Mugabe. The university was directed to allow ZACC access to minutes of the University Council recommending to the University Chancellor the conferment of the doctorate on Mrs Mugabe, copies of progress reports at the Post Graduate Centre, copies of contract of research assistant and contract of teaching assistant in respect of Mr Justice Tandire. ZACC was also to be furnished with the UZ Faculty Ordinance number 44, UZ quality assurance guidelines and benchmarks for management and supervision of higher degrees by research, General Academic Regulations for Post-Graduate Degrees of the university of Zimbabwe 1998/99 Volume 11, as well as copies of the transcript, notification and Doctor of Philosophy Degree awarded to Mrs Mugabe. UZ has since filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court to set aside the search warrant, arguing that it was illegal. Herald Breaking News via Email Our mini-fundraiser for Water Cooler is on! As of this writing, 210 donors our goal is 250 have already invested to support Water Cooler, which provides both economic and political coverage, to help us all keep our footing in todays torrent of propaganda and sheer bullsh*t. Independent funding is key to having an independent editorial point of view. Please join us and participate via Lamberts Water Cooler Tip Jar, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal, or even the US mail. Thanks to all! Jerri-Lynn here: Veteran investigative journalist Seymour Hersh needs no introduction. In this Real News Network interview, Aaron Mate and Hersh discuss his recent Die Welt article on Trumps decision to bomb Syria. Formerly, Hershs work appeared regularly in The New Yorker. Now, he must turn to foreign outlets to disseminate his work, and as he says below about this important story, I had a hell of a time getting it published. I wonder why thats so? For interested readers, Im including a link to the English version of Hershs Die Welt piece, Trumps Red Line. For those who have the time, it might make sense to read that first, before turning to this interview. AARON MATE: Its the Real News. Im Aaron Mate. When the US bombed a Syrian military airfield in April, the White House said US intelligence had confirmed the Assad regime used chemical weapons in the town of Khan Shaykhun. Well a new report says the opposite is true. Veteran journalist Seymour Hersh reports US intelligence actually warned president Trump it had no evidence that the Syrian military had used sarin gas. Hersh writes that Russia had warned the U.S. about a Syrian military strike before Khan Shaykhun was bombed, and he says that bombing set off secondary explosions that released poisonous gases on the ground. Seymour Hershs article, Trumps Red Line, was published by the German newspaper [Die Welt]. Earlier he joined me to discuss it. Welcome Sy. SEYMOUR HERSH: Hello. AARON MATE: Thank you for joining us. Youre reporting that Trump ordered the attack on the Syrian military airfield, despite US intelligence doubts that it was in fact Assad who had used chemical weapons in Idlib. Can you explain what that intelligence was? SEYMOUR HERSH: It was a pre-planned mission. Very simply, it was a secret mission. One of the reasons that a lot of people, even in Syria and Russia didnt know what was going on, it was a mission, we had, the Russians Look, first of all you have to understand Russia, Syria, America, we work very closely together on bombing attacks and operations inside the country. I know some people find that surprising. By the way we also, a part of our American support team, we have planes from the UK, the Brits, the Aussies. Canadians also fly some missions. Theyre all guided and monitored by a process known as deconfliction, which just simply means that everybody who moves any place lets one central body which is a group, a group we control, an office we control, a computer center, computers, we all know where everybody is. Theres not only not been a crash since the bombing began. Russia began bombing almost it will be two years ago this fall. A lot of bombing going on, constantly on ISIS targets and al-Nusra targets, et cetera, rebel targets that we consider to be our enemy, which they are. So its monitored. This is a special [inaudible 00:02:36] because Russias, Russian intelligence service gave our intelligence service some information about a secret high level meeting taking place in this town. Its a pretty large city. It was pretty bombed. A lot of bombings been going on there. Theres a lot of bombing. Its all in Idlib Province. This is, Idlib Province, this is the last outpost, the last sort of holding place outside of Raqqa for the rebel outfits, the crazies, the jihadists, the sulafists. Not so much, al-Nusras very big there. ISIS is very big in Raqqa but those are the last two places. Bashar is going to hold on. Hes going to hold the country together. Hes going to start a rebuilding program. Whether we like him or dont like him, thats a reality. The Russians have been effective in bombing in a way that we have not been effective in Afghanistan and in the war in Iraq. Theyre quite effective which is also a blow to our ego. If you remember when Russia began bombing, President Obama said itll be a quagmire for them. Well it hasnt been. They pulled, they pulled Bashar I guess the cliche is up by his bootstraps or whatever. Hes now in a dominant position. There was, we knew about a meeting. The word was from the Russians to us, our intelligence services, was if you have a guy there, youre buying somebody, we, you, like to pay money to get information or other reasons, if you have somebody going to that meeting on April 4th, in this town, in a command and control center, dont let him go. Find a way to get him out gracefully. And so that was kept very secret. So the planning was done for days because it involved, the zone is called, its at the operational zone six, really is what they call it. Its a Russia operational zone. Syria operational zone. We do not operate there, militarily, with planes, bombing. Thats done by the other services. It was a Syrian plane, an upgraded Syrian plane with a special Russian bomb, laser guided bomb. Russia, unlike us, Russias, they dont spend the money we do on laser guided stuff. The Russians tend to be cherry about it but this is going to be laser guided. They brought in a better version of an old MIG called an SU24 Syrian jet with a very senior Syrian General piloting. All this was pre-planned and staffed. The target was pre-planned. It was done early in the morning because command and control centers have a lot of people around. Theres shops there where they supply medicines and food. They, al-Nusra will keep control of the population by having goods, by having cooking oil and propane gas and medicines and foods and disinfectants, which are based in chlorine for washing bodies. There, in that society, as you all should know, when you get killed in a bombing raid in the Muslim world, you have to wash the body and bury it right away. Thats a big reason for the command control centers to have control. They have the right, they have the right soaps and cleaners for this kind of work. All chlorine based by the way. Anyway, so everybody knew what the target was. The president was told when the incident happened, and the other side began talking about, We know nothing about what really happened because no independent unit has been, no UN unit has been allowed to go into the area. Its too dangerous. You could lose your head easy. And not just emotionally. We mean literally. Theres been no real primary I have no idea what happened. The other side claims sarin was used. Its very possible there was some local sarin there. I just dont know, but the bomb that was dropped was not sarin. There was no intent by Syria to do anything other than destroy, early in the morning, a meeting of the leadership of the local jihadist groups there. They had a meeting about what to do. AARON MATE: So heres my question. If Russia warned the U.S. beforehand about this pending strike by the Syrian military on that rebel location, why hasnt Russia come out and said, Hey, you know, we even warned the U.S. about this so they knew in advance that the strike was coming? Why hasnt Russia said that because it would further their argument that they, that the U.S. acted erroneously in targeting Assad? SEYMOUR HERSH: Well, do you really want the other side to know you have inside information on a meeting? I mean, just think it through. If you have a covert, if youre running people, youre running agents, intelligence agents inside, lets say al-Nusra. If youre running operations inside their operations, why would you want to talk about it before or after? You dont. You wouldnt. Just like, you dont think we We clearly have had people in strange places and have learned stuff in advance. We do not talk about it, even after the fact. Theres not reason to talk about it, because at this point you jeopardize those people that are there, although its pretty obvious that once the bombing took place, there was this secret meeting. A lot of people know somebody betrayed it, but why would you want to talk publicly about it? That doesnt surprise me as being such an anomaly. AARON MATE: Right. Okay. Those cleaning agents that you mentioned were present in that building, are you suggesting that that might have been the source of the chemicals that killed and wounded so many people? AARON MATE: I dont know anything about what happened there. Theres been no independent investigation. The one thing we know about is that the power and water was pretty much knocked out in that city. Its a city, at one time, of 48,000. A large city. Big farming community. We know that, we do know from academic studies by a number of people Theres a guy named Sam Howler has written about it, out of Yale whos living in Beirut now. We know that the one way you maintain control of Idlib Province, which has a lot of independently minded people, not everybody there is interested in Sharia law. Many are just Its a farming community. We know that command and control centers, which was targeted also have foodstuffs and other stuff and the understanding was that there either was a two story building that was a target. There was a basement there. Very likely there would be a lot of stuff supplied there, stored there, including, plastic containers full of cooking oil. You may know under a lot of heat, in an explosion, plastic develops into something that in World War I was know as phosgene, another poisonous chemical. Any cloud can be We all know from fires, that people die from smoke inhalation. Any cloud can be very damaging. The strike took place in April, one of those days in April which apparently is very not unusual in that region, that area, northern area of Syria They were close to 60, 70 miles away from the the Turkish border, Hatay Province. You get a lot of inversions, a lot of cold air, holding clouds down. Once you bombed, there were, we have We saw some bomb damage, I havent seen it but Ive been told that there were, a cloud was formed because there were probably munitions also in the basement. Nobody is quite sure what. The Russians had put up a drone before that for a few days to just see the pattern of life there, what was going on. Its called POL. They monitor what, who goes in and out, when the stores open. I think that, my guess is, I dont know this One reason for making the strike so early in the morning was before shops nearby. There was, I understand there was a shop in which you could buy batteries, a shop in which you could buy fabrics. There was a shop where you could get food stores, so there was a lot stuff they had to blow up. You generated a cloud full of a lot of stuff. Chlorine because chlorine disinfectant is used for the bodies, other stuff. Do I know if there were the precursors for sarin? I would doubt it. Sarins pretty lethal. You have to be pretty sophisticated, but there could have been. Is it possible for some of that stuff to melt and form a less, not a I did a book about chemical and biological warfare way back in 68, a few thousand years ago and that was my first book. One thing about military grade sarin. It doesnt take a lot to wipe out a population. Youre talking about a small container would wipe out, you know, hundreds if not a thousand, couple thousand people. Its very lethal. Within minutes. This wasnt the most advanced form of sarin if there was sarin. But we really dont know. Thats not the issue. The issue in my story, is not to try and explain what happened but to explain what did not happen. What did not happen is Syria did not drop a sarin bomb that morning. It was known to everybody in the command. Period. AARON MATE: Okay. Lets talk about how the White House dealt with this. Can you talk about the internal deliberations inside the White House? Did President Trump receive intelligence that some analysts believed it was inconclusive, or it was conclusive on the fact that Assad had not dropped the weapon? Did Trump know that? SEYMOUR HERSH: The storys all about the briefing he got. He did get told beforehand, a day beforehand. Theres no evidence to support what you want to believe. There were photographs shown by the ambassador, Ambassador Haley, were beamed up. As I said, I started to say earlier, I didnt finish the thought. There was no electricity or water there. We bombed it so much. It wasnt until a team, they call them white helmets, a rescue team. Theyre first responders who respond primarily in rebel held territory. Thats the best thing to say about them. Theres been reports about them being supported by us and the United Kingdom, but theyre certainly there in the rebel territories. They came and they had generators and they had water tanks too I gather. By ten, eleven oclock, YouTube stuff was going up. I dont know anything about the origin of the photographs, about their I just dont know. All I know is they began to show some photographs of people suffering badly. I dont know. There were reports, they were taken to hospitals. Some places, they were showing signs of chlorine poisoning. Other signs were what they called near sarin or sarin neurotoxic. Sarin causes you to have a bunch of things happen. Eyeballs dilate, you defecate. Theres a whole series of symptoms from sarin. Even light form of sarin, but a lot of people survived it, which makes the sarin that was used not the most potent. AARON MATE: So on Trumps decision making, he basically tells his advisors, that no matter what, were going to launch a strike so I want some options. Can you walk us through that? SEYMOUR HERSH: Youre dealing now with the reason Im writing this story, and the reason why people wanted me to write this story even though I had a hell of a time getting it published. The president ignored the intelligence. The intelligence was there, I think he made up his mind, they believed the people involved. Some of them believe he made up his mind right away when he saw photographs whose provenance, whose chain of custody was not known. We dont know where they came from or when they came from. They could have been from that day. Im not an expert on it. Im just telling you nobody knew where they came from. If sarin was used, it wasnt, but they knew it wasnt from the bomb, so theres a lot of confusion but the one point they made is that sarin, Syria did not drop a sarin bomb. He didnt care. Hed seen the photographs. Thats basically what happened. So they gave him a series He didnt ask for options. They gave him a series of options for them. The most extreme being decapitation. Kill Bashar Assad, assassinate him. Two, put the bomb, or bomb every place where he lived. The first one was do nothing. The second was what they called the gorilla option, bang your chests, hit a target thats not very significant and thats what they did. They warned the planes that did the bombing took off from an airbase a few hundred kilometers, less than that, away, near homes, farther north, northwest. They bombed that airbase after telling the Syrians and the Russians what they were going to do in advance and minimized the damage there. He got to do some bombing. He got to go on television. He got to get good ratings. He got to look like a serious leader, which is what happens when you, when in America we tend rally around our captain. A lot of people were very troubled by the fact that he just overlooked the intelligence. The purpose of me writing the story really is nothing more than to say presidents should not do that. Thats not what you do. You listen to the people who give you the intelligence. That gets muddled in a lot of issues because a lot of people see the story as somehow reflecting not as badly as they want the world to reflect on Syria. If you remember, the cry immediately was that Bashar had gassed his own people again with sarin as he allegedly did four years earlier. Then the Russians chimed in by denying it. Here you had Syria which is obviously very much hated by most Americans I guess. The polls probably show that. We dont like Bashar Assad, and so for the president it was the easy win. Hed bomb somebody nobody likes. From the press reaction today, its clear that not liking Syria and not liking Russia for the mainstream press is much more important than what the president did which always surprises me but maybe it shouldnt. AARON MATE: Sorry. On this point, you report about how the White House did some briefings for the media and push on them this line that Assad had definitely used chemical weapons and they were just responding. You write about, very critically about how the media went along with it without asking some basic questions. SEYMOUR HERSH: What else, what else do I do for a living? Pick on the media because they dont ask basic questions? Because they harden up stories? Look, you know, youre a reporter. You want to be on page one. I worked at the New York Times for years. The drive to get on page one is pretty acute. AARON MATE: Can you explain though what happened there in terms of the vague and qualified language that the White House used but still got turned into front page news on the New York Times? SEYMOUR HERSH: All that happened was the White House never said it was an official intelligence report. They said it was intelligence information because there was no report that said Syria did it. They had to go and They were, the briefer, to his credit I dont know who he was. Everybody does but they have a name, Ill go along with that. I dont, its okay. The briefer was very careful to say this is intelligence information. He did not say its the conclusion or the recommendation or the assessment. They didnt even bother with that. He then had a lot of qualifiers. He said, we believe, we suspect, we, we did say we assess here and there. He never, if you actually looked at it, he never really made the claims, and the reporters in generally I picked on the New York Times but they did the same thing everybody else did. Theyre the best paper we have and I always think, I always think, I always like to hold them to the highest possible standard. Most of the time, they meet that standard. This is a one off. When you get a crisis like this, it seems to me, not matter what, no matter how much you believe or dont believe the president, you can call him a liar everyday but when theres a crisis like this, everybody gloms at any word thats said and just immediately rush into print, put in the headlines. Its too bad because it leads to a lot of sort of vague reporting and inaccurate reporting. The papers hard mode is that They even went to the point they suspected that there could be a Syrian sarin depot, sarin processing point at the airfield. Well let me tell you something about the real stuff, the military stuff, which of course the United Nations knows more about. If you remember after the incident in 2013, the alleged sarin attack by Syria, a group called the OPCW, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, its a UN group, theyre responsible for monitoring something called the Chemical Weapons Convention. They took out, oh I think 14 months they spent taking out all of the chemical weapons known to be in Syrias arsenal, including all of the gases and chemicals that when melded together make sarin and nobody knows more about the sarin thats in the Syrian arsenal than that group, the prohibition group, the OPCW. They know whether, theres a big difference between military grade sarin, which had additives in it for toxicity, lethality, to make it easier to handle and what we call kitchen sarin. We know that al-Nusra for example, theres been intelligence reporting, Ive written about it. I mean I actually have the reports. Theres been intelligence reporting since earlier, early in 03, June of 03, June of 13 rather, and we know that it goes back even further with al Qaeda that theres been a great interest in chemical weapons including nerve gas, by the jihadists. AARON MATE: My last question. This attack on the Syrian air base and what Trump is doing right now in Syria, do you think Trump is escalating military conflict inside Syria and toward Assad and Iran? SEYMOUR HERSH: Doesnt matter what I think. Only matters what I know. I dont watch cable television anymore because reporters and politicians go on and they begin every time they have a panel, they ask the panel a question, in the nightly, those shows and the first two words everybody says is I think. I dont care what somebody thinks about politics. I dont know what hes doing. I dont know. I dont think many of us do. I think probably Trump doesnt either. So there we are. AARON MATE: Well leave it there. I want to thank Seymour Hersh, legendary investigative journalist. His latest piece for [Die Welt] is Trumps Red Line. Thank you Sy. SEYMOUR HERSH: Tell your boss hello. AARON MATE: Will do. And thank you for joining us on The Real News. Our mini-fundraiser for Water Cooler is on! As of this writing, 221 donors our goal is 250 have already invested to support Water Cooler, which provides both economic and political coverage, to help us all keep our footing in todays torrent of propaganda and sheer bullsh*t. Independent funding is key to having an independent editorial point of view. Please join us and participate via Lamberts Water Cooler Tip Jar, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal, or even the US mail. Thanks to all! By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She now spends much of her time in Asia and is currently researching a book about textile artisans. She also writes regularly about legal, political economy, and regulatory topics for various consulting clients and publications, as well as scribbles occasional travel pieces for The National. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) backed away yesterday from imposing a wider airline laptop ban, and instead announced new security measures, both seen and unseen, that will be implemented at last-point-of-departure airports in 105 countries around the world for flights to the United States. The measures will cover 280 airports, affect an average of 2100 flights daily, and apply to an average of 325,000 passengers daily, according to this DHS fact sheet. In March, the United States banned laptops, tablets, and other electronics devices larger than a standard smartphone from cabin baggage on flights from 10 Middle Eastern airports. The United Kingdom followed with a similar but not identical measure covering six countries and fourteen carriers. Many, including Moon of Alabama (see here), saw the US ban as a form of protectionism targeting leading government-backed Middle Eastern airlines Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways, thus fulfilling a pledge Trump had made to CEOs from three US airlines, as I discussed in this post, Airline Cabin Laptop Ban: More Security Theater? That rationale, however, doesnt convincingly explain the UKs ban, which doesnt cover the three Middle Eastern airlines, and in fact, also applies to some British Airlines flights. Both the US and UK bans were also heavily criticised for requiring passengers to check their devices in the hold, with security experts warning that this practice would increase the risk that fires that might start in lithium batteries embedded in the devices would be difficult to control. That fire risk was considered by many to be more real and serious than the terrorism risk that the ban purported to address. In addition, businesses and individuals objected to surrendering control over their devices, concerned about possible theft either of the devices themselves or of confidential data stored therein. Since the ban was imposed, there has been a drop in demand for the targeted flights (see, for example, this account in The National Emirates cuts flights to US over laptop ban). New Policy Forestalls Wider Laptop Ban Over the last several months, the US has reportedly mulled extending the device ban to flights originating in European airports. As the Financial Times reports in US demands tougher airline security but avoids laptop ban, the revised policy which merely steps up security procedures represents a major victory for European countries and carriers: One European airline official predicted chaos, at least to begin with, saying there were questions over the cost of new security equipment and whether passengers transferring on their way to the US would need to be screened twice. But the official added: Were absolutely relieved that this is not a laptop ban, and that this is a worldwide measure, not one that is EU focused. A laptop ban would have caused fire hazards if they were packed in the hold, and those issues were never resolved. Jerri-Lynn here: Please allow me a bit of a personal aside here. Its not just the Europeans, but also this frequent traveller who breathes a big sigh of relief that for the moment, travellers will still be able to pack electronic devices in their cabin baggage- especially as I write these words while sitting in Hong Kong, having flown from Kolkata on Tuesday via Bangkok. One of my bags made it, but alas, the other still has not more than 2 full days after I arrived and despite my persistent follow-up efforts, no one seems to have any idea where my bag is or when Ill see it again. And I was just told that I must wait 7 days before Ill be eligible for anything by way of compensation. So, I can only imagine the nightmare that would result if a wider electronics ban were to be imposed, either on all flights into the US, or more widely. New DHS Policy The new security regime includes these elements: Enhancing overall passenger screening; Conducting heightened screening of personal electronic devices; Increasing security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas; and Deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional preclearance locations. Airlines that fail to comply with the new requirements face a total ban on passengers being allowed to carry electronics devices with them on flights to the United States whether in the cabin, or checked in the hold. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said these are just some of the new security measures that will be rolled out. Yet one line in todays Reuters report on the new policy, U.S. unveils enhanced airline security plan to avoid laptop ban, makes me wonder how well-considered this policy actually a is: U.S. carriers said they would follow the new security directive, but industry trade group Airlines for America (A4A), criticized Homeland Security for not working more closely with them on the new policies. In remarks delivered yesterday, Kelly invoked the terrorism specter as the rationale for the extended procedures: We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the traveling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed. Now, if these measures are indeed well-considered and necessary, then why confine them only to flights to the United States? I turn again to the Reuters report, which addresses exactly this question: European airline groups said in a document reviewed by Reuters that if the threats are confirmed, the restrictions should be deployed to cover all EU departing flights, not just U.S.-bound flights. I suggest in future that more and more flights will be subject to similar procedures. Timetable Unspecified The DHS declined to spell out a firm timetable for airlines to implement the new security measures, with Al Jazeera reporting, officials would only say that they would give adequate time for the airlines to adapt, in US toughens airport security for foreign flights. In some cases, the required changes would be minor; in others, more comprehensive overhaul is necessary. According to the FT account cited above: We believe every airline and every airport in the world can meet these standards in a very short period of time if they chose to do so, a senior official at the department of homeland security said on Wednesday, adding the US will work with airlines and airports to implement the measures. Whether they want to do it in 24 hours or six months, its up to them. Reuters, however, reports that airlines must implement increased explosive trace detection screening within 21 says and comply with other security measures, including enhanced screening of airline passengers, within 120 days. As to those ten airports affected by the original March US ban, the FT reports, US officials said these 10 have already indicated they will seek to implement the new measures aggressively in order to have the ban lifted. US Presses for Enhanced Pre-Screening Role As part of the new security measures, the US is also pressing to increase pre-clearance immigration measures manned by US Customs and Border Patrol officials stationed at the origin airport to process US-bound passengers before they board their international flights. Such arrangements are already in place in 15 airports in 6 countries, including Canada, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates. Al Jazeera notes drolly I think that this proposal raises sensitive sovereignty issues to have US law enforcement officials operate inside another country. Indeed. NATO Defence Ministers are meeting in Brussels today (29 June 2017) to address a wide range of issues, from fairer burden-sharing to the fight against terrorism and cyber defence. Ministers will also discuss NATO-EU cooperation, together with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and ministers from Sweden and Finland. The ministerial will end with a meeting of nations contributing to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. Arriving at the meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that NATO will increase its presence in Afghanistan. Read the full transcript of the Secretary General's doorstep statement Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed on Thursday (29 June 2017) that NATO will increase its support for the Afghan security forces. NATOs Resolute Support Mission helps train, assist and advise the Afghans to make their country more secure, and ensure it never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists. The Secretary General said NATO was reconfirming its enduring commitment to Afghanistan. Mr Stoltenberg said several NATO Allies and partners had committed to increase their troop levels, and he underlined how the Alliance would continue to strengthen its political partnership and practical cooperation with Afghanistan. He praised the Afghan security forces, saying: every day they demonstrate bravery and resilience, leading the fight to defeat terrorists and protect their people. The Secretary General made his remarks after the final working session of a meeting of Allied defence ministers at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. Ministers discussed the significant progress being made on burden sharing in the Alliance, with the third consecutive year of accelerating defence investment across European Allies and Canada, amounting to almost US $46 billion. Ministers also had talks on increased NATO presence in eastern and south-eastern Europe; NATO-EU cooperation; cyber defence and the fight against terrorism. NATO Allies are increasingly working to share the burden of acquiring expensive defence equipment. Today (29 June 2017), a new cooperation framework has been launched, promising more favourable terms for acquiring critical land based munitions. Defence Ministers from Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, and NATO partner Finland launched the project with the signature of a Letter of Intent. By working together more closely, the participating nations expect to acquire munitions at lower cost, harmonise inventories, and potentially implement common warehousing solutions in the long term. The new cooperation framework will therefore contribute to more flexible and resilient European munitions stockpiles. NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller welcomed the initiative, saying that it will increase our ability to share and interchange these munitions, and therefore operate together more smoothly and effectively. NATO has taken an important step in improving its ability to refuel aircraft in mid-air, with two Allies joining a European programme to acquire and operate new tanker transport aircraft. Today (29 June 2017), Defence Ministers from Germany and Norway joined a Memorandum of Understanding for a European multinational fleet of Airbus tanker transport aircraft, originally created by the lead-nation Netherlands and Luxembourg. The two countries launched the initiative in July 2016 by ordering two Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, which are due to be delivered in 2020. With Germany and Norway joining the initiative, the fleet is expected to expand to up to seven aircraft. This multinational fleet arrangement is a concrete step towards reducing the overall European shortage in air-to-air refueling and the over-reliance on U.S. capabilities. At todays signing ceremony, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment Camille Grand stressed that this initiative highlights the value of a multinational approach to capability development working together provides cost-effective and flexible solutions. Belgium intends to join this programme in early 2018, and the initiative remains open to other new members. The procurement programme is another example of the increasingly close cooperation between NATO and the European Union. (Natural News) A recent study revealed that white people were more likely to label a black person as more truthful than another white person. However, white people were also found to commit race bias when judging a deception. Previous studies have shown that people were generally bad at judging between honesty and deceit. Likewise, people typically exhibited a phenomenon called truth bias, which was characterized by an inclination to exercise caution and assume that other people were more likely to be telling the truth. As part of the current study, a team of researchers at the Miami University carried out three experiments in an effort to understand the effects of truth bias on different races. During these experiments, the researchers instructed white participants to watch a set of videos featuring both black and white college students describing their acquaintances. The study participants saw the featured individuals in the videos twice, where the latter was either telling the truth or was fabricating lies. For each video, the study participants to ask to distinguish whether the featured individual was telling the truth or not. The participants were then instructed to complete a survey after watching the videos. The survey questionnaires were designed to determine which internalized reasons and extrinsic reasons prompted the participants to respond without prejudice. In another experiment, the research team instructed white participants to make judgments about deception. The experts also recorded the participants eye movement. The videos used in the study contained both a truth response and lie response boxes, which the participants clicked according to their perception. Unveiling truth bias in all three experiments The results of all three experiments revealed that white participants were more likely to label black students in the videos as truth tellers compared with white students. According to the study, motivations to respond without prejudice appeared to be a key contributor to this truth bias. The research team also found that both black and white participants showed this truth bias towards black students in the videos. However, avoiding prejudice as a key driver to truth bias was only seen among white participants. The research team also found a more apparent discrepancy in the participants truth bias when the individual featured in the video was a black student compared with a white student. However, the study also revealed that the participants eye movements were telling a different story. According to the study, the participants were faster to look at the lie box when a black person was being presented in the video compared with when the featured individual was white. The researchers noted that the results have important theoretical and practical implications such as: lie detection, reducing racial bias and improving inter-group communication. This finding is important because many real-world lie detection judgments are made under time pressure or in less-than-ideal circumstances such as fatigue or distraction where the ability to correct for an initial impulse is not possible. Americans, and especially White Americans, often struggle to understand and to consider their potential role in creating and enacting prejudice. Some people deny the existence of racial prejudice, while others work hard to avoid expressing anti-Black attitudes. Understanding situations in which prejudice correction attempts are successful, are unsuccessful, and, as we observe in our work, are even counter-productive is important. In contexts ranging from policing to classrooms to juries it is necessary to better understand when and how prejudice is likely to impact consequential, even life or death, decisions of trust, lead author E. Paige Lloyd was quoted in saying in ScienceDaily.com The findings were published in Psychological Science, the flagship journal of the Association for Psychological Science. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com Journals.SagePub.com (Natural News) A Texas couple caught up in the so-called Satanic Panic era were finally exonerated after being jailed for 21 years. Austin daycare operators Fran and Dan Keller were convicted of child abuse in 1991 for the alleged sexual assault of a three-year-old girl. During the investigation, the initial accusation of a spanking evidently morphed into lurid accusations of Satanic ritual abuse, including human sacrifice, from the girl and several other children. Investigators apparently accepted all these allegations at face value without finding any evidence. A lawyer for the couple also argued in his appeal that the state may have used suggestive interview techniques that encouraged the children to make fantastical false statements,' the Guardian noted. The Kellers were nonetheless each sentenced to 48 years in prison reportedly in part because an examination from an inexperienced emergency room doctor about damage to the three-year-olds vaginal area that could have indicated molestation. The doctors testimony was apparently the only physical evidence of wrongdoing in the case. The physician subsequently testified that his original diagnosis was incorrect, The Intercept reported. During a hearing in the summer of 2013, he unequivocally stated that there was no doubt that the childs genitalia was normal and that hed gotten it wrong when he examined her in 1991. He said that he tried to reach out to the Austin Police Department after he realized his error but was rebuffed by the detective, who was convinced they were guilty. The Kellers were released in December 2013 for lack of evidence, and about a week ago, Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore, who took office in January, officially dropped all charges and exonerated them, something her predecessor was unwilling to do. Parenthetically, the liberal Travis County DAs office has a history of bringing politically motivated indictments against Republicans. You may recall that former DA Rosemary Lehmberg charged then-Gov. Rick Perry with abuse of power in 2014. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals subsequently threw out all charges against Perry. (RELATED: Read more about false prosecutions at PoliceState.News.) Fran, 67, and Dan, 75, who have been financially struggling since their release four years ago, are now each eligible for a $1.7 million payment from the state for the time they were incarcerated, although no amount of cash can ever bring back all the time that was stolen from them and their family as a result of the hysteria. Friends have also set up a GoFundMe page for them. This modern-day witch hunt, as some have called it, was a failure by authorities in Austin, the capital city of Texas, The Intercept added. Still, the outcome should not be considered a victory for the criminal justice system. With a few notable exceptions, the law enforcement officials in Austin police and prosecutors, as well as the states Court of Criminal Appeals failed the residents of the city and more importantly the Kellers by accepting the shocking allegations on their face and abdicating their duty to seek the truth of the matter. Sources: TheIntercept.com TheGuardian.com Inquisitr.com (Natural News) There are millions of reasons not to purchase any product produced with the Monsanto name. Whether its a genetically engineered (GE) seed, or a fruit or vegetable that they sprayed with their highly toxic pesticides and herbicides, they have spent billions of dollars lying about the safety of their products. Take, for example, the new cantaloupe they conjured up for Walmart stores called the Sweet Spark, which the company claims to be 40% sweeter than Walmarts current winter cantaloupe, as reported by ThePennyHoarder.com. But, why? Shawn Baldwin, Walmarts senior vice president of produce and global food sourcing, says customers might often skip over the cantaloupes that Walmart sells in the winter because while they may look good they probably taste like a piece of wood. Well, gee. Maybe, that because cantaloupe is a summer fruit that youre not supposed to eat in the winter. But weve been taught to demand and expect whatever we want, when we want it regardless of it being in season or not. This Sweet Spark cantaloupe isnt GE; its done by cross-breeding, another method that Monsanto uses. It is a more natural technique that farmers have been using for years to enhance their crop yields. Monsanto has crafted a few other vegetables using this method an EverMild onion, Bellafina bell peppers and Beneforte broccoli to name a few. And while this process is natural it is still not widely accepted as safe, and it is certainly not organic. This is just the latest in a long list of wrongdoings by this mega-corporation. Lets take a brief look at the history of Monsanto, a company thats about to merge with Bayer and will control a third of the worlds herbicide market, according to Global Network Perspectives. And dont forget about those 7676 seed patents that Monsanto owns and the glyphosate that the state of California has finally decided is carcinogenic and will be banned, reports Reuters. Monsantos Dark History Looking back on the last several decades of Monsantos history, it is evident that they have enjoyed quite a chemical romance, according to EarthJustice.org. They began in 1901 with the production of saccharin, a dangerous artificial sweetener. They also had a hand in the production of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which is a poisonous chemical pollutant, the herbicide 2-4 D, which was later used in Agent Orange, and DDT. Rachel Carsons book Silent Spring, is prescient and heart rendering tale of the disastrous consequences of DDT which is now banned, along with PCBs. It was in 1980 that the United States Supreme Court allowed the patenting of life in the case titled Diamond V.Chakrabarty. This opened the door to the ownership and the genetic engineering of seeds, which Monsanto was keen to benefit from. They recruited a team of scientists called molecular biologists who were determined to unlock the secrets of DNA and genetic manipulation. Their first GE product was called Posilac, developed in 1994. This was sold to farmers to inject into dairy cows so they would produce more milk. Scientists took a bovine growth hormone gene, mixed it with e coli and created a GE bovine growth hormone rBGH, also called rbST. Monsantos Media Obstruction Begins Early warnings that injections of Posilac, also known as bovine growth hormone, could cause mastitis or lameness were quickly dismissed by the FDA, as was the possibility that this GE milk could be implicated in human cancer. Investigations about this controversy were shut down completely when two reporters, Jane Akre and Steve Wilson of WTVT in Tampa, Florida, did indeed discover a cancer link. This incident was the beginning of the end for any possibility the American people had of discovering the dangers of GE food products on mainstream media. So, lets get back to those millions of reasons to stay away from Monsanto products. One reason is that Monsanto has spent years lying to the public and hiding any negative information about its products. Another is the fact that so many of its products, like Walmarts new Sweet Spark cantaloupe, have not been proven safe for consumption. But possibly the most important reason is the millions upon millions of people, animals and organisms that have been brutally assaulted, and in some cases have died, because of Monsantos toxic chemicals and the potential destruction of the food supply itself. Sources: ThePennyHoarder.com GNP.AdvancedManagement.net Reuters.com PATFT.uspto.gov EarthJustice.org RachelCarson.org IPPT.eu YouTube.com The new movie "47 Meters Down" is an affront to science and ocean biology. It stars Mandy Moore, so I will assume it is also an affront to acting in general. But I'll stick to the science, which is bad enough. The basic premise: Two sisters go shark cage diving in Mexico. The cable breaks, and they are sent plummeting to the ocean floor, 47 meters down, and are trapped there with white sharks swimming all around. A tough situation, but I'd rather be there than in this theater watching this movie. The whole movie hinges on a single decision: whether the girls should leave the cage and swim with the "dangerous" sharks up to the surface, or wait until the rescue team comes. There are some basic scientific problems with this premise. First, there isn't much time to make this decision. Both of the women have one oxygen tank. As soon as their predicament starts, they start breathing quickly and heavily. Based on the oxygen required to breathe at that depth and the limited amount in their tanks, this movie should last about 15 minutes. "These characters are at 47 meters, which is around 155 feet, with a single scuba tank," Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology at CSU Long Beach told Inverse. "The reality of it is that they are going to run out of air in 15 minutes, and because they're panicked, they are breathing harder and faster." The women are advised to stay in the cage. This is idiotic. The idea that you would stay inside a cage trapped at the bottom of the ocean is about as dumb as paying for a movie that stars Mandy Moore. As production goes, I get it. If the movie ended with the divers simply swimming to the top, it would be a pretty short movie and we would all be pissed that we didn't even finish our tub of popcorn before the movie ended. The producers needed to draw out the scenario and make this schlockfest last for over 90 minutes. I don't blame them for that. What I do blame them for is the nonsense of instilling an unhealthy fear of sharks into the movie. Sharks are not interested in eating divers. Sharks are predators of opportunity. They don't just attack you for the sake of attacking you. They are survivors. Divers, with their shiny tanks and bubbles and masks, do not look like easy prey to a shark. Sharks would not risk the chances that they might get hurt by attacking you, which is why most sharks avoid divers entirely. "99.9 percent of the time that shark is going to check them out, think 'what the hell is that,' and then take off," said Lowe. The idea that if you go swimming with great white sharks that they are going to eat you is a pop culture myth propagated to sell movie tickets. Sharks are not the aggressive violence-seeking predators that we make them out to be in movies. The myth is especially upsetting because shark populations are declining worldwide. When the media and pop culture demonizes sharks, it makes it hard for conservationists to mobilize public sentiment to do anything to protect them. Sharks are a vital part of the ecosystem and important for maintaining the predator-prey relationship. The divers are also advised not to return to the surface because they would get the bends. The bends, also known as decompression sickness, afflicts deep sea divers who stay at depths for an extended amount of time and then return to the surface too quickly. The rapidly changing pressure causes dissolved nitrogen in the blood to come out of solution and form bubbles in the body. Incredibly painful. The movie gets this all wrong as well, according to Lowe. "If they were dropped to the bottom, and let's just say they have a full tank when that happened, they would have about 15 minutes of air before they would run out, at best. They wouldn't be deep long enough to require what we call decompression stops, which allow that nitrogen to come out of your blood and for you to exhale it, so that you wouldn't get the bends." So the divers are told to stay in the shark cage so that they don't get the bends they are almost certain not to get, and not to ascend to the surface to save themselves since the sharks will certainly eat them alive, which they won't. The divers heed this bad advice so the movie can drag on. The American myth of the killer shark is here to stay. We love to fear them and movies and pop culture continually support this and demonize sharks in the process, making them harder and harder to save. What is almost impossible to save is the premise of this movie. i understand that the writers and producers are not scientists. However, it takes just as much effort to get the science right as it does to get it wrong. Someone tell that to climate change deniers. SUMMER OF LOVE: The 50th anniversary of that major moment in time is in full and glorious flow, and a student of history, of society, of music and of seismic changes, can journey to a host of museums, amphitheatres, and tours to find stories of 1967. If you want to go deeper into all of that 1967ness, though, doing a bit of traveling to get there is key (after all, that's one of the woven-through tenets of the Summer of Love: Meeting people, connecting with others, experiencing new things, and not being confined to any one path). How to make the journey, though? That can be done in many different ways, but saving a bit of money, in order to have a bit more dough when you're at your destination, is always a keen notion. Pacifica Hotels is embracing the whole remember-the-Summer-of-Love vibe that's flowing around the Golden State right now, and to facilitate people getting out, relaxing, seeing, and meeting others, there's savings in the air, at all 24 California properties. Think... 20% OFF, through Sept. 30, 2017, and think this special code when you book: LOVE17. You'll need to book through the web site, do note, and do note you'll have a plethora of places to choose from, from spectacular spots closer to some of the Summer of Love's biggest memory-making occurrences (think Cambria, just a pleasant toodle down from Monterey), and San Francisco, to destinations always rocking that sunny, it's-all-good vibe (hello, Santa Monica and San Diego). Where will you land for a night, a weekend, or a full week of connecting with a few waves, a few nice strangers you meet around the lobby, and the big ideas of comity, harmony, and peace that the Summer of Love sent out so strongly? You can begin to ponder that delightful question here. A brush fire on Camp Pendleton that once threatened several homes in San Clemente has scorched 760 acres, Camp Pendleton officials said Friday. Firefighters have made good progress stopping the forward progression of the fast-moving, so-called Cristianitos Fire. As of Friday morning, the fire is 95 percent contained, and crews hope to have the fire completely contained soon. More backfire being lit right now at the #CristianitosFire this time a little more wind than earlier. Video by @sleivas13 pic.twitter.com/zgzsTetHwA Gaby Rodriguez (@GabyR_news) June 29, 2017 The fire crossed the over the county line into Orange County Thursday morning. The homes closest to the fire are off the Avenida Pico and Talega area. Homes, businesses and an animal shelter in San Clemente were threatened, OCFD Captain Kurtz said. As of Thursday afternoon, Kurtz said there were no evacuations, no structures lost and no injuries reported. More than 350 firefighters, two air tankers and two water helicopters battled the fast-moving brush fire, Kurtz said. A man spoke out after using a bat to halt another man who was stabbing multiple people during an attack in Anaheim. Gordon Tokumatsu reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Before 7 a.m. Thursday, crews were setting multiple backfires along a San Clemente ridge to remove any potential fuel. Firefighters are focusing on continuing to surround the fire. Weather conditions were working in favor of the firefighters, according to NBC 7 Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh. Temperatures in the area of Camp Pendleton North topped out at 71 degrees. The fire broke out just before 6 p.m. Wednesday north of Cristianitos Gate (Cristianitos Road) and San Mateo Drive, Camp Pendleton Fire Capt. Brian Villiard said. The fire first started east of Interstate 5 and south of Cristianitos Road, near the San Mateo Campground on base, and the flames moved west. Authorities were considering evacuating several nearby streets before the sun set Wednesday, including Calle Ameno, Avenida Acapulco, and Villa Zapata. Vegetation fire Cristianitos Rd (gate closed) near San Mateo Campground. OC responding also w/help and brush trucks. 10-15acres pic.twitter.com/xNjR8tXs4I Camp Pendleton 75 (@MCIWPendletonCA) June 29, 2017 The fire was initially mapped at 10 to 15 acres but quickly spread to more than 100 acres within an hour. There was no threat to Camp Pendleton, though the fire was on the northeast part of the base, officials said. Alex Milewski, who lives and works in San Clemente, was sad to see some of his favorite mountain bike trails destroyed by fire. It will take probably a year or two for the brush to kind of clear out. If we have a bad rain storm well have a lot of mudslides. So everything will be different for a few years, Milewski said. After a little while it will come back and we will be riding again. The wildfire sent smoke as far north as Orange County. Residents in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Irvine saw the smoke. Kurtz said the increase in smoke was due to firefighting tactics. No other information was immediately available. A Los Angeles Police Department officer and a murder suspect were shot Thursday at the end of a pursuit that stretched from South Los Angeles to the border of Hawthorne and El Segundo. The officer, a 20-plus-year LAPD veteran assigned to the SWAT unit, was shot in a hip and is expected to recover, Chief Charlie Beck said. The suspect was shot multiple times and was in serious condition, according to Beck. Police said the suspect was in surgery around midday. The suspect streamed the incident on Facebook Live and the video, which has been taken down, is now part of the investigation, according to LAPD Officer Sal Ramirez. Los Angeles police were serving warrants shortly before 10 a.m. near 117th Street and Avalon Boulevard in South Los Angeles, seeking four suspects wanted in connection with a March 31 gang-related homicide in the southwest area of the city, Beck said. While trying to serve the warrants, the officers spotted one of the suspects driving off in a blue car, prompting a chase that ended near El Segundo and Aviation boulevards. "That pursuit led to this location where the individual who was wanted for the murder that occurred in Southwest area fled from his vehicle armed with a handgun," Beck said at the scene. "A gunfight ensued between the individual and the pursuing officers, resulting in one of our SWAT officers being shot in the hip, and the individual who was wanted for murder ... (sustaining) multiple gunshot wounds." Beck described the confrontation as a rolling gun battle, with "three independent shooting" sites. He said it was too early to know exactly how many shots were fired, but at least four LAPD officers were involved, along with Hawthorne police officers who responded to the scene. The wounded officer was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he was joined by his wife, who is also an LAPD officer. Beck also visited the officer at the hospital. "We anticipate a full recovery on his part," Beck said. The LAPD went on a citywide tactical alert following the shooting. By early afternoon, the tactical alert was later limited to include only the LAPD's South Bureau. The alert allows the department to keep officers on duty beyond their usual shifts. On the video of the incident, the suspect is seen holding a handgun and running. "Mama, I love you. My kids, I love you," he said. "They're about to kill me ... It's over with...they got me," he said before the video ends. A South Bay hospital helped investigators nab a Los Angeles-area man impersonating a nurse. Investigators said Jeremy Daniel Griffin attempted to get work though Aya Healthcare, a traveling nurse company. Griffin was assigned to Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy. His information and nurse license number did not match when the company did a background check, officials said. "It's very disturbing that somebody could get that far just using somebody else's license number," said Lori Katterhagen, vice president of patient care for Saint Louise Regional Hospital. The State Consumer Affairs Department was contacted and also said the case was stolen identity. Hospital officials said they helped detectives when Griffin came into work on his first day. "He never went into patient care areas, but we started him in computer training so the investigator from consumer affairs could come in," Katterhagen said. Griffin was arrested shortly after. "It's always a threat to consumers when we have people in these positions misrepresenting themselves and potentially providing care to consumers," said Veronica Harms with the Department of Consumer Affairs. Detectives said the Saint Louise Regional Hospital incident is at least the second time Griffin has attempted to pull off impersonating a nurse. Griffin was once successful in the Los Angeles area and arrested for stealing from doctors, officials said. His motive in the Gilroy incident is not known at this time. Griffin faces four felony charges, including identity theft and false impersonation of another person. Consumers can check the license of professionals in California here. Investigators believe there may be more victims of Griffins alleged identity theft in the communities between Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties. If you suspect that you may be a victim of these crimes, they ask you contact Lead Investigator Rod Spaulding at the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation at 559-244-5658. The city of San Francisco has agreed to pay $375,000 to settle sexual harassment charges lodged by a fire department administrative analyst against a commander who was demoted and ultimately resigned last year. The defendant, then Assistant Deputy Chief Ken Lombardi, left the department last October after he was demoted to the rank of captain. The civilian who filed a confidential letter with the city, Jessica Kennedy, claimed that Lombardi sexually harassed her after she was hired as an analyst in August 2013. Until last October, Lombardi, a 27-year veteran, had been in charge of earthquake preparedness and support services for the department. NBC Bay Area was first to report that Lombardi was demoted by Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White. He soon left the department at the civil service rank of captain. Kennedy opted not to file a lawsuit or a claim with the city. As a result, her accusations remain a confidential personnel matter, San Francisco City Attorney spokesman John Cote said Wednesday. Nonetheless, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to pay her $375,000 to settle the matter. Her attorney, Barbara Lawless, did not return calls seeking comment. According to sources, Kennedy claimed that Lombardi had used his command position to coerce her into having a sexual relationship. According to the agreement to settle the matter, signed in February, the sum involved was to compensate Kennedy for alleged physical personal injury and associated emotional distress stemming from alleged wrongful conduct by the City including, without limitation, discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment. The Lombardi case is one in a recent string of harassment scandals to hit the San Francisco Fire Department. The department reshuffled the command staff at Station No. 2 in Chinatown last year amid allegations of intimidation and hazing of a female firefighter stationed there, including that a colleague allegedly urinated in her bed. The House on Thursday passed two pieces of legislation one of which was spurred by a Bay Area woman's shooting death that will stiffen punishments on people who re-enter the U.S. illegally and for "sanctuary" jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal deportation forces. "Kate's Law" will impose harsher mandatory minimum prison sentences on deportees who re-enter the United States, with stronger penalty increases for those who have been convicted of non-immigration crimes. The bill was named after 32-year old Kathryn Steinle, who was gunned down while she strolled along San Francisco's Pier 14 with her father. The Pleasanton woman's alleged killer, Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, is an undocumented immigrant who was released by the San Francisco Sheriff's Department just months before the July 1, 2015 incident, despite requests by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials to keep him behind bars. Lopez-Sanchez, of Texas, has pleaded not guilty to the crime, but the fatal shooting put San Francisco's sanctuary city policy in the national spotlight. During a roundtable at the White House on Wednesday with family members of those killed by undocumented immigrants, Trump talked about the importance of "Kates Law." "This law will enhance criminal penalties for those who repeatedly reenter the country illegally," the president said. A second approved bill, "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act," will bar states and localities that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities from receiving certain Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security grants, including some related to law enforcement and terrorism. Trump argued the bills will close "dangerous loopholes exploited by criminals, gang members, drug dealers, killers, terrorists," and told the family members gathered that they'd "lost the people that you love because our government refused to enforce our nation's immigration laws." But Lorella Praeli, the director of immigration policy at the American Civil Liberties Union, criticized the bills, saying they were "riddled with constitutional violations that completely disregard the civil and human rights of immigrants." "Despite claims to the contrary," she said in a statement, "Kate's Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act will make our communities less safe by undermining the trust that law enforcement builds with its communities citizen and immigrant alike." President Donald Trump is going to Paris next month to attend the city's Bastille Day celebrations, accepting an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, the White House said. Bastille Day, July 14, is one of France's biggest national holidays. "President Trump looks forward to reaffirming America's strong ties of friendship with France, to celebrating this important day with the French people, and to commemorating the 100th anniversary of Americas entry into World War I," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement. "The two leaders will further build on the strong counter-terrorism cooperation and economic partnership between the two countries, and they will discuss many other issues of mutual concern." Trump will be in Germany for the G-20 Summit the week before. The six-story building that burned Wednesday in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood was the subject of controversy earlier this year when union workers picketed the developer's Ashmont home. The NBC Boston Investigators have obtained a copy of an email that Jim Keefe, co-owner of Trinity Financial, the developer of the Treadmark residential and retail development project, apologizing to his neighbors and laying out his point of view of his company's relationship with the city's powerful construction labor unions. For many years, all of our projects employed 100 percent union labor and we enjoyed excellent relationships with the building trades, Keefe wrote. Over the past five years, however, the amount of resources available to create mixed income housing has remained essentially constant, while the demand for these resources and cost of construction have increased dramatically. For us, the diminished resources and escalating construction costs have severely undermined our ability to employ 100 percent union labor while continuing the work we do in creating affordable housing. He described the protest as harmless, but apologized for inconvenience, noting that the protesters signs are probably saying nasty things about me personally and/or about my company, Trinity Financial. He said Trinity wanted to use all union labor for Treadmark, at 1971-1977 Dorchester Ave., a former tire shop he is redeveloping into an 83-unit mixed use affordable- and market-rate building. But, subsidies did not come through, and certain unions did not honor their commitment to give us some relief on wages, work rules, etc. Trinity has a clear preference for union contractors and sub-contractors, when feasible, he continued, and noted that 70 percent of the Treadmark project is done with union labor. The company said in an email that it considers the fire accidental and that neither it nor Keefe had heard of any threats against the project. The NBC Boston Investigators also looked into the multiple contractors that worked on the building. State records shows they did have the required state licenses and proper permits. However, one of the top contractors, Cranshaw, had three OSHA violations in 2014 on a separate project in east Boston for not having enough fire extinguishers or inspections of their safety program. They were fined $8,400. A Syrian doctor says he won't return to the United States to finish his studies at Brown University because of the Trump administration's travel ban. Khaled Almilaji said Wednesday there's too much uncertainty, even though he possibly could get a student visa under the scaled-back version of the ban. The administration has given itself a Thursday deadline for implementing it. Almilaji, 35, moved to Canada this month to pursue his master's degree at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He said it's unfortunate he had to withdraw from Brown, but "bad things happen and you have to adapt." He's still working with his mentors at the Ivy League school as he tries to reopen a large underground hospital for women and children in northwest Syria. He plans to get specialists at Brown to train hospital staff online and answer their questions about complicated cases. Trump says the ban is needed to protect the U.S. from terrorists. Almilaji was recently awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Canadian representative of Queen Elizabeth II. "Nothing really slows him down including Donald Trump, and including all the many other obstacles that arise along the way in doing this work," said Dr. Adam Levine, who leads the Humanitarian Innovation Initiative at Brown. Almilaji, a fellow with the initiative, coordinated a campaign that vaccinated 1.4 million Syrian children and risked his life to provide medical care during the country's civil war. He's working with Canadian doctors to establish safe health facilities in Syria, train medical workers and connect hospitals. The group formed the Canadian International Medical Relief Organization. Almilaji received a letter last week from the governor general of Canada stating that he's a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal. The governor general is the queen's representative in Canada and recognizes exceptional individuals on her behalf and on behalf of all Canadians. The other co-founders of CIMRO, Mark Cameron and Jay Dahman, are also receiving the medal. Almilaji was earning a master's degree in public health at Brown University when the travel ban first went into effect in January. He went to Turkey for a brief trip after the fall semester and got stuck overseas while his pregnant wife remained in the U.S. They were reunited in Toronto this month and are expecting a baby girl in August. This week's Supreme Court order partially reinstated the ban, allowing the administration to block travelers from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen unless they can prove a "bona fide relationship" with a person or entity in the United States. The court's guidance said that a student admitted to study at an American university would fit that exception. Almilaji travels to Turkey to oversee projects in Syria. He said he was told by lawyers that if he did return to the United States, it would be unwise to leave again. "It would take away my basic rights of movement and seeing my family and the work that I love and commit to, to my people," he said. "It's really unfair." Canada, he said, affords him guaranteed experience and knowledge to pursue his work in a better way. Almilaji has launched an advocacy and awareness campaign, Care4SyrianKids, with Brown classmates. When Syria is stable enough, he wants to return and work on preventing diseases and other health problems. State police guns loaded and lost were found by members of the public in recent years. Internal records released to the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters show that among the states 1,030 troopers, only five lost their weapons or had them stolen in the last five years. These cases serve as a reminder of the importance of firearm safety and security. NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters began this investigation after March 2016, when a department issued AR-15 assault rifle, bullet proof vest and two 30 round magazines were stolen from the trunk of a trooper's cruiser at home in Milford. Federal agents helped recover the rifle less than 24 hours later and arrests were made. According to a state police manual cited in the internal investigation package, unattended trooper cruisers must be secured, the keys removed and doors locked. In the internal report, the trooper stated he left a spare key in a bag inside his cruiser. The case was cleared but did note the violation and within 72 hours, all personnel were reminded to keep cruiser trunks secured. This was not the first time a troopers weapon had been stolen. Four years earlier, at home in Glastonbury, another trooper's assigned handgun was stolen from a safe and was never found. This case was cleared, noting the trooper was, "the victim of a crime and he did not violate any department policy or procedure." In April 2014, an off-duty trooper confessed to leaving his fully-loaded Sig Sauer on his cruiser's trunk while loading a sick child in the back seat, headed to the doctor. A concerned citizen called 911 after seeing the firearm fall off the trunk on Route 691 in Meriden. The gun was recovered and had damages. The internal report found the trooper failed to ensure the weapon was protected and the case was sustained without discipline. A month later a different trooper left his loaded state sidearm on his cruiser's roof, leaving home for a call in Oxford. A citizen found it and reported it. "When I picked up the gun, I lowered the hammer, because I didn't want it to go off. I also dropped the magazine, to see if it was loaded, it was. I tried to rack the magazine back, but it was jammed. I think maybe the gun may have gone off when it hit the ground, but I'm not sure," the citizen stated in the internal report. The report did not indicate whether the weapon did fire when it hit the ground. In July 2013, a caller to Troop C stated he'd driven over a black pistol in Willington. Police found and returned the weapon to the barracks, learning it was assigned to a trooper who was unaware it went missing. Investigators determined the trooper must've placed it on his trunk while situating his kids in the car. They noted the trooper failed to ensure department property was protected and the case was also sustained without discipline. All three troopers who lost their weapons received letters in their files. Connecticut State Police would not agree to do an on-camera interview with NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters, but they did release this statement: "Firearm safety is of the utmost importance to the Connecticut State Police, and as such, mandatory annual training for all CSP personnel includes firearm safety and specifically the proper handling and storage of firearms. As you noted, there have been several incidents of missing firearms over the past five years. Some of those incidents were criminal cases where firearms were stolen from the home or vehicle of a Trooper. In each of those matters, the thefts were investigated by the appropriate law enforcement agency and administrative department reviews found that the CSP employees were not at fault. Additionally, while there have only been a few incidents during this time where firearms were misplaced by the assigned trooper, every such incident is one too many and fortunately each of these firearms was quickly recovered. These matters were referred to the CSP Bureau of Professional Standards, and in each case the employee involved was found in violation of CSP policies related to the protection of department property and administrative action consistent with relevant provisions of labor law and union contract was taken. Most importantly, these incidents serve as a valuable reminder of the importance of firearm safety. For both first time gun owners and for those with years of firearms experience, firearm safety and the proper handling and storage of firearms must always be a top priority," wrote Sgt. Eric Haglund. Health officials are urging the person who brought the bat to a vet in Marlborough to be evaluated for possible exposure to rabies. A bat brought to a veterinary clinic in Marlborough last week was rabid and health officials want to get the word out for the person who brought it in to be checked for possible exposure to rabies. Officials from the Connecticut Department of Public Health said the person brought the bat to a clinic on the morning of Friday, June 23 and the bat tested positive for rabies on June 27. They are advising the person to call the Chatham Health District office at 860-365-0884 and to be evaluated for possible rabies virus exposure. People get rabies from the bite of an infected animal. While rabies is a fatal disease once clinical signs appear, it can be prevented by thorough wound cleaning and timely medical treatment that includes administration of one dose of immune globulin and four doses of vaccine over two weeks. The Drug Enforcement Agency is putting out an urgent public health warning about carfentanil, a synthetic opioid that has now been linked to two recent deadly overdoses in Connecticut. "Any fentanyl related compound, like carfentanil, can be a liken to a weapon of mass destruction," said Michael Ferguson, the Special Agent in Charge of the New England DEA Field Division, in an exclusive interview with NBC Connecticut in New Haven. The synthetic substance is an animal tranquilizer that is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, Ferguson said. Connecticut State Police have also issued a warning on Facebook in which they shared a photo showing what a small lethal dose of carfentanil looks like next to a penny. "It can kill you if you inject in your arm, breath it in the air, or touch it with your skin," Ferguson explained. He added that DEA agents, EMTs and police officers need to take precautions when exposed to any substance that could have a synthetic opioid in it. During the ongoing epidemic that is killing 90 people a day nationwide, dealers are now mixing the dangerous synthetic opioids with heroin and other drugs. "You really dont know what youre ingesting when you buy these things," U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Deirdre Daly said. In June of 2016, 17 people overdosed in New Haven within 24 hours. Three people lost their lives. "They thought they were just taking cocaine," Daly said. "But there was fentanyl in that cocaine and now were seeing carfentanil in addition to the fentanyl." Earlier this month, Dalys office announced the first arrest of a man charged with distributing carfentanil in Connecticut. "This was an arrest with the DEA and Norwalk Police Department of a Bridgeport man who knowingly was mixing fentanyl with heroin and part of his distribution actually included carfentanil as well," she said. The first confirmed presence of carfentanil in the region was in Rhode Island about a year ago, Ferguson said. Since then, he said there has been 10 confirmed carfentanil related deaths in New Hampshire and one in Maine, in addition to seizures in Massachusetts. In May, there were two overdoses deaths linked to carfentanil, Daly said, the first in Norwalk and the other in Bridgeport. Special Agent Ferguson said carfentanil is making its way into New England through web purchases from China or from Mexican drug cartels trafficking it across the southwest border. "They need to be held responsible for their actions," Ferguson said. "For putting this poison on the street and for the misery that theyre spreading." But both Ferguson and Daly said part of their mission is to educate the public, especially youth. The DEA and members of the U.S. Attorneys office have met with 20,000 Connecticut students in 50 high schools about the dangers of opioid addiction, Daly said. "It is manufactured death," Ferguson said. "You dont get second chances with fentanyl and carfentanil, its not something that you should experiment with. In Connecticut, 917 people died from an overdose in 2016 and a majority of the victims were between 18 and 26 years old, Daly said. She predicts that number could rise about 1,000 in 2017. Hundreds of people rallied in New Haven on Wednesday against a health care bill that could impact thousands in Connecticut. Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are working to shore up more support for the controversial plan. A vote that was scheduled for this week has already been put on hold. Sally Grossman held her 4-month-old daughter, Sadie, on the steps of the Yale School of Medicine, recalling an ordeal four years ago, when she said she went into pre-term labor at 28 weeks with her son. "I think back to that day, when I went into the hospital and they whisked me away into labor and delivery and they started pumping me full of medication," said Grossman, who lives in Windsor. She said doctors were able to stop the birth and her son was born healthy weeks later. Grossman said Medicaid was then and is now the primary way her family's health care gets covered. Medicaid funding would see deep cuts if Senate Republicans in Washington pass their current health care bill. "It's really personal to me," Grossman said. The battle over health care is spilling over into senators' home offices nationwide and spurring rallies, like Wednesday's in New Haven. "I hope that this issue is one that crosses partisan lines because it really is about everyone," said Melody Oliphant, one of the event organizers. At the White House on Wednesday, President Donald Trump was confident that a senate bill would pass. "We're going to have a big surprise," said President Trump. "We have a great health care package." Some Republicans said that it is time to reach outside their own party. "I think we should work with Democrats," Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said. "It's something we should've done from the beginning," Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said. If the Republican bill passes as written, Governor Dannel Malloy's office said more than 220,000 people in Connecticut could become uninsured by 2026. "It's affecting real people and it's affecting me," Grossman said. "It's affecting my daughter. It's affecting my family. It's affecting people like me." A 31-year-old Milford woman who had been missing since Sunday has been found safe in Maine. On Thursday, police said Kimberly Piccolo had been missing since around 7 a.m. Sunday when she left her family's home. She was heading to her aunt's house in Newtown, but did not arrive and her vehicle was seen in Clinton, Maine. On Friday morning, police said they found Piccolo in Maine and she is safe. A rescue was underway for an injured hiker at Sleeping Giant in Hamden on Wednesday. Hamden firefighters responded to the scene around 4:30 p.m. Hamden's chief of police told NBC Connecticut the incident was minor. A woman hiking sprained her ankle and was brought down on the department's ATV. The scene was cleared shortly after. No other information was immediately available. You can DONATE NOW through our site on donorschoose.org The first day of school may seem far off in the future, but right now students and teachers are struggling to prepare. Teachers are spending their own money to stock their classrooms with necessary supplies. Many school children and families in the Hartford area start the school year at a disadvantage, without the common items needed to learn. All too often, kids dont have the school supplies pens, paper, notebooks and more that they need to succeed in school. Teachers struggle to fill the gap without the resources they need. NBC Connecticut, together with Travelers and Hoffman Auto Group are joining forces for the 2017 Supporting Our Schools drive. All proceeds will benefit students and schools affiliated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. From backpacks to books, students in the Hartford area start the school year at a disadvantage. This is your opportunity to make a difference for children and classrooms from kindergarten through high school. This is all part of a national effort from the NBC/Telemundo Owned Television Stations. Every year, teachers pay for classroom supplies their students will need out of their own pocket while students and their families weigh the costs of paying for school supplies and other household financial needs. To help address these needs, our NBC and Telemundo stations are hosting Supporting our Schools, a monthlong awareness campaign to help raise awareness about classroom needs and what communities can do to help local educators and school-bound children. Education is the key that unlocks the doors to endless opportunities and Im proud that our local teams are stepping up to the plate to help their neighbors and strengthen their communities. - Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations This year there are three different ways you can participate: --July 1 - 29: Donate directly at donorschoose.org/nbcct. This site will direct you to specific teacher requests for enrichment tools for their classroom. --July 29th is our one day drive from 9am 12pm at Hoffman Auto Group of East Hartford, 650 Connecticut Boulevard, East Hartford, CT, 06108. We hope you'll come out and donate, and say hi to our NBC CT team! --July 1 29 all 12+ Hoffman Auto Group locations will have a donation box that you can stop in and donate school supplies there. The locations include: East Hartford Hoffman Audi/Auto Body - 700 Connecticut Boulevard Hoffman Ford Lincoln - 600 Connecticut Boulevard Hoffman Lexus - 750 Connecticut Boulevard Hoffman Porsche - 630 Connecticut Boulevard West Simsbury Hoffman Honda - 40 Albany Turnpike Hoffman Nissan/Auto Body - 46 Albany Turnpike, Route 44 Avon/Canton line Hoffman Toyota - 36 Albany Turnpike New London Hoffman Audi - 490 Broad Street Watertown Hoffman BMW - 699 Straits Turnpike Here is a list of school supplies needed: Backpacks big enough to fit a 3-inch 3 ring binder in and other school supplies Pens #2 Pencils/ #7 Mechanical Pencils Permanent Black Markers Highlighters 1-subject notebooks 3-inch 3 ring binders 3 hole, colored subject dividers 3 hole folder Eraser, pencil eraser tops Scissors Crayons Markers Ruler Stapler, staples, staple remover Loose-leaf, college ruled, three hole punch paper Calculators Portable dictionaries/ thesaurus Glue sticks Pencil sharpener Construction paper, various colors Index cards Pencil holder Book covers Supplies for teachers/classrooms: Facial Tissue Paper Towels Wipes Hand soap Hand sanitizer Copy Paper Duct tape 3 hole punch Dry erase markers Well be telling stories through the end of July from Connecticut to raise awareness about what can be done to help students and teachers thrive. Again, you can donate directly during through July 29 by clicking here. Some bus drivers for Dallas County Schools vented their frustration at administrators Wednesday after learning their pay and benefits may be slashed as the century-old agency struggles to recover from a financial mess. The DCS Board is trying to close a gap on a huge budget deficit that put the agency in danger of collapse, but drivers said they shouldn't be forced to pay for the bad decisions made by administrators. DCS said they're considering cutting holiday pay and bonuses given for attendance. Ultimately, the board made no decisions about cuts to pay or benefits Wednesday, but said they'll study the issues further before making a decision at a future board meeting. "We understand if the budget has to be cut; we think you need to start from the top and not the bottom," said John Lester, DCS driver. The agency is projected to end the fiscal year with a $20 million budget deficit and massive debts from a school bus camera program that tanked the agency's finances. "By them doing what they done it's caused a lot of families to suffer, and I'm one of them," said Samuel Cox, a DCS driver for the last six years. Cox said it's wrong for management to ask drivers to pick up the tab for mistakes made by their bosses. "I come to work every day and they're going to do us like that? I don't think so," Cox said. Interim superintendent Leatha Mullins said she's trying to avoid any cuts that impact the drivers. "I totally hear their voice. It's hurting everybody in this family," said Mullins, who took over after the crisis erupted and the previous superintendent, Rick Sorrells, was forced to step down. "The drivers and the monitors are the heart of this organization, so we are taking this very seriously," Mullins said. Drivers, meanwhile, face the possibility that their jobs could be eliminated in the fall. The Texas state legislature passed a bill that will allow Dallas County voters to decide in November whether to shut down DCS due to financial mismanagement. "Everybody worried about our jobs. We don't know if we are going or coming you know?" Cox said. The University of Texas System is considering allowing UT Southwestern to partner with Texas Health Resources to build a new medical office building and hospital in Frisco. The 20-acre hospital will be built at the Dallas North Tollway and El Dorado Parkway. The $233.8 million facility is expected to open in 2019. A Valley Center couple celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary were killed just miles from their home by a suspected DUI driver. Bobby, 83, and Alleta Jo Durant, 81, were killed when a suspected drunk driver crossed into their lane and slammed into their Mercedes head-on Tuesday afternoon, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials said. The couple was celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary just before they were killed in the fatal crash, about five miles away from their home on the 28000 block of Lilac Road. Friends knew the pair as Bob and Jo, and their daughter says they were always side-by-side. They met in high school and married when Bob was 19 and Jo was 17. Twenty years ago, Bob and Jo moved to California and started growing avocados together. Their daughter says they were good, family-oriented people. She would regularly get together with her parents and brother, who all live nearby. CHP investigators said evidence at the scene suggests the 27-year-old driver of the Ford Explorer was under the influence at the time of the crash. The driver of the Ford Explorer was airlifted to Palomar Hospital. She is expected to survive and has been arrested on suspicion of DUI. Residents living around the area told NBC 7 the street is not only dangerous because of speeding in the area, but its proximity to casinos. Neighbors are concerned the casinos contribute to more drinking and driving. "I live off Lilac Road and it's a very dangerous road. People travel very quickly on it and there are corners, there are driveways with corners on it," said Judy Simons, who lives in Valley Center. "Everyone gets involved. We're all concerned about the speeding." The rescue of three U.S. citizens stranded near one of the tallest peaks in Baja California has proven to be more difficult than many may have thought. Morgan Fox, 61, and his daughters, Maura, 20, and Claire, 25, of San Diego were found Tuesday in very steep, rocky terrain near the summit of Picacho del Diablo, also known as The Devils Peak. The trio left San Diego on Tuesday, June 20. They were expected to hike to the summit on Friday and return home Sunday evening. When they didnt, Foxs wife contacted the authorities in Mexico. A search was organized Monday afternoon. By Tuesday morning, Mexican authorities had 10 people searching along the remote trail. A helicopter spotted the trio in a steep canyon and dropped six liters of water to them. Fox and his daughters spent the night on the mountain. In the most recent update, the Proteccion Civil Baja California agency said the daughters are doing well while Fox appears to be weak. A family friend told NBC 7 Fox lives with diabetes and needs insulin to control the condition. Search and rescue crews plan to deliver food, water, a glucose meter and radio communications from the air since its not safe to land. Teams are waiting at the bottom of the canyon to render aid. Its estimated that the hikers will need to travel eight hours on foot to make it out of the area. The trio has hiked before in the San Pedro Martir Park. Pichaco del Diablo is the highest peak in Baja, at over 10,000 feet. The Devils Peak is a challenging trail located more than a days drive south of Tijuana and the U.S.-Mexico border. Family friend David Larson hiked the area with Morgan 13 years ago. He said the route goes through a steep canyon that can be treacherous. You have semi-truck sized boulders stacked up in this canyon so it's very dangerous, Larson said. There's not an actual trail. You're looking for the cairn, which are piles of rocks, to mark where you're supposed to go. He said there was some cell phone coverage in the area but it was spotty. Without a satellite phone, communication could be limited. A charter bus carrying a youth cheerleading team collided with a big rig that caught fire in the desert east of Indio Wednesday afternoon, but only minor injuries were reported. The 4:15 p.m. crash occurred on eastbound Interstate 10 near the Cactus City Rest Area, sending the big rig across the center divider and into the westbound lanes. Four of about 30 occupants of the bus, who had been either headed to or from a cheerleading competition, suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital to be checked out, according to a California Highway Patrol dispatcher. A SunLine Transit Agency bus was sent to pick up the stranded bus passengers. CHP issued a SigAlert for the westbound lanes, which were completely blocked by the wreckage. Authorities also blocked the left eastbound lane to allow smoother access for emergency vehicles. People arent the only ones flooding the beaches along the coast of Northern California this month. In recent weeks, seemingly alien creatures have been found washed up in Monterey Bay, according to SF Gate. The animals look harmless, but they have caused issues within the fishing communities and may also be a sign of a more ominous issue. So what are these mysterious sea dwellers and what does their appearance mean? Pyrosomes, also referred to as sea pickles or fire bodies, are made up of multicellular creatures called zooids. National Geographic reported that the fire bodies can be recognized by their cucumber shape and transparent, Jell-O like exterior. Researchers have also noted that the organisms are asexual, as stated in The Guardian. They are more commonly found in tropical waters but have been spotted since 2015 in increasing numbers along the Northern California Current, which spans Northern California to Oregon and Washington, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Researchers from NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center have partnered with universities in Oregon to explore why the creatures have surged off that state's coastline after having rarely been seen there before. Some pyrosomes which can glow in the dark have even been spotted as north as Alaska, according to Reuters. The Guardian reported that NOAA research biologist Rick Brodeur, along with marine biologist expert Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin, suspect increasing water temperatures may be related. Further studies would need to be conducted though to discover if there is a definite link between climate change and the pyrosomes appearance. The influx of the creatures has already had a pronounced impact in some areas. National Geographic stated that one research net pulled up around 60,000 of the pyrosomes within a five minute window. A crew of Alaskan fishermen also had to give up after being unable to remove all the sea cucumbers from their hooks, the site said. Those who were able to catch anything noticed some fish were regurgitating sea cucumbers. National Geographic said it was unknown whether the creatures had been intentionally eaten or consumed because the fish were unable navigate through the masses of pyrosomes. Natural predators have been bony fish, dolphins and whales, according to NOAA. What to Know 19-year-old Connor Golden lost his foot when he stepped on a homemade explosive in Central Park in July The young man has learned to walk with a prosthesis and was able to return to college in the fall The person who left the homemade explosive in Central Park still hasn't been found As leads dwindle in the investigation into the Central Park explosion that blew off the lower leg of a visiting college student, authorities have announced a $40,000 reward in the case, noting the compound used in the explosive has been seen in recent attacks overseas. Local and federal authorities made the announcement Wednesday morning in a renewed push for the public's help in tracking down the person or people who left the explosive that claimed Connor Golden's lower leg. It comes a day after top NYPD and ATF investigators first told the I-Team about their new mission in the case. "We're still missing a lot of answers," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Bob Boyce at a news conference Wednesday morning. "That's why we're reaching out to the public." On July 3, 2016, Golden, then a University of Miami freshman, jumped off a rock formation near the Central Park entrance by Fifth Avenue in the vicinity of 60th Street. When he landed, the device someone had left on the ground blew off his lower leg. Golden now walks with the help of a prosthesis. Investigators are asking any visitors to Central Park who may have taken photos around that time period to come forward. "At any given time there are multiple people climbing on or around this rock formation to get a better view of Central Park and the pond," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict. Authorities are hoping to narrow a timeline as to when the "extremely dangerous" explosive was placed, as well as identify potential suspects. For fear of inspiring copycat explosions, both the NYPD and ATF have avoided naming the specific compound that blew off Golden's lower leg. But officials said Wednesday it was made of material that are commercially obtainable. The compound isn't common in the U.S., but they've been used in terror attacks in Europe in recent years, according to police. The NYPD is working with federal partners at the ATF to figure out if similar devices have been found in other parts of the country. "We've seen compounds like this used by terrorists in suicide belts in the recent Paris Bataclan theater attack," said NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller. "We've seen it used in the Brussels airport bombings. We've seen it used in the 777 bombings in London targeting the subways." But, he added, "we've also seen it experimented with by people who have nothing to do with terrorism, and people in between," noting a University of Oklahoma student who committed suicide using the explosive in 2005. Police maintain there's no indication that the Central Park explosive had any connection to terrorism. "If you look at the totality of the circumstances -- it was not formed into an improvised explosive device, there wasn't a timer, shrapen land other things," said Miller. "And it was left 50 feet from the main road on one of the most crowded weekends in Central Park, which, if you go by the indicators, does not really comport with the training procedures or tactics of a terrorist group that might experiment with an explosive like that," said Miller. Boyce added there's simply "a lot of unknowns" in the investigation, adding to the urgency of recruiting the public's help. The combined reward money is being offered by both the NYPD and the ATF for information leading to a conviction of the person or people responsible for the explosive. Police are urging anyone with information -- "no detail is too small," the NYPD said -- to contact them at 800-577-TIPS or at nypdcrimestoppers.com. Last fall, in an exclusive I-Team interview, Connor Golden's family expressed doubt the explosion could have been a mistake or an accident. "These explanations that somehow someone was playing with these materials in the park makes no sense to me, Connor's father Kevin Golden said at the time. In one of the most watched areas of the country ... you don't go there with this volatile compound that is explosive on contact." Connor Golden has so far declined to speak publicly about the blast that took his lower leg, but his family has become increasingly concerned that the unsolved explosion case is fading from public consciousness. The Golden family, from Fairfax County, Virginia, has tried to use a GoFundMe page to reach out to the public directly. Theyve also raised more than $85,000 for future medical expenses not covered by insurance. The I-Team was first to reveal how insurance claims for Connors prosthesis have been denied and delayed. What to Know Dozens of firefighters battled a fire atop a Greenwich Village building Wednesday evening Smoke filled a stretch of Broadway south of Union Square as onlookers watched No residents were injured, but five firefighters suffered minor injuries; several pets were rescued and reunited with their owners About 200 firefighters brought a large fire under control hours after it broke out in a building south of Union Square Wednesday evening and sent thick smoke into surrounding streets. Photos posted to social media show crowds of onlookers watching as smoke pours out of a six-story building at Broadway and East 9th Street in Greenwich Village. About 200 firefighters brought a large fire under control hours after it broke out in a building south of Union Square. Michael George reports. The FDNY said the fire erupted shortly before 6 p.m. and many people were still at work. Fire officials believe the fire started in the kitchen of a deli and then traveled up a shaft to the other floors. Flames could be seen erupting from the roof of the mixed-occupancy building, and the blaze quickly grew to a five-alarm fire. Building on fire across the street from our office at 8th and Broadway in #NYC pic.twitter.com/elSp9NzpfG Lesley Hauler (@LesleyHauler) June 28, 2017 #fire broadway x 9th street now pic.twitter.com/kFf3EAExdx ana rusche (@anarusche) 28 June 2017 Firefighters were on the roof, dousing a hole that was spewing flames and smoke. Below, there were at least six ladder trucks with their ladders extended, along with a number of fire engines. Jake Ayre was sleeping inside his apartment when he woke up to smoke alarms. He got his dog buster and raced for the exit. "I was nervous because not only is there fire damage, there's smoke damage," Ayre said. The blaze was brought under control by 8:30 p.m. The FDNY remained at the scene into the night. No one in the building was hurt, but 16 firefighters suffered minor injuries, officials said. Paramedics checked out some residents as a precaution. Several pets were rescued from the fire, and a firefighter was seen holding a small dog that was rescued from the building. Dozens of residents were looking for a place to stay Wednesday night, many of them not sure if their belongings survived the fire. But the pet owners who spoke to News 4 were just grateful all their loved ones made it out. One woman became emotional as she was reunited with her dog. As for Buster, he's in good condition, Ayre said. "He's been eating a lot of meat," he said. "He's really into meat." The Red Cross responded to the scene and said more than 200 households were forced from their home. Only about half of them were allowed back inside, the other half of the building remains evacuated. The nearby subway station on 8th Street was not available to commuters as the entrances were closed. However, around 5:30 a.m. MTA workers on the scene said uptown R and W are again stopping at the station. Downtown R and W trains are still not stopping there. Those entrances remained roped off. The downtown side is underneath the buidling where the fire broke out. Officials did not say what caused the fire. #FDNY firefighters rescuing a dog from the fire burning two buildings in Lower Manhattan. No injury reports : Rebecca Godson #nbc4ny pic.twitter.com/uJILfI9Qew Checkey Beckford (@Checkey4NY) 28 June 2017 Building on fire on 8th St and Broadway #nyc A post shared by Rado Varchola (@radovarchola) on Jun 28, 2017 at 3:20pm PDT A building near 9th and broadway is on fire, not sure what's happening but pic.twitter.com/MH0iHqaD8i kelsey weekman (@kelsaywhat) 28 June 2017 Down Broadway at 10th Street, yellow smoke clogs the air from a still shouldering fire in a building. pic.twitter.com/fTzUY2hosJ Sarah Maslin Nir (@SarahMaslinNir) 28 June 2017 757 Broadway is on fire. Firefighters on the roof spraying water. Four ladders and at least ten @FDNY vehicles responding. pic.twitter.com/b4r0g2KPCZ Jay Dixit (@jaydixit) 28 June 2017 Yo shout out to #nyc firefighters man. This is a crazy place to fight fires in. I smell like a camp fire just from walking through for a minute #nyfd #nyu #village #westvillage A post shared by Adam Makharita (@80mhiphop) on Jun 28, 2017 at 3:07pm PDT Dramatic scenes on E 8th and Broadway. Fire trucks here. pic.twitter.com/GLUEkoaKQ6 Ashley Clark (@_Ash_Clark) 28 June 2017 #cityfire #nyfd #hopeeveryoneisok A post shared by Alia Blue (@artimundi) on Jun 28, 2017 at 3:22pm PDT building (roof?) on fire at 8th and broadway pic.twitter.com/rwTwuKSYeI Aida (@aeyeduh) 28 June 2017 The wife of a U.S. Navy sailor had a big surprise to share with her husband when his aircraft carrier docked in San Diego: a new member of their family, nearly ready to join their ranks. Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Daugherty, a Navy cryptologic technician, returned to the U.S. on June 23 after a six-month deployment on board the USS Carl Vinson. Upon disembarking, Daugherty's two daughters and son rushed over to greet their uniformed father. He hugged his little ones, who were clad in mini sailor outfits, while his wife, Natasha Daugherty, hung back, smiling. She hid her stomach behind a large poster decorated with blue hearts and red paint spelling out "Welcome Home Baby Daddy." When Chris reached out for a hug, Natasha tossed the poster aside to reveal her nearly eight-months-pregnant belly. The big reveal was captured on cellphone video. In the sweet clip, Chris drops his arms and looks down at his wife's belly. Eblazoned on her shirt are the words, "I am the present my daddy gave my mommy before he deployed." After a shocked pause, he pokes her belly and asks, "Is it real?" While onlookers smile and laugh, Chris embraces and kisses his wife. "Wanted to say thanks to my amazing wife Natasha for the awesome homecoming weekend she planned," said Chris, in a Facebook post. "I couldn't have asked for a better one, and it was great news finding out we will be welcoming a new baby girl soon." The couple lives in Temecula, California, just north of San Diego County. Together, they have three children, a 10-year-old son, a 4-year-old girl and an 18-month-old toddler. Now, baby No. 4 will join the family. On Wednesday, Natasha told NBC 7 that the hardest part of keeping her pregnancy a secret from her husband was the worry that came with thinking that something might happen to Chris during the deployment, especially as tensions rose with North Korea. "As soon as we started having trouble with North Korea, I became worried," she said. The USS Vinson deployed on Jan. 5 as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of the U.S. 3rd Fleet into the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The strike group also patrolled the Korean Peninsula after North Korea began testing ballistic missiles. North Korea called the dispatch of the U.S. aircraft carrier toward its waters "outrageous." Chris' deployment, along with other service members in the strike group, was extended for 30 days. He sent Natasha an email telling her how much he loves her, in case anything should happen to him. "He was telling me goodbye. At that point, I was extremely emotional. I wanted to tell him, I wanted to freak out," said Natasha. "But I kept my calm and waited, just a little longer." She says it was also a challenge to make sure her 4-year-old toddler didn't tell Chris about the pregnancy while talking on the phone. Natasha said, "It was difficult but totally worth it in the end!" The baby is due on Aug. 31. Video of the reveal was posted on Facebook and had garnered over 3,800 views by Wednesday afternoon. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced awardees of 27 dispensary permits throughout the state, including three in Philadelphia and nine in surrounding counties. Permits in the immediate area include: PharmaCann Penn, Restore Integrative Wellness Center and Holistic Pharma in Philly. Two dispensaries - Ilera Healthcare and TerraVida Holistic Centers - are heading to Montgomery County. Chester, Delaware, Bucks, Berks and Lancaster, Lehigh and Northampton counties will each get one dispensary. Conspicuously missing from that list was Snider Health, spearheaded by the relatives of former Flyers owner Ed Snider. His daughter, Lindy, was an early investor in the industry and has been vocal about joining the Pennsylvania market after already having business interests in other states. She told NBC10 in the spring that she hoped to change people's minds about medical cannabis and shape the nascent economy in her home state. Being a family thats been very involved in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia for a long time both in business and in philanthropy, we see [medical cannabis] as an unbelievable sort of dovetail of both those things, she said. Those who were awarded permits have six months to become operational. Each dispensary permit holder can open a total of three locations, though some have opted to not open all locations immediately. This has been a highly competitive process and the department received hundreds of quality applications, said John Collins, director of the Office of Medical Marijuana. Once this program is fully operational, patients with serious medical conditions will have locations throughout the commonwealth where they can purchase medication to help in their treatment. We remain on track to provide medication to patients in 2018. Pot Facts: The ABCs of Cannabis Philadelphia Councilwoman Cherelle Parker said she is "extremely disappointed" about one of the city dispensary locations. The dispensary in question will be located at 8913 Stenton Ave. near Ivy Hill Cemetery and Crematory. It's one of three dispensaries approved for an organization called TerraVida. In April, several residents complained during a public hearing that adding a dispensary would only fuel traffic, litter and parking concerns. "The community and I remain vehemently opposed to this site, given its close proximity to a daycare and a myriad of other serious concerns expressed by neighbors, including public safety, security, parking and traffic," Parker said in a statement. "This is not a debate about the merits of medical marijuana which the community and I both support but it is solely about the proposed use at this location." State Rep. Chris Rabb, a Democrat who represents East Mount Airy, also denounced the Stenton Avenue dispensary. "I have grave concerns that revolve around public safety issues related to a cash-only business that will be open 7 days per week with armed guards on a corridor not unfamiliar with violent crime," he said in a statement. "I recently closed my district office for the afternoon to go door to door with my entire staff to inform residents about this matter and my strong opposition to the proposed location of this dispensary despite my support of medical cannabis itself." Disgraced Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams pleaded guilty Thursday morning to accepting a bribe from a Bucks County businessman and resigned immediately in an abrupt ending to his federal corruption case. He was then handcuffed and ordered held at the Federal Detention Center at Seventh and Arch streets until sentencing in October. What should former Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams expect in prison after his guilty plea? NBC10s Harry Hairston speaks to former Philadelphia city councilman Rick Mariano, who was convicted on corruption charges in 2006, about what Williams will likely face behind bars. Williams, 49, admitted to accepting gifts in return for favors to businessman Mohammad N. Ali and could face up to five years in prison. As part of his plea, he would vacate his $175,000-a-year elected position. He said in court on Thursday morning that he "resigns humbly, sincerely and effective immediately." "I'm very sorry for all the trouble," Williams told U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond. While asking for leniency, he said he only has $150-200 in a bank account and is not a flight risk. Diamond, however, ordered Williams held. He was handcuffed and led out of court by U.S. Marshals. As Seth Williams sits in a federal detention center in Philadelphia, many Philadelphia residents are wondering where things will go from here. NBC10s Rosemary Connors reports. At the same time as the courtroom drama unfolded, the second-in-command at the city district attorney's office sent an email to the nearly 200 assistant district attorneys and their office staff promising that "the pursuit of justice continues and the hope for a safer and more prosperous city endures." First Assistant District Attorney Kathleen E. Martin said she would assume "all the duties and powers of the Office." "For the last number of months, this Office has continued its mission seamlessly under difficult circumstances and we will continue to do so," Martin said in an email sent at 11:34 a.m. Later, at a press conference, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey who oversaw the case, William Fitzpatrick, said the plea ends "an unfortunate chapter in the city's history." "Today's conviction is a great victory in the battle against corrupt conduct by public officials," Fitzpatrick said. Testimony had been set to resume on the eighth day of the high-profile case, but court proceedings were put on hold. Several sources confirmed to NBC10 that an agreement was made between Williams and prosecutors about 1 a.m. Thursday. Numerous witnesses took the stand this week, including a co-owner of Woody's, Center City's well-known gay bar, and Deputy Police Commissioner Joe Sullivan. Williams faced 29 charges. As part of his guilty plea, he could also face a fine of up to $250,000. In April, the embattled politician put his house up for sale as rumors continued to swirl about money problems. Earlier that month, Williams's license to practice law in Pennsylvania was suspended by the state Supreme Court. The city Ethics Board previously fined him $64,500 in two separate cases for accepting $175,000 in gifts, which turned out to be central to the federal case against him. The board found that Williams failed to disclose five sources of income and a total of 89 gifts that in addition to those from Ali included sideline passes to Philadelphia Eagles games and a free roof from a New Jersey contractor. The fine was the largest in the board's 10-year history and includes a first-of-its-kind recovery clause as well. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams faces the biggest ethics fine in the citys history. NBC10 investigative reporter Mitch Blacher digs for more information on the latest scandal involving Williams. Gifts from Ali to Williams included a $6,000 trip to the Dominican Republic for the district attorney and a girlfriend. In addition to the vacation to Punta Cana, Ali also gave the prosecutor a Louis Vuitton neck tie, a Burberry watch, a $7,000 loan that was never repaid, a $3,000 couch and expensive dinners. In return, Williams helped Ali with security issues at the Philadelphia International Airport and promised to look into a criminal case involving a friend of Ali. "From in or about July 2010 to in or about May 2015, defendant Mohammad N. Ali engaged in an arrangement with Williams pursuant to which defendant Ali would offer, confer, and agree to confer a stream of pecuniary benefits ("benefits") to Williams and [Williams' girlfriend], such as travel, money, and other things of value that were concealed from timely public disclosure by Williams and, as consideration and in exchange for these benefits, Williams would reciprocate by performing and agreeing to perform official acts on behalf of defendant Ali and by violating Williams' legal duties as specific opportunities arose," read an information document filed in federal court in April by the U.S. Attorney's office. A U.S. Marine veteran who just returned to Philadelphia from a stint in the Middle East was gunned down overnight Thursday while trying to stop an attempted robbery, police said. Howard Robert White, 47, was shot in the head and torso by a man who apparently attempted to hold up a bar at 5th and Spencer streets in Philadelphia's Olney neighborhood, police said. It was just before 1 a.m. when the suspect, a yet to be identified 25-year-old man from North Philadelphia, pulled up to the Green Parrot Tavern along N. 5th Street. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said the man then opened fire on White and a friend who were standing on the sidewalk. Only White was hit. He died in the street, Small said. "I heard six or seven times," Yu Choi, who lives near where the shooting took place, told NBC10. "Boom, boom, boom, boom." The gunman fled following the shooting. White's friend and police, who were patrolling nearby and heard the shooting, gave chase to the 6100 block of N. 6th Street where the suspect broke through a back door of a home. NBC10 Javier Vasquez Sr. was sleeping in a bedroom with his wife inside the home when the suspect went inside. "She screamed, 'Somebody is in the house!'" Vasquez Sr. said. Vasquez Sr. chased the man and confronted him in the kitchen. "I started struggling with him," Vasquez Sr. said. "Grabbed the gun. I grabbed his wrist. I grabbed his hair and I tried to hold him." Vasquez Sr.'s son, 23-year-old Javier Vasquez Jr., wasn't far behind. "I can't really see without my glasses," Vasquez Jr. said. "I'm pretty blind so I saw them struggling. I didn't know what was in his hand. I saw my dad struggling so the first thing I can do is get him off my dad." Vasquez Jr. bodyslammed the suspect and pinned him down until police arrived. Vasquez Sr. and the suspect suffered injuries to their heads and faces. Paramedics took both to Albert Einstein Medical Center for treatment. Homicide detectives spent the morning questioning witnesses at police headquarters. White lived about a block from the bar where he was killed. His family tells NBC10 he was injured while overseas when his military vehicle was hit, but he survived. They are in disbelief he came back to Philadelphia only to be gunned down so close to home. Before his death, White talked about returning overseas. White's cousin Harold Holland called him a "father figure." "He was a good dude. He ain't mess with nobody....peaceful man." White's other cousin, Melinda Gordon, called him a hero. "He died a hero," she said. "He served his country and he continued to serve up until the day that he went to heaven." Dozens of Sudanese activists living in Egypt as refugees, many of whom fled fundamentalist Islamic militias and were close to approval for resettlement in the United States, now face legal limbo after the Supreme Court partially reinstated President Donald Trump's travel ban on six Muslim nations, including Sudan. Many said they are not safe in Egypt because Sudanese agents operating in the country under tacit Egyptian approval regularly threaten them and their families, sometimes targeting them with violence. Tayeb Ibrahim, who has worked to expose Sudanese government abuses in areas it controls in the country's volatile South Kordofan province, was partially blinded after being attacked with acid by Sudanese government agents, and narrowly escaped being brought back to Sudan after being kidnapped in Egypt. "I'm totally depressed. I was approved over a year ago for resettlement, just passed my medical exam last week and was hoping to see family living in Iowa. But instead I'll be stuck here worried about my physical safety," said the 40-year-old Ibrahim, who like many Sudanese refugees has no travel documents and thus cannot leave Egypt. Sudanese living in Egypt regularly complain of discrimination and harassment, while pro-democracy rights activists and opponents of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's regime say they face abuses by both Sudanese and Egyptian security forces. Rights groups have in the past documented cases where pro-democracy activists have been targeted by Sudanese secret police with violence, including rape. Egypt has denied any involvement in such targeted abuse. There are officially some 36,000 Sudanese with refugee status in Egypt, most former residents of Sudan's Darfur region who fled government-sponsored Islamic and tribal Janjaweed militias in a separatist conflict that was front-page news a decade ago but has now been eclipsed by other regional crises in Syria and Iraq. "It's like having our own little Islamic State group in Sudan, sponsored by the government, who has been persecuting us for years," said Awad, a 33-year-old Sudanese women's rights activist who has lived in Cairo since 2012. During that time, she said she has been the victim of burglaries and an attack by Sudanese men on a motorbike. Like others interviewed, she declined to give her last name out of fears for her safety. Sudan's Darfur region has seen violent conflict since 2003, when ethnic Africans rebelled against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in the capital, Khartoum, accusing it of discrimination and neglect. The United Nations estimates 300,000 people have died in the conflict and some 2.7 million have fled their homes. Al-Bashir, who rose to power in 1989, is on the International Criminal Court's wanted list for committing crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide in Darfur. The ICC has issued two warrants for al-Bashir's arrest, in March 2009 and July 2010. Sudan has been under U.S. financial sanctions since the 1990s after it was designated a "state sponsor of terrorism." But a week before leaving office, President Barack Obama eased some sanctions on Sudan citing positive actions by the government, including a reduction in offensive military activity and cooperating with the U.S. to address regional conflict and the threat of terrorism. Later, the Trump administration singled out Sudan as one of six Muslim majority countries whose citizens were banned from immigrating to the U.S. Activists awaiting resettlement in the U.S. say it's unfair to punish victims of al-Bashir's government, which has pushed for an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam and actively supported religiously inspired fighters to attack his opponents. "We're the victims but we are paying the price of perpetrators," said Basham, a 36-year-old former mechanical engineering student who said he left Sudan in 2002 after being tortured for organizing information sessions at his university about abuses in South Kordofan and working as a translator for human rights groups. He said he was selected for resettlement to the U.S. in 2016. Awad said she has been vetted for three years by U.S. and U.N. officials, and had hoped to be approved for resettlement in Kansas or Minnesota, states with large Sudanese communities. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo declined to comment on the cases, as did the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration, which manages the vetting process. The U.S. State Department has said it would provide additional details on how the ban would affect migration "after consultation with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security." Sudan's government has at times given Cairo a green light to crack down on its opponents, while complaining at other times about mistreatment of its citizens in Egypt, depending on the political winds of the day. Lately it has been engaged in a trade dispute with Egypt over its banning of some Egyptian agricultural products, while Cairo pressures it over links with its nemesis, the Gulf monarchy of Qatar. Meanwhile, rights groups, including U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, say Washington should reevaluate its moves to lift sanctions on Sudan and insist certain criteria be met first, such as outlawing punishments like stoning, as well as dress code bans and official discrimination against women and girls. Haram, a 48-year-old former teacher, who said she was arrested, raped and tortured in Sudan for collecting food and clothes for displaced people in Khartoum, has been waiting for four years for resettlement approval for herself and her five children in New York, where she has relatives. "As a mother I'm so disappointed. I can barely provide for my children because I can only work as a maid, and besides that there's racism and harassment," said Haram, who like others with refugee status is banned from working in Egypt. Awad noted the irony of Trump's travel ban: While it seeks to protect America against Islamic extremists, in the case of Sudanese in Egypt, it was punishing their victims, people still threatened by their government here. "People have to understand, I fear for my life in this country," she said. "It's horrible to be so close to freedom and suddenly told you have to stay for an unknown time." The two CSX workers who died after they were hit by an Amtrak train on Wednesday have been identified by police. Stephen Deal, 20, of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, and Jake Lafave, 25, of Cumberland, Maryland, were killed, D.C. police said Thursday. The victims were a conductor and a trainee aboard a CSX train approaching Union Station. They received an alert that instructed the crew to stop and check part of the train, said a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) official. A detector had triggered an abnormality in the CSX train, likely related to the wheels. The two men were struck by the Amtrak train after getting off their freight train. Neither victim displayed "signs consistent with life," according to police. "We heard the horn blow, and about three seconds later, we heard a clunking sound. My wife thought she heard something hit the window next to her," passenger Walter Duncan said. Service on Amtrak is suspended and MARC's Penn Line is running on limited service after two people were killed by a train outside Union Station Tuesday night. The victims were killed on an active track on which Amtrak was operating passenger trains, near the 1200 block of New York Avenue NE. Emergency personnel were called to the scene around 11:55 p.m. Tuesday. No one was injured aboard Amtrak Train 175, which was traveling to D.C. from Boston and New York. The train had 121 passengers aboard, according to an Amtrak release. There was no information immediately available on the number of crew members. An Amtrak spokesperson previously said the victims appeared to be trespassers, but CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle confirmed Wednesday morning that the victims were CSX employees. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our employees," Doolittle said in a statement. The victims' CSX train was carrying mixed freight and was traveling from Baltimore. The accident occurred in an area where there were two CSX tracks and two Amtrak tracks. The NTSB official said the agency will assess all conditions on the tracks to see what went wrong. The NTSB will be able to review video footage as part of its investigation. Amtrak service between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia was suspended for several hours Wednesday morning due to the incident. Service has been restored, but trains will continue to run at speeds under 10 mph until further notice, the NTSB official said. MARC commuter rail service into Union Station was suspended on the Penn and Camden lines Wednesday morning, but Wednesday afternoon trains operated at full service. Penn Line riders may encounter delays, MARC said on its website. Metrorail will honor MARC tickets Wednesday afternoon, MARC said. However, this does not include any charges at Metro parking facilities. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted autopsies and determined the cause of death was due to multiple injuries and ruled the manner of death as accidental. The National Transportation and Safety Board is conducting its own investigation into this accident. Long weekends are meant for the beach, not sitting in a traffic jam. If youre planning to leave the D.C. area for the Fourth of July weekend, here are the best times to leave to avoid traffic woes. Maryland The Maryland Department of Transportation recommends early morning or late evening travel to avoid congestion on the Bay Bridge. MDTA says drivers should try to leave at the following times to avoid Bay Bridge traffic: Thursday: Before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Friday: Before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Saturday: Before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Sunday: Before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Monday: Before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Tuesday: Before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m. As a reminder, headlights are always required when traveling on the Bay Bridge. Virginia There is construction going on on Interstate 64, so if you can avoid it, youre probably better off. The Virginia Department of Transportation recommends using Route 460 as an alternative if youre headed to Virginia Beach or the Outer Banks. Some construction will be suspended starting Monday, but try to leave at off-peak hours if you planning on taking I-64E. Traffic is expected to be heaviest Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., so early morning or late evening tavel is going to be your best option no matter which road you choose. The Virginia Department of Transportation has created an interactive map that shows travel-trends for traffic on the 4th. Check this map for hourly predictions of traffic on your specific route in Richmond, Hampton Roads or Northern Virginia. While some lane closures will be lifted, permanent work zones will remain in place. You can explore major work zones here. A 13-year-old girl who was hiking with her family died Wednesday after she was hit by a train in Manassas, Virginia, police say. Reyhan Safoglu was walking along the train tracks on the Bull Run Bridge between Clifton and Manassas when she was struck. "I have to believe that God just loved her so much that he wanted her in Heaven with him," her mother, Emel Safoglu, said Thursday. "And one day we'll be reunited with her." Safoglu was hiking with her 13-year-old cousin and a 21-year-old brother at the time, police said. The two teens were on the bridge when the train approached and the boy was able to jump out of the way, police said. Video from Chopper4 showed the train stopped at the railroad bridge. Safoglu was found below the bridge. VRE employees could be seen tending to Safoglu. A nearby resident said that many young people walk on the tracks. "Yeah, there's a lot of people, it's summertime, that like to go walking and everything. And that's just a place where a lot of teenagers go to have fun," she said. Manassas City, Manassas Park and Prince William County fire and rescue departments responded. It took medics time to get to the scene because of the isolated location, officials said. Police said Safoglu was a student at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia. Her family said her smile could light up a room. "And it's so strange, because she would talk to me about her funeral," her mother, a single parent, said. "Just in this past month, she would mention things," she continued. "And I know most little kids don't talk about their funeral, but she told me, she doesn't want anyone wearing black. She was like, 'Why do people wear black to funerals, Mom? That's just so sad. I don't want people wearing black to my funeral. I want it to be a celebration, and I want everyone to be happy when they come'." About five to 10 passengers were on the train at the time and had to stay on the train until the investigation was over. VRE tweeted that Train 335, scheduled to leave Union Station at 6:10 p.m., was canceled. VRE riders can take Metro at no additional cost by showing a valid VRE ticket or pass. Tuesday night, two CSX railroad employees were fatally struck by an Amtrak train after stepping onto tracks outside Union Station. When you stay in a hotel in Washington, D.C., your accommodations must meet a long list of inspection standards. Federal law says hotels must have exit signs, working smoke detectors and evacuation plans, plus sprinkler systems in buildings higher than three stories. But when you stay in a short-term rental through a website like Airbnb, those same standards don't apply. That may soon change in D.C. D.C. lawmakers are expected to cast an initial vote in July on a bill that would require health and safety inspections of all short-term rental units. If approved, the bill would establish some of the strictest regulations on Airbnb units in the country. D.C. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie introduced the bill. He said Airbnb renters should have proof the properties meet basic safety standards -- rather than having to rely only on previous renters' reviews. "We should take the guessing work out of it and make sure that the District of Columbia DCRA [Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs] weighs in on this process, to make sure that basic safety regulations are complied with," he said Wednesday. "It's serious and shouldn't be left up to our guests." D.C. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie has proposed regulating commercial Airbnb operators seen to harm the city's supply of affordable housing. News4's Tom Sherwood reports. Look here to see the entire bill. Airbnb says it is reviewing the bill and that safety is their No. 1 one priority. "The overwhelming majority of our hosts in D.C. share the very home they live in and they agree that they will be in compliance with all applicable laws and other rules and regulations including permits, licenses and registrations," the company said in a statement. "We run home safety workshops, give out free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and have made it easy for guests to know who to do if there is an emergency by providing them with online safety cards that include important phone numbers, locations of fire extinguishers, fire alarms and emergency exit routes," the statement continued. If renters report concerns about an Airbnb unit, that online listing can be suspended. Those safety measures were not enough to prevent a fire in a cabin Medina Abdelkader rented through Airbnb in February 2014. The Toronto resident said she and her partner were sleeping when smoke began to pour out of the woodstove in the cabin in rural Ontario. Abdelkader, 29, went to open a window, and flames leaped out of the stove. "I looked back, and the bed that I had just been in was on fire," she said. Abdelkader and her partner escaped, and she received only a minor burn. She said she loves Airbnb and has stayed many times in properties she found on the site. "These are the growing pains of disruption," the consultant and organizational design strategist said. Still, Abdelkader said she believes Airbnb units should be inspected for safety. Should every Airbnb unit be inspected? A bill in D.C. would require it. Perspective of a woman who escaped a fire: https://t.co/jCdciUlbgS pic.twitter.com/SSY8MjEQJE Andrea Swalec (@andreaswalec) June 29, 2017 "One of the things that Airbnb does beautifully is that they send a photographer out to take photos of the properties," she said. "I think if you can go to the effort of sending out a photographer, you can go to the effort of sending out someone who can do safety inspections." The debate over the Short-term Rental Regulation and Affordable Housing Protection Act primarily has focused on how it would affect the city's stock of affordable housing, and the income Airbnb helps D.C. residents earn. Scores of D.C. residents testified at a public hearing in April that the bill would change their neighborhoods and their lives. The legislation also could have a significant impact on public safety, said Robert Solomon, a manager at the National Fire Protection Association, which sets fire safety standards worldwide. Because Airbnb units are often inside individuals' private homes, they're often off-limits to inspectors, he said. The bill would "crack the door open so there would be some form of regulation," he said. "By signing on the dotted line, inspectors could come in." The woman in an anti-Airbnb ad showing Anacostia is an actress who lives in New York. Jodie Fleischer reports. Airbnb hosts in D.C. are supposed to seek permits now. The licensing requirements vary depending on the characteristics of the property. But enforcement is tough; it's hard for DCRA to distinguish between someone staying at a friend's house for a weekend and someone who's paying for an Airbnb rental. Safety hazards that slip through the cracks can be deadly. A 25-year-old woman and 24-year-old man died in a rowhouse fire near Dupont Circle in apartments that had not been inspected because the rentals were illegal. As News4's reporting revealed, lawsuits filed by the victims' families said the housemates were trapped on the third floor of the house because there was no fire escape and the windows were painted shut. If the D.C. Airbnb bill passes, DCRA estimates they would need to hire eight new housing inspectors to perform as many as 8,500 additional inspections. Now, DCRA inspectors perform about 1,000 inspections of all kinds annually. McDuffie is aiming for the Council to hold the first of two votes on the bill in July, before the summer recess, a spokesman said. Abdelkader, the woman who escaped a fire in an Airbnb unit, said new safety measures could help prevent future accidents. "This is not a wild card," she said. "It's entirely possible and plausible that these types of safety concerns are going to come up." The Massachusetts Senate has adopted legislation that would require drivers to put down their cellphones while behind the wheel. Under the proposal that was debated Thursday, drivers could only use their cellphones, or other electronic devices, in hands-free mode. The proposal would allow for a single touch or swipe to activate a hands-free mechanism. Exceptions also would be made for emergency calls. The legislation is now eligible for the state's House to take action on it; however, lawmakers in the House have rejected similar measures in the past. The bill aims to reduce one of the leading causes of distracted driving, which according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claimed nearly 3,500 lives in the U.S. in 2015. "Thousands of people die every year in the country, including here in Massachusetts, because of distracted drivers," Sen. Mark Montigny (D-Taunton) said. Texting while driving already is illegal in Massachusetts, as is all cellphone use by drivers under the age of 18. Fourteen states, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, currently ban the use of hand-held cellphones by drivers. A Massachusetts man arrested in connection in the brutal stabbing deaths of two South Boston doctors last month was indicted by a grand jury on murder charges on Wednesday. Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley announced Thursday 30-year-old Bampumim Teixeira of Chelsea was charged two counts each of first-degree murder, armed robbery and kidnapping by confinement, and one count of armed home invasion in connection with the May 5 deaths of Dr. Richard Fields and Dr. Lina Bolanos. Authorities say officers responded to the doctors' South Boston condo on Dorchester Avenue after receiving two calls about an armed gunman in their 11th floor apartment. Officers came upon Teixeira, who was wearing dark clothing, and thinking he had pointed or fired a weapon at them, two officers shot and injured him, the DA's office said. The suspect allegedly told officers who were treating his gunshot wounds that another person would open fire on them if they went into the apartment. He was taken to the hospital, and when police entered the apartment, they found both doctors dead from multiple traumatic injuries. Investigators also allegedly found a black backpack full of jewelry, and near the doorway, a knife and a second bag with a replica firearm and the victims' personal property. Teixeira was ordered to be held without bail during his arraignment from his hospital bed at Tufts Medical Center on May 8. His attorney is Steven Sack; his arraignment in connection with this indictment has not been scheduled. Foodbanks national disgrace, or Grace in action? Regular columnist James Knight offers his insight into the rapid rise in the use of Foodbanks over the last few years. In last weeks opinion article on Network Norfolk , Andrew Bryant believed that the Church should rage that so many people are dependent on food banks and soup runs, amongst other inequalities that he felt underpin too much of our society. Of course, we can all agree that we wish people weren't poor. But I think the rage we often see against food banks is part of a misunderstanding about what is really happening. Hardly a day goes by without some uncritical politician holding up food banks as a sign of doom and gloom in our country, and using them as a stick with which to beat their political rivals. It's incredibly lazy thinking, because it misunderstands the journey from no food banks to food banks, and how and why it happened. The first obvious point these politicians miss is that by and large the increased demand for food banks is caused by increased supply - that is, by people's increased ability to donate food and the charity infrastructure to facilitate this. Food banks are an example of Say's Law in action - "Supply creates its own demand", which very often isn't true, but is in this case. Ask yourself a profound question: why weren't food banks around sooner? I mean, we've traded food for centuries, and we've given to charity for decades, so why weren't there food banks except very recently? One thing to say is this: Clearly there is no question that food banks are an indication of short-term hardship for many, often for complex reasons. However, they are far less an indication that suddenly half a million people can no longer afford to eat, than they are an indication of increased prosperity overall, because the fact that nearly half a million people use them each week means that there is increased financial ability for people to afford food donations. I wonder if it ever struck Andrew Bryant as strange that in a time when state spending is at a record high, suddenly 0.7% of the entire population could no longer afford to eat? Irrespective of whether poverty is on the increase, the number of food bank users is not the right metric to use to determine the number of people in poverty. Increased food bank use does not necessarily mean increased hardship - it probably means increased help for those in situations of hardship, and this is where we must be careful as a church about raging against them - because food banks are one of the best examples of Christ-like qualities in action. Let me offer an illustration that will show why food banks are not necessarily a sign of increased hardship, but rather a sign of increased help and less hardship. Imagine a village called Poppellville consisting of 100 people. Ten years ago, 30 of the people in the village were below the median line and only 2 of them were getting help from food banks, as the food bank scheme was still in its infancy. Fast forward to the modern day, 18 of them are below the median line, and 16 of these 18 are receiving help from the foodbank scheme. Clearly this increase in people using the food bank scheme in Poppellville is not coinciding with an increase in poverty. In absolute terms, there has been an 800% increase in the number of people in Poppellville now benefiting from food banks over those ten years, while poverty has dropped by 40% in that same time period. Or if you prefer, here's another. Before Paracetamol was invented, people still had headaches - they just had no Paracetamol to buy at the chemist to make headaches better. The introduction of Paracetamol caused lots of people to buy them to cure headaches, but it would be absurd to argue that once we started to see lots of people buying Paracetamol, that is evidence that people are now getting more headaches. Headaches existed long before Paracetamol, just as hardship existed long before food banks - and neither Paracetamol nor food banks made the thing they were trying to cure more widespread - they just gave people an additional helping hand. Those illustrations sum up what's probably the case in the UK. Rather than food banks being an indication of increased economic hardship, they most likely are a demonstration of our increased ability to respond to economic hardship with donations of food for those that need it, and a demonstration of how more and more people's rise in living standards has helped them to be able to buy food specifically for the purpose of donating it to food banks. Moreover, food banks show how voluntary charity work in the local communities is doing a better, more cost-effective and more efficient job of helping people who have fallen on hard times than equivalent services would be if they were state-provided with the additional costs of the extra layers of state-bureaucracy on top, and party politicians publicly squabbling over it like they do with the NHS. And this is exactly what we should expect to see in a world in which the church is the most powerful instrument of God's grace in action. Food banks are one of the world's great sign of organised compassion and kindness, and in a time when (despite what the media will have you believe) there is less poverty and hardship in the world than at any point in human history. James Knight is a local government officer based in Norwich, and is a regular columnist for Christian community websites Network Norfolk and Network Ipswich. He also blogs regularly as The Philosophical Muser, and contributes articles to UK think tanks The Adam Smith Institute and The Institute of Economic Affairs, as well as the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC). The views carried here are those of the author, not necessarily those of Network Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users. j.knight423@btinternet.com By PTI NEW DELHI: Asian Development Bank (ADB) today pledged USD 10 billion support for improving economic performance of low-income states and funding infrastructure development. ADB stands ready to meet immediate development needs of up to USD 5 billion over 5 years period for less developed states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, addressing critical infrastructure issue and capacity deficit, ADB President Takehiko Nakao said here. Besides, the bank is prepared to invest up to USD 5 billion during 2018-22 for infrastructure building to develop East Coast Economic Corridor, he said. The USD 10 billion funding support would be part of ADB's new country strategy, which proposes annual lending of USD 3 -4 billion from sovereign and non-sovereign operations over the five-year period, he said. NEW DELHI: Asian Development Bank (ADB) today pledged USD 10 billion support for improving economic performance of low-income states and funding infrastructure development. ADB stands ready to meet immediate development needs of up to USD 5 billion over 5 years period for less developed states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, addressing critical infrastructure issue and capacity deficit, ADB President Takehiko Nakao said here. Besides, the bank is prepared to invest up to USD 5 billion during 2018-22 for infrastructure building to develop East Coast Economic Corridor, he said. The USD 10 billion funding support would be part of ADB's new country strategy, which proposes annual lending of USD 3 -4 billion from sovereign and non-sovereign operations over the five-year period, he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress today decided to keep away from the special midnight June 30 meeting convened by the government on GST implementation. Party's senior spokesperson Satyavrat Chaturvedi said "the Congress will not attend the special GST meeting on GST implementation." The decision came after Congress President Sonia Gandhi met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with other leaders today. The party has been in a dilemma over attending the special midnight event in Parliament on June 30 to mark the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and has had wide-ranging discussions with other parties also, which are likely to follow suit. Trinamool Congress has already announced its decision to boycott the event. Sources said Congress leaders weighed its options as a group within the party felt that the GST was the party's brainchild that has been now taken over by the ruling BJP, and thus favoured attending the special meeting. However, some leaders opposing it feel that the GST is being implemented in a haste and all aspects have not been taken into consideration leading to harassment of small traders and businessmen and thus, the party should abstain. Sources also say that the Congress was apparently irked with Modi trying to emulate India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's midnight "tryst with destiny" speech on the eve of Independence. The Left leaders are also not inclined to attend the special GST meeting and are set to skip it, along with some other opposition parties. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has already questioned the government on "hurrying" into introducing GST and recalled that the ruling BJP had opposed the system when it was in the opposition. The government will use the circular-shaped Central Hall to launch the new taxation system that is set to dramatically re-shape the over USD 2 trillion economy. A gong will be sounded at midnight to usher in the GST. Modi will be the key speaker at the function. President Pranab Mukherjee is also likely to attend the function, where former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda have been invited too. NEW DELHI: The Congress today decided to keep away from the special midnight June 30 meeting convened by the government on GST implementation. Party's senior spokesperson Satyavrat Chaturvedi said "the Congress will not attend the special GST meeting on GST implementation." The decision came after Congress President Sonia Gandhi met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with other leaders today. The party has been in a dilemma over attending the special midnight event in Parliament on June 30 to mark the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and has had wide-ranging discussions with other parties also, which are likely to follow suit. Trinamool Congress has already announced its decision to boycott the event. Sources said Congress leaders weighed its options as a group within the party felt that the GST was the party's brainchild that has been now taken over by the ruling BJP, and thus favoured attending the special meeting. However, some leaders opposing it feel that the GST is being implemented in a haste and all aspects have not been taken into consideration leading to harassment of small traders and businessmen and thus, the party should abstain. Sources also say that the Congress was apparently irked with Modi trying to emulate India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's midnight "tryst with destiny" speech on the eve of Independence. The Left leaders are also not inclined to attend the special GST meeting and are set to skip it, along with some other opposition parties. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has already questioned the government on "hurrying" into introducing GST and recalled that the ruling BJP had opposed the system when it was in the opposition. The government will use the circular-shaped Central Hall to launch the new taxation system that is set to dramatically re-shape the over USD 2 trillion economy. A gong will be sounded at midnight to usher in the GST. Modi will be the key speaker at the function. President Pranab Mukherjee is also likely to attend the function, where former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda have been invited too. #NZ murder suspect Court OKs extradition of 'suitcase' murder suspect to New Zealand A Seoul court on Friday approved the extradition of a woman believed to be the mother of two children whose bodies were found in suitcases in New Zealand in August. The Seoul H... #KBO Landers starter Kim Kwang-hyun wins top KBO pitching award After making a successful return from a two-year stint in the majors, SSG Landers starter Kim Kwang-hyun was named the winner of South Korea's top professional pitching award on Fr... By PTI NEW DELHI: Low-cost carrier IndiGo has written to the ministry of civil aviation expressing an interest in taking over Air India's international flights. "IndiGo has written a letter with an unsolicited expression of interest (EOI) in the divestment procedure of Air India," Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said today. The Cabinet yesterday gave its in-principle approval for the divestment of the national carrier. IndiGo said in a letter it would be interested in buying out the International operations of Air India and its low-cost wing, Air India Express. If that was not possible, it would like to buy the entire Air India flight operations, including domestic, IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh said in the letter. The letter, to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, was sent after the Cabinet decision yesterday, officials said. "Many other private players, both domestic and international, have approached us. But those were informal talks. IndiGo's was the only formal EOI," said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha at a media briefing here. NEW DELHI: Low-cost carrier IndiGo has written to the ministry of civil aviation expressing an interest in taking over Air India's international flights. "IndiGo has written a letter with an unsolicited expression of interest (EOI) in the divestment procedure of Air India," Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said today. The Cabinet yesterday gave its in-principle approval for the divestment of the national carrier. IndiGo said in a letter it would be interested in buying out the International operations of Air India and its low-cost wing, Air India Express. If that was not possible, it would like to buy the entire Air India flight operations, including domestic, IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh said in the letter. The letter, to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, was sent after the Cabinet decision yesterday, officials said. "Many other private players, both domestic and international, have approached us. But those were informal talks. IndiGo's was the only formal EOI," said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha at a media briefing here. By Express News Service KOCHI: Malayalam actor Dileep, his assistant Appuni and filmmaker Nadirshah are likely to be summoned for further questioning, police said after a 13-hour long interrogation in connection with the abduction and assault of a Malayalam actress, ended on Wednesday night. Ernakulam Rural SP A V George told media persons that the police have not given a clean chit to the actor. The inquiry is underway. If required they would be summoned again for interrogation," he said. Sources within the police said a team led by assistant director general of police (ADGP) B Sandhya was cross-checking the statements made by Dileep and Nadirshah, which were recorded on Wednesday. Currently, the investigation is focused on the conspiracy angle behind the abduction and assault of the actress, which happened in February this year. Dileep and Nadirshah deposed before the investigators for about 13 hours at Aluva Police Club on Wednesday. The interrogation, which began on Wednesday afternoon at 12.30 PM continued past mid-night until 1.15 am. Police said Dileep testified before the investigation team that he didn't know Pulsar Suni, the key accused in the case. However, he reportedly told them that he was not in a cordial relationship with the victim. After a friend had told him about the incident over phone, he tried to contact her, but she was unavailable. The police were yet register a case in the complaint lodged by Dileep in which he alleged that a person had blackmailed him demanding Rs 1.5 crore for not naming him in the actress assault case. However, the investigating team recorded his statements on the complaint. On Thursday morning, before leaving for the AMMA executive meeting in Kochi, the actor told reporters that he had discussed all the matters regarding his complaint with the investigators, and this was the reason why the interrogation took several hours. "The police had a few doubts and so they asked more about it, which I clarified. I am confident, he said. The two children of AMMA are involved in this, and both are suffering," he said, referring to him and the assault victim. KOCHI: Malayalam actor Dileep, his assistant Appuni and filmmaker Nadirshah are likely to be summoned for further questioning, police said after a 13-hour long interrogation in connection with the abduction and assault of a Malayalam actress, ended on Wednesday night. Ernakulam Rural SP A V George told media persons that the police have not given a clean chit to the actor. The inquiry is underway. If required they would be summoned again for interrogation," he said. Sources within the police said a team led by assistant director general of police (ADGP) B Sandhya was cross-checking the statements made by Dileep and Nadirshah, which were recorded on Wednesday. Currently, the investigation is focused on the conspiracy angle behind the abduction and assault of the actress, which happened in February this year. Dileep and Nadirshah deposed before the investigators for about 13 hours at Aluva Police Club on Wednesday. The interrogation, which began on Wednesday afternoon at 12.30 PM continued past mid-night until 1.15 am. Police said Dileep testified before the investigation team that he didn't know Pulsar Suni, the key accused in the case. However, he reportedly told them that he was not in a cordial relationship with the victim. After a friend had told him about the incident over phone, he tried to contact her, but she was unavailable. The police were yet register a case in the complaint lodged by Dileep in which he alleged that a person had blackmailed him demanding Rs 1.5 crore for not naming him in the actress assault case. However, the investigating team recorded his statements on the complaint. On Thursday morning, before leaving for the AMMA executive meeting in Kochi, the actor told reporters that he had discussed all the matters regarding his complaint with the investigators, and this was the reason why the interrogation took several hours. "The police had a few doubts and so they asked more about it, which I clarified. I am confident, he said. The two children of AMMA are involved in this, and both are suffering," he said, referring to him and the assault victim. By Online Desk Citizens gathered in 19 Indian cities to protest what they saw as the Government's inaction and apathy over the increasing number of lynchings perpetrated in the name of cow protection. The protests were sparked by the lynching of 15-year-old teenager Junaid Khan on a train in Faridabad. Junaid and his relatives were beaten up by a mob over what seemed to have begun as an argument over a seat and ended in the four Muslim youngsters being called beef eaters and thrashed, resulting in Junaid's death. Social media was abuzz with shock about the lynching, following which a clarion call was issued by Gurgaon-based filmmaker Saba Dewan asking people to gather at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for a protest against the targeting of mostly minorities, namely Muslims and Dalits, by self-appointed cow vigilantes. That grew into a nation-wide protest through the power of social media. People converged in various cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Allahabad, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Here are glimpses from the protests as they happened across the cities. Citizens gathered in 19 Indian cities to protest what they saw as the Government's inaction and apathy over the increasing number of lynchings perpetrated in the name of cow protection. The protests were sparked by the lynching of 15-year-old teenager Junaid Khan on a train in Faridabad. Junaid and his relatives were beaten up by a mob over what seemed to have begun as an argument over a seat and ended in the four Muslim youngsters being called beef eaters and thrashed, resulting in Junaid's death. Social media was abuzz with shock about the lynching, following which a clarion call was issued by Gurgaon-based filmmaker Saba Dewan asking people to gather at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for a protest against the targeting of mostly minorities, namely Muslims and Dalits, by self-appointed cow vigilantes. That grew into a nation-wide protest through the power of social media. People converged in various cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Allahabad, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Here are glimpses from the protests as they happened across the cities. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Amid rising tensions due to the spike in numbers of mob lynching incidents across the country, social activist and student leaders came together on one forum to launch a campaign to make a specific law on Monday. Social activist like Jignesh Mevani emerging out of Una Dalit caste related violence along with former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid discussed cultural terrorism in the form of mob- lynching encouraged by people in power. Writer and blogger Tehseen Poonawalla demanded that the central government should make a specific law for instigators behind any mob lynch incident. Kumar who has been charged with sedition said that JNU has been made a punching bag by the right extremist forces. If the government is sincere in fighting this utter breakdown of rule of law then it must agree to our demand of enacting a special legislation to curb mob lynching. Extremist forces have made JNU a punching bag any kind of extremism be it RSS or ISI is bad for society and should not be tolerated said Kumar. Family members of Pehlu Khan who was lynched to death in Alwar after allged Gau Rakshak Sena thought they were transporting cow for slaughter, sister of missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed Sadaf Musshraf were also present at the event. If the government doesnt pass a specific law till 11th July which is the anniversary of Una incident we will start a national campaign on the streets of the country, starting from Gujarat said Mewani. The group has formed a committee which will draft a law to assist the central government, senior Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde, Bollywood actor and performer Swara Bhaskar , Najeebs sister among others will be part of the committee. We are in talk with various Chief Ministers of states who are waiting for a go head form the central government in this matter. If the Prime Minister feels so sorry about the killings of Dalit then he should do something about it and not just make speeches. If by 11 of July there is no from the government then cattle farmers from across the country will leave their cattle at the door of PM house said Poonawala. NEW DELHI: Amid rising tensions due to the spike in numbers of mob lynching incidents across the country, social activist and student leaders came together on one forum to launch a campaign to make a specific law on Monday. Social activist like Jignesh Mevani emerging out of Una Dalit caste related violence along with former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid discussed cultural terrorism in the form of mob- lynching encouraged by people in power. Writer and blogger Tehseen Poonawalla demanded that the central government should make a specific law for instigators behind any mob lynch incident. Kumar who has been charged with sedition said that JNU has been made a punching bag by the right extremist forces. If the government is sincere in fighting this utter breakdown of rule of law then it must agree to our demand of enacting a special legislation to curb mob lynching. Extremist forces have made JNU a punching bag any kind of extremism be it RSS or ISI is bad for society and should not be tolerated said Kumar. Family members of Pehlu Khan who was lynched to death in Alwar after allged Gau Rakshak Sena thought they were transporting cow for slaughter, sister of missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed Sadaf Musshraf were also present at the event. If the government doesnt pass a specific law till 11th July which is the anniversary of Una incident we will start a national campaign on the streets of the country, starting from Gujarat said Mewani. The group has formed a committee which will draft a law to assist the central government, senior Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde, Bollywood actor and performer Swara Bhaskar , Najeebs sister among others will be part of the committee. We are in talk with various Chief Ministers of states who are waiting for a go head form the central government in this matter. If the Prime Minister feels so sorry about the killings of Dalit then he should do something about it and not just make speeches. If by 11 of July there is no from the government then cattle farmers from across the country will leave their cattle at the door of PM house said Poonawala. By Express News Service CHENNAI: The #NotInMyName protests are a series of protests happening today in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, Trivandrum, Chandigarh, Allahabad, Kochi and Jaipur against the targeted lynching of Muslims in India. Apart from cities in India, cities such as London and Toronto are also organising the protests. There have been fourteen lynching incidents in India since 2015 and the incident which sparked off the movement took place on June 23 when 16-year-old Junaid Khan was returning with his companions on a train after completing their Eid shopping. Junaid and his companions were suspected of carrying beef, they were accused of looking different and as things escalated, he was stabbed to death by a mob on a train in Ballabhgarh, Haryana. The incident sparked off a social media outcry against lawlessness and it was only when Saba Dewan, a Gurgaon based film-maker, posted a cry for protests in Facebook that the #NotInMyName movement got traction. The June 24 post read, Shouldn't there be protests against the lynching especially after the murder yesterday in Delhi NCR by a mob of a 16 year old Muslim boy? If not now then when? Why wait for political formations to organize a demonstration? Why can't all of us as citizens repulsed by the violence get together in protest at the earliest next week at Jantar Mantar under the banner - Not in my Name. The event page of the Delhi-chapter of the #NotInMyName protest reads, These attacks on Muslims are part of a pattern of other incidents that involve Dalits, Adivasis, and other disadvantaged and minority groups across the country. Through all these heinous crimes the Government has maintained a brazen silence, a gesture that is being read as the acquiescence of Indians. The movement organisers has asked citizens joining in to carry banners with the slogan - Not In My Name. CHENNAI: The #NotInMyName protests are a series of protests happening today in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, Trivandrum, Chandigarh, Allahabad, Kochi and Jaipur against the targeted lynching of Muslims in India. Apart from cities in India, cities such as London and Toronto are also organising the protests. There have been fourteen lynching incidents in India since 2015 and the incident which sparked off the movement took place on June 23 when 16-year-old Junaid Khan was returning with his companions on a train after completing their Eid shopping. Junaid and his companions were suspected of carrying beef, they were accused of looking different and as things escalated, he was stabbed to death by a mob on a train in Ballabhgarh, Haryana. The incident sparked off a social media outcry against lawlessness and it was only when Saba Dewan, a Gurgaon based film-maker, posted a cry for protests in Facebook that the #NotInMyName movement got traction. The June 24 post read, Shouldn't there be protests against the lynching especially after the murder yesterday in Delhi NCR by a mob of a 16 year old Muslim boy? If not now then when? Why wait for political formations to organize a demonstration? Why can't all of us as citizens repulsed by the violence get together in protest at the earliest next week at Jantar Mantar under the banner - Not in my Name. The event page of the Delhi-chapter of the #NotInMyName protest reads, These attacks on Muslims are part of a pattern of other incidents that involve Dalits, Adivasis, and other disadvantaged and minority groups across the country. Through all these heinous crimes the Government has maintained a brazen silence, a gesture that is being read as the acquiescence of Indians. The movement organisers has asked citizens joining in to carry banners with the slogan - Not In My Name. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: In a bizarre incident, a 65-year-old French woman was allegedly raped Wednesday night at a resort in Madhopur village in the Rohaniya area of Varanasi. The accused, a watchman at the resort, is at large. The woman had been staying in the resort near thye Shooltankehswar ghat along the Ganga for the last 11 months. She was associated with an NGO working for differently abled people and was also involved in raising awareness about the importance of education among rural women. According to sources, the victim has said that Omprakash, the guard at the resort, barged into her room in an inebriated condition on Wednesday at night and beat her up, leaving her bruised. He snatched her mobile phone and later allegedly raped her. The woman lodged an FIR with the Rohaniya police on Thursday. Rohaniya SO Kshitij Triapthi said Omprakash was booked under Sections 376 and 394 of IPC, and a manhunt has been launched to nab him. As per police sources, by the time the cops reached the spot, the perpetrator had fled the scene. The victim was sent to the divisional hospital for a medical examination and treatment and she was stated to be stable on Thursday. Meanwhile, Varanasi district magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and senior superintendent of police Nitin Tiwari also paid a visit to the victim in hospital. She had been kept in a special ward. SP (rural) Amit Kumar visited the crime scene along with a forensic team. LUCKNOW: In a bizarre incident, a 65-year-old French woman was allegedly raped Wednesday night at a resort in Madhopur village in the Rohaniya area of Varanasi. The accused, a watchman at the resort, is at large. The woman had been staying in the resort near thye Shooltankehswar ghat along the Ganga for the last 11 months. She was associated with an NGO working for differently abled people and was also involved in raising awareness about the importance of education among rural women. According to sources, the victim has said that Omprakash, the guard at the resort, barged into her room in an inebriated condition on Wednesday at night and beat her up, leaving her bruised. He snatched her mobile phone and later allegedly raped her. The woman lodged an FIR with the Rohaniya police on Thursday. Rohaniya SO Kshitij Triapthi said Omprakash was booked under Sections 376 and 394 of IPC, and a manhunt has been launched to nab him. As per police sources, by the time the cops reached the spot, the perpetrator had fled the scene. The victim was sent to the divisional hospital for a medical examination and treatment and she was stated to be stable on Thursday. Meanwhile, Varanasi district magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and senior superintendent of police Nitin Tiwari also paid a visit to the victim in hospital. She had been kept in a special ward. SP (rural) Amit Kumar visited the crime scene along with a forensic team. By AFP WASHINGTON: The next US election is still more than 1,200 days away, but Donald Trump is already drumming up cash to pay for his campaign -- and chose the Trump International Hotel, two steps from the White House, as a fundraising venue. On Wednesday, the 45th president of the United States took part in a dinner benefiting the Republican Party and his own re-election bid, with a seat at the table reportedly starting at $35,000 -- and rising to $100,000 for super donors. The White House is upfront about the president's intention to seek a second term. "Of course he is running for re-election," Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Wednesday when quizzed on the topic. "But right now, he is focused on his agenda, focused on the midterms, and raising money for the party," she said. "I don't think that's abnormal for any president." The US leader himself has often referred to his plans for the eight years to come. While the phenomenon leaves many uncomfortable, it has long been part of American political life for the president to contribute star power to fundraising events -- be it for his party or his own cause. But in the case of the business mogul-turned-president Trump, things are a bit more complicated: the rich donors come to hear to him speak Wednesday night were contributing not only to his future campaign, but to his real estate empire as well. Protest Some 200 Democratic lawmakers recently sued the president, arguing that he is violating the Constitution by accepting foreign payments through his empire of hotels, golf courses and other properties. A separate suit filed by the attorneys general of Maryland and the US capital claims the Trump International Hotel, which opened a few weeks before the November election, enjoys an unfair advantage over rival venues due to its links to the presidency. Both lawsuits are underpinned by the notion that Trump is embroiled in a permanent conflict of interest, having failed to put sufficient distance between himself and his business empire: while the billionaire has entrusted his sons with day-to-day management of the Trump Organization, he retains his full stake. The plaintiffs note, for instance, that foreign delegations regularly opt to stay at Trump's hotel when in Washington, that foreign governments have chosen to buy or rent property built by the Trump Organization, or that Chinese authorities have registered Trump-owned trademarks. The location of Trump's luxury hotel, in a renovated former post office building, is a symbol in itself -- on Pennsylvania Avenue, which links the White House to the Capitol, the seat of legislative power. Several non-governmental organizations rallied about 100 protestors in front of the hotel, who shouted chants of "Shame!" ahead of the event. "It's sheer commercialization," said 61-year-old Sean Capozzi, of the fact that the dinner was being held at Trump hotel. Delvone Michael -- a senior political strategist for the Working Families Party, which helped organize the event -- echoed those sentiments, saying "it's certainly a conflict of interest that the president is driving business through his own hotel." "This kind of signifies what's wrong with the country," the 44-year-old said. WASHINGTON: The next US election is still more than 1,200 days away, but Donald Trump is already drumming up cash to pay for his campaign -- and chose the Trump International Hotel, two steps from the White House, as a fundraising venue. On Wednesday, the 45th president of the United States took part in a dinner benefiting the Republican Party and his own re-election bid, with a seat at the table reportedly starting at $35,000 -- and rising to $100,000 for super donors. The White House is upfront about the president's intention to seek a second term. "Of course he is running for re-election," Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Wednesday when quizzed on the topic. "But right now, he is focused on his agenda, focused on the midterms, and raising money for the party," she said. "I don't think that's abnormal for any president." The US leader himself has often referred to his plans for the eight years to come. While the phenomenon leaves many uncomfortable, it has long been part of American political life for the president to contribute star power to fundraising events -- be it for his party or his own cause. But in the case of the business mogul-turned-president Trump, things are a bit more complicated: the rich donors come to hear to him speak Wednesday night were contributing not only to his future campaign, but to his real estate empire as well. Protest Some 200 Democratic lawmakers recently sued the president, arguing that he is violating the Constitution by accepting foreign payments through his empire of hotels, golf courses and other properties. A separate suit filed by the attorneys general of Maryland and the US capital claims the Trump International Hotel, which opened a few weeks before the November election, enjoys an unfair advantage over rival venues due to its links to the presidency. Both lawsuits are underpinned by the notion that Trump is embroiled in a permanent conflict of interest, having failed to put sufficient distance between himself and his business empire: while the billionaire has entrusted his sons with day-to-day management of the Trump Organization, he retains his full stake. The plaintiffs note, for instance, that foreign delegations regularly opt to stay at Trump's hotel when in Washington, that foreign governments have chosen to buy or rent property built by the Trump Organization, or that Chinese authorities have registered Trump-owned trademarks. The location of Trump's luxury hotel, in a renovated former post office building, is a symbol in itself -- on Pennsylvania Avenue, which links the White House to the Capitol, the seat of legislative power. Several non-governmental organizations rallied about 100 protestors in front of the hotel, who shouted chants of "Shame!" ahead of the event. "It's sheer commercialization," said 61-year-old Sean Capozzi, of the fact that the dinner was being held at Trump hotel. Delvone Michael -- a senior political strategist for the Working Families Party, which helped organize the event -- echoed those sentiments, saying "it's certainly a conflict of interest that the president is driving business through his own hotel." "This kind of signifies what's wrong with the country," the 44-year-old said. By ANI KOLKATA: Amidst the ongoing protests in the hills, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday categorically stated that Darjeeling is and will remain an inseparable part of West Bengal and if the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has any other demand that can be discussed, then they are welcomed to come forward. Speaking to ANI, TMC leader Sougata Roy said, It seems that the GJM is pretty much desperate, but just a few days of agitation will not change the course of history. Darjeeling is and will remain an inseparable part of West Bengal. Any other demand can be discussed, provided violence is withdrawn. The State Government does have a responsibility to maintain law and order which it is trying its best to do. Now it is for the GJM to decide which road they want to take - a mindless agitation or a negotiated settlement. Yesterday, the Public Works Department (PWD) office of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was set ablaze by the GJM. They had also burnt copies of the tripartite GTA accord at several places in Darjeeling. The landmark GTA accord was signed on July 18, 2011 between the Centre, the Bengal Government and the GJM, paving the way for a semi-autonomous body to rule the hills. The burning of the accord symbolises total rejection of the agreement into the struggle for statehood. The GJM took out a 'Tubelight' rally in Darjeeling. Thousands of morcha supporters came down on the streets to take part in the agitation. KOLKATA: Amidst the ongoing protests in the hills, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday categorically stated that Darjeeling is and will remain an inseparable part of West Bengal and if the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has any other demand that can be discussed, then they are welcomed to come forward. Speaking to ANI, TMC leader Sougata Roy said, It seems that the GJM is pretty much desperate, but just a few days of agitation will not change the course of history. Darjeeling is and will remain an inseparable part of West Bengal. Any other demand can be discussed, provided violence is withdrawn. The State Government does have a responsibility to maintain law and order which it is trying its best to do. Now it is for the GJM to decide which road they want to take - a mindless agitation or a negotiated settlement. Yesterday, the Public Works Department (PWD) office of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was set ablaze by the GJM. They had also burnt copies of the tripartite GTA accord at several places in Darjeeling. The landmark GTA accord was signed on July 18, 2011 between the Centre, the Bengal Government and the GJM, paving the way for a semi-autonomous body to rule the hills. The burning of the accord symbolises total rejection of the agreement into the struggle for statehood. The GJM took out a 'Tubelight' rally in Darjeeling. Thousands of morcha supporters came down on the streets to take part in the agitation. By PTI BALLABGARH: The brother of the teenaged Muslim youth, who was stabbed to death on-board a Mathura-bound train, today said the family has identified the four accused. Junaid (17) was stabbed when he along with his brothers was returning home to Khandawli village in Ballabgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi on Thursday. His brothers -Hashim and Sakir -who were also travelling in the train with him were injured by a mob which also allegedly hurled slurs against them. "We identified these four arrested accused when they were paraded before us. They were involved in beating and jostling with us (Junaid and his brothers on the train)," 20-year-old Hashim told reporters in his village in Ballabgarh. A 50-year-old Delhi government employee was among four persons arrested yesterday in connection with the killing of a Muslim youth. With the four arrests made yesterday, the number of those held in the case has climbed to five, according to Government Railway Police, Faridabad, SP, Kamaldeep Goel, However, the "prime accused" was still at large, he said. The four arrested accused belong to areas close to Hodal near Palwal in Faridabad and are believed to be regular commuters, police officials said. Junaid's brothers had told reporters earlier that the attackers taunted and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". BALLABGARH: The brother of the teenaged Muslim youth, who was stabbed to death on-board a Mathura-bound train, today said the family has identified the four accused. Junaid (17) was stabbed when he along with his brothers was returning home to Khandawli village in Ballabgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi on Thursday. His brothers -Hashim and Sakir -who were also travelling in the train with him were injured by a mob which also allegedly hurled slurs against them. "We identified these four arrested accused when they were paraded before us. They were involved in beating and jostling with us (Junaid and his brothers on the train)," 20-year-old Hashim told reporters in his village in Ballabgarh. A 50-year-old Delhi government employee was among four persons arrested yesterday in connection with the killing of a Muslim youth. With the four arrests made yesterday, the number of those held in the case has climbed to five, according to Government Railway Police, Faridabad, SP, Kamaldeep Goel, However, the "prime accused" was still at large, he said. The four arrested accused belong to areas close to Hodal near Palwal in Faridabad and are believed to be regular commuters, police officials said. Junaid's brothers had told reporters earlier that the attackers taunted and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". By PTI RABAT: Nearly 80 police officers were injured in two days of clashes with protesters in Morocco's restive Rif region, an official said today, although the number of demonstrators hurt was unknown. Around 50 members of the security forces were hurt on Monday in the northern city of Al-Hoceima, most of them struck by stones, a high-ranking interior ministry official told AFP. Yesterday, 29 police officers were injured during new clashes in the neighbouring town of Imzouren, the same source said, adding that they were all later released from hospital. The Rif region has been rocked by unrest since a fishmonger was crushed to death in a rubbish truck in October as he tried to retrieve swordfish confiscated for being caught out of season. In the eight months since then, demands for justice and anger over the region's perceived marginalisation snowballed into a grassroots movement centred on Al-Hoceima. Clashes broke out in Al-Hoceima again on Monday, with activists saying police had blocked access to the city and violently dispersed any attempts to demonstrate. Videos shared on social media showed the police dispersing the protesters using truncheons, leaving some of them bloodied and apparently unconscious on the ground. Authorities later denounced "groups of individuals, including some in hooded sweaters, who provoked and stoned the police." Khadija Ryadi of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) said about 150 people were arrested during the violence, based on her group's sources. "Forty were still detained this morning, many of them from neighbouring communities who were arrested when they came to demonstrate," said Ryadi. "Residents no longer gather in a single neighbourhood to demonstrate," she said. "They now protest in several neighbourhoods at the same time, and the police intervene immediately, sometimes using tear gas despite the presence of women and children." The situation was calm yesterday in Al-Hoceima, where protesters marched through streets banging pots. Security forces have arrested more than 100 people including protest leader Nasser Zefzafi, who heads the Al- Hirak al-Shaabi, or "Popular Movement", demanding jobs, development and an end to corruption. The Rif has long had a tense relationship with central authorities in Rabat, and it was at the heart of the Arab Spring-inspired protests in Morocco in February 2011. The government has responded to the unrest by relaunching a 2015 programme to improve the region's infrastructure, health facilities and education services by 2019. Protesters have still been taking to the streets, however, and are demanding the release of the Hirak activists. RABAT: Nearly 80 police officers were injured in two days of clashes with protesters in Morocco's restive Rif region, an official said today, although the number of demonstrators hurt was unknown. Around 50 members of the security forces were hurt on Monday in the northern city of Al-Hoceima, most of them struck by stones, a high-ranking interior ministry official told AFP. Yesterday, 29 police officers were injured during new clashes in the neighbouring town of Imzouren, the same source said, adding that they were all later released from hospital. The Rif region has been rocked by unrest since a fishmonger was crushed to death in a rubbish truck in October as he tried to retrieve swordfish confiscated for being caught out of season. In the eight months since then, demands for justice and anger over the region's perceived marginalisation snowballed into a grassroots movement centred on Al-Hoceima. Clashes broke out in Al-Hoceima again on Monday, with activists saying police had blocked access to the city and violently dispersed any attempts to demonstrate. Videos shared on social media showed the police dispersing the protesters using truncheons, leaving some of them bloodied and apparently unconscious on the ground. Authorities later denounced "groups of individuals, including some in hooded sweaters, who provoked and stoned the police." Khadija Ryadi of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) said about 150 people were arrested during the violence, based on her group's sources. "Forty were still detained this morning, many of them from neighbouring communities who were arrested when they came to demonstrate," said Ryadi. "Residents no longer gather in a single neighbourhood to demonstrate," she said. "They now protest in several neighbourhoods at the same time, and the police intervene immediately, sometimes using tear gas despite the presence of women and children." The situation was calm yesterday in Al-Hoceima, where protesters marched through streets banging pots. Security forces have arrested more than 100 people including protest leader Nasser Zefzafi, who heads the Al- Hirak al-Shaabi, or "Popular Movement", demanding jobs, development and an end to corruption. The Rif has long had a tense relationship with central authorities in Rabat, and it was at the heart of the Arab Spring-inspired protests in Morocco in February 2011. The government has responded to the unrest by relaunching a 2015 programme to improve the region's infrastructure, health facilities and education services by 2019. Protesters have still been taking to the streets, however, and are demanding the release of the Hirak activists. By PTI NEW DELHI: Amid reports of alleged lynching attacks targeting minorities, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said there was no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the community. Suspecting the role of some "hostile forces" behind such incidents, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs said such "tactics" will not be allowed to succeed. He, however, stressed that the incidents cannot be justified and pitched for tough action against the perpetrators. Naqvi reiterated the Modi government's commitment for inclusive growth and creating an atmosphere of trust among the communities. He said safety of every section of the society was "equally important for" for the Centre. "I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," Naqvi said after attending the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council here. On asked which forces were behind such incidents, Naqvi did not name any. He, however, added that be it political organisations or individuals, the state governments (given law and order is a state subject) concerned were taking "immediate and effective" action against the people involved. "The governments of Rajasthan, Haryana and Jharkhand have without wasting any time taken action against such people. I myself had spoken to the chief ministers and officials of these states," he said. Speaking during the meeting, the Union minister said his ministry had been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of all the notified minorities -- Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain -- effectively as a "mission and commitment". The minister said the measures the Centre had taken during the last three years of its rule were a reflection of its "empowerment without appeasement" policy, which he added, has created an "atmosphere of development and trust". Naqvi said his ministry had been successful in enabling the poor, backward and weaker sections of the minorities to get their share of mainstream development through "3Es: education, employment and empowerment." He also listed a range of schemes the government had been implementing for the welfare of the minorities. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Junaid Khan was stabbed to death onboard a train between Delhi and Mathura. The group of attackers had allegedly hurled communal slurs and attacked the victim after an altercation over seats. A few days ago, over a 100-strong mob attacked a Muslim man on the suspicion of slaughtering a cow after finding the carcass of a bovine near his house in Giridih district of Jharkhand. In April, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was killed allegedly by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar while he was transporting cows for his small dairy farm. NEW DELHI: Amid reports of alleged lynching attacks targeting minorities, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said there was no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the community. Suspecting the role of some "hostile forces" behind such incidents, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs said such "tactics" will not be allowed to succeed. He, however, stressed that the incidents cannot be justified and pitched for tough action against the perpetrators. Naqvi reiterated the Modi government's commitment for inclusive growth and creating an atmosphere of trust among the communities. He said safety of every section of the society was "equally important for" for the Centre. "I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," Naqvi said after attending the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council here. On asked which forces were behind such incidents, Naqvi did not name any. He, however, added that be it political organisations or individuals, the state governments (given law and order is a state subject) concerned were taking "immediate and effective" action against the people involved. "The governments of Rajasthan, Haryana and Jharkhand have without wasting any time taken action against such people. I myself had spoken to the chief ministers and officials of these states," he said. Speaking during the meeting, the Union minister said his ministry had been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of all the notified minorities -- Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain -- effectively as a "mission and commitment". The minister said the measures the Centre had taken during the last three years of its rule were a reflection of its "empowerment without appeasement" policy, which he added, has created an "atmosphere of development and trust". Naqvi said his ministry had been successful in enabling the poor, backward and weaker sections of the minorities to get their share of mainstream development through "3Es: education, employment and empowerment." He also listed a range of schemes the government had been implementing for the welfare of the minorities. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Junaid Khan was stabbed to death onboard a train between Delhi and Mathura. The group of attackers had allegedly hurled communal slurs and attacked the victim after an altercation over seats. A few days ago, over a 100-strong mob attacked a Muslim man on the suspicion of slaughtering a cow after finding the carcass of a bovine near his house in Giridih district of Jharkhand. In April, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was killed allegedly by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar while he was transporting cows for his small dairy farm. By ANI JAMMU: Two soldiers killed after Pakistan violated ceasefire in Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident took place around 2:20 PM in the afternoon. Details of the brave hearts yet to be confirmed. Three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed by security forces near Budgam district of the state last night. Based on inputs of presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was launched by troops of Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Radbug village of Budgam. Col. Ashok P. Achuthan of Rashtriya Rifles on Wednesday stated that they gave the terrorists chances to surrender, but they refused and retaliated with heavy gun fire. Speaking to reporters here, Col. Achuthan said, "Based on inputs of presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was undertaken by 2nd battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in Radbug village of Budgam. We gave them chances to surrender, but they refused and retaliated with heavy gun fire." "In the ensuing gun fight, the internal areas of the house caught fire and finally the terrorist were force to come out firing. In that attempt, all the three terrorists were eliminated. They are identified as Javed Sheikh, Adil of Budgam and Sajjad of Srinagar. In the search that continued, we have managed to recover one Self Loading Rifle (SLR) and a pistol," he added. The joint operation was launched at around 6:30 p.m. yesterday and at about 8.30 p.m. contact was established with terrorists. The security forces also recovered arms and ammunition and war like stores. This came a day after militants attacked a bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. At least seven people were killed and more than 15 were injured in the attack. JAMMU: Two soldiers killed after Pakistan violated ceasefire in Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident took place around 2:20 PM in the afternoon. Details of the brave hearts yet to be confirmed. Three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed by security forces near Budgam district of the state last night. Based on inputs of presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was launched by troops of Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Radbug village of Budgam. Col. Ashok P. Achuthan of Rashtriya Rifles on Wednesday stated that they gave the terrorists chances to surrender, but they refused and retaliated with heavy gun fire. Speaking to reporters here, Col. Achuthan said, "Based on inputs of presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was undertaken by 2nd battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in Radbug village of Budgam. We gave them chances to surrender, but they refused and retaliated with heavy gun fire." "In the ensuing gun fight, the internal areas of the house caught fire and finally the terrorist were force to come out firing. In that attempt, all the three terrorists were eliminated. They are identified as Javed Sheikh, Adil of Budgam and Sajjad of Srinagar. In the search that continued, we have managed to recover one Self Loading Rifle (SLR) and a pistol," he added. The joint operation was launched at around 6:30 p.m. yesterday and at about 8.30 p.m. contact was established with terrorists. The security forces also recovered arms and ammunition and war like stores. This came a day after militants attacked a bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. At least seven people were killed and more than 15 were injured in the attack. By Express News Service VISAKHAPATNAM: Three more cases of cutaneous anthrax cases were reported from the Kodupunjuvalasa village of Araku Valley in Vizag agency on Wednesday. Already five persons from the village were tested positive for cutaneous anthrax and are undergoing treatment in the dermatology department of King George Hospital (KGH) here. A group of villagers developed skin infections three weeks after they had the meat of a goat infected with anthrax. The three patients were shifted to the KGH for treatment. District medical and health officer (DMHO) Uma Sundari, along with a team from the department of dermatology of KGH, conducted a door-door survey on the disease and the living conditions of the tribals in the last few weeks. We have taken RTPCR test samples of the patients reportedly affected by anthrax and sent them to the DRDE Laboratory in Gwalior. A team from Gwalior will be visiting the agency area soon, said Uma Sundari. Meanwhile, the authorities are planning a vaccination drive for animals in Kodupunjuvalasa. Anthrax was reported in Hukumpeta mandal last year and animals in that area are being administered vaccines which will continue for 5 years. Now similar step will be taken for Kodupunjuvalasa too, DM&HO said. VISAKHAPATNAM: Three more cases of cutaneous anthrax cases were reported from the Kodupunjuvalasa village of Araku Valley in Vizag agency on Wednesday. Already five persons from the village were tested positive for cutaneous anthrax and are undergoing treatment in the dermatology department of King George Hospital (KGH) here. A group of villagers developed skin infections three weeks after they had the meat of a goat infected with anthrax. The three patients were shifted to the KGH for treatment. District medical and health officer (DMHO) Uma Sundari, along with a team from the department of dermatology of KGH, conducted a door-door survey on the disease and the living conditions of the tribals in the last few weeks. We have taken RTPCR test samples of the patients reportedly affected by anthrax and sent them to the DRDE Laboratory in Gwalior. A team from Gwalior will be visiting the agency area soon, said Uma Sundari. Meanwhile, the authorities are planning a vaccination drive for animals in Kodupunjuvalasa. Anthrax was reported in Hukumpeta mandal last year and animals in that area are being administered vaccines which will continue for 5 years. Now similar step will be taken for Kodupunjuvalasa too, DM&HO said. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Non-resident Odias living in and around Columbus city in Ohio State of the US celebrated Rath Yatra on Sunday. As part of the tradition, the deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were taken out of the temple in ceremonial procession after Nrusingha Yajna was performed. The Trinity was later placed in a chariot which was pulled up to Mausima temple after Tusar Das conducted ceremonial sweeping. Known as Puri Rath Yatra, the event was attended by more than 1,000 Indian devotees, who are settled at Columbus. Several devotees, including famous Odissi dancers Sriradha Paul and Madhulita Mohapatra, performed on the occasion. Started in 2009, the Rath Yatra at Columbus has been appreciated by other community members for developing harmony and brotherhood. As many as 2,500 devotees are expected to attend Bahuda Yatra, which is scheduled to be held on Sunday. So far, 27 Jagannath temples have been constructed in the US where Rath Yatra is being celebrated with much pomp and gaiety every year. BHUBANESWAR: Non-resident Odias living in and around Columbus city in Ohio State of the US celebrated Rath Yatra on Sunday. As part of the tradition, the deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were taken out of the temple in ceremonial procession after Nrusingha Yajna was performed. The Trinity was later placed in a chariot which was pulled up to Mausima temple after Tusar Das conducted ceremonial sweeping. Known as Puri Rath Yatra, the event was attended by more than 1,000 Indian devotees, who are settled at Columbus. Several devotees, including famous Odissi dancers Sriradha Paul and Madhulita Mohapatra, performed on the occasion. Started in 2009, the Rath Yatra at Columbus has been appreciated by other community members for developing harmony and brotherhood. As many as 2,500 devotees are expected to attend Bahuda Yatra, which is scheduled to be held on Sunday. So far, 27 Jagannath temples have been constructed in the US where Rath Yatra is being celebrated with much pomp and gaiety every year. By Express News Service RAYAGADA:Members of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti (NSS) on Wednesday lodged an FIR with Muniguda police alleging that Bari Pidikaka, a Dongria Kondh of Niyamgiri hills and an undertrial prisoner (UTP) who recently died in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack was killed by the administration. Stating that the death was not natural, the members alleged that Bari was killed as he was an active member of NSS and fighting for Niyamgiri hills. In their complaint, they said Baris family members were not informed about his illness and subsequent treatment in the hospital. The family members were informed just after his death, the NSS said. According to police sources, Bari of Tahali village was arrested by Muniguda police last year on charges of raping a minor Dongria girl. One Mali Pushika, a relative of the minor girl, had lodged an FIR against Bari. Mali was getting regular threats from Naxals to withdraw the compliant against Bari. When Mali did not heed the threats, he was brutally killed by the rebels on March 21 this year. NSS members Dadhi Pusika, Lingaraj Azad, Ganesh Jakesika and others have sought a probe into the death of Bari. RAYAGADA:Members of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti (NSS) on Wednesday lodged an FIR with Muniguda police alleging that Bari Pidikaka, a Dongria Kondh of Niyamgiri hills and an undertrial prisoner (UTP) who recently died in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack was killed by the administration. Stating that the death was not natural, the members alleged that Bari was killed as he was an active member of NSS and fighting for Niyamgiri hills. In their complaint, they said Baris family members were not informed about his illness and subsequent treatment in the hospital. The family members were informed just after his death, the NSS said. According to police sources, Bari of Tahali village was arrested by Muniguda police last year on charges of raping a minor Dongria girl. One Mali Pushika, a relative of the minor girl, had lodged an FIR against Bari. Mali was getting regular threats from Naxals to withdraw the compliant against Bari. When Mali did not heed the threats, he was brutally killed by the rebels on March 21 this year. NSS members Dadhi Pusika, Lingaraj Azad, Ganesh Jakesika and others have sought a probe into the death of Bari. Debjani Dutta By Express News Service PUDUCHERRY: The stage is set for a fresh round of confrontation between Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy. Bedi has stoked a new controversy not only by jumping the gun in recommending a list of names to the Union Home Ministry for nominated MLA posts, but also by meddling with the practice of the CM sending such a list to the ministry through the L-G. The Constitution empowers the central government to nominate three members, who are not in government service, to the legislative assembly. The home ministry appoints them based on the CMs recommendation. Sources confided that the names of BJP state president R Saminathan and a few other party functionaries, including a woman, were present in the list sent by Bedi. The list was okayed by BJP president Amit Shah. Narayanasamys recent Delhi visit, according to sources, was to get a green light from the Congress leadership on the names picked for the nominated posts. But he was in for a shock when he came to know about Bedis move. In an attempt to assert his rights, Narayanaswamy has submitted a list of names of prominent Congressmen directly to the Home Ministry. The NDA camp has claimed that the CMs recommendation was not a mandatory provision and it was the Centre that holds the discretionary powers to appoint nominated MLAs. Giving credence to their claim, they said when the Congress was in power in the UT and the BJP at the Centre in 1999-2000, a list of three names was sent to the Home Ministry by the then L-G Rajani Rai on his own, cutting short the practice of forwarding the recommendation of the then CM P Shanmugham. PUDUCHERRY: The stage is set for a fresh round of confrontation between Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy. Bedi has stoked a new controversy not only by jumping the gun in recommending a list of names to the Union Home Ministry for nominated MLA posts, but also by meddling with the practice of the CM sending such a list to the ministry through the L-G. The Constitution empowers the central government to nominate three members, who are not in government service, to the legislative assembly. The home ministry appoints them based on the CMs recommendation. Sources confided that the names of BJP state president R Saminathan and a few other party functionaries, including a woman, were present in the list sent by Bedi. The list was okayed by BJP president Amit Shah. Narayanasamys recent Delhi visit, according to sources, was to get a green light from the Congress leadership on the names picked for the nominated posts. But he was in for a shock when he came to know about Bedis move. In an attempt to assert his rights, Narayanaswamy has submitted a list of names of prominent Congressmen directly to the Home Ministry. The NDA camp has claimed that the CMs recommendation was not a mandatory provision and it was the Centre that holds the discretionary powers to appoint nominated MLAs. Giving credence to their claim, they said when the Congress was in power in the UT and the BJP at the Centre in 1999-2000, a list of three names was sent to the Home Ministry by the then L-G Rajani Rai on his own, cutting short the practice of forwarding the recommendation of the then CM P Shanmugham. By PTI WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump today promised to lift various restrictions on energy production activities in order to usher in a "golden age of American energy dominance". Addressing the energy industry heads as well as state and Native American leaders at a White House roundtable, Trump underlined the need to end restrictions on drilling, mining and other energy production activities for America's growth. "Im confident that, working together, we can usher in a golden age of American energy dominance and the extraordinary financial and security benefits that it brings to our citizens, not only the Native Americans, but all over the country," Trump told the reporters before the meeting. During his meeting with a group of energy leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Trump told them that the US was becoming more and more energy-dominant. However, the president said, there remained, a good deal of energy reserves that were yet untapped. "Todays conversation is a chance for these state, local, and tribal leaders to discuss how we can cooperate and support them even more in unleashing these domestic energy reserves," Trump said. "Theyre tremendous reserves that we never appreciated, we never understood, but now we understand them very well," he said. Trump also used the occasion to justify his administration's decision to walk-out from the Paris climate deal, saying it impaired America's aim of energy dominance. "I dont want to be energy free, we want to be energy dominant in terms of the world," Trump said. "From my first day in office, weve taken swift action to lift the crushing restrictions on American energy," he said, adding that it had generated employed for the Americans. WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump today promised to lift various restrictions on energy production activities in order to usher in a "golden age of American energy dominance". Addressing the energy industry heads as well as state and Native American leaders at a White House roundtable, Trump underlined the need to end restrictions on drilling, mining and other energy production activities for America's growth. "Im confident that, working together, we can usher in a golden age of American energy dominance and the extraordinary financial and security benefits that it brings to our citizens, not only the Native Americans, but all over the country," Trump told the reporters before the meeting. During his meeting with a group of energy leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Trump told them that the US was becoming more and more energy-dominant. However, the president said, there remained, a good deal of energy reserves that were yet untapped. "Todays conversation is a chance for these state, local, and tribal leaders to discuss how we can cooperate and support them even more in unleashing these domestic energy reserves," Trump said. "Theyre tremendous reserves that we never appreciated, we never understood, but now we understand them very well," he said. Trump also used the occasion to justify his administration's decision to walk-out from the Paris climate deal, saying it impaired America's aim of energy dominance. "I dont want to be energy free, we want to be energy dominant in terms of the world," Trump said. "From my first day in office, weve taken swift action to lift the crushing restrictions on American energy," he said, adding that it had generated employed for the Americans. By ANI GENEVA Chinas threat to the sovereignty of Bhutan and its unilateral action to alter the status quo on bilateral boundary issues related to the Doklam Plateau has been strongly criticized by human rights activists in Europe and in other parts of the world. Attempts were being made by Beijing to construct a road from Doklam (referred to by China as the Donglang Area of Yadong County in the Tibetan Autonomous Region) to an army camp in the Zomplri Area. A concerned Bhutanese government, through its embassy in New Delhi, had to hand over a strongly-worded demarche to Chinas Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui to ask Beijing to order its troops to cease construction activity immediately, withdraw from the area and refrain from changing the status quo. Objections to Beijings building activity were also raised by India and its troops, who moved into the area to urge China to restrain itself and be responsible in its behaviour. Indian troops are said to have informed their Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) counterparts that construction activity was taking place in a border area near the Chumbi Valley, where India has strategic and defence interests. This resulted in a stand-off between the forces of the two neighbours. London-based human rights activist Peter Gary Tatchell told ANI, China's actions are threatening and destabilizing. There should be no change in the status quo before a final agreement on border issues is secured. China should deescalate the tension by halting road construction and fast-tracking talks to resolve the territorial dispute. France-based activist Colette Boutard said China is playing a dirty game with Bhutan and India. China is becoming more and more intolerant of any form of different faith or philosophy and behaves like Pakistan. Moreover, this tiny very poor country (Bhutan) has difficulties in asserting its identity and has chosen to maintain its strong traditions and typical culture. It is a great achievement to have succeeded in remaining an independent country despite an attempt of invasion by China in the past, Colette said. In a consequent action, China also denied entry to hundreds of Indian pilgrims thru Sikkim's Nathu La Pass to visit the sacred Kailash Mansarover Lake in Tibet, leaving them stranded midway through their pilgrimage. This was clearly a retaliatory move against India's efforts to bring calm in the area. The route and this people-centric initiative was agreed upon during President Xi Jinping's visit to India in September 2014. There is no legitimate reason for China to block pilgrims. This looks like a petty attempt by Beijing to assert its authority. It is not conducive to peaceful co-existence and good relations between China and neighbouring countries, Tatchell said. Bhutan and China have had a long standing boundary dispute over the Doklam Plateau or the Donglang Area, and have not been able to resolve it even after 24 rounds of bilateral talks, the last one of which took place in August 2016. Though China and Bhutan dont have diplomatic relations, Thimphu maintains there are written agreements that clearly state that no change will take place and peace in the area will prevail till a resolution is achieved. China claims 89 square kilometers of the Doklam Plateau or Donglang area which overlooks the strategically-located Chumbi Valley. Control over the Doklam Plateau would allow the PLA to freely conduct military maneuvers aimed at blocking the Siliguri Corridor on the India-Bangladesh border, which would definitely worry India. China, which currently controls 764 square kilometers of Bhutan territory in the north, has reportedly told Thimphu that it is ready to give up some of its claim in this area provided the Doklam Plateau is ceded to it. Bhutan quite obviously has rejected this overture despite the bullying by its very powerful neighbour - China - which is developing a reputation of trampling over the rights of smaller states. GENEVA Chinas threat to the sovereignty of Bhutan and its unilateral action to alter the status quo on bilateral boundary issues related to the Doklam Plateau has been strongly criticized by human rights activists in Europe and in other parts of the world. Attempts were being made by Beijing to construct a road from Doklam (referred to by China as the Donglang Area of Yadong County in the Tibetan Autonomous Region) to an army camp in the Zomplri Area. A concerned Bhutanese government, through its embassy in New Delhi, had to hand over a strongly-worded demarche to Chinas Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui to ask Beijing to order its troops to cease construction activity immediately, withdraw from the area and refrain from changing the status quo. Objections to Beijings building activity were also raised by India and its troops, who moved into the area to urge China to restrain itself and be responsible in its behaviour. Indian troops are said to have informed their Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) counterparts that construction activity was taking place in a border area near the Chumbi Valley, where India has strategic and defence interests. This resulted in a stand-off between the forces of the two neighbours. London-based human rights activist Peter Gary Tatchell told ANI, China's actions are threatening and destabilizing. There should be no change in the status quo before a final agreement on border issues is secured. China should deescalate the tension by halting road construction and fast-tracking talks to resolve the territorial dispute. France-based activist Colette Boutard said China is playing a dirty game with Bhutan and India. China is becoming more and more intolerant of any form of different faith or philosophy and behaves like Pakistan. Moreover, this tiny very poor country (Bhutan) has difficulties in asserting its identity and has chosen to maintain its strong traditions and typical culture. It is a great achievement to have succeeded in remaining an independent country despite an attempt of invasion by China in the past, Colette said. In a consequent action, China also denied entry to hundreds of Indian pilgrims thru Sikkim's Nathu La Pass to visit the sacred Kailash Mansarover Lake in Tibet, leaving them stranded midway through their pilgrimage. This was clearly a retaliatory move against India's efforts to bring calm in the area. The route and this people-centric initiative was agreed upon during President Xi Jinping's visit to India in September 2014. There is no legitimate reason for China to block pilgrims. This looks like a petty attempt by Beijing to assert its authority. It is not conducive to peaceful co-existence and good relations between China and neighbouring countries, Tatchell said. Bhutan and China have had a long standing boundary dispute over the Doklam Plateau or the Donglang Area, and have not been able to resolve it even after 24 rounds of bilateral talks, the last one of which took place in August 2016. Though China and Bhutan dont have diplomatic relations, Thimphu maintains there are written agreements that clearly state that no change will take place and peace in the area will prevail till a resolution is achieved. China claims 89 square kilometers of the Doklam Plateau or Donglang area which overlooks the strategically-located Chumbi Valley. Control over the Doklam Plateau would allow the PLA to freely conduct military maneuvers aimed at blocking the Siliguri Corridor on the India-Bangladesh border, which would definitely worry India. China, which currently controls 764 square kilometers of Bhutan territory in the north, has reportedly told Thimphu that it is ready to give up some of its claim in this area provided the Doklam Plateau is ceded to it. Bhutan quite obviously has rejected this overture despite the bullying by its very powerful neighbour - China - which is developing a reputation of trampling over the rights of smaller states. By AFP BRUSSELS: NATO will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan to help train local forces facing a resurgent Taliban but will not return to a combat role, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday. The alliance ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014 when it handed over post-9/11 frontline duties to the Afghan military and took on an advice and training mission. But NATO commanders have asked for more troops following recent Taliban gains, stoking fears that NATO could get sucked back into the conflict just as it faces a host of new threats including Russia, terrorism and cyberattacks. "I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," Stoltenberg said as he arrived for a defence ministers meeting at the 29-nation alliance's headquarters in Brussels. An increase of up to 3,000 troops from the current figure of 13,500 soldiers is under consideration, diplomatic sources said, though Stoltenberg did not give a precise figure. He said 15 countries had already pledged more contributions and he hoped for more. "We have to understand this is about training, assistance, advice... It is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight," Stoltenberg said. The extra troops could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, he added. - 'The long haul' - About half of the soldiers in what is known as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan are currently from the US. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is due to brief the allies later Thursday but Stoltenberg said he did not expect him to give specific troop numbers. "We will look into how we together can... have enough troops to help the government and break the stalemate and so lay the ground for a political solution," Stoltenberg said. US President Donald Trump has pushed the Cold War-era alliance to do more to counter terror and for the allies to increase defence spending to ease the burden on Washington. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would provide just under 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. Fallon also emphasised that the troops would have no combat role and that the deployment was needed to help Afghanistan combat terrorism which threatened regions across the globe, including Europe. "We're in it for the long haul," Fallon told reporters. "There is every incentive to stay the course." Separately, a senior NATO military official played down concerns that the alliance would get embroiled once again in Afghanistan, where it took over the lead role from US forces in 2003. The real increase would number only in the hundreds to meet fresh tasks contained in a new Afghan government plan for the war, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. It only comes to thousands if current shortfalls in Resolute Support Mission numbers were included, the official said. - Terror, cyberattacks, Russia - Stung into action by Russia's intervention in Ukraine, NATO has embarked on its biggest military buildup since the end of the Cold War to face a more assertive Moscow. Defence ministers will discuss progress just as four "tripwire" battalions totalling some 4,000 troops complete their deployment in the three Baltic states and Poland. In a statement to mark the event, the four countries and the four lead nations -- Britain, Canada, Germany and the United States -- said the battlegroups were "ready and able to deter and, if necessary, immediately respond to any aggression." Stoltenberg warned on Wednesday that NATO must also step up its defences against cyberattacks after ransomware hackers caused chaos worldwide. NATO agreed last year that a cyberattack could warrant invoking Article 5 -- the alliance's 'all for one, one for all' mutual security guarantee. The global terror threat, hightlighted by the Islamic State group, also figues high on the ministers' agenda after NATO leaders agreed at a summit last month to join the US-led anti-IS coalition. BRUSSELS: NATO will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan to help train local forces facing a resurgent Taliban but will not return to a combat role, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday. The alliance ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014 when it handed over post-9/11 frontline duties to the Afghan military and took on an advice and training mission. But NATO commanders have asked for more troops following recent Taliban gains, stoking fears that NATO could get sucked back into the conflict just as it faces a host of new threats including Russia, terrorism and cyberattacks. "I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," Stoltenberg said as he arrived for a defence ministers meeting at the 29-nation alliance's headquarters in Brussels. An increase of up to 3,000 troops from the current figure of 13,500 soldiers is under consideration, diplomatic sources said, though Stoltenberg did not give a precise figure. He said 15 countries had already pledged more contributions and he hoped for more. "We have to understand this is about training, assistance, advice... It is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight," Stoltenberg said. The extra troops could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, he added. - 'The long haul' - About half of the soldiers in what is known as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan are currently from the US. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is due to brief the allies later Thursday but Stoltenberg said he did not expect him to give specific troop numbers. "We will look into how we together can... have enough troops to help the government and break the stalemate and so lay the ground for a political solution," Stoltenberg said. US President Donald Trump has pushed the Cold War-era alliance to do more to counter terror and for the allies to increase defence spending to ease the burden on Washington. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would provide just under 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. Fallon also emphasised that the troops would have no combat role and that the deployment was needed to help Afghanistan combat terrorism which threatened regions across the globe, including Europe. "We're in it for the long haul," Fallon told reporters. "There is every incentive to stay the course." Separately, a senior NATO military official played down concerns that the alliance would get embroiled once again in Afghanistan, where it took over the lead role from US forces in 2003. The real increase would number only in the hundreds to meet fresh tasks contained in a new Afghan government plan for the war, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. It only comes to thousands if current shortfalls in Resolute Support Mission numbers were included, the official said. - Terror, cyberattacks, Russia - Stung into action by Russia's intervention in Ukraine, NATO has embarked on its biggest military buildup since the end of the Cold War to face a more assertive Moscow. Defence ministers will discuss progress just as four "tripwire" battalions totalling some 4,000 troops complete their deployment in the three Baltic states and Poland. In a statement to mark the event, the four countries and the four lead nations -- Britain, Canada, Germany and the United States -- said the battlegroups were "ready and able to deter and, if necessary, immediately respond to any aggression." Stoltenberg warned on Wednesday that NATO must also step up its defences against cyberattacks after ransomware hackers caused chaos worldwide. NATO agreed last year that a cyberattack could warrant invoking Article 5 -- the alliance's 'all for one, one for all' mutual security guarantee. The global terror threat, hightlighted by the Islamic State group, also figues high on the ministers' agenda after NATO leaders agreed at a summit last month to join the US-led anti-IS coalition. By AFP DOHA: A top Qatari human rights group said Wednesday it will employ Swisslawyers to seek compensation for those impacted by the decision of Gulfcountries to cut ties with the emirate. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, chairman of Qatar's National Human Rights Commission, said his group would take action against Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which cut ties with Qatar this month. "We'll be coordinating to start legal action with those affected by these sanctions," Marri told a news conference. "The three countries are responsible to compensate those affected," he said, adding many Qataris qualified for compensation. "Some cases will be filed in courts in those three countries and in some courts that have international jurisdictions, like in Europe, related to compensation." Marri refused to say which Swiss firm would be employed, but said a statement would be released in the near future. On June 5, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain announced the suspension of political, economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the emirate of support for extremist groups -- a claim Doha denies. The four states closed their airspace to Qatari carriers and blocked the emirate's only land border, a vital route for its food imports. They also ordered all Qataris to leave and their own nationals to return home. Many Qataris own properties and businesses in these countries. One senior official said recently that most Qataris own "two or three properties and a villa" in Saudi alone. Thousands of families are also affected as parents are drawn from Qatar and one of the countries opposed to Doha, and will have property in both. The Gulf crisis, the worst to hit the region in years, shows no sign of abating. Last week, Riyadh laid down a list of 13 demands for Qatar to meet by July 3, including ending support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the closure of Al-Jazeera television, a downgrade of diplomatic ties with Iran and the shutdown of a Turkish military base in the emirate. The United Arab Emirates has told Qatar it should take the demands seriously or face a "divorce" from its Gulf neighbours. Qatar said it rejects all foreign interference in its policies. DOHA: A top Qatari human rights group said Wednesday it will employ Swisslawyers to seek compensation for those impacted by the decision of Gulfcountries to cut ties with the emirate. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, chairman of Qatar's National Human Rights Commission, said his group would take action against Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which cut ties with Qatar this month. "We'll be coordinating to start legal action with those affected by these sanctions," Marri told a news conference. "The three countries are responsible to compensate those affected," he said, adding many Qataris qualified for compensation. "Some cases will be filed in courts in those three countries and in some courts that have international jurisdictions, like in Europe, related to compensation." Marri refused to say which Swiss firm would be employed, but said a statement would be released in the near future. On June 5, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain announced the suspension of political, economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the emirate of support for extremist groups -- a claim Doha denies. The four states closed their airspace to Qatari carriers and blocked the emirate's only land border, a vital route for its food imports. They also ordered all Qataris to leave and their own nationals to return home. Many Qataris own properties and businesses in these countries. One senior official said recently that most Qataris own "two or three properties and a villa" in Saudi alone. Thousands of families are also affected as parents are drawn from Qatar and one of the countries opposed to Doha, and will have property in both. The Gulf crisis, the worst to hit the region in years, shows no sign of abating. Last week, Riyadh laid down a list of 13 demands for Qatar to meet by July 3, including ending support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the closure of Al-Jazeera television, a downgrade of diplomatic ties with Iran and the shutdown of a Turkish military base in the emirate. The United Arab Emirates has told Qatar it should take the demands seriously or face a "divorce" from its Gulf neighbours. Qatar said it rejects all foreign interference in its policies. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service China on Wednesday dialed up the temperature on the border, destroying an Indian army bunker along the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction, and issuing dire warnings through its State-run media. It also announced that whether or not the small batch of pilgrims headed for the annual Mansarovar yatra through Nathu La in Sikkim would be allowed depended on whether India corrects its errors. Nathu La was opened in 2015. Pilgrims taking the older route through Uttarakhand have not been stopped so far. The confrontation began more than 12 days ago over a road building project in an area that is claimed by both Bhutan and China. Scuffles between Indian and Chinese soldiers have been reported. On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that, Recently, the Indian border guards in the Sino-Indian border Sikkim section crossed the border into the territory of China, obstructed the Chinese border troops in the Donglong area from conducting normal activities. Faced with such aggressive posturing, what should India do? India should stand on its stance over the alignment of the International border, says General (retd) JS Bajwa, the editor of Indian Defence Review. Sikkim signed a treaty with Tibet in the last decade of the 19th century, and by 1903 it was in place The dispute is that as per the Indians, the western trijunction of Sikkim, Bhutan and China, rather Tibet, is at a place called Dokala. But the Chinese say it is further down south. Without upping the ante, we should calmly reiterate that this should be resolved through a diplomatic discussion, and China should not upset the status quo. Dismissing the chances of an escalation, Bajwa says: No firing going to be taking place, it is limited to just some jostling or pushing around. We just need to stick to our stand. Former Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha agrees. There are bilateral differences on the interpretation of the watershed boundary in this sector. It is disturbing that China has expanded the differences by suspending Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Mounting tension... China termed the road construction in Sikkim sector as legitimate, asserting that it was being built on their territory China also warned India that future visits of its pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through Nathu La pass will depend on whether it will correct its errors Taking a dig at India, Chinese Foreign Ministry said Bhutan is a universally recognised sovereign country and no third party should interfere On the backdrop of India-US meet, China defended Pakistan, saying Islamabad was at frontlines of fight against terrorism The confrontation between the Chinese and Indian sides began over 12 days ago over a road project in an area claimed by both Bhutan and China. On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry had said, China has taken corresponding measures (on alleged trespassing by Indian troops in its territory). At the same time, for security reasons, the Chinese side had to suspend the arrangement of the Indian official pilgrimage group through at Nathu La pass. China avoids making an issue of border disputes, which has indulged Indias unruly provocations. This time the Indian side needs to be taught the rules, threatened an editorial in the Global Times. India cannot afford a showdown with China on border issues. It lags far behind China in terms of national strength and the so-called strategic support for it from the US is superficial..., it added sanctimoniously. Former Indian ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha says, While both India and China broadly agree on the alignment of the boundary in the Sikkim sector, there are differences on the tri-junction point, which also involves Bhutan. There are also bilateral differences with China on the interpretation of the watershed boundary in this sector. This is a regrettable and unwarranted action by China. The onus is on China to de-escalate, avoid provocation and address the issue through talks. General Bajwa believes that the stopping of pilgrims at Nathu La exposes China diplomatically. They have backtracked out of a treaty, which just shows they are trying to push India into a corner. India should not get into that corner. If they unilaterally abrogate a treaty or an agreement ... it shows their diplomacy in a very poor light. If they unilaterally close the border without any warning like this, it shows that you are not a country that can be trusted with agreements. Basically, they are trying to say that America cant help you if we finger you here. We should insist that the status quo should be altered, says General Bajwa. China on Wednesday dialed up the temperature on the border, destroying an Indian army bunker along the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction, and issuing dire warnings through its State-run media. It also announced that whether or not the small batch of pilgrims headed for the annual Mansarovar yatra through Nathu La in Sikkim would be allowed depended on whether India corrects its errors. Nathu La was opened in 2015. Pilgrims taking the older route through Uttarakhand have not been stopped so far. The confrontation began more than 12 days ago over a road building project in an area that is claimed by both Bhutan and China. Scuffles between Indian and Chinese soldiers have been reported. On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that, Recently, the Indian border guards in the Sino-Indian border Sikkim section crossed the border into the territory of China, obstructed the Chinese border troops in the Donglong area from conducting normal activities. Faced with such aggressive posturing, what should India do? India should stand on its stance over the alignment of the International border, says General (retd) JS Bajwa, the editor of Indian Defence Review. Sikkim signed a treaty with Tibet in the last decade of the 19th century, and by 1903 it was in place The dispute is that as per the Indians, the western trijunction of Sikkim, Bhutan and China, rather Tibet, is at a place called Dokala. But the Chinese say it is further down south. Without upping the ante, we should calmly reiterate that this should be resolved through a diplomatic discussion, and China should not upset the status quo. Dismissing the chances of an escalation, Bajwa says: No firing going to be taking place, it is limited to just some jostling or pushing around. We just need to stick to our stand. Former Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha agrees. There are bilateral differences on the interpretation of the watershed boundary in this sector. It is disturbing that China has expanded the differences by suspending Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Mounting tension... China termed the road construction in Sikkim sector as legitimate, asserting that it was being built on their territory China also warned India that future visits of its pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through Nathu La pass will depend on whether it will correct its errors Taking a dig at India, Chinese Foreign Ministry said Bhutan is a universally recognised sovereign country and no third party should interfere On the backdrop of India-US meet, China defended Pakistan, saying Islamabad was at frontlines of fight against terrorism The confrontation between the Chinese and Indian sides began over 12 days ago over a road project in an area claimed by both Bhutan and China. On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry had said, China has taken corresponding measures (on alleged trespassing by Indian troops in its territory). At the same time, for security reasons, the Chinese side had to suspend the arrangement of the Indian official pilgrimage group through at Nathu La pass. China avoids making an issue of border disputes, which has indulged Indias unruly provocations. This time the Indian side needs to be taught the rules, threatened an editorial in the Global Times. India cannot afford a showdown with China on border issues. It lags far behind China in terms of national strength and the so-called strategic support for it from the US is superficial..., it added sanctimoniously. Former Indian ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha says, While both India and China broadly agree on the alignment of the boundary in the Sikkim sector, there are differences on the tri-junction point, which also involves Bhutan. There are also bilateral differences with China on the interpretation of the watershed boundary in this sector. This is a regrettable and unwarranted action by China. The onus is on China to de-escalate, avoid provocation and address the issue through talks. General Bajwa believes that the stopping of pilgrims at Nathu La exposes China diplomatically. They have backtracked out of a treaty, which just shows they are trying to push India into a corner. India should not get into that corner. If they unilaterally abrogate a treaty or an agreement ... it shows their diplomacy in a very poor light. If they unilaterally close the border without any warning like this, it shows that you are not a country that can be trusted with agreements. Basically, they are trying to say that America cant help you if we finger you here. We should insist that the status quo should be altered, says General Bajwa. By PTI WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During his three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said. Urs earned an MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He fluently speaks Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During his three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said. Urs earned an MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He fluently speaks Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. By AFP BEIRUT: The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on Thursday sealed off the last route used by the Islamic State group to flee an offensive on its Syrian bastion Raqa, a monitor said. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, SDF fighters captured the villages of Kasrat Afnan and Kasab on the southern bank of the Euphrates River. "They thereby cut the last route IS used to withdraw from Raqa towards territory it controls in the Syrian desert and in Deir Ezzor province," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. Backed by US-led air strikes, the SDF spent months chipping away at IS territory around Raqa. It first broke into the city on June 6, and has since captured two eastern and two western districts while bearing down on the north. But their progress on Raqa's southern approach had been much slower. With Thursday's advance, "the SDF has been able to completely encircle Raqa," Abdel Rahman said. IS overran Raqa in 2014, transforming it into the de facto Syrian capital of its self-declared "caliphate," which it declared three years ago on June 29. The city became infamous as the scene of some of the group's worst atrocities, including public beheadings, and is thought to have been a hub for planning attacks overseas. The United Nations has expressed concern for up to 100,000 civilians it says are still trapped in the city. BEIRUT: The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on Thursday sealed off the last route used by the Islamic State group to flee an offensive on its Syrian bastion Raqa, a monitor said. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, SDF fighters captured the villages of Kasrat Afnan and Kasab on the southern bank of the Euphrates River. "They thereby cut the last route IS used to withdraw from Raqa towards territory it controls in the Syrian desert and in Deir Ezzor province," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. Backed by US-led air strikes, the SDF spent months chipping away at IS territory around Raqa. It first broke into the city on June 6, and has since captured two eastern and two western districts while bearing down on the north. But their progress on Raqa's southern approach had been much slower. With Thursday's advance, "the SDF has been able to completely encircle Raqa," Abdel Rahman said. IS overran Raqa in 2014, transforming it into the de facto Syrian capital of its self-declared "caliphate," which it declared three years ago on June 29. The city became infamous as the scene of some of the group's worst atrocities, including public beheadings, and is thought to have been a hub for planning attacks overseas. The United Nations has expressed concern for up to 100,000 civilians it says are still trapped in the city. By PTI WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a "close" family or business tie to the United States. The move comes after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump's executive order that was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims. The new guidelines sent to US embassies and consulates yesterday say that applicants from the six countries must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling in the US. This is according to a State Department cable obtained by the Associated Press. Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-laws and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships. WATCH VIDEO: Senior officials from the departments of State, Justice and Homeland Security are finalising criteria that visitors from six mostly Muslim must meet to avoid the Trump administration's revived travel ban. The White House deliberations come as US embassies and consulates await instructions later yesterday on how to implement this week's Supreme Court order that partially reinstated the ban after it was blocked by lower courts. The new measures are expected to be implemented today. The justices' opinion exempts applicants from the ban if they can prove a "bona fide relationship" with a US person or entity. Government lawyers must determine how to define such a relationship. The court offered only broad guidelines suggesting it would include a relative, job offer or invitation to lecture in the US. WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a "close" family or business tie to the United States. The move comes after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump's executive order that was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims. The new guidelines sent to US embassies and consulates yesterday say that applicants from the six countries must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling in the US. This is according to a State Department cable obtained by the Associated Press. Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-laws and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships. WATCH VIDEO: window.__ventunoplayer = window.__ventunoplayer||[];window.__ventunoplayer.push({video_key: 'OTU4NDAwfHw4fHw2fHwxLDIsMQ==', holder_id: 'vt-video-player', player_type: 'vp', width:'100%', ratio:'4:3'});Senior officials from the departments of State, Justice and Homeland Security are finalising criteria that visitors from six mostly Muslim must meet to avoid the Trump administration's revived travel ban. The White House deliberations come as US embassies and consulates await instructions later yesterday on how to implement this week's Supreme Court order that partially reinstated the ban after it was blocked by lower courts. The new measures are expected to be implemented today. The justices' opinion exempts applicants from the ban if they can prove a "bona fide relationship" with a US person or entity. Government lawyers must determine how to define such a relationship. The court offered only broad guidelines suggesting it would include a relative, job offer or invitation to lecture in the US. By AFP BRUSSELS: Pentagon chief Jim Mattis told NATO allies on Thursday they must finish the job in Afghanistan or risk terrorist revenge as the alliance readied a troop increase to counter a resurgent Taliban. Mattis however refused to give a firm number for how many troops US President Donald Trump would commit under a new strategy, just two years after NATO officially ended its post-9/11 combat role in Afghanistan. Recent Taliban gains have shaken confidence in Afghanistan's future and talk of sending NATO troops in has stoked fears the alliance could get sucked back into an unwinnable war just when it faces a host of new threats including Russia, terrorism and cyberattacks. "I don't put timelines on war, war is a fundamentally unpredictable phenomenon," the US defence secretary told reporters after meeting his counterparts from the 29-nation alliance. "The bottom line is that NATO has made a commitment to Afghanistan for freedom from fear and terror, and freedom from terror demands that you can't let this be undone." Citing both Afghanistan and "ungoverned spaces" in Syria and Iraq where the Islamic State group has flourished, the retired Marine general added: "You cannot say 'I am tired of it' and come home and then you get hit again." - 'Stalemate' at best - NATO currently has 13,500 troops in Afghanistan in the Resolute Support mission to "train, advise and assist" Afghan troops. Diplomatic sources said an increase of up to 3,000 was under considerations, while US officials say it might be nearer 4,000. The United States, which once had more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan, is preparing a new strategy for a war which has dragged on for 16 years and which even US generals concede is a "stalemate" at best. NATO played the lead role in fighting the Afghan war from 2003 to the end of 2014, when it handed frontline duties to the Afghan military. Mattis said that after talks with the allies about 70 percent of the new plan's requirements were in place and he looked forward to bridging the remaining gap. - 'The long haul' - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the alliance would increase troop numbers, with 15 countries having pledged more, but stressed there would be no new combat role. "We don't think it's going to be peaceful and no conflicts and no violence there this year or next year or in the near future, but we believe that Afghans (are) ... determined and committed to fight Taliban and to stabilise their own country," he said. The extra troops could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, the former Norwegian premier added. He insisted it was not wrong to end NATO's combat role in 2014, adding: "If anything, we should have done it before." Mattis however disagreed, saying there was "pretty much a consensus that we may have pulled our troops out a little too rapidly." British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would provide nearly 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. "We're in it for the long haul," Fallon told reporters. Mattis has stressed his new approach, due to be presented to Trump by mid-July, will have a broader "regional" emphasis, with no set timetable. Trump has remained remarkably taciturn on Afghanistan, but this month gave Mattis authority to set troop numbers at whatever level he saw fit. The US president used a summit last month to push NATO to do more to counter terror and for the allies to increase defence spending to ease the burden on Washington. - Terror, cyberattacks, Russia - Stung into action by Russia's intervention in Ukraine, NATO has embarked on its biggest military buildup since the end of the Cold War to face a more assertive Moscow. Defence ministers discussed progress just as four "tripwire" battalions totalling 4,000 troops complete their deployment in the three Baltic states and Poland. Stoltenberg warned that NATO must also step up its defences against cyberattacks after hackers caused chaos worldwide. The global terror threat was also high on the agenda after NATO leaders agreed at last month's summit to join the US-led anti-IS coalition. Stoltenberg said NATO would hold its next summit in Brussels in summer 2018. BRUSSELS: Pentagon chief Jim Mattis told NATO allies on Thursday they must finish the job in Afghanistan or risk terrorist revenge as the alliance readied a troop increase to counter a resurgent Taliban. Mattis however refused to give a firm number for how many troops US President Donald Trump would commit under a new strategy, just two years after NATO officially ended its post-9/11 combat role in Afghanistan. Recent Taliban gains have shaken confidence in Afghanistan's future and talk of sending NATO troops in has stoked fears the alliance could get sucked back into an unwinnable war just when it faces a host of new threats including Russia, terrorism and cyberattacks. "I don't put timelines on war, war is a fundamentally unpredictable phenomenon," the US defence secretary told reporters after meeting his counterparts from the 29-nation alliance. "The bottom line is that NATO has made a commitment to Afghanistan for freedom from fear and terror, and freedom from terror demands that you can't let this be undone." Citing both Afghanistan and "ungoverned spaces" in Syria and Iraq where the Islamic State group has flourished, the retired Marine general added: "You cannot say 'I am tired of it' and come home and then you get hit again." - 'Stalemate' at best - NATO currently has 13,500 troops in Afghanistan in the Resolute Support mission to "train, advise and assist" Afghan troops. Diplomatic sources said an increase of up to 3,000 was under considerations, while US officials say it might be nearer 4,000. The United States, which once had more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan, is preparing a new strategy for a war which has dragged on for 16 years and which even US generals concede is a "stalemate" at best. NATO played the lead role in fighting the Afghan war from 2003 to the end of 2014, when it handed frontline duties to the Afghan military. Mattis said that after talks with the allies about 70 percent of the new plan's requirements were in place and he looked forward to bridging the remaining gap. - 'The long haul' - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the alliance would increase troop numbers, with 15 countries having pledged more, but stressed there would be no new combat role. "We don't think it's going to be peaceful and no conflicts and no violence there this year or next year or in the near future, but we believe that Afghans (are) ... determined and committed to fight Taliban and to stabilise their own country," he said. The extra troops could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, the former Norwegian premier added. He insisted it was not wrong to end NATO's combat role in 2014, adding: "If anything, we should have done it before." Mattis however disagreed, saying there was "pretty much a consensus that we may have pulled our troops out a little too rapidly." British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would provide nearly 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. "We're in it for the long haul," Fallon told reporters. Mattis has stressed his new approach, due to be presented to Trump by mid-July, will have a broader "regional" emphasis, with no set timetable. Trump has remained remarkably taciturn on Afghanistan, but this month gave Mattis authority to set troop numbers at whatever level he saw fit. The US president used a summit last month to push NATO to do more to counter terror and for the allies to increase defence spending to ease the burden on Washington. - Terror, cyberattacks, Russia - Stung into action by Russia's intervention in Ukraine, NATO has embarked on its biggest military buildup since the end of the Cold War to face a more assertive Moscow. Defence ministers discussed progress just as four "tripwire" battalions totalling 4,000 troops complete their deployment in the three Baltic states and Poland. Stoltenberg warned that NATO must also step up its defences against cyberattacks after hackers caused chaos worldwide. The global terror threat was also high on the agenda after NATO leaders agreed at last month's summit to join the US-led anti-IS coalition. Stoltenberg said NATO would hold its next summit in Brussels in summer 2018. By Associated Press WASHINGTON: A U.S. official tells The Associated Press that the State Department has approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a total of USD 1.3 billion. It is the first such deal with the self-governing island since President Donald Trump took office. The sale will anger China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory. Congress was notified of the sale on Thursday. Lawmakers have 30 days to object. The U.S. official was not authorised to speak publicly about the sale before it was formally announced and requested anonymity. The sale comprises seven items, including technical support for early warning radar, anti-radiation missiles, torpedoes and components for SM-2 missiles. The U.S. is legally obligated to sell weapons to Taiwan for its self-defence. The last U.S. arms sales to Taiwan were announced in December 2015. WASHINGTON: A U.S. official tells The Associated Press that the State Department has approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a total of USD 1.3 billion. It is the first such deal with the self-governing island since President Donald Trump took office. The sale will anger China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory. Congress was notified of the sale on Thursday. Lawmakers have 30 days to object. The U.S. official was not authorised to speak publicly about the sale before it was formally announced and requested anonymity. The sale comprises seven items, including technical support for early warning radar, anti-radiation missiles, torpedoes and components for SM-2 missiles. The U.S. is legally obligated to sell weapons to Taiwan for its self-defence. The last U.S. arms sales to Taiwan were announced in December 2015. 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Psychosomatic medicine (PM) is a newly licensed subspecialty in the field of psychiatry; it is also known as consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry. C-L psychiatry provides knowledge, practice, and instruction in the relation between mental and physical illness. This field is associated with services like diagnosis, therapeutics, and research of illnesses in this area. Hence it connects psychiatry and other medical specialties so that physicians and psychiatrists can discuss how to best manage patients with psychosomatic illness. Image Credit: BlurryMe /Shutterstock.com History of Psychosomatic Medicine The ancient Greeks and the French were well aware of psychosomatic disorders. Hippocrates was the first physician to affirm that mental factors have an impact on health and disease. The French philosopher Rene Descartes refreshed the psychological ethics of Hippocrates through his body-mind dualism theory, which promoted many scientific studies in relation to the body and mind. Initially, physicians of C-L psychiatry were not aware of the psychosomatic features of medically ill patients. In the USA, C-L psychiatry started to evolve and underwent a series of developmental changes in the 20th century. In 2003, C-L psychiatry was given the comprehensive name psychosomatic medicine. UNM Department of Psychiatry Psychosomatic Medicine Fellowship Play Objectives of Psychosomatic Medicine The psychosomatic medicine service (PMS) provides a complete approach to the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral needs of a patient through its dual functionas a consultant and as a part of a primary care crew. Both the functions of C-L psychiatry pursue the following objectives: Medical intelligence: C-L psychiatrists need to possess extensive knowledge about physical, social, and neurological disorders and their relation to abnormal illness. They should be capable of implementing this intelligence in patient care. Practitioners in this field should also be aware of the therapies used for psychosomatic patients. C-L psychiatrists need to possess extensive knowledge about physical, social, and neurological disorders and their relation to abnormal illness. They should be capable of implementing this intelligence in patient care. Practitioners in this field should also be aware of the therapies used for psychosomatic patients. Patient care: Specialists in this field improve the quality of psychiatric care for both in- and outpatients. A warm atmosphere, appropriate consultations, and evidence-based patient care promote the physical and mental health of the patient. Evaluation of mental factors: This enables complete assessment of the psychological and social factors responsible for an individuals mental illness through observation under psychiatric consultants. The symptoms of mental disorders are diagnosed and effectively treated by psychiatric therapies. Individual therapy plans: In addition to being a skilled diagnostician, the C-L psychiatrist is required to develop effective treatment plans for individual patients, which are effective in the prevention, treatment, and recovery of physical disease. Collaborative care: The consultant promotes education on mental health and psychosocial skills for patients, their families, and medical physicians, which results in the effective exchange of information. This cooperative care enables them to take care of the root cause of the patients disease. Training: Specialists provide training to junior consultants and to the nonpsychiatric healthcare provider to help them identify aberrant reactions in patients caused by treatment, plus the psychological care required in such reactions. Functions of Psychosomatic medicine 1. Clinical function: In relation to the clinical function of psychosomatic medicine, there are two categories of psychiatrists: Consultation psychiatrists: They are usually seen in outpatient departments and in chronic care facilities where they can impart advice to requesting physicians involved in the treatment of patients. They are usually seen in outpatient departments and in chronic care facilities where they can impart advice to requesting physicians involved in the treatment of patients. Referral psychiatrists: They assist the medical physician by providing comprehensive psychiatric care to patients who are hospitalized. Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today 2. Educational function: Specialists in psychosomatic medicine provide education to nonpsychiatric physicians, medical students, and nursing staff about the psychological needs of patients based on their behavior immediate management of psychiatric conditions use of psychotropic drugs and recognizing drug reactions in patients 3. Research function: The field of psychosomatic medicine offers opportunities for research in the interface between medicine and psychiatry. Most research studies in this field over the last century have been conducted by consulting liaison psychiatrists, who are responsible for the rise of subspecialties like psycho-oncology, psycho-immunology, and psycho-obstetrics. 4. Administrative function: This function is generally authorized either by the government or the respective institution. It usually involves an assessment of the violent actions of patients while they are under forcible restraint, and nonvoluntary treatment. For example, the psychiatrist in this department will assess the patients tendency to refuse medical procedures. Other Services of Psychosomatic Medicine Other ways in which PM contributes to medical care include: The specialist in psychosomatic medicine delivers emergency services to attempted suicide patients and helps with managing their serious behavioral disturbances. PM specialists participate in consultation services for patients with psychosomatic illness who undergo surgery. The consultant will provide optimal care for patients with complicated medical illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, or patients being advised for transplants. This service of C-L psychiatry calls for a close connection with primary physicians. Some psychiatrists collaborate with the specialized care team for early detection and prevention of symptoms in patients. The above practices of psychosomatic medicine are limited in the field of teaching and in specialty hospitals because of the shortage of PM psychiatrists. In order to overcome this shortfall, the American psychiatric association, the University of Michigan, and other psychiatric academies have enhanced authorized fellowship programs. References Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship (2021). Available at: https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/psychosomatic/training/fellowship/ (Accessed: 17 August 2021). https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/professional- http://www.maprc.org.au/consultation-liaison-psychiatry Consultation Liaison Psychiatry | Metro South Health (2021). Available at: https://metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/services/all/consultation-liaison-psychiatry (Accessed: 17 August 2021). Schmitt, Ricardo and Gomes, Roberta Horn, Aspectos da interconsulta psiquiatrica em hospital de trauma. Revista de Psiquiatria do Rio Grande do Sul [online]. 2005, v. 27, n. 1 [Accessed 17 August 2021] , pp. 71-81. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81082005000100009. Consultation Liaison Psychiatry - Jefferson University Hospitals (2021). Available at: https://hospitals.jefferson.edu/departments-and-services/vickie-and-jack-farber-institute-for-neuroscience/programs/consultation-liaison-psychiatry.html (Accessed: 17 August 2021). Liaison psychiatry (2015). Available at: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry/liaison-psychiatry (Accessed: 17 August 2021). http://www.uwmedicine.org/education/documents/gme/Supervision-Policies/Psychosomatic-Medicine-Supervision-Policy.pdf http://oxfordmedicine.com/oso/search:downloadsearchresultaspdf;jsessionid=6732CB3D759CD453A923D9F05D21522E?isQuickSearch=true&page=2&pageSize=10&q=manag*+pain&sort=relevance&t1=OXMEDO_SERIES%3Apittsburgh_pocket_psychiatry_series Further Reading An important factor in fighting cancer is the speed at which the disease can be identified, diagnosed and treated. The current standard involves a patient feeling ill or a physician seeing signs of a tumor. These indicators lead to more precise diagnoses via blood tests, x-rays or MRI imaging. But once the disease is far enough along to be noticeable, the cancer has often spread. In the future, though, it may be possible to diagnose cancer much earlier using more sensitive body scans, new types of biomarker tests, and even nano-sensors working in the bloodstream. Experimenting with these techniques in cancer patients or healthy individuals is difficult and potentially unethical. But scientists can test these technologies virtually using supercomputers to simulate the dynamics of cells and tissues. BUILDING A BETTER BREAST CANCER EARLY DETECTION SYSTEM Manual breast exams and mammograms are currently the most effective and widely used techniques for early detection of breast cancer. Unfortunately, manual breast exams are limited in their ability to detect tumors since they only produce local information about the site where the force is applied. Mammograms (breast x-rays), on the other hand, are more accurate, but expose patients to radiation. Importantly, they do not quantify tissue stiffness, an identifying characteristic of breast tumors. They also produce many false positives, resulting in painful biopsies. Lorraine Olson, a professor of mechanical engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, is collaborating with colleagues Robert Throne of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Adam Nolte of Chemical Engineering to develop an electro-mechanical device that gently indents breast tissue in various locations and records the tissue surface deflections. This data is then converted into detailed 3-D maps of breast tissue stiffness, which can then be used to identify suspicious (stiffer) sites for further testing. "The research takes an approach to early detection of breast cancer that utilizes a fundamental mechanical difference between cancerous and noncancerous tissue," Olson said. "Although this stiffness difference is the basis of manual breast exams, it has not been systematically investigated from an engineering point of view." Olson and her team's approach to determining the relationship between stiffness and interior mapping involves a combination of finite element methods -- a numerical method for solving problems in engineering and mathematical physics -- and genetic algorithms -- a method for solving optimization problems based on natural selection. Paired together, they can map the distribution of stiffness in a given tissue and systematically use "guesses and checks" to find which tissue stiffness map best models the response they actually see in testing. The process involves thousands of these "guesses" and therefore requires powerful supercomputers like Stampede at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), one of the most powerful in the world. After numerous computer studies, the team has begun to experimentally validate this model using gelatin tissue phantoms (similar to Jell-O) with and without stiffer "tumors." They have been running indentation experiments to measure surface displacements on the tissue and identify tumor locations. They presented their work, which is supported by the National Science Foundation, at the 2016 Inverse Problems Symposium. "This system has the potential to significantly increase the early detection of breast cancer with no unnecessary radiation, essentially no risk, and with little additional cost," Olson said. DESIGNING NANOSCALE DNA-READERS Olson, Throne and Nolte's electromechanical technique works on the surface of the body, but an emerging class of nano-scale sensors aims to diagnose cancer from within the body. Nanosensors must be small and sensitive, targeting specific biomarkers that may indicate the presence of cancer. They must also be able to communicate that information to an outside observer. Scientists and sci-fi authors have long predicted the rise of nanosensors, but only recently has it become feasible to engineer such technologies. A number of scientists have been using TACC's supercomputers to investigate aspects of this problem. One such researcher is Aleksei Aksimentiev, a professor of biological physics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Aksimentiev focuses on creating silicon nanopore devices that can sequence DNA inside the body to detect the telltale signs of cancer or other diseases. A nanopore is essentially a tiny hole in a very thin membrane, through which an even smaller particle, like DNA, can pass. In addition to being precisely shaped, it must be able to attract the right molecules and induce them to pass through the pore so they can be genetically sequenced and identified. Writing in ACS Nano in December 2016, Aksimentiev and bioengineering professor Li-Qun (Andrew) Gu from the University of Missouri's Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center described efforts to detect genetic biomarkers using nanopores and synthetic nanocarriers. The nanocarriers selectively bind to target biomolecules, and increase their response to the electric field gradient generated by the nanopore, essentially forcing them through the hole. The researchers showed that modestly charged nanocarriers can be used to detect and capture DNA or RNA molecules of any length or secondary structure. Such selective, molecular detection technologies would greatly improve the real-time analysis of complex clinical samples for cancer detection and other diseases. Aksimentiev used TACC's Stampede supercomputer, as well as Blue Waters at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, to design and virtually test the behavior of these nanopores systems. "In the development of nanosensors, such as the nanopore single-molecule sensor for genetic diagnosis of cancer, we can experimentally discover various clinically useful phenomena at the nanometer scale. But our collaborator, Dr. Aksimentiev can utilize their superior computational power to accurately dig out the molecular mechanisms behind these experimental observations," said Gu. "These new nano-mechanisms can guide the design of a new generation of nanopore sensors for genetic marker-based cancer diagnostics, which we believe will play an important role in precision oncology." Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today (This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01-GM079613, R01-GM114204). The simulation studies led to the development of a patent, which was published in May 2017.) DIAGNOSING BIOMARKERS IN THE BLOODSTREAM WITH A MICROSCOPIC LAB-ON-A-CHIP Researchers from Lamar University, including Tao Wei, Ian Lian and Yu-Hwa Lo, are exploring a different approach to nanoscale cancer diagnostics. In place of nanopores, they are using lab-on-a-chip techniques invented by Lo's group that can recognize short nucleic acid fragments -- which act as biomarkers for diseases -- in the bloodstream. The detection is based on the hybridization of nucleic acid fragments grafted on the substrate surface inside an evaporating droplet. Hybridization occurs when nucleic acids form hydrogen bonds. This process is influenced by the molecular geometry of the nucleic acid fragments that spontaneously self-organize into an ordered structure on the surface, also known as self-assembling monolayers (SAMs). The sensitivity of such biochips is dependent on the degree to which the target material can bind to the surface of the biochip. Various factors affect the binding processes, including the structure of SAMs surface, the ion strength, the target DNA concentration and the surface packing density. Wei and his collaborators used Stampede to perform molecular dynamics simulations and free energy computations to study the DNA hybridization process in detail. "Our unique contribution is the use of atomistic simulation to design the surface and optimize the conditions to enhance hybridization efficiency in order to increase the detection resolution," said Wei. "The research will facilitate the development of new biodevices based on nucleic acid hybridization." The team presented their work at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and are working to design and test experimental sensors capable of detecting nucleic acid biomarkers. SENSORS THAT ENTER NUCLEI AND REPORT ON DNA REPAIR Henry Herce, a research scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (currently at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) takes yet another tact to solve the problem of cancer detection in living cells. His research focuses on developing molecules that can enter the nucleus of a cell and bind to a specific protein there known as the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA). PCNA, nicknamed the "ring master of the genome," is one of the key proteins in DNA replication and repair. DNA replication is essential for the survival, growth and spread of cancer, making it an intriguing target for tumor labeling and inhibition. In a series of publications in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (2014) and Nucleus (2014) enabled by Stampede, Herce and his collaborators described the creation of a novel peptide - a chain of several amino acids -- that can enter the cells of an organism, separate from its carrier molecule and bind to PCNA. They also uncovered the nature of the interactions between the peptides and their PCNA targets in atomistic detail. Finally, they showed that both replication and repair sites can be directly labeled in live cells -- the first cell-permeable peptide marker for these two fundamental processes -- and introduced a PCNA staining method that causes the target molecule to light up so they can assess its distribution. The simulations complemented experimental results and offered insights into how chemical modifications to the peptide's design can enhance its efficiency, increase its stability, and allow for intracellular delivery. "The discovery represents a versatile tool for instantaneously labeling repair and replication processes in fixed and live cells," Herce said. "Down the road, it could lead to a new tool for early cancer detection." From better palpation systems, to nanodevices that enter the bloodstream -- or even the nucleus of cells -- and uncover signs of cancer, new diagnostic systems are coming and supercomputers are helping researchers design them. "Advanced computing is critical for the simulation and materials design aspects of diagnostic devices," said Matt Vaughn, TACC's Director of Life Science Computing. "Since the data that emerges from these devices is almost invariably noisy, advanced computing and clever algorithms can help stratify out the noise and boost the signal, too, making new diagnostics feasible." Source: https://www.tacc.utexas.edu/-/more-precise-diagnostics-for-better-cancer-outcomes University of Florida researchers have found rat lungworm, a parasitic nematode that can cause meningitis in humans and animals, in five Florida counties. Rats and snails in Alachua, Leon, St. Johns, Orange and Hillsborough counties tested positive for the parasite, according to a study in PLoS ONE by researchers in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Established in Hawaii and occasionally found in the southern U.S., rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, relies on rat and snail hosts to complete its lifecycle but can pose a health risk to humans and animals that ingest infected snails. While the fatality rate of infection in humans is low, the parasite can cause eosinophilic (EE'-oh-sin-oh-fil-ihk) meningitis if it becomes trapped and dies in the brain, and severe infections can cause coma or death. Clinical signs of infection in adults include headache, stiff neck, fever, vomiting, nausea and paralysis of the face and limbs. The most common symptoms of infection in children are nausea, vomiting, and fever. This study sheds new light on the extent of the parasite's geographic range in Florida, said Heather Stockdale Walden, an assistant professor in the UF department of infectious diseases and pathology and the study's lead author. "The parasite is here in Florida and is something that needs to be taken seriously," she said. "The reality is that it is probably in more counties than we found it in, and it is also probably more prevalent in the southeastern U.S. than we think. The ability for this historically subtropical nematode to thrive in a more temperate climate is alarming." In a survey of 18 counties, nearly 23 percent of rats, about 16 percent of rat fecal samples and nearly 2 percent of land snails tested positive for the nematode. Climate change could trigger further spread of rat lungworm as average temperatures rise, helping the tropical parasite thrive and likely expanding its range, said study co-author John Slapcinsky, collections manager of invertebrate zoology at the Florida Museum. "We expected the range of this nematode to be restricted to one part of the state because it's primarily a tropical species," he said. "But being within another organism could mean it's less impacted by cold weather." While snails live most of their lives within a small area, they can easily be transported on cargo containers and in potted plants, which is probably how the parasite first arrived in Florida, he said. Slapcinsky also noted rat lungworm "doesn't seem to be picky" about the species of snails it infects and could threaten native snail populations. In addition to finding the parasite in three non-native snail species, the research team detected the parasite in three native species: the Florida amber snail, Succinea floridana; the perforate dome snail, or Ventridens demissus; and the quick gloss snail, Zonitoides arboreus. "There are a lot of snail species endemic to South Florida that don't occur anywhere else, and the last thing you want to do is throw one more problem their way," he said. "Rat lungworm is finding a whole new pool of animals to infect. The more species it infects, the larger its population can be, which could make transmission even easier." Snails ingest rat lungworm larvae by eating infected rat feces. When a rat eats an infected snail, the larvae penetrate the rat's intestine and enter its circulatory system, which transports them to the brain. There, they develop into immature worms, re-enter the circulatory system and travel to the rat's pulmonary artery where they mature and reproduce. When new larvae hatch, they are coughed up and swallowed by the rat and pass through its feces, completing the life cycle. Humans can ingest the parasite by consuming infected snails or infected frogs and crustaceans, which can also pick up the nematode. Stockdale Walden said more than 2,800 cases of human rat lungworm infection have been documented worldwide since the parasite was described, but the actual number of cases is likely greater as the disease can go undetected or be misdiagnosed. While no human cases of infection with rat lungworm, or Angiostrongyliasis, have been reported in Florida, eating lungworm-infected snails killed a white-handed gibbon at Zoo Miami in 2003 and a privately owned orangutan in Miami in 2012. Several steps can help lower the risk of infection, Stockdale Walden said. "Wash produce," she said. "Some snails are very small and can easily hide in lettuce leaves. Teach children not to eat snails, and if they handle snails, make sure they wash their hands. Be aware of the potential risks associated with eating snails and also raw or undercooked frogs and crustaceans." Infection with rat lungworm can also cause meningitis in animals, as well as limb weakness or paralysis, neck pain and central nervous system problems. To protect pets and livestock, be mindful of snails in animals' living space, Stockdale Walden said. Check watering troughs for snails that might have fallen in and monitor animals for snail-eating habits. "If you have questions about your pet, contact your veterinarian and discuss your concerns," she said. Managing rat populations could help curtail the parasite in facilities that house animals, such as zoos and conservation centers, she said. According to new research from researchers at the University of Sydney, Yoga practice could do more harm than good in some participants. Yoga is an ancient Indian form of spiritual practice that involves a series of body postures, deep breathing techniques and balance of the mind and body. The study was published in Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Image Credit: Marian Lopez Ojeda / Shutterstock The latest study, contrary to all has been written earlier regarding the benefits of yoga, finds that yoga could be worsening or exacerbating old injuries and leading to new ones. In the study, at least 10% of the individuals complained of a new pain after taking up yoga practice. Further, 21% individuals complained of worsening or exacerbation of the previous injuries after taking up yoga practice. Particularly pain in the upper limbs and shoulder pain was worsened with yoga they noted. Around 13% of the new pain that came after a year of yoga were in the upper limbs shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands. For this study participants aged around 45 years were chosen. They were all based in New York and regarding their experience, they ranged from beginners to practiced yoga followers with nearly 20 years of experience. A total of 354 individuals who practiced yoga were included and then they were followed up for a year. At the end of the year they were given a questionnaire to fill up and were assessed according to their answers. Around 74% of the participants however reported a significant improvement in their low back and neck pain after yoga practice. Associate Professor Evangelos Pappas, a study author said that this study showed that just like any other sport could be dangerous for an injury, yoga is too. Pappas himself is also a yoga instructor incidentally and is not against yoga practice he reiterated. He added that yoga is beneficial for most part but there is no reason to believe that it is free from any risk. It has been seen that the risk of injuries estimated by earlier researchers was 1 to 2.5% risk of injury with yoga. Study authors say that the numbers could be higher than this. Researchers explain that upper limbs or arms are not weight bearing and putting the body weight on them is not desirable. In yoga there are several postures that involve putting the weight of the whole body on the outstretched hands and arms with downward dog postures and inversions of the body. This could be a reason for the worsening of the upper limb painful conditions say researchers. Several yoga trainers and advocates of yoga are in denial say experts. They refuse to accept that yoga could cause any harm. However some veteran yoga trainers agree that this is an area of research and there in not enough evidence on yoga and a more detailed analysis of how much damage it can do vis-a-vis the benefits it can provide would only make the practice safer, they add. A potential for injury may be eliminated if more science was involved. Most of the yoga poses could be complicated and difficult to reach easily. So there has to be some amount of stretching and straining to reach there. A joint that was not moving easily would also be stretched and this could result in an injury just like after any form of exercise on a damaged joint say researchers. According to Pappas, these injuries are preventable. Appropriate training and good teachers help a lot. Teachers or trainers who do not understand the injuries or damage the joints have may do more harm than good. Capabilities of each person should determine how much they can be made to do he explained. Discussions on pre-existing pain, especially in the upper limbs with physical therapists as well as yoga instructors can help tailor the yoga regimen for every individual Pappas explained and postures could be modified for maximum benefit. The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) has become the first UK Life Sciences industry association to create a bespoke membership offering for international companies. The unique programme will help drive growth and investment in the UK. The UK is one of the worlds largest healthcare markets. International companies looking to introduce innovative medical technology (MedTech), have the opportunity to gain from ABHIs expertise, deep UK market access knowledge and strong relationships with a wide network. The scheme is supported by several organisations, including the UKs Department of International Trade. ABHI Chairman Phil Kennedy said: ABHI sees real potential in forging deeper, more sustainable trading relationships for the MedTech community, between key global regions and the UK. By making trading links easier and more accessible, not only do we make it simpler to do business, the exchange of ideas, and different ways of doing things, helps to improve the care and wellbeing of people in the UK and around the world. International Trade Minister Greg Hands added: The UK is a global hub for life science development, and the ABHI is a key partner for The Department for International Trades Life Sciences Organisation in attracting international investment and promoting UK companies abroad. Our joint trade missions and UK presence at trade shows, from Texas to Dubai, are helping to boost exports and the new International Membership programme will further build global partnerships, bringing investment and jobs to Britain. Last year a high-profile article was published in the journal Nature, looking at longevity or life-spans of humans. The researchers found that 115 years was the maximum that people could live up to. Beyond this, the body functions would decline and end. A new study by McGill University biologists has now been published in Nature claiming that there is no evidence for such an upper age limit. According to experts, human lifespan is not limitless but it is too early to accept that there is a limit to maximum human age and it is quantifiable with a number. Life beyond 115 years may be a reality. It does not have to end there. Siegfried Hekimi, Professor of Genetics at McGill University in Canada and one of the lead authors of the new study explained that when most people live till the age of 50, one who lived till 80 was considered to be lucky or genetically blessed. So now if the average life span is 80-90 years, those very persons who were lucky or genetically blessed would live up to 110 or 120. This means that if the life spans are expanding, the upper limit is also on the rise. Thus 115 is a number that cannot limit this scientifically. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Average lifespan has risen as recently as the 1990s. In the 1990s the average lifespan was around 50 years in the United States. Average life span of babies born now is around 79 years a nearly 30 years increase! Further, some years have a higher number of oldest lived persons dying taking the average lifespan higher compared to other years. This accounts for a considerable variation in the average lifespan. For example, some years the oldest person to die could be 100 or 110 pulling up the national average lifespan. Some years the oldest person to die could be 90 years bringing down the average life span. Hekimi explained that this was like the throw of a dice and over many throws there is a lot of spread of values. In the original paper published in October 2016, the scientists divided their population into two groups those between 1968 to 1994 and 1995 to 2006. They looked at individuals aged over 110 years in four countries: the UK, US, France and Japan. They noted that maximum lifespan rose in the first era followed by a plateau or flattening in the second era. But during this time Jeanne Calment, the oldest-lived human, was alive and she passed away in 1997 at the age of 122 years. This pulled up the maximum lifespan considerably and the findings could be wholly attributed to Calment, Hekimi says. Based on this the earlier data could be a misinterpretation say researchers. References insights from industry Dr. Justin Barad CEO Osso VR An interview with Dr. Justin Barad, CEO, Osso VR, conducted by April Cashin-Garbutt, MA (Cantab) Can you please outline Ossos vision? Ossos vision is to improve patient safety and outcomes by addressing the critical training issues facing the modern surgeon. The situation is urgent: With new work hour restrictions in the US and worldwide, residents have lost over a year of training time Up to 40 percent of that time is spent working with Electronic Medical Records systems More than 90 percent of residents now go on to additional years of training in fellowship Patients are seeing increasing complication rates with newer and more complex medical technology and procedures In one study examining the case logs of graduating residents, only 15 percent of 121 critical procedures were performed more than 10 times during the 5-7 years of surgical training With our unique team and the power of the recent revolution in immersive reality technology, we are finally able to address these issues by providing a highly mobile, hands-on, realistic training platform that allows practitioners to learn or review complex surgical procedures without risking patient safety. How are the immersive simulations developed and how do you make sure they are accurate and realistic? Design thinking is at the core of our simulation development process. Ossos support network is filled with an abundance of diverse and key stakeholders including surgeons, nurses, med students, surgical techs, device sales reps, and education professionals. Adrienne Hunter, our experience design director, and our team of designers leveraged this network to answer Where, what, and how: Where are the training gaps in this particular device or procedure? What gaps can we address with our technology? How do we fill those gaps? We then proceed to implementation. At Osso we utilize an unusually high frequency testing and feedback process with rapid development sprints. This way we receive nearly constant input from subject matter experts on our interactions and overall simulation design to allow for a hyper iterative process. The icing on the cake is our CTO, Matt Newport, who is an EA alum and has been in AAA game development for 15 years. Even more importantly, Matt has a degree in psychology, which is critical for anyone doing VR development so that they can anticipate exactly how a user will mentally experience a simulation. We want to make sure our simulations are not only realistic, but effective. Leading the validation effort is the chair of our scientific advisory board, Dr. Tom Krummel, who served as chair of surgery at Stanford for 15 years and is co-director of Stanfords Biodesign program. In addition, he is a recipient of one of the first NIH Phased Innovation R21/R33 programs to develop collaborative simulation-based surgical training systems, receiving two ComputerWorld Smithsonian Awards for his work. Our first IRB-approved validation study is being performed at UCLA under the direction of Dr. Nelson Soohoo, UCLAs orthopaedic residency program director. What type of medical device companies do you work with? Are you currently specializing in any particular types of orthopedic procedure? We are working with top tier medical device companies at the moment. Our platform is flexible enough to simulate any procedure. At the moment, within orthopedics specifically, we are very excited about the arthroplasty and trauma spaces. Does Osso plan to expand into other specialties and procedures? Without a doubt. The training challenges facing orthopedic surgeons are also facing practitioners from all procedural disciplines. We are already in the prototyping phase in both the interventional and cardiac spaces. We plan on continuing to utilize the Osso model of having specialty units driven by subject matter experts. These specialty leads have deep insight into their specialtys procedures and devices so that our partners dont need to worry about teaching us and our team what takes a typical person about 10+ years to learn. What impact do you hope Ossos platform will have on surgical training? Surgical training is currently very much still an apprenticeship model, which has been its foundation for more than a century. This leads to quite a number of issues. For one, your experience during residency is somewhat random. For example, a co-resident of mine completed his two-month hand surgery rotation without having performed a single distal radius fracture just because it never came in. Because you are relying on statistics and chance for your procedural experience, residencies are quite lengthy so that you can get the required exposure. With technology like Ossos, Im hoping that surgical training will become more standardized with a more predictable result. Furthermore, through this standardization Id be ecstatic if we could shave one or two years off of surgical training. There is another component to surgical training that affects users of all skill levels, and that is the use of medical devices. Numerous new devices are released annually, and sometimes are completely novel procedures. Even a highly experienced surgeon requires training on technology like this. With Osso, I hope patients can get access to cutting edge medical technology faster and safer so that they can get the treatment they so badly need. What feedback have you received from surgeons using the training platform? Feedback from surgeons has been incredibly enthusiastic. Dr. Soohoo at UCLA stated Osso VR's virtual reality platform fits an important need in surgical training. This type of simulation allows for an intuitive understanding of how procedures are actually performed that is difficult to grasp from traditional methods of learning like textbooks or videos. It would typically require expensive cadaver or bone model sessions to get at this type of learning but Osso VR now offers an accessible and cost-effective tool for surgical skill education" Another senior and prominent joint surgeon told us that he had never played a video game in his life, yet found Osso to be quite intuitive, stating, I was very impressed with your system... My sense of this is as an economical, highly mobile, training system to augment and perhaps substitute for our cadaver labs and sawbones." How have VR headsets advanced over recent years and what further developments do you see in the pipeline? Having used a fair amount of VR in the 90s, where it has come today is completely unbelievable. The Oculus Rift Kickstarter in 2012 began nothing short of a revolution when it comes to immersive technologies. The rapid progress of the hardware and the software that drives it is an article in itself, but I will provide a few key areas where I see some major leaps coming. The convergence to stand-alone headsets Right now, a high-end VR experience requires a headset connected via wire to a powerful computer, two controllers and two cameras (or lightboxes in the Vives case). In just a few months, Microsoft and google are releasing devkits for devices that dont require cameras thanks to what is called inside-out tracking, and in Googles case (and Qualcomms to be fair), dont require a computer at all. It is clear that VR is going to become far more convenient and portable in a remarkably short period of time. Improvements in hand tracking and haptics The current VR controllers are simply incredible, and have to be experienced to be believed. But what if we can take this a step further? Finger-tracking gloves allows you to more realistically and dexterously interact with virtual worlds. Companies like AxonVR are going all-in on not only developing this finger tracking technology but also by powering a new generation of haptics behind it to really let you feel and interact with these worlds in an unprecedented and natural way. Improvements in display and eye-tracking technologies Eye-tracking is a critical feature to unlock the potential of immersive technologies. Eye-tracking allows the use of more advanced displays that solve the vergence-accommodation challenge by allowing you to focus naturally on objects just as in real life. It will also allow for Foveated rendering, which will drastically decrease the cost and performance requirements of the computers powering these devices. And finally, eye-tracking can help make social VR experiences even more compelling than they already are today. What do you think the future holds for surgical training? The world is moving at an incredible pace. What we think we know today may not be true tomorrow. Technology is continually giving us the tools to address diseases and pathology that we once thought were untreatable. Unfortunately, without the tools to learn how to use this technology, it will either not see the light of day or may actually harm people. It is time to take a long hard look at the medical training process. There is a problem when someone undergoes 11-13 years of training and STILL feels unprepared to take care of patients. In fact, in that time period it is likely that much of what they learned is no longer true due to the blistering rate of scientific knowledge turnover. Furthermore, our very role in healthcare delivery is becoming increasingly unclear as AI and robotics are on a path to supplant some of our function. We can address these issues today. We have the tools. We only need the courage to ask ourselves hard questions and to set aside dogma, bias, and pre-judgement in order to create a system that will ensure a bright future for patients and those that care for them. Where can readers find more information? Readers can find more information by visiting www.ossovr.com and following our developments on Facebook and Twitter. About Dr. Justin Barad Justin Barad, MD is the co-founder and CEO of Osso VR, an award winning surgical training platform helping to increase patient safety and the adoption of cutting edge medical technology. Early in Dr. Barads career, he fully intended to become a game developer, but when he realized he could use his technology background to help people, he moved into medicine. With a strong interest in gaming and a first-hand understanding of the challenges facing residents and experienced doctors, he co-founded Osso VR. This technology allows surgeons of all levels to practice with the latest medical devices through a fully immersive, hands-on virtual reality simulation. In addition to managing his company, Dr. Barad is also a board-eligible orthopedic surgeon with a Bioengineering degree from UC Berkeley, and an MD from UCLA where he graduated first in his class. He completed his residency at UCLA, and his fellowship was in pediatric orthopedics at Harvard and Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Barad has written for Medgadget, a popular medical technology site, for more than a decade and has spoken at top-tier digital health conferences including the CES Digital Health Summit, Exponential Medicine, and Health 2.0. A new antiviral drug candidate inhibits a broad range of coronaviruses, including the SARS and MERS coronaviruses, a multi-institutional team of investigators reports this week in Science Translational Medicine. The findings support further development of the drug candidate for treating and preventing current coronavirus infections and potential future epidemic outbreaks. Coronaviruses are a genetically diverse family of viruses that infect birds and mammals, with most coronavirus strains limited to infecting only certain hosts. Human coronaviruses, for example, cause up to 30 percent of common colds. In the last 15 years, however, coronaviruses have demonstrated their ability to jump into new species. Zoonotic (animal) coronaviruses have infected humans, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), severe diseases with high mortality rates ranging from 10 percent for SARS to 40 percent for MERS. The MERS-coronavirus continues to cause new infections in the Middle East. "There's a real concern that the MERS coronavirus could escape broadly when millions of people visit Saudi Arabia for the Hajj," said Mark Denison, M.D., Craig-Weaver Professor of Pediatrics and professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. But to date, there has been no effective antiviral drug for any known coronavirus, Denison noted. Denison and his team at Vanderbilt have studied the basic biology of coronaviruses for more than 20 years. In an effort to find chemical tools that would allow them to probe viral replication, graduate student Brett Case screened a series of compounds selected and provided by Gilead Sciences. Case demonstrated that one of the compounds was highly active against coronaviruses in cultured cells. The finding was a surprise, Denison said, because compounds in the same class (nucleoside analogs) have normally failed to inhibit coronavirus replication. Drug Discovery eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today The compound, called GS-5734, is currently in clinical development for treatment of Ebola virus disease. Denison's longtime collaborator Ralph Baric, Ph.D., at the University of North Carolina and his team demonstrated that GS-5734 inhibits SARS-coronavirus and MERS-coronavirus replication in multiple in vitro systems, including cultures of primary human airway epithelial cells, which are the cells infected by respiratory coronaviruses. The researchers also showed that GS-5734 was effective against a circulating human coronavirus, bat coronaviruses, and bat coronaviruses that are considered "prepandemic" because they can infect cultured human cells. Using a mouse model of SARS, the investigators demonstrated that both prophylactic (before infection) and early therapeutic (soon after infection) administration of GS-5734 reduced viral load in the lungs and improved respiratory functions. "This compound shows broad activity against a variety of human and animal coronaviruses and represents an exciting potential therapeutic for a family of viruses prone to emergence from animal reservoirs," Denison said. Denison and his team at Vanderbilt will continue to use the compound "as a probe to try to understand the biology of the virus, how and why this drug works, and to identify new targets for inhibiting coronaviruses," he said. "This is an exciting example of how pursuing fundamental research to understand the mechanisms of virus replication and pathogenesis can lead to an important compound with therapeutic potential." A diagnostic system developed at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology enables rapid and accurate customization of the antibiotic to the patient. The system makes for faster diagnostics, earlier and more effective treatment of infectious bacteria, and improved patient recovery times. The findings were published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Antibiotics are one of the most effective ways to treat bacterial infections. However, the widespread use of antibiotics accelerates the development of bacterial strains that are resistant to specific antibiotics. In 2014, infections with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) claimed the lives of more than 700,000 people worldwide, in addition to a cumulative expenditure of $35 billion a year in the US alone. For patients with threatening infections, urgent treatment is required for their health. According to established estimates, for every hour that effective antibiotic treatment is delayed, survival rates drop by ~7.6% for patients with septic shock. Therefore, in order not to leave the patient without adequate protection while awaiting the results, many doctors will prescribe an antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity in large doses. This phenomenon facilitates the emergence of AMR and also affects the microbiota - the population of "good bacteria" found in the human body that protects it. In this context, the importance of technologies that can predetermine the resistance of a specific bacteria to specific antibiotics is obvious. The innovative system developed at the Technion, called the SNDA-AST, quickly analyzes bacteria isolated from patients with infections and assesses their level of resistance to specific antibiotics. This enables the healthcare team to choose the most effective antibiotic a day earlier compared to when using traditional methods. In addition, the researchers demonstrated the ability to test bacteria directly from raw patient urine samples, thereby skipping the isolation step, and potentially saving two days for patients with urinary tract infections. The study was led by Prof. Shulamit Levenberg, Dean of the Technion Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, and was carried out by three researchers in her lab: doctoral student Jonathan Avesar, postdoctoral student Dekel Rosenfeld and doctoral student Tom Ben-Arye. The study was carried out in cooperation with Assistant Professor Moran Bercovici of the Technion Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and doctoral student Marianna Truman-Rosentsvit, in cooperation with Dr. Yuval Geffen, head of the Microbiology Laboratory at Rambam Health Care Campus. It was funded by a KAMIN grant from the Innovation Authority and the Israeli Centers of Research Excellence (I-CORE). According to Avesar, who hails from the United States, "Every day, tens to hundreds of tests are carried out at every hospital in Israel to map the resistance levels of infectious bacteria from samples taken from patients. The problem is that this is a very long test, since it is based on sending the sample to the lab, growing a bacterial culture in a petri dish and analyzing the culture. This process requires relatively large sampling and usually takes a few days, in part because the workday at labs is limited to around eight hours. Our method, on the other hand, provides accurate results in a short time based on a much smaller sample. It is obvious that a faster response allows us to start treatment earlier and improve the speed of recovery." The device developed by the Technion researchers is a chip with hundreds of nanoliter wells* inside it, each containing a few bacteria and a specific antibiotic. Detection of the bacterial response is done using a fluorescent marker, image processing tools and statistical analysis of the colors obtained from the bacteria in all the nanoliter wells. (a nanoliter is 1000 times smaller than a milliliter.) In a study in which 12 bacteria-antibiotic combinations were tested in the system, the results, which were obtained in a short time, as stated, were accurate and allow for early and effective treatment of the infectious bacteria. Avesar said, "The use of the technology that we developed reduces the size of the required sample by several orders of magnitude, reduces the scanning time by around 50%, significantly reduces the lab space required for testing and reduces the cost per test." Stem cell research holds huge potential for medicine and human health. In particular, human embryonic stem cells (ESCs), with their ability to turn into any cell in the human body, are essential to the future prevention and treatment of disease. One set or two? Diploid versus haploid cells Most of the cells in our body are diploid, which means they carry two sets of chromosomes one from each parent. Until now, scientists have only succeeded in creating haploid embryonic stem cells which contain a single set of chromosomes in non-human mammals such as mice, rats and monkeys. However, scientists have long sought to isolate and replicate these haploid ESCs in humans, which would allow them to work with one set of human chromosomes as opposed to a mixture from both parents. This milestone was finally reached when Ido Sagi, working as a PhD student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Azrieli Center for Stem Cells and Genetic Research, led research that yielded the first successful isolation and maintenance of haploid embryonic stem cells in humans. Unlike in mice, these haploid stem cells were able to differentiate into many other cell types, such as brain, heart and pancreas, while retaining a single set of chromosomes. With Prof. Nissim Benvenisty, Director of the Azrieli Center, Sagi showed that this new human stem cell type will play an important role in human genetic and medical research. It will aid our understanding of human development - for example, why we reproduce sexually instead of from a single parent. It will make genetic screening easier and more precise, by allowing the examination of single sets of chromosomes. And it is already enabling the study of resistance to chemotherapy drugs, with implications for cancer therapy. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Diagnostic kits for personalized medicine Based on this research, Yissum, the Technology Transfer arm of the Hebrew University, launched the company New Stem, which is developing a diagnostic kit for predicting resistance to chemotherapy treatments. By amassing a broad library of human pluripotent stem cells with different mutations and genetic makeups, NewStem plans to develop diagnostic kits for personalized medication and future therapeutic and reproductive products. 2017 Kaye innovation Award In recognition of his work, Ido Sagi was awarded the Kaye Innovation Award for 2017. The Kaye Innovation Awards at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have been awarded annually since 1994. Isaac Kaye of England, a prominent industrialist in the pharmaceutical industry, established the awards to encourage faculty, staff and students of the Hebrew University to develop innovative methods and inventions with good commercial potential, which will benefit the university and society. Ido Sagi received BSc summa cum laude in Life Sciences from the Hebrew University, and currently pursues a PhD at the laboratory of Prof. Nissim Benvenisty at the university's Department of Genetics in the Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences. He is a fellow of the Adams Fellowship of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and has recently received the Rappaport Prize for Excellence in Biomedical Research. Sagi's research focuses on studying genetic and epigenetic phenomena in human pluripotent stem cells, and his work has been published in leading scientific journals, including Nature, Nature Genetics and Cell Stem Cell. An interdisciplinary team of scientists from the University of Leicester and other institutions has played a pivotal role in research investigating a possible link between air pollution and the rise in type 2 diabetes. New research, published in the journal Environment International, examined data from 10,443 participants from diabetes screening studies in Leicestershire, UK. The exposure to air pollution, the number of cases of type 2 diabetes and the impact of demographic and lifestyle factors were all considered. The authors concluded that demographic factors largely explained the association between air pollution and type 2 diabetes. The research team, supported by the NIHR, is comprised of University of Leicester experts from a wide variety of fields, including Earth Observation Science, the University's Diabetes Research Centre and the Department of Health Sciences and builds upon world-leading research in these areas. Dr Gary O'Donovan, who led the research and is formerly of the University of Leicester and now at Loughborough University, said: "High air pollution and low physical activity are two of the leading causes of disease and premature death in middle and high-income countries. "Like most cities in the UK, Leicester has only a handful of air quality monitors. The UN has estimated that two-thirds of world's population will be living in cities by 2050 and our cities must become better, healthier places in which to live. "Cities like Copenhagen in Denmark and Medellin in Colombia are doing a much better job of measuring air pollution and facilitating active transport than most cities in the UK." Exposure to traffic-related air pollutants is known to cause insulin resistance, a hallmark of the disease, and observational evidence has been applied to better understand a potential link. Professor Roland Leigh, Technical Director of EarthSense and Director of Enterprise at the University of Leicester's Institute for Space and Earth Observation, and co-author of the study, said: "We know that air pollution is the world's largest environmental health risk affecting 92% of the population and associated with more than three million deaths per year, and evidence suggested it may contribute to the rise in type 2 diabetes. "While original results suggested association between air pollution and associated particulates and type 2 diabetes, when the effects of lifestyle and demographic factors were considered, and given the limited size of the sample, evidence for direct association with air pollution was inconclusive. "We will, however, continue to apply cutting-edge air quality research to unpick potentially connected long-term exposure factors," continued Professor Leigh. "As innovators in air quality monitoring, the University of Leicester and EarthSense has a fundamental contribution to make in the understanding of the complex issues of pollution exposure and health." Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in lower middle, upper middle and high income economies. The global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled, from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014, with the majority of cases being type 2. Experimental evidence exists to suggest exposure to nitrogen dioxide and associated particulate matter is related to inflammation and insulin resistance. Scientists have had limited success at identifying specific inherited genes associated with prostate cancer, despite the fact that it is one of the most common non-skin cancers among men. Researchers at University of Utah Health studied prostate cancer patients with multiple cancer diagnoses, many who would not be recommended for genetic tests following current guidelines, to identify genetic mutations that may influence cancer treatment and cancer risk assessment for family members. Their findings are reported in the June issue of the journal Cancer. "We commonly use a combination of a patient's personal and family cancer histories to identify those individuals who may have a mutation in a gene that predisposes that individual to developing cancers," said Patrick Pilie, M.D., medical oncology fellow at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "Testing for hereditary cancers impacts not only the patient with cancer but also potentially the cancer screening and health outcomes of their entire family, but many prostate cancer patients do not meet the current guidelines to test for genetic cancer heritability." Pilie was part of a research team led by Kathleen Cooney, M.D., chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at U of U Health and a Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator, who proposed a strategy to identify germline mutations in men selected for the study based on their clinical history not their family history. The study was highly selective, including 102 patients who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and at least one additional primary cancer, like melanoma, pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, or Hodgkin lymphoma. The researchers examined the frequency of harmful germline mutations in this group of men. These mutations originate on either the egg or sperm and become incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the body of the resulting offspring. Using next generation sequencing, the researchers found that 11 percent of the patients had a disease-causing mutation in at least one cancer-predisposing gene, which suggests these genetic variations contributed to their prostate cancer. Cooney found no difference in cancer aggressiveness or age of diagnosis compared to patients without these mutations. In addition, a certified genetic counselor and co-investigator Elena Stoffel, M.D., University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, reviewed personal and family histories from each patient to determine whether they would meet clinical genetic testing guidelines. The majority of the men in the study, 64 percent, did not meet current criteria to test for hereditary cancer based on personal and/or family history. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today The findings suggest that there are men with heritable prostate cancer-predisposing mutations that are not eligible for genetic screening under current guidelines. "This is the first paper in which we can show the potential of using a clinical history of multiple cancers, including prostate cancer, in a single individual to identify inherited germline mutations," Cooney said. The majority of harmful mutations identified were in genes involved in DNA repair. "These mutations prevent the DNA from healing itself, which can lead to a predisposition for cancer," Cooney said. This result is also beneficial because drugs like PARP [poly ADP ribose polymerase] inhibitors have a better success rate in treating cancers with the underlying gene mutation associated with DNA repair. Cooney cautions that this is a small pilot study rather than a broader epidemiological survey, and it consists of a highly specific subset of patients. "We cannot generalize these findings to the broader population, because we used highly selective criteria to tip us off to patients that may have mutations outside typical hereditary genetic patterns," she said. The 102 patients included in the study were identified from the University of Michigan's Prostate Cancer Genetics Project, which registers patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 55 or who have a first- or second-degree relative with prostate cancer. In addition, the research team identified patients from the University of Michigan's Cancer Genetics Registry, which includes individuals with personal or family history suggestive of a hereditary risk of cancer. "Our findings are in line with those of other studies, suggesting that approximately 1 in 10 men with advanced prostate cancer harbors a genetic variant associated with increased cancer risk," said Stoffel. "While family history is an important tool, there may be better ways to identify patients with genetic risk." Future studies with larger sample sizes will include sequencing of tumors that will allow investigators to more carefully explore the different features associated with tumors that arise in individuals with germline mutations. "This approach will help us identify patients at greater risk for aggressive prostate cancer so they can seek earlier screening while pre-symptomatic," Cooney said. The connection between slowed walking speed and declining mental acuity appears to arise in the right hippocampus, a finger-shaped region buried deep in the brain at ear-level, according to a 14-year study conducted by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. The finding, published today in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, indicates that older patients may benefit if their doctors regularly measure their walking speed and watch for changes over time, which could be early signs of cognitive decline and warrant referral to a specialist for diagnostic testing. "Prevention and early treatment may hold the key to reducing the global burden of dementia, but the current screening approaches are too invasive and costly to be widely used," said lead author Andrea Rosso, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in Pitt Public Health's Department of Epidemiology. "Our study required only a stopwatch, tape, and an 18-foot-long hallway, along with about five minutes of time once every year or so." Rosso and her colleagues assessed 175 older adults ages 70 to 79 when they enrolled in the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study in Pittsburgh or Memphis, Tennessee. At the beginning of the study, the participants were all in good mental health and had normal brain scans. Multiple times over 14 years, the participants walked an 18-foot stretch of hallway at what they deemed a normal walking pace while a research assistant timed them. At the conclusion of the study, the participants were tested again for their mental acuity and received brain scans. As previous studies have shown, slowing in the participants' gait, or walking speed, was associated with cognitive impairment. However, Rosso's research determined that participants with a slowing gait and cognitive decline also experienced shrinkage of their right hippocampus, an area of the brain important to both memory and spatial orientation. It was the only area of the brain where the researchers found a shrinking volume to be related to both gait slowing and cognitive impairment. Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Rosso's study also found gait slowing over an extended period of time to be a stronger predictor of cognitive decline than simply slowing at a single time point, which is what other, similar research evaluated. All the participants slowed over time, but those who slowed by 0.1 seconds more per year than their peers were 47 percent more likely to develop cognitive impairment. The finding held even when the researchers took into account slowing due to muscle weakness, knee pain and diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. "A fraction of a second is subtle, but over 14 years, or even less, you would notice," said Rosso, also an assistant professor in Pitt's Clinical and Translational Science Institute. "People should not just write off these changes in walking speed. It may not just be that grandma's getting slow-;it could be an early indicator of something more serious." While the team noted that slowing gait speed is not a sensitive enough measure to diagnose a cognitive issue, they argue that it should be included in regular geriatric evaluations to determine if there's a need for further testing. If cognitive decline can be detected early, there are therapies that can delay its onset, and the extra time could allow patients and families to plan for the eventual need for assisted care. "Typically when physicians notice a slowing gait in their patients, they'll consider it a mechanical issue and refer the patient to physical therapy," said Rosso. "What we're finding is that physicians also should consider that there may be a brain pathology driving the slowing gait and refer the patient for a cognitive evaluation." The new study published on June 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows significant reduction in the sudden cardiac arrest incidences among adults who gained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and were not insured previously. Most of the study participants got the insurance through expanded Medicaid coverage that was jointly funded by federal-state government, the health insurance program also known as Obamacare, for people in the low-income group was an expansion under federal law. The study emphasized the role of health insurance in the study outcomes. The analysis that the investigators carried out was based on the emergency medical services in an urban Oregon county prior to and after making the insurance expansion mandatory by law. A decrease by 17% is seen in the cardiac arrest incidences among adults in the age group of 4564, who were not insured earlier. The adult age group of 65 and above, which had higher health insurance coverage rates constantly - before and after implementing ACA (through medicare mainly) also showed same incidence rates, "Cardiac arrest is a devastating and under-recognized cause of premature death for both men and women age 45 and older," said Eric Stecker, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of cardiology at Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cardiovascular Institute in Portland, Ore., and the study's lead author. "Health insurance allows people to engage in regular medical care, which is crucial for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can cause cardiac arrest." In the United States, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually. "sudden cardiac arrest" and "heart attack are often interchangeably used terms, there is vast difference between the two medical conditions. A block in any of the main arteries that leads to the heart, typically by plaque, will interrupt the blood flow to the muscle of the heart and result in a heart attack. An electrical impulse that disturbs the heart rhythm and stops the heart to beat is characterized as a sudden cardiac arrest. This disorder will provide small or no warning signs and usually cause immediate death in patients. Because so few survive a sudden cardiac arrest, it is imperative that we be able to predict which patients are the most vulnerable. Effective primary prevention is the only way to make a significant impact on this problem. Fewer than 10 percent of these patients are going to make it out of the hospital alive. By the time we dial 911, it's much too late for most of them." Senior author, Sumeet Chugh, M.D., director of the Heart Rhythm Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles The report findings are the outcomes of Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, a large research enterprise. It is a comprehensive study in which cardiac deaths occurred in 16 hospitals in the metropolitan area of Poland, which is home to 2.4 million people, was assessed for many years. It provided a collection of data with distinctive, community-based information to Chugh and his team through which the causes of sudden cardiac arrest can be unveiled. Researchers inspected the medical records from the emergency medical services in Multnomah County, Oregon, and identified individuals with outofhospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This data was then compared with the adult population data available with the U.S. Census Bureau in the years 20112012 before implementing ACA and in 20142015 after implementing ACA. A word of caution from the investigators was that the study did not prove the cause and effect even though it has established a strong relationship between health insurance and decreased cardiac arrest rates. The study authors mentioned that the key implications on public health is possible when large studies are carried out across more diverse patient groups that could prove these study findings. Stecker commented that it is critical to find the benefits of health insurance more comprehensively and to cautiously think about public policies that have an effect on the numerous Americans who are not insured. Sources: The incidence of sudden cardiac arrest, a sudden and usually deadly loss of heart function, declined significantly among previously uninsured adults who acquired health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The findings, based on an analysis of emergency medical services in an urban Oregon county before and after the insurance expansion mandated by the ACA, underscore how health insurance can affect outcomes. Most adults in the study gained insurance through Medicaid expansion, a jointly funded federal-state health insurance program for low-income people that was expanded under the federal law. Among previously uninsured adults ages 45 to 64, the incidence of cardac arrest decreased by 17 percent. The incidence remained the same among adults age 65 and older, a group that had consistently high rates of health insurance coverage before and after the ACA, primarily through Medicare. "Cardiac arrest is a devastating and under-recognized cause of premature death for both men and women age 45 and older," said Eric Stecker, MD, MPH, associate professor of Cardiology at Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cardiovascular Institute in Portland, Oregon, and the study's lead author. "Health insurance allows people to engage in regular medical care, which is crucial for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can cause cardiac arrest." More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen yearly in the United States. Although the terms "sudden cardiac arrest" and "heart attack" often are used interchangeably, the conditions are vastly different. A heart attack is caused when one of the major arteries leading to the heart becomes clogged, usually with plaque, disrupting the flow of blood to the heart muscle. A sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical disturbance in the heart rhythm that causes the heart to stop beating. Patients may have little or no warning, and the disorder usually causes instantaneous death. Sudden cardiac arrest has been blamed for the deaths of journalist Tim Russert and filmmaker John Hughes. "Because so few survive a sudden cardiac arrest, it is imperative that we be able to predict which patients are the most vulnerable," said the study's senior author, Sumeet Chugh, MD, director of the Heart Rhythm Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. "Effective primary prevention is the only way to make a significant impact on this problem. Fewer than 10 percent of these patients are going to make it out of the hospital alive. By the time we dial 911, it's much too late for most of them." The findings published today came out of a larger research enterprise called the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, a comprehensive, 16-hospital, multiyear assessment of cardiac deaths in the Portland metropolitan area, home to 2.4 million people. The study, led by Chugh, has been underway for more than a decade. Data collected from it provides Chugh and his team with unique, community-based information to mine for answers to what causes sudden cardiac arrest. Researchers examined records for emergency medical services in Multnomah County, Oregon, to identify patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. They compared this information to U.S. Census Bureau data for the county's adult population in the years before ACA implementation (2011-2012) and after the law took effect (2014-2015). The investigators caution that although the study shows a strong association between health insurance and lower rates of cardiac arrest, it does not prove cause and effect. If larger studies among more diverse groups of patients confirm these findings, that would potentially have major public health implications, the study's authors said. "It is crucial to more comprehensively identify the health benefits of insurance and to carefully consider public policies that affect the number of uninsured Americans," Stecker said. Private airline IndiGo has expressed interest in buying a stake in national carrier Air India, a senior government official revealed on Thursday.We received unsolicited expression of interest from IndiGo on Air India, Civil Aviation Secretary RN Choubey said a day after the Union cabinet gave in-principle approval for disinvestment of Air India.Minister of State for Aviation Jayant Sinha said other companies too had approached the government informally. Several companies have approached informally for Air India stake. Got interest from both domestic and international airlines. Havent received any formal communication, he said.Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had on Wednesday announced the Union Cabinet has given in-principle approval for disinvestment of Air India. "The Cabinet gave an in-principle approval to the divestment of Air India," Jaitley had said. A group under Jaitley has been formed to decide upon the modalities of Air India's stake sale. "It will now take a decision on the quantum of stake sale and take a call on Air India's assets, debts and its hotel subsidiary," Jaitley said.The Cabinet chose between two options suggested in a presentation by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management. The discussions were on both the Niti Aayogs recommendation of complete privatisation and the civil aviation ministry's proposal of debt reduction.On Wednesday, it was reported that the Tata group may buy a major stake in Air India and they are holding talks with officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry.A source from the industry had said, "There were four conglomerates that were interested in buying the airline. Tata Group being one of them are very keen in buying a major stake in the airline if not for 100%. They are in talks with top ministers at the Centre on the process of buying. Tata Group feels that it's their airline and they want it back." Bengaluru: Hours after news broke that IndiGo has expressed interest in acquiring a stake in Air India, its CEO Aditya Ghosh wrote a letter to all his employees, confirming that the airline is eyeing a pie of the international market with the move. Ghosh had written a letter to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, saying IndiGo is keen to buy out the national carriers flight operations, a day after the Cabinet gave its in-principle approval for disinvestment from the beleaguered national carrier. In his letter to his staff, Ghosh said that the airline has already built an impressive domestic network and now its time to spread wings overseas. At present, IndiGo operates flights only to the Middle East and a few destinations in South East Asia. Air India, on the other hand, has flights to over 25 destinations across the globe, and 6 routes to the United States alone. He also assured that the deal would not go forward if they dont have a plan to tackle the debts and liabilities. Air India has a debt of over Rs 50,000. Even though IndiGo declared profit in the last financial year, acquiring Air India would be a herculean task for the company. Experts also feel that the work culture of Air India and IndiGo would not gel and integrating the employees into a merged firm would be a big challenge. The share prices of Interglobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo) ended in red at Rs 1,240 down by 1.97%. At around 2pm when the news came out, the prices were at Rs 1221.15, the lowest during the day. Here is Aditya Ghoshs complete letter to his employees: Dear Colleagues, By now you would have seen the media reports regarding IndiGos expression of interest in Air India. Understandably, many of you have started asking me if its really true?! We have indeed submitted a letter to the Government of India today on this subject and had to file that letter (attached) with the stock exchanges. You, the employees of IndiGo, must take great pride in having created a phenomenal world class airline, which is now in many ways a national asset. We are truly a Made in India story! Our interest in Air India is primarily in its international operations. Over the past decade, we have created a significant domestic network and that gives us the confidence to build a world class international airline in the scale and scope of some of the largest airlines in the world. Without our domestic feed network, it just does not make sense to embark on this journey and if we do go down this path, it would require significant restructuring of the acquired operations. In that journey, we are not going to take on debts and liabilities that could not be supported by the new restructured operations. Let me be very clear that if it is not profitable and does not add value to our employees, customers and shareholders, we will not embark on this journey. At the same time, we recognize that the Indian Government is taking a big, much needed decision and it is important that this decision is always remembered as a huge success. As one of those who bleeds blue and who has helped build this great organization, you can rest assured that your Leadership team and the founders of IndiGo will never do anything to jeopardize what you helped build and will always act in the best interest of IndiGo! Stay Forever 6E! Wish you all safe flights Aditya Ghosh President & Wholetime Director IndiGo As India is set to see launch of goods and services tax (GST), which is being projected as the biggest tax reform since Independence, GST Network (GSTN) chairman Navin Kumar tells News18s Kamala Sripada that while he and his team are stressed, they are confident of a smooth launch. Commenting on fears around data safety, Kumar says no shareholder will have access to the database. Kumar also says that GSTN software is foolproof and ready to serve taxpayers across the country. Edited excerpts: India is set for GST launch on July 1 and all eyes are on the IT system. Are you anxious about it? We started in November 2015 and have been working on IT infra for more than 18 months. Thanks to the preparations we have made during this period, we are in a position to handle all the requirements. Yes, we are very stressed, but we are confident. In the recent past, you said that GSTN did not get enough time for dry runs. How confident are you of a glitch-free rollout? When you build a system like this, a large system, with huge requirements, you need to make all kinds of preparations what kind of sizing needs to be done, what is the load that the system has to handle, etc. Therefore, you do all the planning and design the system to meet those requirements. We began in November 2015 when the GST Constitution Amendment Bill was still in Parliament. When they awarded the work to our IT partner, we did not know where to begin and how to begin. So we went to the empowered committee of the state finance ministers and we suggested that we should be allowed to start work on the software, because software development takes time. That was permitted and we were told to hold back on the hardware. Thats how we began. The committee also allowed us to work on the approved business processes and draft business processes. The law came in May 2016 so they made changes in the software accordingly. Then the law was revised and model GST law came in November 2016. The revised rules came in December. So by the time the central government enacted the legislation our software was largely done. Therefore, the changes that came after the law and the rules, we have incorporated them. We have no problem. Yes, the time was very short but we conducted all the tests. When the code was written, unit testing was done. Once the code was ready, it was put in the whole system and the system integration testing was done. Then, before Infosys handed over the software to us, they did whats known as release testing. When it came to us, we did user acceptance testing, we have a team of 40 testers along with 10 officers. We rigorously completed all the tests and we have also done a dry run. In May, with the software that was available to us at that time, we did the dry run with about 3000 taxpayers. We used that feedback to improve our system. You are talking about the May dry run. Is a dry run with just 3000 people sufficient for a software which is to be used by millions of taxpayers? What was the feedback from users? Basic idea behind such a dry run is to see how comfortable the users are with the software. So we did that and we had good feedback. One important thing that came to our light was we had given an offline utility to the taxpayers where they can put their transactions data, their invoice-level data at their convenience, and then that tool imports the data and uploads it to our system. Initially, some of the users said it was not opening on their systems. We found the reason was that they had very old computers. And our software ran on 64 bit computers and above. We decided to make changes in the software so that it can be used on 32 bit computers also. Similarly, there was some confusion around formatting of calendar. We made all the necessary changes. In GSTN, government holds 49 per cent stake, while private players hold 51 per cent. Many people have raised concerns around data security. How would you respond to that? These are two different things. Shareholding in a company doesnt entitle any shareholder to access to the data. Data can be accessed only by persons authorized by law. The tax officers by law are authorized to access data and the taxpayers can access their own data. Are you saying that no private player will have any access to database? None of the private players can access the data. Apart from authorized persons as per law, no shareholder can access the data by the virtue of being a shareholder. Therefore, it is not a problem at all. The other aspect is security of the data. The data that we are getting is very sensitive as it has details of business transactions. Therefore, the data has to be protected. We have made full arrangements for that. In fact, this thoughts has been uppermost in our minds from the stage of drafting of the RFP. In RFP itself we had put a special security of the system and we specified very clearly what all the IT partner was required to do to ensure security. To tell you briefly, our system will be ISO 27001 certified, which is the best known standard for information security management system. So we are going to do that and we have a layered security structure which provides security at various levels. Starting from physical security, then you have network security, then you have at the application level, at the data level, at the software writing level also, where we follow secure coding practices, so we have done all that. On top of that, we have set up a security operations centre which will run 24x7x365. This centre is keeping an eye on the entire traffic to the GST system that we are managing. If there are any suspicious activities, they would raise an alarm and we would take action. So I want to assure the taxpayers and the people of India that the data which is coming to the GST system is fully secure and we are using the best possible tools and software available in the world. You are confident that this is going to be a glitch-free launch. But if a user faces problem, what is the mechanism to register complaint? Yes, when you have a large system and there are so many people working on it, you may come across some problems. These problems may be generated because of the computer system you are using, or the software that you have on your computer, or because of the connectivity. Various kinds of things could happen. To take care of such problems of the taxpayers, who are using our portal, we have set up a 400-seat helpdesk, which will run throughout the year. Anyone can call 1204888999 and they will help. One special thing that we have done is that if you complain as a taxpayer, the agent at the helpdesk will tell you what to do. If you are not able to understand and do troubleshooting, then if you permit, our agent can access your computer. He will be able to see what is there on the screen and guide you to solution. He will not be able to make changes himself, but will guide you, provided you permit him to do that. This facility will help users in resolving problems. When you say that somebody can access your account, one immediately gets concerned about privacy. How will you ensure that no agent ever misuses this facility? The agent will be able to view your screen only when you permit him/her. It can only happen as long as you are on the screen. Once the task is over, our agent will be logged out. The user will also have access to a button to log out the agent. While big businesses have made requisite preparations for GST launch, small businesses and start-ups are nervous and concerned if compliance and legal costs will go up under GST regime. Let me tell you about the process and compliance requirements. Let us first understand that if you are doing business under GST, you have to be registered. If you are an existing taxpayer, you would have been migrated. Otherwise, you have to register, which I have already explained. Once you register, you have to periodically submit tax payments. Now, under the existing systems also, of the existing taxes, returns are filed by the taxpayers. SMEs are already filing returns. They know how to do it and let me also tell you that over the past decade, thanks to a mission mode operated by the government of India, where a lot of financial assistance was given to the states, all states have computerised their commercial tax operations and in all states the taxpayers are required to go for e-filing. Therefore, today we are in a happy situation where the taxpayers know how to e-file. It is not a challenge. Under GST, if you are a small taxpayer with a turnover of less than Rs 75 lakh, you can opt for composition scheme. If you opt for composition scheme, you dont collect tax. You pay only a turnover tax of 1% or 2% or 5%, depending on what kind of taxpayer you are. And these people, i.e. composition dealers, are required to submit the return once in 3 months and they only have to mention their turnover and tax payable on it at the rate of 1% or 2% or 5% It is as simple as that. Supposing you are an SME, but you dont opt for composition scheme, supposing you have a turnover of Rs 40 lakh, the issue with composition scheme is that if you opt for it, you cant pass credit to the buyer. So the businesses will not like to buy from you. Therefore, if you decide not to go for composition, and you have an SME, then you have to upload you invoice data to the GST portal to facilitate this offline utility. We designed this specifically keeping in mind SMEs because that will allow us to have this on their computer and at their convenience put their invoices data over there. Suppose you have 50 thousand invoices per month, our portal you can come and punch the data. If you have 50 thousand, then you cant do that. If you use our offline utility, which can handle 19,000 invoices at a time, and uploading of this 19,000 invoices takes half a minute, depending on the speed of your connection. So please do it every week. It will be as simple as that. In GST, you dont have to file your sales data, purchase data, your tax liability. You have to give only sales data, which is invoices, our system puts it in the purchase returns of the buyers, our system prepares all the returns, our system calculates and tells what is your tax liability, then you just make a tax payment and you are done. So it is very simple and no one needs to have any problems. You are saying in terms of paperwork there is no reason to worry for small businesses? Not at all, they will be doing less paper work than before. 1996. It wasn't as landmark a year as say a 1984, yet it wasn't without its moments. Prince Charles shocked people across the world who believe in happily ever-afters by ending his marriage to Lady Diana. Mad Cow Disease ravaged Britain's bovine herds and affected worldwide beef sales, though it's unclear if the two events were related. More significantly, it was the year DVDs were launched in Japan (never mind that they would eventually join their square relatives in analogous history) as did the internet websites of eBay and AskJeeves, augers to the 21st century's two favorite pastimes.Closer home, a fledgling 16-day government sidled in between two political behemoths, signaling a future shift in the winds of India's sociopolitical climes. In short, it was a time of change and upheaval as well as growth. Perhaps nobody embodied this mood around the globe better than McDonald's. In 1996, it established restaurants in a 100 countries -- including India, its first location in the country having just opened in Delhi's Basant Lok market -- with the boast that it opened a new store somewhere in the world every three hours. The future beamed out from under a pair of golden arches and everyone was loving it.21 years later, on a sultry grey monsoon day in June, that golden glow seems dulled, nary a flicker, as 43 out of the 55 McDonald's outlets in Delhi operated by the North and West India region franchisees "cease operations" and down their shutters. While this is largely due to an acrimony between McDonald's USA and its India partners that has stretched back a few years, the fact that the parent company is willing to abandon a large part of its presence in a crucial market, no matter for however short or long a time, is telling. Somewhere, somehow, the celebrated buns have gone stale, signalling perhaps a tectonic shift in the culinary landscape of the country.And then, scarcely two months later, right now in fact, on the day of the eclipse, the conglomerate issued a statement stating it had ceasing operations in 169 franchisee outlets in the North and East zones of the country, that were jointly operated with erstwhile partner Connaught Plaza Restaurant Ltd (CPRL), the two organizations having been involved in various legal struggles for several years now.When it first came into India, the burger giant, in blazing red and yellow, seemed unstoppable. From its first outlet in Delhi, it quickly spread to multiple metros and beyond, each outlet throwing open its doors to a swarm of customers who were eager to taste both Americana and capitalism, mostly the former. The corporation, nascent in a traditionally traditional market, behaved the perfect gentleman, eschewing all beef and pork products for the first time in its history, out of deference to the sensitivities of its new host.Bolstered with fast (relatively) service, a sanitized environment tiled in modernism and servers festooned with bright badges and brighter smiles, McDonald's charmed us all. "It's actually service with a smile", I remember trilling excitedly to my parents as we waited for our first ever order of McChicken burgers and vanilla milkshakes (the latter their finest menu item, since, tragically, discontinued). The fact that the cashier was cheerful and seemingly efficient as well as proficient in English thoroughly impressed a nine-year old more used to cantankerous waiters, dull restaurant interiors and glacial service, (apart from inflicting him with an unfortunate snobbery which remains an affliction). And then, barely a year since its Delhi debut, McDonald's introduced India's first drive-thru, thrillingly located in my hometown, Noida, that backwater to the Capital's great sea. Hollering your order into a mic from the comfort of your car (air-conditioning optional in the mid-'90s) and then collecting it from a manned window a few minutes later? What strange sorcery was this. Graphic display boards, new pop music ("Backstreet's back! All right!"), play areas with ball pits. McDonald's introduced the Indian millennials and their equally excited parents to a whole new paradigm of dining, hitherto unseen except for in those Hollywood movie videotapes available from your local kirana uncle. So what changed? Photo Courtesy: ReutersWell, the world did, for one. Perhaps its no accident that in 1996, the number of internet-users jumped from 1 million around the world to 10 million in just one year. And you know people: they talk. And the more the users of the internet around the world, the more they talked. And the more that more people talked, the more informed they got.A quick time-lapse montage later, let's look at McDonald's chief product today: that storied burger. The McDonald's version is a couple of indifferently toasted buns, nestling between them (or spilling out, depending on the proficiency of your burger architect) some mechanically sliced vegetables, an inexpert squeeze of mayonnaise along with a semblance of cheese, and a burger patty that has acquired at least a superficial question mark -- ever since that allegedly false video of a giant machine pulverizing hapless featherless chickens into a plasticine-like paste went viral. Add to that that you have to line up for it to be served by an underpaid, overworked cashier who tells you need to fork out extra change for an additional sachet of ketchup. Therein lies the rub. And not the piri-piri one. This is something that seems to be endemic to international burger chains that open up here, they're serving more of the same, each product indistinguishable from the other, be it Wendy's or Burger King. Shammi Sliders from Monkey Bar Photo Courtesy: Kunal Chandra for Monkey BarCompare to that a contemporary burger from a "restaurant", preferably casual: a freshly shaped patty grilled to your preferred level of doneness, layered with ingredients like wild mushrooms, streaky bacon, chorizo, or a suitable vegetarian substitute, all placed in a bun baked out of grains of your choice which are slathered with craft condiments (and those who prefer a less pretentious version have their pick of vada pao, Bombay and other Indian sandwiches, all seasoned with a flamboyantly Indian chutzpah and a du jour styling) all served in a chic, contemporary setting at your table, WITH crockery. All to channel your inner Floyd (the culinary git who condescended India's cooking, not the musical genii who condescended India's power supply) with. You really don't mind out forking out an extra 100 rupees for that."They're two completely different animals, you can't really compare them" says Zorawar Kalra operator of brands such as Farzi Cafe, Pa Pa Ya and most recently, Kode -- all "concept" casual dining restaurants, a category which has caused a complete disruption of the Indian culinary scene -- referring to the difference in burger basics. Kalra's brands, along with the likes of Riyaaz Amlani's Social and Smoke House Deli chains and the Olive group-owned Monkey Bar, Fatty Baos and Sodabottleopenerwalas, present across all major cities, have all changed the dynamics of smart, if not white tie dining, along with our tastes, spoiling us completely. Ramen burgers vie for space on the plate with sushi ones, while buns go technicolor. What's a McChicken to do? Sushi Burger at Pa Pa Ya Image Courtesy: Photo Courtesy: Pa Pa Ya, Saket, New DelhiWhat's interesting is that these new models, which presumably require a far greater investment in funds, time, innovation and creativity are all the rage among venture capitalists. If McDonalds and similar multinational outlets are seeing a closure of their outlets across India, the various domestic brands of these new restaurant tycoons are seeing the type of proliferation that would be the envy of certain upcoming nuclear programs. Capital-based capitalist Priyank Sukhija who plans to run 75 restaurants within Delhi itself, all in different price segments, is making good on his promise, his projects numbering in scores and spread around the country as well as other beloved Indian destinations of the middle East and London (regions where Farzi and other Kalra brands also have a presence).This is also because these homogenized F&B concerns are geared towards an increasingly globalized Indian market, which nonetheless retains its taste for the tadka and tandoor. Finding inspiration in the innumerable cuisines present within the country, blending techniques and ingredients -- both localized as well as international, and above all, making Indian food chic, relevant and sexy, these restaurants have made us look inwards and realize that India is the new cool.International yoga day aside, India is the flavor of choice around the globe. Haldirams and MDH spice mixes are retailed from Brisbane to the Bay Area; the latter also home to Dosa, perhaps the most popular casual dining Indian restaurant in the US. On the other American coast, Delhi import Indian Accent (the restaurant, not the dialect slash lifestyle) is redefining perceptions of Indian food in Manhattan even as Gaggan Anand does the same in the wide world (editorial prediction: expect Michelin stars for Indian Accent, New York, and Gaggan, Bangkok, in the new year's guides).Of course it's not only a matter of taste, no matter what the glossies may tell you. Our palates and expectations may be evolving but so are the ways we engage with food.Apart from the convenience factor ( and we can't stress this enough. Eventually we're all going to end up like the humans in Wall-E), there's the unpretty fact that 20 years ago, for most, eating at a McDonalds or from a Domino's was a not-so-subtle signal that you had arrived; you were not only aspirational, you were getting to your destination, one day hopefully culminating in regular visits to 5-star hotel restaurants, if gods and the economy were kind. There wasn't really a broad spectrum of options in between. Today, you can go to a cocktail bar for Old Fashioneds' on a weekday, a tanqueria for tacos and tequila on another, grab some contemporary artisanal regional-Indian on yet another, and an invite-only chef-curated pop-up on the weekend, each minute gorgeously captured on your social media platform of choice, and each no different from your friend, colleague and or neighbor. Today, McDonalds isn't a symbol you've arrived. It's a symbol that you're hungry/drunk/hung over and the closest Subway or Pita Pit is too far. Or is an ironic Instagram commentary on genre-fication. Clearly 'loving it' doesn't cut it anymore, unless accompanied by a hashtag. Mushroom Ramen Burger from Guppy Photo Courtesy: Guppy, New Delhi Bhopal: A city court on Thursday sentenced 17 operatives of banned outfit-Student Islamic Movement of India to three years in jail for raising pro-Pakistan slogans in the court premises three years ago. The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Sharma also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of them. They were convicted of various penal offences, including those for committing deliberate and malicious acts to outrage religious feelings, and making imputations and assertions prejudicial to the national integration. On May 17, 2014, 18 SIMI operatives brought to Bhopal court for a hearing. As they reached the court premises, they started raising slogans in favour of Pakistan, Taliban militia and shouted that area from Afghanistan to India belonged to them. According to the prosecution, they shouted slogans like "Taliban Zindabad, Islam Zindabad, Pakistan Zindabad, Allahu Akbar, from Palestine to Afghanistan and Pakistan, our rule will come, we have been sent by Allah for this purpose." Besides, they shouted, "Ab Modi ki bari hai" (Now, it's Modi's turn) apparently referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the prosecution. One of the 18 operatives was gunned down in November 2016 jailbreak incident at Bhopal Central Jail. The 17 SIMI activists are still lodged in the jail and are being tried in different cases for last couple of years. Thiruvananthapuram: Popular Malayalam actor Dileep was questioned by the police for more than 12 hours on Wednesday in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of an actress. Dileep entered the Aluva Police Club at 12.30pm with director-friend Nadirsha and left the premises at 1.06am. While leaving the police club, Dileep said he gave a detailed statement to the police on his complaint which accuses the prime accused in the case, Sunil Kumar, of blackmail. "I am confident. The police are investigating well into the case. We are with the police and want the truth to come out, Dileep said. Besides his complaint, Dileep and Nadirshah were also asked about other details, including the conspiracy behind the February 17 incident. They were questioned separately. Actor Siddique and Nadirsha's brother Samad came to see them at the Aluva Police Club, but were not allowed to meet the duo. A recorded phone conversation and a letter written by Sunil Kumar had alleged that Dileep was in the know. Refuting the claims, the actor has said that he was being blackmailed by Sunil Kumar, also knows as Pulsar Suni, and was asked to pay Rs 1.5 crore to avoid being dragged into the case. Besides Dileep and Nadirshah, police also reportedly recorded the statement of the actor's manager, who had received a purported threat call. The statement was recorded by a team of officials led by ADGP B Sandhya. Six persons, including 'Pulsar' Suni, Martin and Vigeesh have been arrested in connection with the incident. The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 night and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi. The victim has warned that she would initiate legal action against those who target her with baseless charges. The actress, who had been keeping away from making any public statement so far, said she was speaking out as a recent remark by an actor against her had "pained" her. She also said the probe into the incident, which occurred in February, was moving in the right direction and that she has full faith in the police. In a separate development, the Association of Malyalam Movie Artists (AMMA) held an executive meeting in Kochi, where it discussed the case at length. AMMA president and Lok Sabha MP, Innocent, had earlier said that there was no need to discuss the case as investigation was on. On Thursday, the AMMA will hold its general body meeting in Kochi where the issue is likely to be discussed again. If @PMOIndia is serious about Swachhata Abhiyan then he should seek explanation from this minister. https://t.co/i2uibx5u3W Adv. Somnath Bharti (@attorneybharti) June 29, 2017 Citizens are made to pay Swachh Bharat Cess while ministers like @RadhamohanBJP are pissing in public.. Waah @narendramodi ji waah https://t.co/K2ek9turOi Chittajit Mitra (@cjmitra) June 29, 2017 Peenal action should be taken against Radha Mohan Singh Ajith (@ajith27) June 29, 2017 In fact people should appreciate that Radha Mohan Singh managed to pee with dhoti ON. #NotInMyName pic.twitter.com/kNZhadIAhD one tip one hand_ (@OneTipOneHand_) June 29, 2017 Sack # Radha Mohan Singh for urinating in open. # Swacch Bharat only for preaching ppl not for Min? soumdaram rajappa (@soumdaram) June 29, 2017 @narendramodi jee, see your MP @RadhamohanBJP is peeing on wall outside on mission Swachh Bharat pic.twitter.com/dlHPDD34b8 Youth (@MKankunj) June 29, 2017 Would be easy to blame @RadhamohanBJP . But this shows how badly lacking are our public sanitation facilities.@narendramodi will have to act https://t.co/VZTz0EyLkU Bimal Prasad Pandia (@bimalpandia) June 29, 2017 Ending open defecation is a big part of the Modi governments Swachh Bharat push. And dealing a big blow to this push is Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh who was recently caught urinating in public. In the photo, which is being widely shared on social media, Radha Mohan Singh can be seen urinating against a wall near his car while his security guards look away.The photo was taken recently while the Union minister was on a visit to Motihari which falls in his East Champaran constituency in Bihar.This is the second time Radha Mohan Singh has found himself in the midst of a controversy this month. On June 8, the Union minister was criticised for attending a yoga event with yoga guru Ramdev while protests raged in agrarian states over the death of five farmers in police firing in Madhya Pradesh.Twitterati and opposition leaders were quick to call out the minister on the latest controversy:One user pointed out that the minister's actions highlight the need for more toilets. Beijing: China on Thursday asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a "meaningful dialogue" to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn "historical lessons", in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed a photograph of Indian "incursion" into Donglong area and said the dispute which is becoming a confrontation of sorts between the troops on the ground can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photograph from the podium. He said the photographs will be displayed on the Foreign Ministry's website later. "The diplomatic channel for communication remains unimpeded. We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary immediately. This is the precondition for the settlement of this incident and also the basis for us to conduct any meaningful dialogue," he said. Addressing the media around the same time, China's Defence spokesman Col Wu Qian rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory in Donglong area, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrong doing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. Asked about the protest lodged by Bhutan that the PLA has transgressed its territory in Donglong area as well as reports that Chinese military has destroyed bunkers of Indian army in the area, Col Wu said the PLA troops carried out "appropriate response to incursion" by Indian border guards into Chinese territory. "The Indian border troupe personnel have entered the Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector of the India-China borders. They tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglong region. We carried out appropriate responses to halt these actives to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. The Chinese military rejected as "extremely irresponsible" Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Responding to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu Qian said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. "Indian Army is fully ready for a two and a half front war," Rawat had said recently. Beijing: Chinas military on Thursday rejected Bhutans allegation that People's Liberation Army soldiers violated its territory, saying its troops operated on Chinese territory and also asked India to "correct its wrongdoing. I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutans territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory, a Chinese defence ministry spokesman said. The PLA spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim. They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, the spokesman said. We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory, he said. On Wednesday, Bhutan said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here. Recently, the Chinese army started construction of a road towards Bhutanese Army camp at Zomphlri in Doklam area which is in violation of an agreement between the two countries, Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel had said in New Delhi. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. A mega rehearsal was conducted on Wednesday night in the Central Hall of Parliament ahead of the historic launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) at midnight on June 30. The new tax regime will come into effect from July 1, but Jammu and Kashmir has not yet taken a call on its implementation. The state government will take a final call on Thursday after a meeting of the all-party consultative group, the state's Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu has said.Drabu said the Mehbooba Mufti government is "genuinely interested" in building a consensus because the GST is a regime that would last for the next 30-40 years. The all-party consultative group, headed by PDP MP and former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Beg, was constituted by the government after an all-party meet failed to evolve a consensus over the issue."We will take a final call on the GST implementation tomorrow (Thursday) once we get the full sense of the all-party meeting. I do not want to preempt anybody. Let us understand what their views are," Drabu told reporters on Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled at 4 pm."May be there is something (which) I have not seen, may be they come up with a wonderful solution which meets all requirements and makes all of us happy," he added.Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had on Monday written a letter to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, saying that failure of the state to implement the GST would lead to "adverse impact" of price rise and put the local industry at a disadvantage. Drabu said the state government has reached out to the opposition parties of the state and sent them all the relevant documents.He said a perception has been created that the GST would impact the special status and the fiscal autonomy of the state, but there is no compromise on Article 370. "The government is trying to build a consensus. This is a very fragile society. We are going through difficult times. ... the way things are happening around us, the way things have been dehumanized, anything can spark off. You do not want to create social chaos. "So, it is in the interest of the society of J&K, not just the economy, to build a certain political as well as legislative consensus," he said.The last meeting of the consultative group was boycotted (by National Conference and Congress), Drabu said, adding "but we still tried." He said the chief minister had asked him to make another attempt and keep trying. Drabu said GST is the superior version of VAT and is beneficial for the consumers.The Centre, meanwhile, geared up to usher in the tax regime with a special rehearsal in Parliament. Officers concerned from various departments, including those from the finance ministry attended the rehearsal event.The event to launch the GST will be held in the circular-shaped Central Hall, which witnessed a function to mark 50 years of Independence, and will be attended by President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and a host of senior ministers and bureaucrats, among others.Mukherjee had piloted the first Constitutional Amendment Bill to bring in GST in 2011 when he was finance minister with the previous UPA government. The final event is likely to start at 11 pm on June 30 and will be on till half past midnight.(With PTI inputs) New Delhi: The central government has come out in full force to slam the Opposition parties for deciding to boycott the midnight GST launch on June 30. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu held press conferences on Thursday and urged the Congress and other parties to reconsider, saying that the tax reform is being undertaken with the consensus of all political parties. Calling it the single most important tax reform in the last 70 years, Jaitley said that the government remains committed to go ahead with the GST launch. There has never been such exercise of political consensus in brining GST, said the finance minister, adding, I hope every political party will revisit its decision and support the launch. Political parties must display broad shoulder and own up responsibility. Naidu also echoed the fact that all parties passed the GST Bill and there was no reason to skip the launch session now. I dont know why the Congress has decided to boycott the special session on GST. The Congress has no reason, he said, adding that common people are congratulating the government for taking the step. In an offer of reconciliation, Naidu said that the government is ready to give credit to all parties in the account of the Bill. The Central Hall (of Parliament) is the centre of Indian democracy. The Congress is showing disrespect to the President and Vice-President by boycotting the GST session, he added. Earlier in the day, the Congress decided to keep away from the June 30 meeting convened by the government on GST implementation. The decision came after Congress chief Sonia Gandhi met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with other leaders. Our party will not participate in tomorrows event on GST, former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said at a press conference on Thursday. The Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal have also announced their decision to boycott the event. CPI leader D Raja said the Left parties will also boycott the session in view of protest by small and medium scale entrepreneurs, traders, weavers and informal sector workers on the way the GST is being implemented. New Delhi: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has called for long-term engagement with China for the benefit of both New Delhi and Beijing, amid a war-or-words between the armies of both sides. Swamy said that he had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on China-related issues, but declined to divulge details. Speaking to News18, the BJP national executive member admitted that tensions had indeed escalated between two countries. Swamy said that Chinas current stand on India had been building up for a while. It all started with Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Japan. China has been having doubts for a while now. Its about time India tries to have long-term engagements with China for the benefit of both nations, he said. The temperature along Indias northern border rose by several degrees on Thursday when China asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a "meaningful dialogue" to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn "historical lessons", in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. The Chinese reaction came the day Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat visited Sikkim. Swamy said that while the skirmishes along the border were not to be directly linked to the recent meeting between Modi and US President Donald Trump in Washington DC, the fact that the Chinese thought that India was too close for comfort with the US cannot be denied. US has fatigued in terms of international relations. We are not junior partners of the US; we are equals. There can be no world peace without India and China joining hands, Swamy said. China had recently refused entry to around 80 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims through Sikkims Nathu-la pass. The Indian government said it had raised the issue with Chinese authorities. Swamy, who enjoys a personal rapport with the Chinese government, had played a role in re-establishing a good relationship with China during India Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhis administrations. The BJP leader, however, said that he would not do the same this time around unless he was asked by the ruling party to be its envoy. During Indira Gandhis time, I was not part of her party. So the Chinese spoke to me. This time, they know Im part of the ruling government. Unless Im made an official envoy, I dont think its appropriate for me to talk to the Chinese government directly, he added. Quizzed on the rising tension with China and Pakistan at the same time, Swamy said that it was definitely a defence nightmare for India. Im not saying that were not competent, but its like were pitted against two nations now. We have to handle two forces, he said, adding that tensions with Pakistan must be dealt with on priority basis. Mumbai: Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea on Thursday filed a complaint with police alleging that she was beaten up by Byculla Prison officials. Indrani, booked for rioting in the women's prison here along with other inmates, two days back alleged that she was beaten up by jail officials and threatened of sexual assault after the death of a convict sparked protest in the prison. A special CBI court on Wednesday allowed the 44-year-old former media executive to lodge her complaint against the prison officials. Following the court's directions, Indrani went to Nagpada police station at around 12.30 am and submitted a written application, a senior police officer said. In her application, Indrani alleged that she was also hurt when the Byculla prison officials cane-charged inmates to disperse them, the officer said. Indrani was among nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla Jail booked by Nagpada police for rioting and other offences after they staged a protest over the death of a convict, Manju Govind Shette (45). Shette died at the government-run J J Hospital on June 23 after allegedly being beaten up by a woman official of the jail. The next day, enraged women inmates rose in protest, some of them went up to the prison's roof, while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger, a police official said. The inmates alleged that Shette was mercilessly beaten up by the woman prison official which led to her death. A prison department official said on Monday that Indrani "instigated" the inmates by asking them to shun food and "use their children as shields" when prison staffers tried to stop them from agitating and gathering without permission. New Delhi: The joint statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump is singularly unhelpful in achieving peace and aggravates an already tense situation, Pakistans Foreign Office has said in a statement. The joint statement is singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region. By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation, Dawn News quoted from the Foreign Office statement. The statement was issued hours after Pakistans Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar, accused the US of "speaking India's language", saying it seems the "blood of Kashmiris" is "not at all important" to America. "It seems as though the blood of Kashmiris in not at all important to the US, and international laws relating to human rights do not apply to Kashmir," Nisar said, referring to the US State Department designating the Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist. During Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to the US, where he held his bilateral meeting with Trump, India and the US vowed to strengthen cooperation against terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and D-Company, while asking Pakistan to ensure that its soil is not used for terror strikes against other nations. In a joint statement released after talks between Modi and Trump, the two nations called on Islamabad to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups. China has also mounted a strong defence of its all-weather ally, saying Pakistan was at the frontlines of the fight against terrorism. "China thinks that the international cooperation against terrorism should be enhanced and stepped up. The international community should give full recognition and affirmation to Pakistan's efforts in this regard," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters. Islamabad: Pakistan has criticised the Indo-US joint statement asking it to rein in cross-border terrorism as a singularly unhelpful document that would further embolden India to even contemplate military adventurism and negate efforts to achieve durable peace in South Asia. The meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington was a "missed opportunity" to induce India to alter its policies "inimical to peace" in the region, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said here in a terse statement. The joint statement is "singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region, it said. "By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation," the statement issued last night said. During Prime Minister Modis visit to Washington, India and the US vowed to strengthen cooperation against terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and D-Company, while asking Pakistan to ensure that its soil is not used for terror strikes against other nations. In a joint statement released after maiden talks between Modi and Trump on June 26, the two nations called on Islamabad to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups." The statement said that Pakistan was also deeply concerned on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. Such sales "accentuate" military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia, it said, referring to the Trump administrations plans to sell Guardian drones and a C-17 heavy-lift cargo plane to India. This further emboldens India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and even contemplate military adventurism. Transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis-incentivised India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restraint regime and a durable security architecture in the region," the foreign office said. Pakistan firmly believes in the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and supports the peaceful struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination - a right promised to them by the international community through repeated UN Security Council resolutions, it said. "Any attempt to equate the peaceful indigenous Kashimiri struggle with terrorism, and to designate individuals supporting the right to self-determination as terrorists is unacceptable," the foreign office, apparently referring to the designation of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a "global terrorist". Equally unacceptable is the "wilful disregard of the atrocities being committed by Indian security forces against innocent Kashimiri civilians". This undermines the ideals and principles of the UN Charter. It endangers peace and security in the region, it said. Pakistan stands ready and committed to resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir, with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions that underscore the importance of addressing the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, the foreign office said, adding that this is a commitment that India also needs to make publicly. Claiming that Pakistan has been the "primary victim of terrorism" in the region, the statement said the country has achieved significant success in eliminating terrorists and their networks from its soil "without discrimination". "We are committed to bring the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion by eliminating this scourge from our soil. "Pakistan expects the international community to unequivocally stand with it in this fight against terrorism," the foreign office said. "Regrettably, those who seek to appropriate a leadership role in the fight against terror are themselves responsible for much of the terror unleashed in recent years in Pakistan", it claimed. "India has supported the Tehrek-Taliban as a proxy against Pakistan from across the border. Indias culpability in creating this further source of regional insecurity cannot be ignored," the foreign office added. : Money stashed by Indians in Switzerland's banks nearly halved to 676 Swiss francs (about Rs 4,500 crore) in 2016 to hit a record low amid a continuing clampdown on the suspected black money stashed behind their famed secrecy walls.In comparison, the total funds held by all foreign clients of Swiss banks somewhat rose to CHF 1.42 trillion or about Rs 96 lakh crore (from CHF 1.41 trillion a year ago). The total funds held by Indians directly with Swiss banks stood at CHF 664.8 million at the end of 2016, while the same held through fiduciaries was nearly USD 11 million, as per the latest data published today by the country's central banking authority SNB (Swiss National Bank).The total money of Indians fell by 45 percent during 2016 to CHF 675.75 million, marking the biggest ever yearly decline in such funds.This included nearly CHF 377 million in form of customer deposits, about CHF 98 million owed to Indians through other banks and CHF 190 million in form of other 'liabilities'. The figures fell sharply across all categories last year, the SNB data showed.This is the lowest amount of funds held by Indians in the Swiss banks ever since the Alpine nation began making the data public in 1987 and marks the third straight year of decline.The funds held through fiduciaries or wealth managers alone used to be in billions till 2007 but has been falling amid fears of regulatory crackdown.The funds held by Indians with Swiss banks stood at a record high of CHF 6.5 billion (Rs 23,000 crore) at 2006-end, but has now come down to nearly one-tenth of that level in about a decade.The quantum of these funds has been falling since then, except for in 2011 and in 2013 when Indians' money had risen by over 12 percent and 42 percent, respectively. As per the available data since 1987, the earlier lowest ever figure was recorded in 1995 at CHF 723 million.The latest data from Zurich-based SNB comes ahead of a new framework for automatic exchange of information between Switzerland and India to help check the black money menace.While Switzerland has already begun sharing foreign client details on evidence of wrongdoing provided by India and some other countries, it has agreed to further expand its cooperation on India's fight against black money with a new pact for automatic information exchange from next year.There have been several rounds of discussions between Indian and Swiss government officials on the new framework and also for expediting the pending information requests about suspected illicit accounts of Indians in Swiss banks.The funds, described by SNB as 'liabilities' of Swiss banks or 'amounts due to' their clients, are the official figures disclosed by the Swiss authorities and do not indicate to the quantum of the much-debated alleged black money held by Indians in the safe havens of Switzerland.SNB's official figures also do not include the money that Indians, NRIs or others might have in Swiss banks in the names of entities from different countries.There is a view that the Indians alleged to have parked their illicit money in Swiss banks in the past may have shifted the funds to other locations after a global clampdown began on the mighty banking secrecy practices in Switzerland. Swiss banks have also said Indians have "few deposits" in Swiss banks compared to other global financial hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong amid stepped-up efforts to check the black money menace.On directions of the Supreme Court, India has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe cases of alleged black money of Indians, including funds stashed abroad in places like Switzerland.A number of strategies have been deployed by the government to combat the stash-funds menace, in both overseas and domestic domain, which include enactment of a new law to tackle stashing of black money abroad, amendments in the anti-money laundering Act and compliance windows for people to declare their hidden assets.The Income Tax department had also detected over Rs 13,000 crore black money post investigations on global leaks about Indians stashing funds abroad and has launched prosecution against hundreds of entities, including those with accounts in Geneva branch of HSBC.The taxmen had detected Rs 8,186 crore of undisclosed income against those whose names figured in the HSBC list that was obtained by India in 2011 through the French government. Out of the total 628 cases under this list, the department got "actionable" evidence in 415 cases and assessments have been completed in 398 cases.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also begun takin action, including seizure of properties, of those named in the HSBC list under a new clause in the the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).Earlier this month, Switzerland ratified automatic exchange of financial account information with India and 40 other jurisdictions to facilitate immediate sharing of details about suspected black money even as it sought strict adherence to confidentiality and data security.Adopting the dispatch on introduction of the AEOI, a global convention for automatic information exchange on tax matters, the Swiss Federal Council said on June 16 that the implementation is planned for 2018 and the first set of data should be exchanged in 2019.The council, which is the top governing body of the European nation, will soon notify the Indian government about the exact date from which the automatic exchange would begin. As per the draft notification approved by the council, the decision is not subject to any referendum -- which means there should be no further procedural delay in its implementation.The issue of black money has been a matter of big debate in India and Switzerland has been long perceived as one of the safest havens for the illicit wealth allegedly stashed abroad by Indians.Earlier in 2015, the money held by Indians in Swiss banks had fallen by nearly one-third to CHF 1,217.6 million (over Rs 8,000 crore).At the end of 2015, the total funds held in Swiss banks by Indians directly stood at CHF 1,206.71 million (down from CHF 1,776 million a year ago), while the money held through 'fiduciaries' or wealth managers was down at CHF 10.89 million (from CHF 37.92 million at 2014-end). The total stood at CHF 1,814 million at the end of 2014.The total "amounts due to customers' savings and deposit accounts" fell from CHF 425.8 million at 2015-end to CHF 376.97 million, while the money held through other banks declined from CHF 270.4 million to CHF 97.8 million (after more than doubling during the previous year).The 'other liabilities' of Swiss banks towards Indian clients, which include funds held through securities etc, declined from CHF 510.4 million to CHF 190 million.As per the SNB data, the total money held in Swiss banks by all their foreign clients from across the world however rose from CHF 1.41 trillion (USD 1.45 trillion or about Rs 98 lakh crore) to CHF 1.42 trillion (USD 1.48 trillion) in 2016.The total assets of Swiss banks in India fell from CHF 4.8 billion in 2015 to CHF 3.9 billion in 2016. This does not include any tangible assets like real estate and properties, while the amount due to Swiss banks from their customers stood at about CHF 407 million (down from CHF 570 million in 2015). New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tough words on lynching has not found much favour with the opposition parties. This was in evidence at the meeting of parliamentary panel on Minority Affairs which was attended by the JD(U), Congress and Left and Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. The entire Opposition walked out in anger. It so transpired that as the meeting began to discuss the strategy on education for Minorities, the opposition parties demanded a resolution to be moved against lynching. Some, like congress leader Mausam Noor, wanted a two-minute silence to be kept for those who died due to lynching. Naqvi flatly refused saying this was not part of the agenda. Naqvi also reminded Noor that as the PM has already condemned it, it should not be brought up again. The Opposition, though, was not impressed with PM's statement. In fact most of them, like Mamata Banerjee and Owaisi, were of the opinion that the PM has said this earlier as well. Though nothing on the ground nothing has changed. The Opposition complains that the message needs to be stronger and that the BJP-ruled states must walk the talk. In fact PM's statement came a day after thousands turned up in Delhi and four other cities across the country holding aloft placards as a part of the #NotInMyName demonstrations calling for an end to the lynching of innocent Muslims by mobs of cow vigilantes. Though government sources say there is no connection between the two. Now, sources say Opposition is getting a plan in place. The first will be to insist on a short duration discussion on this with a resolution to be moved in the House. And an anti-lynching law making lynching an offence punishable by death. : It was a Town Hall to mark two years of the government's flagship online platform to connect with citizens. Held in Delhi's Talkatora Stadium in the first week of August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest when he used the occasion to rebuke cow vigilantism in no uncertain terms.State governments should prepare a dossier of gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes), said the PM. "Around 70-80 percent are involved in activities that have no place in the society. They, therefore, don the mantle of gau rakshaks to hide their ills," Modi had added.This was the Prime Minister breaking his silence after pictures of Dalits being flogged at Una, Gujarat by cow vigilantes embarrassed the government.The quantification "as high as 80 percent" seemed to have caused a flutter in the BJP's ideological fount, the RSS. A day later, the Sangh issued a statement from its headquarters in Nagpur underscoring that only a "handful" indulged in anti-social activities, while an overwhelming majority were law abiding. The statement came from none other than RSSs second-in-command and general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi.A day later, Modi had to clarify on the subject. He spoke about "fake cow-protectors" at a rally in Telangana. But this time, the PM also quantified such elements as just a "handful".Two months later, at the annual Vijayadashami function in Nagpur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat dedicated an entire paragraph to cow protection. Countless good people working in the field should not be compared with a few trouble makers, he said. "Countless good people are working for cow protection. These good people are working within the ambit of law and Constitution. Administration should see to it that those creating trouble should not be compared with cow protectors," he added.The choice of occasion and the person to deliver the message was clearly well thought."Many of our cadre are associated with cow protection. And they should not be unnecessarily troubled by local administration," said an RSS leader on condition of anonymity.The Prime Minister's statement on cow vigilantes last year was also seen in the backdrop of the impending Uttar Pradesh polls where the BJP was attempting to wean away a section of Dalit votes from the BSP.At the political level, two large social groups are generally at the receiving end of the cow vigilantism Dalits and Muslims. Some sub-castes in these communities have been traditionally associated with skinning and disposing of animal carcasses. The two together also constitute 30 to 50% of the total electorate in many provinces. Their social and electoral coalition is, thus, formidable. To this end, both the BJP and the RSS have worked hard to adopt a more inclusive social image.On cow vigilantism and public lynching, Prime Minister Modi has intervened once again. He's invoked Vinobha Bhave and Mahatma Gandhi. Except for Gujarat, there are no elections lined up this year. Political constraints have loosened up over the last six months.After the UP polls, Prime Minister has emerged much stronger, both within the party and the Sangh parivaar. He has the political authority as the head of an elected government to carry the message through. 2 time PM has spoken but didn't had desired affect bcos Gau Rakshak get direct/indirect support of BJP/Sangh nothing will change on ground Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 29, 2017 PM says killing unacceptable but 3 alleged killers of Pahlu khan yet to be arrested & BJP is in power in Rajasthan,Walk the Talk Mr PM Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 29, 2017 We condemn killings taking place in the name of gau raksha. This must stop now. Just words not enough Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 29, 2017 In a stern message to gau rakshaks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that killing people in the name of cow protection is not acceptable.Killing people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of, Modi said at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. The PM added that no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands.The issue of cow-protection has come to the centre stage as a number of people, many of them Muslims, have been lynched, beaten and intimidated for transporting cows and other cattle. Even government rules regarding cattle slaughter have added to the atmosphere of fear and confusion.A notification by the government in May stated that people buying and selling cattle in markets must submit in writing that it is not meant for slaughter. Further, a market committee would have to be formed in every cattle market and fair to enforce this provision. The government argued that the rules were meant for preventing cruelty to animals.PM Modi said that, Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave have shown us what real gau raksha is. There is no place for violence in society. He added that killing a person does not qualify as cow protection.A string of lynchings has put the spotlight on cow protectors. One of the most high-profile was Pehlu Khan, a farmer from Haryana who was murdered in April by so-called cow protectors in Rajasthan while transporting cows legally purchased from a market in Jaipur. Mohammad Akhlaque, a resident of Bisara village in Greater Noida was lynched in 2015 on suspicion of storing beef in his fridge.Other communities have also suffered violence at the hands of the cow protectors. Banjara villagers in Rajasthan, whose traditional occupation is buying cattle and selling it for agricultural purposes, were assaulted in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. Gau rakshaks have become so brazen that earlier this month they assaulted a team of animal husbandry officials from Tamil Nadu who were transporting cattle in Barmer.Welcoming the PMs statement, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said, We are glad the PM has finally spoken out. But what steps does his government plan to take to check such incidents?AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, however, called the PMs comments mere lip service. Prime Ministers statement is mere lip service as there has been slip between the cup and the lip.Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said just words are not enough. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said killing people in the name of protecting cows is not acceptable. But will the cow vigilantes listen to him? This is the big question. Unfortunately, only time will tell. However, here is what the PM has said in the past on violence and the reaction. August 15, 2014 WHhat PM said: In his first Independence Day speech, Modi termed communal and caste tensions as evil sins and called for a 10-year moratorium on caste and communal violence. What actually happened: The PMs call was ignored and issues such as ghar wapsi, love jihad, and attacks on Muslim continued. October 9, 2015 What the PM said: Breaking his silence on the Dadri incident, he exhorted Hindus and Muslims to fight poverty together, rather than fighting one another. What actually happened: Cow protection by vigilantes assumed dangerous dimensions. August 6, 2016 What PM said: Using his first-ever town hall to deliver a lacerating statement on gau rakshaks, Modi hit out at cow vigilantes, said 'gau rakshak business makes me angry'. What actually happened: Gau rakshaks hit out at the PM, Hindu Mahasabha mulled legal action and said that "Narendra Modi is not worthy of being Prime Minster, he will return just like Vajpayee had to in 2004. August 7, 2016 What PM said: Attacking those behind atrocities on Dalits, he said, "If you want to attack, attack me, not Dalits. If you want to shoot, shoot me" What actually happened: The VHPs Gujarat unit issued a scathing statement saying: "You (Modi) said that 80% of gau rakshaks are fake, then why did you not initiate any legal action against them and proved them goons during your tenure as the Gujarat chief minister for more than 10 years?" Lynchings/violence in the name of the cow Sept 2015: Mohammad Akhlaq lynched in Dadri, son seriously injured on suspicion of possession of beef. Oct 2015: Zahid Rasool Bhatt, 16 years, died in a bomb attack on his truck in Udhampur. March 2016: Suspected cattle traders Mohammad Majloom and Azad Khan hanged in Latehar. April 2017: Suspected cattle traders Abu Hanifa and Riazuddin Ali killed for allegedly stealing cattle in Assam. April 2017: Pehlu Khan died of injuries after being attacked in Alwar for transporting cows. May 2017: Assault on Muslim youths in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh. May 2017: Two traders thrashed in Malegaon, Maharashtra for allegedly storing beef. June 2017: Muslim man attacked in Dhanbad, Jharkand on suspicion he was taking beef to an Iftaar. June 2017: Tamil Nadu animal husbandry dept officials transporting cattle in trucks attacked in Barmer. New Delhi: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international working president Pravin Togadia has written to Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) accusing the intelligence agency of snooping. He also accused the agency of questioning VHP and Hindu Helpline volunteers at various places across the country. India Helpline and Hindu Helpline are two organisations run by the VHP for providing medical assistance to the poor and the needy. The RSS affiliate which spearheaded the Ram Temple movement claims many renowned people from various walks of life have been associated with the initiative. "We as citizens of India always thought that central IB works hard to protect the country...getting inputs on terror attacks.... However, we are saddened to see Central IB question and push the said volunteers to give details of how India and Hindu Helpline operate," Togadia writes in the letter. Demanding apology from the intelligence agency, Togadia said IB should have instead cleared any doubts regarding the functioning of the two helplines with him. A copy of the complaint has been sent to Home Minister and the Prime Minister. New Delhi: Ahead of the midnight tryst with GST, there is an all-out war between the government and the Opposition. Congress, Trinamool Congress, Left parties and RJD have decided to give the special event being organised in Parliament on Friday midnight a miss. The move has clearly disappointed the government. Speaking exclusively to NEWS 18, Power minister and financial mind of the government, Piyush Goyal made a virtual last minute open appeal. I appeal to all opposition parties to attend this event. Most certainly its not about us taking credit. Its to share the joy that we wanted all former prime ministers including Manmohan Singh to share the stage along with the president." Taking a dig at West Bengal finance minister Dr Amit Mitra over his criticism that GST will hurt small time traders, Goyal said, Mr Mitra may have been the head of some industry body, but he has not run a factory. I am a businessman myself and I know the pain of small traders. What has added another spin to the festivities around GST session is Nitish Kumars decision to attend the event and Lalu Yadavs decision to skip the event. Post the battle over whom to support for Presidency, this is the second straight occasion when the two alliance partners in Bihar are not on the same side. JDU spokesperson Ajay Alok told News18, JDU is the only consistent party as far as the stand on GST is concerned. Rest are all perhaps indulging in symbolic protests. But the problem for the JDU-RJD alliance will be that Nitish Kumar is committed to implementing the GST. Will Lalu, whose son is the deputy chief minister under Nitish, walk out of alliance over GST? The answer will likely be known in the coming days. Chennai: TTV Dinakaran has been trying hard to establish himself as a key player in the AIADMK after being released on bail in the first week of June. The nephew of VK Sasikala has the support of over 34 of the 122 MLAs and he remains confident that there wont be a need for President's rule in Tamil Nadu. In an exclusive interview to CNN-News 18, Dinakaran said, I am giving time to my brothers till August for a merger (OPS and EPS factions). If that doesnt happen, I will unite the party and strengthen it. Three factions of the AIADMK sent separate letters to the NDA supporting its Presidential candidatesa clear indication that there are three factions of the AIADMK. Dinakaran, however, denied it and said that he still is a part of the Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) camp. Its not 32 MLAs supporting me. All MLAs support me. I have no rift with anybody. Some ministers have some fear because of which they are talking against you, ask them what this fear is. They will realise their fault and come to us. Only OPS (O Panneerselvam) is against us. EPS camp and we will be together. When asked if the developments from the EPS camp is influenced by the Centre, Dinakaran said: I dont think there is any external force (BJP). Its more like an internal force. Even since the demise of J Jayalalithaa, there have been speculations on whether or not Jaya has written a will. Jayalalithaas niece, Deepa Jayakumar, claimed that there is no will written by Jayalalithaa and that she will move court and fight it legally. Reacting to Deepa's claims, Dinakaran said, Not sure if Jaya has written a will. While the political uncertainty continues in Tamil Nadu, political analysts say superstar Rajinikanth will make his political debut to fill in the vacuum. Sources said the actor will float his own political party to begin with. Dinakaran camp welcomed Rajinikanths entry into politics. Rajini is welcome to join politics. He is very popular. How can I invite him when he is a senior person. He is all set to form a party. Let him announce and then we will decide whether to form an alliance with him, he added. New Delhi: A day after making controversial statements against the Army, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Thursday said that he is BJPs item girl and they dont have anyone else to talk about. I am BJPs item girl. My statement was misconstrued by the media. How can Army's morale fall due to my comment? I am nobody. Army's morale fell when PM Narendra Modi went to Pakistan, he added. Khan appeared to make allegations of rape against soldiers on Wednesday. The comments triggered an angry reaction from the ruling BJP, which accused him of defending terrorists. Armed woman attacked soldiers and cut off their private parts. They cut the part they had problems with. India should be ashamed. How will the country face the world now? Khan said at a public event in his constituency Rampur. Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh attacked Khan over his comments. If he has any problem with India then he should go to Pakistan, Singh said. In a strong criticism of his comments, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said it shows Khans narrow mindset. Azam Khan never treated India as his country. His allegation that the Indian Army outrages the modesty of our mothers and sisters in Kashmir shows his own narrow mindset. PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump condemned terrorism emanating from Pakistan, but hours later politicians like Azam Khan are defending terrorists, Patra said. I want to ask Khan why (Samajwadi Party patriarch) Mulayam Singh Yadav met Gayatri Prajapati, Patra said, referring to Samajwadi Party leader accused of rape. Khans comments have landed him in trouble before. He was made to apologise by the Supreme Court for calling the Bulandshahr gang rape case a "political conspiracy". On May 28, Khan had triggered outrage by saying women should stay indoors to avoid being molested. "After the Bulandshahr incident, everyone should try to keep women of the family indoors. Girls should not go to places where there is naked dance of shamelessness," said Khan, referring to the July 2016 gang-rape of a minor and her mother in Bulandshahr. Trouble in the coalition heaven called Bihar Mahagathbandhan began two months ago when Lalu Prasad Yadav went around meeting a few top BJP leaders in New Delhi, forcing Nitish Kumar to start thinking of a split.Lalu was okay with him going back to jail. What he was afraid was his two sons getting chargesheeted for corruption, both of whom started their political careers only in the last state Assembly election, a top source close to the developments told News18.Another leader who is considered part of Nitishs core team said that the CM tried to quietly carry on with the alliance even when the Supreme Court reopened the corruption cases against Lalu, but the RJD supremos efforts to strike a personal rapprochement with BJP was the last nail in the coalition coffin.Trouble started when Lalu and his close aide and RJP MP Prem Chand Gupta met a few leaders in the Modi government. Mostly, Gupta met the BJP leaders, but then there were times when Lalu went along. The effort was to strike a deal wherein various investigations against Lalus family would be taken off, even if it came at the cost of Bihar government. Lalu was so desperate that he was ready to backstab Nitish Kumar, said the source quoted in the beginning of this report.Nitish, his loyalists affirm, is now only waiting for an opportune time to quit the grand alliance that had come together so dramatically in 2015 to defeat BJP in the assembly polls. His support for NDAs presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind is the first step in this direction.It is a separate issue that BJP showed no interest in Lalus proposal. Had he been successful, Nitish would have lost not only his Mr Clean image but also his political power, said another source. In Bihars 243-member Assembly, JDU has only 71 seats. Lalus RJD has 80, while the BJP has 53 seats.Sources say Lalu was hoping to cash in on the fact that Nitish had ended his 17-year-long alliance with the BJP before 2014 Lok Sabha polls, protesting projection of Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate. But as it turned out, BJP was not interested in Lalus offer as it didnt see any political dividends in aligning with a scam-tainted politician.And somewhere both Nitish and Lalu failed in developing trust factor despite the successful election alliance after two decades-long rivalry in Bihar.They werent on good terms before the alliance. It would have been a win-win situation for Lalu had his secret meetings with the BJP succeeded. There was no way out for Nitish, sources said.On benami property related cases against Tejashwi Yadav, deputy CM of Bihar, and his siblings, a close aide of Bihar CM said, Agar koi JDU ka minister hota, Nitish uska resignation le liye hote (Had it been a minister from the JDU, Nitish Kumar would have sought his resignation by now).Trust kya hai, Cabinet mein baithaye hain (Nitish trusted Tejashwi and made him a part of his Cabinet, he said, adding that Nitish is aware of the fact that his personal image is at stake.Public perception on Lalu Yadav is sinking and Nitish will never allow his goodwill as a clean politician, which he had built through lifelong work, to fall, he said.As of now, Bihar government is functioning mechanically. It may fall in 10 days or 10 weeks its only a matter of time. Only thing that remains to be seen is, what will be the trigger, said another source. : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is planning to send his minister to the launch of GST on Friday midnight despite the move by all Opposition parties to boycott the event, thus signalling a further rift with his Mahagathbandhan allies.After inaugurating a college in Samastipur, Nitish Kumar said all political parties should support GST and participate in launch function as this is a great tax reform which will benefit every state including Bihar.State commercial tax minister and Janata Dal (U) MLA, Vijendra Prasad Yadav, will lead a small delegation to Delhi and attend the special midnight session of Parliament. Yadav has confirmed that his party leader decided to accept the invitation of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and had instructed him to participate in the launch function.By participating in the event, Nitish is going against the wishes of his alliance partners Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, both of whom are boycotting the event. Senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh even appealed to JD(U) to be part of the opposition but apparently Nitish once again decided to ignore his advice.This comes at a time of thaw, after the no-holds-barred exchanges between RJD, JD(U) and Congress over the choice of presidential candidates. Both Kumar and Yadav told their leaders not to speculate over the future of the mahagathbandhan in the state, but the latest move has once again proved that all was not well within the grand alliance.Bihar was the first non-BJP ruled state to ratify the GST bill and Nitish Kumar, while delivering speech in the Assembly, had termed this tax reform as historic. It was in continuation of his support to BJP led NDA government over surgical strike on Pakistan, on demonetisation and over crackdown on benami properties.Trouble in the coalition heaven called Bihar Mahagathbandhan began two months ago when Lalu Prasad Yadav went around meeting a few top BJP leaders in New Delhi, forcing Nitish Kumar to start thinking of a split.Nitish, his loyalists affirm, is now only waiting for an opportune time to quit the grand alliance that had come together so dramatically in 2015 to defeat BJP in the assembly polls.An announcement in this regard could come soon as the JDU supremo has made up his mind to steer clear of the political muck surrounding the RJD founder and his family after a series of raids by the Enforcement Directorate and the I-T Department on cases including money laundering.The grand alliance cannot be savedWe were much more comfortable with the BJP, Rajya Sabha MP and JDU spokesperson K C Tyagi told News18. Senior JDU leader Shivanand Tiwari echoed Tyagis words: JDU has no say in this alliance.BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Modi said he was not surprised that the Mahagatbandhan was on the verge of collapse. From Day One, we knew that this kind of alliance cannot sustain for five years. We thought it will go on for at least 2-3 years, but so much bickering has been happening since beginning, he told News18. New Delhi: Amid reports of alleged lynching incidents targeted at minorities, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday said there was no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the community. He said some forces wanted an "agenda of destruction" to dominate the Centre's "agenda of development" and action was being taken against them. The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, however, said such incidents (of lynching) cannot be justified and appropriate steps will be taken against the perpetrators, while reiterating that the government was committed to its development plank. "I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy...in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," he said after attending the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council here. His response came in the wake of a 17-year-old boy being stabbed to death when he along with his brothers was returning home to Khandawli village in Ballabgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi on Thursday. Thousands of people across the country had yesterday took to the streets in a citizens' protest named 'Not in My Name' against the recent incidents of mob killings. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said it will open its first U.S. appliances plant in more than three decades, a politically pleasing investment ahead of South Korean leader Moon Jae-in's two-day summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. The $380 million plant in Newberry County, South Carolina, will produce washing machines and other appliances from early next year and create nearly 1,000 jobs by 2020, the South Korean tech giant said.The move, the latest in a long line of global companies reacting to pressure from Trump to create more U.S. jobs, has prompted expressions of goodwill between the two nations ahead of the visit.U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Wednesday called the investment "great news", while Trump himself tweeted in February after Samsung said it was considering such an investment: "Thank you, @Samsung! We would love to have you!".But Moon, who will be accompanied by more than 50 South Korean business leaders, is also expected to face pressure to address his country's large trade surplus with the United States.Samsung's investment news was followed up by a statement from South Korea's biggest business lobby that 52 companies plan to invest a total of $12.8 billion in the United States over the next five years.Much of that has already been previously announced and it was not immediately clear how much was new.Samsung is the biggest manufacturer of large appliances in the United States with market share of around 19 percent, according to researcher Traqline. But it hasn't had a U.S. appliances plant since the early 1990s when it closed a TV factory. The investment falls into line with Samsung's strategy of boosting high-end home appliance product sales in the United States. Last year it acquired U.S.-based luxury appliances maker Dacor Inc.It may also give Samsung more flexibility in production decisions as it grapples with a complaint by Whirlpool Corp. Its rival has asked a U.S. government trade panel for stronger protections against imported washing machines made by Samsung and LG Electronics.Whirlpool argues the South Korean firms have skirted Commerce Department anti-dumping orders for years by shifting production to various countries. A decision on its petition is expected in September.Samsung's new plant will allow it to increase its speed of delivery to customers for appliances "that reflect the regional preferences of our fastest-growing and most important consumer market," Samsung Electronics Chief Executive B.K. Yoon said in a statement.U.S. capital spending plans by other South Korean companies include an announcement by Hyundai Motor and its affiliates in January that they will boost investment by 50 percent to $3.1 billion over five years. The automaker has also said it may build a new plant there.LG Electronics Inc said in March it plans to build a $250 million home appliance factory in Tennessee employing 600 workers.South Korea also plans to purchase $22.4 billion worth of U.S. liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and other U.S. goods, the Korean Chamber of Commerce & Industry said. Madrid has asked Paris to lend it the title of "City of Love" as it hosts WorldPride 2017, one of the biggest celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. And the French capital has said yes. "Dear Paris, it's me, Madrid... I need your help," various residents of the Spanish capital say in a video posted on Twitter by city hall on Monday. "You have always been the city of lovers... I want to ask you to lend me your title: Madrid capital of love," they say. "A love that is diverse, free, and proud like us," they continue in the video, which ends with Mayor Manuela Carmena asking: "It doesn't matter who you love, Madrid loves you; would you lend us this beautiful title that belongs to you, capital of love?" "Thanks Paris, your friend forever. Madrid." Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo gave her blessing. "Dear @ManuelaCarmena, dear friends of Madrid, Paris loves you and shares with you the title of city of love!" she tweeted on Tuesday. WorldPride 2017, which kicked off in Madrid on Friday, culminates on Saturday with a huge parade that is expected to attract up to one million people in the capital of 3.1 million inhabitants. The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and to seek out ways to make life better for those around us#snttropez #love #grace #positivity #nikkibeach #familytime #familyholiday #friendslikefamily #summervacation #mytrip #traveldiaries #dutts #shahraandutt #iqradutt #france #frenchriviera #beautifullife #thankyougod A post shared by Maanayata Dutt (@maanayata) on Jun 23, 2017 at 11:28pm PDT Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the deposed crown prince of Saudi Arabia, has been confined to his palace in Jidda city and has been barred from leaving the country, the New York Times has reported. Quoting former US officials and those close to the Saudi royal family, the NYT said the move is aimed at countering any opposition to Mohammed bin Salman, the new heir to the Saudi throne.Its an indication that Mohammed bin Salman does not want any opposition, the report quoted a senior United States official as saying. He doesnt want any rear-guard action within the family. He wants a straight elevation without any dissent not that Mohammed bin Nayef was plotting anything anyway. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.The report quoted the official as saying that the US was in contact with the Saudi Interior Ministry, but that American officials had not had any formal contact with Mohammed bin Nayef. A Saudi official denied the NYT report. It's not true, 100 percent," the official told Reuters.The elevation of Mohammed bin Salman as the Crown Prince ended two years of speculation about a behind-the-scenes rivalry near the pinnacle of royal power, but he still has to win over powerful relatives, clerics and tribesmen.The 31-year-old favoured son of King Salman was already in effect the day-to-day ruler, with sweeping powers over defence, energy and the economy, even though his cousin Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, occupied the more senior job as crown prince.For two years the meteoric rise of Mohammed bin Salman stirred talk of strains and competition between the two princes, both known by their initials as MbS and MbN.That all ended on June 23 when the Al Saud family publicly closed ranks around MbS following his sudden elevation by royal decree. MbN, stripped both of his rank as heir and his position as the veteran head of Saudi Arabia's internal security forces, was among the first to pledge allegiance to his newly elevated younger cousin. And yet questions remain over how the youthful MbS will consolidate his own network of power and patronage.Any jostling for power among the hereditary lines of state founder King Abdulaziz al-Saud is carefully hidden behind the ornate doors of royal palaces. Princes are keen to avoid a full-blown internal struggle of the kind that brought down two previous Saudi dynasties in the 18th and 19th centuries.Abdulaziz, who founded the Saudi state in 1932 after conquering most of the Arabian peninsula, had at least 45 sons, of whom 36 survived into adulthood. Since he died in 1953, the country has been ruled successively by six of them.The next king will be the first from the next generation, and there are no formal rules for how to pick a successor from among Abdulaziz's scores of grandsons.The reshuffle has sparked speculation of late that the octogenarian King Salman could abdicate in favour of his son to ensure the first generational succession in 64 years takes place without a fight. Washington: President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, DC, a media release said. Urs earned a MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He speaks fluent Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. Washington: Donald Trump unleashed a brutal personal attack Thursday on respected female television host Mika Brzezinski in the latest, stunning salvo in the president's ongoing war with the media. Trump's Twitter outburst -- in which he describes the journalist "bleeding badly from a facelift" -- appears to have been trigged by Brzezinski's sharp comments during the morning show she co-hosts with Joe Scarborough on the left-leaning MSNBC network. "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore)," wrote Trump, an avid cable news watcher. "Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" Trump tweeted. In recent days Trump has escalated his attacks on US media outlets -- which he accuses of peddling "fake news" about him -- singling out CNN over the retraction of a story about his administration's supposed links with Russia, but also assailing rival cable networks, the New York Times and the Washington Post. But the vulgarity of his latest assault triggered a torrent of criticism, including from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham who called him out directly, tweeting: "Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America." Trump 'out of his mind' Brzezinski herself appeared uncowed by Trump's onslaught. She responded with a post of her own, a photo of a young child reaching for Cheerios cereal. "Made for little hands," the picture caption read -- a schoolyard taunt that has been leveled against the image-conscious Trump since the days of his candidacy. In the Thursday show, Brzezinski had suggested the president was psychologically unhinged. "Everybody in Washington, in the administration, needs to look at this from... a point of view where they're not lobotomized because you're sitting in there and you're so scared of him, and you think you need to suck up to the president." If a boss at NBC, MSNBC's parent company, "started tweeting wildly about people's appearances, bullying people, talking about people in the competition, lying every day, undermining his managers, throwing them under the (bus) -- that person would be thrown out. "It's just not normal behavior," she said. "In fact, there would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind." Trump was often interviewed on "Morning Joe" during the 2016 campaign, but as the White House relationship with much of the US media has soured he has recently favored interviews with friendly right-wing outlets. Brzezinski, 50, is the daughter of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was president Jimmy Carter's national security advisor. Scarborough, 54, is a Republican former congressman who represented a Florida district in the 1990s. The two are engaged to marry. Twitter ablaze MSNBC immediately sprang to the defense of its host. "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job," the cable network's public relations office wrote. Scarborough likewise rallied behind his fiancee, re-tweeting a string of posts assailing Trump, including one from NBC journalist Mark Kornblau that read: "Never imagined a day when I would think to myself, 'it is beneath my dignity to respond to the President of the United States.'" White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, speaking on Fox News, was quick to defend her boss. "I don't think that the president's ever been someone who gets attacked and doesn't push back," Huckabee Sanders said. "There have been outrageous number of personal attacks, not just to him but to frankly everyone around him ... This is a president who fights fire with fire and certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by liberal media or liberal elites in Hollywood or anywhere else." But the Trump-Brzezinski feud lit up the internet, where critics were reminded of Trump's misogynistic attack last August on Fox reporter Megyn Kelly, who he said had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever" after she challenged him in a campaign debate. "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling quoted a revered Trump predecessor in her reaction: "'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.' Abraham Lincoln." Krasdonar (Russia): Germany will reject a request by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to address Turkish citizens while attending the G20 summit in Germany next week, the German foreign minister said on Wednesday, in another blow to the troubled ties of the allies. Sigmar Gabriel said Ankara had submitted a formal request on Wednesday for Erdogan to speak to Turkish citizens in Germany on the sidelines of the July 7-8 summit of leading economies. He said Turkey had ignored his express advice not to do so. A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed that Erdogan's request to speak at a non-G20 event would be denied. Gabriel said such appearances by Erdogan, who has addressed Turks in Germany before, would be inappropriate. Germany did not want to play host to the domestic problems of another country, the minister told reporters during a visit to Russia. He also cited security concerns for Erdogan's request being rejected. "We don't have the police forces available to ensure security, given the G20." Gabriel said. "But I also told them openly that such an appearance was not appropriate given the conflict situation that exists with Turkey, and that it would not fit into the political landscape at this time." In Moscow, Gabriel told reporters that Germany was under no obligation to allow such appearances and it did not violate democratic principles. Ties between Germany and Turkey have soured due to disagreements over a range of political and security issues, worsening significantly in the past year due to Turkey's jailing of a German-Turkish journalist, Ankara's refusal to let German lawmakers visit German troops at a Turkish air base. Among other grievances, Erdogan has decried as "Nazi era tactics" decisions by local German authorities to ban rallies by Turkish politicians before it held a referendum in April which widened presidential powers. Erdogan has previously been permitted to address Turkish citizens living in Germany, home to an estimated 1.4 million eligible Turkish voters and around 3 million people with a Turkish background. But Gabriel said he wanted to change that policy for all non-EU countries, given the experiences of the last months, and had discussed the issue with Merkel. "We should tell all non-EU countries - not just Turkey - that we don't allow campaign appearances that serve to import domestic conflicts from other country to Germany." Asked if Turkey could plan an event for Erdogan in its embassy or consulates in Germany, Gabriel said that this was up to Ankara. India's Space Research Organisation (ISRO)s communication satellite GSAT-17 was launched on Thursday by a heavy duty rocket of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana. The 3,477 kg GSAT-17 will carry payloads in normal C-band, extended C-band and S-band to provide various communication services. It carries equipment for meteorological data relay and satellite based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites.The European launcher Arianespace Flight VA238 blasted off from Ariane Launch Complex No 3 (ELA 3) at Kourou, a French territory located in northeastern coast of South America, couple of minutes delayed than the scheduled time of 2:29 hrs IST. GSAT-17 was injected shortly after orbiting co-passenger Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN in a flawless flight lasting about 41 minutes."GSAT-17 successfully launched by Ariane-5 VA-238 from Kourou, French Guiana," the city headquartered ISRO announced after the mission. GSAT-17 that will strengthen ISRO's current fleet of 17 telecommunications satellites was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This will be third satellite launch by ISRO this month, the other two being first developmental flight of GSLV MkIII and PSLV C-38 missions -- both from Sriharikota spaceport.GSLV MkIII successfully launched GSAT-19 satellite on June 5 while PSLV-C38 orbited Cartosat-2 Series satellite along with 30 co-passenger satellites on June 23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. ISRO, which has been dependent on Ariane-5 rocket for carrying its heavier satellites, is developing GSLV Mk III for this purpose.Announcing the successful launch of the satellite, Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel tweeted: "Confirmed: GSAT-17 has successfully separated from its #Ariane5 launcher #VA238 @ISRO " Thanking Arianespace, Director Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Dr K Sivan who watched the launch from the mission control centre called it a "text book mission".Noting it as a special mission for ISRO, he said "GSAT-17 is a need of the hour for ISRO and India as it provides the continuity in services of ageing two satellites, as well as augmenting our transponder capability, and widening our horizon to mobile satellite services as well as to Antarctica areas."GSAT-17's co-passenger Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN is a two-payload "condosat" produced by Thales Alenia Space for Hellas Sat and Inmarsat. Once in orbit, the Hellas Sat 3 component will deliver direct-to-home and telecom services to maintain and expand Hellas Sat's business reach, while the Inmarsat S EAN component provides the satellite portion of Inmarsat's new European Aviation Network.Hellas Sat (member of the Arabsat Group) is a premium satellite operator, offering services in Europe, the Middle East and South Africa from the orbital position of 39 East. Inmarsat is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services.The total payload carried on Flight VA238 is approximately 10,177 kg. GSAT-17 will be the 21st satellite from ISRO to be launched by Arianespace, and its designed in-orbit operational life is about 15 years. After its injection into GTO, ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan takes control of GSAT-17 and performs the initial orbit raising maneuvers using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in circular Geostationary Orbit, the Indian space agency has said.(With PTI inputs) Raqa: An ivory-coloured rosary swings from the rearview mirror of Abboud Seryans pickup truck as he speeds through Syria's Raqa, inspecting the positions of fellow Christian fighters taking on the Islamic State group. Lively music blasts through the car speakers while the thin 23-year-old, wearing a military-style cap and a revolver tucked into his waist, waves to comrades in the western district of Al-Romaniya. IS was ousted from the neighbourhood earlier this month as part of the US-backed offensive to defeat the jihadists in their northern Syrian bastion. The ground assault is being carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a majority Kurdish and Arab alliance, but dozens of Christians from the Syriac sect have also joined the fight. Were participating in the liberation of Raqa in the name of all Syrians. There's no difference between Syriacs, Kurds, or Arabs. We're all brothers, Seryan says. The jihadists blew up Raqas churches and forced Christians to convert to Islam. This is also why were participating in this battle. Thousands of Syriac Christians once lived in Raqa alongside Armenians, Kurds and the city's mainly Sunni Arab population, but many fled when IS overran the city in 2014. On June 29 of that year, IS declared the establishment of a self-styled Islamic caliphate straddling areas under its control in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. Christians could remain in Raqa if they paid a special tax called the jizya or converted to Islam - but many of them chose to flee. Bullet in his head As the fightback against IS intensified the Syriac Military Council (SMC) - formed in 2013 to defend the community during Syria's civil war - joined with the SDF. After a months-long operation to encircle Raqa, the SDF burst into the city on June 6 and are chipping away at jihadist-held districts, with help from heavy US-led coalition air strikes. Now the SMCs fighters are battling jihadists on the frontline in Raqa, some proudly wearing their religion on their sleeves - literally. Many fighters have tattoos of rosaries inked around their wrists and the word JESUS printed down their forearms. From an SMC position in Al-Romaniya, its fighters look out over a landscape of buildings perforated with gaping holes, collapsed rooftops and concrete walls spilling into the streets. The coalition air force carried out intense strikes... This is why there's a lot of destruction in this neighbourhood, Seryan says. Aleksan Chmou, a Syriac fighter in a beige cap, says Syriac fighters coordinate closely with the SDF's other factions. He says he is driven to fight by IS atrocities against Syria's minorities. Im sacrificing for what they did to our people, our sects, for the churches they blew up. For all these things, Chmou says. Our Messiah Jesus Christ has a saying: if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your left cheek to him, the 28-year-old says. But for me, if someone slaps me on my right cheek, I'm going to put a bullet in his head. Nothing will stop me Most Syriac fighters in Raqa are young, like 23-year-old Fadi. In some neighbourhoods, we are on the front lines of the fight, he says, squinting in the sun as beads of sweat form on his temples. We received military training and put on this uniform to fight Daesh, liberate our people and all the peoples of this region, he says, using the Arabic acronym for IS. His fellow militiamen have taken up position in a house overlooking IS-held neighbourhoods. As sniper fire and explosions echo around them, some Syriac fighters take a short break to sip tea, drag on cigarettes, or disassemble and clean their weapons. The SMC has even attracted foreign volunteers, with a Briton and an American serving in this unit. The American - a blue-eyed, blond sniper - aims his rifle out of a window at nearby IS posts as the British fighter behind him looks out with binoculars. The sniper's arms and neck are covered in tattoos. The motto of a regiment of the French foreign legion Rien n'empeche, or Nothing will stop me - is inked above his right eyebrow. After a breathless moment, he fires. Good, good! a Syriac fighter behind him says in English as the sniper pumps his hand into the air and breaks out into a grin. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi tries his hands on a spinning wheel during his visit to Gandhi Ashram or Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Modi attended the centenary year celebrations of the ashram, one of the residences of Mahatma Gandhi. (Image: AP) In this June 27, 2017, photo made with a tilt-shift lens, a photograph showing Chinese and British flags during the ceremony for the handover of Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997, is displayed at an exhibition in Hong Kong. Two decades since Beijing took control of Hong Kong, China's rising influence and Britain's waning profile are impossible to ignore. (Image: AP) A Richmond man was arraigned Thursday on a charge of capital murder in connection to last month's fatal shooting of Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter. Although Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Michael N. Herring hasn't yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty on the capital charge, Travis Ball may face additional charges, the prosecutor said. After the brief hearing Thursday, Herring said he may go back before a grand jury to seek indictments for gun charges. Ball, 27, of the 1900 block of Redd Street - the same block in Mosby Court where Walter, 45, a father of three, was shot May 26 - appeared by video Thursday for the minutes-long arraignment. Because the charge carries a potential penalty of death or life imprisonment, Judge Beverly W. Snukals appointed a capital defender to represent Ball, as well as another seasoned defense attorney, Cary Bowen, when Ball said he wasn't sure if he could afford to hire his own attorney. He worked "off-and-on" before his arrest, Ball told the judge in a deep, resonate voice. "It wasn't a stable job." The case was continued until next week, when attorneys will set a date for the next hearing. Herring spoke to media outside the John Marshall Courts Building, saying he was still evaluating the evidence and wouldn't make a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty for some time. "It's too early to say," Herring said. "There's nothing pleasant about this, and so I don't want the public to think that we were charged up to indict Mr. Ball or try him for capital murder. It's of necessity that we are taking him to trial. Hopefully it sends a message that we certainly scrutinize the actions of the police, but we equally scrutinize the actions of the general public when they take steps against the police." Capital cases are complicated, and take time, he said. "I can't imagine that it will be tried in calendar year 2017." Quadruple-murder defendant Alexander R. Hill Jr. will be tried by a jury beginning Sept. 6, nearly 3 years after police say he killed four generations of the same family in their Petersburg home. A trial for William Roy Brissette, who allegedly killed both his parents on Easter in 2016, scheduled for earlier this month in Henrico County was delayed when Brissette's mental health came into question. In that case, the capital defender, Doug Ramseur, asked for 18 months to two years to prepare for the case. Ramseur's office also defended Russell E. Brown III in the capital murder of slain master state trooper Junius A. Walker in Dinwiddie County. In August, more than three years after Walker's death, a jury sentenced Brown to life in prison. Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, Virginia has executed 112 people, tying Oklahoma for the second-most executions behind only Texas. The last person executed, Ricky Javon Gray, was Herring's only other capital case since taking office in 2006. Gray was executed earlier this year for slaying Ruby Harvey, 4, and Stella Harvey, 9, in their South Richmond home. He Lost 30 Years of Memories. His Wife Came Up With a Plan Who you gonna call? The Royal Thai Police Force, apparently. Khaosod English reports a rural village in Thailand requested police assistance with a female ghostknown as a phi pobthat's been killing cattle, sickening authorities, and otherwise haunting the village in recent months. The residents are frightened, a local police chief says. "The people who believe in the rumor are genuinely scared. According to the village's letter to police, they want regular patrols "to strengthen civilian morale, prevent panic, and boost their confidence in living their daily lives." Police were dispatched to the village this week. Meanwhile, the BBC takes a look at some other alleged phi pob cases from recent years and explains a few of the 20 types of spirits said to be haunting Thailand. (Read more ghosts stories.) Cardinal George Pell, the third highest-ranking Vatican official, has long been accused of mishandling the church's response to clergy abuse scandals in his native Australia. Police in Victoria state now say he might have been one of the abusers. Australian police say the 76-year-old Vatican treasurer faces "multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences" involving more than one accuser, Reuters reports. Pell was ordered to appear in court in Melbourne on July 18 and the church says he plans to return to Australia to "clear his name"if doctors allow him to travel. He "is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously," the Australian Catholic Church said in a statement. Police have not disclosed details of the allegations involving Pell, who was a parish priest in Victoria in the 1970s before becoming Archbishop of Melbourne, the BBC reports. Pope Francis said last year that he would not comment on allegations involving his adviser until after "the justice system speaks." Brian Coyne, editor of Catholic forum Catholica, tells the Sydney Morning Herald that Pell has long been a divisive figure in the church and this is a "watershed moment for Catholicism." Pell was "moved to Sydney and elevated to the rank of cardinal to 'clean up the church in Australia,'" Coyne says. "The implications of this ... for the church internationally and Pope Francis scarcely bear thinking about." (Read more Cardinal George Pell stories.) In the last years of her life, Diana became involved in the cause of unexploded land mines left behind from wars, which caused civilians to lose limbs after unsuspectingly stepping on them. In February 1997, she made a highly publicized documentary with the BBC where she donned protective gear and walked through a field strewn with land mines in Angola. She was accompanied by Paul Heslop, who at the time worked for an organization that removed these land mines. "She wasn't making eye contact, and I felt that initially she was disinterested," he told the BBC in 2017. "And then, when the whole mob of journalists came off the other planes I suddenly realized why she was so nervous. And this poor woman was about to go into a live minefield, a dangerous area, in front of however many hundreds of millions or billions of people on the news, and I thought back to the first time I went into a minefield, and I was petrified." Advertisement In the field, the princess was shown a dummy land mine and she pushed a button to detonate it, just as Heslop's team normally did. They took great care to keep her safe. "I did not want to be on the front page of the news the next day as the man who'd blown up Princess Diana," said Heslop. A year later, after Diana's death, the U.K. ratified the international convention banning land mines. " " Princess Diana, Princess of Wales wears protective body armor while visiting a landmine minefield being cleared by the charity Halo in Huambo, Angola. Tim Graham/Getty Images All those detailed notes James Comey kept about his meetings with President Trump will fall into the hands of those investigating whether Trump fired the former FBI director to interfere with an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Republican Richard Burr, tells Politico he has a "commitment" to receive the memos "soon," though he won't say who will provide them. Mark Warner, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee, says he's "pleased," noting "it's critical information that we have to have as part of our review process," reports Reuters. Burr also revealed Wednesday he has set an "aspirational" goal to finish the investigation by the year's end, per the Washington Post. Burr says the final report will likely reiterate the committee's initial assessment that Russia used hacking and propaganda to bolster Trump's chances of winning the electionan offense Burr says should have been met with a powerful response from the Trump administration. Yet "what the world's crying for right now is for leadership," he says. Bloomberg reports the Trump administration will file a complaint with the Justice Department regarding Comey's leaking of memo details to the press earlier this month. However, the administration has reportedly opted to delay the filing so as to not complicate the Justice Department investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, led by special counsel Robert Mueller. (Read more Senate Intelligence Committee stories.) Authorities in Venezuela are hunting for the police commando who led Tuesday's daring helicopter attack on the capital that has left the country stumped. The Wall Street Journal reports that questions are flying after Oscar Perez, the wayward cop and part-time action movie star allegedly behind the plot, managed to vanish after hijacking the chopper and dropping grenades and pro-rebellion propaganda. The chopper was found on Wednesday in a jungle outside Caracas, but there was no trace of Perez or the others. Embattled President Nicolas Maduro ordered a security crackdown, as puzzled Venezuelans scoured social media for clues to what exactly happened. Some wondered if the scandal-tainted government staged the brazen scheme in an effort to curtail daily, paralyzing demonstrations that have destabilized the government, per the New York Times. Protesters who initially cheered a rogue band of cops presumably opposed to Maduro later weren't so sure. "I wanted it to be true," one witness tells the Times. "But I had to ask myself if this had all been staged or wasnt coming from the government." Most Venezuelans "don't know what to make of it," one analyst says. Maduro blamed "terrorists," and officials insisted the plot was real, engineered by the CIA and retired Gen. Miguel Rodriguez Torres, a Maduro critic. Torres called the attack that left no injuries a "stupid montage," per the Journal. He questioned how the chopper could buzz the city for so longCNN reports it lasted about two hourswithout being shot down. Perez starred in the 2015 movie Suspended Death, in which he jumps out of a police chopper and shoots Colombian gangsters, per the Journal. He claims no political affiliation on Instagram, notes Euronews. (Read more Venezuela stories.) In a case that police say lays bare the disturbing extent of the opioid crisis, a woman in Pennsylvania faces charges of assaulting her baby by overdosing on heroin while seven months pregnant. The baby was delivered by emergency C-section Saturday after 30-year-old Kasey Dischman was found unresponsive in the bathroom of her East Butler home, CBS Pittsburgh reports. She had gotten out of jail for retail theft just five days earlier, authorities say. Police, who found a needle hidden in the bathroom after obtaining a warrant and searching the apartment, say Dischman will face charges including aggravated assault of an unborn child after she is released from the hospital. The baby girl has been declared brain dead and police say the charges could include homicide if she is taken off life support. "The baby's in bad shape," police Lt. Eric Hermick tells the Butler Eagle. The opioid epidemic, he says, is "so severe it doesn't stop a mother 30-plus weeks pregnant from overdosing." WPXI reports that Dischman's boyfriend, Andrew Lucas, will be charged with interfering with the investigation because he claimed she had a seizure disorder and didn't do drugs. Hermick says things could have turned out differently if doctors had known the truth and administered the anti-overdose drug Narcan right away. Police say the couple's 6-year-old daughter was also home when Dischman overdosed. (Read more heroin stories.) Secretary of State Rex Tillerson finds dealing with the White House frustrating, and tensions boiled over Friday when he "exploded" at a White House aide, insiders tell Politico. The sources say White House officials present, including Jared Kushner, were "stunned" when Tillerson laid into presidential personnel office chief Johnny DeStefano for rejecting his picks for State Department posts. Tillerson also accused the White House of leaking damaging information about him to the media, the sources say. DeStefano's office has turned down many of Tillerson's choices for top posts either for being Democrats or for being Republicans who criticized Trump during the campaign, aides say. The outburst from the former Exxon CEO came after disagreements with the White House on issues including Qatar, where he has tried to mediate in the dispute with other Arab nations, only to be publicly undermined by President Trump. Insiders tell the New York Times that Tillerson and Kushner are struggling for control of Middle East policy, and Tillerson is frustrated that he doesn't have the autonomy Trump promised him. "Rex is a 65-year-old guy who worked his way up from the bottom at Exxon, and he chafes at the idea of taking orders from a 38-year-old political operative," a former transition aide tells Politico of DeStefano. (Read more Rex Tillerson stories.) A judge set bail at $6.45 million on Wednesday for a Northern California brain surgeon charged with sexually abusing children, the AP reports. Prosecutors had opposed bail for Dr. James Kohut, saying the neurologist is a public danger who recruits women to help find child victims. The Santa Cruz DA's office said Kohut also discussed impregnating women to give birth to children he could sexually abuse in a so-called taboo family lifestyle. Prosecutors say there is no evidence he created such a family, but they have charged him with 11 counts of sexually abusing children under the age of 14. Kohut, 57, has pleaded not guilty. He was arrested last month along with two nurses charged with participating in the sex abuse. The arrest came four days days after cops arrested Rashel Brandon, 42, a nurse who worked at a nearby hospital. Brandon's husband had turned over a video showing shows Brandon and another nurse, 29-year-old Emily Stephens, sexually abusing children. Court records and lawyers said Brandon implicated Kohut. Brandon is also charged with eight counts of sexually abusing children, per the Mercury News, and her bail has been set at $500,000. Stephens was arrested in Tucson, Ariz. Kohut's lawyer, Jay Rorty, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment but has previously denied the allegations. Rorty argued in court papers that Kohut does not represent a danger to the public or a flight risk. If Kohut does post bail, he will be monitored electronically. He voluntarily suspended his California medical license while the case is pending, and faces 165 years in prison if convicted. (Read more sexual abuse stories.) Just because air pollution falls below legal limits does not mean you're safe. Indeed, there is no "safe" level of air pollution as pollutants cause an increased risk of premature death even when detected at a fraction of the legal limit set by the EPA, a new study finds. "We are now providing bullet-proof evidence that we are breathing harmful air. Our air is contaminated," Francesca Dominici, the lead author of the Harvard study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, tells NPR. Researchers used a computer model to assess levels of ozone and fine particulate matter by US zip code, then determined what effect the pollutants had on ones risk of premature death using data on 97% of Americans 65 or older, reports the Los Angeles Times. The risk of death climbed when seniors were exposed to as little as 5 micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter of air, though the legal limit is 12 micrograms. Researchers found lowering the limit to 11 micrograms would save 12,000 lives per year. Similarly, the risk of death grew with exposure to ozone at 30 parts per billion; the EPA limit is 70 parts per billion. Researchers found cutting the legal limit to 69 parts per billion would save 1,900 lives annually. However, an editorial accompanying the study notes the Trump administration is favoring policies that would give us "dirtier air" which is "going to kill a lot of people." Trump ally Scott Segal counters that environmental rules can also "adversely affect public health" by increasing health care costs, per NPR. (Perhaps we need a forest city.) The Trump administration has set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a "close" family or business tie to the United States. The move, which takes effect at 8pm Thursday, came after the Supreme Court partially restored an executive order from President Trump that was widely criticized as a ban on Muslims, the AP reports. Visas that have already been approved will not be revoked, but instructions issued by the State Department say that new applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran, and Yemen must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or sibling already in the United States to be eligible. The same requirement, with some exceptions, holds for would-be refugees from all nations who are still awaiting approval for admission to the US. Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships, according to the guidelines that were issued in a cable sent to all US embassies and consulates late on Wednesday. As far as business or professional links are concerned, the State Department says a legitimate relationship must be "formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course rather than for the purpose of evading" the ban. (Read more State Department stories.) It was a last-minute Christmas gift for his wife that inspired Michael Bond to create Paddington bear, the marmalade-loving teddy in a duffel coat and floppy hat. Bond would go on to see his creation enchant children for more than half a century and become an icon immortalized in print, on screens, and as countless stuffed toys before his death at age 91. His publisher, HarperCollins, said Wednesday that the author died at his home a day earlier after a short illness, the AP reports. HarperCollins exec Ann-Janine Murtagh said Bond "will be forever remembered for his creation of the iconic Paddington ... which touched my own heart as a child and will live on in the hearts of future generations." The furry adventurer first appeared in A Bear Called Paddington in 1958a stowaway from "Darkest Peru" who arrived at London's Paddington train station. Adopted by the kindly Brown family, the misadventure-prone bear went on to star in more than 20 books, several television series, and a 2014 feature film. A sequel is currently in production. Born in England in 1926, Bond served in both the Royal Air Force and the British Army during World War II. He began writing while stationed with the army in Egypt in 1945. He was working as a BBC cameraman when he created Paddington, inspired by a teddy bear he bought for his wife one Christmas Eve as a stocking filler. He named the character after the station he used for daily commutes. (Read more Paddington Bear stories.) A father in Oklahoma decided to take matters into his own hands after an app let him know that his teen daughter was swapping sexually charged messages with a 33-year-old man. Per KOCO, the unidentified Del City dad had installed the FamilyTime app, which helps parents keep tabs on their children's online activity, on his 15-year-old's device, and he was angered to find out the adult male had been exchanging sexually themed messages and photos with his daughter, per the Washington Post. To make things worse, the two had also decided to meet in person for the first timewhich is when the girl's dad decided to act. "He was ready, and we were, too," the father tells KOCO. By "ready," the dad meant he had his wife, the teen's stepmom, wait in a tent in their backyard, while he, a nephew, and a cousin hid and waited until, he says, the man showed up and peeked inside the tent. At that point, the family members tackled the alleged perp and restrained him with zip ties; per KSWO, the dad and his vigilante helpers held the man until police arrived, while the teen remained in the house, not clued in to what was going on. "I had to do what was right as a father," the dad tells KOCO, which has the June 22 surveillance video of the DIY sting. "[He] walked into the wrong backyard." The man was arrested and charged on complaints of unlawful communication by the use of technology, using a phone and social media to communicate with a minor. Although cops are leery of citizens confronting potential criminals on their own, a Del City Police Department rep tells the Post, "As a parent, I don't blame him. I think it's your right to protect your children." (The FBI rescued more than a dozen teens in a Super Bowl sex sting.) Last week's commotion in Saudi Arabia over the line of succession seems to have quieted down, but that may be because the deposed crown prince has been hidden away so he can't cause trouble for the new one. Per the New York Times, four sources noted to be "current and former American officials and Saudis close to the royal family" have said the erstwhile crown prince, 57-year-old Mohammed bin Nayef, has been banned from leaving the grounds of his Jiddah palace and the kingdom overall. The alleged confinement is also said to extend to some family members: One of bin Nayef's married daughters was reportedly confined to home (her spouse and child could leave). A Saudi official notes the mandate happened right after bin Nayef lost his royal standing to his younger cousin, 31-year-old Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman's son. Sources say bin Salman guards now patrol bin Nayef's palace. "It's an indication ... MBS does not want any opposition," a source tells the Times, using bin Salman's nickname, adding bin Nayef likely wasn't planning any trouble. Saudi state media has been trying to depict a smooth transition, even putting a video on loop showing MBS kissing the hand of his older cousin, who then offers him well wishes. A senior Saudi official blasts the Times article, telling Reuters the report is "untrue, completely false, and baseless" and that bin Nayef may seek legal redress against the paper. "His Royal Highness and his family [are] moving freely and hosting his guests unrestrictedly," the official says, adding Nayef has left his home "on a daily basis" since his demotion. However, while another Saudi official denies it's "house arrest," he seems to acknowledge there are restrictions, per the Guardian, adding, "It's just in the changeover period. MBS does not want to take any risks." Read more on MBS here. (Read more Saudi Arabia stories.) Richard Gathercole was arrested June 20 after he allegedly tried to shoot a Kansas state trooper who was attempting to pull him over due to an obscured vehicle registration. But thanks to a phone call with his mother from jail, authorities now believe Gathercole is also responsible for moremuch more. The 39-year-old is suspected of being the "AK-47 Bandit," one of the most wanted bank robbers in the US, a law enforcement source tells the Los Angeles Times. "Did you get all the guns out, too?" Gathercole asked his mother, asking her to take them out of his Montana home "as soon as possible." "Um, this is recorded," she pointed out to him, to which he replied, "Yeah, I know." The call was cited in a search warrant request, reports the Washington Post; federal agents raided his home, where they say they found a number of homemade bombs. The AK-47 Bandit has been sought by federal agents since 2012, when he shot and seriously wounded a police officer while fleeing a bank robbery in Chino, Calif. He's suspected of a string of robberies that followed that onetwo more in California, one in Washington state, and one in Idaho, plus one in Nebraska in 2014 and one in Iowa in 2015. He wore a black ski mask, dark body armor, and a mesh vest with "sheriff" printed on the back during the robberies, and he brought an AK-47. In an affidavit, the FBI links Gathercole to at least two of those robberies. When Gathercole was arrested this month, authorities found a black ski mask like the one the bandit wore inside a stolen pickup Gathercole was allegedly driving; inside his own car, they say they found an AK-47. He's being held on charges of theft and possession of stolen firearms; federal charges have not yet been filed, per Fox News. (Read more bank robbery stories.) The weird new fight regarding the Senate GOP's health care plan is one of semantics. Democrats insist that Republicans are slashing Medicaid, while Republicans say that Medicaid is actually increasing. Witness President Trump's tweet on Wednesday: "Democrats purposely misstated Medicaid funding under new Senate bill - actually goes up," he wrote. Kellyanne Conway and Newt Gingrich have made a similar case. So who is right? In the wonky world of budget parlance, both sides can make a case. Explanations: He's right, but ...: "In a literal sense," Trump is correct, explains a Wonkblog post at the Washington Post. Under the GOP plan, the total amount spent on Medicaid would grow, slowly, from 2017 to 2026. "But the accounting he uses to show Medicaid spending is wildly divergent from the way budget analysts, policymakers and many lawmakers account for spending levels." It's all about what is considered "baseline." "In a literal sense," Trump is correct, explains a Wonkblog post at the Washington Post. Under the GOP plan, the total amount spent on Medicaid would grow, slowly, from 2017 to 2026. "But the accounting he uses to show Medicaid spending is wildly divergent from the way budget analysts, policymakers and many lawmakers account for spending levels." It's all about what is considered "baseline." The numbers: The CBO says that under current law, the federal government would spend $4.62 trillion on Medicaid through 2026. Under the Senate bill, spending would be $770 billion less. "Opponents of the GOP bills call that a cut," says the fact-checking blog Politifact. "The CBO calls that 'reductions in outlays.' Gingrich is saying its an increase." After a lengthy assessment, the site rates Gingrich's claim "Half True." It previously gave Conway a "Mostly False" rating. Once expunged from its official history, documents outlining the US-backed 1953 coup in Iran have been quietly published by the State Department, offering a new glimpse at an operation that ultimately pushed the country toward its Islamic Revolution and hostility with the West. The CIA's role in the coup, which toppled Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and cemented the control of the shah, was already well known by the time the State Department offered its first compendium on the era in 1989. But any trace of American involvement in the putsch had been wiped from the report, causing historians to call it a fraud. The papers released this month show US fears over the spread of communism, as well as the British desire to regain access to Iran's oil industry, which had been nationalized by Mossadegh, the AP reports. The 1,007-page report, comprised of letters and diplomatic cables, shows US officials discussing a coup up to a year before it took place. While America worried about Soviet influence in Iran, the British remained focused on resolving a dispute over the nationalization of the country's oil refinery at Abadan, at the time one of the world's largest. Many also feared further instability following the 1951 assassination of Premier Ali Razmara. The report fills in the large gaps of the initial 1989 historical document outlining the years surrounding the 1953 coup in Iran. The release of that report led to the resignation of the historian in charge of a State Department review board and to Congress passing a law requiring a more reliable historical account be made. Experts think the release of the latest documents may have been accelerated under President Donald Trump, who has adopted a much more confrontational stance toward Iran. (Read more Iran stories.) Nearly 30 years after a California mother disappearedher body has never been foundpolice got a break in the case. "About six months ago, we got a couple contacts from people who really wanted to get some things off their chest," Det. Jacob Blass of the Fremont Police Department tells KGO. Sheri Muhleman sent her 5-year-old daughter to school on the morning of Feb. 27, 1989. The San Francisco Examiner reports Muhleman was last seen that same morning by her boyfriend, Michael Abraham, and Abraham's sister while packing up her stuff at Abraham's home. Apparently Abraham didn't trust Muhleman to take care of their daughter or his house while he was away in a work furlough program. On Wednesday, the case was reopened based on new statements and reviews of old evidence. Blass says it's not that unusual for new information in a cold case to surface decades later. He says people who are sick or realize they're getting older finally decide to come forward. Blass says the new information has made it clear Muhleman's disappearance was "very much a homicide." Fremont police are now actively investigating the case and looking for anyone with information regarding Muhleman's disappearance, CBS San Francisco reports. Police say even things that once seemed unimportant could now be important in the case. (Read more cold cases stories.) Donald Trump will have his first face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin as president during next week's G20 summit in Germany, Politico reports. The meetingwhich won't be formal but rather happen "on the sidelines"was announced by national security adviser HR McMaster on Thursday. He says no "specific agenda" has been set for the meeting. Putin and Trump likely won't have trouble finding things to talk about. Reuters notes the US and Russia are currently at odds over NATO expansion, Russian action in Ukraine, and the Syrian civil war. Not to mention Russia's alleged involvement and collusion in the 2016 presidential election. Two former officials tell the Guardian that Trump has asked National Security Council staff for "deliverables" he can bring to Putin during their meeting. Such concessions could include returning two diplomatic compounds in the US to Russia or lessening sanctions. It's unclear what the US would get in return for the concessions, and both the NSC and State Department are said to be against giving Putin anything simply to improve relations. "As the president has made clear, he'd like the United States and the entire West to develop a more constructive relationship with Russia, but he has also made clear that we will do what is necessary to confront Russia's destabilizing behavior," Reuters quotes McMaster as saying Thursday. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi: The Centre is going to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1, 2017. The successive governments took 17 years to bring unified tax system in the country. The GST has a history dating back to February 1986, when the then finance minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh came out with a proposal for a major overhaul of the excise taxation structure in the budget. He said the goal of his proposal was to reduce the cascading effect of multipoint taxes. Later, In 2000, when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had introduced the concept during a meeting with former RBI governors Bimal Jalan and C Rangrajan. Vajpayee had set up a committee under the supervision of the then West Bengal finance minister Ashim Das Gupta where former RBI governors -IG Patel, Bimal Jalan and C Rangrajan were the other members. Later, the Vajpayee government had formed a tasked committee under Vijay Kelkar in 2003 and asked to recommend tax reforms. When UPA-1 took over the reign at Centre, the then finance minister P Chidambaram had expedited the implementation of GST. Here is the sequence of events which has made this single tax system possible- 2006-Chidambaram pitched GST in budget speech 2008-Empowered committee of state finance ministers was constituted 2009-Empowered committee releases first 2011-Former finance minister prana mukherjee introduced GST bill in Lok Sabha 2013 August-Parliamentary standing committee submitted report 2014-Another revised bill drafted incorporating discussions December-2014-FM Arun Jaitley introduces Constitution Amendment Bill for GST 2015 May-Lok Sabha passes Constitution Amendment Bill for GST 2015 August-Congress remained firm on capping GST rate at 18% 2016 July-Centre , state be of the same opinion against capping GST rate 2016 August-Parliament clears 122 Constitution amendment bill 2016 November 03-GST Council agreed on four slab structure-5, 12, 18 and 28 percent-along with a tax on luxury goods 2016 November 04-GST Council meeting failed to draw consensus as Centre, state disagreed on GST administrative issue on dual control 2016 November 12-GST council failed to agree on CGST and SGST laws 2016 December-An accord established on both laws 2017 Jan 03-States demanded corpus compensation to be raised from 55000 cr to 90,000 cr to dilute the loss of note ban 2017 Jan 16- Centre, state agreed on two contentious issue-dual control and taxing rights of goods through high seas 2017-February 18-GST council finalised draft of compensation bill 2017 March 4- GST Council approved CGST and IGST bills 2017, March 20-Cabinet approved CGST, IGST and UT GST and Compensation bills 2017 March 27-Finance minister Jaitley tabled CGST, IGST, UT GST and Compensation bills For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: IndiGo, India's leading low-cost airline in terms of market share, has expressed interest in buying stake in Air India, secretary civil aviation R N Choubey told reporters on Thursday. "Post the cabinet decision tomorrow, we have received an expression of interest for Air India from IndiGo. They have said that they are interested in Air India," Secretary R N Choubey told reporters. Minister of State for Aviation Jayant Sinha said other companies too had approached the government informally. Several companies have approached informally for Air India stake. Got interest from both domestic and international airlines. Havent received any formal communication, he said. The Cabinet on Wednesday approved divestment of Air India. On Wednesday, finance minister Arun Jaitley said at a press briefing that he would be heading a group to work out procedures for the Air India disinvestment. Air India has a fleet of 118 aircraft and flies the highest number of passengers to and from India according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation data. It also has coveted parking slots in airports around the world such as New York, Chicago and London besides 18-morning departure slots in Mumbai alone. Aviation secretary R.N. Choubey said IndiGo will have to apply when the tenders are floated. An IndiGo official who declined to be named confirmed the interest in Air India. The airlines spokesman said the company was in a silent period and hence could not comment. Meanwhile, IndiGo controls about 40 percent of the domestic market, with 126 planes and 854 daily flights. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Italian two-wheeler maker Piaggio on Thursday said it aims to launch 'Made in India' Vespa and Aprilia SR models in Sri Lanka. The company aims to replicate the Indian success story in the Sri Lankan market serving the emerging need of the aspiring youth of Lanka catering to the desires of the biking enthusiasts, Piaggio said in a statement. "Both Aprilia and Vespa have created a benchmark in the two-wheeler segment in India and now the bikes are set to make their debut in Sri Lanka," Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL)Managing Director and CEO Diego Graffi said. The company hopes to further enhance its positioning in the Indian Sub-Continent with this launch, he added. "The accolades that the bikes have received in India and other international markets, are an inspiration for introducing more innovative products in the future," Graffi said. The company has a manufacturing plant in Baramati, Maharashtra, where it manufactures the iconic Vespa alongside the newly launched Aprilia SR 150. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Reserve Bank will remain open on July 1 for services such as transfer of funds through NEFT and RTGS from 11 AM onwards. RBI follows a July to June accounting year and June 30 being the closing date of the year, the office generally remains closed on July 1 every year. The apex bank said July 1 being a working Saturday, it has decided to remain open on that day. Services such as real time gross settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) for sending funds and settlement of securities will be available from 11 AM onwards. Settlement of funds as well as securities for all transactions that settle on T+0 basis will be effected from 11 AM onwards, it said in a release. The liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) fixed rate repo window will be operated between 11.30 AM and 3 PM, it said further. There will be no change in the timings of fixed rate reverse repo and marginal standing facility (MSF), RBI said. Normally, NEFT operates in hourly batches in which there are 12 settlements from 8 AM to 7 PM on weekdays and six settlements from 8 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays. And any transaction initiated after a designated settlement time have to wait till the next designated settlement time. RTGS transactions, On the other hand, are processed continuously throughout the RTGS business hours. It is mainly for bulk transaction with a minimum remittance amount of Rs 2 lakh. There is no upper cap though. Also read: Western, southern states control over 60 percent of bank credit: RBI Also read: Govt allows banks, post offices to deposit junked Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes with RBI by July 20 For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beijing: Amid the Sikkim standoff, the Chinese military on Thursday said it has conducted trials of a lightweight battle tank in Tibet near the Indian border. The 35-tonne tank has carried out trials in the plains of Tibet, PLA spokesman Col Wu Qian said in a media briefing in Beijing. He was responding to questions about media reports that the Peoples Liberation Army has carried out an exercise involving a new type of 35-tonne lightweight tank in Tibet. When asked whether it is targeted against India, the PLA spokesman said, The purpose is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country. Earlier on Tuesday, Lodging a protest with India over the alleged crossing of boundary by its troops in the Sikkim section, China demanded their immediate withdrawal. Beijing warned that future visits of Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar will depend on the resolution of the standoff. Suggested Read: China accuses India of having hidden agenda in Sikkim stand-off Our position to uphold our territorial sovereignty is unwavering. We hope the Indian side can work with China in the same direction and immediately withdraw the personnel who have overstepped and trespassed into Chinese border, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing Beijing. After the incident, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat on Thursday arrived in Sikkim in the backdrop of a standoff between Indian troops and Chinese army along the Sino-India border in the sensitive sector which is threatening to further strain the bilateral ties. (PTI Inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Gangtok/New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Thursday was briefed by top commanders about the entire security situation in the wake of the face-off between Indian troops and Chinese military over a disputed area on visit to formation headquarters of the force in North Sikkim. Rawat, on a two-day visit, was apprised about the tense situation on the border at the Armys 17 Mountain Division even as China, hardening its position on the stand-off, warned that the Indian Army should learn historical lessons, in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. The Army Chief also visited areas under the 17 Mountain Division, tasked to guard the Sino-India border in the Sikkim sector, and took stock of various operational aspects. Gen Rawat was briefed about the operational matters, an official source said. The genesis of the flashpoint was Chinas attempts to build a road at strategically key area of Donglong, the linking of which to the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction could give China a major military advantage over India. The Indian Army had blocked construction of the road by China in Donglong, a disputed territory between China and Bhutan. Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim. Official sources said China had removed an old bunker of the Indian Army in Donglong by using a bulldozer after the Indian side refused to accede to its request, which triggered the face-off. Referring to Gen. Rawats comments earlier this month that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, the Chinese military today rejected the remarks as extremely irresponsible asking him to stop clamouring for war. The Army Chief had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Amid the tense situation, China today asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a meaningful dialogue to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn historical lessons. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, in Beijing, displayed a photograph of Indian incursion into Donglong area and said the dispute which is becoming a confrontation of sorts between the troops can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. The Peoples Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. The Indian Army is yet to comment on the issue. Bhutan on Wednesday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of the road and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. Also read: China says India's 'ready for two-and-a-half front war' statement irresponsible, warns it to 'learn lessons from history' Also read: Amid Sikkim standoff, Chinese Army tests battle tank in Tibet near Indian border For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday gave its consent of Rs 795.54 crore funds to Karnataka for providing relief to farmers who lost their rabi (winter) crops in 2016 due to severe drought. A decision in this regard was taken in the High Level Committee (HLC) meeting, headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Finance minister Arun Jaitley, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and senior officers were also present at the meeting. The HLC approved the assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) in respect of Karnataka to the tune of Rs 795.54 crore, an official statement said. The assistance to Karnataka is given in the wake of drought (Rabi) of 2016-17 crop year (July-June). The relief amount, however, is much lower than Rs 3,310 crore sought by the state government, state Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa told reporters. The two ministers had met Rajnath Singh just before the HLC meeting and demanded early decision on the drought relief for the state. We are glad the HLC meeting was scheduled for today and the decision has been taken. Though the relief amount is lower than our demand, it is higher than Rs 607 crore sanctioned for rabi crop loss in 2015-16, Gowda said. Also Read | Kerala: Central team to study drought like situation in Wayanad district He hoped that there was no further delay in release of this amount to the state. There is always delay in sanctioning of the funds after the HLC decision. There was three months delay in release of drought relief funds for kharif crop loss in 2016-17, the minister said. Early release of funds will benefit farmers, who are preparing fields for the kharif sowing in the current year. The state is ready with the technology platform for transparent transfer of relief funds directly to the bank accounts of the affected farmers, Gowda said. After three consecutive years of drought, the state has received fairly good rains so far except in 7-8 districts. The state is keeping a close watch on monsoon and taking all measures to help farmers during the ongoing sowing season of summer (kharif) crops, he added. Also Read | Waive loans of drought hit farmers: Madras High Court to TN govt For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement against voilence in the name of cow protection. He also expressed hope that the vigilantes will heed to PM's advice. "Well said sir. Here's hoping the people carrying out these despicable acts take your words to heart and act accordingly," Omar wrote on Twitter. The National Conference leader was reacting to the Prime Minister's remarks which came against the backdrop of growing incidents of cow vigilantism. "Killing people in the name of 'Gau Bhakti' is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve," the prime minister said on Thursday during his speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of. "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands," the PM said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress Party on Thursday decided not to attend GST midnight session on June 30. Congress party leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi informed that the decision has been taken during a meeting of party leaders. Congress has decided not to attend GST midnight session on June 30 in Parliament, Chaturvedi said. It is said that the grand old party had a few objection on the provisions of GST. DMK, one of the major allies of Congress, also decided not to participate in the session. Congress has decided not to attend GST midnight session on June 30 in Parliament: Satyavrat Chaturvedi, Congress ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had already announced to oppose the session saying that the nation is not ready to accept the current format of GST and demanded six-month time to implement it in the state. Also Read: Bihar Cabinet gives approval for GST implementation from July 1 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Gurgaon: The Gurgaon district administration has launched a special drive to check pre-natal sex determination and female infanticide, to improve its skewed child sex ratio. It has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for individuals and organisations providing information on female infanticide. The child sex ratio in Gurgaon has shown some improvement in the past few years with the number of girls per 1,000 boys crossing 900-mark, but the district is lagging far behind other districts in Haryana. Read more: Punjab, Haryana to welcome monsoon by June 30 "Many cases of baby girls being dumped in garbage and deserted parts were reported recently. We have started the drive to curb such immoral practice. The health department also raided some maternity clinics to check pre-natal sex determination", an official said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Bhartiya Janata Party leaders on Thursday attacked Opposition parties for their decision to boycott GST launch event in Central Hall of Parliament on June 30. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that they hope every political party will reconsider and revisit its decisions and be party to launch of massive reform to which they have been themselves privy to. "I can't recall any discussion which has been more or greater than the one in the case of GST. Those who have party to this consultation and decision making process must also accept this is not a decision of the Central govt, it's equally a decision which 31 state govts and UTs have been a party to and these are representing various political complexions," said FM Arun Jaitley. Jaitley said that they must display broad shoulder and own up this decision and symbolic boycotts are not evidence of any kind of disassociation from these decisions. "Did GST come suddenly? Is it being rolled out without discussion? No. I can't understand the reason. GST is Indian Economy's Tryst with Destiny. It is the biggest reform after independence," said Venkaiah Naidu on Congress' decision to boycott GST session. Also Read: Ghulam Nabi Azad: Congress to boycott GST launch programme to be held in Central Hall of Parliament on June 30 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Thursday said that he has become an item girl for the Bharatiya Janata Party. The leader said that the saffron party contests an election be keeping him in focus. Azams comment comes after the BJP hit out at the leader for his insolent comment on Indian Army personnel. The Samajwadi Party leader said his statement was misconstrued by media. How can Armys morale fall because of me, he questioned. He said he is no one and Army's morale fell when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Pakistan. I am BJP's item girl, they don't have anyone else to talk about. They even fought elections here focusing on me: Azam Khan,SP pic.twitter.com/20PFUfJFXC ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 29, 2017 On Wednesday, Khan had kicked up a storm again by passing remarks against Indian Army. The Bharatiya Janata Party had urged the SP to "sack" him. My statement was misconstrued by media,how can Army's morale fall due to me? I am a nobody. Army's morale fell when PM went to Pak:Azam Khan pic.twitter.com/2RvmRns5RY ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 29, 2017 Addressing party activists in Rampur , the SP national general secretary had referred to "shameful violent happenings" in places such as Kashmir, Tripura, Jharkhand and Bengal. Khan had said excesses by security forces had led to "women in some places chopping off the private parts of Army men". The BJP had hit out at the SP leader, demanding that his party "sack" him for seeking to "divide the country" on religious lines. Also Read | Azam Khan: 'Women chop off private parts of army personnel in revenge for rape' "It has become a fashion in the country to demean the Indian Army in the name of freedom of speech and expression," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had said, attacking the SP, Congress and the Left for "making statements against the Army". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistani troops on Thursday morning violated another ceasefire in Poonch sector along the Line of control in Jammu and Kashmir. The ceasefire violation took place since 1:30 am. The Indian Army has strongly retaliated to the unprovoked firing. During the exchange of fire, two army personnel sustained minor injuries. They were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. In another incident, security forces defused two IEDs which were planted by terrorists in Dangerpora on Pulwama Bypass. On Wednesday, Pakistan had violated ceasefire along Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhimber Gali sector. The unprovoked firing from the Pakistani side of the border started at around 2:45 PM. Pakistan violated ceasefire along LoC in Poonch sector from 0130 hours; Indian Army retaliating, two soldiers sustained minor injuries pic.twitter.com/H1z0jOJasJ ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 Pak troops started indiscriminate firing mortar shells and automatic weapons on Indian Army. In a separate incident, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Poonch sector of J&K as well and started heavy shelling and firing. Pakistan had also violated ceasefire in Poonch sector of J&K as well and started heavy shelling and firing on Wednesday. Also Read | J&K: Pak targets LoC posts with mortar bombs on Eid, says Army For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Ahmedabad, he is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. PM will also inaugurate the 8th edition of 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit' and a slew of other initiatives. Ahead of the opening of the four-day 'Vibrant Summit' on January 10 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Modi will inaugurate four different projects after his arrival, starting with the bhumi-poojan ceremony for redevelopment of Gandhinagar Railway Station. As per the detailed schedule released by the Gujarat government, Modi will first perform 'bhumi-poojan' for redevelopment of Gandhinagar Railway Station. Modi will also inaugurate 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show' on Thursday, which is spread across 1.5 lakh sq meters of area, where over 15 lakh people are expected to visit over the course of five days. Modi will then head to GIFT City near Gandhinagar to inaugurate country's first International Exchange being set up by the BSE. From GIFT City, the Prime Minister will head to Science City on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city to inaugurate Nobel Prize Series exhibition, which will feature works of nine Nobel laureates from across the world, who are invited by the Gujarat government to be a part of the Summit. After the inauguration, Modi will also take part in the Roundatable meeting with all the invited Nobel Prize winners, including India-born Dr Venkatraman Ramakrishnan. Apart from over 1,500 national and international delegates, heads of tates and industry leader from across the world, as many as 12 central ministers and several Chief Ministers are expected to participate in the opening ceremony. Here are the Live Updates: # Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of. # Violence never has and never will solve any problem # No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country # As a society, there is no place for violence # Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve # No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done: PM @narendramodi # We are a land of non violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget that: PM @narendramodi # Swachhata has to become a Swabhav. What can be a greater tribute to Mahatma Gandhi than this. # I urge people from all over to come and visit the Sabarmati Ashram # There should be further academic research on the life and thoughts of Shrimad Rajchandraji #The thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi have the power to mitigate the challenges the world is facing today #As a society, it is always essential to remain connected with our history # This year we mark the 100th year of the establishment of Sabarmati Ashram as well as the Champaran Satyagraha # PM at the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Shrimad Rajchandraji # PM releases Commemorative Coin & Postal Stamp in honour of Shrimad Rajchandraji # PM @narendramodi at Inauguration of Sabarmati Ashram Centenary Celebrations in Ahmedabad, Gujarathttps://t.co/IFCdLQLkAd PIB India (@PIB_India) June 29, 2017 # PM spins a charkha at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad # PM Modi plants a sapling at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad # PM Modi at the inauguration of Sabarmati Ashram Centenary Celebrations in Ahmedabad, Gujarat # PM Modi in Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/SfpEeE9Cle # Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/nyAytk1eFw # PM Narendra Modi arrives in Ahmedabad. Also Read: Vice-Presidential elections 2017: Election Commission announces dates For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Purba Burdwan (WB): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Modi government for trying to privatise the national carrier Air India and introduce GST in a hurried manner, saying we do not support this. They (Centre) are trying to sell Air India entirely. Air India is the nations pride. We dont support this, she said at a public meeting here. The Union cabinet had on Wednesday cleared disinvestment of the beleaguered national airline, Air India, which has floundered amid stiff competition from no-frills rivals and reported at least seven years of losses. The Centre is also trying to shift the Tea Board of India headquarter from Kolkata, she claimed. In a veiled but obvious reference to PM Narendra Modi, she alleged, Attempts are being made to throttle democracy. There is dictatorship in the country. They think they will rule for ever. If anyone raises voice of protest, central agencies like IT and CBI are unleashed. Even Media is not spared. But I am not afraid of it. We are with the people, she said. No one was protesting against policies of the Centre due to fear. But someone has to bell the cat. I will do it, she added. Banerjee also slammed the Centre for introducing GST hurriedly. We were in favour of GST. But they have changed many things. Starting from medicine, they have imposed tax. We have requested them not to implement it in a hurried manner. But they did not pay heed to it, she said. Banerjee yesterday said that her party TMC would not attend the GST roll-out programme on June 30 midnight. She had also termed the GST roll-out as another epic blunder by the Centre. The Centre had asked the state to go for ordnance by June 19 or else the Treasury would stop working, she said. She said, People are still suffering because of demonetisation. Their economic freedom was taken away. It is more than emergency". Also read: Mamata Banerjee not to participate in GST launch programme on June 30 midnight Also read: WB CM Mamata Banerjee says people must be united amid attempts to create intolerance For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modis remark that killing people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable, a man was lynched to death in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district for allegedly carrying beef in his van. Alimuddin alias Asgar Ansari was carrying banned meat in a van, news agency IANS quoted police sources as saying. Alimuddin was stopped by a group of people near Bajartand village, beat him black and blue and set his van on fire. However, Police reached the spot and lathi charged to disperse the mob. Alimuddin was later taken to hospital but during the treatment, he succumbed to the injuries. Earlier in the day, PM Modi, who is on a two-day Gujrat visit said Killing people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of. Lets all work together. Lets create the India of Mahatma Gandhis dreams. Lets create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of, the prime minister said. Read PM Modi on lynching: Violence never has and never will solve any problem, Mahatma Gandhi would not have approved it No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands, he added. On Wednesday, thousands of people across the country had taken to the streets in a citizens protest named Not in My Name against the recent incidents of mob killings. Holding placards that read: Break the Silence, No Place for Islamophobia and Shed Hate not Blood among others, the protesters had said they had gathered to send out a message that there is a need to unite for a cause. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Stage is set for the launch of a nationwide goods and services tax at midnight on Friday amid protests from opposition parties who see hardships to small businesses in pushing through the biggest economic reform without preparations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will at midnight unveil the new tax regime replacing overnight the messy mix of more than a dozen state and central levies built up over seven decades, with a one national GST unifying the countrys USD 2 trillion economy and 1.3 billion people into a common market. President Pranab Mukherjee, who had originally moved the Constitution Amendment bill for bringing GST way back in 2011 when he was the finance minister in the previous UPA regime, will be present alongside eminent personalities at the historic Central-hall of Parliament. Unlike the last midnight event held in 1997 on the occasion of golden jubilee of the Independence at a special session of Parliament, it will be a gala event at the circular -shaped hall that has been loaned for the launch of the historic reform. The government promises that the transition to a single, nationwide tax on goods and services will streamline business and boost the economy by tearing down barriers between 31 states and union territories. It is estimated to add 0.4 per cent to 2 per cent to GDP growth. But some businesses are still figuring out how it will work as they race against time to adopt or upgrade cash registers and computer system so they are able to file monthly tax returns that comply with the new tax regime. Also read: Starry midnight in offing as GST launch programme to be graced by notable celebrities like Amitabh, Tata Opposition parties TMC, Congress and Left see undue haste in the implementation, causing hardships for millions of tiny neighbourhood shops that dont even use a calculator. They have decided to boycott the gala event. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley made a last minute appeal to them to reconsider their decision saying the landmark indirect tax reform was a result of a joint decision and they cannot run away from it now. Urging the opposition parties to display broad shoulders, he said they should not disassociate from the decision they were a party to. But opposition parties say they are not against the GST but only want small businesses, who face wrenching change, to be given more time. Former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deva Gowda too have been invited to launch a new taxation system that is set to dramatically re-shape the over USD 2 trillion economy. But with Congress deciding to boycott the event, Singh may not be seen on the seat reserved for him on the dais. Also read: GST roll out: Congress decides not to attend midnight session on June 30 in Parliament Jaitley acknowledged there may be teething troubles with many businesses as well as state governments still scrambling to get ready. But he has assured that the effort would eventually help reduce rampant tax evasion. For some businesses, the GST is complex with four broad tax categories of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, and myriad exceptions, as opposed to a simpler, flatter and broader sales taxes in other countries. Switchover to the GST has added to the worries of businesses that are still recovering from the November 8 shock decision to overnight remove 86 per cent of currency from circulation. One of the things that is keeping companies occupied ahead of the launch is calculation of input tax credit, which allows them to claim refunds on tax paid on inputs and pay tax on the value adds only. From soft drink makers to automobile firms, companies are busy calculating final consumer price to be charged from July 1. The government, however, defends the decision saying enough time was given to businesses to adapt to the new regime. Notwithstanding this, the government will take a lenient view for tax returns filed in the initial period. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said honest tax payers will benefit from GST and the new regime will not result in price increase of any essential or daily use commodity. Jaitley today met industry associations and traders to nudge them to pass on the benefits of any reduction in tax incidence to consumers. The industry on its part said it will take about 3 months to gauge the situation. We assured him (Jaitley) we are ready for the roll out. Even if this was rolled out after 6 months, we would have same amount of panic. Hotel industry will take it in its stride, Bharat Hotels CMD Jyotsna Suri said. Her company runs hotels under the Lalit brand. First proposed in 2003, the idea of GST was bogged down for years in bipartisan debate, with political parties in government trying to push it and those in opposition dragging it down. Before Modi came to power three years ago, his party was not particularly in favour of the GST. Over 1,200 items, from shampoo to tea to automobiles, have been put in four broad tax categories. Unbranded food staples including vegetables, milk, eggs and flour will be exempt from GST, along with health and education services. Tea, edible oils, sugar, textiles and baby formula will attract a 5 per cent tax. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Scientists of the UGC-affiliated Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture Technology University (CSA) in Kanpur have created a new type of groundnut that can flourish in summers. According to CSA scientist Jitendra Singh, "The new variety of groundnut can be sown after harvesting pea, potato and mustard during summers". This new summer variety can be harvested in just three months after its sown. Read more: Bizarre peanut worm, faceless fish surprise scientists "Now people will not have to consume stored groundnuts grown during the winter season. They will now relish the taste of fresh groundnuts even during the summers", Singh said. Singh said that in Uttar Pradesh, the summer variety of groundnut could be planted in Kanpur, Fatehpur, allahabad and kaushambi areas which are known as the potato belt, with other parts of the country as well. He claimed that a grower can earn up to Rs 75,000, with an investment worth Rs 30,000 per hectare. Read more: Sea Pickles invade Pacific coastal waters, baffling scientists Moreover, the summer variety of the groundnut crop is disease-free as pests cannot attack the crop because of high temperature in the atmosphere, he added. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beijing: Weeks after Beijing rejected allegations of interference in Australian politics, a Chinese state-run newspaper on Thursday accused Australia of spying on China and stealing its technology. An employee of Chinas national security department told the Global Times that Australian intelligence agents in disguise collect information from Chinese people overseas or even encourage them to subvert China. Agents also closely monitor Chinese people and the embassy in Australia to foil Chinese spy threats, according to the article published on the newspapers front page. In global covert struggles, Australia had never played the role of victim, the unidentified staffer was quoted as saying. However, they are wantonly working on intelligence about China and groundlessly accusing China of spying on them. The logic is ridiculous. The Australian government did not immediately respond to the allegations. The article follows an Australian media report this month that Australias intelligence agencies had major concerns China was interfering in Australian institutions and using political donations to gain access. An investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Fairfax Media found the countrys political elite had been warned two years ago about taking donations from two billionaires with links to the Chinese Communist Party. But despite being cautioned by the nations spy agency both the Liberal and Labour parties continued accepting substantial sums of cash. The probe showed that property developers Huang Xiangmo and Chau Chak Wing, or their associates, had donated around 6.7 million Australian dollars (USD 5 million) to political parties over a decade. Following the report Canberra announced it had launched an inquiry into espionage laws and foreign government interference. Chinas foreign ministry has called the reports totally groundless and said Australian media should not waste their time on such meaningless and malicious stories. The Global Times article said many Chinese people have been interviewed or harassed by Australian intelligence and are required to provide information on Chinese communities and the embassy. Some have been sent back to China to gather information, the report said. It also accused Australia of stealing Chinese technology and installing listening devices in Chinas embassy. Chinas national security department could not be reached for comment as its phone number is not available to the public. Also read: Amid Sikkim standoff, Chinese Army tests battle tank in Tibet near Indian border Also read: China accuses India of having hidden agenda in Sikkim stand-off For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Indian-American Krishna R Urs has been appointed as the new US Ambassador to Peru by President Donald Trump. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During his three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said. Read more: China releases 3 activists who investigated Ivanka Trumps supplier Urs earned an MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He fluently speaks Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. Read more: Trump admin should cut off military aid to Pakistan: US lawmaker For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday said that Europe is more determined than ever to make the Paris climate accord a success and insisted that the deal is not negotiable while predicting difficult talks on the issue at next weeks Group of 20 summit. Merkel also said she hopes for a clear signal in favour of free markets and the multilateral trading system from the July 7-8 meeting in Hamburg, arguing anew that protectionism cant solve the worlds problems. Merkel addressed Germanys parliament ahead of a meeting with European participants in the G-20 summit. The Trump administrations America first approach to trade and other issues has caused widespread concern elsewhere, as has its decision to withdraw from the Paris accord on climate change. The European Union will implement swiftly its commitments under that deal, Merkel said. Since the decision by the United States of America to leave the Paris climate accord, we are more determined than ever to lead it to success, she added. She declared that the Paris agreement is irreversible and it is not negotiable. We cannot expect easy talks in Hamburg on the matter, Merkel said. The disagreement is obvious, and it would be dishonest to gloss over it. I wont do that, in any case. As the G-20, we cannot ignore the challenge that climate change poses to all of us in the world, she said, adding that leaders must bear in mind the concerns of countries such as island nations most at risk from rising sea levels. Merkel said the talks in Hamburg must serve the substance and aims of the Paris accord. More broadly, she said, anyone who thinks that they can solve the problems of this world with isolationism and protectionism is making an enormous mistake. She argued that the G-20 a forum that rose to prominence in the wake of the global financial crisis is needed more than ever because countries working together can change things far more effectively than with uncoordinated national policies. My aim is for the G-20 to send a clear signal for free markets and against isolation, and a clear commitment to the multilateral trading system, Merkel said. Hamburg is mounting a huge security operation to protect the summit in the heart of Germanys second-biggest city. We know that the summit and the days before are a big challenge for the citizens of Hamburg, Merkel told lawmakers. We know that there will be protests, and that is more than legitimate in a democracy. But I hope ... that these protests will be peaceful. The G-20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, France, Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Also attending the summit will be the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Guinea, Senegal, Singapore and Vietnam. Also read: Paris climate deal: UN chief expresses disappointment at Trumps decision, world leaders term it historic error Also read: White House: Donald Trump has 'fairly unbelievable' relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday summoned India's acting Deputy High Commissioner over the alleged ceasefire violation by Indian troops in Kashmir which it claimed to have killed a civilian. Foreign Office (FO) spokesman said in a statement that Indian forces resorted to firing in Nikial Sector on Wednesday, resulting in the death of a 22-year-old civilian Abdul Wahab of Dothilla village. Four other civilians were injured. The Director General (SA & SAARC), Mohammad Faisal, summoned the Acting Indian Deputy High Commissioner, S Raghuram and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations", the FO said. Also Read | J&K: Pakistan violates another ceasefire in Poonch sector along Line of Control; 2 Army personnel sustained minor injuries It further said that "the deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws". The Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC, according to the statement. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Peoples Liberation Army of China on Thursday said India should learn lessons from its defeat in 1962 and stop war clamouring. It said the New Delhi should immediately withdraw its troops to settle the Sikkim stand-off. Reacting to Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawats statement that India was ready for a two-and-a-half front war (China, Pakistan and internal security), Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) spokesperson Wu Qian said such statements are extremely irresponsible and India should learn from history. Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible. We hope (the) particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war, The Hindustan Times quoted Wu Qian as saying at the monthly defence ministry briefing in Beijing, indicating Chinas aggressive position in the current dispute. The Indian border troop personnel have entered the Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector of the India-China borders. They tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglang region. We carried out appropriate responses to halt these activities to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wu said. Responding to another question, Wu said PLA has conducted trials of a lightweight battle tank in Tibet near the Indian border. The 35-tonne tank has carried out trials in the plains of Tibet. Top Trending: Amid Sikkim standoff, Chinese Army tests battle tank in Tibet near Indian border When asked whether it is targeted against India, the PLA spokesman said, The purpose is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country. Earlier on Tuesday, Lodging a protest with India over the alleged crossing of boundary by its troops in the Sikkim section, China demanded their immediate withdrawal. Beijing warned that future visits of Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar will depend on the resolution of the standoff. Our position to uphold our territorial sovereignty is unwavering. We hope the Indian side can work with China in the same direction and immediately withdraw the personnel who have overstepped and trespassed into Chinese border, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing Beijing. After the incident, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat on Thursday arrived in Sikkim in the backdrop of a standoff between Indian troops and Chinese army along the Sino-India border in the sensitive sector which is threatening to further strain the bilateral ties. MEA spokesperson, Gopal Bagley reacting on the stand-off said that border issue with China is very serious and such issues need time to explain. He said MEA will reschedule a briefing in next week. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A woman demonstrates remote driving technology based on 5G during the 2017 Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, June 28. [Photo/China Daily] Firm has already participated in the setting of global standards and establishing joint innovation center China Mobile Communications Corp, the world's largest telecom carrier by subscribers, will start 5G scale tests next year and launch a pre-commercial service in 2019, with an aim to fully commercialize 5G services in 2020. "We will accelerate the research and development of 5G and carry out 5G outfield tests in five cities this year," said Shang Bing, chairman of China Mobile, during the 2017 Mobile World Congress in Shanghai. Shang said China Mobile has already participated in setting up 5G international standards, and established a 5G joint innovation center, adding it will ramp up efforts to develop 5G key technologies and promote innovative applications related to 5G. The company recently established the country's first 5G base station in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and carried out 5G outfield test by cooperating with telecom equipment maker. Furthermore, China Mobile will start the construction of a mobile internet of things in 346 cities across the country this year, with an expectation to commercialize the network in some key cities by the end of this year, Shang said. It is expected that 4G base stations will reach 1.77 million by the end of this year, covering more than 99 percent of the population, with its 4G customers increasing to 630 million, according to Shang. China Mobile is committed to accelerating the building of new generation information infrastructure, and its accumulative investment in 4G has surpassed 450 billion yuan ($66.2 billion). The 4G base station has came up to 1.62 million, which accounts for 30 percent of 4G base stations worldwide. The country has attached great importance to 5G in its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20). In March, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the country had established the world's largest 5G test field in the race to standardize the technology. China is expected to become the world's largest 5G market before 2025, according to a report by GSMA Intelligence, a think tank of the representative body of the global mobile industry and China Information and Communications Technology Academy. The report also forecasts that Chinese 5G connections will scale rapidly over time, to reach 428 million by 2025. China United Network Communications Group, the country's second-largest telecom carrier has also accelerated its efforts to develop 5G technology. It recently established the country's first pre-5G base station in Jilin province in partnership with Huawei Technologies Co. "China Mobile has made a bigger investment in 5G tests and experiments, compared with its rivals, including China Unicom and China Telecom. Moreover, China is in the forefront of 5G technology around the world, possessing a right of speech in the establishment of 5G international standards," said Fu Liang, an independent telecom analyst. Xiang Ligang, a telecom expert and CEO of telecom industry website cctime.com said China Mobile has almost finished the construction of 4G networks nationwide and could spend more efforts and money on 5G research and development. Shi Jing contributed to the story. June 28 is National Insurance Awareness Day. Are you aware of all the factors influencing the costs of your insurance? For example, does your credit score affect your car insurance rates? If you live in California, Massachusetts, or Hawaii, the answer is no. For residents of all the other states, the answer is yes, thanks to the concept of credit-based insurance scoring. Auto insurers use certain information from your credit report to assess how likely you are to file a claim. The concept dates back to the mid-1990s, when auto insurers began researching whether FICO credit scores correlated with higher levels of claims. During the 2000s, separate studies at the University of Texas and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confirmed a statistical correlation between credit scores and costs to insurance companies. Unfortunately, you can't use your standard credit score to assess the effect on your rate. Auto insurers develop their own score based on specific information from your credit report, and the information used may vary by company. The process may be outsourced for example, Esurance uses LexisNexis to cull information from your report and determine a credit-based insurance score. Chief Financial Analyst for Bankrate.com Greg McBride sums it up succinctly: "They're looking for ways to evaluate your risk, and creditworthiness is one of those metrics." Credit-based insurance scores are simply a variation on that theme. The savings on auto insurance from superior credit can be significant, reaching thousands of dollars per year in certain states. In 2015, Consumer Reports used an interactive color-coded map to illustrate the amount of extra costs passed on to consumers with poorer credit scores by state. The results are sobering, and it's likely that the differences haven't improved since then. You may be able to obtain a copy of your credit-based insurance score through your insurer, but the insurer is not obligated to give you details on how the score is created. Your best strategy to improve your credit-based insurance score is to take steps to raise your overall credit score and expect the insurance score to follow. Learn more about what makes up a credit score and how to raise your credit score in our new free eBook, Give Yourself Credit. Start by assessing your credit report. Acquire a copy of your report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) and review it for errors. Credit Manager can provide you with your three credit reports from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax within minutes. Address any errors that you find through the bureaus. Next, make sure that you continue to make all payments on time and manage your credit wisely. Keep balances flat or decreasing. Be reluctant to take on new debt and/or open new lines of credit. Aim to keep your overall credit utilization (the amount of available credit relative to the amount you use) as low as possible. Credit utilization below 20% is a reasonable goal. Over time, your credit score should increase and bring you better rate offers on everything from credit cards to loans to insurance. You may think that simply paying your bills in full and on time is enough to earn a stellar credit score, but creditors need to see more. Gerri Detweiler, Head of Market Education for Nav, relates the story of her father, who is very responsible and reliable with money. He was notified by his insurance agency that he didn't qualify for the best insurance rate because he used so little credit that his current risk was poorly defined. Says Detweiler, "Credit is a tool, and building your credit history can help you not only get better deals when you borrow but also on things like auto and home insurance, or other places that will check your credit." Keep in mind that a good credit-based insurance score does not guarantee a good auto insurance rate. There are many factors that can raise your rate, ranging from the type of car you drive and your current driving habits to your past driving history and whether or not you add high-risk drivers (such as teenagers) to your insurance policy. Remember this when you see the rate increase from adding your son or daughter to your policy, and remind yourself: if you hadn't improved your credit score, your rates could be a lot worse. You can check your credit score and read your credit report for free within minutes using Credit Manager by MoneyTips. DANBURY A Danbury mother was issued a misdemeanor summons for leaving her child unattended in a vehicle Thursday afternoon, police said. Kristine Rakowsky, 39, left her three-year-old son in her car in the Danbury Square at 15 Backus Avenue for at least 11 minutes, police said. Someone pulled into the parking lot and happened to park next to Rakowskys vehicle when they noticed the child was by himself in the vehicle. Police said the witness called police and the fire department was on scene within minutes. Police officers arrived in the area shortly after the fire department. At this time, it is unknown how long the child may have been alone in the vehicle before the witness arrived, police said. Police said Rakowsky left her child in the running vehicle with the windows down. Though it was unclear how far down she left the windows, they were far enough down for a responding firefighter to take the child out of the vehicle. The police and fire activity caught Rakowskys attention while she was in one of the stores, police said, and she immediately came out of the store and was confronted by police. Rakowsky told police she was going store to store in search of an ATM to get money for a haircut for her son. Police said she told them she thought leaving her son in the vehicle wouldnt be a problem as long as she had the vehicle in her sights. She was placed under arrest at the scene, but was released on a promise to appear in court in Danbury on July 7, police said. Police said the Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident. Ecommerce is an area being watched closely by entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs alike. New business models are constantly emerging, making this a competitive and constantly evolving field. Related: 10 Ways to Future-Proof Your Ecommerce Fashion Store The apparel category is particularly exciting: The recently launched Amazon Prime Wardrobe, for instance, allows consumers to have clothing delivered to their door, after which they can try it out for seven days before deciding whether to keep it. They can send items back whenever they decide; they don't even need to be home to have return packages picked up. Taking inspiration from Amazon and other businesses, many apparel and accessory ecommerce companies are similarly trying their hand at "something new and different." These innovative companies are taking ecommerce to the next level. Crisp Clothing The perfect shirt is hard to come by. But what if perfect fit could be achieved with the help of two simple metrics? That's what Crisp Clothing does. By using your height and weight and what it calls "3D Measuring," Crisp Clothing can tailor the perfect shirt for you. Founded by Swapnil and Prakash Kamble -- a father-and-son team -- Crisp Clothing uses 100 percent Egyptian Giza cotton to fashion its handmade tailored shirts, which are currently available in black, white, blue and pink. The company recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding for the project. Not surprisingly, the cost of a single shirt isn't cheap, but pledging to the Crisp Clothing campaign at the $78 level will get you one custom, hand-crafted shirt. What's clearly innovative about Crisp Clothing is the approach it takes to crafting the perfect shirt. Technology is the difference. It gives Crisp Clothing a more scientific way to tailor shirts that look and feel great. Trunk Club The Nordstrom-owned Trunk Club may be a familiar name to some. Its business model is a lot like that of Amazon Prime Wardrobe, except Trunk Club has been around a lot longer. Related: How Technology Is Steering Fashion E-commerce Industry In Right Direction This is its process: First, the customer is prompted to answer a few questions about the style of clothing he (or she) is interested in, how the clothing should fit and what budget range is desired. Then, he can chat with a stylist who'll offer help on exactly what he's ooking for (though this step is not mandatory). The trunk is delivered free of charge once the customer approves it, and he or she has five days to decide what clothing to keep and what to send back. Then, the customer can either reorder on his or her own schedule or set up a regular delivery schedule, to keep the wardrobe fresh. What Trunk Club did right was make it easier for the consumer to get items that are truly desired. Time can be a commodity in today's busy world, and with the rise of online shopping, consumers don't necessarily go to malls or stores to shop anymore. Trunk Club is an easy, fast and convenient way for today's buyer to meet his or her clothing needs. Bonobos Bonobos was launched because its founders recognized how difficult it is for consumers to find pants that fit perfectly. To solve this problem, Bonobos developed a signature curved waistband that fits more naturally around your waist. The company offers free shipping as well as painless returns and exchanges. Bonobos also has something called a Guideshop. Customers can schedule a one-hour appointment at a Guideshop, try on anything in the store and find the perfect clothing with the help of a Guide. Customers don't have to take any bags home, as the Guide will place the order and have it shipped to the customer's home or office. Bonobos is doing a couple of noteworthy things for its customers. First, it came up with a solution where none previously existed, thereby creating more comfortable pants. Second, it created a unique in-store experience that allows customers to find what they're looking for on their own time -- a personalized experience they're sure to remember. Wanderlust + Co Accessorizing is a term near and dear to many women. Jenn Low, founder of Wanderlust + Co, creates custom jewelry and accessories that many models and celebrities don at notable events. Her work is inspired by what she calls the #WCOgirlgang, which includes celebrities, fashion bloggers, editors, stylists and content creators. What's innovative about Wunderlust + Co is Low's willingness to cater to a specific audience. She doesn't create products consumers dn't want. She built her own tribe, #WCOgirlgang, and stays in regular contact with them to come up with new product ideas her audience will love. Entrepreneurs sometimes take the opposite approach, creating a product first and then finding an audience for it. Sometimes that can work, but there are no guarantees. A more reliable approach, especially today, is what Low does: She's built a brand around a target audience, offering products they want and have even asked for. Everlane Complete transparency is hard to find but has become somewhat trendier, thanks to online entrepreneurs like Pat Flynn and John Lee Dumas. That's where Everlane stands out. These founders aim to be as up-front as possible about the cost of their goods. They even offer a detailed breakdown on materials, hardware, labor, duties and transport. They also reveal what the true cost of the product is, in addition to what they're selling it for. If you've ever wondered where your money is going when you purchase a product, you won't have to, with Everlane. You'll get total transparency, and that builds trust. Though full transparency may not be the right approach for every business, it's something to consider: Maybe no one in your industry is embracing it, making it worth considering as a strategy. Final thoughts If you're an ecommerce business owner, what could you be doing to separate yourself from the pack? If you have a different business model, what can you learn from the above and implement in your business? Related: 5 Lesser-Known Challenges of Running an Ecommerce Store As ecommerce becomes increasingly competitive, it will be more and more necessary for more business owners to embrace innovation and find their unique approach. The ecommerce landscape will continue to be an interesting one to watch, especially as Amazon continues to launch new and noteworthy services. Related: 4 Innovative and Trendy Ecommerce Apparel Stores Offering Something New The Rise of an eCommerce Ecosystem and the Leader Who Championed It Step-by-Step You Can Turn Your Ecommerce Side Hustle Into a Real Company Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A popular fitness blogger and Instagram model in France died after a pressurized canister used for dispensing whipped cream exploded, hitting her in the chest. Rebecca Burger's death from the June 17 incident was announced on social media Wednesday by her family, who warned of the potential risks of defective whip cream dispensers. The post published on Burger's Instagram page to her more than 150,000 followers read: --- ... an example of the cartridge/siphon from Chantilly that exploded and struck Rebecca's chest, killing her. Take note: the cartridge that caused her death was sealed. Do not use this type of device in your home! Tens of thousands of these appliances are still in circulation. --- Authorities in Eastern France told the French newspaper 20 Minutes, that the victim suffered cardiac arrest in her home in Galfingue on Saturday and firefighters were able to revive her heartbeat. But Burger was unconscious when she arrived to the hospital and died the following day. Whipped cream dispensers use nitrous oxide canisters, which, when pierced by a pin, release the gas and pressurize the cream container. According to the consumer magazine, 60 Millions, two people were gravely injured in 2014 by whipped cream canister dispensers in France. A 2014 news release by the French economy ministry advised people to be cautious when using cream dispensers: "Since 2010, several models of kitchen syphons, also called cream syphons, have turned out to be dangerous and led to home accidents." Ard'Time, the company of the whip cream dispenser Burger reportedly used has been recalled because of reports that the plastic head could explode and fly off, according to their website. In addition to posting fitness pictures on Instagram, Burger ran the lifestyle blog Rebecca Likes where she would document her travels and outfits. She uploaded her first YouTube video on June 10 showing her on a trip in Bali. In an Instagram post, Women's Best, an online health store which Burger promoted online, paid tribute to the blogger: We are sorry to announce the sad news of losing this beautiful soul. Our french athlete Rebecca Burger (@RebeccaBlikes) passed away. Rebecca was not only a great fitness figure but a generous and kind person to work with. Please pray for her soul to rest in peace and for her family to stay strong. We will always be proud of you Rebecca A post shared by WOMEN'S BEST (@womensbest) on Jun 19, 2017 at 11:48am PDT We are sorry to announce the sad news of losing this beautiful soul. Our french athlete Rebecca Burger (@RebeccaBlikes) passed away. Rebecca was not only a great fitness figure but a generous and kind person to work with. Please pray for her soul to rest in peace and for her family to stay strong. We will always be proud of you Rebecca --- The BBC reported that in 2013, one victim of an exploding cream dispenser told RTL radio: "I had six broken ribs, and my sternum was broken. At the hospital, I was told that if the shock and blast had been facing the heart, I would be dead now." In 2014, a consumer watchdog group in France issued a warning about dispensers with "defective parts . . .. When a user screws a new gas cartridge into the head of one of the defective canisters the resulting pressure causes the spray nozzle to break free and fire off like a rubber bullet," it reported, according to The Local. Officials have opened an investigation into Burger's death. CITYPLACE'S CROWNING JEWEL WILL CELEBRATE CANADA'S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TORONTO, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Through its extensive work transforming railway lands into a vibrant, vertical community, Concord Adex has helped to shape present-day Toronto. However, its newest project, Canada House, is sure to cement itself as a significant piece of the city's future. Being touted as the crowing jewel of the CityPlace community, the 68- and 79-story buildings will act as a permanent tribute to Canadian culture. Concord will celebrate the project in a big way this July 1st adjacent to the other CN Tower activities and fireworks. Concord Canada House will draw heavily on Canadian symbolism, including a 19th century schooner that was discovered onsite and predates Canada's confederation. The ship will feature prominently at an historical exhibit that will be on display throughout the holiday long weekend and serve as the inspiration behind a large commissioned art piece that will make its home on the 10th floor of the development. "Every Concord community in Canada is special, but Concord Canada House is our opportunity to honour this terrific country," said Terry Hui, President and CEO of Concord Pacific and Concord Adex. "With the maple leaf a quintessential symbol of Canadian pride as one of the central design themes, my personal goal with this development is to create a homage that has never been seen before." In addition to the maple leafs and the schooner, the development will also have a skating rink that is inspired by Ottawa's Rideau Canal. To help establish Concord Canada House as a truly Canadian monument, Concord Adex is collaborating with Douglas Coupland, world-renowned Canadian artist, to create an original art installation that encapsulates Canadian culture. This will be Douglas' second partnership with Concord Adex. His first piece of public art is the entire Canoe Landing Park with Canadian themed objects within it such as a red canoe, giant bobbers and landform which recalls the bluffs of Toronto. The park has become synonymous with the community. "Throughout my career I have tried to investigate Canada's identity through my art," said Douglas Coupland. "I am excited to be working with Concord Adex on a development of such prominence and scale and to, once again, create something undoubtedly Canadian that will live on with the community." While Canada House won't be completed until 2021, Concord is excited to celebrate the project on Canada's 150th birthday with a Concord Canada house schooner exhibit, celebration and giveaways and a "future skyline of Toronto" drawing contest open to children across the country. The company has pledged $25,000 in RESPs in prizing and will be announcing winners on July 6, 2017. For more information about the contest, or the Canada House project, please visit: www.concordcanadahouse.ca. About Concord Concord is the largest residential developer in Canada, specializing in multi-phased, master-planned residential urban communities. Their development schemes are strategically designed to enhance the lifestyles of its residents with innovative architecture and engaging public spaces of worldclass scale and use. Over the past two decades, Concord Adex, and its parent company Concord Pacific, have built (and continue to build) the 200-acre Concord Pacific Place in Vancouver, the 45 acre Concord CityPlace in downtown Toronto, the 45 acre Concord Park Place in North York, and other developments throughout Canada and the UK. SOURCE Concord Adex Developments Corporation For further information: Holiday weekend interviews and contest information: Tom Yim, 604.368.4689, [email protected], [email protected]; Future interview opportunities: Justin Furman, 647.388.4982, [email protected] Visit us for a weekend of Canada Day fun! OTTAWA, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - As the all-Canadian discount retailer of choice, Giant Tiger will be busy celebrating its roots and ringing in Canada's biggest birthday yet in our special event space at Major's Hill Park this weekend. As a proud Canadian company, Giant Tiger is excited to be a sponsor of Canada Day in the capital to celebrate Canada's 150! We will be located in Major's Hill Park Friday, June 30th through Sunday, July 2nd and will be changing up our activation space with new and exciting activities each day to match the overall Canada 150 event programming. From our comfy cozy GT lounge with samples, contests and an interactive mural artist on Friday night to the nation's largest party on Saturday, July 1st to kid-spirational hip-hop lessons and a chance to meet and learn from Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli, whose message of inclusion and perseverance will be a huge draw for the WE day celebrations, Giant Tiger has something for everyone! We invite you to join us. Let's share stories of what it means to be Canadian. Hope to see you there! Friday, June 30th 4-7 pm: Live muralist will transform our space with a #GTCanadaProud mural 4-7 pm: Our DJ will spin Canadian classics 4-10 pm: Relax in our Giant Tiger Comfy Cozy Lounge featuring decor and seating from Giant Tiger 4-10 pm: Popcorn sampling throughout the evening 4-10 pm: Grab your friends and take a picture in our photo booth with themed props don't forget to hashtag #GTCanadaproud Saturday, July 1st 9-6 pm: Children's games 9-6 pm: Mr. Freeze slush sampling throughout the day 9-6 pm: Grab your friends and take a picture in our photo booth with Canadian themed props Sunday, July 2nd WE DAY in the Capital We will be teaming up with The Flava Factory, a dance studio in Ottawa dedicated to teaching and promoting inclusive urban dance styles. Their goal is to provide and promote a healthy and positive atmosphere for creative expression. 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 11:15 am, and 12:15 pm: Popping and hip hop lessons to children 9-5 pm: Live DJ 1-1:45 pm Welcome speech and demonstration from Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli Luca is a world renowned dancer from Montreal who suffers from arthrogryposis, his life motto is: "Adapt, stay positive, and learn to do things your own way." 1:45-4:45 pm: 2 vs. 2 all ages dance battle For more information on all of the Heritage Canada 150 events please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day.html About Giant Tiger Giant Tiger is the leading Canadian owned family discount store, committed to providing on-trend family fashions, groceries and everyday household needs. Known as Canada's best kept secret the privately held company has over 225 locations across Canada and employs over 8,000 team members. All Giant Tiger locations are locally owned or operated by a team member who knows the community. Giant Tiger Stores Limited donates $2 million annually to charities and agencies directly in our communities. The friendly stores with the iconic yellow logo are not only where Canadians shop more and spend less, but also are proud to be known as retailer of choice. #foryouforless #GTcommunityproud #GTCanadaproud Join the conversation and keep up to date on all Giant Tiger news: Like us on Facebook: Giant Tiger Follow us on Instagram: @Gianttigerstore Follow us on Twitter: @GTBoutique Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Giant Tiger Store SOURCE Giant Tiger Stores Limited For further information: For media inquiries contact: Alison Scarlett, Manager, Brand Communications | [email protected] Related Links https://www.gianttiger.com Canadians entered more than 4,000 submissions in a nation-wide contest to curate a list of Canada's top 150 Hidden Gems TORONTO, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - In honour of Canada's 150th birthday, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), in partnership with television personality Jennifer Valentyne, has revealed a list of the top 150 Hidden Gems in Canada. This reveal comes after a three-month contest that asked Canadians to share their favourite travel spots from coast-to-coast for a chance to win one million IHG Rewards Club Points. Canada's 150th birthday is the perfect reason to plan the trip of a lifetime locally, and Canadians have made it possible with over 4,000 Hidden Gem submissions generated through the IHG Rewards Club 150th Hidden Gems contest. From picturesque hiking trails and secret spots for family picnics to cultural landmarks and other undiscovered local attractions, here are some of the must-see entries that made the final list: Altona Sunsets, Manitoba Bonnechere Caves, ON Chelton Beach, PEI Emerald Lake , Yukon , Ferryland Lighthouse, Newfoundland Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia Maligne Canyon, Alberta Cherry Hill Gate , Ontario , Peak of 'La Roche', Quebec Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland Grassi Lakes , Alberta , Spotted Lake, British Columbia The Red Boat, Nunavut University Bridge, Saskatchewan Nahanni National Park, Northwest Territories Jonathan Lund, Regional Vice President, Franchise Performance Support, IHG, Canada, said: "We're celebrating our nation and all the breathtaking places it has to offer. These Canadian Hidden Gems are proof that you don't need to travel beyond our own borders to have the trip of a lifetime. We hope that our curated list of must-see destinations across the country will inspire your next adventure." Jennifer Valentyne, Canadian television personality, said: "As a passionate traveler myself, I am thrilled to see all the unique locations Canadians have shared throughout the contest! Thanks to your help, I look forward to travelling locally this summer and discovering some of these places with my family and friends." The lucky grand prize winner, from Sudbury, Ontario, submitted the winning hidden gem of Bridal Veil Falls on Manitoulin Island. These falls were special, as the winner and his wife first visited when dating 30 years ago and have continued to make multiple trips every year with friends and children. With his prize of one million IHG Rewards Club points, the winner can redeem for merchandise and travel such as a roundtrip for a family of four including flights and hotels. Throughout the contest, two additional winners were selected and given 50,000 IHG Rewards club points. With 177 hotels across the country and 31 hotels in the pipeline, IHG's hotels in Canada are a home away from home for travelers. With leisure-favourite hotel brands such as Holiday Inn Hotels & Suites and iconic luxury brands like InterContinental Hotels and Resorts - IHG's brand family in Canada has more than 24,900 rooms across seven brands. Call to action: To view the full list of IHG's top 150 Hidden Gems, visit www.ihgrewardsclub.com/150Canada. Which hidden gem are you going to explore next? Join the conversation on social media using #IHG150. About IHG Rewards Club With more than 100 million enrolled members globally, IHG Rewards Club is the first and largest guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. Named Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World ten years running as voted by the readers of Global Traveler magazine, IHG Rewards Club offers sought-after benefits and is easy to use. Members qualify for Your Rate by IHG Rewards Club, an exclusive rate offered when they book direct. In addition to flexible features like No Blackout Dates for Reward Nights, Points & Cash and Free Internet, IHG Rewards Club members have hundreds of options for redeeming points including: Reward Nights, Flights AnywhereTM, Cars Anywhere, digital downloads, brand name items and retail gift cards. Enrollment in IHG Rewards Club is free. Guests can sign up by visiting ihg.com/rewardsclub, calling 1-888-211-9874, downloading the IHG App or by inquiring at the front desk of any of the nearly 5,200 IHG hotels worldwide. Notes to Editors: IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Resort, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns nearly 5,200 hotels and 770,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries, with nearly 1,500 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: www.ihgplc.com/media and follow us on social media at: www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg and www.youtube.com/ihgplc. SOURCE IHG Rewards Club For further information: Contacts: Michelle Dias, IHG Canada, [email protected], 416- 886-4873; Mary Zarikos, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, [email protected], 416-413-4575 ELLERSHOUSE, NS, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the launch of phase two of the Ellershouse Wind Farm is being celebrated by Bullfrog Power, East Coast Credit Union, developer Minas Energy, and Alternative Resource Energy Authority (AREA), which is the facility owner. AREA, a partnership between the Towns of Antigonish, Berwick and Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia, was created by the towns to reduce energy costs, expand green mandates and develop new revenue streams for the municipalities. The second phase adds three turbines to the original four-turbine wind farm in West Hants, near Ellershouse, Nova Scotia. The project is the first wind development in Nova Scotia to be funded and built independently of the local power authority or any provincial government incentive program. "Bullfrog Power launched in the Maritimes in 2009 to mobilize and create further demand for renewable energy in the region. The launch of the second phase of the Ellershouse Wind Farm is proof of the impact that our customers, like East Coast Credit Union, are having in growing the amount of renewable energy generated in Nova Scotia," said Ron Seftel, CEO, Bullfrog Power. The Ellershouse Wind Farm is the latest wind project supported by Bullfrog Power. Thanks to the support of Bullfrog Power's customers, the organization has been involved in the commissioning of wind farms across Canada, including some of Ontario's first wind turbines. In Nova Scotia, Bullfrog Power funded community-based rooftop solar projects with both Hope Blooms and The Deanery Project. Bullfrog Power has also helped to change Canada's energy landscape by offering innovative new products, including green natural gas in 2012, and, last year, a green fuel product to help businesses address their transportation-related emissions. "The financial support of Bullfrog Power was important in ensuring the ongoing success of this project. By launching the second phase of the Ellershouse Wind Farm we are demonstrating real progress in developing new, cleaner forms of power for Nova Scotians," said David Devenne, Mayor of Mahone Bay and AREA Vice Chair. Today, the seven Enercon E-92 wind turbines have a total capacity of 16.1 megawatts, which is enough to power 4,900 Nova Scotian homes.1 All three of these towns' electric utilities as well as the Riverport Electric Light Commission purchase part of their energy requirements from the Ellershouse Wind Farm. In addition, Bullfrog Power sources the green power produced by the facility for its Maritime customers, such as East Coast Credit Union. AREA owns and operates the wind farm. "Minas Energy believes that local stakeholders are essential in developing new renewable energy throughout Nova Scotia. With the launch of its second phase, we're proud to see the continuing success of the Ellershouse Wind Farm," said John Woods, Vice President of Energy Development, Minas Energy. About Bullfrog Power Bullfrog Power, Canada's leading green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable individuals and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Thousands of individuals and businesses in Canada are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by choosing green energy with Bullfrog Power. Sign up easily, quickly and affordably at bullfrogpower.com. Join the bullfrogpowered community online on Facebook (facebook.com/BullfrogPower), Instagram (@bullfrogpower) and Twitter (@bullfrogpower). About AREA The Alternative Resource Energy Authority (AREA) is a partnership between the Towns of Antigonish, Berwick and Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. AREA was created by the towns to reduce energy costs, expand green mandates and develop new revenue streams for the municipalities. The towns all operate electric utilities and distribute power to customers within their service areas. ______________________________ 1 non-electrically heated SOURCE Bullfrog Power For further information: Contact Bullfrog Power: Jon McKay, Corporate Communications Manager, 416.360.3464 ext. 239, [email protected]; Contact AREA: Aaron Long, Director of Business Services, Alternative Resource Energy Authority, 902-497-1447, [email protected] Related Links www.bullfrogpower.com OTTAWA, June 28, 2017 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will visit Dublin, Ireland, on July 4 and Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 5 before attending the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7 and 8. As Canada marks the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Prime Minister's visit to Ireland and the U.K. will serve to recognize the strong family ties, history, and common purpose our countries share. The Prime Minister will meet with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to honour her importance to Canada's history, and to thank her for her continued dedication to Canada. In Dublin, the Prime Minister will meet with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar for the first time. The two leaders will discuss issues of mutual interest, including how to best take advantage of opportunities created by the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). After Dublin, the Prime Minister will travel to Edinburgh to be received in private audience by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. At the Hamburg Summit, G20 leaders will consider measures to reach sustainable development goals, address climate change, respond to global health challenges, and advance gender equality, including the economic empowerment of women. The Prime Minister will stress the need to focus on economic growth that benefits everyone. He will also reiterate Canada's commitment to working with partners to develop a coordinated global response to terrorism while safeguarding human rights. Quotes "Ireland and Canada share a strong and vibrant relationship, based on shared cultural heritage and strong family ties. With CETA, we have the opportunity to collaborate further through a progressive trade agenda that will create good, middle class jobs on both sides of the Atlantic." The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's commitment to public service has long inspired me and many other Canadians. With this year marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation, I look forward to thanking her personally for her dedication to our country, and for carrying out her duties with such grace and strength." The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada "Many of the most pressing issues we face as a country, we also face as a world from climate change to economic anxieties caused by rapid technological change. International cooperation is more important than ever to find effective, meaningful solutions to these challenges. I welcome the agenda put forward by Germany as host of this year's G20 Summit and its focus on what we can and must do to shape our interconnected world." The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada Quick Facts Canada and Ireland enjoy strong commercial relations with two-way bilateral merchandise trade worth over $2.4 billion in 2016, making it Canada's tenth largest trading partner in the European Union. In that year, Canadian exports totaled over $496 million and imports were over $1.9 billion . and enjoy strong commercial relations with two-way bilateral merchandise trade worth over in 2016, making it tenth largest trading partner in the European Union. In that year, Canadian exports totaled over and imports were over . This will be the Prime Minister's second time being received in audience by Her Majesty. His first audience was on November 25, 2015 . . In 2011, over 11.3 million Canadians claimed British Isles ancestry, including over 4.7 million of Scottish ancestry and over 4.5 million of Irish ancestry. The United Kingdom was the 9th-largest source of new permanent residents in Canada in 2015. was the 9th-largest source of new permanent residents in in 2015. Canada and the UK enjoy a positive commercial relationship. Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and the UK totalled over $25.3 billion in 2016, with Canadian exports being over $17 billion making the UK Canada's fifth-largest merchandise trade partner. and the UK enjoy a positive commercial relationship. Two-way merchandise trade between and the UK totalled over in 2016, with Canadian exports being over making the UK Canada's fifth-largest merchandise trade partner. The G20 Summit brings together the leaders of major advanced and emerging economies, and Germany will host this year's summit under the theme "Shaping an Interconnected World." Associated Links This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office For further information: PMO Media Relations: 613-957-5555 Related Links http://pm.gc.ca/ Projects include 75 homes in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan , 25 in Winnipeg and 50 in territories and other provinces across Canada Schneider Electric Canada has raised more than $2 million in cash and gift-in-kind in support of Habitat for Humanity's homebuilding program in Canada over the past 22 years MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - This July, Schneider Electric Canada is proud to join President Carter and First Lady Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, who bring their energy to cities across Canada for Habitat for Humanity's 34th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. While the project will take place across Canada, President and Mrs. Carter will focus their efforts in Edmonton, Alberta, and Winnipeg. Schneider Electric Canada will be onsite at these locations to assist with building for this milestone endeavour. In recognition of Canada's 150th birthday milestone, Schneider Electric Canada will join the Carter Work Project as it builds 150 homes alongside 150 Habitat for Humanity families across the country. Projects during the week of building include 75 homes in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan, 25 in Winnipeg and 50 in territories and other provinces. Habitat for Humanity and volunteers will be helping families build the strength, stability and independence they need to create a better life for themselves. Supporting Habitat for Humanity's efforts for more than 22 years, Schneider Electric Canada has provided hardworking Canadian families with the hand up they need to raise their children in a safe, decent and affordable home, helping with builds for thousands of Canadian families in need. During that time, Schneider Electric Canada has also invested more than $2 million in cash and gift-in-kind in support of Habitat for Humanity's homebuilding program in Canada. For more than 30 years, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter have traveled across the world with Habitat for Humanity with thousands of volunteers, donating their time and voices to build and improve homes alongside Habitat homeowners. Their efforts help raise awareness of the critical need for affordable homeownership. Together with the Carters, volunteers have built, renovated or repaired more than 4,000 homes in 14 countries. About Habitat for Humanity in Canada: Habitat for Humanity in Canada has been working since 1985 toward a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the help of over 70,000 volunteers every year and 56 local organizations from coast to coast to coast, their mission is to bring communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. About Schneider Electric Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of US~$26 billion (~25 billion euros) in FY2016, our 144,000+ employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On www.schneider-electric.ca SOURCE Schneider Electric For further information: Media Contacts, StrategicAmpersand (For Schneider Electric Canada Inc.) , Sachin Persaud/Cindy Watson, Tel.: 416-961-5595, [email protected] TORONTO, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Solar Ship today completed the first in a series of flights to develop a fossil fuel free transport and logistics system for Canada's North. Solar Ship is working with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) as part of project to support the Department of National Defence. The project is being funded by the Federal Government's Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) to work with DRDC to demonstrate the capabilities of a new transport system able to service Canada's far North without using fossil fuel. The aircraft will be tested for a number of capabilities including cargo, long endurance surveillance and reconnaissance, and low speed search and rescue. DRDC's Vaughn Cosman was on site to witness the flight. He said "We knew Solar Ship's hybrid aircraft platform has the potential to lift a great deal of cargo. Today I saw an extremely well trained team fly a stable, controllable aircraft. I have many years of experience flying in Canada's north and I'm excited to work with Solar Ship to create a robust, fossil fuel free transport and logistics platform that will change the way we connect our north." Solar Ship's CEO, Jay Godsall: "We agreed to celebrate Canada's 150th with DRDC early by showing what the Wolverine aircraft platform can do for connecting Canada's north. DRDC has been a fantastic partner helping us define what we need to do to create a robust platform for the north. Fossil fuels are an economic and environmental trap for the north. They can be replaced. A new generation of northern people can make this shift. We need to demonstrate these systems are robust enough for the north and DRDC is the ideal partner to accomplish this." This milestone marks the first demonstration flight for Solar Ship's Wolverine line of aircraft, which will feature amphibious capabilities and the ability to transport cargo loads that bush planes cannot carry. About Solar Ship Solar Ship Inc. is a Canadian company with its head office in Toronto and operations in Brantford, Ontario, Cape Town, Lusaka, Kampala and Shenzhen. Solar Ship develops electric hybrid aircraft to deliver critical cargo to cut-off places. About DRDC DRDC is the primary research and development agency within Canada's Department of National Defence. They are a pioneer in several areas including the development of self-reliant power systems for harsh environments such as Canada's far north. SOURCE Solar Ship Inc. For further information: Jay Godsall, CEO, Solar Ship, Tel: (416) 368.3336, [email protected] Related Links www.solarship.com CALGARY, June 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Stuart Olson Inc. (TSX: SOX, SOX.DB.A) ("Stuart Olson" or the "Company") today announced that it will release its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 on or about Wednesday, August 10, 2017 after the close of the Canadian capital markets. Conference Call The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its 2017 second quarter results on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 7:00 a.m. MT (9:00 a.m. ET). The conference call will include prepared remarks from David LeMay, President and CEO, and Daryl Sands, Executive Vice President and CFO. After the prepared remarks, Stuart Olson will accept questions from analysts and institutional investors. Date: Thursday, August 10, 2017 Time: 7:00 a.m. MT (9:00 a.m. ET) Call: 1-888-390-0546 (Canada and USA) or 1-587-880-2171 (outside Canada and USA) Participants are asked to call at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. For those unable to participate on the live call, a replay will be made available until Thursday, August 24, 2017, by dialing 1-888-390-0541 (Canada and USA) or 1-416-764-8677 (outside Canada and USA), pin 188690. The public is invited to listen to the live conference call or the replay. Webcast A presentation and webcast link will be posted on Stuart Olson's website prior to the call under the "Investor Relations" tab, within the Presentations and Events section. To listen to and view the live webcast, visit Stuart Olson's website at least 10 minutes early to register and download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to listen during the live webcast, a replay will be available on Stuart Olson's website shortly after the conclusion of the conference call for a period of 90 days. About Stuart Olson Inc. Stuart Olson Inc. provides general contracting and electrical building systems contracting in the public and private construction markets as well as electrical, mechanical and specialty trades, such as insulation, cladding and asbestos abatement, in the industrial construction and services market. The Company operates office locations throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Stuart Olson's common shares and convertible debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols "SOX" and "SOX.DB.A", respectively. www.stuartolson.com SOURCE Stuart Olson Inc. For further information: Daryl Sands, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Olson Inc., (403) 685-7777, Email: [email protected] Related Links http://www.stuartolson.com/ OTTAWA, June 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will officially welcome to Canada Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, during an official ceremony in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Thursday, June 29, 2017. In addition to this event, which launches the 2017 Royal Tour, the Royal couple will participate in activities that highlight the themes of diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, youth and the environment as part of Canada's sesquicentennial celebrations. On July 1st, Their Excellencies and Their Royal Highnesses will attend the Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill and the official reopening of the National Arts Centre. Their Excellencies will also host a tree-planting ceremony and the inauguration of The Queen's Entrance at Rideau Hall, which will be followed by a reception featuring a cross-section of Canadians from all walks of life. Below are the events for which Their Excellencies will join Their Royal Highnesses in Nunavut and in Canada's Capital Region. Thursday, June 29 Iqaluit, Nunavut 11:35 a.m. Official Welcoming Ceremony to Canada Upon their arrival in Iqaluit, Their Royal Highnesses will be officially welcomed by Their Excellencies, accompanied by the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, the Honourable Nellie T. Kusugak, Commissioner of Nunavut, the Honourable Peter Taptuna, Premier of Nunavut, and Mrs. Joanne Taptuna. His Royal Highness will then receive military honours, which will include the inspection of the Quarter Guard of the Canadian Rangers. The Governor General, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs and The Prince of Wales will deliver remarks on this occasion. Nunavut Legislative Assembly, Iqaluit OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED MEDIA 1:55 p.m. Community Feast Their Excellencies and Their Royal Highnesses will take part in a community feast during which they will view exhibitions showcasing Nunavut's unique environment. They will also attend traditional performances, and join local Elders for tea and bannock. Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, Iqaluit OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED MEDIA Saturday, July 1 Ottawa, Ontario 11:40 a.m. Inspection of the Guard Before making their way to Parliament Hill, Their Excellencies and Their Royal Highnesses will visit Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument, where His Excellency and His Royal Highness will inspect a guard of honour from the Ceremonial Guard. Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument, Ottawa OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED POOL MEDIA ONLY 12 p.m. Canada Day Noon Show Along with thousands of Canadians and visitors, Their Excellencies and Their Royal Highnesses will join the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Mrs. Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, for the Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Prime Minister, The Prince of Wales and the Governor General will address Canadians on the day of our nation's sesquicentennial. Parliament Hill, Ottawa OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED MEDIA Reopening of the Newly Renovated National Arts Centre Their Excellencies and His Royal Highness will attend the official ceremony for the reopening of the National Arts Centre. The Governor General, the Prince of Wales and other distinguished guests will have the honour of cutting the ribbon, and will meet with artists, Indigenous leaders and the architects behind the rehabilitation work. National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED POOL MEDIA ONLY 6:40 p.m. Ceremonial Tree Planting Their Royal Highnesses will plant a sugar maple tree. The tree will be located in the Royal grove area of Rideau Hall, near the residence. It will be located next to the tree planted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. The tradition of ceremonially planting a tree during Royal or State visits began with the Right Honourable Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada from 1904 to 1911. Since that time, planting ceremonial trees has become a Canadian tradition, symbolizing the living friendship and co-operation of nations. Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family have planted 17 ceremonial trees on the grounds of Rideau Hall since 1939. Rideau Hall, Ottawa OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED MEDIA 6:45 p.m. Inauguration of The Queen's Entrance As part of Canada's 150th celebrations, Their Excellencies and Their Royal Highnesses will inaugurate The Queen's Entrance at Rideau Hall with the unveiling of a plaque and by symbolically opening the new doors. This outdoor event will take place on the newly renovated forecourt of the residence. It will also include remarks by the Governor General, a musical performance by the Royal Regiment of Canada, and will be followed by a reception to celebrate the new entrance. The entrance leading to the residence has been transformed with the addition of a new forecourt and new front entrance doors. The new front doors were designed to symbolize the history and landscape of Canada's last 150 years, and are architecturally linked to The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Balustrade that was created inside the front entrance of Rideau Hall in 2012. The doors were crafted by leading Canadian glass, wood and bronze artisans, who will be on-hand at the event to provide information about their work. The entrance has received Royal designation to be styled The Queen's Entrance, in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Sapphire Jubilee and her dedicated service to Canada. Rideau Hall, Ottawa OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED MEDIA Reception on the Occasion of the Inauguration of The Queen's Entrance During the reception hosted by Their Excellencies, Their Royal Highnesses will meet with Canadians who reflect the development of Canada over the past 150 years. Guests will include representatives of organizations for which Their Royal Highnesses are patron, regiments for which they serve as colonels-in-chief, Indigenous peoples, youth, philanthropists, cultural figures, dignitaries, and other Canadians from a wide range of fields, as well as members of the Order of Canada, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Rideau Hall, Ottawa OPEN TO ROYAL TOUR ACCREDITED POOL MEDIA ONLY About the Royal Tour The 2017 Royal Tour will take place from June 29 to July 1, 2017. Their Royal Highnesses will visit Iqaluit, Nunavut, on June 29; Canadian Forces Base Trenton and Wellington, Prince Edward County, Ontario, on June 30; and Canada's Capital Region on July 1. This will be the 18th visit to Canada for The Prince of Wales and the 4th visit for The Duchess of Cornwall. The couple's most recent Royal Tour was conducted in May 2014, during which they visited Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. For more information on the Royal Tour's detailed itinerary, visit http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1490105439791/1490105522769. Media covering the ceremonies and events listed above must have a 2017 Royal Tour accreditation from the Department of Canadian Heritage. Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter SOURCE Governor General of Canada For further information: Media information: Marie-Eve Letourneau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-0287, 613-302-0912 (cell), [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected] Mercy For Animals Renews Call for Lawmakers to Prevent Egregious Animal Abuse at Canada's Dairy Factory Farms by Giving Standards in Dairy Code of Practice the Force of Law VANCOUVER, June 28, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Earlier today, Cody Larson and Lloyd Blackwell, two former workers at Chilliwack Cattle Salesthe largest dairy factory farm in Canadapleaded guilty to a total of three counts of violating the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The Chilliwack Provincial Law Court has sentenced Larson to 20 days in jail and a fine of $4,000. He will serve his sentence on consecutive weekends, beginning this Friday, June 30th. Larson is also prohibited from having large animals such as pigs, cows, and horses in his custody or care for a year. Blackwell was sentenced to pay a fine of $7,000 and he is prohibited from having large animals in his custody or care for three years. Both offenders have two years to pay their fines in full. These workers' guilty pleas follow a hidden-camera expose by Mercy For Animals, an international farmed animal protection organization, and are the sixth and seventh convictions after the release of gruesome undercover video footage. On May 18, 2017, after guilty pleas stemming from the same animal cruelty investigation, the Honorable Justice Gary Cohen sentenced three former Chilliwack Cattle Sales workers to a total of 127 days in jail and prohibited them from having custody or control of any animal for a total of seven years. This marked the first time in Canadian history that former factory farm workers had been sentenced to jail for animal abuse exposed through an undercover investigation by an animal protection organization. In December 2016, also stemming from this investigation, Chilliwack Cattle Sales and one of its owners were convicted of animal cruelty and ordered to pay fines totaling almost $350,000. The cruelty exposed through Mercy For Animals' footage prompted BC agricultural minister Norm Letnick to amend the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice. Mercy For Animals is calling on all provinces to incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice into their provincial animal cruelty legislation. Giving the Dairy Code of Practice the force of law will require the dairy industry to follow basic minimum standards for animal welfare and help prevent many of the worst abuses documented at Chilliwack Cattle Sales. "There is no excuse for animal abuse," said Krista Hiddema, Mercy For Animals' vice president for Canada. "The best way to address animal cruelty is to prevent it. We're asking all Canadian provinces to create a united front against abuse in the dairy industry. Cruelty and neglect will plague Canada's farms until the Dairy Code of Practice is given the force of law in every province." To view the undercover video that led to today's convictions, visit CanadaDairy.MercyForAnimals.org. SOURCE Mercy For Animals For further information: Vandhana Bala, 312-909-6051 MADRID - Chinese tourists will be able to use Alipay mobile wallet in Spain thanks to an agreement signed between Spanish bank BBVA and China's Ant Financial Services Group, BBVA reported on Wednesday. Alipay is one of world's largest online and mobile payment platforms operated by Ant Financial Services, an affiliate company of Alibaba. BBVA, Spain's second-largest bank, is the first Spanish financial institution to cooperate with Alipay, integrating the system into the bank's Smartpay service. The bank explained that Smartpay is already available for all stores and functions thanks to an app installed in the store's cell phone. The app should be updated in order to accept payments with Alipay. The Spanish lender is also working with Spain's large stores so that they can accept payments with Alipay as early as possible, and merchants interested in signing up for Smartpay can register at BBVA branches, the bank said. "This agreement is a great opportunity to service this growing market of visitors to Spain while allowing Spanish stores to promote sales and special offers directly to Chinese tourists," said Jose Fernandez da Ponte, Head of Business Development and New Ventures at BBVA. Rita Liu, Head of Alipay EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), said "cooperating with BBVA not only allows us to make Chinese tourists' shopping experience in Spain as simple as in China, but also makes it easier for Spanish merchants to do business with Chinese customers". Fresh move to unveil a new gas master plan to drive Nigerias industrial growth is underway, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said.The minister, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while speaking at the fifth triennial national delegates conference of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the masterplan after its meeting yesterday following his presentation. His words: I am just coming back from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting where I made a presentation on gas policy and the document was approved today. We need major changes in policy to make gas a hub of our economy. We must have a stream of earning between petroleum and gas in order to see an improvement in our economy or see the opportunities we are supposed to reap from the oil and gas sector. So, a lot need to happen in the midstream and upstream.Gas development remains the new horizon for opportunity. There is so much happening that needs to happen that should have happened yesterday and not begin to happen now in the gas sector. Gas is the future of this country in terms of infrastructure, support, members of staff training and re-training.The minister declared that the oil and gas is changing transformatively with the tumbling of prices below $46 despite the intervention of the Organisation of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC).He stressed that Nigerians must work inclusively to deal with the difficulties that are happening in the industry whether militancy, slow speed of approvals and policies that must now move as fast as they should.Besides, Kachikwu said no attempt had been made to sell the nations refineries.He said: On the refineries, there has been no attempt, no approval to concession refineries or sell. What we have approval for is to bring financing mechanisms that enable us to find the resource to upgrade the refineries.In their present epileptic nature, they would probably be obsolete in the next three to four years. The reality is that once the private sector players begin to build their own refineries, whatever we think we are concessioning, will disappear. Unless we move very quickly to reposition those refineries in such a way that they can compete, we would lose the refineries completely.He said the financing mechanisms for the refineries would pass through the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in a competitive and transparent manner, adding that all the processes would be done with the management of the refineries and NNPC in place.In another development, the President of PENGASSAN, Olabode Johnson, who lauded the passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) by the Senate, urged the National Assembly to ensure that the remaining parts of the original PIB are passed to make Nigeria enjoy optimal benefit from its hydrocarbon resources.The union said though it supports the initiative of the Federal Government to bring investors to revamp the refineries, it must open its books up to be accessed by all the stakeholders before decisions are made.He added: We seek that PENGASSAN and NUPENG should be carried along at all stages of the process to ensure that labour-related issues and job security is guaranteed. While we await the direction of the investors in the three refineries, we call on government to ensure immediate rehabilitation of obsolete equipment in the plants. Mr David Musa, the Team Leader, USAID Bee Keeping Pollination Project, says Nigeria can generate over 10 billion dollars from local and international trade in honey and other hive products.Musa disclosed this during an interview on the sideline of a Capacity Building Workshop for bee-farmers in Goshen, Nasarawa State on Thursday.Honey trade can generate up to 10 billion dollars if you look at cumulative values from honey and other hive products and the value of pollination, he said.The team leader is also the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Apiculture Platform.He disclosed that the domestic consumption rate of honey in the country was currently 380,000 tonnes, with a global price of about 4.5 billion dollars.He stressed the need for the country to get honey export certification from the European Union, adding that it would give credibility to the forthcoming largest Africa Apiculture Trade to be hosted by Nigeria in 2018.Nigeria is going to host the largest bee keeping trade in Afric; it is the largest platform that will bring together many bee keeping enterprises.It will put Nigeria on the global bee keeping map.The EU certificate is one of the highest levels of certification and it is necessary to get that.Nigeria consumes about 380,000 tonnes of honey a current global price of about 4.5 billion dollars and that is just domestic consumption of honey; we have not gone into industrial production, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, he said.Also speaking, Alhaji Mohammed Mahmud, a bee-farmer and participant at the workshop, commended the Federal Government and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for the workshop.Mahmud, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Population and National Identity Card, assured that necessary legislation that would drive the bee farming industry would be looked into by the National Assembly.He said that the Federal Government had made necessary provision in the 2017 budget to establish standard laboratory to test hive products before exportation.This programme is coming at the appropriate time because many people do not know about bee farming.The workshop has come to educate bee keepers like I, on the techniques, problems and prospects to move the industry and country forward.The workshop has come out with the position of looking at all the existing laws that governs the bee industry.We want to look at it together and see what changes can be made to make the industry move forward.I want to assure you that we will do our best to make sure that necessary legislation for the bee industry will be taken care of.Part of the problems that the industry has is trying to set up a laboratory where you can test the product that you want to export and this has been taken care of in the 2017 budget, he said.Other bee farmers and participants at the workshop expressed regret over the constant neglect of bee farming.They called for more support from the federal and state governments to make the trade attractive to many farmers.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the workshop is a three-day programme tagged: EU Third Country Listing; An Eligibility Criteria to Export Honey to the EU Market. The impact of Nigerians and their activities on the environment became a subject of controversy yesterday as a global study ranked the country high. A new study from MoneySuperMarket on how people impact their environment, from different countries around the world highlights individual contribution to the worlds climate as well as areas for improvement for each country.The study identified the biggest contributors to negative environmental impact, but the surprising results placed five African countries in the top 10 for lowest environmental impact. Nigeria ranked highly (35th position) as one of the countries with the least environmental impact. Over 20 per cent of Nigerias energy comes from green sources, according to the report. In the same vein, Nigerias Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions equate to only 0.5 tonnes per person, compared to Mozambiques levels of just 0.1 tonnes per person. Its air pollution rates are at levels of 8.5 g/m3.The researchers provided a breakdown of the different measurements that make up the average individual human impact in each country, including energy consumption, air pollution and reliance on non-renewable energy.Mozambique was number one in the global rankings, with the lowest human impact on the environment per person, as nearly all (97 per cent) of the energy they use is produced from green energy. The country, according to the report, only produces 0.14 kg of waste per person per day, just as the United States produces 2.58 kg per person).Africa as a continent topped the charts and featured strongly in their use of green energy, their low CO2 emissions and their low levels of air pollution and waste production. Ethiopia, Zambia, Kenya and Ghana also ranked first, third, fifth and seventh respectively.But Nnimo Bassey, an environmentalist who runs the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), says Nigeria should avoid being complacent in the face of the seemingly favourable report. There are other factors, he argues, and we have to consider the fact that Nigerias environment is extremely polluted (in some areas) with dead environment that will never recover. Many of the rivers in the Niger Delta even the ones in Kano are polluted, Mr. Bassey told The Guardian on his way to the Yar Adua Centre, Abuja venue of todays conference on Food Security in Niger Delta.Obinna Chidoka, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, also takes the report with a pinch of salt. Like the HOMEF director, the lawmaker believes that the report clearly underscores our slow pace or lack of industrialisation and, in real terms, does not portray Nigeria in good light. This is not to our advantage, he says in response to a query on whether or not the new ranking is a plus for Nigerias compliance level with the Paris Climate Change Agreement. In Nigeria, we have gas plants without gas to power them, yet we flare gas. Solar energy contributes less than 0.1 percent renewable energy. Nigeria arguably ranks highest in gas flaring.Chidoka, who represents the Idemmili Federal Constituency, said Nigerias Internally Determined Contribution (IDC) in keeping with the Paris Agreement has remained very low because we do not speak the same language on roadmap in our drive. The intended nationally determined contribution to the Paris agreement is specifically based on reduction of carbon emission and gas flaring.According to Chidoka, the report might sound good on the face value but we do know that there is a lot of work to be done.He said Nigeria Paris had already banned use of plastic materials, including cups and spoons, beginning from next year (2018). Vehicles of 10 tears and above are also banned in Paris. But here in Nigeria, we have vehicles of 25 years and above. We just need to give the Paris Agreement a bite here in Nigeria.Asked what the legislature and his House Committee on Environment were doing to change, the lawmaker remarked that he had moved for the Waste Management Bill for waste management professionals. According to Chidoka, the laws and agencies of the Federal Ministry of Environment are obsolete and the bill which has passed the second reading in the House and now awaiting public hearing will, upon its passage as law, create the Environmental Practitioners Council (EPC) to certify professionals. One of the intendments of the bill is to regulate their activities and certify them as environmentalists so that everyone will be protected, Chidoka told The Guardian on telephone.Ethiopia scored particularly low in its energy consumption, with each person only using an average of 1.75 BTUs per year. By contrast, Trinidadians top the list, using a grand total of 757.54 BTUs per year. Zambia had the lowest CO2 emissions, with only 0.07 tonnes per person, whereas in Trinidad and Tobago, the worst country for environmental impact, the CO2 emissions are an average of 37.1 tonnes per person.Kenyans ranked well with the third lowest air pollution rates (4.3 g/m3). In comparison, China has the worst air pollution (47.2 g/m3). Ghana ranked seventh and have the lowest municipal waste level per person (0.09 kg per day), compared to Irish citizens who amass 3.58 kg per day. Abiodun Ladepo, here, joins many Nigerians in calling for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari, citing interesting reasons. President Muhammadu Buhari Your Excellency Sir, There are no better ways to say this: The release of that Eid-el-Fitri message to us through the BBC Hausa outlet, in Hausa language, convinced even those of us who are your diehard supporters that you are no longer sentient; that some people around you are taking advantage of your compromised medical situation to fulfill their own selfish agendas. If you were in charge of all your faculties and firing on all cylinders, you would not have allowed such a message to be used to prove that you were getting better. Because, that audio message, in which you clearly sounded as if you were struggling to breathe - rushing through the reading of a speech in Hausa (for it was clear that you were not speaking extemporaneously) and generally sounding like a man laboring to put things together - just solidified one thing: that you are not well at all. And if you are not well, sir, if you are as sick as you appeared to be the last time we saw you - gaunt and wilting - then as a man I revere for being honorable, patriotic and candid, you need to resign as President of Nigeria and allow Nigeria to move forward. Being unwell is not a thing about which one should be ashamed. What is shameful is forgetting the ephemerality, vainness and transience nature of power, and indeed of life itself by holding on to what you did not bring into this world the day you were born to the detriment of the rest of us. As a devout Muslim, what did you learn about how each of us on earth will go home to our Maker? I am sure you learned that we will all return to Him as ordinary folksthe same way we came. Another thing that is shameful is this now common thing for our leaders, from the president on down to local leaders, to opt for medical care overseas when we have expert medical personnel and many university teaching hospitals in Nigeria. It is the shame of your administration (and I know you have been there for only two years) and that of all your predecessors that our health sector has been left to degrade to the point that young women routinely die from fibroids surgery and childbirth; that men routinely die from hypertension and prostate cancer, and that while you people spend undisclosed amount of public funds on overseas medical care, we the ordinary folks are left at the mercy of unmotivated medical practitioners who are working in decrepit medical centers, with depleted laboratories and pharmacies. Before any of your rabid supporters jump all over me sir, for asking you to step aside, please let me remind them that I was the first person to write you after you won the election. In my letter here, which was published before you were sworn in, I exuded hope and goodwill, the kind that all patriotic Nigerians who put our nation above all divisive and destructive strictures felt. I didnt wait till the #SaiBaba bandwagon came to town before putting my hopes in you, as you can see from this piece that I wrote long before the election. And I didnt just write. I was not just an armchair critic or Cybertiger. I put my money where my mouth was. I put my family in the air and we all came to Nigeria all the way from California to do whatever we could to get the Clueless One out of there and get you in. You can imagine our disappointment when the elections were postponed and we had to return to the U.S. without voting for you. But when it was rescheduled, guess who came back to Nigeria and to Ibadan to help elect you: me. So you should understand sir, why I should expect more from you. As president of 180-plus million people, shrouding the nature of your illness in official secrecy is antiquated. There is no national security interest served by not telling your own people what afflicts you and how badly, especially when you are being treated by foreign doctors in a foreign land! How embarrassed were we when foreign intelligence operatives knew more about the state of YarAduas health before ours did? It is also grossly disrespectful and condescending to the people who trooped out in inclement weather to give you their mandate when they are left in the lurch like this. I am in my mid-50s and I know that my body today is not what it was 20 years ago, or even five years ago. But you are 75 (or more)! Who amongst us does not have a septuagenarian in his family? Nigerians are not idiots. So please, you and your acolytes need to stop treating us like we are. We know you are not without an ailment. Sir, this idea that without you, the war on corruption will be lost is mute. The war is already lost. With you being out of action for the better part of this yearwith nobody providing the moral leadership and the heft and authority of a substantive president to wage the war, the enemies have cobbled the nation into a supine position. We have returned to shopping for judges and buying justice like we used to do before you came to power. Between the NASS and the judiciary, Nigeria and Nigerians are being serially dry-raped and tossed violently between the two. Only a president who knows he is wielding the power of the office in his own name and for his own legacy can stand a chance. With you medically sidelined and chronically so with no obvious light at the end of the tunnel, VP Osinbajo can only tepidly exercise the powers of the office. There is a huge difference between being THE President and being just an Acting President. Nobody should be deceived by the notion that since you handed over to him to act on your behalf, he can go ahead and do everything you can do. I haveheard you and your spokespeople say that yours is one presidency and the Vice President, acting on your behalf, can conduct everything like you could. Could he, for instance, unilaterally dissolve the cabinet and send new names to the Senate? Could he unilaterally sack any Service Chief and nominate someone else? I bet he cant. And the enemies of the nation know this. By many of your actions and the actions of those by whom you are surrounded, you have almost caused people like me to question whether we had not been conned into electing you! Talk about big time buyers remorse! I remember vividly how your detractors warned us about handing over Nigeria at the stage we were in 2015 to an old, sickly dictator who was also nepotistic, ethnocentric and vindictive. Do you remember, sir? Do you remember those who said you were brain-dead? We pilloried them for playing God and wishing bad things on you. But no sooner had you become president than their warnings became our realities. I started getting scared when you took nearly six months to put your cabinet together. To come to terms with my disappointment, I chalked that up to the possibility that you were having difficulty finding smart and energetic people with integrity. And you were looking all around the country for such people. But when you finally came out with your list and it was peopled by mostly mediocre entities, I knew something was wrong. Was this the same Buhari we thought we were electing? Then you started skewing your appointments to the north in arrogant and flagrant disregard for the complaints of folks from other parts of the country. We all knew you suffered from an ear infection. But we knew it should not have caused you to have been so tone-deaf. The mother of all surprises to me was when you went abroad and remarked there that people (Northerners) who gave you 97% of their votes should expect to be treated better than those (Easterners) who gave you only 5% of theirs. Alarmed by such myopic vindictiveness, I rushed to the press. Were we dealing with a sectional leader with ignoble and parochial inclinations or were we dealing with an altruistic and patriotic national leader who was too sick to grasp the enormity of the harm being done to the country in his name? I hope the answer is the latter rather than the former. I hope that I have not been ignorantly hailing you and defending you from your most virulent critics. I hope I was right in placing my hopes in you. How could I have not been? The choice was between Goodluck Jonathan and you! Nobody in his right mind would have voted otherwise. So, if the answer is the latterthat you are an altruistic leader who is just too sick to function well, then please do the needful; resign honorably today. Even if you get a clean bill of health this minute from your British doctors and return to Nigeria on your own feet, the damage has already been done. In our psyche, we will always see you as feeble, maybe even vegetative leader being propped up by a cabal. It is more honorable for you to say to us that you are grateful for the privilege we gave you to serve; for reposing our confidence and hopes in you, and that you would retire to private life to rest and recuperate better, but that you stand ready to offer advice as an elder statesman whenever called upon to do so. That would be classy. And if the time comes that Allah calls you home as He shall one day call each of us, Nigeria will rise as one to give you a befitting goodbye and immortalize you as a national leader who left an indelible mark in the fight against corruption in our country. If we carve a national day for you as holiday, it will not be too much and you will be a legitimate honoree. So, please find the strength to release your stranglehold on our country and let us breathe. We are waiting to exhale. ***** Abiodun Ladepo Ibadan, Oyo State Oluyole2@yahoo.com Some prominent Yoruba leaders have called on the Federal Government to begin the process of implementing the report of the 2014 national conference.The leaders made the call on Thursday in Ibadan at a retreat organised by Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative.The leaders, who emphasised the unity of the Yoruba race, said that Nigeria was overdue for restructuring.In their various submissions, the leaders called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure that the process of reviewing the constitution takes place before the 2019 general elections.Chief Bode George, former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warned that the mistakes of the past should not be allowed to be repeated to truncate the unity of the Yoruba race.He said that the thoughts of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the defunct Western Region, should be revisited in administering South-West states.I have read Awolowos methodology in education, health, politics and others; if it is utilised by any governor in the region, it will help in managing the states.The former governor of Ogun state, Chief Gbenga Daniel, who described the report of the 2014 confab as a good document, urged the federal government to begin the process of restructuring the country.The convener of the retreat, Chief Deji Osinbogun, said Nigerians must come together to agree on the modalities for restructuring the polity.He said that the National Political Reform Conference convened in 2005 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo did not douse the agitation for restructuring.This prompted the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to convene another national conference in 2014.The 2014 dialogue was acknowledged to have made far reaching decisions on the required constitutional reforms that would lead to restructuring.The conference addressed major issues of concern such as devolution of power, autonomy, resource control and fiscal federalism, among others.Participants from all over the country unanimously agreed to the final report of the conference, which was submitted to the Federal Government by Justice KutigiToday, there is no doubt that there is a national consensus that Nigeria is overdue for restructuring.This cannot be pushed aside or dumped in the ashes of history Osinbogun submitted.Notable Yoruba leaders, who attended the retreat include, Sen. Bode Olajumoke, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Mr Olawale Oshin, chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group and Prof Jide Owoeye Proprietor, Lead City University, Ibadan.Also in attendance were: Dr Olapade Agoro, Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Ayo Ladigbolu; National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams and the Secretary General, Yoruba Council of Elders Chief Kunle Olajide. The Federal High Court in Lagos was told yesterday that two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees, Christian Nwosu a... The Federal High Court in Lagos was told yesterday that two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees, Christian Nwosu and Yisa Adegoyin, received N264million from former Petroleum Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly to change the result of the 2015 general election. A prosecution witness, Timothy Olaobaju, said the money was paid to Nwosu and Adedoyin in cash.He was testifying while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo in the trial of Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir before Justice Idris.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused them of receiving gratification from the former minister.Adedoyin had pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted following a plea bargain.Olaobaju, who was his banks head of operations in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said he paid the Nwosu and Adedoyin the cash based on Mrs Alison-Maduekes instructions.I was the Head of Operations for Ilorin Branch. I had cause to meet Nwosu and Adedoyin. Sometime in 2015, there was a meeting between our Managing Director and the former Petroleum Minister during which she explained that some companies and individuals would come to the bank to pay some money into some accounts.The companies were Northern Belt Ltd, Actus Integrated Ltd, Midwestern Company and one Mr Leno Laitan. In addition, she said certain individuals would bring some cash to be kept for her.A total sum of $89million was paid into the accounts. Cash sums of $25million was brought, totalling $114million. The money was kept in the bank pending her instruction as agreed.On March 26, 2014, we got instruction that the money should be converted to naira. After it was converted, it was about N23billion. There was a list of beneficiaries that was sent, to be paid across the 36 states of the federation, including Kwara. I handled the transactions in my branch, the witness.He said the defendants came to his office to collect the cash payment, and that he only acted on instruction.There was an instruction that Nwosu and Adedoyin be paid N264,880,000. The instruction came from the head office based on instruction from Mrs Alison-Madueke and they were paid. They signed a receipt of payment for the money they collected, Olaobaju said.Olaobaju said after the defendants were paid, they left with the cash and did not pay it into any account.Under cross examination by defence counsel Obinna Okereke and Nelson Imoh, the witness said he did not know the purpose of the payment.The only instruction we had was that they should bring means of identification and should be paid. They even waited for the money to be released to them. We did not know the purpose of the payment, he said.Olaobaju said he did not hand over the money to Bashir, and never met Mrs Alison-Madueke; nor was he at the meeting where she gave the instructions.The instruction we received was through our Divisional Head of Operations who reports to the MD, he added.Justice Idris adjourned till today for continuation of trial. Suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans, has again dragged the Inspector General of Police, and three others before a Federal High Court in Lagos over his alleged illegal detention.In the new suit filed on Thursday, Evans is claiming N300 million as general and exemplary damages against the police for alleged illegal detention and unconstitutional media trial.Joined as respondents in his new originating motion are the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.Evans had on June 28 filed an ex parte application with reference number FHC/L/CS/1012/2017, before the same court, seeking an order directing the respondents to charge him to court.He had also in the alternative, sought an order directing the respondents to release him unconditionally where no charge is preferred against him.In an affidavit deposed to by his father, Mr Stephen Onwuamadike, it was averred that the applicant has been subjected to media trial without any court order by the respondents.Onwuamadike further averred that the media trial and news orchestrated by the respondents have continued to generate reactions in both print and electronic media without his son being afforded fair hearing before a court of law.Evans contended that his continued detention by the respondents since June 10, without a charge, or release on bail, is an infringement on his fundamental rights.In his new suit also marked FHC/L/CS/1012/ 2017 and with the same persons as respondents, the applicant is seeking a declaration that his continued detention since June 10 without arraignment, violates his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.He is also seeking a declaration that his parade on June 11 before journalists in Lagos, at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, without any court order, is unconstitutional and illegal.He is consequently, seeking an order, compelling the respondents to immediately arraign him before a law court, or release him from custody forthwith.Evans is also seeking an order, compelling the respondents to jointly and severally, pay him the sum of N300 million as exemplary damages for illegal detention and alleged harm caused by the alleged media trial.The suspect is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from further arresting, detaining, harassing, investigating or inviting him in relation to the facts of his case.He is also seeking further orders as the court may deem fit, to make in the circumstances.No date has been fixed for hearing in his latest suit. By Kolawole Olaniyan Its often said that one person with a belief and courage is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only in... By Kolawole OlaniyanIts often said that one person with a belief and courage is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests. Nigeria would seem to have produced such person when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on Friday, 29 May 2015, at least judging by his perceived anti-corruption credentials during his stint as a military head of state in the mid-80s.But the famous dictum that Buhari is Mr Integrity personified that could take on the corrupt system in the country may after all not be wholly true, if the corruption crisis, and apparent lack of capacity or will by his government to end the prevailing impunity of perpetrators are anything to go by.On assumption of office, Buhari put fighting grand corruption, sending high-ranking officials and politicians to jail and recovering stolen public funds at the top of his list of priorities and political agenda, something the public overwhelmingly supported. But over two years after, his supposed anti-corruption agenda would seem to be falling apart.The Nigerian democratic project still looks very much like a system run on a basis of self-interest and profit. The simple truth of the matter is that the Buhari/Professor Yemi Osinbajo government is neither frying big fish (sending top officials and politicians to jail) nor promoting the much-needed reform in the justice system that could hold corrupt leaders to account, serve as a robust protection against systemic corruption and allow access to effective remedies by those affected by corruption.Corruption remains in full public view. A handful of Buharis friends have come under criticism for their apparent mixing of official position and business interests, but no charges have been brought against them. Much of the noise has been on the opposition camp.The outcry against the recent judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal letting the Senate President Bukola Saraki off the hook by discharging and acquitting him of all false asset declaration charges, brought against him in September 2015, seems to suggest that the public is no longer having any of the excuses by the government as to why its professed anti-corruption agenda is tottering. The government has appealed the judgment but public optimism of a positive outcome appears low.The Sarakis case is just the latest in a series of major corruption cases that the Buhari/Osinbajo government has lost in recent times. So, it has become so easy for public officials and top politicians to steal with almost absolute impunity.This increasing level of corruption in the public sphere, and the abject failure of the criminal justice system and anti-corruption agencies to secure convictions in clearly simple corruption cases, have battered public trust and confidence, and strengthened the perception that corruption is unavoidable.Apart from the cosmetic sacking of some officials in the Budget Office, those leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives accused of padding the 2016 budget or tampering with our commonwealth are allowed to walk free; the president and acting president couldnt even respond to the letter of the whistle-blower Abdulmumin Jibrin urging the government to do justice in the matter.Several lawmakers and former governors under corruption investigation are getting away with their alleged crimes. Former First Lady Patience Jonathan and some of the judges accused of corruption have also been set free, due to a combination of factors, ranging from incompetence of the criminal justice system to political expediency.The leadership of the National Assembly and many of their members, top politicians, and state governors (who have refused to pay workers salaries for several months despite the so-called bailout funds they got from Buhari) are taking full advantage of the presidents absence (away in London for medical treatment) to exploit the system for financial and other benefits, and position themselves for the 2019 general elections.The government doesnt seem to have the capacity or will to end the growing evidence of intense inter-agency rivalry and conflicts within the security and anti-corruption agencies.The justice system and key anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Code of Conduct Tribunal, you name itthat are supposed to provide accountabilityseem overwhelmed and overpowered by Aso Rock power brokers, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors, and no match for a small but powerful group of politicians, a coterie of elite bureaucrats, and those in their inner circle.The tragedy of the countrys criminal justice system is that its quick to impose maximum punishment on petty criminals while curiously reluctant to get tough with top officials and politicians who confuse their private accounts with the public treasury.A governments role, especially in a democracy, is first and foremost to uphold the rule of law but under Buhari/Osinbajos watch, the judiciary and operation of the rule of law have weakened considerably, to the point that orders of properly constituted courts are now routinely disobeyed by the government.A landmark judgment by Justice Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordering the government to publish and account for the spending of recovered stolen public funds since the return of democracy in 1999, and another by Justice Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the release of the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Elzakzaky and his wife, Zeinab, remain ignored.Yet, persistent disobedience of court orders is a recipe for state tyranny and corruption to grow and take even deeper root.The country is dropping deeper into a pattern of corruption, impunity, insecurity, and instability; with Nigerians still feeling a complete disconnect between whats happening down in Aso Rock, and whats happening on their doorstep.This isnt the change that Nigerians apparently voted for.Its rather unfortunate that Nigerian politicians seem more concerned with their personal gratification than the relief of poverty and suffering of their own people. The love for public treasury and personal aggrandisement has in effect dried up in them the milk of human kindness. Systemic corruption has caused majority of the citizens to fall below an unacceptable level of well-being while corrupt officials are taking care of their own families, relatives and associates.Let there be no mistake: Nigerians wont buy into the Buhari and Osinbajos anti-corruption agenda if they cant even challenge corrupt behaviours within their own government.Its true that corruption cannot be eradicated overnight but combating the problem requires a fundamental change of direction, and not more of the same. Radical reforms of the anti-corruption laws and institutions are overdue, and must begin to happen now, if the countrys anti-corruption agencies are to become more independent and free from the whims and caprices of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.The fight against corruption has to be backed by firm and fair enforcement of the laws, and effective sanctions if top officials and politicians are not to continue to get away with their crimes. The judiciary and anticorruption agencies themselves would need to break free of the corrupt system to hold corrupt leaders to account, challenge the political elites and spoil their efforts to protect themselves.Until Buhari and Osinbajo restore public trust in the criminal justice system and the credibility and legitimacy of anticorruption agencies, the corruption crisis would get even worst. If Buhari and Osinbajo are sincere about rooting out corruption and jailing top officials, the time is now for them to show courage and political will, and seize the initiative to revitalize the governments crumbling anti-corruption agenda.Olaniyan, PhD is the author of Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa. About 887 Nigerian refugees arrived at Banki, Borno State, on Tuesady, following a request by the Cameroonian government to Nigeria, to a... About 887 Nigerian refugees arrived at Banki, Borno State, on Tuesady, following a request by the Cameroonian government to Nigeria, to allow it repatriate them.The External Relations Officer, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Nigeria, Mr. Hanson Tamfu, stated this in a statement yesterday.Tamfu said the request was prompted by fear and suspicions by Cameroon, that some of the refugees might by Boko Haram insurgents.The statement reads: The returnees arrived in six trucks sent by Nigeria, following a meeting with the governor of the far north region of Cameroon on June 19.At the meeting, Nigeria was requested to cause the return of the refugees, which the Cameroonian authority suspects may also comprise some elements of Boko Haram.Consequently, the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), on June 26, dispatched the buses to transport the refugees.He added that the latest group of returnees comprise 233 females, 187 males, 236 girls, and 231 boys, who were living in host communities in Kolofata, a far north region of Cameroon.According to him, it was reported that most of them do not have much in terms of personal effects, but a few items in plastic sacks, while some returned completely empty.Tamfu said more refugees had shown interest in leaving Minawowa Camp in Cameroon, adding that they were anxious to return following reports of improved security back home.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official registered returnees from Cameroon through Banki now stands at 19,257. Ekiti state Governor Ayodele Fayose has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to resign on account of ill-health. According to the governor, the resignation would avail the president enough time to attend to his health and also allow the country to move forward.Fayose, who addressed a news conference yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, said Buhari has been away for 53 days, carpeting presidential aides for shielding the presidents whereabouts from Nigerians.The governor said: Today, it makes 53 days since our President, Muhammadu Buhari, left Nigeria to attend to his health challenges abroad. No official information as to his whereabouts and his state of health.Like every other Nigerian, I do not wish the president dead. I have, therefore, maintained dignified silence since we were told that thePresident embarked on his second medical trip abroad this year.However, the recorded audio message which was released by thePresidency as the Presidents Ramadan message to Nigerians necessitated my setting the records straight today. No doubt, the audio message was only a damage-control strategy aimed at further deceiving Nigerians.Fayose alleged that attempts were being made on his life for speaking out on issues of national importance.He said: In closing, let me state that I am not unaware of the various attempts on my life; I am undaunted as I remain committed to truth and fearlessness because a mans life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.Dear Nigerians, even though President Buhari needs our prayers and we should keep praying that God takes total control of his situation, it is equally imperative that our leaders must tell us the truth at all times.It is time that the President takes the interests of Nigerians above his own and resign from office so that our country can move forward.But, Senator Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East) faulted Fayoses call.In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, the senator stated: Nigerians overwhelmingly elected President Buhari and if today he is having challenges, it is despicable for any reasonable person to play politics with it because nobody is above health challenges.It is unfair and condemnable for Fayose to continue playing God over the Presidents health condition; his ridiculous comments are invariably heating up the polity and fanning the embers of disaffection amongst Nigerians.The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) yesterday criticised Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose for dishing out cacophony of lies on the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.In a statement by its chairmen, Austin Braimoh, and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, the group said it was not surprised by the governors coments because of his penchant for exhibiting the characteristics of a serial liar and a born agent of confusion over the years, who thrives in hate speeches and campaigns of calumny.It added: BMSG believes that most Nigerians are already familiar with the infantile character of the Ekiti State accidental governor; Nigerians are already familiar with his antics.Fayose operates based on his figment of imagination as he will never disclose his source of information or show proof of his utterances.Today, the same character is telling us that the President is now on life support in London. If his assertions are right, then he needs to be told that it is an improvement to move from being dead to a life support.BMSG, therefore, appeals to the loquacious governor to allow the President recuperate peacefully and return to his duties. Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, has weighed in on the recent quit notice, saying the Igbo in his state and everybody is ... Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, has weighed in on the recent quit notice, saying the Igbo in his state and everybody is now an indigene of Kano. Ganduje said: Nobody has quit Kano; they said they are not going anywhere and we too, we told them that they were not going anywhere. So, it is an issue that we in Kano want to be an example of national integration.Therefore, in Kano, we are dialoguing with the people and, in fact, we have even abolished the issue of indigene versus settlers.Everybody in Kano is an indigene of Kano but there are some indigenes of Kano with primordial claims elsewhere which is a fact. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has expressed sorrow over the death of a former Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, describing him as a man of peace.Saraki, in a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said the demise of Suntai had robbed Nigeria of a worthy leader and a gentleman.He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the people and government of Taraba State over the unfortunate incident.The Senate President said, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing on of His Excellency, Danbaba Suntai. Words fail me to adequately express how deeply sorry I am over this devastating news.His outstanding charisma and humility as a politician will be sorely missed. He was a passionate leader who contributed his quota to the services of humanity. His death is a painful loss to his family, the people of Taraba State and Nigerians at large.I extend my sincere condolences to Governor Darius Ishaku, the people and Government of Taraba State as well as the Suntai family.Suntai, who was involved in a plane crash in October 2012, died in Houston, Florida, in the United States on Wednesday at 56.The former governor had since the plane crash been receiving treatment in hospitals across the world. Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, on Wednesday berated the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose for alleging that President M... Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, on Wednesday berated the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose for alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari was on life support. Kashamu, in a statement he issued in Lagos said it was wrong for Fayose to play God with the Presidents health condition. Following Buharis current medical trip to London, Fayose had on Wednesday claimed that the President had been on life support in the last 20 days. But reacting to Fayoses allegation, Kashamu said, Nigerians overwhelmingly elected President Buhari and if today he is having challenges, it is despicable for any reasonable person to play politics with it because nobody is above health challenges. It is unfair and condemnable for Fayose to continue playing God over the presidents health condition; his ridiculous comments are invariably heating up the polity and fanning the embers of disaffection amongst Nigerians. Are the people from the North not in support of the effectual acting president? Is the acting president not working with the structures that both he and President Buhari put in place? Are the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council and the Council of State, which Fayose is a member of as a serving governor, not in total support of the activities of the acting president? If everything is going on well under the leadership of the highly respected and credible leadership of the acting president, who is Fayose to play to the gallery and thereby insulting the sensibility of Nigerians? All Progressives Congress, APC, councillorship candidate for Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, Bode Adeosun, has with... Bukola All Progressives Congress, APC, councillorship candidate for Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, Bode Adeosun, has withdrawn from the race, following threat by kidnappers to abduct his children.Investigation revealed that his withdrawal was the only condition given by abductors for the release of his abducted 19-year-old daughter, Bukola. Bukola was abducted by gun-toting men at about 9p.m last Tuesday and taken to an unknown destination.Her abductors, as gathered, contacted her father in the early hours of yesterday, informing him that Bukola was in their custody. The only condition they gave for her release was his withdrawal from the race.Adeosuns withdrawal from the race was announced during a meeting with candidates from other wards in the council area.Immediately it was announced, Adeosun got a call to go and pick his daughter at Damegoro Street, Mushin, with a stern warning to go alone. The strange caller was said to have threatened to kill his daughter if he came with anyone or attempted to invite the Police. The daughter, Bukola, was reportedly found blindfolded and unconscious, Friday midnight, with her hands and legs tied. She was rushed to the hospital where she regained consciousness the following day. At press time, the undergraduate was still too shock to narrate her ordeal in the hands of her abductors.Family sources, however, hinted that she was starved during her three-day ordeal in captivity. According to sources, we were told that immediately she was ordered to enter the car, they blindfolded her and took her to an unknown destination. When they got to the destination, her hands and legs were tied. She was left in that position for three days without food or water. As if that was not enough, she said that they beat her throughout her stay until she was dumped at Damegoro Street. If she had spent more than one hour where she was dumped, only God knows what would have been her fate.Perpetrators of the kidnap called Adeosun and ordered him to remain indoors with members of his family until the election was over. Since the call was received, no member of the family had dared to move out of their apartment. Sources close to the politician told newsmen that the threat could be politically motivated. It was also gathered that Adeosun could be under close watch, as any move he made was always related to him on the phone by the strange caller.A resident, who confirmed the familys compulsory stay at home order said: This is clearly a strategy to completely remove him from the race. The man has stepped down, what else do they want from him? Immediately his daughter was released, he removed all his posters around and burnt them right in front of his house, in the full glare of everyone.When he contested in 2002, under the umbrella of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, his house was burnt and he was forced to step down. He had stepped down on two other occasions, until the mandate was given to him now to run. But that again, has been stalled. His children did not go to school today (yesterday) same with him and his wife.The local government election is coming up on July 22. How do they want him to feed his family if he remains indoor? What sin has the children committed to warrant such treatment being meted on them? Besides, this is third term when they need to sit for their promotional examinations.Every member of the family is living in fear because they do not know what move their enemy intends to make next. So early this morning, Actress, Mercy Aigbe shared a video of how her estranged husband battered her face back in April to promote an upc... So early this morning, Actress, Mercy Aigbe shared a video of how her estranged husband battered her face back in April to promote an upcoming walk against domestic violence. (read HERE Posting the photos above on IG, estranged husband of actress, Mercy Aigbe, Lanre, wrote; "Sincerely, I can't wait to see this movie please let me know when Adekas will start selling it. I've been quiet about a lot of things and its basically because of the children and I expect you to respect that and know that my silence doesnt make me a fool. I did not beat you; we both know thats the truth. Moreover, I believe we still have an ongoing case in court, why then will you still post this on the internet? Let the court make its ruling!!! After all , You've gotten the cheap sympathy, money and freedom you wanted but enough with this name soiling/ blackmail. You and I both know what the truth is but its so unfortunate that we both have found ourselves at the point of throwing shades and coming at each other. Let the court rule and then we both can lick our wounds and move forward. Enough is enough!!! Stop blackmailing me and don't soil my family name. That said, to all who come after me, insulting me, cursing me & saying all sorts of distasteful words, I don't think anyone's life is perfect. So if your life isn't perfect, why be a judge of mine? Bloggers, just cos you want to make some money, please remember that some people's lives are involved especially the children. I don't think anyone should expect me to keep mute when all she is doing is kill my image and soil my family's name. Do whatever rally you want to do Biodun, Make whatever money you want to make but remember that the truth will come out someday. If only you all know the truth about her and who she really is.". Well, the actress has come out with a DM evidence her estranged husband sent her ofhim begging her to put down the video and promising never to beat her anymore. She shared the message he sent her whilst advocating against domestic violence. Her caption: Battery and Assault is a CRIME! #saynodomesticviolence #saynotoassault Join us in the We are walking the streets of lagos to show our displeasure at this menace that is eating deep into our system....... Join us tomorrow by 10am, Start off point is Falomo Bridge by Awolowo Road...... Conflicts should be settled amicably and not through violence, only weak men hit women. Why will a man who obviously beat his wife, try so much to deny what he did? My take is because he knows what he did is wrong and he is obviously ashamed and cannot own up to it...... Let us be very careful of what we do especially when we are Angry as we might not know the consequences of that action.......Violence like I keep saying does not and will not solve anything, let us learn to control our anger at all times..... Arguments are bound to happen between couples but under no circumstances should we let it result to violence! Nobody has a right to hit, his or her partner regardless........Battery and Assault is a CRIME!Join us in the #1in3Africa campaign, a campaign against violence!We are walking the streets of lagos to show our displeasure at this menace that is eating deep into our system....... Join us tomorrow by 10am, Start off point is Falomo Bridge by Awolowo Road......Conflicts should be settled amicably and not through violence, only weak men hit women. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu Wednesday stated that the present oil that has remained the main stay of the nat... Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu Wednesday stated that the present oil that has remained the main stay of the nations economy may not last beyond 39 years.The Minister also lamented that Nigeria remained the only oil producing country still struggling with the importation of refined petroleum products.Speaking at the 5th Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN in Abuja Kachukwu described as embarrassing the countrys inability to refine oil in the country. Predicting the future of oil in the country, he said the nations future lies in the area of gas, saying at best, the nations oil reserve will last for another 25 to 39 years, while the nations gas reserve will last for over 60 years.According to him, For me, the whole idea of continuing importation of petroleum products in this country is a shame. ''We are the only one, when we go for OPEC meetings that are still struggling how to import petroleum products when we should be able to produce even if it is only the petroleum products that we need in this country. We need to find anything that will help us to do that and I encourage you to collaboratively work with us as we get into this. Once that happen, it is going to open a whole vista of opportunities in marketing, midstream performances, opportunities in infrastructure along pipeline.I urge you to take the solidarity that you have and you sing so passionately about away from just fighting issues of staff welfare and move into issues of staff investments. I need to see you participate in the value chain. Some of you are some of the best brains there are in the industry and you know where the issues are and where to create new investments. He said Nigeria was not only the member country of OPEC still grappling with the importation of refined petroleum products, but despite its huge resources, the country had continued to grapple with epileptic power supply.The Minister who said that Nigeria should be able to produce enough petroleum products to meet domestic needs, stressed that changing times in the industry suggested that the country must look for ways of ensuring efficient management of the refineries and make them productive or lose them and the job opportunities it offers. Commenting on the epileptic power in the country, he said: It is a shame that a country with such massive resources will continue to be epileptic in power supply. I go to Ghana sometimes and I am ashame that we supply some of the gas.At least in Accra, and most of the major cities, power is 24 hours. In Ivory Coast, despite the problems they have in terms of power costing, there is 24 hours supply. There is no absolute reason why this country cannot move from this decadent practice of explaining inefficiency to a new horizon where visibility are grandiose. I am committed to working with the power ministry and every Nigeria to move the transformative journey from one point to another, from the point excuses to the point of absolute final delivery.The reality is that the oil industry is changing almost transformatively. Prices have tumbled and have continued to struggle despite all the works we have done in OPEC to the and boast it. The reality is that investments are declining at an alarming rate and suddenly, there are new entrants into the industry. Also, CEOs are struggling as to where to put very scarce resources and suddenly, it is now how well you can market your country, reposition your policies in such a way that there are benefits. All is a sudden, investment return in some of these exploration activities are beginning to get challenges.Only those who are able to look at their technology and new ways of doing business are going to survive the oil industry of tomorrow. If you take the annual return of most of the major oil companies, you will see the sort of disequilibrium thats happening there and those who are beginning to jump in and out of leadership, you realize that expectations are changing. As it concerns Nigeria, we must work inclusively hard to deal with some of the difficulties that we will continue to see in our production platforms. Whether it is the militants which is a key component or the slow speed of approvals or whether the fact that our policies are not even as fast as they should to catch up with changing Times.Those of us who have the opportunity to seat in ministerial zones where we have to influence policies have got to work extremely hard to help drive the sea of change that is imperative is the sector is to survive. Infrastructural deficit is a key component. We lack infrastructure in the sector, whether it is down stream or up stream or oil and gas. The absence of infrastructure has made it impossible to have a holistic private sector participation.We have got to find policies that will encourage private sector participants to play a key role. Coupled with that is the fact that countries are moving away from oil. Our oil estimate as per reserve is at best about 25 to 30 years, while gas estimate is over 60 years. Clear enough, Nigeria is more of a gas country than an oil country. But what are we doing to ensure that our dramatic movement into the gas production. I am just coming from the FEC where we presented a memo on gas which has been approved today.Major movement is in terms of what we need to do in the gas environment because it is so key that unless we can put the two energy together, we are not likely to see an improvement in our economy or see opportunities that most of you are beginning to miss in terms of job creation and employment in the oil sector. Gas is the new horizon of opportunity. There is so much happening that needs to happen, that should have happened yesterday. Gas is the future for this country and the place to be and we need to start looking at that. Increasingly, we are seeing very strong local players.On the alleged plan by the government to either concession or sell off the refineries, he said, let me say that there has been attempt and there is no approval to concession refineries or sell refineries. I keep hearing discussions all over the place especially from people who should know better. What we have approval for is to bring in a financing mechanism that will enable us to finance and develop and upgrade the refineries as they are.The reality is that once private sector players begin to build their own refineries, whatever we it that we are afraid of will disappear and unless we begin to move very rapidly and quickly to position these refineries in such a way that they can compete, we will lose the refineries completely together with the job scale that exist there right now. My drive is to see that those investments goes through a transparent process and the announcement that you hear about selection has not happened. They all be pacesetters in the whole process, but it will go through a transparent process. Nothing that we are trying to do has taken away thE management from the NNPC. However, we need to bring in fund and best practices and elevate these institutions to the level where they should work for this country because we are losing money.In his address, National President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Johnson said the union was in full support of government initiatives to bring in investors to revamp the refineries especially in the area of funding and expertise. But he insisted that the union should have access to the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to be signed between the federal government and the investors for the three refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt. He also said that the two unions in the oil and gas sector, PENGASSAN and NUPENG should be carried along at all stages of the process to ensure that Labour related issues and job security is guaranteed, adding, while we await the direction of the investors in the three refineries, we call on the government to ensure immediate rehabilitation of obsolete equipment in the plants.Johnson frowned at what he described as fragrant disobedience to tripartite agreement reached by International Oil Companies operating in the country on job security, saying we take this as an affront on the constituted authorities in the country. We call on the management of the Oil and Gas companies in Nigeria to respect the laws of the land as well as constituted authorities in Nigeria. Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, deployed to Buni Gari in Borno said they have arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist. Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, deployed to Buni Gari in Borno said they have arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist.Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director Army Public Relations, made this known on Thursday in Maiduguri.Usman said the suspect, 20, was arrested by the troops on June 25 while on perimeter patrol.He added that preliminary investigation was initially difficult as he was found to be under influence of heavy dosage of drugs.However, he has since stabilised and making useful statement.The director noted that the troops of 29 Task Force Brigade also Discovered Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected terrorists along Wajiro-Mallam Kuramti cattle route.Troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade also discovered an IED planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists while on patrol on June 28 along Wajiro-Mallam Kuramti cattle route.The team safely removed and detonated it, he said.Usman said the troops of 151 Battalion of the 21 Brigade also cleared an ambush by suspected terrorists.He added that on June 28, at about 3.30 p.m. troops of 151 Battalion of 21 Brigade on patrol to Mayanti Village were ambushed by suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists.The troops successfully cleared the ambush by neutralizing some of the terrorists, while a re-enforcement was immediately dispatched to mop up the general area.The team recovered a 60mm Commando Mortar Bomb, 13 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 51 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.Usman said the remains of two soldiers killed in action were also buried in Gombe.On June 28 the remains of two gallant soldiers that paid the supreme price on Saturday June 17, along Damboa-Biu road in Borno State, 11NA/66/10788 Lance Corporal Auwal Halliru and 15NA/73/0188 Private Halilu Aliyu of 254 Task Force Battalion were buried according Islamic rites at the Gombe military ceremony, Usman said. The governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Thursday faulted a statement credited to his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayodele Fayose, on the state of health of President Muhammadu Buhari.He said Nigerians should disregard Fayoses statement, which he described as uncharitable.Okorocha spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja.Fayose had, on Wednesday, alleged that the President was on life support in London and called for his resignation. President Donald Trumps revised travel ban is set to come into force today after the initial one was widely criticised as a ban on Musl... President Donald Trumps revised travel ban is set to come into force today after the initial one was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims.The Supreme Court partially restored the presidents executive order earlier this week.It banned people from six mainly Muslim countries from applying for admission to the US.With the ban comes new criteria for visa applicants as follow:Which countries are affected by the ban? Under the new guidelines, new visa applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen must prove a relationship to a close relative already in the US to be eligible for a US visa. The same requirement, with some exceptions, holds for refugees from all nations that are still awaiting approval for admission to the US.Who counts as a close relative? Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships, according to the guidelines sent to all US embassies and consulates late on Wednesday.When does the travel ban start? The new rules take effect at midnight GMT tonight (8pm EDT in the US). As far as business or professional links are concerned, the State Department said a legitimate relationship must be formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course rather than for the purpose of evading the ban.Who is exempt from the ban? Journalists, students, workers or lecturers who have valid invitations or employment contracts in the US would be exempt from the ban. Consular officers may grant other exemptions to applicants from the six nations if: they have previously established significant contacts with the United States significant business or professional obligations in the US; they are an infant, adopted child or in need of urgent medical care; they are traveling for business with a recognised international organisation or the US government; they are a legal resident of Canada who applies for a visa in Canada.Where does the exemption not apply? The exemption does not apply to those who seek a relationship with an American business or educational institution purely for the purpose of avoiding the rules. A hotel reservation or car rental contract, even if it was pre-paid, would also not count, it said. The Presidency says it is constrained to decry criticisms, mostly on social media, on the retention in London of Nigerias Presidential Air... The Presidency says it is constrained to decry criticisms, mostly on social media, on the retention in London of Nigerias Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001 as mostly informed by lack of understanding of protocol around foreign trips by Heads of State all over the world. The spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, said in a statement on Thursday that for reasons of protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige, no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation. The statement said from an operational point of view, Nigerias Armed Forces as represented by the Nigeria Air Force are not to abandon their Commander-In-Chief in whichever circumstance he is. This is a standard operating procedure. We have also read claims about outrageous fees allegedly paid by Nigeria. The published amounts are totally untrue. Aircraft conveying heads of state all over the world usually enjoy waivers even where payments for parking are differentiated by aircraft categories. We have been assured that where the waiver is not granted, payment will not exceed 1,000, which is a quarter of the amount being peddled, Mr. Shehu said. He also said Mr. Buhari was not the first, and will not be the last, to have a presidential aircraft standing by for him. All past Heads of this country have had this privilege, and the part that surprises the most is that leaders who in the past travelled with three Nigerian aircraft did not suffer this trenchant criticism. We appeal to Nigerians to ignore opposition campaign aimed at derailing this administrations big plans for the country, Mr. Shehu claimed. This is a government that is constructing the Second Niger Bridge, the Mambila Power Plant, the East-West and the North-South standard gauge railway lines. We are a government that has saved this country an annual loss of two trillion Naira from fraudulent petroleum subsidy schemes by influential citizens and their children, and rid the public service of about 50,000 ghost workers. The Buhari administration certainly deserves a chance, Mr. Shehu said. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo, on Thursday, disowned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and his movement, IPOB.The President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo said this while addressing members of the Anambra State house of Assembly at the Legislative Complex, Awka, Anambra State.Nwodo who was particularly embittered by the call by IPOB for a boycott of Anambra Election in November, said Kanu had breached the undertaking he took before him (Nwodo) when he was released from detention.He said, Im just being paternal. The way I commended them as my children; is the way I have the right to chastised them when they go wrong. We dont need this heat up.Nwodos addressed read in part News that reached us in the past few days that Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB has declared that there will be no election in Anambra in November is shocking and disturbing. I hereby countermand that declaration as President General of Ohaneze.Whereas Ohanaeze understands the marginalization and unfair treatment of Igbos which have given rise to self-determination movements in Igboland, leaders of these movements must not arrogate to themselves the supreme leadership of Igboland.Statements of the kind credited to Nnamdi Kanu are provocative, misleading and unproductive. Why should Anambra people be denied the opportunity to choose their own leader? Why should any of us who are not from Anambra, no matter how highly placed, descend to the arena and dictate for Anambra people when to vote, whether to vote or who to vote for?Anambra, nay Igbos, are still part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Yes, we are not happy with our treatment in Nigeria. Yes, some of us want Biafra. Yes, some of us prefer a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria. But the fact remains that we are still part and parcel of the present Federal Republic of Nigeria, bound by its laws, no matter how repressive or unjust.Our approach to reforms of our laws even if it leads to self-determination or restructuring must be lawful. We must convince other Nigerians of our point of view, we must strive to make others share our convictions.Our language must be civil, respectful and lead to consensus building. We must resist any attempt to turn division amongst us, as to which way we must go, become a source of altercations between us.As we speak very many of our people living in Northern Nigeria are in complete awe and consternation regarding how safe they will be after October 1st. Other Northerners living amongst us are also worried. CLOSTER -- A New York man was charged after he ran from police in May, resulting in a high-speed chase that left one man dead, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday. Sheldon Lee, 46, of New York City, was charged with eluding police and hindering apprehension. Sheldon Lee, 46, of New York City On May 9, police allegedly saw Lee and Marlon M. Quiros, 33, also of New York, traveling on their motorcycles at a high speed on Palisades State Parkway in the area of Closter Dock Road. The officer attempted to pull them over, but both motorcycles continued speeding. One motorcycle fled out of view and the officer chased the other driver, identified as Lee, for about four miles, according to the prosecutor's office. As the officer approached the Fletcher Avenue exit, a "large debris field" came into view. Lee allegedly continued driving and the officer stopped, finding Quiros dead at the scene. Lee was arrested Wednesday and charged. He is being held by the New York City Police Department awaiting extradition. Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde. LAKEWOOD -- Up to 10 or more residents are expected to be hit with benefits fraud charges, according to a defense attorney for one of two people charged with similar offenses in 2015. In addition to the 14 already arrested this week, Al DellaFave, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, confirmed to NJ Advance Media on Thursday that more arrests were coming and that an estimate of 10 to 12 was 'close.' He refused to specify an exact number of future arrests or a timeframe. The attorney, Larry S. Loigman, represents Yosaf Laskin, 44, who was arrested with his wife Gila Neger, 43, on Sept. 1, 2015 on charges of second-degree theft by deception, following an investigation by the prosecutor's office and the New Jersey State Comptroller's Office. The Lakewood couple were later indicted by a grand jury in Ocean County. The attorney said the Laskin case is not connected to the most recent arrests other than they were investigated by the same agency and occurred in the same township. Loigman said he was last updated by personnel from the prosecutor's office about the other cases about a month ago. Since Monday morning, 10 people have been arrested on state charges and another four on federal charges following an investigation that included the FBI along with the county prosecutor and state comptroller's offices. Among those arrested were Rabbi Zalmen Sorotzkin, of the Congregation Lutzk synagogue, who faces state charges along with his wife, Tzipporah. Zalmen's brother, Mordechai Sorotzkin, faces federal charges along with his wife Rachel and another couple, Yocheved and Shimon Nussbaum. The prosecutor's office said at the time of Laskin's arrest that he and Neger had wrongfully collected more than $145,000 in Medicaid and food stamp benefits by underreporting their income -- the same allegation levied against those arrested this week. Loigman said he thinks the Medicaid Fraud Division of the comptroller's office has been building on this case for the last couple of years and made the arrests at the same time to create a "larger public relations impact." Neger is represented by another attorney, according to Loigman. Laskin has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled go to trial March 6 before Superior Court Judge Patricia B. Roe. Lakewood is a big town, Loigman said, so the arrests of less than a dozen people does not suggest there is massive fraud. But some people have taken advantage of programs, he said. "For the most part, people are trying to do the right thing," the attorney said. "People in various offices are also not as helpful as they could be." MaryAnn Spoto contributed to this report. Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Halle Berry to attend free 'Kidnap' screening -- and so can you WASHINGTON With thousands of south Louisiana homeowners receiving startling increases in the cost of their flood insurance, members of the Louisiana congressional delegation said Thursday they have run out of patience waiting for FEMA to explain what went into calculating the new rates. Today Sunny. High 78F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Mainly clear. Low near 65F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Showers in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 67F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Welcome to non league daily news now - your number one spot for all things relating to the National League System. Our dedicated reporters have come straight from the sidelines to bring you news fresh from the dugout - but not before theyve stopped off at the burger van first! We know that non league football fans are full of heart, passion, and belief. You trust the manager, you believe in the team, and, for some strange reason, you trust those rickety stands, too! Here at Non League Daily, we hope we can become your trusted non league news resource - a platform thats just as passionate about non league daily news now as you. Come rain or shine, well be out reporting on the latest non league fixtures. Well also be scouring the news, refreshing social media, and sourcing information from team websites in the hopes of finding the latest breaking non league daily news for our readers. As youll soon see, weve got exclusive match reports on the Vanarama National League, weve got transfer speculation thatll affect the National League South, weve found great stories thatll spice up the National League North, and weve even got news on the latest giant killers of the FA Cup. We may not be able to agree on who is going up this year, but we can all agree that any news on the NLS worth knowing will be published here, at Non League Daily. Krechele Brown is a well-known face around Pirate Cove Water Park. Brown is a 20-year-old Council Bluffs native. She attended Hoover Elementary School, Kirn Middle School and Abraham Lincoln High School. And for the past seven summers she has worked as a lifeguard at the city pool. She said she got into lifeguarding after having several family members work there before her. She said she also spent countless summer days swimming at Pirate Cove as a kid, so when she was old enough to lifeguard, she said the job just made sense for her. She is the longest-serving lifeguard on staff at the moment, and she says her co-workers and the clients she watches over keep her coming back each summer. I just love the people I work with and I love lifeguarding, she said. Its the best job ever. She also said she enjoys being responsible for the safety of each and every swimmer that attends the pool. The kids trust you because their safety is in your hands, she said. Brown will be a senior at the University of Tampa in Florida in the fall, where she is currently studying criminal justice. When she graduates, she said she plans on getting her masters degree and going to law school after that. She dreams of being a judge someday, but she will see where her career takes her after school. She said that with more years of school will bring more summers of working at Pirate Cove, and she looks forward to working with her pool family again after this summer. Its what I was born to do, she said with a laugh. Iowans have voted to add a right to keep and bear arms into the state constitution, a move that will make it more difficult to pass gun restrictions. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy TODAY Aaron Lewis and Franke Ballard 8 p.m., Stir Concert Cove. Aaron Lewis was the vocalist for Staind before going solo as a country artist. Tickets start at $40. Rat Pack Jazz in the Park 6:30 p.m., Bayliss Park. Free. JUNE 30 Kool & the Gang with Fireworks 6 to 10 p.m., Memorial Park, Omaha. Openers include Emmett Bower Band and the Confidentials. Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. Free. Bridge Beats with Taxi Driver Free concert at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Center, Omaha. Family-friendly. Cirkle of Fifths Blues/rock. 9 p.m., the Barrel, 144 West Broadway. Free. Tim Strathman and Black Top Road 6 p.m. Cellar19, 928 Valley View Dr., Suite 19. Community concert and dance 7 to 10 p.m. Live music by Popcorn Button. Elks Lodge in Atlantic. Free. JULY 1 Return of the Skert 9 p.m., Hounds Lounge, 162 West Broadway. Free, 21 and over. Jerry Pranksters Grateful Dead tribute band. 9 p.m., the Barrel, 144 West Broadway. Free. Fireworks Fun 7 to 10 p.m., Tom Hanafan Rivers Edge Park. Concert by BODell and the Relics at 7:30, food vendors, train ride, fireworks. Free. JULY 2 Chad Elliott Blues/rock, soul. 4 p.m., Narrows River Park, 2500 North 25th St. Free. JULY 5 Sean Gaskell Performances of traditional West African songs as well as original compositions on the 21-stringed Kora. 3 p.m., Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave., meeting room B. ONGOING Sheryl Piere art show Through July 23. Piere taught art for 14 years in two local schools and received an MFA in painting from University of South Dakota. She taught at Wayne State College and the Sioux City Art Center before establishing a photography business from her home studio while she continued to paint and create pottery. Her current works are primarily oil and mixed media. Moorhead Cultural Center, 120 Oak Street, Moorhead. Free and handicap accessible. Available for viewing 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Shakespeare on the Green: The Merry Wives of Windsor June 29-30 and July 1-2, on the University of Omaha campus next to Elmwood Park, Omaha. Curtain at 8 p.m. Free. Janet Biggs exhibition Through September 10, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha. Three video works are on display in Joslyns Riley CAP Gallery. Biggs work focuses on the human response to physical and psychological demands. Access to this exhibition is included in the museums free general admission. A Step on the Sun, 2012, follows the daily work of a miner in Java, Indonesia. Vanishing Point, 2009, and Written on Wax, 2015, both touch on the topic of Alzheimers. A tornado was confirmed to have touched down outside Shenandoah at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday according to the National Weather Service in Valley, Nebraska. Suzanne Fortin, a meteorologist with the NWS, said early reports are a house was damaged and a car was blown off the road. The details are scarce right now, she said. Severe weather is expected to continue in southwest Iowa until 9 p.m. More severe storms could develop overnight, Fortin added. Its better to take your time and not get stuck in a storm in a car instead of in shelter, she said. Storms pounded areas south of the Council Bluffs metro area, with hail and rain hitting Essex, and powerlines were down in Page County. Reporter Mike Bell can be reached at 712-325-5764 or by email at mbell@nonpareilonline.com. Tess Nelson with the BH News Service contributed to this story. The Republican health care bill will allow for legislators to see where it succeeds and fails and make adjustments, according to Sen. Chuck Grassley. The Republican from Iowa said Medicaid cuts would go into effect gradually, while other changes in the bill would not be fully in effect for four to eight years. That would give Congress time to see if any changes need to be made, he said during his weekly press call Wednesday, noting senators are working toward what they perceive to be the best possible health care bill. We phase (changes) in over a long period of time so we can make changes if they dont turn out. Well have to continue to assess to see if its working as intended. Grassley said health care in the country needs improvements. Ive heard from thousands of Iowans about how Obamacare has failed them, he said. And from thousands that have said dont repeal the ACA. Grassley said the Senate bill is intended to stabilize insurance markets, so companies can compete for customers. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that 22 million people would be without health insurance coverage by 2026 under the Senates bill compared to the current Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare. The CBO noted that by 2018 15 million fewer people would have coverage, primarily because the penalty for not having insurance would be eliminated. The Senate plan would end the tax penalty the law imposes on people who dont buy insurance, in effect erasing Obamas so-called individual mandate, and on larger businesses that dont offer coverage to workers. It would cut Medicaid, which provides health insurance to over 70 million poor and disabled people, by $772 billion through 2026 by capping its overall spending and phasing out Obamas expansion of the program. Lacking the votes to pass the bill, on Tuesday Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on the bill, which hed originally wanted held before the Independence Day recess. Grassley noted that in some ways Republicans are back to the drawing board on the Senate bill, titled the Better Care Reconciliation Act. We should get the best health care bill we can before we vote, Grassley said. On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported McConnell is working to get a revised version of the bill to the CBO by Friday, in hopes of receiving a new score by mid-July in an attempt to vote on the legislation before the August recess. President Donald Trump, who met with Republican senators on Tuesday, told reporters Wednesday that getting approval of a bill will be very tough. But he predicted that Republicans will at least get very close and may get it over the line. Democrats are uniform in their opposition to the Senate and House health care bills, while in the Senate McConnell is receiving pushback from both conservative and moderate members of the party. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released by the newspaper Wednesday showed 12 percent of Americans support the Senate bill. As he prepares to return to Iowa during the July 4 recess, Grassley said he plans to have meetings that will include the public in nine counties. Theyre meetings hes been invited to that will have a question and answer portion, not town hall meetings, Grassley said. I always say, You set the agenda. I expect a lot of questions on health care reform, he said. If youre going to represent the people, you have to know whats on their mind. You have to take questions. You have to take unfriendly questions. Listen to people who dont agree with you and people who do agree with you. The Associated Press contributed to this story. BEIJING (AP) A self-described farm boy from Iowa who befriended Chinas president three decades ago is tasked with smoothing relations between the worlds two largest economies amid increased unpredictability in American foreign diplomacy under President Donald Trump. Terry Branstad, 70, a former six-term governor of Iowa, made his debut Wednesday as the new U.S. ambassador in Beijing. Hes known Chinas president since Xi Jinping visited Iowa as a county-level Communist Party cadre on a 1985 trade trip. The two struck up a lasting friendship thats expected to be a major asset as Branstad seeks to ease strains over the U.S.-China trade imbalance, Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea and North Koreas nuclear weapons ambitions. Less certain is how much influence Branstad will have with Trump. The two first met during the 2016 election campaign. Their dynamic will be closely watched by China as it seeks to make sense of the new administrations sometimes volatile shifts in policy, said professor Shi Yinhong with Beijings Renmin University. His task is going to be complicated, Shi said. The ambassador is a good choice, but he does not decide Sino-U.S. relations. Everything depends on Trump and his policy toward China. In a video greeting to the Chinese public, Branstad said he will focus on resolving the trade imbalance and neutralizing the North Korea threat. Both areas have proven fertile ground for disagreement between Washington and Beijing, North Koreas biggest trade partner and source of diplomatic and economic assistance. U.S. lawmakers have long complained Beijings protectionism disadvantages foreign companies and helps drive Americas multi-billion dollar trade deficit with China. On North Korea, China strongly opposed U.S. sponsorship of a missile defense system in South Korea in part because it has a radar system that Beijing said could be used for spying on Chinas military. Trump has said he hoped China could use its influence with North Korea to convince Pyongyang to cease its nuclear and missiles tests. However, this week he tweeted that Xi and Chinas efforts to help with North Korea have not worked out. Trump has also seemed to toy with dropping Washingtons decades-old commitment not to recognize Taiwan by accepting a congratulatory phone call from the islands president. However, shortly afterward he reaffirmed the One China policy that recognizes only Beijing. Against that background and amid Trumps bombastic and erratic statements about China, Branstads appointment gives Beijing some assurance that the U.S. remains interested in stability, said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy. Immediately upon his arrival, Branstad was forced to confront another area of disagreement between the two nations Chinas human rights record. Controversy over the authoritarian nations treatment of dissidents resurfaced this week with news that imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo had been hospitalized and diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer. Branstad said Liu should have the chance to seek medical treatment outside China if it could help. How hard he pushes Beijing on the matter remains to be seen, but hes already signaled a willingness to confront Xi. During a May confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Branstad expressed disappointment on the slow pace of political reforms in China since he first visited in 1984. He told lawmakers that the problem has continued under Xi and that he would be willing to challenge his old friend on the issue. He has not done what Id hoped would happen, and that is become more open and more willing to accept freedom of press and stop the repression of minorities, Branstad testified. Hes got to recognize that some of the things that are being done in China today are very much against what I think (are) the right policies for a world leader. Early in the 2016 campaign, Branstad expressed doubts Trump would last after the candidate arrived at the Iowa State fairgrounds aboard a private plane. He later said hed been wrong about the New York billionaire and appeared unfazed by the many controversies that erupted around Trump in the lead-up to the election. On Wednesday, Branstad remarked that hes developed a lot of personal relationship with the Trumps and recently had dinner at one of the familys namesake hotels with the presidents daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner. Branstad grew up on a farm in Leland and predicted when he was still in elementary school that he would one day become the states governor, according to his former law partner, Richard Schwarm. Schwarm said hed first heard that story from Branstads mother and it had been repeated so many times that it was taken as gospel. After earning a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Iowa, Branstad was drafted and served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Branstad was quoted by the website togovern.com as saying he arrested actress and activist Jane Fonda during a 1969 protest against the Vietnam War. Hes clarified that in recent interviews and said that while he compiled a dossier on why Fonda should have been arrested, he did not do it himself. Several years after his military stint and while still attending law school at Drake University, he entered politics with a successful run for the Iowa House of Representatives. He never lost an election and by the time he resigned to become ambassador, Branstad was the longest-serving governor in U.S. history. His arrival in China came just weeks after the top-ranking career U.S. diplomat in Beijing, David Rank, resigned after criticizing Trumps withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. Chinas leaders also have criticized the U.S. withdrawal. During his confirmation hearing, which took place before Trumps withdrawal announcement, Branstad emphasized future opportunities to collaborate with China on renewable energy projects in a way that can benefit air quality and the whole world. Associated Press writers Ryan J. Foley in Iowa City and Barbara Rodriguez in Des Moines contributed to this report. The Council Bluffs Community School District has come through for students in need of a little help. Students who qualify for reduced-priced meals will no longer have to pay for breakfast or lunch at four Council Bluffs schools Abraham Lincoln High School and Lewis and Clark, Crescent and College View Elementary Schools. Council Bluffs school board members voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a resolution that will allow those schools to offer qualifying students free meals. The four schools that will now offer free meals to qualifying students will be funded through the use of non-federal dollars by using money collected through the sale of other food items at schools in the district. For example, money collected through the sale of adult meals and a la carte food items. Currently, 11 other schools in the district offer free meals to students through the National School Lunch Programs Community Eligibility Provision. Those 11 schools qualified for additional federal dollars to be able to bring free meals to all students. That funding comes through the expanded Community Eligibility Provision through the National School Lunch and National School Breakfast programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The schools had at least 40 percent of students who were eligible for free meals by direct certification or otherwise identified automatically as being eligible for free school meals without filling out an income form. While A.L., College View, Crescent and Lewis and Clark didnt meet that threshold, Virginia Bechtold, director of nutrition services, said the Council Bluffs district wanted to help find a way to alleviate stress for families who owe money or struggle to pay for their children to eat at those four schools. This fall, roughly 200 students will be affected by the change from reduced-priced meals to free at those four schools. Currently, the district feeds more than 75 percent of students every day. This will make it easier for folks to come and eat with us, and wed like to see that number go up, Bechtold said. Bechtold also said: The school district is in the business of feeding as many kids as we can. A perfect mission statement. Students have better focus and do better in school when they arent dealing with hunger. The district has gone above and beyond to make sure students are ready to learn. While 200 students at four schools doesnt seem like a huge number, it will make a big impact for those students and their families, Bechtold said. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe today to get a dose of sunshine in your inbox with our Ayup Newsletter! Having followed an elderly woman through the enhanced security on the way into the Motorpoint Arena, dressed head to toe in pale clothes, and who looked far from impressed at the thought of being frisked by an a young man decked out in a florescent yellow jacket, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the show she intended to see. I was worried for what she was about to witness and the state she might be in come 11pm. Shortly before Micky Flanagan came on to an expectant stage, a couple sitting next to me had a run-in with said woman, who was far from keen on moving to allow them to take their seats. This was a comedy show and a blue one at that with me once more debating whether or not this really the place for her, and after 20 minutes of the opening half, the Cockney comic dropped the dreaded c-bomb and my mind cast back to the lady just down the aisle. (Image: PA) Barely able to raise a smile, and when the crowd burst into a rendition of Sweet Caroline she sat stoney-faced - I dread to think what she made of Flanagan's colourful language over the proceeding couple of hours. Onto the show and it's fair to say that Micky Flanagan likes Nottingham and judging by the turnout on Wednesday evening, Nottingham loves Micky Flanagan. The 54-year-old played to a third sell-out show in the space of two months and given the raucous nature of the standing ovation he received just before 11pm, he'll be welcomed back to the city just as soon. Covering all manner of subjects from his childhood on London's Bethnal Green council estate, to the rather ironic undertones about his own wealth and celebrity-like status now - nobody is immune to Flanagan's belly-bursting jokes and observational stories. Despite all his humour, most of which couldn't be repeated in these pages, Flanagan still found time to make mention of the recent Manchester terror attack, thanking the crowd for turning up, while revealing he'd spent the previous evening at an event for the London Fire Brigade in the aftermath of the Grenfell tower fire disaster both of which drew warm applause. Whether it be reminiscing about his time on the Graham Norton show, and trying to engage in a laugh with Sir Cliff Richard to settle his pre-show nerves, or the BBC's modern choice of television programming, Flanagan sweeps seamlessly between subjects flitting back and forth with the likes of Donald Trump coming in for special treatment. I'm not entirely sure I'd want to be Flanagan's legal team had Mr Trump been sat in the capacity crowd, but that didn't stop those in attendance lapping it up, myself included. Harping back to his days as youngster, he's never too far away from a jibe about life before he hit the big time, before bringing it back to the present day and a camping trip he was hugely sceptical about, which included helping his good lady wife go to the toilet at 4am. Talk of bodily issues affecting men of his age, many sexual references that had the crowd gasping for air in between sustained laughter ensured Nottingham was feasting from the palm of his hands for the duration of his lengthy solo performance. Given the success of Flanagan in recent years, it's no huge surprise he felt the need to take a year off and that forms the backdrop to an hour-long second half which includes a quite brilliant take on a Saga holiday with his elderly father - who he says was a former criminal and scared by anyone who may be the police. You can just imagine the content of that particular story. Nottingham has played host to some superb funnymen over the years and this man from London is certainly right up there. He makes you laugh and not only laugh, but laugh so much that your sides hurt and you come away wanting more. That Micky, is a job well done. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Nottingham Forest ARE attempting to sign Barrie McKay from Rangers, the Post understands. Reds boss Mark Warburton has played down talk he is attempting to lure defender James Tavernier and attacking midfielder or forward McKay away from his former club, insisting he was not aware of any moves for either player. But the Post understands Forest are one of several clubs attempting to sign McKay, whose future with the Scottish giants seems very much in doubt. Gers boss Pedro Caixinha dumped the 22-year-old from his squad to face Progres Niederkorn on Thursday evening, when the Glasgow club will play their first European clash in six years, against the Luxembourg minnows, in a Europa League qualifier. McKay is out of contract at Ibrox in 12 months and would be free to talk to other overseas clubs in January, about a free transfer move away from Rangers. He has been left to train with the club's under-20 side, with Caixinha insisting it was a situation he did not want to focus much attention on, ahead of such an important game. "I don't care about those problems (the situation with McKay). Those problems are part of our lives, our work and our decisions but I don't want to talk about it now," he said. Rangers are understood to be willing to cut their losses on the unsettled player, rather than taking the risk of losing him for nothing in the future and are thought to be looking for a fee of around 750,000 for the Scotland international. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox The mother of a 25-year-old woman who died at a secure hospital in Nottinghamshire has said 'lessons must be learned' from her death. Cara Walls, a mental health patient at the Emerald Ward at Rampton Secure Hospital, in north Nottinghamshire, was found dead on the floor of her room with a ligature around her neck on February 5 last year. An inquest held to determine the cause of her death recorded a verdict of 'misadventure'. The trust which runs the hospital has since apologised unreservedly for what it acknowledges were the failings in Miss Walls care, and said a wide range of procedures have now been put in place to learn from the mistakes. The 25-year-olds mother, Deirdre Robinson, instructed civil liberties lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how her daughter came to die despite being under regular observations because of her risk of self-harm. Following a seven-day inquest at Nottingham Coroners Court, held at Nottingham Council House, a jury concluded that the ward where Cara was a patient was operating below the prescribed staffing numbers and that this led, on occasion, to observations being missed. The jury found that:- Cara was not observed at 15 minute intervals as required by her care plan; Information about Caras state of mind was not passed on to incoming staff; Following a request for mechanical restraint and after taking medication, it was not communicated to ward staff that Cara should be reassessed before returning to her bedroom. The jury further concluded that although it was not possible on the evidence to say that these shortcomings contributed to her death, they may have done so. A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Cara Walls, who died while a patient at Rampton Hospital. The trust apologises unreservedly for the failings that took place in the hours before Caras death. This was not the standard we expect. It was made plain in the inquest that, following a comprehensive independent investigation, significant changes have since been made especially in arrangements for observing patients. The trust realises that this is all too late for Cara, but we very much hope that the improvements we have made will help prevent such a tragedy in the future. Rampton Hospital cares for some of the most mentally unwell women in the Country. Our staff work hard day and night to keep patients safe. Sadly, on this occasion, Cara was let down. For that, we can only apologise once again. Fiona McGhie, an expert civil liberties lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Deirdre, said: Caras death raised some troubling questions regarding the care she received at Rampton Secure Hospital. It is a relief for Deirdre that she now has the answers she has waited so long for, even though they paint a vivid picture of Caras last hours at the facility, something that no parent should have to face. Of particular concern to her is the fact that the ward was understaffed on the day of Caras death and the impact that may have had on the care which she received. We sincerely hope that lessons are now learned so that others dont suffer as Cara did, or as her family continue to do. Deidre had been concerned about how Cara, from Larne, Northern Ireland, came to be sectioned in Rampton, some 350 miles away from home, as well as how she came into possession of a ligature. Deirdre said: Nothing can bring Cara back to me, but I hope that now failings have been identified, that they can be swiftly addressed so other parents can be spared the torment of losing a child in this way. No other parent should get a call to hear their child has died at Rampton. Lessons must be learned and I want that to be Caras legacy. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact the Samaritans on 116 123. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Rolls-Royce is to invest tens of millions of pounds at civil aerospace sites in Hucknall and Annesley in a move that will safeguard around 1,000 jobs. The engine-maker has announced a 150m investment package in the UK including plans for a 90m test bed in Derby. The company said the move will safeguard around 7,000 jobs across Derby, Hucknall and Annesley. Rolls-Royce said it will not be disclosing how much of the 150m package will go to its sites in Hucknall and Annesley. However, the Nottingham Post understands the figure is in excess of 25 million. The company employs 880 people in Hucknall and around 100 at Annesley. Eric Schulz, president of Rolls Royces civil aerospace business, told the Nottingham Post: The money were investing in Hucknall and Annesley is all about growing capacity. "Hucknall is building some important parts for our engines and as we are continuing to grow, Hucknall will have to deliver more. The same applies to Annesley. Mr Schulz added: This investment comes at a time of unprecedented growth in Rolls-Royce. We are doubling the production of new engines at the same time as introducing three new engines to the market. "With this investment, we are creating the capacity and flexibility to deliver on our goals, while committing to sustain employment in the UK and I would like to thank the unions for their support in delivering this important package of investment. Rolls-Royce convenor Ian Wilson, a member of the trade union Unite, welcomed the investment in the Nottinghamshire sites. He said: Hucknall makes a product that was probably going to go out onto our sub-contract network, or was going to be outsourced. This investment means Rolls-Royce is now not going to do that. The investment in Hucknall alone will be circa 25m. Its fantastic news. Unite and MPs had sought a commitment from Rolls-Royce for the next generation of engines to be built in the East Midlands ever since 2014, when Dahlewitz, Germany, got the nod for a different test bed. A Rolls-Royce spokesman said the 150m package being announced today (Thursday, June 29) was the companys largest investment in the UK for at least a decade. Simon Hemmings, Unites chief staff negotiator for Rolls-Royce (Derby and Hucknall), described it as the biggest deal the union had ever reached with the engine maker. He said: This is a great news story that allows us to focus on the future rather than the past. Greg Clark, secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, welcomed Rolls-Royces 150m investment in the UK. He said: This announcement underpins the critical role the UK plays within the global aerospace sector. The UK and Rolls-Royce are known through the world as pioneers of advanced engineering technology. I welcome the confidence the company is showing in the UK. This is just the type of investment our modern Industrial Strategy is looking to attract. These new facilities are good news for Rolls-Royce, its UK suplliers and our economy. We have more newsletters Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox A Clifton resident has had 'a lucky escape' after leaving a chopping block on a hob. East Leake Fire Station were called to a home in Clifton at around 5pm on Tuesday, June 27, after a fire was reported. The incident follows a serious blaze in the Nottingham estate on Saturday, June 24, which saw a house in Widecombe Lane go up in flames. Now the fire service has released images of the remains of a chopping block they found inside the property as a warning to residents. A spokesman for the station said: "After a serious house fire at Clifton on Saturday, we were called to a kitchen fire by a local resident on Tuesday. "Thankfully a very lucky escape after leaving a solid chopping board on the hob. "Smouldering all day it was fortunate the occupant came home earlier than normal and called us immediately. "Please don't be tempted to leave any items on the cooker, even for a moment. "It's all too easy to get caught out!" The North Platte Community Playhouse stage was filled with laughter and tears Wednesday during the Academy for Advanced Actors workshop rehearsal. Audiences may be driven to both when the high school actors perform this weekend, one participant said. The workshop is co-directed by Scott Carlson and Brittany McDaniel. The Playhouse offers several summer programs to elementary age kids, but he and McDaniel wanted to offer something for the high school students as well, Carlson said. This led to the first Academy workshop last year. Carlson said the aim is to challenge the young actors. The subject matter is a little deeper than what theyre used to, probably, he said. We want them to be challenged to help them grow as actors. This week, the students mornings were spent learning about audition techniques, set construction, makeup and costumes; in the afternoon, they took the stage to rehearse for their upcoming performance of The Bullying Collection. This set of scenes was written by 10 playwriters. Each wrote one scene that applied to bullying in high school. The theme is carried throughout with various interpretations, from lighthearted moments to some intense scenes, including one that deals with a school shooting. Because of such depictions, strong language and other sensitive matters, Carlson advises attendees not to bring children younger than 13 to the production. Students participating in the workshop were excited about the plays material. It has both comedy and very serious scenes, said Nirvana Mendoza. People will laugh and cry at this show. Although each story is different, the message is the same. Allison Thalken, who just graduated from St. Patrick High School, said the play speaks a real message. Jade Bethke, an incoming sophomore at North Platte High School, said it is important for the actors to raise awareness with their performance. Others need to see what goes on with bullying (in high schools), she said. Mendoza, who will be a senior at NPHS this fall, praised the diverse cast. Incoming junior Ally Hasenauer agreed. It shows all of our talents, Hasenauer said. It shows that a persons background doesnt matter. These actors are really the future of the Playhouse, Thalken said. This weekend is a good opportunity to come get to know them. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Playhouse. Donations will be accepted. Transitioning from a male to a female was the last thing Ashley Swartz wanted to do, which is why, in the summer of 1995, she found herself searching for a rope. I said Id blow my brains out before I transitioned, Swartz told a small crowd on Wednesday evening. I didnt own a gun. Can't see the video? Click here. But there was usually rope around Swartzs farm in Malmo, a tiny community in the eastern part of the state. That day, she couldnt find the rope anywhere. As she searched, she began thinking of a friend who had lost his father to suicide and of the difficulty he had coping with the loss. Realizing she didnt want her children to go through the same thing, she decided to take a different approach. I said, If youre out there, if theres a God, please take me, Swartz said, and in that moment her life changed and, perhaps more importantly, it didnt end. On Wednesday night, Swartz stood on the stage of the theater at North Platte Community Colleges south campus and shared her story as part of the ACLU of Nebraskas Transgender Voices Tour. According ACLU of Nebraska communications director Tyler Richard, the goal of the tour is to remind people of the biggest component of headlines about the transgender community and policies affecting it: transgender people. The nonpartisan nonprofit is doing that by introducing Nebraskans to other Nebraskans. An estimated 60,000 people in the state identify as lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual or queer. If they gathered together, they would make up the states third largest city, Richard said. The Transgender Voices Tour is not only trying to educate cisgender Nebraskans, but also letting those who may be discovering their own identities know that theyre not alone. The stigma, the stress, the discrimination it takes its toll, said Richard, especially for young people. In a 2016 study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 40 percent of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt and 92 percent of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25. What Swartz once saw as a curse, she now sees as a blessing. Although she was raised Catholic, she truly found God the day she wanted to die and decided to live. This grace, this love just flowed through me, Swartz said. I still dont understand it. She began reading the bible, hosting bible studies and doing street ministry. Her faith wasnt good enough for the church shed become a part of, though. After finding out she was transgender they asked her to leave, saying they would only stand by her if she transitioned back and lived as a male. Swartz said they told her, you have the calling of the devil in your life. It wasnt just the church that wasnt supportive. For the first year of her life as a woman, Swartz received hate mail and threatening voice messages. Once, at a bar, a man approached her and said, What are you? I said, Im a child of God, just like you, Swartz said. He said, No, youre not. Youre nothing, ... then he pushed me. Thankfully, though, Swartz has never been a victim of extreme violence like some other transgender people have, she said. Just a few years before her own transition, a transgender man named Brandon Teena was raped and murdered in Humbolt, a town of about 875 in southeastern Nebraska and in 2016, 49 people were killed at Pulse, a LGBT nightclub in Orlando. There were some people who were kind to Swartz and stood by her through the transition. Local business owners in her hometown promised to keep doing business with her after the transition and a few of them pointed out how much happier she seemed. Shes been transitioned for 19 years and things are better than she ever could have imagined. When Swartz isnt farming she spends her time visiting communities across the state and hoping to help foster a deeper understand of those who live in there and the obstacles they may be trying to over come. Although things have improved for the LGBT community, Richard said, we have a lot of work to do. To learn more about the ACLU of Nebraska or the Transgender Voices Tour, visit aclunebraska.org/transvoices. Storms Tuesday night damaged properties in northeastern Lincoln County and farther north. Gusts reached 72 miles per hour just north of North Platte just before 9 p.m. The storms moved out within 15-20 minutes, said Jaclyn Gomez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Brandon Myers, director of Region 51 Emergency Management, said multiple farm buildings were damaged in northeast Lincoln County. In addition, a steel grain trailer was toppled, four of 10 pivot sections rolled over, and a woodshed was blown off its foundation and destroyed, he said. A quarter-mile of power lines also were downed, he said. In North Platte, Municipal Light and Water reported that two residences lost power because of the storm. Farther west, a branch broke a window in Hershey, he said. As the storm moved northeast through central Nebraska, it took down some trees and power lines across a roadway in Logan County, Sheriff Sean Carson said, adding that one feedlot was left without power. We didnt take as bad of a hit as Arnold, he said. In Custer County near Arnold, wind gusts were estimated at 100 miles per hour, Gomez said. The storm took down numerous power lines and trees, overturned an empty pivot and destroyed a quarter of an 80-by-100-foot building, Gomez said. Custer County Emergency Manager Mark Rempe said roofs on two buildings were damaged, and other homes had damage to their shingles. Rempe could not estimate the cost of the damage, but said the storm did not cause as much damage as it could have. Branches fell, but they really fell in good in good places, he said. Most landed in the street. Myers emphasized that people should report damage to local emergency management departments. Reports help the agencies make a case if they apply for state or federal aid, he said, and can help homeowners if they seek insurance reimbursement. In addition, damage data can help the National Weather Service in predicting future storms, he said. The Canberra Raiders have signed two players to bolster their squad for the remainder of the 2017 season and beyond. Michael Oldfield (Penrith) and Liam Knight (Roosters) have signed with the club and will join the Raiders effective immediately. Oldfield, 26, comes to the club with a wealth of experience, having played at NRL level for the Sea Eagles, Roosters, Rabbitohs and most recently the Panthers, as well as a stint for the Catalan Dragons in the English Super League. An outside back with a high try scoring strike rate, Oldfield has signed with the Green Machine for the remainder of the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The Raiders have also secured the signature of talented forward Liam Knight from the Roosters, who has been playing for their feeder team Wyong in the Intrust Super Premiership. Knight, 22, was a standout at NYC level and part of the Manly team which made the grand final in 2015. He went on to make his NRL debut for the Sea Eagles playing one match in 2016 before joining the Roosters this season. Hes represented NSW at both under 18 and under 20s level. Knight has signed with the Raiders until the end of the 2019 season. Canberra Raiders NRL Recruitment & High-Performance Director Peter Mulholland said both Oldfield and Knight would be welcome additions to the NRL squad. "Michael and Liam are both talented players who we believe will be valuable members of our NRL squad moving forward, Mulholland said. Michael brings NRL experience to the squad and can easily slot into the backline if required, while Liam is a very talented young forward who we believe we can develop into an NRL player at the Raiders." Both Oldfield and Knight will join the Raiders squad this week. Using its patented nanotechnology, Capsoil Food Tech has developed a unique, water-soluble vitamin D powder which is touted as unlike anything else on the... Read More You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person. Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else. Sporting a full Native American headdress while bending the strings of his left-handed guitar in a way that defines his unique sound, Chicagos Eddy Clearwater has been an iconic blues figure for over 60 years. The 82-year-old Clearwater was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016, alongside Elvin Bishop, John Mayall, The Memphis Jug Band and his old friend, Jimmy Johnson. Clearwater is equal parts blues and rock n roll, and describes his hybrid style as rock-a-blues I think they are the same music really, he said of the two styles. Its just that blues is sometimes slowed down a bit and rock n roll is played a little faster. Im ready to bring all my blues energy to Griffith this weekend, said the man whose global collective of fans call him The Chief. That nickname came about because the Macon, Georgia native was raised by his Cherokee grandmother, and in 1976 he took to wearing a traditional headdress as he takes the stage. Its a way to honor her and my roots, he said of his now trademark adornment of feathers. Clearwater said that now many promoters even put it into the contract for him to wear the headdress. Its the first thing my wife packs when I do shows, even before my clothes, he laughed. I dont leave home without it. The audience loves seeing Clearwater dance onto the stage wearing it, usually while breaking into his namesake song, They Call Me the Chief. That energy Clearwater plans to bring to Griffith can be found all over the grooves of his 2014 release, Soul Funky, a live album featuring some impressive performances by guest guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks. My wife suggested we tape my birthday show, and that show is what became the album, said Clearwater. We had so much fun that night and you can really hear that when you listen to the record. Fun is a word Clearwater uses a lot in conversation. I have a lot of fun playing my music. I love performing for people, said the octogenarian who started his musical journey when he was age 13 as a means to impress girls. I started playing because a friend of mine back home played guitar and girls used to gather around him, laughed Clearwater of his earliest inspiration to make music. My first real guitar was a Silvertone parlor guitar that I bought from Sears-Roebuck. Being left-handed, the youngster had to learn to play upside down on a right-handed guitar. He later came to love the music even more than the attention it brought him, which is when he moved North to Chicago in 1950. Chicago is where everybody was, reflected Clearwater, who went on to play alongside such greats as Magic Sam and Otis Rush, among others. I saw em all and played with many of them, he said of the early Chicago blues pioneers. Those guys greatly influenced Clearwater, who in those days went by the name of Guitar Eddy, before acting on the suggestion of his manager at the time. He changed his professional name to Clear Water, as a play on the name of Muddy Waters. After recording a few singles, he reclaimed his first name and has been Eddy Clearwater since the 1960s. Clearwater admits there is a lot of the late Chuck Berrys riffs in his rockier songs like his early hits Cool Water, I Was Gone and I Wouldnt Lay My Guitar Down, as well as his latter-day fan favorite Old Time Rocker, from his 2004 Grammy-nominated album Rock N Roll City. Chuck was a very big influence on me, he said, adding that he was part of a Berry tribute concert just a few weeks ago. The secret to having a career that lasts a lifetime is simple according to Clearwater, who still enjoys every minute he spends on stage. You need to love the music and love the people you are playing it for, advised Clearwater. A lot of people might play for the pay, but it's more than that for me. If I can feel that people are enjoying me playing, I can feel the energy and it makes me want to give them the very best I have. It makes me want to put my best effort forward. Clearwater is currently writing songs for what he said will be a blues album in the tradition of another of his influences, the late B.B. King. Im working on songs now for that, he said. It may be my last album, it may not, but Im going to approach it (the recording) as if it were, because I want it to be a great record. Clearwater expects that new album will be released via Alligator Records, the home of his last studio album West Side Strut, produced by Ronnie Baker Brooks. More: eddyclearwater.com GARY The local American Legion hall is hosting a pancake breakfast Thursday morning with all proceeds going to the families of two children injured in separate shootings earlier this month. The breakfast fundraiser is scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday at American Legion Post 270, 1113 Taft St., in Gary. Richard Ligon, post commander for American Legion 270, said Wednesday he and others at the local Legion hall wanted to pitch in to help the families as they grieve and confront mounting medical expenses. Last week, maybe Thursday or Friday, me and a member were talking, thinking we need to do something for this family, Ligon said. So we came up with a plan to sponsor a breakfast and divide it equally among the families. Both shootings took place on the city's west side. Nine-year-old Devin Marshall was standing in the doorway to his home June 20 when he was wounded in a shooting in the 4300 block of West 19th Avenue in according to police. Hours earlier, 9-year-old Harmoni Harton was eating dinner with her family inside their home when she was shot just after 5 p.m. in the 2100 block of Chase Street, police said. Both children were taken to a local hospital and later transferred to an Illinois hospital for further treatment. Both were listed in stable condition by police the following day. A news release about the Legion event stated the children were at home recuperating. Ligon said Wednesday the two families are aware and supportive of the fundraising efforts. Ligon said the breakfast with pancakes, grits, turkey sausage, sausage, biscuits and eggs is included with a $10 donation, but people are encouraged to donate more if they can. Gary Police Chief Larry McKinley earlier this month described the shootings as senseless violence against innocent children. The Legion Halls mission is to aid veterans, families of veterans, and youth in the community, Ligon said. Its so sad that anyone is victimized. A community must have a heart when someone is down and out, he said. Gary Police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said Wednesday night police are seeking the community's assistance in finding out who may be responsible for the shootings. The investigations are still ongoing. "Someone must know something and we urge them to come forward," Westerfield said Wednesday night. Anyone with information about the June 20's shootings is asked to call Gary Detective Sgt. William Fazekas or Detective Sgt. Jon Basaldua at 219-881-1210. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP. CROWN POINT The Hobart father charged in his 9-year-old daughter's shooting death appeared Wednesday at an initial hearing in Lake Criminal Court. Eric S. Hummel, 33, entered a plea of not guilty to felony charges of neglect of a dependent, battery and reckless homicide, according to defense attorney Paul Stracci. Stracci filed a motion June 16 requesting that Hummel's cellphone, which was seized by police, be returned to him. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Sullivan denied that motion Wednesday, but said the motion could be renewed at a later date, according to court records. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keith Anderson also requested a swab from Hummel as a means of collecting DNA from inside his mouth. His reply is due on or before July 12. Stracci said Wednesday his client was crushed by his daughter's death. He is struggling through what is clearly the most difficult time of his life, Stracci said. Hummel is accused of inadvertently shooting Olivia Hummel on June 10 at the family's home in Hobart. Hummel said in statements to police he accidentally shot his daughter while warning his 10-year-old sons about the danger of his 9 mm handgun. One son told police their father pointed the unloaded gun at he and his brother several times and pulled the trigger while explaining that they should not play with the firearm, the affidavit states. The father's action prompted one of the boys to run from him, the affidavit states. They said they heard a popping noise when their father pulled the trigger, so they believed the gun was unloaded. At one point, Hummel loaded the gun and told them "never use a gun" before he pointed it at Olivia as she walked into the room and fired, records show. Hummel told police he thought the gun was empty, records show. An officer asked one of the boys whether their father pulled the top of the gun back, which would chamber a round, and one of the boys advised, "Oh yes, He did that once." Both brothers said the shooting was accidental. Hummel was released June 12 from Lake County Jail on a $7,000 cash bond, according to court records. He is next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 24. The State of Indiana recognized Hobart resident Mary Adams with the states premier honor for seniors: the 2017 Golden Hoosier Award. The award was presented to Adams and 21 other recipients from across the state at a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse on Friday. The program was emceed by Yonda Snyder, director of Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) Division of Aging. Adams, 91, is one of the founders of the Hobart Food Pantry, now in its 35th year, and she still volunteers there at least twice a week. She has volunteered for decades at her church, St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church in Hobart and at St. Mary Medical Center, where she works in the pastoral care department and fills in as needed at the information desk. Its quite an honor. I am very honored and humbled, Adams said of the recognition. Ive just been doing the things that I normally do and take for granted and enjoy doing. Its not a chore for me. Its not something I force myself to do. It just comes naturally. The Golden Hoosier Award began in 2008 and is a collaboration between the office of the Lt. Governor and the FSSAs Division of Aging to acknowledge seniors who serve other Hoosiers in an exemplary manner. Adams began volunteering at St. Mary Medical Center in 1992. As of Friday, she had logged more than 15,700 volunteer hours for the hospital. In addition to her many clerical duties for pastoral care, a department in which chaplains provide spiritual counseling and support for patients and families, Adams also participates in monthly memorial services for the families of patients who have passed. She served for many years as a Eucharistic minister who would deliver communion to Catholic patients. Mount Baldy Hikes Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Sunday in July for a hike to the top of Mount Baldy. Even though the area is closed for general public use, this ranger-led tour allows visitors to experience the beauty and spectacular views from the tallest dune in the national lakeshore. The hikes start at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. After a brief introduction, participants will drive their own cars to Mount Baldy for a ranger-led hike to top of the dune. These hikes will be offered through Sept. 3. Call 219-395-1882 to make reservations. Hike National Lakeshores Miller Woods Join a park ranger for a hike through Indiana Dunes National Lakeshores Miller Woods from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Sunday. Meet the ranger at the Paul H. Douglas Center and then enjoy a hike. This same hike will be offered every Sunday afternoon through Aug. 20. The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 N. Lake St., about one mile north of U.S. 12 in the Miller neighborhood of Gary. Beginning birding tours Join a ranger and fellow birding enthusiasts from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every Saturday in July at the Great Marsh Trail for a morning of birding. No experience required. A spotting scope and binoculars will be provided. The program will start at the southern gravel parking lot, followed by a short hike to the Great Marsh observation deck to look for herons, egrets, ducks and other birds of the marsh. If you arrive late, simply hike to the observation deck to join the event. The Great Marsh Trail south parking lot is located on Broadway Avenue. Bailly Homestead Candlelight Tour Take a candlelight tour of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshores historic Bailly Homestead from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 8. Learn about life in Northwest Indiana 150 years ago during this free, night-time tour. Meet the ranger at the Bailly/Chellberg parking lot at 7:30 pm and be prepared for a leisurely 1/3-mile hike through the woods to the homestead. No reservations are necessary. Park volunteers and staff will introduce visitors to the Native American Potawatomi lifestyle as well as the life of fur traders like Joseph Bailly. The Bailly/Chellberg parking lot is located at 618 N. Mineral Springs Road in Porter. Sunset paddle Bring your kayak or canoe and enjoy a leisurely sunset paddle with a ranger from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday in July at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshores Marquette Lagoons. You must bring your own canoe or kayak, life jacket and paddle. Meet at the Marquette Park Lagoon parking lot near the stairs just north of the Marquette Pavilion. Backpacking for fitness Join park ranger Kip Walton and volunteer TJ Caracci to learn about backpacking for fitness and go for a hike at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Paul H. Douglas Center from noon to 3 p.m. on July 8. The program begins in the Paul H. Douglas Center with a short presentation before heading out to the Miller Woods trail for a hike lasting about three hours. PORTAGE Members of the City Council's budget committee and Mayor James Snyder may have reached an agreement on employee salaries. During a 90-minute meeting Wednesday afternoon, Snyder, Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham and council members Pat Clem, D-2nd, Liz Modesto, D-1st, and Scott Williams, D-3rd, hashed out details of ordinance amendments likely to be presented to the full council on July 5. Unlike the last two council meetings, they did it without raising their voices and calling each other names. That doesn't mean they agreed on everything, however. One large sticking point was removed from the discussion. The council will no longer be involved in setting park department salaries. What Stidham called a "logjam" involved the promotion of an employee from director of events and marketing to assistant superintendent. Council members disagreed and did not want the position of assistant superintendent to be funded or even created. That issue has been taken out of their hands. State law allows the Park Board to have the final say. According to the law, the City Council provides funding for both park and marina salaries. They can also recommend salary levels and staffing. However, the Park Board can override those recommendations, creating the positions at the salaries they want as long as the Park Board stays within the pot of funding provided by the council. The Park Board will hold a special meeting Thursday night to consider salaries and staffing for its department. Clem asked Snyder to reconsider some of the salaries proposed for some employees, in all cases raising them. Snyder justified why he is recommending the salaries he is and at those levels. For example, Snyder had set the salary for assistant police chief at $68,500. Clem wanted it raised to $70,000, saying the assistant chief has picked up additional duties and needs to be compensated. Snyder said while he'd like to give the larger increase, he won't recommend it because police department administration is also getting a substantial boost to their pension packages and it doesn't feel he can justify a greater salary increase on top of the pension increase. Snyder said some of the salary suggestions were also far above the 5 percent average across-the-board pay increases for non-union employees, and he couldn't justify giving some employees 5 percent raises while others would get 12 percent to 15 percent raises based on Clem's requests. Depiction of how pulsed microwaves will be employed in homes has alarmed health advocates who say the graphic does not show the people being affected. The graphic is on the website of Remcom, a company that shows how microwaves impact with a variety of surfaces. The new 5G (fifth generation) technology only operates over a short range, requiring almost room-by-room installation. Wi-Fi and radiation health advocates say the Remcom graphic does not show the people who will be in the rooms nor indicate possible negative health effects. Joe Esposito, spokesperson for EMF Safety Network, said there is a palpable danger from untested 28GHz radiation blasting from millions of new hidden antennas and tuned-up smart meters. This is a corporate free-for-all, with oversight eliminated, he said. It is "an internet of everything with hundreds of billions of microchippable products. Everywhere and everything... and eventually, everyone. All wireless is not compatible with human life, he added. The Remcom newsroom in State College, Pa,, staffed by marketing director Stefanie Lucas, has been asked to address the issue. Remcoms release is as follows Wireless InSites diffuse scattering model for 5G millimeter wave channels reveals how paths interact with a variety of surfaces and the impact on signal power. Remcom announces diffuse scattering prediction in the latest release of Wireless InSite, its site-specific radio propagation software for the analysis of wireless communication systems. This update greatly improves simulation accuracy for millimeter wave systems being developed for 5G, WiGig, and other emerging technologies. Wireless InSite simulates the detailed multipath of large numbers of multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) channels while overcoming the increased level of computations required for traditional ray tracing methods. As 5G technology forces expansion into higher frequencies in the millimeter wave spectrum, the diffuse scattering model further increases precision by revealing how paths interact with a variety of surfaces and structures and how signal power is affected by these interactions. Key effects such as impact on complex impulse response and increased cross-polarization of received signals may be visualized. Key capabilities include: Innovative ray-tracing allows scattering from any interaction along a ray path Three scattering options support normal, forward and backscatter Accurate polarization captures co- and cross-polarization effects Handling of relative phase supports MIMO arrays The diffuse scattering model is available in the professional and MIMO versions of Wireless InSite. SF Chronicler Raps Telecom Power Grab The San Francisco Chronicle, in a June 28 editorial, accused AT&T, Verizon and other telecom companies of a brazen cellphone power grab in their quest to remove from communities the power to say where cellphone transmitters can be placed. Wendy Mesley of Canadian Business News hosted a 22-minute segment March 24, 2017 showing that most Canadians carry cellphones next to their bodies and are not aware of advice to do otherwise. MIMO is an antenna technology for wireless communications in which multiple antennas are used at both the source (transmitter) and the destination (receiver). The antennas at each end of the communications circuit are combined to minimize errors and optimize data speed. WiGig expands the Wi-Fi experience for virtual reality, multimedia streaming, gaming, wireless docking, and enterprise applications requiring high speed, data-intensive connections, according to Wikipedia. It allows Wi-Fi devices to access the uncongested 60 GHz frequency band with wide channels to transmit data efficiently at multi-gigabit per second speeds. Users benefit from expanded capacity and focused transmission between devices to reduce interference, even in crowded environments. Nicole Kaldes Nicole Kaldes is the new media relations director in the New York office of Carmichael Lynch Relate. She joins the shop from Lippe Taylor Groups ShopPR, where she was responsible for media relations, new business and senior account management. She began her career as a reporter, including stints at Womens Wear Daily and the Boston-based Community Newspaper Co. Interpublic owns Carmichael Lynch Relate. Joel Leftwich takes the managing director spot in the food and agriculture practice of Glover Park Group. He worked in the U.S. Department of Agricultures Office of Congressional Relations under President George W. Bush and most recently spent two years as the Republican majority staff director for Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Red Alert Politics, an online publication created for young conservatives, has hired Lauren Cooley as contributors editor. She will focus on recruiting young writers for the publication, as well as reporting and providing commentary. She launched Campus Red PAC, a Florida-based program designed to identify, register and mobilize Republican voters on college campuses, Cooley is also a graduate student at the University of Miami. Ashley Burns Ashley Burns leads the new Seattle office of RALLY, a communications firm specializing in issues advocacy. She shifts to RALLY after serving as an account director at WE Communications, where she was responsible for ed-tech campaigns, curated media events and product launches. Burns specializes in community engagement, influencer events and storytelling. RALLY has offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Cohn & Wolfe and WE Communications have added new team members in partnership with The LAGRANT Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations. Marissa Bramwell has joined C&W as an account coordinator in the firms healthcare practice, with a remit that includes client support, media monitoring and research. WE Communications has brought on Kia Vang as an intern, assisting with technology public relations and crisis communications efforts. Hannah Colson Hannah Colson moves to Florida's BoardroomPR from the University of Florida's ad/PR shop, The Agency at UF, where she was a media specialist working with clients like Google, Facebook and LinkedIn. At BoardroomPR, which has offices in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Colson will develop social media campaigns. Click here to watch the press conference live 29/06/2017 - The number of humanitarian refugees arriving in OECD countries peaked in 2016 and governments continue to grapple with a humanitarian crisis. They should focus on helping refugees who are likely to stay in the host country settle and integrate in the labour market and society. This calls for a rethinking of both domestic policies and international co-operation, according to a new OECD report. The 2017 International Migration Outlook shows that permanent migration flows to the OECD countries have been on the rise, with around 5 million people migrating permanently to OECD countries in 2016, as compared to 4.7 million entries in 2015. This was the third year of increase in a row. Humanitarian migration was the main driver behind this rise: OECD countries registered more than 1.5 million new asylum requests in 2016, as in 2015, with at least two-thirds of them in European OECD countries. Turkey alone is providing temporary protection to another 3 million Syrians. However, in the first six months of 2017, the total number of landings on European shores reached 85,000, around 10 times less than at the peak in the second half of 2015. Improving the integration of immigrants and their children, including refugees, is vital to delivering a more prosperous, inclusive future for all, said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, launching the report in Paris with Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship. While integration is largely a domestic issue, better cooperation at the international level is key to make the progress required and address negative perceptions against migration, which are often rooted in a misconception of the benefit that migrants can bring to recipient countries. Read the full speech here. ~5 million #migrants moved permanently to OECD area in 2016, highest level in decades. OECD calls 4 increased integration efforts #migration pic.twitter.com/bHHYeb3Krm OECD (@OECD) June 29, 2017 The Outlook says that some countries have stepped up their integration efforts and cites the good examples of the fast-track integration programme introduced in Sweden and the adoption of the first ever law on integration in Germany. But public policies are lagging in other countries and governments should build on positive momentum for further reforms that focus on all migrants. This years Outlook includes a special focus on family migration, which it says should become an urgent priority for governments. More than 1.6 million family migrants received a residence permit in the OECD area in 2015, representing almost 40% of the total permanent migration inflow. Governments face challenges trying to set rules and conditions for family migration and design the right programmes. The right to family life has to be balanced with the need to ensure that family ties are legitimate and that the family has the means to settle in the new country. Temporary migration has increased in the OECD, with the number of workers sent by their employers to other EU countries under local contracts reaching 1.5 million in 2015. International recruitment of seasonal workers increased in many countries, particularly sharply in Poland. The number of international students also continues to increase, and new residence permits issued exceeded 1.5 million for the first time in 2015. For more information, journalists should contact Stefano Scarpetta, OECD Director for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, (tel. + 33 1 45 24 19 88) or Jean-Christophe Dumont (tel. 33 1 45 24 92 43) in the OECDs International Migration Division. Some residents of rural Nebraska communities that are home to Catholic Health Initiatives hospitals may have to change doctors or pay higher fees unless two health care giants can reach an agreement. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and CHI Nebraskas hospitals are locked in a dispute over prices charged by CHI Alegent Creightons hospitals and doctors in the Omaha area. But CHI hospitals across Nebraska also are affected and could become out-of-network hospitals for Blue Cross members unless CHI and Blue Cross settle their differences by the end of August. Out-of-network prices can be hundreds to thousands of dollars more than in-network costs for checkups and procedures. Physicians in rural Nebraska arent affected, but their patients who use CHI hospitals could see costs rise for surgeries and other hospital services. The uncertainty created by the dispute already has affected Sara Kopke. Kopke, a Hastings resident who teaches in Doniphan, Nebraska, has a back that has required surgeries, and her husband, Rick, has undergone heart procedures. They dont want to find new physicians and hospitals. In the eastern part of the state, it might not be such a big issue because you have so many hospitals, said Kopke, 52. Out here, you dont have a lot of choices. She considered having a procedure performed this summer on her painful back. The treatment would involve putting a neurotransmitter into her back to diminish chronic pain and could be done, she said, at CHIs St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. But, Kopke said, she has a metal allergy and the device might have to be pulled out if she has a reaction to it. If complications take place after Aug. 31, she said, she could face out- of-pocket costs that could rise to thousands of dollars. Kopke said she decided to live with the pain and have the procedure done some other time, when she can count on having most of the costs covered by her insurance plan. CHI hospitals in Lincoln, Nebraska City, Grand Island, Kearney, Plainview and Schuyler, plus Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, are entangled in the dispute. The disagreement centers on Blue Cross contention that rates assessed by CHIs Alegent Creighton Health hospitals and affiliated doctors in the Omaha area are too high in comparison with other systems in the metro area Methodist Health System and the Nebraska Medical Center. The standoff pits two health care giants against each other: Blue Cross is the primary commercial health insurer in Nebraska and Alegent Creighton controls about half of the metro areas health care market. Blue Cross executives say they have offered to remove rural CHI hospitals from the argument because their rates in many cases are acceptable. But CHI officials said that it makes no sense to negotiate separate deals for different CHI hospitals across Nebraska and that rural hospitals should benefit from the same value- and quality-based reimbursement programs that CHI desires for its Omaha-area hospitals. Blue Cross said there is a non-CHI hospital within 50 miles of 99 percent of its members in rural Nebraska. But those are statistics, said Blue Cross executive Lee Handke, and there is no doubt the situation would create a hardship for some members. Meanwhile, Blue Cross intends to survey 600 members to see how much they understand about the dispute and to get their opinions. Peggy Dobish, administrator for the Kearney Clinic, said she has heard from Blue Cross members who want to know, What are they going to do and is it really going to happen? In Kearney, patients have two hospitals to choose from Kearney Regional Medical Center and CHIs Good Samaritan Hospital. Dobish said shes impartial on which to use, although Good Samaritan has more services than does the new Kearney Regional, including open-heart surgery and the delivery of babies. Kearney Clinic includes primary-care doctors, surgeons and some physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Its the patient who suffers because of the (out-of-network) prices, Dobish said. For patients with serious, long-term illnesses requiring extensive inpatient care, paying out-of-network rates would financially ruin most people, said Dan McElligott, president of CHIs St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. If CHI and Blue Cross break up, some patients who use St. Francis and other CHI hospitals will have to decide whether they should get new providers who have privileges at other hospitals, McElligott said. This is going to be terribly disruptive to patients with illnesses, he said. Theyd have to figure out where theyd go that they have the same level of trust. Dr. Deepak Gangahar, a well-known Nebraska heart surgeon who now is president of CHIs Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln, said patients become attached to their physicians and nurses. Jeopardizing that relationship is poor practice on Blue Cross part, he said. This is not a way to conduct business, Gangahar said. The sad thing is, the one whos caught in the middle is the patient. Handke, a senior vice president with Blue Cross, said its with Blue Cross members in mind that the insurer has called out Alegent Creighton on its high prices. Blue Cross per member per month cost for Alegent Creightons UniNet (Alegent Creightons metro-area hospitals and affiliated doctors) was $430.06 last year, 9.3 percent more than the $393.36 monthly per member claims for the rest of the Blue Cross network across Nebraska, Handke said. Blue Cross said it will continue in-network coverage beyond Aug. 31 for members with certain conditions, including those receiving cancer treatment, those in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, those being treated for severe kidney disease and some other situations. Blue Cross wants those members to complete an application with their physician and to return it for review by Aug. 31. Blue Cross spokesman Andy Williams said that if an agreement isnt reached, ambulance service to CHI hospitals will still be covered by Blue Cross, as will emergency treatment and inpatient care related to the emergency, at least for the short term. The two sides meet weekly and say they hope to reach an agreement. Its basically been more of the same, Dr. Cliff Robertson, who heads CHIs Nebraska network, said of recent negotiations. We are optimistic we can work through this. But Robertson didnt deny frustration with Blue Cross. The Blues created this problem, he said. Handke said, We wont sign an agreement thats not in the best interests of our members. Obviously they (CHI) are a key system in the state. So it wouldnt be our desire to have a network that doesnt have them in it. Runners can ring in the Fourth of July well before the fireworks. The Ralston Optimist Club is hosting its annual fun run and 5K before the citys holiday festivities. The 1-mile walk and 3-mile run, which start at 7:50 a.m. on July 4, will take runners through the streets of downtown Ralston. Typically about 200 people participate in the race, which has been held for more than 30 years, organizers said. It isnt a certified race course or chip-timed, but it draws families back year after year, said Optimist Club member Joe Kilzer. Its just tradition. The same people keep coming back and thats how they start their Fourth of July, Kilzer said. Cost is $20 and includes a T-shirt. Online registration closes Friday at 11:59 p.m. In-person registration will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday in the Centennial Room at Ralston City Hall, 5500 S. 77th St. Participants also can register the morning of the race, though a T-shirt is not guaranteed. The Ralston Optimist Club gives proceeds, which come from sponsorships and registration fees, back to the Ralston community through events and scholarships. Other events this week: OMAHA RUNNING CLUB INDEPENDENCE DAY FUN RUN When: 7 p.m. Thursday Where: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lot 63, 40th and Marcy Streets Cost: Free YOGA IN THE FOREST When: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday Where: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, 1111 Bellevue Boulevard N. Cost: Free for members, $9.50 for adult general admission FREEDOM RUN When: 8 a.m. Tuesday Where: Young Memorial Park, Murray, Nebraska Cost: $25 for ages 19 to 55, $15 for children, $20 for seniors GLENWOOD FIRECRACKER 5K When: 8 a.m. Tuesday Where: Glenwood Lake Park, Lake Drive in Glenwood, Iowa Cost: $15 advance registration, $20 on-site registration, $10 for children Women succeed more in high-salaried, high-education, male-dominated occupations in blue states than in red states, according to new research by a pair of University of Nebraska-Lincoln economists. There are fewer women in such high-status careers in states with Republican voting records and higher concentrations of evangelical Christians than in states with Democratic voting records, UNL faculty members Ann Mari May and Mary McGarvey say in a paper published this week in an academic journal. Such jobs include engineers, lawyers, financial advisers and clergy. The research aimed to determine whether women were less represented in these higher-paying jobs in more conservative states. It didnt purport to find the reasons for any such difference, leaving that to more research and interpretation. If women are not able to get these jobs in certain parts of the country, then what that means is were squandering our most important resources, which are human beings, said May, a professor in the economics department. A lack of women in higher-status jobs also contributes to the wage gap between men and women, in which men typically make more than women in the same jobs, May said. Lincoln attorney Dan Welch, chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party, said in an email that the studys methodology and interpretation are suspect. Defining states as red or blue based on voting data from all 50 states in the 2000 presidential election seems flawed, he said, because public policies that could have affected peoples occupations in several of the states were set by legislatures and governors from the opposite political party. For instance, he said: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and North Carolina voted for Republican George W. Bush but had Democratic governors and legislatures. New Jersey and Pennsylvania voted for Democrat Al Gore but had Republican governors and legislatures. May, co-author of the paper, said she would expect similar results if the study had used other election years. The overall story is not going to have changed, she said. Jane Kleeb, chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said she agreed with the studys findings. Its no surprise, she said. In blue states, theres obviously more progressive and liberal ideas that permeate even into the workplace than in red states. UNL political scientist Kevin Smith, who has studied gender voting trends and red state-blue state issues, said the findings are reasonable. A lot of the red states, its not just that theyre conservative, Smith said. Theyre traditional states where, for example, they have fewer females in state legislatures, and women tend to be lower on indexes of political power, social status and earnings, according to other researchers. The new studys analysis seems sound, he said, although state-by-state political views seem to be arrayed along a continuum rather than sharply divided between conservative and liberal. There are states that are a little bit more a shade of purple than ruby red or a deep sky blue, Smith said. May said in an interview that the findings should be a wake-up call to policymakers about gender treatment in the workplace and in schools. If you live in a community thats like that, maybe you spend more time with your daughter explaining these options, since they may not be told this in school or be aware of it, May said of the disparity in women holding the high-status jobs, and explain to young boys that girls can do these things as well. She said the reasons for the disparity in women holding the top-level jobs may include whether people in red states are, on average, less willing than people in blue states to accept changes underway in the roles women play in society, non-traditional marriages, delayed childbirth, homosexuality, abortion and other issues that apply to women. Although more women are in the workplace than ever, May said, men and women still are highly segregated when it comes to their occupations. The paper by May and McGarvey titled Gender, Occupational Segregation and the Cultural Divide: Are Red States Different than Blue States? is online in the Review of Regional Studies by the Southern Regional Science Association. People havent really asked this question before, and its a good question to ask, said Myra Marx Ferree, a sociology professor at the University of Wisconsin who has studied gender and politics. The studys findings are suggestive, she said, meaning it will take more research to find out exactly whats happening. Other studies have shown differences between red and blue states in divorce rates, fertility patterns and other family issues, she said. Political preferences may lead to government policies that limit womens career chances, Ferree said. For example, laws in one state may make it difficult to challenge job discrimination, while another states laws may strongly protect against gender discrimination. The study categorized the states as red or blue by the 2000 presidential election results and used 2000 U.S. Census data for 56 occupations that are dominated by men and have high salaries and high education requirements. Of those, 34 are in so-called STEM fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics such as engineers, actuaries, programmers and chemists. The 22 others are non-STEM professions, such as lawyers, dentists, financial advisers and clergy. Research accepted by the journal in which the study was published is peer reviewed, as are most academic papers. That means at least two academics review manuscripts for double-blind review in which neither the reader nor the author know each others identities. May said she wanted to test the theory that women in red states are less successful in those occupations to bring the potential problem to light. She said the analysis controlled for other demographic and economic variables that might have influenced the results. Among the findings, according to the study and an accompanying press release: In states with equal proportions of men and women with college degrees, the concentration of women in STEM occupations in red states was 19 percent lower than in blue states. In blue states, women were 48 percent less concentrated than men in non-STEM occupations. In red states, the figure was 58 percent. The concentration of women was lower regardless of earnings or education. The red-blue gap was the biggest in occupations with the highest share of college-educated people, with a concentration of women compared to men 17 percent lower in red states than blue states. May and McGarvey studied occupations that required college degrees because advanced education requirements should reduce gender differences. Education is a great equalizer, she said. They pay the same tuition. The analysis also took into account the number of evangelical Christians in each state. The red states were home to more people in those religious groups. The Rev. Don Pahl, lead pastor of the evangelical Crosspoint Bible Church of Omaha and Bennington, said its difficult to say how evangelical churches influence womens careers because such churches views vary widely. While some Bible verses discuss women staying home, others praise women who are well-known in the marketplace, Pahl said in an email after reading the UNL paper. I am impressed that this research takes into account so many factors such as numbers in the work force, red and blue states, indicating, I suppose, a more conservative vs. a more liberal mindset, he said. But a study such as this is usually unable to factor in the personal decision. Women choose careers based on own interests and circumstances, he said. Some churches strongly encourage young mothers to stay home, Pahl said. I encourage men and women, couples, to live in such a way that is consistent with their biblical values, sometimes a delicate dance between family and careers outside the home. We celebrate hard and fulfilling work, whether that be in the marketplace or in the home. May, an Omaha native, has a doctorate in economics from Colorado State University and has been at UNL since 1987, except for two years as a visiting professor at Middlebury College in Vermont. Her studies have been in gender and higher education; women and the economy; U.S. economic history; and macroeconomic stabilization policy. McGarvey, an associate professor of economics, has a doctorate in economics from the University of Virginia and came to UNL in 1992, specializing in applied econometrics and research in school and maternal employment effects on childrens health, gender occupational segregation and differences in policy views of male and female economists. For their study, the two developed a scale called the gender concentration quotient to measure whether more or fewer women are in occupations than expected. The same factors that affect hiring in the occupations also affect wages, job mobility and representation on boards of directors, May said. Cultural and social bias against women in certain occupations men are scientists and women are not may be stronger in red states, she said, resulting in fewer women being hired for those jobs and fewer women seeking those careers. Its a long-term trend, May said. Blue states may be at a different stage in the transition than red states. What transition? The research paper refers to a concept called the second demographic transition, coined by Belgian sociologist Ron Lesthaeghe in 1986 and popularized by James Davison Hunters 1991 book, Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America. According to their analysis of demographics and society, Lesthaeghe and Hunter saw the first long-term demographic transition as societys movement to the nuclear family of a married man and woman with children, as countries prospered and grew through about 1970. Then a second transition began toward a multitude of living arrangements, disconnecting marriage and procreation what May calls coupling not related to marriage and resulting in lower birthrates, first in Europe and later in parts of the United States, plus a broad range of social changes especially affecting womens place in society. In his book, Hunter said norms for marriage, the family and women are part of a larger transition under way in American attitudes toward issues such as abortion, gun laws, global warming, immigration, separation of church and state, privacy, recreational drug use, homosexuality and censorship. May said the roles of women are central to many of those issues. As a result, occupational segregation of women can indicate whether people in different states accept changes in those values. Blue states tend to be on the East and West Coasts, while red states generally occupy the southern and central parts of the country. May said it may be that the social transition is working its way across the country gradually, and that the studys finding of occupational segregation illustrates the geographic progress of that shift. Kleeb, who became state Democratic chair in December, said the studys findings square with the difficulty she has persuading women to run for office in Nebraska, even if they are more qualified than men who want to run. She said politics in Nebraska reflect the same gender disparity, although U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, both Republicans, hold important elected offices. Of Nebraskas 49 state senators, 13 are women. Men hold the elected statewide positions of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state. As women, we have to start taking more of a leap. There are attempts in our society to lift up the fact that girls can do anything a boy can do, Kleeb said, mentioning Girls Inc. and some school programs. Smith, the UNL political scientist, said the papers discussion about values agrees with earlier studies of the changing roles of women by region. Those traditional roles are a little more upended some places than others, he said. The whole notion of gender in San Francisco is a little different than it is in Atlanta, Georgia. Clean-shaven and soft-spoken, a 60-year-old man delivered an apology to Justin Harts family. Words just dont come close to expressing the sorrow I feel for the tragic death of Justin, Kevin W. Malone said. This was an accident that was my fault, I know that. He said the right words. But they were empty and insincere, said Harts brothers, prosecutors and Douglas County District Judge Shelly Stratman. In a letter to the court, Malone listed a litany of reasons for why the deadly August collision occurred. Yet it was Malones choice to drink, to disregard instructions while taking prescription medications and to drive, Stratman said. Your selfish actions killed Mr. Hart, Stratman told Malone before announcing her sentence. You are in such a state of denial, I dont know what its going to take to get through to you. A hefty sentence, apparently. The judge gave Malone close to the maximum sentence on all four charges: 40 to 50 years for motor vehicle homicide with a prior DUI conviction, 20 years for manslaughter, four years for leaving the scene of an accident and one year for driving without an interlock device. Under state sentencing rules, he will be required to serve at least 20 years before he is eligible for parole and must be released after 25 years. Malone was convicted by a jury in May for the Aug. 31 collision his fifth offense of drunken driving. Malone violated a red turn arrow at 140th Street and West Center Road, crashing into Hart, 43, who was on a motorcycle. To continue to drive while abusing medications, while having alcohol in his system ... this was far from an accident and something that was completely avoidable, said prosecutor Cody Miltenberger. Stratman sentenced Malone to probation for his third DUI but said she would have mandated more restrictions if she had known additional facts about the case. You are my worst nightmare, she said. I placed you on probation to address an addiction that you have so you could be sober and not a threat to society. People can take steps to shield themselves from robbers by not carrying wads of cash and going down dark alleys, she said. But motorists cant guess who might be an impaired driver. Youre the type of criminal that we cant protect ourselves from, she said. Malones attorney, William McGinn, asked for a sentence allowing his client to be released on probation after five years. He referenced the case of Emily Standley, who on Tuesday was sentenced to five to seven years for drunken driving and motor vehicle homicide for a crash that killed a passenger in her vehicle. But there were significant differences between the cases, Stratman said. Standley was 19, had no prior DUI convictions and was not on probation. And, her teary apology was sincere. When she took full responsibility, she took full responsibility, Stratman said. She admitted to everything that she did. Brian Hart delivered an emotional statement while his brother, Mike, sat teary and red-faced beside him. Their brother, Justin, was described as a selfless man who showed love to his family through smiles and jokes. This loss has and will continue to have a profound impact on our family, Brian Hart said. Alexandria Williams 2-year-old son kept tossing and turning in bed on Sunday night. It kept the Papillion resident awake. Awake to hear what she thought was a rush of wind from another bad storm outside. Instead, it was fire engulfing the house she lived in with her parents, her toddler and her sister. Williams and her family got out of the house without being injured. On the way out of the house with her sister and son, they looked up and all we saw was orange. The fire spread from the familys house at 11910 S. 52nd St. in the Lakewood Villages neighborhood, southwest of Nebraska Highway 370 and 48th Street, to a neighboring house, consuming much of the roof, a wall and the inside of the second floor, according to drone images taken by a neighbor. A third house, on the other side, had minor damage to its siding. No one was injured in the blaze but several families were displaced. Williams said the family lost everything in the fire, including a cat. Another family cat was missing. Williams said the family doesnt know what caused the fire that destroyed their house and damaged the two other homes. Neither do fire investigators. The Papillion Fire Department said the cause will remain undetermined. Papillion Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Jones said Williams home was so badly incinerated that theres no evidence left to point to a specific cause. But investigators did determine that the fire, which began on the exterior of the house, was accidental, he said. That home, valued at just over $300,000 according to the Sarpy County website, was burned to the ground. After the fire, Williams family started a GoFundMe page to help cover costs. Williams said neighbors and others in the community have overwhelmed the family with clothes, gift cards and anything else they can think of to help out. That included bringing gift-wrapped toys for Williams son, whose birthday was on Saturday. Williams said she has shared some of the donations with the other family affected by the fire. I really want to thank the community, she said. LINCOLN The Public Service Commission has scheduled a fourth public meeting this time in Ralston to seek public opinion about the proposed route of the Keystone XL pipeline across Nebraska. The meeting is set for July 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Doors will open at 9 a.m., with public comment accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. People who testify will have three to five minutes to speak. The PSC has already conducted meetings in York, ONeill and Norfolk. The Ralston meeting will take the place of the public comment portion of a hearing set for Aug. 7 through 11 at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. People can also submit written testimony to the PSC, which will use the input to determine whether the route is in the public interest. We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. After Karnataka announced farm loan waiver, Centre approves Rs 795 crore drought relief India oi-Anusha Union Minister for Agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday said that the Centre had approved drought relief for Karnataka. Rs 795.54 crore aid from National Disaster Response Fund has been approved for Rabi crops for the year 2016-17. The aid, however, comes days after the state government waived off farm loans. Putting the BJP in a tight spot in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah waived farm loans up to Rs 50,000 from cooperative banks amounting to Rs 8,165 crore. Siddaramaiah also urged the Centre to waive loans from commercial and nationalised banks that are worth more than Rs 42,000 crore. The Karnataka government's loan waiver announcement came a day after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reiterated that the Centre neither approved nor had plans of waiving off farm loans. The announcement of Rs 795 crore drought relief from the Centre comes days after Karnataka government announced its loan waiver scheme and seems like an attempt by the BJP to show that it is doing its part for the welfare of the farmers despite not approving a loan waiver. The relief of Rs 795.54 is higher in comparison to lat year's Rabi crop aid while it is much lesser than what the state government had sought as relief. In April, earlier this year, the Centre had approved Rs 1,712.10 crore as drought relief to Karnataka. OneIndia News As agrarian crisis burnt Mandsaur, agriculture minister was busy with Yoga Why did the agri minister appointed by farmers quit Nearly Rs 700 crore approved for relief of Maharashtra floods: Narendra Singh Tomar Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh faces backlash for urinating in public India oi-Madhuri Mocking Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh was spotted urinating in open while his security guards stand nearby. Rashtriya Janata Dal on Thursday tweeted an undated picture with a caption,''BJP Union minister Radha Mohan Singh inaugurating an irrigation project in a most unusual fashion.'' In this viral photo, Cabinet Minister Radha Mohan Singh is seen urinating on a wall while his security guards stand nearby. This was not the first instance of a BJP leader making a mockery of Modi's cleanliness drive. BJP leaders in the past as well, have been accused by the opposition of using Swachha Bharat as a photo-oP. However, it was not clear when and where the picture was taken. OneIndia News AIADMK MLAs bribery row: Madras High Court dismisses petition seeking CBI probe India oi-Anusha The Madras High Court on Thursday refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into AIADMK MLAs bribery row. The court dismissed DMK acting President M K Stalin's petition demanding probe into the matter either by CBI or Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. The leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly M K Stalin had approached the court after the speaker refused to allow discussion on 'Cash for votes' sting operation telecast by channels. A sting operation purportedly showing AIADMK MLAs admitting that bribe was offered in gold and money to support Sasikala faction of the AIADMK at Koovathur resort had rocked the assembly. After considering the DRI's response in the matter, the court dismissed the petition filed by M K Stalin. Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy had made a submission to the court not to hand over the probe to CBI. OneIndia News Amitabh Bachchan to give political counselling to Rajinikanth? India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Chennai, June 29: What happens when two superstars of Indian cinema meet? They discuss movies? Not necessarily. Next time when Tamil superstar Rajinikanth will meet his friend and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, the former is likely to discuss "politics" with his Hum co-star. Yes, you have heard it right. As fans are eagerly waiting for Rajinikanth's political debut, the 66-year-old actor is considering all aspects of it before taking any decision. As per reports, Rajinikanth is planning to meet his friend and co-star Bachchan to discuss about his "political dreams". Rajinikanth is keen on seeking Bachchan's advice as the latter too had a brief stint in politics. Reports add that the two superstars will meet in the coming weeks to elaborately discuss whether Rajinikanth should join politics or not. Sources close to Rajinikanth say that although the superstar is ready to make his political debut now, his family wants him to stay away from politics because of his frail health. "Rajinikanth wishes to think over the issue, talk about it and explore the possibility. Even though there is a lot of pressure on him to get into active politics from many quarters, he is no hurry to bite the bait. He will be meeting old friends whose judgement he trusts, including Bachchan sahab and discuss it with them," a source close to Rajinikanth was quoted as saying by News18. Reports of Rajinikanth joining politics gained momentum, once again recently, after the veteran actor told his fans over a month ago that "if god decides that I join politics, then I will do so." This is not for the first time when rumours surrounding Rajinikanth's entry into politics are doing the rounds. Earlier also reports suggested his entry into politics, but the actor decided to stay away from it. Now, his close-friends indicated that this time Rajinikanth is definitely going to join politics. However, it is not clear if he will join an already established party or form his own political outfit. "He has some great plans. It does look like he is serious this time," said a person who has worked with him in one of his recent films. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 8:16 [IST] Byculla prison violence: Blunt injuries on Indrani Mukherjea's body, says medical report India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Medical examination report released on Thursday said that Indrani Mukherjea has blunt injuries on her hands and other parts of the body. Indrani Mukherjea, who is accused of murdering Sheena Bora, was taken to JJ hospital on Wednesday for medical examination in connection with the Byculla jail violence matter. Mukerjea had appeared before a Mumbai court on Wednesday. She had told the court that she witnessed Ms Sheyte's beating through a hole in the door of the room to where the prisoner was moved. Later, the court allowed her to approach the police to lodge her complaint that she was beaten up and threatened of sexual assault by Byculla jail officials for joining a protest in the prison over the death of a convict. Special CBI judge JC Jagdale said Indrani be first taken for a medical examination and later to the Nagpada police station in the city to file her complaint. OneIndia News Dump ISI, come join us, al-Qaeda tell Pakistan terror groups India oi-Vicky By Vicky The 'code of conduct,' was a document recently released by the al-Qaeda in the Sub-Continent (AQIS). In a bid to stay relevant the group formed in 2014 to focus on operations in the sub-continent is now trying to send out a message to its followers. It has said that it would work together with jihadi groups from India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, which are independent from the influence of intelligence agencies. It is relevant to note that the group does not mention working alongside groups from Pakistan. Our Strategy Concerning Jihadi Groups: We will work with jihadi groups (that are independent from intelligence agencies' influence) in India, Bangladesh, and Arakan (Burma)," the group says in one of the sections in the document. It calls on Pakistan based groups to join it and be free from the influence of the intelligence agencies. We call on all jihadi groups working under anti-Shariah intelligence agencies in any place to end their dependence on them. This is the only way to help the oppressed Muslim, and to make real progress towards implementation of Shariah, because history bears witness that the militaries of taghoot, in the end, destroy fruits of these mujaheedeens' jihad. The Kashmiri jihad is a clear example of this," the document also says. The Jama'ah also invites brother jihadi groups to conduct combined military operations in accordance with its Code of Conduct. In this regards, the Jama'ah would open-heartedly cooperate with every organisation for the sake of supremacy of Islam and for the strengthening of jihad, the AQIS notes. We are trying to unite all schools of thought of Ahl us Sunnah wa al-Jamaa'ah in the region under the banner of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for the implementation of Shariah and against anti-Shariah forces, to get them out of differing about secondary issues and unite on the collective and fundamental matters of religion - which will make this Ummah a well-fortified wall in the face of the enemies of Shariah, the document also reads. OneIndia News With Islamic radicalisation running so deep, why an NIA branch in every state matters How Zahran Hashim converted the radical Islamists of South into violent Jihadists ED notice to Hurriyat leader Geelani for illegal possession of $10000 India pti-Deepika By Deepika Jammu, June 29: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, asking him to explain the source of USD 10,000 "illegally" possessed by him in 2002. The Kashmiri separatist are in a soup after the National Investigation Agency had on May 20 began its probe against after a sting operation caught a Hurriyat leader Naeem Khan on camera as he 'confessed' of receiving money from Pakistan to foment separatism in Kashmir, reports ANI. The foreign currency was seized during Income Tax Department raids at his residence in Srinagar's Hyderpora area in 2002. Earlier this month, the investigating agency raided various locations of the separatist leaders like Naeem Khan, Bitta Karate and Javed Baba Gazi in Jammu and Kashmir and seized around Rs 1.5 crore in cash. Eight hawala dealers and traders in New Delhi and Haryana were also raided by the NIA. The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and use of these funds in fuelling the unrest in the Valley. OneIndia News (with PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 23:03 [IST] West Bengal Government provides financial relief to the Hills of North Bengal Gorkhaland stir: Army withdrawn from Darjeeling, political parties to meet today India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Darjeeling, June 29: As indefinite bandh over Gorkhaland agitation in Darjeeling entered the 16th day on Thursday, the Indian Army said that it has withdrawn its men from the hills. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Army's Eastern Command said: "Army has been derequisitioned from Darjeeling and adjacent areas on June 24. The troops are not deployed in aid of civil administration anymore." However, along with local police, paramilitary forces such as the CRPF continue to patrol Darjeeling and adjoining areas to avoid any untoward incident. Amid uncertainty in the hills, all the pro-Gorkhaland parties are set to meet to discuss further course of action on Thursday. The demand for a separate Gorkhaland state started in West Bengal on June 9. This time, the Gorkhaland stir has been guided by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. The situation in volatile Darjeeling turned worst recently when three GJM supporters were killed in a police firing. On Wednesday, school children took out a rally demanding for their homeland, which the Mamata Banerjee government has refused to grant. Meanwhile, the ban on internet services has been extended till June 30. In her order, Darjeeling district magistrate Joyshree Dasgupta said the "situation of emergency continues", whereby "unsubstantiated information is being circulated in some sections of the media" with the intent to inflaming emotions and "provoking the public in to violence". OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 9:08 [IST] 90 Percent of Indias Online Skill Gaming Industry Says 28 Percent GST over GGV Will Be Catastrophic GST collections up by 16.6% to Rs 1.52 lakh crore in October, says Centre 'GST is India's tryst with destiny' India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Mocking at opposition parties' decision to boycott midnight GST session in Parliament, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said, mega reform was brought to launch with unprecedented consensus building by the government among political parties. Jaitley said, ' I can't recall any discussion which has been more or greater than the one in the case of GST.' He reiterated that GST was not only a decision of the Central Government. Meanwhile, Union Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu speaking along those lines questioned boycotting of the GST session."Did GST come suddenly? Is it being rolled out without discussion? No. I can't understand the reason," asked Naidu. Naidu reiterated that GST is Indian Economy's Tryst with Destiny. It is the biggest reform after independence. Here are 100 FAQs on GST answered by Central Board of Excise and Customs Adding further Jaitely said, "Those who are party to this consultation and decision making process must also accept this is not a decision of the Central government. It's equally a decision which 31 state govts and UTs have been a party to and these are representing various political complexions." Jaitley urged opposition parties to display broad shoulder and own up the decision. Boycotts are not evidence of any kind of disassociation from these decisions, he added. OneIndia News India's youngest state, Telangana has seen 3,049 farmer suicides since its inception India oi-Anusha 3,049, that is the number of farmer suicides that Telangana has reported ever since its inception in 2014. On an average, 1,000 farmers killed themselves every year in India's youngest state and if that number doesn't worry you, this should. The government has announced exgratia to only to families of about 700 farmers out of the 3,049 who committed suicides. "The core reason for the suicide is agriculture being an unviable option. The farmer doesn't know anything else and his lone occupation is not profitable. His debts are mounting leading to multiple issues. At least 90 percent of the farmers suffer from financial pressures and very very few of them take the extreme step,' said Naveen Ramisetty, a volunteer with Rytu Swarajya Vedika. The statistics are shocking. The numbers have been collected districts based on news reports while many other suicides go unnoticed or reported. In 2014, between June, when Telangana attained statehood, and December 792 farmers committed suicide. 2015 was horrible for Telangana's farming community that lost 1147 farmers to suicide. 784 farmers killed themselves in 2016 and in 2017, within a mere six months, 307 farmers have committed suicide. In the last three years, out of the 3000 plus farmers who have committed suicide, 175 were women. "Officials never visit the families of deceased farmers. When they visit, they ask insensitive questions. When a woman farmer committed suicide recently, her husband was asked why she committed suicide over loans and not the husband," Naveen added. The Rytu Swarajya Vedika collects data of farmer suicides and visits families of deceased farmers to access the ground situation. In most cases, the government and officials try their best to deem personal problems as the trigger for suicides. "What they forget to consider is that financial crisis in the agriculture is the core issue of which every problem that a farmer faces stems from," he added. While India's youngest state governed by K Chandrasekhar Rao's TRS government is fast losing its farmers, the lack of acknowledgment and institutional support is only making matters worse. OneIndia News 2 non-local labourers shot at by terrorist in J&K's Anantnag 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 One Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir J-K: 2 jawans injured as Pak again violates ceasefire in Poonch, Army retaliates strongly India oi-Madhuri Pakistan again on Thursday violated ceasefire along Line of Control in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir targeting Indian positions in Sabjiyan sector injuring two soldiers. Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan Army violated ceasefire on by resorting to firing and shelling on areas along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively, a defence spokesman said. The Pakistani troops also resorted to shelling and firing along the LoC in Balakote belt of Poonch district, reports said, adding that the shells landed in several villages. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 8:15 [IST] Deprivation point to be brought back for PhD students in JNU JNU Admissions 2022: PG First merit list to be released today; how to check Scuffle between two groups of students in JNU; 2 injured JNU student missing case: CBI announces Rs. 10 lakh reward for info to locate Najeeb Ahmed India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday announced Rs. 10 lakh reward for information to locate JNU student Najeeb Ahmed who went missing in October last year. CBI team had visited Jawaharlal Nehru University to probe the mysterious disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed. The team was looking into allegations of a scuffle between Ahmed and ABVP students in JNU's Mahi-Mandvi hostel and the circumstances that may have led to it as well as other events that preceded his disappearance. The CBI early this month had registered an FIR. The Delhi High Court handed over the case to the CBI after Najeeb's mother, Fatima Nafees, approached it as the Delhi Police failed to trace him. According to Fatima, Najeeb, a student of M.Sc Biotechnology, had returned to the university after holidays on October 13, 2016. In the night of October 15-16, he had called his mother and told her that something wrong has happened to him, the woman had said in her FIR. (With agency inputs) Modi to meet 11-year-old survivor of 26/11 Mumbai attacks during Israel visit India oi-Madhuri Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Israel next week is expected to meet 'baby' Moshe, survivor of 2008 Mumbai 26/11 terrorist attack. Moshe was barely two when his parents Rivka and Gavriel Holtzberg were killed along with six others, by Pakistan based LeT terrorists in the Chabad House attack in Mumbai in 2008. The Nariman House also known as the Chabad House was one of 5 locations that were targeted by the terrorists. Moshe is 11 years old now. During the deadly 26/11 attacks he was saved by his Indian nanny, Sandra, who managed to escape the scene. Moshe and his nanny were brought to Israel later, and are living with Moshe's maternal grandparents, Shimon and Yehudit Rosenberg. Moshe was granted permanent resident status and honorary Israeli citizenship in 2010. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel from July 4-6, at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Countering terrorism will be one of the key focus areas during Modi's visit to Israel. This will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel. OneIndia News Modi's foreign visit: How PM saves time by not checking into a hotel India oi-Vicky By Vicky The recently concluded 3 nation tour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows that there is a new pattern in which he clubs nearby countries on a foreign tour. This is done to ensure that there is a maximum outreach. The PMO under the directions of the Prime Minister himself decided to save time on foreign visits. Sources in the PMO told OneIndia that he prefers to sleep on the plane instead of staying at a hotel if there are no engagements the next day. The practise began in 2016 when Modi slept on the plane for two nights during his visit to Saudi Arabia, US and Belgium. This he did to ensure that no time was wasted by pitching at a hotel. During his recent visit to Portugal, US and Netherlands, Modi spent 33 hours on the flight. Modi left India at 7 am on June 24 to Portugal. The same evening he left for Washington while deciding not to stay over at a hotel. The flight to US took 8 hours. Over the next two days he took part in several engagements which included a meeting with Donald Trump, President of the US. On the third day there were no engagements and he left for Amsterdam on Monday night, choosing to sleep on Air India One. He spent around 12 hours in Netherlands and then took the plane for Delhi at 7 pm IST. He reached Delhi by 6 am on Wednesday. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 6:34 [IST] Next Vice-President of India elections on August 5, counting same day India oi-Vicky By Vicky The elections to the next Vice- President of India will be held on August 5. The announcement was made by the Election Commission of India. The commission will ensure that the elections are free and fair. The electoral college will elect the next VP of India, the ECI also said. The elections would be conducted through a secret ballot. The ECI made it clear that no whip will be issued by the political parties. The ECI can initiate action if such violations are found, the commission also clarified. Electoral College: Here is how the next President of India will be elected The nomination papers should be filed between 11 am 5 pm. The papers can be filed either by the candidate or the proposers. A security deposit of Rs 15,000 would also have to be given, the ECI said. Schedule: Last date of nominations: July 18 Date for scrutiny: July 19 Withdrawal of candidature: July 21 Date of election August 5 Date of counting: August 5 OneIndia News UK PM Liz Truss resigns after 45 days in office, successor to be elected next week Killing humans in the name of 'Gau Bhakti' not acceptable: PM Modi at Sabarmati India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lashed out at increasing violence by cow vigilantes in the name of cow protection in the country. While speaking at the Sabarmati Ashram which is celebrating its centenary year, Modi said, 'No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done. Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve.' 'We are a land of non violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget that,' he said. In a stern message to vigilantes, Modi further said, 'No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country.' The Prime Minister's remarks come against the backdrop of growing incidents of cow vigilantism. A Muslim youth was last week killed on board a Mathura-bound train by people who taunted his family and repeatedly called them "anti-nationals" and "beef eaters". "Violence never has and never will solve any problem. As a society, there is no place for violence," Modi said. PM Narendra Modi spinning a charkha at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/QFJhNalmgK ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 Earlier, he released a commemorative coin and postal stamp on Shrimad Rajchandra, the spiritual guru of Mahatma Gandhi. Modi's next scheduled is to visit Rajkot, Gandhinagar and Modasa to attend events. Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/SfpEeE9Cle ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 PM Modi's two-day visit to Gujarat from Thursday is to launch some projects and attend various programmes, including a Textile Summit and a roadshow. This is PM Modi's fourth visit in this year to Gujarat where Assembly elections are due by the end of the year. (With agency inputs) Russian embassy takes up with MEA detention of its ship in Cochin Two Indians missing in Kenya since July; govt in touch with Kenyan authorities: MEA Relations with each country is independent of relationship with other countries: MEA India pti-PTI New Delhi, June 29: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi all set to visit Israel and not travelling to neighbouring Palestine, India on Thursday said its relations with each country was independent and separate, a clear signal of de-hyphenation of its ties with the two West Asian nations. Briefing reporters on Modi's three-day visit starting July 4, Joint Secretary in-charge of the West Asia region B Bala Bhaskar also said that India is keen to develop greater cooperation in homeland security between the two countries, which have good defence ties. Asked if the visit has received any negative message from Palestine, Bhaskar said, "Our relations with each country is independent of relationship with other countries. Each relationship is separate this visit is also different." He also referred to the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in May when the two sides exchanged views. After the meeting with Abbas, Modi had asserted that "India has been unwavering in supporting the Palestinian cause." The MEA official also said that two countries are engaged in diversifying and strengthening ties in key areas besides exploring new avenues of cooperation. While Modi is not travelling to Palestine, President Pranab Mukherjee in 2015 and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in 2016 visited both the countries. Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu will hold comprehensive talks on July 5 to explore ways to enhance cooperation in key strategic areas. The two sides are also expected to sign number of agreements in the field of innovation, development, science and technology and space. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 30, 2017, 0:42 [IST] 90 Percent of Indias Online Skill Gaming Industry Says 28 Percent GST over GGV Will Be Catastrophic GST collections up by 16.6% to Rs 1.52 lakh crore in October, says Centre Sarees, apparels to get costlier under GST India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Not a good news for frequent buyers of sarees and readymade apparels. As these products are likely to be costlier under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be rolled out on July 1. Purchase of garments and apparels up to Rs 1,000, come under 5 per cent GST tax slab, beyond which they will be taxed at 12 per cent. The same rates will be applied for other readymade apparel such as salwar kurtas, dresses, skirts, tops and jeans, reports Businessline. Other natural fibres (except silk and jute) will be taxed at 5 percent and synthetic and manmade fibres will attract a higher tax of 18 per cent while. This will also impact the cost of sarees. Therefore, textile merchants are on strike opposing 5 per cent GST. "Textile sector was never levied any kind of tax, be it service tax, VAT or Excise, so GST makes no sense. Also, the traders have been given no training about GST and penalty and punishment for non-compliance is harsh and frightening for them," says Gaurang Bhagat, president of Maskati Kapad Mahajan, a body of cloth traders in Ahmedabad. Here are 100 FAQs on GST answered by Central Board of Excise and Customs He said cloth merchants were not given enough time for GST compliance, and only a few traders have so far registered on GST network. In Mumbai, nearly 15,000 textile traders at Mulji Jetha market, Swadeshi Bazaar and Mangaldas market kept their shops shut for as part of the strike. (With agency inputs) Whatever happened is wrong, Law will take its course: Rakesh Tikait on Singhu lynching 'Shed hate, not blood': Not in My Name campaign sends out loud and clear message India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer It is not often that we see people in various cities of the country coming out in the open in such a big way to raise their voice against a particular issue. On Wednesday, India stood united to protest against the growing culture of mob lynchings reported in large numbers in the recent few months. From Delhi's Jantar Mantar to Bengaluru's Town Hall, protesters who took part in the campaign "Not in My Name", expressed their anguish and anger against killing of people in the name of cow vigilantism. The message of the campaign, staged in at least 10 cities of the country, was loud and clear-"Shed hate, not blood". In fact, in Delhi's Jantar Mantar, a person who identified himself as a teacher wore a paper t-shirt with the message-"Shed hate, not blood". Likewise, most of the people, who took part in the protest across India, stated that in a secular and democratic country nobody should be killed or attacked because of his/her religion or food habits. Here we bring you a glimpse of the protest, staged in various corners of the country, through some very telling pictures... A silent march Social activists took out a silent protest against the incidents of targeted lynching, in Hyderabad, on Wednesday. Protest against hatred A participant showed a placard during the protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday. Kolkatas call against mob lynching Eminent film director Aparna Sen addressed protesters during the campaign in Kolkata on Wednesday. Bengalurus peace brigade In India's IT hub Bengaluru, activists, scholars and youngsters registered their protest against hate crimes, mostly perpetrated against Muslims, in the name of cow protection. Mumbais message In Mumbai, celebrities like Shabana Azmi joined rest of the people to voice their anger and anguish over mob lynchings. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 7:49 [IST] Sikkim stand-off: China accuses India of disrespecting Bhutan's sovereignty India oi-PTI New Delhi, June 29: Amid a standoff in the Sikkim sector of the border, China warned India that future visits of its pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass will depend on whether it will "correct its errors". Beijing also termed the construction of a road in the Sikkim sector of the Sino-India border as "legitimate", asserting that it was being built on Chinese territory that neither belongs to India nor Bhutan and no other country had the right to interfere. "Donglang is part of China's territory. This is indisputable. The Donglang area belonged to China since ancient times and it doesn't belong to Bhutan," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media in Beijing. Taking a dig at India, Lu said Bhutan is a universally recognised sovereign country. "Hope countries can respect the sovereignty of the country. The China-Bhutan boundary is not delineated, no third party should interfere in this matter and make irresponsible remarks or actions," he said. "If any third party, out of hidden agenda, interferes it is disrespect of the sovereignty of Bhutan. We don't want to see this as Bhutan is a country entitled to sovereignty by the international community," Lu said. "India wants to raise an issue with this part. I should say it doesn't belong to Bhutan, nor it belongs to India. So we have complete legal basis for this. Chinese construction of the road project is legitimate and normal action on its territory. No other country has the right to interfere," he said while replying to a question. Lu defended China's decision to shut the Nathu La pass in Sikkim for Indian pilgrims, saying that China had agreed to open the route as the boundary there has been delineated with the consent of both the countries. For two years it worked well and in fact this year also the Chinese authorities had prepared for the reception of Indian pilgrims and informed the Indian side about it, Lu said. "Now the suspension of the same is an emergency response to the situation there. I want to stress that the resumption of pilgrims pass requires necessary atmosphere and conditions. So the liability of the same totally lies with the Indian side and when it will be reopened depends on when or whether the Indian side will correct its errors," he said. China also hinted that India was objecting to its efforts to build the road in Donglang area of the Sikkim sector on behalf of Bhutan which does not have any diplomatic ties with Beijing. China had on Tuesday lodged a protest with India over the alleged "crossing of boundary" by its troops in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal. It had also linked future visits of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar to India "withdrawing the troops" from the area. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 12:15 [IST] To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, June 29 (CNA) The Beijing regime should face up to and respond to Hong Kong people's cries for democratic institutions and values and commit to its promise to Hong Kong's people, so that this China's special administration region can develop and prosper, an Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) official said on Thursday. Who is Mustafa Dossa, one of the brains behind 1993 Mumbai serial blasts India oi-Vicky By Vicky Mustafa Dossa who was awaiting sentencing in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case died at the JJ Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday. He had complained of chest pain following which he was taken to hospital. Dossa, one of the prime convicts of the 1993 Mumbai blast, was recently convicted by the TADA Court under the charges of criminal conspiracy (Section 120B IPC) and various provisions of the TADA. On June 27, the CBI sought capital punishment for Dossa's role in the 1993 mumbai blast. Dossa was arrested in 2003 and found guilty for holding meetings in India and Dubai conspiring the 1993 blasts. The TADA court convicted him for landing of arms and ammunitions and explosives in Rajgad and financing the landing and for making travel arrangements for people who met with Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar. The court was told that Dossa was the brains behind the 1993 attacks and his degree of crime was the highest when compared to the other accused. "While deciding on the punishment in this case, the court needs to keep two numbers in mind... that 257 persons died in the blasts and nearly 713 citizens were brutally injured. These numbers are sufficient to display the brutality caused by the blasts. The prosecution in the Mumbai blast case accused Dossa along with Tiger Memon and Chhota Shakeel of organising training camps in Pakistan and in India. According to the prosecution, they also made travel arrangements for men from India to Pakistan for arms training. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 5:55 [IST] Woman asked to remove toe ring at exam hall, Minister Maneka Gandhi orders probe India oi-PTI New Delhi, Jun 29: A woman was asked to remove all her jewellery -- including a toe ring that symbolised her marital status -- while appearing for an examination for government jobs has written a letter to Union Minister Maneka Gandhi. Union minister Maneka Gandhi has asked the HRD ministry to look into the complaint. In a letter to Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, Delhi resident Rita Verma said she was made to remove her toe ring, worn by married women, bangles and even her 'bindi' before she could appear for the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board examination here on June 25. "Officers there asked me to break my bangles if required if I wanted to enter the school premises," she wrote. She was forced to keep all her 'suhaag' (marital) items outside the school where the examination was being held, she wrote in her June 27 letter, a copy of which is with PTI. Gandhi, outraged at what she said was a "bizarre case", has now shot off a letter to Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar, asking him to draw up "standard operating procedures" to deal with such cases. "Before the school board exams were conducted this year, apparently very strict instructions were issued regarding prevention of cheating during the exams. A large number of students were put to harassment which included body search and stripping in certain incidents," Gandhi said in her letter, also dated June 27. Though she agreed that some students used high-tech gadgets to cheat, "the anti-cheating protocols deployed should not result in harassment", Gandhi contended. In May this year, a woman who had appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to medical courses was asked to remove her bra by the frisking staff at an examination centre in Kovappuram in Kerala before being allowed to sit for the test. In another case in March, officials allegedly strip- searched women students appearing for a matriculation examination at a school in Patna. Maneka went on to recount Verma's woes in her letter to the HRD minister, saying that the candidate found her jewellery missing after the exam. When her officials contacted the school authorities, they said metallic objects were not allowed inside the examination hall, which was why the candidate was asked to remove her jewellery. "It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that they do not put the students/candidates to any harassment on account of their own interpretation of the instructions issued to prevent cheating," she said in her letter. "Therefore I request you to have suitable instructions issued to the schools which are used as centres for examinations to have standard operating procedures to prevent such cases," she added. For Verma, the harassment continued after she returned home, with her in-laws blaming her for the episode. "They (the in-laws) put the blame on me and my parent also had to listen to their harsh words. My in-laws said that I should have chosen not to remove the items and not entered the examination centre because all the (jewellery) was part of our Hindu culture...Please tell me what I should do, and what I did wrong," Verma asked Gandhi. PTI India's armed forces now do not hesitate to cross border to protect country, says Rakshya Mantri One year of Balakot airstrike: 'It marks paradigm shift in our operations', says Ex-IAF chief Dhanoa Air strike reportedly kills 30 in East Syria International oi-IANS By Ians English Beirut, June 29: At least 30 people were killed in air strikes in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province and many were injured. At least 50 people had died and "many" had been injured in the air raids on the outskirts of the provincial capital Deir Ezzor on Wednesday. The identity of the war planes that carried out the bombardments was not known, the reports said. Both a U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, and the Syrian military backed by Russia, have targeted the jihadist group in cities and towns along the Euphrates valley. On Monday a coalition airstrike in al-Mayadeen hit a building used by Islamic State as a prison, killing 57 people, the Observatory said on Tuesday. Those killed included 42 prisoners and 15 IS militants, the British war monitor said, adding that "in all probability" the air raids were carried out by the US-led international coalition against IS. The coalition did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether its jets carried out Wednesday's strike in al-Dablan. On Tuesday it said it had hit targets in al-Mayadeen the previous day in a mission "meticulously planned" to avoid harming civilians. The coalition has been accused repeatedly this year of causing civilian casualties as it targets IS's rapidly shrinking territory in both Syria and Iraq, but US military officials say higher civilian casualties were always expected as the IS militants are increasingly squeezed into shrinking territory. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 10:22 [IST] Donald Trump appoints Indian American to be ambassador to Peru International ians-IANS By Ians English Washington, June 29: US President Donald Trump has nominated Krishna R. Urs to be the ambassador to Peru, the White House announced on Wednesday. The appointment of Urs, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, would have to be approved by the Senate. He is currently Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid. Urs took over after James Costos, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, resigned. Urs, a 30-year veteran of the foreign service was earlier the Deputy Chief of Mission in Spain. Urs, who knows Spanish, Hindi and Telugu, has specialised in economic issues and has developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America, the White House said. In January, Trump ordered the wholesale resignations of ambassadors appointed by Obama leaving huge holes in the diplomatic network that he is only now beginning to fill. Last week he nominated Kenneth Juster, the President's Deputy Assistant for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, to be the Ambassador in New Delhi. At the highest levels of the State Department, Trump has appointed Indian-American Nikki Haley as the US Permanent Representative to the UN, a position the has cabinet rank. IANS Imran Khan discharged from hospital, to resume long march from same point where he was shot This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how Pakistan summons Indias deputy high commissioner over border firing International ians-IANS By Ians English Islamabad, June 29: Pakistan on Thursday summoned acting Indian Deputy High Commissioner S. Raghuram and lodged a formal protest over the death of a civilian in firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir a day earlier. Abdul Wahab, 22, was killed on Wednesday in firing by Indian forces while he was on his way to Dothilla village, which lies along the restive LoC, a Foreign Office spokesman was quoted by the Dawn as saying. Three others were injured in the incident in Nakyal sector, it said. The Indian diplomat was summoned by the Director General of the South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Faisal, who "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations", a statement from the ministry said. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws," it added. The Director General asked India to investigate Wednesday's incidents of cross-border firing along with "ceasefire violations committed by Indian troops in the past". Indian forces were also urged to respect the ceasefire agreement of 2003. The LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 18:02 [IST] Bihar: When asked to take off hijab to check for bluetooth device, Muslim student leaves exam centre To wear or not to wear hijab is the dilemma confronting Muslim women the world over Parents, pupils protest over UK schools uniformed hijabs for Muslim girls International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer London, June 29: A secondary school in north-west England has become the first in the UK to offer hijabs or headscarves worn by Muslims as part of the uniform for pupils. Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley, Lancashire, reacted to concerns that some hijabs were being worn incorrectly by introducing a uniform version. However, the move has come under fire from some Muslim parents and pupils, who feel the uniform hijabs are uncomfortable and not modest enough. They have launched an online petition, signed by 150 people, protesting against the lack of consultation over the new uniformed hijab. "Unfortunately, there was very little consultation by parents or the girls attending the school. Consequently, a scarf designed by the school has been created. It is very tight and in some cases too short as some of the girls have long hair and so it defeats the object to wear it," the petition reads. It also questions the "real agenda" behind the move and if it is to "put girls off" wearing a headscarf. Headmaster David Burton has written to parents to defend the policy and dismiss suggestions that the school is against headscarves as untrue. "We are sorry that there have been suggestions that the school is against headscarves. This is not true. We respect fully the wishes of girls to wear a headscarf and we always have done," he said. "Students, staff and parents had expressed some concerns that some students were not wearing headscarves correctly although the rules had not changed on headscarves," Burton said. "We looked towards changing the uniform policy to include a uniform headscarf as we were aware that a change is needed to be considered. We started a consultation process in September and we are still collecting the views of parents. Once we have collected these views we will be discussing them with governors," he added. Before the new policy, schoolgirls wanting to wear a headscarf were permitted to choose their own style as long as it was black. The same rule applies at other secondary schools in the Lancashire area, which has a significant Muslim population. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 10:15 [IST] Are you a vicim of cyber fraud? Here is the new national helpline number Amit Shah says cyber attack has deep national security impact, orders new panel to tackle it Petya, WannaCry virus attacks confirm need for efforts against cyber crime: Russia International oi-IANS By Ians English Moscow, June 29: The concerted efforts of the international community to fight cybercrime is essential in the wake of the latest major global cyber attack encrypted with Petya or WannaCry viruses, which has disrupted computers around the world, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Such massive cyber attacks once again confirm the correctness of the Russian position, which has been stated at various levels, that the existence of such a danger requires cooperation at the international level," Peskov was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency on Wednesday. He added that the Kremlin had no information about the origin of the current cyberattack for the moment. This round of cyber attack, with a link to virus-encryptor Petya, has caused little harm to Russia, the spokesman said. "As far as we know, there have not been any serious disruptions, the protection systems are working efficiently both at the state level and at the corporate level. The presidential Internet resource is working steadily," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Peskov as saying. The cyberattack exploited a security gap in Microsoft Windows and blocked up computers, demanding a ransom payment of $300 in bitcoins for unblocking them. Businesses across the globe were hit by a massive cyber attack on Tuesday, including Russia's oil giant Rosneft and the Ukrainian government computer network. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 10:17 [IST] Possible sale of Boeing C-17 aircraft to India approved: Pentagon International oi-PTI Washington, June 29: The Trump administration's decision to sell one C-17 transport aircraft to India will improve its capability to meet current and future strategic airlift requirements, the Pentagon has said. The US Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the State Department has approved the sale to India of the final C-17 for USD336.2 million. The proposed deal, which still needs to be approved by Congress, covers equipment as well as support in addition to the aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) already fields 10 C-17s that are flown by 81 Squadron out of Hindon Air Force Station, near Delhi. "The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future strategic airlift requirements," Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a notification to the Congress. "India lies in a region prone to natural disasters and will use the additional capability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," the agency said. In addition, through this purchase India will be able to provide more rapid strategic combat airlift capabilities for its armed forces. India currently operates C-17 aircraft and will have no difficulty absorbing this aircraft into its armed forces, the agency said adding that the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The Congressional notification said that a determination has been made that India can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the US. "This proposed sale is necessary to the furtherance of the US, foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification," the Pentagon said. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 12:46 [IST] Xi Jinping tells Chinese army to prepare for war, fight and win it Sikkim stand- off: Indian army should learn from 'historical lessons', says China International oi-IANS By Ians English Beijing, June 29 : China on Thursday warned India it will escalate the current border row if it did not withdraw troops from Chinese territory and said this was a precondition for a meaningful dialogue to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn 'historical lessons', in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. Beijing said it had pictures of Indian troops trespassing the Chinese border. Talking to the media, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang displayed the photos from the lectern for a few seconds. The pictures were not clear from a distance. Lu said these will be put up on the Foreign Ministry website after the press briefing. "We again urge the Indian side to abide by historical boundary convention, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid further escalation. "This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue." By Chinese territory, Lu meant Donglong or Doklam, a disputed territory between China and Bhutan where troops from the People's Liberation Army and the India Army had scuffled. Following the face-off, China has suspended the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet where Indians travel via Nathu La Pass, which is shut now. Lu said the fact of Indian troops crossing into Chinese territory was undeniable. "It is violating our historical boundary conventions as well as promised Indian government. I can show you the pictures and photos concerning borders trespassed by Indian troops." China also brushed aside Bhutan's protest against Beijing building a road towards a Bhutanese Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam or Donglong, calling the construction just and lawful in Chinese territory". Bhutan has issued a demarche to the Chinese Embassy over the incident in New Delhi since both countries have no diplomatic ties. "Donglong has been Chinese territory since ancient time. This is an indisputable territory and we have adequate legal basis concerning this," Lu said. "And this is just a sovereign action by China to conduct the road construction in its territory. This is totally justifiable and lawful." Barring India and Bhutan, China has settled its land border dispute with its remaining 12 neighbours. IANS In Iran, men and women are 'equal' only in torture USs possible military attack against Syria will only help terrorists: Iran International oi-IANS By Ians English Tehran, June 29: Iranian Foreign Ministry warned against any possible US military attack on Syria, the media reported. Any military action against Syria under the allegations of "potential" chemical weapon use by the Syrian government would only help the terrorists, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying on Wednesday. Qasemi dismissed as baseless Washington's recent claims that the Syrian government is preparing for a chemical weapon use in the country, Xinhua news agency reported. He made the remarks in response to a recent White House statement that the US has "identified potential preparations" by the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad for another chemical attack. In April, the US launched a missile attack on a Syrian military base under the pretext of suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held Idlib province. The Syrian government has been fighting terrorist groups for more than six years, and raising such baseless claims would do nothing but to strengthen the terrorist groups, Qasemi said, adding that any US move in this regard is "suspicious". He urged the international community to prevent the US from taking any military action that would boost insecurity and instability in the region. In the meantime, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani rejected the US claims and said that Washington is playing with fire in the Arab country, according to Press TV. The fabricated allegations are to undermine the Syrian army's gains against terrorists, he said. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, June 29, 2017, 10:09 [IST] Egypt opens the former residence of the British archeologist who discovered Tutankhamuns tomb to the public. euronews (in English) 10 Nov 2022 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Terra Daily 20 Apr 2021 Paris (AFP) April 15, 2021 Eight Egyptian architects have won an international competition for the reconstruction of the.. Global Biometric ATM Market 2017 : Siemens AG, Hitachi Ltd., Glory ltd & Panasonic Corporation Biometric ATM http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/global-biometric-atm-sales-market-report-2017-140111 https://goo.gl/43tQwK The Market Research Store report offers majority of the latest and newest industry data that covers the overall market situation along with future prospects for Biometric ATM market around the globe. 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This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeAccentureCapgeminiCognizantIBMInfosysTCSAbsolute SoftwareCherwell SoftwareEMC InfraEpicor SoftwareFrontRange SolutionsFujitsuHornbillManageEngineMicrosoftOracleSAPSerena SoftwareSofigateSunrise SoftwareSunView Software, SymantecSysAid TechnologiesVmwareFill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Cloud-based BPO can be split intoHRCustomer supportFinance and accountingMarket segment by Application, Cloud-based BPO can be split intoApplication 1Application 2Application 3Table of ContentsUnited States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Cloud-based BPO Market Size, Status and Forecast 20211 Industry Overview of Cloud-based BPO1.1 Cloud-based BPO Market Overview1.1.1 Cloud-based BPO Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Cloud-based BPO 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 Cloud-based BPO Market by Type1.3.1 HR1.3.2 Customer support1.3.3 Finance and accounting1.4 Cloud-based BPO Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Application 11.4.2 Application 21.4.3 Application 32 Global Cloud-based BPO Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Cloud-based BPO Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future4 Global Cloud-based BPO Market Size by Type and Application (2011-2016)4.1 Global Cloud-based BPO Market Size by Type (2011-2016)4.2 Global Cloud-based BPO Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.3 Potential Application of Cloud-based BPO in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Cloud-based BPORead Comprehensive Overview of Report @5 United States Cloud-based BPO Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Cloud-based BPO Market Size (2011-2016)5.2 United States Cloud-based BPO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Cloud-based BPO Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Cloud-based BPO Market Size (2011-2016)6.2 EU Cloud-based BPO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)7 Japan Cloud-based BPO Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Cloud-based BPO Market Size (2011-2016)7.2 Japan Cloud-based BPO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)8 China Cloud-based BPO Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Cloud-based BPO Market Size (2011-2016)8.2 China Cloud-based BPO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)9 India Cloud-based BPO Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Cloud-based BPO Market Size (2011-2016)9.2 India Cloud-based BPO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)10 Southeast Asia Cloud-based BPO Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Cloud-based BPO Market Size (2011-2016)10.2 Southeast Asia Cloud-based BPO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2016-2021)11.1 Global Cloud-based BPO Market Size (Value) by Regions (2016-2021)11.2 Global Cloud-based BPO Market Size (Value) by Type (2016-2021)11.3 Global Cloud-based BPO Market Size by Application (2016-2021)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Global Animal Nutrients Industry Market Research Report 2017 http://qyresearchglobal.com/ http://qyresearchglobal.com http://qyresearcheurope.com SummaryThe Global Animal Nutrients Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Animal Nutrients industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Animal Nutrients market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Animal Nutrients industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Ask a sample or any question, please email to:hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comThe players list(Partly, Players you are interested can also be added):AdisseoBASFADMCargillDSMEvonik IndustriesNutrecoAlltechNovusDuPontKey Topics Covered:Chapter One Industry Overview of Animal NutrientsChapter Two Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Three Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Four Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Animal Nutrients by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Five Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Animal Nutrients by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Six Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Animal Nutrients by Regions, Types and ApplicationsChapter Seven Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Eight Major Manufacturers Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Nine Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Ten Industry Chain Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Eleven Development Trend of Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Twelve New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Animal NutrientsChapter Thirteen Conclusion of the Global Animal Nutrients Industry 2017 Market Research ReportRelated Reports:US Animal Nutrients Industry Market Research Report 2017Europe Animal Nutrients Industry Market Research Report 2017India Animal Nutrients Industry Market Research Report 2017China Animal Nutrients Industry Market Research Report 2017Korea Animal Nutrients Industry Market Research Report 2017Japan Animal Nutrients Industry Market Research Report 2017If you need a report or have any question, please feel free to contact meHebe | Sr. Manager Global SalesProfessional Market Research Report PublisherQYResearch Co.LtdQYResearch focus on Market Survey and ResearchPhone: +86 20 2209 3278Email: hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comWeb:About QYResearchQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and seminar services. the company owned a large basic database (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business. Through the companys years of effort and a lot of customer support, QYResearch consulting group creative design method of many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch brand has become the consulting industry with quality assurance consulting brand. The company has 2500 global well-known customers, covering energy automobile pharmaceutical chemical agriculture more than 30 industries, services from the data analysis and recommendations-Consulting landing one-stop solution, and research regions cover China,US,EU,Asia,Middle East and Africa,South America,Australia,etc Global all regions,and also built research or marketing center in China USA UK France Hongkong etc regions. currently, QYResearch has become the first choice and worth trusted consulting brand in Global and China business consulting services.Media ContactCompany Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITEDContact Person: HebeEmail: hebe@qyresearchglobal.comPhone: +86-20 2209 3278Address: Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe DistrictCity: GuangzhouCountry: ChinaWebsite:(US) |(EU) Global Automotive Dashboard Industry Market Research Report 2017 http://qyresearchglobal.com/ http://qyresearchglobal.com http://qyresearcheurope.com SummaryThe Global Automotive Dashboard Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Automotive Dashboard industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Automotive Dashboard market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Automotive Dashboard industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Ask a sample or any question, please email to:hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comThe players list(Partly, Players you are interested can also be added):ABBVisteonFaureciaJohnson ControlsIACToyoda GoseiHuayu Automotive SystemsDongfeng ElectronicHainan Drinda Automotive TrimKey Topics Covered:Chapter One Industry Overview of Automotive DashboardChapter Two Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Three Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Four Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Automotive Dashboard by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Five Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Automotive Dashboard by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Six Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Automotive Dashboard by Regions, Types and ApplicationsChapter Seven Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Eight Major Manufacturers Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Nine Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Ten Industry Chain Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Eleven Development Trend of Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Twelve New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Automotive DashboardChapter Thirteen Conclusion of the Global Automotive Dashboard Industry 2017 Market Research ReportRelated Reports:US Automotive Dashboard Industry Market Research Report 2017Europe Automotive Dashboard Industry Market Research Report 2017India Automotive Dashboard Industry Market Research Report 2017China Automotive Dashboard Industry Market Research Report 2017Korea Automotive Dashboard Industry Market Research Report 2017Japan Automotive Dashboard Industry Market Research Report 2017If you need a report or have any question, please feel free to contact meHebe | Sr. Manager Global SalesProfessional Market Research Report PublisherQYResearch Co.LtdQYResearch focus on Market Survey and ResearchPhone: +86 20 2209 3278Email: hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comWeb:About QYResearchQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and seminar services. the company owned a large basic database (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business. Through the companys years of effort and a lot of customer support, QYResearch consulting group creative design method of many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch brand has become the consulting industry with quality assurance consulting brand. The company has 2500 global well-known customers, covering energy automobile pharmaceutical chemical agriculture more than 30 industries, services from the data analysis and recommendations-Consulting landing one-stop solution, and research regions cover China,US,EU,Asia,Middle East and Africa,South America,Australia,etc Global all regions,and also built research or marketing center in China USA UK France Hongkong etc regions. currently, QYResearch has become the first choice and worth trusted consulting brand in Global and China business consulting services.Media ContactCompany Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITEDContact Person: HebeEmail: hebe@qyresearchglobal.comPhone: +86-20 2209 3278Address: Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe DistrictCity: GuangzhouCountry: ChinaWebsite:(US) |(EU) Global RTV Silicone Market 2017 - Dow Corning, Momentive, Sika Corporation, Wacker Chemie, Henkel RTV Silicone Market https://goo.gl/NZw4Jy https://goo.gl/pW5Xxk Global RTV Silicone market Report offers decisive insights into the overall RTV Silicone industry along with the market dimensions and evaluation for the duration 2017 to 2022. The forenamed research study covers extensive analysis of various RTV Silicone industry segments based on the type of applications, type of product Components and services, and different geographical regions.RTV Silicone (room temperature vulcanization silicone) is a type of silicone rubber made from a two-component system (base plus curative; A+B) available in a hardness range of very soft to medium - usually from 15 Shore A to 40 Shore. RTV silicones can be cured with a catalyst consisting of either platinum or a tin compound such as dibutyltin dilaurate. Applications include low-temperature overmolding, making molds for reproducing, and lens applications for some optically clear grades.Browse full report with TOC @This report provides detailed analysis of worldwide markets for RTV Silicone from 2011-2016, and provides extensive market forecasts (2016-2021) by region/country and subsectors. It covers the key technological and market trends in the RTV Silicone market and further lays out an analysis of the factors influencing the supply/demand for RTV Silicone, and the opportunities/challenges faced by industry participants. It also acts as an essential tool to companies active across the value chain and to the new entrants by enabling them to capitalize the opportunities and develop business strategies.Global RTV Silicone Market Outlook 2016-2021, has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global RTV Silicone market collected from specialized sources. The report covers key technological developments in the recent times and profiles leading players in the market and analyzes their key strategies. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players.Global key players of the RTV Silicone Market : key playersDow Corning (USA)Momentive (USA)Sika Corporation (USA)Wacker Chemie (Germany)Henkel (Germany)Shinetsu (Japan)Wynca Group (China)Guangzhou Antas (China)Guangdong Xinzhan (China)Guangdong Olivia (China)China National Bluestar (China)Hangzhou Zhijiang Silicone (China)Baiyun Chemical (China)Jianhua Silicone (China)Chengdu Guibao (China)Jianhua Silicone (China)Shandong Yongan (China)Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Applied Technology Research and Development (China)Request For Report Sample Here:The report studies the industry for (RTV Silicone Market) mainly covers 15 Topics acutely display the global RTV Silicone Market.Topic, this report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy and news;Topic 2, the analysis on industry chain is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players. And the analysis on manufacturing including process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted;Topic 3, 4 global and regional market is analyzed. In these chapters, this report analyzed major market data like capacity, production, capacity utilization rate, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, supply, import, export, consumption, market share, growth rate and etc. For regional market, this report analyzed major regions like Global, North America, South America, Asia (Excluding China), China and ROW. These analysis are conducted;Topic 5, 6 and 7, the performance of major manufacturers are analyzed and then in Chapter 6 and 7 the analysis on major classification and application.Topic 8, Then the marketing channel analysis is provided including the major distributorsTopic 9 and 10, this report analyzed the market forecast from 2017 to 2022 for global and regional market in Chapter 9 and the new project investment feasibility analysis;Topic 11, At last, this report provided the conclusions of this researchThis report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.About Market Research Store:Market Research Store is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United States Global Base Station Antennas Market 2017 - Tongyu Communication, CommScope, Amphenol, KATHREIN-Werke Base Station Antennas Market https://goo.gl/N6R4wX https://goo.gl/5ECvE2 Global Base Station Antennas market Report offers decisive insights into the overall Base Station Antennas industry along with the market dimensions and evaluation for the duration 2017 to 2022. The forenamed research study covers extensive analysis of various Base Station Antennas industry segments based on the type of applications, type of product Components and services, and different geographical regions.The term base station is used in the context of mobile telephony, wireless computer networking and other wireless communications and in land surveying: in surveying it is a GPS receiver at a known position, while in wireless communications it is a transceiver connecting a number of other devices to one another and/or to a wider area. In mobile telephony it provides the connection between mobile phones and the wider telephone network. In a computer network it is a transceiver acting as a router for computers in the network, possibly connecting them to a local area network and/or the internet.Browse full report with TOC @The performance of a base station antenna, or a BSA, is a key factor in the overall performance and quality of the cellular communication link between a handset and the radio, and by extension, the performance of a cell, or of an entire cellular network. The BSAs influence on coverage, capacity, and QoS is extensive, and yet there exists no comprehensive, global, standards focusing on the base station antenna.This report provides detailed analysis of worldwide markets for Base Station Antennas from 2011-2016, and provides extensive market forecasts (2016-2021) by region/country and subsectors. It covers the key technological and market trends in the Base Station Antennas market and further lays out an analysis of the factors influencing the supply/demand for Base Station Antennas, and the opportunities/challenges faced by industry participants. It also acts as an essential tool to companies active across the value chain and to the new entrants by enabling them to capitalize the opportunities and develop business strategies.Global Base Station Antennas Market Outlook 2016-2021, has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global Base Station Antennas market collected from specialized sources. The report covers key technological developments in the recent times and profiles leading players in the market and analyzes their key strategies. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players.Global key players of the Base Station Antennas Market : key playersTongyu Communication (China)CommScope (USA)Amphenol (USA)KATHREIN-Werke (Germany)RFS (Germany)Procom (Denmark)Ace Technologies Corporation (Korea)Guangdong Shenglu (China)Guangdong Kenbotong (China)MOBI (China)Comba Telecom (China)Huawei (China)Fiber Home (China)Request For Report Sample Here:The report studies the industry for (Base Station Antennas Market) mainly covers 15 Topics acutely display the global Base Station Antennas Market.Topic, this report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy and news;Topic 2, the analysis on industry chain is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players. And the analysis on manufacturing including process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted;Topic 3, 4 global and regional market is analyzed. In these chapters, this report analyzed major market data like capacity, production, capacity utilization rate, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, supply, import, export, consumption, market share, growth rate and etc. For regional market, this report analyzed major regions like Global, North America, South America, Asia (Excluding China), China and ROW. These analysis are conducted;Topic 5, 6 and 7, the performance of major manufacturers are analyzed and then in Chapter 6 and 7 the analysis on major classification and application.Topic 8, Then the marketing channel analysis is provided including the major distributorsTopic 9 and 10, this report analyzed the market forecast from 2017 to 2022 for global and regional market in Chapter 9 and the new project investment feasibility analysis;Topic 11, At last, this report provided the conclusions of this researchThis report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.About Market Research Store:Market Research Store is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United States Global Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA Sales Market 2017 - Gore, Dupont, AGC, JM, 3M https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/63157/request-sample https://goo.gl/TXt958 www.fiormarkets.com www.universalmarketresearch.com To begin with, the report defines the Global Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA Sales Market and segments it based on the most important dynamics, such as applications, geographical/regional markets, and competitive scenario. Furthermore Global Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA Sales market report provides detail analysis, forecast, Size, share, outlook, current trends, market demand, market growth. Macroeconomics and microeconomic factors environments that currently prevail and also those that are projected to emerge are covered in this report.To Acquire Report Sample With Complete TOC @Scope of the report:In this report, the global Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingGoreDupontAGCJM3MGet Full Report With TOC @On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (K Units), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/Unit), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into3-Layer MEA5-Layer MEAOn 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 Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode AssembliesMEA for each application, includingPEMAFCPAFCMCFCSOFCIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.ABOUT USFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice - 102, Sanskriti Aspirations,Near Post 91, Baner Road,Pune, MH, India - 411045Phone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog: Global Diabetic Nephropathy Market to Expand at a Healthy CAGR of 5.6 % during the Forecast Period of 2014 - 2020 MRRSE http://www.mrrse.com/sample/119 http://www.mrrse.com/diabetic-nephropathy-market http://www.mrrse.com/ Growing prevalence of diabetes and obesity, increasing R&D investments in drug discovery and development, and rising awareness about diabetes and kidney-related disorders are some of the major drivers of the diabetic nephropathy market. A new research report with a title Global Market Study on Diabetic Nephropathy: Asia to Witness Highest Growth by 2020 has been added to the vast online database of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE). The report analyzes the present market situation as well as the future potential of the global diabetic nephropathy market.Request for sample report:The global diabetic nephropathy market is projected to rise at a CAGR of 5.6% during the period of 2014 to 2020. At this rate, the market is expected to reach a valuation of USD 3,145.9 million in 2020 from USD 2,262.2 million in 2014.Diabetes is an illness characterized by high blood sugar level in the blood which is caused by faulty functioning of the pancreas, the organ secretes insulin in the body which control the sugar level. Diabetic nephropathy is a disease of the kidney glomerulus and considered to be one of the most major complications based on mortality and morbidity for patients with diabetes. The disease is primarily characterized by macro-albuminuria, in which a single day presence of albumin in the urine can increase to over 300 milligrams. Besides this, diabetic nephropathy is also caused by imbalanced glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria and hypertension.This report offers an in-depth analysis and projection of the diabetic nephropathy market for the years from 2014 to 2020, taking 2013 as the base year. Data regarding the current market dynamics, including market drivers, restraints, risks, trends, and recent developments is provided within the report. The diabetic nephropathy market is classified on the basis of mode of treatment and geography. Based on a mode of treatment for diabetic nephropathy, the market segments includes DMT. DMT is further categorized into diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, renin inhibitors, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) inhibitors, antioxidant inflammation modulators (AIMs), endothelin-A receptor (ETAR) antagonist, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) inhibitors, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and others. On the basis of geography, the report identifies and studies the market size and forecasts for Asia, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW).North America has the biggest market for diabetic nephropathy, followed by Europe. Some of the fastest expanding markets for diabetic nephropathy include China and Japan. This is due to rise in the diabetic population and increase in incidence rates of several kidney diseases in different regions. Some of the major players in the diabetic nephropathy market include Novartis AG, Merck & Co., Inc., Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Sanofi, Eli Lilly Company, Bayer AG, AbbVie, Inc., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and Other. These key market players have been profiled on the basis of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, major recent developments, growth strategies, sustainability, and financial overview.Browse Full Global Diabetic Nephropathy Market Report with TOC :About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: BRICS Oral Care Market to reach at US$ 50.8 Bn by 2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-br-27 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-br-27 www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights (FMI) in its latest offering, BRICS Oral Care - Market Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20142020, provides in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations on the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) oral care market. Personal care includes categories such as skin care, hair care, cosmetics, oral care and toiletries. The global oral care market represents 15% of the personal care market in 2014, and is expected to account for almost 20% of the overall market by 2020. Organised retailing, rising per capita income, increasing consumer spending on personal care products and consumer preferences for value-added products are some of the factors contributing to growth of the BRICS personal care market. The BRICS region represents a major segment of the global market.FMI forecasts that the overall oral care market in BRICS will grow at a moderate single-digit CAGR between 2014 and 2020.Product-wise, the BRICS oral care market is broadly segmented into primary oral care and secondary oral care products. The primary oral care products segment comprises toothpaste and toothbrush. The secondary oral care products segment includes dental floss, mouthwash, denture care and others. The others segment includes whitening strips, dental chewing gums and mouth fresheners.Request For Sample@Increasing consumer awareness with regard to better oral hygiene is the primary driver of the overall BRICS oral care market. Furthermore, dentist recommendations for adoption of various-related products is projected to lead to a shift in consumer preference from basic oral care products to secondary oral care products in the coming years, said Vipassa.KGrowing awareness about better oral hygiene opens up ample opportunities for international players operating in the BRICS oral care market to introduce enhanced and innovative products, further increasing competition among the players in this region. This has led key players to adopt various approaches to increase product visibility in modern retail formats, coupled with branding and advertisement to sustain in the competitive oral care market in BRICS. As a result, demand for secondary oral care products in BRICS is expected to increase considerably between 2018 and 2020.Send An Enquiry@Product-wise, toothpaste, in the primary oral care product segment currently dominates the BRICS oral care market and is expected to grow substantially between 2014 and 2020. This growth can be attributed to the fact that the BRICS region consists of emerging nations and awareness of basic oral hygiene is currently growing rapidly, supported by product launches in the region. Hence, consumers are demonstrating greater demand for primary oral care products such as toothpaste and toothbrush, as compared to that for secondary oral care hygiene products in these nations.Furthermore, dentist recommendations will add to the rising consumer awareness about secondary oral hygiene products towards the end of the forecast period. This will result in growing preference for mouthwash, thereby driving the demand for this product category among the expanding middle-class population in the BRICS. Thus, secondary products in the BRICS oral care market such as mouthwash and dental floss will demonstrate an above-average annual growth percentage.Some other factors such as adoption of digital marketing and introduction of product variants at affordable prices are also expected to contribute to growth of the BRICS oral care market. Research results reveal that in 2013, the top key distribution channels, which are general merchandise retailers and direct selling, accounted for around 50% share of the BRICS oral care market.Players in the BRICS oral care market are widening their distribution channels and strengthening partnerships across the value chain to enhance profitability and increase adoption of oral care products in the region.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:616 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: Internet of Things (IoT) Security Products Market Is Expected To Expand At A CAGR Of 16.5% by 2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1264 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1264 www.futuremarketinsights.com According to a new market report published by Future Market Insights Internet of Things (IoT) Security Products Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2015 - 2020, the global IoT security products market was valued at US$ 7.8 Bn in 2014 and is expected to register a CAGR of 16.5% from 2015 to 2020. The growth of the IoT security products market is primarily driven by the rise in the number of Internet-enabled devices across the globe, which directly or indirectly have a major impact on the global IoT security products market. Also, increasing adoption rate of IoT security products in the BFSI industries, because of the growing security concerns related to critical data infrastructure is an important factor driving growth of the global IoT security products market currently.On the basis of technology, the IoT security products market is segmented into hardware and software. The hardware segment was valued US$ 3.9 Bn in 2014 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 15.9% during the forecast period. The growth of the segment is primarily driven by the various regulations imposed by the concerned regulatory authorities, mandating the implementation of IoT security products. The software segment was valued US$ 3.9 Bn in 2014 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 17.2% during the forecast period. The growth is driven mainly by increasing demand for Internet-enabled devices across different verticals, as organizations are becoming increasingly aware about the risks posed by these devices when connected to the Internet, and thereby take all the necessary precautionary measures, such as device inspection and network monitoring, to control and secure data access. Manufacturers of IoT devices are providing additional embedded security systems in order to secure IoT devices from data and application security threats.Request For Sample@This report also covers trends driving each market segment and offers analysis and insights on the potential of the IoT security products market in some of the major global regions, including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), Japan and the Middle East & Africa. Furthermore, the market is sub-segmented on the basis of the major countries in each region in order to provide a better regional analysis of the global IoT security products market.Send An Enquiry@Some of the leading IoT security products providers in the global IoT security products market include Symantec Corporation, IBM Corporation, Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., Infineon Technologies AG, Trend Micro, Inc., Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. and INSIDE SECURE.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:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Cancer Biosimilars Market Opportunity Outlook https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-Global-Cancer-Biosimilars-Market-Opportunity-Outlook.php https://www.kuickresearch.com Cancer incidences are escalating tremendously across the globe due to which burgeoning pressure has been created on pharmaceutical companies to come forth with viable products. Moreover, presently available drugs for cancer treatment are known for their superior pharmacological benefits along with their significantly higher prices. Most of the cancer patients are unable to afford them due to financial constraints. Simultaneously, they have also created lot of financial burden on healthcare system due to which various regulators are unable to offer better facilities to cancer patients. Administration of biosimilars for various malignancies has been proposed to alleviate patients medical condition and development of sustainable healthcare system. They are developed after expiry of patent protection and associated rights due to which they have lesser cost as compared to originator molecule. However, cancer biosimilar has not been introduced in limited markets and other available products are used in supportive cancer care.Market introduction of cancer biosimilar is required because they have both high pharmacological and commercialization potential. Chemotherapeutic drugs have dominated the cancer segment for several decade but various new modalities have been introduced in past few years. They are biologic in origin and consist of plethora of therapeutics for numerous cancer indications. They have higher therapeutic efficacy and lesser side effects as compared to chemotherapeutics. Their cost may be high but therapeutic benefits offered by them offers lucrative choice to cancer patients. Some of the cancer biologics are going to lose patent protection and associated rights in coming years. As a result, path would be paved for the market introduction of cancer biosimilars. They have been introduced for several disease indications and their better pharmacological efficacy along with affordable pricing has been widely accepted. Same benefits are also expected to be offered by them to cancer patients due to which significant revenues are expected to be generated by pharmaceutical companies.Download Report:Investigators are likely to introduce cancer biosimilars for various indications in coming years that will help them in increasing their market shares. This segment is largely unexplored and offers significant opportunities in future. Their clinical pipeline is quite strong and different products are at various stages of clinical trials. Innovative biosimilar products are expected to be entered in global market as a consequence of strong clinical pipeline. However, their clinical trials are more rigorous as compared to the biologics clinical trials because they are copy molecules. They must satisfy the clinical results when compared to results generated by originator molecules. In this way, their market winding time is increased and due to seriousness of diseases it becomes more important to develop cancer biosimilars with high safety and efficacy levels.In recent years, biosimilars have received approval in different parts of world due to their comparable pharmacological benefits and cost-effectiveness. It is expected that similar progress would be shown by cancer biosimilars which are at nascent stages of industry life cycle. Amenable guidelines are also expected to be formulated in coming years leading to better commercialization opportunities. These changes are expected to be propelled by escalating cancer patient population and demand for better cancer therapeutics with high cost effectiveness. This scenario shows that cancer biosimilars are going to play an important role at both pharmacological and commercial levels. All these facts show that cancer biosimilars are going to generate significant revenues and have an optimistic future ahead.Marketed Cancer Biosimilars in Countries by Country/Region:Argentina, Europe, Latin America ,India, Thailand, Russia & USRegulatory Pathways for Development & Marketing of Biosimilars by Country:Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, US"Global Cancer Biosimilars Market Opportunity Outlook" Report Highlight & Findings:* Introduction & Mechanism of Cancer Biosimilars* Global Cancer Biosimilars Market Dynamics* FDA & EMA Guidelines on Development & Marketing of Biosimilars* Cancer Biosimilars Clinical Pipeline by Company, Indication & Phase* Cancer Biosimilars Clinical Pipeline: 100 Biosimilars* Marketed Cancer Biosimilars Clinical Insight* Marketed Cancer Biosimilars: 15 BiosimilarsFor Report Sample Contact: neeraj@kuickresearch.com orvisit:Recent Publications:* Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2022* Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market & Clinical Trials Insight 2022* Global Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2023* Global Microcapsules Drug Delivery Market Opportunity Outlook 2022* Global Controlled Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Trial Outlook 2022* Global Cancer Antibody Drug Conjugates Market & Pipeline Insight 2022* Global B Cell Lymphoma Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight 2022Kuick Research is a market research and analytics company that provides targeted information for critical decisions at business, product and service levels. We are quick, predictive and known by the recommendations we have made in the past. Our result-oriented research methodology offers understanding of multiple issues in a short period of time and gives us the capability to keep you full with loads of practical ideas. By translating research answers into strategic insight and direction, we not only rate the success potential of your products and/or services, but also help you identify the opportunities for growth in new demographies and find ways to beat competition.Neeraj Chawlaneeraj@kuickresearch.comKuicK ResearchAvanta Business Center 4th Floor,Statesman House Barakhamba Road,Connaught Place New Delhi 110 001, India+91-11-47067990 Social Media Analytics Market Players: IBM, Oracle, Adobe Systems, SAP SE, Salesforce.com, SAS Institute, GoodData, HootSuite Media https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3259 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/social-media-analytics-market-3259 Social Media Analytics Market, By Type (Solution, Services), Deployment (Cloud, On-Premise), Organization Size, Application (Customer Segmentation & Targeting, Competitor Benchmarking, Marketing Measurement) and Vertical Global Forecast 2023Market HighlightsIn this rapidly changing world of technology, Social Media Analytics Market is projected to show major growth prospects during the forecast period. The continuous developments and increasing technological advancements are major factors leading to rapid adoption of social media analytics services.As compared to other regions, the social media analytics market in North America is expected to witness significant growth. North America is expected to hold the largest market share and dominate the market of the social media analytics market during the forecast period. U.S and Canada are anticipated to drive the growth of social media analytics market. This is owing to the developed economies in that region. In addition to this, the region also has a well-established infrastructure and allows high penetration of devices, while the developed economies in these regions is another reason for the growth of social media analytics market.The social media analytics market is growing rapidly over 28% of CAGR and is expected to reach at approx. USD 7 billion by the end of forecast period.Social Media Analytics Market Players: SAS Institute (U.S.) IBM Corporation (U.S.) Oracle Corporation (U.S.) Adobe Systems (U.S.) SAP SE (Germany) Salesforce.com (U.S) GoodData (U.S) HootSuite Media (U.S) Tableau Software (U.S) NetBase Solutions (U.S)Request a Sample Report @Social Media Analytics Market SegmentationThe social media analytics market has been segmented on the basis of type, deployment, organization size, application and vertical. The application segment is further bifurcated into customer segmentation & targeting, multichannel campaign management, competitor bench marking, customer behavioral analysis, marketing measurement and others. Out of these, the customer behavioral segment is expected to hold the largest market share for the social media analytics market during the forecast period. This is owing to the growing need for customer satisfaction by analyzing their needs.Market Research Analysis:The global social media analytics as a service market, by geography, has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Others. In the global social media analytics market, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness relatively faster adoption and hence is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Within Asia Pacific, social media analytics market is projected to contribute faster to the growth of revenue backed by increasing number of users on social media platform in countries such as Japan, China and India.Across Europe, countries including Germany, France and the U.K. are anticipated to drive the growth of social media analytics market. In Europe, the presence of advanced infrastructure and with the increasing adoption of technology and technological advancements in numerous countries is driving the market growth of social media analytics market. Early adoption of emerging and advanced technologies and increased business needs are other major factors driving the growth of social media analytics market.Browse Report @Intended Audience- Technology investors- Integrated device manufacturers (IDMs)- Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)- Research/Consultancy firmsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Next-Generation Firewall Market 2017: Survey, Leading Players Analysis and Forecast 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3261 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/next-generation-firewall-market-3261 Global Next-Generation Firewall Market, by Security Type (Firewall, Unified Threat Management, Network Security, Identity-based security), By Solution (Cloud, Virtual, Hardware), By Organization Size, By Services, By End Users (Telecommunication and IT, Government and Defense, BFSI) - Forecast 2023Market HighlightsThe study reveals that the market of Next-Generation Firewall is trending in North America region. The Next-Generation Firewall Market is driven by the latest data and network security protection which is integrated with next generation firewall platform that reduce the complexity. A recent trend of providing superior scalability to meet the changing needs of businesss security.The study also signifies that adoption of next-generation is blocking of more threats and is effective to the next-gen IPS and advanced malware protection firewall in North America. In these regions, the network security policy enforcement and network traffic inspection is considered and this leads to the gaining good pace of next generation firewall utilizations.The Next-Generation Firewall market is growing rapidly over 11.4% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD ~$4.69 billion by the end of forecast period.Next-Generation Firewall Market Players: Cisco Systems, Inc. (US) Fortinet, Inc. (US) Barracuda Networks, Inc. (US) Juniper Networks, Inc. (US) Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (US) Forcepoint LLC (US) Zscaler, Inc. (U.S) WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (US) Sophos Group Plc. (UK) Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (US)Access Report Details @Next-Generation Firewall Market SegmentationThe Next-Generation Firewall Market has been segmented on the basis of security type, services, organization size, solution, end users and region. Looking through the end-user segment it has been observed that government and defense along with BFSI is showing a large scale of usage firewall protection for securing all kind of confidential data and also enables safe Internet use simultaneously protecting from threats and malware. The analysis indicates that the other sectors like small or large-scale industries is also showing the interest towards Next-Generation Firewall.Market Research Analysis:On geographic basis, Next-Generation Firewall market is studied in different regions as North Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world. It has been observed that North America region is leading in the field of Next-Generation Firewall market as virtualization and cloud computing and high-profile security breach is a key driving for Next-Generation Firewall market.Europe region is also showing a positive curve towards the growth of the Next-Generation Firewall market. The developing economies in Asia-pacific regions like China, Japan, India and others are showing high adoption of next generation firewall in the small, medium and large-scale enterprises.Browse Report @Intended Audience- System Security- Government agencies- NGFW vendors- Managed Security Service Providers- Information Technology security agencies- Next-Generation Firewall Agencies- Network solution providers- Independent software vendors- Value-Added Resellers- Cyber security vendors- System integrators- Technology Integrators- Research/Consultancy firmsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Global Orphan Drug Market Future Outlook 2020 https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-Global-Orphan-Drug-Market-Future-Outlook-2020.php https://www.kuickresearch.com Disease incidences are rapidly escalating across the globe and few rare diseases have emerged for which effective medications are not available. Occurrence of such disease is not unusual and their roots could be traced back to genetic or metabolic anomalies. They affect limited number of individuals and widely uncommon in nature. Such diseases are called rare diseases and corresponding drugs are known as orphan drugs. The orphan drug status to a particular formulation depends upon the public health policy due to which number of individuals may vary from country to country. This fact reflects the marketing opportunity in particular region but largely limited market size is observed. Previously, the market for orphan drugs was not as lucrative as it is today. Due to small patient population, the pharmaceutical companies generally ignored them and hence these drugs were given the designation "orphan. However, in 1983, the Orphan Drug Act was passed in the US in order to encourage pharmaceutical companies to develop orphan drugs followed by enactment of law for orphan drugs by European Medical Agency in 1999.Encouragingly, large numbers of orphan drugs have been introduced in global market and many more are at different stages of clinical trials. Innovative technologies are being employed for the development of these orphan drugs. For instance, bone marrow stem-cells are being explored for treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Targeted RNAi therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) are under investigation. Market introduction of orphan drugs based on these innovative therapies may take time but their future seems optimistic due to increasing activity of pharmaceutical companies in this segment. Moreover, owing to continuous effort of orphan drug developers for several decade, many medical breakthroughs have been achieved which are also applicable for other diseases. For instance, statins drugs developed for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is widely prescribed for cardiac disorders.Download Report:Strong clinical pipeline of orphan drugs for different rare diseases using innovative technologies makes them worthy candidates having high pharmacological and commercialization potential. But, challenges in clinical trials may hamper their growth and limit their marketing potential. Owing to low patient base it is not always possible to generate high quality data in clinical trials. Regulatory authorities also understand this issue due to which some relaxations have been made which is imperative in such scenarios. Their clinical trials are quite risky and orphan drug developer may run the chances of having high failure rates. This may lead to loss of valuable time and resources in clinical trials resulting in dominance of big pharmaceutical companies in this segment. However, few small/mid-sized orphan drug developers could also be found in this segment which is developing autoimmune and cancer therapeutics.In recent years, several new rare diseases are being included in clinical trials for the development of orphan drug candidate. Oncology, Genetic diseases, Autoimmune, pulmonary disease, Central nervous system and others are main focus of orphan drug developers. All of these diseases have large patient base but their rare forms doesnt have suitable therapeutics which reflects the marketing potential of orphan drugs in these segments. Out of these, oncology segment has got maximum attention followed by rare genetic disorders, neurological disorder and autoimmune disorders. In a bigger view, orphan drug segment is expected to grow several folds in coming years due to several favorable factors. Introduction of innovative technologies, favorable pricing, reimbursement, unmet medical necessities and strong clinical pipeline could be attributed as important factors responsible for their growth."Global Orphan Drug Market Future Outlook 2020" report highlights:* Global Orphan Drug Market Overview* Global Orphan Drug Market Segment Analysis* FDA & EMA Regulation for Clinical Trials Orphan Designated Drugs* Orphan Drug Designation Criteria & Reimbursement Policy by Region* Comprehensive Insight on Global Orphan Drugs Clinical Pipeline & Patent Analysis by Company, Country, Indication & Phase* Global Orphan Drugs Clinical Pipeline: 697 Drugs* Majority Orphan Drugs in Phase-II Trials: 249 Drugs* Marketed Orphan Drugs: 274 DrugsFor Report Sample Contact: neeraj@kuickresearch.com orvisit:Recent Publications:* Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2022* Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market & Clinical Trials Insight 2022* Global Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2023* Global Microcapsules Drug Delivery Market Opportunity Outlook 2022* Global Controlled Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Trial Outlook 2022* Global Cancer Antibody Drug Conjugates Market & Pipeline Insight 2022* Global B Cell Lymphoma Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight 2022Kuick Research is a market research and analytics company that provides targeted information for critical decisions at business, product and service levels. We are quick, predictive and known by the recommendations we have made in the past. Our result-oriented research methodology offers understanding of multiple issues in a short period of time and gives us the capability to keep you full with loads of practical ideas. By translating research answers into strategic insight and direction, we not only rate the success potential of your products and/or services, but also help you identify the opportunities for growth in new demographies and find ways to beat competition.Neeraj Chawlaneeraj@kuickresearch.comKuicK ResearchAvanta Business Center 4th Floor,Statesman House Barakhamba Road,Connaught Place New Delhi 110 001, India+91-11-47067990 Asia Pacific Industrial Gloves Market: Emergence of Several New Industries to Create Fresh Opportunities http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=22409 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/asia-pacific-industrial-gloves-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The Asia Pacific industrial gloves market is consolidated with top four companies holding a massive 61% of the market. These players are: Top Glove Corporation Bhd, Hartalega Sdn Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, and Supermax Corporation Bhd. Players in the market are competing with each other and attempting to gain an edge by means of product innovation, states a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). Key players are acquiring established players in an effort to gain more market shares. A key strategy adopted by players is expanding their manufacturing capacities to acquire more share in the market. Exploring untapped markets and collaborating with companies are some of the other business strategies adopted by players in the Asia Pacific industrial gloves market.For more information on this report, fill the form @As per the report, the Asia Pacific industrial gloves market was worth US$0.66 bn in 2016 and is expected to reach US$1.25 bn by the end of 2025, expanding at a 7.6% CAGR between 2017 and 2025. On the basis of type, the market is expected to be led by disposable gloves. Re-usable gloves cause hygiene concerns and thus, disposable gloves are being preferred. In 2016, disposable gloves segment accounted for 75% of the market. On the basis of country, Malaysia is anticipated to continue to lead. The country accounted for 49.9% of the market in 2016.Increasing Importance of Maintaining Worker Safety Driving Demand for Industrial GlovesWorker safety and worker health are gaining importance from the past few years and this is expected to drive the demand for industrial gloves. A number of industries have shown a positive response towards adopting industrial gloves for the sake of having a safe working environment for workers, thus boosting the market. In addition to this, stringent regulations have been implemented by governments across countries in Asia Pacific, which is anticipated to fuel the demand for industrial gloves. Rising cases of accidents in workplaces have created a need for safety measures, which is aiding the growth of this market. Governments and other regulatory bodies are taking strong actions against those employers and industries that do not adhere to the safety norms. This is compelling employers and industries to adopt various protective gears for their employees.Browse Market Research Report @Lack of Awareness among Worker Population to Challenge DemandAsia Pacific is anticipated to witness a strong growth in the industrial gloves market as the region is facing rapid industrialization and flourishing industries such as textile, chemical, or automotive. Demand for industrial gloves is especially high from the rubber industry. 93% of the global rubber production is in Asia and thus, a high demand for gloves persist from this industry. Rubber industries are domiciled in Indonesia and Thailand. On the other hand, a large number of the worker population is still unaware about industrial protective gears, which is obstructing the markets growth. However, steps are being taken towards educating workers about the importance of following safety standards. This is anticipated to reduce the impact of this restraint in the forecast period. In addition to this, there lies an opportunity in the untapped developing countries in Asia Pacific, states a TMR analyst. Moreover, it is expected that some new industries will emerge in this region, which will create a heightened demand for industrial gloves by creating fresh opportunities in the market.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market Assessment Report Buy Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market Research Report from Reports Monitor. Get your free sample report now. https://www.reportsmonitor.com/emea-europe-middle-east-and-africa-biometric-system-market-report-2017/ https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=212812 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/emea-europe-middle-east-and-africa-biometric-system-market-report-2017/ http://www.reportsmonitor.com Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market Research Report provides insights of the industry over past 5 years and a forecast until 2022. The Report studies, the Market status and future trend in the Europe, Middle East and Africa market, splits by type and by applications, to fully and deeply researched and reveal the market situation and future forecast.The Biometric System Market report would come in handy to understand your competitors and give you an insight about sales; volumes, revenues in the industry, assists in making strategic decisions. It reduces the risks involved in making decisions as well as strategies for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Both established and new players in the industry can use the report to understand the market.Get Full Access of Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market Research Study @Biometric System Market: Type wise segment: - Face Recognition Fingerprint Recognition Iris Recognition Palm Recognition Voice Recognition Signature Recognition Vein RecognitionBiometric System Market: Applications wise segment: - Government Military & Defense Healthcare Banking & Finance Consumer Electronics Travel & Immigration SecurityType wise and application wise consumption figures are given. With the help of supply and consumption data, the gap between these two is also explained.Get a Sample PDF of Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market Research report @This Market report contains proven analysis by regions, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focusing top manufacturers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa market, with Production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering following top players Digital Persona Inc NEC Corporation Fujitsu Ltd 3M Cogent and many more.On competitive landscape, this report includes complete profiles of the Market key players. For each player contact information is given. Their product details, capacity, price, cost, gross and revenue numbers are provided for better understanding.Some key points of Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market research report: -1. What is the status of the Market? This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, Prospect, Growth trend, Sales by regions, manufacturers, types and applications.2. What Is the Market Competition considering Manufacturers, Types and Application?3. Who Are the Market Key Manufacturers?4. The Manufacturing Cost Analysis - Analysis done by considering prime elements5. The Market Effect Factor Analysisa) Technology Process/Risk Considering Substitute Threat and Technology Progress In the Industryb) Consumer Needs or What Change Is Observed in Preference of Customer of the Market6. What is the Market forecast (2017-2022) Considering Sales, Revenue, Growth rate, Price and Trends for Regions, Types and Applications?With Experts Interview, Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation, Primary & Secondary Sources and Research Center data, the Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market research report guides you towards exponential growth.Get Full Access of Europe, Middle East and Africa Biometric System Market Research Study @About Reports MonitorReports Monitor is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. The prime focus is to get reliable data, Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsINDIA OFFICE:008, Mihir Co-operative,Above Bharat Suzuki showroom,Fatima Nagar,Pune - 411013,Maharashtra,IndiaJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite: Global AR Gaming Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 - Blippar, Catchoom, Apple, Qualcomm, Total Immersion, VividWorks, Samsung, Sony http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1187399 http://www.researchmoz.us/global-ar-gaming-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Latest Research Report titled " Global AR Gaming Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 " features Key Market Players, Segments, Applications. Report Presents Global Market Survey, Growth, Challenges and Forecast.This report studies the global AR Gaming market, analyzes and researches the AR Gaming 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- Blippar- Catchoom- Qualcomm Technologies- Total Immersion- VividWorks- Samsung- Sony- Augmented Pixels- Aurasma- VividWorks- Wikitude- ZapparGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers- United States- EU- Japan- China- India- Southeast AsiaMarket segment by Type, AR Gaming can be split into- Mobile Devices- HMDs- Smart GlassesMarket segment by Application, AR Gaming can be split into- Innovators- Early Adopters- Early MajorityTable of Contents:2 Global AR Gaming Competition Analysis by Players2.1 AR Gaming Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Blippar3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 AR Gaming Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Catchoom3.2.1 Company ProfileBrowse more details at:4 Global AR Gaming Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global AR Gaming Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global AR Gaming Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of AR Gaming in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of AR Gaming5 United States AR Gaming Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States AR Gaming Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States AR Gaming Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)About UsResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at: Global Smart Weapons Market Industry Analysis,Trends and Forecast MRRSE http://www.mrrse.com/sample/633 http://www.mrrse.com/smart-weapons-market https://plus.google.com/u/0/109558601025749677847/posts https://www.linkedin.com/company/mrrse https://twitter.com/MRRSEmrrse Smart weapons are guided munitions designed to hit a definite target accurately. These weapons minimize the collateral damage in terms of destruction of civilian property and non-combatant casualties and also overcome the challenges in hitting moving targets over long distances. They are also known as precision guided munitions. Rapidly growing and modernizing economies are increasingly incorporating smart weapons in their military organizations and forces. These weapons use different types of guidance systems to locate targets. Some of the commonly used types include laser guidance systems, satellite systems and TV camera guidance systems. Technological advancements in weapon manufacturing have resulted in new innovations and availability of different types of smart weapons. These types include air to ground missiles, surface to air missiles, guided bombs, precision artillery; direct energy weapons and sensor fused weapons among others. The smart weapons market is currently dominated by guided missiles, which include surface-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.Request For Sample Report :Escalating demand for high precision in arms and ammunitions and the increasing urge to minimize the collateral damage has led to the high adoption of smart weapons. Further, emerging economies such as China and India are increasing their military spending in an effort to modernize their weapons. This surges the demand for smart weapons globally. A large number of programs are underway for the development of technologies that are expected to enhance the precision of smart weapons. Most of these programs are in the research and development phase. Thus, these ongoing technological advancements from key market players offer potential opportunities in the smart weapons market. However, government regulations such as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) are posing a challenge to the growth of the smart weapons market.Geographically, the smart weapons market is dominated by North America owing to the strong focus of the U.S. government on the incorporation of technologically advanced weapons to its weapon inventory. The U.S. government is also the major customer of smart weapons globally and therefore high defense budget in the U.S. positively supports the growth of global smart weapons market. Key players based in the U.S. such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, General Dynamic Corporation, Raytheon Company and Textron Defense Systems among others are strongly focusing on satisfying the needs of the U.S. army to develop weapon systems that can assure safety of the military forces.This report has been segmented by type and by geography. It also includes the drivers, restraints and opportunities (DROs), Porters five forces analysis and value chain of the global smart weapons market. The study highlights current market trends and provides the forecast from 2013 to 2019. We have also covered the current market scenario for smart weapons and highlighted its future trends that will impact demand.The report also analyzes macro economic factors influencing and inhibiting the growth of global smart weapons market. Porters five forces analysis offers insights on market competition throughout its value chain. In addition, the market attractiveness analysis provided in the report highlights key investing areas in this industry. The report will help manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to understand the present and future trends in this market and formulate their strategies accordingly.This report analyzes the global smart weapons market in terms of revenue (USD billion) on the basis of type and based on geography. The market has been segmented as follows:Global Smart Weapons Market, by Type:Air-to-Ground MissilesSurface-to-air missilesSmart BombsSensor Fused WeaponsDirect Energy WeaponsPrecision Artillery AmmunitionsElectro-Magnetic Pulse WeaponsSmart BulletsOthersGlobal Smart Weapons Market, by Geography:North AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldBrowse Full Report With TOC :Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comGoogle+:Linked in:Twitter: Personal Protective Equipment Market Global Industry Analysis,Share and Forecast MRRSE http://www.mrrse.com/sample/1224 http://www.mrrse.com/personal-protective-equipment https://plus.google.com/u/0/109558601025749677847/posts https://www.linkedin.com/company/mrrse https://twitter.com/MRRSEmrrse Personal protective equipment includes head, eye and face protection, hearing protection, protective clothing, respiratory protection, professional footwear, fall protection, hand protection and others. Apart from this, personal protective equipment also finds application across various industries including construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, transportation and others. The others segment include government usage, unorganized sector, small-scale manufacturing utilities and service stations among others.Request For Sample Report :Increasing awareness about workplace safety and increasing government regulations are the major factors fuelling the demand for personal protective equipment globally. However, the personal protective equipment are monitored by international safety standards. The personal protective equipment comes with safety symbols. These safety symbols indicate the safety levels of the equipment.Health legislations and occupational safety mandates in many countries are the major factors driving the demand for personal protective equipment. Worker safety issues are being addressed and industrialists are focused on improving the safety standards owing to which there is an increase in the demand for personal protective equipment globally.This report has been segmented by application, by type and by country. The study highlights current market trends and provides the forecast from 2014 to 2020. We have also covered the current market scenario for personal protective equipment and highlighted future trends that will have an impact on demand. By geography, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Middle East, South America, Asia Pacific and Africa. The present market size and forecast until 2020 has been provided in the report. The report also analyzes macro economic factors influencing and inhibiting growth of the personal protective equipment market.Rapid industrialization and increasing foreign investments are some of the major factors fuelling the demand for personal protective equipment. Apart from this, upcoming government regulations regulating workplace environment is also boosting the demand for personal protective equipment in the developing countries of Asia Pacific and South America.Professional footwear is the largest segment for personal protective equipment. The increasing demand for protective footwear in the construction, manufacturing and oil and gas segment is one of the major factors fuelling the demand for professional footwear. Manufacturing is the largest application segment for personal protective equipment globally. Increasing demand for personal protective equipment in the developing countries of Asia Pacific is fuelling the growth in this region. However, Africa is also having huge potential for personal protective equipment with South Africa being one of the major markets in this region.However, the application of personal protective equipment in government usage, unorganized sector, small scale manufacturing utilities and agriculture is also boosting the demand for personal protective equipment. The upcoming government regulations monitoring the work environment is fuelling the demand for personal protective equipment in others segment. Apart from this, the exponential growth in the logistics sector is fuelling the demand for personal protective equipment in the transportation segment.The business utilities in order to sell their products in the local markets of Asia Pacific and Middle East have to overcome the tariff and non-tariff barriers. The MFN (Most Favored Nation) rates, customs and sales tax are some of the tariff barriers which affect the price of the products. Apart from this, there are non-tariff barriers such as government regulations and standards which are to be followed by the business utilities.This report provides strategic analysis of the global personal protective equipment market, and the market growth forecast for the period 2014 to 2020. The report includes competitive analysis of various market segments based on the type, applications and in-depth cross sectional analysis of the personal protective equipment market across different geographic segments. To support strategic decision making, the report also includes profiling of leading players in the industry, their market share and various strategies adopted by them. The Porters Five Forces analysis and market attractiveness analysis included in the report provide insight into market dynamics and industry competition.Browse Full Report With TOC :The report also provides review of various factors affecting the market growth, which are appropriately described as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. These factors establish various current trends and their impact on market size. Overall, the report takes into account a complete analysis of the global personal protective equipment market, and provides an estimated growth for the period 2014 to 2020, taking into account the various factors affecting the market.The report segments the industrial protective footwear market as:Personal Protective Equipment Market, by ApplicationConstructionManufacturingOil and GasChemicalsFoodPharmaceuticalsTransportationOthersPersonal Protective Equipment Market, by TypeHead, eye and face protectionHearing protectionProtective clothingRespiratory protectionProfessional footwearFall protectionHand protectionOthersPersonal Protective Equipment Market, by Geography:North AmericaEuropeRussiaMiddle EastAsia PacificSouth AmericaAfricaMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comGoogle+:Linked in:Twitter: 3D Metrology Market Borne by Rapid Growth of Construction, Automotive Industries http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1157902 http://www.researchmoz.us/global-3d-metrology-market-research-report-2017-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Latest Research Report titled " Global 3D Metrology Market Research Report 2017 " features Key Market Players, Segments, Applications. Report Presents Global Market Survey, Growth, Challenges and Forecast.The report provides readers with accurate data regarding the historical trajectory of the global 3D metrology market as well as reliable projections regarding the likely direction of the market in the coming years. The segmentation of the global 3D metrology market is analyzed in granular detail in order to paint a clear picture of the dynamics of the market, including its opportunities and pitfalls. The report is titled Global 3D Metrology Market Research Report 2017.The global 3D metrology market has risen spectacularly hand in hand with the progressive technological updation of the manufacturing sector. Due to the development of digital and robotic manufacturing tools, the advantages provided by 3D metrology have become both more utile and easier to acquire, making the global 3D metrology market a key part of the global manufacturing sector. The likely advancement of the manufacturing sector in the coming years, particularly with the steady development of 3D printing and advances in smart printing, is likely to remain a key driver for the global 3D metrology market in the near future.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:The report segments the global 3D metrology market by product type into coordinate measuring machines (CMM), optical digitizers and scanners (ODS), and video measuring machines (VMM). CMM held the leading share in the global 3D metrology market in 2016 and are likely to remain the dominant segment in the coming years. In addition to the improved productivity imparted by their superior accuracy, coordinate measuring machines also offer flexibility, which is becoming increasingly important in the burgeoning market.By application, the report segments the global 3D metrology market into automotive, aerospace, power, medical, and construction. The booming automotive industry in developed as well as developing nations has taken on tremendous importance for the global 3D metrology market, as rapid technological innovation has become the key strategy for players in emerging countries. The rising use of smart manufacturing techniques in the automotive industry is likely to remain a key driver for the global 3D metrology market in the coming years.The construction industry is also likely to remain a key consumer for the global 3D metrology market due to the rapid urbanization in developing Asian countries such as India and China as well as the consistent demand for upgrades and enhancements from consumers in developed countries. The rising use of digital resources in the construction industry is likely to help advance the incorporation of 3D metrology.The report assesses the performance of the 3D metrology market in North America, Europe, China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. These regions are vital in todays economic balance due to the presence of prosperous developed countries in the West and booming economies in the East where rapid urbanization and industrialization has led to a growing need for advanced technologies such as 3D metrology. Europe also remains a key region for the global 3D metrology market due to the steady government support to technological innovation in countries such as Germany, France, and the UK.Browse more details at:Leading players in the global 3D metrology market are profiled in the report in order to provide readers with a clear picture of the competitive dynamics of the market. Key companies examined in the report include Zeiss, Keyence, 3D Digital Corp., Zygo, Hexagon, Mitutoyo, Nikon Metrology, Perceptron, and Wenzel.About UsResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at: Global Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) Market: Increasing Incidences of Data Thefts to Boost Demand http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1157926 http://www.researchmoz.us/global-cloud-access-security-brokers-casbs-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Latest Research Report titled " Global Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 " features Key Market Players, Segments, Applications. Report Presents Global Market Survey, Growth, Challenges and Forecast.The growing incidences of data theft are one of the biggest concerns for organizations today and are leading towards increased adoption for cloud access security. The lack of storage infrastructure is another factor driving companies to opt for cloud. This in turn is pushing the demand for cloud access security brokers. The regulatory environment of cloud technology is continuously changing and this is fueling cloud storage vendors to outsource their platforms to cloud access security brokers. Due to all these factors, it is expected that the global cloud access security brokers market will witness a double digit CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 to 2021.On the basis of components, the global cloud access security brokers market is segmented into services and software. The software solutions segment is sub-segmented into cloud-based and on-premise software. The software solutions covered by cloud access security brokers include control, monitoring, and prevention of data leakage. The on-premise segment is further sub-segmented into risk & compliance management, control and monitoring, cloud data encryption, tokenization, and data leakage prevention. Of these, the risk and compliance management and cloud data encryption segments will prove to be lucrative, expanding at a high CAGR during the period from 2017 to 2021.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:By cloud deployment type, the market can be segmented into SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS. Of these, the SaaS platform led in the market in the past. However, IaaS platform is anticipated to witness fastest growth owing to their flexibility offered in terms of scalability. Also, IaaS platform has enhanced IT delivery capabilities, which is boosting the growth of this market worldwide. On the basis of geography, the global cloud access security brokers market is segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World. North America has been leading in the market and is expected to continue to lead in the years to come. Europe will trail North America in terms of being the most lucrative regional segment in the cloud access security brokers market.Thre report profiles key players operating in the global cloud access security brokers market for the purpose of study. They are: Skyhigh Networks, Zscaler Inc., NetSkope Inc., CloudLock Inc., Adallom Inc., Bitglass Inc., CipherCloud Inc., and Protegrity USA Inc. The key strategies adopted by these players and the challenges faced by them have been given in the report. The business and financial overview of each of the companies have also been included. Additionally, the recent developments of players are enlisted, thus making the report a powerful resource, helping investors to invest correctly in the market.Browse more details at:About UsResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at: Asia Pacific Underground Coal Gasification Market Size, Analysis, and Forecast Report 2014-2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-ap-173 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-ap-173 www.futuremarketinsights.com Global energy demand had seen an exponential growth over the decade due to changing lifestyle. At the time when natural gas prices witnessing fluctuation and coal resources are depleting, the world is witnessing a significant gap between demand and supply of energy. Though as per World Coal Association, global coal reserves are estimated to be 861 tonne and accounts to 42% of total world electricity production; the year on year growth for coal consumption was highest in FY 2013, making it the highest since 1970. The demand for coal consumption is increasing every year thereby leading to depletion of coal reserves at an alarming rate. Moreover, most regions are economically unviable to extract coal from its bed. It is due to this reason that companies are looking for alternative solution that can lead to harnessing the total potential of coal, without disturbing the ecological balance.Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an industrial process by which coal is gasified under intense heat and atmospheric pressure. This enables the production of synthetic gas, constituents of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are extracted through a well and utilized in various sectors, ranging from power generation to biodiesel and fertilizer production. Though this concept is not new to the market, little progress has been achieved in this sector, primarily due to low R&D. However, with growing energy consumption and fluctuating oil prices, industries are focusing on UCG to offer clean, efficient and cost-effective energy to various industries.Request For Report Sample@Asia-Pacific is projected as the largest market for underground coal gasification over the next 5 years due to impressive growth in end-use industries ranging from power to chemicals. China along with India, and Australia are key markets for underground coal gasification projects. China is the largest producer as well as the largest consumer of coal based energy. It consumes almost half of the total coal production to meet its energy demand. China has conducted 17 UCG trials since 1991 to check the economic viability of UCG. Major power generating enterprise SinoCoking Coal is planning to harness coal reserves in Henan Province which was abruptly shut down because of strict environmental compliance set up by Chinese government. UCG is an environmental friendly approach that empowers companies to scale high power generation. With worlds most populated country, China offers a vibrant platform for energy sector companies to set up their base in China and thereby meet the growing demand of energy in China. Recently, China signed a whooping US $ 1.5 billion major pact with UK for commercial development of UCG in interiors of Mongolia.Next prominent market is India. In India, mining contributes 10% of Indias GDP. With vast coal reserves, India is looking towards harnessing coal without disturbing ecological balance. There are also some sites which are economically nonviable to mine. Though Indias untapped 88.6 billion tonnes of non-metallurgical coal is found at a depth of 300 to 1200 metre is economically nonviable; UCG makes it economically sound option. Coal India Limited is trying to push the UCG technology to harness the coal in Kaitha (Jharkhand) and Thesgora (Madhya Pradesh) area. These two promising region is expected to generate high return on investment (ROI) by FY 2025.Next prominent destination is Australia. In Australia, most companies are undertaking R&D to fully harness the concept of UCG. At present, three major UCG trials is being conducted by Linc Energy, Cougar Energy, and Carbon Energy at Queensland. Australian government is paying a vigil eye on these projects until the technology is commercially proven.Request For TOC@SinoCoking Coal, Cougar Energy, Carbon Energy, Linc Energy, and ONGC are key market players that have conducted pilot projects on UCG technology.Future is optimistic for underground coal gasification. With major innovations going around globally, it is expected to meet the needs of people in oil shortage region. Regions including APAC, and Africa will be a future market for underground coal gasification segments.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Tamper Evident Packaging Market Expected To Observer Major Growth By 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2198 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2198 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Packaging in todays world calls for a multi-functional approach of the designing of the product. With the race to reduce the overall cost of production, manufacturers have innovated with the packaging design. This has led to a shift to flexible packaging, low use of material, low cost of storage and low transport cost. In this day and age another functionality that manufacturers need to take into account is safety. With the on the go lifestyle settling in, people expect the products they have purchased to be safe to consume.The rising awareness among consumers and stringent regulations laid down by national and international authorities on the safety of product packaging has led to a shift in design. Deliberate or unintentional tampering of food products has been witnessed in the past leading to catastrophic events which required a more careful approach to packaging. This has led to the advent of tamper evident packaging.Tamper evident packaging allows for the observer to identify whether the package has been tampered with or not. The indicators are either visual or audible. The indicators are usually mentioned on the packaging for the observers convenience. Tamper evident packaging is now also being adopted by the food and beverages, cosmetics industry, and the healthcare industry.Request For Report Sample:Tamper evident packaging Market- Market Segmentation:Based on the product type, the tamper evident packaging market is segmented into:Shrink sleevesInduction sealFilm wrappersBlister or strip packsBubble packsOthers (Pouches, bottle mouth inner seals, tape seals)Based on the end use, the tamper evident packaging market is segmented into:VacuumPharmaceuticalFood and beveragesCosmeticsothersBased on the Material type, the tamper evident packaging market is segmented into:plasticsglasspaper lidsmetalothersTamper evident packaging Market- Market Dynamics:With the scare from the Tylenol scandal in 1982 that led to the death of 7 people due to poisoning the Food and Drug Administration has strictly enforced tamper evident packaging for pharmaceutical manufacturers. With the exponential growth witnessed by the pharmaceutical industry, tamper evident packaging market is pegged for steady growth throughout the forecast period of 2016 2024. Food and beverages industry and the cosmetics industry have also picked up on tamper evident packaging due to the rising safety concerns. The ever growing food and beverage industry will positively impact the tamper evident packaging market. However, the stringent regulations specifically in the pharmaceutical industry call for the testing of tamper evident packaging and the adherence of the packaging to guidelines that have been laid down. This is likely to negatively impact the tamper evident packaging market growth.Request For TOC:Tamper evident packaging Market- Regional Outlook:In terms of geography, the tamper evident packaging market has been divided in to five key regions; North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. The tamper evident packaging market is expected to exhibit an above average CAGR during the forecast period. Asia pacific market is expected to witness a raise in demand in the region. As a result, tamper evident packaging is pegged to witness a growth in demand in the forecasted period.Tamper evident packaging Market- Major Players:Some of the key players in the tamper evident packaging market are DuPont, Schreiner Group, Ampac Holding LLC., Baker & McKenzie LLP, Placon, Dynacorp, Enercon industries Corporation, Traco Manufacturing, Inc., Interpack Ltd., Seal King Europe, Harcor.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Point-Of-Care Breathalyzer Market Set to Grow Exponentially During the Forecast, 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2286 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2286 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/point-of-care-breathalyzer-market http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Breathalyzer is a non-invasive medical device used for estimation of Blood Alcohol content (BAC) from breath sample. Breathalyzer is used to test intoxication levels caused by alcohol and drugs. Breathalyzer was invented by Dr. Robert Borkenstein while being appointed as police photographer at Indiana State Police lab. Since 1954, Breathalyzer is a genericized trademark for many instruments like Alcotest, Alcosensor, Datamaster, Intoxilyzer and Intoximeter. Breathalyzer device consists of three parts, first part consists of system where breath is sampled, second part consists of two glass tubes with chemicals and third part consists of photocells that are connected to meter showing colour change. Breathalyzer system together works on redox reaction causes change in colour that is directly proportional to amount of alcohol in breath, wherein red-orange colour of dichromate ion changes to green.Breathalyzer has been of importance in point-of-care services where initially it was necessary to draw blood out of the body and sent to the hospital to test alcohol concentration in blood, thus making the test time consuming. Till date it has been most important device to monitor and regulate drink and drive accidents or cases. In 2015 in US, there were about 290,000 people injured and about 10,265 died in drunk driving cases. Also there have been published reports on loss of work quality and time due to alcohol consumption. All over the world it is a legal offense to be detected of alcohol during working hours and while driving. The driver is charged fine or respective legal action is taken against him if his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is found out to be above normal (0.08). Also strict actions are taken against employees in government or private sectors if they are detected of alcohol consumption during office hours. Due to use of Breathalyzer there is no need of any invasive procedure, device is portable and test results are out in seconds. Another important use of Breathalyzer is in maintaining high order discipline in National and International air transport to maintain safety and standards while travelling. Breathalyzer is of very significant use to prevent order and discipline in government or private offices, road traffic management and forensic studies too. It is also used for management in rehabilitation centres, mining and construction centres.Point-of-Care Breathalyzer Market: Drivers and RestraintsPoint-of-care Breathalyzer market has seen enormous growth due to its significant use to maintain safety, order and discipline amongst population. The major drivers for point-of-care Breathalyzer market is alarming increase in alcohol consumption seen at all age groups and also increase in road accidents due to drink driving. Due to strict government regulations, drink driving and alcohol abuse during work hours has led to increase in demand for modern use portable Breathalyzer. Use of personal portable Breathalyzer to check for alcohol content within normal limits to keep a check on safe driving and productive working hours has given a drive for point-of-care Breathalyzer market worldwide. Moreover easy availability of personal Breathalyzer that can be ordered online according to ones choice, has also been a factor to drive point-of-care Breathalyzer market. Awareness initiative taken by government has also led to increase of market size for point-of-care Breathalyzer market.Request For Report Sample:High cost of Breathalyzer and less market for new brands producing Breathalyzer were seen to hamper in the past for but modern portable cheap Breathalyzer are taking over the point-of-care Breathalyzer market now.Point-of-Care Breathalyzer Market: SegmentationThe global point-of-care breathalyzer market is classified on the basis of product type, product technology, end user and geography.Based on product type, the point-of-care breathalyzer market is segmented into the following:Non-portable.Based on product technology, the point-of-care breathalyzer market is segmented into the following:Chemical reaction (Breathalyzer).Fuel-cell technology (Alcosensor III or IV).Infrared Spectroscopy (Intoxilyzer).Based on end user, the point-of-care breathalyzer market is segmented into the following:International and National transport systems.Rehabilitation centres.Government and private offices.Diagnostic centers.Home care settings.Point-of-Care Breathalyzer Market: OverviewAccording to a study report published in South Africa about 10% of the countrys GDP is lost due to alcohol abuse annually which is equal to R240 billion. Also worldwide there is much loss due to alcohol abuse leading to immense destruction in drunk driving accidents, expensive alcohol abuse treatment and loss of manpower and productive working hours brings an overall effect on worldwide economy. Thus awareness due to such losses have led government to take strict measures in field of law enforcement and highway safety administration to bring down losses. Efficient use of point-of-care Breathalyzer to prevent such loss has proved beneficial and made people aware of its legal consequences being the reason for increasing market for of point-of-care Breathalyzer market.Mandatory alcohol test are carried out worldwide in workplaces such as transport, construction sites mining, shipping, airlines, defense centres, rehabilitation centres to maintain safety of individuals increasing market size for point-of-care Breathalyzer market over globe.Request For TOC:Point-of-Care Breathalyzer Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the point-of-care breathalyzer market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Use of personal Breathalyzer, intelligent market networking and advances in technology has led to growth of global market for point-of-care Breathalyzer. Highest growth in point-of-care Breathalyzer market is seen in North America due to highest population, increase in drunk driving road accidents and strict law enforcement on alcohol. Developed countries like Europe have seen to have highest market for point-of-care Breathalyzer market due to leading manufacturers of point-of-care Breathalyzers, high income population purchasing personal Breathalyzer being alert and aware of legal actions in case of alcohol abuse.More alcohol consumption, increase in transport and transport facilities, development of transport system, national and international awareness programs, improvement in market network and strict rules and regulations and variety in affordable Breathalyzer brands has led to increasing market in developing countries like India and China. Underdeveloped countries have scope for increase in market size of point-of-care Breathalyzer market if awareness is brought amongst population.Point-of-Care Breathalyzer Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in point-of-care Breathalyzer market include Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Intoximeters,Lion Laboratories Limited, Lifeloc Technologies, Inc., Inc., , BACtrack, Quest Products, Inc., Alere, Inc., and C4 Development, Andatech Private Limited Ltd. Most of the providers of point-of-care breathalyzer are adopting the strategy of providing these products through e-commerce, so that buyers can browse the products according to their needs.Browse Full Report:ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: ReportResearch Offers 10-Year Forecast on Barite Market http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-150 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-150 www.futuremarketinsights.com Barite is a mineral that is rich in barium. Barite commonly occurs in the large number of depositional environment and it is found in the zinc-lead veins in limestone, in the hot spring deposits and in the hematite ore. Barite is also found alongside meteorites. Barite is relatively inert and also exhibits a physical property of high density. Barite is widely used as a weighting agent in the drilling muds. Barite also finds other applications in the electrical and electronics, rubber, ceramics, paints radiation shielding, medical and glass industry among others. China, India, Morocco and U.S. are expected to be the largest producers of barite. The total barite resources across the globe in all categories are around 2 billion tons, however, only 740 million tons is considered among the identified resources.Most of the barite manufactured is used as a weighting agent in the drilling fluids that are used in the oil and gas exploration. Barites are mainly used to suppress the high formation fluids and also to prevent blowouts. The quantity of barite used is mainly dependent on the depth of the hole that has to be bored. The deeper the hole, more the barite is required. Barite is non-magnetic in nature and hence, it does not interfere with the magnetic measurements that are taken during boring the hole making barite an ideal choice for the drilling fluids. Barite is widely used in the manufacturing of paints and coatings. Thus, the growing automobile industry is expected to boost the overall growth of the paints and coatings industry which in turn is expected to drive the growth of the overall barite market. The global barite market is expected to grow owing to its increasing demand in other applications such as textiles, paper and paints among others. Though, there are alternatives to barite such as ilmenite, celestite, iron ore and synthetic hematite, none of these substitutes had a major impact on the barite drilling mud industry.Request For Report Sample@Barites offer several benefits such as good stability, strong inertia, moderate rigidity, acid and alkali proof and high specific gravity. Due to such advantages, barite is widely used in applications including engineering plastic, middle and high-grade paint, medicine compounding, rubber, pottery, paper-making and cosmetics among others. The main types of barites are ground barite, finely ground barite and bleached barite. Ground barite is used as filler in the production of oil cloth, linoleum, paper, textile, plastics and rubber. Finely ground barite finds use in making thixotropic mud for sealing oil wells in drilling applications and bleached barite is used as a pigment in white paint.Considering the rapidly growing oil and gas drilling industry, the demand for barite is expected to record a strong growth in the coming years. India and China hold a dominant position in the barite supply and have increased prices significantly in the recent times. Owing to this, there is an increased focus on discovering and developing new barite resources across the world. While India and China are anticipated to dominate the barite production and export, mining projects in several stages of development are ongoing in countries such as Liberia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Zimbabwe.Request For TOC@Some of the key participants of the barite market include Desku Group Inc., SMIMTAF, Shijiazhuang Oushun Minerals Products Co. Ltd., Shanghai Titanos Industry Co., Ltd., CMS Industries and V&P Corporation among others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Ortho-Xylene Market Expected to Expand at a Steady CAGR through 2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-157 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-157 www.futuremarketinsights.com Xylenes are petrochemicals produced by catalytic reforming and coal carbonization in the manufacture of coke fuel. They are used in various industries and medical technology as a solvent. It occurs naturally in coal, wood tar and coal among others. Xylenes are mainly produced as a part of the BTX aromatics. They are derived from various sources within a refinery including pyrolysis gasoline, toluene disproportionation and reformate among others. Reformate accounts for over three fourths of mixed xylenes market. There are three types of xylenes, viz., ortho-xylene, meta xylene and para xylene.Ortho-xylene is a commercial isomer of xylene. It is a hydrocarbon based on benzene with two methyl substituents bonded to the aromatic ring. It is liquid at room temperature. It is used extensively for producing phthalic anhydride (PAN)-primarily dio-octyl phthalate for PVC. The major use for PAN is for producing plasticizers which are largely used in automobile and construction industry. In addition, it is used in solvent based paints. It is extracted by means of distillation from xylene stream in a plant designed for para-xylene production. It is a constitutional isomer of m-xylene and p-xylene. Moreover, it is produced with its isomers paraxylene, metaxylene and ethylbenzene. Friedel Crafts alkylation of toluene yields a mixture of ortho-xylene .This reaction gives a pure form of o-xylene. Furthermore, it is used in alkyd resins having wide applications in the coating industry. It has a large demand in the petrochemical industry.Request For Report Sample@The growing construction industry coupled with burgeoning development in the automobile industry is expected to drive the demand for ortho-xylene within the forecast period. Additionally, the growing paints and adhesive industry is expected to fuel the demand for ortho-xylene further over the next few years. However, acute inhalation or exposure to ortho-xylene in humans results in irritation of eyes and neurological effects. Furthermore, chronic exposure of ortho-xylenes results in central nervous system effects, cardio-vascular and kidney effects. It reacts violently with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. Thus, stringent regulations on use of ethylene are expected to hamper the ortho-xylene market in near future.In Asia, prices of xylene are anticipated to weaken due to weak downstream conditions in the purified terephthalic acid and paraxylene sectors. Global manufacturing coupled with supply chain and access to feedstock are the key strengths of the companies involved in the ortho-xylene market.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing regional market within the forecast period on account of the growing chemical industry and in turn, rapid industrialization. China dominated the otho-xylene production in 2011 and this trend is expected to continue within the forecast period. In India, Reliance Industries is a manufacturer of ortho-xylene with a capacity of 150 KTA. Consumption of ortho-xylene in Eastern Europe and Russia is expected to be strong on account of the thriving construction industry.Request For TOC@The major players in the ortho-xylene market are Creasyn Finechem (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Inc., DynaChem Inc, Minda Petrochemicals Ltd, Shell Chemicals, Sonoco Chemicals, U.S. Petrochemical Industries Ltd. and Puritan Products, Inc. among others. Ortho-xylene projects by major companies are planned in China, Taiwan and Singapore within the forecast period.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Organic Milk Market Growth Expected to Dominate Worldwide by 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2416 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2416 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/organic-milk-market http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ The organic milk market encompasses all milk and milk products derived from animals that are fed organic feed that is devoid of any animal by-products, have access to fresh pastures, and are not treated with any synthetic hormones or antibiotics. The term organic only refers to the process in which the milk is prepared and has no relation to the end-product nutrient profile. The market for organic milk is expected to grow at a rapid pace with the mainstreaming of natural and organic foods.Market Dynamics of Organic Milk MarketSimilar to all organic foods, the demand for organic milk is closely tied to the increasing consumer preference for naturally and organically grown products. This positive view of organics is due to several factors such as the perception of anything organic as healthy and pure, increasing care for environment and concern for farm animals. All these factors are crucial for the acceptance of organic milk products, thereby leading to the popularity of labels such as grass-fed and pasture-raised.Price is an important constraining factor for organic milk market as organic milk is almost thrice as costly as regular milk. This high difference limits the scope of the market only to urban and high-aware consumers.The consumer shift towards organic dairy products is also influenced by the large scale food adulteration scandals that have occurred recently. For instance, the 2008 Chinese milk scandal wherein a large number of children were hospitalized due to an excessive amount of melamine in the milk and infant formulas, has led to a great number of regulations, import restrictions and price fluctuations in the market. Events such as these have increased consumer interest in what the animal is fed, how it is raised and processing methods.Request For Report Sample:The regulatory aspects of the organic milk market are mostly centered on the use of the organic label. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that apart from the use of organic feed, cows should have access to fresh grass and spend at least four months a year grazing in pastures. The crucial aspect of organic milk market is a lack of use of synthetic hormones such as rBGH, a growth hormone given to almost 30% of the dairy cows in the US. These ingredients are considered very negatively by most consumers.Market Segmentation of Organic Milk MarketThe organic milk market is segmented on the basis of application, packaging type, distribution channel, and geography.On the basis of application, the organic milk market is segmented as milk, dairy products and milk-based beverages and others. The majority of organic milk is consumed directly in the form of boiled milk, coffee, tea, and in cooking certain dishes at home. The use of organic milk is particularly increasing in households with kids due to extra concerns about food safety and health. The dairy products segment is further segmented into butter, cheese, desserts, and others. The dairy products segment is expected to gain market share with the growing consumer interest in healthy indulgent foods. Further these products are used in some bakery and confectionery good like milk toffies, bars and cakes and cookies.On the basis of packaging type, the market can be segmented into pouches, cartons, bottles, and cans. The use of any specific packaging type depends on the end-purpose and use. For instance, pouches offer a relatively cheap way and easy way to pack milk and are therefore very popular in emerging nations such as India. Cartons are an important packaging type in terms of the longer shelf life and convenience. Bottles can be of both glass and plastic and are heavily used for packing milk and beverages. Cans are mainly used to transport heavy loads of organic milk and in the case of many dairy products.Request For TOC:On the basis of distribution channels, the market is segmented into hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience and grocery stores, specialty stores, the internet and direct selling. The use of internet limited in the case of organic milk market as the products are easily perishable. Hypermarkets and supermarkets occupy the dominant market share mainly because a significant number of organic products are concentrated in large stores. Direct selling in the form of home deliveries is also an important and growing distribution channel because such delivery systems usually source the organic milk from local sources thereby ensuring freshness and quality.Regional Outlook of Organic Milk MarketThe United States occupies the dominant market share in the organic milk market. The increasing consumer awareness about natural consumer goods and increase in the incidence of lifestyle conditions such as obesity. Europe is another very important region in the organic milk market due to the high-income levels, easy product accessibility and strict regulations against synthetic food ingredients. U.K is a major consumer of organic milk and also houses many producers and suppliers. Despite occupying small market share at the current time period, the organic milk market is expected to grow at a significant level in emerging nations such as India and Brazil. This is due to the increasing awareness levels and fears of food adulteration among consumers.Browse Full Report:Key Market Players in Organic Milk MarketSome of the key players in the organic milk market include Danone (WhiteWave Foods Company), Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, Organic Valley, OMSCo (Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative), Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Agropur Dairy Cooperative, Arla Foods Amba, Donegal Investment Group plc. , etc. among the others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: ReportResearch Offers 10-Year Forecast on North America and Europe Retail Automation Market http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-na-200 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-na-200 www.futuremarketinsights.com OverviewAutomation is the latest advancement set to revolutionise the global retail market. The retail automation market is expected to witness steady growth, owing to such avant-garde collaboration between global retail and consumer goods sector, and the global electronics and IT industry. Considering the fact that retail industry drives the growth of several business and trade ventures around the world, the influence of automation will bring more efficiency to billions of retail transactions.Visual merchandising, planogram, and big data in retail are the key trends fuelling the demand of automated services in retail markets. Effective automated products and programs that speed up the sales mechanism, create efficiency in product supplies, and develop easily-accessible business platforms that can produce a lucrative environment for the growth of the retail automation market globally.The global market for retail automation is gaining traction in Asia Pacific, Western Europe, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). The two most lucrative regions for the growth of the global retail automation market are North America and Europe.Request For Report Sample@Retail Automation in North AmericaOf these two regions, North America is the current market leader, holding the greater pie of retail automation market share. The North American retail automation market is likely to register high growth rate during 2014-2020 period.North America remains a lucrative market for retail automation globally, with the US and Canada witnessing steady demand. North American consumers have adopted the prominent trend of relying on retail automated products and services for business transactions, which has made an affirming impetus on the retail automation market. Economic progress and rising purchasing power of consumers are some of the trends, specific to North America, that make the outlook of retail automation market considerably positive.The European Retail Automation MarketEurope, on the other hand, is closing in on North America in order to become the leading key region in the global retail automation market. Several retail chains and multiple product lines established in Europe are helping the setting up of retail automation in European nations. The European regional market is primarily segmented into UK, Germany, Spain, France and others. Britains exodus from EU is likely to impact the implementation of automation in UKs retail market. But, the economic stability in other European countries is expected to create a supportive dais for building up the retail automation market.Factors Benefiting the Growth of Retail Automation MarketNorth America and Europe, collectively, will continue their prominence in the global market, with respect to the market size, revenue share, and overall demand. The factors that will incite this growth are,Growth of Local Retail & Customer ReceptionLocal retail markets are growing in several parts of North America & Europe. Combined with a positive consumer response, automated retail will continue flourishing in niche retail markets.Overflowing Investments on Automation Products & ServicesRetail giants dominating the existing retail market are investing in automated programs and devices for creating efficient output. The cost advantage is increasing the demand for automated retail services.Proliferation of Shopping Centres and SupermarketsConsumers in the US and European countries prefer buying from hypermarket and malls, which is great platform for automated retail kiosks.Challenges in the Global Retail Automation MarketThe retail automation market in North America and Europe is growing steadily, but there are a handful of factors that may restrain or slow down its growth. In the US and Canada, a key challenge for retail automation is its greatest disadvantage -- the loss of job. Labours and working professionals at retail outlets are a major contributor of the regions economy. Rising unemployment levels could plunge the local economy, having a rippling effect on the national economies of North America.In Europe, the instability of economies across its constituent nations is restraining the growth of its retail automation market. Improving financial conditions in Turkey, Russia and Poland could influence the expansion of automated retail products; however, theundulating economies of Spain, Italy as well as Britain, can impede the adoption of automation in European retail sector.Besides, maintaining the continuous supervision of retail kiosks, high dependency on electricity and the implications arriving from variable internet regulations are some other restraints recoiling the progress of retail automation in Europe and North America.SegmentationThe segmentation of the retail automation market is done on the basis of geography, the operator type and the product type.Geographic SegmentationNorth America (sub-segmented into United States, Canada & others)Europe (sub-segmented into Spain, France, UK & others)Operator Type SegmentationUnattended TerminalsHuman-Operated TerminalsProduct SegmentationCurrency CounterBarcode ReaderBill PrinterCash CounterCash RegisterCard ReaderSelf-Checkout SystemWeight ScaleKiosks/Vending MachineOthersRequest For TOC@Key CompetitorsElectronic companies such as Seiko Epson, Fujitsu, First Data Corp., Siemens, Toshiba and Wincor Nixdorf are some of the top players in the global retail automation market. Most of these ICT companies are headquartered in Europe, making the region a credible platform for new manufacturers and startups in retail automation. Meanwhile, North American retail giants such as Walmart and Kroger are developing their own devices and services to reap benefits from the amalgamation of retail and automation.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Super Fine Talc Powder Market 2017 Industry Research Report - Imerys(US), Mondo Minerals(NL), Specialty Minerals Inc(US), IMI FABI Talc Company(IT) http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=957855&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-super-fine-talc-powder-market-research-report-2017.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Super Fine Talc Powder Market Research Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.This report on Super Fine Talc Powder market studies the industry, taking into account the positive as well as the negative aspects of the market. The promising segments and opportunities in the market have been identified and so are the segments that will witness a decline or sluggish growth. Key challenges are also identified in the market along with the various obstacles a new entrant wishing to enter the global Super Fine Talc Powder market will face. In other words, the threat of new entrants has been analyzed in the report. Moreover, the degree of competition has been studied. Also included are the analysis of the bargaining power of buyers and supply bargaining power. Thus, the reader of this report will be empowered to make strategic decision pertaining to investments in the global Super Fine Talc Powder market.Get sample report @The global Super Fine Talc Powder market is segmented on the basis of key criteria and these segments and sub-segments are studied individually in the report. The lead author of this report has pointed out the leading, declining, and most lucrative segment so that potential investors can make profitable decisions and investments in the market. The report also comprises a detailed study of the competitive landscape of the Super Fine Talc Powder market. The shares occupied by the top three companies along with the strategies adopted by them have been given in the report. Information about the recent developments by key players and their strategic moves within the industry such as partnerships, acquisitions, collaborations, and mergers are also given. Moreover, strategies adopted by players to sustain in the competitive environment of the Super Fine Talc Powder market have been revealed.Table of ContentsGlobal Super Fine Talc Powder Market Research Report 20171 Super Fine Talc Powder Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Super Fine Talc Powder1.2 Super Fine Talc Powder Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Super Fine Talc Powder by Type in 20151.2.2 Cosmetics grade1.2.3 Coatings grade1.2.4 Cables grade1.2.5 Other1.3 Super Fine Talc Powder Segment by Application1.3.1 Super Fine Talc Powder Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Coatings and Painting Industry1.3.3 Plastics Industry1.3.4 Rubber Industry1.4 Super Fine Talc Powder Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Super Fine Talc Powder (2012-2022)2 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Super Fine Talc Powder Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Super Fine Talc Powder Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Super Fine Talc Powder Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Super Fine Talc Powder Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionBrowse full table of contents and data tables of Report @3 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Super Fine Talc Powder Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)4.1 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Consumption by Regions (2012-2017)4.2 North America Super Fine Talc Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Super Fine Talc Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Super Fine Talc Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Super Fine Talc Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Super Fine Talc Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Super Fine Talc Powder Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)6 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Super Fine Talc Powder Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesAbout UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Research Report and Overview on Web Conferencing Market, 2014-2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-254 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-254 www.futuremarketinsights.com Globalization has brought many changes with it in the recent past. Currently, no business is restricted to one place. It is required collaboration with all the international and domestics players. Collaboration is new mantra adopted largely by all the enterprises. Which is found increasingly useful. Key challenge that companies were facing a combination of right collaboration toolsthat can help marketeers to exchange the idea and communicate to each other as effective as a face to face meeting. This has made the web conferencing a key differentiating medium due to requirement of communicating with clientele in the real time.Web conferencing market has seen an extensive growth due to its various features mentioned above, and it has become a generic platforms for the key application such as meetings, presentations, lectures, training events. Eventually web conferencing has become a key factor in business process and productive software suites. This will drive the web conferencing market in the near future.Major participants in the global web conferencing market are Adobe Connect,PowWow365, Calliflower, Elluminate, Cisco WebEx, Epiphan Systems, GoToWebinar, Genesys Meeting Center, ACT Conferencing, IBM Sametime, VeriShow, eXo Platform with Weemo, BigBlueButton, Intercall, Oracle Beehive, Mikogo, Netviewer, Skype, RHUB Communications Inc., OmNovia Technologies, Starlight Networks Starlive, Teamviewer, TimeBridge VenueGen, and, Voxeet. The demand for web conferencing is growing rapidly and has represented 25 to 30% increase in uses from service providers.Request For Report Sample@Owing to the stiff completion in the global webconferencing market, these companies offer remarkable services such as Citrix GO To Meeting, WEbEX MEetMe Now, IBM, Acrobat Connect Profeshional, and Micrsoft Office Live Meeting.Some of the end-use industries in the global web conferencing market include Banking and Financial Services, Education, Pharmaceutical/Healthcare, Manufacturing,Government, Information Technology, and others. Among all the aforementioned end-use segments, Information Technology (IT) segmented accounted for the largest market share with 24% of the total share in 2014. Others segment represented 21% share to the global web conferencing market in the same year. Furthermore, Banking and financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare segment accounted for 16%, 15%, and 14% each respectively in 2014. Government segment accounted for low market share of 4% in 2014. This government segment is still follow the traditional medium for business and is yet to adopt the technology innovation.According to the market research, the web conferencing market was value at US$ 1.80 Bn in 2012. The web conferencing market is expected to reach at US$ 2.88 Bn by 2017, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.8% between 2012 and 2017. Factors driving the web conferencing market include;GlobalizationSaving travel cost and ROIGrowing awareness and User-friendlyEnvironmental ImperativesNeed for enhancing productivityNeed for social networkingGrowth of Virtual EmployeeMigration to UCFurthermore, web conferencing has become a new trend for communication especially for commercial segment. The need for enhanced productivity from employees, and constant need of technology innovation are the key factors driving the web conferencing market over the next five years.Request For TOC@The global web conferencing market highlights the key insights about the regions include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW).ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market Poised for Steady Growth in the Future http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2422 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2422 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Every person who is born must eventually grow old at some point. Considering how busy we have all become, it can often seem that life passes us by in a blur. When we do age, though, we usually have only one wish to live out the rest of our years in safety and comfort. Most of us would also like to live in our own homes if we can make that choice. That is where the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market comes into play. In-home senior care is a perfect fit for the franchising model since it is highly regulated, systems-oriented and highly personal. It enables franchise owners to develop strong ties with both their clients and the community at large. The long-term prospects of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market are very bright indeed.In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market DriversAn ageing population in the west will be the main driver of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market. The Baby Boomer generation born immediately following World War II are expected to demand greater medical care and attention. Elderly care in the U.S alone is expected to be worth more than $300 billion in 2016. There is also a major shift towards ageing in place. Most adults like living in the comfort & privacy of their own homes for as long as is possible. Even after they cross the age of 65, people prefer living on their own or with family members rather than in an old-age home. The In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is also expected to get a boost from improving technology. Assistance & safety monitoring equipment has taken a dramatic leap in recent times driven by advances in sensory networks, bio-sensing, robotics, cloud computing and telecommunications. Another factor boosting the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is the high revenue. In-home senior care requires very low initial investment and the earning opportunities are immense. Franchise owners are likely to earn more than independent providers improving the attractiveness of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market.Request For Report Sample:In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market RestraintsOne of the biggest constraints in the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is that of cost. In-home care facilities can cost anywhere from $3000 to $6000 a month. This makes it prohibitively expensive even for those families that are insured by insurance companies since they will almost certainly not cover the entire expense. The second challenge is a lack of trained professionals. It can be very difficult for in-home senior care franchises to find qualified nurses, staff or medical professionals to assist their patients. The demand for these individuals is anticipated to be much more than the supply in the years ahead. The third barrier to the growth of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is a lack of regulation in the industry. While it might be comforting to think of home health aides as certified professionals, the truth is that they have usually gone through a small training program for the company which hires them. There is no standardisation leading to great confusion about what these individuals are able and unable to do. One more challenge is the intense competition in the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market. This is a 24/7, 365 days a year business which requires franchisees to always be on call. Incumbent companies may offer additional benefits for holding on to their clients, making it difficult for newcomers to the field.In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market Key RegionsThe global In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is divided into North America, E.U, Asia, MENA and the rest of the world. North America is the largest market followed by the E.U. A large geriatric population, technological improvements and government reimbursement for health care are the primary reasons that it is dominant. Asia led by China, Japan and Korea are anticipated to outpace Europe in this decade due to their economic heft and a greater focus on domestic healthcare. Companies would be well advised to focus on the Asian In-Home Senior Care Franchises market for their future growth prospects.Request For TOC:In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market Key Market PlayersSome companies in the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market are BrightStar, Synergy HomeCare & Right at Home.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Network Function Virtualization Market Global Industry Analysis, size, share and Forecast 2014-2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-266 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-266 www.futuremarketinsights.com Network function virtualization (NFV) is the combination of software and hardware network featured in a virtual network. The service was initiated by service operators in order to increase the deployment of new operations, maintenance and service of networks. Network function virtualization catalyzes the major changes in implementation of network and their operations. The solution offered by network function virtualization projects a prominent future by optimizing the network operations and benefitting the service providers across the globe. Network function virtualization involves implementation of network functions in software suitable for different hardware and that can be moved to various locations without any need of installation of new equipments.The primary goals of network function virtualization are to reduce power consumption and reduce equipment cost, facilitate the accessibility of several applications on one single network appliances with multi tenancy and multi version capabilities. Network function virtualization reduces capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX). These networks support a dynamic ecosystem through the development and utilization of software solutions. All the benefits of FV are derived from use commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware that can be purposed and repurposed for multiple telecom related services that currently use proprietary hardware. Network function virtualization adopts the concept of virtualization and providing the benefit to telecommunication application infrastructure. Network function visualization supports software defining network (SDN) by providing the infrastructure upon which SDN software can be run.Request For Report Sample@The market for network function virtualization is driven by several factors including increase in demand for data intensive applications and need of cloud based services. Over the past few years the mobile industry has witnessed exceptional demand for data intensive applications which further demands for enhanced network capacity to match the user requirement. The growth of market is hindered by factors such as delay in adoption of technology. Due to nascent stage of optimization solution, vendors need more opportunities to accomplish more target customers. One of the major trends in network function virtualization market is the increasing demand for virtual server access ports. The network function virtualization market across the globe is expected to show a substantial growth with a double digit increase in CAGR by the year 2019. The global market shows immense potential because of the presence of certain trends and due to the cost benefits and high flexibility provided by b the network solutions.The market for network function virtualization is segmented on the basis of applications and geography. On the basis of application the market for network function virtualization can be segmented into switching elements (Routers), traffic analysis, service assurance, next generation signaling, security function and others. The geographical analysis of the market is done on the basis of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of World.Request For TOC@Some of the major players in the market include Ericsson AB, Alcatel-Lucent SA, Huawei technologies Co. Ltd., 6Wind SA, Nokia Solutions and Network, Amdocs Inc., Connectem Inc., CIMI Corporation, ContexXtream Inc., Intel Corporation, F5 Network Inc., Juniper Network Inc., Open Wave Mobility Inc., NEC Inc., Oracle Corporation and Opera Software Asa among others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Dental Consumables Market Value Share Analysis, by Product Type 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dental-consumables-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=554 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com https://tmrresearch.blogspot.com/ The leading players operating in the global dental consumables market held a share of 62% in the overall market. Danaher Corporation, Dentsply Sirona, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., and Henry Schein Inc. have been leading the market due to their low pricing strategy and excellent brand recognition, states Transparency Market Research. These players are expected to focus on mergers and acquisitions to improve their presence in the global market.According to Transparency Market Research, the global dental consumables market is expected to be worth US$33.4 bn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$19.6 bn in 2015. During the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is expected to surge at a CAGR of 6.1%.Obtain Report Details @Europe to Acquire a Share of 41.1% by 2024The various products available in the global market are crowns and bridges, dental implants, orthodontics, retail dental care essentials, periodontics, endodontics, and dental biomaterials among others. Amongst all of these products, the crowns and bridges segment is expected to show remarkable progress in the coming years. This segment alone is expected to rise at a CAGR of 7.2% between 2016 and 2024.Geographically, this market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Europe is anticipated to lead the global market in the coming years due to improving oral health care facilities across countries such as Norway, Greece, Spain, and the U.K. By the end of 2024, Europe is projected to acquire a share of 41.1% in the global dental consumables market by 2024.Improvements in Dental Implants Assure UptakeThe emergence of services such as dental tourism in developing countries of India, Turkey, and Hungary have triggered a massive demand for dental consumables over the past few years. The low cost of oral health care services provided in these emerging economies has lured in several consumers over the past few years for treatment. The low labor cost, effective treatment methods, and minimum government intervention pertaining to healthcare industries in developing countries are expected to boost dental tourism, which in turn is expected to have a positive reflection on the demand for dental consumables.The improving success rates of dental implants, especially for the upper jaw is also likely to play a crucial role in the development of the global market. This has led to increased uptake of several procedures that use dental implants. The market is also thriving due to the growing incidence of dental diseases such as tooth decay, gum diseases, tooth erosion, and mouth sores. Furthermore, high prevalence of periodontal diseases have also fueled the growth of the global dental consumables market. The rising disposable incomes in emerging economies and changing lifestyles, which have inclined patients toward improved oral health care, are expected to drive the demand for dental consumables.High Cost of Treatment and Poor Reimbursement Policies Restrain Market GrowthThe increasing expenditure on the research and development of dental consumables has spiked the prices of products. Thus, the high cost of products has also made the treatment costlier, which is likely to have a negative impact on the sales. The poor reimbursement policies of in developed countries of France, the U.S., Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia, and Japan is also hampering the growth of the overall market as it is coaxing patients to migrate to cheaper places to seek treatment.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog: 2017-2022 mHealth Industry Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications Reportsweb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001854482/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/2017-2022-mhealth-report-on-global-and-united-states-market-status-and-forecast-by-players-types-and-applications http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001854482/discount http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001854482/buy/2960 This report studies the mHealth market status and outlook of global and United States, from angles of players, regions, product types and end industries; this report analyzes the top players in global and United States market, and splits the mHealth market by product type and applications/end industries.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.Request a Sample atNorth America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of mHealth.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share (%) and growth Rate (%) of mHealth in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast) , coveringUnited StatesNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificSouth AmericaMiddle East and AfricaBrowse Complete Report atThe major players in global and United States mHealth market, including AT&T, LifeWatch, Boston Scientific, Omron Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Sanofi, Bayer Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, Masimo, Azumio, Phoneflips.The On the basis of product, the mHealth market is primarily split intoElectronic Health RecordHome Health TrackingPatient EducationDiagnostic SupportOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report coversHospitalClinicsFamily UseGet discount on report purchase atKey Point from Table of Contents:mHealth Players/Manufacturers Profiles and Sales Data1 AT&T1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors1.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification1.2.1 Product A1.2.2 Product B1.3 AT&T mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)1.4 Main Business/Business Overview2 LifeWatch2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors2.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification2.2.1 Product A2.2.2 Product B2.3 LifeWatch mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)2.4 Main Business/Business Overview3 Boston Scientific3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors3.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification3.2.1 Product A3.2.2 Product B3.3 Boston Scientific mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)3.4 Main Business/Business Overview4 Omron Healthcare4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors4.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification4.2.1 Product A4.2.2 Product B4.3 Omron Healthcare mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.4 Main Business/Business Overview5 Philips Healthcare5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors5.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification5.2.1 Product A5.2.2 Product B5.3 Philips Healthcare mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6 Sanofi6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification6.2.1 Product A6.2.2 Product B6.3 Sanofi mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7 Bayer Healthcare1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification2.1 Product A2.2 Product B3 Bayer Healthcare mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4 Main Business/Business Overview8 Johnson & Johnson8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors8.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification8.2.1 Product A8.2.2 Product B8.3 Johnson & Johnson mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)8.4 Main Business/Business Overview9 Masimo9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification9.2.1 Product A9.2.2 Product B9.3 Masimo mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)9.4 Main Business/Business Overview10 Azumio10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.2 mHealth Product Category, Application and Specification10.2.1 Product A10.2.2 Product B10.3 Azumio mHealth Sales (K Units) , Revenue (Million USD) , Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)10.4 Main Business/Business Overview11 PhoneflipsPurchase Complete Report atContact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail: sales@reportsweb.comOrganization: ReportsWebPhone: +1-646-491-9876ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. The market research industry has changed in last decade. As corporate focus has shifted to niche markets and emerging countries, a number of publishers have stepped in to fulfil these information needs. We have experienced and trained staff that helps you navigate different options and lets you choose best research solution at most effective cost.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 White Tea Market Growth, Demand, Trends, Share and Key 2017 2025 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/16432 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/16432 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/white-tea-market.asp www.persistencemarketresearch.com White tea is one of the varieties of tea which consists of young and least processed leaves of Camellia sinensis. It is made from juvenile buds, when the plant is in its primary growth phase. The beverage is soothing and nearly pale yellow in color and identified by mellow floral-fruity flavor, though its name comes from the small white hair present on the buds. White tea is also used in various other industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals etc. White Tea possess various properties such as anti-microbial properties, anti-oxidants, etc. hence have various health benefits.White Tea Market: Drivers and RestraintsAs tea market is witnessing a remarkable growth all over the world, the White Tea Market is also going parallel to the tea market. Although White Tea is not much popular, but steadily White Tea Market is getting the pace. The White Tea Market is driven by its health benefits and its medicinal properties. It contains anti-oxidants and high levels of caffeine. White Tea beverage accounts to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases and various other problems. Another key driver for white tea market is its medicinal use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.White tea is the least processed tea, hence it takes less time and labor to process it, which accounts to drive the White Tea Market. Because the processing is minimum, White tea comes up with more natural benefits.The key producers of White tea are China and India, unfortunately other countries have to depend on the exports, hence could be considered as a restraint. Less awareness about white tea products may also hamper the market.White Tea Market: SegmentationWhite tea market is segmented on the basis of product type, applications, flavors and origin.Based on the product type, the white tea market is segmented into white peony white tea, silver needle white tea, Darjeeling White Tea, Moonlight White Tea, Shou Mei White Tea, White Matcha Tea. White peony white tea is made by first and second tips of the tea stem and are of the best quality while Silver needle white tea is the most expensive white tea which is made from the single tip of the tea stem. These tips when dried looks like silver needles. White Matcha is grown in Kenya.Based upon the applications, the white tea market is segmented into the beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and toiletries. White tea is used as a non-alcoholic beverage drink that is consumed often and creates the major market. White tea possess anti-microbial properties, so can be used in pharmaceutical industry. Anti-ageing and anti-oxidant properties of White Tea are useful in cosmetic industries. White tea extract can be used as anti-ageing ingredient in cosmetic products. White tea can be used in toiletries such as sanitizing soaps as it possess the antibiotic properties which help in cleaning the hands.Based upon the flavors, white tea market is segmented into the flowery and fruity flavors. Flowery flavor is Smooth, creamy and possess buttery taste. It is made using white peony white tea while Fruity flavor is formed using Silver needle white tea which is very delicate, smooth and have sweet flavor with fruity tones.On the basis of variety, White tea market is segmented into conventional white tea and Organic white tea.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @White Tea Market: Regional OutlookDepending on the geographic regions global White Tea Market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan and MEA.Western Europe is the leading consumer of the White Tea products followed by North America. Latin America also possess a large White Tea Market. Middle East and Africa also have a large numbers of import data for White tea. Japan is also becoming a large White Tea Market and expected to grow in forecast period.Asia Pacific White Tea Market is expected to grow during the forecast period because people are getting more health conscious and are keen to consume healthy beverages.The recent trend is people are looking for more health beneficiary beverages to combat with changing environment and lifestyle.Request to View Tables of Content @White Tea Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players operating in white tea market are Zejiang Tea Group co. Ltd, Vicony Teas Company, Lanzhou Waltlets Biotech co. Ltd, Subodh Brothers Pvt. Ltd, Goenka Brothers and few regional players.To view complete report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Indoor Air Quality Monitor Market Intelligence Report Offers Growth Prospects http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2453 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2453 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Most of the people spend their 70% to 80% daily time indoors. Several air impurities can cause respiratory disorders, allergies etc. The quality of indoor air can affect the comfort, health and productivity of a building occupants hence, determining the quality of indoor air around occupants is important. The air quality monitor is used to perform the indoor air quality parameter testing. It helps to detect a mold or any air-borne bacteria formed from outside pollutant before it becomes s serious health and safety concern as well as to develop effective air pollution monitoring system through public-private funding. Increasing level of awareness among the public about the hazards of pollution and healthcare is also fuelling the growth of global indoor air quality monitor market.Indoor Air Quality Monitor Market: Drivers and RestraintsTechnological advancement in the air quality monitor systems as well the its demand from the developing countries like India, China etc. are offering some new opportunities for the key market player. However the technical limitations available with the air quality monitor as well as its high price is acting as a restraint for indoor air quality monitor market. In developed regions the increasing consumer preference for pollution free indoor atmosphere, increasing demand for green building technologies and smart homes is also driving the indoor air quality monitor system. The development of indoor air quality monitor system and its customization is expected to drive this market during the forecast period.Request For Report Sample:The indoor air quality monitor market can be segmented into portable and fixed indoor monitor. The market for portable indoor monitors is expected to exhibit high CAGR during the forecast period. Government agencies and academic institute are anticipated to create high demand for indoor air quality monitor among all end use segments.Indoor Air Quality Monitor Market: SegmentationOn the basis of Sampling Method,Continuous MonitoringManual MonitoringPassive MonitoringIntermittent MonitoringOn the basis of Pollutant,Chemical PollutantsPhysical PollutantsBiological PollutantsOn the basis of End User,Government Agencies & Academic InstitutesCommercial & Residential UsersPetrochemical IndustryGeneration PlantsPharmaceutical IndustryOther End UsersRequest For TOC:Indoor Air Quality Monitor Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global indoor air quality monitor 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). North America leads the global indoor air quality monitor market in terms of demand, followed by Western Europe. The APEJ market is anticipated to create huge demand during the forecast period. A large number of factors such as implementation s of stringent environment regulations and increasing industrialization in this region is likely to drive the indoor air quality market.Indoor Air Quality Monitor Market: Key PlayersThermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.Teledyne Technologies Inc.Siemens AGEmerson Electric Co.General Electric CompanyServomex Group Ltd.MERCK KGaATSI, Inc.Testo AGABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Pecan Market Foreseen to Grow Exponentially Over 2016 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12652 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12652 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/pecan-market.asp www.persistencemarketresearch.com Pecans are edible tree-nut crop which is cultivated for its delicious and buttery yet rich flavour, which contains minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and health beneficial nutrients. Pecan contains 690 calories/100g which makes them good source of energy, regular consumption of pecan helps to decrease cholesterol level in the blood. Pecan contain polyphenolic antioxidant ellagic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein and zea-xanthin, which makes them rich source of many phyto-chemicals and helps to remove toxic like oxygen-free radicals that helps to decrease the risk of diseases like cancer as well as help to prevent body from various infections.Pecan mainly produced in Georgia, followed by New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. According to National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in 2014, Georgia produced 76 million pounds of pecan. Whereas, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona produced 67 million pounds, 61 million pounds, 21 million pounds of pecan, which is 17% low from previous year for Georgia, and 7% for New Mexico and Arizona.According to FAS, in 2014, The U.S. exports of pecan increased by 28% in comparison to previous year. In 2014, the U.S. exports of pecan was valued more than US$ 445 million and imports are valued at US$ 370.6 million which is 52% higher than previous year. In 2014, Canada was largest market for shelled pecans valued at more than US$ 45 million. In 2015, Mexico produced 270,535.4 Mn pounds of pecan, which is 400,000 lbs higher than previous year.According to USDA's Economic Research Service, in 2014, per capita consumption of pecan was ranging from 0.3 pounds to 0.6 pounds.Pecan Market: SegmentationGlobal pecan market is segmented on the basis of application and region. Based on the application, global pecan market is segmented into bakery, snacks, beverages, confectionary, and others. Among the application segments bakery and confectionery products collectively contribute to more than 50.0% market share. On the basis of region, global pecan market is segmented into five regions, North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.Pecan Market: DriversThe factors driving the pecan market are high nutritional value of pecan nuts, increasing focus towards preventive care, consumers are rapidly shifting towards consumption of healthy food. Increasing urge of the consumers for living a healthy lifestyle, coupled with increased usage of edible nuts as an ingredient by various food industries such as bakery & confectionery, dairy, snacks and others. Increasing concern regarding side effects of chemicals and synthetic additives used in food and beverages is fuelling demand for natural alternatives like pecan in the market. However, lack of product quality standard and uniform packaging and quality standards will act as a barrier for global pecan market. In recent years, pecan industry is dealing instability due to uneven supply.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Pecan Market: OverviewThe global pecan market is anticipated to expand at a healthy CAGR in terms of value and volume, during the forecast period (20162024). Currently, the major trends witnessed in the global pecan market are: increased consumption of nut based spreads and shifting consumer preference towards plant based beverages. Pecan provides a good and easy option for snacking, different coated, flavoured and seasoned pecans are available in retail market.Request to View Tables of Content @Pecan Market: Key PlayersSome of the key participating player in global pecan market are Pecan Producers International, Missouri Northern Pecan Growers, Linwood Nursery, Navarro Pecan Company Inc., The Green Valley Pecan Company, SA Pecans, Kalahari Desert Products (Pty) Ltd., Hudson Pecan Company, and others.To view complete report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Electric Scooter Market Size, Trends, Technology, Analysis and Forecast Report 2017-2025 The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000518 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100000518 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/electric-scooters-market The Insight Partners added Electric Scooters Market to 2025 - Global Analysis and Forecasts by Product Type, Battery Type, and Technology to its research database. The report is spread across 150 pages and supported by 10 company leaders.Electric scooter are defined motorized bicycles propelled by human power or by a combination of human power and electric motor, capable of propelling the vehicle not more than 30 Mph on level ground. The vehicle consist of two wheels and a motor which triggers at a certain speed. These scooters offers high efficiency in comparison to conventional scooters at the expense of slightly reduced performance. Technological advancement have these scooters as a perfect commuting option without the hassle of traffic and crowded public transportation.Request Sample Copy atIncreasing disposable income on the consumer end and government push to adopt environmentally safe solutions, these vehicles have witnessed significant growth rate in the recent years. For instance, the government of China has announced the subsidy of US$ 100-1000 on the purchase of electric or hybrid scooters. In U.S. the administration is offering tax credits amounting to a maximum of US$ 7,500 over the purchase of battery for hybrid vehicles. However complex regulations regarding vehicle speed, consumer focusing over performance rather fuel efficiency are expected to inhibit the growth of the market.Inquire and Speak to Expert for More Details atThe objectives of this report is as follows:-To provide overview of the global Electric Scooter market-To analyze and forecast the global Electric Scooter market on the basis of product type, battery type, and technology.-To provide market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Electric Scooter market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) , Middle East and Africa (MEA) , and South America (SAM) , which are later sub-segmented across respective major countries.-To evaluate market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend.-To provide exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.-To profiles key Electric Scooter players influencing the market along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies.View Complete Company Profile and Table of Contents atSome of the important players in Electric Scooter market ECCITY Motocycles, Hero Eco (Hero Electric) , Gogoro Inc., GOVECS GmbH, Vmoto Limited, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Terra Motors Corp., Piaggio & C. SpA, BMW Motorrad, and Jiangsu Xinri E-Vehicle Co., Ltd.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:TheInsightPartners.com is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Pune, India Security Ink Market is expected to rise at a remarkable CAGR By 2024. http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/security-ink-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=22319 Security printing is a section of the printing industry wherein items such as checks, certificates, stamp papers, bank notes, passports, identity cards, and labels are printed. Security ink plays a major role in the security printing industry. Security ink is also known as anti-counterfeit printing ink. It is manufactured through a series of special processes.Obtain Report Details @:Forms of security inks that are used on a large scale include thermo-chromic ink, invisible ink, magnetic ink, optically variable ink, reactive ink, biometric ink, water based ink, and secondary fluorescing ink. These forms are majorly classified into two sub-classes: instant verification inks and tamper evident inks.The selection of security inks depends primarily on the purpose it is used for. Usage of a suitable type of security ink helps one understand if any attempt to alter the document was made or not. Security inks are generally used in conjunction with other security features so that any changes can be easily identified.Security inks usually comprise fluorescent pigments, which tend to change their color once the angle is changed. A government or legal document has a peculiar color scheme; based on the change in color, one can identify whether the document has been tempered or not.Security Ink Market: TrendsSecurity inks are used extensively to protect and authenticate important documents. These forms of inks are primarily employed in government documents in order to keep a check on their authenticity. Of late, security inks have been employed in the printing of lottery tickets, gift vouchers, and event tickets. Initially, these did not require much security.Make an Enquiry @:Security inks are compatible with letterpress, offset, intaglio, flexographic, numbering, and silk screen printing methods. Researchers are striving to develop security inks that are invisible in ambient and UV light, but can be read with the help of a fluorescence microplate reader.The technique for development of security inks is mostly patented. Of late, the practice of counterfeit and forgery has been increasing. It has become difficult to identify these malpractices. Therefore, companies are striving to manufacture an improved version of security inks.The outlook for the security ink market appears positive, considering the increase in usage of these inks and wide range of applications. The global security ink market is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period owing to the rise in the concerns regarding the authenticity of legal documents.Security Ink Market: Region-wise OutlookThe security ink market is considered highly developed in North America, especially in the U.S., due to the presence of various production units for security inks and high utilization rate of these inks. The security market in Europe has been expanding significantly since the last few years. This trend is projected to continue during the forecast period.The security ink market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a moderate pace due to the implementation of regulations by various countries in the region. The security ink market in Latin America and Middle East & Africa has been witnessing a sluggish growth, however it is expected to witness rapid growth in the future as major manufacturing companies have been focusing towards shifting their operations in these two regions.Security Ink Market: Key PlayersKey players operating in the security ink market include Sun Chemical, Gleitsmann Security Inks, Letong Ink, Kao Collins Inc., Ink Tec Inc., Villager Security Solutions AG, Luminescence, and Hologramas de Mexico.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207 Europe Biosimilars Market & Pipeline Insight https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-Europe-Biosimilars-Market-&-Pipeline-Insight.php https://www.kuickresearch.com Biosimilars have emerged as one of the most promising segment of the European pharmaceutical industry in recent years. The biosimilars segment has been experiencing a steady growth driven by patent expiration of blockbuster drugs, amenable regulatory framework, economic incentives along with favorable pricing and reimbursement policies adopted across multiple markets in Europe. The current biosimilars market is highly fragmented in nature due to their accessibility in various therapeutic categories. The European biosimilars market is divided into various categories: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF or GCSF), erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and somatropin biosimilars, Insulin, mAbs and follitropin. The present market fragmentation is driven by the availability of particular biosimilar products which were introduced over a decade ago. These products created niche among them and resulted in inclination toward a particular segments over a period of time.One of the most promising factors responsible for the development of biosimilars market is the patent expiration of reference drugs. The European biosimilars market is experiencing tremendous growth as blockbuster biologic drugs are going off-patent. The entry of new biosimilars due to patent expiry into various therapeutic indications has created a new category for the biosimilars. For instance, Ely Lily and Boehringer Ingelheim have already got marketing authorization of their biosimilar insulin in June2014 even as the current diabetes drug (Lantus) marketed by Sanofi will go off patent in February2015.Download Report:The competitive pricing and reimbursement policies adopted by country specific regulators are also promoting the introduction of biosimilars in European market. The newly introduced biosimilars are approximately 20-30% cheaper and hence results in high level of acceptability among patients and physicians in comparison to originator molecule. The benefits of using the biosimilars include reimbursement provided by many governments which further decreases the financial burden from the patients as result of which they do not revert to originator molecules.Currently there are 18 biosimilars available in European market and more than 90 are in multiple phases of development in clinical pipeline. Majority of the available biosimilars are approved for the treatment of indication like Cancer, Kidney Failure and Anemia. Approved Biosimilars in Europe:Abseamed (epoetin alfa), Bemfola (follitropin alfa), Binocrit (epoetin alfa), Biograstim (filgrastim), Epoetin Alfa Hexal (epoetin alfa), Filgrastim Hexal (filgrastim), Grastofil (filgrastim), Inflectra (infliximab), Nivestim (filgrastim), Omnitrope (somatropin), Ovaleap (follitropin alfa), Ratiograstim (filgrastim), Remsima (infliximab), Retacrit (epoetin zeta), Silapo (epoetin zeta), Tevagrastim (filgrastim), Zarzio (filgrastim), Wepox (epoetin alfa)Europe Biosimilars Market & Pipeline Insight Report Highlight:* Biosimilars Market Overview & Trend Analysis by Country* Biosimilars Introduction Timeline in Europe* Biosimilars Development & Market Authorization Guidelines* Biosimilars Clinical Pipeline by Phase, Indication, Company & Country* Marketed Biosimilars Clinical Insight by Phase, Indication, Company & Country* Europe Biosimilars Pipeline: 93 Biosimilars* Marketed Biosimilars: 18 Biosimilars (17 Approved by EMA & 1 in Ukraine)For Report Sample Contact: neeraj@kuickresearch.com orvisit:Recent Publications:* Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2022* Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market & Clinical Trials Insight 2022* Global Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2023* Global Microcapsules Drug Delivery Market Opportunity Outlook 2022* Global Controlled Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Trial Outlook 2022* Global Cancer Antibody Drug Conjugates Market & Pipeline Insight 2022* Global B Cell Lymphoma Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight 2022Kuick Research is a market research and analytics company that provides targeted information for critical decisions at business, product and service levels. We are quick, predictive and known by the recommendations we have made in the past. Our result-oriented research methodology offers understanding of multiple issues in a short period of time and gives us the capability to keep you full with loads of practical ideas. By translating research answers into strategic insight and direction, we not only rate the success potential of your products and/or services, but also help you identify the opportunities for growth in new demographies and find ways to beat competition.Neeraj Chawlaneeraj@kuickresearch.comKuicK ResearchAvanta Business Center 4th Floor,Statesman House Barakhamba Road,Connaught Place New Delhi 110 001, India+91-11-47067990 Worldwide Industrial Salt Market by Major Countries, Growth and Forecast To 2021 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/world-industrial-salt-market-research-report-2021 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001588527/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001588527/buying Publisher's Industrial Salt market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving revenue growth and profitability.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, analysis and discuion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry players.Global Industrial Salt Market: Product Segment AnalysisSea saltWell and rock saltLake saltGlobal Industrial Salt Market: Application Segment AnalysisFor More Information About This Report:Global Industrial Salt Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaThe players mentioned in our reportArchean GroupAhir SaltGHCLSojitzNaikai SaltChina National Salt9D GroupYunnan SaltLantai IndustryChengyuan SaltJingshen Salt & ChemicalRequest Sample Copy At:Table of ContentChapter 1 About the Industrial Salt IndustryChapter 2 World Market Competition LandscapeChapter 3 World Industrial Salt Market shareChapter 4 Supply Chain AnalysisChapter 5 Company ProfilesChapter 6 Globalization & TradeChapter 7 Distributors and CustomersChapter 8 Import, Export, Consumption and Consumption Value by Major CountriesChapter 9 World Industrial Salt Market forecast through 2021Chapter 10 Key success factors and Market OverviewInquire For This Report At:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Rice Husk Ash Market Report 2017 Global Industry Statistics & Outlook to 2022 https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/395136/?utm_source=opr-SK https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/395136/?utm_source=paid-SK http://www.openpr.com/news/archive/144590/marketstudyreport-com.html https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-rice-husk-ash-market-research-report-forecast-2017-to-2022/?utm_source=RR-SK https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ The market research report Global Rice Husk Ash Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 aims to offer insights into new business opportunities for companies active in Rice Husk Ash as well as for those players that are aiming to get an entry into the industry.Rice Husk Ash Market :This report study global effectively used rice husk ash market.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Rice Husk Ash in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Request a sample copy of Rice Husk Ash Market Research Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversYihai Kerry Investments, Usher Agro, Guru Metachem, Agrilectric Power Company, Rescon (India), Deelert Group, Jasoriya Rice Mill, Others.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversSilica Content Between 85-89%, Silica Content Between 90-94%, Silica Content Between 80-84%, Silica Content More Than Or Equal to 95%Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoBuilding & Construction, Silica, Steel Industry, Ceramics & Refractory, Rubber, OthersEnquire about Rice Husk Ash Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Rice Husk Ash market.Chapter 1, to describe Rice Husk Ash Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force; Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Rice Husk Ash, with sales, revenue, and price of Rice Husk Ash, in 2016 and 2017; Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Rice Husk Ash, for each region, from 2012 to 2017; Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions; Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Rice Husk Ash market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022; Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Rice Husk Ash sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceFor more information About Rice Husk Ash Market Research Report Please Visit @Related Reports: -Global Rice Husk Ash Market Research Report Forecast 2017 to 2022Delivery of the Report will take 2-3 working days once order is placed. The Global Rice Husk Ash Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2022 is a valuable source of insightful data for business strate...About Us:Centralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place.Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News: Optical Chopper Market to Discern Steadfast Expansion by 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/optical-chopper-market.asp http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/5843 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/5843 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Optical choppers are the devices or equipment utilized to vary and interrupt light beams at regular or fixed time intervals. By deploying variations in the frequency of the optical chopper, the frequency of the light can be respectively varied. Invented in the mid-1800s, the optical chopper was used to measure the speed of light. The optical chopper contains a circular metal disc possessing holes and gaps at regular or irregular intervals which is attached to a rotating motor which rotates at a certain speed.To View Complete Report @ :The light beam passes through this optical chopper and in turn through these holes and thus the frequency of the light can be calculated using the frequency of the optical chopper. The optical chopper finds its main advantage in achieving a regular frequency of light beam. Optical choppers can be either operated by mechanical or electronic means. Predominantly used technologies for optical choppers are rotating disk, tuning fork and optical shutters.A sample of this report is available upon request @On the basis of geography the optical choppers market can be segmented as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. Application of optical choppers is extensively found in optical spectrometers, wheel speed sensors, ion neutron beam instruments, intensity modulation of optical signals and anti-lock braking systems. Optical choppers are available in various specifications and types as variable frequency rotating disc chopper, fixed frequency tuning fork and shutter.Rotating disc choppers are widely utilized in laboratories and research institutions where chopping frequency is fixed by operator or user and size of aperture is large when compared with other devices. Tuning fork optical choppers are designed to operate at fixed frequency, smaller aperture size and at high frequency. Optical shutters are preferred for low frequency chopping applications, these type of optical choppers allow the operator to follow varying or arbitrary patterns of chopping.To view TOC of this report is available upon request@Optical choppers are extensively used in electronics products such as television sets for controlling the color of pixels on screen, signaling lamps, camera, movie projectors, signal detection and recovery and other equipment. Depending upon the requirement and extent of accuracy required the optical choppers find their wide use in industries, scientific research, aerospace, healthcare and military applications.Widening application area of the optical choppers are amplifying the growth of global optical chopper market. Expanding demands for high tech cardio machines in the hospitals, anti-lock braking systems, movie projectors etc. are creating a big opportunity for the global optical choppers market. Moreover, technological advancements in machine vision and imaging coupled with increasing demand for advanced equipment in research institutions is likely to drive growth in optical chopper market globally during the forecast period.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: InnJoo takes a leap with the launch of its ultra-thin laptops InnJoo, the fastest growing brand for consumer electronics in Middle East took a big leap with the launch of its ultra-thin laptops called LeapBook. The InnJoo LeapBook is ultra-thin, light weight, elegantly designed laptops that comes in two models the LeapBook M100 and the LeapBook A100, both run Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System.Time Chen, CEO at InnJoo said, We take pride in introducing LeapBook to the consumers in UAE. And to celebrate the spirit of giving this Eid, we along with Souq.com have decided to offer a free power bank with InnJoo LeapBook A100 at a regular price of AED 499. This is a limited period special offer and will be available for our buyers in UAE only at Souq.com.Both the LeapBook A100 and M100 flaunt stunning looks draped in Silver and Gold shades delivering strong sense of fashion and style statement. The 18.2mm thickness makes LeapBook, one of the thinnest laptops in the world that brings colours to life with its 14.1-inch HD display screen boosting a 1366 x 768 pixels resolution to deliver an enhanced experience of watching movies and browsing the web.InnJoo has powered the LeapBook with enormous 10000mAh battery that can sustains up to 10 hours of normal usage on a single charge and it can even support 6.5 hours video time or 300 hours standby time. The device is equipped with 2GB low voltage consumption and power-efficient DDR3L working together with 32GB eMMC flash storage for smooth computing experiences. The storage for LeapBook can be expanded up to 128GB via micro SD card for storing, gaming, watching or browsing.The LeapBooks with its 0.3MP camera and 802.11b/g/n wireless network are connected seamlessly for live streaming a video call. Both the machines have powerful built-in 8/1W speaker and offers multiple connectivity options with two USB 2.0 ports, micro SD card slot and a HDMI slot to enable users a convenience of connections.InnJoo LeapBook A100The narrow bezel of less than 12mm for side edge and 14mm for top edge LeapBook A100 only weights 1275g and is crafted in premium plastic shell offering a Light, Thin and Stylish to capture the imagination of the user. The A100 features 64-bit Intel Atom x5 Z8350 chipset with a Quad Core Intel processor and Gen 8 Intel HD Graphics Card that manifests stronger performance and enhanced experience. This light weight Laptop is exclusively available at Souq.com for just 499 AED.InnJoo LeapBook M100Dressing an all metal body in two color options, business silver and noble gold, the M100 shows extraordinary Aluminum texture, delivering strong sense of profession and elegance. The laptop features corrosion resistance, crush resistance, and anti-friction to look fresh and fantastic all the time.The narrow bezel of only 9.4mm for side edge and 14mm for top edge is constructed succinctly and compactly makes it look irresistibly good. The all metal body premium designed LeapBook M100 is now available in UAE for AED 599 at Souq.com.We wish everyone a Happy Eid and we are extremely happy to share two of our latest innovations and are confident that the people will love it. Chen concluded.About InnJooInnJoo is a technical startup born with Internet DNA. Its Internet journey was started by joining hands with the largest e-commerce sites in the region. Based in Dubai, InnJoo became the fastest-growing company by providing smart devices as well as software services in the EMEA region.PO Box 127631Dubai, UAE China Space Industry Development Analysis https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-China-Space-Industry-Development-Analysis.php https://www.kuickresearch.com The space Industry today plays an important role in Chinas comprehensive development strategy. The space sector enjoys a special status and its contribution and performance cannot be judged by macroeconomic and other aggregate national level indicators. Chinas investment in space in the last 2-3 decades have focused on capabilities that directly serve economic goals, aid development and have potential for contribution to economic development. However economic development was not the chief factor guiding the civil space program initially. The governments focus on civil space industry has not been consistent with developmental priorities since 1992 when the human spaceflight program was started. Space technology related to specific applications such as telecommunications satellites and remote - sensing satellites for resource management and weather monitoring can generate direct and visible contributions to economic development.Apart from the main space programs, the Chinese space industry is looking at further commercializing its space initiatives including the export of satellite components, to Western markets. The space industry is also likely to look at expanding into export sectors outside space for high-technology sectors such as clean energy products, solar panels etc.Download Report:While the government and space agencies are promoting commercial space ventures in China, the participation of Chinese enterprises in international commercial activities in the space field is encouraged and opening up new commercial vistas. China is a major player in satellite exports and has exported whole satellites and made in-orbit delivery of communications satellites to Nigeria, Venezuela and others. The country has also provided commercial launch services for the Palapa-D satellite of Indonesia and the W3C satellite of Eutelsat. Besides these China has signed export contracts with Bolivia, Laos, Belarus and other countries for its commercial satellite and ground system.Chinas space program objective is to build a permanent space station by 2020 and from there send an astronaut to the moon in the next few years.Chinais now attempting to promote a narrative of the country being a rising global power in space technology. Its plan in this regard includes launching freighters and manned-vessels in the next 5-6 years, conducting major research on black holes, forecasting environmental disasters, and other space operations. In recent yearsChinas space exploration program has seen significant advances with its ambition to land a lunar rover on the moon. ForChinaits forays into space is an important part of its continuing development, and the country has some ambitious plans along those lines.China Space Industry Development Analysis Report Highlights:* Civil & Military Space Industry Emerging Trends* Space Industry Formal Plan* Space Industry Capabilities Analysis* Launch Vehicles, Satellite Launch & Monitoring Centers* Space Laboratory Module: Tiangong Space Station* Ongoing & Future Projects* Government Initiatives & Budgetary Support* Space Industry Technologies & TrendsFor Report Sample Contact: neeraj@kuickresearch.com orvisit:Recent Publications:* Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2022* Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market & Clinical Trials Insight 2022* Global Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2023* Global Microcapsules Drug Delivery Market Opportunity Outlook 2022* Global Controlled Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Trial Outlook 2022* Global Cancer Antibody Drug Conjugates Market & Pipeline Insight 2022* Global B Cell Lymphoma Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight 2022Kuick Research is a market research and analytics company that provides targeted information for critical decisions at business, product and service levels. We are quick, predictive and known by the recommendations we have made in the past. Our result-oriented research methodology offers understanding of multiple issues in a short period of time and gives us the capability to keep you full with loads of practical ideas. By translating research answers into strategic insight and direction, we not only rate the success potential of your products and/or services, but also help you identify the opportunities for growth in new demographies and find ways to beat competition.Neeraj Chawlaneeraj@kuickresearch.comKuicK ResearchAvanta Business Center 4th Floor,Statesman House Barakhamba Road,Connaught Place New Delhi 110 001, India+91-11-47067990 Is the True Fleet Market in France on its way back ? www.dataforce.de After a very bumpy start to 2017 with four consecutive months of declining volumes, the French True Fleet Market has finally come back into growth with + 5.1% over May 2016. This positive result helped to reduce the year-to-date loss from - 7.2% to - 4.9%. The Total Market finished with 191,000 registrations equating to a + 8.9% growth rate. With the recent election of the pro-euro Emmanuel Macron to the presidency perhaps this is the swing needed to generate a promising comeback for fleet business and add a further boost to the private channel in France.Lets have a look at the brand ranking. The two brands in the lead both had a very strong month, Renault scored a surplus of + 22.1% followed by Peugeot with even higher + 31.6%. The combined market share of these two is close to 48% in fleets whereas its only 33.1% in the Private Market.Mercedes (ranked 5th behind Citroen and Volkswagen) and Audi in 6th place both gained two positions on the ladder. The Top-10 was completed by BMW, Ford, Nissan and Toyota, with the Japanese manufacturer able to overtake both Fiat and Opel with an impressive increase of + 38.4%.The Top-2 vehicle segments performed pretty well with growth rates of + 8.7% (SUV) and + 14.6% (Small cars) but the Compact Car segment in third position took a hit declining by - 5.8%. Within this group however there was an interesting change. From April 2014 until April 2017 Peugeots 308 has remained in the lead but in May 17 it was the Renault Megane who was able to overtake grabbing the #1 spot on the podium for the first time since March 2014. Looking into the Meganes most preferred model version theres further proof of just how different Fleet and Private customers are: Fleets tend to opt for diesel (86% share in May) while its almost 50/50 for diesel and petrol in the Private market. And the share of the estate version in companies is more than double the height of private consumer share (47% vs. 20%).In the SUV segment we can see a very impressive new entry. Launched only two months ago the Peugeot 5008 is already ranked 4th in May behind Peugeot 2008, Renault Kadjar and Volkswagen Tiguan. Certainly a remarkable performance and probably only a matter of time before this model enters the True Fleet Top 3. However in the Private Market its still has long way to go, taking into account that the 5008 ranked only 27th last month.DATAFORCE Focus on FleetsDataforce is the leading provider of fleet market data and automotive intelligence solutions in Europe. In addition, the company also provides detailed information on sales opportunities for the automotive industry, together with a wide portfolio of information based on primary market research and consulting services. The company is based in Frankfurt, Germany.Contact: Michael GergenDataforce Verlagsgesellschaft fur Business Informationen mbHHamburger Allee 1460486 Frankfurt am MainGermanyPhone: +49 69 95930-231Fax: +49 69 95930-333Email: michael.gergen@dataforce.de Nord LB, SMBC, and NN Investment Partners B.V. to discuss optimal profitability from alternative energy sources http://www.beneluxconf.com/openpr http://www.beneluxconf.com/openpr http://www.smi-online.co.uk SMi reports: Simmons and Simmons, ABN Amro Bank N.V, and Alexa Capital to Discuss Bankability and Profitability of Energy Storage Projects at Benelux Infrastructure Forum on 22nd November.Outdated modes of energy sourcing and dependence on external supplies drive a need to strengthen European energy security. New forms of energy and updated infrastructure through renewable energy would serve to remedy this reliance on energy suppliers and strengthen Europes commitment to the Paris Agreement.With consideration of these recent events, this years Benelux Infrastructure Forum will include the most recent developments for "alternative" markets in Europe through exclusive updates on non-Public-Private Partnership projects; prospective investment opportunities in emerging industries and technology and overcoming regulating disincentives will be presented by industry experts at this year's conference.Nord LB, Head of Infrastructure, Mathias Pahlke will provide an outline of viable developments in the infrastructure sector and prospective investment opportunities through upcoming asset classes such as: energy storage; data centres and fibre networks. He will give practical advice on mitigating niche-market risks by acknowledging risk profiles and allocation. Comparison of these markets and considering if these are alternative investments will be made. Finally, he will address considerations for the outlook of infrastructure projects outside of PPP by highlighting the challenges of improving awareness and information for alternative market entry.SMBC, Head of Project Finance Benelux, Jeroen Kies will explain the considerations for alternative markets. He will explore the alternative markets outside of the Benelux region and analyse their suitability for the Benelux market. He will further explore major trends and how alternative markets are expected to develop.NN Investment Partners B.V, Head of Project Finance, Alistair Perkins will review both the positive and negative effects that regulations can have on long-term investment. The need for regulatory standardisation in the Benelux market will be deliberated and advice on how rules can be tailored for investors will be offered. There will also be a discussion on Solvency II.Headlining the day is a panel discussion about bankability and profitability of energy storage projects and a financial model for the future featuring speakers Andrew Petry, Partner, Simmons and Simmons, Lisa McDermott, Executive Director for Structure Debt, ABN Amro Bank N.V, and Gerard Reid, Founder, Alexa Capital. The panel discussion will examine the recent increase in deployment of grid-connected batteries that should reduce fossil-fuel reliance. See why Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are the missing link from wind and solar energy infrastructure and confer the challenges of innovating ahead of regulator expectations. Discuss the advantages of subsidies and the future battle to maintain these. Explore consequences of meeting increasing energy demands and the decarbonisation of economies. Review the lessons from current and past ESS and the bankability and profitability of these as examples of financial models for the future.The conference further covers different project financing models within the Benelux region for infrastructure projects, the most current of which is Private Public Partnership (PPP). Alternatives such as project bonds, pension funds, government funding, and project financing will be discussed, as well as growing on and offshore markets investors are attracted to. Developments within the infrastructure market of the Benelux region in 2017 will be reviewed to find out what challenges were faced, how these were overcome and the outlook of the infrastructure market. The format of the conference will be an eclectic mix of presentations and round table discussions which allow plenty of debate and interaction amongst delegates and detailed analysis of the latest case studies.In addition, the conference also features an exclusive pre-conference workshop on Financing Offshore Wind in the New Competitive Auction Environment hosted by, Amsterdam Capital Partners taking place on the 21st November 2017.The conference has established itself as the industry-leading event for the Benelux region and will provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn and network amongst senior executives in this thriving industry. The Benelux Infrastructure Forum is the only place to meet the major players within this industry from banks, constructors and institutional investors to the lawyers and the regulators.For those who are looking to attend, there is a 100 early bird offer available online ending on the 29th September 2017.Further information is available at online at:16th Benelux Infrastructure forum22nd-23rd November 2017Movenpick Hotel, Amsterdam, NetherlandsAbout SMi Group:Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the worlds most forward thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found atSMi Group1 Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7XWMedia: Contact Theresa Chung on tchung@smi-online.co.ukBooking: Contact Andrew Gibbons on agibbons@smi-online.co.uk CDS Wide Range of Industrial LCD Panels with up to 2500cd Brightness http://crystal-display.com/products/high-brightness-monitors/ Crystal Display Systems LTD (CDS) have an amazing range of industrial LCD panels with up to 2,500 nits brightness.The range features enhanced high brightness panels (with LED backlight) to ensure optimum readability in extreme environments, and high performing LED Drivers to offer the advantages of high uniformity, low EMI noise, low power consumption, long life time and are also halogen free.The product range includes high bright LCDs, LCD kits to integrate into solutions and rugged monitors from 6.5 right up to 65.CDS provide multiple optical enhancement methods such as AR/AG coating and optical bonding. As well as this they can offer various touch options for interactive applications including PCAP, infrared and more.The incredible sunlight readable display solutions and industrial hi-brite TFT displays are ideal for direct sunlight operations such as Outdoor ATMs, Petrol Pump top displays, Medical displays, Shop window displays, Outdoor KIOSKs, Public information, Marine / Military and many more.As well as the standard options CDS can also provide customers and integrators with more unique high brightness displays such as ultra wide stretched LCD, square LCD, Dynascan highbrights and IP65 monitors for outdoor use.For more information on the range please visitFor more information on these products including pricing and a data sheet please contact CDS via email or call our main office on +44 (0)1634 327 420.Crystal Display Systems is a leading designer, distributor & value added reseller of flat panel display solutions. Our expertise allows us to offer the best solutions to our clients and partners. We offer Industrial TFT LCDs, Retail Displays, Translucent displays, Touch screens, videowalls & many other digital solutions.Crystal Display Systems LTDUnit 43, Riverside IISir Thomas Longley RoadMedway City EstateRochesterME2 4DPUK H1 2017 Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections - Pipeline Review Report https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1196654/hospital-acquired-methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-ha-mrsa-infections-pipeline-review-h1-2017-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1196654 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz "The Report Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections - Pipeline Review, H1 2017 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SummaryGlobal Markets Direct's latest Pharmaceutical and Healthcare disease pipeline guide Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides an overview of the Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline landscape.Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) is acquired in the hospital setting. Symptoms include warm to the touch, fever and swollen, painful red bumps. Risk factors include being hospitalized, having an invasive medical device and residing in a long-term care facility. This can be prevented by antibiotics and following hygiene procedures.View Report @Report HighlightsGlobal Markets Direct's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare latest pipeline guide Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases.The Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Phase II and Preclinical stages are 1 and 7 respectively. Similarly, the Universities portfolio in Discovery stages comprises 1 molecules, respectively.Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. The guide is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Directs proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Additionally, various dynamic tracking processes ensure that the most recent developments are captured on a real time basis.Get Sample Copy Of this Report @Scope- The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease).- The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.- The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages.- The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities.- The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects.- The pipeline guide evaluates Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type.- The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects.- The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease)Reasons to buy- Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies.- Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage.- Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease).- Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic.- Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies.- Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and its most promising pipeline therapeutics.- Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Hospital Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics.- Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.- Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Emerging Renewable Energy Implementation in GCC https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-Emerging-Renewable-Energy-Implementation-in-GCC.php https://www.kuickresearch.com GCC region is shifting focus from its most prized asset, hydrocarbons. Oil and gas, though, still dominates the trade in and out of the GCC Region but it is looking to develop its renewable sources of energy as well. All the GCC countries have started to take the renewable energy way, contrary to their most important possession, non renewable (Hydrocarbons). The growing economy with growing population has affected a growth in the urbanization in these nations which has resulted in an increase in consumption of oil and gas. The GCC region is one region in the world that requires energy even for drinking water which is produced by desalination of sea water. Growing population means more demand of water requiring more energy. The increasing in house consumption of energy sources has the GCC region worried over the increasing share it has to divert domestically, leaving comparatively lesser for export.The economy of the GCC region almost entirely depends on the export of oil and gas to the major markets in the world, Asia Pacific and Europe. With an increase in domestic consumption, as is being predicted, the quantity available for export will keep on reducing leading to a decrease in revenue, jolting the whole economy on the countries. The signs of decrease in the oil and gas exports have already begun to show reflecting in the decreased petro dollars from the commodities and the governments increasingly trying to diversify their industries. The nations have started realizing that they cant depend on oil and gas forever to produce electricity and water and have, thus, now started looking towards renewable sources of energy for power generation.The financial capability of the GCC Region countries to support the advent of renewable energy in their power system is beyond a doubt. However, renewable energy initiatives still take a back seat in the energy agenda of these countries mainly because of it being the comparatively more expensive source of power than the subsidized fossil fuel power generation and distribution. But the ample solar power availability and wind power in some regions are factors which when seen together with the need and the opportunities obtainable are big enough to attract attention of the industry majors.Download Report:Solar holds the key to renewable energy development in the GCC region as it is the single most abundant renewable source of energy available there. The solar potential of the GCC countries is supposed to be one of the highest in the world. GCC is a rainless region which experiences clear skies for 80% of the year, thus, continuous solar radiation for a major part of the year. The solar radiation that the GCC region receives is enough to encourage the photovoltaic and concentrating solar power industries in the region. This gives two options of generating electricity through the solar energy, ample amounts of which are available and can be exploited thoroughly. As the region is moving towards renewable energy, solar power is being deemed as the top renewable source which will be exploited for power production. The results of the solar radiation studies have encouraged more and more investment in the sector.Emerging Renewable Energy Implementation in GCC: Report Highlights:* Emergence of Renewable Energy in GCC* Renewable Energy Resource Potential Analysis* Renewable Energy Development by Country* Renewable Energy Capacity Target by Country* Renewable Energy Policy Framework* Renewable Energy Sector TrendsFor Report Sample Contact: neeraj@kuickresearch.com orvisit:Recent Publications:* Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2022* Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market & Clinical Trials Insight 2022* Global Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2023* Global Microcapsules Drug Delivery Market Opportunity Outlook 2022* Global Controlled Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Trial Outlook 2022* Global Cancer Antibody Drug Conjugates Market & Pipeline Insight 2022* Global B Cell Lymphoma Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight 2022Kuick Research is a market research and analytics company that provides targeted information for critical decisions at business, product and service levels. We are quick, predictive and known by the recommendations we have made in the past. Our result-oriented research methodology offers understanding of multiple issues in a short period of time and gives us the capability to keep you full with loads of practical ideas. By translating research answers into strategic insight and direction, we not only rate the success potential of your products and/or services, but also help you identify the opportunities for growth in new demographies and find ways to beat competition.Neeraj Chawlaneeraj@kuickresearch.comKuicK ResearchAvanta Business Center 4th Floor,Statesman House Barakhamba Road,Connaught Place New Delhi 110 001, India+91-11-47067990 Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-Nanoparticle-Drug-Delivery-Market-&-Clinical-Pipeline-Insight.php https://www.kuickresearch.com Drug delivery technologies currently occupy a significant position in the pharmaceutical industry. It has become so important that the mode of delivery of drugs has come to define the efficiency and marketability of those drugs. The pharmaceutical industry is witnessing a shift in the focus of the stakeholders towards newer systems of drug delivery in order to achieve efficient and safe transportation of novel products and formulations. There have been many products which have been derived from new delivery systems and are currently attracting the attention of different companies. It has been recognized that the introduction of a new drug delivery system would bring along a potential chance for an existing drug candidate molecule.The field of nanotechnology is considered to be an exciting area which offers the potential for developing drug delivery systems using nanoparticles, with dimension range of 1-100 nm. These nanoparticles tend to have the ability to deliver an adequate range of molecules to different areas of the body. Additionally, these nanoparticles also posses the capability to deliver the molecules for a comparatively longer duration of time as compared to other routes. The major objectives of a drug delivery system based on nanoparticles, are size of particles, surface properties and discharge of drugs or the active ingredients in order to attain the maximum level of efficiency.Download Report:The combination of nanotechnology along with medicine has resulted in potential concepts and ideas for the pharma industry which is set to introduce momentous innovations in the fight against different diseases. The two concepts of therapeutic nanocarriers liposomes and albumin nanoparticles are gaining prominence rapidly and would soon become well-established in the market across the globe. The need of the hour currently is to obtain a deeper understanding of the biodistribution of nanoparticles, which is influenced mainly by their ability to negotiate biological barriers.Additionally, a significant growth of this field would mostly depend on the strong establishment of a toxicology database which would support the safety determinations and risk assessments. This database could possibly include toxicity as a function of material, size, shape, cell type or animal, duration of exposure and the methods which are used to assay toxicity. Also, there needs to be a mechanism wherein the scaling up of production levels of drug particles is enabled. Finally, this database should also consider protocols relating to storage and handling. The use of such a compact database would help the pharma industry to translate biomedical nanotechnology from the laboratory to the general public at ease.Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight Report Highlights:* Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Market Overview* Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Mechanism* Clinical Pipeline by Phase & Target Indications* Drug Profiles in Report: 190* Majority of Nanoparticle Drug in Preclinical Phase: 70* Marketed Nanoparticle Drugs: 12* Suspended & Discontinued Drug ProfilesFor Report Sample Contact: neeraj@kuickresearch.com orvisit:Recent Publications:* Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2022* Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market & Clinical Trials Insight 2022* Global Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine Market & Clinical Trials Outlook 2023* Global Microcapsules Drug Delivery Market Opportunity Outlook 2022* Global Controlled Drug Delivery Market & Clinical Trial Outlook 2022* Global Cancer Antibody Drug Conjugates Market & Pipeline Insight 2022* Global B Cell Lymphoma Market & Clinical Pipeline Insight 2022Kuick Research is a market research and analytics company that provides targeted information for critical decisions at business, product and service levels. We are quick, predictive and known by the recommendations we have made in the past. Our result-oriented research methodology offers understanding of multiple issues in a short period of time and gives us the capability to keep you full with loads of practical ideas. By translating research answers into strategic insight and direction, we not only rate the success potential of your products and/or services, but also help you identify the opportunities for growth in new demographies and find ways to beat competition.Neeraj Chawlaneeraj@kuickresearch.comKuicK ResearchAvanta Business Center 4th Floor,Statesman House Barakhamba Road,Connaught Place New Delhi 110 001, India+91-11-47067990 Food And Beverage Ecommerce Growth Market Growth, Demand, Trends, Share and Key 2016 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12850 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12850 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/food-and-beverage-ecommerce-growth-market.asp www.persistencemarketresearch.com Food and beverage industry faces many challenges for their product lining including meeting consumer demands and managing supply chains. Ecommerce helps these industries/ organizations to grow into the market according to the market trend change and avails different upcoming opportunities for the betterment of the customer and operating margins. Ecommerce gives real time tracking and information from different sources to one source which plays big role in the industry.The industry have very slow growth as there are challenges like issue for freshness of the food, product damage, logistics and other challenges. But instead of these challenges the market is seem to rise in near future due to increase in the trend of using online shopping option.Ecommerce: Market Trends and DriversEcommerce market is primarily driven by the growth in the online shopping which gives multiple options at a glance. Also retailers are using strategies like same-day-delivery are helping them to grow the ecommerce market. New preservation techniques used for the perishable foods is also one of the key driver responsible for the ecommerce growth. User-friendly interface, low costs, and daily delivery options have made the ecommerce more trending over traditional sellers. Social media is also playing important role in driving the ecommerce market as the processing can be done using mobile phones which is one of the significant way of using ecommerce.Ecommerce: Market SegmentationEcommerce market can be segmented on the basis of their type of consumers and type of products.On the basis of consumer type, the most of the uses are observed from the town region and mostly the working families will adopt to this due to lack of time and according to the convenience.On the basis of type of products, ecommerce is segmented as perishable products and non-perishable products. Perishability of the product also depend on the preservation technique used for the product and the time of delivery of the product.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Ecommerce: Market by GeographyThe ecommerce market is further segmented on the basis of regions as, China followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Brazil and United States. Increase in the number of consumers is due to increase in the use of internet via broadband or mobile, where in china is growing daily with the smart phone market. Also Chinas e-tail market is dominated by Alibaba which is one of the big ecommerce site for selling different products including groceries. UK is increasing in the ecommerce of groceries because retails are moving to online shopping for the convenience of people which operate on 24 hour basis. Also door step delivery options are increasing day by day. One of the main reason UK is leading ecommerce sector is due to investment of ecommerce giant Amazon.Request to View Tables of Content @Ecommerce: Key PlayersThe ecommerce for food and beverage is dominated by players like, Mondelez International, PepsiCo, and General Mills due to early adoption of the e-business. As the trend goes major online retailers like Walmart, Amazon are increasing their online grocery assortments.To view complete report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales Market Report 2017 Market Research Reports http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=975145&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-military-aerospace-simulation-and-training-devices-sales-market-report-2017.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.The report presents key statistics and dynamics in the global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices market, discussing major drivers, restraints, trends, and challenges influencing market growth. This report also identifies core factors impacting the market on global as well as local level. It sheds light on the different government initiatives and policies supporting the growth of the global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices market. The report segments the market on the basis of various parameters such as its application, technology, end-user, and geography. Each segment has been examined thoroughly on their current status as well as future predicted status and presented in the report.The impact of prevailing economic trends and regulatory policies along with the government initiatives to improve market condition has also been included in the report. It also covers historical developments of each geographical region along with their market share. This information is generated using different analytical tools and methodologies. The report also includes competitive profiling of the leading players associated with the global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices market. It further provides information such as company profiles, financial overview, business strategies, and recent developments. The report also highlights the advancements in the technology that impacting the growth of the global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices market.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @The report also sheds light on the government policies supporting companies to strengthen their position in the global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices market. Key vendors has been discussed along with their business overview, financial status, market share, and latest developments incorporated. This information will help new entrants as well as existing market players to design business strategies and expand their market share.Obtain Report Details @Table of Content1 Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices1.2 Classification of Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices1.2.1 Full Flight Simulator1.2.2 Flight Training Device1.2.3 Computer Based Training1.3 Application of Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices1.3.1 Fixed-wing Aircraft1.3.2 Rotary-wing Aircraft1.3.3 Characteristics of Military Aerospace Simulation and Training1.4 Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)2 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)3 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Application4 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Market Share by Application9 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Manufacturers Analysis9.1 Boeing9.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.1.2 Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Product Type, Application and Specification9.1.2.1 Product A9.1.2.2 Product B9.1.3 Boeing Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.2 Lockheed Martin9.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2.2 Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Product Type, Application and Specification9.2.2.1 Product A9.2.2.2 Product B9.2.3 Lockheed Martin Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.3 Northrop Grumman9.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.3.2 Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Product Type, Application and Specification9.3.2.1 Product A9.3.2.2 Product B9.3.3 Northrop Grumman Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview14 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Market Forecast (2017-2022)14.1 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Price Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.1 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.2 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.3 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Price and Trend Forecast (2017-2022)14.2 Global Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Regions (2017-2022)14.2.1 United States Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.2 China Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.3 Europe Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.4 Japan Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.5 Southeast Asia Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.6 India Military Aerospace Simulation and Training Devices Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)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 Database as a Service Market 2016 Trend, Analysis and Overview ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-database-as-a-service-market-2016-2020 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001263499/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001263499/buying Organizations across industries embrace cost-effective DBaaS solutions to meet their complex database management requirement and outperform their competitors. The need to gain flexibility while driving down data costs, the exponential growth in data due to increased implementation of enterprise mobility, and the rapid adoption of cloud computing positively impact the market growth.In today's world of information, every industry is experiencing disruptive changes in the way businesses are done worldwide. The generation of exponential data volumes in the digital universe is driven by the higher adoption of cloud services. Organizations will continue creating and consuming data on multiple devices. Some of the industry verticals such as healthcare, retail and financial services are among the most data-driven industries.Publisher's analysts forecast the global database as a service (DBaaS) market to grow at a CAGR of 65.49% during the period 2016-2020.For more information about this report:Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global database as a service (DBaaS) market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, we considered revenue generated from both SQL and Non SQL (NoSQL) databases.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAPublisher's report, Global Database As A Service (DBaaS) Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- Amazon Web Service- IBM- Microsoft- OracleRequest Sample Copy atOther prominent vendors- Accenture- CenturyLink- CSC- EMC- Google- HOSTING- HP- Rackspace- Redcentric- Salesforce.com- SAP- TesoraMarket driver- Ease of use- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Data integration issues- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Proliferation of digital data- For a full, detailed list, view our reportInquire for Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 World Congress on Embryology and In vitro Fertilization http://embryology.alliedacademies.com World Congress on Embryology and In vitro Fertilization focuses on human embryology and aims to provide an up-to-date source of information on a variety of selected topics. .The conference will be organized on the theme of Exploring the Novel Research & Techniques in Reproductive Health, this conference is going to be held during November 2-3, 2017 at Chicago, USA. Embryology is a branch of science deals with the morphological aspects of organismal development. The genomic and molecular revolution of the second half of the 20th century, together with the classic descriptive aspects of science that allowed greater integration in our understanding in many developmental events. Through such integration, modern embryology helps to provide practical knowledge that is applied to assisted reproduction, stem cell therapy, birth defects, fetal surgery and other fields. The conference organized into three sections, namely: 1) Gametes and infertility, 2) Implantation, placentation and early birth, and 3) Prospects of embryology. International conference on Embryology will offer an exciting, & wide range of scientific programme designed to engage high profile scientific international on topics of importance related to the Embryology. This conference will be the perfect occasion for the international and Indian experts to share their leading edge knowledge on innovation and technology balanced by critically important insight into their practical application. The conference will also feature over scientific poster presentations, a large trade exhibition and a packed social programme providing an excellent opportunity to learn, network and exchange ideas. This conference focus interest to all fertility and reproductive experts including Andrologists, embryologists ,Consultants in reproductive medicine Counselors , Gynecologists , Reproductive biologists ,Reproductive nurses ,biology and medical students, clinical embryologists, laboratory researchers and anyone who wishes to know more about recent advances embryology.For more details PS:Scientific Session: Fertility and conception Placentation Implantation Early Birth Embryo-Lab Quality Cleavage Stage Embryo Epididymis and Infertility Artificial Insemination IVF Treatment Fertility Surgery In vitro Maturation Techniques and many more..RegardsAlicia WilliamsProgram Director / Embryology 2017Allied Academies40 Bloomsbury Way Lower Ground FloorLondon, United KingdomWC1A 2SEPhone: (828) 214-3944Emails: embryology@alliedconferences.orgThe Allied Academies' family of journals have been performing very well in Business and Management and are a perfect fit for our readers. We provide our authors and readers a platform that serves them well and helps them share their work with the global community. We are expanding the focus of Allied Academies beyond Business and Management Journals to incorporate scientific areas as well.Our primary focus is to support original research work, share and exchange the ideas of authors from various institutions with the world. Our journals act as successful outlets for numerous scholars including teaching professors and researchers.Allied Academies Ltd. 40 Bloomsbury Way Lower Ground Floor, LONDON Manuka Honey Market Overview and Manufacturing Cost Structure: Industry Forecast Report https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3112 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/manuka-honey-market-3112 Market Research Future published a Half Cooked Research Report (HCRR) on Global Manuka Honey Market which is estimated to grow more than 4.3% during the period 2017-2023Market OverviewThe increasing sale of Manuka is driven by changing consumers preference and adoption of healthy food consumption trend. Wide application of Manuka across bakery and confectionery industries and increased production of sugar alternatives is increasing its sale in the market. The health benefits obtained from manuka backed up by its high anti-oxidant content and anti-microbial properties is also supporting its sale amongst the consumers. Increasing consumption of healthy sweeteners helping in reducing the cholesterol content has a positive impact on the Manuka market as a potential sweetener. The consumption of Manuka is found to be high in and Asia-Pacific and is evaluated to increase at a positive growth rate in various countries of Europe and North America.Competitive Analysis-The major key players in Manuka Honey Market are Comvita Limited (New Zealand) Watson & Son Ltd (New Zealand) Manuka Health (New Zealand) API Health (New Zealand) Wedderspoon (New Zealand) Mossops Honey (New Zealand) Cammells Honey (New Zealand)Manuka manufacturers across various regions follow the strategy of improving their existing product as well as increasing the manufacture of organic manuka to add more value to their products to expand their business. This is one of the major factors due to which the demands of Manuka is experiencing a surge. New Zealand is amongst the dominating countries holding a major share in Manuka market and exports the product in various other countries which include U.S., China, Australia, Japan and others.Sample Copy of Report @Market ForecastGlobally, the Manuka market share is estimated to escalate at a higher growth rate due its high nutritional profile. The honey is known to boost up the immune system thereby improving the bodys metabolic functions. The high consumption of Manuka is backed up by its fair content of essential amino-acids, vitamin B and Minerals. The rising demand for sweeteners with rich and strong flavors in the bakery and confectionery industries is supporting its sale on a global level. The nutritional value of manuka honey also has increased its demand in pharmaceutical industries due to its medicinal properties.All these factors contribute to the calculated CAGR of 4.3% of Manuka market during 2017-2023.Downstream Analysis-Consumption of HFCS-Free Manuka is growing at significant rate based on high demand from the consumers side for healthy sugar substitutes. In addition, the application of manuka honey for direct consumption/Culinary purpose experiencing a rapid increase followed by its application in bakery and confectionery industries.The sale of Manuka through E-commerce is experiencing a surge backed up by consumers convenience and readily availability of the product. However, the sale through Hypermarkets and Supermarkets will witness a high growth rate in the given forecast period supported by increased trade on the basis of consumers demand.Access the market data and market information presented through more than 25 market data tables and 25 figures spread over 110 numbers of pages of the project report Manuka Honey Market - Forecast to 2023Regional AnalysisThe Global Manuka Honey Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world (ROW). Asia Pacific holds a major market share followed by Europe. The high demands for Manuka from the developed countries of these regions are contributing to the positive growth of Manuka market. New Zealand, Australia, China, Germany and Spain are the major importers of Manuka. Asia-Pacific is found to be the major exporter of Manuka and exports majorly to countries of Europe and North America.Market Segmentation-Global Manuka Honey Market is segmented by Specialty-Food Type, Application, Distribution Channel and RegionAccess Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.ContactAkash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Canned Salmon Market By Type And Application, Forecast To 2017 2025 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12982 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12982 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/canned-salmon-market.asp www.persistencemarketresearch.com Canning of food product is a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed under controlled atmosphere and conditions and sealed in an airtight container. Canning helps in increasing shelf life of a product typically ranging from one to five years, although under specific circumstances it can be much longer than that. Salmon fish has been widely popular since it has a specific taste along with various health benefits that lures the masses. Canned salmon was perceived in order to increase its shelf life plus feasibility to store it and import it to another countries where salmon fish is not easily available owing to lack of resources. Rising popularity of canned salmon among consumers will put the market on necessary thrust and escalate the market CAGR of canned salmon market.Canned Salmon Market: Drivers & RestraintsCanned salmon has been gaining popularity amongst the masses due to the fact that such canned salmon are processed to be consumed with or without other food items. Salmon fish provides various health benefits for which it has gained significant popularity amongst it consumers. Health benefits such as enhances heart health, controls blood pressure, helps in growth and development, assist in weight loss and obesity, boost immune system, fire up energy levels, increases blood circulation, cancer prevention, reduces probability of kidney diseases, reduce inflammation, cell membrane damage are associated with consumption of salmon fish. Increase in trade network among various nations. Rise in modern retail outlets, establishments of processed food industry across countries with development of food parks. Increase in investments by budding entrepreneurs in processed food industry are few of the viable factors which is driving the canned salmon market.Recent research study has revealed that canned salmon consumption can be hazardous to ones health, illegal fishing of salmon, depletion in salmon population are few possible restraint which can affect the growth of canned salmon market.Canned Salmon Market: Market SegmentationThe canned salmon market is segmented into four parts based on the product type, distribution channels, and geography. Few possible health benefits which canned salmon fish providesA Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Based on the product type the canned salmon market is segmented into:Sockeye SalmonCoho SalmonPink SalmonChum salmonBased on the type of distribution channels canned salmon market is segmented into:Internet RetailingMass RetailersDirect SellingOthersCanned Salmon Market: Regional OutlookRegarding geography, canned salmon market has been categorized into five key regions including North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is anticipated to witness canned salmon market to register a healthy CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the very fact that packaged food has a strong demand in North America due to the prevalence of culture where such foods are preferred and moreover canned salmon has been a staple food for North American dwellers. Asia-Pacific represents the significantly higher market share next to North America over the forecast period. Countries in APEJ such as India, China, and Thailand are witnessing significantly higher demand for canned salmons due to increase in consumption of canned salmons among the masses. Western Europe stands next to APEJ for canned salmon market, where the consumers prefers canned salmons for breakfast and salads Eastern Europe has a similar trend alike Western Europe. Japan has been a strong market for canned salmon. The population of Japan have a special liking towards fish and sea products owing to its geography and canned salmon has been one of the favorites for Japanese. MEA and Latin America has also been witnessing affinity for canned salmon and over the forecast period the market of canned salmon will gain significant share in these regions.Request to View Tables of Content @Canned salmon Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the canned salmon market are:-Equa SeafoodsRaincoast TradingWild PlanetFreedom Foods Group LimitedPeter Pan SeafoodsTo view complete report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Canopus accomplishes another live deployment of Drone solution for Monitoring http://canopusinfosystems.com/drones/ http://canopusinfosystems.com/ Canopus Infosystems has completed its one more live deployment of Drone solutions for the purpose of Monitoring. Our solution helps large warehouses and construction site owners to keep an eye on the premises where CCTV camera could not be installed and to get a real time updated with the Drone on the Smartphone Devices.Canopus Infosystems, an Indian company is one of the leading names in the mobile application and web development industry. They aim to create well-designed, interactive and dominant applications for businesses of any size globally. They are masters in providing data analytic consultation and give the best marketing technique to grow businesses from last more than six years.Read More:The company has set up another Drone Solution for the monitoring in the spacious infrastructure. The monitoring through the latest micro-drones has been genuinely pragmatic in vast infrastructures like a construction site, and bigger campuses. To keep an eye on the larger arena Micro Drones performs perfectly with its whole adequacy in pursuance of achieving its goals for monitoring.Drone Monitoring solution has to be made with the planned flights to be scheduled before the launching of the drone for monitoring. The flight plans consist of different aspects like flight speed, routes to be covered up, video and camera frame rates, flight control and the launching and landing of the Drones. The prior plans are done by the software installed in the smart devices to access the Drone activity and extract the data monitored by the Drones.The forthcoming approaches of Drone Mapping are meant to be remarkable in the near future as this can be a vast area to be implemented to save time and reduce the manual efforts in monitoring the things individually which may risk one owner in any aspect. This can be a riskless surveillance with the unattainable places concurrently providing the two-way communication and a better vision.Canopus Infosystems is a specialist in providing services in the emerging technologies and focused on (Social, Mobility, Analytic, Cloud) stack. To know more about their services and extensive work they did globally visit their websiteor call +91 731-2551963, for any queries you can drop an e-mail at sales@canopusinfosystems.comCanopus Infosystems is an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company that specializes in providing outsourced web & mobile development and testing services to clients worldwide. We are a full software services provider creating best in class web and mobile solutions for some of the most exciting startups and progressive enterprises.303-304, Airen Heights, PU 3Scheme 54, A. B. Road, Opp. OrbitMall,Indore M.P.INDIA 452010Phone: +91 731-2551963Email: sales@canopusinfosystems.com Sweden Nuclear Power Market Competition by Keeping Yourself Abreast Of All the Latest Policy Changes Orbis Research http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/334855 http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/nuclear-power-in-sweden-market-outlook-to-2030-update-2017-capacity-generation-levelized-cost-of-energy-lcoe-investment-trends-regulations-and-company-profiles http://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase/334855 Orbis Research Market brilliance released a new research report of 70 pages on title Nuclear Power in Sweden, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017-Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers important players such as Vattenfall AB, OKG, Aktiebolag, Barseback Kraft AB, etc."Nuclear Power in Sweden, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles" is the latest report from GlobalData, the industry analysis specialists that offer comprehensive information and understanding of the nuclear power market in Sweden.Request a sample of this report @Companies Mentioned:Vattenfall ABOKG AktiebolagBarseback Kraft ABThe report provides in depth analysis on global nuclear power market with forecasts up to 2030. The report analyzes the power market scenario in Sweden (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro, pumped storage and renewables) and provides future outlook with forecasts up to 2030. The research details nuclear power market outlook in the country and provides forecasts up to 2030. The report highlights installed capacity and power generation trends from 2006 to 2030 in Sweden nuclear power market. A detailed coverage of nuclear energy policy framework governing the market with specific policies pertaining to nuclear is provided in the report. The research also provides details of active nuclear reactors in the country, market size of major equipment and company snapshot of some of the major market participants.The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalDatas team of industry experts.Browse the complete report @Scope- A brief introduction on global carbon emissions and global primary energy consumption.- Historical period is during 2006-2016 (unless specified) and forecast period is for 2017-2030.- Overview on the global nuclear power market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity split by region in 2016, installed capacity split by major nuclear power countries in 2016 and investment trends.- Power market scenario in Sweden provides detailed market overview, installed capacity and power generation trends by various fuel types (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro and renewables) with forecasts up to 2030.- Details of Sweden nuclear power market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity by reactor type, installed capacity share by contractor/owner and information on major active and upcoming projects.- Key policies and regulatory framework supporting nuclear power development.- Company snapshots of some of the major market participants in the country.Reasons to buy- The report will enhance your decision making capability in a more rapid and time sensitive manner.- Identify key growth and investment opportunities in Sweden nuclear power market.- Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data for nuclear power market.- Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential.- Identify key partners and business development avenues.- Understand and respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects.Buy a report @About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com Bed and Bath Furnishing Market - Reporting and Evaluation of Recent Industry Developments For 2025 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=23522 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/bed-bath-furnishing-market.html Bed and bath furnishings have become an integral part of the lifestyle as the basic household requirements. Inclination towards stylish, and fashionable accessories with vibrant colors has become the recent trend for the purchase of such products. Interior decoration with proper accessories has become a prime importance among the modern generation. Textiles play an important role in all sectors which includes households, hospitals, and hotels, among others. The global bed and bath furnishing market are mainly driven by growing real estate industry, inclination towards home improvement, demand for multifunctional furniture among the consumers and rise in demand for luxury home furnishing accessories.Know More Information about Industry Insight, Download Research Brochure@Rising research and development among the top key players in order to develop new products is another factor responsible for the growth of the global bed and bath furnishing market at present. However high cost of raw materials coupled with the rapid growth of unorganized market are restraining the global bed and bath furnishing market. Heavy discounts from the unorganized sectors to attract the buyers have eroded the profit margins of most of the retailers and the prominent key players. Increasing preferences towards luxury home furnishing products coupled with rising disposable income over the years are contributing to the growth of the global bed and bath furnishing market.Consumers preferences toward mattresses for oversized beds which are made up of foam mattresses, better bathroom equipment, are few factors fueling the demand for global bed and bath furnishing products. Moreover, demand for branded furniture among the consumers due to the rise in number of middle class urban population in the developing regions are generating opportunities to the global bed and bath furnishing market.The global bed and bath furnishing market has been segmented on the basis of product type and by distribution channel. By product type, bed furnishings has been segmented into bed sheets, pillow covers, blanket, and comforter and bathroom accessories include sanitary ware which includes wash basins, showers, shower enclosures, mixers and taps, screens and trays, fitted bathroom furniture, soap holders, small cabinets, towel rails and rings among others. In 2016, bed furnishings are anticipated to capture a larger market share due to rise in demand of premium sized beds among the consumers. Stylish and fashionable towels with appeasing colors and embellished designs are on high demand among the consumers in recent years. The market has been further segmented on the basis of distribution channel into online distribution channel and offline distribution channel.Online distribution channel are growing at a faster growth rate due to its easy convenience. Further, owing to the rapid growth of the e-commerce industry, the players operating in this segment have resorted to aggressive marketing and promotional activities by way of several offers.. Offline channels captured the major market share in 2016 on account of consumer preference for such channels for the purchase of such products. Based on geography, the bed and bath furnishing market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Europe which includes Germany, France Italy among the other regions accounted for the major market share. Germany is anticipated to grab a prominent position for this market in Europe due to changing consumer preferences coupled with rise in demand for proper home furnishing accessories.North America is a major market for bed and bath furnishings, with U.S. being the dominant country for this market. The market for bed and bath furnishings in Asia Pacific is spurred due to the rising income levels and demands among the consumers residing in this region. India and China are the major contributors to the growth of the bed and bath furnishings market in Asia Pacific.Browse Report@Global key participants in the industry include Hollander Home Fashions Corporation, Huaxe Hometex Limited, Louiseville Bedding company, Suvim Home textiles company limited, Tempur Pedic Inc, Intec, Trident Group, Welspun India Limited, Kulon Limited, IKEA, Macys, Berco Furniture Solution, Clarin, Carrefour, Creative wood, Herman Miller, Godre and Boyce, Steinoff International, Wayfair, J.C. Penny, Carrefour among others.About Us:-Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact Us:-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Global Infant Nutrition Market 2017 Risk Analysis, Competitor Analysis, Choice Modelling, Trends and Forecast by 2021 Orbis Research http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/infant-nutrition-market-by-product-type-by-distribution-channel-and-by-region-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecasts-2016-2021 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/334967 The Infant nutrition market consists of different sets of products from different infant formulas to a range of foods for babies. The market for Infant Nutrition Market is nearly USD 47.4 Billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3 % in 2016-2021. Recently, total sales of baby food and Infant formula products in markets such as Europe, Japanese and US markets achieved USD 15.1 Billion and a CAGR of 3.7% is forecast through 2017.Browse the report:Growth of infant nutrition market might be moderate because of market saturation and less birth rates in few regions. In developing markets, products of Infant nutrition are USD 17.1 Billion in sales. Growth of Infant Nutrition market is supported by very high birth rates and rise in consumer affluence. In developing nations and also in the well developed economies of Brazil, Russia and China , birth rates are decreasing more and more and are now below the replacement rate at which populations remains constant and therefore increasing the competition between leading manufacturing companies to distinguish between their products. These factors have had a global effect on brand manufacturers competing in the complex Infant Nutrition Market.Infant Nutrition Market is segmented by product type and Distribution channel and region. Basis on the product type, the market can be segmented as Starting milk formula, follow-on milk formula, special milk formula and Toddlers milk formula. Based on Distribution channel, market is segmented as speciality outlets, supermarkets, online, chemist/pharmacist/Drug stone and others. By region, Market can be segmented as North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe and Middle East and Africa.Request a sample of the report:Major players in this market Nestle S.A., Abbott Nutrition, Groupe Danone, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd, The Kraft Heinz Company, Beingmate Baby & Child Food Co. Ltd Pfizer Inc. and ., Synutra International, Inc.,FrieslandCampina.Major Points From The Table Of Contents:IntroductionResearch MethodologyOverviewDrivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Challenges Analysis (DROC)Market SegmentationGeographical AnalysisStrategic AnalysisMarket Leaders' AnalysisCompetitive LandscapeMarket Outlook & Investment OpportunitiesAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Information:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Email: sales@orbisresearch.com LED Light Bulbs Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Global Forecast to 2022 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/295915-global-led-light-bulbs-market-1 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=295915 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/295915-global-led-light-bulbs-market-1 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/295915-global-led-light-bulbs-market-1 HTF Market Intelligence released a new research report of 115 pages on title 'Global LED Light Bulbs Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022' with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers key regions that includes North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa and important players such as Osram, Philips, GE Lighting ...........Summary""LED Light Bulbs [LED Lighting] is a kind semiconductor light-emitting solid device, which can convert the energy from an electric current into light.LED Light Bulbs Principles:Terminal voltages of PN junctions form certain barrier potentials, and when the forward bias voltage is added, the barrier potential decreases and most charge carriers in P area and N area diffuse to each other. As the electron mobility is much higher than the holes mobility, large amount of electrons diffuse to P area, causing charge carriers entering P area. These electrons combine with the holes on the valence band with energy emission in the form of light.""Request a sample report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the LED Light Bulbs 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 coversOsramPhilipsGE LightingAcuity BrandsEatonCreePanasonicToshibaSharpYankon LightingOppleHubbellZumtobel GroupNVC (ETI)NichiaFSLTCPHavellsMitsubishiMLSMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversSpot lightStreet lightTube lightWALL washer lightBulbOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoResidentialOfficeShopHospitalityOthersBuy this report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global LED Light Bulbs market.Chapter 1, to describe LED Light Bulbs Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of LED Light Bulbs, with sales, revenue, and price of LED Light Bulbs, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of LED Light Bulbs, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, LED Light Bulbs market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe LED Light Bulbs sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceMake an enquiry before buying this Report @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 LED Light Bulbs Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Spot light1.2.2 Street light1.2.3 Tube light1.2.4 WALL washer light1.2.5 Bulb1.2.6 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Residential1.3.2 Office1.3.3 Shop1.3.4 Hospitality1.3.5 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force......ContinuedView Detailed Table of Content @HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact Us:HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837sales@htfmarketre)port.com+1 (206) 317 1218 (US) Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease - Pipeline Review, H1 2017 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1196671 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1196671/hyperphosphatemia-in-chronic-kidney-disease-pipeline-review-h1-2017-market-research-reports http://www.marketresearchreports.biz Global Markets Direct's latest Pharmaceutical and Healthcare disease pipeline guide Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides an overview of the Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders) pipeline landscape.Hyperphosphatemia, that is, abnormally high serum phosphate levels, can result from increased phosphate intake, decreased phosphate excretion, or a disorder that shifts intracellular phosphate to extracellular space. This condition is most commonly seen in patients with chronic kidney disease. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, bone and joint pain, pruritus and rash. Treatment includes phosphate binders and diuretics.Report HighlightsGlobal Markets Direct's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare latest pipeline guide Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases.The Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders) pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, IND/CTA Filed and Preclinical stages are 3, 2, 1, 1 and 5 respectively. Similarly, the Universities portfolio in Preclinical stages comprises 1 molecules, respectively.Get Sample Copy Of this Report @Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders) pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. The guide is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Directs proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Additionally, various dynamic tracking processes ensure that the most recent developments are captured on a real time basis.Scope- The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders).- The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.- The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages.- The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities.- The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects.- The pipeline guide evaluates Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type.- The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects.- The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders)View Full Report @Reasons to buy- Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies.- Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage.- Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders).- Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic.- Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies.- Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and its most promising pipeline therapeutics.- Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Hyperphosphatemia In Chronic Kidney Disease (Nutritional Disorders) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics.- Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.- Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline.MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities And Trends For Waterproofing Chemicals In Global Market Along With Their Impact On Demand During The Forecast Period 2016 - 2024 Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=896006 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=896006 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities And Trends For Waterproofing Chemicals In Global Market Along With Their Impact On Demand During The Forecast Period 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Waterproofing Chemicals are a class of fine/specialty chemicals which arrest or inhibit permeability of water or moisture to interior or exterior surfaces of wide range of materials e.g. cement/ concrete walls, fabrics, leather articles, paper, electronic goods etc. It is applied mainly in form of sheet membranes, cementitious coating, liquid coating membranes, sprays and coatings etc. The major product types include bitumen, EPDM, TPO, PVC, PTFE and silicone, while the end use applications include Construction, Infrastructure, Automotive, Textile & Leather and others.Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: Scope of the ReportThe report estimates and forecasts the waterproofing chemicals market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product, technology and end use segments highlighting the process and the key participants involved. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition and profit margins earned at each stage. The study includes market dynamics i.e. drivers, restraints, opportunities and trends for the waterproofing chemicals market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the waterproofing chemicals market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report includes waterproofing chemicals global average price trend analysis and regional market trend analysis as well.The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the waterproofing chemicals market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, end use applications and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for waterproofing chemicals between 2016 and 2024.Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the waterproofing chemicals market by dividing it into product, technology, end-user and geography segments. The waterproofing chemicals market has been segmented into bitumen, TPO, EPDM, PVC, Silicone and PTFE based on product. Application segment have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for waterproofing chemicals in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level market sizing in terms of volume and revenue under each respective region. Key countries such as the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Spain, GCC, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, etc. have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual applications in all the regions and countries.Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: Competitive DynamicsThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. The companies included in this reports are major global/regional players which are catering to all types of end use markets such as Construction, Automotive, Leather, Textile, Electronics etc. such as Archroma Management LLC in textiles and Liquipel LLC in electronics .Key players profiled in the report include The Dow Chemical Company, BASF SE, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Akzo Nobel NV, Evonik Industries, Wacker Chemie GmbH, W.R. Grace and Company and Other major market players. Prominent regional company profiles have also been mentioned such as Pidilite Industries Limited, MUHU (China) Construction Materials, RPM International Inc. etc. The Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable). Competitive Analysis as well as SWOT analysis of top companies have been provided in this report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: Research MethodologySecondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.The primary research sources consists of key officials from the companies mentioned in competition landscape, other mid-small size company representatives, industry experts, volunteers from industrial associations etc. In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The global waterproofing chemicals market has been segmented as follows:Waterproofing chemicals Market Product AnalysisBitumenTPOEPDMPVCPTFESiliconeWaterproofing chemicals Market Technology AnalysisSheet MembraneLiquid Coated MembraneCementitious WaterproofingOthersWaterproofing chemicals Market End Use AnalysisConstructionInfrastructureAutomotiveTextile and LeatherOthersWaterproofing chemicals Market Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceU.K.Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Global Organic Soy Protein Market Size, Growth, Share, Trends and Forecast by 2021 Orbis Research http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/organic-soy-protein-market-by-type-by-application-and-by-region-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecasts-2016-2021 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/335061 The Global Organic Soy Protein market has been estimated at USD 375.50 Million in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 805.82 Million by 2021, at a CAGR of 16.5% during the forecast period from 2016 to 2021. Soy protein isolate is the dry protein powder ingredient that is extracted, or isolated, from the remaining hull and oil of the soybean. They are low in fat content, cholesterol free and contains a minimum of 90% protein and is completely gluten free. Organic Soy Protein is commonly used in protein and energy bars, breakfast cereals, various processed meats and meat alternatives for improvement in taste and texture, and also in a number of muscle gain supplements in the fitness industry.Browse the report:The market for Organic Soy protein is mainly driven with increasing health awareness among the consumers, which is making them shift from dairy products which are rich in fat, to soy products, which are much healthier. Also, the price of Soy products is comparatively cheaper than the other alternatives, which is one of the main reason for the high demand for Soy Protein products in the recent times. But, the high cost involved in the raw material processing and high production cost can dampen the market growth.The Global market for Organic Soy Protein is segmented by Type and by Application. By Type, the market is further segmented as Concentrates, Isolates, and Flour. By Application, the market is further segmented as functional foods, infant formula, dairy alternatives, meat alternatives, bakery & confectionery, and other applications. Soy protein concentrates accounted for the largest market share, by type, due to their wide usage as functional or nutritional ingredients in a wide variety of food products. Functional foods segment accounts a maximum share in the market by application, by application. Increase in functional food consumption by people is driving the demand, which is leading the soy functional foods to contribute maximum to the market. The dairy alternatives application of organic soy protein is expected to grow due to increasing demand for soymilk from lactose-intolerant consumers.Request a sample of the report:Geographically, Global market for Organic Soy Protein is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and Africa & Middle-East. Europe leads the market contribution with over 33% market share, due to high demand for Soy Products in the European nations. This is followed by North America, which is also indulging in shift to Soy from Dairy products. Asia-Pacific region is showing the fastest growth, with Soy gaining a great popularity due to which the demand is increasing rapidly.The major players in the Global Organic Soy Protein Market include Harvest Innovations, Agrawal Oil & Biochem, Frank Food Products, The Scoular Company, Devansoy Inc., Biopress S.A.S., Natural Products Inc., Hodgson Mill, SunOpta, Inc., and World Food Processing.Major Points From The Table Of Contents:IntroductionResearch MethodologyOverviewDrivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Challenges Analysis (DROC)Market SegmentationGeographical AnalysisStrategic AnalysisMarket Leaders' AnalysisCompetitive LandscapeMarket Outlook & Investment OpportunitiesAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Information:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Email: sales@orbisresearch.com Overview Of Various Strategies Of Key Players In Global IT Robotic Automation Market During The Period 2016 - 2024 Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=893353 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=893353 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Overview Of Various Strategies Of Key Players In Global IT Robotic Automation Market During The Period 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.The IT Robotic Automation market report provides analysis for the period 20142024, wherein the period from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast and 2015 is the base year. The report covers all the major trends and technologies playing a key role in the IT robotic automation markets growth over the forecast period. It also highlights the drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the markets growth during the said period in terms of revenue (in US$ Mn). The report provides brief analysis for the geographies which include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America. The IT robotic automation market has been segmented by solutions type into tools and services. These are further segmented into model-based application tools and process-based application tools. The services are further studied based on professional and training services. Professional services are further segmented into consulting, integration and development, and BPO services.The market overview section of the report outlines the drivers, restraints, and opportunities that influence the current nature and future standing of this market. The report represents the market attractiveness for segments that include solution, tools and services, and their sub-segments influencing the adoption of IT robotic automation. Report also includes ecosystem analysis to recognize key participants in the IT robotic automation along with their role in the ecosystem. Moreover, the report provides an overview of the various strategies of key players in the market.Global IT Robotic Automation Market: OverviewMajor factors driving the global IT robotic automation market include cost benefits and improved efficiency in process handling, ability to leverage other application software without integration, increased adoption in finance and accounting (F&A) sector and alternative to offshore outsourcing. The robotic process automation decreases the human intervention in routine repetitive tasks and thus creates a virtual workforce for handling large number of tasks. Additionally, automation takes place at the GUI layer which eliminates need of integration with other systems. Moreover, robots can work for long duration terminating the constraints of limited hours of human labor work. Thus, significant reductions in cost, time and labor can be achieved by implementing robotic process automation.Global IT Robotic Automation Market: Competitive DynamicsThe report also highlights the competitive landscape of the IT robotic automation market, positioning all the major players according to their geographic presence, solutions/services offered, focus on research and development, and recent developments. The comprehensive IT robotic automation market estimates are the result of our in-depth secondary research, primary interviews, and in-house expert panel reviews. These market estimates have been analyzed by taking into account the impact of different political, social, economic, technological, and legal factors along with the current market dynamics affecting the IT robotic automation markets growth.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The IT robotic automation market involves robotic automation technology providers and robotic automation service providers. The major providers of IT robotic automation includes Blue Prism, Be Informed B.V., Appian, IPSoft, Inc. , Tata Consultancy Services Limited., Infosys Limited, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Atos SE, Capgemini, Genfour, Genpact Ltd., Automation Anywhere, Inc., Sutherland Global Services, Inc., and UiPath Srl. Details such as financials, business strategies, recent developments, and other such strategic information pertaining to these players have been duly provided as part of company profiling.The IT Robotic Automation market is segmented as below:IT Robotic Automation MarketBy SolutionToolsServicesBy ToolsModel BasedProcess BasedBy ServicesProfessionalConsultingIntegration and DevelopmentBPOTrainingBy GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East and AfricaSouth AmericaMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Detailed Qualitative Analysis Of Ventricular Assist Device Market In North America - Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 To 2024 Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=893352 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=893352 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Detailed Qualitative Analysis Of Ventricular Assist Device Market In North America - Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 To 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Advance Heart Failure is characterized as weakening of the heart caused due to failure of the left ventricle, due to which the heart is unable to pump blood to different parts of the body. According to the AHA (American Heart Association), 5.7 Mn people in the U.S suffer from heart failure and 300,000 die each year of heart failure. Moreover, the AHA predicts that advance heart failure will become the most common cause of death globally. However, these statistics have already materialized in the U.S. and Canada, where advance heart failure is currently said to be the leading cause of mortality. In Canada, the figures are rising day by day. In Canada nearly 600,000 of the total is affected by heart failure. A large proportion of these population can be saved with proper treatment and care. Thus, the existence of an unmet medical need is clearly evident and is anticipated to augment the ventricular assist device market.North America Ventricular Assist Device Market: Scope of the StudyThis report on the ventricular assist device market in the North America analyzes the current and future prospects of the market. The report comprises an elaborate executive summary, including a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments. The research is a combination of primary and secondary research. Detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining market growth and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn for the period between 2014 and 2024 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2014 to 2024 are provided for all the segments, considering 2015 as the base year. Market related factors such as technological developments, patent expiry, recent approvals, investment in clinical studies and acquisitions by leading players in the market, and historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size. Growth rates for each segment within the North America ventricular assist device market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, drug development life cycle, and regulatory requirements. These factors would help the market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their share in the ventricular assist device market in North America.North America Ventricular Assist Device Market: SegmentationBased on product type, the North America ventricular assist device market has been segmented into Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), Right Ventricular Assist Device (RVAD), Biventricular Assist Device (Bi-VAD) and total artificial heart (TAH).Based on indication, the North America ventricular assist device market has been segmented into bridge to transplant (BTT), destination therapy (DT) and bridge to recovery (BTR). The American Heart Association reported that 2.6% of the total population is suffering from cardiovascular disease and heart failure is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and around 1.6% in Canada suffer from heart failure, and the number is rising each year. Therefore consequently driving the ventricular assist device market in North America during the forecast period.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @North America Ventricular Assist Device Market: Geographical OutlookGeographically, the North America ventricular assist device market has been segmented into two countries: the U.S. and Canada. These countries have been further segmented by indication and product type. The competition matrix section included in the report is likely to assist the existing players to increase their market shares and new companies to establish their presence in the ventricular assist device market in North America.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe report also profiles major players in the market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, key business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Key companies profiled in the report include ABIOMED, St. Jude Medical, HeartWare, SynCardia Systems LLC, Sunshine Heart, Inc., Berlin Heart GmbHThe North America ventricular assist device market has been segmented as follows:North America Ventricular Assist Device Market, by Product TypeLVAD (Left ventricular assist device)RVAD (Right ventricular assist device)Bi-VAD (Biventricular assist device)TAH( Total artificial heart)North America Ventricular Assist Device Market, by IndicationBTT (Bridge To Transplant)DT (Destination Therapy)BTR (Bridge To Recovery)Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Oil Pump Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application -Global Forecast to 2022 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/454382-global-oil-pump-market-2 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=454382 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/454382-global-oil-pump-market-2 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/454382-global-oil-pump-market-2 HTF Market Intelligence released a new research report of 124 pages on title 'Global Oil Pump Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022' with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers key regions that includes North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa and important players such as STACKPOLE, TRW, Magna, Nidec ..................SummaryThe use of the oil pump is to deliver the oil in the oil pan to the filter, and the oil through the filter can still be reliably transported to the various lubricating oil and the friction surface of the moving parts. When the engine is working, the oil pump is constantly working to ensure that the oil circulates in the oil path.Request a sample report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Oil Pump 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 coversSTACKPOLETRWMagnaNidecBosch RexrothTsang YowShenglong GroupSHWPierburg (KSPG)Toyo Advanced TechnologiesMahleHunan Oil PumpChang Zheng Power Machine FittingFuxin Dare Automotive PartsMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversElectric Oil PumpMechanical Oil PumpMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoOEMAMBuy this report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Oil Pump market.Chapter 1, to describe Oil Pump Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Oil Pump, with sales, revenue, and price of Oil Pump, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Oil Pump, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Oil Pump market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Oil Pump sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceGet Customization in the Report, Enquire Now @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Oil Pump Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Electric Oil Pump1.2.2 Mechanical Oil Pump1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 OEM1.3.2 AM1.4 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 Force............ContinuedView Detailed Table of Content @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact Us:HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837sales@htfmarketre)port.com+1 (206) 317 1218 (US) Vertical Farming in Africa to Boost Growth at September Urban Agri Summit in Johannesburg Urban Agri Summit 2017 to be held on September 7-8 in Johannesburg, South Africa www.magenta-global.com.sg International experts, regional authorities, investors and stakeholders from the agriculture sector will gather on September 7-8 in Johannesburg, South Africa for the inaugural Urban Agri Summit 2017. The two-day event will serve as a springboard to support the successful launch of Vertical Farming, Greenhouse and Control Environment Agriculture across Africa's urban landscape to help address the needs of the continent's rapidly growing populations.Dr Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, Food Security Fellow with New Voices, The Aspen Institute and previously Mentor for Agriculture at the Clinton Global University Initiative (CGI U), said, "I believe it is about time Africa has the conversations about vertical farming and other innovative urban agriculture practices. With the urban population expected to rise for most of the African cities, there will be the need for innovative approaches to feed the urban population. I do believe that Africas farms have to start going vertical."Various initiatives have already been undertaken by South Africa to spur innovation in its agriculture sector. Together with other Sub-Saharan African cities in Nigeria and Kenya, South African metropolises are joining the footsteps of many global cities to introduce sustainable urban indoor farming. Africa has unique opportunities for vertical farms and Controlled Environment Agriculture. Vertical farming (including its variations) is one of the most innovative approaches that can be tapped as part of an effort to grow fresh, healthy, nutritious and pesticide-free food for consumers.Jana Jordaan, Sustainable Agriculture Analyst at GreenCape said: We are very excited that the Urban Agri Summit will be taking place in Johannesburg this year. Our 2017 Agriculture Market Intelligence Report has shown that there are significant opportunities for farmers, investors and businesses in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) in the region. The Urban Agri Summit is a great platform where international experiences and ideas are shared, influencing opportunities and overcoming barriers to the growth of the CEA market. We believe the summit is a great opportunity to not only support the growth of the CEA market in South Africa, but also support South Africas transition to a more resilient green economy."Highlights of the Summit include insightful presentations and engaging panel discussions by international organisations and experts from Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the USA, combined with a technology showcase.This industry event is supported by the Association for Vertical Farming (AVF) and by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).The AVF's Stephane Razzon said, "The event holds an unprecedented opportunity for the African continent to be introduced with the most cutting-edge technologies in agriculture. Controlled Environment Agriculture, Vertical Farming and advanced greenhouse methods are bound to completely transform food systems in developing countries and developed countries alike. We at the AVF believe the global Vertical Farming market is now ready to make a notable impact on the agricultural sector in Africa. It will require from us all to be in the right place and in the right time, which is clearly at the Urban Agri Summit 2017.For more information or to register, contact Jose at +6568462366 or email jose@magenta-global.com.sg today.Magenta Global Pte Ltd is a premier independent business media company that provides pragmatic and relevant information to government and business executives and professionals worldwide. The organization provides the opportunity to share thought-provoking insights, exchange ideas on the latest industry trends and technological developments with thought leaders and business peers. With a strong focus in emerging economies especially in Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia, Magenta Global works in partnership with both the public and private sectors.53 Sims Place #01-150Singapore 380053 WILEX AG - Cancer Drugs Clinical Pipeline Insight http://www.pnspharma.com/buy-report.php?reporttitle=WILEX-AG-Cancer-Drugs-Clinical-Pipeline-Insight https://www.pnspharma.com WILEX AG - Cancer Drugs Clinical Pipeline Insight offers in depth insight on ongoing clinical trials for the cancer drugs developed by WILEX AG. This report highlights various clinical and non-clinical parameters involved in the development of cancer drugs in clinical pipeline. Currently there are 7 cancer drugs in clinical pipeline and majority of them are in preclinical phase.The report includes all the relevant information with respect to development of cancer drugs in the clinical pipeline. Report helps the reader in identifying various data and information points like Drug Class, Mechanism of Action, Granted Orphan Designation, Fast Track Development Status, Clinical Introduction, Drug Formulation/ Route, Owner/License, Multiple Development Phase of particular drug and Patent Information.Download Report:WILEX AG - Cancer Drugs Clinical Pipeline Insight report is comprehensively researched and well drafted encyclopedia which helps to analyze and understand the various parameters involved in the clinical development of cancer drugs by the respective company. This research publication also helps in identifying the long term investment and partnering opportunity for the various stake holders of the pharmaceutical industry.For Report Sample Contact: rajesh@pnspharma.com or :Visit :Recent Publication* Global Peptide Therapeutics Market & Clinical Trials Insight* Global Orphan Drug Clinical Pipeline Insight 2022PNS Pharma is a pioneer in offering exclusive research reports for the pharmaceuticals industry. PNS Pharma offers Syndicated Research Reports on Drug Pipeline and Company Pipeline Analysis. These reports include comprehensive information related to the development of various drugs across clinical pipeline. Further, the reports include details on the originator, Owner, License, Chemical Formula, Patent Information, Phase of development, and Phase of development by country for each specific drug. The reports on company pipeline include all the drugs developed by particular companies across different therapeutic segments and phases and in different countries.Rajesh Arorarajesh@pnspharma.comKuick Research8-9, Ansal BuildingDr. Mukherjee NagarDelhi, India Clinical Laboratory Services Market Size Is Projected To Be Around $348 Billion By 2025: Clinical Laboratory Services Market http://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/report-sample/HC0627 http://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/report/clinical-laboratory-services-market http://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/send-an-enquiry/HC0627 https://blog.crystalmarketresearch.com http://www.crystalmarketresearch.com A research study titled, Clinical Laboratory Services Market by Test Type and Service Provider- Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 published by Crystal Market Research, states that the clinical laboratory services market is projected to be around $348 billion by 2025.Clinical laboratories are an inseparable part of the healthcare industry. Theselaboratories are used to performlarge range of diagnostic tests ranging from simple blood tests to highly complex DNA sequencing. Clinical laboratories play a vital role in providing information and services which maximize healthcare delivery system by providing diagnostic and test results. Besides diagnostic services, lab testing may also be performed to evaluate drug treatment, disease progression and to figure out individual therapy for diseases. Clinical laboratory service market is continuously growing due to high prevalence of diabetes, cancer and other disorders leading to increase in number of patients requiring diagnostic services, further driving the global market. Furthermore these services are cost effective and require minimum invasive method for clinical decision making and diagnosis. Advancement in technologies such as micro assays and biochips which can process large number of samples at a time will further enhance growth of the global market.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Clinical chemistry segment accounted for the largest share of the global market in 2016, owing to increase in demand for early detection of diseases like diabetes and cancer for effective disease treatment and management. Medical microbiology and cytology market is anticipated to witness fastest growth during forecast period due to increase in pool of patients suffering from infectious diseases requiring large number of diagnostic procedures. On the basis of service provider, standalone laboratories market is poised to witness fastest growth during the forecast period primarily due to wide range of diagnostic services offered by these labs and ability to manage large test volume with quick delivery of results.U.S. dominated the global clinical laboratory services market in 2016.This can be attributed to presence of large number of clinical laboratories and high population suffering from various disorders requiring diagnostic services. Emerging nations such as China and India will exhibit favorable growth over the forecast period owing to large pool of patients and increasing demand for early detection of diseases. Moreover, rapid development and changes in healthcare infrastructure along with increase in disposable income of people will further fuel the growth of the market.Browse full report with Table of Content @Some of the key players operating in the global clinical laboratory services market are LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, Sonic Healthcare, Healthscope Ltd., Spectra Laboratories, ARUP Laboratories, Genoptix Medical Laboratory, Qiagen, Abbott Laboratories, Bio-Reference Laboratories, Labco S.A and Clarient Inc. Global players are focusing on upgrading existing products to enhance accuracy and reliability of clinical test results. For instance, in January 2017, Abbott Laboratories launched next generation Alinity Ci-series diagnostic systemswith new immunoassays methods. These methods are cost effective as well as provide unique solutions for labs to achieve enhancedhealthcare performance.Key Findings of the Research Study: Clinical chemistry segment accounted for over two-fifth share of the global market in 2016 owing to increase in cases of target diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and liver disorders. Medical microbiology and cytology market will exhibit fastest growth over the forecast period due to rising incidence of diseases leading to increased need for large number of testing procedures. Standalone laboratories market is poised to witness fastest CAGR during the forecast period as a result of high penetration in emerging markets. North America dominated the global market in 2016 and is expected to continue its dominance during forecast period due to highly sophisticated healthcare infrastructure in the region. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth during forecast period owing to changing healthcare infrastructure and rise in disease prevalence in the region.Inquire more about this report @About Crystal Market ResearchCrystal Market Research is a U.S. based market research and business intelligence company. Crystal offers one stop solution for market research, business intelligence, and consulting services to help clients make more informed decisions. It provides both syndicated as well as customized research studies for its customers spread across the globe. The company offers market intelligence reports across a broad range of industries including healthcare, chemicals & materials, technology, automotive, and energy.Contact:Akhil V.304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesToll Free: +1-888-213-4282Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.comBlog:Website: Deep Seated Artery Stents Industry By Material, Application, and Geography: Global Trends and Forecast, 2017 Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=944497 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=944497 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Deep Seated Artery Stents Industry By Material, Application, and Geography: Global Trends and Forecast, 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.Deep Seated Artery Stents Report by Material, Application, and Geography Global Forecast to 2021 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, united Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).The report firstly introduced the Deep Seated Artery Stents basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.The report includes six parts, dealing with:1.) basic information;2.) the Asia Deep Seated Artery Stents Market;3.) the North American Deep Seated Artery Stents Market;4.) the European Deep Seated Artery Stents Market;5.) market entry and investment feasibility;6.) the report conclusion.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsPart I Deep Seated Artery Stents Industry OverviewChapter One Deep Seated Artery Stents Industry Overview1.1 Deep Seated Artery Stents Definition1.2 Deep Seated Artery Stents Classification Analysis1.2.1 Deep Seated Artery Stents Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 Deep Seated Artery Stents Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 Deep Seated Artery Stents Application Analysis1.3.1 Deep Seated Artery Stents Main Application Analysis1.3.2 Deep Seated Artery Stents Main Application Share Analysis1.4 Deep Seated Artery Stents Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Deep Seated Artery Stents Industry Development Overview1.5.1 Deep Seated Artery Stents Product History Development Overview1.5.1 Deep Seated Artery Stents Product Market Development Overview1.6 Deep Seated Artery Stents Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Deep Seated Artery Stents Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Deep Seated Artery Stents Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Deep Seated Artery Stents Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Deep Seated Artery Stents Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Deep Seated Artery Stents Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter Two Deep Seated Artery Stents Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ JMA Pilani Joins Hands with Oxford University Press India for Teaching Strategy Workshop JMA Pilani Joins Hands with Oxford University Press India for Teaching Strategy Workshop http://www.jmapilani.org/ http://www.jmapilani.org/ https://hi-in.facebook.com/JMAPilaniRajasthanRank1/?ref=py_c According to Indian Philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti regarded globally as one of the greatest thinkers & teachers of all time, Education can be transformed only by educating the educator, and not merely creating a new pattern, a new system of action.Oxford University Press (OUP) a department of the University of Oxford furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. OUP is the worlds largest university press with the widest global presence. It publishes in many countries, in more than 40 languages, and in a variety of formats print and digital. OUP products cover an extremely broad academic and educational spectrum, and it aims to make content available to users in a format that suits them best. Established in 1912, OUP India has grown to be one of the largest publishers in the region, with a strong presence in India and the neighboring countries, including Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.JMA which is one among the top ranking schools in Pilani has long standing relationship with OUP India and on 29 June 2017, OUP deputed well known teacher trainer, counsellor and motivator Mrs Ritu Kumar to conduct a workshop for the teachers of JMA Pilani. Mrs Ritu has degrees in N.T.T., B.Ed, M.A. in Social Work with specialization in Psychiatrics, B.A. (Honours) English, and a Diploma in Russian Language. She has been the Chairperson for the South West Command Education Con1mittee in the Army and has been closely involved with training the teachers, in the Army pre- schools also known as Shaurya. She had worked in the International School of Lusaka and the Italian School in Zambia in Africa apart from the City Montessori School, Lucknow in India.Principal Mrs Booma Natarajan highlighting the need for continuous teacher training welcomed Mrs Ritu Kumar and introduced her to the team of 35 teachers of JMA Pilani. Mrs Ritu Kumar covered various aspects which included syllabus planning, teaching strategies, technology based teaching, class room management, class interaction techniques, child psychology, role of assignments, evaluation techniques, counseling weak students etc. The workshop was followed by a lively question answer session and vote of thanks.For more details about JMA Pilani seeAbout JMA Pilani: Smt. Jamuna Mishra Academy (JMA) established in the year 2004 is presently one of the most sought after schools at Pilani considered as Oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan well known in India today for top ranking institutions like BITS Pilani University as well as CSIR Laboratory CEERI and globally renowned Birla Science Museum. JMA Pilani is a Co-educational English Medium School with Experienced Teachers, Spacious Classrooms and Modern Amenities designed to impart Quality Education combined with All Round Personality Development and lay the Best Foundation for the Childs Future. While the school admits both boys and girls, the girl student enrollment has been steadily rising every year and is presently nearly 50% of the total strength. The school has boys NCC, girls band which has been winning laurels every year too. Yoga and Fine arts are not just part of school routine but a way of life for the students.Mrs Booma Natarajan, M.Sc., M.A., B.Ed.Principal, Jamuna Mishra Academy JMANear Old Pilani Post OfficePilani Rajasthan 333031 IndiaPhone 91-1596-242314Email booma_pilani at yahoo.co.inWebsite:FaceBook: Worlds largest survey in strategic communication demonstrates increasing influence of the communication profession in organisations and societal debates http://www.communicationmonitor.eu/ European Communication Monitor 2017 results presented todayBrussels, June 29th 2017 The European Communication Monitor has been surveying trends in strategic communication for more than a decade. This years edition is based on a record number of 3,387 respondents from every European country, ensuring it makes once more an outstanding contribution in the area of strategic communication and providing valuable insights for professionals working in public relations, business or political communication. Moreover, this years Monitor deals with the cultural transformation towards hypermodernity and offers detailed insights for everybody working as communication managers for small, medium or large organisations in the public or private sector. Comparable global data for the Latin American and Asia-Pacific regions make the Monitor even more relevant.Visual trend offers huge potential for strategic communicationThe fact that we live in a visual society and social media and mobile communication boost all types of visuals is clearly observable and broadly recognised by European communication managers. However, 53.3 per cent of the surveyed professionals have low visual communication skills compared to 12.1 per cent with high visual competencies. That is also true at the organisational level. More than 80 per cent of the professionals have implemented standard guidelines for their visual communication. However, only 36.7 per cent have developed advanced guidelines and less than five per cent have advanced management processes for visual communication.Social (ro-)bots are largely neglected in EuropeDespite the growing commercial and political application of social bots findings from the ECM 2017 data demonstrate that this phenomenon is largely neglected by many communication professionals in Europe. Only one third follow the debate about social bots and 15.9 per cent have no idea about the topic at all. In this context social bots are mainly seen as a threat for public debates and organisational reputation alike, although four out of ten respondents do also see opportunities arising from them. 73.2 per cent of all respondents agree that social bots present ethical challenges for the profession.Hypermodernity challenges old paradigms in strategic communication and for organisationsA hypermodern society is a society in overdrive, characterised by a culture of hyper consumption, hyper change, and hyper individualism. A large majority of 71.5 per cent of the European communication professionals witness the cultural transformation towards a hyper modern culture in their country. The transition from a postmodern to hypermodern culture is the strongest in consultancies (57.2 per cent) and private companies (51.8 per cent). Organisations with postmodern and hypermodern characteristics are ahead in sensing the trend towards an overarching consumer mentality. Most of them think that it has already changed communication with stakeholders and a large majority thinks that it will change their communication in the next three years.Quality management and BenchmarkingQuality management and continuous improvement is less common in communication departments and marketing, compared to other organisational functions. If communication departments assess their activities at all, they focus predominantly on the performance or impact of messaging activities. Holistic benchmarking approaches against externally validated standards seem to be less relevant.Statements from the EUPRERA lead researcher and the president of the EACDProfessor Ansgar Zerfass, lead researcher of the survey, explained: During the last 12 months we have experienced significant events on the world geo-political stage with impact and implications for strategic communication. While the European Communication Monitor continues to track the specifics of the communicators role we are also interested in mapping and monitoring the influence of wider societal issues, from economic and cultural developments to technological change, and understand their implications on practice."What stands out most of all from this years Monitor is the recognition of the important operational and strategic contribution that communications makes to an organisations success, with more than 70% approval rates, with the communications function emerging as a key supporter for daily management and the operations of other departments, said Herbert Heitmann, president of the European Association of Communication Directors (EACD). He added: However, top management is not aware of the full range of contributions that communications can deliver. More efforts are necessary to close this expectation gap.A PDF report with full results as well as a video featuring highlights from the study is available atA joint study by academia and practice, the ECM is organised by the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) and the European Association of Communication Directors (EACD), supported by partner PRIME Research, a global leader for media insights, and media partner Communication Director magazine. The communication monitor series is known as the most comprehensive research in the field worldwide covering more than 80 countries the European survey is complemented by bi-annual surveys in other regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America.Markus Wiesenberg M.A.Senior Project ManagerInstitute of Communication and Media StudiesBurgstr. 21, D-04109 Leipzig, GermanyProfessor Dr. Ansgar Zerfass, Lead Researcher, EUPRERA, zerfass@uni-leipzig.de, Phone +49 341 97 35040Dr. Herbert Heitmann, President, EACD, herbert.heitmann@eacd-online.eu, Phone +32 2 219 22 90 Pickle Market - Emerging Segmentation and Regional Industry Analysis For 2025 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=26399 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pickle-market.html Pickle is form of a relish that is made up of either vegetables or fruits that is preserved in brine or vinegar. Pickles are made my immersing the fruits or vegetables in the brine or vinegar solution and stored for a period of time during which the ingredients goes through the pickling process and acquire the desired taste. Pickles are usually sweet or sour in taste and are often spicy. They acquire the taste of the key ingredient which is the vegetable or fruit of which the pickle is made. Pickles are consumed both as savory items as well as accompaniments with main courses especially in the Indian cuisine. The global pickle market is segregated on the basis of type, distribution channel and region. Based on type, the global market for pickles is segmented into fruit and vegetables. Fruit pickles are further sub-divided into mango, cucumber, orange and others. Vegetable pickles are further sub-divided into chili, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers and others. Fruit pickles held majority market share in 2016 and is anticipated to hold its dominant market share throughout the forecast period.Know Details Industry Information, Download PDF Brochure@Vegetable pickles are anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period of 2017-2025. This is attributed to increased demand for these types of pickles in the Asia Pacific region as an accompaniment with food during meals. Based on distribution channel the global pickle market is segregated into supermarkets/hypermarkets, departmental stores and convenience stores. Supermarkets/hypermarkets held majority market share in 2016 and is anticipated to hold its position throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to large scale business that they do which leads to bigger revenue generation. This segment is also anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period of 2017-2025 owing to repeat business that they do through customers.Major drivers driving the global pickle market include health benefits that pickles offer. Apart from being a taste enhancer in everyday foods, pickles also have numerous health benefits which is triggering market growth globally. Pickles are proven antioxidants which prevents free radicals to attack the human body. They also help in digestion as they have probiotic properties in them. They are also a source of natural nutrients such as iron, vitamin, calcium, potassium and others. They are also proven to be reducing ulcers and provide protection. Therefore, they are driving the market positively. In addition, rising awareness about GMO products is also triggering market growth for organic pickles. The growing awareness about the harmful effects of GMO products is shifting the demand trends towards organic pickles which is in turn, triggering market growth. Lack of use of preservatives in organic pickles reduces their shelf-life due to which they cannot be stored for a longer period of time. This is acting as a major restraint to the global pickle market. Rising demand for pickles in countries of Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa will provide great opportunity to the global pickle market.Browse Report@Geographically, the global market for pickles is segregated to North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. North America and Latin America combined makes the most dominant region in the global market for pickles. This is attributed to larger consumption of pickles among the consumers in North America due to their differentiating taste and taste enhancing capabilities. Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period owing to increased demand for pickles among consumers as a savory product and also as food enhancers. Developing nations such as China and India are showing substantial growth rate in this region.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.About Us:-Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. Telecom Cloud Billing Market - Market Size, Industry Trend, Global Share, Growth Analysis & Forecast, 2014-2025 Telecom Cloud Billing Market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/industry-research/telecom-cloud-billing-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/enquiry-about-report/telecom-cloud-billing-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/request-sample/telecom-cloud-billing-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/industry-research/telecom-cloud-billing-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/get-discount/telecom-cloud-billing-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com Visit:Telecom cloud billing delivers real-time billing process by tracking, validating, and analyzing the stake holders data and voice mail consumptions. The cloud-based solution satisfies the need for operational and business support in the billing process of telecom operators. Telecom cloud billing caters to various organizational needs such as account management, customer management, revenue management, and some others. The overall market is supplied through bundle service offerings on cloud software and infrastructure services.Telecom Cloud Billing Market By Type Prepaid Postpaid Convergent Others (Interconnect, Roaming, Embedded)Enquire About Report:Telecom Cloud Billing Market Dynamics:Drivers: Unprecedented increase in smartphone usage and growing adoption of 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi connectivity has generated a demand for data consumption and customized billing processes in the telecom firms Growing cloud adoption for cost-effective and 24/7 managed services and supportRestraints: Lack of IT infrastructure in underdeveloped regions such as Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.Telecom Cloud Billing Market Players:The top players in the global Telecom Cloud Billing Market include Amdocs, Inc., Tech Mahindra Limited, Ericsson AB, CGI Group Inc., Oracle Corporation, Huawei Technologies, NEC Corporation, Redknee Solutions Inc., Cerillion PLC, and Computer Sciences Corporation.Telecom Cloud Billing Market By Deployment Mode Private Public HybridTelecom Cloud Billing Market By Solution Software ServiceTelecom Cloud Billing Market By Geography North Americao U.S.o Canadao Mexico Europeo UKo Germanyo Franceo Italyo Rest of Europe Asia-Pacifico Chinao Japano Singaporeo Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEAo Brazilo Saudi Arabiao South Africao Rest of LAMEARequest Report Sample:Table of Content for Telecom Cloud Billing Market1. Executive summary for Telecom Cloud Billing Industry1.1. Key findings1.2. Market attractiveness and trend analysis1.3. Competitive landscape and recent industry development analysis2. Introduction for Telecom Cloud Billing Industry2.1. Report description2.2. Scope and definitions2.3. Research methodology3. Market landscape for Telecom Cloud Billing Industry3.1. Growth drivers3.1.1. Impact analysis3.2. Restraints and challenges3.2.1. Impact analysis3.3. Porters analysis3.3.1. Bargaining power of buyers3.3.2. Bargaining power of suppliers3.3.3. Threat of substitutes3.3.4. Industry rivalry3.3.5. Threat of new entrants3.4. Global telecom cloud billing market shares analysis, 2014-2025Continue to Full Report ToC:List of Tables for Telecom Cloud Billing MarketContain 39 TablesList of Figures for Telecom Cloud Billing MarketContain 41 FiguresDiscount on Full Report for Telecom Cloud Billing Industry:About UsProgressive Markets is the answer to every possible business query. It is a market research and business consulting firm, headquartered in India that aims to deliver conversant executive support to foster overall growth of an organization in its domain.Reach UsAntviews Global,Serve No. 721/1 Flat No 404,Sudhanshu co. op Housing Society,Shastri Road, Near Kalavati Devi Mandir,Fatak Baug, Pune 411 030.help@progressivemarkets.com Live Cell Imaging Market is expected to show staggering growth by 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/live-cell-imaging-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=7688 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Live Cell Imaging Market: OverviewLive cell imaging is the use of time lapse microscopy to study the living cells. The scientists use it to get a better understanding of the biological functions with the help of cellular dynamics. The live cell imaging technique is becoming increasingly popular in the healthcare industry.Read the Report Preview of Live Cell Imaging Market:The market can be categorized by products, by technologies, by end users and by regions. By product types, the live cell imaging market can be segmented into instruments, consumables and softwares. The instruments segment can be further sub-divided into standalone systems, cell analyzers, microscopes and image capturing devices. By technologies, the market can be segmented into fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), high content screening (HCS), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), ratiometric imaging, total iternal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TRIF), and multiphoton excitation microscopy (MPE) among others. Furthermore, the market can be segmented by applications into pharmaceutical industry, contract research organization, government and academic organization and diagnostic laboratories.Live Cell Imaging Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe rising concern of cancer is one of the major factors behind the growth of increasing demand of this technology. Furthermore, the government is actively taking initiatives to fund cell based research. Moreover the live cell imaging has a wide area of application and it can used to understand dynamic processes and cellular structures. In addition, it can also be used to study cellular integrity, protein trafficking, enzyme activity, localization of molecules, exocytosis and endocytosis among others. Furthermore, the process can also be applied to monitor the molecules in live animals. Moreover, the pharmaceutical companies are increasingly using live cell imaging in research and development in order to develop new medicines. In addition, the live cell imaging is also used for high content screening.However, the cost of implementing live cell imaging is very high is acting as a restraint for the market. Moreover, the technology requires highly skilled professional in order to study and understand the cell functions. The lack of availability of skilled professional is also expected to restrain the growth of live cell imaging market. However, with increasing investments in training and development programs this factor is expected to have low impact in the long run. In addition, the live cell imaging technique is gradually being applied by pharmaceutical companies to develop personalized medicine. This demand is expected to grow in future.Live Cell Imaging Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsBy geography, the market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world. North America and Europe are the early adapters of technology. Furthermore, government initiatives are being taken in this region for research and development using live cell imaging. U.S. is the largest market for live cell imaging in North America. However, Asia Pacific region is expected to witness robust growth due to presence of developing nations such as India and China.Request for the Sample Report:The key players in the live cell imaging market are Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Nikon Corporation, GE Healthcare, Carl Zeiss AG, Danaher Corporation, Olympus Corporation and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Molecular Devices, LLC, Becton, Dickinson and Company and Perkinelmer, Inc. among others.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Temperature Probe Market Research Report 2024 with Market Share Analysis, Trends and Forecast http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/temperature-probe-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15314 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Temperature probes are used to measure the amount of coldness and heat energy, generated by a system. These sensors help in detecting physical change to the temperature producing digital output. Furthermore, temperature sensors are mainly used in sectors including healthcare, food & beverage, automotive and consumer electronics, defense industry.Read the Report Preview of Temperature Probe Market:Temperature sensors are used in various industrial applications, which need process control with high accuracy. These probes are mainly used for sensitive processes, which need controlled process environments for example in chemical mixing, monitoring. Industrial processes which frequently requires to test and measure equipments temperature and volume, also use temperature probes on large scale. For example, clinical research processes have highly controlled manufacturing environments.These probes play important role in manufacturing, handling, storing of medical equipment and drugs, as they maintain basic overall performance by monitoring temperature. The current developments in healthcare sensing probes are responsible for increase in the trend of continuous patient monitoring. As a result it can reduce overall healthcare costs and help to improve treatment outcomes. These medical sensors are capable of monitoring of vital signs, for example patients temperature and blood pressure that are directly recorded in the electronic format. It also reduces sloppy management of patient records and providing the user with the latest information. Currently consumer healthcare is amongst the major fields which holds a promising future for sensors with a fastest growth rate than all other applications.The escalating burden of chronic disorders as well as, the worldwide, surging population count has consequently propelled the demand for these equipments. Chronically ill patients and the large elderly population subset form the target population for the sensor-based devices as it is imperative for them to undergo routine checkups; thus, facilitating remote and point-of-care patient monitoring.Besides this, increased adoption rate of surveillance and checkup devices are further driving the temperature sensors market. In addition, factors such as strict government guidelines to ensure environmental safety and ongoing demand for electronic products and computing peripherals have kept the prospects of the market high.The raw material used for manufacturing plays a crucial role in sensor efficiency and durability. Use of new raw materials such as lithium-niobate and langasite has increased the measurement ranges of temperature sensors. However, silicon based sensors are primarily used owing to their availability and low cost as they are produced in bulk. Multisensors are increasingly used for mass applications owing to their stability which, is expected to drive overall temperature sensors market growth.Technical developments and advent of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are likely to create greater opportunities.The home healthcare category such as pregnancy kits and glucose monitoring kits is anticipated to witness lucrative growth over the years. The cost of diagnosis in hospitals and other healthcare units is high; hence, the preference of home healthcare equipments, such as diagnostic kits, over hospitals is observed to be rising. The high-unmet needs of the huge target population are expected to further open avenues for the market players in the industry.However, dominance of legacy technologies and awareness of end-users have hampered the market growth. Quality, accuracy of temperature probes and raw material used for manufacturing has hampered the market.The Global Market of Temperature Probe is segmented on basis of product type, application, end user, and geography. The market by product type includes fiber optic, temperature sensors IC, bimetallic, resistance temperature detector, IR temperature sensor, thermistor, and thermocouple. Based on applications, the market is segmented as surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring. The end user of temperature probes include hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, home healthcare facilities and others.Geographically, the market is segmented into six major regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Rest of the World (RoW). In terms of geography, North America followed by Europe account for the largest market share for because of availability of sophisticated primary, secondary, and tertiary-care healthcare settings supported the market. Moreover, the well-established reimbursement network, suitable government funding, and the increasing health awareness further facilitates the incorporation of the sensors in the medical devices.Request for the Sample Report:The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness a remunerative growth over the next few years. This can be attributed to the heightened number of individuals suffering from chronic disorders, such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory problems.The key market players active in the temperature sensor market are Analog Devices Inc., Maxim Integrated, Measurement Specialties Inc., Microchip Technology Inc., Honeywell International Inc., NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, Panasonic Corporation, Texas Instruments and Siemens AG.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Decision Management Applications Market with Current Trends Analysis, 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1896 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1896 www.futuremarketinsights.com Decision management applications decision oriented evaluative software that help an enterprise to solve critical problems, manage and analyses huge data, and delivers decisive results. Also, enterprises are using decision management application for minimizing error and to get accurate results within a short period of time. These application helps an organization to maximise its profitability and efficiency. According to traditional approach, decision management used to be done manually without using any technical tools or applications.Decision Management Applications Market Segmentation:On the basis of type global decision management application market is segmented into Analytical management application, business rule management application, operational optimisation application, testing management application, workflow management application, and monitoring & governance application.Request For Report Sample@On the basis of application global decision management application market is segmented into business research management, fraud management, regulatory compliance management, accounting and revenue management, human resource management, credit risk management, customer management. Business research management is sub segmented into business intelligence and analytics. Business intelligence manages database, helps in analysis, and also tracks reporting. Analytics consist of sophisticated tools with abilities to discover insights in data. In decision management application these three technology areas can perform both together and separately as well. Customer management is sub segmented into Cross-sell and up-sell, web- based purchasing, single channel management and multichannel management.Geographically, decision management application market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America, Western Europe and Japan are the lucrative regions for global decision management application; where, U.S., European Union (EU)-5, Japan are the most revenue generating countries in this market. North America and Western Europe holds the majority of the market share in the decision management application market. Asia Pacific excluding Japan market for decision management application is one of the fastest growing market in terms of revenue generation. India, China, Malaysia, Singapore are the significant contributing countries in terms of revenue growth.Decision Management Applications Market Dynamics:Decision management application delivers solutions and results of a complex data. Currently, enterprises are adopting this applications in order to reduce the timeline of projects and also to optimise the affectivity of a project. These benefits are primarily driving the decision management application market. This applications are used by both service and manufacturing industries. Moreover, increasing critical data and complex business situation require strong result oriented decision, understanding the requirement developers have been improving the model of decision management. Currently, there are number of high level model of decision management application are available in the market. This technological advancement is another factor that drives the global decision management application market. However, owing to have high price, many big and small enterprises cannot effort decision management applications. Moreover, to run these applications, it requires skilled employees, which is again a cost bearing factor for the companies. These are the factor that are restraining the high growth of global decision management application market.Since, decision management application is a recent trend of a decision management market, many large scale enterprises already adopted this application, and most of the small and medium enterprises are still untapped, are the opportunity to the decision management application market globally. New models of decision management applications are always an opportunities to the decision management application market, hence decision management application companies have been developing value added decision management applications.Visit For TOC@Decision Management Applications Market Key Players:Some of the key players operating in the decision management application are IBM Corporation, SAS Institute Inc., AbsolutData Holdings, Inc., Mu Sigma Inc., Manthan Software Services Pvt. Ltd., salesforce.com, inc., Nimble, Inc. PipelineDeals, 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.comWebsite: Sigmoidscope Devices Market is Anticipated to Show the Robust Growth by 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sigmoidscope-devices-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16235 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ According to U.S. FDA, sigmoidoscope is a class II medical device used in a sigmoidoscopy procedure to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. Generally, sigmoidoscope is a small tube-like device which consists light source to see the internal part of the rectum and sigmoid colon. Physician or nurse inserts this device into the colon through end part of the large intestine called anus and pushes slowly into the rectum and sigmoid colon. Over the last few decades, prevalence and incidence rates of gastrointestinal diseases (GIT) is increasing notably and is expected to drive the overall GIT diagnosis devices market including sigmoidoscope devices over the forecast period. There are two different types of sigmoidoscopes such as flexible sigmoidoscope and rigid sigmoidoscope are available in the market to cater the patients. Among all, flexible sigmoidoscope devices are commonly used. These devices allow a physician to see around bends in the colon and it provides prominent results in the lower colon examination. Rigid sigmoidoscope is used to check the rectum part and is used less often when compared to flexible sigmoidoscope. In the aforementioned devices, flexible sigmoidoscopes are expected to register robust growth in a CAGR over the forecast period.Read the Report Preview of Sigmoidscope Devices Market:Generally, sigmoidscope is used to find the cause of abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. Moreover, the device used to find the malignant polyps and benign, as well as early signs of cancer in the lower part of colon and rectum. By using flexible sigmoidoscope device, the physician can see inflammation, intestinal bleeding, ulcers and abnormal growths in the descending colon and rectum. The entire sigmoidoscopy procedure will take 20 minutes to complete and whilst performing the procedure, the patient may feel uncomfortable. Before performing procedure, patients rectum and colon must be empty. Moreover, patient has to take only clear liquids for 12 to 24 hours beforehand. Patient has to take edema before performing procedure, so that washes out the intestine.Increasing prevalence of GIT diseases is one of the major factor which is expected to drive the overall sigmoidoscope devices marker over the forecast period. Moreover, increasing technological advancements in the medical devices industry along with increasing awareness about healthcare is expected to drive the overall market demand for sigmoidoscope devices during forecast period. However, the cost of the procedure and dearth of skilled healthcare professionals in the under developed countries is expected to hamper the marker revenue growth over the forecast period. Moreover, availability of high end medical devices which offer multiple services including sigmoidoscopy is one of the key restraints for this market.This market can be categorized on three major bases such as product type, application, end user, and geography. On the basis of key products, the market can be classified into flexible sigmoidoscope and rigid sigmoidoscope. Based on the application, the market has been segmented into diagnosis, monitoring. Based on end user type the market has been segmented into hospital, ambulatory surgical centers, and gastroenterology institutes.Geographically, the sigmoidscope devices market can be classified into five regional markets such as North America (United States and Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, etc.) and Asia-Pacific (Australia, China, Japan, India, etc.), Latin America and rest of the world. The emerging markets in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are expected to register robust growth during the forecast period 2016-2024. This would majorly be attributed to increasing investments by the key players operating in these countries, increasing prevalence of Gastro intestinal track cancers. India, China and Brazil are expected to drive strong growth among the emerging countries, owing to the increasing investments by government bodies to enhance healthcare facilities.Request for the Sample Report:Key companies operating in the global sigmoidscope devices market are Anetic Aid, Parburch Medical Ltd., HIENE USA LTD. Welch Allyn, Jindal Medical & Scientific Instruments Company (Pvt.) Ltd., Pal Surgicals and Evexar Medical, GE Healthcare to name few.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Positive Airway Pressure Devices Market is Expected to Witness Highest Growth by 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/positive-airway-pressure-devices-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16337 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Positive airway pressure devices keep pressured air flowing through the airways of the throat and is one of the common treatments for sleep apnea. The patient wears a face mask which is attached with a tube and a machine that blows pressurized air through the mask into the airway to keep it open. The air acts like a balloon holding the relaxed muscles of the throat open. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is a treatment method that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways sufficiently open. PAP devices are specially used by patients that have breathing issues, such as sleep apnea. These devices are broadly categorized as continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), and automatic positive airway pressure devices (APAP). The growing prevalence of sleep apnea and co-morbidities related to PAP have propelled the use of positive airway pressure devices. The global positive airway pressure devices is anticipated to witness a trend of devices that are compact and comfortable through 2024.Read the Report Preview of Positive Airway Pressure Devices Market:Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic medical condition requiring night application of therapy to efficiently limit the number of apneas and hypopneas that would occur without intervention. The gold-standard treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure therapy (PAP), which offers a pneumatic splint of the soft tissue in the upper airway. PAP devices can measure and record airflow and pressure levels whenever the device is worn. They contain internal, proprietary algorithms that identify breathing disturbances and whether these disturbances are due to persistent obstructive or non-obstructive events. Generally, the average duration of CPAP use is approximately five hours per night across numerous studies. Studies indicate that greater than six hours per night results in normal levels of objectively measured and self-reported daytime sleepiness, as well as significantly improved memory and daily functioning.Variable positive airway pressure (VPAP) or bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), is a newer type of machine that reduces the amount of pressure when a person breathes out. The device uses an electronic circuit to monitor the person's breathing. Having less pressure in the moment when a person is exhaling may make it more comfortable for the person with sleep apnea. This type of machine is used for people who have other breathing problems or who can't sleep if they have to breathe out against a stream of air.The U.S. accounted for the largest market share in positive airway pressure devices market. This is due to the increasing healthcare awareness for sleep apnea, improving healthcare infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, increasing obesity adding to the pool of sleep apnea patients and economic growth favored by broadening insurance coverage. Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides cover for sleep apnea products, including a capped rental on CPAP/BiPAP equipment and other supplies. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36% of the adults in the U.S. were obese in 2010, and nearly 42% will be obese by the year 2030. Furthermore, according to National Sleep Foundation, in 2012, around 40 Mn Americans were reported to suffer from chronic sleep disorder.Geographically, North America occupies the substantially larger market share, which is followed by Europe. The high attentiveness level in this region will lead the expansion of positive airway pressure devices market significantly. However, affordability has become a restraining factor for the global market in developing regions such as, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Asia Pacific is expected to demonstrate healthy CAGR in the global positive airway devices market. Increase in disposable income, rising aging population, and growing awareness level are some of the key factors driving the Asia Pacific market. The Asian market is expected to witness entry of higher number of new players compared to those in developed regions.Request for the Sample Report:Some of the market players who are competing to bring new technologically advanced products in the market are CareFusion Corporation, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, ResMed, Inc., Teleflex, Inc., and othersAbout TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Nasal Implant Market Segments and Key Trends 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2017 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2017 www.futuremarketinsights.com Nasal implant or nose sculpting refers to augmentation of the nasal bridge or covering the concave deformities in the injured or asymmetrical nose. Nasal implants are used in nasal surgery to provide a symmetrical shape and other cosmetic requirements. The materials for nasal implants may include metal, ceramics, and polymers such as silicone, polyethylene, PTFE, polyesters and polyamides. Implants used for nasal reconstruction may be difficult to choose but are an important component in patients care. Due to the central location of nose even small defects in reconstruction can be evident.The reason behind the rise in the number of nasal reconstruction procedures is directly related to the psychological need of the patient. However, in many cases, there has been significant help for the patients with damaged nose during traumatic injuries. Drug-remitting nasal implants, which are biodegradable in nature are advanced implants with significant benefits. The nature of the implant of degrading naturally has over shadowed the use of metallic and other synthetic implants. Nevertheless, additional research is expected to develop new natural forms of nasal implants, which in turn is expected to favor the market in near future.Request For Report Sample@Nasal Implant Market: Drivers and RestraintsPrimary revenue drivers for nasal implants are an increase in the number of patients seeking relief from heavy snoring and sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA, is estimated to affect around 4% middle-aged men and women globally. This has been raising the demand for titanium nasal implants. Other revenue drivers include an increase in the incidence of nasal tumors, which requires maxillofacial nasal surgeries and subsequent implants. Nasal skin tumors constituting basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas make up 12% of all skin tumors. Further, increasing demand for maxillofacial and esthetic rehabilitations also frequently require nasal implants, thus increasing the scope of revenue generation. Infections associated with nasal implants constitute the most common deterrent for product uptake. In the case of infections, administrations of antibiotics are said to be of no use. The only way the infection can be cured is taking the implant out, which could lead to another surgery. The rate of infection is much higher in plastic implants.Nasal Implant Market: SegmentationThe global market for nasal implant is segmented on the basis of material, graft type and end user:Segmentation by MaterialSyntheticMetal (Titanium)CeramicsPolymers (silicone, polyethylene, PTFE, polyesters and polyamides)BiologicalAutograftXenograftAllograftAlloplastSegmentation by End UserHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersClinicsNasal Implant Market: OverviewAdvancements in nasal implants have led towards the rise in demand for restricting of the nose. The major part of the demand is expected to be under cosmetic surgeries. Over the year significant number of grafting and implanting material have been introduced in the branch of Rhinoplasty. These are preferably known as biomaterials, which includes graft material such as autograft with source as the same organism, homograft with source as same species, xenograft with source as different species and alloplastic with source as synthetic material. Also, increasing the inclination of companies towards improving the quality of implants and performance coupled with the quality life of patient has led manufacturers in diversities in the type of material for various surgeries such as premaxilla augmentation, columella strut, tip graft, dorsal augmentation, middle third spreader, alar graft and lateral wall graft.Nasal Implant Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic region, Nasal Implant market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.North America dominates the global market for Nasal Implant due to high adoption rate and diagnosis rate, followed by Western Europe. The rising cosmetic requirements for individuals is expected to fuel the nasal implant market. Nasal implant market in Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa is expected to register high growth due to developing healthcare infrastructure and rising cosmetic issues in the near future.Visit For TOC@Nasal Implant Market: Key PlayersSome of the major market players in Nasal Implant market globally include Allergan, Plc, Sientra, Inc, Stryker Corporation, KLS Martin L.P, Medartis AG, Johnson & Johnson, Implantech, TMJ Concepts, Nagor.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Cervical Pillows Market To Increase at Steady Growth Rate 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2172 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2172 www.futuremarketinsights.com Due to todays fast paced life, the toll on health has increased and various kinds of health related problems have cropped up in our lives. Cervical problem is one of the most common health related issue that people face during the present times. The causes of cervical pain are degenerative disc disease, neck strain or injury, a herniated disc or a pinched nerve. Cervical problem is generally known as neck pain, and this medical condition commonly occurs in people above 50 years of age. However, this problem has now become common in the younger age group as well. Cervical spine possesses the top 7 vertebrae of the spine. These seven bones are protected by disks and the spinal cord is located inside these bones. The cervical spine of a person is susceptible to degenerative problems because of its large range of motion and complex anatomy. Some of the common cervical disorders are spinal stenosis, disc herniation, spondylitis, etc. which translate into neck pain.In order to counter this problem of cervical pain, the use of cervical pillows is made. Cervical pillows are designed to support the neck in proper alignment at night and is specifically shaped to guide the head and neck into the right angles during sleep. It is important for the proper functioning of the cervical pillow that it rises where the neck is positioned and compresses where the position of the head lies. Cervical pillows do the job of maintaining the necks natural arch while sleeping. Cervical pillows come in various sizes, shapes and materials, depending upon the unique body shape and size of different consumers.Request For Report Sample@Cervical Pillows Market: DriversAs of 2010, neck pain or cervical pain affected about 5% of the global population. More than 30 million Americans suffer from pain associated with the neck or back related ailments as per the data given by the American College of Rheumatology. Buying the right kind of cervical pillow can offer pain relief, correct the spinal alignment and help to maintain a good posture while sleeping. There are two basic types of cervical pillows, namely displacement cervical pillows and supportive cervical pillows. With the work environment becoming more sedentary, neck pain or cervical pain is becoming a common phenomenon around the world. In addition, with rising disposable income and increasing healthcare spending, especially in the developing countries, the cervical pillows market is poised to exhibit a sustained growth in the coming decade.Cervical Pillows Market: RestraintsLack of awareness about cervical pain and affordability issues, especially in the developing countries, can be considered as market restrains in an otherwise lucrative cervical pillows market.Cervical Pillows Market: Key RegionsNorth America and Europe are amongst the most lucrative market for cervical pillows. The Asia-Pacific region promises the maximum growth potential in the coming decade. Countries like China, India and South Korea are poised to exhibit a robust growth in the cervical pillows market due to rising disposal income and increased healthcare spending in these countries.Visit For TOC@Cervical Pillows Market: Key Market PlayersFlamingo is a key market player in India and caters both to the domestic and international markets. As far as North America is concerned, Mediflow Inc., Coop Home Goods, Malouf and DC Labs are major market players.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: New Forest Managers for Tilhill Forestry in Southern England Hugh Davies and Alex MacKinnon www.tilhill.com www.bsw.co.uk (Tilhill Forestry, Groombridge, June, 2017) Two new Forest Managers have been appointed to strengthen the companys operations across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.Working from Tilhill Forestrys offices in Groombridge, Kent, Hugh Davies MICFor will cover Kent and Sussex. He has an MSc in Environmental Forestry from Bangor University and his wide range of experience includes being a Forest Manager and consultant for two private companies in the Midlands, a saw mill worker, a forest ranger and a professional tree inspector. Most recently Hugh was working with Forest Research at Alice Holt and has an interest in managing the impacts of pests and diseasesHugh, who lives in Brighton, said: Im excited to be working alongside such a positive team and looking after a whole array of new woodland portfolios in the South East of England. There is so much scope to bring woodland under proper management and help owners to maximise the use of their properties both recreationally and financially.Forest Manager Alex MacKinnon is based in Alton, Hampshire. He will be focusing on developing new business and managing a portfolio across predominantly Surrey and Hampshire, while utilising the experience he gained working with Tilhills Investment & Property team.Having grown up in the area, Alex previously worked in Scotland dealing with the acquisition of new properties for clients. He has worked in arboriculture, landscaping, as a shadow ranger for the Forestry Commission and as a countryside ranger.Alex, who has a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from Nottingham Trent University, said: Im very pleased with my new role and am most looking forward to spending more time in the woods and making a positive impact on the green areas that I grew up in.ENDSFor further information contact Suzi Christie PR Consultant for Tilhill Forestry on 07590 591140 or e-mail suzi@blueberry-pr.co.ukTilhill Forestry Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BSW Timber Group, was established nearly 70 years ago. It is a national company operating from a network of offices throughout the UK. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services to the forest owner and forestry investor. There is also a complementary soft landscaping operation. Further information is available atBSW is the most technologically advanced sawmill in the UK employing over 1,200 people. The Companys roots date back to 1848, and with seven sawmills in the UK and one in Latvia, has a production capacity of more than 1.2 million m3 of sawn timber which is distributed throughout construction, fencing and landscape marketsTogether, BSW and Tilhill Forestry form a strong partnership in the forest industry that will deliver quality from beginning to end - from creating new forests through to landscaping and producing timber end products.2, DanecrossHellinglyHailshamEast SussexBN27 4ES Global Baby Food & Drink Market 2017 Major Players - Nestle, Hain Celestial, Plum Baby, Organix, Abbott, Pinnacle https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/61640/request-sample https://goo.gl/N8n868 www.fiormarkets.com www.albaniantimes.com The report offers a holistic overview of the Baby Food & Drink market with the help of application segments and geographical regions that govern the market currently. Further, the report delves deep into the value chain of the Baby Food & Drink market so as to emerge with information specific areas that hold high revenue-generating potential. With the Baby Food & Drink market having undergone certain inherent shifts in the past decades, the report discusses how these changes will impact the future.Download Free Sample Report @In this report, the global Baby Food & Drink 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 Baby Food & Drink in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Baby Food & Drink market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingNestleAbbottDanoneMead JohnsonThe Kraft HeinzArlaHain CelestialFrisoCow and GateHippPlum BabyOrganixHolleYiliBiostimePinnacleAccess Full Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoInfant NutritionDry Mix Vs Wet Mix Infant FormulaPrepared Baby FoodOtherOn 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 Baby Food & Drink for each application, includingRetail StoresSpecialty StoresOnline StoresOtherIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog: Global Virtual Keyboards Market Share 2017-2022: Research In Motion (RIM), Apple, Microsoft Virtual Keyboards http://bit.ly/2u1ga0s http://bit.ly/2ulAs3X Virtual Keyboards Market Research ReportA market study Global Virtual Keyboards Market examines the performance of the Virtual Keyboards market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Virtual Keyboards market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Virtual Keyboards market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Virtual Keyboards Market 2017 report includes Virtual Keyboards market Size, Revenue, market Share, Virtual Keyboards industry volume, market Trends, Virtual Keyboards Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Virtual Keyboards Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Virtual Keyboards Market 2017:Research In Motion (RIM)AppleMicrosoftFirstly, the report covers the top Virtual Keyboards manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Virtual Keyboards report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Virtual Keyboards industry, Virtual Keyboards industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Virtual Keyboards Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Inquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Virtual Keyboards research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Virtual Keyboards market revenue worldwide.Finally, Virtual Keyboards market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA Global Brain Monitoring Devices Market 2017 Major Players - Johnson & Johnson, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Nihon Kohden https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/61641/request-sample https://goo.gl/tdcxKX www.fiormarkets.com www.albaniantimes.com The report offers a holistic overview of the Brain Monitoring Devices market with the help of application segments and geographical regions that govern the market currently. Further, the report delves deep into the value chain of the Brain Monitoring Devices market so as to emerge with information specific areas that hold high revenue-generating potential. With the Brain Monitoring Devices market having undergone certain inherent shifts in the past decades, the report discusses how these changes will impact the future.Download Free Sample Report @In this report, the global Brain Monitoring 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 Brain Monitoring Devices in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Brain Monitoring Devices market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer,Covering Top PlayersMedtronicJohnson & JohnsonC.R. BardNihon KohdenCompumedicsGE HealthcareSiemens HealthcarePhilips HealthcareNatus Medical IncorporatedAdvanced Brain MonitoringIntegra LifeSciencesCAS Medical SystemsToshibaCovidienAccess Full Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoElectroencephalogram (EEG)Computed Tomography (CT)Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Magnetoencephalogram (MEG)OtherOn 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 Brain Monitoring Devices for each application, includingHospitalsNeurological CentresOtherIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog: Spine Implant Market Key Trends, Industry Opportunities And Projections for Upcoming Years http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/spine-implant-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19433 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Spine Implant Market: OverviewThe current development of bio-resorbable implants that automatically leave the body as the patient recovers is projected to speed up the expansion of the spine implant market. Spinal implants are used to correct deformities, strengthen the spine, and facilitate fusion. Some of the major conditions that require spine implants are chronic degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, traumatic fracture, and other forms of spinal instabilities.Read the Report Preview of Spine Implant Market:The report carries out an in-depth analysis of the major drivers, restraints, trends, opportunities, and segments of the global spine implant market. The key factors of the global spine implant market such as value chain analysis, competitive landscape, Porters five force analysis, market attractiveness, market forecast, and supply and demand ratio have been thoroughly dealt with in the report. The report also sheds light on the market shares held by the leading firms, in addition to a description of their product portfolios and major business strategies.Global Spine Implant Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe key factors aiding the growth of the global market for spine implants are the rise in the number of spinal injuries and disorders and technological advancements in the field of spine implants. Minimally invasive surgeries have been witnessing high demand due to quicker recovery and lesser discomfort. This will prove to be another key growth driver of the market.The number of geriatric and obese population has been escalating, providing significant growth opportunities to the market. The increasing prevalence of postural defects, lack of physical exercise, and high incidence of obesity are increasingly affecting the spinal cord, leading to numerous spinal problems. Therefore, the global market for spine implants will witness an upsurge, growing with a steady CAGR during the forecast period.On the contrary, factors such as tedious approval procedures, high costs of treatments, absence of awareness about these procedures among patients and physicians, and uncertain reimbursements are some of the chief challenges faced by the global spine implant market. However, the introduction of image-based spinal navigation technology, along with the advancements in the field of titanium biologics will present considerable opportunities.The market can be segmented on the basis of product, type, technology and region.Global Spine Implant Market: Regional OutlookThe global market for spine implants can be segmented to include North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, and Europe. North America is likely to be the leading regional segment, accounting for the largest share in the overall market. The prominence of this region can be attributed to technological developments, government funds, extensive R&D activities, and the rise of innovative treatment procedures. The U.S. will be at the headmost position in this region.Asia Pacific is a budding market with great potential owing to the presence of a large patient population, widespread adoption of sedentary lifestyles, increased healthcare expenditure, rising awareness about the availability of spine implants, beneficial government policies, and rising per capita incomes of people. Although the spine implant markets in India and China are growing at a rapid rate, Japan is expected to emerge with lucrative opportunities on account of its highly skilled surgeons, attractive market economics, and established regulatory systems.Request for the Sample Report:Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the major companies operating in the global market for spine implants are Aesculap Implant Systems, Ulrich Medicals, Titan Spine, Stryker, Medtronic, Zimmer Biomet Corporation, and DePuy Synthes.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market to grow at over 9.9% CAGR from 2017 to 2024 https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/852 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/dimethyl-ether-dme-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/852 https://www.gminsights.com/ Global Dimethyl Ether Market size is projected to reach USD 11.97 billion by 2024, with estimated gains at 9.9 % CAGR.Dimethyl Ether Market size is poised to exceed USD 11 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.Increasing product demand as an alternative to conventional fuels is one of the major factors propelling the global dimethyl ether market share over the projected timeframe. It is extensively used in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) blending, as the resultant fuel possesses similar characteristics with LPG. LPG is an essential domestic fuel in various applications including cooking and heating. Furthermore, approximately 65% of the DME produced across the globe is used in LPG blending. This trend will subsequently boost the industry growth by 2024.Request for a sample copy of this research report @China is the largest LPG producer, supplier and consumer and hence plays a vital role in the global dimethyl ether market share. In addition, rapidly increasing population in Asia Pacific countries, particularly China & India, has significantly propelled the domestic fuel demand. Furthermore, the industry players in the region has elevated their production capacities, which in turn will drive the global dimethyl ether market size by 2024.After dehydration, methanol can to converted to DME, which can be used in heavy duty application across trucks and ships as a diesel substitute. Methanol also improves combustion proficiency along with minimizing the emissions including carbon monoxide. Increasing awareness along with government legislations towards clean fuel usage in household activities and transportation industry will positively influence the business growth over the projected period.DME is a fuel with minimum lubricative characteristics, therefore, conventional fuel delivery & injection systems are not companionable with it. This fact may obstruct the global dimethyl ether market size by 2024. Oscillating crude oil price trends, results in increasing LPG prices. This pushes the LPG substitute demand such as DME. For instance, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) had related standards towards product use as a LPG substitute in 2012, which has brought new growth prospects for the industry participants.Browse key industry insights spread across 125 pages with 143 market data tables & 11 figures & charts from the report, Dimethyl Ether (DME) Market Size By Raw Material (Fossil Fuel Based, Bio Based), By Application (LPG blending, Aerosol propellants, Transportation fuel, Industrial), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, GCC), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2013 2024 in detail along with the table of contents:Key insights from the report include: Fossil fuel based dimethyl ether market share is projected to expand at over 8% CAGR in terms of volume. However, strict government legislations regarding clean fuel may hinder the industry growth for the segment. Bio-based dimethyl market size is forecast to experience highest gains at over 11% CAGR over the projected timeframe. Rising awareness accompanied with escalating clean fuel demand across transportation and domestic applications will stimulate the business growth by 2024. In 2015, the global dimethyl ether market share for aerosol propellants generated revenue more than USD 1 billion. Relatively low cost, stability & purity, extensive boiling point & vapor pressures range, low odor, low toxicity, efficiency & versatility, flammability and ecofriendly characteristics makes the product desirable for its use as aerosol propellants. The global dimethyl ether market size for transportation fuel is estimated to witness highest growth over 14% CAGR by 2024. Stringent government norms towards minimizing carbon emissions produced from automotive will complement industry growth over the forecast timeframe. In 2015, North America, led by the U.S., was valued at over USD 300 million. Rising product acceptance in the region owing to low emissions traits is the major factor contributing the regional dimethyl ether market size. In 2015, Asia Pacific, mainly led by China, dominated the global dimethyl ether market share. Growing population in India and China along with escalating product usage across domestic purposes were the prominent growth factors. In 2015, the global dimethyl ether market share was competitive. Some of the industry share contributors are Akzo Nobel NV., Korea Gas Corporation, China Energy Ltd, Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Mitsubishi Corporation.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Pultrusion Products Market share research by applications and regions for 2017-2024 www.gminsights.com/request-toc/upcoming/1741 www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1741 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/pultrusion-products-market www.gminsights.com/ Global Market Insights has a new study based report titled "Pultrusion Products Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Development Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 2024".Order This Report by calling Global Market Insights, Inc. at 1-888-689-0688 (Toll Free) or 1-302-846-7766.Pultrusion Products Market size is mainly driven by the major construction applications including commercial, industrial, residential and office buildings. Innovations and modern technologies have created a new space for durable and high-performance cladding systems.Request for Detailed Table of Contents of this report@Pultrusion Products Market size is projected to witness a substantial growth, owing to rising demand for lightweight structural composites over forecast period. Rising rebar and gratings applications will led to surge in demand for durable products to withstand corrosive environments.Increasing focus on total lifecycle cost of end products coupled with growing energy efficiency necessities from consumers will remain a key driving factor for the global market growth.Reasons to Buy This Report1. Pultrusion ProductsMarket size & forecast by product & application2. Growth drivers, pitfalls & industry challenges3. Key Pultrusion Products Market growth opportunities & emerging businessmodels4. Competitive benchmarking with market share analysis and company profilesOffice buildings dominated the Pultrusion Products market size over the forecast timeframe. Stainless steel, anodized aluminum, terracotta, fiber cement, composite and glass materials are used in these systems to protect the buildings. Steel & glass facades and glazed walling systems are often used in multi-storied office buildings to provide natural lightning & shading, weather-tightness and thermal insulation which may drive the industry growth.Inquire About to purchase this research report@Pultrusion is an automated closed-molding process for large scale manufacturing of constant cross section parts in economical way. Excellent composite structural materials can be fabricated by the process owing to resin dispersion, uniformity of cross-section, fiber distribution & alignment.The Pultrusion Products Market Report Consists of,1. Methodology and Scope2. Executive Summary3. Pultrusion Products Industry Insights3.1 Industry segmentation3.2. Industry size, forecast and growth expectations, 2012 - 20233.3. Industry ecosystem analysis3.4. Raw material insights3.5. Technology insights3.6. Regulatory framework3.7. Industry dynamics3.8. Key growth opportunities3.9. Porter's analysis3.10. Company market share, 20153.11. PESTEL analysis3.14. Regional price trends4. Pultrusion Products Market Product Insights5. Pultrusion Products Market Application Insights6. Pultrusion Products Market Regional Insights7. Competitor ProfilesThe industrial application is anticipated to be dominating segment over the forecast period. Increasing demand for high strength structural composites in offshore oil drilling projects, cooling towers, and civil engineering will propel demand for pultrusion products for industrial segment.Pultruded products possess corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratios, heat resistance, dielectric properties, and dimensional stability which benefits designers for construction projects.Glass fiber and carbon fiber are the most widely used pultrusion products worldwide. FRP are versatile and cost effective compared to traditional materials, such as steel, aluminum and timber.Browse Pultrusion Products Market report summary@The Key players operational in the global market are Exel Composites, Bedford Reinforced Plastics, Faigle Kunstsoffe GmbH, Strongwell Corporation, Diversified Structural Composites, Creative Pultrusions, Jiangsu Jiuding New Material, Werner Ladder and Masco. Other notable players are Pultrex, Creative Pultrusions International, Ashland Composite Polymers, Fibreforce Composites, Haysite Reinforced Plastics, Pacific Composites Pty., Pultron Composites, Speedex, Fibergrate BV, Fiberline Composites AS, and Sportex.FRP pultruded products market is anticipated to witness significant gains owing to lightweight properties and high durability. It weighs 75% less than steel and non-corrosive in nature. FRP rebar can be used as an alternative of stainless steel, carbon steel, wood and non-ferrous metals.About Global Market Insights, Inc.:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Mobile Phone Camera Module Market Report 2017 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1194643/emea-europe-middle-east-and-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1194643 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressreleases http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketresearchreports-biz MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Mobile Phone Camera Module Market Report 2017"DescriptionIn this report, the EMEA Mobile Phone Camera Module 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.View Full Report at:Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Mobile Phone Camera Module for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux;Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.EMEA Mobile Phone Camera Module market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Mobile Phone Camera Module sales volume (K Units), price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingSamsungSunny OpticalPrimaxGSEOFUJINONKOLENDIOSTECHHynixSONYAPTINAOmniVisionLITEONTISHICONOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (K Units), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/Unit), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoCCDCMOSOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume (K Units), market share and growth rate of Mobile Phone Camera Module for each application, includingSmartphonesDumbphonesIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:Table of ContentsEMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Mobile Phone Camera Module Market Report 20171 Mobile Phone Camera Module Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Mobile Phone Camera Module1.2 Classification of Mobile Phone Camera Module1.2.1 EMEA Mobile Phone Camera Module Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 EMEA Mobile Phone Camera Module Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 CCD1.2.4 CMOS1.3 EMEA Mobile Phone Camera Module Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 EMEA Mobile Phone Camera Module Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-20221.3.2 Smartphones1.3.3 Dumbphones1.4 EMEA Mobile Phone Camera Module Market by RegionBrowse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn: Poppyseed Oil Market to Witness a Pronounce Growth During 2020 : Report Bazzar http://www.reportbazzar.com/request-sample/?pid=1007751&ptitle=Global+and+Chinese+Poppyseed+Oil+Market+Outlook+2017-2022&req=Sample http://www.reportbazzar.com/product/global-and-chinese-poppyseed-oil-market-outlook-2017-2022/ http://www.reportbazzar.com/discount-form/?pid=1007751&ptitle=Global+and+Chinese+Poppyseed+Oil+Market+Outlook+2017-2022&req=Discount http://www.reportbazzar.com ReportBazzar has released its latest research-based report entitled Poppyseed Oil market.This report provides a holistic approach to the market growth with a detailed and precise analysis of the overall competitive scenario of the Poppyseed Oil market. The report also provides a detailed analysis of key trends and latest technologies, playing a prominent role in the Poppyseed Oil market growth. It takes into account aspects such as drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities that impact the market and presents statistical and analytical account on it. This research report features a comprehensive discussion about the current scenario to estimate trends and prospects of the Poppyseed Oil market soon. The overall market provides detailed dynamic and statistical insights pertaining to the market at both regional and global level.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @:Healthcare industry: Is it growing or stagnant?The healthcare industry or health economy is the aggregation or integration of industries within the economic system that provides goods & services to treat the patients with preventive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative care. Healthcare industry has been grabbing attention in the recent past and is expected to continue a similar trend over the forecast period. Growing number of diseases and increasing concern & awareness about health are the factors contributing to the growth of Poppyseed Oil industry and in turn healthcare industry and its related industries. Development of newer products coupled with innovation of new technologies, as well as increasing investments in R&D by companies, is further widening the market scope and revenue growth of the total market.Research Methodology:Recognizing the rising prevalence of Poppyseed Oil market, this research report proves to be a primary source of guidance and detailed data on the market at global scale. The report evaluates the present scenario as well as changing trends in the market to project its outlook and prospects. A holistic report covers exhaustive information obtained from reliable industrial sources and through proven research methodologies. The report goes through both secondary and primary survey. The base year taken for the report is 2015 and 2016, and a forecast is done from 2017 to 2025.The data thus obtained is then combined with relevant tables and graphs to support the information revealed.Browse full report with Table of Content @:Product & Application Insights:Various competent analytical tools have been used to offer a comprehensive assessment of the market. The report comprises of each aspect of the global market for Poppyseed Oil. It starts with the basic information and then advances to the market segmentation based on different criteria such as technology, products, application and regions in general. A detailed analysis is also given on the market penetration and future prospects of the overall industry growth. Each product has its specific applications. There is detailed approach provided for each product and application such has which product has the highest penetration and which application is growing at a significant rate. These factors are complemented by diagrams such as bar graph or pie diagram.Regional Insights:Major regions, countries, and sub-segments have been analyzed for providing the better understanding of the market scope worldwide. The regions taken into consideration are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Central & South America. The report studies the market by evaluating the manufacturers, suppliers, and supply chain or value chain management. Favorable regulations, prevalent policies and cost structures are also analyzed. The regional markets for the Poppyseed Oil market are analyzed by evaluating the pricing of products, logistics, demand, and supply, production capacity, as well as the historical performance of the market in the given region.Competitive Insights:The report also provides insights on the competitive landscape of the global Poppyseed Oil industry with the leading players profiled in the report. Company profiles are purely tentative in nature and we can profile companies according to your interest at free cost. The Poppyseed Oil market is highly competitive and regulated. The company overview, trends, tactics, merger & acquisitions, business strategies, financial metrics of the major participants operating in the global Poppyseed Oil market have been reviewed in this study.Ask for Discount @:Some Points Of Table Of Content:Part 1. Exclusive SummaryPart 2. Methodology2.1 Research Methodology2.2 Geographic Scope2.3 Years ConsideredPart 3. Introduction3.1 Overview3.2 Supply Chain Structure3.2.1 Raw Material Supply3.2.2 Manufacturing3.2.3 Cost AnalysisPart 4. Market Landscape4.1 Global Poppyseed Oil Market by Volume 2012-20174.1.1 Overview4.1.2 Global Poppyseed Oil Market, by Volume 2012-20174.1.3 Top 10 Poppyseed Oil Companies, by Volume Share 2012-20174.2 Global Poppyseed Oil Market by Revenue 2012-20174.2.1 Overview4.2.2 Global Poppyseed Oil Market, by Revenue 2012-20174.2.3 Top 10 Poppyseed Oil Companies, by Revenue Share 2012-2017Part 5. Segmentation by Type (Volume & Revenue)5.1 Type I5.2 Type II5.3 Type IIIPart 6. Segmentation by Application (Volume & Revenue)6.1 Application A6.2 Application B6.3 Application C6.4 Application DPart 7. North American Poppyseed Oil Market7.1 North American Poppyseed Oil Market by Volume7.2 North American Poppyseed Oil Market by RevenuePart 8. European Poppyseed Oil Market8.1 European Poppyseed Oil Market by Volume8.2 European Poppyseed Oil Market by RevenuePart 9. Asia Pacific Poppyseed Oil Market9.1 Asia Pacific Poppyseed Oil Market by Volume9.2 Asia Pacific Poppyseed Oil Market by RevenuePart 10. Chinese Poppyseed Oil Market10.1 Chinese Poppyseed Oil Market by Volume10.2 Chinese Poppyseed Oil Market by RevenueAbout us:Reportbazzar.com is your trusted source for the most inclusive and informative assortment of market research reports designed to empower you with the latest in industry information that translates to time and cost savings for your business. We not only help you give wing to your latent business ideas but also facilitate you in taking the best informed and strategic decisions that guarantee success in your most promising business endeavors. Our intelligence database comprises of vast arrays of strategically analyzed and high-level market research reports that encompass all major industries worldwide. All the specialized research reports available at Reportbazzar.com are tailor-made to suit your every business need, no matter how diverse or demanding it is.Contact for more details:Report BazzarUnited States30 Wall Street, 8th floor,New York, NY 10005.US: +1 (212) 389-6363Email: sales@reportbazzar.comWeb - Vital Signs Monitoring Market to record high demand by 2016-2024 Vital Signs Monitoring Market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/vital-signs-monitoring-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/vital-signs-monitoring-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/vital-signs-monitoring-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/vital-signs-monitoring-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com https://zionmarketresearch.wordpress.com/ Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled Vital Signs Monitoring Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024Global Vital Signs Monitoring Market: OverviewVital signs monitoring devices execute screening of vital factors such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and respiratory rate. Additionally, this process may also include examining of several other extra signs such as urinary continence, pain, gait speed, end-tidal carbon dioxide, shortness of breath, and so on. These monitoring devices offer and capture clinically significant information regarding the health status of a patient. Moreover, verification of vital signs after and before medical procedure also reduces patient risk and decreases fault in the elucidation of clinical data.Request Free Sample Report @Global Vital Signs Monitoring Market: Growth FactorsThe major factors influencing the growth of the global vital signs monitoring market are cost-effective processes, rising need for portable monitoring devices, increase in the aging population, and growth in the frequency of hospital admissions. However, the unresponsiveness of few devices in specific conditions and the huge digit of market players are few factors that may impede the market growth.Global Vital Signs Monitoring Market: SegmentationThe global vital signs monitoring market can be segmented based on end-user, product, and region. The end-user segment of the market is categorized into ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals & clinics, and home care settings. The product segment of the market is diversified into pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitoring device, and temperature monitoring device. The pulse oximeters segment of the market is divided into fingertip pulse oximeters, wrist-worn pulse oximeters, table-top/bedside pulse oximeters, hand-held pulse oximeters, and pediatric pulse oximeters. The blood pressure monitoring device segment of the vital signs monitoring market is classified into digital blood pressure monitors, blood pressure instrument accessories, aneroid blood pressure monitors, and ambulatory blood pressure monitors. The temperature monitoring device segment of the market is sub-segmented into infrared thermometers, digital thermometers, and temperature strips.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Vital Signs Monitoring Market: Regional AnalysisNorth America is anticipated to lead the market for vital signs monitoring in the near future due to the increasing digit of geriatric population in this region. Europe is also expected to grow in the market at a significant rate as a result of the growing need for home health patient monitoring devices owing to altering lifestyle and demographics. Further, Asia Pacific region is also projected to grow in the market at a high rate due to the increasing demand for faster and easier devices for home health and clinics.Global Vital Signs Monitoring Market: Competitive PlayersThe prominent players in the market for vital signs monitoring devices include Koninklijke Philips N.V., Welch Allyn, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Nonin Medical Inc., SunTech Medical, Inc., Masimo Corporation, Medtronic plc, General Electric Company, and Omron Corporation. The other key players in the market are A&D Company, Limited, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGa, Smiths Group plc., Briggs Healthcare Spacelabs Healthcare, Inc., CAS Medical Systems, Inc., Contec Medical Systems Co., Ltd., and Mindray Medical International Limited.Browse detail report @Global Vital Signs Monitoring Market by Geographical Analysis: North America( U.S.), Europe( UK, France, Germany), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India), Latin America( Brazil), Middle East and AfricaOur value reports provide full, in-depth analysis of the parent market including most significant changes in market dynamics; the report also presents the detailed overview on segmentation of this market. We managed to present as many important pieces of information in essential form thanks to our report You will learn more about former, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and value, assessment of niche industry developments and Market share analysis. We have not forgotten to present key strategies for major players, emerging segments and regional markets and last but not least, testimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.Inquire more before buying this report @About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with Vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from Cardinal Industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Our Blog: Veterinary Diagnostics Market show exponential growth by 2024 Veterinary Diagnostics Market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/veterinary-diagnostics-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/veterinary-diagnostics-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/veterinary-diagnostics-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/veterinary-diagnostics-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com https://zionmarketresearch.wordpress.com/ Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled Veterinary Diagnostics Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024Global Veterinary Diagnostics Market: OverviewVeterinary diagnostics refers to the tests that assist in recognizing and determining several diseases in animals. These tests are carried out through numerous methods that use their feces, blood, and tissue samples. The new technologies and methods that have been designed for human diagnostics are also used widely in veterinary diagnostics.Global Veterinary Diagnostics Market: Growth FactorsThe key factors contributing to the growth of the market for veterinary diagnostics include the growing alertness about zoonotic diseases, growing demand for pet insurance, growing pet adoption, growing digit of veterinary practitioners and their increasing income levels, rising order for animal-derived food products, and increasing animal healthcare spending.Request Free Sample Report @Global Veterinary Diagnostics Market: SegmentationThe global veterinary diagnostics market can be segmented on the basis of animal type, product, end-user, technology, and region. The animal type segment of the market is divided into companion animals and food-producing animals. The companion animals segment of the market is classified into cats, dogs, horses, and other companion animals. The food-producing animals segment of the market is categorized into poultry, cattle, sheep & goat, pigs, and other food-producing animals. The product segment of the veterinary diagnostics market is diversified into instruments, consumables, and services. The end-user segment of the market is sub-segmented into veterinary hospitals & clinics, research institutions, reference laboratories, and point-of-care testing/in-house testing. The technology segment of the veterinary diagnostics market is grouped into clinical chemistry, blood gas-electrolyte analysis, hematology, diagnostic imaging, glucose monitoring, immunodiagnostic, and molecular diagnostics. The blood gas-electrolyte analysis segment of the market is divided into cartridges and blood gas electrolyte analyzer. The hematology segment of the veterinary market is sub-segmented into hematology cartridges and hematology analyzers. The diagnostic imaging segment of the market is diversified into ultrasound imaging systems, CT scanners, radiography systems, MRI scanners, and others. The glucose monitoring segment of the market is classified into blood glucose strips, glucose meters, and urine glucose strips. The immunodiagnostics segment of the market is grouped into ELISA tests, lateral flow rapid tests, immunoassay analyzers, lateral flow rapid tests, allergen-specific immunodiagnostic tests, and others.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Veterinary Diagnostics Market: Regional AnalysisNorth America is assumed to lead the market for veterinary diagnostics in the near future. The growth of this region can be contributed to factors such as the rising requirement for animal-derived food products, mounting companion animal healthcare spending, increasing digit of veterinary professionals and their income levels, and expanding wakefulness about zoonotic diseases. Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to rise in the market at a significant rate due to growing pet adoption and rising need for animal-derived food products.Global Veterinary Diagnostics Market: Competitive PlayersThe major players in the market for veterinary diagnostics include ABAXIS, Inc., Thermo fisher Scientific, Inc., Heska Corporation, VCA, Inc., Neogen Corporation, Zoetis, Inc., and ID.Vet. The other prominent players in the market are IDEXX Laboratories, Mindray Medical Internationals Ltd., Virbac, GE Healthcare, and Agfa Healthcare.Browse detail report @Global Veterinary Diagnostics Market by Geographical Analysis: North America( U.S.), Europe( UK, France, Germany), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India), Latin America( Brazil), Middle East and AfricaOur value reports provide full, in-depth analysis of the parent market including most significant changes in market dynamics; the report also presents the detailed overview on segmentation of this market. We managed to present as many important pieces of information in essential form thanks to our report You will learn more about former, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and value, assessment of niche industry developments and Market share analysis. We have not forgotten to present key strategies for major players, emerging segments and regional markets and last but not least, testimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.Inquire more before buying this report @About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with Vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from Cardinal Industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Our Blog: Air Bottles Market Share 2017-2022: North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India Air Bottles http://bit.ly/2u11RJ0 http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-air-bottles-market-research-report-2017/ Air Bottles Market Research ReportA market study Global Air Bottles Market examines the performance of the Air Bottles market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Air Bottles market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Air Bottles market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Air Bottles Market 2017 report includes Air Bottles market Size, Revenue, market Share, Air Bottles industry volume, market Trends, Air Bottles Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Air Bottles Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Air Bottles Market 2017:Jiangsu Bright TradingChongqing Gathering Marine EquipmentDongguan Wellna Rubber& PlasticSCBA Carbon Fiber?Breathing?Air?BottlesFushun Huateng Safety Protection Equipment?Firstly, the report covers the top Air Bottles manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Air Bottles report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Air Bottles industry, Air Bottles industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Air Bottles Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Complete Report:The Air Bottles research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Air Bottles market revenue worldwide.Finally, Air Bottles market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA Q2 2017 Global FPSO Industry Outlook - Brazil Continues to Dominate with Most Planned Project Starts https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1142805/q2-2017-global-fpso-industry-outlook-brazil-continues-to-dominate-with-most-planned-project-starts-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1142805 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressreleases http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketresearchreports-biz MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Q2 2017 Global FPSO Industry Outlook - Brazil Continues to Dominate with Most Planned Project Starts"DescriptionA total of 54 FPSOs are expected to start operations globally by 2021. South America will continue to lead globally with planned deployment of more than 20 FPSOs, followed by Africa and Asia by 2021. Among countries Brazil continues to dominate in terms of deployment of planned FPSOs, followed by the UK and Angola. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Saipem S.p.A are expected to be key global players among operators with the highest deployment of the planned FPSOs by 2021.View Full Report at:ScopeCount of FPSOs that were brought online from 2011 to 2017 by key regions in the world, outlook up to 2025Forecast of FPSOs that would be brought online by 2021 by key countries and operatorsDetails of major planned FPSOs globally up to 2021Recent developments, tenders and contracts of FPSOs by key regions, where availableReasons to buyObtain the most up to date information available on the planned FPSO projects globallyFacilitate decision making on the basis of historic and forecasts of FPSO dataDevelop business strategies with the help of specific insights about the planned FPSO projects globallyAssess your competitors planned FPSO projects and capacitiesBe informed about recent developments, tenders and contracts in the FPSO industryRequest Sample Copy of This Report at:Table of Contents1. Table of Contents 11.1 List of Tables 31.2 List of Figures 42. Global FPSO Industry Outlook 52.1. Key Highlights 52.2. New Project Announcements 62.3. New Project Cancellations 62.4. Postponed Projects 62.5. Stalled Projects 72.6. FPSO Industry, Africa 112.6.1. Recent Developments in the African FPSO Industry 122.6.2. Tenders and Contracts 142.7. FPSO Industry, Asia 152.7.1. Recent Developments in the Asian FPSO Industry 162.7.2. Tenders and Contracts 172.8. FPSO Industry, Europe 192.8.1. Recent Developments in the European FPSO Industry 202.8.2. Tenders and Contracts 22Browse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn: Worldwide Outlook for Hip Replacement Implant Market By Key Trends and Analysis 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hip-replacement-implants-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1901 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com https://tmrresearch.blogspot.com/ The leading players in the global hip replacement implant market have been relentless working on achieving product differentiation and maintaining price differences to lure in bigger consumer bases. The global market is being led by Zimmer Biomet, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, and Smith & Nephew. Collectively, these companies held a share of 85.2% in the global market in 2015. In the coming years, the market position of these players will be determined by factors such as material safety, safety features, distribution network, and supply capabilities.According to the research report, the global hip replacement implant market was worth US$6.5 bn in 2015 and is expected to reach US$9.1 bn by the end of 2024. During the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is estimated to progress at a CAGR of 3.9%.Obtain Report Details @North America Poised to Dominate Global Market throughout Forecast PeriodOn the basis of product, the global hip replacement implant market is segmented into total hip replacement implant, hip resurfacing implant, partial hip replacement implant, and revision hip replacement implant. The total hip replacement implant segment is further sub-divided into fixed bearing hip implants and mobile-bearing total hip implants. As of 2015, the total hip replacement implant segment held a dominant share in the global market. This segment is estimated to continue its dominance in the coming years as it is slated to acquire a share of 58.1% by the end of 2024.In terms of geography, the global hip replacement implant market is divided into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America has been leading the global market and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. By the end of 2024, the North America hip replacement implant market is expected to acquire a share of 52.7% in the overall market.Increasing Expenditure on Healthcare Opens Up Lucrative Opportunities for Global MarketThe global hip replacement implant market is predominantly being driven by the increasing number of surgeries for hip replacement amongst the growing pool of geriatrics. The growing incidence of obesity is the primary cause of increasing pressure on the hips and their degeneration over time amongst the aging population. The significant rise in hip surgeries is also due to the remarkable advancements in the development of minimally invasive surgeries that use techniques such as 3D printing for achieving accurate results. Efforts by the governments to bring in hip implant reforms are also contributing to the rising revenue of the global market. The increasing per capita income, expenditure on healthcare, accessibility to healthcare, and better awareness are also some of the key factors that are expected to support the global hip replacement implant market.Stringent FDA Regulations Slow Down Product Approval ProcessesDespite the advancements, awareness, and adoptions of new methods, the global hip replacement implant market continues to face a few challenges. The major challenge in its way is the high cost of hip replacement products and surgery that is made these surgeries significantly unaffordability for patients, especially in the developing nations. The market is also being challenged by the growing number of product recalls as the metal in these medical devices has proved to be faulty or less effective. Furthermore, the strict regulations pertaining to the approval of all-metal hip implants are also slowing down the process of introducing new products in the global market.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog: Mountain Teak Offering Karpenter Designer Wood Furniture Collection Featuring Minimalistic and Contemporary Designs www.mountainteak.com Mountain Teak came into existence to provide Singaporeans with a convenient and cost effective access to contemporary wooden furniture. Few years down the line, the furniture store continues to do the same but with better resources, broader product portfolio, greater commitment, and unflinching focus on quality. Moreover, the furniture store continues to make efforts towards sustainable furniture production. Accordingly, it uses teak reclaimed from old houses or bridges for manufacturing. Apparently, Mountain Teak has gained a reputation to be proud of and a sizeable clientele constituted by connoisseurs and environmentally friendly homeowners.Replying to a query related to Mountain Teaks products selection, one of its executives recently stated, Mountain Teak has a pedigree in offering quality designer wooden furniture with original designs. Each of our offerings bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, living room furniture, sofa sets and accessorites from the top European designers, such as Karpenter, Square Roots, Mountain collection, Wendelbo, White Lofty, Serax, and Herdmar. That our offerings exude class, quality artisanship, and attention to detail is an obvious inference to draw. That fact that our furniture is compatible with almost all decor options makes it even more lucrative.Besides homeowners, Mountain Teak has proved to be a winning move for numerous design firms, construction companies, and independent interior designers in Singapore and beyond seeking rewarding business opportunities. Considering the furniture stores vast inventory, clients can rest assured of achieving their design concepts conveniently and cost effectively. Other than this, Mountain Teak keeps buyers health in perspective at all times. Accordingly, its offerings come with water base coating, which is devoid of VOC. The furniture pieces have to go through a strict kiln-drying process to maintain optimum moisture level, which speaks for their longevity.Offering insight into the Karpenter Designer Wood Furniture on offer, the executive further stated, Mountain Teak is one stop destination for the seekers of Karpenter designer wood furniture. The Italian furniture designer brand has a reputation for using advanced production techniques and superior materials that serve as a guarantee for quality and durability. We offer a complete Karpenter designer furniture collection, including Twist Collection, Vintage Collection, K/Desk Collection, Tribute Collection, Bebop Collection, Brooklyn Collection, Play Module, Experience Collection, Urban Collection, and Atelier K Collection, along with Roadie Collection, Chillax Collection, and Deserter Collection.Karpenter exclusively employs the highest-grade certified solid reclaimed teak for furniture production. Its entire collection is characterized by minimal and contemporary style, clean proportions and timeless appeal. Seemingly, Karpenter collection has re-defined the beauty of quality furniture that can withstand the vagaries of time. Thanks to the furniture stores competitive pricing policy, buyers can access Karpenter designer collection without going overboard with their expenses. Not surprisingly, Mountain Teak has emerged as an ideal destination for those seeking designer furniture in Singapore .About Mountain Teak:Based in Singapore, Mountain Teak is offering an assortment of superior yet cost effective furniture for bedroom, dining room, living room, storage, office, and outdoor use, along with sofas, armchairs, mattresses, and accessories. Additionally, it carries all reputable European solid wood furniture brands be it Mountain Collection, Square Roots, Wendelbo, BLEU Sofa Collection, Origami, or Karpenter. No wonder, Mountain Teak is attracting the attention of buyers looking for designer furniture .Contact Information:Mountain Teak#07-02, 315 Outram RoadSingapore 169074Tel: + 65 6224 7176Opening hours: 10.30 am 6.30 pmEmail: sales@mountainteak.comWebsite: Leather Poufs Market Size 2017-2022: Johanson Design, ESTEL, Rosini, Minotti, B&B Italia Leather Poufs http://bit.ly/2sU09L2 http://bit.ly/2sk5QTW Leather Poufs Market Research ReportA market study Global Leather Poufs Market examines the performance of the Leather Poufs market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Leather Poufs market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Leather Poufs market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Leather Poufs Market 2017 report includes Leather Poufs market Size, Revenue, market Share, Leather Poufs industry volume, market Trends, Leather Poufs Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Leather Poufs Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Leather Poufs Market 2017:Johanson DesignESTELRosiniBolzan LettiMinottiTarget Point NewB&B ItaliaBusnelliCalvin Klein HomePoliformFirstly, the report covers the top Leather Poufs manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Leather Poufs report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Leather Poufs industry, Leather Poufs industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Leather Poufs Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Inquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Leather Poufs research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Leather Poufs market revenue worldwide.Finally, Leather Poufs market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA The Cards and Payments Industry in Russia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1196750 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressreleases http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketresearchreports-biz MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "The Cards and Payments Industry in Russia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020"DescriptionGlobalDatas "The Cards and Payments Industry in Russia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2020" report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Russian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, payment cards, cash, direct debits, and cheques during the review-period (2012-16e).The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2016-20f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.The report brings together GlobalDatas research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Russian cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Russian cards and payments industry, including debit, and credit cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, cash, cheques, direct debit, and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis and payment methods.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Russian cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, and credit cards.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:Scope- Alternative payments are gaining prominence in Russia with the launch of global payment solutions including Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay, and Masterpass. Google launched Android Pay in Russia in May 2017. The solution enables users to make in-app, in-store, and online payments by storing debit, credit, loyalty, and gift cards on the wallet. The solution is now supported by 15 banks. Apple and Samsung previously launched their payment solutions Apple Pay and Samsung Pay in the country in October 2016. And in 2014, Mastercard launched the Masterpass digital wallet in Russia. Masterpass users can shop online without providing payment and shipping information with every purchase. The service allows merchants a faster and easier way to process payments, and helps decrease checkout abandon rates.- To disrupt the debit card market, which is currently being dominated by international scheme providers Visa and Mastercard, the Russian government launched the Mir national payment card in December 2015 under the NPCS. 376 banks (including all of the countrys major banks) have joined the system and started to issue these cards. As of April 2017, more than 5 million Mir national payment cards had already been issued in the country. The escalating number of Mir cards is anticipated to pose serious competition to Visa and Mastercard in the long run.- To provide acceptance of international cards in Russia, domestic merchant acquirers have entered into agreement with international schemes. For instance, the leading Russian acquirer Sberbank partnered with Chinese scheme UnionPay International in May 2017, allowing Asia Pacific and China tourists to make payments with UnionPay cards at Sberbanks merchant network in Russia. In the same month, Sberbank entered into a similar agreement with JCB International to allow merchants to accept payments with JCB cards by 2018.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Russian cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Russian cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Russian cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Russia.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Russian cards and payments industry.Browse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn: Male Fitting Market Share 2017 Pneuflex Pneumatic, Brennan Industries, Stauff, Aignep, Unidelta Male Fitting http://bit.ly/2u16nHw http://bit.ly/2tnVdif Male Fitting Market Research ReportA market study Global Male Fitting Market examines the performance of the Male Fitting market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Male Fitting market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Male Fitting market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Male Fitting Market 2017 report includes Male Fitting market Size, Revenue, market Share, Male Fitting industry volume, market Trends, Male Fitting Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Male Fitting Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Male Fitting Market 2017: Pneuflex Pneumatic, Brennan Industries, Stauff, Aignep, Unidelta, Aflex Hose, Aircom, Dixon Europe, Vesbo, Hoke Handelsges, Dropsa spa, Eisele Pneumatics, Fritsche, Grinnell, HNC Group,Firstly, the report covers the top Male Fitting manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Male Fitting report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Male Fitting industry, Male Fitting industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Male Fitting Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Inquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Male Fitting research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Male Fitting market revenue worldwide.Finally, Male Fitting market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA Wealth in Hong Kong: HNW Investors 2017 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1196692 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressreleases http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketresearchreports-biz MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Wealth in Hong Kong: HNW Investors 2017"DescriptionGlobalDatas "Wealth in Hong Kong: HNW Investors 2017" report analyzes the investing preferences and portfolio allocation of HNW investors in the SAR. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.The Hong Kong private wealth market is an attractive mix of East and West. Its long-established nature makes it larger and more diversified than is common in the rest of Asia Pacific. Local HNW investors have mainly sourced their wealth through a mixture of entrepreneurship and earned income. Convenience is an important factor driving uptake of professional advice, but investors are reluctant to relinquish control completely, preferring advisory mandates. However, this is slowly changing as we are seeing greater uptake of discretionary mandates, in part driven by expats. The average portfolio is heavily invested into equities, and this is not expected to change. Going forward, we forecast a further bias towards risk assets at the expense of defensive assets. HNW clients also show moderate to strong demand for all planning services, with tax planning taking the lead.Specifically the report -- Profiles the average HNW investor in Hong Kong in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity.- Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among HNW investors in Hong Kong and how the demand will develop looking forward.- Examines the allocation of HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how the allocation is expected to develop in the future.- Analyzes the product and service demand among HNW investors in Hong Kong.Scope- Wealth managers need to be prepared for entrepreneurial clients with irregular incomes, heavy exposure to single industries, and finances entwined with their business.- Expats form a sizable proportion of the local HNW market and should prove to be a lucrative segment.- Advisory mandates continue to dominate in Hong Kong. However, HNW investors prefer to manage simple investments themselves to save on fees.- The average portfolio is heavily exposed to equities, while only the bare minimum is held in cash and near-cash products to ensure liquidity.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:Reasons to buy- Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and source of wealth.- Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs self-directing.- Tailor your investment product portfolio to match the current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals.- Develop your service proposition to match the service and product demand expressed by HNW investors in Hong Kong and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.Table of ContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY 31.1. Market summary 31.2. Key findings 31.3. Critical success factors 31. PROFILING HNW CONSUMERS IN HONG KONG 91.4. Entrepreneurs represent an important segment of Hong Kongs HNW market 91.4.1. Wealth managers reaching out to female HNW investors should focus on the entrepreneur segment 91.4.2. In a diversified market, first-generation entrepreneurs and family business owners still need particular attention 101.4.3. Manufacturing is the leading source of HNW wealth but wealth managers will find investors employed in financial services an increasingly lucrative target market 121.4.4. HNW investors in Hong Kong are more likely to hold director roles than their peers in the wider region 14Browse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn: United States Snubber Capacitor Market Information and Industry Trends 2017 Buy Snubber Capacitor Market Research Report from Reports Monitor. Get your free sample report now. https://www.reportsmonitor.com/united-states-snubber-capacitor-market-report-2017/ https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=212628 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/united-states-snubber-capacitor-market-report-2017/ http://www.reportsmonitor.com United States Snubber Capacitor Market Research Report provides insights of the industry over past 5 years and a forecast until 2022. The Report studies, the Market status and future trend in the United States market, splits by type and by applications, to fully and deeply researched and reveal the market situation and future forecast.The Snubber Capacitor Market report would come in handy to understand your competitors and give you an insight about sales; volumes, revenues in the industry, assists in making strategic decisions. It reduces the risks involved in making decisions as well as strategies for companies and individuals interested in the industry. 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Their product details, capacity, price, cost, gross and revenue numbers are provided for better understanding.Some key points of United States Snubber Capacitor Market research report: -1. What is the status of the Market? This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, Prospect, Growth trend, Sales by regions, manufacturers, types and applications.2. What Is the Market Competition considering Manufacturers, Types and Application?3. Who Are the Market Key Manufacturers?4. The Manufacturing Cost Analysis - Analysis done by considering prime elements5. The Market Effect Factor Analysisa) Technology Process/Risk Considering Substitute Threat and Technology Progress In the Industryb) Consumer Needs or What Change Is Observed in Preference of Customer of the Market6. What is the Market forecast (2017-2022) Considering Sales, Revenue, Growth rate, Price and Trends for Regions, Types and Applications?With Experts Interview, Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation, Primary & Secondary Sources and Research Center data, the United States Snubber Capacitor Market research report guides you towards exponential growth.Get Full Access of United States Snubber Capacitor Market Research Study @About Reports MonitorReports Monitor is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. The prime focus is to get reliable data, Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsINDIA OFFICE:008, Mihir Co-operative,Above Bharat Suzuki showroom,Fatima Nagar,Pune - 411013,Maharashtra,IndiaJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite: Agena Bioscience Launches CE-IVD System For Hospitals And Diagnostic Laboratories In Europe www.agenabio.com -- MassARRAY System with Chip Prep Module receives CE-IVD marking for general in vitro diagnostic use in Europe --San Diego, CA, June 29, 2017 Agena Bioscience today announced the European launch of the MassARRAY System with CHIP Prep Module (CPM), marketed as a CE-IVD product under the Directive 98/79/EC for in vitro diagnostic medical devices.The MassARRAY Dx product offers clinical laboratories a unique combination of reliability, sensitivity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness for targeted genetic testing. The multiplexing feature of MassARRAY supports assays that interrogate multiple biomarkers in a single reaction, which reduces the cost and turnaround time compared with other diagnostic methods. The system enables high-throughput, accurate detection of SNPs, INDELs, and copy number variations across a variety of genetic applications, including mutation profiling for solid tumors and highly sensitive liquid biopsy analysis, and comprehensive pharmacogenomics profiling. The flexibility and scalability of the platform facilitate easy development of custom panels and validation across large numbers of samples.This is good news and a new step for this high performing in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device. It will facilitate implementation in clinical labs and accreditation, said Dr. Pierre-Jean Lamy, Directeur General, Biologiste Medical at Labosud Oc Biologie.This is another great milestone in Agenas global strategy to grow the clinical business by offering laboratories a highly effective diagnostic platform that can support the rapidly evolving needs of this market, said Peter Dansky, Chief Executive Officer of Agena Bioscience. In addition to the well-established performance of the MassARRAY System, the Chip Prep Module now adds increased ease-of-use to the overall workflow.The new CE-IVD marked MassARRAY System with Chip Prep Module joins the companys growing line of in vitro diagnostic devices for certain European countries, including the MassARRAY Dx Analyzer 4, MassARRAY Dx Nanodispenser, MassARRAY Dx Colon Panel and MassARRAY Dx Lung Panel. These are sold exclusively in Europe for diagnostic use, and are not available for sale in the United States.###About Agena BioscienceAgena Bioscience develops, manufactures, and supplies genetic analysis systems and reagents, including the MassARRAY System. The system is a highly sensitive, cost-effective, mass spectrometry-based platform for high-throughput genetic analysis, and is used globally in diverse research fields such as cancer profiling for solid tumors and liquid biopsies, inherited genetic disease testing, pharmacogenetics, agricultural genomics, and clinical research. For more information about Agena, visitMedia Contact:Agena BioscienceMickie Henshall4755 Eastgate Mall,San Diego, CA 92121USA(858) 882-2707mickie.henshall(at)agenabio.comakampionDr. Ludger Wess / Ines-Regina ButhTel: +49 40 8816 5964Tel: +49 30 2363 2768info(at)akampion.com Global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1177681&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-revenue-cycle-management-rcm-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com This report studies the global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) market, analyzes and researches the Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeAthenahealthCerner CorporationEclinicalworksMckessonQuest DiagnosticsAllscripts Healthcare SolutionsConifer Health SolutionsEpic SystemsGebbs Healthcare SolutionsGE HealthcareExperianNueMDdrchronoCorridor GroupDAS HealthQuorumBPS BillingRevenueMDrevMDFill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) can be split intoWeb-Based RCMOn-Premise RCMCloud-Based RCMMarket segment by Application, Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) can be split intoHospitalPhysicianLaboratoryPharmacyObtain Report Details @Table of ContentsGlobal Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)1.1 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Overview1.1.1 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) 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 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market by Type1.3.1 Web-Based RCM1.3.2 On-Premise RCM1.3.3 Cloud-Based RCM1.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Hospital1.4.2 Physician1.4.3 Laboratory1.4.4 Pharmacy2 Global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Athenahealth3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Cerner Corporation3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Eclinicalworks3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Mckesson3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Quest Diagnostics3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Allscripts Healthcare Solutions3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Conifer Health Solutions3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Epic Systems3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Gebbs Healthcare Solutions3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 GE Healthcare3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Experian3.12 NueMD3.13 drchrono3.14 Corridor Group3.15 DAS Health3.16 Quorum3.17 BPS Billing3.18 RevenueMD3.19 revMD4 Global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)5 United States Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Parex Launches New Range of Self-Levelling Floor Solutions Parex - Self-levelling mortars www.parex.co.uk PAREX has launched a new portfolio of single part self-levelling mortars and supporting primers to suit a wide range of different floor substrates.The self- levelling mortars and primers are designed to suit a wide range of different floor substrates including concrete, sand /cement screeds, anhydrite screeds, timber floors, vinyl tiles etc.Users simply add the correct amount of water, mix and apply. Applications range from feather edge to 50mm to create a smooth level surface in one pour or can be economically extended to create greater depths with the addition of a graded aggregate.The self-levellers have been designed to deal with a range of requirements;Light Traffic Locations with low use e.g. Offices, classrooms, domesticHigh Traffic - Locations with intensive use e.g. airports, hospitals, supermarketsThe products have been developed by the worldwide Parex Group and have been proven in use in Europe over recent years. Full details of the range can be found on the Parex website:Parex Ltd combines leading UK brands in advanced Technical Mortars, Streetscape Mortars and Renders & Facade solutions. PAREX Technical Mortars is a leading innovator in specialist technical mortars, resin anchors, specialist adhesives and advanced grouts suitable for a wide range of applications and requirements in highway maintenance, concrete repair and major infrastructure projects. PAREX Streetscape and Facade Mortars encompasses a COMPLETE choice of systems for hard landscaping, including high performance mortars for bedding, bonding and jointing. PAREX Render & Facade systems provide the complete portfolio of renders, coatings and ancillary products proven in use throughout the Globe. A customer-focused company, PAREX has built its reputation on the quality of its products and the extensive technical knowledge of its staff in key sectors of the construction industry. PAREX provides comprehensive product support, technical advice renowned throughout the industry as second-to-none.SpecialtiesRenders & Facade Solutions, EWI, Technical Mortars, and Streetscape & Facade MortarsParex Facade Systems and Technical Mortars,Holly Lane Industrial Estate,Atherstone,WarwickshireCV9 2QZ.Tel: 01827 711755Fax: 01827 711330 Chinas Belt and Road Initiative comes to Bristol www.hewlettrand.com; Business leaders based in the South West of England have learnt about Chinas multi-million-dollar Belt and Road initiative at a business seminar.Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and supported by Invest Hong Kong, Bristol West of England China Bureau and Business West, the seminar explained that The Belt and Road initiative is a development campaign spanning 62 countries, through which China wants to boost trade and stimulate economic growth across Asia and beyond. China hopes to do so by building massive amounts of infrastructure connecting it to countries around the globe.Some estimates suggest that China plans to pump $150bn a year into such projects. In a report released at the start of this year, ratings agency Fitch said that some $900bn in projects are planned or underway.Speaking at the Bristol seminar, Richard Lowe, Director of Training and Digital Learning Solutions at Bristol-based Hewlett Rand, shared insights into training and digital learning projects that his company has delivered in the UK and in Hong Kong, within the Banking and Insurance sectors.These projects include upskilling management and talent to underpin critical knowledge and skills which, says Lowe, are vital elements in the success of the Belt and Road initiative.Training and digital learning consultancy Hewlett Rand has delivered projects in Hong Kong and the UK covering receivable and supply chain finance, as well as introducing innovative learning technologies and infrastructure to accelerate knowledge transfer within Financial Services organisations.Lowe said, Hong Kong serves as the financial gateway between UK, China and across Asia markets. Moreover, it has expertise and skills that continue to support the Belt and Road initiative, particularly within Financial Services.Similarly, the Chinese see the UK as a stepping stone into the European market and Bristol is well-placed to play a role with emerging expertise in FinTech, with a strong and respected Financial Services talent base. As the competition for talent across global financial centres increases, employers will need to attract and retain the best talent - and thats where Hewlett Rands experience in providing training and talent development solutions raises capabilities and ensures compliance.In addition, Lowe added, UK business keen to start doing business with China may find it easier to start in Hong Kong - where 46 per cent of people speak English and theres familiarity with the way we do business, strong rule of law, a thriving economy and an ex-pat community.Ms Priscilla To, Director General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade office, delivered the opening address at the Bristol seminar. She said: Hong Kong is taking a key role in the Belt and Road initiative, launched by Chinas Premier, Xi Jinping. As global financial centres, Hong Kong, along with the UK, have a unique relationship and geographical position, playing a vital role as stepping stones to increase trade flows between mainland China and Europe.About Hewlett RandFor over ten years, training and digital learning consultancy Hewlett Rands qualified professionals have been applying their practical industry experience to develop and bring about lasting organisational change for clients, via human resources and training solutions. Richard Lowe, the companys Director of Training and Digital Learning Solutions, is qualified through the UK Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, a certified NLP Master Practitioner and licensed in team psycho-metrics, with over 20 years' experience in organisational development - having previously held Senior OD management roles with both UK and US firms.Hewlett Rand23 Westfield Park, Clifton, Bristol, BS6 6LT, UKTel: +44 (0) 845 116 1383; Web:Contact: Richard Lowe, Hewlett Rand, +44 (0)845 116 1383 / +44 (0)778 757 2062;richardlowe@hrandtrainingsolutions.co.ukPR contact: Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405; bob.little@boblittlepr.com Biofuel Energy Market Analysis, Market Size, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies And Forecasts, 2017 Global Biofuel Energy Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/217599 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-biofuel-energy-market-research-report-2017 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/217599 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/217599 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com The Global Biofuel Energy Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Biofuel Energy Industry on a Global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.Request for sample of Biofuel Energy Market research report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Biofuel Energy 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.Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Biofuel Energy Market on a regional as well as Global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market.In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment. Furthermore, the report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Biofuel Energy Market.This report studies Biofuel Energy in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringBiofuel Energy Corporation, Pacific Ethanol, Longlive, ...Split by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType I, Type IISplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Biofuel Energy in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1, Application 2Detailed TOC and Charts & Tables of Biofuel Energy Market Research Report available @The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Biofuel Energy industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development.Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations. The fact that this market report renders details about the major market players along with their product development and current trends proves to be very beneficial for fresh entrants to comprehend and recognize the industry in an improved manner. The report also enlightens the productions, sales, supply, market condition, demand, growth, and forecast of the Biofuel Energy industry in the Global markets.Every regions market has been studied thoroughly in this report which deals with the precise information pertaining to the Marketing Channels and novel project investments so that the new entrants as well as the established market players conduct intricate research of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the status of the environment and products up gradation, the market report foretells each and every detail.So as to fabricate this report, complete key details, strategies and variables are examined so that entire useful information is amalgamated together for the understanding and studying the key facts pertaining the Global Biofuel Energy Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Biofuel Energy Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Biofuel Energy1.2 Biofuel Energy Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Biofuel Energy by Type in 20151.2.2 Type I1.2.3 Type II1.3 Biofuel Energy Segment by Application1.3.1 Biofuel Energy Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Application 11.3.3 Application 21.3.4 Application 31.4 Biofuel Energy Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Biofuel Energy (2012-2022)2 Global Biofuel Energy Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Biofuel Energy Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Biofuel Energy Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Biofuel Energy Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Biofuel Energy Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Biofuel Energy Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Biofuel Energy Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Biofuel Energy Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Biofuel Energy Production by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Biofuel Energy Production Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Biofuel Energy Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Biofuel Energy Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)Enquiry before Buying @QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-Follow Us:LinkedIn | Twitter| Facebook POS Printers Market Supply-Demand, Industry Research and End User Analysis, Outlook Reports Monitor https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=212688 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/united-states-POS https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=212688 http://www.reportsmonitor.com Report Monitor Present's POS Printers Market 2017 Industry Trend enhances the decision making capabilities and helps to create an effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage.DescriptionThe POS Printers market report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the POS Printers industry. This report evaluates the United States market for POS Printers.The POS Printers market report provides complete analysis of the POS Printers market by analysing all round market dynamics such as regional market opportunities, drivers, challenges, constraints, threats, and other market trends.The POS Printers Market report contains latest Business Data resulting from various Research sources that helps Decision Makers to deliver a Distinctive and Trustworthy Analysis for Companys Growth.The POS Printers Market Survey starts with Industry overview of POS Printers Market covering Major Regions Status, Industry Chain Structure, Definitions and Specifications, with a detailed focus on Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis including Raw Material Suppliers, Equipment Suppliers and Manufacturing Process.Get a PDF Sample of POS Printers Market report @In Next Part, the researchers has collected and presented information on Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis which comprises of Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source of Major Manufacturers .In following segment, with Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin, Business Region Distribution Analysis, Competition between various Company Profile has been given along with Product Pictures and Specifications in POS Printers Industry Report.The Key Players Mentioned in POS Printers Market Report are: Epson Zebra Star Micronics Intermec (Honeywell) Star Micronics Bixolon HP Citizen Systems Oki Data AmericasPlace a Purchase Order for this Report @Printers-market-report-2017/The POS Printers Industry Report is also a Great Source of Marketing Type Analysis consisting:1.POS Printers Regional Marketing Type Analysis2.POS Printers International Trade Type Analysis3.Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of POS Printers by Regions4.POS Printers Supply Chain AnalysisGot any Query? Feel free to ask us @Lastly, the Report provides Development Trend Analysis for 2017-2022 years which will forecast Market Size (Volume and Value), Sales Price, Consumption Forecast, Market Trend (Product Type) and Market Trend (Application). Also the List of Major Consumers is analyzed and Contact Details are provided to easy communicating.Finally, the Report is concluded with Various Methodology, Analyst Introduction and Data SourcesReports Monitor is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. Prime focus is to get reliable data, Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.008, Mihir Co-operative,Above Bharat Suzuki showroom,Fatima Nagar,Pune,Maharashtra,IndiaIndia: +91 2069535353411013Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite: Matrix to Showcase all Solutions under a Single Roof, States In-house Experience Center for Businesses Matrix, leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art Telecom and Security solutions, announced its In-office Experience Center. With an objective of providing rich experience to customers, Matrix created a dedicated Experience Center for showcasing cutting-edge Telecom and Security solutions under a single roof.Matrix Experience Center is crafted to project next generation technologies, test proof of concepts with diversified solutions and applications delivered by our products. It is the best way to give our customers a first-hand look and feel of our group of solutions. With more than 400 products and footprints all over the world, Matrix is making its presence felt in the technology world.In Telecom domain, we will be showcasing our next generation solutions - Unified Communication, Multi-location Collaboration, Mobility, Hybrid Communication, Fixed Media Gateway, Universal Media Gateway and Data-Voice Messaging Convergence. These solutions find their applications in multiple industries such as Manufacturing, Hospitality, Healthcare, Defense, Government, Retail, BFSI and many more.In Security domain, Matrix will exhibit its entire portfolio of Video Surveillance solutions including Video Recorders, IP Cameras and Enterprise Video Management Software. VMS offers centralized management and monitoring of up to one lakh cameras spread across various locations. Further, Matrix will demonstrate its range of biometric solutions including Time-Attendance, Access Control, Visitor Management, Cafeteria Management, Employee Self Service and Contract Workers Management.Our main aim behind building an experience center at our facility is to give our customers a feel of solutions offered by Matrix products. Live demonstration of the solutions and its features will give a better overview of our product capabilities and help us mold the purchasing decision of our customers in our favor, said Sagar Gosalia, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Matrix.Established in 1991, Matrix is a leader in Telecom and Security solutions for modern businesses and enterprises. An innovative, technology driven and customer focused organization, Matrix is committed to keep pace with the revolutions in the telecom and security industries. With more than 40% of its human resources dedicated to the development of new products, Matrix has launched cutting-edge products like IP Video Surveillance, Access Control, Time-Attendance, Unified Communications, IP-PBX, Universal Gateways, Convergence, VoIP Gateways and GSM Gateways. These solutions are feature-rich, reliable and conform to the international standards. Having global footprints in Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia through an extensive network of more than 500 channel partners, Matrix ensures that the products serve the needs of its customers faster and longer. Matrix has gained trust and admiration of customers representing the entire spectrum of industries. Matrix has won many national and international awards for its innovative products.Matrix Comsec394 GIDC, Makarpura, Vadodara-390010 Worldwide Dairy Alternatives Market Overview by Major Players, Growth and Forecast To 2027 Dairy Alternatives Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1627 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/dairy-alternatives-market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/request-toc/1627 Market ScenarioGlobally, the market for dairy alternatives has been increasing due to rising awareness of lactose intolerance, casein intolerance worldwide, trends in healthy alternative, people are turning vegan so as to oppose animal abuse and hence opting for dairy alternatives. Key drivers for the market are increase in awareness of dairy alternatives products and replacing dairy products with dairy alternatives as healthier option.Market SegmentsThe market for dairy alternatives is segmented on the basis of by type, source, and application. By type, the dairy alternatives market is segmented as (grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and others. By source, the dairy alternatives market is segmented as barley, oat, pea, soy, cashew, hazelnut, walnut, almond, coconut, chia seed, flaxseed, hemp milks and others. The dairy alternatives find its applications in ice cream, butter, plant cream, vegan cheese, confectionery, non-dairy flavored milk, yogurt and others.Request a Sample Report @Study Objective of Dairy Alternatives MarketDeep-dive analysis for individual segments and sub-segments for dairy alternatives To estimate market size by types, source, application and region To understand the market dynamics including supply and demand To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries Competitive landscaping for the dairy alternatives food market evaluating key strategies taken by top players in the market Company profiling of major players in the market Value chain analysis of dairy alternatives food and supply chain analysis of dairy alternatives product Analysis of historical market trends, and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements related to dairy alternatives food market.Browse Report Details @Key Players:The key players profiled in global dairy alternatives market report include- Daiya Foods Inc. and Lactaid, Silk Hail Marry Lucys Go Max Go Simply Protien Enjoy Life Katefarms Dr. Praeger Alpro Amy's Kitchen Barry Callebaut Cargill Chr. Hansen Crowley Foods Doves Farm Food Edlong Dairy Technologies Emmi Fonterra Galaxy Nutritional Foods General Mills Green Valley Organics HP Hood Kerry Group Murray Goulburn Sweet William TINE Laktosefri WhiteWave Foods Tofutti brandStakeholders Confectionery product manufacturers Bakery product manufacturers Dairy product manufacturers Traders, Importers and exporters Edible Nut producersReasons to buyThis report includes in-depth study and analysis of dairy alternatives segments and sub-segments. It encompasses market segmentation of dairy alternatives by type, source and applications. It helps in identifying key dairy alternatives suppliers and consumers globally. The report will help in investments for the dairy alternative and allied companies providing details on the fast growing segments and regions. In addition, it will provide the dairy alternatives companies to improve profitability by using supply chain strategies, cost effectiveness of various products mentioned in the report.Request Table of Contents for this Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Haitian Vetiver Oil Market SWOT Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecasts To 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/haitian-vetiver-oil-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=23951 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Haitian Vetiver Oil market: SnapshotThe global market for Haitian vetiver oil is witnessing a healthy rise in its production volume, prompted significantly by the decline in the cost. Over the period from 2016 to 2024, the market will witness a surge in volume at a CAGR of 1.50%; however in revenues, it is expected to downplay, declining from a US$32.4 mn in 2016 to a value of US$29.7 mn by 2024 at a CAGR of -1.10% during the same time period.Vetiver oil is one of the essential raw materials widely used in the global fragrance industry, and Haiti is known for producing the best quality of vetiver oil. The increasing usage of vetiver oil in aromatherapy, thanks to its popularity as historical therapeutic oil in eastern countries on account of its convenient, safe, and customary application, is the key factor behind the rising production for vetiver oil. Furthermore, the rising awareness about the therapeutic properties of Haitian vetiver oil, such as its efficient usage as tonic, nervine, and sedative to benefit patients suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscular aches, dryness, and cracking of the skin, is also expected to influence its demand and, eventually, its production volume over the next few years.View Report @Haitian Vetiver Oil to Remain in High Demand for Making Perfumes and ScentsHaitian vetiver oil finds a widespread application in perfumes and scents, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and various other products, such as personal care products. The demand for this oil has been significantly greater in the perfumes and scents segment and the scenario is anticipated to remain so over the next few years. Apart from this, Haitian vetiver oil is also expected to witness significant increase in demand for applications in food and beverage products as it is plant-derived, and is considered natural and healthy.Among other application areas, the usage of Haitian vetiver oil is likely to increase in personal care products in the near future due to its natural ingredient status, beneficial cleansing properties, and pleasant aroma. This essential oil is heavily utilized in creams and lotions for moisturizing and nourishing skin as it especially benefits dry, irritated and dehydrated skin, and helps reduce wrinkles and stretch marks.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Haitian Vetiver Oil Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Europe to Maintain Lead on Global Haitian Vetiver Oil MarketGeographically, the worldwide market for Haitian vetiver oil reports its presence across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and North America. With a share of nearly 75%, Europe dominated the overall market in 2016 and is expected to retain its position over the forthcoming years.North America acquired the second position in this market in 2016. Researchers predict the regional market to maintain it in the near future; however, with a decline in its market share due to higher dependency on outer sources for growing vetiver. The increasing interest of consumers in product quality and safety, which is projected to shift their focus towards the origin and traceability of raw materials on account of the high usage of synthetic chemicals in the agriculture sector, is also anticipated to reflect negatively on the North America market for Haitian Vetiver oil over the years to come.Haiti Essential Oil Co. SA, Fleurchem Inc., Floracopeia Inc., Ernesto Ventos SA., Robertet Groupe, Frager S.A., UniKode S.A., Lluch Essence Sl., and International Fragrance and Flavor Inc. are some of the key players functional in the market for Haitian vetiver oil across the world.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: Procurement Software Market Analysis, Market Size, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies And Forecasts, 2022 Procurement Software Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/228607 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-procurement-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/228607 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/228607 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com The Global Procurement Software Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Procurement Software Industry on a Global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.Request for sample of Procurement Software Market research report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Procurement Software 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.Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Procurement Software Market on a regional as well as Global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market.In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment. Furthermore, the report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Procurement Software Market.This report studies the global Procurement Software market, analyzes and researches the Procurement Software development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeBasware, IBM, Oracle, PROACTIS, SAP, SciQuest, BravoSolution, BuyerQuest, Coupa Software Inc., Elcom, Epicor, Infor, IQNavigator,Ivalua, JDA Software, Manhattan Associates, OpusCapita, Tradeshift, Tungsten Network, Vinimaya, ZycusMarket segment by Application, Procurement Software can be split intoApplication 1, Application 2Detailed TOC and Charts & Tables of Procurement Software Market Research Report available @The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Procurement Software industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development. Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations.The fact that this market report renders details about the major market players along with their product development and current trends proves to be very beneficial for fresh entrants to comprehend and recognize the industry in an improved manner. The report also enlightens the productions, sales, supply, market condition, demand, growth, and forecast of the Procurement Software industry in the Global markets.Every regions market has been studied thoroughly in this report which deals with the precise information pertaining to the Marketing Channels and novel project investments so that the new entrants as well as the established market players conduct intricate research of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the status of the environment and products up gradation, the market report foretells each and every detail.So as to fabricate this report, complete key details, strategies and variables are examined so that entire useful information is amalgamated together for the understanding and studying the key facts pertaining the Global Procurement Software Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Basware3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 IBM3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Oracle3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 PROACTIS3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 SAP3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 SciQuest3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 BravoSolution3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 BuyerQuest3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Coupa Software Inc.3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Elcom3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Procurement Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Epicor3.12 Infor3.13 IQNavigator3.14 Ivalua3.15 JDA Software3.16 Manhattan Associates3.17 OpusCapita3.18 Tradeshift3.19 Tungsten Network3.20 Vinimaya3.21 ZycusEnquiry before Buying @QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-Follow Us:LinkedIn | Twitter| Facebook High Throughput Screening Market: Industry Analysis, Trend, Growth, Segmentation, and Worldwide Forecast to 2027 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1280 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/high-throughput-screening-market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1280 High Throughput Screening (HTS) is a medication disclosure handle by and large used as a piece of the pharmaceutical business. It impacts motorization to quickly analyze the normal or biochemical activity of a far reaching number of meds like mixes.Get a Sample Report @Access the market data and market information presented through more than 115 numbers of pages of the project report High Throughput Screening MarketKey Players for High Throughput Screening Market: Aurora Biomed Inc.(Canada), Beckman Coulter, Inc. (US), Agilent Technologies Inc. (US), Life Technologies Corporation (US), Luminex Corporation (US), Roche (Switzerland), Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. (US), Bio-Rad Laboratories (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US) and Many MoreStudy Objectives of High Throughput Screening Market: To give nitty gritty investigation of the market structure alongside estimate for the following 10 years of the different portions and sub-sections of the High Throughput Screening Market To give bits of knowledge about elements influencing the market development To break down the High Throughput Screening Market in view of different components value examination, store network investigation, watchmen five constrain examination and so forth. To give verifiable and gauge income of the market sections and sub-portions as for four fundamental topographies and their nations Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. To give nation level investigation of the market regarding the present market size and future imminent To give nation level examination of the market for portions by item sort, by application by end clients and its sub-sections. To give outline of key players and their key profiling in the market, thoroughly investigating their center capabilities, and drawing a focused scene for the market To track and break down aggressive improvements, for example, joint endeavors, key organizations together, mergers and acquisitions, new item advancements, and research and improvements in the worldwide High Throughput Screening Market .Browse Full Report Details @Segments:Global High Throughput Screening Market has been segmented on the basis of applications which comprises of Target Identification, Primary Screening, Toxicology, Stem Cell Biology and Others. On the basis of product which consists of software, instruments, consumables and others. On the basis of end users Hospitals and clinics, pharmaceutical companies/ Manufacturers, government organizations, research facilities and others.The report for Global High Throughput Screening Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regionsGet a Discount @ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global High Throughput Screening Market Research Report- Forecast To 2027 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Hosts Global (Hosts), a strategic partner for destination management services worldwide, hosted over 240 clients and hospitality industry professionals for their fifth annual Hosts Global Forum, held at the Sheraton New Orleans in Louisiana from June 26 29, 2017. Attendees participated in on-trend industry discussions, educational sessions, networking events and memorable destination-specific activities. The Hosts Global Forum is our annual opportunity to bring together our 50+ Destination Management Company (DMC) members, clients and colleagues from around the globe, said Marty MacKay, DMCP, president of Hosts Global Alliance. "Attendees travel to one of our key destinations for a first-hand experience while also participating in professional growth opportunities and one-on-one business meetings with our DMC members." Hosts 2017 conference highlighted the wide variety of hospitable offerings, venues and musical talent that is available for group programs, meetings and events in New Orleans. This years event was made possible by many contributing organizations, including platinum sponsors; the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sheraton New Orleans, Cort Event Furnishings and Hosts New Orleans. Hosts differentiator is our H Factor, said Jennifer Patino, DMCP, chief executive officer of Hosts Global. We shared our Hearts and Hospitality during the welcoming night event when all attendees participated in a volunteerism program organized by Give2Get that contributed to two preeminent local non-profit organizations; the Audubon Nature Institute and One Heart NOLA. Once underway, industry awareness was at the forefront of the conference. Featured topics included a discussion on innovative thinking presented by Keith Harmeyer, partner of SmartStorming and an informative session on brand experience led by Laura Shuler, CEO of August Jackson Communications Design. During the conference, Hosts proudly announced the winners of the annual Hosts Honors awards acknowledging DMC members who exceeded expectations in the following categories: Critics Choice Award Hosts Las Vegas and Destination Mexico Brand Honors Award Roberts Event Group H Factor Leadership Award Robyn Bass, DMCP with Maple Ridge Events and Michael Dalton, CIS with Moloney & Kelly DMC of the Year 2016 2017 Award Capers DMC It wouldnt be a Forum for hospitality leaders without showcasing unique events. New Orleans musical talent was the thread sewn through all festivities. The conference opened with the Hosts & Heritage Festival, a nod to New Orleans Jazz Fest, and closed with progressive parade through the French Quarter with stops at legendary venues and live performances by Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers and Grammy and Billboard winning musician, Irvin Mayfield. The unrivaled local knowledge and planning capabilities of Hosts New Orleans made the experience one all attendees will not soon forget. At the close, Hosts unveiled the location of their 2018 Hosts Global Forum occurring June 21 24, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Moloney & Kelly, a Hosts Global member, Tourism Northern Ireland and Hastings Hotels have eagerly begun planning for Hosts first European conference. Hydrogel Market 2017 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2025 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hydrogel-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=12497 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Hydrogel Market: SnapshotHydrogels are a cross-linked, three-dimensional network of synthetic or organic polymer chains that contain 90% water. The capability of hydrogels of holding a significant amount of water and their softness make them flexible, hydrophilic in nature, and unique. Sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylate polymers, and copolymers are ingredients widely used during the manufacture of hydrogels. Hydrogels are widely employed in soft contact lenses, disposable diapers, wound dressings, drug delivery, and components of medical electrodes. Rising use of hydrogel in a number of applications across the personal care and hygiene sectors is expected to present vast growth opportunities for the global hydrogel market in the next few years.Transparency Market Research states that the global hydrogel market was valued at US$10,084.9 mn in 2016. The market is expected to exhibit a healthy 6.3% CAGR from 2017 to 2025 and rise to a valuation of US$17,487.6 mn by 2024. In terms of volume, the market is expected to exhibit a 5.5% CAGR over the said period.View Report @Polyacrylamide- and Polyacrylate-based Hydrogels to Witness Strong DemandOn the basis of type, hydrogel can be broadly categorized into polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, silicone and others. Polyacrylate polymers, also known as water-lock polymers, are prepared by polymerizing acrylic acid via physical or chemical crosslinking. Sodium polyacrylate-based hydrogels are employed in product such as baby diapers, sanitary napkins, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and paper towels. Polyacrylamide is used in tissue engineering as well as in drug treatment, sanitary napkins, diapers, food packaging products, ophthalmic operations, wrinkle filling, and water purification. Silicone-based hydrogel is widely employed in soft and disposable daily wear contact lenses.Of these, the segments of polyacrylamide and polyacrylate are expected to expand significantly during the forecast period due to the rising adoption of disposable sanitary products by consumers. The segment of silicone-based hydrogel is also anticipated to develop rapidly over the reports forecast period owing to the growing demand for daily disposable soft contact lenses.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Hydrogel Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.North America Market to Remain DominateNorth America held significant share of hydrogel market in 2016 followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The U.S. accounted for a significant share of the hydrogel market in North America in 2016. The U.S. has the highest standards for healthcare. Rising prevalence of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcer, venous ulcer, and pressure ulcer is likely to increase the usage of hydrogel in healthcare industry.The rest of Europe held a significant share in the hydrogel market in Europe in 2016; however, Germany accounted for the dominant share. Owing to the immense demand for personal care & hygiene products such as baby diapers and adult incontinence products in Europe, the need for hydrogel has been experiencing a significant surge in the last few years. This trend is predicted to continue during the forecast period as well.In Asia Pacific region China led the hydrogel market in 2016. Rise in population in the region is anticipated to boost the usage of feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products, and baby diapers in the near future. This, in turn, is estimated to drive the demand for hydrogel during the forecast period. The hydrogel market in Latin America and Middle East & Africa is likely to provide steady market demand during the forecast period.Some of the leading vendors operating in the global hydrogel market are Procyon Corporation, 3M Company, Conva Tec Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., BSN Medical GmbH, Medico Electrodes International Ltd., The Cooper Companies, Inc., H.B. Fuller Company, Altergon Italia Srl, R&D Medical Products Inc., Spes Medica Srl., Katecho Inc., Takiron Co. Ltd., Sekisui Plastics Co. Ltd., Alliqua Biomedical Inc., and Axelgaard Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Company.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: Bentonite Market 2016 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/bentonite-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1794 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Bentonite Market: SnapshotThe significant growth in the foundry and metal casting industries has had the most significant influence on the global market for bentonite. The rise in the automotive and the machinery and heavy equipment manufacturing industries has been boosting the demand for foundry and metal casting applications across the world. As bentonite is extensively utilized in these applications, a subsequent increase in its demand has been observed since the past few years, reflecting greatly on the progress of this market.The global market for bentonite offered an opportunity worth US$1.42 bn in 2015. Researchers anticipate it to rise at a CAGR of 3.0% from 2016 to 2024 and reach a value of US$1.85 bn by the end of 2024.View Report @Demand for Sodium Bentonite to Remain HighSodium bentonite and calcium bentonite are the main two product types available in the global bentonite market. The market was led by sodium bentonite in 2015 with a share of more than 60%. The scenario is anticipated to remain so over the forthcoming years, thanks to the increasing preference for green sand casting process in the foundry.Drilling mud, iron ore pelletizing, foundry sands, pet products, construction, paper, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals are the prime application area of bentonite across the world. The demand for bentonite is higher in foundry sands that other application segments. In 2015, it held a share of 20% of the overall demand for bentonite, globally.Analysts project the segment to continue its dominance over the next few years due to the continual growth in the automotive and the machinery industries. The pet product segment, which includes cat litter and cattle feed, is another key application segment of the global bentonite market. This segment is estimated to witness a moderate increase over the next few years.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Bentonite Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Asia Pacific Bentonite Market to Continue as Global LeaderGeographically, Asia Pacific led the worldwide bentonite market in 2015 with a share of 30%. The regional market is expected to expand notably over the next few years, continuing to dominate the global market. The high demand for bentonite in the construction industry is the key factors behind the significant growth of the Asia Pacific market for bentonite. Over the coming years, the rise in the metal industry is projected to fuel the demand for bentonite in this region, especially in IOP and foundry sand applications, which is likely to boost this regional market considerably. China is anticipated to surface as the most prominent consumer of bentonite in Asia Pacific in the near future.Among other regional markets, North America is anticipated to witness a healthy rise while Europe is likely to grow at a moderate pace in the years to come. The upsurge in the green sand casting process in foundry segment is expected to drive the Europe market for bentonite, whereas, the market in North America is predicted to be boosted by the rising usage of bentonite in pet products, such as cat litter and cattle feed. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa markets for bentonite are estimated to witness a moderate to high rise in the near future, thanks to the expansion of the automotive and the heavy equipment manufacturing industries and the increasing large oil drilling activities in these regions.The leading players in the global market for bentonite are Minerals Technologies Inc., IMERYS SA, Clariant International Ltd., Ashapura Group, Bentonite Performance Minerals LLC, American Colloid Co., Canbensan, and Dantonit A/S.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: Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Market - Industry Outlook, Size, Share, Growth Prospects, Key Opportunities, Trends and Forecasts 2017 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/196226 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-extracorporeal-ventricular-assist-device-sales-market-report-2017 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/196226 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/196226 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com The Global Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Industry on a Global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.Request for sample of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Market research report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device 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.Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Market on a regional as well as Global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market.In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment. Furthermore, the report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Market.This report studies sales (consumption) of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device in Global market, especially in United States, China, Europe and Japan, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringAbiomed, Inc., Thoratec, Medos Medizintechnik AG, Novacor, Maquet Cardiovascular, ...Split by product Types, with sales, revenue, price and gross margin, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoMechanics, Digital, OthersSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device in each application, can be divided intoAdult, Children, OthersDetailed TOC and Charts & Tables of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Market Research Report available @The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development. Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations.The fact that this market report renders details about the major market players along with their product development and current trends proves to be very beneficial for fresh entrants to comprehend and recognize the industry in an improved manner. The report also enlightens the productions, sales, supply, market condition, demand, growth, and forecast of the Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device industry in the Global markets.Every regions market has been studied thoroughly in this report which deals with the precise information pertaining to the Marketing Channels and novel project investments so that the new entrants as well as the established market players conduct intricate research of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the status of the environment and products up gradation, the market report foretells each and every detail.So as to fabricate this report, complete key details, strategies and variables are examined so that entire useful information is amalgamated together for the understanding and studying the key facts pertaining the Global Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-9 Global Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Manufacturers Analysis9.1 Abiomed, Inc.9.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.1.2 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Product Type, Application and Specification9.1.2.1 Mechanics9.1.2.2 Digital9.1.3 Abiomed, Inc. Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)9.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.2 Thoratec9.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2.2 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Product Type, Application and Specification9.2.2.1 Mechanics9.2.2.2 Digital9.2.3 Thoratec Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)9.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.3 Medos Medizintechnik AG9.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.3.2 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Product Type, Application and Specification9.3.2.1 Mechanics9.3.2.2 Digital9.3.3 Medos Medizintechnik AG Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)9.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.4 Novacor9.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.4.2 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Product Type, Application and Specification9.4.2.1 Mechanics9.4.2.2 Digital9.4.3 Novacor Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)9.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.5 Maquet Cardiovascular9.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.5.2 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Product Type, Application and Specification9.5.2.1 Mechanics9.5.2.2 Digital9.5.3 Maquet Cardiovascular Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)9.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview10 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Maufacturing Cost Analysis10.1 Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device Key Raw Materials Analysis10.1.1 Key Raw Materials10.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials10.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials10.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials10.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure10.2.1 Raw Materials10.2.2 Labor Cost10.2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device10.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist DeviceEnquiry before Buying @QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on Global industries, companies, products, and trends.Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-Follow Us:LinkedIn | Twitter| Facebook Hybrid Power Systems Market - Global Scenario, Raw Material and Consumption Trends, Analysis, Size, Share and Forecasts to 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hybrid-power-systems-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=12884 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Hybrid Power Systems Market: SnapshotThe technology-driven hybrid power systems market is characterized by high initial investments and low switching costs. The abundant availability of component manufacturers as well as numerous government incentives have fueled the demand for and adoption of hybrid power systems across developing economies. The lack of grid connectivity in remote and rural areas and its sheer unreliability has boosted the installation of these power systems in recent years.Browse Hybrid Power Systems Market Research Report:The global hybrid power systems is composed of a handful of major players who have already established a strong foothold in the market thanks to their increased focus on innovation and technology. Fueled by the combined efforts of these companies, the hybrid power systems market is expected to develop at a CAGR of 6.1% between 2016 and 2024, with its valuation increasing from US$411.79 mn in 2015 to US$703.55 mn by 2024.Wind-solar-diesel Hybrid Power Systems to Maintain Lead through 2024Hybrid power systems combine renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and energy produced by conventional means such as diesel generators. By type, hybrid power systems include wind-solar-diesel hybrid, PV-diesel hybrid, and others such as wind-hydro-diesel hybrid, solar thermal, and hybrid-solar biomass. In 2015, wind-solar-diesel hybrid power systems dominated the overall market and although this segment is predicted to lose a slight share in the market by the end of the forecast period, it will retain its dominance over other segments. Over the past few years, wind-solar-diesel hybrid systems for rural electrification have been enormously developed by various stakeholders across developing countries such as Indonesia, India, China, and South Africa.PV-diesel hybrid systems have also been attracting significant funding from various agencies of late.Government Mandates on Rural Electrification Gives Africa Market a BoostThe global market for hybrid power systems has been geographically segmented into North America, South and Central America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Europe. Asia Pacific held the largest share in the global in 2015 and is projected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. Players in Asia Pacific can avoid transmission costs by setting up hybrid power systems as standalone mini-grids. The integration of renewable energy production with the electricity mix also reduces the cost of transporting fuel to remote areas in the region. Japan is the leading contributor in the APAC hybrid power systems market, with the surge in utility-scale and commercial projects expected to drive demand in the coming years. Over the past few years, the country has witnessed a rapid increase in the number of companies registering to sell retail power. This has further driven the hybrid power systems market in Japan.Get exclusive sample of this report:The Middle East and Africa region is the second largest market for hybrid power systems, fueled mainly by the rapid progress in South Africa. The mandatory implementation of the national policy on rural electrification across national electricity companies, regulatory agencies and commissions, rural electrification funds, and rural electrification agencies across Africa has served as a major driving force. In addition to this, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Africa fund various hybrid power projects for the implementation of PV arrays in existing diesel power plants.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog : http://cmfeglobalreports.blogspot.com/ Specialty Chemicals Market Analysis And Forecast (2015-2023): Market Shares, Size And Strategies Of Key Players http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/specialty-chemicals-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2246 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Specialty Chemicals Market: SnapshotThe agriculture industry is under high pressure to improve quality as well as quantity of yield. One of the most common and effective methods employed by this industry is the use of agrochemicals. This forms the primary driver for specialty chemicals players across the world. The World Bank stipulated that farmers globally will have to improve their yield by at least 50% by 2050 to sustain the current rate of increase in the global population. This demand has consequently created key opportunities for producers of specialty chemicals.Browse Specialty Chemicals Market Research Report:The automotive industry is another large scale user of specialty chemicals. The currently rapid rate of growth that the global auto industry is experiencing is creating a wide array of opportunities for all the markets related to it as the end-user. This applies especially to the specialty chemicals market, as the auto industry is dependent on it for the production of materials including plastic adhesives, sealants, and paints and coatings.The strict regulatory structure imposed on the use of agrochemicals is currently the greatest restraint that specialty chemicals producers are facing, which can be changed through the use of approved non-toxic chemicals and a higher awareness of them among the players.High Agrochemical Demand from APAC Attract Large Number of Specialty Chemicals ManufacturersBy the end of 2023, Asia Pacific is expected to take up 54.4% of the global market value of specialty chemicals. The two most lucrative avenues for specialty chemicals players in this region have consistently remained the agriculture industry and paper and textiles. Asia Pacific is a primarily a region that contains agrarian and developing economies. Countries such as China and India depend to a large extent on agriculture for trade and exports. Their rapidly increasing population densities are causing a growing pressure on farmer to improve their yield in shorter times. The use of agrochemicals is the most common method used to achieve this, thereby creating a very large avenue of growth for its producers.Get exclusive sample of this report:At the same time, the paper and textile industries are also showing a positive upswing due to the increasing consumption of paper and apparel in a progressing economy with increasing disposable incomes. This provides key opportunities for specialty chemicals manufacturers from both within this region as well as the globally prominent ones.Agrochemicals Among the Top Demand Specialty ChemicalsBy the end of 2023, 13.5% of the global specialty chemicals market value will be based in agrochemicals. The top market share, however, is taken up by a collective product segment of specialty chemicals that includes nutraceuticals ingredients, water management chemicals, cosmetic chemicals, printing inks, feed additives, catalysts, and flavors and fragrances. This collective segment is expected to show a rapid increase in demand from industries such as cosmetics and personal care, wastewater management, and food and beverages.The top producers of specialty chemicals in the world include BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, INEOS Group AG, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Bayer AG, Clariant AG, Chemtura Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Akzo Nobel N.V., Evonik Industries AG, and Syngenta AG.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog : http://cmfeglobalreports.blogspot.com/ Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Analyzers Industry Insights With Key Company Profiles - Demand, Analysis, Forecast To 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18632 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-analyzers-market.html www.transparencymarketresearch.com Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) can be defined as the rate at which red blood cells or erythrocytes sediment in a period of one hour. ESR is usually measured in millimeter per hour (mm/hr) and a value above 100 mm/hr indicates a disease condition, such as a disease that causes inflammation, active infection, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, blood disease, diabetes, and collagen vascular disease. However, ESR is a non-specific test for inflammation and is used in conjunction with other tests such as C-reactive protein. Normal ESR result does not rule out the possibility of inflammation. Similarly, an elevated ESR without any symptoms of the disease does not aid in making any medical decision. ESR analyzers are devices employed to measure the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes for an accurate reading. Automated ESR analyzers need to comply with the 2011-published Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines for measuring ESR. The analyzer works on the basic principle of Westergrens method followed to determine ESR.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Analyzers Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The ESR analyzers market can be segmented based on modality, end-user, and region. In terms of modality, the market can be segmented into automatic analyzers, semi-automatic analyzers, and manual analyzers. Based on end-user, the ESR analyzers market can be segmented into hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and academic institutions. In terms of region, the ESR analyzers market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.ESR is one of the basic hematology tests performed to identify various disease conditions, which would contribute to the growth of the ESR analyzers market. Technological upgrades leading to the development of automated ESR analyzers from manual ESR analyzers would also contribute to the growth of the market. In addition, the increasing number of infections leading to various health hazards would contribute to the rising number of ESR tests, which in turn would drive the ESR analyzers market in the near future. However, the non-specificity of the tests and the necessity for other tests to be performed to confirm the diseased condition could have a negative impact on the ESR analyzers market, as demand for specific tests increases. Furthermore, false negative results of ESR due to the effect of drugs such as oral contraceptives, dextran, methyldopa, penicillamine procainamide, theophylline, vitamin A, aspirin, cortisone, and quinine also make ESR less desirable, thereby impacting the growth of the ESR analyzers market.Automatic analyzers are expected to dominate the ESR analyzers market during the forecast period, owing to their abilities to enhance the workflow and turnaround time. Diagnostic laboratories and hospitals are expected to be the leading segments of the ESR analyzers market. Geographically, North America is expected to be the major market for ESR analyzers. Growth of the market in the region can be attributed to the well-developed health care infrastructure in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, owing to increasing infections, evolution of new diseases, and poor sanitation conditions which lead to increased infections among the population. In addition, government focus on enhancing the health care infrastructure and providing better health care facilities to the population contribute to the growth of the ESR analyzers market in Asia Pacific.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Leading players in the ESR analyzers market include Sysmex, R&R Mechatronics International B.V., TRANSASIA Bio Medicals Ltd., Diesse Diagnostica Senese Spa, Vital Diagnostics, Caretium Medical Instruments Co, Limited, Grifols, S.A., Beckman Coulter, Inc., ALCOR Scientific, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Perlong Medical, BPC Biosed Srl, and SFRI.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: Fertility Testing Devices Market Outlook,Research,Trends and Forecast to 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18689 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fertility-testing-devices-market.html www.transparencymarketresearch.com Fertility testing is done by both men and women for the assessment of their fertility and various conditions associated with it. A reasonable period of unprotected intercourse without conceiving is a condition referred to as infertility. Couples carry out fertility testing to detect the root causes responsible for their infertility. Men and women both experience the fertility problems at equal rates, but women are considered to be more concerned about fertility testing. The gynecologist or general physician first review the fertility test results to diagnose the exact issue and recommends the corrective measures or treatment accordingly. The rising awareness about fertility testing devices is driving the patient adoption rate effectively for such devices instead of opting for laboratory based tests. Fertility testing is performed at home and is time saving and economical, helps maintain privacy, and is comfortable for females.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Fertility Testing Devices Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Increase in infertility cases due to changing lifestyles in women, growth in awareness about the fertility testing in women, rise in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) cases, continuous decline in fertility rate in both men and women globally are factors which are expected to drive the growth of the global fertility testing devices market by 2024. The restraints which impact the growth of the global fertility testing devices market are high cost of fertility and ovulating monitors, increase in utilization of mobile applications & websites for ovulation tracking, and easy availability of generic diagnostic tools such as saliva testing and blood testing. Some of the trends in the global fertility testing devices market are monitoring sperm quality by keeping track of heart rate, body temperature, air quality & environmental function, and emergence of technological advances such as trak system. Introduction of various techniques such as hysterosalpingogram, sonohysterogram (ultrasound scan), laparoscopy, and hysteroscopy are projected to boost the growth of the global fertility testing devices market.The global fertility testing devices market can be segmented by product and end-user. The product segment involves ovulation predictor kits and fertility monitoring devices. The ovulation predictor kits are further segmented into urine based kits, saliva based kits, and others. In 2015, the ovulation predictor kits segment captured a significantly large share in the global fertility testing devices market, which is attributed to lesser cost and user-friendly technique. However, the fertility monitoring devices segment is expected to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period, which is driven by continuous rise in the technological advancements in the fertility monitoring techniques and investments. Based on the end-user segmentation, the global fertility testing devices market is classified into hospitals, specialty clinics, and homecare settings.Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America held a significant share of the fertility testing devices market in 2015, which is attributed to the rise in awareness about technological innovations and their benefits in the fertility testing market and increase in prevalence of PCOS. The awareness about the fertility testing is high in the region. Therefore, the use of ovulation predictor kits and fertility monitoring devices is increasing in the North America fertility testing devices market. The anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) test is likely to be adding more value to the existing Europe fertility testing market leading to its further growth in region. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period owing to increasing investments in the fertility testing devices market, declining fertility rate, and rising number of women suffering from lifestyle disorder in the region.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Major players operating in the global fertility testing devices market include Hilin Life Products, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Fairhaven Health LLC, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Geratherm Medical AG, AccuQuik, Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc., Quidel Corporation, and Alere 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: Atrial Septal Defect Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecast 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17066 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/atrial-septal-defect-market.html www.transparencymarketresearch.com 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. 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 palpitationsFatigueGet 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: 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.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.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Wi-Fi Extender Market: Key Players Focus on Evolving market Trends and Dynamics 2025 Wi-Fi Extender Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wi-fi-extender-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=23756 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Wi-Fi Extender technologically known as Wi-Fi range expander. This is a type of wireless repeater that is used to expand the reach and capacity of a wireless LAN. This devices is placed in between an access point or base router and a client that is far enough not to receive acceptable service or that is on the other side of the barrier. The Wi-Fi extender picks up the signal and resends it or retransmits it and thereby connects without any wired connectivity.These Wi-Fi extenders are helpful to those clients who has very limited access or weak signal in comparison to the one who does not have any access at all. The Wi-Fi Extender market has been segmented into type, product, application, end user industry and geography.In terms of type, the Wi-Fi Extender market can be segmented into outdoor Wi-Fi, indoor Wi-Fi and transportation Wi-Fi. In terms of product the Wi-Fi Extender market can be segmented into wireless local area network, wireless hotspot gateways, access points, repeaters and relays among others. Additionally, in terms of application, the Wi-Fi Extender market can be segmented into installation, support, maintenance, survey and analysis, network planning and design.Moreover, the Wi-Fi extender market is also segmented in terms of end user industry into healthcare, defense and military, retail and hospitality, transportation and logistics, public sector , oil and gas, Banking and financial services , manufacturing and education among others. In terms of geography, the Wi-Fi Extender market can be segmented into five geographies namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America.Obtain Report Details @Increased usage of wi-fi extenders in smart devices and increase in investment on smart devices by the key vendors across the globe has contributed to the growth of wi-fi extenders market.. Moreover,the concept of smart cities and smart buildings and connected cities are also going to drive the demand in wi-fi extender market. Due to these concept there is an increase in demand of public wi-fi networks, for safety management, waste and water management, traffic management, healthcare management and infrastructure management among others Increased deployment of LTE technology in the telecommunications industry is a major factor driving the expansion of the Wi-Fi Extender market.Increased technological need to reduce the data cost and increased usage of internet and internet based applications are also important factors prompting the expansion of the Wi-Fi Extender market. Rapid expansion and development of the consumer electronics industry, safety and defense industry has set a trend that is making way for new business opportunities.This, in turn, is driving the expansion of the Wi-Fi Extender market globally. Increasing awareness of various technological modifications is a key factor driving the demand for Wi-Fi Extender in the market.. Fast-changing trends and consumer preferences such as customization and industry-specific testing services are key factors that have led to the rise in demand for Wi-Fi Extender in the market. Furthermore, increased demand for cloud computing services and applications is playing a vital role in the expansion of the Wi-Fi Extender market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Wi-Fi Extender Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@By geography, Wi-Fi Extenders market has been segmented into five regions as Asia-Pacific (APAC), North America, Europe, South America and Middle East & Africa (MEA). North America is the dominant segment in the global Wi-Fi Extender market followed by South America and Asia Pacific (APAC). In terms of revenue and market share, North America leads the market globally. Expansion of the telecommunications and network industry and rise of regional players has led to the expansion of the Wi-Fi Extender market. The U.S. is expanding consistently in the Wi-Fi Extender market. APAC is a rapidly expanding segment in the Wi-Fi Extender market. The U.S. is among the leading contributors to the North America Wi-Fi Extender market.The top players in the market include Cisco Systems, Inc, Alcatel-Lucent, Aruba Networks, Ericsson, Netgear, Ruckus Wireless, Juniper Networks, Motorola Solutions and others. Apart from top players in the market, the Wi-Fi market report also covers small and mid-sized vendors such as Arqiva, WiFi Spark, C-3 Wireless, Digital Wireless, Aeroscot, Acrylic, Fluke Networks, Intello, Dvois, Airangel, Connect 802, Purple Wi-Fi, TIS ltd, Transbeam, and others. Key players such as Cisco and Juniper Networks offer Wi-Fi products and services for enterprises, service providers, and indoor and outdoor networks.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Commercial Drone Market - Industry Forecast to 2025 - Driven by Adoption of Virtual Reality Technology in Drones www.transparencymarketresearch.com/commercial-drones-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4778 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global commercial drones market is dominated by DJI and Parrot S.A. These companies together account for over 75% of the market, finds Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a new study. Among these companies, DJI has emerged as the market leader in terms of revenue as it has an extensive product portfolio ranging from consumer to professional drones. Likewise, Parrot S.A. has gained considerable traction in the last few years. The companies especially focus on developing advanced drones with improved landing capabilities. Aurora Flight, Denel SOC Ltd., Draganfly, and Northrop Grumman Corporation are among other companies with strong foothold in the global commercial drones market.Global Commercial Drones Market: SnapshotThe demand for commercial drones is accelerating thanks to their increasing use in aerial photography, precision agriculture, and surveillance applications. Images and videos captured through drones provide better image quality and resolution, which is a prime reason behind their application across diverse industries. Furthermore, with the recent advancements, 4K video capable smartphones and televisions have come into foray, which has made customers expect for better video and image quality. Taking cue from the prevailing trends, companies such as YUNEEC and DJI have launched commercial drones that offer HD video monitoring and 4K video recording capabilities. Will these trends will create lucrative opportunities for the markets growth, it is also expected to gain from the falling prices of components.According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global commercial drones market is forecast to exhibit a CAGR of 13.8% between 2017 and 2025. At this pace. The markets valuation is expected to reach US$8.89 bn by the end of 2025, from US$2.8 bn in 2016.Obtain Report Details @Global Commercial Drones Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global commercial drones market includes the drivers and restraints which are driving or hindering the demand in the global market. Few of the drivers pushing the demand for commercial drones include their adoption by law enforcement agencies due to their enhanced capabilities of transmitting high resolution videos and images. In addition, these drones are also capable of providing real time surveillance data to their base stations.The global rise in criminal activities such as terrorism, drug trafficking and others are driving the demand for commercial drones in surveillance application. These factors are further aiding to the growing demand for commercial drones during the forecast period. However, there are few factors hindering the growth of the market. The use of commercial drones has led to the rising concern for privacy. This in return has led to reforms in government regulation for using commercial drones which is expected to hinder the growth of the market. Moreover, the increasing trend for better video and image resolution capabilities of commercial drones is expected to drive the market in future. Furthermore, the increasing technological innovation has resulted into the development of 4K video capable smartphones and televisions. This is in return is increasing the demand and expectation of consumers for drones with similar abilities.Make an Enquiry @Global Commercial Drones Market: Key SegmentsThe global market for commercial drones has been segmented by types, application and geography. In terms of types the commercial drones can be categorized into single rotor, multi-rotor, fixed winged and hybrid drones among others. By application, the market has been segregated into precision agriculture, aerial photography, surveillance, survey mapping and energy among other applications. In terms of geography, the global market has been segmented into five strategic locations: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America.The commercial drones market is facing intense competition from major players. These players are undergoing frequent mergers and acquisition from major players in order to sustain in the competitive environment. This report also studies the competitive environment of the major players in the form of market share of the key players. The key players have been profiled in terms of their business overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis and strategies adopted by them.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Conditional Access Systems Market Expected to Reach US$ 4.73 Billion by 2022 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/conditional-access-system-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1438 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Conditional access systems (CAS) refer to content security solutions used to restrict unauthorized subscribers from accessing paid digital broadcast services. Content security using CAS is achieved by encrypting/scrambling digital signals while broadcasting and then decrypting them at the users (authorized) end. Conditional access systems, also referred to as revenue security solutions, are mounted on set-top boxes or other receiving devices at the subscribers end. Conditional access systems are the most significant components used by service providers for protection against revenue loss. The most significant factor responsible for conditional access systems market growth is the rising penetration of digital/pay television, globally. Apart from pay televisions, CAS are also used for content protection in digital radio broadcast, internet protocol television (IPTV), and other internet-based subscription services.The market for conditional access systems is segmented, based on the type of solutions, into smartcard-based CAS and card-less CAS. Smartcard-based CAS are the traditional systems that include additional hardware such as chip/smartcard with embedded conditional access software. This hardware is mounted on the set-top box in order to enable content security by providing access to authorized users. Due to the prolonged existence of smartcard-based CAS, this type of CAS currently has the highest penetration in global conditional access systems market. Card-less CAS, also called as software-based conditional access system, requires no hardware and the software is embedded directly onto the set-top box. The most significant advantage of card-less CAS is their low operating and upgrading costs as compared to smartcard-based CAS. In addition, software-based CAS offer better security against hacking than smartcard-based CAS.Obtain Report Details @The global conditional access systems market is also driven by the growing penetration of internet-based services such as internet protocol television (IPTV), on-demand video and others in different geographic regions. The demand for conditional access solutions in these applications is mainly fueled from the developed regions having large penetration of IPTV and on-demand video services. Further, the global conditional access systems market is predicted to witness strong growth due to various advancements in the conditional access solutions. Most of the companies are now focusing on development of advanced solutions such as cloud-based conditional access systems, multi-screen CAS and others.The global conditional access systems market is segmented into type of solutions, application and geographic regions. On the basis of solution type, the market is segmented into smartcard-based CAS and card-less CAS. In 2014, the smartcard-based CAS segment accounted for the largest share, in terms of revenue and adoption, in the global conditional access systems market. This was majorly due to the prolonged existence of these solutions in the market. However, the card-less CAS segment is estimated to witness the highest demand during the forecast period.This is attributed to high advantages such as low costs, easy upgrading and maintenance offered by these solutions over smartcard-based CAS. Another factor driving the growth of card-less CAS segment is its less susceptibility towards hacking. Furthermore, on the basis of applications, the global conditional access systems market is segmented into television, internet services and digital radio. The global market for conditional access systems was dominated by the television segment in 2014. The highest market share of television segment is attributed to the rapidly growing penetration of digital television worldwide. In addition, the television segment is predicted to hold its dominant position throughout the forecast period due to ongoing digital television transition in countries such as China, India, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and others.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Conditional Access Systems Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@In 2014, North America accounted for the largest share of over 31%, in terms of revenue, in the global conditional access systems market. This is due to the high penetration of advanced digital television services such as high definition (HD) television and substantially growing adoption of Ultra HD (UHD) television. However, the global conditional access systems market is estimated to witness the highest growth in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. This is due to the rapidly increasing adoption of digital television in China and South Asia.The major companies in the global conditional access systems market include Cisco Systems, Inc., Nagravision SA (Kudelski Group), China Digital TV Co., Ltd., Verimatrix, Inc., Irdeto, Inc., Austrian Broadcasting Services GmbH & Co. KG (ORS Group), Viaccess-Orca (Orange Group), Coretrust, Inc., Latens Systems Ltd., Wellav Technologies Ltd. and Alticast Corporation. The global conditional access systems market is highly consolidated in nature with top three players namely Nagravision SA, Cisco Systems, Inc. and China Digital TV Holding Co., Ltd. accounting for over 70% of the market share. Other important players in this market include Irdeto, Inc., Viaccess-Orca and Verimatrix, 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. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Digital Pen Market - Advanced technologies & growth opportunities in global Industry by 2027 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=22781 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/digital-pen-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Digital Pens are pen like structure that help in writing digitally. These pens usually comes with USB which means universal serial bus which helps in cradling the handwritten notes to a personal computers or laptops. These pens requires digital papers, which can look like sticky note or a traditional pad. Digital pens are also called electronic pens because of its nature of capturing handwritten notes digitally. These are at a greater extent bigger that the normal pens but looks like traditional pens. Digital pens have inbuilt scanners which helps in capturing notes. Also these pens have character recognition software that are specially designed to understand, recognize notes and drawings. There are different types of digital pens that are used based on the operating systems inbuilt in them. Android based digital pens have a wider user base which is followed by windows operating systems. Digital pens are packed with electronic circuits, and Bluetooth. The digital pens have ink refills which leave ink trails on the page and infrared LED detects it. These words written in the special paper are detected by the light detector and the microchip saves the images and the Bluetooth transmits the data to computers or the laptops.Global Digital Pen Market Drivers and RestraintsThe Global Digital Pen Market is driven by increase in the use of digital pens in art and designing works has been a major trend across the globe. Technological advancements with advanced features of digital pens has mainly driven the market. Digital pens are replacing the use of pens and papers instead computer are used to track the data. By this the sensitive data can be stored on computers or laptops by not losing it and security of the document can be maintained due to which the global Digital pen market is driven over the decade. Also usage of smart phone devices is driving the global Digital pen market. The cost of the Digital Pens are higher than that of traditional pens which is the main restraining factor for the global digital pen market. Sometimes these pens cannot download handwritten notes which can hamper the entire document which is drawback for this market. This pen needs to be charged at definite interval and is not preferred to be used for long hours writing which has been major hump for the Global digital pen market.Fill the form to Gain Deeper Insights on this Market @Global Digital Pen Market by PlatformAndroidWindowsiOSGlobal Digital Pen Market by TechnologyActive Digital PenCamera Digital PenAccelerometer Digital PenPositional Digital PenTrackball Digital PenGlobal Digital Pen Market by ApplicationClinical DocumentationEducationBilling & Back OfficeCommunicationOthersGlobal Digital Pen Market Region Wise OutlookThe Global Digital Pen Market is divided into seven regions namely North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to lead the Global Digital pen market. Europe is on the list of second for this market because of the rapid innovations happening in electronic industry. However, Asia Pacific excluding Japan shows a decent growth over the forecast. China, since its a manufacturing hub of electronics signifies growth for APEJ. Middle East and Africa has a lesser market share in the Global Digital pen market.Obtain Report Details @Global Digital Pen Market Key PlayersApple Inc.Hewlett-Packard CompanyMicrosoftAnoto Group ABWacom Co. Ltd.Toshiba CorporationCanon Inc.E-pens LtdMoleskine S.p.ASTAEDTLER Mars GmbH & Co.KGHanvon Technology Co.LtdNeo LABConvergeneThe report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Dispatch Console Market: Growing emphasis on the efficient handling of mission critical operations drives demand Dispatch Console Market, Global Dispatch Console Industry Analysis, Dispatch Console Market Size http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dispatch-console-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3822 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The research study titled Dispatch Console (Transportation, Public Safety, Utilities, Manufacturing, Government and Military, Others) Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 provides strategic analysis of the global dispatch console market along with the market growth (size in USD Million) forecast for the period from 2014 to 2020. The report includes competitive analysis of various market segments based on applications, and in-depth cross-sectional scrutiny across different geography segments of the dispatch console market. In order to aid in strategic decision-making, the report also includes competitive profiling of the leading dispatch console technology providers in the industry, their market share, recent developments, and the winning strategies adopted by them. Along with the global market share, the report also covers winning products of different players and their market shares by region. The value chain analysis included in the report provides information on hardware and software suppliers, technology providers, console furniture manufacturers, and Value Added Resellers (VAR). It also highlights the role played by each in adding value to end products and services. The market attractiveness analysis and Porters five forces analysis included in the report provides insight into industry competition, market dynamics, and the most profitable segments in the dispatch console market. Furthermore, the report analyzes the current and future market potential for the dispatch consoles across the globe.On the basis of applications, the dispatch console market is segmented into: transportation, public safety, utilities, manufacturing, government and military, and natural resource extraction among others. The market revenue and forecast for different dispatch console applications have been included in the report for the period from 2012 to 2020 in terms of USD million, along with the CAGR for the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. The regional market analysis gives in-depth insights into the current trends in different regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Each of these segments provides market size and forecast for the period from 2012 to 2020, highlighting the key factors responsible for influencing and challenging the market growth.Obtain Report Details @A dispatch console is a chain of panels equipped with signaling, monitoring, and communicating facility enabling dispatchers/operators to effectively manage, co-ordinate, and communicate progress of work with the connected resources. A dispatch console offers a fixed centralized point of contact for wide range of two-way radio resources. Its ability to patch different connected resources enables efficient group communications in emergency situation, thereby ensuring safety and minimizing the financial impact of power failures and telephone system failure. These systems are deployed by military, public service agencies, transport services companies, rail transport, utilities, and first responder organizations such as emergency medical service providers, police department, and fire department among others.Improved scalability coupled with interoperability has fueled market momentum, especially in data sensitive mission critical operations. Thus, growing need to efficiently manage mission critical applications, ensuring life safety and work efficiency is supporting the adoption of dispatch consoles. However, increasing security threats and consolidation of emergency communication services in the matured markets such as the U.S., is affecting the demand for dispatch consoles.The dispatch console market was dominated by public safety applications in 2013, accounting for over 1/4th of the global dispatch console market revenue. Over the forecast period between 2014 and 2020, public safety is expected to remain the major application segment due to steady demand from the emerging economies. However, with fast developing transport infrastructure, the demand for effective interoperable communication systems is expected to boost the demand for dispatch consoles. Thus, transportation application segment is expected to witness fastest growth over the forecast period.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Dispatch Console Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@The report also provides the breakdown and review of the various factors affecting the growth of the dispatch console market, appropriately described as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. These factors emphasize upon the existing trends and their impact on the market growth. In addition, the report provides a separate section focusing on the past trends and future outlook of the dispatch console market. Overall, the report includes a holistic analysis of the global dispatch consoles market and provides growth estimates for the period from 2014 to 2020, keeping in mind the various factors affecting 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. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: mHealth Services Market Will Reflect Significant Growth Prospects by 2020 mHealth Services (Prevention, Monitoring, Diagnostic, Treatment, Information and reference, Wellness, and Healthcare strengthening http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/mobile-health-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=380 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com mHealth, a fast growing technology-driven service, is expected to change the way health services are delivered worldwide. It involves delivery of healthcare related services to end-users by medium of mobile phones (smartphones). Rising incidences of chronic diseases have elevated the need for accessibility of quality and low cost healthcare services for the masses. The situation has been further aggravated by the declining ratio of healthcare service providers to target population. However, proliferation and advancement of high speed networks across the globe, have paved way for mHealth services to realize true benefits. As a result, the global market for mHealth services is expected to record a revenue surge by 271.5% over the period 2014 2020.mHealth service propagation involves collective efforts by network service providers, application developers, healthcare service providers, device manufacturers, and smartphone manufacturers, among other participants involved across the supply chain. Considering the strict regulatory requirements and active role played by regulatory bodies in driving awareness and market penetration of social welfare activities, governments also become an integral part of any such delivery model planned for mHealth services.The mHealth services market is segmented on the basis of end-user into public/private institutions, physicians and healthcare workers, and individuals. In 2013, individual users contributed the highest revenue share for mHealth services worldwide. This was due to increasing demand for personal health management and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in developing countries of Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. In addition, growing aged population which requires and prefers healthcare solutions delivered at their doorstep, is adding to the potential consumer base for mHealth services. Among the application types, remote monitoring, collaboration and consultancy services is the fastest growing segment with demand predominantly contributed by growing base of patients with chronic diseases, which requires continuous or regular monitoring of health condition.Obtain Report Details @mHealth or Mobile health has lately witnessed increased activities from various industry participants across the supply chain. Owing to the rapid expansion of smart phones and other smart devices, it has become possible for stakeholders to deliver basic healthcare services to the prospective end-users. mHealth service delivery involves combined efforts by network service providers, application developers, healthcare service providers, device manufacturers, and smartphone manufacturers, among other participants involved across the supply chain. Considering the strict regulatory requirements and active role played by regulatory bodies in driving awareness and market penetration of social welfare activities, governments also become an integral part of any such delivery model planned for mHealth services.mHealth market has witnessed diversified services being offered for patients or for the entire healthcare system. These services include, for patients monitoring service, diagnostic service, and treatment service among others, and for strengthening of the healthcare system emergency response, health care practitioner support, and healthcare surveillance among others. However, challenges such as stringent regulatory requirements and lack of standard solutions to measure effectiveness of mHealth services, have restricted quick adoption of these services, resulting in suppressed market growth. In spite of growth challenges, players in the market are actively involved in developing novel applications, developing new products, and introducing innovative services. Extensive research and development is undertaken to meet changing customer requirementsThis 121 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the mHealth Services market. Browse to unlock the hidden opportunities in this marketWith regions such as North America and Europe, which have well developed infrastructure and healthcare system, the mHealth services market has seen quick adoption and high market penetration, resulting in high revenue shares. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to record the highest growth rate due to the high concentration of potential customers, especially in countries such as China and Japan. This growth potential is further expanded by the capability of mHealth solutions to streamline healthcare processes and efficiently deliver healthcare services in hard-to-reach areas, thereby enabling social development.For the latent growth potential exhibited by regions such as Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World, mHealth services market in these regions holds high priority for the industry players. Renowned players which are driving industry developments globally include AT&T Inc., Apple Inc., Airstrip technologies Inc., Alcatel-lucent, Cerner Corporation, Qualcom, Inc., Diversinet Corp., Koninklijke Philips N.V., SoftServe Inc, Symantec Corporation and Vodafone Group Plc among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Harmonic Filters Market in India: Technological Advancements and Enhanced Demand for Data Analysis in this Region http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/india-harmonic-filters-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2550 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A harmonic filter is used to mitigate the harmonic distortion created by appliances/equipments that are non-linear load. With growing number of power based electronic equipments, it has become necessary to ensure power quality. The severity of power quality in power networks has necessitated the increasing use of harmonic filters that not only reduce current and voltage harmonics, but also regulates terminal voltage and improves voltage balance in three phase systems.Rising demand for power quality across different verticals such as industrial, automotives, IT and data center, and oil and gas among others is the major factor driving the market in India. In addition, increasing adoption of variable frequency drives generating harmonics in industrial as well as commercial applications is expected to support the growth of harmonic filters. In spite of these growth factors, lack of awareness, high costs of harmonic filters, and availability of substitutes have collectively inhibited the growth of harmonic filters market in India. However, escalating demand for ensuring optimum power quality in IT and data center applications offer potential opportunity for the growth. In addition, government regulations and penalties imposed by utilities are expected to increase adoption of harmonic filters in India.Obtain Report Details @Harmonics occur in an electrical power system due to fluctuations in current or voltage levels. Harmonic fluctuations in the power system are a frequent cause of power quality issues and its proliferation severely disrupts the working of the whole system.Among the two types of harmonic filters, passive filters dominated the Indian market in 2012; however, the demand for active filters is expected to rise in the forecast period. Moreover, the harmonic filters market offers products operating on different voltage levels such as low, medium, and high. Among these, low voltage harmonic filters are widely used in the present scenario; nevertheless, the demand for high and medium voltage harmonic filters is anticipated to rise in the near future.Moreover, the rising need for power quality is crucial as there is significant shortage of power in India. As a result, the demand for harmonic filters is increasing for the purpose of harmonic suppression across varied industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and automotive. In addition, the enforcement of penalties by utilities and rigid regulations set by the government regarding the maintenance of harmonic levels in numerous industries are anticipated to propel the demand in the near future.The major factors driving the India harmonic filter market are the increasing demand for power quality in numerous industries and increased utilization of harmonic mitigation in different frequency drives. The growth of the power sector is also boosting the harmonic filter market in India. However, factors such as low product differentiation, high cost of harmonic filters, and easy availability of substitutes are expected to hold back the growth of the India harmonic filter market in the near future.This 88 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Harmonic Filters Market in India. Browse to unlock the hidden opportunities in this marketHarmonic filters find their application across majority of the end use sectors. Some of the major application segments include industrial, IT and data center, automotive and oil & gas industry. Among these applications highest revenue was contributed by the industrial sector in 2012 owing to excessive use of harmonic filters for harmonic correction in drives. Amongst the other application sectors, IT and data center and automotive applications are major applications and these applications are expected to expand their market share in the coming years with an expected increase in the consumer awareness.Some of the key players for the harmonic filters market in India include ABB India Ltd., Schneider Electric India, Emerson Network Power (India) Pvt. Ltd., Schaffner Group, and Neowatt Power Solutions Co. Pvt. Ltd. among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Passive Optical Components Market Research Report by Regional Analysis, Key Players, Share, Size and forecast 2020 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/passive-optical-components-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2534 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global passive optical components market was valued at USD 10.01 billion in 2013, growing at a CAGR of 21.1% from 2014 to 2020. Passive components are the foundation stone of optical network systems. Most of these components such as optical cables, optical power splitters, optical couplers, optical encoders, optical connectors, patch cords and pigtails, optical amplifiers, fixed and variable attenuators, optical transceivers, optical circulators, optical filters, wavelength division multiplexers/de-multiplexers and others can now be found in use in the current data networks and FTTH applications. In addition, these components are also widely used in applications such as interoffice, fiber in the loop (FITL), loop feeder, synchronous optical network (SONET), hybrid fiber-coaxial cable (HFC) and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) systems. The key players in this market are continually focusing on designing, developing and manufacturing of innovative and customized solutions that comply with international standards and meet the ever increasing demands of passive optical networks (PON) for the highest optical and mechanical specifications.The wavelength division multiplexers/de-multiplexers leads the components market share in the year 2013. Furthermore, patch cords and pigtails trailed the wavelength division multiplexers/de-multiplexers in the year 2013 by accounting for 12.73% of the global market share. Their market is driven by the emergence of ultra-high-capacity optical networks, wherein these components are primarily used. The optical amplifiers and optical attenuators market were analyzed to grow at a CAGR of 22.0% and 21.8%, respectively, owing to the insatiable demand for communication bandwidth of the internet and growth in fiberoptic technologies at an unprecedented pace.Obtain Report Details @Passive components are the foundation stone of optical network systems. Most of these components such as optical cables, optical power splitters, optical couplers, optical encoders, optical connectors, patch cords and pigtails, optical amplifiers, fixed and variable attenuators, optical transceivers, optical circulators, optical filters, wavelength division multiplexers/de-multiplexers and others can now be found in use in the current data networks and FTTH applications. The key players in this market are continually focusing on designing, developing and manufacturing of innovative and customized solutions that comply with international standards and meet the ever increasing demands of passive optical networks (PON) for the highest optical and mechanical specifications.This market research study analyzes the passive optical components market on a global level, and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD billion) from 2014 to 2020. It recognizes the drivers and restraints affecting the industry and analyzes their impact over the forecast period. Moreover, it identifies the significant opportunities for market growth in the coming years.The report segments the market on the basis of geography into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Rest of the World (RoW), estimated in terms of revenue (USD billion). In addition, the report segments the market based on components into optical cables, optical power splitters, optical couplers, optical encoders, optical connectors, patch cords and pigtails, optical amplifiers, fixed and variable attenuators, optical transceivers, optical circulators, optical filters, wavelength division multiplexers/de-multiplexers and others. Based on applications, these are further segmented into interoffice, fiber in the loop (FITL), loop feeder, synchronous optical network (SONET), hybrid fiber-coaxial cable (HFC) and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) systems. All these segments have also been estimated on the basis of geography in terms of revenue (USD billion).This 153 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Passive Optical Components Market. Browse to unlock the hidden opportunities in this marketSONET and SDH application segments have the ability to transfer multiple digital bit data streams across optical fiber employing lasers or light-emitting diodes. Owing to the benefits SONET and SDH application segments offer, the segments collectively accounted for the largest market share in 2013. SONET equipment find high deployment in North America whereas SDH equipment has acceptance in other parts of the world. According to the report, the SONET and SDH applications segments will grow at 22.8% and 22.7% CAGR respectively and will continue to lead the market between 2014 and 2020.Geographically, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World is expected to continue its dominance in the global passive optical components market, followed by North America and Europe. Rapid economic growth witnessed by Asia Pacific and Rest of the World which led to increased investments in communication infrastructure, rise in the development of networking technologies and deployment of newer fiber optic systems will contribute significantly to the growth of the passive optical components market in the major economies located in this regions.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Bennett ends Quakers season in AA semifinals After allowing 460-yards and five touchdowns in their Sept. 24 matchup, Orchard Park head coach decided that if Bennett was... Quakers reach Sectional Finals vs Lancaster Orchard Park boys volleyball coach Rick Albano always wants his team to be playing their best volleyball at the end... Bertola leads harriers on record day at sectionals Orchard Park cross-country coach Steve Dillsworth went pretty far back into the history of Quakers cross-country, and he was unable... All-Bee Girls Soccer Majority of First Team are past honorees Many of the First Team selections on the 2022 All- Bee Girls Soccer Team are no strangers to the all-star... NEW YORK -- Walgreens is scrapping its deal to buy rival Rite Aid following resistance from U.S. regulators and will instead buy stores, distribution centers and inventory in a new deal. The companies announced Thursday that they would end their original deal in which Walgreens Boots Alliance would have bought Rite Aid for as much as $7.37 billion. Instead, Walgreens will pay $5.18 billion for 2,186 stores, leaving Rite Aid as a regional chain. Although the combination of the two giant pharmacy chains had been under intense scrutiny from Federal Trade Commission and its fate was far from certain, the decision to end the old deal sent Rite Aid shares down 23 percent in premarket Thursday. Walgreens jumped 4.4 percent. Rite Aid, in a statement, said it received feedback from the FTC "that led the company to believe that the parties would not have obtained FTC clearance to consummate the merger." This is the second time Walgreens has altered its plan to buy Rite Aid stores. The first agreement announced in 2015 was for $9 a share, or $9.4 billion. A revised acquisition deal announced in January valued the deal at $6.50 to $7, or between $6.84 billion and $7.37 billion, depending on how many store changed hands. Under the current plan, it is no longer purchasing Rite Aid at all, but merely acquiring stores and other assets from the company. Rite Aid will receive a termination fee of $325 million in addition to the purchase price. Walgreens had been waiting for months to see whether the FTC would try to block the planned acquisition of Rite Aid, which would have vaulted the combined company past CVS Health Corp. to become the leading drugstore chain by number of stores. In May, Walgreens moved to force a U.S. decision on the matter, which was due by July 7. The original agreement would have been for about 3,336 stores "making this agreement about one-third smaller and more likely to pass regulatory scrutiny in our view," Leerink analyst David Larsen said in a note to clients. The old deal also included a plan to sell as many as 1,200 Rite Aid locations to regional chain Fred's Inc. Fred's fell 19 percent to $10 in early trading. "This is a disappointing outcome," said Michael Bloom, Fred's chief executive officer, in a statement. "However, the termination of the transaction has no impact on the company's transformation strategy or our ability to execute." Walgreens said in a statement that it will begin acquiring the Rite Aid stores and related assets over a period of approximately six months, and intends to convert the stores to the Walgreens brand over time. The FTC will end its review of the previous merger agreement and start an investigation of the new deal for stores and and assets to determine whether competition is harmed. --The Washington Post State lawmakers appear close to approving a $736.9 million budget for public universities that would nearly halve the proposed tuition increases for some undergraduate Oregonians this fall, saving students hundreds of dollars a year. The spending plan, which passed a key legislative hurdle Wednesday, includes nearly $70 million more in operating support than Gov. Kate Brown's proposal, which left funding flat. That plan was criticized by university presidents, student groups and faculty unions. The development comes more than a month after double-digit tuition increases at some public universities led to a dramatic rebuttal from the volunteer state higher education board, which must sign off on tuition increases greater than 5 percent, followed by a second meeting where state watchdogs ultimately approved the tuition increases. According to state documents, "the expectation" for the 2018-19 school year is any tuition increase would not exceed 5 percent. Rod Monroe, D-Portland, said the legislature is trying to hold the increase to 5 percent," he said. It's unclear whether the proposed budget will lead to lower tuition increases next year, but both University of Oregon and Portland State University officials noted that the cost drivers rising public pension and medical costs are not going away. The schools and Brown applauded the budget writers' decision to boost spending for higher education even while lawmakers punted on a transportation package and comprehensive revenue reform bill. "The proposed higher education budget would bring critical tuition relief to the students of the University of Oregon, allowing us to reduce next year's tuition increase by more than a third," UO President Michael Schill said in a statement. "I want to thank the state's legislative leaders for this important step in the right direction. I hope it is a sign of the state's continuing commitment to supporting an excellent, accessible higher education system for all Oregonians." PSU said in a statement that the development was "good news for Portland State and all Oregon public universities." Brown, who in April urged the volunteer education commission to scrutinize the tuition proposals, said the budget would stabilize tuition for the next two years and provide "important relief to Oregon's students, who already carry too much of the financial burden of higher education." "Protecting affordability ensures that all Oregonians particularly low-income students and students of color have the opportunity to continue their education and earn a college degree on the path to a rewarding career," she said in a statement. Ben Cannon, the executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, told the committee that the education community appreciates the added support during a "very difficult state budget." He added that the need for greater levels of student support will continue in the future. The budget could affect some 24,000 undergraduates at UO and OSU, and likely save students hundreds of dollars a year. UO had approved a 10.6 percent tuition bump for resident undergraduates, which represented a $945 annual jump for full-time students. Under the proposed budget, the school would instead seek a 6.6 percent hike. Portland State, which first approved an 8.9 percent bump, will now seek a 5.5 percent increase this fall. The new tuition plan would likely save students $247 annually. But that doesn't account for an increase of $36 in student fees at PSU. Both UO and PSU said the funding boost won't eliminate the need to make cuts to programs and services. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen In April, a bipartisan group of Oregon lawmakers praised a bill which set aside $8.2 million from the general fund to speed up and expand the state's ability to study its underground water supply. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, said at the time that House Bill 2707 was "something that should have been done years ago." It passed out of the House Energy and Environment Committee and on to budget writers in Salem. But as the legislature races to a close, that bill and two others designed to further Oregon's understanding of its underground reservoirs one that requires farmers and ranchers to measure their water use, and another that charges those users an annual fee to raise revenue for the state agency tasked with overseeing water issues -- are unlikely to pass. "There's not a lot of air left in the room to talk about natural resources budget," said Rep. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, who introduced the three measures. None of the three bills offered a new idea. In 2013, then-Gov. John Kitzhaber proposed a $100 fee for water rights holders, but he backed away after irrigators raised concerns. Helm in December said the Legislature could rightly be accused of "dodging the issue" if it didn't discuss water issues in 2017. The timing was good. The revived bills came on the heels of a state audit of the Water Resources Department released in December that showed the state has "no clear understanding" of its underground water supply. The audit painted a picture of an agency with too much work, not enough resources and no plan for the future. Months earlier, a multi-part series in The Oregonian/OregonLive also documented the extent of Oregon's water woes. Oregon has 110,000 miles of rivers and streams, 1,400 named lakes and an underground network of aquifers that provide water to millions of Oregonians. Water needs will only continue to grow. Legislative budget writers approved a Water Resources Department budget Wednesday that has no additional money for groundwater studies, despite Gov. Kate Brown's wishes and Helm's bipartisan-backed bill calling for studies of five additional water basins. Brown's budget included an additional $1.8 million for groundwater studies, which would have allowed the state to double the number of studies. It takes five years to study a water basin. Brown's budget would have paid for a second team of researchers. So far, Oregon has studied just one-third of its water basins. The long ongoing active study, an analysis of the Harney County basin performed in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, won't finish until 2020. Helm's bill would have added 20 employees and allowed the state to study five additional basins. Fifteenmile Creek was one of the basins scheduled for analysis. The Oregonian/OregonLive found that irrigators in that basin and surrounding areas are permitted to draw 15 billion gallons of water annually, 5 billion gallons more than is estimated to return to the water table through rainfall. In that basin, and others, the state often relies on a 1968 federal government survey of underground supplies. Helm said in an interview that he's disappointed but plans to keep raising the issue. "The pace of which we're doing groundwater studies is so slow that we won't get a meaningful amount [completed] until the middle of this century," Helm said. The work isn't expected to be finished until 2096, if Oregon stays at current funding levels. Despite hitting a legislative roadblock, Helm, agricultural interest groups and environmental groups say the session was not a failure. He also said he could have moved forward with a bill this session but that would leave "no window to work on the bigger problems in the future." "I accept the criticism of being ambitious," he said. The Beaverton lawmaker said he plans to reconvene a water working group after Labor Day to continue discussions and potentially revive the bills in the next short legislative session in 2018. Helm and Rep. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, brought together those disparate interest groups for months of meetings to debate and fine-tune the more contentious bills that would charge a fee to water rights holders and require they measure their water usage. Jeff Stone, executive director of the Oregon Association of Nursery, said those meetings were "a useful exercise." "Not everybody started in the same place," he said, "but I thought over time they understood better why certain groups have thoughts and perspectives." Stone said everybody understands the need to have more information about the availability of groundwater. While he said the proposal to charge water users an annual fee has "the farthest to go", Stone said the agricultural industry was moving toward agreement that measuring water use is important, though some questions about the enforcement remain. Lawmakers do appear to support one water-funding bill. That bill is projected to bring in $838,000 in the next biennium through increased fees on water rights applications and transfers. Stone said his industry supports that fee increase. Kimberley Priestley, senior policy director with the nonprofit WaterWatch of Oregon, said before the session the water advocacy group knew it would take multiple legislative sessions to pass any legislation. Oregon is falling behind Washington and California, she said, by not requiring water rights users measure their usage. "these issues aren't going away. we're going to have to find a way to move forward with a solution if we want a sustainable water future. the need is clear, the need to get this done is clear. We look forward to further discussions in the future on this." -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen Oregon lawmakers will not fund Cleaner Air Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown's signature initiative to cut toxic air pollution statewide, forcing the state's environmental regulator to find another way to pay for an overhaul proposed after the 2016 Portland air crisis. It is a significant defeat for the governor. The Democrat was unable to overcome industry opposition to convince a statehouse controlled by her party to raise $1 million to fund the program. House Bill 2269 would've levied a one-time fee on the state's 2,525 permitted air polluters. And it's a win for Oregon's industrial lobbyists, who also killed a separate clean air initiative this session that would've cracked down on cancer-causing soot spewed from high-polluting diesel engines. The latest decision shows how much power the state's manufacturers wield in Salem. It comes six years after industry lobbyists successfully undercut efforts to clean up toxic air pollution in Portland. The Cleaner Air Oregon funding would have paid for the analysis needed for the Department of Environmental Quality to develop new rules to require factories, body shops and other industrial sources to reduce their air pollution if it poses a health risk to nearby residents. The bill would've charged the state's 2,525 permitted air polluters an average of $433 each. Major polluters, like hazardous waste incinerators, would've paid $1,456, while smaller sources like gas stations and dry cleaners would've paid less than $50 apiece. A spokeswoman for House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, said the breakdown occurred in the state Senate. "The speaker is committed to this issue and plans to work on it again in 2018," said the spokeswoman, Lindsey O'Brien. The governor and Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, did not respond to requests for comment. Jennifer Flynt, a Department of Environmental Quality spokeswoman, said agency officials are disappointed the funding won't be approved but are looking for other ways to pay for the program. The next steps are unclear. Deborah Kafoury, chairwoman of the Multnomah County Commission, said she was urging lawmakers not to give up on efforts to fund the program. "It's not over until the final gavel drops," she said. "I'm still hopeful for the piddly amount of $1 million that they can pull it out." Mary Peveto, president of Neighbors for Clean Air, a Portland advocacy group, said the state environmental agency won't be able to fund the meteorological studies, emissions modeling and other research needed without shortchanging other initiatives. Without reliable funding, she said, the state risks being unable to adopt solid rules that could withstand a legal challenge. Peveto faulted Kotek, Courtney and other top Democratic lawmakers for caving in to industry lobbyists and failing to deliver on promises made during Portland's toxic air crisis. "This sends a message that industry gets to control the Department of Environmental Quality's budget," Peveto said. "It is stunning that industry has such a stranglehold over our legislators." Industry groups, including Associated Oregon Industries, had opposed the one-time levy, describing Cleaner Air Oregon as a job-killing initiative that would be ruinous and cause manufacturers to close. Similar rules already exist in California and Washington. Rob Davis rdavis@oregonian.com 503.294.7657; @robwdavis The family of a 27-year-old father of three who was instantly killed when a large tree fell onto the car he was driving along the Historic Columbia River Highway has filed a $2.2 million lawsuit against the state of Oregon. Jorge Figueroa's family faults the Oregon Department of Transportation for failing to cut down the tree before it fell just east of Latourell Falls near Corbett. The tree was decaying and had holes around its trunk from woodpeckers, states the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The woodpecker holes were "easily visible" from the highway, the suit states. A spokesman for the Department of Transportation declined to comment Thursday. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the Covington, Washington, resident was visiting the scenic waterfall area with his wife, three children, mother-in-law and cousin June 28, 2015. Figueroa's wife, Rosalba Paola Ortega Aranda, was sitting next to Figueroa and also was seriously injured, the suit says. The mother-in-law and one of the couple's children were in the back and not physically injured but suffered emotional distress from seeing the tree crush the front roof of the 2001 Saturn sedan and the aftermath, the suit says. The lawsuit says Figueroa's other two children were riding in another car with his cousin. The suit states the tree fell, the cousin quickly turned his car around, stopped and one of the children ran up to her father's car and saw his "lifeless body." The suit seeks $250,000 in economic damages and $2 million for the family's loss of consortium, loss of companionship and emotional distress. The amount sought also includes damages for Ortega Aranda's physical injuries. Vancouver attorney Brian Walker is representing Figueroa's estate. Read the lawsuit here. -- Aimee Green e This review of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" includes minor plot points, but will not spoil any of the major reveals in the movie. If you want to know the secrets and tie-ins Marvel reveals in its latest Marvel Cinematic Universe flick, we've got a few of those coming, too. Spider-Man is back. Those three words sum up the task Marvel Studios took on with "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and the company pulls it off in most every way that counts. It took two major missteps 2008's "Spider-Man 3" and the "Amazing Spider-Man" duology that followed for Sony to hand over the film franchise's creative reins. And the folks at Marvel corrected course to address most of the shortcomings from those adaptations, all the while weaving the company's flagship character into the fabrics of its cinematic universe. When so many other series are succumbing to franchise fatigue or the mishandling of a cinematic universe, Spidey's latest outing joins "Wonder Woman" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" in reminding us that these films can still deliver. "Homecoming" is a "Spider-Man" movie that feels like an homage to John Hughes flicks like "The Breakfast Club" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" wrapped in a campy superhero flick. It moves at a rapid clip for much of its runtime. But the film shines in the moments when it slows down to let its characters interact outside of bombastic action sequences and quippy back-and-forths. As the third man to don the iconic blue-and-red costume in the last decade, Tom Holland accomplishes what predecessors Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire couldn't pull off in their outings as the web-head. The 21-year-old shines as the friendly neighborhood superhero his quick thinking and snarky quips fall right in line with Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's fledgling hero, a trait Maguire struggled to nail under Sam Raimi. But Holland is also an endearing Peter Parker, which Garfield's sullen take on the character similarly had a tough time grasping. We got a glimpse of the relative newcomer's take on Spidey in last year's "Captain America: Civil War." With 133 minutes to himself in "Homecoming," Holland's Spider-Man has room to breathe and expand on the enthusiasm we saw in that film. Just think about the palpable elation you sense when Spidey's swinging alongside the Avengers. That's the way he operates for much of this outing. (That enthusiasm isn't a stretch for Holland. He's reportedly banned from reading full scripts for the upcoming "Avengers" movies due to his habit of blabbing about details on press tours.) But "Homecoming" also addresses a major shortcoming of both Sony's previous two "Spider-Man" films and other Marvel flicks. Both series had a serious villain problem, a point addressed by Michael Keaton's casting as Adrian Toomes, whose Vulture antagonizes Spidey and serves as one of the most engaging baddies this side of Tom Hiddleston's Loki. Keaton very obviously relishes the role in his most sinister moments you can tell the actor is having just as much fun as his twentysomething opposite. The two do much of the movie's heavy lifting, while Jacob Batalon's Ned Leeds and Marissa Tomei's Aunt May pop in often enough to give us a sense of who Peter Parker is and where his allegiances lie. Robert Downey Jr. fills in as Tony Stark/Iron Man to move the plot along and connect "Homecoming" to the larger Marvel universe inhabited by Hulk, Thor and Captain America. If you had concerns that Spider-Man would be overshadowed by the presence of the Marvel Films mainstay, put them away this is Holland's show through and through. But for all the film accomplishes, it isn't devoid of shortcomings. The score, as has become typical of Marvel's movies, lacks any notable themes and resorts to generic build-ups in some of "Homecoming's" tense moments. And the over-the-top enthusiasm that makes Holland's Peter Parker so endearing also manifests itself as a bit of a reckless streak in the character. Marvel made the right call in avoiding re-telling Spidey's origin story. But the iconic credo Cliff Robinson and Martin Sheen left behind during their respective turns as Uncle Ben, which has been central to Peter Parker's ethos for so many years, feels like a glaring omission. They're nit-picky details, to be sure. But what's a "Spider-Man" flick without a sense of the fact that with great power comes great responsibility? Those shortcomings are ultimately overshadowed by everything else the film offers. It's a solid "Spider-Man" adventure and nearly every scene in "Homecoming" is filled with bits that rewards fans who play close attention to the details. (We'll save those details for the spoiler-heavy posts.) Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 2" may still reign as the web-head's best-ever silver screen appearance, but "Homecoming" sows seeds that could pay off in future installments and topple it. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" opens in theaters July 7. --Eder Campuzano | 503.221.4344 @edercampuzano ecampuzano@oregonian.com By Steve Doell The legislature is again back to its get-out-of-jail-free ways. This time it's House Bill 3078, which releases violent and non-violent offenders early and reduces the penalties for identity theft from 18 months to 13 months. As always with such cuts, it's just a matter of time until they shatter the lives of innocent victims. All too often kids are the victims. Nakiem Brown is alleged to have been involved in a May 22, 2017 attack at a Gresham apartment to avenge a gang vendetta. Reports of the crime indicate a nine-year old boy and his mother were shot multiple times after the assailant or assailants opened fire, spraying the apartment with dozens of bullets. Brown, a member of the Hoover Street gang, faces multiple counts of attempted aggravated murder and other violent crimes. Around six weeks before the shooting, Brown walked out of prison despite having months left on his sentence. As with more than 4,000 other offenders, he was a beneficiary of a program called Short Term Transitional Leave. To save the state money, the legislature expanded the program from 30 to 90 days in 2013. The early release program was, at the time, expected to be available primarily to non-violent offenders and tacked on to the 20 percent "earned time" that many offenders already receive. Yet, to date, nearly 40 percent of the qualifying offenders were in prison for violent, person or sex crimes. This includes 19 offenders who killed their victims, more than 200 felons with guns, and dozens of convicted rapists. Despite the tragic shooting of this 9-year old and many other preventable victimizations, lawmakers will be voting this week on HB 3078, which aims to expand this early release program from 90 to 120 days. The bill also ignores the vote of Oregon citizens by dramatically eroding sentences for identity theft and first-degree theft, which were established by Ballot Measure 57 in 2008. The case of Nakiem Brown exemplifies the willingness of the legislature to sacrifice safety for savings. Brown should never have been eligible for release. He spent nearly six years in prison for second-degree robbery with a handgun. As a juvenile, he was convicted of multiple gun charges, third-degree assault, criminal mischief and reckless burning. While in custody, he received an additional eight-month sentence for supplying contraband. Nevertheless, the "risk score" he received at the Oregon Department of Corrections identified him as a candidate for early release. So, as long as he could demonstrate he had a place to live, out the door he went. I've asked the Department of Corrections how Brown qualified for release. The answer? We can't tell you because there is an active criminal investigation. It is unclear to me how responding to this question impedes an investigation. Regardless, it is a question that must be answered. Especially since the legislature is now considering an additional 33 percent expansion of this program. If passed, the legislature will have increased the early release for thousands of offenders by 400 percent in the last five years. A reasonable response from the elected leaders of this state would be to suspend this program until the problem is identified and fixed. That's what they'd do if a tax credit was abused or an employee embezzled. In this case, an innocent 9-year old almost lost his life. The response of the legislature? Hurry up and pass the legislation before the story gets out. I'm sickened. The proponents of HB 3078 have the audacity to call their bill the Safety and Savings Act. They've got it wrong. This bill is the Savings over Safety Act. I don't care if this bill saves $1 million or $20 million, there is absolutely no savings that justify the violent victimization of another young Oregonian. Steve Doell is president of Crime Victims United. His 12-year-old daughter Lisa was murdered in Lake Oswego in 1992. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions apparently is worried about marijuana being available at the corner grocery store. One of the main killers of Americans - tobacco - is sold freely at the corner grocery store. Mr. Sessions' campaign for senator was heavily funded with contributions from the tobacco industry - the industry that contributes to the death and ill health of millions of Americans, and whose product is sold at the corner grocery store. Critical thinking skills needed in America. Carol Hauth, Salem Sen. Chuck Grassley, who once said Donald Trump would end a tax incentive for wind energy production over my dead body, doesnt think the president has a case out against wind. That hasnt stopped the Iowa Republican from reminding the White House that hes the author of the wind energy production tax credit legislation and should be consulted when the president is developing energy policy. Grassley made his comment Wednesday, the same day Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds met with the president at a White House energy roundtable. Earlier this week, Reynolds declined to criticize Trump for comments he made during a June 21 Cedar Rapids rally about wind energy lacking reliability. I dont want to just hope the wind blows to light up your homes and your factories as the birds fall to the ground, the president said while advocating an all-of-the-above energy policy. Grassley didnt attend the rally, but said he heard the president did mention wind and something about killing birds. He also heard the president mention alternative energy. So if he supports alternative energy, he supports wind, Grassley told reporters on his weekly conference call. He thinks Trump was using the occasional lack of wind as an example of why an all-of-the-above energy policy is needed. Even MidAmerican, which has an alternative energy generation goal of the equivalent of 89 percent of its customers annual retail usage, acknowledges the need for other energy sources, Grassley said. Grassley added that he reminded someone close to the White House Im not going to tell you who I told, but pretty darned close to the president that Im the author of the wind energy tax credit and ought to have some consideration in what he says about wind. Hes also convinced there are probably more birds that fly into Trump Tower than (are killed by) wind energy in Iowa. I hope they tell him that, Grassley added. Reynolds attended a White House meeting along with GOP Govs. Paul LePage of Maine and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, independent Gov. Bill Walker of Alaska and Native American tribal leaders. Neither Trump nor Energy Secretary Rick Perry mentioned wind energy or oil, gas or electricity in their prepared remarks. In a statement later, Reynolds noted that Iowa became a national leader in wind energy production through early investments. As a result, Iowans enjoy some of the lowest electric rates in the nation. CLEAR LAKE | Loren Toomsen of Clear Lake is flying to St. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday, Aug. 21, to get a good look at the solar eclipse and he's hoping to have some company on the fight. Toomsen, who has had a lifelong interest in space and nature, has chartered a plane for a round-trip flight to St. Joseph, which is considered one of the ideal places in the country to see the total eclipse of the sun, which will occur at 1:06 p.m. It's a six-passenger plane. Toomsen is hoping to have five companions on board with him. The price is $410 per person if the plane is full. If there are fewer passengers, the cost per person will be more. "I'm hoping enough people will show interest that we'll have to get another plane," Toomsen said. "This is a big deal in St. Joseph. We'll be flying right into a party going on," he said. "It's going to be fantabulous." Toomsen said any checks written for the flight will be held until the day of the flight. "If it's overcast or we can't do it for some other reason, everyone will get their money back," he said. The flight will leave Mason City mid-morning and return mid-afternoon, he said. The total eclipse will last a little over two minutes. The eclipse will be seen in an eight-state area from Oregon to South Carolina. St. Joseph is one of the six best places in the country to view the eclipse, according to NASA. The city is gearing up for the big event with workshops and lectures planned for the weekend before the Monday eclipse and a free, public observing event at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, where the North Iowans will land. Anyone interested in taking the flight is asked to call Toomsen at 641-529-1331. WEST DES MOINES | A Mason City man who was reported missing on June 18 was found dead a few days later in West Des Moines, according to police. Officers found the body of Johnathan F. Kofron, 48, in a room at the Drury Inn shortly after noon on June 21, according to a report from the West Des Moines Police Department. The report stated there appeared to be nothing suspicious about his death other than an apparent suicide. Kofron was the subject of criminal investigation, the report noted. In May the Mason City Police Department charged Kofron with felony first-degree theft and ongoing criminal conduct for allegedly embezzling more than $30,000 from the pet boarding facility Bark Break Hotel from March 2015 through January 2016. Man charged with stealing $30K+ from Mason City pet boarding facility MASON CITY | A Mason City man has been charged with embezzling more than $30,000 from a "lu The business closed in June 2016. After being released from the Cerro Gordo County Jail on bond, Kofron was under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Correctional Services. He had a preliminary hearing set for June 23. The criminal charges against him have now been dismissed due to his death, according to court documents. Mary Pieper Goose Creek, SC (29445) Today Rain likely. High 77F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Throughout the years, I have always enjoyed spending holidays in the Nordic countries of Europe during the summer months. Those nations include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland and their territories. My contact with the Nordic or Scandinavian culture began with my own Swedish heritage. And after I married Susanne, a Dane, that meant frequent ventures back to visit relatives and to discover the treasures of the very northern parts of Europe. And with few exceptions, those visits took place during the summer months. That meant long evenings spent outside with family and friends, wonderful meals and fantastic desserts! Summer is a time of the year that people in many places enjoy. But in countries where the winter months are long and days short, where wintry weather full of either snow or rain can last for months, people really look forward to the arrival of warm, sunny rays and longer days. Weather and hours of sunlight obviously depend on where in the Nordic countries one is. Years ago, I remember accompanying Susanne to a night of dancing at a club where her parents lived. It was light when we arrived at 10 p.m. and light again when we started our walk back to my in-law's place at 4 a.m. The summer months in the Nordic countries are full of all types of celebrations. There are national holidays, music festivals, crayfish festivals and even bonfires to celebrate the summer solstice. People often plan celebrations for family and friends that include special outdoor meals. Whether such gathering take place in one's own yard or at one's summer home, tables are often set up and draped with real fabric tablecloths, matching napkins, floral decorations, real plates, silverware and glasses. And if the celebration is of a patriotic nature, such as Norway's National Day on May 17, there will most likely be flags on the table as well. Scandinavians love to use their flags for all types of national and family gatherings. Since these celebrations always include food this also means that there will be all sorts of creative desserts. During the summer months, such pastries often are made using locally grown fruits that are in season. Over the years, I have had many lovely desserts containing summer strawberries in all of Scandinavia. In Sweden blueberries are also very popular although they tend to be the smaller type. In Finland, I remember trying desserts made with cloudberries. They look like yellow raspberries but are indeed a different fruit. When I first began to visit the Nordic countries, recipes were always traditional foods many immigrants here would still recognize. Over the years, I have noticed more and more muffins, brownies and cheesecakes, albeit with very local twists! One of my first summer meals in Denmark took place at the home of Susanne's aunt and uncle. The meal was a typical one of Danish meatballs, potatoes and cauliflower. The dessert was also a very Danish dish called "roedgroed med floede," or red pudding with cream. The strawberries (and possibly other fruits) are boiled with sugar and then a bit of potato starch (or cornstarch) is added to thicken the pudding. It is chilled and then served with fresh cream. On another occasion, friends in the northern part of the island where Copenhagen is located, invited us to a wonderful summer dinner. We ate outside their country home and one of the desserts was trifle, a mixture of pieces of cake, vanilla cream, macaroons soaked in rum, fresh summer fruits such as strawberries and raspberries and freshly whipped cream. It was indeed delicious and tasted of summer. Summer evening meals in other parts of Scandinavia have also meant tasting delicious desserts as well. I remember an absolutely delicious blueberry brownie torte in Sweden. I know there are food "experts" who frown at mixing fruit and chocolate, but I really enjoyed it. And the rhubarb crumble (Swedes call it "paj" or pie) was delicious as well and quite easy to put together. And then there are also the numerous variations of light cake divided into three layers. Each layer is covered with freshly whipped cream and a mixture of summer fruits. Very simple yet tasty! Memories off these summer experiences are indeed very dear to me. Friends and family, bakers and homemakers all over northern Europe have been so kind to share recipes and cooking secrets and I have carefully kept them over the years in order to recreate those lovely desserts at home. I admit that the aftermath of our recent weather could make one wonder how much there is to celebrate right now. But, I figure that sharing something good with family and close friends helps in such times such as these. Roedgroed - Danish berry pudding 1 1/2 pounds berries, for example strawberries and raspberries, stems removed from strawberries and lightly washed and dried on paper towel 2 cups water 3/4 cups sugar 4 tablespoons cornstarch 4 tablespoons cold water 1 small container cream for whipping Place berries, water and sugar in a small saucepan with a lid. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Remove a bit of the liquid and taste to make sure the liquid is sweet enough - this is rather subjective but you should like the taste. Add a few more tablespoons of sugar if necessary and boil a few minutes longer. Mix the cornstarch and cold water with a fork in a small glass and then carefully pour the liquid in the berries and blend completely. Continue to cook over medium heat while stirring the pudding. Cook one minute longer and then remove from the heat. After the dessert is completely cool, place in a container with a tight fitting lid and place in the refrigerator until completely cold. Serve in individual bowls with a few tablespoons of (whipping but not whipped) cream in each bowl. Brownie torte with blueberries 1/4 pound dark chocolate (not baker's chocolate) 2 sticks unsalted butter 1 1/4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 1 pinch salt 3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 pint fresh blueberries 1 pint whipping cream 2-4 tablespoons confectioner's sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla Break the chocolate into small bits and place in a small saucepan. Add the butter in tablespoons and melt slowly. Stir all the time until both ingredients have completely melted. Remove from source of heat and add sugar and vanilla with a mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating about a minutes after adding each egg. Put the salt, flour and baking powder in a sifter and sift the dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture. Slowly blend all the ingredients with a spatula. Lightly grease and flour a 12-inch Springform pan (a cake pan with a removable bottom) and carefully add the dough. Bake in a preheated 325 degrees Fahrenheit oven about 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Be careful not to bake the cake too long or it could be dry. Cool the cake completely. Wash the blueberries with cold water in a sieve and than let them dry on paper towels until completely dry. Whip the whipping cream with the confectioner's sugar and vanilla until the cream has stiff peaks. Spread or pipe the whipping dream over the top of the cake and sprinkle on the blueberries. Note: You can also sprinkle some confectioner's sugar on top of the blueberries using a sieve. If you do this, make sure you do this right before you serve the cake. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The scene at Alpine Mobile Home Village was one Junior Hoover, 62, had never seen. Hes lived there a decade and was born and raised in Larkin Township, but cant recall any significant flooding in the area. The rain started Thursday, June 22. Water poured from the sky in a series of thunderstorms. Half a foot of rain had fallen overnight into Friday, according to National Weather Service records. Nearby Sturgeon Creek quickly filled and overflowed. Alpine Mobile Home Village soon turned into an island, its 260 homes accessible only by boat. Which was the vessel firefighters and other officials would use to evacuate residents on Friday. Between the fire department and us we probably evacuated 150 people, said Jon Chambers, who has been Alpines property manager for 11 years. At one point, Chambers said he waded through the streets with a front end loader and trailer to take residents to Sturgeon Road. That became the vantage point for residents watching the watery chaos unfold. I jumped in my car and headed out to the main road, said Hoover, 62. I didnt sleep that night. We stayed out there and watched it. A lot of people did. During the storms, he had asked Chambers whether he should leave. Chambers advised he should, because he lives right next to Sturgeon Creek, Hoover said. I was thinking about my home being lost, he said. I dont have flood insurance. I was just thinking, What are we going to do now? Water was rushing down the road. Chambers calmed worried residents, Hoover said. Hes got a heart of gold, Hoover said of Chambers. He had tons of bottled water, he brought generators in and plugged the pop machines in for people. Jon was on top of everything, him and his son, right away. They went above and beyond. Hoovers home was not one of those seriously damaged or deemed unlivable. He returned after the water receded. The floor was damp in areas. He power washed the garage with bleach. In the aftermath at Alpine, 15 units are unlivable and some 15 to 20 homes are damaged, Chambers said. Most returned late Saturday afternoon to assess the damage to their homes. Some of the displaced are staying with family or friends, Chambers said. Some are living in an empty unit for sale that Chambers had offered. Immediate rescue efforts found Chambers, his son, a staff of six and others helping evacuate, make safe and feed residents until midnight Saturday. They cooked 275 hot dogs and provided water free of charge, Chambers said. A lot of them had no power or their refrigerator was out, he said, noting Consumers Energy quickly cut power due to the floods. Hoover said he had been without power for four days. The recovery process at Alpine is ongoing. For homes deemed unlivable, Chambers said carpet is being taken out and the units will be assessed as to whether anything is salvageable. Theyve been in here every day emptying the dumpsters, Hoover said. Several units will need to be removed. Were going to buy more homes to put back in those spaces, Chambers said. Its a sad, sad situation for a lot of great people, he added. Its going to be a while digging out of this one. Gov. Rick Snyder visited the site on Monday. It was one of the spots he arrived at while surveying flood damage by helicopter in Midland and Isabella counties. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley declared a state of emergency for Midland and Isabella counties on Friday, June 23. Bay and Gladwin counties also declared a state of emergency. Volunteers from the American Red Cross on Tuesday had been going door to door at Alpine. Hoover called the Daily News to tell of Chambers generosity and superb job saving residents, notions he repeated with elated emphasis. Chambers merely aligned his efforts and that of his six-person staff working all weekend with just being human. My staff was really important to me. They did what they could do, no questions asked, he said. Everybody chipped in and everybody was willing to help. We were trying to alleviate some pain. Hoover and many residents likely never want to relive that pain. I just hope we never see it again, Hoover said. I hope nobody has to ever experience that night again. Nobody. Chambers said he has lived in Midland County all his life. That includes the historic flood of 1986, when the Tittabawassee River set a record 33.89-foot crest, nearly 10 feet past flood stage. 86 was a drop in the bucket compared to what happened, he said. The Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. have collected the majority of approvals needed from global antitrust regulators for a proposed $130 billion merger. Authorities in Canada and Mexico are the latest to clear the merger, with conditional approvals coming from both on Tuesday. Both Dow and DuPont expect to close the deal in August. Approvals from Canadas Competition Bureau and Mexicos Comision Federal de Competencia Economica (COFECE) come with similar conditions set by the European Commission and others around the globe, including requiring DuPont to divest part of its crop protection and research and development businesses and Dow to divest its ethylene acrylic acid copolymers and ionomers business. Neither Canada nor Mexico required either companies to make further divestments, according to Dow. The companies are working with remaining jurisdictions to obtain clearance. A Dow spokesperson did not name those jurisdictions. Dow and DuPont announced merger plans in 2015. The deal would combine two of the biggest chemical companies in the U.S. The proposed DowDuPont would spin off into three separate, independent businesses within 18 months. Material Sciences, to stay headquartered in Midland, would be the first spin-off. Agriculture and Specialty Products would be based in Wilmington, Delaware. The U.S. Department of Justice on June 15 cleared the merger, an agreement subject to court approval. Read more at http://bit.ly/2shVG6m MASON CITY | A man suspected of participating in a Mason City home burglary where $80,000 in jewelry was stolen will be tried Aug. 8. Jason I. Bendickson, 43, Mason City, is charged with felony first-degree theft and third-degree burglary in connection with the March 27 break-in at a residence in the 1800 block of 12th Street Northeast. He also is accused of escaping from the Beje Clark Residential Facility in Mason City on Aug. 29, 2016, which lead to a felony charge of escape from custody. Bendickson is being charged as an habitual felony offender, which could mean an enhanced penalty on all three charges if convicted. His previous felony convictions include burglary, theft and drug violations, according to court records. Clear Lake man gets suspended sentence for burglary, other crimes MASON CITY A Clear Lake man who fled Mason City police in December and was found three hou A warrant was served on Bendickson earlier this month while he was in the Ramsey County Jail in St. Paul, Minn. He is now in the Cerro Gordo County Jail. Co-defendant Debra R. Ewing-Swartz, 43, Mason City, is scheduled to be tried Aug. 8 after pleading not guilty to first-degree theft. Trial set for Mason City woman accused of stealing $30K diamond ring MASON CITY | A Mason City woman accused of stealing a $30,000 diamond ring is scheduled to b Ewing-Swartz, who is believed to have been a passenger in a vehicle driven by Bendickson and allegedly witnessed the burglary, is accused of taking a a 2.65-karat ring valued at $30,000 from the numerous items of stolen jewelry and wearing it for several weeks, according to court documents. A first-degree theft warrant has also been issued for 45-year-old Jonathan E. Rieman in the case. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On a normal day, the landfill in Midland takes in some 500 tons of household refuse, according to Janet Yuergens, Midlands assistant director of public services. On Monday, following one of the worst floods the city has seen, that number shot to 1,335 tons as crews finished day one of a special heavy item collection. Rolls of carpet. Couches. Beds. Electronics. Family photos and keepsakes mixed in. All tossed to curbs, ruined by floodwaters. The landfill logged triple the customers on Monday, Yuergens said. About 125 arrive on any given day. On Monday, there were 371. Crews started collecting in a rectangular section bounded by Eastman Avenue, Wackerly Street, Dublin Avenue and Saginaw Road on the north side of town. That was the area hardest hit by floods, according to the city. On Monday, they cleared Eastman Avenue to Woodview Pass between Wheeler and Wackerly; Eastman to West Sugnet to Washington/Andre to East Wheeler; and the East Wheeler/Congress/Mt. Vernon area. Crews also collected from Jefferson to Washington and Wheeler to Sugnet, Yuergens said, continuing to East Ashman south between Washington and Swede. Tuesday and Wednesday, collection resumed in the area of Eastman to Perrine Road between Wackerly and Saginaw, she said. Got a question about the landfill? See how it works at http://www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/faq.aspx?TID=27 The Tittabawassee River had fallen to about 18 feet by Wednesday morning. But Midland still is not out of the water. There are chances for thunderstorms Thursday, Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, which early Wednesday issued a hazardous weather outlook for Midland and 16 other counties in southeast Michigan. See the outlook at http://bit.ly/2tYmWE2 For more info, monitor the Tittabawassee River level at http://bit.ly/21Wjumj and follow alerts at www.midland911.org. A flood warning continues for the Saginaw River, which was slightly above the 17-foot flood stage on Wednesday morning but was expected to fall below flood stage that afternoon, according to the NWS. BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington High School sophomore has been chosen as a delegate to the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Lowell, Mass. Kobe Marshall, the son of Janel and Zach Miner of Bloomington, was selected based on his academic achievement, leadership potential and passion for science and technology. The congress, from Thursday to Saturday, is an honors-only program for high school students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). The purpose is to recognize and motivate top students in the country who aspire to be scientists and technologists, and provide a plan and resources to help them reach their goals. The three-day congress is sponsored by the Washington, D.C.-based National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. At BHS, Marshall runs track and aspires to become an architectural engineer. At the congress, he will join students from across the country and hear Nobel laureates and National Medal of Science recipients talk about leading scientific research; be given advice from deans of the world's top tech universities; hear from fellow teen science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future of science and technology. The Normal Town Council on Monday will consider an ordinance for the 2022 property tax levy estimated to be $13,381,652, which is the same as last year's levy. BLOOMINGTON Subdividing Bloomington's central business district into smaller zoning units may make it easier to redevelop a compact, energetic and walkable downtown, the city's community development director said. At its core could be a five-to-seven-block area bounded by Market, Front, East and Madison streets that could attract pedestrians to restaurants and retail shops with large windows and varied facades, said Tom Dabareiner. The warehouse district at the south end of downtown could be designed to encourage artists to live and work there. Changing downtown zoning is among proposed changes the Bloomington Planning Commission will consider as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the city's zoning ordinances. The commission is in the middle of drafting the revisions with the help of consultant Houseal Lavigne Associates. At the commission's meeting Wednesday, John Houseal, president of the Chicago-based consulting firm, reviewed proposed changes to the zoning regulations for agricultural, residential and public interest districts. The public interest district would be a new designation regulating universities, airports and public lands and institutions. "It was mostly just cleaning up and consolidating some things and trying to make the process a little simpler for developers who are coming in, and (for) the general public (to) have knowledge of what the zoning code is," said Commissioner J Balmer after the meeting. "We also wanted to bring into compliance properties that were not in compliance with what is outlined in the current zoning," he added. The city staff and the consultant are still tweaking proposed changes to the downtown zoning that the commission might review at its July 12 meeting, said Dabareiner. The staff and consultant believe Bloomington's B-3 Central Business District is too large geographically and hinders redevelopment, said Dabareiner. Breaking downtown into two or three subdistricts could address those concerns, Dabareiner told the Downtown Task Force Committee Tuesday. He said too many incompatible uses are permitted in the current central business district; there is no transitional area between the downtown district and adjoining residential neighborhoods; and its large geographical area does not create a core essence of a downtown. The consultant has suggested creating three districts: a core downtown district, a transitional district and a warehouse district. To make the core district attractive, restaurants and retailers would be located on the first floors of buildings, and building facades would differ every 30 feet or so, Dabareiner added. Even if it's the same building, the pedestrian needs that change. If they are walking along, it's perceived to be a farther distance to the end of a block if there is one building type the whole block, Dabareiner. If it's broken up using typical design tools, it's a little more friendly and inviting to a pedestrian. In that core area, we want to see windows on the first floor as much as we possibly can, said Dabareiner. Maybe we will have a requirement (for new development) that says windows along at least 70 percent of the first floor. Those requirements would be less in the transitional and warehouse districts, he said. "The warehouse district we're still working on that," said Dabareiner, adding it should be artist friendly and encourage innovation. "We want to encourage startups. We want fewer regulations. We want people living right where they are doing their work. But we have not really defined any of that." The code revisions, governing the types of businesses and structures that can be located in different parts of the city, is expected to be completed this fall. After all of the revisions are completed the planning commission will vote and forward them to the City Council for approval. NORMAL Normal Public Library could seek $6 million in private funding by 2020 as officials pursue a new building in the future Uptown South district. That's according to a fundraising plan approved by the library's board Wednesday. The library will pay about $66,000 for consultant Library Strategies to help fundraising for the new library over the next few years. OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is near the end of a $297,000 contract to develop preliminary designs for Normal library officials to use in fundraising. A cost estimate for the facility is still pending; previous estimates topped $20 million and were for smaller facilities than the most recent design. Under the Library Strategies deal, officials could expand the Normal Public Library Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supplementing the library's programming and fundraising, through 2017; study how to conduct a fundraising campaign, also this year; and do that campaign in 2018 and 2019. The campaign could include a yearlong "quiet phase," in which officials privately request donations that could total 85 percent to 95 percent of the $6 million goal, followed by a yearlong public phase, according to the plan. Library Director Brian Chase told the board each phase could take multiple years, and they could be equal in terms of fundraising. He said after the meeting those differences are because the plan is still in an early stage. "I think we're trying to be safe in our expectations so we don't set a timeline that we can't meet," he said. Library Strategies is a division of Friends of the Saint Paul (Minn.) Public Library that helps other libraries with projects, including fundraising campaigns. "There's a whole lot of work coming," said Board President Jess Ray of the plan. The library also is considering adding three full-time positions, in part to address preparations for the new library, starting in April. Chase told board members he's considering adding a communications director, development director and graphic designer in next year's budget, to be approved in August. "That's a short-term investment for long-term dividends, and the long-term return could be considerable," said Ray of the development director job. "It could be a self-funding prospect, but you've got to jump-start it at some point." Chase said it's too early to estimate salaries for those roles. In other business, the board: Appointed a new member, Joel Studebaker. He fills a two-year vacancy left by Sarah Grammer, who resigned after she was elected Normal Township supervisor April 4. Heard an update from Chase on the new library website, which was scheduled to launch in April. He said it's still under construction. Honored three town staffers retiring June 30: City Clerk Wendy Briggs, electrical inspector Rand Veerman and library employee Pixie Freymann. MASON CITY | As fireworks sales are underway in Mason City, police are encouraging responsible, legal use. Fireworks are becoming a nightly occurrence in Mason City even though it isn't legal to shoot them within city limits until July 3-4. The Mason City Police Department received 25 fireworks-related calls over the weekend of June 23-25 compared to just two during the same time period last year, Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said. Beginning Monday, department has received more than a dozen fireworks-related calls, according to its log. One of those calls was to Southbridge Mall, where juveniles allegedly set off a firecracker inside the building. Brinkley said the juveniles were not located. This year the Iowa Legislature passed a law allowing consumers to buy and use fireworks in the state for the first time in 75 years. However, Brinkley said people are still are "not completely tuned in" to the fact it's illegal to use them in Mason City except on July 3-4 and on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Fortunately, those who hear the loud noises are aware of what they are and report them to the police as fireworks rather than possible gunshots, according to Brinkley. He said this makes it much easier for officers to prioritize the calls. On Monday afternoon the Mason City police posted information their social media pages about the changes in the state law and the city's ordinance regarding fireworks. The guidelines encourages those who want to shoot fireworks to only do it during the legal hours on July 3-4; talk to people in the neighborhood who might be sensitive to their use; and do research on how to safely use fireworks. The legal hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4. "Hopefully we will figure out a happy balance so everyone can get along and co-exist," Brinkley said. Fireworks can be sold June 1 to July 8 and Dec. 10 to Jan 3, according to the new law. So far, the Mason City Fire Department has issued seven permits for fireworks sales -- three buildings and four tent structures. It was a busy first day Monday for Lindsay Kearns at the Bellino Fireworks stand in the Fareway parking lot in downtown Mason City. "We were a little late in opening up and there were about 10 people waiting to get in," said Kearns, a saleswoman for the company. A steady stream of customers roamed the premises under the large white tent Monday morning, looking for their favorite fireworks. "Too early to tell what the best sellers are," Kearns said, with a laugh. The Legislature left it up to individual counties and cities to determine when fireworks can be legally used during the sales periods. Fireworks can't be used on public property or within 200 yards of nursing homes, other care facilities, hospice units or a hospital, according to Mason City's ordinance. Fines for shooting fireworks outside the approved times and locations set by a municipality are determined by a judge and could be up to $500 per violation. Clear Lake and other North Iowa cities have banned consumers from discharging fireworks. Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth said his department has received 10 complaints about fireworks from June 1 through this past weekend. "That's nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year," he said. Roth said he expects the number of fireworks calls to "uptick a little bit" closer to July 4, but officers have been trained to deal with the situation. "We will be strongly enforcing it (the ban) where we can," he said. However, sometimes when officers arrive at the site where fireworks are allegedly being used, the people shooting them off have already moved on, Roth said. Roth noted Clear Lake has a beautiful annual fireworks display over the lake on July 4 that is professionally run. He encouraged those who love fireworks to attend. "We want to make sure people are safe and enjoying the Fourth," he said. Pet owners in Mason City and Clear Lake say the fireworks are scaring their dogs, said Sybil Soukup, executive director of the Humane Society of North Iowa. She said this is a concern every year around Independence Day, but this year with fireworks going off almost every night it is affecting the pet population more than ever. Dogs have been panicking and running away when people shoot off fireworks nearby, according to Soukup. All those who have run away that she knows of have been found, but "it can cause a lot of stress and trauma" to the animals, she said. Soukup advises dog owners to bring animals indoors during fireworks displays. She said it's a good idea to crate them if they are used to being crated. Dog owners should also close drapes and blinds to block out the flashing lights, she said. FARMER CITY An Illinois State Police trooper was remembered by friends Thursday as a hard worker, a good athlete and a good-hearted man with an unforgettable laugh. Ryan Albin, 37, died at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday at Carle Hospital in Urbana from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle crash about five hours earlier on Interstate 74 near Farmer City. He was the life of the party, said his friend, Chad Yeadon, who knew him since kindergarten. He had this crazy, obnoxious, yet funny laugh. It was the craziest laugh you ever heard. He was always going 100 miles per hour, but he would do anything for you. Yeadon was one of more than 150 people who gathered Thursday afternoon in downtown Farmer City to watch the end of a procession of about 120 police vehicles that escorted Albins body from Urbana to the Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral in Farmer City. He was a really good guy, Yeadon added. I just am having a hard time believing it. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and the funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, both at Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City, according to the funeral home and school district officials. The crash happened around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday and is still under investigation, but the preliminary investigation showed Albin and a commercial vehicle were in slowed/stopped westbound traffic approaching a merge area ahead of a construction zone when the crash occurred, police said. The trooper's canine partner, Biko, who was in the back seat of the squad car, was taken to an emergency veterinarian at the University of Illinois in Urbana, but the dog's injuries appear to be minor, police said. The truck driver, a 47-year-old Normal man, and his passenger, a 38-year-old Bloomington man, refused medical treatment, police said. They have not been identified. No tickets have been issued. An autopsy was scheduled Thursday. Albin grew up near Bellflower and attended Blue Ridge High School where he was an athlete, participating in track, baseball, basketball and football. He played football at Eureka College for Head Coach Darrell Crouch. He was a hard worker, was good around people and was a lot of fun to be around, said Crouch. He came from a really good family. His dad was an athlete at Eureka and so was his twin sister. "I was really, really proud of him. He was studying for a business degree, but did an internship with our football team," Crouch added. "He was such a good person and this is such a tragedy. He will be missed. Like most of Albins friends, Kyle Kopp of Farmer City remembers Albins laugh. I worked with him in the seed corn fields after he came out of high school and he just always did what he was asked and always super polite, he said. But he had this infectious laugh. You knew it was him and you loved that laugh. "He always did things with excellence. He never did anything halfway," Kopp added. "And I never saw him without a smile on his face. Peggy Lamb of Farmer City said the world needs more people like Albin. He was a one-in-a-million kind of guy, she said. He would do anything for you. The procession ended with a salute to Albin from the uniformed officers who participated in the procession. You cant watch that and not have it touch you, said Farmer City resident Rick Hopson. I didnt know Ryan, but I talked with several people this morning who did. "I have yet to hear anything negative about this man," Hopson added. "He was a police officer. He gave his life protecting us. Hes a hero. Albin joined the state police Jan. 8, 2006, and was assigned to Pontiac-based District 6 as a canine officer. Police agencies across the state have posted messages on social media expressing their sorrow and honoring Albin. Our hearts are heavy with grief as we mourn the loss of Trooper Albin, said ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz in a prepared statement. I extend my deepest sympathy to Trooper Albins family, friends, and co-workers. "I pray that those who cared for and loved him find the strength they need during this most difficult time. No further words can express the pain and loss we are all feeling. Albin was a trustee with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Troopers Lodge 41. I have been a State Police K-9 officer during my law enforcement career so I feel a special kinship with Ryan, whom I knew well from his active involvement with the FOP, said lodge President Joe Moon. Ryan was a friend, colleague and dedicated public servant," Moon added. "His loss touches everyone, and he will be deeply and sorely missed. Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Chris Southwood agreed that Albin was special. Simple words cannot express the profound grief we feel at the loss of our friend, colleague and law enforcement brother Ryan Albin, Southwood said. Ryan died performing a job he loved, protecting the citizens of Illinois and all who travel our state's highways. International Paper Acquires Europac's Tangier, Morocco Packaging Facility for EUR 40 Million The Tangier facility allows IP to further integrate its Kenitra mill as well as realize supply chain and converting synergies with the company's other box plants in Morocco. June 29, 2017 - International Paper announced yesterday that it signed an agreement to acquire Europac's Tangier box plant for 40 million Euros. With this acquisition, the company expects to realize significant synergies in its box system in Morocco as well as from the paper integration with the recently acquired Madrid, Spain, mill and its existing recycled containerboard mill in Kenitra, Morocco. International Paper obtained all relevant approvals by Moroccan authorities, including antitrust approval. Closing of the transaction is expected for the end of June. Packaging is a core business for International Paper and Morocco with its attractive investment climate and growing economy is a strategic priority for the company. As we are constantly aiming at providing superior value for existing and new customers, the Tangier box plant represents an attractive opportunity to further grow our successful corrugated packaging business in Morocco by complementing our existing asset base with a state-of-the art box making facility, said Eric Chartrain, Vice President & General Manager of International Paper's corrugated packaging business in EMEA. Moreover, the Tangier facility allows us to further integrate our Kenitra mill as well as realize supply chain and converting synergies with our other box plants in Morocco. This acquisition is a significant investment into the future of our corrugated packaging business in Morocco, our customers, our employees, and our communities, and we are excited to be making this strategic step, Chartrain added. Europac explained that it decided to sell the Tangiers plant in order to focus on a plan to grow its footprint in Spain with the goal of acquiring greater market share and strengthening its commercial policy and integration strategy in that region. Jose Miguel Isidro, Executive Chairman of the Europac Group, stated, We have always expressed our willingness to grow in a priority market such as Spain, especially in the packaging and recovered paper business lines . . . from the point of view of creating value for shareholders, our flexibility and adaptive capacity to establish priorities within a global strategy has led us to consider as advisable the sale of the Tangier factory. Organizationally, the Tangier facility will become part of International Paper's Moroccan corrugated packaging business. International Paper is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and Russia. To learn more, please visit: internationalpaper.com. SOURCE: International Paper and Europac International Paper Signs Agreement to Sell Foodservice Business in China International Paper's foodservice business in China has two plants and a workforce of approximately 200 employees. June 29, 2017 (Press Release) - International Paper today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its foodservice business in China to Huhtamaki Hong Kong Limited. International Paper's foodservice business in China has two plants and a workforce of approximately 200 employees. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next couple of months, subject to satisfaction of closing conditions, including obtaining required governmental approvals. Over the last two years, the company has finalized the sale of its corrugated packaging business in China and Southeast Asia, along with the sale of its interest in a coated board joint venture business in China. Although the Chinese and Asian markets remain strategically important for IP, the Company has determined these markets can more effectively be served through its Ilim joint venture in Russia and with products exported from the U.S. and other parts of the world. International Paper is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and Russia. To learn more, please visit: internationalpaper.com. SOURCE: International Paper Grand Opening of The Americas Smurfit Kappa Experience Center in Dallas The Garnd Opening in Dallas was celebrated with the first Innovation Awards for North America designers. Guests included sales teams, designers, customers and media. June 29, 2017 - The grand opening of The Americas Smurfit Kappa Experience Center took place June 15th in Dallas, Texas, with the first Smurfit Kappa North America Innovation Awards. The global network of Smurfit Kappa Experience Centers provide a place for customers to get hands-on experience of how packaging impacts every step of the supply chain. With state-of-the-art exhibitions, store visualisers and inspiration rooms, the Experience Centres have played an integral part in nurturing talent and innovation at the company. In the SKNA Innovation Awards guests walk through an exhibit of the best designs created for customers in North America and will see how some of Smurfit-Kapp's tools can make a difference for them. Guests are invited to participate in the judging of the selected production samples which are in the categories of Retail Ready, Consumer Packaging, Industrial Packaging, Displays and Sustainability. The Experience Center in Dallas is the first to be opened in The Americas and will be the regional center for Innovation. The Smurfit Kappa Global Experience Center is located in Amsterdam, close to the Schipol airport. Towards the end of 2017, Smurfit Kappa will have opened Experience Centers in Mexico City and Cali (Colombia), these are part of the global network of 17 centers. SOURCE: Smurfit Kappa Apple was to open their first store in Taiwan last year but the project got delayed. On June 11, 2017 we reported that Apple's first store in Taipei Taiwan would open this month but technically their store is opening this Saturday, July 1. Apple Taipei 101 officially opens Saturday at 11 a.m., bringing Apple's products, services and in-store experiences to customers in Taiwan for the first time. At the heart of every Apple Store is the drive to educate and inspire in a space where the community can come together to learn. Apple Taipei 101 will host new "Today at Apple" programs, including more than 60 free hands-on sessions designed for customers of all ages to take their creative skills to the next level around topics including photography and video, art and design, music, coding and more. Taipei 101 was formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center. In 2004 it was the tallest skyscraper in the world and remained so until the Burg Khalifa in Dubai in 2009. You could see a picture of that building in our report covering Apple's latest store in Dubai, here. Unveiled today for reporters, the store features Apple's latest store design. The Forum, centered around the video wall, is a vibrant gathering space and home to the new "Today at Apple" sessions. Avenues, inspired by window displays along a shopping street, line the store walls with interactive displays dedicated to music, creativity, photography, apps and more. Apple Taipei 101 will also offer hands-on training to entrepreneurs, developers and other business customers in The Boardroom. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. In March Patently Apple reported that three Southern U.S. States were battling it out for Samsung's new $300 million dollar appliance plant. Today we're learning that Samsung Electronics officially announced late yesterday that the company will build their appliance factory in South Carolina, marking the company's first major investment in the US since it relocated production facilities for US exports to Mexico in the early 1990s. The latest estimated cost for the plant will be $380 million dollars. The announcement was made during South Korean President Moon Jae-in's visit to Washington for his first summit with US President Donald Trump as shown below. At the event held in Washington DC, Moon said that the Korea-US alliance has grown from one focused on security to include economic issues, and has become stronger in the process. And that his administration is working to resolve security issues on the peninsula on the foundations of Korea-US alliance. "The new government will do its best to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue from the foundations of the firm Korea-US alliance," Moon said. Yoon Boo-keun, president of the consumer electronics division of Samsung Electronics, flew to Washington, as part of a group of business leaders who accompanied the president, with the intention of making the announcement. Yoon held a ceremony with South Carolina State Gov. Henry McMaster at a hotel in Washington to sign a letter of intent for the construction of the $380 million plant in Newberry County of South Carolina. The new South Carolina plant is expected to help ease mounting pressure on Korean manufacturers from the Trump administration, amid its protectionist moves. Once the facility begins full operations, it will create an estimated 950 new jobs, according to the company. "Samsung will strengthen its 40-year long presence in the US by securing this new production hub, as well as enhancing ties with American consumers, engineers and businesses," Yoon said. "Samsung's investment is great news for South Carolina and the United States, and it is a direct reflection of the fact that America is becoming an even stronger destination for global businesses looking to grow," said United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. "I congratulate Samsung on its expansion in the United States and wish the company success as it starts up its new facility in South Carolina." About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case On Seizure Of Iranian Artifacts on loan to the University of Chicago 06/28/17 Source: RFE/RL The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from several survivors of a 1997 suicide bombing in Jerusalem who want to seize Persian artifacts in U.S. collections to help pay a $71.5 million judgment against Iran over its alleged role in the attack. Battle over Persepolis Fortification Archive: Achaemenid Administrative Archives The Supreme Court said on June 27 it will review a lower-court ruling that said the U.S. victims of the suicide bombing could not go after collections of Persian antiquities that are owned by the Iranian government and are on long-term loan to the University of Chicago. Many of the artifacts, which have been on loan since 1937, are on display at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History. The victims accused Iran of providing training and support to the Palestinian group Hamas, which took responsibility for the attack. They won a judgment and sought the seizure of assets to pay the settlement after Iran's government refused to pay. The Supreme Court's next session starts on October 2. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Copyright (c) 2017 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org Related Articles: Major law firm enlisted by NIAC to protect Persian Tablets Washington DC - Thousands of priceless artifacts from Persepolis that are on loan to the University of Chicago risk being auctioned off to the highest bidder. In an effort to defend the collective cultural heritage of Iranian Americans, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) has secured pro bono representation from with Mayer Brown LLP with connection to the case, Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran. - By Shadee Malaklou (March 2008) Federal Court Threatens Iranian-American Heritage Tempers between the United States and Iran have flared over Iran's nuclear program and its alleged intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many have wondered if the two countries would ever find common ground. However, several controversial rulings in the United States federal court have resulted in just that: the United States' Justice and State Departments have momentarily put aside their differences with Iran in order to protect several thousand Iranian cultural artifacts. -By Arash Hadjialiloo, NIAC (March 2008) Achaemenid tablet translation remains unpublished due to lack of funding The translation of 2586 clay Achaemenid tablets has remained unpublished due to lack of government funding. The tablets, written in cuneiform, were discovered along with a great number of other inscriptions at Persepolis in 1933 by the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute. -MNA (January 2008) Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran (03c9370): Default Judgment against a Nation The recent ruling by Judge Manning of the United States District Court in Chicago on July 26, 2007 once again brings us back to the disheartening and disgraceful memories of one September day in 1997. Although the underlying terrorism case has been proceeding its routine legal process, such rulings put a stab in the heart and spirit of a nation which has tried to alienate itself from such accusations against its government. The pending case revolves on a $409 million default judgment. The question is whether a nation should pay for alleged terrorism charges/activities of its government and when that government ignores or defies the rule, it, the nation, should be punished. Iran & Chicago University United to Redeem Persian Tablets At last by representing itself in the US Federal Court thought appointing a lawyer, Iran and Chicago University have became allies to defend Iran's right over the loaned tablets at the US Court. -(July 2006) The Ghana Real Estates Developers Association (GREDA) is warning of a complete takeover of Accra by foreigners who are acquiring houses from Ghanaians at an alarming rate. According to GREDA Accra is becoming like Johannesburg; every property which is good is now owned by foreigners and we are moving to the outskirts. Speaking at the Housing festival organised by Citi Fm on the topic Fixing Ghanas housing problem, Executive Director for the Association, Samuel Amegayibor, attributed the development to the lack of regulation of the real estate industry. There is no regulation. Everybody is doing anything. For those of us who are selling properties, if you look at the statistics all the fine areas in Accra are being owned by foreigners now. Today, we are selling all our properties to foreigners and we are becoming watchmen and house boys servicing those properties. We have to do something about this alarming situation, he lamented. GREDA recommended the acquisition of large tracts of land and the creation of land banks as one of the solutions to the problems that have bedeviled land acquisition in the country. On management of lands, GREDA recommended the establishment of an Authority that would be solely responsible for sale of lands, so that if you are a chief or a family head and you have land, you register the land with that Authority so that its disposal would also go to through the same process so that we are certain that one body is dealing with the issue. Touching on some earlier suggestions from speakers at the same event, Mr Amegayibor pointed out that government providing infrastructure to ostensibly reduce the cost of lands was unlikely to be achieved. Go to where the infrastructure exists now and find out the cost of an acre of land. When you go to places like Labone, and Airport you are buying an acre for $2.5 milion so then what kind of property will a developer put on to even just defray the cost of land? The GREDA boss called on government to restore macro-economic stability to provide relief to estate developers through reduced cost of production. Chief Executive Officer of Appolonia Real Estate Developers, Mr Bright Amofa, also called for careful definition and articulation of Accras development plan to ease the congestion in the city. At Appolonia, we believe that the best model is to focus on development of major satellite towns and cities around Accra linked to the main city of Accra via major highways and rail links if possible, Mr Amofa recommended. Source: The Finder Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has urged African leaders to hasten the coming into being of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). According to President Akufo-Addo, if we remain resolute and see to its realisation, we will obtain a major boost to the development of our economies, and a considerable reduction on our dependence on foreign goods and services. It is the path to collective self-reliance and prosperity. It will be recalled that Heads of State and Governments who attended the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, in January this year, signed up to the implementation of the CFTA. The purpose of the free-trade area is to ensure significant growth of Intra-Africa trade, as well as assisting countries on the continent use trade more effectively as an engine of growth and for sustainable development. The CFTA will also reduce the vulnerability of the continent to external shocks, and will also enhance the participation of Africa in global trade as a respectable partner, thereby reducing the continents dependence on foreign aid and external borrowing. President Akufo-Addo was speaking at a State Banquet held in his honour by the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Edgar Lungu, on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, when he made this known. He noted that for a continent that has made the choice of pursuing integration, Africa has not done much in liberalizing and promoting trade amongst member countries. Research has shown that countries or groups of countries with the largest share of world trade are located within regions with the highest share of intra-regional trade. Trade between African nations remains low compared to other parts of the world, he lamented. In 2000, intra-continental trade accounted for 10% of Africas total trade, and increased marginally to 11% in 2015. Trading amongst members of the European Union, for example, amounted to 70% in 2015. Intra-African trade is still estimated at less than two percent (2%) of global trade. With these very low levels of trade and investment co-operation in Africa, we must put in place deliberate measures aimed at expanding trade and business collaborations to improve the prospects for prosperity of our peoples, he added. The coming into effect of the CFTA, the President was confident, would bring progress and prosperity to the African peoples. With Africas population of 1.2 billion set to expand to 2 billion people in 20 years, the President stressed that this means that a genuine continental market in Africa should be in our economic interest, for it will present immense opportunities to bring prosperity to the peoples in our continent with hard work, creativity and enterprise. It is for this reason that President Akufo-Addo noted that we should no longer delay the process of African integration. A functioning, common continental market has to be a very fundamental objective of all the peoples and governments on the continent, an objective that will consolidate the process of structural transformation of our national economies on which we must be engaged. Intensify Ghana & Zambia links President Akufo-Addo, in his remarks, also called for the intensification of the links between Ghanaian and Zambian enterprises. With Zambia and Ghana recording similar GDP growth rates in 2016, i.e., 3.3% and 3.6% respectively, as a result of high fiscal deficits, low investor confidence, falling commodity prices and low agricultural productivity, President Akufo-Addo explained that the time has come for the two countries to move away from being mere producers and exporters of raw materials. There can be no future prosperity for our peoples in the short, medium or long term, if we continue to maintain economic structures dependent on the production and export of raw materials. Unless we industrialise, with the goal of adding significant value to our primary products, we cannot create the necessary numbers of good-paying jobs that will enhance the living standards of the masses of our country, he said. To this end, President Akufo-Addo outlined a number of policies he has initiated since assuming office in January 2017, which has shifted the focus of Ghanas economy from taxation to production. He also applauded his Zambian counterpart for his recently approved National Development Plan, on the theme Accelerating development efforts towards vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind. The Zambian programme is hinged on the pillars of economic diversification and job creation, reduced poverty and vulnerability, reduced developmental inequalities, enhancing human development, and conducive governance environment for economic diversification, to create a diversified economy for sustained growth and economic development is highly commendable. The transformation of our two economies we seek through these measures should make our enterprises and businesses very competitive in Africa, and beyond, he added. 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. Featured Video BELMOND | Love of small-town Iowa has drawn Belmond-Klemmes new superintendent back to his home state. My wife and I were attracted to the Belmond-Klemme school and community because we are both from small towns ourselves, Dan Frazier said via email Tuesday. Iowa is our home state, and we were looking for someplace in the heart of Iowa to make our home. Belmond-Klemme is a good fit for us, Frazier said. Frazier, a Harlan native who is the son of two teachers, has degrees and certificates from Morningside College, the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Drake University and the University of Nebraska. He has taught at and overseen schools in Council Bluffs; Millard, Nebraska, and an U.S. Army base in the Marshall Islands, among others. Frazier was most recently superintendent in Litchfield, Minnesota, a position he held since 2012. Most of my career is in Iowa, so I am most happy to return to my home state, he said. Fraziers wife, Deanna, is a FEMA reservist. She reports to areas where there are national emergencies, assisting with relief efforts. His three-year contract which includes a $138,000 salary the first academic year begins July 1. Fraziers contract also stipulates he will receive 20 days of paid sick leave each year, accumulating to 105 days, and 23 vacation days. He will also receive paid single plus one or full family health and dental coverage, life insurance, an annuity paid through salary deduction and moving expenses not to exceed $5,000, and 25 cent per mile reimbursement when using his personal vehicle for business outside the district. Frazier joins the district during a time of considerable administrative turnover. He is the sixth superintendent at Belmond-Klemme since 2005. The previous one, Abe Maske, resigned suddenly in March after working there less than a year. There have also been significant changes in the elementary and secondary principal positions, Frazier said. The three licensed school administrators serving the district this year will have only one year of experience in the district among them, he said. However, all three of us bring prior experience and maturity to our roles. Another of the new administrators is Mark Young, who will be the districts pre-K-6 principal. Young, a longtime former Mason City School Board member, previously worked as Roosevelt Elementarys student support advocate for two years. Longtime Mason City Schools advocate accepts principal job in Belmond MASON CITY | This fall will mark the first time in three decades Mark Young wont directly b Frazier said administrators will work as a team, focusing our efforts on the best interests of all the students of the school district. He said he and the other newcomers will develop strong working relationships, both within the school and throughout the community. We enjoy the advantage of having a strong school staff and supportive community, Frazier said. We will leverage those strengths and seek what our school staff and community want for their school. As servant leaders, our work is not about us, but rather how we can bring forward the ideas of our stakeholders and create momentum toward improving our service to students, he said. Frazier said he was impressed the mid-sized North Iowa district, which had an enrollment of 812 during the 2016-17 academic year, is a 1:1 school, providing a digital device to each student. If Iowa schools are to remain competitive on an international level, we need to offer a 21st Century curriculum, and we need to provide digital learning tools to fuel more powerful and purposeful instruction, he said. President Akufo-Addo has admonished Zambians to close their ranks in the interest of nation building. He observed that developments in that country and the political tension that characterized the last elections where the margin of victory for the winner was some 100,000 votes, had left many worried, because Zambia is one of democracys success stories on the continent. Speaking at a state banquet held in his honour by the president of the Republic of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, during his 3-day official visit to that country on Tuesday, he noted, I have not come here to pass judgement, neither have I come here to find out who is right or who is wrong. Appeal Instead, he indicated, I have come here to say that as political actors, whether in government or in opposition, we should prove to the world that we respect the rule of law and are willing and able to submerge our individual and partisan preferences for the common good in the development of our countries. He charged, We should demonstrate that it is not the ambitions of Mr. A or Mr. B, neither is it the fortunes of party X or party Y, which we seek to advance. The stability and progress of Zambia, and indeed, of all our countries, and the enhancement of our democracies should be the paramount consideration that must guide every action of Zambians and all of us Africans in our respective countries. Concerns Whilst thanking the people and successive governments of Zambia for the hospitality extended to Ghanaians resident there over the years, President Akufo-Addo raised for the consideration of the relevant authorities a matter which has been outstanding for some time. This involves the longstanding issue of the non-payment of pension monies due a group of retired Ghanaian teachers who have contributed towards educating a large segment of the Zambian society. It is time this issue was satisfactorily resolved, and my information is that, happily, positive efforts are now being made towards that end. Let the end come soon, he appealed. Ghana-Zambia Relations It was the hope of President Akufo-Addo that Ghana and Zambia continually search for ways to co-operate during the tenures of office of the two leaders. I have no doubt that together, we can forge a new, strong partnership for cooperation between our two nations for the mutual benefit of our two peoples, he added. The New Africa President Akufo-Addo reiterated his persuasion that Africa is breeding a new generation of leaders who are committed to governing their peoples according to the rule of law, respect for individual liberties and human rights, and the principles of democratic accountability. These leaders, he stressed, are looking past commodities to position their countries in the global marketplace at the high end of the value chain; leaders who are determined to free their peoples from a mindset of dependence, aid, charity and hand-outs; leaders who are bent on mobilizing Africas own immeasurable resources to resolve Africas problems; leaders who recognise the connectedness of their peoples and economies to those of their neighbours. This generation of African leaders, according to President Akufo-Addo, must not fail the longsuffering African masses, stressing, They must help bring dignity and prosperity to our continent and its peoples. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The former District Chief Executive for Agona East, Dr. Martin Luther Obeng has slated the Technical Advisor to the vice president, Dr. Gideon Boako for accusing the Mahama-led government of selling 58 percent of Ghanas bauxite concession to Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President Mahama. According to Dr. Boako, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has no business cautioning the NPP administration against leveraging Ghanas natural resources, specifically bauxite through its recent partnership with China. Mr. Boako made the revelation while responding to former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseinis caution against governments partnership with the Chinese government. I want to ask the former Minister which part of the concession did they sell to the brother of the former President? They sold 58 percent on 29th December 2016 when they were leaving office. The NDC government sold 58 percent of our bauxite concession to the former Presidents brother. The one they sold to him was it possible to mine or not? They should stop this argument, he said. But speaking on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, Dr. Martin Luther Obeng noted that the accusation by the Economic Advisor to the Vice President is false. That is a lie. He should not rope Ibrahim Mahama in their mess. He was emphatic that the Chinese government rather granted Ghana a loan and not partnership as purported by government officials. They should come back again and tell Ghanaians that they went in for a loan. What they are saying that they are going into bauxite partnership. That is not true. What they are telling us is not true, he told host Kwesi Aboagye. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com /Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A nationwide clamor for the comeback of immediate past President, John Dramani Mahama has taken an interesting twist as some taxi drivers in the country have kick start a campaign to prevail on the former President to stake another claim to Ghanas presidency. The campaign, code named #bringbackJM, according to the cab drivers, is to appeal to Mr Mahama to yield to calls to contest the 2020 presidential elections in order to continue the good works he was doing before his presidency was truncated in the 2016 election. Majority of taxi of drivers interviewed by The aL-hAJJ in the capital city, Accra, on the leadership struggle in the opposition National Democratic Congress over who leads the party into the 2020 elections, endorsed Mr Mahama as the marks man to kick out the Akufo-Addo government. Apart from Mahama, the NDC does not have anybody to present for the election. Majority of the taxi drivers have started campaigning for Mahama ahead of time, one of the taxi drivers noted. Explaining why they have started a campaign to get Mr Mahama to contest the 2010 elections, another taxi driver told this paper that their plights have worsened over the six months that President Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party have been in charge of the country. According to the cab workers, Ghanaians in general are feeling the economic pinch, adding that, this has affected their business because when worker A polling station organizer of the NPP in Suhum Krobea in the Suhum Constituency, Korsi Dogbe, has also revealed that cab drivers in the area and NPP supporters have vowed never to vote for the President Akufo-Addo in the next presidential election. Stating how dejected and disappointed they are in the President, Korsi Dogbe, who doubles as Chairman of taxi drivers in Suhum, said President Akufo-Addo hoodwinked them into voting for him with the promise of appointing their MP, Frederick Opare Ansah, as Minister. The NPP polling station organizer said he has advised all the cab drivers not to vote for President Akufo-Addo in any election again, saying in the next election, Nana will not secure even a single vote here. We are ready to work and campaign for any political party that approaches us. As for President Akufo-Addo, we are disappointed in him. We will not campaign for him again, he stated. On their parts, taxi drivers at Nungua in the Krowor constituency told The aL-hAJJ that, though they supported and voted for Akufo-Addo in last years election hoping to better their lives as Akufo-Addo promised, they have since regretted. One of them said the Akufo-Addo government has lost the goodwill of Ghanaians, hence their call on Mr Mahama to contest the election and continue from where he left off, insisting that those who voted for Akufo-Addo are quietly waiting for Election Day 2020 to kick him out. Everybody is quiet because they voted for this government so they are ashamed to come out to say the government is not performing. They have remained quiet waiting for Election Day to vote against this government. Everybody is quiet. The only people saying good things about NPP are the serial callers who have been given monies to call into radio stations to promote government. No individual is saying anything good about this government, the driver noted. At Kaneashie Korle Bu/Mamprobi taxi station, the cab drivers there could not hide their admiration for Mr Mahama whom they say, they were deceived to vote against him in the 2016 elections. Recounting some of the achievements of the former President, one of the drivers said within three years, look at the infrastructure projects that Mahama executed; school buildings, hospitals - when you go to Kumasi, the kind of market he has built there is amazingwhen you go to my hometown, Akwatia in the Abetifi area, the hospital he has built there will surprise you. Someone has used just three years to build 200 SHS blocks; even if he did not complete some of the buildings before exiting office, at least he laid the foundation. Go to Nkrumah circle, Kasoaas for Tema he didnt finish it before leaving office but its still under construction , if we had added four years to his (Mahamas) term, what do you think he would have done for Ghana? the driver sarcastically quizzed. At Ofankor Barrrier in the Trobu constituency where it is believed majority of the taxi drivers are NPP sympathizers, some of them cast doubt about the success of the Akufo-Addo government, saying President Akufo-Addo may not be able to match the records of his predecessor. Akufo Addo himself knows that he cannot deliver even half of Mahamas achievements ...the road projects he (Mahama) started when he was in office are still ongoing, he has paid for them so the contractors are still working. You cannot abrogate those contracts because he has paid for them. Ghanaians will now determine who is competent and who is noteven Bawumia who described Mahama as incompetent has been sidelined, the Senior Minister has taken over his post. That is how they behave, under former President Kufuor, Aliu Mahama was also sidelined and Mpiani was doing his work. The Northerners were warned but they failed to listennow Bawumias job has been assigned to someone else. He is just a ceremonial vice president, the drivers mockingly told this paper. One of them narrated how the taxi business has gone bad over the last six month saying last year, I close by 3 or 4 pm but now even after 8 PM Im still working because Ive not made by sales. You can roam for an hour without getting a passenger. Now any place at all, regardless of the distance, you must go other than that you cannot make sales. The drivers clamor for the comeback of former President Mahama comes at a time kingpins and rank and file of the NDC are calling on the former President to stage a comeback. Though the former President himself has not officially declared his intention to run for president again, there are strong indications that he will make a comeback. Among NDC big shots rooting for the former President is former Chief of Staff, Nana Ato Dadzie, who is insisting that Mr Mahama is the most reliable candidate ahead of the polls. To me, I think he is the best bet [provided he would have learnt his lessons]. He would have to agitate among his people and the populace and then come out with credible positions, he said. So far some NDC heavyweights have been mentioned as interested in leading the party into the 2020 elections. They include former vice Chancellor of UPSA, Prof Joshua Alabi; former CEO of NHIA, Sylvester Mensah; 2nd Deputy Speaker, Alban Bagbin; former Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Ekow Spio Gabrah and former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor. But many have said that if Mr John Mahama decides to contest the NDCs primaries, he will whip all the flag bearer hopefuls. This observation, according to the taxi drivers, is the reality in Ghana, saying Beginning next year, Ghanaians will start clamoring for Mahamas comeback According to the drivers, though Mr Mahama has not made public his decision to stage a comeback, they are hopeful that he will contest the 2020 elections. What Rawlings said at the NDCs 25th anniversary rally that the jockey must be encouraged to ride the horse is allegorical. His reference to Asiedu Nketsiah as not fit for flag bearer, signals that they want to encourage Mahama to stage a comeback. We have a lot of people as taxi drivers in this countryif we decide to vote against your government, you will definitely exit power because we are many a lot of people have regretted voting for Akufo-Addo. That is the reality, they noted. Source: Al-hajj Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Technical Advisor to the vice president, Dr. Gideon Boako has lambasted the Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Mr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson for comment he described as needless. The minority in Parliament criticised the government for negotiating about $19billion with China, and indicated that the amount which they insist is a loan would plunge the country into a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) status. "It is going to plunge the country into an era of debt distress. We are going to be very stressed as debt is concerned. "Ghana's GDP is approximated at $45 billion. They are giving us a debt half of the size of the country's economy. Ghana is going to be debt stressed because of this," Mr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson said during a press briefing. However, on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, Dr. Gideon Boako says its rather unfortunate for such comment to be uttered by someone who was Ghanas Deputy Finance Minister. Ato Forson is either doing politics with this issue or he is not knowledgeable with issues like this, he told host Kwesi Aboagye. Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia led the government team for the $15billion funding partnership agreement and commitment reached between the Government of Ghana and China. There is an opening for an additional GHc4 billion during his recent visit to that country. Even though the minority has maintained that the fund is a loan from the Chinese government - Dr. Gideon Boako has emphatically stated that the fund is not a loan but rather a joint business venture between the two countries. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Economic Advisor to the Vice President, Godwin Boako, has said the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has no business cautioning the NPP administration against leveraging Ghanas natural resources, specifically bauxite through its recent partnership with China, since the former sold 58 percent of Ghanas bauxite concession to Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President Mahama. Mr. Boako made the revelation while responding to former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseinis caution against governments move. Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Boako said, I want to ask the former Minister which part of the concession did they sell to the brother of the former President? They sold 58 percent on 29th December 2016 when they were leaving office. The NDC government sold 58 percent of our bauxite concession to the former Presidents brother. The one they sold to him, was it possible to mine or not. They should stop this argument. Mr. Inusah Fuseini had warned that the potential mining of Bauxite could see the Atiwa forest reserve in Kyebi and other natural resources in specific areas compromised. Alhaji Inusah Fuseini But Mr. Boako in a rebuttal assured that government with the help of the Minerals Commission will not flout the rules as far as mining of Bauxite is concerned. We are in government. We know the concession that is viable and ready to be mined and we will go for that. If there is an area that we are not suppose to mine, we will not flout that rule. The Minerals Commission knows all the concessions in Ghana that have bauxite so if clearly there is a particular concession that is not possible to mine, the Minerals Commission will make that available to government and we will not be the first government to overstep the laws of the country to do something that is illegal. As far as we are concerned, we are talking about bauxite deposits at Kyebi and the understanding we have from the Minerals Commission is that all of them are possible to mine. Chinese facility The offer from the Chinese government was made during the Vice Presidents five-day official visit to the country, at the invitation of the Chinese government. It is the first by a high level government official since the New Patriotic Party took office in January 2017. Dr. Bawumia led a delegation of Ministers and government officials to the Asian country in a quest to deepen diplomatic and economic ties, as well as create opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to form partnerships with their Chinese counterparts. Source: citifmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A deadly bungee jumping incident in Spain could lead to criminal charges against the operator, according to prosecutors. Vera Mol, a 17-year-old from the Netherlands, was killed after she allegedly misunderstood a request from her instructor and jumped without a properly secured harness. Her instructor allegedly said No jump, its important, no jump, which she apparently misheard as Now jump. An appeals court in northern Spain has upheld a ruling that the instructor for Aqua21 Aventura can be held criminally liable for what happened, including a charge of accidental homicide, if prosecutors decide to press ahead. The company appealed this last year, claiming that Mol had jumped prematurely, and that it had been an accident. The court countered by saying that the instructor had spoken in broken English that should never have been used in a life or death circumstance like that. The instructor should have said, Dont jump, rather than No jump, the court said. They also found that proper measures were not in place, and that the company didnt even have the proper permits to jump where they did. Though the ruling on this appeal from last year was issued on June 7, it was only made public just now. Its now up to prosecutors to decide whether they want to formally proceed with the case. Source: New York Times. Photo: Supplied / Facebook. A beloved and somewhat famous crow in Vancouver, Canada, so tormented mailmen that delivery to three houses was stopped for about two months. Locals, and his legion of fans, recognise Canuck the crow because of the red tag around his ankle. And we are not exaggerating when we say legion: Canuck has his own Facebook page, run by local man Shawn Bergman, which boasts over 60,000 likes, and hosts 2000 pictures of the crow, as shared by both Bergman and fans. Canuck was found as a hatchling who had fallen from his nest, and was then raised, fed and groomed by Bergmans landlords son. He was released when he was strong enough to fly, but just never left the area, becoming a beacon of the community. Bergman posted on Friday about Canucks relationship with the mailmen. When this all started, it was crow nesting season in Canada, so in the following story, Canuck is trying to defend his home. Apparently, over a number of days, he bit mailmen until they bled every time they tried to deliver the mail to Bergmans home and two adjacent properties. That is until Canada Post decided it wasnt worth trying and suspended mail delivery to all three homes. Bergman has since been trying to communicate with Canada Post about reinstating the mail run, keeping in mind the safety of both the mailmen and Canuck. Canada Posts Darcia Kmet explained to the BBC: Regular mail delivery was suspended to three homes due to it being unsafe for our employees. We are monitoring the situation when delivering the mail to other residents on the street. If our employees believe it is safe to deliver to those three addresses, they do so. Bergman was at first unsuccessful in his negotiations, receiving either no or dismissive replies from Canada Post, until yesterday, when all of a sudden mail delivery resumed. But this altercation with Canada Post is not the first time that Canuck has gotten in trouble with authorities. In fact, Canuck has established himself worldwide as a troublemaker, allegedly becoming embroiled last year in a crime scene investigation. A man threatened Vancouver police with a knife in May 2016. The man was subdued and arrested, and the knife was put aside as evidence. But then a crow with a red tag like Canuck tried to swoop off with the knife, but was chased by police, so dropped it. That sounds like a very Canuck thing to do. Hes meddlesome, he is. Look at him meddling with a flower earlier this month: Shocking. Source: Mashable. Photos: Facebook. A Brissy doctor who had sex with a vulnerable patient, then hired a private investigator to cover it up, has today been banned from practising medicine in Oz for four years. In 2011, Muhammad Azam was supposed to be treating the woman for mental health issues when he tried to kiss her at his office: What are you doing? Dont you want to kiss me? Youre beautiful. At the womans next appointment, he took her to a bushland park to have sex with her, before paying her $300 to buy herself and her daughter a gift. The woman then complained to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. But Azam hired a private investigator to pressure her to withdraw the complaint. The PI posed as Kevin, a man whose daughter also had a bad experience with Azam. Kevin spent several months trying to convince her to retract her statement. Azam also offered the woman $2000, stalked her by showing up at her house and her daughters school, and wrote her discouraging letters about the amount of media attention she would receive. The woman told a Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing that she felt used and humiliated. Judge Suzanne Sheridan said that Azam showed no remorse or awareness of his gross predatory conduct. His practitioner registration has been revoked, and he will not be able to reapply for four years. Source: Townsville Bulletin. Photo: Roberto Machado Noa / Getty. CHARLES CITY | A Charles City home was damaged Wednesday morning by a fire authorities say was caused by a malfunctioning bathroom exhaust fan. The fire at 902 E St. was reported by a neighbor via 911 around 10:43 a.m., according to a news release from the Charles City Fire Department. Firefighters upon arrival reported smoke coming from the residence's exterior roof vents. The department said it found fire near the kitchen and bathroom ceilings and quickly extinguished the majority of the blaze. Firefighters found that some fire had spread up into the roof. They opened vent holes in the roof to also put out hot spots in that area. No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. Two cats were rescued from the residence and are OK, according to the fire department. The home is owned by Douglas and Wendy Ross, according to online property records. It sustained light to moderate fire, smoke and water damage, especially in the kitchen and bathroom into the roof above those rooms, authorities say. The Charles City Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Charles City Police Department, AMR Ambulance, Floyd County Search and Rescue, Floyd County EMA and MidAmerican Energy. CLEAR LAKE | The Clear Lake Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle motorcycle collision at the intersection of Highway 18 and 1-35 Thursday afternoon. Two motorcycles collided coming off of the 194 exit on to Highway 18, according to Clear Lake Fire Department. The collision occurred when the back motorcycle ran into the front motorcycle and caused it to tip over. One female was transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa by Mason City Fire Department with an apparent leg injury. The victim has not yet been identified and her condition is unknown. The accident remains under investigation. Mason City Fire Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Clear Lake Police Department assisted on the scene. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to members of the media on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. When it comes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, Canada can safely claim the title of biggest loser in terms of lawsuits.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld FILE - This Oct. 15, 2002 file photo shows bomb wreckage from the Sari night club and surrounding buildings in Kuta, Bali. Two explosions killed 202 people and left hundreds injured in the worst ever terrorist attack in Indonesia. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty against a Guantanamo Bay detainee accused of orchestrating the deadly bombings in Indonesia and other attacks, a U.S. military official said Wednesday, June 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File) CLEAR LAKE | Two employees at Tony's Tire Center in Clear Lake were hospitalized after the airbag of a trailer they were working on exploded Thursday. One of the employees was either touching the airbag or was near it when it exploded, according to Josh Pokorney, public information officer with the Clear Lake Fire Department. The trailer then fell onto the hand of the other worker, Pokorney said. Both men were taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. Pokorney said their injuries were not life-threatening. The Clear Lake Police Department and the Mason City Fire Department provided assistance at the scene. Mary Pieper JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) The Alaska Legislature, motivated by the threat of a government shutdown, approved a plan late Thursday to fund state operations for another year. The proposal, advanced by budget negotiators and passed by the House and Senate, would continue to draw from savings to help fill the states multibillion-dollar deficit, something Gov. Bill Walker had hoped to avoid. It also would fully fund K-12 education, provide $57 million for oil and gas tax credits and limit to $1,100 the size of this years dividend check Alaskans receive from the states oil-wealth fund, the... New study looks at northwest Michigan's seasonal economy Networks Northwest recently published data on the region's seasonal population, workforce and the increasing relevance of short-term rentals. Sen. Bill Cassidy struck a cautious but critical tone on Republicans' plans to repeal and replace Obamacare, urging more than "tinkering" to improve the Senate bill, insisting that "Trump voters" should "truly have coverage." The Louisiana Republican, who is also a physician, was interviewed on CNN Wednesday morning -- a day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shelved plans to vote this week on the Better Care Reconciliation Act -- and said that he "will make a decision as to how I will vote once we see the final product." But Cassidy made clear significant changes needed to take place. "We need to make it so if somebody goes off Medicaid, on private insurance -- which is good -- that they can still afford it," Cassidy said. "We have to make it so those Trump voters, who voted for Donald Trump because he said he was going to help them have coverage, truly have coverage." Cassidy said he agreed with Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who said that "tinkering" with the legislation stalled in the Senate won't be enough. "I think she's probably right," Cassidy said. "Tinkering will not do it. President Trump said the House bill should have more money added to it. Instead, the Senate bill took $200 billion more away. That's $200 billion less you have for coverage." He continued, "I don't consider $200 billion tinkering. But if we do what President Trump suggested, that we put more money in to try to improve the coverage for those Trump voters, who were told on the campaign trail they would have coverage, their pre-existing conditions addressed ... if we take care of those Trump voters -- which is to say all Americans, but just the representative that voted for Trump, that believed his pledge -- then we will do the right thing." "That will be more than tinkering. That will be a surprise that will be substantial," he said. Cassidy also expressed frustration with the lack of bipartisanship in the health care debate. The Louisiana Republican was frustrated of a Politico report that recapped the efforts of Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to keep Democrats united against Obamacare repeal. "I don't like the process. I wish it had been bipartisan. But that article indicates there was no hope for it. I hate to say it, but Mitch was right. We were not going to get assistance. And that's regrettable. It should be about patients. It was made about party. That's too bad," Cassidy said. He pointed to the alternative health care legislation that he and Collins had introduced, called the Patient Freedom Act, as an "earnest" attempt at bipartisan compromise. U.S. oil exports up 1,600 percent in four years Suddenly the U.S. is exporting crude more than a bunch of OPEC members. So will the U.S. be joining OPEC ? NEW YORK Petroleumworld 06 29 2017 Move over, Equatorial Guinea. Slide aside, Gabon. Make room, Ecuador. There's a new major oil exporter on the world stage, and it's the United States of America. Most people know that the shale revolution has turned the U.S. into a big producer of oil, allowing it to become less reliant on imports. What's less known is how much oil it has been shipping abroad lately. U.S. exports in the first three months of 2017 exceeded those of five of the 14 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The OPEC estimates come from Lloyd's Apex, which supplies its data to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Congress outlawed most exports in 1975 in reaction to the Arab oil embargo. As recently as 2013, U.S. crude exports, amounting to less than 50,000 barrels a day, were dwarfed by those of even the smallest OPEC members. But as domestic production increased, the U.S. ramped up sales to countries that were exempted from the ban by free-trade agreements. Some American oil was shipped to Canada to dilute the heavy oil coming from Alberta's tar sands. Congress voted in December 2015 to lift the export ban. It took awhile for domestic producers to line up customers, but by early this year export volumes were soaring, as this chart shows. So will the U.S. be joining OPEC? No chance. OPEC is an illegal price-setting cartel under U.S. antitrust law. Plus, U.S. interests don't align with those of OPEC, because even though the U.S. does export crude, it still imports about 10 times as much. But that hasn't stopped some other big oil exporters from trying to bring the U.S. into the fold. This year a former energy minister of Russiawhich sometimes confers with OPEC on production invited the U.S. to talk about coordinating production. And Nicolas Maduro, the flailing president of OPEC member Venezuela, said last year that the U.S. should attend OPEC meetings "because they are a big producer and they can't be isolated from this and be lured by analysts, warmongers or anti-Russia sectors." Go figure. Springfield Township Republicans have created a new lawn sign in response to Hate Has No Home Here signs that sprouted after President Trumps election. Read more Thanks to Helen Ubinas for alerting Daily News readers to the new Republican lawn signs, titled "Love Lives Here." The signs talk about Republicans' love of God, family, friends, country, community and the U.S. Constitution. I've been distributing these signs, and I have a good idea of the rationale behind them and why I think they are a good idea. Sure, they might be a pushback against the "No Home for Hate" signs, but they are also a lawn manifesto of conservative values. They are also seen as a positive affirmation against the meme that Republicans and conservatives are mean and callous. This label on conservatives has been particularly virulent during the debate over repealing Obamacare. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said, "I've read the Republican 'health care' bill. This is blood money. They're paying for tax cuts with American lives." Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders issued similar statements. This rhetoric from a leading Democrat in the wake of the shooting of Republican Rep. Steve Scalise is more demonizing rather than debating. It is exactly the type of statement that breeds resentment. It feeds into the notion of those vowing to resist Trump at all costs that physical action might be needed to stop him and conservatives from killing people. When I talked with Bob Gillies, the creator of the "Love Lives Here" signs, he told me he and his fellow Springfield Township Republicans are trying to use their signs to inform new people moving into Montgomery County that Republicans are not haters, racists or exclusive. The signs have become so popular that he is getting orders from around the country. He will soon roll out T-shirts, tote bags and many other items. Would you be offended if you saw someone wearing the shirt? Would the tote bag set you off? Would the expression of love of God make you think the shirt wearer wants to dictate morals to you? Would the love of country make you feel your patriotism is under fire? Would love of the U. S. Constitution require a trigger warning so you could avoid seeing it? The battle over lawn signs is much more than a conservative versus liberal spat. It is a battle between traditional America and non-traditional America. President Trump's election just took it to a new and ubiquitous level. I see the "No Home for Hate" signs as virtue signaling, which, to me, is taking a conspicuous action to show your virtue or goodness. These signs started to appear very soon after Trump was elected. They didn't start when he instituted the refugee ban. They clearly state that the homeowners with signs feel Trump is a hater and bigot. Many of my listeners who support Trump feel the signs are calling them bigots and haters. This makes them annoying at best and offensive at worst. That might be why Republicans are embracing the new signs. The head of the New Britain/Chalfont Republicans told me on my radio show that their float for the big July Fourth parade will consist of arranging the "Love Lives Here" signs on the float to tell everyone these are the values that move them and everyone is welcome. He emphasized that the float was an attempt to get people to talk with Republicans and get to know them. I have no problem with either side using lawn signs to get their message out. Some conservatives have contacted me to object, saying that placing the American flag at your house is the only symbol needed. I think these signs will make for interesting conversations across many Delaware Valley neighborhoods. If you're interested in the signs, T-shirts, tote bags, etc. reach Bob Gillies at www.LoveliveshereintheUSA.com . This is the hottest item I've ever given out in all my years of doing talk radio in Philadelphia. I feel Gillies and the others were inspired when they created the signs. I'm glad Ubinas and other media sources are covering the lawns of the area. It should be an interesting summer. One year after Ikea recalled 29 million potentially unstable dressers following the deaths of seven children, safety advocates are issuing a stark warning: The recall wasn't good enough. Only 3 percent of the dressers had been repaired or returned as of January, the most recent reliable data available, a group of advocates that includes the Consumer Federation of America said. In a letter sent Wednesday to the chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, they said Ikea hasn't done its part to get the products out of homes or sufficiently highlighted the threat. "They quickly kind of gloss over the recall and go right to their 'secure it' message. Which is fine people do need to secure their furniture," said Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids in Danger, a nonprofit that tracks recall effectiveness. "But their goal should be to get back as many of those 29 million dressers as they can." An Ikea spokeswoman said Thursday that the company has invested millions of dollars, and gone beyond what its agreement with the government required, to inform consumers about the recall. In a statement, Anne Marie Buerkle, acting chairwoman of the safety commission, did not respond to the advocates' concerns other than to say that the CPSC has been working diligently to make the recall "more effective" and that Ikea has been "cooperative" in the process. She urged consumers who own a recalled Ikea dresser but have not taken part in the recall to "do so today." Own an Ikea chest of drawers? Find out if it's recalled and what to do next. Last year's recall was stunning in its scope. After acknowledging that three toddlers in two years had died when unsecured Ikea dressers toppled onto them, the company offered full or partial refunds for 29 million dressers, about eight million of them from its popular Malm line. Some were sold more than a decade ago. The company also offered to pick up the dressers directly from consumers or send someone to consumers' homes to anchor the dressers for them. If unanchored, the recalled dressers pose a substantial risk of tipping onto children, the company has acknowledged. They do not meet the industry-accepted test for stability, which was created to ensure that even dressers not tethered to the wall can remain upright if pulled on by a child. Ikea provided about 439,000 wall-anchoring kits under the repair program, then addressed 126,000 more dressers through either anchoring kits or refunds in the recall's first month. From there, the numbers generally trended downwards, with about 71,000 products addressed in the recall's fifth full month, according to monthly reports filed by Ikea. Though more recent numbers have not been released by the agency, the safety advocates said recalls typically draw the largest response immediately following the announcement, so it is unlikely the overall number of products addressed has changed dramatically in the last several months. The recall came after Ikea in 2015 attempted to address the threat with what it called a repair program. Under an unusual agreement with federal safety officials, Ikea was allowed to keep selling the dressers, though they didn't meet safety standards, and send replacement wall-anchoring kits to consumers who requested them. Word of the repair program did not make it to the parents of Ted McGee, a 22-month-old Minnesota boy who was suffocated under a tipped Malm dresser in his bedroom in February 2016, about six months after the program was announced. As part of the recall, Ikea agreed to redesign a majority of its dressers and now says all dressers it sells meet industry safety standards. That does not address the millions of potentially dangerous Ikea dressers still in homes across the country, the advocates warned Wednesday. They said they were "dismayed" by Ikea's "lack of preparation for the recall," pointing to reports that shortly after it was announced Ikea's recall hotline was overwhelmed and began disconnecting callers with no option to leave a message. "Many of those consumers will probably not re-engage to participate in the recall especially with a decline in messaging from Ikea on the recall leaving dangerous tipping dressers unsecured in homes across the country," the advocates said in their letter. Cowles said Ikea also quickly pivoted from primarily telling consumers about the recall to promoting its "Secure It" campaign, which stresses the importance of consumers' anchoring their dressers, but not the gravity of getting the recalled products out of homes. She and the other advocates called on Ikea to increase its messaging about the recall and on the Consumer Product Safety Commission to assess whether Ikea had met its requirements under the recall or if enforcement is necessary. In her statement, Ikea spokeswoman Mona Astra Liss said the company had spread word of the recall in stores, online, through the media, through its Ikea Family shopper club, and in national print, digital and television advertising. She said the response from consumers "exceeded our expectations," and acknowledged it resulted in "temporary logistical challenges." "We will continue to invest in new ways of communicating both about the recall, and also about the need for wall attachment because the issue of furniture tip-over is not limited to one company or one product," Astra Liss said. She declined to say how many of the recalled products had been returned or repaired and how often in the last month the company has shared word of the recall with consumers via social media. The safety advocates are not the first to raise concerns about the effectiveness of the recall. In December, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.), chairwoman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, sent a letter to Ikea executives saying the company's "actions to get unstable dressers out of their customers' homes have been underwhelming." In January, Marietta Robinson, one of the safety agency's commissioners, said she was "enormously frustrated" with the recall because the focus had been too much on anchoring the dressers rather than getting them out of homes. She said the agency was "not getting anywhere close to the response rate" she had hoped. What stands out most when you enter the Old City of Mosul is the smell. It's 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), nearly every building is smashed to pieces and there is a constant thud of explosions. But all that fades into the background as the stench of death comes closer and closer. "Look, there." A guide from Iraq's Counter Terror Force points to the body of an ISIS militant that lies where it fell. The jihadi is blackened and bloated from days in the scorching sun. There are several more rotting corpses scattered in the rubble. This is what is left of ISIS's prize city in Iraq -- festering dead, a few hundred yards of territory, and about 200 diehard militants awaiting a final standoff. Divisions remain strong Senior Iraqi commanders took CNN inside the Old City in the calm before their final storm against ISIS. On the rooftop of a villa now used as a forward operating base for Iraq's Counter Terror Force, you see the consequences of ISIS's scorched-earth policy. There is the wreckage of the 12th century al-Nuri mosque and its huge, leaning minaret. The extremists blew it up about a week ago, according to the US-led coalition. ISIS blamed the United States for the mosque's destruction. While Iraqi forces may soon condemn ISIS to territorial defeat, it will not be possible to wash the mosque of the stain ISIS put upon it when leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi used it as the location to declare the caliphate. Thousands have been killed in the fight to expel ISIS from Iraq, but little has been done to resolve the sectarian divisions that propelled the group's rapid rise to power. As the battle to recapture Mosul nears its final days, this clash of ideology will be the lasting legacy of this war. Life returns The resilience of the residents of Mosul who have been liberated from ISIS is clear. Turn one corner away from the Old City, and normal life can be seen blooming between the pancaked buildings. Men gather at outdoor cafes where waiters grill over open barbecues and the stench of death is mercifully replaced by the aroma of cooking. Families line the streets. Even in damaged buildings, people sip tea and chat. War has reared its ugly head so often in Iraq's recent history that the Muslawis, as the people of Mosul are known, have learned to adapt. "I think it will be over for ISIS," Major Salam Hussein of the CTS tells us. "But there has been terrorism of many kinds. We fought Al Qaeda before. We fought Zarqawi before. These guys are different." Dozens of displaced families arrive at checkpoints leading out of Mosul, but -- today, at least -- not one is allowed to cross. Fears remain that fighters may try to escape along with civilians. "My daughter is sick. Please, I want to take her to hospital," a man begs the officer in charge. The soldier offers the distressed father water and rations but waves him away. More and more dare to edge closer to the soldiers, until one soldier fires warning shots into the air. The crowd moves back, briefly, then approaches again. And again, shots are fired by the soldiers. The routine goes on and on and is sure to repeat itself in the coming days. Even if liberation is coming, there is still danger for residents, especially in the area still held by ISIS. Civilians are ISIS' last line of defense -- likely to be corralled into lines of human shields as militants retreat, fight and perhaps try to escape. Iraqi forces may be planning the final assault, but peace is some distance away. After talks to end a three-day construction slowdown failed Thursday, the union representing crane and backhoe operators said it will protest at the new Comcast tower construction site Friday morning, starting as early as 6 a.m. No new talks are scheduled. The union's contract expired April 30. At odds are the General Building Contractors Association and Local 542 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Core compensation is not the issue both sides have agreed on a $2 an hour wage increase across the length of the contract. The dispute centers on overtime rates on the weekend, the use of apprentice oilers and how a marketing fee to fund the GBCA would be collected. The union also says that the subcontractors who employ them are at the bargaining table, but are unable to make a decision without consulting with general contractors. Hundreds of heavy machinery operators are not working, but the union has not set up a picket line that the other unions would be reluctant to cross. As a result, construction has slowed, but not entirely stopped, at about 30 job sites across Philadelphia and the region, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, East Market, the Comcast tower, Chester County Hospital, and the Aloft Hotel. Practically speaking, construction will eventually come to a halt because the crane operators hoist heavy materials such as beams and run construction elevators that move materials and people from floor to floor. You can literally eat around the world by circling the block of Upper Darby's Terminal Square. Stroll from the punchy Lao papaya salads at Sai-Ba-Dee to the spicy tofu stews in the Korean food court over the H-Mart, turn onto Fairfield Avenue for ultra-crispy Vietnamese spring rolls at classic Little Saigon, and then circle back down Garrett Road for Senegalese chicken with fiery hot sauce over jollof rice at Fanta International African Restaurant, then a Peruvian roast chicken at Inca Wall. This stretch of Garrett is also where you'll find one of the region's only Salvadoran restaurants, El Cuscatleca Pupuseria y Restaurant. As the name implies, the griddled round masa cakes called pupusas are the signature draw at this simply appointed but pleasant BYOB, named for the home region of owner Marisela Mancia in central El Salvador, which she left for Philadelphia 15 years ago. And the fresh pupusas ($2.50) were excellent, stuffed with everything from cheese and beans to mashed pork, as well as the minced green stems of the loroco flower, which has a nutty, vegetal savor. But Cuscatleca's menu has many other worthy Central American treasures, including Honduran-style baleadas, which are similar to quesadillas; grilled platters with mild Salvadoran sausage; and Salvadoran pastelitos meat pies that are essentially empanadas with flaky crusts turned vivid orange with achiote. Perhaps the most unusually tasty dish I encountered, though, was the rellenos de pacayas ($12.95), which is similar in style to an egg-washed fried chiles rellenos in a mild red sauce, but made with the mop-shaped clusters of palm flowers whose long tendrils wove through the fritter's molten mozzarella stuffing like pleasantly bitter, snappy threads. There was so much more left to discover on Upper Darby's global menu dessert maybe? But I was finally stuffed. I'll have to save a sweets adventure for my next world tour. Craig LaBan El Cuscatleca, 29 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby, 19082, 484-461-3156. Cheyney University, which has struggled with finances and declining enrollment for years, is launching a search for a permanent president, the university said Thursday. But first it must establish a presidential search committee. "The search committee's task will be vital to the future of Cheyney University a university that will be very different from the one we have today," Robert W. Bogle, chair of the Cheyney Council of Trustees, said. "Changes are already underway to ensure that the Cheyney of tomorrow is both stable and dynamic, and we will find a long-term leader who has the strength and vision to guide us on this new path while respecting this university's rich tradition." In the meantime, interim president Aaron A. Walton, appointed in late May, will continue to lead the university, one of 14 governed by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Walton, previously a longtime member of the State System board of governors, had also served as co-chair of a task force the system created in March, charged with developing a plan to plot a new path for Cheyney. The task force was one of the conditions for the system to approve an $8 million line of credit in February that would allow Cheyney to pay its bills until the end of June. Thursday's announcement came one month after the task force presented its report to the system's board. Among its recommendations was to reduce the number of majors offered from 17 to 10 or 12, and establish an institute that would study "issues focusing on race, ethnicity, and social justice." The university expects the search to take about six months after the committee is formed. The position will be advertised starting in August, the university said. Founded in 1837, Cheyney is the nation's oldest historically black university. It is situated on 275 acres of farmland in Delaware and Chester Counties. It enrolls 746 students, down from 1,600 in 2010. Cheyney's long history of financial trouble, declining enrollment, and uncertain stability has put its accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in jeopardy. Kauffman was ordered detained in the Atlantic County Jail to await trial on the gun charges. Prosecutor Damon Tyner said the search warrant relates to a multi-jurisdictional investigation unrelated to April Kauffman's death. However, he said that investigation is active, and he recently sought a court order to obtain a DNA sample from James Kauffman. The man whose body was found washed up on a North Wildwood beach was wearing these maroon shorts, police said. Read more Police have identified the man whose body washed up on a North Wildwood beach on Sunday. The death of Ismail Ahmed Abdelmonem Ismail, 24, of Egypt, was ruled an accidental drowning by the state southern regional medical examiner. Ismail, who was wearing maroon shorts at the time he was found, was identified through fingerprint analysis. Police said Ismail recently arrived in the United States to work on the boardwalk. Jeffrey S. Chiesa (left), the states appointed overseer of Atlantic City, and Chris Filiciello, the mayors chief of staff Read more ATLANTIC CITY The bills from the West Orange law firm tasked since November with running Atlantic City for the State of New Jersey now total $2.5 million, according to invoices released by the state late Wednesday. The 42 newly released invoices, all approved by the state since the last release of invoices May 10, total $1.4 million for 27 members of the Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi law firm. They were released in response to an Open Public Records Act request filed by the Inquirer. Previous invoices totaled $1.1 million. Jeffrey S. Chiesa, a former U.S. senator and state attorney general who is a close ally of Gov. Christie, was appointed by the governor in November as the official designee to oversee the state's takeover of Atlantic City. He negotiated a contract that allows him to bill at $400 an hour and also allows his entire law firm to bill the state for Atlantic City work. Other partners bill at $350 an hour, while associates bill at $240 an hour. Three paralegals billed at $90 an hour. Meanwhile, two legislators who pushed for the takeover of Atlantic City now say the state has gone too far in imposing contract changes with the city's Fire Department, which they say is acting "outside the scope" of what the takeover legislation intended. State Sen. James Whelan and Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo, who sponsored the takeover legislation, both submitted affidavits in a court case involving the firefighters union stating that the legislation was not meant to result in schedule changes for firefighters that affect public safety, and lead to "exhausted and depleted" firefighters and do not directly affect finances. The affidavits were first reported by InsiderNJ.com. The Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act gives the state the authority to unilaterally modify or terminate union contracts as it works to stabilize the seaside resort's finances. Lisa Ryan, a spokesman for the Department of Community Affairs, noted that a Superior Court judge allowed the schedule changes to go forward while a larger challenge to proposed layoffs and the law itself proceeds, and she denied that the state's actions were contrary to the legislation's intent. Christie has defended the cost of the law firm, saying that taxpayers had wasted money on the salaries of ineffective officials in Atlantic City for decades. He noted that the firm settled a $165 million tax-appeal debt with the Borgata casino for $72 million, saving taxpayers far more than the cost of its lawyers. "What does it cost to let the city run into the ground over the course of time, paying City Council, mayors, expenses?" Christie said during a visit to Atlantic City in April. "If you compare the results that Sen. Chiesa has gotten with what he's billed with what you all have paid to the people who have been running the city into the ground, Sen. Chiesa is the biggest bargain around." But others, including Assemblyman Chris Brown (R., Atlantic), a critic of the takeover, had harsh words for the rising cost of the law firm, especially as its lawyers look to pare back already-slimmed-down public safety worker contracts. "Looks like we got robbed," Brown said after the initial round of invoices were released. After the second round, when bills passed $1 million, Brown said: "The sound of political insiders self-dealing public assets while getting rich at the expense of Atlantic County families is an old, familiar song." "It's so egregious," he said Wednesday. Bill Dilorenzo, the president of the firefighters union Local 188, said: "I really have no good reaction now." He said his thoughts were with members of the Atlantic City Fire Department as they cope with the death of firefighter Albert Mallen, who was struck by a train and killed Monday on the tracks of the NJ Transit Atlantic City line about two miles from the Absecon station. Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue, was recently removed from his position as executive director by the organizations board. Read more Bill Smith, the executive director of Main Line Animal Rescue, has been removed from that position at the organization he founded 20 years ago. "Effective immediately Bill Smith is relieved from his role and duties as executive director of MLAR," Leslie Briley, chair of the group's board, said in an email sent to board members last Friday. "During the next 30 days the board will discuss the possibility of a role that utilizes his talents that best align with the board's goals." Messages left for Briley and Katie Hembrough, vice chair of the board, were not immediately returned. Smith said he was surprised by the board's decision. "Honestly, I am feeling sort of ambushed and just bewildered," he said Thursday. "I thought I was doing a really good job." Smith, who was paid about $58,000 annually, according to the nonprofit's tax records, said he raised millions of dollars over the years, including about $300,000 this year. Board member Michele Rice said the decision was to have Smith relieved of the executive director position in favor of a title that more accurately describes his many talents. The decision was not unanimous, she said. "I am 1,000 percent in favor of him doing what he does best, what he wants to do, as long as he stays on," Rice said. Smith, 55, who started the nonprofit in his home, has been on the forefront in the battle against animal cruelty and a national voice for anti-puppy-mill legislation. He traveled through Lancaster County taking unwanted dogs from Amish farms, pulled dogs set to be euthanized from shelters, and picked up strays and unwanted pets. The Chester Springs rescue center takes in about 1,200 animals a year. About 300 animals are awaiting adoption at the 58-acre facility.. Former Gov. Ed Rendell, former state Supreme Court Justice William Lamb, and the philanthropist Anne Hamilton have all adopted from the rescue. At age 46, Smith received the ASPCA's lifetime achievement award for his rescue work and efforts to ban puppy mills. Smith had no trouble attracting stars to help his cause. In 2008, less than a week after he rented billboard space a few block away from Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios in Chicago imploring the star to do a show on puppy mills, a producer called. Smith was then teamed up with Oprah correspondent Lisa Ling to show the horrific conditions in many large kennels. Smith has partnered with the actress Bernadette Peters to publish braille versions of off-the-shelf children's books about animals. Model Christie Brinkley and her dog Chester posed for a MLAR billboard on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to encourage adoption. Grammy winner Rita Coolidge appeared at the rescue's 1970s-themed Bark-O-Lounge fund-raiser. In addition to Winfrey's show, Smith has appeared on Today, The View, and Nightline, and has been on most area television stations. He was also part of the HBO documentary Madonna of the Mills, about a woman's efforts to expose inhumane practices in puppy mills. In 2014, a Montgomery County family sought legal help after Smith allegedly refused to initially return their MLAR adopted beagle after it strayed when a contractor left a door open. MLAR said the adoption contract was broken when the family didn't contact the center. The dog was returned about a week later. Smith said the experience of being removed from his position has hit hard. "I am trying to regroup and try to figure out what to do," Smith said. "I know it is not over as far as helping animals. It is the only thing I have wanted to do." In March, volunteer archaeologists worked to exhume bodies buried at the former cemetery. Read more The city is resisting a call that it issue a stop-work order halting construction at an Old City building site where 200-year-old human remains were uncovered earlier this year, and where more bones and coffins were reportedly seen lying exposed on the ground in the last few days. Late Tuesday, the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum formally asked the Department of Licenses and Inspections to halt work on the building at 218 Arch St., citing what it called a credible report and photographs of recent discoveries of additional bones and coffin fragments uncovered at the site. The site was once home of the First Baptist Church burial ground, dating from around 1707, which occupied the area until the middle of the 19th century, when the remains buried there were supposedly moved to Mount Moriah Cemetery. The halt-work request, directed to David Perri, head of L&I, was prompted by an eyewitness account describing bones, skulls, and coffin fragments that were said to be scattered on the ground at the excavation site on Monday. PMC Property Group, the developer of the site, said it was unaware of any remains currently or recently uncovered. In an email Wednesday afternoon, an L&I spokeswoman characterized the account of bones and accompanying photographs as amounting to "hearsay." "The city does not have a legal basis to take action based on this complaint," she responded in an email to a request for comment. The eyewitness, a worker who asked for anonymity for fear of losing his job, said he entered the site Monday morning and was startled to find "half a skull" lying on the ground. "And [over] on the right hand there were bones, and on the left hand there were bones," he said. "As I was walking around I was seeing bones, and then I look over and there's a coffin. It's open. I look inside. Oh, my God. There's a body inside." The worker said he was so disturbed by what he saw that he took photographs and contacted an archaeologist Monday night, who in turn contacted police Tuesday morning. A police spokesman said officers found nothing at the site when they inquired. The Medical Examiner's Office was not contacted. Douglas Mooney, president of the archaeological forum, said it made sense to halt work on the residential project and investigate the site. "There have been human remains found there," he said. "There has been a credible report that human remains are still being found. Let's get some professional archaeologists in there and verify whether or not it's true. I'm at a loss to understand why somebody wouldn't want to verify this claim." The site was closed Tuesday and Wednesday because of a citywide work slowdown by crane and elevator operators. L&I inspectors visited the site Wednesday "to check for building safety issues and code violations," the L&I spokeswoman said. They "did not find any such issues," she added. "No bones or coffin pieces were apparent." A reporter was unable to gain access to the site on either day. Jonathan Stavin, a PMC executive vice president, said the construction crew working there had been instructed to retain any human remains they encountered during excavation for later reinterment. Stavin said that he knew nothing about any recent excavations of skeletal remains, but that workers were told to adhere to the company policy of retaining remains for later reburial. Mark Zecca, an attorney assisting the archaeological forum, said he was contacted by Mooney about the matter and on Tuesday sent an email to Perri at L&I formally asking that work at the site be stopped and that the matter be remanded to Orphans' Court, which has jurisdiction over abandoned cemeteries. Perri is out of town and could not be reached for comment. The L&I spokeswoman wrote Wednesday that the worker's account and photographs of bones and coffins constituted "an insufficient factual predicate for a stop-work order, and the city could not defend such an order if challenged in court." Zecca called the L&I response inadequate. "At a minimum," he said, "L&I should get an archaeologist to assess the site, not a regular inspector." He pointed out that PAF has specifically "requested a thorough assessment by a qualified archaeologist." This winter, when coffins and bones were initially uncovered at the site, another anonymous caller contacted police. Work was halted. The Medical Examiner's Office determined that the bones were historic and not evidence of a recent crime. It had no further jurisdiction in the matter. The Philadelphia Historical Commission also said it had no jurisdiction, though the site lies squarely in the Old City Historic District. The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission also demurred, citing lack of jurisdiction. A group of volunteer archaeologists led by the Mutter Institute and Rutgers-Camden then negotiated with PMC, which allowed them several days to remove skeletal remains. Stavin, of PMC, suggested that fragments left behind from that earlier excavation or pulled from the ground by drilling for pilings may have been what the worker saw Monday. The worker who said he was on the site Monday said that was not the case. He reported that he saw "a lot" of bones and coffin fragments, and that another worker told him that "a lot of bones and skulls were being removed from the site." In ALK-positive advanced NSCLC patients, Zykadia demonstrated superior median progression-free survival (PFS) compared to SOC chemotherapy with maintenance[1] Zykadia benefit was also seen in patients with brain metastases[1] Approximately 3-7% of all patients with NSCLC have an ALK gene rearrangement[2] Basel, June 29, 2017 - Novartis today announced the European Commission approved expanding the use of Zykadia (ceritinib) to include the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive. Approval follows a positive opinion granted in May by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), and is applicable to all 28 European Union member states plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway. The first-line approval of Zykadia is based on results from an open-label, randomized, multicenter, global, Phase III trial, ASCEND-4. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a 45% reduction in the risk of disease progression in the Zykadia arm, compared to the chemotherapy arm (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42, 0.73; one-sided p value <0.0001])[1]. Patients treated with first-line Zykadia had a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 16.6 months (95% CI: 12.6, 27.2), compared to 8.1 months (95% CI: 5.8, 11.1) for patients treated with standard first-line pemetrexed-platinum chemotherapy with pemetrexed maintenance[1]. Overall intracranial response rate (OIRR) in patients with measurable brain metastases at baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment was 72.7% (95% CI: 49.8, 89.3; n = 22) for patients treated with Zykadia, versus 27.3% (95% CI: 10.7, 50.2; n = 22) for patients treated with chemotherapy[1]. The whole body overall response rate (ORR) was 72.5% (95% CI: 65.5, 78.7; n = 189) in patients treated with Zykadia[1]. Further, patients without brain metastases at screening receiving Zykadia experienced a median PFS of 26.3 months (95% CI: 15.4, 27.7), compared with 8.3 months (95% CI: 6.0, 13.7) among patients treated with chemotherapy (HR = 0.48 [95% CI: 0.33, 0.69])[1]. Among patients with brain metastases at screening, the median PFS was 10.7 months (95% CI: 8.1, 16.4) in the Zykadia group, versus 6.7 months (95% CI: 4.1, 10.6) in the chemotherapy group (HR = 0.70 [95% CI: 0.44, 1.12])[1]. "Today's EC approval of Zykadia as a first-line treatment of ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer is an important step forward for patients with this type of serious disease," said Bruno Strigini, CEO, Novartis Oncology. "Our commitment to innovation in lung cancer will continue and we look forward to providing additional advancements for patients as the incidence of the disease grows around the world." In May, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the expanded use of Zykadia to include the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive, as detected by an FDA-approved test. Novartis Commitment to Lung Cancer Worldwide, lung cancer causes more deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined, and an estimated 1.8 million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year[3],[4]. Over the past decade, Novartis Oncology's research has supported the evolution of treatment approaches for patients living with mutation-driven types of lung cancer. The company continues its commitment to the global lung cancer community through ongoing studies, as well as the exploration of investigational compounds that target genomic biomarkers in NSCLC. About ASCEND-4 ASCEND-4 is a Phase III randomized, open-label, multicenter, global clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zykadia compared to standard chemotherapy, including maintenance, in adult patients with Stage IIIB or IV ALK-positive advanced NSCLC who received no prior therapy for their advanced disease. Patients received Zykadia orally at 750 mg/daily or standard pemetrexed-based platinum doublet chemotherapy (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC 5-6) for four cycles followed by pemetrexed maintenance. Of 376 patients, 189 (59 with brain metastases) were randomized to Zykadia and 187 (62 with brain metastases) to chemotherapy[1]. Approximately 59.5% of patients with measurable brain metastases at baseline did not have prior radiation therapy, the current standard of treatment for baseline brain metastases[1]. One hundred and five (105) patients out of the 145 patients (72.4%) that discontinued treatment in the chemotherapy arm received subsequent ALK inhibitor as first antineoplastic therapy. Of these patients 81 received Zykadia[1]. The most common adverse reactions in ASCEND-4 (incidence >=25% all grades) were diarrhea (85%), nausea (69%), vomiting (67%), fatigue (45%), abdominal pain (40%), decreased appetite (34%) and cough (25%). Grade 3/4 adverse reactions (incidence >=2%) were fatigue (7%), vomiting (5%), diarrhea (4.8%), abdominal pain (3.7%), weight loss (3.7%), nausea (2.6%) and prolonged QT interval (2.6%). The most common laboratory abnormalities in ASCEND-4 (incidence >=25% all grades) were increased ALT/AST (91%/86%), increased GGT (84%), increased alkaline phosphatase (81%), creatinine increase (77%), anemia (67%), hyperglycemia (53%), decreased phosphate (38%), increased amylase (37%) and neutropenia (27%). Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities (incidence >=2%) were increased GGT (49%), ALT/AST (34%/21%), increased alkaline phosphatase (12%), hyperglycemia (10%), increased amylase (8%), increase lipase (6%), creatinine increase (4.2%), anemia (4.2%), decreased phosphate (3.7%) and neutropenia (2.1%). About Zykadia Zykadia is an oral, selective inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a gene that can fuse with others to form an abnormal "fusion protein" that promotes the development and growth of certain tumors in cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Zykadia is currently approved in over 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.novartisoncology.com/news/product-portfolio/zykadia for additional information. Zykadia Important Safety Information Zykadia may cause stomach upset and intestinal problems in most patients, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach-area pain. These problems can be severe. Zykadia may also cause severe liver injury, abnormal heartbeats (slow, fast, or irregular), severe or life-threatening swelling (inflammation) of the lungs that can lead to death, pancreatitis, and high levels of pancreatic enzymes or glucose (sugar) in blood. Zykadia may harm unborn babies. Women who are able to become pregnant must use a highly effective method of birth control (contraception) during treatment with Zykadia and up to 3 months after stopping Zykadia. Patients and their healthcare provider should decide whether to take Zykadia or breastfeed, but should not do both. Some side effects can be serious and patients should call your healthcare provider immediately if experiencing changes in your heartbeat (fast, slow, or irregular), lightheadedness, fainting, dizziness, pain in the chest, cough, difficult or painful breathing, wheezing, pain in chest when inhaling, fever, yellow skin and eyes, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, and severe upper stomach pain. Before taking Zykadia, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all medical conditions, including liver problems, diabetes or high blood sugar, heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome, if they are pregnant, if they think they may be pregnant, or if they plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Patients should also tell their healthcare provider about all medicines they take. Patients should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit during treatment with Zykadia, as it may make the amount of Zykadia in their blood increase to a harmful level. Patients should have blood tests before starting treatment with Zykadia to check their liver, pancreas, and the level of sugar in blood. While taking Zykadia, blood tests to check the liver should be performed monthly, while pancreas and the level of sugar in blood should be performed regularly. The most common adverse reactions with an incidence of >=10% diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, liver laboratory test abnormalities, fatigue, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, weight decreased, constipation, blood creatinine increased, rash, anemia, and esophageal disorder. Grade 3-4 adverse reactions with an incidence of >=5% were liver laboratory test abnormalities, fatigue, vomiting, hyperglycemia, nausea, diarrhea. Please see full Prescribing Information for Zykadia. Disclaimer The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "continuing," "must," "continue," "hope," "commitment," "continues," "ongoing," "exploration," "investigational," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for Zykadia, or regarding potential future revenues from Zykadia. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Zykadia will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Zykadia will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Zykadia could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing and reimbursement pressures; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com. Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis and @NovartisCancer at http://twitter.com/novartiscancer. For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com References [1] Zykadia (ceritinib) Summary of Product Characteristics. [2] Lovly, C., L. Horn, W. Pao. 2016. Molecular Profiling of Lung Cancer. My Cancer Genome. https://www.mycancergenome.org/content/disease/lung-cancer/. (Updated March 28). Accessed March 22, 2017. [3] World Health Organization. International Agency for Research on Cancer. GLOBOCAN 2012: Estimated Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide in 2012. Lung Cancer. Available at http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/fact_sheets_cancer.aspx?cancer=lung. Accessed March 22, 2017. [4] Riess JW, Wakelee, HA. Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Management: Novel Targets and Recent Clinical Advances. Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology. 2012; 10: 226-224. # # # Novartis Media Relations Central media line: +41 61 324 2200 E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) eric.althoff@novartis.com Kristen Klasey Novartis Oncology +1 862 778 4763 (direct) +1 862 754 1732 (mobile) kristen.klasey@novartis.com Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams abruptly resigned his office and agreed to plead guilty Thursday in a surprise move that ended a federal bribery trial that had dragged messy details about his personal life into the open, and had cast a deepening shadow over the final days of his once-promising political career. But minutes after accepting Williams' decision, the judge presiding over the case made a startling announcement of his own ordering the city's top prosecutor handcuffed and immediately hauled off to prison. "I have a guilty plea from the highest law enforcement officer in the city," U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond said. "He betrayed his office and he sold his office. I am appalled by the evidence that I have heard." The news hit the courtroom and the city like a bomb. As U.S. marshals surrounded Williams, his ex-wife, Sonita one of the few family members in the room broke down in tears. Jurors, abruptly dismissed after two weeks of damaging testimony, were flummoxed, some saying they were disappointed they wouldn't have a chance to render a verdict. And downstairs, the district attorney's driver stood beside Williams' idling car, waiting for a man he hadn't yet learned wouldn't be leaving the building. Under order from Diamond, the district attorney's resignation letter hastily scrawled on a piece of paper moments before the hearing was couriered to Mayor Kenney's office, as the city's Board of Judges scrambled to schedule a special meeting to name an interim replacement, something it hasn't had to do in nearly three decades. "I'm just very sorry for all of this, your honor," a choked-up Williams said. >> READ MORE: What's next for the Philly District Attorney's Office? Those last public words, uttered moments before he was led away, effectively ended Williams' career in office which had begun in 2010 amid widespread accolades for sweeping changes he promised to implement within the city's justice system, only to be overshadowed more recently by a series of scandals involving his money, his dating life, and his personnel decisions. Even as he faced indictment on 29 counts of bribery, fraud, and honest services fraud, Williams had clung to his position and its $176,000 annual salary, vowing he would be vindicated at trial. It wasn't clear Thursday what exactly prompted Williams to change his mind. In fact, he had turned down offers from prosecutors both prior to his indictment earlier this year and again days before his trial began. >> READ MORE: 'Look at him now' ambitious Philly DA Seth Williams falls hard His lawyer, Thomas F. Burke, said that Williams had struggled with the decision over several days and was up late into the night Wednesday, wrestling with what he would do. The ultimate deal with prosecutors was struck just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, the defense lawyer said. Kathleen Martin, Williams' first assistant, said she was notified via a text message from her boss early Thursday. "I think this was a very hard decision for a proud man," said Burke. "What the district attorney wanted most was closure for his family, for himself, and for the city. He's been humbled by the experience." During nearly two weeks of testimony, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert A. Zauzmer, Eric Moran, and Vineet Gauri had painted Williams as a shameless moocher who repeatedly sought others' money to support a lifestyle he couldn't afford. Two wealthy businessmen testified that they showered Williams with gifts of cash, luxury goods, and all-expenses-paid travel to an upscale Dominican Republic resort and other vacation spots, hoping that he would repay their generosity by using his office to remove various legal hurdles they faced. When that largesse wasn't enough to support Williams' high-end tastes, government witnesses said, the district attorney raided his own campaign accounts and money set aside for his aging mother's nursing home care. >> READ MORE: The case against Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams explained One juror, Julie Dedic, 59, of Bethlehem, scoffed at the district attorney's assertion that campaign money he'd spent on deep-tissue massages and facials had helped him become more electable. "You've got to be kidding me," she said Thursday. Meanwhile, years of text message exchanges, including one in which Williams described himself to a benefactor as "merely a humble beggar," piled on humiliation each time they were shown. Yet, as the gobsmacked Williams pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Travel Act a crime that could keep him in prison for up to five years it soon became clear that the man brought low by his own costly pursuit of the high life had lower still to fall. Williams beseeched Diamond to let him remain free until his Oct. 24 sentencing date, citing his three school-age daughters and his inability to flee even if he wanted to. "He has no means to go anywhere," Burke told the court. "He has no support. He's deeply in debt and he doesn't even have a car." Williams' eyes welled up with tears as he took the witness stand to plead his own case. Asked how much money he currently had in his bank account, he responded: "I'm always afraid to look because it's so small probably about $150 to $200." He said he had no idea how he would have supported himself had he been allowed to remain free. "Help [from] friends?" he guessed. "I haven't really thought beyond that." But Williams' already dim financial prospects are only likely to grow more dire in the coming months. Under the terms of his deal, Williams agreed to forfeit nearly $65,000. He could be fined up to $250,000 more and likely will face additional restitution orders from the court. And within hours of his plea, City Controller Alan Butkovitz moved to revoke his city pension and freeze the additional $117,859 he had paid into it a fund Williams had said represented his only retirement savings. Williams also remains indebted to the city's Ethics Board after agreeing in January to pay a $62,000 fine for his belated disclosure of more than $175,000 in gifts he received over five years the largest penalty assessed on a single candidate in the board's 11-year history. His plea deal all but ensures that his law license will be permanently revoked and that he'll face a prison term at the high end of the five-year sentencing range. Although prosecutors agreed to dismiss all the charges they brought against him except the one count to which Williams admitted Thursday, the agreement also required him to confess to the other alleged crimes so that his admissions could be used against him at sentencing. >> READ MORE: A recap of testimony from Williams' trial Sources close to Williams' defense said he had turned down an earlier offer just hours before his indictment in March that would have required a guilty plea to the same count but would have prevented his other crimes from reaching the sentencing judge's desk, substantially reducing the prison time he now faces. Federal authorities declined Thursday to discuss any prior offers they might have made to Williams. Instead, U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick, whose New Jersey office oversaw the case, focused on the future, saying: "Hopefully, today's conviction will allow the people of Philadelphia and the dedicated employees of the District Attorney's Office to close this unfortunate chapter in the city's history." Staff writers Chris Brennan, Joseph A. Slobodzian, Alfred Lubrano,, and Julie Shaw contributed to this article. Read a recap of Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams' trial with our day-by-day updates and learn more with our explainer on everything you need to know about the case. Gov. Christie and the legislature continue to be at odds. Read more TRENTON New Jersey lawmakers reached an impasse Thursday over Gov. Christie's push to restructure the state's largest health insurer, imperiling a vote on the budget and threatening the first government shutdown in more than a decade. Under the constitution, the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Christie, a Republican, face a deadline of 12:01 a.m. Saturday to pass a balanced budget. Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D., Hudson) held a vote on a $34.7 billion spending plan but was forced to pull the bill when it failed to win majority support. About half of the Democratic caucus refused to cast a vote on the budget, believing that Christie would veto their priorities if they did not also pass legislation that would dramatically change Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Christie said he made clear to Prieto and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) last week that he would approve the Democratic budget on the condition that they pass the Horizon legislation and a bill to transfer the state lottery to the pension system. The Senate passed both pieces of legislation Thursday. Sweeney allowed senators to debate the budget but refused to hold a vote, given the deadlock in the Assembly. Prieto agreed to the lottery proposal though he didn't hold a vote on it Thursday but refused to consider the Horizon one. "If Speaker Prieto wants to close the government, this is going to be his decision," Christie said at a news conference early Thursday evening. "I don't want to see Speaker Prieto keeping people out of Liberty State Park this weekend for Fourth of July weekend," the governor said. "I don't want to see Speaker Prieto stopping people from going to Island Beach State Park this weekend. But this is purely up to him now." Late Thursday, Christie directed state agencies to prepare for a shutdown and identify essential services they would maintain. Prieto pinned the blame for a possible shutdown on lawmakers, including South Jersey Democrats, who support the budget but didn't vote for it. He accused them of "standing with Chris Christie to give him what he wants." Prieto said he had given ground on a deal to shift school aid to underfunded districts and delivered Christie a "huge win" on the lottery transfer, which Christie says would immediately reduce the state's pension debt by $13.5 billion. "I negotiated in good faith," Prieto said. "You have to draw the line somewhere." Sweeney and Prieto said both houses would resume work on Friday. The last government shutdown the first in state history came in 2006, when Gov. Jon S. Corzine, a Democrat, battled his own party in the Legislature over his proposal to raise the sales tax. Thousands of state employees were furloughed. Division of Motor Vehicle offices closed, as did state parks. Lottery sales and road construction were also brought to a halt during the eight-day shutdown. At issue now is Christie's push for the state's largest health insurer to dedicate "excess" surplus for health programs that would benefit the general public, not just the nonprofit company's policyholders. Christie in February called on Horizon to establish a permanent fund that would provide drug addiction treatment to the poor and uninsured. The Senate on Thursday voted by 21-15 in favor of a variation of that proposal. The bill would establish a process by which Horizon and the commissioner of the state Department of Banking and Insurance determine an "efficient" surplus range. If the surplus were to exceed that range, Horizon would have to submit a plan to the state to use the money to benefit policyholders and "improve the overall health status of all New Jersey residents." The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Joe Vitale (D., Middlesex), would expand Horizon's obligations to include a "charitable mission," including by serving as the state's insurer of last resort. That means it would have to provide care to the uninsured. The bill would also restructure Horizon's board giving three of the 15 seats to members selected by policyholders and require greater financial disclosure. Horizon, which had $2.4 billion in capital reserves at the end of 2016, says the money is needed as a cushion in case it faces unexpected expenses. It says the legislation would force it to raise premiums on its 3.8 million policyholders. To that end, Prieto dubbed the legislation a "Christie tax," and declared he would not negotiate on the proposal as part of the budget process. Christie also drew a line in the sand and threatened to use his line-item veto authority to gut the budget if Prieto didn't cave. Democrats' budget priorities include $150 million in new school aid, including $50 million for expanded pre-K and extraordinary special education; $5 million in grants for new Child Advocacy Centers, which help abused children; an additional $2.2 million for domestic violence services and rape prevention services; and $8 million for prisoner reentry programs. "Let there be no doubt that if the budget comes to me without the Vitale bill and without the lottery that I will use all the constitutional authority I have to craft the budget to be much more like the budget I submitted in February," Christie told reporters. He said Prieto "needs to explain to his members why he's standing up for a multibillion-dollar insurance company rather than give them things they want in this budget very, very badly, and that I'm willing to give them." Sweeney, speaking with reporters after the Senate voting session, said, "I'm not willing to put a bill on [Christie's] desk not knowing what the funding is going to be." Prieto said Christie couldn't be trusted; even if the Legislature approved the Horizon bill, the speaker said, the governor might still veto Democrats' proposed spending, as he has in the past. "Shame on him on whatever he takes out," Prieto said. He said he would consider a different version of the Horizon legislation after the budget is passed. Christie's term ends in January, meaning he'll be a lame duck once he signs the budget and legislators turn their attention to campaigning. The governor's mansion and all 120 seats in the Legislature are up for election in November. "I never pay you today for a hamburger tomorrow," Christie said. "They're never coming back. They're in an election year." Earlier Thursday, members of an affiliate of the AFL-CIO lined the halls of the Statehouse, urging lawmakers to vote against the Blue Cross legislation, with some holding copies of a Wall Street Journal editorial titled "Christie's Insurance Shakedown." The union says its members would face layoffs if the bill were to pass. Other interest groups across the political spectrum, as well as both parties' nominees for governor, have also declared their opposition to the legislation. "There is as much reason to shut down the State of New Jersey over Horizon as there was to shut the George Washington Bridge for a traffic study," said Hetty Rosenstein, state director of the Communications Workers of America. The bill's supporters say it would make the insurer more transparent to current and prospective policyholders. "This is by no means a slush fund," Vitale said Monday. "This is by no means a money grab." Staff writer Maddie Hanna contributed to this article. The chair of Donald Trump's Election Integrity Commission has penned a letter to all 50 states requesting their full voter role data, including the name, address, date of birth, party affiliation, last four Social Security number digits, and voting history back to 2006 of potentially every voter in the state. In the letter, a copy of which was made public by the Connecticut Secretary of State, Kris Kobach said that "any documents that are submitted to the full Commission will also be made available to the public." On Wednesday the office of the Vice President released a statement saying "a letter will be sent today to the 50 states and District of Columbia on behalf of the Commission requesting publicly-available data from state voter rolls and feedback on how to improve election integrity." Under federal law, each state must maintain a central file of registered voters. Different states collect different amounts of information on voters. While the files are technically public record, states usually charge fees to individuals or entities who want to access them. Political campaigns and parties typically use these files to compile their massive voter lists. In May, President Donald Trump created a commission to investigate alleged acts of voter fraud after he claimed, without evidence, that three million to five million illegal immigrants voted illegally in the 2016 election. The commission is chaired by Kobach, who is Kansas' Secretary of State, a voter-fraud hardliner. Connecticut's Secretary of State, Denise Merrill, said in a statement that Kobach "has a lengthy record of illegally disenfranchising eligible voters in Kansas," and that "given Secretary Kobach's history we find it very difficult to have confidence in the work of this Commission." Earlier this month a federal judge fined Kobach $1,000 for "presenting misleading arguments in a voting-related lawsuit," according to Politico. Advocates for voting rights and civil liberties are also sounding alarm over the letter. "The concern is that this is going to be used to justify regressive and disenfranchising federal law," said Myrna Perez, deputy director of the Democracy Program at the NYU Law School's Brennan Center, in an interview. Vanita Gupta, CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and former head of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, said on Twitter: The White House press office did not return a request for comment on this story. A spokesman for Kobach in the Kansas Secretary of State's office referred an inquiry to an email address listed in the Commission's letter. The Commission did not return a request sent to that email address. Trump and his allies have said the Commission's work is necessary to prevent what they call widespread instances of voter fraud. But evidence for such fraud is exceedingly thin. Secretary Kobach has made it a central issue of his tenure and has achieved a total of nine voter fraud convictions. Most were older Republican voters, and at least one claims he was targeted for an "honest mistake." Academics who have studied the issue for decades say voter fraud particularly of the type that strict ID laws championed by Kobach and others are intended to combat is vanishingly rare, and that voter ID requirements are a burdensome solution to a practically non-existent problem. A federal judge ruled that some of Kobach's proposed ID requirements constituted a "mass denial of a fundamental constitutional right." While civil liberties advocates are concerned with what Kobach might do with what would amount to a nationwide voter file, privacy advocates worry about the implications of making such data available to the public, as the Commission says it intends to do. It hasn't specified how it would make the data available. "Why does a random member of the public need to know when you last voted and what your political party is?" asked the Brennan Center's Perez. "I think that access to this data in the wrong hands could always leave the opportunity for mischief. In this particular instance I'm worried about harassment as well." States are "stewards of [this] public information," said Perez. "Once it leaves their hands in this way, there's no telling whose going to get it, and how, and what they're using it for." Shown is the Pennsylvania Capitol building along with roses in Harrisburg, Pa., Tuesday, May 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Read more HARRISBURG With the deadline to pass a state budget fast approaching, legislators began voting on a $31.9 billion spending plan late Thursday though there was no agreement on how to pay for it. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the spending bill shortly after 10 p.m. with little debate, positioning it for floor votes in both legislative chambers by day's end Friday. The new fiscal year begins Saturday. Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R., Indiana), said early Thursday evening that House negotiators also had agreed to the plan. "Obviously, the final word is when it gets voted," he said, but added, "I expect it to pass overwhelmingly." And though Thursday night's vote was a significant step in getting a financial blueprint for the state, the budget appears to be heading into overtime again. For the Republican-controlled legislature, time is running out to decide how to pay for the spending plan before the start of the 2017-18 fiscal year. The Senate has said it will break after Friday for the weekend. The House has not announced its plans. But it appears unlikely that the legislature will be able to complete all components of the budget before the July Fourth holiday. Senators are aiming to finish work next week on a revenue package, said Jennifer Kocher, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre). She said negotiators had not yet reached agreement on which proposals to approve. The $31.9 billion spending plan would increase funding for K-12 education by $100 million the amount Wolf proposed earlier this year. It would also increase special education by $25 million, and give an additional $30 million for early childhood education. "I'm pleased with what the product that will be leaving the Senate tomorrow looks like," said Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny). Costa said the spending plan has bipartisan support and that he plans to vote for it. He defended the fact that the legislature is moving to approve a spending bill without an agreement on how to pay for it. "It's not irresponsible," he said, noting that the state's revenue from the sales, personal income, and corporate taxes alone will carry the lion's share of the cost. He added: "It's making certain that we pass the budget on time, to be able to allow government to continue as we figure the revenue side of the equation. Ideally, I'd like to have it all done by now, but that hasn't happened." Despite Thursday's rush to position the spending plan for on-time passage, there were moments of down time and merriment, apparently. As the two chambers broke late afternoon in advance of Thursday night's Senate committee meeting, Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, a Democrat from Philadelphia, invited all senators to come to his office for an office party. "He's always done that as lieutenant governor," said spokesman J.P. Kurish. "He has people together to decompress." Kurish said there was food, and was unclear whether Stack's office paid for it. And there was beer, among other beverages, which Kurish said he paid for and which he said very few people drank. He said the showing was "bipartisan." Thursday's push to get a spending plan completed without a deal on revenue sets the stage for a repeat of last year's budget scenario. In 2016, the legislature sent Wolf a spending bill hours before the start of the new fiscal year, but without an agreement on how to pay for it. Wolf did not sign or veto it. He let it lapse into law without his signature, saying he had faith that legislators would quickly deliver the payment package. Days later, the legislature approved the bills to pay for the budget. This year, there has been a lot of talk, but little action, on ways to raise money to close the roughly $1.5 billion shortfall in the current budget. Though there have been lengthy discussions about expanding gambling, the talks have become bogged down in disagreement over how much expansion to allow. Specifically, lawmakers in the House and Senate are bickering over whether to legalize up to 40,000 video gaming terminals (VGTs), slots-like machines, in bars, restaurants, and other establishments across the state with a liquor license. Senate Republicans have also floated the idea of borrowing against money that flows annually into a fund set up after the 1998 landmark agreement between tobacco companies and the states. Wolf has said he would be open to borrowing to cover what he called the state's "one-time" revenue shortfall. House Republicans, however, have studiously avoided taking a position on whether they could support such a plan. Borrowing was not part of the original plan. When Wolf unveiled his budget proposal in February, he recommended balancing the state's books through a mix of new taxes including a new tax on natural gas extraction and savings through consolidating various state departments. Republican leaders have rejected the idea of a new tax on drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Currently, drillers pay an impact fee. But that didn't stop a group of Republican lawmakers from the Philadelphia suburbs from dropping a bill Thursday to do just that. The legislation would create a variable tax rate based on the average Pennsylvania "hub" price for natural gas in the prior year. The bill would also give natural gas producers tax credits for their impact fee payments. In an interview, Rep. Nick Miccarelli (R., Delaware) said he believes if the bill were to get to the floor of the House, it would have enough votes to pass. That is a big if, given the prevailing anti-tax sentiment of House GOP leaders, who decide what bills are put up for votes. Renee Tartaglione leaves the federal courthouse in Philadelphia, PA. She was convicted Friday for skimming $1 million from a Fairhill mental health clinic for which she was both president and landlord. ( AP PHOTO / THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER / David Maialetti ) Read more Renee Tartaglione robbed a desperately poor community of its mental health services. Last week, a federal jury convicted her on 53 counts of conspiracy, theft, fraud, and tax evasion for her role in stealing $1 million from the Juniata Community Mental Health Clinic. But she didn't act alone. Her first co-conspirator was the political spoils system that paved her way to a contract from a city agency. Although she lacked any training in mental health care or administration, she did have one thing: a political pedigree. Her mother is Marge Tartaglione, the Democrats' powerful matriarch and former longtime head of the city's election agency. Her sister is Christine Tartaglione, a state senator. Her husband is Carlos Matos, a ward leader who served 3 years for extortion. Also at fault: the city and its Community Behavioral Health agency, which failed to provide proper oversight of the clinic's management or finances. For example, Tartaglione was both president and landlord. As landlord, she raised the rent from $4,800 to $75,000 in 2012. As president, she paid the bills. She also paid former State Rep. Leslie Acosta a salary, part of which Acosta kicked back to her boss. The CBH clearly had inadequate controls. The Tartaglione enterprise was allowed to hum along for more than a decade before the city's inspector general uncovered the fraud. Tartaglione's criminal acts are far more egregious than the usual Philadelphia political scandal because the potential for damage is so deep and widespread and because this scandal provides fodder for those who want to cut Medicaid the primary source for Tartaglione's clinic's funding. Consider the country's current opioid epidemic. The city's overdose deaths this year are projected to exceed last year's 900. The national death toll of 65,000 last year is also expected to surge this year. And experts say it's going to get worse before it gets better. Yet the resources to treat this crisis are under attack from Republicans in Congress who want to slash Medicaid at a time when it is needed most to treat addicts. Since the origins of the Tartaglione scam, the CBH has made strides in addressing its failure in cases like Tartaglione's. Since it is handling Medicaid and state funds to treat the opioid epidemic, it's more important than ever that the agency runs efficiently and more transparently. Its webpage shows the agency still has a way to go to be transparent. Every contract should be accessible on its site, as well as the details of clinic operators and staff monitoring reports. The more we know, the less likely it will be for anyone to steal money from profoundly vulnerable people whether they're suffering from mental health issues or opioid addiction. Kathleen Martin was named acting district attorney in March after Seth Williams surrendered his law license to a temporary suspension. Read more What comes next for the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, now that DA Seth Williams has pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge and plans to resign? Williams in March named his chief of staff, Kathleen Martin, as acting district attorney after he surrendered his law license to a temporary suspension. Martin continues in that role. Williams' second term ends in early January. The Board of Judges, made up of all Philadelphia Common Pleas judges, has the power to select a replacement to finish Williams' term. At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Martin said she was proud of her work leading the D.A.'s office and would continue to serve if selected by the Board of Judges. "Throughout this unfortunate period, they continued to display the diligence, fortitude and integrity that has been the hallmark of this office," Martin said, praising her staff. "If you look around to all these people, they're dedicated public servants. They want to do their jobs and they want to do it well." Gabriel Roberts, a spokesman for the First Judicial District, said the Board of Judges will convene to select a replacement. "As a result of the resignation of Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, a committee of the Board of Judges will meet to establish the process and deadline for accepting applications to fill the vacancy," Roberts said. "President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper will then choose a date to convene a special session of the Board of Judges Committee to select an interim replacement." State law requires the judges to make that pick "if any vacancy shall occur, either by death, resignation, or removal from office" until the next general election. But they could allow Martin to serve out six months left in the term. It has been 26 years since the judges selected a new district attorney. They selected one of their own, then-Judge Lynne Abraham, to fill a vacancy created when Ron Castille stepped down to run for mayor. Democrat Larry Krasner and Republican Beth Grossman won their party's May 16 primary elections. They will face off in the Nov. 7 general election. An independent candidate could join the race if they submit at least 4,075 signatures on candidate nomination forms by Aug. 1. To run as an independent, a candidate would have had to disaffiliate from any political party at least 30 days before this year's primary. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US Cobalt Inc. (the "Company") (TSXV:USCO) (Frankfurt:26X) (OTCQB:SCTFF) is pleased to provide an update on its 2017 exploration program at the Iron Creek cobalt project (the "Property") in Lemhi County, Idaho, USA. The Company has completed the rehabilitation of Adit Number One and is in the final steps of bringing the tunnels accessed from this adit to a condition that will allow the planned geological mapping and channel sampling programs to be conducted in a safe environment and in an environmentally sound manner. Rail, ventilation, water, compressed air and a refuge chamber are being installed and will be completed prior to the start of planned underground exploration programs. The project currently has all necessary regulatory approvals to proceed with the planned exploration activities that make up the Companys 2017 program. Exploration work is scheduled to commence with the arrival of surface and underground mapping and sampling crews during the second week of July. Two surface exploration core drilling rigs will arrive on site the same week. This exploration campaign is designed to confirm the historic cobalt mineralization and to explore for extensions. As previously announced, previous tonnage and grade estimates indicate that the Property contains 1,279,000 tons grading 0.59% cobalt please refer to the Company's news release dated September 7, 2016. Wayne Tisdale, CEO, states We are very pleased to have made such great progress at our flagship Iron Creek cobalt project. Our team has been working tirelessly to rehabilitate the adits in anticipation of our 2017 summer exploration program. We are now fully compliant and permitted to commence our much-anticipated drill campaign. With cobalt prices anticipated to reach six-year highs and the continued difficult supply chain issues in the DRC we believe that the USA is an ideal place to explore for this metal that is an essential piece of the electric vehicle revolution. As previously announced, due to the age of the geological work done to establish current anticipated tonnage, the Company is treating the tonnage and grade estimates above as historical estimates. The historical estimates do not use categories that conform to current CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as outlined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and have not been redefined to conform to current CIM Definition Standards. They were prepared in the 1980s prior to the adoption and implementation of NI 43-101. The historical estimates are contained within a report entitled "Iron Creek Prospect, Lemhi County, Idaho (#0483) Progress Report" by Terry A Webster and Thomas K Stump for Noranda Exploration, Inc., July 1980, which report does not detail cut-off grades and metal prices used to estimate the historical mineralization and used a tonnage factor of 11 cubic feet per ton. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources. More work, including, but not limited to, drilling, will be required to confirm the estimates to current CIM Definition Standards. Investors are cautioned that the historical estimates do not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the Property. Other than as provided for in this press release, the Company has not undertaken any independent investigation of the historical estimates or other information contained in this press release nor has it independently analyzed the results of the previous exploration work in order to verify the accuracy of the information. The Company believes that the historical estimates and other information contained in this press release are relevant to continuing exploration on the Property because they identify significant mineralization that will be the target of the Company's exploration program. Mr. Garry Clark, P. Geo., of Clark Exploration Consulting, is the "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, who has reviewed and approved the technical content in this press release. Reader Advisory This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the proposed exploration program on the Property. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation and environmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities inherent in mining operations; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Reston, Virginia, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over 100 of the nations school principals will come together Sat., July 8 to build a playground at Stonehurst Hills Elementary School in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. This is the ninth year that the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has partnered with Landscape Structures to donate and build a playground at a deserving elementary school. This year, principals representing the National Association of Secondary School Principals are joining in the service day, as a component of the jointly presented 2017 National Principals Conference, held July 9-11 in Philadelphia. What: Principals from around the nation will help to build a playground at Stonehurst Hills Elementary School. NAESP and corporate partner Landscape Structures, a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, are donating a PlayBooster playstructure for kids ages 5 to 12 valued at approximately $30,000. The playstructure features the new GeoPlex climbing panels in addition to various ground-level climbers, overhead ladders, and bridges and balancing activities. The playground is ADA compliant and was designed to welcome children of all abilities. In addition to building the playground, principal volunteers will do landscaping, painting, and other beautification projects at the school. When & Where: Sat., July 8, 9 a.m. to noon at Stonehurst Hills Elementary School, 7051 Ruskin Lane Upper Darby, Pennsylvania 19082. How: To cover this event and to interview principals, contact Kaylen Tucker (ktucker@naesp.org or 703-518-6257). ### About Stonehurst Hills Elementary School: Principal Aaronda Beauford leads Stonehurst Hills Elementary, which serves 625 students. The school population is richly diverse in terms of socioeconomic status and ethnicity. Eighty-three percent receive free or reduced-price lunch. Stonehurst Hills Elementary is one of 10 elementary schools in the Upper Darby School District, which is led by Superintendent Daniel G. Nerelli. About 2017 National Principals Conference: This Community Service Day is a part of the 2017 National Principals Conference (NPC), which will be held in Philadelphia, July 9-11, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The NPC is jointly presented by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), who for the first time have come together to offer professional learning across the pre-K through grade 12 continuum. Find more information about the 2017 National Principals Conference, including thought-leader sessions, a panel on The State of American Education, and unconventional learning opportunities at www.principalsconference.org. Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c60a0a7-9881-483f-a751-b7fd4a29d113 Littleton, CO, police officer Steven Beare is an avid mountain climber. He was last seen climbing Mt. Elbrus in Russia on June 14. (Photo: Family) Russian teams who have been looking for a Littleton police officer who disappeared during a snowstorm on Europe tallest mountain, Mt. Elbrus, plan to call off the search after the end of the day on Wednesday. Steven Beare set out June 14 to solo climb the 18,510-foot Russian peak. According to reports from other climbers, Beare was spotted heading up toward the summit as a snowstorm approached, forcing other groups to return to camp. He has not been seen or heard from since, but family members have been holding onto the hope that he is hunkered down in the snow waiting for help. A week after Beare was first reported missing, American mountaineer Don Bowie arrived in Russia to lead a private search and rescue mission. Specialized mountain search and rescue teams and Russian military helicopters have also been searching for Beare, KDVR TV reports. A Robertson County, TN, Sheriffs deputy was critically wounded in a gun grab attack Wednesday while escorting a prisoner to medical care in Nashville. The inmate was killed. Officials say the inmate grabbed the wounded deputys gun and shot him. The other deputy shot and killed the inmate. The inmate has been shot and is now deceased," Robertson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Ryan Martin told the Tennessean. The shooting was reported about 1:30 p.m. and occurred inside a a medical office complex at Vanderbilt University, according to Metro police. Trooper Ryan Albin (Photo: Illinois State Police) An Illinois State Police trooper died Wednesday of injuries suffered in an Interstate 74 crash involving his squad car and a semitrailer truck near Farmer City. Trooper Ryan Albin died about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday in the hospital, according to a state police statement. The crash happened around 3:10 p.m. The troopers canine partner, Biko, who was in the back seat of the squad car, was taken to an emergency veterinarian at the University of Illinois in Urbana, but the dogs injuries appear to be minor, police told PJStar.com. The Virginia Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge over how long police can keep data from automated license plate readers, which police say can provide valuable investigative information. The case, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in Fairfax County, Va., appears to be the first legal challenge in the nation to the varying lengths of time police retain the data recording when and where a vehicle is photographed by a license plate reader. Critics say keeping the data beyond a short period of time amounts to mass surveillance and creates the possibility for abuse by police or others who can access the data, by creating a trail of personal movement. Virginia has no law specifically addressing license plate readers. But it does have the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act, commonly referred to as the Data Act, which says that government agencies shall not collect personal information except as explicitly or implicitly authorized by law. The key question is whether a license plate contains personal information, the Washington Post reports. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Calling President Trumps denial of Russian attack on our election dismaying and objectionable, former Ambassador Nicholas Burns said its the Presidents duty to be skeptical of Russia and that his refusal to take action is a dereliction of the basic duty to defend the country. I dont believe any previous president would argue that your own hearings in the Senate are a waste of time, or a witch hunt, in the words of President Trump. Theyre not (a witch hunt). Youre doing your duty that the people elected you to do. Its his duty, President Trumps, to be skeptical of Russia, its his duty to investigate and defend our country against a cyber offensive, because Russia is our most dangerous adversary. And if he continues to refuse to act, it is a dereliction of the basic duty to defend the country, former President Bush 43 Nato Ambassador Nicholas Burns said during a Senate Select Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday. Bush 43 NATO Amb @RNicholasBurns: It's not a witch hunt, Russia is our most dangerous adversary; if Trump refuses to actdereliction of duty pic.twitter.com/q2e6B2wYDu Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 29, 2017 Full clip here: Trump denies that Russia attacked the U.S. election that he won. If he entertains the idea of accepting the unanimous conclusion of all 17 U.S. intel groups that Russia did interfere in the election on his behalf, he then blames former President Obama, Hillary Clinton or the Democrats. What Trump does not do is move to protect the U.S from Russia. Trump did not ask Comey about Russias attack; instead he focused on the more salacious parts of the Steele Dossier, getting Comey to say Trump was not under investigation personally, and pressuring Comey to drop the FBI investigation into Trumps former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn. The only pushback for the attack was implemented under former President Obama, and that was sanctions that Russia wants lifted and that the Trump team told Russia not to worry about at the time. The Washington Post reported at the time the discussions were revealed after they had been denied, Flynns communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak were interpreted by some senior U.S. officials as an inappropriate and potentially illegal signal to the Kremlin that it could expect a reprieve from sanctions that were being imposed by the Obama administration in late December to punish Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 election. Former acting CIA directorJohn McLaughlin said of the attack on the U.S. by Russia, Youve got to restore some measure of deterrence. You hit em back, punish em in some ways, which I dont think has been done by the last administration or this one. They are kind of on the offense, and were not pushing back. Former President Obama authorized the planting of digital bombs in Russian infrastructure during the final weeks of his presidency that President Trump could have chosen to deploy, but he has not. The project was not completed when the transition took place. Why wont Donald Trump act to protect the United States, as is his duty? Furthermore, why dont Republicans care? Republicans are currently trying to undermine the Senate and House investigations into the Russian interference in our election. The Russians are still attacking the U.S. and will interfere in our next election, experts warn, unless we stop them. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trump UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is bragging that there will be less peace in the world thanks to Donald Trump. Haley tweeted: "Just 5 months into our time here, we've cut over half a billion $$$ from the UN peacekeeping budget & were only getting started. pic.twitter.com/LA7IKqupff Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 29, 2017 The whole point of the United Nations is to have a global diplomatic community to confront the challenges of humanity. What kind UN ambassador brags about undercutting the mission of protecting innocent people in war zones and promoting peace? The kind of ambassador who has zero diplomatic experience and was appointed by a president who has no idea what the UN does. The United States should never promote the funding of fewer peacekeepers. The damage that Trump is doing to the United States and the world is an ongoing daily occurrence. Trump is making the world less safe and damages global security. Trumps goal apparently is to gut the UN, so that more money can be spent at home on tax cuts for the rich. Even a weak president like Trump has a lot of power, and Donald Trump is using that power to diminish the US around the world. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Windy with rain developing this afternoon. High 78F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. LOS ANGELES, CA, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Z Gallerie, the style authority for the fashionable home, cuts the ribbon on the doors of its newest store at The Mall in Columbia on Friday, June 30th at 9:45 a.m. The brand welcomes customers to celebrate the July 4th holiday weekend with an offer of 15% off home decor, artwork and furniture. Shoppers visiting the new store can enter to win a $1000 Z Gallerie gift card, a $5000 Room Makeover and the opportunity to work with a Z Gallerie Style Consultant. The Columbia location showcases the brands range of styles. Were excited to inspire our customers each season with fresh, fashionable ideas for the home, said William Silveira, Z Gallerie Creative Director. We design collections with the Glamorous, the Modern and the Relaxed lifestyle in mind, so customers can easily find beautiful items that reflect their personal aesthetic. "We look forward to welcoming Z Gallerie to The Mall in Columbia community," said Barbara Nicklas, senior general manager of The Mall in Columbia. "We know our shoppers will embrace this new addition to our collection of high quality tenants." We are excited to open at The Mall of Columbia, said Chris Nicklo, VP Customer and Chief Marketing Officer. Z Gallerie is the fashion brand in home, and customers will find a luxurious and innovative mix of furniture, art and decorative accessories that are uniquely us and unlike any other brand. ABOUT Z GALLERIE Headquartered in Los Angeles, Z Gallerie is the style authority for the fashionable home. The brand celebrates the glamorous, the modern, and the relaxed lifestyle with cutting edge designs and sophisticated, accessible furnishings. A catalog, a full online presence at www.zgallerie.com and 73 stores nationwide keep Z Gallerie in the forefront for interior designers and stylish influencers, inspiring them each season with the latest ideas in furniture, art, home decor and entertaining. ### Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6b7e3d49-a7d0-474e-af2b-cba59cc3dc6e Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32f2d51a-fffa-46cc-8827-67666afd7119 Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d8e003d2-4321-4f63-99bd-23bd1fdc575f HOUSTON, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superior Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE:SPN) announced today that it will release its second quarter 2017 results on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 after the market closes. In conjunction with the release, the Company has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time. Investors may participate either by phone or audio webcast. By Phone: Dial 888-515-2235 (International dial-in 719-457-2607) at least 10 minutes before the call. A replay will be available through August 9, 2017 by dialing 844-512-2921 (International replay dial-in 412-317-6671) and using the pin number 3425103. By Webcast: Connect to the webcast via the Investor Relations section of Superior Energys website at www.superiorenergy.com. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay will be available shortly after the call. About Superior Energy Services Superior Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE:SPN) serves major, national and independent oil and natural gas companies around the world and offers products and services with respect to the various phases of a wells economic life cycle. For more information, visit: www.superiorenergy.com. AUSTIN A woman made her first appearance Monday in Mower County District Court, where she's accused of hitting a child with a plastic rod, leaving him with bruises. Emily Le, 34, of Austin, has been charged with one count each of gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child and misdemeanor domestic assault. She's due back in court July 10. The case began with a child abuse referral May 17 from the Mower County Department of Human Services. A teacher reported a 6-year-old child said he'd gone to the hospital the night before because he was struck by Le "too many times," the complaint says. When officials visited the home, the boy said he was not behaving when they were at the store. When they arrived at his house, he "ran around the dining room table to get away" from Le, but she made him lie down on the living floor on his stomach. ADVERTISEMENT Le then hit him with "the stick" and made him cry, court documents say. The boy retrieved "the stick" described in the reports as a plastic rod from a bedroom, then he and his grandfather re-enacted the incident. The grandfather said the boy was "talking back" to Le, which was why she allegedly hit him. The boy told an investigator Le also hits two other children in the house, the report says. According to the complaint, authorities saw several long bruises on the backs of his legs and one on his right knee. The bruises appeared consistent with being struck by the plastic rod the boy showed them. The two other children in the house confirmed the victim's story, the documents say, including the fact that Le had struck both of them with the "white stick." Both also reportedly said they were afraid for the boy while Le was hitting him. Le told the investigator she was afraid the boy "would get hit by a car" if he went outside, then began to cry, saying she was upset because the boy was not listening to her and was running away from her. Le said she was trying to control herself, but she started hitting the victim with the stick, the complaint says, because she felt overwhelmed. A Zumbrota woman accused of drug sales and possession after she was arrested Jan. 4, 2016, and again Jan. 5, 2017, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Jessica Lindsey Mehrkens, 26, was arrested in January 2016 after Rochester police responded to a report of shoplifting from a business in southeast Rochester. Though loss prevention was able to stop her before she left the store, law enforcement found several plastic bags and a digital scale in Mehrkens' backpack, the complaint says. As she removed one of the shirts she attempted to steal, an officer spotted a plastic bag with nearly three grams of methamphetamine, a glass pipe and a cut straw in her waistband, court records say. Mehrkens was arrested. Two days later, police learned she had $1,500 cash in a safe in her car, which had been left at the store when Mehrkens was arrested. ADVERTISEMENT Law enforcement found her car in the parking lot; in plain view was packaging used for selling narcotics. A small safe could be seen under the driver's seat. A search warrant executed on the car recovered $1,500 in cash and nearly an ounce of meth, the complaint says. Mehrkens was charged with one count each of first-degree drug sale, first-degree drug possession, controlled substance taxation-no stamp, and possession of theft tools, all felonies, as well as one count of gross misdemeanor theft. She remained in custody until April 2016, when she was released on her own recognizance. On Jan. 5, she was arrested at a Rochester motel in northwest Rochester. Police searched two rooms at the business and recovered more than 50 doses of LSD, an unknown amount of meth, a handgun that had been reported stolen and about $1,800 in cash, the reports say. She was charged in that case with one count each of third-degree drug sale, third-degree drug possession and fifth-degree drug possession, all felonies. Mehrkens pleaded guilty June 16 to first-degree drug possession and gross misdemeanor theft from the 2016 case; in exchange, all other counts from both cases were dismissed. ADVERTISEMENT Olmsted County District Court Judge Debra Jacobson sentenced her Monday to 84 months in prison, with credit for 264 days already served. Law enforcement looking for a man in connection with a witness tampering case found him and synthetic drugs Wednesday afternoon, authorities said today. Police stopped Terry Izeal Heggs, 33, about 1:20 p.m. at 20th Street and Broadway Avenue South. Inside his vehicle, officers found plastic baggies and synthetic marijuana, said Capt. John Sherwin of the Rochester Police Department. "The first thing he did when the officer told him he was under arrest was to destroy his cell phone," Sherwin said today. Heggs could be charged with sale of a synthetic cannabinoid, a felony. He also had a large amount of cash, the report says. Sherwin called him "a violent guy" back in October, when two months after Heggs was released from prison he was arrested for failing to register as a predatory offender. ADVERTISEMENT Heggs was released from the Minnesota Department of Corrections on Aug. 20, then violated the terms of his 2011 sentencing. In a one-year period from 2009-2010 Heggs shot a man outside a nightclub, was arrested after a months-long cocaine investigation and sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl. He was sentenced for all three crimes in August 2011 in Olmsted County District Court, the longest a 68-month term, with credit for 222 days already served. As part of a plea agreement at the time, Heggs pleaded guilty to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for the Nov. 1, 2009, shooting outside the former Aquarius nightclub in southeast Rochester. Heggs fired a gun in the parking lot and hit the victim in the leg. The sexual assault and the drug sting both happened in 2010, while Heggs was awaiting trial for the shooting. The sexual-assault victim said Heggs raped her while she was sleeping. The original charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct was amended to fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct as part of the plea agreement. Heggs also pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree drug sale crime after originally being charged with nine felonies, resulting from a police investigation in late 2010. Heggs addressed the court at his sentencing, claiming he was going to prison because people "wanted to get me in trouble." Olmsted County District Judge Kevin Lund corrected him, saying, "You got yourself locked up by your behavior." ADVERTISEMENT As part of the sexual assault plea, he must also register as a predatory offender for 10 years. SPRING VALLEY Authorities are seeking information regarding a burglary that happened in Spring Valley. The incident was reported at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, where two Harley Davidson Motorcycles were stolen from the Kuehn Motor Company on 740 Broadway St. N. From the report, law enforcement believe the theft happened between 9 p.m. on Monday and 5 a.m. Tuesday. Descriptions of the stolen vehicles were: a 2005 black Harley Davidson Road King with a Colorado license plate that reads "IQJ178"valued at $11,900 and a 2003 blue Harley Davidson Ultra Glide, with no license plate, and has a full windshield and hard saddle bags, an estimated value at $8,995. The Fillmore County Sheriff's Office requests anyone with information to contact them at 507-765-3874, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or to visit the website. If the information received results in retrieval, arrest and conviction, there may may be a reward. A Rochester woman is behind bars today, accused of driving drunk, running a red light and causing a crash early Wednesday with her 4-year-old child in the vehicle. Lawanda Latrice Hicks, 34, was "obviously impaired" when approached by police after the crash, said Capt. John Sherwin. She allegedly failed field sobriety tests, had slurred speech and was stumbling. The officer came across the crash shortly after it happened about 5:30 a.m. at Seventh Street and Broadway Avenue North. The 36-year-old driver of a van that was westbound on Seventh Street had the green light, the report says, and was traveling through the intersection when Hicks' van ran the red light on Broadway Avenue. It's unclear what direction she was traveling; both vehicles spun on impact. The other driver was "shaken up, but not seriously injured," Sherwin said; his van sustained "significant damage." ADVERTISEMENT A 4-year-old child in the back seat of Hicks' vehicle was holding his knee when the officer saw him, then indicated his knee hurt. The boy wasn't in a child car seat, the report says. An ambulance responded to the scene and evaluated both the child and the male driver, Sherwin said. Both were released without transport. Human Services was called to take care of the boy. Hicks was arrested at the scene, and could be charged with criminal vehicular operation, second-degree DUI, driving after revocation, no child restraint system and failure to yield the right of way. A search warrant was obtained to get a sample of her blood. A review of her criminal history indicates Hicks is on probation after a conviction in March for refusal to submit to chemical test, a gross misdemeanor. A second count of driving while impaired was dismissed at sentencing. A Rochester branding agency has made the cut as a preferred vendor for Minnesota's Super Bowl LII. Strut Branding, a boutique brand strategy design agency, recently faced off against other firms in a "Shark Tank"-style competition to win a coveted spot in the Super Bowl LII Business Connect Resource Guide. Strut is one of just 420 Minnesota vendors of all kinds listed in "a comprehensive guide for local, diverse procurement activities surrounding Super Bowl LII." A total of 970 businesses vied for a spot in the guide. That means they are suited up and on the sideline waiting for "the NFL, Host Committee and their partners and contractors" to call into action. While they aren't guaranteed business, being in the vendor guide puts them yards ahead of competing agencies. "It's really exciting," said Strut Founder Rachel Gabriel. She leads the firm with her partners, husband Chris Olson and Bryan Rodriguez. ADVERTISEMENT Gabriel and Rodriguez made the three minute pitch to a panel of host committee members that earned them this opportunity. No displays. No digital presentation. Just the two of them telling the panel about Strut. "It was really wild," said Rodriquez of the experience. While Strut has only been in the Med City for three years, it has quickly made its mark on the local market. In 2015, Strut was named the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year. The Strut recently completed an extensive branding project for Rochester Catholic Schools. Olson added his team created a new typography font to make sure it fit for the Catholic Schools. The agency is also working with the United Way of Olmsted Countyand the Rochester Public Library. They also work with clients all over the country and the globe. A team of five to six branding professionals are based in a stylish second floor office at 300 First Ave. NE in downtown Rochester. However, they contract designers, videographers and others from all over. "We find the best talent to fit each project," Olson said. James Marsolek is slowly rolling out his latest pursuit. The Rochester police officer hopes to be part of a revived bike patrol, but for now it's a solo effort. Marsolek has been making his presence known, riding along the Rochesterfest parade route Saturday and attending bike rodeos this week at Gage Elementary School, which sits in the region of the city he patrols in a squad car as part of the department's Community Action Team. "I've made a lot of contacts with people and kids," he said of his first weeks of bike patrol since taking five days of International Police Mountain Bike Association Training this month. With training in hand, Marsolek convinced his superiors to use seized funds to buy a bike and equipment to kick-start a bike patrol. ADVERTISEMENT The department still has equipment from the bike patrol that disbanded 15 to 20 years ago, but most of it is outdated and safety equipment has expired. Originally, Sgt. Jon Turk, who leads the Community Action Team, said the goal was to start next year with hopes of finding funds in the 2018 city budget for a complete patrol, which could include at least 10 patrol officers and six community service officers. Officers wouldn't spend all their time of bikes, but they noted it would offer an option for special events and when quiet flexibility is needed. The wait for a bigger patrol isn't likely needed since Olmsted Public Health staff has stepped in with a proposed $7,500 mini-grant to fund training and equipment for four more officers this year. The funds will come from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership , which targets efforts to create programs that encourage healthy lifestyles. Kari Etrheim, Olmsted County public health education manager, said the bike patrol offers a perfect opportunity. "It's an awesome partnership," she said, noting funding is going through final steps for approval. Etrheim said Marsolek's community engagement efforts in his first weeks are prime examples of how the patrol can encourage others to live healthier lives. Turk also sees the benefit of engagement, as well. "It's exciting to see the excitement the community has for us to be out on bikes," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Of course, the police department also sees potential for dealing with rising concerns in areas like downtown Rochester, where denser populations can hinder persona contact. "Patrolling with squad cars doesn't always bring you in contact with the public," Rochester Police Chief Roger Peterson said, noting changes in the city make reviving the patrol ideal. Turk, who was part of the original bike patrol, said a population shift was also part of the reason the first patrol went away. At the time, patrol officers were being called to various parts of the city, requiring quick responses that weren't possible on bikes. "A bicycle has limited response range and it wasn't working with where Rochester was with its policing," he said, noting limited staffing also affected response times. "They just weren't a good method for what needed to be done at the time." Now, he said changing needs make them more feasible. For Marsolek, the goal is to use his new bike as much as possible as he waits for some of his fellow officers to join once training and equipment is funded, which is expected sometime this summer. He said it offers flexibility as he carries it on a rack behind his squad car. As he waits for more potential patrol members, he's also looking for ways to improve the operation, such as finding bike racks that allow better access needed equipment. Additionally, he said some department policy changes are likely needed. ADVERTISEMENT "We're learning as we go," he said. "We find little things as we go." MANTORVILLE After a bitter three-year legal battle, the Minnesota Supreme Court denied review of a petition over a Dodge County feedlot Wednesday afternoon. This decision allows the previous April 17 ruling from the Minnesota Court of Appeals to stand as is, which vacated the Dodge County District Court's summary judgment that upheld the county's issuing of a conditional-use permit to Masching Swine Farms LLC for constructing a 720-animal unit swine farm. "Game over," said Paul Reuvers, attorney for the county. "This ill-conceived litigation is finally done." The background In 2014, the county board approved a conditional-use permit for the 11th feedlot in the area around Evelyn and Lowell Trom's farmhouse that the family lived in for more than eight decades. The Troms stated that Dodge County "failed" to properly consider and address the environmental concerns relating to a 2,400 head swine feedlot that was constructed approximately six acres away from their home. ADVERTISEMENT A lawsuit followed, which the Troms initially won. The Dodge County judge at the time ruled that local officials violated their own rules after approving the feedlot because the proposal failed to provide specific information to the public, including plans for how and where manure would be distributed. "The application contained only a fraction of the information required," the judge wrote. "The application process was faulty from the very beginning." Since then, the county board voted to change its own rules. The result created a two-page application for a feedlot permit that required less specifics. The couple sued Dodge County again, alleging that officials push feedlot projects faster than other permits because the planning commission was "comprised predominantly of individuals who have a direct financial stake in the feedlot industry." In May, the Troms lost. The judge ruled that courts are obliged to give deference to the government bodies that make the rules when it came to regulatory decisions. Their case drew support and attention from environmental and animal rights groups in opposition of the feedlot. Dodge County responds From this legal win, Reuver explained that this decision didn't come as a surprise. The Minnesota State Supreme Court only takes less than 10 percent of civil cases. There was also the fact that the court "uniformly held there must be strict compliance with the rules," which was addressed in the Jaeger v. Palladium Holdings, LLC case in 2016. ADVERTISEMENT "The Troms failed to follow simple and straightforward court rules, which is poetic justice, as they claim the county failed to follow its own rules," he said. "It's not the county's fault the Troms did not follow the rules." "The county properly approved a feedlot for a young, aspiring farmer," Reuver said. "He followed all of the state and local rules, which is all anyone should be required to do. The county works hard to balance the rights of all of its citizens, and did so here." After three years of legal suits, the conversations over feedlots were contested. Accusations were made against several county commission members of bias for allegedly approving CUPs for feedlots faster because a couple of the members had associations with several feedlots. Now, the legal battle is over. "Opponents of any land use decision should refrain from personal, vitriolic attacks on the integrity of public officials, as it is hard to get good, hard-working people involved in local government when faced with this environment, which is truly unfortunate," Reuvers added. Trom family responds Once she received word from the Minnesota Supreme Court's decision not to review the Troms' petition, Sonja Trom Eayrs who is an attorney and is the daughter of the Troms expressed her disappointment with the outcome. "After a lifetime of hard work and building a beautiful family farm, it's sad to see corporate America put a large factory farm next door," Eayrs said in a statement. "There is no respect for the land. No respect for the hard-working families that settled in this area, and certainly no respect for the environment, and for what? A little money?" ADVERTISEMENT Jim Peters, the Troms' attorney, also expressed his disagreement over the declined review of the Troms' petition. "Although the Minnesota Supreme Court takes very few cases like this, we were hopeful that they would take this up given the widespread interest," Peters said in an email statement. "We hope that the MPCA will follow up in any event." "If Minnesotans want to see change regarding factory farms, they will need to take action in the legislature," Eayrs said. "Factory farms are ruining Minnesota, with over 4,600 impaired waterways in our beautiful state. ... Large corporate interests are forcing farm families off the land. Guess what? We're not leaving." ALBERT LEA Will Freeborn County embrace the so-called "nuclear option" in response to Mayo Clinic's controversial transition plan for Albert Lea and Austin? Everything remains on the table, even if such an aggressive response appears unlikely. Kelly Callahan, the interim county administrator, preached patience Wednesday as city and county officials continue to gather information while considering any and all options following Mayo's June 13 announcement to consolidate many services in Austin, to the detriment of Albert Lea. The Freeborn County Board used Tuesday's planning session to receive feedback from Minnesota Nurses Association representatives. Jay Armstrong, an MNA organizer, informed the board that two aggressive responses would include filing a temporary injunction or invoking eminent domain to wrest control of the hospital away from Mayo in hopes of bringing another provider to town to operate the full-service facility. Freeborn County Attorney David Walker referred to a case in Boston that could be cited as case law to support a temporary injunction, while Armstrong called eminent domain the "nuclear option" that would likely trigger a legal response from Mayo. "I think we are quite away yet from any potential litigation," Callahan said. "I don't believe anyone involved in this is anxious to get to that point. We are really still just adjusting to the announcement and trying to get answers to questions while attempting to assess the potential economic impact on the city and county." ADVERTISEMENT Walker says Tuesday's discussion is not intended to be a threat against Mayo. Instead, they're simply gathering information about all of their options moving forward. But the fact such extremes measures are even being considered at all reflects the level of local discontent regarding Mayo's recent announcement. "We were very much blindsided when we were told some of us at work two weeks ago yesterday about this decision," Mayo nurse Jill Morstad told the Albert Lea Tribune at Tuesday's meeting. While Morstad questioned Mayo's transparency with the transition process, Mayo spokeswoman Tami Yokiel issued another statement defending Mayo's actions and public dialogue. "A group of leaders at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin has been reviewing the medical center's services for almost 18 months, and this group has been very transparent with Albert Lea and Austin staff since discussions started," Yokiel said via email. "All staff have received numerous emails over the course of the last 18 months to let them know change was imminent in order to keep health care local." A public meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at Albert Lea High School to discuss Mayo's transition plans with citizens. The panel of speakers will include Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin; Bobbie Gostout, Mayo vice president and leader of Mayo Clinic Health System; Chris Shoff, Freeborn County commissioner; and Chad Adams, Albert Lea city manager. MNA reports that Mayo's Albert Lea campus employs 126 union nurses and Armstrong claimed up to 500 jobs may be lost in the transition. He also told the county board that he believes Mayo has been planning for this since before merging the two campuses in 2013. "It's a way that they are reducing capacity, reducing options for where patients can go, and at the same time cherry-picking those cases that have the highest reimbursement and sending them to Rochester," Armstrong said, according to the Tribune. "This isn't a case of them not being able to afford to keep the hospital open. This is the choice on their part to close because they can make more money by consolidating." Mayo vigorously disputes both of Armstrong's claims. Yokiel claims his estimated job loss "has no basis, in fact, it is an invented figure." She also dismissed the notion that Mayo has been planning this transition for years. ADVERTISEMENT "A thorough and thoughtful evaluation process took place, with input from many stakeholders to assist in making this tough decision," Yokiel wrote. "Until just a few weeks ago, the decision about which campus had not been finalized." MIAMI, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As previously disclosed in the June 25, 2017 press release, Omega Commercial Finance Corporation (OTCPINK:OCFN) acquired Gogo Baby, Inc., which is itself a publicly traded company which has now been renamed Alpha Investment, Inc. (OTCPINK:ALPC). This key acquisition allows OCFN to realize the future stock price appreciation of ALPC. In addition, OCFN plans to distribute out shares of ALPC to shareholders of OCFN as a dividend. The company will be making additional announcements on this dividend in the near future. Todd Buxton, CEO of Alpha Investment Inc., stated, As a newly acquired subsidiary under OCFN we can begin to execute our capital raising platform model in order to facilitate a defined strategy to support the initiatives of ALPCs various synergistic sister companies, which are all vertically integrated under OCFNs umbrella. Each operation is fueled with tremendous growth capital, adding value to the parent company through the consolidation of the balance sheets. About Us: Omega Commercial Finance Corporation is a publicly traded financial services holding company with our principal companies operating in the commercial real estate, finance, and capital markets sector. As a holding company, OCFN collectively along with its subsidiaries' management teams have a combined 150 years of experience and knowledge across their respective business lines. Key subsidiaries are Omega Capital Street LLC, Omega IM Group LLC, Omega Asset Management LLC, Omega FLK Properties LLC, and Alpha Investment Inc. Safe Harbor This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Omega Commercial Finance Corp., its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) our expectations regarding revenues and earnings; (ii) our growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iii) our ability to attract new registered representatives. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "can," "believe," "potential," "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. MINNEAPOLIS A Minnesota scientist who leads an Environmental Protection Agency scientific advisory board says she was pressured by the agency's chief of staff to change her testimony before Congress to downplay the Trump administration's decision not to reappoint half of the board's members. Emails show that EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson asked Deborah Swackhamer, an environmental chemist who recently retired from the University of Minnesota, to stick to the agency's stance that the decision on appointments had not yet been made. Now Democratic leaders of the House Science Committee have asked EPA Inspector General Arthur Elkins to investigate Jackson's actions, which they say were "inappropriate and may have violated federal regulations" that ensure a citizen's right to communicate with Congress. Democrats on the panel invited Swackhamer to testify at a May 23 hearing. She chairs the EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors, but stressed that she was speaking solely as a science and policy expert, not on behalf of the EPA. In her testimony, she noted that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt did not renew half of the board's 18 executive committee members for second terms, and that an agency spokesman cited a need for more representation from industry. She said that decision "may lead to the perception that science is being politicized and marginalized within EPA." Any appointees "from the regulated community must be esteemed scientists with no conflict of interest," she added. ADVERTISEMENT Jackson sent Swackhamer two emails the day before the hearing after she had already submitted her embargoed testimony with a page of official talking points meant to counter "stories in the newspapers" about the appointments. He said that decision "has not yet been made," underlining that phrase for emphasis. Swackhamer did not immediately reply to a request for comment from The Associated Press on Wednesday. But she told the New York Times she felt "stunned" and "bullied" by Jackson's effort to get her to change her testimony. And she told Minnesota Public Radio on Wednesday that she's been speaking out because the appointments are a symptom of "the erosion of the value of science at EPA and throughout the rest of the federal government." Board members typically are top academic experts tasked with helping to ensure that the agency's scientists follow established best practices for the integrity of its science. Experts are limited to two terms, but Swackhamer has said members finishing their first terms typically got reappointed before. Three Democratic leaders on the committee Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas, Suzanne Bonamici, of Oregon, and Donald Beyer, of Virginia wrote to the EPA's inspector general this week to demand an investigation. Countering Jackson's claim, they said the EPA's acting assistant administrator for research and development, Robert Kavlock, had been informed two weeks earlier, apparently by Pruitt's office, that a decision had been made not to renew the nine board members' appointments. In a separate letter to Pruitt, the Democrats said they were "deeply troubled about the possible attempts to interfere with Dr. Swackhamer's testimony to Congress. Dr. Swackhamer's key message in her testimony was that politics should not be used to undermine science, and she delivered this message while EPA faced accusations of doing exactly that." The Republican chairman of the committee, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, issued a statement Wednesday defending the EPA, saying the agency was just performing "due diligence" to ensure that Swackhamer's testimony was accurate. The committee also released the emails in question, including Kavlock's email to the affected board members informing them that their appointments would not be renewed. The News Guild of New York says the New York Times editorial staff will leave the newsroom today in protest against job cuts. The Times reportedly is planning to slash the number of its editors from 100 to as few as 50 or 55. According to Bloomberg, Times reporters and editors sent two letters to management decrying such a cut and asking the paper to reconsider. The letters apparently had no impact. Hence the walk-out. The planned cuts do not extend to reporters. However, reporters will join in the work stoppage. They say that cutting the number of editors will injure them. Editors and yes, that especially means copy editors save reporters and the Times every day from countless errors, large and small, the reporters said in their letter. At Power Line, John has built a cottage industry of reporting on New York Times corrections. If copy editors are saving the Times from countless errors every day and the Times cuts the number of copy editors in half, we may need to bulk up our staff just to keep track of the errors and corrections. Come to think of it, I could use a good copy editor. Its understandable that the Times, like any struggling business, wants to trim its staff. However, the way the Times is going about it displays disrespect for its copy editors. Indeed, as a lawyer who on occasion represented companies that undertook mass layoffs, it looks to me that the Times is near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to handling this unfortunate situation. It is requiring all of its copy editors to resubmit applications for roles in the newsroom. Why? You would think that management knows which copy editors have what capabilities, and thus wouldnt need to humiliate all of them by, as their letter states, requiring them to sing for their supper. The Times contempt for its own editors is further demonstrated in an internal memo. Reportedly, it compared copy editors to dogs urinating on fire hydrants. Many mass layoffs produce evidence that makes management look callous. Fortunately, I never had to defend a company that displayed as much contempt as this comment, if it was made, appears to. No wonder the Times staffers say morale is low throughout the newsroom, and. . .many of us, from editors to reporters to photo editors to support staff, are angry, embittered and scared of losing our jobs. No wonder they decided to walk out in protest today. The climatistas have issued this definitive declaration: World has three years to save humanity from climate change, warn experts The world has three years to start making significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or face the prospect of dangerous global warming, experts have warned in an article in the prestigious journal Nature. Calling for world leaders to be guided by the scientific evidence rather than hide their heads in the sand, they said entire ecosystems were already beginning to collapse, summer sea ice was disappearing in the Arctic and coral reefs were dying from the heat. So, we can expect that three years from now we wont have to bother with this hectoring any more? Silly me. . . Just who are some of these experts behind this declaration? The experts, led by Christiana Figueres, who as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change played a key role in the Paris Agreement, said they must start to fall rapidly from 2020 at the latest. . . Figueres, according to her biography, has a masters degree in social anthropology, which obviously makes her an expert on climate change. (By the way, I love this detail in her Wikipedia entry about her family with husband Konrad von Ritter: The couple have two daughters with Arabic names: Naima (March 1988) and Yihana (December 1989). Surrender early I guess.) But wait, theres more! Experts, that is: The article was signed by more than 60 scientists, such as Professor Michael Mann of Pennsylvania State University, politicians, including former Mexican President Felipe Calderon and ex-Irish President Mary Robinson, businesspeople like Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever, investment managers, environmental campaigners and others. About the politicized Michael Mann the less said the better. But the point is, this declaration is being promoted more by politicians and campaigners than real scientists. I wonder if fake news is causing climate change? Australian police charged a top adviser to Pope Francis with multiple historical sex crimes on Thursday, in a case that poses a dilemma for a pontiff who has vowed zero tolerance for such offences. George Pella, a cardinal, is the Vaticans de facto treasury minister and is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be charged with sexual abuse. He faces multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences from multiple complainants, said police in the Australian state of Victoria, where Pell was a country priest in the 1970s. The police did not specify the charges against Pell, 76, nor the ages of the alleged victims nor when the crimes were alleged to have occurred. The Australian Catholic Church said in a statement that Pell strenuously denied the charges and planned to return to Australia to clear his name. He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously, the statement said. It also said his doctors would advise on his travel arrangements. Pell angered victims at a government inquiry into institutional child abuse in Australia in 2016 by saying he was too sick to fly home, testifying instead from Rome. He was ordered to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. The cardinal was due to make a statement at the Vatican later on Thursday. The latest development in the long-running Pell case piled pressure on the pope to make good on promises to sack bishops found guilty of abuse, or of covering it up. Francis told reporters last year he would wait until Australian justice took its course before taking a position on Pell, and that his financial controller since 2014 should not undergo trial by media. Its in the hands of the justice system and one cannot judge before the justice system, the pope said at the time. After the justice system speaks, I will speak. Pell told the Australian inquiry in 2016 the Church had made catastrophic choices by refusing to believe abused children, shuffling abusive priests from parish to parish and relying too heavily on the counsel of priests to solve the problem. Franciss attempts to root out sexual abuse in the Church have hit stumbling blocks. Marie Collins, the top non-clerical member of a papal commission on abuse, resigned in frustration earlier this year, citing shameful resistance to change within the Vatican. Church sexual abuse broke into the open in 2002, when it was discovered that U.S. bishops in the Boston area moved abusers instead of defrocking them. Similar scandals have since been discovered around the world and tens of millions of dollars have been paid in compensation. Thousands of cases have come to light as investigations have encouraged long-silent victims to go public. I would suspect (the charges against Pell) are going to be stunning to the Vatican and to the pope himself, said Thomas Doyle, the U.S. priest whose report on sexual abuse in the Church led to the discovery of cover-up practices in Boston. Under previous popes, the Vatican, a sovereign state in the middle of Rome, sheltered officials wanted by other countries. In the early 1980s, the Vatican refused to hand over to Italy Archbishop Paul Marcinkus, an American who was then head of the Vatican bank and was wanted for questioning about the fraudulent bankruptcy of a private Italian bank. Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston moved to Rome after a sexual abuse scandal erupted in his diocese and has been living in the Italian capital for more than 15 years. Victims groups were outraged when Law, now 85 and retired, was given a plum job as chief priest at a Rome basilica by the late Pope John Paul. However, Francis was tough in the case of Jozef Wesolowski, a former archbishop who was accused of paying for sex with minors while serving as papal ambassador in the Dominican Republic. Wesolowski was recalled in 2013, defrocked and arrested in the Vatican in 2014 but died shortly before his trial was due to start in 2015. Victims support groups say successive popes have failed to grasp the gravity of the situation. It would be naive for us to assume that people will be only relieved, Neil Woodger, vice president of the In Good Faith Foundation, said of the charges against Pell. Theyre going to be experiencing a bit of distress as well, he said. It is a result that I think points to justice working and that justice is there for everybody. Woodgers foundation says it represents 460 victims of Catholic Church abuse in Australia. (Reuters/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook A High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced to life imprisonment a former Vice Principal of St. Marys Girls Grammar School, Ikole-Ekiti, Taiwo Ajayi, after finding him guilty of raping a 12-year-old in 2014. The court said Mr. Ajayi committed the offence against Section 31(2) of the Child Rights Law of Ekiti State 2012. The convict was the Vice Principal (Academics) at the time he committed the offence on March 18, 2014. Mr. Ajayi reportedly lured the girl into his office, locked the door from behind and raped her on the table while covering her mouth with a piece of cloth. A teacher had knocked on the door while Mr. Ajayi was carrying out the act, but he refused to open the door, and warned his victim not to tell anybody. Two of the school teachers were, however, said to have forced the door open after 30 minutes and caught Mr. Ajayi in the very act. Delivering the judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond every reasonable doubt on the strength of evidence placed before the court. The prosecution was led by A.E. Arogundade of the Ministry of Justice while the defence was led by Sule Longe. The convict was first arraigned in court on October 14, 2016 and he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The cases of child defilement has been on the increase lately and to serve as a deterrent to others, my view is that the punishment stipulated by the lawmakers was deliberate to deter the offence and protect the right to dignity of the child, the judge said. The defence counsel is pleading for leniency and praying for fine instead of the due punishment. My question is: who pays the victim for the lifetime scar of the trauma and torture of rape. I am unable to deviate from the provisions of the law in this instant. The defendant is found guilty as charged and sentenced to life imprisonment. The prosecution called eight witnesses including a medical practitioner from the State University Teaching Hospital, police officers who investigated the case, two other pupils and a teacher in the school. Exhibits tendered include a medical report, statement of the accused, report of the panels set up by the school authorities and Teaching Service Commission, medical report from the police clinic, statement of the victim, among others. The two panels set up to investigate the matter indicted Mr. Ajayi which led to his suspension from service after which he was arrested and arraigned to face the charge. Share this: Twitter Facebook Heavily armed security operatives on Wednesday raided the residence of a former vice president, Namadi Sambo, in Kaduna. The operatives are believed to have come from the State Security Service, SSS, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC. An ICPC operative in the North-West zonal office of the agency in Kaduna, confirmed the raid to our reporter. Yes, we carried out a raid of the former Vice President Sambos house around 3:00pm today (Wednesday) with other agencies, the operative said but declined to give further details because he has no official permission to speak to journalists. You can contact our headquarters in Abuja for details, he added. Umar Sani, the former media aide to Mr. Sambo, who also confirmed Wednesdays raid said it was the fifth by security operatives on the house. He accused Nigerias ruling All Progressives Congress of allegedly intimidating people to scare possible contenders in 2019. This is not the first time they are searching the house. They have been coming to search the house on several occasions, Mr. Sani said. Today they came with a court order and gave a copy of the court order to the Chief Security Officer in the house. After they finished the search, they wrote at the back page of the court order that they gave to the CSO that they didnt find anything and they left. So we are not surprised because it has now become a routine activity, Mr. Sani said. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the operatives arrived the newly renovated residence of the former vice president at No. 1 Alimi road in Kaduna, around 3:07 p.m., conducted their search and left at about 5:28 p.m. The heavily armed team came in a white Toyota Hilux, a Toyota Corolla and a Coaster bus, a Toyota Hilux van and a dark coloured Toyota Corolla car. The Corolla was parked outside as the operatives numbering up to ten conducted the search within the residence while the others waited outside, a resident of the neighbourhood who witnessed the raid said. A witness also told our reporter that some operatives blocked the major road leading to the residence to wade off motorists and other passers-by plying the road while other operatives went into the residence. Mr. Sambo served as deputy to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the ex-vice president in May held a closed-door meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. It is not clear if the earlier searches mentioned by Mr. Sani were discussed at that meeting as details of the meeting were not disclosed. Share this: Twitter Facebook TORONTO, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IC Potash Corp. (TSX:ICP) (OTCQB:ICPTF) (IC Potash or the Company) is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement (the Private Placement). An aggregate of 16,738,808 units of the Company (the Units) were issued at $0.05 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $836,940. Each Unit consists of (i) one common share of the Company (a Common Share); and (ii) one common share purchase warrant (each a Warrant). Each full Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.08 until June 28, 2018, provided that if, at any time after the date which is four months and one day following the Closing Date, the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) equals or exceeds $0.18 for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants, in which event the Warrants will expire upon the date (the Accelerated Expiry Date) which is 30 days following the dissemination of a press release by the Company announcing the Accelerated Expiry Date. The Company paid a finders fee of $14,000 and issued 280,000 broker warrants entitling the holder to acquire one Common Share for a period of 12 months at an exercise price equal to $0.06. The proceeds will be used for working capital. Further, the Company announced results of the voting at its annual meeting of shareholders (the Meeting) held on June 28, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. At the Meeting, all director nominees listed in the Companys management information circular dated May 24, 2017 were elected as directors of the Company. The detailed results of the vote by ballot are as follows: Election of Directors # of Votes For % of Votes For # of Votes Withheld % of Votes Withheld John Stubbs 88,334,641 99.14 % 762,775 0.86 % Mehdi Azodi 88,330,416 99.14 % 767,000 0.86 % Hon. Pierre Pettigrew PC 88,334,416 99.14 % 763,000 0.86 % Ernest Angelo, Jr. 88,332,516 99.14 % 764,900 0.86 % Knute H. Lee, Jr. 88,332,116 99.14 % 765,300 0.86 % In addition, 32,866,056 shares were voted by proxy in favour of the election of all directors, but, were received late and were not included in the above-referenced results. At the Meeting, shareholders re-appointed Davidson & Company LLP as auditors of the Company. About IC Potash Corp. IC Potash has previously demonstrated a method to make Sulfate of Potash (SOP) from the Ochoa polyhalite deposit in Southeast New Mexico in which it has an interest and is currently examining ways to become a low-cost fertilizer producer. The current review of the Ochoa projects existing feasibility study is being extended to determine a viable positive economic path to the production of direct application polyhalite. The Ochoa project has access to excellent local labor resources, low-cost electricity and natural gas, water, rail lines, and the Port of Galveston, Texas. The Ochoa projects land holdings consist of nearly 90,000 acres of potassium prospecting permits and mining leases issued by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and State of New Mexico. For more information, please visit www.icpotash.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of IC Potash to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, anticipate, believe, continue, potential or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding trends in the markets for Sulfate of Potash and polyhalite, the timing for completion of an updated feasibility study by the Company, the Companys intention to investigate the feasibility of polyhalite product production, the potential value of water resources and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of IC Potash, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of studies undertaken by IC Potash, risks associated with mineral exploration and mining activities, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory and environmental approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing, and risks associated with turning reserves into product. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, 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. After the disease had caused about 1,166 deaths over 23 weeks in 25 states, the Nigerian government has finally declared the meningitis epidemic over in the country. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, made the declaration on Wednesday. We have formally declared the Meningitis outbreak over in the country, he told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, had earlier on Monday on its official Twitter handle declared that the meningitis outbreak was over. Before the declaration, health officials combated the disease since late last year under monitoring by the Ministry of Health, the NCDC, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA, and International partner organisations. Statistics from NCDC showed that a total 14,518 suspected cases were reported from 25 states since the outbreak was first recorded in Zamfara State in November 2016. We also informed FEC that we have not recorded new cases of Polio in the country in 2017. We have recorded seven new cases of Lassa fever across the country and the cholera outbreak in Kwara State has also fizzled out, Mr. Adewole said on the other public health issues. The NCDC, on its official Twitter handle on Monday, stated that from its data analysis in the last few weeks, it was confirming the 2016/17 meningitis outbreak in Nigeria over. The Executive Director of NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said with the outbreak over, Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) responding to the epidemic had been stepped down. Mr. Ihekweazu said the outbreak had been in constant decline for eight weeks during which the affected states had recorded much fewer new cases. The decline is believed to be due to the change in weather as Nigeria entered the rainy reason from the hot weather during which the disease spread. The NCDC said it has also begun preparation for the next meningitis season. According to the NDDC tweet, Our preparedness for the next meningitis season has begun. We are working towards being better prepared than we are. Mr. Ihekweazu said NCDC had established a National EOC, which coordinated the national outbreak response. The planning process to prevent future outbreaks and ensuring better preparedness for the next epidemic season has begun. Laboratory capacity has been improved with the recent operationalisation of the new National Reference Laboratory in Gaduwa, Abuja with support from the Federal Ministry of Health, the US CDC and the World Health Organisation. He added that NCDC was coordinating a network of laboratories across the country to improve case confirmation capacity as well as putting up National guidelines towards responding to future outbreaks. These are being developed together with ongoing continuous awareness campaigns, keeping the general public informed. Workshops to improve preparedness are also being organised, he stated. He also disclosed that the reactive vaccination campaigns led by the NPHCDA were successfully conducted in Zamfara, Sokoto, Yobe and Katsina states. The state governments were fully engaged in conducting these campaigns to ensure that the vaccines reached the most at-risk population. Zamfara State, which recorded the first case of the outbreak, recorded the highest casualty; followed by Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi and Yobe, which all reached the alert/epidemic threshold The disease affected a total of 226 local governments across Nigeria. The outbreak became epidemic because of late diagnosis in Zamfara as many health professionals missed the epidemiology of the disease when first presented, thereby making government intervention through provision of vaccines late. The federal government also could not intervene early because of the non-availability of vaccine in the country for the strain C meningitis. Share this: Twitter Facebook Notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, otherwise known as Evans, on Wednesday dragged the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and three others before the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged illegal detention. In the suit filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans is praying for the order of court to direct the respondents to immediately charge him to court if there is any case against him in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Joined as respondents with Mr. Idris in the suit are the Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Lagos State Police Command. In the alternative, Evans is praying the court to compel the respondents to immediately release him unconditionally in the absence of any offence that will warrant his being charged to court. According to the rights enforcement suit, Evans is challenging his continued detention by the respondents since he was arrested in June. According to him, his continued detention without being charged to court or released on bail is an infringement on his fundamental human rights, saying that the respondents ought to have charged him to court in accordance with the provisions of Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution. Furthermore, the suit argued that the alleged offences he committed are intertwined with the constitutional safeguards as provided under Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution. To support Evans case, his father, Stephen Onwuamadike, also deposed to an affidavit in support of the suit. In his 27-paragraph affidavit, Mr. Onwuamadike averred that his son (applicant) has been subjected to media trial without any court order by the respondents. He argued that the media trial has continued to generate reactions in both print and electronic media without his son being given the option of fair hearing and trial before a court of law. According to him, since Evans was arrested, his family members have been denied access to him while journalists and other media personnel have however been granted unchecked access. PREMIUM TIMES findings however revealed that the matter has not been assigned to any judge and no date has been fixed for the hearing. But in his reaction, Jimoh Moshood, spokesperson to the Nigeria Police, said that the force had obtained a court order from a Federal High Court, Abuja, to detain the suspect for three months, for proper investigation. The investigation, the police said, will take operatives to Ghana, South Africa and other places before he (Evans) would be arraigned. Evans and six of his co-conspirators were arrested and paraded at the Lagos State Police Command earlier in June. According to Mr. Moshood, the suspects were arrested after officers stormed the kidnappers den and engaged in a gun battle which lasted several hours. Evans was first declared wanted in August 2013 for the attempted kidnap of Vincent Obianudo, the owner of a Lagos-based transportation company. Mr. Obianudo survived the attempt, as police officers foiled the scheme, killing three of his gang members in the process. According to the police, the gang primarily kidnapped victims in Lagos State but have also kidnapped prominent Nigerians from Northern states. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Presidency says it is constrained to decry criticisms, mostly on social media, on the retention in London of Nigerias Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001 as mostly informed by lack of understanding of protocol around foreign trips by Heads of State all over the world. The spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, said in a statement on Thursday that for reasons of protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige, no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation. The statement said from an operational point of view, Nigerias Armed Forces as represented by the Nigeria Air Force are not to abandon their Commander-In-Chief in whichever circumstance he is. This is a standard operating procedure. We have also read claims about outrageous fees allegedly paid by Nigeria. The published amounts are totally untrue. Aircraft conveying heads of state all over the world usually enjoy waivers even where payments for parking are differentiated by aircraft categories. We have been assured that where the waiver is not granted, payment will not exceed 1,000, which is a quarter of the amount being peddled, Mr. Shehu said. He also said Mr. Buhari was not the first, and will not be the last, to have a presidential aircraft standing by for him. All past Heads of this country have had this privilege, and the part that surprises the most is that leaders who in the past travelled with three Nigerian aircraft did not suffer this trenchant criticism. We appeal to Nigerians to ignore opposition campaign aimed at derailing this administrations big plans for the country, Mr. Shehu claimed. This is a government that is constructing the Second Niger Bridge, the Mambila Power Plant, the East-West and the North-South standard gauge railway lines. We are a government that has saved this country an annual loss of two trillion Naira from fraudulent petroleum subsidy schemes by influential citizens and their children, and rid the public service of about 50,000 ghost workers. The Buhari administration certainly deserves a chance, Mr. Shehu said. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Federal Government is yet to release the second tranche of London-Paris Club Loan refunds to the 36 state governments, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, confirmed on Thursday in Abuja. The Minister, who spoke exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES, said the Federal Ministry of Finance was still working with the Presidency to determine the terms and conditions that would guide the disbursement of the funds. Its not ready yet, the minister said. Before the payment of the first tranche of the funds, the President directed the states to use 50 per cent for the payment of arrears of salaries, gratuity and pensions to their workers. A lot of the states complied with the directive. When we are ready, part of the guidelines for disbursement will be that the states use 70 per cent of the payment for the same purpose, she said. However, the minister did not say why most of the states were still owing huge backlog of salaries to their workers. The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, said about 23 states of the federation currently owed local government workers arrears of salary ranging from one to 16 months. The national president of the union, Ibrahim Khaleel, named Bayelsa State as owing local council workers for between 10 to 16 months, followed by Kogi, seven to 15 months and Delta, eight to 14 months. Other states include Kaduna (12 months), Oyo (three to 11 months), Edo (10 months), Abia (five to nine months), Kwara (two to nine months), Benue (nine months), and Nasarawa (seven months), while Ondo, Ekiti, and Imo are owing six months. Zamfara has not implemented minimum wage, while Adamawa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Plateau states owe four months each, and Taraba and FCT (three months). Also, Osun State has been paying half salaries for more than 24 months, while few months are being owed salaries in Enugu. Ogun and Ekiti have continued to withhold union dues deducted from workers salaries for the past seven and nine months respectively. Cross River state workers, who are being owed between one to three months salaries, have continued their strike action, following their refusal to heed to the plea by the state government for them call off the action this week. Following the approval of the payment of the refund in the first tranche of disbursement, a total of N516.38 billion was paid to the 36 States and the FCT. On November 21, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the partial refund of long standing claims by state governments in respect of over-deductions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, allocation for external debt service between 1995 and 2002. The debt service deductions were in respect of the Paris Club, London Club and Multilateral debts of the Federal and State governments, which Nigeria reached a final agreement for debt relief with the Paris Club in October 2005. Apart from the refund meant to assist the state governments sort out the huge arrears of salaries to their workers, and alleviate the challenges workers were facing, the President said the funds were part of his governments efforts to stimulate the economy. Consequently, the disbursements were premised on the condition that a minimum of 50 per cent would be applied for the payment of workers salaries and pensions. A senior Ministry of Finance official familiar with the issue told PREMIUM TIMES that the payment of the second tranche of payment was delayed, because the government was to review the report of the impact of the releases on the effort of the states government defray their arrears to the workers. The impact analysis report is being compiled by the Federal Ministry of Finance for onward submission to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, as part of the process for approval for the release of the second tranche of payment, the official said. He requested that name should not be disclosed, as he was not authorised to speak on the issue. Spokesperson of the Nigerian Governors, Bello Barkindo, said all the 36 governors met recently in anticipation of the release of the second tranche of the money already approved by vice-president. The governors met in anticipation of the release of the other half of the Paris-London Club refund expected to hit the states accounts within the month. We all agreed that a substantial amount from the next tranche of the Paris-London refunds be used in the settlement of workers salary and pension arrears. The president, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, and his Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, counterpart, Ayuba Wabba, have asked the government to enlist the assistance of anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to probe the use of the first tranche as well as monitor the disbursement of the second. We have already called for the probe by ICPC and EFCC those states not only for the first tranche, but subsequent tranches, Mr. Kaigama said. We are working with the Federal Government, which directed that the fund be used for the payment of arrears of workers salaries and pensions before anything else. Share this: Twitter Facebook The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, will pay about N2.4 billion to acquire Metro Plaza Abuja which will serve as its permanent headquarters. The NAHCON chairman, Abdullahi Mohammed, had earlier told reporters at the State House in Abuja that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, approved the commissions memo for the acquisition of the property. The spokesperson of NAHCON, Uba Mana, in a statement on Wednesday evening said the approval allows the commission to buy the property from the Asset Management Company, AMCON. The approval was granted consequent upon the commissions ability to raise the sum of N2 billion out of the N2.4 billion of the agreed price, Mr. Mana said. It also said the balance of the money will be paid from the commissions 2017 capital budget, which is N500 million. The main building of the property after renovation will serve as NAHCONs corporate headquarters complete with conference halls, Board Rooms, Training centre etc, while the two annexes are to be rented out to enable the commission generate revenue in its strive to achieve financial autonomy from the government, Mr. Mana said. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has advised Nnamdi Kanu and Pro-Biafra groups to settle down and work on dialogue rather than engaging in activities that could continue to heat up the polity. The chairman of PFN, Enugu State Chapter, Godwin Madu, a Reverend Pastor, gave this advice shortly after a special prayer meeting for peace in the country on Wednesday. The special meeting was organised by the PFN at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Province of Excellence), Enugu. Mr. Madu cautioned the IPOB leader and his group as well as other pro-Biafra organisations to settle down and work on dialogue rather than engaging in activities that could continue to heat up the polity. According to him, PFN is opposed to the radical approach being used by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in its agitations for the South-East. Nigeria is good as a country. Anywhere we feel aggrieved, the matter could be addressed amicably instead of heating up the polity and creating unnecessary tension in the entire country, he said. The PFN chairman also urged the northern youth to work for peace, saying violence and crisis would not benefit anybody. Nigeria has no particular landlord, he told the youth, saying no tribe is empowered by the Nigerian Constitution to issue quit notice to any other ethnic group or people. A founding member of the body, Obi Onubuogu, said the need for dialogue as the main key to solving the nations current problem. Also, former Secretary of the PFN in the state, Joseph Ajujungwa, said the prayer meeting became necessary because the PFN was against AREWA youths quit notice. While emphasising the efficacy of prayers in matters like the current tension in the country, he said, he was opposed to the quit notice given by the northern youths to the Igbo residing in the north. A lot of souls had been wasted through needless hostilities as the blood of the innocent is crying to high heavens, Mr. Madu said. He called on the media to be agents in uniting the country, rather than dividing it. I would advise the media to be useful instrument for the promotion of peace in the country, he said. Earlier during the prayer session, 36 persons representing the 36 states of the federation were called to the podium, to offer fervent prayers to God for peace to reign in the country. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed October 10 to hear a matter filed by Johnmary Jideobi, a lawyer, seeking to remove Ibrahim Magu as Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. When the matter was called on Thursday, Mohammed Shehu, counsel to one of the respondents, asked the court for an adjournment to enable him familiarise himself with the case. Mr. Shehu prayed the court to grant his request as this was his first appearance in the matter. Mr. Jideobi, who represented himself, said he had no objection to the application for adjournment. Justice B.O. Quadri adjourned the matter until October 10 for hearing. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Jideobi is asking the court to make a pronouncement terminating the continuous stay of Mr. Magu as Acting Chairman of EFCC. He said that the Senate rejected Mr. Magus appointment and by virtue of that expediency, the commission being headed by an acting chairman ended when the president wrote requesting for a substantive chairman. However, the federal government, through the office of the Attorney- General of the Federation, objected to the application on certain terms. The counsel to the federal government, Maimuna Shiru, said that one of the terms had to do with the powers of the president to appoint a chairman for the EFCC, whether in acting or substantive capacity. Besides Mr. Magu, others named as defendants in the matter include the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the EFCC. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Government of the United Kingdom on Thursday deported 28 Nigerians for committing immigration-related offences in the country. The Nigerians were sent back home barely 48 hours after 23 Nigerians were deported from Spain and five days after another batch of 34 were jointly deported by the governments of Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, Austria, Belgium and Hungary. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fresh batch of deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos at about 12.13 p.m. Joseph Alabi, spokesperson of the Lagos Airport Police Command, confirmed the development to NAN. Mr. Alabi said the deportees, comprising 21 males and seven females, were brought back aboard a chartered Titanic Airways aircraft with registration number: AWC-761/2. He said they were received by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police. Also on ground to receive them were officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). NAN gathered that the deportees were profiled by the immigration authorities and were each given a stipend to facilitate their transportation to their respective states. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday deferred the arraignment of a former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, till October 5, following an application for his re-arraignment. Mr. Ohakim is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly making a cash payment of $2.29 million for a land at Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District of Abuja. The property is located at No. 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Asokoro. The matter was heard by Justice Adeniyi Ademola until the judge withdrew following allegations of fraud against the judge himself last year. Mr. Ademola had in his last hearing of the matter refused a no-case submission by the former governor and ordered that the matter continue on October 10 last year. However, following Mr. Ademolas arrest and subsequent trial for alleged fraud on October 7, 2016, the case was transferred to another judge. Mr. Ademola however returned to the bench after he was acquitted in court of the charges against him and recalled by the National Judicial Commission. He has since resumed sitting on most of his previous cases. Mr. Ohakim was to be arraigned on Thursday before B.O. Quadri, the judge to which the case file was transferred, but his lawyer, Awa Kalu, informed the court of the application by the former governor to have the case returned to its former judge. Mr. Kalu told the court that he had a letter addressed to the Federal High Court headquarters seeking the transfer of the matter to Mr. Ademolas courtroom. The prosecution did not object to the application, as a similar request had been made by the commission. After seeing the letter, the judge adjourned the case till October 5 for ruling on the application for the re-transfer of the matter. Share this: Twitter Facebook A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday declined to visit the scene of alleged crime in the trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu, over N22.8 billion fraud. Mr. Amosun is charged alongside two other officers of the Air Force Jacob Adigun and Gbadebo Olugbenga. Also charged are some companies Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Ltd being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris on June 26, 2016, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering. Mr. Idris had granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties each in like sum. Before the court adjourned on Wednesday, EFCCs lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, had made an oral application urging the court to visit the locus in quo (scene of crime) for the purpose of admitting in evidence, various immovable properties allegedly acquired by the accused. The defence counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde had opposed the application, arguing that a courts visit to a locus is not at large. According to him, any visit must be specific, direct and linked to evidences already given in the course of proceedings. He urged the court to refuse the application. Ruling on the application on Thursday, Justice Mohammed Idris held that such a visit at this stage of the proceedings was premature. I find that the circumstances surrounding the application for a locus in quo is immaterial at this stage of the proceedings, a visit to the locus at this stage is premature. I hereby refuse the application to conduct such a visit at this stage, he said. After the ruling, the prosecutor commenced examination of witnesses and tendered some documents in evidence. The defence counsel had begun a perusal of some of the documents, but the prosecutor urged the court to order parties to compare documents for a hitch-free proceeding. The court adjourned until October 3 and 4 for continuation of trial. The accused were alleged to have indirectly converted the sum of N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air force to their own use. The EFCC accused Mr. Amosun and others of stealing about N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015 for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II, Abuja. The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oceanus Resources Corporation (TSXV:OCN) (OTCQB:OCNSF) ("Oceanus" or the Company) reports it has received the final assay results for step-out drill hole ET-17-144. As previously released, this hole returned 0.85 meters of 135.1 g/t gold equivalent consisting of 37.2 g/t gold and 7,338.9 g/t silver. Oceanus now reports the base metal results for drill hole 144. Drill hole ET-17-144 returned 0.85 meters of 2.84% copper, 4.06% zinc and 1.38% lead. The mineralized zone consists of several vuggy quartz veins and veinlets carrying galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stromeyerite and pyrite within a strongly silicified and kaolinized alteration zone. The true width of the vein is estimated to be 0.80 meters and the gold equivalent ratio is based on a gold-to-silver ratio of 75:1. Hole ET-17-144 was designed to test the Protectora vein at a vertical depth of 50 metres below surface approximately 800 metres to the north of the El Tigre mine workings (see attached Appendix A). Near drill hole 144 the Protectora vein was partially explored in the 1920s by four exploration tunnels on several levels. As Mishler (1920) reported these exploration tunnels, known as Palomitas, exposed the Protectora vein for a length of approximately 150 feet, a vertical height of 50 feet and a width of 3.5 feet (45m L x 15m V x 1.1m W). This exposed oxidized vein assayed 0.11 ounces per ton gold (3.77 g/t Au) and 50 ounces per ton silver (1714.3 g/t Ag). A second underground exploration tunnel is located approximately 950 meters north of Palomitas and drill hole ET-17-144 on the Protectora vein. Here, the exploration tunnel follows the Protectora vein for a length of 1000 feet (305m L) over a vertical height of 350 feet (106m V). Mishler (1920) reports the vein averages 2 feet (61cm) in width. The mineralized zone consists of several vuggy quartz veins and veinlets carrying galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stromeyerite and pyrite. At Protectora the Oceanus exploration team is currently mapping and sampling on surface and in the underground exploration tunnels. Oceanus intends to start a new drill program this summer at Protectora. Glenn Jessome, President and CEO of Oceanus reports, The bonanza style high grade gold-silver-base metal mineralization in the Protectora vein is an exciting new discovery on the El Tigre property. This could be a new clavos along the El Tigre structure and our exploration team are mapping and sampling the underground workings in advance of drilling this new discovery this summer. El Tigre Drilling Program and Resource Estimate Oceanus has completed the 2016-17 infill drilling program at El Tigre with a total of 62 diamond drill holes totalling 11,923.1 meters. The purpose of this drill program was to support a NI 43-101 resource estimation for the El Tigre Property. The results from the Oceanus drilling, prior drilling and other data will be incorporated into the resource estimate to be released in July, 2017. El Tigre Property The El Tigre Property lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madre gold belt which hosts many of the larger multi-million ounce epithermal gold and silver deposits including Ocampo, Pinos Altos, Dolores and Palmarejo. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining high-grade silver veins in the area with the majority of the production coming from the El Tigre vein. Underground mining on the El Tigre vein extended 1,450 meters along strike and mined on 14 levels to a depth of 450 meters. By the time the mine closed in 1938, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The El Tigre Property is approximately 35 kilometers long and comprises 21,842.78 hectares. The El Tigre gold and silver deposit is related to a series of high-grade epithermal veins controlled by a north-south trending structure cutting across the andesitic and rhyolitic tuffs of the Sierra Madre Volcanic Complex within a broad gold and silver mineralized prophylitic alternation zone. The veins dip steeply to the west and are typically 1 meter wide but locally can be up to 5 meters in width. The veins, structures and mineralized zones outcrop on surface and have been traced for a distance of 5.3 kilometers along strike. Historical mining and exploration activities focused on a 1.5 kilometer portion of the southern end of the deposits, principally on the El Tigre, Seitz Kelly and Sooy veins. Four veins in the north (Aguila, Escondida, Fundadora and Protectora) were explored with only limited amounts of production. Lab Preparation and Assay The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one-third of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining two-thirds portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work. The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ActLabs facility in Zacatecas, Mexico. ActLabs crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 50 gram charge by fire assay (Code 1A2-50) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 1A3-50). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using 4 acid total digestion (Code 1F2 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 8-Ag FA-GRAV Ag). Over limits greater than 10,000 ppm for copper, lead and zinc are re-assayed using 4 acid total digestion (Code 8-4A AAS) and reported in percent. Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed Oceanus QA/QC protocols. Qualified Person David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Company, is the Qualified Person for Oceanus as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release and has reviewed the Technical Report. About Oceanus Resources Corporation Oceanus Resources Corporation is a gold exploration company operating in Mexico. Oceanus is managed by a team of mine finders with extensive experience in exploring and developing large hydrothermal gold projects in Mexico. Oceanus is currently drilling and exploring the El Tigre Property in the Sierra Madre Occidental. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, the ability to convert inferred resources to indicated resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to the Ocampo mine, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Oceanus, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as may, is expected to, anticipates, estimates, intends, plans, projection, could, vision, goals, objective and outlook and other similar words. Although Oceanus believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Oceanuss expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Oceanus with securities regulators. APPENDIX A is available for download at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bf7276a-3ded-4996-8d55-9bd040fe5872 The U.S. President, Donald Trump, and his daughter, Ivanka, met with two Chibok girls, Joy Bishara and Lydia Pogu on June 27 at the White House. Bishara, 20, and Pogu, 19 were among 57 girls who escaped from Boko Haram in Borno by jumping off the back of a truck in 2014. The 57 were among over 270 kidnapped from their secondarily school in Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014. The incident sparked global outrage with a campaign hashtag of #bringbackourgirls calling for rescue of the girls. Majority of the girls have since been freed by the terror group in prisoner swaps with the Nigerian government, although dozens still remain with the Boko Haram. With the assistance of the Jubilee Campaign, a human rights group in Virginia, the pair relocated to the United States in August 2014. They then transferred to Canyonville Christian Academy in the state of Oregon, where they graduated. Its a wonderful school, I enjoyed my senior year because of the wonderful combination of different countries, said Bishara on her Facebook page. The pair will attend Southeastern University on a full scholarship at the beginning of the upcoming school year. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Nigerian Government will host the West African College of Nursing (WACN) 14th Biennial General Meeting (BGM) in Abuja from July 1 to 8. According to a press statement by the Ministry of Health on Thursday, the minister, Isaac Adewole, said the conference, featuring the 23rd Scientific Session and 37th Council Meeting, is themed: Emerging Health Emergencies: Community and Health Workforce Response in the Sub-region. The conference seeks to address issues including the emerging impact of non-communicable diseases, emerging health emergencies in Infant and young child feeding and protection of healthcare workers during conflict and insurgencies. Giving a brief background of the WACN, the minister said that the college is an agency of the West African Health Organization with headquarters in Burkina Faso. He explained that the college was officially inaugurated in Banjul, the Gambia in April 1981 with the aim to promote excellence in nursing education and maintain the standard of nursing and contribute to the improvement of health care within the West African Sub-region, as well as promote and encourage research in the field of nursing. Membership of the WACN comprises Anglo and Franco-phone countries in West Africa, namely: Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and recently Benin Republic which joined in 2003 and hosted the Biennial General Meeting in 2009. Mr. Adewole said that member countries of the college host the Biennial General Meetings and Scientific Conference on rotational basis, adding that the last BGM was hosted by Ghana in 2015. Nigeria last hosted it in March 2005. He expressed optimism that the BGM and Scientific Conferences offer opportunities for Nurses and Midwives from the Sub-region to share experience in nursing education and practice. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Nigeria Army on Wednesday buried two soldiers that were last week killed during a face-off with Boko Haram insurgents along Maiduguri-Damboa road, officials said. That attack is different from the major offensive by the Boko Haram on June 20 on a convoy of dozens of military-escorted vehicles, leading to the kidnap of over a dozen people. The burial took place at the time troops of the counter-insurgency operation in Borno State, suffered yet another ambush by Boko Haram insurgents. The spokesperson of the Nigeria Army, Sani Usman, who made this known in a press statement, said the ambushed troops survived the attack as they were able to neutralise the insurgents. Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, did not give details on how the two soldiers lost their lives. He, however, said they were given a befitting interment in accordance with tradition of the Nigeria military. Today Wednesday 28th June 2017, the remains of two gallant soldiers that paid the supreme price on Saturday 17th June 2017, along Damboa-Biu road in Borno State, 11NA/66/10788 Lance Corporal Auwal Halliru and 15NA/73/0188 Private Halilu Aliyu of 254 Task Force Battalion were buried according Islamic religious rites at the Gombe military ceremony, he said. The statement, the first by the army in the past week, also indicated that a 20-year-old notorious Boko Haram kingpin in Yobe State has been arrested. Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade deployed at Buni Gari have arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Isah Garba aged 20 years while on perimeter patrol on 25th June 2017, he said. Preliminary investigation was initially difficult as he was found to be under influence of heavy dosage of drugs. He has since stabilized and making useful statement. Mr. Usman also mentioned that on June 28, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade had during a patrol along Wajiro-Mallam Kuranti area of Borno State discovered and defused an IED planted along a cattle route. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has arrested Lucy Ogbadu, the Director-General of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), over alleged N23 million fraud. The spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Thursday. Mr. Uwujaren said Ms. Ogbadu was picked up by EFCC operatives in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, following her alleged link with the Bayelsa State Director of Bio-resources Development Centre, Josiah Habu. Mr. Habu, according to him, is being investigated by the anti-graft agency in a case of fraudulent diversion of N75 million. He said investigations by the EFCC revealed that Ms. Ogbadu allegedly received N23 million through a bank account belonging to the wife of Mr. Habu, Esther Habu. The EFCC spokesperson stated that Ms. Ogbadu admitted the transaction in a voluntary statement made to the commissions investigators. Further investigations also revealed that Mrs Habu is one of the contractors with Bio-resources Development Centre, Odi, Bayelsa State. A total of N603 million has been traced to her in different deals involving over 20 directors of the centre across the country. Ogbadus involvement is being investigated. She has been duly served with bail conditions while investigations continue, Mr. Uwujaren added. Ms. Ogbadu, a professor of microbiology, was appointed NABDA director-general in November 2013. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook After about four and a half years of battling injuries he sustained in an air crash, former governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, finally died on Wednesday, two days to his 56th birthday. Mr. Suntai died in Houston, Texas in the United States where he was recuperating. He had sustained brain injuries on October 25, 2012 when a small plane he was flying from his state capital, Jalingo, with five of his aides to Yola, capital of neigbouring Adamawa State, went down. The Cessna 208 aircraft marked 5N-BMJ, crashed behind the NNPC depot along Yola-Numan Road at about 7 p.m. after losing contact with the Yola Control Tower, 38 miles to landing. The former governor, who trained as a private pilot at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, in Zaria for 30 months, was rushed to the German Specialist Hospital, Yola before being taken to the National Hospital, Abuja. He was later flown to Germany and in March, the following year, he was transferred to a hospital in the U.S. The other occupants of the ill-fated aircraft, which included his aide-de-camp, Dasat Iliya, chief detail, Joel Danladi and the chief security officer, Timo Dangana, who were also critically injured were also flown to Germany after a stint at the National Hospital. Mr. Suntai, a pharmacist, was elected governor of Taraba State, northeastern Nigeria, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2007. He was re-elected in 2011. He was the second civilian governor of the state after Jolly Nyame, a clergyman, who ran the state for three terms. Mr. Nyame was governor between 1992 and 1993 and then 1999 and 2007. The air accident did not only cause Mr. Suntais unceremonious exit from Government House, it also slipped his state into a political crisis that was to last almost three years. Shortly before the crash, Mr. Suntai had allegedly instigated the impeachment of his deputy, Abubakar Danladi, who interestingly was sacked by the Supreme Court last Friday as the senator representing Taraba North. Mr. Danladi, who was running mate to Mr. Suntai in both the 2007 and 2011 elections, was impeached on October 4, 2012 by the State House of Assembly for allegedly diverting projects, including those of Federal Government/World Bank Millennium Development Goals in the state for his personal interest. He was replaced with Garba Umar. But just three weeks later, Mr. Suntai was involved in the air crash, paving the way for his new deputy to assume power as acting governor in accordance with Section 190 (2) of the Nigerian Constitution. The section states, In the event that the Governor is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection (1) of this section within 21 days, the House of Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of the House, mandate the Deputy Governor to perform the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor, until the Governor transmits a letter to the Speaker that he is now available to resume his functions as Governor. But after sometime, speculations began to mount that Mr. Umar, a Muslim, was scheming to permanently displace his ailing Christian principal and become the substantive governor of a state where religion plays a large role in politics. Opponents accused the deputy governor and his supporters of mounting a media campaign that Mr. Suntai could never function again as governor because of his damaged brain. As if to lend credence to the accusation, Mr. Umar also fired his principals aides. However, the late governors supporters mounted a strong defence in the media, claiming their mans state of health was not as bad as being painted. Amid the political drama and tension, Mr. Suntai was ferried back home 10 months later, in August 2013. His return was to further fuel the drama. He arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, accompanied by his wife, Hauwa, in a manner that suggested he was forced back to contain the political tension in the state and also keep him in power until his second term expired. At the airport to receive him were the current governor of the state, Darius Ishaku, a former Water Resources Minister, Obadiah Ando, a former minister and a former Information Minister, Jerry Gana. Mr. Suntai, wearing a grey suit, emerged from the aircraft aided by some persons holding him. Although it was apparent that he required great effort to wave to the people gathered to welcome him, his associates insisted he was mentally alert. It was clear that he was not in the state of health to resume work. In Jalingo, Mr. Umar, who had been kept in the dark while Mr. Suntais return was being planned, was blocked from receiving his principal. The former acting governor managed to steer the affairs of the state amid opposition from Mr. Suntais camp until November 2014, when the Supreme Court declared Mr. Danladis impeachment wrong and reinstated him as deputy governor. Mr. Danladis reinstatement restored some stability in the state as he worked with Mr. Suntais supporters through the last six months of the ailing governors tenure. In order to sustain his position, the returnee deputy governor, had to work with Mr. Suntais backers. Mr. Danladi not only backed power shift to the southern part of the state, he also benefitted from the political arrangement by being elected to the Senate the following year. Born on June 30, 1961, in Suntai, Bali Local Government Area, Mr. Suntai attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he studied pharmacy. His foray into politics began in 1989 when he was elected chairman of the local government area. He served until 1993. He then served as Director-General of the Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource between 1994 and 1996. When civil rule was restored in Nigeria in 1999, Mr. Suntai became the chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party (later All Nigeria Peoples Party.) He was named the Chairman of the Taraba State Investment and Properties Limited in 2000 and thereafter served as Commissioner of Education between 2000 and 2003, Health between 2005 and 2005, and Secretary to the State Government between 2005 and 2007 when he was elected governor. His emergence as governorship candidate of the PDP in the state had also been controversial. Danladi Baido had won the ticket during the party primary. However, two months to the main election, the national secretariat of the then ruling party replaced Mr. Baido with Mr. Suntai. The former reportedly backed the latter in the election but soon after their relationship turned sour. Indeed, Mr. Suntai allegedly threatened to harm Mr. Baido, who in June 2009, claimed that an attempt was made on his life. Not long after, Mr. Suntai fell out with Mr. Nyame, his predecessor. The three time governor, like many other governors, had orchestrated Mr. Suntais choice to replace Mr. Baido allegedly to safeguard his legacy. The battle of the duo was so intense that Mr. Nyame defected from the PDP to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. It was alleged that Mr. Nyames trial for corruption was instigated by his late successor. Mr. Suntai did not spare Mr. Ando, whom he nominated as minister. He accused Mr. Ando of working against the PDP at some point. The late governor is credited with some developmental projects in the state. For instance, in 2009, he commissioned a N540 million computerized stone-crushing and asphalt plant to provide road building materials. Besides, he initiated reforms to ensure transparency at the local government level. His administration was also credited with the reduction of the states monthly pension bill from N33 million to N22 million. Mr. Suntai was to face a major challenge when a group that styled itself Concerned Indigenes of Taraba State petitioned the EFCC and ICPC accusing his administration of fraudulent practices. His former Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Bello, a journalist, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, expressed the sorrow of his supporters over Mr. Suntais passing. The death of Suntai is shocking, painful and ultimately it is one of the saddest moments of our history. We feel terribly bad because of his legacy and what he stood for as a person and as governor, Mr. Bello said. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement not to arrogate to themselves the supreme leadership of Igbo land. The president-general of the organisation, John Nwodo, gave the warning in Awka on Thursday while addressing members of the Anambra House of Assembly. The warning was sequel to a call by IPOB, a pro-Biafra group led by Nnamdi Kanu, urging Anambra people to boycott the governorship election slated for November. Mr. Nwodo said Mr. Kanus call was not only provocative and misleading but also unproductive and advised the people to ignore him. Why should Anambra people be denied the opportunity to choose their own leader; Nobody, no matter how highly placed, can dictate to Anambra people when to vote, whether to vote or who to vote for. Anambra, nay Igbos, are still part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Yes, we are not happy with our treatment in Nigeria; some of us want Biafra. Yes, some of us prefer a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria, but the fact remains that we are still part and parcel of the present Federal Republic of Nigeria, bound by its laws, no matter how repressive or unjust. Our approach to the reforms of our laws even if it leads to self-determination or restructuring, must be lawful. We must convince other Nigerians of our point of view; we must strive to make others share our convictions. Our language must be civil, respectful and lead to consensus building. We must resist any attempt to allow division among us, as to which way we must go; It must not become a source of altercations between us. As we speak, very many of our people living in the North are in complete awe and consternation regarding how safe they will be after October 1st. Other Northerners living among us are also worried. The Inspector-General of Police has taken public notice of Nnamdi Kanus comments, inviting a possible invasion of Anambra by the Nigerian Police, thereby increasing the already existing siege of our people, which leads to daily extortion on our highways. All these developments have arisen out of unguarded utterances. I find no venue more suited for the statements I make here; every constituent part of Anambra is represented here and I believe that the honourable members here are competent enough to carry the Ohaneze message to every nook and cranny of Anambra State. Mr. Nwodo further said that the organisation would visit other houses of assembly in Igbo-speaking states as part of its consultations. He expressed happiness over the peace existing in the state and the steady progress Anambra had recorded over the years. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, on Thursday urged the federal government to ensure there are no sacred cows in its fight against corruption in the country. Felix Omobude, the National President of PFN, spoke at the end of its 2nd quarter National Executive Council meeting held in Lagos at the Bishops Court, its National Headquarters The body, while commending the government for fighting corruption, urged it to be fair to all and to pursue the cause within the ambit of the laws of the land. Mr. Omobude said there should be no sacred cows or sacrificial lambs in the fight. He said the PFN was glad that some economic measures to revive the economy had been put in place. However, the PFN is still concerned about the hardship the ordinary Nigerian is facing. We are aware of the Social Intervention programmes, but we call for a more concerted on the part of Federal Government to mitigate the pains and generate more employment opportunities, especially for the youth. We commend the efforts put into shoring up the naira in recent times, but we push for more concerted efforts in this regard. The governments drive to promote patronage of locally produced goods is a commendable one. We urge Nigerians to fully embrace this initiative and consume what we produce locally, Mr. Omobude said. He commended the governments effort in tackling the insurgency in the country, urging it not to relent in its efforts at ensuring the release of the remaining Chibok girls. PFN calls for more attention to be paid to the plight of the victims of the Southern Kaduna crisis. PFN is worried at developments in Southern Kaduna, especially the lack of prompt response to guarantee the security of lives and property there, leading to a loss of lives of many indigenes of that area. A delegation from the PFN recently paid a visitation to Southern Kaduna and made a presentation of N15 million worth of relief materials to the different groups, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. From this visit, we can see that there is much more that urgently needs to be done for the people of Southern Kaduna and urgently too. We call on the Federal government and Kaduna State Government to immediately improve on their rehabilitation efforts, he said. The PFN leader also urged the government to ensure that Christian Religious Studies stands on its own as a separate subject as it has always been. The PFN is concerned at the controversy that has attended the revised Basic Education Curriculum, especially the collapse of Christian Religious Studies as part of an omnibus subject known as Religion and National Values. We noted the explanation by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) on some of the issues raised. There is really no justification for the uncertainty the NERDC has created which has opened up the implementation of the curriculum to the whims and caprices. Collapsing CRK as only a part of Religion and National Values forecloses the opportunity of the subject being studied at the tertiary level by students and is unacceptable, he said. Speaking on the compulsory study of foreign languages, the PFN appealed that windows be opened up to more languages beyond French and Arabic, to accommodate other languages. Windows of other languages should be open so our children can enjoy greater flexibility in foreign language study and not be compelled to study a language they have no interest in, he said. He said that the PFN condemned the wanton killings by herdsmen, urging the Federal Government to take the issue of security more seriously, especially the spate of kidnappings all over the country. We call for adequate and appropriate response of government to put an end to the activities of these killer herdsmen across the country, he said. Mr. Omobude urged government of states where cattle rearing is a part and parcel of their culture to build ranches and develop reserves where cattle owners can husband their animals. State governments should build ranches, so that cattle can be kept there without travelling long distances where they stray into farms, destroy crops and constitute nuisance and threat to other communities, he said. The group urged government at all levels to do all they could to assuage the fears and concerns of everyone and ensure the practice of Federalism in its true form. The PFN notes with concern the restiveness in different parts of the country and the increasing calls for a breakup of the country on the part of those purporting to speak for ethnic groups. We restate our belief in the unity of Nigeria and a commitment to one Nigeria where people of different faiths and tongues can continue to live together as one. We urge the government to pay attention to the calls for restructuring and find a way to push for further devolution of powers, while adopting an all-inclusive approach to governance and development in the country, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Federal Government of Nigeria and the 36 state governors have agreed on a plan to partner with the private sector to decongest prisons across the country. This was disclosed on Thursday by the governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the 78th meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, which held inside the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja. Mr. Umahi said the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, presented the state of prisons in Nigeria and painted a very appalling picture of structures and logistics in the prison system. The governor said NEC agreed that states that have capacity to build prisons should go ahead including private sector participation. He said Mr. Dambazau informed NEC that over 70 per cent of inmates in the countrys prisons are awaiting trial adding, When we talk about private sector participation in terms of building prisons and may be converting some of the inmates for labour use, then such 70 per cent will not be available because they have not been tried. He also said some of the governors had already developed some initiatives. Some have succeeded in moving their prisons from the urban centres to outside the city centres; some are providing medical services; some are building new prisons and so NEC considered all the submissions and came up with an agreement that the governors should assist the Federal Government in partnership to rehabilitate the prisons, he said. Mr. Umahi said the governors were also advised to take a number of measures aimed at decongesting prisons in the country. For example the Chief Judges of the various states should do more frequent visits to the prisons. There are constitutional roles to perform during such visits. The governors should on their own, from time to time also visit, he said. Death sentence On condemned criminals, Mr. Umahi said the governors and NEC agreed that the governors should either sign their death sentences or commute them as they wish because they also serve as a risk if a judgment is delivered but the governors are not taking action on. The Ebonyi governor also said the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, briefed the NEC on the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria. The presentation by Mr. Adefulire centred around the mainstreaming and Integration of SDGs into States Development Plans as well as evidence based planning through Needs Assessment and coasting. She also spoke about delivering impact through the conditional grants scheme and sensitization and Advocacy at the sub-national level. Mr. Umahi said the council agreed to improve security and facilities in schools especially the primary schools through proper funding. On his part, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of Aids, NACA, Sani Aliyu, stated that are about 3 million people living with HIV in the country. He also said some States have made budgetary allocation for HIV programmes but no cash was released. He advocated, at least 0.5% to 1% of monthly Federation Allocation to States be set aside for financing the implementation of the HIV/AIDS programme. Excess Crude Account The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, presented to the Council a balance of $2.3 billion in the Excess Crude Account. The governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who also briefed reporters, said the budget support loan initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari ended in May. He however said Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had directed the facility continues. The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, also briefed NEC and gave an update on the Stabilisation Fund, Natural Resources Development Fund and Ecological Fund. Mr. Dankwambo said the Stabilisation Balance as at 28/6/17 stood at N28.5 billion, the Natural Resources Development Fund, N87.6 billion and the Ecological Fund, N28.9 billion. Mr. Dankwambo, who also chaired the NEC ad hoc committee on excess crude account, revealed the progress of work of his committee. He said about 18 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of government are now being audited, adding that, while 10 have been completed, work was yet to start on three. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has approved N50 million for the digging of trenches and building of sand hills around the University of Maiduguri as a means of averting further attacks by Boko Haram, an official said. According to a statement issued by Mr. Shettimas spokesperson, Isa Gusau, the trench will go round the 27km radius of the universitys landmass. The university has since January this year become a major target of Boko Haram suicide bombers who usually sneak into the premises, mostly at night to detonate bombs. A number of persons, including a renowned professor of veterinary medicine, were killed in the attacks Governor Shettima announced that he was releasing the fifty million naira not only to fund the digging exercise but also to support payment of allowances to special guards drawn from local vigilantes who are to work with the military in policing porous areas, said the spokesperson. The trenches are being designed to make it impossible for insurgents to drive into the university and also create difficulty for insurgents to cross on foot while the military will take advantage of being at the top to neutralise insurgents. Even though the University is a Federal institution, it was also part of Borno Governments responsibility to intervene in securing lives and preventing the desire of insurgents to force the close down of the school, Mr. Shettima was quoted as saying in the statement. The universitys staff unions, including lecturers and students, had on Wednesday accused the federal government of not doing enough to protect the institution. The Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Aliyu Shugaba, who on Wednesday conducted Mr. Shettima round the scenes where suicide attacks were carried out on Sunday night, expressed delight at the governors intervention. The university has put up a request of N2.8 billion to the federal government to enable it fund the erection of perimeter fence round the exposed portions of the school. That proposal has not been granted, further fuelling the unions angst. Mr. Gusau said the governor also held a meeting with all the security heads in the state as well as those in charge of internal security at the university, where measures of improving the universitys security were discussed. The meeting agreed to contribute armed personnel from the Army, local vigilante, guards with the University in addition to erecting additional points for distance surveillance and night vision surveillance gadgets. The Borno Police Commissioner, Damian Chukwu, who was part of the meeting, reportedly gave assurance that more police officers would be deployed to the varsity to beef up surveillance around the campus. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Police Command in Borno on Thursday ruled out the possibility of setting up police post at University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID, following increased suicide bombings by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. There have been at least eight suicide attacks on the university in the past five months. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Damian Chukwu, stated the stance of the police in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri. Mr. Chukwu was reacting to calls for the police to move and checkmate the activities of the bombers at the institution. He explained that setting up police posts in the institution would create difficult precedence for other universities to follow. He added that let me say here that once you establish a police post in UNIMAID, you will have set up a difficult precedence. This is because every other university would want the police to set up posts in their campuses too. It is not the universities; even other tertiary institutions would want such posts established in their campuses. He, however, said the police had been collaborating with the university outfit to ensure security at the campus. He explained that originally, the university security outfit had been in charge of security arrangements in the university. But since January when we started having suicide bomb attacks, we injected some security agents, including policemen and the military into the system. The police boss said that the action initially paid off as it led to reduction of suicide bomb attacks in the university. He, however, added that with the renewed attacks, the police and other security agencies had worked out plans to put an end to the bombings. He said that very soon these incidences of suicide bombings would be a thing of the past, I can assure you. The arrangement we are making now is such that it will be difficult for any miscreant or bomber to gain access into the university, Mr. Chukwu said. Becky Edubi, a female staff of the university was killed after multi suicide bomb attacks last Sunday. Two other staff were injured during the attack. An earlier attack led to the death of a professor of veterinary medicine in the university. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the university staff and students on Wednesday accused the federal government of not doing enough to prevent Boko Haram attacks in the institution. The staff and students unions gave various reasons for their stance including the non-approval by the federal government of N2.8 billion requested by the university authority to procure modern security equipment to stop Boko Haram from executing greater attacks on the campus. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook 4,000 Indoor Antennas 4,000 Outdoor Antennas 4,000 DVRs 4,000 Amplifiers 4,000 LTE Filters PHOENIX, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Channel Master, the nations leading provider of alternative TV solutions, today announced that it has committed one million dollars in revenue for the companys first annual TV Freedom Sales Event. The freedom-themed event will run for 20 days beginning July 4. Consumers can choose from the following deep-discount options, which include free shipping within the continental United States: Indoor Antenna Bundle FLATenna, Amplify and coaxial cable $54.44 (50% savings) Outdoor Antenna Bundle STEALTHtenna, Amplify and coaxial cable $74.44 (50% savings) DVR+ $144.44 (40% savings) Amplify $44.44 (50% savings) LTE Filter $14.44 (40% savings) We know that more people are discovering the value of TV antennas every day, said Coty Youtsey, president and CEO of Channel Master. With an event like this we are making it a little easier for people to take that first step and give it a try; its part savings and part education. Beginning at 6 AM Pacific time on Tuesday, July 4, consumers can visit Channel Masters website to shop the special TV Freedom offers while supplies last. The first TV antenna manufacturer in the U.S., Channel Master has been a facilitator of free broadcast television since 1949, as well as a TV Freedom advocate for consumers since the digital transition in 2009. The company maintains an in-house support team that provides free assistance for consumers who have questions about TV antennas and installation. We hope to reach people who have never tried a TV antenna and our support team is here to answer questions, said Adam Long, vice president of operations. This is where our team really shines, in helping people get the right product and the right setup. People interested in learning more about TV antennas can view Channel Masters Antenna Selection Guide. The police in Gombe have said one of their personnel, Abdul Mohammed, a sergeant, was killed on Tuesday during a clash between the Kufai and Lakshikoldok communities in Billiri and Shongom Local Government Areas of the state. The State Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar, who disclosed this at a press conference in Gombe, the state capital on Thursday, also said several members of the two communities were injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed during the clash. He also said many indigenes of the areas had been rendered homeless as a result of the incident. The communal hostilities have lasted for over last 30 years, and often occurs during rainy season. Mr. Iwar said the police had taken control of the area though it was yet to make any arrest in order not to escalate the crisis, which resulted from a lingering land dispute. He warned members of the public, particularly indigenes of the areas, to desist from making inflammatory statements or take actions that could lead to further destruction of properties in the state. The police commissioner called on the state government to find a lasting solution to the frequent clashes by focusing on the real cause. Mr. Iwar also urged politicians, community and religious leaders to urgently intervene in the crisis with a view to curtailing it. Meanwhile, a witness, Musa Luka, said the latest crisis broke out following an attack by the people of Lakshikoldok village in Shongom LG on the people of Kufai village last week in Billiri council. The perpetrators of this dastardly act should as a matter of urgency be apprehended and brought to book, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, political and social status to serve as deterrent to others, Mr. Luka said. Share this: Twitter Facebook Not less than 220 houses and property worth millions of naira were destroyed by windstorm in Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa, according to an official. The official, Sulaiman Doro, Information Officer at the Local Government Council, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Dutse on Thursday that the windstorm occurred on June 27. He said that the windstorm blew off the roof of some schools and clinics in the local government area. He said that the 220 houses destroyed by the windstorm are located in Jigawar Dan-Alli, Gurfai, Manga, Unguwar Tsamiya and Yarkirya villages. Mr. Doro said that victims of the windstorm had appealed to the state and local governments to come to their aid. Usman Madawaki, a staff of Jigawar Dan-Ali Health Centre, destroyed by the windstorm, who spoke on behalf of the victims, said that some of the victims were now living with their neighbours. Ahmed Mohammed, Supervisory Councillor for Social and Community Development in the council, promised that the council would assist the victims. Mr. Doro said that Mohammed appealed to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Non-Governmental Organisations and spirited individuals to come to the aid of the victims. Share this: Twitter Facebook Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Peter Nwaoboshi, who turns 60 on Thursday June 29. Mr. Okowa in a statement in Asaba on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, described the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, as a dependable lawmaker and patriot, whose contributions to the 8th Senate remains indelible in the sands of time. The governor noted that Mr. Nwaoboshi has served the state meritoriously in several capacities but distinguished himself when he was chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State. On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you, Distinguished Senator (Chief) Peter Nwaoboshi on the occasion of your 60th birthday today June 29, 2017, Mr. Okowa reportedly said. I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life and to pray that He continues to bless you with robust health and imbue you with His continued guidance, protection, and enduring provision. The governor wished Mr. Nwaoboshi a very well deserved 60th birthday. Share this: Twitter Facebook The sacked chairman of the Ukanafun Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Abasiono Udomfu, has been arraigned in court for murder. Mr. Udomfu, like other chairmen in other parts of the state, was handpicked by the state governor, Udom Emmanuel, to run the affairs of the local government council. The governor dissolved the Ukanafun local government council few days after the police arrested and detained Mr. Udomfu for the alleged murder of the secretary of the local council, Ime Atakpa. The police spokesperson in the state, Chukwu Ikechukwu, said Wednesday through a police press bulletin that the sacked council chairman, alongside six other principal accomplices, have been arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court Ukanafun for the murder of Mr. Atakpa. The police gave the names of the six other suspects as Godknows Udoudo alias Archor Head/Executioner; Godwin Ikpe alias One-Man-Chop; Aniefiok Etukudo alias Barbeach Archor Head; Saturday Isong alias Saty; Akaninyene Iwok; and Ekere Joseph. The police said the secretary and his political associate, Akaninyene Aka, were shot dead by hired assassins around 9.30 a.m. on April 16, Easter Sunday, at his poultry farm in his village, Ikot Udo-Obobo, Ukanafun. The police said the secretary was shot at close range allegedly by Aniefiok Etukudo and that he died on the spot. Mr. Aka, who was one of his guests on that fateful day, was hit by a bullet. He later died in the hospital. The secretary was said to have frustrated the intention of the governor of the state to grant amnesty to ice-Land secret cult members in Ukanafun area, which did not go down well with the Transition Chairman and the leadership of ice-Land cult, the police said. Consequently, the chairman allegedly ordered his personal assistant, PA, to organize members of the ice-Land cult to eliminate the secretary, to pave way for the amnesty programme, promising a huge sum of money if the job was successfully executed. Preparatory to the assassination, the Chairmans PA held a meeting with the former youth leader of Ikot Akpan Nkuk village in Ukanafun LGA, one Sunday Inanki m at large and the current youth chairman of the village, one Akaninyene Sunday Iwok to draw out the plan. The current youth leader brought in two others namely Godwin Daniel Ikpe m alias One-Man-Chop and Akaninyene Jumbo Uko alias Iso Akpafi m, a notorious killer also at large. After a discussion at Ikpe Annang village in Etim Ekpo LGA of the state sometime in April 2017 Udoudo alias Archor Head/Executioner who resides in Port was also contacted for the assignment. On the 15th April, Akaninyene Jumbo Uko alias Iso Akpafi m, Godwin Daniel Ikpe m alias One-Man-Chop and one Aniefiok Eseme Etukudo alias Barbeach Archo Head met in Ikpe Annang Village in Etim Ekpo LGA of the state, where they reviewed the plan and approved it for execution. On 16th April 2017 at about 0700hrs, the group led by Akaninyene Jumbo Uko alias Iso Akpafi m assembled at a hideout in Ikot Udo-Obobo. Two of the members, Englishman presently at large and Saturday Etim Isong m alias Saty who had earlier used motorcycles to spy on the secretary, were again sent to confirm his presence at his poultry farm. This they did and immediately returned to kill the secretary, the police said. The former chairman, Mr. Udomfu, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, has been remanded in prison custody. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Akwa Ibom Government said on Thursday that it has secured N32 billion loan from the World Bank to control flood and erosion in the state. Governor Udom Emmanuel disclosed this in Uyo when he declared open a two-day workshop on Enhancing Disaster Management in Akwa Ibom State. Represented by his deputy, Moses Ekpo, Mr. Emmanuel said that disasters do not respect climes or geopolitical locations, adding that they could only be subdued by knowledge and preparedness. According to him, the state government has not relented in embarking on several measures to address the menace of erosion and flooding across the state to alleviate the plight of the people. The Government has successfully secured collaboration with the World Bank for a N32 billion project which would be executed in partnership with the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management project to control flood and erosion in the state. My administration in the last two years has placed premium on efforts at interventions during moments of disasters such as fire outbreaks, building collapse, floods and windstorm, Mr. Emmanuel said. The governor added that the state government had spent about N100 million to provide relief materials to disaster victims in the last one year. Mr. Emmanuel said that the workshop would raise priority index of disaster management approach to create a corporate safety consciousness among people of the state. In his remarks, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, commended the state government for organising the workshop. Mr. Maihaja, who was represented by Ben Oghenah, official of the agency, said that lessons from the workshop should be used to encourage other states. He said that NEMA would continue to come to the rescue of people in disaster period. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that the workshop attracted participants from security agencies, Red Cross, media among others. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has proceeded on a 15-day leave as part of his annual vacation. The governors spokesperson, Charles Aniagwu, said in a statement on Thursday that the Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, will act as governor while Mr. Okowa is away. The governor has transmitted a letter to that effect to the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly in line with the provisions of Section 190 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Mr. Aniagwu said. The Governor, who is expected to resume work on July 12, has urged the people to support the deputy governor in his function as the acting governor of the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook Some politicians have condemned the call by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Igbos to boycott future elections until the federal government addresses his groups demand for a referendum on Biafra. Anambra State is set to hold its governorship election on November 18. The stakeholders in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria described the call as an attempt by Mr. Kanu to derail democracy in the state and expose the people to anarchy. Sam Oraegbunam, Chairman of Hope Democratic Party, HDP, Anambra chapter, said although Mr. Kanus call for repositioning of Nigeria was popular, he must not use it to cause confusion in Anambra. There is also need for economic restructuring, he said. We have to empower the states and the regions to develop resources they have and look beyond oil that is causing disaffection in the country. Kanu has done enough to draw the attention of Nigeria and the world to the type of injustice in this country and the plight of the Igbo man too. But in terms of boycott of elections and issuing deadline for referendum, I think it is an overreaction on his part. If Anambra does not hold election in Nigeria in November, it means that there will be a vacuum and what happens to the state in terms of administration? Kanu is from a state and there is an elected governor there, so he should allow us have our election because we are still a component of Nigeria. My advice is that Kanu should consult, listen more and talk less, there are others who share his point of view, he should not derail democracy in Anambra, he said. Also, Jude Emecheta, National Chairman of Willie Obiano Support Group, described the call as reckless and uncalled for. Mr. Emecheta said such call was why the South-East poorly participated in the 2006 population census and had not recovered from the disadvantage it got as a result. The APGA chieftain said Mr. Kanus call on boycott of Anambra election was capable of plunging the state into political crisis. This call is not needed, it is undemocratic and it is a show of youthful exuberance. That is why sometime I get worried about this issue of empowering the youth. We have a supreme council of IPOB elders who should speak for the group, Kanu is the head of the publicity by virtue of being the head of Radio Biafra. We are just talking about restructuring, we have not articulated our demand in that restructuring, and there is need for the Igbo man to come back fully into the Nigerian project. The statement did not come from the hierarchy of the party; we know those we can take seriously on Anambra elections. We have not recovered from the disadvantage this type of call caused us in 2006 during the population census. And now they are talking of Anambra boycotting election; if we dont hold election here government will just declare a state of emergency because there cannot be vacuum, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook Parents and relatives of the kidnapped students of Lagos Model School, Epe, on Wednesday said they had resorted to prayers following prolonged abduction of their kids by kidnappers. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, a relative of one of the kids who declined to be named, said governments inability to rescue the kids is worrisome. She however explained that many of the parents had resorted to prayers since all efforts to secure the release of the kids so far have yielded no result. Earlier, the parents had told PREMIUM TIMES that the kidnappers were no longer contacting the family. They said they used to speak with the kidnappers, but that the phone numbers they used had been switched off for several days. Although recent reports said they had allegedly moved to the creeks of Ondo State, the abductors were believed to be hiding somewhere in the creeks between Lagos and Ogun states. Similarly, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Adamu Ibrahim, had said the kids would soon regain their freedom. But one of the parent, a mother, who spoke exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES last week, said she was not impressed by the AIGs statement. He is just trying to boost his own ego. I dont know anything about that, she had said. Speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday, a sibling to one of the kids, said the parents had resorted to prayers since government efforts have yielded no result. You cant even speak with mummy (one of the parents) now. She had been out for a while nowshes somewhere far away with some folks to pray, she said. But so far, there is no positive news or development from anywhere. Nothing. Weve just had to pray. Last week, Governor Akinwunmi Ambrode of Lagos expressed concern over the continued abduction of the kids, saying he would ensure that the kids are released soon. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Mr. Ambode said his inability to secure the release of the kids quickly made him feel inadequate. If there is anything that makes me feel terribly inadequate, it is my inability to quickly get those schoolchildren back, the governor said. I want to assure everybody that we are on top of it. We cannot be putting all the efforts that we are making on the pages of newspapers . That will jeopardise our efforts to recover those children. I cannot compromise their security just because I want to look good in the eyes of the public. But believe me, I am working 24 hours a day to make sure that they come back safely. On Thursday, efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the Lagos Police Command, Olarinde Famous-Cole, proved abortive as his phone was not reachable. But earlier, Mr. Famous-cole had told PREMIUM TIMES that there was no update yet on the case. If anything comes up, we would let you know, he had said. The students were abducted at around 5 a.m. on May 25 by gunmen, who arrived through a creek behind the school. The hoodlums reportedly broke through the schools fence to gain access into the premises. The incident occurred seven months after gunmen kidnapped two teachers and four pupils of the same school, although the victims were later freed. The six students still with the kidnappers are Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf. Share this: Twitter Facebook Some prominent Yoruba leaders have called on the Federal Government to begin the process of implementing the report of the 2014 national conference. The leaders made the call on Thursday in Ibadan at a retreat organised by Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative. The leaders, who emphasised the unity of the Yoruba race, said that Nigeria was overdue for restructuring. In their various submissions, the leaders called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure that the process of reviewing the constitution takes place before the 2019 general elections. Bode George, former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warned that the mistakes of the past should not be allowed to be repeated to truncate the unity of the Yoruba race. He said that the thoughts of Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the defunct Western Region, should be revisited in administering South-West states. I have read Awolowos methodology in education, health, politics and others; if it utilised by any governor in the region, it will help in managing the states. The former governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel, who described the report of the 2014 confab as a good document, urged the federal government to begin the process of restructuring the country. The convener of the retreat, Deji Osinbogun, said Nigerians must come together to agree on the modalities for restructuring the polity. He said that the National Political Reform Conference convened in 2005 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo did not douse the agitation for restructuring. This prompted the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to convene another national conference in 2014. The 2014 dialogue was acknowledged to have made far reaching decisions on the required constitutional reforms that would lead to restructuring. The conference addressed major issues of concern such as devolution of power, autonomy, resource control and fiscal federalism, among others. Participants from all over the country unanimously agreed to the final report of the conference, which was submitted to the Federal Government by Justice Kutigi Today, there is no doubt that there is a national consensus that Nigeria is overdue for restructuring. This cannot be pushed aside or dumped in the ashes of history Mr. Osinbogun submitted. Notable Yoruba leaders, who attended the retreat include, Bode Olajumoke, Niyi Akintola, Olawale Oshun, chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group; and Jide Owoeye, Proprietor, Lead City University, Ibadan. Also in attendance were Olapade Agoro; Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Ayo Ladigbolu; National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams; and the Secretary General, Yoruba Council of Elders, Kunle Olajide. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook BOSTON, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mass Insight today published the results of its 2017 Financial Services Impact Report produced with support from PwC. The MA report predicts Massachusetts FinTech innovation will drive the state into a national role as a leader in the B2B-driven second wave of FinTech development. The report also identifies the local FinTech ecosystem as the growth engine for the states financial services sector, which saw the number of jobs jump from 174,000 in 2015 to 181,000 in 2016, and, according to the most currently available year-end data, average wages increase from $142,225 in 2014 to $166,524 in 2015, over 5% each year. According to the report, three numbers tell the story of the impact the financial services industry has on Massachusetts: 6% of total state employment: More than 181,000 jobs in 2016, adding 7,000 jobs from the prior year; 14 percent of the states GSP, up from 10% the prior year (more than $40 billion); Nearly 20% of MA annual business tax revenue, generated consistent over five years. When direct and indirect employment are combined, the financial services industrys valued added to the Massachusetts economy was $57 billion in 2015. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Greater Boston in particular are ideally positioned to spearhead the nations financial technology revolution well into the future, based on the regions unique mix of industry expertise, extraordinary pipeline of talent from academia, entrepreneurial culture and encouragement from our public officials, said Robert L. Reynolds, President and Chief Executive Officer, Putnam Investments. Reynolds, who is also Co-Chair of the Boston Financial Services Leadership Council, added, FinTech stands to be one of the emerging economic pillars for Massachusetts attracting a host of promising start-up businesses and appealing to a wide range of growing enterprises. Industry Transformed by Financial Technology The report explains that FinTech is a growing disruptor transforming each step of the value chain across the financial services industry. While the first wave of FinTech development, which has been largely focused on B2C technologies such as payments and lending, has largely been driven by companies in California and New York, Massachusetts is well positioned to become a leader in the second wave of FinTech innovation, which will also focus on B2B technologies, such as advanced analytics and machine learning applications to compliance, risk and cyber security. The Mass Insight report identifies six FinTech trends as having the highest potential to empower Massachusetts-based financial services organizations as pivotal players in the global arena. These include: Machine Learning and Advanced Analytics, Cybersecurity, Digital Identity, Blockchain, Robo-advisors and Robotics. The report goes on to highlight several Massachusetts FinTech startups that are already making a mark in these areas. For instance, Kensho, Quantopian and Elsen, Inc. are gaining traction with their analytics solutions. Two Data Analytics and Machine Learning success stories are also called out: The Fidelity Labs Incubator, which has launched the Student Debt Tool, and FutureFuel.io, which is also trying to solve the student debt burden by making the implementation of debt repayment easy for employers and employees. Boston's next wave FinTech opportunity will leverage the regions significant university-generated talent in data analytics, AI/machine learning and cyber security - the key areas identified in the new report - to solve the greatest challenges in finance, said William Guenther, CEO and founder of Mass Insight Global Partnerships. Success will depend on new levels of collaboration between our leading firms, universities and start ups to compete with California and New York. Massachusetts has provided a robust ecosystem for us to engage not just with top players in financial services and technology but also with some of the countrys best employers who are on the leading edge of benefits and investment in people. Its an exciting time; we believe the state is at an inflection point, said Laurel Taylor, founder and CEO, FutureFuel.io. The annual Massachusetts Financial Services Sector Impact Report was produced on behalf of the Boston Financial Services Leadership Council (BFSLC) by Mass Insight Global Partnership (MIGP) with support from PwC. Massachusetts jobs numbers are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Download the Massachusetts Financial Services Impact Report FinTech Opportunities for the Commonwealth. Save the date for the second annual Boston FinTech/Data Conference, November 30, at the Federal Reserve Bank Boston. About the BFSLC The Boston Financial Services Leadership Council (BFSLC), organized and supported by Mass Insight Global Partnerships, brings together CEOs and senior executives from the regional financial services sector with academic partners to advocate for the sector in Massachusetts and launch new collaborations. The BFSLC announced FinancialTechnologyBoston.com in 2016 and produced a Boston FinTech Road Map. The Massachusetts Financial Services sector is responsible for six percent of the States workforce, 14 percent of the States GSP and almost 20 percent of the States business tax revenue. Led by Co-Chairs Clayton Deutsch, CEO, Boston Private, and Robert Reynolds, President and CEO, Putnam Investments, the BFSLC membership includes 10 leading financial services organizations in Massachusetts. About Mass Insight Mass Insight Global Partnerships creates competitive advantage for its partners and the region through public-private leadership groups that bring together universities, industry and government what we call the Innovation Triangle to 1) shape policy initiatives and 2) establish pre-competitive partnerships to expand market opportunities, focused especially on technologies where the region has deep resources. About PwC PwCs purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. PwC is a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 223,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. PLEASANTVILLE The Board of Education on Wednesday approved offering Clarence Alston a three-year contract as superintendent. But members may face another legal challenge from an assistant principal who already settled one reverse-discrimination suit against the district. Alstons contract comes after a Superior Court judge ruled this month the districts state monitor, Constance Bauer, overstepped her authority in refusing to approve Alston as the districts superintendent. The board also said that if the monitor wants to appeal that ruling, it would ask that the state pay the cost of the appeal. The district is responsible for the state monitors salary and legal costs. District Business Administrator Elisha Thompkins said Alston will be paid $167,500 the first year, then get 2.4 percent increases each year, to $171,000 the second year and $175,000 the third. He has 30 days to sign the contract and must first stop his state pension, since he is currently retired. He didnt want to stop his pension until he was sure he had a contract, Thompkins said. Alstons attorney, David Castellani, also is working to recoup a year in back salary, legal costs and damages totaling as much as $400,000. Castellani also represents Renee Irwin, an assistant principal at the middle school, who was notified in April she would not be renewed in that position. Irwin asked that her hearing be held in public, and several former students and colleagues testified on her behalf, including one who said he drove from Philadelphia when he heard she could lose her job. I am upset that I even have to be up here, said Luz Vega, who had Irwin as a teacher. She had faith in me. That woman is what this district needs more women like her. City firefighter Anton Brown, who mentors students, said he has seen the passion Irwin has to help the children and how much she cares about them. Keep her where she is, he said. Do the right thing. Irwin came to the district in 1997 as a teacher and later was certified as an administrator but could never get hired. She sued the district in 2014 after alleging she was passed over multiple times for assistant principal positions that were always given to African American employees who were not as qualified as she was. Irwin is white. That suit was settled in 2015 for $45,000. Irwin said the funds covered her legal costs and she just wanted the job. She served as assistant principal at Leeds Avenue School and was transferred to the middle school this year. She was notified in April, during the middle of state testing, she would not be renewed, but she said evaluations of her work had not been done and were turned in later along with a list of reasons she should not be renewed. She said after a mistake with state testing this year, she was suspended. Irwin said she could go back to being a teacher but would be tenured as an administrator in December. I was in the district when it ran as a well-oiled machine and people came to work happy, she said. I have watched it deteriorate in the past seven years or so because of harassment, retaliation and personal attacks on staff. Irwin said she loves the children in Pleasantville and believes in them but decisions are being made based on politics and not performance and she is prepared to sue again to keep her job. MAYS LANDING Dr. James Kauffman has filed an appeal of a Superior Court judges decision to keep him in jail until he can be tried on charges stemming from an armed standoff he had with law enforcement outside his medical offices. An appeals court has not yet set a date to hear the appeal. According to Jill Houck, Criminal Division manager, appeals filed on detention hearings are heard expeditiously in the Appellate Division, normally within three to four weeks after the appeal has been filed. Kauffman has been in the Atlantic County jail since his arrest June 13 after he ran inside his Egg Harbor Township office as police officers were attempting to execute a search warrant there. Inside the office, he drew a gun, which he pointed toward his chest while police negotiated with him. After 45 minutes, he surrendered. Kauffmann was married to radio host and veterans advocate April Kauffman when she was discovered shot to death in the couples Woodstock Drive home in Linwood in May 2012. The doctor has not been named as a suspect in the case, and authorities have said the June 13 warrants were unrelated to their ongoing investigation into the homicide. Police, Atlantic County Prosecutors Office investigators and the FBI searched five properties the day Kauffman was arrested, including his offices. The search was related to what Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner referred to as medical fraud. Appeals of detention rulings are heard by a panel of two to three judges and can be limited to the transcript of the original case, relying simply on the strength of that case, or there could be attorneys for both sides present. In his June 19 decision to keep Kauffman in jail, Judge Bernard DeLury said that while it was the first time Kauffman was arrested and the physician has a strong connection to the community, those factors were outweighed by the fact there was an armed standoff with police and that Kauffman threatened to kill himself. DeLury said he also took into account that a large amount of money was recovered during the execution of the search warrants, along with an active passport, indicating the endocrinologist had the means to flee. Houck said Wednesday that in appeal cases the judges will either uphold the decision of the lower court or reverse it and remand the case to the lower court. No charges have been filed or arrests made in April Kauffmans killing. James Kauffman has since remarried, and he and his current wife retain the residence in Linwood along with a condominium in Center City Philadelphia. The State Board of Medical Examiners has temporarily suspended Dr. James Kauffmans medical license, the state attorney general announced Thursday. The suspension follows a Superior Court judges decision last week to keep Kauffman, an Atlantic County endocrinologist, in jail until he can be tried on charges stemming from a June 13 armed standoff with police outside his practice in Egg Harbor Township. Kauffman agreed Monday to the temporary suspension of his license pending the resolution of the criminal charges against him and other conditions set by the Medical Examiners Board, according to the state Division of Consumer Affairs. Dr. Kauffmans conduct, followed by his criminal arrest, demonstrates an imminent danger to the public. The Board acted appropriately to ensure that he will not be allowed to practice medicine until this very serious matter is resolved, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said in a statement. Porrino said Kauffman will also have to undergo a professional evaluation and be deemed fit to resume practice before the medical board can consider reinstating his license. Until then, it will be indefinitely suspended. Kauffman was first licensed under the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners on Aug. 4, 1978, according to state records, which show no previous board actions against him while practicing in New Jersey. The doctor has been in the Atlantic County jail since his June 13 arrest after he ran inside his office as police officers were attempting to execute a search warrant. Inside the office, authorities said, Kauffman drew a gun, which he pointed toward his chest while officers negotiated with him. After 45 minutes, he surrendered. Kauffman was married to radio host and veterans advocate April Kauffman when she was discovered shot to death in the couples Woodstock Drive home in Linwood in May 2012. The doctor has not been named as a suspect in the case, and authorities have said the June 13 warrants were unrelated to their ongoing investigation into the homicide. Kauffman filed an appeal this week to the Superior Courts decision that he remain in jail. An appeals court has not yet set a date to hear the appeal. SALT LAKE CITY, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sera Prognostics, Inc., a womens healthcare company, announced today that the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to Sera Prognostics, Inc., based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAPs Accreditation Programs. The facilitys director, Todd Randolph, M.D., medical director of Sera Prognostics, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. Sera Prognostics is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. Seras science and laboratory operations capability is of the highest quality, and the CAP certification is a tribute to our company and strong team of laboratory professionals, stated Randolph. Achieving CAP accreditation is a key milestone for Sera Prognostics as we work to realize our companys vision to improve the well-being of mothers and infants, stated Greg C. Critchfield, M.D., M.S., chairman and chief executive officer of Sera Prognostics. This achievement is recognition of the excellent work performed by our laboratory operations team and quality/regulatory department to provide pivotal information to doctors and patients. I salute all of our dedicated employees and advisors who join us in this quest. The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the governments own inspection program. During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratorys records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management. Sera Prognostics demonstrates leadership, innovation, and a passionate commitment to standards of excellence while providing the highest quality services, ultimately for patients, said Bharati Jhaveri, MD, FCAP, chair of the CAPs Council on Accreditation. The CAP congratulates Sera Prognostics on its recent CAP Accreditation. About the College of American Pathologists As the worlds largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP Annual Report at cap.org. About Preterm Birth According to the March of Dimes, globally preterm birth affects 15 million infants each year, with 1 million deaths occurring from prematurity. Of nearly 4 million babies born annually in the U.S., approximately one in ten is born prematurely. Preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 weeks gestation, and is the leading cause of illness and death in newborns. Prematurity is associated with a significantly increased risk of major long-term medical complications, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, chronic respiratory illness, intellectual disability, seizures, and vision and hearing loss, and can generate significant costs throughout the lives of affected children. About the PreTRM Test The PreTRM test is the first and only broadly clinically-validated blood test that provides an early and individual risk prediction for spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic, singleton pregnancies. The PreTRM test measures and analyzes proteins in the blood that are highly predictive of preterm birth. The PreTRM test can help physicians identify early in the pregnancy (as early as 19 weeks of gestation) which women are at increased risk for premature delivery, enabling more informed clinical decisions based on each womans individual risk. The PreTRM test enables researchers to better understand the causes of preterm birth and to develop new therapies to improve newborn health. The PreTRM test is ordered by a medical professional. For more information about the PreTRM test, please visit www.PreTRM.com and the PreTRM test YouTube Channel. You can also join the conversation on Facebook and @PreTRM. About Sera Prognostics, Inc. Sera Prognostics, a womens health company, develops innovative diagnostic tests focused on the early prediction of preterm birth (PTB) risk and other complications of pregnancy. Sera has launched its PreTRM test, the first and only broadly clinically-validated blood test to accurately predict early in pregnancy the risk of premature birth. The test objectively reports to the physician the risk of premature delivery, enabling earlier proactive interventions designed to prolong gestation and improve neonatal health outcomes. Seras technology addresses both the health and economic challenges of PTB. The Companys strong management team has significant clinical development and women's healthcare diagnostic experience. Sera is backed by highly respected healthcare investors, including Domain Associates, InterWest Partners, Catalyst Health Ventures, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and LabCorp, who recently entered into an agreement with the Company to become the exclusive U.S. distributor of the PreTRM test. Currently, Sera is working with the Gates Foundation to translate the Companys discoveries into technologies well suited for low-income countries in its journey to improve maternal and infant health globally. Sera Prognostics is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.seraprognostics.com. A former property manager of an Atlantic City public-housing complex pleaded guilty this week to charges she stole money from tenants, authorities said. Cheryl Bradshaw, 60, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty Monday before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Patricia Wild to a charge of theft by failure to make required disposition, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said in a statement. Bradshaw, the former property manager of the Barlinvis Apartments in Atlantic City, was arrested April 19 after the prosecutors detectives found she stole a toilet seat and $826 from tenants, he said. She was charged with official misconduct and theft by failure to make required disposition of property received after cashing 13 checks that were supposed to go to nine tenants at the Barlinvis Apartments, Tyner said. ACPD officer Vadell addresses Atlantic County police academy graduation MAYS LANDING Atlantic City police Officer Joshlee Vadell remembers everything from the nig The money was from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help offset the residents utility bills, authorities said. Bradshaw toilet seat taken from the Atlantic County Improvement Authority is valued at $9.39. She had the seat installed in her own residence, authorities said. The plea agreement calls for probation, restitution to all victims and a lifetime ban from public employment, authorities said. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8. Pleasantville Housing Authority fired Bradshaw Feb. 2, authorities said. Its official: Ocean City is New Jerseys Favorite Beach of 2017. For the fourth year in a row, Americas Greatest Family Resort was named the winner of the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium contest. The honor, announced Thursday at the Music Pier, is based on the votes of more than 7,000 people from May to June. Were just thrilled to win this award. It really shows that the guests and second-homeowners of Ocean City really believe in Ocean City, as well as our year-round residents, said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Jay Gillian lauded the achievement as a testament to the hard work of the city and the business organizations. Congratulations to everybody in Ocean City for achieving this honor, he said. Originally titled New Jerseys Top Ten Beaches, the annual public poll began in 2008 to encourage stewardship and pride for New Jerseys beaches. Part of our mission is to create awareness of New Jerseys coastal resources and how wonderful they are, said Claire Antonucci, executive director of the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. In 2013, after Hurricane Sandy had devastated the Jersey Shore the previous year, the Sea Grant Consortium changed its format to honor beach images and memories instead of focusing on rivalries. The contest returned in 2014. And in 2016, the title was changed to add more variety for voters. In addition to the Favorite Beach award, winners were announced in all four coastal counties. Brigantine, which took second place overall, placed first in Atlantic County. Seaside Heights was first place for Ocean County and Asbury Park was first for Monmouth County. OCEAN CITY The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium will present this years winner of its annual New Jerseys Best Beach contest Thursday at the Ocean City Music Pier. For the last three years, Ocean City has reigned as the champion of the contest. Winners from each coastal county will also be honored. The public poll was open for voting from May to June and had over 7,000 participants this year. The ceremony will take place 11 a.m. Originally titled New Jerseys Top Ten Beaches, the annual public poll began in 2008 to encourage stewardship and pride for New Jerseys beaches. In 2013, after Hurricane Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore the previous year, the Sea Grant Consortium changed its format to honor beach images and memories instead of focus on rivalries. The contest returned in 2014 and in 2016, the title was changed to add more variety for voters. A Virginia man admitted Wednesday he robbed a TD Bank in Ocean City and a Wells Fargo bank in Atlantic City during a crime spree in December, according to acting U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick. Bruce Wayne Higgins, 43, of Herndon, Virginia, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Camden on charges he robbed three banks and a business during the December spree. The third bank and the business are located in Maryland. On Dec. 15, authorities said Higgins entered the TD Bank in the 100 block of Ninth Street in Ocean City and presented a teller with a note that read: GUN IN Pocket, MONEY NOW or BANG-. He then took cash from the teller and ran away. The next day, Higgins walked into a TD Bank in Atlantic City but immediately left after seeing his face on a bulletin hanging on the wall, officials said. An employee at the bank recognized Higgins and called police. Higgins then entered and robbed the Wells Fargo bank using a note that said, Gun in Pocket, Money Now or Bang now. After taking the money, Higgins ran out of the bank and was arrested by Atlantic City police on South Carolina Avenue, authorities said. Higgins was once an IT professional with a six-figure salary. In 2009, he became hooked on cocaine and heroin and began robbing banks in the Washington, D.C., and Virginia area, according a 2009 Washington Post story. He was sentenced to four years in federal prison. Under Wednesdays guilty plea, Higgins faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. WASHINGTON (AP) Earth is likely to hit more dangerous levels of warming even sooner if the U.S. pulls back from its pledge to cut carbon dioxide pollution, scientists said. That's because America contributes so much to rising temperatures. President Donald Trump, who once proclaimed global warming a Chinese hoax, will soon decide whether the United States stays in or leaves a 2015 Paris climate change accord in which nearly every nation agreed to curb its greenhouse gas emissions. Other global leaders have been urging him to stay during high level security and economic meetings in Italy that began Friday. Pope Francis already made the case with a gift of his papal encyclical on the environment when Trump visited the Vatican earlier this week. In an attempt to understand what could happen to the planet if the U.S. pulls out of Paris, The Associated Press consulted with more than two dozen climate scientists and analyzed a special computer model scenario designed to calculate potential effects. Scientists said it would worsen an already bad problem, and make it far more difficult to prevent crossing a dangerous global temperature threshold. Calculations suggest it could result in emissions of up to 3 billion tons of additional carbon dioxide in the air a year. When it adds up year after year, scientists said that is enough to melt ice sheets faster, raise seas higher and trigger more extreme weather. "If we lag, the noose tightens," said Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer, co-editor of the peer-reviewed journal Climatic Change. One expert group ran a worst-case computer simulation of what would happen if the U.S. does not curb emissions, but other nations do meet their targets. It found that America would add as much as half a degree of warming (0.3 degrees Celsius) to the globe by the end of century. Scientists are split on how reasonable and likely that scenario is. Many said because of cheap natural gas that displaces coal and growing adoption of renewable energy sources, it is unlikely that the U.S. would stop reducing its carbon pollution even if it abandoned the accord, so the effect would likely be smaller. But others say it could be worse because other countries might follow a U.S. exit, leading to more emissions from both the U.S. and the rest. Another computer simulation team put the effect of the U.S. pulling out somewhere between 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Celsius (.18 to .36 degrees Fahrenheit). While scientists may disagree on the computer simulations they overwhelmingly agreed that the warming the planet is undergoing now would be faster and more intense. The world without U.S. efforts would have a far more difficult time avoiding a dangerous threshold: keeping the planet from warming more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The world has already warmed by just over half that amount with about one-fifth of the past heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions coming from the United States, usually from the burning of coal, oil and gas. So the efforts are really about preventing another 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius) from now. "Developed nations particularly the U.S. and Europe are responsible for the lion's share of past emissions, with China now playing a major role," said Rutgers University climate scientist Jennifer Francis. "This means Americans have caused a large fraction of the warming." Even with the U.S. doing what it promised under the Paris agreement, the world is likely to pass that 2 degree mark, many scientists said. But the fractions of additional degrees that the U.S. would contribute could mean passing the threshold faster, which could in turn mean "ecosystems being out of whack with the climate, trouble farming current crops and increasing shortages of food and water," said National Center for Atmospheric Research's Kevin Trenberth. Climate Interactive, a team of scientists and computer modelers who track global emissions and pledges, simulated global emissions if every country but the U.S. reaches their individualized goals to curb carbon pollution. And then they calculated what that would mean in global temperature, sea level rise and ocean acidification using scientifically-accepted computer models. By the year 2030, it would mean an extra 3 billion tons of carbon dioxide in the air a year, according to the Climate Interactive models, and by the end of the century 0.3 degrees Celsius of warming. "The U.S. matters a great deal," said Climate Interactive co-director Andrew Jones. "That amount could make the difference between meeting the Paris limit of two degrees and missing it." Climate Action Tracker, a competing computer simulation team, put the effect of the U.S. pulling out somewhere between 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Celsius (.18 to .36 Fahrenheit) by 2100. It uses a scenario where U.S. emissions flatten through the century, while Climate Interactive has them rising. One of the few scientists who downplay the harm of the U.S. possibly leaving the agreement is John Schellnhuber, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the scientist credited with coming up with the 2 degree goal. "Ten years ago (a U.S. exit) would have shocked the planet," Schellnhuber said. "Today if the U.S. really chooses to leave the Paris agreement, the world will move on with building a clean and secure future." Not so, said Texas Tech climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe: "There will be ripple effects from the United States' choices across the world." OTTAWA, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ABcann Global Corporation (TSX-V:ABCN) ("ABcann" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of Dr. Michael Shannon as its Chief Medical Consultant. Dr. Shannon served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 31 years, and also as Deputy Surgeon General for Canada. In 1996, he assumed responsibilities within Health Canada for re-organizing the Canadian blood system and the development of a new corporate entity dedicated exclusively to the management of blood services in Canada. He was then appointed Director General for the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control. In December 2000, Dr. Shannon left the Federal Government to pursue a new career in industry. In that capacity, he simultaneously directed a Phase III clinical trial in Canada, the United States and Great Britain for an artificial blood substitute product. Dr. Shannon has been actively engaged in medical bio-oxidative (O3 based) research since 1987 and has served as the Senior Medical Advisor to Medizone International since 2002. In October 2008, he was appointed the President of the Canadian Foundation for Global Health. "In the future we plan to participate in a number of clinical trials involving different modes of delivery as well as various research projects with potentially significant clinical implications in order to facilitate the acceptance of cannabis treatment by the mainstream medical community. Dr. Shannons experience and expertise, along with his established credibility, will help us through this process as we move these developments forward," says Aaron Keay, CEO of ABcann. Our sophisticated growing technology allows us to produce a consistent product, from batch to batch. That consistency is needed to be able to couple our technology with technologies for controlled-dose delivery in order to perform the trials necessary to develop the evidence to bring cannabis treatment into the mainstream," says Ken Clement, Executive Chairman and Founder of ABcann. "We are delighted and extremely fortunate to be able to add Dr. Shannon to our team." About ABcann Global Corporation (TSX.V:ABCN): ABcann was one of the first companies to obtain a production license under the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, which it received on March 21, 2014. It obtained a sales license on December 31, 2015. ABcanns flagship facility, in Napanee, Ontario, contains proprietary plant-growing technology, including environmentally-controlled chambers capable of monitoring and regulating all variables in the growing process. This approach and the systems in place allow ABcann to produce organically grown and pesticide-free, high-yielding plants, which, in turn, can generate high-quality products that are consistent from batch to batch. ABcann is able to control environmental and nutrient demands, tailor-made for a particular strain of cannabis, without the variation that is typical when producing large quantities in less-controlled, larger rooms and greenhouse-type structures. ABcanns modular approach to systems technology eliminates scale-up risk and allows ABcann to locate anywhere in the world and maintain consistency and quality of product. ABcann is expanding capacity in its current facility to approximately 30,000 sq ft and concurrently undertaking expansion into a new 150,000 sq ft facility in Napanee. ABcann is pursuing opportunities in Germany, Australia and other jurisdictions as well as exploring the development of multiple delivery vehicles. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Aaron Keay" Aaron Keay CEO and Director For further information, please contact Aaron Keay by phone at (604) 323-6911 or by email at aaron@ABcannglobal.com, or Leo Karabelas by phone at 416 543-3120 or by email at leo.k@ABcannglobal.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: ABcanns planned clinical trials and research projects, the potential clinical implications of same; ABcanns ability to develop evidence that will support the acceptance of cannabis treatment by the medical community; and the scope of the Companys proposed expansions at its Vanluven and Kimmett facilities. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including: (i) delays or other factors that prevent the Company from conducting its planned clinical trials and other proposed research projects; (ii) changes to applicable legislation or regulatory requirements; (iii) changes to the anticipated costs of the expansions that require the Company to obtain additional capital or modify its development plans; and (iv) other factors beyond the Company's control. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors, and the more extensive risk factors included in the Companys filing statement dated March 31, 2017 which is available on SEDAR, carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. BOGOTA, Colombia, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) announced that President Bill Clinton, the Founder of the Clinton Foundation & 42nd President of the United States, will address the World Coffee Producers Forum, which will be held in Medellin, Colombia, on July 10-12, 2017. President Clinton, whose global work in Africa, Latin America, and around the world has been instrumental in the fight against poverty and the promotion of economic and social development, especially in rural areas, will participate in a panel with Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos, on Economic Sustainability and Rural Development to promote Global Stability and Democracy. According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), about 25 million households, 125 million people, mostly small farmers, live from coffee production in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Challenges such as a sustainable income for them and endangered coffee production due to climate change will be at the core of the agenda of the Forum. At the same time, some industry estimates consider that - as consumption grows - in the next 30 to 40 years coffee production will have to double. The World Coffee Producers Forum, the first of its kind, is a joint initiative of coffee producers associations from Africa, Asia and Latin America that will gather 900 attendees representing more than 40 producing countries, members of the coffee industry such as roasters, traders and retailers, financial institutions, non-governmental organizations and government representatives. On behalf of the World Coffee Producers Forum, we want to welcome President Clinton to our Forum. He is one of the most respected global voices on promotion of sustainable economic development in the developing world. As a Colombian, I am also very proud to welcome him. His commitment to our country since 2000 through Plan Colombia was crucial to turn around years of violence that affected all of us, including our coffee growers, said Roberto Velez, CEO of the FNC. The first World Coffee Producers Forum will reunite the whole coffee value chain to analyze and address its most important challenges, such as farmers income, climate change and productivity, and propose and implement collective actions to face them. Its first edition will be hosted by the FNC in Medellin, following the celebration of its 90th anniversary. The FNC is a coffee producers association that represents more than 550,000 coffee-growing families in Colombia, in almost 600 municipalities of Colombia (about 54% of the total). For further information please visit: http://worldcoffeeproducersforum.com/ http://foromundialproductorescafe.com/ Leading MarTech providers BlueVenn and Adestra have announced today that they have formed an alliance to combine the Single Customer View, analytics and segmentation capabilities of the BlueVenn Customer analytics and real-time customer journey automation platform with Adestra's email marketing solution. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140331/678597-a ) The partnership allows for collaboration across the two businesses supported by joint marketing initiatives and co-innovation in the data, analytics and automation space to address the challenges faced by modern customer-focused marketers. The announcement is accompanied by today's 2017.2 release of BlueVenn on June 30th and a new connector that provides a two-way flow of data between the two solutions, as well as the ability to trigger Adestra email campaigns directly within BlueVenn. The new two-way integration allows for the seamless transfer of analytics-driven customer segments into Adestra's enterprise email marketing platform to execute highly targeted campaigns, bringing the resulting data from the campaigns back into the BlueVenn Customer Data Platform for further analysis and insight. Over the coming months, the BlueVenn and Adestra teams will continue to work closely on providing vital capabilities for multi-brand organizations, with a particular focus in the retail, publishing and leisure sectors. The collaboration helps solve the unique problems that multi-brand organizations face in the process of becoming First-Person Marketers and reaching their customers in a hyper-personalized way, at scale, throughout the customer journey. BlueVenn Marketing Director Anthony Botibol commented: "This technology partnership is particularly interesting for us due to the nature of Adestra's multi-brand capabilities. We already share some fantastic clients where they require both insight and marketing automation capabilities across more than one brand, so deepening our existing relationship makes sense. "This new connector as part of BlueVenn 2017.2 means great news for our existing Adestra clients who wish to dive deeper into their customer data and build sophisticated campaigns. It will also benefit those seeking a complete marketing analytic and customer journey management solution with the flexibility to fit comfortably into their existing stack." Liz Smith, Head of Partnerships at Adestra says: "In an increasingly busy MarTech landscape, it's become more important than ever to bring clarity to complexity. That refers not only to connecting the technology dots, but also dots in your customers' journeys to bring them a holistic message and experience across channels. Our partnership with BlueVenn offers marketers an integrated best-of-breed solution and brings the capability of using customer insight to create personalized communications at scale like never before." About Adestra Adestra is a trusted provider of First-Person Marketing solutions for global and growing brands. The company's industry-leading email platform provides a powerful infrastructure for one-to-one, contextual messaging and marketing automation, helping marketers communicate more effectively with their customers and subscribers. Robust reporting features allow marketers to efficiently evaluate and optimize their campaign results. The flexible structure and open integration architecture allow businesses to connect disparate technology platforms to create a seamless customer journey. Along with a best-of-breed platform that drives customer engagement and boosts ROI, Adestra was founded on the principle that marketing success takes more than technology, which is why customer service is at the heart of its business. Adestra was a winner of the 2014 and 2017 Customer Focus Award from the Customer Service Institute. It also won Bronze for Customer Service Department of the Year at the 2017 Stevie Awards for Customer Service, as well as being presented with the 2017 Supplier of the Year Award from one of its longest-standing clients, UBM. Adestra continues to maintain one of the highest customer retention rates in the industry. It is trusted by top companies including UBM, Conde Nast Digital Limited, and Tile, among others. Established in 2004, Adestra has offices throughout the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. For more information, please visit adestra.com. About BlueVenn The BlueVenn Customer Data Platform unifies all your marketing data to create unified customer profiles and achieve the elusive Single Customer View. Moreover, with powerful integrated analytics, predictive modeling, reporting and omnichannel customer journey automation it provides everything the modern-day marketer needs to transition to true 1-to-1 marketing. Understand your customers better, uncover patterns in behavior that drive sales growth and utilize real-time marketing capabilities to personalize web and email experiences based on all your known and anonymous data. With 400 clients and 20 years of experience creating data-driven marketing technology solutions for some of the largest B2C organizations in the world, the BlueVenn platform is at the forefront of a marketing big data revolution, redefining how marketers work and interact with their customers. http://www.bluevenn.com For more information about BlueVenn's connectors, get in touch with marketing@bluevenn.com. Alternatively, you can a demonstration of BlueVenn and Adestra by contacting BlueVenn directly (US: +1-617-207-8685. UK: +44-0117-943-5800), or fill out the form here. SOURCE Adestra ZHUHAI, China, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 27 and 28, 2017, the 3rd China-Israel Investment Summit was held in Zhuhai, a city in southern China. Over 5,200 people from more than 2,700 Chinese and Israeli enterprises attended the summit, making it the largest business forum and matchmaking conference in China attended by Israeli enterprises. The summit witnessed over 2,000 matchmaking meetings for B2B business held between Chinese and Israeli enterprises, and 14 project contracts were signed at the scene, with a total value of contract over USD3.8 billion. The summit is an important platform for the communication and cooperation of science and technology, economy and trade between China and Israel. The previous two summits were held in Beijing and Tel Aviv respectively. It is learned that 255 guests from 146 Israeli enterprises attended the summit, including the founders and decision makers from nearly 200 Israeli high-tech enterprises engaged in industries like technology automation, financial technology, industrial application, Internet of Things and Bioscience. Remarkable achievements have been scored for now, including the launching of National China-Israel Innovation Fund, the signing of the agreement of civil aircraft project between Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. and the settling down of China-Israel Enterprise Accelerator Industrial Park in Zhuhai. Guo Yuanqiang, Secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, said that "since Zhuhai and Israel share similarities in such fields as science and technology, environmental protection, agriculture and education, the cooperation between the two parties enjoys a promising prospect." As the host of the summit, Zhuhai has embraced more opportunities. Located in the west bank of Pearl River Estuary in south China, Zhuhai faces the international metropolises Hong Kong and Macao across the river, and it is also one of China's first four special economic zones. In recent years, Zhuhai has prioritized the development of innovation and is sparing no effort to build up an internationally competitive hub for high-end industrial clusters, industrial technology incubators, innovative talents, entrepreneurship investment and intellectual property services. Taking the summit as an opportunity, Zhuhai is able to promote regional innovation by learning from the experience of Israeli enterprises. As an important part of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhuhai has been well prepared to live up to high standards of international trade and investment rules, carve out a new pattern of cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and to foster a market-oriented, legal and international business environment. While promoting reform and development through the opening-up, Zhuhai is able to further expand the cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, particularly to fully tap into the potentials of various professionals from Hong Kong and Macao. In this way, innovation would be put on a fast track driven by the going-out strategy. SOURCE Propaganda Department of Zhuhai Municipal Party Committee LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ASCAP, the world leader in performing rights and advocacy for music creators, today announced the 12 composer participants selected for its prestigious annual ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop, now in its 29th year. Led by Emmy Award-winning composer Richard Bellis, the comprehensive 4-week program takes place in Los Angeles. It culminates when each aspiring composer has the opportunity to record their original score for a major motion picture scene using the same tools as a world-class composer: a 64-piece orchestra at the historic Newman Scoring Stage at FOX Studios. The Workshop, supported by The ASCAP Foundation, is known in Hollywood circles for grooming some of the world's top composers, connecting them with agents, music supervisors, attorneys and A-list Hollywood studio executives. Among the program's alumni since its 1988 launch are Jim Dooley (TNT's Last Ship, Emmy winner for ABC's Pushing Daisies,); Rob Duncan (NBC's Timeless; multi-Emmy nominee for the ABC hit Castle, and Starz's Missing); Matthew Margeson (2017 film Rings, 2016 films Eddie the Eagle and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, International Film Music Critics Award winner for 2015 hit The Kingsmen: Secret Service); Mateo Messina (Oscar-winning 2007 film Juno, NBC's Superstore and Hulu's Casual); Layla Minoui (Bravo's Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce), Julia Newmann (additional music for hit FOX TV series Bones); and Joe Trapanese (ABC's Quantico; 2016 film Allegiant, 2015 hit film Straight Outta Compton). "I'm so proud of the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop and the opportunity we have been able to offer these young composers who have worked so hard to earn their place in this exclusive group," said Shawn LeMone, ASCAP SVP Membership. "ASCAP supports its members in all stages of their careers and it is gratifying to get see them go on to make their marks in the film and television industry." The Workshop is produced by ASCAP Film and TV membership executives Michael Todd and Jennifer Harmon. Participants are chosen from more than 300 applicants by a team of 20 professional composers. This year's participants are: Bronson Buskett ( Los Angeles, CA ) ) Tyler Durham ( Nixa, MO ) ( ) Bernhard Eder ( Vienna, Austria ) ( ) Riley Hughes ( Los Angeles, CA ) ( ) Ana Kasrahvili (Rustavi, Georgia ) ) Jonathan Keith ( Los Angeles, CA ) ( ) Levente Kovacs ( Vienna, Austria ) ( ) Alexander Lecluyse ( Paris, France ) ( ) Antoni Mairata March ( Madrid, Spain ) ( ) Nolan Markey ( Los Angeles, CA ) ( ) Drew Mikuska ( Los Angeles, CA ) ( ) Megumi Sasano ( Los Angeles / Japan ) Among the scoring legends and top-tier composers that have lectured at the Workshop are: Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein, Randy Newman, Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, John Powell, Geoff Zanelli, Garry Schyman, Michael Levine, David Vanacore, Ron Jones, Jeff Cardoni, Michael Giacchino, Marco Beltrami, Buck Sanders, Walter Murphy, Mark Isham, Alf Clausen, Ramin Djawadi, Bruce Broughton, Steve Porcaro, Jay Gruska, David Lawrence, Brian Tyler, Sean Callery, Mark Snow and John Debney. About ASCAP The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP's mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world's best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business - from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With over 600,000 members representing more than 10.5 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook. About The ASCAP Foundation Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education and talent development programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs, and public service projects for senior composers and lyricists. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org SOURCE ASCAP Related Links http://www.ascap.com ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Poynter Institute, a global leader in journalism, is receiving $1.3 million in new grants from the Omidyar Network and Open Society Foundations to expand its work in accountability journalism through the International Fact-Checking Network in the coming years. The funds ($1 million from Omidyar Network and $300,000 from OSF) will support new initiatives in three major areas: fact-checking technology, impact tracking, and financial awards through innovation grants and crowdfunding matches. To support the new work, the IFCN will hire two additional staff to work with the project's director, Alexios Mantzarlis. The grants also allow Poynter IFCN to increase its work as the premier advocate, convener and trainer of fact-checkers worldwide. Through workshops, news coverage and more, the IFCN shares best practices, reports on trends, promotes collaboration and supports more than 100 fact-checking operations around the world. "The years ahead are going to be fundamental not just for fact-checking, but for all journalists aiming to report on their societies on the basis of verified facts," said Mantzarlis. "This funding provides essential resources to boost accuracy in our information ecosystem." "Access to accurate information and the ability to hold those in positions of power to account are critical for a healthy, participatory democracy," stated Stephen King, partner and global lead for the Governance & Citizen Engagement initiative at Omidyar Network, "We are proud to continue our support for Poynter IFCN, and other fact-checking organizations around the world, as they seek to tackle misinformation and protect the value of truth." "Reliable, fact-based journalism is the cornerstone for open societies," said Maria Teresa Ronderos, director of the Program on Independent Journalism at OSF. "We are very proud to support Poynter and IFCN in their efforts to further strengthen their fact-checking work, key for building inclusive, accountable democracies." The International Fact-Checking Network launched in 2015 as an alliance of more than 60 fact-checking organizations in six continents. IFCN monitors trends, research and best practices, with articles in a dedicated channel of Poynter.org and a weekly newsletter co-edited with the American Press Institute; provides resources for fact-checkers ranging from in-person workshops to online programs (http://www.newsu.org/courses/fact-checking); supports collaborative efforts in international fact-checking, including the International Fact-Checking Day on April 2 and the Global Fact-Checking Summit (taking place in Madrid on July 5-6, 2017); and advocates for fact-checking within journalism and beyond. Twenty-five organizations are currently verified signatories of IFCN's code of principles, which is a minimum condition for being accepted as a third-party fact-checker by Facebook. Poynter receives support from foundations, corporations and individuals to support its mission of promoting independent journalism in service to democracy. More than 20 media companies and journalism organizations have partnered with Poynter in the last year. Those partners include Google News Lab, National Endowment for Democracy, USA TODAY Network, Univision, The Associated Press, Charles Koch Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. With all funded initiatives, Poynter retains control of the program and remains independent. About the International Fact-Checking Network The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) is a forum for fact-checkers worldwide hosted by The Poynter Institute for Media Studies. These organizations fact-check statements by public figures, major institutions and other widely circulated claims of interest to society. Its code of principles is being used by Facebook as a minimum condition for being accepted as a third-party fact-checker on the social network. Poynter's IFCN has received funding from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Duke University Reporters' Lab, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Omidyar Network, the Open Society Foundations and the Park Foundation. About The Poynter Institute The Poynter Institute for Media Studies is a global leader in journalism education and a strategy center that stands for uncompromising excellence in journalism, media and 21st century public discourse. Poynter faculty teach seminars and workshops at the Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, and at conferences and organizational sites around the world. Its e-learning division, News University, www.newsu.org, offers the world's largest online journalism curriculum in 7 languages, with more than 400 interactive courses and registered users in more than 200 countries. The Institute's website, www.poynter.org, produces 24-hour coverage of news about media, ethics, technology, the business of news and the trends that currently define and redefine journalism news reporting. The world's top journalists and media innovators come to Poynter to learn and teach new generations of reporters, storytellers, media inventors, designers, visual journalists, documentarians and broadcast producers, and to build public awareness about journalism, media, the First Amendment and protected discourse that serves democracy and the public good. About Omidyar Network Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm dedicated to harnessing the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives. Established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam, the organization invests in and helps scale innovative organizations to catalyze economic and social change. Omidyar Network has committed more than $1 billion to for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple initiatives, including Education, Emerging Tech, Financial Inclusion, Governance & Citizen Engagement and Property Rights. To learn more, visit www.omidyar.com, and follow on Twitter @omidyarnetwork #PositiveReturns. In April 2017 Omidyar Network committed $100 million of funding, to be deployed over the next three years, to strengthen independent media and investigative journalism, tackle misinformation and hate speech, and enable citizens to better engage with government on critical issues. About the Open Society Foundations The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. OSF seeks to strengthen the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and a diversity of opinions; democratically elected governments; and a civil society that helps keep government power in check. It helps to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. OSF implements initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. It builds alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. Working in every part of the world, the Open Society Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities. Contact: Tina Dyakon Director of Advertising and Marketing The Poynter Institute [email protected] 727-553-4343 SOURCE The Poynter Institute Related Links http://www.poynter.org DETROIT, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- David C. Dauch, Chairman and CEO of American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), (NYSE: AXL) was honored with an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio region. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who excel in innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Awardees were selected by a panel of independent judges. "I am both humbled and honored to be named an Entrepreneur of the Year," said David C. Dauch, Chairman and CEO of AAM. "AAM's long-term global growth strategy is to sustain and enhance our financial, operational and technological performance. We took a major strategic step forward this past year and have now transformed AAM into a vastly different company with new customers, new technologies and a new geographic footprint. This recognition is a tribute to the AAM team who has been instrumental in developing and executing our growth strategy." Now in its 31st year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 145 cities and more than 60 countries throughout the world. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall National Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 18, 2017. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monaco in June 2018. About AAM AAM (NYSE: AXL) is a premier, global leader in design, engineering, validation and manufacturing of driveline, metal forming, powertrain, and casting technologies for automotive, commercial and industrial markets. Headquartered in Detroit, AAM has over 25,000 associates operating at more than 90 facilities in 17 countries to support our customers on global and regional platforms with a focus on quality, operational excellence and technology leadership. To learn more, visit www.aam.com. Media contact: Andrea Knapp (313) 758-2730 [email protected] SOURCE American Axle & Manufacturing Related Links http://www.aam.com Alaska LNG is an integrated gas pipeline and LNG infrastructure project that will provide a direct and reliable link between the vast proven, conventional, natural gas resource on Alaska's North Slope with the growing LNG markets in Asia. KOGAS is a state-run, natural gas giant. The organization is the primary LNG buyer in the Republic of Korea as well as the second-largest corporate LNG buyer in the world. The company operates four regasification terminals and thousands of miles of natural gas pipeline across South Korea and is an investor in natural gas infrastructure across the globe. "The MOU reached yesterday, between AGDC and KOGAS, lays the groundwork for a significant relationship between the State of Alaska and the Republic of Korea," said AGDC President Keith Meyer. "KOGAS is in the market for the development of vast natural gas resource base. Alaska LNG, anchored by the enormous proven natural gas resources of Alaska's North Slope, is well-positioned to satisfy KOGAS' needs for generations." The MOU establishes a joint committee with decision making authority and sets the framework for AGDC and KOGAS to collaborate on the potential of KOGAS participating in all aspects of the development of Alaska LNG. Specific areas addressed in the MOU include Korean investment in the project, KOGAS cooperation on the engineering, procurement, and construction of the project components and operations. "This MOU between AGDC and KOGAS is beneficial for both organizations," said Mr. Meyer. "AGDC gains the opportunity to move Alaska LNG forward with an internationally recognized natural gas infrastructure company. KOGAS gains the prospect of investing in Alaska LNG as well as participating in all aspects of project development and financing. The MOU is not exclusive and recognizes AGDC is in discussions with other parties to ensure timely development of Alaska's energy infrastructure and export project." Click here to access a high-resolution version of the photo above. The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) is an independent, public corporation of the State of Alaska, empowered to maximize the benefit of Alaska's vast North Slope natural gas resources through the development of infrastructure necessary to move the gas into local and international markets. Visit www.agdc.us for up to date information. SOURCE Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Related Links http://www.agdc.us SAN DIEGO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Agena Bioscience today announced the European launch of the MassARRAY System with CHIP Prep Module (CPM), marketed as a CE-IVD product under the Directive 98/79/EC for in vitro diagnostic medical devices. The MassARRAY Dx product offers clinical laboratories a unique combination of reliability, sensitivity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness for targeted genetic testing. The multiplexing feature of MassARRAY supports assays that interrogate multiple biomarkers in a single reaction, which reduces the cost and turnaround time compared with other diagnostic methods. The system enables high-throughput, accurate detection of SNPs, INDELs, and copy number variations across a variety of genetic applications, including mutation profiling for solid tumors and highly sensitive liquid biopsy analysis, and comprehensive pharmacogenomics profiling. The flexibility and scalability of the platform facilitate easy development of custom panels and validation across large numbers of samples. "This is good news and a new step for this high performing in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device. It will facilitate implementation in clinical labs and accreditation," said Dr.Pierre-Jean Lamy, Directeur General, Biologiste Medical at Labosud Oc Biologie. "This is another great milestone in Agena's global strategy to grow the clinical business by offering laboratories a highly effective diagnostic platform that can support the rapidly evolving needs of this market," said Peter Dansky, Chief Executive Officer of Agena Bioscience. "In addition to the well-established performance of the MassARRAY System, the Chip Prep Module now adds increased ease-of-use to the overall workflow." The new CE-IVD marked MassARRAY System with Chip Prep Module joins the company's growing line of in vitro diagnostic devices for certain European countries, including the MassARRAY Dx Analyzer 4, MassARRAY Dx Nanodispenser, MassARRAY Dx Colon Panel and MassARRAY Dx Lung Panel. These are sold exclusively in Europe for diagnostic use, and are not available for sale in the United States. About Agena Bioscience Agena Bioscience develops, manufactures, and supplies genetic analysis systems and reagents, including the MassARRAY System. The system is a highly sensitive, cost-effective, mass spectrometry-based platform for high-throughput genetic analysis, and is used globally in diverse research fields such as cancer profiling for solid tumors and liquid biopsies, inherited genetic disease testing, pharmacogenetics, agricultural genomics, and clinical research. For more information about Agena, visit www.agenabio.com. SOURCE Agena Bioscience Related Links http://agenabioscience.com TORONTO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) ("Agnico Eagle" or the "Company") today announced that it will release its second quarter 2017 results on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, after normal trading hours. Second Quarter 2017 Results Conference Call and Webcast Agnico Eagle's senior management will host a conference call on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 11:00 AM (E.D.T.) to discuss the Company's financial and operating results. Via Webcast: A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at www.agnicoeagle.com. Via Telephone: For those preferring to listen by telephone, please dial 1-647-427-7450 or toll-free 1-888-231-8191. To ensure your participation, please call approximately ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. Replay archive: Please dial 1-416-849-0833 or toll-free 1-855-859-2056, access code 50955626. The conference call replay will expire on August 27, 2017. The webcast, along with presentation slides will be archived for 180 days on the Company's website. Investor Relations Agnico Eagle Mines Limited 145 King Street East, Suite 400 Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2Y7 Telephone: 416-947-1212 Fax: 416-367-4681 About Agnico Eagle Agnico Eagle is a senior Canadian gold mining company that has produced precious metals since 1957. Its eight mines are located in Canada, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in each of these countries as well as in the United States and Sweden. Agnico Eagle and its shareholders have full exposure to gold prices due to its long-standing policy of no forward gold sales. Agnico Eagle has declared a cash dividend every year since 1983. SOURCE Agnico Eagle Mines Limited Related Links http://www.agnico-eagle.com The successful inaugural flight was followed by a celebration and press conference event at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, graced by State of Hawaii Chief of Staff Mike McCartney; Malaysian Ambassador to the US HE Tan Sri Dr Zulhasnan Rafique; Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO George D. Szigeti; AirAsia X Chairperson Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail. AirAsia X Chairperson Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said, "We are here to democratize air travel for everyone so flying long haul would no longer be a luxury only a few could enjoy. This landmark route to Hawaii is a bold new chapter in that quest to help more people travel farther for less. But this is just the beginning, and soon our guests will be able to enjoy flights to even more destinations in the US as we continue to grow our international footprint." Last week, AirAsia was named the World's Best Low Cost Airline for the ninth straight years while AirAsia X won the World's Best Low Cost Airline Premium Cabin and Premium Seat awards for the fifth consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards held at the Paris Air Show. "We are deeply honored AirAsia X has chosen Honolulu as its initial destination to expand service in the United States and appreciate how this route strengthens our ties with the people and culture of Malaysia," said George D. Szigeti, President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. "AirAsia X customers in Kuala Lumpur and Osaka will enjoy the convenience of this direct service and how it connects them with the welcoming aloha spirit of the Hawaiian culture, the spectacular natural beauty of our islands, and the diversity of Asia Pacific influences that enriches the experience of being in Hawaii." To celebrate the inaugural flight, AirAsia X will be offering one-way fares from as low as USD189* for a standard seat or USD799* for the award-winning Premium Flatbed from Honolulu to Kuala Lumpur; or USD149* for a standard seat or USD699* for the Premium Flatbed from Honolulu to Osaka. These promotional fares are available on airasia.com now through July 2 for travel between October 1, 2017 and August 28, 2018. The capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is known around the world for its iconic, modern skyline featuring the Petronas Twin Towers. The city is a major shopping haven for tourists and its multi-cultural culinary scene attracts visitors from across the globe. Outside the city limits, Kuala Lumpur serves as a gateway to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Melaka, just about two hour's drive away from the airport. No matter what your interests, it all happens in Kuala Lumpur. Osaka is Japan's third largest city located in the Kansai region. A city that loves to eat, Osaka's unofficial slogan is kuidaore. which literally means 'eat until you drop.' Takoyaki (octopus balls), Okonomiyaki (pan-fried batter cake), udon and other traditional Japanese culinary are some of the must-try food in Osaka. Visitor can stroll along the river at Dotombori and take a selfie with the famous Glico billboard, visit the majestic Osaka Castle, enjoy the thrills at Universal Studio Japan and many more. * One-way all-in fare inclusive of taxes and fees. Terms and conditions apply. Flight Schedule for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) to Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) via Osaka, Japan (KIX) Flight No. From To Departure Arrival Flight Schedule D7 001 KUL KIX 1400 hrs 2125 hrs Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat D7 001 KIX HNL 2325 hrs 1230 hrs Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat D7 002 HNL KIX 1600 hrs 2025 hrs Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat D7 002 KIX KUL 2200 hrs 0400 hrs Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun Note: All times listed are local unless otherwise stated. Keep up to date with AirAsia's latest promotions and activities via Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia). About the AirAsia X Group AirAsia X is the long-haul, low-cost affiliate carrier of the AirAsia Group that serves 24 destinations across Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. AirAsia X operates a core fleet of 30 A330-300s with a seat configuration of 12 Premium Flatbeds and 365 economy seats. The airline has carried over 19 million guests since commencing operations in 2007. AirAsia X was awarded the World's Best Low-Cost Airline Premium Cabin and Best Low-Cost Airline Premium Seat at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2017. Contact: Eric Minuskin, Zeno Group [email protected] (212) 824-0037 SOURCE AirAsia X Related Links https://www.airasia.com JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Dispatch Solutions is creating over 70 new full-time positions in Johnson City, Tennessee to deliver roadside assistance for customers of Pep Boys, one of the nation's leading automotive aftermarket chains. "Pep Boys customers are going to leverage Allied's EVOLVE Dispatch technology to get fast delivery to available store locations," said Anthony M. Royer CEO of Allied Dispatch Solutions LLC. Allied 530p News "This is a great opportunity for the Johnson City area to deliver on a national stage. When customers are looking for service from any Pep Boys location across the country, calls will be answered in Johnson City, Tennessee where prompt and professional roadside assistance will be delivered. This opportunity will create over 70 full-time positions." About Allied Dispatch Solutions Allied Dispatch Solutions LLC is one of the nation's premier solutions for specialty call center opportunities and 24x7 roadside assistance. Our operations are open 24x7 by 365 and we have 100 percent English/Spanish and French capabilities. We specialize in partnering with national brands that want a customized solution for their members and customers. About Pep Boys Since 1921, Pep Boys has been one of the nation's leading automotive aftermarket chains, providing name-brand tires; automotive maintenance and repair; parts and expert advice for the Do-It-Yourselfer; commercial auto parts delivery; and fleet maintenance and repair to customers across the U.S. With Just Brakes, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack, Pep Boys operates more than 8,400 service bays in over 940 locations in 35 states and Puerto Rico. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP BOYS (1-800-737-2697) or by visiting www.pepboys.com. Pep Boys is owned by Icahn Automotive Group LLC. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Anthony Royer at (847) 208-2872 or email at [email protected]. Related Files Allied.pressrelease.PepBoys06.27.2017.pdf Related Links Allied Dispatch Solutions Website Pep Boys Website Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyr2C3XRar8 SOURCE Allied Dispatch Solutions Related Links http://www.allieddispatch.com SHELTON, Conn., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spine Wave, Inc. is committed to commercializing high-quality, innovative medical devices for the treatment of spinal disorders. Since January 2015 the company has transformed its interbody fusion offering by launching the Leva PX Expandable Interbody Device, the Leva PF Interbody Device and the Velocity Expandable Interbody Device for posterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions (PLIF & TLIF); the True Position Pivoting Spacer System for TLIF procedures using steerable crescent-style devices; and the Velocity L Expandable Interbody Device and the XLR II Access System for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) procedures. Now, Spine Wave is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its limited market release of the Leva AF Interbody Device for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedures and will fully launch the technology in September 2017 with the arrival of commercial-scale inventory quantities. The launch of this unique new product marks Spine Waves entry into the large and growing ALIF implant market. The Leva AF Interbody Device features all-titanium construction, modular anterior plates and a selection of bone screws for integrated and standalone vertebral body fixation. As with all Leva brand products, the device also offers a large graft chamber that facilitates copious grafting with complete graft-to-endplate contact within the device. The Leva AF Interbody Device will also be complemented with a novel expandable option, the Leva AX Interbody Device, which is currently in limited release. The Leva AF Interbody Device is a very appealing new alternative for me in my practice, said Matthew A. Hazzard, M.D., a neurological surgeon with The Longstreet Clinic, P.C. in metropolitan Atlanta. The devices all titanium construction, very generous graft chambers, pre and post placement grafting capabilities and modular fixation components make it a unique and very versatile tool for my ALIF procedures, whether done with an anterior only or combined anterior and posterior approach. As recently as two years ago, many surgeons and distributors associated Spine Wave exclusively with the StaXx XD Expandable Device. With the introduction of the Leva AF and AX Interbody Devices, Spine Wave now offers what is arguably the broadest range of novel and expandable interbody devices on the market, said Mark LoGuidice, CEO of Spine Wave. In addition to what is now a comprehensive lumbar portfolio, by the end of 2017 we expect to have launched two important new cervical technologies that will complete our transformation to a full line company and set the stage for a very exciting 2018. About Spine Wave In addition to the products mentioned above, Spine Wave also offers the StaXx XD and XD Ti Expandable Devices, the Sniper Spine System complemented with Sniper XT extended tab screws, the Annex Adjacent Level System and the versatile and easy-to-use CapSure PS3 Spine System for traditional open thoracolumbar fixation. Spine Wave is a leader in expandable fusion technologies and is committed to continually delivering highly differentiated products to enable improved and less invasive solutions for spine surgeons and their patients. The company is growing rapidly and continues to recruit sales managers and independent distributors to fuel growth. For more information on Spine Wave and its products please visit www.spinewave.com. ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ampronix is proud to announce their expanded surgical monitor line-up with the 8MP Surgical Monitor from LG Electronics USA Business Solutions. Ampronix will be highlighting the monitor at the upcoming FIME 2017 summer trade fair in Florida. As a leader in the medical imaging field, Ampronix believes this collaboration to be mutually beneficial as LG seeks to expand their display technology prowess into the industry. LG's latest 8mp 4k surgical display monitor "LG is diving head-first into the U.S. medical imaging device market with advanced display technologies designed to improve the accuracy, quality, and efficiency of diagnostic procedures," said Kimun Paik, senior vice president of LG Electronics USA Business Solutions. "To serve this highly competitive market, we plan to build on LG's position both as a worldwide leader in premium display technologies and as the largest provider of hospital patient room TVs in the U.S." LG Surgical Monitor The 27-inch LG 8MP Surgical Monitor 27HJ710S-W is designed for precise observations pertinent to operating room practice. The unmatched clarity of images produced by the 8MP UHD panel helps surgeons' accuracy in intricate procedures. The monitor's IPS technology allows multi-angle viewing without significant color shift, fortifying the screen for operating room lighting conditions. To guarantee consistency and precision accuracy, the LG monitor measures and sets grayscale tones to DICOM Part 14 guideline compliancy. For visual distinction of different types of tissue and blood vessels, the sRBG color space is enhanced with adherence to the deep red spectrum. This enhancement ensures authentic color reproduction in the surgery room. LG's multi-coated glass is highly durable and scratch-resistant and protects the panel during surgical procedures. The front panel is IP35 rated and the back panel is IP32 rated, protecting against dust, water or fluids that may contact it during an operation. In addition to the waterproofing safeguards, its flat surface allows for easy cleaning of the 8MP panel and control buttons. Additionally, LG's optically bonded glass reduces internal reflection between itself and the LCD, allowing for brighter and sharper imagery of the highest quality. These are a few of the various reasons LG's technology is the optimal choice for supplying equipment in healthcare facility suites. Coming August 2017 Ampronix is pleased to divulge its collaboration with LG at the FIME 2017 conference, August 8-10 in Orlando, Florida. Described as 'The Largest Medical Trade Fair Across the Americas' this trade fair is an annual must-see with over 1,650 exhibitors from over 40 countries. Michael Thomas, Director of Marketing at Ampronix, says "We are very excited to partner with LG at FIME 2017 and debut their latest medical display monitors. LG is one of the most renowned brands in all of display technology and should do very well in the medical industry." To experience the functionality of these displays in person and meet the individuals behind the brands, contact Michael Thomas with Ampronix at [email protected], or visit their booth at FIME 2017, booth #B.J19. Contact Ampronix: Email: [email protected] International Sales: +1 949-273-8000 Domestic Sales: 1800-400-7972 for US and Canada Follow Us: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn About Ampronix Ampronix is a renowned authorized master distributor of the medical industry's top brands, as well as a world-class manufacturer of innovative technology. Since 1982, Ampronix has been dedicated to meeting the growing needs of the medical community with its extensive product knowledge, outstanding service, and state-of-the-art repair facility. Ampronix prides itself on its ability to offer tailored, one-stop solutions at a faster and more cost-effective rate than other manufacturers. Ampronix is ISO 13485:2003, ISO 9001:2008, and ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014 certified. Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0jo9BId27k SOURCE www.Ampronix.com Related Links http://www.ampronix.com (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 85 market data tables and 38 figures spread through 195 pages and in-depth TOC on "Analytical Standards Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/analytical-standards-market-8484789.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports Based on category, the organic analytical standard segment is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. On the basis of category, the Analytical Standard Market is categorized into organic analytical standards and inorganic analytical standards. In 2016, the organic analytical standards segment accounted for the largest share. It is also expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This can be attributed to increasing public-private investment for various research studies and increasing drug development activities & clinical trials. Based on technique, the chromatography segment is estimated to be the largest segment of the market in 2016. On the basis of technique, the market is segmented into chromatography, spectroscopy, titrimetric, and physical properties testing. In 2016, the chromatography segment accounted for the largest share of the market, majorly due to the growing food safety concerns and increasing importance of chromatography tests in drug approvals. Download PDF Brochure: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=8484789 Based on application, the environmental segment is estimated to have the largest share of the market in 2016. Based on applications, the market is categorized into food & beverages, forensic, veterinary, petro chemistry, environmental, and pharmaceutical & life sciences. The environmental application segment accounted for the major share of the market owing to rising emissions of pollutants, regulatory mandates related to the environmental pollution control and rising awareness on the importance of a clean environment. Talk To Our Research Analysts: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=8484789 North America is expected to dominate the Analytical Standard Market in 2016. Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America accounted for the largest share of the market in 2016, followed by Europe. The market in North America is primarily driven by the availability of government funding for research and stringent regulations for pharmaceutical & biotechnology products. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to the outsourcing of clinical trials from developed to emerging Asian nations and increasing focus on soil testing and food security concerns in the region. The major players of the Analytical Standard Market include Merck KGaA (Germany), Agilent Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Waters Corporation (U.S.), LGC Standards (U.K.), and Restek Corporation (U.S.). Other key players in this market include Thermo Fischer Scientific (U.S.), General Electric Company (U.S.), PerkinElmer, Inc. (U.S.), Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. (U.K.), and SPEX CertiPrep (U.S.). Browse Related Reports: Chromatography Instruments Market by System (LC (HPLC, UHPLC, Flash), GC, Other Components (Autosamplers, Detectors, Fraction Collectors), by Consumable (Reverse Phase Columns, Syringe Filters, Vials) - Analysis & Global Forecasts to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/chromatography-instrumentation-market-1258.html Mass Spectrometry Market by Platform (Hybrid mass spectrometry (Triple Quadrupole, QTOF, & FTMS), Single mass spectrometry (Quadrupole, TOF, & Ion trap)) & by Application (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology) - Analysis & Global Forecast to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/mass-spectrometry-market-437.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Tel: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our [email protected] http://mnmblog.org/market-research/healthcare/biotechnology Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets WAYNE, N.J., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- One in three U.S. parents suffer from the inability to provide fresh, clean diapers for their baby, according to a study by Huggies. To help raise awareness of the nation's growing diaper need, Babies"R"Us is partnering with Huggies to support the No Baby Unhugged initiative to help ensure some of the 5.3 million babies in the U.S. who live in poor or low-income families benefit from the basic necessities such as diapers and wipes, that all babies need. During the months of July, August and September, Babies"R"Us and Huggies will donate a day's worth of diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network (up to 1.5 million diapers), when a customer purchases or adds a Value Box of Huggies diapers to their registry in-store or online at Babiesrus.com. "There is a harsh reality that millions of babies in the U.S. do not have access to basic necessities like clean, dry diapers," said Robert Magarino, Vice President General Business Manager, Babies"R"Us. "Babies"R"Us is deeply committed to partnering with organizations that lead the way in helping keep children healthy and safe which is why joining Huggies and the No Baby Unhugged initiative was a natural fit. We are grateful for the chance to work with Huggies to generate awareness and do our part to address a need in the communities where we work and live." "Since 2010, our No Baby Unhugged program has donated more than 200 million diapers and wipes to families in need, and yet there is still more to be done," said Guisy Buonfantino, president of Kimberly-Clark Baby and Child Care North America. "We are excited to partner with Babies"R"Us and the National Diaper Bank Network to help raise awareness for this issue, and donate up to 1.5 million diapers to provide families with the resources they need to care for their babies." Here's How You Can Help During the months of July, August and September, shoppers who visit a Babies"R"Us store or Babiesrus.com have the opportunity to help provide families in need with clean, dry diapers. By purchasing or adding a Value Box of Huggies diapers to a registry, Babies"R"Us and Huggies will donate one day's worth of diapers (up to 1.5 million) to the National Diaper Bank Network, particularly in states that need it most, including New York, Florida and Texas. The No Baby Unhugged program was developed by Huggies in 2010 and works to combat diaper need the inability to provide fresh, clean diapers for baby. According to Huggies' Every Little Bottom study[1], diaper need is a struggle that one in three American families face, often times leading to health risks in children caused by reuse of soiled diapers, as well as child development delays due to exclusion from early childhood education programs. Learn more about closing the diaper gap: Babies "R"Us and Huggies Provide 1.5 Million Diapers to Babies In-Need [1] Huggies, Huggies Every Little Bottom Study: Diaper Need in the U.S. and Canada (Huggies: June 2010), 1-48. About Toys"R"Us, Inc. Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 883 Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in 795 international stores and 254 licensed stores in 37 countries and jurisdictions. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com, the company provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Toys"R"Us, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, NJ, and has an annual workforce of approximately 60,000 employees worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Since 1992, the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys"R"Us, Inc., has donated more than $130 million in grants to children's charities. For more information, visit Toysrusinc.com or follow @ToysRUsNews on Twitter. Follow Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus and Facebook.com/Babiesrus and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus. Charitable Giving at Toys"R"Us Toys"R"Us, Inc. is a global partner in philanthropic programs that advocate for the safety and happiness of all children. The company places a strong focus on partners and programs that provide basic necessities and opportunities for children in-need. Together with its charitable arm, the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund, Toys"R"Us has contributed more than $230 million to changing the lives of children around the globe. About the Huggies Brand Huggies believes deeply in the Power of Hugs. That's why every Huggies diaper and wipe is inspired by parents' hugs. For nearly 40 years, Huggies has been helping parents provide love, care and reassurance to help babies thrive. No Baby Unhugged is Huggies promise to ensure babies get the care they need to thrive from innovative everyday products, growing hospital hugger programs and specially-designed products for the tiniest of babies, to diapers and wipes donations. Huggies is the fastest growing diaper brand in hospitals and partners with NICU nurses to develop diapers and wipes that meet the specific needs of pre-term infants. For more information on Huggies No Baby Unhugged program visit the "Why Huggies?" page at Huggies.com. About Kimberly-Clark Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust Kimberly-Clark brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No.1 or No. 2 share positions in 80 countries. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the Company's 145-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. SOURCE Babies"R"Us Related Links http://www.babiesrus.com TUPELO, Miss., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BancorpSouth, Inc. (NYSE: BXS) will release second quarter 2017 earnings on Wednesday, July 19, after the close of the financial markets. It will also hold its regularly scheduled webcast Thursday, July 20, beginning at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The webcast is live coverage of management's conference call with analysts and can be found by visiting www.BancorpSouth.com/Webcast. This will be an interactive session between management and analysts; others may listen to the live broadcast as it happens. The conference will also be available in archived format at the same address. BancorpSouth, Inc. (NYSE: BXS) is a financial holding company headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, with $14.9 billion in assets. BancorpSouth Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BancorpSouth, Inc., operates 234 full service branch locations as well as additional mortgage, insurance, and loan production offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including an insurance location in Illinois. BancorpSouth is committed to a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. To learn more, visit our Community Commitment page at www.bancorpsouth.com; "Like" us on Facebook; follow us on [email protected]; or connect with us through LinkedIn. SOURCE BancorpSouth, Inc. Related Links http://www.bancorpsouth.com HOUSTON, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc., a Sunbelt-based bank holding company (BBVA Compass), announced today that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) did not object to its capital plan and capital actions proposed in the capital plan. BBVA Compass' capital plan includes common dividends of $200 million during the covered period, subject to approval by BBVA Compass' board of directors. "For the fourth consecutive year the Federal Reserve did not object to our proposed capital plan and the actions proposed in the plan," said Onur Genc, president and CEO of BBVA Compass. "The results of the stress tests and review of our capital management process are a testament to the strength of our bank, our strong capital position and the disciplined approach we take to managing our risk profile." BBVA Compass submitted its capital plan, which was approved by its board of directors, to the Federal Reserve in April 2017 as part of the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) of the 34 largest U.S. bank holding companies. The capital plan includes proposed potential capital actions covering the period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. This marks the fourth year that BBVA Compass has been subject to CCAR and, in each of the periods covered, has received a no-objection response by the Federal Reserve to its capital plan. On June 22, the Federal Reserve disclosed the results of its 2017 Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test (DFAST) for the same 34 bank holding companies. Each of BBVA Compass' projected regulatory capital ratios exceeded the applicable regulatory minimums as defined by the Federal Reserve for all the quarters included in the nine-quarter forecasting horizon beginning January 1, 2017 and ending March 31, 2019 under the hypothetical supervisory severely adverse scenario. Additional information pertaining to BBVA Compass' CCAR and DFAST results can be found on our website at bbvacompass.com under the Investor Relations tab. To learn more about BBVA Compass, visit: bbvacompass.com For more news visit: bbva.com and newsroom.bbvacompass.com About BBVA Group BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group is the largest financial institution in Spain and Mexico and it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States; and it is also the leading shareholder in Garanti, Turkey's biggest bank for market capitalization. Its diversified business is focused on high-growth markets and it relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies the best practices. More information about BBVA Group can be found at bbva.com. About BBVA Compass BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 657 branches, including 342 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 63 in Arizona, 61 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 19 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (5th). BBVA Compass has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and ranked 5th nationally in the total number of SBA loans originated in fiscal year 2016. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at bbvacompass.com. For more BBVA Compass news, follow @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visit newsroom.bbvacompass.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking statements about BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") and its industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. The use of "we," "our" and similar terms refer to the Company. Statements other than statements of current or historical fact, including statements regarding our future financial condition, results of operations, business plans, liquidity, cash flows, projected costs, and the impact of any laws or regulations applicable to the Company, constitute forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "projects," "may," "will," "should," and other similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's views regarding future events and financial performance. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. If the Company's assumptions and estimates are incorrect, or if the Company becomes subject to significant limitations as the result of litigation or regulatory action, then the Company's actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are and will be based on the Company's then current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of their dates made. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities law or regulation. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 1, 2017, as updated by our subsequent SEC filings. SOURCE BBVA Compass Related Links http://www.bbvacompass.com WASHINGTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tuesday marks the Fourth of July, a quintessentially American holiday when friends, neighbors, and family will celebrate the birth of our nation. To mark the United States' 241st birthday, the Beer Institutea national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing brewers of all sizes, as well as beer importers and industry suppliershas announced its annual "Top Ten Facts about July 4th, America's founders, and beer." "From being the beverage that John Adams wrote home about while he was at the Continental Congress to being on hand for picnics and barbecues, beer is a staple of both American history and our economy," said Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of the Beer Institute. "Early colonists recruited brewers to come to the New World, and today the American beer industry creates over 2.2 million jobs. Many Americans will enjoy a beer as they join neighbors, family and friends to celebrate July 4th, and I hope people take time to enjoy the pride and tradition that goes into every pour of beer and choose to drink responsibly this holiday and every day of the year." 1. In 1587, Virginia colonists used corn to brew the first recorded ale in the colony. Today, brewers use a number of grains to make beer, including barley, corn, millet, oats, rye, sorghum and wheat. 2. The first shipment of beer arrived in the Virginia colony from England in 1607. Over 400 years later and Americans still love imported beer; in 2016, Americans consumed over 33 million barrels of beer imported to the United States from across the globe. 3. Beer has been a job creator in the United States since its inception. In 1609, "Help Wanted" advertisements appeared in London seeking brewers for the Virginia colony. This tradition of beer being integral to America's economy continues. The beer industry today supports over 2.2 million jobs in the United States. 4. Our first president George Washington not only drank beer himself and served it to his guests, but it was also one of the items provided for voters when he was a candidate for political office. It must have helped because when Washington was president he habitually "had a silver pint cup or mug of beer placed by his plate, which he drank while dining." 5. During his time in Philadelphia in 1774 to participate in the First Continental Congress, John Adams who would become the second president of the United States wrote to his wife Abigail, "I drink no Cyder [sic], but feast upon Phyladelphia [sic] Beer, and Porter." 6. Thomas Jefferson, our nation's third president, served beer during dinner at Monticello-- his Virginia estate. Jefferson's earliest designs for his plantation included spaces for brewing and the storage of beer. Today, there are 238 permitted breweries in Virginia, and Virginia's beer industry contributes more than $9.35 billion annually to the state's economy. 7. During the Revolutionary War, beer was a part of soldiers' daily lives. On June 10, 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Council set the daily ration for its troops in Boston to include one quart of good spruce or malt beer. 8. In 1862 President Lincoln signed legislation to tax beer to help finance the government during the Civil War. That same year 37 civic minded New York breweries formed the United States Brewers Association for "ensuring safe and prompt collection" of the federal excise tax on beer. In 1986 the organization became the Beer Institute to represent brewers, beer importers and industry suppliers before Congress, state legislatures and public forums across the country. 9. According to WalletHub, Americans spent $1 billion on beer over the Fourth of July Weekend in 2015, making it is the most popular holiday for beer sales. 10. Last year AAA projected nearly 43 million Americans traveled during the Independence Day Holiday. We all want our roads and highways to be safe over the Fourth of July and every day this year. The Beer Institute and our member companies urge everyone to always drink responsibly. The Beer Institute is a national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing brewers of all sizes, as well as beer importers and industry suppliers. First founded in 1862 as the U.S. Brewers Association, the Beer Institute is committed today to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility. For additional updates from the Beer Institute, visit our website, follow @BeerInstitute on Twitter, like the Beer Institute on Facebook, and follow the Beer Institute on Instagram. SOURCE Beer Institute Related Links http://www.beerinstitute.org SAN DIEGO, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- West Health, a family of nonprofit organizations dedicated to enabling seniors to successfully age, announced today Bill Earley has been named its chief administration officer and general counsel, effective August 1, 2017. West Health, a family of nonprofit organizations dedicated to enabling seniors to successfully age, announced today Bill Earley has been named its chief administration officer and general counsel, effective August 1, 2017. Earley, a San Diego native, joins West Health after serving for three years as regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties. Earley, a San Diego native, joins West Health after serving for three years as regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties, the leading nonprofit humanitarian emergency assistance, disaster relief and preparedness education organization in the region. During his time at the Red Cross, Earley led more than 100 employees and 2,500 volunteers to help create a safer, more prepared and resilient San Diego community in the event of disaster or emergency. In his new role, Earley will be responsible for all administrative and operational aspects of West Health's applied medical research and policy work in support of successful aging. This includes overseeing the organizations' financial, human resources, information technology and other administrative functions. As general counsel, he will lead West Health's legal, compliance and governance efforts. Given his strong community relationships, Earley will also play a critical role in West Health's local and state advocacy endeavors. "Bill is a passionate business and community leader who will help West Health deliver its mission to enable successful aging for our nation's seniors," said Shelley Lyford, West Health's president and CEO. "I am excited to have him join our team and help us continue to build operational excellence in everything we do." Prior to the Red Cross, Earley was a partner and attorney for more than 24 years at what is now the international law firm, Dentons (formerly McKenna Long & Aldridge and Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps). He also had his own law and management consulting firm, The Earley Group, Inc. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center and is a graduate of San Diego State University. Throughout his life and career, Earley has been dedicated to helping others. He received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal Award in 1985 for exemplary community service and has worked with more than a dozen regional nonprofits, boards and public service entities, including the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and LEAD San Diego. "I'm honored to join the talented West Health team and help support its successful aging mission," said Earley. "It's a very critical time for seniors in our country. West Health's initiatives are truly making a difference, helping to rethink aging in America and increasing access to much-needed health and supportive services which enable vulnerable older adults to remain independent in their homes and communities." About West Health Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health includes the nonprofit and nonpartisan Gary and Mary West Health Institute and Gary and Mary West Foundation in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. These organizations are working together toward a shared mission dedicated to enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. For more information, visit westhealth.org and follow @westhealth. SOURCE West Health Related Links http://www.westhealth.org/ PHOENIX, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bishop Fox announced today that it has been named to the list of "Top Companies to Work for in Arizona" for the fourth year in a row by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. The award recognizes companies with "the most innovative workplace cultures" and "identifies companies that have achieved top rankings in employer practices, employee engagement, and satisfaction." Founded in 2006, Bishop Fox has grown into one of the world's premier independent cybersecurity consulting firms offering a broad range of security solutions to help Fortune 1000 companies, high-tech startups, and financial institutions worldwide protect their networks, applications and businesses. Bishop Fox has proven profitable every year since its founding. The company has approximately 80 employees and offices in Phoenix (headquarters), Atlanta, San Francisco, and New York City. Part of Bishop Fox's success is owed to its employee-first culture. The company believes that "happy employees equal happy clients" and is committed to mentoring employees. The firm also encourages employees to conduct security research and become subject matter experts in their fields and many Bishop Fox consultants regularly appear at Black Hat, DEF CON, Interop, and other leading industry conferences. Furthermore, Bishop Fox consultants frequently contribute articles to publications like Forbes and SC Magazine as well as the firm's own blog. It is this dedication to fostering employee growth that allows Bishop Fox to serve its clients at the highest levels. "Our consultants' 400 years of combined experience are drawn from a diverse background. We are hackers, developers, and engineers. We share our security knowledge to develop and implement solutions that keep our clients, and as an extension, their clients safe," said Francis Brown, co-founder of Bishop Fox. Cybersecurity continues to top management's list of most pressing business concerns as cyberattacks have become a daily occurrence. And with technology changing faster than most businesses can keep up with from cloud computing to the Internet of Things to new strands of ransomware Bishop Fox has become the trusted, "go-to" advisor for tailored solutions. Bishop Fox also rewards their employees for their hard work, including providing generous benefits as well as holding an annual Team Weekend retreat every year in Phoenix. The goal of Team Weekend is to encourage team-building among employees. "We are fortunate to have so many talented individuals on our team. We proudly share our success with them," added Brown. About Bishop Fox Bishop Fox is an independent cybersecurity firm that protects businesses from today's increasing security threats. Since 2005, the firm has provided security consulting services to the world's leading organizations. Contact: Amy Blumenthal 617-879-1511 [email protected] SOURCE Bishop Fox Related Links http://www.bishopfox.com (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140331/678597-a ) The partnership allows for collaboration across the two businesses supported by joint marketing initiatives and co-innovation in the data, analytics and automation space to address the challenges faced by modern customer-focused marketers. The announcement is accompanied by today's 2017.2 release of BlueVenn on June 30th and a new connector that provides a two-way flow of data between the two solutions, as well as the ability to trigger Adestra email campaigns directly within BlueVenn. The new two-way integration allows for the seamless transfer of analytics-driven customer segments into Adestra's enterprise email marketing platform to execute highly targeted campaigns, bringing the resulting data from the campaigns back into the BlueVenn Customer Data Platform for further analysis and insight. Over the coming months, the BlueVenn and Adestra teams will continue to work closely on providing vital capabilities for multi-brand organizations, with a particular focus in the retail, publishing and leisure sectors. The collaboration helps solve the unique problems that multi-brand organizations face in the process of becoming First-Person Marketers and reaching their customers in a hyper-personalized way, at scale, throughout the customer journey. BlueVenn Marketing Director Anthony Botibol commented: "This technology partnership is particularly interesting for us due to the nature of Adestra's multi-brand capabilities. We already share some fantastic clients where they require both insight and marketing automation capabilities across more than one brand, so deepening our existing relationship makes sense. "This new connector as part of BlueVenn 2017.2 means great news for our existing Adestra clients who wish to dive deeper into their customer data and build sophisticated campaigns. It will also benefit those seeking a complete marketing analytic and customer journey management solution with the flexibility to fit comfortably into their existing stack." Liz Smith, Head of Partnerships at Adestra says: "In an increasingly busy MarTech landscape, it's become more important than ever to bring clarity to complexity. That refers not only to connecting the technology dots, but also dots in your customers' journeys to bring them a holistic message and experience across channels. Our partnership with BlueVenn offers marketers an integrated best-of-breed solution and brings the capability of using customer insight to create personalized communications at scale like never before." About Adestra Adestra is a trusted provider of First-Person Marketing solutions for global and growing brands. The company's industry-leading email platform provides a powerful infrastructure for one-to-one, contextual messaging and marketing automation, helping marketers communicate more effectively with their customers and subscribers. Robust reporting features allow marketers to efficiently evaluate and optimize their campaign results. The flexible structure and open integration architecture allow businesses to connect disparate technology platforms to create a seamless customer journey. Along with a best-of-breed platform that drives customer engagement and boosts ROI, Adestra was founded on the principle that marketing success takes more than technology, which is why customer service is at the heart of its business. Adestra was a winner of the 2014 and 2017 Customer Focus Award from the Customer Service Institute. It also won Bronze for Customer Service Department of the Year at the 2017 Stevie Awards for Customer Service, as well as being presented with the 2017 Supplier of the Year Award from one of its longest-standing clients, UBM. Adestra continues to maintain one of the highest customer retention rates in the industry. It is trusted by top companies including UBM, Conde Nast Digital Limited, and Tile, among others. Established in 2004, Adestra has offices throughout the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. For more information, please visit adestra.com. About BlueVenn The BlueVenn Customer Data Platform unifies all your marketing data to create unified customer profiles and achieve the elusive Single Customer View. Moreover, with powerful integrated analytics, predictive modeling, reporting and omnichannel customer journey automation it provides everything the modern-day marketer needs to transition to true 1-to-1 marketing. Understand your customers better, uncover patterns in behavior that drive sales growth and utilize real-time marketing capabilities to personalize web and email experiences based on all your known and anonymous data. With 400 clients and 20 years of experience creating data-driven marketing technology solutions for some of the largest B2C organizations in the world, the BlueVenn platform is at the forefront of a marketing big data revolution, redefining how marketers work and interact with their customers. http://www.bluevenn.com For more information about BlueVenn's connectors, get in touch with [email protected]. Alternatively, you can a demonstration of BlueVenn and Adestra by contacting BlueVenn directly (US: +1-617-207-8685. UK: +44-0117-943-5800), or fill out the form here. SOURCE Adestra SEATTLE, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Norwegian celebrated the delivery today of the airline's first two 737 MAX 8s. Norwegian is the first European carrier to take delivery of the 737 MAX and will deploy the airplanes on transatlantic flights between northern Europe and the east coast of the United States. "We have been eagerly awaiting the delivery of our Boeing 737 MAX, and we are overjoyed to have it join our fleet today," said Bjrn Kjos, Norwegian's Chief Executive Officer. "We are the first European airline to operate this brand-new aircraft, and we're also the first airline in the world to operate it to and from the United States. This aircraft allows us to open up new, unserved routes and offer both Americans and Europeans even more affordable transatlantic fares. It will also provide our passengers with a quieter onboard experience, whilst it significantly reduces both fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions." Norwegian is the sixth largest low-cost carrier in the world and flies over 500 routes to more than 150 destinations in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Thailand, the Caribbean and the US. It currently operates a fleet of more than 100 Next-Generation 737-800s and over a dozen 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners. The Oslo-headquartered carrier also has unfilled orders for 108 737 MAX 8s and 19 787-9s. "The 737 MAX 8 is a significant addition to Norwegian's fleet, enabling the airline to start the next chapter in its incredible growth story of low-cost, long-haul travel," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Kevin McAllister. "It is a tremendous honor that a brand as innovative as Norwegian will be the first European carrier to fly the 737 MAX, and we are certain that this airplane will play a key role in its continued success." The 737 MAX family has been designed to offer customers exceptional performance, flexibility and efficiency, with lower per-seat costs and an extended range that will open up new destinations in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays, and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. It is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history. Contact: Daniel Mosely Boeing Commercial Airplanes International Communications +44 (0)7780 481 228 [email protected] SOURCE Boeing Related Links http://www.boeing.com WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ReachLocal, a leader in powering online marketing for local businesses and a part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, today announced the results of a Q2 2017 study of over 1,000 local business campaigns in five key verticals including healthcare, auto, home services, professional services and specialty services. A key goal of the study was to understand the interplay between the two most visited digital media properties according to comScore: Facebook and Google. Many of our clients still view social and search advertising as separate marketing strategies, said Joshua Markham, Senior Vice President of Digital Media Products at ReachLocal. However, when businesses rely on only one marketing tactic, they are likely missing out on consumers that are in different phases of their buying journey. Consumers have different preferences for consuming information online, and we see the combined approach outperforming a singular effort. ReachLocal analyzed 1000 campaigns to see the impact adding Facebook advertising had on their search advertising efforts. The study suggests that local businesses gain greater results by combining Facebook advertising with their search campaigns, underscoring the power of a multi-faceted marketing approach. The study revealed that ReachLocal search clients that added Facebook ads realized: 57% lowered their cost per thousand impressions (CPM) across Facebook ads and search ads Cost per click (CPC) improved 18% on average 83% of clients increased search advertising clickthrough rates (CTR) 82% of clients lowered search advertising cost per click (CPC) For more details on the results, view the study infographic. About ReachSocial Ads ReachSocial Ads, ReachLocals flagship Facebook advertising solution, brings together ad creative best-practices, robust audience targeting options, expert campaign management, and measurable results. In addition, access to social advertising experts, and ReachLocals unique lead delivery services enable local businesses to quickly respond, and increase lead conversion. ReachLocal is a proud Facebook Marketing Partner, a select group of companies recognized for their ability to drive exceptional advertising and marketing results from Facebook. About ReachLocal ReachLocal, a USA TODAY NETWORK company and a part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), helps local businesses grow and better operate their business with award-winning lead generation and conversion technology and expert service. ReachLocal is headquartered in Woodland Hills, Calif. and operates in four regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. For more information, visit www.reachlocal.com. BETHEL, Conn., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BranchServ, a Division of Custom Vault Corporation, is pleased to announce its acquisition of the SafePak brand; with a portfolio of innovative security products. The SafePak Night Depository and ATM Retrieval system and the SafePak Cashbar are simple solutions that can have a measurable impact on both security and profitability for banks and cash service providers. Product benefits, combined with support from BranchServ's exceptional installation and service organization, have resulted in industry success. Launched in 1995, SafePak Corp. secured a reputation as the #1 provider of electronically monitored deposit retrieval systems and ATM cassette security. And Buzz Siler, former owner and President, embraced the BranchServ acquisition as an opportunity to expand the business without sacrificing quality or service. Per Mr. Siler, "BranchServ shares our values and commitment to the customer, and there is no company more capable of serving our clientele and the industry at large." The SafePak acquisition is part of BranchServ's ongoing pursuit of intuitive product and service solutions that help financial institutions enhance labor efficiencies and improve their bottom line. Per David Pepin, Chief Operating Officer, "BranchServ is attuned to the financial pressures our customers are facing. We are therefore focused on providing them with solutions that deliver greater value and reduce cost. The SafePak product is an excellent complement to our suite of products and services that tackles labor cost head-on." The idea of efficiencies is indeed something that resonates with BranchServ customers, and demand is already accelerating beyond expectations. According to Win Elliot, Regional Sales Director, "The SafePak System appeals to commercial banks because it completely streamlines the process of night depository pick-ups and processing, and that translates to a compelling ROI." And BranchServ is keeping up with demand. Production and service of the SafePak product have both been successfully transitioned to BranchServ's Richmond, Virginia facility. More information on SafePak products and service can be found on the www.safepakcorp.com website, which is now linked to BranchServ. About BranchServ: Established in 1984, BranchServ places its emphasis on its Power to Serv3 Solutions, Speed and Savings in all that they do to optimize customer efficiencies and equipment uptime. The company's equipment offerings include physical security, electronic security and automation products. They take a brand-agnostic approach to customizing solutions for their clientele, and ensure the very highest quality in bank equipment. And BranchServ strives to remain on the cutting edge with regard to technological advancements. The fit with SafePak is therefore self-evident. BranchServ provides equipment and service to more than 12,000 bank and credit union branches nationwide including three of the ten largest branch banking networks in the United States. www.branchserv.com Press Contact: Rebecca Cicarelli, [email protected] SOURCE BranchServ BOSTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Retail Energy Practice of global economic consultancy The Brattle Group is producing a series of briefs that provide an integrated view into potential utility responses to the challenges and trends associated with the "Utility of the Future" (UoF). "The business model that has worked for utilities for decades is under great stress as consumers become prosumers, smart digital technologies deepen their penetration and add complexity to planning and managing the network, and pressures rise to decarbonize the generation of electricity," noted Brattle Principal Bill Zarakas, leader of the firm's Retail Energy Practice. "While the UoF can provide growth opportunities for utilities, it can also raise questions concerning how and when to modify, or completely change, long-standing regulatory practices." Brattle's Retail Energy Practice Briefing Series analyzes the UoF from an integrated perspective by examining linkages among the financial, technological, strategic, and regulatory dimensions. The series addresses several issues, including: When and how the UoF could represent a threat to the traditional utility business model, and when and how it could represent opportunities. The issues that are likely to make a material difference to the future of utilities, and the issues that are likely to be hype. How regulatory and business initiatives can be coordinated to maximize the likelihood of a financially successful outcome for the utility and an economically beneficial outcome for customers. The first brief in the series, "Evolving Business and Regulatory Models in a Utility of the Future World," provides a view of how utilities and regulators should prepare for the transition to the UoF. It examines whether the conventional business model is obsolete, such as whether considerations pertaining to an obligation to serve, cost-effectiveness criteria for investment planning, and cost-of-service pricing are becoming irrelevant, and if so, what can or should replace them. The brief also introduces a new approach for dynamic modeling of UoF developments that may better capture the feedbacks and possible tipping points arising in a bi-directional, network-interactive architecture with new participants. Future briefs in the series will explore the viability of the traditional regulatory compact, evaluation of distributed energy resources (DERs), rate innovations coordinated with service design updates and other system modernizations, and long-term growth opportunities. For more information on the briefing series, please visit brattle.com. The Brattle Group analyzes complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. For more information, please visit www.brattle.com. SOURCE The Brattle Group Related Links http://www.brattle.com LITTLETON, Colo., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CanPay, the first legitimate debit payment solution for the cannabis industry, today announced its availability to dispensary owners, customers, and patients in Oregon's recreational and medical cannabis marketplaces. Dispensaries in the state are now able to offer a secure, legitimate, and transparent alternative to the current cash-only system for both in-store and delivery purchases. Initially, CanPay will be available at seven dispensaries across Portland, Oregon City, and Eugene. "Oregon is another pioneer in the wave of legalization, which makes it a terrific market for us to introduce a more secure and convenient way to pay for cannabis," said Dustin Eide, CEO of CanPay. "In 2016, Oregon dispensaries sold more than $241 million worth of cannabis products. When operating in a cash-only model, the risk to consumers, store employees, and owners increases exponentially. Introducing CanPay is a step to reduce risk and normalize the payment experience in the cannabis industry so it's the same as shopping everywhere else." Patients and consumers can download the CanPay app by visiting CanPayApp.com to set up their account, which links directly with their existing checking account. Each time the user signs into CanPay on their mobile device, a secure, single-use payment PIN is generated that includes no personal identifiable information and is scanned at the time of purchase by the dispensary's point of sale device. Funds are electronically transferred funds directly from the user's checking account to the retailer's bank account. "Operating as a cash-only business is difficult for our stores and inconvenient for customers," said Geoff Sugerman of Groundworks Industries, the parent company of Electric Lettuce and Serra retail outlets, which have adopted CanPay at their Portland, Oregon City, and Eugene locations. "CanPay's platform helps us expand our already great level of service to our customers by ensuring they have multiple options to pay while at the same time helping us increase the overall security of our business." Since launching in November 2016, CanPay has expanded to five states and more than 40 dispensaries, offering consumers a quick, free, and secure alternative to the cash-only model dictated by contrasting federal and state regulations. Retailers and dispensary owners can find out more by visiting the CanPay website: www.CanPayDebit.com/retailers. About CanPay CanPay is the first debit payment solution for the state regulated cannabis industry, currently serving consumers and businesses in Washington, Colorado, Maine, Florida, and Oregon. Through the Closed-Banking Feedback Loop, CanPay partners with select financial institutions that have developed stable, compliant banking programs specific to the cannabis industry. By delivering a traditional and legitimate electronic payment solution to this growing yet highly-regulated industry, CanPay allows retailers and customers the convenience of a debit payment while mitigating risks and costs associated with cash transactions. To learn more about CanPay, visit www.CanPayDebit.com. Media Contact: Grady Gausman Barokas PR for CanPay [email protected] 206-264-8220 SOURCE CanPay ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Florida Pain Relief Centers is pleased to announce Dr. Daren Subnaik has joined its Altamonte Springs and Sand Lake locations. Dr. Subnaik is an interventional pain medicine specialist with extensive training in a variety of pain management procedures and techniques. Dr. Subnaik is trained in advanced fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided pain procedures, which are used to diagnose and treat chronic pain. In addition to spinal cord stimulation, sympathetic nerve blocks, facet and sacroiliac rhizotomy, genicular nerve ablations and epidural steroid injections, he has special interest in interventional headache management. "When it comes to pain management, each patient has their own unique needs and circumstances to consider," said Dr. Subnaik. "My goal is to provide compassionate care using a multidisciplinary approach and to incorporate all of the patient's healthcare providers for the best possible outcome." Other areas of interest include spasticity and chronic pain management with botulinum toxin and intrathecal programmable drug delivery systems. Dr. Subnaik is also proficient in electromyography and nerve conduction studies and incorporates pain psychology and physical therapy into his practice. After graduating magna cum laude from Jacksonville University, Dr. Subnaik attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. He completed his internship at Michigan State University and served as chief resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Louisville. Following residency, he completed an interventional pain medicine fellowship in the department of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. For an appointment, please call 407-478-1510 for the Altamonte Springs location or 407-363-9668 for the Sand Lake location. With four convenient locations in downtown Orlando, Sand Lake, Lake Mary and Altamonte Springs, Central Florida Pain Relief Centers is a leader in the treatment of chronic pain. Our highly trained providers specialize in all areas of pain management and offer patients the latest minimally invasive procedures and treatments. For more information, please visit yourpainreliefcenters.com. Contact: Laura Elkins [email protected] 615-297-7766 SOURCE Central Florida Pain Relief Centers Related Links https://yourpainreliefcenters.com During the speech Zhi touched on topics including innovations in EdTech, educational development, strategies for overseas educational institutions entering China, and international cooperation between educational institutions. After a brief introduction of DaDaABC's development and achievements, Zhi explained how the growth of China's online education helps to balance the distribution of resources and give kids better access to quality teachers and schools. As a world-class educational event, EdTechXEurope has become the gathering place of the world's leading educational institutions executives, educational technology investors, entrepreneurs and well-known media, and the place where cutting-edge educational ideas and concepts are born. This summit was the fifth session of EdTechXEurope since its inception, and guests were influential EdTech companies from around the world. DaDaABC was the only Chinese EdTech company in attendance this year. DaDaABC has a large amount of professional instructors from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, providing online English education services to more than 50,000 students from China as well as other countries and regions like Korea, Japan, France and Germany. DaDaABC is striving to solve the problem of uneven distribution of quality education resources in China with the advanced nature and convenience of online education. DaDaABC initiated an online learning platform to connect overseas instructors and students. Their platform has effectively alleviated the insufficient of foreign instructor resources, and is able to benefit 40 million potential users. Students in small cities and suburbs are able to enjoy the same access to education resources as those in major metropolitan areas. Zhi made a proposal encouraging excellent content publishers to enter into the Chinese market. DaDaABC hopes to establish partnerships with local institutions in order to form a strong effort and reduce costs of entering into the Chinese market. At the end of the speech, Zhi emphasized that DaDaABC is committed to making a systematic online English learning platform by building quality teaching resources, cooperating with international publishers, and becoming the first domestic online education institution to partner with the Pearson Education Group. With DaDaABC, students' effective learning time is three times greater compared to other platforms. On the technical side, DaDaABC strives to catch up with cutting-edge technology such as Big Data. DaDaABC is able to provide high quality and personalized services using Big Data to meet users' needs. DaDaABC is the only institution in the industry that adopts a one-on-one fixed teaching model, which ensures a stable and positive relationship between instructors and students. DaDaABC differs from traditional online English education merely as an oral training platform or a resource for foreign instructors. Students are able to have coherent learning experience from a fixed instructor. DaDaABC has high stability in terms of instructors compared to its competitors. About DaDaABC Founded in 2013, DaDaABC is the most innovative English training institution in China, and was established to provide what has become one of China's most successful intelligent English learning platforms for children. Winner of over 15 awards and recognitions in 2016, DaDaABC developed a leading English training system focused on one-on-one online tutoring and encourage youngsters to learn and practice while having fun with instructors, and announced a total capital raising of 500 million RMB in Series B and Series B+, which will be used in market expansion, curriculum development and learning experience improvement. DaDaABC has been helping students from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, France, Germany, and other non-English speaking countries. For more information, please visit: http://www.dadaabc.com/teacher/job SOURCE DaDaABC Related Links http://www.dadaabc.com "Our Company's growth and powerful energy is made possible through the dedication of our employees," said Michael P. McMasters, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. "Each of these employees embody a great commitment to our Company's strategic growth and our values of aspiring and caring. I am very proud to have them on our team, advancing our Company's mission to providing excellent, safe and reliable energy services along with increased value to customers, employees, investors and the communities we serve." Lou Anatrella has joined the Company as Chief Human Resources Officer. He is responsible for the Company's people strategy and leading the human resources function which includes talent management, leadership development and executive succession planning; employee relations; compensation and benefits; and diversity. Mr. Anatrella has more than 25 years of diverse senior leadership experience across the energy sector. Prior to joining Chesapeake, he served as Senior Vice President of Administration at REC Solar, a Duke Energy Company, where he led the Human Resources, Information Technology and Legal teams. He has served on the National Energy Regulatory Council's Boards of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Area Council, the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council and the East Central Area Reliability Council. Mr. Anatrella earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Dayton. Aleida Socarras has been promoted to Vice President of Chesapeake Utilities. Ms. Socarras will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Delmarva Natural Gas (DNG) and Sandpiper Energy gas distribution systems on the Delmarva Peninsula. Ms. Socarras, who was Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Energy Logistics for Florida Public Utilities Company (FPU), a Chesapeake subsidiary, joined the Company in 2010. In this position, she led Florida's Marketing and Sales, Gas Logistics and Transportation Service Administration functions. Prior to that, she was FPU's Director of Marketing and Sales. Prior to joining FPU, she spent 23 years in various roles at TECO Peoples Gas. Ms. Socarras earned her Master of Arts in Organizational and Industrial Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso, and her Bachelor of Arts from Florida International University in Miami. She is past Chair of the Southern Gas Association's Growth and Retention Committee and has served in leadership roles on multiple non-profit organizations' boards. Tom Mahn has been promoted to Vice President of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and will continue to serve as Treasurer and head of the Finance Department. Mr. Mahn has significantly expanded the capabilities of the Finance Department in order to provide excellent service to customers and increased value to shareholders and potential investors. He has helped grow the Company's investor relations, insurance and credit evaluation and monitoring functions over the last five years and under his leadership, he has recommended and facilitated the Company's first revolver facility for $150 million with five banks for a five-year term and implemented multiple treasury efficiencies. Prior to joining Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, Mr. Mahn was Vice President and Treasurer with Perdue Incorporated. Mr. Mahn earned his MBA in Business Administration from Salisbury University and his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Finance from Iona College. Al Gallo has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of PESCO, the Company's non-regulated energy marketing business. In his previous role as Managing Director with PESCO, Mr. Gallo was instrumental in growing revenue by 70 percent from 2015 to 2016, establishing trade credit with 100 counterparties and adding transactions with five new local distribution companies and four new interstate pipelines. He helped pioneer the Company's student mentoring program with Junior Achievement and is a past recipient of the organization's Chairman's Award for outstanding service to Junior Achievement of Delaware. Prior to joining PESCO, Mr. Gallo was Senior Gas Trader with Constellation Energy with responsibility for the Northeast supply trading team. Mr. Gallo earned an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Business from the University of Delaware. Andy Hesson has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of Sharp Energy, the Company's non-regulated propane distribution company. Prior to his promotion, as Sharp Energy's Director of Operations, he was successful in building a team and creating a culture of achievement that yielded an increase in gallon sales, growing the customer base to 38,000 and expanding the service territory to two new locations -- the Western Shore of Maryland and Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Hesson has led the business' support for various community-based programs, including breast cancer awareness programs, the AI DuPont childhood allergies benefit and the Walk for Autism. These functions, along with others, were instrumental in Sharp Energy being honored with Metropolitan Magazine's inaugural "Best of Delmarva" award for the best gas company on the Delmarva Peninsula. Prior to joining Sharp Energy, Mr. Hesson was Ohio Division Vice President with Inergy LLC. Mr. Hesson has a Bachelor of Science from California State University Chico. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission, gathering and processing, and marketing; electricity generation and distribution; propane gas distribution; and other businesses. Information about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's businesses is available at www.chpk.com or through our IR App. Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, contact: Mike Stock Sr. Director, Corporate Communications Chesapeake Utilities Corporation [email protected] 302.736.7808 SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Related Links http://www.chpk.com ZURICH, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) will hold its second quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The company expects to issue its second quarter earnings release and financial supplement after the market closes on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. These documents will be available on the company's investor website at investors.chubb.com. The earnings conference call will be available via live webcast at investors.chubb.com or by dialing 888-576-4380 (within the United States) or 719-325-2353 (international), passcode 9589358. Please refer to the Chubb website under Events and Presentations for details. A replay of the call will be available until Thursday, August 10, 2017, and the archived webcast will be available on our website for approximately one month. To listen to the replay, please click here to register and receive dial-in numbers. About Chubb Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com. SOURCE Chubb Limited Related Links http://new.chubb.com BEIJING, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited ("Concord Medical" or the "Company") (NYSE: CCM), a leading specialty hospital management solution provider and operator of the largest network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in China, announced that the proton treatment building of the Beijing Proton Medical Center officially started construction. The Beijing Proton Medical Center is an independent proton radiotherapy institution established by Concord Medical and China-Japan Friendship Hospital, with an independent legal personality approved by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China (formerly, the Ministry of Health), and is the first proton center in Beijing constructed under international standards. After completion, it will be among the first batch of clinical dedicated proton centers with a formal configuration license. In addition, the installation of the IBA Proton Therapy System is expected to start in January 2018. The installation of the first treatment room will be completed in the first quarter of 2019, and will be open for operation. In the first quarter of 2020, we can expect four treatment rooms will be all open for operation. Dr. Jianyu Yang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Concord Medical, commented, "I am pleased to see that, after years of efforts and with the strong support of our partners, the proton treatment building of the Beijing Proton Medical Center has finally started construction. The commencement of this project is an important milestone in the overall strategic development of Concord Medical, and is also the achievement of the sincere cooperation between China-Japan Friendship Hospital and us. I hope the project will proceed smoothly. We will make every effort to ensure that the project is completed on time, with emphasis on quality and safety. Proton therapy, a kind of precise radiation therapy treatment using proton beam for tumor, is a mature, and currently the most advanced, form of radiation therapy. I believe that the completion of the proton center not only will promote the development of cancer radiotherapy in China, but will also help Chinese cancer patients in their recovery." About Beijing Proton Medical Center The Beijing Proton Medical Center is located in the northeast corner of China-Japan Friendship Hospital at 2 Yinghua Dongjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing. It covers an area of about 5,000 square meters and has a construction area of nearly 13,000 square meters. The center will be equipped with 50 beds, four proton therapy rooms employing the IBA proton therapy system (including three gantry-rooms and one fix-beam room) and a linear accelerator treatment room, as well as an outpatient department, wards and other auxiliary facilities. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond the Company's control and based upon premises with respect to future business decisions, which are subject to change. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please contact: Concord Medical Services Ms. Carol TIAN (Chinese and English) +86 10 5903 6688 (ext. 608) [email protected] SOURCE Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited Condor Gold (AIM: CNR) is pleased to announce more results from continued drilling on the Mestiza Vein Set ('Mestiza') at the La India Project, Nicaragua. The objective is to convert an historic Soviet mineral resource (2,392 kt at 10.2 g/t gold for 785,694 oz gold) to Canadian NI 43-101 standard. The initial focus is on the Tatiana Vein, one of the 4 constituent veins and the largest portion of the resource. Results are excellent and have identified a high grade ore shoot in the area of a major dilational bend. The programme continues with two drill rigs and has now been expanded to 6,000 m in total. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529329/Condor_Gold_Mestiza_Vein.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529330/Condor_Gold_Cross_section_2050_of_Tatiana_Vein.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529332/Condor_Gold_Mestiza_La_India.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529333/Condor_Gold_7_resources_La_India_Project.jpg ) Highlights: LIDC348 drill width 3.6 m (true width 2.3 m) at 23.3 g/t gold and 66.6 g/t silver from 160.5 m depth. LIDC348 is 100 m vertically down dip of a previously reported drill hole (LIDC344; drill width 3.3 m at 28.3 g/t gold) and demonstrates a high grade ore shoot which extends to at least 150 m below surface and may have a strike extent of about 300 m. LIDC360 drill width 3.1 m (true width 2.7 m) at 14.4 g/t gold and 29.2 g/t silver from 40.3 m depth. 3,000 m drilling programme is now expanded to 6,000 m. The Tatiana vein has excellent continuity for 1.5 km and is a 4-5 m wide mineralised structure. The average true width of the high grade portion, comprising mostly fault breccia, is approximately 2.5 m. High recoveries have been achieved in the mineralized zone, including mineralised fault breccias that previous drilling failed to recover. Mark Child, Chairman and CEO comments: "The drill result of 3.6 m at 23.3 g/t gold on the Tatiana vein is very encouraging because it is approximately 100 m below our previously reported drill intercept of 3.3 m at 28.3 g/t gold. This and neighbouring drill holes define a high grade shoot which is open down dip and along strike for approximately 300 m. In light of this, the drill programme has been modified from broadly 100 m centres, to include drilling some 50 m step out holes in this high grade zone. The overall objective is to convert an historic Soviet-style mineral resource (2,392 kt at 10.2 g/t gold for 785,694 oz gold) to Canadian NI 43-101 standard. This will hopefully boost the current NI 43-101-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource at Mestiza (1,490 kt at 7.47 g/t for 333,000 oz gold). Mestiza is excluded from the current mine plans in the PFS and PEAs. A successful resource conversion has the potential to add large, high grade, and relatively shallow resources to a future mine plan, thereby increasing the annual gold production, life of mine, and project economics. The Tatiana vein has excellent continuity for more than 1.5 km and we hope to identify further high grade shoots by targeting bends in the vein, which are more dilational and seem to have controlled gold grade." Background La India Project's existing NI 43-101-compliant mineral resource is 18 Mt at 4.0 g/t Au (2.31 Moz gold). This consists of seven separate resources, most of them open along strike and at depth. It includes Mestiza, which hosts a NI 43-101-compliant Inferred mineral resource of 1,490 kt at 7.47 g/t (333,000 oz gold). Here, Soviet-backed drilling in 1991 estimated a Soviet-style mineral resource of 2,392 kt at 10.2 g/t gold (785,694 oz gold) (See RNS dated 22nd May 2017). The bulk of the resources are contained within the Tatiana vein, the largest of the four main veins on Mestiza. Current Drill Plan Condor commenced drilling with one drill rig on Mestiza on 23rd March 2017, to test the Soviet drill intercepts and convert the high grade Soviet-style mineral resource estimate to Canadian NI-43-101 standard (See RNS dated 31st March 2017). The initial batch of drill holes assays was reported on 22 May 2017. It is expected that further drilling of about 3,000 m (total of 6,000 m drilling) will be required to convert the majority of the Soviet mineral resource to a NI 43-101-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource. Drill results for 1,464 m New drill results (from holes LIDC349 to 360, inclusive) are shown in Table 1. The drill plan (Figure 1) shows that holes LIDC349 to 352, which returned narrow low grade results, were drilled into an untested area corresponding to a compressional portion of the structure. Similarly, holes LIDC356, 357 and 359 were drilled in the very west end of the Tatiana vein and, except for LIDC356, returned narrow low grade results. The remaining holes reported herein were drilled around a major dilational flexure known as the "Big Bend." This includes hole LIDC355, which was abandoned in the vein with a final assay of 0.9 m @ 13.9 g/t Au, and was re-drilled by LIDC358, which returned 3.55 m @ 23.3 g/t Au. This is illustrated in a cross section (Figure 2), which includes LIDC344 (3.30 m @ 28.3 g/t Au) reported on 22 May 2017. Table 1 Current Drill Results from the Tatiana vein on Mestiza Drill *True Au Drill Width Width (g/t Prospect hole ID From** To** (m) (m) ) Ag (g/t) Comment Tatiana LIDC349 45.70 53.20 7.50 4.3 2.08 24.9 incl 2.70 m @ 3.61 g/t [2.70m @ 3.61g/t] Au Tatiana LIDC350 67.90 68.55 0.65 0.4 0.85 3.0 Tatiana LIDC351 44.65 45.30 0.65 0.6 0.99 5.0 Tatiana LIDC352 85.00 85.90 0.90 0.6 2.24 6.8 Tatiana LIDC353 98.90 101.00 2.10 1.6 5.35 12.6 Tatiana LIDC354 141.20 143.60 2.40 1.5 2.21 4.3 incl 0.78 m @ 5.87 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC355 51.80 52.65 0.85 0.5 1.20 4.0 hangingwall vein LIDC355 135.00 136.00 1.00 0.5 2.54 3.0 hangingwall vein LIDC355 149.70 150.60 0.90 0.6 13.9 20.0 hole abandoned in target Tatiana LIDC356 90.00 94.25 4.25 3.6 2.74 7.1 incl 2.00 m @ 5.16 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC357 172.90 175.90 3.00 1.5 0.82 4.2 incl 0.50 m @ 1.17 g/t Au & 0.60 m @ 1.10 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC358 160.50 164.05 3.55 2.3 23.3 66.6 redrill of LIDC355 Tatiana LIDC359 74.70 74.80 0.10 0.1 2.43 <2 83.90 85.60 1.70 1.2 3.13 4.8 incl 1.10 m @ 4.48 g/t Au Tatiana LIDC360 40.30 43.40 3.10 2.7 14.4 29.2 *Intercepts calculated above a 0.5 g/t Au cut off **Depth from surface Figure 1: Map of Mestiza Vein Set Showing 4 Main Veins. Drilling so far is only on the Tatiana Vein Figure 1 Green line in Figure 1 above is the reference section shown in Figure 2 below Figure 2: Cross section 2050 of Tatiana Vein Figure 2 Note: The purple line in Figure 2 above represents the Tatiana Vein at Cross Section 2050 Discussion of Drill Results As reported in the last drill hole results released on 22 May 2017, mineralisation occurs within a 4-6 m wide mineralised structure crosscutting a major unit of welded tuff with conspicuous fiamme. The structure consists of: A central high grade quartz vein, 0.5-1.0 m wide, with comb and drusy quartz and minor chalcedony. Textures of the vein vary between holes, from massive silica, to leaching textures with skeletons of former calcite, to locally colloform banded pale green chalcedony with fine streaks of sulphide mineralization. 2.5 m of jigsaw and crackle hydrothermal breccia around the central vein. Drusy and comb quartz forms the matrix of these breccias, normally associated with lower gold grades. Late fault breccias along the structure containing clasts of vein and hydrothermal breccia, which can contain significant high grade gold mineralisation. Gold mineralisation is associated with the quartz vein and fault breccia over true widths of up to 3 m. The nature of the fault breccia, with variable amounts of gold mineralised vein clasts in a "difficult to recover" clay gouge, leads to high grade variability across the deposit. There is also a supergene effect as suggested by high grade silver spikes in some of the deeper historic holes (e.g., 0.7 m @ 356 g/t Ag from 198.1 m in LIDC030B). A long section of the Tatiana Vein (Figure 3) plots the drill hole intercepts at the point at which they pierce the vein for all the historic and current drilling. Each point is described by a grade thickness factor, which is the downhole intercept length multiplied by the average grade. At the local scale this shows the highly variable nature of mineralisation, but at the larger scale shows that the vein is broadly well mineralised and forms high grade shoots separated by intervening areas of low grade where the mineralised zone is thinner. A geological model has been developed which correlates high grade gold mineralisation with bends in the vein (see 'Big Bend' in Figure 1). These bends created more open space, allowing more hydrothermal fluid circulation, resulting in higher grade. The Big Bend high grade shoot, which appears to pitch almost vertically, extends over a strike length of approximately 300 m. It is open to depth and the deepest intersections, about 150 m below surface, remain in oxidised material. Deeper drilling, and drilling to infill untested 'gaps' in Big Bend, are underway with more closely spaced drilling, on 50 m centres, to better define the geometry and extent of the high grade shoot. Drilling will continue on 100 m centres along the strike length of the Tatiana, Buenos Aires and Jicaro veins for resource definition purposes and to help identify new shoots. Figure 3 Long Section of Tatiana Indicating a High Grade Ore Shoot Figure 3 Mestiza in the context of La India Mestiza is significant for five reasons: 1. It already hosts a NI 43-101-compliant mineral resource (1,490 kt at 7.47 g/t; 333,000 oz gold). This is excluded from the current Pre-Feasibility Study ('PFS') and Preliminary Economic Assessment ('PEA') at La India Project. 2. The December 2014 PEA contains an open pit and underground mining scenario using a 1.6 Mtpa processing plant recovering 1,203 koz gold over the life of mine, with the first 5 years production averaging 138,000 oz gold pa. 3. The January 2016 Whittle Enterprise Optimisation to NPV of the above PEA materially increased the recovered gold and project economics. Using the same 1.6 Mtpa processing plant, recovered gold increases to 1,437 koz gold over the life of mine with the first five years of production averaging 165,000 oz gold pa. 4. All production scenarios to date exclude Mestiza, which is in close proximity to the La India and America vein sets (See Figure 4). There is a high possibility of bringing additional high grade gold from Mestiza into a future mine plan, feeding a centralised processing plant. 5. Importantly, Mestiza hosts a relatively shallow high grade, oxidised resource, which is currently viewed as a combined open pit-underground mining target. The average drill depth is 112 m for the 6,000 m resource conversion drilling programme. The existing resource is open along strike in both directions and at depth. The shallow, high grade nature of the resource suggests it could be added early on to the mine plan, enhancing the production profile and economics of the project. Figure 4 Location of 7 resources that comprise the La India Project Figure 4 Competent Person's Declaration The information in this announcement that relates to the mineral potential, geology, exploration results and database is based on information compiled, and reviewed, by Mr Peter Flindell, Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Member of the Society of Economic Geologists. Mr Flindell is a geologist with over thirty years of experience in the exploration of precious metal mineral resources. Mr Flindell is a non-executive director on the Board of Condor Gold plc who also provides technical leadership to the technical team in Nicaragua and has considerable experience in epithermal mineralization, the type of deposit under consideration, and sufficient experience in the type of activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a 'Competent Person' as defined in the June 2009 Edition of the AIM Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr Flindell consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears and confirms that this information is accurate and not false or misleading. Technical Glossary Assay The laboratory test conducted to determine the proportion of a mineral within a rock or other material. Usually reported as parts per million which is equivalent to grams of the mineral (i.e. gold) per tonne of rock Ag Silver Au Gold breccias A fragmental rock, composed of rounded to angular broken rock fragments held together by a mineral cement or in a fine-grained matrix. They can be formed by igneous, tectonic, sedimentary or hydrothermal processes. C1 C1 reserves are broadly equivalent to JORC indicated resources and have been estimated by a sparse grid of trenches, drill holes or underground workings. The quality and properties of the deposit are known tentatively by analyses and by analogy with known deposits of the same type. The general conditions for exploitation are partially known C2 C2 reserves are broadly equivalent to JORC inferred resources and have been extrapolated from limited data, probably only a single hole Chalcedony A variety of quartz formed by microscopic or submicroscopic crystals. In an epithermal environment, chalcedony is formed in low temperature and pressure conditions high in the system. Colloform banded A texture found in fine grained quartz (chalcedony) veins where crystals have grown in a radiating and concentric manner form a vein centreline to give a finely banded appearance Comb quartz A quartz vein texture describing masses of parallel long, thin crystals growing inwards from the vein margins produce a texture like that of a comb. Drusy quartz A coating of fine quartz crystals [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal] on a rock fracture surface, which may be an open space in the vein. Fiamme Fragments of volcanic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano] ejecta, often pumice, that have been flattened by compaction to form flame-like shapes Geochemistry The study of the elements and their interaction as minerals to makeup rocks and soils Geophysics The measurement and interpretation of the earth's physical parameters using non-invasive methods such as measuring the gravity, magnetic susceptibility, electrical conductivity, seismic response and natural radioactive emissions. Hydrothermal Hot water circulation often caused by heating of groundwater by near surface magmas and often occurring in association with volcanic activity. Hydrothermal waters can contain significant concentrations of dissolved minerals. Kt Thousand tonnes Mineral Reserve The economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. Ore Reserves are sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore Reserves. Mineral Resource A concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such a form, quality, and quantity that there are reasonable and realistic prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated from specific geological knowledge, or interpreted from a well constrained and portrayed geological model. NI 43-101 Canadian National Instrument 43-101 a common standard for reporting of identified mineral resources and ore reserves Phreatic breccias Fragmental rocks formed near the Earth's surface by the interaction of hot rock and cold water, or vice versa. Commonly occur at the top of mineralized epithermal gold systems. Rock chip A sample of rock collected for analysis, from one or several close spaced sample points at a location. Unless otherwise stated, this type of sample is not representative of the variation in grade across the width of an ore or mineralised body and the assay results cannot be used in a Mineral Resource Estimation Soviet The former Soviet system for classification of reserves and Classification resources, developed in 1960 and revised in 1981, which divides mineral concentrations into seven categories of three major groups, based on the level of exploration performed: explored reserves (A, B, C1), evaluated reserves (C2) and prognostic resources (P1, P2, P3) Soviet GKZ The former Soviet State Commission for Mineral Reserves. Stockwork Multiple connected veins with more than one orientation, typically consisting of millimetre to centimetre thick fracture-fill veins and veinlets. Strike length The longest horizontal dimension of an ore body or zone of mineralisation. Vein A sheet-like body of crystallised minerals within a rock, generally forming in a discontinuity or crack between two rock masses. Economic concentrations of gold are often contained within vein minerals. Welded tuff A fragmental volcanic rock formed by sufficiently hot volcanic ejecta that the fragments weld together Zeolite veinlets Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates found in gas bubbles within basalts and in geothermal districts. They also found in the upper parts of gold-bearing epithermal systems. About Condor Gold plc: Condor Gold plc was admitted to AIM on 31st May 2006. The Company is a gold exploration and development company with a focus on Central America. Condor completed a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and two Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEA) on its wholly owned La India Project in Nicaragua in December 2014. The PFS details an open pit gold mineral reserve of 6.9 Mt at 3.0 g/t gold for 675,000 oz gold producing 80,000 oz gold p.a. for 7 years. The PEA for the open pit only scenario details 100,000 oz gold production p.a. for 8 years whereas the PEA for a combination of open pit and underground details 140,000 oz gold production p.a. for 8 years. La India Project contains a total attributable mineral resource of 18.08 Mt at 4.0 g/t for 2.31 M oz gold and 2.68 M oz silver at 6.2 g/t to the CIM Code. In El Salvador, Condor has an attributable 1,004,000 oz gold equivalent at 2.6 g/t JORC compliant resource. The resource calculations are compiled by independent geologists SRK Consulting (UK) Limited for Nicaragua and Ravensgate and Geosure for El Salvador. Disclaimer Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement. For further information please visit http://www.condorgold.com or contact: Condor Gold plc 7th Floor 39 St. James's Street London SW1A 1JD Telephone +44-020-74932794 Fax: +44-020-74938633 Condor Gold plc Mark Child, Executive Chairman and CEO +44(0)20-7493-2784 Beaumont Cornish Limited Roland Cornish and James Biddle +44(0)20-7628-3396 Numis Securities Limited John Prior and James Black +44(0)20-7260-1000 Farm Street Media Simon Robinson +44(0)7593-340107 SOURCE Condor Gold plc "We've admired what the PetBot team built, their speed of innovation, and Dzamba's passion for improving lives of pets with technology," said Yaroslav Azhnyuk, CEO and Co-Founder of Petcube. "Petcube connects pets to the Internet and delivers state of the art technology and design to over 100,000 pets and their parents globally. We couldn't be more excited about joining forces with PetBot, and accelerating innovation in the connected pet space." With the acquisition, Petcube is deepening expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning and gearing up for future product releases. Dzamba comes with a strong academic and research background in AI, and has authored numerous publications and patents in connected pet, machine learning, and genetics. Previously, Dzamba was with Y Combinator backed company, Atomwise, developing deep learning algorithms for drug discovery. At Petcube, Dzamba will be heading up the company's AI team, developing next generation software that will be integrated across all Petcube products and services. With the transition, PetBot customers will continue to receive ongoing support for the next 12 months. "When Petcube first launched in 2013, I knew that the founders understood the needs of the modern pet parent at a time when almost no one else did. PetBot has been nothing short of a wild ride, and I feel grateful to have worked with such a dedicated team and my Co-Founder and PetBot CEO Zoran Grabovac. I am now privileged to be able to continue my work in pet technology at Petcube and am very excited to see what the future holds for our furry companions!" said Misko Dzamba, CTO and Co-Founder of PetBot. Petcube is about to release its own interactive treat camera, Petcube Bites. Currently available for pre-order, Petcube Bites is the most advanced treat camera on the market. Features include the ability to fling treats multiple distances, 2 lb container capacity, and automatic treat reordering using Amazon Dash Replenishment. Petcube Bites features include 1080p HD video, night vision, video cloud recording, sound and motion alerts, and two-way audio. In Azhnyuk's recent guest article on Entrepreneur.com, he shared that the pet care industry is at the brink of disruption and estimates that 40 million pet households will use a connected pet device by 2022, or half of the projected US pet population. According to Petcube's projections, the connected pet category could be valued at $4.2 billion by 2022, not including services provided with these connected devices. About Petcube makes the best-selling pet cameras and software, connecting people to their pets. Their products enable people to see, talk, play, and treat pets remotely while keeping pets safe and healthy. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, CA , with offices in Kyiv, Ukraine and Shenzhen, China . For more information visit the Petcube website , and follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube . Contact: Bradley Wells, 415-230-0610, [email protected] SOURCE Petcube Related Links https://petcube.com MINNETONKA, Minn., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Images is highlighting the benefits of its Vitrea solutions as it participates in the 12th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, July 6-9, in Washington, D.C., at booth 401. Vital is focusing on the many advantages of Vitrea Advanced Visualization, Version 7. We are excited about Vitrea Version 7 in terms of workflow, as well as in deployment and integration, explains Mike LaChance, Vice President of Marketing. These make for a much improved user experience. Regarding workflow and user experience, Version 7 is easier to use and offers more comprehensive and consistent workflows for CT, MR, XA, and PET/SPECT, and a more consistent interface across all Vitrea deployments. But that is not all Vital is doing. The medical imaging solutions company is also sponsoring a read-with-the-experts session, offering a unique opportunity for attendees to be better acquainted with recent post-processing tools and techniques. On Saturday, July 8th, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., the following three speakers will focus on ischemic heart disease: Marcus Chen, MD, of National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD Brian Ko, MD, of Monash Health, Australia Ravi Sharma, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA About Vitrea Advanced Visualization Vitrea software provides comprehensive multi-modality applications in a variety of IT environments. Advanced imaging applications provide physicians with patient information anywhere, anytime. Radiologists can share images throughout their enterprise and collaborate in real-time with other physicians to help to achieve better patient outcomes. About Vital Images, Inc. Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical company, is a leading provider of diagnostic imaging and enterprise informatics solutions to help healthcare organizations deliver exceptional care while optimizing resources across multi-facility organizations. The company's solutions are scalable to meet the unique needs of hospitals and imaging centers and are accessible throughout the enterprise anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit www.vitalimages.com or join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. Vitrea is a trademark of Vital Images, Inc. ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Converde Energy USA, Inc. (OTC PINK: XFUL) (the "Company" or "XFUL"), a diversified energy company, announces today the appointment of Mr. Josh C. Hickman as the President of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Gilbert Oil and Gas, LLC. The Company is also pleased to announce that Mr. Hickman will be joining the Board of Directors of American Energy Partners, Inc. "Mr. Hickman, an experienced oil and gas finder, deal maker, and executive, will further strengthen our ability to build shareholder value through the sourcing and acquisition of opportunities for growth in the oil and gas market," states American Energy Partners CEO Brad Domitrovitsch. "I am pleased to have Mr. Hickman join our team and look forward to seeing the Company's increased success through his leadership." Utilizing dual master's degrees in geoscience and business, Mr. Hickman focuses on market opportunities where technical and financial matters meet in the oil and gas industry. Over the past 15 years, as an exploration geologist and executive, Mr. Hickman has been employed by Consol Energy, Cabot Oil and Gas, Edgemarc Energy Holdings, and Dahlmont Energy Resources with increasing responsibilities. Mr. Hickman is also the founder of Hickman Geological Consulting, which specializes in applying the principles of technical data and financial understanding to growth businesses in the oil and gas space. Mr. Hickman states, "The Company's market entry timing could not be better to leverage fresh capital for the acquisition of long-term cash flow opportunities and drilling opportunities in the space." About Converde Energy USA, Inc. (XFUL) XFUL and its group of companies focus on providing solutions in markets where energy production and water meet technology. Collectively, the subsidiaries are engaged in the energy sector as well as the design, construction and operation of regional water treatment facilities that serve the industrial, energy and government sectors. Hydration Corporation of PA, LLC ("HCPA") is engaged in the businesses of water exploration, water augmentation, and the treatment of impacted waters. Notably, its intellectual property delivers one of the highest energy yields from a broad range of water-bearing assets, with one of the lowest capital expenditures of any other known water processes. American Energy Solutions, LLC provides treatment technologies that contribute to HCPA's business model of low-cost treatment and distribution. As a provider of design, this subsidiary is capable of repeatable and synergistic services across the value chain. Gilbert Oil & Gas Company is leveraging broad industry valuation experience to source drilling, operating, and partnership opportunities in the upstream oil and gas space. It is positioned to become a strong customer of XFUL's other subsidiaries while providing them with the foundation to attract other customers and enter new markets. For additional information, visit: http://americanenergy-inc.com. Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements, particularly as related to, among other things, the business plans of XFUL, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding XFUL's financial position and business strategy. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "may result," "are expected to," "will continue," "anticipates," "expects," "estimate," "project," "indicate," "could," "potentially," "should," "believe," "think", "considers" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements fall within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. XFUL cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such statements. XFUL does not undertake, and XFUL specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement. Actual results may differ materially from XFUL's expectations and estimates. Company Contact: [email protected] Communications Contact: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) New York, New York http://www.NetworkNewsWire.com +1-212-418-1217 Office [email protected] SOURCE Converde Energy USA, Inc. BRISBANE, Australia, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cryptsoft, a leader in data encryption and key management technologies, today announced that BDT Storage GmbH (BDT) has signed an enterprise license for Cryptsoft's Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP) technology. BDT will now be able to meet the storage market's demand for increased security by providing standards based, market proven, and state-of-the-art data encryption capability throughout all of their product range. As a leading OEM supplier of tape storage products to many of the world's largest storage vendors, BDT needed to respond to vendor and end consumer demand for modern, standards based encryption capabilities. With demand driven by mandated requirements for end-to-end encryption solutions, both in the public and the private sectors, BDT turned to Cryptsoft, the market leader in KMIP solutions, to assist them in creating secure, trusted and interoperable encryption solutions for their entire product range. "BDT is excited to be able to offer Cryptsoft's KMIP encryption technology throughout our full product range. As an OEM supplier into some of the world's largest storage vendors, BDT needed to ensure that the security demands of both the vendor and their end consumers are met," said Bernd Krause, BDT's CEO. "We had previously leveraged Cryptsoft's extensive experience in building and customizing security solutions for two of our most successful core products. By signing this enterprise license our customers, and their customers, can now enjoy the seamless integration of our current and future products into any KMIP based enterprise key management environment." "Cryptsoft are trusted by the market leading storage, security and cloud vendors because of our conformance to specification; full specification implementation; proven interoperability; and rapid adoption of published KMIP versions," said Justin Corlett, Business Development Manager, Cryptsoft. "By choosing to implement our KMIP technologies at an enterprise level, BDT has re-confirmed Cryptsoft's technology leadership and have entrenched Cryptsoft's status as the preferred provider of key management technologies for the entire IBM and HPE tape drive market." About BDT Storage BDT is a leading designer and manufacturer of solutions for data management. BDT's storage systems ensure long-term storage and archiving of big data reliably and easily. As an expert for data management and storage solutions BDT takes into account the increasing storage needs. Our current products include compact and automated data storage systems using different media such as tape and removable disk. About Cryptsoft Cryptsoft is a privately held Australian company that operates worldwide in the enterprise key management security market. Cryptsoft's Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP) software development kits (SDKs) are the market's preferred OEM solutions. Cryptsoft's solutions have been selected by prominent global companies for interoperable enterprise key management and encryption technology in their storage, security and cloud products. Cryptsoft is an OASIS Foundational Sponsor, SNIA and SSIF Voting Member. www.cryptsoft.com PRLog ID: www.prlog.org/12649377 SOURCE Cryptsoft Related Links http://www.cryptsoft.com BERGEN, Norway, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cytovation AS, a privately held biotech company developing CyPep-1 for the treatment of skin disorders, announces it has raised NOK 20m in a private funding round. The financing was led by a group of private investors in Norway and the Company will use these funds to advance lead product CyPep-1 into a Phase I clinical trial. Cytovation is developing CyPep-1, a peptide consisting of 27 amino acids that selectively targets cutaneous warts through the destruction of the cell membrane and creating an immune response through the release of antigens. These funds will enable Cytovation to conduct pre-clinical toxicology studies and GMP manufacturing of CyPep-1 as a topical cream for the treatment of warts caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This is a completely novel treatment strategy to treat a common disease which has already undergone extensive testing and quality control and also has applications in other dermatological diseases. Cytovation's CEO, Kjell Inge Arnevig, commented on the financing: "We have been encouraged by the continuing support of our new and existing investors. These funds will allow us to move through toxicology studies and formulation towards our planned Phase I clinical trial for CyPep-1 with initial results expected during 2018." About Cytovation Cytovation AS is a privately-held biotech company based in Norway, founded in 2001, with strong ties to the Haukeland University Hospital and University of Bergen. Cytovation's lead product, CyPep-1 is a first in class peptide consisting of 27 amino acids that is currently in pre-clinical development for the treatment of cutaneous warts caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and has applications in other dermatological diseases. There are currently no prescription medicines available for the treatment of cutaneous warts and over-the-counter products often do not permanently remove the wart. CyPep-1 rapidly and selectively targets HPV diseased cells, due to a negative charge on their cell membranes not found on healthy cells, rapidly killing the wart cells by disrupting the cell membrane and creating an immune response through the release of antigens which could lead to long-term 'protection.' CyPep-1 is an effective potential prescription treatment for warts that can potentially permanently eradicate the HPV virus. CyPep-1 has world-wide patent protection across the USA, Europe, Japan and China. For more information visit: www.cytovation.com Contact details: Cytovation Kjell-Inge Arnevig, CEO Tel: +47-904-74-508 Email: [email protected] Citigate Dewe Rogerson Pip Batty Tel: +44-(0)-20-7282-1022 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Cytovation AS DALLAS, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Meloney Perry, founder of the Dallas-based insurance defense law firm Perry Law P.C., has been elected as the 2017-18 chair of the Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. "I am honored to be elected by my peers to lead the Insurance Law Section," said Ms. Perry. "Insurance law touches upon and plays a role in almost every area of the law. The Insurance Law Section includes many great legal minds and resources, which make us all better lawyers." The State Bar of Texas includes legal sections in specialized fields, allowing lawyers with shared interests and professional experiences to build a closer association. The Insurance Law Section enables attorneys to address areas of Texas insurance law in a bipartisan manner through both policyholder and insurance company attorneys. This section focuses on both substantive, procedural insurance law and litigation with a goal of educating and serving the legal profession and public. In her role as the chair of the Insurance Law section, Ms. Perry will also oversee the Journal of Texas Insurance Law, which is written and edited by section members and published three to four times a year to provide continuing education on insurance law. Ms. Perry is a well-known insurance defense attorney in the Dallas area with 20 years of experience defending insurance companies in coverage disputes, bad faith and class action litigation. A Women's Business Enterprise National Counsel-certified business, the firm serves as the primary regional counsel for a major national insurance firm. Perry Law also represents business owners across the country involved in insurance and business disputes. As an author and frequent presenter on insurance coverage and the law, Ms. Perry often conducts Continued Legal Education seminars for clients. Perry Law P.C. is a women-owned law firm focused on insurance defense and business litigation. Our group of attorneys invests in lasting relationships, takes time to understand your business, and makes you the priority. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.mperrylaw.com. For more information, contact Sophia Reza at 800-559-4534 or [email protected]. SOURCE Perry Law P.C. Related Links http://mperrylaw.com WASHINGTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser today joined the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT), developers, and city officials at an event honoring the construction workers building Portner Flats, an affordable housing development located in the popular U Street Corridor in Northwest. The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) is a $6 billion fund that invests union pension capital into union-built affordable housing. The HIT is purchasing $24 million in construction securities to build the project. Portner Flats is an eight-story, 96-unit, 100% affordable housing development built on the former site of Portner Place, a dilapidated 48-unit Section 8 housing development at 1440 V Street NW. The development team, which is a partnership between Somerset Development, the Jonathan Rose Companies, and New Community Partners, began engaging with familiesof Portner Place in 2008 in order to create housing that met the needs of the current residents. "This project is an example of what public-private partnerships can produce when everyone works together to strengthen our community," said Mayor Bowser, noting that the D.C. Housing Finance Agency and the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development aided in the financing and acquisition of the property to launch the project. The District also rezoned the site for increased density, enabling the project to tap into the market strength of the neighborhood in order to preserve the existing affordable housing and double the total the number of affordable units. "We thank the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, the development team and the construction workers for their commitment to creating safe and affordable housing for Washingtonians in every neighborhood," the Mayor continued. Eric Price, Executive Vice President at the HIT and former DC Deputy Mayor of Economic Development under Mayor Anthony Williams, said, "We believe that finding new, creative ways to finance affordable housing is key to expanding the supply of quality affordable housing in urban areas. But it also takes committed, savvy city leaders. The HIT applauds Mayor Bowser and her team for supporting this development, as well as the construction workers who are making this project a reality. Their hard work is paving the way for families to have desirable, affordable housing." Portner Flats is consistent with the District's priorities for preserving and expanding affordable housing with access to mass-transit. Portner Flats will also offer residents computer training, after-school and senior programs, and job training. "I applaud the men and women of the building trades who are building quality, affordable housing in one of the District's most expensive neighborhoods" said Brent Booker, who is Secretary Treasurer of North America's Building Trades Unions. North America's Building Trades Unions represent millions of skilled union construction workers across the country and advocates for living wages and benefits for all of its members. In March of 2018, families will move into these 96 new, units and their children will have access to after school programming and a playground funded by the developer. "It has been a privilege to work with the residents of Portner Place to create housing that is responsive to their needs," said Jim Campbell, founding principal at Somerset Development. "We hope it will serve as a model for maintaining diversity and increasing the quality of life in other high cost areas." The event, which included lunch for 120 construction workers, was also attended by Todd Lee, Executive Director of D.C. Housing Finance Agency, and Polly Donaldson, Director of D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) is a fixed-income investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It manages $6 billion in assets for some 390 investors, which include union and public employee pension plans. The HIT invests primarily in government and agency insured and guaranteed multifamily mortgage-backed securities. The HIT is one of the earliest and most successful practitioners of socially responsible, economically targeted investing, with a track record of over 30 years that demonstrates the added value derived from union-friendly investments. The investment objective of the HIT is to provide competitive returns for its investors and to promote the collateral objectives of constructing affordable housing and generating employment for union members in the construction trades and related industries. Since its inception, the HIT has invested over $10.5 billion (in 2016 dollars) and, together with its affiliate Building America CDE, has financed more than105,000 units of housing nationwide, generating more than 77,500 union construction jobs. More information is available on the HIT's website, www.aflcio-hit.com. Contact: Michael K. Frisby 202-625-4328 ([email protected]) SOURCE AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust Related Links http://www.aflcio-hit.com LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated (NYSE:DBD), a world leader in enabling connected commerce for millions of consumers across the financial and retail industries, today announced it is launching its fully integrated brand and direct presence in the U.K. and Ireland. The company has agreed to sell its legacy Diebold business in the United Kingdom to Cennox Group, fulfilling the requirements previously set forth by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The acquisition by Cennox is expected to close June 30. Upon closing, the legacy, independent Wincor Nixdorf U.K. and Ireland business will be completely integrated into the global Diebold Nixdorf operations and brand. This includes the company's retail business, which was not subject to CMA review. "Our team in the U.K. and Ireland, totaling 900 people strong, looks forward to broadening relationships and providing innovation for our customers -- enabling an 'always on' experience for consumers and shaping the future of connected commerce," said Andy W. Mattes, president and chief executive officer, Diebold Nixdorf. "We are very pleased to put this final antitrust requirement of our business combination behind us -- and excited to fully move forward in the U.K. and Ireland as Diebold Nixdorf." Based in Surrey, U.K., Cennox is a global provider of banking services and the U.K.'s largest independent ATM service business. Cennox provides various self-service-related solutions and support services, patented security products and branch transformation capabilities, primarily to the financial industry but also retail and commercial industries. Under the sale agreement, all staff from the legacy Diebold operation serving U.K. customers, totaling 67 employees, will become part of Cennox. The acquisition will allow Cennox to exclusively sell legacy Diebold hardware, services and Phoenix software in the U.K. and Ireland. Financial terms were not disclosed. Earlier this year, the CMA published its official findings in connection with the business combination of Diebold, Incorporated and Wincor Nixdorf AG, and concluded that a structural remedy was required to ensure effective competition in the U.K. Diebold and Wincor Nixdorf brands and operations had remained separate and distinct while awaiting CMA review. About Cennox Cennox is an industry leader, offering a wide range of solutions to the world's leading banks, retail and commercial institutions. Cennox deliver the best-in-class solutions that give a distinct competitive advantage in the marketplace. Globally recognised, Cennox is an industry pioneer with operations on six continents and central offices in the United Kingdom and United States, employing over 600 staff. Cennox has been ranked in the Sunday Times FAST TRACK 200, detailing the top 200 fastest growing UK Businesses for International sales for 2 years running. In addition, for the past two years, Cennox has also been ranked in the top 100 of fastest Growing UK Businesses on the FAST TRACK 100 list sponsored by Virgin. About Diebold Nixdorf Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated (NYSE:DBD) is a world leader in enabling connected commerce for millions of consumers each day across the financial and retail industries. Its software-defined solutions bridge the physical and digital worlds of cash and consumer transactions conveniently, securely and efficiently. As an innovation partner for nearly all of the world's top 100 financial institutions and a majority of the top 25 global retailers, Diebold Nixdorf delivers unparalleled services and technology that are essential to evolve in an 'always on' and changing consumer landscape. Diebold Nixdorf has a presence in more than 130 countries with approximately 24,000 employees worldwide. The organization maintains corporate offices in North Canton, Ohio, USA and Paderborn, Germany. Shares are traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol 'DBD'. Visit www.DieboldNixdorf.com for more information. SOURCE Diebold Nixdorf Related Links http://www.diebold.com SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Doximity, the leading social network for physicians and advanced practice clinicians, today released its 2017-2018 Residency Navigator. As the most comprehensive residency program directory available, Residency Navigator empowers medical students to research, compare, and select the program best-suited for their personal medical interests and career goals. Residency Navigator, built from Doximity's network of more than 70 percent of all U.S. physicians, leverages insights from the largest survey and resume analysis of medical residents and alumni. Approximately 90 percent of graduating fourth-year medical students are Doximity members. "Choosing a residency program is one of the most significant decisions in a young physician's career. Residency Navigator is designed to offer students the insights and data they need to identify the residency programs that best fit their personal and career goals," said Nate Gross, M.D., co-founder of Doximity. In Residency Navigator, medical students can conduct searches for residency programs across categories such as specialty, geography, or hospital type. Once students have narrowed a list they can sort it by: weighted reputation, research output, board pass rates, size of program, or alphabetically. This year's Residency Navigator includes more than 4,000 residency programs across 28 specialties. Doximity is also introducing new features designed with insight from medical students and program directors across the country. The new features make it easier for medical residents to compare programs and personalize searches, and include: Map View: Residency applicants can now explore national and regional maps with all programs represented as pins. Residency applicants can now explore national and regional maps with all programs represented as pins. Favorites List: Medical students can create a favorites list to add personal notes about each program as they go through the application interview process. Medical students can create a favorites list to add personal notes about each program as they go through the application interview process. People Like You: Highlights notable alumni such as those who graduated from the searcher's own medical school and attended that residency program, enabling prospective and former residents to network easily on the Doximity platform. "We've worked closely with medical students and residency programs to bring new interactive features to Residency Navigator, to personalize the residency exploration process and connect trainees with programs that fit the type of physician they'd like to become," concluded Dr. Gross. Earlier this month, U.S. News & World Report announced a five-year extension of its agreement with Doximity to continue building its online directory of physician profiles powered by Doximity's network of more than 800,000 practicing U.S. healthcare professionals. For more information and to access Doximity's Residency Navigator, visit https://residency.doximity.com. Doximity Media Contact: Jim Rivas [email protected] 415-515-8780 About Doximity Founded in 2011, Doximity connects physicians and advanced practice clinicians to make them more successful and productive. Doximity is the largest secure medical network with over 70 percent of all U.S. physicians as members, enabling collaboration across specialties and every major medical center. Doximity is based in San Francisco and was created by the founders of Epocrates and Rock Health. To learn more, visit www.doximity.com. SOURCE Doximity Related Links http://www.doximity.com HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynetics is launching Observation Without Limits, or O.W.L., a new commercially focused company to innovate and deliver technology solutions that provide critical infrastructure customers with enriched awareness of threats to the security, safety and efficiency of their critical sites. O.W.L. will be the provider of GroundAware, the signature ground surveillance sensor system first introduced in 2013. "Dynetics has been serving the complex technical needs of the defense, aerospace, and intelligence sectors for more than 40 years," said David King, Dynetics chief executive officer. "Our experience in these areas led directly to the development of commercial products and services for critical infrastructure owner/operators, beginning with GroundAware. Now, we are taking the next logical step in this growing commercial business," King added. O.W.L. will focus exclusively on the specialized needs of critical infrastructure sectors. It will manage and operate its own engineering, sales, marketing, implementation, support and business functions, while leveraging Dynetics' extensive facilities and resources. Alabama Power, a subsidiary of the Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO) that provides reliable and affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state of Alabama, was an early adopter of GroundAware. "We have used GroundAware for more than two years," said Scott Moore, senior vice president of Power Delivery for Alabama Power. "We have found GroundAware to be a superior product that has helped us automate our security systems while enhancing situational awareness, and increasing operational efficiencies. We consider Dynetics a strategic partner and are delighted to see the creation of O.W.L. GroundAware and other O.W.L technology solutions will help us maintain the reliability and grid integrity our customers have come to expect from Alabama Power." O.W.L. plans to begin its operations with ongoing expansion of the GroundAware surveillance sensor product line business in the U.S. and internationally. O.W.L. is also initiating development of new product lines to address other significant needs of customers in key critical infrastructure markets. Mike Stokes, with 20-plus years of engineering and technical leadership and a current member of the Dynetics executive staff, serves as president. About Dynetics Dynetics provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions to the national security, cybersecurity, satellite, launch, automotive and critical infrastructure sectors. Our portfolio features highly specialized technical services and a range of software and hardware products, including components, subsystems and complex end-to-end systems. The company of 1,400 employee/owners is based in Huntsville, Ala., and has offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visit www.dynetics.com. SOURCE Dynetics Related Links http://www.dynetics.com SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Edmunds, the leading car information and shopping platform, today announced that it was named one of the country's Best Workplaces for Millennials by research and consulting firm Great Place to Work and Fortune. The ranking was based on 398,000 surveys that assessed organizations' fairness, teamwork, benefits and other elements essential to an outstanding work culture. Edmunds ranked No. 52 out of 100 companies on the list, and was one of only two organizations recognized as a best workplace for millennials in the Los Angeles metro area. "As one of the founding tech companies of Silicon Beach, Edmunds has led the way in creating an exceptional work culture that caters to employees first," said Edmunds CEO Avi Steinlauf. "This award is a strong tribute to all the people at Edmunds, especially the Employment and Workplace Experience teams, who ensure that we're constantly pushing the envelope and facilitating a fun, rewarding and innovative environment where millennials and all other generations of employees can thrive." While many companies report high turnover among younger workers, an average of 85 percent of millennial front-line employees at the Best Workplaces say they want to work at their organizations for a long time. "Millennials expect more from their employers in areas like fair treatment, clear communication, authentic leadership and opportunities for advancement and rightly so. The Best Workplaces for Millennials are finding that fulfilling all these expectations by building a high-trust culture boosts millennial employees' intent to stay by 20 times," said Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. Edmunds is a Results-Only Work Environment, where employees are given the freedom to set their own hours and take the time off they need as long as they deliver results for the company. Employees based in Santa Monica enjoy working at EdQuarters, the company's award-winning 143,000-square-foot office located two miles from the beach. The facility features amenities such as free breakfasts and lunches, a frozen yogurt bar, a game room, and bright, colorful, open workspaces and informal meeting places that encourage collaboration. The company also offers perks like cash toward vacations, subsidized gym memberships, on-site massages and yoga, robust personal and professional development programs, and internal recognition programs. The Best Workplaces for Millennials is one of a series of accolades by Great Place to Work and Fortune based on employee feedback from Great Place to WorkCertified organizations. Edmunds was also ranked as a Best Workplace in Technology in the small and medium-sized businesses category in 2017, and a Best Workplace for Asian Americans, a Best Workplace for Diversity and a Best Medium Workplace in 2016. About Edmunds Edmunds is the leading car information and shopping platform, helping millions of visitors each month find their perfect car. With products such as Edmunds Your Price, Your Lease and Used+, shoppers can buy smarter with instant, upfront prices for cars and trucks currently for sale at more than 13,000 dealer franchises across the U.S. Edmunds' in-house team of unbiased car-shopping experts provide industry-leading vehicle reviews and shopping tips, as well as welcome all car-shopping questions to the free Shopper Advice line at 1-855-782-4711, via email at [email protected], via text at ED411 and on Twitter and Facebook. The company is regarded as one of America's best workplaces by Fortune and Great Places to Work. Edmunds is based in Santa Monica, California, and has a satellite office in downtown Detroit, Michigan. About the Best Workplaces for Millennials Rankings are based on feedback from over 398,000 employees at Great Place to Work Certified organizations. An anonymous Trust Index survey assessed Millennial employees' experience of their managers' competence, respect and fairness in the workplace, meaningful work and other elements essential for an outstanding workplace. Results were compared to colleagues' responses from other generations. Rankings also take into account the consistency of experience for all Millennials, across various job roles and demographic backgrounds. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For" and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small and Medium Companies, industries and, internationally, countries and regions. Through its culture consulting services, Great Place to Work helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, retention and stock performance. Follow Great Place to Work at www.greatplacetowork.com and on Twitter at @GPTW_US. For more information about Edmunds, contact Talia James: [email protected] or 310-309-6336. SOURCE Edmunds Related Links https://www.edmunds.com This year's annual summit of the G20 heads of state and government is taking place in the north German port city of Hamburg on 7 and 8 July. In addition to the venues at the Hamburg Messe exhibition grounds, Hamburg's new concert hall "Elbphilharmonie" will also play a special role. The Building, Hamburg's new landmark, opened its gates in January. In the context of the summit, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited the heads of state and government as well as the representatives of the participating organisations to a concert on the night of the first day of the summit. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529351/Elbphilharmonie_Building.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529352/Elbphilharmonie_Orchestra.jpg ) Following its spectacular opening in January, the Elbphilharmonie will be once again in the focus of international attention. With the concert house being Germany's new cultural beacon, Chancellor Merkel, a classical music lover, made it a point to invite the G20 participants to an informal gathering at this unique concert hall that is situated right in the port. Guests will include the US President Trump, President Putin from Russia, French President Macron, China's President Xi Jinping, the UK's Prime Minister May, Japan's Prime Minister Abe, the President of the European Commission Juncker and UN Secretary-General Guterres - as well as all other participating political leaders and a number of other invited guests. All of these dignitaries will be attending a concert by the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra under the baton of US conductor Kent Nagano, the orchestra's General Music Director. The concert will be followed by a joint dinner of the political leaders in the Elbphilharmonie's Recital Hall. The music piece to be performed will be Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. The Orchestra, many solists and the Choir of the Hamburg-State-Opera will be inviting their international guests to experience the unique atmosphere and the excellent acoustics of the Grand Hall. As it happens, Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" from the final movement of his Symphony No. 9 was played during the Elbphilharmonie's opening concerts in January 2017. Back in 1985, the European Community adopted the ode as the official Anthem of Europe. The reasoning for that was that the ode celebrates the values they all share and their unity in diversity. Yet not only the concert programme, but also the Elbphilharmonie itself is predestined to contribute to this year's summit - as a modern cultural beacon, as a democratic space and as a "house for everyone". By including the Elbphlharmonie in the programme of the G20 summit, Germany's Federal Government and the City of Hamburg are sending a powerful cultural message. More: http://www.elbphilharmonie.de. Contacts: Hamburg Marketing GmbH Guido Neumann +49-40-300-51-580 [email protected] http://www.mediarelations.hamburg.de SOURCE Hamburg Marketing GmbH NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone, a real estate lending, investment and advisory company, today announced it has provided $22,134,000 in Freddie Mac financing on a 12-property portfolio in Brooklyn, NY. The loans were originated by Anthony Cristi of Greystones New York office. The refinanced properties, which all contain between five and 12 units, all received 5-year fixed rate Freddie Mac Small Balance Loans which include an additional 15-years floating and 1 year of interest-only at 80% LTV. The property owner, Yoel Goldman, received $9.6 million in cash-out proceeds and plans to reinvest capital into each property. The Brooklyn properties included: 165 Central Avenue 1358 Dekalb Avenue 145 Driggs Avenue 136 Kingsland Avenue 146 Skillman Street 161 Troutman Street 191 Troutman Street 163 Troutman Street 54 Lewis Avenue 11 Gunther Place 1136 Willoughby Avenue 189 Menahan Street Freddie Macs Small Balance Loan platform allows for maximum proceeds, so owners are able to either re-invest in their portfolio or continue to grow their holdings with additional acquisitions, said Mr. Cristi. Greystones execution of this financing included an incredible team effort from Adam Reiss and Hope Curtis, as well as our phenomenal underwriting team and closing specialists. Maneuvering an expedited closing for 12 properties was no small feat, and we are proud to have gotten the job done for Mr. Goldman, he added. Im thrilled with the overall outcome, timing, and proceeds for this refinance, and look forward to working with Greystone again on future transactions, said Mr. Goldman. From the moment our Northeast team took the portfolio under application, we worked incredibly hard with Greystone to execute this deal. Led by senior producer Lamar Myers and underwriting director Ben Schweitzer in the Northeast region, our diligent efforts have ensured this refinance could become a reality, said Annie Gong, Freddie Mac Multifamilys production manager for the Eastern Region. This deal is an excellent example of the superior executionand certaintyour Small Balance Loan Program can deliver. We work closely with our sellers to find solutions for more complicated transactions, and to ensure our underwriting matches the nuances and strengths that make each property unique. About Greystone Greystone is a real estate lending, investment and advisory company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA and Affordable Fannie Mae lender in these sectors. Our range of services includes commercial lending across a variety of platforms such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CMBS, FHA, USDA, bridge and proprietary loan products. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Corporation, Inc., Greystone Funding Corporation and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greyco.com. ROCKVILLE, Md., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Emmes Corporation today announced that it has expanded its operations in greater Washington to include a new office in Frederick, Maryland. The company now has five offices: two in Maryland, one in Canada and two in India. "Opening a new office during our 40th anniversary year is especially gratifying," said Dr. Anne Lindblad, president and chief executive officer of Emmes. "Our reputation in clinical research attracts great people, and that's a key reason for our expansion." The company's decision to open an office in Frederick incorporated feedback from some employees on the length of their commute to the Rockville headquarters. Instead of expanding office space in Rockville, the company decided to seek additional space in Frederick and offered its Rockville staff the opportunity to choose where to work. "Offering employees the choice of office location supports our priority on nurturing a family-friendly culture," added Lindblad. She explained that company managers were proactive in communicating about the opportunity to work at either location. The company also hosted an open house for staff and their families during Frederick office construction, and it invited a variety of local Frederick vendors, including daycare providers, to discuss their services. "We're delighted that Emmes discovered that Frederick is a great American business destination," said Richard Griffin, Frederick's director of economic development. "Less than an hour from Washington, we fall within the third largest biosciences cluster in the United States." He added, "We were ranked the second smartest city by Forbes.com, and we're thrilled to welcome a company like Emmes, with its roots in biostatistics and focus on scientific research, to our home." Emmes reported record revenues in 2016, and it now employs 570 Washington area employees, up from 522 a year ago. It was ranked as the area's fifth largest bioscience employer by the Washington Business Journal in May 2017. Last year, the company was included in the publication's largest private company list and top women-owned business list for the first time. About Emmes' Frederick Office Location: 5280 Corporate Drive, Frederick, Maryland 21703 Emmes employees working part-time or full-time in the Frederick office: 51 Emmes employees who relocated from the Rockville office: 42 Number of current Emmes Frederick job openings: 28 Emmes recruiting contact: Jennifer Hester, Vice President - Human Resources, [email protected] About Emmes We collaborate with our clients to produce valued, trusted scientific research. Our team members at Emmes are passionate about making a difference in the quality of human health, and we have supported more than a thousand studies across a diverse range of diseases since our formation in 1977. Our research is contributing to a healthier world. For more information, visit www.emmes.com. SOURCE The Emmes Corporation Related Links www.emmes.com DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ensono, a leading hybrid IT services provider, acquired Inframon, a UK-based cloud transformation company. Inframon is well-known for its expertise in transitioning large Microsoft-centric organizations to cloud technologies. This acquisition extends Ensono's reach to support its clients in North America and Europe, and strengthens its Microsoft Azure service offering to meet the demands of its growing global client base. Inframon was founded in 2005 and has grown significantly over the last 10 years, expanding its services to become a single provider of Managed Cloud and Managed Device solutions, under which Inframon manages all aspects from hardware support to user devices. The company, an established and recognized player in the Azure space, has extensive experience in developing comprehensive technology strategies that are designed to help clients meet their business needs. Inframon's clients operates across multiple industries, including education, healthcare, finance and business services. "I'm thrilled to have the Inframon team join our Ensono family," said Jeff VonDeylen, CEO of Ensono. "This investment further strengthens our managed cloud offerings. By coupling Ensono's expertise in managing mission-critical operations and Inframon's extensive knowledge and leadership in Azure managed service offerings, we continue to position ourselves as the best partner to help our clients optimize their IT infrastructures." Inframon will be referred to as Inframon, an Ensono company. The Ensono organizational structure and executive leadership team will remain in place. Inframon's Sean Roberts will assume the role of General Manager, Microsoft Cloud Services, and Gordon McKenna will become CTO, Microsoft Cloud Services, reporting into Brian Klingbeil, Ensono's Chief Operating Officer. "Ensono has quickly become a leader in the Hybrid Cloud space," said Inframon general manager Sean Roberts. "With Ensono, we saw an opportunity to become part of an organization that truly believes in delivering solutions that meet the individual business needs of its clients something we've always believed in. We are excited to join the Ensono family and look forward to delivering great service to current and future Ensono clients." Ensono delivers hybrid IT services from cloud to mainframe - specializing in helping mid to large enterprises operate for today and optimize for tomorrow. The addition of Inframon gives Ensono comprehensive experience and knowledge across AWS and Azure cloud platforms. About Ensono For business leaders managing lots of complexity or disrupting the status quo, Ensono delivers complete Hybrid IT services and governance, from cloud to mainframe, tailored to each client's journey. Whether you're leveraging the power of the cloud or modernizing legacy technologies, you'll be on track to operate for today and optimize for tomorrow. Some of the world's most successful companies rely on us to help them be great at what they do. We've been named a Top 15 Sourcing Service Provider by ISG, as well as acknowledged by the Uptime Institute for 100% availability. Ensono has over 1,000 associates across North America and Europe and is ranked 21st in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For. Our offices are headquartered in greater Chicago. Visit us at www.ensono.com. About Inframon, an Ensono Company Inframon is a specialist cloud service provider that helps businesses transform their IT from legacy to cloud computing models. As an organization that was born before the cloud, we design, build and support hybrid cloud solutions that span from end user mobility to cloud-enabled services. We've been recognized as a Microsoft 2017 Global Partner of the Year and write the Official Microsoft Curriculum courses on Hybrid Cloud, AzureStack and Operations Management Suite. Visit us at www.inframon.com. Media Contact: Beth Burghgraef 312-648-6017 [email protected] SOURCE Ensono Related Links http://www.ensono.com LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- KEY FINDINGS Europe alcoholic ready-to-drink (RTDs)/high strength premixes market is expected to grow at 0.25% CAGR during the forecast period 2017-2025 The market value is anticipated to increase from $5061.3 million in 2016 to $5148.6 million by 2025. Modernization and urbanization, a rise in the financial status of the population and the subsequent change in their lifestyle coupled with changing habits of alcoholic drinks consumption are encouraging the market growth. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4965015/ MARKET INSIGHTS The market is also segmented on the basis of four major product types: Spirit-based RTDs, Wine-based RTDs, High-Strength Premixes and Malt-based RTDs. Wine-based RTDs and Spirit-based RTDs are considerably more popular than the other types and are expecting a higher demand from the market in the coming years. Market segmentation by distribution channel can be classified into Store-based retailing and online retailing. Store-based retailing include liquor specialist stores, supermarkets & hypermarkets, duty-free stores, and other stores which include convenience stores, local independent sellers or retailers, and service stations. Although the market looks promising for the forecasted years, there is a chance that it might face certain restraints due to factors like awareness regarding harmful effects that can be caused by consumption of alcoholic drinks, heavy taxation and duties by some governments, and the religious/cultural beliefs in several countries. COMPETITIVE INSIGHTS Some well-established companies that are leading the market scene are Mark Anthony Brands International, Busch InBev, Halewood International Limited, Radico Khaita, Anheuser- Distell group Limited, Boston Beer Company, Bacardi Limited, Brown-Forman Suntory Spirits Limited and Diageo Inc. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4965015/ About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers http://www.reportbuyer.com For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 208 816 85 48 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe's first digital insurance broker, Knip, and Netherlands-based comparison-software provider Komparu, have completed a merger which will see new parent company, the Digital Insurance Group, become a leading European digital insurance platform. This pan-European partnership brings together two Insurtech innovators with highly complementary digital insurance platforms. Knip launched in 2014 as Europe's first truly-digital insurance broker, harnessing technology and data analytics to rollout supervised robo-advice to the consumer insurance market. Its pioneering service allows customers to monitor and manage all of their insurance policies, from over 100 providers, in one app, using machine learning to identify gaps and provide on-demand products that meet consumers' individual insurance needs. Knip currently captures a large share of the mobile-first insurance brokerage market in both Germany and Switzerland and post-merger its platform will be serving a third of the nearly 1.1 trillion euro European insurance market. Komparu launched in 2013, and has quickly become a market leader, providing SaaS technology solutions for insurance companies, brokers and publishers, with partners including UMG group, Sanoma, Awin and Achmea. Komparu's proprietary comparison platform became profitable in Q4 2016 after experiencing 400% growth over the previous twelve months. The Knip partnership will allow this Insurtech innovator to deliver an end-to-end solution for partners while broadening the group's geographic reach. Dennis Just will step down as CEO of Knip, while Ingo Weber becomes the new Group CEO of the Digital Insurance Group. Ingo brings a strong insurance, technology and business building track record most recently serving as Managing Director at Verivox (a market-leading German comparison platform) as well as senior management posts at Swiss Re and GE Insurance. Komparu's Roeland Werring will become Group CTO and Ruben Troostwijk remains CEO of Komparu, focusing on B2B business opportunities as well as launching Knip in the Netherlands. The combined team will have 70 employees with world-class insurance, technology and business development expertise. The transaction has been supported with funding from existing investors Orange Growth Capital, Route 66 Ventures, Red Alpine and QED. Commenting on the merger, Ingo Weber, Group CEO of The Digital Insurance Group said: "This merger is an exciting step that will bring together two transformative InsurTech brands to create a major force in Europe's insurance sector. It represents a significant milestone for this rapidly growing sector, which is using disruptive technologies to deliver innovation to a multi-trillion dollar insurance industry." "By creating The Digital Insurance Group, we have created a platform that will accelerate the growth of both Komparu and Knip, the first-to-market digital insurance broker in Europe. Knip creates mobile-first products that give people confidence that they have the right cover, at the right time, from the most suitable provider, cutting through all the complexity in the insurance market to give people the peace of mind they are ultimately paying for. Ruben Troostwijk, CEO of Komparu, added: "Both our organisations share a strategic vision of the opportunity in the marketplace, and will together be able to share expertise and geographic footprints to create bigger and better innovations. Partnerships are a powerful way for InsurTech brands to increase market share in a competitive marketplace, and by working together, with established companies as well as emergent ones, we hope to create a sector that truly works for the consumer good." Roeland Werring, Group CTO of The Digital Insurance group: "The consumer-facing apps and CRM of Knip on the one side, and Komparu's transactional frameworks and B2B white-labelling tools on the other, complement one another perfectly. This partnership promises immense possibilities for innovation and supports the transformation of the insurance industry." More information can be found at http://www.knip.ch and http://www.komparu.com. Notes to Editor For further information, please contact: Nick Albrow / Jack Crone at Teamspirit for The Digital Insurance Group: [email protected] , +44(0)20-7360-7878 (UK number) SOURCE The Digital Insurance Group Accompanied by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Cllr Sharon Peetz, the Mayor is embarking on an investment promotion campaign to the United States in order to showcase Johannesburg as the leading business destination and driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa. The delegation will visited New York and Washington between 10 and 18 June, where after the Mayor then departed to Montreal to participate in the XII Metropolis World Congress. While the South African economy faces a number of challenges, Johannesburg, as the economic hub of Africa hosting 29 Fortune 500 companies, represents a wealth of opportunity for the international investment community. Showcasing what Johannesburg has to offer in this regard is the key purpose of the tour. In addition to investment promotion, the delegation also learned about City Development Best Practice through meetings with various agencies such as the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Harlem Community Development Corporation and Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. The Executive Mayor also conducted a business meeting with Mr Mike Bloomberg, former mayor of New York on key areas of mutual interest. The trip has highlighted a number of similarities between New York and Johannesburg in terms of the challenges faced in building a safe, socially cohesive and economically vibrant city. The lessons that were learnt by Johannesburg from cities such as New York and Washington are key to achieving Mayor Mashaba's goal of 5% economic growth, which reduces unemployment, by 2021. This is vital to ensure that the City of Johannesburg reaches its full potential as a true economic power house capable of bringing its residents out of poverty and building a more inclusive society. SOURCE Brand South Africa US Related Links http://www.brandsouthafrica.com BALTIMORE, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EY is pleased to announce the winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in the Maryland region. This group of leading entrepreneurs were selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The winners were unveiled at a special gala on June 28, 2017 at the Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland. "EY has been recognizing leading entrepreneurs for over three decades," said Debra von Storch, EY Americas Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director. "The class of winners in 2017 represent new ways of thinking, disruptive business models and overall dynamism that make this country a great place to do business." The winners for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Maryland Award include: Greenspring Associates, Ashton Newhall , Owings Mills, MD Howard Bank, Mary Ann Scully, Ellicott City, MD IntelliGenesis LLC, Angie Lienert, Columbia, MD PANDORA Jewelry, Scott Burger, Baltimore, MD Union Craft Brewing, Adam Benesch, Baltimore, MD Visual Connections LLC, Frederick Deese, Windsor Mill, MD WaveStrike, LLC, Anne Wagner and Mike Wagner, Annapolis Junction, MD Since its founding in 1986, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world. Regional award winners are now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall National Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 18, 2017. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth ForumTM, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monaco in June 2018. Sponsors Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, Merrill Corporation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In the Maryland region, platinum sponsors include DLA Piper and PNC Bank. Maryland gold sponsors include the Baltimore Business Journal, Cushman & Wakefield, KELLY Benefit Strategies and Randstad Professionals. Company Boilerplate About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year, founded by EY, is the world's most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in over 145 cities in more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy About EY's Growth Markets Network EY's worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/sgm or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth. About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member of the global EY organization that provides services to clients in the US. For more information, please visit ey.com. SOURCE EY Related Links http://www.ey.com CHICAGO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, is announcing a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that will help men and women who have served this country. The goal of the new Veterans Pantry Pilot (VPP) program is to provide food assistance to veterans onsite at VA Medical Centers. The harsh reality is that many men and women who have served our nation now face hunger. In fact, 20 percent of the households supported by Feeding America have a member who is a veteran or has served in the U.S. military. "It is disheartening to know that one in five households that come to us for help has a member who has served our country," said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. "Military families face unique challenges, but we must ensure that putting food on the table is not one of them. Together with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, we are honored to launch the Veterans Pantry Pilot and look forward to adding more sites throughout the country." The Feeding America network of 200 food banks provides food assistance to every county in the U.S. Through VPP, local food banks will partner with VA Medical Centers to establish onsite pantries, if space allows, or coordinate mobile pantry distributions. Feeding America has been coordinating with the VA since 2016 to develop and advance the VPP. To formalize these collaborative efforts and cultivate future partnership opportunities, a national-level Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was executed in January 2017 between Feeding America and VA. To build capacity and ensure success of the VPP program, Feeding America and the VA host joint meetings with all VPP participants to support local partnerships and gather key learnings. Additionally, individualized technical assistance has been provided for VPP sites, upon request. VPP was modeled after the success of the Greater Chicago Food Depository pantries at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital. "In every community across our nation, there are veterans who face the injustice of hunger," said Kate Maehr, Executive Director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "Since 2013, the Food Depository has been proud to reach thousands of veterans in need, thanks to amazing partnerships with the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital. We are hopeful to see similar programs grow across the United States, so every veteran has the food they need for health and opportunity." Currently, ten VPP sites are active, with additional pantries going live by the end of the year. The active VPP sites are: "Mountaineer Food Bank is honored to partner with the VA Medical Centers to be able to serve the food needs of veterans of West Virginia," said Chad Morrison, Executive Director of Mountaineer Food Bank. "Our veterans have served their country well and are a great source of pride to all West Virginians. It is our responsibility to ensure that all veterans have sufficient access to food that meets their nutritional needs. Our partnership with the VA Medical Center has been remarkably smooth and effective. We are excited to continue and expand this partnership into new levels throughout West Virginia." Since the start of the pilot, more than 3,000 veteran households and 5,700 individuals have been served through the VPP. VPP sites have distributed more than 151,453 pounds of food. Several of the sites include SNAP Application Assistance programs and other wraparound service provisions and/or referrals. About Feeding America Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Unites States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. About U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs runs programs benefiting veterans and members of their families. It offers education opportunities and rehabilitation services and provides compensation payments for disabilities or death, related to military service, home loan guaranties, pensions, burials, and health care, which includes the services of nursing homes, clinics and medical centers. Contact Zuani Villarreal Feeding America 312.641.6532 SOURCE Feeding America Related Links http://www.feedingamerica.org RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Cosmetic Surgery in Rancho Cucamonga has announced that Dr. Whitney Florin has joined the practice full-time and will provide a full range of cosmetic facial, breast and body contouring procedures. Dr. Florin comments on her new position: "I am honored and delighted to officially join the surgical team at Inland Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Haiavy and Dr. Tower are two of the top cosmetic surgeons in southern California and have set exceptionally high standards for staff qualification, facility safety, technology, and patient outcomes. I look forward to providing outstanding care and service to our patients." Columbia-trained general & maxillofacial surgeon, fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon Dr. Florin completed her undergraduate training at Duke University and earned both Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees from Columbia University in New York. She remained at Columbia for six additional years of residency training in general surgery and maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Florin was selected as the 2016-17 Cosmetic Surgery Fellow at Inland Cosmetic Surgery, a competitive 12-month position that is extended to only one applicant per year and provides extensive training and experience in all aspects of cosmetic surgery. Surgeons who wish to apply for candidacy in the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery must successfully complete such a fellowship, making the position highly sought after on a national level. "Given Dr. Florin's high calibre of training and proven ability to achieve superb outcomes for her patients, we were pleased to welcome her to Inland Cosmetic Surgery as a Cosmetic Surgery Fellow," states Dr. Jacob Haiavy, Medical Director of Inland Cosmetic Surgery and president of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. "Over the past year, she has managed to exceed even our highest expectations. Dr. Tower and I have been so impressed by her excellent work and passion for achieving successful outcomes that we invited her to remain permanently--and her patients are thrilled that she is staying on board." Dr. Florin's offers cosmetic facial, breast and body contouring from a female perspective Although a growing number of men are choosing to undergo cosmetic enhancements, close to 90% of cosmetic patients are women, and many say they would prefer a female surgeon to perform their procedure. Dr. Florin's appointment as the second female cosmetic surgeon to join the Rancho Cucamonga practice allows Inland Cosmetic Surgery to serve more patients who desire a woman's perspective in addition to a highly credentialed, skilled surgeon. Dr. Florin's cosmetic surgery specialties include: Breast augmentation, lift and reduction Body contouring, liposuction, and fat transfer procedures Facial plastic surgery (facelift, neck lift, eyelid lift, etc.) Non-surgical chin augmentation, rhinoplasty, and facial contouring with fillers. Dr. Florin is currently accepting new patients at Inland Cosmetic Surgery. Those wishing to schedule a consultation with Dr. Florin should contact the practice at 909-987-0899 or visit inlandcosmetic.com. About Inland Cosmetic Surgery: Inland Cosmetic Surgery offers comprehensive cosmetic surgery and aesthetic services to patients in Rancho Cucamonga and surrounding areas in Southern California. As Medical Director of Inland Cosmetic Surgery and president of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Haiavy has performed well over 10,000 cosmetic surgery procedures and is known for his caring treatment and beautiful results. You can find more information about Inland Cosmetic Surgery at www.inlandcosmetic.com. Media Contact: Dr. Jacob Haiavy, (909) 939-6626 SOURCE Inland Cosmetic Surgery NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Covenant Review and Fulcrum Financial Data ("FFD") are pleased to announce that Manish Aggarwal has joined as Head of New Product Development. Covenant Review is known globally as The Authority on Bond and Loan Covenants. It began publishing research in 2006. Manish Aggarwal in 2005 co-founded Xtract Research, a covenant analysis platform, that was sold to MergerMarket in 2010, where he continued to work until the end of 2013. Covenant Review Founder Adam Cohen praised Manish's knowledge of the space: "I always admired Manish's creative abilities as we competed against each other to create an entirely new category of covenant research. We fought to build businesses that would illuminate for investors the realities of their bond and loan contract rights. We are thrilled to have such an entrepreneur creating new products for fixed income professionals." Mr. Aggarwal said that he is "excited to be working with the Covenant Review team and build upon their leading covenant platform to offer additional value-added offerings to the fixed income market." Fulcrum Financial Data is the combination of four entrepreneurial companies that are leading providers of research, news, and data analytics in the credit information space. FFD is headed by Steve Miller, the founder and former CEO of Leveraged Commentary and Data ("LCD"), a subsidiary of S&P Global. Mr. Miller said, "FFD is an outstanding collection of four businesses still being run by the entrepreneurs that created them. Manish goes right to our DNA of continuing to innovate for the markets." The four FFD businesses are: Covenant Review , (covenantreview.com), which provides bond indenture and loan agreement analysis on a subscription basis. Covenant Review is led by its founder, Adam Cohen, who first developed subscription research covenant products and is regarded as the preeminent thought leader in covenant analysis; , (covenantreview.com), which provides bond indenture and loan agreement analysis on a subscription basis. Covenant Review is led by its founder, Adam Cohen, who first developed subscription research covenant products and is regarded as the preeminent thought leader in covenant analysis; CapitalStructure , (capitalstructure.com), which is a leading source of timely, accurate news, analysis and data on the sub-investment grade debt markets. CapitalStructure is led by its founder, Minaxi Kesra; , (capitalstructure.com), which is a leading source of timely, accurate news, analysis and data on the sub-investment grade debt markets. CapitalStructure is led by its founder, Minaxi Kesra; LevFin Insights , (LevFinInsights.com), a subscription information service providing coverage of leveraged loan and high-yield bond markets. LevFin Insights was founded by the core former senior managers of Leveraged Commentary and Data: Marc Auerbach, Christopher Donnelly, Matthew Fuller, Kerry Kantin, and Robert Polenberg; and , (LevFinInsights.com), a subscription information service providing coverage of leveraged loan and high-yield bond markets. LevFin Insights was founded by the core former senior managers of Leveraged Commentary and Data: Marc Auerbach, Christopher Donnelly, Matthew Fuller, Kerry Kantin, and Robert Polenberg; and PacerMonitor, (pacermonitor.com), is a unified, modern and full-featured platform for researching and tracking federal bankruptcy, district, and appellate court cases. PacerMonitor is headed by its founder Joe Rosen, who is a restructuring specialist. Fulcrum was assembled by Leeds Equity Partners, LLC acquiring leading providers in their space and retaining the founders to continue to drive those businesses. The creation of Fulcrum began with the acquisition of Covenant Review in 2014, which was followed by acquisitions of CapitalStructure and PacerMonitor in 2015. Subsequently, in April 2016, Steve Miller joined to spearhead the holding company with his experience both as an entrepreneur and as an operator of a larger organization in the credit markets. In September, Shasha Dai, formerly Special Writer of The Wall Street Journal, joined Fulcrum as the New York Bureau Chief of CapitalStructure. For additional information on Fulcrum Financial Data and its businesses, see: fulcrumfinancialdata.com About Leeds Equity Partners Leeds Equity Partners, LLC, is a New York-based private equity firm focused exclusively on investing in the education, training and information services industries (the "Knowledge Industries"). The firm was founded by Jeffrey T. Leeds and Robert A. Bernstein in 1993 and has raised and managed more than $1.5 billion of capital across six funds. For additional information on Leeds Equity Partners, see leedsequity.com SOURCE Covenant Review Related Links http://covenantreview.com OCALA, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) announced today that the new Florida Crossroads Commerce Park has been successfully reviewed by J.M. Mullis, Inc. The Florida Crossroads Commerce Park is a 900+/- acre parcel located in southern Marion County near the interchange of I-75 and SW County Road 484, a four-lane connector. The site was reviewed under J.M. Mullis, Inc.'s new Advanced Site Analysis and Planning (A.S.A.P.) program and represents the first site to successfully complete their extensive process. Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership "J.M. Mullis is confident that this planned major industrial park development will be highly successful. The quality of the physical property, access to a very viable and dependable workforce, a strong utility network, and a pro-business County are significant factors that will contribute to the success of the development," said J. Michael (Mike) Mullis, President & CEO of J.M. Mullis, Inc. The site review process was a partnership between J.M. Mullis, Inc., the McGinley family (the property owners), SECO Energy, Marion County Board of County Commissioners, and the CEP. SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, "As the third largest not-for-profit electric co-op in Florida, SECO Energy looks forward to expanding its existing substation off 484 to serve the large-load commercial and industrial customers that will occupy the property in the coming years. This robust economic growth will create jobs, increase the tax base and develop the area for future generations. SECO is proud to serve as the energy provider for such an important project." The ASAP Program is intended to evaluate community properties for potential development opportunities. This multi-faceted, hands-on approach assesses the merits of the physical site, the contributing infrastructure, the surrounding community and the jurisdictional authority. The Program focuses on those tangible components of a successful development in an effort to prepare the community and the site for future growth opportunities. The results of this Program will define the "path forward"; plotting the actions needed to successfully prepare the subject site for future development opportunities. "It is our strong belief that the Florida Crossroads Commerce Park will be the premier industrial location in the state of Florida," said Ken Ausley, CEP Chairman of the Board. "There is not another site that offers such a strong combination of location, infrastructure, workforce, and community partnership. We greatly appreciate the professionalism of the entire J.M. Mullis team. It has been a great experience for us." The Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership was created to be a one-stop hub for the community's business attraction, creation and retention efforts. The CEP's mission is to be THE catalyst for a prosperous community. The Moving Forward-Phase II plan seeks to impact the creation of 4500 new jobs with wages 15 percent above the county average and resulting in a capital investment of $400 million by 2022. For more information, visit: www.OcalaCEP.com Contact Kevin T. Sheilley, [email protected], 352.629.8051. Related Links Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership J.M. Mullis, Inc. SOURCE Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership Related Links http://www.OcalaCEP.com SAN DIEGO, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ABILITY Network, a leading information technology company, today announced the addition of Physician Scheduling to its ShiftHound suite of cloud-based workforce management products. The new application provides an interface and workflow designed specifically to simplify and optimize the unique challenges associated with scheduling physicians. Physician scheduling is complicated, time-consuming and onerous for most organizations. Requirements of individual physician contracts coupled with changing staffing needs to ensure quality of care create layers of complexity. Providers end up managing this task through time-consuming manual processes such as spreadsheets, or are forced to turn to high-cost technology applications, which may be out of reach for most providers. Physician scheduling is uniquely complex, yet it is so critical to ensure quality of care and to support physician engagement, said Ian Chaplin, VP of Workforce Management at ABILITY Network. Providing a comprehensive, flexible, mobile, and affordable physician scheduling application builds on our proven clinical scheduling application and helps further simplify complexity for our customers. The ShiftHound Physician Scheduling application provides an intuitive user experience atop an intricate set of rules that makes physician scheduling simple. In doing so, the application: Eliminates the difficult task of tracking different types of commitments with varying associated timeframes such as number of shifts, on-call shifts, weekends, weekdays, PTO days, etc.; Allows unlimited physician-specific commitments and preferences to be stored within the system and enables draft schedules to be instantly auto-generated from a sophisticated library of commitment and preference rules; Enables schedulers to review draft schedules, make edits, approve or generate new drafts; Provides physicians with access to their schedules from mobile apps; and Provides users with a home screen where they can view their schedule, track progress toward their individual commitments, access open shifts that qualify for helping them reach their commitments, designate availability and availability preferences, and sync their schedules to their own personal calendar. When used together with ShiftHound Scheduler for staff scheduling, Physician Scheduler helps organizations gain an unprecedented ability to integrate, view, track and report on all aspects of scheduling from one source. Physician Scheduler can be used as a stand-alone product as well. Using ShiftHound Physician Scheduler, managers and staff gain back valuable time to do what they do best provide quality care, said Christian Willi, VP, Engineering for ABILITY Workforce Management applications. Our simple-to-use interface, quick implementation time, and proven ability to deliver immediate ROI through cost savings, increased efficiencies, and better quality of life for employees, make this another valuable addition to the ShiftHound suite of workforce management solutions. For more information, please visit the ShiftHound Website or Request a Free Demo of ShiftHound. About ABILITY Network ABILITY Network is a leading information technology company helping providers and payers simplify the administrative and clinical complexities of healthcare through innovative applications and data analytics. ABILITY is headquartered in Minneapolis with principal offices in Boston and Tampa. ShiftHound, which was acquired by ABILITY Network in April 2017, is the leader in cloud-based Workforce Management solutions, including Attendance, Credentials Tracking, Staff Scheduling and Open Shift Management. Organizations in any business vertical with shift-based staffing needs use ShiftHound to improve scheduling effectiveness and operational efficiency while maximizing workforce utilization, assuring compliance with policies and/or labor contracts, addressing open shifts and better managing labor costs such as overtime and contract labor utilization. BETHESDA, Md., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ROSS Management Services, a leader in multifamily property management in the Mid-Atlantic region, today announced that ApartmentRatings.com has named 14 ROSS communities as Top Rated in 2016 for outstanding resident satisfaction scores. In order to qualify for the awards, the communities had to receive a recommend score of 70 percent or higher and be in the top 5 percent of communities listed on ApartmentRatings.com. ROSS's top scoring community was Spring Parc Apartments, which achieved a recommend score of 96 percent. Next was Overlook Apartments, which earned a score of 92 percent. "At ROSS, delivering a best-in-class customer experience for our residents is our number one priority," said David J. Miskovich, CEO of ROSS Management Services. "That focus informs everything we do at our communities. We make sure our residents are equipped with modern technology to easily communicate with our staff, pay rent and submit maintenance requests. And we truly listen to our residents and give them regular opportunities to provide direct and unvarnished feedback. When they highlight an issue or concern, we respond swiftly and regard it as an opportunity to grow and improve." ROSS Management Services' ApartmentRatings.com Top Rated communities with their recommend scores are: Spring Parc Apartments (Silver Spring, Md.): 96 percent Overlook Apartments (Hyattsville, Md.): 92 percent Coliseum Lofts (Richmond, Va.): 89 percent Charlestowne North (Greenbelt, Md.): 85 percent Cole Spring Plaza (Silver Springs, Md.): 84 percent Colvin Woods Apartments (Reston, Va.): 82 percent Seven Springs Apartments (College Park, Md.): 82 percent Park Vue of Alexandria (Alexandria, Va.): 78 percent The Heritage at Old Town (Alexandria, Va.): 77 percent EOS-21 Apartments (Alexandria, Va.): 76 percent Crestleigh Apartments (Laurel, Md.): 75 percent Seasons at Bel Air (Bel Air, Md.): 72 percent Enclave Silver Spring (Silver Spring, Md.): 71 percent Towson Woods Apartments (Towson, Md.): 70 percent Eight of the communities Spring Parc, Charlestowne North, Cole Spring Plaza, Colvin Woods, Seven Springs, Park Vue, EOS-21 and Crestleigh have now won the award four years in a row, while Overlook has received the honor for three consecutive years. The Heritage at Old Town also won the award for 2013 and 2014. "Online reviews play an essential role in helping us evaluate our customer service, and we're extremely pleased to have so many communities receive this prestigious recognition from ApartmentRatings," Miskovich says. "We are dedicated to growing that number in years to come by continuing to listen to what our residents say on ApartmentRatings and other review sites and using that feedback to improve residents' living experience at our communities." One reviewer of Spring Parc Apartments noted the dedication ROSS' onsite team has for its community, stating that, "Management and staff have always adopted the best practices to serve residents." In order to be deemed a Top Rated property, the apartment communities needed to also have at least 10 total reviews, and five in 2016. About ROSS Companies ROSS Companies, founded in 1983 in Bethesda, Md., is a recognized leader in multifamily acquisitions and investment, development, property management and renovation. With a managed portfolio of more than 11,000 apartment homes in 37 communities, the privately held company is one of the most active multifamily real estate firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. ROSS Companies is comprised of three affiliates ROSS Development & Investment, ROSS Management Services and ROSS Renovation & Construction. In 2016, ROSS Development & Investment is celebrating its 33rd anniversary and ROSS Management Services is celebrating 28 years in business. In April, ROSS Management Services was honored for the third straight year with a National Resident Satisfaction Award from SatisFacts. In 2016, 12 ROSS-managed apartment communities were awarded the Apartment Ratings' 2015 Top Rated Award, reflecting ROSS Companies' unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. These annual awards recognize communities with outstanding resident satisfaction ratings as measured on ApartmentRatings.com. For more information about ROSS Companies, visit TheRossCompanies.com. Media Contact: Lindsey Bernhardt LinnellTaylor Marketing [email protected] 303.682.3941 SOURCE ROSS Management Services Related Links http://TheRossCompanies.com "The mission of our Best Practice Awards is to identify true innovators, disruptors and leaders, people that demonstrate unique excellence in fields such as Product Innovation, Business Strategy, Customer Value, and more," said Jeff Frigstad, Global Sr. Vice President, Best Practices at Frost & Sullivan. "Best practice companies lead the way and set the example for others." The Best Practices Awards are presented to companies that are predicted to encourage significant growth in their industries, have identified emerging trends before they became the standard in the marketplace, and have created advanced technologies that will catalyze and transform industries in the near future. Awarded companies included: BestMile - 2016 European Fleet Management Software New Product Innovation Award Greenlots - 2017 North American Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Product Leadership Award High Mobility - 2017 European Software Development Solution for the Automotive Industry Enabling Technology Leadership Award Himoinsa - 2016 European Generator Set Growth Excellence Leadership Award Hi-Spec Systems Ltd. - 2017 European Ultrasonic Phased Array Non Destructive Testing (NDT) New Product Innovation Award Inova Semiconductors GmbH - 2017 European Automotive Ambient Lighting LED Controller IC Customer Value Leadership Award Karamba Security - 2017 North American Autonomous Security for Automotive New Product Innovation Award Knorr-Bremse TruckServices - 2017 European Commercial Vehicle Parts and Service Aftermarket Customer Value Leadership Award Kreisel Electric - 2017 European Electric Vehicle Technology Leadership Award Lectra - 2017 Global Automotive Leather Cutting Solutions Product Leadership Award Magento Commerce - 2017 Global eCommerce Platforms Product Line Strategy Leadership Award PTV Group - 2017 European Routing and Planning Customer Value Leadership Award Volkswagen Truck & Bus AG - 2017 European Intelligent Logistics Platform New Product Innovation Award Victron Energy B.V. - 2017 European Battery Management Systems Product Leadership Award Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices. For further information about the Awards Banquet, please contact a member of the Best Practices Team. About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Andrea Steinman P: 210.477.8425 F: 210.348.1003 E: [email protected] SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Related Links http://www.frost.com HEIDELBERG, Germany, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to recent political events in the U.K. and the U.S., Germany has become more attractive to international students. "Both the Brexit and the presidential election of Trump originated in stricter immigration controls," says Tanja Ward, Director of Schiller International University Heidelberg. "Our business school, where only 5-8 percent of the current MBA class is German-born, is currently recording a growing number of international applicants." Mrs. Ward acknowledges that Germany insists on students owning residence cards at an extra cost, but it offers visa-free entry not only to students arriving from the EU but also to applicants from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Morocco, South Korea and Japan. This is clearly an advantage German business schools have compared to the U.K. and the U.S. Graduation at Schiller International University Heidelberg, Germany Apart from the low entry barriers, tuition costs are another advantage to business education in Germany. The 21.000 fee for Schiller International University Heidelberg's one-year MBA programme is low compared with business schools in the U.K. which charge around 60-80.000. Besides, Schiller International University offers students the unique opportunity to transfer between four international campuses and earn a double degree in Europe and the U.S. Germany was known to underperform in business education until now However, charging students for degrees has been questioned by Germany's publicly funded universities for a long time. And Germany has less highly ranked MBA institutions compared to the U.K. and France, Spain, Singapore and Australia, Schiller International University being among them. "The German higher education, historically focusing on the diploma, is part of the reason for this," says Ward. The diploma took longer to complete than degrees in other countries but was seen as equivalent to a postgraduate qualification, like the MBA, in Germany. An expensive business education offered few advantages for those seeking promotion. But with the German education system radically changing, Germany is beginning to find its way and MBA recruiters are taking notice. "The future looks brighter," says Ward. Applications at Schiller International University Heidelberg for the full-time MBA programme rose remarkably in the first quarter of this year compared to the last semester of 2016. And the fact that Germany has recently been attracting more international students looking to enter high-paying business sectors means that it will begin to compete with U.K. and U.S. business schools. SOURCE Schiller International University "We have always believed in the importance of helping families in need," said Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods. "Since my grandfather started Goya in 1936, we have worked hard to demonstrate the values we hold true to the foundation of Goya Foods and what better way to give back to our country than with the nourishment of a healthy meal." The 'Can Do' campaign is Goya's way to give back to the community and provide consumers with the opportunity to be a part of Goya and Feeding America's fight to end hunger in the United States. Each donation will be made in the name of Goya's retail partners throughout the country, which will also give supermarkets the opportunity to be part of this new initiative. The 'Can Do' campaign is part of Goya Gives, a national initiative committed to supporting local communities through social and environmental causes. "Feeding America is excited to partner with Goya Foods," said Karen Hanner, Managing Director of Manufacturing Partnerships at Feeding America. "With 42 million people in the U.S. facing hunger, we welcome new partners to the table to help us provide more food to people in need." The 'Can Do' campaign kicked off June 1, 2017 and will end May 31, 2018. For every can of GOYA Refried Beans purchased during the month of June, Goya will donate food products to Feeding America. Throughout the course of the year, Goya will feature a different product promotion, including GOYA Coconut Water during August, and GOYA Refried Beans and GOYA Ready to Eat Red Label Beans during September. For details on this donation, please visit www.goya.com/goyagives. Learn more about Feeding America and how it supports local food banks at www.FeedingAmerica.org. About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; the combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com About Feeding America: Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Unites States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. For more information, contact: Natalie Maniscalco 845.659.6506 / [email protected] SOURCE Goya Foods Related Links https://www.goya.com The Collaborative Process is a method of resolving a couple's differences in a family matter through voluntary settlement negotiations rather than litigating in court. The FACP has worked with the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar for over five years to achieve this milestone in Florida family law. "Married couples in Florida now have a process in which they can divorce with dignity, privacy and without destroying their family," said Edward Sachs CPA/ABV CFF, President of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals. The FACP Annual Conference, a gathering of over 200 Collaborative Professionals, just concluded in Tampa. The Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals is a nonprofit statewide membership organization comprised of family law attorneys, financial and mental health professionals practicing independently and in Collaborative practice groups focusing on out-of-court dispute resolutions for families in crisis. The video provides comments from members of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals about the impact of the new legislation. Visit our website at www.collaborativepracticeflorida.com Benefits of the Collaborative Process Private all information is kept confidential during negotiations unlike a court proceeding where all information is public record all information is kept confidential during negotiations unlike a court proceeding where all information is public record Child-centered the best interests of the children are protected by all the professionals the best interests of the children are protected by all the professionals Client-controlled - the participants determine the pace of resolution and the outcome; instead of a stranger to the family - the participants determine the pace of resolution and the outcome; instead of a stranger to the family Cost-effective using the Collaborative Process can be less expensive than litigation using the Collaborative Process can be less expensive than litigation Respectful the professionals have all been trained to model and shape productive option building towards decisions that work for the entire family. Family relationships are preserved, not damaged. the professionals have all been trained to model and shape productive option building towards decisions that work for the entire family. Family relationships are preserved, not damaged. Team Approach instead of relying solely on a lawyer for all aspects of the divorce, a professional team is formed with expertise in financial, relationship and parenting issues. What is the Collaborative Process? The parties each hire their own specially-trained attorneys. The parties and their attorneys meet jointly to privately and respectfully negotiate the settlement of all issues involved. A Participation Agreement is signed by all the parties and includes a commitment not to use court proceedings. Information and documents are voluntarily exchanged without the necessity of going to court. Mental health professionals act as facilitators to assist the parties with issues involving the couple's children (custody, parenting plans) and to help them stay focused on resolving their differences rather than attacking each other. When there are financial issues involved, a neutral financial expert, such as a certified public accountant or a financial planner, is retained to gather information about the couple's assets, liabilities, income and expenses, and to help the parties negotiate a settlement of their finances issues. If a settlement cannot be reached, the attorneys agree in the Participation Agreement that they must withdraw from further representation of the clients and cannot litigate the matter. This gives the attorneys an incentive to reach a fair settlement. For More Information Contact: Christina Black, Administrator [email protected] Telephone: 904-673-2150 SOURCE Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals Related Links http://www.collaborativepracticeflorida.com PARIS, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With summer vacations quickly approaching, there is a desire to escape daily routine and discover something amazing! France is a perfect relaxation destination due to its rich history, delectable cuisine, and beautiful scenery. Are you thinking of planning a trip to France and are tired of hotels and restaurants? Guest in the City, a collaborative platform that launched in the beginning of 2016, reinvents conviviality and makes it possible for travelers to reserve meals and activities hosted by French residents. Passionate hosts open their doors to guests to discover activities from enjoying a home-cooked meal to a unique guided city tour. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529028/Guest_in_the_City_Logo.jpg ) A new type of vacation Guest in the City offers a new form of tourism involving collaborative activities. This embodies a sense of community & collaboration that lets hosts share their passions with guests who want to explore France on a deeper level. Guests will be able to experience the passion locals have for their activities, whether it be the culture of a city, or sharing their home-cooked meal with a traveler. A wide spectrum of activities Visiting a country when on vacation involves a number of activities: going to the beach, visiting a city, eating local food, etc. Guest in the City knows that each family or people have different interests and styles of traveling, so there are an array of options to choose from. Whether you are looking for a meal, a room, a city visit, a guided tour, a cooking class or another activity, Guest in the City can connect you with the best hosts and the best guides. Guests can easily make contact with hosts and check their calendars for availability. Then, they can place a reservation on the website using any major credit card. Focus on France Since each region of France varies greatly with its food, culture, and landscapes, the range of activities offered by hosts varies as well. The guests can choose the region of France they are interested in visiting including Paris, Provence, Bordeaux, or Normandy. On the website, visitors can browse through the listings by city and type of activity they are interested in. Guest in the City offers a diverse selection of activities so the traveler can have a well-rounded experience with the best guides & hosts. Each listing also includes a small, personalized bio & photo of the host that gives a glimpse of their personality. All of the hosts are experts to their region of France and passionate about the service they are providing. About Guest in the City Guest in the City is a leading collaborative platform for travel and leisure in France. To find out more about Guest in the City, or to book your next vacation to France with the best hosts & guides, go to https://www.guestinthecity.com/ or go to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/guestinthecity/. Media Contact: Rachel Johnson US Marketing Manager [email protected] SOURCE Guest in the City PRINCETON, N.J., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Haig Partners LLC is pleased to have assisted Princeton Audi VW in the sale of its dealerships. The buyer, DTF Holdings LLC, now owns eight dealerships in New York and New Jersey representing: Audi, BMW, Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM, Honda, MINI, Porsche & VW. Alan Haig and Nate Klebacha of Haig Partners LLC were the advisors and Joe Aboyoun of Aboyoun & Heller served as legal counsel to Princeton Audi VW. Alan Haig said, "This transaction demonstrates that dealers remain interested in luxury stores but are also willing to acquire VW dealerships, despite their recent challenges. And this transaction is another example of how auto retail is attracting capital from investors who are relatively new to the auto industry. We believe the buy-sell market will continue to be active in 2017 as dealers and investors have significant amounts of capital and are looking to expand in this environment of high consumer confidence." About Haig Partners. Haig Partners LLC is the leading advisory firm for owners of higher value dealerships and dealership groups. It has advised its clients on transactions exceeding $800 in value over the past two and a half years. Since 1996, its founders have completed over 150 dealership transactions totaling over $3.5 billion, more than any other team in the industry. They also publish the widely followed Haig Report that tracks trends in the auto industry and how they impact dealership valuations. The latest Haig Report is available here. Alan Haig is also a frequent speaker at leading industry events. For more information, visit www.haigpartners.com. Media Contact Mike Toth 1-561-302-1413 [email protected] SOURCE Haig Partners Related Links http://www.haigpartners.com FORT WORTH, Texas, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Higginbotham announced today that it has partnered with the Jeannette Blanton Insurance Agency, Inc., a branch office of Dallas-based Independent Insurance Group, Inc. that is located in Ennis, Texas. The seven-person office is operated by Jeannette Blanton-Monnat and endorsed by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals and the San Antonio Pipeliners Association. For Higginbotham, the transaction expands its lineup of industry programs and adds a market to its widening footprint. For Blanton-Monnat, it boosts the agency's breadth of service. Higginbotham is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and ranked by revenue as the largest independent insurance broker based in the state. Merging with agencies that mirror its business philosophies is part of Higginbotham's long-term growth strategy to increase its geographic span and service scope. Partnering with Jeannette Blanton Insurance Agency does both. "We're very pleased to have Jeannette and her team join our firm," said Higginbotham President/CEO Rusty Reid. "In addition to establishing a presence in the Ennis market, they bring unparalleled expertise in risks unique to swimming pool contractors and the other highly specialized industries they've been serving for more than 30 years. We're excited about the prospects of combining their capabilities with Higginbotham's statewide reach and market clout." Blanton-Monnat said, "As my agency grew, I started looking for a partner structured for growth that could provide far more resources for my clients, and more important, that could match our high customer service standards. I found it in Higginbotham. The support I can now offer my clients for risk management, contract review, employee benefits and personal insurance will allow me to grow without sacrificing service or our dedication to the industries where we have coverage expertise." Blanton-Monnat's existing staff will remain in Ennis, and Independent Insurance Group will continue operating in Dallas under the leadership of her two former remaining partners. About Jeannette Blanton Insurance Agency, Inc. Jeannette Blanton Insurance Agency, Inc. is owned by Jeannette Blanton-Monnat and affiliated with Independent Insurance Group, Inc., an agency she founded in 1993 with four partners in Dallas. She opened a branch office in Ennis, Texas, in 2002. Her office brokers commercial property/casualty insurance primarily to contractors of all types. About Higginbotham Higginbotham is a single source for insurance and financial services that brokers business insurance, employee benefits, retirement plans, executive benefits, life insurance and home/auto insurance from more than 250 regional and national carriers. It supplements coverage with in-house risk management and benefit plan administration services. The firm was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, with 26 additional offices statewide serving domestic and international customers. Higginbotham ranks by revenue as the nation's 31st largest independent insurance brokerage firm, making it the largest Texas-based broker (Business Insurance, July 2016). Visit www.higginbotham.net for more information. SOURCE Higginbotham Related Links http://higginbotham.net DENVER , June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- History Colorado continues leadership transformation with the addition of Kathleen Grummel. She will be introduced on July 10, 2017. Grummel comes from the greater Chicago region and brings over 25 years of successful development leadership and fundraising experience to the organization. With family in Colorado, she's always dreamed of moving to the state and is elated to be given the opportunity to be immersed in the Colorado lifestyle. She most recently served as the Director of Development for Northwest Community Hospital Foundation and prior to that the Chicagoland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. With a fundraising philosophy that embraces empathetic connections, she seeks to empower donors to connect with the mission of History Colorado: to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. She looks forward to making those connections between History Colorado and the community to help inspire moments of pride. "Fundraising is a humbling experience and I want to learn from donors, volunteers and community members to find out what's important to them," Grummel says. "We were struck by her notion that our supporters are investors, not just donors," says Steve Turner, executive director of History Colorado. Grummel is eager to join the Denver community and continue to fuel the Colorado spirit. She recognizes the state's passion for wellness, heritage and beauty. "I'm honored to be selected for the position," she says. "History Colorado has an amazing team with a commitment to success." History Colorado's mission is to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. We serve as the state's memory, preserving the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through our museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections, and outreach to Colorado communities. Find History Colorado on all major social media platforms. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Brooke Gladstone Communications Manager 303-866-3670 | [email protected] SOURCE History Colorado Related Links http://www.historycolorado.org The business park one of the largest job-creating projects in the history of Miami-Dade County and the first public-private partnership of its kind in Florida has come to realization thanks to the grit of two determined women : Lucia Davis Raiford , daughter of the famous Congresswoman Carrie Meek, and Jennifer Bales Drake , the Real Estate Practice Chair with Becker & Poliakoff. The attorney/businesswoman duo worked tirelessly for over six years and handled everything including the joint venture partner selection while Ms. Drake negotiated with the county, the FAA and Foundry Commercial. Along the way, the duo held fast, refusing interim offers while Ms. Drake resolved the complex regulatory and land-use issues including the valuation of the real estate to strike a multi-million dollar deal. "I am proud to have worked alongside Lucia on this labor of love," said Ms. Drake. "Our collaboration and its impact on the outcome was underestimated by those across the table." The 800,000-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center at Opa-Locka Airport will create more than 1,000 full-time jobs for the surrounding community. The Foundation, through its programs, will assist in workforce training for the community. The deal ensures that Congresswoman Meek's legacy of providing invaluable assistance and resources to local residents will continue. About Becker & Poliakoff Becker & Poliakoff, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals at offices across the United States. More information is available at www.bplegal.com. Media Contact: Andrew Blum AJB Communications 917.783.1680 [email protected] SOURCE Becker & Poliakoff Related Links http://www.bplegal.com FORM 8.3 PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code") 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Full name of discloser: P. Schoenfeld Asset Management LLP (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Berendsen Plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 28 Jun 2017 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" Yes, Elis SA 2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security. (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any) Class of relevant security: 30p ordinary Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: (2) Cash-settled derivatives: 2,170,132 1.26 (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 2,170,132 1.26 All interests and all short positions should be disclosed. Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions). (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options) Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: 3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in. The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated. (a) Purchases and sales Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit 30p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 50,000 GBP 12.00 (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options) (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit (ii) Exercise Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities) Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable) 4. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None (c) Attachments Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? No Date of disclosure: 29 June 2017 Contact name: Alan Chan Telephone number: +1 212-649-9500 Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service and must also be emailed to the Takeover Panel at monitoring@disclosure.org.uk. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt Mortgage Group, a leader in financing commercial real estate throughout the United States, announced today it provided an FHA mortgage loan in the amount of $23.5 million to finance the development of a new multifamily property located in Ennis, Texas, a small town approximately 45 miles south of downtown Dallas. Proceeds from the loan will be used to build Spyglass Apartments, a new property that will be built on a 12.9-acre site. When complete, the property will have 192-units housed in nine, three-story wood frame walk-up buildings. In addition, the property will feature a luxury clubhouse with a leasing office, kitchen, wi-fi cafe, resort style swimming pool, fitness center, BBQ grilling area and jogging trail. The property will also be furnished on-site via 364 spaces, including 14 handicap spaces. "Spyglass Apartments is a new construction project designed to provide market rate housing for local working professionals and families," explained Jeff Jones, Senior Vice President at Hunt Mortgage Group. "The borrower will utilize green and energy efficient measures to reduce operating costs and limit the overall impact of the property to the environment. Once built, the property will have National Green Building Standards Certification." The borrower is Spyglass Apartments of Ennis, LP, a Texas limited partnership, backed by Key Principal John Altman. "The borrower is an experienced commercial real estate executive who has been developing real estate for more than 30 years. He has extensive real estate experience that includes construction and structured financings, development, rehabilitation, ownership and management experience with multifamily properties," added Jones. "We were pleased to partner with John, a quality local investor to bring new housing to the local area." The property will consist of 72 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments and 120 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units. Spyglass Apartments will be in a good location in close proximity to schools, retail, pharmacies and a medical center, and will appeal to middle- and upper-income renters who work in Ennis or are need of easy access to the Dallas-Fort Worth MSA. About Hunt Mortgage Group Hunt Mortgage Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hunt Companies, Inc., is a leader in financing commercial real estate throughout the United States. The Company finances all types of commercial real estate: multifamily properties (including small balance), affordable housing, office, retail, manufactured housing, healthcare/senior living, industrial, and self-storage facilities. It offers Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD/FHA in addition to its own Proprietary loan products. Since inception, the Company has structured more than $21 billion of loans and today maintains a servicing portfolio of more than $12.5 billion. Headquartered in New York City, Hunt Mortgage Group has 198 professionals in 23 locations throughout the United States. To learn more, visit www.huntmortgagegroup.com. MEDIA CONTACTS Brent Feigenbaum Hunt Mortgage Group 212-317-5730 [email protected] Pam Flores 773-218-9260 [email protected] SOURCE Hunt Mortgage Group Related Links http://www.huntmortgagegroup.com MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- International Paper (NYSE: IP) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its foodservice business in China to Huhtamaki Hong Kong Limited. International Paper's foodservice business in China has two plants and a workforce of approximately 200 employees. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next couple of months, subject to satisfaction of closing conditions, including obtaining required governmental approvals. Over the last two years, the company has finalized the sale of its corrugated packaging business in China and Southeast Asia, along with the sale of its interest in a coated board joint venture business in China. Although the Chinese and Asian markets remain strategically important for IP, the Company has determined these markets can more effectively be served through its Ilim joint venture in Russia and with products exported from the U.S. and other parts of the world. About International Paper International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and Russia. We produce packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable world-wide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; papers that facilitate education and communication; and paper bags, cups and food containers that provide convenience and portability. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., and employ approximately 55,000 colleagues located in more than 24 countries. Net sales for 2016 were $21 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com. Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements. These statements reflect Company management's current views and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to (i) the receipt of regulatory approvals for the transaction and the successful fulfillment or waiver of all other closing conditions without unexpected delays or conditions; (ii) the successful closing of the transaction within the estimated timeframe; (iii) industry conditions; (iv) global economic conditions and political changes; and (v) other factors that can be found in the Company's press releases and Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE International Paper Related Links http://www.internationalpaper.com MINNEAPOLIS, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ISOFinishing.com, the leading mass finishing service and solutions provider in the United States, today announced it will now be a distributor of the Australian mass finishing technologies brand, BV Products, in the United States. The company, which prides itself on providing the best surface finishing solutions, will partner up with BV Products to provide ease of access of BV products to job shops across the United States. These precision engineered machines provide revolutionary design enhancements to make vibratory systems an integral part of any finishing program. "We are thrilled to partner with BV Products and showcase their mass finishing systems," says owner and CEO of ISO Finishing, Mike Klein. "They are one of the best companies in the industry to manufacture a vibratory bowl machine that competes at the same level as other well-known machines. It is an honor to be able to be the first U.S. Distributor." ISO Finishing has been specializing in providing mass finishing services and solutions for all major industries including medical, aerospace, dental, automotive, OEM, military and firearm industries for years. ISO Finishing has also revealed that it has added the Technovibe BV12B vibratory bowl machine to their machines used at their facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jim Riley, president of BV Products had this to say, "We are delighted with our partnership with ISO Finishing and look forward to the mutual success this will bring to each company. In the end, the customers are the winners by having access to such a wide array of finishing solutions." To learn more about the partnership between ISO Finishing and BV Products, or to book an interview, contact Mike Klein at 844-623-7998 or email, [email protected], or visit the website at www.isofinishing.com. SOURCE ISO Finishing Related Links http://www.isofinishing.com BERLIN, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the theme of "Transcending Scientific Boundaries", the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) 2017 Congress (July 8-13, 2017) aims to enhance the treatment of patients with bleeding and clotting disorders, such as hemophilia or thrombosis, by presenting the latest basic, translational and clinical research and highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic advancements. "True to the excitement surrounding one of the leading scientific events in the field of thrombosis, hemostasis and vascular biology, the ISTH 2017 Congress will unveil a range of groundbreaking research and innovative offerings designed to foster mutual exchange and scientific discourse around highly anticipated topics," said ISTH 2017 Congress President, Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Oldenburg from the University Clinic Bonn in Germany. "With the field's leading global experts from around the world convening at ISTH 2017, the congress will showcase the latest in scientific discoveries as well as diagnostic and treatment options to better meet the needs of patients." Attendance numbers reach all-time high With more than 9,000 participants from approximately 90 countries, this year's congress surpasses all ISTH attendance records and is the largest meeting dedicated to thrombosis and hemostasis to date. This is matched by the congress' second highest submission rate yet: 3,120 scientific abstracts submitted by clinicians, scientists, academics and students from 83 countries. With a diverse and extensive range of topics, participants will meet to discuss scientific presentations, including unpublished studies, exchange the latest scientific findings and their clinical application and participate in interactive poster and oral communication sessions as well as abstract symposia. Opportunity to preview the latest scientific highlights The official ISTH 2017 press briefing will take place on Monday, July 10, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm CET and will provide an overview of the latest key scientific evidence and findings presented at the congress. Moderated by Prof. Dr. med. Wolfram Ruf from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany, the press briefing will cover key topics such as the treatment of hemophilia, management of patients with venous thromboembolism and the reversal of anticoagulation mechanisms. In-depth presentations on the scientific highlights featured at the ISTH 2017 press briefing will take place at the following times during the congress: Monday, July 10 Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Emicizumab (ACE910) Prophylaxis (Px) in Persons with Hemophilia A with Inhibitors (PwHAwI): Randomized, Multicenter, Open-label, Phase 3 Study (HAVEN 1) by Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Oldenburg , ISTH 2017 Congress President, Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic Bonn, Germany - Abstract Symposia Session, 15:15, Hall B by Prof. Dr. med. , ISTH 2017 Congress President, Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic Bonn, - Abstract Symposia Session, 15:15, Hall B Fitusiran, an Investigational RNAi Therapeutic Targeting Antithrombin for the Treatment of Hemophilia: Interim Results from a Phase 2 Extension Study in Patients with Hemophilia A or B with and Without Inhibitors by Prof. Dr. med. John Pasi , Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom - Abstract Symposia Session, 15:30, Hall B Tuesday, July 11 Interim Results from a Phase 1/2 AAV5-FVIII Gene Transfer in Pa tients with Severe Hemophilia A by Prof. Dr. med. John Pasi , Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom - Oral Communication Session, 9:30, Hall B by Prof. Dr. med. , Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of - Oral Communication Session, 9:30, Hall B Final Results of RE-VERSE AD Study: Reversal of Dabigatran by its Specific Reversal Agent Idarucizumab in Patients with Uncontrolled Bleeding or Requiring Urgent Surgery/Procedures by Prof. Dr. med. Charles Pollack , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , United States - Oral Communication Session, 10:24, Hall B Wednesday, July 12 Clinical Characteristics and Management of 10,329 Patients with a Confirmed Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism: The GARFIELD-VTE Registry by Prof. Dr. med. Walter Ageno , Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy - Abstract Symposia Session, 16:00, Room New York For more information about the ISTH 2017 Congress, visit http://www.isth2017.org. About the ISTH Founded in 1969, the ISTH is the leading worldwide not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic and bleeding disorders. ISTH is an international professional membership organization with more than 4,500 clinicians, researchers and educators working together to improve the lives of patients in more than 94 countries around the world. Among its highly regarded activities and initiatives are education and standardization programs, research activities, meetings and congresses, peer-reviewed publications, expert committees and World Thrombosis Day on 13 October. Visit ISTH online at http://www.isth.org. Helpful resources Complimentary press registration: http://www.isth2017.org/press-registration.html Be a digital participant via the ISTH Congress Live Stream : http://www.isth2017.org/live-broadcast.html : http://www.isth2017.org/live-broadcast.html Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Hemostasis is a new open access e-publication of the ISTH. Review the ISTH 2017 abstracts here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rth2.2017.1.issue-S1/issuetoc For any further queries, please contact: The Weber Shandwick press team on behalf of ISTH +49-30-20-35-1-266 [email protected] Barbara Krolak Relationship and Campaign Specialist International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis +1-919-929-3807 [email protected] SOURCE International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In July and August, hundreds of teachers and students will gather in Downtown Brooklyn for the fifth annual STEMNow one of New York City's largest and most comprehensive lineups of summer workshops, classes, and labs designed to immerse middle and high school students in science, technology, engineering, and maththe STEM subjects. Throughout the summer, middle and high school students will get hands-on experience in fields such as robotics and mechatronics, entrepreneurship, smart cities, 3D printing, integrated circuit design, and cybersecurity. STEMNow also teaches New York's teachers: For the past five years, public school educators have come to NYU Tandon to learn how to incorporate robotics, mechatronics, and other exciting technology into their STEM curricula. All told, STEMNow has enhanced the science, mathematics, engineering, and research skills of 350 teachers, thereby positively affecting the lives of more than 22,000 students between 2013 when the program launched and the end of this summer. One noteworthy new program pairs New York City high school teachers with two of their own students to learn techniques of tech entrepreneurship. Another, a perennial favorite, gives 10th and 11th graders who don't have access to strong STEM programs at their schools students of color and those from low-income backgrounds scientific training and deep research opportunities in NYU laboratories. Both of these programs exemplify how STEMNow reflects NYU Tandon's longstanding commitment to opening engineering with its high salaries and many career opportunities to students from a wide range of backgrounds and economic means. "Since 2013, STEMNow has given thousands of New York City middle and high school students their first immersion in engineering and science," said NYU Tandon Dean Katepalli R. Sreenivasan. "And when a youngster is exposed to high-level research in a university lab or encounters a passionate NYU Tandon student mentor, he or she realizes unimaginable possibilities. When teachers return to their classrooms with innovative ideas for engaging their students in STEM, it has a ripple effect on entire generations of future engineers and scientists. We're pleased to open NYU Tandon's doors so that others can be inspired by our stellar faculty and students, work in our labs and classrooms, and immerse themselves in our culture of intellectual curiosity and technology in service to society." Why STEM Matters at NYU Tandon According to a 2017 study by the National Science Foundation's National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, African Americans earn less than 4 percent of the bachelor of science degrees in engineering, and fewer than 5 percent of African Americans are in the science and engineering workforce. By contrast, 85 percent of students who are ultimately served by STEMNow thanks in part to teachers who participate in its teacher training programs come from communities historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines. About one-third of the students come from families in which no one has attended college. The goal of STEMNow is to democratize access to the kind of high-quality instruction required to succeed in STEM higher education and the competitive global economy. The opportunity gaps in STEM are not just racial and economic: Nationwide, only a quarter of the labor force in STEM fields is female, and, according to a recent study by research firm Frost & Sullivan, women make up just 11 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce. In contrast, young women constitute nearly 60 percent of STEMNow participants. STEMNow Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS) is exclusively for young women, and NYU Tandon also hosts a workshop run by Girls Who Code, a national organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. NYU Tandon's focus on bringing more women to engineering is reflected in its own student population. For the fall 2017 class, a record 40 percent of NYU Tandon freshmen will be female, well above the national average for all engineering undergraduates of 21 percent. Participating schools in this year's STEMNow include Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, N.J.; the Al-Noor High School, which serves the Muslim community of Brooklyn, and St. Joseph High School, an all-girls school serving 300 young women of all faiths and backgrounds. For middle and high school students, highlights of STEMNow include: Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE): A tuition-free, seven-week program designed for 10th and 11th grade students with little or no access to high-quality STEM education experiences, students of color, and those from low-income backgrounds . Students are mentored by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members, and are immersed in challenging college-level coursework and lab research in such fields as civil and urban engineering, composite materials, mechanics, molecular design, robotics, sensors, and protein engineering. high school juniors and seniors , students explore the architecture of basic circuit blocks the electronics in virtually all interactive devices. They create radios, design circuits with conductive ink and breadboards, learn to reduce the carbon footprint of their devices, and more, all under the supervision of experienced undergraduate and graduate electrical engineering students. Creative Circuit Design Workshop : In this one-week hands-on program for, students explore the architecture of basic circuit blocks theThey create radios, design circuits with conductive ink and breadboards, learn to reduce the carbon footprint of their devices, and more, all under the supervision of experienced undergraduate and graduate electrical engineering students. CrEST summer camps run by some of the city's most prominent nonprofit organizations, including electronics, circuitry, mechanical systems, physical computing, robotics, and other STEM disciplines. (Creativity in Engineering, Science, and Technology): In this "camp within a camp," high school students who were trained during the CrEST Spring term work with NYU Tandon graduate and undergraduate students to run a series of one-week workshops for hundreds of middle school students inincluding CAMBA Good Shepherd Services , and Grand Street Settlement . Participants learn about CS4CS (Computer Science for Cyber Security) : This initiative introduces young women in high school to programming, virtuous hacking, and digital forensics during an intensive and supportive three-week program designed to encourage them to pursue educational opportunities in cybersecurity a field that is growing at more than 10 times the overall job market. At the conclusion, students get to be cyber-detectives in a mystery involving the theft of Wonder Woman's iconic lasso. Science of Smart Cities : In this highly successful program developed by NYU Tandon and shared internationally, middle school students learn about energy, urban infrastructure, transportation, and wireless communications aspects of science and engineering that make cities more livable, efficient, sustainable, and safer. At the conclusion of the program, participants stage a Smart Cities Exposition, demonstrating their ideas, devices, smart buildings and infrastructure. More than 600 students have completed the program since its inception. Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC): T aught by NYU Tandon graduate and undergraduate students, this intensive new program introduces high schoolers to innovation and entrepreneurship . After five weeks of hands-on instruction and mentoring, participants enter a three-week team-based workshop to create smart-cities devices or ideas that offer solutions to urban challenges. Tech Kids Unlimited: Technology can be a great equalizer for those with learning or emotional difficulties. Workshops by Tech Kids Unlimited aim to provide special-needs students with the 21st-century technology tools they require for success. Youths ages 7-13 create digital projects based on their affinities and interests. Topics include 3D printing, logo design, game design, website creation, viral videos/memes/gifs, animation, and coding with music, along with learning programs such as Adobe Photoshop and iStop Motion. Teens in the T3 (Talented. Tech. Team.) Digital Agency, ages 14-20, work on digital projects including a fire truck wiki, an app, and a website for clients such as the NY Transit Museum, Ohel Agency, and Semblance AR. Teens delve into 3D printing, UX and logo design, game design, website creation, video editing, stop-motion animation, and 360 video virtual and augmented reality. immerses high school girls in computer science for projects in art and storytelling, robotics, video games, websites, apps, guest lectures, and field trips. Girls Who Code : NYU Tandon is partnering with the national non-profit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology and coding and teaching girls how to be change agents in their communities. The programfor projects in art and storytelling, robotics, video games, websites, apps, guest lectures, and field trips. College Credit Courses : High school students who want to get a jump on college-credit courses or simply explore hot fields of study can enroll in a variety of subjects. These tuition courses include several sections of calculus as well as Introduction to Engineering and Design, which provides a working knowledge of contemporary engineering practice and will culminate in designing and building a robot. Others include Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology and Introduction to Science and Technology Studies, which explores the relations among science, technology, and society from philosophical, historical, and sociological points of view. Injecting Ethics and Humanities into STEM STEMNow infuses science, math and engineering with humanities and even acting classes: Dimensions of Scientific Inquiry : When autonomous drones are used in warfare, who is giving orders and who is responsible when the drone makes a targeting error? How do race and gender affect what gets funded for research and, more broadly, how we set scientific priorities? How do we teach a self-driving car how to make a snap decision about what to collide with when there is no other choice? These are topics that NYU , Brendan Matz , professor of science and technology studies at NYU Tandon and the Gallatin School of Harvard University , explore in this course, in which ARISE participants tackle science writing and and Leah Aronowsky , a doctoral candidate in the history of science at, explore in this course, in whichparticipants tackle science writing and ethical and moral considerations raised by contemporary research. Irondale theater company: The Brooklyn -based theater company teaches improvisational acting skills to help students in the ARISE, Science of Smart Cities, and ieSoSC classes prepare for their final presentations to audiences of engineers, urban planners, businesspeople, and smart-cities experts. Acting techniques taught by the renownedtheater company: The-based theater company teaches improvisational acting skills to help students in the, andclasses prepare for their final presentations to audiences of engineers, urban planners, businesspeople, and smart-cities experts. Touching Those Who Reach the Next Generation In addition to hosting the students, STEMNow plays an integral part in helping NYU Tandon fulfill its pledge to the White House to educate 500 teachers and positively impact 50,000 public school students throughout New York City in the coming decade. This summer, teachers take part in: Discovery Research (DR) for Teachers : Twenty-four middle school science and math teachers spend three weeks at NYU Tandon as part of a comprehensive year-round STEM professional development program, funded by a $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) DR K-12 program. NYU experts in robotics, engineering, education, curriculum design, and assessment make robotics central to and sustainable in the city's science and math classrooms. Math and science teachers return to their schools supported by NYU Tandon graduate students. SMARTeR (Science and Mechatronics Aided Research for Teachers with an Entrepreneurship Experience): Public school teachers enhance their STEM curricula with a hands-on, mechatronics-based exploration of mechanical engineering, control theory, computer science, and electronics . Participants also learn such entrepreneurship skills as business planning, social entrepreneurship and technology, new product development, intellectual property, and fund-raising. During the last four weeks, teachers conduct engineering research alongside graduate and undergraduate researchers and faculty. ITEST Robotics and Entrepreneurship : With this new program, robotics and engineering drive professional development and educational enrichment for high school teachers and their students. Teachers, each joined by two of their students, learn about business planning, new-product development, intellectual property, and fundraising. Students participate in entrepreneurship competitions, develop working models in STEM, and improve their laboratory skills. At program's end, teachers receive a kit of robotics equipment for summer courses that they take back to their schools. The NYU School of Engineering STEMNow program receives generous support from the NSF, Siegel Family Endowment, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, BHS/STEAM Center Schools, National Grid, Con Edison, Northrop Grumman, Autodesk, DTCC, and ExpandED Schools, and The Pinkerton Foundation. For more information on STEMNow, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu/k12stem. For information on summer credit courses, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu/highschoolsummer. To register for Tech Kids Unlimited, visit http://www.techkidsunlimited.org/register. Join the conversation at #STEMNow. About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute (widely known as Brooklyn Poly). A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences, rooted in a tradition of invention and entrepreneurship and dedicated to furthering technology in service to society. In addition to its main location in Brooklyn, NYU Tandon collaborates with other schools within NYU, the country's largest private research university, and is closely connected to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. It operates Future Labs focused on start-up businesses in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and an award-winning online graduate program. For more information, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu. www.facebook.com/nyutandon @NYUTandon Note: Images available at http://dam.engineering.nyu.edu/?c=1961&k=4f174c9e19 SOURCE NYU Tandon School of Engineering Related Links http://www.poly.edu Industry leader adds leading swim spa company and bath remodel business to its portfolio CHINO HILLS, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacuzzi Brands LLC today announced the completion of two acquisitions: Hydropool Hot Tubs and Swim Spas (Hydropool) and BathWraps. Hydropool is a leading, global manufacturer and seller of swim spas and hot tubs. BathWraps is a leading supplier of bathware sold through premiere remodeling dealers in the U.S. Terms were not disclosed. "We are extremely excited about the addition of both Hydropool and BathWraps to our existing spa and bath businesses," said Bob Rowan, CEO Jacuzzi Brands LLC. "Both companies are complementary to our core business and are led by exceptional management teams, which will remain in place as the businesses continue to operate independently." Established in 1970, Hydropool is regarded as a leading supplier of hot tubs and swim spas around the world, with headquarters and manufacturing in Mississauga, Ontario. David Jackson, a 22-year veteran with Hydropool, will continue in his role as President of Hydropool. BathWraps, manufacturer of acrylic wetspace walls, tubs and showers, changed their brand name from Liners Direct in January of this year. They were established in 1997 in Itasca, Illinois, specializing in custom bath and showers designed for the remodeling market. Jeff Conner, who will continue in his role as President, acquired the company in 2004, having since led the company through a period of tremendous growth. "These transactions, along with continued support from our equity sponsors Ares Management, Clearlake Capital Group and Apollo Global Management, provide us an excellent platform for continued momentum in the global marketplace," stated Rowan. "Further, none of this would be possible without the continued support of our employees, customers and suppliers, who continue to believe in the strength of our brands and our tremendous growth potential." Jacuzzi was advised in both transactions by Sphaeris Capital Management LLC, a specialist in middle market mergers and acquisitions, add-on acquisitions programs, and proprietary investments internationally. About Jacuzzi Brands LLC Jacuzzi Brands LLC, through its subsidiaries, is a global manufacturer and distributor of branded bath and spa products. These include whirlpool baths, spas and spa accessories, showers, saunas, bathtubs, water care supplies and other plumbing products. Our products are marketed under a portfolio of brand names, including JACUZZI, SUNDANCE, THERMOSPAS, DIMENSION ONE SPAS, HYDROPOOL and BATHWRAPS. For more information about Jacuzzi, visit www.jacuzzi.com or call 1-800-288-4002. About Hydropool Hydropool originally started as a commercial swimming pool company in 1970 and in 1978 became one of the first hot tub retailers in North America. Hydropool has grown to be the largest hot tub manufacturer outside of the USA and the second largest portable Swim Spa Manufacturer globally. Our products are now sold through retail partners in more than 50 countries under the Hydropool and La-Z-Boy Hot Tub brands. To learn more, visit https://www.hydropoolhottubs.com. About BathWraps Backed by 20 years of experience transforming people's homes, BathWraps is a leading force in the bathtub and shower manufacturing industry. Originally founded in 1997, the company produces custom bath and showers that are long lasting and simple to install designed for the remodeling market. With a network of 120-plus dealers, the company continues its growth in key communities across the country. For more information on BathWraps' services and to inquire about becoming a dealer, please visit https://www.bathwraps.com. About Ares Management LLC Ares Management, L.P. is a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $100 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2017, and more than 15 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Since its inception in 1997, Ares has adhered to a disciplined investment philosophy that focuses on delivering strong risk-adjusted investment returns throughout market cycles. Ares believes each of its three distinct but complementary investment groups in Credit, Private Equity and Real Estate is a market leader based on assets under management and investment performance. Ares was built upon the fundamental principle that each group benefits from being part of the greater whole. For more information, visit www.aresmgmt.com. About Clearlake Capital Group Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is a leading private investment firm founded in 2006. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with world-class management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S.SM. The firm's core target sectors are industrials and energy; software, and technology-enabled services; and consumer. Clearlake currently has over $4 billion of assets under management and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 90 investments. More information is available at www.clearlake.com. About Apollo Global Management LLC Apollo is a leading global alternative asset manager with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Bethesda, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Luxembourg, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Delhi and Mumbai. As of March 31, 2017, Apollo had assets under management of approximately $197 billion in private equity, credit-oriented capital markets and real estate funds invested across a core group of industries where Apollo has considerable knowledge and resources. For more information about Apollo, please visit www.agm.com. Media Contact Anne-Marie Nealy 909-247-2154 SOURCE Jacuzzi Brands LLC Related Links http://www.jacuzzi.com PHILADELPHIA, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Condo Shop announced this week a merger with real estate giant, Keller Williams Center City. The Condo Shop has operated as an independent residential brokerage firm since its inception in 2006. The firm, consisting of over 55 licensed real estate agents in three Center City locations, chose to expand its footprint and service offerings with a the national franchise brand, Keller Williams. "Partnering and combining forces with Antonio Atacan at Keller Williams Realty Center City Philadelphia, with a team of over 250+ agents, will give us a boost in our growth and an opportunity for our team to excel even further with access to better tools and resources, " said Gaurav Gambhir, Principal of The Condo Shop. This strategic alliance will affirm Keller Williams Center City as the largest residential brokerage within the city of Philadelphia. "Keller Williams Center City is the right partner for us to assist in our growth as we continue to expand our footprint in the traditional single family housing sector," said Benjamin Oller, Principal of The Condo Shop. "All Condo Shop locations will be rebranded with the KW flag as a testament to the confidence the TCS family has in the great brand Antonio Atacan and family have developed here in Philadelphia. The Condo Shop is proud to be a part of the great people at Keller Williams Center City and we want the city to know it," said Ben Oller. The Condo Shop will continue to maintain and operate out of its three existing office locations in Rittenhouse, Art Museum and Old City. "We are thrilled that two of Philadelphia's real estate players are coming together into one," said Antonio Atacan, Operating Principal and Broker of Keller Williams Center City. "We're confident that this merger will have a positive impact on agents and for the buyers and sellers we serve in the Philadelphia area." Keller Williams has put its mark on the real estate industry by offering comprehensive educational resources and technological tools. In 2017 Training Magazine named the company as the No. 1 training organization across all industries in the world. With these tools and benefits, Keller Williams has continued to grow, becoming the largest real estate franchise by agent count in the world with offices across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. About Keller Williams Realty, Inc. Austin-Texas based Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the largest real estate franchise by agent count in the world with 700 offices and 125,000 associates across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. In 2017, Training Magazine named Keller Williams the No. 1 training organization across all industries in the world. Since 1983, Keller Williams has grown exponentially and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes, commercial and farm and ranch properties. For more information, visit www.kwphilly.com. CONTACT: Benjamin Oller 610.389.4247 [email protected] SOURCE The Condo Shop WASHINGTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Trump's plan to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement could seriously harm public health for decades, worsening summer heatwaves that could kill 13,860 Americans each year by mid-century, and as many as 29,850 a year by the end of the century, a report released today shows. That translates to about 150 Americans dying daily in the 2040s and about 325 dying each climate-fueled hot summer day in the 2090s in 45 of the nation's largest cities. This all could unfold if the United States doesn't move, and soon, to slash the key driver of climate change, carbon pollution from power plants and vehicles, according to the report "Killer Summer Heat, Paris Agreement Compliance Could Avert Hundreds of Thousands of Needless Deaths in America's Cities," released by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The top 15 cities in order of potential annual deaths by the 2090s are: New York City (7,370); Philadelphia (5,040); Chicago (2,440); Boston (1,340); Baltimore (1,010); Detroit (870); Providence, RI (670); St. Louis (640); Buffalo (620); Rochester, NY (600); Cincinnati (580); Cleveland (570); Washington, DC (560); Los Angeles (540); Louisville (530). "This report carries a dire warning: Reneging on our climate commitments could cause tens of thousands of Americans to die," said Juanita Constible, special projects director in NRDC's Climate & Clean Air program. "If carbon pollution isn't reined in, climate change will continue superheating summer with terrible consequences for public health in some of our biggest cities. "Congress and President Trump should act, and soon, to protect Americans from these needless summer deaths. That's starting with supportingnot gutting the Environmental Protection Agency and re-instating our international commitments to fight climate change." Enormous human misery could be avoided, the report says, if the U.S. remains in the Paris Agreement and fulfills its commitments to the global agreement to address climate change and accelerate a transition to clean energy. For the United States, that means adhering tonot undoing--former President Obama's climate action plan that would reduce carbon pollution from the nation's largest sources: power plants and vehicles. The report warns that abandoning the U.S. climate commitment in the Paris pact could cause a spike in excess deaths on dangerous summer days in the 2090s that would be comparable to the 28,344 Americans who died from prostate cancer in 2014, and nearly double the 15,872 homicides across the country in the same year. President Trump announced on June 1, 2017 that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, over the objections of more than 1,000 companies, cities, mayors, other elected officials and 69 percent of Americans who support the plan to reduce the use of fossil fuels to safeguard the planet from climate harm and hazard. Already, the growing concentration of carbon pollution and other climate pollutants in the Earth's atmosphere is driving temperatures into uncharted territory for mankind. Sixteen of the 17 hottest years since recordkeeping began in the 1880s have occurred in this century. City dwellers are especially vulnerable to climate impacts because of the heat island effect. Urban areas are hotter than suburban and rural areas because of their concentration of buildings, pavement and roofing, which intensify summer temperatures. And the most vulnerable to the impact from the heat island effect are the elderly, the young, the poor and people of color, the report finds. To reach their conclusions, the report authors relied on analysis using a weather classification system called Spatial Synoptic Classification, which researchers have used since at least 1996 to study relationships between dangerous weather and human health. The analysis estimated the historical number of dangerous summer days in the country's largest urban areas with populations exceeding one million and the relationship to excess deathsthose above the daily standardized summertime average for that area. That was calculated against a no-action scenario of continued heavy use of fossil fuels, and an intermediate scenario factoring in expansion of clean energy. The report shows that full implementation of the Paris Agreement will help limit global warming and could reduce excess American deaths each summer. But even with full compliance deaths during dangerous summer days will increase. The results affirm that that the U.S. and the world must go further than the Paris Agreement's goals to best protect human health from climate change. Meanwhile, the report finds, cities and states should continue to strengthen their heat protection and response capabilities in anticipation of more dangerous summer days, regardless of how the Paris Agreement progresses. The report "Killer Summer Heat, Paris Agreement Compliance Could Avert Hundreds of Thousands of Needless Deaths in America's Cities," is here: https://www.nrdc.org/resources/killer-summer-heat-paris-agreement-compliance-could-avert-hundreds-thousands-needless A blog by Juanita Constible, special projects director in NRDC's Climate and Clean Air Program, about the report is here: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/want-reduce-needless-summertime-deaths-act-climate The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC. SOURCE Natural Resources Defense Council, New York City LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, KNOREX has received the EDAA Trust Seal from independent industry Certification Provider ABC, demonstrating their compliance in accordance with the EU Self-Regulatory Programme for Online Behavioural Advertising (OBA). Earning the Trust Seal is the important last step in the process for Third Parties committed to the self-regulatory programme. The Trust Seal demonstrates compliance and inspires trust in the market. EDAA Trust Seal Knorex provides next generation performance-driven marketing technologies and solutions to some of the world's most successful brands, agencies and media companies. Underpinned by a data-driven approach, Knorex deepens the way its customers engage its end users via sophisticated personalized one-to-one marketing message to the right audiences at the right time. Jason Woolley, Director of Client Development at KNOREX, comments: "Knorex is pleased to support the important initiatives that EDAA leads, and provide assurance to both internet users and ethical advertisers seeking qualified partners, while taking action to raise standards across the industry." Jan Pitt, Executive Director of Client Services at ABC, comments, "We are delighted to issue the EDAA Trust Seal to KNOREX having provided them with a robust and independent certification service. Through this certification, KNOREX have demonstrated both their expertise and commitment to working to industry agreed standards. Independent certification helps to raise standards across the industry and will provide KNOREX's clients greater confidence in their systems and processes." About KNOREX Founded in 2010, Knorex provides performance marketing technologies and solutions to the world's leading brands. With its full-stack platform, Knorex XPO supplies the transit tech to deliver the right marketing message to the right audience at the right moment and right place, underpinned by a multi-layered data-driven approach. Knorex XPO shields its customers from dealing with the complexity and fuss while delivering immersive, dynamic and personalized marketing experience that connects with their users. Knorex also provide managed services to complement the offering. For more information please visit https://xpo.knorex.com/ For media enquiries, please contact Subramania Bhatt at (323) 208-0885. About ABC ABC delivers a stamp of trust for the media industry. We are owned and developed jointly by media owners, advertisers and agencies to set industry-agreed standards for media brand measurement across print, digital and events. ABC is also a trusted verification provider. We audit media brand measurement data and the adoption of good practice and process to industry-agreed standards. Established in 1931, ABC was the first UK Joint Industry Currency (JIC) and is a founder member of the International Federation of ABCs. For more information, please visit www.abc.org.uk. About EDAA The European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA) is a non-profit organisation based in Brussels and is responsible for enacting key aspects of the self-regulatory initiative for Online Behavioural Advertising (OBA) across Europe. EDAA principally acts as the central licensing body for the OBA Icon and provides technical means for consumers to exercise transparency and control over OBA through the youronlinechoices.eu online consumer choice platform. EDAA is governed by EU-level organisations which make up the value chain of OBA within Europe and acts to ensure European consistency in approach. More information can be found at: www.edaa.eu SOURCE Knorex Bob White, Manager Training and Digital Services at Kollmorgen, says the goal for the project was, "To improve the customer's overall digital experience, making it easier for engineers to quickly access the models. Our customers strongly prefer to download 3D PDF datasheets too, helping us to more efficiently reach other decision makers within our customers' organizations." Each product download allows customers to easily select and size individual solutions. Kollmorgen understands that providing user friendly information for their customers to obtain is key to their online success. The downloadable parts increase credibility and enhance the customer's trust which increases the likelihood of closing the order. The easier it is for engineers to discover and download their products, the more likely they will return again and again. The new catalog works with every major browser and has been "future proofed" by CADENAS PARTsolutions to always stay current with the newest browsers, platforms and trends. "Manufacturers don't want to worry about the newest web-browser or HTML standard," says Jay Hopper, President and COO of CADENAS PARTsolutions. "They want to focus on making great products and providing great customer service. Now that Kollmorgen is using CADENAS PARTsolutions to provide their digital downloads, we'll worry about the new platforms and formats and Kollmorgen and their customers can focus on what they do best." About KOLLMORGEN Since its founding in 1916, Kollmorgen's innovative solutions have brought big ideas to life, kept the world safer, and improved peoples' lives. Today, its world-class knowledge of motion systems and components, industry-leading quality, and deep expertise in linking and integrating standard and custom products continually delivers breakthrough motion solutions that are unmatched in performance, reliability, and ease-of-use. This gives machine builders around the world an irrefutable marketplace advantage and provides their customers with ultimate peace-of-mind. For more information visit www.kollmorgen.com. About CADENAS PARTsolutions CADENAS PARTsolutions is a leading provider of next generation 3D part catalog management and sales configuration solutions. For large manufacturers, CADENAS PARTsolutions provides centralized 3D parts libraries making it easy for global design teams to find, reuse, and control standard and proprietary parts. For component manufacturers, CADENAS PARTsolutions provides 3D product catalogs with digital CAD download technology, helping businesses increase sales lead generation and to ensure that components get "designed in" to OEM products. For more information visit PARTsolutions.com. Media Inquiries CADENAS PARTsolutions Adam Beck Marketing Manager 400 Techne Center Dr., Ste. 301 Milford, OH 45150 USA Phone: (513) 453-0453 Fax: (513) 453-0460 [email protected] www.partsolutions.com @partsolutions SOURCE CADENAS PARTsolutions Related Links http://www.partsolutions.com BRENTWOOD, Tenn., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) (Delek US) today announced that the stockholders of Delek voted to approve all proposals related to Delek US acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Alon USA Energy, Inc. (NYSE:ALJ) (Alon) common stock, which Delek US does not already own, in an all-stock transaction. Prior to the transaction, Delek US owned approximately 33.7 million shares, or 47 percent, of the common stock of Alon. At a special meeting of Delek US stockholders held today in Franklin, TN, approximately 99 percent of the votes cast by holders of Delek common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote supported the proposal to issue common stock to Alon stockholders in connection with the proposed acquisition. As previously disclosed by Alon, at a special meeting of Alon stockholders held on June 28, 2017 in Dallas, TX, approximately 99 percent of Alons outstanding shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote approved the adoption of the previously disclosed merger agreement and the transaction. In addition, approximately 99 of the issued and outstanding shares of Alon common stock beneficially owned by the holders of Alon common stock other than Delek and its affiliates approved the adoption of the merger agreement and the transaction. Under terms of the agreement, the owners of the outstanding shares in Alon (other than Delek) will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.5040 Delek US shares for each share of Alon, with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. Uzi Yemin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delek US, stated, We are excited by the overwhelming approval of this transaction by both Delek US and Alon stockholders. Through this strategic combination, we expect to create meaningful synergies and unlock logistics value from Alons assets through future potential drop downs to Delek Logistics Partners. We expect the merger to be effective as of July 1, 2017, and we look forward to integrating these companies and taking advantage of additional opportunities to create value for our shareholders. About Delek US Holdings, Inc. Delek US Holdings, Inc. is a diversified downstream energy company with assets in petroleum refining and logistics. The refining segment consists of refineries operated in Tyler, Texas and El Dorado, Arkansas with a combined nameplate production capacity of 155,000 barrels per day. Delek US Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates also own approximately 63 percent (including the 2 percent general partner interest) of Delek Logistics Partners, LP. Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE:DKL) is a growth-oriented master limited partnership focused on owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets. Safe Harbor Provisions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns, or matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed merger with Alon, integration and transition plans, synergies, opportunities, anticipated future performance and financial position, and other factors. Investors are cautioned that the following important factors, among others, may affect these forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to: risks and uncertainties related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed merger, , the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Delek US' common stock or Alon's common stock, the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Delek US and Alon to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally, the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected, the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies, uncertainty related to timing and amount of future share repurchases and dividend payments, risks and uncertainties with respect to the quantities and costs of crude oil we are able to obtain and the price of the refined petroleum products we ultimately sell; gains and losses from derivative instruments; management's ability to execute its strategy of growth through acquisitions and the transactional risks associated with acquisitions and dispositions; acquired assets may suffer a diminishment in fair value as a result of which we may need to record a write-down or impairment in carrying value of the asset; changes in the scope, costs, and/or timing of capital and maintenance projects; operating hazards inherent in transporting, storing and processing crude oil and intermediate and finished petroleum products; our competitive position and the effects of competition; the projected growth of the industries in which we operate; general economic and business conditions affecting the southern United States; and other risks contained in Delek US and Alons filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not be accurate indications of the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith belief with respect to future events, and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Delek US undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law or regulation. No Offer or Solicitation This communication relates to a proposed business combination between Delek US and Alon. This announcement is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction, Delek Holdco filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC (Registration Statement No. 333-216298), which was declared effective by the SEC on May 26, 2017. Delek US and Alon have filed a joint proxy statement/prospectus and will file other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger with the SEC. Delek US and Alon began mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective security holders on May 30, 2017. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, dated May 30, 2017, contains important information about Delek US, Alon, the proposed merger and related matters. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement, registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents that Delek US or Alon may file with the SEC or send to stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. STOCKHOLDERS OF DELEK US AND ALON ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT(S), REGISTRATION STATEMENT(S) AND/OR PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain copies of these documents, including the proxy statement/prospectus, and other documents filed with the SEC (when available) free of charge at the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Delek US will be made available free of charge on Delek US website at http://www.delekus.com or by contacting Delek US Investor Relations Department by phone at 615-435-1366. "LACCD has a responsibility to not only educate its students, but to ensure that our students are in the best possible position to receive quality education without being hungry in our classrooms," said Scott Svonkin, President of the LACCD Board of Trustees. "We want to thank Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for his leadership and for amplifying the light on the many challenges some students at LACCD face." The report and its recommendations provide fresh impetus for LACCD and its partners to move forward in finding creative solutions to challenges faced by many LACCD students. Specific recommendations laid out in the report include: trainings and workshops for faculty, staff, and administrators to increase awareness of student needs; expanded efforts to assist students in gaining access to federal and state financial aid; and increasing collaboration with local housing resources to improve student access to existing housing programs. "We commissioned this report to understand the broader issues of homelessness and hunger that our students must overcome to achieve their educational goals. By acting on the recommendations contained in the report, we can ensure that our students have the opportunity to succeed without the burden of food insecurity and the stress of homelessness," said LACCD Trustee Mike Eng. A critical component to realizing the recommendations contained in the report is the continued support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and agencies like the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Reducing incidents of homelessness and food insecurity is vital to educational attainment. "Education is the great equalizer in our society, and we must do all that we can to ensure that students in the LACCD system are able to undertake their studies without worrying about having a roof over their heads or enough food to eat," said LA County Supervisor and Board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas. "By expanding our partnerships with local community colleges, we know that the students attending these great schools will succeed in their efforts." About the Los Angeles Community College District The Los Angeles Community College District, the nation's largest community college district, serves one-quarter million students a year in more than 36 cities in Los Angeles County at its nine colleges. The District covers nearly 900 square miles and has educated and trained the region's diverse workforce since 1969. Contact: Delia Alvarado, 213-210-2500 x27 SOURCE Los Angeles Community College District (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529095/asalaser_veterinary_medicine.jpg ) (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150323/735844 ) An impact with a stone during a hunting trip: this is the reason why Tom had to be operated on the deep wound generated. The 4-year-old Italian Pointer, due to the wound position and poor post-surgery care of the owners, had to also deal with its subsequent reopening from the painful, non-secondary repercussions. Stumbling, instead, on a hooked piece of iron in the ground as he walked with his owners, Niki, a 9-year-old German shepherd, got a contused and lacerated wound that, though promptly sutured, created problems afterwards that eventually led to a surgical curettage and the removal of an already necrotic skin flap. How to help the closure of the two wounds in a short time, without pain and contraindications? Laser therapy applied in the veterinary field turns out to be providential. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antiedemigenous, analgesic, and biostimulating effects, it results in a rapid healing and oedema resolution, an immediate improvement in local blood circulation, a fast recovery of the structural integrity of damaged tissues, and a significant reduction of pain in the short term. The speed of application of the treatment also has positive effects on its tolerability even for the more restless or sensitive animals. The confirmation of the value of this therapeutic solution comes from the experience of some veterinary medicine specialists who have chosen it to treat frequent pathologies in everyday outpatient practice. "Practicing physiotherapy in the veterinary field," explains Dr. Jane McNae of the Hong Kong Vet Clinic 'Paws in Motion.' "after careful research I chose MLS Laser Therapy by ASAlaser, because the benefits of this therapeutic laser are essential for the pain and inflammation management, and to improve the natural healing of the body in many post-operative cases in the orthopaedic and neurological fields, and in common disorders of old pets. I also practice acupuncture or acu-laser treatment using both the traditional points indicated by Chinese veterinary medicine as described in the TCVM texts, and the trigger points in the myofascial tissues of the individual animals. Even in this context, MLS is valid, allowing you to act quickly on the defined points." The fields of use of laser therapy are many, and, besides injuries and wounds, it also speaks the language of potentially disabling pathologies. On the subject, the words of Dr. Martha Matallana, a veterinary physician specialized in physical therapy and rehabilitation of small animals, chiropractic and ozone therapy, DMV at the Salle University of Bogota: 'The effective use of MLS Laser Therapy is extensive, and covers, for example, both patients who, after an orthopaedic operation, must be able to return to their activity in the shortest amount of time possible, and also animals that are unsuitable for surgery that have to live with acute pain coming from problems such as the infirmity of the intervertebral disc. In both cases, the time factor is crucial: MLS not only has short application times, but also offers fast recovery results ." A non-secondary advantage that benefits pets like equine and exotic species. A comprehensive therapy already in its DNA. SOURCE ASA Srl LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 100 Executives, practitioners and industry suppliers gathered at the prestigious Banking Hall in the City of London last Tuesday evening, 20th June 2017, for a spectacular Charity Fashion Gala and Auction, to help raise funds for the Haven House Children's Hospice. The highlight of the event, created and produced by LMForums, the networking and thought-leadership group for the London Market, involved 12 executives from the insurance industry striding the catwalk in amazing outfits supplied by SuitSupply and Paule Ka. Guests enjoyed a magnificent drinks reception; three course gala dinner, accompanied by classical musicians and the amazing fashion show. Amongst those dressing up on the night, was former Saracens rugby star, now Starstone underwriter, Hayden Smith, various Heads of Claims and Operations from companies such as QBE, Neon Underwriting, Allied World and JLT and even the LMForums founder, Roger Oldham, took to the green runway himself. Rachel Flower, New Business Executive at Haven House, said: "This fabulous fashion gala really kicked off the summer season and raised over 8,000 for the hospice." "We are very grateful to London Market Forums for hosting this event. The funds raised will help us support local life-limited children and their families." "The event surpassed all of our expectations - it was an amazing evening" said Roger Oldham. "We are so grateful to our Practitioner and Corporate Members and the wider London Market community for their kind generosity. We've seen first hand the tremendous work undertaken by the staff and volunteers at the hospice and these funds will help support the 350 children they support annually across parts of London and Essex." Attendees enjoyed a lively auction with some fantastic prizes and a bidding was ensued between competing London Market companies, which made for a lot of fun. Hayden Smith from Starstone Insurance concluded the evening by kindly drawing winners from the Grand Prize Draw. About LMForums London Market Forums (LMForums) which is headquartered in the Leadenhall Building in the City of London, is the networking and thought-leadership group for professionals from the Lloyd's and wider London Insurance Market. WWW.LMFORUMS.COM Through a wide range of educational events organised by LMForums, insurance professionals have the opportunity to learn, debate and network as well as build valuable partnerships with those supplying solutions and professional advisory services to the sector. About Haven House Children's Hospice Since 2003, Haven House Children's Hospice has provided palliative and holistic care for over 650 babies, children and young people (birth-19) who have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Across North and North East London, West Essex and East Hertfordshire they provide a range of services to families to support them through the most difficult circumstances imaginable. These include planned respite, short break and end-of-life care, as well as services designed to improve emotional and physical wellbeing, across The White House, their Holistic Care Centre and in the local community. Media Contact: Roger Oldham Managing Director, LMForums Tel: +44-(0)-203-551-9188 Email: [email protected] https://LMForums.com/news/story43 SOURCE London Market Forums "Mr. Morabia and the wonderful team at Loose Leaf Eyewear are an exquisite choice in the fashion eyewear category for kathy ireland , I'M1, and Kathleen Marie New York. We are thrilled to partner with Loose Leaf Eyewear to bring our customers choices in eyewear, which will enhance the presentation of their eyes and add to their fashion style. The eyes are a concentrated area of attention and have been since the beginning of time. Men, women and children love to experience new ways of emphasizing, protecting and celebrating this key area of facial structure," says Kathy Ireland, CEO of kathy ireland Worldwide which is the parent company for the kathy ireland and Kathleen Marie New York brands. I'M1 is a subsidiary of Level Brands where Ms. Ireland serves as Chief Creative Officer. Level Brands, based in Charlotte, North Carolina is lead by CEO Martin Sumichrast. Mr. Tommy Meharey, Marine, millennial, father and Co-Founder of I'M1 with Kathy Ireland added, "Eyeglasses and sunglasses have become a major factor in the fashion look for men and can be coordinated with other attire aspects of our appearance. This connection is powerful because Loose Leaf produces great products for some of the world's leading brands. Our partnership reflects the emphasis on sunglasses as a key fashion accessory for men and I'M1 is equally pleased to have Loose Leaf bring its excellence to eye protection." "This new agreement is the latest extension for the kathy ireland fashion program. Intimate apparel, sleepwear, shapewear, legwear, handbags, wedding and special occasion couture as well as patented diamond jewelry are all leading components of kathy ireland fashion. Eyewear is the perfect and appropriate new accessory category for our forward momentum in fashion," said Rocco Ingemi, Executive Vice President of Brand Management and Board Member at kathy ireland Worldwide. Mr. Ingemi consummated the agreement during the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas and held the announcement until this morning to follow the expansion of Kathleen Marie New York by Nourison at Horchow and Neiman Marcus. Kathleen Marie New York is the Luxury brand at kathy ireland Worldwide. The eyewear collection for KMNY will offer unique innovations, distinct design identity and will be offered in limited availability with couture pricing. The images of Kathleen Marie New York Eyewear are embargoed at this time. "kathy ireland Eyewear will align with the pricing of our other successful fashion products and I'M1 eyewear will accessorize I'M1 by Andre Phillipe, an award winning, Dallas based bespoke tailoring and custom leather goods design firm, which was the first I'M1 fashion licensing partner. Having one brilliant manufacturer with the capacity to bring kathy ireland Eyewear, I'M1 Eyewear and Kathleen Marie New York Eyewear to market was the vision of Kathy and our Global Creative Director Jon Carrasco. We met with many companies; only one was able to be superior in women's, men's, children's and luxury. Loose Leaf Eyewear is that company for us," said Stephen Roseberry, President and CMO of kathy ireland Worldwide and President of I'M1. The available date for each of these brands in store, and online, will be announced later this summer. About Loose Leaf Eyewear: Loose Leaf Eyewear was founded by Giuseppe "Joseph" Morabia, who has established his reputation and expertise for his keen eye of salable fashion, creating quality product and proven profitability to retailers both domestic and internationally. Looseleafoptiques.com (212) 481-8955 About kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW): kiWW is listed as one of the most powerful brands in the world by License Global Magazine. According to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion. Kathy graces the cover of Forbes Magazine twice (2012, 2016). Kathy and kiWW support many non-profits including: YWCA Greater Los Angeles for which she is an Ambassador, Dream Foundation, Providence Educational Foundation, 911 for Kids/AEF, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Kathy is named an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. kathyireland.com About Level Brands: Level Brands, Inc. is based in Charlotte, N.C. and is the parent company of men's brand I'M1. I'M1 was co-founded by Tommy Meharey and Kathy Ireland, who serves as Chief Creative Officer for I'M1 and Level Brands. Levelbrands.com SOURCE Loose Leaf Eyewear Related Links http://www.looseleafoptiques.com WASHINGTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Louisiana Solicitor General, Liz Murrill, appeared on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, a national radio show which airs on more than 240 stations across the country. On the show, Murrill discussed the Center for Reproductive Rights decision to file a federal lawsuit in Baton Rouge, challenging abortion clinic health standards passed by the Louisiana legislature. In response to this lawsuit the Louisiana Attorney General, Jeff Landry, released a statement expressing his intention and preparedness to defend the laws in place. Liz shared her agreement with the Attorney General, "We think these laws are constitutional and we don't really see any difference in this particular lawsuit and the lawsuit that was dismissed, and filed by the same plaintiff, a couple years ago." Murrill went on to say, "They are working very diligently, not just in our state but in other states, to try and expand the Hellerstedt opinion." Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, the host of Washington Watch, added, "It sounds like they're just throwing everything they can against the wall to see if maybe the court will give them something that will stick against the state." "Let me just say this, I am proud of my state of Louisiana being labeled as the most pro-life state in the nation. And my hats off to the Attorney General, Jeff Landry, for defending these laws and for the work that his team does," concluded Perkins. To listen to the full interview, click this link: https://soundcloud.com/family-research-council/20170628-elizabeth-murrill SOURCE Family Research Council Related Links http://www.frc.org "I want to thank John for his many years of outstanding service at SSL, and for his role as a highly regarded leader in the satellite industry," said Howard L. Lance, president and chief executive officer of MDA. "His passion for space technology and his commitment to both customers and employees drove SSL to a leadership position in satellite design and manufacturing and set the groundwork for future growth based on innovative thinking and technical excellence." Under Mr. Celli's leadership, SSL grew and earned a reputation among customers as an innovator and leader in the satellite industry. As President of SSL, Mr. Celli earned a reputation across the industry as a forward thinker with high integrity and an uncompromising commitment to quality. In 2016 Mr. Celli received multiple honors and awards for his leadership. He was honored by the Silicon Valley Engineering Council as an entrant into its Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Hall of Fame, and he received the Outstanding Service to Industry award at the World Space Risk Forum (WSRF) in Dubai. John Celli joined SSL in 1981 when he was recruited from his home in Italy to work as an antenna engineer at the Palo Alto facility. Over the years he held increasingly responsible roles as Solar Array Supervisor, Mechanical Engineering Manager, and Director of Spacecraft. One of his proudest achievements was his role as Executive Director for the Intelsat IX program where he led the successful development and delivery of seven advanced multi-frequency communication satellites for the world's leading satellite operator. "It's been an honor to serve in this industry with my SSL colleagues and customers throughout the past 36 years," noted John Celli. "Looking ahead I am confident that SSL will continue to grow and lead the industry." Mr. Zamarian brings a wealth of experience in leading transformative growth and executive leadership experience to SSL, where he will work closely with the ongoing SSL senior executive team to support the needs of satellite operators around the world and drive growth into new markets. Since 2013, Mr. Zamarian has advised multiple technology companies affiliated with the Blackstone Group and served on several of their company boards. Most notably, he was instrumental in the strategy formulation, acquisition and integration activities that formed Optiv Security, a market-leading provider of end-to-end cyber security solutions. Previously, he was Global Vice President and Worldwide General Manager, Enterprise Systems and Solutions business at Dell Technologies from 2010-2013. Mr. Zamarian served as Vice President and General Manager, Systems and Network Management business at Cisco Systems from 2004-2010. Additionally, he held positions in corporate strategy, product management, sales and software engineering for technology firms in Silicon Valley. Mr. Zamarian received his BSEE and MSEE from the Polytechnic University in Turin, Italy and an MBA from INSEAD in France. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to join a world-class company such as SSL," said Dario Zamarian, "Driving growth in new markets and surpassing the needs of satellite operators around the globe is an exciting proposition and the combination of the new leadership team gives me confidence that SSL will continue to grow and lead the industry." Mr. Zamarian's responsibilities as SSL Group President will include all of the satellite and space systems markets the company serves including GEO Communications, LEO Communications and Earth Observation, Space Infrastructure Services and U.S. Government Systems. Dr. Paul Estey joined SSL in 1997. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations. Dr. Estey earned his BSME at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, his MSME at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his PhD in Engineering at Stanford University. About MDA MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide. MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development. MDA's established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 15 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDA." About SSL Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a leading provider of commercial satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for 60 years, SSL's advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations. For more information, visit www.sslmda.com. About SSL MDA Holdings: SSL MDA Holdings is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) and serves as the operating company for all MDA businesses. SSL MDA Holdings has its headquarters in San Francisco. Related Websites www.mdacorporation.com www.sslmda.com Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively "MDA" or the "Company") with respect future events. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. MDA cautions readers that should certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.mdacorporation.com. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release. Contact Wendy Lewis | SSL Media Contact | 1-650-852-5188 | [email protected] Wendy Keyzer | MDA Media Contact | 1-604-231-2743 | [email protected] Marissa Poratto | MDA Investor Relations | 1-604-331-2044 | [email protected] SOURCE MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. Related Links http://www.mdacorporation.com Based on the market-leading Valor NPI technology, this new release makes rules set-up easy and extracts PCB design intelligence to automatically perform DFM analyses with the highest level of productivity. The set-up time for DFM rules can be reduced from weeks to days, and by using quality rules, DFM results viewing time can be reduced by up to 50 percent. As the industry's only automated PCB DFM process supporting electronics manufacturers, Valor NPI software seamlessly connects PCB design, fabrication, assembly, and test processes. The Valor NPI application automatically extracts relevant PCB design technology from the design data to determine the correct PCB technology classification. The Valor NPI tool then maps the PCB classification to the constraints associated with the applicable manufacturing processes. Thus, only the DFM checks necessary for that design are executed using the correct DFM values for that PCB technology classification. This unique automated capability provides a very streamlined DFM analysis and results reviewing process. "We found the new Valor NPI software greatly simplifies our DFM process," Rick Dehart, PCB Technology Analyst at National Instruments commented. "The set-up for DFM rules is quite logical and delivers exactly what we would expect. It allows us to review a design against all our vendors' capabilities automatically so that we can focus on optimizing our designs for manufacturing instead of managing our DFM system." This new release provides easy set-up and maintenance of the DFM rules regardless of technical complexity ideal for any company doing PCB design or PCB assembly. The Valor NPI release works with all major PCB layout tools: Mentor Xpedition and PADS suites, Cadence Allegro, Zuken Board Designer, and Altium products. "As the market leader in DFM and NPI software, our mission is to help PCB designers and manufacturers create innovative products which can be manufactured successfully, faster and at lower cost," said Dan Hoz, general manager of the Mentor Valor Division. "Our unique, comprehensive and automated Valor NPI product will enable our customers to establish best-in-class DFM practices while maintaining a competitive advantage to deliver quality products faster and on-budget." Product Availability The new Valor NPI release is available today. For additional product information visit: www.mentor.com/npi. Contact for journalists Larry Toda Phone: 503-685-1664; E-mail: [email protected] Mentor Graphics Corporation, a Siemens business, is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services, and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronic, semiconductor, and systems companies. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. Web site: http://www.mentor.com. Mentor Graphics, Mentor and Valor are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Mentor Graphics Related Links http://www.mentor.com NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Victims Center is the top-branded resource on the Internet for 'The best mesothelioma compensation for a US Navy Veteran' who has this rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The reason the group has placed such a large emphasis on Navy Veterans and mesothelioma compensation is because US Navy Veterans account for about one out of three people who will be diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States. US Navy Veterans Tip: To get the very best possible mesothelioma compensation, a recently diagnosed Navy Veteran or their family will need the assistance of some of the nation's most skilled, capable, and experienced full-time mesothelioma attorneys. The Mesothelioma Victims Center would like to intervene and make suggestions about specific lawyers a Navy Veteran with mesothelioma or their family should talk to as they would like to discuss anytime at 800-714-0303. The specific types of US Navy Veterans the Mesothelioma Victims Center Is focused on helping include: Mechanic Pipefitter/Shipfitter Hull Technician/Welder Machinist Mate Electricians Mate Steelworker Boiler Technician A Crew Member on a Nuclear Submarine A Navy Sailor forced to stay on their ship during a shipyard overhaul or retrofit The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "We want to do everything possible to see to it that a Navy Veteran with mesothelioma gets the best possible financial compensation. To ensure this happens we want to make certain they are dealing directly with the nation's most qualified and most capable full-time mesothelioma attorneys. "As we would like to discuss anytime at 800-714-0303, a mesothelioma compensation claim for a US Navy Veteran does not involve a lawsuit with the navy. The groups or companies that payout for these claims are the companies that made the insulation or parts or machinery that contained asbestos on a ship's insulation. Before you hire a lawyer or law firm to assist with a mesothelioma compensation claim please call us first. As we would like to explain, once you hire a lawyer/law firm for a mesothelioma compensation claim you are stuck with them which is why it is vital you hire lawyers that know what they are doing." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com For a listing of all current US Navy Shipyards please refer to the Naval Sea Systems Command's website: http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Shipyards/. The average age for a diagnosed victim of mesothelioma is about 70 years old. This year between 2500, and 3000 US citizens will be diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is attributable to exposure to asbestos. High-risk work groups for exposure to asbestos include Veterans of the US Navy, power plant workers, shipyard workers, steel mill workers, oil refinery workers, factory workers, plumbers, electricians, welders, pipefitters, millwrights, pipefitters, miners, auto mechanics, machinists, pulp or paper mill workers, printers, firemen, rail road workers and construction workers. In most instances people with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's. http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com According to the CDC the states indicated with the highest incidence of mesothelioma include Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon. However, based on the calls the Mesothelioma Victims Center receives a Navy Veteran with mesothelioma could live in any state including New York, Florida, California, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, or Alaska. The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "If you call us at 800-714-0303, we will see to it that you have extremely honest advice about all that is involved in obtaining the best possible mesothelioma compensation. The mesothelioma attorneys we suggest consistently get the best possible financial compensation results for our clients-nationwide." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com For more information about mesothelioma please refer to the National Institutes of Health's web site related to this rare form of cancer: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mesothelioma.html Contact: Michael Thomas 800-714-0303 [email protected] SOURCE Mesothelioma Victims Center (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140416/681203 ) A leading provider of elevators in the Middle East, ETA MELCO is a Joint Venture Company between M/s. Al Majal Group Co. L.L.C., Dubai, U.A.E (Part of Al Ghurair Group of Companies, Dubai, U.A.E) and M/s. Mitsubishi Group, Japan. ETA MELCO was considering moving to SAP S/4HANA to integrate all its departments and processes on one single platform with objective of facilitating seamless business process execution, thereby improving overall operational efficiency. This was achieved through a technology-enabled partnership with Mindtree that leveraged Industry best practices and implemented SAP's market-leading suite of enterprise management applications - Simple Finance, HR and Payroll, Procurement, Sales, Customer Service, Project Systems and Business Intelligence. The solution has simplified the IT landscape and will facilitate in scaling of ETA MELCO's IT operations to enhance their competitive edge in the market place. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdul Mujeeb, CEO of ETA MELCO quoted, "After an extensive evaluation on various solution providers, the obvious choice was Mindtree. Mindtree gave us the confidence with their wide experience and strong expertise in successfully implementing state-of-the-art SAP S/4HANA across the globe. They are certainly the right implementation partners to execute the first-of-its kind implementation in the Middle East as well as to roll out in our other global territories in the next expansion phase." "ETA MELCO needed a scalable business platform to improve customer service levels and implement common business processes across their international locations. SAP S/4HANA, SAP's next generation business suite, was their solution of choice. Mindtree is extremely excited about being ETA MELCO's partner in this journey," said Rostow Ravanan, CEO & Managing Director, Mindtree. "It is one of the largest greenfield implementations of S/4HANA in the region." About Mindtree Mindtree [NSE: MINDTREE] delivers digital transformation and technology services from ideation to execution, enabling Global 2000 clients to outperform the competition. 'Born digital', Mindtree takes an agile, collaborative approach to creating customized solutions across the digital value chain. At the same time, our deep expertise in infrastructure and applications management helps optimize your IT into a strategic asset. Whether you need to differentiate your company, reinvent business functions or accelerate revenue growth, we can get you there. Visit to http://www.mindtree.com learn more. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. For more information, contact: INDIA Ankita Dubey Mindtree +91-7899169001 [email protected] SOURCE Mindtree Seattle, WA, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ***Media Alert*** TDWI ACCELERATE CONFERENCE 2017 The Fastest Path to Achieving Your Analytics Goals October 16-18, 2017 HYATT BELLEVUE, SEATTLE/BELLEVUE WA TRACKS AND SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED WHO: TDWI (www.tdwi.org) announces TDWI Accelerate Seattle: Analytics and Data Visualization, October 1618, 2017, in Seattle/Bellevue, WA. TDWI is the leading source of business intelligence and analytics education, research, and news about all things data. TDWI Accelerate brings together the brightest minds in data science and analytics to share their expertise and help you realize your analytics and data science goals, faster. WHAT: After a successful introduction in Boston in 2016, TDWI Accelerate visits Seattle for the first time. Accelerate provides immersive educational experiencesbuilding skills and heightening inspiration with the industrys best. TDWI Accelerate focuses on these key areas of the advanced analytics life cycle: Advanced analytics and data science for business data sourcing, data preparation, analytic modeling and analysis, communicating with visualization, and deployment data sourcing, data preparation, analytic modeling and analysis, communicating with visualization, and deployment Self-service analytics and data visualization the language of images, data storytelling, democratization, and data preparation the language of images, data storytelling, democratization, and data preparation Predictive analytics data mining, text analytics, algorithm application, and model validation data mining, text analytics, algorithm application, and model validation The future of advanced analytics applied machine learning, artificial intelligence, the evolution from BI to AI, and more Participants will attend expert sessions, detailed tutorials, and case studies, and survey the latest analytics and data science technologies. Featuring an interactive format, Accelerate sessions are delivered by data science and analytics gurus from the organizations leading the data science revolution. Accelerate also includes ample networking time for attendees and speakers to share the insights to successfully jump-start analytics and data science projects. Accelerate speakers cover some of the hottest topics in analytics today, including: Dave McColgin, Executive Creative Director, Artefact An industry expert from local Seattle design and technology group Artefact, McColgin has earned various awards including the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA). He shares his visualization best practices and data design experiences, including work on his latest project, USAFacts.org, funded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Eduardo Arino de la Rubia, Chief Data Scientist, Domino Data Lab This industry expert and recognized speaker delivers a session providing Accelerate attendees with a valuable overview and comparison of open source tools R and Python, as well as a second detailed session focusing on leveraging open source tools in automated machine learning to streamline processes and improve business efficiencies. Wee Hyong Tok, Principal Data Science Manager, Microsoft Corporation Tok, data science expert and practitioner, tackles the challenging and ever-present topic of taking the organization from BI into the age of machine learning and artificial intelligence by breaking it down into five data science super powers. More speaker highlights include: Kirk Borne, Booz Allen Hamilton Booz Allen Hamilton Donald Farmer, Principal, TreeHive Strategy Principal, TreeHive Strategy Skye Moret, Data Visualizer, Periscopic Data Visualizer, Periscopic Natasha Balac, Ph.D., President and CEO, Data Insight Discovery, Inc. President and CEO, Data Insight Discovery, Inc. Sheridan Hitchens , Vice President, Data Products, Ten-X.com , Vice President, Data Products, Ten-X.com Debraj GuhaThakurta , Senior Data Scientist, Microsoft Corporation , Senior Data Scientist, Microsoft Corporation Francesco Mosconi , Data Scientist, Catalit LLC , Data Scientist, Catalit LLC Mark Madsen , President, Third Nature, Inc. , President, Third Nature, Inc. Nicholas Kelly, BluLink Solutions WHEN: October 16-18, 2017 WHERE: Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattles Eastside 900 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue, WA 98004 425.462.1234 Hotel Website EXHIBITS: The TDWI Accelerate exhibit hall will showcase leading vendors of software and services for data science, analytics, big data, and related technologies. Visit the Exhibitor and Sponsor page for more information. REGISTER: Full session details and registration information can be found at tdwi.org/Accelerate. Conference attendees who register by August 25, 2017, are eligible for a special discount of up to $355. FOR THE MEDIA Members of the media are invited to cover the event. Interviews with TDWI spokespeople are available upon request. Media passes are reserved for press representatives and analysts who can verify that their publication or organization regularly covers data analytics, business intelligence, or related topics. Please note: media passes will not be issued to publishing, sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, or technical support staff from any organization. To apply for a media pass, please send an email to mcarter@tdwi.org with the following information: name, title, company, email address, telephone number, dates of attendance, publication/website name (including website URL), and links to three articles/blogs/podcasts published in the last three months that cover business intelligence, data analytics, or related topics. About TDWI For 20 years, TDWI has provided individuals and teams with a comprehensive portfolio of business and technical education and research about all things data. The in-depth, best-practices-based knowledge TDWI offers can be quickly applied to develop world-class talent across your organizations business and IT functions to enhance analytical, data-driven decision making and performance. TDWI advances the art and science of realizing business value from data by providing an objective forum where industry experts, solution providers, and practitioners can explore and enhance data competencies, practices, and technologies. TDWI offers six major conferences as well as topical seminars, onsite education, membership, certification, live webinars, resourceful publications, industry news, and in-depth research. See tdwi.org or follow us on Twitter @TDWI. About 1105 Media 1105 Media, Inc., is a leading provider of integrated information and media in targeted business-to-business markets, including specialized sectors of the information technology community; industrial health, safety, and compliance; security; environmental protection; and home healthcare. 1105's offerings span print and online magazines, journals, and newsletters; seminars, conferences, and trade shows; training course-ware; and Web-based services. 1105 Media is based in Chatsworth, California, with offices throughout the United States. TDWI Media Contact: Christen Casey ccasey@tdwi.org Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/033e151c-cf57-4003-8edd-a5b3d76b0be7 SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global molecular biology enzymes and kits & reagents market is expected to reach USD 26.7 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Expanding pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in emerging nations is expected to offer significant growth opportunities to the molecular biology enzymes, kits, and reagents market. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of personalized medicine is expected to provide lucrative opportunities to the market. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160524/371361LOGO) Technological advancements aimed at development of advanced products and increasing R&D investments by leading manufacturers are some of the key factors contributing to increasing demand for these enzymes, kits, and reagents. In addition, increasing adoption of molecular diagnostics is expected to serve this industry as a potential growth driver. Molecular biology enzymes, kits, and reagents are majorly used in genomics-related application areas. Increased funding for research in the field of genomics and sequencing are expected to augment growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, these products are used in the drug discovery and development stages in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies contribute to the largest share of the end users of molecular biology enzymes, kits, and reagents. This dominant share can be attributed to increasing investments in R&D, expanding biopharmaceutical & biotechnology industry in the Asia Pacific region, and government initiatives in various countries to develop the biotechnology & pharmaceutical industry. Browse full research report with TOC on "Molecular Biology Enzymes And Kits & Reagents Market Analysis By Product (Kits and Reagents, Enzymes), By Application (PCR, Sequencing, Cloning, Epigenetics), By End User, And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/molecular-biology-enzymes-kits-reagents-market Further key findings from the report suggest: Kits and reagents held the dominant share of market, by product, as of 2016 owing to their low costs and incessant product launches Rising number of research activities in molecular biology application areas amongst the end users is one of the key contributing factors responsible for the dominance of this product The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) segment is expected to witness lucrative growth in the near future owing to the benefits associated with its use in molecular diagnostics PCR is used in detection and identification of genetic disorders. Rising geriatric population across the globe is also expected to drive this market owing to the use of PCR in detecting and diagnosing geriatric disorders. Rising demand for personalized medicine fosters the demand for sequencing, which further increases the demand for these enzymes, kits, and reagents Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies held a dominant share, by end user in 2016 Rising investments in R&D, expanding pharmaceutical & biotechnology industry, and increasing venture capital investments are some of the major factors contributing to the growth of this segment Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Recombinant DNA Technology Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/recombinant-dna-technology-market Epigenetics Drugs and Diagnostic Technologies Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/epigenetics-drugs-and-diagnostic-technologies-market Prokaryotic Expression Systems Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/prokaryotic-expression-systems-market Eukaryotic Expression Systems Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/eukaryotic-expression-systems-market Grand View Research has segmented the molecular biology enzymes and kits & reagents market on the basis of the product, application, end user, and region: Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Kits and Reagents Enzymes Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) PCR Sequencing Cloning Epigenetics Restriction Digestion Synthetic Biology Other Applications Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies Academic and Research Institutes Hospitals and Diagnostic Centers Other End Users Molecular Biology Enzymes, Kits, and Reagents Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe UK Germany France Asia Pacific Japan China India Latin America Brazil MEA South Africa Read Our Blog: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/blogs/healthcare About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. CHICAGO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 14-acre Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) is giving guests a deeper look at some of today's most topical issues with recently debuted exhibits ranging from an unprecedented collection of robots and the iconic Doomsday Clock, to photographic documentation of melting glaciers and a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibit creation process. Recently Debuted Exhibits Robot Revolution, supported by Google.org with additional major support from The Boeing Company, allows guests to control, see and interact with more than 40 robots from around the world to learn how robots, created by human ingenuity, will ultimately be our companions and colleagues. Not included in Museum Entry and requires an additional, timed-entry ticket ($12 for adults, $9 for kids 3-11). Open through February 4, 2018. Turn Back the Clock, created in partnership with the "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists," focuses on the iconic Doomsday Clockmarking its 70th anniversaryand the urgency of major challenges in our world today: nuclear weapons and climate change. Turn Back the Clock teaches guests about the intersection of science and policy around how the nuclear age has shaped our world with compelling personal stories, interactive media, artifacts and models. Open through early 2018. Imagining the Museum allows guests to learn how MSI has brought world-class exhibits to life for more than 80 years through more than 70 never-before-seen sketches, 3D models and design renderings including U-505, Science Storms and Smart Home. Open through early 2018. Extreme Ice illustrates the immediacy of climate change and how it is already altering our world through the work of American photographer James Balog. Through stunning photographic documentation and time-lapse videography of glaciers, Extreme Ice provides guests a visual representation of climate change. Open through early 2019. MSI Hosts National Ice Cream Day Celebration Throughout Chicago In celebration of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 16, the Museum has partnered with Nitro Dessert Station by Polonia Catering to showcase the science of ice cream. MSI and Nitro Dessert Station will make stops around Chicago between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., unveiling the science behind ice cream as experts use liquid nitrogen to create customized flavors for three stops, including: 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. : Guaranteed Rate Field for White Sox Family Sunday : Guaranteed Rate Field for White Sox Family Sunday 1:45 2:45 p.m. : Celebrity chef Graham Elliot will be onsite at MSI to share his custom creation with guests : Celebrity chef will be onsite at MSI to share his custom creation with guests 4 5 p.m. : Maggie Daley Park Ice cream samples are free. Limited supply only. Times and schedules are subject to change. More details will be available at msichicago.org. MSI Giant Dome Theater Unveils New Technology In addition to hands-on exhibits, MSI guests can be among the first in the country to experience the new, state-of-the-art technology in the Giant Dome Theater (formerly Omnimax Theater), Chicago's only giant dome theater. The following movies will run throughout the summer: Amazon Adventure , a new film based on a true story about the life of explorer Henry Bates , documents Henry's incredible 11-year journey through the Amazon rainforest. , a new film based on a true story about the life of explorer , documents Henry's incredible 11-year journey through the Amazon rainforest. Dream Big, is a returning film narrated by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges . The film celebrates human ingenuity and innovation, revealing the creativity that drives engineers to create better lives for people and a more sustainable future. Guest Favorites Brick by Brick features more than a dozen engineering marvelscompletely rendered in LEGO bricksbuilt by Chicago native and LEGO Certified Professional Adam Reed Tucker. See a 60-foot-long Golden Gate Bridge, magical Cinderella's Castle, Frank Lloyd Wright's historic Fallingwater, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and more. Guest have hands-on opportunities to learn more about architecture and engineering, including building their own LEGO creations and assembling structures to withstand winds! Not included in Museum Entry and requires an additional, timed-entry ticket ($12 for adults, $9 for kids 3-11). Open through December 2017. Numbers In Nature: A Mirror Maze is an interactive and immersive exhibit that exposes and explains the mathematical patterns that abound in the natural worldfrom the delicate nested spirals of a sunflower's seeds, to the ridges of a majestic mountain range, to the layout of the Universeproviding a unique perspective of our daily surroundings. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 1,800-square-foot elaborate mirror maze that allows guests to explore and navigate a seemingly infinite repeating pattern of mirrors. Permanent exhibit. Coal Mine, one of the Museum's first exhibits, takes guests on a 30-minute-tour of a lifelike Illinois coal mine. Guests descend into a mineshaft, ride on the rails and learn about the evolution of coal-mining technology. Permanent exhibit. U-505 Submarine is the only German U-boat captured during World War II and one of only five U-boats left in the world. This National Historic Landmark has been at the Museum since 1954 and is the centerpiece of a 35,000-square-foot interactive exhibit. Guests will be captivated by the submarine's capture and technology through different artifacts, veteran testimonies, interactive challenges and an optional on-board tour. Permanent exhibit. Year-Round Learning MSI recently kicked off its yearly Summer Brain Games series, which offers fun, easy at-home science experiments, helping to combat summer brain drain and experience MSI at home. Over an eight-week period, there will be fun and engaging science experiments for families using items they already have at home, including: Elephant's Toothpaste: Create your superhero origin story with this oozing, and safe, chemical reaction. Air Cannon: Use physics to control the wind and knock down obstacles using just a cup and a balloon. Comeback Can: Make your friends think you can control objects with your mind using a can, twist tie, a rubber band and a hex nut. The Museum is proud to be a part of the Museums for All program. MSI offers free Museum Entry to individuals and families presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) card, along with a photo ID. Each card holder is entitled to up to two adult Museum Entry tickets and up to six child (under 18) Museum Entry tickets. The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI), one of the largest science museums in the world, offers world-class and uniquely interactive experiences that inspire inventive genius and foster curiosity. From groundbreaking and award-winning exhibits that can't be found anywhere else, to hands-on opportunities that make you the scientista visit to MSI is where fun and learning mix. Through its Center for the Advancement of Science Education (CASE), the Museum offers a variety of student, teacher and family programs that make a difference in communities and contribute to MSI's larger vision: to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, medicine and engineering. Come visit and find your inspiration! MSI is open 9:304 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Extended hours, until 5:30 p.m., are offered during peak periods. The Museum is grateful for the support of its donors and guests, who make its work possible. MSI is also supported in part by the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visit msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414. Contacts: Isabel Morales, [email protected], (773) 947-6003 Renee Mailhiot, [email protected], (773) 947-3133 SOURCE Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Related Links http://www.msichicago.org HOUSTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA is awarding up to $600,000 in prizes to the winners of the Space Robotics Challenge, a competition open to teams of citizen inventors competing to develop and master technologies within a virtual environment that can someday be used on real robotic hardware. Media are invited to attend the awards ceremony for the Space Robotics Challenge at 2 p.m. CDT on Friday, June 30, hosted by Space Center Houston, located at 1601 E. NASA Parkway. Immediately following the ceremony, finalists, winners and Therese Griebel, from NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C., will be available for interviews. Members of the news media who wish to attend should contact Molly Porter for registration at [email protected] before 10 a.m. on June 30. Robots that can perform complex tasks without human control will work alongside the next generation of space explorers. The Space Robotics Challenge, part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program since August 2016, is a public prize competition to develop the capabilities of humanoid robot dexterity to better enable them to work alongside and independent of astronauts in preparation for future space exploration. The finalists were selected from a pool of 92 teams from 13 countries. The final round of competition was held June 13-16 in a virtual environment, where teams had to program a virtual robot, modeled after NASA's humanoid R5 robot, to complete a series of tasks in a simulation that includes periods of latency to represent the communications delay from Earth to Mars. Each team's R5 had to resolve the aftermath of a dust storm that damaged a Martian habitat. This included three objectives: aligning a communications dish, repairing a solar array, and fixing a habitat leak. The Top 20 teams, in alphabetical order, are: BIT PLEASE - Cypress, Texas Coordinated Robotics - Newbury Park, California Mingo Mountain Robotics - Kettle Falls, Washington MITs - Tokyo, Japan Mystic - The Woodlands, Texas Nevermore - Jersey City, New Jersey Ring of the Nibelungs - Medford, Massachusetts Sirius - South Hadley, Massachusetts SpaceBucs Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Space Weavers - San Jose, California Team AL v.2.0 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada Team Olympus Mons - Barcelona, Spain Team Olrun - Evansville, Indiana THE HUMANZ ARE DEAD Boston, Massachusetts Walk Softly - Erie, Pennsylvania Whalers - Nantucket, Massachusetts Worcester Polytechnic Institute Humanoid Robotics Lab Worcester, Massachusetts WV Robotics Team Fairmont, West Virginia Xion Systems Fresno, California ZARJ St. Paul, Minnesota NASA's Centennial Challenges program is part of the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate, and is managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. NASA uses challenges to gather the best and brightest minds in academia, industry and government to drive innovation and enable solutions in important technology focus areas. For more information about the Space Robotics Challenge, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spacebot For more information about other challenges and prize opportunities with NASA, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/solve SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov WASHINGTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA invites the public to three days of discussion and storytelling with notable aerospace experts to mark the 100th anniversary of the agency's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Portions of the event will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website. The Langley Centennial Symposium will be held July 12-14 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, and admission is free. Media wishing to attend should contact Michael Finneran at 757-864-6110 or [email protected]. Keynote speakers include Jean-Yves Le Gall, president of France's space agency, former NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman, and representatives from NASA, related government organizations, industry and academia. Panel and presentation topics include: Hidden Figures: The Story Behind the Story The History of Flight: A Century of Finding Practical Solutions International Partnerships to Reach New Heights, Reveal the Unknown, and Benefit All Humankind The Future of NASA Aerospace in the Next 20 to 30 Years For more information, and to register, visit: https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1933368 Other public events this year that will celebrate Langley's centennial are: Sept. 22 : Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at Langley. : Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at Langley. Oct. 21 : Langley Open House, featuring tours of facilities and activities. : Langley Open House, featuring tours of facilities and activities. October through March 2018 : photography exhibit at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia , that showcases Langley's 100-year history. For more information on Langley Centennial events, go to: https://www.nasa.gov/langley/100/events Learn more about the exciting work currently underway at NASA's Langley Research Center at: https://www.nasa.gov/langley SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov AUSTIN, Texas, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NextTribe.com, a web magazine for women 45 plus who want to Age Boldly, is pleased to announce the winner of their "Hooray for Gray Giveaway." Hillary Barnett Bitar, 55, of Miami, was awarded the top prize after a nationwide search for the most glorious gray hair. Hillary Barnett Bitar, 55, of Miami, Florida, is the winner of NextTribe.com's "Hooray for Gray Giveaway." "Hillary won because her silver hair is almost luminescent," says NextTribe.com editor, Jeannie Ralston. "We think one aspect of aging boldly is embracing your gray and making it a signature look. Hillary has certainly done that." Ralston emphasizes, however, that letting your gray hang out is not the only way to age boldly. Indeed, Ralston wrote an article for the magazine called "The Honey Hair Club for Women" about how she and other women who color to hide their gray often end up with hair that's about the same tone. "NextTribe doesn't say you have to do this or that," Ralston continues. "It's about finding what works for you and going with it." Bitar will win a $250 gift certificate to Ulta beauty, and a modeling session with a photographer. The photos will be included on the website in the next several weeks. Five runners-up were chosen as well. Libbey Aly from Blanco, Texas; Devy Ferguson of Smithville, Mississippi; Michele Lorette, Port Aransas, Texas; Megan Rawn Ulrichs, Bozeman, Montana and Emily Vickers, Hopewell, NJ. Photos are on NextTribe.com along with all the entries. NextTribe.com is a new web magazine that offers inspiration and information with a healthy dose of irreverence to a traditionally overlooked but powerful demographic. The mission is to make women feel heard and understood and to connect smart cheeky women to each other. For more information, contact: Jeannie Ralston, Editor [email protected] 512-423-3030 SOURCE NextTribe Related Links http://NextTribe.com RENO, Nev., June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nature's Bakery (www.naturesbakery.com) announced the launch of a new partnership with Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org) the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization today. As part of the Nature's Bakery year-long "Baking it up a notch in the fight to end hunger" initiative, the on-the-go snacks and food brand will donate funds to help provide 1.65 million meals* for families struggling with hunger. The on-the-go snacks and food brand will supplement its financial donation with an additional 135,000 lbs. of Nature's Bakery food product donated to select food banks in Feeding America's nationwide network. Nature's Bakery and Feeding America have added new sections to their websites to help educate the public about families facing hunger in America and to highlight the need for action: Nature's Bakery: www.naturesbakery.com/feeding-america Feeding America: http://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/about-feeding-america/partners/current-promotions/natures-bakery-baking-it-up-a-notch-in-the-fight-to-end-hunger.html "In a country as blessed as the United States of America, no one should have to go to sleep hungry at night. We have a responsibility to do our part to achieve that goal," said Nature's Bakery founder Dave Marson. "Giving back and serving communities is in our DNA and now that we've had some success with our brand, we have an opportunity to help pay it forward by serving communities all across the country." Feeding America provides more than 4 billion meals in the United States every year through its nationwide network of 200 member food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. The hunger-relief organization also engages communities in the fight to end hunger by raising awareness across the country and leading the way in hunger research. "More than 42 million people in the United States face hunger, including 13 million children. We are proud to partner with Nature's Bakery whose generous contributions will help in the fight to end hunger for millions of Americans," said Nancy Curby, SVP of Corporate Partnerships & Operations at Feeding America. "Hunger is an issue that impacts every single county in our country and this partnership will help the Feeding America network provide more meals and more support for people in need." The Nature's Bakery partnership with Feeding America will expand with additional activations announced throughout the next 12 months. *$1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Nature's Bakery guarantees a minimum of 1,650,000 meals to Feeding America and member food banks from June 1, 2017 to June 1, 2018. Media Contact: [email protected] or (323) 822-9300 About Nature's Bakery: Nature's Bakery, headquartered in Reno, Nevada, is an on-the-go snacks and food brand that was founded in 2010 by father and son Dave and Sam Marson. Believing in quality and the use of thoughtful ingredients, the two set out on one simple mission to create delicious, convenient snack and food products people can enjoy in their everyday, active lives. Nature's Bakery products include stone-ground whole-wheat fig bars, gluten-free fig bars made with a blend of ancient grains, organic brownies and organic honey and oat soft-baked bars. Nature's Bakery products are Kosher, non-GMO verified, dairy-free, soy-free and made without high-fructose corn syrup. The founding philosophy of the brand is to keep it simple, have fun and achieve balance in life through nature, activity, nutrition and community. Nature's Bakery products are distributed online and globally in a range of club, drugstore, supermarket, convenience, airport and specialty and natural grocery retailers. Join the journey on Facebook or check us out on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @NaturesBakery. About Feeding America: Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. SOURCE Nature's Bakery Related Links http://www.naturesbakery.com/feeding-america VANCOUVER, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Nevsun Resources Ltd. (TSX:NSU) (NYSE MKT:NSU) ("Nevsun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce new assay results from on-going drilling of the Lower Zone at the Timok copper-gold project ("Timok Project"). HIGHLIGHTS Drilling continues to confirm grade, continuity and thickness of the Lower Zone New porphyry copper intersections include: 0.80% Cu and 0.22g/t Au over 798.1m in TC170131A (1.11% Cu equivalent) 1.01% Cu and 0.18g/t Au over 336.1m in TC160118 (1.27% Cu equivalent) 1.02% Cu and 0.25g/t Au over 327.0m in TC160125D (1.38% Cu equivalent) 1.18% Cu and 0.29g/t Au over 238.7m in TC160125B (1.59% Cu equivalent) Intersections estimated to be near true width Cu equivalent calculated as 1g/t Au = 0.7% Cu Drilling targeted completion in late 2017 Nevsun CEO, Peter Kukielski, commented, "The Lower Zone assays reported today are part of an on-going $20 million drilling program with our joint venture partner Freeport-McMoRan aimed at defining the large footprint of the Timok Lower Zone mineralization. There are currently 12 drills in operation on the program with a target date for completion in late 2017." Detailed drill results, sections and a plan map of drill hole locations are attached to this news release. Holes are designed to intersect the porphyry mineralization at near 100% of true width. Timok Copper-Gold Project The Timok Project is located in eastern Serbia near the Bor mining and smelting complex. The Timok Project is focussed on the Cukaru Peki ("Timok") deposit which includes the high grade Upper Zone (characterized by massive and semi-massive sulphide mineralization) and the Lower Zone (characterized by porphyry-style mineralization). This news release is solely about the Lower Zone. For recent information on the Upper Zone, please refer to the Company's news release dated February 27, 2017 and the Q1 results dated April 27, 2017. Geology of the Timok Lower Zone The Lower Zone consists of porphyry-type mineralization characterized by chalcopyrite-pyrite and minor bornite and molybdenite occurring as disseminations and within quartz and quartz-magnetite stockwork veinlets. Anhydrite veins are common. Within the Lower Zone, porphyry-type potassic alteration is preserved locally but generally overprinted by sericite-clay, argillic and advanced argillic alteration. The latter overprinting also brings occasional covellite-pyrite mineralization. The host rocks are predominantly volcanic andesite, andesite breccia and andesitic porphyry. The geometry of the Lower Zone remains to be fully defined. Its top is about 700 metres below surface and has been traced down to depths in excess of 2,000 metres. Quality Assurance Drill core samples were collected in accordance with protocols that are compatible with accepted industry procedures and best practice. The Company conducts its own analysis of QAQC generated by the systematic inclusion of certified reference materials, blank samples and duplicate samples. The analytical results from the quality control samples have been evaluated and have been demonstrated to conform to best practice standards. Mr. Peter Manojlovic, P.Geo., Nevsun's VP Exploration, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Manojlovic has reviewed the technical content of this press release and approved its dissemination. About Nevsun Resources Ltd. Nevsun Resources Ltd. is the 100% owner of the high-grade copper-gold Timok Upper Zone and 60% owner of the Timok Lower Zone in Serbia. Nevsun generates cash flow from its 60% owned copper-zinc Bisha Mine in Eritrea. Nevsun is well positioned with a strong debt-free balance sheet to grow shareholder value through advancing Timok to production. Forward Looking Statements The above contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "hopes", "intends", "estimated", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are statements concerning the Company's current beliefs, plans and expectations about the future, including but not limited to statements and information made concerning: statements relating to the business, prospects and future activities of, and developments related to the Company, anticipated dividends, goals, strategies, future growth, planned future acquisitions and explorations activities, the adequacy of financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future, and are inherently uncertain. The actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, the risks that: (i) any of the assumptions in the historical resource estimates turn out to be incorrect, incomplete, or flawed in any respect; (ii) the methodologies and models used to prepare the resource and reserve estimates either underestimate or overestimate the resources or reserves due to hidden or unknown conditions, (iii) exploration activities or the mine operations are disrupted or suspended due to acts of god, internal conflicts in the country of Eritrea or Serbia, unforeseen government actions or other events; (iv) the Company experiences the loss of key personnel; (v) the Company's operations or exploration activities are adversely affected by other political or military, or terrorist activities; (vi) the Company becomes involved in any material disputes with any of its key business partners, suppliers or customers; (vii) the Company is subjected to any hostile takeover or other unsolicited attempts to acquire control of the Company; (viii) the Company is subject to any adverse ruling in any of the pending litigation to which it is a party; (ix) the timing and success of improving the quality of the copper circuit product by resolving the metallurgical challenges from the variable ore materials being processed to produce concentrate from the copper circuit; * the effect on resource or reserve estimates due to the possible inability to resolve the metallurgical challenges on the variable ore materials being processed on a timely basis or at all; and other risks are more fully described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and the Company assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements in the future, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business can be found in our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is available on the Company's website (www.nevsun.com), filed under our profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under cover of Form 40-F. NEVSUN RESOURCES LTD. "Peter Kukielski" Peter Kukielski President & Chief Executive Officer SOURCE Nevsun Resources Ltd. ARLINGTON, Va. and SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Law and Ropes & Gray today announced the publication of Sanctions Enforcement and Compliance: A Practitioner's Guide to OFAC, a new portfolio that focuses on the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and its associated economic sanctions. The portfolio, which was authored by Ropes & Gray government enforcement counsel Michael Casey and business & securities litigation partner Zachary Brez, also provides an overview and analysis of OFAC's statutory and regulatory underpinning. To download an excerpt of Sanctions Enforcement and Compliance, visit http://on.bna.com/Z5Cj30d7knO. The portfolio provides a detailed overview of recent sanctions enforcement trends, multi-agency enforcement actions, predictions of future trends in sanctions enforcement, and effective corporate sanctions compliance programs. High-profile enforcement actions and the lessons practitioners should learn from those actions are discussed throughout the portfolio and it features a comparison of U.S. and international sanctions programs. "The changing nature of sanctions regulations and the U.S. government's increased focus on sanctions enforcement has left many attorneys looking for a concise summary of the OFAC sanctions and clear guidance about how to comply with them," said Casey. "This portfolio provides information that global financial institutions, private equity sponsors, multinational companies as well as their lawyers can use to understand the U.S. sanctions regime." "We are continually expanding practical guidance resources for legal professionals on Bloomberg Law on important compliance issues such as OFAC," Alex Butler, Vice President & General Manager, Corporate, Tech & IP at Bloomberg Law. "Those that have violated OFAC sanctions have been assessed billions of dollars in penalties. Attorneys can rely on resources such as Sanctions Enforcement and Compliance and broader compliance resources and insights provided by our expert journalists, editors and data scientists to help their clients avoid substantial monetary fines as well as potential civil and criminal enforcement actions." Bloomberg Law portfolios are written by expert practitioners and feature deep-dive analysis and practice tools, such as checklists, sample client letters, forms and other supporting material on a wide range of key legal topics. For information on the full range of banking resources available on Bloomberg Law, visit http://on.bna.com/K84y30d7krg. About Bloomberg BNA Bloomberg BNA provides legal, tax and compliance professionals with critical information, practical guidance and workflow solutions. We leverage leading technology and a global network of experts to deliver a unique combination of news and authoritative analysis, comprehensive research solutions, innovative practice tools, and proprietary business data and analytics. Bloomberg BNA is an affiliate of Bloomberg L.P., the global business, financial information and news leader. For more information, visit www.bna.com. About Bloomberg Law Bloomberg Law helps legal professionals provide world-class counsel with access to actionable legal intelligence in a business context. Bloomberg Law delivers a unique combination of practical guidance, comprehensive primary and secondary source material, trusted content from Bloomberg BNA, news, time-saving practice tools, market data and business intelligence. For more information, visit www.bna.com/bloomberglaw. About Ropes & Gray Ropes & Gray is one of the world's premier law firms, with more than 1,200 lawyers and legal professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology and government. The firm has offices in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul, and has consistently been recognized for its leading practices in many areas, including private equity, M&A, finance, investment management, hedge funds, real estate, tax, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, business & securities litigation, government enforcement, privacy & data security and business restructuring. SOURCE Bloomberg Law; Ropes & Gray Related Links http://www.bna.com/bloomberglaw PLANTATION, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New business, food and retailers are opening this year at Market on University. "EDENS is committed to enriching communities where we live and where we do business. The community that frequents Market on University has a diverse set of needs, and with these new retailers, we believe we're delivering on those needs," said Nicole Shiman, Vice President Investments at EDENS. Market on University has been a staple in the Plantation, FL community for decades. Built in 1978, the center sits in the heart of the dominant regional corridor for the area, serving families in the surrounding neighborhoods and workers in the more than five million square feet of retail and office space nearby. EDENS recently completed a major redevelopment on the center, including an enhanced look and a new LA Fitness. Aroa Craft Yogurt Cafe (now open): Named for the lush river and valley in Venezula, AROA Craft Yogurt Cafe focuses on yogurt in a new and innovative way. Their authentic craft yogurt mixes with sweet and savory ingredients, including vegetables, spices and fruits, in innovative dishes. Pho Brothers (now open): A family collaboration introduces the fresh and vibrant Vietnamese cuisine to the South Florida area. Featuring boba tea and boba smoothies, the restaurant also specializes in authentic banh mi sandwiches and traditional noodle soup dishes. Tropical Smoothie Cafe (now open): Tropical Smoothie Cafe's menu offers bold, flavorful food and smoothies with a healthy appeal, all made to order from the freshest ingredients. Their toasted wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads and gourmet salads are made fresh with high-quality meats and cheeses, produce and flavorful sauces. Charles Schwab (Opening Summer 2017): Charles Schwab provides a full range of securities, brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services through its operating subsidiaries, Charles Schwab & Co. and Charles Schwab Bank. Chiro Care (Opening Summer 2017): ChiroCare has become a brand that symbolizes the standard of excellence among chiropractic practices. Since its beginnings as the nation's first chiropractic network more than 30 years ago, ChiroCare has remained at the forefront of managed chiropractic care. Pizza Fire (Opening Winter 2017): PizzaFire offers fast-casual craft pizzas ready in 180 seconds, created with premium cheeses, hand cut fresh vegetables, artisan meats and sauces made from scratch. About Market on University Anchored by a Publix and LA Fitness, Market on University is a hub for the surrounding population. The center, totaling 173,000 square feet offers a mix of local, regional and national retailers. In 2015, the center underwent redevelopment with improved accessibility and visibility, enhanced connectivity, new landscape and hardscape including pedestrian-friendly plaza areas. For more information about Market on University, please visit http://www.edens.com/centers/FL/Plantation/Market-on-University. About EDENS EDENS develops, owns and operates community shopping centers in primary markets across the country. Focusing on innovative development and redevelopment together with key acquisitions in urban areas, the company has built an institutional-quality portfolio of more than 120 retail centers. EDENS has regional headquarters in Boston, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Columbia, SC. For additional information about the company and its retail real estate portfolio, please visit www.edens.com. SOURCE EDENS Related Links http://www.edens.com NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As July 4th approaches, New York State must declare itself independent of the harms caused by the use of fossil fuels, that's what a coalition of environmental organizations urged today. The groups, including the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), argued that the devastating consequences of a rapidly warming planet must be addressed. The levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere already exceed 400 ppm, considered dangerously high. In addition, methane -- a greenhouse gas more potent than CO 2 in the near-term levels are now growing faster in the atmosphere than at any other time in the past two decades. With the actions by the Trump Administration that undermine international and federal climate policies, it is up to the states to act. New York can help lead the nation by blocking the development of all new fossil fuel infrastructure deals, which, if built, must be used for decades in order to pay for themselves. The groups argued there is no time to waste. Weaning the nation off of its fossil fuel addiction must start now and blocking new projects to expand the use of oil and gas is a key step. Governor Cuomo has authority to deny the necessary permits to build such facilities, thus he can stop these expansions. It is clear that oil and gas facilities not only pollute our air, but spills threaten water supplies as well. In a recent report, hundreds of oil and gas spills have not been cleaned up. Leaks, spills and accidents at oil and gas projects can pose additional health threats to local residents. There was also support expressed for the investigation by New York Attorney General Schneiderman into the activities of ExxonMobil. The Attorney General is investigating whether ExxonMobil deliberately misled the public about the dangers of the burning of fossil fuels. Media reports have documented that the oil giant's researchers had identified the problem as early as the 1970s. Instead of warning the public, it is alleged that the company used its power to block necessary public health actions. Recently, over 100 New York-based scientists pledged their support for the investigation. For more information: Megan Ahearn, (212) 349-6460 x1166, [email protected] SOURCE NYPIRG Related Links http://www.nypirg.org CLEARWATER, Fla., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the 27th of June, United for Human Rights (UHR), an organization that educates on what human rights are and is supported by the Church of Scientology, presented the pregnant teens of St. Petersburg's Alpha House of Pinellas County Inc. with a trove of baby items at the UHR Center in downtown Clearwater - all in the name of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights article number 29 Responsibility. Cristian Vargas, the Executive Director of UHR Florida said, Everyone needs a helping hand now and then! With the support the United for Human Rights Center has from the Church of Scientology, the Center and the Human Rights volunteers found an opportunity to take responsibility for area youth. The Alpha House of Pinellas County Inc. in St. Petersburg, Florida is a non-profit organization housing homeless pregnant mothers and teens. The Alpha House Community Assistance Program provides baby items to homeless mothers and teens that cannot afford to feed their babies. For more information about the United for Human Rights (UHR) Center, on holding your own events in the Center or to request what issues you think are needed to create awareness of, contact the United for Human Rights Center Manager on 727-467-6960, email sanna@humanrights.com or visit the Center on 29 North Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater FL 33755. United for Human Rights (UHR) UHR is a non-profit organization that assists and unites individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies at all levels around the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). They distribute booklets on the 30 articles of the UDHR, The Story of Human Rights" video and an educator's guide on the 30 articles. These materials are created in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology inspired the movement when he said, "Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream." LIVERMORE, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigilant Solutions is now accepting nominations for the Best in Force award, an annual award recognizing law enforcement's innovative use of license plate recognition (LPR) and/or facial recognition (FR) technology. The winning agency will be announced in October at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference and will receive a $5,000 donation to the agency's Fallen Officer Fund or another fund of their choice. "Every day we hear from agencies the stories of how they are leveraging LPR and facial recognition to keep communities safe and solve crimes. We hear stories of loved ones found, crimes prevented, and lives saved. This award recognizes those agencies that leave no stone unturned in the use of LPR and/or facial recognition technology to fulfill their missions to protect and serve," said Shawn Smith, Founder and President of Vigilant Solutions. All U.S. law enforcement agencies, regardless of size, utilizing LPR and/or FR are eligible and agencies may nominate themselves or may be nominated by another agency. Nomination forms are due by September 19, 2017, with a final selection made by September 27, 2017. The winning agency will be notified directly with an official presentation of the award to take place during the annual IACP Conference in Philadelphia, October 21-24, 2017. The New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center received the inaugural Best in Force Award at the October 2016 IACP conference in San Diego. Recognized for its pioneering and assertive use of LPR, the agency not only used Vigilant's LPR system to locate numerous felony and stolen vehicles in the state of New Jersey, it was proven successful in several high priority events including tracking down a suspect vehicle following a vehicular aggravated assault on a federal agent, locating the vehicle of a missing person found in another state, and developing leads in a triple shooting with only a vehicle description to go on. For more information on Vigilant Solutions' Best in Force award, including a nomination form, go to http://www2.vigilantsolutions.com/best-in-force. About Vigilant Solutions: Vigilant Solutions helps law enforcement solve crimes faster. Our easy-to-use interface was designed by former detectives combining analytics with license plate recognition (LPR) and facial recognition to generate more leads. Securely share real-time data with over 1,000 agencies and tap into our commercial LPR database of more than 6 billion detections. Combine your mugshots with our hosted facial recognition gallery and image editing tools to boost potential match searches. Bring criminals to justice with Vigilant Solutions. Visit www.VigilantSolutions.com. Contact: Heather Ford 817-710-7808 [email protected] SOURCE Vigilant Solutions Related Links http://www.vigilantsolutions.com TORONTO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - The Company's results for the 2017 second quarter will be issued by press release on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 after the close of business at 5:00 p.m. ET. An Investor Conference Call will be hosted by Brian R. Hedges, Chief Executive Officer, John G. Reid, President and Chief Operating Officer and Marion E. Britton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. ET to review the results. The dial-in telephone numbers for the call are 416-764-8688 (Toronto and International callers) and 1-888-390-0546 (U.S. and Canada). Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the call to ensure that you get a line. A replay of the call will be available at 416-764-8677 (Toronto and International callers) and 1- 888-390-0541 (U.S. and Canada) until midnight, Thursday, August 17, 2017. You will be required to enter pass code 156805# in order to access the call. If you would like to unsubscribe from receiving notices of our Investor Quarterly Conference Calls, you may do so by emailing [email protected]metals.com ; or by calling our Investor Relations Line: 905-816-5178. If you have any additional questions, please contact our Investor Relations Department at [email protected]metals.com or 905-816-5178. SOURCE Russel Metals Inc. Related Links http://www.russelmetals.com PROVO, Utah, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) will release second-quarter 2017 results after the market closes on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The Nu Skin management team will host a conference call with the investment community later that same day beginning at 5 p.m. (ET). During the call, management will discuss past results and upcoming business initiatives. The webcast of the conference call, including the financial information to be presented, will be available on the investor relations section of the company's website at ir.nuskin.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same location through Friday, Aug. 18. About Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Founded more than 30 years ago, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. develops and distributes innovative consumer products, offering a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness solutions. The company builds upon its scientific expertise in both skin care and nutrition to continually develop innovative product brands that include the Nu Skin personal care brand, the Pharmanex nutrition brand, and most recently, the ageLOC anti-aging brand. The ageLOC brand has generated a loyal following for such products as the ageLOC Youth nutritional supplement, the ageLOC Me customized skin care system, as well as the ageLOC TR90 weight management and body shaping system. Nu Skin sells its products through a global network of sales leaders in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. As a long-standing member of direct selling associations globally, Nu Skin is committed to the industry's consumer guidelines that protect and support those who sell and purchase its products through the direct selling channel. Nu Skin is also traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More information is available at nuskin.com. SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Related Links http://www.nuskinenterprises.com LAS VEGAS, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Locals and tourists alike will have the opportunity to be first in line to celebrate legal recreational marijuana in the state of Nevada on the evening of June 30, 2017, with sales beginning at midnight July 1 at Reef Dispensaries' flagship Las Vegas Strip location. With lines expected to wrap around the 165,000 square-foot facility, Reef will be handing out limited edition, dated 'Day 1' snapback hats to the first 100 recreational customers in line on the night of June 30. The event will include a rooftop firework show at the stroke of midnight on July 1, plus live DJs, food trucks, and event sponsor booths from local cannabis vendors Cannabiotix, Las Vegas Cannabis, Evergreen Organix, Dixie, CannaPunch, Redwood and CWN/incrEdibles on both days. Reef Dispensaries Nevada Senator Tick Segerblom will be the first to legally purchase recreational cannabis at 12 a.m. on Friday night at Reef Dispensaries. As a longtime champion of cannabis legalization, Tick's integral contribution to the movement has been unparalleled. Reef is proud to honor the senator as its first recreational marijuana customer in the state. "This day is the culmination of two years of hard work by an army of Nevadans. I'm very proud to be a part of it," said Senator Segerblom. "It's going to be a historical day in the history of Las Vegas." "We are extremely excited to be ushering in the launch of recreational cannabis in Nevada in style," says Reef Dispensaries / Tryke Companies CEO Matt Morgan. "As a company, we hope to lead by example so that other markets can follow, laying the groundwork for eventual nationwide legalization." Despite some logistical confusion created last week by a court ruling in Carson City, it will not affect Reef Dispensaries' right to legally sell recreational cannabis in Nevada on July 1. Reef invites all to join in making history on the night of June 30/July 1 to help ring in this monumental event for the state of Nevada and the city of Las Vegas. On-site and available for brief interviews will be Reef Dispensaries / Tryke Companies CEO Matt Morgan. To schedule an interview with Mr. Morgan, please RSVP to [email protected] by June 29. Reservations are limited. WHO: Senator Tick Segerblom, the team at Reef Dispensaries, including Tryke Companies CEO Matt Morgan, and thousands of new recreational cannabis customers. 21+ and over, no medical card needed. WHAT: "Day 1" event for recreational cannabis sales in the state of Nevada. WHEN: Friday, June 30 from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. / Saturday, July 1st (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) WHERE: Reef Dispensaries, 3400 Western Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 About Reef Dispensaries: Reef Dispensaries' 165,000-square-foot indoor cultivation facility, as seen on Complex news, is the largest of its kind in the state. Reef's Las Vegas base of operations uniquely houses the cultivation, production, and sale of its products under one roof. Reef Dispensaries offers care for medical marijuana patients at six locations across Nevada and Arizona, with an unprecedented level of concierge customer service and a wide selection of products for every palette. About Tryke Companies: Tryke Companies is a network of ten MMJ licenses for the cultivation, production and retail sale of medical cannabis in Arizona and Nevada. Tryke retail operations, d.b.a. Reef Dispensaries, has existing dispensaries in Nevada (Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Sparks, Sun Valley) and Arizona (Central Phoenix, Queen Creek), with additional locations coming soon. For more information contact: Michael S. Pizzo, Marketing Content Manager @ Tryke Companies [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg Related Links ReefDispensaries.com TrykeCompanies.com SOURCE Reef Dispensaries Responsible for Global Partnering and Business Development CALGARY and SAN DIEGO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC) (OTCQX: ONCYF) (Oncolytics or the Company) today announced the appointment of Andrew de Guttadauro as President of its US subsidiary, Oncolytics Biotech (U.S.) Inc. Mr. de Guttadauro, based in the Company's recently opened satellite office in San Diego, California, will primarily be responsible for simultaneously pursuing both global and regional licensing, partnership and commercialization opportunities for REOLYSIN. "Mr. de Guttadauro brings a breadth of industry knowledge, experience and relationships to the Company and we are excited that he has chosen to join us," said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech. "Andrew will lead our business development efforts, focusing on advancing the development and eventual commercialization of REOLYSIN. He represents an important expansion of our team as we seek to capitalize on our compelling survival data in late stage breast cancer patients and potentially to deliver new sources of non-dilutive investment in the Company." "I was excited to see a late stage immuno-oncology viral agent like REOLYSIN, with such strong efficacy and safety data, maintain its global rights," said Mr. de Guttadauro. "I am looking forward to joining a mature and growing team as we advance partnership discussions and prepare for our phase three registration study in metastatic breast cancer." Mr. de Guttadauro has more than 25 years of proven biopharmaceutical commercialization and business development experience. He was most recently a Principal at 1798 Consultants Inc., a healthcare strategic advisory firm providing commercialization consulting services across a number of areas including market access strategy and tactics, healthcare policy, and business development. Prior to that, he held executive positions at biopharmaceutical companies including, Amgen, Biogen, MedImmune and TAP Pharmaceuticals. Mr. de Guttadauro has commercialization and business development experience covering major developed and emerging markets globally. About Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Oncolytics is a biotechnology company developing REOLYSIN, an immuno-oncology viral-agent, as a potential treatment for a variety of tumor types. The compound induces selective tumor lysis and promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype through innate and adaptive immune responses to treat a variety of cancers. Oncolytics' clinical development program emphasizes three pillars: chemotherapy combinations to trigger selective tumor lysis; immuno-therapy combinations to produce adaptive immune responses; and immune modulator (IMiD) combinations to facilitate innate immune responses. Oncolytics is currently planning its first registration study in breast cancer, as well as studies in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and IMID/targeted therapies in solid and hematological malignancies. For further information about Oncolytics, please visit: www.oncolyticsbiotech.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, including the Company's belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN as a cancer therapeutic; the Company's expectations as to the success of its research and development programs in 2017 and beyond, the Company's planned operations, the value of the additional patents and intellectual property; the Company's expectations related to the applications of the patented technology; the Company's expectations as to adequacy of its existing capital resources; the design, timing, success of planned clinical trial programs; and other statements related to anticipated developments in the Company's business and technologies involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of REOLYSIN as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. SOURCE Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Related Links www.oncolytics.ca NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. ("Oppenheimer") a leading wealth manager and investment bank under Oppenheimer Holdings (NYSE:OPY) is pleased to announce the addition of four Managing Directors to its Global Fixed Income Sales & Trading businesses. Recently joining in New York, Chicago, and Miami are Colin Abernathy, Katie Lucas, Alberto Roque, and Andrei Saunders. As the global credit markets continue to evolve and provide institutional client service opportunities, these roles meet the combined demands of requisite product expertise and senior relationship management experience. The new additions each have complementary skills across geographies and products, including high yield, investment grade, and emerging markets; and they will focus on delivering customer-driven solutions to a diverse institutional client base. Since he joined Oppenheimer in 2013, Peter Albano, Managing Director and Head of Global Fixed Income Sales & Trading, has recruited experienced professionals to the platform. He focuses on individual producers with strong client relationships, deep product knowledge, and a desire to work in a collaborative environment where their unique contributions will be meaningful to the team's success. "By hiring these professionals, we are expanding our franchise to better serve our institutional investor community with additional fixed income expertise, geographic reach, and intellectual capital," commented Albano. Robert Lowenthal, Head of U.S. Banking & Global Fixed Income stated: "Oppenheimer is continuing to expand its significant presence in high yield, investment grade, and emerging market fixed income products. With more than 100 professionals worldwide, Oppenheimer provides the institutional investment community with dedicated, objective, and informed insight into these markets, as well as origination and distribution of a differentiated capital markets product." The four Managing Directors are: Colin Abernethy joins our high yield desk, to which he brings more than 20 years of experience in cash and derivative credit sales in both large and smaller platforms. Most recently, Colin was a Managing Director at Stifel, where he was an integral part of credit sales; his previous experience includes credit sales at UBS and BTIG. Colin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics and earned an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. Katie Lucas joins Oppenheimer's Chicago office, where she will be responsible for growth of the investment grade and high yield franchises in the mid-west and west-coast regions. Her coverage includes insurance companies, hedge funds, and mutual funds. Katie's experience includes senior institutional sales in high yield and investment grade with William Blair; she worked previously in fixed income sales at Goldman Sachs. Katie graduated from Colby College with a B.A. in Economics. Alberto Roque brings expertise in the institutional emerging markets business and will lead these efforts from our Miami office, which is increasingly a center for servicing institutional clients located in the Central American, Latin American, and Caribbean regions. Alberto brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, trading, and origination and has led the Miami-based efforts in the LATAM region for several sell-side institutions, including Nomura, Credit Suisse, RBC, and, most recently, Jefferies. Alberto is an alum of Florida International University, where he graduated with a double major in Finance and International Business. Andrei Saunders brings expertise in investment grade and will be responsible for both sales and geographic coverage in Central America. Andrei brings 23 years of experience in the fixed income credit markets and most recently served as Managing Director and Global Head of U.S. Credit Sales at Credit Agricole, where he was responsible for investment grade, high yield, ABS, and emerging market sales. Andrei began his career in New York at Goldman Sachs, spending over 18 years in various capacities including Investment Grade Syndicate and Municipal Finance and Sales. Andrei graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Political Science. About Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (Oppenheimer), a principal subsidiary of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (OPY on the New York Stock Exchange), and its affiliates provide a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage and investment banking services to high-net-worth individuals, families, corporate executives, local governments, businesses and institutions. SOURCE Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Related Links https://www.opco.com The majority take half- or one-day trips but rafting-camping trips are increasingly popular, said Travis Hochard, general manager with River Runners in Buena Vista, where multi-day bookings are up 20 percent since 2015. "I think families are looking for ways to escape modern life, which can be impersonal," Hochard said. "What better way to do that than to spend time in nature?" Overnight trips on the Arkansas River can run from one to five nights, with paddling through exciting rapids during the day and riverside camping under the stars at night. Expect campfires, delicious meals prepared by certified river guides, and plenty of time for bonding with family and friends. Outfitters provide necessary gear such as tents and dry bags for clothing, making the trips an easy experience for nearly anyone. "Rafting provides backcountry access to those who would otherwise not have the resources to experience it," Hochard said. Families are choosing longer trips with time for exploration and relaxation that create memories for a lifetime, and so are groups of friends. Bachelor and bachelorette parties are one of the most popular reasons young adults get together for multiple days of whitewater rafting in Colorado, Hochard said. "People are looking for more meaningful ways to experience their right of passage into marriage than a night of debauchery in Vegas," he said. The exciting days are filled with stunning scenery as trips travel miles of the Arkansas River. The Arkansas flows through Browns Canyon National Monument, designated in 2015 for its granite spire walls that plunge to the river's banks. The best way to see it is by paddling its Class III-IV rapids. Additional sections include the 1,200-foot chasm of the Royal Gorge in Canon City, with its Class VI-V technical boating challenges, and mild float trips for families with children as young as 4. For information about planning a Colorado multi-day whitewater rafting adventure, contact an Arkansas River Outfitters Association member. SOURCE Arkansas River Outfitters Association Related Links http://www.arkansasriveroutfitters.org PALM BAY, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Parsifal Corporation, the leading industry Household Goods procurement and audit firm, has added to its annual exhibition program with recent plans to also exhibit at the Worldwide ERC - Global Workforce Symposium, September 27 29 in Chicago, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. With optimistic expectations for about 2,000 attendees, Parsifal will be presenting a full range of new and existing relocation support services and procurement technologies. A large presentation emphasis will be on its newest technology known as MyReloWorks or MRW and the most recent "feature augmentation" to be announced at that time. ERC provided stats for the 2016 conference which included 139 exhibitors, 64 sponsors, with over 1,850 attendees from 49 countries as 20% of attendees were corporate and HR individuals. At the exhibition, a large presentation emphasis will be on Parsifal's newest technology known as MyReloWorks or MRW and the most recent "feature augmentation" to be announced at that time. Mark Olsen, President and CEO, states that "this (MRW) technology offers a great solution for corporations and their transferees with a capped move, providing an easy and quality option at a competitive price. Then when the move is complete, each bill is reviewed by an audit team to ensure pricing accuracy." Earlier this month, Parsifal also exhibited at the exciting SHRM2017 conference in New Orleans, presenting the enhanced HST or Home Sale Transaction Audit to hundreds of attendees visiting the Parsifal exhibit on the trade show floor. The SHRM2017 attendance was impressive and surpassed a count of 15,000 paid attendees. Parsifal began this year's trade show program in May at the ISM2017 (Institute for Supply Management) Annual Conference at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Hotel in Orlando. Parsifal is the world's leading firm providing relocation auditing services and procurement technology, touching moves in over 120 countries around the globe. Our services and products are in constant worldwide operation with corporations, carriers and move managers in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. Parsifal Corporation assists our clients to obtain best in class household goods pricing and quality of service. And, we offer to protect that pricing and quality with expert global auditing. Mission: At Parsifal Corporation, we are dedicated to our passion and craft, focused on ensuring outstanding accuracy and sound fairness through quality-driven and innovative technology to all our clients, partners and stakeholders in the global relocation experience. To find out how our expert services and relocation procurement technologies can assist your company, please visit us at www.parsifalcorp.com for more information. Contact: Cliff Cannon at (321) 574-8906 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Parsifal Corporation BELLEVUE, Wash., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, is pleased to announce its 2019 voyages in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific. The Gauguin returns to the tropical wonderland of Fiji on two voyages in 2019 that also feature Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Society Islands. Blessed with blue skies, high mountains, lush vegetation, ivory beaches, and shimmering azure waters, Fiji is the very picture of paradise. The 13-night voyage departs Papeete, Tahiti, on September 7, 2019, and visits: Moorea, Society Islands; Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands; Bora Bora, Society Islands (overnight); Aitutaki, Cook Islands; At Sea (2 days); Vava'u, Tonga; At Sea; Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji; Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji; Beqa Island, Fiji; and Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji. The 12-night reverse itinerary departs September 21, 2019, and calls at the same ports except Beqa Island, Fiji. The Gauguin will also be showcasing its most sought-after itineraries in 2019: the 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands. The new-for-2018 Society Islands & Tahiti Iti 7-night itinerary will also be back in 2019. Designed specifically to sail the pristine lagoons of these islands, The Gauguin provides an up-close, authentic experience of the South Seas and offers an elegant yet casual ambiance with luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, trademark Polynesian hospitality, and extraordinary all-inclusive value. Guests also receive complimentary access to Paul Gauguin Cruises' two exclusive retreats. Off the coast of Taha'a lies the islet of Motu Mahana, where guests can enjoy a day of watersports, Polynesian activities, a sumptuous barbecue feast, and cocktails from full and floating bars. In Bora Bora, guests can relax on a private, white-sand beach and enjoy refreshments, a game of volleyball, and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. To launch its 2019 voyages, Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering savings of 50% off standard cruise fares on all voyages, plus included airfare from Los Angeles. Past guests of Paul Gauguin Cruises enjoy additional savings up to 15% off final cruise fares as members of Paul Gauguin Society. For rates or more information on Paul Gauguin Cruises, please contact a Travel Professional, call 800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com. About Paul Gauguin Cruises Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia's leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific. Paul Gauguin Cruises accolades include being voted #2 in the category of "Top Small Cruise Lines" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2016 Readers' Choice Awards and recognition on the publication's 2016 "Gold List." In addition, the line was voted by Travel + Leisure readers "#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line" and "#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line for Families" in the Travel + Leisure 2014 World's Best Awards. Readers also voted Paul Gauguin Cruises "#1 Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Line" in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2016. Media Contact: Paul Gauguin Cruises Vanessa Bloy, Director of Public Relations (425) 440-6255 [email protected] From Travel + Leisure, August 2016 2016 Time Inc. Affluent Media Group. Used under license. Travel + Leisure and Time Inc. Affluent Media Group are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of Paul Gauguin Cruises. SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises Related Links http://www.pgcruises.com SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) will hold a conference call for members of the financial community on July 27, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter 2017 results. The public can access the conference call via a simultaneous webcast. The link is provided below and will also be available from the PG&E Corporation website. What: Second Quarter 2017 Earnings Call When: Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time Where: http://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/events-and-presentations/default.aspx How: Live over the Internet log on to the web at the address above If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived at http://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. Alternatively, a toll-free replay of the conference call may be accessed shortly after the live call through August 10, 2017, by dialing (866) 415-9493. International callers may dial (205) 289-3247. For both domestic and international callers, the confirmation code 3250# will be required to access the replay. Please contact Investor Relations at (415) 972-7080 if you have any questions. PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) is a Fortune 200 energy-based holding company, headquartered in San Francisco. It is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, California's largest investor-owned utility. PG&E serves about 16 million Californians across a 70,000 square-mile service area in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.pgecorp.com. SOURCE PG&E Corporation Related Links http://www.pgecorp.com Charlottesville, VA, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau invites visitors to consider Charlottesville and Albemarle County as the perfect destination to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. Steeped in history, with three presidential homes and a multitude of other historically significant sites, the Charlottesville area is the perfect setting for a memorable holiday. Several events will be taking place throughout the area, offering meaningful celebrations, which will be fun for the entire family. For a celebration like no other, guests are invited to Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, for "the great birthday of our republic" and the 55th annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. David N. Saperstein, former U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom and prominent Reform rabbi, will be the featured speaker, addressing new citizens from around the world on this most special day. Following the ceremony, there will be a Jeffersonian Open House with free walk-through tours of Monticello from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (walk-through tour reservations are first-come, first-served). For more information, visit https://www.monticello.org/site/visit/events/july-4th-monticello. Keeping with the presidential theme, there will also be an Independence Day celebration at James Monroes Highland on July 4. This event will feature festive activities and offer free grounds access to commemorate the birth of the United States of America and observe the anniversary of James Monroes passing on July 4, 1831. Visitors of all ages can enjoy family games and activities from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Patriotic tunes will be played and picnics are welcomed at this family-friendly July 4th celebration. For more details, visit http://highland.org/independence-day-celebration/. Enjoy fireworks with a view at the Happy Birthday, America 4th of July celebration at Carter Mountain Orchard on July 4. This fun, family-friendly event takes place all afternoon with a variety of entertaining events such as a bike parade, hayrides, old-fashioned sack races, a water balloon toss, and even a watermelon seed spitting contest. After the fun and games, prepare to be amazed by the view of fireworks shows taking place all around the area from high atop Carter Mountain. Food, sweet cider, hard cider and wine are also available for purchase at this event. For more information, visit http://chilesfamilyorchards.com/events/happy-birthday-america-2017/. Another 4th of July tradition in Charlottesville is the Patriotism in the Park event at McIntire Park. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. for an evening of family-friendly fun with local food, local bands, and activities for kids of all ages. The spectacular fireworks show begins one minute after dark. More details can be found at http://www.newsplex.com/features/fireworks. Those who prefer a small town atmosphere will enjoy the seventh annual Crozet Independence Day Parade & Celebration, set to take place on Saturday, July 1. Festivities include many activities for children, including bounce houses, a slide, and laser tag along with lots of good food, local beer and cider, plus live music by LockJaw. The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Further details are available at http://crozetcommunity.org. In addition, the town of Scottsville, located in southern Albemarle County, will also be host to festive July 4th celebrations. There will be a parade set to take place at 9:00 a.m. on July 4, followed by live music, bounce houses and food vendors at Dorrier Park later in the afternoon. The evening wraps up with a fireworks display set to take place at dusk. A complete list of events taking place in Charlottesville & Albemarle County can be found on the homepage at www.visitcharlottesville.org. About the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB): In addition to serving as the global resource for marketing the tourism assets of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia, through www.visitcharlottesville.org, the CACVB assists tour operators, meeting planners, reunions and other groups in planning visits to the destination. CACVBs mission is to enhance the economic prosperity of City and County by promoting, selling and marketing the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle, as a destination, in pursuit of the meetings and tourism markets. CACVB operates the Downtown Visitor Center (610 E Main St) which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a second visitor center, the Albemarle Tourism and Adventure Center in downtown Crozet (5791 Three Notchd Rd) at the historic train depot; it is open Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday Noon - 5:00 p.m. The CACVB also provides a touch-screen kiosk at Monticellos Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center. The official website of the CACVB is www.visitcharlottesville.org. In addition, the organization manages powerful social media channels; ExperienceCharlottesville on Facebook, @VisitCVille on Twitter, CVilleVA on Pinterest, and @CharlottesvilleVA on Instagram and Vimeo. ### Attachments: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8021d810-4169-4a71-8b48-93ec7e82c671 Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d78f7f76-f41c-4a88-9100-edc295b3b815 PARIS, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmaleads, an emerging pharmaceutical company developing innovative products for the management of acute and chronic severe pain, today announced it has successfully completed a Phase I single ascending dose (SAD) trial in France with its oral DENKI candidate PL265 that is being developed for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The company is now preparing to start a Phase I multiple ascending dose (MAD) study with oral PL265 in the UK. Data from the MAD study is expected in 2018. The Phase I SAD results have shown that single doses of PL265, administered orally were safe and well-tolerated. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies showed that PL265, which is a pro-drug, was slowly transformed in plasma into its active metabolite (PL254). PL254 inhibited both of its target enzymes, aminopeptidase N (APN) and neprilysin (NEP), which are responsible for the physiological degradation of enkephalins. This inhibition was effective for more than 24 hours after single doses of 400 and 800mg of PL265, making it an ideal oral candidate for the treatment of neuropathic chronic pain. Pharmaleads' DENKIs, are the only drugs in clinical development that can inhibit both enkephalin-degrading enzymes APN and NEP, thereby increasing the local concentration of enkephalins resulting in local and sustained pain relief without the side-effects observed with opioids. PL265 is the second DENKI to start human clinical development at Pharmaleads. Michel Wurm, MD, Director of Corporate Development, said: "We are pleased with the encouraging data from this first-in-human study with PL265, a DENKI which we believe is an ideal oral candidate for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Results from this study show that PL265, via its active metabolite PL254, is able to inhibit its two key targets and provide strong evidence supporting our hypothesis that DENKIs are the only drug candidates in development that harbor the analgesic properties of opiates without their side-effects." The Phase I study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled single oral dose escalation study aimed to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of PL265. The study was conducted at Eurofins-Optimed Phase 1 unit in France in 32 healthy male volunteers. Four cohorts of eight subjects each were randomised 6:2 (active:placebo) to receive single doses of PL265 ranging from 100 to 800mg or matching placebo. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached, but as optimal target engagement was achieved, higher doses were not tested. PL265 is also a promising candidate for local administration such as eye-drops for ophthalmic pain for which Pharmaleads is currently completing its evaluation for the treatment of ocular pain and dry eye syndrome in animal models. About Pharmaleads Pharmaleads is an emerging pharmaceutical company developing innovative products for the management of acute and chronic severe pain, a growing market with significant unmet medical need. Pharmaleads' drugs are based on its deep knowledge and understanding of enkephalins, a key element of the body's natural pain management system. Pharmaleads' compounds, (Dual ENKephalinase inhibitors) DENKIs, aim to protect enkephalins, hence increasing their local concentrations and thereby inducing a physiological analgesia which improves pain management. Pharmaleads has two compounds in clinical development which are targeting four multi-billion markets: PL265 is being developed for the treatment of neuropathic pain (oral) and ocular pain/dry eye syndrome (eye drops). PL37 is being developed for the treatment of post-surgical / traumatic / breakthrough cancer pain as a substitute for injectable opiates (IV) and acute migraine pain (oral route) Pharmaleads was founded in 2000. It is headquartered in Paris, France, and is funded by private investors. For more information about Pharmaleads please visit www.pharmaleads.com For more information, please contact: Pharmaleads Michel Wurm, MD, Director of Corporate Development [email protected] +33-(0)-1-44-06-70-04 +33-(0)-6-09-97-81-04 Media Relations Citigate Dewe Rogerson David Dible, Sylvie Berrebi, Marine Perrier [email protected] Tel: +44-(0)-20-7638-9571 SOURCE Pharmaleads (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20170623/527229 ) (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529433/Pharmapack_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529431/August_Faller.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529434/Pharmapack_Portal_Instruments.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529436/Pharmapack_Speech_Code.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529437/Pharmapack_Start_Up_Hub.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529438/Sanofi_Campak.jpg ) Pharmapack Europe is essential for industry insights and networking, and to experience and interact with the latest industry innovations that are reimagining the capabilities of pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery. The 2018 Start-up Hub will identify young companies as being amongst the most innovative in the industry. Companies in the Start-up Hub will benefit from increased access to potential customers, partners and investors at Pharmapack 2018 from which to forge new and lasting relationships. Identified start-ups in the inaugural 2017 initiative (http://www.pharmapackeurope.com/start-hub-2017) spanned the breadth of the industry; from functional inks that incorporate electronic applications into packaging, to needle-free medicine delivery, to an app that scans packages to provide product information, this year's companies are sure to be equally as innovative and valuable. For 2018 start-ups developing patient-centric packaging or drug delivery solutions in line with connected health and anti-counterfeiting measures are encouraged to apply. If you are interested in exhibiting, visit http://www.pharmapackeurope.com/start-up-hub to learn more and download the application form. A long-standing highlight that embodies the ethos of the conference and exhibition, the prestigious Pharmapack Awards, also returns in 2018. The awards consist of two categories; the Exhibitor Innovation category and, for non-exhibitors, the Health Product category. Exhibitors that take part in the Innovation Gallery automatically enter the Awards for this category, but will still need to complete an entry document for a chance to win. Exhibitor Innovation winners in 2017 (http://www.pharmapackeurope.com/innovation/awards-winners-2017) provided new approaches to some of the biggest challenges, including reducing vial overfill and intuitive packaging that increases adherence. The Health Product category distinguishes innovative packaging of new health products or improved packaging of an existing health product (for human or veterinary use), that has created a tangible benefit for users and administrators. The 2017 award winners used innovative packaging design to improve patient compliance and reduce environmental footprint, respectively. Pharmapack Award applications are now open for 2018 to companies providing new products set to shape the future of the industry. These awards shine a light on the companies and products that sit at the centre of the industry. Pharmapack Europe was delighted to recently be shortlisted for a prestigious AEO Excellence Award for Sustainability, and particularly encourages entries from companies that are making packaging and drug delivery devices more sustainable, smarter, more effective, and more valuable to users. Applications for the 2018 Pharmapack Awards are open until 3 November, 2017 and will be assessed by some of the industry's leading figures globally, providing a powerful endorsement. For more information please visit: Exhibitor Innovations: http://www.pharmapackeurope.com/innovation/exhibitor-innovations Health products: http://www.pharmapackeurope.com/innovation/health-products "Pharmapack Europe occupies a unique place in the industry's conference calendar. As Europe's dedicated pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery event, Pharmapack offers a series of unique platforms that bring companies together to network and collaborate in driving business and the quality of products forward," comments Anne Schumacher, Brand Director, Pharmapack Europe. "Pharmapack Europe is dedicated to innovation, and the Pharmapack Awards had an exceptionally high standard of entries last year while the Start-up Hub has quickly established itself as an attendee favourite. We recommend submitting applications early for the 2018 Pharmapack Awards and Start-up Hub as the slots are limited and the Innovation Gallery was fully booked in 2017." Notes to Editors: About the Start-up Hub Pharmapack Europe introduced the Pharmapack Start-up Hub in 2017. The platform is specifically designed for start-ups that look to network with, and gain visibility among international pharma and biopharma companies. A contributory fee is required from all successful applicants who will benefit from an increased array of promotional tools, access to professional media, professional peer endorsement and branding spots across conference materials. About Pharmapack Awards 2018 Each year, the most innovative exhibitors and pharma companies compete to win these prestigious awards. All products entered have been launched during the previous year (i.e. the 2018 Awards feature products that entered the market in 2017). About Pharmapack Awards, the Exhibitor Innovation Awards These awards are available to those who apply and are selected for inclusion in the Pharmapack Europe Innovation Gallery. Eligibility into the gallery is dependent on the product having been launched after March 1st 2017 in any market or be in prototype finalisation stages for a commercialisation in early 2018. Products submitted should demonstrate considerable innovation in one or more of the following criteria: Health Improvement: does the product enhance patient safety or improve patient results? Patient-centricity: does the product improve the user or end user experience? Economical Interest: does the product provide cost reduction? Sustainable: is the product eco-friendly: reusable material, less material? More information and examples of past winners are available here: http://www.pharmapackeurope.com/innovation/exhibitor-innovations About Pharmapack Awards, the Health Product Awards These awards are available to those have launched a health product with an innovative packaging (drug packaging or medical device), or have enhanced the packaging of an existing health product. As per the Exhibitor Innovation Awards products submitted should demonstrate considerable innovation in one or more of the following criteria: Health Improvement: does the product enhance patient safety or improve patient results? Patient-centricity: does the product improve the user or end user experience? Economical Interest: does the product provide cost reduction? Sustainable: is the product eco-friendly: reusable material, less material? More information and examples of past winners are available here: http://www.pharmapackeurope.com/innovation/health-products About UBM EMEA UBM EMEA connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premier brands such as Routes, CPhI, IFSEC, Ecobuild, Seatrade, and many others, such as Pharmapack, UBM EMEA exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across seven industry sectors. UBM EMEA is committed to the continual improvement of sustainability To ensure long term profitability, UBM EMEA aims to be a leader in sustainable business, aligning all key business decisions with our sustainability strategy. UBM EMEA sees it as fundamental that we are conscious of the impact that our actions have on the environment and the communities in which we operate. UBM EMEA strives to manage its impact by ensuring that the principles of sustainability are at the core of all our activities. A corner stone to our journey towards sustainability is our certification to the ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management System. UBM EMEA is one of the first major organisers to successfully implement and certify our sustainable event management system against the International Standard ISO 20121. SOURCE UBM EMEA MANCHESTER, Md., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- J. Bart Classen, MD (www.vaccines.net) of Classen Immunotherapies has written the following letter on immunization policy to President Trump, that echoes Classen's followers including many from Trump's conservative base. Dear President Trump, You campaigned on the promise of stopping government vaccine policies that have led to the injuries of millions of Americans. As you know vaccines cause chronic immune disorders such as autism, diabetes, asthma, allergies and multiple different autoimmune diseases. Because of vaccines these diseases are increasing at epidemic proportions. It has been estimated that 50% of adults in the USA have diabetes or prediabetes. We challenge you to stop being distracted by career politicians who are responsible for this tragedy and live up to your campaign promise. Further delays in stopping this tragedy will only leave your administration culpable for these deaths and injuries. The disastrous government vaccine policies can be stopped by the executive branch without the need of congressional action. The following are several simple solutions that your administration can implement immediately. 1. Stop the CDC from recommending immunization until adequate clinical trials are performed. Vaccines such as the hepatitis B vaccine were approved with less that 2 weeks of safety data. Newer vaccines are routinely approved by the FDA with less than 1 year of safety data and these trials are often too small and poorly controlled to detect rises in autism and diabetes. The CDC should be honest with the public about the complete lack of any data that vaccines improve health. 2. Stop the FDA from approving new vaccines until proper clinical trials are performed. An adequate trial needs to include approximately 500,000 patients and follow each patient for at least 7 years. Half the patients should receive the vaccine of interest and half should receive a placebo control in its place. Current FDA sanctioned safety trials include comparison between groups receiving different vaccines. This trial design is like comparing arsenic to cyanide and concluding both are safe because the mortality is the same in both groups. The FDA should begin mandating that vaccines already approved based on flawed trial designs be removed from the market unless proper clinical trials are started immediately. 3. Have the US Attorney General investigate the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This program has been a total failure and millions who developed diabetes, autism, and other vaccine induced diseases have not been compensated. The program appears to be part of your so called "Swamp". In one case a lawyer for a plaintiff was caught embezzling money from the vaccine fund by submitting a bogus expense report to the court. The lawyer was not disbarred and still practices before the vaccine court. It is essential you live up to your campaign promises immediately and correct the dangerous government vaccine policies. Sincerely, J. Bart Classen, MD Contact J. Bart Classen, MD Classen Immunotherapies, Inc. Tel: 410-377-8526 SOURCE Classen Immunotherapies, Inc. Related Links http://www.vaccines.net SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, today announced the program for the Diversity Empowerment Summit North America, taking place September 14 in Los Angeles, CA as part of Open Source Summit North America. The goal of the summit is to help promote and facilitate an increase in diversity, inclusion, empowerment and social innovation in the open source community, and to provide a venue for discussion and collaboration. The Linux Foundation Open Source Summit is the premier open source technical conference in North America, gathering 2,000 developers, operators and community leadership professionals to collaborate, share information and learn about the latest in open technologies, including Linux, containers, cloud computing and more. Due to the large number of high quality diversity-related submissions for Open Source Summit North America, The Linux Foundation added the new Diversity Empowerment Summit (DES) to the schedule in order to accommodate as many talks as possible. In addition to the sessions at DES, many diversity-focused talks were also accepted for the other four events. "One of the things that makes open source great is the fact that contributions to both code and the community come from individuals around the world from a huge variety of backgrounds," said Linux Foundation VP of Events, Angela Brown. "The record number of diversity-related topics submitted for Open Source Summit this year reflects the importance the open source community puts on these issues. We are excited to be able to provide a venue to facilitate discussion and teaching about these important topics." Session highlights at Diversity Empowerment Summit include: Chaos Theory + Civil Liberties = 21st Century Corporate Practices - Kate Ertmann , GO Chaos Theory + Civil Liberties = 21st Century Corporate Practices - , GO Open Your Arms to Open Source - Solutions to Bring in Social Innovation to All Walks of Life All Over the World - Arpana Durgaprasad , IBM Open Your Arms to Open Source - Solutions to Bring in Social Innovation to All Walks of Life All Over the World - , IBM You're Not a *Real* Software Engineer - Amy Chen , Rancher Labs You're Not a *Real* Software Engineer - , Rancher Labs CO.LAB: A Collaborative, Mobile Learning Experience - John Adams , Red Hat The full lineup of all Open Source Summit North America sessions, including those at the DES, can be viewed here. Other diversity and inclusion activities at Open Source Summit North America include: Onsite resources to increase accessibility to the event include: Nursing room Nursing room Complimentary child care Wheelchair & medical equipment rental from One Stop Mobility Wheelchair & medical equipment rental from Quiet room where conversation and interaction are not allowed Quiet room where conversation and interaction are not allowed Communication stickers to indicate an attendee's requested level of interaction Communication stickers to indicate an attendee's requested level of interaction Non-binary restrooms Registration is discounted by $150 through July 30, and academic and hobbyist rates are also available. Members of the press who would like to request a complimentary press pass to attend should contact Dan Brown at [email protected]. Open Source Summit North America is made possible by Diamond Sponsors IBM and Intel; Platinum Sponsors Cisco, Google Cloud Platform, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Red Hat and SUSE; and Gold Sponsors Cloud Native Computing Foundation, {code} by Dell EMC, CoreOS and VMware. Lunch will be provided to attendees on September 14th courtesy of Diversity Empowerment Summit Lunch Sponsor Intel. Additional Resources YouTube: The Linux Foundation Event Experience (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WUeelICQ2U ) LinuxCon North America 2016 Event Recap (https://events.linuxfoundation.org/events/linuxcon-north-america) About The Linux Foundation The Linux Foundation is the organization of choice for the world's top developers and companies to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption. Together with the worldwide open source community, it is solving the hardest technology problems by creating the largest shared technology investment in history. Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training and events to scale any open source project, which together deliver an economic impact not achievable by any one company. More information can be found atwww.linuxfoundation.org. The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page:https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Media Contact: Dan Brown The Linux Foundation 415-420-7880 [email protected] SOURCE The Linux Foundation Related Links http://www.linuxfoundation.org ORLANDO, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following an expansion plan and analysis, Prospera (formerly HBIF) is establishing a permanent presence in Charlotte to serve North Carolina's Hispanic entrepreneurs. The economic development, nonprofit organization has selected the leader to open its newest office, the first outside of Florida. Jose D. Alvarez, currently Assistant Vice President in South Florida, will be Prospera's new Assistant Vice President for North Carolina as of July 17. Alvarez has worked with Prospera for eight years, progressing from Business Development and Marketing Specialist in Central Florida to Assistant Vice President of the Miami metro area. He was added to the South Florida team during the first months of operations in that region and has played a key role in developing Prospera's community presence since 2012. "We are very glad to announce the opening of Prospera's office in Charlotte, and Jose is the best person to help develop a presence and programs that create an impact in Charlotte, North Carolina," confirmed Augusto Sanabria, Prospera president and CEO. "He has experience in helping to grow a new regional office, especially in a market as important as South Florida. He is experienced and very passionate about Prospera's mission and services, and will be an excellent bridge between our organization and Charlotte's community." "Jose has been a great asset to Prospera and instrumental in the development of Prospera's operations in South Florida," said Myrna Sonora, regional vice president of Prospera in South Florida. "His well-rounded experience with marketing, community and government relations, fundraising, volunteer management, client services and consulting have helped us connect more effectively with entrepreneurs, community-based organizations and local government." The 25-year-old organization has sent delegations to Charlotte on four occasions since August 2016, serving approximately 150 local entrepreneurs through business seminars or consulting. Thanks to financial support from Bank of America, Wells Fargo and other corporations, Prospera is establishing an office and staff to provide year-round assistance to current and aspiring Hispanic business owners, to contribute to the region's economic development. Furthermore, Alvarez will establish a community network and local program structure that will enable the organization to expand the breadth and depth of services it provides to Charlotte's entrepreneurs. Prospera's office will be located within the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte (LACCC) at 145 C Scaleybark Road, Charlotte, NC 28209. For more information, visit www.prosperausa.org. Media Contact: Maria Yabrudy, 407-412-3303, [email protected] SOURCE Prospera Related Links http://www.prosperausa.org OAKLAND, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is advising public works contractors of 2017-2018 State Budget changes that go into effect on July 1. Annual registration fees for public works contractors have increased from $300 to $400, and contractors on small projects are exempt from public works registration and electronic certified payroll reporting requirements. Public works contractors who pay $300 to renew their annual registration on or before June 30, 2017, are not required to pay the increased amount. Beginning June 1, 2019, contractors will have the option to renew their annual registration for up to three years at a time. The Labor Commissioner will be able to assess public works contractors penalties of up to $8,000 in addition to any penalty or registration fee for failure to register. Awarding agencies are also subject to penalties of $100 a day, up to a maximum of $10,000, for hiring an unregistered contractor to perform work on a public works project. A contractor that hires an unregistered subcontractor is also subject to penalties of up to $10,000. Small Project Exemption Contractors who work exclusively on small public works projects are not required to register as a public works contractor or file electronic certified payroll reports for those projects. Contractors are still required to maintain certified payroll records on a continuous basis, and provide them to the Labor Commissioner's Office upon request. Additionally, awarding agencies are not required to submit the notice of contract award through DIR's PWC-100 system on projects that fall within the small project exemption. The small project exemption applies for all public works projects that do not exceed: $25,000 for new construction, alteration, installation, demolition or repair for new construction, alteration, installation, demolition or repair $15,000 for maintenance DIR has extensive information regarding public works requirements on its Public Works website, including instructions for contractors on how to register. The Labor Commissioner's Office, officially known as DIR's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, enforces prevailing wage rates and apprenticeship standards in public works projects, inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, investigates retaliation complaints, issues licenses and registrations for businesses, and educates the public on labor laws. DIR protects and improves the health, safety and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR publishes materials and holds workshops and seminars to promote healthy employment relations, conducts research to improve its programs, and coordinates with other agencies to target egregious violators of labor laws and tax laws in the underground economy. The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. Non-media inquiries can contact DIR's Communications Call Center at 1-844-LABOR-DIR (1-844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department. https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR https://twitter.com/CA_DIR http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1 Media Contact: Jeanne-Mairie Duval, (510) 286-1180 SOURCE Dept. of Industrial Relations Related Links http://www.dir.ca.gov SINGAPORE, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Qtum Foundation announced the launch of Sparknet, the public test of its innovative blockchain platform, combining crucial advantages of Bitcoin, Ethereum's Virtual Machine and proof-of-stake consensus at an event in Shanghai. Qtum (pronounced Quantum) was inspired by the rivalry between the world's most active blockchain communities, said Qtum co-founder Patrick Dai. "We want to illustrate efficient scalability and compatibility between blockchain technologies," said Dai. Qtum raised $15.6 million in a crowdsale in March. Qtum operates according to the Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) model, which ensures consistency in transactions and the traceability of tokens. At the same time, a virtual machine for smart contracts is layered on top of Qtum's blockchain, which presents to developers a best-of-both-worlds architecture for the construction of decentralized mobile applications and other blockchain-based ventures. Co-founder Jordan Earls, who leads Qtum's development team, said the testnet would feature an Ethereum Virtual Machine smart contract implementation along with Qtum's PoS protocol. "I'm ready to get this in the hands of the community and see what everyone's response to it will be in particular, what features other developers can come up with," said Earls. "The Qtum team continues to execute, and build what can be one of the most exciting and innovative railroads in the blockchain ecosystem," said Matthew Roszak, Qtum Angel investor and co-founder of Bloq. Six decentralized applications are already being built for the blockchain, Dai said. Among the applications are a peer-to-peer mobile streaming platform and a prediction market. While applications are geared to the Chinese market, Qtum will appeal to a global audience, accessible to all developers. "Like many others around the world, I'm eagerly awaiting the launch," said Roger Ver, Qtum Angel investor and world's first investor in bitcoin startups. To get developers familiar with Qtum, the Foundation is sponsoring a hackathon in Moscow on July 1 and 2. For more information, visit blockchainhack.ru. About Qtum Qtum is a blockchain application platform. At its core, Qtum combines the advantages of Bitcoin Core, an Account Abstraction Layer allowing for multiple virtual machines, including the Ethereum Virtual Machine, and a proof-of-stake consensus protocol aimed at tackling industry use cases. The Qtum Foundation, headquartered in Singapore, is the decision-making body that drives the project's development. Learn more at qtum.org. You can find Qtum's code on the Qtum Github page. Media Contact John Scianna PR Manager [email protected] SOURCE Qtum Foundation Deeply experienced in all facets of the business, Jeana served as Sales Manager of Coldwell Banker's top-performing branch in San Diego prior to joining First Team. Due to her proven ability to drive luxury sales and lead teams to success by providing seasoned mentorship and guidance, Jeana is one of the most prominent names in Southern California real estate. "Jeana is well known throughout the real estate industry as a strong leader who understands not only how to drive success, but how to motivate and inspire her team to achieve beyond all expectations," remarked Michael Mahon, President, First Team Real Estate. "Her unmatched experience and track record with regard to coastal real estate, as well as her capabilities as an agent mentor, render her the ideal candidate to lead our efforts in what is quickly becoming one of the hottest markets in all of Southern California." Since First Team's inception nearly 42 years ago, when Founder and CEO Cameron Merage opened its first office in Huntington Beach, the organization has been a significant driver of the area's community growth and developmentand of the incredible prosperity that's swept its real estate markets over the last several years. In recent months, First Team's trajectory within this increasingly competitive niche market has been nothing short of explosive, with over $198 million in closed sales volume year to date. This statistic places First Team ahead of its closest competitor by over $85 million, and marks year-over-year growth of 26%. "We are proud to be leading the charge as the top real estate brokerage in Huntington Beach," stated Mahon. "Together with our Huntington Beach South office, which is led by one of the industry's most dynamic leadership veterans, MaryAnn Cardullo, our Seacliff office promises an unrivaled commitment to superior customer service at every turn. That's why we continue to come in first place for closed sales volumeour associates place our clients' needs first." In Huntington Beach, First Team is also far and away the market leader for property over $1 million, with unit sales up 67.6% year-over-year, and volume itself up from just under $53 million in 2016 to nearly $95 million this yeara staggering uptick of 79%. "This year at First Team, we have placed a heightened investment in our associates, and on servicing the many luxury markets that line Orange County's coast," Mahon added. "These Huntington Beach statistics aptly reflect the winning results clients experience when working with a First Team associate." ABOUT FIRST TEAM REAL ESTATE Beginning with a single office in Huntington Beach in 1976, First Team Real Estate is now Southern California's largest, full-service and trusted family-owned real estate agency with 27 offices across Southern California and over 2,000 real estate agents, service professionals, and employees. First Team is consistently recognized as Best Real Estate Company by Orange County Register, and mentioned among the nation's top 20 firms in RISMedia's Power Broker Report and the REAL Trends 500, which identify the largest volume brokerages in the United States. In 2016, First Team closed $5,923,252,182 in sales volume, servicing 9,316 transactions. To learn more about First Team Real Estate, call 888.236.1943 or visit firstteam.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Claire Adams, VP Marketing First Team Real Estate, [email protected]. SOURCE First Team Real Estate Related Links http://www.firstteam.com ST. LOUIS, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today issued a reminder that it will release its 2017 second quarter financial results at approximately 6 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, and host a conference call afterwards at approximately 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to review the results. Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeffrey A. Schwaneke, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of Centene Corporation will host the call. Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call by dialing 1-877-883-0383 in the U.S. and Canada; +1-412-902-6506 from abroad, including the following Elite Entry Number:7772527, to expedite caller registration; or via a live, audio webcast on the Company's website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section. A webcast replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call for the next 12 months or until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at the aforementioned URL. In addition, a digital audio playback will be available until 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. and Canada, or +1-412-317-0088 from abroad, and entering access code 10110042. About Centene Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise that provides a portfolio of services to government sponsored healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and Long Term Care (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored programs, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly known as "Part D"), as well as programs with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Centene operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health management, care management software, correctional healthcare services, dental benefits management, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services. Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about Centene, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://www.centene.com/investors. SOURCE Centene Corporation Related Links http://www.centene.com BOSTON, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Renowned National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore is a natural-born storyteller. His Photo Ark project is a digital "collection" of the world's mammals, fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles and insects, and the focus of RARECreatures of the Photo Ark. This captivating new three-part series, produced by WGBH Boston and premiering on PBS in Summer 2017, follows Sartore as he documents threatened species at zoos, in nature preserves, and more. Throughout RARE, scientists and naturalists reveal surprising and important information about why ensuring the future of these animals is so critical. Follow Sartore's adventures at #RarePBS. RARECreatures of the Photo Ark premieres on consecutive Tuesdayson July 18, July 25 and August 1at 9 pm ET/8c on PBS. Author, conservationist and National Geographic Fellow, Sartore has traveled to nearly 40 countries to photograph 6,395 species for the Photo Ark to date, including 576 amphibians, 1,839 birds, 716 fish, 1,123 invertebrates, 896 mammals, and 1,245 reptiles in captivity. When complete the Photo Ark will be one of the most comprehensive records of the world's biodiversity. Through RARE, audiences can journey with Sartore across the globeto Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceaniato chronicle his experiences. "Viewers will see the spectacular variety and beauty of these animals, large and small, whose lives are intertwined with ours," said John Bredar, executive producer of RARE and VP of National Programming for WGBH. "The loss of biodiversity exacts a toll on all our lives." In the premiere episode of RARE, prankish semi-habituated lemurs playfully crawl over Sartore at Madagascar's Lemur Island rehab center, during one of his easiest photography shoots. Others are more challenging: as no amount of tasty, tempting raw carrots can persuade a 500-pound, 150-year-old giant tortoise to stand on his mark or get ready for his close-up. Likewise, in Florida, a photo of an elusive bunny taking refuge near an active U.S. Navy airstrip has taken four years to procure for the Photo Ark. It's all in a day's work. Sartore knows he is in a race against time. Sometimes he is able to photograph 30 to 40 species in a few days. Others are disappearing before he can get to them. RARE looks at factors driving extinction, including deforestation, rising sea levels, invasive species, pollution and human development, all impacting creatures essential to the world's ecosystems. "RARE provides audiences the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of an exceptional photographer with an extraordinary mission. We share Joel's goal that through his photography and these films, people will be inspired to care while there is time," says Laurie Donnelly, executive producer of RARE and director of Lifestyle Programming at WGBH, where she has overseen series such as I'll Have What Phil's Having and Sacred Journeys with Bruce Feiler. In the second hour, Sartore travels around the globe in pursuit of some of the rarest and most vulnerable creatures on earthtrying to capture these species for the Photo Ark before they go extinct. In China, he goes in search of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle, with just three left on the planet, and the South China tiger, which has not been seen in the wild for more than 30 years. In Spain, he photographs one of the rarest small cats, the Iberian lynx, whose numbers fell to fewer than a hundred 15 years ago, then he heads to Africa to the mountain rainforest of Cameroon to accompany scientists working to save the cross river gorilla, the rarest gorilla on earth. In RARE's final episode, Sartore treks up a mountain in New Zealand to photograph the rowi kiwi, accompanying a naturalist to rescue its egg successfully. Without this intervention, there is only a five percent chance of survivability for this rare flightless bird. But there are also losses: at the Dvur Kralove Zoo near Prague, in one of RARE's most emotional moments, Sartore's camera records a northern white rhinoa very old female and, at the time, one of only five left in the world. Now, only three remain. Sartore likes photographing the smallest creatures for the Photo Ark because they're often more important to the health of an ecosystem than the big ones, like the naked mole rat: blind, buck-toothed and hairless, it is also cancer-resistantand scientists are researching why. And he has seen how photos can lead to change. His images of parrots in South America and koalas in Australia prompted local governments to protect them. In the U.S., coverage of the Photo Ark has helped to save the Florida grasshopper sparrow and the Salt Creek tiger beetle. "Fifty percent of all animals are threatened with extinction, and it's folly to think we can drive half of everything else to extinction but that people will be just fine," says Sartore. "That's why I created what's now called the National Geographic Photo Ark. I hope seeing the images fills people with wonder and inspires them to want to protect these species." RARE is premiering in conjunction with an ongoing initiative by National Geographic, which is showcasing the Photo Ark project throughout 2017 on multiple platforms, including exhibitions around the world, two new books and digital features. Learn more at NatGeoPhotoArk.org. RARECreatures of the Photo Ark is a production of WGBH Boston and So World Media, LLC in association with National Geographic Channels. Executive producers: John Bredar and Laurie Donnelly. Series producer/writer: Stella Cha. Producer/director: Chun-Wei Yi. RARE is made possible with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Kendeda Fund, the Candis J. Stern Foundation and public television viewers. RARE Creatures of the Photo Ark is part of "PBS Summer of Adventure," taking viewers and their families on an adventure around the world this season. The lineup of history, science and natural history programming includes the six-part series THE STORY OF CHINA, an exploration of China's 4,000-year history featuring Michael Wood beginning June 20. The five-part program BIG PACIFIC, starting June 21, reveals the Pacific Ocean's most guarded secrets. Following BIG PACIFIC on June 21, GREAT YELLOWSTONE THAW is a three-part series showcasing the stories of different animal families as they attempt to survive the toughest spring on Earth. On July 12, the three-part NATURE'S GREAT RACE explores the most astounding migrations on earth. WEEKEND IN HAVANA is a one-hour walking tour through Cuba on July 18. In WILD ALASKA LIVE, airing live over three nights beginning July 23, witness a must-see natural spectacle as thousands of the world's wildest animals gather to take part in Alaska's amazing summer feast. On August 2, IRELAND'S WILD COAST takes viewers on a one-hour journey along the island's rugged Atlantic coast. Summer of Adventure will also include PBS KIDS programming, featuring three new one-hour specials: NATURE CAT: OCEAN COMMOTION, WILD KRATTS ALASKA: HERO'S JOURNEY, and READY JET GO!: BACK TO BORTRON 7. About WGBH WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Frontline, NOVA, American Experience, Masterpiece and Antiques Roadshow, as well as lifestyle and children's series. WGBH also is a major supplier of programming for public radio, and a leader in educational multimedia for the classroom, supplying content to PBS LearningMedia. WGBH is a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments. More info at www.wgbh.org/. About PBS PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS' premier children's media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV including a new 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter. SOURCE WGBH Related Links http://www.wgbh.org/ Dallas, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Griffith Bates Champion & Harper partner Casey Griffith filed a lawsuit on behalf of Dallas Det. Katrina Ahrens, the widow of slain DPD officer Sr. Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, against the Dallas Police Association (DPA), the DPAs Assist the Officer Foundation (ATO), DPD officer Frederick Frazier, and others who have interfered with donations collected to support the families of the five officers who lost their lives during the Dallas sniper attack on July 7, 2016. The lawsuit alleges the DPA and the ATOat the direction of Frazier, himself a DPD officerare holding hostage and failing to account for funds generously donated to Det. Ahrens, refusing to release them unless she concedes to their demands. Following the 2016 shooting, the public generously donated millions of dollars to the families of the five fallen police officers. The ATO collected these funds, but Frazier is attempting to impose unlawful limitations on the families' use of the funds and has ordered all donations for Det. Ahrens be withheld unless she concedes to his demands. Frazier, on behalf of the ATO, entered into a contract with the City of Dallas to intercept and open mail directed to Det. Ahrens, diverting cash and checks donated to her in the wake of the July 2016 attacks that caused the loss of her husband. The money was allegedly deposited in an account controlled by the defendants without Det. Ahrens' knowledge or consent. The ATO, at Frazier's direction, has refused to provide this money to Det. Ahrens unless she relents to its demands. The lawsuit also alleges the ATO has failed to account for the money it intercepted from Det. Ahrens' mail. The lawsuit, Katrina Ahrens v. Dallas Police Association, DPA's Assist the Officer Foundation, Inc., Frederick Frazier, City of Dallas, and Zak Products II, LLC, also alleges the defendants used Sr. Cpl. Ahrens' name and likeness without Det. Ahrens' permission, which included using Sr. Cpl. Ahrens' name in a NASCAR partnership with ZAK Products II, LLC, a Berkshire Hathaway company. Shortly after filing the lawsuit, Griffith secured a temporary restraining order from a Johnson County district judge, which prevents Frazier, the DPA, and the ATO from using or transferring any donations earmarked for Det. Ahrens' family. Det. Ahrens sought to resolve this matter privately, but was forced to file this lawsuit when it became apparent the ATO was not going to account for their handling of the public's donations," Griffith said. "Det. Ahrens is committed to ensuring the families of our fallen officers receive the support our community generously provided, and only asks that the defendants do the right thing." Frazier has no authority to hold Det. Ahrens' funds hostage and interfere with support that was intended to help her with short- and long-term financial needs," Griffith said. "Officers like Det. Ahrens are trusted to protect and serve our communities, but Frazier won't trust her to protect and serve her own family." About Griffith Bates Champion & Harper Griffith Bates Champion & Harper LLP is a boutique law firm in Dallas, Texas, devoted to complex business litigation. The Firm's attorneys have been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Rising Stars, and among the Best Lawyers in Dallas. To contact Griffith Bates Champion & Harper, call 214-238-8400, or visit www.griffithbates.com. # # # Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2267cb6d-a78e-40d0-a2de-3a8f3639aee2 BATON ROUGE, La., June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, June 20, Republic Finance presented its 2017 fundraising proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Through the efforts of Republic Finance employees across seven states, the regional lender raised $34,682.24 for lifesaving research toward finding better treatments and cures for cancer. Republic Finance proudly presented its 2017 fundraising proceeds to the American Cancer Society on Tuesday afternoon. Thank you to everyone who contributed to and supported this year's campaign! With over 160 branch locations in the southeastern region of the U.S., Republic Finance believes in taking care of its surrounding communities. To do this, employees participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life events in their communities and contributed through individual donations. "Republic Finance was proud to partner with American Cancer Society for the second year in an effort to raise funds in the fight against cancer. This year's Relay for Life, held during Live After Five in downtown Baton Rouge, as well as Lip Sync Battle Baton Rouge, were events that our team members had a great time attending and participating in! The team at ACS is a joy to work with and have been a great help in coordinating our company-wide fund-raising efforts! We are already looking forward to next year's campaign," said Senior Marketing Analyst Ashley Ponsaa. About Republic Finance: Founded in 1952, Republic Finance specializes in providing a variety of consumer loans, flexible lending options and incomparable customer service, and has assisted its customers in meeting their personal finance goals for more than 60 years. With branch offices located within Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and now Texas, Republic Finance is proud to serve more than 200,000 customers in over 160 communities throughout the United States. Media Contact: Ashley Ponsaa Senior Marketing Analyst Republic Finance [email protected] (225) 927-0005 Ext. 151 http://republicfinance.com SOURCE Republic Finance Related Links http://republicfinance.com HERZELIYA, Israel, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Safe-T Group Ltd. ("Safe-T" or the "Company") (TASE: SAFE) (OTCQB: SFTTY), a provider of cyber security solutions designed to mitigate attacks on business-critical services and data, is pleased to announce that its American Depositary Shares (ADSs) have been approved for trading on the OTCQB Venture Market. Safe-T will commence trading on the OTCQB today under the symbol "SFTTY", where each ADS represents four ordinary shares of the Company. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. "The admission to the OTCQB market is part of a long-term strategy to introduce the Company to a broader international audience," said Shachar Daniel, CEO of Safe-T. "This provides us with a trading platform for current and future American investors as well as a means of increasing our international customer base and visibility in the United States through direct marketing and technology collaborations." The OTCQB Venture Market is for early-stage and developing U.S. and international companies that are current in their financial reporting, pass a minimum bid price test and undergo an annual company verification and management certification process. The OTCQB Market's quality standards provide a strong baseline of transparency, as well as the technology and regulation to improve the information and trading experience for investors. BNY Mellon serves as Depositary to the Company's Level 1 ADR program. About Safe-T Safe-T Data (www.safe-t.com) is the provider of solutions designed to mitigate attacks on business-critical services and data for a wide range of industries, including financial, healthcare, government and more. Safe-T's High-risk Data Security (HDS) Solution mitigates data threats: un-authorized access to data, services, networks, or APIs, as well as data related threats, including data exfiltration, leakage, malware, ransomware and fraud. Companies and governments around the world trust Safe-T to secure their data, services, and networks from insider and external data threats. Focused on providing security solutions for the enterprise market, Safe-T enables organizations to benefit from enhanced productivity, efficiency, heightened security, and improved regulatory compliance. Safe-T operates in North America, APAC, Africa, Europe, and Israel. The Company's Ordinary Shares are traded on TASE in Israel and its American Depositary Shares are traded on the OTCQB. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Company's depositary for its Level 1 ADR program. Forward-looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to future estimates, developments and events, the occurrence of which is uncertain. Words such as "expects", "anticipate", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, the Company is using forward looking statements in this press release when it discusses the potential increase of the Company's international customer base and visibility in the United States. These estimates may not materialize, in whole or in part, or may materialize differently, including but not limited to causes that are not within the Company's control. SOURCE Safe-T Based in New Jersey, SageSure opened its first Tallahassee office with just two employees in December 2007. In Spring 2018, the now nearly 100 employees will move into a larger, modern, more collaborative office space. The office was designed with employee health and wellness in mind, offering free healthy snacks and on-site exercise spaces. Among the nearly 100 employees occupying the new space is SageSure's Policy Services team. "SageSure's new office in Tallahassee will accommodate the growth of our Policy Services team, ultimately enabling us to better serve our producers and policyholders," said Tom Wixted, VP of Policy Services at SageSure. "Our team has already grown by nearly 50 percent in just 12 months. We are thrilled that this new space will allow us to continue that growth. The new state-of-the-art, collaborative environment will help us to attract and retain the best team." The new office will also provide space for a new, in-house Customer Satisfaction team. This team will work directly with policyholders and carriers to track, monitor and report on claims. Under the creative guidance of Perdue, Inc. and The DodStone Group, and construction by Mad Dog Construction, SageSure has designed a 20,000-square-foot office on the second floor of a new building at Summit East Technology Park, managed by Summit Group Commercial Properties. "We are glad to partner with SageSure to meet their growing needs," said Rick Kearney, owner of Summit East Technology Park. "The $6 million project will create more than 200 jobs throughout the course of construction." SageSure Insurance Managers is the largest independent residential property Managing General Underwriter in the United States. Committed to providing insurance solutions in America's most challenging markets, they offer 26 products in 12 states and serve more than 130,000 policyholders. In addition to Tallahassee, the company has offices in Jersey City, NJ; Mount Laurel, NJ; Cheshire, CT; Cincinnati, OH; and Houston, TX. About SageSure Insurance Managers SageSure Insurance Managers is the largest independent residential property managing general underwriter in the United States. SageSure develops competitively priced property insurance products for its highly rated carrier partners and distributes these products through a growing network of insurance agents and brokers. SageSure offers 26 products in 12 states, managing nearly all operations for more than 130,000 policyholders. For more information, visit SageSure.com. Contact: Hallie Montague, [email protected], 513-227-8637 SOURCE SageSure Insurance Managers AKRON, Ohio, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithers Quality Assessments (SQA), a Smithers Group company, specializing in quality, safety and environmental management systems certifications, announced today that the company will hold its Quality Management Conference and Client Event on July 13th, 2017 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio. The event, now in its fifth year, has grown from a small seminar to a conference that now attracts more than 400 attendees each year, from numerous industries, all looking to learn from recognized business and quality management leaders and network with other professionals in their fields. "Our Client Day continues to serve as an important medium for getting accurate and timely information to our diverse base of clients. This year is a major transitional year, with nearly every one of our clients working to update their quality systems," said Aaron Troschinetz, General Manager, North America, Smithers Quality Assessments. "We are very excited about this event and the opportunity to have active dialogues with our clients in a variety of marketplaces." The event will begin with a keynote address titled "Leading Change & Quality" from Carlos Hungria, Chief Operating Officer at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and member of the Knorr Bremse Executive Board. Other informative breakout sessions throughout the day, will include: AS9100:2016 Transition Overview presented by Susie Neal , United Technologies Corporation IATF 16949 Transition Overview presented by Jeanette Preston / Mike Fournier , Smithers Quality Assessments ISO 9001:2015 Transition Overview presented by Dale Isaacs , US TAG 176 Member ISO 14001:2015 Transition Overview presented by Thomas Crossno , Smithers Quality Assessment About Smithers Quality Assessments Smithers Quality Assessments is an Akron, OH-based accredited quality and environmental management systems certification body, founded in 1993, serving small and large industrial, commercial, government and services businesses around the world. Companies work with Smithers Quality Assessments when seeking certification to the following ISO standards: ISO 9001:2015 ISO 14001:2015 OHSAS 18001:2007 ANSI/AIHA Z10 CSA Z1000 ISO/TS 16949:2009 IATF 16949 AS 9100D ISO 13485:2015 SN 9001 Please visit www.smithersregistrar.com . About The Smithers Group: Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, The Smithers Group includes Smithers Apex, Smithers Avanza, Smithers Pira, Smithers Quality Assessments, Smithers Rapra, and Smithers Viscient. Each Smithers Group company provides technology-based services focused on a defined market. As a group, the diversity of market sectors and technologies provides stability and a platform for long-term growth. By integrating science, technology and business expertise, Smithers goal is to add value throughout the life cycle of our clients' products by utilizing testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. All Smithers companies are known by their clients as Trusted Providers of Innovative Solutions. For more information, visit www.smithers.com. SQA World Headquarters 121 S. Main St. Suite #300 Akron, OH 44308 Media Contact Erik Yorke 330-762-7441 ext 1750 [email protected] SOURCE Smithers Quality Assessments Related Links http://www.smithers.com (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160224/336778LOGO ) (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/529117/Netsuite_Logo.jpg ) Built for NetSuite is a program for NetSuite SuiteCloud Developer Network (SDN) partners that provides them with information, resources and a method to verify that their applications and integrations, built using the NetSuite SuiteCloud Computing Platform, meet NetSuite's standards and best practices. The "Built for NetSuite" program is designed to give NetSuite customers additional confidence that SuiteApps meet these standards. The Snapfulfil Cloud WMS for NetSuite SuiteApp is a best-of-breed cloud WMS that optimizes receiving, put away, picking, packing and shipping to deliver cost savings and productivity gains. "Consumers expect businesses to operate faster and more efficiently than ever to provide a high level of convenience. The last thing supply chain managers need are disconnected systems and processes hindering their ability to meet consumer demand," said Chris Anton, executive vice president of business development at Snapfulfil. "Our team strives to solve complexities in the warehouse, and our integration with NetSuite demonstrates the work we're doing to help supply chain and warehouse managers be as effective as possible." "Snapfulfil is a welcomed addition to our SuiteCloud Developer Network and an asset to improving our users' experience," said Guido Haarmans, Vice President SuiteCloud Developer Network and Partner Programs at Oracle NetSuite Global Business Unit. "Working together, our solutions provide the type of insight and intelligence supply chain and warehouse leaders need to be successful." Ian Robertson, Sales and Marketing Director from a leading NetSuite implementer, BrightBridge Solutions said: "From our first workshop meeting with Snapfulfil, we configured their NetSuite connector with our credentials, and within minutes were sending data up and down. "We have also found them to be flexible in their approach - they really listened to, and understood what our customer was trying to achieve, ensuring that the integration delivers the very best of both NetSuite and Snapfulfil, with no compromising or corner cutting." For information about Built for NetSuite SuiteApps, please visit http://www.netsuite.com/BuiltforNetSuite. For more information about Snapfulfil's SuiteApp, please visit http://www.suiteapp.com . About SuiteCloud NetSuite's SuiteCloud is a comprehensive offering of cloud-based products, development tools and services designed to help customers and commercial software developers take advantage of the significant economic benefits of cloud computing. Based on NetSuite, the industry's leading provider of cloud-based financials / ERP software suites, SuiteCloud enables customers to run their core business operations in the cloud, and software developers to target new markets quickly with newly-created mission-critical applications built on top of mature and proven business processes. The SuiteCloud Developer Network (SDN) is a comprehensive developer program for independent software vendors (ISVs) who build apps for SuiteCloud. All available SuiteApps are listed on SuiteApp.com, a single-source online marketplace where NetSuite customers can find applications to meet specific business process or industry-specific needs. For more information on SuiteCloud and the SDN program, please visit http://www.netsuite.com/developers. About Synergy NA Inc. Synergy NA Inc. is the US subsidiary of Synergy Ltd, a software house which specializes in warehouse management technologies and solutions. For more than 40 years, the company's systems have been powering the warehousing operations of some of the world's most successful companies. Synergy was one of the first companies to recognize the potential of cloud technology as a platform for a best of breed warehouse management system. Its multi-award winning Snapfulfil WMS was architected for the web in 2007 and is now used in warehouses throughout Europe and America. About Snapfulfil Snapfulfil is the multi award-winning warehouse management system from Synergy Ltd. Snapfulfil is a functionally rich, best of breed WMS which can be deployed in a variety of ways to meet the operational and financial needs of any warehouse, large or small. It is currently deployed in warehouses throughout Europe and America, with 100,000+ users logged in last year. Built on over 40 years of experience, Snapfulfil is one of the most adaptable and scalable warehouse management systems on the market, offering fast implementation and rapid return on investment. For additional information, visit http://www.snapfulfil.com SOURCE Synergy Logistics "Pundits have unfairly besmirched avocado toast as the reason younger Americans aren't buying homes. We know that's wrong -- it's because the traditional mortgage product hasn't evolved," said Joanne Bradford, Chief Marketing Officer at SoFi. "In addition to offering a mortgage with 10% down and no borrower-paid private mortgage insurance required, we wanted to help people have their avocado toast and eat it too." Once someone completes their home purchase with a SoFi mortgage in July, they'll receive an email with the option of choosing regular or gluten-free bread to go along with their avocados. The ingredients will be divided over three shipments to ensure freshness upon delivery. Recipients will still need to toast the bread. SoFi, which has over 300,000 members across the United States and has underwritten over $20 billion in loans since its founding in 2011, offers a variety of options for fixed and variable rate mortgages, including flexible down payments ranging from 10-50% for loans up to $3 million. Members who have a personal loan or refinanced student loan with the company are also eligible for a rate discount on their mortgage of 0.125%. SoFi currently offers mortgage loans and refinancing in 28 states and the District of Columbia. More information on the offer and on SoFi mortgages is available at SoFi.com/avocadotoast. About SoFi SoFi is a new kind of finance company taking a radical approach to lending, wealth management and insurance. From unprecedented products and tools to faster service and open conversations, we're all about helping our members get ahead and find success. Whether they're looking to buy a home, save money on student loans, ascend in their careers, or invest in the future, the SoFi community works to empower our members to accomplish the goals they set and achieve financial greatness as a result. For more information, visit SoFi.com. Contact: SoFi PR [email protected] SOURCE SoFi Related Links http://www.sofi.com ARLINGTON, Va., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) commends the Administration for nominating Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams to the position of U.S. Surgeon General. Adams has served as commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health since 2014, where he oversees the public health protection and laboratory services, health and human services, healthcare quality and regulatory, and tobacco prevention and cessation commissions. "The Administration has nominated a true public health leader to serve as U.S. Surgeon General," says Dr. Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO. "Dr. Adams understands the healthcare landscape, has first-hand experience dealing with serious public health issues, and will be a strong advocate for state public health, bringing a unique and valuable set of skills to the nation's healthcare system. His knowledge of public health challenges and opportunities as Indiana State Health Commissioner will serve our nation well in the months and years ahead." As a member of ASTHO, Adams has worked nationwide to address public health issues, including the challenges presented by the current opioid crisis. His clinical acumen combined with strong clinical and community-based experience make him a uniquely qualified candidate for the nation's top physician. "Our nation needs a strong, experienced, and articulate public health champion, and Jerome is the right person at the right time to serve as our Surgeon General," says Dr. Jay Butler, ASTHO president and chief medical officer for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. "This nomination recognizes his state and national leadership experience, his broad perspective, and his clinical expertisehe brings all this to the very important job of Surgeon General." Adams earned a B.S. in biochemistry and a B.A. in biopsychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He has been a researcher at medical schools in both the Netherlands and Zimbabwe and has worked under Nobel Prize winner Dr. Tom Cech. He earned his Medical Doctorate at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and his Masters of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. He has been an active member of ASTHO, including representing ASTHO at the American Medical Society House of Delegates and participating in national initiatives to address significant public health challenges. ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, as well as the more than 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in state-based public health practice. SOURCE Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Related Links http://www.astho.org EDWARDS, Colo., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia, MO based StorageMart proudly announced today a new addition to their company, a new facility in Edwards, Colorado. Conveniently located on Highway 6, the new facility offers a wide variety of indoor and drive-up storage units to serve the needs of the local community and many vacationers that flock to the Vail Valley. More than 500 storage units comprise 42,750 square feet of rentable storage space, representing a large increase in self storage options in Edwards. A prime location for those hoping to enjoy the best recreation in Colorado, Edwards is projected to continue to grow in population as well as a convenient location for skiers. "This is a beautiful, newly constructed property that really represents the best of what StorageMart can offer our customers," said Cris Burnam, StorageMart President. "We're dedicated to providing everyone with easy and clean service and look forward to changing the way the residents of Edwards think about finding the extra space they need." Additional great features at the new location include individually PIN-code access, video cameras, and a general well-lit facility so storage shoppers can set their minds at ease choosing StorageMart. About StorageMart StorageMart started with a single store in Columbia, MO and has grown to be the largest privately-owned, family operated storage company in the world. StorageMart is led by the Burnam family, which has been in the storage industry for three generations. Dedicated to providing easy, clean and friendly service to each and every customer, StorageMart is also committed to giving back to the many communities it calls home through their Store it Forward program. In 2015, the company donated more than $167,000.00 to charities, in addition to donating over $395,000 in free rent to charities throughout the US and Canada. Find out more at www.storage-mart.com. Contact: Sarah Little, [email protected] SOURCE StorageMart Related Links http://www.storage-mart.com US editor John Prideaux spent several weeks in West Virginia, Kansas, Georgia, Alabama and Florida talking to Trump supporters to get insight into why so many voters forgive, or ignore, the scandals that have so far plagued the Trump administration. Using a mixture of reporting, academic research and survey data, the report looks at what people know about politics, how they change their minds and what role race and the urban/rural divide play in identity politics now. Understand these things, and it no longer seems strange that the president's supporters see the hiring of Michael Flynn, the sacking of James Comey, the conflicts of interest and the president's apparent affection for authoritarian leaders abroad so differently. President Trump has more latitude with his supporters than a conventional politician. Anyone expecting them to desert him en masse because they do not like his tax plan, or a new health-care law, is likely to be disappointed. LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Education is top priority as biosimilar mAbs enter the market With the recent approval of Celltrion's Truxima, all eyes are on biosimilar oncology monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Experts say they're the next frontier in the European biosimilars market, but warn that they may not achieve widespread uptake unless stakeholders can put doctors' and patients' biggest concerns to rest. Just what are those concerns? Who should lead the education initiative? What will it take to close the information gap? Report Overview Future of Biosimilars: Europe (2017) offers a step by step walkthrough of key developments in the European biosimilars market, as well as future challenges and opportunities. 11 respected industry experts weigh in on adoption and pending approvals, policy and regulation, the evolving role of payers and patients, and the urgent need for more and better education. You'll also hear about promising future targets for manufacturers, noteworthy trends, upcoming events, and more. Report Features An in-depth look at the state of the European biosimilars market, and the prospects for new entrants. Insight into the commercial, legal, regulatory, and educational challenges facing biosimilars. A clear assessment of the information gaps, including a breakdown of common misperceptions and key concerns for doctors and patients. Near term challenges and opportunities, including the changing roles of patients and other stakeholders, and future targets for biosimilar developers. Download now and gain greater insight into the European biosimilars market. Key Benefits Plan your education strategy: Learn what kind of data and messages are needed to bring reluctant physicians and patients on-side, and which stakeholders are the best messengers. Understand the changing stakeholder landscape: Discover how the role of patients and payers is evolving, and how each group can help drive biosimilar adoption. Gain influence: Hear how stakeholder groups influence one another, and how you can use these chains of influence to make sure your message is heard. Anticipate regulator's next move: Learn what national policymakers are up to, where the EMA is likely to weigh in (or not), and how data requirements for approvals may change. Plan ahead: As uptake of biosimilar oncology mAbs increases future target selection will be critical for developers. Find out how your choices will shape the market. Keep biosimilar adoption trending up. Download this report to find out how. Why education needs to be Pharma's top priority Biosimilars have come a long way in Europe, but persistent misconceptions threaten to undermine their progress. Clear, accessible explanations of what biosimilars are, how they're approved, and how they compare to branded medication are essential. Equally important is ensuring that stakeholders all understand key concepts like switching, interchangeability, and substitution. Closing the information gap is the only way to ensure that physicians are comfortable prescribing biosimilars and, more importantly, payers are comfortable granting formulary status. Key Questions Answered by this report: Education is critical, but who should lead the charge and where should they focus their efforts? Will the push to lower clinical data requirements succeed? What will govern approvals? How are national policies evolving? Will the EMA issue interchangeability and switching guidelines? Patients can play a pivotal role. How and when should they be involved in decisions about biosimilars? Will biosimilar oncology mAbs see widespread uptake? What should developers target next? For biosimilars to thrive, payers must shift their focus. How do experts expect their role to evolve? Expert Views The 11 industry experts we interviewed for this report either have direct experience in the development and/or commercialisation of biosimilars, or are considered experts in the field. To enable them to express candid views, some respondents have chosen to remain anonymous. Carsten Brockmeyer CEO, Formycon Rakesh Dixit VP R&D, MedImmune Rudiger Jankowsky Managing Director, Cinfa Biotech Matthew Jones Chief Commercial Officer, Dyadic International Steve Lehrer CEO, Cipla Biotec Adam Levysohn Head of Global Market Access (Biosimilars), Biogen Carol Lynch Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals, Sandoz Grzegorz Orlik Head of Medical Affairs, Accord Healthcare Mourad Rezk Global Head Medical Affairs (Biosimilars), Biogen Erik Skullerud Owner & Partner, Element Consulting (former Marketing Director, Amgen) Account Manager European Biosimilars Company (anonymous) 4 Key Quotes "We believe the number one priority in any educational effort is to bring biosimilar science to the patients and the medical community in a simple, understandable way, making them aware of what is possible using modern technology." Rudiger Jankowsky Managing Director, Cinfa Biotech "Education can rapidly remove a lot of the concerns that physicians, patients, payers and pharmacists have about using biosimilars. It is important to take all stakeholders on this journey." Carol Lynch Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals, Sandoz "Companies will provide information, but when the payers, patient groups and medical societies take ownership, there is more trust in the information. Regulators could take a role, but I think they do quite a good job now with all of the publications that emerge from the EMA and EC [European Commission]. Critically, all of the information that gets published needs to be understandable by the average person." Carsten Brockmeyer CEO, Formycon "I think people can learn from what happened with generics in the 1980s, how they were faced resistance and then eventually got accepted. Now almost 90 percent of drugs prescribed are substituted generic drugs." Rakesh Dixit VP R&D, MedImmune Who Would Benefit from This Report? Managers planning biosimilar development programmes Market access teams supporting biosimilar market access Medical affairs teams working to educate and inform stakeholders HEOR professionals building evidence of biosimilar value MSL teams demonstrating the safety and efficacy of biosimilars to physicians Marketing teams driving educational initiatives for physicians and patients Strategy teams working with regulators to establish clinical data requirements Competitive intelligence professionals monitoring competitor education initiatives Post-marketing surveillance teams collecting real world data on clinical and patient biosimilar experience Content Highlights Biosimilars in Europe: current status, key developments Key insights Overview The European biosimilars market continues to evolve across all key areas, from clinical to commercial and beyond Despite improvements in awareness, information gaps on biosimilars still exist The biosimilar pipeline continues to advance, with positive clinical data being published for several key pipeline programmes The European regulatory landscape continues to evolve, but concerns about indication extrapolation remain Litigation continues to play a role in both offensive and defensive tactics Biosimilar adoption rates continue to climb in Europe, costs continue to be saved, and originators continue to defend their market shares Biosimilar-focused policy continues to evolve, with support for biosimilars coming in the form of positive position statements, guidelines and policy documents Current challenges in the European biosimilars market Key insights Closing the information gap will be critical to the future prosperity of the European biosimilars market Future refinements to the current regulatory landscape for biosimilars likely to focus on lowering clinical data requirements, but pan-European regulation of switching and interchangeability unlikely Commercial issues and their role in driving biosimilar adoption Future perspectives, challenges and opportunities for the European biosimilars market Key insights What role can biosimilars play in the European health system? Will health technology assessments play a role in supporting the European biosimilars market in the future? What role will patients have in relation to biosimilars in the future? What are the next targets for biosimilar developers? What could be the impact of political change in Europe? What are the specific challenges in the biosimilar oncology mAbs market? What are the remaining challenges in the European biosimilars market? What key future events are experts keeping tabs on? Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4967743/ About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers http://www.reportbuyer.com For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 208 816 85 48 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alzheimers disease is a degenerative disorder that affects more than 5 million Americans, and their families and caregivers. William Glass, who is originally from the Chicago area, and currently lives in Atlanta, has decided to raise awareness of this national crisis that is bankrupting America by embarking on a walk, beginning this weekend, from Atlanta, GA to Washington, D.C., spanning approximately 640 miles. While on this journey, he will carry around a petition, which he hopes to hand to President Trump, which will address the concerns of many families affected by the disease. Along the way, William plans to have others sign this petition. He also plans to meet with state representatives and family members of individuals with Alzheimers disease. He is calling upon the federal government to demand higher standards, ethics, transparency, education, and training in our dementia care facilities. William, who is a caregiver for his mother, Eileen, who lives with Alzheimers disease in a nursing home in Atlanta, wants to educate Americans about the disease, its prevalence and devastation. He will also be raising money for the Alzheimers Foundation of America. Until the prevention and/or a cure is found, our long-term care industry is not prepared for the onslaught of victims, said William Glass. I feel that unless drastic measures are taken, we will start to see a warehouse epidemic. Williams trek, which he expects to complete in approximately 30 days, will take him through the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington D.C. He will be wearing teal-colored sneakers, which represent Alzheimers awareness. He is hoping that this campaign, which he calls Until a Cure, will help make a difference. It is truly admirable what Mr. Glass is doing. We need to increase awareness of this debilitating disease, while eliminating the stigma that goes with it, said Bert E. Brodsky, AFAs founder and chairman of the board. We appreciate Williams efforts. It is a daring task. The more voices are heard, the more we can make a difference, and hopefully, reach the goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimers Disease, which is to find a cure by 2025. If William does indeed get to meet with President Trump, he plans to bring up issues, including stricter regulations on our hospice industry, the overuse of anti-psychotics/neuroleptic medications, and allocating more research money to alternatives for drugs that do not have a 60% mortality rate when prescribed. He also plans to ask the President why Medicare and Medicaid does not pay for at-home care when its cheaper than nursing home care. William will be chronicling his journey on social media. He says that he is determined to keep fighting and advocating for Congress to provide more funding for research. This is the second time that William has taken on such a challenging feat. In August, 2013, he also completed a walk from Chicago to Atlanta. At the time, he was living in Lombard, Ill., and his mission, called Flowers for Mom, was to get to Atlanta, where his mother was living, while raising awareness and funds for Alzheimers disease along the way. During that adventure, he walked more than 750 miles in two months, and raised more than $10,000. About Alzheimers Foundation of America (AFA): The Alzheimers Foundation of America, based in New York, is a non-profit organization that unites more than 2,600 member organizations nationwide in the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals living with dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a national, toll-free helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, educational conferences and materials, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers, the National Memory Screening Program, and AFA Partners in Care dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn. STOCKHOLM, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Competition Authority has expressed serious doubts concerning six of the eight product areas in which Haldex conducts its business. Based on the feedback from the Competition Authority the Haldex Board considers the probability of regulatory approval so low that the Board has decided not to assist Knorr-Bremse in the continued competition investigations. The Board also considers that an in-depth competition investigation by the European Competition Authority is unavoidable and that the acceptance period therefore would have to be extended. An extension would require approval by the Swedish Securities Council. Knorr-Bremse has on 28 June 2018 announced that it will seek approval for an extension until 9 February 2018. The Haldex Board has decided to contest the grant of such approval on the basis of the very low probability of the deal being cleared by the Competition Authorities and the harm such an extension would continue to have on the company during an in-depth investigation. On 5 September 2016, Knorr-Bremse announced a cash offer to the Haldex shareholders. The offer of SEK 125 per share is conditional on the receipt of clearance from the relevant Competition Authorities. The Haldex Board recommended the Haldex shareholders to accept the offer, if and when the relevant approvals had been obtained. Knorr-Bremse currently awaits the outcome of the European as well as the U.S. Competition Authority investigation. The investigation by both Authorities is extensive. The European process has reached a stage where the Competition Authority has provided feedback as to the current status of the investigation. The Authority has expressed serious doubts regarding the effect of the acquisition on markets relating to the following product areas of Haldex: Air disc brakes EBS ABS Valves Air treatment and air dryers Air suspension The Board has considered the following in its assessment of the situation: The European Competition Authority has expressed serious doubts as to the effect of the acquisition on markets relating to six out of Haldex's eight product areas. These product areas represent more than half of the company's turnover. Even if it would be acceptable to Knorr-Bremse to make divestitures in all or several of these product areas, the strategic and commercial deal rationale could, in case of such potential divestitures, be questioned. Furthermore, the Haldex Board considers it uncertain that any of the few current potential buyers to which Knorr-Bremse could make divestments would be deemed sufficiently competitive by the Authorities. The European Competition Authority has also indicated that there is uncertainty as to the suitability of the potential buyers. During the course of the competition investigation, the Haldex business has been analysed to evaluate how divestitures could be implemented. As a result of the integrated structure of the company, with plants manufacturing multiple products and research and development centres developing a combination of products, difficulties have arisen even when only a few divestitures have been discussed. The execution of potential divestitures in as many areas as identified by the Authority would prove very complicated and difficult to carry out with maintained competitiveness. In order to be approved in a competition investigation, the divestitures must be effective and sufficiently well-functioning to ensure effective competition. The criticism of the bid by market participants has been extensive. If the European competition investigation would enter into an in-depth investigation, it is expected that this criticism would be become even more extensive. Knorr-Bremse stated in September 2016 that Knorr-Bremse had developed a detailed clearance strategy based on both qualitative and quantitative arguments and that the activities of Knorr-Bremse and Haldex are largely complementary and overlaps exist only in limited areas. Subsequently, the acceptance period has been extended from December 5 2016 until February 28 2017 and after that until June 16 2017 and, after approval from the Swedish Securities Council, until September 26 2017. The Haldex Board notes that Knorr-Bremse's arguments have made little impression on the Competition Authority. The board therefore makes the assessment that more time would not increase the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval. that Knorr-Bremse had developed a detailed clearance strategy based on both qualitative and quantitative arguments and that the activities of Knorr-Bremse and Haldex are largely complementary and overlaps exist only in limited areas. Subsequently, the acceptance period has been extended from 2016 until 2017 and after that until 2017 and, after approval from the Swedish Securities Council, until 2017. The Haldex Board notes that Knorr-Bremse's arguments have made little impression on the Competition Authority. The board therefore makes the assessment that more time would not increase the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval. Under the Swedish Takeover Rules, there is a limit to the duration of the acceptance period of nine months to protect the target company's business. With an in-depth investigation in the EU, the acceptance period may run until 9 February 2018 , i.e. Knorr-Bremse's acceptance period may be more than seven months longer than the nine month period that is the maximum period without approval by the Swedish Securities Council. Knorr-Bremse has earlier received approval to extend the acceptance period until the 26 September 2017 , which is approximately three months longer than the otherwise permitted maximum period. The business of Haldex has been both financially and capacity strained for a long time as a result of the uncertain ownership situation and an additional extension of the acceptance period would harm the business long term, which is unacceptable. The Haldex Board has made the overall assessment that the likelihood of Knorr-Bremse obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals is very low and has therefore decided not to assist Knorr-Bremse further in the process of obtaining such approvals. The Board will also contest the grant of approval by the Swedish Securities Council to extend the Knorr-Bremse offer. "Haldex has been the subject of a bid for over a year now and many customers have been hesitant as a result of our uncertain ownership situation. A number of these customers have projects where there still is a chance for us to get back into the process. An additional extension would definitely ruin that chance" says Ake Bengtsson, acting CEO of Haldex. The Chairman of the Board, Jorgen Durban says: "Our shareholders have in the short-term lost a bid of 125 SEK per share, but the Board has considered the information we currently have and has reached the decision that it is too unlikely that the bid will be approved by the Authorities with divestments that are acceptable or possible. Last autumn we made the assessment that the process would likely be lengthy and uncertain. We are now able to make a more certain assessment based on the feedback we now have received. We regard the Authorities' doubts as being so serious that the deal would not be approved even with more time than the approximately ten months already devoted to the process. During this long period Haldex has worked hard to continue running the existing business and has followed its long term strategic plan. Much time and resources have been used to support the acquisition process, instead of focusing on the existing business. Despite that, we have been able to continue the development projects that lay the foundation for our future product portfolio. We have seen that the uncertain ownership situation has harmed our ability to enter into long-term contracts and we hope that we soon can see the end of this turbulent period. The Board is convinced that we can build greater long-term value that will benefit shareholders, as well as customers and employees." CONTACT: For further information, visit http://corporate.haldex.com or contact: Jorgen Durban, chairman of the board Phone: +46 418 476163 Ake Bengtsson, Acting President & CEO Phone: +46 418 476150 Catharina Paulcen, SVP Corporate Communications Phone: 46 418 476157 E-mail: [email protected] Haldex AB (publ) is required to publish the above information under the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication by the Haldex media contact stated in the release on June 29, 2017 at 22.28 CEST. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/haldex/r/the-haldex-board-withdraws-its-support-for-the-knorr-bremse-bid,c2299699The following files are available for download: http://mb.cision.com/Main/1432/2299699/694908.pdf Press release as pdf SOURCE Haldex Related Links http://corporate.haldex.com LONDON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- JAPAN SECTION This Market Research Report provides an analysis of the kitchen furniture market in Japan providing trends in kitchen furniture production and consumption, imports and exports, reference prices, marketing policies and distribution. Short profiles of major players are given as well their market shares. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4965076/ Data on kitchen furniture production and consumption, imports and exports are given for the years 2008-2016, in Million US$ and Billion YEN. The analysis of the Japanese kitchen furniture imports and exports is provided by country and by geographical area of destination/origin. The kitchen furniture production in volume is split between system kitchens and sectional kitchens. The kitchen furniture consumption in Japan is broken down by size and structure of the kitchen room, worktop material, cabinet door material and colour. The distribution of kitchen furniture in the Japanese market is described, mentioning the different distribution channels: department stores, lifestyle concept stores, home centers, furniture chains, appliances retailers, e-commerce. Short profiles are included for the main distributors of furniture and household appliances present in the Japanese market. Reference prices of kitchens and built-in appliances are listed. The main magazines, associations and fairs in the field of kitchen furniture in Japan are mentioned The competitive system analyses the main players present in the Japanese kitchen furniture market, providing short company profiles, their estimated turnover and market shares. Addresses of the mentioned companies are also enclosed. SOUTH KOREA SECTION This Market Research Report offers an overview of the kitchen furniture industry in South Korea providing trends in kitchen furniture production and consumption, imports and exports, reference prices, marketing policies and distribution. Short profiles of major players are given as well their market shares. Data on kitchen furniture production and consumption, imports and exports are given for the period 2008-2016, in Million US$ and Billion KRW. The analysis of the Korean kitchen furniture imports and exports is provided by country and by geographical area of destination/origin. The kitchen furniture supply in Korea is broken down by cabinet door material, kitchen size and worktop material. The competitive system analyses the main players present in the Korean kitchen furniture market, providing short company profiles, turnover data and market shares. Demand determinants examined in the first chapter of the report are: economic indicators, population indicators and data on the construction activity. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4965076/ About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers http://www.reportbuyer.com For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 208 816 85 48 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com The real estate leaders, who together have nearly two centuries of industry experience, believe in the importance of capitalizing on developing quality products in growing markets, at precisely the right time. Their properties pair first-class amenities and services with innovative features that drive high-demand and value for investors, tenants, and guests. With these projects, Top Capital's proven experience in developing unparalleled senior living, hotels and commercial real estate properties continues to grow, filling key vacancies in the expanding Upstate, N.Y. real estate market. "When I first moved to Upstate, I recognized it as a region more people should enjoy and experience, not only as a beautiful place to live, but also as a destination," says Gene Zhou, Chairman of Top Capital of New York. "Our goal in developing these properties is to create warm, welcoming, and beautiful settings for residents and visitors to enjoy these pristine locales." Recently opened, the Chateau at Heritage Square in Brockport, an $18M investment, is an upscale independent and assisted living community for seniors 62+. The luxury facilities include large well-appointed apartments with fireplaces, granite counters and tiles bathe. Other amenities include a fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge that is open to the public, a patio fireplace, putting green, bocce courts, walking paths, public salon and spa, housekeeping, transportation and 24-hour on-site security. Top Capital's largest project in development is Saratoga Station Park Complex in Saratoga Springs, New York, a $91M investment. When complete in 2019, the property will include luxury hotel, salon & spa, fine dining, shopping, outdoor recreation space, underground parking, luxury condominiums, and senior apartments. The property is adjacent to the train station, making it perfectly outfitted for travelers coming from New York, Boston, and Montreal. Where a vast, unwelcoming empty landscape once was, visitors will now be greeted off the train by a warm atmosphere, rich with local flair. Also, currently developing a $36M boutique destination hotel, conference center, salon and spa at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School Campus in Rochester, N.Y., set to open in 2019. Built in 1927, this one-of-a-kind, European-inspired, 24-acre campus has been immaculately maintained to retain its original character for nearly a century. The School selected Top Capital earlier this year, after a 20-year search for a buyer that would maintain the original character of the buildings and grounds. As part of the project, they will build a new custom-designed, state-of-the art facility on the property, so they can continue to their community legacy. "We couldn't be more thrilled to be breaking ground across the Upstate region," says Zhou. "We hope these properties will serve as places locals and travelers can escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy time with their families, friends and business associates for many years to come." Visit www.topcapitalofnewyork.com to learn more. Media Contact: Jamie Frumusa 585-683-5439 [email protected] SOURCE Top Capital of New York, LLC As the first event of its kind in China, DenTech China has successfully held twenty sessions since 1994. The support of exhibitors from various dental industry sectors and the commendation from global visitors, both help DenTech China develop into the most authoritative and influential dental event in nation and throughout Asia. In 2016, DenTech China has reached a total of 86,500 trade visits and attracted visitor from more than 50 different nations. All those numbers achieve historically high compared with the past years. Shanghai, a city where east meets west, has been the gateway to China market since early last century. With a large population number and the highest GDP ranking in Mainland China, Shanghai attracts business all over the world and offers opportunities to all industries. As the number of dentists on board is increasing each year in China, the dental industry also saw its significant growth in recent years. And the demand from dentists covers a wide range of products from basic material and equipment for basic oral health to advanced technology products for orthodontics, implants and even 3D digital dentistry. All those factors make Shanghai become an ideal market for dental equipment, technology and products. In 2017, with over 750 exhibitors and 200 symposiums, DenTech China will hold its 21st edition in Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre from Oct. 25th to 28th. The exhibition will definitely be a perfect platform for you to expand your business or improve your brand image in dental industry with its professional foundation. Do not miss the chance to be a part of the booming China dental market! Now, register on DenTech China's official website. http://www.ubmconlinereg.com/Dentech17/exhibitionen/ About DenTech China This year marks the 21st edition of DenTech China, the leading professional event for the dental industry in Asia, which will take place from 25 to 28 October 2017 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. Being the pioneer event of its kind with the first launch in 1994 in Shanghai, the event has witnessed a significant growth with 994% growth in exhibitors, 1,567% growth in exhibition area and 2,280% growth in visitors since then. DenTech China and its co-locating activities offer a wealth of networking opportunities with industry leaders and key decision-makers. More than 150 speakers will share their thoughts on trends and technological development, and it is now the must-attend event for dentists seeking continued accredited education and international buyers, traders as well as distributors looking to source high quality and cost-efficient products and equipment produced in China and across Asia Pacific. For more information, visit the website. About Shanghai UBM ShowStar Exhibition Co,. Ltd DenTech China is organized by Shanghai UBM ShowStar Exhibition Co,. Ltd, a joint venture company formed in 2011 between Shanghai ShowStar Exhibition Service Co., Ltd and UBM Asia Ltd. Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is the largest trade show organizer in Asia and the largest commercial organizer in China, India and Malaysia. With a track record spanning over 30 years, UBM Asia operates in 19 market sectors with 230 events, 28 targeted trade publications, 18 round-the-clock online products for over 2,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world. We provide a one-stop diversified global service for high-value business matching, quality market news and online trading networks. UBM Asia was awarded 'Asia's Most Reliable Trade Show Organizer Award' in Hong Kong's Most Valuable Companies Awards (HKMVCA) 2016. For more information, visit the website. For further information, images or to request an interview regarding the release, please contact: Matthew Pan t: +86 21 6157 7214 e: [email protected] SOURCE UBM ShowStar PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, S.D., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- July 7, True Sioux Hope Foundation will host an innovative convening between Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe members and well-known family philanthropists to build bridges and advance progress in one of the most disadvantaged communities in the world. Alan and Twila True, founders of True Sioux Hope Foundation, have assembled action-oriented philanthropists and companies to visit Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to provide critical aid and conduct community service activities while learning more about issues facing Native Americans. Pine Ridge, home to 35,000 members of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, is the poorest place in the United States. With unemployment rates at 90 percent, infant mortality close to 20 percent and an average life expectancy of 47 years for men and 52 years for women, its people face some of the biggest challenges of our time. The event hopes to galvanize investment in a community that has been overlooked for too long. Philanthropists, representatives from the private sector, celebrities and other influential organizations are connecting to participate in the three-day gathering. The event includes members of True Sioux Hope Foundation, 100 family philanthropists (including members from the Family to Family coalition) and the Global Family Guild, (including founding partner Swati Mandela). Joining in support are celebrities Julia Ormond, Frances Fisher, Tonantzin Carmelo, Kimberly Van Der Beek, Zahira, and other proud partners of True Sioux Hope Foundation including Deseret Industries, Arizona State University, Leesa Sleep, and Thrive Market. "As a Native American and a proud member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, it's my greatest honor to be able to create a path toward Nation Building for my tribe," said Twila True Founder and CEO of True Family Enterprises. "Life for me started in Pine Ridge, and I am grateful for those working to help my tribe acknowledge and release the pain of the past and create a brighter future. True Love is Charity in Action." About Pine Ridge Reservation: Pine Ridge Reservation is the home of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe and is the poorest place in the United States, with poverty rates and other statistics more commonly associated with Haiti, Somalia, and Afghanistan. The Tribe is the second largest and poorest of the 561 indigenous tribes. The True Sioux Hope Foundation supports Pine Ridge Reservation through sustainable programs in education, economic empowerment, social entrepreneurship, and critical aid for children and families. Founded by Pine Ridge Native, Twila True, True Sioux Hope provides critical aid and empowers Tribal Members to act in this culturally rich environment, positioning this generation of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe to reach their full human potential. About Family to Family and Global Family Guild: Family to Family is an invitation-only conference series comprised of prominent global families. In partnership with the Global Family Guild we make significant philanthropic impact in the world through entrepreneurial action. CONTACT: Brice Adler, 678-414-4167, [email protected], Sonata Lee Narcisse: 310-809-5167, [email protected] SOURCE True Sioux Hope Foundation Related Links https://www.truesiouxhope.org GUANGZHOU, China, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With a quarter of the world's population using social media to spread millions of pieces of information, social media websites are now under tremendous pressures of finding ways to better police the tidal wave of content published daily. Last year it was reported a social media website had posted images which were offensive and had failed to block the content, even though many social media websites have staff employed to review online content. In the era of social media and big data, most UGC platforms are dedicating much manpower to wrestling with the problem of content moderation in order to protect both the user community and the enterprise brand. However, there are obvious limitations of human review. As online information keeps emerging much faster than people can respond to, it is hard to always ensure the accuracy and efficiency of human review. In addition, most content moderators are more or less suffering physical and mental uncomfortableness. Recently, two employees sued a technology company for negligent infliction of emotional distress with the job requiring them to view inappropriate and unprofessional images. Many companies are looking for better approaches and hope that artificial intelligence will take a bigger role. Tuputech, a china-based AI company focusing on machine deep learning research, is bringing about a revolution in the field of content moderation. Teaching and training machines to learn and judge as the way a human's convolutional neural network (CNN) works, Tuputech makes it possible for machines to take large part of a human's review work, processing averagely 900 million images and video one day with accuracy up to 95%. A first company to apply the machine learning AI into content moderation, Tuputech has now become a market leader in China, helping social media, including a live streaming app, saving 90% manpower on the content review. Machine learning technology is definitely bringing good tidings to enterprises under the pressure of UGC management. About Tuputech Tuputech, founded in 2014 by ex-Tencent T4 technology expert, is an AI company that excels in the area of visual recognition. With huge amassed data, advanced algorithms and partner to NVIDIA's computing hardware support, Tuputech is serving a batch of clients, including China Mobile Communications, China Unicom, Thunder, Musical.ly and Live.me. As a major step to go global, Tuputech is cooperating with Amazon Web Services and delivering fast and reliable service to clients all over the world with the cloud infrastructure of AWS. Website: https://us.tuputech.com/ SOURCE Tuputech BLUE BELL, Pa., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) said today that it will release its second-quarter 2017 financial results on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Following the release, Unisys will host a conference call with the financial community from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results. About Unisys Unisys is a global information technology company that specializes in providing industry-focused solutions integrated with leading-edge security to clients in the government, financial services and commercial markets. Unisys offerings include security solutions, advanced data analytics, cloud and infrastructure services, application services and application and server software. For more information, visit www.unisys.com . Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn. RELEASE NO.: 0629/9517 Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder. UIS-Q SOURCE Unisys Corporation Related Links http://www.unisys.com New Team to Guide the Company in the Implementation of its Business Plan MIAMI, FL, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Miami-based United American Corp ("UnitedCorp"), (OTC: UAMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its key Management and Advisory Board. The new board will assist management as it executes it business plan which focusses on connectivity and social media through the exploitation of proprietary technologies. The company has also engaged Dorsey & Whitney LLP to provide assistance for its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The appointments are effective immediately and include to its Board of Advisors: Jean Guy Lambert, former CEO and President of Dacha Capital Inc., Robert Cajolet, former President of Biodroga Inc. Camelot-Info Inc. and Tectacom Inc., Kyle Stevenson, President of Millennial Lithium Corp., Ronald M. Gold, ASA, MRICS, President of Ronald M. Gold Inc. Mike Schmidt, President of iFramed Canada Ltd. Key management appointments include: Benoit Laliberte, President and CEO Sandeep Panesar, Chief Operating Officer Lawry Trevor-Deutsch, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs "We are very fortunate to have been able to assemble such a strong Board of Advisors, legal and financial team," stated Joseph Cote, UAMA's Chairman, "With this diverse but complementary skill set, we are very confident that we have the base we need to propel the company to the next level." For more information and full biographies, visit: www.unitedcorp.com About UnitedCorp UnitedCorp is a Florida-based holding and management company focusing on telecommunications and information technologies. This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors that may be beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances in management's expectations or opinions change. SOURCE United American NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States has the smallest "shadow economy"the production of and trade in legal goods and services that are deliberately concealed from public authoritiesof 28 surveyed nations, and it is set to drop even further by 2025, according to a new study from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Emerging From the Shadows: The Shadow Economy to 2025 estimates the shadow economy in the U.S. represented 7.8 percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2016 which would have totaled an approximate $1.4 trillion, based. This will fall slightly in the coming years, to 6.9 percent by 2025. You can read the new report here or at http://bit.ly/2toRzVY. Globally, the shadow economy is estimated to represent an average 22.5 percent of GDP at the end of this year. In Canada, the forecast shadow economy is expected to represent an average 14.15 percent of GDP in 2017 (and is expected to drop to 13.8 percent by 2025); the region with the expected highest percent of the shadow economy is Azerbaijan, at 66.12 percent in 2017. "While it is great to see that the U.S. has a relatively small, and declining, shadow economy, its presence does throw up considerable practical and ethical issues for both business and government," said Faye Chua, head of business insights at ACCA. In the U.S., a growing GDP and increased employment levels may have contributed to this decline in shadow economy activity: workers have more opportunities in the legitimate sector and are less likely to fall into the shadows, Chua added. "Government, business and society can take steps to restrict the shadow economy, ensuring all workers and businesses retain the rights associated with the legal trade of goods and services," added Warner Johnston, head of ACCA USA. "To continue seeing a decline in the U.S. shadow economy, the government needs to invest in creating opportunities for the most marginalized in society." The report also emphasizes the role the accountancy profession plays in monitoring of such activity and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards among companies and clients. About ACCA ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. We support our 188,000 members and 480,000 students in 178 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. We work through a network of 100 offices and centres and more than 7,110 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through our public interest remit, we promote appropriate regulation of accounting and conduct relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence. For more information about ACCA, please visit www.accaglobal.com . SOURCE ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Related Links http://www.accaglobal.com IRVINE, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Neudesic, a nationally recognized business and technology consulting firm, has partnered with Versum Materials, a leading electronic materials company, to successfully design and deploy an agile cloud-only infrastructure and an effective application management support strategy to connect Versum's global employee base. Following its spin-off from Air Products in 2016, Versum Materials needed to transition its IT systems from on-premise to a cloud-only model to support a global customer base and long-term growth goals. The company selected Neudesic for both development of a cloud environment as well as implementation and management of SaaS applications. "By partnering with Neudesic's one-stop-shop delivery model of service, support and expertise, we have a proven cloud infrastructure on which to build," said Mike Mayernik, IT operations manager, Versum Materials. "Neudesic managed the infrastructure change without disrupting daily operations." Neudesic helped Versum Materials deploy and onboard 1900+ employees to Office365 as the ideal SaaS framework to deliver extensive collaboration and user engagement capabilities across the enterprise. "Neudesic's depth of Microsoft expertise helped us identify how a single platform could activate our digital workplace globally, allowing easy implementation of programs such as Exchange for email, OneDrive, SharePoint, Yammer and Skype for Business," said Jeffrey Hornak, director of infrastructure and architecture at Versum. Now, Neudesic provides ongoing support capabilities with a level one through three global service desk, built from scratch. "Standing up a level one through level three service desk from scratch, in less than five weeks is a real challenge. Neudesic met our aggressive goals for transitioning email first, creating standardized workflows from an infinite management perspective. We did not have to recreate the wheel and easily fit right into their proven model," added Mayernik. "Versum Materials' cloud-only infrastructure resembles a deployment model that we see most smart enterprises thinking about and striving for in the coming months and years. The agility of their cloud systems enables them to deliver extensive capabilities that will better connect their global workforce and grow their enterprise," commented Pete Orologas, vice president, managed services at Neudesic. "Together, and with a strong focus on their end-users, we architected a system that is well managed and positioned for speedy adoption." Versum Materials is now a cloud-only company positioned to support their vision of transforming their workplace into a highly agile bring-your-own-device environment in which employees can select which form factor works best for them. And they arrived at this destination much faster than they had imagined. "This is an important step in defining ourselves as innovators, not only in terms of our products and services, but in how we operate as a global enterprise," added Hornak. "Both in the cloud-based system design as well as managed services, Neudesic delivered value, expertise and effective solutions for the enterprise we envisioned." Click here to read the full case study. About Neudesic: Neudesic is the trusted technology partner in business innovation, delivering impactful business results to clients through digital modernization and evolution. Founded in 2002, Neudesic is a privately held company headquartered in Irvine, California, and serves clients globally from offices in the United States and India. For more information, visit www.neudesic.com. Media Contact: Mike Rossi Senior Marketing Manager [email protected] Office: 949-754-4553 SOURCE Neudesic Related Links http://www.neudesic.com TAMPA, Fla., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Every year, two volunteers out of more than 150,000 are chosen to represent Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) as its top two mentors. Big Brother of the Year Terence Daniels, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Big Sister of the Year Erin Barry, from Anchorage, Alaska, were honored last night at the BBBSA National Conference Awards Gala in San Diego, California. Terence and Erin have gone above and beyond as Bigs to positively impact the lives of their Littles, said Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Because of their selflessness and dedication, both of their Littles have bigger, brighter futures ahead of them. Over the years, Daniels has focused on being a constant for Terrell, someone his Little Brother knew he could count on. He stayed connected with Terrell even when it was impossible for the two of them to see each other. They often play video games online together when they cant get together in person. Our relationship has stood the test of time because I always find a way to be consistent in his life, said Daniels. When I left for six months of military training, we would write letters to each other. When I deployed to Iraq for a year, we Skyped and wrote letters. Terrell, who just graduated from high school with plans to attend college, join the National Guard, and pursue a career as a dentist, said, Having a Big Brother really did save and change my life. Big Brothers Big Sisters gave me a brother I found I could trust and listen to, and he became my blood brother. In the six years Big Sister of the Year Erin Barry and her Little Sister Noelle have been matched, they have become friends who motivate and inspire each other. Barry has guided Noelle through her journey of dealing with personal loss, family changes, and emotional challenges. Mentoring a child is a special responsibility and one I take seriously, said Barry. Sometimes I dont have the answers or know what to do in every situation, but I realize thats okay. More than anything, just being Noelles friend/mentor-- a person who cares -- is all thats really needed. With Barrys guidance, Noelle has adjusted to middle school and is already planning for her college education and a big future. Before I met Erin, my life was crazy, and I never got to get out of the house, except for school. When I heard my mom decided to get me a Big Sister, I was so excited, said Little Sister Noelle. The Bigs of the Year selection process begins with local BBBS agencies. Statewide winners then move on to the national competition, in which a selection committee of BBBS leaders ranks each finalist. The 2016 Bigs of the Year awards, sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal, were presented at the 2017 Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference in San Diego. About Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that the children in its program achieve measurable outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organizations 113-year history. With over 300 affiliates across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters has served more than 2 million children (Littles) in the past 10 years. Learn more at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org. ### Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a894bda3-a686-4cbf-ab1b-23dce1648061 NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NAPOLI SHKOLNIK PLLC attorneys have handled landmark environmental cases and can help recover from personal injuries and property damages arising out of exposure to perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and GenX. Faucet of running water Clean drinking water is a finite natural resource and a precious commodity. In recent years, however, public drinking water supplies have become contaminated with a variety of harmful pollutants, including PFOA, and GenX. It has become commonplace to hear of contamination of public water supplies as a result of industrial activities and the run-off and discharge of toxic chemicals from industrial sites. WHAT IS PFOA? Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, also known as C8 or perfluorooctanoate) is a man-made, manufactured chemical not found in nature that belongs to a group of fluorine-containing chemicals called perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). These chemicals were and are used to make household and commercial products that resist heat and chemical reactions, and repel oil, stains, grease, and water as well as other uses. PFOA gets into the environment from industrial facilities that make PFOA or use PFOA to make other products. It also enters the environment when released from PFOA-containing consumer and commercial products during their use and disposal. PFOA can remain in the environment, particularly in water, for many years and can move through soil and into groundwater, or be carried in air. Human studies show associations between increased PFOA levels in blood and an increased risk of several health effects, including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, changes in thyroid hormone, ulcerative colitis (autoimmune disease), pre-eclampsia (a complication of pregnancy that includes high blood pressure), and kidney and testicular cancer. These injuries can arise months or years after exposure to PFOA. PFOA's extreme persistence in the environment and its toxicity, mobility and bioaccumulation potential, pose potential adverse effects to human health and the environment. GenX GenX, also known as Ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy) propanoate, is the "new" PFOA, and is found in many barrier-creating consumer and industrial products, such as Teflon, stain-resistant carpet, and firefighting foam. Since it just entered widespread use in 2010, the substance is almost completely unregulated. Like PFOA, GenX is a very stable chemical that almost never weakens, so it is a very sought-after chemical component in the products mentioned above. Unfortunately for victims, this same quality means that GenX runoff remains in water almost indefinitely. Now, there is GenX contamination in Wilmington, and the aggressive attorneys at Napoli Shkolnik are determined to protect the health and safety of the people in the affected communities. We understand that there is no such thing as a "safe" PFOA, and we stand ready to fight for these victims in the same way we stood up for people in Flint, Long Island, and other places where chemical companies polluted the water supply to such an extent that it is now unsafe to use. Injuries associated with PFOA and GenX exposure Exposure to PFOA and GenX have been linked to various diseases and cancers, including: testicular cancer; kidney cancer; thyroid disease; high cholesterol; ulcerative colitis; pregnancy-induced hypertension; and, other cancers. Who we are Napoli Shkolnik, a nationally recognized law firm, has been involved in landmark environmental cases redressing man-made disasters impacting communities large and small. Below are just a few of the many cases in which Napoli Shkolnik PLLC has represented individuals and water districts damaged by various types of contamination: The attorneys at the firm were instrumental in representing various private and municipal water districts around the United States from Florida to Rhode Island in what was known as the In Re: MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1358 (S.D.N.Y.). MTBE is a gasoline additive that is highly soluble in water and does not readily biodegrade. As part of the Discovery Committee on MTBE, the lawyers at Napoli Shkolnik ultimately forced the polluters to pay hundreds of millions of dollars that were used by these municipalities to remediate the water supply and apply treatment to their wells. Napoli Shkolnik represented numerous municipalities and municipal water districts whose potable drinking water sources were endangered and contaminated by leaks of the petroleum additive. Paul Napoli, as appointed Plaintiffs' Liaison Counsel in In re: World Trade Center Disaster Site Litigation, 21-MC-100 (AKH) (S.D.N.Y.), negotiated a historic settlement of more than ten thousand workers' claims against the City of New York, its contractors, and other defendants in the mass tort litigation where first responders, construction workers, and laborers became ill as a result of toxic exposures suffered during the debris removal and clean-up operations at the World Trade Center and related sites following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Napoli Shkolnik has been investigating and filing water contamination cases related to PFC exposure throughout the country. The firm represents over 5,000 individuals in Hoosick Falls, New York; Petersburgh, New York; Newburgh, New York; Westhampton, New York; Bennington, Vermont; Merrimack, New Hampshire and Warminster, Pennsylvania. Napoli Shkolnik has retained expert toxicologists and industrial hygienists with experience in studying the health effects associated with PFC exposure. Finally, Napoli Shkolnik represents thousands of children with elevated levels of lead in their blood as a result of drinking water contamination in Flint, Michigan. Napoli Shkolnik has raised several damages and causes of actions on behalf of their clients, and the firm's continued efforts will seek to bring justice and impose liability on responsible parties to clean up water contamination and stop the harm their actions have caused. Our firm has filed multiple individual lawsuits on behalf of residents across the country for personal injury and property damages who were exposed to PFOA and PFOS. The lawsuits seek recovery for injuries, damages and losses, including the establishment of a medical monitoring fund for future injuries, suffered as a result of exposure to the introduction of PFOA in the drinking water. If you own property in an area that has been impacted by PFOA, PFOS, or GenX, or have been diagnosed with testicular cancer, kidney cancer, liver or thyroid disease, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure that may be the result of your exposure to these chemicals, you may be able to recover damages. Napoli Shkolnik PLLC is ready to help those who pursue personal injury and property claims related to PFOA contamination. Give Napoli Shkolnik a call today at (212) 397-1000 to discuss your legal options. Media Contact: Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC C/o Patrick Lanciotti 212-397-1000 [email protected] www.napolilaw.com SOURCE Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC Related Links https://www.napolilaw.com ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Some credit cards offer travel insurance to their customers, but depending on a traveler's needs, that coverage may not be enough. Leading travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, explains three things travelers should consider when relying on their credit card's insurance. Limited Coverage for Trip Cancellation Many credit cards offer Trip Cancellation coverage to customers who pay for trips through their card, reimbursing travelers who are unable to take their trip as planned. However, these cards typically limit coverage to a specific amount, with the most generous cards covering up to $10,000 per trip. Travelers who need more coverage can compare and buy a policy from a third-party insurance provider, like those available on squaremouth.com. These policies can reimburse all prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses, such as airfare, hotels, and tours. No Option to Cancel For Any Reason Many travelers want the flexibility to cancel without needing approval from a credit card or travel insurance company. Unfortunately, the standard Trip Cancellation benefit only reimburses travelers who cancel for specific reasons, such as illness, death, severe weather, or terrorism. For travelers looking for the broadest coverage, some third-party policies offer Cancel For Any Reason to partially reimburse them to cancel for reasons that are not covered by the standard Trip Cancellation benefit. Medical is Typically Not Included Most credit cards do not have coverage to treat medical emergencies during a trip. There are some exceptions, but they offer low amounts of medical coverage. Squaremouth recommends $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage for international travel, and higher amounts for cruises or remote travel. To get complete coverage for the lowest possible price, travelers can stack a third-party policy on top of their credit card's built-in insurance. Related Credit Card and Travel Insurance Articles: ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH Squaremouth compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare insurance products side-by-side. More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com Available Topic Expert: Steven Benna [email protected] (727) 619-7262 SOURCE Squaremouth Related Links http://www.squaremouth.com CHICO, Calif., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Work Truck Solutions announced today it has completed a Series B Preferred Stock financing round of $5 million. The company is the industry leader in the commercial truck inventory solutions market. Kathryn Schifferle, CEO and founder of Work Truck Solutions, stated that the company will use this new round of funding to accelerate expansion of the marketing and commercial inventory management services that the company provides to commercial truck dealers. In addition, she explained, they will continue to develop services for the body manufacturers and distributors that serve the industry. This latest round of funding was led by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Autotech Ventures, which specializes in the ground transport sector. Belle Michigan, Wakestream Ventures, Moneta Ventures and Golden Seeds are among existing investors that participated in this round. Alexei Andreev, managing director at Autotech Ventures, will join Work Truck Solutions' board of directors. Work Truck Solutions' service to dealers went live in January of 2013 as a way for dealers to display their commercial vehicles online, allowing truck buyers to search dealer inventory by the type of truck body they need for their business application. The company believes that its initial service was the first of its kind, and over time the company has continuously expanded its offerings and capabilities. The current portfolio of Work Truck Solutions services enables dealers to run their entire commercial business more effectively and efficiently and also provides both body manufacturers and distributors with a way for their end customers to locate in-stock inventory nationwide. With over 600 commercial dealers and numerous body manufacturers and distributors using the company's services, Work Truck Solutions' rapid growth has increased its ability to serve the work truck industry. "Each new dealer we add helps all other dealers we partner with nationally," explained VP of Sales Jim Perschke. "By constantly expanding our national network of vehicles we help dealers locate the right vehicle for their customers who are ready to purchase right now. Our goal is to improve the entire work truck build and sell process." About Work Truck Solutions Work Truck Solutions is the commercial vehicle inventory solution that enables dealerships, and their truck buyers, to view complete work truck inventory. That inventory is searchable by chassis and body type, enabling a simplified online process for locating, quoting and planning work truck inventory. Work Truck Solutions partners with OEMs, fleet management companies, body manufacturers and distributors across the country. About Autotech Ventures Autotech Ventures, located in Silicon Valley, is a venture capital firm that manages more than $100 million and invests exclusively in startups in the vast $3 trillion ground transportation industry. Autotech Ventures provides startup companies with capital to execute their business plans as well as strategic value via access across their industry network including their transportation industry investors who represent an approximately $250 billion market capitalization. Autotech Ventures also helps with business development and recruiting transportation industry-specific talent to grow their startup companies. Autotech Ventures is fully aligned with startup companies' interests to deploy impactful solutions to ground transportation problems through technology and sustainable business models that generate financial returns. Work Truck Solutions Contact: Joe Schneider [email protected] 855-987-4544 x213 Press: www.worktrucksolutions.com/news Connect: Web / www.worktrucksolutions.com FB / https://www.facebook.com/worktrucksolution/ Autotech Ventures Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Work Truck Solutions Related Links http://www.worktrucksolutions.com ALBANY, New York, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global laboratory water purifier market is fragmented in nature with a host of small and large players competing against one another. This makes the competitive environment quite cutthroat. In order to outsell their rivals, key manufacturers are focusing hard on product differentiation through innovative technologies. Some of the prominent names operating in the market are Merck KGaA, Elga Labwater, Pall Corporation, Sartorious AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Aqua Solutions, Inc., Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Purite Ltd., and Chengdu Ultrapure Technology Co. Ltd. A noticeable trend in the global laboratory water purifier market is the smaller players entering into partnerships with distributors and service providers to grow their market shares. Acquisitions are another means by which companies are growing their shares, especially the large ones. The well-entrenched manufacturers, with their robust distribution networks and strong after-sales service, are constantly striving to expand their outreach and retain their existing consumer base. A report by Transparency Market Research forecasts the global laboratory water purifier market to rise at a robust 11.6% CAGR between 2017 and 2022 to reach a value of US$19.259 bn by 2022 from US$10.060 bn in 2016. Technological Investments in China and Japan Propel Asia Pacific Market to the Top Slot Depending upon the end-use industry, the global laboratory water purifier market can be segmented into food, environment, oil and gas, academic and government, and healthcare. Among them, healthcare is again divided into hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and clinical diagnostics and OEM. At present the segment of healthcare dominates the market for laboratory water purifier. In 2016, the segment's share in the market was a substantial 39%. Geographically, the key segments of the global laboratory water purifier market are North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Of them, Asia Pacific is a key region that accounts of maximum share in the market. In 2016 the region's share was about 41.0%. In the upcoming years, the region is also expected to clock maximum growth on the back of significant technological investment in the countries of China and Japan. Get PDF Sample for this Research Report @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=26483 Growing Application Areas Stokes Uptake of Laboratory Water Purification Systems Latest technologies are helping to develop more advanced laboratory water purification systems with improved functionalities. Technological investments, particularly in the emerging economies of Asia Pacific, are providing a major boost to the global laboratory water purifier market. Another factor helping to catalyze growth in the market is the growing use of the systems in different applications. "The expanding application areas of laboratory water purifiers in various laboratories activities is also generating high demand for laboratory water purifiers specifically in Asia-Pacific region," explains the lead analyst of the report. Besides the exploding ecommerce sector, the robust demand from the healthcare sector and the advent of industry specific laboratory water purifier systems in the developed countries of Europe and North America are also underpinning the growth momentum in the market. Lack of Awareness of Customers about Various Applications Crimps Demand "On the flip side, the growth in the global laboratory water purifier market is hampered by the dearth of awareness among customers as regards to which type of purification will be required for their application. However, continuous improvement technology is anticipated to present several growth opportunities over the forecast period," adds the lead analyst of the report. Browse The Press Release: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/laboratory-water-purifier-market.htm The This review is based on the findings of a TMR report, titled, "Laboratory Water Purifier Market (Mode of Use - Point of Use, Large Central Systems, and Clinical Analyzers; Type - Type I (Ultrapure), Type II (Pure), and Type III (RO); Application - High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Immunochemistry, Ion Chromatography, Mammalian Cell Culture, and Autoclave; Distribution Channel - Direct Sales, Distributor, and Online; End-use Industry - Environment, Food, Oil and Gas, Academic and Government, and Healthcare) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2022." Global Laboratory Water Purifier Market, by Mode of Use Point of Use Large Central Systems Clinical Analyzers Global Laboratory Water Purifier Market, by Type Type I (Ultrapure) Type II (Pure) Type III (RO water) Global Laboratory Water Purifier Market, by Application High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Immunochemistry Ion Chromatography Mammalian Cell culture Autoclave Others Global Laboratory Water Purifier Market, by Distribution Channel Direct Sales Distributor Online Global Laboratory Water Purifier Market, by End-use Industry Environment Food Oil & Gas Academic & Government Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Hospitals Clinical Diagnostics & OEM Global Laboratory Water Purifier Market, by Geography North America The U.S. Canada Rest of North America Europe Germany France The U.K. Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific Japan China India Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Rest of World Related Research Reports by TMR: Water Purifier Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/water-purifier-market-2017-2025.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/water-purifier-market-2017-2025.html UV Disinfection Equipment Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ultraviolet-disinfection-equipment.html About Us: Transparency 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. TMR's 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, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. US Office Contact: Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Transparencymarketresearch SOURCE Transparency Market Research -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 ===================================================================== Red Hat Security Advisory Synopsis: Low: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2 Advanced Mission Critical 6-Month Notice Advisory ID: RHSA-2017:1664-01 Product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advisory URL: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1664 Issue date: 2017-06-29 ===================================================================== 1. Summary: This is the six-month notification for the retirement of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2 Advanced Mission Critical (AMC). This notification applies only to those customers subscribed to the Advanced Mission Critical (AMC) channel for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2. 2. Relevant releases/architectures: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 6.2) - x86_64 3. Description: In accordance with the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Errata Support Policy, Advanced Mission Critical for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2 will be retired as of December 31, 2017, and active support will no longer be provided. Accordingly, Red Hat will no longer provide updated packages, including Critical Impact security patches or Urgent Priority bug fixes, for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2 AMC after December 31, 2017. In addition, on-going technical support through Red Hat's Customer Experience and Engagement will be limited as described under "non-current minor releases" in the Knowledge Base article located here https://access.redhat.com/articles/64664 after this date. We encourage customers to migrate from Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2 to a more recent version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. As a benefit of the Red Hat subscription model, customers can use their active subscriptions to entitle any system on any currently supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux release. Details of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux life cycle can be found here: https://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/errata/ 4. Solution: This erratum contains an updated redhat-release package that provides a copy of this retirement notice in the "/usr/share/doc/" directory. 5. Package List: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 6.2): Source: redhat-release-server-6Server-6.2.0.8.el6_2.src.rpm x86_64: redhat-release-server-6Server-6.2.0.8.el6_2.x86_64.rpm These packages are GPG signed by Red Hat for security. Our key and details on how to verify the signature are available from https://access.redhat.com/security/team/key/ 6. References: https://access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#low 7. Contact: The Red Hat security contact is . More contact details at https://access.redhat.com/security/team/contact/ Copyright 2017 Red Hat, Inc. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1 iD8DBQFZVRlbXlSAg2UNWIIRAnbdAKCadHfVQzpXtC1wm3pEovD8kf2cZQCePO3e DlsgS029JvE2o4+GxhZizn8= =Z+mB -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- RHSA-announce mailing list RHSA-announce@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/rhsa-announce HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued earlier today by Retail TouchPoints, please note that the headline should be "Retail TouchPoints Unveils 2017 Holiday Guide: Navigating the World of Channel-Agnostic Retail" rather than "Retail TouchPoints Unveils 2017 Holiday Outlook Guide: Navigating the World of Channel-Agnostic Retail" as previously stated. "Holiday Outlook Guide" has also been amended to "Holiday Guide" in the first paragraph. The corrected release follows: Retail TouchPoints Unveils 2017 Holiday Guide: Navigating the World of Channel-Agnostic Retail Retail TouchPoints (RTP), the industrys go-to source for customer engagement strategies, has unveiled the 2017 Holiday Guide: Navigating the World of Channel-Agnostic Retail, an insiders look at the greatest challenges facing retailers as they head into the busiest time of year. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f59e10f-3fdc-4e71-9218-91fffb58ff96 The Retail TouchPoints 2017 Holiday Guide explores several topics within two distinct sections: How Channel-Agnostic Retail is reshaping many of the big-picture aspects of holiday planning. is reshaping many of the big-picture aspects of holiday planning. The Nuts & Bolts that contribute to a successful holiday season: inventory, price and workforce optimization as well as the latest innovations in shipping (such as partnering with Uber or Deliv) and customer service (such as AI-powered chatbots). Holiday predictions often are difficult to nail down, but 2017 has taken that challenge to a whole new level, said Debbie Hauss, Editor-in-Chief of Retail TouchPoints. Retailers are grappling with outside factors impacting their businesses, including politics, health care, trade, and a host of laws and regulations. Other highlighted themes in this years Holiday Guide include: Consumer Choices The Holiday Guide highlights key research reflecting the how consumers are thinking about spending during the holiday season, citing a May 2017 consumer survey from Gordon Haskett Research Advisors. The data revealed that more than two thirds of people said they would use an unexpected windfall of $5,000 to either pay down debt or add to savings, rather than splurge on discretionary items (or even something more practical such as home improvements). Despite all the challenges, consumers and retailers remain upbeat to a point, Hauss added. While consumers have a largely optimistic view of the macro environment, they also are taking a cautious approach to near-term spending. Retailers need to consider those factors when planning holiday strategies. Challenges With Mobile Retailers continue to struggle to adapt to the fast growth of mobile shopping. The commerce and fulfillment elements of purchases are now separate, meaning that a shopper may buy something in one place (or channel) but take possession of it at a totally different time or location. Balancing the priorities of selling and delivery is a particularly difficult challenge for todays retail brands, said Hauss, especially during the demanding and frenetic holiday season. Professionals interested in learning more should download the Retail TouchPoints 2017 Holiday Guide: Navigating The Modern World Of Channel-Agnostic Retail to uncover insights from industry experts. About Retail TouchPoints Retail TouchPoints is an online publishing network for retail executives, with content focused on optimizing the customer experience across all channels. The Retail TouchPoints network is comprised of a weekly newsletter, special reports, web seminars, exclusive benchmark research, an insightful editorial blog, and a content-rich web site featuring daily news updates and multi-media interviews at www.RetailTouchPoints.com. The Retail TouchPoints team also interacts with social media communities via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Paris, June 23 : Two F-35A fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin of the US, created quite a buzz among the visitors to the week-long 52nd Paris Air Show, otherwise known largely as an event to showcase commercial airplanes. Lockheed Martin's pair of F-35A -- a single seat, single engine, all-weather, multi-role fighter jet -- were put on static display as well as flown from the US Air Force's Hill airbase in Utah. The fifth-generation combat aircraft is designed to perform both ground attack and air defence missions. As the F-35's fly-past at the air show came, the roar of its engines seemed to pull almost everyone out into the open in sweltering heat at the Le-Bourget airport here. The fighter jet was the cynosure of all eyes as its F135 engine, an afterburning turbofan and said to be the most advanced in the world, created a thrust to make the jet take off into the skies albeit with a short runway. The stealth jet climbed up vertically, a manoeuvre done to showcase the power of its engine. It then performed a series of manoeuvres, turning at around 50 degrees angle and even flying upside down for around 10 seconds before it completed a loop and recovered its position. It was a demonstration of the aircraft's capability to target its nose in the chosen direction, also called high alpha, or a high angle of attack that in a combat situation is a key strength for a fighter jet. The pilot then showcased a slow speed pass, demonstrating the aircraft's control. In a display that lasted nearly eight minutes, the F-35A performed vertical flights, high alpha loops at 50 degrees, peddle turns and 360-degree turns. One of the unique features of the stealth fighter is the 360-degree view it affords the pilot through a special helmet, designed specifically to fit each pilot based on measurements taken through laser, and allows infrared vision around the aircraft through six cameras on the jet during day as well as night. Lockheed Martin chief test pilot Allan Norman said: "It is the easiest fighter (plane) to fly. Its controls and capabilities to take care of itself makes it one of the safest, one of the most survivable and lethal fighter planes." The F-35 has three main models: F-35A that is conventional take-off and landing, F-35B with a short take-off and vertical landing, and F-35C which is a carrier-based catapult assisted take-off barrier arrested recovery. (Anjali Ojha's trip to the air show is at the invitation of AirAsia. She can be contacted at anjali.o@ians.in) Kolkata, June 26 : A three-member delegation of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi here on Monday to formally submit their resignation letters from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the developmental board in the northern West Bengal hills. "MLA from Darjeeling Amar Singh Rai, ex-GTA chairman Roshan Lama and Deputy Chairman Rabindra Lama were in Kolkata today to hand over their resignation letters to the Governor of West Bengal," Binay Tamang, GJM's Assistant General Secretary, told IANS. Tamang said the delegation, led by Amar Singh Rai, also handed over the resignation letters of 43 GJM leaders, including party chief Bimal Gurung, who resigned en masse from the board on June 23. "The other GTA member Satish Pokhrel, who is in judicial custody, had handed over the resignation letter to Roshan Lama," he added. The GJM, spearheading the movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling hills, announced it would resign from the GTA over its differences with the Mamata Banerjee government. The GJM chief, who had been in hiding since a police raid at his residence in Darjeeling's Patlebas locality on June 15, had resurfaced on Friday and vowed to burn the GTA Regulation Act documents before the public on June 27 as a symbolic protest against the board. London, June 26 : Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on Monday signed a deal with the Conservatives to support Prime Minister Theresa May's minority government in Britain. The deal comes two weeks after the June 8 general election resulted in a hung Parliament and will see the 10 DUP MPs back the Tories in key Commons votes, BBC reported. DUP leader Arlene Foster said that her party had signed the supply and confidence deal with the Tories that entailed a one billion pounds ($1.3 billion) investment in Northern Ireland over a two-year period. Also, an additional 500 million pounds of previously announced funds by Britain will be spent on infrastructure, health and education in Northern Ireland. As part of the deal, the military covenant will be implemented in full in Northern Ireland, meaning more focus on the treatment of military veterans. There is also going to be a triple lock guarantee of at least a 2.5 per cent rise in the state pension each year, and winter fuel payments will be maintained throughout the UK. The agreement was signed at 10 Downing Street by Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson and the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in the presence of party leaders May and Foster, Xinhua news agency reported. The deal also comes just days before a crucial vote in the House of Commons on the Queen's Speech, which last week set out government measures in the coming session of Parliament. The pact will ensure DUP support to May if any of the Opposition parties attempt to move a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister or her government, as well as guaranteeing support for budget matters. May, welcoming the deal, said the two sides share many values in terms of wanting to see prosperity across Britain, the value of the union and the important bond between the different parts of the United Kingdom. "The agreement we have come to is a very, very good one," said the British leader. Foster said she was "delighted" with the arrangement and that May believed the deal was a "very good one" and the parties "share many values", the BBC reported. BRENTWOOD, Tenn., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued under the same headline earlier today by Delek US Holdings, Inc., please note that the third paragraph of the release, second sentence, should read "approximately 99 percent of the votes cast," not "approximately 99 of the issued and outstanding shares of Alon common stock beneficially owned," as previously stated. The corrected release reads: Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) (Delek US) today announced that the stockholders of Delek voted to approve all proposals related to Delek US acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Alon USA Energy, Inc. (NYSE:ALJ) (Alon) common stock, which Delek US does not already own, in an all-stock transaction. Prior to the transaction, Delek US owned approximately 33.7 million shares, or 47 percent, of the common stock of Alon. At a special meeting of Delek US stockholders held today in Franklin, TN, approximately 99 percent of the votes cast by holders of Delek common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote supported the proposal to issue common stock to Alon stockholders in connection with the proposed acquisition. As previously disclosed by Alon, at a special meeting of Alon stockholders held on June 28, 2017 in Dallas, TX, approximately 99 percent of Alons outstanding shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote approved the adoption of the previously disclosed merger agreement and the transaction. In addition, approximately 99 percent of the votes cast by the holders of Alon common stock other than Delek and its affiliates approved the adoption of the merger agreement and the transaction. Under terms of the agreement, the owners of the outstanding shares in Alon (other than Delek) will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.5040 Delek US shares for each share of Alon, with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. Uzi Yemin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delek US, stated, We are excited by the overwhelming approval of this transaction by both Delek US and Alon stockholders. Through this strategic combination, we expect to create meaningful synergies and unlock logistics value from Alons assets through future potential drop downs to Delek Logistics Partners. We expect the merger to be effective as of July 1, 2017, and we look forward to integrating these companies and taking advantage of additional opportunities to create value for our shareholders. About Delek US Holdings, Inc. Delek US Holdings, Inc. is a diversified downstream energy company with assets in petroleum refining and logistics. The refining segment consists of refineries operated in Tyler, Texas and El Dorado, Arkansas with a combined nameplate production capacity of 155,000 barrels per day. Delek US Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates also own approximately 63 percent (including the 2 percent general partner interest) of Delek Logistics Partners, LP. Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE:DKL) is a growth-oriented master limited partnership focused on owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets. Safe Harbor Provisions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns, or matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed merger with Alon, integration and transition plans, synergies, opportunities, anticipated future performance and financial position, and other factors. Investors are cautioned that the following important factors, among others, may affect these forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to: risks and uncertainties related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed merger, , the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Delek US' common stock or Alon's common stock, the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Delek US and Alon to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally, the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected, the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies, uncertainty related to timing and amount of future share repurchases and dividend payments, risks and uncertainties with respect to the quantities and costs of crude oil we are able to obtain and the price of the refined petroleum products we ultimately sell; gains and losses from derivative instruments; management's ability to execute its strategy of growth through acquisitions and the transactional risks associated with acquisitions and dispositions; acquired assets may suffer a diminishment in fair value as a result of which we may need to record a write-down or impairment in carrying value of the asset; changes in the scope, costs, and/or timing of capital and maintenance projects; operating hazards inherent in transporting, storing and processing crude oil and intermediate and finished petroleum products; our competitive position and the effects of competition; the projected growth of the industries in which we operate; general economic and business conditions affecting the southern United States; and other risks contained in Delek US and Alons filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not be accurate indications of the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith belief with respect to future events, and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Delek US undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law or regulation. No Offer or Solicitation This communication relates to a proposed business combination between Delek US and Alon. This announcement is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction, Delek Holdco filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC (Registration Statement No. 333-216298), which was declared effective by the SEC on May 26, 2017. Delek US and Alon have filed a joint proxy statement/prospectus and will file other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger with the SEC. Delek US and Alon began mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective security holders on May 30, 2017. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, dated May 30, 2017, contains important information about Delek US, Alon, the proposed merger and related matters. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement, registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents that Delek US or Alon may file with the SEC or send to stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. STOCKHOLDERS OF DELEK US AND ALON ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT(S), REGISTRATION STATEMENT(S) AND/OR PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain copies of these documents, including the proxy statement/prospectus, and other documents filed with the SEC (when available) free of charge at the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Delek US will be made available free of charge on Delek US website at http://www.delekus.com or by contacting Delek US Investor Relations Department by phone at 615-435-1366. New Delhi/Beijing, June 26 : Indian and Chinese troops faced off along the border in Sikkim, with reports that the Chinese troops entered the Indian side and destroyed two Indian Army bunkers. While the Indian Army refused to comment on the incident, the Chinese Army has come out strongly against "provocation" by Indian troops and accused them of entering into Chinese territory and impeding road construction activity. According to information, Chinese troops entered the Indian side of the border in Lalten in the Doka La region at the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction and also destroyed two Army bunkers. There was no official comment from the Indian Army or Defence Ministry on the incident. An undated video of a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops was also doing the rounds. The video showed troops from India and China involved in a scuffle. Sources said that tension had been brewing for a while in the area after Chinese troops tried to enter, but were stopped by Indian troops. The China's defence ministry confirmed the incident, saying "Indian troops crossed the border with China in an attempt to prevent a road construction by the Chinese side." "Indian troops' provocation has violated the consensus and relevant agreements on border issues between the Chinese and Indian governments, seriously endangering the peace of the border areas," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said on Monday. Ren urged the Indian side not to complicate border issues, and reiterated China's firm resolve to safeguard its sovereignty. The road construction was carried out on China's territory, and India has no right to interfere, Ren said. The PLA, in a statement, said: "The China-Indian border in Sikkim has been delineated by historical treaties. After the independence of India, the Indian government has confirmed in writing several times, acknowledging that there is no objection to the border between the two sides." "The construction of the above-mentioned roads (Donglang sector) by the Chinese side is entirely a sovereign act in its own territory, and the Indian side has no right to interfere," it said. The development comes as China last week refused entry to the first batch of some 50 Indian pilgrims, who were to travel to Kailash Mansarovar, via Nathu La in Sikkim. In the same area, in November 2008 Chinese forces had destroyed some makeshift Indian army bunkers. Washington, June 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached White House on Monday afternoon where US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed him. Modi called the "immense warmth" by the White House as an honour for 125 billion Indians. "The way I have been welcomed by the President and the First Lady is the honour for 125 billion Indians," Modi said at the White House. "I remember very well when he (Trump) was not even the President and he visited India in 2014 and when media asked him about me, he was full of very warm remarks and observations about me. I am still very grateful," Modi said before his meeting with President Trump. Earlier Trump tweeted about the arrival of Modi and called him "a true friend". Hours before the Modi-Trump meet, the US on Monday also declared the Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist. Moscow, June 28 : Russian lawmakers dismissed the US warning of a possible chemical attack by the regime of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad as a "provocation" aimed at justifying its own plan to strike the Syrian government forces. "Declaring the possibility of a new chemical attack in Syria, Washington may itself prepare a pre-emptive strike against government forces," said Konstantin Kosachov, head of the International Committee of the Russian Federation Council, the Upper House of Russian Parliament, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. If the US knows of an attack, it is not trying to "prevent it" but instead "shift the blame for it to the undesirable Syrian leader, which is a form of complicity in the crime", Kosachov said. US White House spokesman Sean Spicer issued a statement Monday night, warning that the US had "identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians." Leonid Slutsky, head of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma, the Lower House of the Parliament, said Tuesday he was convinced that the US accusations were "unsubstantiated and provocative". "If in this case another chemical attack follows and Assad will be accused of this, then there will be air strikes of the US Air Force against Assad's army targets, which is obviously the next stage of provocation," Slutsky said. The Kremlin denied on Tuesday knowledge of any new threat of using chemical weapons. In a phone conversation with US State Secretary Rex Tillerson on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Washington to take measures to prevent provocations against Syrian government troops conducting operations against terrorists, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement. New Delhi, June 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Israel from July 4 to 6, the External Affairs Ministry announced on Wednesday, as the Middle Eastern country's embassy here welcomed the first ever prime ministerial visit from India. "During the visit, the Prime Minister will have detailed discussions with Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu on all matters of mutual interest and will also call on President (Reuven) Rivlin," the External Affairs Ministry statement said. "India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 and since then the relationship has evolved into a multidimensional partnership," it stated. "This year both the countries are commemorating 25 years of diplomatic relations and the visit of PM will provide an impetus for deeper bilateral engagement in areas of mutual interest." The Israeli Embassy here said that apart from calling on Rivlin, Modi will have a working meeting and dinner with Netanyahu. "It will also include high-level bilateral meetings and other various components which reflect the fabric of the Indo-Israeli relations," the embassy said in a statement. According to the External Affairs Ministry, elements of Modi's programme include homage to Indian soldiers at the Indian Cemetery in Haifa and address to the Indian community at an event in Tel Aviv. The Haifa Indian Cemetery contains the graves of 49 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War. According to the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, there are about 85,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel. This apart there are about 10,000 Indian nationals in Israel, of whom around 9,000 work in the care-giving sector, while the rest are mostly diamond traders, IT professionals and students. Prime Minister Netanyahu on June 25 had announced Modi's visit in a tweet, saying "Next week, the Indian Prime Minister, my friend, @NarendraModi will arrive in Israel, This is an historic visit to Israel." New Delhi, June 28 : The Congress party on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for their silence over the use of the term "Indian-administered Kashmir" in a US government order and asked whether it was a "sell-out of national interests". The party also demanded a response especially from Modi for not protesting against the term despite his visit to the US. On BJP taking credit for the US declaring Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist, the party reminded that in June 2006, the US imposed heavy sanctions on India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim on a motion by the then UPA government. The Congress also hit out at the repeated telecast of "forced hugs" by Modi and wondered how the US order on Syed Salahuddin referring to "Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir" was ignored. "I would like to make it clear that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part, was an integral part and shall remain an integral part of India. We have given our sweat and blood and we will not let even a friendly country question it," Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said in a press conference. "For Modiji and his party, this can be a subject of political expediency to keep silent... The Indian National Congress and other nationalist parties and secular parties will never remain silent," Azad said. The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that allowing the use of the term meant a "compromise with India's national security and sovereignty" and asked the Centre whether it was a "sell-out of national interests". Azad further asked: "Why has Prime Minister not protested despite being on the US soil? Why are the External Affairs Minister (Sushma Swaraj), Defence Minister (Arun Jaitley) and the Home Minister (Rajnath Singh) keeping mum on the issue?" "Empty chest thumping, false bravado and captive TV studio warfare by the BJP government cannot hide its failures in terms of compromising national security," Azad said. "On August 6, 2010, Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HUJI) was declared a designated terrorist organisation by the US, again by the UPA's efforts. "On September 15, 2011, Indian Mujahideen, another Pakistan-based terrorist organisation responsible for a series of attacks, was declared by the US as a terror organisation. In April 2012, the US had put $10m bounty on Lashkar-e-Taiba's Hafiz Saeed, wanted for the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, again by UPA's efforts." Azad also said that in the past, even on minor mistakes, the BJP and the media would tear the government to pieces, but when it came to gross violation and mistakes committed by the present government by no less than the Prime Minister himself, no one pointed it out, he said. The term was used in a US government order designating Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist, ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump. Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram also disapproved of the Indian government's lack of response. "US' official statement used the phrase "Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir". How did India accept this?" he said in a tweet. Similar objections were raised by party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday, when in a series of tweets he accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "pseudo nationalism" for the government not objecting to the term. New Delhi, June 28 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that he, along with all party MLAs, will approach Lt. Governor Anil Baijal and request him to give ownership right to the people allotted plots of gram sabha land under the Centre's 20-point programme. Kejriwal was speaking in the state assembly during a discussion on the resolution demanding ownership rights for those who were allotted small plots of gram sabha land around 40 years back. The resolution, moved by Delhi Law Minister Kailash Gahlot, was passed by the assembly. He added that thousands of families were facing hardship, as they had not yet been given the ownership while small plots of gram sabha land were allotted to them in the 1970s and early 80s. "In several states, ownership rights have been given to those who were allotted such plots, but in Delhi, they have not got ownership rights so far. These allottees are not begging, they are demanding their rights," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal added that the Lt. Governor has the authority to take a decision on land-related matters. "I and all MLAs will seek an appointment with the LG and request him to provide his nod to this demand. We will also meet Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu in this connection," Kejriwal said. During the discussion, the Chief Minister also took a dig at the newly-elected member of the assembly, BJP's Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and called him "natkhat bachcha" (naughty child). To this, Sirsa started protesting and Speaker Ram Niwas Goel had Sirsa marshalled out when he continued his vociferous protest. Darjeeling, June 28 : Amid reports of sporadic violence in the north Bengal hills, Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Wednesday took out a pro-Gorkhaland rally with Gorkha children in Darjeeling, even as state governor K.N. Tripathi urged all stakeholders to find a solution to the vexed issue through discussions. On the 14th day of the GJM-sponsored indefinite shutdown, a large number of children were seen walking in the GJM rally. Many of them had pro-Gorkhaland slogans written on their body. When asked why they were taking part in the rally, a teenager said: "We do not want to study Bengali. None of us know anything about that language. We want Gorkhaland." The GJM activists gathered around the Darjeeling Police Station and protested against the detention of two of their leaders on their way to Patlebas in the city. The two leaders were later released. "We were on way to Patlebas when the police personnel detained us, saying we cannot go there as a curfew-like situation has been imposed," Samuel Gurung, Assistant Secretary of GJM's central committee, alleged. Earlier on Tuesday night, sporadic incidents of violence were reported around the Darjeeling hills as pro-Gorkhaland activists allegedly set on fire Dhobitala panchayat office and Rajbari panchayat office, badly damaging both offices. The Morcha supporters also set the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)'s engineering office ablaze post midnight. In a symbolic move to show snapping of all ties with the West Bengal government and protest against the development board of the north Bengal hills, protesters on Tuesday burnt the GTA agreement at nearly 45 places in the hills and the adjoining Dooars region. The GJM, which is spearheading the agitation in the hills, vowed to intensity their movement through hunger strike and self-immolation unless their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland was accepted. Meanwhile, expressing concern over the unrest, Tripathi on Wednesday urged the Centre, state government and the GJM to find a solution through discussion. "The central government, state government and the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha should discuss the issue as early as possible and try to find out a solution," Tripathi said. The GJM has repeatedly negated any possibility of talks with the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing it of "oppression and high-handedness". On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress government has maintained that it would hold talks only after normalcy returns to the hills. Tehran, June 29 : Iranian Foreign Ministry warned against any possible US military attack on Syria, the media reported. Any military action against Syria under the allegations of "potential" chemical weapon use by the Syrian government would only help the terrorists, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying on Wednesday. Qasemi dismissed as baseless Washington's recent claims that the Syrian government is preparing for a chemical weapon use in the country, Xinhua news agency reported. He made the remarks in response to a recent White House statement that the US has "identified potential preparations" by the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad for another chemical attack. In April, the US launched a missile attack on a Syrian military base under the pretext of suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held Idlib province. The Syrian government has been fighting terrorist groups for more than six years, and raising such baseless claims would do nothing but to strengthen the terrorist groups, Qasemi said, adding that any US move in this regard is "suspicious". He urged the international community to prevent the US from taking any military action that would boost insecurity and instability in the region. In the meantime, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani rejected the US claims and said that Washington is playing with fire in the Arab country, according to Press TV. The fabricated allegations are to undermine the Syrian army's gains against terrorists, he said. New Delhi, June 29 : What is the best way to relive an unforgettable past? Perhaps, cherishing the old memories. And this recent collection of short stories is an apt reminder of the impact that memories tend to have on our lives. Whether good or bad, memories are realities that can never be hidden, even if you close your eyes in an attempt to ignore and forget. "The Sacred Sorrow of Sparrows" by Siddharth Dasgupta (Price: Rs. 395; Pages: 253; Publisher: Niyogi Books) is a collection of short stories, throwing light on such notes, as the writer provides metaphorical references to the 'Sparrows' in comparison to the various characters in the book who are 'bound by the fluttering of human heart' altogether at the same point of time, across cities and boundaries. This fluttering is markedly under an illusion of one large flock filling the skies with bizarre patterns. Along with an unrestrained hunger to seek and to explain, they actually form the tiniest of dots on the 'tiniest square piece of imaginable sky. The author has inculcated different narratives through monologues and conversations of various people and how their lives have been affected in the present scenario, especially by reminiscence of some previous incidents. Irrespective of their age, the protagonists in the series of ten different plots, are portrayed in a similar fashion of endowing one universal emotion of sorrow. You could have happiness; you could have penance; you could have silence; you could have ecstasy; but somehow it's the sadness that strikes the deepest and lingers the longest; often an unexpected arrival, many a time a quiet observer to relationships being played out in seemingly unblemished harmony. "They're the fabric of life in a sense -- binding, layering, and texturing all the people and places we've known, serving as harbingers for the places and people we've yet to know," the author told IANS in an email interview. The stories are not intended to be sad, but a consistent longing for the melancholy is painted throughout its pages to shape the future of the characters. All the characters oscillate between their memories and the present, as the idea of space and boundaries cease to exist. From the Bosphorus to the resounding refrain of the qawwali, the quiet streets of Isfahan to a crowded city in Japan, two lovers fraught with desire in Bombay to one man's spiritual awakening in Lebanon. "The book is an examination into melancholy and its often clandestine tentacles that are often left unexplored. Perhaps it's been a journey by which I've attempted to deepen my understanding of life and the world at large, this whole carousel of witnessing human faith through the eyes of others. Everything has sort of stemmed from that," Dasgupta says. The innumerable characters are not entirely fictional. Some of the characters have been sketches of people close to the author in real life, while the others are amalgamations and collages and patched-together fragments and imaginings of several people. "All this has occurred in an organic manner; thus, some of the incidents in here too carry the essence of something I've come across at a certain point in time," he says. The writer resolved to explore and experience the horizons of the universe when he grew up. He appears to have come good on that promise. This book leaves a simple message in the minds of its many readers, that after all forms of digital and virtual reality hype dies down, one is left only with the words, especially encompassed with passion and truthfulness. (Nivedita Giri can be contacted at nivedita.g@ians.in) Jammu, June 29 : Amid tight security, a total of 2,481 pilgrims left here to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra that begins on Thursday. Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra will attend the official launch of the Yatra. The pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in 66 vehicles. An official said while 1,616 pilgrims were bound for the Pahalgam route, 865 were bound for the Baltal route. The Yatra would begin officially with the arrival of the 'Chahri Mubarak' (Lord Shiva's mace) and traditional prayers inside the cave shrine. Vohra, who is the chairman of the Amarnath Shrine Board was scheduled to attend the traditional puja at the cave on Thursday. The shrine board manages the affairs of the Yatra. An unprecedented security arrangement has been put in place for this year's Yatra based on the threat perception. Satellite tracking system, drones, mobile bunker vehicles, road opening parties (ROPs) along the entire route from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal are some of the security measures put in place. The Centre has provided an additional 40,000 paramilitary forces to assist the state government for peaceful conduct of the Yatra. The Army, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and the state police are providing multi-layered security to the pilgrims. Heavily fortified security force camps have been established both at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps. It takes a pilgrim just one day to return back to the Baltal base camp after the 'darshan'. However, it takes four days for the one-way passage from Pahalgam to the cave shrine. The distance from Baltal to the cave is 14 km while that from Pahalgam to the shrine is 46 km. The cave houses an ice stalagmite structure believed to symbolize the mythical powers of Lord Shiva. The structure waxes and wanes with the size of the visible moon. The 40-day long Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir's Anantnag district would end on August 7 on Shravan Purnima coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TerraBioGen Technologies Inc., a developer of proprietary high-value agriculturally bioactive products, announces that it has closed a private placement. The private placement is for 192,000 units at $3.00 per unit for proceeds of $576,000. Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant exercisable at $5.00 per common share for 5 years. These funds will be used to further the companys internal research and development, continue collaboration with its university partners, and enhance commercialization efforts through it next generation formulations and cooperative field trials. About TerraBioGen TerraBioGen Technologies Inc. is a developer of innovative, proprietary, high-value, environmentally sustainable bioproducts and biostimulants that improve crop health and yields, and increase abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in agricultural and horticultural crops. The Company is committed to research and development to continue to improve the effectiveness of its technologies, the quality of its products, and the creation of new product lines. Further, the Company is taking steps to secure intellectual property rights to these bioproducts and to formulate them in order to fully commercialize their potential. For more information, please contact: Blair Heffelfinger Tanya Sedlacek President & CEO Controller & Corporate Secretary TerraBioGen Technologies Inc. bheffelfinger@terrabiogen.com TerraBioGen Technologies Inc. tsedlacek@terrabiogen.com (604) 444-1023 ext 316 (604) 444-1023 ext 306 (604) 444-1043 fax (604) 444-1043 fax This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Although TerraBioGen believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of TerraBioGens management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, TerraBioGen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Las Vegas, June 29 : The latest computer virus that has affected companies and institutions around the world may not have been ransomware -- its purpose could have been political, believes a leading cyber security expert. The virus was "unusal" as it had only one wallet and one email linked to it and "may not have been about making money", according to Craig Williams, Senior Technical Leader at Cisco's cyber security division Talos, which has been tracking the virus, called Nyetya. Ransomware usually advertise multiple wallets and emails so that money can be collected from the companies whose data has been affected, said Williams. "Looks like someone has been trying to design something that looks like ransomware," he added. In the case of Nyetya, with the wallet and email blocked almost immediately, there was no way the affected companies could make payments, even if they wanted to, he added. The fact that the attack seemed to have been aimed at Ukraine and came ahead of the country's Constitution Day, pointed the needle of suspicion at a political purpose, Williams said, adding, however, that it could not be said with certainty that it was a state-sponsored attack. He said the fact that the virus had affected other countries and companies outside Ukraine could have been a case of "collateral damage", with the networks of companies that did business with that country becoming infected. "We believe that's what's happening," he said. The new cyber attack began massively affecting dozens of companies and institutions in the world, beginning with Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, and spreading to Asia, Australia and the US. According to Williams, Nyetya is the first virus to use three lateral vectors - Elernal Blue (same as WannaCry) and PSExec and WMI, both legitimate Windows administrator tools. WannaCry had affected 200,000 people in 150 countries in May, encrypting data on infected computers and asking for a ransom to recover them. However, WannaCry was "not much of a financial success", said Williams, as it only made about $30,000 in the first week. Such attacks were soon going to be common "as more and more people look to make money from ransomware", warned Steve Martino, Cisco's Chief of Information Security, adding that companies need to be proactive in protecting their networks. India, meanwhile, has largely remained insulated so far from the latest attack. The Shipping Ministry on Wednesday said operations at one of the container terminals at Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) were impacted due to a global cyber attack. According to the Ministry, a private terminal operator at the JNPT was taking steps to address the issue. It was anticipated that there could be bunching of in-bound and out-bound container cargos. "We have been taking proactive steps... we have sent out advisories (on the cyber attack and the malware)... India is not much affected at this stage," IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at an event in New Delhi. Dubai, June 29 : Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and the ruler of Dubai, has urged Qatar to "return to the GCC fold" in a new poem published on his website and his Instagram account. The Arabic poem, titled Al Dharb Wadeh (The way is clear) called for unity in the region, stating that Arabs in the Gulf Cooperation Council have been living as one people from "time immemorial". "Now, it is time to get united and be one heart and protect each other without any grudge or hatred," he wrote on Wednesday. The Dubai ruler stressed that "the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has always stood, and will forever stand, as its neighbours' champion" and called for the neighbourhood relations to grow stronger. Al Maktoum also advised Doha to return to its Arab surroundings and said the pathway is clear, and that the region's strategy is singular. "We will keep advising Qatar openly in line with the instructions of Prophet Muhammad, when he said in a prophetic Hadith (saying): A wolf eats only an out-of-the-way sheep," the poem stated. Al Maktoum said that the staying within the umbrella of the GCC was the "only way to safeguard Qatar from the fangs of wolves". The poem comes after the Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain cut all ties with Qatar earlier this month, accusing the country of funding hardline Islamist militant groups in the region. The four nations last week sent a list of 13 demands to Doha, including shutting down a Turkish military base, closing the Al Jazeera TV channel and curbing ties with Iran. While Qatar termed the demands "unreasonable", Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir affirmed this week that the demands were "non-negotiable". "We made our point, we took our steps and it's up to the Qataris to amend their behaviour and once they do, things will be worked out, but if they don't, they will remain isolated," Al-Jubeir said. Omar Ghobash, the UAE Ambassador to Russia, said that if Qatar doesn't comply, fresh sanctions could be imposed. Mumbai, June 29 : Gurinder Chadha, a British filmmaker of Sikh origin, and actress Huma Qureshi on Thursday launched the poster of their film "Viceroys House", which will release under the title "Partition: 1947" in India in August. The film, which stars Huma, "Downton Abbey" star Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson and late actor Om Puri, has already released in Britain. "Here is the India poster for 'Viceroy's House', now called 'Partition: 1947'," Huma tweeted on Thursday alongside the poster of the film. The poster of the film features Tanveer Ghani as Jawaharlal Nehru, Denzil Smith as Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Neeraj Kabi as Mahatma Gandhi. Chadha also shared the poster and wrote: "Just landed in India. So excited to see this! Very cool for a diaspora filmmaker to see how the story of 'Partition: 1947' is seen globally." The film will release in India on August 18. Islamabad, June 29 : Pakistan on Thursday summoned acting Indian Deputy High Commissioner S. Raghuram and lodged a formal protest over the death of a civilian in firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir a day earlier. Abdul Wahab, 22, was killed on Wednesday in firing by Indian forces while he was on his way to Dothilla village, which lies along the restive LoC, a Foreign Office spokesman was quoted by the Dawn as saying. Three others were injured in the incident in Nakyal sector, it said. The Indian diplomat was summoned by the Director General of the South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Faisal, who "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations", a statement from the ministry said. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws," it added. The Director General asked India to investigate Wednesday's incidents of cross-border firing along with "ceasefire violations committed by Indian troops in the past". Indian forces were also urged to respect the ceasefire agreement of 2003. The LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Kottayam (Kerala), June 29 : Seven-time Kerala legislator P.C. George on Thursday pulled out his revolver after being "threatened" by a group of people. George told the media on Thursday that the news is correct. The police have begun a probe into the episode. Explaining the sequence of events, George said: "Two days back, a group of people in my constituency came to me to tell their woes that they are being threatened with being thrown out from their homes by some people who work in an estate near Mundakayam. "This morning, I reached the area of dispute. On one side were the employees of an estate who were all drunk, and on the other side were 52 families living in the place for ages who were being threatened by these employees with eviction," said George, an independent legislator who represents Poonjar assembly constituency in Kottayam district. "When I reached there, I went around the place and saw things for myself. After which these employees started shouting slogans against me and menacingly came towards me. I pulled out my revolver for my own safety. "This is a licensed revolver and what's the doubt, I would have opened fire had they attacked me. This revolver is meant to protect me. I later came to know that these employees also had acid bulbs with them. As a legislator, I am responsible for my electorate. They had a genuine problem and hence I came to protect them. I only did my duty," added George, who won his traditional Poonjar seat by beating the traditional rival fronts in Kerala and also the BJP. CPI-M Kottayam district secretary V.N. Vasavan, a former legislator, termed it a shocking incident and said this had never happened in the state. "With this incident it has now become clear that the legislator is with the encroachers and is protecting them, and he did not support the estate employees. This is a shameful incident and needs to be condemned," said Vasavan. Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), June 29 : Two Maoist commanders have been gunned down in a shootout in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Thursday. Superintendent of Police, Rajnandgaon, Prashant Aggarwal said the Maoists - Raju, a resident of Bijapur, and Nandu, a resident of Sukma, were killed in a gunfight on Wednesday evening in Gandai Police Station area. "The police received information on Wednesday evening about the presence of Maoists in the forest in Gandai area. The police and STF team immediately left in search of the Maoists," said Aggarwal. "The security forces found them in the forest in Suktara, around 12 km from Gandai. The team laid a siege and began firing. Two Maoists were shot dead in the encounter that lasted for half an hour," he added. Raju was carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on his head while Nandu was carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, Aggarwal said. One pistol, five cartridges, one .315 bore rifle, one walkie-talkie, Maoist uniform and other material were recovered from the spot, he added. The Superintendent of Police said Maoist activity was witnessed for the first time in this area. The drive against the Maoists, who are attempting to expand their influence in Kawardha, Balaghat and Mandla, is still on, he added. Mumbai, June 29 : INS Betwa, the missile frigate that toppled over during undocking in December last year, was undocked after a refit, Navy officials said on Thursday. Navy officials said that the ship was planned for undocking on June 22. However, during flooding of the dry dock, a list of up to 7-8 degrees was observed which was corrected. Still, the ship could not be undocked due to a leakage in the dock-gate of the dry dock and subsequent unfavourable tide. The undocking was finally undertaken on June 27 when the tide was suitable. "The ship has been undocked smoothly," a Navy official said. The vessel was undergoing a refit at the dry dock in the naval dockyards in Mumbai. It slipped during undocking on December 6, killing two and injuring 14 naval personnel. The Indian Navy on January 16 signed a contract with Resolve Marine to salvage the 3,800-tonne Brahmaputra-class frigate. The cost of getting the boat upright was around Rs 20 crore. A dry dock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform. Dry docks are used for the construction, maintenance and repair of ships, boats and other watercraft. Undocking of a ship is the process of putting a ship back in water to float. The frigate slipped from her dock blocks and tilted. Officials initially said it appeared that the dock block mechanism had failed. INS Betwa -- inducted in the Navy in July 2004 -- was part of Task Force 54, tasked to evacuate nationals of India as well as those from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Lebanon married to Indian nationals from the conflict zone during the 2006 Lebanon war, as part of Operation Sukoon. Chennai, June 29 : Actress Lavanya Tripathi has been signed opposite actor-composer G.V. Prakash Kumar in the upcoming Tamil romantic-comedy "100% Kadhal", a Tamil remake of Telugu blockbuster "100% Love", its director said. "Lavanya is on board. We were in talks with a few actresses (including Hebah Patel) but we felt Lavanya looks like how Tamannaah was in 2011. Hence, we went ahead with her. She will play a college student and has already begun shedding weight to play her part," director Chandramouli told IANS. Naga Chaitanya and Tamannaah Bhatia starred in the original, which was a blockbuster. "100% Kadhal" will be predominantly shot in London. "Around 10-15 per cent of the film will be shot in India. The rest will be shot in London," he said. The film also stars Nasser, Livingston and Sathish. New Delhi, June 29 : Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said that the Congress will repent its decision to boycott the midnight function in Parliament for the launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Talking to reporters here, Naidu said the function was being held in the Central Hall of Parliament at midnight to coincide with the time of the GST rollout from July 1. The Congress decision was "untenable, illogical", the Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information and Broadcasting Minister said. "I don't understand why they have taken this step of boycotting (the launch)... Sooner of later they will repent besides paying a heavy price," he said. Naidu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the GST was a collective effort and had thanked political parties for their support. The Congress on Thursday announced that it would boycott the GST rollout in Parliament on Friday night, saying the country was "ill-prepared" for its implementation and the Central Hall should not be used for such midnight functions. The party said that such midnight sessions had been held only on three occasions related to the country's Independence. Naidu asked: "Is it wrong to work at midnight? July 1 begins with midnight 12.00 a.m." He also said the Central Hall was the centre of democracy and various programmes had been organised there. Describing the history of GST, he said that the concept of a unified tax system was a result of consistent hard work initiated by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2000. He said the GST would be a historical and revolutionary change in taxation laws and benefit the country. Targeting the opposition party's decision, he said the bill was passed by Parliament with a two-thirds majority. "Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had talked with leaders of other political parties regarding the GST bill. I also met various leaders to discuss the bill," he said. "All of them had agreed then. They appreciated the concept but now the BJP is stunned and surprised as to why the Congress party suddenly came up with the idea to boycott the launch." "Did GST come suddenly? Is it being rolled out without discussion? No," he stressed. "We did not want to take credit for GST. We have already thanked all political parties for their contribution to make GST a reality," Naidu said. "Lok Sabha has approved the bill. Rajya Sabha has approved the bill. Most of the states approved it and President recognised it," he added. Chandigarh, June 29 : National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind met the legislators of Haryana and Punjab on Thursday to seek support in next month's presidential election. Kovind drove to Panchkula town in Haryana from the Chandigarh International Airport, where he met the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators from the state. Haryana's main opposition party, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), on Thursday extended support to Kovind. He met the INLD leaders and legislators in Panchkula. The BJP in Haryana has 47 legislators, INLD has 19 and the Congress has 17. Five legislators are Independent and one seat each is held by the Akali Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Kovind also met senior Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, including former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, to seek support for the election. The Akali Dal is an ally of the BJP and part of the NDA. The Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP have 18 legislators in the Punjab assembly. The Congress, which won the assembly elections in Punjab in March, has 77 legislators in the 117-member assembly. The Aam Aadmi Party has 20 legislators in the assembly while its alliance partner Lok Insaf Party has two legislators. Kovind will face the main opposition candidate, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in the July 17 presidential poll. Meira Kumar has been supported by 17 parties, led by the Congress. Hopkinsville, Kentucky, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC), 922nd Contracting Battalion at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, released on Thursday, June 29 a solicitation in which it outlined plans to secure demolition services from a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)-certified woman-owned small business (WOSB). Interested and capable WOSBs must be able to provide all labor, supplies/materials (unless otherwise specified), and necessary equipment to perform building dismantling, demolition, and/or removal of improvements (e.g., steps, piers, and foundation). The contractor who receives the award also must be able to complete associated work, such as utility disassembly, PCB ballast handling/disposal, demolition, filling, backfilling, placement of top soil or gravel, and seeding/mulching. The Army anticipates awarding a firm fixed-price contract. The North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) for this effort is 238910 - Site Preparation Contractors. The Army, in its solicitation, also outlined plans to award the contract to the WOSB who responds with a low price technical acceptable offer, pursuant to FAR 13.5. Responses are due by no later than 10 a.m. EST on July 27, and interested contractors can e-mail responses to Contract Specialist, SSG Patrick Kennison, at patrick.v.kennison.mil@mail.mil. The contractor who receives this contract also must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) database and have as part of the Registration all current Representations and Certifications. US Federal Contractor Registration, the worlds largest third-party government registration firm, and a firm that not only helps companies survive but also thrive, completes the required Registrations on behalf of its clients. It also makes available information about opportunities like this, as well as training on how to locate, research, and respond to opportunities. We also make available for our clients and for contracting officers our proprietary Advanced Federal Procurement Data Search (AFPDS). Our Advanced Federal Procurement Data Search (AFPDS) gives you in one place instant bid notifications, bid proposal prospecting, and information about government procurement officers. We make this search tool available to clients, as part of our commitment to helping each and every USFCR client succeed and thrive as a government contractor. For contracting officers, the AFPDS gives them in one place access to a database of available contractors and also a place to post information about opportunities. Contracting officers get free access to AFPDS. We also provide interested contracting officers a list of contractors who may be able to provide a service and/or product that they need. For more information, to get started with a SAM registration, to learn more about how US Federal Contractor Registration can help your business succeed, to find out how we can help you complete the processes necessary to become certified as one or more types of small business(es), such as a WOSB, and/or to speak with our federal training specialists about how to craft a memorable proposal, call 877-252-2700, ext. 1. Mumbai, June 29 : The Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) will set up a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe the death of a life-term woman convict in the Byculla Jail on June 23, an official said on Thursday. The SIT would comprise a retired high court judge, a retired IPS officer and a representative of a women's NGO as members, said MSWC Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar. In a related development, the State Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognizance of the matter and ordered police and Byculla Jail Superintendent to submit a report on the incident in which six jail staffers have already been suspended. "We shall constitute a three-member SIT within a couple of days. It will visit the jail and speak to the inmates who were beaten during the rioting on Saturday (June 24). It will record the statements of all concerned, including Indrani Mukerjea," Rahatkar told mediapersons. Earlier, Deputy IGP (Prisons) Swati Sathe met the MSWC and submitted a report on the incident and the action taken by jail authorities after the rioting last weekend. The MSWC has also asked the jail authorities to submit a detailed autopsy report of the victim, a warden, Majula Shetye, 40, to help investigate the matter. Indrani Mukerjea, who submitted her statement on the incident before the Special CBI Court on Wednesday, on Thursday lodged a complaint with the Nagpada Police Station as directed by the court. Following Shetye's death on Friday night, on Saturday morning the angry prisoners resorted to a massive protest. Some climbed to the terrace of the prison and drew the attention of passersby, some burnt things inside the jail. Later, police lodged a complaint of rioting, attacking public servants, unlawful assembly and other charges against some 200 inmates, including Mukerjea. The prison officials have accused Mukerjea of reportedly instigating the inmates by asking them to launch a hunger strike and use their children as "human shields" when the jail staff tried to stop their agitation. Shetye was a jail warden serving the last few months of her 14-year jail term for murdering her sister-in-law in 1996. She had complained about some missing ration from the food stock on Friday. She was allegedly summoned by a woman jailor and beaten up brutally by six women jail staffers, according to witness statements recorded by police. Shetye was rushed to the Sir J.J. Hospital nearby but was pronounced dead on arrival. Shortly after the incident and the outcry, Additional Director-General of Prisons B.K. Upadhyay ordered a probe and suspended six jail staffers against whom there were allegations of misbehavior. Indrani Mukerjea is currently undergoing trial for the killing of her daughter, Sheena Bora, in April 2012, along with her husband and former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea, and her another former husband Sanjeev Khanna. New Delhi, June 29 : Chinese consumer appliances company Midea Group on Thursday announced that it will invest Rs 800 crore to set up a manufacturing facility in Pune, generating some 500 jobs over the next five years. The company said it will acquire 43 acres of land in Supa Parner Industrial Park II near Pune, Maharashtra, to set up a greenfield manufacturing facility for consumer home appliances and components. According to the company -- which has been in operation in the country since 2013 -- the new facility is expected to commence commercial operations by 2018-end. "The products manufactured at the plant will cater to Midea Group's operations in India as well as others. The facility will also evaluate exports for Midea Group to other distribution locations," the company said in a statement. The statement said that the manufacturing facility would have a dedicated research and development (R&D) centre which would design, develop and test products for the Indian market. "India is a key market in our global growth strategy and will be an important manufacturing hub in the future. Our investment is an example of Midea's belief in the Indian market and reiterates our commitment to 'Make in India'," said Andy Gu, Vice President of the Midea Group. "This manufacturing plant will further support our focus to accelerate our business and establish Midea as a significant player in the home appliances market in India," he added. The new facility would have a capacity to manufacture five lakh refrigerators, six lakh washing machines and 10 lakh water appliances products, the statement said. Damascus, June 29 : The Syrian government on Thursday condemned the US allegations that Damascus is preparing for a chemical attack and accused Washington of planning to launch a new assault on Syrian territory. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that US allegations are "misleading", "false" and "baseless", Efe news agency reported. "Syria confirms that the US allegations aim to justify a new aggression on Syria under false pretexts as happened in al-Shairat Airport and to cover the US-led international illegal coalition's strikes," the ministry said. On Monday, the White House warned of "potential preparations" by the Syrian government to carry out a new chemical weapons attack, noting that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the armed forces will pay "a heavy price" if an attack is launched. The ministry added that any US aggression on the Syrian Army and people will serve "terrorist" organisations and contradict the "principles and purposes of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions on combating terrorism". On April 7, the US targeted al-Shairat airport with missiles in response to the chemical attack carried out three days earlier in the Syrian city of Khan Sheikhun, which Washington attributed to Damascus, while the latter accused extremist groups. Moscow, June 29 : The Moscow military court on Thursday found five Chechens guilty of having assassinated Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in 2015. Nemtsov, 55, an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin and a former deputy Prime Minister, was shot by Chechen gunman Zaur Dadayev as he was walking across a bridge just outside the Kremlin, the Independent reported. Russian news agencies said a jury at a Moscow court found that Dadayev, a former officer in the security forces of the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, guilty of murdering Nemtsov. Four other men, also Chechen according to the BBC, were found guilty of involvement in the killing. The jury found they had acted as Dadayev's accomplices and that the group had been promised a bounty of $253,000. Nemtsov was killed on February 27, 2015, just two days before he was due to take part in a mass rally against Russian involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Hyderabad, June 29 : AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday termed as mere lip service Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condemnation of killing people in the name of cow protection. Reacting to Modi's remarks in Ahmedabad, the Hyderabad MP told reporters that cow vigilantes were getting help from the BJP and the Sangh Parivar. "It is mere lip service. Attacks have only increased," Owaisi said, referring to incidents of lynching in different parts of the country. He said it was strange that right to life was being bestowed on an animal but human beings were being lynched. Earlier, in a series of tweets, Owaisi said the Prime Minister's statements were not having the desired effect on ground. "Two time PM has spoken but didn't have desired affect (because) Gau Rakshak get direct indirect support of BJP/Sangh. Nothing will change on ground," he tweeted. "PM says killing unacceptable but 3 alleged killers of Pahlu khan yet to be arrested & BJP is in power in Rajasthan. Walk the Talk Mr PM," he added. "If you can sentence to death a person who kills a cow, can't you sentence to death a person who resorts to lynching," Owaisi asked. He said responsibility to ensure rule of law lies with the government. The Lok Sabha member announced that he will introduce a private member bill during monsoon session to control 'mobocracy and lynching'. New Delhi, June 29 : Defence, agriculture and water management are among the various areas of cooperation that will come up for discussion when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Israel, the first prime ministerial visit from India to that country, a senior official said on Thursday. "There are several areas of cooperation that include agriculture, water, maritime, science and technology, start-ups, and defence," B. Bala Bhaskar, Joint Secretary (West Asia and North Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said while briefing the media here. "We are continuously working to diversify and strengthen our bilateral cooperation besides exploring new avenues of cooperation," Bhaskar said. He said that Israel has expressed its "great willingness" over the last three years to participate in India's flagship initiatives like Make in India, Clean Ganga, Smart Cities and Digital India. Stating that there has been cooperation going on in the agriculture sector, he said: "With the help of Israel we have established centres of excellence in various states aimed at increasing productivity, crop management, and water management ." In terms of science and technology, Bhaskar said that both sides were cooperating in the area of space. As for economic cooperation, he said that bilateral trade stood at $4.16 billion but added that it was in favour of Israel by $300 million. "We are importing around 20 per cent of phosphate from Israel. It is an important contributor to the energy sector," he said. With India and Israel already having a high-level of cooperation, New Delhi will also seek to develop greater cooperation on homeland security when Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu hold bilateral talks. On the international stage, Israel supports India's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. After landing on July 4, Modi will have his official engagements, including bilateral talks with Netanyahu and a call on President Rivlin the next day. On July 6, he will interact with Israeli business leaders and also address the Indian diaspora. According to the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, there are about 85,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel. This apart, there are about 10,000 Indian nationals in Israel, of whom around 9,000 work in the care-giving sector, while the rest are mostly diamond traders, IT professionals and students. During the course of the visit, Modi will also pay homage to Indian soldiers at the Haifa Indian Cemetery that contains the graves of 49 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War. Kolkata, June 29 : Kolkata-based private lender Bandhan Bank, which mostly lends to small and micro enterprises, is hoping to gain from the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a top official said on Thursday. Small business units including traders across states have been raising concerns over the GST and asking to defer the launch of the new indirect tax system. In a protest, the traders have also called a nationwide strike on June 30. "There may be some teething concerns on GST in the near term but it will have a positive impact on our business in the long term," the lender's Managing Director and CEO Chandra Sekhar Ghosh said here on the sidelines of an event of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce. He said the bankers would be able to know details of transactions by the borrower and this would bring in transparency in the system. The micro-finance company which was transformed into a universal bank has 80 lakh borrowers, of which 75 lakh are women, and posted Rs 1,112 crore profit in 2016-17. New Delhi, June 29 : The Delhi Assembly on Thursday condemned incidents of lynching in the name of "Gau Raksha" and passed a resolution urging people to "uphold the constitution in letter and spirit". The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-dominated assembly passed the resolution urged citizens to "uphold the constitution in letter and spirit and not fall for vicious and divisive propaganda". The assembly condemned "the mindless mob violence being unleashed across the country in the name of religion... urges upon fellow countrymen to remain ever vigilant to threats posed by divisive elements masquerading as protectors of religion of different shades," it read. Speaking during a discussion over a resolution moved by AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the incidents of lynching people either in the name of consuming beef or "Gau Raksha" were increasing. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes abroad and hugs people who consume beef but in India those who eat beef will be killed. Where is India going?" Sisodia asked. Sisodia said whenever voices were raised against such incidents, the central government diverted attention by raising issues like Hindu-Muslim conflict, Kashmir and temple-mosque row. Hitting out at cow vigilantes, the AAP leader said: "These are fake Gau Rakshaks. They cannot see the cows who are eating plastic on the streets but can only see what is in other's plate." Ghaziabad, June 29 : The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) is set to free all land and built up property from illegal occupants. GDA Secretary Ravendra Madhukar Godbole said on Thursday that FIRs would be filed against illegal occupants and colonizers "who are trying to cheat the public by selling plots without GDA authorization". During the audit of its property records and physical verification, it was found that precious land had been grabbed by land grabbers and illegal occupants had occupied its built up flats in the newly developed colonies which were yet to be sold. In some cases, GDA employees were found to be in collusion with land grabbers and illegal occupants. "So an effective drive is being launched to evacuate all such land and built up flats," said Godbole. The campaign will be formally launched from the first week of July. "No influential person will be spared," he said. To evacuate about 5,000 built up flats and over 250 acres of land, a plan has been chalked out and GDA has asked for police help. According to the GDA, in the first phase, the bigger size plots would be freed of illegal occupation followed by medium size plots and small sized plots and flats in the second as well and third phases. New Delhi, June 29 : The stage is all set for the rollout of the major indirect tax reform measure - Goods and Services Tax (GST) - in Parliament's Central Hall on Friday night amid boycott by the Congress, the Trinamool and other opposition parties even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley urged them to reconsider their decision. The launch will take place at the stroke of midnight after speeches by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari, MPs, Chief Ministers and state Finance Ministers besides a host of industralists and legal luminaries. The hour-long event seeks to evoke memories of the "Tryst with Destiny" moment of 1947 when first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made his famous speech to mark India's independence. After deliberations on Thursday, the Congress announced a boycott of the function, saying the government was seeking to "trivalise" the freedom movement and to garner publicity. The party said such a midnight function in the Central Hall of Parliament had occurred only thrice - August 15, 1947, when the country attained independence, and in 1972 and 1997 to mark the silver and golden jubilees of attaining freedom. With the Congress boycott, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was invited to be on the dias, won't attend. Congress allies including the Rashtriya Janata Dal and DMK also announced they will skip the event while the Left parties have left it to individual members to decide. The JD-U, which broke ranks with the opposition on the President's election, will register its presence with Bihar Energy Minister. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will not attend and Janata Dal-United MPs are free to attend or keep away. Reacting to the opposition decision, Jaitley said they should display broad shoulders and own up to the consensus decision to usher in GST after a 15-year consultation process. "I can say this without fear of contradiction that there has never been such exercise of this kind of political consultation and political consensus in bringing the GST. And now those who have been a party to this consultation and decision making process must also accept," he told reporters here on Thursday. "I hope every political party will reconsider and revisit its decisions and be a party to the launch of a massive reform to which they have been themselves privy to," he added. "Symbolic boycotts are not evidence of any kind of disassociation from these decisions... The government believes this is probably the single most important taxation reform in the last 70 years. I am sure it will prove beneficial both to the economy and the country," Jaitley said. GST, termed as the most radical tax reform since Independence, seeks to subsume all central indirect taxes like excise duty, countervailing duty and service tax as also state levies like Value Added Tax, entry tax and luxury tax to create a single, pan-India market. So far, apart from Jammu and Kashmir, all the states have passed the State GST (SGST) law. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has written to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to join the GST regime by July 1. GST was first discussed in the Kelkar Task Force report on indirect taxes in 2003 and a proposal to introduce a national GST by April 1, 2010 was first mooted in the Budget Speech for the financial year 2006-07. Hamilton Bermuda (June 29, 2017) Further to the release issued by Archer Limited (the "Company") on June 16, 2017, the Company is pleased to announce that all conditions precedent to the Restructuring Documents have been satisfied. This means that the debt refinancing of the Company, as announced on 28 February 2017, has been completed. Enquiries: Dag Skindlo, CFO and EVP Strategy + 47 98 22 66 24 dag.skindlo@archerwell.com Joachim Houeland, Corporate Treasurer +47 482 78 748 joachim.houeland@archerwell.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Darjeeling, June 29 : Declaring that the indefinite shutdown in north Bengal hills will continue, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Thursday announced the formation of a coordination committee at an all-party meeting to take forward the movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland. "All parties have unanimously decided to continue the indefinite shutdown in the hills. "Also, a committee, named Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee, has been formed with two members from each of the parties that attended the all-party meeting today," Binay Tamang, GJM's Assistant General Secretary, told IANS at the end of the Morcha-convened all-party meeting in Kalimpong. Tamang said GJM Vice President Kalyan Dewan and Darjeeling municipality Chairman D.K. Pradhan have been chosen as convenors of the committee. Denying that GJM was under political pressure from other parties in the hills to withdraw the shutdown, the Morcha leader claimed people from all sections of the society were supporting the shutdown towards fulfilment of their demand for a separate Gorkhaland. "All sections of people in the region want the shutdown to continue until the Gorkhaland demand is achieved. All of us are fighting for the common demand of Gorkhaland," he said. However, the leader refused to comment on the central government's stand on the issue. "We are looking forward to the next all-party meeting in the hills which will be held on July 6," he added. On the 15th day of the ongoing indefinite shutdown in the Darjeeling hills, the GJM, which is spearheading the movement in the region, called for the third all-party meeting in the last 20 days. According to sources, all the 12 political parties that attended the last all-party meeting on June 20, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League, were present at Thursday's meeting, held at a hotel in Kalimpong. The ruling Trinamool Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Congress boycotted the conclave, as they did on the previous occasion. Strongly condemning the decision to continue the shutdown, state Tourism Minister Gautam Deb termed the announcements as "unconstitutional and illegal" and urged the political parties to start a dialogue for restoring peace and prosperity in the hills. "This move is unconstitutional, illegal, uncalled-for and unfortunate," Deb claimed. "We appeal to the agitating political parties to call off the strike to reduce the suffering of the common people and to come back to the process of dialogue to bring back peace and prosperity in the hills," the Trinamool Congress leader told IANS over phone. Kolkata, June 29 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday dubbed "dogmatism and rigidity" of mind as the biggest deterrent in the way of progress and development and called upon people to be open to new ideas. Addressing the inauguration of the year-long celebration of the 125th birth anniversary of P.C. Mahalanobis at the Indian Statistical Institute, Mukherjee said a tool of development might be useful or degrading and it all depended on how it was used. "Sheer dogmatism and rigidity of the mind were the biggest obstructive forces in the way of progress and development and should always be avoided," he said. The President referred to the role of the public sector, "which has been put to question many times. "During the last 10 years, the public sector enterprises have contributed Rs 17.87 lakh crore as taxes and accruals, which is 1.5 times of the gross investment made on them," he said. The President revealed that 138 out of about 300 public sector enterprises were operating in the country now, with most of them making profit. Mahalanobis' birthday is observed as the National Statistics Day. Paying homage to Mahalanobis, Mukherjee said a big banyan tree attracted all the mighty minds and thus an institution of great pride was born. On the occasion, a pictorial album on Mahalanobis, prepared by the photography department of ISI, was formally released by West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi. The first copy was handed over to Mukherjee. Gangtok, June 29 : Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday took stock of the situation in Sikkim amid a stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops along the border. Informed sources said the Army chief was briefed about the security situation and the stand-off. He also visited areas under the 17th Mountain Division. Gen Rawat will return to Delhi on Friday. The visit took place on a day China alluded to India's military defeat in 1962 and asked New Delhi to withdraw troops from "Chinese territory". India and China have accused other's troops of crossing their border. New Delhi, June 29 : An 11-year-old mentally challenged girl was sexually assaulted by her landlord in Mianwali area in west Delhi, police said on Thursday. The accused, Shankar Singh, was arrested from a relative's house. The incident came to light on Tuesday evening when the elder brother of the victim caught Shankar Singh while he was committing the crime. But he managed to escape, a police officer said. "During interrogation, Shankar Singh confessed to sexually assaulting the minor for the last five days whenever he found her alone in the house. He committed the crime after luring the girl by offering her sweets," the officer added. The victim's parents are labourers in the area. Mumbai, June 29 : Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi said her best scenes in the upcoming movie "Partition: 1947" are with the legendary late actor Om Puri. Huma said Om Puri was "a great human being apart from being a fine actor" and she is thankful to director Gurinder Chadha for making a film on such a sensitive subject. During the trailer launch of "Partition: 1947", Huma was asked about her experience with the late actor, to which she said: "I think my best scenes in the film are with Om Puri. He played my father in the film and I would like to thank Gurinder for giving me such a lovely on-screen father. From the first meeting, he was such a wonderful person to be with." "Last year around this time, he met my parents and we were so happy to have him. It is a great loss (that he passed away)," she said. According to Gurinder, Om Puri was very happy to be a part of the film as he is a Punjabi and there was a Punjabi connection as well. "He was very happy to know that I have taken such a subject for the film. In the film, though he played an old blind man, whenever the music starts we would get up and dance as he was full of life," Gurinder said. Though the film's story revolves around the India-Pakistan partition, according to Huma, the core story is very emotional and humane. "What I loved about the film is, it is a human story... it is heartbreaking for anyone to leave their own country for political reason." Adding to that, Gurinder said: "We screened the film in Australia and people loved it there because it is an emotional story." "Partition: 1947", featuring Huma Qureshi, Om Puri, Hugh Bonneville, Manish Dayal, Michael Gambon among others, is scheduled to release on August 18. New Delhi, June 29 : The Delhi assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution to reserve 85 per cent seats for the students belonging to Delhi in the colleges funded by the Delhi government, which are affiliated to the Delhi University (DU). The resolution was moved by Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia. The resolution read that there were over two lakh students who pass out from schools in the national capital and many of them struggle to get admission in higher education institutions affiliated to DU. "Delhi government, fully or partially, funds 28 of the 110 affiliated institutes. The money of tax payers from Delhi is being used to fund these colleges... the House hereby resolves that 85 per cent seats should be reserved for students from Delhi, in the colleges that are funded by the Delhi government," the resolution said. The House also passed another resolution to request the central government to amend sub-section 2 of section 5 of the Delhi University Act, 1922, which prohibits another state university to have affiliated colleges of its own. While moving the proposal, Sisodia, who is also Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, said his government was of the view that to make a country capable, it is extremely necessary to make its people educated and that was the reasoning behind the Delhi government spending one fourth of its total budget on education. "We may talk big about nationalism but if we are not able to provide good education to the students then our patriotism will remain incomplete and our nationalism will be fake," Sisodia said. He said the government wanted to expand the number of institutions that provide higher education to students in the national capital. Therefore, to end the shortage of such institutions, "we would like to open a university which is authorised to affiliate colleges which can be only done by amending sub-section two of section five of the Delhi University Act, 1922". Sisodia also said that his government opened about 13 new colleges imparting quality education in various streams across Delhi. He added that he wrote to the then HRD Minister Smriti Irani and the present HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and pushed for the demand to reserve 85 per cent seats in the Delhi government-funded colleges of Delhi University for the local students, but to no avail. New Delhi, June 29 : A day after the Union cabinet gave its in-principle approval for Air India's divestment, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that the budget passenger airline IndiGo has expressed interest in participating in the stake sale of the flag-carrier. "There has been interest shown for Air India. IndiGo has approached the ministry with a formal expression of interest proposal," Raju told IANS. "Other airlines have also shown interest in Air India, but they have not submitted any formal proposals as yet," he added. According to Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary R.N.Choubey, a formal proposal from IndiGo was received after Wednesday's cabinet decision on Air India's divestment. When contacted, an official from IndiGo said that the airline was "observing a silent period". However, the airline informed the BSE that it has evinced interest in Air India's stake sale through a letter. "As the Indian government embarks on the journey of privatising Air India and given IndiGo's track record of having created a consistently profitable airline with a strong balance sheet, kindly treat this latter as our expression of interest in acquiring the international airline operations of Air India and Air India Express," Aditya Ghosh, President and Whole Time Director, IndiGo said in a letter sent to the Civil Aviation Minister. "Alternatively, we are equally interested in acquiring all of the airline operations of Air India and Air India Express," the letter dated June 28 and addressed to Minister Raju read. The Union cabinet's decision on Air India comes after NITI Aayog in a recent report to the Civil Aviation Ministry recommended strategic disinvestment in the loss-making Air India. At present, the national passenger carrier has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore. The airline in 2015-16 had posted an operating profit of Rs 105 crore. For the last fiscal 2016-17, the company is expected to report an improved operating profit margin. The flag carrier had got a new lease of life on April 12, 2012, when the previous central government under the UPA had approved a Rs 30,000 crore turnaround (TAP) and financial restructuring plans (FRP) package spanning up to the year 2021. Currently, Air India's portfolio of subsidiaries include Air India Engineering Services, Air India Transport Services, Alliance Air, Air India Express and the Hotel Corporation of India. It also has a ground handling joint venture AISATS. Apart from its subsidiaries, the national carrier owns several properties in India and abroad, operational slots at international airport and priceless art work, besides a well trained manpower. According to the company's website, Air India operates 118 aircraft of various kind. Its international network consists of 41 destinations across the US, Europe, Australia, Far East and South East Asia and the Gulf. The airline's domestic network covers 72 destinations, including far-flung areas of the North-East, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Air India's former Executive Director Jitender Bhargava told BTVi in a interview that he was "glad to see a change in narrative" in which AI's assets base is now being considered. "There has been a major change in government thinking... now AI assets are also given equal emphasis," Bhargava said. Kolkata, June 29 : President Pranab Mukherjee, who completes his five-year term next month, on Thursday sounded a tad emotional at a programme here as he pointed out that it could be his last visit to Kolkata as the head of the state. "This may be my last visit to Kolkata in my capacity as the President of the Republic of India," Mukherjee said at the inauguration of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of P.C. Mahalanobis at the Indian Statistical Institute. Mukherjee, who came to the city as a student, later joined as a teacher in a college on its outskirts. His long political innings also began in the city as a leader of the Bangla Congress. After taking over as the country's 13th President in July 2012, Mukherjee has made repeated trips to the city to attends various programmes. He also has two houses in Kolkata. New Delhi, June 29 : A Delhi Police team has rescued a two-and-half-year-old boy and arrested four persons who abducted the toddler, a senior police officer said on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mandeep S. Randhawa identified the accused as Radha, 40, Sunita, 24, Saroj, 38, and Jaan Mohammad, 30, -- all residents of Delhi. On June 5, the boy had gone missing after he came with his family to Jama Masjid in north Delhi. Later, a police complaint was filed. Police widely circulated the photo of the boy through social media, after which they got a tip-off that the toddler was about to be sold to a childless family in Gurugram. On Wednesday, police arrested the aductors and also rescued the boy. Police are trying to find out whether the accused persons were also involved in other similar cases. New Delhi, June 29 : Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday expressed concern over the kind of atmosphere being created in the country in the name of religion. Everybody should try to ensure communal harmony in the society and live like a family, Singh said at an Eid Milan function here. "We all Indians have to defend the country by walking shoulder to shoulder. we have to stay in brotherhood and create an atmosphere that is in accordance with the path shown by our Constitution," he said. "Whatever atmosphere is being created in the name of religion (in our country), I am reminded of Iqbal's couplet...'Mazhab nahin sikhata aapas mein bair rakhna...'," he added. SAN ANTONIO, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new analysis by Verify Markets shows the cookware market for 8 selected countries to be valued over $5.9 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach revenues of over $10.6 billion by 2023. The 8 countries covered in the study include Germany, Italy, Russia, India, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Japan. Among the countries researched, India and China were the largest cookware markets in 2016. The Indian cookware market was valued over $850 million and the Chinese cookware market was valued over $2.1 billion in 2016. There is a burgeoning middle class in China with increasing disposable incomes. Several consumers are first-time buyers of several types of cookware. India has a very large young and a dynamic middle class population, which has contributed to a phenomenal growth. The middle class is considered to be a major potential customer group by most cookware manufacturers. The market is getting increasingly competitive. Market consolidation has been a huge trend over the last few years. Each market is unique in its own way, with varying trends by country. For example, pressure cookers are predominately used in India, while frying pans are popular in Germany, notes Shilpa Tiku, Global Vice President of Verify Markets. For purposes of this research, cookware is defined as utensils used on the top of stove for cooking. The majority of materials fall into the following categories, Regular Stainless Steel, Premium Stainless Steel, Regular Nonstick, Premium Nonstick, and others. The base year for the study is 2016 and forecasts are provided until 2023. The study is a detailed analysis, by country. It captures market drivers, restraints, products trends, pricing trends, distribution trends, forecasts until 2023, market share analysis, data by type of cookware, data by material of cookware, and quotes by key industry participants. The key companies covered in this study include Fissler GmbH, Groupe SEB, Josef Schulte-Ufer Kg (SchulteUfer), TTK Prestige Ltd., Hawkins Cookers Ltd., Vinod Cookware, Nirlep Appliances Private Limited, Zhejiang Aishida Electric Co, Ltd (ASD), Bialetti Industrie, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Tognana Porcelain SPA, Happy Call Co. Ltd., Neoflam Co. Ltd., Kitchen Art Co., Ltd., Satien Stainless Steel Public Co Ltd, and Thai Stainless Steel Co. Ltd., among others. A complete analysis of select markets within the Cookware Market can be obtained at www.verifymarkets.com. Follow us for more updates on Twitter @verify_markets and LinkedIn. New Delhi, June 30 : While the government of India is yet to make any comment on the stand-off with Chinese troops along the border in Sikkim, the External Affairs Ministry on Thursday circulated a statement from the Bhutan government that accused China of not respecting border agreements and constructing a road on the Bhutanese territory. The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan on Thursday said the Chinese army started construction of a road from Dokola in the Doklam area towards the Bhutan army camp in Zompelri. "Bhutan has conveyed to the Chinese side, both on the ground and through diplomatic channel, that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements and affects the process of demarcating the boundary between our two countries. Bhutan hopes that the status quo in the Doklam area will be maintained as before 16 June 2017," the statement read. "Boundary talks are ongoing between Bhutan and China and we have written agreements of 1988 and 1998 stating that the two sides agree to maintain peace and tranquility in their border areas pending a final settlement on the boundary question, and to maintain status quo on the boundary as before March 1959," it said. The agreement also states that the two sides would refrain from taking unilateral action, or use force, to change the status quo of the boundary, it said. New Delhi, June 30 : Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday recalled his conversation with senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in 2011, when she had told him that the Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh chief ministers (Modi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan) were opposed to GST and that the BJP leadership was prepared to override their objections. "On October 20, 2011, I met Sushma Swaraj and after that meeting I wrote a letter to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. I asked Sushmaji, why are you opposing Goods and Services Tax (GST)? She told me that Gujarat and MP CMs are opposing it," said Ramesh while briefing mediapersons. "She also said that efforts are on to change the mind of these two CMs," he said citing facts from the letter he had written to Manmohan Singh. She went on to say that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership (including its then President Nitin Gadkari) was prepared to override the objections of the Gujarat and MP chief ministerss, Ramesh said. He further said that from 2004 to 2014, for 10 years only two chief ministers blocked the GST. "One was Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the other Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. MP CM had some questions and doubts, like MP is a poor state, what will be its benefits and losses under GST," said Ramesh. "But, after 2008, only one CM was against GST and that was Modi. One who blocked it for 10 years has now become the advocate of GST," he added. "There was a time when former Bihar Finance Minister Sushil Modi was the president of the committee of finance ministers. Sushil Modi had supported GST but Narendra Modi opposed it. It had became Modi vs Modi," Ramesh recalled. Washington, June 30 : US President Trump went after two news anchors of a major US news outlet on Twitter, adding more fuel to the recent feud between the White House and mainstream US media. "I heard poorly rated Morning Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago three nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!" Trump said in two consecutive tweets on Thursday. The venomous words were levied against Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, who host a morning news show at major news outlet MSNBC, Xinhua news agency reported. Brzezinski, daughter of late US strategist Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Scarborough, a former Congressman, defended Trump in the early days of his presidency, but the relationship has since soured. "CNN has more integrity on its worst day than Donald Trump has on his best," Scarborough said in a tweet. "It's a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying, and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job," a MSNBC spokesman said in response to Trump's tweets. The back-and-forth underscored a particularly bad week between the Trump administration and US media. CNN published a story on June 22 drawing a link between a Russian investment fund and a member of Trump's campaign, but retracted the story a day later citing a violation of editorial procedures. CNN has since apologized. Three veteran journalists resigned Monday in the wake of the retracted story, prompting Trump to denounce CNN for making "fake news". The Grob 120TP is the new primary training aircraft used by APS to train all U.S. Army fixed-wing aviators in upset prevention and recovery techniques. Developing the flight skills and instructional capabilities necessary to become an APS-certified UPRT instructor are some of the most challenging and demanding experiences an instructor pilot will face in their career... Past News Releases RSS APS Introduces Upset Training... APS Announces 2018 Upset Training... New Master Certificated Instructor... Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS) announced today that the first group of CAE instructors have graduated training and are actively delivering APS Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) as part of the U.S. Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training program in Dothan, Alabama. CAEs inclusion of APS UPRT program for Army fixed-wing training will serve to comprehensively reduce the risk of Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I), the primary cause of aircraft fatalities worldwide. This LOC-I training solution is accomplished through a proven program which prepares Army pilots to better recognize, prevent, or if needed, recover from an unintended airplane upset. APS UPRT program is part of the thorough, expertly integrated U.S. Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training program that includes academic, simulator and live-flying training. CAE instructors who graduate the APS UPRT Train-the-Trainer program will conduct upset training at CAEs new Dothan Training Center located at the Dothan Regional Airport in Alabama. The APS-CAE UPRT program features real world on-aircraft training in the Grob G120TP turboprop fully-aerobatic training aircraft and simulator-based UPRT in four CAE 7000XR Series C-12 King Air FFSs. The CAE C-12 full flight simulators integrate all-new UPRT Instructor Operating Station (IOS) enhancements--powerful instructor technology jointly developed by CAE and APS to comprehensively analyze airplane upset events in real time. Developing the flight skills and instructional capabilities necessary to become an APS-certified UPRT instructor are some of the most challenging and demanding experiences an instructor pilot will face in their career, said Paul BJ Ransbury, the president of Aviation Performance Solutions. The CAE team in Dothan is meeting the challenge having graduated, and continuing to graduate, APS-certified UPRT instructors week after week. APS has based two senior APS UPRT instructors at CAEs Dothan Training Center, where they are training a portion of CAEs cadre of instructor pilots to deliver UPRT on Grob G120TP aircraft and C-12 simulators. Loss of Control In-flight is the number one fatal risk factor that pilots will face in their aviation career. As a leading global provider of advanced flight training, CAE is committed to the professional development of our instructor pilots, said Ray Duquette, President and General Manager, CAE USA. Upset Prevention and Recovery Training is a critical part of pilot training and our partnership with APS is contributing to us delivering a world-class UPRT program as part of Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training. ABOUT AVIATION PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), headquartered at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona, trains thousands of professional pilots and instructors in comprehensive Upset Prevention and Recovery Training skill development. APS provides integrated LOC-I solutions via industry-leading computer-based, on-aircraft (jet and piston), and full-flight simulator Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT). All training is in full compliance with the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid, FAA Advisory Circular 120-109A on Stall and Stick Pusher Training, ICAO Manual on Aeroplane Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, IATA Guidance Material and Best Practices for the Implementation of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, and the FAA Advisory Circular 120-111 on Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. APS is the only Part 141 Flight School certified in the delivery of complete upset prevention & recovery, stall/spin and instrument upset recovery training courses worldwide. With additional training locations in Dallas (USA), The Netherlands (Europe), and military division in Dothan (USA), APS provides global access to the highest quality Upset Prevention and Recovery Training available. http://www.apstraining.com. mxHero mxHero simplifies current email governance practices. MxHero, leading provider of email and cloud storage convergence technology, is expanding its integration with Box to extend the security and compliance capabilities of Box Governance to email content. mxHero simplifies current email governance practices by capturing email from any source, intelligently analyzing the contents, appropriately tagging it with metadata, and organizing the content into Box folders governed by data retention, defensible discovery and secure classification policies. mxHero together with Box provides security and governance from a single, simple solution for all enterprise content inclusive of email content and email attachments. Through this solution, architecture is simplified, CAPEX is eliminated or reduced, content risk profiles are improved, and information governance functions are streamlined. mxHero is centrally controlled and easy to provision. Initial configuration takes minutes, after which mxHero operates behind the scenes, transparent to end users. No end user training or software installation is required. As the Box 2016 Elite Partner of the Year, were excited to extend additional features in support of our partner Box. For most customers, email and email attachments are important and governed assets, said Alexis Panagides, Chief Executive Officer of mxHero Inc., Thanks to mxHeros intelligence, expensive human resources are freed from manually inspecting emails and attachments. Organization of critical email content and storage into collaborative Box folder hierarchies is fully automated. With the new mxHero offering, customers will experience the unique and collaborative capabilities that Boxs Cloud Content Management (CCM) solution offers, while extending content governance and security across all content components, inclusive of email. mxHero works seamlessly with all devices (desktop, mobile, etc.), all operating systems and e-mail services whether on-premises or in the cloud (e.g. Exchange, O365, Gmail). Through its governance offering, mxHeros advantages are now inclusive of: Transparent security requires no end-user interaction Box link integrity for email content drives archived message retention and policy controls leveraging the security of managed and secure Box links Intelligent routing mxHero intelligently routes and stores emails to Box folders based on content within the email (and attachments) without end-user intervention. Once in Box, the email content is protected with version controls, retention, legal hold, access security and the full power of Boxs CCM features Automated metadata tagging mxHero augments Box metadata with key email header information (To, From, Subject, Send or Received dates, etc.) for rapid search enablement Open and full integration with any email repository email retention is one of the most expensive costs in the data center, its multiple-residence nature swells overhead and drives security issues due to over retention. With mxHero, enterprises have the option to sunset legacy approaches to email archiving while driving improvements to security, governance, collaboration, search and mobile functionality all from a single CCM platform: Box. About mxHero MxHEROs flagship offering (Mail2Cloud), is a cloud technology that automatically stores email and/or email attachments to cloud platform targets such as Box. MxHEROs Mail2Cloud solution works with any email solution including Microsoft Office 365, Exchange, and Gmail. Over 13,000 domains with over 1,000,000 users have leveraged mxHeros email solution suite. MxHERO is backed by private, institutional and corporate investors including White Star Capital and Orange Telecom. To find out more, visit us at: http://www.mxHero.com. Find mxHero on Twitter: @mxHeronet and Facebook: mxHero.net Our forum has always been the can't-miss learning event for the supplemental insurance industry, and since we're expanding to include Accident and Hospital Indemnity, we're looking forward to an even wider range of attendees from across the country. The National Association for Critical Illness Insurance (NACII) is celebrating its 15th year of providing education, support, and advocacy for carriers and producers in the field of critical illness coverage. In conjunction with this milestone anniversary, the organization is expanding its focus to include a broader range of supplemental and voluntary benefits including Accident and Hospital Indemnity, and this increased scope of expertise will be highlighted at the organizations annual Supplemental Benefits Forum, to be held September 6 8 in Orlando, Florida. This annual forum is the premier learning and networking opportunity for supplemental insurance professionals. Sessions covering product development and pricing will be featured, and this year NACII is including a special track focused on sales training. Additionally, an in-depth session covering the latest developments in todays complex regulatory environment will be offered. This is a very special year for us at NACII, said Gary Harger, Vice President of Supplemental Health Products at UnitedHealthcare and current NACII President. Our forum has always been the cant-miss learning event for the supplemental insurance industry, and since were expanding to include Accident and Hospital Indemnity, were looking forward to an even wider range of attendees from across the country. The 2017 NACII Supplemental Benefits Forum is designed to provide value for professionals in a variety of roles. Specialists in product development, claims, risk management, underwriting, pricing, sales and distribution, marketing, and administration will all find significant opportunities for professional growth and networking. For additional details or to register for the Forum, visit the NACII website at http://www.nacii.org. About NACII NACII (National Association for Critical Illness Insurance), formed in 2002, is the leading advocate for Critical Illness Insurance in the United States. For the last fifteen years, NACII has spearheaded programs designed to educate and disseminate information in an effort to synchronize development of insurer products and insurance department regulation, as well as to increase knowledge of the growing need for Critical Illness Insurance (CII). In 2017, NACII has an expanded focus, which now includes the full array of supplemental health products including Accident Insurance and Hospital Indemnity Insurance plans. Napa, CA, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultimate auction lots include: An exclusive experience at 100-point winery Dana Estates; dinner at The French Laundry with library pairings of Burgundian Grand Cru selections from Domaine Bonneau du Martray and hosted by a Master of Wine; a collection of signed 6L bottles from top Pritchard Hill wineries; a private tasting and lunch at Harlan Estates Promontory Estate personally hosted by Will Harlan; and a barrel of wine made by 100-point superstar winemaker Russell Bevan with fruit from Houyi Vineyard, Nine Suns on Pritchard Hill Napa Valleys cult growing region. One of Napa Valleys most prestigious wine auctions, WineaPAWlooza, raising money for Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch has announced its first five unique auction lots from some of Napa Valleys most prized and famed wineries and vintners. The July 29th Napa Valley charity event is an unparalleled evening showcasing the Who's Who of Wine Glitterati paying it forward for animals in need. Wine and animal lovers from around the country fly in for this unforgettable night at Gamble Family Vineyards to rub shoulders with famous Napa Valley vintners and take pictures with adoptable doggies and rescued farmed animals. The evening begins with a two-hour grand tasting of the most sought after wines in the Valley and the world, followed by a festive, star-studded pet parade. It culminates with a high-energy live auction led by world-famous wine auctioneer Fritz Hatton where featured lots are all about luxury and lifestyle and include some of the most unique and sought after wines and wine experiences ever available. The WineaPAWlooza prestigious auction lots include: Dana Estates Youve Arrived The ultimate in bragging rights for a lucky party of six Proprietor Jae Chun will open the doors to Dana Estates, one of the most beautiful and exclusive wineries in Napa Valley and in the world, for an incredibly personal evening at the winery. The highest bidders will dine with Chun at the winery with food prepared by TORC Chef and Proprietor Sean OToole paired with gems from the cellar of Dana Estates and from Chuns private collection. Settle into your accommodations for three nights high atop Howell Mountain at the gorgeous Dana Estates guesthouse with a birds-eye view of the 100-point Lotus Vineyard. When you awake, Winemaker Chris Cooney will take you on a personal tour of the coveted Dana Estates Vineyards Helms, Hershey, and Lotus - and join you for an al fresco lunch. When your three-day stay at the guest house comes to a close, each couple will be taking Dana Estates with them in the form of a magnum of the 2014 Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon plus a guaranteed spot on the Dana Estates mailing list for each lucky pair. A Grand Cru Evening: The French Laundry and Domaine Bonneau du Martray Enjoy an evening of unbridled luxury at the hands of two uncompromising masters in the world of food and wine. Dinner for three couples at The French Laundry will be presented exclusively with library pairings from Domaine Bonneau du Martray. Recently acquired by Screaming Eagles Proprietor Stan Kroenke, the Domaine is known to collectors for stunning, age-worthy Corton-Charlemagne. Bonneau du Martray is easily one of Burgundys benchmarks as they are THE only Domaine to bottle wine exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards. Hosted by Mary Margaret McCamic MW who is one of only 41 Masters of Wine in the U.S. and as the importer, this stellar evening will uncover the mysteries of the Domaine as she narrates. To extend this special event, three mailing list spots are guaranteed allowing direct access to these rare wines from the estate. A Private Promontory Experience at the Harlan Familys Recently Opened Winery Three couples are invited to experience the wild land, secluded vineyards, wines, and winegrowing philosophy of Promontory, the Harlan Familys recently opened winery and ongoing development of raw Oakville territory. Together with Winegrower Cory Empting, Director Will Harlan has assumed the leadership role from his father, Bill Harlan, to carefully cultivate Promontory in a pursuit to reveal through wine the lands enigmatic diversity of soil, elevation, exposition, and climate. "Kings of the Hill: A Curated and Signed Collection of 6Ls From Elite Pritchard Hill Wineries Direct from Napas white-hot growing region, this imperial court boasts Pritchard Hills most coveted gems: Brand, Chappellet, Continuum, David Arthur, Gandona Nine Suns, and Pulido Walker. A curated collection of 6 Liters (6Ls) from Pritchard Hill has never before been on offer. Dont miss the opportunity to enhance your cellar with this exceedingly rare collection of Pritchard Hills apex wines signed and in larger-than-life format. Chang & Bang Your Own Barrel of Wine from Nine Suns and Russell Bevan The Nine Suns Houyi Vineyard, farmed by David Abreu, sits high above the cloud line in the magnificent red volcanic soil that has made Pritchard Hill famous. Russell Bevan, your 100 point wunderkind, will take this perfect pedigreed Houyi fruit from the 2017 vintage generously donated by Nine Suns Jason and Flora Chang and make one barrel of wine just for you. Victoria DeCrescenzo, Russells beautiful other half, will guide you through designing your label. Debut your wine at a private dinner with five of your friends hosted by Russell and Victoria at the brand new Tench Vineyard winery in Oakville for an unforgettably fun evening of food and wine, including selections from Russell and Victorias private cellar. In 2016, WineaPAWlooza live and silent auctions raised more than $1,750,000 for an important causesaving animals. The most coveted lot featured Napa legends Andy Beckstoffer and Russell Bevan and was auctioned to two bidders for $150,000 each. Said Auctioneer Fritz Hatton of the 2016 event: Responding to the unconditional love of animals and inspired by an amazing array of rare and exquisitely curated lots, a tremendous herd of bidders unleashed their paddles, sensing that they were accelerating an extraordinary project to sooner completion. This was one of the most exciting auctions I have conducted in the last thirty five years. More lots will be added to the lineup each week leading to the event on July 29. Those interested in proxy bidding should contact Monica Stevens at monica@jamesonrescueranch.org. About Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch Founded in June 2014 by David and Monica Stevens (proprietors of 750 Wines), Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch (JARR) is a no-kill rescue and sanctuary in the Napa Valley for companion and farmed animals in need. The nonprofit provides transitional and permanent shelter, adoption and rescue services, humane education, animal advocacy, and is committed to ending animal hunger, cruelty, and overpopulation. JARR also collaborates with and acts as a liaison for various animal rescue groups locally and statewide. JARRs vision includes building a state-of-the-art, cage-free animal rescue and sanctuary uniquely serving the physical and emotional needs of all of its companion and farmed animal residents. Renowned architect Howard Backen of Backen, Gillam & Kroeger Architects and Tim McDonald of Centric Construction are generously leading the building and design team for the Ranch. Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization. To learn more about the Ranch and how you can help, please visit: http://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org. The great part about Alpha Omega Academy is being able to do what Im passionate about. Kasey Schlaudt, a senior at Alpha Omega Academy (AOA) from Colorado Springs, recently won a prestigious scholarship from Apple, Inc. to attend the 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWCD), which was held June 5-9 in San Jose, California. To qualify for the scholarship, Schlaudt created a visually interactive scene in Swift Playgrounds that could be experienced within three minutes. Swift Playgrounds is an iPad exclusive app designed to teach Apples Swift programming language. Because Colorado Springs has one of the nations worst suicide rates, Schlaudt used his coding skills to incorporate the science behind preventing suicides into a short game. When I started developing, I wanted to make a difference in the world and especially my community, Schlaudt wrote in his essay that was part of his winning entry. I wasnt sure how I could impact people so greatly until a number of my friends started taking their lives in the last couple of years. This led me to create my playground. I made technologies for preventing suicides where users use feeling identifications, suggested action plans, and emotion-boosting colors. At WWDC, Schlaudt said he was able to briefly meet with Apple CEO Tim Cook. He said he also met people from many different countries, including Israel, France, Spain, and Germany. In addition, Schlaudt received a close-up look at Apples latest work with augmented reality, a new technology which creates a composite view by superimposing a computer-generated image on a users view of the real world. The son of Joseph and Holly Gardner, Schlaudt is on schedule to graduate from Alpha Omega Academy in July. Although he remains undecided about his future, the promising developer is grateful for the opportunities he had to hone his coding skills while attending school online. The great part about Alpha Omega Academy is being able to do what Im passionate about, Schlaudt said. For me, my passion is coding, and I could do that and do school with my schedule at AOA. About Alpha Omega Academy Accredited by NCA CASI, Alpha Omega Academy is the K-12 online school of Alpha Omega Publications. Founded in 1977, Alpha Omega Publications is a leading provider of award-winning PreK-12 Christian curriculum, educational resources, and services to Christian schools and homeschool families worldwide. Visit http://www.aoacademy.com/?utm_source=PRWeb&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_campaign=Schlaudt or call 800-682-7396. Only 25 percent of financial leaders feel they are able to execute a proper response to risk, and almost 60 percent feel they are too late in recognizing the key risks imperiling their businesses. Despite the importance of aligning risk with their core business strategy, only 25 percent of financial leaders feel they are able to execute a proper response to risk, and almost 60 percent feel they are too late in recognizing the key risks imperiling their businesses. These distressing findings are part of a new report from the Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF) in partnership with Grant Thornton LLP. The report The Strategic Financial Executive: Managing Risk in a Disruptive World is based on interviews with top CFOs, financial executives and corporate stakeholders, as well as a roundtable discussion with members of the Committee on Governance, Risk & Compliance at the Financial Executives International (FEI). The report recommends that companies invest in better risk-management processes to keep up with change and disruption, especially processes that align risk with strategy, performance and business objectives. It also encourages leaders to partner with third parties that understand how to manage risk, and it urges them to adopt a shared risk-analysis approach across their leadership structures to foster strategic communication and improve decision-making. Risks are growing and increasing in speed; they're both multi-dimensional and multi-directional, said Bailey Jordan, Risk Advisory Services partner at Grant Thornton. Leaders can help their organizations reduce risk by looking not only at financial indicators, but at other metrics that measure business health. Risk can even drive opportunity. Report findings point to an organizations workforce as a good place to start. It explains that 95 percent of executives believe an organization must encourage its employees to be vigilant in identifying emerging risks, going on to stress the importance of building a risk culture through employee training and a focus on improving skill sets. Finally, the report recommends that leaders keep their board members aware of efforts to control the risks that impact critical items such as business objectives, competitive positioning and, ultimately, success. Organizations of all kinds face new risks from the fast rate of change in regulation, competition, technology and other factors, said Andrej Suskavcevic, CAE, President and CEO of Financial Executives International and Financial Executives Research Foundation. CFOs and financial executives are integral to advising CEOs and Boards of Directors on these changes, and partnering across their organizations to help identify and manage these risks. Our report helps empower CFOs and financial executives to lead forward-thinking and strategic finance departments. About Financial Executives Research Foundation, Inc. Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF) is the non-profit 501(c)(3) research affiliate of Financial Executives International (FEI). FERF researchers identify key financial issues and develop impartial, timely research reports for FEI members and nonmembers alike, in a variety of publication formats. FERF relies primarily on voluntary tax-deductible contributions from corporations and individuals, and publications can be ordered by logging onto https://www.financialexecutives.org/Research.aspx. About FEI Financial Executives International is the leading advocate for the views of corporate financial management. Its more than 10,000 members hold policy-making positions as chief financial officers, treasurers and controllers at companies from every major industry. FEI enhances member professional development through peer networking, career management services, conferences, research and publications. Members participate in the activities of more than 65 chapters in the U.S. and a chapter in Japan. FEI is located in Morristown, NJ, and Washington, D.C. Visit http://www.financialexecutives.org for more information. About Grant Thornton LLP Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the worlds leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton, which has revenues in excess of $1.6 billion and operates 59 offices, works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations. Grant Thornton refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one anothers acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details. 2017 State of the Clinical Research Industry Report A key part of improvement lies in understanding the problem. Forte Research Systems, Inc., an industry-leading developer of specialized clinical research solutions, released the 2017 State of the Clinical Research Industry Report, with findings from their recent industry survey. This free report takes a look at challenges and practices in todays research industry, as reported by over 900 survey participants. Forte received survey responses from individuals across the country that work for a variety of organizations, including research sites, academic medical centers (AMC)s, Cancer Centers, health systems, sponsors, contract research organizations (CROs) and more. Through this project, they identified respondents key operational challenges and learned how their organizations are currently addressing these roadblocks. New challenges in an evolving industry In the report, Forte examines new challenges arising amid a continuous evolution in the way clinical trials are conducted. Some findings revealed commonalities in the amount of reported pain associated with particular tasks. For example, one survey participant cited study startup as a particular challenge, Often we discover small issues with study requirements of which we were not aware during study acceptance and preparation. This brings study activation to a screeching halt." Shree Kalluri, Fortes CEO, Founder and Chief Customer Officer, stated, a key part of improvement lies in understanding the problem. Kalluri finds the survey data aligns with what Forte often hears from its customers about the need for collaborative solutions in clinical trials. Centralization of systems is a key challenge Forte actively works to address and this issue was confirmed as a significant pain point for survey respondents. Lack of centralization is a challenge at my organization. We currently have many systems that arent able to integrate with each other. Therefore, it is difficult to execute system wide communication, document storage and project updates, a respondent reported. Forte works closely with its customers and the larger research community to develop solutions for these foundational industry challenges. In the past, systems were mostly built for recordkeeping purposes after the fact, said Kalluri. Now, we see systems enabling existing workflows and creating system-wide efficiencies by knocking down silos and sharing information between departments in real-time. Forte discloses further details about survey results in their report and explores: Challenges universally felt throughout research organizations Ways in which technology influences trial operations How metrics are used to guide performance decisions The outlook of current trends in clinical research And more Find out why Forte believes the need for solutions to address inefficiencies in research operations has never been more pertinent. Download a copy of the report at ForteResearch.com/resources. About Forte Forte Research Systems, Inc. has been developing specialized solutions for clinical research since 2000. Forte solutions include OnCore Enterprise Research, Allegro CTMS, Forte EDC, Forte Research Evaluation System (EVAL) and Forte eRegulatory Management System (eReg). In 2015, Forte launched a wholly-owned subsidiary, Nimblify Inc., to solve chronic problems and change the industry by connecting key stakeholders such as sponsors, CROs and research sites. Nimblify solutions include: Participant Payments, Clinical Operations Analytics Site Benchmarks and Research Insights and the Nimblify Marketplace which offers business operations solutions to help relieve administrative tasks so they expedite study activation and focus on the research and patients. Nimblify Marketplace services include Protocol Calendars, eCRF Builds and Coverage Analysis Certification. Forte & Nimblify provide complimentary blog articles, eBooks, webinars and more to support continuous learning on industry topics. With a strong belief in community, collaboration and standards-based development, Forte also facilitates the Onsemble Community, which brings clinical research professionals together twice a year at the Onsemble Conference. Sharon Shollmeyers In the Sharon Schollmeyers case, the M-Vac came through for us On December 4th, 1977 Sharon Schollmeyers was a 16 year old girl living in an apartment in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Unfortunately, there was a murderous stalker who was dangerously close and it proved to be deadly for her. According to court documents the next day Sharon was found by her mother naked in her bathtub in 6 inches of water with a gag in her mouth and a halter-top around her head as a blindfold. She had been strangled, suffocated and her death was ruled a homicide. In the 1977 police report, the building manager, Patrick McCabe, let the victims mother into the apartment and waited in the living room as the mother searched for her daughter. When the victim was discovered McCabe made the 911 call to report the incident. Unfortunately, despite a thorough investigation, the case went cold. However, the investigators were astute enough to properly preserve the evidence which would, as new technology became available, provide the DNA profile that would ultimately lead to the arrest. Amazingly, the building manager that had made the original 911 call was the same man that had raped and murdered the victim. As a law enforcement agency, we never give up on a case, stated Detective Wilking, the Salt Lake City PD PIO. We are always looking for that piece of the puzzle that will make the difference. In the Sharon Schollmeyers case, the M-Vac came through for us and produced a full DNA profile that we didnt have before, which led to the CODIS hit. Sharon and her family have been waiting almost 40 years for justice, and thanks to the latest in technology, determination and the hard work of many investigators over decades of effort we were able to bring this case to a close and provide the justice that Sharon deserves. According to the court documents, the case evidence was submitted to a private crime lab in Salt Lake City for M-Vac DNA testing, including the halter-top that was used to blindfold the victim. Despite almost 40 years after the heinous crime had been committed, the aggressive collection method produced a full DNA profile that could be loaded into the federal DNA database, and the match to Patrick McCabe was made. McCabe has since been convicted of 2nd degree murder and aggravated burglary and faces up to life in prison. We are extremely proud of the way the M-Vac performed in this case, said Jared Bradley, President of M-Vac Systems. Agencies that are using the M-Vac, especially for difficult cases or when the evidence is large, rough or porous like in the Shollmeyers case, are getting really impressive results. Salt Lake City PD is one of those agencies that has successfully used the M-Vac on a number of cases and we are excited to hear of these latest results. Most importantly though is Sharon can now rest in peace and her family can move on knowing Sharons killer has been caught. The M-Vac System is being utilized by an increasing number of police agencies and crime labs both in the United States and internationally. As investigators are assigned difficult cases, having a tool like the M-Vac immediately available helps immensely. It can collect critical DNA evidence from a variety of surfaces at the crime scene, in the evidence processing facility or in the crime lab. As the worlds most advanced wet-vacuum forensic DNA collection system, the M-Vac opens up cases and evidence to potential DNA profiles that were not available in the past. Case No: 171902460 FS 3rd District Court, Salt Lake County, Utah About M-Vac Systems M-Vac Systems is the worlds leader in wet-vacuum forensic DNA collection. Made in the USA and engineered for maximum collection capabilities, M-Vac Systems technology is the most innovative and capable forensic DNA material collection tool available for crime scene investigators, forensic scientists, sexual assault nurse examiners and other law enforcement specialists. For a more detailed description of the product and validation data, visit why mvac. Additional information and sales quotes can be obtained by contacting M-Vac Systems by phone or through the website. Hayward Baker Inc., North Americas leader in geotechnical construction, announces the opening of a new office location in Charlotte, North Carolina. In conjunction with Hayward Bakers existing Greensboro office, the new Charlotte office supports public, commercial, and industrial clients as well as serving as a resource to the design community addressing challenging geotechnical site conditions. The new office is located at 6201 Fairview Road (Suite 200) in Charlotte. Gilberto Limon and Alison Savage, P.E. are the primary personnel contacts for area customers and can be contacted via phone at 704-625-2040. Gilberto Limon will continue to pursue driven piling and deep foundation solutions throughout the region. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University and Florida International University with B.S. and Masters degrees in Construction Management. Alison Savage has been active in the geotechnical construction industry for the past decade, holding project engineering and management positions both nationally and internationally. She will work with clients in the Carolinas to develop solutions to complex geotechnical problems. Savage is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. Recent Charlotte-area projects performed by Hayward Baker illustrate the wide range of design-build services the company provides. Among these projects are: Encore Southpark an 11-story multifamily residential project with below-grade parking. The site required ground improvement specifically Vibro Piers for support of the structure. Carolina Panthers Football Stadium upgrades, including new escalators to service the stadiums upper levels, were made possible via Hayward Baker installing driven timber piles through debris-laden fill materials. 615 College Street The installation of 300 high-capacity micropiles provided additional support to an existing below-grade parking deck for the construction of a 12-story structure above while allowing the parking garage to remain open during construction. Bank of America and Ritz-Carlton structures located at Trade and College Streets, required a temporary excavation support system to depths as much as 70 feet below grade for the construction of multiple levels of below-grade parking. About Hayward Baker Inc. Hayward Baker is North Americas leader in geotechnical solutions, annually ranked by Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine #1 in foundation construction. With a network of local offices across North America, each with direct access to the largest geotechnical knowledge base in the industry, Hayward Baker is ready to respond with the optimal solution wherever the location, whatever the size, whenever required. Solutions include foundation support, settlement control, site improvement, slope stabilization, underpinning, excavation shoring, earth retention, seismic/liquefaction mitigation, ground water control, and environmental remediation. Hayward Baker Inc. is part of the connected companies of Keller, a multinational organization providing the optimal geotechnical solution for projects throughout the world. Web site address: http://www.keller.com. At Benchworks, we are proud of the clients we represent and the marketing initiatives we have performed to achieve our mission which is to improve lives through marketing. Benchworks is pleased to announce that it recently launched a new website. The site gives visitors to http://www.benchworks.com a comprehensive view of the marketing firm which is headquartered in Chestertown, Maryland. The new site presents Benchworks as a new breed of agency and highlights the companys capabilities, such as brand development and strategy, creative services, digital services, public relations, brand team and operational support, and tactical plan creation and execution. It showcases the agencys leadership and staff while offering a look into the agencys philosophy as well as its interaction and strategic insight processes. Benchworks Vice President of Digital Sally Reed spearheaded the website project. Our Creative Director Jake King concepted a fresh, contemporary look for the site to coordinate with content that reflects the direction of the agency. Benchworks has an impressive body of work and this responsive site displays what we offer our clients, both in terms of creative design and execution, Sally said. Melissa Johnston, President of Benchworks, said, At Benchworks, we are proud of the clients we represent and the marketing initiatives we have performed to achieve our mission which is to improve lives through marketing. This new website highlights our unique culture and core capabilities while it provides insight, information, and a reference point for visitors. Benchworks, a comprehensive marketing services agency headquartered in Chestertown, Maryland, was founded in 1991. With offices in Philadelphia and Boston, the company specializes in the design, production and launch of complete marketing and branding services. Clients include a wide variety of companies in the life science, pharmaceutical, beverage, manufacturing and education industries in North America and Europe. For additional information, visit http://www.benchworks.com or call 800-536-4670. About Agency LRB Located in Philadelphias Fishtown area, Agency LRB enhances Benchworks ability to serve an expanding list of national clients, providing greater access to the agencys award-winning quality services. The location takes full advantage of the depth of creative talent that can be found in one of Philadelphias hippest, most artistic neighborhoods. The name of the agency reflects the initials of Benchworks CEO Thad Benchs father, Leigh R. Bench. About Safe Chain Safe Chain is a rapidly growing distributor serving customers worldwide through its two divisions: Logistics Solutions and Healthcare Solutions. Headquartered in Cambridge, Maryland, the company has a sales office in Miami as well as Annapolis, Maryland. For more information, visit http://www.safechainsolutions.com or call 855-43PL-SCS (855-437-5727). Bold commitments to use data and technology to improve lives and livelihoods were made today, at a High-Level convening of African leaders, in Nairobi, Kenya. The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, the Governments of Kenya and Sierra Leone, and Safaricom hosted Data for Development in Africa 29-30 June, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and the Governments of Ghana, Senegal, and Tanzania. African countries made commitments in the fields of: business, agriculture, civil registration, health, migration, and data capacity. H.E. William Samoei Ruto, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya opened the High-Level Meeting, stating: I am honored to gather with African governments and businesses, charities and researchers, taking the lead in harnessing the power of technology and innovation to advance our development agenda. We are a forward-looking region, which requires timely, accessible and accurate data for the informational aspects of our decision-making. With Data for Development in Africa we are signaling our intent to lead other developing economies to secure better futures and leave no one behind. H.E. Victor Bockarie Foh, Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone said: The Government of Sierra Leone strongly supports this High-Level forum and is scaling up its commitment to support global paths to sustainable development by 2030. Despite being a post-conflict nation that has weathered health and economic crises, we have intensified efforts to develop and implement data-led development plans. We collaborate in solidarity with other countries in Africa to discuss new strategies to unleash the power of data for the Sustainable Development Goals. AFRICAS DATA REVOLUTION Both the ambition and the scale of the plans announced by African nations are notable. Key announcements include: Kenya will champion the development of an Intergovernmental Network on Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition, that will nurture an inclusive multi-stakeholder ecosystem to boost capacity of small scale farmers to use data to improve productivity, increase youth engagement in agri-business and strengthen capacities of statistical departments in Ministries of Agriculture by increasing financial allocations and human capacity. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and Kenyas budding data lab at Strathmore University to provide real-time information on crop types, agricultural insurance, and weather. Kenya, through the Ministry of Health, will champion the use of data, technology and innovation to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in support of the broader attainment of the SDGs. The Government will engage private sector partners to improve registration of births in hard-to-reach communities. Currently over one third of births in Eastern and Southern Africa remain unregistered, severely limiting life chances. Targeted approaches include the strengthening of the SDGs Partnership Platform convened by the United Nations in Kenya. Philips and Unilever will include other private sector players such as Safaricom to enhance connectivity to improve information flow and data collection with new technology. Royal Philips will build a Community Life Center that leverages on the data revolution to improve access to primary health care, monitor CVRS related indicators and a site for capacity building and training opportunities for nurses and traditional birth attendants. The Government of Kenya commits to work with other African Countries to build a similar SDG 3 Platform. Ghana will also address the plight of unregistered children with a national ID card roll-out. The ID card will facilitate access to healthcare, education, and employment, among others. Current estimates are that about 40% of births and 70% of deaths go unregistered. A birth certificate will be required to receive the national ID card, so Ghana expects to enroll millions of additional children and adults in coming months. Significant life events will be captured via the system and this new trove of data will be used to provide better public services to Ghanaians and will also be a rich source of data for statistical purposes. Ghana is also exploring use of anonymized telco data for mapping and planning for internal economic migration and access to social services. Sierra Leone has rolled out an open and big data initiative for fiscal and economic data, part funded by the World Bank. The government is working on a country-specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) data roadmap to achieve and monitor progress against the global goals, working with the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data. Senegals Emerging Plan (PSE) has positioned agriculture as a key driver to its ambitious inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Mapping farms, collecting, and using comprehensive agriculture statistics and incorporating satellite data from NASA are some of the measures announced. The Government of Senegal, through its central statistical office, Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Demographie (ANSD), working closely with Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale (IPAR) who are supported by Hewlett Foundation, will work with farmers and producers associations to fill data gaps about Senegals farmers, share data with them, and develop a comprehensive understanding of this key industry. Tanzania is using a data-led advanced data planning tool (ADAPT), developed by PARIS21, to link global and regional indicators with national development indicators, to cost and plan data production activities, and to facilitate stakeholder engagement in data production and sharing. This is part of a broader multi stakeholder effort to improve availability, quality, and accessibility of data in the country, which includes, piloting an e-population register (EPRS), development of a national development plan and SDG monitoring portal, investments to improve geographic data and labor statistics, as well as a collaboration on climate change open data. AFRICAN DATA SCIENCE HUBS WILL ANCHOR THE REGIONS FUTURE Several African Data Science Hubs were announced to shore up progress, increase technical capacity and coordination across the continent and to enable insights from data science to be used by countries to provide information to government for achieving and monitoring the SDGs. Connections with private sector and other partners will boost capacity across the network. Partners include: UNECA which will perform the role of managing regional links, scaling up partner countries and supporting National Statistical Offices in their quality assurance role. Kenyas Strathmore University announced the Africa Media Hub, housing a data center in collaboration with Oracle to provide cloud services and data analytics capability for the Kenyan Data Ecosystem. The hub further integrates a Data Lab that will provide space for ideations and co-creation of data-driven solutions that address real problems in the public sector. The Hub will partner with line ministries, County Governments and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Rwanda showcased the African Centre of Excellence in Data Science housed by the University of Rwanda and the Big Data and Analytics Centre housed by the regional training centre of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda for universities, research community, and media. UK Office for National Statistics and DFID will provide funding and support to strengthen strategic leadership and data science capacity in National Statistical Offices in the region. UK Office for National Statistics and DFID will work with UNECA in supporting Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda and other countries. In closing remarks, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Datas Executive Director Claire Melamed praised the hard work undertaken to secure political commitments: The data revolution has come of age, she said, At a time when governments worldwide are under increasing pressure caused by migration, climate change, and increasing inequality, African countries are leading by example, mainstreaming innovations in a way that will benefit millions of people across the continent. Data for Development in Africa was also hailed a success by private sector partners. Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said: I am proud to represent a growing movement of African enterprises who see social as well as economic value in data. Donors that made Data for Development in Africa possible included: Childrens Investment Fund, Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Safaricom, Strathmore University, UK Government, and US Government. A full list of all announcements is available here: http://www.data4sdgs.org/master-blog/2017/africa-data-revolution Press enquiries: Jennifer Oldfield JOldfield@data4sdgs.org +1 347 327 6568 ### About the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) is a growing network of more than 250 organizations that act as data champions working around the world, harnessing the data revolution for sustainable development. Among these champions are governments, charities, businesses, and UN agencies. Since it was created in 2015, GPSDD has elevated data issues at a political level, launched a multi-million-dollar Collaborative Data Innovations for Sustainable Development funding initiative, and supported the advancement of country-led Data Roadmaps for Sustainable Development in Colombia, Kenya, Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and elsewhere. Learn more at: http://www.data4sdgs.org. The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data is hosted by the United Nations Foundation. About the United Nations Foundation The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the worlds most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual donors. Learn more at: http://www.unfoundation.org. Dr. Mauro Ferrari, Executive Vice President of Houston Methodist Ive never seen communities come together as they do here in Texas. Dr. Mauro Ferrari, executive vice president of world-renowned Houston Methodist and president and CEO of the Houston Methodist Research Institute, has joined the Texas Travel Industry Associations What I Like About Texas campaign with a newly released video testimonial highlighting his appreciation for the state of Texas, a place he now calls home after moving here from Italy. Inspired by Gary P. Nunns famous song of the same name, the campaign celebrates the diversity and unique spirit of Texas, encouraging travelers to experience the Lone Star States welcoming atmosphere and its myriad of people and attractions. Ive never seen communities come together as they do here in Texas, said Dr. Ferrari, who now calls Houston home. Nobody ever asks me Where do you come from? or What kind of accent is that? They ask me, Can you roll up your sleeves and do something for everybody? Ill tell you one thing: The cure for cancer the final cure for cancer is going to come from these institutions here working together. Adds Dr. Ferrari: Weve got people who come from so many different parts of the world and find a way to work together in harmony they make transformational things happen to benefit everybody all over the world. Thats what I like about Texas. The videos, which can be viewed at http://www.whatilikeabouttexas.org, are the latest in a series of videos with notable Texans from all walks of life sharing their favorite things about the state, from food and music to their favorite destinations. The campaign also seeks narratives and visual contributions from social media users to help create an important digital history with reasons we live here, stay here or visit here. Texas isnt always what you expect, said TTIA President David Teel. Most people think of cowboys before they think of Texas as a leader in medical research. Thats why were inviting people to share the unique reasons why they love this state and choose to live and work here. We hope this campaign will encourage more people to visit and do business in Texas. In addition to TTIA, major campaign partners include Visit Houston, Visit San Antonio, Discover Denton, Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center, The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and Visit Lubbock. About TTIA The Texas Travel Industry Association welcomes all visitors to our great state. Visitors are our guests and they are essential to a robust and thriving Texas economy. The essence of who we are as Texans and who we are as an industry is how we treat people, especially our guests. Our industry is the trusted curator of the Texas hospitality brand and provider of the Texas hospitality experience. We are in the business of welcoming and accommodating guests and are driven by a passion to provide a Texas experience that inspires our guests to visit us the first time and to come back again and again. We believe this makes Life Better in a State of Travel for all of us. For more about TTIA, go to http://www.ttia.org. The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him. G.K. Chesterton Angel Armor today announces the release of the companys third annual Fourth of July video in honor of freedom, America and her guardians. This Independence Day, we celebrate our country and those who have and will continue to defend it, said Josh Richardson, Co-Founder of Angel Armor. Our customers inspire us every day, reminding us that this nation was not built on fear, but on bravery, courage and sacrifice." Angel Armor encourages all Americans to sing the tune of our country together as brothers, sisters, citizens, patriots. We live in the greatest country on earth rock on. To view Angel Armors previous Fourth of July videos, click here. About Angel Armor Dedicated to defending life from threat, Angel Armor is a premier provider of advanced ballistic armor solutions. With innovative and proprietary products, manufactured in the U.S., Angel Armor has developed a suite of globally recognized, tested and approved ballistic armor technologies. Angel Armors product lines range from vehicles to personal armor and feature a variety of threat levels. With these solutions, Angel Armor elevates Protection at a Higher Level with uncompromising and unparalleled protection worthy of those we serve. To learn more about Angel Armor, please visit angelarmor.com. Connect with Angel Armor on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Quality is the core of our business. We put quality in the forefront of every decision we make, and we treat our clients like partners. We make sure everyone reaches their full potential. Excel Impact, LLC with offices in Medina, Ohio and Miami, Florida was recently named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award in the Fastest Growing Tech Company of the Year Under 100 Employees category in the 15th Annual American Business Awards. Excel Impact, LLC modernizes insurance buying by connecting consumers directly to insurance providers, which helps streamline the insurance comparison and buying process. The experienced marketing company now joins the ranks of other Stevie winners like DropBox, Delta Airlines, and IBM. They accepted their award on June 20th at a gala ceremony in the New York Marriott Marquis. When asked about the secret to their success, Alex Matseikovich, CEO and co-founder of Excel Impact, says, Quality is the core of our business. We put quality in the forefront of every decision we make, and we treat our clients like partners. We make sure everyone reaches their full potential. Excel Impact focuses on adding technology into the insurance buying process. Advanced algorithms connect interested buyers with available sellers in their state, making it easier than ever to comparison shop. Since they started, Excel Impact has helped over 2,000,000 consumers get the best deal on health insurance and Medicare. As for what the future may hold, Craig Sturgill, co-founder and President of Excel Impact, adds, Were honored to win the award in the under 100 category. With only 9 employees, were looking forward to more explosive growth next year! About Excel Impact, LLC Excel Impact, LLC was founded in 2013 as a fast-paced and fast-growth online marketing company. With one goal in mind; we maximize profits by over-delivering premium quality results to our clients. That has been our mission ever since. We currently focus our efforts on generating online insurance leads which are sold to our partners on a national basis. With the combined knowledge we have in the online marketing/advertising space, technology development, as well as formerly operating a national insurance brokerage; we have great insight into generating insurance leads of all types. We understand what insurance companies, agencies, and call-centers need to grow their businesses. Contact us today to learn how we can help take your business to the next level. LOWELL, Ark., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods Helping Hungry Homes initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, donated more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. The donation, equivalent to more than 140,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger across Northwest Arkansas, where one in four individuals are food insecure. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c5f5f02-8247-4ad2-bd85-ec12ed3d8608 Each day, we work diligently as a team to achieve our mission of feeding our neighbors in need, but that is not possible without donations of healthy, nutritious food, said Kent Eikenberry, president and CEO of Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. Todays donation from Smithfield Foods, which is the second donation this year, better positions us to fulfill our promise to our community and provide thousands of wholesome meals to those struggling with hunger. Smithfield representatives presented the donation to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank this morning at an event that raised awareness of hungers impact in the local community. Members from both organizations discussed the significance of protein donations in helping the 120,000 individuals, including one in three children, who face hunger each day in Northwest Arkansas. As a global food company, we understand the value of proper nutrition and value our role to provide support to our many communities in need, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. Northwest Arkansas Food Banks service area has an extremely high concentration of food-insecure individuals, and that is why we are committed to providing protein to this organization throughout the year. Smithfields donation to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank was a part of the Helping Hungry Homes 2017 nationwide donation tour. Throughout the annual tour, Smithfield will provide large-scale protein donations to more than 50 food banks across the country. This donation adds to the more than 65 million servings of protein donated since 2011. Following todays event, Helping Hungry Homes will visit Milwaukee, Wisconsin Tuesday, July 11. For more information about Helping Hungry Homes and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com. About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. About Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Northwest Arkansas Food Bank was established in 1988 by a group of concerned citizens who saw the need for hunger assistance in Northwest Arkansas. Over the past 28 years, the Food Bank has grown to serve citizens of Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties, a commitment still strong today. Each year, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributes over 11.5 million pounds of food in Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties. It is through partnerships with well over 160 member agencies that we are able to reach out to those in need. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America. Media Contacts: Dalton Agency for Smithfield Kaytee Allaben (904) 226-9890 kallaben@daltonagency.com Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Mike Williams 479-347-2382 mike.williams@nwafoodbank.org Gardant Management Solutions CEO Rod Burkett joined more than 450 long term care advocates who gathered on Capitol Hill this month to discuss legislative priorities with members of Congress. The discussions were part of an annual briefing organized by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). Our members are on Capitol Hill to ensure that seniors and individuals with disabilities continue to have access to the quality care they deserve, said AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson. It is important for Congress to take into account the pragmatic policy proposals we offer as a profession committed to improving lives, delivering solutions and providing quality care. AHCA/NCAL members shared their professional experiences and discussed several topics of importance to long term and post-acute care providers, including: significant strides in the quality of care provided in skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities; opposition to cuts to Medicaid, the primary payer of long term services and support for older Americans and individuals with disabilities; the skyrocketing use of civil monetary procedures with little to no oversight; and necessary revisions to the SNF Requirement of Participation rule, which inappropriately prioritizes paperwork over patients. Attendees also discussed and reviewed other significant issues, including access to home and community-based services, specific quality gains and Medicaids impact on local economies. There are skilled nursing centers and assisted living centers in every Congressional district. Our employees and our residents are constituents, and we are the health care policy voices that members of Congress need to hear from, said AHCA Board Chair Tom Coble. There are pressing issues before Congress and the Administration that affect millions of patients, residents and families, and we will advocate on their behalf as one unified voice. To bring home a key message for long term care providersthe importance of protecting Medicaidthe association released a video highlighting beneficiaries of the program. Husband and wife Chuck and Cathy Schwarz are assisted living residents of Gardant-managed Heritage Woods of South Elgin. Cathy suffers from Alzheimers disease and lives in the communitys secure memory care unit, and the Medicaid program allows the two to receive the assisted living care they need while still being able to see each other every day. Advocates are encouraged to show the video to their members of Congress to emphasize the impact cuts to Medicaid might have on the elderly population. Gardant Management Solutions is the largest provider of assisted living in Illinois. It operates more than 40 assisted living, senior living and memory care communities in Chicago and surrounding suburbs, the Metro East area of St. Louis, and other locations in northern, central and southern Illinois. Many of these communities are considered affordable assisted living and serve low-income seniors, including those on Medicaid. The company also manages properties in Georgia and Indiana, ranking as the 14th largest provider of assisted living in the country, according to Senior Living Executive, a publication of Argentum. For more information about Gardant Management Solutions or the assisted living, senior living and memory care communities the company operates, visit http://www.gardant.com or call 1-877-882-1495 toll-free. DCB, PITDC, TMU and Insilico Medicine signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for Cooperation The Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB), the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industrial Technology Development Center (PITDC), and Taipei Medical University (TMU), three of Taiwans premier biomedical institutions, have teamed up with Baltimore-based Insilico Medicine to develop groundbreaking research in applied A.I. for biomedical science. The four parties signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for Cooperation at the BioTaiwan 2017 BioBusiness Asia Conference. Dr. Eugene Lin, Science and Technology Advisor of the Department of Industrial Development (DoIT), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) attended the signing ceremony to recognize the significance of such cooperation. Taiwan is world renowned for its successful ICT industry, and now the government is turning its sights towards the biomedical industry. We encourage Taiwans research institutes and biomedical industry to work with the best partners in the world to foster innovation, said Dr. Lin. Dr. Lawrence Gan, President of DCB and a veteran of the biotech industry, noted that A.I. has already become a force for disruptive innovation in the biomedical sciences. Since DCBs core mission is to facilitate the growth of Taiwans biomedical industry, we must take a leading role in harnessing the power of A.I. in this field. TMU, one of the worlds top medical schools and hospital groups, has been a pioneer in adopting state-of-the-art technologies to provide healthcare services, and recently announced the adoption of IBMs Watson Health. TMU is dedicated to working with global tech leaders to provide the highest quality services and research in healthcare, said Professor Yun Yen, President of TMU. PITDC, Taiwans leading medical and pharmaceutical research institute also announced its intent to adopt A.I. for drug discovery and development. With increasing global competition, Taiwans pharmaceutical companies have to adopt an approach of open collaboration and take advantage of data science in order to transform and meet the needs of a fast changing future, said Hsiu-Kang Chang, chairman of PITDC. Insilico Medicine, a rising star in applying A.I. in healthcare, has recently been identified as one of the top 5 A.I. startups for social impact by Nvidia. The company uses a new deep learning technique known as generative adversarial networks, or GANs. Yann LeCun, Director of AI Research at Facebook, has called GANs the most important and interesting idea in machine learning in the last 10 years. Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, CEO of Insilico Medicine has emphasized that new deep learning techniques including GANs and one-shot learning provide a glimpse into the future of the AI-powered drug discovery engines that may enable smaller and newer entrants to compete with established drug discovery powerhouses. "A.I. is rapidly transforming some of the most conservative industries and is driving the fourth industrial revolution. Since its very inception Taiwan became the driver of innovation in Asia and took the leadership position during the computer and Internet booms. It is only natural for Taiwan to lead the fourth industrial revolution in health and longevity. We are deeply honored to take part in Taiwan DCB initiatives and partner with DCB, PITDC and TMU", said Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine. President Gan at DCB said, With the dawning of precision medicine, we rely on scientific innovations and cutting edge technologies to identify biomarkers and develop personalized medicine and treatments. With the governments support, DCB will host a parallel event titled The Era of Digital Health: Innovation in Artificial Intelligence & Biomedical Industry at the 2017 World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2017) this coming September in Taipei, he continued. DCB is dedicated to connecting Taiwan with the worlds top biomed partners to promote open collaboration and innovations in biomedical science and healthcare, he concluded. About DCB Established in 1984 by Taiwans Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), the Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB) was initially tasked with establishing the biotechnology industry in Taiwan. With over 400 dedicated researchers and state-of-the-art facilities, DCB specializes in developing biologics and small molecule drugs, botanical drugs, as well as technologies required for preclinical testing. Its expertise arises from the integration of a number of diverse disciplines, including biology, chemistry, protein purification and engineering, as well as analytical and quality assurance. http://www.dcb.org.tw/brochure About PITDC The Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Technology and Development Center (PITDC) was jointly established by the Taiwan government and industrial sector, a nonprofit organization. Its core missions are to engage in new product development and establish key technology platforms, provide technology assistance and services to meet the needs of industry, and lead the Taiwan pharmaceutical & medical device industries into the global market. http://www.pitdc.org.tw About TMU TMU is a leading medical institute in Taiwan and has five affiliated hospitals - TMU Hospital, Wan Fang Hospital, Shuang ho Hospital, Ningbo medical center and Taipei Cancer Center. With approximately 4,000 beds, TMU is one of the largest health care systems and offers top-quality teaching, research and clinical services in the Taipei metropolitan area. TMU strives to improve the quality of teaching, research and clinical services with the goal of becoming a fully internationalized university that ranks in the top tier worldwide. http://www.tmu.edu.tw About Insilico Medicine, Inc Insilico Medicine, Inc. is an artificial intelligence company located at the Emerging Technology Centers at the Johns Hopkins University Eastern campus in Baltimore with R&D resources in Belgium, Russia, and the UK hiring talent through hackathons and competitions. It utilizes advances in genomics, big data analysis and deep learning for in silico drug discovery and drug repurposing for aging and age-related diseases. The company pursues internal drug discovery programs in cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, diabetes, sarcopenia and geroprotector discovery. Through its Pharma.AI division, the company provides advanced machine learning services to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and skin care companies. In 2017 NVIDIA selected Insilico as the top 5 AI companies for social impact. Brief company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l62jlwgL3v8 http://www.insilicomedicine.com This is an important step towards providing full protection for the victims of domestic violence in the eyes of divorce courts. Maryland state legislation has passed an important bill which will offer more protection for the victims of domestic violence as they move ahead with divorce proceedings. Experienced Maryland divorce attorney Brandon Bernstein of the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein advises the public and prospective clients on the impact of the bill. "This is an important step towards providing full protection for the victims of domestic violence in the eyes of divorce courts," says Brandon Bernstein. "Maryland protective orders may provide physical safety and peace of mind on their own, but now they're more powerful, as actions taken in court related to domestic violence can be used as actionable, admissible evidence in divorce proceedings." Maryland House Bill 293 (MD HB293) was initially introduced in January. The bill was passed by the house unanimously, before being passed by the senate unanimously, and while the bill was changed slightly the house passed the returning bill and the bill was finally approved by the governor in May. The final summary of HB293 is as follows: "Repealing a provision providing that an order or a decision in a domestic violence proceeding is inadmissible as evidence in a divorce proceeding; and repealing a provision prohibiting a court from considering compliance with a domestic violence order as grounds for granting a decree of limited or absolute divorce." More specifically, HB293 repeals Family Law Article Section 7-103.1 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This provision essentially barred actions taken in district and circuit courts for domestic violence proceedings being introduced as evidence in divorce proceedings. Previously, while physical abuse could be considered as an accepted ground for absolute divorce in Maryland, the actual protective order was not. This eliminates the possibility of an abuser manipulating a domestic violence victim into changing his or her story, for instance, and uses written, legal documents of prior abuse as evidence in hand. While knowledge of protective orders may already be in existing court documents related to the divorce proceedings, they could not be directly used as evidence. Anyone who may be facing the prospect of divorce in Maryland from a potentially abusive relationship may call the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein for a free consultation to discuss the matter, and to begin taking swift, protective action. Call 240.395.1418 or visit BrandonBernsteinLaw.com for more information. About the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, LLC The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, LLC is located in downtown Bethesda, and serves clients throughout the state as a divorce attorney in Maryland, covering a broad range of family law matters, and aggressively protecting the best interests of his clients at all times. He has been named a Maryland Rising Star by Super Lawyers for four consecutive years. The core pillars of his practice are Integrity, Experience, and Results. For a free attorney consultation, prospective clients can visit his website at BrandonBernsteinLaw.com, or call the office directly at 240.395.1418. Reports from the presidency earlier this week stated that a financial commitment to the tune of over $15 million dollars has been made by China after Ghana presented them a module to leverage untapped mineral resources, especially bauxite. Contrary to what the incumbent says, the minority still contends that the country is on the brink of financial derail because is the money is just a loan that would strangulate the economy and put the nation into Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) status again. The loan, Mr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Minority Spokesperson on Finance has alleged would further deepen the nations indebtedness to 50% and the already high GDP to debt ratio from 72% to 130%.However, a member of the delegation that went to China, Dr. Gideon Boako contests that the deal with China is a joint venture and in no form a loan that would plunge the country into destruction as the opposition say. Pine Bluff, Arkansas, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quest School of Pine Bluff, a ResponsiveEd charter school, is proud to announce that six students in its 4-H program will be traveling to Washington D.C. in July to take part in the week long Citizenship Washington Focus Program. Our students are very excited. Not only will they get to visit Washington D.C. and experience how the government works first-hand, but they will also get to bring back what they have learned to positively impact the Pine Bluff community, says Bridgett Harris, the science teacher and 4-H club sponsor at Quest. At the conference, students will participate in a committee focused on healthy living, communication, government, open-mindedness, talent or responsibility. They will also take part in workshops about how bill writing works as well as how to be an active citizen. Before the students return home, they will create an action plan for addressing issues in their local community and effecting positive change. The Quest 4-H club received a grant through its partnership with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to help pay for transportation, program, room and board costs. However, the students are still working to raise the additional funds they will need. If you would like to help make this experience possible, email Bridgett Harris at brharris@ResponsiveEd.com. ResponsiveEd operates more than 70 free public schools throughout Texas and Arkansas, including Premier High Schools, ResponsiveEd Classical Academies, Founders Classical Academies, Quest Middle Schools, iSchool High, and Texas Virtual Academy. At ResponsiveEd, our mission is to provide hope to students through an innovative, character-based, personalized learning environment where they are academically successful and develop into lifelong learners. To learn more, visit www.ResponsiveEd.com. Stay Connected: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/responsiveed Twitter: https://twitter.com/responsiveed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/responsiveed Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef3dd852-6b39-4633-983f-eb855f2dc01c Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ceb04550-8d91-4a4c-b34f-0f3c277f26ab Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d87dd286-33e7-4cbc-a448-b56377b27af7 The students three boys and four girls were caught in the act in a rented room after a tip-off by a staff of the school on Tuesday. School authorities said that the students rented the room in the Damongo township where they usually sneaked out of school during classes hours to engage in sexual escapades. Items found in the room included mattresses and contraceptives. Some of the sacked students have accused the school authorities of violating their rights. Speaking with the media, one of the students said that they were locked up in a classroom and subjected to slaps and beatings before being released to go home. The student also indicated they were marched through some principal streets of Damongo and hooted at by residents. He passed away at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra Thursday morning, June 29, 2017. The news was confirmed by colleague actor, Seth Kwabena Kyere Karikari popularly known as Koo Fori on Okay FM. Koo Ofori said he was informed only this morning by the producer and director of "Efiewura" TV series, Kofi Andoh. According to him, the late actor believed to be in his late 40s has been indisposed for some time now due to kidney-related ailments. It is a sad moment for us as we mourn Kofi Agyiri who was always committed to the Efiewura series. Sometimes when we are financially challenged, he uses his own resources to finance some part of the project. The mother of the deceased, father, brother and some family members from Tumu as well as family members of the widow were in the town to see where the Army officer was killed a month ago. A total of 58 suspects arrested in connection with the murder have since made an appearance at the Accra Central District Court. READ ALSO: Chiefs of Denkyira purify town The Denkyira Traditional Council performed purification rights in the area to ward off any curse the soldiers death might bring to the area. Kate Addo said that members of the committee that were involved in the act belonged to the 6th parliament which ceased to function immediately the 7th parliament came into being on January 7, 2017. The former Chairman of the Finance Committee, James Klutse Avedzi, said that his committee received 100,000 from officials of the National Lottery Authority ahead of the consideration of amendments to the National Lottery Act, 2006 (Act 722). The legal advisor to the NLA, David Lamptey had in separate e-mails addressed to the then Director-General of the NLA, Brigadier General Martin Ahiaglo (Retired) in August 2016, requested the approval of a total sum of 150,000 to push the bill for the consideration by parliamentarians. However, Mr. Avedzi said that the Authority first presented 50,000 cedis to the Committee "but when we looked at the provisions, we realised that the amount was not sufficient so they promised to bring another 50,000 cedis." This is in spite of claims by the NLA's David Lamptey that the funds were spent on accommodation and other items for the members of the committee ahead of a workshop at the Royal Senchi Hotel last year. The other 50,000 is yet to be accounted for. Parliaments response But speaking on Accra-based Joy FM on Thursday, Kate Addo said: The present Parliament is an entirely new parliament and cant go back to old parliament because their activities are not binding on the subsequent ones. When you have a new parliament, you have a clean slate. But it appears that many of the MPs who took the money are still in the new Parliament and Kate Addo is not certain if any punitive action could be taken against those MPs. She, however, believes that The thing to do is to avoid situations where parliament will accept assistance from any group or any MDAs. Documents indicate that BOST has agreed to sell about 5 million litres of contaminated fuel to Movenpinna Energy. Reports suggest Ghana is likely to lose about 7 million cedis in revenue. This has led to many industry players calling for the suspension of the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BOST in order for an investigation to be conducted. If you purchase dirty fuel your engine will begin to performing poorly. Contaminated fuel usually has low octane (a standard measure of the performance of an engine). This means that contaminated fuel can cause issues like knock, which the knock sensor picks up and the ECU responds by retarding the spark, causing a drop in force. You will find it difficult to start your engine than usual This is because there is lower fuel efficiency as compared to the previous higher quality of fuel you buy. Higher levels of certain kinds of emissions You will agree with me that even with a better quality of fuel some cars on Ghanaian roads have no emission control systems. One can only imagine what will become of us if the contaminated fuel finds its way to the market for sale. Reduced Fuel mileage This means that your car or machine which uses fuel is not running as efficiently as it could. This implies that you will buy fuel more often, which will burden you financially. The Principal Research Analyst at the Institute of Energy Security (IES), Richmond Rockson has indicated that the sale of the contaminated fuel will have dire consequences on consumers if not stopped immediately. But the decision included an exemption allowing those citizens to enter if they have a "credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States." This prompted some initial confusion, as the justices provided only a few examples of what constitutes a "bona fide relationship" and how a credible claim might be verified. Here's what we know: Who can credibly claim a bona fide relationship? The Supreme Court's order had merely said a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the US included family members seeking to visit or live with their US relatives, students admitted to American universities, workers hired by American companies, or lecturers invited to speak to American audiences. The justices noted that two of the plaintiffs in the travel-ban suit sought entry for a spouse and a mother-in-law, both of whom reside in one of the countries included in the ban. The justices said each of those family members "clearly" had a "close familial relationship" and would be permitted to enter, but they didn't delineate how close the familial relationship must be. But Reaz Jafri, a partner and the head of the global immigration practice at the Withers Bergman law firm, told Business Insider that having too close a relation to a US citizen or resident may actually work against travelers. Federal officials are often suspicious of foreigners who say they are visiting a close relative, believing them to be attempting to unlawfully immigrate to the US under the guise of visiting temporarily. "This whole close family ties it's a very dangerous thing to talk about or to use as a basis to get a visa," Jafri said. "My sense is that it just creates massive confusion as to who's going to get in. Only employees, students, people who have had green-card cases processed overseas are going to be let in. Everyone else, in my opinion, are going to be out of luck." The Supreme Court's decision also explicitly states that people who enter into relationships "simply to avoid" the travel ban are not exempt. "For example, a nonprofit group devoted to immigration issues may not contact foreign nationals from the designated countries, add them to client lists, and then secure their entry by claiming injury from their exclusion," it says. Some nonprofits and refugee advocates initially believed refugees who already have ties to US organizations should still be allowed to enter under the court's exemption, but senior administration officials threw cold water on that notion on Thursday. Ties to US refugee resettlement agencies are not considered to be bona fide relationships, so refugees may only enter if they have family members that qualify as a close familial tie, the officials said. Who decides whether someone has a bona fide relationship? The Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, the Justice Department, and the White House have all Yet it's DHS that is in charge of the border crossings and ports of entry into the US, and its agents are given much discretion when it comes to admitting or denying travelers. In his dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas said the decision would bring a "flood of litigation" as travelers attempt to discern "what exactly constitutes a 'bona fide relationship,' who precisely has a 'credible claim' to that relationship, and whether the claimed relationship was formed 'simply to avoid'" the travel ban. It's possible that the full extent of a "bona fide relationship" especially as it pertains to people claiming a relationship to an entity rather than a person will not be fully clear until travelers are barred from entry and US parties seek redress through litigation, which Thomas also said was likely to reach the same courts that blocked the travel ban from being implemented in the first place. Jafri said litigation probably wouldn't occur unless US residents or American companies can prove they've been harmed by the ban. "If a CBP officer believes that your purpose for coming here is legitimate and bona fide, they'll admit you," Jafri said, referring to Customs and Border Protection. "If they feel it's not, they'll deny you admission. And you can't appeal that. You can't litigate that. You're just going back, and that's it." In the meantime, Jafri said he was advising clients not to travel unless they have a strong reason for doing so. Those who do attempt to enter, he said, should have documentation that supports their reason for travel. Visitors should show US officials all invitations, schedules, correspondence, hotel reservations, return-flight tickets, and ties to their home countries to prove they intend to return home afterward. "Hope for the best," Jafri said. How will this exemption be implemented? Much about the implementation of such an exemption is still unclear. But DHS said in a statement on Monday that it would "be done professionally, with clear and sufficient public notice, particularly to potentially affected travelers, and in coordination with partners in the travel industry." Thomas predicted in his dissent that the implementation of such an exemption would be logistically "unworkable." "Today's compromise will burden executive officials with the task of deciding on peril of contempt whether individuals from the six affected nations who wish to enter the United States have a sufficient connection to a person or entity in this country," Thomas wrote. Some immigration advocates, meanwhile, have predicted chaos. Amnesty International on Monday said it filed a Freedom of Information Act request for documents about how the federal government plans to implement the travel ban. Trump's Thursday morning tweets, in which he called the "Morning Joe" host "crazy" and claimed she was "bleeding badly from a face-lift" when she visited his Florida resort early this year, earned widespread condemnation throughout the day, including from several Republicans on Capitol Hill. But Sanders argued that the president had every right to "hit back" at "the liberal media" and "Hollywood elites" when they criticize him and deflected questions about whether the insults were beneath the presidency. "I don't think you can expect someone to be personally attacked day after day, minute by minute, and sit back," Sanders said, arguing that the criticism the president and his aides endure is often personal in nature. "When the president gets hit, he's going to hit back harder." Throughout the line of questioning on the president's tweets, Sanders repeatedly returned to the administration's central argument: that the media is fundamentally biased against Trump and his associates. "The only person that I see a war on is this president and everybody that works for him," Sanders said, adding that the press spends too much time "attacking the president and pushing a false narrative on Russia" and not enough on the administration's policy accomplishments and priorities issues, she said, Americans want to hear about. "The media's focus on priorities they don't line up with the rest of America," Sanders said. "Our economy's growing, the stock market's up, unemployment is down, jobs are back, and ISIS is on the run. ... But you guys constantly ignore that narrative." When asked by a reporter whether Trump should hold himself to "a higher standard than cable news anchors," Sanders deflected, arguing that American voters have approved of Trump's behavior because they voted for him "overwhelmingly." "Look, the American people elected a fighter; they didn't elect somebody to sit back and do nothing," she said. "They knew what they were getting when they voted for Donald Trump." Hallie Jackson, NBC's White House correspondent, took a more personal approach, asking Sanders whether she would tell her three young children that the president's behavior was OK. Sanders said God was their example because "none of us are perfect." Sanders also shut down a question from Politico's Tara Palmeri on whether Trump's tweets had sexist undertones given that he attacked Brzezinski on the basis of her appearance. "How do you feel about the president attacking another woman specifically for her looks?" Palmeri asked. "Everybody wants to make this an attack on a woman," Sanders said. "I'm a woman, and I've been attacked by this show multiple times, but I don't cry foul because of it." That figure a measure of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere has become the global standard for tracking how human activity is affecting the planet. It'seven as we've begun to pollute the planet less This worrisome phenomenon suggests that humans have essentially maxed out our planet's best protection against climate change. This protection comes in the form of so-called "carbon sinks" patches of land and ocean that absorb large chunks of the carbon dioxide we pump into the atmosphere. For the past several decades, they've been helping to keep the planet from warming as quickly as it otherwise would. But now they may be at capacity, prompting the Earth to continue cooking even as we curb our emissions from oil and gas. A recent New York Times article likened the phenomenon to "garbage workers going on strike, but on a grand scale." If these sinks are full and they can no longer suck up a hefty portion of the emissions we're putting out, the future scenario is grim. Carbon dioxide levels would keep rising, and climate change would worsen. Back in 1958, a scientist named Charles David Keeling was the first person to measure the CO2 in the air. His project at the Mauna Loa volcano, which was initially slated to run for only one year, turned into a 24/7 measurement of global CO2 levels. You've probably seen the rising line known by scientists as the "Keeling Curve" in a presentation or two about climate change. Keeling's son Ralph now leads the carbon dioxide program at the Scripps Institute for Oceanography. In a recent post for Scripps, he explained that he reason CO2 levels didn't begin leveling off once humans started polluting less was "pretty simple." Basically, Keeling explained, the sinks we have now can only suck up about half of the carbon dioxide we emit. The other half is still building up in the atmosphere. In order to start making that red line on the Keeling Curve level off, we'd have to slash our pollution levels by a whopping 50%. That has not happened. Even in Europe, where greenhouse gas emissions have been decreasing pretty significantly, they only dropped 22% in the 25 years between 1990 and 2015. Even if we begin to curb our emissions severely, we won't be out of the danger zone, Keeling wrote. "Eventually, additional emissions cuts would be required because the sinks will slowly lose their efficiency as the land and ocean start to saturate." Think of a dry sponge as an example. At first, that sponge is great at sucking up water. But as it gets more and more full, it can absorb less and less. And that, essentially, is what's happening to our carbon sinks. That means that if we plan on stopping climate change, we're going to have to do a lot more than we're doing now. Musk tweeted Wednesday that the Boring Company, his latest venture led by SpaceX engineer Steve Davis, had begun digging under LA's Interstate 105. Heres what you need to know about the project: Musk said on Twitter in December that he wanted to build a tunnel boring machine because LA traffic was driving him "nuts." Musk, however, was considering building a tunnel even before he got stuck in LA traffic. Hawthorne City Manager Arnie Shadbehr told The Los Angeles Daily News in January that Musk had been working with city officials for a year to build a bridge or tunnel. Musk wanted to use a bridge or tunnel so that employees could easily cross Crenshaw Boulevard, which separates the SpaceX parking lot from the SpaceX campus building, Shadbehr said. In fact, NBC Los Angeles The skate would propel cars through the tunnel at a maximum speed of 130 mph fast enough to get from Westwood to Los Angeles in five minutes, Musk said. Musk is juggling quite a few projects on top of the Boring Company, including Tesla's upcoming Model 3 launch and the rollout of a solar roof product. He also launched an artificial-intelligence company, Neuralink, while being the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. But Musk said the Boring Company was taking only "2 or 3 percent" of his time. Interns and Tesla employees are working part-time on the project. Tunnel-boring is a notoriously expensive process. The Boring Company is looking to cut down costs by building a machine that can dig and place reinforcements in the wall at the same time, Musk said. Tunneling machines traditionally dig for half the time and then go back to add reinforcements, a longer and costlier process. Musk said the Boring Company would also cut costs by improving the power and thermal limit of its tunneling machine by "a factor of four or five." NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Establishment Labs, a global medical device company focused on aesthetic technologies with a strong emphasis on product development and innovation, announced the addition of Alexandre Mendonca Munhoz, M.D., Ph.D., to the companys Medical Advisory Board. The appointment was announced during the 37th Jornada Paulista de Cirurgia Plastica in Sao Paulo, Brazil simultaneously with the commercial launch of Motiva Implants in Brazil. We are pleased to have Dr. Munhoz join our Medical Advisory Board, said Juan Jose Chacon-Quiros, CEO and founder of Establishment Labs. Our mission is made possible by bringing leading minds of the industry together to solve problems that have plagued breast aesthetic and reconstructive surgery for decades. Dr. Munhoz has been a leader in the pursuit of excellence in breast surgery, and as we expand into the worlds second largest market, we welcome a prominent member of the Brazilian school of Plastic Surgery to our Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Munhoz is currently a Professor of Plastic Surgery, Breast Surgery Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and is a full member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), which coordinates the Scientific Department in the Sao Paulo region. Dr. Munhoz participated as a guest member of the international consultants of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) and Breast Journal since 2006. In 2016, he assumed the position of Associate Editor of PRS-Global Open Journal. His achievements include 25 scientific awards related to plastic surgery research, 115 published scientific papers, with 81 indexed in PubMed platform and first author on 76 studies. Motiva Implants are truly innovative and are designed with cutting-edge research from the material science, incorporating advances and understanding from both the surface technology and physiology disciplines. For years, I have been searching for the solutions that Establishment Labs scientists have developed in the design of Motiva. Professor Scott Spear, an international leader in the field of plastic surgery, and one of my mentors in academic life, introduced me to their advances and technologies and I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Medical Advisory Board and continue to advance the work of my mentor, said Dr. Munhoz. I am excited to bring these state-of-the-art technologies and implants to the community of plastic surgeons and patients in Brazil. We are thrilled to officially launch our Motiva Implants in Brazil, a key market in surgical aesthetics, during Jornada Paulista de Cirurgia Plastica," said Eddie De Oliveira, Latin America Vice President of Sales at Establishment Labs. "The excitement of plastic surgeons around the launch of our products is palpable, and we are humbled to see our science reach broad commercialization. Unfortunately, it may be accompanying orders of iced coffee drinks at three coffee chains in the UK anyways, according to a recent BBC investigation.The BBC reports that it found "varying levels" of the bacteria in samples of iced drinks from Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Caffe Nero. Penny Mairoudhiou, a spokesperson for Costa Coffee, told Business Insider, "We were disappointed with the findings, especially as these stores are all rated 'Very Good' with the top hygiene rating of 5." The presence of fecal bacteria which can cause diarrhea if ingested could be a sign that there are nastier germs also present, said Philip Tierno, a microbiologist at New York University. "Where there are fecal bacteria present it is an indicator that there could be other germs that are pathogenic [or illness-causing] like Norovirus or hepatitis A or Salmonella that can make you sick," Tierno told Business Insider. It also suggests that workers at the chains are not keeping themselves clean and that they "have dirty bare hands," he said. In addition to sampling the ice at 30 of the chains, British researchers also studied their tables, trays, and high chairs. London chain Costa Coffee ranked worst out of the three cafes, with seven out of 10 samples "found to be contaminated with bacteria found in feces." "It is extremely important to us that all our stores operate to high standards of hygiene at all times and we take it very seriously when any store fails to meet these standards," said Mairoudhiou. "Following these results we have taken immediate action to update our ice handling procedures." Starbucks and Caffe Nero, on the other hand, tested positive for the bacteria in three out of 10 samples. Lanre Gentry supposedly sent the message below asking her to remove the domestic violence posts from her Instagram page promising not to beat her again. The actress shared their conversation minutes ago writing, "Why will a man who obviously beat his wife, try so much to deny what he did? My take is because he knows what he did is wrong and apparently he is ashamed and cannot own up to it...... Let us be very careful of what we do especially when we are Angry as we might not know the consequences of that action.......Violence, like I keep saying, does not and will not solve anything, let us learn to control our anger at all times..... Arguments are bound to happen between couples but under no circumstances should we let it result to violence! Nobody has a right to hit, his or her partner regardless........ Battery and Assault is a CRIME! #saynodomesticviolence #saynotoassault Join us in the #1in3Africa campaign, a campaign against violence! We are walking the streets of lagos to show our displeasure at this menace that is eating deep into our system....... Join us tomorrow by 10am, Start off point is Falomo Bridge by Awolowo Road...... Conflicts should be settled amicably and not through violence, only weak men hit women." This comes after Mercy Aigbe released a video of the damage done to her face by her estranged husband, Lanre Gentry. Gentry took to her Instagram page to tell Nigerians that she is just using her domestic violence claim to make money. ALSO READ: 5 things Mercy Aigbe has been up to since marriage crash According to him, it's all a movie Mercy Aigbe is producing. He wrote, "she is just using you people to make money for herself." The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to the charge of being in possession of a locally fabricated gun and 30 rounds of ammunition. The magistrate, however, gave Bello a fine option of N5,000. The prosecutor, Yakubu Tambaya, had told the court that Bello was arrested by a police officer, Insp. Dalyop Davou, on April 7, 2017 during a road search. The accused was arrested during a stop and search operation along NNPC filling station, Zaria Road, Jos." The policeman stopped a vehicle for a routine search and found a locally made revolver and 30 rounds of cartridges owned by the accused. He was arrested when the officer confirmed that he had no legal tittle to the items, he said. He said that the offence was contrary to section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms Act. It is because of their hard work that they end up influential, powerful and wealthy. The 19th century businesswoman Madam Efunroye Tinubu exemplifies this belief. In her time she was the wealthiest woman in the Yoruba kingdom. Not only did she have wealth, she was influential and a kingmaker. Her story starts circa 1805 when she was born in the heart of Egbaland, Ojokodo. Her father's name was Olumosa and her mother's name was Nijeede. Her full name is Osuntinubu because it was believed she was gotten from the water goddess Osun. Her first marriage produced two sons but her first husband soon died. As a widow and single mother, she took to business and was successful thanks to her grandmother and mother who were business women. In 1833 Tinubu married for the second time. She married Prince Adele of Lagos who was in exile. She moved with her new husband to a place called Agbadarigi (Badagry) in Lagos. Unfortunately she lost her two sons to malaria there. Fortune soon smiled on Madam Tinubu. Prince Adele won the right to the throne and he became the Oba of Lagos. Also by the time she moved to Lagos, she had expanded her business. She started dealing in arms, ammunition. She established a profitable trade in tobacco and salt. Most importantly she became a slave trader. Now Queen of Lagos she used her royal authority to solidify her business empire. Four years after marrying Oba Adele and two years after he became king, Madam Tinubu became a widow again as the Lagos monarch passed away untimely. Her marriage with Oba Adele produced no children although the king had children from other marriages. Using her power and influence she helped install Adele's son Oluwole as the new Oba of Lagos. She then married for the third time, Yesufu Bada who was Oluwole's military adviser. Madam Tinubu continued to grow her business and created a monopoly in the palm oil business and in slave trade well. The ammunition she got from selling slaves were used in the Yoruba wars of 1840s and 1850s. Her business acumen in this area made her very rich and powerful. Death soon struck again. The Oba of Lagos Oluwole died. This time around Madam Tinubu got her brother-in-law Akitoye to become king. In return, he gave her important stores in a choice area of Lagos. At this time Madam Tinubu had reached the peak of her powers. It was said she had 360 slaves of her own. She also built a might residence for herself at this time to reflect her position in Lagos. At this period Madam Tinubu invested in coconut oil and cotton also. She was a power broker in deals with foreign nations. Her monopoly and control of power was broken in May of 1856 when she challenged the British Consul Benjamin Campbell. Tinubu was not a fan of Mr. Campbell who she believed was interfering in the sovereignty of Lagos and the royal authority. She tried to oust the British man but failed. On May of 1856 the British consul confronted Madam Tinubu with gunboats forcing her to exile Lagos. She went back to Egba, her origin. Madam Tinubu's business continued to flourish and she was given the title of Iyalode of Egbaland. This was a title she was never given in Lagos. Since the arrest of Evans, the kidnapper, the Nigerian Police Force has forgotten to charge him for an actual crime. With the public show, Tekno dancing and media tour of Evans by the Nigerian Police Force, you would think that our men in black and blue would have least charged him before playing to the gallery. The NPF has once again shown its mediocrity and inefficiency by parading an alleged kidnapper without officially charging him. This is a classic case of not getting your priorities right. Now Evans has gotten his lawyer to ask the police to officially charge him or let him go. There are some jokes that can only be written in Nigeria. Maybe the police think they can lock up Evans in jail without taking him to court. If you think about how shabby the police force is you won't be surprised at all. Evans' arrest was just a media show. What do our police officers really do? The violent cult group Badoo. Our dancing undercover men haven't looked into that. It has been a month now that six students of Lagos Model School, Epe have been kidnapped. There are no tangible leads from our detectives and undercover cops. Since they have refused to charge Evans maybe they can bring him as a consultant in the kidnap case of the six students. At least for once, they will be thinking outside the box. Nigerian policemen are specialists at falling hand. A supposedly open and close case of Evans is taking them weeks to deal with. Amosun is charged alongside two other officers of the Air Force Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga. Also charged are some companies Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Ltd being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris on June 26, 2016, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering. Idirs had granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties each in like sum. At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, EFCCs lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, made an oral application, urging the court to visit the scene of the crime for the purpose of admitting in evidence various immovable properties allegedly acquired by the accused. According to the prosecutor, Section 127 of the Evidence Act allows the court to visit the locus where oral evidences led in the course of proceedings referred to the existence of a material thing. In his arguments, Oyedepo read out some of the counts in the charge where properties bought by the accused with proceeds of crime were listed. He argued that the onus is on the prosecution to prove its case against the accused, adding that the courts visit to the locus is one way it intends to achieve it. The purpose of the application is only to allow for the confirmation of the existence of the property in question,he said. Meanwhile, the defence counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) opposed the application, arguing that a courts visit to a locus is not at large. According to him, any visit must be specific, direct and linked to evidences already given in the course of proceedings. My lord, I am not yet in possession of the list of specific properties and their addresses, and as such, I dont think this is an appropriate application. Ayorinde argued that a proper foundation had not been laid by the prosecutor for the application to be granted by the court, adding that there is no compelling reason to warrant such a visit. He said instead of seeking a courts visit to the scene, the prosecution should rather lead quality evidence with regards to the existence of such property. After listening to submissions of both parties, Justice Idris fixed June 29 for ruling. Earlier, a prosecution witness, Mr Tosin Owobo, an Assistant Detective Superintendent with the EFCC, had continued his evidences in court, narrating how several sums of money belonging to the Nigeria Air Force were transferred to the account of one Timsegg Investmen Ltd domiciled at UBA. The accused were alleged to have indirectly converted the sum of N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air force to their own use. The EFCC accused Amosun and others of stealing about N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015 for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II, Abuja. This is in response to the party's condemnation of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu for his call on Anambra people to shun the November 18 gubernatorial election in the state. The party deemed the call "irresponsible, irredentist and totally devoid of any focus." IPOB's response was contained in a press statement released on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, by the group's media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful. The statement questioned the APGA's motivations for attacking its leader, saying unlike the group, it is "motivated by personal greed and self-aggrandizement". The statement read, "The spurious and childish accusation that our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is also the Director of Radio Biafra and Biafra Television to stop parading himself as emperor smacks more of envy borne out of desperation than a reasoned assertion. "There is no one more humble than the IPOB leader, that is why he is loved by millions, so the little anti-Biafra rant by APGA will only encourage us the more to ensure that the lockdown of Anambra State come 18 November 2017 is total and complete. "We would prove to APGA that our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has never in his life, since the inception of IPOB, indulged himself or arrogated any powers to himself. "The perverse insinuation that he made himself a god is a clever ploy designed to appeal to the envious nature of certain individuals who wish to be like him but can never. "It is insulting for a party that supervised the killing of thousands of IPOB family members, which they connived with the APC Government of Buhari to cover up, to be advising the same people they killed to turn against IPOB. "History will remember the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) as the party that murdered those that voted her into power." ALSO READ: Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside home of Nnamdi Kanu The statement went further to accuse the party of being responsible for thousands of Biafran deaths in its bid to stop the movement. "We the Indigenous People of Biafra and its leadership worldwide view the childish antics of the All Progressive Grand Alliance as a jealousy laden, derisory attempt to deflect attention away from the fact that APGA as the governing party in Anambra State has been responsible for the death of innocent Biafrans numbering over 2000 since the formation. "The two notable instances being the infamous Ezu River bodies and the heinous massacres at Nkpor and Head Bridge Onitsha respectively. "The party employed wholesale slaughter of their people as a way of stopping the agitation for restoration of Biafra not knowing that we are prepared to keep dying until Biafra is restored as we swore. "In the purported letter written by the party in Anambra State threatening a showdown with IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which gave order of no election in all Biafra land starting from Anambra Gubernatorial election come November this year, APGA failed to mention the fact that Biafrans and IPOB in particular, campaigned and voted for both Peter Obi, Rochas Okorocha and Willie Obiano but were rewarded with shoot on sight orders issued by both men. "It is very unfortunate that APGA as a political party preoccupied with feathering the nests of a select few, underestimate the desire of every genuine Biafran to be liberated from the slavery and bondage that Nigeria has come to represent. Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director Army Public Relations, made this known on Thursday in Maiduguri. Usman said the suspect, 20, was arrested by the troops on June 25 while on perimeter patrol. He added that preliminary investigation was initially difficult as he was found to be under influence of heavy dosage of drugs. However, he has since stabilised and making useful statement. The director noted that the troops of 29 Task Force Brigade also Discovered Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected terrorists along Wajiro-Mallam Kuramti cattle route. Troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade also discovered an IED planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists while on patrol on June 28 along Wajiro-Mallam Kuramti cattle route. The team safely removed and detonated it, he said. Usman said the troops of 151 Battalion of the 21 Brigade also cleared an ambush by suspected terrorists. ALSO READ: Terrorists slaughter Borno villagers in reprisal attack He added that on June 28, at about 3.30 p.m. troops of 151 Battalion of 21 Brigade on patrol to Mayanti Village were ambushed by suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists. The troops successfully cleared the ambush by neutralizing some of the terrorists, while a re-enforcement was immediately dispatched to mop up the general area. The team recovered a 60mm Commando Mortar Bomb, 13 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 51 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition. Usman said the remains of two soldiers killed in action were also buried in Gombe. The team of policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were led by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission to Sambo's residence on No 1, Alimi Road. The search reportedly lasted for two hours as the perimeter around the house was blocked off by the operatives who, according to the Vanguard, were aggressive. The operatives were said to have been searching the building for documents and cash, with an artisan reportedly accompanying them on the raid to search the ceilings. The Punch reports that the raid was the fifth time the property would be searched in three months. According to Sambos media aide, Mallam Umar Sani, the operatives didn't find anything on the property. MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report from American Banker, the premier newspaper focused on the banking industry, ranks the U.S. banks with the best reputations, and First Tennessee comes in at No. 5. First Tennessee ranks second on the list of most reputable banks among customers and sixth among non-customers. First Tennessee also ranks in the top five overall in every dimension of reputation citizenship, ethics/integrity, innovation, leadership, performance, products and services, and workplace. We are extremely proud and honored to be recognized by customers and non-customers alike for the many facets that shape an organizations reputation, said Bryan Jordan, chairman and CEO of First Tennessees parent company, First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN). Our employees are committed to providing differentiated service to every customer at every opportunity. This survey by American Banker illustrates how dedicated our employees are to developing and maintaining those relationships. The eighth annual Bank Reputation Survey was conducted by the Reputation Institute and included Federal Reserve banks based on asset size and deposits plus key regional and non-traditional banks all with significant retail businesses and/or significant retail brands. More than 12,000 individual ratings were collected from customers or non-customers familiar with the companies they rated. Results of the survey are available at americanbanker.com and will be published in the July issue of American Banker magazine. About First Tennessee and First Horizon First Tennessee is part of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN), which has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by American Banker, Working Mother and the National Association for Female Executives. First Tennessee has the largest deposit market share in Tennessee and one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. First Tennessee was founded during the Civil War in 1864 and has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com. FHN-G And then we arrested him. Once the Nigerian State picked up Kanu from that Lagos hotel in 2015, it played right into the hands of a rabble-rouser. By June 28, 2017, Kanu had become the royalty who acknowledges cheers, chants and adulation from hundreds of fawning 'Biafrans'; from the comfort of his fathers compound in Umuahia, Abia State - the kind of reverence befitting a King. We've turned Kanu into a celebrity. Its time to put the Kanu genie back in the bottle from whence it emerged and here are five easy ways to achieve that. 1. Starve him of attention Nnamdi Kanu is a sucker for the spotlight as you would expect from someone whose radio tirade and vitriol from the safety of Europe, pivoted him into national and international reckoning. We are all guilty here. And by 'we' I mean the media as well. Imagine that Kanus feet gets licked by Biafran worshipers and not a soul transports the gory sights to the internet? Imagine that Kanu threatens that no election will hold in the Southeast and not one media house reports it? Imagine that we all stop making the man a media darling and under-report his tantrums and shenanigans? Its a tad difficult, I agree, but a media blackout of Kanu to a certain degree would have the effect a thousand arrests of the same man wouldnt. 2. Aso Rock should never mention Kanu by name again This is being implemented but the presidential villa needs to see it through by making it an official policy across the board. On Wednesday, December 30, 2015, Kanus band of supporters rose by more than half after President Muhammadu Buhari swore to deal with the separatist during a live media chat. A visibly irritated Buhari was disgusted by all the Biafra noise especially because he was a participant in the war that wiped out thousands from the land in the '60s. But that media meltdown from the president armed thousands of Biafra sympathizers who were so sure that the then new president despised them; especially coming on the heels of the presidents infamous 97 percent voting pattern comments. The presidential villa should henceforth desist from commenting or interfering in the Kanu trial and allow the judicial process run its course. And Kanus Biafra protesters in the Southeast should henceforth be allowed to demonstrate peacefully and be guided by police as well. Dont shoot at them. 3. Let's have this referendum In truth, theres nothing wrong with the federal government calling for a referendum. But to get to that point, Aso Rock must state that it has nothing against holding one and lawmakers should commence moves to insert same into the constitution. My hunch is that millions of so called 'Biafrans' will vote to remain. I hail from the South South region and weve been co-opted into the Biafra map against our will or by default. I can assure you that if you take the Biafra agitations to my village, you will be pelted with sachets of water for a start and then tried at the Chiefs palace for stirring anger and violence. We dont want Biafra in my part of the country but here we are. However, its a conversation weve got to confront head-on as a nation. At the crux of the Biafra agitations are years of poor governance and inability to address inequality from Nigeria. Address the underlying concerns bedeviling every region in Nigeria and well be home and dry. By merely announcing that it isnt opposed to a referendum or calls for restructuring, the federal government would have taken the wind out of Kanus sails. The man wont have something to gripe about any longer. 4. Allow the judiciary do its job While it lasted, it was sickening to see the prosecution (read federal government) thwart Kanus bail attempts time and again. If a judge rules that the man be granted bail, grant him bail. If the court finds him not guilty of charges bordering on treason and illegal possession of firearms, so be it. There was a time when the federal government made it clear it was meddling in the affairs of the judiciary as it concerns Kanus trial. There was a time when it was obvious that all Abuja wanted was a conviction against Kanu. Unnecessary. The Kanu myth thrives on all of that as do his supporters. The principle of separation of powers should apply in this case. And so shall it be. 5. State Governors in Southeast must cut Kanu off To pose for pictures with Kanu like State Governors of the Southeast region and members of parliament did soon after his bail application was granted, was to imbue his ill-fated campaign with doses of legitimacy. And all the Governors and lawmakers in that picture should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Yes, Kanu is no outcast and shouldnt be treated as one. But to take selfies with him in one breath and say you condemn his hate-filled agitations in another, was hypocritical from leaders of the region. Like, what was the motive behind those group photographs in the first instance? If those State Governors were up to their jobs and dispensing their responsibilities in the region, we wont have so many jobless youth picking up arms in support of Kanus cause. Obasanjo made call at the ongoing 24th Annual General Meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Kigali. He spoke on: Can Regional Economic Communities Work for Africa: Lessons from a Founding Father. He said that the issue of common currency was getting delayed because the regional leaders had put forward ECO as a name for the currency but wondered why it had not been adopted. According to him, the currency is required to move the current level of the regional trade from 25 per cent to more than 50 per cent. He said the various currency zones like the Naira zone, the Cedi zone, among others should not be allowed to mitigate the flow of trade within the region. He blamed too many internal conflicts and changes in policies, among others, as some of the challenges facing the region. Obasanjo, however, lauded ECOWAS countries for their ability to resolve their issues on their own, adding that ECOWAS on its own had resolved conflicts in Liberia, Sierria Loene and The Gambia. He said that in the case of The Gambia, ECOWAS leaders agreed that a military option should be adopted but it should be without firing a bullet. I was sure the ousted president Yahya Jammeh will leave but when he started delaying ECOWAS leaders met, it was agreed a military option should be adopted. The tactics worked and when the countries leaders were saying the ousted president Yahya Jammeh had left the country with huge sums of money. I told them to allow him go with the money so far he allows the country to remain in peace, he said. He said the region had been most democratic region going by free and fair elections done in the countries. The former President also condemned the use of hate speeches by certain groups in the country. Speaking further, the former Edo Governor said Babangida is responsible for the present state of the country. Oshiomhole said in IBBs time, he restructured the economy, devalued the Naira and sacked workers. He also said The discussion now is about restructuring and I think those of us in the labour circle must be careful about some words. I heard Babangida talking about restructuring. Although he could have been converted, this is a man under whose tenure, the cabinet was dissolved and for almost a month, he was alone, ruling the country. I thought that he should have apologized to the whole country, but there is nothing like that from him. But it is now fashionable for him to talk about restructuring. It was under him that the economy was restructured. He devalued the currency and downsized workers. It is important that we prioritize these terms. What we need to do is organize and not agonise. Let us quit our problems and not quit ourselves. We are giving quit notice to ourselves and as Nigerians we cannot afford that. We are just victims of xenophobic attacks. How can we be looking for global sympathy when misguided South African youths are attacking other African countries that fought for their liberation only to come back home and be giving quit notices to ourselves. I think we should quit poverty, lack of electricity, import dependency, exporting crude oil and importing refined products and unemployment, but we should not quit ourselves. It is time for us to make a case for the amendment of the constitution in such a way that residency should replace citizenship, not indigeneship. There are many workers who have worked outside their homes for several years more than their home states. They should have a right to remain there, contest election. I think that is the way to go. Nigerian leaders should think ahead. Africa is the way it is now because Nigerians are no longer on duty. We must regain Nigeria for posterity. What we need is development and not disintegration. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Fayose had earlier issued a statement saying that Buhari is on a life support machine, adding that the Sallah broadcast was false. The Ekiti state Governor also threatened to reveal more information regarding the Presidents health. Speaking further, Okorocha called on Nigerians to disregard the Ekiti Governors claims, describing them as baseless. The Imo Governor also said As you are aware we are passing through a very difficult time in our nation and we have a lot of challenges political, economical, social, cultural and what have you. I want to advise that this is what many great nations of the world have passed through before getting to their point of greatness and Nigeria will not be an exemption. We must see this time as a trying period for Nigeria and by the grace of God we shall overcome. So this is the time to preach love, this is the time to love one another, this is the time to embrace one another, this is the time to preach peace especially in more of the things that unite us as a people and talk not at all the things that will divide us. And this called to question the recent statement created to Governor Fayose over the health of Mr. President. I want to advise that Fayose statement should not be regarded, is baseless and there is no substance in that information. What he said is not right, it is uncalled for and that is simply heating up the polity. In our culture and tradition we do not pray politics with peoples lives and anybody can be sick, anybody can be in the hospital and so making such categorical statement which is unfounded that Mr. President is on life support, is to the best of my knowledge a statement of hate. That is a cheap talk and Nigerians should not regard it. What we should do right now is to pray for Mr. President, wish him well, anybody can be sick. Even as he is sick out there many people have been sick in Nigeria, so we should not politicize this and play politics with peoples lives and try to create hate and confusion in the system. I think that has become Fasoyes style of talk and Nigerians must never take those kind of talk serious because it is capable of creating confusion in the system. Moreover, the country is stable and the Acting President is doing a beautiful job, is meeting up the daily duties of Mr. President. There is no vacuum and so there is no cause for alarm. We must at this point give every support to Mr. President and we are hoping that very soon Mr. President will come back and join us. So that statement is a call for concern. The representative of Rivers East Senatorial District was dismissed by the petition in Abuja on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Rivers State National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal also ruled that Sekibo's opponent, Chief Andrew Uchendu, is the true winner of the senatorial seat, and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him a certificate of return. Chief Uchendu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had contested INEC's decision to award the December 10, 2016 victory to Sekibo after neglecting to recognise the results of some wards and polling units in the districts. Sekibo was declared winner by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer, Oji Ekumankama on Monday, December 12. According to Ekumankama, Sekibo won 93,098 votes to defeat ChiefUchendu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had 34,193 votes. The panel, sitting at Apo Quarters in the Federal Capital Territory, agreed with Uchendu, saying he won the lawful majority vote cast and instructed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return that had been issued to Sekibo. The 60-year-old Sekibo was first elected to the Senate in 2007, and also won his first reelection. In reaction to the tribunal's ruling, Sekibo told the Premium Times that he'll contest the ruling at an Appeal Court. The lawmaker said, "We are going to appeal and I believe that the Appeal Court will see the truth better and vindicate us." In a hard-hitting homily, Francis told them they should regard themselves as servants of the most vulnerable and not be misled by the traditional description of cardinals as 'Princes of the Church'. The world they have to deal with, Francis said, is "the innocent who suffer and die as victims of war and terrorism; the forms of enslavement that continue to violate human dignity even in the age of human rights; the refugee camps which at times seem more like a hell than a purgatory; the systematic discarding of all that is no longer useful, people included." Experts say Francis's latest choice of cardinals reflects his desire to reach out to the peripheries of the global Catholic community, a recurring theme of his papacy. Three of the new appointments are from countries with only small minority Catholic congregations. As well as expanding its global footprint, the appointments increase the size of the electoral college that will select the next pope to 121 members, 49 of whom have been appointed since he became pope in March 2013. The total number of cardinals is much larger, 225 including the new inductees, but only those under the age of 80 are eligible to join the conclave which will elect the pope's successor. Blood spilled "I think it reflects what Francis is about for him to create cardinals from Laos, Mali and Sweden," said one of the new appointments, Sweden's Anders Arborelius. The Bishop of Stockholm told AFP he had been shocked to learn of his impending elevation. "A priest showed me the announcement on the internet - at first I thought it was a joke," Arborelius, 67, said. His new colleague Juan Omella, the 78-year-old bishop of Barcelona, concurred. "The pope has a very universal vision. He wants to strengthen the areas on the margins where the Church is growing," he said in an interview ahead of Wednesday's consistory, as the formal swearing-in is known. After vowing obedience to the Church and the pope, each of the five knelt before Francis to receive their cardinal's hat, a ring and a title linking them to a church in Rome. As he placed the four-peaked "birettas" on their heads, Francis reminded the new cardinals, in Latin, that the hats' scarlet colour was a symbol of the blood they must be prepared to spill for their faith. Then, as other popes have done since cardinals were first appointed nearly 1,000 years ago, Francis handed over the Papal Bull, or decree, that formalises the creation of new members. Church for the poor The latest appointments continue a recent trend towards increasing the representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America within the college of cardinals at the expense of European and North American clerics. But those latter areas remain hugely influential, making up 56 percent of the college. Italy alone has almost a fifth (24) of cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave that elects popes. El Salvador's first cardinal, Gregorio Rosa Chavez, 74, was a close friend of Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran archbishop slain by a death squad as he gave mass in 1980, during the Central American state's brutal civil war. Often portrayed as an advocate of liberation theology, Romero shared Francis's belief that the Church should be at the service of the poor. "He should be here in my place," Rosa Chavez told AFP. "He is a cardinal by martyr's blood." Mali's Jean Zerbo and Laotian bishop Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, 73, are the other new appointments. One, Scottish former archbishop Keith O'Brien, renounced his voting rights in 2015 after being forced to step down over predatory sexual conduct with student priests. Zerbo's appointment as Mali's first cardinal was clouded by reports he was one of three Church officials in the mostly-Muslim African state to have access to 12 million euros held in several accounts at a private bank in Switzerland. THORNTON, Colo., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Best Eyecare Associates announced its upcoming week of "spectacular" giveaways and promotions. The promotional week takes place Friday, June 30th & July 4th- 10th. It will offer a new deal every day, and patrons can get the details by visiting the eye center's website or Facebook page. Best Eyecare Associates isn't having the typical eyeglass sale. Instead of simply marking everything down equally, it is making its sale week into an extravaganza. Giveaways and promotions are going on all week, with an extra-special deal being the highlight of each day. These deals will surely be great surprises for those who have been wanting the featured items. The specifics of each deal will be found on Best Eyecare Associate's website and on their Facebook page. "We love to treat both new customers and current clients to great deals when we can. For this summer, we've chosen June 30th & July 4th-10th for one of our spectacular weeks of giveaways and promotions. The daily deals keep things exciting and provide excellent opportunities to get the top designer brand sunglasses and accessories that people have always wanted at spectacular prices," enthused Dr. Christine Best, a Thornton optometrist and owner of Best Eyecare Associates. Sale patrons do not need to be current eye care clients in order to get the deals. However, those who want to get prescription lenses put into their frames will need a valid prescription. Of course, Best Eyecare Associates will be offering exams so it will be easy for those whose prescriptions are out of date to get caught up. During non-sale times, patrons will find that Best Eyecare Associates always has a wide selection of frames in many styles. The center also offers eye exams for both glasses and contacts, treats a variety of eye diseases, and accepts both children and adults as patients. It has been in business since 2013, and before that, its doctor worked in private practice for 16 years. About Best Eyecare Associates This eye care clinic is owned and operated by Dr. Christine Best, an eye doctor in Thornton. It offers eye exams for both glasses and contacts, provides eyeglass and sunglass frames, and treats eye diseases including glaucoma, dry eye, and keratoconus. Occasionally it hosts large events like the one coming up in July. Visit http://www.besteyeassociates.com/ for more information on its Thornton optometry services or call (303) 254-4888 with any inquiries. The northern port city of Hamburg has drafted in some 20,000 police to protect against terrorist attacks and street violence at the July 7-8 Group of 20 meeting. Merkel told parliament that "we know there will be protests, and that is more than legitimate in a democracy". "But I hope, for the sake of the citizens of Hamburg and the security forces... that these protests will be peaceful". About 30 demonstrations have been registered in Hamburg before and during the summit. Most are expected to be peaceful, but some, with mottos such as "Shut Down G20" and "G20 - Welcome to Hell", are considered likely to escalate. Some activists have vowed to blockade access to the summit venue and use other methods of "civil disobedience". Police expect a hard core of 7,000 to 8,000 "leftwing extremists" who may turn violent. A detainee holding centre has been set up with space for 400 persons, and detention judges will be on hand. "It will be the biggest operation in the history of Hamburg's police," said the city-state's police spokesman Timo Zell. Ankara maintains more than 35,000 troops in Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 between the internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish-occupied north. A diplomatic source told AFP before the talks began on Wednesday in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana that Turkey was willing to cut its troop presence by 80 percent in order to reach a deal. But the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglu said: "The reports which say our country will withdraw troops from the island as part of a four-stage plan and the percentages mentioned are false." As well as the leaders of Cyprus' Greek- and Turkish-speaking communities, delegations from the island's so-called guarantor powers Greece, Turkey and former colonial power Britain are also attending the UN-backed talks. Cavusoglu also dismissed a withdrawal, saying Ankara would show flexibility but would not give up its basic principles. "Zero soldiers, zero guarantee for us is not even a starting point for the meeting," he told Turkish reporters in Crans-Montana. "We cannot accept something like this." He said both the Turkish Cypriot and the Turkish delegations understood the importance of the security guarantee, adding: "We have said it is not something the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey would give up." The foreign minister urged the Greek side to "wake up from a dream" and realise that Turks would not completely remove the troops. Cavusoglu said the talks were "the final conference" and it was "necessary" to reach an outcome now. The court, which is closely aligned with the embattled president, set a hearing for July 4 to decide whether Ortega should face trial for alleged professional malpractice -- charges she has branded a political witch-hunt. Until her fate is decided, the court ordered her bank accounts and assets frozen, and banned her from leaving the country. Ortega is accused of lying about whether she supported the nomination of 33 new Supreme Court judges in 2015, which the opposition condemns as blatant court-packing by Maduro. Speaking ahead of the ruling, Ortega lambasted Maduro's government. "We have state terrorism in Venezuela, where we have lost the right to protest, where demonstrations are cruelly repressed, where civilians are tried in military courts," said Ortega, 59. "We have a constitutional rupture. The constitution is being violated and the state is being dismantled," she told journalists. The condemnation came as Maduro vowed to fend off what he called a coup attempt, after a rogue police pilot allegedly dropped grenades onto the Supreme Court from a stolen helicopter. Political analysts and Maduro's opponents said they suspected the incident was a hoax. But the leftist leader branded the "terrorist attack" a failed coup backed by the United States. Oil-rich Venezuela has slid off the rails since global crude prices collapsed in 2015, devastating its economy and causing severe shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities. Late Wednesday, he was scheduled to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a war memorial in Quantico, Virginia, and later was to attend a summit with Korean and American business leaders. His agenda on Thursday includes meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and an evening visit with the US president and First Lady Melania Trump, including a reception and dinner. On board his flight to the United States, Moon said Seoul and Washington should offer concessions to Pyongyang if it complies with their demands, according to multiple South Korean reports. "Without rewarding North Korea for its bad actions, South Korea and the United States should closely consult what they may give the North in return for a nuclear freeze," he said. "We should start dialogue with North Korea," he said, but with conditions, saying that "at least, North Korea should restrain itself from further nuclear and missile tests and promise a nuclear freeze before full-fledged dialogue for nuclear dismantlement can start." "A nuclear freeze is a gate to dialogue and the exit of the dialogue is a complete nuclear dismantlement." Washington, South Korea's security guarantor, has more than 28,000 troops in the country to defend it from its communist neighbor, which has been intensifying missile tests -- including five since Moon's inauguration. Pyongyang is seeking to develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that could reach the continental United States. Trump has been pushing for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions and whose administration has said military action was a possibility. Also expected to be high on the agenda is likely to be a controversial US missile defense system that has been installed in South Korea to guard against missile threats from the North. Though parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are already in place, Moon suspended further deployment following a furious campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic protests by Beijing against the US missile shield, dealing a blow to Washington's regional security policy. Officially, the delay is to allow for a new, comprehensive environmental impact assessment, but analysts say the move is a strategic one by Moon to delay the tricky diplomatic situation he inherited. "The coalition has made significant progress in the fight against Daesh in Mosul," Sajjan said in a statement, using the Arabic name for the IS group. "As the situation evolves, coalition allies and partners must remain flexible and adapt to changing threats." Implicit in the announcement is a rejection of accusations by opposition parties that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has been waging a secret war in Iraq without parliamentary approval. Critics questioned the government's claim that Canada had undertaken a non-combat "advise and assist" role in Iraq after it was revealed earlier this month that a Canadian special forces sniper had taken out an IS fighter. "I can tell you that defending our allies in the coalition has been an integral part of our mission," Trudeau said on Tuesday. "This is completely in keeping with our responsibilities as Canadians, as members of the coalition in northern Iraq and it will continue to be that way," he said. For Sajjan, Canadian operations in Iraq are consistent with a recent defense policy review that "made very clear" Canada's readiness and willingness "to do its part for the global community," including "confronting security issues that threaten our shores and those of our allies and partners." Trudeau's Liberals withdrew six Canadian fighter jets from the coalition in 2016, fulfilling a campaign promise, but tripled the number of military trainers in Iraq to 210. Hundreds of ground personnel were also deployed to support two surveillance aircraft and a refueling jet, as well as a handful of tactical helicopters. "We declare at home and abroad that we will impose death penalty on traitor Park Geun Hye," it said. The former director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) Lee Byung-Ho would meet a similar fate, it added, along with "their groups". They "can never make any appeal even though they meet miserable dog's death any time, at any place and by whatever methods from this moment". The declaration comes after the killing of Kim's estranged half-brother Kim Jong-Nam by two women using the banned nerve agent VX at Kuala Lumpur international airport in February. Both Malaysia and South Korea have blamed the North for the assassination, which retorts that the accusations are an attempt to smear it. Last month Pyongyang's powerful ministry of state security said it had foiled a plot by the US and South Korean spy agencies to kill Kim using a biochemical weapon. The lurid accusations came amid continuing high tensions over the North's nuclear and missile programmes and with Washington considering whether to re-designate Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism. Park is currently in custody and on trial in Seoul on charges of bribery and abuse of power related to the sprawling corruption scandal that saw her impeached. Wednesday's statement from Pyongyang demanded that Seoul hand her over along with the other accused "without delay" as "organisers of the hideous international terrorist crimes". The demand came with Park's successor, new South Korean President Moon Jae-In who backs engagement with the North - on his way to Washington for a summit meeting with Donald Trump. In a statement, the South's National Intelligence Service said: "As we have repeatedly clarified, the North's allegations are groundless." It added: "It is intolerable that the North openly threatens the lives of our people." 'Dirty bodies' When Pyongyang announced in May it had uncovered the alleged plot it said the CIA and NIS had suborned, bribed and blackmailed a North Korean citizen which it identified only as Kim to carry out the attack. Possible locations included the mausoleum where Kim Jong-Un's father and grandfather -- the North's founder -- lie in state, or a military parade. "The villains even thought about disguising the operation as car or train accident," it added Wednesday. Any such operation would be extremely difficult to prepare and carry out successfully. The North's leader is surrounded by tight security at all times, and Pyongyang maintains a gigantic surveillance system over its own population that is ingrained at every level of society, where open dissent is unknown. In May, analysts said the accusations could be a pre-emptive attempt to try to dissuade Washington from any attempt at a surgical strike on its leadership, as suggested by some commentators. Leader Kim was "a symbol of the dignity and might of the DPRK and it represents the life and destiny of the army and people of the DPRK", Wednesday's statement said, using the acronym for North's official name. Its army and people were determined to "ferret out" those who would harm the supreme leadership "wherever they might be on the earth", it added, "and mercilessly cut their dirty bodies to pieces". Experts had warned Park that regime change will be difficult in the North, it claimed, but she had examined and directly signed the alleged NIS "secret operational plan". The United Nations and rights groups accuse the North of widespread abuses, including an absence of fair trials. Pyongyang has a history of overseas killings. As well as the Kim Jong-Nam murder, 21 people including four South Korean government ministers were killed in a bombing in the Myanmar capital Yangon in 1983 targeting Seoul's then president Chun Doo-Hwan. Prominent Chinese dissident writer Liao Yiwu told AFP that Liu's wife sent a formal request to China's state security ministry requesting permission for the couple and her brother to leave the country. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for "subversion" after calling for democratic reforms, was released on medical parole after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer last month, his lawyer said this week. His wife, Liu Xia, sent the request before the diagnosis, but family friends say the couple wants the 61-year-old democracy campaigner to be treated abroad. "I learned two weeks ago that Liu Xiaobo said that if he dies, he wants to die in the West," Liao, a family friend who lives in Germany, said in a phone interview. Another friend, who requested anonymity out of fear of persecution, told AFP he had received similar information from family sources. Amnesty International China researcher Patrick Poon, citing people close to the family, said: "Liu Xia indeed wants Liu Xiaobo to get medical care abroad." But the rights watchdog was unable to verify if the Nobel winner laureate himself has expressed those wishes. The state security ministry could not be reached for comment. Liao said he also received a handwritten letter from Liu's wife in April in which she says her husband wants to leave China. "I am sick of my life, this grotesque life... I long to escape," Liu Xia, who has suffered from heart problems and depression, writes in the missive, which Liao posted online. "I can hardly believe that Xiaobo agreed to leave China together with me and (my brother). I am grateful to you and to our friends for everything you've been doing and cannot wait to embrace you," it added. Liao said he sent the letter to the US and German governments. The US and German embassies in Beijing declined to comment. The new US ambassador to Beijing, Terry Branstad, said on Wednesday that he would like to see Liu have the option of treatment abroad, echoing a growing chorus of Chinese and foreign human rights activists. Taiwan on Wednesday also urged Beijing to release Liu and offered him medical treatment in a move that could stoke tensions between China and the self-ruled island. Asked to respond to Taiwan's offer, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Thursday said: "What you're talking about is China's internal affairs. It has no concern with China's diplomacy." "I'm not aware of what you said and it's not a diplomatic question," Lu said. Prison video surfaces Authorities in the northeastern city of Shenyang, where Liu is being treated, said late Wednesday that he was taken to a hospital after he was found to be unwell on May 31. On June 7, cancer experts at China Medical University No 1 Hospital determined that Liu had "liver cancer with systemic metastasis", meaning it has spread to the rest of his body, the Shenyang legal bureau said in a statement. Liu's wife and other family members were with him at the hospital and they expressed "satisfaction" with the treatment, the statement said. Meanwhile, a video showing Liu undergoing medical exams in prison was posted on YouTube by US-based Chinese-language news site Boxun late Wednesday. In the video, Liu says he is "grateful" for the "really good care" he has received from prison doctors. Liu is seen playing badminton in a prison yard, getting an ultrasound and undergoing a CT scan. Speaking with his wife in a prison visiting room divided by glass, Liu tells her that he "had a physical exam, they took blood... it's very good." Boxun did not specify where the footage came from or where and when it was filmed. The site's editors and prison authorities could not be reached for comment. Amnesty questioned the timing of the video's release and its source. They determined that the "junction between the Slovenian territorial sea and the 'High Sea' is an area in which ships and aircraft enjoy essentially the same rights of access to and from Slovenia as they enjoy on the high seas," presiding judge Gilbert Guillaume said, in a two-hour long judgement. In Ljubljana, Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar hailed the ruling as a "historic moment for Slovenia," saying the judgement "is definitive and must be applied on both countries, Slovenia and Croatia". The Slovenian leader said he would call his Croatian counterpart during the day to "begin dialogue on implementing the decision". "Slovenia will do nothing to harm relations between our countries or our citizens," he said. But Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said his country will refuse to implement the ruling, saying it was "not obliging us in any way". Poisoned relations The sea corridor will be about 2.5 nautical miles wide, and lies about 12 nautical miles beyond the territorial limits of both Croatia and Italy. But in the case which was first lodged with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2009, the court rejected Ljubljana's claim that the whole of the southwestern Piran bay was Slovenian territory. Instead they determined the maritime border "shall be a straight line joining a point in the middle of the channel of the St Odoric Canal" heading straight into the bay from the mouth of the Dragonja River. The area under dispute is a tranquil bay on the northern Adriatic Sea, where the medieval buildings of the southwestern Slovenian town of Piran tumble down to a sleepy port. But the bay is also shared by Croatia, and the dispute over where the sea borders should be drawn has poisoned relations between the neighbours since they both declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. In 2009, the two countries signed an EU-backed deal to allow the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to solve the long-standing dispute over the 13 square kilometres (five square miles) of largely uninhabited land and Piran Bay. Slovenia, which has just 46 kilometres (29 miles) of coastline, had argued its access to international waters was at stake because Croatia, whose coast stretches for 1,700 kilometres, wanted the border to be drawn down the middle of the disputed bay. 'Freedom of the seas' The judges stressed that the aim of the corridor was to "guarantee both the integrity of Croatia's territorial sea and Slovenia's freedoms of communication between its territory and the high seas." Zagreb had only agreed to join the proceedings after Ljubljana lifted its veto in 2009 to Croatia's accession to the European Union. But it pulled out again in 2014 following a phone tapping scandal. A Slovenian judge from the tribunal and a Ljubljana official were recorded discussing tactics for a ruling favourable to Slovenia. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Berlin had received a request for Erdogan to be able to address members of the three-million-strong Turkish diaspora in the EU country. "I explained weeks ago to my Turkish colleagues that we don't think that would be a good idea," Gabriel said during a Russia visit, pointing at stretched police resources around the July 7-8 G20 meeting. "I also said quite frankly that such an appearance would not be appropriate given the current adversarial situation with Turkey," he added, stressing that Erdogan would however be "received with honours". Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin responded by saying the move to prevent the president meeting with Turks in Germany was "incompatible with relations based on friendship and alliance". "We emphasise that centuries-long German-Turkish relations should not be sacrificed for the sake of short-term electoral calculations," he added, pointing to the upcoming German elections on September 24. The Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement that "it is regrettable that German politicians make unacceptable remarks motivated it seems by political calculations". The spokesman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) led by Erdogan said there was "nothing more natural" than the president meeting Turks in Germany. "The attitude of Germany is unacceptable," AKP spokesman Mahir Unal told NTV television, adding that Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu would continue contacts on the issue. 'Don't repeat the mistakes' Gabriel said he could "understand" his Social Democratic Party's chancellor-candidate Martin Schulz, who had said "foreign politicians who abuse our values must not be allowed to give inflammatory speeches in Germany". "I don't want Mr Erdogan, who is jailing members of the opposition and journalists in Turkey, to hold large-scale events in Germany," Schulz told the Bild newspaper. Directly criticising Schulz, the Turkish foreign ministry said the comments by the former president of the EU parliament showed the "true face of the mentality that we are confronted with". Erdogan last addressed Turkish-Germans in May 2015, in the city of Karlsruhe. The large Turkish diaspora is a legacy of Germany's massive post-war "guest worker" programme of the 1960s and 1970s. Tensions worsened further over the campaign for the April 16 referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers, where Germany and other EU states blocked attempts by figures in his ruling party to hold rallies abroad. Erdogan, who won the referendum, accused the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel of behaviour reminiscent of the Nazis, prompting condemnation in Germany. Presidential spokesman Kalin in his statement urged Germany "not to repeat the dreadful mistakes of the referendum campaign". Adding to the tensions, Turkey imprisoned Deniz Yucel, a German-Turkish journalist with Die Welt daily, on terror charges earlier this year. AMARILLO, Texas, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarillo residents concerned about their vision now have a better option for complete and comprehensive vision screening. Balfour Optical in Amarillo is offering patients optomap retinal scans, which utilize special state-of-the-art laser technology to help diagnose vision problems. Optometry patients are currently being offered a free optomap retinal scan through the end of the year. Designed to detect signs of disease, the retinal imaging device is easier and more efficient than traditional methods. Generally performed in conjunction with a traditional comprehensive eye exam, the optomap allows the optometrist to see up to 80% of the retina, providing a comprehensive view of the patients overall eye health. For comparison, traditional eye exams only reveal 15% of the retina. The process is painless and involves a quick flash and detailed image being taken of the patients retina. Results are nearly instant and can be reviewed at the same appointment. We are very happy to offer our patients this unique and comprehensive exam, says optometrist Dr. James Fitch. Early detection is crucial when it comes to things like glaucoma and macular degeneration. However, we can also tell if a patient is experiencing side effects of high blood pressure or diabetes just by reviewing the optomap scan. Usually, the optomap scan is paired with a comprehensive eye exam for an additional $39 fee. However, the team at Balfour Optical is offering it free through the end of the year in order to help more patients take part in the process. In addition to this advanced screening, the optometry center also offers complete vision care services for children, adults, and seniors. So many people think that going to the eye doctor is just picking up a new pair of prescription glasses or contacts, but there is so much more to it. Thats why I believe this test is so important, continues Dr. Fitch. It really is helping people change their overall health through that early discovery of issues before they turn into bigger problems later on in life." About Balfour Optical Balfour Optical offers patients comprehensive and caring optometry services in Amarillo, Texas. Dr. James Fitch, Dr. Ryan Hollingsworth, and their entire team are focused on providing the best vision health services possible including exams for adults and children of all ages. Schedule an appointment today by calling (806) 355-4407. Learn more about the optomap eye exam process and the other services amiable at this Amarillo optometry by visiting http://balfouroptical.com/. The groups accuse the French bank of financing the purchase of "80 tonnes of arms used to carry out genocide" by the Hutu regime, even though "the bank had to have known the genocidal intentions of the country's authorities." BNP authorised the fund transfer to the regime in June 1994, the groups said in a statement, accusing the bank of "complicity in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity". The four-month campaign led to the massacre of about 800,000 people, mostly from Rwanda's Tutsi minority. A spokesman for the bank told AFP it could not comment on the claims, saying it did not yet have "sufficient details". The lawsuit was filed in France by Sherpa, which defends victims of economic crimes; Ibuka France, a Rwanda victims' association; and the France-based Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda, which pursues claims against genocide suspects. MOLINE Ann Friederichs, former executive director of the Davenport Schools Foundation and a previous owner of a local insurance firm, has been named business adviser at the Illinois Small Business Development Center based at Western Illinois Universitys Quad-Cities campus. Ms. Friederichs previously was an owner and agent for Karwath Insurance Inc. in Davenport, a producer/agent for Nelson Brothers Agency in Bettendorf and president of the Vera French Foundation. She holds a bachelors degree in business administration from Colorado State University. Jim Boyd, SBDC director, said Ms. Friederichs will provide confidential one-on-one counseling in the areas of business start-up, expansion, acquisition and sale. She also will assist with business planning, marketing, record keeping and financial analysis. She also will present education and training at the request of organizations and small businesses. For more details, visit wiusbdc.org or call 309-762-3999, ext. 62243. As Small Newspaper Group hands over the reins of The Dispatch-Argus-QCOnline to Lee Enterprises, we want to express our gratitude for the privilege of serving our Quad-Cities community. Thank you to our loyal readers and advertisers and to countless newsmakers and contributors who have made possible the quality products we have been fortunate to provide to the community we have called home. Special thanks go to publisher Gerald J. Taylor, who has been a guiding force since 1975. That support has allowed talented staffers to provide a consistently award-winning community news product across multiple platforms and publications. The new owner intends to deliver an independent quality news product and to retain its voice. Were pleased that many of the people responsible for the awards listed in todays paper will be part of that effort. The future looks bright. As a human institution, we have never been perfect, but were proud of what we did, and thank all of you for your support over the years. Id like to address the elephant in the room. That elephant being the Republican Party and their refusal to represent the majority of their constituents. Lets begin with stricter gun control (something that would help lessen the fears parents have when sending their children off to school), 53% of Americans favor this (Pew Research) yet the elephant in the room refuses to consider any such thing. Over 70% of Americans want stricter background checks yet again; the elephant in the room refuses to represent them. 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal. Again, the elephant in the room pushes laws that do the opposite. 74% of Americans do not want social security reduced in any way. But the elephant in the room pushes to do just the opposite, cut social security. 63% of Americans now prefer Medicare for all, but the elephant in the room fights it with all its might. 67% of Americans feel more needs to be done to reduce climate change, but not the elephant in the room. The elephant sides with the fossil fuel industry claiming its not a big concern. Given these few statistics (there are more like them) its obvious that the Republican Party is the party of minority rule, quite the opposite of what our founding fathers envisioned. The Republican Party has become a power cult, not a party that represents the majority of Americans. Remember this while you mark your ballot in this midterm election. Save Democracy! Vote Democratic! LOGO Lounge by Lori Goldstein French Terry Sleeveless Jumpsuit is rated 4.5 out of 5 by 38 . Rated 2 out of 5 by Pam R Michigan from Size Down Was way to big! Wore once had to keep pulling it up and folding it. If you buy go a size down. Rated 1 out of 5 by Anonymous from Not For Plus Size Ordered both colors, which are great, but the fit for me, a plus size, was horrible. The elastic at the waste was too loose and made the pant part hang in the crotch and this prevented the top to blouse. The length was way too short (59) for me. Ordered a sweater that would go with both colors. Keeping the sweater as I love it but the jumpsuits are going back. Might be better for a thinner, shorter person. Rated 4 out of 5 by charchar2012 from Effortlessly Cute I bought this specifically for traveling, and it's perfect. It's the quickest, easiest piece to put on, doesn't wrinkle, and still looks stylish . The french terry is very lightweight; color (rose) is lovely. I would say fit is true-to-size, slightly loose. I gave 4 stars instead of 5, because I wish the ankle banding was a bit tighter, and I feel like this is a bit overpriced for being a casual jumpsuit. If it went on sale I'd buy another! Rated 5 out of 5 by ggma3 from Jumpsuit Just love her french terry and the COLORS! Normally wear med or large in LOGO so chose the medium. Fit was great,a bit more fitting in the rear but it stretched a tad after wearing which I thought they would. I ordered the Willow,her color palettes are so lovely and almost always work as neutrals. Washed up great so I ordered the other 2 colors as well. Hope she brings this basic back in more colors soon. PS: normally I stay away from jumpsuits because of the hassle but these are easy enough for me to take on and off/up or down. Rated 4 out of 5 by shoppergirl101 from Size I wear a 3x-2x in shirt size and a 2x in pant size. I ordered this in a 3x, way to big, sent back and ordered 1x. This is very stretchy material. It fits a little snugger then I would have liked, but not to where I would send back to try the 2x. I wear with a vest over this when I go out and it looks great. Very comfortable. Ordered in the willow color and like it very much. The cuffs at the bottom of legs are a plus so you can wear with legs pushed up. I am about 5'3 and weigh 220 lbs. This is the first jumpsuit I have tried. Rated 3 out of 5 by lordiluv from Nice This jumpsuit is cute, comfortable and runs a little loose although has good length. I didn't rate this a '5' star only because I think they are just a little pricey for just casual wear.. Don't think it's worth the price but at this point too busy to return them.. Would recommend only if the price goes lower. Rated 1 out of 5 by Ronee from Material Way Too Heavy Wish I could send back, accidentally shredded return receipt. Material way too heavy for Texas. Love the color though. The four-section trams will begin service on Bremens seven-line 79km network from early 2019. The trams will replace the GT8N-series trams currently in service on the network, and are equipped with space for wheelchairs, bicycles and pushchairs, an electric lift at the second entrance, LED lighting, large windows, and air-conditioning. The trams are up to 90% recyclable and use braking energy to feed into the power grid or for heating. Each vehicle has capacity for 259 passengers and a maximum speed of 70km/h. Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK If you're a fan of vintage toys, you may remember the drinking bird. To some, it was child's play or a quirky desk toy to distract adults from work. But to RAND's Dick Murrow, it was a way to make life easier for Egyptian farmers. Murrow was vacationing in Egypt in 1962 when he realized that most farmers were manually lifting water several feet from irrigation canals to their fields, primarily with the help of a shadoofa pole with a bucket and counterweight. As Murrow reflected on his trip, it struck him that the shadoof was similar to the drinking bird he had at home, but with one crucial difference: The bird could operate with little human intervention. The toy bird (which inexplicably wears a top hat) is actually a heat engine that uses evaporation, a small difference in temperature between the bird's liquid-filled body and empty head, and vapor pressure to cause the beak to dip repeatedly into a liquid. (For a demonstration, watch this scene from the show Mad Men.) Photo by RobinLeicester/Wikimedia Murrowwho previously led Howard Hughes's Spruce Goose design team and later joined the legions who complained about Hughes's micromanagementcreated a small heat engine in his home workshop. He wrote up the results in a short RAND report and an article for the Saturday Review. The Review's science writer was so enthusiastic that he gave a drinking bird to Richard Nolte, the U.S. ambassador to Egypt, who promised to display it on his embassy desk with a sign reading Shadoof. But Murrow couldn't secure funding to further the concept, and Egyptians eventually moved on to diesel pumps. Like the Spruce Goose, the drinking bird shadoof never really got off the ground. Melissa Bauman MOSCOW, June 29 (RAPSI) Jurors have found all of the defendants in the case over the murder of prominent Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, guilty, RAPSI reports from the Moscow District Military Court on Thursday. Jury panel affirmed that all defendants were involved in the murder and do not deserve mitigated sentences. Earlier, jurors stated that one of defendants, Zaur Dadayev, conspired with other defendants, was stalking and collecting data on Nemtsov, prepared murder and killed the politician himself, shooting his victim at least six times from an unidentified gun. Dadayev was found guilty by ten out of twelve jurors. On June 27, a judge in the case removed two jurors from the panel. On June 22, judge in the case read out a questionnaire, consisting of 26 questions, and advised the jurors. He noted that the deliberation of the raised questions may take an extended amount of time and because of that the jurors are to congregate on June 27. In case jurors rule defendants to be guilty of crimes, they are also to decide if they deserve leniency. The prosecutor in the case asked jurors to deliver a guilty verdict for five defendants in the case. According to the prosecutor, their guilt in the murder has been proven. In turn, the lawyers of the defendants asked to acquit their clients. Boris Nemtsov, 55, a prominent opposition politician, who held a number of high-ranking posts in the Russian Government in the 1990s and in the 2000s joined the opposition, was shot down in the center of Moscow as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin on the night of February 28, 2015. Five men, Zaur Dadayev, brothers Anzor and Shadid Gubashev, Khamzat Bakhayev have been charged along with Temirlan Eskerkhanov with contract murder and illegal acquisition, carrying and keeping of weapons. Ruslan Mukhudinov, a former officer in Chechen Interior Ministry, is believed to be a mastermind of the murder. He was placed on the international wanted list in November 2015. Beslan Shavanov, who allegedly was also implicated in the crime, reportedly killed himself when police tried to arrest him. Investigators believe that the conspirators in the murder had thoroughly prepared to commit this crime: they studied Nemtsovs schedule, spied upon him, prepared suitable weapons, vehicles and communication equipment. On the day of the murder, 28 February, after following Nemtsov from his home, at about 11.31 p.m. Dadayev, having received a signal from Anzor Gubashev and Shavanov that the situation was suitable for the murder, shot Nemtsov at least six times, according to investigation. Criminal prosecution of Shavanov was dismissed because of his death. Investigation into Mukhudinov is underway. One more social network Group of Death admin put in detention MOSCOW, June 29 (RAPSI) An underage girl, who was an administrator of a Group of Death on a social network, has been put in detention on suspicion of attempted assassination, the Investigative Committees press service announced on Thursday. Investigators believe that the girl living in the Kamchatka Region monitored social networks searching for teenagers fallen into depression, and formed a database of potential victims. The suspect created several fake accounts, began communicating with alleged victims and sent them invitations to get into a game which was to result in suicide. In March, a girl of majority age residing in the city of Khabarovsk became a victim of the Group of Death admin. She got upon a roof of a high-rise apartment building for committing suicide on the order of the suspect. The tragedy was prevented by law enforcement officers, the statement reads. Computers and diaries the suspected girl was keeping have been seized during the searches conducted at her premises. Investigation is underway. Recently, probe into another admin of a similar group has been completed. Philipp Budeykin, aka Philipp Fox, abetted teens to commit suicide via the social network between April and May 2016, according to investigators. In May 2017, Budeykin pleaded guilty. A criminal case was opened in May 2016 after several Russian media outlets reported about so-called Groups of Death, numerous groups where young people were encouraged to kill themselves. Investigators claim that from December 2013 to May 2016 eight Groups of Death were registered on Vkontakte network. Fifteen teenagers from various regions of Russia were members of these groups and committed suicide. Searches were conducted in ten regions of Russia. The investigation is currently ongoing in Russias Krasnodar Territory, Republics of Komi and Bashkortostan and Moscow, Volgograd, Voronezh, Tula, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions. Investigators also claim that admins of Groups of Death have been found in Ukraine. President Trumps exchange with President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama sparked a social media maelstrom last week. The Panama Canal is doing quite well. I think we did a good job building it, right? Trump remarked during a meeting at the White House. One hundred years ago, Varela replied. The Internet lit up, and even Late Night show host Seth Myers piled on. But lost in the buzz, which mostly reiterated Varelas point without his diplomacy, is the larger history of the Panama Canal and its relevance for today. Understandably, Varela was not gushing with gratitude for the United States help. The megaproject began with coercion, was built at tremendous human and economic cost, and for decades operated with little benefit to locals. In many ways, Panamas experience in the last century underscores the risks for developing countries of pursuing megaprojects with this centurys rising power: China. Teddy Roosevelt did more than drive a hard bargain for the canal. As Noel Maurer and Carlos Yu recount in their book, The Big Ditch, U.S. negotiators threatened to take their proposal for a canal to Nicaragua, and during the talks, U.S. Marines were stationed in the area. At the time, Panama was part of Colombia. When Colombias senate would not agree to the terms of a deal, Roosevelt backed a Panamanian independence leader and sent the U.S. Navy to dissuade Colombia from intervening. As Roosevelt later recounted, I took the Isthmus, started the canal and then left Congress not to debate the canal but to debate me. Construction came at a high cost. According to official records, more than 5,600 workers died during the U.S.-led construction. Black workers, including many West Indians, suffered disproportionately and, by some estimates, were nearly four times more likely to die than white workers. These losses were in addition to those from an earlier French-led construction period, during which an estimated 22,000 canal workers perished. At the time, the Panama Canal was the most expensive public project in U.S. history. It was delivered a decade late and at twice its estimated cost, worse than the Washington Metro and the Bay Area Rapid Transit System, among other projects. To be fair, as Mauer explains, the canals cost overrun is proportionally better than those of the Miami Metrorail, Bostons Big Dig, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Despite considerable cost overruns, the investment still paid off. The canal supercharged trade between the United States coasts, particularly benefitting the lumber industry in the Northwest and Californias oil industry. Mauer estimates that by 1940, U.S. gross domestic product was roughly 4 percent higher than it would have been without the canal. Eventually, costs for rail and road transport within the United States declined and so did the importance of the canal for Americans. But Panama itself captured relatively little of this largess until it assumed ownership of the canal at the end of the twentieth century. Most of the labor used to construct the canal was foreign. Tolls from the canal were sent to the U.S. Treasury. A commissary was set up that carried U.S. goods and effectively undercut competition from local Panamanian merchants. Taking these factors into account, Maurer and Yus research suggests that Panamas biggest benefit was indirect and unexpected: reducing malaria and yellow fever. Today, Panamas experience should serve as a cautionary tale for developing countries considering megaprojects. According to the Asian Development Bank, developing Asia alone needs to spend $26 trillion on infrastructure by 2030 to maintain growth, eradicate poverty, and address climate change. Seeing an opening, China has put forward an effort called the Belt and Road initiative that promises more than $1 trillion in infrastructure spending. With great needs and great promises come great risks. Much has changed since Roosevelt set his eyes on Panama. But there is no doubt that negotiations over large infrastructure projects are still influenced by disparities. Power still matters, and smaller states remain vulnerable to coercion at the bargaining table. Poor deals can have consequences even a century after they are inked. Three risks loom particularly large. Financial risks are considerable, especially when small economies take on massive projects. Laos, for example, has embarked on a railway project worth more than half of its gross domestic product with Chinas backing. Pakistan has pegged its future to a $60 billion-plus package of energy and transport projects called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It is far too early to tell whether these projects will succeed. But already they have become too big to fail. Management risks are often overlooked. Like Panama at the beginning of the last century, some developing countries lack the capacity to operate major infrastructure projects effectively. Modern ports, for example, use cutting-edge technology and require well-trained workforces to compete globally. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies win headlines, but success ultimately depends on the ability of countries to operate and maintain projects. As any Amtrak rider can attest, deferred maintenance leads to more disruptions and bigger costs. There are also security risks. Many transportation projects have military uses, and their construction can justify the presence of military forces, often to protect foreign workers. For example, experts have questioned the economic merits of Chinese port investments in Pakistan, Malaysia, and elsewhere. This should give prospective hosts pause. If deals are difficult to negotiate fairly with a large partner, they probably will not be easier to revisit when that partner has military forces stationed there and controls a critical economic hub or connection. To be sure, Chinas investment in economically viable projects should be celebrated, especially when deals are done transparently and meet international environmental and social standards. Nor are other developing countries mere pawns, caught helplessly between larger powers. For many countries in Southeast Asia, for example, the infrastructure rivalry between China and Japan has provided leverage for reaching better deals. As Indonesias finance minister put it recently, This is a good competition. Trump was right that the Panama Canal is doing quite well. For almost two decades, Panama has surpassed expectations and overcome concerns that it lacked the capacity to operate the canal effectively. The canal is even more profitable under Panamanian leadership, which has put the private sector in the drivers seat, than it was under U.S. control. But Panamas arduous, century-long path to that success is not one that developing countries should aspire to follow. The phrase African solutions to African problems, currently the guiding ethos for the African Union, is meant to demonstrate to the international community that the governments of the continent are capable, serious, and cooperative enough with one another to tackle threats that transcend national borders. Last week, the U.N. Security Council reaffirmed its endorsement of the African solutions to African problems concept by passing a resolution that would approve the creation of a five-nation, collective counterterrorism force for the Sahel region. After weeks of backroom negotiations between U.S. and French diplomats at U.N. headquarters, the Security Council came to a consensus. The 5,000-strong African counterterrorism unit will be authorized to combat the many terrorist groups, smugglers, and drug dealers that have made the semi-arid swath stretching east from the Mauritanian coast to the Chadian plains a fertile region for fundraising and illicit activity. The resolution, the French U.N. ambassador commented, is a landmark expression of support for a group of African states typically off the international communitys radar. As is frequently the case in these kinds of missions, the final disposition of forces, the financial sources required to keep the joint counterterrorism force afloat, and whether Western intelligence agencies will partner with African troops on the ground are questions that havent been fully answered. There will likely be a dispute about whether governments in the Sahel region have the funding capacity to maintain the force on an annual basis. African members of the joint force will also need to arrive at an agreement on which state will take command and the extent to which military operations will need to be approved by the political leaderships of all five member states. But regardless of those differences, a combined counterterrorism task force manned and commanded by African governments themselves is good news for the United States. For one, encouraging regional governments to cooperate with one another and to integrate their militaries in pursuit of a common, regional threat has always been a priority for the United States. Countries should clean up their own backyards. Even before President Donald Trump took over the White House, there was a lingering feeling in Washington that the United States was being asked to do too much, too often, and in too many places around the world. For example, after Russia annexed Crimea and intervened in Eastern Ukraine, the Obama administration responded by authorizing a European Reassurance Initiative fund that devoted billions of dollars to provide for the security of our wealthy European allies in the event of a conflict. When the Colombian government struck a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in 2016 after decades of internal conflict, the United States pledged a $450 million package of economic and diplomatic incentives and post-conflict reconstruction that would support the deals implementation on the ground. In other words, the United States is paying a large freight to secure other countries, money that could otherwise rebuild our armed forces. The establishment of an African counterterrorism force in the Sahel, however, is a great example of the pendulum slowly starting to shift. Much of this shift may be specific to Africa, where governments are almost inherently suspicious of Western projects and programs. But whatever the motives behind the joint counterterrorism unit, the development should be welcomed by the United States and its Western European partners as an example of what can happen when states choose to collaborate on regional problems rather than waiting for a foreign power to come to their rescue. American global leadership is important. But the United States cannot fight every battle and right every wrong in a multipolar world on its own -- nor should it. Our wealthy friends and allies should share that burden. If the Sahel force is a success, the Trump administration may be able to exploit it as a model of what can happen when local governments increasingly rely on their own abilities instead of picking up the phone and calling Washington for immediate assistance. But theres a flip-side to that coin: If the force fails to limit terrorism, is unable to cut down on transnational smuggling, devolves into nationalist bickering, or cannot sustain itself financially or logistically, the regional-solutions-for-regional-problems framework will be dealt a significant blow. While it will ultimately be up to these African states to prove that they can indeed do the job and do it well, the United States can assist the counterterrorism force with advice on best practices. The State Department can also monitor the joint force from afar in order to determine where the deficiencies are and what measures African governments can take to mitigate them. The United States, in other words, can help African governments help themselves at very little cost or investment to U.S. taxpayers -- all the while promoting a self-sustainable crisis response model to other regions of the world. Encouraging more countries to become more self-reliant is an easy political and policy win for all policymakers. North Korea has threatened to impose the death penalty on the South's former president Park Geun-hye over an alleged plot to assassinate Kim Jong-un. The threat undermines Seoul's recent efforts to improve relations. Efforts by the new South Korean administration of President Moon Jae-in to build bridges with the regime in Pyongyang have suffered another blow after North Korea announced that it intends to carry out the summary execution of Park Geun-hye, the South's former president, for allegedly plotting to assassinate Kim Jong-un. A statement issued by North Korea's Ministry of State Security on Wednesday said that Park and Lee Byung-ho, the former head of South Korea's national intelligence agency, would "meet a miserable dog's death at any time, at any place and by whatever methods from this moment on." The statement, reported by the state-run Korea Central News Agency, also demanded that the South Korean government immediately hand over Park and Lee to North Korea on the grounds that they had plotted to carry out "state-sponsored terrorism" against the leadership of the North. Should the pair not be handed over, they would be the subject of "summary punishment without advance warning," while any others confirmed to have taken part in the plot would meet a similar end, it said. - Trump 'furious' over Seoul's North Korea 'appeasement' - North Korea attempts to split South Korea-US security alliance 'Assassination plots' In May, Pyongyang claimed to have foiled a CIA plot for a North Korean who had been "ideologically corrupted and bribed" to assassinate Kim with a "biochemical substance" and accused the US of colluding with South Korea to conduct state-sponsored terrorism. North Korea paraded a man that it claimed was the agent sent to kill Kim, claiming he had confessed to having been convinced to take part in the assassination attempt while working abroad. There has been no further information on the fate of the man. South Korea has dismissed the North's claims of a plan to eliminate Kim. "It's ridiculous," Rah Jong-yil, a former head of South Korean intelligence, told DW. "This regime is accusing Park and Lee of planning to kill Kim with no evidence at all and completely overlooking the appalling things they have done through the years." North Korea is accused of kidnapping many hundreds of foreign nationals, of bombing civilian airliners and murdering members of the South Korean cabinet in October 1983, Rah said. They imprison thousands of their own citizens for the slightest infraction and thought nothing of using a chemical weapon against Kim's half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, in a crowded airport in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, he added. "And not once have they ever apologized for these things, or even admitted them," he said. "To claim that the South tried to kill Kim is fantasy and, I would suggest, only reflects Kim's growing sense of insecurity," he added. That suggestion is supported by a recent report by the South Korean intelligence agency that the North Korean dictator is "extremely nervous" about plots to assassinate him. - How North Korea hype helped South Korea's pro-peace Moon - Is a second Korean War imminent? Fearful of an attack As well as being fearful of an attack by gunmen on the vehicles that he uses to travel around the country, Kim is also constantly worried about an air strike, officials of the National Intelligence Service told a restricted session of the South Korean parliament in early June. Kim has taken to travelling in a well-protected convoy at dawn and switches between different subordinates' cars instead of always travelling in his own Mercedes-Benz. Kim's concern for his own safety has soared since it was reported earlier this year that the US and South Korea are setting up a special forces unit that would be tasked with eliminating the North Korean leadership in the event of war breaking out on the peninsula. Members of the US Navy's Seal Team Six - which conducted the raid in which Osama Bin Laden was killed allegedly took part in exercises in March with South Korean special forces. The US reportedly made it clear that the units were training to carry out a "decapitation operation" designed to kill the North's leaders and destroy the regime's ability to continue fighting. North Korea's proclamation coincides with Moon's visit to Washington, where he is holding two days of talks with President Donald Trump. The US leader has also been the target of the North's vitriol in the run-up to the meeting, with state-run media likening Trump to Adolf Hitler and the US president's "America First" policies to Nazism. An editorial published on Tuesday by KCNA claimed that Trump's "two-nation strategy" towards the Korean Peninsula is "based on Hitler's dictatorial policies that separate people from their peers, justifies oppression and creates an atmosphere of fear in American political, social, media and information circles." Trump's policies on immigrations are "no different from the racist policies of fascism" and "denigrate the history of America," it added. Read: Opinion: Trump's Korean dilemma Continue to reach out Yet Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor at Tokyo's Waseda University and an authority on inter-Korean politics, believes that the hugely popular Moon will continue to try to reach out to the North with offers of dialogue and assistance. "Despite this threat to kill his predecessor, I expect Moon will again offer to hold talks with the North, will offer assistance and other ways of building bridges," he said. "This is the policy he outlined in the election campaign, it is a philosophy he has had throughout his political career and it would be hard for him to change now." Polls suggest that the South Korean people support efforts to develop relations with the North, with a recent study suggesting that as many as 80 percent of South Koreans want the two sides to negotiate directly. Shigemura says such attitudes are naive. "I do not think these people realize the sort of regime they are talking about," he said. "I think they have forgotten all the provocative acts the North has carried out." But he does not believe Moon's repeated olive branches will ever be grasped. "The North has rejected all efforts from the Moon government so far, and that is because they want more concessions and money from the South and, secondly, they very much want to bring the Moon administration down and to sow turmoil in the South," he said. Seoul may have radically changed its attitudes towards the North in recent months, but Pyongyang is still intent on destroying its neighbor, he added. After the change of leadership in Uzbekistan, it has been widely acknowledged that the countrys new president, Shavkat Mirziyaev, is pursuing a more proactive and constructive regional diplomacy in Central Asia than his predecessor (see EDM, October 26, 2016; December 15, 2016). Along with Mirziyaevs attempts to further enhance ties with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan as well as his efforts to improve ties with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (Azattyq.org, May 25), the Uzbekistani government also significantly altered its approach toward another important neighborAfghanistan (Podrobno.uz, June 12). Heralding the arrival of a new era in bilateral relations, Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov made an official visit to Afghanistan in January 2017, the first such visit to Kabul by a high-ranking official from Tashkent in almost two decades. During the visit, Kamilov said that his government would no longer look at Afghanistan solely through the prism of security threats, which was the predominant approach over the last 25 years. Instead, he said, Uzbekistan wanted to reshape relations by facilitating greater cross-border trade, humanitarian and cultural cooperation, as well as more active participation in implementing various mutually beneficial regional energy, infrastructure and transport projects (Politrus.com, January 31). The creation of the position of special presidential envoy for Afghanistan was another indication that Uzbekistan wants to upgrade bilateral ties to a qualitatively new level. It has underlined Tashkents willingness to play a more active role in the international processes related to achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan (News.tj, May 29). An important improvement in bilateral relations has been the activation of official contacts at the highest level. President Mirziyaev has been maintaining direct personal dialogue with his Afghan counterpart by making use of every opportunity to speak, including at international forums. As such, both leaders had a side meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations (SCO) annual summit in Astana, in June this year, during which they discussed the execution of an agreed-upon road map for the development of comprehensive bilateral cooperation (Uza.uz, June 8). Elyor Ganiyev, Uzbekistans minister of foreign trade, who attended the two leaders meeting in Astana, said that the two countries have all the reserves and capacities to increase mutual trade from around $500 million in 2016 to at least $1 billion by the end of 2017. He also affirmed that the two countries were preparing specific agreements to facilitate the trade and transit of goods (Uzdaily.uz, June 13). Uzbekistans Trading House was opened in Kabul in January 2017, and it will permanently host an exhibition of all industrial products made in Uzbekistan for the Afghan market. Currently, Uzbekistan is Afghanistans only neighbor with which it has a railway connection. Uzbekistan exports electricity, petroleum products, fertilizers, construction materials, agricultural machinery, ambulances, medicines and medical equipment, wheat, and eggs to Afghanistan. Moreover, it imports minerals, tropical fruit, carpets and other goods from Afghanistan (Regnum.ru, April 22; Uzdaily.uz, June 13). In another bold move, Uzbekistan sees great potential for itself in active participation in various regional energy, transport and infrastructure projects related to Afghanistan. During Mirziyaevs recent working visit (his second in 2017) to Turkmenistan, in late May, Uzbekistan was invited by the host government to help in the implementation of the TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia (TAPI) natural gas pipeline, which was readily accepted. Afghan officials also consider the implementation of the TAPI pipeline project as a priority for their country (1news.uz, May 21). According to Alisher Sultanov, the CEO of Uzbekneftegaz (Uzbekistans national oil and gas company), his firm has a particularly good chance to be chosen as the operator of the TAPI pipeline. Even though Sultanov acknowledged the existence of various regional challenges to implementing this ambitious and expensive project, he nevertheless expressed optimism and said that his company was up to the challenge (Anhor.uzJune 15). Some commentators have been quick to express disbelief that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistans cooperation on TAPI would have any real impact on the implementation of this long-delayed project; as such, they dismissed it as a meaningless exercise (Azattyq.org, May 25). However, if history is any guide, these two Central Asian neighbors faced similar skepticism in the past when they agreed to implement another ambitious project: The first line of the TurkmenistanUzbekistanKazakhstanChina (TUKC) natural gas pipeline was successfully launched in 2009, only a few years after the agreement was finalized. Currently, the TUKC pipeline has three lines, all of which were constructed with the participation of Uzbekneftegaz. The pipeline has already delivered more than 180 billion cubic meters of Central Asian gas to China. Realistically, the set of challenges for implementing the TAPI pipeline might be different from those faced by the TUKC. But from the technical side, Uzbekneftegaz has all the necessary experience and know-how to implement such a grandiose projects. Moreover, in Central Asian politics, such agreements, as perhaps opposed to some international practices, are not signed and announced for only propagandistic purposes; their implementation or lack of thereof usually carries reputational costs in interstate relations. Uzbekistans bold moves in Afghanistan are taking place at a time when the security situation might be worsening, with a resurgent Taliban and other terrorist groups loyal to the so-called Islamic State (IS) increasingly challenging the central government in Kabul. Militants are stepping up their insurgent activities especially in Afghanistans northern provinces, which border on Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. One can also see ominous signs that an escalation in the global rivalry between the United States and Russia might be again playing out in Afghanistan (Sputnik News, May 23). The US governments recent decision to send additional troops and military equipment to Afghanistan is a welcome development from Tashkents point of view, which could potentially help Afghan authorities roll back the growing insurgency in the country (USA Today, June 15). However, real peace and stability in Afghanistan will most likely remain as elusive as ever for years to come. Therefore, the long-term success of the Uzbekistani governments reset in its relations with Afghanistan will depend on whether it will be able to continue to see opportunity rather than threat as far as Afghanistan is concernedeven if the security situation there takes a turn for the worse in the coming months. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Property details: Bel Air Collection Resort & Spa Vallarta Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit 63732 Mexico FREE CLOSING!! 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No-frills carrier IndiGo has expressed interest to buy Air India "I don't possess that much courage" to invest in Air India, noted industrialist Anand Mahindra, bottom, left, has said amid the government deciding to sell stake in the loss-making airline. To revive the carrier, the Cabinet has decided on its divestment and the modalities such as the treatment of unsustainable debts of Air India and hiving off certain assets to a shell company would be decided. "I see myself as a generally courageous person... But I confess... I don't possess THAT much courage...," Mahindra said in a tweet. He was responding to a tweet on whether Mahindra would invest in Air India. Last week, business leader Sunil Mittal had said that if Air India is to be privatised, then Tatas will be one of the better candidates to buy stake in the airline. While there has been no official word about their plans, Tata group is believed to be interested in purchasing stake in the national carrier. No-frills carrier IndiGo has expressed interest to buy Air India but various other international and domestic airlines contacted by PTI did not offer any comment about their interest. On whether Emirates would look to buy stake in Air India, the Middle East carrier said its strategy is unchanged. "Our business is focused on organic growth and has a pipeline of investments to renew and grow the fleet, expand the global network and continuous innovation of our products and services," the airline said in an e-mailed statement. "Emirates confirms that it has no plans to acquire a stake in any airline/ airport in India or elsewhere," it added. Responding to the same query, a flydubai spokesperson said, "this isn't something that we are exploring and we remain committed to growing our network in India organically". A Lufthansa spokesperson said it would not comment on speculations. "Jet Airways does not comment on speculation. As a listed entity, all material decisions are taken by the company's board and duly conveyed at the appropriate time," an airline spokesperson said. There was no immediate comment on the query from SpiceJet. Queries sent to Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and South Afircan Airways remained unanswered. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters Modi's visit to dwell on water conservation, Israel's expertise in desalination may also be tapped India and Israel have been engaged in setting up centres of excellence since 2008 as part of the India-Israel Agriculture Project (IIAP) - a collaboration between governments. Of the proposed 26 centres, 15 have become fully operational and the others are expected to from early next year. These centres are being set up in Bihar for lychee and mango, in Karnataka for mango, pomegranate and vegetables, in West Bengal for vegetables and so on. The focus is on providing the best in technical know-how, seeds and farming practices. The implementing agencies are the National Horticulture Mission under Indias agriculture ministry and Mashav, the Israeli agency for international development cooperation, under its foreign ministry. These ties in agriculture, with added emphasis on water conservation solutions, are expected to deepen during the first visit there of an Indian Prime Minister on July 4-5. There are plans, say sources, to take this collaboration to the next stage, as the existing government-to-government model has worked. Indian firms might be encouraged to set up such mega centres, too, in collaboration with Israeli firms. During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have detailed discussions with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on all matters of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday. Modi will also call on the Israeli President Reuven Ruvi Rivlin. India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 and since then, the relationship has evolved into a multi-dimensional partnership, the MEA said. This year, both countries are commemorating 25 years of diplomatic ties. Any progress on expanding the IIAP can happen only after all the proposed 26 centres are completed and become fully operational, an official said. The concept note also mentions plans for implementing an animal husbandry project and establishment of beekeeping centres, or apiaries, in Haryana, besides post-harvest centres for dates in Gujarat and Rajasthan. There is also Israels expertise in water management, including desalination of sea water. An Israeli firm was recently awarded a project to clean a part of the Yamuna. Ayala Water & Ecology will focus on a stretch of eight kilometre of sewage which drains into the river, as an initial step towards a cleaner water and environment. In water conservation and management, we are looking at a more business-to-government or business-to-business model, wherein the government acts as an umbrella, while the actual activity on ground is carried on by private firms, sources said. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha emphasised that the brand name has both sentimental and economical value. Should the national carrier retain its brand name once it is privatised? A group of ministers to be set up to look into Air India's future will decide on it. "We may have a view on brand name but that is a decision to be made by the Alternative Mechanism (AM). Are we going to insist on the brand name being retained? Will we give them (private players) the freedom? (on the name). That is a decision to be taken by the AM," said R N Choubey, secretary, ministry of civil aviation. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha emphasised that the brand name has both sentimental and economical value. "The economically sensible thing to do and the sentimental thing to do will be to keep the Air India brand. The brand has a value as well as from emotional, sentimental and national perspective it has value. So, we think that anybody who would be interested in Air India would be interested in the brand as well," he said. With the decision of the Cabinet on Wednesday to grant in-principle approval for divestment of the national carrier, Air India's history has come full circle. It was nationalised in 1953 because it was perceived as a matter of national prestige. The government is now mulling selling its stakes because of its massive debt of Rs 52,000 crore. Air India's brand is also likely to carry huge valuation, according to senior officials at the airline. "If the six-year-old Kingfisher brand was valued at Rs 3,500 crore, the valuation of the over 80-year Air India's brand could be anybody's guess," said a source. The carrier was born as Tata Airlines when it was established by industrialist J R D Tata in 1932 with an initial investment of Rs 200,000 from Tata Sons and two second-hand de Havilland Puss Moths. J R D Tata himself piloted a single-engine plane carrying 25 kg of mail from Karachi to Bombay. An occasional passenger would be ferried perched on top of the mail bags. In 1933, the first full year of operations, Tata Airlines flew 160,000 miles, carrying 155 passengers and 10.71 tonnes of mail. The airline spread its wings for the first time overseas, to Colombo, in 1938. During World War II, it was involved in a survey of the South Arabia route, carriage of supplies to Iraq, movement of refugees from Burma and overhaul and maintenance of the equipment of Britain's Royal Air Force. Tata Airlines went public and became a joint stock company in 1946 and was called Air India Ltd. On June 8, 1948, Air India International, with the famous Maharaja as its mascot, spread its wings to Europe. In 1953, a profitable Air India was nationalised though J R D Tata was appointed as the company's first chairman and served in that capacity until 1977, when the new government decided to unceremoniously terminate his services. J R D's successor Ratan N Tata was later appointed as the chairman of Air India in 1986 and held that post till 1989. In 2000, the (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee government cleared a proposal to divest its stake in both Air India and Indian Airlines. Seven years later, both entities would be merged into National Aviation Company of India. Both these firms were already making losses then, and the merger significantly spiked Air India's costs. A CAG report in 2011 would later blame the government for causing financial loss by going in for expansion without a proper business plan just before the merger. The CAG had questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes for Air India and Indian Airlines - 48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006 and had called it a "recipe for disaster". In 2012, the United Progressive Alliance government approved a turnaround plan of Rs 30,000 crore till 2021 for Air India which had dues worth Rs 67,520 crore. Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/Reuters Only nine out of India's 29 states have Hindi as the official language, so why impose Hindi on the other states, asks Syed Firdaus Ashraf. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com My first encounter with Hindi versus regional languages occurred in 1982. My maternal grandfather, the late Kamruddin Sarwar, had booked bus tickets for his seven grandchildren from Londa to Savnur in Karnataka. He was on the final lap of his life and wanted his grandchildren to visit his village Savnur so that we would cherish the memory all our lives. We entered a Karnataka government bus at Londa only to discover that our reserved seats had been occupied by villagers. My grandfather argued with the villagers over their occupying our seats. All seven of us Mumbai kids were dumbstruck. We didn't open our mouths. The reason: The Kannada language. None of the locals on the bus knew Hindi, Marathi or English. The bus driver and conductor too pitched in, but they too spoke Kannada. I recall my grandfather telling the villagers occupying our seats 'En madtha iddhira? (What are you doing?)' if I remember right. My grandfather loved Kannada and never lost an opportunity to speak in Kannada whenever he encountered a fellow Kannadiga in Mumbai. Hindus or Muslims did not matter to him, what did was only Kannada! He only had Kannadiga friends in Mumbai, Hindus and Muslims. He was a Kannadiga first and an Indian next. When Muslim government employees in undivided India were given an option to migrate to Pakistan, my grandfather asked his youngest brother to travel to Pakistan and see if that new country would suit the family. My granduncle traveled from Karachi to Peshawar for a month in 1947. He liked what he saw, but Pakistan had a problem, he told his elder brother, my grandfather. And what was that? 'No one speaks Kannada in Pakistan,' he told his brother. My grandfather decided there and then that he would not move out of India. All because, Pakistanis didn't speak Kannada. After the incident on the bus, I realised how fluent my grandfather was in Kannada. He could convince many people on the bus that they were wrong, which is how we kids got the seats reserved for us. During our stay in Savnur I discovered that my grandfather's relatives only spoke in Kannada. We Mumbai kids on the other hand had no knowledge of South Indian languages. Every language from beyond the Vindhyas -- be it, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam or Telugu -- was the same for us. We felt proud speaking in Hindi, and assumed that ours was the national language of India. It was only later that I learnt that India has no national language. Hindi and English are only official languages. Four years after the incident on a Karnataka bus, Hindi overnight became a villain in my life. I failed in Class 9. Guess in which subject? Hindi. The school's principal summoned my father -- who ironically is a well-known Hindi writer -- and showed him my answer paper. The principal pointed out how I had written words like aaju-baaju, a Bambaiya construct, and khushboo, which was not Hindi, but Urdu. The correct word in Hindi was sugandh. And as for aaju-baaju, it was aas-paas. My father promised the principal that I would score a first class in Hindi the next year. That was not to be; I only got 58 marks out of 100. A fear of shuddh Hindi remained in me after that. I was cautious while speaking the language when native Hindi speakers were around, careful not to lapse in Bambaiya Hindi which we Mumbai natives use in every day discourse. In 1997, when I moved to Delhi, my perspective about Hindi began to change further when I became friends with Indians from Kerala and other non-Hindi speaking states. I realised how intolerant Hindi speakers are towards those who do not speak Hindi. One day a Malayalee friend asked the vegetable vendor in all earnestness, 'Do kilo pyaar do (Give me two kilos of love).' I laughed loudly; even the vendor could not stop laughing. What my friend meant was 'Give me two kilos of onions (pyaaz)'. My Malayalee friend said I must appreciate his trying to speak Hindi whereas I never made an attempt to speak a single word of Malayalam. In Bambaiya terms, it was a bolti-bandh moment for me. On a visit to Kerala two years ago, sitting with a group of Malayalee friends at a resort, I discovered that the banter was all in Malayalam. 'I hope you don't mind it,' one friend told me. They could have spoken in English for my sake, but were clearly comfortable speaking in their mother tongue. 'We Mallus feel out of place when you Hindiwallahs speak in Hindi,' my friend added. Point noted. Only nine out of India's 29 states have Hindi as the state language: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. So why impose Hindi on other states? We are Indians, not Hindi-ans. Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naiduji -- who recently said, 'Hamari matrubhasha hamari pehchan hai. Hamein is pe garv karna chahiye. Angrezi seekhte seekhte hum angrezi mind mein bhi aa gaye hain. Ye desh ke hit mein nahi hai' -- may please note this point. The choice of Dhoka La for the intrusion by Chinese troops is significant and suggests a twin objective of pressuring Thimpu to allow Beijing to establish an embassy there and reinforcing Chinese claims on Arunachal Pradesh, warns former RA&W officer Jayadev Ranade. Strategy, sovereignty and territorial interests are all at play in the stand-off currently underway between Chinese and Indian troops. After nearly a decade, Beijing has chosen to reactivate the border with India in the Sikkim sector in the Dhoka La area in the tri-junction between India, Tibet and Bhutan. The face-off has now continued for over ten days with two flag meetings at the border failing to resolve the issue and defuse tension and both sides building up their troop strength in the area. In contrast to previous such occasions, this time statements emerging out of Beijing contain escalating rhetoric suggesting that China is hardening its position. The timing of China's intrusion, which coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first meeting with US President Donald J Trump in Washington is, at the least, a convenient coincidence. China has long been concerned about India's warming ties with the US and, with an unpredictable future for Sino-US relations under Trump, Beijing's worries will have increased. This was reflected in the article in the State-run Global Times on June 26, 2017, which actually warned that close Indo-US ties 'could even lead to catastrophic results'. The newspaper cautioned India that if it ceases to be non-aligned and 'becomes a pawn for the US in countering China, it will be caught up in a strategic dilemma and new geopolitical frictions will be triggered in South Asia'. It advised New Delhi to 'avoid being roped into a geopolitical trap', adding that 'despite its anxieties over China's rise, maintaining a stable relationship with China is of more importance to its security and development'. Another article in the Global Times also on June 26, sought to make a link between the Dalai Lama and the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. Reacting to reports that China had stopped 50 pilgrims from travelling through Nathu La to Kailash Mansarovar, the Global Times tried to portray that China's actions are not aimed at ordinary Indian pilgrims and that India was to blame for the suspension of the 'yatra'. The newspaper claimed 'China has always been open-minded on Indian pilgrims and will not indiscriminately prevent them from entering even if Sino-Indian ties are strained over the 14th Dalai Lama's visit to India' (sic). Interestingly, the article quoted Zhu Weiqun, currently chairman of the ethnic and religious committee of the Chinese people's political consultative conference and formerly executive vice minister of the Chinese Communist party central committee's united front work department, which handles matters relating to Tibetans and China's other ethnic minorities. Since his term in the UFWD, Zhu Weiqun has been assessed to be a hardliner on matters relating to Tibetans and the Dalai Lama. The Global Times article quoted him as saying 'Despite China's efforts for improving passes for pilgrims, India has added difficulties for pilgrims to guard against China.' It was in 2003, during then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Beijing that China agreed to accept Sikkim as part of India. In accordance with the agreement the first official maps published by China thereafter, which was only in 2006, depicted Sikkim as part of India. But within months the number of intrusions by China's People's Liberation Army in northern Sikkim increased. At least 75 intrusions by PLA personnel were reported in 2007. In 2008, when India's external affairs minister visited Beijing the Chinese vice foreign minister informed him that Sikkim was not a settled issue, thus casting doubt on China's credibility and indicating that China would not abide by the agreement signed between the two countries. The present face-off appears to confirm that. The choice of Dhoka La for the intrusion by Chinese troops is significant and suggests a twin objective of pressuring Thimpu to allow Beijing to establish an embassy there and reinforcing Chinese claims on Arunachal Pradesh. Dhoka La is on the tri-junction between India, China (Tibet) and Bhutan. China has been trying to build a road through Bhutanese territory, to which Thimpu has objected, up to Gyemochen, which is towards the lower end of the tri-junction. China claims Gyemochen is the tri-junction between India, China (Tibet) and Bhutan whereas Survey of India maps of 1956 show Batang La, north of Gyemochan, as the tri-junction. The difference of 18 kms would affect the claims of both countries regarding the border with reference to the McMahon Line, which Beijing describes as 'illegal' beyond Myanmar. The ongoing Chinese action needs to be viewed in the backdrop of China's growing assertiveness over the past decade and the strain in Sino-Indian relations particularly since 2015. China's official media articles surrounding the ongoing incident at Dhoka La also reflect Beijing's ire at India's unwillingness to acquiesce to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor or One Belt, One Road, thus putting at risk both these strategic initiatives. Jayadeva Ranade, former additional secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, is President of the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy. IMAGE: Chinese soldiers at the border with India at Nathu-la Pass in Sikkim. Photograph: Desmond Boylan/Reuters 'The PM should have spoken out much earlier and I would urge him to act, since speaking is not enough.' 'What we are demanding is action.' 'Immediate orders have to be issued by state governments to officials that such incidents should not happen.' IMAGE: The #NotInMyName campaign in Mumbai, June 28, 2017, saw a healthy turnout of concerned citizens. Photograph: PTI Photo On Thursday, June 29, while marking the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally spoke up against cow vigilantism and lynchings. Indulging in violence in the name of 'gau bhakti' (cow worship) is unacceptable, the prime minister said, and goes against the ideals of the Father of the Nation. Documentary filmmaker Saba Dewan, who spearheaded the #NotInMyName campaign against the recent lynchings in the country, is elated that Modi has finally taken note of the murderous vigilantism and lynchings and the citizens' movement against it. The #NotInMyName campaign began after a mob killed 15-year-old Junaid Khan on a train at Ballabgarh, Haryana. What began as an argument over a seat on a train took on communal colours when the mob accused Junaid of eating beef and beat him to death. Saba Dewan, left, spoke to Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. Prime Minister Modi says killing people in the name of the cow is unacceptable. His statement is the result of the #NotInMyName campaign. In all these years he did not say anything (about the lynchings). The impact of the #NotInMyName campaign on people has forced him to make this statement against gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes). When you began this campaign did you think it would become such a big movement? We began this campaign because we felt we needed to do something and could not remain silent on the lynchings. We had to protest. This campaign reflected the feeling of grief and anger about the way minorities, and especially Muslims, were being targeted in India. This got all of us onto the streets. We felt the ideas of democracy and secularism were being assaulted. We worked on the campaign for just three to four days and it is heartening to see that there are thousands of people across India who share our sentiments. It is these people across India who spontaneously organised this protest. Do you feel the prime minister's statement against gau rakshaks has come too late? Late or otherwise, he has made the statement, for whatever it's worth. The PM should have spoken out much earlier and I would urge him to act, since speaking is not enough. What we are demanding is action. Immediate orders have to be issued by state governments to officials at the district and administration levels that such incidents should not happen. The administration and police are to be answerable if such incidents happen. The PM's speech should be matched by action. This is the second time the PM has spoken out against atrocities by gau rakshaks. The first time was after the Una incident in which Dalits were beaten badly. Speaking is not an end in itself. We are demanding action on the ground. The government at the Centre and in the states are duty bound to uphold law and order and protect the lives of citizens. They have to provide security for them and we are demanding action. Henceforth, there should be no more attacks of the kind we have been witnessing. Speedy and time-bound justice has to be delivered to the victims of these attacks. Would enacting a new law help? A law is being proposed. There is a draft which is apparently doing the rounds, against lynching. I have not seen the draft yet, but we will definitely support such a law. Earlier, in the aftermath of Mohammad Akhlaq's murder in Dadri in September 2015, there was an award wapsi campaign by writers and intellectuals against the Modi government, which was criticised. Your campaign has not been so criticised by Modi voters. Why? I thought the award wapsi campaign was a very significant and important protest. I have the greatest respect for it. It influenced a lot of people too. I will not compare that with this campaign. Each protest is significant. I think it is heartening to know that there are enough decent people who just felt repulsed that in the name of the cow, people were unleashing violence on fellow citizens. Do you feel lynchings over the cow will stop after the prime minister's statement? We can only hope that happens. The fact is that one campaign itself cannot put an end to these things. The prime minister has tweeted on this issue and thousands of people across the country will take note of it, as will state governments and the police. We hope this will lead to action on the ground, however late it is. Do you feel this issue needed to be highlighted because you are a Muslim? (Interrupts) I am not a Muslim. My name is Saba, but I am not born in a Muslim family. I am an Indian. I am responding as an Indian citizen. And as an Indian citizen I am deeply outraged that the secular and inclusive fabric of this country is under attack. And that Muslim men and women in my country are under attack. As an Indian citizen I am responding to it. It has nothing to do with me being Hindu or Muslim. I asked you this because activist Shabnam Hashmi has said that she felt threatened in today's India because she had a Muslim name. I don't know what Shabnam said. I am proud of my name. My parents, who are not Muslims, gave me my name, Saba, which reflects the plurality and the cultural heritage of our country. I cannot bear to see this plurality under assault. 'Progress demands regular senior-level attention from American leaders.' 'A leaders' summit is great, but we need sustained engagement to continue to forge new agreements and find new areas of cooperation.' Richard Rossow holds the Wadhwani Chair in US-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the respected Washington, DC think-tank. Rick Rossow 'joined CSIS in 2014, having spent the last 16 years working in a variety of capacities to strengthen the partnership between the United States and India.' Before he joined CSIS -- the previous Wadhwani chair was Karl 'Rick' Inderfurth, the former assistant secretary of state for South Asia in the Clinton administration -- Rossow was the director for South Asia at McLarty Associates, a political consultancy founded by Thomas 'Mack' McLarty, a close frend of President Bill Clinton (they were both born in Hope, Arkansas). Rick Rossow, bottom, left, assessed the Modi-Trump visit in an e-mail interview with Rediff.com's Nikhil Lakshman. Prime Minister Modi was the 28th leader President Trump met. Was the effusiveness displayed at the encounter rare by Trumpian standards? Was Trump acknowledging the sturdiness of the India-US relationship? Or was it the unexpected pleasure of meeting a kindred spirit? This was a rare visit, indeed. The substance was entirely driven by the policy team, with little indication that the political team played a role. This is important, as some of Trump's top political advisors find concern with our relationship with India on areas including climate change, trade, and immigration. These issues were either downplayed by the leaders, or ignored -- allowing for the substance of our emerging relationship to shine through. What were your takeaways from the Modi-Trump summit? Do you believe it laid to rest the doubts that had set in after the Trump takeover? The main takeaway is continuity. The relationship is deeper than it was twenty years ago, yet still relatively thin compared to America's relationships with many other nations. So cooperation across a wide range of areas from defence to energy is not 'mandatory,' per se. It takes vision and patience. At a more detailed level, Delhi had to be happy with the language on Pakistan terror, as well as the US voicing support for Delhi's concerns about China's 'Belt and Road' initiative. Washington would be pleased at the continuation of our growing defence partnership. I would not yet 'lay to rest' doubts about the relationship, however. Progress demands regular senior-level attention from American leaders. A leaders' summit is great, but we need sustained engagement to continue to forge new agreements and find new areas of cooperation. Only time will tell. But this is an excellent start. Did the June 26 meeting impart a fresh momentum to India-US relations? Or, like most things involving President Trump, will we have to wait and watch if a famously distracted leader is sufficiently taken up by Mr Modi and the possibility that in a world where America's allies and friends are hesitant to be involved with his administration, India appears to have no such reservations? I would not term this summit as imparting 'fresh momentum'; instead, it feels like a surprising continuation of momentum. As I noted earlier, only time will tell if other members of the (Trump) cabinet are willing to engage India as regularly as their predecessors had done, particularly on defence and energy. It is not an easy task, keeping in mind the global crises both our nations face all the time. What surprised you most about the Modi-Trump meeting? And why? The most surprising element was the lack of visible fingerprints by the Trump political team that often seems to want to target India on trade and immigration issues. That group has been quite active in other major relationships and summit meetings. Yet, at least publicly, seems to have been absent in framing the summit with Prime Minister Modi. Observers expected some fireworks over trade -- America's resentment about India's trade barriers, India's angst over the H1-B visas issues, even a clash of America First versus Make In India cultures... Instead, as one respected observer pointed out, he was taken aback by the resolve to work closely on economic issues. What are your own observations on the trade issues? How can India and the US work better in this sphere? I am not certain we have any real hope in getting our governments to see eye-to-eye on trade. Both our governments are against trade integration, perceiving it as a risky tool that will likely result in losing manufacturing jobs. However, here is where our private sectors are important. Their continued engagement -- resulting in bilateral trade and investment -- is far more important than a government-to-government connection. Do you believe the defence relationship is now the bedrock on which the India-US relationship rests? Is this limited to India buying American weapons? Or does it involve -- thanks to the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement -- a security partnership as well? Given India's reluctance to be a participant in any collaborative military adventures overseas, will this association ever transcend the limitations of an MoU? If it does, in your considered understanding, in what circumstances? The 'bedrock' changes over time. Forty years ago it was the development community, wanting to help India resolve issues of hunger and poverty. Then with economic reforms, the business community began to dominate the relationship. Nuclear cooperation had a brief period as the shining example of potential cooperation starting in 2005. And the Diaspora has been a strong factor throughout. But today, yes, no areas of government-to-government cooperation is plunging further ahead than our defence relationship. Our exercises are more complex; our military sales to India are increasing; we have framed similar policy objectives for the region; and we have initiated unique programmes to begin co-developing military technology. As you rightly point out, we tend to equip our partners according to their operational needs. We have not yet asked India to offer much detail in terms of what its security role might look like in the future. Our belief that a strong India is good for Asian security was enough. But not every American counterpart is comfortable living with such vague concepts. I personally prefer for India to lay out its own vision for its global security contributions, rather than have the US press its views. The admonition to Pakistan in the joint statement -- was it merely inserted to keep India happy? Do you believe the Trump administration -- given its determination to stamp out Islamist terrorism -- will be more touch with Islamabad than previous administrations? Or will the mandarins in America's diplomatic and intelligence communities given into the realism that it is better to have Pakistan as an unreliable ally than a vicious adversary and limit the tough talk to the terror groups that threaten American soldiers in Afghanistan and not be forceful enough on the terrorists who daily threaten India? The US shares concerns about terrorism from Pakistan, though with key differences. Our primary concern is how that terror is conveyed into Afghanistan, while India is clearly more focused on Pakistan-based terror groups attacking India. But the overall objective of ending State support for terror groups is shared, and it is interesting to see the US more willing to admit as much publicly. What are the red flags that one must watch out for in the India-US relationship going forward? Are you personally hopeful that the trajectory established by the Bush and Obama administrations will be maintained by this administration? Will we just see consolidation during the next four years? Or do you expect history to come knocking on this door? What would it take for that to happen? There are two main 'red flags' that could deter our relationship. First, inattention. Maintaining this trajectory will require regular senior-level engagement, often without important deliverables. It takes patience and energy, and could easily fall off the rails if we do not see quick returns. Second, trade frictions. There are serious issues on both sides, ranging from potential new US immigration restrictions or outsourcing limitations; India's expanded price controls or local manufacturing rules. Sometimes such issues seem to define our relationship, especially if our broader strategic relationship has a slow period. Such issues are always bubbling below the surface, ready to explode. It takes senior leadership in both nations to ensure these trade issues do not erupt and take over the relationship. IMAGE: US President Donald J Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their respective delegations at the White House dinner. US Vice-President Mike Pence can be seen seated to Trump's left. Photograph: Reuters A picture of Union minister Radha Mohan Singh urinating in the open has gone viral, with people trolling him on social media and raising questions over the government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In the picture, Singh is seen urinating against the wall of a building as his security officers stand guard. A vehicle with red beacon is also seen in the TV footage aired by some news channels. The picture has gone viral on social media and has drawn sharp criticism for what is being described as 'blatant violation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid much fanfare. The spot and date on which the photos were taken are not known. The Union agriculture minister, who was in his native constituency of Motihari in connection with Eid, had left for Delhi on Monday night. The photo could be of this period when Singh attended many functions in his constituency, sources told PTI. The minister was not available for comments and repeated repeated phone calls elicited the 'standard response' that he was in some meeting. In Motihari, his kin, however, were critical of the media for airing such footage. "Urination is a natural biological urge of a human being, so why such things are highlighted to create controversy...are urinals available everywhere?" his son-in-law Sujit Kumar Singh told PTI in Motihari. East Champaran district Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Babu Prasad was also critical of the media wondering if 'such things should be shown by media'. Radha Mohan Singh is a fourth-term MP from Motihari in Bihar. State BJP president Nityanand Rai also refused to say anything. The opposition party leaders came down heavily on the minister for his act, with Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad re-tweeting his party's earlier tweet which mockingly said, "Krishi mantri sukhar prabhit kshetra mein sichai yojna ki suraut karte hue...unhone swaccha bharat abhiyan ko gati di (Agriculture minister inaugurates irrigation scheme in drought affected area... he also expedited the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan)." His son and Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav posted the controversial photo to draw attention to red beacon on the car near him, saying 'search red beacon in the photo'. Janata Dal-United secretary general and chief national spokesperson K C Tyagi told PTI over phone, "The minister is exposing hollowness of swachata abhiyan launched by the PM from the ramparts of Red Fort." Photograph: @RJDforIndia/Twitter China on Thursday asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a 'meaningful dialogue' to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn 'historical lessons', in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. Launching a media blitzkrieg on the Sikkim stand-off, both Chinese Foreign and Defence ministries directed their attacks on India and maintained that the Indian Army had 'illegally trespassed' into the Chinese territory. "We urge the Indian side to immediately pull back the border troops to the Indian side of the boundary. That is the precondition for any meaningful talks between the two sides aiming at resolving the issue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said. The People's Liberation Army spokesman, Col Wu Qian also rejected as 'extremely irresponsible' Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a 'two-and-a-half front war', asking him to 'stop clamouring for war'. Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. When asked to respond to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media in Beijing. The genesis of the flashpoint was China's attempts to build a road at strategically key area of Donglong, the linking of which to the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction could give China a major military advantage over India. The Indian Army had blocked construction of the road by China in Donglong, a disputed territory between China and Bhutan. Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim. Official sources said China had removed an old bunker of the Indian Army in Donglong by using a bulldozer after the Indian side refused to accede to its request, which triggered the face-off. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed a photograph of Indian 'incursion' into Donglong area and said the dispute which is becoming a confrontation of sorts between the troops on the ground can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photograph from the podium. Later, the ministry uploaded two photographs on its website along with the Chinese transcript of Lu's press briefing. One photo showed two bulldozers stated to be that of the Indian military while another showed one bulldozer. A redline in the photos was showed as 'Chinese side of the border'. In the briefing, Lu said the diplomatic channel for communications between the two countries remains 'unimpeded'. Replying to pointed questions by the Chinese official media about Indian Army chief Gen Rawat's remarks that there was no incursion, Lu said, "We have said clearly here that the reality is that the Indian border troops illegally trespassed into the Chinese territory across the Sikkim section." "Gen Rawat's remarks also prove that the previous report by the Indian media was not true. The truth cannot be covered up. We again urge the Indian side to abide by the historical boundary convention," he said, referring to China's assertion in the past few days that Sikkim section of the India-China boundary was settled under the Sino-British Treaty of 1890 which Beijing also claims was accepted by India later. Lu said India should respect China's territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops back to the Indian side of the boundary to avoid any escalations. To another question whether the 'overstepping' by the Indian troops violated international law and the basic principles of international relations, Lu said the Sikkim sector of the China-Indian border has a very clear legal basis. "According to the convention between China and Great Britain relating to Sikkim and Tibet, in 1890, the boundary of Sikkim and Tibet shall be the crest of the mountain range separating the waters flowing into Sikkim, Teesta and its effluents from the waters flowing into the Tibetan Mochu, then northwards into other rivers of Tibet," he said. "The line commences at the mount Gipmochi on the Bhutan frontier. According to this convention, the Doklong region belongs to China's territory," he said, alleging that India troops trespassed the area. "This is an undeniable fact that the Indian troops have trespassed the boundary and it is violating our historical boundary convention as well as the promises made by the previous Indian governments," he said. About the demarche by Bhutan asking China to stop road construction in the Donglang area, Lu said Donglang has been China's territory since 'ancient times'. "This is an indisputable reality and we have very adequate legal basis concerning this. This is just a sovereign action by China to conduct road constructions in our territory. This is totally justifiable and lawful," he said. The Chinese media also carried stories on the Sikkim stand-off, saying India's defeat in the 1962 war is having a 'lingering effect'. "Being defeated by China in 1962 has left a lingering effect on India," an article in China.com, a Chinese portal said, alleging that India is trying to seek political and diplomatic power as well as military superiority. About the Sikkim stand-off it said India is making 'unfounded charges' through the Indian media. An article in the Global Times' Chinese edition said while the Sikkim part of the India-China border is settled most of the disputes occurred in the western part. IMAGE: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displays a photograph of alleged Indian 'incursion' into Donglong area. Photograph: Courtesy Chinese Foreign Ministry. In a tough message against cow vigilantism and mob lynching, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said killing people on pretext of protecting cows is not acceptable and warned that no one has the right to take law into his hands. Addressing a public meeting to mark the centenary of the Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati ashram here, Modi said indulging in violence in the name of 'gau bhakti' (cow worship) goes fully against the ideals of the Father of the Nation. Voicing his concern on the spate of incidents of lynching and violence over cows' protection, the prime minister said nothing would will be achieved from such acts. "Today, I want to express my sadness and my pain, when I am here at the Sabarmati ashram," he said. "This is a country which has the tradition of giving food to ants, street dogs, fish, the country where Mahatma Gandhi taught us lessons of non-violence. What has happened to us?" Modi asked. "If a patient dies due to an unsuccessful operation, relatives burn down hospitals and beat up doctors. Accident is an accident. When people die or are injured in the accidents, a group of people come together and burn vehicles," he said, pointing out the prevalent trend among the people of taking law into their hands, and the mob violence. "Nobody would have practised cow protection and cow worship more than Mahatma Gandhi and (his follower) Vinoba Bhave. They showed us the way how to protect cow. The country will have to adopt their way," the prime minister said. "The Indian Constitution also teaches us about cow protection. But does this (cow protection) give us any right to kill a person. Is this gau bhakti? Is this cow protection?" Modi asked. "Killing people in the name of 'gau bhakti' is not acceptable," he asserted, saying 'this is not something Mahatma Gandhi would have approved'. "Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of," he said. Modi said 'no person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands'. "Violence has never solved and will never solve any problem. As a society, there is no place for violence," he said. The prime minister's remarks come against the backdrop of the growing incidents of cow vigilantism. A Muslim youth was last week killed on board a Mathura-bound train by people who taunted his family and repeatedly called them 'anti-nationals' and 'beef eaters'. Earlier in August 2016 too, the prime minister had denounced cow vigilantes, some of whom had flogged Dalits in his home state Gujarat. In his public denouncement, Modi had then said he felt enraged at such 'anti-social elements' who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day. Thousands of people across the country had on Wednesday taken to the streets in a citizens' protest named 'Not in My Name' against the recent incidents of killings by mobs. Holding placards that read 'Break the Silence', 'No Place for Islamophobia' and 'Shed Hate not Blood', among others, the protesters said they had gathered to send out a message that there is a need to unite for a cause. Modi, in his speech, narrated an incident related to cow that took place when he was young. He spoke about how he was advised by Vinoba Bhave to die for protection of cow. The prime minister took a round of the Sabarmati Ashram and released books and postal covers as a part of the centenary celebrations of the place from where Mahatma Gandhi led the non-violence movement for the country's independence. Photograph: PIB On a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that killings in the name of cow protection won't be tolerated, a man was beaten to death by a mob Ramgarh, Jharkhand, on Thursday on suspicion that he was carrying beef in his vehicle. A case has been registered on the basis of a video footage of the lynching, police said. The incident took place just a couple of days after a mob attacked and injured a man in Giridih district on suspicion that he had slaughtered a cow. Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal told a press conference that around 30 people surrounded the van bearing a West Bengal number plate in the Bazaar Tand area of Ramgarh police station. They dragged out the driver of the vehicle, Mohammed Allimuddin, a resident of neighbouring Hazaribagh district, and thrashed him, injuring him seriously. The police on getting information rushed to the spot and took Allimuddin to a hospital where he was declared 'brought dead' by doctors, a police officer said. The mob also set the vehicle on fire, he said. According to Kaushal, the case was registered on the basis of the video footage and asserted the guilty would be arrested soon. Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Rajeswari B, who was also present in the press conference, said additional forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. As the nation witnessed a streak of violent incidents targeting minorities, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, in a bid to quell frayed tempers, on Thursday asserted there was no atmosphere of fear or insecurity prevailing among the community. Suspecting the role of some 'hostile forces' behind such incidents, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs said such 'tactics' will not be allowed to succeed. He, however, stressed that the incidents cannot be justified and pitched for tough action against the perpetrators. Naqvi reiterated the Modi government's commitment for inclusive growth and creating an atmosphere of trust among the communities. He said safety of every section of the society was 'equally important' for the Centre. "I do not think there is fear or insecurity among minorities. But whatever incidents are taking place, be it small or big, be it a criminal conspiracy, in no way it is justified. Action should be taken as per law against them," Naqvi said after attending the 76th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi. On asked which forces were behind such incidents, Naqvi did not name any. He, however, added that be it political organisations or individuals, the state governments (given law and order is a state subject) concerned were taking 'immediate and effective' action against the people involved. "The governments of Rajasthan, Haryana and Jharkhand have without wasting any time taken action against such people. I myself had spoken to the chief ministers and officials of these states," he said. Speaking during the meeting, the Union minister said his ministry had been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of all the notified minorities -- Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain -- effectively as a 'mission and commitment'. The minister said the measures the Centre had taken during the last three years of its rule were a reflection of its 'empowerment without appeasement' policy, which he added, has created an 'atmosphere of development and trust'. Naqvi said his ministry had been successful in enabling the poor, backward and weaker sections of the minorities to get their share of mainstream development through '3Es: education, employment and empowerment'. He also listed a range of schemes the government had been implementing for the welfare of the minorities. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Junaid Khan was stabbed to death onboard a train between Delhi and Mathura. The group of attackers had allegedly hurled communal slurs and attacked the victim after an altercation over seats. A few days ago, over a 100-strong mob attacked a Muslim man on the suspicion of slaughtering a cow after finding the carcass of a bovine near his house in Giridih district of Jharkhand. In April, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was killed allegedly by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar while he was transporting cows for his small dairy farm. IMAGE: Muslims wear black bands on their arms in protest against the lynching incident on board a train as they offer Eid prayers at Khandwali village in Faridabad. Photograph: PTI Photo Hate is far easier to package. And that is perhaps why politicians do not see the We Care feeling as a currency worth cultivating. It is high time we showed them the currency of this transaction too exists. And that we make this We Care currency precious enough to hoard and bank upon, says Shameem Akthar. IMAGE: 'Though there were small groups of people who knew each other, most others were strangers, with the comfortable awkwardness of being strangers with a common sense of outrage and a deep caring.' All photographs: Shameem Akthar Since the time I read news reports of the lynching, I have had very restless sleep. He was just a child. I am a mother. It is an immediate sense of maternal connection. There is nothing more. And the sheer and sustained horror of his torture. The silence of others all round. The senselessness of it. The sense of foreboding that continued to nag me was really what was unpredictable. Why should I be so deeply affected in a country where mob-lynching has become so commonplace, that some troll pops up on my screen if I post my distress and 'offers' (read 'bullies') that I should not discuss this because it has been happening for so long! The sheer horror of this attitude -- of why-are-you-bothered-because-it-is-nothing-new -- truly bothers me. It should bother all of us. So, when the #NotInMyName protests was planned through a spontaneous movement online for a peace meeting at Carter Road, Bandra west, Mumbai, I was there prepared for the rain in a coat, and my poster laminated against the assaults. The crowds were coming in slowly. Stray loners, many foreigners, too, curious, alone, but supportive. IMAGE: 'The sheer horror of this attitude -- of why-are-you-bothered-because-it-is-nothing-new -- truly bothers me. It should bother all of us.' Though there were small groups of people who knew each other, most others were strangers, with the comfortable awkwardness of being strangers with a common sense of outrage and a deep caring. This is such a huge human feeling, to be able to say We Care. It is also very fine, beyond description. And perhaps that is why it is difficult to put it in a package and gather mobs, as hatred does. Hate is far easier to package. And that is perhaps why politicians do not see the We Care feeling as a currency worth cultivating. It is high time we showed them the currency of this transaction too exists. And that we make this We Care currency precious enough to hoard and bank upon. I had gone in a bit late, and missed activist-actress Shabana Azmi addressing the small gathering. But by the time I reached, more people were coming in. It was such a relief to see that others were feeling the same sense of foreboding, distress, caring, that I felt. There is nothing more scary than thinking you are the only one who cares in a large country because that makes you helpless. And this helplessness isolates you. Then silences you. And that would be as bad as participating in acts no sane human being should. So, I think for all of us gathered there the sweetest sense was of being connected by a deep caring. In a world going into a shambles with so many labels and divisions, to say no to all of them and say we are one is a huge gesture. Especially since this coming together was spontaneous, this we-are-together should be noted seriously as a valid emotion, even more valid than the jingoism being thrust down our throats. It was heartening to see the youth out too. Boys as usual were in small groups, but many girls were alone, under the umbrella as the rain played footsie. All age groups had turned out, and whenever I broke ice with someone (as I am wont to do as a former journalist), the one thing that struck everyone was how many people had turned out despite the rain. I think it was very encouraging and touching for those who cared to know that they were not alone. And this could be a very important emotion to hang on to -- that we are not alone, as is being made out (when someone tells you that lynchings have been happening long enough so why bother). IMAGE: Actress Nandita Sen at the protest. 'There were many celebrities around, but the nice thing about the crowd was that the celebs were not seeking attention and the gathering was not there for them.' The most important feeling here was the sense of being together, caring and saying we are prepared to hang on to this feeling. And perhaps, I hope, to suggest that this is just the tip of a groundswell, of a bonding that will show the world we Indians have stayed and struggled together for so long with our differences. That we wish to improve upon that beautiful bonding. And that we hope to remove the thorns in the past and reach for the roses in the future. And that we will not squander it away. Keeping with that temper, the policemen and women in their bright yellow raincoats were in a loose circle around the group, with their body language indicating they did not expect any trouble. Many in the gathering had printed out posters, and some had them handwritten. They were all holding them at their chest or above the head, wanting to express their sense of solidarity under a shared threat. Though most people had the #NotInMyName poster, like myself, others had innovated: 'I am immovable stone in your world of weak -- I speak'. The list of things they did not want in their name included casteism, communalism, fascism, cowlitics. No to 'Lynchbox' in my name. Another asked pointedly, 'Peace sells but who is buying'. There were many celebrities around, but the nice thing about the crowd was that the celebs were not seeking attention and the gathering was not there for them. Nobody was gawking because the intention was only to connect and to care. Strangers smiled at each other, if the eyes connected. But that too was not a requisite. The press photographers/TV cameras arranged themselves on a raised platform but the protesters were not performing for them. If they wish to be seen, it was because they wanted their message to be heard. Even the press presence was gentle, not shrill, as it is wont to be these days. Except for a few photographers pushing you out forcibly for their picture of the day, the rest of the troupe moved about the group gently, as if infused with the sentiment all around. IMAGE: 'The press photographers/TV cameras arranged themselves on a raised platform but the protesters were not performing for them.' Since there was no agenda or programme as such, except to gather, you would think a large group like that would disperse after some time. But they all stayed the entire two hours, which passed fast. When the rains descended hard, the umbrellas opened and everybody hung on till around 7 pm when we were politely told that the permission was till only then, that we had to pack up. The group dispersed as it came, gently. There was a shy, on-and-off talk of forming a human chain, but it would start and break since there really was no specific game-plan. But a group of artists started singing and the rest sang along, following the leader, as it were. A drum was taken out, its beat creating a sweet resonance of firm togetherness, singing simple songs that said no to divisiveness, and yes to sharing a common path. You can keep your mandir and masjid, but you cannot take away our togetherness, he sang. And we sang along. The mood was infectious, and I wished for the whole of India to be there, to feel this. IMAGE: 'The mood was infectious, and I wished for the whole of India to be there, to feel this.' Bring back the love, one poster said. Yes, please. Britains Deepening Confusion . LONDON Enough is enough, proclaimed British Prime Minister Theresa May after the terrorist attack on London Bridge. Now, it is clear, almost half of those who voted in the United Kingdoms general election on June 8 have had enough of May, whose Conservative majority was wiped out at the polls, producing a hung parliament (with no majority for any party). Whether it is enough immigrants or enough austerity, Britains voters certainly have had enough of a lot. But the election has left Britain confusingly split. Last years Brexit referendum on European Union membership suggested a Leave-Remain divide, with the Brexiteers narrowly ahead. This years general election superimposed on this a more traditional left-right split, with a resurgent Labour Party capitalizing on voter discontent with Conservative budget cuts. To see the resulting political terrain, imagine a two-by-two table, with the four quadrants occupied by Remainers and Budget Cutters; Remainers and Economic Expansionists; Brexiteers and Budget Cutters; and Brexiteers and Economic Expansionists. The four quadrants dont add up to coherent halves, so its not possible to make out what voters thought they were voting for. But it is possible to make out what voters were rejecting. There are two certain casualties. The first is austerity, which even the Conservatives have signaled they will abandon. Cutting public spending to balance the budget was based on the wrong theory and has failed in practice. The most telling indicator was the inability of George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016, to achieve any of his budget targets. The deficit was to have vanished by 2015, then by 2017, then by 2020-2021. Now, no government will commit to any date at all. The targets were based on the idea that a credible deficit-reduction program would create sufficient business confidence to overcome the depressing effects on activity of the cuts themselves. Some say the targets were never credible enough. The truth is that they never could be: the deficit cannot come down unless the economy grows, and budget cuts, real and anticipated, hinder growth. The consensus now is that austerity delayed recovery for almost three years, depressing real earnings and leaving key public services like local government, health care, and education palpably damaged. So expect the ridiculous obsession with balancing the budget to be scrapped. From now on, the deficit will be left to adjust to the state of the economy. The second casualty is unrestricted immigration from the EU. The Brexiteers demand to control our borders was directed against the uncontrolled influx of economic migrants from Eastern Europe. This demand will have to be met in some way. Migration within Europe was negligible when the EU was mainly West European. This changed when the EU began incorporating the low-wage ex-communist countries. The ensuing migration eased labor shortages in host countries like the UK and Germany, and increased the earnings of the migrants themselves. But such benefits do not apply to unrestricted migration. Studies by Harvard Universitys George J. Borjas and others suggest that net immigration lowers the wages of competing domestic labor. Borjass most famous study shows the depressive impact of Marielitos Cubans who immigrated en masse to Miami in 1980 on domestic working-class wages. These fears have long underpinned sovereign states insistence on the right to control immigration. The case for control is strengthened when host countries have a labor surplus, as has been true of much of Western Europe since the crisis of 2008. Support for Brexit is essentially a demand for the restoration of sovereignty over the UKs borders. The crux of the issue is political legitimacy. Until modern times, markets were largely local, and heavily protected against outsiders, even from neighboring towns. National markets were achieved only with the advent of modern states. But the completely unrestricted movement of goods, capital, and labor within sovereign states became possible only when two conditions were met: the growth of national identity and the emergence of national authorities able to provide security in the face of adversity. The European Union fulfills neither condition. Its peoples are citizens of their nation-states first. And the contract between citizens and states on which national economies depend cannot be reproduced at the European level, because there is no European state with which to conclude the deal. The EUs insistence on free movement of labor as a condition of membership of a non-state is premature, at best. It will need to be qualified, not just as part of the UKs Brexit deal, but for the whole of the EU. So how will the shambolic results of the British general election play out? May will not last long as Prime Minister. Osborne has called her a dead woman walking (of course without acknowledging that his austerity policies helped to seal her demise). The most sensible outcome is currently a political non-starter: a Conservative-Labour coalition government, with (say) Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn as his deputy. The government would adopt a two-year program consisting of only two items: the conclusion of a soft Brexit deal with the EU and a big public investment program in housing, infrastructure, and green energy. The rationale for the investment program is that a rising tide will lift all boats. And an added benefit of a thriving economy will be lower hostility to immigration, making it easier for Britain to negotiate sensible regulation of migrant flows. And who knows: if the negotiations force the EU to re-cast its own commitment to free labor movement, Brexit may turn out to be a matter less of British exit than of an overhaul of the terms of European membership. Upcoming Cyprus Conference 'a unique opportunity,' says UN negotiator Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Upcoming Cyprus Conference 'a unique opportunity,' says UN negotiator, 27 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954b8e04.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. A fresh round of talks on Cyprus will last as long as it takes, but there are no guarantees of success, the United Nations negotiator facilitating the process said today. Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Espen Barth Eide, the UN Special Adviser on Cyprus, said that the reconvening of the Conference is not the last chance but the the best chance of reaching an agreement between Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots. It is a unique opportunity, and it would be extremely sad if it was wasted [] and I think frankly that's recognized by all participants. He highlighted however that sticking points remain between the delegations as they prepared to meet tomorrow in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland. Make no mistake; it's not going to be easy, he said, explaining that the he and Secretary-General and will do our utmost to help. So would the Security Council which has remained very united throughout the process, so would the [European Union], which is lending extremely important and productive support, and so would the international financial institutions which are directly involved. But none of us can do it for the participants, they have to take the responsibility and try to make the best out of what I see is a unique opportunity, Mr. Eide underscored. After decades of division in Cyprus dating back to 1974, the UN envoy said that this was the best chance for successful talks and not the last chance, despite the risks and the tense situation on the Mediterranean island. There are six main topics up for discussion; they include new territorial boundaries, power-sharing and the economy. Agreement has been found on most of these so-called 'chapters,' broadly, and concrete progress achieved, Mr Eide said. The Turkish-Cypriot delegation had assented to what he called a significant return of territory to the Greek-Cypriots, and both sides had also exchanged maps in Geneva in January an historic first, the UN negotiator told journalists. Nonetheless, Mr. Eide said that the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot positions still diverge on the issue of security and guarantees. What I'm saying is that on these five chapters, we have made substantive process, on the issue which is most complicated right now and very much in focus now and by the guarantors Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom and others who will be present, is the security and guarantees chapter; that's where the sides are so far opposed, he said. But they have also told each other and the world many times that are trying to seek a common vision also on that chapter, and that is what we are trying to do, said Mr. Eide, insisting that this shared viewpoint is something only the Greek-Cypriots and the Turkish-Cypriots could do by talking together. The UN would be there to help both sides find common ground, he said, so that an agreement owned by the people of Cyprus could prevail. In a statement issued in New York, the Secretary-General picked up that thread saying that welcomed the reconvening of the Cyprus Conference and that the the opportunity for the reunification of Cyprus is now finally before us. Calling on all concerned players to seize this opportunity, for Cyprus first and foremost, but also for the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, Mr. Guterres reiterated his steadfast commitment to supporting this effort. I urge all participants to demonstrate the will and leadership required to conclude a comprehensive settlement, he concluded. Can a dish that's core elements involve battering and deep-frying be retooled into a "healthful" meal? That's the question diners will ask themselves beginning Thursday evening, when Reykjavik transplant Icelandic Fish & Chips debuts in the West Village. "The idea was to take the British dish and kind of put an Icelandic twist on it, we're a big fish nation," co-owner Helen Olafsdottir explains. "But [co-owner] Erna Kaaber had the vision of making it a little bit more healthy, so we use ingredients like spelt batter, we don't use egg in the batter." Instead of friesor "chips," as they say across the pondthe restaurant will serve roasted organic baby potatoes, which will "soak up the oil" in your stomach better than another potato product also laden with oil. On the side, dipping sauces based with skyr, an Icelandic yogurt, instead of mayo, seasoned with chili, paprika, truffle and traditional tartar ingredients. Icelandic Fish & Chips began in the Icelandic capital in 2006 and Olafsdottir and the team have had the NYC spinoff in the works since 2013. Though they're across the Atlantic now, the team will be flying in cod, ling, haddock, arctic char and other fish three times a week from the waters around Iceland. It sounds like an enormous undertaking for a small business, but Olafsdottir insists the process is less onerous than one might imagineit's only a five and a half hour flightand still better than flying in fish from points farther away. "Iceland has been exporting fish to America for a long time, for three decades at least or more," Olafsdottir says. "We felt, to be honest, that Icelandic fish was not getting the deserved credit that it should be getting. The ocean around Iceland is one of the cold spots, there are very few cold spots left around the planet. It makes that fish specifically fresh. We think it's one of the best fish in the world." A post shared by Icelandic Fish & Chips (@icelandicfishandchips) on May 18, 2016 at 5:50am PDT The restaurant will offer fish of the day specials, in addition to non-fried entrees like langoustines roasted with garlic and a baked arctic char sourced from fish that's farmed in unique river farms, where the fish is able to swim around in a flowing body of water, according to Olafsdottir. Sparkling wines and vinho verde, which Olafsdottir says complements the fish, will be the thrust of the wine program helmed by sommelier Sabra Lewis. Cocktails will have a nordic bent like the Arctic Gimlet, cumin-flavored aquavit with dill and thyme. Olafsdottir says cocktails were a big hit during their soft open, so it seems they were on the right track with their motto: "Eat like an Icelander, drink like a New Yorker." 28 7th Avenue South; icelandicfishandchips.com Icelandic Fish & Chips Menu by Nell Casey on Scribd (Menu subject to change) Colombia: UN mission collects nearly all remaining weapons from FARC-EP Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Colombia: UN mission collects nearly all remaining weapons from FARC-EP, 27 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954b9384.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The peace effort in Colombia today reached a milestone, with nearly all of the remaining number of weapons held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) turned over to the United Nations for registering and storing. The UN political mission in the country today confirmed that on 20 June the third phase of the laying down of individual weapons of the FARC-EP combatants was initiated. The Mission has now stored 7,132 arms, which constitutes all the weapons that were registered from FARC-EP. The only exclusions from the list are the weapons used to provide security in the 26 FARC-EP camps until 1 August 2017. To date, the Mission has verified 77 arms caches from which weapons have been extracted and munitions, explosives and unstable armaments destroyed, the UN political mission said. The lay down is in compliance with the timeline agreed to between the Government and FARC-EP on 29 May, part of the historic deal that ended the half-century long conflict. 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. Despite progress, challenges remain for Liberia to consolidate peace gains, UN Security Council told Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Despite progress, challenges remain for Liberia to consolidate peace gains, UN Security Council told, 27 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954b9824.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. In spite of remarkable progress in Liberia since the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement in 2003, the presence of challenges that risk a reversal of the gains made warrant continued international support and attention, the United Nations envoy for the country has cautioned. I would appeal to all concerned to increase and consolidate investment in Liberia and support the country at this crucial time, through its transition to a new government and beyond, Farid Zarif, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Liberia, told the Security Council today. Pointing to challenges which could hinder sustaining peace and advancing national reconciliation, Mr. Zarif said that legislative reforms, widely accepted as critical to address the underlying causes of conflict as well as on women's rights and protection, were yet to be enacted. I continue to engage vigorously with the Government, particularly the Legislature, to help advance these transformational reforms, he added. Mr. Zarif, also the head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), noted that as UNMIL prepares for transitioning its residual mandated activities to the Government, the UN Country Team and partners, it remains engaged in all aspects of its assignment with a particular emphasis on good offices and political facilitation, including in view of elections scheduled in October. As the elections draw nearer, [we have] further intensified [our] engagement with the National Elections Commission, political party leaders, presidential candidates, the Government and civil society to prevent and diffuse tensions, help resolve disputes, and advocate for inclusive, transparent, credible, and peaceful elections, he said. The country's future as a stable democracy will hinge on the successful conduct of the elections and the broad acceptance that they were free and fair, followed by a smooth transfer of power from the current government to a new administration. The Special Representative also added that Liberia's law enforcement agencies being adequately prepared to respond to potential low-level civil unrest and mob violence during the upcoming period was critical. In that context, he elaborated that UNMIL is supporting the Liberia National Police to set up an integrated elections security plan to ensure the most effective utilization of available resources to protect civilians. Further, noting the gradual strengthening of the country's human rights capacity, Mr. Zarif urged the Liberian human rights commission to intensify its efforts to address serious human rights challenges, including sexual and gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices and challenges with respect to freedom of speech, which continue to plague the African nation. He also called on the Government to urgently implement the recommendations of the a 2016 joint Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)-UNMIL report on ensuring accountability for rape. Liberia at critical juncture, several historic transitions underway Also, speaking today at the Security Council, Olof Skoog, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations and the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) Liberia Configuration welcomed the steps taken by Government and the UN to develop a Peacebuilding Plan but highlighted that the need for continued engagement with and support to the country. As we have noted in the past couple of months, Liberia is at critical juncture. Several historic transitions are underway, said Mr. Skoog, adding: While no one I met indicated to me that there exists a clear and imminent risk of relapse into conflict [but] there are real hurdles ahead as [UNMIL] is closing down and as the new government takes the reins. As for the role of the Peacebuilding Commission, he said that it stood ready to continue its political accompaniment, ensuring continued international attention after the Mission leaves, and assisting by drawing attention to gaps. We will undertake continued advocacy on the importance of pursuing reforms that are central for sustaining peace in Liberia, he added. Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Perpetrators of suicide attacks in Nigeria must be held accountable UN chief Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Perpetrators of suicide attacks in Nigeria must be held accountable UN chief, 27 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954bfa94.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Condemning violent attacks in Maiduguri, in Nigeria's restive Borno state, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has underscored the Organization's resolve to support the country in its fight against terrorism. According to a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Guterres reiterated UN's support to the Government of Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism. [He] hopes that those responsible for this act will be swiftly brought to justice, the statement added. In the statement, Mr. Guterres also offered his condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the Government of Nigeria as well as wished a quick recovery to those injured. According to reports, at least nine people were killed and another 13 were injured when suicide bombers struck locations across the city on 25 and 26 June. Borno state, in northeast Nigeria has been plagued by violent attacks carried out by the Boko Haram terrorist group, and Maiduguri (the state capital) has been targeted many times. Conference on Cyprus off to constructive start but hard work remains, says UN facilitator Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Conference on Cyprus off to constructive start but hard work remains, says UN facilitator, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954c2e74.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. On the opening day of the Conference on Cyprus, a senior United Nations official expressed hope that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders as well as the guarantors - Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom - have the determination to overcome the challenges and resolve the issues before them. "This is an historic opportunity to solve a problem that has been there for decades," Jeffrey Feltman, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told reporters after the opening of the Conference, which is being held in the Swiss town of Crans-Montana. Mr. Feltman is representing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Conference, which the UN chief is expected to attend later in the week. Speaking alongside Mr. Feltman, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, told the media that the Conference had gotten off to a constructive and good start. "I am encouraged with what I heard so far," he said, adding that the "hard work will remain" and that everyone was prepared to hold discussions in larger as well as smaller groups and to "do what is possible" to facilitate an outcome. "But at the end of the day, of course, it is the responsibility of the Conference participants to go that final mile, to think outside the box, to try out some new ideas so that we finally [leave with] a plan." Earlier this month, the Secretary-General held a meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, at UN Headquarters in New York, after which he announced the reconvening of the Conference on Cyprus. In addition to the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders and the guarantor powers, the European Union also participated, as an observer, in the Conference. 'Disproportionate emphasis' on security would undercut sustaining peace in Sahel UN deputy chief Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, 'Disproportionate emphasis' on security would undercut sustaining peace in Sahel UN deputy chief, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954c5144.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The United Nations deputy chief today stressed the need to "avoid a disproportionate emphasis on security" when carrying out a strategy to help Africa's Sahel region achieve sustained peace and development. "Given the trans-border and multidimensional nature of instability in the Sahel region, there can be no purely military solution," said Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed in her remarks to the meeting on the situation in the Sahel, jointly organized by the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). She described how transnational organized crime, violent extremism and terrorism have become growing threats to stability in the Sahel region, and how the scarcity of food and challenging living conditions have spurred a steady flow of migrants on dangerous, sometimes deadly, journeys through the desert towards the Mediterranean and beyond. "The continuing deterioration of security in the Sahel is the result of several unresolved underlying causes of instability, including a lack of development, good governance and respect for human rights," she said, adding that the region has also chronically suffered from harsh climatic conditions, exacerbated by climate change. Gap between humanitarian and development work must be closed In that regard, she stressed the need for renewed efforts to close the gap between humanitarian and development work through an integrated approach to development, governance, security and human rights. A woman and her severely malnourished son leave a UNICEF-supported health centre, in Maradi Region (2012). Photo: UNICEF/Olivier Asselin Ms. Mohammed said that the UN remains deeply committed to supporting governments in the Sahel, including those of Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso, in navigating "this balance" through the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the New Way of Working between humanitarian and development actors, and other relevant mechanisms. For his part, ECOSOC President Frederick Makamure Shava recalled that last year's joint meeting highlighted complementarity between the UN's peace and security efforts and its development, human rights and humanitarian work. One of the recommendations from that meeting included "forging closer collaboration between ECOSOC and the PBC" to achieve the 2030 Agenda and to sustain peace, he said. "It is widely acknowledged that if we want to make the SDGs a reality for all, we need to make sustaining peace an integral part of a coordinated and coherent approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," he said. Also addressing the meeting was the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Cho Tae-yul, who briefed the participants, including high-level representatives of UN Member States, civil society and the UN system, on the Commission's recent activities. He said that since the adoption of the twin resolutions on the review of the peacebuilding architecture by the Security Council and General Assembly in April last year, the Commission has been making greater efforts to play a bridging role among the principal bodies of the UN, by making use of its convening role and recognizing that peace, development, and human rights are closely interlinked. In particular, he explained how the Commission has been using its convening role to assist the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) in implementing the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Civilians must not be sacrificed for military victories UN rights chief, as thousands trapped in Raqqa Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Civilians must not be sacrificed for military victories UN rights chief, as thousands trapped in Raqqa, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954c6ee4.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Voicing grave concern over the fate of as many as 100,000 civilians effectively trapped in Syria's Raqqa governorate amid the ongoing offensive against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) fighters, the top United Nations rights official urged all parties to the conflict to enact measures to allow civilians who wish to flee the fighting to do so in safety. The intense bombardment of Al-Raqqa over the past three weeks has reportedly left civilians terrified and confused about where they can seek refuge as they are caught between ISIL's monstrosities and the fierce battle to defeat it, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said today in a news release issued by his Office (OHCHR). Civilians must not be sacrificed for the sake of rapid military victories, he underscored, calling on all forces battling ISIL in the city, including international forces, to review their operations to ensure full compliance with international law and taking all feasible precautions to save civilian lives. High Commissioner Zeid also underscored the need to promptly and effectively investigate reports of civilian casualties. According to OHCHR data, conservative estimates indicate that at least 173 civilians have been killed in air and ground strikes since 1 June. Furthermore, reports of civilian deaths continue to mount and escape routes are increasingly sealed off. The news release also noted that while some did manage to leave after paying large sums of money to smugglers, including traffickers affiliated with ISIL, allegations continue to emerge of ISIL preventing civilians from fleeing. There are also worrying reports of violations and abuses by the armed group, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in areas under its control, such as Tabqa city located west of Raqqa city including of looting, abductions, arbitrary detentions during screening processes as well as the recruitment of children, the release added. Title Response of the Latvian Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Latvia from 12 to 22 April 2016 Publication Date 29 June 2017 Country Latvia Citation / Document Symbol CPT/Inf (2017) 17 Other Languages / Attachments Latvian Cite as Council of Europe: Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Response of the Latvian Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Latvia from 12 to 22 April 2016, 29 June 2017, CPT/Inf (2017) 17, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954ca614.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Aetna, one of the country's biggest health insurers, announced that it's relocating its corporate headquarters from its longtime home in Hartford, Connecticut to New York City. Chelsea, to be exact. 250 jobs will shift to NYC, but Aetna stressed that 6,000 employees will remain in Connecticut. "New York City is a knowledge economy hub, and a driver of the innovations that will play a significant part in our ongoing transformation," said Aetna Chairman and CEO Mark T. Bertolini in a statement. "Many of the roles in our new office will be filled by innovators from the areas deep talent pool, which will be an invaluable resource as we consider additional investments in the city going forward." Aetna was founded in Hartford 164 years ago. However, the company recently cited a desire for "access to innovation and talent that will fill knowledge economy-type positions." In other words, Hartford and other points in Connecticut aren't attractive to "young professionals lured by the pull of larger and more dynamic cities." Also, Bertolini has a home in NYC. Connecticut is in the throes of a fiscal crisis, and Aetna's departure rubs more salt in the wound. Governor Dannel Malloy pleaded to Bertolini in May, "As a huge Connecticut employer and a pillar of the insurance industry, it must be infuriating to feel like you must fight your home state policymakers who seem blind to the future while you diligently lead Aetna's transportation from a fee for service health insurer to a value based health care leader. The lack of respect afforded Aetna as an important and innovative economic engine of Connecticut bewilders me. Please know I respect and value Aetna." Aetna's Hartford headquarters (Wikipedia) Aetna will be moving its headquarters to a brand new building at 61 Ninth Avenue, designed by Rafael Vinoly, next to the Apple Store, in 2018. According to Vornado, "The building design takes advantage of these views by providing unique floor layouts with multiple private terraces for each tenant. These pocket parks are propagated throughout the building, providing unique terrace spaces, and transforming the typical office, conference room, and breakout space into an integrated indoor-outdoor environment." Governor Andrew Cuomo dunked on Connecticut in a statement, saying, "Aetna's decision to call New York home is another testament to the Empire States extraordinary economic momentum. New York has a deep, diverse talent pool and pro-growth environment that businesses need to succeed, and today more companies are choosing New York to grow and diversify their business." Cuomo's office elaborated that New York lured Aetna to relocate here, after the Empire State Development "offered the company $24 million in performance-based tax credits delivered over 10 years. Over the next five years, Aetna will add 250 senior positions to the new headquarters at 61 Ninth Avenue in Chelsea and invest $84 million to fit out and equip the 145,000 square foot facility. Prior to their decision to relocate to New York, Aetna considered a number of other cities." And Mayor Bill de Blasio's office said Aetna received a "$9.6 million financial assistance package from the New York City Economic Development Corporation" that includes "$4.25 million in sales tax benefits to offset sales tax liabilities resulting from Aetnas capital investment; New York City Industrial Development Agency property tax benefits valued at $3.8 million over 10 years, to reduce the property tax liability resulting from capital expenditures; enhanced sales tax benefits and Business Incentive Rate discount valued at $1.5 million over 10 years." A press release from Aetna sought to quell economic fears in Connecticut, insisting, "The move will have minimal impact on Aetna's Connecticut-based associates. The company remains committed to its Hartford campus and the thousands of associates based there, in addition to other established locations throughout the country and around the globe. Several of Aetnas key businesses will remain primarily based in Hartford, and the Consumer Health & Services team will continue to operate out of Wellesley, Massachusetts." How the Lebanese school system is segregating refugees Publisher IRIN Author Samira Shackle Publication Date 27 June 2017 Cite as IRIN, How the Lebanese school system is segregating refugees, 27 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954cd734.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The children, all refugees and mostly from Syria, filed awkwardly into the unfamiliar school. With its lush grounds and English posters on the walls, it was starkly different from their government-run public school in an outer suburb of Beirut. In a gym room upstairs, the Syrian children lingered on one side and those from the private school on the other, but not for long. As part of an integration workshop run by the Beirut Art Centre and Seenaryo, an arts and education charity, they were put into pairs - one from each school - and then into groups to come up with a short play. By the end of the workshop, they had visibly relaxed. "I liked meeting new people," said a boy from the private school. "I've never met anyone from Syria before," said another. Seenaryo runs these workshops regularly and commonly hears from the Lebanese children that they have barely interacted with a Syrian before, and vice versa. This is despite the fact that Lebanon has the highest per capita concentration of refugees in the world. As of December 2016, there were more than one million registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon, according to the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR. As many more are not registered, the actual figure is likely even higher. In a population of just four million, that means that at least one in every four people is Syrian, and yet host and refugee communities rarely mix - a situation that has allowed mutual resentment and suspicion to breed. The "second shift" system Half of the Syrians in Lebanon are under the age of 18. When they first began arriving in 2011, they had little access to education beyond informal and emergency schools set up by NGOs. As these were not formally recognised, children could not obtain proper qualifications and go on to further education. In 2014, the Lebanese government took the unprecedented step of introducing a "second shift" of classes at public schools for refugee children. They could attend without having to provide proof of legal residency or pay school enrolment fees. The new system offered hope to thousands of refugee families, and the chance for children to get a formally recognised education. There are now around 195,000 non-Lebanese children - nearly all Syrian - enrolled in Lebanese public schools, narrowly outnumbering the Lebanese children. The vast majority attend second-shift classes, held in the afternoons for refugees only. Although the second shift system has obvious benefits, it comes with its own set of problems. By the afternoon shift, teachers are exhausted and learning time is compressed. "Human resources are stretched very thinly," explained Oscar Wood, co-director of Seenaryo. "There are not always new teachers in the second shift, and core staff like heads and senior leadership have to stay all day." Even the best-developed infrastructure would feel the strain of such a system, but Lebanon's public schools were already struggling before the influx of Syrian students. An August 2016 report by the Lebanese ministry of education noted that public schools had been in "slow decline" for years. Problems with violence, poor discipline, and low teaching standards are so severe that only 30 percent of Lebanese children attend them; the rest go to private schools. Partly because of these problems, but also because of the economic pressures on refugee children to work, around 250,000 Syrian children are either not enrolled in school or have dropped out before achieving a meaningful level of education. "Lebanese public schools are not succeeding in enrolling children and getting them to attend regularly," said Wood. Doubling up For some Syrian children, supplementary schools are filling the gap. Dama School in the Bekaa Valley is run by 39-year-old Ghada Misto, who used to run nurseries and schools back in Daraya, Syria, where she is from. Teachers at the school are Syrian, but trained in the Lebanese curriculum. Almost all the children (aged six to 15) are also registered for second-shift public schooling. They come to Dama in the morning and go to public school in the afternoon. It means a long day, starting at 8.30am and finishing at 6pm, but it drastically improves their educational outcomes. "The biggest challenge for Syrian children entering the Lebanese education system is the foreign language component," Misto told IRIN. "But also the neglect happening in the public school system, which affects not only Syrian kids, but Lebanese." Some analysts have pointed out that the influx of international aid triggered by the refugee crisis presents an opportunity for Lebanon to overhaul its entire public education system. Britain's Department for International Development, for example, is channelling all its funds for refugee education through the Lebanese state system. In 2015, DFID announced that it would provide up to 20 million to support "Lebanon's severely overstretched school system", and in 2016 it announced another 100 million over four years. The money is being used to build and renovate schools, buy textbooks, and "raise standards" for Lebanese and refugee children. Sowing division? But the funding hasn't addressed the issue of segregation. The second shift system means that Lebanese and refugee children rarely share a classroom. Partly, this is because of limited physical spaces and language differences - the Lebanese children are taught most subjects in English or French, while Syrian children are taught in Arabic. However, according to Chiara Butti, Lebanon country director for the peace-building organisation International Alert, discrimination also plays a role. "Some Lebanese parents will take their children out of school if Syrian kids attend because they think this will lower the quality of the teaching or they just don't want their kids to have Syrian friends," she said. Wood of Seenaryo described the second shift system as "a disaster" for integration. "Below a certain age, I really don't think there's a reason to have children in separate classes," he said. "I've seen the level of English and French in a Lebanese public school and it is very low. Until [age] six, seven, eight, Lebanese teachers tell you, they're speaking loads of Arabic." Research by International Alert has found that children's integration at school can have a huge impact on community relations between refugees and locals. "We did research looking at perceptions in mixed classes versus perceptions in segregated classes - there was a massive difference," said Butti. "In segregated classes, Lebanese children say, 'I don't have a Syrian friend, they're different, they stink'. When they go to school together, they're more open to the other, saying 'we have Syrian friends'. It even has a similar impact on parents." But the very idea of integration is controversial in Lebanon, where the government is keen to emphasise that Syrian refugees are temporary guests. To get around the sensitivities, many NGOs frame their integration work as creating "social stability" and fostering friendly relationships between communities. A spokesperson from DFID described the second-shift system as an important short-term fix, but noted that in the longer term there was a need to shift to more sustainable solutions, such as expanding the capacity of schools and offering catch-up classes in French and English for Syrian students. "When you are talking about humans, it cannot be solved later," commented Omar Hchemi, director of a private school for Lebanese and Syrian children in the Bekaa Valley. "Syrians are not getting enough education in Lebanon. Education is the most important thing - or a whole generation will be lost." Kenya reconciliation faces major election test Publisher IRIN Author Charlie Ensor Publication Date 26 June 2017 Cite as IRIN, Kenya reconciliation faces major election test, 26 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954cde14.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Towns like Langwenda in Kenya's central Nakuru County still bear the scars of the post-election violence that rocked the country a decade ago. With new polls just six weeks away, could history repeat itself or have the lessons been learnt? An estimated 1,200 people were killed and more than 600,000 displaced during the disputed 2007/08 presidential election, with most of the violence errupting in the central Rift Valley between the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin, the two largest ethnic groups in the region. The area has been the centre of bitter land disputes since independence in 1964, with Kikuyu "settlers" accused of appropriating Kalenjin ancestral land. As Kenya heads towards elections on 8 August, the derelict houses in Langwenda, a small community in Nakuru's Mau Forest, are stark reminders of that troublesome past that still haunts the country. "When the violence started, people came to Langwenda and looted this house," recalled Christopher Towett, a Kalenjin. "They stole the sofa, the television, and other household possessions, and [they] stole our cattle." Towett escaped with his family and neighbours into the forest because it was too dangerous to stay put and risk Kikuyu violence. As Kalenjin retaliatory attacks on Kikuyu properties across the valley intensified, he returned to find his house reduced to rubble and his life shattered. Since then, as part of a government initiative to resettle those displaced by the violence, Kikuyu communities were bought plots of land in Langwenda. "Kikuyus were compensated and given land here, but we [the Kalenjins] haven't seen anything," protested Towett. "I had to rebuild my house with my own money." Despite this, Towett believes the two communities can co-exist. His son has married a Kikuyu, and children from the two communities play together. "We learnt from the past and we're very careful now," he told IRIN. "The Kalenjins and Kikuyus are now at peace. We don't want to spill blood again." Mutual suspicion But is Towett's confidence misplaced? After all, the differences between the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin are long-standing, going right back to when European settlers forced the pastoralist Kalenjin from their land and brought in outside labourers, many of them Kikuyu, to work their estates. At independence, some of the land was redistributed, with Kikuyus the main beneficiaries. In the late 1980s, the Kalenjin-led, single-party government encouraged attacks on Kikuyu communities, seen as the bedrock of the opposition pro-democracy movement. Tensions have been stirred by politicians ever since. "The land issue, which is always [at the heart of] the structural violence in Kenya, has not been dealt with at all," said Maurice Amollo, who heads the Kenyan Election Violence Prevention Programme for the international aid agency Mercy Corps. "There's a lot of talk, but if you ask me what has concretely been done to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself, my honest answer is nothing." The Kenyan government and civil society groups did undertake grassroots reconciliation efforts after the shock of the 2007/08 violence, but a political alliance between the Kikuyu and Kalenjin in the 2013 election papered over these cracks. That "lulled many into believing historic foes were on an 'irreversible' course to overcoming animosities," said a recent report by the International Crisis Group. "Yet Rift Valley reconciliation remains superficial," it noted. Amollo agrees. "This tension has been suppressed, but not eliminated," he said. "I think that people are confusing a lack of violent confrontation between the two communities with peace." Pastor Joseph Maritim, a church leader in Keringet, a majority Kalenjin town in Nakuru, told IRIN that mutual suspicion still runs deep. "Politicians stand for their own political mileage," he said. "If they tell their people that the land was supposed to be theirs but 'outsiders' are settling there, they can set communities against one another. That's why people fight." Others from the Kikuyu community, including Julius Oyancha, a church elder in Molo - one of the worst-affected towns in 2007 - also feel the politicians have let them down. "The politicians and leaders that incited us and led us into violence left us behind with the problems," Oyancha said. "We lost most of our belongings and our land, and we came to realise what we were told was not good for our community." Familiar story Politicians are once again accused of stoking ethnic violence ahead of the August elections, especially at the county level in the contests for executive governors. According to the ICG report, seven of 19 counties listed by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission as among potential violence hotspots are in the Rift Valley. During party primaries in April, leaflets containing hate speech began to appear in Nakuru. They encouraged Kalenjins to cleanse Kikuyu-majority towns in the country should Kikuyu aspirant Kinuthia Mbugua win the Jubilee Party's nomination to run as governor in August. In Uashin Gishu, a neighbouring county, Governor Jackson Mandago, a Kalenjin, has explicitly called for Kikuyus to be kicked out should he win in August. With his opponent, Bundotich Kiprop, ahead in the polls, a return to violence in the county remains a real threat. Though a power-sharing deal under the Jubilee Party is in place between President Uhuru Kenyatta, a Kikuyu, and Deputy President William Ruto, a Kalenjin, it is fragile, argues Murithi Mutiga, a senior analyst at the Rift Valley Institute. "The fundamental problem in the Rift Valley is that the government has relied too much on a political alliance between elites from the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities to maintain peace there. A fracture in that pact could obviously lead to instability." The pivotal point in that deal will come in 2022, when the Kikuyu are supposed to swing their support behind Ruto. There is unease among some senior Kalenjin that they may not. Failure to do so "almost inevitably would trigger major instability in the Rift Valley", said the ICG. Impunity Kenyatta and Ruto were both indicted by the International Criminal Court for their alleged roles in the 2007/08 electoral violence, but, courtesy of their political pact, they were able to whip up domestic opposition to the court in The Hague. The case was eventually dropped in 2014, a setback that has hurt the fight against impunity. Most Kenyan IDPs displaced by the many rounds of political violence remain forgotten - without compensation or resettlement. IDPs like Mark Kipkemboi Korir, a Kalenjin, wait in vain. "The Kikuyus went to camps [after the 2007/08 election] and were easily identified and resettled. Because we came to stay with our relatives, it was difficult for the authorities to identify and resettle us," he explained. Korir is a member of a lobby group that has found and identified around 1,500 Kalenjin displaced throughout the 1990s who are yet to be resettled, much less win justice through the courts. "We have written letters for a very long time, but we've not heard anything back," Korir said. Even his personal messages to Ruto have been ignored. "We've been left to fend for ourselves," he added. The question of impunity, which remains a vexed issue in Kenya, was recently revived by a statement from the ICC that under a more favourable government, it could re-evaluate the dropped cases. Korir is opposed to such a move. "If the ICC cases are brought forward again, it would open old wounds when we already sat down among ourselves and forgave one another," he said. But Mercy Corp's Amollo, also a Kenyan, believes the perpetrators of ethnic violence must be brought to justice. "I found it very, very sad that all of the cases at the ICC collapsed. That was a sad scenario because if we had even a handful of people punished that would have changed the way we do our politics in Kenya, permanently." He suggested that re-opening old wounds may be the only way to allow proper healing. Otherwise, he said, "it's just a suppressed conflict that's waiting for a spark." Involuntary refugee returns to Nigeria must be avoided - UNHCR Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 29 June 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Involuntary refugee returns to Nigeria must be avoided - UNHCR , 29 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954d0814.html [accessed 11 November 2022] UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed over a fresh incident of forced returns of refugees from Cameroon into northeast Nigeria. This follows similar incidents earlier in the year, and more recently, repeated warnings that refugees are returning to a dangerous situation in which conditions do not yet exist to make returns safe and sustainable. "The involuntary return of refugees must be avoided under any circumstances," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. "In addition, returns to Nigeria put a strain on the few existing services and are not sustainable at this time. A new emergency, just as the rainy season is starting, has to be avoided at all costs". In the latest incident, on Tuesday (June 27), some 887 Nigerian refugees, most of them children, were repatriated in six trucks provided by the Nigerian military and Cameroonian police from the Kolofata border site. The refugees were rounded up at 19:30 local time and forcibly removed to Banki in Nigeria in desperate conditions. UNHCR remains very concerned for the children. We also understand that several dozen refugees, fearing that they would be returned against their will, escaped and went into hiding. The incident follows concerns raised by UNHCR in March over incidents of forced return from the border areas. More recently, the agency warned that large numbers of refugees were returning from Minawao camp to conditions dangerously unprepared to receive them. The latest incident happened after Cameroon gave the refugees seven days' notice on June 19 to return. Inside Nigeria, insecurity is preventing refugees from returning to their places of origin. Many end up in Banki where more than 45,000 internally displaced men, women and children are already barely accommodated - many without shelter, in conditions of severe overcrowding and without basic facilities such as drinking water, sanitation and health facilities. UNHCR has repeated its appeal to the authorities in Cameroon to allow newly arrived Nigerian refugees to reach Minawao camp, where some 58,000 are currently being hosted, with another 33,000 living in nearby villages. UNHCR renews its call on Cameron and Nigeria to refrain from further forced returns and calls on both parties to take urgent steps to convene a meeting of the Tripartite Commission, established under a recent agreement with UNHCR to ensure a facilitated voluntary return process in line with international standards. The UN Refugee Agency recalls the importance of all States to ensure international protection for all those fleeing insecurity and persecution in northeast Nigeria. Saddam-era basement bunkers: A 'double-edged sword' for Mosul civilians Publisher IRIN Author Tom Westcott Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as IRIN, Saddam-era basement bunkers: A 'double-edged sword' for Mosul civilians, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954ea5e4.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Wearing nothing but underpants, his body half-wrapped in bandages, 20-year-old Mustafa is carried out of Mosul's Old City on a green plastic chair by Iraqi soldiers running through sniper fire. Grimacing with pain, he grips the sides of the chair. His body is riddled with shrapnel injuries. Grubby white dressings are coiled around his waist, his chest, his arm, his shoulder, his leg, and his ear. His back is marred with dozens of circular wounds inflicted by hot shrapnel sent flying from an explosion. As his green chair is placed in the shade of a broken wall, safe from the bullets of so-called Islamic State, all Mustafa can say at first is: "Alhamdulillah" (praise be to God). He gratefully gulps down some bottled water. Flies settle on open sores already turning septic on his unbandaged hand. Eventually, he recalls the morning three days ago when his family home was hit by an airstrike. "There were 25 of us hiding in the basement and I had gone upstairs to get food from the kitchen when the rocket struck," he tells IRIN, describing how he came round - temporarily deafened, partially blinded, and seriously wounded - in the dust and ruins of the collapsed house. "I saw everything destroyed around me in just one second," he says. "Part of the rocket went right through the basement and lodged in the ground underneath, killing a female neighbour, who was hiding with us, and her baby." Mustafa's civilian-built basement bunker and many others like it are legacies of the Saddam Hussein era. Now, in the bloody fight to finish off IS in one of its last strongholds in Iraq, more than 200 Mosul civilians (according to a tally of figures confirmed by the coalition and verbal accounts given to IRIN) have died while sheltering underground - many held as 'human shields' by IS. Often, homes have collapsed on top of the basements and the people hiding in them after being hit by coalition or Iraqi Air Force warplanes. But Mustafa and 22 of the 24 others with him managed to crawl out of the rubble alive. They are amongst thousands believed to have survived thanks to the leftovers of conflicts long gone, but not forgotten. Bunkers built to last Civilians fleeing Mosul told IRIN many city residents have been living underground for as long as six months, with some of the larger spaces accommodating several hundred people. "There were 300 of us living in one basement and we prayed every day for the army to come," said a man in his 50s, hobbling on the outskirts of Mosul on a leg shattered by shrapnel. "Each day one of us would go upstairs and look out into the street to see if the army had reached us. We waited and waited. They didn't come for so long, we almost gave up hope." Glancing back to where smoke rose from airstrikes falling every 10 minutes, he broke down in tears, saying: "It's just so dangerous in there." An Iraqi soldier, 26-year-old Ahmed, said the bunkers were designed to withstand air attacks by foreign warplanes back in the 1980s and 1990s. "They have actually saved a lot of civilians in this war," he told IRIN, descending the stairs of a house in a newly liberated district to check its basement. "In Saddam's time, everyone built a basement, especially during the [1990-1991 Gulf War], to protect themselves against possible US airstrikes, but many people started making them even before that, during the war with Iran 35 years ago. Just in case." Although it wasn't possible for IRIN to enter the actual basements, which have yet to be declared safe from booby-traps or unexploded ordinance, Ahmed described them as well-built and designed to house people for long periods of time. He pointed out ground-level grilles running along the edge of properties, designed to draw fresh air into the underground spaces. "When I was at school, everyone in Erbil made a basement because it was the best chance of survival if there was an air attack from foreign forces," Kurdish soldier Mohammed, 33, recalled. "In Mosul and Iraqi Kurdistan, in particular, loads of us built basements because many people from both those areas were in Saddam's army [and] felt very vulnerable to air attacks. Actually, Iraqi people haven't slept feeling safe for 35 years," he said. The threat from IS The UN estimates that around 100,000 civilians remain trapped inside Mosul's Old City, many forced to stay in their homes by IS as human shields against aerial bombardment. The underground spaces can save lives, but they also leave civilians vulnerable to both IS fighters and airstrikes. According to one soldier, the Iraqi military has received reports that IS is locking large groups of civilians inside the very places where they're seeking refuge. IRIN encountered the soldier in question holding a swaddled baby miraculously born the day before, while Mosul was under intense bombardment. "Several hundred civilians have already escaped today, mostly women and children," he said, speaking through the window of a truck. "But they are telling us there are hundreds more inside that Daesh [IS] has locked in basements, to stop them escaping." IRIN could not independently confirm the soldier's information. IS are also said to be searching basements, looking for anyone with a mobile phone who could be giving information to the Iraqi forces. Beside a road used by fleeing civilians, a different soldier was waiting for three families he had been speaking with. He anxiously scanned the faces of each new group emerging from the city. "They'll be out anytime now. They were just 500 meters away from here when I last spoke to them," he said, feigning confidence. Every 20 minutes, he tried to call their illicit phone. "I spoke to them early this morning. Their basement was about to be searched by Syrian Daesh women from the Hisbah [a women-only branch of IS's morality police] armed with 'the Biter' [a notorious metal-toothed IS instrument of torture], so they had to hide the phone." But the soldier waited in vain. The three families did not escape from Mosul that day, and their phone remained switched off. The danger from above The risk from IS is great. But the biggest threat to civilians underground may be the building above them taking a direct hit, especially in frontline or IS-held areas where rescue operations are almost impossible. "When our houses were hit, the neighbours next door were sleeping in their basement and they were all killed," said 19-year-old Abdulrahman, who lost both his parents and his younger brother in a January airstrike in eastern Mosul. Five months later, he said, one body still lies beneath the rubble. IRIN was told that two weeks ago, 20 extended family members in western Mosul died after their house was struck and collapsed on the basement. "Mosul's basements are a double-edged sword - they can be your saviour or your killer," Abdulrahman explained. "If your house isn't the target and an airstrike hits next door, you'll probably make it out alive. But if your house is the target, you'll absolutely die because of that basement. Either it will crush you, or you'll suffocate down there." With large numbers of people often sheltering together in one underground hideout, a direct hit can result in multiple civilian deaths from a single airstrike. In March this year, 105 civilians sheltering in a two-roomed basement were killed by a single coalition airstrike. A report from Operation Inherent Resolve - the US-led coalition's name for the campaign against IS in Iraq and Syria - said it was because the impact had ignited IS explosives inside the building. Human Rights Watch said locals spent five days pulling bodies from the rubble but said at least 37 others, in addition to the 105, remained unaccounted for. Now that fighting has reached the Old City and the battle for Mosul may be nearing an end, renewed concerns are being voiced regarding the reliance on airstrikes in densely populated areas. Civilian casualty counter Airwars estimates that civilian casualties from coalition airstrikes alone are eight times higher than given figures. See: Disturbing trends in Iraq-Syria air war: A researcher's view "Thousands of families are trapped by ISIS in west Mosul, with its fighters preventing civilians from fleeing to safety," Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement earlier this month. "Iraqi and coalition forces should recognise that in the crowded Old City, using explosive weapons with wide area effects puts civilians at excessive risk." In the statement, signed by five other NGOs, HRW called on warring parties to cease using heavyweight bombs and indiscriminate weapons, including locally made improvised rocket-assisted munitions, or IRAMs. "The civilian death toll from a series of apparent Iraqi Security Force or United States-led coalition attacks between February and April 2017 suggests that the forces took inadequate precautions to avoid civilian casualties," HRW added. As the sun set over western Mosul, hours after more than 500 civilians escaped through one civilian corridor, an elderly man in his seventies walked slowly through the destroyed streets of Zinjili district, which were lined with upturned, bullet-riddled cars. He embraced soldiers and journalists, saying: "I am so happy to see you. I am so happy to see anyone." He was, however, unable to raise a smile. "We spent six months living underground with bombs and missiles falling all around us. Six long months," he said, shaking his head. He trudged on into the dusk - a sad, slow figure - hoping he was walking towards his family. Not wanting to hold them up with his own slow pace as they fled the city, he had told them to go on ahead. He had no idea if they'd made it out alive. "Pistol plan" shows why peace celebrations in Colombia premature Publisher IRIN Author Erika Pineros Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as IRIN, "Pistol plan" shows why peace celebrations in Colombia premature, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954eb9b4.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. At a ceremony earlier this week, UN inspectors confirmed that more than 7,000 FARC rebels had turned over their weapons, marking the formal conclusion of a months-long disarmament process and another important milestone for the government's historic peace agreement with Colombia's largest guerrilla group. But the peace deal with the FARC has not brought an end to the country's 53 years of armed conflict. Other armed groups remain active and may even be ramping up their use of violence to secure a similar deal with the government. It was a typically humid afternoon in Pie de Pepe when a gunshot pierced the calm of the tiny town in Colombia's Baudo region near the Pacific coast. Edwin Jackson Mosquera fell to the ground on the dirt road he had been walking along to start his shift at the local police station. Police killings are nothing new in Colombia, where government security forces have been fighting an array of armed groups for decades. But the circumstances of the 8 May murder of Mosquera, a 29-year-old father of two, remain murky. Police quickly arrested the gunman, but they haven't provided any information to Mosquera's family about who was behind his death. "We want the truth," said his aunt, Luz Dari. "And we want justice to be done. This case can't go unpunished." Paid killers While no one can be sure of the motive, and results of investigations are rarely conclusive, Mosquera's killing came during a month of intensified attacks on Colombia's security forces that have been orchestrated by the National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia's second largest armed group and other armed groups, including the Gaitanista Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AGC). A Defence Ministry internal document dated 9 May, which was leaked and published in the media, cited intercepted communications between the ELN and other "organised armed groups" in which they discussed a plan to target security forces by rewarding killers $700 per victim. By the end of May, at least 20 officers had been killed and 177 injured, according to the Defence Ministry's figures. In comparison, five officers were killed and 67 injured in April. "The morale among us all is very low," said a high-ranking policeman working in the Baudo region who did not want to be named. "It's tough to hear people, even your own family, ask, 'If they're killing policemen, who are armed and know how to defend themselves, what chances do we have?'" The so-called "pistol plan" to step up attacks on security forces, and the violence that continues to terrorise and displace communities across the country, are widely seen as a tactic by illegal armed groups to pressure the government into making concessions during peace negotiations. Analysts and officials say the controversial agreement between the government and the FARC, has emboldened other groups, in particular the ELN. The ELN was behind a bomb that exploded in the heart of the capital, Bogota, killing a policeman and injuring another 23 officers and two civilians in February. And on 20 June, their fighters kidnapped (and later released) two Dutch journalists working in the northeastern province of Norte de Santander. The ELN is believed to have been responsible for numerous other kidnappings and attacks this year. "There is a long-standing belief in Colombia that if you are an illegal armed group without a particular ideology, fighting the state would be enough to pressure the government into entering a peace process," said Kyle Johnson, an analyst for the International Crisis Group in Colombia. "Groups such as the ELN and the Gaitanista Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AGC) have increased their violence, looking to achieve stronger negotiating positions vis-a-vis the government." Caught between armed groups The Baudo region of Choco Department has long been contested by armed groups seeking to control drug smuggling routes to the coast. While Choco is among the poorest parts of the country, assistance from the central government is limited, and this state negligence has allowed various illegal armed groups, including the FARC, to control the area for decades. Its inhabitants, mostly Afro-descendants and indigenous Emberas, have seen the upper hand in the conflict swing from one armed group to another. Currently, the ELN dominates the north of the region, while much of the south is controlled by the AGC. The AGC is partly comprised of former members of paramilitary groups that were disbanded during a peace process that wrapped up in 2006 and resulted in the demobilisation of more than 30,000 paramilitary members throughout the country. Like the current peace agreement with the FARC, the 2003 to 2006 peace process left out other armed groups and failed to stop a cycle of violence that largely revolves around the drug trade and continues to displace thousands of people every year. In early March, for example, over 700 villagers, including more than 340 children, fled fighting in the municipality of Alto Baudo in northern Choco. A community member, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said he and others in the riverside village of Boca de Leon had heard gunshots in the distance. Shortly afterwards, rumours from Penazul, a nearby village where the gunfight took place, reached them saying that the clash between ELN and AGC fighters was spreading up the river, closer to their villages. "They [the AGC] think that we're with the guerrillas, because this has been an ELN zone," said Ornelio Forastero, a local Embera leader. "So we were worried that if we bumped into them, they would just kill us." The villagers travelled hours up-river to the municipality of Pie de Pato, where they stayed for some days before returning home. Such temporary displacements continue to be common in many places in Colombia, including in this remote and roadless region where drug production and trafficking is the main industry, alongside illegal logging and mining. Drug trade In Alto Baudo, the local people are victims of the drug trade, but they have also come to rely on it. Residents of Boca de Leon recalled that when men with guns began showing up in the region just over a decade ago, the offer of a new source of income was too good to turn down. Not only were they shown how to grow the coca plant, they were also trained on how to turn the coca leaves into paste. "We grew up with our parents planting corn and plantain, but we had a bad life," said a community member, who declined to be named. He said the villagers preferred the illegal armed groups to the government because "at least they buy the 'merchandise' from us". But the drug trade has left residents caught between the AGC and the ELN, according to a 7 June Human Rights Watch report that focused on Litoral de San Juan municipality, in the south of Choco. "As they dispute control over the San Juan river, these two armed groups have displaced hundreds of families and forced many others to confine themselves to their immediate villages," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for HRW, in a statement. According to HRW, almost 3,000 people were displaced in 2016 in Litoral de San Juan, which has a total population of 15,000, while more than 1,300 people fled their homes in the first two months of 2017 alone. Other abuses included killings, assaults and the recruitment of children. The ELN rejected HRW's findings and issued a statement blaming the AGC and the Colombian government. Peace talks The HRW report noted that the abuses continue even as the government and the ELN engage in peace talks launched in February in Quito, the capital of neighbouring Ecuador. Analysts argue that the ELN and other groups like the AGC have been closely watching the peace process between the government and the FARC, which concluded at the end of last year after initially being rejected in a nationwide referendum. Many are critical of what they view as concessions to the FARC, which has been found guilty of numerous atrocities. The peace deal makes it unlikely that FARC members will be charged for their crimes, while the government and the international community are funding programmes to reintegrate former fighters into civilian life through the provision of vocational training, education, and business grants. The ELN has been around almost as long as the FARC, and its members have committed similar crimes. Now, many observers believe the ELN wants to pressure the government into making a similar deal. Manuel Palacios is the ombudsman for Medio Baudo, the municipality in Choco Department where Pie de Pepe sits, near the banks of the Baudo River. "They have seen the benefits they can get - release from prison, reduction of sentences, legal benefits, reintegration programmes, and all that," he said. "It is an incentive to them." Hungary Amnesty International will not comply with repressive new NGO law Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Hungary Amnesty International will not comply with repressive new NGO law, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954ec494.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Announcing that Amnesty International Hungary will not to comply with the country's repressive new NGO law and register as a 'foreign funded NGO', Julia Ivan, Director of Amnesty International Hungary said: "Amnesty International has every intention of challenging Hungary's repressive new NGO law in the courts - both domestically and internationally - and no intention of complying with it until all these avenues have been exhausted. "We have every confidence that we will be vindicated in the courts and look forward to this obstructive law being struck off the books. In the meantime we will, like others, carry on with our work of holding the government to account and standing up for those whose rights have been trampled on." Background At an emergency general meeting convened by its board yesterday, Amnesty International Hungary unanimously decided not to comply with the law and not to register as a foreign funded NGO. From today (27 June) NGOs have 15 days to register, if not the prosecutor will ask them to do it within 30 days and if not again, in a further 15 days. If an NGO still refuses, the court may issue sanctions for not complying including: - A fine up to around 3000 euro (2917), - Convene a General Meeting of the NGO to restore lawful operation - Eventual dissolution of the NGO Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Nigeria: Shell complicit in the arbitrary executions of Ogoni Nine as writ served in Dutch court Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 29 June 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Nigeria: Shell complicit in the arbitrary executions of Ogoni Nine as writ served in Dutch court, 29 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954ecb04.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New case could put an end to decades of impunity for Shell Esther Kiobel has fought for justice for her husband for more than twenty years Oil giant Shell stands accused of complicity in the unlawful arrest, detention and execution of nine men who were hanged by Nigeria's military government in the 1990s, Amnesty International can reveal today, following the launch of an explosive new case against the company in the Netherlands over four of the executions. The civil case has been brought by Esther Kiobel, the widow of Dr Barinem Kiobel, and three other women. Esther Kiobel has pursued Shell for 20 years over the death of her husband. He was hanged in 1995 along with the writer and human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, and seven other men, collectively known as the Ogoni Nine. At the time the executions sparked a global outcry. Esther Kiobel accuses Shell of complicity in the unlawful arrest and detention of her husband; the violation of his personal integrity; the violation of his right to a fair trial and his right to life, and her own right to a family life. Amnesty International supported Esther's legal team to bring the case to the Netherlands, and has released a new briefing, In The Dock, detailing the role played by Shell in the executions. "The executions of the Ogoni Nine shocked the world. Shell has been dodging accountability for its complicity in these deaths for more than twenty years but now, thanks to Esther Kiobel's determination and bravery in taking on this corporate Goliath, the past is finally catching up with it," said Audrey Gaughran, Senior Director of Research at Amnesty International. "Today is a watershed moment in Esther Kiobel's uphill battle for justice. Shell has to answer for the bloody footprints it left all over Ogoniland." A brutal campaign The executions were the culmination of a brutal campaign by Nigeria's military to silence the protests of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), led by Ken Saro-Wiwa. MOSOP said that others had grown rich on the oil that was pumped from under their soil, while pollution from spills and gas flaring had "led to the complete degradation of the Ogoni environment, turning [their] homeland into an ecological disaster." In January 1993, MOSOP declared that Shell was no longer welcome to operate in Ogoniland. Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Hong Kong: President Xi's attack on human rights a grave threat to city's freedoms Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 29 June 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Hong Kong: President Xi's attack on human rights a grave threat to city's freedoms, 29 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954ed654.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Hong Kong's political leaders must show they are prepared to fiercely resist pressure from President Xi Jinping to further erode human rights in the city, Amnesty International said, as the Chinese President arrived to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China. "Hong Kong's political leaders need to step up and show they won't bend to Beijing's pressure. They must be prepared to defend the city's cherished human rights and freedoms and the rule of law that were guaranteed as part of the handover deal," said Mabel Au, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong. Carrie Lam, who will be sworn in as Hong Kong's new chief executive this weekend, has so far shown no appetite to stand up to Beijing when it comes to human rights. Freedom of expression There are reports banners critical of the Chinese government will be removed by police during President's Xi visit to avoid causing "embarrassment". "It is Hong Kong's political leaders who are the embarrassment if they go to extreme lengths to curtail freedom of expression and peaceful protest to appease Beijing," said Mabel Au. "It is vital our leaders are exposed to a multitude of voices. If we cannot openly share ideas and concerns, we will never be able to find solutions to the problems facing our city and guarantee human rights for all." National security Human rights are expected to come under increasing pressure in the next few years with Beijing seemingly intent on Hong Kong implementing a chilling national security law that would echo similar legislation on the mainland. Last month, in a speech on Hong Kong's handover, Zhang Dejiang, China's third in command, urged the city's leaders to move ahead with such a law. Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city's mini constitution, provides that Hong Kong enact laws to prohibit acts such as "subversion against the Central People's Government", "theft of state secrets" and the establishment of "ties with foreign political organizations or bodies by political organizations or bodies of Hong Kong". When a proposal to implement Article 23 in 2003 seemed designed to serve the mainland's political agenda, half a million people took to the streets to protest, and the initiative was dropped. Now President Xi has introduced a series of laws in the mainland on the pretext of protecting national security that severely impede human rights. The definition of "national security" in these laws is virtually limitless. Government targets such as human rights defenders, activists, ethnic minorities, and people raising practical livelihood concerns through petitioning are frequently detained and persecuted using "national security" charges, such as "inciting subversion of state power" and "leaking state secrets". "Look to mainland China and you will see how national security is being used as a pretext to target human rights activists and government critics. Any similar proposal for vague security laws in Hong Kong that are wide-open for abuse must be fiercely resisted," said Mabel Au. Judges under attack A crucial backstop against such abuses of power is Hong Kong's independent judiciary. However, the city's judiciary has experienced intensifying pressure to give up its impartiality and independence in "sensitive" cases and instead bend to Beijing's political requirements. In February, after the sentencing of seven police officers who assaulted democracy activist Ken Tsang during the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, pro-Beijing media initiated a well-orchestrated campaign attacking the impartiality of Hong Kong's judicial system. "Independent judges are a vital line of defence for human rights. It seems Beijing is intent on taking a wrecking ball to this cornerstone of Hong Kong society," said Mabel Au. "Away from the pomp and ceremony of President Xi's visit, the message from people in Hong Kong is clear: any rollback for human rights in the city will be steadfastly resisted." Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Qatar: Demands to close Al Jazeera endanger press freedom and access to information Publisher Article 19 Publication Date 29 June 2017 Cite as Article 19, Qatar: Demands to close Al Jazeera endanger press freedom and access to information, 29 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954f83f4.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Recent demands made by Saudi Arabia to Qatar to shut down Al Jazeera, which is Qatar's independent public service broadcaster, as well as a major regional and global media outlet, represent a severe attack on free expression and information and should be dropped. As negotiations continue related to the current blockade, ARTICLE 19 calls for Saudi Arabia and its allies to drop this and any similar demands that endanger press freedom, both in Qatar and across the region. Public service broadcasters play a vital role in facilitating democratic debate and ensuring media pluralism. Media organisations like Al Jazeera, whether in their role as PSB in Qatar or more broadly across the region, enable the free flow of information about a range of issues of public interest, and are key to enabling free expression across the region. Decisions about public service broadcasting should only be taken by parliaments and with public participation, not unilaterally or in response to external demands. A unilateral decision by the government, for whatever reason, to pull the plug leaves the public both without a say and without a vital source of information and ideas. We urge respect for freedom of expression and information to be a core consideration in ongoing negotiations between the states. Copyright notice: Copyright ARTICLE 19 The New York state legislature has approved a deal to grant New York City two years of mayoral control over the city's schools, averting the return to the troubled Board of Education system that would have happened if mayoral control expired. The expiration deadline was tomorrow. Early Thursday morning, the Assembly passed a bill that included an extension of mayoral control. Legislators had returned to Albany on Wednesday, summoned by Governor Cuomo after they ended their session last week without a decision on the school issue. The Senate approved the measure this afternoon. "Mayoral control of New York City schools is critical to the futures of more than one million kids," Mayor de Blasio said in a statement. "Providing a two-year extension gives the system an important measure of stability thats key to initiatives that have produced record achievement." He continued, "Our state governments action allows us to refocus our attention away from the political process and back to our classrooms, where it belongs." At a press conference following the deal, Cuomo addressed the arguments by Republicans who stopped short of actually criticizing the mayoral control system, but criticized the mayor to justify their reluctance: The question is not really, "Is the mayors performance optimum?" The question is, "What is the alternative" We dont operate in the ideal, we operate in the real, right? It was mayoral control versus what? Versus the Board of Education? Its no contest. Assembly Democrats' gambit of tying mayoral control to routine tax extensions paid off this go-round. Since Mayor de Blasio took office, Senate Republicans have held his authority over city schools hostage, passing only one-year extensions and each time squeezing out regulatory concessions for the charter school industry in the process. The latest deal includes no goodies for charter operators. A return to the borough-president-appointed school board system with elected community boards would have cost New York City over $100 million a year, according to the Mayor's Office. Brought back to address the school crisis, lawmakers took the opportunity to put all manner of other pet issues on the table, using Wednesday's special session to add on a bailout for a central New York casino and racetrack, money for Adirondack road and well construction, and over $50 million for flood victims near Lake Ontario. Cuomo also got approval for a measure close to his heart: naming the new Tappan Zee Bridge after his father, Mario Cuomo. Cuomo the Younger first introduced the renaming bill last Wednesday, late in the final day of the legislative session as legislators worked to hammer out more substantive issues. The Republican-and-rogue-Democrat-controlled Senate voted unanimously to approve the renaming that night, but the Assembly declined to put it up for a vote at the time. Cuomo today explained the last minute introduction of the naming by saying, "You dont need a lot of time. Its kind of a yes or no question. I dont think a lot of legislators would say, 'I need more time to go back and study the facts.' You either think its a good idea, or you dont think its a good idea." He also claimed that the Senate's approval was somehow remarkable, saying, "The Senate voted for it unanimously. I cant remember the last time they did anything unanimously." As Politico noted when Cuomo said something similar last week, 1,220 of the 1,927 bills that passed the Senate this year passed unanimously, including several immediately before and after the renaming legislation. The legislature did not use the special session to do anything about the ongoing MTA emergency. De Blasio is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. Myanmar: Release journalists charged for reporting in armed conflict area Publisher Article 19 Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as Article 19, Myanmar: Release journalists charged for reporting in armed conflict area, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954f90b4.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. ARTICLE 19 calls for the immediate release and dropping of all charges against three journalists detained by the Myanmar military while reporting on the illegal drug trade in conflict-affected areas of northern Shan State, Myanmar, on 26 June 2017. Journalists Lawi Weng of The Irrawaddy, and Aye Naing and Pyae Bone Naing of Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), were detained alongside four others while returning from carrying out their work in a Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)-controlled area of Shan State, and were held incommunicado before being transferred to police custody on 28 June. The charges come amid worsening armed conflict between the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) and ethnic armed groups in Shan State, where the military has been accused of a series of recent human rights violations. The journalists face charges under Section 17(1) of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act, which penalises anyone who is a member of or "in any way assists the operations of" an "unlawful association" with a prison sentence of up to three years. The TNLA is considered such an "unlawful association", and the law has been used to repress human rights defenders and journalists operating in conflict areas in the past. The terms "assisting in any way" and "unlawful association" are very broad and lend themselves to arbitrary interpretation, paving the way for unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on free expression. The use of such legal provisions against journalists not only violates international law, but has a chilling effect on media in Myanmar. Press freedom in Myanmar continues to be under threat under the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government, where the military still holds significant power. There have been numerous arrests and charges brought against journalists in recent months, often by members of the military, and access to various conflict areas in the country remains limited. The military has been known to detain and in some cases mistreat journalists in detention, and to date no one has been held accountable for the death of journalist Par Gyi in military custody in 2014, who had been reporting on armed conflict between the Myanmar military and another ethnic armed group. The detention and charge of the journalists under the Unlawful Associations Act while they were carrying out their work is a violation of their right to freedom of expression, and represents another worrying attack on press freedom by Myanmar's military. The right to freedom of expression, as set out under Article 19 of the UDHR and of the ICCPR, the latter of which Myanmar has yet to ratify, guarantees the rights of journalists to carry out their work without interference by the state, and includes their right to access and report on conflict areas, and areas where human rights violations have been reported. Myanmar's 2014 Media Law sets out under Section 7 that journalists reporting in conflict should be exempt from detention by security authorities, however, as noted in ARTICLE 19's legal analysis, the scope of protection is unclear, allowing for arbitrary and inconsistent interpretation, which severely limits the protection it offers journalists in conflict areas. "These latest charges demonstrate the severity of the threat to press freedom in Myanmar, where abusive laws continue to be used by the military and others to silence critical voices. Journalists must be allowed to carry out their work without fear of arrest or reprisal, in order to ensure the public are able to access information about events in the country, including in areas of armed conflict. The NLD government must take action to secure press freedom, and prioritise reforming and repealing laws such as the Unlawful Associations act which are used to target journalists" said David Diaz Jogeix, Director of Programmes at ARTICLE 19. Lawi Weng, Aye Naing and Pyae Bone Naing must be immediately released and all charges against them under the Unlawful Associations Act, which violate their right to free expression, should be dropped. The Myanmar government must also take immediate steps to prevent any deterioration of press freedom in Myanmar by reforming laws including the News Media Law, and repealing the Unlawful Associations Act. The government should prioritise ratifying the ICCPR as part of ensuring the country's laws are in line with international human rights standards. Photo: DVB Copyright notice: Copyright ARTICLE 19 Malaysia: Drop Criminal Charges against Human Rights Defender Siti Kasim Publisher Article 19 Publication Date 27 June 2017 Cite as Article 19, Malaysia: Drop Criminal Charges against Human Rights Defender Siti Kasim, 27 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5954f9c64.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. ARTICLE 19 strongly condemns the criminal charges brought against lawyer and human rights defender Siti Kasim for "obstructing a public servant in discharge of his public functions" under Section 186 of the Penal Codein connection with a transgender event on 3 April 2016. The event was raided by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) based on allegations that it violated a 1996 fatwa prohibiting Muslim women from joining beauty pageants in Malaysia. Siti Kasim has been a staunch defender of human rights and in particular the rights of minority groups such as the LGBT community and indigenous peoples in Malaysia. At the time of incident, Siti was a guest at the private transgender fundraising dinner at the Renaissance Hotel in Kuala Lumpur when JAWI officials raided the premises, in the presence of media personnel, and prevented about 200 guests from leaving the premises. Siti, who had inquired about the sudden raid and had attempted to mediate the situation, was detained and brought to Dang Wangi police station along with the event's transgender organiser for questioning. Siti maintains that JAWI did not have a warrant to raid the private event and that they were unaccompanied by police. At the time, JAWI denied that Siti was under arrest after detaining her. However, on 13 June 2017, more than a year after the event, Siti was notified of the charges under Section 186 of the Penal Code, which carry a penalty of two years imprisonment and/or a RM10,000 fine. In November 2016, Siti had filed a court order to ask for information relating to the raid, for the purpose of suing the government and JAWI officers for unlawful arrest. Section 10(a) of Malaysia's Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression for all, and the decision to raid the transgender event and subsequently charge Siti represents a violation of LGBT expression. The 2014 joint statement of international and regional mandate holders on freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly and human rights defenders noted in particular the importance of states' obligation to protect the right to freedom of expression for LGBT people, stating: "Protecting and promoting the rights of LGBTI people to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly is crucial to end their discrimination and address the appalling human rights violations inflicted upon them." The mandate holders insisted that "These are not only basic rights, but they are also essential in allowing individuals to claim other rights, in particular the rights to freedom from discrimination and equality before the law, and they can contribute to fostering public debate in society." "Malaysia's LGBT community is highly at risk and continues to struggle to have their basic rights, including the right to freedom of expression and freedom of association, recognised. LGBT individuals who attempt to assert their rights regularly face discrimination and arrest, and some have been subjected to hate crimes or murdered. It is deeply concerning that those speak up for the community are targeted in this way by authorities like JAWI." said David Diaz Jogiex, ARTICLE 19's Director of Programmes. ARTICLE 19 calls on the Malaysian government to immediately drop charges against Siti Kasim. The government should also take immediate steps to bring provisions in the Penal Code that can be used to limit the right to freedom of opinion and expression into line with international human rights law. The Malaysian government must strive to recognise and protect the rights of all its citizens, including the right to freedom of expression in line with Section 10(a) of the Federal Constitution. For more information: Please contact Miss Nalini Elumalai, Malaysia Program Manager at 01136535927 or email: [email protected] Footnotes 1. Malaysiakini - Siti Kasim charged for obstruction over Jawi transgender raid https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/386551 2. The Malay Mail Online - JAWI raids transgender 'beauty pageant' for breaking fatwa http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/jawi-raids-transgender-beauty-pageant-for-breaking-fatwa Copyright notice: Copyright ARTICLE 19 Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5955013a4.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. For the past four years, the Kremlin has sought to stigmatize criticism or alternative views of government policy as disloyal, foreign-sponsored, or even traitorous. It is part of a sweeping crackdown to silence critical voices that has included new legal restrictions on the internet, on freedom of expression, on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and on other fundamental freedoms. An enduring, central feature has been the 2012 law requiring independent groups to register as "foreign agents" if they receive any foreign funding and engage in broadly defined "political activity." In Russia, the term "foreign agent" can be interpreted by the public only as "spy" or "traitor." To date, Russia's Justice Ministry has designated 158 groups as "foreign agents," courts have levied staggering fines on many groups for failing to comply with the law, and about 30 groups have shut down rather than wear the "foreign agent" label. Organizations targeted include groups that work on human rights, the environment, LGBT issues, and health issues, groups that do polling about social issues. A court forced the closure of AGORA Association, one of Russia's leading human rights organizations , in response to a Justice Ministry suit alleging that the group violated the "foreign agents" law and carried out work beyond its mandate. The ministry has removed its "foreign agent" tag from over 20 groups, acknowledging that they had stopped accepting foreign funding. Accordingly, as of June 28, 2017, the official list of active "foreign agents" consisted of 95 groups. The 'Foreign Agent' Law Under the 2012 law, groups must register with the Justice Ministry as "foreign agents" if they receive even a minimal amount of funding from any foreign sources, governmental or private, and engage in "political activity." The definition of political activity under the law is so broad and vague that it effectively extends to all aspects of advocacy and human rights work. Initially, the law required all nongovernmental organizations that met these criteria to register with the ministry and to identify themselves as "foreign agents" in all their public materials, with legal consequences for failure to comply. Russia's human rights groups resolutely boycotted the law, calling it "unjust" and "slanderous." In 2013, Russia's then-federal ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin, challenged the law in Russia's Constitutional Court. In 2014, the court upheld the law, finding that there were no legal or constitutional grounds for contending that the term "foreign agent" had negative connotations from the Soviet era and that, therefore, its use was "not intended to persecute or discredit" organizations. The court also found that the "foreign agent" designation was in line with the public interest and the interest of state sovereignty. Two years of mounting pressure by the authorities, court proceedings, and massive fines did not succeed in forcing groups to voluntarily register as foreign agents. In May 2014 Russia's parliament amended the "foreign agents" law to authorize the Justice Ministry to register groups as "foreign agents" without their consent. In May 2016, parliament adopted another set of amendments to the law, expanding the controversial definition of "political activity" to include, among other things, any attempt by an independent group to influence public policy, regardless of the group's mandate. To date, the registry of "foreign agents" includes the following organizations: Association of non-profit organizations in defense of voters' rights "Golos" (Moscow) - June 5, 2014 Interregional public organization Human Rights Center "Memorial" (Moscow) - July 21, 2014 Regional public organization "Ecozaschita! - Womens' Council" (Kaliningrad) - July 21, 2014 Foundation for assistance to protection of Citizens' Rights and Freedoms "Public Verdict" (Moscow) - July 21, 2014 Foundation "Institute for Information Freedom Development" (Saint-Petersburg) - August 28, 2014 Private institution "Information Agency MEMO. RU" (Moscow) - November 20, 2014 Non-profit partnership "Institute of Regional Press" (Saint-Petersburg) - November 20, 2014 Autonomous non-profit organization "Moscow School of Civic Education" - December 9, 2014 Arkhangelsk regional public organization of socio-psychological and legal assistance to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people (LGBT) "Rakurs" (Arkhangelsk) - December 15, 2014 Regional public organization "Public Commission for the Preservation of the Heritage of Academician Sakharov" (Moscow) - December 25, 2014 Kaliningrad regional public organization "Human Rights Center" (Kaliningrad) - December 25, 2014 Free Press Support Foundation - December 30, 2014 Saint-Petersburg public human rights organization "Civil Control" (Saint-Peterburg) - December 30, 2014 Interregional public human rights organization "Man and the Law" (Yoshkar-Ola) - December 30, 2014 Interregional public organization "Information-Educational Center 'Memorial' " (Yekaterinburg) - January 16, 2015 "Information Bureau of the Nordic Council of Ministers in Saint-Petersburg" (Saint-Petersburg) - January 20, 2015 Non-profit partnership "Press Development Institute - Siberia" (Novosibirsk) - January 30, 2015 Interregional public foundation for civil society development "GOLOS Povolzhie" (Samara) - February 6, 2015 Interregional charitable organization "Siberian Environmental Center" (Novosibirsk) - February 12, 2015 City public organization "Samara Center for Gender Studies" "Samara Center for Gender Studies" (Samara) - February 16, 2015 Regional foundation "Center for the Protection of Mass Media Rights" (Voronezh) - February 26, 2015 Autonomous non-profit organization "Center for Anti-Corruption Research and Initiatives 'Transparency International-R' " - April 7, 2015 Ozersk city social and environmental public organization "Planet of hopes" () - April 15, 2015 Regional public charitable organization for assistance to refugees and migrants "Civil Assistance [Civic Assistance Committee]" (Moscow) - April 20, 2015 Foundation for Support of Investigative Journalism - Foundation 19/29 (Moscow) - April 24, 2015 Interregional charitable public organization "Center for Development of Non-Profit Organizations" (Saint-Petersburg) - May 13, 2015 Establishment "Informational Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Northern Countries" (Kaliningrad) - May 13, 2015 Non-governmental specialists' educational institution of additional professional education (advanced training) "Academy of Human Rights" (Yekaterinburg) - May 15, 2015 Sverdlovsk regional public organization "Sutyajnik" (Yekaterinburg) - May 15, 2015 Nizhny Novgorod regional public organization "Environmental Center 'Dront'" (Nizhny Novgorod) - May 22, 2015 Non-profit programmes foundation of Dmitry Zimin "Dynasty" - May 25, 2015 Interregional public "Foundation for Peace in the South and North Caucasus" (Stavropol) - June 19, 2015 Autonomous non-profit organization "Center for Independent Social Research" (Saint-Petersburg) - June 22, 2015 Regional public organization for promoting protection of reproductive health of citizens "Population and Developmen" - June 23, 2015 Association "Assistance in Legal Protection of People 'Legal Basis' " (Yekaterinburg) - July 3, 2015 Komi regional public organization "Commission for Protection of Human Rights 'Memorial' " (Syktyvkar) - July 21, 2015 Interregional public foundation for civil society development "GOLOS-Ural" (Chelyabinsk region) - July 27, 2015 Media Support Foundation "Sreda" - July 28, 2015 Foundation "Civic Action" (Perm) - August 5, 2015 Chechen regional public organization "Human Rights Center of the Chechen Republic" (Grozny) - August 21, 2015 Interregional public environmental foundation "ISAR-Siberia" (Novosibirsk) - August 26, 2015 Public organization "Perm Regional Human Rights Center" (Perm) - September 3, 2015 Interregional public charitable organization "Society for Protection of Consumer Rights and Environmental Protection 'Principle' " (Moscow region) - October 5, 2015 Autonomous non-profit organization "Far Eastern Center for Civil Initiatives and Social Partnership" (Vladivostok) - October 13, 2015 Union of public associations "Russian Human Rights Research Center" (Moscow) - October 20, 2015 Foundation for Promotion of Civil Society and Human Rights "Women of the Don" (Novocherkassk) - October 27, 2015 Regional public institution "Research and Information Center 'MEMORIAL' " (Saint-Petersburg) - November 6, 2015 Non-profit organization "Glasnost Defense Foundation" - November 19, 2015 Autonomous non-profit organization "Institute of Human Rights" (Moscow) - November 20, 2015 Interregional public organization "Center for Assistance to Indigenous Peoples of the North" (Moscow) - November 27, 2015 Regional public organization "Information and Research Center 'Panorama' " (Moscow) - December 18, 2015 City public organization "Ekaterinburg society 'Memorial' " (Yekaterinburg) - December 30, 2015 Interregional public organization "Committee for Prevention of Torture" (Orenburg) - January 14, 2016 Interregional public organization "Bureau of Public Investigations" (Nizhny Novgorod) - January 14, 2016 Nizhny Novgorod Regional Public Organization "Institute for Forecasting and Settlement of Political Conflicts" (Nizhny Novgorod) - January 22, 2016 City public organization "Ryazan historical, educational and human rights society 'Memorial' " (Ryazan) - February 1, 2016 Chelyabinsk regional public initiative - women's public association "Women of Eurasia" (Chelyabinsk) - February 15, 2016 Chelyabinsk regional public initiative "Ural Human Rights Group" (Chelyabinsk) - February 15, 2016 Omsk regional public organization "Center for Health and Social Protection 'SIBALT' " (Omsk) - February 15, 2016 Charitable foundation for social and legal support "Sphere" (Saint Petersburg) - March 1, 2016 Interregional public organization "Center for Civic Education and Human Rights" (Perm) - March 3, 2016 Non-profit organization "International Foundation for Development of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East 'BATANI' " (Moscow) - March 11, 2016 Autonomous non-profit organization "Center for Social and Labor Rights" (Moscow) - March 21, 2016 Autonomous non-profit organization "Publishing House 'Valentin Manuylov' " - April 15, 2016 Regional public organization "School of Ecology of 'the Soul of Tengri' "(Altay) - May 17, 2016 Saratov regional public organization "Socium" (Engels) - May 30, 2016 Regional public organization "Integration Center 'Migration and Law' " (Moscow) - June 16, 2016 Non-commercial partnership for support of social and preventive programs in public health "ESVERO" (Moscow) - June 22, 2016 Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice Promotion (Moscow) - June 29, 2016 Non-profit organization "Foundation 'Institute for Economic Analysis' " (Moscow) - July 22, 2016 Autonomous non-profit organization "Publishing house 'Park Gagarina' " (Samara) - August 31, 2016 Autonomous non-profit organization "Analytical Center of Yuri Levada" (Moscow) - September 5, 2016 Interregional environmental protection and human rights public organization "Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus" (Maikop) - September 13, 2016 Foundation for support of civil freedoms "Legal Mission" (Chelyabinsk) - September 21, 2016 Autonomous non-profit human rights organization "Draftee's School" (Chelyabinsk) - September 21, 2016 International public organization "International Historical-Educational, Charitable and Human Rights Society 'Memorial' " (Moscow) - October 4, 2016 Sverdlovsk regional public foundation "Health Era" (Yekaterinburg) - October 11, 2016 Chapaevsk city public organization "Association of Medical Workers of Chapaevsk" (Chapaevsk) - October 21, 2016 Regional charitable foundation "Samarskaya Gubernia" (Samara) - November 2, 2016 Association "Internet Community" (Samara) - December 13, 2016 Autonomous non-profit organization for social support "Project April" (Tolyatti) - December 19, 2016 Regional public organization for assistance to women and children in crisis "Information and Methodological Center 'Anna' " (Moscow) - December 26, 2016 Krasnodar regional charitable public organization "Southern Human Rights Center" (Sochi) - December 27, 2016 Regional public oranization for promotion of citizens' education "Center for Information and Analysis 'SOVA' " (Moscow) - December 30, 2016 Sverdlovsk public organization for assistance to legal migration "Nelegalov.Net [No Illegals]" (Yekaterinburg) - January 10, 2017 Saint-Petersburg public environmental human rights center "Bellona" (Saint-Petersburg) - January 16, 2017 Soloneshensky district youth public organization "Pro-Movement" (Altay region) - January 25, 2017 Kaliningrad regional public organization "Society for German culture and Russian Germans Eintracht - Soglasie" (Kaliningrad) - January 31, 2017 Foundation for development assistance to mass communication and legal education "Tak-Tak-Tak" (Novosibirsk) - February 20, 2017 Murmansk regional public organization "Kola Environmental Center" (Apatity) - April 20, 2017 Foundation for sustainable development "Silver Taiga" (Syktyvkar) - June 23, 2017 And the four NGOs which registered voluntarily: Association "Supporting Competition in the CIS Countries" (Moscow) - June 27, 2013 Karachay-Cherkess republican youth public organization "Union of Young Political Scientists" (Cherkessk) - December 15, 2014 Regional public organization "Center of Independent Researchers of the Altai Republic" (Gorno-Altaisk) - June 10, 2015 Sverdlovsk regional public social projects foundation "New Time" (Yekaterinburg) - June 23, 2017 Leader of at least 1 NGO faces criminal charges personally: Regional public human rights organization "Union 'Women of the Don' " - criminal proceeding is in process. Chair Valentina Cherevatenko faces up to two years in prison for "malicious evasion of the duty to file the documents required for inclusion in the register of nonprofit organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Vietnam: Free Blogger 'Mother Mushroom' Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Vietnam: Free Blogger 'Mother Mushroom', 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/595501a04.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Vietnam should immediately free Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh (also known as "Mother Mushroom") and drop all charges against her, Human Rights Watch said today. Police arrested her in October 2016, and pressed a charge of "conducting propaganda against the state" in accordance with article 88 of the penal code. The People's Court of Khanh Hoa province plans to hear her case on June 29, 2017. "It's outrageous to put Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh on trial simply for using her right to free expression to call for government reform and accountability," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The scandal here is not what Mother Mushroom said, but Hanoi's stubborn refusal to repeal draconian, rights-abusing laws that punish peaceful dissent and tarnish Vietnam's international reputation." Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, who is 38, blogs under the pen name Mother Mushroom (Me Nam). The pen name came from her 11-year-old daughter whom she calls "Mushroom." With the motto, "Who will speak if you don't?" Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh wrote on social and political issues including land confiscation, police brutality, and freedom of expression. She voiced support for fellow dissidents and publicly campaigned for the release of many political prisoners including Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Nguyen Ngoc Gia, Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung, and Nguyen Huu Vinh (also known as Anh Ba Sam). Above all, she advocated for a social and political environment free from fear. The morning before she was arrested, Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh went with Nguyen Thi Nay, the mother of political prisoner Nguyen Huu Quoc Duy, to try to visit him in prison. In September 2009, the police took Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh from her home in the middle of the night and questioned her about her blog posts that criticized government policies on China and its disputed claims to the Spratly and Paracel Islands. She was released after nine days but remained under intrusive surveillance by police, who continued to pressure her to shut down her blog. Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh participated in numerous public protests that advocated for human rights and a cleaner environment. She was subject to constant police harassment, intimidation, interrogation, and put under house arrest on numerous occasions to prevent her from attending important events. Police detained her twice in 2014 to prevent her from flying to Hanoi to attend meetings at the Australian Embassy in July, and at the Canadian and Norwegian Embassies in November. In March 2015, police detained her again to prevent her from going to Hanoi to attend a meeting at the German Embassy. In July 2015, she reported being assaulted by men in civilian clothes in front of police officers for participating in a sit-down protest to campaign for the release of political prisoners. State media reported that the police alleged that the evidence against Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh for anti-state blogging included a file named "Stop police killing civilians." The file included data on 31 cases regarding people who died in police custody, which she and others had collected from state media. The police claimed that the file "bears a hostile viewpoint against the people's police force. The document makes the readers misunderstand the nature of the problem, offends and lowers the prestige of the people's police force, and harms the relationship between the people and the police force." Many cases summarized in "Stop police killing civilians" had been documented and published by Human Rights Watch, such as the violent deaths in police custody of Nguyen Quoc Bao, Nguyen Van Khuong, Trinh Xuan Tung, Tu Ngoc Thach, and Y Ket Bdap. According to Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security, reported by state media, from October 2011 to September 2014, there were 226 cases of death in detention facilities. The police claimed that during the search of Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh's house, they found many documents providing evidence of crimes. Among these documents were slogans such as "Fish Need Water," "The Country Needs Transparency" (Ca can nuoc sach; Nuoc can minh bach), "Take Legal Action Against Formosa" (Khoi to Formosa), "No Formosa," "Formosa Get Out," and anti-China claims over the disputed Spratly and Paracel Islands such as "No to Chinese Expansionism." The police reportedly said that in addition to her Facebook and blog posts, other "crimes" she committed included giving interviews to CNN and Radio Free Asia. Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh received a Hellman Hammett grant from Human Rights Watch in 2010 as a writer defending free expression. In 2015, Civil Rights Defenders gave her the 2015 Civil Rights Defender of the Year award. In March 2017, she received the International Women of Courage award from the State Department. "For the last 10 years, Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh has worked tirelessly to advance human rights and promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam," said Phil Robertson. "International donors and trade partners should publicly condemn her arrest and urge the Vietnamese government to immediately and unconditionally release her." In addition to blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, Human Rights Watch urges Vietnam to unconditionally release all those detained or imprisoned for their peaceful activities and speeches. Among those who are being held and pending investigation include prominent rights defenders Nguyen Van Dai and Tran Thi Nga. Since his detention in December 2015, it is reported that by early May 2017, Nguyen Van Dai has not been allowed access to legal counsel. According to defense lawyer Ha Huy Son, Tran Thi Nga (detained since January 2017) has been sick for the last three weeks and can only eat porridge. She asked the authorities to allow her to seek medical treatment at the hospital twice, but her requests were denied. Both Nguyen Van Dai and Tran Thi Nga were charged under article 88 of the penal code. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Hong Kong: Chief Executive Should Defend Autonomy Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Hong Kong: Chief Executive Should Defend Autonomy, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/595502324.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Hong Kong's incoming Chief Executive Carrie Lam should vigorously defend Hong Kong's autonomy as guaranteed by the "one country, two systems" arrangement enshrined in the Basic Law, Human Rights Watch said in a public letter today. Many in Hong Kong have expressed their discontent with the failure of political reform and other issues through repeated protests since the handover. July 1, 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's transfer from British to Chinese control, and the inauguration of Lam, who was selected as chief executive of Hong Kong by a committee of 1,200 electors heavily influenced by Beijing. "Fears of a militarized Chinese encroachment on Hong Kong have not materialized, but that doesn't mean key human rights aren't at serious risk in the territory," said Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch. "Carrie Lam and other Hong Kong political leaders must use their position and power to resist Beijing's pressure on the legal system, the press, and diverse political views - while they still can." The letter notes Beijing's rhetorical attacks on the "one country, two systems" arrangement, repeated failures to honor pledges of democracy to Hong Kong, and inference in the territory's press freedom and judicial independence. Human Rights Watch also highlights the Hong Kong government's increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the deterioration in freedom of expression as a worrying trend. Human Rights Watch calls on Lam to: Use President Xi Jinping's visit to Hong Kong in July to publicly assert that Hong Kong will retain control over all issues other than foreign affairs and defense; Publicly challenge President Xi on issue of cross-border abductions and clarify the nature of cooperation with mainland security agents in Hong Kong; Restart the political reform process by submitting to Beijing a report making clear the need for greater democratization; Drop charges against protesters and pro-democracy leaders for their peaceful activities; Approve the registration applications of pro-democracy political groups; and Uphold press freedom and freedom of expression, and allow greater access to government events and facilities. "Since 1997, hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong people have repeatedly taken to the streets over threats to education, political rights, and human rights abuses in the mainland," Richardson said. "The new chief executive should recognize that her best chance to govern is to defend the rights and autonomy of Hong Kong to Beijing." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Angola: 2 Journalists Face Baseless Criminal Charges Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 29 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Angola: 2 Journalists Face Baseless Criminal Charges, 29 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/595502954.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Angolan prosecutors should drop charges against two journalists accused of insulting the state and allow them to do their jobs without interference, Human Rights Watch said today. Rafael Marques de Morais, who runs the anticorruption website Maka Angola, and Mariano Bras Lourenco, editor of the weekly newspaper O Crime, were charged on June 21, 2017, with "outrage to a body of sovereignty and injury against public authority," under Angola's Law on Crimes against State Security. The journalists were charged over publishing an article about an alleged illegal land acquisition involving the attorney general, Joao Maria de Sousa. The article - first published on Maka Angola in November 2016, and re-published by O Crime the same month - alleged that de Sousa unlawfully acted as a property and real estate developer in addition to his official duties. The article also suggested that President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos supported the attorney general's actions. "The charges against Rafael Marques de Morais and Mariano Bras Lourenco is the latest attempt by Angolan authorities to unduly limit freedom of expression and the media," said Dewa Mavhinga, Southern African director at Human Rights Watch. "Exposing improper business deals involving state officials is not a threat to state security, but is journalism in the public interest." Angolan media operates in a very restrictive environment, with authorities often repressing coverage of cases of corruption involving government officials. In November 2016, without public consultation, parliament passed a media law that gives regulatory control of all media to a new body controlled by the government and the ruling party. The Angolan union of journalists called the law "a political tool to intimidate the press," and vowed to take the matter to the constitutional court. Despite opposition, on January 23, 2017, Dos Santos signed the bill into law. Angola is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects the right to freedom of expression and the media in article 19. The United Nations Human Rights Committee, the independent expert body that monitors state compliance with the covenant, has stated, "mere fact that forms of expression are considered to be insulting to a public figure is not sufficient to justify the imposition of penalties." Thus, "all public figures, including those exercising the highest political authority such as heads of state and government, are legitimately subject to criticism and political opposition." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Philippines: Duterte's First Year a Human Rights Calamity Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Philippines: Duterte's First Year a Human Rights Calamity, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/595504104.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. President Rodrigo Duterte has unleashed a human rights calamity on the Philippines in his first year in office, Human Rights Watch said today. The government's murderous "war on drugs," drug-related overcrowding of jails, and the harassment and prosecution of drug war critics has caused a steep decline in respect for basic rights since Duterte's inauguration on June 30, 2016. Security forces and "unidentified gunmen" have killed at least 7,000 suspected drug users and dealers since July 1, including 3,116 killings by police, according to government data. Yet the Duterte administration has rejected all domestic and international calls for accountability for these abuses, and instead has denied any government responsibility for the thousands of drug war deaths. "President Duterte took office promising to protect human rights, but has instead spent his first year in office as a boisterous instigator for an unlawful killing campaign," said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director. "Duterte has supported and incited 'drug war' killings while retaliating against those fearless enough to challenge his assault on human rights." Human Rights Watch field research found that government claims that the deaths of suspected drug users and dealers were lawful were blatant falsehoods. Interviews with witnesses and victims' relatives and analysis of police records expose a pattern of unlawful police conduct designed to paint a veneer of legality over extrajudicial executions that may amount to crimes against humanity. While the Philippine National Police have publicly sought to distinguish between suspects killed while resisting arrest and killings by "unknown gunmen" or "vigilantes," Human Rights Watch found no such distinction in the cases investigated. In several such cases, the police dismissed allegations of involvement when only hours before the suspects had been in police custody. Such cases call into question government assertions that the majority of killings were carried out by vigilantes or rival drug gangs. The "war on drugs" has also worsened the already dire conditions of Philippine jail facilities, including inadequate food and unsanitary conditions. Government data indicates that the country's jail facilities run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, which have a maximum capacity of 20,399, currently hold nearly 132,000 detainees, an overwhelming majority of them awaiting trial or sentencing. The bureau attributes the overcrowding to the arrest of tens of thousands of suspected drug users and dealers since the anti-drug campaign began. The drug war has also boosted the number of "secret jails" in which police unlawfully detain suspects and demand bribes in exchange for release. The Duterte administration has subjected prominent critics of the government's anti-drug campaign to harassment, intimidation, and even arrest. In February 2017, the police detained Senator Leila de Lima on politically motivated drug charges. Her arrest followed a relentless government campaign against her in evident response to her outspoken criticism of Duterte's "war on drugs" and her calls for accountability. Other critics of the killings - including activists, journalists, international officials, and ordinary Filipinos - have been threatened online by pro-Duterte supporters and trolls. Among those targeted were Agnes Callamard, the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, and international experts on drug dependency. "During his first year in office, President Duterte and his government have demonstrated a fundamental unwillingness to respect rights or provide justice for people whose rights have been violated," Kine said. "A UN-led international investigation is desperately needed to help stop the slaughter and press for accountability for Duterte's human rights catastrophe." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch RSF calls for blogger Mother Mushroom's release on eve of trial Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 28 June 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, RSF calls for blogger Mother Mushroom's release on eve of trial, 28 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/595505884.html [accessed 11 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. >On the eve of Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh's trial on an anti-state propaganda charge, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urges Vietnam's judges to dismiss this unjust charge and free her unconditionally, and calls on the government to stop using article 88 of the penal code to silence its critics. Better known by the blog name of "Me Nam" (Mother Mushroom), Quynh is finally due to be tried tomorrow after being held incommunicado for more than eight months. Arrested on 10 October 2016, she was accused of violating article 88 by "distorting the truth and history, defaming the Communist Party and inciting violence against the Party" in her blog posts. Quynh is one of Vietnam's leading free speech advocates. On social networks, she raised the delicate issue of police violence and criticized the way the authorities handled a toxic spill from the Taiwanese-owned Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation plant in Ha Tinh province in April 2016. In March of this year, she was one of the recipients of the International Women of Courage Award. "Article 88 of the penal code should not be used as a pretext for silencing criticism of the regime, and the ruling Communist Party should stop treating freedom of expression as crime that must be systematically punished," RSF said. Reporters Without Borders also condemns the harassment of Quynh's mother, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan, who has been constantly followed by the local authorities every since Quynh's arrest. Vietnam's Communist Party tolerates no criticism and controls all the media but, in recent years, dissidents have increasingly used online social networks to provide the population with freely reported information. However, these independent reporters and critics are subjected to frequent intimidation attempts and reprisals. Their families are also often targeted, as was the case with the family of Pham Minh Hoang, a dissident blogger who was expelled to France just five days before the start of Quynh's trial. Government opponents are often jailed in Vietnam, but Hoang was the first dissident to be stripped of his nationality and then expelled, despite the moving appeal he made in an interview for RSF a few days before his expulsion. Vietnam is ranked 175th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2017 World Press Freedom Index. Body cameras for the Mooresville Police Department have arrived. Find out when they will be used. Body cameras for the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department's officers have arrived, with the department aiming to have its officers equipped with the new technology before the end of the year. A court in Cambodias capital Phnom Penh on Thursday released five rights defenders from prison after more than a year in pre-trial detention on charges widely seen as politically motivated, drawing praise from one of their lawyers who called for the cases to be dropped. ADHOC officials Lim Mony, Ny Sokha, Yi Soksan, and Nay Vanda, and National Election Committee (NEC) deputy secretary-general Ny Chakrya, had been held for 427 days at Prey Sar and PJ prisons amid a wide-ranging probe into a purported affair by opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) president Kem Sokha. Authorities have charged the ADHOC officials with bribery and the NEC officialwho is also a former ADHOC officialwith accessory to bribery for attempting to keep Kem Sokhas alleged mistress quiet. The five are collectively known as the ADHOC 5. On Thursday evening, Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Theam Chan Piseth concluded his investigation and issued a court order to send their case to trial, conditionally freeing the five from detention and placing them under court supervision. According to the ruling, the five cannot change their residence or leave the country without court permission and must answer to any court summons. Following their release, the former detainees traveled to a nearby temple, where a Buddhist monk performed a cleansing ceremony to wash away all evil. The four active ADHOC officials then gathered at their organizations office for an hour before returning to their homes. Ny Chakryas lawyer Som Sokong told RFAs Khmer Service that he welcomed the provisional release of the ADHOC 5, but said the court should have thrown out their cases. We are not satisfied with the court for not dropping all charges against them, he said. This release was done through a closing order by the investigating judge, who has forwarded the case to trial while releasing the charged persons provisionally. Their provisional detention has never been justified, which means it was a violation of their rights. Thoughts on release Speaking to RFA after his release, Ny Sokha said that despite the hardships of his time in prison, he was encouraged by the support he and the other four detainees received from the local and international community, adding that he is committed to continue campaigning for human rights. Even as a human rights defender, I was still badly mistreated, so I cannot imagine how ordinary people would have been treated, he said. I am determined to continue my work. Though I was jailed, I never felt that my conscience was locked up. Yi Sokan said he was surprised by the courts decision to release him and the other four detainees, and echoed Ny Sokhas vow to return to rights work. I will continue to do my work to advocate for basic rights and freedoms for my people, he said. Our release today is a testimony to our innocence and shows that what we have done is right. Lim Mony said that her passion is fighting for the rights of women and children, which she has done for some 20 years and will continue to do. I have never committed any wrongdoing, she said, adding that she had strictly followed ADHOCs policies and principles while working as a rights defender. Nay Vanda thanked the media for its coverage of his case, as well as NGOs and local supporters for pushing for the release of the ADHOC 5, while Ny Chakrya pledged to return to his work at the NEC as soon as possible. Yi Sokan embraces his daughter in Phnom Penh after his release from prison, June 29, 2017. Credit: RFA 'Long road for democracy ADHOC director Thun Saray, who fled to Canada last fall amid the charges against his four colleagues, told RFA he was pleased to learn that they had been released, but added that a provisional release was not enough to bring them and Ny Chakrya justice. Unless all charges against them are dropped, their freedom to travel abroad will still be restricted and their activities will be limited, he said. Im afraid they will be imprisoned again if their activities upset their arrestors. Thun Saray said that the cases against the ADHOC 5 show that there is still a long road towards democracy for Cambodia. Even the [June 4] commune election had a lot of shortcomings, so there is a serious need for more efforts to improve democracy and human rights [in the country], he said. The case against the ADHOC 5 has been widely dismissed as politically motivated, and has drawn condemnation from rights groups and the United Nations. In response to an April court ruling to extend the pre-trial detention of the ADHOC 5, the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) called for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sens government to release without delay the five rights defenders, while the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recommended last November that they be freed. On April 26, the detainees were collectively named as a finalist for the 2017 Martin Ennals Award, which provides protection and support to human rights defenders deemed at risk. The award will be presented on Oct. 10 in Geneva. CNRP lawmaker Also on Thursday, Cambodias Appeals Court upheld a lower court ruling which sentenced CNRP parliamentarian Hong Sok Hour to seven years in prison for incitement last year. Hong Sok Hours lawyer Choung Chou Ngy called the decision unfair and slammed the court for failing to assign experts to investigate his case, adding that he plans to appeal. In November last year, Hong Sok Hour was found guilty of forging and publishing public documents and of incitement to cause instability, when he posted a disputed copy of a 1979 Cambodia-Vietnam treaty on Facebook that said the two countries had agreed to dissolve their mutual border. Months earlier, Hun Sen had ordered police to arrest anyone accusing the government of using fake maps to cede national territory to Vietnam, which invaded and occupied Cambodia in 1979 to overthrow the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Hong Sok Hour has been held at Prey Sar Prison since his arrest on Aug. 15, 2015. Reported by Vuthy Tha, Maly Leng and Thai Tha for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. China's president Xi Jinping (C) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R) greet the public after arriving in Hong Kong, June 29, 2017. They are followed by Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (4th from R), his wife Liang Tangqing (2nd from R), and Chief Executive-designate Carrie Lam (3rd from R). As President Xi Jinping arrived in the city to mark two decades of Chinese rule on Thursday, protesters gathered in downtown Hong Kong to call for the release of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo and 17 democracy activists held following a protest at the symbolic Golden Bauhinia statue. "On the first day of Xi Jinping's visit to Hong Kong, we want to express our demands, which are that the Chinese government immediately and unconditionally release Liu Xiaobo," Chow Hang Tung, one of the event organizers, told the crowd gathered in the city's central business district. "He is innocent, and he is seriously ill." "They make it sound very nice, saying that he has been released on medical parole, but nobody is able to see him or have any contact with him," Chow said. "He may have been moved to a hospital, but he is still effectively in jail." Xi refused to answer questions from journalists about Liu's status after arriving in Hong Kong, however, drawing further public ire. Instead, he said he plans to celebrate the "enormous success" of Hong Kong since the handover. "We will work with all sectors of Hong Kong society to look back at Hong Kong's extraordinary journey in the past 20 years, sum up the experience, and look forward to the future," he said after disembarking from his Air China plane. Under attack from all sides A vigil participant surnamed Leung said a superpower like China needn't be afraid of answering such a simple question, however. "And yet he was so afraid of ordinary people," Leung said. "I think he should let him go ... so he can make a free choice about where to get treated," he said. A participant surnamed Chan said she agreed with the calls for Liu's release. "I think they should release him, because he has already been locked up for seven years and he has terminal cancer ... Here in Hong Kong, we'd like to do something to help him," she said. "I hope Xi Jinping will release both him and his wife." Liu's wife Liu Xia has been under house arrest and in prolonged isolation at the couple's Beijing home since his award was announced in October 2010. Fellow activist Hu Jia told RFA on Thursday hit out at the lack of transparency around Liu's situation. "The Chinese government would have kept Liu Xiaobo's whereabouts and situation secret until he died, were it not for Liu's lawyer who made it public," Hu said. "Now they are under attack from all sides, they are trying to defuse the situation by pretending they are doing everything they should." He said he doesn't believe the official line that Liu's cancer was first diagnosed in May, when it was already at an inoperable stage. "The fact that they have done everything behind closed doors tells us that there are all sorts of shenanigans afoot," Hu said. People hold a vigil to call for the release of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo and 17 democracy activists held following a protest at the symbolic Golden Bauhinia statue in Hong Kong, June 29, 2017. Credit: RFA Tour of the city Meanwhile, as Xi began his tour of the city, marking the 20th anniversary of the 1997 handover, detained former leaders of the 2014 Occupy Central movement remained behind bars after a protest on Wednesday night, prompting calls for their immediate release. Nine of the 26 detainees were released following the Golden Bauhinia protest after hanging a banner calling for Liu's release and for fully democratic elections for Hong Kong, but former Occupy student leader Joshua Wong and 16 others remained in police custody after being carried away from the statue. Wong, who is now one of the leaders of the post-Occupy political party Demosisto, said he may apply to a court to be released, while pan-democratic politicians said police hadn't even begun questioning the activists in connection with any charge. Under Hong Kong law, police may only hold a suspect for a maximum of 48 hours without charge. Demosisto and the League of Social Democrats said police appeared to be keeping protesters out of the way of the visiting Chinese leaders. Lee Cheuk-yan, leader of the Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China that organized the vigil, said Xi's response to questioning doesn't bode well for relations between the central government and the city. "If the mainland Chinese authorities can't even allow Liu Xiaobo any freedom of expression, not even the freedom to choose his medical treatment, then how are we to believe that the Chinese Communist Party will respect the freedoms of seven million Hong Kong people?" Lee said. As he was being dragged into a police van after occupying the Golden Bauhinia statue on Wednesday, Wong called on people to "take to the streets" for Saturday's annual pro-democracy march, as Xi celebrates the anniversary in a highly choreographed ceremony at the Convention and Exhibition Center, followed by a reception for hand-picked guests. Organizers declined to estimate how many would turn out, however. Reported by Lam Kwok-lap, Goh Fung, and Ng Yik-tung for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Ding Wenqi for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Three Lao workers given long prison terms in a secret trial in April for criticizing their government in Facebook postings while working in Thailand have also been hit with fines, sources close to the three now say. Somphone Phimmasone, 29, his girlfriend Lod Thammavong, 30, and Soukane Chaithad, 32, disappeared in March 2016 after returning to Laos to renew their passports, family members and friends told RFAs Lao Service in earlier reports. Charged with criticizing the Lao government online while working abroad, the three were handed prison terms ranging from 12 to 20 years in sentences described as harsh and unjust by rights groups worldwide. As a part of their sentences, still unpublicized by the courts, the three jailed workers were also fined, relatives have now learned after visiting two of the three in prison. Somphone, aged 29 and sentenced to a 20-year term, has been fined 210 million kip, equal to about U.S. $26,000, one source told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity. Soukane, aged 32 and sentenced to 16 years, was fined 106 million kip, equal to about U.S. $13,000, the source said. Lod, aged 30 and given 12 years, was fined 110 million kip, almost U.S. $14,000. They have been fined so much money that they will never be able to pay it, one relative told RFA. Reached for comment, an official at the Peoples Supreme Court in the Lao capital Vientiane denied any knowledge of the case, even when given the three imprisoned workers names. We do not remember all the suspects who have been sentenced, the court official said. It seems that many are convicted each day. In a statement released in May, the Paris-based Federation of International Human Rights (FIDH) called the workers sentences a shocking reminder of Vientianes intolerance for any form of peaceful dissent. By locking up dissidents for up to two decades, the Lao government has abandoned any pretense of compliance with the countrys international human rights obligations, FIDH president Dimitris Christopoulos said. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Written in English by Richard Finney. State inspection authorities in Laos have seized more than two dozen trucks after they were found to be hauling timber illegally logged by the wife of the governor of Attapeu province for sale across the border in Vietnam, according to an official source. The source, who inspects timber in the southern provinces of Laos, told RFAs Lao Service Tuesday that the 27 trucks of logs owned by governor Nam Viyakeths wife Seng Viyaketh have been held since May at the Phoukeua International Border Checkpoint, which regulates crossings into western Vietnams Kon Tum province. The timber belongs to the governor [and was seized] while the trucks were being processed to pass the checkpoint to Vietnam, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The officials inspected thoroughly and found that all the timber in the 27 trucks was illegal, so the president of the Government Inspection Authority, Bounthong Chitmany, ordered its seizure and appropriation by the state, though an auction has not yet been scheduled. Bounthong Chitmany is also the deputy prime minister of Laos, a high-ranking politburo member, and the head of the countrys Anti-Corruption Organisation. The official said that the Prime Ministers Office had also sent a notice to the State Inspection Authority on May 16 ordering it to send a unit to investigate the 27 trucks and seize them if their timber was found to have been illegally obtained. Seng Viyaketh dismissed the accusation that she owned the illegally harvested timber seized in Attapeu in an interview with RFA on Thursday. I confirm that I am not involved in the seized timberthat is a rumor and disparaging me, so I am willing to be interviewed [to deny it], she said. My answer is that this is groundless condemnation. Whoever said should show their evidence because I have never run a timber business. An official who answered the phone at Attapeus Provincial Cabinet office Thursday said Nam Viyaketh was in a meeting and could not speak to RFA. Vice chairman of the State Inspection Authority Xaikham Ounmany refused to comment on the seized trucks when contacted by RFA, while repeated calls to Khenthong Sisouvong, the vice governor of Attapeu province, rang unanswered. Rampant corruption High ranking officials in Attapeu are regularly involved in illegal logging and cross-border sales, despite a ban on the export of timber issued by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in May last year as part of a bid to end rampant smuggling to China and Vietnam, where the wood is used to make high-end furniture. The smugglers must bribe officials from the top down, the official said, adding that 22-wheel trucks must pay U.S. $60,000 and 12-wheel trucks pay U.S. $40,000 so that they are allowed to bring timber out of the province. The officials who take bribes are from the departments of commerce, forest, public works and transport, custom and tax, and the provincial cabinet office. These are the officials who facilitate the smuggling. According to the official, some 10,000 cubic meters (353,150 cubic feet) of illegally harvested timber seized from smugglers in Attapeu province this year has gone missing, likely the result of local authorities looking the other way or actively selling the wood on the black market. At least 16,000 cubic meters (565,050 cubic feet) of illegally harvested timber was seized from smugglers in Attapeus Sanamxay district alone in 2016, he said, but the State Inspection Authority announced earlier this year that only 3,600 cubic meters (127,150 cubic feet) had been seized throughout the entire province. Forests under threat Deforestation has been a major problem in the last two decades for Laos, where forests now cover less than 40 percent of the countrys land, according to the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Much of the illegal timber is obtained through conversion forestryclearing areas marked for the development of infrastructure projects such as hydropower dams, road building, and mining operationswhich is used as an excuse for large-scale logging that otherwise would not be permitted under Lao law. In December, sources told RFA that timber seized by authorities in Laos after being harvested illegally is being offered for sale in state-run auctions, but discrepancies remain in the number of logs being sold and the number of trees cut down. A civil society organization official working in Champassak province said at the time that governors in the countrys central and southern provinces regularly enrich themselves by running sawmills and timber businesses in cooperation with Vietnamese investors. He said that the provinces dont reveal the numbers of logs that have been seized, suggesting something is being hidden under the carpet. Governors have helped investors hide the confiscated timber ever since the national government began taking measures to stop the logging, and the number of seized logs never matches the number of trees cut down, he said. Reported and translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Myanmar lawyers, journalists, cyber technology professionals, and activists denounce Article 66(d) of the country's controversial Telecommunications Law under which people can be charged with defamation at a rally in Yangon, Jan. 22, 2017. More than 60 domestic and international rights groups on Thursday called on the Myanmar government to repeal a vaguely worded statute increasingly used by those in power to silence their critics by accusing them of defamation. Government officials, military officers, and high-ranking monks have been invoking Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law more and more to attack journalists who criticize them or their actions under the civilian government of de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The article prohibits the use of telecom networks to defame people. Violators are subject to jail terms of up to three years and a fine. In the last two years, this law has opened the door to a wave of criminal prosecutions of individuals for peaceful communications on Facebook and has increasingly been used to stifle criticism of the authorities, said a joint statement issued by the 61 groups. The rights organizations, which include Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, and U.S. Campaign for Burma, urged the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which has been discussing revisions to the Telecommunications Law, to ensure that Article 66(d) is repealed in the amended legislation. The current review of the Telecommunications Law offers an important opportunity to repeal Section 66(d) and bring the 2013 Telecommunications Law fully in line with international human rights law and standards, the statement said. Failure to do so would raise serious questions about the governments commitment to freedom of expression, it said. It would, worryingly, leave people in the country at risk of imprisonment simply for sharing opinions online. It would also undermine the governments reform and responsible business agenda by chilling or even silencing the ability of the public and the media to report on public sector mismanagement, harmful and illegal business practices, and corruption, it said. Peaceful expression of views If Myanmar authorities do not repeal Article 66(d), the groups recommend instead that they ensure that defamation is decriminalized. [W]here recognizably criminal acts such as extortion, coercion, wrongful restraint, and threats occur in the law, they are clearly defined in line with international human rights law, so as to ensure it is not used to criminalize the peaceful expression of views, the statement said. At least 71 people are known to have been charged for online defamation under the law, according to the 2013 Telecommunications Research Group which is documenting prosecutions under article 66(d), the statement said. The rights groups also noted that in the past year, the number of criminal prosecutions initiated by private Facebook users against each other for posts they deem untrue, offensive, or insulting, has also risen. As long as Section 66(d) remains, people in Myanmarespecially those who criticize officials and government policies onlinewill be at risk of being imprisoned for their peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression, the statement said. Myanmar journalists banded together in early June in the commercial capital Yangon to create the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, which is demanding that the government abolish Article 66(d). They have started collecting signatures of those who support the abolishment of the article and conducted a white armband campaign called Freedom of the Press during a court hearing for two domestic journalists accused by the countrys powerful military of defaming it by publishing a satirical article mocking a military film. Journalists in the town of Lashio in northern Shan state began a campaign against Article 66(d) in June. Yanghee Lee (L), the UN's Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, visits a camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims took refuge from an army campaign, Feb. 21, 2017. Myanmar doubled down Thursday on its refusal to cooperate with United Nations' efforts to investigate reported army atrocities in the strife-ridden western state of Rakhine, with the foreign ministry saying it has ordered the country's embassies not to issue visas to U.N. investigators. The United Nation Human Rights Council issued a resolution in March calling for the dispatch of an independent, international fact-finding mission to investigate the alleged recent human rights violations by security forces in Rohingya Muslim communities in the northern part of the state. In May, the council appointed three legal experts and rights advocates as members of a fact-finding mission to investigate the human rights situation in Myanmar, especially in Rakhine state. The mission was tasked with producing a draft report by September. On Thursday, however, Kyaw Tin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affair, told parliament Myanmar's embassies were ordered not to grant visas to U.N. fact finding mission members. "Daw [honorific] Aung San Suu Kyi said we would not coordinate with the U.N. fact-finding mission as we have disassociated ourselves from the resolution because we do not think that the resolution is in keeping with what is actually happening on the ground," he said during questioning in parliament. "We will order Myanmar embassies not to grant any visa to U.N. fact finding mission members. But this mission will travel to Myanmars neighboring countries and will ask in these countries what they want to know and submit its report to U.N.," Kyaw Tin added. Myanmar soldiers carried out a four-month crackdown in parts of Rakhine state following a deadly raid on border guard posts in October 2016, which officials blamed on Rohingya militants in the countrys impoverished and religiously and ethnically divided westernmost area. The U.N. previously said that reports of atrocities committed during the crackdown that killed an estimated 1,000 people and displaced about 90,000 Rohingya, most of whom fled to neighboring Bangladesh where they are living in refugee camps, may amount to genocide or ethnic cleansing. 'Less than helpful' On April 11, a top-level Myanmar government official briefing foreign diplomats, U.N. agency personnel, and reporters called the U.N. resolution "less than helpful," saying that Myanmar has made progress in dealing with the situation in Rakhine. He noted that the government is complying with most of the 30 recommendations made by a Rakhine advisory committee headed by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan by opening restricted areas to news media, allowing increased humanitarian access, and agreeing to close down three internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in three Rakhine towns. Two weeks later, an open letter sent by 23 rights groups and other international organizations is calling on world governments to urge Myanmars cooperation with the U.N. fact-finding mission saying the country would be better off allowing reports of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, torture, and the destruction of homes by security forces in Rakhine state to be openly and honestly addressed. The foreign ministry's stance was supported by members of parliament at the hearing. "This issue can harm our countrys sovereignty. I was thinking that the government must do something effective to protect it," said lawmaker Hla Htay Win. Another member of parliament, Oo Hla Saw, weighed in, urging a tough line. "Sending a fact-finding mission to our country is cavalier. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should declare our attitude toward this," he said. Reported by Win Naung Toe and Thiri Min Zin for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Paul Eckert. Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang are ordering residents to hand in all digital devices for checking at local police stations by Aug. 1, as part of an operation targeting terrorist videos, according to an announcement and official sources. "According to the requirements of stability maintenance measures, the Baoshan community district will be carrying out a specific anti-terrorist videos operation," a notice issued to residents of the regional capital Urumqis Baoshan district said. Please would all residents and business owners of the district submit their personal ID cards, cell phones, external drives, portable hard drives, notebook computers and media storage cards and any similar devices to our district police post for registration and scanning by Aug. 1, 2017," the June 27 notice said. "Anyone who fails to submit the above devices and content by the stated time will be dealt with according to the relevant national law, should any problems arise," it said, calling on local people to respond "proactively" to the order. An employee who answered the phone at the Baoshan district committee offices confirmed to RFA that the order is genuine. "Handheld computers, smartphones, and storage devices [must be handed in]," she said. "We have a special system for scanning them, and this is happening across the whole city, not just here in our district." "These are orders from higher up." Everyone must obey A Han Chinese officer at the Baoshan district police station also confirmed the directive, saying the directive was to check and clean up illegal audio-video content. As long as you are a Chinese citizen, it is your obligation to cooperate with us, under the necessity of stability maintenance, he said. As soon as residents see the announcement, they should bring their smart phones, USB drives, [tablets] and notebook computersthese four types of devicesto the nearest police station for inspection. According to the officer, authorities will install software that opens everything stored on the devices, including documents, archived items, and anything unclean, without providing details. He said that every Chinese citizen has an obligation to participate in the inspection, though he acknowledged that the order did not extend beyond Xinjiang, where he said the situation is unlike any other part of China in the aftermath of ethnic unrest in Urumqi, on July 5, 2009. If anyone fails to bring a device for inspection, we will find them through their mobile phone, the officer said. Everyone must obeyif they dont come, they will face legal consequences, he added. The officer said that anyone born in Xinjiang must comply with the order, regardless of whether they are living in other parts of China, or even in one of 26 designated countries abroad, without specifying which nations. They must bring their devices for checkup as soon as they return, he said. This includes all Han Chinese and ethnic minorities. As long as you are from Xinjiang, you understand well what were doing here. An announcement notifying residents of Urumqi's Baoshan district to bring their digital devices to the local police station for inspection. Credit: RFA listener Increasing restrictions The new measures come after the regional government issued orders earlier this year for all vehicles to have compulsory GPS trackers and microchip license plates installed, enabling police to pinpoint the position of vehicles at all times. Beijing in December 2015 passed an anti-terrorism law banning anyone from disseminating images or information regarding terrorist activities, and authorizing anti-terrorist operations by security forces beyond China's borders. U.S. officials have said they fear the new law could be used to target peaceful dissent and religious activities among ethnic minorities in China, particularly among the Uyghur ethnic group. The ruling Chinese Communist Party blames some Uyghurs for a string of violent attacks and clashes in recent years. But critics say the government has exaggerated the threat from the Uyghurs, and that repressive domestic policies are responsible for violence that has left hundreds dead since 2009. Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the exile World Uyghur Congress group, said the monitoring program will likely result in even more arrests. "I think this will mean that the situation gets even more unpredictable," Raxit said. "They are now forcibly prying into Uyghurs' private belongings." Control and surveil Sophie Richardson, China director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, called the new measure an unprecedented strategy by Chinese authorities to control and surveil residents of Xinjiang, and questioned its legality. There is no basis for that in Chinese law, absent some sort of credible suggestion that the communications are taking place with the view towards committing some kind of actual crime, she said. From our perspective its another counterproductive strategy. Instead of actually addressing the legitimate grievances of the Uyghur people in the region authorities are compounding them by preventing people from discussing them freely. An ethnic Kazakh resident of Urumqi told RFA that the authorities are increasingly stepping up pressure on his ethnic group too, however. "Since 2000, all the ethnic minority schools, including Uyghur and Kazakh schools, have been merged with Han Chinese schools," the Kazakh resident said. "That includes 2,000 Kazakh schools that have been merged with Chinese schools." "Ethnic minorities' right to their language and religious beliefs have been stripped away," he said. "We should continue to fight for justice, and say what needs to be said. We shouldn't allow them to suppress us." Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service and Ghulchehra Hoja for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Luisetta Mudie, Alim Seytoff and Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Luisetta Mudie and Joshua Lipes. Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh (L), also known as Mother Mushroom, stands trial at a courthouse in the city of Nha Trang in south-central Vietnam's Khanh Hoa province, June 29, 2017. A court in Vietnam sentenced prominent activist and blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, known as Mother Mushroom, to 10 years in prison on Thursday for spreading propaganda against the state through her Facebook posts and interviews with U.S. news services, her lawyers and mother said. Quynh writes blogs under the pen name Mother Mushroom (Me Nam), taken from the nickname of her 11-year-old daughter whom she calls Mushroom. She was arrested on Oct. 10, 2016, for openly voicing her opinions on the deaths of people in police custody, Vietnams sovereignty over the disputed Paracel and Spratly islands in the South China Sea, and the governments handling of a toxic waste spill off the countrys central coast in April of last year. The charges against Quynh were based on her social media posts and interviews she did with U.S. government-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. Attorney Nguyen Kha Thanh said Quynh, 38, was sentenced at 5 p.m. by a court in the city of Nha Trang in south-central Vietnam's Khanh Hoa province for violating Article 88 of Vietnams Penal Code. Quynhs health is good She is stressed out because she is innocent, he told RFAs Vietnamese Service. Before she left the court, Quynh apologized to her mother and children for being separated from them because of her work, Thanh said. Quynh also said she was not ashamed of what she had done and that she believed that her mother and children were not ashamed of her either, he said. Vo An Don, another attorney representing Quynh, said: Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh has maintained that she is innocent throughout the trial. She said what she did was her personal work. Quynh would appeal the conviction, he said. Quynhs mother, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan, called the trial unfair. She said she sent complaints to authorities but never received a response, so she has had to rely on Facebook to express her concerns and opinions. Rights groups and Western governments say Vietnamese authorities frequently use Article 88 along with Articles 79 and 258 of the 1999 criminal code to arrest and imprison those who support democracy and human rights and denounce abuses. Article 79 pertains to carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration, while Article 258 refers to abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens. They all carry lengthy jail sentences or even life imprisonment in some cases. Outrageous to put her on trial New York-based Human Rights Watch on Wednesday called for the government to immediately release Quynh and drop the charges against her. Its outrageous to put Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh on trial simply for using her right to free expression to call for government reform and accountability, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement. The scandal here is not what Mother Mushroom said, but Hanois stubborn refusal to repeal draconian, rights-abusing laws that punish peaceful dissent and tarnish Vietnams international reputation, he said. Quynh, who was honored this year with the U.S. State Departments International Woman of Courage Award for her work highlighting rights abuses and promoting peaceful dissent in the one-party state, had been held incommunicado since her arrest by Vietnamese authorities last October. Though Vietnamese authorities tightly control state media in the communist country, a flourishing social media scene has allowed activists and dissidents to publicly voice their grievances. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. DECATUR State Police are finishing an investigation into whether an officer-involved shooting of a Decatur man last month was justified. The man wounded in the incident, Donald Redmon, pleaded not guilty to charges Wednesday. Redmon, 33, was shot in the lower back by Detective Jeffrey Hockaday during a chase following a traffic stop in the 600 block of South Webster Street on May 31. Hockaday fired three times, and Redmon was found to have a loaded 9 mm handgun, police said. The charges were brought against Redmon by States Attorney Jay Scott during a preliminary hearing early Wednesday at the Macon County Courts Facility. Redmon was arrested after he was released from HSHS St. Marys Hospital on June 4. He pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful possession with intent to deliver, armed violence and armed habitual criminal. His lawyer, Scott Rueter, said he could not discuss the case because of an Illinois Supreme Court rule about attorneys commenting on active cases. The armed violence and armed habitual criminal charges, both class X felonies, carry a 15- to 20-year sentence and a 6- to 30-year sentence, respectively. Depending on lab results on the total weight of cocaine, the unlawful possession charge could also become a class X felony, Scott said. A pretrial hearing for Redmon is set for Aug. 14. The Illinois State Police is investigating the incident, which is standard procedure in cases of officer-involved shootings. Master Sgt. Jason Bradley said Wednesday that the state police anticipate turning over their report to Scotts office within the next few days. This case remains an open and ongoing investigation, Bradley said, adding that no further information would be released. Scott's office will review the report and determine whether charges will be filed against the officer. The Herald & Review filed a request through the Freedom of Information Act seeking video footage of the incident from police vehicle cameras, but the request was denied because of the pending investigation. Hockaday has been with the Decatur Police Department for 17 years and is on administrative duties with pay, which also is standard policy while the state police investigation proceeds. Also facing charges is Dallas Vorties, who police said was driving the vehicle. Two Decatur detectives said they saw a vehicle that appeared to be traveling over the speed limit and failed to make a complete stop on Webster at Cantrell streets. They stopped the car and the men ran, police said. According to the affidavit, Vorties was seen removing a black semiautomatic handgun in the yard of a residence in the 600 block of East Cantrell Street. A detective took Vorties to the ground and handcuffed him. A black 9 mm pistol was found under Vorties' chest with a live round in the chamber and live rounds in the seated magazine, the affidavit said. Redmon was caught in the 800 block of South Webster Street. Near him was a Ruger 9 mm handgun with a live round in the chamber and 14 rounds in the magazine, the affidavit said. Police found 26 bags of suspected "crack-based cocaine" in the vehicle, affording to the affidavit, and the substance later tested positive for the presence of cocaine. Vorties, 30, who sat next to Redmon throughout the preliminary hearing, pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful possession with intent to sell with a prior, armed violence and possession of a weapon by a felon. Lawyer Thomas Wheeler, who is representing Vorties, was not immediately available Wednesday. The investigation is drawing close to the one-year anniversary of Decaturs last officer-involved shooting on July 11, 2016. In that incident, Decatur police officer Andrew Wittmer shot a 40-year-old man who police said was armed with a knife strapped to his wrist and a BB gun that looked like a semiautomatic handgun. Scott found that Wittmers use of force was justified after evaluating the state police report. Video footage taken by the in-car camera was made public at a news conference in August when Scott announced his decision. Heavily involved in the response to both shootings has been the Area Leaders Education Response Team, or ALERT. The team was formed in 2015 by the police department and Jeanelle Norman, the NAACP Decatur Branch president. Norman and other community members work to spread accurate information in the event of high-profile incidents involving police and the black community. In both of Decaturs officer-involved shootings, the officer was white and the person shot was black. ALERT was created in the wake of several high profile police-involved shootings nationwide that sparked civil unrest, including the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in suburban St. Louis. The response to last summers shooting in Decatur was peaceful, as city leaders, law enforcement and community members gathered for an emotional prayer vigil at the Macon County Courts Facility that night. Redmon remained jailed Wednesday in lieu of posting $250,000 bond. Vorties remained in jail on $200,000 bond with a pretrial hearing date of Aug. 15. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The executive director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, Beth Weisbrod, announced Thursday that she will step down and move into a position on the nonprofits board of directors. In addition to being a board member, Weisbrod said she will pursue other interests, shifting into more entrepreneurial work after her last day on Sept. 30. Ive been doing this 10 years, and I feel like both the trail and the organization are to a really solid point, she said. I have a lot of other things I want to do careerwise, and now seems like a really good time to pivot. Weisbrod led the nonprofit for 10 years as the 52-mile pedestrian and bike path connecting Richmond and Jamestown came to fruition. It feels like my baby has become a toddler, she said. From the paved trails 2007 groundbreaking to its completion in late 2015, Weisbrod worked to secure construction plans, maintain funding and receive endorsements from legislators. Theres always a risk with a project of this magnitude and this complexity of funding disappearing or public will and political will drying up, she said. That was a big job, making sure all of those things stayed aligned. At the same time, she managed the nonprofit, which she described as almost a one-man team for a while. The foundations chairman, Stuart Blain said that Beth has put her heart and soul into the Virginia Capital Trail over the past decade, and its success is due in no small part to her vigilance and dedication to the cause. Weisbrod said she foresees the trail continuing to evolve, with smaller trails branching off. Trails like this are never done, she said. I do see it evolving as this spine where other trails will connect, and more communities will have a safe way to get there. The foundation said the search for her successor will begin immediately. A Richmond man was arraigned Thursday on a charge of capital murder in last months fatal shooting of Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter. Although Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael N. Herring hasnt decided whether to pursue the death penalty on the capital charge, Travis Ball may face additional counts, the prosecutor said. After the brief hearing Thursday, Herring said he may go back before a grand jury to seek indictments on gun charges. Ball, 27, of the 1900 block of Redd Street the same block in Mosby Court where Walter, 45, a father of three, was shot May 26 appeared by video Thursday for the minutes-long arraignment. Because the charge carries a potential penalty of death or life imprisonment, Judge Beverly W. Snukals appointed a capital defender to represent Ball, as well as another seasoned defense attorney, Cary Bowen, when Ball said he wasnt sure if he could afford to hire his own attorney. He worked off and on before his arrest, Ball told the judge in a deep, resonant voice. It wasnt a stable job. The case was continued until next week, when attorneys will set a date for the next hearing. Herring spoke to media outside the John Marshall Courts Building, saying he was still evaluating the evidence and wouldnt make a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty for some time. Its too early to say, Herring said. Theres nothing pleasant about this, and so I dont want the public to think that we were charged up to indict Mr. Ball or try him for capital murder. Its of necessity that we are taking him to trial. Hopefully it sends a message that we certainly scrutinize the actions of the police, but we equally scrutinize the actions of the general public when they take steps against the police. Capital cases are complicated, and take time, he said. I cant imagine that it will be tried in calendar year 2017. Quadruple-murder defendant Alexander R. Hill Jr. will be tried by a jury beginning Sept. 6, nearly 3 years after police say he killed four generations of the same family in their Petersburg home. A trial scheduled for earlier this month in Henrico County for William Roy Brissette, who is accused of killing his parents on Easter in 2016, was delayed when Brissettes mental health came into question. In that case, the capital defender, Doug Ramseur, asked for 18 months to two years to prepare for the case. Ramseurs office also defended Russell E. Brown III in the capital murder of slain Virginia State Police Master Trooper Junius A. Walker in Dinwiddie County. In August, more than three years after Walkers death, a jury recommended Brown serve life in prison. Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, Virginia has executed 112 people, tying Oklahoma for the second-most executions, behind only Texas. The last person executed, Ricky Javon Gray, was Herrings only other capital case since taking office in 2006. Gray was executed earlier this year for the 2006 slaying of Ruby Harvey, 4, and Stella Harvey, 9, in their South Richmond home. Bowen, one of the attorneys appointed to represent Ball, also represented Grays accomplice, Ray Joseph Dandridge, when he faced three counts of capital murder for killing Ashley Baskerville; her mother, Mary Tucker; and stepfather Percyell Tucker, who were found dead in their Richmond homes days after the Harvey family. Days after his trial began, Dandridge took a plea deal, taking the death penalty off the table. Bowen also defended Sam McCroskey, a defendant in a capital case who received a life sentence in 2010 for killing four people, including his 16-year-old girlfriend, Emma Niederbrock, in her Farmville home. DECATUR In the cafetorium of Warrensburg-Latham High School, there were few everyday parents listening to advocates of school administrators make their push for Democratic Sen. Andy Manar's legislation that would move more state dollars to poorer school districts. The two dozen or so people getting a detailed presentation on the ins and outs of a potential landmark law already knew their stuff because on top of being parents they were also teachers, administrators or school board members. "I'm very disappointed in the turnout, and we need to get the word out, because people are not aware." said Decatur school board member Sherri Perkins. Perkins said she knows it's tough in the summer when school is out and parents and students are involved in other activities. But, Perkins said, "Until you get parents involved, and the people in the community involved ... The people here are educators they already know (the legislation)." Patrick Corrigan was a Decatur parent with no official school role who made it to the event. "It was really my first time investing myself into learning about this. So I feel like I'm really behind since they're trying to get a bill (enacted)," Corrigan said. Manar and the statewide coalition of school administrators and educators behind Senate Bill 1 have spent several years lobbying Springfield and traveling to schools to try to get the word out. Now is their moment of truth the legislation has passed both the Senate and House with Democratic votes. But Gov. Bruce Rauner has pledged to veto it over his objections in how it tries to settle pension problems with Chicago's public school system. The legislation is extremely complicated, and now that Republicans have written their own version in the legislature's special session, sponsored by Sen. Jason Barickman from Bloomington, even more PowerPoint slides are required. Part of the presentation, given by Illinois Association of School Business Officials Executive Director Michael Jacoby, explained how the new formula incorporates 27 different variables that weigh a school's poverty level, property values and transportation costs just to name a few. "I think some people, 30 seconds of what's happening to the state is all they want to hear about it, and they want to hear, 'Is it good, is it bad, is it up or is it down?'" Jacoby said. "Other people want to be more intimately involved in actually advancing proposals or ideas, and that's going to be a much smaller population, but a really important population. That's your grassroots." Rauner has made public education a focus of his administration, and both the Democratic and Republican proposals use identical language as it pertains to the formula how state taxpayer dollars funnel into school districts. But the GOP version deals with the governor's rejection of giving Chicago an amiable out of its years of underfunding its teacher pension system, something SB1 advocates point out the state is also guilty of. "I don't know that the complexity of this speaks to the parents, but it should. And people have ball games, they have stuff going on. Like, I get it," said Decatur school board member Beth Nolan, giving a look to the baby in her arms. "But this impacts everyone. The state budget, and the fact that we don't have one, and the ripple effect of what that's going to mean after Friday is huge. People need to pick up the phone and implore our legislators to get this fixed," Nolan said. Whether Rauner changes his mind and signs SB1, or the Republican version advances to his desk, both bills require money. Without a budget, come the fall, that money will not be available. George Clemon Freeman Jr., who joined the Richmond law firm of Hunton, Williams, Gay & Moore in 1957, established himself as one of the nations most influential and widely recognized lawyers on environmental programs during four decades of representing power-company interests and testifying before congressional committees and regulatory agencies. George was not only the father of our energy and environmental practices, but he also played an extraordinary role in the emergence of modern environmental law, said F. William Brownell, a partner at what now is Hunton & Williams and former head of the firms executive committee. He was one of the first lawyers in the United States to license a privately owned nuclear power reactor, and he served as environmental counsel for the power industry for 40 years. Mr. Freeman, who died Monday in hospice in Chesterfield County after suffering complications from a fall, had appeared before congressional committees on legislation involving the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Superfund Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Atomic Energy Act and much more. A memorial service for the 88-year-old Richmond resident, who had struggled with dementia for the last two years, will be at 11 a.m. today, Friday, at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace St. A private burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery. During the early 1970s, Mr. Freeman started the firms nuclear licensing practice. He organized the firms environmental law team. From that time until 1993, he was lead counsel for most of the electricity industry in Washington before Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies and courts involved in the enactment and enforcement of environmental and energy law. He represented industry in rulings by the EPA, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy that implemented legislation, and he briefed and argued appeals and some test cases in the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. W. Taylor Reveley III, a former Hunton & Williams managing partner and member of its energy and environmental team, recalled, George was a marvelous human, certainly the most creative and entrepreneurial lawyer I ever encountered. He combined high intellect with a style and flair rarely seen in the legal world. When on a mission, he was relentlessly focused, but always with a charming and gentle manner. He built with enormous success and did great good for Hunton & Williams, for his profession and for his community. His influence on some many of us was profound. I came to the firm to work for George, never imaging what lay ahead. It was a glorious run. Gerald L. Baliles, former Virginia governor and former law partner of Mr. Freemans, said, George Freeman was more than my close friend and adviser over the years. He was also was one of the more sensitive and creative minds of the legal realm. He saw beyond the moment. He was a student of the human condition with a wide-raging intellectual curiosity and an encyclopedic grasp of history, government and political developments that made him an invaluable counselor to the nations leaders of business, government and nonprofit organizations. Stories about Mr. Freemans wit abound. Once, during an all-day briefing of utility water quality executives whose attention began to wander after a huge lunch, he broke into the Gilbert and Sullivan ditty Ive Got a Little List from The Mikado. In place of the names the Lord High Executioner had on his list to behead, Mr. Freeman substituted the names of chemical elements like zinc, cadmium and mercury all to be heavily regulated. His audience woke up and never forgot the substance nor the format of that novel briefing. Whether in Virginia Beach or in Washington, from time to time he often shared poems he had written to make his points more memorable. A member of numerous professional groups, he was a former chairman of the American Bar Associations Business Law Section, a member of the ABA House of Delegates and a spokesman for the ABA before Congress in revisions of the federal criminal code and regulatory reform legislation. He had served on the American Law Institute Council. Born January 3, 1929, in Birmingham, Ala., Mr. Freeman graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a bachelors degree in history in 1950, as the Korean War was heating up. After attending Officers Candidate School in Newport, R.I., Mr. Freeman served as a Navy line officer from 1951 to 1954 on the aircraft carriers USS Wasp and USS Hornet. He also served as a legal officer for the fleet, and for several months at the latter part of his service was on the staff of British First Sea Lord Louis Mountbatten, an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and a second cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II, in Malta. After completing his military service, Mr. Freeman earned a law degree from Yale University School of Law in 1956 and spent a term as a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black. Mr. Freeman became a leader in the Virginia conservation community after he began practicing law in Richmond. He helped found the Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and served as its second president. Three years later, the Virginia General Assembly named him counsel for a study group that drafted linchpin legislation for the conservation-easement donation movement. His visionary leadership was instrumental to Virginias adoption of pioneering historic and open-space preservation legislation, said Preservation Virginia CEO Elizabeth S. Kostelny, to whom Mr. Freeman was a friend, mentor and adviser. Mr. Freeman helped change the landscape of Virginia as a principal author of the 1966 Virginia Open-Space Land Act, which created what became the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the states preservation office that fosters, encourages and supports stewardship of Virginias significant historical architectural, archaeological and cultural resources. It is the home of the Virginia Landmarks Register, and one of its many endeavors includes designating historical markers. He served on the VDHR board from 1989 to 1997 and was its former chairman. Julie V. Langan, director of the VDHR, called him a mastermind of the commonwealths land conservation and historic preservation easement programs ... a bold and innovative thinker who brought his visions to fruition with an adroit and artful spirit. His collaborative work with FitzGerald Bemiss in 1966 to create the commonwealths Open-Space Land Act has earned Virginia a stellar reputation nationwide as a state that values its historic legacy and open spaces, making it a better place today for visiting or living. The act created the perpetual open-space easement program to preserve historic resources and open spaces and founded the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, a public organization whose mission is land conservation. The VOF now protects more than 800,000 acres in 107 counties and independent cities. VOF easements account for about 80 percent of all open-space easement acreage in Virginia, and its conserved lands account for nearly 3 percent of Virginias land mass, according to its website. After serving as an associate and partner at Hunton & Williams, he retired, taking senior status in 1995, and worked with conservation easements in the Northern Neck. In 2012, his cumulative contributions earned him the 2012 FitzGerald Bemiss Scenic Hero Award. Mr. Freeman served with numerous groups in the Richmond community, from the board of an infant Richmond Symphony to the Hand Work Shop, now the Visual Arts Center. During the 1970s, he chaired the citys Democratic Committee. He returned to Vanderbilt in 2000 for his classs 50-year reunion and spoke to his class about the changes in law and the practice of law over five decades. After pointing out that he and his classmates had been alive for about one-third of the life of the United States under the Constitution, he told them, We have seen many changes in our law and our society. ... We must continue to stand up for the rule of law. And, we must continue to strive to make this a color-blind society where equal justice for all is a reality. He wont be leading the Democratic ticket as his partys candidate for governor, but Tom Perriello will spend the rest of the 2017 election cycle working on another political dream: taking over the GOP-dominated House of Delegates. After falling short in his whirlwind gubernatorial primary run against Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, the former congressman will lead a new political action committee, Win Virginia, that will provide financial and strategic support to Democratic House candidates. The PAC is expected to invest about $800,000 to help Democrats try to flip Republican-held seats. The GOP held a 66-34 House majority in this years legislative session, but the passions stirred up by Donald Trumps presidency have Democrats hopeful that 2017 presents an opportunity to reshape the chamber. If we can connect that unprecedented energy out there to state races, including the delegate races, I think you could see a very different political landscape in Virginia than youve seen previously, Perriello said in an interview, echoing a major theme of his insurgent campaign for governor. Perriello, who worked as a progressive activist and diplomat after representing Virginias central 5th District for one term, lost to Northam by almost 12 percentage points on June 13, despite a surprisingly high primary turnout of around 540,000 voters that heightened the partys expectations for November. In addition to financial support, Perriello said, the PAC will help Democratic campaigns use lower-cost, technological solutions to reach new audiences such as the Facebook Live town halls that were a regular feature of Perriellos gubernatorial campaign. The PACs funding comes from a small group of donors, mostly in Northern Virginia, who decided to pool their resources to make an impact in House races, said Shaun Daniels, the PACs executive director. Among the early contributions to the PAC are $100,000 from Edward Rice, a Vienna stockbroker and major Democratic donor; $60,000 from Herndon IT executive Shashikant Gupta; and $50,000 from Reid Hoffman, a San Francisco venture capitalist and co-founder of the professional networking site LinkedIn, according to data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. This year, Democrats have fielded challengers in 54 of the 66 GOP-held districts, an unusually high number that includes all 17 Republican-represented districts that Hillary Clinton won last year. Most of the Democrats strongest pickup opportunities are in the Northern Virginia suburbs, but Democrats are also expected to target a handful of GOP-held districts west of Richmond. Perriello, who will serve in a paid capacity as the PACs CEO, didnt name any specific candidates, but said the organization will work to support candidates excited about going out and winning votes of people who normally dont pay attention to down-ticket races in an off-year election. It would be a mistake for us to assume that anti-Trump energy is necessarily pro-Democratic Party energy, Perriello said. We have to earn those votes. We earn those votes by being present and making the case. Even though the statewide races draw most of the attention, Perriello said, making inroads in the House could have a massive impact. I think the radical gerrymandering of the House of Delegates by Republicans has created one of the main barriers in the state to greater economic growth, college affordability, living wages and many other fights, Perriello said. Faced with a surge of Democratic challengers, Republicans have pushed back by saying the sheer quantity of candidates, many of them political newcomers going up against longtime incumbents, wont translate into quality campaigns in all 56 districts. The fact that 17 Republican-represented districts voted for Clinton last year, they have said, refutes the notion that the GOPs strength in the House is built on a rigged map. House Minority Leader David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville, said its hard to predict in June whether Democrats can realistically expect to gain 18 seats or whether itll be closer to five. Even if Democrats dont gain a majority, more seats in the House will mean more seats on committees and more power to tweak or defeat Republican-sponsored legislation, Toscano said. Perriellos continued involvement in 2017 campaign efforts, Toscano said, will bring a lot of creativity. Stephen Robert Yopp, 51, was walking on Bethlehem Road at the intersection with Sauls Hill Lane, about five miles southwest of Boones Mill, when he was struck at about 12:05 a.m. by an unknown vehicle that was traveling east on Bethlehem Road, Sgt. Rick Garletts said. The vehicle drove away, and Yopp died at the scene, he said. FARMER CITY An Illinois State Police trooper was killed Wednesday after a two-car crash on Interstate 74, Director Leo P. Schmitz said. Schmitz said trooper Ryan Albin died at 8:45 p.m. as a result of injuries he suffered in the crash. Our hearts are heavy with grief as we mourn the loss of Trooper Albin, Schmitz said. I extend my deepest sympathy to Trooper Albins family, friends, and co-workers. I pray that those who cared for and loved him find the strength they need during this most difficult time. No further words can express the pain and loss we are all feeling. According to a state police news release, the accident happened about 3:30 p.m. near milepost 155 on I-74, which is west of Farmer City. The trooper's squad car was struck by a commercial vehicle, the news release said. The trooper was airlifted to a local hospital, the press release said, and all westbound lanes of I-74 at milepost 155 were closed after the crash. Albin joined the state police on Jan. 8, 2006. He was assigned to District 6 in Pontiac as a K-9 officer, the news release said. Albins K-9 partner, Biko, was in the rear of the squad car at the time of the crash. Biko was transported to a local veterinarians office and appears to have suffered only minor injuries, the news release said. The crash remains under investigation. Delivering babies became part of Iris Washingtons job description on Monday night after a resident at The Salvation Army gave birth in the downtown Richmond homeless shelters front lobby. Washington, a Salvation Army housing monitor with five months on the job, was near the end of her shift at 9:43 p.m. Monday when a resident at the West Grace Street center began to go into labor. Washington was alerted to the situation by another resident, whod rushed into the lobby and told her to dial 911. As Washington was on the phone with emergency dispatch, the pregnant resident entered the room, her water broken and a baby girl on the way. Washington, a mother of three children, knew she had to act. It just happened so fast, in a matter of moments, it felt like, Washington recalled Tuesday. Residents helped by setting down towels and clothes on the lobby floor as the pregnant resident continued to advance through the stages of labor. By the time the paramedics arrived about 15 minutes later, Washington said, she was holding the baby for the final push. The new mother was taken to a local hospital, where she and her baby are said to be in good condition. Washington attributed her ability to handle the delivery to her own experiences with childbirth. She described delivering the baby on Monday as a beautiful moment, adding that shes glad the resident was in the shelter rather than on the street. Aimee Wester, a spokeswoman for The Salvation Army, said the resident had been living at the shelter for about a week before the baby came. She was apparently not expecting to have the child for some time, Wester said. The baby decided to get here sooner than everybody else expected, Wester said. Wester praised the quick thinking of the employee and her ability to deliver the baby safely, saying her actions exemplify the values of The Salvation Army. The downtown shelter provides a roof and support services to men and women until they can get back to a stable housing situation. It holds space for 33 men in one part of the building and has another area for as many as 11 women and 10 children. We dont really offer delivery training, Wester said, jokingly. Wester said the new mother and baby are expected to come back to the shelter once they are released from the hospital. Although its the first time a child has been born inside the shelter, Wester said, The Salvation Army often receives women who are expectant mothers and provides care for children and families through donations of money and goods from the community. The new mother was resting and did not wish to be interviewed. Flooding near Parkgate in June 2007 WEATHER forecasters and waterways experts have teamed up to help ensure residents are better protected against the kind of floods which ravaged Rotherham a decade ago and to ensure a Michael Fish moment is a thing of the past. Few who were alive in the late 1980s can forget how the TV weatherman was left red-faced after he insisted a huge storm a viewer had asked about was going to miss the UK and it ended up ravaging the south east. But one of the Met Offices current experts, reflecting on changes since the 2007 floods, said such embarrassment should be avoidable these days. Kevin Wadsworth, a civil contingency officer for the Met Office, said: Theres a big difference between now and the situation in 1987. Michael Fish was looking at one forecast, which said the storm was going to pass over France. Nowadays we look at hundreds of different weather forecasts from different sources and have much better simulators than we did in the 1980s and 1990s. The forecasts in June 2007, when Rotherham was one of several parts of the country hit by record-breaking rain levels and rising flood waters, were pretty good, Mr Wadsworth said, with weather warnings going out in good time. He added: The rainfall that came down was just of historic proportions. There was also serious flooding in Tewkesbury, Wales and parts of the south east. A lot of positives came out of the flooding, Mr Wadsworth said. One of these is the closer working relationship of the Met Office and the Environment Agency, who founded a joint forecasting centre in Exeter. Mr Wadsworth said: We have EA forecasters side by side with Met Office forecasters to ensure the communication and issuing of warnings is consistent and coherent. Forecasting models have improved over the years but its important to ensure weather warnings are used effectively. Were doing our best to make sure the specific information required gets to the people on the ground who can act on it and keep people safe the Army, the Red Cross and all sorts of other responders. Mr Wadsworths current role sees him acting as a link between the Met Office on one hand and local authorities and the emergency services on the other, but ten years ago he was was working as a forecaster for the Vale of York area. He said it was clear at the time that something pretty unusual was unfolding but added: Its not until the figures come through later that you can see the total against the previous record. Future floods and heavy rains were inevitable he said, and with sea levels rising, concerns about coastal and riverside flood defences were here to stay, he said. Our special 48-page publication The Great Flood: Ten Years On, out on Friday, is full of new interviews, features and previously-unseen photos. Click here to order your copy. Wentworth Woodhouse LOTTERY players from a Dearne Valley village will find out their share of a 3 million lottery prize pot this weekend. S63 8 has been drawn as the next winning postcode sector for the monthly Postcode Millions prize with the Peoples Postcode Lottery. On Saturday winners will be invited to attend a special ceremony at Wentworth Woodhouse to find out how much they have won and the full winning postcode will also be revealed at the event. Judie McCourt, Peoples Postcode Lottery Ambassador, said she couldnt wait to meet the villages lucky winners. Im delighted to be heading to Yorkshire to the beautiful Wenthouse Woodworth Estate later this month for another Postcode Millions event. Players in the area should be getting excited, as I have lots of cheques to hand out. Mandatory labeling of jewelry in Russia to begin in 2024 The deadline for mandatory application of physical marking on jewelry made of precious metals and precious stones in Russia has been postponed from March 2023 to March 2024. That resolution was signed by the Government of the Russian Federation. It is... Northam Platinum mulls acquisition of remaining RBPlat shares Northam Platinum is planning to acquire all remaining shares in Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) at R172.70 a share. It currently controls a 34.52% stake in RBPlat and, together with call options and a right of first refusal secured with... 10th Annual Dubai Precious Metals Conference to explore impact of trade, tech and regulations on the industry DMCC has announced that the 10th edition of the annual Dubai Precious Metals Conference (DPMC) will be held on 22 November 2022 at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. This years edition will bring together a plethora of speakers and participants from... New record HPHT diamond sample The largest and purest diamond in the world weighing 16.04 carats was synthesized in Russia. The world's largest white diamond "Champion" is cut from a diamond grown by the HPHT method by the Russian company Advanced Synthetic Research... Debswana Diamond Mining, a joint venture between De Beers and Botswana, is planning to prolong the lifespan of its Jwaneng mine beyond 2024, according to a news report. Reuters quoted mines minister Sadique Kebonang as saying that the project, known as Cut 9, followed a $3 billion expansion of the mine in 2010 to uncover 100 million carats of diamonds as well as extend the life of the mine to 2024. "Cut 9 will be a huge investment by De Beers as it will require a significant capital outlay," he said. "We should be able to start Cut 9 in the next two to three years." Meanwhile, Kebonang said Botswana and De Beers had commenced talks about the extension of their 10-year marketing and sales agreement, which was due to end in 2020. The current agreement inked in 2010, saw De Beers moving its rough diamond sales from London to Gaborone. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished THUMBS DOWN! To the budget mess that just wont end. House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, made new demands on a spending agreement in advance of today's deadline. But conditions are bleak for a full-year budget. Meanwhile, the Higher Learning Commission recently issued a letter cautioning lawmakers that a lack of funding places Illinois universities at risk of losing their accreditation. Whats next? THUMBS UP! To the Teacher Education Pipeline, a program started in Chicago and expanded to Decatur in 2015. The goal is to encourage teachers who have a specialty in urban communities. This year, five Illinois State University students studying to be teachers are living in Decatur with host families. THUMBS UP! To artist Ron English being selected to create the first mural of this years Decatur Mural Project. The work is going on the east wall of Ken's Aquarium & Pet Supply at 730 E. Cerro Gordo St. THUMBS UP! To the 1,200 people who signed up for last weekend's Come Together, Let's Walk, and annual event in Fairview Park to raise money for cancer programs. Survivors wore bright yellow shirts, and all money raised stays in the community. THUMBS DOWN! To the more than 100 communities left in the dark by DCV Imports, a fireworks supplier based in Lincoln, that lost its license from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Some town officials said they had made down payments. THUMBS UP! To being five weeks from Celebration. We can almost taste the food on a stick. Bring it on. Petra Diamonds said its production for the fiscal year 2017 is now estimated to be between 8 and 9 percent lower than the guidance of 4.4 million carats due to the slower than anticipated build-up of its expansion programmes across its operations. However, the company said that while the ramp-up of production from the sub level cave at Finsch took longer than expected, it was now operating at the required levels. At the new Cullinan plant, both mills and crushing circuits have now been commissioned, with the first mill and crushing circuit having been run very successfully for over a month, it said. Untreated run-of-mine (ROM) stockpile material at Cullinan, projected to total between 400 000 and 450 000 carats at year end, would be processed in the first half of the fiscal year 2018. Petra said its revenue was also expected to be between 8 and 9 percent below market consensus and financial results for the year was forecast to be below market expectations as well. The company has now reached an operational run rate across the group which supports FY 2018 production guidance of about 5 million carats (which, as stated before, is being reached a year earlier than originally anticipated), it said. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Jewelers of America (JA) hosted two days of meetings and events in Washington last week to give retailers and suppliers the opportunity to talk with lawmakers about issues affecting the industry, Rapaport reported. The seventh annual advocacy visit included a legislative forum and a full day of meetings with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. Jewelers met more than 40 lawmakers and legislative staff. The events were part of the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC)s annual visit to the US capital. This years delegation focused on sales-tax fairness and the Border Adjustment Tax a proposed 20% increase in taxes on jewelry and precious-stone imports. Lawmakers were reluctant to take an official position on the proposed border tax, as it is still at an early stage and legislation has not been introduced, JA reported on Monday this week. However, it added, the overriding sentiment was that the concept itself is too unpopular and politically volatile to pass. The noise in Washington, DC, is louder than ever, and jewelers need to speak with a strong voice to ensure our issues and concerns get heard, JA CEO David Bonaparte said in the Monday statement. Our annual advocacy visit is one of the best tools we have to communicate with leaders on both sides of the aisle. Richland Resources Ltd. said it has appointed its first two sightholders Royal Touch LLC and China Stone Co. Ltd. shortly after its Capricorn sapphire mine in Queensland, Australia, has become operational, GEMKonnect reports. Royal Touch LLC has had a long and successful working relationship with Richland and was previously a major buyer for Richland's tanzanite mining operations in Tanzania. It has an extensive consumer network, especially in the US, and has close relationships with certain television sales networks. Royal Touch has also signed an exclusive sales agreement for Richlands heat-treated green sapphires. According to Richland, China Stone Co. Ltd. cuts and polishes a wide range of natural gemstones to fine jewellers, watchmakers and luxury trade professionals throughout the world. "I am delighted to announce the appointment of China Stone and Royal Touch as our first sightholders for Capricorn Sapphire and the exclusivity and supply agreement with Royal Touch, said Richland CEO Bernard Olivier. We look forward to taking our ethically-mined, fully-compliant and conflict-free sapphires to the world's markets through these and similar partnerships going forward." Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far East told in an interview to Marina Lukovtseva of RIA Novosti about plans to set up diamond cutting operations in the Far East. "We plan to create a stable and competitive diamond cutting sector in Russia," the deputy prime minister said, disclosing that an entire plan was compiled for its development consisting of a number of items. "They are associated with tax preferences, for example, allowing tax-free importation of equipment for diamond cutting. It is logical, isnt it? They are further related to the turnover, because our company Alrosa, when it sells rough to be cut in India, does not pay the VAT, but when manufactured diamonds are re-exported to Russia, there is already a tax to be paid. Is this fair? There is nothing right here," Yury Trutnev noted, pointing out excessive administrative restrictions related to the turnover of jewelry, precious metals and gems. "We must remove these restrictions, we need to regulate taxes. And, of course, we need to quietly re-adjust the sales policy of Alrosa to support the Russian processing industry," he said. It is not necessary to do so to the detriment of foreign companies, it is not necessary to break the existing contracts and relations. But we must do it quietly, because Alrosa is largely owned by the state and diamonds are mined on the Russian soil in Yakutia and all this should be used for the benefit of Russia." Theodor Lisovoy, Rough&Polished, Moscow ALROSA Vice-President Andrey Polyakov leaves the company 29 june 2017 News Andrey Polyakov, Vice-President of ALROSA will leave the company in the near future, the RBC portal says. The decision was agreed with ALROSA's President, the companys spokesperson told RBC. ALROSA President Sergey Ivanov said that "during the 13 years at ALROSA, Andrey has done much not only for the company, but also for the development of cooperation between major players of the international diamond market." He added that he accepted Polyakov's request "to continue his career outside the company," since all of the most important tasks and projects he was working on in recent years have been successfully accomplished and implemented. "ALROSA is grateful to Andrey Polyakov for his contribution to the development of the company. I am confident that his knowledge and experience will be in demand in other major projects, which he plans to deal with," Ivanov said in the company's statement received by RBC. It requires to sing Lupand Hinirang, the national anthem from 1898, when its played during public gatherings, facing the Philippine flag, band or conductor during that time. People who will do not comply will be fined as much as $5,590, increasing penalty amount by 14 times. Repeat offenders will also be named and shamed in a national newspaper, according this new bill. At the same time, any act which casts contempt, dishonor or ridicule upon the national anthem shall be penalized. People in Philippines The national symbols of the Philippines consist of symbols that represent Philippine traditions and ideals and convey the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. Another bill project, which is still pending to become a law, aims also to encourage nationalism and unity; to guarantee respect, preservation and promotion of national symbols and lists them, including Jose Rizal as the only historical Filipino to be recognized as national hero, adobo as national food and jeepney as national vehicle. The flag of Philippines is from 1898 and was adopted under President Emilio Aguinaldo. Philippines also has a national motto saying For God, People, Nature, and Country (Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa). Japan will on Thursday release May figures for retail sales, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Retail sales are expected to fall 1.0 percent on month and rise 2.8 percent on year after gaining 1.4 percent on month and 3.2 percent on year in April. Sales from large retailers are tipped to fall 0.4 percent on year after climbing 1.1 percent in the previous month. New Zealand will see June numbers for the confidence and activity outlook surveys from ANZ; in May, their scores were 14.9 and 38.3, respectively. Australia will provide June data for new home sales; in May, sales advanced 0.8 percent on month. Hong Kong will release May data for retail sales; in April, sales eased 0.1 percent on year. Singapore will see May numbers for producer prices; in April, prices fell 0.6 percent on month and climbed 7.6 percent on year. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Government Properties Income Trust (GOV) announced Wednesday morning that it has agreed to acquire First Potomac Realty Trust (FPO) for approximately $1.4 billion. Government Properties Income Trust gapped open lower Wednesday and declined for the bulk of the session. Shares finished with a loss of 2.57 at $19.33 on the highest volume of the year. The stock sank to over a 3-month low and dropped below its 200-day moving average. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) announced Thursday a new definitive agreement with Rite Aid Corp. (RAD), under which Walgreens will purchase 2,186 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid. The consideration for the transaction will be $5.175 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Rite Aid has the option to purchase generic drugs that are sourced through an affiliate of WBA at cost, substantially equivalent to Walgreens for a period of 10 years. The latest agreement replaces the previous merger agreement with Rite Aid, announced in October 2015 and amended in January 2017, and the agreement to divest certain Rite Aid stores to Fred's, Inc. announced in December 2016. Both of these agreements have been terminated, and Walgreens will pay Rite Aid the $325 million termination fee with respect to their merger agreement. The initial closing of the new transaction is expected to occur within the next six months. Upon the initial closing of the new transaction, Walgreens will begin acquiring the stores and related assets on a phased basis over a period of approximately six months, and intends to convert acquired stores to the Walgreens brand over time. Walgreens expects the new transaction to be modestly accretive to its adjusted net earnings per share in the first full year after the initial closing of the new transaction, and expects to realize synergies from the new transaction in excess of $400 million. Rite Aid said it expects to use a substantial majority of the net proceeds from the transaction to repay existing indebtedness, significantly reducing Rite Aid's leverage levels. Rite Aid will continue to operate EnvisionRx, its pharmacy benefit manager, RediClinic and Health Dialog. Rite Aid had a total store count of 4,523 at the end of the first quarter. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Rite Aid Corp. (RAD) Thursday reported first quarter net loss of $75.3 million or $0.07 per share, wider that the net loss of $4.6 million or $0.00 per share last year. Adjusted net loss for the quarter was $52.4 million, or $0.05 per share. On average, five analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.01 per shares. Analysts estimates usually exclude special items. The first quarter results were impacted by changes in differed taxes and wider loss on sale of assets. Revenue for the first quarter was $7.8 billion, down from $8.2 billion in the prior year. Wall Street expected revenue of $8.17 billion. Same store sales for the quarter decreased 3.9 percent over the prior year. The company also announced that it has agreed with Walgreens Boot Alliance to sell 2,186 Rite Aid Stores and assets for $5.175 billion. The proceeds will be used to reduce debt and strengthen balance sheet. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News BP Plc. (BP.L,BP_UN.TO,BP) said that it expects to include in its second quarter 2017 results a non-cash exploration write-off in Angola of around $750 million, as a result of exploration write-offs in Angola. This will not impact cash flow as part of re-balancing BP. As part of the ongoing portfolio evaluation, BP has decided to relinquish its 50% interest in Block 24/11 offshore southern Angola. Katambi, a gas discovery made in the block in 2014, has not been determined to be commercial. "As a result of this and other exploration write-offs in Angola, BP expects to include in its second quarter 2017 results a non-cash exploration write-off in Angola of around $750 million, which will not attract tax relief. This will not impact cash flow as part of re-balancing BP," the company said. BP said today that it continues to make progress in shifting its exploration portfolio toward natural gas and advantaged oil. In October 2016 BP announced that it would not continue frontier exploration in the four blocks it operated in the Great Australian Bight, offshore southern Australia. BP and partner Statoil have now signed a swap agreement where Statoil has taken full ownership and operatorship of two of the blocks. BP is proceeding to discuss with the Australian government exiting its blocks. This is not anticipated to impact second quarter 2017 results. BP continues to thoroughly review its existing portfolio of exploration assets, moving forward with the most attractive and exiting those that do not compete. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News President Donald Trump has recently seen a modest improvement in his approval rating, according to the results of a new Quinnipiac University national poll released on Thursday. The poll found that 40 percent of voters approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president, although 55 percent disapprove. Trump's approval rating is up from a negative 34 percent to 57 percent score earlier this month and has reached the highest level since shortly after he launched a missile strike against Syria. However, Quinnipiac noted a majority of voters think Trump does not have good leadership skills, is not honest, and does not care about average Americans. "A bump, not a jump, in approval for President Donald Trump, who is still mired in awful numbers on leadership, honesty and empathy," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. The poll also found that voters say 61 percent to 32 percent that Trump should stop tweeting from his personal Twitter account. Quinnipiac said Republicans are more likely to say Trump should stop tweeting from his personal account for the first time since it asked the question. The survey was conducted before Trump's latest tweet personally attacking the hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," which has attracted criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The Quinnipiac poll of 1,212 voters was conducted June 22nd through 27th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. (Photo: Michael Vadon) For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The 1970-1980s are regarded as the period when emigration of the repatriates began. Often, it is said to have to do with the Helsinki Final Act (1975) and the terms enshrined in it, specifically the clause that specifies the reunification of families separated by borders. In reality, however, repatriates began leaving the Soviet Union much earlier. Movses Bazaryan, a repatriate to Armenia from Greece who then emigrated to Canada, was an inspector in the Immigration Committee for many years. In his Letters from Soviet Heaven , a noteworthy memoir, he writes about Petros Salryan. Petros came from a rich Sudan Armenian family. In 1943, he moved to Egypt; in 1947, filled with communist ideas, he moved to Armenia with his wife. In 1949, he was captured for improper statements about Stalin and exiled to Siberia, and in 1959, moved to the U.S. According to Movses Bazaryan, his early emigration was due to the assiduous efforts of his mother and brother that were abroad. In 1956, they sent corresponding documents and at the same time turned to international human rights organizations as well as to Moscow-based Soviet authorities, he is writing. Tom Muradyan is another early emigrant from the Soviet. In 1949, at the age of 18, he came to Armenia from the U.S. He came all alone, without family. Presently, Muradyan lives in Detroit (Michigan, U.S.) and believes that his emigration had to do with the international and political situation. Someone from the KGB said to me, Premier Khruchov is going to Paris, he is going to meet with Eisenhower, he is going to meet with McMillan and de Gaulle. Times of change, you are going home. Khrushchev was indeed to meet with the leaders of the U.S., Great Britain and France at the Paris conference in 1960, and the USSR had high expectations from those meetings. And although the conference failed, Tom was granted permission to leave the USSR in July 1960. A couple of weeks later on July 26-27 a KGB officer appeared and said - you can go home. Why, I dont know, he said. Testimonies regarding 1960s emigration are in the interviews of repatriates we talked to previously, but its hard to speak of the overall picture as statistics cannot be accessed yet. In November last year, we turned to the Passport and Visa Office of the Republic of Armenia (OVIR) requesting information on the archives dated to the Soviet period. The answer was that the retention period of those documents had expired and so we have destroyed them due to their expiration. We have no right not to doubt the truthfulness of this statement after all, the OVIR is a state agency and we got the answer from a high ranking official with the rank of colonel. But its hard to believe that documents recounting the emigration of Armenians have not been preserved anywhere, at least in the dim basements of the Moscow archives. Anyway, we started our own investigation hoping that the official statistics would one day come to light and relevant specialists would undertake to study the Soviet emigration in due scientific manner. The article headlined Armenians Feel Insulted in Soviet Armenia published on Kommersant Russian website on April 18, 2005, said, In 1965, in a letter sent to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Head of KGB Vladimir Semichastny is writing. At present, we have over 1000 families that are resolute about going back and take every effort to this end. The same article also cites word by word an excerpt from the report of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs (March 12, 1974), which lacks accurate quantitative data on the emigration scale but it gives us grounds to conclude that the leaders of the country were concerned about the emigration of Armenians. The report also touches upon 25 applications that were satisfied over 1960-1963. According to it, in the period of 1964-1966, 50% of applications were satisfied and in 1973 67%. Its hard to say what numbers lie behind these percentages but statements like emigration applications of most of Armenians are being denied, everything is being done to reduce current emigration-oriented moods found in the report hint at panic. Along with that, the number of citizens in this group (Armenian repatriates) wishing to leave for permanent residence is growing in the past years, concluded the unknown author of the document. Some data regarding the emigration scale can be found in the 1970-1980s editions of The New York Times American daily newspaper. These data are fragmented, but they can help us get some picture. The period of 1978-1980 is when the American daily newspaper covered this topic most. The increased interest toward this topic is probably due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Moscow Olympic Games. The article headlined "More Quit Armenia than Arrive", published on June 26, 1978, was an attempt to establish equilibrium between the emigration and immigration trends. Due to the revolution in Iran, the immigration trend was quite dynamic back then. In the last two years, 3,152 Soviet Armenians have emigrated to the US alone, according to American Embassy officials in Moscow, wrote the newspaper at the same time presenting an official stance. According to Martiros Melkumyan, then Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, annually 1,000 people immigrated to Armenia from Iran. Refusing to accept the 3152 number, he then went on to claim that annually a total of 600 Armenians (thus, 1,800 altogether) used to emigrate from Armenia. Not finding the official stance trustworthy, the newspaper wrote that Armenians is the largest group among those emigrating from the Soviet Union to the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow reported that 800 Armenians went to the United States in the first four months of 1979 as compared to the 1100 during all of 1978. The headline and sub-headlines of the article on the emigration of Armenians published on May 25, 1980, are highly indicative Armenians Leaving Soviet for the U.S. Trickle has Become a Flood. Many are Highly Skilled, In the late 1970s Soviet Armenia began losing more people through emigration than it gained through immigration. Western diplomats are not clear about the reasons, Many frankly tell embassy Interviewers that they want to make money and cannot do so in the Soviet Union. In the next eight years, the American daily newspaper seems not to have covered the emigration of Armenians. In 1988, given the Gorbachev reforms and the countrys democratization period, the topic again gained relevance and on March 5, 1988, the NYT wrote, Reagan Administration officials report a sharp increase in the number of Armenians trying to leave the Soviet Union, and the State Department has drafted a proposal to admit 12,000 of them to the United States as refugees. A senior State Department official said, Soviet Armenian applications for refugee admission to the United States have risen markedly. According to him, applications to the American Embassy in Moscow rose from about 200 a year in the mid-1980s to 1,400 a month in the last quarter of 1987. The most striking information regarding the emigration scale is found on the immigrationtous.net website. Between 1960 and 1984, about 30,000 Armenians fled the USSR, most settling in the greater Los Angeles area. As Soviet control of its republics began to weaken in the late 1980s, thousands more immigrated to the United States. It has been estimated that more than 60,000 came during the 1980s. The numbers are doubtlessly indicative, however, we cannot make persuasive general conclusions regarding the scale of emigration, and especially its dynamics. American sources claim only about the numbers of Armenians that moved to the U.S., while between 1960 and 1980, Armenians were also emigrating to France, Canada, Australia and Lebanon. By the way, to most of Armenians, Lebanon was a transition zone, from where they used to move to the U.S. with support from he American National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians. Translator Ani Babayan . This article is prepared within the framework of Two Lives: The Cold War and the Emigration of Armenians project financed by National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Re: Church Ministers tax bill Some (not all) of the richest people in Samoan communities either in Samoa or overseas are church pastors. It is a disgrace that in Samoa these high-income people are living on such a huge amount of money without contributing to the upkeep of roads, the health system, or the school system. If any faifeau tries to get their congregation to pay their tax for them, they should immediately be investigated by the I.R.D and prosecuted for tax evasion. The more money they receive (even if it is for the purpose of paying tax) means the more tax they should pay. If they earn 90,000 for the year and their tax comes to 20,000, if the church tries to give them another 20,000 to pay off their tax, it actually means that his income rises to 110,000 for the year and he needs to pay tax on 110k rather than 90k. So all those people wanting to pay for their faifeaus taxes, forget about it. The more money you give, the more his income rises and therefore the more tax he owes. PS Jeffrey The 2017 Small Business Enterprise Centre (S.B.E.C.). Trade Fair was officially opened yesterday morning in front of the government building. The two day event will culminate with the inaugural S.B.E.C Awards programme tonight at Taumeasina Island Resort. More than 100 small businesses from all over the country displayed a wide range of products supported by S.B.E.Cs Small Business Guarantee Scheme at the centre of Apia yesterday. New Zealand High Commissioner, David Nicholson, pointed out that New Zealands vision in working with S.B.E.C. is to boost productivity for Samoan business people. The New Zealand Aid programme has supported S.B.E.C. to develop the private sector in Samoa and enhance trade opportunities since it was established in 1994, Mr. Nicholson said. There is also a proposal for further New Zealand support currently underway, which will allow S.B.E.C. to continue focusing on facilitating real results for business development while increasing their own organisational sustainability. Together we have the recipe to keep delivering and developing a strong, cohesive and inspired small business private sector with big capacity to contribute to the Samoan economy. S.B.E.C. has set up over 2,000 new Samoan businesses across Upolu and Savaii and generated employment opportunities for over 2,500 people. A 61-year-old mother, Faaaloalo Samulu from Salamumu believes if theres a will theres a way. I started off small, she said. As of today; I sell different types of handicrafts, mats and hats and I am so thankful for S.B.E.C. in hosting this two day event because it gives us the opportunity to make more than we can usually make. Its not an easy road to go through and there are challenges along the way but when you believe in yourself, everything will fall into place To be honest, we have lots of opportunities at S.B.E.C.s Small Business Guarantee Scheme for everyone to join in to create small businesses and make a profit for our families. Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Fio Purcell, opened the Show yesterday. S.B.E.Cs vision is to drive small business growth and development in Samoa. Schools were also invited to witness the Trade Fair yesterday. The S.B.E.C Model for business development includes business training, business advisory; facilitate access to finance and business nurturing and support. This model has made S.B.E.C a unique set up for an organization mandated to support and grow small businesses in Samoa. Samoa has a lost a national character. Today, families, friends and everyone whose lives were touched by Seiuli Alan Alo Vaai are mourning his passing away. On social media last night, mourners across the globe paid tribute to a leader whose talents and work ethics were nothing short of inspiring. The news of his passing filtered out Tuesday night where many of his relatives and friends announced the sad loss. A family member, who spoke to the Samoa Observer on the condition of anonymity, said they are devastated. He passed away at around 8 oclock on Wednesday night, she told the Samoa Observer. Our mother video called us last night. They (relatives and friends) were all at the hospital surrounding his bed. I mean, everyone who could make it showed their love and support. Seiuli died from cancer. Yesterday was his birthday. Its such sad news especially to happen so close to his birthday but were pretty sure hes celebrating it in heaven. We sorely miss Alan! Plans for his final funeral service are yet to be finalised. Last year, Seiuli was diagnosed with stage 4 Metastasis Lung and Brain Cancer. An article about his life changing battle was published in Samoa Observer where he talked about his condition. The President of the Samoa Arts Council was later nominated as one of Samoa Observers People for 2016. At the time he told the Samoa Observer having been raised in the traditional dance styles of Samoa, he was inspired to further explore dancing as an art form, self-teaching in modern, contemporary, jazz, and funk styles with like-minded artists at the Madd Art Gallery based in Samoa. He started a Bachelor degree in Expressive Arts with the University of the South Pacific in 1998. While studying for his undergraduate degree Seiuli, with two others, founded the Oceania Dance Theatre and since its founding, he has choreographed numerous pieces for the group which have been performed for audiences locally and abroad. He grew up in an environment that is not very supportive of the arts. He was one of the minorities and he wanted to do something more in the arts and so he was one of the pioneers and had been the forefront of the development of arts. He got a scholarship to Fiji to do expressive art and that was approved by Fiame Naomi Mataafa during her time as Minister of Education and that was out of studying law at the time so instead of finishing his law degree, he finished off his degree in exclusive art and started from there. In December last year he opened a new project called Samoa Performing Arts & Creative Excellence (S.P.A.C.E.). He said at the time that the project was something that he wanted to live behind so that the young people of Samoa can benefit from it and can embrace art. He spent most of his young years in New Zealand and graduated with a Bachelors degree in the Expressive Arts and Literature as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Literature. He has directed and choreographed original Pacific productions that took him to the western continents such as China, South Africa, Singapore, Japan and to the eastern continents to places such as Cuba, South America, central Americas and around the Pacific region. He continues his work using the Performing Arts as an instrument to help inspire and empower young people to remember their rich Pacific cultures given the social pressures brought in by globalization, new technology and modernization in todays Pacific. He was the Choreographer for the South Pacific Games in 2007 and the Samoa Youth Commonwealth Games this year. Seiuli hails from the villages of Falealupo, Vaisala, Asau, Safotu, Fogapoa, Fatausi and Samatau. He is the youngest of seven children of Alapati Alo Vaai and Sofaea Tanielu Alo Vaai. Lawyer Leuluaialii Olinda Woodroffe has asked for the Courts discretion to allow for three additional witnesses in the hearing of a lawsuit filed against a Cabinet Minister and his business associates. The witnesses include the Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Commercial Bank. Leuluaialii also asked the Court to order production of documents from a non-party to the case. These were among the motions, Leuluaialii sought in the Supreme Court before Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren yesterday. The matter is a civil suit filed by the Associate Minister of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, against the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao and his business associates, Apulu Lance Polu and Martin Jonathan Schwalger. The defendants are represented by Semi Leung Wai. Last year, Laauli and other shareholders of the Local Partners and Associates lodged a complaint against Peseta accusing him of fraud and forgery. The Supreme Court found Peseta not guilty of the charges. Now, Peseta is suing his former business partners. The hearing continued yesterday and Leuluaialii argued that her motions are vital. Its necessary to get these documents, he said. All we hear are based on hearsay. I tried to get the documents from the Police thus far unsuccessfully and I got nothing from the defendants. Its an important case to Samoa especially to do with running of businesses, doing all sorts of business commercial activities. But the defense lawyer raised the issue that the case is at its closing stages and these are last minute motions. Justice Tafaoimalo was aware of this. That is the reason why discovery is there so that we are not getting these surprises at trial where the defendants say one thing and were hearing it for the first time, Justice Tafaoimalo said. The hearing continues. The dishonesty of some businesses has sparked an unexpected audit of their financial statements. One company filed for losses yet we uncovered their taxes amounted to millions. This was very dishonest. The revelation was made by the Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. The move to conduct the audit follows suspicions the businesses were being dishonest. Some companies filed losses year after year, he said. No company can file losses for several years yet continue to open for business. It does not make any sense at all. According to the Minister, one company filed losses on their tax forms from 2011 to 2016. Theres something wrong with you, why are you running your business at a loss. That was my first observation when I looked at tax forms that said losses for five years straight. The Minister said when they decided to audit the companies, what they found was alarming. We audited them and found they were supposed to pay millions of dollars in taxes, for one year. The Minister said that so far, they have audited two companies. He warns they will not stop there. He said the biggest challenge in their line of work is the Samoan way of life. Our culture and traditions make our job very difficult. This is Samoa we all know each other. There s a conflict of interest almost every corner we take. The agents somehow will have a connection to an employee of the company being audited, or the owner. Its not an easy job, with our culture involved, its really hard. People ask us all the time, wheres the respect (ava fatafata)? But we are just doing our job. When it comes to taxes, the Minister said the Samoan culture does not come into play. Because if we allow our culture to run its course then we won't be able to do our job. He said their calling to be tax collectors comes at a price. We are the most hated people out there but we continue to do our job. One of issues for the Ministry of Revenue is staff shortage. Tialavea made it clear their Ministry is looking at auditing all the businesses in Samoa and Savaii. The Minister was unable to provide further information on the audited companies, noting the information will have to come from the Customs C.E.O. I dont have access to the confidential information, he said. That authority was taken away from the Minister in 2012. Im not sure why that occurred as it wasnt under my tenure. All confidential information with our work goes to the C.E.O. Just as well, the authority to order the audit, thats all under the jurisdiction of the C.E.O. Tialavea concluded that his direct order to the C.E.O is to use her power to audit all the businesses if thats what it takes. Samoa is indeed a nation of Small Business. The small businesses are the livelihood of locals and with minimal barriers to starting; many operators have a wealth of opportunity to trade and operate in a flexible environment. However Small Business in Samoa also comes with its long lists of challenges and competition. In a small, dynamic market its easy to get lost amongst competition and the motivation to stay in business can be dampened. And thats where organisations like Small Business Enterprise Centre (S.B.E.C.) play a crucial role in assisting the sustainability of small business. S.B.E.C assists small business start-ups and their expansion by offering business training; advisory and loan guarantee services that overcome some of the initial barriers to starting and doing business. As an operator for 22 years, it is responsible for over 2000 new businesses and generating employment to over 2500 individuals both in Upolu and Savaii. Bluesky understands the need of this audience and wishes to be part of a growing community that supports Samoa's bigger economy, a statement from Bluesky said. As the largest Telecommunications provider in Samoa, Bluesky can support this group with technology and applications to grow their businesses. Therefore joining hands with S.B.E.C was a win-win for both organisations. This relationship commenced with the involvement of Bluesky participating in the S.B.E.C. Business Awards and will continue the whole year around to support its membership base. Bluesky has contributed $5,000 in cash as a Gold Sponsor of S..B.ECs Trade Fair in front of the government building and S.B.E.Cs first 2017 Small Business awards ceremony which will be held tonight at Taumeasina. Bluesky County Manager, Alex Abraham, said Bluesky is glad to be able to help. Were pleased to see S.B.E.C initiate the 2017 Business Awards for Industries and small businesses that dont always get the reward and recognition they deserve, he said. We want to be a part of what S.B.E.C is doing and we acknowledge the crucial role our small businesses play in the economy of Samoa. This is an opportunity for us to also see what we can do better for our small businesses. Bluesky is similarly proud to be the official Telecommunications partner for S.B.E.C as part of this sponsorship. S.B.EC.s long term strategy is to provide incentives to ensure small business operators are motivated enough to remain in operation and aspire to succeed. One of these incentives is the first time launch of S.B.E.Cs 2017 Small Business Awards. This awards ceremony tonight will officially recognise the efforts and contribution of small business operators nationwide. There are nine Industries involved and 42 finalists across Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, Manufacturing, Retail & Trade, Transport, Food & Beverage, Technical Services and Professional Services. Best of luck to all finalists and may this be the beginning of a pivotal program which will bring big benefits to Small Business. Executive members and volunteers of the S.V.S.G. Juniors, the youth sub-group of Samoa Victim Support Group, are fronting an outreach programme, highlighting the important role played by each communities within a village, in raising a child. On the theme It takes a village to raise a child, the outreach programme kick started at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints at Sataoa. The programme appeals to all sectors of a community from the village council, the churches, the womens committee, the untitled men and ladies groups and the families, in a communi Executive members and volunteers of the S.V.S.G. Juniors, the youth sub-group of Samoa Victim Support Group, are fronting an outreach programme, highlighting the important role played by each communities within a village, in raising a child. On the theme It takes a village to raise a child, the outreach programme kick started at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints at Sataoa. The programme appeals to all sectors of a community from the village council, the churches, the womens committee, the untitled men and ladies groups and the families, in a community effort to raise a child to a strong and successful adult. Being young advocates of violence free families, the S.V.S.G Junior members knew exactly what shapes a child, having progressed from being children themselves. They likened the children to photographers, capturing everything that goes around their environment, both the good and the bad. Bullying, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, were some of the issues focused on during the community outreach. The S.V.S.G Junior members believe that a break down in the family environment gives rise to these pressing issues, but that is when the other sectors of the community comes in to fill the gap. According to S.V.S.G Junior President Carmenita Solaese, if the whole village plays their role in supporting and raising a child, no doubt, this child will rise up as a strong leader and a successful adult that the village community can be proud of. S.V.S.G President Siliniu Lina Chang accompanied the youth to its outreach programme. She acknowledged the initiative to address family violence through child rearing as a combined responsibility of the village community. Thank you to Bishop Tai Ng Wun and the congregation at the L.D.S Church Sataoa for being the first community to be sensitized on the project, said Siliniu. ty effort to raise a child to a strong and successful adult. Being young advocates of violence free families, the S.V.S.G Junior members knew exactly what shapes a child, having progressed from being children themselves. They likened the children to photographers, capturing everything that goes around their environment, both the good and the bad. Bullying, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, were some of the issues focused on during the community outreach. The S.V.S.G Junior members believe that a break down in the family environment gives rise to these pressing issues, but that is when the other sectors of the community comes in to fill the gap. According to S.V.S.G Junior President Carmenita Solaese, if the whole village plays their role in supporting and raising a child, no doubt, this child will rise up as a strong leader and a successful adult that the village community can be proud of. S.V.S.G President Siliniu Lina Chang accompanied the youth to its outreach programme. She acknowledged the initiative to address family violence through child rearing as a combined responsibility of the village community. Thank you to Bishop Tai Ng Wun and the congregation at the L.D.S Church Sataoa for being the first community to be sensitized on the project, said Siliniu. Not many people if any at all will disagree with Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarkes frustrations expressed on the front page of your newspaper today about the Prison system. (See story: Court blasts Prison) Anyone who cares about the safety of members of the general public will feel a huge sense of relief that someone of Justice Leiataualesas caliber has seen it fit to raise this matter. We thank his Honour for being bold and we encourage you to read Justice Leiataualesas comments and share your thoughts with us. This is a matter that deserves nationwide attention. You see, when it comes to the issue of prisoners being given an easy pass from where they are supposed to belong, it is nothing new in Samoa. Countless letters to the editor published on the pages of this newspaper have expressed similar frustrations and fears about what could happen when these prisoners are allowed to roam freely. Over the years, this column has strongly advocated for changes to the system. This is because we have seen just how devastating the community has suffered as a result. Innocent women have been raped, senior citizens have been robbed, properties have been torched and broken into and the list of heinous criminal offending continues. Why? The simple truth is that there is a reason criminals are sentenced to be locked up behind bars. They need to be taught a lesson, they need to know that when they break the law, the cost is their freedom to do what they like. And yet in Samoa, it appears, that is the complete opposite of whats happening. The case on the front page of your newspaper today about a convicted murderer who has already been allowed out on parole is a classic example. Its horrendous. Now sometime last year, the idea was mooted that the Samoa Prison and Correction Services (S.P.C.S) was to ban the weekend parole. According to the Ministrys Spokesperson, Sagaga Galu Frost at the time, the ban was part of a number of plans to keep Samoa safe from prisoners. It followed growing concerns by the Ministry as well as the Police about the number of crimes being committed by prisoners who are granted weekend parole. From our experience, we have seen that those who are convicted for theft, sexual crimes and other offences are likely to reoffend, Sagaga said at the time. So we have made a decision. At the outset, we said the ban was long overdue. Lets remind everyone here and now that the idea of jail is not just to teach these folks a lesson. One of the most important elements of sending them to jail is to protect members of the public from them. Yes these people, as much as we want to reintegrate them into society, are not normal. They pose a great risk to you and me. They are criminals. And thats why the Police and Prisons exist. They are there to protect us from these criminals. Weve said this before and we will say it again today. We accept that there are many challenges for the prison authorities especially when it comes to the state of the Tafaigata Prison. One of them is the rapid rise in the number of prisoners. There are nearly 700 prisoners at Tafaigata alone for a little over a hundred prison officers. You dont need to be a rocket scientist to know that this is a disaster waiting to happen. One day, these prisoners will run away and kill someone. But even before that extreme, how many families must continue to suffer when their homes are broken into and robbed every time these convicts are out? When will we wake up and say enough is enough? The comments by Justice Leiataualesa should not be viewed in isolation. The government needs to wake up and act on it. Otherwise why do we need a justice system? Why do Judges and the Court waste their time sending prisoners to jail? Why dont we just allow murderers, rapists, thieves and all criminals to do whatever they like? Dear Editor, There are desperate measures for desperate needs but maybe the Samoan Government needs to cut back on government spending. Cut back from more debt. If you want to get out of a hole just stop digging would be the obvious remedy to the debt. None of us poor Samoans got access to all that government money. Prime Minister Tuilaepa says that getting taxed is our contribution to Samoa and he might be right. However a contribution is not what its called. Its called a TAX and to me a tax is another way of saying the government takes money from its civilians to do whatever the government needs to do like have evenly paved roads and so forth. Maybe the Samoan Government needs to seek more grants because you dont have to pay back grants. Why dont they train some of these government officials to focus on writing grants to seek financial aide? On a smaller scale of debt, whenever my family members ai kalafu (borrow) money from me I dont expect them to pay it back and actually I just consider it a donation. Now flip that to a bigger scale. youre the prime minister of Samoa and borrowing is what will help this nation so you continue to borrow yet you havent paid back anything. You borrow from New Zealand, China, Japan and whatever other country on earth. When Prime Minister Tuilaepa got into office the debt was $15 million and hes helped that debt increase to $2 billion. In my opinion being broke is better than being in debt because when youre broke you dont owe anybody any money. Id rather be free at Zero than stuck with negative $2 billion. Theres a way to using debt to leverage the budget but not continualy sink it and obviosly the government isnt aware of how to leverage if the debt went from $15 million to $ 2 billion. Debt means the Samoan government has piled up some bills and some tabs they need to pay. Every time Prime minister Tuilaepa gets a new debt it puts a heavy burden on the government. It puts a heavy burden on all of us Samoans. History books illustrate that when poor people are angry youll see crime and revolution. America, Cuba and even the Kingdom of Tonga are examples of that. If this is a Christian nation, I thought one of the gospels that Jesus Christ taught was blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Meek is a synonym for content which is another way to say Ill work with whatever I got and I dont need any more. Desperation springs out of greed because were not content with what we have because we want more. Are we desperate or just lacking prudence? Mikaele U. Police Commissioner, Fuiavailiili Egon Keil, has denied being armed with an illegal Glock pistol. The Commissioner issued the denial when he took the stand in the Commission of Inquiry investigating suspended Assistant Commissioner Samoa Mulinuu and former Police Inspector, Luatimu Samau. The Commission was appointed by Cabinet. It is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai, with Tavui Annie Laumea and Namulauulu Sami Leota as members. The Counsels Assisting the Commission are Sefo Ainuu and Alesana Tumua of the Office of the Attorney General. Arthur Lesa is representing Samoa Mulinuu while Luatimu Samau is standing in prose. The Commission is looking into the conduct of Samoa Mulinuu in handling of the criminal matter against Sililoto Peneueta and his involvement in alleged tampering with witnesses in the District Court case of Police v Mauga Precious Chang. While on the stand, Samau questioned the Commissioner if he remembered walking around with a pistol without authorization. But Fuiava strongly denied this. That is absolutely false, the Police Commissioner said. Samau put it to Fuiavailiili that on 8 July 2015, the Commissioner was issued a clot pistol from the Army. Commissioner Fuiava rejected the claim. I do not do illegal stuff, he said. Let me just make that clear, I do not do illegal stuff. I did not sign up for this job to come and do illegal stuff. Ive got a great reputation with L.A.P.D. I didnt come here and try to break the laws of Samoa or do illegal stuff because thats not my nature and that is not the reason why Im here. I came here to protect the country, my country, and to improve our organization not to break laws. The Commissioner noted that he started work in April and until now and I have never carried a firearm illegally. But Samau pointed the Commissioner to a form, which was issued under the Arms Division of the Police. It was a request for him to be armed. The Inquiry was told that the approval came five months later. The Police Commissioner denied the allegation. This is a false document because we cannot find these books anymore. The information Im getting is that these two right here have held back these books. This is incorrect. We are missing some books in relation to the firearm and up till now we are missing those books. The last time I was told that it was seen was with Samau and Samoa. Upon closer examination of the document, Fuiava said: This is my signature. Looking at Samau, he said: Samau let me tell you something I dont take sides and as Commissioner of Police I have to be fair in everything. Now if you dislike my decision, then Im sorry but the fact is I have to do whats best for the organization and Samoa. Samau then proceeded to question Fuiavas rank while working for the Los Angeles Police Department. Fiuiava said his highest rank was being a Senior Sergeant. Being a Commissioned Officer is new to him. From the Panel, Namulaulu Sami asked Fuiavailiili about the number of cases pending with the Police Professional Standards Unit (P.S.U). I cannot recall but Ive heard a lot of bad things about P.S.U. Things like not taking peoples complaints and they did not take any more new complaints because they said I was suspended and that is very disheartening. Namulauulu further asked about the case against Samau. He came from Afega to conduct the investigation in Apia, and you (Fuiavailiili) was not aware of it. Is that normal procedure, for police officers from other police posts to investigate cases that are in Apia? Fuiavailiili said no. Its abnormal. Its not normal. Why would you want to bring someone from the other end when you have your own team? I dont know if Samau has any background in investigation for traffic to investigate a case that is pretty much all done. It is very unusual and very suspicious. I dont know what the motives are, said Fuiavailiili. The Inquiry has been for final submissions by all parties. Supreme Court Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke is fed up with what he has described as the unlawful release of inmates by the Samoa Prisons and Corrections Authority. And from the bench, he has openly criticised the system, threatening to hold the Prisons Commissioner in contempt of Court if this continues to happen. The Judges comments were made during the case of a convicted murderer who was released less than three years after his sentence. Lilo Lilo, was convicted in October 2013. Sentenced to life imprisonment, he is not eligible for parole until 2023. But that was not the case. When Lilo was released on weekend parole, he was re-arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. Back in Court, Lilo pleaded not guilty to the drug charge. A hearing on the matter was held and he was found guilty. This was when Justice Leiataualesa found that he was not supposed to have been released at all. Inmates who serve life imprisonment are eligible for parole upon serving 10 years. In Court, Lucymaria Sio, a lawyer for the Attorney Generals Office agreed with Justice Leiataualesa. The defendant as per regulation is not eligible for weekend parole, she said. The Prosecutor then directed the Court to the explanation provided by the prisons authorities. But Justice Leiataualesa wouldnt have it. Theres no explanation for unlawful, release of prisoners! This is a continued problem. The Prosecutor agreed and explained that theyve advised the Prisons Authorities. This defendant was released in contrary to the regulations of 2014 which notes that hes not supposed to be eligible for weekend parole. The release of this prisoner is unlawful therefore non-compliance with what is allowed by the regulation. But Justice Leiataualesa was not convinced. Why is the Prison continuing to do this despite the fact that the Court has raised this many times, and its consistent from the Commissioner? If this continues, it will be a matter that I will refer for contempt. These prisoners are being imprisoned pursuant to a Court order, if there are continuing breaches of sentences by the Prisons authorities that is a contempt of the sentencing.... of the Court. That undermines the whole justice system, what point is it that we sentence people to imprisonment and they are supposed to stay there and the prisons authorities does this. I do not understand how the Prison authorities continue to do this. The Court heard from Prosecutor Sio that there appears to be a misinterpretation of the discretion the Commissioner can exercise. We will refer this issue once again to the relevant stakeholders in relation to allowing these prisoners to be on parole, she explained. Justice Leiataualesa pointed out if the regulation that I have seen are the only regulations, then theres entirety of prisoners released on Christmas and New Year is unlawful. And as I understand it is not a single person or two or three. If the reports in the media are true, the Commissioner has released 70 or more people unlawfully. This is not a matter in this case that I will consider referral prosecution services for contempt. That, I will make quite clear! If this does arise again before my Court, I will refer the matter for prosecution for contempt of court. To the Prison Authorities, Justice Leiataualesa said: The prison must understand they do not have an unfitted discretion. The Commissioner has no unfitted discretion and simply he does not understand that. The usual process is that he gets legal advise and he acts upon it. If he continues to breach that knowingly then he will have several issues that he will need to deal with. Justice Leiataualesa offered his apologies to Prosecutor Sio for his reaction. I apologize at my displeasure expressed at you, its not the prosecution. It is the prison services who continue to do this. He told the Prosecution to relay his comments to the Prison Authorities. If the Commissioner would have been here, had you indicated to me yesterday, then he would've been the subject of these comments. Justice Leiataualesa concluded by informing Lilo that his sentencing has been postponed to next week Monday, as there are issues that need to be addressed. Parts of that has to do with the fact that you were unlawfully released by the prison service and you shouldnt have been released. Prisoners must be released according to the law and you were not released according to law. It was not possible to get a comment from the Prisons yesterday. Samoa is sending a strong warning to international criminals that they will be caught, prosecuted and punished. The message comes from the Office of the Attorney General with the conviction of two Chinese tourists who skimmed $70,000 from local A.T.M machines. In her submission at the hearing, lawyer for the Attorney Generals Office, Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa, said Samoa would not tolerate criminals who come here taking advantage of the vulnerability of our small country. The Chinese had used A.T.M skimming devices and counterfeit cards to steal more than $70,000 from the Bank of South Pacific. The defendants Yang Quigreen and Zhong Shuiming, who are under police custody, are represented by lawyer, Alex Sua. In her submission, Lupematasila recommended four and half years jail terms. Presiding is District Court Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma. The court heard from Lupematasila that the crime was preplanned and premeditated. The defendants arrived in Samoa on August 2016 and two days later they managed to steal from eight different A.T.Ms at Papauta, Vaitele and Apia. This case is not a one-time offense. Another aggravating fact, this is the first case of its kind in Samoa. Where persons bring card skimming devices and counterfeit cards for the purpose of stealing monies albeit from overseas account using B.S.P Samoa ATM machines. The lawyer said the Samoan electronic finance systems have not been exposed to such fraudulent conduct before and this is the first case of its kind. The defendants have clearly taken advantage of and used their advanced knowledge and system of fraud to steal from the Samoan A.T.M outlets. This heavily aggravates the offending in this matter. The prosecutor went on to say this is not an ordinary case. This is a complicated fraud carried out by two defendants who not only travelled to Samoa as visitors but for the purposes of using their skimming devices as well as their counterfeited cards to steal monies. She reiterated this case is the first one in Samoa. The Court should set a deterrent message not only to the public but also to the international world of the consequences of such conduct if committed in Samoa. In order to deter like minded criminals like the defendants from taking advantage of the vulnerability of our small country and the systems in place. Lupematasila further noted that sentencing should reflect the defendants are held accountable for harm done to the bank. She points to the seriousness of the offending by the defendants. Offenses of this type have become prevalent in our community and the court has endlessly cited the need to deter this and future offenders from this kind of behavior. Each of these offenses carries a penalty of imprisonment for several years signifying they are serious offenses in our society. The seriousness of these offences is also evident from Legislative action which implies that Parliament considers these offenses so grave that it justifies an increase in their respective maximum penalties. Sentencing has been scheduled on 5 July 2017. Last month the pair were convicted following a lengthy hearing. The defendants were initially charged with 16 charges however prior to the trial, they both pleaded guilty to four charges. These include intentionally accessing the 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 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. The government of Japan has been providing funds to many local government schools under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (G.G.P) since 1991. Yesterday, one more school benefitted from this generosity. The occasion was the official handover of the reconstructed Vailima Primary School. Costing $425, 500, the funds were used to reconstruct the existing 11 rooms and a toilet block plus an additional room for the library and a computer class. The school caters for 348 students with 10 teachers, and they can now learn in the new reconstructed rooms thanking the government of Japan for making this possible. Japan will continue to provide support for development projects at the grassroots level through its G.G.P aligned with the key outcomes that needs improvements in the Strategy for Development of Samoa (S.D.S). Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki, expressed his congratulations to everyone who supported the project up to its completion with the hope that everyone at Vailima Primary School will treat the facilities with proper care for many generations to utilise. Lastly, this will continue to strengthen the ties between the government and the people of Japan and Samoa. The Federal Reserve has given the green light to all 34 of the biggest banks in the U.S. to raise their dividends and buy back shares, judging their financial foundations sturdy enough to withstand a major economic downturn. It was the first time in seven years of annual stress tests that every bank assessed by the Fed won approval for its capital plans. The Fed on Wednesday announced the results of the second round of its annual stress tests. Those allowed to raise dividends or repurchase shares include the four biggest U.S. banks JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo. Advertisement Capital Ones plan only got conditional approval and it has six months to revise it. But the bank was still allowed to return profits to shareholders. While its still likely to take years before nuclear waste from sites across the nation such as the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station can ever be moved, a familiar destination for spent fuel may be back in play. On Wednesday, a congressional committee passed a bill aimed at resurrecting the Yucca Mountain repository in Nevada. The legislation would also streamline the process for interim storage facilities perhaps in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico to take spent fuel while the licensing process to re-start Yucca Mountain would be completed. Advertisement On a 49-4 vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act, sending the bill to the full House of Representatives. Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, joined the majority in voting yes. The big takeaway is, its good news there is a bipartisan effort that will make it possible to move this waste, Peters said in a telephone interview from Washington. It will be some time before that is available so we still have to continue to be vigilant and make sure conditions at the plant are safe but its definitely progress. Its certainly what you want to see if youre concerned about moving this waste away from the Pacific Ocean. Wednesdays vote indicated a building consensus on Capitol Hill to tackle the issue as nuclear waste accumulates at plants across the country. According to the House bill, spent fuel has piled up in 121 communities in 39 states. There are 3.55 million pounds of spent fuel at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), which has not produced electricity since January 2012. There are 8.4 million people living with a 50-mile radius of the plant, which is in the process of being decommissioned. One portion of the House bill would give priority to waste from plants that are no longer operating. The legislation also folded a number of elements from a nuclear waste bill introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista. The Senate is expected to introduce its own bill in the coming weeks. The move today makes clear that the last 30 years of obstruction over any and every plan to get nuclear waste out of our communities is over, Issa said in a statement. The federal government has responsibility for finding places to dispose of the waste but has failed to come up with a permanent site. Yucca Mountain had been slated to accept some 70,000 metric tons of spent fuel but the Obama administration, acknowledging strenuous objections from Nevada lawmakers, cut funding for the project. The federal government has spent about $15 billion on Yucca Mountain, located about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Nevada has filed more than 200 challenges, largely over groundwater and transportation issues and the states Capitol Hill delegation blasted Wednesdays vote, vowing to fight every step of the way. While some are trying to spin this bill as better for Nevada, the fact remains that the legislation is an attempt to dump even more waste into our state, said Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada. The Trump administration has supported bringing back Yucca Mountain. In its proposed budget plan, $120 million has been earmarked for nuclear storage programs, including monies to re-license the site. Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry appeared before two congressional committees last week and alluded to SONGS, even invoking the specter of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The potential to have a geologic event we could have a repeat of what happened at Fukushima, to some degree, Perry told members of the House Committee on Appropriations. I get passionate about this. We have a moral obligation to remove this from as many of these sites as we can and put it in the safest repository. But Congress has not included funding for Yucca Mountain in its fiscal year 2018 budget proposal and even if the legislation gets through the long and risky lawmaking process, clearing attendant bureaucratic hurdles remain. Earlier this month, the chairwoman for the Nuclear Regulatory Committee told the Senate that the licensing process alone for Yucca Mountain could take between three to five years. While the House bill, introduced by Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ilinois, looks to clear the way to re-open Yucca Mountain, it also authorizes the federal government to enter into agreements with private companies to store nuclear waste on an interim basis. A July 2016 photo of the site at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that holds dry storage for used nuclear fuel. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) A group based in Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico want to build a site that would hold 120,000 metric tons of spent fuel. Organizers of the plan gave a presentation last month to a public engagement panel at San Onofre and said their proposal has support of their local governments and communities. The other interim site being discussed is located outside the town of Andrews, Texas. However, the company running the project recently put its application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on hold due to financial problems. Those places (New Mexico and Texas) are a lot better for nuclear waste than on the shores of the Pacific coast, Peters said. Southern California Edison (SCE), the utility that operates SONGS, said it was encouraged by Wednesdays vote. While the storage methods we use are safe and secure, our customers should not have to bear this cost burden, R.O. Nichols, SCE president, said in a statement that was issued jointly by SCE, Pacific Gas & Electric and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. PG&E owns the Diablo Canyon nuclear facility and SMUD operated the now-closed Rancho Seco power plant that has been shut down but still holds spent fuel on its premises. Business rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski ALSO Moving nuclear waste out of San Onofre: When and how? New Mexico group makes its pitch to store San Onofre waste Demonstrators want nuclear waste moved from San Onofre Lyft is rolling out a new black-car service for people who will pay a premium to travel in style. After a soft-launch in May in five U.S. cities, the push-button deluxe offering, called Lux and Lux SUV, is being extended Thursday to 16 additional markets, including San Diego. By Lyfts definition, a Lux vehicle is an ultra high-end, 2011 or newer sedan or SUV with black exterior, leather (or leather-like) seats. An SUV needs to comfortably seat six or more people. Advertisement The vehicles are designed to a be a step up from Lyfts existing Premier and Plus options, as the company limits Lux cars to specific makes and models. The list includes everything from a BMW 5 Series and Rolls Royce Phantom to a Toyota Sequoia. Lux riders are also guaranteed a top-notch driver who is required to maintain a 4.7 star or higher (out of 5) rating, as graded by previous passengers. The two new options are comparable to UberBlack, the on-demand car service offered by its ride-hail rival. Lux, then, puts Lyft on a level playing field with Uber in the high-end market, and allows the company to better compensate its drivers who own expensive cars. The overall limousine and town car services market is an $11-billion-per-year business, according to IBISWorld. Still, most Uber and Lyft users will opt for the better value options, especially when merely traveling between the airport and someones home, said Miro Copic, a marketing professor at San Diego State University. Lux will be a good option for one-off special occasions, such as date nights, but the target audience is likely company executives who prefer town cars for business-related travel, Copic said. Where its going to be interesting is how (these higher-end ride choices) compete against limo services that tap the corporate market, he said. This is a big threat to a lot of smaller local area limo companies. Lyft Lux and Lyft Lux SUV first launched in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Silicon Valley in late May. Thursday, the company is rolling out the black-car options to Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Orange County, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, D.C. The company says fares are 1.5 times to 2 times higher than rates for Lyft Premier rides, which in San Diego are billed at $2.75 per mile and 30 cents per minute on top of a $4 base fare. Business jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin San Diegos Mitchell International, which makes software for the auto collision industry, said late Thursday that its being sold to private equity firm KKR & Co. of New York for an undisclosed price. Mitchells current owner, Aurora Capital of Los Angeles, agreed to sell the company after several months of looking for a buyer. Aurora, also a private equity firm, acquired Mitchell in 2007 for more than $500 million. While financial terms were not disclosed, Bloomberg News reported the deal valued Mitchell at about $1.1 billion. Bloomberg cited sources who requested anonymity. Advertisement Mitchell employs about 900 workers in San Diego writing software that helps insurance companies and body shops manage vehicle repairs. It also makes software for handling medical insurance claims from auto accidents. Finally, it has a product that helps workers compensation insurers spot claims abuses. Alex Sun, president and chief executive of Mitchell, said the ownership change will help the company expand globally and boost its product line. The current management team will stay in place, Sun said. There really will be no change in the operations or strategy of the company. Mitchell expects revenue of $350 million and $400 million this year, Sun said. Three companies dominate the auto claims software business Mitchell, Solera Holdings AudaExplore division in San Diego, and CCC Information Services of Chicago. They face a consolidating auto collision repair market thats seeing fewer accidents thanks to backup cameras and other accident-avoidance technology. That claims shrinkage isnt over yet, said Stephen Applebaum, senior analyst at industry consulting firm Aite Group. So you have a lot of people in this business trying to figure out what theyre going to do next. For Mitchell, the strategy involves expanding into additional areas of property and casualty insurance. That approach mirrors what Mitchell did over the past decade to break into the injury claims software business. The company also has growth potential overseas. Today, the bulk of its business is centered in North America. There are some health care opportunities because that industry is changing rapidly, and Mitchell has some good expertise, Applebaum said. Then there is the international piece. Mitchells name is Mitchell International, but they are not really international. Mitchell has recently beefed up its international footprint through an investment in GT Motive, an auto claims software firm serving Spain and other parts of Europe. Mitchell International traces its roots in San Diego to 1946. Glenn Mitchell managed a Chrysler motor parts distributorship and saw that body shops needed better parts information and pricing data. So he founded Mitchell Manuals, an auto parts information publishing firm. Mitchell died in 1971. The company has been sold several times over the years, as it morphed from paper manuals to digital software and databases. Today, Mitchell employs about 1,700 people worldwide. KKR has $83.5 billion in assets under management and invests a significant chunk of its money in technology firms. The sale is expected to be completed this winter. mike.freeman@utsandiego.com A homicide suspect who exchanged shots with Los Angeles police during a running gun battle in El Segundo on Thursday filmed at least part of the encounter on a cellphone while he ran from officers, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The shootout left a SWAT officer wounded and the suspect gravely injured and terrorized the neighborhood, where residents described bullets whizzing by and loud bursts of gunfire. The gunman, who has yet to be publicly identified, was shouting into the phone that was pointed at him, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation into the shooting. Advertisement They coming at me, the man said on the video, according to the source. Im gonna die today. KABC-TV showed a clip of what the station said was the video, which it said was posted on Facebook Live. A separate still image shows the man holding a gun to the camera. Josh Rubenstein, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department, said investigators were looking at various pieces of video evidence as part of their inquiry into the shooting. He declined to elaborate. The officer was struck in the hip and was expected to recover from his injuries, Chief Charlie Beck told reporters after visiting him at the hospital. The officer was described as a 20-year veteran of the LAPD whose wife, who was at the hospital with him, is also an LAPD officer. Beck said the gunman was shot multiple times. The events leading up to the shooting began in South L.A., where officers were serving one of four warrants as part of an investigation into a March 31 killing, Beck said. At some point, Beck said, officers noticed one of the homicide suspects driving a blue vehicle. The vehicle took off, with the police in pursuit. 1 / 3 Law enforcement officers stand outside the emergency entrance at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where an LAPD officer was transported after being shot in El Segundo. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 3 The scene is cordoned off where an LAPD officer and a suspect were wounded during a shooting in El Segundo. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 3 An LAPD officer and a suspect were wounded during a shooting in El Segundo. The shooting took place near Aviation and El Segundo boulevards during a multi-agency task force stakeout of a homicide suspect, said Tony Im, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) The chase wound its way down to El Segundo, where police said the suspect bailed out of the car with a handgun and ran through an apartment complex near El Segundo and Aviation boulevards as he exchanged gunfire with the officers and was shot. Beck said multiple officers were involved in the gun battle, including some from Hawthorne who had joined the car chase. Investigators were examining three separate scenes where shots were fired. Shannon Isom describes hearing gunfire from officer-involved shooting in El Segundo. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Investigators outside a town home where shooting took place, bullet hole next to window pic.twitter.com/PUazSBrb64 Alene Tchekmedyian (@AleneTchek) June 29, 2017 Neighbors said they heard helicopters, then sirens followed by at least 15 gunshots. One resident, Jeff Parisse, said he stepped out to his balcony when he first heard the helicopters buzzing overheard, hoping to film them. Soon after, two bullets whizzed by the 55-year-olds head and struck a wall of his home. Parisse said his instincts kicked in and he dropped down to his deck. Later, he said he realized how close he was to getting hit but he still wasnt fazed. I have a dangerous hobby, he said. It didnt bother me. His neighbor, Katty Wu, who was playing at home with her two kids and didnt hear gunshots, was left more stunned. He could have been killed, she said. Anthony Samadani, who lives at the Three Sixty at South Bay housing complex, near where the shooting took place, was at home with his 2-year-old child and mother-in-law when he got an email from the buildings management saying it was under lockdown. #LAX Traffic has been affected by Police Activity near Imperial Highway ElSegundo and Aviation Blvd. Please avoid the area if possible.. LA Airport PD (@LAAirportPD) June 29, 2017 Twenty-nine minutes later, another email came: Confirmed report of shooter in custody; one officer down and being treated. The union representing rank-and-file officers said the shooting was a somber reminder that police work is inherently dangerous and deadly. We are thankful that our officer is expected to make a speedy recovery, the Los Angeles Police Protective League said in a statement. Every day, Los Angeles police officers risk their lives to keep our community safe. kate.mather@latimes.com Twitter: @katemather | alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek | hailey.branson@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson ALSO Investigation underway in Burbank after South Pasadena police involved in shooting L.A. police shoot and kill man armed with gun during confrontation in Westlake Arkansas couple detained after dead toddler found in back seat of car near Sacramento Pregnant woman charged in boyfriends death after book fails to stop bullet in YouTube stunt UPDATES: 7:15 p.m.: This article was updated to include that KABC-TV broadcast a clip of the video. 6:55 p.m.: This article was updated with details about the suspect filming himself. 3:50 p.m. This article was updated with a statement from the Los Angeles Police Protective League and minor rewriting throughout. 12:40 p.m. This article was updated with new information from Chief Beck and a resident. 11:45 a.m. This article was updated with more information about the officers condition and details from neighbors. 11 a.m. This article was updated with information about traffic. This article was originally published at 10:40 a.m. Hanadi Alhaj arrived at Los Angeles International Airport an hour before her mothers flight was scheduled to land from Jordan to make sure nothing went wrong. Although her mother holds a green card, Alhaj feared shed be held in customs because she carries a passport from Yemen, one of the six countries included in the Trump administrations travel ban, which took effect Thursday afternoon. My mom doesnt speak EnglishI tried to come early if they need somebody to translate to her, said Alhaj, a Yemeni immigrant. I get worried maybe something will happen, they will stop her, they will go double check her. Advertisement As Alhaj waited for her mother, a small group of immigrant-rights attorneys stationed themselves at LAX to prepare for the start of a new version of the travel ban. Attorneys arrived around 2 p.m. three hours before the ban took effect and set up tables where they offered free legal aid and distributed copies of an eight-page travel advisory with information about the status of the new ban, as well as advice for travelers on interacting with customs officers. The lawyers said they plan to assess any impact on travelers who are seeking entry into the United States through Customs and Border Protection at LAX. They were joined by a handful of activists holding signs that read, No! Stop Trump/Pence outside Tom Bradley International Terminal. Alhaj, who immigrated to the U.S. 15 years ago, brought copies of her mothers immigration paperwork to the airport just in case. Shes from one of the six countries, Alhaj said. Maybe its going to be an issue. Ameena Mirza Qazi, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, said people are still very concerned about the travel ban, even in the restricted form allowed earlier this week by the U.S. Supreme Court. Theres still a lot of confusion about how this affects people, how this affects family members, Qazi said. The [visa] process is already so thorough and its been that way for a very long time. To say someone cant come in because theyre from a certain countrywe know what this is about. This is about excluding Muslims as much as possible. Qazi said attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild and other organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the ACLU, will monitor the way customs officials treat travelers. Around 6 p.m., Qazi said she hadnt noticed any significant impact on travelers. Still, she said, attorneys are monitoring flights from places such as France and Germany, where travelers who started from the Middle East catch connecting flights to the U.S., as well as flights from the United Arab Emirates. Today is a lot more waiting and seeing. In January, we actively knew of people being detained, she said. Less than a dozen protesters at LAX in anticipation for the new travel ban to kick in. pic.twitter.com/vWPPP8b1fW Marcus Yam (@yamphoto) June 29, 2017 Extra police officers were not called in Thursday, but a very large contingency of officers is always on call to respond to major incidents, the Los Angeles Airport Police Department said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said officers expected business as usual. After the ban stalled for several months in federal courts, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed much of the ban to take effect while also applying significant restrictions that narrow the orders impact. With exceptions for people with a bona fide relationship to schools, employers, family or other U.S. entities, the ban will block admission of people from six majority-Muslim countries for 90 days as the government evaluates its vetting procedures. The Trump administration has said that it needs the travel pause while it reviews and revises its vetting procedures for people arriving from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya and Yemen. Trump has argued that the countries have ties to terrorism and that the ban will better protect the country against terror attacks. In response to the Supreme Courts decision, the Trump administration created relationship guidelines, which explain who is exempted from the ban. The guidelines, which were sent to embassies and consulates around the globe, do not count grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law or other extended family members as close relations whose presence in the U.S. would allow people blocked by the travel ban to still enter the country. Visas that have already been approved will not be revoked. Just before 4:30 p.m., Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer stopped by the makeshift legal clinic at the airport on his way to a meeting with LAX Port Director Mitch Merriam. I have very strong concerns about the definition the State Department has given for bona fide relationships here, he said. I want to learn more about the ways the federal government is evaluating who gets in. Feuer said he was troubled that the Trump administration in January also sought 90 days which have since expired to assess the efficacy of its vetting procedures. Were well past that, he said. I dont get it. Shayan Modarres, legal counsel for the National Iranian American Council, said the ban represented a new low by targeting grandparents of American children. Its a lot of heartbreak, a lot of sadness and confusion, he said. To say that somebodys grandparents present a national security threat or a risk to the U.S. underscores how absurd this Muslim ban really is. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com sarah.parvini@latimes.com Follow us on Twitter @AleneTchek and @sarahparvini ALSO Grandparents and cousins arent considered close family under Trumps new visa criteria Immigrant advocates brace for new travel ban, criticize rules on close family admissions A Pakistani Christian family is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. next week as refugees. Will they be allowed to stay? UPDATES: 7 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the city attorney. 5 p.m.: This article was updated with information about attorneys arriving at LAX. 1:20 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the National Lawyers Guild and the National Iranian American Council. This article was originally published at 10:50 a.m. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances around the death of a child whose body was found under a blanket in the back seat of a car in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County sheriffs officials said. The discovery came after a sheriffs deputy stopped to talk to a man and woman outside their vehicle, which was on the wrong side of a two-lane road inside River Bend Park east of Sacramento, the Sheriffs Department said in a statement. The road runs parallel to the American River. The deputy ran a records check on the couple and learned the pair were from Arkansas, where the man had an outstanding warrant, KCRA reported. Authorities searched the car and found the body of a 3-year-old girl under a blanket in the back seat, Sgt. Tony Turnbull said. The couple had been living out of their car with the girl since February, though investigators dont know why, officials said. Advertisement The girls body had no obvious signs of trauma, and an investigation into the cause of death will help investigators determine whether the case is a homicide, Turnbull said. The child was the womans daughter, Turnbull said. After questioning from investigators, the girls mother, Angela Phakhin, 27, and the man, Untwan Smith, 46, whom police said was Phakhins boyfriend, were arrested on suspicion of child endangerment. They are being held in the county jail in lieu of $1 million bail and are scheduled to appear in court Friday. ALSO Prosecutors drop charge against Brian Encinia, ex-Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland A bullet hole, a mystery and an FBI agents indictment the messy aftermath of the Oregon refuge standoff A Pakistani Christian family is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. next week as refugees. Will they be allowed to stay? UPDATES: 1:35 p.m.: This article was updated with the arrest and identity of two suspects. June 29, 6:35 a.m.: This article was updated with the toddlers sex and relationship to the woman. This article was originally published at 10:15 a.m. KIMBERLY EPLER Staff Writer VISTA -- A former Carlsbad attorney was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Friday, 10 months after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder for shooting his girlfriend during a confrontation over a broken date. Advertisement James Bottomley, 52, never denied killing Marietta Cordero Birbilis, 46, in the entryway of her Escondido home on Feb. 15, 2000, but he said he committed the crime in the heat of passion. During his trial, Bottomley said he was upset over her relationship with another man when he took a gun over to Birbilis house to elicit her sympathy by threatening suicide. On Friday, dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit, a thinner, paler Bottomley spoke for nearly half an hour before he was sentenced. First, he apologized to Birbilis family. Then Bottomley spoke at length about betraying his ex-wife, his anguish at the crime he committed, his bout with depression and how, before the shooting, he tried to live an honest and moral life. I have been in agony with remorse and suffering every day of the last 16 months and I should be, Bottomley said, his voice breaking with emotion at points. Marietta did not deserve to die. Bottomley also told his family that his shame was not their shame and his guilt was not their guilt. Bottomleys sister, ex-wife and twin daughters tearfully addressed the court on his behalf, calling him a gentle man who drifted in a chasm of mental illness. Our pain and suffering can only be surpassed by yours, his sister, Jennifer Bottomley Qwynne, told Birbilis family. Before handing down the sentence, Superior Court Judge John Einhorn expressed his sympathy to Birbilis family. He also said he could offer no explanation as to why Bottomley went from being a devoted father, successful lawyer and community supporter to a self-absorbed murderer. Einhorn called Bottomley an embarrassment to his profession and the court. This court takes absolutely no joy in participating in this process today, Einhorn said, adding he was satisfied Bottomley had received a fair trial. Earlier this week, Einhorn denied Bottomleys request to lower the conviction to involuntary manslaughter and denied a motion for a new trial based on allegations of insufficient counsel and prosecutorial and jury misconduct. At the sentencing, several members of the Birbilis family gave tearful accounts of how her death has changed their lives. Her mother, Rosario Cordero, said the numerous delays in Bottomleys sentencing had worried the family. Since the verdict was handed down, we have been agonizing while waiting for this day, she told the court. We thought justice delayed would be justice denied, but we are grateful justice will always prevail. Oscar Cordero, Birbilis older brother, said the sentencing was a big relief. Contact staff writer Kimberly Epler at (760) 739-6644 or kepler@nctimes.com. 6/16/01 A charge has been dropped against the only official to face criminal indictment related to the arrest of Sandra Bland, a black woman who was found hanged in her Texas jail cell three days after her arrest and whose name became a rallying cry in protests against racial bias in policing. Former State Trooper Brian Encinia, who pulled Bland over on July 10, 2015, in Prairie View, Texas, for failing to use a turn signal, no longer faces a perjury charge for making a false statement about the arrest, according to papers filed Wednesday at the Waller County Courthouse in Hempstead, northwest of Houston. The dismissal of the charge comes more than a year after a grand jury said Encinia lied when he wrote in an affidavit justifying the arrest that he removed Bland from her car to conduct a safer traffic investigation. Advertisement Family members and civil rights officials had protested that assertion, pointing to a viral dash cam video of an escalating confrontation with Bland where the officer said he would yank her out of the vehicle, threatened to use a stun gun and said he would light you up as she refused to put out a cigarette and step out. Three days after her arrest, Bland, 28, who could not make a $5,000 bond, was found dead in her jail cell. The death was ruled a suicide as protests grew over her arrest family representatives said it was a needless arrest and death for a routine traffic violation and activists aired criticism of the jail and about the circumstances of her death. They included pointing out that jail officials had insight into Blands mental health history, including a suicide attempt the year before her arrest, but did not place her on suicide watch or check her cell often enough. Encinias attorney, Houston-based Chip Lewis, hailed the dismissal of the charge on Wednesday. My client was just a scapegoat. It was an answer to the public pressure over a young ladys death, Lewis said. It wasnt Mr. Encinias fault. He did not commit any criminal act. He would do anything in the world to go back and change the circumstances if he could, said Lewis, who said his client was a victim of righteous outcry over the death of Sandra Bland. Before the special prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charge, Encinia said he no longer wanted to work in law enforcement, and surrendered his Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license, Lewis said. Encinia was formally fired in March 2016 after the indictment. He ended up the poster child for police brutality, Lewis said, and now, Hes got a family to raise. A Bland family lawyer, Cannon Lambert, said he was shocked at the news. He said he was dismayed the family was not given notice of it. You cannot expect communities to feel confident with the system if officers are caught lying in written documents and are not held accountable, he said. The notion that the special prosecutor would make a decision like this in the face of the kind of case this is without communicating with the family is deplorable. The dismissal of the charge closes one of the last unresolved chapters of years of protests, investigations, civil court proceedings and legislation related to Blands arrest and death. The same grand jury that had indicted Encinia also found no felony was committed by jailers or the Waller County Sheriffs Office. In September, Blands family settled for $1.9 million with Waller County and the Texas Department of Public Safety in a wrongful death lawsuit. This month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law the Sandra Bland Act. It forces county jails to send people with mental health and drug abuse issues to treatment, eases the ability of defendants to get personal bond if they have a mental or intellectual disability, and requires independent law agencies to investigate prison deaths. jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com mhennessyfiske@latimes.com Charges of sexual offenses against one of the Vaticans top-ranking prelates have placed new pressure on Pope Francis to make good on pledges to root out, punish and prevent abuses that have shaken the Roman Catholic Church worldwide. Cardinal George Pell, the most senior church official to be implicated in a far-flung scandal of decades standing, said Thursday that he would return to his native Australia to face the charges against him. He dismissed the charges as relentless character assassination. Advertisement The cardinal, who is a senior advisor to Francis, told reporters in Vatican City that the pontiff had granted him a leave of absence to contest the charges, which bring the globe-spanning abuse allegations directly to the gates of the Vatican. Although cases of priest-committed pedophilia and their wrenchingly long-lasting repercussions remain an open wound in dozens of dioceses across the United States and other countries, it is rare for direct allegations of abuse to reach the level of a cardinal, each of whom is known as a prince of the church. Australian authorities described the charges against Pell as centering on sex offenses committed decades ago in Australia historical crimes, in police language. Pell had already come under withering scrutiny in his homeland for allegedly helping to cover up sexual predation by others while he held senior church positions in Australia. From his humble beginnings as a parish priest, Pell, 76, rose to become the Vaticans powerful finance czar, tasked by Francis with untangling the convoluted accounting practices of the churchs worldwide empire. The cardinals sidelining could significantly hamper that ambitious reform effort, which has drawn significant hostility from elements of the Vatican bureaucracy. The abuse scandal, which has colored successive papacies, is a far more visible public battle. Francis has pledged zero tolerance for sexual abuse within the clerical ranks and has offered personal apologies to victims for past sexual predation and the churchs attempts to diminish and deny it. Yet he has also come under criticism for alleged foot-dragging and failure to forcefully confront institutional resistance to transparency and accountability. Clearly, this case is going to turn up the heat on this popes record on examination of sexual abuse, said John Allen, the editor of Crux, an independent website covering the Vatican and the church. But he predicted that Pell, who in his youth excelled at the rough-and-tumble sport of Australian rules football, would aggressively fight the charges. The cardinal, who did not take questions during his Vatican City appearance, has been ordered to appear before a court in Melbourne on July 18. I am looking forward finally to having my day in court, Pell told reporters. I repeat that I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me. The charges originated in the Australian state of Victoria, where police said, without providing details, that there were multiple charges from multiple complainants lodged against Pell. For many victims in the U.S. and elsewhere, the cardinals case revives painful memories of being disbelieved and dismissed after suffering abuses in childhood at the hands of priests who were respected, even beloved, in their communities. In one of the most notorious U.S. cases, in the Archdiocese of Boston, abuse and cover-ups involving hundreds of clergy and thousands of victims, many dating back decades, were documented in a 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning series by the Boston Globe and the 2015 movie Spotlight. But new accusations, of abuse and systematic attempts to conceal it, continue to surface. During his visit to the United States in 2015, Francis disappointed and surprised many victims and advocates when he appeared to praise American bishops for their handling of abuse cases. Although the pope has since expressed sympathy for those who suffered abuse, Vatican follow-up has been inadequate, said Thomas Doyle, a canon lawyer and priest who has worked with victims of pedophile priests in the U.S. for more than three decades Hopefully, this will get the popes attention, not only about Pell but about the problem in general, he said. The pope has done nothing so far. Theres a lot of disappointment among victims. With the Pell case throwing into sharp relief a long-standing sense of alienation and anger, the case could have grave ramifications for Francis papacy, some Vatican watchers said. It poses an enormous credibility challenge, said Cristina Traina, a religion professor at Northwestern University. It needs to be taken quite seriously. Statements of regret and distress and promises to do better in the future at this point are inadequate. Critics point to an enormous backlog of sexual abuse cases that have gone unacted upon. In 2014, Francis created a commission including two abuse victims to advise on the weeding out of predator priests, but the two victims Peter Saunders and Marie Collins left the commission amid frustrations over its inaction. Collins said in an online post that though she was reserving judgment on whether Pell was guilty of committing abuse, he should have been made to answer to allegations he took part in cover-ups and should never have attained the prominent post he was given by Francis. He should never have been allowed to hide out in the Vatican to avoid having to face those in his home country who needed answers, Collins wrote on her website. The case will take time to wend its way through Australian courts, and the outcome could ultimately color Francis overall legacy, some observers said. His very image as a bold reformer hangs in the balance here, depending on what measures he takes in the aftermath of the Pell case, said Andrew Chesnut, a professor of religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Sex abuse cases are the Achilles heel of his papacy. Previously, Pell said he was ill and declined to return to Australia to testify in a government inquiry, answering questions instead in February 2016 by video link from a Rome hotel. The cardinal has acknowledged catastrophic errors on the churchs part in its handling of abuse complaints, but denied any personal wrongdoing. So far, the Vatican has been largely supportive of Pell. Last year, when police confirmed that the cardinal was under investigation for sex offenses, Francis said it was important not to rush to judgment. Its in the hands of the justice system, and one cannot judge before the justice system, the pontiff said then. After the justice system speaks, I will speak. Some Vatican watchers, however, pointed to a degree of papal distancing from Pell. A Vatican spokesman said Thursday that effective immediately the cardinal would not be taking place in liturgical celebrations. The Vatican, which is a sovereign city-state in the middle of Rome, has sometimes sheltered church officials from criminal allegations. Under previous popes, it sheltered officials wanted by other countries. That included even Italy, which was rebuffed when it sought the handover of Archbishop Paul Marcinkus, the then-head of the Vatican bank who was wanted for questioning about the fraudulent bankruptcy of a private Italian bank. But Francis took a tougher line toward Jozef Wesolowski, a former archbishop who was accused of paying shoeshine boys for sex while serving as papal ambassador in the Dominican Republic. He was recalled and defrocked but was found dead of natural causes in 2015 in his Vatican quarters before he could face a judge. Special correspondent Kington reported from Rome and Times staff writers King from Washington and Kim from Los Angeles. ALSO Abuse survivor quits popes child-protection panel, citing lack of cooperation in the Vatican Conservative opposition to Pope Francis spurs talk of a schism in the Catholic Church Vatican panel kicks off meeting on sexual abuse by watching Spotlight UPDATES: 2:55 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional comments and background. 7:20 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with Times reporting. This article was originally published at 4:05 a.m. Whoever broke into a 97-year-old womans Pacific Beach home and set it on fire early Monday left a trail of blood inside the house, authorities said. By time firefighters arrived around 12:15 a.m. Monday, the home on Soledad Road near Alta Vista Way was engulfed in flames. It caused about $250,000 in damage. Investigators later determined that someone had entered the house through a broken window and apparently was cut in the process, said San Diego police Lt. Eric Hays, who oversees the Metro Arson Strike Team. He said the intruder set several fires in different locations around the house. Advertisement We had quite a bit of blood at the scene, so there was a lot of evidence there, Hays said. He said the blood hasnt yet been analyzed and no suspect has been identified. It isnt clear if the intruder was a burglar or had some other intent. Police were still trying to determine if anything was taken from the home. We are not really sure, Hays said. Generally burglars dont light the house on fire even to cover their tracks. They are just in there to steal whatever they can get rid of.. The homeowner wasnt staying at home at the time. A friend who has been in contact with her said shes doing fine. karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com Two San Diego police officers were legally justified when they fatally shot a 15-year-old boy armed with a BB gun in the parking lot of Torrey Pines High School, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has determined. The boy had placed a 911 call that sent officers to the school in the pre-dawn hours of May 6. Evidence, including a suicide note found in his pocket, showed he had planned the incident that resulted in his death, a statement from Dumanis office released Wednesday afternoon said. Police said the teen, Jacob Peterson, pointed a black pistol at Officer Gilbert Flores and Officer Kai Johnson after they arrived at the Carmel Valley school, and that he ignored their orders to drop the gun. Both officers fired. It was later determined the gun was an air soft pistol. Advertisement Neither officer bears any criminal liability for their actions, Dumanis said. Flores is a 28-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department and Johnson has been with the department for four years. The officers body-worn cameras captured the shooting, but the video will not be released, the district attorney said. Although police leaders agreed in a policy crafted last year to release officer-involved shooting videos in most instances, a number of caveats, including the privacy of those involved, allows them to keep it private. Officials said they were not releasing the video for several reasons, including that the deceased was a minor and his mother requested the footage not be made public. This was a terrible tragedy for the boys family, friends, classmates and the community in which he lived, Dumanis spokesman Steve Walker said in a statement. His mother has requested the video not be released to avoid additional suffering and anguish for the family and we are respecting her wishes to maintain her familys privacy, he said. Jacobs mother declined to comment on Dumanis findings when reached via a text message. The District Attorneys Office said in a news release it was also concerned that releasing the video could influence other teens. Release of the video and extensive details of the shooting would undoubtedly cause further trauma to students and teachers at Torrey Pines High School, the release said. Seeing video images of the last moments of a 15-year-old boys life does not serve a public interest, in this instance. The news release also noted that suicide rates have increased over the past several years, especially among adolescents and young adults. It cited statistics from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, which show a 50 percent increase in potential suicide attempts by adolescents from 2012 to 2016. Jacobs classmates were shocked by the shooting, saying the teen did not appear depressed. School administrators said there were no reports the boy had been bullied. Investigators did not release the contents of the teens suicide note. PREVIOUS San Dieguito Union High School District superintendent, Eric Dill discusses the resources that will be provided to students returning to Torrey Pines High School after a teen was fatally shot by police after he pulled BB gun on them. karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com ALSO: Student suicides: Is there more we could have done? Experts: Suicide by cop cases are hard to prevent The controversy behind Netflixs teen-suicide drama 13 Reasons Why A judge declined to rule Wednesday on a state lawsuit to strike down a San Francisco ballot measure that can limit the height of waterfront buildings, setting the stage for a September trial over whether voters anywhere in California can have a say on coastal development. The State Lands Commission, chaired by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, is suing to overturn the Sierra Clubs Proposition B, passed by 59% of San Francisco voters in 2014. It requires voter approval for any waterfront project that exceeds the citys height limit. The commission says California law bars voters from playing a direct role in the use of public waterfront. Advertisement At a San Francisco Superior Court hearing, Judge Suzanne Bolanos tentatively rejected the Lands Commissions request that she immediately invalidate Proposition B without a trial. She also denied the citys request that she dismiss the case. But in a preliminary ruling, Bolanos rebuffed the states argument that Proposition B automatically puts local wishes for such things as lower buildings ahead of San Franciscos duty to safeguard the waterfront for the benefit of the public statewide. The commission has failed to explain how or whether Proposition Bs stated intent conflicts with statewide interests, she said, referring to the ballot measures description as an effort to preserve San Franciscos unique and vibrant vital waterfront with public views of the city and bay. Deputy Atty. Gen. Joel S. Jacobs, the Lands Commissions lawyer, told the judge it was impossible to know whether voters weighing in on waterfront projects were looking out primarily for the whole state or just for San Francisco. We dont know why theyre voting the way they are, he said. Christine Van Aken, a San Francisco deputy city attorney, told the judge that the state had produced no evidence that Proposition B had led the city to approve waterfront projects that run afoul of state law on coastal protection. Newsom, a Democrat running for governor, argued last week that the commission was not targeting San Francisco. Rather, he said, it was keeping pro-development voters elsewhere in California from approving projects on the coast. In San Francisco, where he was mayor from 2004 to 2011, Newsom has long been closely allied with real-estate developers, a mainstay of his campaign support. State Treasurer John Chiang, another Democrat running for governor, was also on the Lands Commission when it sued San Francisco. michael.finnegan@latimes.com @finneganLAT ALSO Gavin Newsom faces backlash as state fights Sierra Club and San Francisco over waterfront Newsom defends states lawsuit over San Francisco waterfront development The race to become Californias next governor is already awash in cash Updates on California politics Regarding East County group getting serious about helping homeless (June 14): East County is in desperate need for a full-time, permanent, residential homeless shelter. The homeless problem has become epidemic in this area, especially in the El Cajon epicenter. The number of homeless is highly visible and increasing at an exponential rate. The homeless shelters in downtown San Diego are full and inaccessible to East County homeless. There are local churches that help, but their resources are limited and they cannot provide the full-time residential care necessary. Advertisement We need to build a full-service homeless shelter in the East County area and find a way to maintain it financially, with continual monthly expenses. Through volunteers, donations, public funding or philanthropists, there must be a cost-effective way to make this happen. These are human beings and they need to be prioritized. They deserve quality of life and support instead of being ignored and forgotten as marginalized members of society. Barbara Ann Cooper El Cajon Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Dont make city of El Cajon cover all homeless costs The plan presented by the East County Homeless Task Force is a farce. Yes, there is a problem. Yes, something needs to be done about it. However, the burden should not be on the city of El Cajon alone. The article says a coalition made up of East County community groups, businesses and residents has developed specific strategies to reduce homelessness in the region. This task force wants the city of El Cajon to pay $200,000. These coalition members should also share the burden and not just dump it on El Cajon. Are they too good to have homeless in their cities? Instead of preaching, let them put their money where their mouths are and actively participate in a solution. N. Lewis El Cajon Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. A 2017-18 budget calling for modest pay raises for employees, higher expenditures for law enforcement and healthy reserve funds has been unanimously adopted by the Poway City Council. The city remains in solid financial shape, for the time being, councilmembers were told during their June 20 meeting. Looking ahead toward 2020 and beyond, revenues streams will likely decline while pension and law enforcement costs will increase to the point where year-end surpluses may not be automatic, the council was told. The approved budget for the year starting July 1 totals $90.2 million in revenues and $82 million in expenses. The general fund, from which most city services are funded, shows $45.5 million in revenue and $44.3 million in expenses. Salaries and benefits for the citys 251 employees take up 36 percent of the overall budget. For 2017-18, the budget calls for 1.12 fewer full-time equivalent positions. In related actions, the council approved labor agreements with two the citys three employee groups and a new five-year contract with the county for law enforcement services. Affected are the citys 107 non-safety employees represented by Teamsters Local 911 and 77 management/confidential employees. Workers in both groups will received pay raises of 3.5 percent as of July 1 of this year and 2 percent starting July 1, 2018. The city will increase its share of dependent health plan costs from 50 to 60 percent. Longer-tenured employees will increase their contributions to retirement plans. The city and the Poway Firefighters Association are still in contract talks. The agreement with the county calls for the San Diego County Sheriffs Department to provide 50 employees to staff the Poway station. For 2017-18 the contract will cost the city $11.8 million. Costs are expected to increase annually by between 4.5 and 6 percent, largely due to high pension plan expenses. To help keep costs in line, the council deleted one detective position, saving the city about $175,000 annually. The budget adds $7.8 million to the citys Capital Improvement Program, including $3.75 million for rehabilitation of the aging water and sewer systems, $3.3 million for repairs to other public facilities and $750,000 for streets and drainage. Twenty public works projects are planned during the year, including the renovation of the swim center in Community Park. Energy savings of about $455,000 are projected once two new solar generating systems come online in about six months. They will be built behind Fire Station No. 3 and at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. The savings will benefit the general, water and sewer funds. General fund budget reserve funds are pegged at $19.5 million. The city has a new policy of maintaining a general fund reserve equivalent to 45 percent of the annual operating budget. To meet that goal, $669,420 of the projected $1.22 million operating surplus for 2017-18 will be assigned to reserves. The new budget was endorsed by the five members of the citizen Budget Review Committee. A report authored by Chairman Peter F. Murray concluding the city is in good shape financially. Our unanimous assessment is that the City of Poway continues to be fiscally sound, well managed, self-reliant and financially proactive while remaining conservative in its outlook, the report said. Email: editor@pomeradonews.com When I chose to commit over a decade of my life and incur hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical school debt to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, I believed that my training and studies would permit me to heal the sick and save lives. I still want to believe that. However, as any physician today can confirm, much of my time is now occupied with complying with rules, regulations and red tape imposed by government bureaucrats. It also entails begging for the approval of medically-necessary treatment from faceless insurance company operatives who force me to listen to Muzak when I should be attending to my patients. One study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that emergency room doctors spend 43 percent of their time entering electronic records, but only 28 percent with patients. Most doctors I know say they spend 70 to 80 percent of their time entering clinical data and documentation. The Direct Primary Care Coalition estimates that 40 percent of all primary care revenue goes to claims processing and profit for insurance companies. The problem has become so serious that thousands of doctors are leaving or considering leaving the profession. This has worsened since the arrival of Obamacare with its mandated Electronic Health Records requirement. With a pricetag of $27 billion, the EHR mandate has resulted in many small medical practices closing up and physicians either taking early retirements or selling out to corporate medical or hospital groups in order to afford the cost of converting to electronic records. Doctors are literally extorted to go paperless by having their Medicare payments cut if they do not. Thats just one example. Lets take a look at the coding monstrosity. In the 1980s, Medicare imposed price controls (i.e., socialism) on doctors who treated the elderly. The controls forced us to use complicated coding classifications to submit our claims to the government. The codes were tied to a fee schedule. Hospitals were required to submit to a similar coding system. This process has not only forced doctors to try to fit round pegs into square holes, consuming vast amounts of time that could be better spent with patients, but it incentivized hospitals to submit as many diagnostic codes as possible to the government in order to increase the Medicare payday. Private insurers soon followed the Medicare example and imposed coding regulations on physicians. By making their income dependent on how much they could bill the insurance companies, many doctors began spending more and more time focusing on navigating codes to generate revenue for their practice than spending time with their patients. Many medical practices actually employ coding specialists and maximizing profits from codes, which has become something of a cottage industry in some places. Next, we had the rise of HMOs, PPOs and various sorts of networks which the insurance companies designed to ration care. Physicians, their staffs and patients spend endless hours trying to figure out if a certain doctor or hospital is within the network or not, often receiving contradictory information from the insurance company and the medical provider. Often, a patient will be assured that a doctor is in network only to find out later that wasnt the case when a big unexpected bill arrives in the mail. The current course in health care is unsustainable. It doesnt work for patients or doctors. It does work for government MediCrats, insurance companies and giant hospitals. The answer can be found in the direct-payer health care reform known as the Medical Association Membership which frees doctors to treat their patients as their training, judgment and circumstances dictate, and gives patients the power to choose who provides their care and what it costs, not Washington, Sacramento or the highly-paid CEO of Anthem Blue Cross. Veltmeyer is chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sharp Grossmont Hospital or its staff. Email: editor@pomeradonews.com Two questions for columnist I wholeheartedly agree with Dick Lyles June 15 column regarding hate fatigue. Those Democrats and others on the left that use insulting language and obscene acts to criticize the president are only hurting their own cause. Mr. Lyles quoted two very appropriate observations that attest to this, one from Martin Luther King, Jr., the other from Coretta Scott King. I have but two questions for Mr. Lyles: Who does he think the Kings would have supported before the election of Donald Trump and what does he think they would have thought of him now? Harold Mensch Poway Right forfeited Immediately after reading Dick Lyles column about spawning a culture of hate, I was struck by his belief that you lose your own humanity and forfeit our own right to respect, by attacking people as though they are not people. The lack of self-awareness displayed by Lyles is troubling. In the same article he relegates several people to the inhuman status of gutter dwellers. He writes in fervent defense of a president who acted with hatred and bigotry toward the black, Latino, Muslim and disabled communities in the past, as though they are not people. While defending institutional bigotry and the denial of facts, he paints liberals with a broad brush as the purveyors of hate. By his own standard, Mr. Lyles has forfeited his right to respect. Rob McDonnell Poway Where was Lyles? Dick Lyles seems to have a selective memory of recent history. While he finds it convenient to quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, he seems only to remember many others on the left as creating hate fatigue. If we had an honest discussion, would there be any on the right of the political spectrum who also have spewed hateful invectives? Where was Dick when president Obama needed his support? Think back to the eight years of Barack Obamas presidency. Enough said. Thomas Ross Ferriolo Rancho Bernardo Lyles is full of hate Even though I try to avoid reading Dick Lyles comments, I must admit just skimming through them is very upsetting. Mr. Lyles, along with Donald Trump, seems to be obsessed with the idea of pitting liberals against conservatives. Many of us have friends and love ones that embrace different political ideas and values and we still love and respect them. Our opposition to President Trump is not because he is a Republican. It is because of his temperament and how he conducts himself on a daily basis, right before the eyes of the entire world. It is frightening that Trump is the leader of our country. We are all human beings, not Republicans or Democrats. I noticed he only points out human tragedies that support his messages of hate and division. We could all do that, but we choose not to go down that road. He dares to mention the name of Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta King. They were not on the same page with him. Their goals were to unite us and encourage us to love and support one another. I would like to suggest to Mr. Lyles that when he is alone sometime, to find a quiet place, go inside of himself and honestly get in touch with what it is that prompts him to constantly drive his negative messages of hate and divisiveness. Hopefully the truth will set him free. I hope someday he will realize that our diversities are what really make us great as a country. We are all in this together and in spite of our different realities and opinions, we need to work together. Our country deserves it and so do future generations. Ren Daniels Rancho Bernardo Sick of the vitriol I have no political party affiliation. I consider myself fiscally conservative/socially moderate. Frankly, I am sick of the vitriol from both parties. I commend Dick Lyles for exhorting Democrats/liberals to stop the hate mongering, however Republicans/conservatives need the same exhortation. Has Mr. Lyles forgotten the heinous images of President Obama being lynched or burned in effigy? Former First Lady Michelle Obama, an accomplished woman with degrees from both Harvard and Princeton, was called an ape in heels. Candidate Trump encouraged his supporters to punch out those who disagreed with him, even assuring supporters that he would pay their legal fees. Trump called Hillary Clinton Crooked Hillary and nasty woman while his supporters chanted lock her up. The Hillary-haters are still venting their anger. They recently castigated her for wearing patriotic sneakers to a Memorial Day march. The presidents son, Eric Trump, stated that Democrats are not even people. Mr. Lyles contends that Democrats need a message other than wed rather see America fail than allow President Trump to succeed. Wasnt that the Republicans message when Mitch McConnell said The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.? Republicans and Democrats could go back and forth citing examples of each others viciousness, but that doesnt solve anything, does it? A step in the right direction would be for Mr. Lyles to acknowledge that while the Democratic Party might be, as he contends, spawning a culture of hate, the Republicans are equally guilty. Susan C. Davis Poway Email: editor@pomeradonews.com BOX OFFICE LEADERS Transformers: The Last Knight PG-13 While the humans are at war with the Transformers, a new alliance forms with Cade, Bumblebee, and others. Cars 3 G In this third installment of the personified racing cars, Lightning McQueen seeks to prove he is still every bit the racer to the younger cars. Wonder Woman PG-13 Diana, Princess of the Amazons, learns of evil outside of her world and becomes a crusading crime fighter, Wonder Woman. 47 Meters Down PG-13 Two sisters are trapped in a shark cage with an hours worth of oxygen in the tank while great whites are circling the cage. All Eyez on Me R The true story of rapper, actor, poet, and activist Tupace Shakur is portrayed through his works as his legacy continues to grow. Mummy PG-13 A deceased princess comes to life from her buried crypt and begins a reign of evil that has grown to unspeakable heights over time. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales PG-13 In this fifth installment, Captain Jack takes his men on a search for Poseidons trident. Rough Night R A wild night ensues as the bachelorette party enjoys drinking, dancing, and an uninhibited male stripper until he turns up dead. Captain Underpants PG George and Harold play the ultimate prank at their school by hypnotizing the principal into believing hes Capt. Underpants. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 PG13 The team ventures to discover the mystery of Peter Quills true origins in the boundaries of the galaxy. ***ALSO PLAYING IN THEATERS*** Alien: Covenant, Band Aid, Beatriz at Dinner, The Book of Henry, The Burden, Christine, Dean, Da Co Hoai Lang Hello Vietnam, Family Life, Hearing Is Believing, The Hero, The House on Coco Road, Megan Leavey, My Cousin Rachel, Paris Can Wait, A Quiet Passion, Tubelight, Wakefield. Coming to Theaters on June 30 Despicable Me 3 PG Gru meets Dru, his obnoxiously perfect twin brother, who wants Gru to join him in one final but memorable criminal heist. Stars: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove. Directed by Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin, Eric Guillon. The House R When Dad blows his daughters college fund, what better way to fill the kitty than starting an illegal gambling casino in the basement? Stars: Will Ferrell, Jeremy Renner, Nick Kroll, Allison Tolman. Directed by Andrew Jay Cohen. Coming Soon: Past Life, Vincent and Roxxy, Maudie, The Journey, The Big Sick, The Bad Batch, The Beguiled, Baby Driver, Amityville: The Awakening, 13 Minutes, The Little Hours, The B-Side: Elfa Dorfmans Portrait Photography. New on DVD Power Rangers PG Five teens have been endowed with super powers but must unify to fight off alien invaders bent on destroying our planet Earth. CHIPs R The reprisal of the popular TV series continues with two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers teaming up to fight big city crime. The Belko Experiment R In a game of survival, a group of 80 Americans is locked in a high-rise office and ordered by a voice to kill or be killed. T2: Trainspotting R Danny Boyle directs a sequel to the brilliant cult classic as Mark comes back to Scotland and joins Spud, Sick Boy, and Begbie. Foreign, Classics, Documentaries, and more: Absolutely Anything, Berlin Syndrome, Correspondence, Money, Autopsy of Jane Doe, Feed the Light, Macadam Stories, Dunkirk, Grey Lady. Television: Prison Break Event, The Strain s3, Detective Montalbano 29-30, Striking Out series 1, Midsomer Murders series 19. The number of refugees crossing into China to escape fighting in Myanmar fell to a trickle Monday as government forces appeared to have defeated an ethnic militia. Hundreds of rebels from the largely ethnic Chinese Kokang region have already fled clashes in northeastern Myanmar, surrendering their weapons and uniforms to Chinese border police and crossing to safety after several days of skirmishes. Myanmars military junta said three days of fighting had killed 26 government soldiers and at least eight rebels. It said the fighting had ended and the region has now regained stability. Advertisement The United Nations and Chinese officials say more than 30,000 civilian refugees have streamed into China to escape the fighting, which broke out last week after hundreds of Myanmar soldiers moved into Kokang, a region run by a local militia. Myanmar is trying to consolidate control over several armed ethnic groups along its borders to ensure smooth conditions for next years national elections, the first in nearly 20 years. Several groups are resisting pressure to join with the military to become border guards ahead of the elections. There was no way to independently verify the refugee figures, and Associated Press reporters were barred access to refugee camps, where small groups of two or three refugees continued to arrive on Monday morning, a sharp drop from the large numbers who entered over the weekend. A factory manager in the Chinese border town of Nansan said Monday the number of people crossing the border had dropped to almost zero, and no shooting in the area had been heard since about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Its all calm now, said the man, who gave only his surname, Li. Local government officials and police refused to comment. The clashes and the flow of refugees have strained Beijings close relations with Myanmars military junta, prompting a rare demand last week from Chinas Foreign Ministry for Myanmar to end the fighting and protect the interests of Chinese citizens in the area. Chinas official Xinhua News Agency said Myanmar had apologized for the death of one Chinese national from three artillery shells fired into Chinese territory. That followed Chinas issuing of a stern representation over the matter, Xinhua said. The agency quoted local police chief Meng Sutie as saying 37,000 people, both Burmese and Chinese, had fled into China since the fighting broke out. The crisis comes amid an all-out push by China to ensure stability ahead of Oct. 1 celebrations to mark 60 years of communist rule. China borders a number of volatile states, including Pakistan and North Korea, and the countrys leaders have struggled to maintain order within the country, particularly in Tibet and Xinjiang, where ethnic minorities have chafed against rule from Beijing. Myanmars conflict area is on the fringe of the drug-producing Golden Triangle region where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet. Many of the ethnic armies there have used the trade in heroin and amphetamines to finance their operations, with much of their product smuggled into China. Myanmar, also known as Burma, is the second largest exporter of heroin after Afghanistan. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/29/2017 -- The luxury cars market is always trying new trends for introducing compact models to reach out to young car buyers in the hope of boosting their sales. Look into this profitable trend, a new study has been included into the vast online repository of Market Research Hub (MRH), with the title ''China-Luxury Cars - June 2017''. The report hopes to offer a precise evaluation of the most viable factors such as strategies of the best players, as well as reveal the consumer analysis and brand perceptions. Request Free Sample Report: http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1169094 In todays' scenario, the strategy by luxury car brands is to build customizable car models with attractive appearances, and recreate a newer brand image with expertise and genuineness. The report begins with the clear overview, together with the executive summary and a detailed description of all the issues and insights in this market. Later, the market size and forecast, alongside the market drivers as well as the key players are also evaluated. In this section, readers can gain enriching guidelines about the market share, competitive strategies and the current innovations. By evaluating the factors such as luxury car definition, attitudes towards luxury car prices and the reasons for purchasing luxury cars, the study enables improving the production line. Another important part of the study is the awareness about luxury car brands among the general public in China. In this section, the study reveals concepts and knowledge about leading brands in this market, where the brand images of Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo are analyzed. Alongside, the perception of British car brands plus Volvo, together with the brand images of American car brands are also evaluated in this report. Moreover, interesting perception data about American car brands and brand images of Japanese cars are also furnished. In this report, important factors such as the attention on exterior and interior features, data on the mintropolitans (mints) and holistic brand experience are all well-evaluated. By introspecting the perceived reasons for purchasing luxury cars, in terms of mints and non-mints, as well as the meaning of the term 'this is my car,' the study wants to help new investors to understand the present market needs. Browse Full Report with TOC - http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/luxury-cars-china-june-2017-report.html Inside this intelligent report, there is also useful analysis of the most impressive brands such as Porsche, Lincoln, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar. It also depicts the annual sales growth of luxury car brands, during the time between 2015 and 2016. Similarly, the rise of American luxury car brands and the visible performance of Japanese car brands are also available. Make an Enquiry for this Report - http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1169094 About Market Research Hub Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRH's expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps. MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients. Contact Us 90 State Street, Albany, NY 12207, United States Toll Free : 866-997-4948 (US-Canada) Tel : +1-518-621-2074 Email : press@marketresearchhub.com Website : http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ Read Industry News at - https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ China has recently taken a more decisive lead in the world of renewable energy. With the United States backing out of the Paris Climate Agreement, China has shown just how much can be done without coal and natural gas. Last week China demonstrated how viable a total switch to a renewable energy grid can be. The Chinese ran an entire province of more than 5 million citizens on completely renewable energy for 7 days. Between June 17 and 23, the Chinese province of Qinghai survived entirely on 100% renewable energy, incuding solar, wind and hydro power. The operation was a trial conducted by the State Grid Corporation of China to demonstrate that fossil fuels are not needed to meet energy needs. "Being the first trial of this kind in the country and a major step in the transformation of energy supply, it will be of great importance in promoting the use of clean energy in China in a sustainable and effective way," said Quan Shenming, general manager of Qinghai Electric Power Corporation. During the trial, electricity use amounted to 1.1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), which would have required about 535,000 tons of coal. About 72 percent of the energy came from hydro power with the rest coming from wind and solar power. The successful test trial of a grid being run on renewable energy flies in the face of what Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and other conservatives have claimed. Many skeptics of renewable energy claim that the grid cannot be run on renewable alone and that coal is needed to provide the "baseload" of power to the grid. Perry has asked for a study to show how much the grid needs a "baseload" that is supplied by coal and natural gas. "I've asked the staff of the Department of Energy to undertake a critical review of regulatory burdens placed by the previous administration on baseload generators," Perry said. "Baseload power is critical to a well-functioning grid. ... But over the last several years, grid experts have expressed concern about the erosion of critical baseload resources." Perry said that under his leadership, the Department of Energy will do what it can to ensure baseload generating capacity, such as coal and nuclear power, "is not tossed aside in the name of some political favorite." It is of course Perry and several other conservative politicians who are playing political favorites because they are in the pocket of big oil -- the reason that they heap scorn on renewable. Renewable energy competes with big oil and takes money from Perry's most ardent political supporters. Renewable energy is cheap and produces no carbon. It is more efficient, cleaner and is clearly the future of energy. Perry contends that the power grid is actually being put in peril because of its reliance on renewable, a statement immediately undercut by Colette Honorable, a commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Honorable said that the introduction of greater amounts of renewable energy has "absolutely not" harmed grid reliability. It is a sad day in America when we have to take enviromental advice from the Chinese. We used to lead the world in the renewable energy race. Now it seems that we have fallen behind and lack even the desire to catch up. An Irish astronomer from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies has captured the most detailed photo ever of a sun that is not Earths own Sun. Called Betelgeuse, the recently imaged star is a red supergiant that is located in the constellation Orion. It is around 1,400 the size of the Sun with a billion times more volume. According to Popular Mechanics, an international research team led by Dr. Eamon OGorman created the detailed photograph with the help of the largest radio telescope in the world, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The scientists also found that the stars temperature in its inner atmosphere is not uniform, a phenomenon that could not only help them know how such stars are heated but also eventually find out how they are created. ALMA now provides us with the capabilities to image surface features on nearby stars while also directly measuring the temperature of these features, Dr. OGorman said in the official statement. "We have known for years that the visible surface of Betelgeuse is not uniform, but ALMA has now shown us in detail that the temperature in its inner atmosphere is also not uniform. The scientist has also suggested that magnetic fields, similarly to what is seen in the Sun, could cause these temperature fluctuations. Incidentally, Betelgeuse, which lies around 650 light-years away, is not only the nearest star to the solar system but its size also makes it a good direct target to photograph by ALMA. The night sky may be full of bright stars; however, they are located so far away and so tiny that even the strongest telescopes on Earth are not able to capture images of these stars surfaces. The newly created image also shows that ALMA has the ability to take detailed images of the largest stars in the sky. Water is known for having strange properties and different from all other liquids. Currently, a new research indicated that water exists in two distinct liquid phases with huge differences in structure and density. The study was printed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (US). It was led by scientists from Stockholm University, according to Phys.org. Anders Nilsson, a professor of Chemical Physics at Stockholm University, said that the new remarkable property is that they discover that water can exist as two different liquids at low temperatures where ice crystallization is slow. The scientist used X-rays at Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago to examine the properties of water. Fivos Perakis, the postdoc at Stockholm University, said that it is very exciting to be able to use X-rays to identify the relative positions of the molecules at different times. He further said that they have been able to follow the transformation of the sample at low temperatures between two phases and demonstrated that there is diffusion as is typical for liquids. Some experts describe water as mysterious and complicated. One of the researchers stated that water is not a complicated liquid, but two simple liquids with a complicated relationship. It is theorized and taught in school that water exists in three distinct phases, namely liquid water, solid ice and water vapor. On the other hand, it is known that water could also exist as a strange plasma-like state. The scientists even identified about 70 properties of liquid water that are wholly unique from all other liquids, according to Science Alert. In the new study, the scientists identified evidence that water exists in two distinct liquid phases. This finding could add to the puzzlement and fascination in understanding the behavior of water. Philip Ball, a British science writer, even said that no one understands water. With the help of a federal grant, Sauk County health officials are going to battle with the nationwide heroin epidemic. During a series of training sessions from now to September, the county will teach people how to administer naloxone, also known as Narcan. Its a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid or heroin overdose if administered in time. More than 59,000 people died nationwide as a result of drug overdoses in 2016, according to data from hundreds of health agencies that recently was compiled by the New York Times. That would be a 19 percent increase from the prior year, the largest national increase ever. This is like a major airline carrier crashing and killing everyone on board every day, Sauk County Health Educator Sara Jesse said during a training session Tuesday in Baraboo. She said roughly one-third of drug overdoses are heroin-related. Opioid addiction is not relegated to those who have chosen to abuse drugs, Jesse said. Many people who have been prescribed pain medication can unintentionally become addicted. These are our coworkers, our friends, our colleagues, our family members, she said. Sauk is one of three Wisconsin counties to receive money from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to prevent overdoses and ensure addicts have access to treatment. The county will receive $225,000 per year over five years. Naloxone training is one piece of that effort. The spray version of the drug can last 20 minutes to an hour, and the injectable version lasts up to 90 minutes. But the effects can wear off, and multiple doses may be required to get someone to snap out of an overdose. Essentially, what youre doing in a nutshell is youre taking someone with opioid in their system and youre throwing them directly into withdrawal, said pharmacist Ross Rortuedt of Genoa, a national pharmacy company that is partnering with the Sauk County Health Department to administer the training. Putting a person into a state of withdrawal eliminates any euphoria they may have experienced from their drug use, and can bring on physical side effects that include vomiting, anxiety, fatigue and sweating. They are going to be extremely upset with you and combative, Rortuedt said. Those who participate in the training sessions become certified to administer naloxone, and receive two free doses. If used, people are encouraged to contact health officials to receive another spray kit, or fill out an incident report. The Wisconsin Population Health Institute plans to track and study data related to the grant effort. The county has upcoming training sessions planned in Baraboo, Reedsburg, Prairie du Sac and Plain. VIROQUA A town of Viroqua horse rescue owner filed three restraining orders Monday against people she said are harassing her after social media blew up with accusations that she was neglecting horses on her farm. The Vernon County Sheriffs Office issued a press release Monday, informing the public about the rescue. According to the sheriffs office, it has received numerous calls reporting neglect or mistreatment of animals. There have been pictures and videos of the horses posted on social media and many people commenting on them. Amanda Everhart, 26, a single mother of two, with one on the way, co-owns the Wisconsin Horse Rescue with her boyfriend. He provides the rent, and I provide for the horses care, Everhart said of the 50-acre farm. Everhart allowed a veterinarian to examine the animals on her property Saturday, according to the sheriffs office. The veterinarian reports the animals are being fed and taken care of at an appropriate level. Some of the animals are thin and look to be in poor health; however, this is not because of neglect or some other treatable disease, Sheriff John Spears said in his statement. Spears says that harassment of Everhart or trespassing on her property will not be tolerated. Everhart said its a case of cyberbullying. One video zooms in on a pair of horses. The person filming it is standing next to a vehicle yelling at people on the farm saying the horse is thin. The horse they are referring to is Phoenix, who was surrendered Nov. 27. She came in starved and was skin and bones and she was covered in barbed-wire cuts; the halter was embedded in her face, Everhart said. She has a bald spot on her face that I flushed with penicillin, I cleaned her feet, Coggins tested her. The test checks for a virus. Everhart said that when Phoenix was surrendered, she was told the horse was 21 years old; however, Everharts veterinarian estimates that the horse is 30 years old. According to Everhart, Phoenix weighed between 600 and 800 pounds when she arrived, and now weighs between 900 and 1,000 pounds. Everhart said she sold her motorcycle, two trucks and two cars to help just to save her (Phoenix) and put money toward the other horses. I was getting donations until the untrue stories. I dont know what I did to prompt this, she said. She said since October she has been cleaning up the farm. I made it beautiful and I made a home for these horses. Since October, 20 horses have been in and out of the rescue. Every one of them has found a permanent home, Everhart said. I will take any horse and in any condition. Currently there are eight horses on the rural Viroqua property, including Phoenix, a video of which was posted on Facebook June 24. Everhart has hung no-trespassing signs on the property. After almost 40 years as CEO of First Weber Realtors, which has grown into Wisconsin's largest real estate company, Jim Imhoff Jr. will be stepping down from his position. The Madison-based company has a staff of 1,400, with more than 70 office locations in Wisconsin. First Weber handled over $3 billion in sales in 2016, with Madison and Milwaukee being its predominant markets. Kevin Donnell, the firm's president since 2002, will take over as CEO on Saturday. Imhoff, 73, will remain active as chairman of the First Weber board. Described as a "pioneer" in the industry by several of his colleagues, Imhoff is known for his political activism, particularly with the Realtors Political Action Committee. Mike Theo, president of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, said that Imhoff has been instrumental in protecting the rights of homeowners. "He believes at his core that when you do things to help homeowners, you're helping Realtors too," Theo said. Imhoff's colleagues said he has long been dedicated not only to First Weber's success, but also to that of the industry at large through his commitment to real estate education and policy advocacy. Theo credited Imhoff's "high visibility" as the product of a "powerful and dominating personality." Said Imhoff: "I'm not one of those people who ever did sleep too much." Imhoff joined what was then known as First Realty in 1972 as a salesman, became an owner in 1976, and then the CEO in 1978. Imhoff has been with the company almost since its inception in 1971, leading it through its transition from First Realty into First Weber in 1996 and its acquisition by HomeServices of America Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, in 2015. "Being involved (in real estate) in Madison and around the state allowed us to meet other real estate firms, that we rolled into First Weber as partners," Imhoff said. "So when we sold to Warren Buffett's operation, we had over 20 partners with varying sizes of interest in our company." Imhoff entered real estate at a time when he considered professionalism to be lacking and credits his father, Jim Imhoff Sr. -- who owned a contracting company and was skeptical about the real estate industry -- with a piece of philosophy that has guided his work. "He said, don't ever be happy in the transaction you're involved in until both buyer and seller are happy," Imhoff said. "Don't walk away from the table where you've got a winner and a loser. Both parties have to be winners." Dave Stark, the president of Stark Company Realtors, has known Imhoff for about 35 years and describes him as one of the "more connected people I've ever known." "Even if you're a competitor, you're a buddy of his," Stark said. Imhoff has been a president of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, a director of the National Association of Realtors and a chairman of the Realtors Political Action Committee. He serves on the board of the real estate programs at both UW-Madison and Marquette University. As a new wave of technology took hold of the real estate industry, Imhoff introduced online tools for would-be buyers, such as a listing activity board to allow instant feedback from agents, and virtual tours of properties. Imhoff also spearheaded the development of an educational and training program called Catapult Accelerate Program, and a First Weber app. Looking forward, the 63-year-old Donnell said he will advocate learning from the market's frequent cycles -- particularly now, with homes in such high demand. Donnell said the company will work on "how to stay in front of (different cycles) and make adjustments to get through those markets in strong shape." What does dining at the new Eno Vino Downtown have in common with seeing the musical Hamilton? People feel moved by the experience and feel the need to take a photo and share it on social media. Its that special. With Eno Vino, on the top two floors of the new, 10-story AC Hotel one block east of the Capitol Square, the big fuss is over the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the Capitol, both lakes and the Downtown. The restaurant offers new perspectives of the city, and, during our visit, the food, drinks, service and general ambiance matched the stellar views. The menu is similar in concept to the 12-year-old Eno Vino on the Far West Side, but the two restaurants only share a handful of dishes. Eno Vino Downtown, which opened May 8, features an upscale selection of tapas-style, small plates heavy on seafood and meat, with a few salad and vegetarian options, flatbreads, bruschetta, and mix-and-match cheese and meat boards. A friend was discouraged that there wasnt more for him on the menu when so many restaurants are making gluten-free accommodations. I feel like I could go to any gastropub and find more gluten-free food, so this is strange in this day and age, he said, pointing out that a few dishes on the menu could be made gluten free with some simple tweaks. When he asked our server if those changes could be made in the kitchen, we were told they could not. For instance, the poke poke could become gluten free with a different soy sauce and by omitting the wonton. The raw tuna dish arrived at our table by accident, making me wish I had ordered it. Later, another plate was brought to our table by mistake. Those were two minor glitches in what was otherwise superb service. Our waiter, who only brought out a small portion of our dishes, once worked at the West Side Eno Vino. In the end, my gluten-free friend, a self-professed cheese nut, was happy with a cheese board ($24 for a choice of five cheeses) served with an apricot chili jam, an olive tapenade, red and green grapes, and slices of crusty bread. He ordered the cheeses with finocchiona, fennel salami, for an extra $6. His only complaint was that the cheeses were chilled and he would have preferred them at room temperature or at least served on a warm plate. He also delighted in his three seared scallops ($30), which given the price tag, was meal-sized and seemed more substantial than the typical small plate. Chipotle creamed corn; chistorra, a Basque-style, mildly-spicy cured sausage; and cipollini onions were great additions to the three plump scallops. The annatto pork tacos ($13) were five small, beautiful-looking hard-shell tacos in a metal holder. Green and red salsas were drizzled over the top, adding to the beauty. In the end, they appealed to the two gluten-eating friends at my table more than me. A generous heirloom tomato salad ($12) benefited from big wedges of tomato, fresh-tasting burrata, micro basil and a fantastic balsamic vinaigrette. The chicken lollipops ($12) were two meaty, lightly-breaded chicken legs served with an amazing melange of sauteed shiitake mushrooms, carrots, onions and jalapenos. A cheese sauce on the side was fantastic, but not necessary. My favorite dish was the pork belly BLT ($14), which is likely the most gourmet BLT ever devised. It started with ciabatta toast and was layered with lemon aioli, tomato, frisee, a huge slab of flavorful pork belly and a sunny-side-up egg on top. A friend called it a destination menu item. Eno Vinos wall of wine, which customers pass when they walk into the restaurant, is also impressive. Eno Vino Downtown, which defines itself first as a wine bar, offers 44 wines by the glass and another 365 in bottles I guess so you can try a different wine each day of the year. One friend had three glasses of the French cote mas sparkling rose ($11), which he called refreshing and fun on a hot evening. Another had a cocktail called Bourbon Gets Better with Thyme and found it too sweet. Meanwhile, I savored a Limoncello Collins ($9) made with gin, lemon juice, lemongrass, kumquat syrup and seltzer. It was the ideal summer drink. For dessert, we split a vanilla bean creme brulee ($8) with raspberry jam and a chunk of brownie buried within. It also had a gorgeous, sliced strawberry on top. The various flavors added a nice twist to a traditional dessert. Women shouldnt leave the restaurant without visiting the washroom, where large windows provide for wide views. The mens room is built into the interior and therefore guys have no such luck. Eno Vino partner Jose Luis Granados noted that he and his partners recently added couches to the ladies room because of high demand. Apparently, women have decided to camp out there. I guess that makes sense if they bring their wine glasses in. He also addressed the gluten-free issue, saying the restaurant is working on a gluten-free menu, and should have it ready in the coming days. They will modify current menu items and are trying to bring in a gluten-free pizza dough, since the demand for GF pizza is great, Granados said. No one should leave Eno Vino without stopping in the lounge area, which offers a different set of views, or on the outdoor patio on the 9th floor for a panoramic effect. People often want a restaurant recommendation before a show at the Overture Center or Orpheum Theater, and Eno Vino fits the bill nicely. Just go early, because you cant hurry a good photo shoot. Police in Indiana on Thursday arrested a fourth suspect in the fatal shooting during a home invasion on Madisons North Side last month. Odum L. Carter, 31, was arrested by officers in Lafayette, Indiana, early Thursday afternoon following a tip that he was staying in a hotel near Interstate 65, according to the Lafayette Police Department. Carter, of Sun Prairie, was taken into custody without incident. Lafayette is about 270 miles from Madison between Chicago and Indianapolis. Carter has been taken to the Tippecanoe County Jail on a warrant from Dane County. He was the last of four suspects being sought by Madison police in the robbery and fatal shooting of 33-year-old Michael Meaderds at his 515 Northport Drive apartment on May 30. Carter has been charged with felony murder and armed robbery, along with Emmanuel J. Johnson, 30, Sun Prairie; Steven T. Johnson, 26, Madison; and Devon L. Davis, 26. Davis was arrested in Chicago last week by the U.S. Marshals Service, Madison police said. A criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court said the men went to Meaderds apartment with the intent of robbing him of marijuana and money. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the arrest of Carter, and Madison police confirmed his arrest. HOUSTON The As bullpen issues always seem to strike hardest against the Astros, and so it is again this week. Tuesday night, it was Liam Hendriks, who allowed three runs in the ninth, forcing manager Bob Melvin to go to closer Santiago Casilla to preserve the As win in the opener. Wednesday, it was long reliever Josh Smith, who came in with two on and no outs in the third and gave up four hits, a walk and three runs. That inning got away from him, too, Melvin said. Granted, we came back after that, it would have been nice to hold them down a little bit more, but didnt happen. Smith pitched just one inning, so the As dont need to add another reliever before Thursdays game. He has allowed nine runs over his past seven outings and 92/3 innings, giving up 13 hits and five walks. Hendriks is in a real funk, giving up 15 hits, including three homers, four walks and 10 runs in nine innings over his past 11 appearances. He went through a stretch where he was better than anyone in our bullpen, Melvin said. Recently hes gone through a tougher stretch again. ... Everyones going to go through some rough patches, but its not like his velocity is down or his breaking ball isnt breaking, its just a tough stretch. Briefly: Jharel Cotton, scheduled to start Thursday, has been pushed back to Saturday. Cotton left his last start after five-plus innings because of a blister. ... Kendall Graveman (shoulder) and Ryan Dull (knee) will throw bullpen sessions this weekend, their first since going on the DL in May. ... Chris Bassitt, in his first outing since being shut down during his rehab from Tommy John surgery, struck out two batters in a scoreless inning with Class A Stockton. Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. On deck Thursday at Astros 11:10 a.m. MLB Net Gossett (1-2) vs. Peacock (4-1) Friday vs. Braves 7:05 p.m. NBCSCA Foltynewicz (5-5) vs. Gray (3-3) Saturday vs. Braves 1:05 p.m. NBCSCA Dickey (6-5) vs. Cotton (5-7) Leading off Repeat: Manager Bob Melvin used the same lineup back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time since the first two games of the season. Its amazing, isnt it? he said. Oakland has used 74 different lineups in 78 games. Susan Slusser A 67-year-old man was held captive in his home in Fremont last week when a burglar tried to use the residence as a hideout from the cops after fleeing the scene of a robbery at a nearby marijuana grow house, officials said. The ordeal began when a burglary involving two men was reported about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home on the 3200 block of Lake Mead Drive, later discovered to be a large scale marijuana grow house, the Fremont Police Department said in a statement. Police responded to the scene, where they could see the glow of flashlight beams coming from inside the garage, then heard the sound of people jumping over a fence and spotted one of the suspects on the roof of a neighboring home, police said. Units from the Hayward and Union City police departments, Fremont Fire Department and the California Highway Patrol then arrived to help establish a perimeter and search the area, Fremont police said. One suspect, 31-year-old Antonio Gainey of Oakland, was found in the backyard of a home on the 32900 block of Lake Candlewood Street shortly before 4 a.m., according to police. The other suspect, 32-year-old Kenneth Stanley, took advantage of a sliding door that had been left open at a nearby house because of the pleasant weather and hid inside, according to police. Stanley was discovered when a resident of the home, a 67-year-old man, went to close the door and discovered the stranger in the house, the victim allegedly told police. The victim tried to scream for help, but Stanley told him to shut up and wrestled him to the floor, pleading with him and offering him money in exchange for staying quiet, police said. As the search wore on for Stanley, an officer posted on Lake Candlewood Street near the house where Stanley was hiding, about 10 houses down from the building where the burglary was reported, heard a loud noise coming from indoors about 4:44 a.m., police said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The officer, looking through a window, saw two people struggling, one man choking the other, according to police accounts. The man being choked then broke free and called for help, police said. Officers broke into the home at 4:45 a.m. and found Stanley inside, in possession of the keys to a stolen car found on the street outside, police said. Stanley was charged Thursday with assault with a deadly weapon, threatening a witness, false imprisonment with violence, residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle, and Antonio Gainey was charged with felony residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to police. Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Planned Parenthood of California, which operates more of the organizations health centers than any other state in the nation, would lose 73 percent of its operating budget under the health care bills that Republicans are pushing to replace the Affordable Care Act, its leaders said this week. Planned Parenthood of Northern California, which operates 20 health centers in San Francisco, Marin, Contra Costa and other counties between the Bay Area and the Oregon border, would face budget reductions of similar proportions. That could force some clinics to close or scale back services. Both pieces of proposed GOP legislation one passed by the House in May, and one introduced by the Senate last week would end federal funding to the womens health organization for one year. Both would do so by making Planned Parenthood ineligible to be receive federal Medicaid dollars, which comprise most of the organizations revenue. Planned Parenthood has long been a target of conservatives, who argue that the federal government should not fund health care providers that perform abortions, even though the procedure is paid for by state, not federal, funding. They say women can seek reproductive health services at other community health providers that do not perform abortions. About $30 million of the Northern California chapters $46 million annual operating budget would be wiped out if the GOP proposal becomes law, according to Gilda Gonzales, CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California. This would truly be devastating to the people who have the least access to quality health care, Gonzales said. In some of our most rural counties, we might be the only provider that delivers sexual and reproductive health care services in the area. Last year, the chapter did 12,000 cervical cancer screenings and 9,800 breast exams 377 of which resulted in abnormal results that necessitated further testing and care. Last month, it announced that three Bay Area clinics in Richmond, Pittsburg and Vacaville would close by the end of June, citing the states low Medicaid reimbursement rates. Planned Parenthoods 115 centers across the state annually serve about 850,000 Californians, the majority of whom are low-income and get their insurance through the Medi-Cal program for the poor. The Mar Monte chapter, based in San Jose, is the nations largest Planned Parenthood affiliate and operates 33 clinics in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and other counties. A spokeswoman for the chapter did not immediately return requests for comment, and it is not clear what portion of its federal funding would be withheld if the GOP proposal moves forward. Crystal Strait, CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said there is no contingency plan, and it is not known what services, and where, would be scaled back. If 73 percent of your operating funding is in jeopardy, its hard to imagine a great contingency plan that could still maintain the safety net, she said. Services will be cut back. What that means, were not sure. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat__Ho The suspect in the armed robbery of a credit union in Sauk City a week ago was arrested without incident Thursday morning at the headquarters of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Kevin Breon, 52, was taken into custody at about 11:30 a.m. outside the Hill Farms State Transportation Building, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison police said. The Madison department was called by Capitol Police to act as backup when it was discovered that Breon was in the building. "He was taken into custody without incident as he left the building," said Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain. Sauk Prairie Police had asked other jurisdictions to be on the lookout for Breon following the June 22 armed robbery of Heritage Credit Union in Sauk City. Lars Stenman/Getty Image A 45-year-old San Francisco man was arrested Sunday in connection with a fatal shooting of a street cleaner in the Tenderloin neighborhood last week, officials said. John Muhammed was arrested on Third Street and Palou Avenue in the Hunters Point neighborhood about 4:30 p.m. Sunday in connection with the slaying of Carl Holman, 43, police said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Presidents Trumps push to abolish or shrink some of the countrys national monuments won support this week in a small section of the southern Sierra Nevada, where the Giant Sequoia National Monument is one of several California sites in the crosshairs. The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to send a letter to the Trump administration urging it to reduce the 328,000-acre Giant Sequoia monument to 90,000 acres. A similar request before the Kern County Board of Supervisors fell short. The board decided Tuesday to take no position on the monument amid a groundswell of public opposition to any changes. While there is overwhelming statewide support for Giant Sequoia and six other California monuments targeted by Trump, the administration has said it will give more weight to the views of communities neighboring the sites. The Giant Sequoia monument sprawls across Tulare and Kern counties, establishing special protections for nearly three dozen groves of sequoias some of the worlds tallest and oldest trees while limiting logging and recreation activities, such as driving off-road vehicles. Some residents have been critical of the restrictions. The letter Tulare County is sending to the Department of the Interior emphasizes the need for tree removal at the site as a precaution against forest fires. As originally proposed, the letter requested only looser timber regulations, but it was revised Tuesday to include a call for shaving the monument by more than two-thirds. While tree removal has always been permitted for fire safety purposes, getting logging companies to do the work can be more difficult if broader timber harvesting isnt allowed. Only the U.S. Forest Service is currently removing hazardous trees within the monument. Critics of the supervisors called the letter a transparent attempt to do the bidding of the logging industry and open the area to more cutting. Tulare County Supervisor Mike Ennis, who represents the region around the monument, did not return several phone calls seeking comment on why he wants the protections lifted. He was among three supervisors who voted to draft the letter. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The Department of the Interior said last week that it had not made a decision on any of the California monuments. A public comment period closes July 10. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is reviewing whether 27 monuments across the country were properly designated under the 1906 Antiquities Act, whether the federal government has the resources to continue enforcing protections, and whether local and state residents want them. The California attorney generals office has vowed to fight any effort to downsize the sites, arguing that while presidents have the power to make the designations, they cant unilaterally undo them. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander The uninsured population in California would rise from 9 to 21 percent in the next five years if the Senate health care bill were to take effect, according to a new analysis by the Urban Institute, a Washington think tank. About 4.3 million more Californians would go without insurance under the GOP plan, the study found. The total number of uninsured would rise from 3.1 million to 7.4 million by 2022. Because California moved more aggressively than most other states to implement the Affordable Care Act accepting increased federal dollars to expand the Medi-Cal insurance program for the poor, and creating the state insurance exchange Covered California the potential loss in coverage in the state would be more dramatic than in many other states, according to the report. California has been as aggressive as any state in getting more people insured under the Affordable Care Act, said Larry Levitt, senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation, which analyzes health care policy. The Senate health bill would essentially reverse those gains. ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images Since the ACA was implemented in 2014, California reduced the rate of its uninsured residents from 17 percent to a record low 7 percent, according to recent estimates by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Urban Institute figures are slightly different than the CDCs numbers because the former includes only the non-elderly adults under 64, and children while the latter includes the entire population. Nationally, the percentage of uninsured, non-elderly Americans would increase from 11 to 20 percent from 31 million people today to 55 million people in 2022, the Urban Institute projection found. The study, released Wednesday, looks at the impact of the proposed health care legislation which was introduced by Senate Republicans last week on each of the 50 states. So it offers a more localized glimpse into the bills potential effects than did the Congressional Budget Office report released this week. The budget office found that 22 million more Americans would be uninsured under the Senate plan by 2026. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes The Senate bill, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act, would drastically reduce long-term federal spending on Medicaid. Health policy experts say that would put financial pressure on states to either kick people off the program or cut benefits for the entire population. In California, federal spending would drop 41 percent by 2022, from $39 billion to $23 billion, the analysis found. The Senate measure would also change eligibility requirements to receive federal subsidies to buy insurance plans on Covered California, leading to tens of thousands fewer people receiving the financial assistance. And many of those who would continue receiving subsidies would be paying higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs, according to analyses by Kaiser. Those buying a plan through Covered California, for instance, would see their deductible nearly triple from $2,500 to $7,350, according to a separate analysis released Wednesday by Covered California and the National Academy for State Health Policy. The House has already passed a health care bill that would also substantially increase the number of uninsured in California. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat__Ho When Marissa Mayer was 18, the Wisconsin teen was sure she was going to be a doctor. But then the future CEO of Yahoo, soon to enroll at Stanford University, read the stories. In the early 1990s, Stanford Medical School was struggling to overcome a significant sex scandal. Two women accused cardiologist Mark Perlroth of professional misconduct and sexual harassment. And Frances Conley, professor of neurosurgery, announced her resignation because of what she called pervasive sexism and gender insensitivity at the school. The scandal had a profound impact on Mayer, who went on to study symbolic systems and computer science instead. It really colored my view, Mayer recently told the annual Stanford Directors College, a program for corporate directors and senior executives. Youre going to go there for med school? No way. Youre going to go somewhere else where they dont have this problem. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle The irony is that a college-bound teen today would read the headlines and make the opposite decision that she would want to be anywhere but in the world of technology, where men hold the vast majority of engineering jobs and sexism seems pervasive and incurable. The problem is that Mayers view of Silicon Valley seems frozen in early-90s amber, ignoring everything thats happened since, from Ellen Paos failed lawsuit against prominent venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to the resignation of Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick as CEO because of a toxic culture he helped create that ignored or tolerated sexual misconduct. Instead, Mayer defended Kalanick at the conference, calling him an incredible leader. She also suggested that Kalanick could not have been aware of the misconduct because the company was growing too fast. I dont think he knew, Mayer said. I know Mayers been busy selling Yahoo to Verizon, a deal that closed this month. But how could she have missed the report of Kalanick sending a memo to Uber employees in 2013 in which he detailed exactly when and how they should have sex with each other at a company party in Miami? Do not have sex with another employee UNLESS a) you have asked that person for that privilege and they have responded with an emphatic YES! I will have sex with you AND b) the two (or more) of you do not work in the same chain of command. Yes, that means that Travis will be celibate on this trip, he wrote. Kalanick didnt just know about misconduct at his company. He wrote the playbook for it. Among those reading attentively, it seems, was Ed Baker, a vice president whose misbehavior at the 2013 party was reportedly a factor in his exit. The way Mayer sees it, the recent barrage of stories about sexism in Silicon Valley is just making things worse; they will deter women from pursuing technology as a career, just as the 90s Stanford scandals convinced her not to study medicine. I worry about the 18-year-old girl right now whos reading these articles and is thinking: Do I really want a career in tech? Is this what I really want to be a part of? Mayer said. Its a rather curious argument, not to mention deeply flawed. The way Mayer sees it, if we talk too much about sexism in Silicon Valley, women wont want to join up. So whats the alternative? Bury the issue and let women find out for themselves that tech firms can be hostile to female employees? Thats a little like saying: Please stop talking about date rape. Otherwise, women might not want to go out. Blaming the victim especially when they are brave enough to speak out is not the solution. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Show More Show Less Mayer is a data fiend. She once had designers test 41 shades of blue to determine which one to use. Yet despite the overwhelming evidence the numerical kind that Mayer has long said she prizes decision-making she seems to think that sexism is not that big of a problem in Silicon Valley. Yet she always has had a complicated relationship with feminism. As a top executive at Google and one of the few women to ever run a major Silicon Valley firm, Mayer, by virtue of her success, serves as a role model for women hoping to break the gender barrier in technology. At the same time, Mayer has said she does not consider herself a feminist, and once described herself as gender oblivious. She has shown some glimmers of awareness. In 2008, she told KQED that a lot of studies show that if you fall below 20 percent of the workforce being women, things become really imbalanced and unhealthy inside the corporate culture, and that Google, where she then worked, aimed to have women as 25 percent of its technical workforce. Nearly a decade later, women hold 19 percent of Googles technical jobs. Yahoo, which Mayer ran for five years, fares even worse: Only 17 percent of its tech workers are female. As she rose in the ranks, Mayer never hit her 25 percent goal. We do need to modulate the volume a little bit because there are huge companies that are really good places for women, Mayer said, citing Google and Yahoo, the same companies that have fallen short of her benchmark for healthy working environments. Weve got a couple of small firms that are really dysfunctional. You dont want to color an entire generation. How can a woman who ran a major technology firm be so limited in her worldview? As one of the few women engineers and leaders in technology, Mayer has had to endure enormous scrutiny and criticism some of it fair, some of it not especially in the news media. Mayer said she just learned to tune it out. I have gotten pretty good at ignoring the press, she said. A colleague once told me: Its really damaging to read press about you and who you work for, because it can change how you think. Youre in the job because of you and your experience. Your actions are misunderstood, misinterpreted, misfiltered through reporters who dont have all of the information, she continued. If reading articles makes you think: Oh, thats truly a mistake and you back off a good idea too quickly, thats bad. If reading an article that says Wow, that was a genius move, it makes you less likely to abandon something. Thats bad. In other words, Mayer copes with criticism by ignoring the noise. But that works only so well. By isolating herself from the media, Mayer may block out the criticism. But she also blocks out others lived reality, including the horrible treatment women not named Marissa Mayer have had to endure in Silicon Valley. Ask yourself this: Would Kalanick have resigned from Uber had it not been for the coverage of former engineer Susan Fowlers blog post detailing how her manager propositioned her for sex on her first day of work? If Mayer were paying attention, perhaps she wouldnt be so effusive with her praise of Kalanick. Mayer says she doesnt read the press because it might change how she thinks. Yet thats exactly what she said she did two decades ago as she faced a major life choice. Something in the data doesnt add up here. Thomas Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: tlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByTomLee A 23-year-old Petaluma man had sex with a 15-year-old he met on the gay networking app Grindr, police said Wednesday. Investigators said there may be more underage victims. Alexander Battaglia was arrested in Petaluma following a months-long investigation, according to the Petaluma Police Department. After seducing his teenage victim via messages on the app, Battaglia met with him to have sex at least three times, police said. Curious heads peeked over the railing from hallways overlooking the atrium of the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. Their hotel room doors gazed down a breezy second-floor lobby, a lobby that had been taken over by hundreds of early risers glad-handing in political buttons and rainbow boas. Dozens of banquet tables were splayed across the tiled floor, designed for anything but a formal gathering for 800 people. I took my seat at Table 30, right next to one of the most interesting women at breakfast. Every year, San Franciscos Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club throws an enormous $125-per-person breakfast prior to the San Francisco Pride Parade, and every year, I attend at the gracious invitation of a local politician. The Alice Pride Breakfast is a whos who of elected officials and community activists at least the citys more moderate ones. Progressives tend to eschew the Toklas Democratic Club and stick to the Harvey Milk Democratic Clubs events. Anyway, the annual early morning Alice Pride Breakfast is always good for an interesting interaction with a politician. I once shared a plate of potstickers with Gov. Jerry Brown, who called me Bess all morning. This year, I accepted an invite from Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, host of Table 30. So did Carol Ruth Silver, a former San Francisco supervisor. I introduced myself and announced the obvious, You worked with Harvey Milk! Yes, he was my best friend on the board. the grandmother and activist said with a smile. She sported a sun hat and bright pink eyeglass frames. Around her waist, Silver wore a fanny pack. My seat at meetings was right in between Harvey Milk and Dan White. I used to pass notes between them. Silver seemed happy to share her San Francisco history, even though shes told these same gripping stories for decades. As Silver casually mentioned that her co-worker White planned to murder her on that tragic day in 1978, along with assassinating Milk and Mayor George Moscone, I had to ask. Did you know Dan White was nuts? I dont think Dan White was nuts, she said after thinking about it for a minute. I think he was mean. He was a bully. Silver served three terms on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, from 1977 to 1989, a working lawyer and a single mother through it all. She now works with organizations that promote education for women in Afghanistan and has written a book about her time in a Mississippi jail as a freedom rider during the civil rights movement. Silver also has written a book, Self Defense Handgun Ownership and the Independence of Women in a Violent Sexist Society, which had me wondering what was in that fanny pack. She was, it should be obvious, a fascinating breakfast companion. After years in the lobby of the Rincon Center which included the added perk of watching elected officials stumble into the fountain the Alice Pride Breakfast moved to the Hyatts ballroom. This year, however, another group had booked the ballroom, so the likes of state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra had to scream across the atrium lobby like camp counselors trying to wrangle rowdy teens. Outside, hundreds were lining up floats and contingents to begin the Pride Parade. Silver planned to march with Assemblyman Ting. Gavin Newsom asked me to march with him, she explained, but he sends me too many emails asking for money. The candidate for governor seemed to be doing OK without her. Newsom rode through the parade in a BMW convertible followed by a team of gorgeous supporters in rainbow Gavin T-shirts. It was inspiring to glean history from Silver and see her continued commitment to activism. She cheered on the mornings righteous speeches, showing particular enthusiasm for the breakfasts women honorees; Roma Guy, Cecilia Chang, Diane Jones and Judge LaDoris Cordell. The days theme was a resistance to the presidential administration, and it applied not just to the LBGTQ community, but to women and minorities and anyone else getting the shaft from the White House. The crowd was amped up and angry. I went back to quizzing Silver on her time working with Milk, the citys first openly gay official, and White. Have you seen Hamilton? she asked, referencing the Broadway hit thats in town. You know that song about the room where it happens? Silver beamed. Well, I was in the room where it happened. Beth Spotswoods column appears Thursdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com Californias cap-and-trade law, which requires companies to buy permits to emit climate-changing greenhouse gases into the air, survived a legal challenge Wednesday when the state Supreme Court turned down an appeal by business groups. The state Chamber of Commerce and allied groups argued that the fees authorized by the 2006 law were actually taxes that required approval by two-thirds of the Legislature. A state appeals court disagreed in April ruling that businesses were merely required to pay for the right to continue polluting and its ruling became final Wednesday when the states high court denied review of the case. The vote was 6-0, with Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye stepping aside from the case for undisclosed reasons. The courts action gave the first-in-the-nation program a legal respite but did not resolve its political future. Gov. Jerry Brown has tried to muster a two-thirds legislative majority to assure cap-and-trades continuation beyond 2020 but has encountered resistance from some business-friendly Democrats. Reports that he has been negotiating with oil industry representatives have prompted concern among environmentalists, some of whom consider cap-and-trades allowances overly generous. The governor has also spoken of taking the issue to the voters in a ballot measure, which would also generate well-financed opposition. With this Supreme Court victory, now its up to us to take action extending Californias cap-and-trade system on a more permanent basis, Brown said Wednesday. Erica Morehouse, a lawyer for the Environmental Defense Fund, said the court action confirms the strong foundation California has built for its climate policies, and hopefully the governor and the Legislature will build on that foundation. The state Chamber of Commerce, which led the legal challenge, did not respond to requests for comment. Under cap-and-trade, the state sets an annual limit on greenhouse gas emissions, allowing fewer emissions each year. Businesses must obtain a permit, called an allowance, for each ton of heat-trapping gases they emit. While the state hands out some allowances for free to utility companies, and to some California industrial firms threatened by out-of-state competition it sells others in quarterly auctions, generating billions of dollars in state revenue. Companies can also buy and sell allowances among themselves. Nine other states have adopted a similar system, which is solely limited to power plants. Quebec has linked its cap-and-trade program with Californias, and another Canadian province, Ontario, plans to follow suit next year. Proposals for a nationwide cap-and-trade program fell short in Congress during President Barack Obamas administration, and have not been revived under President Trump, who has called human-caused climate change a hoax. Wednesdays court action was especially timely, said Alex Jackson, a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council, with the federal government seemingly doing everything they can to abdicate their responsibility to protect the planet. The state Chamber of Commerce and its allies filed suit four years ago, relying on Proposition 13, the 1978 tax-cut initiative that required a two-thirds legislative vote for all future tax increases. In an April 6 ruling in the states favor, the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento said the state auction system lacked the compulsory features of a tax, because businesses have a choice of either buying an allowance or cutting their emissions. It is not accurate to liken the auction system to payment for the privilege to stay in business in California, Justice Elena Duarte said in the 2-1 appellate court opinion. It is a payment for the privilege to pollute the air in California. Duarte also noted that financial companies voluntarily take part in the auction market, buying and selling allowances to make a profit. In his dissent, Justice Harry Hull argued that for companies that rely on greenhouse gas-emitting fuels for example, a tomato processor that was a plaintiff in the case the fees are costs that they must bear if they wish to continue doing business in California, and thus are mandatory rather than voluntary. Because a polluters payments to fund programs that reduce pollution are not considered taxes, the 2006 law directs cap-and-trade revenues to activities designed to limit emissions alternative fuels, recycling, and the high-speed rail project championed by Brown. But Hull noted that 20 percent of the revenue is currently directed to low-cost housing, on the rationale that it would be located near workplaces and mass transit. By that reasoning, Hull said, auction funds can be used to address nearly any human activity without being considered a tax that generates general revenue. Duarte, addressing that issue, said the selection of programs that would help reduce emissions was a legislative question rather than one for the courts. The case is California Chamber of Commerce vs. State Air Resources Board, S241948. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer David R. Baker contributed to this report. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko Elizabeth Simon had no intention of starting a pie company. It all began when Simon, in an effort to impress a guy, decided to bake him a pie. It was the first time she had ever made a pie a classic apple pie. Simon spent the entire day working to create, in her words, the most beautiful pie complete with elaborate latticework and decorative pastry leaves. Unfortunately, things didnt go according to plan. I got stood up, Simon says. We were texting back and forth all day, and he was definitely into this whole process and five minutes before it comes out of the oven, I sent the final text of Come now; its done! The guy never showed. Rather than get mad, Simon decided to kill him with kindness. Sort of. She had leftover filling and dough, so she made a second, mini version of the pie. But this time, she downloaded an Internet image of a fist with an extended middle finger and used the photo as a template to cut a design into the top crust. Its just one of those funny things in life, and you can either cry about it or make a f you pie and deliver it to his door, which is what I did, Simon says with a laugh. Simons girlfriends encouraged her to take the concept a step further. They were like Oh, you should build a website and you should call it revengepies.org and you should accept stories from San Franciscans and anonymously deliver f you pies across the city. Youd be a superhero,Simon recalls. And thats how Simon started Revenge Pies (www.revengepies.com). She started practicing her pie baking skills, sharing the results with friends and colleagues. Eventually, people started asking to buy the pies, but as someone who also held a stressful 9-to-5 job as a concert promoter for AEG Live, this proved a challenge. To keep orders at a minimum, she tried to outprice demand, but that still didnt curb the requests. Two years ago, she decided to go all in and began holding pie pop-ups around San Francisco, selling her pies through Uber Eats and even teaching pie-making classes as team-building events for corporations. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle Simon now oversees a staff of roughly a dozen people mostly women, she points out who turn out hundreds of handmade pies a week at a commercial kitchen space she rents in the Mission. In addition to being a regular at Off the Grid on Friday nights at Fort Mason, four months ago Simon opened a tiny brick-and-mortar location in the Inner Sunset (1248 Ninth Ave.), in a shared space with clothing and custom printing retailer San Franpsycho. 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. For Simon, who is a musician as well as a onetime music promoter, she sees pie as simply another form of creative expression. Im an artist whos applying my talents in different ways and Ive always done that. Every project Ive done throughout my entire life has been eclectic and different. One of Simons more eclectic creations and proving that revenge is a dish best served cold is what she calls pice cream. Its exactly what it sounds like: Simon folds chunks of her pies such as key lime, blueberry and strawberry into different ice cream bases made for her by Mission gelateria La Copa Loca. The specialty has proved a popular draw for neighborhood locals, as well as visitors heading to and from Golden Gate Park. Up next: adding savory pot pies to her menu. As for that original guy, Simon says he eventually texted back: Thanks for the f you pie. Theyre still friends. But thats not whats important. This is really the story of how I got stood up and made a company out of it, Simon says. Sarah Fritsche is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sfritsche@sfchronicle.com Twitter/Instagram: @foodcentric Inching closer to a bid for the states highest office, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said he is preparing to both seek re-election and the Democratic nomination for governor. Im preparing for both, Soglin told the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board Thursday afternoon. A decision will probably be made sometime around Labor Day. If I run for governor, Im going to win. The state will select a governor in November 2018, and the city a mayor in April 2019. Soglin, the citys longest-serving mayor, said hes confident about a potential race against Republican Gov. Scott Walker based on a poll conducted in May that delivered an encouraging result. Id be very confident if the election were held today, he said. Republicans remain unmoved by a potential Soglin candidacy. Paul Soglin is such an extreme Madison liberal that he not only gave the key to the city to Fidel Castro he actually thinks Wisconsinites will side with him and a brutal communist dictator, said Alec Zimmerman, spokesman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. While Governor Walker is standing up for hard-working Wisconsin families, Soglin is desperately out of touch and wanting to give our state back to the big government special interests. Soglin, 72, said hes prepared to challenge the two-term governor in what would likely be an energetic, fast-paced, expensive match up. I know Im ready, he said. The question is whether or not Scott Walker is ready to go one-on-one live on TV with me. We could do it tomorrow. The mayor said he wouldnt base a race around revisiting Walkers controversial Act 10, which stripped most public employee unions of collective bargaining rights, but instead would focus on pressing issues. The first thing that needs to be done in the state is we have to deal with the quality of public schools, transportation challenges and communication challenges, he said, adding that the latter deals with high-speed internet access and technology. I think theres a big demand that the state make greater investments in schools, he said. On transportation, we have to raise the gas tax, he said. (Walkers) own party recognizes that. Soglin said he also has major differences with Walker on health care. Whats he going to do for one in five Wisconsinites on Medicaid? he said. Whats he going to do to help hospitals? Asked about recent high-profile crime in Madison, Soglin said, Were still a very safe city, but that he is concerned about about the recent number of reports of shots fired and believes the police department has a good start in addressing those issues. Soglin, who said he was considering a run for governor during the state Democratic convention in early June, again said the surprising appeal of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, particularly in Wisconsin, is part of what changed his mind about a potential run for governor. The mayor said hed directly confront a wedge between Madison and the rest of the state by seeking to broaden the approach to economic development and growth thats worked in the states capital city. Theres a better way of doing it, he said. I believe public-sector investment will lead to private investment. He said hed need to raise about $20 million for a campaign, and expects the governor would raise $30 million. The mayor declined to reveal specific results of the poll he commissioned from Democratic consultant and pollster Paul Maslin. He said the survey of 500 people from May 15-19 included information about he and Walker, and that respondents were told that he was 72, from Dane County, characterized as a tax-and-spend liberal who once gave the keys to the city to Castro, and that the city of Madison is performing well and successful. Each step of the way, my numbers got better, Soglin said. The poll numbers, he said, are higher than the 33 percent support he started with in his failed bid for Congress in 1996 against incumbent Rep. Scott Klug, and that the dynamic against Walker would be different. Here, with Scott Walker, weve got someone who has very limited support among the most important segment of voters moderates in both parties and independents. Soglin has served three stints as Madison mayor: 1973-79, 1989-97 and again since 2011. He was re-elected in 2015 and his current term ends in 2019. Walker, 49, has not yet formally announced a campaign for a third term but is expected to do so after the state budget wraps up. On Wednesday, Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, filed initial paperwork to mount a run for governor in 2018. Its the third time shes been in the running to challenge Walker since he was first elected in 2010. Californias State Lands Commission sued San Francisco over Proposition B, the 2014 voter initiative to restrict waterfront development. On Wednesday, a Superior Court judge tentatively ruled in favor of San Francisco but this particular squabble may not be over yet. One big reason: The current commission chair is Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom a.k.a. the former mayor of San Francisco. Newsom wasnt actually responsible for the lawsuit. That honor belongs to state Treasurer John Chiang, who was head of the commission in July 2014. But Newsom refused to drop the case. That choice caused no end of bellyaching among San Franciscos progressive tribe of politicians and their environmental supporters, who regard Proposition B as some kind of sacrosanct text. Its true that Proposition B, which requires voter approval for any waterfront project that exceeds San Franciscos height limit, won with 59 percent of the vote, and that San Francisco voters like all California voters have strong opinions about their right to determine local land use. But whats also true is that Chiang was right to file the lawsuit, and Newsom is correct to carry its torch. If necessary, Newsom should appeal. Progressive politicians in San Francisco only need to think about their base. Meanwhile, the state lands commission has to think about the entire state. When it comes to statewide impact, Proposition B is more than a local land-use measure its a precedent-setting disaster that could negatively affect our environment and public lands in the rest of California. The Lands Commission oversees public use of most of Californias land up to 3 miles from the tide line. Its charged with protecting statewide public benefits. Proposition B sought to usurp the commissions power by putting the decision-making process for the same public lands in the hands of local voters. It sets a legal precedent, putting San Francisco voters decisions above those of the commission. That may be just fine for San Francisco voters, who believe theyre doing whats in the best interest of both the waterfront and the environment. But voters in other parts of the state may not be so enlightened about appropriate, environmentally friendly land use. For this reason, Chiang and Newsom have rightly decided they need to protect the state commissions power. Its about the people of California, who deserve protection every bit as much as the people of San Francisco do. STEVE MALONE Weakening environmental protections is a full-time job for the Trump administration. Its emissaries are going after pollution controls, wildlife areas and water quality rules. Now the White House is setting up marine sanctuaries off the California coast and elsewhere in U.S. waters for oil drilling. The idea is a slap at past Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who put millions of acres of coastal waters, from New England to Samoa, off limits to exploitation. In this state, four sanctuaries on the list include stretches of the Pacific from Monterey to the tip of Mendocino County. Dear Mexico City: You are beautiful, urban and hip. You are bohemian, subtle and romantic. In the Colonia Roma neighborhood, your sophisticated couples eat vegan muffins and croissants at cafes. They read books, not just iPhones just as Jack Kerouac did when he visited and wrote his epic poem Mexico City Blues. In the Condesa neighborhood, young hipsters sip espresso on benches along tree-lined boulevards. They listen to live music and walk past street art on their way to the gym. They must think the United States is so far away from their cosmopolitan happiness as they laugh with friends and smile at the perfect sunshine. Your anthropology museum in Chapultepec Park is stunning, and thats just the museums architecture, let alone the emblems of civilization that you share with visitors inside. I would travel thousands of miles again to eat Oaxacan guacamole with chapulines at Yuban, or seafood at La Docena, or chilaquiles anywhere. I would travel thousands more miles to attend your International Day of Yoga celebration. Every June, you shut down the main thoroughfare for a government-sponsored yoga session where hundreds of people practice hatha in front of the U.S. Embassy. And when you meditate in front of our Embassy, wish us peace and send us love. We could use it. Your Supreme Court building is the only public structure in the world (aside from Robben Island Prison in South Africa) where official art openly criticizes the government. Interior murals, hundreds of meters long, depict corrupt judges alongside scenes of unresolved rape, torture and police brutality. Your esteemed justices walk past these images on their way to the office, the toilet and the court chamber itself. Your famous university, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status, and your annual gay pride celebration is one of the worlds largest. Protect these places from foreigners who believe they hold the brightest beacon of equality and freedom. Every Sunday morning, all year long, you shut down your main boulevard to cars and traffic so that Mexican families may safely ride bicycles, walk dogs and go jogging. Smiling children hold balloons while rollerblading couples whisk past. Mexico City, I am perilously close to overstaying a tourist visa to enjoy your cafes, your restaurants, your universities, your boulevards, your government-sponsored mural projects and yoga days, and your delicious food. Like me, Americans may soon realize that north is not the only direction to look if America falls. Your Instituto Nacional de Migracion Web page may collapse when we realize Canada is too cold and Spanish is easily learned. You might need to consider building a wall on your northern border to keep us out. Sincerely yours, Mark Mark Massoud is an associate professor of politics and legal studies at UC Santa Cruz. He visited Mexico to attend the annual conference of the U.S.-based Law and Society Association. Kim Kardashian has announced that she and Kanye West will be creating their third baby by in vitro fertilization, and implanting it in a paid gestational surrogate. The woman who carries the baby will be paid $45,000 for the nine-month rental of her womb. Kardashian joins model Tyra Banks and actresses Nicole Kidman, Elizabeth Banks and Sarah Jessica Parker in choosing the surrogate route. California has become a global hot spot for surrogacy because it has some of the most permissive laws. Whats missing from all the star-studded media coverage of surrogacy is a dialogue about the rights of the child and what California must do to ensure the rights of children born through surrogacy. The 1989 U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child set forth a broad framework for the protection of children, but the United States is the only country in the world that has not ratified the convention. And the lack of federal regulation has allowed a type of Wild West to develop for assisted reproduction in states such as California. This is a testament to a legal environment that has failed to put our children first, both in our state and nationally. California started to become a surrogacy destination in 1993, after a ruling in a pivotal case, Johnson vs. Calvert. At the time of the case, California law stated that the woman who gives birth is the mother. In rendering its decision, the state Supreme Court did not dwell on the significance of pregnancy and childbirth, or on the genetic connection between the child and Ms. Calvert, the woman who commissioned the surrogate. Instead, borrowing from intellectual property law, the court articulated a new doctrine of intentional motherhood. The court said when the two means (genetic tie and giving birth) do not coincide in the same woman, she who intended to bring about the birth of a child that she raised as her own is the natural mother under California law. With the new standard of the intentional mother, the court awarded the child to the Calverts. One justice, Joyce L. Kennard, dissented. Recognizing that both women had substantial motherhood claims, she asked: What are the best interests of the child? Criticizing the concept of intentional motherhood, she pointed out, The problem with this argument, of course, is that children are not property. Unlike songs and inventions, rights in children cannot be sold for consideration or made freely available to the public. California now offers many procedures that are outlawed in other parts of the world. For example, California allows clients to choose the childs sex, which attracts parents from around the world who want a boy. California also allows fathers to be the only parent listed on the childs birth certificate, removing any legal connection to the egg donor or surrogate mother. And California also offers international clients the perk of having a child who becomes a U.S. citizen. Gestational surrogacy was born in 1978 with the invention of IVF, which allowed parents to conceive an embryo outside the body. It has been a great boon for women with medical challenges (Kardashians first and second pregnancies required surgeries). But it is now also chosen by those who want to select the best embryo prior to insertion in the uterus, the designer baby. There is a huge market for premium eggs, which can be purchased online from large cryobanks, or directly from the donor. Sometimes gestational surrogacy is chosen by those who simply do not want the hardship of carrying a baby and can afford to pay someone else to bear it. The surrogate is not the genetic mother, and typically will never see the child again after it is born. But the results for children can be mind-boggling. The combination of donor eggs and sperm with a gestational surrogate yields children with as many as five parents: a surrogate mother, a genetic mother, a legal mother, a genetic father, and a legal mother/father (depending on whether the clients are a same-sex couple). In 2016, California amended the law to include a third parent, a step in the right direction. Ultimately there are five childrens rights that must be addressed with surrogacy, in California and across the United States. The right: 1) To know the identity of their genetic parents and their surrogate. 2) To have a healthy surrogate, who is medically evaluated before and during the pregnancy. 3) For a child to have his or her biological parents, legal parents and surrogate listed on the birth certificate. 4) To citizenship in the country where he or she is born, or where one legal parent is a citizen. 5) To universal standards to ensure that surrogates are treated equally in all countries. Only when all five of these rights are met will children born through surrogacy have the same rights as those who are not. Mary Ann Mason, a UC Berkeley professor, and science teacher Tom Ekman are the authors of Babies of Technology: Assisted Reproduction and Rights of the Child (Yale University Press, 2017). The era of lock-down, sure things at landmark destinations means that off-the-grid sites for camping and recreation are still available for the Fourth of July weekend. A big snow year and late openings add to the sizzle for people who do their detective work. All the famous sites Point Reyes, Angel Island, Yosemite, Tahoe, Monterey Bay and many state and national parks are long booked full. These are among the sites that you have to be able to get a summer reservation the moment they become available, or forget about it. Beneath the best-known names, however, are hundreds of lesser-known destinations that can provide the ultimate escape hatch for the coming holiday and beyond through summer. The Redwood Empire, dozens of small lakes with campgrounds in national forests, and many openings this week can provide the best of opportunities, even on a holiday weekend. In addition, wilderness trailheads in many areas are finally on the verge of being cleared, with the snow line in the Sierra Nevada sitting at roughly 8,500 to 9,000 feet elevation. Below that, recreation areas on the flanks of the mountain range are beginning to open. In the popular Bowman Lakes Recreation Area in the central Sierra, for instance, the road to the trailhead at Carr and Feeley lakes opened last week and the campground and wilderness access opens Thursday; at the same time, the turnoff from Bowman Road up to Grouse Ridge and its campground and trailhead is still blocked by 4 feet of snow. Here is a synopsis of what is available, booked, open and still closed: Central Sierra Synopsis: In the Tahoe front country on the west slope of the Sierra, 53 of 60 campgrounds are open for the weekend in Eldorado National Forest, with temperatures forecast in the 50s to 80s with no thunderstorms. Crystal Basin: All of the campgrounds at Ice House, Union Valley and Loon are open with the paved roads cleared. The last of the campgrounds to open, Pleasant Lake (boat-in/hike-in and connected above Loon Lake) and Gerle Creek Lake are now accessible. Wrights Lake is closed (projected to open July 8) and the boat-in site at Pleasant Lake will close July 5 for summer for a restroom replacement project. Info: Pacific Ranger District, (530) 644-2349, www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado. Blue Lakes: Forget it until mid-July. The campground at Lower Blue Lake will open July 15, Upper Blue not until Aug. 1, and Middle Creek will be closed all season. Info: PG&E, www.pge.com/recreation. Highway 88 Corridor: On Wednesday, the campgrounds opened at Sugar Pine Point at Bear River Reservoir, Silver Lake and Caples Lake. The camp at Woods Lake, with access to Red Lake and other small lakes in the basin, are projected to open in mid-July. At Carson Pass, rangers measured snowdrifts as high as 7 feet on the Pacific Crest Trail, which blocked access to the Mokelumne and Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Areas. Info: Amador Ranger District, (209) 295-4251, www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado. Bowman Lakes Recreation Area: The road to the trailhead and walk-in campgrounds at Carr and Feeley lakes opened 10 days ago; the campgrounds open Thursday and are expected to fill quickly Friday morning. On the way in, you also pass Fuller Lake. Nearby, the fork to Lindsey Lake and its campground and trailhead is projected to open July 15. The road to the campground and trailhead at Grouse Ridge is blocked by 3-4 feet of snow. Beyond the turnoff to Carr and Feeley lakes, Bowman Lake Road is closed from storm damage with no access to Bowman and Faucherie lakes. Info: Yuba River Ranger District, (530) 288-3231, www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Gold Lakes: The remaining snow off Gold Lake Road is melting and access is available to Sardine, Packer, Haven, Goose, Gold and Salmon lakes. Backcountry access to the Sierra Buttes and Mount Elwell is still snow-covered. Note: The Forest Service website says that Gold Lake Road is closed (its been open since early June), but yet the area is open. Info: Beckwourth Ranger District, (530) 836-2575, www.fs.usda.gov/plumas; Sierraville Ranger District, (530) 994-3521, www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Redwood Empire Synopsis: Available campsites, open trailheads and wilderness clear of snow spark the best opportunity for Fourth of July vacationers. State parks with campsites available: Richardson Grove, Standish-Hickey Grizzly Creek Redwoods, Hendy Woods, Humboldt Redwoods; plus Humboldt Lagoons, first-come, first-served. Booked full: Prairie Creek Redwoods, Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods. Info: California State Parks, www.parks.ca.gov. Yosemite National Park Synopsis: Do not go to Yosemite without a reservation for a campsite, lodging, or wilderness trail permit. Tioga Road opens Thursday, its latest opening since July 1 in 1998. Caution: The trailhead out of Hetch Hetchy is open, with water from Wapama Falls flowing over the footbridge and that can be dangerous. A 66-year-old man slipped while crossing the bridge last week and was killed when he fell into the torrent below. The two-day route up through Beehive and to Lake Vernon is clear and accessible, with Falls Creek running high and fast. High country campgrounds/trails: Tamarack Flat opened last week, Crane Flat opens Thursday. White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, Tuolumne Meadows are closed, with no projected opening dates. Out of Tuolumne Meadows, the Pacific Crest Trail is covered by snow north toward Glen Aulin, and is wet and flooded in spots south to Lyell Fork. Tuolumne Meadows is at 8,600 feet; at 9,000 feet, you find near complete snow coverage. Info: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-0200, www.nps.gov/yose. Tahoe Region Synopsis: Everything is open at sites near Lake Tahoe, with huge crowds expected. Do not go without a reservation. The high country is rapidly melting off, but on trails that connect to the Pacific Crest Trail, high snow blocks access to Desolation and Granite Chief Wilderness areas. A picture in time: At Echo Chalet at Echo Lakes, the winter snowpack was 190 percent of normal, and the ice finally started melting off the lake last week. The owners of the chalet plowed through 10 feet of snow in early June and found significant damage to the docks; no opening date set, no access to PCT. Trailhead: One of my favorite Tahoe day hikes up Meeks Creek into the Granite Chief Wilderness to Crag Lake is partially snow-covered and ice melting off the lakes on the route has created a hazardous stream crossing over a damaged bridge. Info: Lake Tahoe Basin District Office, (530) 543-2600, https://www.fs.usda.gov/ltmbu. Lassen Volcanic National Park Synopsis: Its all or nothing. There is no snow at Manzanita Lake and other destinations in Lassens front country, but you hit a wall in higher country with 10 feet of snow at the parking lot for Lassen Peak and the snowpack still holding on throughout much of the backcountry. Campgrounds open: Manzanita Lake and Southwest Walk-in, located on the Lassen Park Highway/Highway 89 at each end of the park are open. From access points out of Highway 44 and Chester, campgrounds at Butte Lake and Warner Valley are also open. Campgrounds closed: Juniper Lake, Summit Lake North and Summit Lake South are projected to open in mid-July. Trails: The trails to Crags Lake and Devastated Area are clear. From Butte Lake, follow tracks in the snow to Cinder Cone or Widow Lake. From Warner Valley, the trail is clear to Devils Kitchen. Trails are blocked by fallen trees to Drake Lake, Terminal Geyser, Horseshoe Lake, Inspiration Point. Greater Bay Area State parks with campsites available: Brannan Island, Henry W. Coe, Little Basin, Mount Diablo. Info: www.parks.ca.gov. First-come, first-served: Castle Rock Trail Camp; Pantoll walk-in and Bootjack walk-in at Mount Tamalpais. (415) 388-2070. Rangers and recreation officers with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, PG&E and California State Parks provided details for this report. Tom Stienstra is the outdoors writer for The Chronicle. His Outdoor Report can be heard Saturdays on KCBS (740 and 106.9) at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. E-mail: tstienstra@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @StienstraTom Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said the possibility of collecting a new fee on heavy trucks emerged Wednesday in his budget talks with Gov. Scott Walker and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said hes not sure if Republican senators support the concept, adding they need to learn more about it. That marks a shift from just a day earlier, when Fitzgerald dismissed the proposal, offered by GOP state Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, as a nonstarter. The concept is the latest to be entertained by state leaders as they attempt to craft the states next budget. July 1 is when the budget is supposed to be passed and take effect, a deadline Walker and lawmakers now appear certain to miss. At least four other states collect heavy truck fees, and such a proposal could generate hundreds of millions in new revenue for roads. But it also would meet strong opposition from some of the states most powerful business groups, including Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. A lobbyist for the group, Scott Manley, slammed the proposal Wednesday as punitive and unfair. For a state that grows and produces as much as we do, it really provides a significant disincentive to produce more, Manley said of the concept. Still, Wednesdays developments hinted at possible progress in budget talks. Contrast that with a day earlier, when Assembly-Senate negotiations broke down and Vos and Fitzgerald vented their frustrations to reporters, each calling the others budget positions laughable. It feels like things are kind of moving a little bit compared to what we saw yesterday, Fitzgerald told reporters Wednesday. Vos, R-Rochester, also was more optimistic Wednesday that a deal could be reached, saying the two Republican caucuses are closer than we have been. Transportation is the biggest sticking point in budget talks, with Vos and Assembly Republicans maintaining the state needs a long-term revenue infusion to pay for road projects. Other issues still unresolved include how to boost funding for K-12 schools and how to cut taxes. Walker has said he opposes increasing gas taxes or vehicle fees, the two main state funding sources for transportation, and would veto a gas tax hike if lawmakers pass one. Fitzgerald and Senate Republicans have said they wont back either of those options because Walker wont. Opposing views on fee Manley said the truck fee concept discussed by Walker and GOP legislative leaders would be collected on a per-mile basis for heavy trucks traveling on Wisconsin roads. It could generate more than $130 million a year for state roads and bridges, he said. Those figures were not confirmed independently by Walkers office or legislative leaders. Bill McCoshen, a lobbyist for the states DRIVE Coalition, a group representing business, tourism and agriculture interests that advocates for more funding for roads, said he was heartened by the truck fee discussion. Every credible study says our roads and bridges are some of the worst in the country, and the only way were going to address those is to generate new revenue, McCoshen said. If lawmakers dont find more money for roads, it could mean delays to large highway projects under construction or scheduled for future construction. Instead of new revenues, Walker has proposed $500 million in borrowing, and Fitzgerald, $850 million in borrowing, to fund road projects. But Vos and Assembly Republicans object to that approach, saying its unwise to put more on the states credit card. On Tuesday, Vos said the Assembly Republicans position was to refuse to discuss additional borrowing without also discussing ways to boost revenue. But some Senate Republicans arent sold on the need for new revenue. Fitzgerald said Wednesday that many GOP senators think cost-saving measures must be weighed at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Theres still a lot of people that think DOT is an agency that needs significant reform, Fitzgerald said. Fitzgerald said Senate Republicans also will meet with the states nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau to run through the state budget and develop positions on unresolved issues such as transportation, K-12 and taxes. He stopped short of saying that means Senate Republicans will buck the traditional budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, the mechanism through which the state budget typically is crafted, and pass their own budget instead. Fitzgerald has raised that possibility in recent weeks. Vos said Wednesday that Assembly Republicans are not considering crafting their own budget. If there is no new budget in place by July 1, the start of the state fiscal year, funding levels from the previous budget continue until a new one is passed. Legislative leaders also have discussed highway tolling as a potential revenue source. But even if lawmakers approved it and secured a federal nod to start tolling Wisconsins U.S. Interstates, tolls likely wouldnt be collected for at least four years meaning they wouldnt have an impact for the next state budget, covering the two-year period from July 2017 through June 2019. Districts in a bind Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said Wednesday after a meeting with Walker and Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, that he predicted budget discussions to drag out weeks or months. Even though funding levels continue uninterrupted without a new state budget, school districts particularly will be left in an uncertain situation, he said, because districts typically make hiring decisions in spring and summer for the upcoming school year. Its not an easy scenario for them to deal with, Barca said. Meanwhile, a Marquette Law School Poll released Wednesday found 23 percent of respondents ranked transportation as their top priority for increased state spending, ranking third behind K-12 education (37 percent) and health coverage (25 percent). Other responses included local aid (5 percent), prisons (4 percent) and the University of Wisconsin System (3 percent). Among Republicans, transportation was the top priority. Among Democrats and independents the top priority was K-12 education. State Journal reporter Matthew DeFour contributed to this report. In high-end restaurants, which rely on well-trained cooks perfection of practical skills, the role of the stagiaire a culinary intern has long been important. Young cooks exchange free labor for valuable training. Restaurants gain valuable help. The practice also, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, may be illegal. This week, the Willows Inn in Washington state, one of the most lauded restaurants in the country, agreed to pay $150,000 in unpaid overtime and damages to 19 former stagiaires, also known as stages. The Labor Department had investigated the destination restaurant, which is on an island north of Seattle, for requiring stages to work one month for free and for paying others $50 per day. The decision may force restaurants all over the country to ask themselves: At what point does professional training become exploitation? Its unclear whether the Department of Labor decision against Willows Inn only affects longer-term stages, or if it also applies to the widespread practice of tryouts, where cooks are asked to audition for a shift or two before being hired. Traditionally, cooks have used their chef connections to score a coveted stage (pronounced stahzh) position at a restaurant in another city or country, working for food and sometimes housing as well. Or, an ambitious cook will work a full weeks shift at her normal job and then spend one of her off days staging at a top restaurant to hone her skills. Many of the Bay Areas most lauded chefs have worked as stages. For example, when James Syhabout, who now owns Commis in Oakland, was a line cook moving up the fine dining ranks, he took a year off to work as a stage at some of Europes best restaurants: Fat Duck in England, and both El Bulli and Mugaritz in Spain. Roland Passot, chef-owner of La Folie on San Franciscos Polk Street, said that many decades ago in France, he built up his resume by traveling from restaurant to restaurant. You knew you werent going to get paid, he said. One restaurant, he remembers fondly, let him sleep in a barn on a heap of hay. The internship can give an aspiring chef credibility on a resume or press release. At the same time, some of the worlds highest-end restaurants, like Willows Inn, have relied on free labor to produce course after course of elaborately composed dishes. The Willows Inn case, initially reported by the Seattle Times, is part of a larger-scale crackdown on unpaid internships in many fields, including journalism. Some aspiring professionals have seen these internships as a way to get much-needed job skills or a foot in the door. Others have criticized the practice because it favors young workers who have family money or other financial support. A number of high-profile Bay Area restaurants have been sued for labor violations such as wage theft and unpaid overtime in recent months. The restaurant industry is no longer being treated as a special category of work with its own, rather lax, labor laws. Jose Carnevalli, spokesman for the San Francisco office of the Labor Departments Wage and Hour Division, said that his office has received no complaints about Bay Area restaurants, but refused to answer further questions. Eric Risberg/Associated Press The Chronicle contacted all six of the Michelin three-star restaurants in the Bay Area to ask them about their stage programs. Saison requires a one-year commitment from stagiaires, but pays them. The Restaurant at Meadowood pays stagiaires either a wage or a stipend; the French Laundry said it work(s) diligently to ensure compliance to all state and federal employment laws. Manresa, Benu and Quince all declined to comment. Many former stagiaires still see the value of their unpaid labor. Before David Barzelay, chef-owner of Lazy Bear, started the underground dinners that became his popular Mission restaurant, he was a law student who learned to cook from cookbooks and stages at restaurants like Nopa. There was no way I was hirable, or that my work was worth paying for, but I was getting tons out of it, he said of the experience. I was learning everything from kitchen lingo to how you move in a kitchen and a sense of urgency. Commis Syhabout said that his year as a stage gave him valuable exposure to how upper-echelon restaurants conceived and executed 40-course meals. I wasnt there for recipes, he said. It was more to learn the way they think, organize themselves. To be there for the train of thought. Yet Syhabout added that his Oakland restaurant is too small to accommodate stages of its own. He turns down numerous requests. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. At La Folie, Passot has largely ended the practice. If the guy gets injured, has an accident, whatever happens you dont want paperwork just because hes staging, Passot said. He even pays cooking-school students during their practical internships. He doesnt want to put his business at risk for the sake of free labor. Barzelay said that Lazy Bear does accommodate stages, feeding them and encouraging them to pepper the staff with questions, just as he once did. We have forms that they have to read that say youre doing this for your own benefit, he added, not for the promise of a job. Barzelay even encourages his full-time cooks to stage on their day off. So does Syhabout. You can only get so much from Instagram and social media, the Commis chef said. Jonathan Kauffman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jkauffman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jonkauffman A 14-year-old boy was rushed to a hospital Tuesday after he was hit by an errant bullet while walking in the Sunnydale housing development in San Francisco, officials said. The boy was walking on the 1500 block of Sunnydale Avenue about 9:15 p.m. when the gunfire erupted, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Andrew Brookes/Getty Image The website of a Northern California county was down for several hours Wednesday after disturbing images appeared alongside a message claiming it had been hacked by Islamic State sympathizers, one in a string of such hackings to take place in the past week. The Calaveras County Sheriffs Office issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the site had been hacked and made to display unauthorized information and disturbing images, and that a federal agency would be investigating the incident along with state and local law enforcement. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Climbing to the top of a hill in Golden Gate Park, 4-year-old Hugh Horner grabbed a piece of cardboard and rode it to the bottom of a concrete slide, coming to a stop in front of a pile of melted plastic and black ash. The playground in front of him was sectioned off with yellow caution tape and a metal barricade, which he hoisted himself up on to peer through its bars. The top of the green plastic slide was melted, almost a fourth of it on the ground in a hardened puddle. The smell of burned plastic still hung in the air of Koret Childrens Quarter, which many believe is the oldest public playground in the nation. Why would someone do that? he asked his mom, Megan, who was standing next to him. I dont know, she said. The playgrounds platforms were burned black and hanging askew from the rest of the structure. Police and firefighters responded to a fire just after midnight Sunday at the playground near the southeast corner of San Franciscos urban oasis. The incident is still under investigation but is believed to have been the act of vandals. No arrests have been made. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department estimates the damage could total up to $1 million. Officials are waiting for a more thorough examination of the destruction before setting a timeline for repairs. The playground was first opened in 1888 as the Sharon Quarters for Children. It underwent a major $3.8 million renovation in 2007 and reopened as the Koret Childrens Quarter. The parks swings, wave-theme climbing wall, concrete slides and a smaller play structure are still open. The fire caused major damage to the larger playground built for older children. The playground is one of the most popular in the city and is packed on the evenings and weekends, said Drew Becher, CEO of the San Francisco Parks Alliance, the philanthropic group that helps promote and fund recreation and green spaces in the city. Its like an amusement park without the lines, he said. Megan Horner brought Hugh and her three other sons to the park for the first time Wednesday. She said she and her family traveled to the city from San Luis Obispo and that friends had highly recommended she take her children to the Koret playground. Its such a bummer, she said. I cant believe this just happened. Instead of the larger playground, her sons played on the slides and smaller playground for much of their day visiting Golden Gate Park. San Francisco resident Elizabeth Herrera said she comes to the playground with her sons ages 5, 8 and 9 at least a few times a week. Her boys love the rope climbing structure and were disappointed to see it taped off. This is the best park in the whole city, Herrera said. And thats the most active part of the park for them. The community is already taking steps to raise money for the playgrounds repair. Children from Stepping Stones Preschool in the Inner Sunset were so distraught by the destruction that they came up with an idea for a lemonade stand to raise money to fix the playground. They set up Wednesday at Irving Street and Ninth Avenue, just south of Golden Gate Park, to sell lemonade and doughnuts. Ruqoiyah Ghe-Huang, director of Stepping Stones, said the Inner Sunset community flooded the stand with support for the preschoolers. I thought we would make $10, but we made $275 in an hour, Ghe-Huang said. The children handed over the money to Mayor Ed Lee on Thursday at City Hall. This will help us repair our wonderful playground, Lee told the preschoolers. I know some people did some bad things to it, but you are all doing good things for us, so thank you. You have made my day. The Parks Alliance is also working with community members to raise money for the playgrounds repair. Becher said the largest problem will be the bouncy surface the playground sits on, which was completely destroyed under much of the structure. That will be the biggest cost, but Becher said he already has a few people who have committed to raising $25,000 for the park. The bulk of the money to cover the repairs will come from the Recreation and Park Department. Out of ashes usually come flowers and happiness, Becher said. So hopefully well raise enough money to make it even better than before it happened. Chronicle staff writer Dominic Fracassa contributed to this report. Alison Graham is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: agraham@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @alisonkgraham Should Google remove content from its search results all around the world on the orders of a single foreign government? Thats the thorny question with broad free speech implications for Americans and political dissidents raised by a Supreme Court decision in Canada. On Wednesday, Canadas top court ruled that Google can be forced to delist search results worldwide to enforce the decisions of Canadian courts. The ruling stemmed from a case involving an intellectual property dispute, with Canadian manufacture Equustek Solutions claiming that another Canadian business, Datalink, was using Google to sell impostor products. Google removed hundreds of Datalink hyperlinks from its search results in Canada. But Equustek obtained a court order to compel Google to delete these listings not just from Canadian search results but from Google search everywhere in the world. The problem in this case is occurring online and globally. The Internet has no borders its natural habitat is global, the Supreme Court wrote in its decision. If the injunction were only enforced in Canada, the Supreme Court said, people could still purchase Datalink products through websites outside the country, depriving Equustek of an effective remedy. But by upholding this worldwide order, Google and free speech organizations said, the Supreme Court ruling could have far-reaching consequences for freedom of expression. Issuing an order that would cut off access to information for U.S. users would set a dangerous precedent for online speech, the Electronic Frontier Foundation wrote Wednesday. In essence, it would expand the power of any court in the world to edit the entire Internet, whether the targeted material or site is lawful in another country. Google has argued that a worldwide order forcing it to delist Datalink isnt necessary or effective, and that such a move should have been blocked because of free speech concerns. But the high court disagreed. This is not an order to remove speech that, on its face, engages freedom of expression values, it is an order to deindex websites that were in violation of several court orders, the court wrote in its decision. We have not, to date, accepted that freedom of expression requires the facilitation of the unlawful sale of goods. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association partially agreed with the decision. Rob De Luca, a staff lawyer with the CCLA, said the Supreme Court was careful to limit the language of its ruling to not infringe upon free speech rights, although the CCLA would have liked to see ever more robust speech protections. De Luca added that future disputes with more direct connections to free speech will likely test the precedent set by this case. Given this decision you could very well see a corporation saying, U.S. law is too friendly to the freedom of speech concerns of Google, so I am going to bring that case in a jurisdiction with fewer freedom of speech protections, he said. That could lead to a kind of race to the bottom, experts said, where corporations or governments seek to impose restrictive censorship laws around the globe, limiting what people can see and experience online. We are carefully reviewing the courts findings and evaluating our next steps, said a Google representative. As in the United States, Google cannot appeal the Supreme Court decision. The high court did say, however, that Google could petition the British Columbia courts, where the case originated, to modify the order, if Google believes that it will be forced to violate the laws of another country. Google has not yet done so, the Supreme Court said. Hamza Shaban is a Washington Post writer. Hiring former Google star engineer Anthony Levandowski and his team had the potential to save Uber at least a year in the race to develop self-driving cars, according to an internal Uber email unsealed in court Thursday in the high-profile lawsuit between the companies. Googles self-driving-car unit, which was renamed Waymo after Levandowski left, argues that Levandowski stole its proprietary design for lidar, a laser-based sensor that allows cars to see the environment around them. The January 2016 email from the man then in charge of Ubers self-driving program in Pittsburgh singled out the lidar that Levandowski and his associates at Google had created. Anthony and his close team have developed several generations of mid- and long-range laser that we now believe is critical to AV autonomy (day and night), wrote John Bares in the email, which a Waymo attorney read into the record on instructions from the judge. Not only do they have several generations of experience but also know how to improve on the next-gen devices that they would build for us. We have yet to find anyone else in the world with this know-how. While Waymos attorneys are trying to prove that the ride-hailing company has been using purloined lidar technology, an Uber attorney at Thursdays case-management hearing argued that the email showed only that Levandowski and his colleagues had skills Uber wanted to tap. Uber insists that its lidar designs are its own and that Levandowski was under explicit instructions not to bring any intellectual property with him from Google. The email explains why you would want to hire Anthony Levandowski, said attorney Karen Dunn. Youre allowed to bring your know-how. ... If this is the best evidence they have of trade-secret theft, I say, Great. Waymo initiated the suit in February, claiming that Levandowski downloaded thousands of internal Google documents before he left in January 2016 to found Otto, which specializes in self-driving trucks. Uber bought Otto eight months later and placed Levandowski in charge of its efforts to develop autonomous vehicles. Levandowski has refused to testify in the suit, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Uber fired him in May for refusing to cooperate with its investigation of the lawsuit allegations. A jury trial in the suit is scheduled to begin in October. Levandowski had been considered close to Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick, who stepped down as CEO this month in the face of several scandals swirling around the San Francisco company. At Thursdays hearing, Ubers lawyers seemed eager to distance the company from Levandowski, saying Waymos real complaints lay with him. Their case is about Mr. Levandowski, what they allege he stole, and the fact that he invoked the Fifth, Dunn told Judge William Alsup of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. As to Uber, they have nothing. Dunn and her colleagues, in a court filing Wednesday, said that in March 2016 before Uber acquired Otto Levandowski told one of his Otto colleagues that he had found five discs of Google information in his home, left over from when he had worked at Google. According to the filing, Levandowski also told several Uber executives, including Kalanick, and Kalanick told him not to bring any information from Google to Uber. Levandowski later told several people that he had destroyed the discs, according to the filing. The same court filing also suggested another reason for why Levandowski might have downloaded confidential Google documents. He could have been trying to gain leverage to ensure that the company paid him an overdue, $120 million bonus, the filing said. Waymo attorneys on Thursday called that idea ridiculous and said Levandowski had downloaded many of the files on days when he had meetings with Uber executives, including Kalanick. Theyre trying to put all that away by coming up with this brand-new theory that Mr. Levandowski downloaded the files to use as ransom against Google to get the rest of his payments that were scheduled over time, said attorney Charles Verhoeven. Theres absolutely no evidence. Theyve never disclosed it before. Its silly. Dunn countered that it made sense for an employee who was thinking of leaving his job to be concerned about not receiving so large a bonus. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF Amazon announced its third annual Prime Day late Wednesday, but the day of online sales will actually last 30 hours. The event will start at 6 p.m. Pacific on July 10 and run through July 11, featuring hundreds of thousands of deals exclusively for members of the Seattle-based online giant's Prime service. A tornado may have touched down in Green County Wednesday evening while heavy thunderstorms passed through Southern Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorologist Ben Miller said it is likely a tornado touched down in Green County Wednesday night, although Weather Service crews would not be able to confirm a tornado touched down until inspecting the site Thursday morning. The Green County Sheriffs Office representatives said there were reports of property damage but said it was unknown Wednesday night how many properties and to what extent they were damaged. Steven G. de Polo / Getty Image A man was killed and a woman was wounded in a shooting Wednesday morning near a San Jose elementary school, officials said. Gunfire broke out about 8:55 a.m. on the 1000 block of Creston Lane, a residential area less than half a mile away from Santee Elementary School, said Officer Albert Morales, a spokesman for the San Jose Police Department. A mother and her boyfriend were arrested in connection with the death of a 3-year-old girl who was found in the back of an SUV near a Rancho Cordova park, the sheriff's department said. Angela Phakhin, 27, and Untwan Smith, 46, of Arkansas, were arrested Wednesday on child endangerment and conspiracy charges, Sacramento County sheriff's officials said. Officers noticed a Toyota RAV4 parked on the wrong side of the road about 12:30 p.m. on Rod Beaudry Drive near River Bend Park. Phakhin and Smith were standing nearby. KCRA/Sacramento County Sheriffs Department Rancho Cordova police searched the SUV and found the girl dead underneath a pile of blankets, officers said. There was no obvious signs of trauma on the girl's body. Investigators determined the couple was the registered owners of the vehicle, and a records check revealed Smith had an outstanding warrant out of Arkansas, according to the sheriff's department. Phakhin is the biological mother of the toddler, and Smith is Phakhin's boyfriend. Detectives believe the pair arrived in California in February of this year and have been living with the girl out of their vehicle in the city and county, investigators said. The girl's cause of death will be determined by the Sacramento County Coroner's Office, which could lead to additional charges for the couple. Phakhim and Smith were booked in the Sacramento County Main Jail on $1 million bail. Both are scheduled to be arraigned Friday. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department at 916-874-5115. This story originally appeared on KCRA.com Carl Wagner, a Democratic Party strategist, organizer and adviser for 40 years who counseled and worked for President Bill Clinton, Sens. Edward Kennedy and George McGovern, and a corps of other Democratic officeholders and office seekers, died June 23 at his home in Washington. He was 72. A spokeswoman for the D.C. Medical Examiners office said determination of the cause of death is pending further investigation. His daughter, Alex Wagner, a co-host of CBS This Morning: Saturday, said he had heart and lung ailments. Mr. Wagner co-chaired Clintons victorious 1992 presidential campaign and was a longtime friend of the former president. They met in 1972, when both were working on the Democratic presidential campaign of McGovern, the South Dakota senator who lost in a landslide to incumbent President Richard Nixon. Mr. Wagner was helping run the McGovern campaign in sections of the Midwest. Clinton, fresh from Yale Law School, was directing McGoverns efforts in the Southwest. For so many years, Carl was there with clear-eyed analysis of a tough problem, honest advice in a tough spot, and unflinching support in a tough fight, Clinton said in a statement. He played a big role in helping us think through my decision not to run for president in 1988. . . . [He] was one of the finest organizers and one of the best political minds of our generation. Mr. Wagner was serving as director of political activities for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) when Kennedy, the Massachusetts senator, hired him in 1978, two years before Kennedy attempted to wrest the presidency from incumbent Jimmy Carter, a fellow Democrat. He was Kennedys field general and a palpably brilliant strategist and tactician, David Axelrod, a top political strategist in Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, said in an email to the Washington Post. To Les Francis, deputy chief of staff in the Carter White House and a former executive director of the Democratic National Committee, Mr. Wagner was a hot type political tactician, very intense, high energy . . . could push, demand, got things done. Mr. Wagner tended to side with the underdog and was not one to play it safe, said political columnist and commentator Mark Shields, describing him as someone who played hardball . . . with a devilish grin. In negotiations over whether Kennedy should address the 1980 Democratic National Convention, Shields said Mr. Wagner once suggested to the Carter camp that 5,000 Kennedy partisans could be armed with handheld clickers to drown out pro-Carter speeches if Kennedy were not allowed to speak. After working for Kennedy, Mr. Wagner launched and managed his own consultancy, continuing to specialize in Democratic Party politics, but also branching out into other issues, including environmental causes. Over the years, he advised, managed or promoted the political ventures of Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado; Ronald Brown, the Democratic National Committee chairman and secretary of commerce under Clinton; and Michael Dukakis, the Massachusetts governor who lost the 1988 presidential election to Republican George H.W. Bush. In 2008, Mr.Wagner supported then-Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois for the Democratic presidential nomination. He directed get-out-the-vote efforts in local and state contests around the country. Carl Robert Wagner was born on Jan. 14, 1945, in Lansing, Iowa, a small town on the banks of the Mississippi River. His father was a rural mailman. He graduated in 1967 from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a degree in political science and did postgraduate study in politics at the University of Iowa. Afterward, he worked in Madison, Wis., as an economics specialist in the office of Gov. Patrick Lucey before moving to Washington in the mid-1970s as a political operative for AFSCME. His marriage to the former Swe Thant ended in divorce. Survivors include their daughter, of New York City. Bart Barnes is a Washington Post writer. WASHINGTON Sanctuary cities would have a tougher time protecting unauthorized immigrants. Immigrants who try to re-enter the country illegally would find stiffer punishment. Thats the sort of get-tough-on-immigration policies President Trump has eagerly sought, and Thursday, the House went along, largely on party-line votes. It approved two measures to implement his plan; the bills now go to the Senate, where they appear in for a tougher time. The road will be bumpier, if not impossible, in the Senate because 60 votes will be needed to cut off debate, and Republicans control 52 seats. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who in the past worked to fashion a bipartisan compromise on immigration, said he had no idea of the bills prospects. Trump hailed the passage of the two House bills, urging the Senate to follow the Houses lead. The president said he is calling on all lawmakers to vote for these bills and to save American lives. For some time, most Republicans have argued that cities allowing sanctuary status should see their federal grant dollars restricted. Democrats counter that local law enforcement agencies have enough to do without having to become federal immigration agents. One House bill, Kates Law, was approved by a 257-167 vote. It would increase prison sentences for unauthorized immigrants who re-enter the country after being deported. The legislation is named after 32-year-old Kate Steinle who was killed two years ago in San Francisco by Juan Francisco Sanchez-Lopez, who was living in the U.S. without legal permission. The sanctuary cities measure passed by a 228-195 vote. Theres some debate about what sanctuary city means and different cities have different rules. San Francisco, for example, prohibits the use of city money to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law. In Sacramento., a 1985 City Council ordinance prevents police and city employees from asking about immigration status. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has touted Sacramento as a sanctuary city and promised to fight Trump on immigration. We are not going to use our law enforcement officers to arrest, detain and deport kids, college students and law-abiding adults who happen to be undocumented, he said during a visit to Washington, D.C., in March. This is mean politics. Its coarse, its intended to get a reaction from people. And thats not the way we roll in Sacramento and in California. The bill was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act requires Immigration Customs and Enforcement to establish probable cause before issuing a detainer. Detainer requests give ICE clearance to pick up unauthorized immigrants from local jails and bring them into federal custody for questioning and potential deportation. The bill also compels cities to fully cooperate with ICE by withholding federal grants from jurisdictions that fail to respond to detainer requests. Republicans were adamant. Our government should and always will put the safety of the American people first, said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, had a different view. Our local police should not be responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws, she said. The expectation that our local law enforcement work as a deportation force only weakens public safety. Katishi Maake and Anshu Siripurapu are Tribune News Service writers. DES MOINES, Iowa A man who helped write the computer code behind several U.S. lotteries, including some of its biggest, pleaded guilty Thursday to masterminding a scheme through which he rigged the winning numbers for jackpots in several states and collected millions of dollars. Eddie Tipton, who worked for the Multi-State Lottery Association from 2003 until 2015 and was its computer information security director for his last two years there, appeared in a Des Moines courtroom, where he pleaded guilty to one count of ongoing criminal conduct and publicly acknowledged his lead role in the scheme for the first time. SAN CARLOS (BCN) A mountain lion was spotted in San Carlos this morning, according to San Mateo County officials. Around 10 a.m., a resident reported seeing what they believe to have been a mountain lion in the vicinity of Tulip Lane and Crestview Drive, near Interstate Highway 280. Mountain lions typically avoid confrontations with people, but anyone who sees a big cat should avoid approaching it, especially if it is around cubs. AG Nessel joins multistate coalition strengthening protections against sexual harassment in schools LANSING Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in a comment letter, led by... A tribute to Michigans veterans Veterans Day is a time to pay tribute to all Michiganders who have served in our Armed Forces and their... Coach had large impact in small amount of time A s you meander your way through life, there are certain people you meet that come into it for just... Michigan Achievement Scholarship will make attending college more affordable for students LANSING Recent high school graduates will now be eligible for a new scholarship to make attending college more affordable,... MOSUL, Iraq Iraqs Prime Minister is declaring an end to the Islamic States self-proclaimed caliphate after Iraqi forces captured the compound of a landmark mosque in Mosul that was blown up last week. Haider al-Abadi says we are seeing the end of the fake Daesh state ... we will not relent, our brave forces will bring victory, according to a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday where he used the Arabic acronym for Islamic State. The retaking of the al-Nuri mosque is a hugely symbolic win. The site is where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance in July 2014, declaring an Islamic caliphate on territory captured in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi and coalition officials say Islamic State fighters blew up the site last week, but the militants blame a U.S. air strike for the destruction. U.S. Army Col. Ryan Dillon, however, said coalition planes did not conduct strikes in that area at that time. Islamic State had initially tried to destroy the al-Nouri Mosque in July 2014, saying the structure contradicted their fundamentalist interpretation of Islam. Mosul residents converged on the area, however, and formed a human chain to protect it. Last weeks destruction was only the latest in a long series of priceless archaeological and cultural sites that the militants have ravaged across Iraq and Syria. The advances Thursday come as the Iraqi troops are pushing deeper into the Old City, a densely populated neighborhood west of the Tigris River where Islamic State fighters are making their last stand in Iraqs second-largest city. Iraqi special forces reached the al-Nuri Mosque compound and took control of the surrounding streets on Thursday afternoon, following a dawn push into the area,said Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab al-Saadi of the elite force. Damaged and destroyed houses dot the route Iraqi forces have carved into the congested district along a landscape of destruction where the stench of rotting bodies rises from under the rubble. Thursdays push comes more than a week after Iraqi forces launched the operation to retake Mosuls last Islamic State-held parts of the Old City neighborhood, with its narrow alleyways and dense clusters of homes. After months of fighting, the Islamic State hold in Mosul has now shrunk to less than 0.77 square miles of territory. Susannah George is an Associated Press writer. JERUSALEM Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister of Israel who is serving a 27-month sentence for bribery, fraud, obstruction of justice and breach of trust, is expected to be released Sunday after a parole board cut his sentence by a third. The boards decision Thursday appeared to close a legal saga that has roiled Israeli society and politics for years. Olmert, forced to resign during an intensive, if inconclusive, round of peace talks with the Palestinians, was the first former head of government to be imprisoned for misconduct in Israel, though the crimes for which he was convicted did not take place during his tenure as prime minister, from 2006 to 2009. Olmert entered prison in February 2016 after being convicted in various cases on charges of bribery, obstruction of justice, fraud and breach of trust. He acknowledged having made mistakes but has consistently denied criminal wrongdoing. The parole boards decision was a great relief to Olmert, 71, his lawyers said. Prosecutors, who opposed a commutation of the sentence, had until the end of Thursday to appeal for a delay in the execution of the order, but it was not immediately clear if they would do so. Police have also been looking into the possibility that Olmert mishandled classified information when he gave part of a manuscript that he had written behind bars to one of his lawyers to take out of the prison. Olmerts lawyers argued that the manuscript would be subject to military censorship before publication and that there had been no security breach. The police inquiry this month prompted a public uproar and increased sympathy for Olmert after a raid at the offices of Yedioth Books, publisher of his memoir, as well as at the home of his editor. Officers seized material that was unrelated to Olmerts book, a move that many Israeli critics saw as vastly overstepping their authority. A judge examining a case brought by Yedioth Books for the return of the materials warned that the raids and seizures undermined freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, cornerstones of the countrys democratic system. Amid the brouhaha, Olmert suffered chest pain and was hospitalized for a week. He was discharged from the hospital Tuesday. Olmerts legal troubles began in 2008, two years after he became prime minister, and he was forced to resign from office under the growing weight of police investigations. He was convicted of taking bribes as mayor of Jerusalem a role he filled from 1993 to 2003 in part to facilitate the construction of a large housing complex known as Holyland, despite fierce local opposition. Originally sentenced to six years in prison, Olmert had his prison term reduced significantly after the Israeli Supreme Court overturned a main part of his conviction relating to the housing project. He was also serving time for a separate case involving his relations with an American businessman, Morris Talansky. Some of the charges related to a period when he was serving as a government minister, but none pertained to his time as prime minister. Israeli law bars him from holding office for seven years. Isabel Kershner is a New York Times writer. 1 Arms sale: The State Department approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a total of $1.4 billion, the first such deal with the self-governing island since President Trump took office, officials said Thursday. The sale will anger China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory. It comes at a delicate time for relations between Washington and Beijing over efforts to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea. The sale to Taiwan comprises seven items, including technical support for early warning radar, antiradiation missiles, torpedoes and components for SM-2 missiles. The U.S. is legally obligated to sell weapons to Taiwan for its self-defense. 2 Afghan troop levels: More than 16 years into the Afghanistan war, the United States and its NATO allies wrangled anew Thursday over how many more troops are needed to counter the resurgent Taliban and break a stalemate in the fight. At a meeting in Brussels, NATO agreed to send more forces in response to commanders requests for as many as 3,000 troops to train and work alongside Afghan security forces. That number does not include an expected contribution of almost 4,000 American forces, divided between the NATO mission and Americas counterterrorism operations against Taliban, al Qaeda and Islamic State militants in Afghanistan. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON South Koreas new leader dined with President Trump at the White House on Thursday as part of an effort to reassure Washington that he will coordinate closely on dealing with the North Korean threat. Trump said at the start of a formal dinner with South Korean President Moon Jae-in that they would discuss North Korea and trade over two days of meetings. The South Korean leader has sought to make clear to the U.S. that he is serious about dealing with his neighbors threat, despite having long advocated engagement with North Korea to address its nuclear weapons development. I know youve been discussing with our people some of the complexities of North Korea and trade and other things, and well be discussing them all as we progress, Trump told Moon in the State Dining Room. And it could be very well late into the evening. Moons position could cause strains with Trump, who wants to step up economic pressure and further isolate the North diplomatically. The U.S. and South Korea want to show they are on the same page as concern deepens over North Koreas technological progress toward a nuclear-tipped missile that could strike the continental U.S., and its lack of interest in negotiations aimed at dismantling its atomic arsenal. We have a lot to work together for, Republican Speaker Paul Ryan said as top House lawmakers sat down with Moon on Capitol Hill before the White House visit. We have shared concerns such as threats posed to both our nations from North Korea. Moon began his four-day visit, his first overseas trip since taking office last month, with a powerful symbolic show of his personal commitment to the U.S.-South Korean alliance. He laid a wreath Wednesday at a memorial to Marines who fought in one of the fiercest battles of the Korean War, where a rearguard U.S. action enabled a mass evacuation of Korean civilians, including Moons parents. Moon pledged to stand firmly with Trump. Together we will achieve the dismantlement of North Koreas nuclear program, peace on the Korean Peninsula and eventually peace in Northeast Asia, he said. Matthew Pennington is an Associated Press writer. UNCREDITED/Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Once expunged from its official history, documents outlining the U.S.-backed 1953 coup in Iran have been quietly published by the State Department, offering a new glimpse at an operation that ultimately pushed the country toward its Islamic Revolution and hostility with the West. The CIAs role in the coup, which toppled Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddegh and cemented the control of the shah, was already well-known by the time the State Department offered its first compendium on the era in 1989. But any trace of American involvement in the putsch had been wiped from the report, causing historians to call it a fraud. The question, as pitched to voters in 2008, was fairly straightforward. If it could find an affordable, reliable way to do it, should the city start using an instant runoff system? Voters said yes. Wednesday night, the City Council once more said it wasn't quite time. Faced with what the majority of councilors felt was too little clearance between the city's election timeline and the state's schedule to certify software that could handle ranked-choice voting, the council voted to not use the system for the municipal election in March. Ranked-choice voting allows for what amounts to an instant runoff for races that have more than two candidates. On the ballot, voters rank candidates in order of their preference. If no one wins a majority of votes, the last-place person is eliminated and results are recalculated using the second choice of the eliminated candidate's voters. That process continues until someone tops 50 percent. For years, ranked-choice voting has been little more than a concept. The software didn't exist for the machines used by the state. (New Mexico law requires the same voting machines to be used statewide.) Then, it became an expensive concept, but one that was theoretically possible. In a June 23 memo from City Clerk Yolanda Vigil to city councilors, the clerk said the cost to install ranked-choice voting software on the current machines had dropped to just $40,000. She asked councilors to decide if there was time to roll out the system called for by city law. But councilors on Wednesday expressed little faith in the ability of voting machine manufacturer Dominion to meet an August 25 deadline for independent verification of its software. The Secretary of State's Office said Dominion had given it that date, which would enable an October 1 state certification. While that theoretically gives the city time to roll out the new system and educate voters before the March 6, 2018 election, Vigil said it has the potential to change the rules for candidates a month after they receive packets that lay out rules and regulations for the election. Vigil plans to send them out just before Labor Day, on September 1, a few days ahead of the deadline set by city ordinance. "It's a decision of do we want to send a packet with all of the city's code without them knowing if we are doing ranked-choice voting or not?" Vigil told councilors. Vigil also worried about not having enough time to educate voters about the new system. Councilor Renee Villarreal, who early on in debate said she was skeptical of Dominion's timeline, proposed approving the system with the provision that the city would only use it if the state certified the software by October 1. Mayor Javier Gonzales later picked up on the idea and gained the support of Councilor Joseph Maestas, but ultimately, the four other councilors present voted against rolling out the system approved by voters nearly a decade ago. While Santa Fe would be the first city in New Mexico to use ranked-choice voting, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver is supportive of the idea. In fact, Deputy Secretary of State John Blair told SFR on Wednesday that the state planned to pay for the software upgrade. That was news to Vigil, who said that former secretary Dianna Duran told the city it would have to pay for its own ranked-choice software. The council's decision means it could be years before the city implements ranked-choice voting. In fact, if the secretary of state does provide the software statewide, another city could conceivably adopt and implement a plan before Santa Fe despite the system having been enshrined in the city charter since 2008. In his final plea to councilors Wednesday, Mayor Gonzales worried about a legal challenge to the city if it chose not to use ranked-choice voting in 2018. "We could be letting the perfect be the enemy of the good," Gonzales said. "I think it would be tough to say, 'Well, we had software that was certified on time, but we just didn't think it was enough time.'" Santa Fe Reporter Benefits delayed A group suing the state's Human Services Department for denying and delaying welfare benefits says Brent Earnest, the department secretary, should pay $100 a day out of his own pocket for violating court orders. The lawsuit, which started five governors ago, has taken a turn in recent years as a federal judge held Earnest in contempt of court and appointed a monitor to oversee the department's compliance. Attorneys say the problem has gotten worse and the administration of Gov. Susana Martinez has used having the monitor as an excuse. Earnest is due in court today. Last choice Also delayed for years is the instant-runoff voting system approved by Santa Feans in 2008. Since that election, the city charter has said Santa Fe has to use ranked-choice voting as soon as it's affordable and reliable. The city council says that . Last night, the council voted to delay use of the system. The secretary of state's office tells SFR it would pay. But the council didn't trust the state's voting-machine manufacturer to meet deadlines that would certify the system by October 1. The next city election is March 6, 2018. Open government delays Still more slow government news: The attorney general has prosecuted against a government entity for violating the state's open records law. Hector Balderas said he would "absolutely" prosecute violators when he was campaigning. He and his team have found 20 violations since he sat down in the big leather chair in the state's highest law enforcement office. I think, therefore ... I think I need more office space and employees. The Word is lucky Rene Descartes isn't alive. Bad puns notwithstanding, Descartes Labs, which recently plopped down headquarters in the Railyard, has . The tech company hopes to keep expanding, potentially doubling its workforce. You're out! Wait ... This one feels like the Santa Fe sheriff's deputies who picked up the guy who escaped from the state pen and offered him ride to a shelter before realizing who he was, but it's actually a little more embarrassing. A fax machine that wasn't monitored is the culprit in the of a guy who fought with Albuquerque police as they tried to arrest him after a fight with his girlfriend. They caught up with him. Leaning D The venerable Cook Political Report, which rates the likely outcome of prominent campaigns for elected office, has to "Leans Democratic." It may not reflect much other than the political windsthere aren't any big names in the race on the Republican side yet; Jeff Apodaca, Santa Fean Peter DeBenedittis and US Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham are in on the Democratic side. Zen Coens Ethan and Joel Coen do seem to make movies with a certain zen to them. They are doing so, the New Mexico Film Office says, . Perhaps at this very moment. The pair ( Fargo, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski ) are currently filming The Ballad of Buster Scruggs . Quit acting like a haboob A drone pilot down in Las Cruces caught some cool video of a dust stormcalled a haboob . The cloud blocks out everything behind it and the guy was wise enough to both land his drone before the storm hit and to provide an on-screen description of what was happening. Thanks for reading! The Word reminds you that not even Tom Cruise can outrun a dust storm. Though he came super close. He's so fast. Just ask him. IF YOU CAN CATCH HIM. Subscribe to the Morning Word at sfreporter.com/signup Santa Fe Reporter STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Veterans enrolled in Staten Island colleges are getting far less for their housing stipends than elsewhere in the five boroughs, and Staten Island's electeds have asked the Department of Defense to re-evaluate its policy. The Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, is part of the GI bill and gives a higher maximum allowance for students enrolled in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens than it does for Staten Island. Rep. Daniel Donovan argues the disparity gives veteran-students an incentive to attend school elsewhere, even if Staten Island institutions better fit their education needs. He penned a letter last August to Peter Levine, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness at the Department of Defense, or DOD, arguing that the lower rate pushes these students off Staten Island and to other places in the city that pay a higher housing allowance. The DOD didn't respond to that letter. He was joined by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Borough President James Oddo, state Sen. Andrew Lanza, state Sen. Diane Savino, Assembly members Michael Cusick, Nicole Malliotakis and Ron Castorina, and Councilmen Steven Matteo and Joe Borelli in sending another letter to the DOD this week, challenging the formula used for the BAH, which gives rental assistance to veterans when government quarters aren't available. The rates are based on the median rents in the area and the veteran's pay grade. While Staten Island has comparable median rents to the Bronx and Brooklyn, and comparable median mortgages to the Bronx and Queens, according to U.S. Census data, veterans attending school in those three boroughs, and Manhattan, are getting higher housing stipends from the DOD. "Anybody who lives in this area knows that Staten Island isn't immune from New York City's outrageous housing costs," Donovan said in a statement. "Many areas of the borough are more expensive than the Bronx and parts of Brooklyn and Queens. This inequity harms vets who wish to attend Staten Island schools and is unjustifiable. I urge the Department of Defense to change its formula." The June 27 letter, sent to Anthony M. Kurta, acting under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness for the DOD, states, "We urge the Department of Defense to take a serious and thoughtful look at this issue and consider raising the BAH for Staten Island to ... equal the housing allowances allocated to veterans attending school in the other four boroughs of New York City." Dr. William J. Fritz, president of the College of Staten Island, said the college "has experienced a steady decrease in veteran student enrollment as they transfer to other schools in NYC for a higher BAH rate." According to the city Department of Veterans' Services, 10 percent of all veterans in New York City live on Staten Island, but of the 12,287 GI bill users, only 1.5 percent attend Staten Island schools. The heart of the issue comes down to Staten Island being its own Military Housing Area -- with its calculated BAH -- and the other borough boroughs lumped into another one. "While all five boroughs jointly comprise the City of New York, it is alarming that BAH recipients who attend Staten Island schools do not receive the same allowance as BAH recipients who attend schools in the other four boroughs," the letter states. Page Content Head of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Rolando Brison (left) and Senior Policy Advisor at the Cabinet of the Minister of Tourism Julian Lake (right) are in Miami, Florida attending the Route Development for Tourism and Destinations course hosted by Routes Latin America. This course shows destinations and tourism authorities how to boost tourist numbers through route development. Tourism authorities and destinations have an important role to play in route development. Airlines have said that the support offered by destination partners is one of the most important factors when deciding whether to launch a new route, and they prefer to deal collectively with stakeholders who have a unified approach. The course shows participants how to utilize their collective resources to beat the competition and win new air services. Brison and Lake are picture here with instructor David Appleby of Routes Latin America. Page Content Preparatory workshops are being conducted for study financing recipients who will be pursuing their studies in the Netherlands. These sessions are being held at NIPA during the hours 9.00 A. M. -1.00 P.M. Various topics are being presented such as: Academic accountability, Dutch rights & obligations, Dos Donts & dangers of life in the Netherlands, budgeting and understanding the educational system among others. The students who are scheduled to pursue their studies in the Netherlands will depart on July 30, 2017. Two staff members of Division Study Financing will accompany them. An orientation week is being organized for the students in the Netherlands during the period July 31-August 5. Various activities and sessions will take place in order to ensure a smooth transition from St. Maarten to the Netherlands. On Wednesday July 05, 2017 the Division Study Financing will be conducting a preparatory workshop for study financing recipients who will be pursuing their studies in the USA, Canada, England, Curacao, St. Maarten at NIPA. The main goal of the preparatory workshop is to ensure that study financing recipients are well prepared for living and studying abroad, to promote financial responsibility and good study habits. Attendance to these preparatory workshops is mandatory. This session will be held during the hours 08.45 A.M. 12.30 P.M The dates of departure for the students leaving for the USA and other countries/islands within the region may vary. However, students who will be pursuing their studies at Tallahassee Community College are scheduled to leave on August 8th, 2017. The Division Study Financing has also organized the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) preparatory workshops for study financing recipients who will be pursuing their studies in the United States. The main goals of these workshops are to ensure that study financing recipients are well prepared for the P.E.R.T. test. The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) is Floridas common placement test. The purpose of the P.E.R.T. is to determine accurate course placement based on the student's skills and abilities. It is aligned with the Postsecondary Readiness Competencies identified by Florida faculty as necessary for success in entry-level college credit course work. The P.E.R.T. assessment system includes Placement and Diagnostic tests in mathematics, reading and writing. Attendance to these preparatory workshops is mandatory. The P.E.R.T. workshops will be held from Monday July 10th 2017 through July 14th 2017, from 8:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at St. Dominic High school. For more information, please contact the Division of Study Financing at +1721 542 5497 or at info@study-sxm.org Page Content The National Coordinator for human trafficking, has the lead in combating human trafficking and human smuggling in Sint Maarten. The Director of Immigration & Border Protection Service (IBP) is tasked in overseeing these responsibilities. The National Reporting Bureau on Human Trafficking (NRB), is the executing agency for prevention & protection on Human Trafficking. On Monday, June 26 marked International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It is also an international recognized day in support of Victims of Torture. In December 1987 the UN General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Sint Maarten has been paving its way to address the aforementioned problems, as part of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 16, on Peace, Justice and strong Institutions, from a local perspective. The establishment of the NRB is a major step in combating Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling in Sint Maarten, using an organized and structured approach. Since its inception in September 2013, the NRB has worked intensively to present themselves to the public and its stakeholders and thus creating support in the execution of its duties. The NRB has been actively engaged during this period with the implementation of the agreements set out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling as well as the actions to be implemented within the framework of the U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) reports. In its short existence the NRB has acquired results from its intended objectives. The number of comments and messages received by the bureau so far testify to the successful approach of this organization. For crimes against personal freedom, including human trafficking, the Penal Code provides heavier penalties compared to the old Penal Code of the former Netherlands Antilles. Moreover, the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings of May 16, 2005 has led to strengthening of the criminal law in Sint Maarten on the subject of human trafficking. The change in the new Penal Code expressly addresses the criminal offence, different forms of participation, and penalties as well as aggravating circumstances. This broadened legal blanket ensures that a perpetrator at every level and degree of involvement in trafficking of persons is able to be held accountable for the role they play in this heinous practice. In addition special attention is given to the protection of child victims of trafficking. It is worth mentioning that in the US TIP report 2016, St. Maarten fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons and has been elevated from tier 2 Watch list to tier 1. The Government of Sint Maarten is extremely proud of this, particularly because of the large amount of effort that has gone into combating and addressing any issues related to human trafficking. In addition, a number of workshops bringing together relevant stakeholders including senior law enforcement, Red Cross, and medical officials have taken place on Sint Maarten to raise awareness on the issue of human trafficking. The different aspects of Human Trafficking can be broken down in: Domestic Servitude; Forced Labour and Exploitation and Sexual Slavery. A major accomplishment was the implementation of the Temporary Residency- policy guideline by the Minister of Justice in December 2015. The National Reporting Bureau on Human Trafficking granted the first temporary residence permit to an exploited victim and his family while their case was under investigation. The temporary residency regulation serves as a way to encourage the victims to assist in the investigation and prosecution of offenders of human trafficking. In 2015/2016, several investigations in Human Trafficking was conducted in brothels, targeting the owners. Appeals were made by the Public Prosecutors Office to Government requesting that administrative measures be taken against establishments which were involved in Human Trafficking violations, such as revoking their licenses. There once was a time when all babies were breastfed and they died in droves You might think that people would reflect on this before promoting breastfeeding as a lifesaving panacea. Sadly, you would be wrong. [pullquote align=right cite= link= color= class= size=]Theres an appalling presumption that only Western, well off, mostly white women know how to do breastfeeding right.[/pullquote] The latest example, Breastfeeding Could Save 800,000 Children a Year, appears under Nicholas Kristofs byline but was written by Aneri Pattani, a freshly minted graduate of Northeastern University, is the winner of Nicholas Kristofs annual win-a-trip contest. She visited Nigeria. She certainly means well: While traveling around Liberia, I discovered a super-medicine. In a world full of intractable health problems, its a low-cost, practical and easily administered substance that saves childrens lives like almost nothing else. Im talking about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a foundation for good nutrition. It reduces child mortality by providing protection against illnesses like diarrhea and pneumonia, which kill 1.4 million children each year. In fact, by implementing proper breastfeeding practices alone, we could save the lives of 800,000 children a year in the developing world, according to estimates from the medical journal The Lancet. Yet nearly all those children die in countries that have HIGH breastfeeding rates. Virtually none of them occur in places with clean water and easy access to infant formula. Consider the United Kingdom where lactivists endlessly bemoan the low breastfeeding rate: Only one in every 200 children here just 0.5 per cent is breastfed until the age of 12 months, placing us bottom of a global league table published in The Lancet medical The latest infant mortality rate in the UK 3.6/1000 is the lowest ever recorded. Compare that to Liberia where over 98% of babies are breastfed for some portion of time. The infant mortality rate 54/1000 is 1400% higher than in the UK. Why such a massive difference? As is distressingly typical in the neo-liberal accounting of health, Pattani blames mothers: Myths and traditional customs often contradict best practices for breastfeeding [M]any are also given water or solid food when they are young. Yei Vahn, a 39-year-old mother of 12, told me shed been giving her youngest son, Arthur, water since he was 4-months-old. I noticed he would cry a lot when it was very hot outside, so I gave him water from the well, she said. Its a habit she developed while raising her 11 older children, and one that she passed on to her daughters as well. The problem is, it is a dangerous practice. Giving a baby water, especially when its not boiled, can introduce harmful pathogens into the childs system, leading to illness or death. Thats the most obvious problem, but not the only one. It seems never to have occurred to Pattani that the traditional customs she decries might reflect very real problems with the adequacy of breastfeeding. Pattani is in good company. Though exclusive breastfeeding beginning within an hour of birth is aggressively promoted in industrialized countries, theres no evidence that indigenous or ancient peoples followed what are now deemed to be best practices. Pre-lacteal feeding (giving substances in addition to or instead of colostrum) is practiced worldwide. Indeed: Colostrum avoidance has been reported across the globe, in varied places such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, West Java, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Bolivia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Tanzania. Using the term delayed breast-feeding, Morse et al. found that fifty of 120 cultures described in the Human Research Area Files withheld colostrum. Obviously we cannot know the original reasoning behind the practice, but odds are high that it reflects the fact that 5-15% of women (or more) have insufficient or delayed production of breastmilk. Without supplements, those babies would have died of dehydration. With pre-lacteal feeds, babies lived who would otherwise have died. Over time, that observation was transmuted into a belief that colostrum was harmful and supplements were lifesaving. The same reasoning may apply to supplementing breastfeeding with water or other substances. The mother quoted above (who has 12 children) explained that she supplemented with water because her baby cried for it when it was particularly hot. In other words, he appeared to her to be dehydrated and she couldnt produce enough milk to prevent dehydration. But Pattani, like most of those who promote breastfeeding as lifesaving, ignores reality in favor of blame: The challenge for breastfeeding in very poor countries is not so much the use of infant formula, which is more of a problem in nations just a bit better off. In the poorest countries, very few have the money to buy formula. Rather the problem is that breastfeeding isnt done quite right. Moms delay breastfeeding after birth. They offer the baby sugar water or tea, cassava or fruit, well before six months or they stick to exclusive breast milk too long. A mother who has breastfed 12 children, comes from a culture where 98% of babies are breastfed, and has never been influenced by formula manufacturing isnt doing breastfeeding quite right? Apparently only Western, well off, (mostly white) women know how to do breastfeeding right. The presumption is appalling. No one seems to see what is right in front of their faces: it isnt mothers who are deficient, it is breastfeeding. It is simply assumed that Liberian mothers who supplement are ignorant when the reality is more likely to be that breastfeeding is not the perfect process that lactivists pretend. Breastfeeding, like conception and pregnancy, is very imperfect. Infertility is far from rare and 20% of established pregnancies end in miscarriage. The rate of inadequate breastmilk supply may not be as high, but its high enough to cause significant rates of infant death. Supplementation is not an ignorant custom practiced by backward women, but a reasonable response to a very common problem. Babies die because the water and other substances used for supplementation are contaminated (as they inevitably are in nature). Supplementation is a bad solution to a serious problem insufficient breastmilk. Pattani, in company with most lactivists, simply assumes that all Liberian women could breastfeed exclusively, but choose not to do so. She further assumes that if women didnt supplement (with contaminated water), their babies would be healthier. It is equally possible that their babies would be dead due to dehydration or starvation. Thats why the Lancets claim that 800,000 lives could be saved each year if all women breastfed exclusively is both heartless and witless, not to mention unproven. The Lancet arrived at that figure by extrapolating from small studies. There is simply NO EVIDENCE that breastfeeding rates have any impact on infant mortality rates. And why would they? Breastfeeding didnt prevent an astronomical infant death rate prior to the advent of sanitation, vaccinations and antibiotics. Theres no reason to think it would prevent astronomical death rates now. The Lancets claim that breastfeeding could save 800,000 lives per year is wrong on so many levels. It is not supported by population data; it is not supported by historical evidence; and it is not supported by the fact that most babies die from causes that cannot be prevented or cured by breastmilk. But what bothers me most about the Lancet claim is its implicit medical colonialism: look at the poor women of color breastfeeding wrong. Watch their Western, wealthy (and mostly white) sisters teach them how to do breastfeeding right. It is a terrible tragedy that Liberian babies are dying in such high numbers. But the truth is that they are dying for lack of access to formula made with clean water, lack of access to vaccines, lack of access to antibiotics, not from lack of access to breastfeeding. If we want to save those young lives we should send water purification facilities and clean water, vaccines and antibiotics, not lactivists pontificating about perfection of a process, breastfeeding, that is imperfect to a deadly extent. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted. 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Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f01c8d00)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f024c140)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f01c8d00)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f024c140)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f02ad170)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f024c140)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f024c140)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e4dd8e20)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f011f138)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f011f138)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0224e80)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f026ad78)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0224e80)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f026ad78)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0235cf8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f026ad78)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f026ad78)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612ee69fa90)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f0242be8)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f0242be8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Developer Nick Antos is caught in the middle of a new development tax, rushing to submit an application for a new eight-unit Braddon development by Friday's 5pm cut-off to avoid paying an extra $192,500 in tax. From Saturday, Mr Antos and other developers will have to pay $30,000 a unit for developments on residential blocks, instead of the $5000 to $7500 per unit charged now. Developers who get applications in by Friday will avoid the tax, but because Mr Antos is not ready to lodge a full DA, he is lodging an initial application instead, in the hope of being assessed under the old rules. Developer Nick Antos, who is planning to redevelop a block on Torrens St in Braddon, says the latest changes in the budget increase the cost by $240,000. Credit:Rohan Thomson The new tax, a surprise announcement in the June budget, has left the building community up in arms, saying it threatens the viability of small-scale townhouse and unit developments. Mr Antos bought the block in Torrens Street, Braddon, in May, and said he did feasibility work based on the costs and charges at the time. The jump in change-of-use charge from about $47,500 to $240,000 was "a little bit hard to absorb", he said. Hannah Townsend's beautiful face glows blue in the light of her iPhone in a portrait her artist father Ross calls his "best yet". "I'm really happy with it," he said. Gordon artist Ross Townsend with his daughter Hannah, who he painted for the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, now showing at the Belconnen Arts Centre. Credit:Karleen Minney Perhaps it was the close relationship between subject and artist or the theme - being alone but connected - that resonated. But for whatever reason, Ross Townsend's portrait Social Event has landed him in the big time, one of the 30 finalists in the prestigious, and lucrative, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. Virgin Australia's second highest ranking executive is heading for the airline's departure lounge after less than a year in the job. Group executive John Thomas, who was in charge of Virgin's domestic and international operations, will leave the company this week, Virgin confirmed on Thursday night. It's understood Virgin management decided he was not the right fit for the role. Rob Sharp, CEO of Virgin's budget arm Tigerair, will step in for Mr Thomas while the company decides on a replacement. ANZ Bank is seeking to uncover who was behind a metals fraud in Asia that cost it "substantial losses" and led to transfers of $US151 million ($196 million) to the United States, according to court papers filed in California. Australia's third-biggest lender filed papers on June 6 asking the US District Court in San Francisco to allow it to interview US witnesses about a fraud that involved fake ownership documents for nickel stored in Asian warehouses owned by commodities group Glencore. ANZ and Glencore declined to comment. As part of a complex series of financial transactions, ANZ ended up with ownership documents for nickel stored in Singapore and South Korea, but discovered they were fraudulent when it tried to sell the metal, the court papers said. Rio Tinto shareholders have backed the decision by the company's board to sell the mining giant's Hunter Valley coal assets to China-controlled Yancoal Australia. Shareholders considered the proposed deal at Rio general meetings in Sydney on Thursday, and London on Tuesday, voting overwhelmingly to back the deal. The Sydney meeting was over in about nine minutes. More than 97 per cent of the shareholders at the general meetings in London and Sydney voted in favour of the offer. Credit:Bloomberg In a statement to the ASX Rio Tinto said that of the more than 1 billion votes cast on the proposed sale resolution, 97.2 per cent were cast in favour of a sale to Yancoal. The meeting coincided with a bright day on the sharemarket for Rio, with the company's stocks surging $2.05 to $63.39. Late in the day there was one trade of almost 340,000 Rio shares. Discount retailer Target may be struggling with sales, but a head office it recently leased for a 10-year period in Melbourne's west has sold to Centuria Property Funds for $58.23 million. ASX-listed Centuria has sealed a deal with Perth-based property developer Cedar Woods to purchase an eight-storey building Cedar Woods is constructing at its Williams Landing housing development. The new Target head office will open at the end of 2018. Cedar Woods recently inked a deal with Wesfarmers-owned Target to move from its headquarters in Geelong to occupy the 12,919-square-metre building on a 10-year lease. Shaw and Partners analysts said the Cedar Woods deal represented a "pretty vanilla acquisition" for Centuria. There are a lot of hurdles before Anchorage Capital Group's recapitalisation program for Slater + Gordon is complete, but it is good to see the US group not to be confused with Anchorage Capital Partners of Dick Smith Electronics infamy are optimists. While Anchorage and its fellow debt holders will account for 95 per cent of the equity in the law firm, if the deal goes through, these "New Lenders" will also be providing fresh debt. Slater & Gordon CEO Andrew Grech will step down from the law firm Credit:Jesse Marlow This group will hold interest-free convertible notes in a UK subsidiary of Slater that will entitle the note holders to payments of up to 250 million (more than $420 million) received by that subsidiary "in respect of the net proceeds of Watchstone-related claims" and other potential proceeds from other international Slater businesses. The Watchstone claims refer to the business formerly known as Quindell, which Slater is suing for 600 million over the disastrous acquisition in 2015 which led to this mess. Welcome to episode 2 of our It All Adds Up podcast about the economics of the everyday. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Thursday's decision by Victoria Police to press ahead with serious child sex assault charges, including at least one count of alleged rape, against Cardinal George Pell needs to be recognised for what it is and reported and commented on accordingly. The Cardinal, Australia's highest ranking Catholic and the most senior Vatican official ever to have been charged with such offences, is entitled to the same presumption of innocence every person called upon to appear before the courts is owed. He has co-operated fully with Australian police and has, consistently and vehemently, denied the allegations upon which the charges are based. The Cardinal has indicated he will return to Australia to defend himself subject to a travel clearance from his doctors. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. The Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis was always going to peak at the Vatican. The only surprise is it was an Australian who took it there. Then again, we're the only country in the world that's held a national Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Cardinal George Pell is Pope Francis' prefect of the secretariat for the economy in effect the reforming Pope's chief financial headkicker but he's also the most senior Catholic cleric in the world to be charged with sex offences, as of Thursday. The gays sure have a lot to answer for: same-sex marriage policy is fast becoming the new climate policy, the combustion issue for the current cohort of Australian politicians, the intractable telescope-point to which the conservative side of politics has narrowed its focus. This is even more remarkable when you consider that gay marriage is an argument even conservatives know they have lost, which is why it doesn't appear anywhere in Tony Abbott's alternative conservative manifesto. Illustration: Jim Pavlidis Legalising gay marriage is going to get done, it's just a matter of when, and by whom. For the great majority of Australians, poll after poll indicates, this reform is no big deal: they want to see it legislated. Then they compete to see who can build the most spectacular, most delicious cake in a particular theme it might be a Spongebob theme, or a Powerpuff Girls theme (a particularly distressing cake-war. I don't want to go into details, but let's just say it involved brown-sugar spice-cake with a mac 'n' cheese filling. For many of us, the grief is still too raw). Cake Wars is an American TV series where contestants gather in a big purple kitchen and prepare for battle, dressed in protective kevlar combat-aprons, and armed with nothing but spatulas, wooden spoons and those crinkle-effect wheel-tools that can prove deadly in a fondant-decorating skirmish. Watching all that war can do your head in, so if it's getting too much, you should flip over to another SBS channel and watch a much sweeter, fluffier and moister kind of war Cake Wars. The perfect blend of hostile armed conflict and baked desserts. SBS news can break your heart. It's pretty much nothing but war. War in Iraq. War in Afghanistan. War in Syria, which is about 17 different wars going on at the same time, with the government fighting rebels, and rebels fighting ISIS, and ISIS fighting Kurds, and Kurds fighting the government, and somehow at the end of it, Hezbollah turns out to be its own grandpa. Once the cakes are baked, a table of judges examine and taste-test each one then pronounce one contestant the Cake War winner, while the defeated cake warriors must slink away in shame, wondering if their cola and artichoke frosting was a tactical military error, and whether they'll be charged with frosting-atrocities at the Cake-War-Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. But nobody ever dies in a Cake War, nobody suffers in a Cake War, there are never any Cake War injuries apart from the slow, long-term sugar-related deterioration of the outer enamel layer of the judges' teeth. Cake Wars is a vision of how all wars should be fought. It would be a much better world if people only cake-fought each other. ISIS could bake a delicious syrupy baklava, carved into the shape of an Islamic Caliphate. And the US could challenge them with a light, fluffy Captain America cake, from a Betty Crocker packet-mix. Then the Kurds could strike with a lemon curd tart just tangy enough to make it a real showstopper. And the winner could be decided by a jury made up of representatives from the United Nations, and also the Country Women's Association. If war could be like that, I'd happily go and fight, armed with a recipe for my mother's famous airplane-shaped birthday cake with wings that actually poke out in the air, so it's 3 per cent cake, 97 per cent support-toothpicks. And in decades to come, the only war veterans would be gnarly, battle-scarred bakers, hanging out in RSL Clubs, reminiscing about the time they used a hair-dryer to save a split Italian buttercream, or revealing their painful struggles with PTSD and how they still jump under a table every time they hear the spinning beaters on a KitchenAid stand mixer. Or sneering at the other war vet sitting alone in a corner: the one who served on the other SBS series, Cupcake Wars. "Hey cupcake!" they'll yell across to him. "You think baking a couple of salted-caramel 'n' pecan cupcakes is a war? We carved a whole Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle out of rice cereal treats! You hear me? Now that was a real war!" Darkest Peru's most celebrated emigrant began life as a mental exercise. In 1956 Bond had written a few short stories and some radio plays but was working as a BBC cameraman. On Christmas Eve he bought his wife a bear from Selfridges because he thought it looked lonely on the shelf. It was christened Paddington because they lived nearby and it was the station he had travelled up to as a boy when visiting London. Michael Bond, who has died aged 91, was a prolific author of children's stories and the creator of Paddington Bear. One morning, looking for inspiration, he began to compose a story around the bear and the railway terminus. Images of wartime evacuees sprung to mind, each with a small suitcase and a label round the neck ("Please look after this bear"). Bond wrote eight stories about the Peruvian bear in just over a week. Paddington quickly acquired his duffel coat and old floppy hat along with a preference for marmalade over honey sandwiches. The first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published by William Collins in 1958. Paddington's escapades were rooted in the conventions of the age and Bond made few concessions to changing times. The bear's hosts, the Browns, still retained a housekeeper, with Mrs Brown busying herself in the kitchen while her husband worked. This reflected Bond's nostalgia for an era, as he put it, without graffiti and vandalised telephone boxes. Yet Paddington's childlike seriousness and capacity for troublesome good intentions gave him an appeal that endured and overcame the boundaries of time and culture. "I never think of children when I'm writing something; I write it to please myself," said Bond. Bond's father was a Post Office clerk and he was educated at Presentation College, Reading, a Catholic school chosen by his mother based on the colour of the boys' blazers. The school was run by monks, whose brutal methods of discipline encouraged Bond to leave at 14. He worked as an office boy for a solicitor before joining the BBC as a trainee engineer. To every journalist, there are stories that stick out. Appalling crimes. Great feats. Laws that leave a legacy. Triumphs over tragedy. And those stories that you simply cannot forget. For me, the sad treatment meted out to some of our elderly will always top that list. You see it in headlines, as one-offs, and it's sometimes easy to dismiss as isolated cases. Kerosene baths. A nursing home resident who couldn't feed herself, and was ignored. Another whose teeth had not been cleaned in a week. A report showing an escalation in financial abuse of our elderly. But put it together, and we have a systemic problem in how we deal with those in the twilight of their lives; a problem that continues to flare, and continues to be ignored by successive governments. A NSW Government-commissioned investigation has recommended a "major review" into how the Environment Protection Authority handles contaminated land. It called for the public to be given more information about the risks posed by highly polluted land, and proposed a "very fast response mechanism" be investigated. Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton says she will consider the findings of the review. The review, sparked by a Fairfax Media investigation, found the NSW EPA's internal guidelines were too complex while providing no "clear guidance as to why decisions are taken". It also questioned if officers were taking too long to assess highly contaminated sites and said the public had "inadequate" information about contamination levels. Check your couch cushions for spare change ... noughties Hollywood It-girl Lindsay Lohan is launching a website promising an inside look at her life. For a price. For $US2.99 ($3.95) a month, fans can have access to Lohan's lifestyle content, which is part of a new celebrity site, Preemium. The monthly fee gives fans access to all her "secrets", with everything from personal diaries to fashion and beauty tutorials on offer. Lindsay Lohan says she will share exclusive content and her breaking news with fans before anyone else through a new website. Credit:Getty In a statement on the new website, Lohan said: "I will give you access to all my exclusive content and tell you all my secrets and breaking news before anyone else." It will include, "personal diaries, video updates, exclusive personal photos, breaking news, fashion and beauty tutorials, shopping guides, behind the scenes content . . . and much more", she continued. As a speech pathologist, newly-crowned Miss Universe Australia Olivia Rogers was always going to choose her words carefully. But it's the bikini round that had her most nervous going into Thursday's national final. "Growing up I was quite a chubby kid ... very nerdy ... I never thought I'd do modelling ... The runways have always been a bit daunting, particularly bikini it's never really been my thing. Even in front of my family I am a bit self conscious. So getting up on stage in front of a lot of people in not much was very scary," Ms Rogers, 25, said after winning the crown from NSW favourite Georgie Mitchell. Following her win, Ms Rogers revealed she had battled anxiety and depression in her younger years. It's cold. We get it. No-one wants to go out. Good news, there are plenty of online sales to keep you entertained this weekend. If you've got yourself a winter wedding or party to attend, Alice McCall has flirty frocks and playsuits at up to 60 per cent off. Styles include the Heart Racer fringed dress, which is reduced from $360 to $290. In store and online. While stocks last. He is likely to step aside from his Vatican post while he fights the charges. Victoria's Deputy Police Commissioner, Shane Patton, confirmed in a brief press conference on Thursday morning that Cardinal Pell had been issued with multiple charges relating to historical sexual abuse allegations. The charges were served on Cardinal Pell's legal representatives in Melbourne on Thursday, Mr Patton said. "There are multiple complainants relating to those charges," he said. Mr Patton said there had been a lot of speculation about the process that has been involved in the investigation of Cardinal Pell. "The process and procedures that are being followed in the charging of Cardinal Pell have been the same that have been applied in a whole range of historical sex offences, whenever we investigate them," he said. "Cardinal Pell has been treated the same as anyone else in this investigation." Police did not take any questions during the press conference and did not detail what the allegations were. Mr Patton said it was important that due process was followed. "Preserving the integrity of that process is essential to us all and so for Victoria Police, it is important that it is allowed to go through unhindered and allowed to see natural justice is afforded to all the parties involved, including Cardinal Pell and the complainants in this matter," he said. All was quiet at Cardinal Pell's Roman residence as the news broke. He lives in a block of apartments on a square just outside the Vatican walls, metres from St Peter's Square, and a minute's walk from the doors to the Basilica. Security is tight in this part of Rome an army jeep with two alert, armed soldiers sits on the corner of the square, another on the other side of the wall and the police presence in this part of the city is constant. But there were no lights on in the building and the city was quiet in the early hours of Thursday morning. Thursday is a public holiday in Rome the fiesta of St Peter and St Paul. It's a day when many natives traditionally head to the beach. But despite the apparent peace in Rome, the announcement is set to send shockwaves through the Catholic Church in Australia and around the world. Cardinal Pell has retained leading Victorian criminal barrister, Robert Richter QC, and it is likely some of the argument that Mr Richter will make in court will concern the question of whether Cardinal Pell can receive a fair trial given the large amount of pre-trial publicity. As Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican, Cardinal Pell may avoid prosecution should he choose not to return to Victoria, but he is expected to come back to fight the charges. Three detectives from Victoria Police's Sano Taskforce travelled to Rome to interview Cardinal Pell about the allegations last year after he was declared unfit to travel to Australia. He has repeatedly and emphatically denied all allegations, but said he would continue to co-operate with the police investigation. Cardinal Pell addresses the media at the Vatican. Credit:AP Fairfax Media cannot reveal the charges for legal reasons. Cardinal Pell's lawyers were at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday. A magistrate will next Thursday decide whether to release charge sheets to the media. The development has been called a "watershed" for victims of clerical abuse, the Vatican and the Catholic community. Advocate for victims of church abuse, Father Kevin Dillon. Credit:Angela Wylie Brian Coyne, editor and publisher of Catholic forum Catholica, said: "The implications of this for the church in Australia and, indeed, for the church internationally and Pope Francis, scarcely bear thinking about." Father Kevin Dillon, of St Mary's Basilica, Geelong, who has long been an outspoken supporter of abuse victims, said the charges would have an "enormous" impact on morale and the church's mission. "So many Catholics will be devastated that these complaints have reached such heights in the church," he said. "The whole abuse saga has been so ugly for so long, and now this. The law will take its course, as it must, but this will have a devastating impact on most Catholics. "I have just celebrated three Masses one to a group of grade three students, another to my local parish and the other was a funeral and the fact that this has happened and charges have been laid is numbing." Advocates for abuse survivors have called for Cardinal Pell to honour his commitment to face the charges in person. The 76-year-old has vowed to return to Australia, subject to medical approval from his doctors relating to a heart condition. "All along, I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations," Cardinal Pell said on Thursday. "News of these charges strengthens my resolve. And court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here back to Rome to work." Ill health was cited as the reason Cardinal Pell was unable to travel from Rome to Australia to testify in person before the royal commission in 2016. Leonie Sheedy, co-founder of survivor advocacy group Care Leavers Australasia Network, said: "If he can fly from Rome to London, he can fly to Australia with stopovers." Advocate Chrissie Foster whose daughters Emma and Katie were raped by Melbourne paedophile priest Father Kevin O'Donnell when they were in primary school in the 1980s welcomed the development, but said she had lost confidence in Cardinal Pell. "It wouldn't surprise me if Cardinal Pell does not come back to Australia to face the charges," Ms Foster said. "In the past, Cardinal Pell has said he would produce documents to the royal commission and didn't. He said he would come back to testify before the royal commission and he didn't." Intense interest in the case has also led Victoria's Director of Public Prosecutions, John Champion SC, to issue a warning to media that coverage of the matter be "fair and just to all parties". The charges have already disrupted the distribution of a book about Cardinal Pell by ABC journalist Louise Milligan. Her book, Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell, will be removed from sale to avoid the possibility of prejudicing any potential future trial against him. The book will remain on sale in other states. If the case proceeds to a higher court, it will be heard before a jury. Cardinal Pell will be represented by veteran barrister Robert Richter, QC. The Archdiocese of Sydney has said that it will not fund Cardinal Pell's defence. "While the Archdiocese will assist with the cardinal's accommodation and support, as it would for any of its bishops or priests, it is not responsible for the cardinal's legal bills arising from these matters," Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher said. Holy See spokesman Greg Burke said the Vatican respected the justice system, and noted Cardinal Pell's repeated co-operation with authorities. "The Holy See expresses its respect for the Australian justice system, which will have to decide the merits of the questions raised. Loading Victoria Police has confirmed Cardinal Pell, has been charged on summons over multiple allegations against multiple victims and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 26 for a filing hearing. Clergy sexual abuse victims have called for Cardinal George Pell to be immediately stood down from his powerful Vatican post in the wake of historical sexual abuse charges being laid against him. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Clergy sexual abuse victim Andrew Collins said it was incumbent on Pope Francis to stand down Cardinal Pell from his position as head of the Catholic church's finances. Mr Collins was one of 15 Ballarat clergy sexual abuse survivors who travelled 16,000 kilometres to Rome to bear witness to Cardinal Pell's evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse last year. "It is a defining moment for the church," Mr Collins said. "He should be stood from his role just as any person in any other organisation would be if they were charged with sexual abuse or any other serious crime. If he comes back, it's unprecedented because it shows the child sexual abuse scandal has gone right to the top of the church. "If he doesn't return, it's going to really put pressure on the Pope to stand him down immediately." Another victim Phil Nagle, from Ballarat in Victoria, said survivors were relieved that a decision had been made after months of uncertainty. Mr Coulter and Mr Duffy have been together for eight years after meeting online. "I wanted a baby. I want to have a family," Mr Coulter said. "I have fears of growing old not surrounded by family. I have a dream of having a big family Christmas like I did when I grew up." They looked into the fostering and the adoption process first. "We thought the quicker option would be to pay to have a surrogacy overseas," Mr Coulter said. The couple travelled to Thailand with an egg donor in 2012. The embryos were frozen until the couple could afford to transfer them to a Thai surrogate. However, the international baby Gammy dispute put the Thai industry on hold before it was shut down. An Australian couple, David and Wendy Farnell, used the Thai surrogacy process and brought home one child but her twin brother Gammy, who had down syndrome, was left in Thailand. "We immediately looked to protect our embryos and had to hastily transfer them to another country," Mr Coulter said. They were later destroyed as it is not legal to bring them into Australia. "The whole process was very emotionally draining," Mr Coulter said. "I was very frustrated and I felt numb." A year later the couple were financially and emotionally ready to start the surrogacy process again. With international commercial surrogacy no longer an option, the men posted an appeal on Facebook. It worked. Paid advertising for a surrogate is prohibited in Australia and therefore most searches tend to be word-of-mouth or via closed social media groups. An egg donor and surrogate, both from Wollondilly, are helping the couple realise their dream. In NSW, one can enter a surrogacy arrangement provided the birth mother does not gain financially. The intended parents are, however, allowed to reimburse the birth mother for any reasonable costs she has incurred as a result of her pregnancy. In Australia, agreements between the intended parents and birth mother are not legally binding, meaning if the surrogate does not wish to give up the child at birth, she has the legal right to change her mind. Intended parents can apply for the child to be legally recognised as their own through a parentage order. The egg donor went through counselling, blood tests, scans and self injections before 14 eggs were collected earlier this year. Mr Coulter and Mr Duffy's sperm fertilised seven eggs each. Three embryos each were viable. "To get six viable eggs was a really good result," Mr Coulter said. The embryos are now frozen in Sydney for four months while they are quarantined. "I will be crying tears of joy when I first hold my baby girl or boy," Mr Coulter said Mr Coulter said the Australian surrogacy process would cost up to $70,000 as opposed to $13,000 for the Thai surrogacy process. The costs in Australia include the IVF process as well as counselling, medical tests, massages during the pregnancy and legal costs. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. The Australian Catholic Church has spoken in support of Cardinal George Pell, emphasising his contribution to the church and warning against a trial by media in the wake of sex abuse charges. In a statement released after Victoria Police confirmed Cardinal Pell has been charged over historical sex abuse allegations, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne defended the 76-year-old's character. Archbishop Denis Hart, who took over from Cardinal Pell as Archbishop of Melbourne in 2001, said he was "aware of the significance" of the decision to charge his predecessor but went on to highlight the work of the man who is Australia's most senior Catholic figure. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. One of Australia's leading Catholic Church commentators has described the charges against Cardinal George Pell as a "watershed moment", while sex abuse survivor advocates have urged the cardinal to follow through on his undertaking to return to Australia to face court in person. Cardinal George Pell will defend the charges against him. Credit:Getty Images Brian Coyne, editor and publisher of Catholic forum Catholica, said the charges had extraordinary implications for the church. "Sadly, Cardinal Pell has been a divisive figure in the Catholic Church in Australia for a long time," he said. A man faces multiple drug-related charges after a lengthy police investigation into illicit drug dealing over the so-called "dark web". The 43-year-old was arrested after officers from the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police swooped on two properties in Sydney's inner west on Thursday morning. Officers from Strike Force Collette searched the properties at Wolli Creek and Tempe at 8am where they seized cocaine, MDMA, silocybin (magic mushrooms), more than $12,000 cash, drug equipment and packaging. During the search warrant, the officers also found laptops with sophisticated hardware and software encryption. A man has been charged with murder after the stabbing death of another man at a busy shopping strip in Sydney's south-west on Thursday morning. Emergency services were called to a shop on Beamish Street, Campsie, just after 11.30am following reports a 41-year-old man was bleeding heavily from a stab wound to his groin. Police say a second man, who saw the alleged attack, suffered a blow to the face. Paramedics treated the stabbing victim at the scene before taking him to St George Hospital where he died about 6pm. The traditionally community-owned before-and-after school care sector is under siege with an American private investment firm gobbling up more than a quarter of the national market as it targets profits from another heavily government subsidised sector. Bain Capital, a Boston-based private investment firm, bought Camp Australia, a provider with nearly 750 sites across Australia, in February for a reported $400 million. It now wants to spend around $100 million on another provider, Junior Adventures Group, which operates a further 400 sites across Australia under the brands OSHClub and Helping Hands, including in NSW. Students and parents at Bourke Street Public School are concerned about a possible merger. Credit:Steven Siewert Now parents and industry groups have expressed concern over the quality of care and higher prices if the sector is dominated by one for-profit operator controlling 27 per cent of the national market. In addition, Camp Australia is barred by the NSW government from winning new tenders in the state until it addresses concerns over its quality of care, with less than 50 per cent of the services meeting quality standards. A young plumber charged over the execution of Hamad Assaad allegedly scoped out the crime figure's movements before reporting back the location to his killers. Twenty-four-year-old Osama Hawat was stirred from his sleep before dawn on Thursday when homicide detectives and riot squad officers came banging on his door. Mr Hawat was arrested at the Greenacre home he shared with his wife before detectives poured inside to search the duplex. He was charged with murder and participate in a criminal group. Salim Mehajer has insisted it is "absolutely, totally incorrect" to suggest he lied about holding a 5.30am meeting to oust the director of two of his troubled companies, as he made a tense appearance in the Supreme Court witness box. The colourful property developer and former deputy mayor of Auburn is fighting the appointment of administrators to his companies Sydney Project Group Pty Ltd and S.E.T. Services Pty Ltd. The Supreme Court in Sydney has heard the companies owe almost $100 million to creditors and have just $32,000 in the bank. Mr Mehajer has told the court he held a meeting at 5.31am on Friday, June 16, to oust the sole director of the companies, Kenneth Lee, about 12 hours before Mr Lee sought to appoint administrators to the companies. A Sydney synagogue whose administrators were prevented from sacking its rabbi because doing so would be inconsistent with orthodox Jewish law will close on Friday, the administrators have said. The potential closure of the South Head synagogue, described by a former president as a "tragedy not just for South Head but for all Australian jewry," follows bitter recent disputes between the synagogue's board and its chief rabbi of 32 years, Benzion Milecki. The South Head synagogue on Old South Head Road. Credit:Fiona Morris Administrator Anthony Elkerton wrote to congregants this week to say the synagogue needed third party funding to continue and, with that funding unforthcoming, the "the Synagogue will cease to operate from midday on Friday, 30 June". Mr Elkerton, along with Ron Dean-Wilcocks, was appointed an administrator of the synagogue in April. A day later, they attempted to sack Rabbi Milecki. He's the NSW Blues player Maroons fans love to hate but Andrew Fifita has slammed a pub north of Brisbane for a social media post he says was "racist, discriminating" and a personal attack on his family. Kallangur Tavern, in Moreton Bay, posted to its Facebook account an image of a woman with a black-faced mask strapped to her back after the second State of Origin match last week with a caption that read "Our best dressed tonight is this Blues supporter...Carrying Andrew Fifitas (sic) daughter on her back?!?!". Andrew Fifita of the NSW Blues. Credit:Getty Images An incensed Fifita, the Origin game 1 man of the match, took to Instagram on Thursday to express his disgust at the tavern's image. "I'm all for people shaming me but when you involve my Family it's personal now," he wrote. The introduction of robots, autonomous vehicles and improved cyber security in south-east Queensland will be discussed by city leaders during a three-day international venture. On Sunday, representatives from seven councils will head to Singapore on a three-day mission to explore the country's smart technology and find out if and how it could work in south-east Queensland. The Council of Mayors (SEQ) will explore how service bots can be implemented in south-east Queensland. Credit:Krisztian Bocsi It will be the first such mission for the Council of Mayors (SEQ), who will attend meetings on leadership, innovation, infrastructure and trade and investment. The trip itinerary, sighted by Fairfax Media, showed the councillors would attend meetings with government bodies and high-profile Singaporean companies to discuss how aspects of Singapore's "smart" approach to the city could be integrated into south-east Queensland projects. Breeding pairs of Queensland's endangered bilby will be released into a national park enclosure in a bid to improve and restock wild populations. Thirteen adult greater bilbies and two joeys will soon leave their home at Dreamworld to spread their big ears in a predator-proof enclosure at Currawinya National Park, about 800 kilometres west of Brisbane. Environment Minister Steven Miles and Save the Bilby Fund CEO Kevin Bradley. The 25 square kilometre enclosure is in line to get a $700,000 upgrade from the state government after it was badly damaged by flooding in 2011 and 2012. The existing greater bilby population at the time was decimated after feral cats, the bilby's main threat, managed to get through the enclosure's damaged fence. Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has called for an overhaul of the law that allowed corrupt former health minister Gordon Nuttall to walk away with more than $1 million of his taxpayer-funded superannuation. Nuttall, 64, who is on parole after being sentenced to 14 years jail, was on Wednesday ordered to repay a quarter of his $1.58 million taxpayer-funded superannuation balance under the state's criminal proceeds laws. Gordon Nuttall was ordered by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to repay a quarter of his $1.58 million taxpayer-funded superannuation balance. Credit:Lisa Maree Williams Mr Beattie says while he respects the Brisbane Supreme Court's decision, he believes Nuttall should lose the entirety of his balance. He called on both sides of politics to look at changing the law to ensure politicians convicted of criminal offences while in office lost all access to their taxpayer-funded superannuation. All up it took just three minutes. That's how much time elapsed between a light plane entering an area of low cloud over Point Lonsdale and finally plunging into the water, killing all four people on board. Experienced aviators Daniel Flinn, Donald Hateley, Ian Chamberlain and Dianne Bradley were killed on January 29 last year when a 1967 Piper PA-28 Cherokee plummeted into the ocean without making a distress call. Nearly 18 months after the crash, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its report into what happened during the tragic flight. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Cardinal George Pell was born in Ballarat on June 8, 1941. He was educated at St Patrick's College and Corpus Christi College in Victoria, before studying at Urban University in Rome. He has a PhD in church history from Oxford University, UK, and a masters in education from Monash University. His career 1966: Ordained a priest for the Ballarat diocese in St Peter's Basilica 1971: Assistant Priest at Swan Hill The Victoria Police-backed program to deradicalise extremists is likely to continue, despite concerns about its effectiveness in the wake of the Brighton siege, and the Islamic Council of Victoria withdrawing support. Brighton gunman Yacqub Khayre had been involved in the Community Integration Support Program before he took a woman hostage, killed hotel worker Kai Hao, and injured three police officers, during the siege on June 5. Khayre was shot dead by police. The Islamic Council of Victoria, which provided imams and other Muslim community leaders to mentor those on the $6.4 million program, publicly withdrew its support days after the siege, but said the decision had been made before the siege. Victoria Police, making a rare public comment about the program, said it was confident the scheme would continue. A fisherman has been hammered with a fine of more than $14,000 for illegally taking abalone in a sanctuary zone just off the coast of Shoalwater in Perth's south. Rockingham Court was told on Friday that honorary fisheries officers from Department of Parks and Wildlife saw the man fishing for Roe's abalone behind a rock on the south side of Seal Island back in February of 2015. The man was fined just over $14,000 for illegally taking abalone. Credit:Fisheries WA The court was told the 56-year-old Rockingham man ignored orders to stop what he was doing and began to walk away along a reef platform before submerging two green mesh bags into a hole in the structure. One officer swam out to recover the bags, which were inspected by Department of Fisheries officers and found to contain 132 Roe's abalone and two turban shells: 28 of the abalone were undersize. Moscow: A court convicted five men of murdering Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov on Thursday, but the late politician's allies said the investigation had been a cover-up and that the people who had ordered his killing remained at large. Mr Nemtsov, one of President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics, was murdered in 2015 as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin after dining with his girlfriend. Aged 55, he had been working on a report examining Russia's role in Ukraine. His killing sent a chill through opposition circles. Boris Nemtsov, pictured in 2011. Credit:AP After more than eight months of hearings, a jury trial convicted five ethnic Chechen men of his murder, including the man prosecutors said pulled the trigger, Zaur Dadayev, a former soldier in Chechnya. The court said the four others had acted as his accomplices and that the group had been promised a bounty of 15 million roubles (around $330k) for the high-profile assassination. Washington: The world doesn't have much regard for the president of the United States. That's the somewhat unsurprising take-away from a massive new Pew study polling attitudes toward the United States in 37 countries, from Canada to Russia to South Africa. But the degree to which the world dislikes President Donald Trump is, by some measures, rather remarkable. Below are four findings that stood out. The world distrusts Trump more than even Vladimir Putin Plenty of folks have pointed to the finding that Russia is one of the few countries that actually likes Trump - a 53 per cent majority there has confidence in Trump to do the right thing on the world stage - but another Putin-related finding is even more telling. Jakarta: Indonesian authorities have imposed a travel ban on tycoon and politician Hary Tanoesoedibjo, who is building resorts to be managed by Trump hotels, over an investigation into allegations he threatened a prosecutor via a text message. Tanoesoedibjo has been given a 20-day overseas travel ban starting on June 22 based on a request by Indonesian police's criminal investigation unit Agung Sampurno, a spokesman at the immigration directorate said on Wednesday. Media Nusantara Citra (MNC) Group President and CEO Hary Tanoesoedibjo in January. Credit:AP The billionaire is prevented from leaving Indonesian because he "is under investigation related to a violation of the information and electronic transactions law," Sampurno said. Tanoesoedibjo, whose MNC Group controls businesses ranging from media to property, has been named a suspect for allegedly sending a threatening message to a prosecutor investigating a case involving Mobile 8, a telecommunications company previously owned by MNC Group. Berlin: Berlin police said its officers were "only human" after they were sent home from Hamburg while preparing for next week's G20 summit after reports that some officers had sex and urinated in the open while others brandished weapons while drunk at a wild party. Agence France-Presse reported officers decided to throw a party in the grounds of their fenced-off temporary container accommodation to celebrate the birthdays of two colleagues. An image posted by Berlin Police on Facebook, featuring the word "human", along with a statement addressing the G20 incident. Credit:Facebook/Berlin Police "Yes, we partied," Berlin police acknowledged in a statement on their official Facebook page. Evolved Intelligence flags 5G race concerns Says security in danger of being left behind in technology acceleration Shanghai, China, June 29: At the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, network signalling security experts Evolved Intelligence warned that operators racing to deploy 5G services in time for the Winter Olympic games in 2018 were in danger of forgetting the security lessons of the past. Co-Founder and Commercial Director Peter Blackie said that not enough progress had yet been made on securing 5G network signalling. It is only in the last couple of years, he said, that we have begun to protect the open door in the SS7 signalling protocol used in second and third generation networks. Hackers and fraudsters have found that door and have now begun exploiting the weakness. It is therefore vital, he added, that as well as continuing to close that door, we also ensure that signalling security in 4G and 5G networks gets the attention it requires now and that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Its also worth recognising, said Blackie, that investment now in current networks, including 4G, would pay long-term dividends. The defence systems will evolve with the new technology and provide the best protection against future attacks which will be aimed across all protocols. Referring to the race to launch in time for the Winter Olympics, Blackie warned: I understand the commercial targeting of big events for new technology, but it will put the operators in a vulnerable position if they launch 5G networks without the right level of security. Earlier this year, hackers exploited the weakness in SS7 signalling to defraud banking customers in Germany, diverting text messages that had been sent to authorise consumer transactions to their own mobiles rather than to the registered user. Evolved Intelligence is supplying a Signalling Firewall solution to operators that would have detected and blocked the fraudulent divert. Although SS7 signalling, typically used to communicate between networks, is not used in 4G and 5G systems, the replacement Diameter signalling has some of the same inter-network security issues. The security issues will not fade away with the closure of the legacy networks, said Blackie. The Diameter signalling used in 4G and 5G networks will need improved security to keep the fraudsters at bay especially as the technology underpinning Diameter will be more familiar to IT and computer hackers than the telecoms technology used in SS7 signalling. Speaking during one of the conference panels on Network Evolution, Blackie said that the current network planning phase, was the perfect time to build signalling firewalls and safety into 5G network roll-outs and to learn the lessons of the past. AerServ Expands Industry Sales Presence Opens New Offices in New York City and Chicago and Strengthens Leadership Team IRVINE, CA (Marketwired) 06/29/17 , the leading inventory and audience management technology for mobile publishers and advertisers, today announced the opening of new offices in New York City and Chicago to expand and bolster the companys sales efforts with leading marketers, advertisers, digital agencies, and publishers. David DiAngelo, a digital advertising veteran, has joined AerServs team as VP of Marketplace Development. DiAngelo most recently served as a Business Development leader at The Rubicon Project, where he built out the companys mobile business. At AerServ, David will help lead the New York City office and foster market development. David has also held various leadership roles at inneractive, ValueClick, and Yahoo!. Im thrilled to be joining the AerServ team, DiAngelo said. Marketers and advertisers are starting to shift both their attention and dollars to mobile as a reflection of consumer engagement and usage. I look forward to evangelizing the benefits of clean and transparent mobile video advertising with a company where these values come first. The decision to open new offices and to expand our operations with new talent underscores our growth as well as our commitment to serving our clients in current and new markets, Josh Speyer, AerServ CEO, said. Davids in-depth industry knowledge will undoubtedly serve as a vital asset to our strategic growth in New York and Chicago. Headquartered in Irvine, California, AerServ has built inventory and audience management technology specific for the mobile advertising ecosystem. With the companys growth and the industrys embrace of AerServs mobile inventory and audience management technology, AerServ is opening offices in New York and Chicago to build deeper relationships with leading marketers and advertisers focused on building efficient, relevant, and effective mobile advertising campaigns especially mobile video. AerServ is the leading inventory and audience management technology for mobile publishers and advertisers, specializing in mobile video technology, with proprietary yield optimization tools that increase revenue across all formats and ad units. AerServ works in alignment with thousands of apps, from premium publishers to independent developers, to optimize their existing ad network revenue through mediation, and tap into aerMarkets demand inventory to supercharge their earnings. AerServs entire platform and infrastructure were built with a publisher-first mentality. Technical integration is super simple, and publishers can serve multiple ad formats through one integration, reducing time even further. Publishers get best-in-class support with hands-on care from integration specialists, account managers and software engineers. Whether you are looking for a simple way to monetize your mobile inventory or an advanced way to increase revenue, AerServ can get you there easily and efficiently. The company was founded in 2013 and has offices in Irvine, California. Visit AerServ at or follow us on Twitter at @AerServ. Nikki Reyes WIT Strategy for AerServ (408) 499-0033 MEF17 Surpasses 50 Service Provider and Technology Vendor Sponsors LOS ANGELES, CA (Marketwired) 06/29/17 , the driving force enabling agile, assured, and orchestrated Third Network services, is pleased to announce broad and growing support for its world-class MEF17 () global networking event, to be held 13-16 November in Orlando, Florida, USA at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. With a target audience of 1,000+ attendees from 275+ companies and 35+ countries, MEF17 is the worlds premier networking opportunity for communications executives and other senior professionals focused on that are optimized for the digital economy and the hyper-connected world. MEF17s list of 50+ sponsors includes leading service providers, technology solutions providers, software services and network consulting firms and testing companies. One-third of MEF17 sponsors are service providers. , , , and . , , , , , , , and . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and . , , , , , , , , , , and . . and . To be announced soon. We are pleased by the pace at which sponsors have been committing their support to MEF17 and take their robust engagement as a sign of the dedication by industry innovators to accelerate the transition to a new generation of on-demand services, said Kevin Vachon, COO, MEF. MEF17 is on track to be one of our most successful events to date, bringing together all of the key players enabling the development and delivery of these services over automated, virtualized, and interconnected networks powered by LSO, SDN, NFV and CE 2.0. MEF17 also will be supported by dozens of media, industry research, open source, and standards organization partners. Initial participating analyst firms include: , , , , , , and . Media partners include , , and others to be announced. MEF17 is focused on Third Network connectivity and cloud services for the digital economy and the hyper-connected world. The event is on pace to be bigger and better than last years popular MEF16 event, with a target of 1,000+ attendees from 275+ companies, 275+ service & technology executives, 120+ expert speakers, 120+ sponsors & event partners, 18+ Proof of Concept demonstrations, and more. MEFs global networking events have developed a reputation for uniquely empowering industry stakeholders with high-quality program content, extraordinary peer-to-peer networking opportunities, and live demonstrations of cutting-edge services and technologies. MEF17s program will build upon popular elements of last years event while introducing several new activities. Elements include: world-class Plenaries, Sessions, and MEF Workshops; the 4th Proof of Concept Showcase; a vibrant Networking Hall; the 5th LSO Hackathon; an enhanced Global Media Hub; UNITE Partner participation; the new MEF Awards Party, and on-site MEF professional training courses and exams. For sponsorship information, please contact Alysia Bennett at . For more event information, visit . MEF is the driving force enabling agile, assured, and orchestrated Third Network services for the digital economy and the hyper-connected world. The Third Network concept combines the agility and ubiquity of the Internet with the performance and security of CE 2.0 (Carrier Ethernet 2.0) networks. Third Network services provide an on-demand experience with user and application-directed control over network resources and service capabilities. These new services are delivered over automated, virtualized, and interconnected networks powered by LSO (Lifecycle Service Orchestration), SDN, NFV, and CE 2.0. MEF leverages its global 210+ network operator and technology vendor community, builds upon the robust $80 billion Carrier Ethernet services and technology market, and provides a practical evolution to the Third Network with LSO, SDN, and NFV implementations that build upon a CE 2.0 foundation. See for more information. Jas McDonald Witz Communications for MEF 919-435-9115 Solar Novus Today Has Been Integrated With Novus Light Technologies Today Visit Novus Light Technologies Today to see all the cutting-edge stories and products that you have come to enjoy on Solar Novus Today. In addition, you will find more information on related light-based technologies. Get the latest solar and renewable energy news delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for the Green Technologies newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR GREEN TECHNOLOGIES NEWSLETTER 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever': What to know before you see it Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Thunderstorms likely. High 81F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. 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Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. Madrid (Spain), June 29, 2017 (SPS) - The third day of the summer course of the Juan Carlos University in Madrid on Western Sahara cause was attended by several lecturers on Saharwi culture, given by specialists in Sahrawi culture and anthropologists. The representative of the Frente POLISARIO in Spain, Jira Bulahi, expressed thanks to the specialists who attended this course, noting the importance of culture in the struggle for freedom. In this context, Sahara poet Zahra Hasnawi of the Friendship Generation group explained that her team works to spread and promote Sahrawi culture, adding that poetry is a means of preserving the Sahrawi identity and it is necessary to preserve the Sahrawi oral heritage. The Sahrawi writer Bahia Mohammed of the Friendship Generation group stressed that the Moroccan occupier is trying to obliterate the Sahrawi heritage and acquire the Sahrawi identity and claim that the dialect and the Sahrawi heritage are part of his culture. Spanish linguist Anna Cristina Ierros spoke of the importance of Sahrawi oral culture in the transmission of culture, as in the case of folk tales. The third day of the summer course ended with documentary films about the Sahrawi cause and some cultural activities inside a traditional Sahrawi tent. SPS 125/090/TRA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KENT A large bear was shot and killed Monday within yards of the spot where a pet donkey was killed by a bear three weeks ago. Ted Hoffman, whose donkey was killed in the earlier attack on his Fuller Mountain Road property, said a 557-pound male black bear was shot with a rifle by a caretaker around 6 a.m. There is no way to know, as of now, if its the same bear, Hoffman said. He and his wife, Megg, lost one of our buddies, a 15-year-old miniature donkey, Radar, to a bear on May 21. Two other donkeys were also injured in the attack. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection took the bear carcass and are investigating, said spokesman Dennis Schain. All the facts and circumstances must be determined and evaluated before any decision can be made about the disposition of this matter, Schain said. Schain agreed that its hard to say whether the dead bear was the same animal that killed Radar. Its unlikely we could tell, he said. Probably too much time has passed to find evidence in its digestive system. Megg Hoffman said shes almost certain its the same bear. Mondays visit marked the seventh time since May 1 that a bear visited the couples property, she said. After the caretaker killed the bear, the Hoffmans called DEEP, which took the carcass to its wildlife headquarters in Burlington to conduct a necropsy. That just gives us a chance to study the specimen, Schain said. DEEP estimates that the state has more than 700 bears and the population might be growing at 10 percent a year. Tracy Rittenhouse, an ecology professor in UConns Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, said black bears, which have been spreading through western Connecticut since the early 1980s, surprisingly prefer exurban areas such as Kent to forests and rural areas. Earlier this month, Rittenhouse published a five-year study seeking to answer whether there are more bears in the state or or just more reported sightings. She concluded that there are more bears, and that they are flourishing on large crops of acorns from the states mature oak forests. The assumption is that the reason bear density is higher in exurban areas is that they get added food sources, she said. Human housing is driving bear density. Kent First Selectman Bruce Adams said bear sightings in town have gone from exciting glimpses of wildlife to common occurrences. Theyre almost like squirrels now, Adams said. I passed two of them on my home from Litchfield the other day. The Hoffmans say they feel slightly relieved that the bear is dead, but its a bittersweet feeling. Bears are still a beauty to me, Megg said. It was very painful seeing that one. Theyre a part of nature. We love animals, Ted added. The bears, the deer, the turkeys. All the things we see out here. blytton@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3411; @bglytton HARTFORD The General Assembly was on a high wire Thursday, with the new fiscal year looming, a sharp partisan divide, and an offer from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy that they should probably not have refused. But House Democrats, depleted by vacations and vulnerable to a possible Republican budget proposal if the issue went to a floor debate, said they would let the new fiscal year start under a Malloy order that would sharply cut state expenses. By mid-afternoon, they were offering a new, two-year budget - to be voted on July 18 - that would raise the current 6.35-percent sales tax to 6.99 percent. The Democratic plan would also give towns and cities local options for raising revenue by voting on 1-percent surcharges on food and beverages. House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, called the tax hike a non-starter. The possibility of a special session in time for the new fiscal year faded, when lawmakers were told that a special session would not occur on Thursday. The chances of a Friday session to vote on the governors so-called mini-budget, faded when the House Democrats announced their proposal. While Senate Republicans and Democrats seemed amenable to accepting Malloys so-called mini-budget to maintain state services for up to three months, there was less agreement between the two parties in the House. House Democrats caucused at 11 a.m., but with a dozen or more members unavailable because of vacation plans, the narrow 79-72 majority was at much less than full strength, putting Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz in a position of weakness if House Minority Leader Themis Klarides musters a full contingent. As of 10:30 Thursday morning, Aresimowicz had not signed a document - called an emergency certification - that could start a special session. Under the joint rules of the General Assembly, any legislation would have to sit for 12 hours before any debate. Klarides, R-Derby, has scheduled a 1 p.m. caucus to review Malloys mini-budget, which would better maintain state services than a pending executive order that the governor has promised to issue if there is no legislative budget action by 12:01 a.m. Saturday, when the new fiscal year is scheduled. Minority Leader Klarides should not hold up a vote on a temporary budget solution that will allow us to maintain rental assistance for families and to restore partial funding for summer youth jobs programs, Malloy said in a statement Thursday morning. Senate Republicans and Democrats scheduled closed-door caucuses for around noon, while Aresimowiczs office announced that he and House Majority Leader Matt Ritter would speak to reporters at about 1:30 p.m. kdixon@ctpost.com; Twitter: @KenDixonCT GREENWICH A group of young people from Greenwich spent a hard-working weekend in the hills of Kentucky, distributing food to needy people and gaining an up-close exposure to rural poverty. What the kids did was spectacular, recalled Carol Mondschein, a volunteer who assisted with the trip. Unbelievable how hard they worked. We had three truckloads of food, 98,000 pounds. Two days straight, stacked the food, gave it out distributed it to homes. The 16 Greenwich teens, middle-school and high-school students, spent Thursday to Sunday in Martin County, Kentucky, a coal-mining region that typically lands on the list of the top 20 poorest counties in the country. Food insecurity is a serious concern in the area part of the Appalachian region where rural poverty has proved an enduring challenge for generations and many kids there go hungry without access to school nutrition programs during the summer months. Enter the RAMP program, founded nine years ago by Amy Guerrieri, a Greenwich resident who co-owns the Upper Crust Bagel shop in Old Greenwich. Guerrieri said this trip by RAMP volunteers was especially productive with an unusually large donation of food from the Southeast Produce Council, a consortium of food-industry businesses that partners with the Greenwich non-profit. We always make a difference, said Guerreri, and the fresh produce they received in bulk was especially welcome. People lined up at 6 a.m., and we didnt give it out until 4 p.m., she recalled. The young people, joined by another 16 adults, painted the house of an elderly man. Guerrerris son, Logan, 14, also got some of his friends and classmates to help with fund-raising and food distribution through the Kids 4 Kids program he started in Greenwich. Guerreri, a native of New Jersey, was moved to action when she saw the plight of those trapped in rural poverty in a news documentary nearly 10 years ago. I just couldnt believe my eyes kids in this country who lived without plumbing or electricity, she said. Unfortunately, its hidden America. And nobody wants to acknowledge it. Guerreri said the Greenwich students also got some valuable insight from the trip. They get to see the real world, she said, and gain an understanding of some of the advantages they have received from growing up in a town like Greenwich. The RAMP program also works on economic development, but ending hunger is a top concern. Guerreri has also hosted young people from eastern Kentucky in her Greenwich home, taking them on trips to the beach and New York City in an effort to broaden their horizons. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW YORK Two of the men charged in connection with Joseph Comunales murder were forced to strip and hand over their clothes to another suspect who appeared ready to strangle the Stamford man with a pair of jeans, according to new court documents. James Rackover, 26, straddled Comunale with what appeared to be the pants worn by Lawrence Dilione, 28, wrapped around his hands, as if to choke him, the papers say. The documents were filed Wednesday at Manhattan Supreme Court by an attorney for the third defendant, Max Gemma, 29, who faces lesser charges for his alleged involvement in the aftermath of the killing. After undressing, Dilione escorted Gemma to Rackovers bedroom, where he stayed until he was told to leave the East Side Manhattan apartment, according to court papers. When Gemma left, Comunale was no longer on the living room floor and Rackover, who was standing in the bathtub, glared at Gemma, the documents say. The filings explain how Gemma had been asleep on the couch at Rackovers apartment early Nov. 13 when he was roused by a fight between Dilione and Comunale. A blow to the head from Dilione left Comunale unconscious before Rackover continued the beating, the papers say. Rackover taunted the defenseless Comunale, punched and kicked him in the head and face several times, and smashed the back of his head into the hardwood floor several times, according to the court documents. Rackovers attack left Comunale bleeding profusely and created a bloody mess in the living room. Rackover panicked about returning to prison. He ordered Gemma and Dilione to take off their clothes. The documents, filed by Gemmas attorney, Mark Bederow, are part of an effort by the three defendants to have their cases tried separately to avoid contradicting defense arguments. Gemma is charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence, while Dilione and Rackovers charges include second-degree murder in the 26-year-olds killing. Comunales body was found stabbed and burned in a shallow grave in Oceanside, N.J. Bederows documents also say the grand jury that indicted the men received evidence that blood-stained clothes belonging to all three defendants were found at the apartment. Investigators also recovered Comunales clothes, wallet and drivers license in Rackovers trash, the papers say. During the defendants court appearance, Judge Charles H. Solomon brought up the lawsuit filed Sunday by Comunales father, Pat. The lawsuit was filed against Rackovers surrogate father, celebrity jeweler Jeffrey Rackover. Solomon questioned the relationship between the Rackovers, who the suit allege were lovers despite the fact that James changed his last name after claiming to be Jeffreys son. Bederow, unsure of what to call them, referred to Jeffrey as the guy who lives on the 32nd floor, referencing that the men at the time lived at the Grand Sutton in separate apartments, both paid for by Jeffrey, according to the suit. Im not prepared to comment on what their relationship is, Bederow said. The suspects will next appear in court on Aug. 8. eskalka@stamfordadvocate.com G atwick bosses today hailed the airports new route to Buenos Aires as the strongest evidence yet of the airports transformation from summer sun gateway to the Med to genuine long-haul hub. Low-cost airline Norwegian said last week it is starting the four times a week service from the East Sussex airport to Argentina next February with tickets starting from 299 one way. Today Gatwick added its 60th long-haul route when chief executive Stewart Wingate said China Airlines will start a new service to Taipei in December. The airport, which posted results today, said the number of long-haul passengers passing through Gatwick rose by 13.6% in the year to end March compared with an overall rise of 7.7%. It will handle a record 45 million passengers this year. Revenues were up 7.7% to 725 million but pre-tax profits fell slightly to 131.8 million. T esco has asked competition watchdogs to speed its 3.7 billion takeover of wholesaler Booker, putting it on the same fast-track process as BTs takeover of EE and Ladbrokes Coral merger. The Competition and Markets Authority opened an initial, phase 1 investigation into the deal over concerns the tie-up last month. Critics feared the tie-up, which Tesco hopes will give it access to the growing restaurant market, would give the grocer too much power. That was due to complete in less than a month, but the regulator was widely expected to open a more in-depth, phase 2 inquiry. Tesco, which has been working with the CMA, said today it proposed the fast-track process to move more quickly to phase 2. It is understood that the unusual nature of the deal made it unlikely the watchdog would get through the detail involved by its July 25 deadline. The competition authority is now likely to reach a phase 1 decision in the next 10 days and press ahead with phase 2, which could take 24 weeks. Rivals have raised fears that the combination of Tesco and Booker, which owns Budgens, Londis and Premier and supplies caterers and restaurants, would affect the convenience sector. Tesco, advised by law firm Freshfields, already owns the One Stop chain and has an Express convenience format. The merger is thought to have triggered Sainsburys interest in a potential 130 million takeover of convenience stores chain Nisa. Tesco, which is led by Dave Lewis, and Booker, headed by Charles Wilson, have argued that Bookers franchise model means the grocer will have no influence over pricing at its stores and Booker customers will benefit from the combined groups scale. I magine the rage if the EUs chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, demanded that Theresa May should close down the BBC as part of the Brexit deal. Well, of course its not remotely conceivable: that isnt how modern democratic states do business. But its the way some conservative Arab states are now behaving. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, together with Bahrain and the UAE, have put a stranglehold on the odd-man-out in the Gulf, Qatar; and one condition for lifting it is that Qatar should shut down Al Jazeera, the internationally respected TV news channel which it funds. Within 10 days. I seem to have missed the huge wave of anger about this. President Trump, who is doing various deals with the Saudis, hasnt tweeted anything. Theresa May, in her desperate effort to find new markets for Britain, cant afford to upset them. Everyone else seems to be looking away. In 21 years, Al Jazeera has become one of the worlds major news channels. It offers a different perspective from the major Western news organisations and its highly watchable. It may have been accused of being slanted in favour of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement in Egypt and elsewhere but it employs talented ex-colleagues of mine from the BBC, and Ive always felt its heart is in the right place. Back in the days of the ineffectual Arab Spring, Al Jazeeras coverage played an important part in the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya and President Mubarak in Egypt. Saudi Arabias impetuous new Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, whos only 31, and Egypts angry, resentful president, Field-Marshal al-Sisi, find this impossible to forgive or forget. The two of them have colluded to shut down Qatars independent foreign policy and silence Al Jazeera. Bahrain and the UAE are following because theyve got no alternative. In its time, Al Jazeera has annoyed all sorts of foreign governments. The Americans managed to bomb its journalists during the 2001 campaign in Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Theres anger across the Arab world whenever Al Jazeera invites an Israeli government spokesman to voice the kind of opinions most Arabs wouldnt otherwise hear. The tradition in the Middle East has always been that the media should faithfully parrot government opinion. This is particularly true in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and Prince Mohammed and President Sisi are determined to silence any alternative Arab voice. The 10-day ultimatum to Qatar to shut down Al Jazeera is almost over, and its still not clear what will happen. But isnt it rather shocking that Western governments are staying so quiet about it? John Simpson is the BBCs world affairs editor. Like most feet, Justin Trudeaus are rarely backwards in coming forwards. On Sunday, the Canadian Prime Minister marched in Torontos Gay Pride parade wearing a rainbow-striped pair emblazoned with the words Eid Mubarak in recognition of the Islamic festival Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Islams holy month of Ramadan. Its not the first time Trudeaus feet have done both the walking and the talking. He makes a habit of slipping out sartorial signals with his socks, kicking things off this year on May 4, Star Wars Day (geddit?), when he wore socks depicting R2-D2 and C-3PO. There was another sighting in May during a Nato meeting in Brussels, when Trudeau wore one blue sock and one pink, each with the Nato flag emblazoned on the calf. AP There were also regular rainbow socks for a Pride flag-raising on June 14 in Ottawa, and a patriotic maple leaf motif on the ones he wore on a Canadian TV chat show on June 5. Bloomberg via Getty Images The best bit? They were made by a Toronto-based company, Halal Socks, and cost $14.99. Hes even supporting local industry, in the same way that Michelle Obama would often wear American labels, and the Duchess of Cambridge supports British designers. Is all this sock business a bit cheesy? Quite the opposite. Trudeaus political game of sock diplomacy is an effective, yet not overt, vehicle for signalling a progressive, forward-thinking statesmen determined to put his best foot forward. They score big points with young voters, for whom the statement sock is an ironic tool in the wardrobe arsenal. If the eyes are a window to the soul, socks are the window to the sole (especially the holey ones). Theresa May's finest footwear - in pictures 1 /40 Theresa May's finest footwear - in pictures November 4, 2014 Wearing leopard print kitten-heel courts as she leaves Downing Street after attending cabinet Peter Macdiarmid/Getty October 5, 2009 Wearing red and black snakeskin courts on the stage as they address delegates at the Conservative Party Conference Christopher Furlong/Getty October 5, 2004 Wearing powder blue and black floral patterned ballet pumps as she arrives at the Bournemouth International Conference Center Jim Watson/AFP/Getty December 9, 2010 Wearing knee-high red suede boot as she leaves a cabinet meeting in Downing Street Matthew Lloyd/Getty November 5, 2013 Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she arrives on Horse Guards in central London during the visit of South Korean President Park Geun-Hye Sean Dempsey/AFP/Getty June 27, 2016 Wearing pointed leopard print courts to a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street Leon Neal/AFP/Getty May 3, 2011 Wearing patent powder blue court shoes as she arrives in Downing Street to attend a Cabinet meeting Oli Scarff/Getty October 9, 2012 Wearing pointed leopard print courts with a burgundy print insert to deliver her speech to delegates during the third day of the annual Conservative Party Conference Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty October 16, 2012 Wearing pointed leopard print courts as she arrives at Number 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting Oli Scarff/Getty February 5, 2013 Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she walks into Downing Street to attend a security meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden Peter Macdiarmid/Getty March 17, 2014 Wearing black lace up patent brogues with diamond studs as she launches HMC Protector Peter Macdiarmid/Getty June 5, 2013 Wearing pointed black patent sling backs as she attends the preview party for The Royal Academy Of Arts Summer Exhibition Tim P. Whitby/Getty June 23, 2013 Wearing Union Jack emblazoned trainers as she presents medals during the third day of the 2013 Samsung World Rowing Cup II at Eton Dorney September 30, 2013 Wearing black lace up patent brogues with diamond studs as she delivers her speech in the main hall on the second day of the Conservative Party Conference Oli Scarff/Getty June 10, 2014 Wearing snakeskin kitten-heel courts as she arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street Carl Court/AFP/Getty June 11, 2014 Wearing patent red flats with pink bow detailing as she leaves the Royal United Services Institute Peter Macdiarmid/Getty September 30, 2014 Wearing navy suede courts with a chunky heel as she addresses the Conservative Party Conference Matt Cardy/Getty March 3, 2015 Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she arrives for a Ceremonial Welcome for the President of Mexico Leon Neal/AFP/Getty May 21, 2015 Wearing gold studded black flats as she and David Cameron are accompanied by immigration enforcement officers into a home in Southall in London following an early morning raid on the property that yielded three arrests of illegal immigrants Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty July 8, 2015 Wearing black pointed flats with a red and pink kiss print as she leaves 10 Downing Street Peter Macdiarmid/Getty October 6, 2015 Wearing black suede courts with a chunky heel on the third day of the annual Conservative party conference Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty October 7, 2015 Wearing red, yellow and turquoise printed courts as she arrives for the fourth and final day of the Conservative Party Conference Christopher Furlong/Getty March 22, 2016 Wearing black suede shoe boots with a leopard print insert as she leaves 10 Downing Street Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty July 12, 2016 Wearing leopard print pointed flats as she leaves after attending a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street Carl Court/Getty December 15, 2004 Wearing calf-length suede boots in plum as she arrives at the 'Woman's Own Children Of Courage Award' at Westminster Abbey MJ Kim/Getty September 30, 2007 Wearing yellow and black patterned wellies during the 124th annual Conservative Party Conference at the Winter Gardens Christopher Furlong/Getty November 8, 2007 Wearing black pointed courts with silver ankle strap as she arrives at the Woman Of The Future Awards Jo Hale/Getty April 26, 2009 Wearing open-toe leopard print flats to speak at the Conservative Party Spring Forum Matt Cardy/Getty June 15, 2010 Wearing a patent red wedge as she arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Downing Street Peter Macdiarmid/Getty July 6, 2010 Wearing rainbow striped pointed pumps as she arrives in Downing Street Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Still, Trudeaus footwear has not been without its critics. Keyboard warriors have been swift to suggest the coincidence of Gay Pride and Eid iconography is poorly placed Turkey banned its own Pride parades last weekend, while many Muslim countries persecute or sometimes even kill gay people. Nevertheless, they have many influential admirers. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was seen bending down to admire Trudeaus choice at the last Nato summit, a sure-fire sign of mutual respect on the international stage. Trudeau, it has been argued, is stepping into the not inconsiderable shoes of Barack Obama. Statement socks are a good way to fill them. @fish_o_wick A ndy Warhols first selfie has sold at auction in London for 6 million. The 1963 picture, created using a strip of photographs taken in a New York dime store photo booth, sold at Sothebys last night as part of a contemporary art sale which saw 62 million change hands. The self-portrait came after Warhols dealer suggested he turn his eye on himself rather than figures such as Marilyn Monroe. James Sevier, senior specialist in contemporary art, said: In the age of Instagram, Warhols fabled prediction that in the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes has never felt more prophetic, and the artists first self-portraits have never felt more relevant to contemporary culture. Other lots sold on the night include a work by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat which fetched just short of 6.5 million and two collaborations between him and Warhol. The works, from the collection of Tommy Hilfiger, went for about 6.8 million in total. M usic really is good for the soul, according to a survey which shows two-thirds of people are happier and more stimulated when listening to live performances. The poll of 2,000 people also found 68 per cent were more sociable and 59 per cent more engaged. The research by the Royal Albert Hall comes as the summer festival season gets into full swing, with dozens of events coming up across London including Finsbury Parks Wireless where Pharrell performed last year, and Lovebox in Victoria Park. However, the survey found that 45 per cent do not feel able to afford a ticket to a live concert. Lucy Noble, Artistic and Commercial Director at the Royal Albert Hall, said: The positive effects of live music are undoubtable. We must do all we can to ensure that live music is accessible and affordable to all and not just the privileged and wealthy. She highlighted the venues Free Friday Music initiative, held at its restaurant, Verdi, and its Songbook scheme, in which a free concert, covering the history of music at the hall and aimed at elderly people, is staged at hospitals, hospices and care homes. C ellarmaster Gilles Descotes turns free the porcini-shaped cork from the 80-year-old magnum of Bollinger La Grande Annee. Cest parfait! he whispers. The effervescence of the pour settles in a broad glass, fanning out like a peacocks tail. Flavours interlace: beurre noisette and coconut segue into a semblance of red wine-poached pear with a brief whiff of Gentlemans Relish, culminating in a direct, long-lived citrus-zest-pepped finale. We are standing in Galerie 1829, one of two wine libraries opened by Bollinger last year to showcase its heritage. Dimly lit by a copper glow, it lies at the heart of the grande marques caves, where miles of subterranean streets run close to the actual streets of sleepy seeming Ay in north-eastern France. As the corks pop on the summer party season in London, the cool hush of our surrounds couldnt feel further away. Yet the story of this place is a remarkable one, and has captured the attention of the drinks world. Seven years ago, given the unenviable task of clearing away a few rows of empty bottles from a musty, chalky corner, an intern found a cache of hundreds of bottles dating back as far as 1830 likely deliberately concealed from the thirsty German army. Before this find, their most recent vintage was from 1921. This astonishing discovery prompted the house to embark upon a vast restoration project under the watchful eye of Descotes; 4,000 bottles from different cellars were successfully restored over three years. Around us are some of these those dating from 1830 to 1921 are Bollingers crown jewels. Given that the champagne Descotes and I cradle in our glasses was crafted from grapes ripened then plucked in 1937 the year of the Queen Mothers coronation and David Hockneys birth it tastes remarkably sprightly, complex and complete. 007 is poured a glass of Bollinger, above Bollingers signature opulent style, explains Descotes, stems from the interaction between painstakingly made wine from ripe grapes and long-lived and therefore less tannic oak casks, as well as the slight breathing between wine and cork. The celebrated result has made the marque a form of pop cultural icon; tacked above wooden boards of antique tools in the toffee-scented cooperage, posters chart Bollingers appearance on TV and film, from The Living Daylights to, of course, Absolument Fabuleux. Rare Bollinger discoveries The library isnt the only historical artefact that visitors can discover. Later, we return to the blinding sunshine then cross to a modest-looking walled vineyard. This, the Clos St-Jacques, is, it transpires, one of the worlds most notable survivor vineyards, having thrived free from the 19th-century pest phylloxera, which left North America hidden aboard the vine cuttings of British botanists and enervated most of Europes wholly unprepared vineyards. Ultra rare, Bollingers Vieilles Vignes Francaises cuvee from these vines typically fetches more than 600 a bottle. Meanwhile, the sitting room of Madame Bollingers House bears wooden panels crafted by another generation of coopers who needed tasks to busy themselves during the depression of 192021. There, instead of reciting grace before sitting for dinner in the jade-coloured dining room, Bollinger has the more exciting mantra of late great matriarch, Lily, who managed the family business for three decades. I drink it when Im happy and when Im sad. Sometimes I drink it when Im alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if Im not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it unless Im thirsty' I magine a world in which youre 90 years old and nowhere near middle-aged. An app on your phone has hacked your DNA code, so you know exactly when to go to the doctor to receive gene therapy to prevent all the diseases you dont yet have. A microchip in your skin sends out a signal if youre at risk of developing a wrinkle so you step out of the sun and hotfoot it to your dermatologist. Every evening you sync your brain-mapping device with The Cloud, so even if you were caught up in a fatal accident youd still be able to cheat death every detail of your life would simply be downloaded to one of the perfect silicon versions youd had made of yourself, ensuring you last until at least your 1,000th birthday. This may sound like science fiction but it could be your fate provided you can afford it. If current research develops into medicine, in the London of the future the super-rich wont simply be able to buy the best things in life, theyll be able to buy life itself by transforming themselves into a bio-engineered super-race, capable of living, if not forever, then for vastly longer than the current UK life expectancy of 81 years. The science of turning back the clock has never been more advanced. In Boston, a drug capable of reversing half a lifetime of ageing in mice is about to be tested on humans in a medical trial monitored by Nasa. NMN is a compound found naturally in broccoli which boosts levels of NAD, a protein involved in energy production that depletes as we get older. Professor David Sinclair, who headed up the initial research at Australias University of New South Wales, doses himself with 500mg daily, and claims that he has already become more youthful. According to blood tests analysing the state of the 48-year-olds cells, prior to taking the pills Sinclair was in the same physical shape as a 57-year-old, but now hes 31.4. Meanwhile, Hollywood stars looking for the elixir of youth might want to keep a close eye on developments at Newcastle University where last February Professor Mark Birch-Machin identified, for the first time, the mitochondrial complex which depletes over time, causing skin to age. Mitochondria are the battery packs that power our cells so if we want to slow down ageing we need to keep them topped up; doing so would be transformative for our appearance. In the future, Birch-Machin believes, well not only be taking pills and applying cosmetics, well have implants in our skin. Implants will tell us the state of it how well our batteries are doing, how many free radicals, and will inform us how we are doing with our lifestyle, he says. You can store it, log it, have that linked to your healthcare package. Alamy Stock Photo Such medical discoveries are being translated into treatment at an unprecedented rate. The day after the results of Birch-Machins study were published in The New York Times, his department was contacted by nine companies hoping to turn his research into revolutionary pharmaceuticals. In 2009, Elizabeth Blackburn, a professor of biology and physiology at the University of California, won a Nobel Prize for her work on telomeres, the protective tips on our chromosomes that break down as we get older, leaving us prone to age-related diseases. Blackburn discovered an enzyme called telomerase that can stop the shortening of telomeres by adding DNA like a plastic tip fixing the end of a fraying shoelace. Today, rich Californians now use telomeres therapy to prolong the life of their pets. Last year, in Monterey, California, the start-up Ambrosia (founded by Dr Jesse Karmazin, a DC-based physician) began trialling the effect of blood transfusions, pumping blood from teenagers into older patients, following studies that found that blood plasma from young mice can rejuvenate old mice, improving their memory, cognition and physical activity. Dr Richard Siow, who heads up the Age Research department at Kings College London, believes we may be soon reach a significant point in anti-ageing research because of the massive amounts of money allocated by governments and charities worldwide in the hope of making a breakthrough. Indeed, according to a survey by Transparency Market Research, by 2019 the anti-ageing market will be worth 151 billion worldwide. Life expectancy in many countries has already increased from 65-68 all the way through to 70, 80, 85 because people are now surviving heart disease, strokes and cancer, points out Siow, who has been studying anti-ageing compounds found in Indian spices and tea. We are now redefining what ageing means. How can we extend that period of health so were not a burden? It is in Silicon Valley, however, that the really radical advances seem likely to be made. Freshly minted internet tycoons appear willing to pay any price to prolong their lives and a critical mass of geeks is working furiously towards understanding our biology at an unprecedented rate. Take Dmitry Itskov, the Russian billionaire founder of the life-extension non-profit 2045 Initiative, who is paying scientists to map the human brain so our minds can be decanted into a computer and either downloaded to a robot body or synced with a hologram. Or Joon Yun, a physician and hedge fund manager who insisted at an anti-ageing symposium of the California elite in March that ageing is simply a programming error encoded in our DNA. If something is encoded, you can crack the code, he told an audience which, according to The New Yorker, included multi-billionaire Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Goldie Hawn. Thermodynamically, there should be no reason we cant defer entropy indefinitely. We can end ageing forever. And then theres PayPal founder (and Donald Trump supporter) Peter Thiel, who has a net worth of 2.1 billion and has reportedly invested in start-up Unity Biotechnology which aims to develop drugs that make many debilitating consequences of ageing as uncommon as polio. Thiel has also offered funding to individual researchers, such as Aubrey de Grey, the Chelsea-born, Cambridge and California-based gerontologist who ploughed the 11 million he inherited from his artist mother, Cordelia, into founding the Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence Research Foundation in Mountain View, which promotes the use of rejuvenation biotechnology in anti-ageing research. Of course, the best known element of the immortality industry is cryogenic freezing. Despite its reputation as the last resort of wealthy cranks, it remains in business; at the Alcor cryonics facility in Arizona, 149 corpses have already been preserved in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of minus 196C since it was founded in 1972. Worldwide there are thousands of people signed up for cryogenics services, including Alcors 28 clients in the UK. The service doesnt come cheap (full-body freezing costs 165,000, while having your head cut off and frozen is around 60,000) but it has some impressive-sounding clients, including de Grey and Dr Anders Sandberg, research fellow at Oxford Universitys Future of Humanity Institute. Its a gamble but its still much better than being dead, says Sandberg. He envisages a world in which the brain is paramount, so when his is revived it could be transformed into a sort of computer programme containing all of his memories of life on earth. If you actually exist as software you have a lot of options. I do enjoy having a physical body but why have just one when you could have lots of different ones? The new status symbols of the super rich 1 /9 The new status symbols of the super rich Jan Kallwejt The super-submarine The A.I butler An enchanted forest The supersonic jet The private island The moon shot Of course, if such experiments do come to fruition, they could have far reaching implications for our society. Already, a rapidly ageing population is placing enormous stress on healthcare and pension systems worldwide. De Grey sees the problem of over-population being cured by a dwindling birth-rate. But he says little about the impact this would have on the young. Then theres the question of whether we will one day be living in a world defined by gaping differences in life expectancy where the haves live for 10 times longer than the have nots. Mortality has been the great equaliser from beggars to kings to emperors, says Dr Jack Kreindler, medical director at the Centre for Health & Human Performance in Harley Street. If people embark on really sophisticated, targeted therapies to repair damage to their cells... I think were definitely entering into them and us territory. As projected in Homo Deus, the best-selling book of Israeli academic Yuval Noah Harari, Kreindler adds, we could witness a schism in humanity where we have some people so bioengineered that only the very, very rich can sustain the amount of maintenance required to look after their enhancements, while others simply cant afford to do anything but be natural. Nevertheless, the quest to overcome mortality continues apace. Last year, at a TEDx symposium Kreindler convened at the Science Museum, Daisy Robinton, a post-doctoral scientist at Harvard University, put forward the theory that ageing should be considered a disease in itself. She described the excitement in the medical community at the discovery of CRISPR/Cas9, a protein that seems to allow us to target and delete genetic mutations in our DNA. Gene editing provides an opportunity to not only cure genetic disease but also to prevent diseases from ever coming into being, Robinton claimed. To treat our susceptibilities before they ever transform into symptoms. If this theory became fact, dying of old age might one day seem as outmoded as being felled by one of the mass killers of the past for which we get vaccinated. If gene editing on this scale is possible, Kreindler says we have to ask: Can your cells become immortal, can they live forever? At the Centre for Health & Human Performance, treatments may still be firmly rooted in the 21st century, focused as they are on helping athletes optimise their fitness and celebrities such as David Walliams complete gruelling challenges for Sport Relief. But Kreindler is clearly in awe of what the latest medical advances might mean for the future of the human race. I dont believe this should be only for the very rich, he says. If youre going to do things, dont just do it for the billionaires, do it for the billions. H ere's everything you need to know about spending a weekend in Nashville, from the best places to stay to the hottest cocktails to drink. Where to stay Opposite The Country Music Hall of Fame is the Hilton, a 10-floor hotel that keeps you central enough to walk everywhere (rooms from 204, hilton.com). All the staff are born and raised in Nashville or not far off theres nothing they dont know about the city (fun fact: Little Richard lives on the ninth floor and can often be seen coming in and out in his black Cadillac). If youre looking for something more boutique, check in to the Hutton (rooms from 176, huttonhotel.com), a short walk out from downtown, but a welcome break from the madness of Broadway. Where to eat Tennessee is famous for its BBQ, and if you want the best, head to Jacks in Lower Broadway. Order a plate (BBQ meat served with two vegetables think macncheese and corn), take a seat and watch the cowboys go by. For traditional fried chicken, waffles and moonshine there is no other place to go than The Loveless Cafe. Its a short drive outside of the city and youll find it serving good ol southern fare to bikers, cowboys and tourists alike. Moonshine and biscuits at the Loveless Cafe Where to drink Honky tonks the citys trademark dive bars immortalised in songs by everyone from Hank Williams to the Stones are the best places to drink. Head to Nashvilles Lower Broadway for the best: the strip is full of famous neon signs advertising boots, beer and BBQ, but most importantly some of the best live music venues in the world. Legends Corner, Roberts Western World and Tootsies Orchid Lounge are steeped in country music history, with names such as Willie Nelson a regular at the latter in the 1960s. Robert's Western World / Alamy Stock Photo Where to shop Journey to east Nashville and youll find off-beat bars, cool coffee shops (Barista Parlor) and interesting boutiques, like Goodbuy Girls for the best selection of cowgirl boots and handmade clothing. If you still havent had enough music during your stay in Nashville, pay a visit to Fond Object Records for all your vinyl needs and Fannys House of Music to invest in a new Gibson guitar. Alamy Stock Photo What to see Nashville is the birthplace of country music. Your first stop has to be The Country Music Hall of Fame to peruse memorabilia, from Elvis gold-plated Cadillac to Johnny Cashs boots and Dolly Partons handwritten lyrics to Jolene. But for a more in-depth look at the Man in Black, visit the Johnny Cash Museum (below), which takes you from his early years through to his death in Nashville in 2003. Another Nashville institution is Hatch Show Print: opened in 1879, it specialises in woodblock printing and has defined the style of showbiz posters in the city. Take a tour of the print rooms and youll learn the history of printing, the Hatch Show tradition and even be able to make a print or two of your own. Y ou might want to have some tissues handy if youre commuting through Paddington station today. After the news broke that author Michael Bond passed away on Tuesday, Londoners have found a touching way to say thank you for his most famous creation, Paddington Bear. A bronze statue of the marmalade-guzzling childrens book character, which has famously sat in Platform 1 in since 2000, has been showered with bunches of flowers and jars of marmalade today. Nina Stibbe was the first to spot the touching scene on Platform 1 as she commuted home last night, sharing a picture of the statue on Twitter. Paddington fans were quick to respond to the scene, praising Londoners for the fitting tribute. Nice to realise that people still have a little sentimentality in their souls, said one user. What I really love is that someone's gone all out and bought the fancy fine cut for him. Paddington deserves the best, said another. A last-minute Christmas gift for his wife inspired Michael Bond to create the much-loved childrens book character, famous for his duffel coat, floppy hat and love of marmalade. The top ten children's shows 1 /12 The top ten children's shows Rainbow has been voted the best children's show of all time, 34 years after they first appeared on TV. Rainbow has been voted the best children's show of all time, 34 years after they first appeared on TV. Mr Benn and his magical changing room were rated third in the TV poll. Mr Benn and his magical changing room were rated third in the TV poll. Grown adults making fools of themselves on national television is always a big hit and Playschool makes it in at number four. Grown adults making fools of themselves on national television is always a big hit and Playschool makes it in at number four. Sleepy old Bagpuss and his wooden pals make an appearance at number five. Sleepy old Bagpuss and his wooden pals make an appearance at number five. All that recycling was a big hit with the viewers who have voted the Wombles of Wimbledon in at number six. All that recycling was a big hit with the viewers who have voted the Wombles of Wimbledon in at number six. The makers of The Clangers will be over the moon to hear their cult classic has been rated number seven. The makers of The Clangers will be over the moon to hear their cult classic has been rated number seven. The plasticine residents of Trumpton made a lasting impression at number eight. The plasticine residents of Trumpton made a lasting impression at number eight. The best shows are made on the cheap as Button Moon, which starred a washing-up bottle, egg cup and man with spoons for arms, shows. The best shows are made on the cheap as Button Moon, which starred a washing-up bottle, egg cup and man with spoons for arms, shows. Brought to us from the makers of Trumpton, Camberwick Green rounds of the top ten. Brought to us from the makers of Trumpton, Camberwick Green rounds of the top ten. The furry adventurer first appeared in bookstores in 1958, where he he arrived in London Paddington from Darkest Peru, wearing a sign saying "Please look after this bear. Thank you." Since then, Bonds creation has become an icon immortalised in print and on screen with more than 35 million copies of the books sold worldwide. His publisher, HarperCollins, said the author died Tuesday at his home after a short illness. Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher of HarperCollins Childrens Books, said Bond will be forever remembered for his creation of the iconic Paddington, with his duffel coat and Wellington boots, which touched my own heart as a child and will live on in the hearts of future generations. A murder hunt has been launched after a man was stabbed to death during a small party at a north London flat. The 29-year-old victim was knifed repeatedly in the chest during the vicious attack in Canonbury early on Monday morning. Detectives are trying to trace Bradley Wood, 24, after the brutal incident, and have warned the public not to approach him. Emergency services were scrambled to the scene in Westcliffe House, Baxter Road, just after 2pm. The victim, who police have named as Lee Hatley, 29, from Islington, was rushed to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Wood has links to Islington and Northampton, the Met has said. Victim: 29-year-old Lee Hatley died in the attack / Metropolitan Police A police spokesman said: The public are advised not to approach Wood but if they see him to dial 999 immediately. He is described as white, about 5ft 7ins tall and of slim build, with fair hair and blue eyes. He has a small scar on the right of his right elbow and a small scar on the right side of his top lip, officers said. A 22-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has since been de-arrested and is being treated as a victim. She remains in hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. Baxter Road: Emergency services were called in the early hours of Monday / Google And a 53-year-old man arrested on suspicion of being assisting an offender has been released with no further action taken. A Met spokesman added: "At this early stage, we know that a small group of people had gathered in a flat and that in the early hours of Monday morning a man received a number of stab wounds to the upper body. "We are now urgently trying to trace Bradley Wood in connection with our investigation. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3775, or police via 101 or Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. A n Australian cardinal who is the third-ranking official in the Catholic church has been charged with multiple sexual offences. Cardinal George Pell, the Vaticans financial advisor, is the highest-ranking Catholic to be charged in the churchs long-running sexual abuse scandal. Victoria Police have summonsed the 76-year-old back to Australia to appear in court faced with multiple charges of historical sexual assault offences. Shane Patton, Victoria state police deputy commissioner, said there were multiple complainants against the cardinal, but gave no other details of the allegations. Cardinal Pell, who will appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18, has repeatedly denied abuse claims against him. Cardinal George Pell leaves his house in Rome on Thursday / REUTERS Within 90 minutes of the charged being announced, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney released a statement saying Cardinal Pell would return to Australia as soon as possible to fight the charges. Issued at 4.30am Rome time, it said: Although it is still in the early hours of the morning in Rome, Cardinal George Pell has been informed of the decision and action of Victoria police. He has again strenuously denied all allegations. Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors who will also advise on his travel arrangements. He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously. For years, Cardinal Pell has faced claims that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and later, Sydney. But more recently, he himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview him. The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy on sex abuse. A knife-wielding burglar behind a series of frightening night-time break-ins in east London is being hunted by police. Detectives say the intruder creeps into homes while the occupants are asleep, stealing phones, laptops and cash from bedrooms and living rooms. In one case, a woman woke to find the intruder standing over her bed disconnecting her iPhone from the charger. In another, a woman in her 30s was in bed when the suspected entered her bedroom and shone a torch in her face. The victim screamed and the man tried to grab her phone before fleeing with cash and two laptops. The suspect, described as having long and unkept hair, has struck at least five times in the Hackney area within a week. A neighbour said: Its terrifying. I have been keeping my windows completely shut at night even through the hot weather. The 24-year-old graphic designer, who did not want to be named, said: I live alone here so its doubly worrying, I dont know what I would do if I saw him in my room. Most of the break-ins took place during the recent spell of hot weather in the early hours. Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, of Hackney CID, said: These burglaries are particularly striking as the suspect demonstrates no restraint, despite the considerable risk of being disturbed. Many burglars do not enter peoples homes during the night due to this fear. I am concerned by the suspects behaviour given his possession of a knife and creeping into bedrooms. He appealed to anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously matching the description of the suspect to call police. The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, between 5ft 9ins and 6ft 3ins tall with a medium build. Burglaries have been reported in Killowen Road, Millfields Road, Hassett Road, Brooke Road and, in the latest attempt on June 22, Cecilia Road where the suspect was disturbed and fled. A Scotland Yard spokesman said enquiries continue but no arrests have been made. Anyone with information should call Hackney CID quoting Operation Globe via 101, or via Twitter @MetCC. A notorious thief who kept an exotic monkey in squalid conditions at his one-bedroom council flat has been banned indefinitely from having pets. Zuriel Hutson, 21, was caught with a Marmoset monkey in a small cage during a raid on his Highbury home in October last year. The primate sometimes kept as a designer pet - was malnourished and dirty, and would have died if she had not been saved, an expert found. Willesden magistrates on Tuesday banned Hutson from keeping animals indefinitely and ordered him to pay a 500 fine and 650 court costs after he was found guilty of animal cruelty. Hutson refused to tell police the monkeys name, so she has now been rechristened Amy and is living happily at the Monkey World rescue centre in Dorset. "It is obviously very cruel to keep any animal, let alone an exotic monkey, in such poor conditions without the proper training or understanding of its needs, said investigating officer DC Ben Jefferd. Amy is now safe and enjoying the facilities kindly supplied at Monkey World. Thanks to a ban handed down at court today, Hutson is prohibited from keeping any animal again indefinitely." Hutson is currently serving a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for a spree of mobile phone robberies last November. Aerial footage shows police chase of moped enabled thieves He and an accomplice rode on a moped around several London boroughs snatching phones from unsuspecting pedestrians. With police hot on their tales, the pair weaved in and out of traffic while driving the wrong way along the M11 at 90mph in a bid to escape. Hutson was ultimately captured and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and dangerous driving. He denied the animal cruelty charge but was found guilty by magistrates following a short trial. P olice are hunting a tattooed man after an aspiring model and her cousin suffered severe burns in an east London acid attack. Resham Khan and her cousin Jameel Muhktar had a corrosive substance flung through their car window when the pair stopped at traffic lights in Tollgate Road, Newham. Ms Khan, who was celebrating her 21st birthday at the time, had to undergo a skin graft and her body was covered in burns. Her 37-year-old cousin was put into an induced coma by hospital staff and suffered life-changing injuries following the attack, which took place at around 9.15am on June 21. Hunt: Police are looking for John Tomlin in connection with the attack / Met Police On Thursday, police released a photo of 24-year-old John Tomlin, who they want to speak to in connection with the incident. Mr Tomlin, who is known to frequent Canning Town, is described as white, around 6ft tall, with a stocky build and short fair hair. Scarring: The acid was thrown across her face and body / GoFundMe Police have warned he should not be approached. Detective Superintendent Neil Matthews, said: "I would like to reassure the public that our continued focus remains on finding the person responsible for this horrendous act of violence. 'Devastated': They are both being treated in hospital / GoFundMe "We will continue to progress these enquiries as quickly as humanly possible and fully understand concerns that they should be brought to justice quickly." Nearly 28,000 has been raised for Ms Khan and her cousin on an online fundraising page since the attack. Speaking about her ordeal, Ms Khan said: The pain was excruciating, I was struggling to close the window. My cousin struggled to get us away. I saw my clothes burn in front of me. He put his foot down as we were coming onto a dual carriage way but the pain took over and we crashed. Celebrations: Resham and her cousin Jameel on the day of the attack / GoFundMe We stripped off in the middle of the road, running around screaming and begging for water. I'm devastated, she added. I keep wondering if my life will ever be the same. "Acid attacks in the UK are unheard of for me. Anyone with detail of John Tomlin's whereabouts is asked to call police on 101, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or tweet @MetCC. A hero police officer who fought off three London Bridge terrorists with just his baton has been inundated with messages of support. Wayne Marques said he thought he was going to die after being knifed multiple times when terrorists mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge, before going on a stabbing rampage in Borough Market. After speaking publicly for the first time since the attack, the British Transport Police officer has been praised for confronting the terrorists who wreaked havoc in the capital on the night of June 3. Fellow police officers, public figures and celebrities were among hundreds of people who took to social media to show their support for PC Marques, who they described as a national hero. Wayne Marques: The British Transport Police officer has spoken for the first time about the attack / REUTERS Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling wrote on Twitter: 'I was just trying to keep people alive.' There's no honour high enough for Wayne Marques. Others, including the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, Brendan Cox, praised the pure courage of PC Marques after he told of the moment he sprung in to action amid the chaos. Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan wrote: Heroes don't come much braver than this. Thank you, Wayne Marques. One Twitter user said: PC Wayne Marques of the BTP is a true hero. I hope he never has to buy a drink again. And another wrote: PC Wayne Marques is a national hero. Another who has shown why our emergency service people are top notch. The 38-year-old, who was born in Birmingham and now lives in south London, said he knew something was wrong when he saw bouncers and revellers outside a nearby bar standing like deers in headlights. He told how he initially thought the disturbance was a pub fight that had spilled out onto the streets or maybe a gang fight "at the most. The Pc said he was approached by an off-duty Met officer who said he saw someone being stabbed, before he himself witnessed the horror start to unfold. He said: "I remember grabbing my baton with my right hand and I racked [extended] it. I took a deep breath and I just charged the first one [attacker]. "As I got near him I swung at him with everything I had as hard as I could, straight through his head, trying to go for like a knock-out blow." He said he heard the attacker "yelp in pain. Heroes of London Bridge attack - in pictures 1 /9 Heroes of London Bridge attack - in pictures Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, clinical director and consultant in emergency medicine at Kings Malcolm Tunnicliff featured in TV programme 24 Hours in A&E Ex-police officer Darren Jaundrill Matt Writtle Joe Palermo, a bouncer from Italy Joe Palermo helped people to shelter in Bill's Matt Writtle Baker Florin Morariu Journalist Geoff Ho was stabbed in the neck while trying to help others Twitter Pc Marques has since recovered his sight, having been slashed just above his right eye. Eight people died and dozens were injured in the attack. The officer, who was starting his Saturday nightshift near London Bridge station only moments earlier, was one of four police officers injured. The hero cop, who has worked with BTP for just under two years and was a PCSO with the Met for around six years beforehand, described the "instant darkness" when he was stabbed in the head by one of the terrorists. London's Air Ambulance medic was first doctor on scene at London Bridge attack In a fight that he believes lasted somewhere up to 90 seconds, PC Marques, was set upon by all three terrorists. He said: "And the three of them were standing together almost shoulder-to-shoulder in like a little wolf pack and they're staring at me. And that's when I get to size them up. "The short one that was on the right-hand side, he was the one that I heard saying 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar'. He said it a few times, eyes bulging." After waiting for them to make their next move, the officer said instead the attackers turned towards Borough Market to continue their rampage. D onald Trump has sparked fury for bullying an American talk show host, describing her as still bleeding badly from a facelift when she visited a Florida estate. The US President launched a Twitter tirade against Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, hurling a series of insults against the pair including calling the TV hosts pyscho and crazy. He launched the attack on Thursday after hearing the pair had criticised him on MSNBC's politically-focused breakfast show Morning Joe. But people reacted furiously on social media, including famous author J.K. Rowling, who quoted Abraham Lincoln as she mocked Mr Trump. The US President had wrote on Twitter: I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (dont watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Years Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no. Mika Brzezinski was the subject of a personal attack by Donald Trump / AP In a statement, MSNBC accused Mr Trump of bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks in a staunch defence of its presenters. Other people on social media pointed to Melania Trumps plans to make cyber bullying the focus of her time as first lady. Matt Haig posted: They're like a greatest hits collection. Name-calling, TV-referencing, Mar-a-Lago promoting, illiterate and a dash of blood-themed misogyny. Icahel Mann said: Never before has the office of the presidency been demeaned in the manner you have demeaned it. While J.K Rowling echoed the famous quote of Abraham Lincoln, simply posting: Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are engaged, with the pairs political morning show widely popular among Americans. Trump has gained a reputation for vulgar comments against women, including when he was famously caught on camera saying he wanted to grab a woman by the p***y. His comments on Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski come after Mr Trump renewed a series of attacks against the media on Twitter. Mr Trump unleashed a storm of tweets criticising the New York Times on Wednesday over their coverage of his presidency. T he parents of terminally-ill baby Charlie Gard have claimed they have been denied their final wish to take their son home to die. Chris Gard and Connie Yates, wanted 10-month-old Charlie, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, to be taken home after losing their final legal battle to take their son to the United States for trial therapy. They claim Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Charlie has been bring treated, has denied them this request and the baby's life-support will be switched off on Friday. The couple also claim they are being rushed, despite having been promised they would have all the time they needed to say goodbye to their son. Charlie Gard's parents wanted to take him to the US for pioneering treatment / PA Mr Gard told the Mail Online: "Our parental rights have been stripped away. "We can't even take our own son home to die, we have been denied that, do you not think we have been put through enough? "Our final wish if it all went against us, and we have had this conversation many times, if we lose can we take our little boy home, to where he belongs, to die? And we are not allowed. "We know what day our son is going to die and we don't even get a say in what happens to him. "He's got to die in that place." Charlie's parents said the hospital also said no to the baby dying in a hospice, and refused their offer to arrange private transport to their home. A spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street Hospital said: "As with all of our patients, we are not able to and nor will we discuss these specific details of care. "This is a very distressing situation for Charlie's parents and all the staff involved and our focus remains with them." Ms Yates described the day Charlie was born, August 4 last year, as the best day of their lives but said June 30 2017, would be the worst. Charlies parents wanted their son to undergo a therapy trial in the US, but specialists at GOSH said it was experimental and would not help. They had asked European court judges in Strasbourg, France, to consider their claim after judges in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in London ruled in favour of Great Ormond Street doctors. But on Tuesday the European Court of Human Rights refused to intervene. T he property company behind a pioneering co-living development described as Londons most luxurious commune has been given the green light for a second site in Stratford that includes shared hot tubs. The Collective, which launched its first location in Acton last year, is due to open the 250-room block in east London late next year or early in 2019 after winning consent from the London Legacy Development Corporation. The 19-storey building is designed by architects PLP. A third site has been bought in Canary Wharf. Tenants have a small bedroom with a tiny bathroom and basic kitchenette as their private space. All the other facilities are shared including communal kitchens, gym, sauna, library, cinema room, outdoor hot tub, roof terraces, gallery space and a Hackney Wick-inspired food market. Rent has not yet been set for the Stratford site but at The Collective Old Oak rooms start from 230 a week including utility bills, council tax, wifi, cleaning and gym access. Reza Merchant, chief executive of The Collective, said: London is at the forefront of the global co-living revolution, with significant demand for this new way of living. Co-living offers community-centric experiences and access to an enviable range of spaces and curated events. "Our first site at Old Oak is now fully let, with a waiting list, and Stratford marks the perfect second location for us. A n emergency was declared on a London-bound flight after the plane was struck by a bird during take-off. The easyJet service bound for London Gatwick was forced to return to Inverness Airport shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon after the bird hit the aircraft's engine. Fire crews were on standby as a precaution when the plane landed. A spokeswoman for the airline said: "easyJet can confirm that flight EZY864 from Inverness to London Gatwick returned from airborne due to a bird strike during take-off. "The pilot returned to Inverness in line with our procedures and as a precaution only. "All passengers disembarked normally and easyJet is positioning in a replacement aircraft to fly passengers to Gatwick. "Passengers are being provided with information and refreshment vouchers in the terminal. "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience as a result of the delay. "The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority." F ive children who attended the nearest secondary school to Grenfell Tower are believed to have died in the disaster, it was revealed today. The head teacher of Kensington Aldridge Academy said special assemblies had been held for the victims, who are among the 80 people missing presumed dead. It came as Sir Martin Moore-Bick was today confirmed by Theresa May as leading the public inquiry into the blaze. The former Court of Appeal judge said he understood the desire of local people for justice and that this would be served by a vigorous inquiry that gets to the truth as quickly as possible. He said the inquirys purpose was to ensure that a tragedy of this kind never happens again. Grenfell Tower death toll of about 80 came mainly from 23 flats The pupils include Biruk Haftom, 12, and siblings Yahya Hashim Kedir, 13, and his 11-year-old sister Firdaws Hashim Kedir. Former pupil Jessica Urbano, 12, who had left the school just weeks before the fire, is also feared dead. Missing family: Hashim Kedir, wife Nura and children Yahya, 13, left, Firdaws, 11, and Yaqub, six. Yahya and Firdaws went to Kensington Aldridge Academy. Yahya and Firdaws are believed to have died along with their parents Hashim Kedir, a black cab driver, mother Nura and younger brother Yaqub. They were inside their 22nd floor apartment in the tower block when the fire broke out. In a letter to parents, academy principal David Benson said: We did not take the decision to do this lightly but took extensive advice from experts and also were obliged to act in sync with what other local schools were doing. The Kensington Aldridge Academy / Alex Lentati The overwhelming advice we have been given is that because so many of our students have heard this news from the media, police and from being around Grenfell Tower themselves, the school now repeating what the police have said publicly should help our students in the grieving process. We have spoken to extended families of those missing to ensure that they are supportive of us doing this. The names of the other pupil thought to have perished has not yet been made public. Following the special assemblies, one parent told the Standard the school had been amazingly supportive to students. The mother said: Everyone is still in shock. Everyone has been incredibly supportive. Controversial choice: Sir Martin Moore-Bick / British High Commission in Brunei The academy, which is yards from the tower, has relocated classes to Burlington Danes Academy in Shepherds Bush and Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith. Scotland Yard yesterday announced that the presumed death toll had risen to 80, but said a full search of the tower could take until the end of the year. The funeral of Tony Disson, who lived on the 10th floor, was taking place at lunchtime today. The Fulham fan, 65, was described as a real family man and one in a million dad. He had four sons, five grandchildren with a sixth due in September and three great-grandchildren. Grenfell Tower aftermath - In pictures 1 /18 Grenfell Tower aftermath - In pictures The top section of the death trap Grenfell Tower Jeremy Selwyn The tower today, after the flames were extinguished Jeremy Selwyn A close up of the tower's damaged windows PA Fire service personnel survey the damage PA The tower today, after it emerged at least 17 were killed Jeremy Selwyn Rows of blackened windows after the fire Jeremy Selwyn Police sent in sniffer dogs today to search for bodies Jeremy Selwyn PA The Grenfell Tower at dawn today Jeremy Selwyn Donations have flooded in for victims Jeremy Selwyn Water is sprayed on Grenfell Tower PA Rows and rows of blackened windows. It is feared over one hundred people may have perished Jeremy Selwyn Part of the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP Fire crews examine the wreckage PA In a statement, his relatives said he was the heart and soul of the family. They added: Losing him has left a void that can never be filled. Tony was the most generous person you could ever meet, he didnt have much but would always be there to help people. His son Alfie said: Dad had a good life so to lose him in such a tragic way has made the loss hard to bear. We as a family are simply heartbroken. Loading.... Police have made contact with at least one occupant from 106 of the towers 129 apartments, with the vast majority of victims coming from the remaining 23 flats, Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack said. The Prime Minister said the Sir Martin was highly respected and hugely experienced. However the #JusticeForGrenfell campaign group described his appointment as concerning after it emerged that in 2014 he had ruled that a single mother of five living with chronic health problems could be housed 50 miles away from her home in Westminster. The ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court. Mrs May said Sir Martin would consult all those with an interest, including survivors and victims families, about the terms of reference of the inquiry before it began. These terms would then be approved by Parliament. She said: I am determined there will be justice for all the victims of this terrible tragedy and for their families who have suffered so terribly. We must get to the truth about what happened. No stone will be left unturned by this inquiry, but we cannot wait for ages to learn the immediate lessons and so I expect the chair will want to produce an interim report as early as possible. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called for the interim report to be published over the summer, amid concerns that the inquiry could take years. P olice investigating after a car mounted the pavement and hit pedestrians outside a busy London station have said the crash was not terror-related. Emergency services were scrambled to the scene outside Starbucks next to Kings Cross Station shortly after rush hour on Wednesday evening. Dramatic images from the street show a lime green Smart car with a shattered windscreen as onlookers crowd around the area, shortly after 7pm. An air ambulance landed near the scene. A man was rush to hospital following the incident, where police said he remains in a stable condition. A Met spokesman said the incident was not terror-related, adding: We were called to reports of a collision between a car and a pedestrian at the junction between Pentonville Road and York Way. The car left the road during the incident. A man was injured and was taken to a central London hospital. The driver stopped at the scene and is assisting the police with their enquiries. A new cycle-hire app could have a massive impact on efforts to reduce Londons toxic air, the company behind the scheme said today as it was launched in the UK. Mobikes bikes are collected from public racks, not docking stations, and unlocked via smartphone. The firm has been operating in China for 16 months, where its 100 million users make 20 million journeys a day. A WWF report claimed it has led to a reduction of 640,000 tons of CO2 emissions. It is in talks with Transport for London and landowners to set up in the capital. At the rollout of the bikes in Manchester, Mobikes general manager Steve Pyer said: It has had a massive impact in China and cities in Europe are watching what we are doing in the UK with excitement. Under the Manchester scheme, users pay a refundable 29 deposit to sign up, and are then charged 50p for every 30 minutes. Mr Pyer said: The Mayor of London wants 1.2 million bike journeys a day and I believe we can be part of that. A controversial retired judge who once ruled a London tenant should be moved 50 miles away to Milton Keynes is set to be placed in charge of the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry. Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted residents will be given a say over the direction of the investigation and Sir Martin Moore-Bicks appointment is expected to be officially announced on Thursday. As a lawyer, Sir Martin specialised in commercial law before spending more than 20 years as a judge of the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal. But concern has been raised about a judgement he made in 2014 when Sir Martin ruled in favour of Westminster City council in the case of tenant Titina Nzolameso. The single mother-of-five was made homeless after resisting the councils plan to move her to Milton Keynes because the benefit cap meant she could no longer stay in her four-bed flat. Notting Hill Grenfell Tower Fire - In pictures 1 /49 Notting Hill Grenfell Tower Fire - In pictures A blaze rages through Grenfell Tower block in Notting Hill Jeremy Selwyn Aerial view of the fire at Grenfell Tower, Notting Hill Jason Hawkes Jeremy Selwyn Aerial view of the fire at Grenfell Tower, Notting Hill Jason Hawkes Jeremy Selwyn A firefighter investigates a floor after a fire engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower PA Exhausted firefighter rest on steps of houses after ours of tackling the blaze Alex Lentati Jeremy Selwyn Residents wave frantically at a window during the blaze Nigel Howard Emergency personnel operate during the fire at the Grenfell Tower, a 27-storey apartment block in North Kensington, London EPA A police officer helps to evacuate a local resident from close to the scene of a serious fire in a tower block at Latimer Road in West London Reuters Debris and ash surrounding Grenfell Tower in the West Lancaster estate, Latimer road Jeremy Selwyn A fleet of ambulances at the scene ready to deal with the injured AFP/Getty Images A firefighter rests during the battle against the blaze at Grenfell Tower Jeremy Selwyn Firefighters prepare to enter the building to tackle the flames EPA Nigel Howard Smoke billows from a fire that has engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in west London PA Flames engulf the tower block in Notting Hill AFP/Getty Images This shocking image shows flames engulfing the 27 storey tower Jeremy Selwyn Police and Emergency services at the scene of a major fire in Notting Hill after a block of flats Grenfell Tower is engulfed in flames Nigel Howard A person peers out of a window from the building on fire in London AP Firefighters react as a huge fire engulfs the Grenfell Tower AFP/Getty Images Smoke rises from the fire at the Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey apartment block in North Kensington, London EPA Smoke billows across the London skyline follwing a fire at Grenfell Tower in the West Lancaster estate Alex Lentati Aw omen react followign the blaze at Grenfell Tower Alex Lentati Smoke billows across the London skyline follwing a fire at Grenfell Tower in the West Lancaster estate Jeremy Selwyn A water jet douses the fire at the Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey apartment block seen through a fence in North Kensington EPA Young children wear protective face masks near the burning 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images Two men hug within the security cordon as Grenfell Tower is engulfed by fire AFP/Getty Images A man (circled) looks from a window as smoke pours from a fire that has engulfed the 27-storey Grenfell Tower PA Smoke billows across the London skyline follwing a fire at Grenfell Tower in the West Lancaster estate Alex Lentati Firefighters on the scene at Grenfell Tower on Latimer Road early this morning Alex Lentati A view of debris from the Grenfell Tower fire covering a football pitch EPA Aerial view of the closed of Westway follwing a the fire at Grenfell Tower in the West Lancaster estate, Latimer Road. Jeremy Selwyn Fire fighters tackle the building after a huge fire engulfed the 24 story Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images A local resident is carried to receive some medical aid at a community centre close to a fire that has engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower PA Sir Martins upholding of the move, which her solicitor accused of amounting to social cleansing of the poor, was later overturned at the Supreme Court. Lawyer Jayesh Kunwardia said at the time of Sir Martins ruling: This judgment could have dire consequences for vulnerable families across the country. It gives the green light for councils to engage in social cleansing of the poor on a mass scale. Council tenants are being threatened with homelessness unless they agree to uproot themselves from communities theyve lived in for years. Loading.... The death toll from the fire is now believed to be around 80, the vast majority of whom were from just 23 flats. Survivors and the families of those who died in the devastating blaze will be given state funding for legal representation at the probe. Grenfell Tower aftermath - In pictures 1 /18 Grenfell Tower aftermath - In pictures The top section of the death trap Grenfell Tower Jeremy Selwyn The tower today, after the flames were extinguished Jeremy Selwyn A close up of the tower's damaged windows PA Fire service personnel survey the damage PA The tower today, after it emerged at least 17 were killed Jeremy Selwyn Rows of blackened windows after the fire Jeremy Selwyn Police sent in sniffer dogs today to search for bodies Jeremy Selwyn PA The Grenfell Tower at dawn today Jeremy Selwyn Donations have flooded in for victims Jeremy Selwyn Water is sprayed on Grenfell Tower PA Rows and rows of blackened windows. It is feared over one hundred people may have perished Jeremy Selwyn Part of the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP Fire crews examine the wreckage PA The Prime Minister said a full judge-led inquiry was needed to ensure the events at the 24-storey block were "properly investigated". The Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday it will be months before the final roll call of victims is established. Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack said contact had been made with at least one occupant from 106 of the 129 flats in the building. From those properties, 18 people are dead or assumed dead, meaning the remaining victims are thought to have been in the flats wiped out by the inferno. She said: "There are 23 flats that, despite huge investigative efforts, we have been unable to trace anyone that lives there. "At this stage we must presume that no-one in those flats survived, that includes anyone who lived there or was visiting them." Grenfell Tower death toll of about 80 came mainly from 23 flats Pressed on whether the death toll could climb to triple figures, Ms McCormack said: "I've said I believe it could increase, I don't think it's going to be triple, no." A six-month-old baby was among the latest victims to be identified, found dead in her mother's arms in the smoke-filled stairwell. Westminster Coroner's Court opened and adjourned inquests into seven Grenfell Tower victims, including baby Leena Belkadi and her eight-year-old sister Malak. As the vast criminal investigation into the fire continues, 60 organisations have been identified as having a hand in the tower's refurbishment, which is suspected to have helped the blaze spread. Mrs May confirmed on Wednesday that 120 tower blocks across 37 local authority areas had flammable cladding on their exterior. The National Housing Federation has called on the Government to stop its testing of cladding and instead focus on making people safe. Inferno: An inquiry is being held into the tragedy / PA Wire/PA Images Chief executive David Orr said: "These tests were the right thing to do, but the results are now conclusive: ACM cladding simply does not pass these tests and is deemed unsafe. "Across the country, valuable resources - from specialist equipment to expert time - are being poured into a testing process of which the results are already known. "We are calling on the Government to halt the testing on ACM cladding and shift its focus to making people safe." Loading.... Mr Orr spoke of the testing process revealing a "systematic failure" around the development, manufacture and regulation of cladding. He said: "It is highly likely that (in order to make people safe) this means removing the cladding from hundreds of buildings we were assured were safe - including hotels, private sector blocks, hospitals and student accommodation. "This process has powerfully demonstrated a systemic failure in construction, manufacturing and the way that regulation has been applied. "Putting this right will require a strategic look at the issue of fire safety in buildings as a whole, as well as clear prioritisation and funding from government - the costs should not fall on the residents of these properties." Sir Martins chambers, 20 Essex Street, said he began his legal career specialising in commercial contracts, including disputes relating to maritime and land transport of goods and banking and financial matters. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1986, sitting as a Deputy High Court judge before being appointed to the High Court in October 1995. Born in December 1946 and educated at The Skinners' School, Tunbridge Wells, and Christ's College, Cambridge, Sir Martin served in the Commercial Court of the High Court before his appointment to the Court of Appeal in April 2005. During his time at the Court of Appeal, he also advised the Lord Chancellor, then Lord Falconer and latterly Jack Straw, on the regulation and training of people offering legal services in his role as chairman of the Legal Services Consultative Panel. Sir Martin went on to take the role of vice president at the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) in 2014 and was replaced upon retirement by Dame Elizabeth Gloster. Additional reporting by the Press Association. S adiq Khan faces a grilling from the public on key London issues in a debate on the state of the capital on Thursday night. The Mayor of London will appear at indigo at the O2 Arena to face questions on a range of topics, from transport, pollution, housing and safety, at the State of London event. The two-hour ticketed debate, which will be chaired by presenter James OBrien, will see an audience of 1,600 people fire questions at the Mayor. It will be Mr Khans second State of London debate, which is required by the Greater London Authority to be held every year, and a string of atrocities in the capital this year, following the Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park attacks and the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. Last years event which came just days after the EU referendum and saw the Mayor address concerns over a rise in racially-motivated incidents. Follow a live stream of the event here from 7pm. A fund to help local businesses struggling after the terror attacks in London and the Grenfell Tower disaster was set up on Thursday. Sadiq Khan announced the 300,000 fund to help firms which have been unable to trade or have been affected by the tragic events. Traders at Borough Market are estimated to have lost 1.4 million while businesses which rely on tourism at London Bridge and Westminster suffered also. The impact of the Grenfell Tower inferno on local businesses, some of which have been behind cordons, is also thought to have been substantial. Borough Market reopens - In pictures 1 /28 Borough Market reopens - In pictures Traders and visitors pause for a minute's silence to remember the victims of the London Bridge terror attack before the market bell is rung to mark the opening of Borough Market PA London Mayor Sadiq Khan applauds in Borough Market, which officially re-opened today Reuters Market trader Paul Wheeler rings the bell to open Borough Market for the first time since the London Bridge terrorist attack PA Police officers stand inside Borough Market, which officially re-opens today following the recent attac Reuters Traders and visitors pause for a minute's silence to remember the victims of the London Bridge terror attack before the market bell is rung to mark the opening of Borough Market PA People walk through Borough Market in central London following its re-opening after the June 3 terror attack AFP/Getty Images Stall holders prepare to open their stall in Borough Market Reuters Pedestrians walk past Borough Market, which officially re-opens today Reuters A stall holder speaks to a woman in Borough Market, which officially re-opens today Reuters Cheesemongers work in Borough Market, Reuters A police officer stands in front of an entrance to Borough Market Reuters A woman sticks a sign onto a window in Borough Marke Reuters Two women embrace in Borough Market, which officially re-opens today Reuters Mayor of London Sadiq Khan joins traders and visitors for a minute's silence to remember the victims of the London Bridge terror attack before the market bell is rung to mark the opening of Borough Market PA The Shard is seen behind Borough Market, which officially re-opens today following the recent attack Reuters Customers queing up to buy paella from a stall in Borough Market whic has opened for the first time since the London Bridge terrorist attack PA Customers at Borough Market which has opened for the first time since the London Bridge terrorist attac PA Crowds gather a Borough Market as it re-opens Getty Images People buy produce from a market stall in Borough Market, which has officially re-opened Reuters People buy produce from a market stall in Borough Market Reuters The market bell and plaque at Borough Market which has opened for the first time since the London Bridge terrorist attack PA The Mayor called on the Government to match the money to help some of the hidden victims of the incidents, in particular small businesses. Through the fund, City Hall will also offer local businesses advice and support to help them get back on their feet. Mr Khan said: While the human cost of these events has been unimaginable, there has also been a financial cost. It comes after the Philip Hammond officially stated the London Bridge atrocity was terrorism, paving the way for insurance pay-outs. S adiq Khan will tonight be grilled by members of the public on key London issues in a debate on the state of the capital. The Mayor of London will appear at Indigo at the O2 arena to face questions on topics including transport, pollution, housing and safety at the State of London event. The two-hour ticketed debate, with a budget of up to 50,000, will be broadcast live on LBC radio station from 7pm and chaired by presenter James OBrien. It will be Mr Khans second State of London debate, after last years event which came just days after the EU referendum and saw the Mayor address concerns over a rise in racially-motivated incidents. Mr Khan used the 2016 debate to encourage all Londoners to report every incident of race hate, revealing he failed to report his own experience when he faced racial abuse in his youth. An audience of 1,600 people will again fire questions at the Mayor on Thursday evening during the fully-booked event, which is required by the Greater London Authority to be held every year. The event always takes place at least seven days after the Mayors annual report is published. It comes after a string of atrocities in the capital this year, following the Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park attacks and the devastating Grenfell Tower fire which left dozens of people dead. T heresa May today faced the threat of a revolt by up to 40 Tory MPs if she refuses to axe the public sector pay cap. In a display of power following Mrs Mays failure to win a Commons majority, at least 10 Conservative MPs were already publicly demanding that the pay restriction be eased. The Prime Minister saw off a Labour move yesterday to ditch the public sector pay cap by a margin of 14 votes. A growing number of Tory MPs back the idea of scrapping the one per cent cap but they saw Jeremy Corbyns amendment to the Queens Speech as an attempt to topple the Government, which is being propped up by the Democratic Unionist Party. Government defeats Labour amendment to Queen's Speech Highlighting the scale of the potential rebellion, former minister George Freeman MP tweeted late last night: 40 ConsMPs today signalled we need a diff approach to publicpaycap. Ministers listening. But tonights amndt was to bring down Govnt. Many Tory MPs still believe fiscal discipline is needed to tackle the deficit but want the public sector pay cap lifted for frontline workers, including in the NHS. Former work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb said today: Keep with the mission to reduce deficit but time to give nurses a pay rise. Dr Sarah Wollaston, the Totnes MP who chaired the health select committee in the last Parliament, argued that recruitment and retention of key staff in the NHS was being hit by the pay restriction, morale was suffering, and vacancies and staff shortages could affect patient safety and lead to higher agency costs. She added: Pay restraint is becoming a false economy. It is time, in my view, for pay restraint to be loosened. Former Treasury mandarin Sir Nicholas Macpherson warned that taxes would have to rise as the Tories make concessions to stay in power. He tweeted: Triple lock. Winter fuel. Public sector pay. NI bung. Tories implementing Labour & DUP policies. Defeat in victory. However, Chancellor Philip Hammond was today expected to rally his party by turning his guns on Labour in the last day of Queens Speech debates this afternoon. He was set to accuse Labour leader Mr Corbyn of planning ideologically-driven, productivity-sapping, investment-destroying nationalisation, on a scale that the country has not seen since the Seventies. Mr Hammond was to say the Labour plans would cost the taxpayer more than 120 billion and were full of black holes. Downing Street was this morning sticking to the line that there was no change in the policy on the pay cap despite confusion yesterday. However, more Tory MPs lined up to demand the pay cap be loosened. Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: I would like to see, obviously, some easing of the public sector pay cap. We all would, but we also know we have got to be responsible about how it is going to be paid for. Plymouth Moor View Tory MP Johnny Mercer added: Must address public sector pay, but in a responsible way. Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski said: Whilst supporting absolute need for continued fiscal prudence, I feel we must start easing of public sector pay cap, especially for nurses. Telford Tory MP Lucy Allan said: I want to see the next budget deal with the public sector pay cap we value our public sector workers: police, fire, NHS, teachers. Former minister Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, told the Commons yesterday: It is absolutely right that we should now look at removing the cap on pay for public sector workers, and that we should think in particular about those working in our health services. Former nurse Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, added: Nurses make life-and-death decisions on every shift. It cannot be right that they are paid, on average, 34,000. Conservative MP Heidi Allen said that as the Government had found 1 billion for a deal with the DUP, this must surely mean funding will be urgently reviewed for pub sector wages? Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon appeared to hint yesterday that the Government would consider amending the pay cap. But the PMs official spokesman later played down suggestions that a review was in the offing. Tory former minister Sir Oliver Letwin warned that tax rises to pay for additional spending would have to stretch beyond the richest. T he Duchess of Cambridge today opened a new exhibition gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum. During a tour of the museums Exhibition Road Quarters new spaces, Kate was wowed by the worlds first porcelain public courtyard. The area is lined with 11,000 handmade tiles at a staggering cost of 54.5 million. It also includes a new entrance and an underground gallery. Royal arrival: Kate arrives at the V&A museum to open a new extension and entrance / AP Former MP, Dr Tristram Hunt, the V&A director, said: The V&A have had connections with Kensington Palace going back to the 1850s. "It was Prince Alberts vision, and then Queen Victoria opened the V&A in 1899. She was wowed by the architecture, the courtyard of porcelain tiles, and she was really interested in the engineering - how we dug down 50 metres, and yet kept the walls upright and did not break a single piece of glassware or ceramics. He added: It is a huge day for the museum. It has really revived our original mission - this notion of Albertopolis, spreading out into Exhibition Road, this high-tech science and art campus, linking us with the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, Imperial College, the Goethe Institute, the Institut Francais, all of our friends and partners in South Kensington. Kate wore a Gucci dress for the visit / PA Dr. Hunt also told her about the first exhibition in the underground Sainsbury Gallery, about opera, and said the museums Pink Floyd exhibition was still on. She said that sounded a very interesting show to come and see. As she arrived Kate, wearing a Gucci dress, was given a bouquet by Dr Hunts six-year-old daughter Lydia. Amanda Levete, who designed the area, said the duchess was stunned because the sun came out as she arrived at the porcelain Sackler Courtyard. The courtyard was glistening, and the brightness of it just lights up the elevations of the V&A, and you see the museum in a completely different way. It feels very contemporary. P eople with high IQs tend to live longer than those of lower intelligence, a study suggests. Research found that having a high IQ lowered the risk of dying before the age of 79 from heart disease, stroke, cancers linked to smoking and respiratory diseases. There was also a lower risk of dying from injuries, digestive diseases and dementia, the study found. Publishing their findings in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), a team from the University of Edinburgh examined data for 33,536 men and 32,229 women born in Scotland in 1936. Their intelligence was tested at age 11 and they were followed for 68 years until December 2015. After taking account of several factors that could have influenced the results, such as age, sex and socio-economic status, the researchers found that higher childhood intelligence was associated with a lower risk of death until age 79. A higher test score was associated with a 28 per cent reduced risk of death from respiratory disease, a 25 per cent reduced risk of death from coronary heart disease, and a 24 per cent lower risk of death from stroke. The researchers said several mechanisms have been put forward as explanations, such as people with higher IQs being more likely to look after their health and being less likely to smoke. They also tend to do more exercise and seek medical attention when ill. Other evidence suggests genetics may play a role in the link between cognitive ability and longevity. Professor Ian Deary of the University of Edinburgh, who led the research, said: "I'm being optimistic about these results. "I'm hoping it means that if we can find out what smart people do and copy them, then we have a chance of a slightly longer and healthier life. "We don't fully know yet why intelligence from childhood and longevity are related, and we are keeping an open mind. "Lifestyles (eg not smoking), education, health literacy, less deprivation, and genetics might all play a part. We and other research teams are testing these ideas." F ormula One heiress Petra Ecclestone accused her billionaire husband of being violent and abusive in an explosive court hearing as they battled over a landmark divorce settlement. The estranged couples bitter split was laid bare yesterday as they prepared for a High Court scrap over their estimated 5.5 billion shared fortune. Ms Ecclestone, 28, claims gold bullion tycoon James Stunt, who she wed in 2011 in a lavish Italian castle wedding, took overdoses during their marriage, Central London Family Court heard. Her barrister, David Williams QC, claimed Mr Stunt had been violent and abusive in the past and accused the businessman of disgraceful behaviour during yesterdays court hearing. Stunt, 35, allegedly made a gun gesture with his hand, slammed the table in frustration, and eventually stormed out of the courtroom. James Stunt gestures as he leaves court in London / Bradley Page Ms Ecclestone, who was supported by father Bernie and her family, later left the hearing in tears after the heated confrontation with her estranged husband. Mr Stunt is also accused of calling Mr Ecclestone, the former Formula One supremo, a c**t under his breath during the hearing in front of Recorder Richard Anelay QC. When the 86-year-old business magnate stood up, appearing to confront his son-in-law, the judge told him: Please Mr Ecclestone, dont respond. I know its tempting. Divorce battle: Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt / Getty Images He also urged the warring parties to avoid further confrontation when they left court. The judge said Mr Stunt admits most of the abusive conduct and says its regrettable and had made admissions about overdoses and violence during the six year marriage. James Stunt, centre, arrives at court with his legal team / Mark Large Yesterdays hearing was called by Ms Ecclestones lawyers, as they tried to force Mr Stunt to leave a 100 million Grade II-listed home in Chelsea so she can live there with their three children. The pair will face off again in the High Court next month, in a battle that could end in one the biggest ever celebrity divorce settlements. A 158 million mansion in Los Angeles and the 16-bedroom home in Chelsea could be among the disputed assets. The court heard Mr Stunt signed a pre-nuptial agreement worth 16 million, and has assets including a 15 million wine collection and two 4 million properties in Chelsea. Ms Ecclestones legal team includes star divorce lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who counts Sir Paul McCartney and Liam Gallagher among her past clients. A n English village raising funds to open a community centre has received help from an unlikely source - after the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates stepped in to save the disused building. Godolphin Cross, a settlement of around 150 homes in Cornwall, was looking to buy a Methodist chapel which closed last April and tapped up Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for a donation. Residents pointed out links between their village and the Godolphin stables, a global racehorse-breeding operation run by the emir. The stables are named after the Godolphin Arabian, first bred in 1724, which takes the name of its best-known owner Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin. Godolphin Cross Community Association chairman Richard McKie said Dubai's ruler had made a generous offer towards the fundraising attempt and described the story as a "fairy tale". He told CornwallLive: "These kinds of things don't normally happen. "It's a fairy tale really. It's not often a sheikh steps in to help a Cornish village." Villagers have raised funds to by the Godolphin Methodist Chapel / Google Street View He added an offer for the chapel in the village, 12 miles west of Falmouth, had been verbally accepted by the Methodist Church. Mr McKie said: "We can't thank Sheikh Mohammed enough and we'd love to see him in this neck of the woods any time. "He would be assured of a very warm welcome." A mail firm halted deliveries to a street after a postman was repeatedly attacked by a mischievous crow. Canada Post refused to deliver letters to a Vancouver neighbourhood after the bird swooped on the worker, leaving him bleeding. The notorious crow, known as Canuck, first found fame last year after his search for shiny objects led to steal a knife from a crime scene. The crook rook's reign of terror over the citys mail carriers has now further cemented his reputation as a trouble-maker. Shawn Bergman, who maintains a Facebook page chronicling Canucks exploits, said he and two neighbours stopped receiving post for two months after the postman was attacked in April. He said he believed the crow had been defending his nest, writing: Canuck encountered the mail carrier one day and proceeded to bite him a few times causing broken skin and bleeding. I felt horrible when I found out that Canuck had caused harm to someone. But I understand Crow nesting season and the perils that come with it. This lasted for a couple of days until Canada Post stopped mail delivery to my home and to two other homes. Canuck's behaviour had led to the bird receiving "death threats", Mr Bergman added. Canuck has become infamous for his exploits / Canuck and I/Facebook A Canada Post spokeswoman confirmed to the BBC: "Unfortunately, our employees have been attacked and injured by a crow in that Vancouver neighbourhood while attempting to deliver the mail. "Regular mail delivery was suspended to three homes due to it being unsafe for our employees. "We are monitoring the situation when delivering the mail to other residents on the street. If our employees believe it is safe to deliver to those three addresses, they do so." On Wednesday Mr Bergman said mail deliveries had resumed in his street. In May last year Canuck swooped to steal a blade allegedly used by a knifeman to threaten police officers. Constables gave chase and the bird-brained thief dropped the evidence before flying away. His exploits have catapulted him to infamy, with Canuck appearing on TV and in news stories across the globe as well as attracting nearly 60,000 followers to his Facebook page. D onald Trump has accepted President Emmanuel Macrons invitation to celebrate Bastille Day in France. The two world leaders, who met for the first time in May, will enjoy the French national holiday together on July 14, the White House announced. The holiday commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, where opponents of the monarchy had been detained. It marked a turning point in the French Revolution. This years event will also be used to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the US entering into the First World War with US soldiers walking alongside French soldiers during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees. French President Emmanuel Macron listening to US President Donald Trump before the G7 Summit in Sicily. / AFP/Getty Images White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the US leader is looking forward to reaffirming America's "strong ties of friendship. Hand of friendship: Theresa May and Donald Trump walk together at the White House. (Getty Images) / Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Mr Spicer said the leaders will discuss cooperation on countering terrorism, as well as the economy and other issues. France is the second biggest contributor to efforts fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, after the US. President Trump is also scheduled to visit Europe shortly before Bastille Day, when he travels to Poland and Germany from July 5 to 8. Separately on July 14, Macron will also visit Nice to mark the truck attack that day in 2016 that killed 86 people and injured hundreds in the resort town in the south of France. It is not known whether President Trump would join Macron in Nice. Plans for the US Presidents state visit to the UK appear to have been put on hold after it was omitted from this years Queens Speech. P resident Donald Trumps travel ban targeting refugees and visitors to America from six Muslim-majority countries goes into force today amid fears of chaos at the nations airports as immigration officials grapple with new White House guidelines. The Trump administration circulated its new criteria for the ban last night requiring visa applicants from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen to have close family or business ties. However, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in laws or extended family or grandchildren are not sufficiently close family under the new rules and people from the six barred countries citing them as contacts will be turned away, according to senior administration sources. The move to re-instate a watered down version of Mr Trumps original travel ban comes after the US Supreme Court partially restored the presidents executive order that was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims. According to a State Department cable sent to US embassies and consulates yesterday, applicants from the six countries must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling in the US. Immigrants from the six countries who can not sufficiently establish such a close relationship are banned for 90 days - and 120 days if they are refugees from any country. After months of winding through the courts, the travel ban will go into effect from 8pm US East Coast time today. The president has adamantly denied the ban is aimed at Muslims, insisting that the identified nations impose a bigger terror threat. Mr Trumps executive order states that additional scrutiny is required for foreign nationals travelling from the six countries because the conditions in these countries present heightened threats. Each of these countries is a state sponsor of terrorism, has been significantly compromised by terrorist organisations, or contains active conflict zones. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International plan to send representatives to US airports, such as Dulles International Airport in Washington DC and New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport to monitor developments and observe implementation of the ban in case any disputes arise. When the Trump White House rolled out his first attempt at a travel ban in January, bedlam ensued almost immediately as foreigners from seven predominately Muslim countries tried to enter the US, only to be turned away at the border or separated from loved ones abroad. Todays order will create more confusion, delays, and litigation, Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law practice at Cornell Law School, told CNN last night. How individuals will prove such a (bona fide) relationship, and whether the burden of proof will be on the government or the individuals seeking entry, remains to be seen. I predict chaos at the border and new lawsuits as foreign nationals and refugees argue that they are entitled to enter the United States, he added. The hope is that this really only impacts a very small number of people, said Becca Heller, director of the International Refugee Assistance Project. P rotests have erupted across India against the killing of Muslims by vigilante 'cow protection' groups. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in 15 cities across the country, as well as in London, amid growing anger over the Hindu nationalist government's silence over "beef lynchings". At least a dozen men and boys have been attacked since 2014 by mobs accusing them of eating or trading beef. In the capital, Delhi, about 2,000 people carrying placards reading "not in my name" sang songs and lit candles on Wednesday. In Mumbai, hundreds including some Bollywood actors gathered under umbrellas in pouring rain to demonstrate. It comes after about 20 men attacked four Muslims on a train in the outskirts of Delhi on Friday, stabbing to death a teenager and seriously injuring two others. The Muslim victims said an argument over seats quickly turned into a brutal attack, with the mob accusing them of being "beef-eaters". Many members of the Hindu majority consider cows sacred and the slaughter of the animals and consumption of beef is illegal or restricted across much of India. Much of the recent violence has been focused on cows. Several fringe Hindu groups, apparently emboldened by the stunning political rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, have attacked Muslim cattle traders and dairy farmers. Protesters in Delhi decried the silence of India's Hindu right-wing government / AP Muslims constitute about 14 per cent of India's 1.3 billion people, while Hindus comprise 80 per cent. Rights groups say government officials, including the prime minister, have been slow to strongly condemn the attacks since coming to power in 2014 and that police action against perpetrators has been inadequate. Five of the killings, almost all of them in broad daylight and in busy public areas, have taken place in the last three months. On April 1, Pehlu Khan, a Muslim cattle trader, was lynched by a mob in the western state of Rajasthan as he transported cattle he had bought at an animal fair back to his home state of Haryana. Khan and his family were small dairy farmers. In May, two Muslim men were beaten to death over allegations of cattle theft in India's north-east. Over the last two years, vigilante groups, calling themselves cow protectors, have become active in small towns and cities across India. Lower-caste Hindus who carry out undesirable tasks such as skinning dead cattle have also faced mob violence. T he humble sausage roll - staple of bakeries and buffets across the country - has already earned its place at the global food table. Or so Brits might have thought. But apparently not everyone got the memo. Incredulous foodies have accused a US retailer of culinary plagiarism after it claimed to have invented a "genius" new snack that - get this - pairs sausage with puff pustry. "Puff dogs", launched this month by food store chain Trader Joe's, will look rather familiar to anyone who has so much as walked past a branch of Greggs. They comprise of a beef sausage "swaddled in a perfectly flaky-when-cooked puff pastry," with the company claiming "this marriage of beefy and buttery is pretty genius". Social media users in the UK and Australia were quick to point out the snack bore more than a whiff of another pastry product. Marcus Barber said: "Sorry Trader Joe's your 'puff dog' been made by local baker for 15 years." Matt White tweeted: "The Americans think they have invented something called a Puff Dog... It's a SAUSAGE ROLL." Others poked fun at the US 'invention' by popping into their British bakery. But not everyone was unimpressed. One Twitter user said: "Gonna weigh in here on a controversial topic that is v important to me. Puff dog is a better name for sausage rolls. Sry England." In 2015 American social media users reacted with bewilderment over one of Britains favourite foods after the New York Times shared a recipe for sausage rolls. The confusion began after the newspaper shared a recipe for what it described as 'like pigs in a blanket, but better', giving its readers a little background to the meaty delicacy. Two years later, US consumers are clearly ready. A pregnant woman has been charged with killing her boyfriend in what is believed to have been a social media stunt gone wrong. Monalisa Perez, 20, was detained by police in Minnesota after shooting at Pedro Ruiz while he held a book to his chest, assuming it would stop the bullet. She told officers that Mr Ruiz, 22, asked her to take part in the stunt so they could upload a video of it to their YouTube channel. Their three-year-old daughter was reportedly among the crowd of 30 who watched in horror as the incident unfolded at 6.30pm on Monday. An air ambulance was scrambled to the scene but Mr Ruiz was pronounced dead, authorities said. In a Twitter post before the incident, Ms Perez wrote: Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever HIS idea not MINE." His aunt, Claudia Ruiz, told WDAY-TV the couple often filmed pranks for their YouTube vlogs in a bid to increase their social media following. Charged: Monalisa Perez has been charged with second degree manslaughter / AP She said: "They were in love. They loved each other. It was just a prank gone wrong. It shouldn't have happened like this. "He had told me about an idea. I said, don't do it, don't do it. Why are you going to use a gun? Why? Because, we want more viewers. "I don't know why they thought the book was supposed to stop the bullet." The couples last uploaded video, posted on the day Mr Ruiz died, is titled: Doing scary stunts at the fair. Ms Perez, who is due to give birth to a boy in September, faces charges of second degree manslaughter and reckless discharge of a firearm. London is indisputably one of the best spots in the world for charity shopping. Once seen as a past time that only pensioners would partake in, you're now more likely to find a millennial trawling through the rails on a Saturday afternoon, desperate to hunt down a suitably unique bargain. Perhaps because of a diminishing disposable income or because of the rising backlash against fast fashion , the popularity of charity shops is bigger than ever. But where do you go for the best bargains? In which shops are you most likely to find those designer and vintage gems? Here to help you separate the treasure from the trash, we've rounded up the best charity shops in London. All Aboard, West Hampstead Of the many All Aboard shops across the city, West Hampsteads branch stands out the most. With a store-front rivalling the vintage backstreets of Brick Lane, the shop, which helps raise money for numerous Jewish charities across London, is a must for scuffed, colourful accessories, chintzy homeware and aged crockery. Find it: 224 West End Lane, NW6 1UF; allaboardshops.com Cancer Research UK, Marylebone A celebrity hotspot frequented by Kate Moss and Sienna Miller , this central branch of Cancer Research UK is but a short walk from the chaos of Bond Street, and shelters some of the leading names in both mens and womens fashion. With Louboutin, Dior and Miu Miu known to pop up on its rails, this secluded charity shop is giving Selfridges a run for its money. Find it: Marylebone High St, W1U 4PQ; cancerresearchuk.org Fara Kids, Pimlico Fara Kids charity shops bring affordable options to parents seeking clothes, books and toys for children of all ages. With proceeds going to programmes for disadvantaged children, this particular outlet in Pimlico offers a spacious, friendly experience for families to seek out clothes and treats in good condition and at knock-off prices. Find it: 40 Tachbrook St, SW1V 2JS; faracharityshops.org Marys Living and Giving, Primrose Hill Retail expert Mary Portas works with Save the Children across a number of high-end charity shops across the capital to promote an ethical, luxurious experience for bargain hunters. Run by local volunteers, Portas has pioneered a new direction for charity shopping that incorporates the community and raises money for worthy causes. The Primrose Hill chapter of Living and Giving shuns the rickety rails of its rivals and instead gives a bohemian, cosy space in which to browse. Find it: 11 Clifton Rd, W9 1SZ; savethechildren.org.uk Octavia, Hampstead Heath A thirty-second walk from the hilly heights of Hampstead Heath, Octavia has a smart head for seasonal shopping. They lower their winter stock during the winter months, ensuring even more of a bargain, and are never short of picnic attire and summertime accessories for an afternoon in one of London's best outdoor spaces. Find it: 33 South End Rd, NW3 2PY; octaviafoundation.org.uk Oxfam, Dalston Set along of the more cutting high streets of London, this huge branch of Oxfam is best known for its music and book collections as well as its impressive array of vintage and couture clothes, with 10 leather jackets and 1 vinyl records aplenty. Its strong community following and surrounding hubbub of clothes shops and cafes make this less of a charity store and more of an institution amongst North East Londoners. Not for the faint-hearted, this Oxfam is renowned for bold statement pieces and pop-up cultural events. Find it: 514-518 Kingsland Rd, E8 4AR; oxfamdalston.wordpress.com British Red Cross, Chelsea This is the top charity shop for celebrity cast-offs, with the Beckhams known to stop-by with their unwanted items. Laden with hand-me-downs from Chelsea residents, expect labels galore in mint condition from this self-proclaimed designer charity shop. Max Mara, Vivienne Westwood and Hugo Boss are just some of the names that can be found in one of the most popular charity shops in London. Find it: 69-71 Old Church St, SW3 5BS; redcross.org.uk Oxfam Boutique, Westbourne Grove One of Oxfams elite boutique outlets, Westbourne Grove houses one of the more prominent branches, with a focus on organic, Fair Trade and recycled clothes and accessories. Blending into its high-fashion surroundings and just moments from Portobello market, this particular store strikes a decent balance between vintage finds, designer cast-offs and unique high street finds. Find it: 245 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SE; oxfam.org.uk Best UK Design Shops - in pictures 1 /23 Best UK Design Shops - in pictures The Conran Shop, London Oskar, Bristol Dig Haushizzle, Bristol Nest, Sheffield Caro, Somerset HAY, Bath Aram, London West Elm, London Mint, London Mint Press Alex Eagle, London House of Hackney, London Jasper Morrison, London Jasper Morrison in Hoxton - press image Skandium, London Pitfield, London Labour & Wait, London Moleta Munro, Edinburgh I Gigi General Store, Brighton The Lollipop Shoppe, Brighton Birdie Fortescue, Burnham Market Lassco, Oxfordshire Willow & Stone, Cornwall A G Hendy & Co, Hastings Utility, Liverpool Save the Children, Clapham South of the river offers an impressive array of second-hand shops, with Clapham in particular boasting a high ratio of charity shops amongst its high street stores. Leading the pack is Save the Children on Clapham High Street, a few strides from the overground station. This small shop is packed full of colourful clothes and cute bric-a-brac, and prides itself on its spirited clientele and friendly volunteers. Find it: 36 Clapham High St, SW4 7UR; savethechildren.org.uk Traid, Brixton Similarly to Dalstons Oxfam branch, Traid in Brixton has become its own entity with frequent pop-up events and gigs amongst the rails of second-hand treasures. Late night opening hours, personalised styling sessions and DJ sets make this charity shop something else altogether, with the clothes just part of the experience. Traid also encourages customers to sign a secondhand first pledge, where they agree to make up a percentage of their wardrobe from sustainable sources such as charity shops and clothes swaps. Find it: 2 Acre Lane, SW2 5SG; traid.co.uk Fara, Northcote Road As youd expect of perfectly manicured Northcote Road (dubbed Nappy Valley by some) the Fara is beautifully laid out and has the finesse of a boutique, rather than the chaos of a jumble sale. Due to the affluent area it resides in, you can expect to find a wealth of designer and high end high street wear. The bag selection is particularly good. Find it: 70 Chatham Road, SW11 6HG; faracharityshops.org Follow us on Twitter @ESLifeandStyle and Facebook R osie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Stratham have announced the arrival of their first baby in a cute Instagram post. The British model and actress, 30, informed fans of the new arrival on Wednesday evening, announcing that theyd named the newborn Jack Oscar Statham. Sharing a photo of herself holding Jacks hand, the British star wrote: Our little man arrived! Jack Oscar Statham - 8.8lbs on Saturday June 24th. Huntington-Whiteley announced her pregnancy in a similar way earlier this year, posting a picture of her baby bump while on holiday. Very happy to share that Jason and I are expecting!! Lots of love Rosie x Photo by @jasonstatham, she wrote. Huntington-Whiteley spoke previously about wanting to start a family with Statham. Speaking to the EDIT in 2015 she said: Having a family is something I think about for sure, and whether I'd live here in America or in England. Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Steal the Show at The Expendables 3 Premiere But it's not always as simple as thatI have no idea what will happen, but it'll be interesting to find out, right? And nothing will be perfect, I'm sure. She also told ELLE that she had always wanted to become a mother. I always see myself working, but definitely being a mum will be a big part of me, she said. I think there is naturally a point where you think, 'I dont care about myself as number one any more. I want to care about other things.' The new addition comes a year after she confirmed her engagement to the Revolver actor by flashing her diamond ring on the Golden Globes red carpet. A lesha Dixon has stepped in to replace Sharon Osbourne at the X Factor auditions after she was forced to pull out due to back pain. Fresh from her judging stint on Britains Got Talent, Dixon was a last minute addition to the first of this years auditions in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Osbourne, 64, flew from the UK back to her home in Los Angeles earlier this week to visit a doctor to help with the recurring problem. Unfortunately, Sharon is suffering from niggling back problems following surgery earlier in the year and will be unable to take part in the Edinburgh auditions, said an X Factor spokesperson. Drafted in: Alesha Dixon steps into Sharon Osbourne's role / PA They added: Alesha will be guest judging on the panel today. Dixon was also drafted in to replace Nicole Scherzinger during Saturdays auditions as the former Pussycat Doll had other commitments. X Factor 2016 Live Finalists 1 /16 X Factor 2016 Live Finalists Bratavio Syco/Thames/Burmiston Honey G Syco/Thames/Burmiston Relley C Syco/Thames/Burmiston Brooks Way Syco/Thames/Burmiston Sam Lavery Syco/Thames/Burmiston 5 After Midnight Syco/Thames/Burmiston Matt Terry Syco/Thames/Burmiston Saara Aalto Syco/Thames/Burmiston Ryan Lawrie Syco/Thames/Burmiston Gifty Louise Syco/Thames/Burmiston Freddy Parker Syco/Thames/Burmiston Emily Middlemass Syco/Thames/Burmiston Osbourne was forced to undergo surgery on her back earlier this year after she hurt it playing with her grandchildren. I was on the floor with them playing with toys and I got up. As I got up from the floor, my back I just felt this twist in my back at the base of my spine, she said at the time. They tried to do it with an epidural to ease the pain that didnt do any good, so I had to go in and have surgery. And Ive been in bed doing nothing. My life has just been like nothing. SCOTTSBLUFF Hundreds of area youth turned out on Wednesday for the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library Better Builders Bootcamp. The 480 youth in the librarys summer reading program are also learning about how to build a better world. Ten stations at the library park allowed children to learn and have fun. Twenty-four teens in the teen reading program volunteered to assist adult volunteers from the library and from organizers such as Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Keep Scottsbluff/Gering Beautiful, Home Depot, North Platte Natural Resources District (NRD) and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Childrens librarian Deb Carlson said she was pleased with the turnout. In sticking with the theme of building a better world, she wanted to make sure children had the opportunity to have several kinds of materials they could build things with. Builders made things with PlayDoh, Lincoln Logs, Fantastic Plastic Fish, EMIDO Constructions and LEGOS. Throughout the event, children built a variety of items from simple to complex. Carlson said while reading is important and what the program is all about, it is also important to learn how to be better citizens of our Earth. To have NPPD be out here talking about solar panels and teach about how solar energy works is fantastic, she said. The Keep Scottsbluff/Gering Beautiful booth had a bowling alley and ring toss made entirely of recycled materials. Home Depot brought potting soil, flowers and pots so each child could take a new plant home. David Wolf, information and education coordinator at the NRD, demonstrated how aquifers function and how water travels through different soil types. Each child left with stickers about water saving tips. The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies enlisted help from their friends at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center to help children use recycled materials to make their own bird feeders for their back yard. Carlson was overcome by the generosity of all the organizations who readily volunteered. Every group said, Absolutely. We want to come, she said. The cooperation and support of all these people coming together is fantastic. Though the children took a morning off from reading, they learned much more. This really accomplished a lot, Carlson said. The kids got to see how all these things tie in with everything we do. This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page Published: 29 June 2017 General government debt grew slightly in the first quarter of 2017 General government EDP debt, or consolidated gross debt at nominal prices, totalled EUR 136.6 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2017. Growth from the previous quarter amounted to EUR 0.5 billion. These data derive from Statistics Finland's statistics on general government debt by quarter. General government debt by quarter Central government debt grew by EUR 0.7 billion in the first quarter. The growth was mainly caused by net issuances of EUR 4.4 billion in central government bonds. At the end of March, the nominal value of central government bonds in circulation was EUR 102.9 billion. The net amount of short-term debt instruments with a maturity of under one year decreased during the first quarter by EUR 3.3 billion due to amortisations. In addition, both cash deposits and short-term loans included in central government sector debt decreased by a total of EUR 0.4 billion. The combined debt of social security funds and the local government sector remained nearly at the same level as at the end of 2016. General government EDP debt describes general governments debt to other sectors of the national economy and to the rest of the world, and its development is influenced by changes in unconsolidated debt and internal general government debts. Consolidated general government gross debt is derived by deducting debts between units recorded under general government from unconsolidated gross debt. For this reason, general government debt is smaller than the combined debts of its sub-sectors. The EDP debt of general government differs conceptionally to some extent in the case of central government, from the central government debt published by the State Treasury. Central government's EDP debt includes loans granted to beneficiary counties by the European Financial Stability Facility EFSF mentioned above, received cash collaterals related to derivative contracts, the capital of the Nuclear Waste Management Fund, debts generated from investments in central government's PPP (public-private partnership) projects, coins that are in circulation, and the deposits of the European Commission. In National Accounts, central government is also a broader concept than the budget and financial economy (http://www.stat.fi/meta/luokitukset/_linkki/julkisyhteisot.html). The valuation principle for both debt concepts is the nominal value, where the effect of currency swaps is taken into account. The publication of statistics on central government guarantees as a separate set of statistics ended in March 2017. From now on, these data are published in the statistics on general government debt by quarter and the data can be found on the homepage of the statistics under Tables. The first data published in the new place will concern the first quarter of 2017. Central government guarantee data include guarantees for which central government is liable or that are granted on its behalf. This differs from other statistics in that the data only include guarantees for which the central government is liable. Among other central government, the local government sector also grants guarantees in Finland but they are not included in these statistics. Source: General government debt by quarter, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Timo Ristimaki 029 551 2324, Henna Laasonen 029 551 3303, rahoitus.tilinpito@stat.fi Director in charge: Ville Vertanen Publication in pdf-format (216.1 kB) Updated 29.6.2017 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): General government debt by quarter [e-publication]. ISSN=1799-8034. 1st quarter 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 11.11.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/jyev/2017/01/jyev_2017_01_2017-06-29_tie_001_en.html This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page Published: 29 June 2017 Employment pension schemes pushed general governments net financial assets into growth in the first quarter of 2017 At the end of the first quarter of 2017, general government's net financial assets, i.e. the difference between assets and liabilities, amounted to EUR 118.8 billion. Net financial assets rose by EUR 4.4 billion from the previous quarter. The net financial assets of employment pension schemes and other social security funds grew by a total of EUR 6.1 billion. Local government's net financial assets remained almost unchanged but central government's net financial assets declined by EUR 1.96 billion. These data derive from general government financial accounts compiled by Statistics Finland. General governments net financial assets Central government's net financial assets fell by EUR 1.96 billion from the previous quarter's level, being EUR -69.3 billion at the end of the quarter. Central government's assets rose by EUR 0.17 billion and liabilities by EUR 2.1 billion, which resulted in a clear decrease in net financial assets. Among central governments assets, deposits increased by EUR 0.7 billion and long-term loan receivables decreased by EUR 1.5 billion during the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter of 2017, local government's net financial assets amounted to EUR -3.5 billion. Changes in both liabilities and assets have been moderate. At the end of the first quarter, the stock of long-term loans stood at EUR 16.4 billion. Since the end of 2016, the stock of long-term loans has contracted by EUR 0.2 billion. Employment pension schemes' net financial assets grew by EUR 5.6 billion in the first quarter of 2017. EUR 1.9 billion more assets were invested in mutual fund shares on net, in addition to which employment pension schemes gained EUR 2.8 billion in holding gains from them. The stock of share investments increased by EUR 1.3 billion mainly thanks to holding gains. The total amount of assets invested in debt securities decreased by EUR 1.3 billion over the quarter and the deposit stock rose by EUR 1.1 billion. The net financial assets of other social security funds grew by EUR 0.5 billion from the situation at the end of the year and stood at EUR 1.2 billion at the end of the first quarter. The rise was mainly due to the growth in deposits. In addition, the stock of short-term debt securities issued by social security funds diminished. Source: General government financial accounts, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Riikka Tupala 029 551 3349, Henna Laasonen 029 551 3303, rahoitus.tilinpito@stat.fi Director in charge: Ville Vertanen Publication in pdf-format (226.2 kB) Updated 29.6.2017 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): General government financial accounts [e-publication]. ISSN=1798-1964. 1st quarter 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 11.11.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/jyrt/2017/01/jyrt_2017_01_2017-06-29_tie_001_en.html This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page Published: 29 June 2017 Growth of households net financial assets continued in January to March Households financial assets amounted to EUR 296.8 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2017. The financial assets grew by EUR 3.3 billion during the quarter. Households had EUR 156.2 billion in debt which was EUR 1.6 billion up from the previous quarter. The difference between households financial assets and liabilities grew by EUR 1.7 billion to EUR 140.6 billion. The growth in net financial assets has continued for four quarters. These data appear from Statistics Finland's financial accounts statistics. Change from the previous quarter in households net financial assets Price rise continued to boost households financial assets In the first quarter of 2017, households withdrew EUR 0.2 billion more investments from financial assets than they made new investments. Investments in bonds and other debt securities decreased by EUR one billion on net. The drop was offset by the positive net flow in quoted shares and mutual funds. Even though the investment flow was slightly negative, the value of financial assets held by households increased from the previous quarter due to holding gains. They amounted to a total of EUR 2.7 billion mainly from shares and mutual fund shares. Slight growth in households loan debts At the end of the quarter, households had EUR 143.2 billion in loan debt. The amount of loan debt increased by EUR 0.6 billion from the level at year end. The majority of the change was caused by a growth in housing companies loan shares attributable to households just like in the previous quarter. Households indebtedness ratio grew by 0.2 percentage points from the previous quarter to 127.1 per cent. At that point, it dropped by as much, so no new record was reached this time. Households' indebtedness ratio is calculated as the ratio of their loan debts at the end of a quarter to their total disposable income during the preceding four quarters. Non-financial corporations debt financing rose moderately In the first quarter of 2017, non-financial corporations debt financing grew to EUR 220.6 billion after the dip in the previous quarter. The amount of debt financing is still below the level seen a few years back despite the EUR 3.2 billion growth over the quarter. Non-financial corporations loan debt went up by EUR 3.5 billion and amounted to EUR 191.2 billion. Non-financial corporations financing in the form of debt securities declined by EUR 0.3 billion to EUR 29.4 billion. Debt financing refers to the total of loan debts and financing in the form of debt securities. Here, the enterprise sector has been limited so that it does not include financial and insurance corporations nor housing companies or other housing corporations. Source: Financial accounts, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Henna Laasonen 029 551 3303, Peter Parkkonen 029 551 2571, rahoitus.tilinpito@stat.fi Director in charge: Ville Vertanen Publication in pdf-format (247.4 kB) Updated 29.6.2017 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Financial accounts [e-publication]. ISSN=1458-8145. 1st quarter 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 11.11.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/rtp/2017/01/rtp_2017_01_2017-06-29_tie_001_en.html Chairman of the People's Movement Party (PMP) stated on Thursday that the head of state, President Klaus Iohannis, lied when he said that the opposition didn't come with a proposal for the Prime Minister office, adding that "it looks like" it was Iohannis' option for Mihai Tudose to take over this office. "Mr President Klaus Iohannis lied in the film and arrangement he had with Dragnea, in order to be able to excuse himself. He very much wanted for nobody to make any proposal so he can stay with Dragnea's. It is regrettable that a president lied publicly, and I have brought arguments there. I said: Siegfried Muresan represents a EPP [ European People's Party] party. In Romania's Parliament there are two more EPP parties, therefore, three in total: there are the Liberals, the UDMR [Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania] and PMP. Moreover, the USR [Save Romania Union] would have definitely voted an option of the opposition, and Siegfried Muresan matches the USR, in terms of mentality, professional training," Traian Basescu stated, when asked about the reaction of President Iohannis, according to which the opposition didn't come with a proposal. Basescu claimed that he presented Siegfried Muresan to President Iohannis, as proposal for the prime minister office, with arguments. "I wouldn't say it shocked me, but I was surprised by a President's nerve to publicly lie, and the argument that I have brought you with the EPP and USR, please believe me that I have also conveyed it to the President. I have warned him that if he is to nominate Mihai Tudose he might enter a trap set by Dragnea, but it looks like Tudose was an option of Mr President Iohannis, and not a trap of Dragnea," Basescu stated. agerpres. The rule of law doesn't only mean the strict observance of the law, but also a state of spirit, creating the necessary framework for prosperous economic relations, President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday at the Romanian Chamber of Commerce. The head of state participated, alongside his Bulgarian counterpart Rumen Radev, in the opening of the Forum dedicated to Romanian and Bulgarian business people. Iohannis spoke of the evolution of the commercial relations between Romania and Bulgaria, as well as about what must be improved in this area. "The total value of commercial exchanges neared 4 billion euro in 2016, after over the past three years it registered an annual average growth of over 7 percent. Continuing this positive trend, in the first months of this year, commercial exchanges increased almost 12 percent from the similar period of last year, which creates expectations that 2017 will register a new record," he said. The President added that the positive evolutions must be endorsed "by identifying new economic opportunities" meant to get the two states even closer, "through cooperation in top areas, as innovating as possible." In this respect, the head of state underscored, "it is important to draw Bulgarian investments in Romania and encourage Romanian companies interested in investing in Bulgaria." A special interest might be found, he said, in tourism, constructions, as well as the metallurgy and car part for the auto industry areas. "At the same time, Bulgaria's economy could benefit from the performances of the IT&C sector of Romania, through business partnerships in the production area," the head of state added. He also spoke of the collaboration in the tourism area, bringing to mind that, at present, about one million Romanian tourists annually visit Bulgaria and almost half a million Bulgarian tourists visit Romania. "We want to extend this dimension through common projects, including in respect to cultural tourism and projects devoted to third markets, from geographically remote areas," Iohannis highlighted. The head of state also referred to the regional energy cooperation, "an objective of a vital importance for the economies in the region." "I salute the inauguration, in 2016, of the Giurgiu-Ruse gas inter-connector. At the same time, Romania grants a special importance to the BRUA [Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria] gas pipeline. We are positive that, through consistency and determination from all national and commercial partners, BRUA will enhance the importance of our countries on Europe's energy map," Klaus Iohannis said. Romania's President discussed, in context, of the European Union's Strategy for the Danube Delta. "Modernising the Danube ports, ensuring the navigableness and the development of the river transport, building new road bridges are but some of the few projects that can turn the Danube - and I am stressing this today, 29 June, the International Day of the Danube - a true source of prosperity for our economies," he underscored. Klaus Iohannis also pointed out the need for investments in infrastructure. "The regional cooperation will be stronger when infrastructure, road, rail and river infrastructure, will facilitate even more and better the movement of persons and freight between our countries. To this end, the authorities of both states must identify concrete solutions to ease the traffic through the border points," he added. At the end, the head of state highlighted the need of an "efficient" legislative framework. "The business environment in our countries needs an efficient, clear and adapted to the economic space where they conduct their activity legislative framework. The rule of law doesn't mean strict observance of the law, but also a state of spirit, strong institutions, stable and predictable laws, zero tolerance for corruption. Only this way we can sustainably endorse investments, entrepreneurship and market economy," Klaus Iohannis said. agerpres. A federal appeals court said the Environmental Protection Agency should not have been ordered by a lower court judge to assess how its air regulations affect coal industry jobs, in a defeat for Murray Energy Corp., a large coal miner. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., ruled on Thursday that in passing the Clean Air Act, Congress did not authorize lawsuits such as Murray's, depriving federal courts of jurisdiction to hear them. Murray had accused the EPA, during the Obama administration, of overstepping its authority by imposing regulations without regard for their economic and employment impact. The 3-0 decision was also a defeat for 16 U.S. states, all but one with Republican governors, that supported Murray. Gary Broadbent, a Murray spokesman, said the St. Clairsville, Ohio-based company intends to appeal. Murray had sued the EPA in 2014, citing a Clean Air Act provision directing it to "conduct continuing evaluations of potential loss or shifts of employment" when enforcing its regulations. Chief Executive Bob Murray had been a persistent critic of the Obama administration over what he called its "war on coal." Last October, U.S. District Judge John Bailey in Wheeling, W.Va., ordered the EPA to write a report on the jobs impact of coal industry regulations, rejecting its argument that it had discretion to decide when evaluations were needed. But the appeals court said the Clean Air Act did not require the EPA to write such a report. "The agency gets to decide how to collect a broad set of employment impact data, how to judge and examine this extensive data, and how to manage these tasks on an ongoing basis," Circuit Judge Henry Floyd wrote. "A court is ill-equipped to supervise this continuous, complex process." EPA spokeswoman Amy Graham said in an email: "President Trump's EPA will take the economic and job impacts of its proposed regulations into account consistent with its statutory requirements, regardless of the outcome of this particular case." Murray also drew support from the Cause of Action Institute, an advocacy group favoring limited government. Joshua Schopf, a lawyer for the group, in an interview said courts should not "unduly defer to agencies' interpretation of statutory language," and the 4th Circuit "appeared to engage in verbal gymnastics" by ruling against Murray. Former President Barack Obama appointed the judges on the appeals court panel. Floyd was previously a district court judge appointed by President George W. Bush. The case is Murray Energy Corp. et. al. v. EPA, 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 16-2432. WILMINGTON, Del. Sprint Corp. used confidential information from its alliance with RadioShack Corp. to open competing mobile phone stores, dooming the comeback by the electronics retailer and destroying jobs, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by RadioShack creditors. RadioShack emerged from bankruptcy in 2015 with a deal to co-brand about 1,400 stores with Sprint, which was meant to help the telecoms provider better compete with larger rivals AT&T Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. However, by early 2017 RadioShack, owned by General Wireless, had returned to bankruptcy and is liquidating. The lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court by RadioShack's official committee of unsecured creditors says that Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint breached its contract with RadioShack, and is seeking $500 million in damages. Sprint allegedly ignored its obligations to provide inventory and staff to RadioShack stores because of its own financial troubles. Sprint spokesman David Tovar said the company was disappointed by the creditors committee action and Sprint expected to defend the matter vigorously. The lawsuit alleges that in 2016, Sprint used confidential information obtained from RadioShack to open 200 competing stores near RadioShack's best locations, sinking any comeback for the electronics chain. Sprints action destroyed nearly 6,000 RadioShack jobs, said the lawsuit. The allegations stand in sharp contrast to promises made less than seven months ago by the chief executive officer of SoftBank, Sprints Japanese parent company, that he would create U.S. jobs. President Donald Trump made jobs the centerpiece of his election campaign. SoftBank's Masayoshi Son was among the first foreign business leaders to meet with then-President-elect Donald Trump at his New York headquarters and praised the Republican for a raft of planned deregulations. The CEO promised to invest $50 billion with the aim of hiring 50,000 people in the United States. Trump took credit for the commitment and reported in late December that Sprint had committed to bringing 5,000 jobs to the United States. Updated at 4:30 p.m. Drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. scrapped its deal to buy Rite Aid Corp. after failing to win antitrust approval, but said it would instead buy nearly half of the smaller rival's U.S. stores for $5.18 billion. Rite Aid's shares fell 26.5 percent to close at $2.89, while Walgreens shares rose 1.7 percent at $78.37. Walgreens also ended a related deal to sell as many as 1,200 Rite Aid stores to Fred's Inc., sending Fred's shares down nearly 23 percent to $9.51. Walgreens, the biggest U.S. drugstore chain, will likely have an easier time winning antitrust approval to buy 2,186 Rite Aid stores after it failed to win approval to take over the nearly 4,600-store chain. "Walgreens and Rite Aid have taken a pragmatic approach," said Neil Saunders, managing director of market research firm GlobalData Retail. The revised deal could offer many of the same benefits as a wholesale take out of the company, but on a smaller scale. Walgreens said it expects about $400 million of cost savings from its new agreement, down from around $1 billion expected from the original deal. That could help offset challenges it faced in recent years hitting targets for sales growth, which has been weighed on in part by disappointing growth in its retail segment. Walgreens also invited Rite Aid to join its group purchasing agreement, which aims to leverage the combined heft of its members to negotiate discounts on generic drug prices. The decision to sell so many stores will weaken Rite Aid and could still be controversial, said David Balto, an antitrust lawyer who had worked with groups opposing Walgreens' takeover of Rite Aid. "Rite Aid's future is going to be bleak after they sell these stores. This is still going to raise some serious questions. It's still taking out a major competitor," Balto said. In fact, Walgreens' plan to buy 2,186 Rite Aid stores accomplishes many of the same goals as the merger including eliminating Rite Aid as a rival but does so in a way that makes it harder for the FTC to take the companies to court to stop the transaction, antitrust experts said. "Obviously no victory dance for the FTC today. This was a big stick-it-to-you. They're (the FTC) getting a worse outcome than they would before," said Andre Barlow of the law firm Doyle, Barlow and Mazard PLLC. "Clearly they (the companies) know what the FTC concerns are. They have likely worked around those issues, which has to be very frustrating for the FTC." The FTC sued to stop two separate deals last week, suggesting that former administration's tough antitrust approach will continue under President Donald Trump. The agency is being run by Acting Chairwoman Maureen Ohlhausen and three commissioner slots are vacant. The FTC said on Thursday it would review the new proposal. Walgreens to pay more per store Rite Aid said the stores to be sold are mainly in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. The deal also includes distribution centers in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Leerink Partners analyst David Larsen estimated that under the new deal, Walgreens would be paying $2.4 million per Rite Aid store, higher than what it would have paid under a previous agreement, where it would have paid $2.04 million to $2.06 million per store. Walgreens said on Thursday it expects the new deal to close within six months. Walgreens also reported better-than-expected profit and sales for the third quarter, helped by a rise in prescription volumes in its U.S. pharmacy business. The company also authorized a $5 billion buyback program and raised the lower end of its full-year profit forecast by 8 cents per share to a range of $4.98 to $5.08. Analysts on average were expecting full-year profit of $4.96 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. The new agreement will assist Rite Aid in addressing pharmacy margin challenges and in significantly reducing debt, the company's CEO John Standley said in a statement. Walgreens said it would pay Rite Aid a $325 million termination fee. In October 2015, Walgreens said it would buy No. 3 Rite Aid for $9.5 billion. This article was first published on July 3, 1917. The text here is as printed that day, with minor changes to correct typographical errors and syntax. These articles contain graphic details of the violence, and use the ugly racial terminology of the era, including a racial epithet. An officially conducted exodus of several hundred East St. Louis Negroes to St. Louis took place shortly before noon today. The Negro men, women and children who had been under the protection of Illinois militiamen in the East Side city hall since last night were rounded up and were marched by the Eads Bridge route to this city. Two militia companies served as their escort. The St. Louis Municipal Lodging House, 110-112 South Twelfth Street, was opened to the refugees by order of acting Mayor Aloe, and $100 was taken from the Mayors contingent fund for the feeding of the Negroes there. A Negro charitable organization, with an office near city hall, did what it could to care for those who were directed to it. A meeting of city officials and Red Cross representatives was called for the purpose of providing for the needs of the destitute blacks in the next few days. The refugees were of every age and size. They were infants in arms and children pushed in buggies or pulled in express wagons. There were pickaninnies carrying pets, one hugging a small chicken. There were white-haired men and buxom mammies, and there were men and women, young and middle-aged, who seemed unable to recover from the horror of yesterdays experiences, or to realize where they were going. The fugitives carried hand baggage and household possessions of all sorts. Some talked of finding relatives or friends in St. Louis, and some were without any thought than to get away from a town where, they felt, their lives might be no safer tonight than they were last night. They were more than 20 minutes crossing the Broadway viaduct, which leads to the bridge approach. The two companies of soldiers would have been a scanty protection for so many Negroes if the spirit of last evening had been shown by the white men along the streets, but there was no attempt to molest the pitiable procession. At the St. Louis end of the bridge, a police guard inspected and searched the men, but permitted all to enter the city. Two Negro men seized suit cases which travelers had laid down, and ran way with them, a policeman throwing his club after one of them in the attempt to stop him. Earlier in the morning, smaller groups of Negro refugees were taken into St. Louis over the free bridge. One of the boys told of his home having been fired upon by whites. He said that every time he ventured out on the street he was slapped or kicked. He and his mother finally packed some of their belongings and fled. Among the refugees were several Southern Negroes who said that they had been attracted to East St. Louis by advertisements for laboring men, offering good wages. The jobs were offered by steel plants, street railway companies and the aluminum ore works, they said. They did not know that their presence was not desired by the white inhabitants, they said. Some of the men expressed intention of returning to the East Side after the present trouble is over, but the women declared that they would never cross the river again. At no point in its nearly 140 years of publication has the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had to tell its readers of more savage events within the region than those that played out on July 2, 1917, in East St. Louis. With a barbaric and even bloodthirsty rage, white mobs killed dozens of African-Americans. The victims were pulled from streetcars, burned out of their homes, stoned in the streets and hanged in broad daylight. Dozens, and perhaps more than 100, were slain. Men were killed simply because they were black, and the only limit on the slaughter was the ability of the crowd to find Negroes, the Post-Dispatch reported at the time. Scores of homes were destroyed. Hundreds fled the city, crossing the Eads Bridge to St. Louis under military protection, never to return. The riots erupted following months of labor-related tension. Blacks from the South had been lured to the region by the promise of jobs, only to learn later that management had likely recruited them to take the jobs of white union members. The killing of two white police officers by men who were black was the final spark. The text contained in this special section save for a map that documents key sites related to the events are the words as they appeared in the afternoon edition on July 3, 1917, and in subsequent editions that month. Only minor changes have been made to correct typographical errors and syntax. The stories include the first-person reporting of famed reporter Carlos Hurd, who stepped off a streetcar and into a massacre where black skin was a death warrant. The accounts hold back nothing in terms of graphic detail and gore. Even today, this reporting must run with a disclaimer cautioning readers to the violence contained herein. So too, must readers be warned of ugly racial terminology of the era, including the use of a racial epithet. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is republishing this reporting, in its uncensored entirety, so that the region may remember. In doing so, it joins the East St. Louis community, where a committee of civic leaders is working to ensure that this often overlooked episode is not forgotten. ST. LOUIS COUNTY County Executive Steve Stengers administration struggled Wednesday to answer the most basic of questions about the role of MetroLinks public safety officers. Could they issue tickets in the county? Had the prosecutors office changed its policy about prosecuting violations? Had a new security agreement made a difference in crime over the past two months? The answers were unclear. After St. Louis police said this week that MetroLink officers could begin writing citations inside the city limits, Stenger said Wednesday morning on KMOX Radio that the same was true in the county. The Metro personnel, the security guards, are free to enforce the fare violations, Stenger said on The Charlie Brennan Show. They can in the city, and they can in the county. But last month, St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch, a political ally of Stenger, told the Post-Dispatch he had stopped prosecuting fare violations a year ago because MetroLink operated on an honor system and if you dont honor it, Im not going to charge you. A citation has no power if it is not accompanied by the prospect of prosecution. On the same radio show, St. Louis County police Chief Jon Belmar said he had spoken with McCulloch recently and the prosecutor had said, yes, he will entertain not only the fare violation tickets that come from the police officers that ride the trains, regardless of jurisdiction, but he also will entertain the ones that come from Metro security. Entertaining charges is not the same as prosecuting them. But McCulloch could not be reached Wednesday to clarify. Later Wednesday morning, when questioned by the Post-Dispatch, Stenger said he didnt know what his police chief was referring to on the radio despite having just publicly proclaimed that Metro officers could write tickets. I was a little unclear as to whether it was a change in policy or whether what he was talking about was consistent with that prior policy, Stenger said. I really cant answer that. In October 2015, the police chiefs of St. Louis and St. Louis County sent Bi-State Development Agency, which runs MetroLink, a letter raising complaints about the agencys police officers, including problems with the citation forms Metro was using. Those citations included a nine-digit identifier printed on the tickets. The number is used by the federal government to compile statistics and measure accountability of law enforcement agencies. Bi-State, the chiefs wrote, needed to apply for its own number, rather than using the countys. Metro officers stopped issuing citations when they ran out of forms. Bi-States application to the FBI for a federal identifier was denied this year. Officials from Bi-State have contended that the change rendered their officers powerless and was partly behind a recent increase in crime on MetroLink. In a memo dated Monday, St. Louis Police MetroLink Commander Lt. John Blaskiewicz acknowledged that the city could not make the trains safe without Metros officers. I am grateful your team is back on the trains because the City cannot provide adequate visibility and security without you, Blaskiewicz wrote. Turnstile study MetroLink stations have no turnstiles. Fares are enforced by inspectors who randomly ask passengers to show their tickets. But on Wednesday, the board of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments unanimously approved Bi-States request for a $2.88 million federal grant to pay for a feasibility study and initiation of design efforts on a barrier system for MetroLink stations. The total cost of the study would be $3.6 million, with $720,000 coming from Bi-States own funds. Stenger said in an interview after the meeting that he wants a closed system. The objective of the barrier should be to keep those who seek to commit crimes and do people harm out of the system, he said. Stenger also clarified a statement he made last week about eight MetroLink public safety personnel accused of impersonating law enforcement officers. Stenger said county police had presented those charges to McCulloch. Stenger said he understood McCulloch had not decided whether to prosecute. Stenger referenced a photograph of a MetroLink public safety officers badge that his office had provided the Post-Dispatch. The badge identifies the officer as sworn law enforcement. Metro is prohibited from employing peace officers except through contracts with the jurisdictions it serves under the compact between Missouri and Illinois that governs the agency. However, that same compact, which is federal law, also empowers the agencys public safety employees to enforce laws that pertain to Metros operations. Metros rules and regulations are also state law. Our public safety officers, to the extent that they are enforcing the rules and regulations of Bi-State Development, are law enforcement officers, said Barbara Enneking, Bi-States General Counsel and Deputy Secretary. Stenger and Belmar both declined to respond to questions about any distinction between peace officers and law enforcement officers. Politics or safety? Both Stenger and Belmar said a new memorandum of understanding signed by Stenger, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern last month was already having a significant impact on safety. In a news release, Stenger said serious crimes, such as robbery and assault, had dropped by 50 percent. While April saw four such crimes, there were only two in May and two in June. Last month, the Post-Dispatch reported that since the county had doubled the number of police officers it devoted to patrolling MetroLink, serious crimes had risen to 50 from 44 in the year between March 30, 2016, and March 30, 2017 a 13 percent increase. At the time, Belmar issued a statement that said: One year is too short to show effect. On the Brennan show, Belmar also said: I think the finger pointing has stopped. This is about ridership safety at this point. Later that day, Stenger accused Bi-State board member and former St. Louis Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. of using MetroLink issues to weaken Stenger politically. Schoemehl supports Mark Mantovani, a prospective Stenger challenger in the Democratic primary next August. I think Vinces attacks directed at me are a matter of politics and not public safety, Stenger said. I think its a real shame but I think thats whats going on. Schoemehl agreed that his recent criticism of Stenger was indeed driven by politics but not his. I am supporting Mantovani because Stenger has demonstrated neither the mind to comprehend nor the moral inclination to develop or follow good public policy, Schoemehl said. The countys involvement in MetroLink security is in my view 100 percent politically inspired and driven by Mr. Stenger. WASHINGTON Key Missouri-related initiatives have been included in defense bills working their way through Congress. The House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday included funding for 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets built by Boeing in St Louis. The Trump administration had asked for 14, but the Republican-led Appropriations Committee, at the behest of the Navy, added funding for an additional 10. The Pentagon had said the Super Hornet fleet had been greatly degraded by use in Syria and elsewhere. The Post-Dispatch reported in February that on any given day, two out of three Super Hornets in the Navys arsenal were out of service because of maintenance after heavy use. A U.S. pilot flying a Super Hornet shot down a Syrian jet earlier this month, according to the Pentagon. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, said the 24 new planes, if they survive more appropriations hurdles, will protect Missouri jobs and put a local stamp on national defense, in addition to providing our men and women in uniform with the support and tools they need. Wagner and other members of the Missouri delegation have been pushing for the additional planes. The Senate Armed Services Committee folded a provision into its defense bill to make it easier for World War II veterans who say they were exposed to mustard gas or other chemical agents in experiments during the war to prove their cases. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., would set aside $1 million a year for 10 years to cover potentially successful claims by 400 or fewer World War II veterans who say they were exposed, but have had claims denied by the Veterans Affairs. She named her bill the Arla Wayne Harrell Act, after a Macon, Mo., man who says he was twice exposed to mustard-gas experiments at Camp Crowder in western Missouri. Harrell, 90, has had multiple VA claims denied. The Senate Armed Services bill also includes "full-funding" for the first-year of construction of a new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency complex in St. Louis, according to aides to Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. The Trump administration had requested $382 million in its 2018 budget. Stratford AC members line up for the camera ahead of the Arden 9 race in Hampton-in-Arden. THE heat took its toll on many of the Stratford AC runners in the Arden 9 race at Hampton-in-Arden. This years event was run in intense heat, with temperatures reaching 29C. Nine SAC members took part in the race, which was part of the clubs own Grand Prix competition and also the local Warwickshire Road Race League. One Stratford runner to defy the sweltering conditions was the in-form Tim Hutchinson. Hutchinson is making something of a habit of finishing first for the club of late and he did so again, finishing eighth overall in a time of 53.48. He was also first in his age category, almost four minutes ahead of his closest rival. Next to finish for the club, and continuing his fine run of form was Luke Watkins (123rd, 69.09). This fine run was just one second slower than his time in 2014. Possibly the performance of the day was the run of Lynne Hinson (127th, 69.19). Just ten seconds behind Watkins, this magnificent run also earned Hinson second place in a very competitive age category. Next to finish was David Jones (168th, 73.38). Jones has got used to just getting the better of Hinson in these races, but this time he was roundly beaten by more than four minutes. He did, however, manage to win his age group. Someone who did struggle in the heat and also found stepping up from his more traditional 10k distances an added challenge, was Pete Sugden (202nd, 78.18). Jan McLure (281st, 88.58) narrowly missed out on a PB, which considering the heat was no mean feat. McLure was followed by Bev Bridgen (291st, 90.41). Only a couple of minutes separated the final three Stratford AC runners, who were led home by Dave Maundrell (335th, 99.57). Maundrell had only just got over a nasty bout of bronchitis, which is far from ideal preparation for a nine-mile race, let alone one run in such hot conditions. He commented that towards the end it was just about finishing the race, which to his credit, he managed so to do. The ubiquitous John Butler (341st, 1.41.34) completed yet another race in June. Butler was just 15 seconds ahead of Tash Watkins (343rd, 1.41.50). 358 runners completed the race, which was won by David Mulvee in a time of 47.52, more than two minutes ahead of the second-placed runner. First lady to finish in 33rd place was Sarah Rose in a time of 58.20. Directing the AAP-led Punjab government to submit a detailed report in relation to crop stubble burning, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed 'strong concern' over such cases across north India. This came as air quality in the country, especially Delhi-NCR region deteriorated and tuned 'severe' across several cities. Understandably so, people's health had been affected and putting those who are already ill into graver conditions. This comes after AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, last week, held a joint presser and said that they take full responsibility for the pollution-causing practice. They urged people not to blame farmers and said that the crisis would be resolved within a year. By Press Trust of India: By Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Jun 28 (PTI) Millions of Nepalese people today voted in the second phase of the local-level polls which are being held after a gap of two decades -- an election crucial for cementing democracy in the Himalayan nation. The Joint Election Operation Centre at the Election Commission announced that around 62 per cent votes have been cast as of 4.30 PM (local time). advertisement In the first round of polls held on May 14, voter turn out was recorded at 71 per cent. The first phase of the local polls was held on May 14 in Provinces 3, 4 and 6. The voting started peacefully at 7:00 AM for all the 334 positions. In ward number 9 of Rolpa Municipality of western Nepal, thevoting was halted after a voter poured acid into a ballot box. According to police, the acid destroyed 10 ballot papers. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram Prasad Gharti Magar said they are investigating the case. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba cast his vote at the Asigram Higher Secondary School, the polling station in Ruwakhola in Dadeldhura district of far-east Nepal. He said the local villagers were excited to participate as the second phase of local-level elections were held in peaceful, free and fair manner. Deuba assured that the Constitutions full-fledged implementation would take its course once the local government was established, and that the development works would move forward efficiently, rapidly and transparently. In a brief statement, Deuba said the elections were held so that the villages governments are established by the villagers themselves. Meanwhile, Nepal media reported that at least three persons died, apparently due to natural causes, while casting their votes. More than 6.4 million people are eligible voters in the 35 districts of Provinces 1, 5 and 7 that have gone to polls in the second phase of the local-level polls to elect more than 15,000 local representatives. Though the local polls were earlier scheduled for two phases, the second phase had to be postponed twice -- and a third phase had to be declared -- in a bid to accommodate the dissenting parties, including the Madhesis, that are yet to commit to the polls to be held in Province 2 on September 18. All the political parties including the Madhesi parties are taking part in the elections. The Nepal government had earlier this month postponed the date of local-level elections in the disputed Madhesi- stronghold Province 2 by nearly three months, adding a third phase in the polls that will take place in September. advertisement The Rastriya Janta Party Nepal, the key Madhesi party, have fielded their candidates as independents in the election. A total of 8,364 polling centres have been designated for todays voting, the Himalayan Times reported. In the first phase of polls, the voter turnout was estimated to be 74 per cent. The Election Commission said 62,408 candidates were contesting the second phase of elections. Votes will be cast secretly under the first-past-the-post electoral system on the basis of one post, one vote pattern. The Ministry of Home Affairs said yesterday that the government had made fool-proof security arrangements to ensure that the second phase of local level elections took place in a free, fair and peaceful environment. PTI ASK/SBP KJ CPS AKJ CPS --- ENDS --- According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ADMA), Brahmaputra has breached the danger level at Karimganj, Golaghat and Hailakandi districts and in the Barak valley in Cachar district. By Indrajit Kundu: The flood situation in Assam continues to remain grim with over 1.35 people being affected in the first spell of monsoon rains. Around 190 villages across eight districts are reeling under the floods as the Brahmaputra and its tributaries continue to flow above the danger mark. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ADMA), Brahmaputra has breached the danger level at Karimganj, Golaghat and Hailakandi districts and in the Barak valley in Cachar district. advertisement The state government has set up six relief camps and 76 relief distribution points across the affected locations where more than four thousand people have been given shelter. The floods have left around 1200 hectares of crop area inundated, with Jorhat being the worst hit. Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Karbi-Anglong, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Karimganj and Cahar districts have been affected by the latest spell of floods. --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Former AAP minister Kapil Mishra today urged Speaker Ram Niwas Goel that CCTV footage of the Delhi Assembly be seized as he expressed apprehension over "destruction of evidence", a day after two men were allegedly thrashed by AAP MLAs for hurling pamphlets inside the House. In his letter to the Speaker, Mishra also requested him to reconsider his decision to send the two men to one-month in jail. advertisement "Two agitators raise their voice against corruption from the Visitors Gallery and throw pamphlets, which read that this was their non-violent effort, and that they did not want to hurt anyone, and were upset with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his minister for their alleged corruption," the letter read. Mishra said thereafter, two men - identified as Jagdeep Rana, who had contested the 2013 Assembly elections from Adarsh Nagar, and Rajan Kumar - were whisked away by marshals immediately. "After the incident, some of the MLAs rushed out of the House and outsiders were called to the Assemblys premises and these (accused) men were beaten up...I demand that yesterdays CCTV footage of the Assembly be seized, else evidence will be destroyed. It is your responsibility to secure evidence," he said. He further alleged that someone misbehaved with a woman during the incident yesterday. "I request you (Speaker) to reconsider your decision to send the two persons to one-month in jail. A hearing should be given to them in the House before they are punished," the Karawal Nagar MLA said. The Delhi Assembly saw a high-pitch drama yesterday as the two visitors hurled pamphlets, raised slogans demanding resignation of a minister, and, in turn, were allegedly thrashed by AAP MLAs before being sentenced to a month in jail by the Speaker. As the men were being taken down from the Visitors Gallery, AAPs Lakshmi Nagar MLA Nitin Tyagi rushed out of the House, followed by other legislators. Tyagi and AAP MLA Amantullah Khan allegedly thrashed the duo outside the House. Mishra had yesterday said they would have "killed" the accused if police were not called in. PTI BUN SRY --- ENDS --- An Englishman sets out to discover King Asoka By Bhante Dhammika of Australia View(s): View(s): It might be difficult to imagine it today, but 180 years ago nobody really knew anything authentic about King Asoka. To explain what I mean it might be best to say that there are two king Asokas; the Asoka of legend and the Asoka of history. The first of these Asokas has, of course, been familiar to Buddhists for centuries. He is mentioned in the Dipavamsa, the Mahavamsa and a Sanskrit work called the Asokavadana purports to be a biography of him. Asoka of legend & Asoka of history When the Chinese pilgrims Faxian and Xuanzang were in India in the 5th and 6th centuries respectively, the Buddhists they met told them numerous stories about the king. The pilgrims were also shown massive pillars, stupas and in some cases monasteries supposedly built by Asoka. Chinese Buddhists were so taken by what they heard about the king and his building of 84,000 stupas and temples that they came to believe that some of them were in their own country. During the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316) someone discovered a document to this effect and the emperor ordered his ministers to find them. They embarked on what amounts to probably the earliest archaeological excavations in history and actually unearthed the foundations of twelve such temples in different parts of the country. As no records of these temples could be found, it was assumed that they had been the ones built in the distant parts by agents sent from India by King Asoka. The oldest of these temples still exists; it is in Ningbo City in Zhejing Provence and was rebuilt in 282, although renovated many times since. But the reality is that the Asoka of legend and tradition is quite different from the second Asoka, the Asoka of history, the real Asoka. True, this first Asoka is praised for his efforts to promote Buddhism and for his ambitious building programmes, but these traditional accounts about him are completely silent concerning the very thing that Asoka is known and praised for today his dramatic conversion, his renunciation of war, and his efforts to establish a righteous society. The traditional accounts praise Asoka primarily for his extravagant gifts to the Sangha, but his contribution to peace and the general welfare of his subjects are for the most part ignored. Nor is there any mention of his dramatic conversion to Buddhism on seeing the death and misery caused by his war with Kalinga. None of this gets a mention in the Dipavamsa, the Mahavamsa, the Asokavadana or any other traditional Buddhist source. So much for the first Asoka! But where did the second Asoka, the one we are most familiar with, the one known even to non-Buddhists and people with little interest in Indian history, come from? 1819-James Princep goes to India Englishman James Princep was born in 1799 and went to India in 1819 where he got a job as an assay master in the Calcutta mint. A year later he was sent to work in the Mint at Benares where he stayed until 1830. In 1833 he called for reforms to Indian weights and measures and advocated a uniform coinage based on the new silver rupee of the East India Company. He also devised a balance so delicate as to measure three-thousandth of a grain, a remarkable achievement at the time. Typical of the best type of Englishmen who went to the East in those days, he had wide-ranging interests. A talented artist and draftsman, he made meticulous sketches of ancient monuments, astronomical instruments, he kept records of the weather, etc. He was interested in understanding weather and he designed a modified barometer that automatically compensated for temperature. He maintained meteorological registers, apart from supplying barometers to volunteers and graphically summarising the records of others. He also conducted experiments on practical methods to prevent rusting of iron surfaces. But Princeps consuming interest was numismatics, the study of coins. Various British soldiers and administrators began sending him ancient coins which they found as they toured the countryside and explored long neglected ruins. It should be remembered that at this time very little was known about the history of India before the Muslim period. It was not even certain that the Buddha, known to be a god worshipped in China, was an Indian. The main reason for this was that no one, including the Indians themselves, could read the countrys numerous ancient scripts found on coins and in inscriptions. In 1832 Princep became editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society which put him into contact with others interested in Indias distant past and the many antiquities they were bringing to light. With enormous skill and patience, not to say a great deal of brilliant guess-work, Princep managed to decipher numerous ancient scripts, gradually piecing together details of Indias past forgotten for centuries. Breakthrough: Deciphering an ancient inscription In 1837, after six years of ingenuity and determination, Prinsep succeeded in deciphering an ancient inscription on a large, much damaged, stone pillar on the ridge in Delhi. The inscription was in a script later called Brahmi, which seemed to bear little resemblance to other Indian scripts, ancient and modern. Several other pillars and rocks with similar inscriptions had been known for some time and had attracted the curiosity of scholars. Prinseps inscription proved to be a series of edicts issued by a king calling himself Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi the monarch we know as Asoka. There were several steps that helped Princep decipher the Brahmi script. The key one was this. He had been working on the assumption that the inscription of the pillar was in Sanskrit, but the researches of George Turnour in Sri Lanka made him consider that it was actually closer to Pali, the language of Theravada Buddhism. King Asoka: a more complete picture In the following decades, more and more edicts by this same king were discovered and with increasingly accurate decipherment of their language, a more complete picture of this man and his deeds began to emerge. Gradually, it dawned on scholars that the King Piyadasi of the edicts might be the King Asoka so often praised in Buddhist legends and in chronicles such as the Dipavamsa and the Mahavamsa. Princep made numerous contributions to Indian numismatics, history and chronology but his decipherment of King Asokas inscriptions was by far the most important. Knowledge of this monarch, previously forgotten for centuries, demonstrated that the Buddhas Dhamma could be, and indeed had once been, applied to the social domain. It gave a Buddhist a model of righteous governance. And it gave to the world an almost unique example of a powerful king who renounced violence. Prinsep did not live for long after his great discovery. He literally worked himself to death. From 1838 he began to suffer from a recurrent sickness. It was initially thought to be related to a liver (bilious) condition and he was forced to get away from his studies and left for England in November 1838. He arrived in England in frail condition from which he never recovered.He died on April 22, 1840 at 31 Belgrave Square of what was then known as a softening of the brain. One of his earlier admirers and helpers, Alexander Cunningham, inspired by his friends interest in Indias past, went on to discover several places related to the Buddha, thus helping to prove the historical reality of the Buddha. Today, a beautiful neo-classical memorial to James Princep called Princep Ghat can still be seen by the Hoogli River in Kolkata. For years much neglected, this monument has recently been renovated. Sinking of the Tricolor: Getting to the bottom of the mystery By Randima Attygalle View(s): View(s): When underwater photographer Dharshana Jayawardena received an intriguing email from Olav Anders Rasting from Norway in May 2013, he was excited. In the email, Olav claimed that he was the great-grandson of Arthur Wold, the Captain of the ill-fated Norwegian ship MV Tricolor that sank off the west coast of Sri Lanka in 1931. Olav had come across the website I founded (www.divesrilanka.com) and was eager to know if I had any information to offer about the ship steered by his great grand-dad, recalls Dharshana who first dived to this wreck lying about 65 m deep about 15 km west of Beruwala in 2009. The deepest known shipwreck found in our waters, Tricolor demands technically precise divers as the wreck is beyond what is called recreational diving limit explains Dharshana. Dharshana had dived to the doomed Norwegian vessel four more times since his maiden expedition in 2009. Early this year, he discovered a lot more circumstantial evidence to confirm that, what is documented to be lying nine miles off Barberyn off the coast of Sri Lanka is actually the Tricolor. Research indicated that the area referred to as Barberyn in certain literature is actually Beruwala and its last reported location was within a kilometre from the wreck, he says. Dharshanas latest dive experience early this year not only enabled him to retrieve a Norwegian-made plate and locate the ships twin diesel engines, but also make a video recording of the site. In 2014 when I dived it the second time, I couldnt find any strong evidence to establish the identity of the ship other than an empty bottle of wine which turned out to be a vintage Portugal port wine, he smiles. The Hamburg-manufactured MV Tricolor which sank just six years after it was built, sailed at noon from the Colombo Port bound for Yokohama on January 5, 1931. The vessel is said to have carried a general cargo of over 825 tons including 48 tons that had come in from Hong Kong, Kobe, Yokohama and Moji which had just been loaded that morning. A significant amount of dangerous chemicals had also been in it although there are no records as to the type of chemicals and where they were loaded, explains Dharshana. Although the chemicals are assumed to have played a part in the explosion on the ship, the exact reason still remains unknown. The incident is documented in Dharshanas work, Ghosts of the Deep- Diving the Shipwrecks of Sri Lanka: Suddenly there were loud explosion and the ship shuddered violently. The explosions were so loud that, the crew of the French Steamer SS Porthos, which was a few kilometres away, actually heard it clearly and also saw the massive plume of smoke billowing out of the Tricolor immediately after the explosion. Wasting no time, the Captain of Porthos changed the course and headed towards the Tricolor to rescue the crew. Although the French vessel could rescue 31 crew members and all ten passengers, five crew members tragically lost their lives including the 37-year-old Norwegian Captain of the ship Arthur Wold. It was later reported by the Captain of Porthos that Tricolor had sunk within five minutes after the explosion, points out Dharshana. The sinking was reported in the Norwegian press the following day. The story of Capt. Arthur Wold as told by his great grandson At the time of the disaster, Captain Arthur Wold was only 37 years and the father of three children; the twins- Per Wold and his sister Karin Wold (later Rasting) and Grethe. Karins son Pal Arthur Rasting too had a son who was Olav.Speaking to Sunday Times on-line, Olav who is a doctor says that his first e-mail to Dharshana, having come across his website was a shot in the dark and he simply couldnt believe it when Dharshana responded. My endless hours spent online searching for information about Tricolor were not in vain, says Olav. Although his father Pal Arthur Rasting tried to trace the official documents of the wreck incident inquiry during the 90s, he didnt succeed says Olav who finally found three files in the Norwegian National Archives which contained detailed descriptions of the events leading to the sinking of the vessel. It was also revealed that the ship company, WilhWilhelmsen had several ships under the Tricolor flag and the ship captained by my great grandfather was Tricolor 111. According to the story Olav has grown up with, at the point of Captain Wolds tragic end, he had plans of buying his own ship. Im not certain if this was only his dream or if he in fact was in the process of starting a new shipping company. In addition, one of the passengers who also went down with the ship was an old pharmacist, named Doxrud. According to some of the crew, my great grandfather was last seen attempting to rescue Doxrud, so he died fulfilling his duties as a captain. The shipping company, as Olav points out, had been very generous with his great grandmother who built a large house in Oslo and managed well financially. His grandmother Karin (who passed away in 2011) had been about ten years old at the time of the loss. Although she did not speak much about the loss and how it affected her, I know that the family did not like the thought of their fathers last resting place being a dark, lonely shipwreck, reflects Olav adding that those whose last remains lie deep in the ocean will find some comfort in the thriving fish life around the wreck, which Dharshana had documented! Captain Wolds family has not shown any interest in the sea as his descendant explains. Ive done a few dives and got my basic diving certificate but thats it, says Olav who nevertheless yearns to feel the wreck and see it with his own eyes and perhaps locate the ships bell which he calls as the ultimate closure to the mystery. Deeply fascinated by the story which is both a part of his identity and also as a major life turning event for his family, Olav bemoans that the wreck is at a depth which requires extensive training and experience. Im starting to believe that the closest I will ever get is either to see the wreck through the lens of a camera mounted to an ROV, so that at least I could be at least 50 metres above the wreck or by using a pressure suit or a small submarine for which I would need to win a lottery first! Heavy weapons were recovered from Rangamati district of Bangladesh on Thursday. By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Several heavy weapons and bullets, including AK-47 rifles, were recovered in a joint operation by Army, police and Border Gaurds Bangladesh (BGB) from remote areas of Rangamati's Langadu Upazila of Bangladesh today. District Superintendent of Police Syed Tariqul Hasan said that the operation started at Wednesday midnight and continued till 10am on Thursday. OC(Officer-in-charge) Mominul Islam of Langadu Police Station said two AK-47 assault rifles, an automatic rifle, 152 rounds of bullets, four magazines, five sets of garments and other clothes of the army, nine backpacks and three mobile phones were found in Galachari area of Langadu. advertisement Media reports said that the weapons and bullets were recovered from a hillock inside the jungle on the western side of the local Shuvo Chakma house. Khagrachari Army Region Staff Officer (G2I) Major Mujahidul Islam told the media that Zone Commander of Langadu, Abdul Alim Chowdhury is leading the operation. The area is 8 kilometers from Langadu Sadar. Two rifles among the recovered arms were found hidden under canal water. When asked about these weapons, Rangamati Police Superintendent said that the weapons were found abandoned. The police are yet to find out who abandoned the weapons. This is the second such incident in this month. On June 2, police recovered huge quantities of firearms from the neighboring district Narayanganj, which was found abandoned in a pond. Also read: Bangladesh: Hindu community celebrates Rath Yatra Trade relations between India, Bangladesh should flourish: Bangladeshi business tycoon Abdul Matlub Ahmad --- ENDS --- The 32-year-old claims to have been in a relationship with the victim for 8 years, and that they broke up a year ago, police sources told India Today. By Nolan Pinto: A 32-year old Bengaluru cloth business owner, Pramod, was arrested after he allegedly had an associate stab a woman he claims is his ex-girlfriend thrice in the buttocks. Police say he did so to take revenge for being broken up with. The woman, who works for a private airline, told police she was stabbed by an unknown individual, when she was parking her bike after returning home from her Banaswadi office. Local residents heard her scream, and later took her to hospital. advertisement She has already been discharged. Two other people, 27-year-old Kumar and 35-year-old Suresh, have been arrested. Police are on the lookout for a fourth person, and have formed special teams to track him down. Pramod, a resident of Bommanhalli, claims to have been in a relationship with the victim for 8 years, and that they broke up a year ago, police sources told India Today. He paid Kumar to harrass her, who called her regularly and verbally abused her. Two days before the stabbing, he allegedly paid Kumar Rs 1,10,000 to physically threaten her. This money was given to another person, who was asked to carry out the deed. The Cottonpete police are investigating the case under IPC section 307. ALSO READ | Bengaluru: Romeo conman who cheated over 100 women on matrimonial sites nabbed ALSO READ | Where will the birds go? How two Bengaluru kids saved an old tree from felling ALSO WATCH | Bengaluru: 340 pubs, 19 star hotels in city barred from selling alcohol from June 30 --- ENDS --- It turns out competition between petrol companies doesnt extend to premium fuel. Pahoia resident Bill Murphy regularly fills up at BP Te Puna. He uses premium because its better for his car but hes concerned its priced far above regular 91. Modern cars will adapt to lower octane levels, says Bill. But the performance is definitely impacted using regular, and many manufacturers recommend 95 at a minimum. He wants to see premium listed on the price boards that sit outside petrol stations. Being made to advertise the price of 91 leads to competition, causing the price to drop. So Id like to see similar price competition around premium. AA senior policy analyst Mark Stockdale says theyve been talking about this issue for a long time. Some motorists have been complaining because they see 91 advertised at a lower price, and assume premium is also similarly priced. However, upon driving up to the pump they find the price of 95/98 to be substantially more than they anticipated. Normally the difference between 91 and 95 is nine cents per litre. But often it can be 30 or 40 cents more. If youre discounting 91 by 30 cents from the national price, as some stations do, but theyre not discounting premium, then suddenly youve got that price gap, says Mark. He says Tauranga has aggressive local price competition but the discounting often only applies to 91 and diesel. Some brands will discount premium, but unless you go in and check it at the pump, motorists have no way of knowing. We think the lack of discounting on premium petrol is unfair. If a station is discounting 91 and diesel, they should also be discounting premium petrol. He also believes compelling petrol stations to advertise their premium price would lead to competition. They wouldnt want to display a price difference of 40 or 50 cents a litre. BP corporate and external affairs manager Leigh Taylor says their premium brands are just that premium so they dont discount them. Compared to BP Unleaded 91, these fuels offer power, responsiveness and efficiency benefits. BP premium fuels include Active technology which has been developed to also bring our customers engine-cleaning and protecting benefits. She says BP displays pricing of all fuel grades at the pump, as required by government regulations. The information displayed on the boards outside our stations is at our discretion, and because there isnt space to include all prices, we display the price of BP Regular 91, our most popular product. When 73-year-old Roy Gardiner stood up at parliament recently to receive an award for his volunteer work he was overcome by emotion he couldnt believe he was being singled out for something that came naturally to him. It might have been natural for the humble Papamoa man but the staff and residents at Somervale Metlifecare Retirement Village in Mount Maunganui, where Roy is a daily visitor to his wife Gloria, think he is something quite special. Roy won a 2017 Minister of Health Volunteer Award in the health care provider service category. He was nominated by both staff and residents at the retirement village, the peer support of which stood out in the eyes of the judges. Somervale care manager Sharon Owen accompanied Roy to Wellington to receive his award. He cried when he received his award. He said things like this just dont happen to people like me. It was quite emotional and absolutely fantastic for him to be part of that. Roy agrees. It was marvellous. Roys wife Gloria moved into Somervale in 2014. He visits her twice a day, every day. As well as helping her with everyday tasks, Roy helps other residents too and lends a hand to staff when needed, moving furniture, serving morning tea, helping with dishes and getting involved in fundraising activities. I dont think its anything major. I try to help where I can. Ive always done dishes but Im no cook, thats for sure. He regularly turns up with treats on special occasions including morning tea for everyone to celebrate his award. His particular claim to fame is organising for a chef to come in and cook for staff last year so they could sit down and enjoy the bacon and egg breakfast at the monthly residents meeting. A very close friend of mine used to be the chef at Imbibe so I thought it would be nice for him to come in so the staff that normally do the cooking could sit back and have it done for them, says Roy. Sharon says Roy is family at Somervale and for Roy, the feeling is mutual. I have the utmost respect for Somervale and all of its staff. Built by Heesen, Bliss first touched the ocean in 2007. A shipyard marvelled for their excellence in the 40-80m range, their most famed builds include award winning Galactica Super Nova and record breaking speed-daemon, Octopussy. It comes as no surprise that Bliss too boasts credentials at the top of her range, effortlessly reaching speeds of 25 knots and marrying the construction quality, synonymous with The Netherlands, and the sporty lines of a modern charter yacht. We asked her Captain what exactly makes her fit-for-charter and the answer was clean and simple, ''modern styling, homely ambience and the ability to cruise fast to its destination with her powerful engines.'' Clearly, then, she fits the bill. In a nod to her contemporary, monochromatic interior by Icelandic designer Ingibjorg St. Palmadottir, Captain Pellas further described the atmosphere on board as elegant but comfortable with a real focus on that combination of the utmost in opulence but without feeling too stuffy. It's a balance that's unsurprisingly hard to strike and one the Captain rightly dubbed, relaxed luxury. But whilst most modern charter yachts are considered homely and inviting we wanted to know exactly what the experience on board Bliss had to offer; aside from her five suites, his and hers offices and a sky lounge that doubles as an extra cabin With her size shes capable of berthing in all the ports, her A/V equipment makes her the ideal party boat, she has a large beach-club area with numerous sea toys, an amazing 13m Chase Boat and her sauna for stress relief. At her heart, a mirrored spiral staircase leads from the main salon to the upper lounge, allowing guests to wander from sundowners at the bar to a formal dining area, as her name suggests, in momentary bliss. And the list goes on. Now available for charter through IYC, catch her thoughout the Med this summer and be one of the first to enjoy this timeless classic with her laid-back luxe appeal. Six-year-old Manvi's mother, Seema Kaushik, committed suicide this April. She clasps a clay piggy bank with her tiny hands, offers it to the police, and asks them to find her mother's killers. By Rajat Rai: Manvi stands out among those present in the office of Meerut's inspector general (IG) of police, Ram Kumar. She is just six, and clasps a clay piggy bank with her tiny hands. Manvi's mother, Seema Kaushik, committed suicide this April after allegedly being harassed by her husband and in-laws. The girl had gone to the top cop's office with her maternal grandfather, Shanti Swaroop, to "offer a bribe" after policemen allegedly demanded money to act against those responsible for the death. advertisement "We got her (Seema) married to Sanjiv Kumar about seven years ago and soon he and his family members started harassing her mentally and physically for dowry," Swaroop said. "About four years ago, she left Sanjiv's house and started living with us. However, Sanjiv and his family kept harassing her and also registered two false cases against us. Fed up with the mental harassment, Seema ended her life." Following the incident, Swaroop lodged an FIR against Sanjiv, his two brothers and father. The police arrested Sanjiv and he was put behind bars, but the other accused are still free. "Once, when Seema was alive, we went to the police station to file a complaint against the atrocities, but the cop present there suggested Seema hang herself rather than come to them," alleged Swaroop. He also said the police were asking for money to prepare a final report and arrest the other accused. "The investigating officer says that nothing happens without money and is demanding Rs50,000 from me," he alleged. "This is why we decided to take such a step to let the senior officers know about the functioning of the police." POLICE ASSURES ACTION IG Ram Kumar promised help and action. "We will look into the allegations, the case will be thoroughly investigated and the guilty will be brought to book," he said. Seema's brother Rohit told Mail Today that six months after his sister and Sanjiv tied the knot, the accused got a house on rent and started living there with his wife and away from his family. "After a few months, Sanjiv's landlord called me and said that Sanjiv had locked Seema inside the house for the past few days and had gone missing. We went there and rescued Seema and since then she was living with us," Rohit said. A few months later, Seema's in-laws registered two police cases against her family. "One case was of theft and burglary in which they claimed that we decamped with all the valuables and cash from their house. advertisement The other one was of attempt to murder. However, we went to court and the court quashed both the cases as they were found to be false. Since then, they were harassing my sister mentally," Rohit added. One day, Shanti Swaroop came home after meeting the investigating officer and told his family that the cop was asking for a bribe. "My father is just a class IV government employee and I also got married recently. So we did not have money," said Rohit. "Suddenly, Manvi walked in with her piggy bank and asked us to take her money and give it to the cops. She was ready to part with it if her mother got justice." On the way back after meeting the IG, Manvi's piggy bank fell and broke. "She started weeping and then I bought her another one, instructing her to collect and save more money," Rohit said. Also Read Way to go: Patna girl rejects greedy groom after his family asked for extra dowry Bihar woman, reportedly killed for dowry, found living with lover; husband in jail --- ENDS --- Bihar police officers were seen playing games on their phones during a seminar which was led by CM Nitish Kumar. By India Today Web Desk: A curious case of Candy Crush emerged and shocked everyone during a seminar held in Patna. During a seminar, when Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and DGP were addressing the officers, some of the police officers were seen playing Candy Crush on their phones, the addictive arcade game that almost everyone has played at least once in their lifetime. advertisement Some of the officers were even seen browsing internet on their smartphones. Patna: Some police officers seen playing games/browsing on their phones during a CM and DGP seminar (28.6.17) pic.twitter.com/utRN2CZP28- ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 According to Amar Ujala, officials including Patna's SSP Manu Maharaj were seen using their phones during the seminar. Police officers from several districts of Bihar were called to attend this seminar but, most of the officers were disinterested in the seminar and paid zero attention to the CM of the state. Such conduct is not expected of senior police officers, will be counselling them: SK Singhal, ADG pic.twitter.com/NiPIg6wA19- ANI (@ANI_news) June 29, 2017 ADG SK Singhal told ANI, "Such behavior cannot be expected from senior officers." WATCH VIDEO: Cops seen playing Candy Crush on phones while Nitish Kumar, DGP addressed seminar in Patna --- ENDS --- Central New York's best food truck: See your first nominees We asked for your help finding the best food truck in Central New York. You've answered in kind, with more than 400 nominations for more than 30 different food trucks. Here's a look at the food trucks that have been nominated so far. Remember: The six food trucks with the most nominations will advance to the finals. Note: Ice cream trucks and event-only outposts of brick-and-mortar restaurants (Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Columbus Baking Company, etc.) are not included. After the finalists are announced, we will send our judges out to each location. You can follow these visits on Snapchat with the username: syracusedotcom. The winners -- judges' favorite and readers' choice -- will be crowned in mid-July. Haven't nominated your favorite? Cast your nomination in the comments here. Don't Edit The Bite Box | Facebook The Bite Box Location: Syracuse. Website Don't Edit Byblossyr.com Byblos Street Grill Location: Syracuse Website Don't Edit David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com Chicken Bandit Location: Syracuse Website Don't Edit Circus Truck | Facebook Circus Truck Location: Ithaca Website Don't Edit Don't Edit Don Cazentre Come Fry With Me Location: Rome Website Don't Edit Donny's Dogs | Facebook Donny's Dogs Location: Liverpool Website Don't Edit Everything But a Pickle | Facebook Everything But A Pickle Location: Rome Website Don't Edit Firehouse Hotdogs | Facebook Firehouse Hotdogs Location: Oneida Website Don't Edit Flying Camel Flatbed Grill | Facebook The Flying Camel Flatbed Grill Location: Fayetteville Website Don't Edit Don't Edit Georgio's Express | Facebook Georgio's Express Location: New Hartford Website Don't Edit The Good Truck | Facebook The Good Truck Location: Ithaca Website Don't Edit Elizabeth Doran | edoran@syracuse.com It's a Utica Thing! Location: New Hartford. Website Don't Edit David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com Lady Bug Lunch Box Location: Syracuse Website Don't Edit Let's Roll | Facebook Let's Roll Location: Oswego. Website Don't Edit Don't Edit The Melt Gourmet Grilled Cheese | Facebook The Melt Gourmet Grilled Cheese Location: Rome Website Don't Edit David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com PB&J's Lunch Box Location: Syracuse. Website Don't Edit Courtesy of Phat Kat Foods Phat Kat Tacos Location: Oswego Website Don't Edit Don Cazentre Ponchito's Taqueria Chuck Wagon Location: Syracuse Website Don't Edit Ray-Ray's Roadside Grill | Facebook Ray-Ray's Roadside Grill Location: Syracuse Website Don't Edit Don't Edit Don Cazentre The Salt City Food Truck Location: Fayetteville Website Don't Edit Sassy Taco | Facebook Sassy Taco Location: Syracuse Website Don't Edit Shannon's Hotdogs by Crystal | Facebook Shannon's Hotdogs by Crystal Location: Fulton Website Don't Edit David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com Shattuck's Paddy Wagon Location: Syracuse Website Don't Edit Don Cazentre Silo Food Truck Location: Ovid Website Don't Edit Don't Edit That's How I Roll | Facebook That's How I Roll Location: Ithaca Website Don't Edit Don Cazentre That's What's Up Location: Liverpool Website Don't Edit Tonzi's Catering Company | Facebook Tonzi's Catering Company Location: Auburn Website Don't Edit Don Cazentre Toss 'n' Fire Wood-Fired Pizza Location: North Syracuse Website Don't Edit Twisted Tacos | Facebook Twisted Tacos Location: Baldwinsville Website Don't Edit Don't Edit Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com Via Napoli Express Location: Liverpool Website Don't Edit Wolf's Patio Pizza | Facebook Wolf's Patio Pizza Location: Liverpool Website Don't Edit Don Cazentre Vote for your favorite! The six food trucks that receive the most nominations advance to the finals, so vote for your favorite. If you don't see your favorite, nominate it and spread the word. It's not too late! Vote in the comment section here. Walgreens Boots Alliance is dropping its plans to merge with Rite Aid Corp., and will instead buy more than 2,000 of the rival drugstore chain's stores. Bloomberg reports Walgreens will pay $5.18 billion for 2,186 Rite Aid stores, ending months of concerns that the Federal Trade Commission would have blocked their original $9.4 billion deal announced in late 2015. Walgreens will also pay Rite Aid a $325 million termination fee for backing out of the original merger agreement. Walgreens says it will begin acquiring the stores over six months and convert them to the Walgreens brand. Locations have not been announced, but the new deal reportedly encompasses about half of Rite Aid's 4,600 U.S. stores, mainly in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. regions. According to Business Insider, the asset sale will move Rite Aid to an independent, multi-regional drugstore chain and pharmacy benefits manager. The company will also have the option to buy generic drugs from Walgreens affiliates. A press release says Rite Aid plans to use proceeds from the deal to "significantly" reduce debt and strengthen its balance sheet. Rite Aid shares fluctuated in pre-market trading following the announcement, while Walgreens stock prices climbed as much as 4.2 percent. Walgreens' original deal with Rite Aid was met with scrutiny by federal anti-trust regulators, even after announcing late last year that it would be selling 865 Rite Aid stores. The deal would have vaulted the combined company past CVS Health Corp. to become the leading drugstore chain by number of stores. The FTC will drop its review of the previous agreement and begin investigating the new deal for stores and and assets. AUBURN, N.Y. -- Brandon Hinman pleaded guilty this morning to violating the terms of his probation from his 2014 forgery conviction. Hinman was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in state prison as part of a plea deal. Hinman faced numerous violations of his probation, including failure to report to probation six times between February and May, failure to report to court four times since November and failure to submit to a drug test. Hinman also allegedly provided a sample for a drug test that appeared to be tampered with, Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said last month. Hinman pleaded guilty to two of the violations: failure to report to probation six times between February and May, and using opioids and cocaine during March and April. Hinman, 34, is the widower of Jenna Hinman, a 26-year-old Central New York mother whose battle with a rare pregnancy-related cancer and premature delivery of twin daughters captured the attention of people around the world. She died in May 2014, and is survived by her twin girls, who turned 3 in March. Hinman was arrested several months after his wife's death and charged with stealing about $45,000 worth of donations from a bank account set up to help cover medical expenses and to benefit his daughters. He was charged in July 2014 with the two felonies in connection with allegedly forging names on checks to get money from the account. He pleaded guilty in April 2015 to second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and third-degree grand larceny, both felonies. Hinman was sentenced in June 2015 to six months in jail and 5 years probation. Due to the violations of probation and Hinman's guilty plea today, Cayuga County Judge Thomas Leone revoked the terms of Hinman's probation. Leone sentenced Hinman to 2 to 6 years for both felony charges that he pleaded guilty to in 2015. Hinman will serve the sentences concurrently. Hinman has been in Cayuga County jail since May 15. Budelmann said Hinman could be released and put on parole in about seven months due to time served and other programs that are available. Hinman told the court that he accepts full responsibility for failing to meet with his probation officer and using drugs, but Hinman said he is the not the "monster" he is portrayed to be. "There has been a lot said about me that is absolutely not true," Hinman said. Hinman said a lot has happened in the last four years, but he wants to work for the future. Hinman said when he gets out of prison he wants to be with his twin daughters. Jeff and Kim Blaisdell, Jenna Hinman's parents, are raising the twins. Kim Blaisdell declined to speak after the sentences, but told Syracuse.com earlier this month that the family wanted justice. The judge said Hinman has not done anything the court has asked him to do, including staying clean and being in his daughters' lives. "You can be more of a father than you are," Leone said. "You've had several opportunities." SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A drugged intruder barging into nursing home residents' rooms in the middle of the night went unreported by administration. A nurse tried to unclog a man's feeding tube with a paper clip and ear swab. And a resident with dementia wandered out for a few beers. Those are among the findings of the latest inspection of James Square Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, a 440-bed Syracuse nursing home at 918 James St. The March 16 inspection, obtained from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, found seven violations related to resident care. It comes on the heels of a January inspection that found 25 violations. The report does not identify residents or give their ages. The New York Attorney General's Office raided James Square June 13 and seized records as part of an investigation of resident care. Stan Wojciechowski, recently hired as James Square's administrator, said the nursing home submitted a plan to correct the problems cited in the inspection to the state Health Department. "James Square is working closely with the Health Department to deliver quality care and ensure resident safety," he said. The latest inspection report faulted staff for not properly maintaining a man's feeding tube inserted into his abdomen. When a registered nurse used a cotton swab to try to unclog it, a portion of the swab broke off in the tube and she tried unsuccessfully to remove it with a paper clip. The correct way to unclog a feeding tube is to administer a medication mixed with warm water and sodium bicarbonate every 24 hours, according to the report. The tube also was supposed to be flushed regularly after every use. A doctor specializing in interventional radiology had to change the man's feeding tube 13 times in 2016 after it became clogged. After finding the cotton swab in the tube, the doctor wrote in a note, "This is very poor tube management!" He also said the feeding tube was not being adequately flushed. Most of the nurses who cared for the man were not trained in feeding tube care. Here are other problems cited in the report: Intruder leaves trail of blood: A man who appeared to be on drugs broke into the nursing home on Sept. 26, 2016, through the building's front entrance while it was being renovated. The entrance was not staffed and did not have an alarm. A nurse chased the intruder who went into three residents' rooms, broke a window with his hand and head and left a trail of blood. Police came and caught the man. The intruder did not hurt anyone. But two residents were so upset after the man entered their rooms, the nursing home moved them to different rooms. James Square did not report the incident to the state Health Department as required. Resident goes missing: A resident with dementia and a history of wandering was not supposed to leave the nursing home unattended. James Square made him wear a device that sounds an alarm when leaving the building. But a nurse allowed the man to stop using the device in January after he complained other residents were making fun of him for wearing it. He went missing one day later that month and the nursing home notified police. The man returned around 4:30 p.m. without his walker, wearing slippers and a heavy jacket. He told staff he walked to a restaurant, had lunch and a few beers, got a haircut, then got a ride back to James Square. The nursing home did not report the incident to the state Health Department as required. Aides break woman's leg: Instead of easing a resident's pain, two nurse aides made it worse when they broke her leg while putting her to bed. The nursing home suspended the aides for causing "undue pain" to the woman by improperly moving her, even though she had been complaining of pain for hours. The woman, who had dementia and limited mobility, complained of leg pain on Jan. 28 to a licensed practical nurse. The LPN did not have a registered nurse assess the woman or pass information about the woman's complaints to staff on the next shift. That night two aides used a lift to put the woman in bed. When they got her in bed, one of the woman's legs was straight and the other was bent. One of the aides tried to straighten the bent leg, causing the woman to scream in pain. The next day an X-ray showed the woman's lower leg bone was fractured and she was sent to a hospital. The nursing director determined the fracture happened when the two aides were getting the woman in bed. Lack of care leads to fall: The nursing home determined a blind woman was at high risk for falling, but did not spell out her specific needs in a care plan. A nurse said she did not have any fall prevention devices. The woman fell on Jan. 15 while attempting to get out of her wheelchair and into bed on her own. She was found under her bed after hitting her face and cutting her left eyebrow. She was sent to a hospital emergency room, returned to the nursing home Jan. 15 and died a week later. Read the inspection report: . Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245 By Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES -- It's one of the key rules of Hollywood: The sequel always has to be bigger. On Wednesday, in its latest step toward diversifying the overwhelmingly white and male institution, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opened its doors to its largest-ever class of new members. A whopping 774 industry professionals were invited to join the nearly 90-year-old organization -- topping last year's record-setting class of 683 invitees, which itself was up sharply from 322 the previous year. Ranging in age from 19-year-old Elle Fanning to 95-year-old Betty White, the group of invitees included such boldfaced names as Kristen Stewart, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Jordan Peele and Barry Jenkins, who directed this year's best picture-winning "Moonlight," as well as many actors, filmmakers and below-the-line professionals whose names would be unfamiliar to even the most die-hard cinephile. In January 2016, a second year of the #OscarsSoWhite firestorm led the academy to publicly announce an initiative to double the number of women and minorities in its ranks -- then about 1,500 and 535, respectively -- by 2020. But even with the big names and numbers, the overall change in the demographics of the academy has been incremental. According to the academy's figures, this new class is 39 percent female (298 women), which brings the representation of women in the organization from 27 percent to 28 percent. Thirty percent (232) are people of color, bringing minorities' share of total academy membership from 11 percent to 13 percent. Last July, the Los Angeles Times estimated that the academy would need to add 85 people of color and 395 women to its ranks per year to reach its stated targets. This year's class demonstrates the challenge the academy faces in meeting its goals, especially in terms of female membership. In a 2012 analysis, the Times reported that Oscar voters were 94 percent white and 77 percent male, and, even with the two most recent classes -- last year's group of invitees, which the academy touted as its most diverse ever, was 46 percent female and 41 percent people of color -- those numbers have shifted only a few percentage points. This combination photo shows from left, Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, director Barry Jenkins and Terry Crews, who are among the 774 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The two most recent classes have dwarfed the classes of years past, which were limited by quotas and tended to come in at closer to 100 invitees, dramatically increasing the overall size of the academy. If all of this year's invitees join the organization, the total membership will swell to 8,427, a size that some fear could soon become unwieldy and cause academy membership to lose some of its feeling of exclusivity. But for those who received the word of their invitation Wednesday, it carried a sense of honor and validation. "I view the academy invitation as a giant warm hug from my peers," film producer Mel Eslyn told the Times after learning she had made the cut for this year's class. "Being part of the academy, to me, means inclusion, especially when looking at the diversity that's represented in this year's class." Other names on the list include actors John Cho, Shailene Woodley, Channing Tatum, Chris Evans and Priyanka Chopra and directors Guy Ritchie, Jocelyn Moorhouse and Alejandro Jodorowsky. The #OscarsSoWhite furor has abated somewhat since last year's Academy Awards, which saw Jenkins' "Moonlight" -- a poetic coming-of-age story about a gay African-American youth growing up in Miami -- take home the best picture prize. In recent months, increased scrutiny has turned toward the challenges the academy faces in its efforts to build an ambitious film museum in Los Angeles and rumors of behind-the-scenes friction among the organization's leaders. But in an interview following Wednesday's announcement, academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said that the organization has no intention of losing momentum in its campaign to become more inclusive. "It can always happen that an organization can set some goals and then the interest can start to wane a bit -- we've all been in those situations," said Boone Isaacs, who is nearing the end of her final term as president. "But that's not something we're going to accept. Everyone, from leadership to our staff to our members, are all doing what we were hoping they'd do: looking around to find qualified people who are not in the academy already." Given underlying inequities in the film industry as a whole, however, the challenge of finding qualified people from diverse backgrounds may grow more difficult over time. A 2016 report by the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism starkly outlined an "inclusion crisis" at the major studios, where directors are 97 percent male and 87 percent white, while women hold 21 percent of top executive positions and nonwhite actors earn just 27 percent of speaking roles. And what shifts have occurred have not been evenly distributed across the academy's various branches, revealing underlying inequities in hiring in different segments of the industry. While the executive branch was one of seven branches this year to invite more women than men, for example, that branch -- whose members hold the most sway over the kinds of movies that Hollywood makes -- remains predominantly male. (The other branches that invited more women than men this year are actors, casting directors, costume designers, production designers, documentary and film editors.) Given the underrepresentation of women and minorities in Hollywood, some have expressed doubt that the academy can hit its diversity targets without lowering its membership requirements, which mandates that candidates for membership must have "demonstrated exceptional achievement in the field of theatrical motion pictures." In an interview with the Times in 2016, former academy President Hawk Koch called the academy's goals "impossible" to reach, saying, "There aren't that many qualified people, period, of any race or gender, to invite each year." In the last two years, the academy has opened its doors to a number of people who have only come onto the scene in the last few years or who may be better known for their work in TV than in film, such as this year's new invitees Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon and Amy Poehler, all of whom are veterans of "Saturday Night Live," Rami Malek, who stars on the USA series "Mr. Robot," and television stalwart White. But even as the boundary between film and television continues to blur, the academy leadership has consistently maintained it will not alter the criteria for membership. Academy CEO Dawn Hudson says she is confident that there are still many qualified film industry professionals who have yet to be brought into the organization. "There are so many artists who were not admitted in the past because we had a limit on how many new members we invited each year," Hudson told the Times in an interview last month. "So with the elimination of those (quotas) and the aggressive pursuit of excellence by all of our members, I think we will be able to expand in a more inclusive way for several years." To help broaden the pool of possible candidates, the academy has reached far outside Los Angeles. The new class includes members from 57 countries around the world. "We really are committed to making this an organization for international artists," Hudson said. "There are so many artists in the world who we had overlooked in the past. So, lucky us, we get to make an effort to invite them in." VERONA, NY - Lance Comfort had stopped at his church in Verona one day in April to change the message on the church sign when he noticed the old message: "Don't worry, I got this." Today, Comfort says that message on that sign has helped him get though the worst days of his life after his 16-year-old son, Alec "Ezzie" Comfort, was hit by an Amtrak passenger train in late April near the family's residence in Verona. Ezzie was hit by the train as it passed underneath the State Route 31 overpass in Verona, police said. Rescuers found him on the south side of the tracks, police said. Ezzie survived but his right leg had to be amputated below the knee. His dad said he was changing the sign's lettering when a friend called him and asked if his son wore green sneakers. When Comfort said yes, his friend said someone wearing green sneakers had been hit by a train near their home. "I absolutely freaked,'' Comfort recalls. Comfort rushed the two miles back to the scene. The railroad tracks are about 100 yards from the family's residence, and Ezzie and others often took walks on a trail alongside the tracks. Ezzie was conscious, but in severe pain in the ambulance, his dad said. His mangled foot was wrapped up, and Comfort said he's thankful he didn't see his son's injuries. Ezzie was taken by ambulance to Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse. "I felt a lot of panic and fear,'' Comfort said. "But at the same time, I was grateful Ezzie was alive." Comfort and his wife, Karry, soon learned that doctors wouldn't be able to save their son's foot. Their son also damaged his big toe on his left foot, and broke his left finger. Losing his foot is horrible, Lance Comfort said, but he also realizes his son's injuries could have been much worse. The experience has been extremely trying for the family. "It's the most gut-wrenching thing a parent can go through," Lance Comfort said. Ezzie has had to undergo multiple surgeries and is facing a long period of physical therapy, Lance Comfort said. He will soon be fitted with a prosthetic foot and will have to learn how to walk again, his dad said. Lance Comfort, who runs his own commercial carpet and floor-cleaning business, and his wife Karry, a teacher in the Rome school district, have been taking turns making the 40-minute drive each day into Syracuse to be with their son. Their daughter, Jessica, who lives out of state, drives in whenever she can. The family celebrated Ezzie's 17th birthday in the hospital. Ezzie has been transferred to Hutchings for evaluation, Lance Comfort said. Ezzie hasn't been able to tell anyone how he was hit by the train. "He says everything is blurry,'' Lance Comfort said. Meanwhile, the Verona community has opened its arms to the Comfort family. Lance Comfort hasn't been able to work since his son's accident, and friends and strangers alike have pitched in to help the family. St. Peter's Lutheran Church has contributed cash to help the family, the local Catholic church sent a donation and the Verona Area Council of Churches also has helped. Neighbors, friends and community residents have sent food to the house every week since the accident, and Ezzie and the family have received dozens of cards. The school has sent over work so Ezzie can stay on top of his studies. Ezzie's sister, Jessica, has set up an online fundraiser to help offset medical expenses. Ezzie, who loves history and video games, is anxious to get home but will need weeks of physical therapy, his father said. "His spirits are pretty good considering,'' his dad said. "It's been an emotional roller coaster for all of us." SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- An Uber passenger took a one-mile trip from his or her home to a Tipp Hill bar, marking what Uber is designating its first-ever Syracuse ride. The ride departed at 12:07 a.m., six minutes after the apps launched here and the rest of Upstate New York. The passenger went to Blarney Stone, the Tipp Hill late-night staple, according to Uber. More details about the passenger or the purpose of the trip were not released. The app also released the longest Uber drive that happened in the hours since its launch. It began at 6:51 a.m. and went 17 miles from Syracuse to the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Plant in Baldwinsville. Both Uber and Lyft launched early Thurday morning in Upstate New York and Long Island after they were legalized in the state budget passed in April. The state has estimated that 20,000 drivers have signed up to drive for both apps in Upstate and Long Island. Lyft did not release similar details about its first day up and running in Syracuse and the rest of the state, saying only that it went "extremely well." At the moment, Lyft is the only app that can operate at the Syracuse airport. Neither Uber nor the airport responded to questions about the status of an agreement there on Thursday. The fares appear to differ between the apps, with Uber charging $7 and Lyft charging $9.37 for a 2.6-mile ride between downtown and Destiny USA between 12:01 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on Thursday. Brindisi.jpg State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica, launches his campaign for Congress on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at Liberty Bell Corner Park in Utica. He wants to challenge Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, in the 22nd Congressional District. (Provided photo) WASHINGTON -- Before Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi announced his campaign for Congress on Wednesday, Rep. Claudia Tenney launched a preemptive strike. Tenney, R-New Hartford, called Brindisi a "slick politician" who has been a rubber stamp for corruption and failed liberal policies. Is it a preview of a campaign that will be defined by bitter personal politics? Brindisi, D-Utica, who got to know Tenney when they served neighboring districts in the state Assembly, said he hopes the congressional campaign will be about issues, and not marked by caustic personal attacks. "I think that we are going to have policy disagreements," Brindisi told Syracuse.com. "But I would hope that she keeps the political sniping to a minimum because name-calling never created a single job in this district and doesn't help the middle class." Brindisi, a three-term state Assembly member, said he plans to run a campaign focused on the future of Upstate New York, particularly jobs and the economy, healthcare and education. He also hopes to appeal to independents and Republicans in the 22nd Congressional District, an eight-county region stretching from Lake Ontario to the Southern Tier that supported Donald Trump, 55 percent to 39 percent, in November's presidential election. Tenney was an early supporter of Trump, and has strengthened her ties to the president and his administration since they both took office in January. Brindisi said he will emphasize his independence, and willingness to work with Republicans and take on members of his own party. "That's the one thing I hear whether I'm in the grocery store or on the street," Brindisi said. "People want elected officials to work across the aisle for their best interests and not to be a rubber stamp, and right now that's what we have representing us in Congress." Brindisi criticized Tenney for not holding a public town hall meeting during her first six months in office. He promised to hold a town hall meeting in each of the 22nd District's eight counties at least once a year. "Job No. 1 of any elected officials is listening and taking the concerns of the people you represent back to Washington," Brindisi said. "Right now, people in this district feel like they are not being listened to." Tenney, who has received a series of death threats since taking office, has decided to hold a series of open door meetings with small groups of constituents. Tenney said she is open to holding town hall meetings once security issues can be addressed. The 22nd District covers all of Madison, Oneida, Cortland and Chenango counties and a portion of Oswego, Broome, Herkimer and Tioga counties. Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 British Prime Minister Theresa May today faced a test of her authority when parliament voted on her policy programme, watered down after an election setback and growing pressure over her Brexit and austerity plans. By Reuters: British Prime Minister Theresa May won backing for her policy programme with a slender parliamentary majority today in the first test of her authority after an election setback and growing pressure on her Brexit and austerity agenda. May cut short a visit to Berlin and her defence minister, Michael Fallon, left Brussels to dash back to Britain for the vote, underlining her precarious position after she lost her Conservative Party's parliamentary majority in an election on June 8 that she did not need to call. advertisement On Wednesday, she saw off an attempt by the opposition Labour Party to defeat her in a vote on public sector pay, thanks partly to the support of a small Northern Irish party which she secured under a deal to help her pass legislation. It was that backing that helped her squeeze enough votes to pass her policy programme, set out to parliament by Queen Elizabeth last week, winning with 323 votes to 309. "This is...the way we intend to govern. Living within our means, creating good jobs, paying people well, investing in the future by working with business... implementing the will of the British people to leave the EU in a way that is orderly and sensible," business minister Greg Clark said before the vote. "We vote tonight not just on a programme of legislation but on a fundamental approach to the future of this country." The vote was not without difficulties. Opposition parties proposed amendments which tested the discipline of May's supporters and the government had to make a concession on abortion rights, making funds available in England for women arriving from Northern Ireland for abortions, to avoid defeat. Other amendments challenged her stance on Britain's departure from the European Union, demanding that the country stay in the bloc's single market, and on austerity, criticising her for not investing in the economy. Both were rejected. But the vote shows how difficult it will be for May to push through legislation needed to ease Britain's departure from the European Union and underlines how little room for manoeuvre she has as Conservative lawmakers jockey for position to replace her. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the Conservative programme was "in tatters" and should bend to the will of voters who wanted an end to public sector cuts, which some have blamed for a fire that killed at least 80 in west London and for straining a police service battling militant attacks. "Theresa May does not have a mandate for continued cuts to our schools, hospitals, police and other vital public services or for a race-to-the-bottom Brexit. Labour will fight these policies every step of the way," he said in a statement. advertisement "Labour won support in every region and nation of Britain for our jobs-first Brexit approach and our policies that would transfer wealth, power and opportunity to the many from the few." ALSO READ | Britain and European Union launch Brexit talks in Brussels UK PM Theresa May isolated after election fiasco as key aides quit --- ENDS --- Schumer-Brindisi.jpg U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, left, joins State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica, last year at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, N.Y. WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, who doesn't recruit House Democratic candidates, made a rare exception by encouraging Anthony Brindisi to run for Congress in Upstate New York. Schumer, D-N.Y., the Senate minority leader, pushed Brindisi to run over the past year during multiple conversations in person and on the phone, according to Schumer and a campaign aide to Brindisi. Brindisi, a Democratic state Assembly member from Utica, had considered running for the 22nd Congressional District seat in 2016 but ultimately decided to run for a third term in the state legislature. The seat opened last year when former Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, decided to retire. Brindisi changed his mind this year, and will now compete for the Democratic nomination against SUNY Binghamton professor Patrick Madden. The party's nominee will challenge Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, in the 2018 mid-term election. Both Democrats and Republicans consider the 22nd District seat one of their top national priorities, and plan to spend heavily to support their candidates. Schumer does not usually endorse Democratic candidates in primary elections. But he made an exception for Brindisi, praising him in a statement Thursday. "This district is chock-full of hard-working, middle-class people and Anthony Brindisi is an independent voice who is perfectly suited to represent them," Schumer said. "I strongly encouraged him to run because he is a warrior for working people, his heart is in the right place and his experience is second to none," Schumer said. "He is full of energy and ideas; he genuinely cares about people, and he does what's right for his community every step of the way. Anthony Brindisi is going to be a great congressman." Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Top Senate Republicans on Thursday considered keeping President Barack Obama's tax increase on wealthier people's investments and using the money to bolster their proposed health care subsidies in a bid to mollify moderate GOP lawmakers and salvage the party's struggling bill. Also in play was a proposal from conservatives to let insurers offer any plans they'd like, including ones with skimpy benefits and low premiums. To do so, a company would also have to sell policies that abide by the consumer-friendly coverage requirements Obama's health care overhaul imposes on insurers. Both proposals faced internal GOP opposition and procedural hurdles, and it was unclear whether either idea would survive. But the activity underscored that party leaders were stepping up efforts to craft a new health care bill, two days after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., postponed a vote on an initial version because conservative and moderate GOP senators were prepared to block it. "Obviously we'd like to get rid of all" Obama's tax boosts, No. 3 Senate GOP leader John Thune of South Dakota told reporters of possibly retaining the extra 3.8 percent investment tax. "But if it takes something like that to get our members on board to move this process forward, I think we have to consider that." Chuck Schumer pushed Anthony Brindisi to run for Congress Conservatives immediately said they opposed the idea, along with the chairmen of Congress' two tax-writing committees: Senate Finance chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and House Ways and Means chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas. "I think we're paying enough taxes in this country," Hatch said. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questioned the wisdom of retaining the investment tax boost. "The more you do this, the more it's like Obamacare. So eventually you'll cross a line where saying you've repealed or replaced Obamacare will be hard to say with a straight face." The accelerated pace of closed-door Republican bargaining came with McConnell hoping to have a new version of the measure -- with enough backing to pass it -- by week's end. His problem has been that the bill will die if just three of the 52 GOP senators oppose it, and the number of Republicans who have publicly said they would vote no or have raised serious questions has reached low double digits. Protesters block a street during a protest against the Republican bill in the U.S. Senate to replace President Barack Obama's health care law Tuesday, June 27, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) As a matter of GOP theology, the party has long opposed most tax increases. It has been especially eager to repeal the ones Obama enacted to help finance his law's expanded coverage to around 20 million additional Americans. The Senate Republican bill would repeal most of Obama's tax boosts, which were largely on upper-income people and the medical industry. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said erasing Obama's tax increases would cost the government $700 billion over the next decade, and Democrats say the GOP bill is mostly a tax cut for the rich. But Republicans have discussed retaining Obama's 3.8 percent tax increase on higher earners. Keeping that increase would save $172 billion over 10 years, and moderates want to use it to make the health care subsidies their bill would provide more generous. The move would let Republicans argue they weren't solely out to protect the wealthy and, they hope, make their bill less vulnerable to Democratic attacks for providing stingy subsidies. In its report this week, the budget office said that besides resulting in 22 million additional uninsured people by 2026, the Senate bill would increase many people's out-of-pocket insurance costs, especially for older and lower income consumers. Obama's health law enacted an additional 3.8 percent tax on investment income for married couples making more than $250,000 a year and individuals making more than $125,000. The Senate bill would repeal the tax this year. Brindisi to Tenney: Name-calling never created a single job in Upstate NY Also Thursday, Republicans said party leaders had agreed to add $45 billion for battling opioids abuse to their health care bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is hoping the added anti-drug money will help win over moderate GOP senators like Rob Portman of Ohio and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. Their states are among many battered by rising death tolls from drug use and they've been pushing for the funds. Those same senators are also insisting on easing cuts the GOP legislation would impose on Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income and disabled people that their states also rely upon. There's no indication an agreement has been reached to pull back on those reductions. That leaves McConnell still short of the votes he needs to push legislation through the Senate repealing much of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. The measure would fail if three of the chamber's 52 Republicans vote no, since all Democrats are opposed. McConnell wants agreement on revisions by Friday so the Senate can approve it shortly after returning in mid-July from an Independence Day recess. Several senators have scoffed at that timetable, with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., saying, "Pigs could fly." The added opioid funds, which would be provided over a decade, were described by people who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss private negotiations. Port Richey, Fla. - A 25-year-old woman in Florida faces multiple charges of sexual assault and battery after having repeated sexual contact with a boy. The woman, Marissa Mowry of Port Richey, gave birth to the boy's child in October 2014. The boy was 11 and Mowry was 22 when she became pregnant, according to WFTS in Tampa. Port Richey is located along Florida's west coast, northwest of Tampa. Mowry had multiple sexual encounters with the boy when he was between 11 and 14 years old, WFTS said. Investigators said Mowry admitted to having a sexual relationship with the boy, according to WFLA in Tampa. Authorities wouldn't say how Mowry and the boy are connected in order to protect his identity. Someone anonymously reported the encounters through an abuse tip line earlier this year, according to WFLA. Authorities then began investigating. Mowry originally told investigators that the boy had forced himself on her while she was "highly medicated" because of a cold, according to WFLA. She later denied that in a recorded conversation with the boy while investigators were listening on another line. Authorities said they have additional information after interviewing Mowry this week, but wouldn't disclose it yet, WFLA said. Mowry is currently pregnant, but the baby is not related to her alleged victim. Mowry's boyfriend recently returned from a military deployment and was surprised to learn that Mowry's child, now 3 years old, was fathered by a minor, according to WFLA. The child is being placed with a responsible adult as the investigation continues, according to WFTS. One of the charges against Mowry carries a mandatory life sentence if she is convicted. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112 MINNEAPOLIS -- A 19-year-old woman shot at a book her boyfriend was holding against his chest, killing him at close range outside their northwestern Minnesota home in what was a video-recorded stunt gone awry, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday. Monalisa Perez was charged with second-degree manslaughter in Norman County District Court and remains in a regional jail in Crookston in connection with the shooting Monday night in Halstad of 22-year-old Pedro Ruiz III. Perez, who is pregnant, appeared from a regional jail by video at a Norman County court proceeding Wednesday afternoon. She remains held in lieu of $7,000 cash bail. Ruiz held up the book -- described by County Attorney James Brue as a hardcover encyclopedia -- and Perez pulled the trigger on a .50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol, trying to see whether the bullet would go through, according to the criminal complaint. A few hours before the shooting, a posting went up on Perez's Twitter account that read: "Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE." The note included two wide-eyed emoji faces and another of an eye-covering monkey with a gaping mouth. Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever HIS idea not MINE Monalisa Perez (@MonalisaPerez5) June 26, 2017 The Desert Eagle is described by retailer Cabela's in an online ad as "one of the world's most powerful semiautomatic handguns." Brue said there are "multiple videos" of the shooting, and they will not be released publicly at this time. "We called him our little daredevil," said Lisa Primeau, an aunt who added that she "pretty much raised" Ruiz. His mother died in Texas when he was young after which living with his father didn't work out, Primeau said. Primeau said Ruiz was always chasing a thrill, "putting a dangerous twist on everything he did." His antics included "jumping into the swimming pool from the top of the house, no hesitation. He was a crazy driver with go-carts." She said Ruiz also "had plenty of guns. He liked guns." Another aunt of Ruiz's told WDAY-TV that the shooting outside the couple's home with their 3-year-old daughter nearby, was part of a stunt they intended to post on YouTube. "He had told me about that idea," the aunt told the TV station, "and I said, 'Don't do it. Don't do it. Why are you going to use a gun? Why?'" She quoted him as replying, "'Because we want more viewers. We want to get famous.'" Perez has a YouTube channel with many videos made by the couple. The most recent one went up the morning before the shooting. It's titled "Doing Scary Stunts at the Fair, Part I" and shows the couple attending a fair last week. Ruiz and a young relative were featured enjoying various rides. "Imagine when we have 300,000 subscribers," Perez says during the video. Ruiz replies, "I told them, the bigger we get, I'll be throwing parties." One hour before their future unraveled Monday evening, Perez wrote on Facebook, "We are in the process of making Pedro a YouTube channel oh man is it going to be sweet! LOL." She added: "All the crazy stuff will (be) on his channel and mine. will be our family life!!!" Soon after the shooting, Perez told a sheriff's deputy that it was Ruiz who had been pushing his idea for the video, which was recorded by one camera on the back of a parked vehicle and another on a ladder, according to the complaint. He had shown her another book that he had shot and the bullet didn't go all the way through, the charging document continued. "Perez stated that she shot from about a foot away while (Ruiz) held the book to his chest," the complaint read. Ruiz and Perez had been together for six years, Primeau said, and Perez became pregnant at 15. As they anticipated another child, Ruiz was supporting his growing family working for BNSF Railway and was studying to be a foreman, Primeau said. She added that she and others related to Ruiz "are all supporting Mona. It's a tragic incident. What she did ... she has to live with that. It's the worst punishment she can get. She is pregnant with their second kid. It's just heartbreaking." (c)2017 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Chinese media outlets have slammed New Delhi for the ongoing border-standoff. "Being defeated by China in 1962 has left a lingering effect on India," an article on the China Internet portal said. By Ananth Krishnan: Taking a cue from China's government, which on Wednesday said India carried the "liability" for the on-going border stand-off, Chinese media outlets have slammed India over the incident, linking it to everything from American support for India to the 1962 war. "Being defeated by China in 1962 has left a lingering effect on India," said a widely circulated article on Thursday by an unnamed writer on the quasi-official China Internet portal. advertisement "The whole nation's strategy shifted from seeking political power, diplomatic power, and from being the leader of the non aligned movement to the direction of seeking military superiority. These are both objective and psychological factors." On the Sikkim stand-off, the article accused India of "making unfounded countercharges through Indian media and claiming that China's construction corps had crossed the border into Indian territory." The article also saw a link to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent US visit. "In July, the United States, India and Japan will hold joint military exercises in the Indian Ocean. Also with steady development in its relationships with Russia, India began to engage in small actions on the border between China and India." 'SIKKIM WAS ORIGINALLY A COUNTRY' The widely-read and hawkish Global Times, in its more influential Chinese edition, said that "as is known to all, Sikkim was originally a country and was incorporated into India in 1975". "The original border between China and Sikkim was already demarcated, and the government of India later did not object to that border. Most of the border disputes between the two sides often occur in the western part, in the eastern part of the border have occurred only a few times, and in the Sikkim section have hardly ever occurred. In 2006 the two sides reopened the Sikkim Nathu La pass, because of no border dispute there." On Wednesday, the Chinese government said the Donglang region, which is disputed by Bhutan, neither belonged to Bhutan nor India, and accused a "third party", likely referring to India, of having "a hidden agenda" by "interfering". Bhutan has formally protested China building a road into its territory, but the Chinese media have glossed over the Bhutan factor and instead described the incident only as one of India "crossing the border" and stopping the construction. ALSO READ | China bulldozes Indian Army bunker in Sikkim, tension escalates along border ALSO READ | China defends Pakistan after India, US target Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE: China concerned by US-India surveillance drones deal ALSO WATCH | China shuts down Nathu La pass in Sikkim: All you need to know --- ENDS --- advertisement Apple raised the curtain on HomePod, its upcoming smart speaker, during Mondays keynote presentation at its Worldwide Developers Conference. The company also announced some desktop OS features for the iPad, and revealed its plans to become an augmented reality powerhouse. Just like iPod reinvented music in our pockets, HomePod is going to reinvent music in our homes, Phil Schiller, Apples senior vice president for worldwide marketing, told an enthusiastic crowd at the San Jose Convention Center in California. HomePod, which will sell for US$350, is slightly less than 7 inches tall and is covered with a seamless 3D mesh fabric which, Schiller said, has incredible acoustic properties. Inside the speaker, there are seven tweeters, each with their own driver, that give sound precise directional control. HomePod also has a 4-inch woofer that uses dynamic software modeling to eliminate distortion as the volume is cranked up. The smarts of the speaker is from an Apple A8 processor. Its perhaps the biggest brain ever in a speaker, Schiller said. The HomePod will be available in December. Heat on Sonos and Bose The processor, which can be found in older iPhones, allows the speaker to do real-time acoustic modeling, audio beam forming and multichannel echo cancellation. You dont have to know what any of that is, said Schiller. Just know that it sounds incredible. There are six microphones in HomePod, so it can handle voice commands even when its playing music through Apples digital assistant Siri. We really believe its going to take your home music experience to the next level, Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the event. Although the smart speaker market is dominated by Amazon and Google, Apple appears to have set its sights on other players in the speaker market. Its going after Sonos and Bose sound systems in the home, noted Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies. This is a powerful home audio speaker first that also supports Siri, he told TechNewsWorld. Focus on Music Apple is positioning HomePod more as an audio device than a smart home interface, said Jonathan Collins, a research director at ABI Research. The focus looks to be more about competing with Sonos and supporting Apples Music service than its HomeKit efforts, he told TechNewsWorld. The price tag is notably higher than both Amazon and Googles smart home offerings, he pointed out, and while it will no doubt appeal to Apple fans, there is little to suggest at least from the initial details that this will directly compete against those Echo and Home devices. More iPad Muscle In addition to announcing a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro, Apple revealed a number of features in iOS 11, which will be released in the fall, that give the tablets desktop operating features like drag and drop, an expanded dock for quick access to favorite programs, and support of a file system, including baked in support for popular third-party apps like Dropbox and One Drive. Those are the features on the Mac that most of us have been wanting on the iPad for at least three years, Creative Strategies Bajarin said. Now the iPad is very similar in experience to the Macintosh, he added. That tells me that Apple believes that the iPad is the future form factor for mobile computing. The iOS 11 features were needed if the iPad Pro wanted to live up to its pro name, maintained Kevin Krewell, a principal analyst at Tirias Research. Without a file manager, you really couldnt use it as a professional tool, he told TechNewsWorld. Now the iPad is much more functional for a professional whos used to using a file manager in their work, Krewell added. This is a big step up for iOS. AR Powerhouse? Apple also introduced to developers a new AR kit that it believes will make the company a leader in the augmented reality domain. With AR kit, iOS 11 becomes the worlds largest augmented reality platform, Cook said. What Apple introduced with AR on mobile is significant, maintained Bajarin. Theyll dominate the AR space in mobile almost overnight, he said. The AR kit will create a level of innovation within their software developer community that is going to result in an amazing amount of new apps. While there may be lots of new apps, whether or not there will be a lot innovation remains to be seen. Theyre not adding any hardware, Krewell noted. Theyre just using the existing iPhone platform for AR, so its a limited version of AR a better version of Pokemon Go. Kenya is the first country in Africa to get a generic version of the current first-line drug for people living with HIV, the nations officials have announced. The government and global health initiative Unitaid declared the move June 28, Wednesday, saying the East African nation will make the generic version of the drug dolutegravir available for routine use. Generic Dolutegravir In Kenya The Kenyan health ministry noted that it will provide the drug initially to 27,000 people with HIV who are unable to tolerate efavirenz, the current drug of choice in the country. If things go according to plan, generic dolutegravir will be made available nationwide later this year, the Associated Press reported. Today there are approximately 1.5 million people in Kenya who are living with HIV. In high-income nations, dolutegravir has been the medication of choice for the last two years for these patients, Africa Science News said. This is due to its very few side effects, ease of use compared with other formulations, and less likelihood of developing resistance. Back in 2015, the World Health Organization recommended the drug as an alternative first-line drug for both adolescents and adults, and yet until recently, people with HIV living in countries such as Kenya were unable to access it. The goal now is to generate evidence in order to introduce dolutegravir on a bigger scale by early 2018, according to the health ministrys director of medical services Dr. Jackson Kioko. Based on different phase 3 clinical trials, the drug performs better than all other first-line treatments around. In 2016, Kenya incorporated the drug in its guidelines for antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment. Then in April, Kenya also became one of the three African countries, along with Ghana and Malawi, to receive the worlds first malaria vaccine starting next year as part of a series of real-world trials to test its efficacy. The vaccine will be administered to infants and young children from high-risk areas. Tackling HIV/AIDS The direction, according to experts around the world, is to produce new regimens for better, less expensive HIV treatment. Today, over 18 million are taking lifelong treatment for the virus, yet nearly an equal number remains unable to access treatment. As part of Unitaids initiative, Nigeria and Uganda will also be introducing the use of dolutegravir. This will lay the groundwork for speeding up the uptake of the three-in-one fixed dose combination therapy to be made available by next year. Comprising of tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir, the fixed dose combination is anticipated to substantially simplify HIV treatment. ART uses a mixture of three or more drugs to block the replication of the HIV virus. This method, first widely deployed in 1996, prevents and helps repair any damage the infection causes to the human body's immune system, as well as thwarts the progression of the disease. New research back in May hailed ART for increasing the life expectancy of HIV-positive individuals by a decade in both the United States and Europe. "Combination antiretroviral therapy has been used to treat HIV for 20 years, noted lead author Adam Trickey. But newer drugs have fewer side effects, involve taking fewer pills, better prevent replication of the virus and are more difficult for the virus to become resistant to. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. We could only have a few years to address the threat posed by climate change. According to an article published by the scientific journal Nature, we may have as little as three years before the effects of climate change become irreversible. The article, which was written in part by Christiana Figueres, whose work is partially responsible for the Paris Climate Agreement, warns that 2020 will be crucial for two reasons. 2020 Will Be A Major Year For Climate Change The first is political. U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, and November of that year is the earliest at which that can be done. The second reason is even more unforgiving than the whims of Washington politics. The article points out that according to research conducted by a variety of institutions, the temperature goals set forth in the Paris Agreement will be unattainable if overall emissions are not decreased. Additionally, the 2015 goals set by the UN Sustainable Development Goals would also be much more difficult to reach. Luckily for us, there isn't some great mystery to solving the problem of climate change. We merely need to lower our emissions, which is something that is already happening. Numerous countries, including the United States and China, have already taken steps to reduce their carbon emissions. Climate Change And Jobs Some, such as President Trump, have argued that addressing climate change would hurt economic growth, but recent data indicates that is not the case. Over the course of the past three years, overall CO2 emissions from the production of fossil fuels have remained flat while the economy has grown, on average, at a rate of 3.1 percent. This is the first time in the past 40 years in which emissions have fallen or remained flat during a time of economic growth Figueres points out that we do not have to choose between jobs and protecting the planet. We can, and must, do both. "We have finally realized that this is not an either-or situation," says Figueres. "We can create jobs, we can recreate communities that have lost jobs. We can improve the quality of life in urban and rural areas and precisely by doing what we can to improve climate change" Obviously, jobs are important, and we need to work to ensure that everyone can make a decent living. However, jobs do us no good if the planet is inhabitable. There is also the very real fact that increasing temperatures can have a negative effect on some segments of the economy such as farming. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When administered early enough, Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can help bring back a person from a potentially deadly overdose. Two new strains of fentanyl, though, are so potent they may be resistant to the opioid overdose antidote. Naloxone-Resistant Strains Of Fentanyl The Georgia Bureau of Investigators (GBI) warned earlier this week that they have identified two new naloxone-resistant strains of fentanyl: acrylfentanyl and tetrahydrofuran. Acrylfentanyl has been attributed to at least 44 overdose deaths in Illinois this year. Tetrahydrofureon, on the other hand, is so new it is not yet included on the list of banned synthetic designer drugs in Georgia. The GBI said that the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic drug evidence that contains these new drugs in March. Georgia officially outlawed acrylfentanyl, which officials believe to be manufactured overseas, in April. By May, the synthetic drug was temporarily added to the Schedule 1 list of controlled substances. Officials, however, are concerned over tetrahydrofuran fentanyl because the drug is not currently on the Drug Enforcement Administration's list of banned substances. It is neither covered under Georgia's law. Highly Potent GBI said that it is still unknown how the human body will react to these drugs since they are not intended for use by humans or animals. The drugs, though, are highly potent. They can be absorbed through the skin. Officials said that simply touching fentanyl or its residue may result in potentially fatal drug overdose. The DEA earlier said that the ability of fentanyl to seep through the skin places first responders at risk of overdose simply by doing their job. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, and related substances can cause serious health problems and even death even in small amounts. The DEA said that first responders who help overdose victims and handle evidences report dizziness, breathing problems, and even loss of consciousness. One police officer in Ohio even nearly died after exposure to the substance regardless of putting on gloves and mask. First responders bring with them naloxone to reverse the effects of overdose. Naloxone has proven helpful in saving lives that librarians are now learning to administer it in case somebody overdoses in or near their premises. There are concerns, though, that the drug may not work in overdose cases that involve the two new strains of fentanyl. "There are multiple reports showing that this drug is resistant to naloxone," Nelly Miles of the GBI said of acrylfentanyl. Opioid Epidemic In The United States The United States is battling with opioid addiction. Figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that death rate from synthetic opioid overdose jumped by nearly 75 percent over a period of just one year from 2014 to 2015. More than 33,000 people died from opioid overdoses, which include prescription drugs and heroin. More than half of these cases involve a prescription opioid. "Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States. The majority of drug overdose deaths (more than six out of ten) involve an opioid," the CDC said. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Ananth Krishnan: China on Thursday released photographs claiming evidence that the Indian Army had "transgressed" into what China claims as its territory, but is in fact disputed by Bhutan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang released photographs showing two vehicles of the Indian Army crossing the boundary. The red line in the middle of the photographs is the boundary line according to China. Both photos have vehicles of the Indian Army allegedly crossing the line. advertisement China claims the photos showed India on "China's side" of the boundary line. It did not mention the location but the photographs are thought to be from the Doklam plateau, which China refers to as Donglang, near the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction. The area is on the China-Bhutan border and is disputed. "The Donglang region belongs to Chinese territory and it is very clear the conditions of the threshold where the areas are that were trespassed by the Indian troops," Lu said. "This is an undeniable fact that Indian troops have trespassed the boundary and is violating our historical boundary conventions and as well as promises by the Indian government." "We can show you the pictures and photos concerning borders trespassed by Indian troops," he added. The photographs marks an unprecedented public push by China on the border stand-off and is a follow-up of several statements from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Foreign Ministry all alleging India "transgressed" the agreed upon Sino-Indian border. China, however, has not commented on Bhutan's concerns and demarche protesting Chinese road construction in a disputed area, claiming the territory belonged to China. Also read: Chinese media on border stand-off: 1962 defeat has left lingering effect on India China bulldozes Indian Army bunker in Sikkim, tension escalates along border China defends Pakistan after India, US target Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin --- ENDS --- PLA spokesperson called on India to "correct its wrongdoing and withdraw their personnel from the Chinese territory." By Ananth Krishnan: The People's Liberation Army today delivered a strong warning to India, calling on the Indian Army to "learn from historical lessons and stop clamouring for war". Amid an on-going stand-off in the Sikkim sector of the border, PLA spokesperson Wu Qian told reporters that Indian border personnel had "entered Chinese territory" and "tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglang region". He called on India to "correct its wrongdoing and withdraw their personnel from the Chinese territory." advertisement Colonel Wu also delivered a strong warning to India, when asked to comment on Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's comments on India being prepared for the scenario of a two-front war. "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible," Colonel Wu said. "We hope the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war." Chinese media have also pointed out that the PLA has carried out an exercise in Tibet involving "a new type of 35 ton light tank". A journalist asked Colonel Wu if the tank was aimed at India. He confirmed "a type of tank undertook trials" on the plateau. "The purpose of it is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country". Separately on Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stepped up its claims that India had "transgressed" the border. The incident, China says, is in Donglang or the Doklam plateau which Beijing claims but it is seen by India and Bhutan as Bhutanese territory. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang even held up photographs at a daily briefing saying they "proved" India had trespassed, and said the India-China border at Sikkim had a clear legal basis since the 1890 treaty between China and Britain. "It is an undeniable fact that Indian troops have trespassed the boundary," he said. "We urge the Indian side to to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary. This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue." He did not, however, address the issue of Bhutan issuing a demarche to protest Chinese road activities in Doklam, which triggered the stand-off with Indian troops opposing the construction activities. ALSO READ Chinese media on border stand-off: 1962 defeat has left lingering effect on India China bulldozes Indian Army bunker in Sikkim, tension escalates along border China defends Pakistan after India, US target Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed SalahuddinALSO WATCH | China shuts down Nathu La pass in Sikkim: All you need to know --- ENDS --- The genesis of the latest face-off is linked to Doka La (Donglang), a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India (Sikkim), China (Tibet) and Bhutan. By Manjeet Negi: As tension escalates between Indian Army and Chinese People's Liberation Army along the border in the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim, reports have come in that China wants to build a 12-km-long motorable road till a tri-junction point near Doka La general area in Sikkim. The genesis of the latest face-off is linked to Doka La (Donglang), a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India (Sikkim), China (Tibet) and Bhutan. India and China share a 220-km-long border in Sikkim. advertisement Highly-placed government sources said the first reports of Chinese military raising objection came in on May 18. On June 8, the Chinese soldiers destroyed an unmanned Indian bunker in Doka La. India rebuilt it after protesting. Sources said almost 150 of Chinese soldiers are in a face-off against an equal number of Indian troopers. Indian authorities believe that the Chinese wants to move closer to the chicken's neck in Siliguri by building the road closer to the Indian territory. China has questioned Indian stake on the land in Sikkim. Bhutan is also expressing its willingness to deal with the issue and is standing with India. Sources said India is ready for resolution of the issue as per the satisfaction of all parties. China has already lodged a protest with India over the alleged "crossing of boundary" by its troops in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal. It had also linked future visits of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar to India "withdrawing the troops" from the area. China has accused Indian troops of "crossing the boundary" in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal, while asserting that it has shut down the Nathu La pass entry for Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar because of the border standoff. China also said that it has lodged diplomatic protests with India, both in New Delhi and Beijing, alleging that the Indian troops trespassed into Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector. Chinese defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said on Monday that recently China has begun the construction of a road in Donglang region, but was stopped by Indian troops crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Also read: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat reaches Sikkim amid standoff between Indian, Chinese armies Chinese media on border stand-off: 1962 defeat has left lingering effect on India China bulldozes Indian Army bunker in Sikkim, tension escalates along border China says India to blame for border row, Nathu La closure Watch Video: China shuts down Nathu La pass in Sikkim: All you need to know --- ENDS --- We are convinced that the path for Venezuela is dialogue, the suspension of all illegal sanctions and respect for the Constitution, Rodriguez said. | Read More Bhutan said the move by China affects the process demarcating the boundary between them. By India Today Web Desk: The tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan has raised its voice against the mighty China asking it to not violate their bilateral agreement along the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction border in Sikkim, which has led to a stand-off between Indian and Chinese armies. In a statement, Bhutan's foreign ministry said they have conveyed to the Chinese side, both on the ground and through the diplomatic channel, that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of an agreement between them. advertisement Bhutan said the move by China affects the process demarcating the boundary between the two countries. Image released by China claiming Indian soldiers crossed the boundary On June 16, the Chinese Army started construction of a motorable road from Dokola in the Doklam area towards the Bhutan Army camp at Zompelri. "Boundary talks are ongoing between Bhutan and China and we have written agreements of 1988 and 1998 stating that the two sides agree to maintain peace and tranquillity in their border areas pending a final settlement on the boundary question, and to maintain status quo on the boundary as before March 1959," Bhutan said. The agreements also state that the two sides will refrain from taking unilateral action, or use of force, to change the status quo of the boundary, it said. Bhutan hopes that the status quo in the Doklam area will be maintained as before June 16. SINO-INDIAN STANDOFF IN SIKKIM China has lodged a protest with India alleging that the Indian Army crossed the boundary in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal. It also released photographs which purportedly showed Indian soldiers crossing the boundary wall. The face-off between the two armies have also affected the movement of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet from the Nathula pass side. Chinese defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang had said that recently China has begun the construction of a road in Donglang region but was stopped by Indian troops crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Army Chief General Bipin Rawat reaches Sikkim amid standoff between Indian, Chinese armies Chinese media on border stand-off: 1962 defeat has left lingering effect on India China bulldozes Indian Army bunker in Sikkim, tension escalates along border China says India to blame for border row, Nathu La closure Watch Video: Indian, Chinese troops clash at LAC in Sikkim; Beijing blames Delhi for border stand-off --- ENDS --- By PTI: Lucknow, Jun 29 (PTI) Two separate police complaints were today lodged against senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan over his controversial remarks against the Indian Army. Separate complaints were filed at Hazratganj and Gautampalli police stations. The complaint at Hazratganj was lodged by Janki Sharan Pandey. Khans remarks also triggered protests across Uttar Pradesh today. In Sambhal, workers of the Hindu Jagran Manch torched Khans effigy and demanded that he be tried for treason. advertisement Similar protests were reported from Chandausi, Jaunpur, Mathura and Lakhimpur Kheri. On June 27, former Uttar Pradesh minister Khan had kicked up a storm with his remarks against the Indian Army. Addressing party activists in Rampur, the SP national general secretary referred to "shameful violent incidents" in places such as Kashmir, Tripura, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Khan said excesses by security forces had led to "women in some places chopping off the private parts of Army men". The BJP hit out at the SP leader, demanding that Khans party "sack" him for seeking to "divide the country" on religious lines. PTI NAV NKS CHT SMN CHT --- ENDS --- Water exists as two different liquids Stockholm, Sweden (SPX) Jun 28, 2017 We normally consider liquid water as disordered with the molecules rearranging on a short time scale around some average structure. Now, however, scientists at Stockholm University have discovered two phases of the liquid with large differences in structure and density. The results are based on experimental studies using X-rays, which are now published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (US). Most of us know that water is essential for our existence on planet Earth. It is less well- ... read more By Press Trust of India: Thimphu/New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Bhutan today accused China of directly violating the agreement between them by constructing a road inside its territory. In a strongly worded statement, Bhutan also asked China to stop constructing the motorable road from Dokola in the Doklam area towards the Bhutan Army camp at Zompelri which it says affects the process of demarcating the boundary between the two countries. advertisement The comments by Bhutan come amid an ongoing face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Doklam (also known as Donglang) area of the Sikkim sector. Bhutan said it has also issued a demarche to China over the construction of the road and asked Beijing to restore the "status quo" by stopping the work immediately. The feeling in India is that the unilateral actions to restore status quo against tiny Bhutan in Doklam plateau has caused tension between China and its neighbours. Top officials also said that "it was understood that India was compelled to step in for cooling temperature and has urged restrain and responsible behaviour". Bhutans Foreign Ministry said it has conveyed to the Chinese side - both on the ground and through the diplomatic channel - "that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements and affects the process of demarcating the boundary between our two countries". The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under Chinas control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. The statement from the Bhutanese Foreign Affairs Ministry said that boundary talks are ongoing between Bhutan and China and "we have written agreements of 1988 and 1998 stating that the two sides agree to maintain peace and tranquility in their border areas pending a final settlement on the boundary question, and to maintain status quo on the boundary as before March 1959." "The agreements also state that the two sides will refrain from taking unilateral action, or use of force, to change the status quo of the boundary," it added. PTI PYK UZM ABH UZM --- ENDS --- Heads up to prevent injury from falls Morning walks in my neighborhood are one of the most enjoyable parts of my day. I love the coolness of daybreak and the special sightings of the stag and two does that frequent our open space. I also enjoy my walk because each day at... Signs that point to the best time for retirement Ive been thinking a lot about retirement lately. One of our amazing staff members, who has been with Senior Concerns for the last 13 years, retired last month. It just doesnt seem real. I always thought of Dana as young. Certainly not the person to... Rethinking the mandatory retirement age How old is too old for working at a job? Last week a news story hit my inbox and it really got me to thinking about age and retirement. The article noted that Target Corp. abandoned its mandatory retirement age of 65 for its CEO,... Tips to promoting a healthy nights sleep for children Question: Help, please. My daughter is almost 2 years old and has been an easy child to put into her own bed. Yet in the past few weeks she is purposefully stretching out the bedtime routine longer and longer. She wants more: more stories, more... The last two rebukes by the prime minister has had no impact on checking violence in the name of gau raksha. By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today disapproved of cow vigilantism and the murders in its name. This is the third time within two years that the prime minister has censured the incidents of lynching by the cow vigilantes. However, PM Modi's admonitions do not seem to be having any impact on this section of the society. It may be time for him to go beyond just criticisms of the cow vigilantes and take some concrete action to rein them in. advertisement Last week a teenager, Junaid, was allegedly beaten to death in a train by a group of people while he was returning to his village in Haryana following Eid shopping in Delhi. Though the fight took over seats, the attackers allegedly accused him of carrying beef before beating him to death. Modi's reaction may satisfy those who demand his reaction on every controversial incident. However, it is unlikely to benefit the society at large. The past experience proves that it may certainly not stop the incidents of lynching and other forms of violence in the name of cow vigilantism. If the two previous rebukes by PM Narendra Modi did not have any impact on the miscreants, then there is no guarantee that the third one would also have any. MODI IN SABARMATI ASHRAM, 2017 While speaking at a function in Ahmedabad today to mark the 100th year of the establishment of Sabarmati Ashram, the PM expressed sadness on the violence being perpetrated by the cow vigilantes. He said India is a land of non violence and Mahatma Gandhi. He said no one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. He agreed that cows should be protected. However, he did not subscribe to the violence associated with it. "Killing of people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of. As a society, there is no place for violence. No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country. Violence never has and never will solve any problem," he said. Talking tough as well as being emotional, PM Narendra Modi asked aall to work together. "Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of," he added. MODI IN NAWADA, 2015 It was on October 8, 2015 that the prime minister had for the first time spoken his mind over non-violence to purportedly save cows. It was ten days after the lynching of Md Akhlaq over the suspicion of storage and consumption of beef broken his silence. advertisement While addressing an election rally in Nawada ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Modi had asked the country to remain united. He had appealed to the Hindus and Muslims to fight poverty instead of fighting with each other. While PM Modi invoked Mahatma Gandhi today in Sabarmati Ashram, he had referred to President Pranab Mukherkjee in Nawada. He said the country must follow Mukherjee's words on maintaining India's core values of diversity and tolerance. Just a day earlier, the President had appealed for tolerance saying the core values of the civilisation could not be allowed to be wasted. MODI IN TOWNHALL, 2016 For the first time, Narendra Modi mentioned "gau rakshaks" in the wake of flogging of four Dalit youths in Una, Gujarat. The four youths were thrashed for skinning a dead cow. He was speaking at a Town Hall-style address in the national capital on August 6, 2016 to mark the second anniversary of his government's MyGov initiative. Calling these cow vigilantes "anti-social elements", the PM had said these people were running "shops" in the name of cow protection and which makes him "angry". He asked state governments to prepare "dossiers" on the so-called cow protectors as 80 per cent of them did illegal activities at night and became cow protectors in the day. advertisement Modi noted that those who wanted to serve the animal should work towards stopping cows from eating plastics as that will be a bigger service. He said more cows die from consuming plastics than being slaughtered. ZERO IMPACT PM Modi's strong reprimands apparently have not yielded the desired results. Violence in the name of "gau raksha" continues unabated. Be it the then Akhilesh Yadav or the present Yogi Adityanath ruled Uttar Pradesh, the blame of all lynching incidents are hurled at the doorstep of the prime minister. It is time, Narendra Modi formulated a separate law or take any other concrete measure to check the cow vigilantes. ALSO READ: When PM Narendra Modi ripped into self-styled cow vigilantes Politics of lynching, the new normal in India Story of lynching: Kashmir to Haryana, how hate crime thrives in absence of law WATCH: PM Modi breaks silence over gau bhakti lynching, says violence will not solve problem --- ENDS --- Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has been served a show-cause notice by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights. By Indrajit Kundu: After being pulled up by the Calcutta High Court for its indefinite strike call in the Darjeeling hills, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has now been served a show-cause notice by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR). Taking suo-moto cognizance, the WBCPCR on Thursday served a notice to the Morcha seeking explanation as to why children were used in its political rallies. The commission states that the move could potentially 'damage' the physical and cognitive development of those children who were made to take part in the rally. advertisement On Wednesday, the Morcha had taken out a rally in Darjeeling where children were seen walking with Khukuris or traditional Nepali knives in their hands. The commission states that it has taken cognisance of the matter where "children in shackled conditions were exposed to violent activities and were used in a political procession". The Morcha has been given a week's time to explain why action should not be initiated against the party for violating the rights of children. Notice by West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Meanwhile, a meeting of fourteen hill based political and social organisations convened by the GJM took place in Kalimpong district. The meeting decided to continue the indefinite shutdown in the hills to push forth its separate Gorkhaland state demand. Though Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again reiterated her government's stand that there was no question of dividing Bengal. Slamming the BJP for stoking the unrest in the hills, Mamata said, "They can't fix the unrest in Kashmir and they are trying to foment trouble in Darjeeling. Will never allow division of Bengal till my last breath." Also Read: As Darjeeling continues to burn, West Bengal government increases security Gorkhaland bandh: GJM gives 12 hours to evacuate students from Darjeeling schools Gorkhaland unrest: Indefinite shutdown to continue in Darjeeling, GJM decides to pull out of GTA WATCH | GJM attacks BJP MP from Darjeeling Ahluwalia for not visiting since crisis broke out --- ENDS --- With little fanfare, state aid for Louisiana's youngest children was sliced by state policymakers amid persistent budget problems. "Our current administration and Legislature did not prioritize early education," Melanie Bronfin, executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children in New Orleans, said Wednesday. The targets include the state's largest prekindergarten program, LA4, which serves more than 16,000 youngsters, and the Nonpublic School Early Childhood Development Program, which covers about 1,600 children. Both serve 4-year-olds and both are aimed at preparing students for kindergarten in a state where large numbers of children start school ill-prepared. State aid was trimmed by 2 percent for LA4, to $74 million, and 3 percent for NSECD, to $6.4 million, according to the institute. In addition, no money was added to a program that helps finance child care for low-income families. That effort, called the Child Care Assistance Program, suffered a 68 percent drop in enrollment before a slight comeback in recent months after state eligibility rules were loosened. "That was a huge disappointment," Bronfin said of the freeze. Bronfin's group is one of the most visible advocacy organizations for early childhood education at the State Capitol, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and elsewhere. The reductions stem from the 2017 regular and just completed special sessions. A wide range of state services face reductions or freezes in state aid for the financial year that begins Saturday. More financial challenges are looming, especially how to guard key state services next year when part of the state sales tax and other measures expire. Last year, Bronfin and other child care advocates were celebrating the fact that pre-K classes escaped reductions after three legislative sessions dominated by budget problems. Feared Pre-K cuts in Louisiana evaporate; standstill aid seen as win Despite threatened budget cuts earlier, state aid for pre-kindergarten classes emerged unsca At one point, programs faced reductions of up to $23 million affecting more than 5,000 children. Not all the latest news is grim. State lands $10 million federal grant for preschool classes Louisiana is getting $10 million from the federal government to improve preschool programs f The state is in line for two more years of pre-K assistance through a federal grant that will ease the impact of the state cuts. That federal money will pave the way for 1,400 slots for 4-year-olds for the 2017-18 school year, up from 1,000 for the previous year. The grant also will help finance slots for the 2018-19 school year before the aid ends. LA4 began as a pilot project in 2002 to help prepare at-risk students for kindergarten. Without such training, backers say, students often fall behind their peers and never catch up. Exactly what the state pre-K reductions will mean is unclear. Officials of the state Department of Education could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The Child Care Assistance Program helps pay for child care for children from birth to 4 years old while parents are at work, school or in job training. Enrollment plunged from 39,000 in 2008 to 13,000 last year. That has grown to 18,000 after the state made it easier to qualify. Recipients have to work or be in job training for an average of 20 hours per week, down from 30 hours previously. Officials of the state Department of Education announced on June 19 that, after Saturday, applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the services. Bronfin said the waiting list is a positive step because it will show policymakers the demand for the services. In the past, she said, the state employed tough eligibility rules and opted not to keep a waiting list. "It was a false reality," she said. Families get an average of $4,050 per year through CCAP and pay the difference for tuition at child care centers. The average cost of child care in Louisiana is $5,750 for even modest services. Bronfin also praised the Legislature's decision to expand school readiness tax credits at a time when a wide range of credits are under heavy scrutiny to ease state budget problems. Tax credits have led to better child care, federal funds for Louisiana, advocates say While state tax credits are under scrutiny amid budget problems, child care advocates said The credits offer child care centers incentives to meet quality ratings, aid for teachers and administrators who earn credentials and assistance for low-income families to use centers that meet certain standards. The funding will rise by 30 percent, to $21 million per year. "The challenge with child care is we need it all," Bronfin said. "We have to attack the problem from different directions. It is so big." Experts believe many accidents in the Capital could be averted if the road signage were up to the mark. By Abhishek Anand: Motorists following traffic signage in Delhi and the suburbs could be flirting with disaster. A survey has found that over 75 per cent of the traffic signs, signals and road markings put up across the National Capital Region (NCR) are "nonstandard and wrongfully installed". The Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) conducted a study of 1,514 road signs over 85 kilometres in NCR. It found that 1,098, or about 75 per cent of the signs did not meet required standards. advertisement India has some of the world's most dangerous roads with a dangerous mix of pedestrians, scooters, cars, buses and trucks jostling through choked junctions during most parts of the day.ROAD ACCIDENTS TALLY About 1.46 lakh people died in road mishaps in 2015. "Nearly 75 per cent of the road signage were found to be non-standard and wrongfully installed, according to the regulations of Indian Road Congress and the United Nations," said Dr Rohit Baluja, president of IRTE. He said as the amended bill of the Motor Vehicles Act - which enhances the fines for traffic violations nearly fivefold - is likely to be cleared in the next Parliament session, the need of the hour is to fix the loopholes on part of government agencies. "Many accidents that occurred in recent times could have been averted if the road signage were up to the mark. For example, many road signage in Delhi are found circled with red in a blue board, which is disastrous. Red circle means prohibition, while blue means information," said Baluja. He slammed all stakeholders of road transport and traffic and the multiplicity of agencies. "There is a lack of coordination in Delhi and NCR among the departments responsible for traffic and transport. Some agency manages traffic while some other places signage, and parking is in a different agency's hands. So this lack of coordination leads to faulty signboards, which are very important in averting accidents," said Baluja. Dr Sewa Ram from Delhi's School of Planning and Architecture named several major intersections in NCR that need to be revamped. "Fatal accidents often occur at Peera Garhi Chowk (near Paschim Vihar) and Mukarba Chowk (at Jahangirpuri) in Delhi, as well as IFFCO Chowk in Gurugram. These are poorly designed and no designated space is given for pedestrians," he said. At IFFCO Chowk, 365 fatal accidents occurred last year, which is one such mishap every day, he added. The IRTE and the IRC have prepared a slew of suggestions for traffic and transport, which will be submitted to the government soon. The SPA official also said there is need for a dedicated road transport institute to cater to such problems. Also Read Delhi: Car with college students on way to exam falls off Punjabi Bagh flyover; 2 dead, 5 injured in accident --- ENDS --- advertisement Students in Belconnen and Tuggeranong are twice as likely to miss school as those attending schools in the inner south, according to a report released this week. And, according to the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre analysis, children in central Belconnen were almost four times as likely to miss school as those in Deakin. Principals will be encouraged to get the health checks every second year.. The Educate Australia Fair? report revealed areas of educational disadvantage throughout the ACT. Overall, children in the 10 suburbs with the most educational disadvantage, measured on a range of domains, had a non-attendance rate of 10.4 per cent. The non-attendance rate in the top 10 suburbs was measured at 5.5 per cent. Rachel Packham gives us all the details. ACT government predicted the public housing 'nimby' backlash Holder residents including Bill Salter and Jodie Beitzel formed the Holder Community Action Group in opposition to a public housing development in the suburb. Credit:Karleen Minney ACT government officials predicted there would be a backlash against the use of community facility-zoned land for public housing as far back as 2015, Katie Burgess reports. Canberra's Indigenous students two years behind non-Indigenous peers Indigenous education expert Chris Sarra says the disadvantage must end. Credit:Jeffrey Chan Canberra's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students face a two year NAPLAN gap behind their non-Indigeous peers. A leading education expert is calling for a new push to end disadvantage. Emily Baker with this report. In sport: North Queensland Cowboy Shaun Fensom returns to face Canberra Raiders with point to prove Shaun Fensom of the Cowboys will return to Canberra to play the Raiders. Credit:Ian Hitchcock Festivalgoers at this year's Floriade will be monitored by mobile CCTV cameras, in a trial which could see the portable cameras used at more ACT events. Police minister Mick Gentleman said the trial at Floriade was not prompted by safety concerns or antisocial activities in the past, but rather a way to make punters feel more secure. Floriade in 2015. The ACT government will deploy mobile CCTV cameras at the 2017 event. Credit:Xiao Dong Zheng "It's more a feel about better public safety, showing people we're being cautious about public safety in those bigger events. Most people feel pretty safe and that's a good idea to keep that safety going," Mr Gentleman said. Four solar-powered mobile cameras, with a back-up battery system, will be deployed at the city's annual celebration of spring. The former operator of two online electronics stores has been sentenced to three months in prison, after he failed to comply with court orders dating back to 2015. Dhruv Chopra was the sole operator of retail site Electronic Bazaar in 2015, selling electric goods such as camcorders, mobile phones and laptops, when the Federal Court ordered him to pay penalties of $100,000. Dhruv Chopra, who has been sentenced to three month in prison. Credit:Facebook The penalties followed proceedings brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in relation to false or misleading representations made to consumers about refunds and the extent of Electronic Bazaar's liability for faulty goods. At that time, ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the court's decision "to impose a significant penalty on Chopra, a sole trader, for misrepresenting consumers' refund and warranty rights makes it clear that this conduct is a serious breach of the Australian Consumer Law". The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched an investigation into Uber and whether its contracts with tens of thousands of Australian drivers are in breach of federal workplace laws. The employment watchdog undertook to probe the US-based company's contractual relationship with its large workforce of "driver-partners" earlier this month, after a request by a group of disgruntled drivers who argue they have been "misclassified" by Uber as self-employed. The Ombudsman is now preparing to interview drivers who use Uber's wildly popular, low-cost UberX platform, which has upended the taxi industry's established business model in Melbourne and around the world. A spokesman for the Fair Work Ombudsman said it had "commenced an investigation into Uber, with the purpose of determining whether the engagement of Uber drivers is compliant with Commonwealth workplace laws". Rupert Murdoch may have to wait another six months to find out whether his long quest to buy Sky will become a reality after British authorities on Thursday asked regulators to further examine 21st Century Fox's deal for the European satellite giant. The announcement was part of a split decision on 21st Century Fox's 11.7 billion pound, or $19.8 billion, deal to take over the remainder of Sky that it does not already own. The government also ruled that Mr Murdoch and other company executives were "fit and proper" to hold broadcasting licences in Britain. Rupert Murdoch's bid to buy Sky in the UK has stalled. Credit:AP Mr Murdoch, who is executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, has long tried to cement his legacy by adding Sky to his company's stable of global media assets. The media mogul hopes to use Sky's satellite network and online streaming business to keep pace in a world where more consumers watch programming on their mobile devices. By recommending that Britain's competition authority carry out a further lengthy, and potentially intrusive, review over what impact the deal would have on Britain's media landscape, the government has put increased pressure on Mr Murdoch and his family. Martin Shkreli is odd, his attorney told a federal court on Wednesday. The former hedge fund manager's investors and colleagues made fun of him behind his back and wondered whether he was autistic. Some questioned his sexuality, the jury was told. "Is he strange? Yes. Will you find him weird? Yes," said Shkreli's attorney, Benjamin Brafman. "But they [his investors] used his genius and made millions . . . despite his flaws and dysfunctional personality, Martin Shkreli is brilliant beyond words." Shkreli, best known for raising the price of Daraprim - a 62-year-old drug primarily used to treat newborns and HIV patients - from $US13.50 to $US750 a pill, went on trial on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding investors. After struggling for more than two days to seat a jury, Shkreli's attorney urged the jury to keep an open mind and spoke directly to the Brooklyn native's reputation as the worst of Wall Street. A fresh round of Coalition infighting has broken out, with Defence Minister Marise Payne sharply rebuking Tony Abbott for suggesting Australia should consider buying nuclear-powered submarines. And Labor has played down Mr Abbott's suggestion the opposition could offer bipartisan support for a nuclear submarines program, arguing such a move was unrealistic. In his second major intervention into policy debate this week - which again placed him at odds with Turnbull government policy - Mr Abbott said Australia should consider acquiring nuclear-powered vessels from the United States, Britain or France. The Turnbull government announced in April 2016 it would acquire 12 conventionally-powered submarines at a cost of $50 billion from French company DCNS. The boats are based on a French nuclear submarine, but will be redesigned to allow for diesel-electric propulsion, and are not expected to enter service until the 2030s. On Thursday, the High Court (HC) instructed the Delhi University to not penalise those who want to study LLB. Furthermore, it allowed the varsity to admit 2,310 students in the course this year. By India Today Web Desk, Press Trust of India: On Thursday, the High Court (HC) instructed the Delhi University to not penalise those who want to study LLB by cutting down the number of seats. Furthermore, it allowed the varsity to admit 2,310 students in the course this year as has been done for the past nine years. In its interim order, a bench of Justices Manmohan and Yogesh Khanna said that since the Law Faculty of the varsity has been admitting 2,310 students since May 2008, it could admit the same number in the present academic session as well. advertisement "Why people should be penalised? Let them study. Give them a chance to study. If people want to study from there (DU), let them. Don't reduce the capacity at this juncture. You cannot cut down the seats in the Law Faculty because other have started private institutions. They (DU) have a larger capacity. They have a great faculty," it said. The court brushed aside the Bar Council of India's (BCI) objections that enough permanent teachers or infrastructure was not there, saying "don't create a ghost where there is none". (Read: DU Admissions 2017: Second Cut-off List 2017 to be out on July 1 at du.ac.in) "They (law faculty) will ensure there are sufficient teachers. They are not a private university, so do not treat it like one. They get grant from the University Grants Commission, their accounts are audited, they will ensure the teaching faculty," the bench said. While issuing the interim order, the court said the larger issue before it was the challenge to the constitutional validity of the rule capping at 300 the number of seats per law centre or institution. "They have been admitting and teaching 2,310 students every year till now. You reduced the seats. There must be some strong and cogent reason for reducing the seats. That is what we have to look into," the bench said. It directed the Law Faculty of DU to file its response to the issues raised by the standing committee and inspection committee of the BCI and listed the matter for hearing on August 21. The court was hearing a PIL filed by lawyer Joginder Kumar Sukhija seeking directions to the BCI to permit DU to induct 2,310 students in its law course as has been the practice since 2008. The Law Faculty, during the hearing, told the court that it had increased its seats in the LLB course to 2,310 in May 2008 and the rule for capping the seats came into force in September 2008. The cap was implemented by the BCI only in 2010, the varsity claimed and added that as a result when it increased seats in 2008, there was no need for permission from the apex lawyers' body. Read: 500 new seats added by Delhi University for non-collegiate courses advertisement Read: Paralympic, Olympic participants get direct admission in DU --- ENDS --- Australia should fundamentally rethink its submarine program and consider buying nuclear-powered boats, Tony Abbott says, to better arm the Royal Australian Navy at a time when regional rivals such as China and Russia are expanding their fleets. And he has taken a thinly veiled swipe at the Turnbull government's approach to freedom of navigation exercises in the contested South China Sea, and at the decision to build the currently-planned next-generation Shortfin Barracuda submarine in South Australia - which can be read as rebuke of under-pressure Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne, who drove the decision to build the submarines in his home state. The Turnbull government announced in April 2016 it would acquire 12 conventionally-powered submarines at a cost of $50 billion from French company DCNS. The boats are based on a French nuclear submarine but will have to undergo a major redesign to allow for diesel-electric propulsion, and are not expected to enter service until the 2030s. In an address to the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, Mr Abbott said Australia should consider acquiring about nine nuclear powered vessels from the United States, Britain or France. There are often implausibly simple solutions to the implausibly convoluted problems that unsettle us, according to the director of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Centre, Dr Saamdu Chetri. "It is a choice to be happy or to be sad in any given situation," said Chetri, who spoke at the Conscious Club in Sydney on Wednesday night following other talks around Australia. Saamdu Chetri. Credit:Facebook "People often ask me 'if my friend is dying in the hospital bed, how can I be happy?' And I tell them happiness is not to giggle, not to laugh, not to crack jokes. Happiness is to remain with yourself, connecting your mind, your body and your thoughts together, calming down. When you are calm you are able to send prayers to your friend who is dying in the hospital bed and you're still living with that happy state of mind. If you live in the present moment, whatever situation comes to you you learn to live very calmly and connected to yourself." Living in connection to yourself is also simple, he believes. Peter Alexander has a sale on adults and kids sleep wear and lounge wear. Celebrating their 45th year, family-owned Australian jewellery house Cerrone is hosting their annual sale for one day only, with up to 30 per cent off across its collections including selected hand-crafted diamonds, sapphires, pearl and white and rose gold pieces. The sales will be across all three of their Sydney stores in Leichhardt, Martin Place and Castlereagh Street. Sydney boutique stores 13-19 Catherine Street, Leichhardt, 14 Martin Place, Sydney and 77 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Saturday July 1, opening at 10am. Celebrating 45 years in 2017, the brand is offering 30 per cent off. Credit:Tandy Rowley Australian eyewear brand Le Specs has become a celebrity favourite over the years, so this is a sale to jump on. The brand has up to 50 per cent off selected styles online including Le Specs LUXE, Mainline and Adam Selman's collaboration. Online Only. Till stocks last. Le Specs Playgirl in Opaque Red. Also holding an end of financial year sale is cult celebrity accessory brand Sunday Somewhere. Worn by Beyonce, Cara Delevingne, Margot Robbie and Gigi Hadid, the label is offering 50 per cent off selected styles for a limited-time only. Online Only. Till July 10. Sunday Somewhere has gained international success through a strong celebrity following. Australian brand Beach Bella is having 50 per cent in their end of financial year sale. The brand, established by brother and sister duo Rhyes and Giarne, is known forluxurious round towels that don't break the budget. Perfect if you're still dreaming of summer, or heading on an overseas holiday. Online Only. Beach Bella towels can be used at the beach, on picnics or as a blanket. If you are planning on shopping online this weekend, most local and international stores are offering deals to clear their end of season stock. Locally, Rodeo Show and BNKR have up to 80 per cent off in their "biggest sales of the year," which includes stock from Finders Keepers, The Fifth, Keepsake, C/MEO Collective and more. ASOS is also offering further reductions with up to 70 per cent off clothes, shoes and accessories, and jewellery brand Pandora is offering a further 20 per cent off all sale stock till Sunday July, 2. Feminine brand AJE has an extra 20 per cent off full-priced and sale items and Sass and Bide has an online warehouse sale with nothing over $150 till Sunday. Just Opened Since its inception in 1994 edgy streetwear brand Supreme has gained a legion of celebrity followers in the hip-hop and fashion world alike, including Kanye West, Victoria Beckham, Drake and Rihanna. So it's no surprise that it's the label people want to own, collect and collaborate with. One of the biggest collaborators? Louis Vuitton. To celebrate the reveal of the much-hyped collaboration, Louis Vuitton is bringing a pop-up store to Bondi, featuring exclusive leather goods, ready-to-wear pieces, shoes and accessories. The space will also house a selection from the AW17 LV men's collection, which is "an ode to the multitude of styles that coexist and co-mingle in New York City," focusing on paying homage to the 70s, 80s and 90s. "It's uptown and downtown, artists and musicians, friends and heroes. No New York City men's conversation is complete without Supreme," Louis Vuitton's men's artistic director, Kim Jones, said after launching a small range oat Paris Fashion Week. The pop-up is only open for two weeks from June 30 to July 13, so skate to it! 95 Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach. Friday June 30 to Thursday July 13. Monday- Sunday 10am-6pm., Thursday 10am-7pm. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Cardinal George Pell has vowed to return to Australia to vigorously defend himself against multiple charges of sex offences. In a statement on Thursday after Victoria Police confirmed he had been charged, Cardinal Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic figure, said he was looking forward to his day in court. "Although it is still in the early hours of the morning in Rome, Cardinal George Pell has been informed of the decision and action of Victoria Police," a statement from the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney read. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. The string of historical sexual abuse charges laid against Cardinal George Pell has plunged the case into unknown legal territory. Cardinal George Pell is facing child sex charges. Credit:Alessandra Tarantino In the case of Cardinal Pell, leading Australian extradition expert Professor Donald Rothwell has previously outlined three possible scenarios. He said Cardinal Pell could refuse to step outside the Vatican walls to avoid prosecution, as there is no extradition treaty with Australia. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has issued a stern directive to doctors who take illicit drugs on their days off, telling them to "get out of our public hospitals". The warning comes after a NSW neurosurgeon was suspended for three months in a case that detailed the specialist's weekend drug-taking with a junior doctor who died of a heroin overdose. Health Minister Brad Hazzard has called for doctors who take illicit drugs on their days off to be severely dealt with. Credit:Louise Kennerley "Patients expect their doctors to be doctors, not drug lords," Mr Hazzard said. "As minister for health I get the fact that some people say they are doing it on their own time, but my view is they are putting patients' lives potentially at risk." Public servants at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's department have finally agreed in a workplace ballot to accept a new deal on pay and conditions. About 1750 employees of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet voted, an 81 per cent turnout, and returned an overwhelming 78 per cent Yes-vote. 'Pleased': Martin Parkinson, secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Credit:Rohan Thomson The vote ends an industrial dispute at the key government outfit that had been rumbling along since the days of the Abbott government with two no-votes and a row over plans to strip departmental employees of dedicated domestic violence leave. The task of agreeing a new deal was made much more complex by the big wage gaps, of up to $19,000, in some cases between public servants brought into PM&C from other departments, in the massive expansion under Mr Abbott, and the better paid veterans of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The meeting is expected to be eclipsed by three issues, North Korea, China and the deployment of US missile defense system in South Korea. By Santosh Chaubey: US President Donald Trump is scheduled to host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House on June 29 and 30. It is the first bilateral summit between two close allies after both countries got new presidents. Trump took oath in January while Moon was elected only last month after mid-term polls necessitated by the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. advertisement The meeting is expected to be eclipsed by three issues, North Korea, China and the deployment of US missile defense system in South Korea. If the Trump administration had termed the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to America in April historic, the expectation that China will exert its influence to rein in North Korea was one of the major factors apart from some trade deals signed that Trump said would help American businesses and would create jobs. China is the only big market for North Korea and it accounts for over two-thirds of total North Korean trade. But that expectation has become frustration in just two months. Donald Trump has realized that China will not help in reining in North Korea which reflected in his tweet last week, "While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi and China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!" But what belies this line that "he knows that China at least tried" is the fact* that out of growing frustration over the Chinese inaction on North Korea and bilateral ties, Trump is thinking to take punitive action by imposing tariff on imports like Chinese steel. North Korea has already conducted almost a dozen missile tests this year and is preparing to conduct another nuclear test aimed at producing nuclear weapons. The threat from the rogue state has reached to new heights under the present dictator Kim Jong-un so much so that the US had to deploy its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile defense system, inviting strong Chinese protests which sees the presence of the system on the Korean peninsula, in its backyard, breach of its sovereignty and a security threat. China has been lashing out at the US and South Korea for it. And the optics of its deployment has also been a thorny issue for Trump as well as for Moon. While Trump has demanded South Korea pay $1 billion for THAAD deployment, Moon has termed the system which went live last month a total failure of democracy. While campaigning, Moon who is seen as a liberal having soft approach towards China, South Korea's largest trading partner, and having a conciliatory tone towards North Korea, had promised to review the THAAD agreement by his predecessor. Moon, in fact, ordered a probe last month after it emerged that four more missile launchers were added to the THAAD system in South Korea. South Korea maintains that the US asked only for land and support infrastructure for THAAD deployment and all other cost was to be borne by the US only. advertisement ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: China concerned by US-India surveillance drones deal North Korea fires ballistic missile; Trump's UN envoy says Kim Jong Un in 'state of paranoia' Trump speaks to South Korean acting president, Japanese PM over North Korea missiles ALSO WATCH: What happens when Donald Trump gets a WhatsApp message from PM Modi --- ENDS --- EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton provided the following statement at a Victoria Police press conference on Thursday. He did not take any questions. "Good morning. Today Victoria Police have charged Cardinal George Pell with historical sexual assault offences. "Cardinal Pell has been charged on summons and he is required to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 this year for a filing hearing. More than 1000 allegations of corruption relating to Queensland police have been made in the past three months, according to the Crime and Corruption Commission. In information reported to the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee on June 12, the CCC received 798 complaints of corruption containing 1513 allegations between February 1 to April 30 this year. A total of 10 officers were charged over 49 offences in the past three months, according to CCC. Credit:Glenn Hunt Of those complaints, 1009 related to police and 504 related to other public sector agencies, including government-owned corporations. The CCC assessed 694 of those complaints, of which nine were retained as CCC investigations, 451 were referred to the appropriate agency and 234 required no further action. Civil libertarians have come to the defence of a Cairns magistrate criticised for releasing from custody three men accused of bashing a police officer. Acting Magistrate Susie Warrington has come under fire from the police union for releasing the trio, describing the attack as "sickening and vicious". Queensland Council of Civil Liberties have stood up for the Cairns magistrate. The men had been kicked out of a pub on Tuesday night following a wake and allegedly stomped and punched a 28-year-old acting sergeant, before his partner sprayed them with capsicum spray. Three men, aged 20, 21 and 22, were charged with serious assault of a police officer and other offences and were due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman is calling on Malcolm Turnbull to resign as prime minister for the good of the Liberal Party. Mr Newman, who is now a political commentator for Sky News and sits on the boards of various companies, said the base of the party has turned against Mr Turnbull and he needs to put the party first. Many Liberal MPs feel slighted by their Prime Minister. Credit:Andrew Meares "He is dividing the Liberal Party, there's a lot of attention on (Tony) Abbott giving these speeches, but the person who is really dividing the Liberal Party is actually Malcolm Turnbull," Mr Newman told ABC Radio. "The base of the Liberal Party are desperately unhappy and that's reflected in the polling." Long delays for Brisbane train commuters during Wednesday night's peak hour were caused after a back-up system kicked in, but there was no alert to engineers to fix the problem. It meant the back-up batteries simply ran out. Delays at Central station on Wednesday evening. Credit:Felicity Caldwell Acting Transport Minister Steven Miles said the word "disappointing" or "disappointed" seven times in about six minutes while addressing reporters about the failures. About 20 to 25 trains lost communication with the Queensland Rail control centre after a loss of power at QR's radio tower site at Mount Coot-tha, leading to lengthy delays. The attack targeted businesses in Ukraine, Russia and Poland, according to a post from Kaspersky Lab, a Moscow-based security firm. Credit:AP 'Just being destructive' WannaCry spread by combining traditional ransomware with a worm, or a mechanism by which the attack could quickly grow. It was the first of its kind, said cybersecurity researchers, in that its goal appeared to be spreading as quickly as possible, rather than to successfully collect ransoms from victims. The attack on Tuesday is being called by different names, including Petya, NotPetya and GoldenEye. Like WannaCry, it also appeared built for speed, as it spread across systems, exploiting a single unprotected machine to then infect machines across a network. In Tasmania, computers in a Cadbury chocolate factory owned by Mondelez International, a US food company, displayed the ransomware message. Credit:Bloomberg WannaCry's spread was halted by an independent cybersecurity researcher, who discovered that by registering a single domain for about $US10 he could stop the attack in its tracks. Though Tuesday's assault does not appear to have finished, it is no longer likely to generate significant payments, because a German email provider shut down the email address associated with the ransom. WannaCry's spread was halted by an independent cybersecurity researcher, who discovered that by registering a single domain for about $US10 he could stop the attack in its tracks. The real question is whether these are all just practice runs for the big one. Accenture Security's Justin Harvey "They are no longer collecting a ransom," said Justin Harvey, managing director of global incident response at Accenture Security. "They are just being destructive." 'Immature' methods When criminals stage a ransomware attack to make money, they set up multiple avenues to collect funds from their victims, Harvey said. By contrast, the recent, widespread attacks used "immature" methods, like a single email address and a single bitcoin wallet for electronic payments. But considerable attention was paid to the technical details of launching the attacks and ensuring they would spread as fast as possible. Security researchers said the attack on Tuesday originated in Ukraine, seemingly timed to hit a day before a holiday marking the 1996 adoption of Ukraine's first constitution. More than 12,500 machines in the country were targeted, according to Microsoft, though the online attack spread to 64 other countries. While law enforcement officials struggled to determine who was behind the attack, Microsoft said the assailants initially focused on software run by M.E.Doc, a Ukrainian company specialising in tax accountancy. M.E.Doc acknowledged that its servers had been affected and said in a statement that it was co-operating with Ukrainian cyberpolice. The attack targeted businesses in Ukraine, Russia and Poland, according to a post from Kaspersky Lab, a Moscow-based security firm. According to the report, those three countries as well as Italy and Germany were most affected. A number of companies in other European countries and the United States were also hit. Still, companies and government offices worldwide appeared less affected than they were by the WannaCry attack, notably in places like China, which was hit hard in May. Reports from Asia suggested that many of the companies hit were the local arms of European and US companies that were struck on Tuesday. 'Serious global cyberincident' In Mumbai, India, a port terminal operated by A.P. Moller-Maersk, a Danish shipping giant, was shut down Tuesday afternoon after it disclosed that it had been affected by the malware. In a statement, Indian port authorities said they were working to relieve congestion, including finding places to park stranded cargo. In Tasmania, computers in a Cadbury chocolate factory owned by Mondelez International, a US food company, displayed the ransomware message, the local news media reported. "We continue to work quickly to address the current global IT outage across Mondelez International and to contain any further exposure to our network," a spokeswoman for the company said, adding that it was not clear when the company's systems would be back up. The virus also spread to the Australian branches of DLA Piper, a law firm with offices around the world. The firm warned clients that it was dealing with a "serious global cyberincident" and said that it had taken down its communications as a precaution. In China, there were only scattered reports of the malware. Qihoo 360, a Chinese computer security company, said the attack hit far fewer companies and government offices than WannaCry. Identity, motive unclear Yet who was behind WannaCry and Tuesday's attack, and why they did it, remained unclear. Brian Lord, former deputy director for intelligence and cyber operations at Britain's Government Communications Headquarters, the country's equivalent to the National Security Agency, said that rather than aiming for financial rewards, the hackers were trying to create the largest amount of disruption - particularly in Ukraine. But he is not convinced it was a Russian attack. "The Russians are very smart," said Lord, who is now managing director for cyber and technology at PGI Cyber, an online security company. "There's something about the blatantness of hitting Ukraine that doesn't sit well with me about this being a Russian attack." Both the IP address and the phone number connected to the internet domain registration used in this week's attack were from Iran, said Ido Wulkan, head of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm Insight, based in Tel Aviv, Israel. The same information was connected to a different attack two months ago. "It is possible that this is Iran, or it is possible that this is someone trying to mask themselves as Iran," he said. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Cardinal George Pell is taking leave from his post at the Vatican in his bid to clear his name over multiple historical sex abuse allegations. Cardinal Pell was impassioned and defiant during a press conference on Thursday, and said he was "looking forward to his day in court". He confirmed he would return to Australia to fight the charges, pending medical advice. A man who tried to rape a 32-year-old tourist inside a Rivervale public change room after she had been for a swim in the river has been jailed for four years and three months. Peter Plumley, 49, was sentenced in Perth District Court on Friday for attempted sexual penetration and a stealing offence committed on a warm summer's day in February 2015. The location of the attack was Balbuk Way in Rivervale. Credit:Google Maps The court heard the truck driver, described as a heavy-built man, noticed the Chinese woman walking along a footpath towards the river around 4pm and began to follow her. The woman dipped her feet in the water near the boat ramp at Balbuk Way, before heading to the public toilets nearby to change into her bathers for a swim. Read on to know about Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the better half of Robert Browning who overshadowed him during her lifetime. By India Today Web Desk: Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a renowned British poet of the Victorian era. She was the first female to have been considered for poet laureate after the death of William Wordsworth. However, Tennyson was chosen to fill the post vacated by Wordsworth. She fiercely opposed the slavery on which her family's fortune was founded, her family made their fortune from Jamaican sugar plantations. Early life: She was born in an affluent family on March 6, 1806, at Coxhoe Hall, Durham, England She was the oldest of 12 children, and was educated at home Elizabeth Barrett was a gifted reader and writer; before she hit her teen years she had read works of John Milton and William Shakespeare. At the age of 12 she wrote her first book of poetry Barrett developed a lung illness, at the age of 14, which required her to take morphine throughout her life. Later in the following year she also suffered a spinal injury, which left her with health issues for the rest of her life Despite all the health issues, Barrett taught herself Hebrew and published her first book in the year 1820, The Battle of Marathon, which her father bound and released privately Marriage to Robert Browning: advertisement In the year 1844 her collection titled Poems was published, which not only got a good response from the audience but also caught the eye of Robert Browning, who was an established poet of the time. Robert Browning had sent a letter to her in which he praised her work. This is how their love blossomed. They exchanged around 600 letters over the following 20 months. The two married secretly on September 12, 1846. For one week after the marriage Barrett continued to stay with her family before eloping to Italy. It is said that such was the love of Robert for Elizabeth that he carried her in his arms across the Italian border. Since Barrett's father was against the marriage, he did not speak with her for the rest of his life. Later life: The Brownings were blessed with their only child, Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning, in the year 1849 in Florence, Italy. A year later, Barrett Browning released Sonnets from the Portuguese, a collection of 44 love sonnets that became one of her most famous works and is considered as one of the greatest sequences of sonnets in history. Elizabeth had dedicated the collection to Robert Browning and was written in secret during their courtship. 'Sonnet 43' begins with 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.' In 1857, her blank-verse novel Aurora Leigh became a bestseller, despite being rejected by critics. During her lifetime Elizabeth Barrett Browning's reputation as a poet overshadowed that of her spouse. Elizabeth died in her husband's arms on June 29, 1861 at the age of 55. (Images sourced from: Wikimedia Commons) Interested in General Knowledge and Current Affairs? Click here to stay informed and know what is happening around the world with our G.K. and Current Affairs section. To get more updates on Current Affairs, send in your query by mail to education.intoday@gmail.com --- ENDS --- Police in WA's Kimberley have raided dozens of homes and arrested 20 people over the use and sale of methylamphetamine. Kimberley Detectives, the K9 Unit, State Crime and Broome Police executed more than 32 warrants in the Broome area and issued 82 individual charges in connection with various drug and firearm related offences. Police in the Kimberley have arrested 20 people for drug-related crimes. Kimberley District Inspector Larry Parker said the extraordinary number of arrests revealed that the community was not immune from the devastating impact of meth. "No parts of the state are immune from the scourge of illicit drugs and the problems they cause for the community," he said. Three out of five Western Australian preschool-aged children in WA's most disadvantaged educational areas are failing to attend the minimum 15 hours of required schooling each week - representing nearly twice the national average - a new report has revealed. The Educate Australia Fair? Education Inequality in Australia report released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre on Wednesday found WA students had the worst attendance rates in disadvantaged areas, despite them receiving the highest amount of educational funding per child in the country. Dresses and skirts are seen as too restrictive by many. Credit:Michele Mossop Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre director Alan Duncan said WA's state educational funding model was "clearly generous" but needed to be so to support students in remote and very remote areas. "The quantum of funding generally in Western Australia per student is higher than other states and territories, but there are reasons for that, the particular needs of harder-to-reach areas in remote and very remote areas in WA are very different to the needs of people who may be on the fringes of Melbourne or Sydney," he said. A foxy mystery has begun to unravel in WA's south-east, after a local farmer launched an investigation into unusual rainfall readings on his property. Tom Murray has recorded rainfall data for the Bureau of Meteorology at his Dalyup property west of Esperance for over 40 years, and the dry winter weather eventually led him to become suspicious of a small amount rainfall that his gauge recorded no matter what the forecast. A feral fox in a NSW national park. Credit:NSW Department of Environment "I seemed to be getting a contribution from somewhere I couldn't pin-point," he told 6PR's Simon Beaumont. The farmer began to monitor his gauge more closely, and found the contributions were becoming more and more regular. London: In a first demonstration of the new reality in Parliament after the recent election, British Prime Minister Theresa May and her shaky new government buckled under pressure on Thursday and agreed to fund abortions in England for women from Northern Ireland. It was an abrupt rebuff to the Conservatives' new ally, the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland, a fierce opponent of abortion and gay marriage that had appeared to advance its socially conservative agenda this week by agreeing to keep May in power. British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, with Arlene Foster, the leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party on June 26. Credit:Getty Images The issue is a delicate one because in Northern Ireland abortions are allowed only if a woman's life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her physical or mental health. Pregnant women who travel to England, where the law is much less restrictive, currently have to pay for terminations. The about-face on the issue was bitterly denounced by opponents of abortion. Washington: House Republicans have pressed Nikki Haley, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, about what they called "severe" budget cuts the Trump administration is seeking to the world body that could undermine US national security interests. "Some of these cuts are massive and just devastating," Republican Kay Granger of Texas said on Tuesday at an appropriations subcommittee hearing where Haley was testifying. "Our leadership is irreplaceable." The defence of funding for the UN reflected underlying support from Republicans for many of its missions, despite their frequent criticism that the international body is too quick to condemn Israel and too tepid in acting against nations such as Iran and North Korea. While Haley spoke to the subcommittee, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with other legislators on Capitol Hill, urging them against following through on the White House recommendations and vowing that the UN will make reforms needed to ensure better use of funds. Washington: Stepsiblings and half-siblings are allowed, but not nieces or nephews. Sons and daughters-in-law are in, but brothers- and sisters-in-law are not. Parents, including in-laws, are considered "close family", but grandparents are not. As for fiances, that proved a tricky area. Late on Thursday the Trump administration changed its mind and said fiances would be considered close family members and therefore allowed to travel to the United States as its revised travel ban took effect. The US State Department concluded "upon further review, fiances would now be included as close family members", said a State Department official who requested anonymity. On Thursday evening, the state of Hawaii asked a federal judge in Honolulu to determine whether the Supreme Court's decision to allow the travel ban for now was being interpreted too narrowly. When Malcolm Turnbull visited the United States last month, he was part of a now-viral moment in the debate over American healthcare. Donald Trump was holding court with the Prime Minister, riffing on America's "failing" healthcare system. Hurtling off script, as he does, the President turned to Turnbull and said: "I shouldn't say this to my friend from Australia, because you have better healthcare than we do." The praise for Australia's universal healthcare system - from a president whose legislation would roll back coverage - pricked ears across the country. On MSNBC that night, Bernie Sanders, who was being interviewed in the studio, burst into laughter. Malcolm Turnbull said he was standing up Australia's national interests during a testy phone call with Donald Trump in January "The President has said it!" the former Democratic presidential candidate - and dogged proponent of universal, government-funded healthcare - shouted. "That's great! Let's take a look at the Australian healthcare system." It was a neat little TV moment that has been endlessly replayed because it was a bizarre and true comment. Washington: The United States plans to sell Taiwan $US1.42 billion ($1.85 billion) in arms, the first such sale under the administration of Donald Trump and a move sure to anger China, whose help the President has been seeking to rein in North Korea. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert has told reporters the administration had told Congress of the seven proposed sales on Thursday. "It's now valued about $1.42 billion," she said. The State Department said the package included technical support for early warning radar, high Speed anti-radiation missiles, torpedoes and missile components. Beirut: The recently deposed crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Nayef, has been barred from leaving the kingdom and confined to his palace in the coastal city of Jeddah, according to current and former US officials and Saudis close to the royal family. The new restrictions on the man who until last week was next in line to the throne and ran the kingdom's powerful internal security services sought to ensure a smooth transition for the new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, 31, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. It was unclear how long the restrictions would remain in place. A Saudi official on Thursday denied the report completely. "It's not true, 100 per cent," the official told Reuters, responding to a question on the New York Times report, without giving any further details. A video is going viral where a female Kurdish fighter is seen laughing off an ISIS bullet which nearly killed her in a sniper fight in Raqqa. By India Today Web Desk: A dramatic video is going viral on the internet. The video shows a female Kurdish fighter laughing off after a bullet narrowly went past her head. The female Kurdish fighter was reportedly in a sniper fight with ISIS. In the video, the woman fires a shot from her sniper and within a fraction of a second, an enemy bullet almost misses her head. advertisement The bullet can be seen hitting the wall, just inches from the Kurdish fighter's head. "Kurdish women know no fear," the videos' uploader said in a tweet. "Your average human being would be scared for life after being so close to death but she kept laughing." Sniper battle inside Raqqa city. Thank god the ISIS terrorist missed ?????? pic.twitter.com/c75h4HSjIW- Hemze Hamza (@Sergermed_) June 27, 2017 After the video went viral, as many praised the daring effort of the female Kurdish fighter, there were many who criticised the video and its authenticity. The uploader claims the bullet fired at the woman came from an Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighter, as reported by RT. --- ENDS --- AUTO LAB RADIO SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! - Auto Lab Call-In Radio LIVE Worldwide From New York City 7-9 AM Saturday July 1, 2017 Auto Lab Talk Radio The Auto Lab Radio Show is Broadcast every Saturday 7 to 9 AM On New York City's WNYM Radio AM 970 and Streamed Worldwide On The Auto Channel This Weeks Show Broadcast Date: July 1, 2017 Car Question or Concern? Call Toll Free 888-692-7234 Auto Lab is a 28 year old interactive automotive-focused New York area radio call-in show hosted by Professor Harold Wolchok. Each week a cadre of experienced hands-on automotive experts are in-studio with advice for the New York area's 12 million people, providing listeners with honest, practical and street-smart car repair and buying advice. Auto Lab is also about the automotive industry, its history, and its culture, presenting the ideas and advice of leading college faculty, authors, and automotive practitioners in a relaxed, conversational interactive format. Listeners can hear the past 18 years of archived Auto Lab shows as simulcast on www.theautochannel.com. Listen - Auto Lab Page (Includes Audio-on-Demand Archives, Auto Programs at Community College Database, Guests Pictures This Weeks Show: July 1, 2017 Auto Lab In-Studio Auto Experts Discuss: Repairs, Second Opinions, Regular Maintenance, How To's, Safety, Used and New Car Buying, Ombudsmen Suggestions Harold Bendell - Major Auto Fred Bordoff - Bronx Community College Automotive Technology Department-CUNY Tim Cacace - Master Mechanix Auto Repairs David Goldsmith - Urban Classics Auto Repairs Joseph Guarino-Joe Guarino's Auto Repairs Jerry Pastore-D & J Diagnostic Johanna Pastore-D & J Diagnostic Joanne Porcelli, Esq Michael Porcelli - Auto Mobile Services Nicholas Prague- MTA and Rockland Community College, SUNY Auto Lab Correspondent Interviews: Featuring Auto Safety News, New Car Reviews, Technology and Latest Auto World Information That Will Effect You! Broadcast Date: July 1, 2017 Robert Erskine, Senior European Correspondent, Suffolk England 2017 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA Q2 Russ Rader, Vice President Insurance Institute for Highway Safety LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS LINKED TO INCREASED CRASHES Robert Sinclair Jr.- AAA Northeast POLICE, ROAD RECOVERY PERSONNEL CALL ATTENTION TO "SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER John Russell Senior Correspondent Impressions Of The 2017 2017 KIA SORRENTO The Value of Premium Gasoline Changes in the marketplace have eroded premium gasolines sales, but premium still accounts for roughly 10% of all gasoline sales. ALEXANDRIA, Va. June 29, 2017 There used to be a time when consumers could count on a simple price spread between different fuel grades. For example, mid-grade gasoline would be 10 cents more per gallon than regular gasoline, and premium gasoline would be 10 cents more per gallon than mid-grade. However, this once-predictable formula has waned over the years. In late 2012, the spread between regular and premium fuel prices reached 30 cents per gallon and continued to increase throughout 2013, topping 50 cents per gallon in some markets. During 2013, the spread averaged 32 cents, and was even higher in 2014 (35 cents), 2015 (40 cents), and 2016 (47 cents), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Some markets reported a price spread of more than 60 cents in 2016. The Value of Premium was released today as part of the 2017 NACS Fuels Resource Center, which examines conditions and trends that could impact gasoline prices. The online resource is annually published to help demystify the retail fueling industry by exploring, among other topics, how fuel is sold, how prices affect consumer sentiment, why prices historically increase in the spring and which new fuels are likely to gain traction in the marketplace. The change in this price relationship has been driven primarily by supply. The U.S. supply of regular unleaded has increased in the past several years, placing downward pressure on wholesale prices, while premium supplies have not increased similarly. At the same time, demand for premium fuel has increased with the introduction of more vehicles for which manufacturers recommend or require premium fuel. Overall, there has not been a significant shift in the volume of regular and unleaded delivered to the market since 2010; the price differential is due to shifts in available supply. Sales of premium and mid-grade have declined over the past decade because consumers traded down octane levels when gas prices increased. But prices have stabilized and may actually see some continued increases as more high-performance vehicles require their higher octane fuel blends. Premium fuel has also found a niche audience with consumers seeking ethanol-free fuel for small engines (boats, ATVs, leaf blowers, chainsaws, lawn mowers, etc.). Availability of storage space may play a role in premiums future, said NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives Jeff Lenard. Retailers store fuel in underground storage tanks, and they often have two or three tanks: one for regular grade, one for premium and perhaps one for diesel fuel (mid-grade fuel is blended underground as a mix of regular and premium). As diesel demand grows, retailers without sufficient underground storage space may decide to replace their supply of premium with diesel fuel, or another fuel like ethanol. "I repeat that I am innocent of these charges. They are false," the 76-year-old Pell said at a news conference. Pope Francis has vowed zero tolerance for such offences. Pell, 76, was a priest in the rural Victorian town of Ballarat before he was appointed Archbishop of Melbourne. (Photo: AP) By Reuters: Australian police on Thursday charged Cardinal George Pell, a top adviser to Pope Francis, with multiple historical sex crimes, bringing a worldwide abuse scandal to the heart of the Vatican. As Vatican economy minister, Pell is the highest-ranking Church official to face such accusations. He asserted his innocence and said the pontiff had given him leave of absence to return to Australia to defend himself. advertisement "I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I repeat that I am innocent of these charges. They are false," the 76-year-old told a news conference. "The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me." Pell's high-profile departure, even if only temporary, poses a dilemma for a pontiff who has vowed zero tolerance for such offences. It may also have implications for Francis' drive to reform Vatican finances, which has been spearheaded by Pell, who also sits on a panel of nine cardinals from around the world who advise the pope. Police in the Australian state of Victoria, where Pell was a country priest in the 1970s, said he faced "multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences" from multiple complainants. They did not detail the charges against Pell or specify the ages of the alleged victims or the period when the crimes were alleged to have occurred. He was ordered to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on July 18. 'CLEAR MY NAME' Pell, who declined to take questions, decried a "relentless character assassination" by the media and said he wanted to "clear my name and then return to my work in Rome". Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Pell would not appear in public church services for the time being. Pell had told an Australian government inquiry into institutional child abuse last year that the Church had made "catastrophic" choices by refusing to believe abused children, shuffling abusive priests from parish to parish, and relying too heavily on the counsel of priests to solve the problem. But he angered victims by saying he was too ill to fly home, testifying instead from Rome. Then, last July, Victoria police confirmed that Pell himself was being investigated on suspicion of child sexual abuse. He indicated on Thursday that he would now go to Australia: "I have spoken to my lawyers about when I need to return home and to my doctors about how best to do this." Francis said last year that Pell should not undergo trial by media, adding: "It's in the hands of the justice system and one cannot judge before the justice system ... After the justice system speaks, I will speak." advertisement But the latest development was a blow to the pope and put pressure on him to make good on promises finally to root out sexual abuse in the Church and act against those who cover it up. Marie Collins, the top non-clerical member of a papal commission on abuse, resigned in frustration this year, citing "shameful" resistance to change within the Vatican. GLOBAL SCANDAL Church sexual abuse broke into the open in 2002, when it was discovered that U.S. bishops in the Boston area had simply moved abusers to new posts instead of defrocking them. Thousands of cases have come to light around the world as investigations have encouraged long-silent victims to go public, shattering the Church's reputation in places such as Ireland, and more than $2 billion have been paid in compensation. "I would suspect (the charges against Pell) are going to be stunning to the Vatican and to the pope himself," said Thomas P. Doyle, the US priest whose report on sexual abuse in the Church led to the discovery of cover-up practices in Boston. Under previous popes, the Vatican, a sovereign state in the middle of Rome, sheltered officials wanted by other countries. In the early 1980s, the Vatican refused an Italian request to hand over Archbishop Paul Marcinkus - an American who was then head of the Vatican bank and was wanted for questioning about the fraudulent bankruptcy of a private Italian bank. advertisement Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston moved to Rome after a sexual abuse scandal erupted in his diocese, and has been living in the Italian capital for more than 15 years. Victims groups were outraged when Law, now 85 and retired, was given a plum job as chief priest at a Rome basilica by the late Pope John Paul II. However, Francis was tough in the case of Jozef Wesolowski, a former archbishop who was accused of paying for sex with minors while serving as papal ambassador in the Dominican Republic. Wesolowski was recalled in 2013, defrocked and arrested in the Vatican in 2014, but died shortly before his trial was due to start in 2015. ALSO READ | Vatican stunned: Pope Francis aide charged with sexual assault in Australia ALSO READ | On Good Friday, Pope Francis expresses 'shame' for scandals related to Catholic Church ALSO WATCH | Women wearing jeans, T-shirts should be drowned, says Kerala catholic priest in sermon --- ENDS --- advertisement The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not the result of the efforts of one person or one government. All the governments since the turn of the century have contributed towards it. Now, meet the real men behind the GST. By Prabhash K Dutta: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is less than 48-hours away. The biggest indirect tax reform in the country will be rolled out on July 1 from midnight. The GST is expected to change everything that involves monetary transaction. It has been a 17-year-long journey for the GST and several brains of economic brilliance and acute political acumen to bring about the change in tax regime in the country. advertisement Though, tax reforms gained some pace with introduction of MODVAT (Modified Value Added Tax) under Vishwanath Pratap Singh as Union Finance Minister in 1986-87 when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister, the concept of GST was conceived in 1999 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was heading the NDA government. ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE - THE MAN WHO APPROVED GST It was during a meeting between the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his advisors, including three former RBI governors IG Patel, Bimal Jalan and C Rangarajan that the GST was proposed. The idea of uniform tax throughout the country was discussed at length and approved of. Convinced with the idea of GST, Atal Bihari Vajpayee government set up a committee in 2000 headed by CPM leader and the then finance minister of West Bengal Asim Dasgupta to design a GST model. Vajpayee personally spoke to the then West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu requesting him to spare his finance minister for the job. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Photo: PTI file) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Photo: PTI file) The Asim Dasgupta committee was also asked to put in place the requisite back-end technology and logistics for rolling out the Goods and Services Tax (GST). ASIM DASGUPTA - THE REAL ARCHITECT Asim Dasgupta is considered as one of the finest economists in the country. He is an expert with handling financial statistics. He is an MIT doctorate. His merit was acknowledged by two successive prime ministers - Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. When UPA-I came to power and Manmohan Singh replaced Atal Bihair Vajpayee as Prime Minister, he refused to remove Asim Dasgupta as the head of GST committee. Manmohan Singh - an economist himself - admitted that Dasgupta was heading one of the best ever reform processes in the country. After working on a GST model for about seven years, Dasgupta headed another committee - formed by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - to structure the GST bills. Dasgupta held detailed discussions with the industry players, state governments and financial institutions to factor in viewpoints of all concerned. By the time Asim Dasgupta resigned as the head of the GST committee, - after the TMC of Mamata Banerjee brought a nearly four-decade Left rule in West Bengal to an end in 2011 - 80 per cent, by his own admission, of the job had been done. advertisement His imprint on the GST is most visible today. KM MANI KM Mani, the then finance minister of Kerala, succeeded Asim Dasgupta in 2011. He continued the work left by Dasgupta. Mani worked on finalising the GST bills. Mani consulted all the concerned players to finish the remaining work. Mani tried to allay fears among states that the GST would end their financial autonomy and hamper their tax collections. Mani also interacted with traders' bodies to convince them that the GST would make trading easier in the country. Former Kerala finance minister KM Mani. (Photo: PTI file) But, Mani was not the man to finish the GST job. He had to quit after he was embroiled in a corruption scandal in 2015 but before that he had addressed several business bodies evolving consensus among stakeholders. At one such meeting in June 2015, Mani told the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry that globalisation was transforming the world into a single market, while India was still not a unified entity for business. The GST would lead to a free trade inside the country, Mani argued. advertisement AMIT MITRA After KM Mani resigned as the head of GST committee, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley turned to West Bengal. Another Bengal finance minster Amit Mitra was made head of the GST committee. Mitra is an economist and before becoming the finance minister of West Bengal, he was the secretary general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). It is to Amit Mitra's credit that the state governments came on the same page for rolling out the GST. Amit Mitra held a series of meetings with the state finance ministers convincing them about the benefits of the GST and how the interests of the states are protected under the new tax regime. West Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra. (Photo: PTI file) However, as the central government started pushing for July implementation of the GST, Mitra developed reservations and advocated more calibrated approach while implementing the biggest tax reform. He maintains that the GST in its current form is not acceptable to him. It may be the biggest irony of the GST that the person who brought most of the states on-board, stays away from it now. P CHIDAMBARAM advertisement Based on the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission, the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram committed in 2005 to rolling out GST. In February, 2006, Chidambaram set April 1, 2010 as the deadline for introducing GST. Chidambaram retained the April 2010 deadline for implementing the GST in his successive Budget speeches. Chidambaram was replaced by Pranab Mukherjee as finance minister and approved of the GST structure designed by Asim Dasgupta committee. But, then politics kept GST hanging fire for rest of the UPA-II regime. Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. (Photo: PTI file) ARUN JAITLEY After Narendra Modi government was formed at the Centre, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley pushed GST implementation. In February, 2015, Jaitley set April 2016 as deadline for rolling out GST. It was later changed to July 1, 2017. Jailtey ensured that all the four GST Bills are passed by Parliament by August, 2016. Jaitely held a series of meetings with the states convincing them to pass the requisite State GST Bill by respective Assemblies. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. (Photo: PTI file) Jaitley further chaired various meetings finalising GST rates for all the goods and services covered under the new tax regime. Jaitley's efforts made sure that the journey that began 17 years ago ended at the right destination. A special session of Parliament has been convened on June 30 to roll out GST from midnight on July 1. ALSO READ | GST midnight bash: To attend or not to attend? Sonia Gandhi to meet Manmohan Singh to decide today GST is almost here: How input tax credit makes it a game changer reform GST: 17-year-journey of missed deadlines and shifting political goalposts ALSO WATCH | Get Set GST: How will it affect your pocket? --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) The government has appointed Arvind Kathpalia director of operations at Air India as the government moves ahead with divestment of the national carrier. Pilots at the airline had opposed the appointment of Kathpalia when his name was cleared for the post by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet in March. advertisement In February, Kathpalia had been suspended for three months by aviation regulator for skipping mandatory pre-flight medical test on several occasions. The civil aviation ministry has appointed Kathpalia, who is executive director, as director of operations of Air India. "... the appointment is for five years with effect from the date of his assumption of charge of the post or till his superannuation or until further orders, whichever is the earliest," an order dated June 27 said. To revive the debt-laden Air India, the Cabinet yesterday gave its in-principle approval for disinvestment of the airline. PTI IAS RAM ARD --- ENDS --- In March 2016, Christian children's entertainer Dennis Lee was traveling on Texas 90 between Navasota and College Station. Fresh off a ventriloquism show in Katy and weary from a long day of performing and traveling, the puppeteer fell asleep behind the wheel. His car careened into two tractor-trailers, and he was rushed to CHI St. Joseph Hospital with crushed bones and back and neck injuries. He received life-saving surgery and was in a wheelchair -- and intense pain -- for months. But now, 15 months later, Lee is walking again with the assistance of a cane and has made a near-full recovery. It hasn't been easy for Lee, who describes the pain of the past year as a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. He would feel this continuous pain even as he got back on stage for puppet shows at schools and churches, often having to rush home after a performance to lie down. "After the accident, there was bone-on-bone grinding on my hip," Lee explained. "My doctors were just trying to save my life -- they did the best they could far as keeping me together. My left leg was an inch and a half shorter after the surgery, and that caused back and knee problems. I continued to work but had to scale things back." Earlier this month, Lee finally had hip replacement surgery. "I went from having to be on crutches and use a walker for the last few weeks to just using a cane," he said. "For the next three weeks, I'll be on the cane, and when I get off it, I can be just back to my true self. They lengthened my leg by an inch and a half. ... Now my pain level on a bad day is maybe a 2 out of 10, which is wonderful. I don't think I realized how pain really affects a person, having to eat and grapple with it, just getting up to do what you have to do." It was a new experience for Lee having to be taken care of by medical staff, friends and family. "My sister has cerebral palsy, and all my life I have helped dress her, drive her places, etc.," Lee said. "You think you understand the plight of someone physically or mentally challenged when you've grown up around it, but I realized how different it was when my sister had to help feed or dress me." Only a few months after his accident Lee began touring schools and churches again with his puppet show, which features the character Nana Puddin'. He modelled the act for the touring season around what he had learned from being in and out of hospitals. The show was called "Light as a Feather" and was about not letting the painful things in life become a burden. "One of my monkeys, Nana Puddin', had a new wagon he filled with bricks," Lee said. "I would ask him why he was carrying the wagon along like that. He would say he didn't know. Each brick had a word like 'hurt' and 'anger' on it, which represented things people carry around on their journey." Lee was encouraged and surprised to find that his experience made him more approachable to his fans, who would come to him with their own struggles. He said he felt he could more genuinely relate to kids with broken bones who spoke to him after shows, or mothers with disabled children. He knew what it was like to be stared at and to be called "crippled." "What it did was open me up to those people," Lee said. "It made me more accessible, because they could share their struggles. Wherever I was, I didn't know that my story this year would be the simple fact that I was there." Lee had previously been resistant to accepting help, or admitting that he needed more wisdom from God. The entertainer said he had been missing church before the accident because he was so busy touring. After the crash he has been to church almost every Sunday, and during each sermon he wept, as he felt God was speaking to him directly through his pastor. He said he'd gotten a bit caught up in the fact that for decades he'd been a popular Christian entertainer and was humbled to be reminded that he, too, needed forgiveness and to be taught new lessons in life. Lee has performed at elementary schools in Bryan-College Station several times since the crash and has more performances in Aggieland booked for the near future. He remains connected to his life-savers, Navasota first responders, and also writes letters or social media messages to CHI St. Joseph Hospital staff, including Dr. Christopher Henderson, who performed his surgery the night of the collision. When he passes by the scene of the accident on Texas 90, it's a sobering reminder of the fateful night, and he still suffers from some post-traumatic stress. But with the love of his family and friends, the companionship of his dog Moses, the prayers and get-well wishes of his fans, the skill of the doctors and therapists who have treated him, and his faith in Jesus, Lee is a new man today. The ventriloquist already is preparing himself and his puppets with scripts for the upcoming school year's tour with a theme that people should love themselves and never lose hope or give up -- a message he's just been telling himself as a mantra all along. "There were times this past year that were dark, and I didn't know if could or wanted to [perform on stage] or have ability to," Lee said. "But it's a miraculous thing to step on stage with parents, teachers, people I speak to every day there. It's been miraculous because I'd been doing it for them and had something to say to them; but now, though I still have something to say, I had no idea that all these years I was literally talking to myself, too." The Texas Department of Transportation says road improvements are under design for the area where a 21-year-old Texas A&M student was killed Monday in a three-vehicle wreck. Caroline Killian of Irving died Monday night after the car she was a passenger in was struck by another vehicle at the intersection of F.M. 2818 and Holleman Drive. According to TxDOT's Crash Records Information System, there have been at least 140 crashes at that intersection since 2010, one of which resulted in a death in 2012. Bob Colwell, public information officer for TxDOT's Bryan District, said one project that could improve safety at the intersection is under development. TxDOT, the city of College Station and the Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization are planning to widen F.M. 2818 from F.M. 60 to Wellborn Road. The project is expected to expand the roadway to six lanes with improvements to the intersections at Holleman and George Bush drives. The project is currently unfunded and is anticipated to let for construction in 2019. One Texas A&M student who lives near the busy intersection says he plans on asking the College Station City Council to consider approving other improvements following Killian's death. Sterling Classen-Reid started a change.org petition calling for changes to the intersection Tuesday after reading an article about the fatal wreck. The A&M junior said he's lived near the intersection for about a year and estimates he sees wrecks there on a weekly basis. His petition received just under 4,000 signatures in 24 hours. "I just got real fired up about it, and I was just thinking there's no way that I'm the only person that realizes how ridiculous this intersection is," Classen-Reid said. Monday's incident happened just before 6 p.m., when the driver of a car Killian was riding in attempted to make a left turn from an inside straight lane on F.M. 2818 onto Holleman Drive, police said. The car crashed into a sports-utility vehicle passing through the intersection, then crashed into an SUV stopped at a light. The drivers of the first two vehicles were treated for minor injuries, and the driver of the car Killian was a passenger in was cited for failing to yield right of way. Killian, a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, was hospitalized and died that evening. To prevent further accidents at the intersection, Classen-Reid said he plans on asking the City Council in the next two to three months to consider approving one or several improvements he details on the petition's web page. Based on feedback he's received on social media and through the petition, he thinks the most feasible option would be to move back the lane marking that designates where vehicles should stop when approaching the intersection to allow turning drivers a better field of vision. Classen-Reid said he'll continue doing research before presenting to the council but also suggests eliminating the unprotected left turn signal there, reducing the speed limit between the intersection of F.M. 2818 and Holleman and George Bush drives and adding mirrors to signal poles to allow driver to better see oncoming traffic before turning. As of press time Wednesday, the petition had received 4,391 signatures. It can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/2soICXT. AUSTIN Two Bryan school district administrators testified Wednesday that they had nothing to do with journalists obtaining documents that outlined complaints filed against ex-superintendent Tommy Wallis before his forced resignation last fall. His attorneys questioned just two of seven witnesses subpoenaed, pushing the hearing to a second day. Testimony resumes at 1 p.m. Thursday in the 419th District courtroom. Wallis vs. BISD, the media and Texas AG: Wallis has taken his former employer to court, accusing the district of violating a temporary injunction ordered in January when a judge agreed to schedule a trial for Oct. 2, at which time it would be determined whether the information should be released. The Texas Attorney Generals Office ruled in December that most of the documents were considered open record under the Texas Public Information Act, prompting Wallis to fight the release of the information. Six months later, The Eagle and KBTX published stories detailing 14 complaints described as ethical violations committed by Wallis in his final years of overseeing the Bryan school district. The stories published in mid-June detail accusations that Wallis misused taxpayer money for his own benefit, sought to give preferential treatment to a vendor competing for district business, was verbally abusive toward employees and had employees use district time and resources to help him find a new job. The stories cited anonymous sources as having provided the information. Two Bryan officials told The Eagle that the reason they shared or confirmed the documents was because Wallis whose salary was cut in half when he was hired in April as Kirbyvilles superintendent took center stage in a controversy at his new district where a principal reportedly committed suicide. The sources said Wallis reputation of being a bully should have been made public when he was let go in Bryan. Kirbyville trustees have acknowledged not asking officials in Bryan about Wallis, and instead accepting his version of what triggered his quick exit. Since the fall, Bryan officials repeatedly have replied with no comment, when asked why Wallis left, saying only that it was related to personal issues. Bryan staffers and trustees declined to publicly discuss the allegations once told that the media had copies of the complaints. Wednesdays hearing Wallis lawyers spent the afternoon questioning Brandon Webb, executive director of communications and public affairs for Bryan schools, and Amy Drozd, assistant superintendent of business services, about how documents came to be published by The Eagle and aired on KBTX. Both officials said they did not share the documents with the media, nor did they know who did. It made me sick because I knew we were under orders not to release it, Drozd told District Judge Orlinda Naranjo, referring to a confidentiality agreement signed by then-board president Doug Wunneburger that said release of the information would cause irreparable harm to Wallis. The agreement, which was obtained late last year under the Texas Public Information Act, showed that the district gave Wallis a good letter of reference and just over $83,000 to break his employment contract. It also stipulated that Wallis, trustees and the top four administrators, including Drozd and Webb, could not discuss the situation with anyone, including their spouses, though those administrators did not sign the agreement, nor did any other employees working for Bryan. On Wednesday, Wallis lawyer asked the judge to set aside seven hours for testimony the following day, but was granted three. Naranjo also ruled on motions filed by lawyers representing the media, quashing subpoenas that asked for Eagle Editor Kelly Brown to testify, as well as KBTX anchor and reporter Rusty Surette. Attorneys for both media organizations argued that state law allows for members of the press to keep sources confidential, and that Wallis' attorneys had not exhausted all options in trying to get to the bottom of who handed over the information. School Board President Trey Moore, who served as vice president last fall, is expected to be called to the stand tomorrow, along with four other Bryan officials. Follow this story on Twitter @theeagle. Veterans Day deals and activities this Friday Area veterans can be treated to a variety of deals, discounts and ceremonies this Veterans Day. NORWALKPolice are reminding the public of a standing reward regarding a decade-old homicide case. It was 11 years ago Thursday that LaRay Mookie Moore was shot to death at Roodner Court, on the 200 block of Ely Avenue. Norwalk Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or person who killed him. Heres an excerpt from a profile of his mother, Yvonne Moore, in a 2016 profile by Hearst Connecticut Media reporter Leslie Lake. People know who did this, (she) said. It hurts me because the person who did this could be speaking to me every day. Police estimated in 2008 that about 100 people saw the murder, on a hot summer night in the busy neighborhood, but were reluctant to come forward due to a "don't snitch" mentality. The fact of it is, is the no snitching rule is ridiculous people dont want to say anything until it happens to them, Moore said. "I don't think that person has the right to walk around while my son is gone." NORWALK For 11 years, the family of Laray Moore has been waiting for answers. On June 29, 2006, Yvonne Moores son, Laray MookieMoore, was gunned down at the Roodner Court public housing complex in view of multiple witnesses, none of whom have come forward with any clues that could put the killer behind bars. As Yvonne walks through her South Norwalk neighborhood, she knows that some of the familiar faces who greet her each day may be hiding a secret. People know who did this, Yvonne Moore said in 2016. It hurts me because the person who did this could be speaking to me every day. The state of Connecticut has offered a $50,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Moores death. Moore was shot and killed at 11 p.m. while sitting in his vehicle between buildings 11 and 12 at Roodner Court. Moores homicide is believed to be retaliation for the Fulton Raines homicide that occurred on June 11, 2006 at 1:50 a.m. at the William Moore Lodge. A witness described the suspect as a black male with a hooded sweatshirt. Police estimated in 2008 that about 100 people saw the murder, on a hot summer night in the busy neighborhood, but were reluctant to come forward due to a don't snitch mentality. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Norwalk detectives at 203-854-3011 or the Connecticut Cold Case Hotline at 860-623-8058. Anonymous tips can be left at any of the below contacts: Norwalk police tip line at 203-854-3111, Anonymous internet tips can be sent to Norwalk police website at www.norwalkpd.com, Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing NPD into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to CRIMES (274637). llake@hearstmediact.com NORWALK A Bridgeport man was arrested on a warrant for a 2014 break in at a Norwalk bagel store where he and another suspect confronted a bagel baker before leading state police on a chase to Bridgeport. At 3:12 a.m. on Oct. 18, a worker in the back room of a Westport Avenue bagel store was baking for the day when he heard the sound of glass breaking. The worker confronted two men who were wearing hooded sweatshirts who had broken the glass door and were attempting to break open an ATM machine and cash register. Police say the worker chased the men out before the pair took off in a pickup truck. A description of the truck was given to police. Connecticut State Police located and engaged the men in pursuit. The truck was located near Kossuth and East Main Streets in Bridgeport, but the suspects had taken off on foot, police say. Police K-9s were brought to the scene. One track led to a driveway where an abandoned sweatshirt was located. Another shirt was found in another location. In their investigation of the break-in, Norwalk detectives reviewed surveillance video from the store, and along with physical evidence, they obtained a warrant for the mens arrest. Geraldo Basco, 49, of Platt Street, Bridgeport, was charged Wednesday with two counts each of third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny. His bond was set at $50,000. The other suspect in the break-in, Angel Rodriguez, 49, of Bridgeport was arrested March 3, 2015, and was charged with possession of burglary tools, first-degree criminal mischief, sixth-degree larceny and third-degree burglary. With a modest beginning in 1986-87, the indirect tax reform process took 21 years before the stage could be set for GST roll out this year. VP Singh introduced MODVAT credit in 1986 and now with input tax credit, Arun Jaitley is giving the GST a new meaning. By Prabhash K Dutta: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is finally here. Only a few hours are left before the biggest tax reform in the country is rolled out. But, it has taken about 17 long years for the GSt to take shape. The GST is a multi-stage and destination-based tax to be levied at every point of value addition. The governments of the big buyer states will have more revenue collection under GST regime. advertisement During the mid 1980s, the central government realised the need to reform the indirect taxation system. First step in this direction was taken by the then Union Finance Minister VP Singh in the Rajiv Gandhi government. RAJIV GANDHI YEARS Before Vishwanath Pratap Singh parted ways with Rajiv Gandhi, he as Union Finance Minister introduced Modified Value Added Tax (MODVAT) credit in 1986-87. This was done to avoid multiple taxes accruing to the final prices of goods. MODVAT allowed traders to set off the taxes or duties paid on raw materials or pre-sale purchases. Though, the concept of the GST or unified taxation regime was still very far, this was a major indirect tax reform. This modest beginning has now finally culminated into the Goods and Services Tax (GST). THE LIBERALISATION PV Narasimha and Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister led India into what was liberalised market zone. In 1994-95, Manmohan Singh introduced Service Tax payable by the service provider to the government but it was to be passed on to the consumer. Liberalisation has seen a fast growth in the service sector, where government saw immense potential to increase its revenue. Service tax was introduced with the aim to reduce the tax burden on the core business, trade and industry without impacting government's earnings. THE VAJPAYEE DAYS A round of consultation between the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his panel of economic advisors which included three former RBI governors IG Patel, Bimal Jalan and C Rangarajan conceptualised the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 1999. Vajpayee government set up a committee in 2000 under the then West Bengal finance minister Asim Dasgupta, who was known for his mastery over financial statistics. Asim Dasgupta committee was tasked to devise GST model, provide technological back up for new tax regime and logistics for rolling out the unified taxation system. Asim Dasgupta-headed panel was an Empowered Committee of finance ministers of nine states. It started working on a new indirect tax. advertisement MANMOHAN-CHIDAMBARAM YEARS Five years later, the Value Added Tax (VAT) was rolled out. The GST subsumes VAT as it rolls out on July 1 from midnight. In 2006, VAT was introduced in all the states except Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The then Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced that the state governments suffering revenue loss due to VAT would be compensated for three years. In 2006-07 Budget, Chidambaram announced introduction of GST from April, 2010. But, the GST was to miss its first deadline by over seven years. Empowered committee of state finance ministers was set up in 2007 to phase out central sales tax (CST), which began in April 2007 as the CST rate was reduced from 4 per cent to 3 per cent. By 2008, the GST had started taking shape. Empowered Committee submitted its report spelling out broad structure of the GST. Consensus was arrived that the Centre and states will have separate GSTs. The CST was further reduced by one per cent to 2 per cent. MUKHERJEE INTERREGNUM In 2009, Chidambaram was replaced with Pranab Mukherjee as Union Finance Minister. The GST did make much progress during Mukherjee's tenure as Finance Minister till 2012, when he moved to the Raisina Hill. advertisement However, during Mukherjee's tenure, the empowered committee released the first discussion paper on GST in November, 2009. In 2011, Mukherjee introduced Constitution Amendment Bill (115th) on GST in the Lok Sabha. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee of Parliament as the BJP vehemently opposed the proposed GST law. By the time parliamentary panel submitted its report in 2013, Chidambaram was back as Finance Minister. The Standing Committee on Finance recommended keeping petroleum products under GST's purview, but the empowered committee rejected the suggestion. NARENDRA MODI, ARUN JAITLEY GIVE FINAL PUSH The GST Bill of the UPA lapsed with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in 2014. Soon, a new government was sworn in under Narendra Modi. Arun Jaitley became the Finance Minister. Jaitley introduced revised GST Amendment Bill in 2015. The Lok Sabha passed the GST Bill. The Rajya Sabha led by Congress and Left Front members forced two amendments in the Bill. Finally, the GST Amendment Bill got Parliament's nod in August, 2016. The GST roll out was now only a matter of time. The GST Council was formed. Approval from requisite number of states was secured. In January this year, Arun Jaitley announced that GST would be rolled out on July 1. advertisement The GST Councils held over a dozen meetings to finalise draft GST laws as Central GST (CGST), Integrated GST (IGST), State GST (SGST) and Union Territory GST (UTGST). In March, four key bills - CGST, IGST, UTGST and GST (Compensation to States) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha gave its nod a week later. In May, GST Council unveiled four-slab rates for goods and services new tax regime. The rates were fixed at 5, 12, 18, 28 per cent. Over 80 per cent of goods of mass consumption were kept either untaxed or under 5 per cent slab. ALSO READ | GST: Meet the men behind India's biggest tax reform that's been in making for 17 years Foreign media on GST: Ready or not, Indian businesses brace for biggest-ever tax reform ALSO WATCH | How GST will impact your household budget? --- ENDS --- WILTON A Norwalk teen is facing multiple charges following an incident where he allegedly hurled an iced coffee at a car carrying a mother and kids, police said. Police said there were two cars driving down Danbury Road around 1:30 a.m. Monday morning when the passenger of one vehicle stuck his head out of the window and hurled a cup filled with iced coffee at a car passing on his right. WILTON Police are searching for the person responsible for breaking into a Wilton home that is up for sale. Listing agent Gheorghe Zichil contacted police last Tuesday to report that a home under his supervision on Silver Spring Road had been broken into. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WILTON For Alex Higle and his wife Shu-Chuan Chen, the dream was to bring a proper tearoom experience to Wilton. But that dream came to a close after about a year of slow business. Their last day of business was Thursday. A lot of people have come in and expressed excitement, but excitement doesnt pay the bills, Higle said. I like that they like it, but I think that we had some bad luck, possibly because of inexperience in the restaurant field. Since opening CultureTea in August in the Wilton Town Center, the Norwalk couple said they never earned a profit and lost a couple thousand dollars every month. They also started out with a full staff of three waiters and one chef but gradually had to let them go, Chen said. So when you are in this kind of situation, you cannot continue with just praise, right? So you really have to make a decision, she said. The tearoom offered a variety of high-quality organic teas from around the world, homemade scones lauded by a professional taste tester, and sandwiches and pastries to enhance the tearoom experience. Though statistics pointed to a bright future for the tearoom, with some 80 percent of American households having tea in their kitchens, developing trends among large tea businesses eventually painted a different reality, Higle said. Last January, Starbucks closed all but one of its Teavana tea bars, converting three in New York City to full Starbucks stores. This year, Montreal-based DavidsTea reported a $400,000 loss in the first quarter compared to a $1.5 million profit a year ago. When we researched the industry in the beginning, it really did look like the industry was growing. It really looked like Americans were starting to embrace tea more than ever, Higle said. Everyone in the industry seemed to predict big things for tea and then its like, Maybe not so much. Maybe yes, but its going to be much more gradual than we realized and its not an appropriate time to pop things up all over the place. Chen said geography also plays an important part in the success of a tea business. While tearooms are common in the West Coast, where the World Tea Expo is held, Chen said such shops are harder to find in the East Coast. It means that this market here is not as good as we thought, she said. Prices also seemed to be a stumbling block to most customers, Chen said. A pot of tea, which is equal to four to five cups, ranged from $6 to $9.49. Realizing this, the couple added lower-priced teas to their selection but still didnt find a difference in sales. The majority of people who drink tea daily, they probably only still buy from the supermarket, so you dont have to really spend too much money, Chen said. We gradually realized that our tea product would be attracted to those people who are core tea drinkers. Or passionate tea drinkers, rather than the casual, Higle added. Part of their vision for the business was to also educate people about tea culture and different health benefits, bringing in different speakers and sharing from their own wealth of knowledge. Prior to opening the business, Higle became certified as a tea specialist. He spent one year learning about the subtleties of tea taste, the history of tea development and industry, and the science of tea plants and cultivation. Having a tearoom garnered this type of interest among customers, Higle said, and also enabled him and his wife to build meaningful relationships with people from the community. People have come in and just opened themselves up to us, he said. Thats why I love this tearoom concept, Chen added, because the typical flow is the tearoom owner would go out to greet the customers and establish a little bit of conversation with them. And oftentimes these customers would start to share their lives with you. And so we did. We did have established quite a few of these customers. They are the people we will be missing. The last month of business has been both the best and the worst for Higle and Chen. Theyve had their share of nasty customers, but theyve also hosted a Make a Wish Foundation event and helped a woman celebrate her 100th birthday. She came back to the tearoom with her daughter a few days later. That is really a reminder of why we wanted to get into this business to touch peoples hearts, Higle said. We really wanted to make a difference in peoples lives and I hope to some extent weve succeeded. And I think in some cases, we have. And if people, ... because of us being here they started to like tea, they started to get benefits from tea, I feel thats our reward, Chen added. skim@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2568; @stephaniehnkim CENTRAL CITY The Central City Police Department, with assistance from the Merrick County Sheriffs Department, arrested four people Thursday afternoon after a male fled on foot. According to the department and sheriffs office Facebook pages, Central City residents were to be vigilant while officers tried to locate a male subject on foot. Police warned residents to remove keys from cars and lock cars. The sheriffs office made the post shortly after 2 p.m. The man was described as Hispanic and in his late teens or early 20s, wearing a grey hoodie with a tattoo on his right neck and a tattoo sleeve on his right arm. A post made to the sheriffs office page at about 3:45 said the man was captured, with a total of four people arrested and behind bars. This is a developing story. A report of a guest being shot at a Grand Island motel Tuesday night turned out to be a false alarm. At about 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, Grand Island police received a call that someone had been shot at Americas Best Value Inn and Suites, 3021 S. Locust St. Upon arrival, police found no evidence of such a shooting. Officers also visited MainStay Suites, 3051 S. Locust St., where there was also no shooting, said Capt. Jim Duering of the Police Department. For the last 14 years, Tanner Aherin of Phillipsburg, Kan., has not missed an American Gelbvieh Junior Association national classic. Its the people you meet and the experience you get from this, Aherin said about attending the national junior show, which is being held this week for the first time at Fonner Park in Grand Island. All the networking and all the live skills you can gain from doing all the contests and talking with the other breeders the knowledge you can gain is pretty incredible. Now a member of the board of directors of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association, Aherin is attending the National Gelbvieh Junior Classic show for the last time, having begun attending when he was 8 years old. The national show, titled The Big Red Classic because it is being hosted by the Gelbvieh Association in Nebraska, has brought about 150 members of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association from 17 states to Grand Island for a week of fun and education activities. Along with the young attendees are 260 Gelbvieh bulls, females and steers. With Nebraska hosting the show this year, the biggest concentration of junior Gelbvieh members is from Nebraska and surrounding states, such as Aherins home state of Kansas. Each year members of the American Gelbvieh Association pick a state to host the show. This year its Nebraska. They actually picked this facility (Fonner Park) over other facilities in Nebraska, said Mary Bea Martin, who is coordinating the event for the American Gelbvieh Association. Martin said the first three days of the show are full of educational and fun activities for the junior members that teach them about the Gelbvieh industry and how to show and present themselves and their animals during the competitive shows. Activities include oral presentations, fitting demonstrations and learning how to judge cattle in the ring. She said that helps prepare the junior members for the final two days of the show when there are showmanship competitions and market and balancer shows. Their time in Grand Island will conclude on Friday night with an awards banquet and a dance. Scott Starr of Stapleton, Neb., is the president of the American Gelbvieh Association. Starr said it is an honor for Nebraska to host the associations national Junior Classic. It gets more of your local kids involved and hopefully they will continue on for years to come, he said. Nebraska is one of the nations top cattle-producing states and the nations leader in beef slaughter. Starr said the Gelbvieh breed is a big contributor to the states success as one of the nations leading beef states. Of all the continental breeds, they are the only ones with high muscle and maternal qualities, he said. Those are highly desirable traits when it comes to the Nebraska beef industry. For the balancer shows, the Gelbviehs are usually crossbred with black and red Angus cattle. The Gelbveih breed is of German origin and first made an appearance in the U.S. in the early 1970s. That is when Starrs family began its association with the breed. We artificially inseminated some of the original ones that were born in 1972, he said. Before the introduction of the Gelbvieh to the U.S., he said, his father had tried a number of breeds of cattle but was not satisfied with the results, especially for raising and breeding cattle in the Great Plains. There were also some very tough winters back then. It was the Gelbviehs maternal qualities, though, that won Starrs father over to the breed. The Gelbviehs crosses were by far the best, Starr said. It was in 1974 that we joined the Gelbvieh Association. Since Gelbviehs first appeared in Nebraska, the breed has seen tremendous growth, he said. Nebraska is one of the top three Gelbvieh-producing states in the country. They are easy to manage on the ranch, Starr said. Disposition in Gelbvieh cattle is really good as well. That is also one of the reasons they are a good breed for youths to show and get involved with. Starr said the Junior Classic is a good learning experience for the young members. It develops future leaders and gives them a better industry perspective, he said. Starr said the livestock barns and the Five Points Bank Livestock Arena make an excellent facility for the Gelbvieh Junior Classic. We have been coming here since the Nebraska State Fair came to Grand Island, he said. It is one of the best in the whole country. Aherin said his family raises both purebred Gelbviehs and Gelbvieh crosses. He said coming to the national classic is like making it to the Super Bowl for many of these younger attendees as they have been involved in not only their breed association, but also 4-H and FFA and have shown their cattle at county, regional and state fairs back home. He said coming to a national show shapes a young persons life. It is the experience you gain from coming to these shows, Aherin said. It has been our family vacation for the last 14 years. Coming to these national shows, you gain lifelong friends. It is the highlight of the summer for us if not the whole year. The momentous decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is expected to reap in benefits for the nation's economy in years to come. By India Today Web Desk: The central government will roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law on June 30 midnight. The NDA-led government has made elaborate arrangement to celebrate its historic decision. While Bharatiya Janata Party has invited the Opposition to attend the Parliamentary session for the roll-out, parties including Congress, DMK and Trinamool have chosen to boycott the event in protest. advertisement GST has been in the offing for over a decade and its successful implementation is not only going to benefit the nation but will also be beneficial for BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the last 17 years, several governments have come and gone, but there has been no progress on the much anticipated law. GST reform is seen as a truly historic moment for the Modi government. The momentous decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is expected to reap in benefits for the nation's economy in years to come. Political experts strongly feel that GST reform and its ramifications will be consequential for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. GST AND DEVELOPMENT Economists and experts believe that GST, based on the one-nation-one-tax fundamental, will not only ease the troubles of traders but also help the government earn additional revenue. The government can further invest the additional revenue into several development projects which can benefit the citizens in various ways. GST - THE MOST AWAITED REFORM Much has been talked about the genesis of GST, but very little is known about its origin. Incidentally, in 1986, former finance minister VP Singh introduced Modified Value Added Tax (MODVAT) under the Rajiv Gandhi government. MODVAT was believed to be somewhat similar to GST. The MODVAT is believed to have laid foundation for the idea of a unified taxation law in India. After Rajiv Gandhi, it was Narsimha Rao government under which former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who was the then finance minister, endorsed Value Added Tax. After Narsimha Rao government, under the BJP-led government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee then finance minister Yashwant Sinha worked towards abating the dispute over sales tax. It was in 2000, when the Vajpayee government agreed to have a discussion over GST. The BJP government, in order to create a roadmap for the implementation of GST, formed a committee under the leadership of the then finance minister of West Bengal Asim Dasgupta. Tracing the trajectory of the law, it can be said that GST has been in the pipeline for the last 17 years. Now that the historic moment has come, PM Modi and his entourage are most likely to use it during their rallies for the 2019 Assembly elections. advertisement OPPOSITION UPHOLDS GST Although West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vociferously objected to GST by boycotting the grand event, the state Legislative Assembly Sabha has passed it. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly's decision indeed substantiates the prowess of PM Modi's decision. With the increasing number of states passing GST, objections by the Opposition have been reduced to hollow claims. DONALD TRUMP HAILS GST In Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent trip to the United States, President Donald Trump too appreciated the GST law. Talking about GST, President Trump said that the historic tax reform will reap in huge benefits and open new avenues for the Indian populace. He further said that GST will be one of the most significant tax reforms in the history of India. Also Read: GST: A 17-year-old dream, 17 phases towards creating history GST midnight bash: To attend or not to attend? Sonia to meet Manmohan Singh to decide today What is the GST bill? Here's all you need to know about India's biggest tax reform GST: Meet the men behind India's biggest tax reform that's been in making for 17 years advertisement WATCH | Get Set GST: How to plan your buys in one nation one tax regime --- ENDS --- When Linda Hardy started attending Stolley Park School in 1949, she was considered a country kid. Cornfields were abundant surrounding the school. Youd go down Harrison and that was all cornfield, said Hardy, who grew up on Commerce Avenue. Rows of corn were also plentiful along Blaine Street, north of Stolley Park Road. Hardy, 73, was sad as she looked at what was left of her old school Wednesday. The Grand Island woman graduated from Stolleys eighth grade in 1958. She started as a 5-year-old in what was then called beginners. Now its kindergarten. As she remembers, Stolley Park School had two rooms when she started. In one of the rooms was an old wood stove. In the winter, the teacher sometimes put the kids mittens on top of the stove to dry them. Hardy went home for lunch each day because she lived less than a mile away. Her house was about three-quarters of a mile from the school. So we had to walk home at lunchtime, she said. The school, Hardy said, contains a lot of memories. On Wednesday, workers from ONeill Transportation and Equipment knocked down the oldest portion of Stolley Park Elementary. That portion of the school had been used since the fall of 1886. The walls came tumbling down, prompted by a Komatsu excavator, 131 years after they went up. The original Stolley Park School still stands at Stolley Park, where its the responsibility of the Hall County Historical Society. The demolition of the current Stolley Park Elementary will be mostly done this week. For an older building, its actually coming down a little easier than we had anticipated, said Grand Island Public Schools Building and Grounds Coordinator Dan Petsch. Leveling the oldest portion of the school has been pretty easy, said Pat ONeill of the demolition company. Its mostly wood-framed. Most of the walls inside were wood. Concrete block and brick on the exterior. So it came down pretty easy, and it was just a lot of time-consuming stuff getting it loaded up and hauled out. The new Stolley Park Elementary project has a total cost of $14 million, which includes design work and demolition of the current school. In the new layout, a driveway will occupy much of the ground covered by the current school. One factor in wanting to remove the school and build it in a new location was that it was too close to the street. We get fumes from the street. Weve had some near-misses with vehicles and things like that, Petsch said. Building the new structure farther back on the site will create better access for parents and kids during dropoff and pickup times. He noted that Stolley Park Elementary is the districts oldest building. So theres a little sentimental value for us to be pulling it down, Petsch said. We wouldnt do this if we didnt feel it was absolutely necessary for the safety of kids and to improve the learning environment for kids. Laurie Sodomka, secretary of Stolley Park Elementary, was watching the demolition with her daughter, Katelyn, Wednesday. Sodomka has been the schools secretary for six and a half years. She was one of many people to use the word bittersweet Wednesday. Its sad because this was our home and our staff was very much a family, she said. But were excited for the new building, too a place where the kids are going to be able to learn in a more comfortable environment, for sure. Katelyn, 9, has attended the school for four years. This fall, shell move with most of the Stolley kids to Starr Elementary, which will be completed in July. She agreed with her mothers comments. And Im sad because some of my friends arent going to be at my new school, Katelyn said. Some of them are going to Engleman. Also watching was Becky Waind, who has taught kindergarten at the school for 13 years. She and her daughter have stopped after swimming lessons three days this week to watch the demolition. Its kind of emotional. Its bittersweet. Its exciting the changes. But its emotional, Waind said. This is the only place Ive taught, said Waind, who will teach at Starr this fall. Michael Persampieri has been the Stolley Park principal for only a year, but hes very aware of the schools history. I mean, it was time for a new building, time for expansion of the school. But theres a lot of history here, Persampieri said. People have a lot of time invested. Theres generations of students that went to this school. Families have had all of their children educated at the school, he said. This fall, Persampieri will be one of two principals at Starr Elementary. District Superintendent Tawana Grover was also on hand for Wednesdays demolition, to which the media were invited. Some Stolley Park graduates remember a couple of time capsules being tucked away in the building. One of the capsules was buried when the gymnasium was built in the mid-1960s. We have found no time capsules at this time. Were actively looking for them as we go, Petsch said. Workers are putting a lot of extra time into trying to locate them. ONeill echoed his comment. We have searched for this time capsule, he said. Every corner of the addition weve taken down with the excavator and then sorted it by hand looking for a time capsule and havent found anything. ONeills company has demolished 20 schools. This would be, I think, the 19th one where we have not found a time capsule. So we would have been pretty surprised to actually find one, he said. One capsule was located at the old Barr Junior High. That one was easy to find in a cornerstone. ONeills company did find a time capsule during the demolition of a school in northeast Nebraska. The capsule was a copper tube, but it hadnt been sealed properly. The papers inside the capsule were wet. Couldnt read a dang thing, ONeill said. Noxious weeds are typically a problem left for Hall County farmers to deal with, but now, the problem is left to Hall County taxpayers. The Hall County Board of Supervisors voted 7-0 Tuesday to approve roughly $21,000 for forced weed spraying the noxious weeds in this case musk thistle on 1,440 acres of farm ground on 12 parcels. Hall County Weed Superintendent Rob Schultz said nine of these parcels are west of Grand Island, while the other three are near Cairo. A HomeBase search on the city of Grand Islands website shows the parcels are owned by Delbert Stueven. Schultz said another farmer was interested in renting the 444 acres of farm ground on the three parcels near Cairo and planting on them. Weve had lots of complaints from many landowners across Hall County, Schultz told the county board Tuesday. I met with (Hall County Attorney) Jack (Zitterkopf) and (Supervisor) Steve (Schuppan) and issued quite a few 10 day notices on various properties. We received many phone calls from the gentleman (Stueven) and talked to him a couple times over the past couple weeks. I looked at the property this morning and nothing has been done. Since nothing has been done, Schultz said the only option for Hall County is to conduct forced weed spraying on the parcels. He emphasized in an interview Thursday that this is not a freewill spray for Stueven and that he will be forced to pay for the spraying. It can become a lien against his taxes at the county treasurers office, Schultz said. We will recoup that money. It is not a freewill spray for that farmer. It takes a few years to recoup that money, but it will be recouped. Schultz said his office plans to spray sometime here in the next few days, depending on the weather and the wind. He added it will take a couple days to get all of the land parcels sprayed. They (noxious weeds) will keep spreading if we dont spray right away, Schultz said. They spread aggressively and cause environmental and economic loss. That is why they (musk thistle) become a noxious weed. Supervisor Scott Arnold called the forced weed spraying on the parcels unfortunate Tuesday, but said if the noxious weeds are not taken care of, the neighbors will have problems. If you dont take care of them, the neighbors are going to have to take care of the problems on an ongoing basis, he said. To kill those weeds on your neighbors land, you are always going to have problems with those weeds. Francis Hannon, a member of the Weed Board, echoed Arnolds comment, saying the forced weed spraying needed to be done to satisfy everybody in the county. If we dont satisfy them, they are paying taxes and want their weeds sprayed next to them, he said. So we have to do something. Norma J. Lawrey, 88, of Grand Island passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. Graveside memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Pastor Sheri Lodel will officiate. All Faiths Funeral Home is serving the family. Norma was born on Sept. 26, 1928, in Grand Island, daughter of George H. and Vera Marie (Cottingham) Meyer. Norma is survived by her daughters, Kathy Lawrey of Grand Island, Kim (Scott) Grim of Dannebrog and Chris (Derald) Watson of Grand Island; grandson, John Grim of Dannebrog; furry, four-legged companion, Sasha; along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Donald Meyer; sister, Doris Hughes; mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Bertha Lawrey; and best friend, Bobbie Lawrey. As a lifelong Grand Island resident, Norma attended Howard Elementary, Walnut Jr. High and graduated from Grand Island High School in 1946. On Aug. 14, 1949, Norma was united in marriage to Bill Lawrey. The couple made their home in Grand Island, where they owned and operated Nebraska Cycle. Norma was an essential part of the day-to-day running of Nebraska Cycle, handling the books, ordering parts and selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Although she was surrounded by Harley-Davidson bikes on a daily basis, Norma still enjoyed riding as a passenger on many trips. Norma began in 1976 with her new job at Allens drug store, and continued to enjoy working there until it closed in 1985. In 1993, she found her place as a lunchroom and recess monitor for Newell Elementary School. She loved being there for all the children and watching them grow and learn. When Normas grandson, John, was born she left work for good and devoted all her time to being his grandma. Norma embraced the simple joys in life. She was an avid reader, enjoying romance and historical novels. She took pride in making Christmastime special for all of her family, baking fudge and sugar cookies for everyone. Even not around the holiday season, Norma was a phenomenal cook and baker. Norma held many titles during her life. To her the most important was mother and grandmother. Memorials are suggested to Normas family for future designation. Words of comfort and kindness may be left for the family at www.giallfaiths.com. Manmohan Singh has been invited as a special guest, which has put the Congress in a dilemma. The party will announce its final decision at a special press conference later today. By Supriya Bhardwaj: Congress President Sonia Gandhi will meet former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today to decide whether her party will take part in the June 30 event where the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime will be officially launched, a senior Congress leader said. "What these two leaders decide, will seal the fate whether Congress will join the GST roll out celebration event or not. Other senior leaders are of the view that keeping traders' sentiments in mind, one should avoid going to GST midnight event," a senior Congress leader said. advertisement West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and M Karunanidi's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have already boycotted the event. Sources say many in the Congress feel the principal Opposition party should boycott the event. But since Manmohan Singh has been invited as a special guest - which mean's he'll share the dais with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi- the Congress finds itself in a catch-22 situation. Congress sources add that they're weighing the pros and cons of attending the event, as some within the party fear a fallout like demonetisation. ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL DECISION TODAY The Congress will announce its final decision at a special press conference later today. The party isn't reaching out to other political outfits, like it usually does to take consensus decisions on issues. Meanwhile, Haryana Congress leaders, led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, will join textile traders protesting against GST in Rohtak, home to the biggest cloth market in the region. OPPOSITION PARTIES CALL MEETINGS TO FINALISE STRATEGIES Other Opposition parties, too, are wondering whether they should skip the event. The Nationalist Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal have called meetings of their respective party leaders on Thursday, to finalise their strategies. Meanwhile, MP TKS Elangovan, of the DMK, said his party "feels it is just another important legislation so why this show off." ALSO READ | GST FAQ: Answers to all your questions about India's biggest tax reform ALSO READ | How GST will affect your bill at restaurants, movie halls and hotels ALSO WATCH | Get Set GST: How will it affect your pocket? --- ENDS --- For The Intelligencer During the month of June, Credit Union employees went purple with a purpose for Alzheimer's Disease Awareness and Caregivers Month to raise $1,095.00 for the Alzheimer's Association. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimers. By 2050, this number could be 16 million. In an ongoing effort to support the local community, GCS employees participate in Jeans Days each month. In exchange for a donation of $15 or more, employees are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays and Saturdays during the month of June. A few weeks ago, Dave Ringering opened his mail to find he had been awarded a Warriors Medal of Valor. Because Ringering, who lives in Glen Carbon, served in the U.S. Navy for nearly three decades, perhaps it shouldnt have come as a complete surprise that he was receiving such an honor. But it did. I was kind of floored, Ringering said recently. After his retirement from the service 20 years ago, Ringering, who is 66, moved back to the Edwardsville area to help care for his ailing parents. The medal actually a plaque and medallion with his name inscribed on back was accompanied by a letter from North American Nations that, Ringering says, told him that only 34 medals have been given out and that he was the first non-native American to have received the honor. He began wondering who might have nominated him. Of the friends Ringering has kept in touch with over the years, only one is Native American. Thats why Im thinking maybe he did it, Ringering says. The two of them have kept in touch over the years. Ringering recalls that his friend was a hospital corpsman, wounded three times in the Vietnam War. He was a real hero, Ringering says, with an emphasis on the real. Like most vets, Ringering plays down his own contributions. After leaving Edwardsville High School during his senior year, he joined the Navy and spent most of the next 28 years at sea. During the early 1970s, there was an 11-month stint in Vietnam. He began as an aviation structural mechanic. When I enlisted I worked on the flight deck and we had our carriers up in the Gulf of Tonkin, bombing North Vietnam and mining the Haiphong Harbor, Ringering says. He had tours in the Persian Gulf, helping the Navy during the hostage crisis and later during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. After seven years he was commissioned as maintenance officer. Ringering retired, in 1997, as a commander. The Warrior Medal of Honor reads: For valorous service while serving the United States of America in a military capacity. This conspicuous performance of duty represents great patriotism and pride in the finest traditions of the United States Armed Forces and reflects great credit upon the recipient and their military service. It is with great respect that the Native American Nations of the United States of America hereby present the Warriors Medal of Valor, we are grateful for your service. It is signed by Marshall Tall Eagle Serna, himself a Vietnam veteran who served a total of 14 years in the Army and Air Force. According to the groups website, the medal is presented to veterans and active duty personnel at various Native American events, regardless of the recipients cultural background. Without honoring our veterans now, future generations will not understand the cost of freedom nor will they know what their fathers and grandfathers suffered so that they can have their present day liberty, the website says. Ringering surmises that his Native American friend must have nominated him because of his involvement in combat situations in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. But thats not valorous service, he adds, thats just doing your job. Ringering grew up in Edwardsville, on Hillsboro Avenue. He began walking to Columbus School in first grade, and continued walking to school for years. He also delivered the Intelligencer newspaper. Ive never seen any place that folds them in a square like we used to, he says. After his retirement from the Navy, Ringering began working for Anheuser Busch but quit to take care of his parents when their health began to fail. If my folks were still alive, he says, gesturing toward the medal, they would have gotten a kick out of this. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Thu, June 29, 2017 Travel site Traveloka is flying workers from the public sector home to their families so they can celebrate Idul Fitri together. This social program, done in collaboration with state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I, which operates 13 airports in central and eastern Indonesia, will see Traveloka give out free airplane tickets and hotel room stays to a number of Angkasa Pura I staff members who stayed to work during Idul Fitri. According to Caesar Indra, senior vice president of business development at Traveloka, this collaboration is to show appreciation to the heroes behind the scenes who have helped make this years mudik (homebound exodus) run smoothly and efficiently. With this program, Traveloka wants to show appreciation to workers in the public sector, especially those at airports, who have wholeheartedly helped and served the Indonesian public during Idul Fitri to make the exodus process run smoothly this year. We hope this program can bring a mood of togetherness and Idul Fitri cheer for these people who couldnt enjoy it while they were serving the public, Caesar said. More than 5,000 employees at PT Angkasa Pura I working across 13 airports have contributed toward the effort to serve the public during Idul Fitri. Some 66 of these Angkasa Pura I's employees are being selected to receive tickets and hotel rooms from Traveloka as thanks for their services throughout Idul Fitri. The travel site has prepared 200 roundtrip flight tickets for select Angkasa Pura I staff members to enjoy, alongside hotel rooms for them to enjoy during their three-day, four-night stays. We have used a number of criteria to select the recipients of this program. Those who are eligible to receive the special surprise are at the staff level and have demonstrated good work performance and accomplishments in each of their divisions, said Adi Nugroho, director of personnel and general affairs at PT Angkasa Pura I. This is our and Travelokas way of rewarding those who have worked and given all their energy to serving the public throughout Idul Fitri. Traveloka will also launch a documentary of this special thanksgiving program that tells two of the best stories of PT Angkasa Pura I employees. These two stories can be accessed at Travelokas YouTube channel, http://bit.ly/trvlkbali and http://bit.ly/trvlkmks. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alfred Bayle (Inquirer.net/Asia News Network) Thu, June 29, 2017 08:01 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a729b7a 2 Art & Culture george-lucas,museum-of-narrative-art,los-angeles Free The Museum of Narrative Art as proposed by George Lucas has been unanimously greenlit by the Los Angeles City Council. This $1 billion project will be built in L.A.s Exposition Park and will showcase the Lucas collection. This includes 10,000 paintings, illustrations and other items, as well as mementos from various films including Star Wars, reports Variety. The goal of the museum is to inspire people to think outside the box, to imagine whatever you want to imagine, to help build on the myths that help bind our city and our people together, and that is what I am hoping to do here, said director George Lucas. Read also: Los Angeles beats San Francisco for George Lucas museum site The museum is considered a gift to Los Angeles city and comes with an endowment of at least $400 million. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti called the museum a new jewel that will be at the center of the crown. He also stated that it will create 1,000 construction jobs and 350 permanent positions when it opens. Groundbreaking for the project is estimated for early next year. The construction timeline is set for 36 months while opening is set for sometime in 2021. Garcetti also clarified that even though the Lucas museum will feature motion picture artifacts, it will not be competing with the Academy museum: We have an unquenchable desire for culture here, so even if it was an overlap I think it would do well. But I really see them as distinct missions. Topics : This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post The Congress will not attend tomorrow's GST launch celebrations. By India Today Web Desk: The Congress won't attend the Goods and Services Tax (GST) launch celebrations which will be held tomorrow in the Parliament, party leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi said. It was earlier reported that Congress President Sonia Gandhi would meet former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today to decide whether her party would take part Manmohan Singh was invited as a special guest - which meant he would share the dais with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi- and the Congress found itself in a catch-22 situation. advertisement West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and M Karunanidi's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have already boycotted the event. MP TKS Elangovan, of the DMK, said his party "feels it is just another important legislation so why this show off." The Nationalist Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal have called meetings of their respective party leaders on Thursday, to finalise their strategies. (Inputs from ANI, Supriya Bharadwaj) ALSO READ | GST midnight bash: To attend or not to attend? Sonia Gandhi to meet Manmohan Singh to decide ALSO READ | GST: Meet the men behind India's biggest tax reform effected over 17 years WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 16:34 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a73419b 4 Health sleep,#sleep,health,#health,research,#research,social-jetlag,heart,heart-disease,heart-problems Free A recent study by University of Arizona Health Sciences found that oversleeping during off days may cause social jet lag and increase the risk of heart disease by up to 11 percent. Social jet lag is a term coined by Dr Till Roennberg of the University of Munich Institute of Medical Psychology in Germany, referring to different sleep patterns on off days and work days. Read also: Lack of sleep boosts chance of death by heart failure The research was said to involve 984 adults, ages to 22 to 60. In the statement, researchers also mentioned social jet lag appeared to cause poor health, bad moods, increased sleepiness and fatigue. The lead author and undergraduate research assistant in the universitys Sleep and Health Research program Sierra B. Forbush said in a statement, It was particularly surprising that these effects were independent of how much sleep people got and any insomnia symptoms. These results indicate that sleep regularity, beyond sleep duration alone, plays a significant role in our health. (asw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Jambi Thu, June 29, 2017 15:55 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a732f68 1 National Jambi,prison-escape,rioting Free A total of 77 recaptured inmates who had occupied an overcrowded prison in Jambi are being redistributed to other prisons in the city and in the South Sumatran capital of Palembang, after they escaped when a prison wall collapsed from a flood on June 14. The 59 female prisoners and 18 male prisoners are those who were recaptured after their escape during the flood, said head of the Jambi Law and Human Rights office Bambang Palasara on Thursday. The female inmates are to be moved to Muara Bulian women's prison in Batanghari regency, Jambi province, while the male prisoners have already been moved to a Palembang prison to serve the rest of their sentences. (Read also: Inmates escape after flood damages Jambi penitentiary wall) Bambang said the second-class Jambi Prison had held 1,200 inmates while, according to Antara, its maximum capacity was 300 inmates. He said other inmates would gradually redistributed to other prisons in Jambi or to prisons in neighboring provinces. The overcrowded prison condition was also blamed for the riots and mass escape of dozens of inmates in early January. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 13:07 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a7313ff 1 Business Alibaba,Lazada,investment Free Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is planning to raise its stake in online mall Lazada to 83 percent from 51 percent at present in a bid to strengthen its foothold in Southeast Asia. To do so, Alibaba plans to invest US$1 billion, which would bring its total investment in Lazada to $2 billion. The investment from Alibaba shows its optimism about online retail in Southeast Asia. Based on an analysis by Google and Temasek Holdings last year, the regions internet economy was predicted to grow to $200 billion by 2025. (Read also: Alibaba's next online stop: the whole world) "The e-commerce markets in the region are still relatively untapped, and we see a very positive upward trajectory ahead of us," Daniel Zhang, CEO of Alibaba, said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters. The Chinese e-commerce leader said it will purchase shares from certain Lazada shareholders at an implied valuation of $3.15 billion. Founded in 2012, the Singapore-based startup Lazada operates in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Lazada had about 23 million active buyers as of March 2017. (win/bbn) Topics : Alibaba Lazada investment Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) New York Thu, June 29, 2017 08:58 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a72aaeb 2 Business computer-virus-attack,FedEx Free Shipping giant FedEx said Wednesday that deliveries were slowed at its Dutch unit TNT Express after the firm was hit by the latest major computer virus attack. Trading in FedEx shares was halted for nearly an hour Wednesday ahead of the announcement, although operations of the parent company and other units were not impacted. FedEx said TNT's operations were "significantly affected" by the information system virus, which was causing delays at TNT Express' domestic, regional and inter-continental services. "While TNT Express operations and communications systems have been disrupted, no data breach is known to have occurred," FedEx said in a statement. "Remediation steps and contingency plans are being implemented as quickly as possible." The hacking did not affect FedEx operations, and the company said it could not yet estimate the financial impact of the disruption, but said "it could be material." Shares of FedEx rose 1.1 percent at $216.61 at midday. Thousands of computer users across the globe scrambled to reboot on Wednesday after a fresh wave of ransomware cyberattacks spread from Ukraine and Russia worldwide on Tuesday. Besides TNT, others hit included Russian oil giant Rosneft, global shipping firm Maersk, British advertising giant WPP, and US drug giant Merck. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29 2017 Bogor Police closed roads leading to Puncak in West Java due to heavy congestion on Wednesday, after maintaining a one-way traffic system heading toward the resort area from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Some 800,000 vehicles have traveled along the Ciawi toll road [so far], Brig. Gerry Ramdhani, an officer with the Bogor Traffic Police (TMC), told tempo.co. As many as 8,121 vehicles used the Ciawi toll road from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., including 4,158 vehicles that were leaving the area. Meanwhile, a total of 7,899 vehicles passed the toll road from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 5,241 of which were heading to Jakarta. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 18:32 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a73726e 1 National #IdulFitri,Idul-Fitri-2017,#population,migration Free The Home Ministry has called on local governments to actively supervise migration from rural to urban areas and to improve their civil registration systems because of a possible spike of city populations, especially Jakarta's, following Idul Fitri. The ministry said it wants a better population database that can be a good benchmark for local administrations for developing their regions and at the same time it wants to alleviate socio-economic problems like unemployment in big cities. When people are moving from one area to another, it is not only about their physical migration but also about their paperwork, Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, the director general of the ministrys population and civil registration division, said in a press release on Wednesday as quoted by tempo.co. Having no proper resident registration could also hamper people from getting access to public services like the non-cash assistance programs of the Indonesia Health Card (KIS) and the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP), Zudan added. Thousands of Muslims inhabiting major cities in the country traveled to their hometowns for Idul Fitri over the weekend. Their return to their urban domiciles this week may inspire others to migrate with them. (yon/ipa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta, Central Java Thu, June 29, 2017 18:02 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a73589d 1 National free-bus-tickets,#Lebaran,Idul-Fitri-2017,exodus Free Hundreds of people expressed disappointment when they failed to get free bus tickets for their trips from Central Jakartas city of Surakarta to Jakarta. The people, who wanted to return to Jakarta after celebrating Idul Fitri in their hometowns near Surakarta, had been queuing at the city's Tirtonadi bus terminal for the tickets since 6 a.m. on Thursday. The officers should had been informed us about the number of the remaining tickets so that we did not need to queue for that long. I just knew that the tickets had run out when I was in front of the ticket window, said Suhardi, a resident of Boyolali. The ticket window opened at 8 a.m. and after three hours the officers made an announcement that all free tickets had been distributed. To travel from Jakarta, Suhardi said, he obtained free bus tickets for members of his family from the Jakarta administration, while the program to distribute free bus tickets to travel from Surakarta was organized by the Transportation Ministry. The head of the Tirtonadi bus terminal, Eko Agus Susanto, said he had to organize 53 buses provided by the ministry 28 buses for people who left their motorcycles in Jakarta and 25 for those who took them. The number of people who did not take their vehicles was larger than the bus seat quota. So we offer an apology to them, said Eko. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 11:14 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a72d4a0 1 Business ransomeware-petya-virus,ransomeware-wannacry-virus,alert-status,Rudiantara,comments,#ransomware Free Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara has warned people to be on alert for possible attacks by the Petya ransomware, which has already attacked computers across the globe. "The virus works like the WannaCry ransomware that attacked on a global scale on May 13," Rudiantara said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com. The virus could be transmitted through email attachments and hyperlinks to malware sites, he added. (Read also: Quick action essential to deal with WannaCry ransomware) He said the Communications and Information Ministry would keep monitoring the situation and mitigating the spread of the ransomware in Indonesia through its cybersecurity organization, id-SIRTI. Rudiantara said id-SIRTI had issued notifications about possible attacks by the virus. "The notifications were sent to cooperating partners, such as internet service providers, NAP [Network Access Point], ministries and other institutions," he said. Two hospitals, Dharmais and Harapan Kita, were attacked by ransomware WannaCry in May. The virus asked users for a ransom in exchange for restoring user files it had earlier encrypted. The US$300 ransom was payable through bitcoin. (yon/bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Thu, June 29, 2017 11:24 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a72dd4e 1 National mount-sibayak,German-tourist,SearchAndRescue,North-Sumatra Free Around 150 personnel with the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency have extended their search for German tourist Wolter Klaus, 49, who was reported missing a week ago on Mount Sibayak in Karo, North Sumatra. We have been looking for him for six days, but we have still found no trace, Medan SAR head of operations M. Agus Wibisono told The Jakarta Post. Agus said that the team had been searching on all hiking trails on the mountain with no results, so the team had shifted the search's focus to several cliffs that were hard to reach. Klaus was reported missing on June 22, a day after he signed up to climb Mt Sibayak solo and declined to be accompanied by a local tour guide. Agus cited several witnesses who had seen Wolter successfully reaching the top. Several climbers saw him before he went missing. Abdi, a Mt Sibayak tour guide, said that he had met Wolter at the mountain's peak, wearing a pink shirt and carrying a small blue backpack. However, Abdi did not speak with him, as he was guiding a group of tourists. (ecn/dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 11:34 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a72e7c1 4 City pickpocket,Ancol,North-Jakarta,arrest,police Free The North Jakarta Police has arrested suspected pickpocket 64-year-old Sriatun for attempting to steal a mobile phone from a visitor at the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol recreation center in North Jakarta on Wednesday. The woman was caught red-handed while trying to steal a mobile phone from Kokom, 32, when the two of them were queuing for the toilet, said North Jakarta police chief Sr. Comr. Dwiyono. Sriatun pretended to stand in line and then tried to pickpocket the phone from the back pocket of Kokoms trousers, but an Ancol employee saw her in the act and reported it to police, Dwiyono added. We arrested the suspect and questioned her at the Ancol Police post afterwards, he was quoted as saying by kompas.com on Thursday. The police found six mobile phones in Sriatun's bag, three wallets and Rp 2.6 million (US$195) in cash. The police suspected that the goods and the money were also stolen. Ancol is one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers to spend the Idul Fitri holidays. It was reported that more than 83,580 people had flocked to Ancol on the second day of Idul Fitri. (cal/bbn) By Pramod Madhav: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) today staged a walkout from Tamil Nadu Assembly for the second time in connection with the gutka scam. DMK claimed that the answer given by Chief Minister E Palaniswami was inconclusive. DMK leader MK Stalin had raised the gutka scam issue in the Assembly for the second time after submitting a copy of evidence with the Speaker. In a discussion at the Assembly, the Congress party's legislative leader Ramasamy asked for a CBI probe into the matter. advertisement In response to the ongoing discussion, CM Palaniswami said that there were various statistics but he did not say anything conclusive about the demand for an investigation. "Based on a letter written by Chennai Commissioner to the Principal Secretary on the illegal production/sale/distribution of banned tobacco products an order was given to the director of Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on 27 January 2017 and a probe has been initiated," claimed Palaniswami. "A person called Vincent also filed a case with Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe in the case which was heard by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sundar was on 27 January 2017 and the Commissioner of police was asked to conduct a separate probe," added Palaniswami. Palaniswami, while quoting the judge, said that the court itself has claimed that they do not need to interfere when the officials are investigating the matter. Stalin and other opposition MLAs termed this as an inconclusive answer and pressed further details. QUESTION OF FAIR PROBE While quoting the leaked documents, Stalin once again questioned how a fair probe can be expected when Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption falls under the DGP who is also named in the scam. As Speaker didn't allow anymore discussion into the matter, DMK staged a walkout. The gutka scam which was raised by MK Stalin on Wednesday with the help of a leaked report claimed that top police officials were paid hefty amount to allow the sale of banned tobacco products in Tamil Nadu. Also read: Gutka scam: Former Chennai Police Commissioner George wrote to Principal Secretary demanding probe in 2016 Chennai: DMK leader MK Stalin raises gutka scam in Assembly, slams Health Minister Vijayabhaskar WATCH | Stalin gives Tamil Nadu Governor Rao CD, says it has evidence of foul play in February trust vote --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Sydney, Australia Thu, June 29, 2017 08:04 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a72a98e 2 World #PopeFrancis,#CatholicChurch,#ChildAbuse,#SexualViolenceagainstChildren Free Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell was Thursday charged with multiple child sex offences in Australia, police said. Pell, the country's most senior Catholic cleric, was interviewed in Rome by Australian police last October over the allegations which he strongly denies. "Victoria Police have charged Cardinal George Pell with historical sexual assault offences," Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters. "There are multiple complainants relating to those charges." Patton said the 76-year-old was charged on summons and was required to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a hearing. Patton would not take any questions, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. The Pell charges came at the final stages of a long-running national inquiry into institutional responses to child sex abuse, which was ordered by the government in 2012. The cardinal has appeared before the royal commission three times, once in person and twice via video-link, during which he admitted that he "mucked up" in dealing with paedophile priests in Victoria state in the 1970s. Pell was ordained in Rome in 1966 before returning to Australia in 1971 and rising to become the nation's top Catholic official. He left for the Vatican in 2014 after being hand-picked by Pope Francis to make the church's finances more transparent. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 14:26 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a731dee 1 City Pulo-Gebang-bus-station,Pulogadung,East-Jakarta Free A bus crew has complained that people were still unaware that the government had started operating Pulo Gebang bus terminal in East Jakarta, with many thinking that the bus still departed from Pulo Gadung terminal. Pulo Gebang bus terminal, which is thought to be the largest bus terminal in Southeast Asia, has been in operation since December 2016. "People still think we operate buses from Pulo Gadung terminal. The relocation of [the bus service] has not been well-communicated to the people, said Martahan, who works for bus operator Sahabat, on Wednesday. (Read also: Jakarta supporting terminals ready for Idul Fitri exodus) He added that the condition had affected the revenues of buses and their crews, as they had expected more passengers during the Idul Fitri season. He said Sahabat operated only 10 buses from Pulo Gebang terminal during Idul Fitri this year, compared to 70 buses from Pulo Gadung last year. Transportation Ministry secretary general Sugihardjo, who visited Pulo Gebang bus terminal on Wednesday, acknowledged the poor dissemination of public information on the new terminal. Sugihardjo promised to increase efforts to inform the public about the new terminal's operation, including displaying notices on accessing the terminal via Transjakarta bus services. "We have to inform the people more about the transitional period [of the move to Pulo Gebang], including how to access the terminal," he said. (rdi/bbn) Transportation Ministry secretary-general Sugihardjo (left) inspects Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta on Wednesday to monitor the airports services. Travelers continue to board flights that will take them to their respective hometowns for mudik (annual exodus), three days after the Idul Fitri festivities. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)(left) inspects Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta on Wednesday to monitor the airports services. Travelers continue to board flights that will take them to their respective hometowns for mudik (annual exodus), three days after the Idul Fitri festivities. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 10:38 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a72cae5 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Bali-Arts-Festival,photography,Competition Free Theres still a day left for those who want to participate in Bali Arts Festival (PKB) 2017 photography competition. The competition is open from June 10 until 30. For those who haven't sent their photos, the latest upload is until June 30, 12:00 a.m. and the judging phase will take place from July 1-3, said Bali tourism department head AA Yuniartha Putra. Read also: Komodo Island among Vogues top places to visit this summer Except for PKB 2017 committee members, all Indonesian citizens are welcomed to apply, free of charge. Photos can be taken using a cell phone, tablet or digital camera, and then uploaded on Instagram with the participants name and residence, photo caption and description. [Participants] have to follow and mention @pestakesenianbali 2017 and use hashtags #lombafotopkb2017 #PesonaIndonesia #pkbulundanu2017 and #WonderfulIndonesia, Putra added. Read also: Top 10 tourist attractions in Sumbawa The first winner of the contest will take home seven million rupiahs, the runner-up will take home five million rupiahs and the third place winner will take home three million rupiahs. 10 fourth winners will bring home two point five million rupiahs each. Bali Arts Festival 2017 is a month-long annual event is always held from June to July every year. This year marks the 39th anniversary of the event which runs from June 10 to July 8 and features an array of cultural performances and lesser-known traditional rituals. (asw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, June 29, 2017 16:39 1961 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a734733 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Banyuwangi,MICE,tourism-promotion Free At the recent Diaspora Ikawangi (Banyuwangi Family Association) event, tourism minister Arief Yahya mentioned the huge potential of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism in Banyuwangi, especially after the recent opening of four-star hotel he eL Royale Hotel & Resort Banyuwangi that offers the biggest ballroom in town. Yahya encouraged Banyuwangi to bid in hosting MICE-related events and asked all stakeholders to work together. Whats more important is the commitment towards tourism and commitment from the regent, Azwar Anas, he said. Read also: Ten must-visit places in Banyuwangi Diaspora Ikawangi is a halal-bihalal (post-Ramadhan gathering) for Banyuwangi diasporas that has been held for the last four years. Apart from the tourism minister, other attendees include Banyuwangi regent Abdulah Azwar Anas and deputy regent Yusuf Widyatmoko. Prior to this event, Yahya attended the Barong Ider Bumi parade that was held on Monday, June 26. Barong Ider is a unique traditional ritual thats only performed by the people of Kemiren village. The ritual is always held on 2 Syawal or the second day of Idul Fitri. (asw) A 24-year-old motorcyclist was killed on the Williamsburg Bridge early today after hitting a divider. [Daily News] A truck driver, Kyung Hyun, has been charged in the April death of Kelly Hurley, a Lower East Side resident who was struck as she rode her bicycle on First Avenue. [Daily News] 200 firefighters battled a five alarm blaze at 60 East 9th St., a co-op building. The fire was contained to one section of the building. 19 firefighters were injured. [Channel 7] Your view of this years Macys Fourth of July fireworks show isnt going to be quite as good. This is because all of the barges are being placed in the East River above 23rd Street. [Metro] Adam Platts musings on the long, painful death of the New York City diner. [Grub Street] Have a look at Community Board 3s July meet agendas. [CB3] By Press Trust of India: London, Jun 29 (PTI) Children with higher intelligence have a lower risk of major causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, and smoking related cancers, scientists say. The findings from the largest study to date reporting causes of death in men and women across the life course suggest that lifestyle, especially tobacco smoking, is an important component in the effect of intelligence on differences in mortality. advertisement Previous studies have shown that, on average, individuals with higher IQs tend to live a little longer than those with lower IQs, but these are largely based on data from male conscripts followed up only to middle adulthood. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in the UK set out to examine the association between intelligence test scores measured at age 11 and leading causes of death in men and women up to age 79. The findings are based on data from 33,536 men and 32,229 women born in Scotland in 1936, who took a validated childhood intelligence test at age 11, and who could be linked to cause of death data up to December 2015. Cause of death included coronary heart disease, stroke, specific cancers, respiratory disease, digestive disease, external causes (including suicide and death from injury), and dementia. After taking account of several factors that could have influenced the results, such as age, sex and socioeconomic status, the researchers found that higher childhood intelligence was associated with a lower risk of death until age 79. For example, a higher test score was associated with a 28 per cent reduced risk of death from respiratory disease, a 25 per cent reduced risk of death from coronary heart disease, and a 24 per cent reduced risk of death from stroke. Other notable associations were seen for deaths from injury, smoking related cancers (particularly lung and stomach), digestive disease, and dementia. PTI MHN MHN --- ENDS --- Baby Driver may well be one of the most original films to come from a British director in years. This fast paced, blood pumping action crime drama takes you on the most wild yet ridiculously fun joy ride for its entire 112 minute run time. Nothing gives you more satisfaction from watching a film than the knowledge that youre watching a totally unique idea come to life, a spark of a great idea which was the brain child of Edgar Wright who first wrote the script for the film six years ago. Baby Driver follows naturally skilled driver Baby, who is indebted to a crime boss (Kevin Spacey) and must pay off his debts by assisting him as the get-away driver for various robbery jobs carried out by different crews. This film is completely and utterly outstanding. It is a work of art which has been planned, made, tweaked and edited so precisely that it really is like watching some kind of sensory painting. Wrights Baby Driver is unapologetically stylistic and because of this the film is so naturally executed without any sense of an attempt to be a film it is not. It is loud, exciting, funny and action-packed yet so much more than this as well. Not a single shot is an accident in this film; every single moment has been mapped out and planned so precisely, that the cinematography and editing is just as mesmerising as the action in the film. With some of the best chase sequences you have ever seen in a movie, Baby Driver has been choreographed like a fast-paced dance routine which requires flawless execution. With the technical elements of the film being pulled off so perfectly, the film is almost dream-like at points, as if the whole thing is a fantasy. This is a familiar sensation which was definitely utilised in Nicholas Winding Refns famed get-away driver film Drive. The story of a driver caught up with crime while having glimpses of a more desirable, normal life is mirrored in Baby Driver and the almost dream-like sequences which sees protagonist Baby try to manipulate reality through music and a short romance with Debora (Lily James). Ansel Elgort, while being a surprising casting for some, is a perfect fit for this role. His mysterious, taciturn nature is endearing yet his quirky side which finds its way out when he listens to some funky music is entertaining, but also a reminder that this isnt a one dimensional character. The subtle references to his parents and a more tragic back story also helps add an emotional layer to an otherwise entertaining film. He executes this character perfectly. Another standout performance is from Jamie Foxx who plays the erratic and low-key terrifying Bats. This criminal does not fit a stereotype, but is instead a unique criminal persona, bringing an authentic level of threat and palpable tension to the role. Kevin Spacey, as to be expected is fantastic in his role, bringing much needed humour to the most tense scenes. Accomplices Buddy (Jon Hamm) and Darling (Eiza Gonzalez), are good fits, and while Buddy has a little less character and complexity to him than his associates, he still pulls of the scary, unpredictable qualities of a hardened criminal. However, what really makes this film, besides it technical perfection and stellar cast, is the pumping soundtrack. As Edgar Wright said himself, this film needs to be played LOUD. The best thing about Baby Drivers soundtrack is that it is not forced. It is not a lazy attempt to make this film seem cool or appealing to younger people; the music is crucial to the story. After being in an accident as a child, Baby is left with a hum in the drum which he attempts to drown out with music. This means that he is nearly constantly listening to music, which makes the speed chases all the more exhilarating as he plans his departures by waiting for the right point in the song. With all the hype around this film, I wouldnt be surprised if sales in older-generation IPods suddenly surge. Wright goes a step further also, coordinating gun shots and other sounds to the music, meaning the whole film has an incredible rhythmic quality to it. It makes the film feel like some kind of pseudo-musical as well as every other unique genre quality it boasts. Baby Driver is straight-up awesome and a hugely enjoyable watch. With a narrative and soundtrack as original as this one, it will no doubt appeal to all different tastes, and will easily make its mark as one of the best films of the year. Baby Driver is out now distributed through Sony Pictures. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stunned party rivals by announcing plans for a Parliamentary snap-vote in Germany to legalise same-sex marriages. Mrs Merkel had previously opposed the measure in 2013, due to her party's official position on the matter. The measure was announced as part of a debate in Berlin. Merkel's party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), had vehemently opposed the measure due to religious beliefs. But, following a one-and-a-half-hour debate between party members ahead of the launch of their manifesto for September's election, Angela Merkel's stance appears to have softened significantly - a move which opposition parties (Social Democrats, Free Democrats and Greens) may be sceptical over as mere point-scoring. Merkel's statement is perhaps something of a political gamble. Her party has opposed gay marriage, in order to keep its most conservative supporters loyal. In addition, their alliance with the CSU champions the traditional family structure. All opposition parties in Germany had previously outlined the issue in their manifesto, that a snap vote would be essential in order to achieve any potential coalition later this year. Following this measure, it seems unlikely that any opposition will be able to top the CDU-SDP Coalition. The response to the decision was polar. Some MPs have lobbied for an immediate vote on the matter, while SPD Bundestag lower house MPs reactively positively, tweeting: "Vote now! We say Yes to marriage for all". The issue provoked fierce debate on social media platforms, focused around the hashtag, #Ehefuralle, which roughly translates as 'Marriage for all'. Many of Germany's key European partners and allies, including The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain have already legalised gay marriage. The UK - besides Northern Ireland - legalised it in Summer 2013, with the first gay marriages taking place in March 2014. An official date has not been set for the vote. The Kashmiri separatist are in a soup after the National Investigation Agency began its probe against the sting operation on Naeem Khan. By Asian News International: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday issued show cause notice Hurriyat Leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for possession of Foreign exchange to the tune of USD 10,000 illegally. The Kashmiri separatist are in a soup after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had on May 20 began its probe against after a sting operation caught a Hurriyat leader Naeem Khan on camera as he 'confessed' of receiving money from Pakistan to foment separatism in Kashmir. advertisement Earlier this month, the investigating agency raided various locations of the separatist leaders like Naeem Khan, Bitta Karate and Javed Baba Gazi in Jammu and Kashmir and seized around Rs 1.5 crore in cash. Eight hawala dealers and traders in New Delhi and Haryana were also raided by the NIA. The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and use of these funds in fuelling the unrest in the Valley. Also Read Kashmir: Mani Shankar Aiyar meets Hurriyat's Geelani, talks of back-channel efforts in air --- ENDS --- On Wednesday, a Labour call to end the public sector pay cap was defeated in the House of Commons by 309 votes to 323. All 10 DUP MPs voted with the Tories to block a Labour amendment aimed at ending the cap, which is currently due to remain in place until 2019/20. While 323 MPs voted against the amendment, a few in particular have been singled out for vitriol online. All those cheering Heidi Allen yesterday for this tweet. Garbage words. She just voted with Tories to keep pay cap for emergency workers. https://t.co/iBdCcSzG7k Nancy Strang (@mabeloo) June 28, 2017 Heidi Allen, the MP for South Cambridgeshire since 2015, received a lot of attention a day before the vote when she called for public sector funding to urgently be reviewed. Referencing the 1.5 billion made available by the Treasury for the DUP, Allen said funding for schools and social care as well as public sector wages, across the whole UK, needed to be assessed. New DUP cash must surely mean funding will be urgently reviewed for pub sector wages, schools, social care, Univ Credit across whole UK too? Heidi Allen (@heidiallen75) June 27, 2017 The Labour amendment said: (MPs) respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech fails to end cuts to the police and the fire service; commend the response of the emergency services to the recent terrorist attacks and to the Grenfell Tower fire; call on the Government to recruit more police officers and fire-fighters; and further call on the Government to end the public sector pay cap and give the emergency and public services a fair pay rise. Allen, who voted against the amendment, said that she couldnt vote in favour because of additional incorrect statements it contained, particularly regarding the Grenfell Tower fire. Pls read the amendment- pretty obvs as says gov didn't recognise emergency services at Grenfell Tower tragedy! Totally untrue! Heidi Allen (@heidiallen75) June 28, 2017 Allen described the amendment as too partisan, and told the Huffington Post: Public services includes the very highest paid chief executives, managers, Whitehall chiefs too. I cannot support a blanket pay rise to all of those. We need to focus on those public sector workers such as nurses, healthcare assistants and all those on the front line. Sarah Wollaston, who was chairwoman of the Health Select Committee in the last parliament, called for cross-party working to do something about public sector pay and improve the retention in our workforce across health and social care. She cited the caps affect on morale as one of her reasons for wanting the restraint to be loosened. 1% PS cap not sustainable for next pay round & cannot continue for a decade IMO. Impacts on recruitment/retention/morale & needs relaxing Sarah Wollaston (@sarahwollaston) June 28, 2017 But despite arguing both in Parliament and online for a fair pay settlement and the Government to think again about the cap, Dr Wollaston also voted against. In a blog post, she wrote : I agree with the pay review body that there are also costs in ignoring the need to increase pay. I believe it is time for a rethink but it will require a clear plan from the Treasury as to how it will be paid for. Ending the pay cap wont happen through a simple amendment to the Queens speech. She added: We have a responsibility to level with the public and with each other because the reality is that we are all going to have to pay more to put the NHS, social care and our other valued public services on a sustainable long term footing. Many feel the opportunity to end the cap came on Wednesday. This is woeful Sarah. You had a chance to vote for a change yesterday. You voted for continuing #PublicSectorPayCap Mark Ellis (@markcellis) June 29, 2017 You lost credibility when you voted against the motion last night. I suppose the Whips were out in force. This is not a Party Game. Heather (@heatherindorset) June 29, 2017 The pay of nurses, police and other public sector workers was frozen for two years in 2010 and has been followed by years of 1% caps on annual rises. Royal College of Nursing general secretary Janet Davies said of the vote: This is a bitter disappointment for nurses and others in the public sector. At lunchtime, there were signs the Government was listening to our calls, but by the evening they voted to keep the pay cap in place. Our members summer of protest campaign continues. The cap on nursing pay means there are not enough nurses, and patients cannot get the care they need. https://t.co/bwudNsukNt #scrapthecap pic.twitter.com/wLSlftFKPP The RCN (@theRCN) June 29, 2017 But we also know that a growing number on the Governments own benches agree the cap should be scrapped. We will continue to build cross-party support this summer, she added. If the Prime Minister intends to address pay in an autumn Budget, she should do so without delay. The pay cap stands in the way of filling the 40,000 vacant nurse posts in England. When NHS and care services are short of safe staffing, patients pay a heavy price. It is welcome that the Government has said it will listen to the Pay Review Bodys evidence, but they must also act on it. I will persistently be a loud voice to remove public sector pay cap for frontline workers. But will not vote with this political game today. https://t.co/baW69KHZoo Johnny Mercer MP (@JohnnyMercerUK) June 28, 2017 Tory MP Johnny Mercer described the vote as a political game. I think this is an attempt to vote down the Queens Speech to bring more instability when you need stability in the national interest, he told the Plymouth Herald. I am interested in the results, and I will lobby hard to end the public sector pay cap. But we have got to get the Queens Speech through. I wont vote with Labour. A Downing Street source had fuelled speculation that the Government would be voting to scrap the cap when it said ahead of the vote that the public sector pay restraint is one of the tough choices weve had to make to balance the books after Labours crash and what was left behind. We are working through and looking at recommendations from pay review bodies that are coming. In the course of 3 hours government has u-turned on public-sector pay cap and then u-turned on u-turn. So pay cap stays, confusingly Robert Peston (@Peston) June 28, 2017 Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: The Governments rejection of the proposals to end the pay cap is an insult to paramedics, nurses, teaching assistants, care staff and all public sector workers. Ministers have spent the last few months praising public sector workers. This vote was their chance to show they really mean it. But the message is clear the Government doesnt value them enough to give them a wage rise. Workers have had enough of this and so have the British public. When I was sitting on a beach on the Eastbourne coast with my Iranian friend, we gazed up at the sky as it got the darker. I soon began to focus on how the sky seemed to almost adjoin with the sea as I stared at the horizon. We saw two birds flying and dancing. They were so far away that we just saw their shadow, and even as far as they were, we both noticed something very beautiful - they were free. I asked my friend what does it remind her off, and with tears in her eyes she responded,"It reminds me of my home town - Tehran. I was able to make my dreams come true by flapping my wings and flying away. I am a science student and as long as I can remember this has always been my dream. I received lots of support from my country to be able to pursue this dream The more she talked the more fascinated we both were about those birds. To me the birds have become a metaphor for freedom: to do what ever you choose to, and to pursue your dreams. After many years, Iran is becoming an increasingly progressive country that's open to change. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran, their nuclear weapons programme serves only as a means of maintaining peace in the country and as a bargaining chip in diplomatic relations. Less than 30 years ago, Iranian women were in the minority in universities. Nowadays more than 70% of Iranian science and engineering students are women! Furthermore, most students during their studies begin to work, or even set up start-ups. There is a myth that Iranian women dont have rights, that they are not allowed to drive, and that if they break the law they will be the victim of acid attacks. This is not the correct image of Iran. Modern Iran not only delights with the remnants of ancient Persian culture, but primarily is open-minded and pursues modernity. You can understand nothing about a country, particularly a modern country, if you do not understand that imagination. To understand more about Iran follow my travel around this beautiful country each week here on The National Student. See Karolina discuss her trip to Iran here. 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General Rawat's visit to Sikkim, which official sources describe as routine, comes amid mounting tension between the two armies along the border in Sikkim following a scuffle between Indian troops and the personnel of China's People's Liberation Army in a remote area earlier this month. advertisement The genesis of the latest face-off is understood to have had a link to Donglang, a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim. According to official sources, China removed an old bunker of the Indian Army located at the tri-junction in Sikkim by using a bulldozer after the Indian side refused to accede to its request. Beijing is believed to have not taken kindly to India building many new bunkers and upgrading older ones along the border in Sikkim in the recent past to augment its defences against the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Accusing Indian troops of "crossing the boundary" in the Sikkim section, China demanded their immediate withdrawal, while asserting that it has shut down the Nathu La pass entry for Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar because of the border standoff. The first batch of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims comprising about 50 people returned from Nathu La border post as the stand-off between India and China continues. Nathu La pass China virtually accused India of having a "hidden agenda" in the current military stand-off with it in the Sikkim sector where Beijing has a territorial dispute with Bhutan. Taking a dig at India, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that Bhutan is a universally recognised sovereign country. Lu also hinted that India was objecting to China's efforts to build the road in Donglang area of the Sikkim sector on behalf of Bhutan which does not have diplomatic ties with Beijing. "Hope countries can respect the sovereignty of the country. The China-Bhutan boundary is not delineated, no third party should interfere in this matter and make irresponsible remarks or actions," he said. Meanwhile, Bhutan has issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. "We have issued a demarche to China through its diplomatic mission here. Recently, the Chinese army (People's Liberation Army) started construction of a road towards Bhutanese Army camp at Zomphlri in Doklam area which is in violation of an agreement between the two countries," Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel told PTI. advertisement "Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquillity should be maintained in the area," said Namgyel. The Bhutanese envoy also asserted that under the agreement, both Bhutan and China should refrain from unilaterally changing the status quo. "We have asked China to stop the road construction," he added. As the standoff between Indian troops and Chinese army continues, General Rawat, will travel to a number of other formation headquarters in the Northeast, will take stock of the operational matters and interact with top commanders in the formation headquarters of the force in the border state. With inputs from PTI Also Read: Chinese media on border stand-off: 1962 defeat has left lingering effect on India China bulldozes Indian Army bunker in Sikkim, tension escalates along border China says India to blame for border row, Nathu La closure Watch Video: China shuts down Nathu La pass in Sikkim: All you need to know --- ENDS --- advertisement Home >Police Enforcement > Taxes and Tolls > Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Shows Its Love For Tolling The UN Tax Trust Fund aims to support the work of the Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters (the UN Tax Committee). By Press Trust of India: India has contributed USD 100,000 to a UN fund to help developing countries actively participate in the discussion of tax issues, becoming the first country to make the contribution. The UN Trust Fund for International Cooperation in Tax Matters (the UN Tax Fund) received its first financial voluntary contribution from India, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Office for Financing for Development Office announced. advertisement The UN Tax Trust Fund aims to support the work of the Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters (the UN Tax Committee). Voluntary contributions for the fund have been called for by the UN and the committee since its establishment in 2006. The call for contributions was also emphasised in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda adopted at the third International Conference on Financing for Development in 2015, the UN department said. India became the first country to respond to the call with an initial contribution of USD 100,000 that will be dedicated towards ensuring greater support for developing countries' participation in the sub-committee meetings of the UN Tax Committee, which are currently unfunded. Handing over a cheque to the Financing for Development Office, India expressed hope that other countries will similarly contribute to the UN Tax Trust Fund to advance developing countries' participation on taxation issues. PARTICIPATION ON TAXATION ISSUES Through the fund, the UN expects that more developing countries will draw upon the best practice of other bodies, ensuring that global tax cooperation norms and rules will work more effectively and efficiently for all countries and all stakeholders. The UN Tax Committee, a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC), has provided guidance on current issues such as double taxation treaties, transfer pricing (profit shifting) taxation of the extractive industries and taxation of services. The committee also provides a framework for dialogues with a view to enhancing and promoting international tax cooperation among national tax authorities, while making recommendations on capacity-building and the provision of technical assistance to developing counties and countries with economies in transition. The Addis Agenda provides a global framework to ensure the effective mobilisation of resources at the national and international level for sustainable development. Implementation of the Addis Agenda supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the historic and transformational agenda that countries unanimously adopted in 2015. --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Updating) By Lalit K Jha Washington, Jun 29 (PTI) Krishna R Urs, a veteran Indian- origin career diplomat, has been appointed as Americas new Ambassador to Peru by President Donald Trump. Urs is currently the Charge d Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. advertisement During his three decades of State Department service, Urs, who is a career service American diplomat since 1986, has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said. Urs earned an MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He fluently speaks Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. PTI LKJ AJR CPS AKJ CPS --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: By Lalit K Jha Washington, Jun 28 (PTI) A senior Indian police officer has been given a prestigious award in the US in recognition of his tireless efforts in fight against human trafficking. Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat has been recognised with the prestigious Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Hero award. Bhagwat, who who currently serves as Commissioner of Police of Rachakonda in Telangana, was presented the award in absentia by the US First Lady Melania Trump yesterday. advertisement He has participated in anti-trafficking operations that have removed hundreds of victims from situations of trafficking and, with the help of other government departments and civil society organisations, has ensured their placement in support programmes, the State Department said. "We are sorry that Bhagwat was unable to join us today, but would like to recognise him for his dynamic leadership in combatting modern slavery in India, his vital role in elevating human trafficking as a government priority, and his innovative approach to investigating cases and dismantling trafficking operations," said Susan Coppedge, the Ambassador- at-Large for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the award ceremony. The First Lady and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were present at the awards ceremony held at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department. In all eight persons from across the world were presented with this prestigious annual award of the US. In his remarks, Tillerson said the State Departments 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report exposes human trafficking networks and holds their operators and their accomplices accountable. The focus of this years report is governments responsibilities under the Palermo Protocol to criminalise human trafficking in all its forms and to prosecute offenders, he said. "We urge the 17 countries that are not a party to the international Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons to reconsider their position and to join the other countries who have made that commitment," Tillerson said. Today, globally, its estimated that there are 20 million victims of human trafficking. "So, clearly, we have a lot of work to do and governments around the world have a lot of work to do," he said. In her remarks the First Lady said human trafficking is a pervasive human rights issue affecting millions, no matter their gender, age,or nationality. It is often a profoundly secret crime. "One of the greatest challenges is to merely identify those trapped in modern slavery. Even conservative estimates conclude that some 20 million people around the world, including right here in the United States, are trapped in human trafficking situations, terrible circumstances of exploitation, including so many young girls and boys who are victims of unthinkable tragedy of child sex trafficking," Melania said. PTI LKJ UZM --- ENDS --- advertisement Watertown landowners will be involved in new Corps flood-control study After 30 years, a new flood control feasibility study will include the input of landowners and supply a multitude of options other than a dry dam. The total money of Indians fell by 45 per cent during 2016 to CHF 675.75 million, marking the biggest ever yearly decline in such funds. By India Today Web Desk: After a sustained campaign against black money stashed abroad, the Indian government's efforts seemed to have bore fruits as the money parked by Indians in Switzerland's banks is now down by nearly half. According to the latest data published today by Switzerland's central banking authority SNB (Swiss National Bank), deposit by Indians is down to 676 Swiss francs, which comes to about Rs 4,500 crore in 2016. advertisement This is a record low for filthy rich Indians who have been accused of keeping black money stashed behind Swiss bank's famed secret walls. The issue of black money has been a matter of big debate in India and Switzerland has been long perceived as one of the safest havens for the illicit wealth allegedly stashed abroad by Indians. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: When compared with India, the total funds held by all foreign clients of Swiss banks rose to CHF 1.42 trillion or about Rs 96 lakh crore (from CHF 1.41 trillion a year ago). The total funds held by Indians directly with Swiss banks stood at CHF 664.8 million at the end of 2016, while the same held through fiduciaries was nearly USD 11 million. The total money of Indians fell by 45 per cent during 2016 to CHF 675.75 million, marking the biggest ever yearly decline in such funds. This included nearly CHF 377 million in form of customer deposits, about CHF 98 million owed to Indians through other banks and CHF 190 million in form of other 'liabilities'. The figures fell sharply across all categories last year, the SNB data showed. This is the lowest amount of funds held by Indians in the Swiss banks ever since the Alpine nation began making the data public in 1987 and marks the third straight year of decline. The funds held through fiduciaries or wealth managers alone used to be in billions till 2007 but has been falling amid fears of regulatory crackdown. The funds held by Indians with Swiss banks stood at a record high of CHF 6.5 billion (Rs 23,000 crore) at 2006-end, but has now come down to nearly one-tenth of that level in about a decade. The quantum of these funds has been falling since then, except for in 2011 and in 2013 when Indians' money had risen by over 12 per cent and 42 per cent, respectively. As per the available data since 1987, the earlier lowest ever figure was recorded in 1995 at CHF 723 million. The latest data from Zurich-based SNB comes ahead of a new framework for automatic exchange of information between Switzerland and India to help check the black money menace. On directions of the Supreme Court, India has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe cases of alleged black money of Indians, including funds stashed abroad in places like Switzerland. (PTI inputs) Also read: Black money: Switzerland agrees to automatic exchange of account info with India from 2019 Aadhaar one of measures to tackle corruption, black money: SC People with black money fear Modi govt: Amit Shah --- ENDS --- Private carrier IndiGo has become the first airline to express interest in buying Air India, civil aviation secretary RN Choubey today said. By Agencies: Private carrier IndiGo has become the first airline to express interest in buying Air India, civil aviation secretary RN Choubey today said. The cabinet on Wednesday gave in-principle approval to disinvest from Air India, the country's national carrier, which is Rs 52, 000 crore in debt. Choubey offered no immediate information on the interest shown by IndiGo, which commands a majority share of India's domestic airline market. advertisement Speaking to India Today earlier, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju had said that the ministry was aware of several businesses and companies reportedly being interested in buying Air India. WHAT CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER SAID "Informally and from the press we understand that there are lot of people showing interest (in buying Air India). The whole exercise is going to be very interesting. Let's see what emerges," Raju said when asked about reports that the Tata Group was interested in Air India. Calling the decision to disinvest from Air India a "difficult" one Raju said, "But it (the decision) was necessary for Air India's survival. I want Air India to become a great airline." There is no word from the government whether the ultimate buyer of Air India will also have to bear the burden of the national carrier's Rs 52,000 crore debt. ALSO READ: Don't have courage to buy Air India, says Anand Mahindra Farewell Maharajah: Modi Cabinet approves Air India's disinvestment Air India privatisation blueprint: The Great Maharajah makeover WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Jun 29 (PTI) Two Army jawans were injured when Pakistani troops fired from small arms and shelled mortars on forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch district. This is the 22nd incident of ceasefire violation this month. "The Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0130 hours in Poonch sector along the Line of Control (LoC) today," a defence spokesman said here. advertisement The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, he said, adding that two soldiers sustained minor injuries in the crossfire and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital. Yesterday, the Pakistani Army violated ceasefire by unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali (BG) sector in Rajouri district from 1445 hours, the spokesman said. The Pakistani troops yesterday also violated ceasefire along the LoC in Balakote belt of Poonch district, reports said, adding that the shells landed in several villages. In this month, there have been 22 ceasefire violations by the Pakistani Army in Poonch and Rajouri districts besides a cross-LoC attack and two infiltration bids in which four people, including three jawans, have been killed. On June 26, the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr, the Pakistani Army fired small arms and automatic weapons and shelled mortars along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri. PTI AB AAR --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) Opposition BJP and Congress today criticised the one-month prison term handed to the two visitors, who threw paper missiles in the Delhi Assembly while a session was underway, saying it was "against" the spirit of democracy. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said the sentence was "harsh and against the spirit of democratic values". advertisement The Assembly witnessed a high drama today after the duo, identified as Jagdeep Rana and Rajan Kumar, created a ruckus in the House, following which they were allegedly thrashed by some of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators. Sitting in the visitors gallery, Rana and Kumar suddenly started hurling paper missiles while shouting Inquilab Zindabad. The duo also jeered at Health Minister Satyendar Jain for the "corruption" charges against him and demanded his resignation. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari described the incident as an "outcome of arrogance" of the ruling party leaders. "Todays violence, following a small incident of democratic demonstration by the two visitors, shows that the Kejriwal government is averse to any kind of protest," he alleged. Maken, a former Delhi Assembly speaker, said the same AAP, which used to stage demonstrations and protests even at the "slightest pretext", handed down a "harsh" punishment to the protesters who were "peacefully" opposing its government. "The AAP had given membership to a man (Jarnail Singh) who had thrown a slipper at P Chidambaram. He was given a party ticket to contest the Assembly election. This shows the contradiction in the words and deeds of the party," he said. Rana and Kumar were subsequently handed a one-month rigorous jail term by Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, the most stringent punishment he could order, after the House unanimously adopted a motion moved by AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj in this regard. PTI VIT RC --- ENDS --- Much was said during the build-up to the Prime Minister's US visit, mostly in the direction of cautioning the observer not to expect too much from it. Modi and the US President have had quite a bit of previous contact with each other and they did not meet as strangers in Washington, though this meeting was of much greater import and significance than the previous more limited encounters. The preliminary briefings by official and unofficial functionaries made it evident that no extensive agenda had been drawn up and no major deals were on the anvil; indeed, until virtually the last moment it was not even announced whether Modi would receive official hospitality at the White House or whether he would have to be content with a lesser degree of official welcome, so he flew in with quite a few management issues still in the balance. Trump's White House seems to be no prisoner of protocol and retains flexibility in the manner of dealing with its guests from abroad. Perhaps the touch of unpredictability here observed reflects the style and preferences of the host. In the event, however, Modi was accorded all the signs and gestures reserved for honoured guests and there was no lack of appropriate protocol in the arrangements. The way the visit was structured placed high premium on the development of personal rapport between the leaders as the proper measure of success. The large media group in attendance spent much effort in carefully evaluating the various personal gestures from either side as the measure of how events had proceeded, and they were not wrong in doing so in the relative absence of major bilateral decisions. Not that anything could have gone seriously wrong, but there is always the risk in such personalized meetings that the final response may be no more than lukewarm. However, the Modi-Trump encounter showed every sign of being a big success, from the warm words, the handshakes, and the hugs between two leaders who are seldom effusive, all giving a positive message to the world and the watchful media. Trump's reference to his admiration for India which now had a friend in the White House, rounded out the meeting to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Good understanding at the top was as much as could have been desired from the visit, and the purpose was handsomely attained. Both leaders have been identified with some issues that have become central to their foreign policy aims and have called for international action to promote their concerns. Even before the meeting there was plenty of common ground between India and the USA on the matter of terrorism and the leaders were able to join in unambiguous demands against terrorism. To India's satisfaction, on the eve of the visit the USA announced that it had finally placed the notorious terrorist Salahuddin on the prohibited list, something that India has been demanding for years. This action was accompanied by strong statements of intent and willingness to work together to reinforce the message, so Modi has reason to be satisfied with what emerged on this important point from his Washington visit. Moreover, India and the USA came out together against Pakistan on this subject, which is another fresh and significant development. Trump has made no secret of his belief that the USA has borne a disproportionate share of the burden of globalization, due to loss of jobs and unfavourable trading arrangements. While redressing the balance is one of his key objectives, this was not flagged as a prominent issue for the official India-US talks. However, something significant seemed to have been taking place behind the scenes, for at the concluding media function Trump was able to announce, with considerable satisfaction, that India had agreed to buy as many as 100 civilian aircraft from the USA, which will get US production lines moving and create many jobs. In agreeing to this arrangement Modi has gone some way to meeting President Trump's wishes and has added an important element to the economic relationship. Over the last few years, the USA has worked hard to find a market in India for some of its military aircraft, and some highvalue transactions have been agreed between the two sides. There was some expectation that the Modi visit could stimulate further developments, the more so as India appears to be contemplating a round of defence purchases. This could become an important item in future exchanges though for the moment nothing concrete seems to be under consideration. It is also noteworthy that some of India's important concerns did not seem to have figured in the official discussions. Prime among these is the matter of H1B visas that enable skilled Indian engineers and other highly trained personnel to work in the USA on limited assignments. In the currently harsher climate for foreign workers these visas are not as readily available as earlier they were, and this has become a grievance for Indian workers and companies. Moreover, this hardening of policy is directly attributable to the US President. As a result, the NRI chorus that has become a feature of PM Modi's visits abroad was in some respects muted in Washington, but even so, the CEOs who assembled on the occasion and came out with upbeat assessments and projections of India's economic future, added a positive flavour. What did not register to any great degree was the strategic convergence that was supposed to have been discussed between the two leaders. There was a drawing together on matters like terrorism but that did not seem to have led to any further merging of view on broader issues of global management. Some observers are inclined to believe that India and the USA need to work more closely together in responding to international problems like those in India's neighbourhood, especially Afghanistan, and challenges in other parts of the region, like the South China Sea, among others. There is nothing to suggest that such matters of strategic import were in fact considered at the meeting in Washington. Partly this may have to do with the rather restrictive format adopted ~ there was plenty of time for the talks but only limited time for interaction with the media. Nevertheless, the visit seems to have achieved what it set out to do. The big attainment was to establish warmth and mutual confidence between the two principals. This provides the basis for further meaningful contact and exchange between them. India-US relations are in good shape; the Modi visit should take them effectively forward. The President's daughter is due to visit India later in the year, which will burnish the personalized touch adopted by rump in his dealings with India. The writer is India's former Foreign Secretary. The recent conviction of a former Coal Secretary and his colleagues, under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, prompted umpteen different reactions. The first category of reactions were from sympathisers of the ruling party who felt that justice had been done only partially, implying thereby that the real culprits (read the former PM) had gotten away. Then there were people from the Congress who felt that though harsh, the court verdict vindicated their leader. The public, however, felt that bureaucrats and politicians were equally dishonest and it was good that at least some of them had got their just desserts. But the reaction of IAS officers, as a class, was most interesting. Long retired bureaucrats came crawling out of the woodwork lambasting the poor judge, the judicial system, and the politicians; generally everyone except their own colleagues. The Niti Ayog Chairman, who had roundly castigated other services for corruption, came to the defence of his colleagues classifying their actions as mere errors of judgement. The over-reaction of the IAS fraternity is noteworthy even if one holds no brief for either the judge or the judgement. It would seem that an invisible laxman rekha has been crossed a mere Subordinate Court judge had dared to convict a Secretary- level officer. In their eyes, it would have been more appropriate had the case been allowed to drag on interminably like the Joshi couple case. By all reports the ex-Secretary is an honest man; it is indeed iniquitous that he has been sent to jail whilst millions of dishonest men (as evidenced by the number of persons who have been issued notices by the Income-tax Department after demonetisation) are roaming around free. One explanation of the judgement is that the law condones honest mistakes and ordinary negligence, but comes down harshly on gross negligence which it equates with criminality the category under which the actions of the ex-Secretary and his colleagues fall. Viewed in this context, the real culprit is the present system of governance which promotes the cult of exercising power without responsibility; in some cases without even understanding the points in issue. Take a typical case. Here is an honest and intelligent officer who worked as a District Collector and Commissioner with distinction. After accumulating enough seniority he lands in some ministry as an Additional Secretary and after some time heads some other department as a Secretary: he simply cannot have deep knowledge about the issues he is handling. Sometimes, the result is the kind of pickle in which the ex-Secretary finds himself. It is indeed hard to understand why generalists are called upon to head highly technical departments like Civil Aviation, Telecom, Coal or Revenue. Perforce these people have to fall back on the permanent staff in the ministries, the Desk Officers, Section Officers, and Under Secretaries etc. The notes put up by these worthies, sometimes on other considerations, always sail through. The net result is that powers which are to be exercised by the top most officers devolve on the junior most functionaries. This phenomenon was at work in the 2G scam also; where another ex-Secretary has been charged. Similar situations recur because the IAS fraternity sticks on to power regardless of the consequences. The political leadership acquiesces in this arrangement because IAS officers, being their permanent partners, are much easier to handle than domain experts. At another level, the IAS fraternity ensures that IAS officers are always at the top of the bureaucratic pile. Some years ago, the post of Commissioner of Railway Safety was kept vacant because two years had not elapsed since the time IAS officers had been promoted to an equivalent level. The recommendation of the Seventh Pay Commission that there should be parity in service conditions across services has got the goat of IAS officers. After many unsuccessful attempts to get around this recommendation, Secretaries across ministries are trying to ensure that the two year difference rule lives on by not processing the promotion files in their departments. It is not their concern that governance is suffering and officers of other services are feeling demoralised and frustrated. Finally, fraternal feeling ensures that no wrong can be laid at the door of an IAS officer. All IAS officers try to perpetuate the myth of incorruptibility and competence of IAS as a service though the corruption and sorry state of governance under the IAS points to the contrary. There may be internal dissensions amongst IAS officers, but for outsiders, the IAS is a monolith. All IAS officers are routinely graded as Outstanding, no vigilance enquiry is ever ordered against them even if the majority do not file their Annual Immovable Property Returns. In fact, the blame for non-implementation of Lokpal lies equally with the political executive and the IAS. Often IAS officers teach the alphabet of corruption to their political bosses because politicians are generally not aware of the nuts and bolts of administration. In most such cases, officers move on to other departments while politicians are left holding the baby. The only viable method to break free of the old boys club is to implement the oft repeated suggestion of having merit-based selection for Joint Secretary (and above) level posts. Once the hegemony of the IAS is broken; the old boys club will disintegrate. The writer is a retired, Jodhpur-based government school teacher. We planned a trip to the Ajodhya Hills in Purulia this year with much enthusiasm. Starting from Satragachi, we covered a five hours journey in Rupashi Bangla Express, as the train rushed past vast stretches of sugarcane fields till we were in Purulia around afternoon. Ajodhya (the warrior-God), was the name given to Lord Shiva. There are many interesting myths associated with it around the locality. Reaching the hills, we were put up in a government hotel. After enjoy some refreshments, we began exploring the place. Our driver-cum-guide shared many stories about Ajodhya. On the first day, we started our sight-seeing with the spellbinding dam, peculiar in shape located there. After having taken a look, we moved to the Durgabari dam, which was known to be natural, abounding in heavy boulders. According to myths, the Hindu Goddess Durga, used to take a bath here.This spot was considered sacred as devotees collected water and covered a long distance of five kilometers by feet to pour the holy water on the idol in a Shiva Temple, renowned in the place. But now many businessmen are showing commercial interest over the spot. Our first day tour came to an end with the setting sun. The next morning we went to a hermitage, situated just behind our lodge, which devotees claim is the birthplace of Lord Shiva. It resembled more of a mud hut, with dried husks for roof. Many tourists claimed to have seen poisonous snakes guarding the hut. An idol of Goddess Durga, holding an ever-lighted pot, dwells in it. The pot is claimed to have kept the place illuminated for 40 long years with the support of cow dung as fuel and the offerings of milk and ghee by devotees. There is a Yogini Cave located deeper inside the forests beyond mans reach. The cave has several mythological stories attached to it that triggered a lot of curiousity. However, we could not visit the place due to of inconvenience of vehicles. Myth has it that after Satis (another form of Goddess Durga) death, her soul settled inside this cave before she was reborn as Parvati and reunited in matrimony with Lord Shiva. To guard her from her enemy Shukra, the guru of the Asuras (monsters), who would often come to harm her in the disguise of snakes, Lord Shiva would always be present before the cave in the disguise of a Mayur (peacock). Due to this incident, the mountain got its name Mayur Pahar. At noon, crossing a small but river, and descending few precarious steps, we found ourselves partly before the magnificent tall Bamni-Falls. This falls is a part of the river Mandakini whose origin is known to be from Shivas head. The government can make it easier for the tourists to visit the spot by installing proper steps with railings for easy accessibility. Introducing ropeways for a birds eye view will also be a mesmerising experience. After enjoying the mesmerising water fall, we went to the Charida village, best known for one of the most prominent culture of Bengal, the Chhau dance. Vibrant masks were seen being manufactured for the dances. The next day, we started for Deulghata Temple, considered as one of the rich heritage sites of Purulia district. After visiting the place, we started for the famous Chinnamasta Temple in Jharkhand, which is a journey of 102kms. In this ancient temple, tantriks are often spotted. The structure of the temple is said to have been constructed by the divine craftsman Lord Vishwakarma. The two rivers, namely the Damodar and Bhairavi meet near this temple. However, the area is in a mess and lacks maintenance. With this our short trip came to end. In the evening we boarded the Chakradharpur-Howrah Express, for our journey back and Purulia bid us a sweet adieu as we had a kind of dessert known as Nikuti, a speciality of the place. Coordinator, Class X, Kalyani University Experimental High School President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Wednesday to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain, a trip that has already riled democracy activists in the politically divided city. The three-day visit is his first since becoming leader in 2013 and comes at a time when there are growing fears that Beijing is threatening semi-autonomous Hong Kong's freedoms. Leading pro-democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong were arrested yesterday night after staging a protest outside the convention centre that will host some of the anniversary events, a stone's throw away from the hotel where Xi will be staying. The surrounding area has been cordoned off by giant water-filled barricades and police have said they are taking "counter terrorism security measures" to ensure Xi's safety. Protesters are likely to be restricted to zones well away from the official celebrations. Animosity towards Beijing has grown in recent years, particularly among young people. The failure of mass rallies in 2014 to win democratic reform has sparked a new wave of "localist" activists, keen to emphasise Hong Kong's own identity, with some calling for a full split from the mainland. Since the return to China in 1997, the city has been governed under a "one country, two systems" deal that gives it rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. But there are now concerns Beijing is trampling the agreement by interfering in a range of areas, from politics to education and media. Chinese authorities and local officials insist Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status is intact, but have railed against calls for self-determination or independence. Xi's visit will culminate in the inauguration of new city leader Carrie Lam. She has promised to heal divisions but has already alarmed critics by saying children should be instilled with Chinese identity from a young age and suggesting that independence activists could face punishment under the law. Lam was appointed by a pro-China committee although her main opponent, former finance secretary John Tsang, consistently topped opinion polls. A Beijing-backed framework for what would have been the city's first public leadership election sparked the protests of 2014 after it said candidates must be vetted. Since then, the debate on promised democratic reforms has stalled with Lam saying she is unsure the time is right to revisit it. She has said she wants to focus on livelihood issues instead, in a city where the wealth gap is at a record high and many cannot afford decent housing, fuelling tensions. Xi's trip will also include a visit to China's People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong, which defends the city. There were fears ahead of the handover that the army would be heavyhanded, particularly after the brutal crushing of democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. But the Hong Kong garrison has kept a very low profile in the past 20 years. Xi is due to fly out of Hong Kong on Saturday, after Lam's inauguration. (AFP) The White House said that US President Donald Trump had accepted French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to visit France on Bastille Day next month. "President Trump looks forward to reaffirming America's strong ties of friendship with France, to celebrating this important day with the French people, and to commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I," said a statement by the White House on Wednesday. "The two leaders will further build on the strong counter-terrorism cooperation and economic partnership between the two countries, and they will discuss many other issues of mutual concern," Xinhua news agency cited the statement. The French invitation came amid public disagreement between Macron and Trump on Trump's decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement signed by 196 parties in Paris. Shortly after Trump announced his decision early this month to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Macron hit back in a televised speech with a call to "make our planet great again", a direct jab at Trump's campaign slogan to "make America great again". Macron also appealed to US scientists and other US citizens disappointed by Trump's decision to "come and work here (in France) with us to work together on concrete solutions for our climate". remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. By Ashwini Kumar: BJP leader and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Ramesh Arora has demanded a total ban on sale of momos in the country, as "it is a silent killer of children and is worse than alcohol and even drugs". Participating in the momo protest rally organised by Naya Sawera, an NGO based in Jammu, Arora said, "After his campaign against eating and sale of momos in Jammu and Kashmir and other party of the country, 50 to 60 per cent teenagers have left eating momos. I justify today's protest and I will fight against this," Arora said. advertisement Arora said that Ajinomoto salt/MSG is used as taste maker in momos which causes addiction and the addiction has negative effects on the body of a developing child. ADDICTION OF MOMOS The BJP Leader said that Ajninomoto 'Essence of taste' is name of the company. "Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is used in momos, manchurian, noodles and meat soups to give a flavour, rather, we can say flavour of addiction," he added. Arora said MSG can affect babies of pregnant women also. "It can also cause migraine, chest pain, cardic muscles arrest, hypertension, asthama, weight gain, sleep-disorder, breathing and can lead to cancer as well," added Arora. The BJP MLC said that 7 samples of momos were picked up in Jammu and 6 of the 7 were declared unsafe while the result of one sample is pending. Also read: Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh caught urinating in public, Swachh Bharat jokes on Twitter Also read: Head to this Delhi restaurant to taste authentic food from three different countries --- ENDS --- Organization: United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Duty Station: Uganda Reports to: Security Adviser (SA) or Deputy Security Adviser (DSA) Job ID: 10652 About UNDP: The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the programmes and activities of the United Nations System Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities: The Radio Operator will manage an efficient emergency coordination center Operate VHF & HF radios, sat-phones and maintain daily radio and operations log book. Conduct radio checks as requested by the UN security operations. Act quickly in the event of an emergency and contact relevant authorities to contain and help solve critical incidents. The jobholder also coordinates and follows-up with QRF for incident occurrences Obtain security clearance for trips to and from UN operational areas country-wide Record and track UN vehicles and staff movements during missions Periodically check and maintain an updated list of important contacts, agency contacts, SMT, OMT, Warden list and contacts etc Prepare and maintain updated UN information boards Maintain a detailed incident log book for the daily security reports Gather, compile and forward to the Security Officers and Data Assistant security information for regular reports The jobholder will keep stock of radio room equipment Report all faults relating to the efficient functioning of the Radio room Receive and place incoming and outgoing telephone calls and faxes Keeps a register of office phone utilization Prepare and conduct emergency telecommunications briefing for new staff Be flexible to replace colleagues while on leave within and outside duty station Perform any other tasks as may be assigned from time to time. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal applicant for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Radio Operator job placement should have completed Secondary School Education with both O and A level certificates At least two years of experience in telex, facsimile and radio operations as well as a certificate in Radio Communications. Personal Competencies: Commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter and the Organizations core values Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity Planning and Organizing: Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor his/her own work plan with minimum supervision. Ability to work under pressure or in crisis situations. Availability to travel within the area of responsibility. Creativity: Ability to actively seek to improve services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs, and promote and persuade others to consider new ideas Teamwork: Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to listen and work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity Communication: Proven and sustained communication (verbal and written) skills. NB: The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (Application, interview meeting, processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants bank accounts. How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested candidates who so desire to join the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in the aforementioned capacity should endeavor to Apply Online by Clicking on the link below. Please further review job requirements and if competent Click Apply Now. th July 2017 Deadline: 6July 2017 Two Indian soldiers were injured on Thursday in a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) by the Pakistan Army. By Indo-Asian News Service: Two Indian soldiers were injured on Thursday in a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) by the Pakistan Army. "Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked shelling and firing along the LoC in Poonch," Defence Ministry sources said. They used small arms, automatics and mortars. The firing started at 1.30 a.m. The Indian Army retaliated effectively and strongly, the defence sources said. advertisement The injured soldiers were shifted to hospital. ALSO READ: China defends Pakistan after India, US target Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin After Narendra Modi-Donald Trump meet, Pakistan says US does not care about killing of innocent Kashmiris ALSO WATCH: 5 Pakistan soldiers killed in retaliatory firing by Indian Army at LoC --- ENDS --- Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat The heart of the Indian economy is its small and medium business segment. As of now, we have about 50 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India contributing almost 37 per cent of the industrial output and 46 per cent of Indias total export. With a stable growth rate of over 10 per cent, SME India employs a staggering 120 million people and has emerged as the leading employment-generating sector over the years. It goes without saying, that when the nation is on the verge of a massive taxation regime change in the form of GST, its impact on the life of SMEs is super critical for the nation as a whole. Here are five key benefits that we can surely see for SMEs with the introduction of GST: Ease of starting business: In the current taxation regime, the sales tax department has various threshold limits which require VAT registration. A business with operations in multiple states has to thus follow varied tax rules, which leads to high compliance burden and associated costs, and this is bound to hit the price-sensitive Indian SME. The GST regime, however, introduces a unified taxation environment, which absorbs most of the complexities, making it much easier for anybody to start a business. The slew of indirect taxes currently levied by state and central governments will be subsumed by a unified GST, which will not only bring down the incubation cost of a business, but ensure that the focus stays on business growth rather than meeting compliance norms and associated costs. Opportunity of market expansion: In the current system, SMEs do not find it conducive to nurture a customer base outside the borders of their home state as the tax burden arising from inter-state sales is borne by their customers, increasing the costs and impacting their competitiveness. What this leads to is a reduction of their customer base, and this is a lost opportunity. Those who can flex their money muscle a bit more, choose states based on tax rates and invest in warehouses to reduce the tax obligation again an additional cost. With implementation of GST, this entire behaviour will change as there will now be a seamless flow of tax credit across states, bringing sellers outside the state and local sellers on a level playing field. In other words, the entire nation will act as a unified market, and any SME with the vision and intent can make the most of this opportunity. Increased profitability: Most SMEs, more often than not, are bound to consume certain services that are required for the purpose of business. Under the current regime, input tax credit is available to SMEs, only on those inputs which are used or linked to their taxable output. However, any tax paid on business overheads, e.g. advertising services is not allowed as credit to a trader. In GST, the concept of input tax credit is now broadened to include any input or services used or intended to be used in the course of or for furtherance of business. Thus, SMEs will now be allowed to claim input tax credit on all such inward supplies, and that is surely going to reduce operational cost and enhance profitability. Reduced complications in compliance: Currently a typical SME or start-up spends a lot of time and energy to manage the various types of taxes at various points. Filing separate returns under each department, as per the stipulated timelines, in itself is a nightmare. Further, businesses like restaurants, which fall under both sales and service taxation, have to calculate both VAT and service tax separately for compliance purposes. GST, by virtue of its unified structure and neat classification of goods and services for the purpose of taxation, practically eliminates all such complications, and most importantly reduces compliance effort and costs. Reduced human intervention for compliance: Possibly the biggest benefit SMEs stand to gain is reduced human intervention that will be brought about by the online taxation experience of GST. SMEs now need not worry about interacting with numerous department officers for carrying out compliance procedures something that eats into the time of a business and is considered as a headache. All the compliance procedures under GST registration, payments, refunds and returns will now be carried out through online portals only, which has the following advantages: Registration timely receipt of certificate of registration and minimal bureaucracy Payment more transparency and reduction in compliance costs Refund faster process and enhanced liquidity Returns automatic and hassle-free input tax credit and tax liability adjustment In conclusion, GST may have some immediate impacts more number of SMEs coming into the taxation fold, transaction centric compliance, technology adoption for GST compliance for which a typical SME needs to brace itself in the time to come. But, once thats done, GST will ensure a long term steady growth for the Indian SMEs, making them more competitive than before. Not only will we see the Indian SME competing with local large enterprises, but also foreign competition coming in from cheap cost centres such as China, Philippines and Bangladesh that which bodes well for the Indian economy in the time to come. Tejas Goenka is the executive director of Tally Solutions Popular quick service restaurant (QSR) chain Mc Donald's is shutting its 43 out of 55 branches in Delhi as they could not get regulatory permit or "eating house clearance" to continue operations. These branches were operated by its North and East Zone franchisee Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited (CPRL). "We have applied for the regulatory permit. It is under process. This is a temporary suspension," said a person associated with the company. Denying reports that around 1,700 jobs may be lost, he said, "All the employees will be given salary for this period." CRPL's managing director Vikram Bakshi has taken Mc Donald's to company law board on the issue of abrupt sacking in 2013. Although Bakshi still owns 50 per cent in the JV, the legal battle has soured relationship between the partners. Of late, McDonald's has been losing ground to other QSR chains such as Domino's and new entrants in the burger spaceBurger King, Carl's Jr, Fat Burger and Burger Singh. The legal battle and lack of investment has taken a toll on Mc Donald's north India business. Mc Donald's sales have declined in its home market, the US. The company posted 1.3 per cent decline in sales in its January results. Westlife Development Ltd, through subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd (HRPL), owns the franchise for the west and south India operations of McDonald's and runs 242 restaurants. What if you want to buy, let's say, a leather wallet and are not sure where to look for good ones? You Google it, of course. The search throws up several options where different wallets from various e-commerce portals pop up. From here, you can choose the one that suits your interest. This is, in fact, Google's own shopping serviceGoogle Shopping. This shopping service has been dealt a major blow now, with the European Union imposing a record fine of $2.7bn on the company. The European Competition Commission ruled that the company had manipulated search results to promote its own shopping service at the top of the search results. The ruling hopes to end 'anti-competitive' practices by the company, which has faced flak from other countries over the last few years. Why it is anti-competitive When you search for that leather wallet, Google Shopping displays images and prices of relevant products, along with the names of e-commerce portals they are available from. If available, ratings of the products are also shown. We might just click on one of those links without pondering over it much. We may not even have noticed the word 'sponsored' written on the top right corner. This means that these search results, unlike other normal search only include items that have been paid to appear. The number of these shopping search results have grown over the years. In fact, very often, the organic search results come farther down the page below the ads. Studies have shown that the number of clicks on Google Shopping ads have increased considerably. In fact, shopping ads represent about 74 per cent of all ads clicked on Google. And Google's monopoly in content and search engine, plays a decisive role in what people purchase, too. Hence, there has been a hue and cry against the search engine's advertising practices. Anti-competitive charges in other countries The European Commission had been investigating Google Shopping since 2010, based on a complaint by tech rival giant Microsoft. Google has had a tryst with other countries, too. India: In 2015, India''s competition watchdogCompetition Commission of Indiaaccused Google of abusing its dominant position in online search. The case has not yet been closed. In February this year, BharatMatrimony filed a complaint against Google alleging that it was misusing the AdWords programme. The AdWords programme, in which Google sells keywords to advertisers and displays them as online advertisements, is a big money spinner for Google. US: In the US, Google faced anti-competitive charges from as early as 2007, when competitors pushed the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google's online advertising. However, in 2013, the FTC dropped the probe against Google and concluded it has bot-manipulated search results. Brazil: In Brazil, too, Google faced similar charges in 2013, which forced an investigation into Google's advertising activities. Russia: Like the EU, in Russia, too, Google faced a major blow. Over two years ago, Russia's largest search provider Yandex, filed a complaint against Google's monopoly over advertising and violating competition rules. In April this year, Google reached a $7.8-million settlement with Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service agency. After a protracted legal battle which lasted 16 years, the high power committee of Chhattisgarh government decided the caste status of former chief minister Ajit Jogi and concluded that he is not a tribal. The committee was formed after the Supreme Court verdict in the matter in October 2011. In 2001, BJP leaders Santkumar Netam and Nandkumar Sai had approached National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Nandkumar Sai, former MP and state BJP president, had complained that Ajit Jogi was claiming the status of a tribal through forged documents. When the complaint was made before SC/ST Commission, Ajit Jogi had approached the Bilaspur High Court saying that commission does not have the right to decide on his caste. His application was upheld by the court. The complainants challenged this order before Supreme Court. The apex court in October 2011 directed the state government to form a high power committee and decide upon the case. In pursuance with the court order, a committee under chairmanship of Meena Babsahab Kangale and three other membersG.R. Churendra, S.R. Tandon and G.M. Jhawas formed. The committee did not take a decision for long, but was forced to decide when a new deadline of May 31, 2017 was fixed. Reacting to the decision of the committee, which is yet to be formally presented in the court, Ajit Jogi said, "I have come to know that the committee has decided that I am not tribal. If I am not tribal than they should also tell who I am." He said that he will go to court against the decision, as the procedure was not followed by the committee. The decision was signed by just one member when there were five members, he said. Jogi, a former IAS officer of MP cadre, had resigned from all India services to become Rajya Sabha member from Congress party in 1986, when Rajiv Gandhi made him Congress nominee from MP. Though Ajit Jogi did not take advantage of his caste while appearing for the IAS exams, he had been contesting elections from the seats reserved for tribals. The controversy over the caste of Ajit Jogi has been haunting him since the last two decade. The matter was raked up in 2001 by BJP when Jogi was appointed as the first chief minister of Chhattisgarh. Jogi was chief minister of Chhattisgarh for three years between November 2000 to November 2003. He lost his government to BJP and the BJP has continued to rule Chhattisgarh. Last year, Ajit Jogi was expelled from Congress party for his anti-party activities. He had floated a new regional party even after which his wife and son continued to be MLAs from Congress. The Army has deployed 3,000 soldiers along the national highway in South Kashmir to ensure security of pilgrims during the 45-day long Amarnath Yatra which began on Thursday. The Army deployment is to allow incident-free movement of vehicles on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway to the base camps in Pahalgam and Ganderbal in Kashmir. A total of 30,000 security personnel have been deployed for the yatra this year, an increase of 15 per cent compared to last year. Security measures have been beefed up in view of the increased militant attacks on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The yatra was flagged off by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh from Yatris Niwas in Jammu. The first batch of pilgrims from various parts of the country, comprising 2,280 people, including 1,811 men, 422 women and 47 sadhus, left for twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal, an official spokesman said. The yatra began amidst chants of Har Har Mahadev and Bam Bam Bhole, the official added. Singh assured the yatris that elaborate security and logistic arrangements have been put in place by the government to ensure peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage. He said all facilities will be provided to the pilgrims for their comfortable stay. As many as 200 additional companies (2,000 troops) of CRPF, BSF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) have reached Kashmir for the yatra duty. "We have brought in five battalions. Two will remain deployed in South Kashmir while three would guard the highway, general officer commanding (GoC) of 15 Corps, Lt General J.S. Sandhu told reporters. Sandhu said two battalions of Army deployed in South Kashmir districts will deal with the law and order problems, if any, during the yatra period. Noting that the primary concern of security personnel is the highway which has been witnessing frequent attacks by militants, he said the 3,000 men deployed on the highway stretch will also ensure night area domination. The GoC agreed that an increased number of soldiers have been deployed to guard the stretch of highway between Pantha Chowk to Pahalgam on one side and Ganderbal to Baltal base camp in Sonmarg on the other. Yes, and reason is the spurt in the militant attacks on force," he said. Meanwhile, security forces on Thursday averted a tragedy by detecting and defusing two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Dangerpora area of South Kashmirs Pulwama district. Weighing five kg, the IEDs, according to a police, were planted near Circular Road. The Congress appears undecided over attending the special midnight function in Parliament house on June 30 to mark the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and a final decision is expected on Thursday, party sources said. They said senior Congress leaders met at the residence of party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday evening and discussed the issue. They said final decision would be taken by her on Thursday. The Trinamool Congress has already decided not to attend the June 30 midnight programme as a mark of protest against the "unnecessary disastrous hurry" to roll out the pan-India tax regime. Sources said that Trinamool Congress was keen that the Congress also adopt the same course. They said that the move to roll out GST was initiated during the Congress-led government, so the party had to carefully weigh various factors. "We are a bigger party and have to take a decision keeping in mind all factors. Smaller parties have their own considerations," a party leader said. According to the sources, while a section of the party feels that the GST is party's brainchild and the party should attend the meeting even though the BJP is seeking to take credit, another section feels that the party should abstain protesting against the way the tax regime is being implemented. The GST will be launched at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament on June 30. The first batch of Amarnath pilgrims reached Baltal base camp in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Piyush Singla, DC, Ganderbal, said, "The first group is expected to start their journey for the Amarnath Cave on Friday morning at 5 a.m. The administration has set a target of sending 7500 pilgrims in different batches for the Amarnath Cave. However, we will have a review meeting late in the night as there was rain in the evening. " "I want to assure the pilgrims that all the arrangements have been made to make their pilgrimage safe and comfortable," Singla said. Fayaz Ahmad Lone, Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal, said, "This time we have three-tier security in place. We are sure that the Amarnath Yatra will be any untoward incident free. We appeal to the Yatris that they should come without any fear. The Amarnath cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres. The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains and is covered with snow most of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for annual Amarnath Yatra. The Baltal base camp is located in Sonamarg, around 110kms from capital Srinagar. The pilgrims have expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements and hospitality of the Kashmiris. A piligrim, Devesh Pandey, said that if the weather allows then tomorrow morning he and his group will embark on the sacred yatra to have a glimpse of Lord Shiva. "The security and other arrangements for the pilgrims are more than our expectations. Local Kashmiris are also welcoming us and extending support," Pandey said. Vijay Yadav, who is undertaking the yatra for the 11th time, also said the government and the administration have made best security arrangements. He also praised the local Kashmiris and said, "There are few people in Kashmir who want that Amarnath pilgrims shouldn't come but the local Kashmiris have always been very receptive and helpful." Sachin Yadav, who also has been coming for the annual yatra, said that this time the security arrangements are much better than his previous pilgrimages. Ajaz Ahmad Teli, local Kashmiri vendor who sells sweaters and jackets, said, "We are very happy to see the first batch of Amarnath Yatris. After all they are our guests as well as customers also." India will be looking at enhancing partnership with Israel when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the country on July 4. Modi will be the first prime minister to visit Israel in 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the official ministry of external affairs briefing, joint secretary of West Asia and North African countries B. Bala Bhaskar said Modi, after landing in Israel on July 4, would meet his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu the next day, for official talks. The prime minister will also meet with business leaders of the host country and later address the Indian diaspora. Modi had earlier met Netanyahu in September 2014. Later, President Pranab Mukherjee went on a visit to Palestine and Israel in October 2015. Last year, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had visited India. Israel is keen to participate in many of the India's flagship programmes like smart city, clean Ganga and digital India. We already have cooperation in the fields of education, innovation, water, entrepreneurship and joint research, Bhaskar said. We want to definitively shape and advance this cooperation into various areas, he added when asked if the partnership will be enhanced to strategic levels. India is looking at a defence deal with Israel. We have defence cooperation, we want more cooperation on homeland security, the external affairs ministry official said. Both countries last year did a trade of Rs 4.16 billion, which is loaded in favour of Israel. Israel has also set up 25 centres of excellence in 15 states in India in the field of agriculture. By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Italian two-wheeler maker Piaggio today said it plans to launch made in India Vespa and Aprilia SR models in Sri Lanka. The company aims to replicate the Indian success story in the Sri Lankan market serving the emerging need of the aspiring youth of Lanka catering to the desires of the biking enthusiasts, Piaggio said in a statement. advertisement "Both Aprilia and Vespa have created a benchmark in the two-wheeler segment in India and now the bikes are set to make their debut in Sri Lanka," Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL) Managing Director and CEO Diego Graffi said. The company hopes to further enhance its positioning in the Indian Sub-Continent with this launch, he added. "The accolades that the bikes have received in India and other international markets, are an inspiration for introducing more innovative products in the future," Graffi said. The company has a manufacturing plant in Baramati, Maharashtra, where it manufactures the iconic Vespa alongside the newly launched Aprilia SR 150. PTI MSS SBT --- ENDS --- China on Thursday said the withdrawal of Indian troops from what it said was its territory was a "precondition" for a "meaningful dialogue" over the border stand-off. This means the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, put off by China in the wake of the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops, won't resume till both sides sort out their row in the area Donglong which Beijing calls its own. "We urge the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said. "This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue. "I think diplomatic channel of communication remains unimpeded," he added. China also brushed aside Bhutan's protest against Beijing building a road towards a Bhutanese Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam or Donglong, calling the "construction "just and lawful in Chinese territory". Donglong and Doklam is a disputed territory between China and Bhutan where troops from the People's Liberation Army and the India Army had scuffled. "Donglong has been Chinese territory since ancient time. This is an indisputable territory and we have adequate legal basis concerning this," Lu said. "And this is just a sovereign action by China to conduct the road construction in its territory. This is totally justifiable and lawful." China tests military tank Amid rising tensions with India, China has tested a military tank in Tibet. Confirming the trial of 35-tonne light tank, People's Liberation Army spokesperson Colonel Wu Qian said it was not directed at any country. "A type of tank undertook trial on the plateau. The purpose is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country," Wu told reporters. Five Indian states have a border with Tibet. India and China fought a war in 1962 over their disputed border. Pakistan has expressed its concerns over the recent US-India Joint Statement during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States and said that it could aggravate an already tense situation between Islamabad and New Delhi. "The Joint Statement is singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region. By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation," Pakistan's Foreign Office said in response to the Indo-US joint statement that was issued on Tuesday after President Donald Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Modi at the White House. "The meeting in Washington D.C. between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi was a missed opportunity to induce India to alter its policies inimical to peace in the region," the statement added. "The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries," said the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. The statement added that they further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups". The Foreign Office said that Pakistan stands ready and committed to resolve all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu & Kashmir with India through peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions It further said that Pakistan has been the primary victim of terrorism in the region and its contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism are un-matched. "No country has sacrificed as much as Pakistan, not only in material resources but in lives," it added. Pakistan also expressed its concerns on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. "Such sales accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia." President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have pledged to deepen defense and security cooperation, building on the United States' recognition of India as a Major Defense Partner. "The United States and India look forward to working together on advanced defense equipment and technology at a level commensurate with that of the closest allies and partners of the United States. Reflecting the partnership, the United States has offered for India's consideration the sale of Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems, which would enhance India's capabilities and promote shared security interests," said the Indo-US joint statement. Earlier, in a major vindication for India and embarrassment for Pakistan, the US Department of State on Monday designated Hizbul Chief Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist'. With the Donald Trump Administration blacklisting Salahuddin as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' for his atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan accused the United States of singing to India's tune. Asserting that there would never be any compromise on rights of Kashmiris and Pakistan would continue to support their cause 'till realisation of right of self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions', Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said they will continue their 'Kashmir freedom' campaign. Khan further stated that the US administration has started speaking the language of India, reports Radio Pakistan. Having been received by President Pranab Mukherjee, and having hosted Foreign Ministers Jaswant Singh, S.M. Krishna and Sushma Swaraj on their premises of amity, the Ansaris of Jerusalem expect to have the honour of meeting the first Indian prime minister who visits Israel. Indian hospice in Jerusalem The Ansaris, who hail from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, have been living in Jerusalem for three generations since 1924, and running the 800-year-old Indian Hospice there. Every Indian dignitary who comes to Israel either call at their hospice or receive them for at least a few minutes. Through eight centuries of strife, the place they run has remained a place of piety, compassion and hospitality. Sheikh Mohammed Munir, the second generation Ansari who is close to 90, is the current director. He was honoured with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2011. The hospice they run has a hoary tradition. Situated near the famous Herod's Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, it is believed to have been the prayer hall of a Sufi saint from Faridkot 800 years ago. Legend has it that Sufi saint Hazrat Farid ud-Din Ganj Shakar (better known as Baba Farid) from Faridkot in Punjab, came to Jerusalem around the year 1200 (soon after the third crusade), and spent his days fasting in a cave near the al-Aqsa mosque. He returned to Faridkot, but his prayer spot became a favourite resting place of Indian pilgrims on their way to Mecca or back. The place thus became a pilgrims' inn. After the defeat of the Ottoman empire and the fall of Jerusalem to the British in 1917, the hospice became a hospital and resting place for hundreds of Indian troops. It was then that the Grand Mufti of Palestine Haj Amin Hussein travelled to India on the invitation of the Ali brothers who were Mahatma Gandhi's friends and were active in the Khilafat movement. The Grand Mufti invited Sheikh Nazir Ansari, who was friends with the Ali brothers, to Jerusalem to run the hospice. The Sheikh was succeeded by his eldest son Mohammed Munir Ansari, the present director. Baba Farid's prayer cave There were actually several Indian hospices set up in the last 800 years, explained Naseer Ansari, a civil engineer and the younger son of Mohammed Ansari. Our grandfather traded those and bought up all these premises around the old Baba Farid's hospice. It is now 7,000 square metres. Several of the buildings, which house clinics, living-rooms, a library, a small mosque and envelops Baba Farid's prayer cave, were built with the help of native Indian rulers like the Nizam of Hyderabad and nawabs of Rampur and Bahawalpur (now in Pakistan) during the British days. The hospice again hosted a relief camp for Indian soldiers during the second world war, and was hailed as an island of peace and hope during the strife-torn 1940s when the state of Israel was formed amid a war. A UN clinic was opened within the premises then. In the Six-Day war of 1967, bombs fell on the spot and three of the family were killed. The spot then came under Israeli control, along with the city of Jerusalem. But since India didn't have an embassy in Israel, our visitors used to come through the Indian embassy in Jordan, said Nazeer Ansari. Incidentally, all the Ansariseven the fourth generation who are in their teensstill hold Indian passports. Their municipal issues are handled by the government of Israel, their waqf issues by Jordan, other matters by the Palestine government. If the elder Ansari has been feted by the Indian government, the eldest son Nasser Ansari (who will succeed him) has been honoured with a Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth in 2003. A few years ago, Indian ambassador to Israel Navtej Sarna, personally researched old records with the hospice and the Jerusalem authorities and wrote a book about it. A parole board on Thursday morning 5 Tammuz decided to approve a request for the early release of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert has served 15 months in prison and authorities agreed to remove one-third of his sentence on good behavior. The parole boards decision will lead to Olmerts release on Sunday, 8 Tammuz. The committee dismissed a third of the sentence of Olmert, who was convicted of accepting a bribe and began to serve his sentence in February 2016. The prosecution expressed opposition to the release. The decision was made against the background of the examination of the publication of Olmerts classified documents to the Yediot Achronot publishing house and Olmerts hospitalization last week. Attorney Eli Zohar, who represents Olmert, said this morning before the parole board hearing: I very much hope that the result will be as we wished. Olmert left the hospital and will be in the discussion today, and we wish him success. Asked whether he felt that Olmert was being persecuted by the State Prosecutors Office, Zohar replied: One day we will share feelings. Olmert was released from Tel Hashomer Hospital on Wednesday. He was transported to the hospital last week after complaining he did not feel well and it was decided to admit him and rule out a cardiac incident, which they did. At present, barring any appeals challenging his release, this coming Shabbos will be Olmerts last in prison. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) (Written By Judi Franco NJ 101.5 / Republished with permission) Alleged food stamp And Medicaid fraud by Orthodox Jews? Not that big of a story, honestly. Well, it is to a lot of people, but only cause theyre Jews. And religious ones. From Lakewood ( which always makes for an interesting story). I mean, how do these otherwise devout, decent people succumb to temptation like this? The answer is: Weve made it simple. It needs to be said that there is no defense for acts of fraud. If found guilty, these people have committed crimes and should be punished for them. But Food stamp and Medicaid fraud has a long and rich history in this country, pretty much since we started giving stuff away. In the 40s, when the food stamp program was first initiated to pull folks out of the Great Depression, the stealing began right away. Unfortunately, less than six months after the USDA implemented this first federal food-stamp initiative, shop owners were arrested, mischarging customers paying with the stamps thereby playing the system. By the 60s, it was poor blacks and Latinos who sold their coupons to store merchants for cash. In the 70s, mobsters and gang members of all stripes were able to procure everything from guns to homes to prostitutes with black market food stamps. Though now these programs use debit cards to make it harder to treat benefits as commodities, the system is ripe for picking. Thats why we have to stop giving stuff away. Because some people are gonna be tempted to abuse the system, Jewish or otherwise. But lets put this into perspective: Lets say there are 50 arrests. Or even 100 arrests. There are still 80,000-plus Orthodox Jews in Lake (the real population size of Lakewood, according to the township, is 125,000). Compare that to arrests in any other city or community. Jews, on the criminal totem pole, are still pretty low. In terms of Medicaid fraud, here are some numbers from the state comptrollers office: In 2015, $771 million in fraudulent claims were avoided by proactive antifraud efforts in New Jersey. So, apparently are a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds are abusing this system including, doctors, hospitals, rich and poor, black and white, Jews, Muslims, Christians and atheists. $771 MILLION! I think that warrants more hysteria than this tiny segment of the New Jersey populace does. And requires us to think about whether its time to stop giving away money all together! But this little slice of Lakewood will always mystify and anger people, whether it commits crimes or not. Cause lets face it: Medicaid fraud is rampant in this state and always has been. Its just much more interesting to people when Jews do it. (Source: nj1015.com) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's home district Sehore has witnessed maximum number of suicides by farmers since Mandsaur firing on June 6. By Hemender Sharma: Farmers continue to kill themselves in Madhya Pradesh. There seems to be no end to disturbing trend among the farmers. Since the Mandsaur police firing which killed six farmers, 42 more have committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh. Eight farmers have committed suicide in the state in the past 24 hours taking the total to 42 since June 6. advertisement Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's home district Sehore tops the suicide list where nine farmers have taken the extreme step. FARMERS SUICIDE EVERYWHERE In Hoshangabad, four farmers have committed suicide while three each from Badwani and Dhar districts took the extreme step. Two farmers each from Ratlam, Vidisha, Balaghat, Chhattarpur, and Panna also killed themselves, supposedly, because of debt burden and farm related issues while one farmer each from Sagar, Raisen, Harda, Shivpuri, Chindwara, Neemuch, Indore, Tikamgarh, Khandwa Dewas, Morena, Mandsaur and Narsinghpur committed suicide. Family members of the farmers, who ended their lives, have alleged either a debt trap or farm related distress as the cause but the state government does not agree with them. WHAT STATE GOVERNMENT SAYS Madhya Pradesh agriculture minister Gauri Shanker Bisen has said on more than one occasion that it has become a fashion to attribute farming distress and debt trap to every suicide committed in the state. State BJP president Nand Kumar Chouhan has also echoed the sentiments expressed by the Madhya Pradesh minister. The BJP and the state government have blamed the Congress party for playing politics over farmers' death in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress, in turn, has held the BJP government responsible for deaths of the farmers. ALSO READ | Revealed: What is killing India's farmers? India Today exclusive No farmer in Madhya Pradesh committed suicide due to agrarian distress: CID report Beyond Madhya Pradesh: Why loan waivers don't help farmers ALSO WATCH | How government vultures feast on farmers in Mandis --- ENDS --- (PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE) Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein delivered a historic speech on Wednesday 4 Tammuz before the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament in Moscow. Speaker Edelstein, who was invited for an official visit by Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko, gave the speech exactly 30 years after he served a three-year sentence in a Soviet labor camp for his Zionist activities. Edelstein opened his speech in Hebrew: Thirty-three years ago I was imprisoned here in Moscow by the authorities of the Soviet Union for teaching the Hebrew language. I was imprisoned because I was teaching the language which spread to the world the ideas of rejecting tyranny, upholding the rule of justice, love of mankind and the hopes of freedom; the language in which the prophets of Israel foretold the day on which `Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; nor will they learn war anymore.` I was imprisoned because I worked to disseminate the language in which Abraham, the founder of the Jewish religion, was told `Go from your country, your people and your father`s household to the land I will show you.` Today, I stand before you as the Speaker of Knesset Yisrael, and, in the same language which I was imprisoned for teaching, I bless you with the ancient Jewish blessing: `Shalom Aleichem`! Even in my finest dreams, I never believed I`d reach this moment. For me, this brings double closure: For me, Yuli Edelstein, and for the entire Jewish nation, which I stand here as its representative. Continuing his speech in Russian, Knesset Speaker Edelstein mentioned Israel`s resilience and survival despite the many wars it has fought, while stressing that the country still faces numerous threats, including Iran-backed Hizbullah in the north and Hamas, which chooses terror over the wellbeing of Gaza`s citizens, in the south. Addressing global terror, Speaker Edelstein said in the 21st century, terror has replaced Nazism as absolute evil. We see almost every week vehicles running over innocent bystanders, and suicide bombers blowing up school children at concerts. We must create an atmosphere of mutual respect between the different countries. An atmosphere that will facilitate closer cooperation in the fight against terror, so that no one will have to look into the eyes of a mother who lost her only son in a terror attack. I believe this is possible. We can defeat terror, but only by boldly fighting against it, side by side. At the conclusion of his speech, Edelstein asked to convey a blessing in Hebrew from Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish People, from which the message of justice and the war against evil has been coming out for nearly 3,000 years. He then recited the following a pasuk from Tehillim, Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions` sakes, I will now say: `Peace be within thee.` For the sake of the house of the L-rd our G-d I will seek thy good. Following his speech, Edelstein was scheduled to take a personal tour of Moscow, during which he will visit sites that were significant in his life`s story: places where he was active as a Refusnik, the site of his arrest, the courthouse where his trial took place, the prison in which he was incarcerated, and more. Speaker Edelstein`s visit to Moscow is taking place, symbolically, 30 years after his release from a Soviet labor camp. Edelstein began his official three-day visit to Moscow Tuesday afternoon with a meeting with the Chairwoman of the Federation Council (upper house of the Russian parliament), Valentina Matviyenko. Edelstein was greeted warmly by Matviyenko, signed the guestbook at the entrance to the Federation Council, and presented his host with a bouquet of flowers. During their work meeting, Matviyenko thanked Edelstein for accepting the invitation to visit Moscow and said she believes the visit will strengthen the relations between our countries and parliaments. I am also awaiting your speech tomorrow at the plenum of the Federation Council. I visited Israel twice last year, and we are planning many meetings between the parliaments at various levels. The parliamentary friendship groups of the Knesset and the Federation Council will work on a `road map` for the continuation of our joint work. Edelstein thanked his host for the warm welcome and said, Our excellent relations, which we will continue to develop, are generally focused on two things: One is how to further strengthen the economic and cultural ties through joint parliamentary activity. And the second is how to discuss our differences of opinion in an in-depth, honest and serious manner in order to narrow the gaps. I believe this visit presents an opportunity to discuss everything that has already been mentioned, as well as additional matters we will begin to deal with starting today. During a press conference held after the meeting, Speaker Edelstein said, It is known that our region is sensitive, and Russia is playing a significant role in it. Therefore, it is very important that we continue the cooperation and resolve the differences of opinion between us, if they exist. Matviyenko referred to the allegations that Russia had intervened in the US elections as hysteria which does not correspond with reality. Russia, she stated, has not intervened in any election, just as we would not want anyone intervening in our affairs. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Fire Commissioner Teddy Simchi met on Tuesday 3 Tammuz with Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita in his office at the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. The meeting took place following publications relating to religious firemen and the service. During the meeting with the Chief Rabbi, Simchi clarified that, contrary to the publications, he is fully committed to the tradition of Israel, the rabbinate, kashrus and remaining religious if the Fire Service. During the meeting, the issue of instructing firefighters to shave their beards to wear fire masks during their work was discussed, which led to Rabbi Perls resignation as department rav. The Chief Rabbi noted that, as they found a solution for bearded men and gas masks [in the IDF], it is necessary to examine whether a mask can be fitted to firefighters who have beard. Rav Lau and the commissioner agreed that a committee of experts on firefighting services would be established to examine whether and in what ways firefighters could be provided with special masks that would allow the firefighters to be kept safe during their work, while allowing firefighters not to shave their beard. The commissioner also stressed that the issues of tradition and kashrus have been accepted and a firefighter will receive the necessary and optimal conditions for maintaining ones religious lifestyle. During their meeting, the issue of appointing a new rabbi to the Fire Service was also raised, and the Chief Rabbi noted that a new rabbi should be appointed as soon as possible. At the meeting, it was agreed that only a rabbi holding a Yoreh Yoreh certificate from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel would be appointed to the position, so that it would be possible to ensure that the rabbi elected would possess the necessary knowledge to carry out the complex task of the fire department. At the end of the meeting, the Chief Rabbi noted that he was impressed by the Commissioners commitment to religious services and that the Chief Rabbinate would continue to assist and direct religious services in the firefighting system. The commissioner invited the Chief Rabbi to visit the fire stations and to please remain in contact with the service. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) In the political system, members of the dati leumi camp are increasingly assuming that the Ichud Leumi party headed by Uri Ariel, which is now teamed with Bayit Yehudi, is bound to join the Yachad party headed by former MK Eli Yishai. Yishais party failed to meet the minimum threshold to enter Knesset. It now appears increasingly likely that Ariels faction is going to break away from Bayit Yehudi in the next Knesset elections. However, while the politicians path may not so clear, it seems that the voters are not ready to wait and many voters and supporters of the chardali (chareidi dati leumi) party, Yachad, are moving over to Yishai now. We are indeed very far from the next election campaign, but you can already see a significant movement of people who voted for Bayit Yehudi last year because of Uri Ariel to the Yachad party, not only as voters but as activists who want to be active in the party, a senior party official explains. It is very difficult to ignore our achievement in the last elections, and with the largest voting percentage of all time, we were only half a percent away from entering the Knesset, and next time we have a number of parties, we will definitely do it in a big way. The next Knesset elections are keeping Yishai busy. Yishai himself refuses to be interviewed, but a senior official in his party tells us that there is significant activity by the party on the municipal level as well. Some party officials are optimistic, explaining there are a number of places where the mayor may appoint persons affiliated with Yachad and the chance of this occurring is now low. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Iran says the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to reinstate parts of a travel ban applied to six Muslim-majority countries is racist and unfair. Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi was quoted by state TV Wednesday as saying it is regrettable that Washington closes its eyes to the main perpetrators of terrorist acts in the U.S, without elaborating. The Supreme Court on Monday allowed President Donald Trump to forge ahead with a limited version of his ban on travelers from Iran, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia. The justices will hear full arguments in October in the case. Critics say the ban is intended to meet Trumps campaign promise of keeping Muslims out of the country. The administration says the restrictions are needed to keep out terrorists while it tightens vetting procedures. (AP) A police helicopter fired on Venezuelas Supreme Court and Interior Ministry in what President Nicolas Maduro said was a thwarted terrorist attack aimed at ousting him from power. The confusing incident, which may ratchet up tensions in a country already paralyzed by months of deadly anti-government protests, took place as Maduro was speaking live on state television Tuesday and as the high court handed down a series of rulings against the opposition. He later said the helicopter had fired on the pro-government court with grenades, one of which didnt go off, helping avoid any loss of life. Adding to the intrigue, pictures of a blue police helicopter carrying an anti-government banner appeared on social media around the same time as a video in which an apparent police pilot and budding action movie actor, identified as Oscar Perez, called for a rebellion against Maduros tyranny. He said he was part of a coalition of renegade members of the countrys security forces. Authorities said they were still searching for the man. We have two choices: be judged tomorrow by our conscience and the people or begin today to free ourselves from this corrupt government, the man said while reading from a manifesto in front of four figures dressed in fatigues, wearing ski masks and carrying assault rifles. There was no sign of any other police or troops taking part an uprising. Many of Maduros opponents took to social media to accuse the president of orchestrating an elaborate ruse to justify a crackdown against those seeking to block his plans to rewrite the constitution. Venezuela has been roiled by anti-government protests the past three months that have left at least 75 people dead and hundreds injured. Less than two hours later, still on state TV, Maduro sounded alternately calm and angry as he told the audience about what had happened in the airspace just beyond the presidential palace. It couldve caused a tragedy with several dozen dead and injured, he said, calling it a terrorist attack. Information Minister Ernesto Villegas later read a statement accusing those in the helicopter of firing 15 shots against the Interior Ministry as a reception was taking place for 80 people celebrating national journalists day. It then flew a short distance to the court, which was in session, and launched what he said were four Israeli-made grenades of Colombian origin, two of them against national guardsmen protecting the building. The pro-government president of the high court said there were no injuries from the attack and there were no visible signs of damage outside either of the government buildings Wednesday morning. Villegas said security forces were being deployed to apprehend Perez as well as recover the stolen German-built Bolkow helicopter. Photos of the pilot standing in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter were displayed on state television to bolster the governments case that he was taking instructions from the CIA and the U.S. Embassy. Perez, on his Instagram account, describes himself as a police investigator and tactical helicopter pilot whose passion is Venezuela. In 2015, he starred in a film called Suspended Death and several cinematic-like photos show him in fatigues bearing assault rifles, sky diving and standing in action poses with a German Shepard by his side. National Assembly President Julio Borges expressed doubts about Maduros version of events but cautioned that he and the rest of the opposition were still analyzing what happened. There are people who say it was a government-staged hoax, others who say it was real. Whatever it was, it all points in the same direction: that the situation in Venezuela is unsustainable, he said in a radio interview Wednesday. Maduro said Perez used to fly for his former interior minister, Miguel Rodriguez Torres, whom he accused of working for the CIA. Rodriguez Torres, who has been leading a campaign against Maduro made up of leftist supporters of the late Hugo Chavez, immediately dismissed the accusation as baseless. As the drama was unfolding outside the court, inside magistrates were issuing a number of rulings further hemming in the opposition. One broadened the powers of the nations ombudsmans office to allow it to conduct investigations that until now had been carried out exclusively by the chief prosecutor, a former loyalist who broke with Maduro over his plans to rewrite the constitution. The helicopter incident capped a volatile 24 hours that began with widespread looting in the coastal city of Maracay on Monday night and continued Tuesday when opposition lawmakers got into a heated scuffle with security forces assigned to protect the National Assembly. At least 68 supermarkets, pharmacies and liquor stores were looted and several government offices burned following anti-government protests in Maracay, which is about a 90 minute drive from Caracas. Maduro condemned the violence but suggested he would fight to stay in power even if the government loses an election. We will never surrender. And what we couldnt accomplish through votes we will with weapons, he said in remarks that are likely to further inflame passions. On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers got into fisticuffs with national guardsmen as they tried to enter the National Assembly. In a video circulating on social media, the commander of a national guard unit protecting the legislature aggressively shoved Borges as hes walking away from a heated discussion. Not until after 9 p.m. did a small group of pro-government activists surrounding the congress allow a few dozen lawmakers and journalists to leave the neo-classical building. (AP) Republicans are touting lower premiums under their health care legislation, but that reflects insurance that would cover a smaller share of the cost of medical bills. The fine print is getting lost in the translation. Consumers might pay less up front every month, but if you break a bone or get hospitalized for a serious illness, you could be on the hook for a bigger share of the bill. Premiums under the Senate bill would average about 30 percent lower in a few years, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in its analysis this week. Whats overlooked is that the lower premiums envision a switch to bronze plans that now come with a $6,000 individual deductible, as opposed to the current standard silver plan with a $3,600 deductible. Another caveat: not everybody would see lower premiums. Insurers will be able to charge older adults up to five times more, compared with a three-fold difference under current law, the health care overhaul passed under former President Barack Obama. Also, the GOP would give lower-income people less financial help from the government, which means many might not be able to afford coverage. Lower-income people get less assistance with premiums in the Senate bill and the GOP would also phase out extra help that many receive with deductibles and copayments. I think theres some fine print, said Cori Uccello of the American Academy of Actuaries, a group representing professionals who make long-range economic estimates on health and pension programs. Premiums are going down for a couple of reasons: the plans are getting less generous and the age distribution of people purchasing coverage would be younger. The 2010 Affordable Care Act was intended to solve problems of access and affordability for millions of Americans who dont have job-based insurance. Instead, its been a roller-coaster ride, and not only because of entrenched political opposition from Republicans. This year and again for next year, double-digit premium increases have hit many states. While consumers who get federal subsidies are insulated, several million who buy individual policies outside the program are taking a direct hit. Its this group that some GOP lawmakers had in mind when they launched their self-proclaimed health care rescue mission. It will bring affordability to people across this country who are suffering under the curse of high premiums, and high deductibles and high out-of-pocket costs, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said of the Senate GOP bill. But Uccello and other experts caution that cost problems might just continue, only in a different form. One longtime Obamacare critic says Republicans risk making some of the same mistakes that Democrats did with their original legislation. Industry consultant and blogger Robert Laszewski says lawmakers should start from scratch and try to design a system along the lines of the Medicare prescription drug benefit, a collaboration between the government and insurers that has solid bipartisan support, even if its cost to taxpayers is a problem. The way to fix insurance markets is to get a much higher sign-up rate and the Republicans are going in the opposite direction, said Laszewski. Republicans are not bringing costs down they are only bringing the front-end premium down, added Laszewski. Healthy people looking at a plan with a $6,000 deductible might just decide to roll the dice and remain uninsured. The Congressional Budget Office says insurance markets will be stable in most areas whether current law stays in place or Republicans pass their legislation. But many trade-offs lurk beneath that 30,000-foot level assessment. Whats gotten most attention is the CBOs projection that at least 22 million fewer Americans would have health insurance under either Republican bill, the one that passed the House or the Senate version. A table at the end of this weeks report delves into greater detail, looking at how costs would change for hypothetical individuals at different income levels in 2026. Math alert: This example involves a few numbers. Take a hypothetical 40-year-old making a modest $26,500 a year. Under current law, that person would face a sticker price of $6,500 a year for a standard silver plan. Premium subsidies would reduce the net premium to $1,700. Because of extra subsidies for deductibles and copayments, the plan would cover 87 percent of expected medical costs. Under the Senate bill, the 40-year-old would see the sticker price silver plan premium drop to $6,400. But their premium subsidies would be significantly lower, and theyd end up paying $3,000. Caveat: It wouldnt be the exact same plan, because extra subsidies now provided for deductibles and copayments would be gone. The new plan would only cover 70 percent of expected medical costs. Whats the option? The consumer could switch to a bronze plan, the new standard under the GOP bill. The sticker price would be $5,000, and after subsidies, the net premium would be $1,600. But the plan would only cover 58 percent of expected medical costs. In the long run, reduced premium subsidies and the loss of subsidies for deductibles and copayments can actually exacerbate the problems in the individual market, said Uccello. (AP) A private Orthodox Jewish elementary school called the Vishnitz Girls School in Hackney, north London, is facing closure by the British government because it does not include curriculum that teaches children about Toeiva marriage RL and gender identity. According to Heat Street, a report by the Office for Standards in Education, Childrens Services and Schools (Ofsted) says that the Vishnitz Girls School does not teach its 212 attending children aged three through eight a full understanding of fundamental British values. The report explained that the girls are not taught explicitly about issues such as Toeiva marriage. This restricts pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and does not promote equality of opportunity in ways that take account of differing lifestyles. It added that school administrators recognise the requirement to teach about the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. However, they acknowledge that they do not teach pupils about all the protected characteristics. (Particularly those relating to gender identity and Toeiva marriage.) This means that pupils have a limited understanding of the different lifestyles and partnerships that individuals may choose in present-day society. Heat Street reported that the school has defiantly resisted the British governments attempt to force its views on the schools children, and has failed its Ofsted inspection three times since February 2016. According to Schools Week, Vishnitz was not the only religious private school to fall short of the Ofsted checklist standards. Three schools have seen their Ofsted grades drop due to lack of progress for pupils. Bnos Zion of Bobov, also in Hackney, failed the Ofsted inspection because the school made no reference to protected characteristics for Toeiva marriages and gender identity. According to British regulations, private schools that do not meet the Ofsted standards will have their school taken off the independent school registrar, which means that it will be a criminal offense for them to stay open. Gill Robbins of Christians in Education, a pro-religious campaign group, wrote that despite school having a stellar reputation, a well rounded staff, and enthusiastic students, the Ofsted test proves that British laws for schools are hierarchical, with homosexuality and the transgenderism at the top, and religious belief taking a back seat. Read More: The Blaze Kremlin leaders are convinced America is intent on regime change in Russia, a fear that is feeding rising tension and military competition between the former Cold War foes, the Pentagons intelligence arm has assessed. The unclassified report by the Defense Intelligence Agency, which will be publicly released later Wednesday, portrays Russia as increasingly wary of the United States. It cites Moscows deep and abiding distrust of U.S. efforts to promote democracy around the world and what it perceives as a U.S. campaign to impose a single set of global values. The Kremlin is convinced the United States is laying the groundwork for regime change in Russia, a conviction further reinforced by the events in Ukraine, the report says, referencing the claims by President Vladimir Putins government that the U.S. engineered the popular uprising that ousted Ukraines Russia-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovich, in 2014. Russia responded by annexing Ukraines Crimea region and supporting pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Moscow worries that U.S. attempts to dictate a set of acceptable international norms threatens the foundations of Kremlin power by giving license for foreign meddling in Russias internal affairs, the report says. Titled Russia Military Power, it is the agencys first such unclassified assessment in more than two decades. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the report in advance of its public release. It harkens to Cold War days when the intelligence agency published a series of Soviet Military Power studies that defined the contours of the superpower rivalry. Those reports ended with the 1991 demise of the Soviet Union. Now they return, DIAs director, Marine Lt. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart, says, with an eye on the future of U.S.-Russian relations. Within the next decade, an even more confident and capable Russia could emerge, Stewart wrote in a preface to the report. No new, global ideological struggle akin to the Cold War is forecast, but the report cautions that Moscow intends to use its military to promote stability on its own terms. During President Barack Obamas eight years in office, the U.S.-Russian relationship deteriorated from an initial reset to American allegations that Moscow meddled in the 2016 presidential election to aid Donald Trumps victory. In between, were intense disagreements over Ukraine and Syria, where Russia has provided military help to President Bashar Assads government and the U.S. has backed anti-Assad rebels. While Trumps campaign rhetoric was widely seen as sympathetic to Russia, ties have not improved in his first six months of his presidency. In April, Trump said U.S.-Russian relations may be at an all-time low. Trump is expected to meet Putin for the first time at an international summit in Germany next week. Thursdays report, prepared long before Trumps election, reflects the Pentagons view of the global security picture shifting after nearly two decades of heavy American focus on countering terrorism and fighting relatively small-scale wars across the Middle East. Russia, in particular, is now at the center of the national security debate in Congress, fed by political divisions over how to deal with Putin and whether his military buildup, perceived threats against NATO and alleged election interference call for a new U.S. approach. Rep. Adam Smith, the House Armed Services Committees top Democrat, issued Wednesday a national security manifesto on Russia. He and a group of lawmakers writing in Time magazine cited the threat of Putinism, which they termed a philosophy of dictatorship that seeks to extinguish democratic ideals such as government transparency by exploiting discontented facets of democratic polities worldwide. At a Senate intelligence committee hearing Wednesday, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the panels ranking Democrat, said Russia is becoming more brazen. Russias goal is to sow chaos and confusion to fuel internal disagreements and to undermine democracies whenever possible, and to cast doubt on the democratic process wherever it exists, Warner said. Jim Kudla, a DIA spokesman, said his agencys report is unconnected to any recent events. It wasnt requested by Congress. The 116-page document offers a deep assessment of every dimension of Russian military power. It contains no new disclosures of military capability but portrays Russia as methodically and successfully rebuilding an army, navy and air force that weakened after the Soviet Union collapsed. The Russian military today is on the rise not as the same Soviet force that faced the West in the Cold War, dependent on large units with heavy equipment, the report says. It describes Russias new military as a smaller, more mobile, balanced force rapidly becoming capable of conducting the full range of modern warfare. It cites the example of Moscows 2015 military intervention in Syria. The Kremlin cast the effort as designed to combat Islamic State fighters. Washington saw Moscow largely propping up Assad by providing air support for the Syrian armys offensive against opposition forces. The report says the Syria intervention is intended also to eliminate jihadist elements that originated on the former Soviet Unions territory to prevent them from returning home and threatening Russia. In any case, the report credits the intervention for having changed the entire dynamic of the conflict, bolstering the Assad regime and ensuring that no resolution to the conflict is possible without Moscows agreement. Nevertheless, these actions also belie a deeply entrenched sense of insecurity regarding a United States that Moscow believes is intent on undermining Russia at home and abroad, the report says. (AP) British lawmakers were set to vote Thursday on whether to approve the Conservative governments plans for a Brexit-dominated parliamentary session, in a test of Prime Minister Theresa Mays shaky minority administration. In a sign of its weakened position after an election wiped out Mays parliamentary majority, the government was forced into a concession hours before the vote. Facing defeat on an opposition amendment about abortion funding, ministers said they would pay for women from Northern Ireland to travel to England for abortions. Abortion is far more tightly restricted in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the U.K., and hundreds of women a year travel to Britain to terminate pregnancies. Labour Party lawmaker Stella Creasy obtained a vote on a motion calling for those women to get government funding. Several Conservative legislators said they would support the amendment, prompting the governments scramble to change its policy. In a letter to lawmakers, Equalities Minister Justine Greening said that women from Northern Ireland had previously been asked to pay, but from now on it is our proposal that this will no longer happen. Creasys amendment was one of several attempts by the Labour opposition to defeat the government in votes on last weeks Queens Speech, which set out the governments proposed legislation for the next two years. The slimmed-down agenda jettisoned several pledges made by the party before Britains June 8 election. Several of the planned new laws relate to Britains exit from the European Union, due in 2019. The election left the Conservatives with 317 of the 650 seats in Parliament, several short of a majority. It also severely undermined the authority of May, who called the early vote in a misjudged attempt to increase her grip on power ahead of Brexit negotiations with the EU. As May struggled to shore up her support, Labour sought to disrupt her plans by proposing amendments that would reverse Conservative policies on Brexit and spending cuts. But the government is likely to get its way Thursday thanks to Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party, whose 10 lawmakers have agreed to support the Conservatives on key votes. On Wednesday the government, with the help of the DUP, defeated a Labour motion calling for a reversal of public spending cuts. The vote was 323 to 309 the first of what is likely to be many close calls for Mays administration in Parliament. The DUP deal secured with a promise of 1 billion pounds ($1.29 billion) in new spending for Northern Ireland has dismayed some Conservatives on account of the smaller partys socially conservative policies on issues including abortion and same-gender marriage. (AP) At least one shell fired from Syria landed in northern Israel on Wednesday evening the eve of 5 Tammuz, marking at least the third incident in as many days. Israel has retaliated to the previous incidents, which IDF officials are attributing to spillover from the ongoing civil war in Syria and not a rocket attacks into Israel. Bchasdei Hashem, there have not been any fatalities or injuries as a result of the rocket fire this week. Following the Wednesday evening rocket fire, the IDF retaliated in the direction of the source of the rocket fire. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said, We are here celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Katzrin, the capital of the Golan Heights. I said that we will not tolerate spillover and that we will respond to every firing. During my speech shells from the Syrian side landed in our territory and the IDF has already struck back. Whoever attacks us we will attack him. This is our policy and we will continue with it. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Jun 27 (PTI) Terming as mere jugglery of numbers, the Maharashtra governments decision of waiving farm loans, the state Congress today alleged that the ruling BJP has misled people in the name of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji. "This is not a blanket loan waiver, which farmers, Shiv Sena and the Opposition parties had demanded. The BJP has merely indulged in jugglery of arithmetic and misled people in the name of Shivaji Maharaj," Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ashok Chavan told reporters here. advertisement The BJP-led state government on Saturday unveiled a Rs 34,022 crore farm loan waiver scheme, under which debt of up to Rs 1.5 lakh each will be written off, making 40 lakh farmers debt-free. The scheme is named Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krushi Sanman Yojana. The Lok Sabha MP from Nanded said that the cap of Rs 1.5 lakh on loan waiver will not serve the purpose of bringing out farmers from financial crisis. "On top of it, the government has said that for loans over Rs 1.5 lakh, only 25 per cent of the outstanding amount or Rs 1.5 lakh, whichever is less, will be given," Chavan said. "This means if a farmer has a loan of Rs 1.51 lakh, he will merely get Rs 38,000 as compensation. How will this decision stop farmers suicides?," he asked. The former chief minister of Maharashtra further said that neither the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) nor the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have given any written confirmation that they would sanction a loan to the state government. Chavan said there are several inconsistencies in the numbers provided by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his cabinet colleagues. "While the CM announced that the loans of 40 lakh farmers will be completely waived, the Co-operation minister (Subhash Deshmukh) publicly said that 36 lakh farmers would be benefited. This is a huge gap," he said. "Considering the terms and conditions set for availing the monetary compensation, we doubt if the Rs 34,000 crore announced by the government will actually reach the farmers," he added. Chavan further claimed that the Fadnavis-led government does not enjoy the support of the Centre as there was no financial help provided, unlike in case of Uttar Pradesh. PTI MM NP --- ENDS --- Less than six weeks after entering Matisyahu Prison to serve a five-month prison sentence, Yolish Krauss received a presidential pardon. Krauss was convicted of operating an illegal slaughterhouse, imprisoned and fined 250,000 NIS. The official statement read, President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday 5 Tammuz decided to pardon Krauss after serving a large part of his sentence. Krauss, a resident of Meah Shearim, was sentenced to five months in prison after being convicted of tax offenses he committed when he operated an abattoir in Meah Shearim. Krauss is the father of 16 children, and his wife is due to give birth these days. The Presidents decision was made in the wake of the severe family distress which, for reasons of privacy, cannot be expanded. It should be noted that the court ruled that the operation of the slaughterhouse, the applicant did not act out of money, but for religious ideological reasons. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) The Royal Mint has bought a slice of a coin dealership in Mayfair, London, as it looks to capitalise on the growing interest in numismatics - or coin collecting. The Mint has made an equity investment in Sovereign Rarities Limited as part of its five-year plan to grow in the collector services market. This is the first time Royal Mint has taken a stake in a historic coin dealer. However, it told This is Money that it could not disclose the stake size or cash involved, stating it is 'commercially sensitive' information. Royal Mint: A number of new coins, including the 12-sided 1 - being manufactured here - have seen a boom in interest from newbie collectors Along with sales of classic coins, the Mint confirmed it will be considering offering valuations as part of its future strategy. At present, it doesn't offer the service to the public, instead it directs them to contact coin dealers who are part of the British Numismatic Trade Association. Royal Mint's investment will enable it to offer a range of historic coins, including some that are thousands of years old. Sovereign Rarities is comprised of a team of specialists who collectively have more than 100 years of experience. It has a small interest in the historic coin market, but typically has been confined to 19th and 20th century issues and proof sets. The Mint wants to expand its activities in the coin-collecting market which could be a wise move, as it is a multibillion-pound business worldwide. At its visitor centre in Llantrisant, Wales, it has a number of coins on display, including a Henry VII gold sovereign from the 15th century. It makes some coins for 60 countries across the world, a bullion trading website and a modern commemorative coin business, which came under fire from This is Money readers last year. Royal Mint operates as a limited company owned solely by the Treasury. Anne Jessopp, director of consumer coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'The collaboration with Sovereign Rarities Limited supports the strategic direction in which The Royal Mint is keen to progress. 'Both our businesses will be working to accelerate opportunities within this specialist area.' Ian Goldbart, managing director of Sovereign Rarities, adds: 'I am delighted to welcome The Royal Mint as a shareholder. 'It makes perfect sense for us to strengthen the tie with The Royal Mint, especially as a substantial proportion of the coins we deal with were in fact produced over the last 1,000 years by The Royal Mint.' The Mint says it is responding to feedback indicating customers would value a wider range of Royal Mint historic coins and products with the investment in Sovereign Rarities forming part of its five-year plan. The plan aims to grow our offering to include a wide range of historic coins across all periods of British coin production, as well as other coin products that are likely to be of interest to coin collectors. Growing interest: The Royal Mint says the investment has been made as part of a response to customer demand As well as its links with Sovereign Rarities, The Royal Mint says that it hopes to continue the good working relationship it currently enjoys with a number of numismatic suppliers and distributors. Strong sales of commemorative coins by the Royal Mint helped drive record profits at the Treasury-backed firm, results for 2015-16 revealed last summer. Profits on commemorative coins surged 51 per cent from 7.3million to 11million in the 2015-16 financial year. Overall operating profit surged by almost a fifth to reach 13.1million in the financial year to the end of March 2016. As a result, the Mint described the results as 'the most profitable year in [its] 1,100-year history.' Its 2016-17 report is due out next month. Since last two years, Vikram Bakshi and McDonalds are at loggerheads over the control of CPRL and arbitration proceeding is being pursued by the food chain at the London Court of International Arbitration. By Press Trust of India: In a setback to the US-based fast food chain McDonalds, 43 of the total 55 outlets will be shut in Delhi from today, on failure to renew eating house licenses by its North and East India licensee Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd (CPRL). The CPRL is the local joint venture between Vikram Bakshi and McDonalds. advertisement When contacted, McDonalds said "the eating house licenses of a number of McDonalds restaurants in Delhi have expired". Since last two years, Vikram Bakshi and McDonalds are at loggerheads over the control of CPRL and arbitration proceeding is being pursued by the food chain at the London Court of International Arbitration. Without specifying a number, a highly placed source told PTI that more outlets in the Capital could be shut as a result of expired licences. "The Board of CPRL is working to obtain the required licenses. Pending this, CPRL is temporarily suspending the operations of the affected restaurants," McDonalds India Pvt Ltd (MIPL) spokesperson Barry Sum said. When asked about the possible job losses due to closure, Sum said the rumour about "employees becoming jobless is erroneous." "We understand that CPRL is retaining the employees of affected restaurants and will pay them their salary during the period of suspension," he added. --- ENDS --- On the first day of his 2-day Gujarat visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram where he strongly criticised cow vigilante attacks. By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally broken his silence over several cow vigilante attacks that the country has witnessed in the past few months. In a strong message to cow vigilantes, a visibly charged up PM Modi invoked Mahatma Gandhi to slam those involved in violence in the name of protecting cows. Speaking at a public event after visiting the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said, "Killing people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve. We are the land of non-violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget this." advertisement HERE'S WHAT PM MODI SAID: As a society, there is no place for violence. Today, I want to say a few words and express sadness on some of the things going on. No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done. We are the land of non-violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget this? No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands. Violence never has and never will solve any problem. Let's all work together. Let's create the India of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams. Let's create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of. PM Narendra Modi at Sabarmati Ashram. (Photo/Twitter@@MIB_India) Five people including two Delhi government employees were arrested on Wednesday days after a Muslim teen was beaten to death in a train while he was returning home to his village in Haryana following Eid shopping in Delhi. Junaid Khan, his brother and cousins were attacked by a group of at least 20 people who accused them of carrying beef. They also hurled religious slurs at Junaid, 16, and his brothers. On Tuesday, a 200-strong mob attacked a Muslim man and tried to torch his house after a dead cow was found outside in Jharkhand's Giridih district. The police was forced to open fire to control the violent mob. NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME This is not for the first time PM Modi has admonished cow vigilantes. The Prime Minister had come down heavily on the gau-rakshaks last year in the wake of numerous attacks on Dalits in the name of cow vigilantism. Lashing out at them, Narendra Modi, while addressing a townhall meet in the national capital in August 2016, had said that pseudo-gau-rakshaks were indulging in anti-social activities. PM Modi had said these so-called gau-rakshaks, who claimed to be protectors during the day, often resorted to criminal activities at night. Expressing his anger against such people, he had said they had opened shops in the name of gau-raksha. The Prime Minister had said some people indulged in anti-social activities but in the morning, they became gau-rakshaks. Sending a stern message against cow vigilantism, Modi had urged the states to open dossiers to see how many of them were criminals. advertisement ALSO READ: When PM Narendra Modi ripped into self-styled cow vigilantes Politics of lynching, the new normal in India Story of lynching: Kashmir to Haryana, how hate crime thrives in absence of law BJP worker shot dead in Agra, locals lynch attacker, assault Srinagar: DSP Ayyub Pandith beaten to death by mob outside Jamia Masjid WATCH: PM Modi breaks silence over gau bhakti lynching, says violence will not solve problem --- ENDS --- Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Naeisha Rose State lawmakers agreed to extend Mayor Bill de Blasios control over the citys schools for two years Thursday during an extraordinary session in Albany that spilled over into a second day as other issues were negotiated. The Assembly came to a vote in favor of a two-year extension for mayoral control into the wee hours of the night after the Senate had adjourned. Gov. Andrew Cuomo had set up the one-day session so that legislators could reach an agreement to entrust the citys public schools to de Blasio before his authority over the education system expired July 1. The talks were initially stalled because many state Senate leaders not from New York City decided to expand their wish list and use the special meeting to discuss other issues like flooding at Lake Ontario, property taxes and pensions for firefighters, Cuomo told a news conference Thursday afternoon. Mayoral control was lumped together with other measures in an omnibus bill in what Cuomo called a global resolution that was approved by both houses. Cuomo backed the measures that were included in the omibus bill. It was not the session we premeditated, but it was a lot of good work done in a short period of time, Cuomo said. After the Legislatures regular session ended last week, the governor said mayoral control was dead before the bell rang, because the GOP stronghold in the state Senate and the Democratic bastion in the Assembly refused to compromise on the cap on charters schools in New York City. As the clock ticked toward midnight in Albany Wednesday night, state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) expressed frustration at the lack of progress, but is happy that there is now a resolution. While I am pleased that we were able to pass an extender for mayoral control that will last two years, I remain incredibly disappointed in how this process unfolded, Comrie said. Going forward, it is imperative that we ensure political considerations never trump policy-making, especially when we are dealing with matters to do with our states public schoolchildren. This method of lawmaking debases our Legislature, our schools, and our state. Moreover, there are many critical issues like MTA funding and foreclosure relief that should have been addressed during this session but were not. I look forward to a more transparent and productive session next year. This was the first time de Blasio was granted two-year control of the citys public school system. The GOP, led by the Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Smithtown), wanted fewer restrictions on charter schools tied with a directive to offer tax credits to private benefactors and corporations that give scholarships, education funds and home-based instructional materials, to these institutions, according to his website. The Assembly had no interest in loosening caps on the number of charter schools in the city and wanted to extend the mayors control of the more than 1,600 schools in the five boroughs to two years. Despite Cuomo being charter school friendly and having a contentious relationship with de Blasio, he went even further than the Dems in the Assembly by offering the mayor a three-year extension over public schools. After the Senate and the Assembly failed to reach an agreement June 21, Cuomo held a press conference in which he was visibly upset about the lack of detente between the two parties. Theyve now put in a corrupt management system, said Cuomo. If the Republicans and Democrats had not put politics aside again, the largest school system in America could have gone back to being run by 32 different school districts, which often had 32 sets of priorities, de Blasio said. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Bill Parry A former Ground Zero worker from Jackson Heights who was facing imminent deportation over a non-violent conviction nearly three decades ago walked out of a New Jersey correctional facility Wednesday afternoon. The Department of Homeland Security released Carlos Humberto Cardona, 48, one week after Gov. Andrew Cuomo pardoned him for the 1990 conviction and just hours after U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) launched a nationwide petition to stop his deportation. Cardona was released from ICE custody on an Order of Supervision and he will be required to check-in periodically pending the outcome of his immigration case which remains ongoing but Cardona will no longer be detained as the case is processed. . Cardonas attorney, Rajesh Barua, spoke with him briefly following his release. We are really happy about his release and he is currently arranging to meet his wife and daughter, Barua said. Now we are in the process of getting him a green card and we are very concerned about his medical condition. Cardona suffers from acute respiratory issues, depression, anxiety and PTSD after clearing hazardous materials from Ground Zero in the months following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Cardonas medical condition was the impetus behind Cuomo issuing the pardon because the governor said his health issues would not be adequately addressed in Colombia. Cardona was convicted of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in 1990 as a 21-year-old in Queens. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1986 to escape drug cartel violence in Colombia where his brother served as a police officer and his family faced threats from gangs. Crowley sent a letter last week to the DHS Secretary John Kelly, ICE and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services urging them to stop deportation efforts. This is a positive step forward in Mr. Cardonas case. Deporting him would have sent the wrong message, not just to immigrants who call our country home, but to all who would help when their country calls on them, Crowley said. We must now turn our efforts to assisting Mr. Cardona in gaining legal permanent residence. Its the least we can do for a man who helped New York after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I urge the Department of Homeland Security to review his case so that Mr. Cardona can remain in the U.S. permanently and to stop this unfair pattern of attacks on hardworking immigrants. Crowley is drafting legislation to ensure that each and every 9/11 cleanup worker is able to continue living and receiving medical treatment in the United States, free from the threat of deportation. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) sent a letter to President Trump Tuesday requesting that no foreign-born person recruited into the U.S. Armed Forces be deported as a result of a reported policy change recommendation within the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2009, the DOD began the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest program to recruit foreign-born individuals whose skills are considered vital to the national interest. On Monday, the Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is considering canceling enlistment contracts for 1,000 MAVNI recruits which could lead to deportation. MAVNI recruits have contractually agreed to place their lives on the line to protect every American citizen, Meng wrote. I feel it is only right that we honor our contract with them, and that we allow these individuals to continue to live in America once their service has concluded. They are exactly the type of individuals who will continue to make America great. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Bill Parry Dutch Kills wants its FDNY engine company back. In 2003, the Bloomberg administration argued that Engine Company 261, in the heart of the western Queens neighborhood on 29th Street, was underutilized and ordered the company closed, along with five other across the city as part of budget cuts. Now over a decade later, more than 12,000 new housing units have been built, with another 10,000 opening within the next year, bringing a growing population to Long Island City and Dutch Kills. Reopening of the firehouse has become necessary to fully protect the community, which includes two of the largest public housing developments, Queensbridge and Ravenswood Houses, and cultural institutions like the Museum of the Moving Image and the Kaufman Astoria Studios. A crowd of nearly 100, including elected officials, community leaders and union officials, stood in front of the fire station last Friday and demanded the return of Engine Company 261. We must do all we can to support our citys Bravest and keep our growing community safe from the devastating power of fire, City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said. Engine Company 261 gave the people of this neighborhood comfort for over a century, and we call for it to be reopened so that our citys brave firefighters can once again provide life-saving help to the rapidly growing populations of Long Island City and Dutch Kills. Van Bramer said response times in the area had increased by nearly 35 seconds, which can mean life or death to those trapped in a burning home. While the firehouse remained open for FDNY Ladder Company116, which provides rigs and ladders at emergencies, Engine Company 261 provided the hoses and water to actually extinguish fires. City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale), the chair of the Councils Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services, which oversees the FDNY, said she could not emphasize enough the importance of having Engine Company 261 return to Dutch Kills. I see how hard our firefighters work each and every day, Crowley said. Theyre under more and more demands and the city is always asking them to do and more with less. Every second counts when youre in an emergency situation, whether its your life or your property. You deserve fire protection, and were calling for that here in Long Island City and for the Dutch Kills community. Several of the speakers said the tragedy at Londons Grenfell Tower, where more than 80 died or are still missing two weeks later, should serve as a wake-up call. This neighborhood is among the fastest-growing in the city and needs more services, state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) said. We shouldnt wait until tragedies occur before providing the necessary resources to prevent them. I dont want to be sitting here lamenting the loss of life because this firehouse was closed in the heart of this neighborhood. Dutch Kills Civic Association President George Stamatiades has been fighting for the return of Engine Company since it was taken away in 2003. They came here in the middle of the night to steal this 261 Engine from us, telling us that there wasnt enough need for it, Stamatiades said. We invite them now to come back in the daylight and look around and bring our engine company back to Dutch Kills. Our community has grown to the point that fire protection is not a luxury, its a necessity. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Tammi Scileppi Flushing poet Vincent J. Tomeo has given Monterosso Calabro the bucolic, rustic town that inspired his most acclaimed poem A View from a Tower in Calabria, Italy a place in the sun. After his trip to that quiet corner of the world back in April 2015, Tomeos host and friend Antonio Parisi, a well-known patron of the arts, told him he had been so moved by his verse that he decided to have it engraved in marble and mounted at his Agriturismo Villa Velia for the townspeople to admire. The well-traveled poet had stayed at the villa and climbed up to the tower overlooking the sea, where he was inspired by the vista to write the poem. That unusual set of circumstances made headlines in Italy, and the award-winning bard, who has 746 published poems and essays under his belt, was recently honored during a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony, unveiling, and poetry-reading event at the villa. It was hosted by Parisi and attended by other dignitaries and locals as well as the Italian press and mayors office. After all, it isnt every day that an American poet from the Worlds Borough gets a big thumbs-up from a historic Italian city that appreciates his unique talent. Tomeo could not believe the warm welcome he received when he returned to Calabria for that celebration in early April. As I entered the village, posters lined the roads leading to the villa, announcing the ceremony. People gathered at the site, where a red veil covered the marble plaque mounted on the wall of the villa leading to the entrance to the tower, where I penned my poem, said Tomeo, who recalled that the area was blocked off by red, white, and green ribbons, the colors of the Italian flag. The American and Italian flags flew over the villa and were draped on walls and tables everywhere. It seemed that the whole village was there to greet me. They showered me with warmth, friendship, and loving kindness. I was simply overwhelmed. After reading his poem in English, Tomeo said an Italian professor read it in Italian and the Calabrian dialect. And he was even awarded a plaque that read: To the Poet Who Knows no Borders with respect and gratitude from Monterosso. This extraordinary event will stay with me for the rest of my life, and once again I fell in love with Calabria, said Tomeo, who has done readings in many countries, while seeing the world. In his heartfelt speech during the ceremony in Calabria, Tomeo said: Words have significance. They are windows of the mind. This poem is not just a plaque on a wall, but a bridge between two nations. The rustic beauty of nature is extraordinary; the people are kind, warm, family-oriented, friendly; all these makes it a welcoming place, and of course the food. A lot has happened since that memorable visit. According to Tomeo, the original March 2017 TimesLedger story about his visit to the villa is being translated into Roman Italian and Calabrian dialect, and will be showcased by the Association Pro Loco of Monterosso (chamber of commerce), and the Association Familia de Rubro Monte (cultural association) in Calabro, Calabria, on its website and displayed for the general public. A poetry workshop Poets without Borders is in the works. Tomeo said Parisi as well as local dignitaries, would like to establish the workshop at the villa. Along with several professors, the towns poet-in-residence would conduct, teach, and coordinate classes. But thats not all. Renaissance historian Barbara Lafratta is in the process of painting the bards portrait. And, thanks to recent publicity swirling around the poem, a new wave of tourists vacationing in Calabria have been staying and dining at the now famous villa, according to Parisi, who said, They too were awed by the view from the tower. So much had happened that when Tomeo returned to his Maple Avenue apartment in Flushing, the former Francis Lewis High School teacher, and one-time archivist, historian and community activist, took a moment to sit down, relax, and write a special ode to an unforgettable place. Here I sit in my apartment in Flushing, Queens. Outside, the noise of the people going to and fro. Mind beginning to wonder what I do not know. Of another world, place, singing an Italian folk song and how the whole village and I connected. How a poem could generate/create an Alice in Wonderland experience of laughter, food, songs, Sofia the cat and Bernardo the dog and so much joy and so much more, I know not. Oh, the power of words. As the sun streamed through my window like arrows, I reflected on how it all came to pass, and a new poem emerged. A poem has consequences. A poem is a bridge one can, must cross. On the other side, more is yet to come. Tomeo said he learned the Italian folk song, which turned out to be a Calabrian folk tune, on the streets of Corona. You cant help but wonder at the remarkable and unexpected sequence of events that were set into motion by a simple poem which made it possible for a mild-mannered New Yorker from Queens to become a poet who knows no borders del poeta senza frontiere. By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Jun 29 (PTI) Two days after being impacted by the global malware attack, APM Terminals Pipavav today said operations at the port in Gujarat are slower than usual, as system recovery efforts are on. "APM Terminals Pipavav is operational though slower than the usual. Employees are safe and communications to our customers and partners are on," it said in a statement. advertisement The statement added that the issue remains "contained" and the company is working towards "technical recovery". "As a precautionary measure, a number of our IT systems have been deliberately shut down across the offices and at the port, also impacting our email systems," it said. It, however, declined to specify the extent of the impact, saying an assessment of the situation is on at present. The company reiterated today that business continuity plans are being implemented and prioritised. "We are collaborating with IT experts and industry leaders to reinstate services safely and without further disruption," it said. It can be noted that the APM-operated terminal at countrys largest container port JNPT has also been impacted because of the cyber attack, which has seen widespread impact all across the globe. The Gujarat Pipavav Port scrip was trading 0.87 per cent up at Rs 145.40 a piece on the NSE at 1431 hrs, as against a 0.49 per cent gain on the benchmark. PTI AA DK DK --- ENDS --- Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Mark Hallum Former MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota will return to his position as head of the transit agency, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced June 21, in a move approved by the state Senate later that evening. Lhota served as head of the agency until 2013 when he resigned to face Bill de Blasio in the race for mayor. Cuomo praised Lhotas history as a seasoned leader of the transit agency, while both men acknowledged the current challenges the citys subways pose involving breakdowns and delays becoming commonplace, including an A train derailment near 125th Tuesday morning that injured dozens of people. This is an incredibly challenging time for the MTA, and we will immediately and aggressively tackle the problems the system is facing after decades of disinvestment, Lhota said. The hardworking women and men of the MTA are dedicated, driven and talented they are the engine that makes our city and state run and working together we will rebuild the system and improve service for all New Yorkers. Lhota headed the MTA during Superstorm Sandy, which prompted Cuomo to offer credit for the work to restore service during the historic natural disaster. Joe Lhota is a tested and experienced leader with the proven track record needed to address the enormous challenges facing the nations largest mass transportation system, Cuomo said. In the wake of the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, Joe stepped up and delivered for New Yorkers ensuring our regions subways, buses and commuter rails were up and running as quickly as possible. There is much hard work to be done to address the MTAs current failures, and the level of service and daily frustrations commuters are experiencing are completely unacceptable. I know Joe will move to address these issues immediately and ensure a reliable and effective transportation system worthy of the city it serves. But state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) announced he would introduce additional measures for greater investment in the MTA. A petition has been formed urging Cuomo, the state Senate and the Assembly to remain in Albany until a revenue stream is established to keep funds flowing to the agency for emergencies and repairs. Gianaris is proposing a tax on the rich in the form of a temporary three-year surcharge for individuals living in the region who earn more than $1 million per year. This will also be applied to New York City hotels and motels. The MTA crisis is real and it is upon us, Gianaris said. New Yorkers are suffering the consequences of years of under-funding and mismanaging of our mass transit system. It would be irresponsible for state leasers to allow this to continue without finding a solution, and that is what we should do with the urgency this crisis demands. The initiative, known as the Better Trains, Better Cities proposal, will levy funds at a graduated rate from those earning $1 million to $5 million, $5 million to $10 million, and those earning over $10 million. Hotels and motels would charge guests an extra $5. Gianaris estimated it would raise an annual $2 billion for an emergency manager to use for upgrades and repairs at his discretion. Employees were late to work, patients missed doctors appointments and students missed graduations, Gianaris wrote in the petition. The situation became dangerous as individuals were forced to pry open train doors in order to escape unbearable heat after being stuck on a train which had lost power. Two commuters even exited a stalled train and attempted to walk to work on the tracks. The time to point fingers is over. Now is the time for solutions. My Better Trains, Better Cities legislation is a proposal that would establish a dedicated funding stream for emergency maintenance and repairs. It is a simple solution to a complicated problem. The petition comes as the most recent derailment rocked commuters. A downtown A train approaching the 125th Street station in Harlem experienced power issues and derailed on Tuesday, causing wide-spread delays and suspensions on the A, C, B and D. Lhota blamed human error. As many as 34 may have been injured in the incident. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Lenore Skenazy What if you could rent a place to store a giant pile of your stuff in New York City for free? The bad news is you can. If you own a car, you can park it on the street in many neighborhoods without paying a cent. All you have to do is move it once or twice a week. Of course, that seems totally normal but maybe it shouldnt. As Paul Steely White, executive director of the non-profit Transportation Alternatives points out, streets are actually public space. We think theyre a place for cars to drive and sit (mostly sit), because that is what weve gotten used to. His goal is to get us all to think differently. To that end, his group sponsored a night at the Museum of the City of New York last week called Streetopia. Hundreds of people visited three floors of exhibits, all showcasing ways to reclaim the city from automobile dominance, like Barcelonas Superblocks. Choked by traffic, that Spanish city is creating small neighborhoods of about three square blocks and allowing cars to drive only around the perimeter. The chunk of blocks becomes a community kids can play in the streets again, bicyclists dont fear cars while the amount of air and noise pollution plummets. Another exhibit featured the winners of a contest for how to deal with transit on 14th Street when the L train goes out of service for a year. One idea: Get cars off the block and have buses run every minute. But the starkest, most perspective-changing exhibit was simply time-lapse footage of a corner of E. 22nd Street where a CitiBike rack sits across from some on-street parking. Over the course of a single day you see people swarming the bike rack, taking bikes out, bringing them back. For a while, almost all the bikes are gone, then the rack fills up again, then off they go. And across the street, taking up twice as much space as the rack, are two cars, just sitting there, parked all day. You start to realize how much space we have simply ceded to cars, and what a waste that is. Parking is a finite public resource, says White. That space that we think of as parking could be used differently. It could be used to expand the sidewalk, or make a bike lane. It could be given over to buses. It could become space for businesses to open up cafes or kiosks and pay taxes on the land. Or it could be planted with grass and turned into a playground. We think of it as parking only because we believe that cars have the right to it. But in fact, the majority of New Yorkers dont own cars. Why must we sacrifice public land to the minority, for free especially since studies have shown that 90 percent of people who drive to their Manhattan jobs could get there by public transit? For too long the vast majority of New York Citys public space has been dedicated to the convenience of drivers and the storage of cars. The small spaces carved out for pedestrians crosswalks, sidewalks leave the public at the mercy of drivers, says White. I was talking to a car-owning friend about this, and he said that free parking is no different from free education. Some people dont own cars, some people dont have kids. Our taxes pay for schools and on-the-street parking anyway. But streets are not like schools. Streets are public land that we are giving away. Would we let a private citizen build a house in Central Park? Of course not, because we recognize the park as something that belongs to all of us. It is time to think of our streets that way. So then: How do we wrest them back from the car owners? Some alternatives that have been tried elsewhere are working. London charges a giant premium to drive into its business district, and as a result, traffic (and parking) are down, but commerce is not. Each summer, Paris turns some of its roadways into beaches, complete with sand and palm trees. Somehow the citroens survive. Los Angeles raised its parking meter fees with the predictable result of cars parking for less time. That means cars are circling for less time, too. Here in New York, one simple idea is to start charging for all street parking, and give the money to the MTA. Most of us would cheer. Streets can be designed for either cars or people, but not both at once, White said. It is time to stop giving away New York Citys precious public land. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Gina Martinez Elected officials stood at the Manhattan headquarters of the Korean American Association of Greater New York urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign two bills that will provide financial support for small businesses and improve labeling practices in the seafood industry. State Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing), state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), and state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) announced the passage of the two bills in the state Legislature. The first bill would provide financial assistance to help small businesses in the dry cleaning and nail salon industries comply with the latest regulations. For dry cleaners, it will help them conform to the state ban against perchloroethylene machines, which requires the purchase of expensive new machines and upgrades. For nail salons, it would help them fulfill the new state ventilation requirements, which require most salons to do expensive structural changes or purchase expensive machines. The second bill would require fish wholesalers to accurately label the identity, origin, weight and amount of each product, as well the name and address of its distributor. According to Kim, this bill addresses the problem of wholesalers mislabeling fish products in New Yorks seafood industry, an issue that has a negative impact on consumers and retailers, whose commercial sales depend on the integrity of the products they sell. Kim said both bills will now be sent to the governor to be signed into law or vetoed. Kim said if Cuomo fails to act, it will have the same effect as a veto when the Legislature is out of session. The Queens lawmakers were joined by small business owners and talked about the urgent need to help struggling mom-and-pop stores in New York. Avella, Kim and Perlata pointed to strict state regulations and mandates passed in recent years, particularly against the dry cleaning and nail salon industry. They emphasized the importance of helping working-class entrepreneurs at a time when many neighborhood shops are shutting down or moving to other states. Kim has been a strong advocate for small business owners and his district has a large population of locally owned businesses. I have spoken repeatedly about the importance of helping New Yorks small business owners, many of whom have sacrificed so much just to survive in an increasingly unwelcome climate, he said. These mom-and-pop stores represent the heart of our states economy and yet many of them, including those in the dry cleaning, seafood, or nail salon industry, have been ignored or even targeted. For the sake of all small business owners, I urge Gov. Cuomo to sign them into law. According to Kim, the passage of the two bills occurred near the close of session, after the state budget had already passed. As the legislative calendar neared its end, Kim, Avella, and Peralta advocated extensively for these bills in the Assembly and the Senate to ensure their passage. Avella said these bills will enable small businesses to meet their responsibility in providing a healthy environment, while allowing them to remain in business. The need for these industries to comply with clean air standards and to protect their employees and customers is obvious, he said. What isnt obvious, however, is how these small businesses will be able to do so without being forced to cease operations and add to the growing loss of small businesses that are the lifeblood of a strong economy. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Schenectady Pat Smith said she's been hearing fireworks during the overnight hours in her Mont Pleasant neighborhood in Schenectady for the past weeks. "They're all over," added Smith, president of the Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association. In the Hamilton Hill neighborhood, Marva Isaacs is also seeing and hearing the pyrotechnics even though the Fourth of July is a week away. "You can't sleep at night because those fireworks are awful," said Isaacs, president of the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association. "I'm hearing them myself and people are complaining." The sometimes sleepless nights for the two women come less than two months after Schenectady County lawmakers voted to ban so-called low-level fireworks, like sparklers, after it allowed them in 2016 only to be inundated by complaints about skittish dogs and people being startled out of their sleep by fireworks. Two years ago, the newly enacted state law said low-level or small-scale fireworks were excluded from a ban on the sale and use of fireworks. Counties were allowed to opt into the measure to legalize them. Schenectady County and a few other Capital Region counties, including Saratoga, Rensselaer and Montgomery were among those who did. Albany County first began allowing the devices in 2016. Legislator Randy Pascarella, who introduced the proposal to repeal the fireworks in Schenectady County, said Monday, "if you see something go up in the air, that's illegal." Back in April, he pointed to the sharp rise in fireworks-related 911 calls to Schenectady police on July 4. From midnight Thursday to 9 a.m. Monday, Schenectady cops responded to 17 such calls, according to Sgt. Matthew Dearing, a city police spokesman. City Councilman Vince Riggi said he has already started receiving complaints by email and over the phone from residents and the issue is being debated on Facebook. "What I'd like to see is some strict enforcement this year, since now there's no question that it's all illegal," Riggi said. "If they can at least find out where the fireworks are originating from, they should be able to issue tickets or tell them to knock it off." City lawyer Carl Falotico said illegal use of fireworks in New York state is a violation punishable by 15 days in jail along with a fine and can rise to a misdemeanor if a person attempts to sell them. County Majority Leader Gary Hughes said he believes people are more aware of the outright ban on fireworks especially when the "pop-up tents are not around" and fireworks are not in stores. He said the county plans to issue an advisory to remind residents about the prohibition. Dearing said the city police department will put out a similar announcement, possibly as early as Tuesday. In Mont Pleasant, Smith said, she got a call Sunday morning from one of her neighbors, a nurse who works at night, who discovered the remnants of a Roman candle on her front lawn near her porch. The homeowner worried out loud to Smith that errant fireworks could send her home up in flames. A Roman candle is a firework that ejects one or more stars or exploding shells, according to information online. Smith said she's seen people in the streets put Roman candles in empty coffee cans and light them. "If that coffee can tips over, those missiles can go through the window of somebody's house," said Smith, adding those projectiles could prove especially dangerous because of the older housing stock in the area. "We have people with little kids on the streets who put them to bed at 7 to 8 o'clock at night and you're hearing bang, bang, bang, 1, 2, 3 o'clock in the morning. It's inconsiderate and it's dangerous." pnelson@timesunion.com 518-454-5347 @apaulnelson Huge posters and displays were put up to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: People of Rajkot thronged the streets to catch a glimpse of their 'vadapradhan' (prime minister) Narendra Modi on Thursday. In his maiden visit to the town after becoming the Prime Minister, the excitement about PM Modi's visit in Rajkot was palpable. Although PM Modi attended two official functions in Rajkot all eyes were on the 8-km long road show that he undertook from Aaji Dam to the Rajkot Airport. The city wore a festive look since Wednesday. advertisement Huge posters and displays were put up to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajkot also has a special connection with PM Modi. It was here that Modi contested his first election in a by poll after taking over as the CM of Gujarat in 2002. The city in Saurashtra region is also a stronghold of present CM Vijay Rupani. With assembly elections slated later this year the BJP made the PM road show a grand affair . RAIN NOT A DETTERENT Rajkot witnessed heavy rains throughout the day. But that was the least that could deter the enthusiastic crowd from gathering in large numbers. Even though the road show was scheduled to start at 7 pm in the evening, people had started gathering since 11 am itself. Thousands of people were seen chanting Modi-Modi slogan in heavy rains. The cavalcade took about 55 minutes to reach the airport after it started from Aaji Dam. IN PATIDAR STRONGHOLD The show of strength by BJP in Rajkot was also important for the party as the Saurashtra region is known as a Patidar stronghold. People thronging on streets to see PM Modi. Gujarat has witnessed massive protests by the politically strong Patidar community for last two years. The party had made several attempts in the last two years to reach out to the agitating community. The BJP is hoping that Modi's road show in the Patidar bastion will work in its favor. Also Read: Why PM Narendra Modi cannot ride the bicycle gifted by Dutch PM in India Instead of admonishing cow vigilantes, it's time PM Modi acted against them JD-U slams PM Modi for making cow 'national agenda' to polarise votes WATCH | As PM Modi holds roadshow in Rajkot, supporters come out in large numbers to support him --- ENDS --- This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate New Hampshire State Police on Thursday stopped a gravity-defying vehicle. A trooper spotted the minivan, loaded to more than twice its height with what appeared to be household items including furniture and even a ladder, according to a post on the State Police Facebook page. The State Police did not identify the road or the driver. "Trooper Iannone of #TroopG prevents a potential accident from occurring this morning in #TroopB. #NHSP," the post said. A second post, with another view of the vehicle, warned drivers, "Driving with items attached/strapped to your vehicle can be extremely dangerous for you and those driving nearby. These objects can obstruct your view or even worse become unsecure and cause an accident. Please keep our roadways safe!" ALBANY A postal worker pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing $10,000 worth of money orders in 2016 and 2017, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. Naisha Wiley, 34, of Schenectady, admitted that she stole the U.S. Postal Service money orders while working part-time as a retail clerk in Montgomery County this year and last, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Wiley also admitted to stealing gift cards out of the mail. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NISKAYUNA A police chase ended Thursday morning when the suspect crashed in Schenectady, town police said. Just before 9 a.m., Niskayuna police tried to pull over a 2000 Infiniti 130 near Consaul Road and Marshall Avenue, but the car sped off, Deputy Police Chief Michael Stevens said. The chase led police into Schenectady, where the suspect crashed into a pole near the intersection of State Street and Veeder Avenue, Stevens said. The male driver, who was the only person in the car, tried to run off but was stopped by Niskayuna and Schenectady police officers, Stevens said. Monyata S. Burton, 41, of Schenectady was arrested. He is charged with unlawfully fleeing a police officer, resisting arrest, aggravated unlicensed operation, reckless driving and several other vehicle and traffic violations. Burton was arraigned in Niskayuna Town Court and taken to Schenectady County jail in lieu of $2,500 bail. Burton refused any medical attention at the scene, Stevens said. No officers or civilians were injured. Traffic was diverted away from the crash site for about an hour while police investigated and emergency crews cleaned up debris. Washington Homeland Security officials said Wednesday they will order stricter passenger screening and other new security measures for all flights entering the United States but will not bar laptop computers in carry-on luggage as airlines and passenger groups had feared. The new order will cover about 2,000 flights a day from 280 airports in 105 countries, a move that could make international flying even more onerous just as the busy summer travel season starts. Security officials would not detail the new measures but said passengers headed to the United States will face more intensive screening at airports, and probably more security dogs. They gave no date for when the new procedures will start. If carriers don't implement the measures effectively, Homeland Security still may ban laptops, e-readers and other electronic devices larger than cellphones from cargo holds as well as passenger cabins. The decision follows intelligence, reportedly gathered from Islamic State in Syria by Israeli spy services, suggesting a lethal new threat from bombs that could be concealed in digital devices and that could evade detection by airport screening devices. In March, U.S. and British authorities banned laptops in cabins on flights from eight Muslim-majority countries in North Africa and the Middle East, saying terrorists were seeking "innovative methods" to bring down commercial jetliners. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly told a security conference in Washington on Wednesday that the new security measures will be "both seen and unseen" and will be phased in over time. He said they will include tougher screening, particularly of electronic devices, plus new technology and procedures to protect planes from so-called insider attacks by airline employees. "It is time that we raise the global baseline of aviation security," Kelly said. "We cannot play international whack-a-mole with every new threat." He said terrorists still see commercial aircraft as "the crown jewel target" for attacks, and intelligence has shown renewed interest by terrorists to attack airlines. Kelly told a House committee several weeks ago that the department was considering extending the laptop ban to 71 more airports overseas. But Kelly ultimately decided to tighten screening across the board, instead of focusing on laptops or "chasing after each item" that might be used to bring down a jetliner, senior Homeland Security officials said Wednesday in a conference call with reporters. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to brief reporters, said Kelly worked with airlines to find ways to improve screening without unduly inconveniencing passengers. "Intensive doesn't always mean slower," said one official. "In some cases, airlines have been doing these things at international airports for some time." The officials said more security dogs, which sniff for explosives, may be used. And they said airlines and airports may institute pre-check programs like those approved by the Transportation Security Administration for use in U.S. airports. The officials said restrictions on the first 10 airports will be lifted once airlines in those countries satisfy the new security protocols, officials said. Airport authorities in the eight countries affected by that ban Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have been told about the new security measures and will put them in place so the ban is lifted, the officials said. In recent weeks, Kelly and his aides have huddled with their counterparts overseas, as well as with representative of major airlines, to discuss whether to expand the ban around the globe. Airlines protested that a laptop ban would inconvenience passengers and not remove the threat. Aviation experts and European security officials warned that putting laptops in cargo holds would pose other dangers because the lithium batteries could start fires. In 1988, a bomb hidden in a radio cassette player exploded aboard a Pan Am jet flying over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 passengers and crew. The plot was blamed on then-Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi. Mike Stewart Southwest Airlines will join other U.S. carriers in reducing flights to Cuba, saying laws that restrict Americans from traveling there for tourism are constraining demand. Southwest becomes the latest airline to accept that the industry was too optimistic when U.S. regulators allowed passenger routes to the island nation last year for the first time in decades. President Donald Trump added to the woes earlier this month by announcing restrictions that may stall U.S. business on the island. The new limits don't affect airline operations to Cuba but may affect demand. Albany A controversial proposal that would let dozens of oil barges park in the Hudson River south of the Capital Region has been temporarily halted. The proposal would allow 43 barges, each potentially carrying enough oil to fill six Olympic-sized swimming pools, to park along a 70-mile stretch of the river between Kingston and Yonkers. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday it would conduct an assessment of the project's effects on the Hudson before deciding whether to approve it. The announcement follows a public input period that the Coast Guard said resulted in more than 10,000 comments, and comes less than a week after the state Department of Environmental Conservation was granted its own assessment powers by state lawmakers. After a review of those comments, the statement said, the Coast Guard has "suspended future rulemaking decisions and directed a formal risk identification and evaluation of the Hudson River." The study will identify major waterway safety hazards, estimate risk levels, evaluate potential mitigation measures, and set the stage for implementation of selected measures to reduce risk. Industry groups have said the additional anchorages are necessary to handle increased commercial trade on the Hudson, some of which has been fueled by crude oil shipments after a U.S. export ban was lifted in 2015. But environmental and civic groups, as well as local government officials, are concerned about the effects the oil would have in the event of a spill. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo denounced the proposal. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer called the decision to "shelve" the project a "wise choice." "While the proposal is not completely dead, our office will continue to work with local leaders, environmental groups and concerned citizens to protect and preserve the Hudson River's majestic beauty for future generations," he said. RDownen@timesunion.com 518-454-5018 @RobertDownenTU Besides NDA's Ram Nath Kovind and Opposition's Meira Kumar, these candidates are also in the race during this presidential election. By Nikhil Agarwal: Besides Ram Nath Kovind and Meira Kumar, the list of candidates who have filed their papers for presidential election has thrown up some interesting names. A Mumbai woman who goes by the name of Saira Bano and a Lalu Prasad Yadav who lives in Bihar are also in the race for the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Saira Bano in question here is not the yesteryear's actress and wife of Dilip Kumar. This Lalu Yadav also is not the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader. advertisement Mumbai's Saira Bano Mohammed Patel and her husband Mohammed Patel Abdul Hamid have both filed nomination papers. Lalu Prasad Yadav's namesake lives in Jado Rahimpur village of Bihar's Saran district. Election Commission's list shows 108 nominations were filed by a total of 95 candidates. Both the two leading nominees NDA's Ram Nath Kovind and Opposition's Meira Kumar have filed their nomination four times to ensure they don't miss the bus to the Raisina Hill merely due to some technical glitches in their papers. Yesterday was the last day to file nomination papers for the presidential election which will be held on July 17. President Pranab Mukherjee's five-year term ends on July 24. FIGHT FOR A RECORD Dr K Padmarajan who lives in Salem district of Tamil Nadu was the first one to have queued up when nomination began on July 14. He is famous as the "Election King" for being a serial contester. So far he has fought, unsuccessfully, in over 150 polls. Sans any political agenda or ambition to win election, Dr Padmarajan gives up a fight, or rather doesn't fight, only to create a record. Another one who was there at the Parliament House to file papers is a septuagenarian who calls himself 'Ripleys Guinness Rishi'. A resident of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi this old man is obsessed with setting world records and has even about 500 tattoos on his body. Besides this he has a number of other records in his name. WHAT WILL BE THE FATE OF THESE CANDIDATES? According to the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, the nomination has to be seconded by at least 50 electors as proposers and at least 50 electors as seconders. If their nomination papers are not signed by members of the electoral college then they will be out of the race after scrutiny. The electoral college comprises elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the legislative Assemblies of all states including Delhi and the union territory of Puducherry. This list excludes nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha and legislative Assemblies. Members of the Legislative Councils also do not have the right to vote. A total of 4896 voters including 4120 MLAs and 776 elected MPs are eligible to cast their ballot. With no MPs and MLAs to back their claim to the top constitutional post, some of these nominees have got signatures of random people including friends and family members. All such papers will be rejected. advertisement Besides this, the candidates also have to deposit Rs 15,000 along with his papers. A back of the envelope calculation shows NDA's might will ensure Kovind gets around 62 percent votes to win the election for the top post. Kovind is set to get around 7 lakh votes which is around two-thirds of the total 10,98,903 votes of the electoral college. Also Read Presidential election: Opposition pick Meira Kumar to invoke Mahatma Gandhi's legacy during campaign With Sonia, Manmohan by her side, Meira Kumar files nomination for presidential election --- ENDS --- Schenectady There's a certain "ick" factor associated with cloth diapers. Older versions were said to leak, stink and cause diaper rash. Just the thought of washing a dirty diaper scares off many parents. Misconceptions about cloth diapers abound, and it's a bum deal. Just ask Sandra Beck, who has spent the past 12 years developing an "ick free, rash free and leak free" reusable cloth diaper that's much more environmentally friendly than its throwaway counterparts. More Information See ability, not disability For information about the services provided by Schenectady ARC, call 372-1160 or go to http://www.arcschenectady.org. See More Collapse Beck recently moved production of her business, Tidy Tots Diapers, to Schenectady ARC's Pine Ridge Industries in Scotia. Schenectady ARC was founded in 1952 and provides support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Pine Ridge Industries offers a variety of work opportunities for an integrated workforce to help build skills that will increase success in future employment beyond Schenectady ARC. Employees there got an assist earlier this month from mechanical engineering students at Union College, who designed and developed a prototype for Tidy Tots' snap machine, providing an adaptive tool to manufacture cloth diapers with increased accuracy, safety and efficiency. "Professor (Ron) Bucinell from Union College contacted Pine Ridge Industries independently to offer his students to assist our business center again this year," said Valerie Andreoli, business development leader at Pine Ridge Industries. "The students toured and identified a project they thought would benefit our employees." Tidy Tots Diapers are manufactured with an automated snap machine, which limited many employees with developmental disabilities from doing the job. Union College students James Hawkins, Raquel Paramo and Lingzhi "Owen" Zhang created the prototype allowing workers to precisely place snaps onto clothing using an adaptive fixture. Class projects are assigned each semester to meet external organizations' needs. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. "The students developed an adaptive tool that allows our employees to place the snaps with accuracy and ensure safety," Andreoli said. "This tool will allow us to offer this job task to many of the individuals we support at our center." The collaboration is part of the Cultivating Resources for Employment with Assistive Technology project, sponsored by New York State Industries for the Disabled, which works to remove barriers from the workplace. As more and more parents choose Tidy Tots' organic product which consists of a waterproof cover with elasticized gussets, a hemp insert and booster and a flushable liner made from cornstarch to ease the cleaning of messy diapers Beck remains committed to supporting the community. "Tidy Tots was striving to find a manufacturer in the U.S. in hope of inspiring and supporting our community, and it was a thrill to find a facility which met our manufacturing and distribution needs and that supported individuals with abilities, like Pine Ridge Industries," said Beck, CEO of Tidy Tots. "We are proud to show a future forward for employment opportunities in an integrated business environment while providing a successful model for other business to follow." Tidy Tots Diapers are available on Amazon and at http://www.tidytots diapers.com jpatterson@timesunion.com @JenSPatterson 518-454-5340 The children of Coloma Primary School returned to school for the second term at the end of May only to find two new full rain water tanks of 10,000 litres each, writes Sr. Mona Maher. Thanks to the people of Roscrea and to Comhaltas, who held a fund raising Concert in Racket Hall in February, these two tanks were bought and installed at Coloma Primary School. It was a blessing that during the school holiday in May there was heavy rainfall and so the tanks which are attached to a dormitory were filled and to overflowing. The children were amazed and happy to find running water on tap for the new term. In order to conserve the water the children do not have free use of it. Each child has her own container and once a day she fills three litres which is the amount to be used for the whole day, bathing, washing, and drinking. Being a boarding school it is not very much, but the next rains are not expected until the end of August. Every drop of water is precious. After bathing and washing of clothes the water is collected and carried to the vegetables and fruit trees. On behalf of the school administration of Coloma Primary School I thank you, my friends, and friends of the school for this great gift of water to the children. In many homes in Uganda people walk miles to collect water and in the dry season it is a serious problem. Over my more than 40 years in Uganda, I have seen a huge change in the climate the temperatures have increased and the rainfall had decreased considerably and with more violent storms. Wind was almost unheard of but now during the dry seasons there are strong winds with severe drying effects. The dry seasons are longer and the wet seasons shorter. Water is the greatest environmental challenge to be faced by the country and with a population of over 40 million and growing, one can only hope for positive environmental change for the future. Actor and Comedian Jim Carrey is to face trial over the suicide of his then Co. Tipperary girlfriend, Cathriona White. Mr Carrey has failed in his bid to get a wrongful death lawsuit over the death of Cathriona White a native of Cappawhite thrown out of court. A Judge confirmed that the 20-day trial is due to begin on April 26th. Its alleged the Dumb and Dumber star (55), used his wealth, influence and celebrity status to provide the prescription drugs on which Cathriona White, 30, overdosed. Mr Carrey was one of the pallbearers at Ms Whites Funeral in her native Cappawhite, in October 2015. Ms White had been found dead in her Los Angeles home in September that year, due to a drug overdose. Mark Burton, Ms Whites husband, and Brigid Sweetman, her mother, are suing Mr Carrey in Los Angeles. Carreys lawyer Raymond Boucher had asked Los Angeles Superior Court to strike out the case, but Judge Deirdre Hill ruled that Carrey should face a jury over the claims of wrongful death and allegations under the Drug Dealer Liability Act. She also ruled against Carreys privacy request regarding certain medical evidence claims. Carrey also dropped a request for Ms Sweetman to put a bond of $372,000 (328,000) aside to go towards the comedians costs if he is successful in fending off the case. Mr Boucher wrote to the court asking for the request to be dismissed on the basis that Ms Sweetman lacks the means to pay and is ill. [June 28, 2017] Pivot Technology Solutions, Inc. Announces Voting Results of Annual Meeting of Shareholders TORONTO, June 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Pivot Technology Solutions, Inc. (TSX: PTG), ("Pivot" or the "Company") a full-service information technology provider, today announced that the seven nominees listed in the Management Information Circular dated May 31, 2017 were elected as directors of the Company at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held earlier today in Toronto. Detailed results of the vote (based on shares voted by proxies) are set out below. Nominees Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld John Anderson 9,085,822 98.83 107,330 1.17 Wade Dawe 9,189,010 99.95 4,142 0.05 Matt Girardot 9,084,606 98.82 108,546 1.18 Stephen Moore 9,085,822 98.83 107,330 1.17 Kevin Shank 9,187,182 99.94 5,970 0.06 Lazane Smith 9,088,394 98.86 104,758 1.14 Douglas Stuve 8,985,179 97.74 207,973 2.26 In addition, Ernst &Young LLP, Chartered Accountants, were reappointed as auditors of the Company. About Pivot Technology Solutions Pivot is a leading information technology infrastructure and services provider to approximately 2,000 customers, including many members of the Fortune 500. With offices throughout North America, Pivot uses its knowledge and local presence to help corporations, governments and educational institutions design, build, implement and maintain advanced computing and communication infrastructure. For more information, visit www.pivotts.com. SOURCE Pivot Technology Solutions, Inc [June 29, 2017] BlueVenn Selects Adestra as Its Email Marketing Technology Partner BRISTOL, England and BOSTON, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueVenn reveal new Adestra email connector, enabling marketers to leverage best-of-breed technologies to create and execute customer-focused marketing campaigns. Leading MarTech providers BlueVenn and Adestra have announced today that they have formed an alliance to combine the Single Customer View, analytics and segmentation capabilities of the BlueVenn Customer analytics and real-time customer journey automation platform with Adestra's email marketing solution. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140331/678597-a ) The partnership allows for collaboration across the two businesses supported by joint marketing initiatives and co-innovation in the data, analytics and automation space to address the challenges faced by modern customer-focused marketers. The announcement is accompanied by today's 2017.2 release of BlueVenn on June 30th and a new connector that provides a two-way flow of data between the two solutions, as well as the ability to trigger Adestra email campaigns directly within BlueVenn. The new two-way integration allows for the seamless transfer of analytics-driven customer segments into Adestra's enterprise email marketing platform to execute highly targeted campaigns, bringing the resulting data from the campaigns back into the BlueVenn Customer Data Platform for further analysis and insight. Over the coming months, the BlueVenn and Adestra teams will continue to work closely on providing vital capabilities for multi-brand organizations, with a particular focus in the retail, publishing and leisure sectors. The collaboration helps solve the unique problems that multi-brand organizations face in the process of becoming First-Person Marketers and reaching their customers in a hyper-personalized way, at scale, throughout the customer journey. BlueVenn Marketing Director Anthony Botibol commented: "This technology partnership is particularly interesting fo us due to the nature of Adestra's multi-brand capabilities. We already share some fantastic clients where they require both insight and marketing automation capabilities across more than one brand, so deepening our existing relationship makes sense. "This new connector as part of BlueVenn 2017.2 means great news for our existing Adestra clients who wish to dive deeper into their customer data and build sophisticated campaigns. It will also benefit those seeking a complete marketing analytic and customer journey management solution with the flexibility to fit comfortably into their existing stack." Liz Smith, Head of Partnerships at Adestra says: "In an increasingly busy MarTech landscape, it's become more important than ever to bring clarity to complexity. That refers not only to connecting the technology dots, but also dots in your customers' journeys to bring them a holistic message and experience across channels. Our partnership with BlueVenn offers marketers an integrated best-of-breed solution and brings the capability of using customer insight to create personalized communications at scale like never before." About Adestra Adestra is a trusted provider of First-Person Marketing solutions for global and growing brands. The company's industry-leading email platform provides a powerful infrastructure for one-to-one, contextual messaging and marketing automation, helping marketers communicate more effectively with their customers and subscribers. Robust reporting features allow marketers to efficiently evaluate and optimize their campaign results. The flexible structure and open integration architecture allow businesses to connect disparate technology platforms to create a seamless customer journey. Along with a best-of-breed platform that drives customer engagement and boosts ROI, Adestra was founded on the principle that marketing success takes more than technology, which is why customer service is at the heart of its business. Adestra was a winner of the 2014 and 2017 Customer Focus Award from the Customer Service Institute. It also won Bronze for Customer Service Department of the Year at the 2017 Stevie Awards for Customer Service, as well as being presented with the 2017 Supplier of the Year Award from one of its longest-standing clients, UBM. Adestra continues to maintain one of the highest customer retention rates in the industry. It is trusted by top companies including UBM, Conde Nast Digital Limited, and Tile, among others. Established in 2004, Adestra has offices throughout the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. For more information, please visit adestra.com. About BlueVenn The BlueVenn Customer Data Platform unifies all your marketing data to create unified customer profiles and achieve the elusive Single Customer View. Moreover, with powerful integrated analytics, predictive modeling, reporting and omnichannel customer journey automation it provides everything the modern-day marketer needs to transition to true 1-to-1 marketing. Understand your customers better, uncover patterns in behavior that drive sales growth and utilize real-time marketing capabilities to personalize web and email experiences based on all your known and anonymous data. With 400 clients and 20 years of experience creating data-driven marketing technology solutions for some of the largest B2C organizations in the world, the BlueVenn platform is at the forefront of a marketing big data revolution, redefining how marketers work and interact with their customers. http://www.bluevenn.com For more information about BlueVenn's connectors, get in touch with [email protected]. Alternatively, you can a demonstration of BlueVenn and Adestra by contacting BlueVenn directly (US: +1-617-207-8685. UK: +44-0117-943-5800), or fill out the form here. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] WEI Aids Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Week WEI, an award-winning New England-based technology solution provider is intently focused on bettering the lives of its employees and the surrounding community. Through their work, the company has contributed to the success of Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity's soon to be completed, first ever Veteran Build, and this year participated in the National Women Build campaign. For the past two years, WEI has helped to build homes for the community with Habitat for Humanity through their community outreach and sustainability initiative, WEI StepsUP. The program, WEI StepsUP, allows all WEI employees time to help out at local non-profit organizations. Each team member is offered up to 4 hours of paid time per month to do volunteer work with the company's selected charities. WEI encourages volunteerism in the workplace and supports many charities. For more than 25 years, various charities have been supported including those fighting hunger, poverty and homelessness. WEI also hosts community leaders at the WEI facility to meet and discuss local issues. "We were thrilled to participate in this year's Veteran Build and Women Build Week with Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity," said WEI Co-Founder and Vice President Leslie Rosas. "It's very exciting to be a part of such a prestigious project and we're happy that State Senator Barbara L'Italien was able to join us! WEI is proud to continue our tradition of community-minded srvice, and we look forward to working with Habitat for Humanity for years to come." Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity (MVHH) was the beneficiary of both service and financial contributions. This year, WEI came out for a day of building and made a cash contribution to the mission of building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. WEI's contribution of time and treasure to Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity is supporting the completion of Veteran Build, and the start of the next two-family home. "We look forward to expanding our reach into the northern part of our footprint this coming fall with a property in Salisbury, MA for a build on six to eight homes," said Executive Director of MVHH, Randy Larson. "In this expansion we hope to expose communities to a greater sense of what Merrimack Valley Habitat offers, and begin to direct our efforts up into the areas we serve in New Hampshire - including: Salem, Atkinson and Plaistow." WEI's employees are making a noticeable mark on the community around them through their community involvement. For more information about WEI's local outreach efforts, visit www.WEI.com. About WEI WEI is an expert in business technology improvement, helping clients optimize their compute environments and work efficiently. WEI works with clients to integrate corporate strategy, new technologies and their current IT environment into one company-wide model to increase utilization and efficiencies around their unique business processes. WEI's clients benefit from a strong focus on customer satisfaction and attention to detail. They combine cutting edge technology with architectural design, value-added services, onsite training, integration, testing labs and a commitment to quality. From solution design through implementation, WEI's sales and technical team remains focused on providing unwavering support throughout a project. For more information, please visit www.WEI.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005442/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A study conducted by Prof Charles Hillman, from Northeastern University, showed that exercise boosts brainpower, and helps in preventing the chances of Alzheimer's in the elderly. Another study by Dr Phil Tomporowski showed that cycling has stronger impacts on children, and it can help control issues like ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Another study has found that elderly patients with knee pain and osteoarthritis actually saw an improvement in their condition when cycling was introduced to their routines, proving that exercise becomes even more important with age. Cycling helps beat bone-related issues that arise with age. Cycling is also great for your heart. A recent study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise proves that those who cycle on a daily basis are 31 per cent less likely to develop high-blood pressure. Undoubtedly, the biggest benefit of cycling is shedding some extra calories. A recent study showed that diabetic women could only drop visceral fat if exercise, preferably cycling, and dieting became a part of their routine. Sports physiologists have found that the body's metabolic rate is not only raised during a ride, but stays static for several hours afterwards. According to experts from Bristol University, cycling ensures a proper bowl movement in the human body. "Physical activity helps decrease the time it takes for food to move through the large intestine, limiting the amount of water absorbed back into your body and leaving you with softer stools," explains Dr Ana Raimundo, gastroenterologist, Harley Street. [June 29, 2017] InVivo Therapeutics Announces UCHealth Memorial Hospital as New Site for INSPIRE Study InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. (NVIV) today announced that the UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO has been added as a clinical site for The INSPIRE Study: InVivo Study of Probable Benefit of the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold for Safety and Neurologic Recovery in Subjects with Complete Thoracic AIS A Spinal Cord Injury. Thomas Schroeppel, M.D., has been named Principal Investigator at the site. "I am thrilled to bring The INSPIRE Study and this innovative technology to the UCHealth Memorial Hospital, especially to help those who suffer from the devastating condition of spinal cord injury," Dr. Schroeppel said. Mark Perrin, InVivo's CEO and Chairman, said, "We are pleased to have Dr. Schroeppel and his team as part of the INSPIRE study. The UCHealth Memorial Hospital's experience with spinal cord injury will be a valuable asset to the INSPIRE study as we look to completing enrollment." There are now 32 clinical sites participating in the clinical study: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA Banner University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, MO Barrow Neurological Institute - St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ Ben Taub Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates/Carolinas Rehabilitation, Charlotte, NC Cooper Neurological Institute, Camden, NJ Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine/Indiana University (News - Alert) Health Neuroscience Center, Indianapolis, IN Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Keck Hospital of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, IL Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON (News - Alert), Canada UCHealth Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA University of Iowa Hospitals and Clincs, Iowa City, IA University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, PA University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02138110 About the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold Implant Following acute spinal cord injury, surgical implantation of the biodegradable Neuro-Spinal Scaffold within the decompressed and debrided injury epicenter is intended to support appositional healing, thereby reducing post-traumatic cavity formation, sparing white matter, and allowing neural repair within and around the healed wound epicenter. The Neuro-Spinal Scaffold, an investigational device, has received a Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) designation and currently is being evaluated in The INSPIRE Study for the treatment of patients with acute, complete (AIS A), thoracic traumatic spinal cord injury and a pilot study for acute, complete (AIS A), cervical (C5-T1) traumatic spinal cord injury. For more information on the cervical study, refer to https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03105882. About InVivo Therapeutics InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. is a research and clinical-stage biomaterials and biotechnology company with a focus on treatment of spinal cord injuries. The company was founded in 2005 with proprietary technology co-invented by Robert Langer, Sc.D., Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Joseph P. Vacanti, M.D., who then was at Boston Children's Hospital and who now is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. In 2011, the company earned the David S. Apple (News - Alert) Award from the American Spinal Injury Association for its outstanding contribution to spinal cord injury medicine. In 2015, the company's investigational Neuro-Spinal Scaffold received the 2015 Becker's Healthcare Spine Device Award. The publicly-traded company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more details, visit www.invivotherapeutics.com. Safe Harbor Statement Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "will," "may," "should," "expect," "designed to," "potentially," and similar expressions, and include statements regarding the safety and effectiveness of the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold, the progress of the clinical program and the timing of the completion of enrollment in the INSPIRE Study. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the company's ability to successfully open additional clinical sites for enrollment and to enroll additional patients; the timing of the Institutional Review Board process; the company's ability to commercialize its products; the company's ability to develop, market and sell products based on its technology; the expected benefits and efficacy of the company's products and technology in connection with the treatment of spinal cord injuries; the availability of substantial additional funding for the company to continue its operations and to conduct research and development, clinical studies and future product commercialization; and other risks associated with the company's business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies identified and described in more detail in the company's Quarterly Report of the three months ended March 31, 2017, and its other filings with the SEC (News - Alert), including the company's Form 10-Qs and current reports on Form 8-K. The company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005582/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] Podimetrics Publishes Landmark Study Demonstrating 97% Sensitivity in Predicting Emergence of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Five Weeks Prior to Clinical Presentation Podimetrics, Inc., a medtech and services company focused on the early detection and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), announced today the publication of a landmark study in the July issue of Diabetes Care. Results demonstrate that the Podimetrics SmartMat detected as many as 97% of developing nontraumatic plantar foot ulcers on average five weeks before they presented clinically. Importantly, 86% of patients used the mat at least three times per week and 88% of respondents reported it being easy-to-use, suggesting that patients readily accept this practical, new monitoring technology. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005606/en/ The Podimetrics SmartMat (Photo: Business Wire) "The Podimetrics Remote Temperature Monitoring System could have huge benefits for patients with diabetes who are at high risk by significantly reducing morbidity and mortality associated with diabetic foot ulcers, which could also lead to improvements in resource utilization," said Dr. Robert Frykberg, Chief of the Podiatry Section in the Dept. of Surgery at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, and lead investigator. "These data reinforce our belief that the Podimetrics Remote Temperature Monitoring System, which consists of a wireless SmartMat for the home and a full monitoring and notification service, may allow earlier detection of DFU and significant improvements in care," said Jon Bloom, MD, CEO of Podimetrics. "When we developed our system, it was clear that patients wanted an easy-to-use, in-home solution. This study demonstrates that patients find the Podimetrics SmartMat easy-to-use and that 86% of the population used it at least three times per week on average - which is critical for adherence and ultimately achieving ongoing prevention of DFU and its devastating complications." Study Design and Results The study was a 34-week, multi-center evaluation of the Podimetrics Remote Temperature Monitoring System in 129 participants with diabetes and prior DFU. The primary outcome of interest was development of nontraumatic plantar DFU, and the primary efficacy analysis was the accuracy of the Podimetrics SmartMat for predicting the occurrence of DFU over several temperature asymmetry thresholds. Of the 129 participants who contributed evaluable data to the study, a total of 37 (28.7%) presented with 53 DFU (0.62 DFU/participant/year). At a temperature asymmetry threshold of 2.22C, which is the standard threshold used in previous plantar thermometry studies, the system correctly identified 97% of observed DFU, with an average lead time of 37 days. Increasing the temperature threshold to 3.20C decreased sensitivity to 70% but reduced the false-positive rate from 57% to 32% with approximately the same lead time of 35 days. Approximately 86% of the cohort used the system at least 3 days a week on average over the study. "The false positive rate observed in this study was not surprising or concerning," continued Dr. Frykberg. "This is particularly true given that the value of preventing a foot ulcer and its complications far outweighs the nuisance factor of a false alert. In a real-world setting, when a doctor gets a notification that a patient has a hotspot, the patient will be advised to reduce physical activity for a period to let the developing wound heal or may be asked to come in for a visit in serious cases. Even at the most sensitive setting presented in the study, these results translate to only 3.1 total notifications to the physician and patient per year, including all true and false positives." The Podimetrics Remote Temperature Monitoring System The Podimetrics Remote Temperature Monitoring System consists of a wireless SmartMat for the home and a monitoring service that notifies patients and clinicians when signs of inflammation may be developing. To use the system, a patient stands on the mat for 20 seconds per day at home. Patient data is sent instantly to the cloud, where the Podimetrics system automatically measures the temperature difference between the feet at various locations looking for a possible persistent asymmetry, or "hotspot." It has been well established that these hotspots strongly correlate with the eventual development of a foot ulcer. If a developing hotspot is detected, the healthcare provider is notified based on their custom protocol. From there an intervention is planned by the physician. Most interventions require a patient to stay off his/her feet while the foot heals itself. If the readout is persistent or more concerning, the patient may visit their doctor to take more aggressive preventative steps. The Podimetrics system is easy-to-use for healthcare providers as the solution is tailored to meet the needs of each specific care environment via close collaboration. About Diabetic Foot Ulcers Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) are common and expensive complications of diabetes which can result in amputation in serious cases. Approximately 1.7 million Americans suffer from one or more DFU each year. Though all patients with diabetes are at risk for developing a DFU, those patients who have recently healed from a previous DFU episode have approximately a 40% likelihood of recurrence in the first year after closure. It is estimated that direct costs associated with DFU exceed $17 billion annually. About Podimetrics Podimetrics is a medtech and services company focused on the commercialization of next-generation hardware-enabled, thermo-imaging solutions for the prediction and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. The Podimetrics SmartMat is the only remote temperature monitoring technology that has received FDA clearance, and has been in over 650 patient homes. The Podimetrics Remote Temperature Monitoring System consists of a wireless SmartMat for the home and a monitoring service that notifies patients and clinicians when temperature asymmetry presents between the two feet, a potential sign of inflammation and a developing foot ulcer. Podimetrics was formed out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011 and is based in Somerville, MA. Learn more at www.podimetrics.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005606/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] Visioneering Technologies, Inc. Announces Connie Stewart as Territory Manager, Los Angeles Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (VTI), an innovative leader in developing products that improve vision, announced that Connie Stewart has joined the company. In her new role as Territory Manager, Los Angeles, Stewart will be responsible for introducing eye care practitioners (ECPs) and practices across the Southland to the unique, patented technology of the NaturalVue (etafilcon A) Multifocal 1 Day Contact Lenses, as well as other NaturalVue Brand products. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005615/en/ Connie Stewart, Territory Manager/Los Angeles for Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire) "Connie is a tremendous addition to our growing national sales team," said Tony Sommer, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing. "The vision care marketplacetoday is complex, with an always expanding array of products and services. Her extensive optical background and knowledge of the industry will be useful in helping practitioners select the vision care products that best meet the needs of their practices and their patients. Connie is also an expert sales leader, and we look forward to utilizing her experience and skills as we build for the future." Stewart's four decades of sales experience includes Territory Sales Manager for Hoya Vision Care as well as Area Sales Manager for Pixel Optics. Stewart also worked as a Sales Consultant with Essilor Lenses and Essilor Laboratories. Giving her an even broader industry perspective, she owned a vision care company, Optical Solutions. Additionally, she is an American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Registered Spectacle Lens Dispenser. Stewart attended Grossmont Community College in El Cajon, California, and San Diego City College. "VTI's NaturalVue Multifocal 1 day lenses are far superior to anything I have encountered in the industry thus far," said Stewart. "I'm very excited and honored to be a part of their team." Stewart may be reached at [email protected] or 1-844-VTI-LENS (1-844-884-5367). About Visioneering Technologies, Inc. Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (VTI), headquartered in northern Atlanta, Georgia, is an innovative company dedicated to developing products that improve vision. With a portfolio of technologies, the company uses creative and differentiated design approaches to develop products that enhance practitioner and patient experiences. VTI optical designs have been awarded nine patents worldwide, with an additional ten pending. Strength in science, an entrepreneurial culture, and the ability to bring technology to life make Visioneering Technologies, Inc. a company to watch. For more information, visit www.vtivision.com/ or call 844-884-5367, ext. 104. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629005615/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] PSafe Launches DFNDR Assistant: Android Security Protection with One Tap SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PSafe Technology, a leading provider of mobile security and optimization solutions for Android phones, launched a powerful, free DFNDR Assistant today, a new feature to the DFNDR app that improves performance and makes it easier for Android users to safeguard their phones. The dashboard gives users an easy fix to improve device operation and to see a clear visual representation of threats at the tap of an icon. "Most people don't have a good sense of what threatens their device's security, power or speed, and even those who do don't want to spend time digging through reports, menus and settings," said Marco DeMello, founder and CEO of PSafe. "Our suite of security and performance tools gives Android users everything they need to protect themselves and their devices against hackers, malware, power drains and more. DFNDR Assistant provides the intelligence to make it all easy. It's a personal, always-on command center." For five years, PSafe has safeguarded Android phones in Brazil, and has now expanded to the U.S. to bring its anti-phishing, antivirus and malware detection to the more than 100 million U.S. Android users. In December 2013, PSafe raised $30M Series D funding to capitalize on the growth of mobile app security globally and to establish headquarters in the U.S. to protect the highly sensitive data on smartphones credit card numbers, passwords, photos and other personal or work-related details fro hacker attacks. Additional Benefits for Android Users With this app update, PSafe also adds enhanced performance features for Facebook Messenger users. In Brazil, PSafe helps three million users reclaim an average of 6MB of storage per day with its WhatsApp Cleaner. With growing adoption of Facebook Messenger, particularly in the U.S., this new Facebook Messenger Cleaner frees up phone storage space so that users can make space for the photos, videos and apps they really care about. Pricing and Availability The DFNDR app, with its DFNDR Assistant feature, are now available worldwide at no charge. To activate DFNDR Assistant, click here. Additionally, an ads-free upgrade is also available. Ads-Free DFNDR is a direct response to customers' valuable feedback for a premium version without ads. At only $4.99, Ads-Free DFNDR is a comparable cost for the same standout security and performance features customers have come to rely on, without the ads. About PSafe PSafe is a leading security and performance mobile app company with offices in San Francisco and Rio De Janeiro. The company aims to safeguard connected experiences for users through the development of mobile apps focused on security, privacy and performance. The flagship Android app, DFNDR, has more than 100 million installations globally. The company's app portfolio continues to grow including a battery performance app, PowerPro, and private storage and AppLock app, Stash. PSafe is funded by Redpoint Ventures, e.ventures, RPeV, Pinnacle Ventures and Index Ventures. Media Contacts: David Templeton DBT Communications [email protected] (203) 530-0458 Carleen LeVasseur DBT Communications [email protected] (408) 264-6767 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/psafe-launches-dfndr-assistant-android-security-protection-with-one-tap-300481723.html SOURCE PSafe [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] Harver Raises $8.1 Million To Kill The Resume; Launches In The U.S. NEW YORK and AMSTERDAM, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Harver (https://harver.com), the HR technology company that replaces the resume, today announced the company has raised $8.1 million USD in a Series A funding led by Insight Venture Partners to scale global adoption of its AI-powered pre-selection platform, TalentPitch. TalentPitch seamlessly integrates with a company's existing HR processes and systems, and uses predictive analytics to make the recruitment process smarter, faster and more successful. Today's funding announcement brings the total amount of financing raised to date for Harver to $11.4 million USD, and follows a period of rapid global adoption of TalentPitch by blue chip customers, including Booking.com, Netflix, Zappos, OpenTable, Casper, Adecco and others. Harver currently has clients across 13 countries and pre-selects job candidates in 42 languages. The company is also announcing its official launch into the U.S. market, with the opening of its first U.S. office in New York City. Harver replaces the resume and helps companies optimize ineffective and inaccurate hiring processes. Harver's TalentPitch is a modular platform that uses statistical and machine-learning technology to determine which applicants will perform best on the job. Companies match applicants' skills and personalities with specific job requirements, while candidates self-select for the job using a variety of modules, including: knockout questions that help establish a fit from the start, company/culture video tour, real-life situational judgment tests, personality testing, intelligence testing, language testing, games that assess candidate skills and more. Candidates flow through the TalentPitch platform and get to know the hiring company in a fun, compelling way, while Harver's algorithms gather relevant data and calculate a candidate's propensity for success in the job role. Harver is well positioned to become the global router for talent. The company's AI-powered solution removes the traditional pain points for high volume workforce recruiting, including time, cost and qualified candidate selection. It also transforms recruitment for low entry jobs by automating the pre-selection process and mapping job seekers to the most relevant positions across any organization in the Harver universe. Uniquely differentiated, Harver collects real time, on-the-job performance data of hired candidates once TalentPitch is implemented. Harver uses this data to continuously improve the intelligence of the selection algorithm and to deliver unprecedented accuracy in matching candidates with jobs. TalentPitch is proven to reduce employee turnover up to 63 percent. "Harver's technology is a win-win for both employers and applicants by making sure there is a good fit for both sides, which naturally increases employee happiness and decreases attrition," said Nicolas Wittenborn, vice president of Insight Venture Partners. "Seeing how the company has hit an inflection point by expanding from Europe to the U.S. and from one to many industries, we are very happy to partner with Harver's team and support the company's growth going forward." Harver's TalentPitch also fosters goodwill among job applicants. The immersive nature of the system focuses on the applicant experience and treats every applicant equally. As a result, more than 85 percent of job applicants give TalentPitch a five out of five-stars rating. TalentPitch automates and streamlines recruitment across industries such as retail, hospitality, IT and customer service. The system uses predictive analytics to readily identify the best candidates out of thousands, reducing costs and increasing efficiency in the recruitment process as much as 90 percent. "Resumes have become nearly obsolete at predicting the value and success of a potential candidate in most of today's jobs," said Harver CEO and founder, Barend Raaff. "Harver offers a fully automated recruitment solution grounded in big data that is completely agnostic to the job applicant, and our proprietary tests and algorithms have resulted in nearly 100 percent client retention to date. Harver represents a tectonic shift in the way that companies source, select and hire the ideal candidates a world where both companies and candidates are no longer reliant on resumes and job descriptions." About Harver Harver (https://harver.com) is an HR technology company that replaces the resume and increases efficiency and accuracy in the recruitment process. Harver's proprietary AI-powered recruitment platform, TalentPitch, uses predictive analytics to make the recruitment process smarter, faster and more successful. TalentPitch improves the quality of the hiring match by accurately predicting a candidate's aptitude and ability to succeed throughout their career. Harver also significantly reduces short-term employee turnover, increasing efficiency in the recruitment process as much as 90 percent. Harver currently has clients across 13 countries and pre-selects job candidates in 42 languages. The company's list of blue-chip customers includes Booking.com, Zappos, Netflix, OpenTable, Casper, Xerox, Vodafone, Swisscom, Adecco, Randstad, Arvato and more. Founded in 2014, Harver is a privately held company headquartered in Amsterdam, with additional offices in London, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and now, NYC. Follow @HarverHRM on Twitter or LinkedIn, or access our press kit here. About Insight Venture Partners Insight Venture Partners is a leading global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Founded in 1995, Insight has raised more than $13 billion and invested in nearly 300 companies worldwide. Our mission is to find, fund and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with practical, hands-on growth expertise to foster long-term success. For more information on Insight and all of its investments, visit www.insightpartners.com or follow us on Twitter: @insightpartners. All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Media Contacts: Mindy M. Hull Natalee Gibson Mercury Global Partners for Harver Mercury Global Partners for Harver +1 415 889 9977 +1 720 648 5784 [email protected] [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harver-raises-81-million-to-kill-the-resume-launches-in-the-us-300481813.html SOURCE Harver [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] Growth Street Partners Closes $70 Million Debut Fund SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Growth Street Partners, a San Francisco-based early growth capital firm, today announced the closing of its $70 million debut fund. Fundraising officially launched in early January, was quickly oversubscribed, and closed in under four months. Growth Street's investors include leading institutions, family offices, and professional investors, as well as many successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, and founders. Investors in the fund have strong ties to several of Growth Street's target markets, including Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Memphis, Omaha, Philadelphia, Portland, and San Diego. Growth Street provides early growth capital to vertically-focused, rapidly growing SaaS and technology-enabled services companies located in underserved U.S. markets. The fund will invest $3-10 million behind founders who lead $1-5 million annual run-rate revenue companies. An investment from Growth Stree allows an entrepreneur to accelerate growth without losing control. The firm is investing heavily in its database and proprietary software to find and cultivate relationships with the best entrepreneurs. "By developing and utilizing proprietary software, Growth Street is able to engage the best entrepreneurs in more meaningful ways. This innovative approach resonates with entrepreneurs and investors alike," said Stephen Wolfe, Co-Founder of Growth Street. Growth Street seeks to partner with entrepreneurs from industry who previously lived the problem their business is now solving. "We think putting together entrepreneurs from industry with a combination of capital and help is a recipe for long-term success," explained Nathan Grossman, Co-Founder of Growth Street. "Growth Street provides both strategic guidance and execution capacity," he continued. The firm recently closed its first investment, Pear Deck, a leader in real-time K-12 classroom engagement SaaS. Founded by former K-12 educators, Pear Deck is based in Iowa City, IA. Growth Street Partners Growth Street Partners provides early growth capital to vertically-focused, rapidly growing SaaS and technology-enabled services companies located in underserved U.S. markets. The firm partners with founders who lived the problem their business is now solving. Growth Street targets investments of $3-10 million in companies with $1-5 million of annual run-rate revenue. By providing a unique balance of capital and help, Growth Street allows entrepreneurs to accelerate their businesses without losing control. To learn more about Growth Street Partners, please visit www.growthstreetpartners.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/growth-street-partners-closes-70-million-debut-fund-300481620.html SOURCE Growth Street Partners [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] To Protect Aviation Industry from Hackers Embry-Riddle Offers Cybersecurity Certification DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As business leaders and companies around the world face attacks on their computer systems, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has developed the first of its kind program for professionals targeting cybersecurity challenges specifically for the aviation and aerospace industry. As announced at the 2017 Paris Air Show, Embry-Riddle will offer a customizable Aviation Cybersecurity Certificate program tailored to industry employees that addresses systems specific to the aviation industry from aircraft systems to the infrastructure that supports them. Those systems include aircraft navigation and communications systems and existing as well as in development aviation infrastructure systems such as Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Instrument Landing System (ILS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) System Wide Information Management (SWIM) and Next Gen, and Single European Sky ATM Research (EU SESAR). " Embry-Riddle is in the unique and trusted position as the higher education leader in aviation and cybersecurity to arm industry manufacturers and operators with the most proactive, advanced and up-to-date strategies in dealing with potential attacks on their infrastructure," said Embry-Riddle President Dr. P. Barry Butler. The program, the National Security Agency Certificate of Completion, is available via flexible delivery platforms including in-person, on campus or online. The three courses cover basic cybersecurity concepts, existing standards and best practices, computer system security concepts such as Global SWIM and its components such as Aeronautical Information Exchange Model (AIXM) and Flight Information Exchange Model (FIXM), and technology challenges like ADS-B. For more, information, email [email protected]. MEDIA CONTACT James Roddey, Director of Communications, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.; Office: (386) 226-6198; [email protected] About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 80 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus with more than 125 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and through online programs. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/to-protect-aviation-industry-from-hackers-embry-riddle-offers-cybersecurity-certification-300481879.html SOURCE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] Bishop Fox Ranked Among "Top Companies to Work for in Arizona" for Fourth Consecutive Year PHOENIX, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bishop Fox announced today that it has been named to the list of "Top Companies to Work for in Arizona" for the fourth year in a row by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. The award recognizes companies with "the most innovative workplace cultures" and "identifies companies that have achieved top rankings in employer practices, employee engagement, and satisfaction." Founded in 2006, Bishop Fox has grown into one of the world's premier independent cybersecurity consulting firms offering a broad range of security solutions to help Fortune 1000 companies, high-tech startups, and financial institutions worldwide protect their networks, applications and businesses. Bishop Fox has proven profitable every year since its founding. The company has approximately 80 employees and offices in Phoenix (headquarters), Atlanta, San Francisco, and New York City. Part of Bishop Fox's success is owed to its employee-first culture. The company believes that "happy employees equal happy clients" and is committed to mentoring emloyees. The firm also encourages employees to conduct security research and become subject matter experts in their fields and many Bishop Fox consultants regularly appear at Black Hat, DEF CON, Interop, and other leading industry conferences. Furthermore, Bishop Fox consultants frequently contribute articles to publications like Forbes and SC Magazine as well as the firm's own blog. It is this dedication to fostering employee growth that allows Bishop Fox to serve its clients at the highest levels. "Our consultants' 400 years of combined experience are drawn from a diverse background. We are hackers, developers, and engineers. We share our security knowledge to develop and implement solutions that keep our clients, and as an extension, their clients safe," said Francis Brown, co-founder of Bishop Fox. Cybersecurity continues to top management's list of most pressing business concerns as cyberattacks have become a daily occurrence. And with technology changing faster than most businesses can keep up with from cloud computing to the Internet of Things to new strands of ransomware Bishop Fox has become the trusted, "go-to" advisor for tailored solutions. Bishop Fox also rewards their employees for their hard work, including providing generous benefits as well as holding an annual Team Weekend retreat every year in Phoenix. The goal of Team Weekend is to encourage team-building among employees. "We are fortunate to have so many talented individuals on our team. We proudly share our success with them," added Brown. About Bishop Fox Bishop Fox is an independent cybersecurity firm that protects businesses from today's increasing security threats. Since 2005, the firm has provided security consulting services to the world's leading organizations. Contact: Amy Blumenthal 617-879-1511 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bishop-fox-ranked-among-top-companies-to-work-for-in-arizona-for-fourth-consecutive-year-300481932.html SOURCE Bishop Fox [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia Market President Karen Dale Honored as One of Our Nation's Capital's 100 Most Influential People in the Hispanic Community Karen Dale, market president of AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, a Medicaid managed care plan serving the District of Columbia and a member of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, has been named to the 2017 DC Powermeter 100 list by El Tiempo Latino. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006119/en/ Pictured above: AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia Market President Karen Dale accepting her award at the inaugural Powermeter 100 in Washington, an event that recognized 100 of the most influential individuals in Hispanic communities throughout Washington D.C., northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland. (Photo: Business Wire) Dale was recently honored at the inaugural Powermeter 100 in Washington, an event tat recognized 100 of the most influential individuals in Hispanic communities throughout Washington D.C., northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland. El Tiempo Latino, the District's largest Spanish newspaper, hosted the award ceremony at the Washington Post Live Center. "I'm both excited and grateful to be included among such amazing people doing magnificent work to better the lives of all those living in the District and the surrounding area," said Dale. "The work being done to create more opportunities in Hispanic neighborhoods is truly a team effort, and I'm proud to be a part of this team of visionary leaders." As market president for the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the District of Columbia, Dale spearheads a variety of initiatives and programs designed to improve Hispanic residents' access to health benefits and services. She has also been instrumental in driving philanthropic support for community organizations and agencies, working to address adverse social determinants faced by many members of the Hispanic community. "Karen is well-known for her work in the community and unyielding efforts to bring equitable opportunities to diverse neighborhoods," said Javier Marin, publisher and chief executive officer of El Tiempo Latino. "Her drive and work ethic are admirable, and above all, she is an excellent partner in our mission to bridge the divides in this country and enhance quality of life for Hispanic residents." About AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, a member of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, is a Medicaid managed care health plan that serves Medicaid recipients living throughout the District of Columbia. Headquartered in the District, AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia is a mission-driven company dedicated to helping members get care, stay well and build healthy communities. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com. About AmeriHealth Caritas AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation's leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 17 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 5.7 million Medicaid, Medicare and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services, and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006119/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 29, 2017] Schulte Roth & Zabel Presents a New Co-Production Between Theater of War Productions and the Forum on Law, Culture & Society The Premiere of: Theater of Law Leading law firm Schulte Roth & Zabel (SRZ) presented the premiere of Theater of Law, a new co-production between Theater of War Productions and the Forum on Law, Culture & Society. The event featured Emmy Award-winning actor Reg E. Cathey (The Wire, House of Cards, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks), Tony Award-nominated actress Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Oz), Tony Award-nominated actor Zach Grenier (The Good Wife, Fight Club, Deadwood) and Obie Award-winning actress Ana Reeder (Hedda Gabler, Top Girls, Sight Unseen). Held at SRZ's New York office, the actors performed a dramatic reading and initiated audience discussions. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006384/en/ Schulte Roth & Zabel presents the premiere of Theater of Law, a new co-production between Theater of War Productions and the Forum on Law, Culture & Society. Photo credit: Bruce Gilbert. From left to right: Thane Rosenbaum, director of Forum on Law, Culture & Society; Bryan Doerries, artistic director of Theater of War Productions; actor Zach Grenier; Christina Henry of Schulte Roth & Zabel; David Auxier-Loyola of Schulte Roth & Zabel; actress Kathryn Erbe; Schulte Roth & Zabel partner Dan A. Kusnetz; Sarah L. Huff of Schulte Roth & Zabel; actor Reg E. Cathey; actress Ana Reeder; and Jeffrey A. Lenobel, Schulte Roth & Zabel partner, chair of the Real Estate Group and a member of the Board of Directors of the Forum on Law, Culture & Society. Designed for legal professionals and for those who have had experiences with the legal system, Theater of Law is an innovative project that features readings from an ancient Greek tragedy about the first trial in Western culture, and is aimed at engaging audiences in constructive, thoughtful dialogues about the power of justice and the law, and its impact on local communities and society as a whole. "We are pleased to present the debut of Theater of Law. It is truly an innovative program that ignites thoughtful discussions about justice and today's legal system," commented Jeffrey A. Lenobel, SRZ partner and chair of the Real Estate Group. "Last night's performance was inspiring and, we are thrilled to say, the first of many exciting Theater of Law programs to be performed around the country,"added SRZ finance partner Joel M. Simon. Mr. Lenobel and Mr. Simon serve on the Board of Directors of the Forum on Law, Culture & Society. Mr. Cathey, Ms. Erbe, Mr. Grenier and Ms. Reeder read excerpts from Eumenides, translated and directed by Bryan Doerries. The Greek dramatist Aeschylus, in his trilogy of revenge plays, Oresteia, concludes the cycle in Eumenides with the trial of Orestes - the son who kills his mother because she had murdered her husband, Orestes' father. It is the first trial presented in Western culture - judge, jury and the community watching from the gallery - ordered by the gods as a way of introducing the ancient Greeks to the virtues of a legal system and the end of self-initiated blood justice. "Theater of Law is an important work and we are delighted to host this premier performance," commented Alan S. Waldenberg, chair of SRZ's Executive Committee. "For most of human history, justice was a private affair - tribes, clans, families and individuals took matters into their own hands. This Greek play reminds us of the power of the court system as well as its impact," said Thane Rosenbaum, director of the Forum on Law, Culture & Society. "Theater of Law is a terrific opportunity for us to bring our work to the legal industry. We are thrilled that Schulte Roth & Zabel has made it possible for us to engage legal professionals in these crucial discussions," said Mr. Doerries, artistic director of Theater of War Productions. Theater of Law was developed by Theater of War Productions, a social-impact theater company that has worked with 200 leading film, theater and television actors to present dramatic readings of seminal plays - from classical Greek tragedies to modern and contemporary works - followed by public conversations in an interactive program designed to address urgent community-based social issues. Theater of Law is co-produced by the Forum on Law, Culture & Society. About Schulte Roth & Zabel Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (www.srz.com) is a full-service law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C. and London. As one of the leading law firms serving the financial services industry, the firm regularly advises clients on corporate and transactional matters, as well as providing counsel on regulatory, compliance, enforcement and investigative issues. The firm's practices include: bank regulatory; bankruptcy & creditors' rights litigation; broker-dealer regulatory & enforcement; business reorganization; complex commercial litigation; cybersecurity; distressed debt & claims trading; distressed investing; education law; employment & employee benefits; energy; environmental; finance; financial institutions; hedge funds; individual client services; insurance; intellectual property, sourcing & technology; investment management; litigation; mergers & acquisitions; PIPEs; private equity; real estate; real estate capital markets & REITs; real estate litigation; regulated funds; regulatory & compliance; securities & capital markets; securities enforcement; securities litigation; securitization; shareholder activism; structured finance & derivatives; tax; and white collar defense & government investigations. About Theater of War Productions Theater of War Productions (www.theaterofwar.com) is a social-impact company that uses a combination of theater and guided public dialogue to help communities address pressing public health and social issues such as combat-related psychological injury, suicide, end-of-life care, police/community relations, prison reform, gun violence, political violence, natural and manmade disaster, domestic violence, substance abuse, and addiction. About Forum on Law, Culture & Society The Forum on Law, Culture & Society (www.forumonlawcultureandsociety.org) is committed to providing a unique, engaging, and entertaining experience for both a public and online audience in examining the big ideas of our day, including matters of law, justice, human rights and civil society by bringing together influential artists, government leaders and public intellectuals in a dynamic setting that is spirited, enriching and alive. Thane Rosenbaum serves as the director. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170629006384/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Mohammed bin Nayef, a veteran interior minister who was admired in Washington for quashing an al Qaeda insurgency in the kingdom between 2003 and 2006, was relieved of all his duties a week ago. By Reuters: A Saudi official on Thursday denied a New York Times report that Prince Mohammed bin Nayef has been confined to his palace and barred from travelling abroad after he was replaced by the king's son as next in line to the throne. Mohammed bin Nayef, a veteran interior minister who was admired in Washington for quashing an al Qaeda insurgency in the kingdom between 2003 and 2006, was relieved of all his duties a week ago. advertisement In his place as Crown Prince, King Salman appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman who also serves as defence minister and leads an ambitious reform agenda to end Saudi Arabia's over-reliance on oil. The New York Times, citing four current and former American officials and Saudis close to the royal family, said that Mohammed bin Nayef has been "barred from leaving the kingdom and confined to his palace" in the Red Sea city of Jeddah. "It's not true, 100 percent," the official told Reuters, responding to a question on the New York Times report, without giving any further details. Saudi state media, eager to show the change was going smoothly, repeatedly broadcast footage of the young Mohammed bin Salman kissing the hand of his older cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as he offered congratulations. Mohammed bin Salman's promotion ended two years of speculation about a behind-the-scenes rivalry near the pinnacle of royal power, but analysts said he still has to win over powerful relatives, clerics and tribesmen. --- ENDS --- Election results: Check out results from various races across the state Amgen stock hits high on earnings, prospects of obesity drug In one of the worst years for the stock market since the 2008 financial crisis, Thousand Oaksbased Amgen is showing no signs of weakness. As of Wednesdays market close, the... Council approves rules to limit self-storage growth Future self-storage facilities in the city of Thousand Oaks will be excluded from prime commercial areas, according to a new ordinance adopted by the City Council this month. In a... Dealership does Distinguished thing SPECIAL TRIPChildren from Boys & Girls clubs in Camarillo, Simi Valley and Moorpark, and Oxnard and Port Hueneme attended Misty Copelands Oct. 18 appearance in the Distinguished Speaker Series at... You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Traders of Agra will shut down their businesses for a day on July 1 to protest GST rollout. The traders are against implementing GST in its present form. By Siraj Qureshi: In less than two days, the country undergoes a radical shift in taxation through the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The biggest concern of the business community these days is the lack of clarity on the provisions of the tax and the heavy penal clauses associated with cases of tax default. Although Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has assured the businessmen asking them not to be afraid of the GST, this assurance has not allayed their fears. Traders are angry at the hurried manner in which the GST is being implemented. advertisement Taking a step towards a democratic opposition of the GST, the local traders have decided to keep their business shut for a day in Agra. The businessmen have planned to burn effigies of the GST that day. Meanwhile, the traders staged protest today in rather unusual fashion in Agra today. They performed a recital of Sundar Kand - part of epic Ramacharitmanas - for "purification of the mind and soul of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley." WHY AGRA TRADERS ARE ANGRY Cloth merchants of Agra said that in 1956, sales tax was removed from cloth and excise duty was imposed on it. Similarly, cloth - free from VAT - has been brought under the ambit of the GST from July 1, they said, adding this "is the main reason why the cloth merchants are protesting." Brij Kishore Agrawal, the chairman of the Sangharsh Samiti said that the country would have to face major setbacks if the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley remained adamant on implementing GST in its present form. Another leader of the Agra traders, T N Agrawal told India Today that "the funeral procession of GST will be taken out from the main Belanganj market of Agra and the effigy will be finally burned on a pyre at Mokshdham at Taj Ganj." Agrawal said that the businessmen of Agra would not seek registration under GST and work unregistered. CLAIM AND COUNTER-CLAIM Samajwadi Party leader Kundanika Sharma supported the businessmen and said that the central and state governments of BJP were formed by the support of businessmen and now both governments were harassing this community. However, when India Today talked to the Customs and Excise officials in Agra, they said that the GST was a very easy tax and it would not hamper the ease of doing business in the country. In fact, they claimed, it will make it easy for businessmen to do business across state borders. The officials clarified that till the first return is filed under GST, the traders can continue working on their old VAT number while seeking registration on the GST Network. The Sales Tax Help Desk is working from 8 am to 8 pm every day for the aid of the businessmen. advertisement Samajwadi Party city president Raisuddin said that if the Modi government did not ease the provisions of the GST and bring down the tax slabs, the country's businessmen would teach him a lesson in the 2019 parliamentary elections. ALSO READ| GST: Meet the men behind India's biggest tax reform that's been in making for 17 years GST is almost here: How input tax credit makes it a game changer reform GST launch celebrations: It's official, Congress won't attend Parliament event tomorrow ALSO WATCH | How will GST impact your phone bill --- ENDS --- 404 - Page Not Found Sorry, this page was not found. Try visiting our homepage or using the search function in our menu. One particular term 'notified place' may be misused by the drinkers to mean a tavern , road safety activist Harman Singh Sidhu told court. By Manjeet Sehgal: Chandigarh based NGO Arrive Safe Society has accused the Punjab government of modifying the Supreme Court judgment on liquor ban on highways. The NGO in its petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court has said that the state government in order to encourage liquor sales passed the 'impugned' amendment of Punjab Excise (Amendment Bill) 2017. advertisement "That the State of Punjab through the impugned amendment has tried to modify the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court as per its own convenience and has added an additional phrase, regarding motorable or walking distance of 500 metre, which phrase does not exist in the judgment passed by the Supreme Court," president of Arrive Safe Society, Harman Singh Sidhu who have moved high court to get the amendment stayed told India Today. The road safety activist said that the amendment uses a very vague term of "notified place" and permits the sale of liqour at such notified places, hotels, clubs and restaurants. "The term would definitely be misused to mean a tavern as a notified place and the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court as also the intent with which it was passed in national interest would be diluted. The impugned amendment cleverly tries and fails to distinguish between 'sale of liqour' and 'supply of liqour'. Any liqour sold has to be supplied or served or handed over to the prospective buyer then be he or she parting with money at a vend or restaurant or club," Harman Singh Sidhu said. Sidhu said that the Supreme Court was aware of the tantrums regarding 'consumption in premises' and 'consumption off premises' and that is why it had passed the direction that "All states and union territories shall forthwith cease and desist from granting licences for the sale of liquor along national and state highways." ULTRA-VIRES AND AGAINST DICTUM The petitioner has requested the court to quash the Punjab Excise (Amendment Bill) 2017 passed on June 22 citing the amendment as ultra-vires and against the dictum of the judgments passed by Supreme Court . Sidhu has also demanded a stay on the implementation or operation of Punjab Excise (Amendment Bill) 2017 during the pendency of the petition in the court. The vacation bench comprising Justices Anita Chaudhry and Harminder Singh Madaan has issued a notice to the Punjab government asking it to file a reply in the matter by July 24. Punjab assembly has passed the amendment bill and has sent the same for a Governor's nod. The bill proposes to serve liquor in the hotels, restaurants and party places which according to Harman Singh Sidhu not only violates the Supreme Court order on liquor ban on highways but also dilutes the benefit of the court decision. advertisement Also read: Patiala unpegged: Punjab Cabinet's new liquor law allows booze on highways SC not to extend licenses of liquor shops on state, national highways for a year For temperance, not prohibition: Kerala Minister to review UDF's liquor policy to revive tourism WATCH | India Today Expose: How parties are luring voters with alcohol coupons in Punjab --- ENDS --- Very few denizens of this discussion want to put a plan in front of voters without strings attached. CFRG: Councilwoman Shields wants $990,000,000 up front! I think we all are missing what is going on here. Councilwoman Shields is asking for another G. O. Bond deal. Give them $900,000,000 and they will decide what to build and show us all the plans at a later date. Arent we putting the cart before the horse? The voters in Kansas City should demand to see the final plan before they approve it or any financing public or private. When will City Hall learn? They say they dont think the voters are stupid then they float something like this. To cap it off, Councilwoman Justus is going to float her own financing plan shortly WITHOUT ANY PLAN. Just give them the money. Talk about a circus! Maybe we should just put up a tent where terminal A is. Citizens for Responsible Government ############## Here's what's missing on the subject of the airport financing that has become a quest for power and not a real solution for the future . . .Mayor Sly's no-bid private financing deal has crashed and burned and the corporate campaign to restarted and rig the effort looks like it'll be meeting with a great deal of resistance.Meanwhile, Council Lady Katy's effort offered a "public option" with very few deets . . .Accordingly, Tax Fighters expressed their frustration on this front as well . . .Developing . . . The former Missouri secretary of state plugged an upcoming Kansas Democratic Party fundraiser Wednesday by denouncing Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach's championing of state law that allegedly disenfranchised people of their right to vote. Jason Kander, a Democrat who served until January as Missouri secretary of state and lost a campaign for U.S. Tourexpi, turizm haberleri, Reiseburos, tourism news, noticias de turismo, Tourismus Nachrichten, , travel tourism news, international tourism news, Urlaub, urlaub in der turkei, , holidays in Turkey, , global tourism news, dunya turizm, dunya turizm haberleri, Seyahat Acentas, This site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, at a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768. Iraqi troops have seized the ruins of Mosuls grand mosque from ISIS, the military said in an announcement, declaring the extremists reign in the country to be over. "Their fictitious state has fallen," military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told state TV on Thursday - three years to the day since Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of the so-called caliphate from the same spot. Isis blew up the 12th century Al-Nuri mosque last week after it became apparent US-backed Iraqi forces had begun a push in its direction, reported The Independent. Its black flag had flown from the al-Hadba (Hunchback) minaret since June 2014, when the extremists managed to capture one third of Iraq after sweeping across the border from Syria, it stated. Lieutenant General Abdul Wahab Al Saadi told the Associated Press elite special troops entered the compound and took control of the surrounding streets on Thursday afternoon after a dawn offensive. The site will need to be cleared by explosives experts as IS often rigs areas it has retreated from with booby traps. While there are approximately 300 militants still fighting to the death in the Old City district, the Iraqi authorities expect the eight-month-long battle to end within the next few days. Isis now holds an area of the west side of the Tigris River less than one kilometre (0.5 miles) square. Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi has already "issued instructions to bring the battle to its conclusion," his office said on Wednesday. The victory has come at a cost: the fierce fighting and US-led bombing campaign have killed thousands of civilians and driven 850,000 in total from their homes, said the report. Huge swathes of the city have been reduced to rubble, and in the searing summer heat the stench of dead bodies is overpowering, soldiers on the front line say. Operation Inherent Resolve to retake the city began in October 2016. While the struggle for Mosul - once a cosmopolitan city of 1.5 million people and the jewel in Isis' crown - has almost reached its end, the militants still cling on to pockets of northern Iraq near the border with Syria, it added. US-based Procera, a top network equipment company, has deployed a network performance monitoring technology in the Middle East to help consumers understand what service quality to expect from different providers. The move follows a national regulatory agency in the Middle East deploying Procera Networks ScoreCard technology to monitor the performance and service quality of their fixed and mobile broadband service delivered by service providers. ScoreCard grades each service provider on throughput, latency, and packet loss for all broadband traffic to fully assess the network quality delivered for subscribers. ScoreCard thereby makes it easier for consumers and businesses to better understand what level of service to expect from different providers, and allows regulators to benchmark service providers. Consumers and businesses looking for the best broadband service available to them in any given market often turn to the local regulator for advice on what service would best suit their needs, said Alexander Havang, CTO of Procera Networks. Using ScoreCard, telecoms regulators can better inform the market, providing end-users with more clarity on the level of service they can expect from the various incumbents. It reports the actual quality delivered by broadband operators with a passive, virtual deployment that can scale to tens of millions of subscribers. Details of the Mena regulatory deployment include: The regulatory agency is deploying ScoreCard across the network footprint of all service providers in the country to measure the quality and delivery of broadband. The overall quality of the subscriber experience is measured and fed back to a centrally deployed Procera Engineering Insights system that indicates the performance of each service provider. No Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is collected. The regulator is using the network quality scores from ScoreCard to advise operators on where network performance needs to be improved. ScoreCard also identifies the root cause of quality degradation when it arises. The Mena deployment coincides with the launch of Proceras service provider compliance solutions set. The solutions have been designed to help operators around the world comply with changing broadband service regulations, easing the transition needed to implement new infrastructure in line with new regulations. The solutions will also give operators a better picture of how theyre being ranked on performance by telecoms regulators: ScoreCard QoE monitoring: helping telecom regulators to monitor the quality of broadband services delivered by fixed, mobile, and Wi-Fi operators. Regulatory traffic blocking: Using Proceras network intelligence technology to restrict traffic from unauthorized applications for security or safety regulations. Data retention: Tools to help operators drastically reduce storage requirements through the selective retention of broadband data based on government regulations. URL filtering: Blocking illegal content through URL blacklists and categories, taking advantage of regulatory lists like the Internet Watch Foundation blacklist. The new solutions take advantage of Proceras network intelligence technology heritage to deliver more than 100 use cases for operators. Procera offers virtualized versions of these solutions that can reduce cost and generate revenue for the operator, improving the ROI for a compliance solution deployment. Operators are seeking new ways of adapting to rapidly changing broadband regulations worldwide while still adding the value needed to bolster their bottom line, said Lyn Cantor, president and CEO of Procera Networks. They need flexible solutions to make this work. Procera has seen demand for solutions built on our network intelligence technology grow at a double-digit revenue pace over the last 12 months as a result. TradeArabia News Service Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and China Southern Airlines, Asias largest airline, have announced a new codeshare partnership. This increases the number of codeshare agreements operated by the Abu Dhabi-based airline to 53. Under the agreement, China Southern Airlines will put its 'CZ' code on Etihad Airways daily services between Beijing (PEK)/Shanghai (PVG)/Chengdu (CTU) and Abu Dhabi. The codeshare partnership will give China Southern guests the opportunity to book codeshare flights to and from Abu Dhabi, and connect onto Etihads network of over 100 destinations worldwide. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Executive Vice President Commercial, said: The codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines is a significant milestone in the airlines network development strategy and a key component of its footprint in the China market. This is a further example of our strategy of working with partners to extend our reach, and provide business and leisure travellers with more options. China is one of the fastest growing travel markets in the world, and one of the most competitive. By partnering with China Southern Airlines, each airline can use its strengths to benefit the other and offer more choice with enhanced connectivity to all guests, while experiencing the world-class services and products offered by both airlines. Recent developments such as visas upon arrival will help promote the UAE and Abu Dhabi as unique business and leisure destinations. Furthermore, Etihad Airways innovative and award-winning products and service will meet Chinese travellers high expectations for greater comfort, superior service standards, more choice and convenience. Zhang Lin, China Southern Airlines senior management on international cooperation, welcomed the establishment of the new partnership with Etihad Airways management team. He said: We are excited about the new partnership with Etihad Airways, which will further strengthen the global network of both airlines and provide increased benefits to all our passengers. Through this partnership, China Southern Airlines will be able to extend our services globally- via Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi hub to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Both Etihad Airways and China Southern Airlines are planning to implement a reciprocal loyalty partnership in the near future to enable the guests to earn and redeem miles on each others flights network-wide. - TradeArabia News Service The deal you were looking for is no longer available. Some on social media have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fire Singh, who's the minister for agriculture. By India Today Web Desk: Images of Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh urinating on what appears to be the wall of a compound, are being widely shared on social media. Singh is the minister for agriculture and farmer's welfare in the Narendra Modi government, whose flagship schemes happen to include the Swachch Bharat - or 'Clean India' - Mission. The irony wasn't lost on many of those who commented on the images on Twitter. Once @PMOIndia asked to, "Devote 100 hours every year towards the cause of cleanliness". @RadhamohanBJP is devoting more it seems. *Claps* https://t.co/v3xOmR9IfE- Walter Mitty (@IamGeorgy) June 29, 2017 advertisement But public urination may not have been the only transgression caught on camera. One of the photographs appears to show a car with a red beacon, the kind government officials have been forbidden from using by the Modi government in an attempt to check 'VIP culture.' "Show him the door..." one Twitter user wrote to Prime Minister Modi's official handle, tagging the official accounts of Radha Mohan Singh and BJP President Amit Shah. Dear @narendramodi Show him the door. @RadhamohanBJP Shame on u ..u could have gone in any of the houses there. @AmitShah https://t.co/RZy9t7lEvC- aD (@yo_honour) June 29, 2017 It was a demand that others echoed. Sack # Radha Mohan Singh for urinating in open. # Swacch Bharat only for preaching ppl not for Min?- soumdaram rajappa (@soumdaram) June 29, 2017 However, there were those who saw things differently. Would be easy to blame @RadhamohanBJP . But this shows how badly lacking are our public sanitation facilities.@narendramodi will have to act https://t.co/VZTz0EyLkU- Bimal Prasad Pandia (@bimalpandia) June 29, 2017 Radha Mohan Singh hasn't yet responded to news reports about the images or messages addressed to him on social media. ALSO READ | Jodhpur on Swachh Bharat drive: People attach dustbins to cars to tackle littering ALSO READ | When Deewar poster with Swachh Bharat message made PM Narendra Modi smile ALSO WATCH | What Swachh Bharat? Union minister Radha Mohan urinates in public with guards facing away --- ENDS --- This July we are ready for some fun in the sun and what's more fun than kids at the beach? Post your favorite family pictures anytime throughout the month of July and our favorite post will win a two-night stay in a two-room suite! (TRAVPR.COM) USA - June 28th, 2017 - Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, July 28, 2017 Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea announces its new Pin It To Win It contest! ?This July we are ready for some fun in the sun and what's more fun than kids at the beach? Post your favorite family pictures anytime throughout the month of July and our favorite post will win a two-night stay in a two-room suite! Simply: Follow us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hofsashouse ?Create A board titled: Family Getaways? ?Add a minimum of 5 pictures of your family vacation destination with the hashtag #HofsasHouseGetaways Email a link to your board to marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com One lucky winner will receive a two? -night stay at our beautiful hotel in Carmel! Contest runs July 1st- July 31st. Winner announced August 5th. About Hofsas House: Owned and operated by the Theis Family, Hofsas House Hotel is within walking distance of everything Carmel has to offer, including a stunning beach, fine restaurants and shops and wine tasting. It provides peaceful respite and European charm just minutes from Monterey, Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Pacific Grove. The Hofsas Houses 38 spacious, one-of-a-kind rooms boast European comfort and lovely views and amenities such as fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars, kitchens and patios. Large suites provide the perfect stay for newlyweds and anyone else seeking an extra special getaway. Dutch doors in every room allow guests to welcome in the ocean air, and free WiFi enables them to stay connected if they want to. The Hofsas House Hotel family works to ensure every visitor's experience is special, striving to offer the highest quality personal services. Consider the continental breakfast, abundant with fresh French Roast coffee, tea, juice, fruit and pastries from a neighborhood bakery, or the personalized concierge services for guests and their families, including their four-legged family members, who are welcome as well. For large groups wedding parties, company meetings, family reunions and others Hofsas House Hotel offers a spacious room equipped with a fireplace and full kitchen that can comfortably accommodate 40 people. A heated pool, dry saunas, decks with views and off-street parking are on-site as well. ? ? Hofsas House Hotel is located on San Carlos Street, north of Fourth Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more information, call (831) 624-2745 or visit www.hofsashouse.com. Contact: Marci Bracco Cain Chatterbox PR Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 747-7455 http://www.hofsashouse.com ### India Today's investigation had established how in various mandis across Rajasthan, the government officials were mere spectators to the plight of farmers, who were forced to sell their produce at prices lower than the MSP. By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: An investigation carried out by India Today had brought to fore the plight of farmers in the country, including Rajasthan. The investigation has led the Rajasthan government to take note of the distressed state of farmer deaths and the agrarian crisis they have been put through, most of it due to the presence of middlemen, who are bent on making windfall profits at their expense. advertisement Dr Prabhulal Saini, Agriculture Minister in Rajasthan government, admitted the state has a problem at hand. He said, "We are assessing the situation and we will try to see that the farmers get fair price for their crops. We will allocate Rs 20 lakh to those farmers who agree to set up small units on their lands without conversion." India Today's operation had established how in various mandis, across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the government officials were mere spectators to the plight of farmers, who were forced to sell their produce at prices lower than the Minimum Support prices (MSPs). In most cases, it was due to the presence of middlemen and the arbitrary decisions by officials who were bent on rejecting most of the farmers' produce. The agriculture minister claimed that a plan has been afoot to pull the farmers out of the crisis situation and stem the tide of suicides and farmer deaths. "I agree with you that getting rid of the middlemen is a very big issue for farmers to get a fair price for their crops. So, we have done MoUs in Rajasthan for the national agriculture market and contract farming, and along with direct marketing, the establishment of private mandis. Because of this, when mandis will be established at various places, we will be able to get rid of middlemen because the farmer will be able to sell stuff independently," the minister said. Also read: Revealed: What is killing India's farmers? India Today exclusive Also read: Rajasthan: Farmer commits suicide in CM Vasundhra Raje's home district WATCH THE VIDEO HERE --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Senior diplomat Shamma Jain was today appointed as Indias ambassador to Greece. A 1983-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Jain is currently serving as Indian envoy to Panama. "She is expected to take up the assignment shortly," the External Affairs Ministry said. Jain succeeds M Manimekalai as Indian envoy in Greece. advertisement She had earlier served as ambassador to Cote dIvoire. She has also served in Indian missions in Italy, the Philippines, Washington DC, Turkey and Argentina. PTI MPB KUN --- ENDS --- New Delhi, June 28 Opposition BJP and Congress today criticised the one-month prison term handed to the two visitors, who threw paper missiles in the Delhi Assembly while a session was under way, saying it was "against" the spirit of democracy. Congress chief Ajay Maken said the sentence was "harsh and against the spirit of democratic values". The Assembly witnessed a high drama today after the duo, identified as Jagdeep Rana and Rajan Kumar, created a ruckus in the House, following which they were allegedly thrashed by some of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators. BJP chief Manoj Tiwari described the incident as an "outcome of arrogance" of the ruling party leaders. "Today's violence, following a small incident of democratic demonstration by the two visitors, shows that the Kejriwal government is averse to any kind of protest," he alleged. Maken, a former Delhi Assembly speaker, said the same AAP, which used to stage demonstrations and protests even at the "slightest pretext", handed down a "harsh" punishment to the protesters who were "peacefully" opposing its government. "The AAP had given membership to a man (Jarnail Singh) who had thrown a slipper at P Chidambaram. He was given a party ticket to contest the Assembly election. This shows the contradiction in the words and deeds of the party," he said. Rana and Kumar were subsequently handed a one-month rigorous jail term by Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, the most stringent punishment he could order, after the House unanimously adopted a motion moved by AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj in this regard. PTI New York, June 29 A 26-year-old Indian-origin man in the US was stabbed to death allegedly by his cousin following an argument here. Sharanjit Singh was stabbed by Lovedeep Singh, 24, in the neck and torso inside their apartment in New York City borough Queens in the early hours of June 26, police said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Lovedeep has been charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Lovedeep admitted to police that he fatally stabbed his cousin and roommate Sharanjit. He was arraigned on Tuesday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Eugene Guarino on a criminal complaint. Queens District Attorney Brown said Lovedeep is accused of senselessly stabbing to death his cousin and roommate. This is a family tragedy for all concerned. Sharanjit, who worked as a driver, moved to the US from India in 2013. His parents still live in India. The motive behind the murder was not immediately known, police said. PTI Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 29 On a call given by the Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (BUVM), various trades in the city will remain shut tomorrow (June 30) against the implementation of goods and services tax (GST). Cloth merchants and furniture manufacturers have been on strike for the past three days. They will continue their agitation. The BUVM is protesting the strict provisions of GST, which, it believes, can prove fatal for the growth of unorganised and small traders. The mandal has demanded that there should not be more than 15 per cent tax on any item. Paul Khurana, chairman of the Punjab Furniture Association, said the traders had not yet overcome the losses caused by demonetisation and now GST is here to further make the things worse for them. We are not against GST but all we are demanding is that the tax slab on furniture should be reduced. The present 28 per cent GST on wooden furniture is too high. We want the rate to be reduced to 12 per cent. The sale of furniture has come down to one-fourth and we are left with no other option but to lay off labour, he said. Jagdish Kumar from Mochpura Bazar said shawl traders had also decided to go on strike tomorrow. There has never been any tax on shawls since it is handmade material. Artisans have been making these for centuries. This will only make the things worse for them as they will not be able to comply with the strict provisions of GST, he said. Cloth merchants are already up in arms against 5 per cent GST imposed on fabric. Artisans have meagre sources and are earning a living through their skill. But even they will now come under GST and will be required to file returns. The artisans with annual turnover less than Rs 20 lakh will not be covered under GST. The imposition of 5 per cent GST on textile job work has come as a blow to these artisans. It will be impossible to expect small craftsmen to register and file three monthly returns. If we dont file returns, we will not get our claims. Its going to be a difficult situation not only for artisans but also for wholesalers like us, said Surjan Singh, a cloth wholesaler at Chaura Bazar. Sanju Dhir, chairman of Ludhiana Woollen Manufacturers Association, said the traders were not against the implementation of GST but its harsh provisions. One clause also includes imprisonment. We are no criminals that we will be sent to jail. One should be fined but we dont understand the need for imprisonment. The government should have given a relaxation period of at least a year from these harsh provisions, said Dhir. Expert take Gurmeet Singh, a cost accountant, said: GST will unify at least 15 Central and state taxes into one. It aims at making India a market with common tax rates and procedures. It will remove the economic barriers, thus paving the way for an integrated economy at the national level. It is a destination-based tax on goods and services. Tax will accrue to the state or the Union Territory where consumption takes place. It is to be levied at all stages, right from manufacturing up to final consumption with credit of taxes paid at previous stages available as set-off. Only value addition will be taxed and the burden of tax is to be borne by the final consumer. Goods kept outside GST purview temporarily 1. Alcohol for human consumption 2. Five petroleum products, crude, motor spirit (petrol), high speed diesel, natural gas and aviation turbine fuel 3. Electricity (the existing taxation system, i.e. vat and central excise, will continue in respect of these commodities) Composition levy scheme Small taxpayers with an aggregate turnover in a financial year up to Rs 75 lakh shall be eligible for composition levy. Under the scheme, a taxpayer shall pay tax as a percentage of his turnover during the year without the benefit of input tax credit. Exemption threshold Taxpayers with an aggregate turnover up to Rs 20 lakh are exempt from tax. Turnover shall be computed on an all-India basis. For north-eastern states and those in a special category, the threshold will be Rs 10 lakh. All taxpayers eligible for threshold exemption will have the option of paying tax with input tax credit benefits. Taxpayers making inter-state supplies or paying tax on reverse charge basis shall not be eligible for threshold exemption. Tribune News Service NEW DELHI, JUNE 29 Beijing today hardened its stance on the standoff with Indian troops, with the Chinese foreign ministry asking India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a meaningful dialogue. China went a step further and in a reference to the 1962 war said India should learn historical lessons. The Chinese defence ministry joined ranks with the foreign ministry and dismissed the protests by Bhutan that Peoples Liberation Army soldiers violated its territory in Donglong, saying its troops operated on Chinese territory and also asked India to correct its wrongdoing. In effect, this also means that the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, which China has put off given the tensions, is unlikely to resume anytime soon. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed a photograph of the Indian incursion into Donglong area. Later, the ministry uploaded two photographs on its website. The diplomatic channel for communication remains unimpeded. We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary immediately. This is the precondition for the settlement of this incident and also the basis for any meaningful dialogue, Lu said. In a parallel briefing, Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Col Wu Qian dismissed Bhutans protests and said, I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutans territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. Indias Army Chief Bipin Rawat also came under criticism by the Chinese military. Reacting to his comments that the Army is fully ready for a two-and-a-half front war, Col Wu said such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible. We hope that the particular person could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war. India so far has maintained a silence on the issue. Army Chief in Sikkim Zurich/New Delhi, June 29 Money parked by Indians in Switzerland's banks nearly halved to 676 Swiss francs (about Rs 4,500 crore) in 2016 to hit a record low amid a continuing clampdown on the suspected black money stashed behind their famed secrecy walls. In comparison, the total funds held by all foreign clients of Swiss banks somewhat rose to CHF 1.42 trillion or about Rs 96 lakh crore (from CHF 1.41 trillion a year ago). (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The total funds held by Indians directly with Swiss banks stood at CHF 664.8 million at the end of 2016, while the same held through fiduciaries was nearly $11 million, as per the latest data published today by the country's central banking authority SNB (Swiss National Bank). The total money of Indians fell by 45 per cent during 2016 to CHF 675.75 million, marking the biggest ever yearly decline in such funds. This included nearly CHF 377 million in form of customer deposits, about CHF 98 million owed to Indians through other banks and CHF 190 million in form of other 'liabilities'. The figures fell sharply across all categories last year, the SNB data showed. This is the lowest amount of funds held by Indians in the Swiss banks ever since the Alpine nation began making the data public in 1987 and marks the third straight year of decline. The funds held through fiduciaries or wealth managers alone used to be in billions till 2007 but has been falling amid fears of regulatory crackdown. The funds held by Indians with Swiss banks stood at a record high of CHF 6.5 billion (Rs 23,000 crore) at 2006-end, but has now come down to nearly one-tenth of that level in about a decade. The quantum of these funds has been falling since then, except for in 2011 and in 2013 when Indians' money had risen by over 12 per cent and 42 per cent, respectively. As per the available data since 1987, the earlier lowest ever figure was recorded in 1995 at CHF 723 million. The latest data from Zurich-based SNB comes ahead of a new framework for automatic exchange of information between Switzerland and India to help check the black money menace. While Switzerland has already begun sharing foreign client details on evidence of wrongdoing provided by India and some other countries, it has agreed to further expand its cooperation on India's fight against black money with a new pact for automatic information exchange from next year. There have been several rounds of discussions between Indian and Swiss government officials on the new framework and also for expediting the pending information requests about suspected illicit accounts of Indians in Swiss banks. The funds, described by SNB as 'liabilities' of Swiss banks or 'amounts due to' their clients, are the official figures disclosed by the Swiss authorities and do not indicate to the quantum of the much-debated alleged black money held by Indians in the safe havens of Switzerland. SNB's official figures also do not include the money that Indians, NRIs or others might have in Swiss banks in the names of entities from different countries. Money parked somewhere else? There is a view that the Indians alleged to have parked their illicit money in Swiss banks in the past may have shifted the funds to other locations after a global clampdown began on the mighty banking secrecy practices in Switzerland. Swiss banks have also said Indians have "few deposits" in Swiss banks compared to other global financial hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong amid stepped-up efforts to check the black money menace. On directions of the Supreme Court, India has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe cases of alleged black money of Indians, including funds stashed abroad in places like Switzerland. A number of strategies have been deployed by the government to combat the stash-funds menace, in both overseas and domestic domain, which include enactment of a new law to tackle stashing of black money abroad, amendments in the anti-money laundering Act and compliance windows for people to declare their hidden assets. Earlier this month, Switzerland ratified automatic exchange of financial account information with India and 40 other jurisdictions to facilitate immediate sharing of details about suspected black money even as it sought strict adherence to confidentiality and data security. Adopting the dispatch on introduction of the AEOI, a global convention for automatic information exchange on tax matters, the Swiss Federal Council said on June 16 that the implementation is planned for 2018 and the first set of data should be exchanged in 2019. PTI By Parmita Uniyal: Ekta Kapoor's Chandrakanta premiered last weekend. While we thought it would be another telly adaptation of Devaki Nandan Khatri's classic novel Chandrakanta, it actually turned out to be a cocktail of some of your favourite fantasy tales you have grown up watching. Here are some of the inspirations: Harry Potter Much like Harry Potter, Chandrakanta is set in a magical world--a jaadui duniya. The only difference is, instead of wizards, there are aiyaars and aiyaaras who can change forms, talk to birds, and have special powers. advertisement Aladdin Ekta Kapoor has taken the magnificent flying carpets that you have grown up watching in Disney's Aladdin to her own jaadui duniya. There is also a genie who helps out the protagonist Chandrakanta with his magical powers and flying carpet whenever she's in a trouble. Snow White If the heroine of the show is from Devaki Nandan Khatri's classic novel Chandrakanta, the vamp is straight out of Disney's Snow White. The character of Iravati is majorly inspired by the evil queen who often says--mirror mirror in the wall, who's the fairest of them all. We also have a desi version of the talking mirror in the show called Aaina who shows Iravati the face of her death. Naagin Naagin is a revenge drama and so is Chandrakanta. In Naagin, Naagmani is the bone of contention while in Chandrakanta, the two kingdoms are fighting over Tilismi Khanjar that can help them rule the world. The shape-shifting creatures is another common thread between the two shows. --- ENDS --- Ahmedabad, June 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said killing of people in the name of cow protection is not acceptable, remarks that come amid a spurt of attacks by cow vigilantes and a wave of protests. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Delivering a speech to mark the centenary of the Sabarmati Ashram here and 150th birth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandraji, a guru to Mahatma Gandhi, Modi said unleashing violence against others went against the ideals of the Father of the Nation. Read: Not in My Name: Filmmaker's Facebook post brings hundreds to protest mob lynching Killing people in the name of gau bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve, he said. Lets all work together. Lets create the India of Mahatma Gandhis dreams. Lets create an India our freedom fighters would be proud of, the prime minister said. No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands, he said. The Prime Ministers remarks come against the backdrop of growing incidents of cow vigilantism. A Muslim youth was last week killed on board a Mathura-bound train by people who taunted his family and repeatedly called them anti-nationals and beef eaters. Violence never has and never will solve any problem. As a society, there is no place for violence, Modi said. Thousands of people across the country had on Wednesday taken to the streets in a citizens protest named Not in My Name against the recent incidents of mob killings. Holding placards that read: Break the Silence, No Place for Islamophobia and Shed Hate not Blood among others, the protesters had said they had gathered to send out a message that there is a need to unite for a cause. PTI Mumbai, June 28 Hundreds gathered in cities across the country to protest mob violence targeted at Muslims and Dalits on Wednesday. Protests that went under the rubric Not in My Name saw actors such as Shabana Azmi and Konkona Sena Sharma participate in protests held at Carter Road in suburban Bandra on Wednesday evening. Similar protests were held in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru. Protesters marched silently, holding posters and placards bearing slogans. "Killing over food. Not in my Name," read a placard. "Today's protest was against the savage culture of mob lynching," journalist and author Rana Ayyub said. The anti-lynching movement has gained traction after Saba Dewan, a documentary filmmaker, posted on Facebook about a protest she wanted to organise at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. A member of the Bandra West Residents Association, who participated in today's protest, said the campaign, started with the hashtag #NotInMyName, is an attempt to `reclaim the Constitution' and resist the `onslaught' on the right to life and equality. The protests come immediately after a 16-year-old was stabbed in a train in Haryana in a hate crime. PTI/Agencies Washington, June 29 A bipartisan legislation to provide visas to Tibetans was reintroduced in US Congress by two lawmakers, saying it will help the overburdened Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal. The Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act addresses provides 3,000 immigrant visas to qualified displaced Tibetans over a three-year period. The United States has a long record of giving humanitarian assistance to other countries in need, including providing refuge to those persecuted abroad, said Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, who reintroduced the Act in the House of Representatives on Tuesday along with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. The United States has a long record of giving humanitarian assistance to other countries in need, including providing refuge to those persecuted abroad, he said. The Bill supports the well-being of the Tibetan exile community as they strive to find a peaceful solution for Tibet; helps the overburdened settlements in India and Nepal; and gives displaced Tibetans the opportunity to flourish as Tibetan-Americans. Lofgren said the Tibetan people have suffered decades of persecution at the hands of the Chinese government. After the devastation of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, it is even more necessary for displaced Tibetans to be recognised by the United States for refugee assistance and afforded protection under US law, she said. Noting that thousands of Tibetans have gone into exile due to continuing repression in their homeland, the two lawmakers said these refugees have worked to preserve their religious and cultural identity in exile communities in India and Nepal, but the influx of Tibetans creates many challenges and places an economic burden on these countries. Because they fled Tibet, current US law may consider the Tibetans firmly resettled in a third country and might render them inadmissible to the US, they said. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Betty McCollum urged her Congressional colleagues and the US President to stand with the people of Tibet to promote human rights, religious freedom, and a meaningful political dialogue. China is a powerful country. But, the United States is a free and powerful country. The United States must never abandon our commitment to freedom, justice, and human rights around the world. And, we must never abandon the people of Tibet, she said in her remarks to welcome the Dalai Lama to Minnesota on Saturday (June 24). Let me also urge President Trump to meet directly with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and listen to his wise and compassionate insights. Mr Trump needs to hear why ongoing US support for Tibet is vital, she had said. PTI Chandigarh, June 28 Nearly 300 pilgrims, mostly Sikhs, from different parts of India were stranded at the Attari railway station near Amritsar on Wednesday after the Centre didn't allow a special train from Pakistan that was to ferry them to that country to enter India. The pilgrims, who were going to Pakistan to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, were stranded at the Attari railway station amid heavy rain. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The SGPC said the Centre has denied permission to a 251-member Sikh delegation to visit Pakistan on the occasion of death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, citing security reasons. The delegation, sponsored by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was scheduled to visit Pakistan from June 21 to 29. "The Centre has declined permission to the delegation to visit Pakistan due to security reasons," SGPC secretary Harcharan Singh told PTI today. The Centre had informed the SGPC that if anyone wanted to visit Pakistan, then it should give an undertaking that the person was going there at one's own risk to which the Sikh religious body did not agree, he said. On being asked whether the neighbouring country was contemplating sending a train for the delegation up to the Attari-Wagah border, he said, "Permission was not given by the Centre. Therefore, there was no question of anybody going to Pakistan." Singh said some people were sent by a Ferozepur-based NGO to the Attari border to protest against the Centre's decision. "But they were stopped by the police today ahead of Attari. When the permission has been declined by the Centre, how can one go to Pakistan," he said. Another delegation, which was to visit Pakistan last month for the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, was denied visa allegedly due to want of clearance from the Centre. Officials said the central government did not allow the train, which was standing at Wagah in Pakistan, to enter India. Railway officials at Attari said the train could not be allowed to come in the absence of permission from the central government. The pilgrims, who had come from Delhi, Punjab and other places, raised slogans against the government. Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained owing to terrorist incidents and ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of pilgrims, mostly Sikhs, go to Pakistan in large groups on different occasions, including the birth and death anniversaries of Sikh Gurus and on Baisakhi festival. Agencies Chandigarh, June 29 NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind arrived here on Thursday to meet MLAs and MPs of Haryana and Punjab BJP and those of its ally SAD as part of his campaign for the July 17 election. Kovind, who was accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and senior BJP leader Anil Jain, was given a rousing welcome at the airport here by NDA leaders from the twin states. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The 71-year-old Kovind will hold separate meetings with Punjab SAD-BJP MLAs and MPs here and later with the BJP parliamentarians of Haryana at Panchkula, said Kamal Sharma, former Punjab BJP president. Former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other senior leaders of the Akali Dal would also be present at the meeting along with BJP legislators and parliamentarians from the state here. Kovind jis arrival got slightly delayed due to bad weather conditions as the aircraft could not take off well in time from Delhi, Kamal Sharma, who was among those present at the airport to welcome Kovind, said. The SAD-BJP coalition has 18 MLAs (15 SAD, 3 BJP) in the 117-member Punjab Assembly while the ruling Congress has 77. The AAP has 20 legislators and its ally Lok Insaaf Party two. Among the Lok Sabha members in Punjab, the ruling Congress has four, the SAD has three, the BJP had two MPs but recently Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna passed away. The AAP has four, out of which two have been suspended by the party. In the Rajya Sabha, the SAD has three, the BJP one and the Congress has three members. In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the ruling BJP enjoys a majority with 47 MLAs and the support of five Independents. The Congress has 17 MLAs. The SAD has a lone legislator in Haryana Assembly while the INLD (The Indian National Lok Dal), which is the principal opposition party, has 19. INLD senior leader Abhay Chautala said the party would take a decision later in the day on who to support, in the presidential election. We will announce our decision later in the day, Chautala told PTI. The party, at a meeting held here recently, had left it to party president and former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala to decide on whether to support Kovind or Meira Kumar. Among the Lok Sabha MPs in Haryana, the ruling BJP has seven members, INLD two and Congress has one while the BJP has only one member among the five Rajya Sabha MPs. Media baron Subhash Chandra was last year elected with the BJPs support. The Congress has two Rajya Sabha members and the INLD has one in Haryana. PTI Neena Sharma Tribune News Service Dehradun, June 29 Union Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu today rapped the Trivendra Singh Rawat-led state government for the poor implementation of the Union Governments flagship programmes under the Department of Urban development. The state is lagging behind in the implementation of the Central schemes. I dont want to get into the details which government was in power in the past or that the present government has just completed 100 days, said Naidu. The Union Minister was in Dehradun to review the flagship programmes of the Modi government falling under his ministries of Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting. The Union Minister also rejected a request made by Minister for Urban Development Madan Kaushik to continue with the 90:10 assistance formula worked out between the Centre and the state beyond 2017. Several states are clamouring for the special status tag for themselves. It is difficult to pay heed to the demand of the states. Everything has to be done according to the recommendations of NITI Aayog, he said. Naidu was also emphatic about his ministrys emphasis on performance-based assistance for urban local bodies. The days of receiving assistance for programmes solely on the basis of population is over. The state governments have to follow the Prime Ministers mantra of perform, reform and transform in order to get Central assistance, he emphasised. Naidu said the Uttarakhand Government needed to do a lot in the areas of sewerage, Swachh Bharat schemes, housing for all and initiating reforms in the local bodies. He said Chief Minister TS Rawat had promised him that the target of making all the 92 urban local bodies open-defecation free (ODF) will be achieved by December by 2017. Today, six urban local bodies, including Nainital, Chakrata Herbertpur cantonments and Mussoorie and Narendernagar, were declared ODF. Meanwhile, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu also launched an AIR and Doordarshan Kendra from where 15-minute news bulletin will be telecast in the morning and evening. I have given special instructions to ensure that the channel focuses on the local culture, dialect and traditions of the state, he said. Syed Ali Ahmed Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 28 Delhi Assembly Speaker Ramniwas Goel sentenced a one-month jail to two youths, Jagdeep Rana and Rajan Madan, who hurled bits of papers inside the House while a special session was on. The youths demanded that PWD Minister Satyendra Jain should be thrown out of the cabinet. There was uproar in the House following the incident and it was adjourned for half an hour. The Speaker said the action would be taken against the MLA with whose reference they would have got entry pass. However, there was no reference of any MLA in their application for entry pass. The Speaker said with the help of some officials, they got the pass issued. The authorities would investigate to find out their source for getting the pass issued, he said. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa raised objection for making investigation against alleged involvement of the official. But the Speaker asked him that this was a very serious issue and this should not be politicised. Former minister Kapil Mishra identified that Jagdeep was vice-president in Delhi unit of the AAP while Rajan Madan was in charge of the Punjab affairs. The two men, wearing turbans, were sitting in the Visitors' Gallery when suddenly they threw paper missiles inside the House and raised slogans like Inquilab Zindabad, gaddi chhoro, Satyendra Jain bhrashth hai. Soon after the interruption, the security whisked them away even as the AAP lawmakers demanded strict action against the two men for violating the sanctity of the House. In the note found printed inside the paper missiles, the duo have claimed that they were AAP workers and took the step as they were unhappy with the Arvind Kejriwal-led party and the alleged "corruption cases" against Jain. As they were being taken away by security personnel in MLA Lounge, some of the AAP MLAs jumped on to these men and allegedly thrashed them. Sirsa and former minister Kapil Mishra said the MLAs should not thrash them. Mishra informed the police through his mobile phone that the youths being thrashed by some MLAs. Police personnel present on the Legislative Assembly premises sought to bring the scuffle to an end, which lasted for nearly 30 minutes. When the House re-assembled, AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj moved a motion for action to be taken against the youths. The motion was passed by the House across the party and the Speaker ordered one month jail to the two protesters. One of them, assaulted in the scuffle, was later seen being taken in an ambulance. A photo journalist also got injuries during the scuffle. Sirsa accuses govt of sitting over land pooling BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in the House that he was not informed about the land issue discussed during the special assembly session. All the AAP MLAs were well informed and were fully prepared to speak on the issue. In a statement Sirsa said the government had been sleeping over the land pooling issue for nearly two and half years. It has suddenly waked up when the LG issued notification on the issue a few days ago. He said the government has already committed blunders and is now trying to shift the ball in LGs court. The cabinet decided in to approve the grant of Bhumidari rights to original allottees or their next of kin or legal heirs, if they are still in possession of the land parcels and are carrying out agricultural activities. Now it has urged the LG that all persons who were admitted as Asamis under Section 74 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act (1954) be declared as Bhumidars, at once. But this is not fair, said Sirsa. He said the government is still not clear whether the Bhumidars will be able to sell the land as per land policy or they will become full and absolute owners of the land. The government is trying to cover up its earlier lapses and depriving the Bhumidars of their absolute ownership. Brussels, June 29 The EU must boost its defences against cyber attacks, which have fallen behind the modern worlds reliance on the internet and mobile devices, the blocs security chief warned on Thursday. Brussels will give 10.8 million euros (USD 12 million) to 14 EU countries to boost their cyber response teams following this weeks massive global cyber attack, Security Commissioner Julian King said. Were living through an attack right now. That attack, the recent WannaCry attack and other recent attacks serve graphically to illustrate that the cyber threats we face are growing very seriously King told reporters. Our current dependence on the internet and connected devices and technology is at the moment currently greater than our ability to protect ourselves, and we need to do something about that, King said. The latest series of cyber attacks began in Ukraine on Tuesday, hitting government and corporate computer systems across the world as the so-called Petya virus spread to western Europe and across the Atlantic. The British commissioner to the European Union said that cyber attacks were becoming more strategic because they endanger critical infrastructure and indeed our democratic processes. In addition the extra funding for national cyber response centres, he said there should also be extra support for the EU police agency Europols cybercrime department. Europol said yesterday that the latest cyber attacks were similar to last months WannaCry ransomware havoc but more sophisticated. NATO warned yesterday that cyber attacks could potentially trigger the 29-nation military alliances mutual defence guarantee, while making a similar call to strengthen cyber defences. AFP Beijing, June 29 China on Thursday asked India to withdraw its troops from the Donglong area in Sikkim sector as a precondition for a "meaningful dialogue" to settle the boundary issue, warning that the Indian Army should learn "historical lessons", in an oblique reference to the 1962 war. In an unprecedented action, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed a photograph of Indian "incursion" into Donglong area and said the dispute which is becoming a confrontation of sorts between the troops on the ground can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photograph from the podium. He said the photographs will be displayed on the Foreign Ministry's website later. "The diplomatic channel for communication remains unimpeded. We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to the Indian side of the boundary immediately. This is the precondition for the settlement of this incident and also the basis for us to conduct any meaningful dialogue," he said. Addressing the media around the same time, China's Defence spokesman Col Wu Qian rejected Bhutan's allegation that PLA soldiers violated its territory in Donglong area, saying its troops operated on "Chinese territory" and also asked India to "correct" its "wrongdoing". "I have to correct when you say Chinese personnel entered Bhutan's territory. Chinese troops operated on Chinese territory," a Chinese defence ministry spokesman told media here. The People's Liberation Army spokesman also accused Indian troops of entering the Chinese side in Donglong area in Sikkim sector. "They tried to stop the normal activities. The Chinese carried out appropriate responses to these activities to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman said. "We have made it clear to the Indian side to correct their wrong doing and withdraw all personnel from Chinese territory," he said. Bhutan yesterday said it had issued a demarche to China over the construction of a road towards its Army camp in Zomplri area of Doklam and asked Beijing to restore status quo by stopping the work immediately. The Donglong (Doklam) is a tri-junction area near the Chumbi Valley. It is under China's control. However, Bhutan claims sovereignty over the area. Asked about the protest lodged by Bhutan that the PLA has transgressed its territory in Donglong area as well as reports that Chinese military has destroyed bunkers of Indian army in the area, Col Wu said the PLA troops carried out "appropriate response to incursion" by Indian border guards into Chinese territory. "The Indian border troupe personnel have entered the Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector of the India-China borders. They tried to stop the normal activities of the Chinese border defence forces in the Donglong region. We carried out appropriate responses to halt these actives to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. The Chinese military rejected as "extremely irresponsible" Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Responding to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu Qian said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. "Indian Army is fully ready for a two-and-a-half front war," Rawat had said recently. PTI Beijing, June 28 The new US ambassador to Beijing said today that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo should be allowed to receive treatment outside China after he was diagnosed with cancer while in prison for advocating democratic reforms. China should allow 61-year-old Liu to seek treatment elsewhere if it would be of help, Ambassador Terry Branstad told reporters at his first public appearance since arriving in Beijing this week. The former six-term Iowa governor appointed by President Donald Trump did not say if hed spoken directly with Chinese authorities about the matter, emphasizing cooperation instead. Its important that we work together between our two countries to address these human rights issues, Branstad said. Liu was given a medical parole and hospitalized after being diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer on May 23. His wife has said in video circulated by supporters that Lius cancer has advanced beyond any potential treatment. The writer and literary critic received the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize while serving an 11-year prison term for co- authoring Charter 08, a manifesto calling for an end to single-party rule in China. News of Lius illness drew questions from his supporters and human rights advocates on whether Chinas government provided him with adequate care while incarcerated. Chinese prisons are notorious for their harsh conditions, and its common for released prisoners to return to society in a dangerously weakened state. The Trump administrations handling of Lius case could provide an early indication of how forcefully it is willing to push China on human rights. On Monday, the State Department called for Lius release as well as that of his wife, Liu Xia, who has lived for years under house arrest. China should provide them the protections and freedoms such as freedom of movement and access to medical care of his choosing, to which theyre entitled under Chinas constitution and medical system and international commitments, the statement said. AP Bihar CM in the past few months has openly supported PM Modi over decisions like surgical strikes on Pakistan, demonetisation, GST and now Ram Nath Kovind as the presidential candidate. By Rohit Kumar Singh: Amidst growing rift between the JD-U and RJD following Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's support to NDA's Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, BJP leader Sushil Modi has offered to support Nitish government, if he pulled out of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. "If Nitish Kumar shows the courage to break the alliance with the RJD and Congress, the BJP can think of extending support to him for continuation of the government in the state," suggested Sushil Modi, BJP leader. advertisement It is notable that the Bihar CM in the past few months has openly supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi over decisions like surgical strikes on Pakistan, demonetisation, GST and now Ram Nath Kovind as the presidential candidate. The divergent views of Nitish from other coalition partners - RJD and Congress - has not gone down too well, especially with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who termed Nitish's decision to support Kovind, a "historic blunder". BIHAR ASSEMBLY SEATS The present scenario in the Bihar Assembly is that Mahagathbadhan partners have 178 seats, RJD 80, JDU 71, Congress 27. The BJP-led NDA, on the other hand, has 57 seats. In the event of Nitish pulling out of the government following deteriorating relations with Lalu's party RJD, he may still continue to remain the CM with NDA's support. NDA with 57 seats along with JDU's 71 will reach 128, well past the half way mark of 122 in the house of 243. Modi's declaring BJP's support to the JD-U in the event of any eventuality will definitely keep the RJD and the Congress on tenterhooks.Also read: JD-U posters take dig at Lalu's 'historic blunder' jibe at Nitish Kumar Also read: BJP's Plan B for Bihar: Pitting Yogi Adityanath against Nitish Kumar for 2019 --- ENDS --- Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation This Independence Day could see the most traveled 4th of July holiday weekend ever, according to the American Automobile Association, which expects a record-breaking 44.2 million Americans to travel over 50 miles from home this year. The number is 1.25 million higher than the number of travelers in 2016, a 2.9% increase. The vast majority of travelers, 37.5 million Americans, will drive to their holiday destinations this year, while 3.44 million travelers will fly -- an increase of 4.6% over last year. Combined, strong employment, rising incomes and higher consumer confidence bode well for the travel industry, in particular, this Independence Day weekend, said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president for travel and publishing. All this traffic contributes to the fact that the 4th of July is officially the most dangerous day to drive in the U.S., according to a study by Geotab, a fleet management company. Over a 10-year period, Independence Day averaged 119 deadly crashes with a fatal crash rate of 14.9. The 4th of July also had the highest percentage of fatal crashes involving alcohol or drugs, with an average of 47%. Geotab produced an interactive graphic which shows which states have the highest risk of a fatal crash in a year, as well as which day is the most dangerous in each state. The map is accessible here. The future of connected vehicle data will enable Geotab to produce more services to help improve road safety and vehicle operating efficiency," said Colin Sutherland, executive vice president. The extended holiday weekend can also bring increased cargo theft. SensiGuard Supply Chain Intelligence Center warns that holiday weekends are a notoriously high risk for manufacturers and logistics-related organizations because of the high numbers of unattended shipments. Organized cargo theft rings are often more active during these time periods. This years 4th of July falling on a Tuesday means that many facilities will be closed on Monday, extending the weekend and resulting in longer stage times and lower security staffing. SensiGuard found that in 2015-2016, the average loss value over Independence Day weekend was $365,453, which is 120% higher than the average loss value over the last two calendar years. The company recommends that logistics and security personnel ensure that security protocols are up-to-date and in line with industry best practices for both in-transit and warehouse operations. SensiGuard strongly suggests confirming in advance that receivers hours of operation are consistent with scheduled delivery times. Covert GPS tracking and active monitoring of high-value shipments are highly recommended, as they have proven to be the most effective protocols to both mitigate in-transit theft and facilitate successful recovery of stolen product. Corrected 1 p.m. EDT June 29 to correct the author of the interactive "Most Dangerous Day to Drive" map. We apologize for any confusion. By India Today Web Desk: She is 45, and still not married. When many heroines of her age are settled by now, Tabu has still not taken the bait, and is happy enjoying her single status. She has romanced most of the actors in Bollywood in the last two decades, but in real life, there is no romance brewing. The Maqbool actor, who will be next seen in Rohit Shetty's Golmaal Again, spilled the beans on her equation with her first hero Ajay Devgn, her relationship status and going back to the comedy genre in an interview to Mumbai Mirror. advertisement Here's what she said: On being single She is one of the most versatile actors of recent time. While her serious roles have been lauded by her fans, he did try her hand at slapstick comedies and regular masala films back in the 90s. And it was during the shooting of her first Hindi film Vijaypath that she met Ajay. And since then the two have been the thickest of buddies. And it was only recently that she said that Ajay was to be blamed for her single status. She said, "Ajay and I have known each other for 25 years. He was my cousin Sameer Arya's neighbour and close buddy, a part of my growing up years and that has laid the foundation of our relationship. When I was young, Sameer and Ajay would spy on me, follow me around and threaten to beat up any boys who were caught talking to me. They were the big bullies and if I am single today, it is because of Ajay. I hope he repents and regrets what he did." On getting married Tabu jokingly said, "I told him (Ajay) the other day to please find me a boy to marry." On her equation with Ajay Devgn They met on the sets of the 1994 film Vijaypath and since then their equation has remained strong. "Our relationship has grown because we have worked so much with each other. From among the male actors, if there is anyone I can count on, it's Ajay. He is a like a child and yet so protective. The atmosphere on set when he's around is stress-free. We share a unique relationship and an unconditional affection," she added. On doing versatile roles From trying her hand in Hollywood to doing some kickass work back in India, Tabu has maintained a balance when it comes to work. And in the last two decades, she has given some of her best performances. Talking about her filmi journey, she said, "I really want to be able to look at my career graph from the outside, objectively, but I find it hard to do that. I was fortunate to find innumerable scripts with well-layered parts for me, films like Maachis, Hu Tu Tu, Maqbool, Life of Pi, The Namesake, Chandni Bar, Astitva, Haider, Drishyam, to name a few. I'm happy the filmmakers who made them thought of me. I didn't consciously create this graph, I still don't commit easily to a film but once I do, I give it my all. I'm happy I'm still doing relevant stuff." advertisement On working in Golmaal Again After a long gap, Tabu has decided to return to the comedy genre and she is happy experimenting with new roles. "I've wanted to do a light-hearted film for a long time, more so because my mother was fed up of me doing rona-dhona roles. A lot of people too have been saying that they wanted to see me in a comedy like Biwi No 1 and Hera Pheri. I remember joking with Rohit Shetty at parties, saying, 'I want to be part of the Golmaal franchise because I want to just stand there and laugh.' I'm working with Rohit for the first time and I'm really happy. There is an unexplained familiarity when I'm on the sets with him. He's completely focused on the action but at the same time, he makes his actors comfortable," she added. ALSO READ: Tabu-Parineeti join Rohit Shetty and his crazy gang for Golmaal Again advertisement ALSO READ: Rishi Kapoor takes a dig at Tabu's elder sister Farah, calls her unprofessional ALSO WATCH: Kajol was not invited for Jab Tak Hai Jaan premiere, says Ajay Devgn --- ENDS --- Tulsa police officers have been involved in 11 fatal shootings in the past 12 months, including three this month and four overall in 2017. A fifth fatal encounter this year occurred in March when an officer intentionally ran over a shooting suspect. The woman was on the departments wanted list for a string of gun-related crimes and had exchanged gunshots with police before being fatally struck by a cruiser. A nonfatal police shooting in April involved a man reportedly fleeing an officer on foot and then turning around with a gun in his hand, prompting shots from an officer. The person recognized by the officer as a suspect in a shooting was critically wounded. Tulsa police fatally shot seven people in 2016, zero in 2015, five in 2014, one in 2013 and four in 2012, according to a Tulsa World database. The first fatal police shooting in 2016 didnt occur until June 15, so there have been 11 fatal shootings involving Tulsa police officers in about 12 months. The most recent was Saturday. Prior to mid-June 2016, Tulsa police hadnt fatally shot anyone since Oct. 8, 2014 a stretch of about 20 months. Chief Chuck Jordan told the Tulsa World on Wednesday that the Police Department isnt doing anything different. He noted the zero fatal police shootings in 2015, saying officers are policing the same way and reacting to what people are doing threats to officers and citizens. We are victims of the violence in our society, as well, just like everybody is, Jordan said. Weve talked about the rising homicide rates; weve talked about the increase in aggravated assaults those types of things. We see it, too. He said that the bottom line is: When somebody pulls a gun or knife or threatens another citizen with a gun or knife, we dont have a whole lot of options at that point. Tulsa has recorded 44 homicides to date in 2017 and is on pace to break the citys record of 82 homicides last year, according to the Tulsa Worlds homicide database. At the midpoint of 2016, Tulsa had tallied 34 homicides. There were 58 homicides in 2015 and 54 in 2014. Aggravated assaults have increased in the past three years, with 1,938 in 2014, 2,357 in 2015 and 2,745 in 2016, according to Police Department crime statistics. Aggravated assaults are on a similar pace through April of this year as compared with 2016. The 2,745 in 2016 are the most since at least 2011. Jordan said some of the fatal police shootings were drug- or substance-related, some involved mental illness and others were simply related to crime. He said each use of force especially deadly force is meticulously reviewed for training, equipment and policy implications. None of the past 11 fatal shootings has resulted in policy changes, he said. The three fatal police shootings this June have yet to be reviewed by prosecutors for clearance or charges. The first fatal police shooting of 2017, which occurred in February, and the intentional run-over with a cruiser in March, resulted in no charges. Prosecutors cleared six of the seven fatal Tulsa police shootings in 2016. Her acquittal sparked unrest and demonstrations near the Tulsa County Courthouse that night. The June 9 fatal shooting of mentally ill Joshua Barre involving Tulsa police and Tulsa County sheriffs deputies sparked a much larger and more intense protest that ended after several hours without major problems. That law enforcement shooting was the first in north Tulsa since Crutchers killing. I think weve seen anecdotal incidents where we have seen a lot more confrontational conversations, Jordan said of the aftermath of Shelbys acquittal. I think thats dialogue that we need to have. The really productive conversations are the hard ones. Now that the criminal case has concluded, Shelbys use of deadly force on Crutcher is being evaluated internally through Police Department protocols. Jordan said Shelbys case appropriately worked its way through the criminal justice system, which followed the Police Departments objective investigation of the shooting. No matter how a trial ends up, theres going to be somebody on one side or the other that doesnt like the verdict, Jordan said. The bottom line is thats not for me to say; thats for the jurors to say. Scrutiny engulfed the Crutcher killing because police video showed him slowly walking toward his SUV with his arms raised as Shelby followed behind with her gun trained on him. She fired a single shot at him at the same time a backup officer deployed a Taser. She contended that she saw Crutchers left hand drop down toward a half-open window as if he were reaching for a gun. Prosecutors allege that Shelby needlessly escalated the encounter with Crutcher, who was unarmed and had no weapons in his vehicle, and overreacted to his not following her earlier commands to stop and keep his hands away from his pockets. In addition to the three fatal police shootings in June, Sgt. Shane Tuell said Internal Affairs records indicate that the nonfatal April police shooting near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue also is pending a prosecutorial review. The only 2016 lethal-force case apparently still without resolution involves an officer who shot at an armed robbery suspect in July, Tuell said. The officers involved in the July and April incidents have returned to duty. Jordan said he put them back to work because the department already is understaffed and there are no aspects of the shootings that would warrant their remaining on paid leave. Some of it is strictly an administrative load, Jordan said of how long it can take the District Attorneys Office to review such cases. Sally Van Schenck, Tulsa County District Attorneys Office spokeswoman, said prosecutors have received preliminary reports on almost all of the Police Departments officer-involved shootings. However, she said, Kunzweiler is completely committed to the Shannon Kepler trial, so more information on the topic wont be available until after its conclusion. Kepler, a former Tulsa police officer, is on trial this week for the third time after two hung juries on a first-degree murder charge in connection with fatally shooting his daughters boyfriend in August 2014. Fatal police shootings by year Tulsa Police Department Oklahoma City Police Department 2007: 2 2007: 2 2008: 2 2008: 2 2009: 2 2009: 3 2010: 1 2010: 4 2011: 3 2011: 2 2012: 4 2012: 2 2013: 1 2013: 5 2014: 5 2014: 9 2015: 0 2015: 7 2016: 7 2016: 4 2017: 4 2017: 2 Total: 31 Total: 42 Source: Tulsa World database By India Today Web Desk: Their sizzling chemistry may have scorched the screen, but Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat shared ice-cold vibes off the screen. Emraan was catapulted into the big league with Anurag Basu's Murder, which featured Mallika opposite him. The film made headlines for its intimate scenes, and paved the way for Emraan's "Serial Kisser" tag. But offscreen, Emraan and Mallika did not get along. It all started when Emraan said on an episode on Karan Johar's chat show that Mallika was his worst onscreen kiss. That's not all, when he was asked what he would find if he entered Mallika's bedroom, he said, "An Idiot's Guide to Succeed in Hollywood." advertisement For the uninitiated, Mallika had dreams of making it big in the West and shouted from rooftops when she bagged a film with Jackie Chan. That she had hardly ten minutes of screentime did not deter her from talking about how she was finally in the big league. She tried her luck again with the 2010 film, Hisss, but Hollywood only hissed back at her. Anyhow, Mallika was enraged at being called a bad kisser by Emraan, and lashed out at him by saying in an interview that the snake she kissed in Hisss was a better kisser than her Murder co-star. Their war of words was the subject of innumerable gossip columns, until the Azhar actor finally put an end to it when he said that he did not hate Mallika, they just did not stay in touch after the making of Murder. Emraan also said that he and Mallika have been too busy with their own lives to follow each other's lives, but that did not mean that they were having a cold war. PHOTOS: Emraan-Mallika to Shahid-Kareena, here are Bollywood's 10 steamiest on-screen kisses ALSO WATCH: Kareena Kapoor Khan refuses to kiss Emraan Hashmi --- ENDS --- LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A man yelled Freedom! as he crashed his vehicle into Arkansas new Ten Commandments monument early Wednesday, nearly three years after he was arrested in the destruction of Oklahomas monument at its state Capitol, authorities said. The privately funded Arkansas monument had been in place outside the state Capitol in Little Rock for less than 24 hours before it was knocked from its plinth and smashed to pieces. Michael Tate Reed, 32, of Van Buren, Arkansas, was booked in the Pulaski County jail shortly after 7:30 a.m. on preliminary charges of defacing objects of public interest, criminal trespass and first-degree criminal mischief. An arrest report lists his occupation as unemployed/disabled. Authorities did not know whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. A video arraignment was set for Thursday morning, a Pulaski County sheriffs spokesman said. Arkansas Secretary of States Office spokesman Chris Powell said officials believe a Facebook Live video posted on a Michael Reeds account that depicted the destruction is authentic. In the video, the sky is dark and the Arkansas Capitols dome is visible. Music is heard followed by a female voice, likely on the radio, saying, Where do you go when youre faced with adversity and trials and challenges? The driver is then heard saying, Oh my goodness. Freedom! before accelerating into the monument. The vehicles speedometer is last shown at 21 mph and then a collision can be heard. The monument fell and broke into multiple pieces as it hit the ground. Oklahoma County sheriffs spokesman Mark Opgrande told The Associated Press that Reed is the same man arrested in October 2014 in the destruction of Oklahomas Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol. In a 2015 email to the Tulsa World, Reed apologized for wrecking Oklahomas monument and said he suffered from mental health issues. I am so sorry that this all happening (sic) and wished I could take it all back, Reed said. Arkansas granite monument, weighing 6,000 pounds, was installed Tuesday morning on the southwest lawn of the Arkansas Capitol with little fanfare and no advance notice. A 2015 law required the state to allow the display near the Capitol, and a state committee last month gave final approval to its design and location. Obviously, Im very disappointed that someone would carry out an act of violence thats actually against the people of Arkansas, said state Sen. Jason Rapert, the Republican lawmaker who led the push for the monument. Rapert said he was confident he could quickly raise funds for a replacement. Travis Story, the general counsel of the American History and Heritage Foundation, which raised money for the monument, said the group already has ordered a replacement but that it would take a couple of months. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who signed the legislation requiring the monuments installation, wrote in a tweet that resorting to property destruction is never the answer to a policy disagreement. The American Civil Liberties Union condemned the destruction of the monument, which it has called an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. We strongly condemn any illegal act of destruction or vandalism, ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Rita Sklar said. The ACLU remains committed to seeing this unconstitutional monument struck down by the courts and safely removed through legal means. Arkansas monument is a replica of a display at the Texas Capitol that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005. After Oklahomas monument was destroyed in 2014, a replacement was erected but then ordered removed by that states Supreme Court, which determined its location on state property violated a constitutional prohibition on the use of state funds to support a religion. Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said he declined to pursue criminal charges against Reed because it was apparent he had a long history of mental illness and because the offense was a property crime. Prater said Reeds family lives in Arkansas and secured a facility there that could treat him. Had it been a violent crime where he had harmed another person, burglarized someones home or something like that, I would have been forced to handle the case differently, Prater said. Back in 2007 Nines cameras gained rare access to the Melbourne Magistrates Court where justice was dished out to local crimes. Narrated by William McInnes, The Code: Crime & Justice wasnt too bad, but didnt enjoy a long run. In the 10 years since Im hard pressed to think of another that has attempted to open these doors, despite the long-running success of Judge Judy. Foxtels Court Justice, produced by CJZ Productions, will change all that as it turns the cameras on Sydneys Downing Centre. Its the busiest court in the land and, impressively, this series gives us access to 12 magistrates as they hear cases from all walks of life. Access is everything in this genre. Be warned, the language is unfiltered here as witnesses recount tense situations, but as Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge tells one witness, she is ok with hearing the F and C bombs, but she doesnt take kindly to being called darl. Sorry Your Honour, the man replies. There are 3 cases profiled in this half hour premiere: a boxer facing an assault charge, a repeat offender charged over a graffiti incident and a woman accused of breaking an Apprehended Violence Order. All three could go to prison if found guilty, should a judge deem it appropriate to the crime. Like Judge Judy -but without the theatrics- these magistrates are both judge and jury. After hearing Defence & Prosecution cases they can arrive at a singular verdict. Despite some pixellation of court staff, public and even a Prosecutor, the series hears from the accused in a largely empathetic set-up. The court room scenes -where all the drama unfolds- is robust and to the point. Editing succinctly supplies the key arguments and magistrate questions but youre never really sure which way a verdict will fall. Chief Magistrate Judge Graeme Henson explains that law harkens back to the 10 Commandments, most of which are paralleled in modern policing. Could be hard to prove, Your Honour. Downing Centre is a snapshot of the broader community says Magistrate Chris OBrien (pictured), who hears the graffiti case from a man who insists he is an artist -on railway property. Another lawyer does his best to discredit a witness in the AVO case, in order for his client to win. I note the irony of boxer Garth Wood facing an assault charge.. 7 years ago he won Foxtels The Contender Australia. This is another starring TV role he probably didnt want. What is less clear is why the various accused have agreed to have their cases filmed. While the magistrates may be showing due process, which possible acts as a deterrent, Im not so sold on the motivation for the accused. Are they getting their legal fees covered by CJZ? (Update: CJZ has denied, see comments below). In any case this is short and sharp storytelling which, aside from the genres tendency to infuriatingly pause each story, opens our eyes to the raw procedures of cases big and small. CJZ have a long history in observational titles and it puts them in good stead here. 7:30pm Sunday on Crime + Investigation Quantico is back in schedule again. This was scheduled a few weeks ago on 7flix but pulled from schedule. Now it return on Seven at 11:45pm July 10. Season 2 Episode 8: Odenvy At the Farm, Lydia and Owen teach the group about the necessity of lying and cutting off relationships. Perfect timing for Alex, since she is feeling disconnected from Ryan personally and professionally. In the future, Alex and company attempt to destroy the biological weapon. This screened in the US in November. Sunday Nights Steve Pennells looks at the shooting of Qld policeman Brett Forte, and Matt Doran tries to overcome his biggest phobia. Officer Down He was a young father, a loving husband and a proud third-generation policeman. But just over a month ago, Senior Constable Brett Forte was ambushed and shot dead by a crazed gunman. He died a hero, shielding his partner from the gunfire. Sunday Nights Steve Pennells speaks to the killers ex-partner for the first time about what triggered the bloody showdown with police, and reveals the shocking twist that has left her crushed with guilt. Exposing Fear Overwhelming terror, cold sweats, a racing pulse and dry mouth. To the outsider, a phobia may seem totally irrational. But to those who must endure them every day, they are all too real and utterly debilitating. Millions of Australians suffer from at least one phobia. It could be a fear of spiders, dentists or even something as seemingly harmless as a bird. But now theres a high-tech treatment, inspired by of all things video games. Even Sunday Nights Matt Doran was willing to try it in a bid to overcome his worst fear. Sunday at 8.10pm on Seven. How will Germany and Spain approach Friday's U21 EURO final, what are their strengths and how might the opposition look to exploit them? UEFA.com sat down with team reporters Phil Rober and Santi Retortillo to analyse the teams. Style and tactical approach Germany team reporter Phil Rober (@UEFAcomPhilipR) In a nutshell: aggressive defending out of possession, combined with mostly quick passing and direct attacks when in possession. Stefan Kuntz's team is loaded with creative players all with a reputation as goal creators and he has full-backs who like to get involved very high up the pitch. Up front Davie Selke is a target man who can trouble defences both on the ground and in the air. Watch Moratas winner when Spain and Germany met in 2013 Spain team reporter Santi Retortillo (@UEFAcomSantiR) To have five attacking players on the pitch, including two breaking forward from midfield, you need someone to keep the whole system glued together a person to act as a protective shield, capable of blunting opposition attacks. Marcos Llorente did this job magnificently against Italy, allowing Saul Niguez the freedom to incorporate himself in the attack, while Dani Ceballos broke forward too to link up with Marco Asensio, Gerard Deulofeu and Sandro Ramirez. Hector Bellerin's experience and quality at right-back is another major asset. Why they might win it Phil Rober, Germany Morale is certainly one possible reason. Germany have had to deal with more critical situations than Spain at this tournament. Their team spirit was already high during the group stage, but it has reached another level following the drama against England. Their resolve and determination come crunch time can work wonders. Saul Niguez has scored five goals at U21 EURO Getty Images Santi Retortillo, Spain In a tournament in which Spain have improved throughout, Albert Celades's side started with a 5-0 victory over FYR Macedonia which gave them an immediate shot of confidence. From them on, inspired by their wonderful midfield trio of Saul, Llorente and Ceballos, they have clicked into gear perfectly. Asensio is the standout player in an XI that is compact and without any glaring weaknesses. An average of three goals per game and just two conceded in the whole tournament speaks volumes. Where they might get caught out Phil Rober, Germany Problems have occurred with their at times risky passing game in the early build-up phase. Also, England created a number of great chances from set pieces. Spain will have observed this and could well look to take advantage. Santi Retortillo, Spain FYR Macedonia and Portugal fashioned a decent number of opportunities in their group games against Spain. In the semi-final, there was a period in the first half when Italy might have taken the lead. Against a free-flowing opponent, Spain could suffer, though to date theirs remains the tightest backline in the tournament. By Press Trust of India: By Lalit K Jha Washington, Jun 29 (PTI) President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. advertisement During his three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said. Urs earned an MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He fluently speaks Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu. Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014. He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. PTI LKJ AJR CPS --- ENDS --- Following their return from Cameroon, former Nigerian refugees queue for emergency relief items in Borno State, Nigeria. UNHCR/Rahima Gambo UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed over a fresh incident of forced returns of refugees from Cameroon into northeast Nigeria. This follows similar incidents earlier in the year, and more recently, repeated warnings that refugees are returning to a dangerous situation in which conditions do not yet exist to make returns safe and sustainable. The involuntary return of refugees must be avoided under any circumstances, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. In addition, returns to Nigeria put a strain on the few existing services and are not sustainable at this time. A new emergency, just as the rainy season is starting, has to be avoided at all costs. In the latest incident, on Tuesday (June 27), some 887 Nigerian refugees, most of them children, were repatriated in six trucks provided by the Nigerian military and Cameroonian police from the Kolofata border site. The refugees were rounded up at 19:30 local time and forcibly removed to Banki in Nigeria in desperate conditions. UNHCR remains very concerned for the children. We also understand that several dozen refugees, fearing that they would be returned against their will, escaped and went into hiding. The incident follows concerns raised by UNHCR in March over incidents of forced return from the border areas. More recently, the agency warned that large numbers of refugees were returning from Minawao camp to conditions dangerously unprepared to receive them. The latest incident happened after Cameroon gave the refugees seven days notice on June 19 to return. Inside Nigeria, insecurity is preventing refugees from returning to their places of origin. Many end up in Banki where more than 45,000 internally displaced men, women and children are already barely accommodated many without shelter, in conditions of severe overcrowding and without basic facilities such as drinking water, sanitation and health facilities. UNHCR has repeated its appeal to the authorities in Cameroon to allow newly arrived Nigerian refugees to reach Minawao camp, where some 58,000 are currently being hosted, with another 33,000 living in nearby villages. UNHCR renews its call on Cameroon and Nigeria to refrain from further forced returns and calls on both parties to take urgent steps to convene a meeting of the Tripartite Commission, established under a recent agreement with UNHCR to ensure a facilitated voluntary return process in line with international standards. The UN Refugee Agency recalls the importance of all States to ensure international protection for all those fleeing insecurity and persecution in northeast Nigeria. Media contacts: By PTI: By Lalit K Jha Washington, Jun 29 (PTI) The Trump administration is all set to partially implement its travel ban against people coming from six Muslim majority nations. Being enforced from tonight 8 pm (5:30 am IST), officials said the travel ban is being rolled out across the country as part of its effort to prevent people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the US. advertisement The move comes after the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the vast majority of the US Presidents March 6 Executive Order Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States could go into effect. "As recent events have shown, we are living in a very dangerous time, and the US government needs every available tool to prevent terrorists from entering the country and committing acts of bloodshed and violence. And as the President reiterated following Mondays ruling, his number one responsibility as Commander-in-Chief is to keep the American people safe," said a senior administration official. Ahead of its implementation, officials hoped to have business as usual at the airports. "We expect business as usual at the ports of entry starting at 8:00 pm tonight. There have been reports of people who have already indicated that they would like to be there to either cause chaos or to protest. Lawyers have indicated they would like to be at the ports of entry to assist people," a senior administration official said. "As long as they are in the public area of the airports, that is completely their business as long as they abide by the guidance from the airport authorities," the official said. According to another official, the plan is not to cancel previously scheduled visa application appointments, so individuals should continue to come in for their visa interviews as scheduled. "Our consular officers have then been given detailed instructions to make case-by-case determinations on whether individuals would qualify for visas under the new guidance," the official said. "We will first be applying the traditional screening to these individuals. That is, we will be assessing whether they qualify under the Immigration and Nationality Act, and we will then see, if they do qualify under the INA, whether they qualify under the guidance. Individuals who are qualified will then be subjected to all vetting as normal. All security and screening vetting will be applied to anybody who is deemed qualified for a visa," the official said. During a conference call with reporters, a third administration official said while there is a blanket ban on refugees, those part of the family can still come in. "On the family side, those relationships have been defined to include parents, spouses, children, adult son or daughters, sons and daughter-in-laws, and siblings," the official said. advertisement "As regards relationships with entities in the United States, these need to be formal, documented, and formed in the ordinary course of events rather than to evade the executive order itself," the official added. A resettlement agency in the US has provided a formal assurance for refugees seeking admission is not sufficient, in and of itself, to establish a bona fide relationship under the ruling. So far this year,the US has admitted 49,009 refugees. For purposes of enforcement, visas that have been issued by the Department of State prior to the effective date of the executive order are to be considered as valid for travel and seeking entry into the United States unless revoked on an unrelated basis, the official said. "Someone who has a visa will be allowed to be admitted. If, for some reason, there is another basis, they will not. But generally and in almost all cases, that will not apply. We can give some examples if people need them, but this happens on a routine basis: people with visas who show up who theres intelligence on them not being admitted, theres criminal activity, fraudulent documents -- just the normal course of business," the official explained. advertisement The executive order does not bar entry for individuals who are excluded from the suspension provision under the terms of the order who obtain a waiver from State or Customs or who demonstrate a bona fide relationship, the official added. According to a senior administration official, upon arrival to a port of entry, travelers are still subject to inspection and must satisfy all requirements under federal law and regulation. "Individuals will not be denied entry based solely on their being a national from one of these countries," the official said. PTI LKJ UZM --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: London, Jun 29 (PTI) The hen harrier, an iconic bird of prey known for its majestic sky-dancing ritual, is under severe threat of extinction in the UK due to the illegal killing of the species, new study warns. The hen harrier population has suffered a decline of 88 pairs (13 per cent) over the past six years with a total UK population estimated to be 545 pairs, according to a survey conducted by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)in the UK. advertisement The numbers are declining everywhere in the UK, with just four breeding pairs left in England and numbers falling from 505 to 460 in Scotland, 46 to 59 in Northern Ireland and 57 to 35 in Wales. The reasons for the population changes are likely to be a combination of factors. Previous research has highlighted the main factor for limiting population as illegal killing of these birds associated with driven grouse moor management in northern England and parts of mainland Scotland. Other pressures such as cold and wet weather conditions over a number of breeding seasons, changes in habitat management and low prey abundance could have all had an impact on numbers throughout the UK. "The illegal killing of this bird of prey is a significant factor behind the diminishing numbers and a large barrier stopping their recovery," he added. The birds of prey live primarily on heather moorland. The males are easily identified by their black wing tips. While the females look completely different, with puffy brown plumage that helps camouflage them and their nests. PTI APA MHN MHN --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Adding portfolio of minister in para 5) Patna/Motihari, Jun 29 (PTI) A picture of Union minister Radha Mohan Singh urinating in the open has gone viral, with netizens trolling him on social media and raising questions over the governments Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In the picture, Singh is seen urinating against the wall of a building as his security officers stand guard. A vehicle with red beacon is also seen in the TV footage aired by some news channels. advertisement The picture has gone viral on social media and has drawn sharp criticism for what is being described as "blatant violation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" launched by the Prime Minister amid much fanfare. The spot and date on which the photos were taken are not known. The Union agriculture minister, who was in his native constituency of Motihari in connection with Eid, had left for Delhi on Monday night. The photo could be of this period when Singh attended many functions in his constituency, sources told PTI. The minister was not available for comments and repeated repeated phone calls elicited the standard response that he was in some meeting. In Motihari, his kins, however, were critical of the media for airing such footage. "Urination is a natural biological urge of a human being, so why such things are highlighted to create controversy...are urinals available everywhere?" his son-in-law Sujit Kumar Singh told PTI in Motihari. East Champaran district BJP leader Lal Babu Prasad was also critical of the media wondering if "such things should be shown by media". Radha Mohan Singh is a fourth-term MP from Motihari in Bihar. State BJP president Nityanand Rai also refused to say anything. The opposition party leaders came down heavily on the minister for his act, with RJD president Lalu Prasad retweeting his partys earlier tweet which mockingly said, "Krishi mantri sukhar prabhit khetra mein sichai yojna ki suraut karte hua...unhone swaccha bharat abhiyan ko gati di." His son and Bihars Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav posted the controversial photo to draw attention to red beacon on the car near him, saying "search red beacon in the photo." JD(U) Secretary-General and Chief national spokesperson KC Tyagi told PTI over phone, "The minister is exposing hollowness of swachata abhiyan launched by the PM from the ramparts of Red Fort." PTI CORR AR SNS MD ARK ARK --- ENDS --- People without hands represent tools in the brain the same way as those who have complete limbs, Read on to find out more. Harvard University researchers say that had and tool coordination is innate. Previous studies have shown that blind people have the same "visual system's specificities" as to people with perfect vision. Repeated tests proved that different parts of the brain are activated when people encounter different objects. May it be tools, body parts, animals, or houses, everything gets processed in different regions of the brain. This study demonstrates that visual experience unnecessary for the emergence of this particular organization. Because blind people have "touched" and used tools, it raises the question of whether other sensory experiences could be responsible for the specialization of the visual cortex in processing "manipulable" objects. In a recently published study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Ella Striem-Amit, Gilles Vannuscorps, and Alfonso Caramazza state that the brains of people born without hands represent tools and hands much like the brains of people born with complete limbs. This suggests that the connection between hands and tools is deeply ingrained in brain organization. The Harvard University researchers used the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging or fMRI. They have recruited volunteers and tracked their brain activities as they were shown images of hands and feet, as well as images of tools and large objects like tables and refrigerators. Out of five participants born without hands, four showed the signature hand-tool overlap. The research concludes that for some foundational types of brain organization, the experience is simply not needed. Per Harvard Gazette, this study was funded by Societa Scienze Mente Cervello-Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trento e Rovereto and the Provincia Autonoma di Trento. The European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme and the Israel National Postdoctoral Award Program for Advancing Women in Science also took part. John Pritchard, a 71-year old father and grandfather, contemplated suicide after a hernia surgery left him in constant pain. Pritchard suffered from complications of surgical hernia mesh just weeks after his surgery. "I'm not a stranger to pain," he said. The pain began a year ago when he was diagnosed with a strangulated hernia. The surgery provided relief for two weeks before he started suffering from severe pain, which continued to increase. New Zealand's Association of General Surgeons states: "Chronic pain following hernia repair occurred in less than 10% of patients." Pritchard's pain is being maintained with a new nerve pain medication, but his life has suffered from the surgery. He often wakes up in the middle of the night and a limp is noticeable. The once-active Pritchard now stays home and watches television rather than going out. "It has completely taken my quality of life," he said. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) claims that there is no evidence of a physical injury. The corporation initially denied Pritchard's claim, but they have since changed their stance and the claim is now under review. The ACC has accepted 65 of 80 claims of treatment injuries relating to hernia mesh products since 2014. Pritchard's story is not unique. Hernia mesh products are under fire across the world, with Johnson & Johnson facing lawsuits from patients who have had hernia mesh complications. The mesh often erodes or perforates, causing infection, inflammation and chronic pain. Victims of defective products are often injured because companies rush products, in this case hernia mesh, into the market without meeting safety requirements. Naomi Leichner, a woman from Barrie Canada, is another victim of debilitating back and groin pain. She has been the victim of multiple infections due to complications of a mesh plug used to repair her hernia. She is a unique case, as doctors have agreed that the mesh is the problem, but the risks of removal are too high. Leichner's mesh is too close to her femoral artery, increasing the risk of fatality during removal significantly. Doctors are left without a form of treatment that can correct the chronic infections and pain that she is suffering from. Leichner's pain is so severe that she is unable to work or support her family. A class action lawsuit is pending against Bard, the company that makes the PerFix plug. Leichner states that doctors never made her aware of the risks of PerFix plug and she is demanding that lawmakers require accountability and awareness of the dangers of the mesh. Leichner's doctors are still trying to find ways to help her deal with the painful side effects of her mesh. The pain has gotten so severe that there are days when she can no longer walk or get out of bed. Numerous Canadian law firms have filed class action lawsuits against the makers of hernia mesh products. The goal of many of the lawsuits is to uncover if manufacturers knew of the risks of hernia mesh products and failed to warn doctors and patients of the severe side effects. Muralikrishna, in his petition claimed that Gopalakrishna obtained the top rank in UPSC Civil Services Examination of 2016, by producing a fake orthopaedically-handicapped certificate. By India Today Web Desk: The results of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam 2016 were announced on May 31 evening on the official website, the link for which is upsc.gov.in This year, Karnataka's Nandini KR has topped the UPSC civil services examination 2016. (Read: Topper Nandini K R scores 55.3 per cent in UPSC Civil Services exam: Check marks of top three rank holders ) advertisement Recently, the UPSC Civil Services third ranker, Gopalkrishna Ronanki, who scored 1,101 marks i.e. 54.37 per cent has come under fake disability certificate case. The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed Ronanki Gopalakrishna, to file a reply on a plea claiming that he had produced a 'fake' handicapped certificate for the exam. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts the exam, was also issued a notice in this matter. More on the matter: The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Rajani issued notices based on a PIL filed by advocate Murali Krishna Further, the court gave three weeks time to the respondents to file their replies. Here's what the petitioner claimed: Muralikrishna, in his petition claimed that Gopalakrishna obtained the top rank in UPSC Civil Services Examination of 2016, by producing a fake orthopaedically-handicapped certificate By producing a fake physically handicapped certificate he surpassed over all the OBC candidates where the cut off marks for selection is 110 marks. Moreover, the petitioner in HT report said, "While all the other candidates had to complete the examination within three hours, Ronanki had taken four hours to write the papers in the Mains." However, when contacted Gopalakrishna denied the claims saying he was thoroughly examined by a panel of doctor appointed by UPSC which declared that his right hand has problem and the extent of disability is 59 per cent as certified by the Andhra Pradesh government. (Read: UPSC Results 2017: Kashmiri boy overwhelmed, ranks 10th among toppers) Know what Gopalakrishna said in his defense: "I come from a poor farmer's family. How can I manipulate my certificate?" the 30-year-old asked. Gopalakrishna, who is currently working as teacher said he was successful in the UPSC selection by meeting all the criterion set by the Commission. (With inputs from PTI) Read: 14 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir get into UPSC Civil Services 2016 merit list Read: Success may be delayed, not denied, says UPSC Civil Services 2016 topper Nandini K For information on more upcoming results and notifications, click here. --- ENDS --- Pell, 76, was a priest in the rural Victorian town of Ballarat before he was appointed Archbishop of Melbourne. (Pic: AP) By AP: Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of historical sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal. Pell said he would return to Australia to fight the charges. advertisement Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police have summonsed Pell to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney issued a statement on behalf of Pell, saying the 76-year-old cardinal "strenuously denied all allegations" and would return to Australia to clear his name. "He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously," the statement said. Patton told reporters in Melbourne that none of the allegations against Pell had been tested in any court, adding: "Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process." The charges are a new and serious blow to Pope Francis, who has already suffered several credibility setbacks in his promised "zero tolerance" policy about sex abuse. For years, Pell has faced allegations that he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney. His actions as archbishop came under intense scrutiny in recent years by a government-authorized investigation into how the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to the sexual abuse of children. Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - the nation's highest form of inquiry - has found shocking levels of abuse in Australia's Catholic Church, revealing earlier this year that 7 percent of Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children over the past several decades. Last year, Pell acknowledged during his testimony to the commission that the Catholic Church had made "enormous mistakes" in allowing thousands of children to be raped and molested by priests over centuries. He conceded that he, too, had erred by often believing the priests over victims who alleged abuse. And he vowed to help end a rash of suicides that has plagued church abuse victims in his Australian hometown of Ballarat. But more recently, Pell himself became the focus of a clergy sex abuse investigation, with Victoria detectives flying to the Vatican last year to interview the cardinal. It is unclear what allegations the charges announced Thursday relate to, but two men, now in their 40s, have said that Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s, when Pell was a senior priest in Melbourne. advertisement 'PELL WILL RETURN TO AUSTRALIA' Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican. But in the statement from the Sydney Archdiocese, Pell said he would return to Australia "as soon as possible," following advice and approval by his doctors. Last year, Pell declined to return to Australia to testify for the third time before the Royal Commission, saying he was too ill to fly. He instead testified via video conference from Rome. The charges put Pope Francis in a thorny position. In 2014, Francis won cautious praise from victims' advocacy groups when he created a commission of outside experts to advise him and the broader church about "best practices" to fight abuse and protect children. But the commission has since lost much of its credibility after its two members who were survivors of abuse left. Francis also scrapped the commission's signature proposal - a tribunal section to hear cases of bishops who covered up for abuse - after Vatican officials objected. advertisement In addition, Francis drew heated criticism for his 2015 appointment of a Chilean bishop accused by victims of helping cover up for Chile's most notorious pedophile. The pope was later caught on videotape labeling the parishioners who opposed the nomination of being "leftists" and "stupid." When Francis was asked last year about the accusations against Pell, he said he wanted to wait for Australian justice to take its course before judging. "It's true, there is a doubt," he told reporters en route home from Poland. "We have to wait for justice and not first make a mediatic judgment - a judgment of gossip - because that won't help." "Once justice has spoken, I will speak," he said. Francis appointed Pell in 2014 to a five-year term to head the Vatican's new economy secretariat, giving him broad rein to control all economic, administrative, personnel and procurement functions of the Holy See. The mandate has since been restricted to performing more of an oversight role. It remains to be seen how the pope will respond to the developments. advertisement Given Francis' credibility is on the line, any decision to keep Pell on as prefect while facing charges would reflect poorly on Francis, given he remains one of the pope's top advisers. At the same time, the Vatican has a history of shielding its own: When Cardinal Bernard Law resigned in disgrace in 2002 over his cover-up of abuse in Boston, victims expressed outrage that St. John Paul II gave him a plum position as archpriest of a Rome basilica. The transfer spared Law what would likely have been years of litigation and testimony in U.S. courts as victims sued the archdioceses for their abuse, though Law himself was never criminally charged with wrongdoing. In the 1980s, the Vatican refused to cooperate with Italian investigators when one of its officials, Archbishop Paul C. Marcinkus, was indicted over a banking scandal. The Vatican successfully cited his diplomatic immunity. ALSO READ | Pope Francis expresses 'shame' for scandals related to Catholic Church ALSO READ | Kerala priest rape scandal: Victim's father says he lied about raping his own child to protect priest, Church ALSO WATCH | Women wearing jeans, T-shirts should be drowned, says Kerala catholic priest in sermon --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Allahabad, Jun 29 (PTI) Senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia today alleged that volunteers associated with the organisations social welfare measures Hindu Help Line and India Health Line were being subjected to "abrupt, snoopy and sudden questioning and investigation" by persons claiming to be officials of the Intelligence Bureau. Togadia dashed off a letter to the IB Director with copies to the Prime Ministers Office and the Union Home Ministry, and termed the interrogation of volunteers associated with the VHP-sponsored initiatives as "horrible" and reminiscent of the Emergency era. advertisement Recalling the IBs role in thwarting terror attacks and cross-border infiltration, Togadia said he had "high respect" for the institution, but wondered why he was not directly contacted by the sleuths if the investigations were being carried out with "noble intentions". Terming the exercise as a "design to harass a nationalist organisation", Togadia demanded an "immediate apology" and withdrawal of the orders whereby the volunteers were being subjected to interrogation. The VHP international working president also urged the Centre to "initiate immediate inquiry into such an anti- national order against the VHP, India Health Line and Hindu Help Line". While the Hindu Help Line provides help to Hindus who come up with complaints of harassment, especially during pilgrimages, the India Health Line provides free medical check-ups by paramedics called "health ambassadors" who also assist people in securing appointments with specialist doctors if the illness afflicting the person concerned is suspected to be of a serious nature. PTI NAC SMN --- ENDS --- By: Chau Pham Offering a low-cost production hub and a young workforce, Vietnam is quickly becoming the best alternative to China for investors across Asia. Attracting more and more investments every year, the demand for power in Vietnam is also rising rapidly. In order to encourage the development of solar power facilities, an alternative power source thought to help Vietnam reduce its reliance on coal-fired power and deal with environmental concerns, Decision No. 11/2017/QD-TTg (Decision 11) was signed on April 11, 2017 to support the development of solar power projects. It officially entered into force on June 1, 2017. Electricity consumption and demand in Vietnam As estimated by Vietnams national utility, the countrys annual power consumption is about 162 billion kWh. In regards to power generation, the three biggest sources are hydropower, coal fired power and natural gas. Renewable power, including wind and solar power, only represent a minor part of power generation at 0.32 percent collectively. Renewable power remains relatively new to Vietnam. In recent years, high establishment costs and low power prices have deterred foreign investors from seriously considering Vietnam as a destination. However, realizing the need to deal with growing environmental concerns and build a sustainable economy, Decision No. 11/2017/QD-TT (Decision 11) has been signed to support sustainable energy by lowering the costs to entry and reducing regulatory uncertainty. In conjunction with the Decision, a draft Circular has also been released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and includes a draft solar power purchase agreement template (Draft PPA) and detailed guidelines on the development of solar power projects. Vietnams new solar power policy For those considering investment in Vietnams renewable energy sector, understanding the particulars of both Decision 11 and its accompanying circular will allow for a more nuanced analysis of opportunities within the Vietnamese market. To this end, the following are some of the most pertinent changes and benefits that have been included: Decision 11: Mechanism on encouragement of development of solar power projects Raising Capital: Organizations or individual involved in the development of a solar power project may raise domestic or foreign capital in order to carry out the project. In addition, under Decree No. 32/2017/-ND-CP issued on March 31, 2017, investors in solar power projects can also apply for a loan of up to 70% of the total investment capital at the Vietnam Development Bank. Tax incentives Tax exemption is extended to goods imported as fixed assets for solar power projects. Goods imported to carry out solar power projects that are not available on the domestic market are exempted from import duties. Corporate income tax exemption and reduction granted to solar power projects shall be the same as those granted to projects eligible for investment incentives. Land incentives: For grid-connected solar power projects, transmission lines and substations are exempted from land levy, land rent, water surface rent. Peoples Committees of the provinces shall facilitate land arrangements for investors to execute solar power projects. Draft PPA released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Tariff structure The Draft PPA reinstates the Feed-in-Tariff rate of 2,086 VND per kWh approved by Decision 11 (9.35 US cents/kWh). The current exchange rate is 22,316 VND/USD as listed in the Draft PPA. However, the draft does not include indexation. Limited offtake obligation Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is the only permissible power purchaser. It is enabled to purchase all electricity from solar power projects. It is given the right to stop purchasing electricity without paying any compensation to project developer. In addition, EVN only has to pay for the electricity that it actually receives, there is no concept of deemed commission. In the case of termination caused by EVNs default, no termination payment or protection for outstanding debts of the project developer is paid. Dispute resolution The Draft PPA allows EVN to bring disputes to Vietnamese courts for litigation and other State energy authorities of Vietnam for mediation and resolution. However, the draft does not provide for offshore arbitration. Solar power sector to be the future for Vietnams sustainable development Solar power has huge potential in Vietnam, especially in the Central and Southern regions of the country. The industry allows Vietnam to meet the rising energy demand while simultaneously protecting the environment and reducing pollution. However, up until recently, the market for renewable energy investment was at an early stage of development and a suitable policy was needed to clarify and facilitate the investment process, thus attracting more investors. Decision 11 and the Draft PPA now establish the first mechanisms and policies of their kind in Vietnam and are set to encourage investment in the Solar Power sector as a result of their facilitation of regulatory clarity. Although the Decision and the Draft PPA are not complete and there are still some issues remaining to be detailed, both pieces of legislation still play an important role by providing the basic framework for investment within the sector. Additional policies or modification can now be added to create a better investment environment, creating opportunities for solar power sector to grow in the near future. This is the best way for Vietnam to reduce its overreliance on coal-fired power- which put the country in a dangerous situation facing environment concerns- and to build a sustainable and strong economy. Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide. An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017 An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Vietnam. Compiled by Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice, this guide explains the basics of company establishment, annual compliance, taxation, human resources, payroll, and social insurance in this dynamic country. Managing Contracts and Severance in Vietnam In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we discuss the prevailing state of labor pools in Vietnam and outline key considerations for those seeking to staff and retain workers in the country. We highlight the increasing demand for skilled labor, provide in depth coverage of existing contract options, and showcase severance liabilities that may arise if workers or employers choose to terminate their contracts. Carrying on the journey "For a Better Vietnam" that it has embarked on for the past 25 years, HEINEKEN Vietnam has been recognised not only by the signature green and its popular brands but also its sustainability on the basis of increasing its positive impact on PEOPLE, PLANET and PROSPERITY in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is also the third consecutive year HEINEKEN Vietnam has published a GRI accredited full Sustainability Report for Vietnam. Matt Wilson, Corporate Affairs director of HEINEKEN Vietnam, said, "We are delighted with our significant progress in pursing sustainable development to date. However we also understand that there is still a lot more to be done." "In 2016, we moved closer to brewing 100 per cent from renewable energy at all of our breweries whilst creating close to zero waste. We strengthened our partnerships and programmes that promote responsible drinking and continued to invest heavily in developing our people and our communities. Whilst there are more challenges ahead, we believe that our "Brewing a Better Vietnam" journey will continue to add more value to people, planet and prosperity in Vietnam," Wilson said. HEINEKEN Vietnams Sustainable Development Report 2016 focuses on six key areas: promoting responsible drinking, protecting water resources, reducing CO2 emissions, supporting our communities, sourcing sustainably, including locally wherever possible, and promoting health and safety. HEINEKEN Vietnam invested more than 8 per cent of Heineken brands media budget to promote drinking Heineken responsibly. The anti-drink driving campaign reaching 65 million views. HEINEKEN Vietnam invested more than VND16 billion for training and development as well as providing more than 17,000 hours of road safety training. Finally, HEINEKEN Vietnam provided more than VND25 billion in community sponsorships, including five major clean water projects. In 2016, HEINEKEN Vietnams long running "One minute less for one million smiles" programme provided 576,000 liters of clean water to more than 2,500 households nationwide. Currently, four out of six HEINEKEN Vietnam breweries brew beer using 100 per cent renewable energy, which helped reduce CO2 emissions by 38 per cent compared to 2015. In 2017 and the coming years, HEINEKEN Vietnam aims to brew 100 per cent from renewable energy at all of its breweries. In addition, the HEINEKEN Vietnam has reduced the amount of water used by 3 per cent, nearly halving the amount of water used in 2008. State of the art waste water treatment plants ensure all water used is treated beyond standard quality regulations before being discharged back into the environment. At all HEINEKEN Vietnam breweries, up to 99 per cent of the residual materials used in production are reused or recycled for operations, getting close to zero-waste breweries. HEINEKEN Vietnam is committed to using local suppliers to create more jobs for the people. All of HEINEKEN Vietnam packaging materials are purchased locally, a testament to the companys commitment to select local suppliers and support them wherever possible with HEINEKEN Vietnam's partners. Accordingly, HEINEKEN Vietnam contributed VND33.5 trillion to Vietnam's economy, equivalent to 0.75 per cent of Vietnams total GDP. "HEINEKEN Vietnam was honoured as the third most sustainable manufacturing company in Vietnam in the VCCIs, CSI Sustainable Business Indicators 2016. With another solid years performance of sustainable growth, we look forward to continuing to lead the way for sustainable growth in Vietnam and, together with all of our partners and stakeholders, brewing a better Vietnam," Wilson said. Heineken Vietnam contributes to water resources security in Vietnam Heineken Vietnam Brewery recently presented scholarships and research funding to young talents to support the programme Towards Water Security in the 2016 - 2017 school year at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education. Heineken steps up game with colossal Vung Tau investment On February 6, Heineken Vietnam Brewery Vung Tau Joint Stock Company received the investment certificate for the 12-fold expansion of its factory in My Xuan A Industrial Zone. The expansion of Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel plant in the second phase is one of the twelve heavy loss-making projects of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Unclear future Vietnam Steel Corporation (VnSteel) is now the biggest shareholder of Tisco, with 42.11 per cent. The second biggest one is Thai Hung, with 20 per cent. However, over the last few months, Thai Hung repeatedly raised its stakes in Tisco. In particular, at the end of April 2017, Thai Hung completed the purchase of 17,817,900 TIS shares from State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) at the price of VND11,216 ($0.5) per share, and an additional 290,000 shares from the stock exchange. Thus, Thai Hungs stake in Tisco increased from 14.2 million shares (7.72 per cent) to 32.3 million shares (17.55 per cent). A few days ago, at the beginning of May 2017, Thai Hung purchased 4.5 million more shares, increasing its holdings to 36.8 million shares, an equivalent of 20 per cent stake in Tisco. However, it seems that Thai Hung is not satisfied with its current position. Thai Hung is planning to purchase more stocks from the number one giant of the Vietnamese steel industry, VnSteel. Nguyen Tong Thang, marketing director of Thai Hung, said that currently, the company cannot give a definitive answer to whether it would purchase TIS shares from VnSteel. Regarding VnSteel, a representative said that it is waiting for guidance from the government agency in charge of this matter. Previously, at the 2017 annual shareholders meeting, Tisco passed an important document that gives investors the right to not publicise their purchases of TIS shares from shareholders who own at least 25 per cent and have voting rights. Therefore, any investor can raise its ownership in Tisco without the complex procedures of public purchase, which attracted heavy attention. Notably, as a representative of the state capital in Tisco and also the biggest shareholder, VnSteel voted in favour of this document. Tisco also had some changes in human resources recently. Particularly, at the beginning of May 2017, Tran Anh Dung was elected for the position of control chief to replace Tran Man Huu. At the middle of May 2017, Thai Hung dismissed three board members, including Nguyen Quoc Huy (former board chairman), Vu Hoang Long, and Nguyen Tien Dung (former deputy general director). Thai Hung, an emerging giant in the steel industry Thai Hung is an emerging name in the Vietnamese steel industry. It used to be a private enterprise in Thai Nguyen province. The companys main activities are manufacturing construction steel and other products related to steel and iron, forestry business, transport, hotel, restaurant services, and so on. At present, this enterprise has VND1 trillion ($44 million) of chartered capital and its annual revenue is about VND15-18 trillion ($600-720 million). In 2017, Thai Hung targets to generate about VND15.5-16 trillion ($620-640 million) in revenue, and VND320 billion ($12.8 million) in after-tax profit. Before purchasing TIS, in November 2016, Thai Hung came to control another steel giant called Vietnam-Italy Steel Joint Stock Company (VISticker VIS on HoSE). In August 2016, when Song Da Corporation divested from VIS, Thai Hung purchased the entire divested amount, as well as a huge number of VIS stocks from the market at the same time. In particular, in November 2016, Thai Hung purchased an additional 12.8 million VIS stocks, an equivalent of 25.99 per cent stake, thus increasing its total stakes in VIS to 50.98 per cent. In April 2017, Thai Hung released its plan of purchasing 14.22 per cent more of VIS. If this plan is implemented, Thai Hung will hold more than 75 per cent of VIS. The Government will offer all possible support to businesses, start-ups and create jobs for workers, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said. - VNA/VNS Photo He made the statement during a working session in Ha Noi yesterday with the Presidium of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) to discuss work between the government and VGCL and set tasks for 2017-18. The PM hailed VGCL chapters for improving workers lives and dealing with workers complaints. The VGCL was asked to join the Governments mechanism building, with a focus on ensuring rights and interests of workers in the process of building a transparent, constructive and action-oriented government in service of the people and businesses. The VGCL should step up campaigns to strengthen the working classs trust in Party and State leadership while improving social supervision and the enforcement of labour laws, he said. At the same time, it should work with agencies to offer vocational training to labourers amid the fourth industrial revolution. He urged the VGCL to hold more dialogues and meetings between the PM, ministers, heads of sectors and workers. The leader suggested the VGCL partner with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the National Wage Council to devise a plan on regional minimum wages to submit to the PM. He also responded to proposals by the VGCL, including amending the Labour Codes terms regarding overtime, retirement age, meals for workers and providing preferential loans for workers in industrial and processing zones. In June, the PM issued a decision approving a project on building trade union institutions in industrial and processing zones. The VGCL has built the three first trade union institutions in the northern province of Ha Nam, the central province of Quang Nam and the southern province of Tien Giang. Collectively, about 180 air carriers operate about 2,000 US-bound flights each day, carrying some 325,000 passengers. (AFP/RINGO CHIU) Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly said evolving terror threats made it imperative to raise overall security standards, rather than take a piecemeal approach on personal electronics. "Make no mistake: our enemies are constantly working to find new methods for disguising explosives, recruiting insiders, and hijacking aircraft," Kelly said. "We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the travelling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed." The move put off for the moment an extension of the ban on laptops and other carry-on personal electronics to flights from Europe, something that had been under discussion for months. The laptop ban was instituted in March for eight North African and Middle East countries based on intelligence that the Islamic State group was working to build a bomb into a tablet or laptop computer. For the same reason, Britain also banned similar-sized electronics from being carried into cabins on direct flights from six countries. In a speech at a conference of the Center for a New American Security, Kelly said the terror threat to airlines has not diminished. "In fact, I am concerned that we are seeing renewed interest on the part of terrorist groups to go after the aviation sector - from bombing aircraft to attacking airports on the ground, as we saw in Brussels and Istanbul." He said airlines and airports around the world would have to implement a mix of new technological and physical screening methods for passengers and their devices. 2,000 DAILY FLIGHTS IN FOCUS Homeland Security officials said the agency would issue directives to about 180 air carriers in 105 countries, including US carriers, that fly into the United States. Collectively they operate about 2,000 US-bound flights each day carrying some 325,000 passengers. Kelly also said the United States would push harder for foreign airports to accept "pre-clearance" immigration operations manned by US Customs and Border Patrol officials to process US-bound passengers before they board their flights. Such operations have already been established in 15 locations in six countries, including Canada, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. But it raises sensitive sovereignty issues to have US law enforcement officials operate inside another country. US officials remained vague about the specific requirements of the new programme. Airlines will be pressed to adopt a mix of new measures, including installing new screening technology, making more use of chemical sniffer dogs, and other unspecified steps. But the precise requirements in each case would depend on individual airlines, the airports they fly from, and their current levels of security. Some will have to make only minor improvements, they said. Asked about timeframes, officials would only say that they would give adequate time for the airlines to adapt. "We are raising the bar globally" for security standards, said one senior official who declined to be identified. They also said they expect nearly all carriers to be able to meet the new standards. Those that cannot or will not, they said, would be forced to reject all passenger electronics, either in the cabin or hold of the aircraft, or may even find themselves unable to fly to the United States. Photo: VNA Mr. Quang hailed the achievements in the two nations traditional and comprehensive cooperative relations, regarding it as a foundation for further effective cooperation in such areas as economics, trade and investment. He welcomed the establishment of an automobile production and assembly plant between the two sides, affirming that the Vietnamese Government facilitates the operation of the joint venture and hoped that a number of new projects in potential areas including agricultural processing, mechanics, infrastructure and subways will be launched. Viet Nam is willing to help Belarus get access to other markets in ASEAN, he asserted. He appraised the two nations for upgrading the Viet Nam-Belarus Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation to improve the effectiveness of their high-raking leaders agreements, striving to attain the two-way trade turnover of US$500 million and US$1 billion in the future. The guest expressed his thanks to Belarusian functional agencies and authorities to create favorable conditions for Overseas Vietnamese in Belarus to stabilize their lives, contributing to the two nations traditional relationship, proposing Belarus facilitate the exit and entry of Vietnamese people to Belarus. PM Andrei Kobyakov confirmed that the Viet Nam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and the Viet Nam-Belarus Protocol on motorized vehicle manufacturing in Viet Nam will bring large opportunities to promote economics, trade and investment between the two sides, directing Belarusian ministries, agencies and businesses to join hands with Vietnamese partners to effectively realize the agreements. The two leaders expected to continue further cooperation in other fields of national defense-security, science-technology, culture-sports-tourism, education and training, affirming that inked cooperative agreements will create a legal foundation to expand cooperation in the future. State President Quang conveyed PM Nguyen Xuan Phucs invitation to visit Viet Nam to PM Andrei Kobyakov and the host gladly accepted. By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) The members of Parliament will elect the next Vice President of India on August 5, the Election Commission announced today. The ruling NDA, which has a majority in the Lok Sabha and received support of parties such as AIADMK and BJD in the Presidential polls, will find it easy to place its candidate as the next vice president. advertisement Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said notification for the election will be issued on July 4 and nominations can be submitted by July 18. The scrutiny will take place on July 19 and the last date for withdrawing from the electoral battle is July 21, he said. He said polling, if required, it will take place on August 5 and the counting will also take place on the same evening. In the vice president election, a candidate requires 20 proposers and 20 seconders who should be members of Parliament. Members of Parliament will use special pens for marking their choice, Zaidi said today while announcing the schedule. He said no whip can be issued by political parties as the election is through a secret ballot. Following the ink controversy in Rajya Sabha polls in Haryana last year, the Election Commission has decided to use special pens for the electors to mark their votes in the July 17 presidential election and the vice presidential polls. Votes marked with any other pen are liable to be rejected. The decision to use special pens is based on the recommendations made by a working group set up by the poll panel to suggest ways to avoid repeat of such disputes in future polls. Twelve votes marked using a wrong pen were declared invalid leading to the defeat of Congress-backed independent candidate R K Anand, a lawyer, to media baron Subhash Chandra. Secretary General of Rajya Sabha Shumsher K Sheriff will be the returning officer for the election, Zaidi said. The term of the present incumbent Hamid Ansari, who has held the post for two consecutive terms, is coming to an end on August 10. The electoral college which elects the vice president, who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, consists of elected and nominated members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. The total strength of the two Houses is 790, but there are some vacancies. advertisement In the 545-member Lok Sabha, the BJP has 281 members. The NDA led by BJP, has 338 members. In the 243-member Rajya Sabha, the BJP as of now has 56 members, while the Congress with 59 is the single largest party. With its recent wins in the recent assembly polls, the BJP is set to emerge as the single largest party in the Rajya Sabha too next year and the NDAs tally would be close to 100. It would, however, still be short of a majority in the upper house. PTI NAB ABS DV --- ENDS --- Viet Nams customers are among the most demanding on e-commerce. - Photo bbqv.org Nielsen has forecast that the Vietnamese e-commerce market will grow 22 per cent this year and 13.2 per cent by 2020. According to the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), the local e-commerce sector will become a 10-billion-dollar business in the next five years. However, local consumers are also demanding, with many complaints about price, product information and authorisation, which should be addressed by merchants to improve customers trust. A research conducted by iPrice and Trusted Company based on more than 30,000 reviews on 5,000 websites in Viet Nam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines found that Vietnamese customers have the lowest trust on e-commerce and spend less money on shopping online. Vietnamese customers complain the most about fake products, 15 per cent higher than Thailand, the country with the second maximum complaints, given that fact that Thailand ranked 4th worldwide in the fake goods trade. The second maximum complaints on e-commerce sites by Vietnamese customers are about the price of products. Despite being an aggressive promotion hunter, the Vietnamese still think products listed by e-commerce merchants are overpriced. Given that 80 per cent of consumers prefer cash on delivery (COD) payment, the country also has the highest order cancellation rate, with 30 per cent of products not being accepted due to product failure, the research said. Unlike consumers in other Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Indonesia that have shared concerns on buying products, the most common queries of the Vietnamese are on product authorisation (store address) and availability. They are revealed to often use feedback forms to ask about products. Of all Southeast Asian countries, Viet Nam has an average rating of 3.7 out of five stars, the research has revealed. This is due to the fact that only large merchants have developed a rating scheme for a better shopping experience for consumers. Alessandra Mendolfi protests the Republican health care overhaul proposal outside of the office of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on Wednesday in Miami. A Chinese tourist accidentally broke a jadeite bracelet priced at Rs 28.5 lakh and fainted after getting a panic attack. By India Today Web Desk: In Yunnan province of the People's Republic of China, a Chinese tourist accidentally broke a jadeite bracelet priced at Rs 28.5 lakhs. The woman fainted due to panic attack in a shop, according to a report by Chinanews.com. As per the report, the woman tried on the bracelet, but unfortunately when she took the bracelet off, it slipped from her hands and broke in two. The identity of the woman has not been disclosed. advertisement After knowing the price of the bracelet, the woman had a panic attack and made a call to her friend and fainted. The report also said, her lips turned pale while she fainted and other customers nearby helped to gain her consciousness back. At the same time pictures of this incidence have been circulated online widely. Check out the video: Panicked tourist faints in jewelry shop after accidentally breaking a US$44,117 jade bracelet https://t.co/9HoLpsJSS7 pic.twitter.com/DIVyGftvJV - People's Daily,China (@PDChina) June 28, 2017 Video Courtesy: Twitter/People's Daily China What is the significance of Jade? Jade has an extraordinary worth in Chinese culture. It has spiritual attributes, which are extremely distinct. This prehistoric sign of calm and peace is a unique, strong piece of tool that encourages our consciousness to increase at a higher level. The shop owner has not reported to the police yet due to the financial status of the woman. The shop keeper said they will negotiate with the woman for a suitable compensation. --- ENDS --- The Dangerous Side-Effects of Plastics, and How to Minimize Their Toxic Impact Plastics are not only an environmental disaster; these man-made conveniences introduced a century ago are also harming our physical and mental health. Phthalates chemical compounds used to make plastic more flexible and durable are found in more products than you might imagine, and have become the human bodys Better Call Saul and Fear the Walking Dead. Photo: AMC AMC is giving some Fear the Walking Dead fans who fear long commercial breaks more than zombies a new way to watch the hit drama, along with all of the cable networks other offerings. Starting today, Comcast cable customers with access to the companys XFinity TV platform will have the option of paying $5 more per month to access commercial-free, on-demand versions of various AMC series and movie offerings. Most notably, the new premium tier, being marketed as AMC Premiere, will let subscribers watch new episodes of series such as Better Call Saul or Preacher without ads at the exact same time those shows are being telecast with commercials on the basic AMC channel. While most people probably wont want to shell out $60 per year for a service theyre already paying for as part of their cable subscription, AMC execs are betting their shows have enough superfans to make this experiment worth a try. Theyre probably right. While its now become common for cable and even broadcast networks to offer viewers the ability to purchase their content directly think HBO Now or CBS All Access its important to note AMC Premiere doesnt quite fit into that booming category of so-called over-the-top TV offerings. In fact, its just the opposite. Instead of catering to cord-cutters, AMC Premiere is designed to keep consumers inside the big cable womb (a.k.a the bundle) by offering an upscale experience available only through your friendly neighborhood cable conglomerate. While Comcast is AMCs cable partner at launch, its expected other TV providers (Spectrum, DirecTV, etc.) will eventually start selling AMC Premiere within the next few months or years. But sources inside AMC make it clear there are no current plans to offer the new premium tier directly to consumers, the way HBO Now is sold. Thats smart, because AMC Premiere isnt the sort of soup-to-nuts experience as an HBO Now: You wont be able to watch every episode of Breaking Bad, Mad Men, or many other AMC shows if you subscribe to AMC Premiere, nor will you get on-demand access to the dozens of movies AMC telecasts each month on its linear channel. Instead, the network is launching AMC Premiere for the type of customer who pays $3 to download an episode of The Walking Dead on iTunes in order to avoid ads, or for a die-hard Saul fan who watches the show in real time when it airs every Monday night, but really, really hates the endless number of Acura ads in every episode. (In case youre wondering, yes, AMC Premiere customers who watch the live, ad-free version of shows will get to the ending of each episode approximately 20 minutes before those watching on the linear AMC. Twitters spoiler problem just got a little bit worse.) AMC Premiere will cater to fans in other ways, too, serving up bonus content not immediately available elsewhere (deleted scenes, cast interviews, etc.) and a monthly selection of feature films curated to correlate with shows currently airing on AMC. At launch, for example, AMC Premiere will let subscribers stream all of the From Dusk to Dawn movies and Bram Stokers Dracula because theyre thematically similar to the networks Preacher, which just started its second season. Given the already high cost of cable packages, not to mention the extra money consumers are spending on services such as Hulu and Netflix, its hard to see millions of folks rushing to give AMC and Comcast even more money for AMC Premiere. But much the same way some movie and music fans are willing to pay a premium for special Fathom Events screenings or Gold Circle concert tickets, its not completely daft to think some TV fans will want a VIP experience for their favorite shows particularly since one of those shows is The Walking Dead. Plus, for now, AMC Premiere offers AMC (and cable companies) a low-risk way to explore a potential new revenue stream. Remember, when CBS launched its CBS All Access service, the Eye was mocked for asking folks to pay for something they could get for free over the air, and which at the time offered very little in original content (beyond Big Brother livestreams). A few years later, All Access isnt a runaway success, but it does boast 1.5 million paying subscribers, offers an ad-free version, and has started making its own shows like The Good Wife spinoff, The Good Fight. Similarly, its easy to imagine AMC eventually deciding to offer AMC Premiere subscribers the chance to watch the first two episodes of Better Call Saul before everyone else, or even dropping every episode of a new show at once. Audiences may ultimately decide to say no thanks to these upgraded experiences, but for old-school networks trying to adapt to a rapidly evolving media universe, efforts such as AMC Premiere may prove essential to their long-term survival. Bates Motel in Bates Motel. Photo: A&E Network This week, Vulture is looking closely at an array of evildoers, and the various projects in which they do evil. Key to crafting a memorable villain is a truly excellent lair. It should be a little gaudy, a little menacing, and ideally, incredibly luxurious. Case in point, my favorite deliciously opulent hideout: Gustav Gravess Ice Palace in Die Another Day. Graves was a forgettable bad guy, but the idea of that icy behemoth was a hideout only the James Bond series could conjure. As the late production designer Ken Adam told The Guardian in 2002, the formula for a memorable Bond-villain lair was established in the very first film: [good] design, exotic locations, plus a tongue-in-cheek element. A location like that is worth a lot to a movie but how much is it worth on the real-estate market? Once times got tough, how much could Graves expect to net for his evil ice palace? What about the Malfoys and their manor, or Buffalo Bill and his Pennsylvania home? To find out, Vulture consulted with Million Dollar Listing New York broker Ryan Serhant for some expert advice on the curb appeal of the cinematic underworlds most memorable properties. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Ice Palace (Die Another Day) Honestly, the very cool terrain around Reykjavik is all the rage now. Youve got a lot of rich hedge fund buyers that see getting something cool like on a glacier or by the water as very exciting as a vacation home. People dont think Iceland is close, but actually its really close to the East Coast. We have people passing up the Hamptons and Miami all the time to build custom glass homes just like this in and around Iceland. True story. Very random. Whats nice about being in the nowhere of outside Iceland is that you dont have to deal with landmarks or community boards. Whatever you dream, that will be great for crazy people who live inside James Bond movies. Climate change is a concern here, though. What if all of a sudden, these McDonalds arches decide to melt? How is the building going to stand up? The design here is like if the McDonalds arches made a baby with the Sydney Opera House. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures Malfoy Manor (Harry Potter) This place is massive. A lot of houses that we sell, we focus on good energy. This house might be big, it might be beautiful, but theres a lot of negative energy. There are some bad things that have happened in this house and that could probably negatively affect the price. Especially because the Malfoys have been so public. Its kind of like when white-collar crime happens in New York City, then their apartments come on the market its always harder than when the good guys house comes on the market. Harry Potters house? People will be all over that one versus Malfoy Manor. Unless the plot of land is incredibly valuable and you cant get it anywhere else, then people are like, Ah, shit. [Lets build over it] and well never talk about it again. This place seems incredibly expensive. I dont really know what real estate would sell for over here, but depending on the interiors and the level of renovation needed and how much evil has happened in there, somewhere in the range of $25 million to $45 million seems pretty realistic for something this size. Photo: A&E Network Bates Motel (Psycho, Bates Motel) This might be the hardest house to sell in the history of houses, given whats happened in there and who lives there. It looks haunted, it looks like a scary house, and its surrounded by nothing. I would probably put this house under half a million dollars, in part because there are much better options to buy and it looks like a total renovation job. Youd have to wipe out all the murder, all the schizophrenia, all the weird feelings of incest for sure. Otherwise its just not a great place to raise your family in. Photo: Lucas Films/Disney Jabbas Palace (Return of the Jedi) Well, this seems like something to be paid for in bitcoin. Its a little too round for me. It looks like a lot of saucers. I think theyre going for a nice camo look when they blend into the terrain. But I think thats going to grow old, like the gold-and-green marble and mill work of the 70s New York design that went out of style. Had Jabba gone for something a little more white, a little more neutral, a little more glassy to let in the light, that would be better. We now have glass where when you clap it goes opaque, so you can see out, but you cant see in I dont understand why he couldnt have done that. Hashima Island (Skyfall) I think its everyones dream to own their own island the city is trying to sell Rikers Island right now. Youve gotta factor in the true cost of this: The island probably needs new plumbing, probably needs new septic, probably new electricity. Is there Wi-Fi service? Whats the cell service like, in general? Are you gonna have to have a boat? Are you gonna have to maintain that boat? The maintenance of the boat how do you get it in and out? Is it big enough for an airstrip or are you going to have to use a helipad? There are a lot of things that people dont think of that come to the monthly costs when buying property. Its not just that sticker price. So whoevers buying this better have a good use for it, otherwise its gonna be a money pit. Photo: Joshua M. White Chemosphere House (Charlies Angels) This house is super cool. But its completely impractical, which is hard. We have crazy-cool properties all the time where I say, Oh my gosh, this is the coolest thing Ive ever seen in my whole life. The buyers market then says, This is cool, but I think I just want something with like four walls, a nice view, a doorman, a yard. What happens if you go outside and youre drunk and you fall off the ledge and you die? Thats a risk. As a broker trying to sell this place, it would not be kid-friendly. This has got to be for someone who wants to make a statement and say that they have the Chemosphere house, and one who either has grown kids buyers in their moonlight years or theyre not planning on having kids and they want to hang out and party in their UFO house all day long. It makes me nervous to live on something thats on stilts thats perched up above the ground in that way, especially in an area known for earthquakes. (Zillow estimates the real-life property at $2 million.) Photo: ALEX MACLEAN Harry Osborns Penthouse (Spider-Man) Tudor Citys great, but not as great as it used to be. Tudor Citys a hard sell because Tudor City used to have a brand name as a location, and now all those people who believe in that brand name are 80 to 90 years old. Everybody who wants a brand name now goes to Meatpacking, Madison Square Park, Soho, Tribeca, Dumbo, or Prospect Heights. Tudor City used to be great when people were excited to not have to live on the Upper East Side. This penthouse looks like its probably $5 million to $7 million. I cant tell how big it is, but ten blocks north or ten blocks south [of Tudor City], it could be almost double that. Harry Osborn trots around like hes the shit, but hes in Tudor City. Its not that great. Photo: Orion Pictures Buffalo Bills House (Silence of the Lambs) Listen, serial killers are never good for real estate. This house is in great need of renovation: Its got a kitchen from the 70s; its got Formica countertops; its got shower tile around the kitchen island. Sure, theres also a lot of death and skin in this house, but its probably not as bad as buying a house where someone has been a smoker. With smokers, you have to repaint everything. You can probably get away with not repainting everything in this house. I dont remember if Buffalo Bill was a smoker or not. This location, outside Pittsburgh, is really, really nice. I think its appreciated over time. And maybe you can get a city ordinance to change the legal address so that when people Google your new address, they dont even notice the connection. We do this in buildings in the city a lot. Not because of serial killers, but because, you know, a buildings on a corner. Photo: United Artists Crab Key Island (Dr. No) The No. 1 thing that people are looking for when they shop for real estate is light and views. Thats it. No. 1: They want light and they want views. I think this is probably a good location, which adds [positive] points, but [the lair itself] has no light, no views. It look likes its built on a rock, and thats kind of this grungy, Zen feel, which isnt for everybody. Someone will probably have to renovate this place because it looks like a tree is used for half a wall. Listen, if Im going to buy in Jamaica, I want to be on the beach, right? I want sun; I want to hang out. I dont want to be down underground. If I wanted to be down underground, I would just take the subway in New York City all day every day. There are sharks down there, too. Broadchurch Episode 1 Season 3 Episode 1 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Previous Episode Next Episode David Tennant as Hardy, Olivia Colman as Miller. Photo: Colin Hutton/ITV The third season of Broadchurch probably shouldnt exist. The first season, in which detectives Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) solve the apparent murder of 11-year-old Danny Latimer in a quaint seaside U.K. tourist village, was a well-plotted, well-paced, self-contained story. Unfortunately, it spun off into an inevitable second season that dealt with the court trial of the culprit, Ellies husband. That huge misstep, combined with the ill-advised introduction of a figure from Hardys past who arrives to wreak havoc, made for a bigger, louder season in all the wrong ways. After the swift cancellation of an underwhelming American adaptation, it seemed Broadchurch had run its course. Yet, here we are. After kicking the tires, showrunner Chris Chibnall has opted to tell a third and final chapter before he moves his attention to Doctor Who, where he will at last succeed Steven Moffat as head writer. Consider it a return to form: Chibnall wants to right the wrongs before he ends Broadchurch for good. While the exploration of the Latimer murder was superbly handled for my money, season one is one of the best TV mysteries ever that story has already been told. Rather than drag it out any further, the focus now shifts from the plight of the Latimers to an entirely new case: the brutal rape of Trish Winterman. Chibnall, his writers, and his actors understand that violent sexual assault is a storytelling minefield. The opening 14 minutes of Broadchurch season three are devastating, but never tasteless. Were taken through every step of Trish reporting her assault, as well as the trust and care shes given by Hardy and Miller. Still, its uncomfortable viewing. It feels real. Were going to swab your cheek, Miller says. And the reason we do this first is basically so you can have a cup of tea. Its a soft, lame joke from an officer to a victim. Its only going to get worse from here. Its hard to credit enough the efforts of Tennant, Colman, and series newcomer Julie Hesmondhalghs work in this episode. Trish is, obviously, terrified and can barely get a word out. As Miller and Hardy gently pry with precision, its clear the chemistry between Tennant and Colman hasnt missed a step in the two years since we last saw them together. The detectives work hard to afford Trish agency and dignity in the most horrifying circumstances, and dont make the equally dangerous mistake of speaking down to her, of hiding from the terrible situation Trish has faced and now faces for quite some time. Naturally, its Hardy who pushes harder in the opening exchanges. Were you tied up, Trish? he asks pointedly when she cant answer if she knew where she was. She cant tell them how she got to the police station, whether she walked or drove. Im sorry, she says. You have nothing to be sorry about, Hardy replies without hesitation. Already this is a different Broadchurch. Theres thoughtfulness and purpose, which is essential when telling a story with the weight of Trishs. Her first question, the first time she speaks without being prompted in the episode, she asks, Do you believe me? Its a heartbreaking moment that is a real concern among survivors, even when theyve gotten as far as Trish has. Thankfully, the specter of doubt around whether or not the assault ever happened doesnt linger as a possibility. Broadchurch sometimes falls prey to its own salacious darkness, but Trish making a false claim would be nothing short of a tasteless betrayal. Before taking her home, Hardy and Miller note Trishs injuries look at least two days old, and eventually date the assault to a 50th birthday party for her friend Cath, at which, Trish says, at least 50 men were in attendance. Thats quite the suspect list. We do, however, get glimpses of early contenders. Theres Jim, the husband of Cath, who curiously has the same brand of condom in his car glove compartment as the one found at the crime scene (along with a blood-smeared rock). Trishs boss Ed Burnett also looks a shady character, played against type by U.K. comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry. Hes not quite as menacing as were meant to think he is, but weve got seven episodes stretching ahead of us to figure this whole thing out. Adjacent to the stellar main plot, Broadchurch does give in to some of its unfortunate soapier instincts. Two years on, we see Mark Latimer, the bereaved father of Danny, has written a tell-all book and hates himself for it. Hes also separated from Beth, whose marriage to Mark never quite got out from under the cloud of their sons murder. Neither story line is all that interesting, but its a joy to have Arthur Darvill back as Broadchurchs vicar, Paul Coates. Darvill is quietly one of the best actors on the show, and Im assuming hell get more to do as we progress. Less exciting is the shoe-horning of Beth into proceedings as Trishs independent assault adviser. Its an inorganic excuse to keep the flagship family closely involved in this final season. On the bright side, one thing making a welcome return is the absolute delight of Miller and Hardy, who exchange barbs as ably as they do jokes. Tennant and Colman are consummate professionals, much like their fictional counterparts (when theyre not discussing the origins of Hardys office nickname, Shitface, of course). Another thread this season looks to be Millers relationship with her son and father, who now lives with her. Olivia Colman is the most capable, wonderful actor Broadchurch has at its disposal, and Miller is easily Chibnalls best character. Chibnall knows it, too: Despite Millers strong, sensitive detective work, were not allowed to forget for a second the trauma of discovering that her husband was responsible for the death of a close family friend. I will not have your fathers son! she shouts after Tom is found disseminating porn at his school. Its a dark, cutting line that underlines the shows main point of fascination, the connecting thread throughout its uneven run: the effect of horrific violence on communities and individuals on the kind of people who say, You never think it will happen to you. The episodes final shot hints at things to come, as a gloved hand retrieves a bag of blue twine from the crime scene. Whether its a forensics expert or indication of a cover-up is yet to be seen, but whats left when the credits roll is a dark, deeply responsible hour of television. Were off to a good start. As Donald Trump tweets out private information about a public figures alleged plastic surgery while somehow still holding the title of leader of the free world, the national situation might seem a bit dire. Our collective finger inches closer to the panic button every day. Whats a country in peril to do when the remaining shreds of hope and humanity are in danger? Turn to Americas cheerleader, Senator Elizabeth Warren, for a national pep talk by way of a sit-down therapy session with Samantha Bee on Full Frontal. Bees teetering on a ledge, right up there next to democracy, but its fine Warrens on line one. And while some (read: all) might put her on hold to chat with Beyonce instead, dammit, Warren wont stop persisting until she pulls us back to safety! Or at least softens the landing if she cant actually save us. Photo: MTV After Mondays episode of Teen Mom OG caused an uproar among fans for showing a stars fiance driving under the influence, MTV has issued a statement condemning the incident. During the episode, beleaguered dad Ryan Edwards appears to nearly fall asleep at the wheel while driving his fiancee Mackenzie Standifer to their elopement. Standifer eyes Edwards cautiously from the passenger seat, asking him why he was swerving, and even takes hold of the wheel as he seems to drift off to sleep. Fans were furious with the scene, calling on MTV to hold Edwards responsible. When Ryan Edwards kills a family while MTV knowingly lets him drive intoxicated on drugs while they film it, they wont care, one viewer tweeted. Now, the channel has released a statement. MTV does not condone driving under the influence, an MTV spokesperson told People. Ryans erratic behavior was due to actions that he took without anyones prior knowledge. During the scene, Standifer accuses Edwards of taking Xanax, but he denies taking the prescription, saying, Um, I dont I dont have any. Edwards has reportedly since checked into rehab. Where my Korean-Americans at? Photo: Jae Hyuk Lee / Netflix There are many excellent jokes in Okja, Bong Joon-hos genre-mashing movie about the titular GMO super-pig and its kid caretaker Mija, which is now streaming on Netflix. There are poop jokes; there are Tilda Swintons braces; there are references that run the high-low gamut, including a re-creation of the Obama war-room photo and Andrew Lincolns poster-board confessional from Love Actually. But theres another joke buried in the subtitles, a little gem reserved for that special group of people who can speak both Korean and English. The moment happens when the radical animal-rights group ALF (the Animal Liberation Front), headed by Jay (Paul Dano), ostensibly rescues Okja from the Mirando corporation. But what theyre really trying to do is use Okja as a mole to expose Mirandos animal-rights abuses. To do this, they would have to hack into Okjas monitoring system and allow the super-pig to be taken back to the lab. Jay wont go through with the plan without Mijas (Ahn Seo-hyun) consent, but the only way to communicate with her is through fellow ALF member K, a Korean-American character played by Steven Yeun. When they ask Mija what she wants to do, she says that all she wants is to go back to the mountains with Okja, but K lies and says that she agrees to the plan, much to the delight of his comrades. With that, each ALF member jumps out of the truck into the Han River below, with K the last to go. According to the subtitles, his parting words to Mija are Mija! Try learning English. It opens new doors! In an earlier version I watched, the subtitle read, Hows my Korean? What he actually says is Mija! Also, my name is Koo Soon-bum. Its a flagrant mistranslation but one that would only be apparent to those who can speak both languages. Moreover, the mistranslation is a clever subversion of the supremacy of English. The subtitle is a command to learn English something that every Korean student has heard throughout her life but to actually understand what K is saying, you would have to know Korean. Theres an added layer of comedy to the name itself, which has the whiff of the old country about it: Koo Soon-bum is sort of like a white man saying his name is Buford Attaway. As Yeun told me, When he says Koo Soon-bum, its funny to you if youre Korean, because thats a dumb name. Theres no way to translate that. Thats like, the comedy drop-off, the chasm between countries. Bong wrote the character of K specifically with Yeun in mind, because hes a character that only a Korean-American could play. Yeuns performance itself is a nod to that gap; it reads differently if you know Korean. While its obvious that hes a bit of a dolt, if you have the ear for the language, his failures are more apparent, because he speaks with the stiltedness of a second-generation speaker (Yeuns actual pronunciation is a lot better). Hes not quite sure of himself, and is trying to fit into both spaces, but cant. (This is also why the other subtitle joke that I saw, Hows my Korean? works in a subtler way.) Yeun said the character speaks to the island we live on: He was a character written for Korean-Americans. Throughout Okja, Bong plays with the idea of translation, both its necessities and inherent limitations, and the inevitable comedy that arises out of that space. When Jay learns that K deliberately lied, he starts to beat him up, telling him to never mistranslate! Toward the end of the movie, K pops back up with a fresh tattoo that reads, Translations are sacred. Part of what makes Okja so remarkable is that Bong Joon-ho has found ways to make jokes that track across both cultural spheres. Unlike the wave of male Korean directors who crossed over into Hollywood around the same time, Park Chan-wook on Stoker or Kim Jee-woon with The Last Stand, Bong never let go of his roots. He cast Korean actors Song Kang-ho and Ko Ah-sung and had them speaking Korean dialogue alongside Hollywood stars Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer in his dystopian train ride thriller Snowpiercer. He furthers the Korean-American dynamic in Okja, centering on a young Korean girl and pitting her against the forces of an American corporation headed by Tilda Swintons knobby-kneed CEO. Just as the dialogue shifts seamlessly between both languages, Bong easily trots around the world, from the Korean countryside dotted with persimmon trees to the underground shopping malls of Seoul to the streets of New York City. Director Bong is probably one of the few, if not the only, people Ive seen so far, thats been able to bridge the two together, said Yeun. I dont mean being able to do an American movie a lot of directors could probably do that but bridging the two cultures together in a cohesive way. Thats a tall order, and somehow, he accomplishes that. getting around Can Transit Ambassadors Make the Subway Safer Just by Being There? Can Ambassadors Make the Subway Safer Just by Being There? Clockwise from top-left: Split, It, Raw, Get Out, The Devils Candy. This list has been updated to include October releases. The conversation around horror movies this year has been dominated by two words: Get Out. Jordan Peeles boundary-breaking thriller has deservedly become the reflexive response to the question, Seen any good horror movies lately? But while Peeles directorial debut has been generating early Oscar buzz, a lot of other great horror movies have hit theaters so far this year. Young actresses like Anya Taylor-Joy, Sennia Nanua, and Garance Marillier have impressed in showcase roles, while occult stories like A Dark Song and The Blackcoats Daughter have moved past the well-worn exorcism narrative in favor of more distinct takes on satanic horror. And there have also been some very good bad guys! Here then, are the best horror films of the year so far that arent Get Out. (But theres also Get Out.) Annabelle: Creation Annabelle: Creation is the fourth movie in the ever-expanding Conjuring universe, and it served as one of this years biggest summer horror surprises. Director David Sandberg came on for the second Annabelle movie, putting some snap back into the sub-franchise by taking viewers even farther back in time to learn the origins of the wicked doll. Dark, brooding indies are always appreciated, but sometimes, you just want jump scares served up on a platter. Thats exactly what Creation delivers its absolutely overflowing with good, cheap thrills. Berlin Syndrome There are more and more strong roles for women in horror films, but still too few female directors. With Berlin Syndrome, Cate Shortland has made a terrifying film about the psychological toll of abusive relationships. Veteran horror heroine Teresa Palmer stars as an Australian tourist who gets taken prisoner after a one-night stand in Berlin, and the actress is even better in Berlin than she was in last years Lights Out. Shortlands claustrophobic look at toxic masculinity and the line between love and obsession is a powerful first foray into the suspense genre. The Blackcoats Daughter Blackcoats Daughter is the first feature from Osgood Perkins (star of Legally Blonde, son of Anthony), who also recently directed Netflixs I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House. If these films are a guide, Perkins has an affinity for stories about quiet, emotionally isolated women susceptible to being overcome by spirits, and Blackcoats is one of the more eerie possession movies in recent memory. It stars Kiernan Shipka and Emma Roberts as two characters on distinct but intersecting paths, both of whom suffer from troubling visions and flashbacks, and who are linked together by a boarding school in the Northeast. The movie is structured like a puzzle, and Perkins is entirely content to let viewers dwell on long, contemplative takes, with occult imagery sprinkled about. Its hard to make a unique movie about demonic possession, but Perkins avoids hoary tropes like exorcisms and body contortions. For that, his haunting debut earns your attention. A Dark Song A Dark Song is the feature debut of Irelands Liam Gavin, who comes on the scene strong with this meditation on grief and loss. A woman becomes obsessed with communicating again with her dead son, and so hires an occultist to guide her through a months-long ritual that will allow her to interact with the spirit realm. One big catch: Once the house has been bound, no one can leave it until the process is done. In an isolated country manor, she goes through one ordeal after another: Is her guru just a charlatan? When strange things start to happen, it is truly the divine, or just her paranoid mind? One thing is certain, though: When you open the door to the dead, you have to be prepared for whatever comes through. The Devils Candy Australian director Sean Byrnes long-awaited follow-up to his 2009 hit The Loved Ones is at once an ode to heavy metal, an endearing family drama, and a wonderful serial-killer movie rooted in a demonic-possession story. Ethan Embry plays a metalhead and aspiring artist, the head of a working-class family thats struggling to make ends meet. They cant resist buying a house on sale for a criminally low price, but the landlord neglected to tell them thats because the previous owners were killed by their son after the devil told him to do it. (To be fair, theres hardly a box for that on Zillow.) The Devils Candy has plenty of thrashing guitar, an unexpectedly touching father-daughter dynamic, and eventually, lots and lots of fire. Get Out Here it is! You know it. Youve heard about it, but if you havent seen it: Believe the hype. Jordan Peeles directorial debut is funny, frightening, and one of the most incisive pieces of social commentary ever made in suspense cinema. The story of a black man going home to meet his white girlfriends family, only to discover an unsettling plot, is one of the best movies of the year in any genre, and its a safe bet youll find it atop many critics lists when the year is over. The Girl With All the Gifts Zombies are a pretty tired construction at this point; youve got to have a really killer element to stand out. Fortunately, this British adaptation of M.R. Careys sci-fi novel has a great weapon in young actress Sennia Nanua, who delivers an impressive performance as a hybrid zombie who may contain the cure to a civilization-destroying infection in her unique blood. When a horde of undead overruns the research facility shes being kept in, a small unit of scientists and soldiers must try and find safety while ensuring her survival and also avoid being eaten by her. Its an affecting family drama, and very good zombie romp. Hounds of Love Fun fact: Australians make really good rural-crime horror. (See Lake Mungo and The Snowtown Murders for proof.) Hounds of Love is the debut feature from Ben Young, and it tells the story of a mildly rebellious high-schooler taken prisoner by a couple that kidnaps local girls, makes them sex slaves, then kills them. Young does a phenomenal job of leaving the worst of the violence offscreen; he knows theres little value showing a brutal rape when a cutaway will deliver the message just as well. But its the movies female victimizer (Emma Booth), who herself is trapped in a cycle of abuse and infatuation with her murderous boyfriend, who takes Hounds to the next level, and who drives one of the most nerve-racking final scenes in recent memory. It As September ends, It looks poised to pass the half-billion dollar mark at the global box office before it leaves theaters, becoming the highest grossing horror movie of all time while blowing past the previous record-holder, The Exorcist. Its also gotten very good reviews. Andy Muschiettis revival of the classic Stephen King tale adheres more closely to the book than the iconic mini-series that aired on ABC in 1990. Its also shinier and meaner than its screen predecessor, putting the Losers Club through plenty of R-rated trials as they come together to try and vanquish the demonic Pennywise from their sleepy little town of Derry, Maine. Bill Skarsgard is great as the dancing clown, but keep your guard up against the heinous Henry Bowers the bullys teeth are almost sharper than the sewer-dwelling hell creatures. It Comes at Night A less-than-honest marketing campaign has led to a lot of dissatisfaction from people who saw It Comes at Night in theaters, but A24s newest art-house horror movie deserves to find the right audience. Its a movie about two families who are brought together under extremely tense circumstances after an unexplained societal collapse. There is no physical It in It Comes At Night just a nerve-jangling tone study about the limits of humanity when normal social rules have been abandoned. So lets be clear: Almost nothing in this movie will jump out and scare you, but if you want gorgeous cinematography, long takes, and an enduring sense of impending doom, this is the film for you. Killing Ground The most consistently well-executed horror cinema of the year has been funneling into the US from across the world. Killing Ground is the debut feature from Australian director Damien Power, whose take on the trapped-in-the-woods trope functions with equal effectiveness as a character drama and an icky thriller that makes you sink into your chair. When a couple on a camping holiday realizes the neighboring campsite has been hastily abandoned, they first set out to find its inhabitants, but then realize its time to get the hell out of Dodge when they come upon a twisted murder scene deeper into the woods. This one is not for viewers who prefer their violence off-camera. While Power does not gleefully linger on gore in the tradition of torture-tourism movies like Saw or Hostel, Killing Grounds brutality is presented in long, direct takes, making it feel horribly intimate. At a time when so many scary movies are artfully moving the violence out of the frame, Killing Ground is a quiet return to pain for the viewers who want it. Lake Bodom This Finnish movie premiered at SXSW earlier this year, and debuted for audiences on the horror-streaming service Shudder this month. The plot follows four teenagers two boys and two girls who go camping together in a nearby forest. The issue is, the boys lured the girls there under false pretenses to help them re-create a crime scene from an unsolved murder that took place on their impromptu campsite years before. Thats not even the creepiest part, but were not here to ruin the twists in this self-aware isolation horror standout. Prevenge Alice Lowe wrote, directed, and starred in Prevenge, and its one of the most darkly delightful movies to come out this year. Lowe plays Ruth, a pregnant woman who is mourning the death of her partner, and processing the grief by taking orders from her angry fetus to kill a bunch of people. Pregnancy horror is a genre unto itself, but it rarely affords its leads as much agency as Lowe gives Ruth in Prevenge. The result is some of the most empowering body horror youll find. Raw French director Julia Ducournaus first feature knocked critics out as it made its way around the festival circuit last year, and it finally hit U.S. theaters in March. Its a coming-of-age drama mixed with cannibal horror, about an academically overachieving and socially underachieving girl who finds herself living in the shadow of her more popular older sister. If that werent bad enough, a terrible hazing incident leaves her with an insatiable new hunger. Actress Garance Marillier is great as the repressed and increasingly rebellious lead, and Ducournau delivers a beautifully shot look at the terrifying bridge between being a teen girl and a young woman. Raw doesnt lazily lean on gratuitous violence, but it does provide just enough blood for the gore-hounds out there. Split Before Get Out premiered, Split spent a month as the early favorite for the years biggest horror movie. For an original story, its box-office success was unprecedented until Peeles movie set the bar even higher. Still, Split fully cements the return of M. Night Shyamalan as an appointment-viewing director, with James McAvoy in full bloom as a man with multiple personalities, and Anya Taylor-Joy reaffirming why shes horrors young actress du jour. The themes in this one are dark, but its great to see the director get his edge back. Super Dark Times Super Dark isnt big or expensive. Its a lean little paranoia-based thriller about a pair of high schoolers who have to deal with the fallout of a very bad and very weird accident that will change their lives forever. In his debut feature, director Kevin Phillips does a great job of balancing tension with heartfelt adolescent drama as he follows a couple of nerdy boys who are dealing with high school bullies, first loves, growing apart from your best friend and also, manslaughter. Creep 2 Mark Duplass and writer-director Patrick Brice have put together an excellent follow-up to their micro-budget Creep from 2014, in which Duplass plays an amiable serial killer who prefers to forge weird bonds of friendship with his victims before doing them in. Desiree Akhavan plays a videographer on hand to film Duplasss character (hes changed his name from Josef to Aaron) as they spend a day together in a remote cabin. Creep 2 is tense and uncomfortable and features one of the best nude scenes of the year. Its also a clever deconstruction of a serial-killer movie, powered by an extremely discomfiting performance from Duplass in fully scary mode made even scarier by the steady, confident presence of Akhavan. The Babysitter McGs The Babysitter is low-risk, high-yield horror-comedy play time. Cole (Judah Lewis) is a little old for a babysitter, but at least the late-blooming lovable geek has the ultracool Bee (Samara Weaving) to look after him. One weekend, when his parents go out of town (a well-placed Ken Marino and Leslie Bibb), Cole endeavors to spy on Bee after bedtime to see what she gets up to, and he is understandably surprised when she sees her carrying out ritual sacrifice in his living room with a group of sexy teens. Bee made a deal with the devil and her friends want in on the action, but when Cole finds out what theyre up to, hes going to have to kill or be killed to make it through the night. Babysitter is highly silly and very bloody, but its Bee and Coles sweet bond at the core that gives it a surprising, charming backbone. Also, actress Hana Mae Lee (the silent beatboxer in Pitch Perfect) actually gets to speak lines! Better Watch Out Chris Peckover has served up a perfect Halloween-time treat with his debut feature, Better Watch Out. Its a combination black comedy and Christmas horror story about a night of babysitting that turns awfully bloody when preteen Luke sets a plan in motion to get his minder to finally want him the way he wants her. Things start to go off the rails when a gun-wielding masked man invades the house, and only get worse when the babysitters ex-boyfriends enter the picture. We dont want to spoil the fun, but suffice to say Peckover does an excellent job of balancing violent bombast and acts of violation that are genuinely uncomfortable and anything but funny. He makes you a participant in the debauchery, then makes you pay for it, then does it all over again. Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould, those precocious siblings from The Visit, both give great performances alongside Levi Miller. Virginia Madsen and Patrick Warburton arent in the movie for long, but when they are, theyre hilarious. Geralds Game This Stephen King adaptation from designated horror hitter Mike Flanagan feels like horror for grown-ups. Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood play Jessie and Gerald, a married couple looking to put some zest back in their relationship with a weekend getaway. Jessie insists shes up for new experiences, but things get too rough too fast after Gerald cuffs her to the bed and starts playing out a rape fantasy she didnt know he had. The situation goes from distressing to harrowing, though, when Gerald dies of a heart attack, leaving her chained to the bed with little to no hope of rescue. Gugino delivers a powerful, dynamic performance, playing both the victim on the bed as well as a bolder manifestation of her subconscious self that tries to guide her through the situation and through past traumas that have landed her in handcuffs with someone like Gerald in the first place. Guginos Jessie is a case study in the duality of feminine strength and vulnerability onscreen, embodying the virtues and perils of both. Happy Death Day A bratty college girl wakes up in a strange boys dorm room on her birthday, does the shame-walk back to her sorority, and gets killed on her way to a rager that night. That sounds like the opening death in a slasher movie in which said bratty girl will never be heard from again, but in Happy Death Day, it keeps happening over and over and over again. Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) doesnt know why she keeps dying and coming back, but she does come to the conclusion that if she wants to move on with her life or at least see it mercifully end she has to unmask her killer. In a lesser movie, this Groundhog Day premise could get tired real fast, but Happy Death Day is aware enough of its own absurdity to be in on the jokes, and willing to make them before you do. This movie is as sweet as it is mean, which adds up to lots of fun, and new face Rachel Matthews is flat-out excellent as the head bitch in charge of the sorority house. 1922 Stephen King fever is still running hot in 2017, with the years final adaptation arriving in late October. Based on the novella of the same name, 1922 is about a Nebraska farmer named Wilfred James (Thomas Jane), who, with the help of his teenage son (Dylan Schmid), murders his wife (Molly Parker) to prevent her from selling her share of their land so she can move to the big city. The rest of the movie is a pressure cooker, with Wilfred succumbing to paranoia and hallucinating the ghost of his wife, who tells him terrible truths that only the dead could know. As the anxiety and harsh weather and bad luck take their toll, Jane delivers an excellent performance as the buttoned-up, soft-spoken farmer who cant escape his sins especially with all those judgmental rats following him everywhere he goes. Cult of Chucky Murderer Charles Lee Ray has been in the body of a Play Pals Chucky doll for 30 years now, and the horror-comedy franchise still has a lot of gas in the tank. Brad Dourif sounds like hes having as much fun as ever as the voice of Chucky, Jennifer Tilly is back in for round four, and even the original Andy (Alex Vincent), who we last saw in 1990s Childs Play 2, has returned to the fold! Dont sleep on this wry, ridiculous, and surprisingly queer-friendly franchise, which has proven itself the surprise winner of the 1980s slasher wars. We would describe the plot, but it would really only make sense if you watched the previous six movies first (or read our primer on the franchise here). Tragedy Girls Alexandra Shipp and Brianna Hildebrand are two high-school friends obsessed with social-media clout and theyre willing to kill to boost theirs. Fall has been a great season for horror comedy, and Tragedy Girls brings the fun as it follows Sadie and McKayla on their journey from trying to track down a serial killer in their town, to actually becoming the serial killers themselves. Dark and brooding toxic female friendships are a favorite trope in the suspense genre, but sometimes extremely misguided best girlfriends just wanna have a good time, even if that means dismembering bodies with the high-school shop supplies just for the lulz. A year ago at the Cannes Film Festival, I sat in a theater for the debut of Sean Penns latest directorial effort, The Last Face, as the audience began snickering a minute into the screening, when an overwrought opening title card appeared comparing the horrors of the Liberian Civil War and the crisis in South Sudan to the brutality of an impossible love shared by a man and a woman. It had been one of the most anticipated movies of the festival: Penns first foray behind the camera since 2007s Into the Wild, directing Charlize Theron, whom hed been dating during filming but whod broken up with him the last time they were at Cannes a year prior. The snickering didnt stop, despite the movies being a very earnest look at (white) humanitarian doctors saving African lives. And then Penn and Theron had to endure a very awkward press conference, with co-lead Javier Bardem sitting between them, perhaps as a buffer. Even then, we knew that someone would eventually have to release it (on DirecTV and in select theaters July 28); the budget was obviously sizable, it has huge stars and a big-name director. No one doubts that everyone involved had the noblest of intentions in bringing attention to the bloody conflicts in Africa. Theron and Bardem act their asses off with what little theyve been given. But if this movie has been reedited to be less problematic, it doesnt show it in the trailer. Theres still Therons narration about being worried about her place in the world, and sexy time with Bardem in a tent after stitching up war casualties, and a bunch of shots of these pretty white protagonists freaking out in the midst of Africans who are dying and seeing their homes destroyed, and epic music over the words the hardest choice is to risk everything. Take note: This movie debuted a year ago, a bunch of critics saw it, and theres not a single effusive quote in the trailer, not even from one of those names you dont recognize from local TV stations in Baltimore. Id tell you to stay away, but I really need to talk about this with people, so please do and then catch me in the comments or on Twitter. Summer blockbuster screen shifting can cause some funny things. With theaters hoping to take advantage of each week's new major films by opening up screens for them three to five screens per multiplex seems the usual in Waco movies come and go with not much warning. Case in point: While filmgoers' attention is on "Despicable Me 3" and four other films opening this week, leaving Waco by Thursday are some smaller films of note: "It Comes At Night," "Meagan Leavey" and "Paris Can Wait." Three other films of lower profile also are opening: "Beatriz At Dinner" with Salma Hayek as a massage therapist who calls white privilege as she sees it when invited to a wealthy client's dinner party; "The Hero," with Sam Elliott as an aging film star facing his final years; and this surprised me "Krisha," the first film by director Trey Shults ("It Comes At Night"). The latter, an Indie Movie Monday selection at the Waco Hippodrome this Monday, July 3, is the story of a woman who comes back one Thanksgiving to the extended family she helped mess up some 10 years earlier. Just because it's summer doesn't mean all movies have to be cotton candy . . . The local economy had nearly as many negatives as positives in May, but the housing and lodging sectors created enough momentum to push the Greater Waco Economic Index out of a two-month slump, according to Amarillo-based economist Karr Ingham in his monthly report. The city of Waco last month issued 38 permits to build single-family homes, a sizable jump from the 22 provided in May of last year. And 271 existing homes changed hands in Greater Waco, compared to 268 in May a year earlier, Ingham reported. He uses data dating to the year 2000 to track trends for the First National Bank of Central Texas and the Tribune-Herald. Meanwhile, local lodging establishments reported $5.3 million in hotel tax revenue in May, a 15 percent jump from May of 2016. For the year through May, tax revenues jumped 9 percent to $19.5 million. But other categories had showings that were either sluggish or disappointing, Ingham said, noting that spending on automobiles increased only 1 percent; general construction activity year to date has dropped 17 percent in value; and employment growth in May stood at only 1.2 percent, 17th among the states 26 metropolitan areas. These results produced a raw GWEI score of 125.3 for May, up from 125.1 in April, which was revised downward from 125.2 due to adjustments to payroll employment. The score is up from 123 in May of last year. Construction of new homes remains a bright spot for the entire year, with Waco issuing 237 permits through May, up from 145 during the first five months of 2016. Ingham called that the best showing since the city issued 239 permits during the first five months of 2008. Im going to attribute that to the activity on Ritchie Road. I was over there last week and just amazed at how fast they are putting up homes, said Scott Bland, president of the Heart of Texas Builders Association, referring to the development of 300 acres near Panther Way in Waco, where Stylecraft and D.R. Horton builders are placing about 1,500 residences. New buyers market Bland said the homes range in price from $190,000 to $275,000 and should prove attractive as starters for first-time homebuyers. The number of existing homes sold in May rose slightly, but the average sales price of $186,133 represents a fractional dip from the $187,656 norm in May of last year. The year-to-date average of $186,141 eclipses the five-month average last year of $172,671. Whitney Richter, a representative of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce who presented Inghams findings during a meeting with invited business owners, said Wacos housing market is so hot that some homes get sold before the listing appears on the Multiple Listing Service. Our housing inventory stands at about two months, which is unheard of for this area, Richter said. Some residents would like to move within the city, but they wont sell until they have a home to move into. A housing supply of that size means it would take only two months to sell every home on the market at the current rate. George Evans, owner of Redwoods Inc., said homeowners resigned to improving the appearance of their existing homes are fueling a run on lumber to build decks, cabanas, arbors and other amenities. Better cedar comes from Canada, and the current administration imposed a tariff that has increased prices 20 percent in phases since Jan. 1. Each time they go up, I think my sales will suffer. But they have not been impacted. Customers dont even blink, Evans said. Theyre just going to stay at home, build a deck and live there the rest of their lives. The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes McLennan and Falls counties, created an estimated 1,400 jobs the past year. Still, the jobless rate climbed from 3.7 percent in May of last year to 4 percent last month. Richter said a rate between 3 and 4 percent essentially means full employment, which can hinder efforts to recruit new industry. We easily could handle a rate in the low-to-mid-5s, Richter said. That would help us sell the message that we have available manpower. Factory prospects She said the chamber has a pipeline brimming with manufacturing prospects that could bring jobs to Central Texas. Uncertainty that a presidential election always brings has slowed progress on securing commitments, but we have been hopeful that talks would pick back up, Richter said during the news conference. General construction activity remains down compared to year-ago levels, with the value of permits slumping by 17 percent during the first five months of 2016. But the $50 million total for May dwarfed the $22 million recorded in May of last year. Several business owners and community leaders shared observations Wednesday on trends in their industries. David Floyd, who manages Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits in Waco, said his portfolio of Mexican beer, including Corona, Modelo and Dos Equis, continues to experience very high growth. He said he has added Waco-based Bear Arms Brewing and its craft beer to his distribution list. He said alcohol sales are brisk at H-E-B, Stripes, Walmart and Corner Store locations in Greater Waco, but the rural communities such as Mexia, Marlin and Groesbeck seem to be struggling. Alissa Cady, executive director of the Hewitt Chamber of Commerce, said the city is receiving inquiries about land around the new Walmart superstore at Sun Valley Boulevard and Interstate 35. We are hoping to get a sit-down restaurant, Cady said. Joel Martinez, the city of Wacos aviation director and manager of Waco Regional Airport, said the city is now 13 months into preparing a master plan or blueprint for the citys municipal airport. A Dallas man was arrested at the Greyhound bus station in downtown Waco late Monday afternoon when police discovered 98 grams of Ecstasy, about 55 grams of marijuana and several small bags of methamphetamine in his travel bag, Waco police Sgt. Edward Williams said. Courtney Deshaun Lambert, 30, was arrested after street crimes officers were performing a bus check at the downtown bus station, 301 S. Eighth St., at about 4:30 p.m. and found a suspicious bag. Williams said when officers began questioning riders about who owned the bag, Lambert began to appear nervous and denied owning the bag. There was a little padlock on the bag and Lambert had the key in his pocket, Williams said. Eventually he did say the bag was his, but that he did not pack the bag and that someone in Killeen packed the bag. Police discovered that Lambert was traveling from Killeen to Dallas when the bus made a stop in Waco. He said Lambert gave officers consent to search the bag and found the Ecstasy, marijuana and a total of 8.2 grams of methamphetamine inside the bag. Williams said the methamphetamine was individually packaged in more than 10 smaller bags. Officers arrested Lambert on two first-degree felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and a Class A misdemeanor of possession of marijuana. He was taken to McLennan County Jail and he remained in custody Tuesday afternoon with a bond listed at $55,000. Marlin Police Capt. Hector Gonzalez was arrested by the Texas Rangers on a sexual assault charge Wednesday in Falls County, authorities said. Falls County Sheriff Ricky Scaman said Gonzalez, 51, was arrested at the Educators Credit Union in Marlin, where he was reportedly working off-duty security. Details of the allegation were not available late Wednesday. Gonzalez was taken to Falls County Jail on the second-degree felony charge. He later posted a $50,000 bond and was released from custody. In April, Marlin Police Chief Damien Eaglin resigned, leaving city officials in an ongoing search for a replacement. Another Marlin police officer, Tavis Devone Cuthrell, was arrested in January, accused of stealing firearms from the departments armory. Ukraine's Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has discussed with Canadian Minister of National Defense Harjit Singh Sajjan the prospects for defense cooperation and the possibility of buying defense equipment from Canada next year. The ministerial meeting took place on Thursday during the working visit of Poltorak to Brussels, where the minister took part in the meeting of the ministers of NATO member countries and held a series of bilateral meetings, the official website of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said. Also, the defense minister of Ukraine informed his Canadian counterpart about the situation in the east of the country and invited him to visit Ukraine and celebrations on the occasion of Independence Day in August this year. WAHOO Pam Lausterer has picked up and moved office locations several times with Saunders County Youth Services over the last two decades. Her move this month, however, will be away from youth services and 21-and-a-half years at its helm. I started with ambition for young people and families, she said. Lausterer has been working with schools across the county, law enforcement and the State of Nebraska during her time with youth services to help youth stay in school and on track. My motivation has been a desire to make things better, to improve things, she said. She and her husband, Kal Lausterer, spent a few years working in California after college, while her husband worked on his masters degree and they worked at a group home. They moved back to Nebraska in 1985 to be close to family. They eventually landed in Wahoo, where they each found careers helping others. She is not the first Youth Services director, but the fifth and has been in the position the longest. Lausterer said when she started as director with Saunders County Youth Services, there was no real system intact to support the diversion program. It has evolved since and they now have support at the state level with programs to keep youth in school and on track. Diversion is now really valued, she said. Lausterer is on a diversion sub-committee on the state level that is networking support and enhancement programs across the state. Theyre in the process of trying to develop a diversion academy, she said. Lausterer said one of the greatest accomplishments shes been part of is helping to develop the school-based behavioral health program in the county. The collaboration of all individuals in schools and agencies helped it come together, she said. Even after some funding cuts last year on the state level, Lausterer said larger schools pitching in to help smaller schools proves the need for the program and its benefit to all youth in the county. Part of her job as director of youth services has been developing strategies to help the countys youth. Every three years, there are meetings with schools and community members to come up with a comprehensive plan for the area. Regardless of what form the aid has come in over the years, Lausterer said she personally gets consistent feedback from individuals shes helped. You dont remember me do you, is the question Lausterer gets from individuals she doesnt recognize, but all-too-well recognize her and the help she gave them in the past. One recent interaction was at a mentoring meeting Lausterer attended where she was asked that question. She did not recognize the young lady, but the lady thanked Lausterer and shared how Lausterer had helped her through a tough time in life. Lausterer said she fully believes in the adage it takes a village to raise a child, that she could not have had as much success without the support of individuals, groups and schools throughout the county. Its never one person that helps make the change. Thats why Im so proud of Saunders County, she said. Im so proud of Saunders County schools, law enforcement and the board of directors. We would not be able to do any of this without their support. In retirement, Lausterer said she plans to spend a lot of time with her grandchildren and with her husband. CERESCO Ceresco looked a bit like the early 1900s last week. Car after car of primarily Model T and Model A Fords rolled into Ceresco June 22, carrying more than 100 people from 29 different states. The guys love the small town atmosphere, said event organizer Rich Johnston about choosing the route for last Thursdays road tour. The Ceresco Park was the first rest stop for the old Fords that went on a road tour of either 120 miles or 181 miles across Lancaster, Saunders, Seward and Saline counties for the International Speedsters Trials and Reunion. One of the old motors on the tour drew a lot of interest. Rob Heyen of Milford brought his 1907 Ford Model K Roadster. According to Heyen, his six cylinder, 405 cubic inch roadster is the last of its kind still drivable. The other five are in museums. Guaranteed to go over 70 miles per hour, the roadster has won a world 24-hour speed record. In their time they won a lot of races and hill climbs, Heyen said. Its a good quality car. Another vehicle that was the subject of many pictures was once of local use. Johnston guessed the Model T Wrecker once used in the northwest Saunders County ghost town of Rescue dates back to the 1920s. The wreckers home is now in Swedeburg with Kevin Rathke. Prior to their stop in Ceresco, the vintage cars had traveled north from Lincoln, around Branched Oak and then split into two routes. The longer route, designed for Model As traveling at approximately 50 mph, took cars through Raymond, Davey, Valparaiso, Touhy and Weston. The slower, shorter route for Model Ts traveling at 33 mph had vehicles travel through Agnew before stopping in Ceresco. After the break, riders continued in the county to Valparaiso, bound for Seward. The reunion also gave riders the chance to put their motors to the test and reenact a once popular activity. Hill climbs were popular in the 1920s and 1930s, when men would take out their vehicles after church on Sunday for a noisy afternoon. Guys like to have the fastest car and brag about being the most powerful, Johnston said. Guys who thought they had the fastest car then found out they werent very powerful. The reunions hill climb reenactment on June 23 near Lincoln measured a cars horse and pulling power, which was particularly interesting considering the majority of owners diligently only use speed parts designed, produced and sold from the same time period, Johnston said. Theyre reliving history and preserving history with their cars, he said. He called the hill climb one of the highlight activities of the reunion. Its like an uphill drag race, he said. Its a challenge for them. The Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed in Lincoln has hosted the reunion every other year since 2005. The road tour, which starts at the museum in Lincoln, is designed to take a different route each tour. We try to take them to as many different places in this area as we can, Johnston said. Johnston said the group tries to stay on two-lane paved roads when possible to see interesting countryside in Nebraska. They stop at points of interest and stop to socialize and share the cars with the locals, he said. Last Thursdays stop in Ceresco wasnt the groups first. Johnston said Doug Swanson of Ceresco invited the group in 2009 to a heritage event during Ceresco Days. Swanson, who had owned Swanson Ford, said he was excited to welcome the group back. Were so thankful they chose little Ceresco, Swanson said. The collective bargaining agreement between the city of Chicago and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 7 will expire on June 30. With public interest in the upcoming round of negotiations on the rise, In These Times partnered with the civic journalism lab City Bureau, Invisible Institute and Injustice Watch to annotate the FOP contract in plain English. The full annotated contract, which can be viewed here, highlights significant articles and contextualizes them with case studies, expert analysis, media reports and more. Below is a summary of five key provisions that present a roadblock to police reform efforts. 5-year Time limit on investigating police misconduct From 1972 to 1991, Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge and his so-called midnight crew allegedly tortured at least 120 people, mostly Black men, using electric shocks, smothering and beatings. Victims allegations were ignored for years, but Burge was finally fired in 1993. Soon after, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) lobbied for what became known as the Burge rule: a five-year statute of limitations on investigating misconduct, in both the union contract and Illinois law. Limitations on anonymous complaints Given the code of silence within CPD and a potential fear of retaliation, there are valid reasons a complainant may seek to report police misconduct anonymously, wrote the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force in its April 2016 report. But anyone wishing to file a complaint about a police officer must sign a sworn affidavit in the presence of an investigator, who then provides the complainants name to the officer. From 2011 to 2014, the Independent Police Review Authority closed 58 percent of police misconduct complaints because they lacked an affidavit. Click here to read Adeshina Emmanuel's investigation on how this clause shields police misconduct. Tax dollars for police misconduct Between 2012 and 2015, the city of Chicago paid $210 million in settlements related to police misconduct, according to the Chicago Reporter. Thats becauseunlike other large cities, including New York, Los Angeles and PhiladelphiaChicagos police union contract, as well as Illinois state law, requires the city to foot the bill in civil suits against police. Officers accused of misconduct often face no further consequences. Few consequences for falsifying statements An August 2016 report by Chicagos inspector general concluded that at least 10 officers had made or signed off on apparently false statements related to the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Not only are police allowed to delay giving a statement for 24 hours after a shooting, but officers under investigation are frequently permitted to amend their statements after viewing the video or audio evidence against them. Destruction of police disciplinary records In 2014, the FOP went to court in an unsuccessful attempt to block Chicago from making public thousands of civilian complaints of police misconduct. The union contract requires destruction of police disciplinary records after five years. But under the Freedom of Information Act, journalists obtained 125,000 complaints dating back to 1967. The records reveal that in cases where investigators found evidence of wrongdoing, fewer than 0.5 percent of complaints resulted in termination of a police officer. Excerpted from the Police Union Contract Tracker, a collaboration between In These Times reporter Adeshina Emmanuel, City Bureau and the Invisible Institute to annotate the FOP contract in plain English, with commentary from experts. Want more independent news and analysis? Subscribe to the free In These Times weekly newsletter: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. It is getting more difficult to drag the IPECat to the Chancery Division... On 15 June 2017, His Honour Judge Hacon dismissed Ordnance Surveys application 77M Ltd v Ordnance Survey Ltd [2017] to transfer proceedings from the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court to the Chancery Division in[2017] EWHC 1501 (IPEC). One of the AmeriKat's colleagues, Josh Angrave , summarizes the decision for readers: Background The claim relates to a product developed by 77M called Matrix, which is a database of geospatial and other information. 77M maintains that it has spent over 500,000 in developing the product and, in the process, has licensed data from at least 15 organisations including OS. 77M issued a claim on 19 A ugust 2016 seeking: (i) a declaration that the development of its product does not infringe any database or copyright belonging to OS, and is not in breach of any contract with OS; (ii) a declaration that the licensing or use of the product by its customers does not infringe such rights or breach any contract with the OS; (iii) an injunction to restrain OS from making any allegations to the contrary effect; and (iv) an injunction to restrain OS from instructing third parties to withhold data from 77M. 77M, as an SME, sought the protection of the costs regime as it applies in IPEC, having taken out after-the-event insurance to cover the opposing sides costs of the litigation up to the 50,000 cap (at [10-11]). Whilst OS, a government-owned body with substantial licensing revenues, stated that its claim to damages, in its counterclaim, may exceed the IPEC cap of 500,000 (at [20]). In accordance with CPR 63.18 (2) and the provisions of Practice Direction 30(9), when deciding whether to order a transfer of proceedings to or from the IPEC the court will consider whether: "(1) a party can only afford to bring or defend the claim in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court; and (2) the claim is appropriate to be determined by the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court having regard in particular to (a) the value of the claim (including the value of an injunction); (b) the complexity of the issues; and (c) the estimated length of the trial. 9.2 Where the court orders proceedings to be transferred to or from the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court it may (1) specify terms for such a transfer; and (2) award reduced or no costs where it allows the claimant to withdraw the claim. Access to Justice the decisive factor" ALK-Abello Limited v Meridian Medical Technologies The cost capping system of IPEC, and its predecessor the Patents County Court, is considered one such method of facilitating access to justice for smaller and medium sized enterprises who could otherwise not afford to litigate in the High Court. Indeed, His Honour Judge Birss (as he then was) in [2010] EWPCC 14 , described access to justice for small and medium sized enterprises as a decisive factor. However, in Comic Enterprises Limited v Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation [2012] EWPCC 133, His Honour Judge Birss held t hat "the decisive factor" was Comic Enterprises approach to the litigation, despite its being an SME (Katpost here) . In that case, Birss transferred the proceedings from the PCC to the High Court because Comic Enterprises ran the action as if it was full scale High Court style litigation rather that if it were a more modest claim in the PCC. Birss J concluded that the ultimate objective of an order for transfer is to do justice between the parties (at [48]). In the present case, His Honour Judge Hacon held that a transfer to the general Chancery Division would raise a serious likelihood of having the practical effect of blocking 77Ms access to justice (at[24]). With regards to Practice Direction 30(9)(1) , Hacon HHJ held that 77M as an SME with limited financial resources is precisely the kind of litigant that is enti tled to the benefit of the costs cap in IPEC, subject to other considerations. In particula r, Hacon HHJ stated: I do not take the view that it is incumbent upon an SME to prove exhaustively that it cannot access loans from elsewhere to fund litigation (at [14]). Notably, OS offered no formal undertaking that it would agree to limit the costs liability of 77M so as to mitigate the risk of a high costs liability if the case were to be transferred to the Chancery Division (at [15]). In relation to the value of the claim under Practice Direction 30(9)(2)(a), Hacon HHJ was not convinced that the value of the injunction would be so extraordinarily high for IPEC to hear the case. On the complexity of the issues, OS cited Comic Enterprises v Twentieth Century Fox in arguing that 77M had not approached this litigation as though it were a modest IPEC claim. This was argued by reference to the original Particulars of Claim, which were settled by junior and leading counsel. There was also opposition by 77M to an extension of the confidentiality club, which resulted in an application before the court (at [17]). Althou gh Hacon HHJ ag reed that the pleadings by 77M were somewhat over-developed, he did not see this as a case in which 77M pleaded either worthless causes of action or worthless defences (at [18]). Finally, on the estimated length of the trial, Hacon HHJ held that the maximum three day limit in IPEC should be sufficient, notwithstanding the complex ity of the case, and provided that OS may r evisit the question of a transfer at the CMC (at [21-23]). Summary The risk that 77M would be severely affected by an adverse costs order in the Chancery Division outweighed OS arguments that the complexity of the case necessitated conduct of the litigation in IPEC. However, an SME does not have an unfettered right to stay in IPEC, and if a larger defendant wishes to be sued in the High Court they should at least provide an undertaking to limit the costs liability to another specified amount should they win. As HHJ Birss (as he then was) noted, a lower incursion of costs should suit both parties, especially in the case of a publicly funded litigant such as OS (at [16]). Sydney residents are about to shiver through the coldest period of the year with minimum temperatures set to plummet to single digits for the next four days. It will be a chilly start to Friday with a minimum of 9 degrees on the coast, 6 degrees in Penrith and 4 degrees in Campbelltown, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The weekend will be even colder with a minimum of 7 degrees in Sydney on Saturday and Sunday. Penrith residents can expect a cold start to the day on Saturday with a minimum of 4 degrees, before dropping to 3 degrees on Sunday. It's essentially layered suffering. You have a negative event, then a negative emotional experience, followed by a negative emotion about the initial negative feeling: guilt, shame, I shouldn't feel this way. Voila! A suffering sandwich. A recent study conducted by the University of Melbourne showed that overemphasising the importance of happiness actually results in an increase of depressive symptoms. The results of the study highlighted the external pressure we feel to be happy: the more a participant felt pressured to not feel sad or anxious, the more likely they were to report an increase in depressive symptoms. We feel bad about feeling bad. Have you ever encountered a suffering sandwich? No, I'm not referring to a baguette with tinnitus or a panini going through a divorce. Has there been a time where you have experienced a negative emotion, and then felt bad for feeling that way? If so, you're not alone. "The action of labelling and accepting the feeling (without judging it as good or bad) helps me feel less anxious." Credit:Stocksy These findings echo the work Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been promoting for years. ACT, fronted by Russ Harris in Australia, does not have "symptom reduction" as a goal. Rather, it posits that the constant urge to reduce symptoms and change these feelings is what causes a spike in distress. Sitting with discomfort and learning to reframe our relationship with our thoughts and feelings is more worthwhile than focusing on eliminating pain. Now, the idea is not to burst into primary schools shrieking "Life is pain!" whenever a classroom sings If You're Happy and You Know It, as fun as that would be. Rather, it's a subtle change in the way we view "normality" to include suffering life does have pain. Obviously it's not an equal playing field some people experience severe mental illness, others have disproportionately disadvantaged backgrounds but all of us feel frustration, sadness or fear from time to time. Why add to that by stressing about stress, or feeling bad for feeling bad? These findings are fairly important, given that an estimated 3 million Australians are living with depression, but the ideas can be applied to virtually everyone. Regardless of diagnosis, we can all benefit by acknowledging our feelings and honouring them, rather than judging or criticising them. It's natural that I feel bad right now, and that's OK. Acknowledging pain does not mean it will consume you; in fact, it's vital for building resilience and moving through it. This is essentially validation, which plays a role in helping us accept our internal experience, as well as when others around us are in crisis. The AmeriKat's professional life, be it on the Kat or sat at her desk litigating her hours away, involves a huge amount of coordination, support and opposition with lawyers from all over the world. One of the IPKat's key objectives is to bring this global IP community closer together by sharing IP decisions, legislation and practice from across the world with our readers, with the aim that by understanding our unique perspectives on the culture of IP practice we can work together to make IP a success story for innovators, creators, users and the public. With those grand aims, the AmeriKat thought it would be worthwhile to ask the next generation of global IP lawyers to illuminate IP practice in their jurisdiction, as well as to give readers some fun reading over their , involves a huge amount of coordination, support and opposition with lawyers from all over the world. One of the IPKat's key objectives is to bring this global IP community closer together by sharing IP decisions, legislation and practice from across the world with our readers, with the aim that by understanding our unique perspectives on the culture of IP practice we can work together to make IP a success story for innovators, creators, users and the public. With those grand aims, the AmeriKat thought it would be worthwhile to ask the next generation of global IP lawyers to illuminate IP practice in their jurisdiction, as well as to give readers some fun reading over their lunch-al-desko ... Emil Jurcenoks For the eighth in our series we travel 15 hours by car, north east, to Copenhagen Denmark where Emil Jurcenoks (Plesner) dreams of longer judgments, battles cross-border infringement, wishes for higher damages and costs awards and wants to bite into a burger with For the eighth in our series we travel 15 hours by car, north east, to Copenhagen Denmark wheredreams of longer judgments, battles cross-border infringement, wishes for higher damages and costs awards and wants to bite into a burger with Bjarke Ingels ********************** The view from Emil's office The view over Copenhagen from Plesner After a bike ride around the city, refuel with a smrrebrd 1. You should go on a harbour and canal tour on board one of the Netto-Boats. It is a wonderful (and cheap!) way to see the city, and you can tick off many of the most important sights on your list (including The Little Mermaid) during the cruise. 2. Rent a bike. Copenhagen is small and has bike lanes almost everywhere, which makes it easy (and safe) to get around. 3. Try one of Copenhagen's many Michelin star restaurants serving the world-famous Nordic cuisine. Noma is currently closed and it is impossible to get a table at Geranium, but Nordic cuisine can also be tasted at formel B or Almanak at The Standard. You should also try the world-famous open sandwiches ("smrrebrd"), and the best place in town is definitely Restaurant Palgade. Plesner is located just north of the city centre near the edge of the harbour. Right now, I can see the new UN building and sun reflecting in the waves (through typical Danish summer clouds, of course) of the Oresund Strait (which separates Denmark and Sweden) while the ferry from Oslo, Norway, arrives.My interest in IP began while studying Intellectual Property Law at the University of Copenhagen. It grew while I studied Trademarks and Related Rights at the Law School of The University of Melbourne, and when I began working in Plesner's IP department in August 2005, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in IP.I usually get up around 6:30am at the latest and spend the morning trying to get ready while helping my two daughters (aged 3 and 5) with everything from preparing breakfast, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, preparing their lunch boxes etc. I then normally drop my daughters off at kindergarten and school before riding my bike to the office, where I arrive around 8:30am. I then grab a cup of (our splendid!) coffee, before I start working on whatever appears to be most urgent. From that point on, there is no such thing as a typical day - which is one of the great things about this job! My day can consist of internal and external meetings, conference calls, court meetings, oral hearings, drafting of briefs, legal assessments of various IP matters, IP-due diligence, review and drafting of licence agreements, negotiations, pitches, etc. I normally have lunch around 12 noon, and I am usually home around 6pm, where I have dinner with my wife and kids. When the kids are tucked in around 8pm, I normally turn on the computer again and work for another few hours.Danish judgments are rather short. This makes them easy to read, but sometimes more difficult to interpret and apply in future cases. Also, a national trademark right can be acquired merely by making (very little) use hereof for the relevant goods.IP matters are getting more complex with the development of the internet and new technologies. Matters are also more likely to contain cross-border issues than previously, which more often requires involving lawyers from different jurisdictions.Furthermore, IP clients have acquired more knowledge about IP by hiring IP lawyers themselves. This requires external counsels to be able to provide even more specialised IP advice.In addition, clients seem to be increasingly focused on whether the advice from the external counsel can add commercial value to the clients' business. The external counsel is therefore no longer just expected to provide legal advice - the external counsel is also expected to be a trusted commercial advisor.Many businesses do not protect their IP, because they think of IP as merely an expense that does not create real value. This is of course not true, which they realise when they encounter problems that could have been avoided.The damages awarded by the Danish courts should be much higher. The same goes for the costs that the courts order the losing party to pay to the winning party. The amounts are so low that even when the amounts are combined they rarely cover the winning party's actual costs and attorney's fees incurred by enforcing the IP rights in question.Take your time to consider and obtain proper advice about which assetsbe protected, which IP rights should be enforced, and how you wish to enforce such rights.When I appear in court - and, of course, when I receive the judgment and see that we have won the case.Obviously, everyone is eager to see what will happen when the Unified Patent Court gets ready to roll. It is currently expected to be ready in the beginning of 2018, and it will pose a huge challenge for clients and patents lawyers all over Europe.Also, as reported previously on the IPKAT the European Trade Secrets Directive will be implemented in Denmark through an entirely new and independent act on trade secrets. The proposal for the new act is supposed to be published in September 2017, and the final act is expected to be adopted with effect as of 9 June 2018; i.e. the date of the deadline for the implementation of the directive. The new act is expected to improve the protection of trade secrets and increase awareness about the importance of trade secret protection in Denmark.You need to be interested, thorough and creative, to have good communication skills, and be able to give commercial advice.Fortunately, we are blessed with a magnificent kitchen that prepares something new and amazing each day; ranging from traditional Danish dishes and open sandwiches to spicy African and Indian dishes. I therefore never know what I am going to have for lunch before I see what is on the buffet.We handle matters for clients located all over the world. I am most frequently in contact with colleagues from Sweden, Norway, and the UK.With clients hiring their own lawyers and handling "the ordinary matters" themselves in-house, I believe we will see a need for external counsels to be even more specialised, and that assistance from external counsels will primarily be needed in contentious matters.New York City. Mostly because I love New York City. But also because I would like to experience working in a US law firm and to get a better understanding of how discovery proceedings work.I would have to say the Danish architect Bjarke Ingels from BIG . I love his architecture, which are actual works of art, and I am amazed by his ability to find new and creative solutions to urban problems; e.g. the Urban Rigger project , where containers have been made into small apartments for students, or the Amager Resource Center , where he is turning the roof of a waste-to-energy plant into a ski slope. I would really like to know where he finds that creativity, and as he appears to be a casual guy, I would buy him a burger at Gasoline Grill in Copenhagen, which was recently chosen by Bloomberg as one of the best 27 burger joints in the world.The facts of a case are almost always more important than the law. It is almost always the facts of the case that will decide the outcome. The devil is in the detail, and it is therefore crucial to have a deep knowledge of the facts of the case. However, those efforts to confront and contain the Islamic Republic are arguably complicated by other aspects of the Trump administrations policy commitments, including a focus on domestic issues and an effort to improve relations between the US and Russia, which boasts close relations with Iran in the areas of trade and military cooperation, especially as it relates to the Syrian Civil War. While the US supports moderate rebel groups fighting against the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad, the Iranians and Russians have been credited with turning the war in favor of Assad. Various Shiite militias are currently operating as proxies for Iran in that war, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is increasingly playing a direct role in the conflict. Meanwhile, Russia has been providing air support for pro-Assad ground operations since 2015. Western commentators, including officials in the Trump administration, have variously accused Russia and Iran of ignoring or actively facilitating human rights abuses by the Assad regime, including an April chemical weapons attack that killed at least 80 people in a rebel-controlled civilian area. As the Associated Press points out, Ambassador Haleys comments to the House panel came shortly after the White House had issued a warning to Syria regarding alleged preparations for another such chemical attack. The article specified that Pentagon officials had confirmed the intelligence underlying that warning, involving particular movements at the same Syrian air base that had been used as the staging area for the previous chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said of Assad that he and his military will pay a heavy price if they follow through with apparent plans for another mass murder attack using chemical weapons. But the AP quoted Haley as saying that the administrations remarks were not intended only for Assad, but also for Russia and Iran. Both of the Syrian allies joined in denying Assads responsibility for the attacks, with some officials insisting that the chemical weapons had originated in a rebel warehouse at the site of a conventional military airstrike. The dispute over this issue and the subsequent US cruise missile strike on Shayrat air base can be seen as early examples of the escalation between Iranian allies and adversaries which is still going on to this day. In fact, Haleys effort to fold Russia and Iran into a warning directed more explicitly against Syria is reminiscent of an incident earlier in June wherein a member of Irans Revolutionary Guard said that a ballistic missile strike on eastern Syria had been intended largely as a warning to the US and Saudi Arabia. Those two traditional adversaries of the Islamic Republic have been expanding relations under the Trump administration, sometimes with explicit reference to shared anxieties over expanding Iranian influence and meddling in the broader Middle East. President Trumps visit to Riyadh in May for an Arab-US summit coincided with the signing of trade agreements that included 110 billion dollars in arms sales to the Arab Kingdom. But at the same time that the White House is openly siding with Saudi Arabia and its regional allies against the Iranian regime, it does not appear to be giving up on the prospect of improved relations with Russia. In fact, the Western strategy for a political solution to the Syrian Civil War seems to presently involve the expectation that Russia can be encouraged to rein in the Islamic Republic and prevent it from further sabotaging ceasefire agreements. Recent developments have cast doubt upon the practicality of this strategy however. As the US has taken a more direct role in defending rebel groups, even resorting to the shoot-down of at least two military controlled drones and a Syrian warplane, Russia has responded by threatening to target US aircraft and to halt the use of a hotline intended to prevent mid-air collisions between the multiple powers operating in the skies over Syria. Haleys comments on Tuesday were indicative of a roughly matching increase in American criticism of Russia. And this criticism was not limited to the issue of chemical weapons. Haley also explained that Russias position on the UN Security Council allowed it to stymie US efforts to sanctions Iran and hold it to account for ongoing misbehavior in matters including the development of the Iranian nuclear program. [The Iranians are] going to continue their nuclear capabilities and we just gave them a lot of money to do it with, Haley said, referring to the 2015 nuclear agreement that President Trump has described as the worst deal ever negotiated. She went on to highlight concerns about Irans sponsorship of terrorism, suggesting that nuclear weapons could find their way into the hands of terrorist groups at some point in the future, and that Russia would effectively prevent the US and its allies from doing anything to stop this. Yes, we would love to sanction Iran; and, yes we will continue to be loud about it; and, yes, Russia will veto it, Haley said, according to the Washington Examiner. But this is not to say that the Trump administration has positively brought an end to its strategy of attempting to improve relations with Russia. In fact, various reports suggest that this endeavor is even standing in the way of congressional legislation aimed at increasing national-level sanctions on both Iran and Russia. The Countering Irans Destabilizing Activities Act passed the Senate two weeks ago by a margin of 98 to 2, but it was subsequently stalled in the House on procedural grounds, leading Democrats to argue that the House Republican leadership was trying to protect the presidents Russian agenda. The prospects for resolution appeared to grow dimmer on Tuesday when the Washington Post reported that energy lobbyists were urging lawmakers to reevaluate the bill on the grounds that its restrictions on doing business with Russian companies could have a punishing effect on American firms and foreign firms doing business in the US. These objections could bolster the prospects of the House leadership sending the bill to various committees for review and markup a process that could delay a final vote by months. As it concerns Iran, the bill would include sanctions on Irans ballistic missile activities and also extend all terrorism-related sanctions to the Revolutionary Guard Corps, for which Trump has urged designation as a foreign terrorist organization. This position has not changed, and it seems that neither has the Trump administrations hardline approach to Iran policy. Some have suggested that the emerging policy is pointing in the direction of regime change, though this has not become a declared position as yet. The Washington Examiner pointed out that one member of the House panel on foreign operations, Republican Representative Hal Rogers, had directly raised the prospect of regime change on Tuesday, asking Nikki Haley whether it is an option. The ambassadors only response was I dont know. This coming Saturday, the National Council of Resistance of Iran will hold its annual Free Iran rally, which will include explicit calls for regime change driven by a domestic opposition movement within the Islamic Republic. The event is expected to be attended by tens of thousands of Iranian expatriates, plus hundreds of policymakers and experts from the US, Europe, and throughout the world. Notably, these dignitaries will include figures with close ties to the Trump administration, such as John Bolton, who served the second Bush administration in the position now occupied by Haley. At this event, the Iranian people and the popular resistance movement will raise their voices to call for regime change in Iran. This message is also widely endorsed by policymakers around the world. Hundreds of dignitaries from across the globe will attend the event. aIt also brings together critics of the totalitarian theocracy, including those whom the regime has brutally suppressed over the past 38 years. Iranian people who have been executed by the regime during those years, including who were merely affiliated with the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK), which is now the largest constituent group in the NCRI coalition,are represented by the NCRI, Also represented are the people who have fled their homeland, and those who continue to live in Iran under religious dictatorship, yet support the PMOI (MEK) at great risk to themselves. At this years gathering, messages from the network of MEK activists in Iran will be showcased, These people use whatever means possible to advance the cause of regime change, and the pro-democratic 10-point plan of NCRI President Maryam Rajavi. Additionally, this event gives an opportunity for former political prisoners who have fled the country to tell their stories of the tortures and abuses, and reach an international audience. The gathering is especially important as new policies are being advanced regarding the danger that Iranian regime poses to global security and the stability of the Middle East.This is an historical moment, when assertive policies regarding the regime in Iran are being reviewed the world over. The central message of this years grand gathering is that regime change is a real possibility in Iran, and there are many features of the rally itself that highlight that message, writes Shahin Gobadi, imember of Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the Parliament in exile of the Iranian Resistance. in an article for Al-Arabiya. Two years after the nuclear agreement, all the expectations for improvement on political and economic have not materialized. The number of protests over economic desperation has increased among the population. Meanwhile, Tehran is experiencing internal feuding. It is also facing an unprecedented international and regional isolation, following the Riyadh summit. This trend of events has made the resistance activists more optimistic. That regime change is a real possibility in Iran, is the message of this years grand gathering, and many features of the rally highlight that message, like its size, as tens of thousands of Iranian expats are expected to travel to Villepinte for the rally, based on numbers from the previous few years. As well, the event will be broadcast around the world, including in Iran, and its resonance is so strong in Iran that even political prisoners are sending out messages of solidarity. The Iranian people will witness policymakers from the United States, Britain, France, and the Middle East deliver speeches in support of the Iranian Resistance and the cause of regime change by the Iranian people and their organized resistance. The NCRI has argued that neither appeasement of the regime, nor foreign military intervention, are solutions for Irans problems. Their solution is to support the Iranian people and their organized opposition movement to bring about regime change. Western governments have instead chosen economic relations with the regime, while attempting to sideline the Resistance, but that era hopefully has come to an end. Recognizing the Resistance movement is a viable option for the US and other western powers, who can now achieve change and stand with the Iranian people as they stand for liberty. The Ontario Securities Commission s (OSC) imposition of a multimillion-dollar penalty on Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has made it official: all five of Canadas biggest banks have admitted to charging their clients excess fees for investment products like mutual funds.The settlement, which has RBC reimbursing $21.5 million to affected clients and paying $975,000 to the OSC for investigation costs and other charges, is the latest in a trend of similar findings and penalties that has been ongoing for the past few years, according to CBC News.While in all cases, the banks paid back the money and the OSC found no evidence of dishonest conduct, one critic has chosen to see the trend as a symptom of a broken banking investment industry.Every [big] bank was doing it. It's not like this is a one-off, financial advisor and banking industry critic Robb Engen told CBC News. According to him, lack of oversight of investment services at banks could lead to investor clients being overcharged to increase profits.The series of confessions started in 2014 with TD Bank , which came forward following OSC staff allegations of inadequacies in the banks controls and supervision system. At the time, the OSC said those gaps resulted in clients paying excess fees, which were not detected or corrected in a timely manner a problem that had been going on for over a decade at the time.TD agreed to a no-contest settlement, paying more than $13.5 million to clients who were overcharged. Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal (BMO), the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and RBC followed suit with similar admissions.Engen said that it was no accident that all the big banks did it. While the banks would never condone intentional overcharging, the lack of oversight and the fact that investment advisors operate in a fee-based industry could make it very tempting to charge customers excessively.The incentives are all aligned to the industry and how to make the most money from an investor's portfolio. And it's really sad to see, he said.However, other experts were more charitable. According to Carleton University business professor Ian Lee, the findings of the OSC at TD just indicated sloppiness.I don't think there was any kind of attempt to defraud the public, said Lee, who worked in the banking industry for ten years back in the 70s and 80s. It's much more a case where nobody did any internal due diligence and said, 'What on earth are we doing this for?' And finally somebody did and said, 'Oh my god, we're screwing up big time.'With better technology and tighter scrutiny from regulators and the media, the big banks had more motivation to do internal investigations and self-report. That internal due diligence check was what caught it," he said.For Glen Rankin , a financial advisor at Assante Wealth Management , the big banks self-reporting following the TD Bank revelations is a good sign. At least they're coming clean and showing that they have good intentions and they're trying to fix the problem, not hide the problem, he said.For more of Wealth Professional's latest industry news, click here Pamphlets are being distributed, and a great many posters, as well as graffiti, decorate dozens of towns and cities. Prominently featured, are images of NCRI leaders Maryam and Massoud Rajavi, along with slogans which translate as saying, My vote regime change, down with Khamenei, our choice Maryam Rajavi. Hundreds of videos and photos have been taken of these incidents, and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)/Peoples Mujahedeen Organization of Iran (MEK) have compiled many of them into a video. In Iran, demonstrations like these pose a great risk to the people who participate in them. The NCRI/MEK has been outlawed as a terrorist group and the Iranian regime executes hundreds of people each year political and security crimes. On Wednesday, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman referred to the NCRI as a hypocrite cult. The acts of defiance in Iran emphasize the fact that this regime and all its factions have no legitimacy whatsoever and that the July 1 gathering represents the will of the people of Iran, the NCRIs secretariat stated. Preparations continue for Saturdays Free Iran rally in northeast Paris, where more than 100,000 attendees are expected, including a group of prominent bi-partisan American supporters, politicians from European and Middle East countries, and tens of thousands of Iranian expats from around the world. Last year, a senior member of the Saudi royal family spoke at the rally, calling for the overthrow of the clerical regime in Tehran. A promotional video for this years event, says it will be a gathering for a free Iran, against terrorism and extremism in the name of Islam; a call for a stand against the Iranian regimes destructive regional interference role; and a call for a new approach to the theocracy ruling Iran. The theme for 2017 is, Onward with the Iranian Resistance, Regime Change within Reach. A delegation of the Syrian opposition is expected to be among the guests, as Iran is one of the main players assisting the Assad regime. A signed statement of support from many high-profile Americans who are scheduled to attend, was released this week. It accuses the regime of responsibility for the instability and crisis in the region today. The statement pledges support for change in Iran, saying, We believe that change is within reach, not only because the regime is becoming engulfed in crisis, but also because there is a large and growing movement organizing for positive change, and in reference to the NCRI, it continues, A viable organization capable of ending the nightmare of religious dictatorship by establishing freedom and democracy, tolerance, and gender equality has steadily gained visibility, popular support and international recognition. The signatories also said that, [t]he obligation to stand up to this corrupt and illegitimate regime and say no more rests with the Iranian people alone. However, they added, the international community must meet its responsibility by condemning the mullahs oppression and embracing the Iranian peoples aspirations for a free and prosperous Iran accepted and respected around the world. Included in the signatories are former ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Democratic senator and United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI) chairman Joe Lieberman, former Pennsylvania governor and Democratic National Committee chairman Ed Rendell, former Marine Corps commander Gen. (Ret.) James Conway, and former Multi-National Force Iraq commander and U.S. Army chief of staff Gen. George Casey. These men are also scheduled to speak on Saturday. Although the NCRI/MEK was a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, the acting Secretary of State in 2012, Hillary Clinton, delisted it, citing its renunciation of violence and the absence of confirmed acts of terrorism by the MEK for more than a decade. Two weeks ago, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and said it was administrations policy to work toward support of those elements inside of Iran that would lead to a peaceful transition of that government. He added, Those elements are there certainly, as we know. Tehran and wrote a letter to the U.N., accusing Tillerson of violating international law and the United Nations Charter, in what it called a brazen interventionist plan to change the government. John Bolton tweeted, The only long-term solution to the threat Iran poses in the Middle East is, indeed, regime change, in reaction to a news story on Irans complaint to the U.N. There are ways of supporting the efforts of the Iranian opposition that do not involve the use of American force, he added in a later post on Twitter. By The Associated Press Jun. 28, 2017 | 09:19 PM | FRANKFORT, KY Kentucky's Republican House speaker has appointed a bipartisan committee to investigate the state's road funding woes. Jeff Hoover appointed six Republicans and three Democrats to the Working Group on Kentucky's Transportation Infrastructure. Hoover said Kentucky's road fund has declined by nearly $78 million since 2014, with state economists projecting another $25 million drop this year. The road fund is made up mostly of a tax on gasoline and has suffered recently from lower fuel prices and more fuel-efficient cars. Kentucky is scheduled to lose some federal toll credits in 2020 that will cost the state about $100 million per year. Hoover said he does not have a preconceived solution in mind but said the state should modernize its laws to account for things like electric cars that don't use gasoline. Loading... Sydney's loss will surely prove Bath's gain. After a (very) brief sojourn that never truly started Down Under, Jonathan Church takes over the imposing handle from Sir Peter Hall of artistic director of the Theatre Royal's summer season. In his first work he produces an assured take on David Hare's modern masterpiece Racing Demon. It possesses all the ingredients we've come to expect of theatre in this picturesque city; a high sheen set design from Simon Higlett that moves us around the south London boroughs where the play is located; a team sheet that runs deep and a star performer at the heart - in this case David Haig, a Bath regular that audiences flock to see. Yet where in the past these things have appeared there to distract from the occasional beige work going on, here it complements a play that, close to thirty years after its premiere, still feels like it has something relevant to say. When Hare originally took to exploring the state of the great institutions of Britain, things were in a different place. Now the Church of England, which is this play's focus, have seen women bishops ordained since 2012. Modernisation has slowly seeped in. Yet so many of the worries the institute and the characters articulate don't seem to have changed much, in many ways they have worsened. What is the role of the church when 53 per cent of the country at last poll define themselves as 'not religious', when the Sunday pulpits diminish further and further in number? What should we ask of our vicars, priests and bishops in a world where their relevance and power are fading further than ever? Haig's Rev Lionel Espy, is a decent unassuming man spiritually hollowed out by not being able to offer his parishioners or his loved ones the comfort they need. He doesn't connect in the way the church would like him to, his spirituality is questioned and any embers of love that he shared with his wife (Amanda Root making the most of a small role) seem to have fizzled out at the same time their children left the roost apparently never to return. Haig is probably known best for his genial demeanour that explodes into incandescent rage when pushed too far. Here that catharsis never takes place. The agony underneath is never let out. For one moment a hint of romance seems to change his energy, he floats with possibility, yet deep down he knows it can only be a dream. At another he receives a b*llocking standing stock still, the weight of the world bearing down on him. Yet he doesn't fight back with anger, he fights his battle with a calm determination of someone who believes in his divine rightness. A leading role that is genially passive is the hardest to pull off. It is to Haig's credit he constantly demands watching. His diametric opposite is a young reverend with ambition to bring God to the masses which brings him to the attention of the gruff Bishop of Southwark (Anthony Calf - boo hiss in his villainy). Rising star Paapa Essiedu isn't afraid to show the unpleasant, willing to sacrifice everything and anyone to further himself, yet still pulls sympathy when we realise what has brought him to where he is. His moment talking about God's purpose in taking his parents from him in a motorway accident is heart breaking. The anger wells up, God is the only thing he has left now, no wonder he is going out swinging for him. Having made his breakthrough in the Bristol playing Romeo, he adds another notch here, dominating the stage and standing shoulder to shoulder with heavyweights of character acting which also includes Ian Gelder and William Chubb. It's a strong start to a project that could make Bath a destination venue again and not just for its lovely walk along the Avon of a long summer evening. At Chichester, Church had the enviable knack of producing work that would make their way into the West End. Don't be surprised if this follows. Racing Demon plays at Theatre Royal Bath until 8 July. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/06/2017 (1962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A pregnant Winnipeg woman wants answers after she said her doctor accidentally gave her a drug thats commonly used in Canada for medical abortions. The mistake could have had serious consequences for Serissa McKays baby boy, due to be born July 16. Misoprostol is approved for treating stomach ulcers, although its commonly used in medical abortions and to induce labour, said family-planning specialist and McMaster University Prof. Dustin Costescu, because it softens the cervix and brings on contractions. It is clearly contraindicated in a setting of a wanted pregnancy, said Costescu. The Free Press was referred to him by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, which sets the countrys clinical standards. It is very effective at ending a pregnancy, regardless of gestational age. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Serissa McKay, who is 8 months pregnant, is concerned about her child after she said she was given the wrong drug by her doctor's receptionist that was meant to induce labor in a woman who had miscarried. McKay, who was 36 weeks pregnant, wasnt ready to give birth and didnt want to end her pregnancy when she went to a doctor appointment June 21. The 21-year-old first-time mother-to-be said she was scheduled for a routine pre-birth vaginal exam. Thats why she didnt think it was odd when the receptionist handed her two packets, each with four, small hexagon-shaped tablets and told her to put four of them into her vagina at that time and four in her vagina eight hours later. The odd part, McKay said, was when she got a phone call while she was in the washroom just after she had inserted the pills. She said the receptionist wanted to confirm she was in fact McKay, then asked her if shed already inserted the pills. When McKay told her she had, she said the receptionist told her to immediately come out and the doctor would remove them. She said the receptionist made her feel bad for not recognizing the pills or realizing they werent for her to take. The Free Press is not naming the doctor or clinic because neither party could be reached for comment Wednesday. It was actually pretty painful, McKay said of the removal process. McKay said the doctor carried on as if it was a routine appointment, asking her if she had any questions or concerns. What will happen? I took pills that I wasnt supposed to, so what should I watch for? McKay said she asked the doctor. She said the doctor told her to watch for cramping and signs of labour and admitted the drugs had been intended for a woman who had suffered a miscarriage. I was pretty much in shock, McKay said, It didnt really hit me until I actually got home. Costescu said McKays description of the pills matches misoprostol, as does the receptionists instructions to insert half now and the remaining pills eight hours later. The drug only comes in two doses 100 micrograms and 200 mg so at minimum McKay inserted 400 micrograms into her vagina, at most, 800 mg. Thats well above what Costescu said doctors would use if they were trying to induce someone. With labour induction at term, it can be used in as small as 25 to 50 mg, he says, So you use an eighth or even a 16th of the dose you use in first trimester. However, Costescu said its not common practice in Canada for doctors to use the drug to induce labour unless its a stillbirth. Studies have shown in cases where misoprostol is used but the fetus doesnt die, it can cause birth defects, he said. It can also cause stress to the baby by bringing on excessive contractions. In labour, contractions are necessary to deliver the baby, but too many can cause complications for the baby, up to and including demise. McKay and her partner, Daniel Monkman, are still in shock. He jumps every time she groans or aches or moves in a funny way, she said. McKay has filed a complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, which regulates the profession. The college did not return requests for comment from the Free Press Wednesday. McKays concerned neither the doctor nor clinic are taking her complaints seriously based on the conversations she said shes had in the last week. She said shes asked to switch doctors, but was told shed first have to speak with her doctor first. Even if she did switch, McKay said they told her the doctor could still wind up delivering her baby depending on when he arrives and which doctors are on call at the facility at the time. I dont want that at all, she said, fingers pressing into her belly. Her baby boy favours leaning deeply to one side or the other and is kicking more and more these days. Costescu said hes likely going to be fine since McKay hasnt had any reactions in the week since the accidental insertion. Thats probably because the doctor removed the pills so quickly. When inserted vaginally, misoprostol usually takes 40 to 60 minutes to take action, he said, with peak onset about one to two hours after. McKay is two weeks from her due date and is not comfortable with her doctor. Youre supposed to trust your doctor, McKay said. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority did not answer questions about policies on switching care providers in cases in which a patient has filed a complaint against a practitioner. Its something to be taken seriously, Costescu said. jane.gerster@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @Jane_Gerster Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/06/2017 (1961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Nearly five years after finding his soulmate, 53-year-old Tekhlu Beraki can finally bring his wife to Canada. On Wednesday, he convinced the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canadas appeal division his marriage to 34-year-old Ainom Weldegebrel is true love and not a scam. Shes smart, shes beautiful and shes a family woman she has a plan to establish a family, Beraki told adjudicator Benjamin Dolin at a hearing in Winnipeg. SUPPLIED Beraki and his wife, Ainom Weldegebrel, at their wedding in 2013. Beraki and Weldegebrel were married in May 2013 in Khartoum, Sudan, and Beraki helped her apply for a permanent resident visa to join him in Manitoba. A Canadian visa officer who interviewed his wife in July 2014 in Ethiopia decided she didnt know enough details about her husband, didnt have receipts for the cash he sent to support her and questioned their 19-year age difference. In August 2014, the visa officer ruled the marriage wasnt genuine, and rejected her application. Beraki was crushed. In the first 11 months, we were very hopeful. After the visa officer rejected her, it was financially draining and psychologically depressing, said Beraki, who had never before married or had children. I was more traumatized over the last three years than the last 24 years as a refugee, he testified Wednesday. While apart, hes been sending Weldegebrel $400 a month so she can study English to get ready for life in Canada, in addition to paying legal fees to try to overturn the visa officers decision. It was one more struggle for Beraki, who was forced by conflict to flee his home country, Eritrea, 33 years ago. I was a refugee in Sudan for 24 years before I came to Canada, he said, adding it wasnt a good time to marry or have children. The refugee life was really tough. His church played a big role during his time in Sudan and he formed lifelong friendships. After being privately sponsored to come to Canada in 2008, he arrived as a refugee. He worked as a security guard in the building on Broadway where Wednesdays hearing took place. He worked in construction and went to school and took a job as a support worker in Dauphin. He worked hard and saved money with the goal of finding a soulmate and starting a family. He didnt meet anyone compatible in Manitoba who spoke Tigrinya and was Pentecostal, Eritrean and ready to start a family. The best chance for me was to go back to Sudan, he said. Beraki told his friends, including a church pastor, he was going back hoping to find the love of his life in the 82 days of banked vacation time hed saved up. He arrived in Khartoum in April 2013. Within a few days, friends of Berakis pastor hosted a traditional coffee ceremony at their home where he met Weldegebrel. The then-30-year-old hairdresser from Eritrea was working as a janitor in Khartoum and had never married or had children. In addition to being attractive, her values appealed to Beraki. We believe in having a good faith, he said. Shes a dedicated church member. They socialized and Beraki became convinced she was the one. When he proposed to her, she took three days before saying yes, he said. They were married May 25, 2013. They had 400 guests attend the wedding at the brides church, as the grooms pastor had invited his church members and their families, said Beraki, who paid for the wedding and a professional photographer. The photos of guests were one of the reasons the visa officer suspected the wedding was a sham, transcripts show. When he interviewed Weldegebrel, he asked if she knew them. She replied honestly she did not. CAROL SANDERS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Tekhlu Beraki says he expected the immigration board to approve his wifes visa on appeal. When the visa officer asked if she didnt think the age gap between her and her spouse was huge, she replied: It does not matter. When he asked what they talk about, she said: Life. When he asked again what the couple liked to talk about, she said: Schooling because her husband was encouraging her to take language classes. Beraki said the Canadian visa officer who travelled to Addis Ababa from Nairobi to interview his wife lacked an understanding of their culture and conservative values and how their system of transferring money works. When he sends money to her, he receives a printed receipt, but she does not. When asked what Beraki would do if his wife was not allowed to come to Canada, Beraki said hed be forced to deport myself to Africa and join her. At the hearing, several failed attempts were made to connect Weldegebrel who now lives in Kampala, Uganda with a Tigrinya-speaking IRB interpreter based in Vancouver. After hearing Berakis testimony, though, the lawyer representing the federal government and the IRB adjudicator agreed they were was satisfied the marriage is genuine and they did not need to hear from Weldegebrel. The credibility of the appellant goes a long way in affirming how the relationship developed, Dolin said. He was a thoughtful and intelligent witness He does not believe she is duping him or using him to get to Canada. Beraki proved their marriage was a genuine relationship, said Dolin, who overturned the visa officers decision. Best of luck, he wished Beraki, who broke into a big smile and pumped his fist in the air after the case adjourned. I expected the decision, he said, eager to leave the hearing room and call his wife with the good news. Weldegebrel will have to go through another security check and health screening before shes granted a permanent resident visa, Beraki said. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/06/2017 (1961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Premier Brian Pallister declared Thursday morning he can go forever without signing a health-care deal with Ottawa. Manitoba remains the lone holdout on signing the federal health accord. A feisty Pallister said the deal should not be called an accord because no negotiations have taken place. JOHN WOODS / CANADIAN PRESS FILES 'For me to sign on to a health-care deal that's dangerous for Manitoba would be wrong,' Premier Brian Pallister said. Im not signing on to it because its dangerous for health care, dangerous for Manitobans, the premier told reporters. We can go forever because its a bad deal, a dangerous deal. Health Minister Jane Philpott was not available Thursday to discuss what if anything is happening with the negotiations. But federal officials said that what Pallister is putting at risk is the provinces share of $11 billion over the next 10 years for mental health care and home care. That money is not targetted to specifics, said a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Theres a wide range of services that can be offered at Manitobas discretion. Regardless of him signing, there will still be three per cent a year in increased federal health transfers. Philpotts press secetary, Andrew MacKendrick, issued a brief statement which did not specifically address the state of negotiations between Ottawa and Manitoba: We have made an historic $11 billion offer to the provinces and territories to provide better health care for all Canadians and we have been able to reach agreements with all 12 other jurisdictions. It is our hope that we will be able to reach agreement with Manitoba to ensure Manitobans see the benefits of these investments in home care and mental health. Earlier this spring, Pallister said he was prepared to sign on to the accord if Ottawa gave Manitoba additional money for indigenous health care particularly to combat diabetes and kidney disease and if the federal government guaranteed it would proceed with the factory of the future research facility in Winnipeg. Pallister later said he also wanted additional federal money to deal with the opioid crisis. Any province that does not sign on stands to lose additional funding for mental health and for home care above the three per cent in health transfers Ottawa is willing to pay. Under the previous federal government, Ottawa paid 25 per cent of health-care costs and the provinces covered 75 per cent now the feds are covering 19 per cent in Manitoba and that number is on its way down to 15 per cent, Pallister said. For me to sign on to a health-care deal thats dangerous for Manitoba would be wrong, Pallister said. NDP health critic Matt Wiebe said that the premier is playing political games while his chance to negotiate a better deal for Manitoba is long gone. This is the most infammatory language weve heard from the premier on this yet, Wiebe said in an interview. Theres a lot at stake here. Wiebe said Pallister keeps setting goalposts, then moving them. Ottawa is not meeting its health care obligations, Wiebe said, but nevertheless, Pallister needs to get a deal done. There are really issues here mental health, home care that Manitobans need. Throughout estimates hearings with Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen, Wiebe said, he tried to determine at what point Manitoba will lose its first year of shared federal funding for mental health and home care, but couldnt get a clear answer. The issue came up at the end of Pallisters news conference on Manitoba remaining a holdout on a proposed national carbon-pricing plan. Pallister did not take any further questions. nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/06/2017 (1962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Two Manitoba Public Insurance centres in the province will close this fall as a cost-saving measure but MPI says there will be no employee layoffs and no interruption to services. The Pacific Avenue Service Centre and the Flin Flon Claim Centre will both close as of Oct. 31, 2017. MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said employees from the Pacific Avenue centre will be given jobs at other MPI service centres and services will be transitioned to other service locations in Winnipeg. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES He said there also wont be layoffs at the Flin Flon centre but he could not say what the current employees would do once the centre closes. The Flin Flon centre is already operating on a part-time basis of two days a week. Closure of these two locations will result in operating cost savings of nearly $400,000 annually without affecting service to customers, Smiley said. These two closures are part of MPIs ongoing commitment to streamline operations, adjust service delivery to meet customer needs, and reduce operating costs for the benefit of all rate payers. In the past 11 years, MPI has closed 17 locations with no negative impact to customer service. He said the Pacific Avenue centre had the lowest number of appointment and non-appointment based customer visits in Winnipeg. Employees from the Pacific location will be reassigned to more frequently-used service centres as demand for services in other locations continues to grow. This allows us to better serve Manitobans with adequate and efficient customer service at preferred service locations, Smiley said. He said service levels for Winnipeg customers will be maintained because people can get service from three other MPI centres in the vicinity. This Pacific Avenue service relocation will not impact Manitoba Public Insurances current service levels. Customers booking appointment-based services will be offered service at any of the other Winnipeg Service Centre locations, including alternate locations in the north end (Main Street), north east (Gateway) and west end (King Edward). Non-appointment driver licensing and insurance services can be obtained as usual at Autopac agencies in the Pacific service area. In Flin Flon, vehicle estimating and driver testing services were already being provided through regular visitations from the MPI Service Centre in The Pas, Smiley said. There will be no employee layoffs in Flin Flon and services to the community will continue to be provided through regular visitations from the MPI Service Centre in The Pas. Insurance and licence transactions will continue to be available from Autopac agencies in the community, he said. Smiley said it is anticipated that visitations by The Pas staff would likely occur several times per week, but would depend on customer demand/appointment volumes. Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU) president Michelle Gawronsky expressed disappointment over the closures. This cut will leave Manitobans, especially those living in the North, with even fewer options and longer distances to travel to access this service, she said in a statement. She noted that Flin Flon residents will have to travel 140 km to The Pas if they need to access MPI services outside of visitations from The Pas staff. The premier (Brian Pallister) ran on a commitment to protect and invest in public services and here we are again, looking at another cut to services. Its disappointing that the premier isnt living up to that promise he made, Gawronsky stated. MPI would not say how many employees work at the two claim centres, citing confidentiality rules. The MGEU said it has 27 members at the Pacific Avenue centre and one at the Flin Flon centre. ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/06/2017 (1961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Winnipeg Police Service is reminding people attending Canada 150 celebrations throughout the city to prepare for large crowds and if youre driving a car to The Forks to expect long delays. Like most of the country, Winnipeg is expecting record crowds in honour of the countrys sesquicentennial, Const. Rob Carver told reporters Thursday, necessitating some extra planning and additional police officers. We want to be right where the crowds are, said Carver. That means revellers at Assiniboine Park, Osborne Village and The Forks can expect a heavier police presence Saturday than normal. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files) He stressed it doesnt mean police have any specific concerns leading up to Canada Day. Large crowds bring complexities. Carver declined to answer questions about what additional resources police would be employing July 1, saying only there would be numerous additional police officers, although for obvious security reasons, he couldnt provide a precise number. People planning to drive to watch the fireworks at The Forks should expect to have to wait at least 30 minutes or longer to drive out after, since police will be allowing pedestrians to exit the area first, Carver said. Police also reminded people open liquor is not allowed in public areas and people should pick meeting places with their groups ahead of time just in case they get lost in the crowds. Anyone who sees something that doesnt look right is reminded they can call 204-986-6222, flag down an officer or call 911. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/06/2017 (1961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba will seek a legal opinion from constitutional experts about whether the federal government has the right to impose carbon-pricing on the province. We will introduce a made-in-Manitoba plan, Premier Brian Pallister told reporters Thursday. We want to do it on our terms. Theres no respect being shown here for previous investments and future investments. Pallister believes Ottawa cannot morally kibosh a Manitoba green plan, and he wants to know whether Ottawa can legally impose a plan on the entire country. JOHN WOODS / CANADIAN PRESS FILES 'We want to do it on our terms,' Premier Brian Pallister said today. They (Ottawa) asked for a response by the end of June, and here it is, the premier said. Were not going to court here, he said, but noted taking the issue to the Supreme Court remains a possibility. Manitoba wants credit in any carbon tax plan for the billions of dollars of investment in clean energy through Manitoba Hydro, to the point 98 per cent of our power comes from clean, renewable hydroelectricity, Pallister said. We take some exception to the federal governments not recognizing what Manitobans have already done. Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna warned shell table legislation this fall that penalizes polluters. Making polluters pay is an important part of any serious climate plan. Four in five Canadians already live in a province that prices pollution, McKenna said in a formal statement. We will work with Manitoba to find a solution that works for the province while also meeting federal minimum requirements. This fall, we will introduce legislation to price pollution in jurisdictions that do not have their own broad-based pricing systems. This legislation will be consistent with Canadas constitution, she said. Applying the price evenly across Canada will reduce pollution at the lowest cost to business and consumers, and support innovation and clean growth, said McKenna. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not directly answer a question Thursday on whether he is confident the federal plan is legally sound. He said Canadians want action taken on climate change, especially those in Manitoba grappling with extreme weather events and flooding. We know that we will continue to work constructively with all premiers on showing the kind of leadership that Canadians expect, Trudeau said. Pallister said it would be premature to release the provinces entire plan without first knowing the constitutional legalities involved. If it wasnt that complex, Id give you an instant answer, he said. Internally, among top advisers, the constitutionality of the federal plan is getting mixed reviews, but the provincial governments legal department has no experts in constitutional matters, Pallister said. The premier said Manitoba does support a national green plan, but Ottawas uniform approach of $50 for each ton of emissions imposes a hardship on Manitobas economy, especially on agriculture and transportation. Whats good for St. Johns might not work for St. James, Pallister said. New Democrats denounced Pallisters strategy. This is a silly, silly step by our premier, MLA Rob Altemeyer said. Everyones known for 10 months that the federal carbon pricing plan was coming, and at the last minute the premier suddenly needs to learn about the constitution, Altemeyer said. He said that Pallister is jeopardizing tens of millions of federal dollars that could make Manitoba even greener. All that the province needs do is provide some form of rebate to low-income Manitobans who would be vulnerable to an additional tax on home heating. Pallister just isnt in the 21st century yet. They put it in their platform that they were OK with carbon pricing we should be embracing this initiative, Altemeyer said. Pallister drew applause from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Its wrong for Trudeau to impose a carbon tax scheme that disregards huge investments in hydro power and damages the economy, said prairie director Todd MacKay. nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/06/2017 (1962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Pallister government is continuing to roll out major changes to Manitobas health care system. On Wednesday, it announced the creation of a new provincial organization that will oversee an array of provincial health services and reduce administrative duplication within the provinces five regional health authorities. Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen told a news conference that the role of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority will be scaled back. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen at the health care announcement Wednesday at the HSC. Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen says a new entity called Shared Health Services Manitoba will take over management of ambulance services, diagnostic imaging, emergency services and more from the five regional authorities. Over the years, he said, it has taken on so many different responsibilities that it has grown to become in many ways the Department of Health. In the future, the minister said, the WRHA will stick to its original role in delivering health services to patients. We need to plan provincially and deliver locally, Goertzen said in announcing the creation of the new provincial entity to be called Shared Health Services Manitoba. The plan is to have it up and running by April 1 of next year. Shared Health will be headed by Dr. Brock Wright, currently the WRHAs senior vice-president and chief medical officer. Goertzen said that Wright will also oversee the overall transformation of the provincial health care system. Wright said the new organization will provide provincial leadership in major health specialty areas and will organize teams of health professionals that will look at the most cost-effective ways of delivering high quality patient care across Manitoba. The new entity will also co-ordinate the recruitment and retention of health professionals for the benefit of patients across Manitoba, he said. Why should that expertise be available only to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority when it could be working and supporting all of the health authorities and adding to the cost-effectiveness of the system? Wright said. We are going to centrally manage clinical functions and non-clinical functions where it makes sense to do so, he said. The benefits of better provincial co-ordination will mean fewer patients will have to travel to Winnipeg to receive health care, Wright said. He said there will be benefits for Winnipeggers, who should see wait times for service improve. Under the new system, Manitobas largest hospital, the Health Sciences Centre, will fall under the umbrella of Shared Health Services Manitoba, rather than the WRHA. So will Childrens Hospital. Goertzen said creation of the new provincial organization stems from recommendations by outside consultant Dr. David Peachey and a health care sustainability review conducted by KPMG. The province has refused to release the latter study. In April, the government and the WRHA announced a massive reorganization of the citys hospital system that will begin to take effect this fall. It includes closing three hospital emergency rooms along with Misericordias urgent care centre. Proponents of the reorganization say the changes will lead to a more effective and efficient system. Goertzen wouldnt speculate on how many jobs might be lost or how much money could be saved in the latest provincial health initiative. I will never apologize for efficiencies he said, adding they usually result in a better system and better care. NDP health critic Matt Wiebe accused the minister of disrupting the health care system without explaining to Manitobans why hes doing it. The minister is making massive changes to our health care system, causing disruption and sowing confusion, based on reports the premier refuses to release to the public, Wiebe said in a prepared statement. Manitobans cannot understand why these changes are being made, unless the premier and his minister stop misleading and release the reports Manitobans paid for, said the NDP health critic. The minister could not clearly explain how creating a new organization, shuffling responsibilities, and cutting more health care professionals will result in better patient care, he said. Lanette Siragusa, provincial lead for clinical and preventive services planning and oversight, said northern and rural Manitoba will benefit from the new system. There will be better access to specialists for Manitobans, wherever they may live, she said. We can recruit and retain health care professionals together as one province rather than have five different regions compete for the same people, Siragusa said. Meanwhile, the administrative burden on regional health authorities will be eased, she said, so staff can focus on patient care rather than generate redundant policy and guidelines on the same topic. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/06/2017 (1962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. With civil war and famine ravaging their homeland, a group of South Sudanese refugees in Winnipeg is urging Manitobans to donate before more people die. Until June 30, the federal government will match donations made to registered Canadian charities that are responding to humanitarian crises in several African nations. The money will go to its Famine Relief Fund. The fund was launched in May to address the hunger crisis involving more than 20 million people in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen. BEN WALDMAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Mary Choul (from left), Rebecca Deng, Mary Nyuon and Martha Dut are urging Canadians to donate to end famine in South Sudan. The federal government is matching donations until Friday. Its the largest humanitarian crisis since 1945, said Cathy Campbell, a board member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and founding member of the Winnipeg Womens Resource Centre in Bor, a non-profit with operations in the large South Sudanese city. At least two people per 10,000 have to be dying every day of starvation to count as a famine, Campbell said Wednesday. If the crisis were in Winnipeg, Campbell said, it would be equal to roughly 140 adults dying each day. Whats happening in South Sudan is an extraordinary crisis, she said. South Sudan, which is in northeastern Africa, became a country six years ago and is caught in a bloody civil war. Rebecca Deng, the centres chairwoman, implored Canadians to take action. I went through it, said Deng, referring to famine, war and the loss of family. And I cannot be quiet if Im here. When war broke out in the region in 1983, Dengs family was forced to flee. Her father was captured, her mother died and in the midst of the conflict, exacerbated by starvation, she went to Ethiopia as a lost girl. Three decades after Deng began her trek to Canada, millions are still dealing with the same problems that caused her to leave. Groups such as the Foodgrains Bank are working hard to provide food to those in need. In the past year, the Winnipeg-based agency provided $41 million in assistance to about 900,000 people in 35 countries. It is one of the Canadian governments official partners for providing emergency food assistance. Guests at an event in Winnipeg Wednesday sampled PlumpyNut, an inexpensive peanut-based whey protein paste distributed by the Foodgrains Bank, World Relief Canada and the World Food Program. Its designed to help children double their body weight in a few weeks. The paste is one of several life-saving foods the organizations can provide to northeast Africa as donations are made. BEN WALDMAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Plumpy'nut is an inexpensive peanut-based whey protein paste that can save starving children in South Sudan and around the world. The group of refugees at WestEnd Commons knows all too well how much the food is needed. Mary Choul spent six years in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, beginning in 2001. In the UN-funded camp, refugees rationed the delivered food because there was no way to tell when the next shipment would arrive. Choul and her family ate one meal a day. Sometimes, dinner was flour boiled in water. There was nothing else to eat. In 1991, Mary Nyuon walked eight days to escape war in Ethiopia while she was pregnant. For several days, Nyuon didnt eat, and when she reached the South Sudanese border, she gave birth to a baby girl. Zara was born underneath a tree while soldiers surrounded Nyuon as protection. But Zara wouldnt nurse and died nine days later. Nyuon carried Zara for seven hours before she could finally bury her. To keep her son alive, Nyuon sold Zaras clothes for food. One of Martha Duts children died shortly after being born in a refugee camp, and she remembers watching 10-year-olds dig graves for their own parents. People look different when theyre hungry, she said. Deng and Robert Granke, the outgoing chairman of the Foodgrains Bank, asked for increased government support. We can make an end of hunger if we put our hands together and act, Deng said. ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca MATTOON -- Members of Concerned Taxpayers of Coles County are starting a petition drive to target what they say is "corruption" in county government. The group held an informational meeting Wednesday night in Mattoon's Burgess-Osborne Auditorium regarding Coles County's reassessment of commercial and industrial property. Some members of the group filed a lawsuit in federal court June 9 against the Coles County Board. At the informational meeting Wednesday, Erick Kaardal, a Minnesota attorney who's said much of his work addresses legal issues with governments and who is representing the taxpayers against the county, said property owners in Mattoon Township received unequal treatment from the county. "This is a violation of the U.S. Constitution," Kaardal said. "This is an extraordinary lawsuit. I expect a dog fight." DiNaso spoke at length during the meeting, which drew about 40 people. He presented information he said was largely gleaned through Freedom of Information Act requests to the county. "We have a serious problem here in Coles County with our local government," DiNaso said. "We're going to hold them accountable. "They need to resign. We need to vote good people in," he said. Multiple business owners said they understand paying their share of taxes but they believe they have been treated unfairly by the county. "We don't have a problem paying our fair share," Dukeman said. Perry said, "We didn't want the fight. We got the fight." Among those attending the meeting were Terry and Jan Kroening, Mattoon taxpayers who own buildings including the downtown site of the Sears Hometown store and who formerly operated Downtown Diner, said they are discouraged by the alleged actions on this matter by the county board. "We feel singled out for our taxes," Jan Kroening said. "We have really tried to bring that downtown back." Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/06/2017 (1961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Things could get ugly out there. Potentially dangerous thunderstorms will form Thursday afternoon moving from southwestern Manitoba east into the Interlake including the Arborg-Riverton area, according to the Weather Network. A cold front will trigger the thunderstorms, and some may become severe with possible damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy rain. There is also a risk of a severe thunderstorm in Winnipeg. The Weather Network reminds the public that severe thunderstorms can also produce tornadoes. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/06/2017 (1962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The man accused of killing 15-year-old Tina Fontaine has dropped his misconduct complaint against the Winnipeg Police Service. Raymond Cormier, 55, is charged with second-degree murder in the high-profile homicide case that made international headlines and helped spur a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls across the country. Although he previously claimed police fabricated evidence against him, Cormiers complaint was withdrawn Wednesday, ending a months-long court process as the murder case prepares to go to trial. Kavawood lawyer Alan Hogg, who appeared in court on behalf of the firm representing Cormier, said he could not comment on why Cormier decided to withdraw his complaint. A publication ban on the officer named in the complaint remains in effect even though the complaint is now withdrawn. Raymond Cormier The second-degree murder case is headed directlly to trial, skipping a preliminary hearing that would have illustrated the evidence against Cormier prior to the trial. Cormiers defence lawyer, Tony Kavanagh, previously told the Free Press the focus of Cormiers LERA complaint was that he felt the police had taken advantage of him, and that his client was upset at not having a preliminary inquiry. He was looking forward to the opportunity to see what the evidence was in person, and his belief is that his rights have been sort of pulled away from him, Kavanagh said at the time. Tinas body was pulled from the Red River in August 2014, and Cormier was arrested more than a year later after a lengthy Winnipeg Police Service investigation. Police used an undercover sting operation that eventually led to Cormiers arrest in Vancouver on Dec. 9, 2015. Following his arrest, Cormier claimed police fabricated evidence against him and filed a complaint with the Law Enforcement Review Agency. During a court appearance by video last fall, Cormier made several allegations against the police, saying the whole case in general is part of the problem as to why hes been accused of second-degree murder. This is not a trivial matter, he said at the time. Its extended beyond police fabricating evidence. Cormier has since spoken publicly about the police investigation and the accusations against him, telling the CBC They dont have a case. Meanwhile, the second-degree murder case is headed to a trial that is scheduled to begin Jan. 29, 2018. Local TV stations requested permission to broadcast the trial a move that would have been the first of its kind in Manitoba but that request was withdrawn just before it was to be argued in court. CTV, CBC, Global and APTN asked to be allowed to bring cameras into court in an application filed this spring, pushing for broadcast because of what they described as a high degree of public interest in the case and in transparency in the court system in general. Unions representing lawyers were opposed to the idea, citing safety concerns for lawyers. The Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys, the Legal Aid Lawyers Association and the Attorney General of Manitoba all filed objections to the broadcasters request to record and broadcast the trial. The request was withdrawn at the end of May, before it could be argued in front of a judge. A criminal trial has never been broadcast in Manitoba. TV cameras have been allowed in court on only six occasions in Manitoba so far. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/06/2017 (1961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. For many Irish people, the most striking thing about their new prime minister, Leo Varadkar, is that he is very young. (At 38, he is the countrys youngest leader ever.) Its mainly the foreign press that goes on about the fact he is a) half-Indian, and b) gay. Varadkar himself, the son of a doctor from India and a nurse from Ireland who met while working in a hospital in southern England, is definitely not keen on being seen as a symbol of changing public attitudes: Im not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician, for that matter. Its just part of who I am. It doesnt define me. No, it doesnt, but it is still worth focusing on for a moment to think about what it tells us, not just about Ireland but about the West as a whole and even about the world. PETER MORRISON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Leo Varadkar waves after being elected Irelands 14th Taoiseach (prime minister) at Leinster House, Dublin, earlier this month. Homosexuality was legalized in England in 1967, and it was decriminalized in Canada the following year (when Pierre Trudeau, then the justice minister, told the CBC theres no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation). It only became legal in Ireland a quarter-century later, in 1993. But two years ago, same-sex marriage was made legal in Ireland by a referendum in which 62 per cent of voters said yes. Well, we already knew Ireland had changed. It has lots of immigrants now one in every eight people is foreign-born and the political power of the Catholic Church has collapsed. So its no longer a surprise that an Indo-Irish gay man can become prime minister. But what about Serbia? The only immigrants in Serbia are ethnic Serbs who were stranded in other parts of former Yugoslavia after the breakup. The Serbian Orthodox Church is still strong, and it has no truck with degenerate Western ideas about human rights. As one Orthodox monk wrote: Homosexuality is not a problem in Serbia. There are hardly any gay people and society wouldnt permit them to organize or (publicly advocate) their abominations. Two-thirds of Serbians think homosexuality is an illness, and almost four-fifths believe gay people should stay in the closet. But Ana Brnabic is an out and proud lesbian, and she has just been appointed prime minister of Serbia. She is also of Croatian descent. How has this happened? Brnabic was appointed by Aleksandar Vucic, who was prime minister himself until he ascended to the presidency in last months election. The prime minister is constitutionally the most powerful person in the government, but Brnabic is a technocrat, not really a politician. It is widely expected she will concentrate on making the trains run on time so to speak and leave the sensitive political decisions to Vucic. The general assumption in Serbian political circles is Brnabics appointment is window-dressing. Serbia wants to join the European Union, and the government would quite like to divert the EUs attention from a few little image problems: its close ties with Russia, its hostility to refugees and rampant corruption. So what could be better than a female prime minister (a Serbian first) who is openly gay (another Serbian first) and even has foreign antecedents (her father was born in Croatia)? Why, the Serbs are even more enlightened than the Irish! We should make them full members of the EU as soon as possible! That may well be the plan and if it is, so what? The European Union knows there was a considerable amount of calculation behind Brnabics appointment, but it will not condemn President Aleksandar Vucic for trying to make Serbia look like a suitable candidate for EU membership. Lots of ordinary Serbs will be shocked by this assault on Serbian values, but many of them will understand it serves the national interest. And little by little, just because Brnabic is the prime minister, they will grow less uncomfortable with the notion of gays and indeed just women in general having a legitimate role in public life. This is how change really happens: not sudden enlightenment, but a gradual acceptance of new rules and values. And the most encouraging takeaway from this little story is that even a man such as Vucic, once an ally of the murderous demagogue Slobodan Milosevic, understands the new political and social rules of the West. They are not yet the new rules everywhere. Eastern Europe is way behind Western Europe, North America and Latin America, largely because it spent between 40 and 70 years isolated from the rest of the world under Communist rule. The struggle is still intense in parts of Asia, and it has scarcely begun in most of Africa and the Muslim world. Gay rights, feminism, human rights, in general, are not really Western values: a hundred years ago the West was just as intolerant of difference as everybody else. The change has come to the West earlier mainly because it is richer, but we are all travelling on the same train and the other end will pull into the station just a little bit later. Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/06/2017 (1961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. North Korea is big nowadays: U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear he plans to finally solve the North Korean problem that is, hell get North Korea to denuclearize itself. This is nothing special for the past 25 years, every new United States president has promised to do something about North Koreas nuclear ambitions. Some have tried negotiations, others have emphasized pressure. Neither approach has worked. The Trump administration, which seems to rank North Korea high among its foreign policy problems, is choosing the hard line but with a twist: Trump hopes to cajole China into joining him in a tough sanctions regime. The issue was discussed during the Trump-Xi Jinping summit in April: the administration has apparently indicated its willingness to reconsider some of the United States anti-Chinese policies including on difficult trade issues if China fully co-operates in getting tough on North Korea. Korean Central News Agency / Korea News Service The North Korean tested a new type of cruise missile on June 9. The country has been racing to develop a missile capable of striking the continental United States. The administrations assumption is Chinese sanctions would push North Korea to the brink of an economic disaster and thus prompt the leaders in Pyongyang to reconsider their nuclear ambitions. Given that China controls about 90 per cent of North Koreas foreign trade and also provides the country with vital aid, including shipments of subsidized fuel, the expectations seem reasonable. The problem is, however, Beijing has valid reasons not to be too harsh on Pyongyang. While Chinese leaders do not like North Koreas nuclear program, they are afraid that truly comprehensive sanctions might, indeed, push North Korea to the brink of economic collapse, which would be followed by political disintegration. From their point of view, North Korea in a state of civil war would be a greater threat than the nuclear-armed but relatively stable North Korea that exists now. Even worse, a crisis in North Korea might result in a German-style reunification of the country under Seouls control that is, the emergence of a united, democratic and nationalistic Korean state that would probably be an ally of the United States. This is not an outcome that would be welcomed in Beijing. Apart from this, the Chinese experts know North Korea sees nuclear weapons as the only guarantee of the regimes survival and thus will not surrender its nukes even under the greatest pressure imaginable. Thus, a Chinese boycott of North Korea something the Trump administration would like to see would be highly unlikely to produce the desirable result of denuclearization but much more likely to provoke the kind of crisis China fears. So the expectations of the Trump administration are misplaced. Beijing would rather deal with consequences of a trade war with Washington than with those of a real war nearby even though it is in no hurry to advertise this position. But should we worry about it? Should we regret the pursuit of Trumps Chinese dream will probably last for another few months? Perhaps not, because the alternatives are much worse. The first alternative would be negotiation but that will not work, either. Kim Jong-un believes that before he negotiates, he needs to develop and deploy an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the continental United States. His engineers are working on this project with remarkable speed and are likely to achieve success in a matter of years, if not months even though Trump tweeted in January that such an ICBM wont happen. So, once it becomes clear once again that neither sanctions nor negotiations are effective, and North Korea gets close to becoming the worlds third country theoretically capable of obliterating San Francisco, how will the president react? A military strike might be considered an option at least, this is what some key people in the administration have indicated many times. However, North Korea is capable of striking back if attacked and is likely to do so perhaps by launching a massive artillery barrage against Seoul, the huge capital located very close to the North-South border. If that happens, the South Koreans will shoot back and, in no time, the U.S. will find itself fighting a land war in Asia. So perhaps one should be thankful the Chinese are now considering co-operation on sanctions, buying time while extracting concessions from the United States on other issues. A war would be much worse. One perhaps should also hope that belief in a Chinese miracle will survive long enough for Trump to learn the lesson his predecessors had to grudgingly accept: the North Korean nuclear problem has no easy solution. In the past, it has usually taken a year or two before a new administration came to accept this inconvenient truth. Andrei Lankov is a professor of Korean history at Kookmin University in Seoul and director of korearisk.com. Washington Post JUNEAU A 38-year-old Illinois woman was found guilty Wednesday of offering false identification in order to visit her husband in prison. Hayley K. Halpin, Harvard, Illinois, entered a no contest plea to two counts of unauthorized use of identifying information or documents. Dodge County Court Judge Joseph Sciascia imposed and stayed a two-year sentence. She was placed on probation for two years with the condition that she serves 90 days in jail and stay off the premises of any correctional facility unless confined there. According to the criminal complaint, a detective from Waupun Police Department responded to a call at John C. Burke Correctional Facility, 900 S. Madison St., for a report that Halpin was using another persons identification in order to visit her husband in August and September 2016. The woman was in the parking lot of the facility. Records showed she had visited twice before. Halpin admitted to using a family members drivers license in order to visit her husband because she was not on his visitor list. The relative was contacted and said she did not give Halpin permission to use her drivers license. Mural artists have arrived in Beaver Dam and along with them came rain throughout the Walldogs Mural Festivals first day. But the wet weather isnt dampening muralists spirits. You just work around it, said Jason Nale, a mural artist from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. And work harder tomorrow. Nale is working on the Swan City Park mural located on the front of The Watermark, 209 S. Center St. He added that work was slow Wednesday and periodic downpours had washed away primer on the wall, but he said there is enough there to work with going forward. Nothing is being canceled according to event organizer Kay Appenfeldt. As of Wednesday, close to 100 artists registered for the festival with more still on the way. Michael Clark, project lead for the church history mural located acress the street from the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce building, 127 S. Spring St. said that a friend, working on his mural, traced on the wall Tuesday night in an effort to get ahead of the rain. It could be a really hairy project in the rain, he said. Before the painting can begin, the muralists will project a rendering of the mural onto the wall and trace the design. The following day, the muralists begin to paint. With more rain in the forecast, Clark said he is staying positive. Spectators are encouraged to come and watch the artists at work throughout the festival in downtown Beaver Dam. Beaver Dam Community Library, 311 N. Spring St., will host several events, in addition to being a mural site. Also hosting events are Dodge County Historical Society, 105 Park Ave; Anabelles Ice Cream Parlor, 301 Front St.; Stormys Music Venue, 208 Front St.; Chapel of the Archangels, 839 Madison St.; and The Watermark. There will be live music each day of the event and Beaverland Must-Skis will perform at Tahoe Park Friday night. CHARLESTON -- The prosecution agreed to limit the prison time it will seek from a man who admitting failing to maintain his sex offender registration for at least the third time. That was the only agreement in place for Shawn A. White, who pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to register as a sex offender with a sentence to be determined later. White, 27, for whom court records list an address of Lot 170, Old State Village, Mattoon, was accused of not registering a new address with police within three days of moving last year. His criminal record means prison time will be required for the latest conviction and probation won't be an option at sentencing. Also because of White's prior convictions, the possible prison term he faces is three to 14 years, with the maximum twice what's normally possible for the offense. Coles County Assistant State's Attorney Tom Bucher agreed that he wouldn't ask for a prison term of more than seven years, which Circuit Judge Brien O'Brien scheduled for Sept. 6. The judge won't be bound by that limit, however, and could impose any sentence in the possible range for the offense. Public Defender Anthony Ortega represents White. According to records in White's case, he admitted to police that he had lived at the residence in the Old State Village mobile home park for most of the time between late January and early March 2016 without registering it as his address as required. Additional court records show that White received a prison sentence in October 2013 after pleading guilty to failure to register to charge. That violation took place in August of that year and was about two months after he'd pleaded guilty to an earlier failure to register charge. He originally received probation in that case but was unsuccessfully discharged from the supervision because of the second 2013 conviction. Records also show that White was sentenced to prison time in 2010 when he pleaded guilty to a sexual abuse charge. CHARLESTON -- Eastern Illinois University's president announced a "hard freeze" on purchases effective immediately Thursday. In a memo, David Glassman told account managers, P-Card holders, and OfficeMax users that he is implementing a temporary freeze on "all purchases." Last year, there was a freeze implemented on many purchases at the university, including things like travel expenses and non-instructional capital equipment purchases. This time around, the freeze has stronger and more definitive language to better rein in university expenditures, said Paul McCann, vice president for business affairs. He said Thursday's halt has been implemented to set more rigid control over cash outflow. This freeze includes P-card (university credit card) charges and OfficeMax spending, according to the memo. McCann noted that many of the purchases made around this time of year are in preparation for the fall semester. These purchases could include items like paper, printer toner and other supplies, McCann said. The freeze does not extend only to office supplies, though, McCann stressed. The freeze does cover all purchases minus any exceptions that will require approval from the Office of Procurement, Disbursements and Contract Services or McCann. McCann said these exceptions will be taken on a case by case basis, adding that he will try to be consistent with these exceptions across the university. The uncertainty as to whether state lawmakers will pass a budget prompted the move, according to the memo from Glassman. McCann said the halt on purchases is serving as more of a delaying measure until the administration is more confident in where the state is heading. He said the university is just looking ahead. Most recently, Gov. Bruce Rauner has ordered lawmakers to return to Springfield for a special session specifically to come to an agreement on a budget that has been absent in the state for nearly three years. So far, little to no movement has been made. Legislators have until Saturday to agree on a budget, or the state enters its third year without a spending plan. "We will notify you promptly when the temporary freeze is lifted," Glassman said in the memo. McCann added this is by no means an indefinite freeze; it is just unclear at this point how long it may last. Learning African-American history through the arts Remembering Rosa Parks Students involved with the GWWA Cultural Arts Experience re-enact Rosa Parks' experience on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. Photo by Skip Rowland '83 Their light shines Barbara Bell conducts members of the Cultural Arts Experience in their rendition of "This Little Light of Mine." Photo by Skip Rowland '83 Saluting the graduates Aaron De Groft 88, director of the Muscarelle Museum of Art, distributed certificates to the 30 children who attended the Cultural Arts Experience. He also gave museum memberships to five children who had attended for three straight years. Photo by Skip Rowland '83 Appreciating the children Parents and friends of the students attending the Cultural Arts Experience offered a loud ovation at the end of the program's final-day showcase. Photo by Skip Rowland '83 Proud of the program A student wears a T-shirt bearing the names of the Cultural Arts Experience sponsors: the Greater Williamsburg Women's Association and W&M's Muscarelle Museum of Art. Photo by Skip Rowland '83 Photo - of - Hide Caption {{youtube:medium:center|kyipAqU70LI, Scenes from Cultural Arts Experience}} Nine children, representing citizens in Montgomery, Alabama, in December of 1955, sat on the stage of Andrews Hall , pretending to ride a bus. There was an open seat at the front.A 10th child, an African-American, entered and sat in the vacant space. The other riders turned in disbelief. They scowled. Hands waved at her to get to the back. She shook her head.Moments later, 10 children lined up on stage as if in the starting blocks at a track meet. Then they took off in slow motion, pretending to run and jump.And thats how the students at this years Greater Williamsburg Womens Association Cultural Arts Experience paid homage to Rosa Parks and Jesse Owens, the track-and-field star who was a four-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1936 Games in Germany, hosted by Adolf Hitler.For the fifth consecutive year, the GWWA and William & Marys Muscarelle Museum of Art brought 30 middle-school students from James City County, Williamsburg and York County to campus for one week of education in African-American art, poetry, literature, dance and cultural heritage. The program, held June 19-23, initially was developed by Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, adjunct curator for Native American art at the Muscarelle in collaboration with the GWWA. Friday, June 23, was devoted to presenting parents and other interested parties with the work done over five intense days of study.As the dancers executed their brief routines, Leah Glenn beamed with pride. Glenn, an associate professor of dance at W&M and a member of the GWWA, was their dance instructor. It was clear from the expression on her face that the lessons had gone well.I wanted to give them a brief introduction to contemporary dance technique, improvisation and the use of improvisation as a means of creating dances, Glenn said. In this program, they emulated and were inspired by historical African-American figures.We used improvisation as a choreographic tool, and they came up with some very unique and abstract movements.Literature and poetry instructors Charles and Barbara Bell titled their week of study Hidden Figures, after the film about a trio of African-American mathematicians whose behind-the-scenes work helped NASA successfully launch John Glenn into space in 1962.Barbara Bell is the homeless education facilitator for WJCC public schools. Her husband is the lead math instructor for Newport News public schools and teaches at Crittendon Middle School.We wanted them to research African-American scientists and inventors, poets and musicians, people who were not so well known, Charles Bell said. I provided them some resources for lots of African-American inventors, patents, patent dates and even a list of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.They were people they had not heard of before, and I learned some things myself because some of them I had not heard of.Each student created and delivered a 30-second PowerPoint presentation.Student Kirstyn Davis, an eighth-grader at Berkeley Middle School, wrote about Ruby Bridges. In 1960, Bridges became the first African-American child to attend an all-white elementary school in Tylertown, Mississippi. Her first year, she was the only student in any of her classes because white parents refused to let their children sit with her. She ate lunch by herself, could not take part in recess and was driven to and from school.She had to deal with all the white people who yelled at her, Davis said. It made me feel proud that she did that just for us so that we could be put together and not segregated.Another student wrote on Alexander Miles, who created an automatic device to open and close elevator doors. He was awarded the first patent for an electric elevator.Art instructor Steve Prince wanted to impart the idea that while they might be one individual, they are also part of what he called a communal body.I shared with them, for example, the story of six guys in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1939, said Prince, who is assistant professor of art and black studies and artist-in-residence at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. They sat at the library when it was not lawful for them to do so. They were arrested. One of the kids fathers was a lawyer. He fought the case in court and won it. In 1940, public libraries were integrated. I said to them, Look at the power of that collective.To build an immediate sense of trust, Prince paired each student with a stranger. Students covered their faces with Vaseline, after which their partner placed plaster strips over all but their nostrils, ultimately creating a mask that became part of the groups final project.I want to really create a sense of bonding, a sense of community as quickly as possible, Prince said.In the end, each student incorporated their mask into art that reflected their sense of self-worth. The masks were then affixed to a huge triangle, which Prince described as one of the strongest forms architecturally and physically within nature.Lanyia Williams, an eighth-grader at Queens Lake Middle School, said the mask represented her character, and she decorated hers with the sun, which to her stood for unity.It seemed hard, but as Mr. Prince broke it down it was much easier, she said. I put different elements of my personality on it to make it seem like its who you are and no one can change that.Samara Triggs, also an eighth-grader at Queens Lake, said that about a year ago she started teaching herself art when she came across artwork from Blue Ocean and Jerry Ham Sandwich on her cellphone.She returned to the Cultural Arts Experience for a third, and final, time to learn more about the process of creating works of art.She decorated her mask in African colors: orange, olive green and many others.I thought it would be cool to show people my creativity with something, she said.GWWA President Marilyn Taylor opened the program by thanking the parents in the audience for allowing their children to attend.Your children have been exceptional during these five days, she said. You have entrusted them to our care. Their behavior has been exemplary. Every one of them has participated and stayed engaged. CHARLESTON -- A Springfield man will face a charge accusing him of unintentionally killing a Mattoon man during a fight at Lake Paradise last week. An involuntary manslaughter charge was filed Wednesday against Dillan J. DeSilva, who was arrested after the fight that authorities say caused fatal injuries to Austin M. McDowell, the other person involved. The fight took place on the night of June 19 after the two 18-year-old men agreed to meet at the lake because of an argument in which they were involved, according investigators with the Coles County Sheriff's Office. The charge State's Attorney Brian Bower filed against DeSilva on Wednesday accuses him of "acting in a reckless manner." It alleges DeSilva hit McDowell in the head and face several times and knew that would likely cause serious harm, but not while intending to kill him. "It was the charge that fit the information we have today," Bower said on Wednesday. DeSilva remains jailed and is scheduled for his first court appearance on Thursday. Issues such as whether he has an attorney will probably be addressed and his next hearing date will be set. The charge against him can result in a prison sentence of two to five years or up to 2 1/2 years of probation with a conviction. According to court documents and police investigators, the two men had engaged in an argument and agreed by text message to meet and fight. DeSilva, a former Mattoon resident, then traveled from his current home in Springfield to meet McDowell at or near Lake Paradise near Mattoon, where the fight took place, according to the accounts. The court document says after the fight others at the scene took McDowell to the home of a relative who lives near the lake. Authorities were then notified, and McDowell was first taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, and then transferred to Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, because of the extent of his injuries, the document says. McDowell died at the hospital on June 21. Also according to sheriff's office investigators, several people were at the fight, some in support of DeSilva and some in support of McDowell. One of them, a relative of DeSilva's, made a video recording of the fight that shows he threw the first and last punches of the fight, according to the court records. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page MATTOON -- The ongoing state budget impasse may cost the Mattoon Police Department the grants that pay officers overtime for special patrols focused on DUIs and other traffic offenses. MPD Chief Jeff Branson said the Illinois Department of Transportation recently notified him that this grant funding will not be available after the current fiscal year ends on Friday if the state still does not have a budget in place for the new year. Branson said the police department typically receives about $10,000 in traffic detail grants per year from IDOT. He estimated that this funding pays for approximately 95 percent of the department's overtime wages for traffic enforcement "above and beyond" normal work shifts and staffing levels. "IDOT grants are very important to us," Branson said. "I am very disappointed we are going to lose the IDOT grants." The grant-funded special patrols focus on traffic law enforcement regarding motorists driving under the influence of alcohol, talking on hand-held cellphones while driving, not wearing seat belts, and committing other offenses. The stated goal of these patrols is to improve roadway safety. Branson said the police department used to assign an officer on every shift to focus almost entirely on enforcing traffic laws, but they had to eliminate this practice several years ago due to department budget cuts. Now, Branson said the police department usually has four patrol officers on duty per 12-hour shift. He said these officers handle an average of 50-65 calls for service per shift. He said each call lasts an average of 25-30 minutes and then the officers need to write up their reports afterward. Branson said the patrol officers still conduct a lot of traffic law enforcement as time allows. However, he said their busy schedules leave little time for the officers to park alongside the road to operate a radar gun or to look out for cellphone law violators. "We just don't have the funding to pay the overtime," Branson said. The police chief added that he hopes that state leaders will resolve the budget impasse and that the IDOT grants will resume. The Charleston Police Department is not currently utilizing state-funded grants and therefore is not directly affected, said Bryan Baker, CPD Chief. However, Baker noted that the impasse does continue have an impact on the police department budget's bottom line with less tax revenue from students at Eastern Illinois University. Baker said, specifically, the overtime line item in the budget had to be reduced by $10,000, which he attributed partly state budget shortfalls. Also, three positions in the department have been eliminated through attrition because of tightening budgets. The reduced overtime complicates Charleston police staffing. Baker said if the CPD has less staff, there is a logical need for more overtime. On the other hand, Baker said, the overtime line item is historically not used up by the end of the year. French regulator says Flamanville 3 is safe to start 29 June 2017 Share The French nuclear regulator has provisionally ruled that EDF's Flamanville 3 can start up safely, but that the head of its reactor pressure vessel (RPV) will need to be replaced by the end of 2024. The Autorite de Surete Nucleaire (ASN) said yesterday the unit, which is under construction in northwest France, is fit for operation despite issues with its steel. Areva NP revealed its discovery of an anomaly in the composition of the steel in certain zones of the RPV's closure head and bottom head of the Flamanville EPR in April 2015. The engineering group initiated a test program to demonstrate that the mechanical strength of the steel is sufficient in all operating situations, including accident situations. Its conclusions were sent to ASN in December 2016. Cutaway of the reactor pressure vessel and core of Flamanville 3 (Image: ASN) ASN said yesterday it had "presented its position" regarding the RPV anomaly. It had relied on its nuclear pressure equipment department and IRSN's "analysis of files" that Areva NP and EDF had provided, it added. The current closure head should not be operated beyond 2024, meaning the date by which a new one could be produced, it said. Construction work began in December 2007 on the 1650 MWe unit at the Flamanville site in Normandy - where two reactors have been operating since 1986 and 1987. The dome of the reactor building was put in place in July 2013 and the reactor vessel was installed in January 2014. The reactor was originally expected to start commercial operation in 2013, but due to delays is now expected to start up in late 2018. ASN's approval of the start of operations at Flamanville 3 is a European Commission precondition for approving EDF's planned takeover of Areva's reactor business. New cover In a statement yesterday, ASN said: "On the basis of the technical analyses carried out, ASN considers that the mechanical characteristics of the pressure vessel head and bottom head are adequate with regard to the loadings to which these parts are subjected, including accident situations. However, the anomaly in the chemical composition of the steel entails a reduction in the margins with respect to the fast fracture risk. ASN therefore considers that EDF must implement additional periodic inspections to ensure that no flaws appear subsequently." "ASN observes that such inspections can be performed on the vessel bottom head and therefore considers that they must be implemented. However, the technical feasibility of similar inspections on the pressure vessel closure head is not established. ASN therefore considers that the use of the closure head must be limited in time. It notes that it would take about seven years to manufacture a new vessel head, which could thus be available by the end of 2024. In these conditions, ASN considers that the current closure head shall not be operated beyond that date." ASN has made the "examination report" available on its website for public consultation, along with the opinion of its advisory committee for nuclear pressure equipment. Public consultation will continue until September. ASN will also consult the French High Council for Technological Risk Prevention. It will finalise its opinion following these consultations in October. The commissioning of the RPV of the Flamanville EPR will also require authorisation "issued more specifically regarding the results of a hydrotest on the entire main primary system", it said. In April, ASN defined the preconditions for the resumption of forging operations at Areva's Le Creusot forge. The facility has been out of operation since December 2015 following the discovery of quality assurance issues. In May 2016, ASN said an ongoing quality audit at the forge - which Areva bought in 2006 - had identified "irregularities" in paperwork on some 400 plant components produced there since 1965. The issues "comprise inconsistencies, modifications or omissions in the production files, concerning manufacturing parameters and test results", it said. The new RPV cover will be forged by Japan Steel Works and not by Le Creusot forge, Reuters said yesterday, quoting an unnamed source. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Ikata 1 decommissioning gets regulatory approval 29 June 2017 Share Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has approved a plan to decommission unit 1 of Shikoku Electric Power Company's Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime prefecture. The reactor was due to end its 40-year operating period in September this year and could have applied to the NRA to extend its licence for a further 20 years if it invested in upgrade work. Ikata 1 is a 538 MWe pressurized water reactor that began commercial operation in September 1977. It was taken offline in September 2011 for periodic inspections and has now become the sixth reactor which the NRA has approved for decommissioning since an overhaul of regulations in 2012, following the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi plant the previous year. The NRA said that, "on the approval of Ehime prefecture and Ikata city through preliminary consultation, we will work on safety first with regards to the decommissioning measures of the Ikata Power Station Unit 1 based on the approved decommissioning plan". The Mainichi reported that Shikoku plans to take around 40 years to complete decommissioning of the unit at an estimated cost of JPY40.7 billion ($363 million). According to the report, low-level radioactive waste produced during the decommissioning work is estimated to total 3060 tonnes, while waste not classified as radioactive material will total about 39,100 tonnes. The used fuel will be stored in a pool at unit 3 of plant, it added. According to International Atomic Energy Agency data Ikata 1 generated 126.8 TWh of electricity during its period of operation. Shikoku's board of directors decided in March last year that Ikata 1 would be decommissioned. Upgrades costing more than JPY170 billion would have been needed at the unit in order for it to operate beyond 40 years. The five other reactors with approval for decommissioning are units 1 and 2 of Kansai Electric Power Company's Mihama plant in Fukui Prefecture, unit 1 of Japan Atomic Power Company's Tsuruga plant, also in Fukui Prefecture, unit I of Chugoku Electric Power Company's Shimane plant in Shimane Prefecture, and unit 1 of Kyushu Electric Power Company's Genkai plant in Saga Prefecture. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics The Growing Travel and Tourism Industry The global travel and tourism sector is enormous, and has recorded steady growth in recent years. With increasing globalization, destination and accommodation firms have greater access to new potential markets. Traditional tourism destinations experience new competition from upcoming regions such as Dubai. The industry contributed more than 7.6 trillion US dollars in 2016. Various nations have different travel and tourism industries. Countries employing the highest number of people in this industry are listed below. China The number of employees in China's travel and tourism industry amounted to 22.78 million in 2013. Tourism, like many other aspects of China's economy, benefited from the Chinese economic reform which commenced in 1978. The nation is currently the third most visited country in the world. In 2010, China welcomed 55.98 million foreign tourists and recorded a foreign exchange income of 45.8 billion US dollars. Most overseas tourists jetting into China originate from South Korea, US, Vietnam, Russia, Malaysia, and Japan. The nation boasts numerous ancient capitals such as Beijing, Luoyang, and Kaifeng, which possess historical significance. Sites such as the Forbidden City, Magao Caves, Mount Lu, Potala Palace, and the Silk Road draw thousands of travelers. India 22.32 million people worked in India's travel and tourism industry in 2013. By 2016, the number of employees supported by the tourism sector had grown to 40.343 million, and the industry accounted for 9.6% of India's GDP. India is particularly rich in cultural and natural resources which attract visitors from countries like the US, Sri Lanka, UK, Bangladesh, and Australia. India has made notable improvements in its tourism and transport infrastructure, although it does not compare well to more developed regions. Security concerns, as well as crime, continue to challenge the Indian travel and tourism industry. US The United States prides itself on a large travel and tourism industry which supported 5.44 million jobs in 2013. The number of overseas travelers visiting the US is second only to France. The country advertises a wide array of tourist destinations including festivals, galleries, spas, amusement parks, landmarks, and gambling. Most visitors enter the US from the UK, Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, China, and Canada. Orlando, Florida ranks as the most popular destination in both the US, as well as the world. Mexico Mexico's travel and tourism sector accounted for 3.18 million jobs in 2013. The tourism industry picked up from the early nineteenth century in Mexico. The country's government has pioneered the promotion of Mexico's destinations ranging from colonial cities, works of architecture, beach resorts, medieval ruins, cultural festivals, as well as nature reserves. Mexico City, for example, has its historic center recognized as a UNESCO heritage site. The site boasts archaeological remains, the National Place, museums, and the Cathedral. The bulk of Mexico's visitors enter from North America, Latin America, and Europe. The beaches of Mexico feature renowned resorts and attract water sport enthusiasts. Trends in the Travel and Tourism Industry The growing middle-class in emerging economies is becoming an important market for world tourism. The dominance of the traditional travel markets of Europe and North America is being challenged by growing markets in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The emerging markets that are becoming popular destinations include Vietnam, Uganda, Oman, Angola, and Brunei. Falling travel barriers and costs have empowered more people to travel. Segments such as millennials are redefining what it means to travel as they seek distinct experiences. Flags, Symbols & Currency of Albania The National Flag of Albania named the Flamuri Kombetar was adopted on January 11, 1946 (with a star in the design). On April 7, 1992, the star was removed. The current flag was designed by Sadik Kaceli a day before Albania was declared a People's Republic on January 11, 1946. The flag features a red background with a double-headed eagle placed in the center, whose wings and talons extends towards the flags fly and hoist. The eagle is black in color, and the two heads face away from each other and have their tongues out. The red color on Albanias national flag is said to represent the virtues of valor, strength, and courage among the people of Albania This design is traced back to Skanderbeg (Gjergj Kastrioti), an Albanian Christian, and a 15th century Turkish general. He used the Byzantine two-headed eagle on his seals, hence the Albanian flag. Note that Albanians call their country Shqiperia, meaning "Land of the Eagle." History Of The Albanian Flag The designs of both the flag and the coat of arms are based on the seal of Skanderbeg, who was the monarch who ruled over Albania in the 15th century. Skanderbeg is revered in Albania due to the battles he led against other European kingdoms, particularly against the Ottoman Empire, in which he fought for the sovereignty of Albania. The seal was modeled after the coat of arms of Skanderbegs Karstrioti family, one of Albanias noble families. The flag was first officially used in the region in 1912, and the earlier one was adopted in 1443. The Kings helmet symbolized the monarchy and first appeared in the Albanian flag which was in use between 1928 and 1939. The helmet was removed from the countrys flag when it was under German occupation during the Second World War. A yellow five-pointed star was incorporated in the flags design when Albania was part of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Historical Flags Of Albania Flag of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania Flag of the People's Republic of Albania. It featured a red star with a yellow outline between the two eagle heads. Symbols of Albania National Coat Of Arms Albania adopted its current coat of arms in 1998, replacing the older emblem that was adopted in 1993. The design of Albania's coat of arms mirrors its national flag as it also bears the double-headed black eagle centered on a red field. The margin of the coat of arms features a golden stripe. Additionally, the coat of arms also features a helmet which is placed directly above the double-headed black eagle. The helmet is modeled after the helmet of Skanderbeg and has the golden likeness of a billy goats head on top. The helmet was added to the design of the coat of arms in 1998. The symbolism of the red color on the coat of arms is similar to that of the national flag, representing courage and strength among the people. The golden border is said to represent the country's wealth. National Motto "Ti, Shqiperi, me jep nder, me jep emrin Shqiptar" ("You Albania, give me honor, give me the name Albanian") National Anthem Anthem Title: Himni i Flamurit/ Betimi mi flamur (Pledge to the Flag) Composer: Ciprian Porumbescu Lyricist: Asdreni (Aleksander Stavre Drenova) Date of Adoption: November 28, 1912 The national anthem of Albania is Himni i Flamurit/ Betimi mi flamur (Pledge to the Flag). Asdreni (Aleksander Stavre Drenova) an Albanian poet had penned the lyrics, with the Romanian composer - Ciprian Porumbescu composing the music. The national anthem was officially adopted on November 28, 1912. The hymn was first published as a poem in an Albanian newspaper called Liri e Shqiperise (Freedom of Albania), on April 21, 1912. It was so well appreciated by the Albanians, that during the Albanian Proclamation of Independence, the Albanian Flag was raised using its music in Vlore, Albania in 1912. Himni i Flamurit/ Betimi mi flamur (Albanian) Rreth flamurit te perbashkuar Me nje deshire e nje qellim, Te gjith' atij duke u betuar Te lidhim besen per shpetim. Prej lufte vec ai largohet Qe eshte lindur tradhetor, Kush eshte burre nuk friksohet, Por vdes, por vdes si nje deshmor! Ne dore armet do t'I mbajme, Te mbrojme atdheun ne cdo kend, Te drejtat tona ne s'I ndajme; Ketu armiqte s'kane vend! Se Zoti vete e tha me goje Qe kombe shuhen permbi dhe, Po Shqiperia do te rroje; Per te, per te luftojme ne! O Flamur, flamur, shenj' e shenjte Tek ti betohemi ketu Per Shqiperine, atdheun e shtrenjte, Per nder' edhe lavdimn e tu. Trim burre quhet dhe nderohet Atdheut kush iu be therror. Perjete ai do te kujtohet Mbi dhe, nen dhe si nje shenjtor! Pledge to the Flag Around our flag we stand united, With one wish and one goal, A sacred oath we bestow upon it Proclaiming loyalty for our salvation. From war abstains only he, Who a traitor is born, He who is a true man is not frightened, But dies a martyr to the cause. With weapons in our hands a-brandished, We will defend our fatherland, Our sacred rights well not relinquish, The foe has no place in our land. For God himself proclaimed: Some nations of the earth shall wane, But Albania will live, will thrive Albania. For her, for her, we fight. O Flag, flag, you sacred symbol Upon you we now swear For Albania, our dear fatherland For honour and your glory. Brave man is named and honoured The one who sacrificed himself for the fatherland Forever he will be remembered On earth and under as a saint! The Currency of Albania is the Albanian lek The official currency of Albania is the Albanian lek. Its plural form is often written as leke. It was formerly subdivided into 100 qindarka but qindarka is no longer used. Although there is a considerable circulation of the euro in Albania, the Albanian lek still dominates the country's financial sector and is widely accepted in the country for most payments and other forms of transactions. The Albanian lek was named in honor of Alexander the Great. In Albania, the name Alexander is often shortened as "Leka." The observe side of the 1 lek coin has a portrait of Alexander, while the reverse side depicts him on a horse. The lek was introduced in Albania on February 16, 1926. Coins When the Albanian lek was introduced, the first coins were made of bronze in denominations of 5 and 10 qindars, whereas nickel was used for 25 and 50 qindar, as well as 1 lek, and silver denominations were used for 1, 2, and 5 franga ar. In 1935, bronze was used in the denominations of 1 and 2 franga ar. The coins depicted distinct neoclassical motifs influenced by Victor Emmanuel III, an Italian king who was also a coin collector. Aluminum coins in the denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 qindars all depicting socialist state emblems were introduced in 1965. In 1969, a similar series of aluminum coins was released in commemoration of the 1944 liberation from fascism. The third set of coins was introduced in 1995 and 1996 in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 leke. The 100 leke was launched in 2000. The 1 lek coin is now hardly in use in the country. Banknotes Banknotes in 1, 5, 20, and 100 franga ar denominations were introduced by the National Bank of Albania in 1926. In 1945, regular notes were circulated in the denominations of 1, 5, 20, 50, 100, and 500 franga. The lek was established as the major denomination in 1947, with banknotes in the denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 leke. In 1997, a new series of banknotes was introduced in the denominations of 100, 200, 500, 100, 200, and 500 leke. Coins Of Albania 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 leke coins of Albania Banknotes Of Albania 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, and 100 leke banknotes of Albania Flags, Symbols & Currency of Bahamas The flag of the Bahamas was officially adopted on July 10, 1973. The flag was designed by Rev. Dr. Hervis Bain a Bahamian artist. The National Flag of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas features three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine; with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side. The gold band color represents the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea. The two-aquamarine blue color bands symbolize the Caribbean Sea and the black color represents the strength, vigor, and force of a united people. The black equilateral triangle pointing towards the body of the flag indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop and possess the rich resources of land and sea. The flag has a width-to-length proportion ratio of 1:2. History of the Flag of The Bahamas Before 1973, the flag of The Bahamas was a British blue ensign with the colonys seal. The seal displayed the colonys motto below a picture of two pirate ships fleeing from the British Navy. The flag was designed in the honor of the British sailors who hunted pirates from the Bahamas during the colonys early history. This flag did not receive government approval until 1964. After this, The Bahamas began to negotiate their Independence and began to search for a new flag. A competition was organized to pick the new flag design. The government chose to create The Bahamas Flag by combining aspects of several different design submissions that were received during the competition. The final design of the current flag was first flown on July 10, 1973 the first day of the Nations Independence from Great Britain. Historical Flags of The Bahamas Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands The flag is a British Blue ensign bearing the emblem of the crown colony. Symbols of Bahamas The National Coat of Arms of Bahamas The Coat of Arms of The Bahamas was officially adopted on December 7, 1971. It contains a shield with the national symbols as its focal point. On top of the shield is a conch shell in front of a Panache of Palm Fronds - represents the varied marine life of the island chain. This rests on top of a Royal Helmet, below which is the actual shield. The main symbol of the shield is a ship, reported to represent the Santa Maria of Christopher Columbus; which is sailing beneath a sun. The animals supporting the shield are the national animals - a Marlin and a Flamingo. The flamingo is located upon the land and the marlin upon the sea. The national motto: Forward, Upward, Onward Together is found at the bottom. The vibrant colors of the coat of arms are also intended to point to a bright future for the islands. They are also reputed to have been maintained due to their attractiveness to tourists. National Motto "Forward, Upward, Onward, Together" National Anthem Anthem Title: "March on, Bahamaland" Music Composer: Timothy Gibson Lyricist: Timothy Gibson Date of Adoption: July 10, 1973 "March On, Bahamaland" is the national anthem of The Bahamas. The anthem has been composed and authored by Timothy Gibson. It was officially adopted as the national anthem on July 10, 1973, when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom. Since Bahamas retains the British Monarch as their Head of State, the anthem "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem of Bahamas. "March On, Bahamaland" Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland; March on to glory, your bright banners waving high. See how the world marks the manner of your bearing! Pledge to excel through love and unity. Pressing onward, march together to a common loftier goal; Steady sunward, tho' the weather hide the wide and treacherous shoal. Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland, 'Til the road you've trod lead unto your God, MARCH ON, BAHAMALAND! The Currency of Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar The official currency of The Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar ($, B$, BSD). Since 1996, The Bahamian dollar has served as the country's official currency. It exists in denominations of $1/2, $1, $3, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The Bahamian currency is minted by the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The Bahamian dollar is also used in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Bahamian Coins Coins were introduced in the Bahamas in 1966. Denominations included 1 and 2 dollars, and 50, 25, 15, 10, 5, and 1 cent coins. These were struck in nickel-brass, cupronickel, and silver. However, the silver coins were not circulated in the economy after 1966. The current Bahamian 1 cent coin is slightly smaller than a US dime. However, the 5 and 25 cent coins are equal in size to the 5 and 25 cents US coins but have different metal compositions. All coins have the Bahamian Court of Arms inscribed on one side, while the reverse face contains objects of Bahamian culture, such as pineapple, two bonefish, three starfish, hibiscus, and a native sloop. Bahamians portray great honor for their culture with these objects. It should be noted that the 15 cents, 50 cents, $1, $2, and $5 coins are seldom used. Bahamian Banknotes Bahamian banknotes were also introduced in 1966 in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3, 1, and dollars. The Bahamas Money Authority was responsible for issuing the banknotes starting in 1968, and after 1974 all banknotes were printed by the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The banknotes are equal in physical size to the US dollar notes. The Bahamian currency has experienced different changes to reduce problems of forgery. Most recently, the counterfeit-proof Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Product (CRISP) formula was introduced. All notes previously included the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, but then featured portraits of former Bahamian politicians. More recently, however, the portrait of the older Queen Elizabeth II has been reintroduced on the $10 and $100 banknotes. The current Bahamas dollar notes are dark green, mint green, or brown. They measure 156 mm long and 67 mm wide in size. Security features can include watermarks, security threads, see-through features of the Sand dollar, 100% cotton banknote paper, and latent images. Additionally, the $1/2, $3, and $100 notes are rarely used today. Bahamian dollar Banknote Bahamas 1 dollar 1992 Banknotes Bahamian dollar Coin Bahamian Dollar with picture of sea life on the coin surface: two bone fish swimming as a depiction on 10 cent coin Missing Wrexham Teenagers Found Safe and Well This article is old - Published: Thursday, Jun 29th, 2017 North Wales Police have confirmed the two teenagers reported missing last night have been found safe and well. University Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Art Student Join Wrexham Symphony Orchestra This article is old - Published: Thursday, Jun 29th, 2017 Wrexham Symphony Orchestra has welcomed a deputy Vice-Chancellor and art student from the towns university into its ranks for the first time. The orchestra has been resident at the William Aston Hall, Wrexham Glyndwr University, where violinist Professor Claire Taylor works and cellist Zoe Harty studies fine art, since 1997. Claire moved to the Wrexham area after being appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor last summer and joined the orchestra a few months later. A musician since the age of eight, she holds a degree in music and education from the University of Cambridge. Claire has also played in amateur orchestras in Lincoln and London. She said: I wanted to play clarinet initially because thats what my best friend at school was learning but there was no room for me so I took up violin instead. After graduating and throughout my career in education I wanted to carry on playing with local orchestras in order to be part of the musical community. Its a great hobby to have outside of work and Ive always found orchestras to be friendly. Ive been warmly welcomed by everyone connected with Wrexham Symphony Orchestra. Zoe hails from a musical family in Chorley, Lancashire, and began playing cello aged six, eventually performing with the Bolton Youth Orchestra. She plays to grade eight standard but opted on art rather than music as the focus of a full-time career. I didnt want music to become a chore so went down the art route as the focus of my career, said Zoe. The orchestra is a great selling point for the university its allowed me to carry on playing and fits perfectly around my studies with practice one evening every week. The orchestra, which celebrates its 50th year in 2019, recently commissioned students from the university to come up with a new logo and branding. It has tasked graphic design students from the higher education institution to come up with a new logo and marketing imagery ahead of the celebration in the 2018-19 concert season. A new design is now on the verge of being chosen following feedback from members of the orchestra. The new look will be implemented in time for the orchestras half-centenary landmark. Wrexham Symphony Orchestras next concert is at the William Aston Hall, Wrexham Glyndwr University, on Saturday 1 July from 7.30pm. The programme includes Gershwins An American in Paris, plus music by Glinka, Sibelius and Saint-Saens. Tickets are available now from the Wrexham Symphony Orchestra website priced at 12 balcony, 10 stalls, 8 concessions (stalls) and 2 for Wrexham Glyndwr University students. On June 27, a subway train in New York City derailed near the 125th Street Station injuring 34 riders, including 17 who were taken to the hospital, creating service delays on multiple lines. Following a preliminary investigation, officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) stated that two cars on a southbound A train hit the wall of the tunnel around 9:48 a.m. The train cars screeching against the tunnel tore open part of the train, allowing sparks and smoke from the accident to pour into the cars as the train came to a halt. Passengers climbed out of the train and used their cell phones as flashlights in order to navigate through the dark tunnel and exit through the platform. MTA emergency crew had shut off power to the track to prevent the riders from being electrocuted. According to an initial statement by the MTA, [T]he cause [of the derailment] was an improperly secured piece of replacement rail that was stored on the tracks, and it elaborated: Storing equipment in between tracks is a common practice employed by railroads across the country to accelerate rail repairs. The key to this being an effective and safe practice is making sure that the extra equipment is properly bolted down, which does not appear to have happened in this case. MTA Chairman Joe Lhota, also made a public statement explaining that the train derailed after the emergency brakes automatically went on. He also specified that the cause of the accident was a human error, not a track defect. On Wednesday, an MTA spokesman also disclosed that supervisors responsible for oversight of the repairs had been suspended without pay pending a formal review process. MTA workers and transit experts have already raised questions about the MTAs claims that the derailment was caused by human error as well as about the lack of information provided by initial statements. Contrary to the MTAs claims, John Samuelsen, president of Transportation Workers Union (TWU) Local 100, reported that the replacement rail was secured correctly in the center of the track. Zachary Arcidiacono, the TWU Local 100 vice chairman for workers on the lettered subway lines and a train operator since 2007, stated in a New York Daily News article that A brakes-in-emergency [which Lhota claimed caused the derailment] wouldnt cause a derailment at any speed. Its not designed to derail a train whether at a high or low rate of speed. He also stated, If you were going too fast in the area, that could cause a derailment but not in this particular case. I dont see any evidence of that. A professor of civil engineering at City College and former head of the Chicago Transit Authority, Dr. Robert Passwell, told CBS New York, Its an unusual kind of derailment. First instinct isdid somebody pull the brakes? I mean, thats the way they would normally go on. Or did the train hit something, did it go through a red signal [which would automatically stop the train]? Or was there debris on the track? Any time you have to replace track and replace signals, its not good. Replacing trackit takes time. The MTAs current decision to replace the tracks, however, comes after decades of insufficient funding for public transportation in New York City that has generated a crisis within the MTA. Delays on the subway system have increased to more than 70,000 per month from about 28,000 a month in 2012. There has also been an increase in incidents in April and May of this year with several serious mechanical problems, including two power failures, which caused serious delays and rerouting of seven lines. The subways cars have also been breaking down more frequently. Currently, the average distance traveled by a car before it breaks down is roughly 112,000 miles, compared to 200,000 miles in November 2010. Regardless of the immediate cause of the derailment in Manhattan, the lack of funding for basic infrastructure has created conditions in which malfunctions and accidents can occur regularly in one of the wealthiest cities on the planet. Many New York City residents and MTA workers voiced concerns about the subway system to the WSWS. Jack, an MTA worker with six year of experience, stated, The system is old. Sometimes the rails tend to pop in hot weather, they expand. When weather goes bad for the subway where it goes outside, switches freeze over. Some trains are put in the yard for repair and come out the next day not working. I had two ICs [the intercom used between the conductor and operator] that did not work. You can reset a circuit breaker but it is still out. We need new equipment. Instead, they are blaming the crews, the operator, the conductor. Sophie, a realtor who regularly commutes on the A train, said, Besides long waits, I have not been in any subway incidents myself. But they are doing extensive work on the tracks over each weekend, and then they are having problems during the week anyway. The real question is why do they have problems so much of the time? The banks are getting the money owed by the MTA, and it is unfair. I know people who went broke from 2008 and lost all their investments, 401Ks, their investments for retirement, lost their homes. Mercedes Medina, a home care attendant who takes the subway for work, said, I did not get stuck on the train from the derailment, but I have a problem on the train every time. The C and the A train are slow, late. Everything else is a problem, but this is every day. The service is no good. Every year, the cost of the MetroCard is more and more. So is everything, especially medicine, and the rent is more and more. So why do they say they have no money? On June 19, TV3s Newshub aired more footage taken inside the Pike River Coal mine in New Zealands South Island, which exploded in November 2010, killing 29 men. The video, recorded in early 2011 by cameras lowered into the mine through bore-holes, shows a pair of glasses, rubber hosing and a wooden pallet. It also clearly shows at least two intact bodies, and there are less clear images of what may be more bodies. These images have not been made public but have been viewed by the families and reporters. The video is part of several hours of footage suppressed by police for more than six years. It was released to the victims families only after some excerpts were leaked and broadcast in April. That video showed members of Mines Rescue working inside the drift tunnel that leads into the main body of the mine. It discredits repeated National Party government claims that the mine is too dangerous to re-enter to investigate the precise cause of the explosion and to recover bodies. The latest footage shows that the interior of the mine after the explosion was not what the families and the public were led to believe. Last December cabinet minister Judith Collins, who was the police minister at the time of the explosion, told TV3 there could be no manned re-entry because infernos had made the mine a terrible mess. Prime Minister Bill English attempted to dismiss the latest footage as nothing new, saying the Royal Commission had examined it. He told Newshub the implication that somehow theres been a cover-up is complete nonsense. In fact, the government and police have worked to prevent any real investigation into the disaster and to shield Pike River Coals management and owners from prosecution. A Royal Commission in 2012 found that the mine had violated numerous safety regulations in order to reduce costs. It had inadequate methane gas monitoring, poor ventilation and no emergency exit. Yet police refused to lay any charges. The governments Labour Department charged CEO Peter Whittall with breaches of health and safety laws, but the charges were dropped in 2013 in a backroom deal with Whittalls lawyers. Echoing the government, a police spokesperson told Radio NZ that only one body has potentially been captured in the imagery, and this had previously been reported. This refers to a much grainier image of a body that was released in 2011. Sonya Rockhouse, whose son Ben died in the mine, told the World Socialist Web Site there were at least two bodies in the footage recently released to the families. She said the families were there every day of the Royal Commission hearings and we never saw footage like that. Our lawyers had not seen it either. The fact that we have to fight for every little piece of information, thats what blows me away, she said. Youd think theyd be wanting to help us find the answers, but no. Rockhouse described the Royal Commission as a total waste of money. When it finished I thought: Is that it? There were several people who should have been on the stand that werent. Former Pike River CEO Gordon Ward refused to give testimony, as did other company directors. The commission had no power to hold anyone legally accountable for the disaster. She denounced the police for refusing to charge Whittall, saying one of the main reasons they gave for not bringing charges was that WorkSafe [the Labour Department] was going to be charging him. WorkSafe laid charges and then they dropped them. In a perfect world you would think that the police would revisit [their decision] and place charges. Rockhouse and Anna Osborne, who lost her husband Milton in the mine disaster, have appealed for a judicial review of the regulators decision to drop charges against Whittall. Their initial appeal was rejected in February by the Court of Appeal and the case will now be heard in the Supreme Court in October. Rockhouse said even if they are successful it would be a symbolic victory. Because Whittall only faced civil, not criminal, charges he cannot be extradited to New Zealand. Like other members of Pike Rivers management, he has moved to Australia. We dont have corporate manslaughter laws in this country, Rockhouse said. Our death rate for workplaces is up to 31 so far this year. We need to start making people accountable for that. There are several people that should be in jail because of Pike River and they arent because of our stupid laws. Rockhouse agreed with the WSWS that there were similarities between Pike River and the Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed at least 79 people. In both cases, she said, there had been a lack of a duty of care by the people who are in charge who have the money. They chose the cheapest option. I think its terrible, putting that cladding on the building when they knew it wasnt up to code. There is widespread sympathy in the working class for the families demand for justice. A poll published by Newshub on June 19 found that 45 percent supported a re-entry of the mine, 35 percent were opposed and 20 percent were uncertain. The opposition Labour Party and New Zealand First have criticised the government and promised to organise a manned re-entry of the drift tunnel if they are elected following the September 23 election. Labour leader Andrew Little told Newshub, More and more evidence now is mounting to say theres something in there that we havent been told, its not right, it doesnt match up with the official story. Weve got to get in there. Both parties, however, supported the deregulated environment that led to the disaster. Pike River mine was developed between 2004 and 2008, under the then-Labour government, and was allowed to open despite the many safety breaches. Labour MP Damien OConnor admitted in 2012 that the party had failed to act on warnings that the deregulation, including the dismantling of the specialist mining inspectorate during the 1990s, would inevitably lead to a catastrophe. New Zealand First was a coalition partner in both Labour and National-led governments, supporting their agenda of pro-business deregulation. The trade union bureaucracy is also deeply implicated in the disaster. The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union had about 70 members at Pike River. Immediately after the disaster Little, then leader of the EPMU, defended the company, telling the media it had a good health and safety committee and the union was not aware of any problems in the mine. In fact, the union was aware of the dangerous conditions in the mine, which prompted a spontaneous walkout by a group of miners on one occasion. It remained silent and did not organise any industrial action to challenge management over the health and safety issues at Pike River. The EPMU, which was renamed E Tu in 2015, has not commented on whether it knew about the suppressed footage showing that the mine can be safely re-entered to conduct a proper investigation. The author also recommends: Families demand investigation into New Zealand mine disaster [17 February 2017] Opposition parties feign support for New Zealand mine disaster families [26 January 2017] A reply to a New Zealand union official [20 August 2012] The extraordinary ultimatum delivered last week to Qatar by Saudi Arabia and its alliesEgypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrainis due to expire next Monday with no sign of any resolution to the increasingly tense standoff. The Saudi-led bloc imposed an economic, diplomatic and transport blockade on Qatar in early June, accusing it of supporting terrorists and criminals in the region. Its demands include shutting down the Al Jazeera news network and other Qatari-backed media, halting its support for the Muslim Brotherhood and other organisations, and handing over political opponents. Qatari officials have flatly rejected the accusations and sharply criticised the hypocrisy of Saudi Arabia and its allies, which have backed right-wing Islamist groups in the Middle East and more widely. In an interview this week with Sky News, Qatars Finance Minister Ali Sharif al Emadi noted that Osama bin Laden is not Qatari, hes Saudi. People who hijacked the planes and bombed New York, 15 of them were not Qataris, they were Saudis and UAEs. Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed Al Thani, director of the Qatari governments communications office, issued a statement last Friday saying the demands demonstrate the illegal blockade was not about terrorism but limiting Qatars sovereignty, and outsourcing our foreign policy. Saudi Arabia is demanding Qatar follow Riyadhs foreign and military policy and pay reparations for the alleged damage caused by its policies. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who met with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday, declared the demands were non-negotiable. Its up to the Qataris to amend their behaviour and once they do, things will be worked out but if they dont they will remain isolated, he tweeted. This hardline stance was echoed by the UAEs ambassador to Russia, Omar Ghobash, who indicated in an interview with the Guardian on Wednesday that the four-nation bloc was considering tougher penalties on Qatar, including secondary sanctions on countries that trade with Qatar. One possibility would be to impose conditions on our own trading partners and say you want to work with us then you have got to make a commercial choice, Ghobash said. He also raised the possibility of expelling Qatar from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which he said was certainly under discussion. Asked if the confrontation could lead to military conflict, Ghobash declared that the risk was not from our side. In reality, the aggressive Saudi-led blockade is an act of war in itself that has been followed by an ultimatum designed to be rejected. Bahrain accused Qatar of military escalation after Turkey last weekend airlifted armoured vehicles to Qatar and hinted it might send more troops. Turkey has rejected a demand to remove its troops. The confrontation has led to an open rift in Washington as Tillerson seeks to end the brawling between US allies in the Gulf triggered by President Donald Trumps encouragement of Saudi Arabia. After the demands of the Saudi-led bloc were made public, Tillerson declared last weekend they would be very difficult for Qatar to meet but suggested the list included significant areas which provide a basis for ongoing dialogue leading to a resolution. Tillersons remarks put him at odds with Trump who supported the blockade, saying it was hard but necessary. Trump effectively gave the green light for Saudi Arabias aggressive actions against Qatar as part of the intensification of Riyadhs confrontation with Iran throughout the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and its allies are waging a brutal war in Yemen against Houthi rebels allegedly backed by Iran, and are supporting the US war in Syria aimed at ousting the Iranian- and Russian-backed government of President Bashar al-Assad. Tillersons bid to defuse the standoff in the Gulf is backed by the Pentagon and the State Department, which are deeply concerned at the implications for the huge US Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, home to 11,000 American troops and forward headquarters for the US Central Command. While the Pentagon undoubtedly has plans for a confrontation with Iran, its present focus is on thwarting Iran in Syria as the war on terror against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) more openly becomes a conflict to remove the Assad regime. US war planes bombing Syria fly out of its base in Qatar. The Pentagon registered its disapproval of the blockade by approving a $12 billion sale of advanced weapons to Qatar this month. In a letter to Tillerson, Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, publicly cut across Trumps backing of the Saudi-led blockade this week by declaring he would withhold consent from all US arms sales to Gulf countries until their dispute was resolved. He wrote that the conflict among the Gulf states only serves to hurt efforts to fight ISIS and counter Iran. The threat to halt arms sales would not apply to deals already approved but could affect the $110 billion package of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia that was agreed during Trumps trip to Riyadh last month. While the Trump administration could ignore the existing protocol of seeking Corkers approval, the senators letter shows that significant sections of the US political establishment regard the conflict between American allies in the Gulf as a disaster. A New York Times editorial threw its weight behind Corkers threat to arms sales as a way to end the impasse and force some sort of resolution. It branded the dangerous dispute as a diversion from fighting ISIS and other serious challenges, and warned that nothing good can come of this dispute if it is allowed to persist. The public divisions in Washington over the US stance toward the Gulf dispute highlight the reckless, incoherent and crisis-ridden character of American foreign policy in the Middle East and internationally. A quarter century of US-led wars in the region has left millions dead, destroyed entire societies and profoundly destabilised the nation-state system imposed by French and British imperialism after World War I. The standoff between the Saudi-led bloc with Qatar adds another potentially explosive trigger to the existing powder kegs, particularly in Syria and Yemen, that could set off a region-wide and international conflict involving all the major powers. While millions of Americans face the loss of health care via Trumpcare -- and Obamacare flounders in the quicksand -- there's a lot more going on in the world. Oh sure, there's that little thing about Russia interfering in an American presidential election. And I think I heard something about an ongoing war in Syria. But I'm talking about the news you haven't read. Some of it's funny, some of it's not, but relax and peruse something a little different for today. *** Man destroys new Ten Commandments statue at Arkansas Capitol LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Capitol police arrested a man after Arkansas' new Ten Commandments monument was smashed to pieces when someone rammed a vehicle into it early Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the 6-foot (1.8 meter) granite statue was placed on state Capitol grounds. Secretary of State's Office spokesman Chris Powell said capitol police arrested the male suspect early Wednesday. The driver is identified in an arrest report as Michael Tate Reed of Van Buren, Arkansas. A Facebook Live video shot early Wednesday and posted on an account belonging to a Michael Reed appears to show the destruction of the monument. In the video, the sky is dark and the Arkansas Capitol's dome is visible. Music is heard followed by a female voice, likely on the radio, saying, "Where do you go when you're faced with adversity and trials and challenges?" The driver is then heard growling, "Oh my goodness. Freedom!" before accelerating into the monument. The vehicle's speedometer is last shown at 21 mph (33 kph) and then a collision can be heard. Pulaski County jail records show that Reed was booked into the jail shortly after 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on preliminary charges of defacing objects of public interest, criminal trespass and first-degree criminal mischief, with Capitol Police listed as the arrest agency. Arkansas' monument fell from its plinth and broke into multiple pieces as it hit the ground. "As far as what happens to the monument, it's unclear at this time," Powell said. "The first thing will be to clean up the debris." Nearly three years ago, a Ten Commandments monument at Oklahoma's Capitol met a similar fate, when a driver crashed his car into the statue, shattering it. That driver was identified as Michael Tate Reed of Van Buren, Arkansas. He was admitted the next day to a hospital for mental treatment and formal charges were never filed. It is not yet clear if he is the same person who attacked the Arkansas monument. The privately funded, granite monument in Little Rock weighed 6,000 pounds (2,721 kilograms). It was installed Tuesday morning on the southwest lawn of the Capitol with little fanfare and no advance notice. A 2015 law required the state to allow the display near the Capitol, and a state panel last month gave final approval to its design and location. Plans for Arkansas' monument sparked a push by the Satanic Temple for a competing statue of Baphomet, a goat-headed, angel-winged creature accompanied by two children smiling at it. Efforts to install that display, however, were blocked by a law enacted this year requiring legislative approval before the commission could consider a monument proposal. The Satanic Temple has vowed a lawsuit over the measure, and said it didn't believe the law should be applied retroactively to its proposal. *** Well, now, maybe it's just me, but I don't think that ramming your vehicle into a monument with which you disagree is the right way to get things done. I can't imagine it helping my argument to get my way with my parents had I hit them in the shins with a Matchbox car as a 3-year-old. That's perhaps the main problem: We have too many adults acting like children who don't get their way. Whether it's a guy in a truck hitting granite monuments or a politician at a microphone spitting nails -- figuratively speaking, of course -- there's too much childish behavior going on when the times in which we live call for patience and thoughtful compromise. But, for Reed, I bet (allegedly) ramming his truck into a big granite monument which he didn't like did feel pretty good. *** Here's one for the birds: California woman told to get rid of 450 exotic birds at home CASTRO VALLEY, Calif. (AP) A group of California homeowners has heard enough from the gaggle of exotic birds in their neighbor's backyard. After repeated complaints, authorities recently told a woman in Castro Valley she has 30 days to reduce her flock of birds from 500 to 50. The East Bay Times reports the birds were being bred and raised in the backyard, and then being offered for sale on Craigslist. Neighbors have been complaining about the noise, smell and flies attracted to the poop. Police say despite the large number, the woman has been providing the birds with sufficient care and food. Officials inspected the flock under the owner's permission. The owner has sold or given away 250 birds and is working to get rid of another 200. Authorities considered confiscating the birds, but have neither the experience nor space to store them. *** Wow. I don't even want to imagine all the excrement that that many birds would, um, produce ... never mind all the squawking. I couldn't even take care of one bird ... I wouldn't know what to do. I guess I'd have to wing it. *** Finally, a little something for the, uh, speed demons out there: Suspect took joyride on street sweeper, crashed and fled PATERSON, N.J. (AP) Police in New Jersey are looking for a suspect who stole a street sweeper and went on a brief joyride before crashing it. Paterson police say the theft happened around 2 a.m. Wednesday as a worker was changing a garbage bag on the vehicle. The suspect drove the vehicle for about a half mile and then crashed into several cars before running away. No one was injured, but several parked cars were damaged. *** This one did make me laugh out loud. A "joyride" on a street sweeper? What do they go -- about 5 mph? OK, I know they can go a regular speed, but my first mental image was of the mystery driver poking along slowly, laughing and whooping it up at 3 mph going down the street. Ah, people! There are too many out there crazy enough to drive the rest of us nuts, but there are a few oddballs who are mostly harmless and just provide a bit of amusement. Thanks, you off-the-wall specimens of the human race. We all need a laugh or two now and then. ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) - The mother of a 16-year-old transgender boy who is being denied access to the boys' restroom at his high school is suing a Florida school board. The boy, identified as Drew Adams in the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court, attends the Allen D. Nease High School, in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Drew was born a girl but has identified as a boy since 2015. According to the complaint filed against the St. Johns County School Board, the boy's mother says her son began being denied access to boys' restrooms after an anonymous report was made in September 2015. After the report was made, school's counselors instructed the boy to refrain from using boys' restrooms and to use gender-neutral restrooms instead. 100 years ago, June 29, 1917 MATTOON -- The executive committee of the Mattoon Citizens' Relief Committee met today with representatives of the American Red Cross to receive recommendations for distribution of the funds for the May 26 tornado sufferers in the city. The committee may not conclude its planning until Saturday night. The funds awarded to individuals will not be made public, members said. Awards are to be prioritized on the basis of: death, permanent injury, real property loss, personal property lost, temporary injuries... MATTOON -- George McCully of Flora, a carpenter assisting in repairs of the Grant Park school house, which was in the path of the May 26 tornado, was badly injured today when the building, which was almost completed, suddenly collapsed. Four of the man's ribs were fractured, one of which penetrated his lungs. He was taken to Mattoon Memorial Hospital. He may not recover... WESTFIELD -- The buildings comprising what were for years known as Westfield College were destroyed by flames Wednesday night after having been struck by lightning. The loss is estimated at $25,000. The buildings were erected in 1861, and until three years ago, were known as Westfield College, one of the leading United Brethren colleges in the middle west. Three years ago the college was closed, and since that time the buildings have been used for church and school purposes. 50 years ago, 1967 MATTOON -- William H. Swearingen, a member of the Mattoon City Council, has resigned his post with Anaconda American Brass Co. and will move to Florida next month. Swearingen said he will submit his resignation as Commissioner of Finance during the July 5 City Council meeting. A former teacher in Mattoon, Swearingen has accepted a position as distributive education coordinator at Cocoa Beach High School in Florida. He has been with Anaconda as purchasing representative since 1961... CHARLESTON -- Four Mattoon men were among eight Coles County residents inducted into the Army in Chicago on June 14, according to Betty J. Brown, clerk of Selective Service Board No. 97 in Charleston. Inducted from Mattoon were Marion Dobbs, Michael P. Simpson, Earl L. Horath and John L. Scholer. Other inductees were William E. Harpster and James A. Willis, both of Charleston; Gary D. Warren of Oakland and Warren N. Swinford of Lerna. 25 years ago, 1992 CHARLESTON -- On July 4, the city will host an explosive celebration. More than 80 individuals and groups will toot their pride as they go from the square to Morton Park in the second annual parade beginning at 1 p.m. More than 30 non-profit groups will fill the park offering food, face painting, balloons and raffles. It is the citys first Red, White and Blue Days, which features a piece of Bill of Rights Bicentennial Cake after the parade. Tom Morgan of Charleston, past VFW state commander, will introduce a veteran from each of the nations past five wars in the ceremonial ringing of the Liberty Bell in the park CHARLESTON -- Because his bicycle worked, Chris Wiley no longer has to be known around here as Aislinn Wileys brother. Chris Wiley, brother of Eastern Illinois University track and cross country runner Aislinn Wiley, topped the 118-competitor field Saturday in the eighth annual Eastern Illinois Triathlon. Wileys winning time in the half-mile swim, 23-mile bicycle ride and 5-mile run was 1 hour, 40 minutes, 52 seconds. The course record is 1:34.33 by former Charleston resident Paul Barford. Wileys sister, Aislinn, was the second woman finisher overall. Sally Feick of Indianapolis won the womens division in 1:51.11. Wiley was next in 1:53.44. The top local finisher was Rick Shull of Mattoon in 1:50.00 for 14th. 100 years ago, June 30, 1917 DECATUR -- The postal department, through its efficient force, was not long in gathering in Bertram E. Thomas, a veteran mail clerk of the Mattoon Post office, for taking money from the mails. Some credit goes to the assistance given by Decatur postal officials. Local officials took up the trail because a lot of Decatur people and firms, perhaps a dozen, had reported losing money out of registered letters. The route of each latter was traced, and it was found that every one of them passed through Mattoon. It is thought the thefts had been going on for about five weeks, and in that time Thomas was supposed to have taken about $2,300... MATTOON -- Robert Bryant, a well-known farmer living near the Little Wabash Church, while fishing this morning at Paradise Lake, was struck by a lure that flew off from his son's fishing line. Two of the hooks pierced the flesh of his cheek and could not be extracted. Bryant came to Mattoon in an automobile, the lure dangling from his face. A surgeon cut the ends off the hook and pulled them through without difficulty. 50 years ago, 1967 GREENUP -- The dead and injured from a head-on collision yesterday just west of Greenup on U.S. Route 40 all were from out of state. Killed in the 10:30 a.m. accident were three people from Franklin Square, N.Y., and a St. Louis woman. A St. Louis man was in critical condition at St. Anthony Hospital in Effingham. Cumberland County Sheriff Pat Thomas said the car containing the New York residents was westbound. It apparently went off the road and in an effort to get back on the pavement the driver overcorrected, striking the eastbound car with the St. Louis residents... MATTOON -- A Lincoln marker located southwest of Mattoon on the Coles and Shelby County line west of Paradise was originally placed in 1923 by the Governor Edward Coles Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Shelbyville DAR chapter. The marker was erected to mark the "Lincoln Circuit" from the Charleston courthouse to the Shelbyville courthouse. These circuit days of Lincoln started in 1847 and occurred before Mattoon was founded in 1855. Paradise then was a thriving settlement with several general stores, a tannery, grist mills, tile and brick factories, as well as a Methodist church, a school house and numerous log homes. The marker recently was restored by women of the Edward Coles DAR chapter. 25 years ago, 1992 CHARLESTON -- After a divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that states cannot ban abortions, it did say states may raise new hurdles for women seeking to end their pregnancies. By a 5-4 vote, the Court upheld the core of its Roe vs. Wade decision that women have a constitutional right to abortion. Local leaders on both sides of the abortion issue declined to call the ruling a victory for their cause. Lorraine Lathrop of Charleston, a longtime abortion rights advocate, said she cannot support any ruling that interferes with a womans right to choose. Rob Mckerrow of Neoga, who has been involved in numerous anti-abortion protests, said he was disappointed the ruling struck down some provisions of a restrictive Pennsylvania abortion law that was before the court TOLEDO -- Brian Dearing and Ryan Buescher were named valedictorian and salutatorian for the Cumberland High School Class of 1992. Dearing received an ROTC Scholarship from the University of Illinois where he plans to major in engineering. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Dearing. Ryan Buescher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Buescher, plans on majoring in engineering. He received a Talented Student Scholarship to Lake Land College, after which he will transfer to the University of Illinois. Dressed in capris, a thin jacket and a tank top, Kaylynn Johnson wandered the Naches National Forest for eight days drinking river water, eating nothing, barely sleeping and singing Jesus, Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood as she tried to find help. City of Yakima Fire Department crews respond to a brush fire on the corner of Madison Avenue and North Sixth Avenue Wednesday morning. Firefighters from several agencies throughout the Yakima Valley work to contain a brush fire near South Wenas Road in Selah, Wash., Tuesday, J Submit An Obituary Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. 9-1-1 is the backbone of public safety and Illinois back is breaking. On behalf of the Sheriffs, the Chiefs of Police, and all the men and women of public safety in Illinois, we encourage Governor Rauner to approve SB 1839. Without that approval, the system will be unfunded at the close of business June 30th, 2017. Its unthinkable that someone in Illinois might dial 9-1-1 after June 30th and nobody would be there to take the emergency call. Legislation passed in 2015 requires the consolidation of 9-1-1 SYSTEMS, and upgrading technology to help our telecommunicators deliver the most professional and expedited service to our communities. Our emergency dispatch centers are required to implement location services, receive text messages and automatic crash alerts within the next three years. None of this comes without a cost and that cost spread across all users is the fairest and most efficient model for delivery. The goal is to develop a fully-functional 9-1-1 system that meets the demands of ever-changing telecommunications technology in a digital world, while being accessible anytime, anywhere, from any device in Illinois. Providing 9-1-1 services for all members of our community simply cannot be done by keeping old, costly and failing technology in place. We firmly believe the proposed revenue provided in SB1839 for 9-1-1 allows for much-needed upgrades to outdated, flawed and ineffective technology including landline phone services using copper wire in 9-1-1 centers statewide. The surcharge increase also addresses the rising cost of salaries, technology and resources required to effectively deliver 9-1-1 services across Illinois. The time is now for Illinois to move forward, not backward, in protecting the citizens we all serve. Sheriff Doug Maier, White County, President, Illinois Sheriffs Association Chief James R. Kruger, Jr., Oak Brook P.D., President, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police When Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah wakes up in the morning, the last thing on his mind is another fence being built by Israel along its border with Lebanon. As far as hes concerned, when Israel invests billions in different fortifications on the northern border, its another small victory. The war he is waging against Israel is comprehensive: Sometime its reflected in missile attacks, but most of the time its psychological and economic. His goal is to make Israel waste money and live in fear. Thats how he believes he can break Israeli society. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter One thing that does bother Nasrallah when he opens his eyes is where will he get money to keep maintaining the huge political, military and civilian system he has built in Lebanon in a reasonable manner. Over the past two years, Hezbollah has been in a dire financial situation. The Iranian support has been reduced by hundreds of millions of dollars; there is a drop in the extent of taxation and donations; the Americans, the Saudis and others have declared the group a terror organization, and the sanctions are leaving their mark on its day-to-day life. Having no other choice, Hezbollah has sold assets and reduced salaries. One-third of Hezbollahs fighting force has been in Syria for four years now. One-third of the fighters have been either killed or wounded, and the burden of payments to their families is huge. Morale is affected too. Militants are reluctant to participate in another round of fighting in Syria after only narrowly escaping the previous time. Its no wonder that in the past two years Hezbollah has been burying 16 and 17-year-old boys who volunteered to fight among the organizations ranks in Syria. Fence on Israel-Lebanon border. A reason for war? Not as far as Hezbollah is concerned (Archive photo: Avihu Shapira) So why did someone in the defense establishment decide to make headlines this week by linking the commencement of work on the northern border fence to a summer war against Hezbollah? This is not the finest hour for Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon. Their ability to wear out and curb an Israeli ground maneuver has been reduced, as a significant part of the best or most professional forces reinforcing the defense lines in southern Lebanon is absent. If anyone in Israel decides there is a need to destroy Hezbollahs base in southern Lebanon, now is the time. A Hezbollah-initiated war coming out of Lebanon is out of the question right now, as far as the organization is concerned. Its leaders believe one of the ways to circumvent the Maginot Line Israel is building on its northern border is the Golan Heights. There, Israel is already wrestling with Hezbollah and Iran in different ways. This brawl is reflected in the Israeli strikes against the Syrian army in recent daysfollowing the spillover of mortar shells into Israelas part of the battle over shaping the Golan Heights future. It seems ever since the Russian army arrived in Syria, Israel keeps learning how a world power works. One of the tools frequently used by the Russians is called soft force: Deception, misleading, psychological warfare, a conflict between different parts of the population. On Sunday, for example, after the Israel Air Force bombed Syrian army units in Quneitra, the official Russian news agency reported the IDF had attacked posts of the al-Nusra Front rebel organization. That wasnt true, but does it matter? In the Russian code, such a statement indicates to the Syrians: We have no intention of interfering in your fights with Israel in the Quneitra area. And to Israel it says: We acknowledge your interest in this area. Israel doesnt really think the fence would lead to war in the summer. If a conflict erupts, it will be for other reasons. Its just working according to the Russian model to exert psychological and diplomatic leverages of pressure. So last week, Israels ambassador to the United Nations, followed by the Military Intelligence director, presented Hezbollah observation towers and accused UNIFIL of insufficient supervision, while this week, a military source created a headline that the fence could be used as a pretext for war. Its no coincidence. There is a message to Hezbollah here that if it fails to back down on its effort to establish strongholds in the Golan Heights, Israel may take advantage of its weakness in southern Lebanon and attack. This message is also recreating the recognition among the residents of southern Lebanon, and Lebanon in general, that Hezbollah may turn their lives into a living hell. To the world, this headline conveys the following message: Step up the sanctions against Hezbollah, because this terror organization is endangering the regions stability. The problem with the Russian method is that, in democratic societies, twisted messages could turn into a double-edged sword. The Galilee is thriving. The summer vacations are about to start. Such a message could dry up the Galilee. As soon as the first image of construction work on the fence is published, people will flee. IDF Special Operations Unit Duvdevan neutralized an armed Palestinian on Thursday evening, during a sweep of the city of Hebron. The Duvdevan unit, comprised of mista'arvim (a soldier disguised as an Arab for intelligence gathering purposes), was searching for concealed weapons when it came across the armed Palestinian who opened fire on them. They returned fire, and as a result the Palestinian was killed. No Israeli army soldier was injured during the incident. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Duvdevan drives through Jabel Jawar neighborhood during shootout The weapon carried by the neutralized terrorist Duvdevan had originally entered Hebron's neighborhood of Jabel Jawar to arrest another Palestinian man, who was believed to be a weapons dealer who was holding several homemade weapons at his house. An initial IDF investigation found that as they were approaching the house, another Palestinian manthe one they encountered with a weaponopened fire on the IDF fighters, who fired back. After killing him and retrieving his weapona submachine gun whose model is called Carlothey continued on to their original target. On Wednesday evening, at 21:14, the IDF reported that a mortar shell fell in an open area in the northern Golan Heights. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The IDF responded by stating that the mortar shell was a stray missile from the internal fighting in Syria and that there were no casualties and no damage as a result. Al-Nusra Front firing a tank (Photo: AP) "We are in full control of the situation, and we know what is happening across the border," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech in the Golan Heights, half an hour before the mortar shell fell. "Our line is clearwe do not interfere in what is happening in Syria, but we are determined to respond firmly and forcefully to any violation of our sovereignty. "We are not willing to accept no 'spillover' (of fire from the Syrian conflict) on the Golan or anywhere else." Less than half an hour later, the IDF attacked the mortar belonging to the Syrian regime from which the shell was fired. According to a report in the Lebanese network Al-Miyadin, the outpost attacked by the IDF resided in on the outskirts of Quneitra and was either allied or under the Al-Nusra Front terrorist organization. Netanyahu at his speach (Photo: Avihu Shapira) In response to the fall of the mortar shell in the Golan Heights and the IDF's response in Syria, Netanyahu said while on his visit to the Golan Heights: "I said here that we will not tolerate 'spillover' and that we will respond to every shooting. During my speech here, a mortar shell was fired on our territory from the Syria and the IDF has already attacked. "Whoever attacks uswe attack him back. This is our policy and we are sticking to it." The mortar shell fell near the border fence, when only last night the restriction of the area as a closed military zone was canceled due to relative quiet. Since the beginning of the week, dozens of mortar shells have fallen across the Israel-Syria border as a result of the battles between the rebels and Assad's army, most of them falling near the border fence between Quneitra and the Galon's Valley of Tears. The IDF retaliated several times, destroying the mortars and tanks responsible. A fire broke out on Wednesday in an olive grove near the Palestinian village of Burin in the Samaria region. Local Palestinians accused settlers of setting the fire and then running to Yitzhar, as dozens of trees went up in flames. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter IDF forces, fire and rescue teams and the Israeli Civil Administration arrived on the scene to investigate and offer assistance. An IDF lookout station reported picking up on unidentified figures in the area who were later seen fleeing. Fire and rescue teams have since then managed to overtake the fire. IDF soldiers facing settler rioters near Yitzhar X Human rights organization Yesh Din issued a response to the incident, saying, "For the past two months we have witnessed a wave of violence against the residents of Palestinian villages near Yitzar. If this was indeed arson, it is further proof that Israeli law enforcement agencies are not properly doing their job in the West Bank. The violence will not calm down if there is not a true deterrence, (createded) through the protection of Palestinians, effective investigating, prosecuting felons and delivering substantial punishments." The aftermath of the fire (Photo: Yesh Din) Israeli security forces are reportedly becoming increasingly disgruntled with frequent occurrences in which they are required to separate clashes between hostile Israeli and Palestinian rioters, both of whom are hostile to them in direct confrontations. Such confrontations have become particularly common in and around the settlement of Yitzhar. In one such recent incident , IDF reservists can be seen imploring the masked Jewish rioters to distance themselves from the area in their attempts to calm tensions. At certain times, the two sides can be seen shoving each other before one soldier simply gives up and stands there as the Jewish extremists throw rocks at him. At one moment, a Palestinian shepherd is seen bleeding from his face, a wound which he said was the result of being struck by a rock. The soldiers tended to the injured Palestinian at the scene even as he screamed at them in Arabic. In Yitzhar, however, the residents claimed that the Palestinians made their way onto land near the settlement and deliberately began agitating by lighting fires. According to that version, which is also supported by scenes in the video, Yitzhar residents made their way to the burning areas with fire extinguishers to prevent the flames from spreading. We felt totally helpless, said the soldiers who experienced the clashes during the last month. After months of training about how to fight and shoot and on the rules of engagement, no one taught us how to deal with a few 15-year-old Jewish children coming to throw stones at Arabs. It didnt matter what they did, the reservists continued, nothing helped. In the beginning we managed to push the Arabs back. They know that we can use force against them if we need to. But for the Jewish ones it didnt matter, one reservist bemoaned. The use of crowd-dispersal measures were insignificant. It was as if they were happy that there were soldiers with them, as if we were protecting them and that they wouldnt be harmed. So we stand there and in a way we give them legitimacy, he concluded. During riots, the soldiers said that one of the troops fired a bullet into the air in an effort to separate them. You cant judge whoever opened fire. None of us know what the hell we are supposed to do in that kind of situation, one reservist said. We came to defend the country and found ourselves dealing with delinquent children who are only forgiven because they have a skullcap. They called us Nazis and stinking Zionists. For what? For fighting a fire with them? For that we have been sent from our studies, work and family to protect their homes?" Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert was granted early release from prison by the prison parole board on Thursday morning after serving a year and four months behind bars. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Ehud Olmert in prison (Photo: Tal Shahar) Olmert served two thirds of his sentence after being convicted in 2015 in the so-called Talansky case, in which he was accused of accepting money-filled envelopes from American Jewish businessman Morris "Moshe" Talansky in return for favors. With the decision, the former premier is supposed to walk free this Sunday. Nevertheless, the State Prosecutors Office may throw a spanner into the works by seeking a delay in the decisions implementation. Speaking outside the prison, Olmerts attorney Shani Illouz hailed the decision, and described her defendants mood in light of his renewed freedom. He is extremely happy but I can tell you that he is still shocked by the things that have been thrown in his face, the attorney told a group of journalists. Referring to the controversy over his soon-to-be published memoir in which police recently raided Yedioth Books publishers amid fears the documents being used for it were classified and related to an investigation currently underway against Olmert, the attorney highlighted that the board had determined that there was no problem with its content. The board made its decision on the matter, she said, since the book was written well before anyone told him he was forbidden from publishing the book. That is written in the decision. Photo: Dana Kopel The attorney also noted that Olmert would volunteer at the NGOs Ezer lemarpe and Leketwhich seeks to improve efficiency in food distribution and surplus. Olmert requested to volunteer of his own volition. He is not obligated to do so due to his age. In addition, he will be treated once a week by the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority. Like any other prisoner, he will be required to (sign off on his arrival) with the police twice a month. Apart from these conditions, no further restrictions were imposed, the lawyer stated. MK Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union), a personal friend of Olmerts, welcomed the decision, insisting that the convict had paid the price of his actions. The decision is correct from a legal, personal and, I think, public standpoint. I think there is a feeling among the public that Olmert has paid the price and we need to let him go home, Hasson said, before claiming that Olmert had been subjected to relentless mistreatment. There has been serious maltreatment here. There was an attempt to endlessly harass him. Even while he was in prison he was harassed." Speaking shortly before the decision was taken, a close associate of Olmerts said: He hopes that he will be able to be released this morning and return to his children and grandchildren. That is all he cares about right now. He thinks, and justifiably so, that he doesnt deserve to be there for another day. There is no justification for keeping him in prison. Nevertheless, the Prosecutors Office opposed his release throughout the prolonged deliberations, citing a new memoir Olmert has been working on in prison. Hundreds of Internet Nebraska customers suddenly found themselves without internet service Wednesday night. Brian O'Neal, Internet Nebraska's chief executive officer, said he started hearing reports of it about 10 p.m. The issue stemmed from the expiration of a deal between the company and Charter Communications, which bought Time Warner Cable last year. In April, Charter informed Internet Nebraska that it was terminating an agreement that dated to the early 2000s that allowed Internet Nebraska to use its infrastructure to deliver its services. Internet Nebraska negotiated a new deal with Allo Communications, but since Allo is still building out its Lincoln-area network, not all of its customers can be served yet. An interim solution using Windstream was taking longer than expected, O'Neal said. Customers affected Wednesday night were those who either didn't or couldn't switch their Internet Nebraska service to Charter or another provider. O'Neal said the company's contract with Charter officially ended June 24, so he thought people might lose service then. But he said he heard from several customers that Charter had told them they could switch to the Specturm internet service and keep paying the same rate of $39.95 a month. "Last night was a complete and total surprise to us," he said. O'Neal said Internet Nebraska had received more than 400 phone calls by early Thursday afternoon from customers who had lost service. He estimated that between 500 and 1,000 customers were affected. Several social media posts indicated people who called Charter after having their service shut off were told Spectrum service would cost them anywhere from $44.99 to $49.99. In a statement, Charter spokesman Wes Shirley said customers were notified in April about the change in service and were instructed to take action soon to avoid an interruption in service. "Were confident customers will enjoy the benefits of Spectrum Internet," he said. Spain must stop funding anti-Israel NGOs, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid told the Spanish Congress of Deputies in Madrid on Wednesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Addressing a special session of the Spanish parliament, Lapid presented lawmakers with a comprehensive report showing millions of euros that have been used to finance Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) groups that have aligned themselves with terror organizations responsible for murdering Israeli civilians. Yair Lapid Israel faces terrorism in the form of knives and guns, always aimed at the weakest members of our society but in Europe, the weapon is lies, Lapid said, referring to claims made about Israel by BDS activists. In 2015, nearly 5.1 million euros were transferred to sub-organizations affiliated with terrorist organizations, and we identify the names, the sub-organizations, the addresses, and you have the ability to stop it, stated Lapid. It is up to you. It is your country, and it is your money. The report, Spanish Funding to NGOs Active in the Arab-Israeli Conflict, was published last month by NGO Monitor, a Jerusalem-based watchdog, and ACOM, a pro-Israel Spanish group that has pressed charges against pro-BDS groups citing Spains anti-discrimination laws. The report details organizations that call for boycotting Israel, and emphasizes the groups ties with violence. Yair Lapid in the Spanish parliament The patterns of Spanish funding point to a distinct ideological trend against Israel, manifest in calls for its isolation, endorsement of violence against civilians, and the promotion of libelous distortions against Israeli entities and individuals, says the report. All the Spanish NGOs (mentioned in the report) support BDS campaigns that target Israel economically, culturally, and academically, and all but one collaborate with Palestinian NGOs associated with the PFLP terrorist organization," it continued. Unfortunately, such hostile narratives are supported by government funding, and also amplified and legitimized via active participation of Spanish government officials and politicians in virulent events, under the banner of human rights and development, the report states in its closing sentences. In this manner," it concludes, "Spanish commitment to development cooperation is exploited for the sake of regional political agendas, in clear defiance of official Spanish foreign policy objectives and universal principles of foreign aid. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will visit Israel in August, his first trip to the Jewish state since entering office. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter During his visit, Guterres is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin. He will also be briefed by senior security officials, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and visit the Palestinian Authority. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, who will accompany Guterres on his visit, said he was "looking forward to showing (Guterres) the true Israel, which is an island of prosperity and stability in the tumultuous Middle East." Danon and Guterres at the UN. "Particularly because of the UN's discriminating treatment of Israel, it's important for the secretary general to see the complex challenges Israel is dealing with up close, along with its great contribution to the world as an innovative and groundbreaking country in many fields," Danon added. Earlier this month, Guterres raised ire in Israel with a special statement marking 50 years to the Six-Day War. Israel, he said, still occupies the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Syria's Golan Heights and the "occupation has imposed a heavy humanitarian and development burden" on Palestinians. "Among them are generation after generation of Palestinians who have been compelled to grow up and live in ever more crowded refugee camps, many in abject poverty, and with little or no prospect of a better life for their children," Guterres said. The UN chief asserted that "Ending the occupation that began in 1967 and achieving a negotiated two-state outcome is the only way to lay the foundations for enduring peace that meets Israeli security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty. It is the only way to achieve the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people." "Now is not the time to give up on this goal," he urged. "Now is the time to return to direct negotiations to resolve all final-status issues on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, agreements and international law." Iran used a Star of David to mark the target when testing its medium-range Qiam ballistic missile last December, according to satellite photos Israel has presented to the UN. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "'This missile test not only violates the UN Security Council's resolutions, it once more proves beyond any doubt Iran's true intentions to harm Israel," Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council on Wednesday. The Israeli ambassador called on the Security Council to take immediate actions against the Iranian threat. "Iran supports the regime of Bashar Assad, who is slaughtering hundreds of thousands of civilians in Syria, it funds Hezbollah, which threatens the citizens of Israel, and it supports terrorists and tyrants across the Middle East and around the world," he said. Star of David marks the spot. "The Security Council must act immediately against this demonstration of hatred and Iran's provocative violations, which threaten the stability of the entire region," Danon added. Last month, in a rare move, Iran attacked an ISIS base in Syria with ballistic missiles , with Iranian officials claiming this was also a warning for Israel The Islamic republic has been conducting ballistic missile tests since 2015, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Religious leaders in the US along with lawmakers and former federal officials have urged Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asking him to fill the position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism at the State Department. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "As faith leaders who care deeply about combating anti-Semitism, we know how critically important this Special Envoy role has been in representing our government abroad on a range of issues affecting the safety and welfare of Jewish communities," read an open letter written by the ADL and signed by nearly two dozen representatives of the Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish faiths. "We urge you to clarify your position and commit to filling this statutorily mandated appointment as soon as possible." US Secretary of State Tillerson (Photo: Reuters) The Special Envoy position, which was created in 2004 under the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act, helped define the State Department's working definition of anti-Semitism, in addition to monitoring, reporting on and combating acts of anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement abroad. The position has been vacant since US President Donald Trump took office in January. Bloomberg reported in February the White House was considering eliminating the position, along with other special envoy positions dedicated to climate change and Muslim communities among others. Plans to elimite the position as part of the Trump administration's efforts to make drastic cuts in government spending were also crticized by the American Jewish Committee, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, more than a 100 Holocaust organizations, educators and scholars. US Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, who authored the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act under George W. Bush's administration, also came out against plans to defund the office, noting recent bomb threats made to Jewish centers across the US as well as recent acts of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries. "It is vital that one senior law enforcement official has the mandate to lead efforts across the government to anticipate, prevent and respond to threats and attacksespecially violent onesagainst the American Jewish community," Smith said in a statement. Hannah Rosenthal, who served as the special envoy from 2009 to 2012, asserted that "If someone is not tasked with this responsibility, it will not be done." She went on to say the working definition of anti-Semitism formulated by the office has been helping American diplomats around the world "push back" against offensive activities and speech. Her successor, Ira Forman, who served as the special envoy from 2013 to January 20, 2017, echoed those sentiments, saying US leadership around the world "will vastly diminish if the office of the special envoy is not supported by senior leadership at the State Department." State Dept. questions whether position needed A State Department official quoted by NBC News said the Department wants to ensure it was "addressing anti-Semitism in the most effective and efficient method possible and are exploring the best means to continue to do so." The State Department, he said, "remains concerned by high levels of anti-Semitism in many other countries." Tillerson was asked about the vacant position when testifying in front of the US House of Representatives' State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee on June 14. Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY, said during the hearing, "We have written a bipartisan letter and made repeated calls from Congress for you to fill this seat. By what date do you know if you will have appointed a new special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism?" Tillerson said the State Department was trying to ascertain whether the special envoys "weakened our attention to those issues," arguing that other diplomats avoid dealing with the issue because there is a special envoy in place. "One of the questions Ive asked is, 'If were really going to affect these areas, these special areas, dont we have to affect it through the delivery on mission at every level at every country?'... And by having a special person, an envoy out here, one of my experiences is, mission then says, 'Oh, weve got somebody else that does that,' and then they stop doing it. And so it was not the intent." The ADL rejected Tillerson's assertions, saying, "We appreciate the sentiment you expressed that all diplomats should feel responsible for combating anti-Semitism. However, concerns about anti-Semitism do not always make it on to the agenda of diplomatic meetings, especially when many other legitimate and pressing issues require attention. By contrast, when the Special Envoy meets with foreign officials, anti-Semitism is the agenda." A billion-dollar deal which would have seen Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) leasing Heron-2 drones to the German Air Force was scrapped Wednesday from the German agenda amid objections by coalition parties opposed to their offensive capabilities. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Opposition to the deal was first raised last week after members of parliament paid a visit to the industrial compound in Israel and expressed dismay at the discovery that the drones were already equipped with weapons systems which were almost ready to begin operations from the air. Heron-2 drone (: ) X Shortly after the visit, members of Germanys Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is part of Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government, told Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Friday that they would not approve the deal with Israel in its current version. Photo: Getty Images Despite the fact that Germany is currently operating more than ten Heron-1 drones around the world, including in Afghanistan, used for reconnaissance purposes only, the Social Democratic MPs demanded that the Heron-2 drones, which can be equipped with rockets unlike the previous model, do not come with the inclusion of any specialized weapons systems. The party is fundamentally opposed to the notion of preemptive targeted liquidation using drones. After the visit, its members demanded that the drones be received in a state that would only facilitate intelligence gathering. Its a shame that our friends in the coalition and the Defense Ministry are so stubborn, said one SPD member yesterday in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Ynets print publication. We would have happily had the drones leased for intelligence missions from the IAI. What a shame. The German Green Party welcomed the decision. Attacks launched by drones changed the face of wars in a radical way. They often contribute to the escalation in the levels of violence and they are a contravention of international law, one member added. The last opportunity to approve the deal before the Bundestag's summer hiatus was at the budget committee meeting on Wednesday. Given that it was rejected, discussions on the matter will have to wait for the next government after the September elections. After addressing the Russian Federation Council, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein returned to his Moscow jail cell on Wednesday as part of a tour of his life as a prisoner of Zion in the Soviet Union. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter That chapter of Edelstein's life began shortly before Shabbat, on Friday, August 24, 1984, when government agents knocked on the door of the young Hebrew teacher and aliyah activist's apartment and demanded to search the premises. This led to false charges of drug possession, a perfunctory criminal trial and a sentence of three years' imprisonment. Edelstein was eventually released in May 1987 and in July of that year his dream came true when he made aliyah to Israel. Edelstein visits prison where he was incarcerated (Photo: Aleksandr BiBik) Edelstein started his tour at the Moscow Choral Synagogue, where he used to meet with other Zionist activists, among them many who, like him, were denied permission to emigrate by the Soviet authorities. He later visited the north Moscow apartment in which he lived with his late wife Tanya, where a search by Soviet authorities led to his arrest, and then the courthouse where he was sentenced. The highlight of the tour was at the infamous Butyrka prison in northern Moscow, where Edelstein was held for three months, before being sent to a gulag in Siberia to do hard labor. "As soon as the gate closes behind you, you realize you're on different planet," Edelstein said after being greeted by the deputy head of Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service. "You enter a big cell with dozens of inmates, carrying a thin mattress with one hand and several belongings with the other." Edelstein, center, with Yosef Mendelevich, left, and Natan Sharansky, right, all three of whom were forbidden from making aliyah (Photo: David Rubinger) Edelstein also visited cell number 138, where he was imprisoned. He pointed to where his bed was, and recounted how he was able to hide his Siddur (prayer book) and how he was put in solitary confinement after going on a hunger strike. During his tour of the prison, Edelstein noticed a refrigerator and an electric kettle, noting that during his imprisonment he could only dream of such luxuries. At the end of his visit, the Knesset speaker received a book about the prison. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to visit during his upcoming trip to Israel next week the child of parents who were murdered in the 2008 terror attack on the Chabad House in Mumbai. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The visit will be part of Modis agenda during his three-day stay in what will be the first ever trip by any Indian prime minister to Israel as the two countries further consolidate what has blossomed into a cooperative relationship on numerous fronts, including agriculture, water and security. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: EPA) In recent months, India and Israel have signed bilateral agreements amounting to billions of dollars. In the attack, six people, including Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivkawho ran the Jewish outreach center which also offered support to drug victimswere killed when four terrorists entered the premises and began spraying occupants with bullets. Rivka was five months pregnant when her life was ended. However, the couples son Moshe, who was 2 years old at the time, survived the attack after his Indian nanny Sandra Samuel managed to remove him from the carnage and bloodletting. Moshe, now 10 years old, was later sent to Israel where he was taken in and raised by his grandparents. Sandra, who was related to him, left her birthplace after the attack and also headed for Israel where she received an Israeli identity card. Since then, she has been assisting in Moshes treatment. Modis meeting with Moshe will take place in the Tel Aviv Convention Center and will also be attended by his grandparents and Sandra. The Indian premier, who has shown conspicuous support for forging relations with Jerusalem, will also be visiting Yad Vashem and cemetery in Haifa which serves as the burial site for Indian soldiers who fought for the British during World War II. In addition, Modi will meet with President Reuven Rivlin and opposition leader Isaac Herzog. During his visit, he will put his signature to another series of cooperative agreements comprising a spanning across an array of fields. Israel decided Thursday to no longer allow family visits for some 1,200 Hamas prisoners in an effort to put pressure on the terror organization and advance talks on the return of Israeli citizen Abera Mengistu and the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in Gaza in 2014. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Israel Prison service (IPS) refused to comment on the decision. The Gaza Prisoners' Affairs Ministry came out against the decision, saying this "punishment" serves as "a declaration of war against the prisoners" and insisting Hamas would not allow the decision to stand "whatever the cost." Shita Prison (Photo: Ido Erez) The family of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza and snatched by Hamas, said about the decision, "For over two years, we have been demanding the Israeli government acts to cancel family visits and improved conditions for Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails. The family believes the equation must be changed on the issue of hostages, with pressure put on Hamas to lead it to the realization keeping hostages is a burden, not an asset." The family of Sgt. Oron Shaul, also killed and snatched by Hamas during Protective Edge, said in response, "We ask the Israeli government and the prime ministerdo not loosen your grip, this is the right decision and we hope its purpose is to return Oron from Hamas captivity as soon as possible." In April, Hamas leader Khaled Mashal said the organization will not negotiate over the return of Mengistu and the bodies of Goldin and Shaul before Israel frees security prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal and have since been arrested again. "One of the obstacles standing before a new deal is the fact Israel is ignoring its commitments," he said. The cancellation by the Israeli government of the 2016 decision to create an egalitarian prayer plaza at the Western Wall has caused significant harm to the image of a strong alliance between Diaspora Jewry and the State of Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The decision is a retreat by the Israeli government from an agreement between it and the American Conservative and Reform movements, which would have allowed them a section at the Western Wall, and cleared the way to preparing the holy site accordingly. The move constitutes a painful slap in the face of American Jewry, regarding a matter that is vital to it: Its own Jewish identity. NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS The strategic alliance with the US is a central pillar in the very foundation of the national security of Israel, and its international standing. The bond between the Jewish State and American Jewry has been a central component in nourishing and forging this unique alliance. This bond has been a major contributor to the overall strength of Israel over the last seven decades. Photo: AFP American Jews, famous for their activism and commitment, have been promoting the cause of Israel in local, federal, and international politics, philanthropy, and through social activism. It is this image of an unshakable, ever-committed bond that is now under threat, with possible, serious implications. The majority of the American Jewish community, justifiably viewed as powerful and influential, has remained unwavering in its support of Israel over the years, exercising its influence on behalf of the state, in every field. Liberal leaders have, in recent days, warned that the governments decision to dismiss the Western Wall agreement will have lasting consequences. Large sections of American Jewry, who feel that their identity has been rejected, could lose motivation to act for Israel, resulting in a weakening of proactive support. Some might even seek ways to vent their anger towards the government of Israel and its coalition partners. The fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are willing to harm Israels long-term national security for political, short-term survival shows that the cancellation is a rushed, short-sighted decision. BIPARTISANSHIP OR BIFURCATION? The principle of bipartisan support means that Democrats and Republicans, Left and Right, Liberals and Conservatives all have a place in the pro-Israel tent in America. The liberal American Jewish communities have traditionally, for historical reasons, been in the Democratic party camp, while the Orthodox minority mainly supports President Donald Trump and his Republican party. We are now reaching a stage in which decisions by the Israeli government win support by American Jews who support Trump, and at the same time, they tangibly harm the position of liberal American Jews, who it so happens are Democratic supporters. Photo: AFP The near absolute correlation in the American Jewish community, split between the Liberal Democratic affiliation and the Orthodox Republican affiliation, means that decisions like the latest one by the government have partisan reverberations in the US. In the long run, these decisions undermine the traditional Israeli interest of securing bipartisan support of Israel. CAMPUS REVERBERATIONS The influence of such decisions will no doubt be felt on university campuses, where Reform and Conservative students are often instrumental in blocking attempts by the BDS movement in America. The moral power of the liberal, US Jewish community, and its ability to connect with other liberal organizations on a range of political issues, means it is well-placed to tackle BDS. But this fight against BDS may too have been weakened by the governments decision. PASTMIGHT BEPROLOGUE We have sadly seen this movie before. In 1988, when I was Israels Consul in Atlanta, the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir of the Likud party won a tight election race against Labor. As he proceeded to build a coalition, the Agudat Yisrael Haredi party demanded that the Law of Return be changed, to recognize only Orthodox converts as eligible for Israeli citizenship, and Shamir acquiesced, surrendering to their demand. The Jewish world at that time was up in arms, led by American Jews. I well recall the shocked responses of the Jewish community in Atlanta. Elderly American Jews, whose main life purpose was to act for Israel in local and international politics, were left in tears. Many saw the move as a permanent divorce from the State of Israel. It is difficult to find a family in the US that does not, in its close circle, include a convert of one manner or another, many of whom are not recognized by the Israeli Rabbinate. Shamir understood the crisis, and made a swift, wise, U-turn, dropping the proposal, and adopting a unity government with the Labor party instead. His initial decision to give in to the Haredi proposal resulted from pure ignorance of the American Jewish community, unaware of the severe ramifications that would have ensued had he gone ahead with it. Photo: AFP Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Netanyahu, who lived in the US, and has a deep understanding of the composition, as well as key issues and values, of American Jewry. The fact that Netanyahu is profoundly familiar with the American Jewish world leads to the inescapable conclusion that he is willing to sacrifice Israeli long-term interests and Jewish unity for short- term political survival. If not remedied, this episode may become the most significant crisis between American Jews and the Israeli government to date. Thousands of fans in the average age range of 50-70 arrived Wednesday at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv for a concert by Tom Jones, the most charming Welshman we know. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The ravages of age (Jones celebrated his 77th birthday this month) did not seem to have affected his vocal cords. Tom Jones (Photo: Rina Ledin) He brought with him a group of nine young (mostly) musicians, the performances of the songs were smooth and varied, and between his greatest hits he surprised with inspired renditions to songs like My Yiddishe Momme, and all this in a surprising sequence. Sex Bomb X So we came out of the show with a smile and a feeling that it was definitely worth the ticket price moneybut Tommy, you did not manage to really excite us enough. We did not shudder at the performance and did not leave the hall with butterflies in our stomachs. It's Not Unusual X Songs like Sex Bomb were anything but sexy, with a leisurely performance and without a trace of the explosive energy Jones had in his time, though we were compensated with more emotional ballads like Delilah, which did not fail to stir the crowd's emotions. Romania's Parliament has approved a new leftist government after dismissing the last one in a no-confidence vote amid political infighting in the ruling party. Many ministers are keeping their jobs despite being criticized for alleged underperformance. The chairman of the governing Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea, is barred from being premier due to a 2016 conviction for vote-rigging. Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, a Dragnea ally, served as economy minister under ex-Premier Sorin Grindeanu. A new deputy prime minister has been appointed and tasked with informing the Social Democrats about government activity. Lawmakers approved the new government in a 275-102 vote. A man yelled Freedom! as he crashed his vehicle into Arkansas new Ten Commandments monument early Wednesday, nearly three years after he was arrested in the destruction of Oklahomas monument at its state Capitol, authorities said. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The privately funded Arkansas monument had been in place outside the state Capitol in Little Rock for less than 24 hours before it was knocked from its plinth and smashed to pieces. Ten Commandments monument (Photo: AP) Michael Tate Reed, 32, of Van Buren, Arkansas, was booked in the Pulaski County jail shortly after 7:30 a.m. on preliminary charges of defacing objects of public interest, criminal trespass and first-degree criminal mischief. An arrest report lists his occupation as unemployed/disabled. Authorities did not know whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. A video arraignment was set for Thursday morning, a Pulaski County sheriffs spokesman said. A call to the number listed for Reed on a police report went straight to voicemail. Arkansas Secretary of States Office spokesman Chris Powell said officials believe a Facebook Live video posted on a Michael Reeds account that depicted the destruction is authentic. In the video, the sky is dark and the Arkansas Capitols dome is visible. Music is heard followed by a female voice, likely on the radio, saying, Where do you go when youre faced with adversity and trials and challenges? The driver is then heard growling, Oh my goodness. Freedom! before accelerating into the monument. The vehicles speedometer is last shown at 21 mph (33 kph) and then a collision can be heard. The monument fell and broke into multiple pieces as it hit the ground. Oklahoma County sheriffs spokesman Mark Opgrande told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Reed was the same man arrested in October 2014 in the destruction of Oklahomas Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol. In a 2015 email to the Tulsa World, Reed apologized for wrecking Oklahomas monument and said he suffered from delusions and heard voices. I am so sorry that this all happening (sic) and wished I could take it all back, Reed said. Mugshot of Michael Tate Reed, June 28, 2017 (Photo: Pulaski County Sheriff) Arkansas granite monument weighed 6,000 pounds (2,721 kilograms). It was installed Tuesday morning on the southwest lawn of the Capitol with little fanfare and no advance notice. A 2015 law required the state to allow the display near the Capitol, and a state panel last month gave final approval to its design and location. Obviously, Im very disappointed that someone would carry out an act of violence thats actually against the people of Arkansas, said Republican Sen. Jason Rapert, the state lawmaker who led the push for the monument. Rapert said he was confident he could quickly raise funds for a replacement. Travis Story, the general counsel of the American History and Heritage Foundation, which raised money for the monument, said the group already has ordered a replacement but that it would take a couple of months. The unveiling of the Ten Commandments monument, June 27, 2017 (Photo: American History & Heritage Foundation) Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who signed the legislation requiring the monuments installation, wrote in a tweet that resorting to property destruction is never the answer to a policy disagreement. The American Civil Liberties Union condemned the destruction of the monument, which it has called an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. We strongly condemn any illegal act of destruction or vandalism, ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Rita Sklar said. The ACLU remains committed to seeing this unconstitutional monument struck down by the courts and safely removed through legal means. Arkansas monument is a replica of a display at the Texas Capitol that was upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2005. After Oklahomas monument was destroyed in 2014, a replacement was erected but then ordered removed by that states Supreme Court, which determined its location on state property violated a constitutional prohibition on the use of state funds to support a religion. Photo: AP Family members told The Oklahoman in 2014 that Reed suffered from bipolar disorder and some type of schizophrenia. Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said he declined to pursue criminal charges against Reed because it was apparent he had a long history of mental illness and because the offense was a property crime. Prater said Reeds family lives in Arkansas and secured a facility there that could treat him. Had it been a violent crime where he had harmed another person, burglarized someones home or something like that, I would have been forced to handle the case differently, Prater said. Iranian state TV said on Thursday seven Iranian fishermen detained by Saudi Arabia's coastguard over a year ago had been returned to the country amid heightened tension between the regional rivals. "Seven Iranian fishermen who were arrested by Saudi Arabia' border security guards over a year ago have been returned to the country," state television reported without elaborating. The circumstances of the fishermen being detained were not clear. Saudi authorities could not immediately be reached for comment and the release was not mentioned in the Saudi media. Iran's Foreign Ministry declined to comment beyond confirming the release. Shi'ite dominated Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia accuse each other of fomenting tension in the Middle East, where the two arch rivals back opposite sides in conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. The UN Security Council is strongly condemning fighting in the buffer zone between Syria and Israel and it's urging the Syrian government and opposition groups to withdraw from the area, which is patrolled by UN peacekeepers. A resolution sponsored by Russia and the United States was adopted unanimously Thursday by the Security Council. It extends the mandate of the peacekeeping mission until Dec. 31. The mission has patrolled the buffer zone between Syria and Israel since 1974, a year after the Arab-Israeli war. Military activities in zone are a spillover of the six-year Syrian conflict. The resolution backs Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' findings that ongoing military activities in the zone could jeopardize the cease-fire between Israel and Syria and pose risks to civilians and UN personnel on the ground. The State Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday evening that it would not appeal the parole board's decision to release former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after serving two thirds of the sentence. This means that Olmert will leave prison for his home this Sunday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Justice Ministry said in a statement: "In a discussion at the attorney general's office this evening, with the participation of the state prosecutor and the top echelon of the State Attorney's Office, the parole board's decision in the case of Ehud Olmert was thoroughly studied. "The State Attorney's Office recommended that, on considering all the circumstances of the case, there is no basis for appealing to the district court against the parole board's decision. The attorney general adopted the recommendation, and accordingly it was decided not to file an appeal with the district court." Olmert (File photo: AP) The parole board of the Israel Prison Service had decided earlier that day to release Olmert. Controversy broke out over his soon-to-be published memoir, resulting in police raiding Yedioth Books publishers amid fears the documents being used for it were classified and related to an investigation currently underway against Olmert. However, the parole board commented in its decision: "The prosecution's claim that violating the IPS's instructions in the matter of the book indicates a continuing pattern of fraud is unacceptable to us. In order to discuss the request for the prisoner's release, we must address the security and legal issues involved in this issue." "It is clear to us that hundreds of pages of the book have been released from prison and returned to the prisoner before and after November 2016, and this is openly known to the IPS, and without any factor trying to prevent this conduct until the middle of May," it added. The parole board further commented: "(Olmert) was punished for his actions and paid a heavy price. We decide to accept his application for conditional release in accordance with the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority's plan. " Olmert served two thirds of his sentence after being convicted in 2015 in the so-called Talansky case, in which he was accused of accepting money-filled envelopes from American Jewish businessman Morris "Moshe" Talansky in return for favors. The Neligh News and Leader recently ran a story about a project in which an old one-room school house will be moved from south of Clearwater to Neligh where it will be restored as a part of the countys museum. I was thrilled. Was this your school? asked my sister-in-law. It wasnt. This was the building from District 70. I went to District 60 and that building, as far as I know, was moved from the original site many years ago. But I was still thrilled. Anytime a one-room school house is restored, it is an opportunity for children today and into the future to see how their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents went to school in rural Nebraska. And it is an opportunity for us farm school kids to remember our first educational experience. District 60 was located just a few miles from our house. Each morning, parents would pull into the little acreage and go around the circular drive to drop off kids. The families had last names like Mueller, Knievel, Schrunk, Stearns, Hemenway, Henn, Ahlers, Zegers, Maben . . . We kids ranged in age from Kindergarten to eighth grade . . . so the desks in that one big room would range in size from the very smallest with top drawers to the giant ones with side compartments in the back. Each year, there was only one teacher. Most of my elementary years, Mrs. Elliott was the school marm who kept us in line and made us spend endless hours practicing our penmanship on the gray paper with dotted lines. While there was only one teacher, I often thought that we all at some point became a teacher as well. Often, the teacher would utilize the skills of older kids to help instruct the younger kids. It was a unique dynamic that I think expanded our young minds in an innovative although accidental way. Each class would have only one, two or three students and wed take turns, by subject and by age, to turn in our assignments and have an instructive talking to. We had verbal spelling bees in which age groups would compete and after lunch wed take turns presenting book reports . . . sometimes the teacher would read to us aloud. Our library was a shelf of old books that had weathered pages turned by previous generations, and the bathrooms were so cold in winter you never wanted to touch your bare skin to the toilet in fear you might freeze to it. There was a narrow coat room by the entrance where wed place our lunch boxes. The shelves would be lined with those metal containers decorated with images of the Brady Bunch, the Million Dollar Man, the Bionic Woman, the Partridge Family, The Fonz and the Hardy Boys. Inside the boxes were our lunches, carefully packed by either our mothers or the oldest sibling. The great part about winter was eating lunch because the stove that heated the entire one room school was also a great place to make grilled cheese. We simply took buttered bread with cheese in the middle, wrapped it in aluminum foil and then at 11 a.m. or so, the teacher would allow the older kids to gather up the sandwiches and place them on the stove. The trick was putting them in a certain place on the stoves surface, so the cheese would melt and the bread wouldnt burn. I remember my stomach growling while the time slowly ticked away, trying to do my math despite the strangely homey smell of bread drying out and Velveeta leaking out to char. After a few well-choreographed flips, lunch hour would begin and wed excitedly open the aluminum foil to see what was left. Sometimes it was good, sometimes it was bad. But it was always an adventure. There was no refrigeration in the school, yet that dark, apparently well insulated closet kept our minced ham and mayonnaise sandwiches cold enough in the hot months. That, or we just had old fashioned immune systems and never noticed the symptoms of food poisoning. There were chores, even at school, as we had to take turns cleaning the bathrooms with Comet every other Thursday, put up and take down the flag each day, bang the erasers (to get the chalk dust out) each Friday afternoon, sweep off the front steps on Mondays during noon recess, and walk out to the mailbox on Tuesdays to see if any district-related paperwork had arrived. Our recesses were filled with glorious games of kick the can, hiding in the shelterbelt that surrounded three sides of the property, sitting in the tire swing that hung from the massive Big Tree, and spinning on the gloriously rusty and hazardous merry-go-round. We would have foot races down the gravel road . . . but with specific rules. Five kids would run and two kids would watch in each direction for tractors, trucks and anything else that could run us over. There was the amazing Christmas program that included the installation of the heavy and delightfully musty theater curtains. Once the curtains were hung and we had a stage, we became superstars who would recite poems, sing songs accompanied by the faded upright piano and perform skits. The program, always well attended by the folks and grandparents, concluded with a visit from Santa and bags of apples, caramels and popcorn. At the end of each school year, everyone from the neighborhood would come back . . . for the school picnic. The books were put away and delicious potluck dishes were placed on the desks. Wed eat an eclectic feast that always resulted in heavy gas, nausea and bloating that could only be alleviated by the afternoon softball game in which everyone played. The amazing day would close out with ice cream from these big brown containers that I only saw on those specific occasions. Gloria Christiansen, the fantastic lady who is spearheading the school project in Neligh, said in the article that one-room school houses are a big part of the cultural history of the state. Gloria is 100 percent correct. I believe that these schools were the fabric of rural Nebraska culture, back in the day. That school system perpetrated the feeling of community although none of us really lived that close to each other. The schools were cultural hand-me-downs from our ancestors . . . places where you could learn evolving information while still seeing your grandpas name carved into your desk. It was a place where it was acceptable to stay home from school during silage season, as long as your homework was delivered and returned by a little sister. It was a place where science lessons included unfortunate hands-on knowledge that snakes liked living in out-houses and fortunate hands-on knowledge that salt and snow were imperative when making homemade ice cream. It was a place where we learned about the world. It was a place where we learned about ourselves. And it was a place where we learned from each other. Simply put, it was the one-room experience. Thirteen inmates face felony assault charges in connection with the August 2016 incident at the Lincoln Correctional Center that injured nine staff members, according to court records. Among the men is Joshua Carr, who is serving 33 to 50 years for manslaughter in the 2014 shooting of Maurice Williams. He's since been transferred to the prison in Tecumseh. Carr has pleaded not guilty in the case, which is working its way through Lancaster County District Court along with 11 others. The 13th case is still in county court. On Aug. 24, 2016, the incident began when inmates refused to return to their cells and an inmate hit a correctional officer, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services officials said. Zabka, Warszawa, 166 m2 Lokal znajduje sie w budynku apartamentowym Unimax Development w inwestycji Viva Vitolin, przy ul. Grochowskiej 87 w Warszawie. Bedzie dostepny w 4Q 2023 roku (podpisanie umow przeniesienia wasnosci). A second judge has ruled against a young Lincoln woman seeking to seal a criminal case filed against her four years ago and later dismissed to diversion. An amendment to the state's "Security, Privacy and Dissemination of Criminal History Information Act" went into effect Jan. 1. It requires the courts to seal public records in cases such as hers that are dismissed by the court. But Lancaster County District Judge John Colborn found Tuesday that County Court Judge Matthew Acton had properly denied the 22-year-old's motion in February because her right to have the information removed from public record is governed by the law as it existed when Lincoln police cited her. "In this case, there is no evidence that the Act was meant to operate retrospectively," Colborn said in his order. Arianna Crum, an attorney with Legal Aid of Nebraska who represented the woman, argued the law should apply here, even if the case involved two city ordinance violations from 2013. "Our position is that this is not an issue of retroactivity at all," she said Wednesday. The law automatically seals cases like it starting this year. But, Crum said, it's Legal Aid's position that it became an option available to all legally innocent Nebraskans, no matter when their case was dismissed. "The whole purpose of the statute was really to help innocent Nebraskans from having the sting of a criminal record so they can move on with their lives and get housing and employment and go to school," Crum said. She said a criminal case, even one that was dismissed, can be a huge barrier. The Nebraska College of Law Civil Clinical Law Program also filed a "friend of the court" brief supporting the position, saying it had interest in the outcome because of its Clean Slate Project, which primarily helps military veterans clear up criminal records to improve their access to jobs, housing and education. In a brief, attorney Ryan Sullivan, a clinical assistant professor, told the judge the clinic had another case like it in county court presumably awaiting the decision here. When asked if it would appeal, Jennifer Gaughan, director of the legal program at Legal Aid of Nebraska, said those involved are considering their options. The Journal Star has chosen not to name the woman because the case involved misdemeanors disturbing the peace and assault and was dismissed. She was 18 at the time. Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro vowed on Wednesday to fend off what he called a coup attempt after a rogue cop allegedly dropped grenades from a helicopter in an attack the opposition and analysts said could be a hoax. The socialist president put the military on alert after the attack, a potentially dramatic escalation of the violence gripping the oil-rich South American country. The death toll rose by two more on Wednesday to 79 in three months of daily street protests against Maduro, blamed for a crisis marked by shortages of food, medicine and other basics. Maduro blamed the chopper attack on Oscar Perez, a police pilot-turned-actor who appeared in a video online claiming that he and other officers were launching an "aerial deployment" to push Maduro to quit. Beyond his police work, Perez has acted in a Venezuelan action film, "Suspended Death," and has posted photographs on social media of himself posing with weapons. "We are a coalition of military, police and civilian public servants opposed to this transitional, criminal government," said Perez, flanked by four masked figures in black, two of them holding rifles. Maduro has for months been fending off calls for elections to replace him, from opponents who blame him for a desperate economic crisis that has sparked hunger and deadly violence. He so far retains the public backing of the military high command -- a factor that analysts say is decisive if he is to remain in power. Venezuela has seen three attempted military coups since 1992. Maduro said no one was hurt in the helicopter attack, but branded it a "terrorist attack," part of an "escalation" by right-wing "coup" plotters. "I have activated the entire armed forces to defend the peace," he said in remarks broadcast from the presidential palace. Vice-President Tareck El-Aissami said later that the helicopter used in the attack had been found in Osma, a town near Caracas. No arrests had been made, he added. Photos circulating on social media showed a helicopter flying over Caracas as explosions were heard. In the video published by Venezuelan media, Perez called on Maduro to resign and for early elections to be held. Maduro said Perez had served as pilot for former interior minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres, a retired general who has since fallen out with the president. Leaders of the opposition MUD coalition said there was not yet enough information to comment. "Some people say it is a hoax, some say it is real, some say that it was police personnel who really are fed up," opposition legislative speaker Julio Borges told reporters. "Whatever it is, it is very serious. It all points to one conclusion: that the situation in Venezuela is unsustainable." Defense affairs specialist Rocio San Miguel said it was unlikely that "a military uprising is occurring." Maduro last week said he had replaced the heads of the army, navy, central strategic command and the military police. "It is possible that the helicopter incident was organized by the government, whether to distract attention or provoke a reaction from the middle ranks in order to continue purging the security forces," said Venezuelan analyst Diego Moya-Ocampos of London-based economic research group IHS Markit. Venezuela's Supreme Court meanwhile slapped an asset freeze and travel ban on Wednesday on Attorney General Luisa Ortega, a top critic of Maduro, after she accused him of creating a climate of terror. The court, which is closely aligned with the embattled president, set a hearing for July 4 to decide whether Ortega should face trial for alleged professional malpractice -- charges she has branded a political witch-hunt. Maduro on Tuesday announced the arrests of five opponents he accused of plotting against him to clear the way for a US invasion. Maduro's Foreign Minister Samuel Moncada complained that many countries were staying "silent" about the alleged coup plot. "They are protecting the authors of this deed by their complicity and feigned ignorance," he told a news conference on Wednesday. The international community has called for mediation to solve the Venezuela crisis after Vatican-backed talks last year broke down. European Union spokeswoman Catherine Ray said on Tuesday's events showed "the tensions and violence seem to have gone a step further" in Venezuela. "We expect all parties to urgently put an end to violence and avoid the use of force," she said. Cindy Lange-Kubick Columnist Cindy Lange-Kubick has loved writing columns about life in her hometown since 1994. She had hoped to become a people person by now, nonetheless she would love to hear your tales of fascinating neighbors and interesting places. Follow Cindy Lange-Kubick Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Wednesday, six months after Ross Smith died of pancreatic cancer, his family gathered on the north side of the Capitol and walked up the stairs and into Room 1015. Sen. Kate Bolz hugged his widow, Willa. She handed her a copy of LB263, the 2017 transportation bill, where folded into its many pages one of Smiths last wishes came true. A license plate to honor Natives. My dad didnt have a drop of Native American blood in him, said his youngest daughter, Shawnie Motschenbacher. Added his oldest daughter, Shereen Mills: But knowing my dad, it was like, What about the Native Americans? They were here first, we should honor them. Bolz was out campaigning in 2012 when she first met the man behind the license plate bill, Willa at his side. I knocked on their door and asked for their vote, Bolz says. They invited me in and introduced me to their dog, Ginger, and gave me a bottle of water and just like that we were friends. Smith even put up yard signs for her, happy as a clam. Then a year ago, he knocked on her door at the Capitol with an idea for a vanity plate. He visited Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of the Nebraska Commission of Indian Affairs, seeking her input and blessing. He got it. I got the sense he wanted to do something to set the record straight, gaiashkibos said. He was very respectful. He went to see Tom Brewer (the Legislatures only Native member) and knocked on Ernie Chambers' door (a skeptic of vanity plates). They got behind the idea, along with Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks. Brewer, a Republican. Bolz and Pansing Brooks, Democrats. And Chambers, a mountain lion lover. We made a persuasive little team, Bolz said. When Smith got too sick to work on the bill, his friend Gary Hughes carried on. He was a good man, Hughes said. He believed in what he was doing, whatever direction that took him in. The two men met at First Presbyterian Church where, among his many duties, Smith drove the van to pick up Sudanese families for services. He volunteered at the alopecia group, locally and nationally, after he was diagnosed in the 1970s. (He was bald before bald was cool, his youngest daughter said.) He was a hospice volunteer at Tabitha. He helped run a mens grief group there. He gave blood. He delivered Meals on Wheels twice a week. He drove cancer patients to the doctor, part of the American Cancer Societys Road to Recovery program. Even after he was diagnosed with cancer, he drove cancer patients. If you were new to Lincoln and didnt have a place to go for the holidays, you had a place at the Smith table. Dad just invited people and they became family, Motschenbacher said. Her father had a 25-year career in life insurance before getting his masters degree and starting a mid-life career as a vocational counselor for the next 25 years. He wasnt a salesman. He hated the selling part of selling life insurance. But he knew the importance of planning. Smith lived more than two years after his cancer diagnosis. When he began working on the Native license plate bill, no one in his family knew what he was up to. It was like, Wow, Dad, Motschenbacher said. To find out it passed after he died was really great. And it was pretty great at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, as grandkids and daughters and sons-in-law filed out of Room 1015 and walked up the marble steps to the Rotunda. Under that great domed ceiling, Judi gaiashkibos waited with copies of two license plate designs, both from a Native artist from Omaha, both with the same three words embossed along the bottom: Nebraskas First People. The state will make the final design decision and the plates will be made available in January, she told the Smith family. We really owe Ross a great debt of gratitude, gaiashkibos said. He wanted the world to right the wrongs. Hell live on through this. His widow gasped at the first prototype, an outline of Nebraska colorful and covered with buffalo and teepees, Standing Bear and Sandhill cranes and, in the center where the plate number would appear, four red letters: ROSS. Her next license plate, Willa Smith said, but with one small change: 4ROSS. New Delhi: The United States has cleared the sale of Guardian drones to India after the Modi-Trump meeting in Washington on last Monday, their first bilateral since the US president took office last year. Here are top facts about this predatory machine: 1/ The Predatory Guardian drones became operational on 1 May 2007. 2/ The drone was first inducted as part of the US Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) programme. 3/ India to purchase 22 naval variants of the unarmed surveillance aircraft. The Indian version of the drone is only for reconnaissance missions. 4/ Abraham Karem is the designer of the drone while General Atomics is the company that produces it. 5/ The Guardian drone can remain in the air for over 27 hours and it can reach a maximum altitude of 50000 feet. 6/ The drone's maximum speed limit is 240 KTAS (True airspeed, in knots). 7/ Its maximum payload carrying capacity is 1,746 kg. 8/ India will be the first country to purchase such a drone by a non-NATO member. 9/ Guardian drones can hunt targets and scan terrain by using multiple sensors that are equipped with thermographic cameras. 10/ The onboard camera is so powerful that it can read a license plate from two miles (3.2 km) away. Mumbai: Convicted smuggler and mafia operative Mustafa Ahmed Dossa, who died following a heart attack here was buried at the Bada Kabrastan in Charni Road early on Thursday. The funeral was attended by around 200 persons, mostly family members, friends and a large posse of police personnel. One son based in Dubai, Shahnawaz, also arrived for the last rites. Dossa was pronounced guilty by a Special TADA Court on June 16 for his role in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and died on Wednesday shortly before his expected sentencing. He was admitted to hospital early on Wednesday for hypertension, heart and diabetes-related issues. Dossa passed away under treatment around 2.35 p.m., T.P. Lahane, Dean, Sir J. J. Hospital, announced. Dossa, alias Mustafa Majnu, who was in his mid-50s, is survived by his brother, Mohammed Dossa, who is a co-accused in the same case and on the run, his second wife and five children. He was charged with and found guilty of landing three tonnes of the deadly RDX and AK-56 army assault rifles on Maharashtra`s Raigad coast weeks before the 1993 blasts, and was part of the conspiracy meetings held in Dubai in the homes of absconder mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and his brother Mohammed Dossa. Among those present at those meetings between December 1992-January 1993 were the blasts mastermind Dawood and Tiger Memon who implemented the plans. Hailing from Agripada in south Mumbai, Dossa mostly lived as a "colourful" and dapper businessman in Dubai, but in early 2003, he was arrested in a local case and was to be deported from the UAE. He decided to come to India and was arrested on March 20 that year after he landed at the New Delhi Airport. On June 16, nearly 24 years after the blasts rocked Mumbai, Special TADA Court Judge G.A. Sanap found him and five others guilty in the case. Since the past few days, the arguments for the sentencing were underway before the Special Judge. On Tuesday, June 27, Special Public Prosecutor Deepak Salve fired his salvo by seeking "the death penalty for Dossa", contending his (Dossa`s) role in the blasts was even more serious than the hanged convict, Yakub Memon. According to sources, Dossa was reputed for maintaining a grand lifestyle in jails, getting home-cooked food, regular family visitors, and even an attendant to care for his needs who reportedly waited outside the jail round-the-clock. The sources said that he had a soft corner for the Muslim inmates in prison and even organised `iftaars` for them (breaking the fast) during Ramadan months, making him a popular figure. Dossa`s trial was held along with Abu Salem who was deported from Portugal in 2005, Mohammed Tahir Merchant alias Tahil Takla, Karimullah Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui and Feroze Abdul Rashid Khan (all found guilty), while another accused, Abdul Qayyum, was acquitted from the case. Mumbai: The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) Maharashtra on Thursday (June 29, 2017) released the Provisional Allotment list for Engineering Common Admission Process (CAP) Round-I. Candidates can log on to www.dtemaharashtra.gov.in to check the list. The list, released at 12:30 am, contains names of the student and the college and courses allotted to him/her based on the rank in the MHT CET merit list. How to check the Provisional Allotment list: - Log on to www.dtemaharashtra.gov.in - Click on the link `Check Provisional Allotment Status CAP Round-I` - Alternatively, log on to fe2017alot.dtemaharashtra.gov.in - Enter your Application ID and Date of Birth in DD/MM/YYYY format - Click on `Submit` and check your allotment status Students who have been allotted their desired course and college in the CAP Round-I shall report to the respective Admission Reporting Centre (ARC) June 29 to July 3 up to 5:00 pm. The CAP Round-II list will be released on July 5. Mumbai: Indrani Mukerjea, who on Wednesday informed a special CBI court that she was beaten up and threatened with sexual assault during the violence in Mumbai's Byculla Jail last Saturday, had sustained injuries on her hands and other parts of her body, said a medical report. One of the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case and ex-media baron was among the prisoners who were protesting the death of a woman life-term convict and jail warden, Manjula Shetye, the previous evening (Friday) after Shetye was brutally hammered inside the jail by some prison staffers. On Wednesday, Mukerjea gave her statement before Special CBI Judge JC Jagdale, who ordered that she should be taken for a medical examination and later to the Nagpada Police Station to lodge her formal complaint on the incident. Through her lawyer, advocate Gunjan Mangla, she had moved an application before the Special Court on Tuesday following which Special Judge Jagdale directed the prison authorities to produce her in court on Wednesday. In her detailed statement, Mukerjea informed the court how she was threatened, assaulted and badly injured, and how she saw 45-year-old Shetye being assaulted on Friday night. "Indrani has received some blunt injuries and other (injuries) as well. Her claims of being beaten up appear to be true as per our check-up," the medical officer of JJ Hospital, where Indrani's medical examination was conducted, told PTI today on condition of anonymity. "It (Indrani's medical report) will be submitted to court, as the medical check-up was ordered by the court," the officer said. After learning of Shetye's death, Mukerjea said she had even offered to become a witness after a case was registered by the police. However, on the day of the protest, she alleged that the jail superintendent ordered a blackout inside the jail and ordered caning of the female prisoners and even the male officials joined in the charge. On her part, she said she was hit on the hand and legs, and the superintendent allegedly threatened her by saying: "You want to become a witness? We will see you... We will do the same we did to Shetye." Earlier on Tuesday, advocate Mangla said Mukerjea showed her the bruises and injuries on her hands, legs and head which she sustained during the assault, the verbal abuse and threats of sexual assault for joining the prisoners' protest against Shetye's death. Following Shetye's death, on Saturday morning the angry inmates resorted to a massive protest, some climbed to the terrace of the prison and drew the attention of passersby, some burnt things inside the jail. Later, the police lodged a complaint of rioting, attacking public servants, unlawful assembly and other charges against some 200 inmates, including Mukerjea. The prison officials alleged that Mukerjea reportedly instigated the inmates by asking them to go on hunger strike and use their children as 'human shields' when the jail staff tried to stop their agitation. Shetye, 40, was a jail warden serving the last few months of her 14-year jail term for murdering her sister-in-law in 1996. She had complained about some missing ration from the jail food stock on Friday. She was allegedly summoned by a woman jailor and beaten up brutally, according to witness statements recorded by the police. Shetye was rushed to the Sir JJ Hospital nearby but was pronounced dead on arrival that evening. According to police, she was beaten up and canes thrust into her private parts during the assault by six prison staffers. Shortly after the incident and the outcry, Additional Director-General of Prisons BK Upadhyay ordered a probe and suspended six jail staffers against whom there were allegations of misbehaviour. Mukerjea is currently undergoing trial for the killing of her daughter, Sheena Bora, in April 2012, along with her husband and ex-media tycoon Peter Mukerjea and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna. Her former driver Shyamwar Rai, who was also one of the prime accused, turned an approver last year and was given a pardon by the Special Court. (With Agency inputs) Gangtok: Amid stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops along the border, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday took stock of the situation in Sikkim. Informed sources said the Army Chief was briefed about the security situation and the stand-off, as per IANS. He also visited areas under the 17th Mountain Division. Gen Rawat will return to Delhi on Friday. Meanwhile, China today demanded withdrawal of Indian troops from the Sikkim sector as a pre- condition for a "meaningful dialogue" to resolve the current stand-off there and asked the Indian Army to learn from "historical lessons", an oblique reference to the 1962 war. Launching a media blitzkrieg on the Sikkim stand-off, both Chinese Foreign and Defence ministries directed their attacks on India and maintained that the Indian Army had "illegally trespassed" into the Chinese territory. "We urge the Indian side to immediately pull back the border troops to the Indian side of the boundary. That is the precondition for any meaningful talks between the two sides aiming at resolving the issue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, as per PTI. The People's Liberation Army spokesman, Col Wu Qian also rejected as "extremely irresponsible" General Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a "two-and-a-half front war", asking him to "stop clamouring for war". Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. When asked to respond to Rawat's remarks, Col Wu said, "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible". "We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. The genesis of the flashpoint was China's attempts to build a road at strategically key area of Donglong, the linking of which to the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction could give China a major military advantage over India. The Indian Army had blocked construction of the road by China in Donglong, a disputed territory between China and Bhutan. Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim. Official sources said China had removed an old bunker of the Indian Army in Donglong by using a bulldozer after the Indian side refused to accede to its request, which triggered the face-off, as per PTI. Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu displayed two photographs of the alleged Indian "incursion" into Donglong area in the Sikkim region during a media briefing. He said the Sikkim stand-off between the troops of the two countries can only be settled by the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the area. "Since the illegal trespass happened we have lodged solemn representations with the Indian side in both New Delhi and Beijing," Lu said, showing the photographs from the podium. Later, the ministry uploaded two photographs on its website along with the Chinese transcript of Lu's press briefing. One photo showed two bulldozers stated to be that of the Indian military while another showed one bulldozer. A redline in the photos was showed as "Chinese side of the border". In the briefing, Lu said the diplomatic channel for communications between the two countries remains "unimpeded". (With Agency inputs) The plot thickens. Former Republican Gov. Dave Heineman said Wednesday he believes former Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood of Norfolk "would make an outstanding governor" and he's "disappointed that we haven't solved the property tax issue" during the last two years. Heineman's comments came in response to direct questions from Lincoln radio personality Coby Mach on his Drive Time Lincoln radio show on KLIN. The former governor told Mach that "I'm happy with my life" and a 2018 bid for the governorship "certainly is not my plan." Heineman's response to the question about Flood fueled conjecture about a potential challenge to Gov. Pete Ricketts in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary election. The governor has formally announced his candidacy for a second term. "I think the governor had some challenges he needs to work through," Heineman told Mach. "But property taxes are too high and we've got to find a solution." "We've let that go by the wayside the last two years," Heineman said. Flood had been a candidate to succeed Heineman in 2014 before withdrawing from the race in December 2012 after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ricketts has provided annual increases in state property tax credits through his budget recommendations and proposed changes in the valuation of agricultural land during the 2017 legislative session. But rural interests have criticized those property tax reduction efforts as inadequate and may mount an initiative petition campaign to place a constitutional amendment that sharply reduces property taxes on the 2018 general election ballot. During the radio interview, Heineman also said he was "disappointed" with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, as well as the Senate Republican majority, for not acting on their promises to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Senate Republicans are trying to reach agreement on health care legislation. Mumbai: Choreographer-director Remo D'souza says he loves to travel, and yearns to go on a bike trip to Ladakh from Delhi. "I believe in going a notch higher each year with my passion and aspirations. While I love travelling, my Ek Level Up' would be to go biking from Delhi to Ladakh. It's the most beautiful place the whole wide world and it's my dream to do so since the longest time," D'souza said in a statement. D'Souza is coming with third season of his show Dance +, and is taking the competition a level up in the show. While talking about the concept of Ek Level Up', he said: "It is to challenge your abilities and go a level beyond that. Everybody has their own limitations, the idea is to push these boundaries and test our abilities by doing a little more - a level up of the usual things we do." Pakistan, NZ ready to battle in T20 World Cup 2022 semis at SCG CALEDONIA A lawsuit contesting special assessments by the Village of Caledonia as part of its water and sewer extension to Interstate 94 is slated for trial. Todd and Cindy Dombrowski, 12900 Northwestern Ave. (Highway K), filed the lawsuit against the village last July, arguing they wouldnt benefit from the project and therefore should not have been taxed to help fund it. Twenty-two-year residents of the area, the Dombrowskis own 2.48 acres along the road and are being assessed $30,357 by the village for the project. The couple are among 15 landowners assessed a total of $1.3 million to fund the $3.8 million project which extended water and sewer lines along Highway K from Highway V to the I-94. In a February court filing, the village maintained that the lawsuit should not go to trial because the Dombrowskis had no case. In their brief in support of that motion for summary judgment, or court decision with no trial, the villages attorney in the case, John M. Bruce, argued the special assessments were properly imposed under the villages police powers. He said those powers give municipalities the option of charging special assessments to pay for improvements if the property owners in the area will benefit as a result. All that is required in the case of special assessments imposed under police powers is that the property assessed benefited to a certain extent, the village contends in the brief. In their brief opposing the motion for summary judgment, the Dombrowskis argue through their attorney, Thomas Devine, that their assessment was invalid because it did not pertain to a local project: The only stated purpose (of this project) is to extend utilities to out to the Interstate for the purposes of the industrial park. After reviewing both arguments, Racine County Circuit Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz issued an order last week denying all calls for summary judgment in the case. The court finds there are genuine issues of material fact that warrant a trial, Gasiorkiewicz wrote. Among those issues, the judge wrote, is whether (the) improvements are general or local and whether the improvements for which assessments were imposed benefited the (Dombrowskis) property as required by law. Caledonia village trustees held a special closed meeting Tuesday to discuss whether to appeal Gasiorkiewiczs decision. No decision was made at that meeting, Village President Bob Bradley said Wednesday. A scheduling conference in the case has been set for July 28. Lucknow: Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Thursday accused BJP of maligning his reputation in view of his criticism for his alleged derogatory remarks on Indian Army. Talking to ANI, the controversial SP leader said, ''I am BJP's item girl, they don't have anyone else to talk about. They even fought elections here focusing on me.'' Khan said this a day after he stoked a controversy by making serious allegations against the Indian Army. Speaking at an event in his bastion Rampur, the former Uttar Pradesh minister said, A fight is going on at the border, but at one place, women killed soldiers. This act forces us to think that there might have been a reason for doing so. Armed women killed security forces and the body part they cut off and took away pulled back the curtains uncovering the real life of India...Lady terrorists had chopped off the private parts of jawans; they did this because they had complaints with the specific part of the body. This is a very strong message and the entire India should be ashamed of this, Khan added. When quizzed about the likely adverse impact of his remarks on Indian Army, Khan said, ''My statement was misconstrued by the media.'' ''How can Army's morale fall due to me? I am a nobody. Army's morale fell when PM Modi went to Pakistan,'' Azam Khan said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra had yesterday criticised Khan for making such crass remarks. Azam Khan never treated India as his country. His allegation that the Indian Army outrages the modesty of our mothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir shows his own narrow mindset." "Azam Khan constantly tries to speak in favour of Pakistan and break the social fabric of this country. It has become the fashion to demean the Indian Army in the name of freedom of expression," Patra said in a press briefing. Further stressing on the same, Patra said that Khan is supporting terrorism from across the border. "This is very unfortunate and we condemn this. Azam Khan has demeaned the Indian Army and has spoken in a way which has belittled the professional India Army. The political parties are constantly speaking against the Army and showing them in poor light," he said. The BJP spokesperson also called the Samajwadi Party to take stern action against Khan and expel him. Hong Kong: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the former British colony`s return to China, but he faces a divided city, with many resentful of perceived interference by Beijing in its affairs. Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula which guarantees wide-ranging autonomy and judicial independence not seen in mainland China. The central government in Beijing has promised Hong Kong`s capitalist system will remain unchanged for "at least" 50 years until 2047, but it has not clarified what happens after that. "Hong Kong has always tugged at my heartstrings," Xi said on arrival on the airport tarmac before flag-waving crowds. "... We are willing, together with different sectors of Hong Kong society, to look back on Hong Kong`s unusual course in the past 20 years, draw conclusions from the experience, look into the future and to ensure `one country, two systems` is stable and has a far reaching future." Fears of the creeping influence of Communist Party leaders in Beijing have been highlighted in recent years by the abduction by mainland agents of some Hong Kong booksellers who specialised in politically sensitive material and Beijing`s efforts in disqualifying two pro-independence lawmakers elected to the city legislature. Xi did not respond to journalists, including one who asked whether Liu Xiaobo, China`s Nobel Peace Laureate and jailed dissident, would be released and allowed to travel overseas to be treated for cancer. An annual July 1 protest pressing social causes, including a call for full democracy, is expected to take place after Xi leaves on Saturday. On Wednesday night, police arrested pro-democracy protesters, some of whom scrambled up a monument symbolising the city`s handover from British to Chinese rule. Part of the major rift under Chinese rule in Hong Kong has been a push by activists, including massive street protests in 2014, to get China to live up to a constitutional promise under Hong Kong`s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, to allow universal suffrage as an "ultimate aim". "This promise has been shattered under the watchful eyes of the whole world," organisers of Saturday`s planned rally wrote in a statement. "Hong Kong has been lied to for 20 years. Let`s retake Hong Kong for a real and fully fledged democracy." MASSIVE SECURITY A massive security presence is expected with thousands of police deployed to maintain order as protests simmer, some near his hotel, as well as at the rally on Saturday that some say could draw more than 100,000 people. Xi, on his first visit to Hong Kong as China`s president, will oversee the swearing in of the city`s first female leader, Carrie Lam. He will also visit the local People`s Liberation Army garrison and meet establishment figures, while his wife, Peng Liyuan, is expected to visit a kindergarten and an elderly home. The streets of Hong Kong have been festooned with Chinese banners and paraphernalia, including two huge harbourfront screens carrying celebratory messages. Upwards of 120,000 youngsters will join China patriotic activities at a time of growing disillusionment with Beijing among the city`s younger generation. "We ... just hope our people can live in peace and contentment," said Lee Wing-lung, 66, a retired engineer standing opposite the hotel where Xi will stay, taking snapshots with his phone. "I hope Hong Kong can have a good and peaceful atmosphere." Over the past five years, under Xi`s tenure as Chinese leader and amid a ferocious crackdown on civil society and critics on the mainland, the squeeze on Hong Kong`s autonomy has intensified, say some diplomats, activists and citizens. "Xi Jinping`s visit is a great chance for us to protest against him," said Law Sui-Yung, 63, a retired primary school teacher, who watched Xi`s arrival on a giant screen in the shopping district of Causeway Bay with a muted crowd of around 150 people. "In recent years, especially after he took office, Hong Kong has seriously deteriorated into one of the mainland (Chinese) cities," she added. WAUKESHA The Great Water Alliance, a new program designed to carry fresh water from Lake Michigan to Waukesha, treat it, and return the same amount, is hosting a community open house regarding the pipeline alignments today. The public is encouraged to attend and meet project team members, review return flow route alternatives, and discuss the program. This is the next step in providing Waukeshas 71,000 residents with a clean, reliable, and sustainable drinking water source, said Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly. Weve been meeting with the leaders of our partner communities and want those who reside or do business in those communities to know more about our proposed plans for constructing these pipelines and how they may affect them. Under terms unanimously approved by the eight Great Lakes governors and two Canadian premiers, Waukesha may access up to 8.2 million gallons a day of drinking water from Lake Michigan and return the same amount to the lake. Current plans call for constructing a pipeline to carry Lake Michigan water through the communities of Franklin, Muskego, and New Berlin to Waukesha for use as the citys water supply. A second pipeline will return treated water to an outfall point in Franklin that empties into the Root River, ultimately flowing back to Lake Michigan. Three route alternatives are being considered. Construction is expected to begin in early 2020 with completion in 2023. The open house is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the New Berlin Public Library Community Room, 15105 W. Library Lane. Residents can examine maps of the three alternative routes and offer comments, learn more about why Waukesha is making use of Lake Michigan as its drinking water source, and how the highly treated water will improve the health of the Root River. For more information, visit http://greatwateralliance.com. Doha/Washington: Qatar said on Thursday it was working with the United States and Kuwait to respond to a list of demands presented by Arab states who have accused Doha of supporting terrorism, igniting a regional crisis between the US allies. The feud erupted this month when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic and travel links with Qatar, accusing it also of courting regional foe Iran. Qatar denies the allegations. The four countries have sent Doha a list of 13 demands, including closing the state-funded Al Jazeera television station and reducing ties to Iran, an official of one of the four countries said. They gave Doha 10 days to comply. The deadline is expected to expire on Sunday. Kuwait, which retained ties with Qatar, is trying to mediate in the dispute with the support of Washington. "Regarding the ten days deadline, we are working together with the Americans and the Kuwaitis in order to prepare the proper (responses) ... to the list which has been submitted to us," Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told reporters in Washington. "The negotiation should be under the right conditions. We have to set the conditions first in order to pursue these negotiations," Sheikh Mohammed said. Al Jazeera television also quoted him as saying that the setting of a deadline by the four countries impinged on Qatar`s sovereignty and as calling the demands "unreasonable". Earlier, he said in a statement that Doha was ready to discuss "legitimate issues" with Arab states to end a regional crisis, but that the list contained some demands impossible to meet because the underlying accusation was untrue. "We cannot `sever links with so-called Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah` because no such links exist," he said in a statement. "And we cannot `expel any members of Irans Revolutionary Guard` because there are none in Qatar." Qatar said it was considering launching a complaint at the World Trade Organization against a "blockade" by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. "We work under the premise that these measures are going to be in place for a while. Its not necessarily so, but we have to work under this premise," Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, director of Qatar`s WTO office, told Reuters. The UAE ambassador to Russia has said Qatar could face fresh sanctions if it does not comply with the demands. The Gulf states could ask their trading partners to choose between working with them or Doha, he said in a newspaper interview. Sheikh Mohammed said in the statement that since it was impossible for Doha to stop doing things it had never been doing, "we are left to conclude that the purpose of the ultimatum was not to address the issues listed, but to pressure Qatar to surrender its sovereignty. "This is something we will not do." In Washington, he said the demands were "meant to be rejected" and that they informed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that the demands were "unrealistic." NATO ally Turkey has backed Doha in the rift. Qatar`s defence minister is due to visit Ankara on Friday and will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart, sources at Turkey`s defence ministry said. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Twitter on Wednesday: "As the hour of truth approaches, we call on the brother to choose his neighbours, choose honesty, truth and transparency in its dealings and to realise that the noise of the media and the heroism of ideology are just a passing illusion." Dubai: A senior Saudi official on Thursday denied as "baseless" a New York Times report that Prince Mohammed bin Nayef has been confined to his palace and barred from travelling abroad after being replaced by the king`s son as next in line to the throne. The official told Reuters that Mohammed bin Nayef, a veteran interior minister, was continuing to host guests and there were no restrictions at all on his or his family`s movements. Mohammed bin Nayef, who was admired in Washington for quashing an al Qaeda insurgency in the kingdom between 2003 and 2006, was relieved of all his duties a week ago. In his place as Crown Prince, King Salman appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman who also serves as defence minister and leads an ambitious reform agenda to end Saudi Arabia`s over-reliance on oil. Mohammed bin Salman`s promotion ended two years of speculation about a behind-the-scenes rivalry near the pinnacle of royal power, but analysts said he still has to win over powerful relatives, clerics and tribesmen. The New York Times, citing four current and former American officials and Saudis close to the royal family, said Mohammed bin Nayef has been "barred from leaving the kingdom and confined to his palace" in the Red Sea city of Jeddah. Reuters could not reach Mohammed bin Nayef for comment. But the senior Saudi official expressed shock at the report, which he described as a "fabricated story" and suggested that Mohammed bin Nayef may seek legal action against the newspaper. "What was published by the New York Times is untrue, completely false, and baseless," the official told Reuters, responding to a question on the New York Times report. "His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and his family is moving freely and hosting his guests unrestrictedly. Nothing has changed for Prince Mohammed, except for stepping down from his government positions," the official said. "He hosts guests and leaves his house on a daily basis since he has stepped down. Further, there are no restrictions on his movement whatsoever, either in or outside of Saudi Arabia." Although Mohammed bin Salman`s promotion to crown prince had long been expected among those who follow the royal family closely, the timing was a surprise, and puts the kingdom`s future in relatively untested hands. The promotion proceeded smoothly, with royal family members, senior officials and clerics participating in a traditional ceremony held in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in which they pledged allegiance to the new crown prince. Saudi state media, eager to show the change was going smoothly, repeatedly broadcast footage of the young Mohammed bin Salman kissing the hand of Mohammed bin Nayef, as his older cousin offered him congratulations. The Saudi official said Mohammed bin Nayef was "entitled to bring legal action against the newspaper and anyone who defames his reputation by publishing such false news about him". YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. The resignation process of the current PACE President Pedro Agramunt will be finished in the nearest days, member of the Armenian delegation to the PACE, member of the National Assembly of Armenia Naira Zohrabyan told Armenpress. You know that the report of the Chairperson of Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs Liliane Maury Pasquier was adopted without any amendments by 154 votes for and 30 against. This assumes setting a recall mechanism for PACE high ranking officials. I think those discussions revealed those who were able to conduct hidden pro-Azerbaijani lobbying for years. The head of the Azerbaijani delegation was unable to help emotions and started to defend Agramunt, who just fled to Spain yesterday evening. The head of the Azerbaijani delegation was shouting that the Armenian side is interested in these changes, yes, but this does not go only for Agramunt, but for all those officials who for years were engaged in corruption deals, discrediting the European values and making the PACE an open auction, she said. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Italy is one of Armenias key trade-economic partners which is reflected in the stable bilateral trade turnover growth rates, Armenias Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Italy Victoria Baghdasaryan said. She gave an interview to Armenpress talking about the current stage of Armenia-Italy relations, joint programs and issues related to the Armenian community. -Mrs. Ambassador, this year marks the 25th anniversary of Armenia-Italy diplomatic relations. What achievements will you identify in Armenian-Italian diplomatic ties in the recent period? -The Armenian-Italian relations have a millennium-old history and deep roots. They have formed and developed over centuries based on our common value system. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, over the past 25 years, the Armenian-Italian relations have developed with spirit of friendship and mutual understanding, as well as have been identified with a number of achievements. There is close cooperation at bilateral format, including in the fields of defense, parliamentary diplomacy, culture, trade-economic, local self-governance and etc. The contacts and cooperation spheres between the defense ministries of both countries have significantly expanded, including also in international peacekeeping mission. Through the cooperation with Italy, the Armenian platoon carries out its peacekeeping mission in the Italian contingent in the UNIFIL mission deployed in Lebanon since November 2014. We also attach importance to the role of parliamentary diplomacy in the Armenian-Italian relations. Armenia-Italy friendship group will be formed soon in the newly-elected Parliament of Armenia. On May 16 a forum dedicated to the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Italy was organized in the Senate of Italy by the efforts of Armenia-Italy inter-parliamentary friendship group and the Armenian Embassy. The forum was entitled Armenia 25 years: Challenges and Prospects. The forum was attended by political figures, diplomats, representatives of community structures of Italy. The two countries are also actively cooperating in the field of culture. Last year in November, former Foreign Minister, but now Prime Minister of Italy Paolo Gentiloni arrived in Armenia on official visit. Within the frames of the visit a joint statement was signed between the Armenian Foreign Ministry and Italys Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on establishing a regional center for maintenance of cultural heritage. We hope the agreement reached will be implemented soon. The two countries also carry out active cooperation in multilateral format, within the frames of various international organizations. -Italy remains one of Armenias key partners. What prospects do you see for expanding economic partnership between the two countries? -As you said Italy is one of Armenias key commercial partners which is reflected in the stable growth rates of bilateral trade turnover. In this field, the first session of Armenian-Italian inter-governmental commission which was held in Rome on June 7, 2017 is a significant step. The session was opened by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano. During the session both sides outlined the sectors which have great potential and opportunities for cooperation. The session was followed by Armenian-Italian business forum which was attended by over 180 companies representing various fields of economies of the two countries. As you know, recently the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership agreement was initialed with the EU in Yerevan which is expected to be signed in November, 2017. This agreement will greatly contribute to boosting commercial ties both with the EU and Italy. All these, of course, open new prospects for Armenian-Italian economic cooperation, boost partnership in the fields like IT, infrastructure development, energy, services, machinery, agriculture and food processing, promote decentralized cooperation, provide opportunities for developing the mutual partnership in education, culture, tourism and other fields. -According to your latest data, how much is the trade turnover volume and do the existing figures satisfy? -Its important to state that Italy is Armenias third trade partner among the EU states. Nevertheless, the trade turnover has great potential for growth and in this sense we have a lot of works to do here for ensuring desirable results. If we speak about concrete volumes of trade turnover, in 2016 it comprised 160 654.5 thousand USD, from which the export amounted to 31 882.2 thousand USD and the import 128 772.3 thousand USD. According to the data of January-April, 2017 the export comprised 8 239.2 thousand USD and the import 39 318.3 thousand USD, whereas last year these numbers were 6 760.2 thousand USD and 35 196.8 thousand USD respectively. We hope the growth rates will continue in upcoming months as well. -How do you assess the investment opportunities of the two countries? Are there any outlined projects? -In recent years significant reforms have been carried out aimed at improving business environment, creating more favorable conditions for foreign investments thanks to the efforts of the Armenian Government. This resulted in improving Armenias ranking in various international reports. Armenia is ranked 38 in the list of 190 countries of the World Banks Doing Business 2017 report. If we look at Heritage foundations Economic freedom index 2017, we will see that at the moment Armenia is ranked 33 in the list of 180 countries. Armenia has investments promotion and protection agreements with 41 countries, including also with Italy. Armenia adopted the new tax code, simplified the administrative procedures by creating more favorable conditions for businessmen and investors. Being as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Armenia can be a unique bridge between the EAEU and the European Union, as well as between Iran and the Middle East. The Italian investor can enter the EAEU market of 180 million without customs fee through Armenia. Armenia also uses the EUs GSP+ privileged trade regime. These figures, of course, increase Armenias reputation and inspire trust on potential investor to come and make investments in Armenia. -What opportunities do Armenia and Italy have in terms of tourism development? What can be attractive in Armenia for Italian tourists and vice versa? -Armenia and Italy have rich historical-cultural heritage. In recent period the inflow of Italian tourists to Armenia has significantly increased. In January-May, 2017 30% growth was registered compared to 2016. The Italian tourist in Armenia is interested in the countrys old history, tasty cuisine and hospitality. Armenia can become a center of pilgrimage as a first country that adopted Christianity as a state religion. Italians will also be interested in Armenias ecotourism, mountainous tourism, agrotourism, extreme tourism, healthcare tourism. The Armenian tourists in Italy are attracted by its historical-cultural sites, as well as the best beach resort conditions. In terms of number of tourists Italy is ranked 5th in the world. -Lets talk about the Armenian community, its role in Italys public-political life. How much is the number of Armenians in Italy and in which spheres they are mainly represented? -Currently over 5000 Armenians live in Italy, mainly in Milan, Rome, Venice, Genoa, Bologna and Turin. Armenians are actively engaged in Italys public and cultural life. Serapian brand is based in Italy which is engaged in production of leather goods. The owner is ethnic Armenian Artavazd Serapian. There are also other renowned figures, and this list can continue expanding. -In your opinion, what are the main problems faced by the Armenian community? -Like in numerous other countries having an Armenian community, in Italy as well the major problem faced by the community is the maintenance of Armenian identity. A number of community structures in Italy have their significant contribution to this issue. -Are high-level mutual visits planned for this year? -Of course, there will be high-level mutual visits in future, however, they are still at discussion stage and it is early to announce them. -Mrs. Ambassador, what is planned in the Embassys agenda for 2017? In particular, in what direction currently the Embassy carries out active works? -In mid 2017 the agenda of the Embassy was very active and full of events which will continue also in the upcoming months. As I said, on June 7 the first session of the Armenian-Italian inter-governmental commission was held in Rome. At the end of the session a protocol on cooperation at different spheres was signed, and the Embassy carries out daily work to implement all provisions of the protocol as soon as possible. The Embassy receives letters from businessmen with a proposal to cooperate with their state and private sector partners. We will celebrate the 26th anniversary of independence of Armenia in Rome in autumn. A number of community events, regional visits are also expected. Interview by Anna Gziryan YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. On June 29, Armenia and Artsakh commemorate the paramilitary troops of Artsakh War who are missing in action. Viktor Kocharyan, chairman of the state commission of POWs, hostages and missing people affairs told ARMENPRESS more than 600 people are considered missing in action from Nagorno Karabakh during the War, however this number isnt final. We are also working to clarify the number of Shahumyan locals, because they mostly moved to Russia, he said. According to Viktor Kocharyan, the works aimed at finding and returning the missing dont give any result. As always, Azerbaijan doesnt establish direct contact with us, and works in this direction are rather hard. Whatever is possible, is done with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross, he said. Material, moral and psychological assistance is provided to the families of the missing paramilitary troops in Artsakh. Armen Kaprielyan, head of the task force of Armenias commission on prisoners, hostages and missing people told ARMENPRESS that more than 200 people are considered missing in Armenia as result of the Artsakh War. Weve had some successes in numerous international platforms in the direction of finding and returning the missing people as result of the Karabakh conflict. However, the Azerbaijani side must be involved in this process. We are using all possible international platforms for achieving success, he said. Kaprielyan mentioned that the families of the missing paramilitary troops are provide with aid, ranging from free medical assistance, different social packages, privileges and financial assistance On June 29, the Day of Missing Paramilitary Troops, several events will be held in Armenia and Artsakh. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan will lay a wreath at the memorial cross-stone in the country, while officials in Armenia will visit the Yerablur military pantheon. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenbia, the Head of Armenia-Czech Republic Friendship Group Eduard Sharmazanov, comprised of MPs Gagik Melikyan and Vardan Bostanjyan within the framework of the visit to the Czech Republic met with Roman Vana, the Chair of the Committee on Security of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia, during the meeting the sides highlighted the expansion and deepening of the inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries and at the level of cooperation in the international structures and parliamentary committees. The parties touched upon the overcoming of the challenges facing the mankind, including the necessity of fighting against terrorism with joint efforts. The interlocutors emphasized the peaceful settlement of the conflicts. With regards to the regional problems, the Deputy Speaker of the Armenian parliament underlined: Armenia always campaigns peace and stability in the region, meanwhile Turkey and Azerbaijan are the main threat of the regional security. In this context Sharmazanov talked about Azerbaijans anti-Armenian policy and the terrorist attacks regularly being committed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh people, and its vivid evidence was the April four-day war and continuously repeated subversive actions. He documented that the whole responsibility of the human losses lies on Azerbaijans leadership. Turkey has supported and supports Azerbaijans aggressive policy, which is inadmissible. The international community should be careful and should condemn any attempt of the regional destabilization, Eduard Sharmazanov said. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to the Czech Republic Tigran Seyranyan also attended the meeting. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. During the Government session on June 29, President Serzh Sargsyan announced that the current staff of the Government led by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan enjoys his and entire political teams complete trust, reports Armenpress. By the approval of the Governments action plan we can announce launch of new stage of executive power. Our task is to hold this stage effectively and without shocks as much as possible. During the past elections the RPA received the necessary trust vote in order to continue its work. Our mandate was enough for forming a government only by the RPA forces, however, we decided to continue the previously formed cooperation with our ARF partners, the President said. A government has formed in May, which, according to the President, is capable of solving all tasks. Now we will continue jointly and consistently implement the outlined programs. The team will act jointly both in the executive, legislative and in local self-governance. The current staff of the Government led by Prime Minister Karapetyan enjoys my complete trust and that of the entire political team. At the same time I want to note that I as the President of Armenia and Head of the RPA, as well as you all do not have prejudices for sure, we are ready to work with all constructive forces within the frames of executive and legislative powers, in local self-governance and even outside the abovementioned structures, Serzh Sargsyan added. President Sargsyan said their only precondition for such cooperation is the maintenance of norms of politeness and goodwill. He added that they dont consider criticism as a violation of the abovementioned norms, especially when it is constructive and aims to improve the situation. The Presidents visit to the Government is connected with the approval of the government action plan in the Parliament. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. With the purpose of ensuring food safety, the Armenian governments action plan includes designing a risk evaluation model for food safety until 2017 yearend, and in 2018-2021 introduce it and use risk management mechanisms, the state service for food safety (SSFS) told ARMENPRESS. The SSFS has applied to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FOA) for cooperation and technical support by highlighting the experience and expertise capacity of the organization. The cooperation is expected to improve Armenias risk evaluation capabilities in food safety. At the invitation of the SSFS, the delegation of FOA, led by Mary Kenny has arrived in Armenia. As a first step of assistance, a workshop was organized on June 28 on strengthening food safety capabilities. This mission has great significance in terms of passing to a new qualitative phase in food safety and ensuring the development of the sector, SSFS chief Ishkhan Karapetyan said in his opening remarks. FOA expert Jean Charles Leblanc presented the modern measures and international experience of food control and risk analysis, principles of risk assessment and methods of using the results. A two-year technical assistance and capacity development program is scheduled to be designed after the workshop. UNION GROVE The Union Grove Village Board is still looking to fill a vacancy left by the May 9 resignation of former trustee Michael Younglove. The Board intended to take action to appoint a new trustee during a Monday board meeting, but there have been no applicants, Clerk-Treasurer Jill Kopp said Tuesday. Younglove was one year into his fourth term on the Village Board and resigned after seven years on the board. His current term would have expired in April 2018. Younglove did not provide any specific reason in his resignation letter, Kopp said. This job takes a lot of time, he said earlier in June. (My resignation) is reflective of other opportunities that arose. Despite the suddenness of the departure, it should not have much of an impact on any ongoing projects within Union Grove, Kopp said. It most certainly created a gap, Kopp said, but it hasnt slowed any processes down. Theres never really a great time to up and leave your seat. Younglove said he did not anticipate any adverse effects in the wake of his departure. There are six other people on the board, so Younglove said he expected the transition to be smooth. Union Grove plans to fill the vacant seat via an appointment rather than a special election, Kopp said. She said an appointment is standard procedure in the case of a midterm resignation. Any resident interested in consideration to serve on the board should fill out an application at the village offices at the Municipal Building, 925 15th Ave. (Highway 11), Village President Michael Aimone said. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan commented on the recent statement of Ambassador Piotr Switalski, head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, over the reforms of Armenias electoral system and engagement of civil society representatives in the Central Electoral Commissions staff, reports Armenpress. During the parliamentary standing committees discussion on 2016 state budget performance report, the Deputy FM said reforms have been carried out in Armenias electoral system, but this doesnt mean that everything is good. The reactions over it were a bit more, but any proposal that derives from our interests must be discussed, he said in response to MP Mane Tandilyans question. Asked how he reacts to Switalskis statement that the public sector must be actively engaged in the CEC staff, the Deputy Minister stated: Its difficult to imagine how the public sector will appear there. Yes, it must be engaged, but for having control powers, but if the talk is about the Electoral Commission, this is problematic. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. President Serzh Sargsyan attended the Cabinet meeting on June 29. Given the fact that the meeting with the members of the Cabinet was being held in the wake of the National Assemblys approval of the Government program for 2017-2022, the President of the Republic first congratulated the Cabinet members on appointment, then turned to the tasks set before the Executive in the period after the approval of the Government Program for further and consistent implementation. As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, Serzh Sargsyan particularly said, Dear Colleagues, First of all, of course, I would like to congratulate you all on being appointed to your posts, or to be more precise, on your reappointment as is the case with most of you. Thus, continuity in the proceedings of the Executive has been secured, and there are all necessary prerequisites for successful implementation of the ongoing programs. In my speech delivered on the occasion of Yerevan Mayors inauguration I underlined that with the election of the Yerevan City Council we wrapped up the electoral campaign in 2017. With the approval of the Government Program, we can usher in the outset of a new round for the executive branch. Our task is to complete this round successfully no turbulences as far as possible. In the latest elections, the Republican Party of Armenia received the necessary vote of confidence in order to proceed with its work. The mandate that we got was sufficient to form a government consisting solely of Republican ministers. Yet we decided to continue cooperating in the format established previously. With our colleagues from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, we formed a government that I believe to be able to solve the problems set before it. We will continue to consistently implement the standing programs with a united and solid team. The team will act in unity both in the executive and the legislative, as well as at the local self-governance level. The current composition of the government, led by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, has my full confidence, as well as the full confidence of our political team. Meanwhile, I have to stress that neither you nor I, in my capacity of President of Armenia and the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia, have any preconceived stand: we are ready to work with all constructive forces involved in the executive and legislative, the local self-government bodies and even the ones outside these structures. The only precondition set for cooperation is the respect of the norms of courtesy and integrity. By the way, I should stress that we do not consider criticism as a breach of these norms, especially if it is constructive and is aimed at improving the situation. Dear Colleagues, Much has been talked about the things we need to do in the coming years and, therefore, there is no need to get into details again. On May 18, addressing the Parliament and the people of Armenia, I presented in detail my vision for the development of the country, including the short-term, mid-term and long-term problems. Together, we have set forth a range of important targets that are reflected in the Government Program. We need to be more exacting: we should not be satisfied with what we have already achieved. Otherwise, we will not be able to move ahead. Besides, we are now in the period of constitutional transformations, which means that until next mid-April we will have to make many legislative changes. In order to successfully push ahead with that task, we need to act in a purposeful manner mediating closely coordinated steps between the Government and the National Assembly. Now, I consider it necessary to touch on the following issue: which way are we going to implement the Government Program? Transparency is to be one of the most important criteria of our activities. Not only should it be our work style, but also our combined effort to meet the transformed requirements of the Constitution of Armenia and shape a new political culture. Each of you should personally set criteria and be a role model for the others. You must ensure progress not only in your respective areas, but also provide for our overall progress. You are going to set the dynamism and the pace of that progress. In this regard, we can draw a few conclusions from our past experience. Firstly, we were able to record some success in the field of reforms that we have consistently explained to society in all detail. However painful, these programs were perceived as highly important and were accepted by society - perhaps at first with some reluctance - yet accepted. The members of the government should never be reluctant to present and make clear their work to the public. Another important task for us is to implement the program of community consolidation. We have to explain consistently the necessity of this reform, the need to use correctly and manage effectively our scarce resources. Secondly, transparency is not an end in itself; and indeed, it is not a means for self-expression. The main goal of transparency is to eradicate corruption and protectionism. Public spending, the procurement system should come under the full control of the National Assembly and society. We are currently setting new and sufficiently influential mechanisms to fight against corruption that need to be harmonized with our purposeful work. Thirdly, we will consistently work to improve our foreign political environment without having any illusion. We should work proceeding from the presumption that as of yet there is no change in relations with our unfriendly neighbors. Dear Colleagues, A reportedly Chinese proverb has been often cited over the past few years, which says that it is a curse to wish someone could live in time of changes. I think that living in such times is really difficult and exciting, at the same time. I expect that you will cope with the problems faced at this important moment with a sense of responsibility and honor. Indeed, we should start to do this job. I do believe that as led by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, the government can live up to the task. We need creative approaches that break stereotypes. Our people has entrusted you with the honorific task of finding and implementing solutions. Thus, let us continue to work with passion. Thank you and I wish every success to all of you. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan thanked the President of the Republic and assured that the Executive will implement the program elaborated by the team. The Prime Minister underscored that the Government fully understands the expectations of society and is also well aware that this road will not be an easy one. Nevertheless, Prime Minister assured that the Government is firmly determined to implement all the proposed programs. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish interior ministry will be notified asap on the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul Clerical Assemblys June 28 decision to strip Archbishop Ateshyan from his power as patriarchal vicar. The notification will be conveyed through the Istanbul Governorate, attorney Sebouh Aslangyl told Agos newspaper. From now on, the interior ministry will act according to the decision. Meaning, in the event of any developments regarding the patriarchal election, Turkish authorities will be in direct contact with locum tenens Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan. It is the locum tenens who represents the Patriarchate from now on, he said, adding that they must wait and see what the Turkish authorities stance will be. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership agreement between Armenia and the European Union is expected to be signed in autumn, 2017, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said during the parliamentary standing committees discussion of the 2016 state budget performance report on June 29, report Armenpress. I can state that the document has been initialed, and it is expected to sign it in autumn. We will talk about results next year, he said in response to Tsarukyan faction secretary Vahe Enfiajyans question. In his turn Vahe Enfiajyan reminded that there are concerns that the agreement may not be signed since in 2013 Armenia didnt sign the Association agreement after the long-lasting talks with the EU. Shavarsh Kocharyan said he understands the concern of MPs. I understand your concern, but lets wait, the signing is planned for autumn. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on June 29 hosted the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Motome Takisawa, press service of the Ministry told Armenpress. Welcoming the guest in Armenia, FM Nalbandian said since the establishment of diplomatic relations 25 years before the Armenian-Japanese relations have steadily developed, have been expanded with new spheres and new content. The Minister added that the establishment of embassies in Tokyo and Yerevan gave new impetus to the cooperation. In his turn the Japanese official thanked for the reception and said the Japanese authorities highly appreciate the friendly relations with Armenia which shares democracy, human rights and rule of law values, and they plan to expand those ties. The sides discussed in-detail issues relating to deepening the bilateral cooperation. Both officials stated that the high-level mutual visits, consultations between the Ministries, the cooperation within the frames of international structures play key role in strengthening and deepening the relations. They also attached importance to the Armenian-Japanese inter-parliamentary productive partnership. During the meeting FM Nalbandian expressed gratitude to Japan for continuous assistance provided to Armenia since independence. They also attached importance to strengthening the legal framework in commercial cooperation sphere, as well as the possibility to facilitate visa regime. Minister Edward Nalbandian presented the efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at peacefully settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and expressed satisfaction over Japans balanced stance on this issue. The contemporary regional and international affairs were also discussed at the meeting. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. The Government establishes Armenias tourism development fund aimed at more effectively carrying out the state marketing policy in tourism field, reports Armenpress. The respective draft decision has been reported by Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Tigran Khachatryan at the Government session on June 29. He said Ara Khzmalyan will be appointed as acting director of the fund. The Government will allocate 30 million AMD from the reserve fund for making the funds activity possible. The funds marketing policy in tourism field will ensure strengthening, developing and promiting Armenias image as an attractive and favorable tourism country in world market, as well as will ensure the diversification of Armenian tourism result and its markets, formation and promotion of new competitive tourism results, the Deputy Minister said. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan on June 29 received the Georgian delegation led by Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia, press service of the Ministry told Armenpress. Minister Karayan welcomed his Georgian counterpart and thanked for visiting Armenia. He said despite the ongoing increase of trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia, the growth rates do not satisfy, and there is huge potential which is still not utilized. Suren Karayan proposed to discuss and develop programs on joint export to third countries taking into account the existing privileged markets for Armenia and Georgia. The Georgian Minister thanked for the warm reception and stated that it is necessary to make efforts to strengthen commercial ties given the absence of any political controversy. During the meeting agreement was reached to form a working group which will deal with issues of Armenian and Georgian businessmen with the goal to solve them. The Armenian and Georgian Ministers discussed the activity of free economic zones in Armenia and Georgia. Suren Karayan informed his Georgian partner that the construction works of Syunik economic zone are already launched and he invited the Georgian business to carry out activity in the economic zone bordering Iran. Minister Giorgi Gakharia said they will deliver this message to their businessmen. The two officials also discussed tourism field. The development prospects of bilateral tourism and the implementation of joint regional tourism programs were touched upon at the meeting. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting on June 29 with Japans Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Motome Takisawa, who has arrived in Armenia on a regional visit, the Presidents Office told ARMENPRESS. The President mentioned that high-level visits are a good opportunity to discuss the ongoing agenda of the bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues. The President expressed hope that Motome Takisawas visit will boost the strengthening of Armenian-Japanese inter-governmental ties. President Sargsyan warmly recalled his 2012 visit to Japan, and meetings with Emperor Akihito and the countrys leadership, which passed in an atmosphere of mutual trust and warmth. The sides were pleased to note the positive dynamics of development of bilateral relations between Armenia and Japan of the recent years. The sides also touched upon programs and opportunities of enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation, commercial ties, cooperation in IT, tourism, prevention of natural disasters and development of infrastructures. President Sargsyan thanked the Japanese government for the continuous assistance for the development of Armenia through credit, grant, technical assistance and other projects. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. 120 Armenian and over 40 Georgian organizations are holding plenary sessions, round-table discussions and B2B meetings in Armenia within the frames of Armenian-Georgian business forum launched in Yerevan on June 29, reports Armenpress. The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by the Ministers, Chairmen of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the two countries, other officials, as well as businessmen. Martin Sargsyan Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Armenia, said during the business forum the businessmen will have a chance to discuss cooperation-related issues. We will present the opportunities of Syunik free economic zone where our Georgian partners can make investments and enter the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Iran. We attached importance to bilateral tourism opportunities. In order words, if tourists visit Georgia, we need to develop such a program that they will also visit Armenia and vice versa. At the end of the business forum views must be exchanged on creation of joint enterprises, Sargsyan said, adding that the two countries can be presented together in the field of food industry at different markets. He said in the field of high technologies Armenia is a little ahead of Georgia and it can help Georgians to develop the field. Armenias Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan welcomed the forum participants, stating that he is very happy to host their Georgian partners in Yerevan. Armenian and Georgian peoples have friendly ties from ancient times, and we have an experience of mutual relationship, forming economic ties and cooperation, the Minister said. Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia expressed hope such meetings will be more frequently held and will be effective. Today we had a lot of discussions, and we were convinced that there is no political issue between the two countries. We are partners, neighbors and friends. Now we need to invest all our efforts on further intensifying the economic ties, he said. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Georgia have together overcome the experiences of time and history, the most difficult economic and political challenges which predetermined the development of inter-state relations, Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan said during the Armenian-Georgian business forum in Yerevan on June 29, reports Armenpress. Both me and my Georgian partners discussed that the businessmen of the two countries will be able to use privileged regimes of free economic zones. We will also take steps to replace our imports from third countries with Armenian-Georgian products, the Armenian Minister said, adding that works must be carried out also in tourism field, especially in developing regional tourism. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ambassador to the United States H.E. Grigor Hovhannisyan visited the Silicon Valley in San Francisco June 23-24, where he had a number of meetings with leading IT companies. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation with Armenia in spheres such as artificial intelligence, quantum systems and cyber security, the foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS. During his visit to Nvidia, the Ambassador was briefed on the companys modern production, which is mostly related to artificial intelligence and autonomous machines. In Accenture Liquid Studio, the Armenian Ambassador was briefed on the innovations and peculiarities of their cooperation with the IT sector. His Excellency Grigor Hovhannisyan also held meetings with several Armenian IT professionals who work in the Silicon Valley, and attended the discussion organized by Synopsys and AGBU. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan will perform on July 1 in the Maison symphonique as part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival in Canada. Speaking to Vancouver Sun, Hamasyan talked about his roots, and strong ties with his Armenian heritage. Its really important to know where your roots are, Tigran Hamasyan said. I grew up in Armenia until I was 16, the 29-year-old continued. I wish that people were more interested in where they come from so they can understand what to do in their lives. Except for your mother and father, what else is in your genes that you might not know about something that can influence you, that is your path, that you can check out and know about? This is something very important for me. Hamasyan will perform material from his new album An Ancient Observer at the Montreal concert. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan attended the official opening ceremony of Profpanel LLCs factory producing first solar panels in Armenia, press service of the Government told Armenpress. The company operates in the field of production of solar panels in Armenia since 2016 with SolarOn trademark. The PM toured the factory, got acquainted with the production process, the company programs and development prospects. He was reported that the factorys annual production capacity reaches about 10 megawatt, the number of workers in case of full production load reaches 50 people. The volume of initial investments comprises nearly 2 million USD. The company also plans to supply solar panels to the domestic market, then to organize export to regional and other countroes. A mini solar panel with a capacity of 1.5 kW which can produce monthly 200 kWh electricity will cost 1.5-1.7 thousand USD. Since spring of 2017 the company works with testing regime and has already made projects of installing solar panels for production and residential areas. Its worth mentioning that during the February 23 session the Government made a decision to exempt the company from customs fee for import of technological equipment and the materials. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Despite the fact that in 2017 the commercial ties between Armenia and Georgia developed and grew significantly, still it isnt enough, Georgias minister of economy and sustainable development Giorgi Gakharia said during the June 29 Armenian-Georgian business forum. The Georgian minister assured they will do their best for the two countries to have more opportunities for cooperation. I would like to express hope that we, the ministers of the two countries will study the opportunities for development of economic cooperation, the level of domestic opportunities and very soon we will be able to say as to what cooperation we will be able to implement in one year. I would like to assure the Georgian and Armenian businessmen who cooperate with third countries that they will have the support of both countries, he said. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on June 29 hosted the Georgian delegation led by Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia who arrived in Armenia within the frames of Georgias business days in Armenia forum, press service of the Government told Armenpress. The agreement on holding the forum has been reached between the Armenian and Georgian PMs in February, 2017 during Karen Karapetyans official visit to Georgia. The Armenian PM welcomed the holding of the forum which will boost the bilateral commercial ties and will provide new opportunities for fully utilizing the existing potential. The PM in particular attached importance to promotion of economic and business ties at bilateral and multilateral platforms, as well as within the frames of free economic zones. In his turn Georgian Minister Giorgi Gakharia said given the high level of political dialogue between Armenia and Georgia, it is necessary to make efforts to intensify the trade-economic cooperation. He presented to the Armenian PM the results of discussions with Armenias Ministry of Economic Development and Investments, as well as the agreement reached on June 29. The two officials exchanged views also on the possibilities to carry out joint tourism projects, strengthen bilateral cultural ties and increase the mutual recognition among the youth. YEREVAN, 29 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 29 June, USD exchange rate up by 0.25 drams to 480.69 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.88 drams to 548.66 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.07 drams to 8.14 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 7.72 drams to 623.45 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 13.91 drams to 19287.27 drams. Silver price up by 1.99 drams to 259.33 drams. Platinum price up by 22.85 drams to 14233.63 drams. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Economic Development and Investments of Armenia and the Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development discussed on June 29 the road construction works at Lars checkpoint. Armenpress reports Armenian Minister Suren Karayan told the reporters that his Georgian colleague presented the road construction projects which they will implement in the near future. Particularly, he informed that the works will kick off by the construction of a tunnel under the Lars checkpoint, as a result of which our transportations will not depend on climatic changes, the Minister said. The Lars checkpoint often causes troubles for Armenian exporters and importers, since its often closed in winter months. YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by the Defense Minister of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan departed for Brussels on June 29 to attend the meeting of the defense ministers of the countries participating in NATOs Resolute Support Mission (RSM). As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the MoD Armenia, during the meeting the defense ministers of the NATO member and partner states will discuss the situation in Afghanistan and the future action plan of the mission led by the NATO to ensure stability in Afghanistan. In the sidelines of the visit the Armenian Defense Minister is scheduled to have meetings with the officials of the NATO, the EU and partner states. An Australian state will soon overtake Denmark to have the highest electricity prices in the world. Bruce Mountain, from economics consultancy group CME, says South Australia will see a surge in household bills by Saturday when electricity retailers introduce an average rise of 18 per cent. "My estimate is that the representative household in South Australia is paying a price that is a little bit higher than the representative household in Denmark or elsewhere and Denmark is known to be the highest," Mr Mountain told ABC radio on Wednesday. South Australia will reportedly see a surge in household bills by Saturday. Photo: AAP South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says the government didn't necessarily share Mr Mountain's analysis. "But what he's effectively saying is, electricity prices are too high and that's why we have our energy plan," the Premier told reporters. Family 'devastated' by death of surgeon killed in Melbourne hospital 'one-punch' assault Qantas hit with system crash amid global cyberware attack "We have a broken energy market and that's why we're taking steps to smash up the power company monopolies. "Over the last decade, the absence of a coherent national energy policy has meant a small number of power companies have been screwing South Australians to the wall." Mr Weatherill says the government's plan, which includes additional gas-fired generating capacity and battery storage for renewable energy, will bring much-needed competition to the market and put downward pressure on prices. "South Australia will go from having some of the highest energy costs in the nation to actually having some of the lowest," he said. South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says the government didn't necessarily share the same view on SA energy prices. Photo: AAP In the meantime, households are facing big price hikes from July 1, both for electricity and gas, and Mr Mountain says the market is not currently acting in the interests of consumers. "The issues are deeply set and change needs to happen in so many areas," he said. To cut costs, households need to actively monitor usage, watch the market and obtain a good understanding of the volumes of power they use, Mr Mountain said. Almost 3000 Australian small to medium enterprises have established businesses in China. AAP Image/Paul Miller Stuart Orr, Deakin University; Jane Menzies, Deakin University, and Mike Donnelly, Heriot-Watt University A certain type of Australian small business is emerging, but these businesses havent got any presence on home soil. Instead they are setting up solely in China to take advantage of a rapidly expanding Chinese market. Chinas growth provides opportunities which dont exist in the slowly moving markets of developed countries. When China opened its doors to international trade and investment in the 1970s and the 1990s, Australian manufacturers moved their operations to China to manufacture products more cheaply. At the time the Chinese market was small and of little interest to these business, and they shipped their products back to Australia and overseas. Stepping forward 20 years; China joined the World Trade Organisation, its economy had developed and the Chinese market became attractive. Australian companies started to setup operations in China to service this new market. Also read: Making Ivanka Trump shoes: Long hours, low pay and abuse Now, some 3,000 Australian small to medium enterprises have established businesses in China. We interviewed the owners of 35 of these businesses to learn more about why they chose China. Foreign advantage Theres something about the foreignness of these entrepreneurs, that provides them with a particular type of legitimacy important for business success in China. As one business owner said: Just being from Australia, you have a certain reputation for the quality of your product and I think that helps us to set us apart from some of our competitors around the world. The businesses set up in China specifically to provide financial advice and arbitration services find Chinese customers have more faith in foreigners from countries where these services have existed for longer than they have been available in China. Those working in the food industry have a similar experience repeated food contamination scares in China mean the Chinese market has more faith in foreigners from countries with strong food safety records. Some of these businesses even found that their main market in China is foreign companies. Story continues The lack of demand in China for many services common in western countries means foreign businesses are often the only providers of those services in China. These services are in high demand from foreign companies operating in China that do not have the capability to provide them themselves. The challenges of starting in China One of their biggest challenges of operating solely in China is a lack of capital for growth. It is difficult for these businesses to attract business funding because of their foreign status in China. One small business owner said: You cant get loans here. Weve had banks in here and their risk managers and explained to them what we do and they listen, then they go away and theyve still got no idea how we make money. These entrepreneurs told us the banks did not appreciate their foreign approach to business and would not approve a loan. Also read: Top 5 tax blunders The nature of the Chinese market means the businesses we studied needed to constantly restructure and refocus their operations. Even businesses that offer specialised services for long-term markets, such as construction and resources, face the risk that large companies will step into their market once they have developed it. One technology company reported that whenever they developed a new market in China with a new superior product, they would suddenly lose their large customers. These customers would move their business to a large Chinese company that had entered the market with a copy, even in the middle of a contract. What it takes to succeed Chinese business conditions have caused larger and globally successful companies such as Apple and Uber to fail in China. These companies did not take the careful market focused approach of the ones we studied and instead attempted to compete directly with large and well established Chinese organisations. The competitiveness of these big companies was also based on systems that they had developed for other markets. This meant they were unable to adapt to the different regulatory system and customer demand in China without losing their competitiveness. A fast pace of change and evolution is a normal part of business in China. Companies in China find different ways than in the west to grow and scale-up. The entrepreneurs we spoke with described their businesses as hard work, but many of them claimed there were many like them in China and that they enjoyed the stimulation of being surrounded by entrepreneurs. One said: China has an enormous amount of opportunity for foreigners coming in because youre exposed to stuff you would not be exposed to otherwise. Networks, clever business systems and good staff helped them to grow their businesses by transforming, dividing and moving into new markets. Its a competitive environment, so these entrepreneurs were very cautious managers tightly controlling their businesses, being careful about who they employ and constantly planning. The key to success in China is being highly specialised and attuned to local market conditions. One business owner described this as: Its got to be a complete disruption to the way that its being consumed and done. This specialisation also means these businesses could only be successful in China. With no choice but to keep the business in China, the entrepreneurs who set them up became very skilled at identifying new opportunities as they appeared. Also read: Elon Musks morning routineand his top productivity tip One entrepreneur we spoke to, who builds social media outlets, operates a number of these at the same time. The entrepreneur then sells these outlets to competitors after a few years. The outlets are turned over in a staggered manner so that the portfolio is comprised of new, maturing and ready for sale outlets. This enables the owner to constantly introduce new outlets as opportunities arise. China offers opportunities to small and medium Australian businesses that they would never experience elsewhere. Taking up these opportunities is not without its risks competitors, the need for constant change and difficulty in accessing capital are all significant challenges. The Australian businesses we studied respond by being innovative and using their foreignness as a competitive advantage to grow their businesses. However, a new market in China today will be a market filled with competitors tomorrow, and these businesses constantly need to change and adapt to stay ahead. The Conversation Paul Hunter, chief executive of Strategic Management Institute, contributed to this article. Stuart Orr, Professor in Strategic Management, Deakin University; Jane Menzies, Senior Lecturer in International Business, Deakin University, and Mike Donnelly, Honorary Professor of Management, Heriot-Watt University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Mike and Jesse are adding interesting stuff to the blog in our spare time, so pardon the miscellany and lack of any organization. If you need to email about something (not hood ornaments) that isn't relevant to the comment section, e mail me at jbohjkl@yahoo.com, which will be responded to pretty fast on weekdays Images used IAW Title 17 U.S. Code 107 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107 This is under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non commercial and is otherwise in compliance with the license.See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode Tom Campbell A three-judge panel is currently tasked with interpreting one of our state's thorniest issues, namely who is in charge of public education. Is it to be the State Board of Education or the state Superintendent of Public Instruction?North Carolina's public school governance is confusing. We have a State Board of Education, appointed by the Governor. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is elected by statewide popular vote. Add to this mix the legislature that both funds and passes laws regarding public education. Then factor in the 115 Local Education Agencies or school districts across the state, each with a Superintendent and elected local Board of Education. Additionally, charter schools and private school vouchers have served to make the governance picture even cloudier.Article IX, Section 4 of the North Carolina Constitution, revised in 1971, supposedly provided clarity to the governance issue. It says,Instead of clarifying, this language raised many questions. Why go through the process of electing a statewide Superintendent when that person is merely the administrative arm of the State Board? Why shouldn't the State Board appoint the Superintendent, much as the UNC System Board of Governors and the State Community College Board, both of which appoint their presidents.The courts have consistently upheld the State Board's overall authority, making the relationship between the Superintendent and the State Board of Education tenuous, especially when a Governor of one party appoints the Board and the Superintendent is of another political party.Last December, the public school governance debate became even more contentious when the General Assembly, in special legislative session and with little or no discussion, attempted to strip many of the powers of the State Board of Education and vest them with the newly elected Superintendent. This struck many as curious because the new Superintendent was a Republican, as was the party in control of the State Board. Many suspected the hastily passed legislation was designed to rob incoming Governor Roy Cooper of power.The Board determined that the legislation violated the Constitution and instigated a lawsuit, hoping the court would once again affirm its authority. But the current case hinges on a new issue the judges must interpret, namely the clause that says, "subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly." New Superintendent Mark Johnson contends that the legislature has the authority to modify the statutes regarding his office and department. The State Board maintains that legislators don't have the authority to change the Constitution without an amendment approved by the voters. Regardless of how the three judges decide the case it will likely be appealed.We are well past the point where our Constitution needs revising to clarify, once and for all, who is in charge of public education. Until this happens we will continue to see these court cases, which serve as a distraction from the challenge of providing 1.5 million students the "sound basic education" dictated by that governing document. A couple of months ago, I wrote a column that outlined emerging threats to freedom of speech on college campuses - and noted with alarm that few of North Carolina's public or private universities had taken the necessary steps to ensure even a basic level of protection for students, faculty, and visiting speakers.I am pleased to report that the situation has improved significantly since I wrote that earlier piece. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) assesses the rules and procedures that protect, or fail to protect, free speech on campus. Just a few months ago, only one of the campuses in the University of North Carolina system - Chapel Hill - was given a green light in FIRE's rating system. Most received yellow lights, while four campuses got red lights for failing to provide meaningful protections.Several UNC campuses contacted FIRE to find out what they needed to do to address the problem, and then took action to remove their intrusive speech codes. As of late June , only one institution in the system, the School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, still has a red-light designation. Five campuses - UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Charlotte, North Carolina Central, and East Carolina - now have green lights. That's fantastic! The other 10 universities are rated yellow, which in a couple of cases is still an improvement.Among private campuses in North Carolina, the free-speech leader is Duke University, with a green light. On the other end of the spectrum, Wake Forest University and Davidson College are blinking red. While First Amendment protections of freedom of speech, press, and assembly don't apply to private campuses, they should champion such practices as forming the core element of a truly liberal education.North Carolina now leads the nation in the number of higher education institutions receiving FIRE's top rating. North Carolinians who treasure free expression should be proud of this progress even as we continue to press other institutions to follow suit.Why pay so much attention to this issue? Unless you are a professor, a student, or a family member of either, you may not see free speech on campus as critical. But it's related to a broader phenomenon that you've surely noticed and that may be affecting you more directly - the decline of civil, constructive dialogue across political difference.To recognize the right of some else to express a controversial point of view is not necessarily to endorse that view. To place a high value on the free exchange of ideas is not necessarily to place a high value on all of the ideas being exchanged, or to place a high level of trust or confidence in the individuals expressing those ideas.There are at least two core arguments for freedom of speech. One is that we all have inherent rights as human beings to say (and do) whatever we please as long as we don't violate the equal rights of others to say (and do) the same. The other, more consequentialist, argument is that if we allow and foster an unencumbered exchange of views, the "marketplace of ideas" will sort itself out over time and provide us with better answers to important questions than we could ever get by constraining the debate.The first argument only applies to government policy. That is, in a free society no politician or bureaucrat has the legitimate power to suppress the views of others through such means as fines or imprisonment. If you come on my property and start yelling at me about Medicaid expansion or whatnot, I can have you ejected. But if you stand on your own property and yell at me, or use private means to communicate your views through spoken or printed word, my only recourses are to answer or ignore you.The consequentialist argument, however, applies even in non-governmental settings such as private universities where the search for truth is integral to their missions. However messy or uncomfortable it may be in some circumstances, free speech is still better than the alternative. Session could end before legislature takes up first-ever city-imposed sales tax A Republican-sponsored bill in the General Assembly could allow the first ever municipal sales taxes in North Carolina. House Bill 900 , sponsored by Reps. Stephen Ross, R-Alamance, and Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, would allow a municipality to hold a voter referendum on the adoption of a sales and use tax of 0.25 percent.The bill's stated purpose is to keep municipal property taxes low by creating a new, optional revenue stream. Funds raised through the tax could be spent only on public infrastructure and facilities or economic development.But this year's legislative business may end before the measure moves forward.Currently, counties and the state are the only levels of government that can levy a sales tax.H.B. 900 has been changed significantly since its April introduction. The bill originally allowed municipalities to hold referendums on three kinds of local sales taxes, though only one could be adopted.The first draft of the bill included a food sales tax of up to 1.5 percent, and the local sales tax option of 0.25 percent that passed revisions. An occupancy tax provision also would have allowed cities and counties to tax hotels and other forms of lodging up to 6 percent, though both taxes could only add up to 6 percent if applied together.Julie Tisdale, city and county policy analyst at the John Locke Foundation, says 70 counties have held 127 tax referendums since 2007, when they first gained the power. Of the 127 votes, only 31 have passed.Bladen County held a local sales tax referendum five times between 2010-16. All five attempts failed. Harnett County held unsuccessful referenda between 2007 and 2012 before passing a sales tax in 2013.Data from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners further illustrates the unpopularity of these taxes when put up to voters.In 2016, 19 counties held 21 votes on the local sales tax option, and 19 of the votes failed. Cherokee and Jackson counties passed referendums the same day as the June 7 congressional primary. Bladen and Stanly counties held two unsuccessful votes during the March 15 primary and Nov. 8 general election.Tisdale thinks county commissioners see the sales tax as an easy way to create new revenue in a nearly unnoticeable way, though voters have proved they are not so keen on the option.She noted that taxing people when they go out to eat, stay at a hotel, or buy from a store has the potential to hurt business and tourism on the local scale. She advised local governments towithin their means rather than trying to nickel and dime residents and visitors.Scott Mooneyham, director of public affairs for the N.C. League of Municipalities, disagrees with Tisdale, pointing out that Florida has high sales taxes and still makes a good deal of money from tax dollars spent by tourists.Visitors to Orlando pay a 6.5 percent local sales tax on top of the state's 6 percent sales tax, according to Sale-Tax.com. The Orlando Sentinel reports that tourism in the region reached record numbers in 2016, with around 68 million people visiting.Disney World, the leading tourism attraction in the Orlando area, is actually located in the municipality of Bay Lake, Florida. Disney controls Bay Lake and another nearby village, allowing company attractions and resorts to not charge a municipal sales tax like Orlando, among other privileges.Mooneyham said his organization supports the bill, in part because economically disadvantaged municipalities statewide lose property tax revenue when factories close up and leave. He believes state funding for downtown revitalization projects has created momentum to improve municipal tax bases.Mooneyham said.A spokeswoman for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners told Carolina Journal that the NCACC had no position on H.B. 900. She said the group does not push the local sales tax option as a preferred source of revenue.The bill was referred back to the House Rules Committee June 14. The offices of representatives Ross and Saine told CJ they were unsure of the bill's fate. Contact: Attila Nemecz Attila Nemecz Attila.Nemecz@beaufortccc.edu WASHINGTON, N.C. A small business mindset can benefit even the largest business. Having an entrepreneurial mindset is equivalent to having a customer service mindset, according to Lentz Stowe, director of the Small Business Center at Beaufort County Community College. In that spirit, the business administration program at the college partnered with the Small Business Center to put students through HP LIFE e-learning, a series of online courses that help students develop technology and entrepreneurial skills.Instructor Cynthia King teaches business administration students skills related to managing businesses large and small. In an effort to expand small businesses in eastern North Carolina, King partnered with Stowe to focus student skills around entrepreneurship. The Small Business Center is a state-funded program in BCCC's Continuing Education Division. The SBC regularly presents free seminars led by both local and regional business leaders in order to help local business owners develop marketing, accounting and personnel skills. BCCC is a member of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, which is partnering with HP LIFE to offer it for free to its members.HP LIFE, a program through computer maker Hewlett Packard, can be incorporated into existing business classes free of charge. It teaches contemporary information technology and business skills through 27 simple interactive courses in finance, operation, marketing and communications. At the end of each course, students receive a certificate of completion.said King.Demetrius Holloway, a business administration program graduate who went through the HP LIFE course, said that the HP LIFE certificates stand out on his resume.said Holloway.Stowe insists that the course is not just for small business hopefuls, but for all business students like Holloway. "Optimally, everyone should possess an ownership mindset in their workplace regardless of their placement in the operation," he said."That personal touch, that connection-that's what brings customers back," said Stowe.It is exactly that kind of "big picture" thinking that led to the collaboration between the business administration program and the SBC and the results so far have been satisfied customers, students like Demetrius Holloway, who can leave BCCC with a stronger set of skills as they enter the workforce. [UPDATE 6/27/2017 4:42pm PT: A representative on behalf of United Airlines emailed Boing Boing with a statement: "This should never have happened. We are profoundly sorry to our customer and her child for the experience they endured. We are actively looking into what happened to prevent this from occurring again. The pilot returned to the gate as our crew called for paramedics to meet the aircraft. Medical care was provided to the child within 16 minutes of the Captain's call for paramedics."] It was hot in Denver on Thursday, the day Emily France and her infant son were stuck aboard a United Airlines jet idling on the runway. After two hours inside the sweltering cabin, the baby became overheated and had trouble breathing. France asked for an ambulance and for the captain to let her and the baby off the plane immediately, but United kept her on the plane for another 30 minutes. "They couldn't evacuate us," France told the Denver Post. "It was chaos. I really thought my son was going to die in my arms." Snip: France planned to fly with Owen to El Paso, Texas, to join her husband, an astrophysicist, for a rocket launch. Owen struggled in the heat, France said. "His whole body flashed red and his eyes rolled back in his head and he was screaming," France said. "And then he went limp in my arms. It was the worst moment of my life." France and other passengers begged for an ambulance. There appeared to be disagreement between the flight crew and the ground crew over whether stairs should be pushed to the aircraft or the airplane should return to the gate, she said. France said she sobbed as she sat by the open door and waited as Owen drifted in and out consciousness. She estimates they waited 30 minutes before the airplane returned to the gate. "They seemed completely unprepared for a medical emergency," she said. Jet image used in collage: Wikipedia/Cliff A 3-ton monument displaying the Ten Commandments was destroyed hours after being installed at Arkansas' State Capitol Wednesday, smashed by Michael T. Reed at the wheel of a 2016 Dodge Dart. Reed, 32, was arrested and charged with "defacing an object of public respect." Reed, evidently a vigorous supporter of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution's implicit prohibition of state religion, posted vertical video of his manuever to Facebook under the caption "Freedom". Reed was arrested in 2014 for driving a car into the Ten Commandments monument at Oklahoma's state Capitol, Oklahoma County Sheriff's spokesman Mark Opgrande told The Associated Press. He was admitted to a hospital the next day for mental treatment and was not formally charged, the AP reports. In the 2014 incident, The Oklahoman reported that the U.S. Secret Service interviewed Reed and that he told agents that he has bipolar disorder and that Satan had directed him to destroy the monument. The ACLU had planned to sue to get the monument removed. Arkansas's plainly sectarian government plans to rebuilt it, presumably surrounded by concrete pilings. At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, Mombacho Cigars S.A. will officially launch the Cosecha 2012. This is the first installment of the companys limited edition, single vintage project. The name cosecha is Spanish for harvest. Each release will feature what the company considers to be the best Nicaraguan tobaccos from a harvest year. In particular, Cosecha 2012 features the high-quality Nicaraguan tobaccos solely from a 2012 crop. Its a concept that is analogous to the wine world namely premium fruits from a particular harvest. This is a project of historic magnitude, not only for Mombacho Cigars, S.A. but for the whole cigar industry. Through a complex process, we will highlight the best of Nicaraguan tobacco crops every year starting with 2012. Not all tobaccos are acceptable for this line; this is a true vintage, said Mombacho Cigars President and Master Blender, Claudio Sgroi in a press release. Mombacho says the cigars for the first release have been aging at Casa Favilli, Mombachos factory in Granada, Nicaragua, since late 2013. The company is planning subsequent releases namely Cosecha 2013, 2014 and 2015 featuring all high quality Nicaraguan tobaccos harvested from the corresponding year. According to Mombacho, these cigars have been rolled and will now age at Casa Favilli a minimum of four years before being released. Each Cosecha release will feature a 6 x 52 vitola with a pigtail cap. The cigars will be available in ten-count boxes. Cosecha 2012 will have a total production of 5,000 cigars (500 boxes). Production of subsequent Cosecha releases will depend on what the crop yield was for a particular years project. The cigars are expected to ship in August 2017. Sgroi discussed some details of the project on Episode 11 of the Prime Time Show. This project has been five years in the making and we are proud to launch Cosecha 2012 at the IPCPR 2017. Enjoy it! added Sgroi. At a glance, here is a look at the Cosecha 2012: Blend Profile Wrapper: Nicaraguan (2012 Vintage) Binder: Nicaraguan (2012 Vintage) Filler: Nicaraguan (2012 Vintage) Country of Origin: Nicaragua Vitolas Available The Cosecha 2012 will be available in one size a 6 x 52 Toro. Image Credits: Mombacho Cigars SA Foundation Cigar Company has become the latest cigar company to team up with Layne Coffee. The cigar company announced Foundation Coffee, a line of coffees designed to be paired with Foundation Cigars. Foundation Coffee will launch at the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show. According to Nick Melillo, founder of Foundation Cigar Company, not only is the coffee great but we paid special attention to sustainability. When it was physically possible, and regardless of cost, we sourced only free trade and organic coffees. Melillo describes the four blends as follows: The Wise Man Blend I love everything about Nicaragua. The sights, smells, people, culture, and mostly the tobacco. I wanted to find the perfect Nicaraguan coffee to pair with my Nicaraguan release, El Gueguense, The Wise Man. I found the perfect single origin, grown high up in the mountains. I find myself drinking this every day, and when I am in not in Nicaragua, it instantly transports me back, commented Melillo. The Wise Man blend is available in 12oz bags and will carry an MSRP of $17.95. Type: Single Country Countries of Origin: Nicaragua Roast: Medium Acidity: Low/Medium Tabernacle Blend The roots of coffee run straight to Ethiopia in the 10th century and possibly earlier. It was used as a sacrament to keep priests awake through the night of special ceremonies and prayers. The Tabernacle, which I released in 2016, pays homage to Haile Selassie, 225th King of Ethiopia. I wanted a bright, fruity cup of coffee to balance the spice of the Tabernacle. Thus, I chose a single origin coffee from the Harrar region of Ethiopia, commented Melillo. Type: Single Country Countries of Origin: Ethiopia Roast: Medium Acidity: High The Tabernacle Blend is available in 12oz bags and will carry an MSRP of $18.95. Upsetters Blend Jamaica has an interesting history of hailing the underdogthe anti-hero who battles against the odds. Upsetters stir things up. Theyre the rude boys who, in the 1960s, watched old spaghetti westerns and identified with gunslingers like Django and films like A Fistful of Dollars. Upsetters created reggae music, fought tyranny, battled Goliath! Three years ago, I traveled to Jamaica for Bob Marleys 70th birthday looking for cigar tobacco. While deep in the Blue Mountains I also found an amazing blend of coffee! commented Melillo. The Upsetters Blend is available in 12oz bags and will carry an MSRP of $19.95. Type: Coffee Blend Countries of Origin: Jamaica and another Blue Mountain varietal Roast: Light/Medium Acidity: Medium Foundation All-in-One Blend Foundation All-in-One blend is a perfect combination of three great beans from countries that have made a profound impact on my life. Every morning in Nicaragua as I get ready to inspect the previous days production, a cup of coffee is always part of this ceremony. As with cigars, I am passionate about the craft of coffee I have one way to describe this blend flavor country! commented Melillo. The Foundation All-in-One Blend is available in 12oz bags and will carry an MSRP of $19.95. Type: Coffee Blend Countries of Origin: Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Jamaica Roast: Medium Acidity: Medium / High Melillo added, I love cigars and they have been a part of my life for over 20 years, but without coffee, many of the moments in those 20 years wouldnt be the same. I am excited to work with Layne Coffee Co. on this project. They bring the same drive for quality, consistency, and entrepreneurial spirit as we have at Foundation, and I couldnt be prouder to work with them. Logan Lawler, Founder and CEO of Layne Coffee Co. said, It has been wonderful working with Nick and the team at Foundation. I am truly honored and humbled to be working with them on this project. Foundation Coffee will formally premiere at the upcoming IPCPR Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 10th, 2017. Foundation Cigar Company joins Cubariqueno Cigar Company as cigar companies teaming up with Layne Coffee to produce coffee blends. Photo Credits: Foundation Cigar Company THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- In the midst of another struggle over U.S. health care coverage, a new study finds that Americans who don't have health insurance face a significantly higher risk for premature death. "The evidence is overwhelming that insurance saves lives and taking away coverage costs lives," said study co-author Dr. David Himmelstein, a professor of public health at the CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College in New York City. This conclusion follows a review of previous investigations that looked at how gaining or losing insurance affects the health and life spans of American adults under 65. "We were not very surprised by the findings, since a 2002 report from the Institute of Medicine [IOM] of the National Academy of Sciences had reached a similar conclusion," Himmelstein said. That earlier IOM report reviewed 130 studies before concluding that "the uninsured have poorer health and shortened lives." The IOM estimated the number of Americans who die each year as a result of being uninsured at 18,000, the researchers said. "But since that time," said Himmelstein, "there's been lots of new evidence which greatly strengthens confidence that insurance makes a big difference in preventing unnecessary deaths." The new analysis comes just after the Senate debuted its plans -- known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 -- to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare). After talks on Capitol Hill found that Republicans might not have the votes needed for passage, voting on the bill has now been postponed till after the July 4 break. On Monday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted that the GOP-sponsored bill would lead to 22 million Americans losing their health coverage by 2026. That would be on top of the 28 million Americans who already lack insurance. For the new review, Himmelstein and co-author Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, also from CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College, searched all of the available medical literature for studies done on health insurance and health outcomes, including death. One study in the review found that when previously uninsured adults acquired Medicaid, the government-run insurance program for lower-income Americans, they rated their health as being better. They were more likely to get their diabetes under control, and were less likely to be diagnosed with depression. Another study found that those with full coverage faced a lower risk for high blood pressure compared with those whose coverage required them sharing some of the cost of having their blood pressure examined. Other research found that when patients were offered free blood pressure screenings, premature deaths (whether due to heart disease or not) dropped by 17 percent. The authors of the new study also found that national survey data indicated that being uninsured was associated with a significantly higher risk for premature death. States that expanded Medicaid coverage under Obamacare saw mortality rates fall 3 to 6 percent. And, studies that looked at high blood pressure found worse control and a higher early death risk among the uninsured. The review authors concluded that insurance reduces the risk of premature death by anywhere from 3 to 29 percent, often by helping to keep high blood pressure under control. Jim Carleton is outreach coordinator for the Tri County Community Action Agency, a nonprofit social service organization based in Johnston, R.I. He said the new findings "are no surprise at all. "I can tell you anecdotally that, clearly, the more people who are insured, the more people get their health needs met, the fewer people who are sick," Carleton said. He said that in some parts of the country, rising Obamacare premiums have been a problem, "especially in rural areas." But in his area of Rhode Island, expanded health coverage under the Affordable Care Act has "literally saved lives. People with cancer, people with all sorts of medical issues, are getting care they wouldn't otherwise get," Carleton said. The review was published June 26 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. More information There's more information on health insurance coverage at U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, June 29, 2017Kyrgyzstan should drop all charges against the independent media organization ProMedia and its co-founder, Naryn Idinov, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. A Bishkek district court held three separate hearings today into charges of insult made against ProMedia, which runs the independent online news agency Zanoza, and Idinov who edits and writes for Zanoza, according to media reports. The prosecutor-general filed five complaints earlier this year accusing ProMedia and Idinov of insulting the president in articles published on Zanoza between October 2015 and March 2017, according to reports. Prosecutors are demanding moral compensation of 27 million som (US$392,000) in total from ProMedia, including 9 million som from Idinov, the journalist told CPJ. On March 14, the courts ordered bank accounts for ProMedia to be frozen and on March 15 a lien was put on Idinovs Bishkek apartment, according to reports. Idinov is also under a travel ban. All three hearings were adjourned until tomorrow, Idinov told CPJ. A fourth hearing is due to be held tomorrow against ProMedia and Idinov in a different district court and a fifth case, also on insult charges, is scheduled to be heard on July 3. Scheduling three separate court cases for one news outlet on the same day is harassment. The crackdown on ProMedia, Zanoza, and Naryn Idinov should stop immediately, CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. We call on Kyrgyz authorities to drop the charges, release all assets, and lift the travel ban against Idinov. Journalists in Kyrgyzstan must be allowed to work without fear of reprisal. In between hearings today, Idinov told CPJ that he believes the cases are politically motivated. Three different trials were held from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, with three different judges and we were the only defendant. Idinov said that they expect a guilty verdict will be handed down. A copy of the prosecutors files viewed by CPJ cites the following Zanoza articles as allegedly insulting the president: A February 2017 report on comments that opposition leader Omurbek Tekebayev made, alleging that President Almazbek Atambayev is corrupt. An October 2015 article that quoted former President Askar Akayev, in which he alleged that Atambayev was involved in corruption. An October 2015 article that questioned Atambayevs lavish lifestyle. Two March 2017 articles that criticized the February arrest of Tekebayev. A March 2017 news report in which former parliament member Cholpon Jakupova criticized Atambayevs attacks on journalists. An earlier court ruling ordered that all the cited articles be blocked on Zanoza, according to Idinov. Tekebayev, the leader of the opposition Ata Meken party, was seen as a strong contender in Octobers elections when Atambayev is due to stand down as president. Authorities jailed Tekebayev in February, according to reports. As well as the legal action against ProMedia, CPJ has documented in recent months how Atambayev verbally assaulted the media; charges have been brought against other critical journalists and outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL); and authorities ignored a U.N. order to release imprisoned journalist Azimjon Askarov, who is serving a life sentence. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 Trend: President of Poland Andrzej Duda has described Azerbaijan as his countrys important partner in the South Caucasus and Caspian Sea region. In this context, we attach a special emphasis to strengthening economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, he told Azerbaijan-Poland business forum in Warsaw. He referred to the documents signed earlier in the day, expressing his confidence that they will give impetus to the bilateral trade relations. President Duda singled out the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership that he signed with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, saying it will strengthen cooperation between Poland and Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 12 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: The document on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains the same, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. He made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Estonian counterpart Sven Mikser in Baku June 12. Mammadyarov said that work was carried out on this document at the level of presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia during a joint meeting in St. Petersburg and at the moment, it is the main one on the negotiations table. The Azerbaijani minister noted that during the meeting with his Russian and Armenian counterparts in Moscow on April 29, he discussed the issues of progress of the negotiation process. Commenting on the upcoming visit of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region, Mammadyarov said that he cant say with what proposals the co-chairs will visit Baku. According to him, currently, the mediators of the negotiation process are in Armenia. We will wait with what they will come from Armenia to Baku, said the minister. He emphasized that Azerbaijan supports the beginning of substantive talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijans position remains unchanged, noted Mammadyarov. The status quo should be changed, since everyone knows what the consequences might be while maintaining it, added the Azerbaijani minister. OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will arrive in Azerbaijan on June 19. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 15 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be discussed during the meeting of Russian and French foreign ministers Sergey Lavrov and Jean-Yves Le Drian in Moscow June 20, Spokeswoman of Russias Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said at a briefing June 15. We are in touch with our French colleagues regarding this issue, Zakharova said. The essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement is finding a compromise between the conflicts parties, which seem to be taking quite opposite stances, she added. The situation requires moving forward, and, therefore, contacts in various formats have recently intensified, Zakharova noted. Russia, as a mediator in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflicts settlement, is doing everything possible for a compromise to be reached, but not to the detriment of the peoples of the two countries, she added. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible only within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, taking into account the right of peoples to self-determination, Matthew Bryza, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan, told reporters in Baku June 16. He noted that there is no trust between the conflict sides, they do not believe in the sincerity of each other and this hampers settlement of the conflict. Complex compromises are needed for the conflict to be resolved, according to Bryza. The only way is if the US and Russia, with participation of the EU, are able to provide political support to the leadership of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the conflict resolution, Bryza said, adding that Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the few issues, on which the US and Russia have a common position and are ready to act together. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: The Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hinders the economic development of the South Caucasus and security in the region, Matthew Bryza, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan and former co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, told reporters in Baku June 16. Armenia keeps the Azerbaijani lands under occupation, said Bryza, adding it is necessary that Armenian troops withdraw from those lands and the parties reach an agreement. The framework agreement [Madrid Principles] has existed for 10 years already, said Bryza, adding it is necessary to complete this process. The former OSCE MG co-chair believes that this wont be possible if the US and Russian leaders dont contribute to this process. According to Bryza, when he served as an OSCE MG co-chair, the co-chairs made progress, because the presidents of the US and Russia George W. Bush and Dmitry Medvedev paid more attention to the conflict and directly participated in its settlement. At that time, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov creatively approached this issue, and he also encouraged the co-chairs to take a creative approach, noted Bryza. He voiced concern that currently there is no specific policy in the US, not only about the South Caucasus, but also about the whole world. President Donald Trump, during his election campaign, wanted very much the improvement of relations between the US and Russia, said the former ambassador, reminding that currently an investigation is underway into Russias intervention in the US electoral process. Until all these problems are resolved, the improvement of relations between the US and Russia will be impossible, according to Bryza. The former envoy added that neither Azerbaijan, nor Armenia is interested in the resumption of hostilities on the line of contact. He believes the deployment of heavy weapons to the line of contact, such as the OSA missile systems, can contribute to resumption of hostilities. Bryza doesnt expect progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts resolution until the presidents of Russia and the US make their personal contribution to its settlement. They should put this conflict to the agenda of the Russia-US relations, he said, but now the relations are not at a proper level. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: The UN must exert pressure on the countries that do not observe the international law and do not fulfill the UNs decisions, Hans-Joachim Heintze, professor of international law at the University of the Ruhr Bochum, Germany, said. Heintze was commenting on Armenias non-fulfillment of the UN Security Councils resolutions for many years. He added that many countries are disappointed in the UN with certain countries not complying with its decisions. Heintze stressed that the Armenians in Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region have no right for declaring an independent state and for self-determination as they are a national minority in Azerbaijan and such issues must be solved by the entire population of the country. If we consider this issue proceeding from such logic, then there must be more than 3,000 countries in the world, which means an end to the system of international relations, Heintze said. He added that the illegal regime in the Nagorno-Karabakh region was created as a result of Armenia's intervention. I always criticize the OSCE Minsk Group for mentioning the principle of the right to self-determination of peoples in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict along with the principle of ensuring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, he said. The Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh region have rights as a national minority. Azerbaijan should protect their rights in this aspect after the conflict settlement, which was repeatedly stated by the Azerbaijani government. The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict directly depends on Armenia and Azerbaijan, Heintze said, adding that the sides must eliminate stereotypes towards each other. The conflict settlement is impossible with external interference. He said the external players are interested in preserving the status quo, therefore, Armenian and Azerbaijani civil societies should also talk to each other. Heintze recalled that the two parts of Germany began to unify with the efforts of civil society. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Details added (first version posted on 17:45) Baku, Azerbaijan, June 19 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: The OSCE Minsk Group (MG) encourages the sides of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to consider measures that would reduce tensions on the line of contact and the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says a statement by the OSCE MG co-chairs, issued June 19. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the United States of America), together with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, traveled to the region in June, says the statement. The main purpose of the co-chairs visit was to discuss the position of the sides towards the next steps in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process after the trilateral ministerial meeting in Moscow (April 28), as well as the overall situation in the conflict zone, according to the statement. The co-chairs met with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan on June 10 and with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on June 19, as well as held consultations with the two countries foreign and defense ministers, says the statement. In Baku, they also met with the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh. In their talks in Baku, the co-chairs expressed deep concern over the recent violations of the ceasefire, resulting in casualties on the line of contact on the eve of their visit to Azerbaijan. They appealed to the conflict sides to avoid further escalation, says the statement. In both capitals, the co-chairs called upon the parties to re-engage in negotiations on substance, in good faith and with political will, according to the statement. They underscored that this is the only way to bring a lasting peace to the people of the region, who expect and deserve progress in the settlement of the conflict. The presidents expressed their intention to resume political dialogue in an attempt to find a compromise solution for the most controversial issues of the settlement. The co-chairs will travel to Vienna to brief the members of the Minsk Group on July 3, says the statement. They also plan to meet again soon with the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers to discuss modalities of the forthcoming work. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: A high-ranking Cypriot diplomat has refuted the lies of Armenians concerning the Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides statements, a diplomatic source told Trend June 21. Earlier, the Armenian Defense Ministry distributed a press release stating that Kasoulides allegedly called Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region, occupied by Armenians, as the historical territory of Armenians. According to News Armenia, Kasoulides made that statement in a meeting with Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan. However, the high-ranking Cypriot diplomat said on the sidelines of an international organization, where representatives of Azerbaijan, Cyprus and other countries work, that Kasoulides has never said anything that could be interpreted by the Armenian side as support for the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia. Moreover, Kasoulides has not stated that the Nagorno-Karabakh region is the historical territory of Armenians, the high-ranking Cypriot diplomat added. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 Trend: The statements of Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan that a serious blow will be inflicted on Azerbaijan and that eight Azerbaijani servicemen were allegedly killed in the last ten days are not true, the press service of Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said in a message June 28. Azerbaijans Defense Ministry perceives the words of Armenias defense minister with bitter irony and states that his amateurish speech, which is not grounded in real facts and disseminated with propaganda aim, is nothing but lie and impudence. Neither military, economic, human resources, nor other factors make it possible for Armenia to inflict a serious blow on Azerbaijan, said the ministrys message. Azerbaijani soldiers and the up-to-date military equipment and armaments, which have a crushing power, are capable of suppressing any threat by the enemy, destroying it and restoring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, said the message. As for the losses, it would be more appropriate if Sargsyan took up the cases of death in the Armenian army. It is the Armenian side that constantly hides losses at the front line and other cases of death in the army. Sargsyan would look sincere if, instead of voicing such delusional statements, he would correctly inform the Armenian public about the real number of losses of the Armenian side in recent days as a result of the retaliatory measures of the Azerbaijani army, says the Defense Ministrys message. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: Settlement of conflicts in the OSCE area, including the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, within the existing formats will be discussed at the OSCE Informal Ministerial Meeting scheduled for July 11 in Austrias Mauerbach town, Spokeswoman of Russias Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said at a briefing June 29. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also take part in this meeting organized by OSCE chairperson-in-office, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, she noted. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: The Czech Foreign Ministry has refuted Armenian media reports regarding anti-Azerbaijan statements allegedly made by the Czech Republics ambassador to Armenia Petr Mikyska. Deputy Spokeswoman of the Czech Foreign Ministry Irena Valentova told Trend that Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Armenia Petr Mikyska had participated in a press conference organized by The National Press Club in Yerevan. It can be claimed that the press conference output was not authorized by the ambassador and it contains messages that were not delivered by Ambassador Mikyska, she said. Deputy spokeswoman went on to add that following this event, ambassador of Azerbaijan in the Czech Republic was received at the Czech Foreign Ministry. With the above stated clarification, both sides consider this issue as resolved, she said. Earlier, Armenian media reported that the Czech Republics ambassador to Yerevan allegedly made anti-Azerbaijan statements in connection with Azerbaijans declaring several MEPs, including a Czech politician, internationally wanted for their illegal visits to the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministrys spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend that if the Czech ambassador had made such statements, this contradicts the law, the norms and principles of international law. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Seba Agahyeva Trend: Booking.com, the Netherlands-based travel fare aggregator website, has stopped hotel reservations in the occupied Azerbaijani territories after the countrys appeal, Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend June 29. Earlier, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as Azerbaijans Embassy in the Netherlands sent an appeal to the Booking.com in connection with its reservation of hotel rooms in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. The appeal said that if the company continues this activity, Azerbaijan will take appropriate measures. Azerbaijan regarded such activity of the company as contradicting the norms of international law, the charter and the relevant decisions of the World Tourism Organization and the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, Hajiyev added. When booking hotel rooms in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, the company carried out activity that completely contradicts the position of the Netherlands, where the company is officially registered, as well as the position of the EU, which supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Hajiyev said. He added that such activity of Booking.com contradicts business ethics and is a factor that negatively affects the prestige of the company. Taking into account the above-mentioned, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry urged the company to completely cancel hotel bookings in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and not to engage in such activity in the future, Hajiyev said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Details added (first version posted on 15:18) Baku, Azerbaijan, June 13 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia. The Azerbaijani president hailed the successful development of Azerbaijan-Georgia relations, saying the two countries maintain active cooperation in many areas and support each other. Touching upon economic ties, President Ilham Aliyev pointed out good results in this area. On Azerbaijans investments in Georgia and Azerbaijani companies activities in the country, the head of state stressed the importance of determining the ways of increasing the bilateral trade. President Ilham Aliyev underlined the significance of studying the potential for developing the relations in non-oil, trade and other sectors. Hailing the successful implementation of global projects in transport and energy fields, he noted that Azerbaijan and Georgia demonstrate a very sound approach to the realization of these projects along with other partners. Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia said he is much honored to meet with President Ilham Aliyev. He offered condolences over passing of Minister of Energy Natig Aliyev. The Georgian minister said cooperation in the economic area is successfully developing, adding this is well evidenced by a 49 percent growth in the bilateral trade in four months of this year. The sides exchanged views on prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the areas of trade, investment, transport, tourism and agriculture. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: The United States-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC) in conjunction with over twenty women business leaders, CEOs and entrepreneurs successfully concluded a briefing on Capitol Hill, titled Transformation and Economic Empowerment of Women: Case Studies of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The initiative was launched by women-entrepreneurs, in particular CEO of C.L. Russell Group Connie Russell and CEO of Browne & Associates, Inc and President of National Medical Association Doris Browne, who traveled to Azerbaijan and Georgia in September 2016 as part of a US trade mission. The event was supported by many women representatives of the US Congress, including Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as well as US Department of Commerce. Connie Russell opened the event by sharing her positive impressions of the two countries, her communication with local women-entrepreneurs and the great potential for bilateral commercial cooperation. Azerbaijans Ambassador to the US Elin Suleymanov delivered welcoming remarks, noting the rich history of the country in uplifting women. As Azerbaijan is the first Muslim country to enfranchise women with voting rights, he stressed the importance of womens role in Azerbaijani society both in the past and future. Keynote Speaker Holly Vineyard, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Commerce also noted the importance of regular trade missions to the region and new initiatives, government procurement and economic resources for empowering women in the US and the region. Deputy Chief of Mission of Georgian Embassy Giorgi Tsikolia, USACC Executive Director Susan Sadigova and CFO of Washington, DC-based Middle East Institute Tamara Kalandiya also briefed the audience about their personal experiences and the leading positions that women hold in Georgia and Azerbaijan, both in government and private sectors. DCM Tsikolia also described the initiative as a great opportunity to highlight the current friendship between Azerbaijan and Georgia and to inform the US audience about the role of women in these two societies. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 20 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: The EU reaffirms its strong commitment to cooperation with Eastern Partnership countries, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said at Eastern Partnership (EaP) ministerial meeting in Luxembourg June 19, the European Council said in a message. The meeting brought together EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from the six Eastern Partnership countries to work on the preparations of the EaP summit to be held in November 2017 in Brussels. "Today, we have reaffirmed the strong commitment of the EU and the Eastern Partners to our close cooperation. Our summit in November will show our unity and focus on concrete deliverables," Mogherini said. The ministers confirmed that the upcoming summit should provide further guidance for strengthening cooperation in the four priority areas of engagement agreed at the last summit in Riga in 2015: a stronger governance; a stronger society; a stronger economy; and a stronger connectivity. High Representative Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn presented the ministers with a working document, jointly prepared by the European External Action Service and the European Commission: "Eastern Partnership - Focusing on key priorities and deliverables". The document identifying 20 deliverables for 2020 in the four areas was first presented in December 2016 and revised this month based on contributions from EU Member States and EaP Partner countries. It lays out, in concrete terms, tangible results expected of the cooperation and should work as a common work plan, for the summit, and for 2020. A new visual identity for the partnership, to highlight this more structured approach around the 4 priority areas and 20 deliverables, will be launched, this week on 22-23 June, at the 3rd EaP Youth Forum in Warsaw. The Eastern Partnership initiative was launched in 2009 with the main focus on regional cooperation in the EU's eastern neighbourhood. It sets out to promote political association and economic integration with the EU among six EaP countries:, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Armenia. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Baku, Azerbaijan, June 23 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: Successfully pursuing an independent policy in its recent history, Baku chose the right course of developing bilateral relations with various countries long ago. The strengthening relations between Azerbaijan and Costa Rica have become a striking example of a strategy of establishing mutually beneficial relations with a number of Latin American countries. The number of high-level visits testifies to strengthening relations between Azerbaijan and Costa Rica. Costa Ricas Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Manuel Gonzalez Sanzs official visit to Azerbaijan on October 20, 2015 was an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. A number of documents on strengthening cooperation were signed during Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarovs visit to the capital of Costa Rica - San Jose in June 2017. During the visit, the ministers organized an extended meeting and held political consultations in accordance with the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a mechanism of political consultations between the Azerbaijani foreign ministry and the ministry of foreign affairs and worship of Costa Rica signed in New York on September 16, 2002. Less than a month has passed since Manuel Gonzalez Sanz paid an official visit to Azerbaijan again. The two countries do have many common areas of cooperation. It is especially important that Azerbaijan continues to intensify relations with Costa Rica in the international arena within the interaction with each other on the sidelines of various international organizations. During the meeting in San Jose in June, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Costa Rica discussed the meetings on the sidelines of big international events and appreciated the cooperation and consistent practice of mutual support within the international organizations. Moreover, the potential of trade turnover between the two countries is not fully used and today both sides can make efforts to bring the trade turnover to the required level. Over 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Azerbaijan, the two countries have systematically developed relations and a political dialogue, which facilitated the intensification of mutual visits, playing a huge role in strengthening the friendly relations and cooperation between Costa Rica and Azerbaijan. The most important point for strengthening the relations between the two countries is Costa Ricas decision of establishing an embassy in Baku, which must give an additional impetus to the strengthening of mutual cooperation and contribute to an increase in the tourist flow from Azerbaijan to the Latin America. During Mammadyarovs visit to Latin America in June, the ministers of the two countries also signed an agreement on issuing visas to those having diplomatic, official passports and also agreed to continue to make efforts to further strengthen the legal framework between the two countries, especially in the economic and humanitarian spheres. A very important point in the bilateral agenda is a sensitive issue of influence of the Armenian diaspora in Latin America, which has been recently weakening due to Bakus diplomatic efforts. Mammadyarovs recent visit to Colombia and Costa Rica and the statements made there confirmed the thesis that the Armenian lobbyists are losing again. The joint statement of the two ministers, signed in Costa Rica in June, contains a very clear position on Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region occupied by Armenia. In particular, the support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and the importance of fulfilling UN resolutions on the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan have been stressed in the statement. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Elmira Tariverdiyeva is the head of Trend Agencys Russian news service, follow her on Twitter: @EmmaTariver Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 Trend: An official welcome ceremony has been held for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Warsaw. President Ilham Aliyev arrived at the Presidential Palace. A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up for President Ilham Aliyev at the square decorated with national flags of Azerbaijan and Poland. Polish President Andrzej Duda greeted President Ilham Aliyev. Polish state and government officials were introduced to Ilham Aliyev, while members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to Andrzej Duda. State anthems of Azerbaijan and Poland were played. The chief of the guard of honor reported to the president of Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev saluted Polish soldiers. The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor. The presidents posed for official photos. President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Poland and members of Warsaw City Council. The guard of honor marched in front of the heads of state to the accompaniment of a military march. All dried up With the monsoons finally upon us, most residents of the capital can now take it easy owing to the reprieve the bountiful rains will provide from the bane of perennial water shortages in Kathmandu. Baku, Azerbaijan June 27 Trend: After the official welcome ceremony, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda have held a one-on-one meeting. Successful development of Azerbaijan-Poland cooperation was hailed at the meeting. The importance of President Ilham Aliyev`s official visit to Poland in terms of the development of relations was emphasized. Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Andrzej Duda discussed other issues of mutual interest. The presidents exchanged gifts at the meeting. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda have held an expanded meeting joined by their delegations. President of Poland Andrzej Duda said political relations between the two countries are developing successfully, and stressed the importance of increasing the bilateral trade. Pointing out good potential for expanding economic cooperation, President Andrzej Duda noted the significance of Azerbaijan-Poland business forum and the documents signed in terms of exploring opportunities in economic area. President Andrzej Duda said President Ilham Aliyev`s official visit to Poland will stimulate the beginning of a new stage in the development of relations between the two countries. President Andrzej Duda said Poland supports settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and based on the four resolutions of the UN Security Council. President Ilham Aliyev hailed high-level political relations between Azerbaijan and Poland. The head of state said the visit creates a good opportunity for discussing prospects of the bilateral ties. President Ilham Aliyev pointed out good opportunities for expanding economic relations between the two countries, and emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan-Poland business forum in this regard. The presidents discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of transport, railway, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mechanical engineering, tourism, food industry, construction, and pharmaceutical industry. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument in Warsaw. A guard of honor was arranged for the Azerbaijani President in front of the monument. President Ilham Aliyev put a wreath at the Eternal Flame, and paid tribute to those who were killed in the World War Two. State anthems of Azerbaijan and Poland were performed. The guard of honor marched in front of the head of state to the accompaniment of a military march. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 Trend: A ceremony has been held in Masazir settlement, Absheron district, to give new apartments to IDP families living in unusable buildings. First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony. A total of 164 IDP families have been provided with new apartments in the Yeni Baki complex in Masazir. Fifty IDP families have been provided with new apartments in the Binagadi Youth Town in Mehdiabad settlement. All apartments are refurbished and supplied with kitchen furniture. A total of 214 new apartments will be given to IDP families living in unusable Energetika boarding house in Shuvalan settlement, Khazar district, and in an unusable building on Ganja Avenue in Khatai district. On 9 March 2017, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva chaired a meeting on the resettlement of IDP families temporarily living in dormitories in the cities of Baku and Sumgayit. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony to give new apartments to IDP families in Masazir settlement, Absheron district. IDPs Rafiz Karimov from Fuzuli district, Vusala Fataliyeva from Shusha, Zabila Jafarova and Amirkhan Zeynalov from Lachin thanked for the attention paid to them. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva viewed Khojaly martyr family Ulduza Khojayeva`s apartment. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland Stanisaw Karczewski. Stanisaw Karczewski recalled his visit to Azerbaijan and his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev. Saying this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Poland-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations, the Marshal of the Senate said Poland attaches great importance to these relations. He hailed friendly ties between the two nations. Stanisaw Karczewski stressed the significance of President Ilham Aliyev`s official visit to Poland and the business forum held during this visit in terms of strengthening the bilateral ties in a variety of areas. He thanked President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijan`s supporting Poland`s bid for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Stanisaw Karczewski said they attach great significance to the inter-parliamentary cooperation. The Marshal of the Polish Senate underlined the importance of using Azerbaijan`s opportunities as a transport corridor in terms of strengthening the economic cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev described the signing of important documents on strategic partnership and cooperation in different areas during his official visit as a god sign of friendly relations between the two countries. The head of state congratulated the Marshal of the Senate on Poland`s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. President Ilham Aliyev said discussions on an essential part of the economic ties - Azerbaijan`s transport corridors and transit opportunities were held during the visit, pointing out good potential for developing these transport corridors. The head of state said Azerbaijan-Poland cooperation has great history, adding that the country is interested in expanding the bilateral ties. President Ilham Aliyev hailed successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland in international organizations, including European parliamentary institutions. They discussed Azerbaijan-Poland cooperation in political, economic, humanitarian, transport, tourism and other areas. President Ilham Aliyev then signed a guest book of the Polish Senate. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 Trend: Azerbaijan is already a reliable partner regarding oil deliveries to European markets, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in Warsaw at the Azerbaijan-Poland business forum. First of all, once again I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. President [of Poland Andrzej Duda] for invitation to visit Poland, and for hospitality shown to me and our delegation, Ilham Aliyev said. Today we are entering a new stage of development of our cooperation. My visit to Poland is very successful. We signed many documents. Among them I would especially underline the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership and economic cooperation. Actually, this elaborates a new road map in development of our political and economic relations, Ilham Aliyev noted. The name of the declaration demonstrates how much importance we pay to economic cooperation. Todays business forum is another indicator of that because business communities are very sensitive and they clearly understand that today the high level of political relations between Poland and Azerbaijan opens new opportunities for them. And as far as I know today at the business forum several agreements will be signed between our companies. Of course, the current level of our trade turnover cannot satisfy us, the Azerbaijani president said. Today with Mr. President [Andrzej Duda] and with delegations we discussed the ways how to increase trade turnover. There is a good opportunity to stimulate our economic ties, and also to have a very clear picture of our export potential, what we can export to each other and what kind of joint business projects we can implement. I would like to congratulate our Polish friends and partners on very rapid economic development, Ilham Aliyev said. Poland today demonstrates probably one of the highest rates of economic growth, political stability, economic stability. Development today creates very good opportunities for your country to strengthen your path to progress. As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, our country is relatively young, he noted. Independence was restored only 25 years ago. We celebrated it last year. And these years were the years of transformation - political, social and, of course, economic. Today Azerbaijan demonstrates also very good economic performance. Since 2004, our economy has grown more than three times, and we managed also to reduce unemployment and poverty down to the level of five-six percent. Now, the private sector is more than 70 percent of our GDP and our financial reserves are four-five times bigger than our foreign debt, Ilham Aliyev said. So, economically and politically Azerbaijan is a stable country, a country, which has attracted more than $200 billion worth of investment during the last 20 years. Approximately, half of them are foreign investments. A good investment climate and a very friendly environment for foreign investors create good opportunities for companies to work in Azerbaijan. We want to work with polish companies as partners in different projects in Azerbaijan, in Poland, he noted. We want to enter the projects related to investment. We invite companies from Poland to be our partners in projects, which are being implemented in Azerbaijan energy, transportation, construction projects. We invite them as contractors. We invite companies to invest in the areas where there is potential for market in Azerbaijan and in the neighborhood. I think that having such good political relations and a clear vision for economic cooperation, we can, in a very short period of time, achieve success, increase turnover, I think, by several times, and create a very solid foundation for business communities. Azerbaijan is implementing important energy and transportation projects, which go far beyond our borders, Ilham Aliyev said. On transportation, as Mr. President mentioned, we already entered joint activity in creation of corridors. Azerbaijan has been working on transportation corridors for many years. Now all the necessary infrastructure, transportation infrastructure has already been created. We have railroad connections with all our neighbors to the north, to the south, and to the west. We have six international airports, which can receive all types of aircrafts, the Azerbaijani president said. Our cargo fleet is one of the leading cargo fleets in the world, which works globally. Our country is connected with the neighborhood with a chain of brand new highways, and we increase the volume of transportation through the newly-built port, the biggest in the Caspian Sea. Its first stage is already in operation, and next year the completion of the port will allow us to handle at least 15 million tons of cargo and one million containers. He noted that test container trains from China to Europe are already crossing through Azerbaijan. So, East-West transportation corridor is almost implemented, he said. Azerbaijan invested not only inside the country, but also provided a financial support of more than $700 million to construct a railroad in Georgia. At this stage we are in the final stage of negotiations with our Iranian neighbors on providing financial support for construction of a railroad in Iran, which will connect Iranian railroads with our railroads. Thus, we will create a multiple corridor format, which will stretch from northern Europe to India through Azerbaijan, and East-West from China to Western Europe. Another corridor, which we are working on now together with our Polish friends is the South-West corridor, which Mr. President [Andrzej Duda] also mentioned, Ilham Aliyev noted. And Im glad that Poland is our partner. The time of delivery of cargos through North-South and East-West corridors through Azerbaijan will be at least two times shorter than traditional routes. It will create a lot of activity, generate a lot of wealth, and bring new areas of cooperation. Another important project, which we are implementing and which is also highly supported in Europe, is the Southern Gas Corridor project, which today is the only new source of gas delivery to Europe, he said. The Southern Gas Corridor is a project, which was initiated by Azerbaijan several years ago. Its a project worth $40 billion and it`s almost implemented. We need two-three years in order to complete this project by 100 percent. Now the implementation of different segments of that project is from 40 to 95 percent. This will be another source of natural gas to Europe. This will mean energy diversification, energy security, sustainable delivery of natural gas to European markets, he noted. We discussed with Mr. President the future prospects of cooperation in this area. Our cooperation with Poland also is very successful. So, these major driving forces of our cooperation are important as global projects of energy and transportation security, but at the same time, they open big opportunities for private companies to be part of these projects. And I invite once again the companies from Poland to be our partners. We want to establish closer economic and business contacts. Poland for us is a very friendly country, and a country, which has a great potential not only in Europe, but globally, and has very good international positions. I today congratulated my colleague President Duda on tremendous success regarding the election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of United Nations with the support of almost 200 countries, Ilham Aliyev said. This is a sign of international respect for your country and appreciation of what you are doing. And you can be sure that in the area of South Caucasus and Caspian you have also a reliable friend and partner, a capable friend, a friend, which keeps its word and wants to strengthen our cooperation. Therefore, I am sure that business communities of our countries will elaborate broadly on the opportunities, the Azerbaijani president noted. Im sure today you will discuss different projects in the area of agriculture, industry, tourism, pharmaceuticals and other areas of cooperation where we have huge potential. We already discussed it with President Duda, and Im sure that your discussions and your interaction will bring good results. So, once again, I would like to welcome you, express my gratitude for being at the forum and wish you success. Thank you very much. Details added (first version posted on 13:11) Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Beata Szydlo in Warsaw. Prime Minister Beata Szydlo noted the importance of President Ilham Aliyev`s official visit to Poland in terms of the expansion of the bilateral relations. She stressed the significance of Azerbaijan-Poland business forum in the deepening of the economic cooperation. Beata Szydlo said this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijan-Poland diplomatic relations, and hailed cooperation between the two countries as successful. Prime Minister Beata Szydlo highly appreciated Azerbaijan`s role in the region, and affirmed Poland`s continued support for Azerbaijan`s efforts to expand its relations with the European Union. She said the documents signed during the visit laid a strong legal framework for the expansion of the bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said Poland is interested in increasing the bilateral trade. She said her country supports and highly appreciates Azerbaijan`s efforts to diversify its economy. Polish companies are ready to actively work on this front, she noted. Beata Szydlo said revitalizing the work of the inter-governmental commission will play an important role in the development of relations. She added that Azerbaijan, which plays a crucial role in the region, is a key element in Poland`s Eastern policy. Hailing Azerbaijan`s balanced policy, Beata Szydlo said the country plays an essential part in the European energy security. President Ilham Aliyev recalled his previous meeting with Prime Minister of Poland Beata Szydlo. The head of state said his official visit to Poland created good opportunities for discussing the expansion of relations as well as other issues on the agenda. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the successful development of the bilateral cooperation. The head of state congratulated Beata Szydlo on Poland`s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland in international organizations, including the United Nations and European institutions. The head of state underlined the importance of the bilateral ties in the context of Azerbaijan-European Union relations. President Ilham Aliyev hailed Azerbaijan`s cooperation with the European Union as successful, adding that work is underway on a new agreement. The president said Azerbaijan takes an active part in the creation of international transport corridors, pointing out good prospects for cooperation with Poland in this regard. The head of state hailed the successful development of the political relations between Azerbaijan and Poland. President Ilham Aliyev said the volume of the bilateral trade falls behind the potential of the two countries, affirming Azerbaijan`s interest in defining key priorities for increasing it. President Ilham Aliyev and Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo discussed prospects for cooperation between the two countries in transport, energy, agriculture, tourism and other areas. President Ilham Aliyev ended his official visit to the Republic of Poland on June 28. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: The Azerbaijani government demonstrated increasing efforts for the elimination of human trafficking compared to the previous reporting period, says the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report of the US Department of State, which assesses the situation in 188 countries. The government demonstrated increasing efforts by prosecuting and convicting more traffickers and identifying more victims. The government increased funds for victim protection and the state-run shelter, says the report. Traffickers increasingly used the internet for recruitment, according to the report. Azerbaijan is recommended to vigorously investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses and convict and punish traffickers, in particular, proactively investigate potential trafficking cases such as situations of internal trafficking and forced labor. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 Trend: US President Donald Trump has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on occasion of Eid al-Fitr. On behalf of the American people, Melania and I send our warm greetings to you and the people of Azerbaijan as you celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity. Here in the United States, Muslims commemorate Eid with families and friends, continuing the tradition of helping neighbors and breaking bread with those from all walks of life, Trump said in his letter. As we celebrate this holiday together, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion, and goodwill. On this occasion, the United States renews our shared commitment with Azerbaijan to honor these values. Once again, I wish you and the people of Azerbaijan a blessed holiday. Eid Mubarak, Trump added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Director of the Baku International Policy and Security Network (Baku Network) Elkhan Alasgarov has been invited to take part in an international forum organized by Russias Valdai Discussion Club. Alasgarov told Trend the invitation for Baku Network to participate in the event of one of the worlds most reputable political platforms is indicative of serious perception of Azerbaijani expert community by international centers. This is the appraisal of not only Baku Networks success, but also an indication that most of our colleagues want to become acquainted with Azerbaijani experts positions, he said. The increasing interest in our expert community is a result of successful foreign policy of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev. The international conference titled The Middle East: When Will Tomorrow Come?, organized with partnership of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences will be held in Moscow on Feb. 27-28. The conference will be attended by well-known politicians, scholars, diplomats, military and former public figures from 25 countries. Ex-SSP Rana jailed over sudan scam Ravi Pratap Rana, former senior superintendent police, one of the convicts in the Sudan scam, has been sent to jail. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 19 Trend: Baku will host the meeting, titled Youth of Russia and Azerbaijan: traditional values reference point to the future, on June 20. The event will be held as part of the project Forum of Young Leaders of Eurasian countries, to be held in Moscow in autumn 2017. Organizers of the experts meeting are the representation of the North-South political center and the Expert Council of the Baku International Policy and Security Network (Baku Network). The meeting, which will be attended by political analysts, experts, heads of youth organizations, scientists and journalists, will be held at the Central Library of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 Trend: Today, thanks to joint efforts between Azerbaijan and the United States, residents of the village of Shahverdililer in the district of Imishli celebrated the completion of the construction of a community medical clinic. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Health, the local Executive Committee, and municipal government representatives attended the event. USAID and the Government of Azerbaijan co-financed the project, which was managed by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI). On behalf of the U.S. Embassy and the United States Agency for International Development, I hope this new health center will help your community address its immediate medical issues and improve the lives of you and your neighbors, said USAID Mission Director Ms. Mikaela Meredith. She also thanked the community for their contributions to the improvement of their own living conditions. Shahverdililer residents worked with their local and regional governments to replace an aging one-room medical clinic with a new facility which is able to meet the communitys healthcare needs. The new facility, which includes an examination room and waiting room, will improve day-to-day access to healthcare for more than 1,500 residents of Shahverdililer. In total, EWMI has implemented 98 community projects in 86 Azerbaijani communities benefiting nearly 148,000 people. Through USAIDs Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA) program, EWMI promotes cooperation between citizens, civil society organizations, and government to advance socio-economic development and improve quality of life in rural areas. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 14 By Azad Hasanli Trend: Azerbaijan and Georgia discussed the possibility of joint exports to other countries, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy said June 14. The possibility of joint supplies was discussed at a meeting between Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev and Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia in Baku. The ministers also discussed jointly presenting the transit opportunities of Azerbaijan and Georgia in China, the expansion of trade, the development of ties in agriculture, ICT, tourism, the use of capabilities of the Azerbaijani satellite, holding a tripartite forum in Ganja in the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Iran format and other issues. Mustafayev stressed the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia. He added that at present, almost 280 companies with Georgian share operate in the country and more than 200 companies with Azerbaijani share operate in Georgia. In his turn, Gakharia appreciated the amount of Azerbaijan's investments made in the Georgian economy. He also added that both countries have great potential for expanding economic cooperation. According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia amounted to $232.2 million in January-May 2017, $202.87 million of which accounted for export to Georgia. Azerbaijan mainly exports natural gas, oil, electricity, building materials, etc. to Georgia. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 19 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Azerbaijan exported goods worth $252.83 million to Georgia in January-May 2017 that is by 35.6 percent more than in the same period of 2016, according to a report of Georgias National Statistics Office. Azerbaijan ranks third with the specific weight of 8.6 percent as of January-May 2017 (7 percent in January-May 2016) among the main countries exporting goods to Georgia, said the report. Turkey is the leader with $494.01 million (16.8 percent), while Russia ranks second with $279.36 million (9.5 percent) among the main countries exporting goods to Georgia. According to the report, Georgias trade turnover with Azerbaijan totaled $316.29 million in January-May 2017. The specific weight of Azerbaijans trade turnover with Georgia is 8 percent of the total volume of Georgias foreign trade operations. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 19 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Azerbaijan increased goods import from Georgia to $63.5 million in January-May 2017, which exceeds the volume of import from Georgia in the same period of 2016 more than twice, said a report of Georgias National Statistics Office. The share of Azerbaijan in Georgias exports was 6.3 percent in January-May 2017 (4 percent in January-May 2016). As of May 2017, Azerbaijan ranked the sixth among countries importing Georgian products. Georgia mainly exports pipes, iron alloys and other products to Azerbaijan. A major part of Georgian goods, worth $151.09 million (specific weight of 15.1 percent), is exported to Russia. Russia is followed by Turkey with more than $97 million (9.7 percent) and China with $82.31 million (8.2 percent). According to the report, Georgias trade turnover with Azerbaijan amounted to $316.29 million in January-May 2017. The specific weight of Azerbaijans trade turnover with Georgia is 8 percent of total volume of Georgias foreign trade operations. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 19 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Officials from Azerbaijani, Georgian and Turkish railway authorities will discuss the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) project in Kars, Turkey on July 5, head of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Javid Gurbanov told reporters in Baku. The date of the BTK launch can be announced after that meeting. The project is expected to be launched this year, he said June 19. The BTK railway is being constructed on the basis of the Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement. The peak capacity of the railway will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. At the initial stage, this figure will be one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 24 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistan is completing construction of an automobile bridge across the Tejen River at the Serakhs-Sarakhs (Turkmenistan-Iran) checkpoint, Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister for Transport and Communications Dadebay Amangeldiev said. He made the remarks June 24 at a government meeting in Turkmenistan, the countrys government said in a message. The length of the bridge is 96 meters, and the width is 15.1 meters. The capacity of the facility is about 2,000 cars per day, the message said. The 105 kilometer-long Tejen-Serakhs motorway, which leads to the new bridge, has been also overhauled, according to the message. "The commissioning of these facilities will contribute to the growth of regular international flights and increase in the volume of trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Iran," the message said. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 By Azad Hasanli Trend: An inspection of quarantine products of high phytosanitary risk has revealed violations, according to Kazakh and the Eurasian Economic Union legislation, the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture said June 27. In particular, as much as 81.5 tons of potatoes imported from Azerbaijan was revealed to be partially infectious, and thus was returned back. Overall, 99.8 tons of quarantine products were returned back to exporting countries, including Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Kyrgyzstan. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: The European Investment Bank (EIB) plans to begin providing loans in Uzbekistan in the near future, the banks Senior Press Officer Dusan Ondrejicka told Trend. "The European Investment Bank is negotiating with the Republic of Uzbekistan a Framework Agreement that is providing a legal basis for operations of the Bank in the country. We hope that this process will be accomplished by a signature of the Framework Agreement soon," Ondrejicka said. He noted that when the respective Framework Agreement is signed the EIB will start to identify projects for financing in Uzbekistan on the basis of the banks eligibility criteria and in line with EIB external lending mandate. The EIB is the only bank owned by and representing the interests of the EU member states. It works closely with other EU institutions to implement EU policy. More than 90 percent of the banks activity is in Europe. The bank is also are a big investor around the world. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Russias Red Wings Airlines has obtained the permission to carry out flights to Azerbaijan, says a protocol posted on the website of Russias Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia). According to the protocol, Red Wings Airlines obtained the permission to carry out flights on the routes Voronezh-Baku, Krasnoyarsk-Baku and Ufa-Baku twice a week each. Red Wings Airlines is an air carrier based in Moscow. The company provides both scheduled passenger and cargo charter services. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov FinMin okays salary hike for NAC pilots, cabin crews The Finance Ministry has given the go-ahead to Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to increase the flying allowance of cockpit and cabin crews in a bid to prevent them from quitting as the national flag carrier has been plagued by high turnover. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: The Latvian-Azerbaijani business forum is planned to be held in Riga July 17, the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) said in a message June 29. It is envisaged to organize bilateral meetings with Latvian businessmen within the framework of the forum. Entrepreneurs interested in participating in the forum can apply to AZPROMO until July 7. Azerbaijans trade turnover with Latvia in January-May 2017 reached almost $3.72 million, of which $3.4 million accounted for imports from this country, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan. During the year, the trade turnover between the two countries grew 11.5 percent. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 Trend: Azerbaijans AzerGold CJSC sold a batch of gold and silver on the world stock exchange, gaining profit worth $20.905 million (35.6 million manats). "Seventy two gold-silver alloys extracted by AzerGold at the Chovdar mining complex processing gold-bearing ores in Azerbaijans Dashkesan district were sent for refining to the world-renowned Argor-Heraeus gold refinery in Switzerland," AzerGold said in a message June 29. AzerGold first exported gold and silver in May 2017, selling 66 gold-silver alloys, 16,000 ounces of which accounted for gold, 24,000 ounces for silver. The first batch brought Azerbaijan the income in the amount of $20.118 million (34.2 million manats). According to the message, refined gold and silver, which were sold on the international exchange in the second batch, brought AzerGold the profit worth millions of dollars. The total weight of exported gold-silver alloys was 1,283 kilograms, 16,300 ounces of total volume accounted for gold, 22,200 ounces for silver. It is planned to increase the volume of gold and silver extracted in the Chovdar mining complex for export up to 160,000 ounces (70,000 ounces of gold, 90,000 ounces of silver) by the end of 2017. According to the estimates, taking into account the current prices for precious metals, the profit obtained from the sale of this volume of gold and silver will reach $85 million (approximately 145 million manats). Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: Financial Monitoring Service of Azerbaijans Financial Market Supervisory Authority has added Chinese citizen Abdul Haq and Palestinian citizen Boubekeur Boulghiti to the list of persons subject to international sanctions for their support of terrorism, said a report of the service posted on its website. They are wanted for supporting the Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) terrorist groups, according to the report. This is the 15th change made to the list in 2017. The list is updated in accordance with the UN Security Councils decisions and the information received from regional organizations. According to an order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the international list is approved and updated by the Financial Monitoring Service based on the information received from the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Financial Monitoring Service of Azerbaijan was established Feb. 23, 2009. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Introduction of the May 7 amendments to the Law on Banks and Banking Activity requires making changes to the Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Funds liquidator operations along with strengthening its interconnection and information exchange with the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FIMSA), Angela Prygozhyna, the World Banks (WB) senior financial sector specialist, told Trend June 29. She said that in February, a joint mission of experts of the WB and the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) assessed the legislation and practices of the deposit guarantee system and the financial stability system, including the mechanisms for cooperation among participants of the financial stability system FIMSA, ADIF, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and the Ministry of Finance in line with international principles, and prepared a report with assessments and recommendations. We hope that, on the basis of recommendations, ADIF, together with other participants of the financial stability system and with the support of the World Bank, will prepare a reform plan, including legislative changes to strengthen the Fund's mandate, financing procedures in crises and support for the Fund's liquidity, mechanisms and tasks of interaction with other participants of the financial stability system, improvement of internal procedures and others, including the calculation of bank bonuses and payments, noted Prygozhyna. In February, the WB launched the second phase of the Financial Sector Modernization project with the support of the Swiss government. The main objectives of the project are to improve the legislative and regulatory environment of the financial sector in line with international standards, and the institutional development of the Financial Market Supervisory Authority. The project is being implemented in close cooperation with FIMSA, ministries of finance, economy, and justice, ADIF, CBA and other beneficiaries, with the involvement and active exchange of experience and consultations with the private sector. ADIF has been operating in Azerbaijan since August 13, 2007. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: Azerbaijan and Hungary intend to raise cooperation in all spheres to a higher level, a diplomatic source told Trend June 29. The prospects of cooperation between the two countries in political, economic and other spheres will be mulled during Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarovs official visit to Hungary, which is scheduled for late July, according to the source. The sides are expected to discuss the organization of high-level visits, to be carried out in autumn 2017. The main areas of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary were identified during the visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Baku in March 2016. Those areas include development of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, ICT and tourism. Trade turnover with Azerbaijan makes more than half of the volume of Hungarys trade turnover with the countries of the South Caucasus region. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met with Turkeys Deputy Prime Minister Yildirim Tugrul Turkes in Ashgabat, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message. The two sides discussed the topical issues of interstate cooperation, and expressed their mutual interest in further development of the dialogue in trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The parties noted the high level of political and diplomatic partnership, and exchanged views on the possibility of expanding mutually acceptable cooperation in this field, said the message. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Potential legal risks to voluntary restructuring of foreign liabilities of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) are left behind, Chairman of the IBA Management Board Khalid Ahadov told Trend commenting on the New York courts decision on the IBA creditors appeal. The appeal of a number of creditors [to the New York court] regarding the restructuring process had not been accepted. The court once again ruled that the bank's assets must remain untouched during the restructuring period, which is proceeding as planned, Ahadov noted. Earlier, a number of creditors who did not agree with the restructuring of the IBAs foreign liabilities, appealed to the New York court, stating their non-recognition of the restructuring. The court considered the appeal and ruled in favor of IBA. Thus, the bank's assets will remain untouched in the process of restructuring. Voting on the plan of voluntary restructuring of the IBAs foreign liabilities started on June 19 and will end July 18. The IBA had previously commenced a process of voluntary debt restructuring as part of its rehabilitation. The banks total debt to foreign creditors is $3.3 billion. The International Bank of Azerbaijan has been operating since 1992 and is one of the countrys two state-owned banks. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 27 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistan will strengthen the development of the gas and chemical industry in the next 10 years, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported. The countrys Deputy Prime Minister Maksat Babayev presented a number of projects at the last governmental meeting. Particularly, it is planned to reconstruct a natural gas processing plant and the production of liquefied gas at the Bagaja deposit in Lebap province and build a gas and chemical complex with the capacity of 80,000 tons of styrene-butadiene rubber and 45,000 tons of polystyrene per year on its basis. A big investment project is proposed to be implemented at the fields of Central Karakum, located near the Yylanly gas compressor station in the Dashoguz province. As part of the project, it is planned to build a plant to process two billion cubic meters of natural gas and produce 70,000 tons of liquefied gas. The second phase of this plants facilities is designed for the production of 200,000 tons of low-density polyethylene. It is planned to build a gas and chemical complex in the Kiyanly village of Balkan province in order to produce 200,000 tons of linear low-density polyethylene, 390,000 tons of polypropylene, 100,000 tons of polyvinylchloride, 10,000 tons of liquefied gas, 82,000 tons of caustic soda and 10,000 tons of hydrochloric acid. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: As of January 1, 2017, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR invested almost $4.49 billion in projects abroad, a source in the company told Trend June 16. The greatest share of the companys investments - $3.334 billion - accounted for projects in Turkey, according to the source. "As much as $414.5 million were invested in projects in Switzerland," said the source. "Investments worth $386.9 million accounted for projects in Georgia, $281.7 million were invested in projects in Ukraine, and $71.3 million were invested in projects in Romania." SOCAR includes such production associations as Azneft (the enterprises producing oil and gas onshore and offshore), Azerikimya (the chemical enterprises) and Azerigas (distributor of gas produced in the country), as well as oil and gas processing plants, service companies, and the facilities involved in geophysical and drilling operations. SOCAR is the sole producer of oil products in Azerbaijan. It has filling stations in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Romania and Switzerland. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The volume of petroleum import of the US from OPEC countries averaged 3.616 million barrels per day as of the first three months of 2017, compared to averagely 3.281 million barrels per day in the same period in 2016, according to the Monthly Energy Review of the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The average volume of petroleum import of the country from OPEC stood at 2.708 million barrels per day in the first three months of 2015, said the report. The US imported 3.793 million barrels of oil per day from OPEC countries in January, 3.445 million barrels per day in February and 3.592 million barrels per day in March 2017, according to the EIA. This is while the volume of petroleum import from non-OPEC countries stood at 6.662 million barrels per day in first three months of 2017, as compared to 6.639 million barrels per day in the same period in 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Jeep deployed for PM security overturns A jeep carrying a police team deployed for Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deubas security met with an accident at Phaltude of Kailali along the Dhangadhi-Dadeldhura (Bhimdutta) Highway on Wednesday. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 26 By Huseyn Valiyev Trend: Kaspersky Lab outlined the key areas of cooperation with the Azerbaijani state agencies, Eugene Kaspersky, head of the company, said at a meeting with reporters in Baku. Kaspersky said that the issue concerns the transport, energy and education projects. "As far as I know, Azerbaijan is implementing a project on the development and creation of a fully automated oil platform, which means the relevance of the issue of digital security, he added. We are very glad to cooperate with Azerbaijan, he said. We will continue to cooperate not only through traditional computer and mobile security systems, but also in the sphere of industry and production. The information infrastructure is now becoming more vulnerable as the plotters become more professional and can attack not only computer systems, but also industrial ones." He added that the prospects of cooperation within the "Smart City" project will be considered as part of cooperation with the public sector of the country. The presentation ceremony of TEOREM - Test and Online Tutoring Center - was held today with the support of Azercell Telecom LLC. The web resource Teorem.az and mobile applications with the same title were presented in the event which brought together educational and ICT companies, as well as representatives of public and private organizations. TEOREM is an online platform for secondary school children, high school graduates and prospective postgraduate students, as well as instructors. This resource provides unique opportunity for the exam preparation process, acquisition of test-taking habits and the assessment of knowledge. SMS payment services of TEOREM can be first used by Azercell subscribers. The company contributed to more effective use of TEOREM and its integration of the platform to the mobile environment. The major objective of the leading mobile operator in taking part in this project is to provide support for the development of education, digital business environment and new startups. Mobile applications of TEOREM for Android and IOS operational systems are available for download from relevant web stores or via the links provided on teorem.az. Please visit www.teorem.az for more information about the platform. For more information, please contact [email protected] The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory and 99,8% of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, 24/7 Customer Care, online customer services, GPRS/EDGE, M2M, MobilBank, one-stop- shop service offices Azercell Express, mobile e-service ASAN signature, etc. Azercell deployed first 4G LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 27 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Germanys Frankfurt am Main will host a business meeting entitled "TurkmenistanGermany: Potential for Promising Cooperation" on July 10-12, the Turkmen government said in a message. A joint business forum and an exhibition of Turkmen products will be held as part of the event. The meeting will be attended by heads of companies operating in the fields of computer technology, petroleum and chemical industries, energy, construction, engineering, agriculture, food industry, transportation and logistics. As of late 2016, 167 investment projects and contracts involving German capital worth $540 million and about 555 million euros were registered in Turkmenistan. The German side had previously said the countrys companies were willing to participate in major infrastructure projects in Turkmenistan, including the project for reconstruction of a sea port in Turkmenbashi and creation of the national tourist zone Avaza by the Caspian Sea. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 27 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistans commodity points have already received one million tons of wheat, the Turkmen government said in a message June 27. The message said that farmers are expected to send the planned 1,600,000 tons of grain to commodity points. The harvesting is now ongoing in Turkmenistan. The grain areaof the country is 760,000 hectares. Turkmenistan was awarded with a special prize by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for achievements in the field of food security. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 28 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Tokyo hosted the 12th joint meeting of the Turkmen-Japanese and Japanese-Turkmen committees on economic cooperation, Turkmenistans Foreign Ministry said in a message. The Turkmen delegation was headed by the countrys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov. The two sides exchanged views on the issues of trade and economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan. The successful development of cooperation in such areas as transportation, chemistry, power industry, agriculture, industry, healthcare, communications, finance, trade, science, education, sport, tourism and ecology was noted during the meeting, according to the message. A final protocol was signed following the joint meeting. Japanese companies are engaged in various projects on diversification of the Turkmen economy. In 2014, a complex of plants for the production of ammonia and urea was built in the Mary city with their participation. A sulfuric acid plant was commissioned in Turkmenabat in July 2016. Moreover, it is planned to put into operation a plant for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene in 2018. Meanwhile, a plant for the production of urea and ammonia is being built in the Balkan regions Garabogaz city, and a plant for the production of gasoline from natural gas is being built in Ovadandepe, Akhal province. During the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Turkmenistan in October 2015, memorandums were signed for developing natural resources and the transport infrastructure of Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, agreements on a number of projects worth $18 billion were concluded between the two countries. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 Trend: Preparations are underway for the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkmenistan, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA Novosti. The dates of the visit will be revealed later, Peskov added. Putin today congratulated Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on his 60th birthday anniversary and expressed confidence that the upcoming talks in Ashgabat will contribute to the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in various spheres. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Russian President Vladimir Putin called his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov over and congratulated him on the 60th birthday anniversary, the Kremlins press-service reported. Within the phone talks on June 29 the presidents of two countries discussed the key issues of further development of bilateral relations in the political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Putin and Berdimuhamedov also discussed the issues of strengthening security and stability in Central Asia and the Caspian region and touched upon the schedule of contacts at the highest level. Earlier Putin sent a birthday letter to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and wished him good health, happiness, prosperity and success in public activity. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 27 By Demir Azizov Trend: Tashkent hosted an official ceremony of opening the Hungarian Embassy on June 27, Trend correspondent reports. The ceremony was attended by Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, who had earlier arrived in Tashkent, and Hungarian Ambassador in Uzbekistan Peter Santo. The national flag of Hungary and the flag of the EU were raised over the building of the Hungarian Embassy in Tashkent. Abdulaziz Kamilov greeted the Hungarian delegation and expressed confidence that the Hungarian Embassy will play an active bridging role between the two countries. I want to express my confidence that today we are opening a new page in the history of Uzbekistan-Hungary relations and we will continue the joint work on active promotion of the mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation between our countries, he noted. The Uzbek FM also said that during the visit, the Hungarian delegation had constructive and productive talks with the Uzbek side. The parties mulled the state and prospects of the bilateral relations in political, trade, economic, investment and humanitarian spheres and confirmed the mutual interest and desire to foster Uzbekistan-Hungary cooperation. Diplomatic ties between Uzbekistan and Hungary were established in March 1992. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 28 By Demir Azizov Trend: Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the press and media workers on the Press and Mass Media Day, which is celebrated on June 27 in the country. Mirziyoyev's congratulatory message has been posted on his official website. The Uzbek president noted in his message that ensuring the pluralism of opinions and views in the national media space remains an important task. Currently, when dialogue with the people, constant attention to the problems and needs of people are raised to the level of state policy, the transformation of each mass media outlet into a real platform for dialogue, a platform for free expression of opinions will help in achieving goals, according to the message. Mirziyoyev also called for raising the issues of eliminating various barriers on the path to development, especially such negative manifestations as bureaucracy, indifference, extortion and corruption. Currently, more than 1,500 media outlets operate in Uzbekistan newspapers, magazines, radio and TV channels, online journalism. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 28 By Demir Azizov Trend: Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has adopted a decree On preparation and holding of the 26th anniversary of state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Uzbek presidents press service said in a message. The decree approved the composition of a republican commission for the preparation and holding of the 26th anniversary of the countrys independence. According to the decree, the commission should develop a weekly program of organizational, practical, cultural, educational and awareness-raising activities. Various competitions, concerts, meetings and cultural events dedicated to the Independence Day should be planned as part of the program. The Independence Day is celebrated on September 1 in Uzbekistan. NEA to put power lines underground The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has planned to remove overhead power lines and install an underground system in Kathmandu in order to improve electricity distribution. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 29 By Demir Azizov Trend: Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President and CEO of PJSC LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov, who arrived in Tashkent for a working visit, discussed the implementation of current projects and preparation for prospective projects in the oil and gas sector, the Uzbek national news agency (UzA) reported. Particular attention was paid to new projects aimed at deep processing of produced natural gas, as well as cooperation in the field of training highly qualified personnel for the industry. Uzbekistans president noted the dynamically developing cooperation with LUKOIL in the oil and gas sphere. Currently, the geological study of the Ustyurt block and the development of oil and gas condensate fields of the South-West Gissar are being carried out jointly. Work is underway to develop the fields of the Kandym group with the construction of a modern gas processing complex, which will allow processing more than 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year in the near future. The first stage of the plant is planned to be commissioned in late 2017. Total volume of investments in this project is estimated to be $3.3 billion in the first phase. Vagit Alekperov, for his part, expressed readiness for further development of full-scale bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector. LUKOIL is operating in Uzbekistan on the implementation of two projects on the basis of production sharing agreements (PSA) Kandym-Hauzak-Shady and developing fields of the South-West Gissar. The total volume of gas produced by the company in Uzbekistan exceeded 40 billion cubic meters. As part of the first two projects, LUKOIL plans to produce up to 18 billion cubic meters of gas by 2020, and raise the volume of investments up to $8 billion. As of today, total volume of LUKOIL investments in joint projects in Uzbekistans oil and gas sector amounts to $6.3 billion. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Interior ministers of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Ramazon Rahimzoda and Abdusalom Azizov, had talks in Dushanbe June 29 for the first time in 19 years. The sides came together at a meeting of the Council of the CIS Ministers of Internal Affairs, said the press service of the Tajik Interior Ministry. The Uzbek interior minister last visited Tajikistan 19 years ago. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, including terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and others, according to the message. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon will travel to Tashkent, Uzbekistan on July 2 for a two-day visit to share city development ideas and expand cooperation, South Korean media quoted a Seoul city official as saying. During the visit, Park Won-soon will meet Tashkent Mayor Rakhmonbek Usmonov, and attend an IT forum and a ceremony to unveil a monument marking the 80th anniversary of the mass ethnic Korean relocation during the Soviet Union era. The visit is expected to contribute to the development of South Korea's relations with Uzbekistan. Park Won-soon will come to Uzbekistan after visiting Russia's Moscow, Ullyanovsk and Saint Petersburg. Tehran, Iran, June 23 By Emil Ilgar - Trend: Irans President Hassan Rouhani has expressed dissatisfaction with the status of privatization in the country, calling for real privatization, IRNA news agency reported June 23. In a meeting with economic figures, Rouhani pointed out to the former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration, saying that at the time, government's assets were given to bodies that were not really private. He said that in the Ahmadinejad administration, real privatization counted for just 13 percent of transfer of government assets. He expressed regret that the private sector in Iran is really weak and has not been able to find markets in regional countries such as Russia over the past couple of years, despite good grounds. The privatization of government-owned assets in Iran has increased by 2.5 times during the Rouhanis first round (May 2013 to May 2017) administration. Since the Privatization Organization was formed in 2001, worth 1.14 quadrillion rials ($35.2 billion, each USD 32,262 rials) assets have been privatized, 40 percent of which fell in the time of the Rouhani administration, the organizations head Jafar Sobhani said, IRNA news agency reported February 3. Prior to the Rouhani administration, only 18 percent of the privatized assets would go to private owners, while 39 percent of them went to semi-governmental entities, he said. This is while during the first three years of the current administration, 45 of the privatized assets went to private entities, resulting in a 2.5 times increase. Tehran, Iran, June 25 By Emil Ilgar - Trend: Irans President Hassan Rouhani has expressed dissatisfaction with the status of privatization in the country, calling for "real" privatization, IRNA news agency reported June 23. In a meeting with economic figures, Rouhani pointed out to the former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration, saying that at the time, government's assets were given to bodies that were not really private. He said that in the Ahmadinejad administration, real privatization counted for just 13 percent of transfer of government assets. He expressed regret that the private sector in Iran is "really weak" and has not been able to find markets in regional countries such as Russia over the past couple of years, despite good grounds. The privatization of government-owned assets in Iran has increased by 2.5 times during the Rouhanis first round (May 2013 to May 2017) administration. Since the Privatization Organization was formed in 2001, worth 1.14 quadrillion rials ($35.2 billion, each USD 32,262 rials) assets have been privatized, 40 percent of which fell in the time of the Rouhani administration, the organizations head Jafar Sobhani said, IRNA news agency reported February 3. Prior to the Rouhani administration, only 18 percent of the privatized assets would go to private owners, while 39 percent of them went to semi-governmental entities, he said. "This is while during the first three years of the current administration, 45 of the privatized assets went to private entities, resulting in a 2.5 times increase." Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Irans exports to Senegal over the last fiscal year (ending March 20) valued at $4.312 million, indicating a 145 percent surge year on year. Farzad Piltan, an official with Irans Trade Promotion Organization, has said that that the figure increased by $2.554 million in value, IRNA news agency reported. Irans exports to the African nation totaled at $1.758 million in 2015/16, he added. Bitumen, oil, home appliances and furniture, engine oil, bread, chocolate, doors and windows, as well as car parts were among Irans main goods exported to Senegal over the last fiscal year. In the meantime, Iran imported tin, polyethylene and food products form the west African country. Tehran, Iran, June 23 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Iranian carrier Qeshm Air has said it has sealed a new pact to buy advanced aircraft from Boeing. The Ministry of Transport website quoted Mahmoud Shekarabi, the head of Qeshm Air, as having said June 23 that the company had placed an order for 10 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. Shekarabi further said that the purchase of additional five planes from Boeing 737-800 family was also on agenda, noting the related deal with the American aviation major would be signed within the next two months. He added that under arrangements made, Boeing is to obtain the required licenses from the US Treasury, adding that deliveries are expected to be made after 2022. This is the third Iranian airliner announcing deals with plane makers this week. Zagros Airlines and Iran Airtour two private Iranian airlines announced on June 22 that they had signed agreements with Airbus to purchase a total of 73 passenger jets from the European plane-maker. Accordingly, Zagros Airlines said it would buy 20 aircraft from the single-aisle Airbus A320neo family and eight A330neo planes. Iran Airtours order would comprise 45 planes of the A320neo type. The countrys national flag carrier airline Iran Air has already signed deals to buy 100 planes from Airbus, 80 from Boeing and 20 from ATR. Irans Aseman Airlines has also signed an agreement to purchase 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has implicitly criticized the recent remarks by President Hassan Rouhani on the guards role in the countrys economy and its negative impact. Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari has said that the IRGC over the past several years has been involved in economic activities due to requests from the administrations, urging the guards contribution to the countrys economy, Tasnim news agency reported. Saying that the IRGC is committed to safeguard the Islamic Republic against the enemies, he added that the IRGC believes that the aliens only care about their own interests and are seeking to milk Iran. He further warned the Iranian officials that putting trust in foreigners would only result in embarrassment. The top general further refused that his organization is concentrating on economic and business, saying his organization seeks to fight poverty in the country. He further pledged that IRGC will continue to help improving the livelihood of people, and reducing their economic burden. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 27 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called for deepening trade ties with Germany. At a meeting with German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries, on Tuesday, Zarif said that Iran would be a proper partner for the European country regarding producing joint goods and exporting them to other countries, IRNA news agency reported. Zarif arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his European tour for talks on broadening bilateral ties. He is scheduled to leave for Italy next. The annual trade turnover between Iran and Germany stands at about $3 billion. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the US to stop supporting the terrorist groups in Syria, and said that current approach of the US will only serve the militants, especially Daesh (the ISIS terrorist group), IRNA reported. Another dangerous US escalation in Syria on fake pretext will only serve ISIS, precisely when its being wiped out by Iraqi and Syrian people, Zarif wrote on his Twitter page on Tuesday. Instead of pursuing the policies that strengthen the extremists, the US should join the real war against them, the Iranian foreign minister added. In relevant remarks earlier on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov underlined that Moscow, Tehran and Ankara as initiators of Syrian-Syrian talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, will cooperate on preparing an agreement to create de-escalation zones in Syria. The new round of Astana talks slated for July in Kazakhstans capital will focus on creating de-escalation zones to reduce tensions in Syria with the support of the Syrian government and the countrys armed opposition groups who have joined the peace process, Lavrov told reporters. The Russian foreign ministry recently confirmed that the new round of Astana talks will start in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 4. The creation of de-escalation zones in Syria needs more studies to be carried out, the Russian foreign minister said. Lavrov reiterated that the Geneva and Astana talks will be held in parallel to each other. A sum of four rounds of talks have already been held in Astana on Syrian crisis between the representatives of the Syrian government and armed opposition groups. Nepal safe from lethal ransomware attack Nepal has so far not been hit by ransomware attack launched using a malicious electronic worm called Petya/NotPetya, albeit caution needs to be taken as the virus is rapidly spreading around the globe demanding a ransom of $300 from computer users to access data stored in their own PCs. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Rome at the invitation of the Italian government for talks on expansion of bilateral ties and international developments. Foreign Minister Zarif is scheduled to meet his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano and other senior officials during the official visit, IRNA reported. Zarif earlier visited Berlin on the first leg of his European tour where he conferred several high-ranking officials and attended the annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations. According to the Eurostat Italy was Irans biggest trade partner in the EU over the first three months of 2017 as the two countries bilateral trade stood at 1.2 billion euro in the mentioned period. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has assured that Iranian MPs will back the Tehran-Seoul agreements. Speaking with South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon in Seoul, the Iranian speaker termed cooperation between the two countries in various economic areas a fresh start of reviving bilateral ties, IRNA news agency reported. Expressing Irans satisfaction with the growing ties between Tehran and Seoul, Larijani urged for broadening cooperation in banking, economic, energy, tourism and railroads spheres. Larijani has arrived in Seoul to partake in the second meeting of Eurasian Parliament Speakers. The two countries over the past months have been discussing a $13 billion deal on financing several development projects in the Islamic Republic including energy sector. Tehran, Iran, June 28 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani has warned the US against any possible military move in Syria, warning doing so would be tantamount to playing with fire. Raising new false claims against Syria is a continuation of the US scenario to cover up the constant defeats of the terrorist front and to counteract the decisive advances of the Syrian army, Shamkhani said in reference to a White House statement that the US has identified potential preparations by the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad for another chemical attack, IRIB news agency reported June 28. Shamkhani pointed to a unilateral move by the US to attack Syria with 59 Tomahawk missiles back in April after White House claims on a suspected chemical attack in Idlib Province, Syria. The senior Iranian official noted that Iran and Russia called for an international fact-finding mission in Syria after the US raid, but Washington prevented the move because of its fears that the falsity of its claims would be revealed. By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has agreed to pardon or commute prison sentences of 1049 prisoners on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr. The pardon was made at the request of the country's Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani and was approved by Ayatollah Khameni on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Leaders official website reported. According to Iranian constitution, the supreme leader enjoys the right to pardon and commute prison terms of a group of convicts. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 31 Trend: The Expert Council of the Baku International Policy and Security Network (Baku Network) and the European expert platform, Baltic Forum, signed a partnership agreement. The document was signed by Head of Baku Network Elkhan Alasgarov and Director of Baltic Forum Alexander Vasilevs during an international conference in Riga, Latvia. The signing ceremony was also attended by President of Baltic Forum Janis Urbanovich and Deputy Director of Baku Network Gulnara Mammadzadeh. Speaking of traditions of friendship and cooperation between Latvia and Azerbaijan, the sides expressed their desire to contribute to the consolidation, development and strengthening of relations of the two countries intellectual elites. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 21 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: The entire world politics is experiencing turbulence, which, of course, affects everyone, Sergey Markov, Russian presidents confidant, told reporters in Baku June 21. "Today, Russia continues to strengthen relations with Turkey, Markov, who is also member of the Russian Civic Chamber, said. In this regard, the Akkuyu nuclear power plant project, as part of which Russia is practically creating the Turkish nuclear industry, is interesting." Markov added that Baku and Moscow continue to strengthen relations in various spheres beginning from military sphere and ending with tourism and agriculture. "We are pleased with the development of tourism in Azerbaijan, he said. Tourists not only from Russia but also from Arab countries visit Azerbaijan to appreciate the brilliant tourist infrastructure created in the country." Markov said that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is also important in the bilateral agenda. Russia is quite active as a mediator in this process [the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement], he said. Kremlin has no contradictions with other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. "Today, the essence of the mediators' work is to help Azerbaijan and Armenia to start substantive negotiations for the sake of result, rather than for the negotiations, Markov said. In my opinion, these negotiations are based on the Kazan formula, which envisages the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan," the expert said. He said that if the negotiations are not resumed at the end of the tourist season, it is possible to expect an aggravation of the situation on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. The OSCE Minsk Group tries to clarify the positions of Armenia and Azerbaijan today, bring both countries to the negotiating table and finally, bring the sides to reach a big peace treaty, the expert said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Speaking about the Russian military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri, Markov said that the base has more symbolic political significance than military one and Armenia needs it more than Russia. Regarding the situation around the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress, Markov said that both sides of the dispute show restraint, however, the solution to this issue is the consensus of Baku and Moscow. Taking into account high confidence between the Azerbaijani and Russian authorities, it can play a positive role in this process, he said. At the same time, the Russian side must show respect to the Azerbaijani side. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Following 18 days of political and economic isolation of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE, these countries, through the mediation of Kuwait, sent their requirements to Doha, consisting of 13 points. The main points of the requirements are to break diplomatic relations with Iran, shut down Al-Jazeera TV channel which has been recently criticizing the position of those Arab countries in the region, close Turkeys Al-Rayyanmilitary base and break off all relations with Ankara. Commenting on the requirements of the Arab countries, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said today that the Turkish military base in Qatar is exclusively an internal issue of Ankara and Doha. The armed forces of Qatar and Turkey plan to conduct joint military exercises at the end of June. The Turkish military instructors left for Qatar June 19. The military agreement between Qatar and Turkey came into force on June 9. The document was signed in Ankara on November 10, 2016. Al-Rayyan military base is not the first Turkish military facility outside the country. In general, the number of Turkish servicemen outside the country exceeds 6,000. Turkey already built a military base worth $50 million in Somalia in early 2015. There are three military schools at the Turkish military base in the territory of Somalia. Although Western media reports that there are two secret US military bases in Somalia, this information has not yet been confirmed. Turkey has also military bases in Northern Cyprus and in Iraqs town of Bashiqa. After the Turkish forces with tanks entered the Iraqi province of Nineveh December 4, 2015 with the aim of training of Kurdish militants fighting against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, the foreign ministers of the League of Arab States (LAS) held an emergency meeting to discuss the presence of the Turkish military contingent in Iraq. Thus, the Arab rulers have been concerned for a long time about the presence of the Turkish military contingent in Arab countries. However, if Iraq openly opposed the presence of the Turkish servicemen, then Qatar itself called Turkey for establishing a military base in its territory. Nevertheless, Qatar has 10 days to fulfill all the requirements and it is difficult to predict "surprises" which are being prepared by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain for Doha and Ankara. However, one thing is obvious. The Arab countries began to oust Turkey from the region. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Iraqi city of Mosul has been completely cleared of members of the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) terrorist group, Iraqs Al Iraqiya reports. This information was also confirmed by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. The city is now under full control of Iraq, according to the report. Mosul has been under the IS control since June 2014. Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi announced about the start of the operation to liberate Mosul from IS on Oct. 17, 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu A China-sponsored, $20 billion fund is ready to receive investment pitches, the Planning Ministry's foreign affairs secretary, Jorge Arbache, told journalists on Monday. The fund agreed on last year is expected to help finance the construction of railroads. This will link Brazilian soy- and corn-producing areas to ports, potentially boosting Brazil's economy as it slowly emerges from a deep recession, Reuters reported. China also stands to gain because it is a large buyer of Brazilian grains. The fund`s investment decisions will be made by a committee composed of Brazilian and Chinese officials, taking into account both countries` priorities, Arbache said. The fund's resources will primarily be allocated toward infrastructure, but will also accept financing requests related to manufacturing, agriculture and technology, the secretary said. China will finance three quarters of the projects accepted by the fund, or $15 billion. The rest will come from Brazilian banks such as development lender BNDES, Caixa Economical Federal and private banks. Fifty-two migrants have been found dead in the deserts of central Niger, near Seguedine, BBC reported. A group of 75 set out in three vehicles but were abandoned by traffickers, who feared the security forces. A local official told the BBC that dozens of bodies had been buried, and 23 survivors were taken to the town, although one later died. African migrants travel through the desert aiming to reach Libya and cross the Mediterranean to Europe. However, the journey is perilous as the migrants are crammed into pick-up trucks and have few supplies. Two weeks ago Niger troops rescued 92 migrants who were on the brink of death in the Sahara Desert. The group, which included women and children, was abandoned without water and food. Observers say voting highly encouraging and peaceful The second phase of local elections was highly encouraging and peaceful with high voter turnout despite adverse weather and political sensitivity, poll observers said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call spoke about the situation in the Middle East and the upcoming G20 summit in the German city of Hamburg scheduled for July 7-8, Sputnik reported. "The two leaders [Trump and Macron] also discussed the current situation in the Middle East and reviewed the agenda for the upcoming G20 Summit," the release stated on Tuesday. The Iraqi Army took al-Mashahda district in Mosuls Old City in its fight against the forces of Daesh terrorist group, the armys press service said Tuesday, Sputnik reported. "The 16th infantry division has liberated al-Mashahda district in the Old City of Mosul and raised Iraqs flag above its buildings," the statement published on its Facebook platform reads. On Monday, the Iraqi Army informed that it had liberated al-Faruq district of Mosul, also an area in the Old City. It said last week that it was preparing to storm the city center where less than 200 Daesh militants still remain. The operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State forces began in October 2016, aided by the US-led coalition. On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said the announcement of Mosuls liberation from terrorist forces might be made within days. Three people aboard a small plane were killed Wednesday when it crashed in the Suttontown region near Mount Gambier, according to police, Anadolu reported. South Australia Police (SAPOL) said in a statement the single-engine Tobago type plane crashed in a field. Authorities did not disclose how many people were aboard the plane nor the identities of the deceased. The statement said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has opened an investigation into the crash. Three people were killed last month in a plane crash near Renmark. Moscow believes that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump will take place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday, TASS reported. "We believe that the meeting will take place since the two presidents will be in the same city, in the same building, at the same time. It would not be right if they fail to hold a conversation and discuss various issues," the Russian top diplomat pointed out. Russophobic sentiments in the United States harm Washington itself and impede the solution of important global problems, according to Lavrov. "We now see a distorted picture unfolding in Washington under the impact of Russophobic sentiments that have gripped many politicians," Russias top diplomat stressed. "I believe this harms the United States itself and surely does not help solve international issues, the contribution to the solution of which can be made by Russia and the United States. Therefore, this impedes solving the problems faced by the international community," the Russian foreign minister said. Berlin is ready to consider Moscow's proposals on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Wednesday, Sputnik reported. "The treaty is on medium-range land-based missiles that should not be deployed in Europe. I often think that even today we should also talk about disarmament, and about concrete steps. I think that here we agree with the Russian side and Sergey Lavrov. If there would be proposals from the Russian side, we should not always fully support them, but they should be discussed and we should make own proposals," Gabriel told reporters. Government delegation led by Deputy PM for EU Affairs Bujar Osmani is to pay Thursday a one day visit to Brussels, MIA reported. The delegation also includes Justice Minister Bilen Saljiji and Minister of Information Society and Administration Damjan Mancevski. Deputy Prime Minister Osmani together with the Director for the Western Balkans in the European Commissions Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Genoveva Ruiz Calavera will co-chair the 14th meeting of the Stabilization and Association Committee. The meeting is an important component of Macedonias EU integration process which will focus on new European impulse, the action plan for implementation of the urgent reform priorities, the open political issues and everything that the government has already committed to address at numerous meetings with EU officials, Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release. Government delegation will also meet with the Director General of the Directorate General for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Christian Danielsson Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Turkish Armed Forces entered the Syrian city of Idlib, the Turkish media outlets reported June 28. According to the reports, a military base will be created in the city. It was also reported that the Turkish Armed Forces together with the Russian Armed Forces will ensure security in the Syrian city. Earlier, the Turkish presidents Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said that Turkish and Russian personnel will be deployed in Syrias northern Idlib region as part of a de-escalation agreement brokered by Russia last month. Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has claimed over 500,000 lives. Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The IS, YPG and PYD are the most active terrorist groups in Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, June 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Istanbul will host a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a message June 28. According to the message, the meeting will be held tomorrow, on June 29. The message also says that during this 39th meeting, the latest developments in the region will be discussed, as well as the BSEC member countries will exchange views on topical issues. BSEC was established in 1999 and includes 12 countries: Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. BSEC Parliamentary Assembly, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), the International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS) and BSEC Business Council also operate within the organization. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Turkeys defense minister on Wednesday raised concerns over the U.S. arming the terrorist PKK/PYD in Syria, Anadolu reported. Fikri Isik raised the issue with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary James Mattis, in Brussels, Belgiums capital, ahead of a NATO gathering on Thursday, said a source familiar with the conversation. Mattis recent letter to Turkey regarding arming the PKK/PYD to fight Daesh, and the U.S. pledge to take back the weapons once their joint operation is over, was discussed, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. Turkey considers the PYD to be Syrian offshoots of the terrorist PKK, while the U.S. has called it a reliable ally in the fight against Daesh in Syria. More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU -- resumed its decades-long armed campaign in July 2015. On Friday Isik said of Mattis letter: Using one terror group to fight another is unacceptable. In Brussels, when Isik expressed his frustration with the U.S. arming the group, Mattis called arming the PYD an interim situation triggered by necessity rather than preference, said the source. The top defense officials also discussed Iraq, Syria Afghanistan, and the Qatar crisis, with both agreeing the crisis must be resolved in the context of the Gulf states sovereignty, said the source. During the NATO defense ministers gathering on Thursday, Isik is also scheduled to meet separately with his German and Australian counterparts, Ursula von der Leyen and Marise Payne. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkeys Defense Minister Fikri Isik and United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis discussed the situation in the region as part of a meeting of NATO member states defense ministers, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a message June 29. Meanwhile, the two sides also discussed the Qatar crisis and settlement of the military conflict in Syria and Iraq. According to the message, one of the issues discussed between the parties were written guarantees of the US that detachments of the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) wont use US armament against Turkey. The Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that YPG and PYD, which are the Syrian wings of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), pose a threat to the country. Turkey also opposes the US arming of PYD and YPG. According to Ankara, arming one terrorist group to fight against another doesnt mean fighting terrorism. Ankara also says that YPG and PYD will give US weapons to PKK militants, and eventually, these weapons will be used against Turkeys Armed Forces and Air Force. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Patent rights and farmers The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 have incorporated food security, improvement of nutrition and promotion of sustainable agriculture to end hunger in the world. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Qatar may suspend all projects with several countries the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (Gulf Cooperation Council), the Qatari media outlets reported June 29. According to the reports, such a decision is related to unfounded accusations with regard to Qatar by several Arab states led by Saudi Arabia. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE announced about breaking their diplomatic relations with Qatar June 5, accusing Doha of supporting terrorist organizations and destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. Later, the authorities of Libya, Yemen, as well as the Maldives and Mauritius also announced about severing diplomatic relations with Qatar. Qatar is largely interested in joint projects with Turkey. Such sectors as construction, medicine and pharmaceutics can attract Turkish investors, the Qatari media outlets reported. It is also expected to create a free economic zone between Turkey and Qatar. Qatar is the 18th biggest investor in the world. Total volume of Qatars investments in the world amounts to $335 billion, while the countrys investments in Turkey total $18 billion. Qatar has acquired a number of large companies and banks in Turkey since 2015, such as QNB Finansbank, ABank, Digiturk, BMC and Boyner. Total volume of Turkish investments in Qatar reaches $14.2 billion. The Turkish companies are engaged in implementation of about 130 projects, including the subway construction in Doha, the cost of which is $4.4 billion. Trade turnover between Qatar and Turkey amounted to $692 million in 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Germany stands against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans speech to be delivered to the representatives of the Turkish community as part of the G20 summit, to be held in Hamburg July 7-8, a diplomatic source in the German foreign ministry was cited by the Turkish media as saying June 29. According to the source, President Erdogan is expected to address the representatives of the Turkish community on the second day of the summit. According to the official data, currently 3.5 million Turks live in Germany. The day before the visit of a group of German MPs to the Incirlik air base, Ankara informed the German Foreign Ministry about impossibility of such a visit. Following the incident, relations between Turkey and Germany deteriorated in late 2016. Follow Rufiz Hafizoglu on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkish Foreign Ministry has criticized Germanys position regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdogans speech to be delivered at the G20 summit. A diplomatic source in the German Foreign Ministry was earlier cited by the Turkish media as saying that Germany stands against President Erdogans speech to be delivered to representatives of the Turkish community at the G20 summit, to be held in Hamburg July 7-8. Turkeys Foreign Ministry, in turn, told Trend June 29 that this statement of Germany is regrettable. According to official data, currently 3.5 million Turks live in Germany. Relations between Turkey and Germany deteriorated in late 2016 when Ankara denied access to the Incirlik Air Base for a group of German MPs. --- Follow Rufiz Hafizoglu on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Turkish warplanes have neutralized at least seven PKK terrorists during airstrikes in northern Iraq, Anadolu reported. Fighter jets targeted the PKK terrorists in Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions of northern Iraq, as they were preparing an attack on Turkish border posts, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement. In a separate operation on Thursday, Turkish jets also conducted airstrikes in Avasin Keri Mountain region of northern Iraq and southeastern province of Hakkari, killing three PKK terrorists, it said. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU. More than 1,200 victims, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives in PKK attacks in Turkey since the terror group resumed its decades-old campaign against in July 2015. According to Turkey's defense minister, over 10,000 terrorists have been killed in security operations since July 2015. A pharmacist selects drugs inside her pharmacy in Bordeaux, France, September 15, 2015. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo Walgreens and Rite Aid on Thursday said they scrapped their $17.2 billion merger, following scrutiny from US antitrust regulators. This sent shockwaves to Fred's, the pharmacy chain that had expected to buy nearly 1,000 stores from Rite Aid. Fred's shares cratered by as much as 24% in early trading. Fred's announced in December that it entered an asset-purchase agreement with Rite Aid and Walgreens to buy 865 stores and some intellectual properties, as well as assume some liabilities. But this agreement was terminated with the end of the merger. "This is a disappointing outcome; however, the termination of the transaction has no impact on the companys transformation strategy or our ability to execute," said Michael Bloom, Fred's CEO. Fred's said it would receive $25 million in reimbursement for the costs associated with the terminated transaction. The pharmacy chain said Wednesday that it adopted a rights plan, known as a poison pill, to reduce chances that a buyer would gain control of the company through open-market purchases of its stock. It has a trigger of 10% and will expire on September 25, Reuters reported. Walgreens said Thursday that it entered into an agreement to acquire 2,186 Rite Aid stores and related assets for $5.18 billion. Screen Shot 2017 06 29 at 7.38.59 AM NOW WATCH: An economist explains the key issues that Trump needs to address to boost the economy More From Business Insider Pre-construction works of Bheri-Babai project finished Pre-construction works of Bheri-Babai Multipurpose Diversion Project have been completed within the deadline, paving the way for actual construction of the irrigation-cum-hydroelectric project to begin in mid-July. marijuana pot weed flower bud dispensary store Sales of recreational marijuana kick off in Nevada on Saturday, July 1, and the state is expecting on onslaught of tourists coming to sample the local merchandise. But visitors might have tough times finding the drug in stores. Anyone who is 21 and over with a valid ID can buy up to an ounce of pot (or one-eighth of an ounce of edibles or concentrates) from one of several medical marijuana dispensaries that have been approved for recreational sales. State regulators have issued the licenses necessary to 37 retail outlets in Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County, as of June 29, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. In a legal snafu, those stores may sell the marijuana they have in stock for recreational use, but may not resupply their inventory and sell the new stuff to non-medical users. Their stock may run out as early as August, leaving recreational users without a place to buy their legal bud. Alcohol wholesalers have the exclusive rights to move recreational marijuana from growers to retailers in Nevada, as part of a temporary court order that was extended by a Carson City district judge in June. Nevada intends to appeal the order, so that the state's medical marijuana dispensaries can obtain pot distribution licenses, according to the Associated Press. Nevada is the only state with legalized marijuana that has such an arrangement. In addition to Nevada, voters in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use of the drug. It became legal to possess up to an ounce of pot in Nevada and use it in private residences on January 1. Before then, residents needed a medical card to shop at dispensaries. Tourists are expected to make up 63% of recreational pot sales, Nevada officials told the Associated Press. More than 40 million people visited Las Vegas in 2016. Story continues NOW WATCH: This is how long drugs actually stay in your system More From Business Insider The 1,000-foot-thick, Delaware-sized iceberg that's getting ready to break off of Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf could calve within "hours, days, or weeks," researchers say. Scientists monitoring the ice shelf report that from June 24 to June 27, the outer end of the iceberg started to accelerate to the fastest speeds ever recorded at this location a development they say is a "notable departure from previous observations." As of May 31, the crack itself had just about eight miles to go before the iceberg would break free. The crack has not lengthened in the past month, so the ice is still attached. But that ice has suddenly started to move far faster than it ever has: more than 30 feet per day. Researchers can't say when the rift will cause the ice to break off the shelf, but when it does calve, that will remove 10% of the Larsen C shelf. The 2,000-square-mile iceberg would then become the third largest in recorded history. larsen c ice hslef lenght may 31 2017 a luckman swansea university midas The increase in the iceberg's movement speed is "another sign that the iceberg calving is imminent," scientists from Swansea University in the UK wrote on the website for Project MIDAS, which is tracking the rift. The researchers also warn that the break could destabilize the entire 19,300-square-mile shelf and eventually cause it to disintegrate. This happened with the Larsen B ice shelf after a similar iceberg calved from there in 2002. The Sentinel-1 satellite image data below illustrates the substantial change in ice speed from early June to late June. berg_acceleration_June2017 The Project MIDAS team said on June 24 that the rift has been widening about 6 feet per day since the end of May, but there has been no observable change in the length of the crack since then. Story continues When the iceberg does break free and sail into the Southern Ocean, it should not contribute to sea level rise, since it's already on the water. But if the full Larsen C ice shelf collapses, the land-based glaciers that it is holding back could have a significant impact on sea level. More details about the rift are available in our most recent feature about Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf Dave Mosher contributed reporting to this post. NOW WATCH: A Canadian captured this spectacular view of an iceberg on his first drone flight More From Business Insider susan collins Senate GOP leaders decided to delay a vote on the party's healthcare bill on Tuesday until after the week-long July 4 recess. But the immediate reaction from one key senator made any change in fortune seem less than likely. Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate from Maine, told reporters that it would take more than just a few "tweaks" to get her on board with the bill. "I will say I have so many fundamental problems with the bill, that have been confirmed by the CBO report, that it's difficult for me to see how any tinkering is going to satisfy my fundamental and deep concerns about the impact of the bill," Collins said. The Congressional Budget Office projected that 22 million more Americans would be without health insurance under the bill, Better Care Reconciliation Act, than the current baseline. Additionally, low-income and older Americans would end up paying more for insurance, the CBO projected. For Senate Republican leaders, the worrying aspect of the Collins statement is that she wants structural changes to bill, which would be more likely to move it in a more moderate direction. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moves the bill in that direction, he risks losing conservative members of his conference. On the other hand, if leaders try to court conservatives, they could lose other moderates. Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada, for instance, has already said he would oppose the bill in its current form. McConnell can only lose two votes for the bill to pass. The CBO score did contain one piece of good news for the leadership. The report projected that the bill would reduce the deficit by $331 billion over 10 years, over $200 billion more in savings than the House version. Since the Senate bill only has to save the same amount of the House bill for it to qualify under Senate rules, McConnell could use that difference to include incentives for individual senators. In addition to reiterating her opposition to the bill, Collins also criticized President Donald Trump's approach to the healthcare debate. Story continues "This president is the first president in our history who has had neither political nor military experience," Collins said. "Thus, it has been a challenge to him to learn how to interact with Congress and how to push his agenda forward. I also believe it would have been better had the president started with infrastructure, which has bipartisan support, rather than tackling a political divisive and technically complicated issue like healthcare." Collins said she would go to the White House along with the rest on the Senate GOP conference for a meeting with Trump on healthcare at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. NOW WATCH: Ivanka Trump's Instagram put her at the center of a controversy over her lavish art collection More From Business Insider Oil prices moved higher on Tuesday for the 4th consecutive trading session as prices bounced ahead of Wednesday inventory report from the Department of Energy. The long liquidation that ensued over the prior 2-weeks reduced long position by hedge funds, helping the markets gain neutrality. Now that hedge funds are out of the market on the long side, there is the chance that better inventory number could help prices rebound. While it appeared last week that OPEC would attempt to find common ground on deeper cuts to production, it does not seem like the cartel is in any hurry to cut additional market share. Technicals Crude oil prices recaptured resistance which is former support near the 10-day moving average at 43.85. Support is seen near a horizontal trend line that comes in near 41.91. Momentum is turning positive as the MACD (moving average convergence divergence) index is poised to generated a buy signal. This occurs as the spread (the 12-day exponential moving average minus the 26-day exponential moving average) crosses above the 9-day exponential moving average of the spread. The index moved from negative to positive territory confirming the buy signal. The MACD histogram has an upward trajectory and is pointing to a buy signal for the MACD index. The RSI (relative strength index) which is a momentum oscillator that measures accelerating and decelerating momentum, moved higher with price action reflecting accelerating positive momentum. The index moved from oversold to neutral territory which is another buy signal, which points to higher prices for crude oil. cl-062717d Last week, reports circulated that OPEC may be mulling over deeper oil production cuts, but they wont be rushing to make that decision, even though a panel monitoring the cuts will be meeting next month. Russia is hosting a meeting of five oil ministers from countries supervising the production cut, plus Saudi Arabia in its capacity of OPEC president, on July 24. Although the officials could discuss options to prop up prices and draw down inventories, which may include levying production cuts on currently exempt Libya and Nigeria, OPEC sources do not believe that an outright deeper production cut will be considered soon. Hedge Funds Folded Their Long Bets Hedge funds and other major investors appeared to have soured on oil prices, and the pessimistic turn has corresponded with the deep selloff in recent weeks. Since the beginning of June, the long positions in futures and options held by managed money have been liquidated and they have moved to scoop up short bets equivalent to 162 million barrels, almost a record high. The sudden bout of pessimism came after the market concluded that OPECs efforts, following the groups late-May meeting in which it extended the production cuts for another nine months, would be insufficient in balancing the market. It all adds up to a growing consensus that we may not see a rebound in prices anytime soon. In the near-term, however, the sentiment of hedge funds is very important. Hedge funds are now holding the lowest net-long position in nearly a year, a sign of just how pessimistic they are about oil prices in the short run. The flip side of this situation is that as investors flock to bearish positions, it sets the market up for a potential rebound. These financial flows tend to snap back in the other direction when the herd takes things too far. This has occurred multiple times over the past year as oil prices enter bullish and bearish phases. A Weaker Dollar Helps Oil Prices The EUR/USD surged higher breaking out following comments from the ECB Draghi which hinted at policy adjustment, but pledges caution. Draghis comments seem to be the clearest indication from the central bank head yet, that the ECB is heading for a shift in policy parameters. Like at the last council meeting, Draghi sounded more upbeat on growth and repeated that the deflation risk has abated and that reflationary forces are at play. However, as Draghi highlighted, this more favorable balance of risks has been already reflected in the ECBs adjustment to the forward guidance. Draghi still urged prudence in the adjustment of policy parameters and stressed that changes have to be made gradually, and only when the improving dynamics that justify them appear sufficiently secure. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: Pumpjacks are seen in Lagunillas, Ciudad Ojeda, in the state of Zulia, Venezuela December 22, 2015. REUTERS/Isaac Urrutia By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil futures climbed more than 1 percent on Wednesday to their highest in more than a week as buyers were encouraged by a small weekly decrease in U.S. production and shrugged off a surprise build in crude inventories in the world's top oil consumer. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude stocks rose 118,000 barrels last week, while weekly production declined 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 9.3 million bpd. That was the biggest decline in weekly output since July 2016. "The most interesting thing is crude oil production was down ... which is a significant decline given the increases in previous weeks," Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, said. Other analysts and traders noted the U.S. production decline last week was related to temporary factors like Tropical Storm Cindy in the Gulf of Mexico and maintenance work in Alaska that will likely be reversed in coming weeks. U.S. output during the week ended June 16 reached almost 9.4 million bpd, the most since August 2015. Futures rose after the EIA's report, even though data showed a build instead of the 2.6 million-barrel draw that analysts had forecast in a Reuters poll. (EIA/S) Brent futures (LCOc1) gained 66 cents, or 1.4 percent, to settle at $47.31 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (CLc1) rose 50 cents, or 1.1 percent, to settle at $44.74 per barrel. That was the highest close since June 16 for the contracts, the first time since mid May that they rose for five days straight. Both were up over 5 percent since June 21 when Brent fell to a seven-month low of $44.35 and WTI fell to a 10-month low of $42.05. Ian Taylor, head of the world's largest independent oil trader Vitol, said Brent will stay in a range of $40-$55 a barrel for the next few quarters as higher U.S. production slows a rebalancing of the market. Analysts at JBC Energy in a report saw room for prices to recover, saying "there is now significant room for speculative support for prices to develop if a catalyst were to emerge." Story continues Still, global supplies are ample despite output cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producing countries of 1.8 million bpd since January. OPEC and the other producers, trying to reduce a crude glut, agreed in May to extend the supply cut through March 2018. But OPEC has exempted Nigeria and Libya from cutting output. OPEC delegates have said they will not rush to cut crude output further or end the exemptions, although a meeting in Russia next month is likely to consider further steps to support the market. (Additional reporting by Alex Lawler in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Elaine Hardcastle) Rolls Royce Dawn Black Badge Over the past decade, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has made a concerted to reach a younger and more trendy group of buyers. These efforts include the introduction of the entry-level Ghost sedan in 2010 followed by the Wraith coupe in 2013 and the Dawn convertible in 2015. And the company's efforts seem to be working quite well. In fact, since 2010, the average age of Rolls-Royce customers has fallen from 56 years of age down to just 45, Bloomberg reported. Now Rolls is pushing even further into its "youth" revolution with a menacingly stylish line-up of bespoke Black Badge models. On Wednesday, Rolls-Royce unveiled the Black Badge edition of the Dawn joining the similar versions of the Wraith and Ghost that were introduced last year. Rolls Royce Dawn Black Badge "Standing as a truly Bespoke response to the desires of a new breed of entrepreneur, Black Badge has already distinctly amplified the characters of Ghost and Wraith motor cars, placing them into consciousness of those that seek a commanding presence in the objects they commission," Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos said in a statement. "Overwhelming demand from new patrons of luxury tells us the time is now right to apply this assertive, confident and powerful attitude to Dawn and open this truly transformative presence to the world." Each Black Badge Dawn will be individually commissioned and optioned to the specific wishes of the customer. So in theory, no two Black badge cars will be identical. Under the hood, the Black Badge Dawn will get a little extra oomph to back up its sinister looks. The 6.6 liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine remains. However, horsepower is up 30 to 593 ponies. The Dawn's suspension and eight-speed ZF satellite-assisted automatic transmission have been adjusted to create a more "dynamic" driving experience. Rolls Royce Dawn Black Badge Story continues According to Rolls-Royce, the Dawn Black Badge can make the sprint from 0 to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge will make its official world debut at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month. Rolls-Royce has not disclosed the official pricing for the Black Badge. However, the standard Dawn starts at a lofty $335,000. Related: More From Business Insider ASADABAD, Afghanistan -- The escalating fighting between the hard-line Afghan Taliban and ultra-radical Islamic State (IS) has now reached a new frontline in Afghanistan. According to a provincial governor, there were several casualties in ongoing clashes between the Taliban and IS militants in the eastern mountainous province of Nuristan this week. Governor Hafiz Abdul Qayum told Radio Free Afghanistan that on June 27 scores of Taliban fighters continued to surround the village of their renegade commander, Noora. Noora was once a Taliban commander but has joined Daesh, Qayum said of the fighting in the remote Qal-e Gal village in Waygal district of Nuristan, referring to IS by its local name, Daesh. Three of Nooras female relatives were injured in the fighting and one of his loyalists has been killed so far. Locals say Noora fled his house in Qal-e Gal but Taliban fighters continue to surround the entire village in the hope of forcing him to surrender. The Taliban have torched two houses [of his relatives and loyalists] in the besieged village of Qal-e Gal, Qayum told Radio Free Afghanistan. The Taliban and IS fighters continue to clash periodically as the Taliban push to capture Noora through door-to-door searches. The Taliban and IS have not commented on the fighting. Lawmakers in Nuristan recently said IS is carving a new sanctuary in the region by recruiting from within its mountainous valleys. Maulvi Ahmadullah Mohid, a Nuristan representative in the Afghan Parliament told Radio Free Afghanistan late last month that IS was active in five out of eight Nuristan districts, including Mandol, Duab, Nurgram, Waygal, and Wama. All are Alpine forested regions that provide ideal territory for guerrilla warfare. Their activities are gathering momentum every day. IS militants now virtually rule the regions outside government control alongside the Taliban, Mohid said. IS began pushing into Nuristan after Afghan and U.S. officials repeatedly claimed that an IS sanctuary in the eastern province of Nangarhar is rapidly shrinking because of relentless military operations. IS first emerged in Nangarhar, nearly 100 kilometers south of Nuristan, in early 2015. The group soon overran several districts in the province along its eastern border with Pakistan. But Afghan and U.S. military officials now say the insurgents have lost most of the territories they once overran. Last week, Afghan officials claimed to have recaptured an important tunnel complex from IS in Nangarhar. The warren of caves in the Tora Bora region once served as a hideout for Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. ISs emergence in Afghanistan has met strong Taliban opposition. In June 2015, the late Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansur warned IS leader Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi that they would be forced to react to defend our achievements. Since then, militants from the two organizations have frequently clashed across Afghanistan while their covert war involving targeted assassinations has also extended into Pakistan. Abubakar Siddique wrote this story based on Radio Free Afghanistan correspondent Rohullah Anwaris reporting from Kunar, Afghanistan. - Police have arrested more suspects in connection to the death of the popular Bauchi blogger - Fresh details surrounding the death of the handsome blogger have been released Following the report made by Legit.ng on the death of popular Bauchi blogger, Abdulhakeem Bauchin Bauchi, who was found dead some weeks to his wedding, the Nigerian police have released new details about his death. After the death of the popular blogger, police arrested some suspects in connection to his death. Despite the arrest made, the vehicle of the deceased was not found. Haruna Mohammed, a police superintendent who doubles as the police public relations officer issued a statement on Wednesday June 28 saying the Mercedes-Benz 300 model car of the late blogger had been found in Edo state. The late Bauchi blogger and the suspects arrrested in connection to his death. READ ALSO: Father buys huge crocodile to celebrate daughter's birthday (photos) According to the police superintendent, the suspects arrested were hired by one of the ex-girlfriends of the deceased who felt betrayed by his decision to marry another woman. On the 27/6/2017, Police detectives successfully recovered the deceaseds Mercedes Benz 300 model in Edo State and arrested two more suspects. The arrested suspects were identified as 30-year-old Ernest Danladi from Pankshin local government area of Plateau state and a 35-year-old Freedom Idom from Awen east local government in Edo state. The suspects with the recovered vehicle of the deceased. PAY ATTENTION: Install the latest android app to get updates from Nigeria's number one onine news platform Investigation also revealed that the suspects were hired by one of the victims girlfriends who felt betrayed following his intention to marry another woman, he said. The police officers are trying their best possible to arrest the lady and charge the suspects to court for prosecution. Watch the Legit.ng TV video below to see what Nigerians are saying about Evans' predicament. Some think he should be freed while others think he should be sent to jail: Source: Legit.ng Pressure mounts on RJP-N; all eyes on 3rd phase now Following enthusiastic turnout of voters in the second phase of local elections on Wednesday, including a large swathes of the Tarai, political leaders and observers say, the heat is now on the agitating Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal to join the third phase of elections. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Rush on gas stations eases as supply improves A rush on gasoline stations in the Kathmandu Valley has eased with Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) boosting deliveries. Panic buying triggered by talk of a possible shutdown led to petrol pumps going dry over the last few days. Iraqi authorities expect the long battle for Mosul to end in coming days as remaining Islamic State fighters are bottled up in just a handful of neighborhoods of the Old City, according to Reuters. The seizure of the nearly 850-year-old Grand al-Nuri Mosque from where Islamic State proclaimed the caliphate nearly three years ago to the day is a huge symbolic victory. The return of al-Nuri Mosque and al-Hadba minaret to the fold of the nation marks the end of the Daesh state of falsehood, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement, referring to the hardline Sunni Mulsim group by an Arabic acronym. The fall of Mosul would in effect mark the end of the Iraqi half of the IS caliphate, although the group still controls territory west and south of the city, ruling over hundreds of thousands of people. Its stronghold in Syria, Raqqa, is also close to falling. A U.S.-backed Kurdish-led coalition besieging Raqqa on Thursday fully encircled it after closing the militants last way out from the south, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. These setbacks have reduced Islamic States territory by 60 percent from its peak two years ago and its revenue by 80 percent, to just $16 million a month, said IHS Markit. Their fictitious state has fallen, an Iraqi military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, told state TV. However, it still occupies an area as big as Belgium, across Iraq and Syria, according to IHS Markit, an analytics firm. Islamic State fighters blew up the medieval mosque and its famed leaning minaret a week ago as U.S.-backed Iraqi forces started a push in its direction. Their black flag had been flying from al-Hadba (The Hunchback) minaret since June 2014. Much of the mosque and brickwork minaret was reduced to rubble, said a Reuters TV reporter who went to the site with the elite units that captured it. Only the stump of the Hunchback remained, and a green dome of the mosque supported by a few pillars which resisted the blast, he said. The mosque grounds were off limits as the insurgents are suspected to have planted booby traps. Abadi issued instructions to bring the battle to its conclusion, by capturing the remaining parts of the Old City, his office said. The cost of the fighting has been enormous. In addition to military casualties, thousands of civilians are estimated to have been killed. About 900,000 people, nearly half the pre-war population of the northern city, have fled, mostly taking refuge in camps or with relatives and friends, according to aid groups. Those trapped in the city suffered hunger, deprivation and IS oppression as well as death or injury, and many buildings have been ruined. Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) troops captured the al-Nuri Mosques ground in a lightning operation on Thursday, a commander of the U.S.-trained elite units told state TV. CTS units are now in control of the mosque area and the al-Hadba and Sirjkhana neighborhoods and they are still advancing, a military statement said. Other government units, from the army and police, were closing in from other directions. An elite Interior Ministry unit said it freed about 20 children believed to belong to Yazidi and other minorities persecuted by the jihadists in a quarter north of the Old City which houses Mosuls main hospitals. A U.S.-led international coalition is providing air and ground support to the Iraqi forces fighting through the Old Citys maze of narrow alleyways. But the advance remains arduous as IS fighters are dug in the middle of civilians, using mortar fire, snipers, booby traps and suicide bombers to defend their last redoubt. The military estimated up to 350 militants were still in the Old City last week but many have been killed since. They are besieged in one sq km (0.4 square mile) making up less than 40 percent of the Old City and less than one percent of the total area of Mosul, the largest urban center over which they held sway in both Iraq and Syria. Those residents who have escaped the Old City say many of the civilians trapped behind IS lines put last week at 50,000 by the Iraqi military are in a desperate situation with little food, water or medicines. Boys and girls who have managed to escape show signs of moderate malnutrition and carry psychosocial scars, the United Nations Childrens Fund UNICEF said in a statement. Thousands of children remain at risk in Mosul, it said. IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself ruler of all Muslims from the Grand al-Nuri Mosques pulpit on July 4, 2014, after the insurgents overran swathes of Iraq and Syria. His speech from the mosque was the first time he revealed himself to the world and the footage broadcast then is to this day the only video recording of him as caliph. He has left the fighting in Mosul to local commanders and is believed to be hiding in the border area between Iraq and Syria, according to U.S. and Iraqi military sources. The mosque was named after Nuruddin al Zanki, a noble who fought the early Crusaders from a fiefdom that covered territory in modern-day Turkey, Syria and Iraq. It was built in 1172-73, shortly before his death, and housed an Islamic school. The Old Citys stone buildings date mostly from the medieval period. They include market stalls, a few mosques and churches, and small houses built and rebuilt on top of each other over the ages. Thawang locals participate in polls with enthusiasm People in Thawang, the epicentre of the Maoist insurgency, took part in the second phase of local level elections on Wednesday with enthusiasm. Tingla villagers refuse to cast vote Of the 2,476 voters in Tingla of Necha Salyan Village Council-6 in Solukhumbu, none on Wednesday went to cast vote, making election officials man five polling centres and empty ballot boxes the whole day on Wednesday. Police in Australia have charged a top Vatican official with "historic sexual offenses." Police officials did not give details of the charges against Cardinal George Pell. But they did say the charges are based on claims by more than one person. Pell has been ordered to appear for a hearing in a Melbourne court on July 18. The cardinal serves as chief financial adviser to Pope Francis. The case increases pressure on the pope to act on promises to fight sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church Pell told reporters in Vatican City that he is innocent of the charges. He said the charges are an attack against his character. He added that The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," and that he is looking forward to having his day in court. A Vatican spokesman expressed respect for the Australian justice system. He also said that Pope Francis has given Pell a leave of absence -- an extended period of time away from his job. The Australian cardinal is the highest Roman Catholic clergyman to face charges of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse in the church first captured the world's attention in 2002. That is when reports about sexually abusive Catholic bishops in the American city of Boston, Massachusetts, began appearing in the news. The reports found that clergymen would move abusers to new positions in the church instead of dismissing them. Thousands of cases of sexual abuse have since been reported worldwide. Investigators have urged victims to go public. The Roman Catholic Church has paid more than $2 billion in compensation to the accusers. Im Pete Musto. This story first appeared on VOANews.com. George Grow adapted this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story abhorrent adj. causing strong dislike or hatred; not agreeable compensation n. payment; legal judgment for damages We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. The Trump administration has set new visa requirements for people from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees. The Associated Press (AP) says the new rules require those seeking a visa to have a close relationship with a family or business in the United States. The move came after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to parts of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Critics of the order compared it to a ban on Muslims. The State Department released the guidance for U.S. diplomats on Wednesday. The government is not canceling visas that have already been approved. The new rules affect visa applicants from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It said they must prove a relationship with a parent, husband or wife, child, the husband or wife of an adult child, or a brother or sister already in the United States to be considered for a visa. Other family members are not considered close relations under the new guidelines. They include grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended family members. The same requirement, with few exceptions, is in effect for would-be refugees who are still awaiting approval for admission to the U.S. The new rules take effect at 0000 Universal Time (UTC) on Friday, the AP report said. The State Department will consider whether visa applicants from the six countries have business ties to the United States. It said an acceptable business relationship has to be formal, documented, and not created for the purpose of avoiding the ban. The new guidance said a hotel or rental car agreement would not meet the requirement. The new rules do not affect news reporters, students, workers or speakers who have valid invitations or offers of employment in the U.S. On Monday, the Supreme Court partially lifted lower court rulings against Trumps executive order, which had temporarily banned visas for citizens of the six countries. The new guidance will remain in place until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling on the issue. The court will not hear arguments in the case until at least October. So the temporary rules will remain in place for at least the next three months. Shortly after taking office, Trump ordered the refugee ban and a travel ban affecting the six countries, as well as Iraq. He said it was needed to protect the United States from terrorists. But opponents said it was unfairly severe and was designed to meet his campaign promise to keep Muslims out of the country. After a federal judge rejected the bans, Trump signed another order designed to overcome legal issues. That order was also rejected by lower courts, but the Supreme Court ruled that parts of the order are constitutional. Im Jonathan Evans. The Associated Press reported this story. George Grow adapted the report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story executive adj. of or relating to the execution of laws applicant n. someone who asks for something; a candidate formal adj. following an established form or custom valid adj. having legal force; justifiable We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. In a previous Everyday Grammar story, we discussed two common sentence patterns using the word be. This week, we are going to give you more information about another common pattern in English: the linking verb pattern. To get you started with linking verb patterns, consider this passage from a story called The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, by the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald: "As he approached the end his sentences became broken, became short and uncertain, and his body seemed tense, seemed strained to catch the slightest pressure or whisper of life in the spaces around him." By the end of this story, you will be able to recognize one major linking verb pattern that Fitzgerald uses many times in this sentence. An important point about sentences and clauses Remember: a sentence has a subject and a predicate. A clause has a subject and a predicate, too. The predicate is the verb phrase. It has a main verb, such as a linking verb, and other words, such as a subject complement, that give more information about it. When you capitalize the first word of a clause and put a period at the end of it, a clause becomes a sentence. Keep this idea in mind, because it will help you understand sentences that use several clauses. What is a linking verb? In the book "Rhetorical Grammar," Martha Kolln says that the term linking verbs applies to verbs that are completed by a subject complement the adjective or noun phrase that describes the subject. Many grammar experts consider the verb BE to be a linking verb, but Kolln says BE verb patterns are sometimes different from other linking verb patterns. This is because adverbial information often follows BE verbs, such as in the following sentence: My sister is at the store. In this case, an adverbial structure, a prepositional phrase, tells about the location of the subject, my sister. This BE pattern is one we discussed in a previous Everyday Grammar story. In contrast, the usual linking verb structure is this: Examples of linking verbs 1: verbs of the senses Some of the most common linking verbs are verbs of the senses. They include taste, smell, feel, look, and sound. These verbs often link an adjective to a subject. For example, consider these memorable lines from Dirty Harry, a famous American film. Clint Eastwood, the actor who plays the character of Dirty Harry, says: You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk? In the sentence "Do I feel lucky?", the adjective lucky acts as the subject complement. It describes the subject, I. If you were to answer the question, you might say this: Examples of linking verbs 2: remain and become Verbs of the senses are not the only linking verbs. Two other common examples of linking verbs are remain and become. These verbs often link a noun or noun phrase to a subject. Consider the opening lines from Casablanca, another classic American film: "With the coming of the Second World War, many eyes in imprisoned Europe turned hopefully or desperately toward the freedom of the Americas. Lisbon became the great embarkation point." In the second sentence Lisbon became the great embarkation point you can see the basic linking verb pattern, even though the subject complement has several words. Lisbon is the subject of the sentence. The predicate has the linking verb became, as well as the noun phrase the great embarkation point. Examples of linking verbs 3: prove, seem and appear Aside from the verbs of the senses and become and remain, there are three other common linking verbs. They are prove, seem and appear. Like other linking verbs, these verbs link an adjective or noun phrase to the subject. All these verbs use the same basic pattern: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement. What do linking verbs have to do with F. Scott Fitzgerald? Think back to this passage from "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz": "As he approached the end his sentences became broken, became short and uncertain, and his body seemed tense, seemed strained to catch the slightest pressure or whisper of life in the spaces around him. " Fitzgerald uses some phrases that do not fit into the linking verb pattern. But, if you look closely, you will see that he uses the Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement pattern in the sentence. Consider these clauses: Fitzgerald then repeats the linking verb pattern, but does not say the subject. The repeated subject is understood: This sentence contains other structures that are more complicated than the basic linking verb pattern. But you can still see that these basic patterns can serve as the starting point for very long, complicated sentences. What can you do? Learning how to use linking verb patterns will help you improve your writing. You can think about creative ways to use them, or you can learn to recognize when you use them too often. To start practicing this pattern, try finding the linking verb in the sentences at the end of this story. Identify the subject of the sentence, the linking verb, and the subject complement. Be careful, because one or more sentences may be tricky! We will give you the answers next week in the comments section and on our Facebook page. The lake became a clear pool, pale and quiet. "Winter Dreams" by F. Scott Fitzgerald Her slight unsteadiness seemed part of an enchanted dream. "The Jelly Bean" by F. Scott Fitzgerald John T. Unger was on the eve of departure. "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" by F. Scott Fitzgerald I'm Jonathan Evans. I'm John Russell. And I'm Jill Robbins. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Kelly J Kelly was the editor. Do you like learning about sentence patterns? Is there a pattern you'd like us to explain here? ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story strained adj. feeling or showing the effect of too much work, use, effort, etc. complement n. a word or group of words added to a sentence to make it complete adverbial adj. like or relating to an adverb. analyze v. to learn the nature and relationship of the parts of (something) by a close and careful examination phrase n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence adjective n. a word that describes a noun or a pronoun prepositional phrase n. a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends in a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase embarkation n. a place where a journey begins tricky adj. difficult to do or deal with A Vietnamese blogger, honored by the United States for her activism, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in Vietnam. Me Nam, or Mother Mushroom, received the sentence Thursday at the end of a one-day trial in central Vietnam. A court found her guilty of charges related to "conducting propaganda against the government. Mother Mushroom, whose given name is Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, had been detained since October 2016. The law used against her has drawn international criticism for giving the government power to limit free expression. Her lawyer said her conviction related to several articles on her Facebook page, as well as interviews with foreign news organizations. The lawyer called the sentence too heavy and unfair. He said he planned to appeal the decision. Quynh began blogging as Mother Mushroom in 2006. She is also a founding member of the Vietnamese Bloggers Network. It is one of the few independent blogging groups in a nation where the ruling Communist Party tightly controls the media and writers. She was honored with Americas International Women of Courage Award in March. She was not able to attend the award ceremony in Washington led by first lady Melania Trump. A State Department spokeswoman praised Quynh for exposing corruption, raising awareness about environmental protection and reporting on human rights violations in Vietnam. Quynh also received awards from the organizations Civil Rights Defenders and Human Rights Watch for speaking out freely against injustices and human rights abuses in Vietnam. The deputy director for Human Rights Watch Asia, Phil Robertson, criticized the trial. He urged the international community to call for her release. He said, International donors and trade partners should publicly condemn her arrest and urge the Vietnamese government to immediately and unconditionally release her. Among her recent campaigns, Mother Mushroom blogged about the government's handling of a chemical spill at Formosa, a Taiwanese-owned steel plant in central Vietnam. The spill killed 80 tons of fish and embarrassed the Vietnamese government. Thousands of protesters demonstrated at the plant and in cities throughout Vietnam. The April 2016 incident is widely seen as having raised environmental awareness and activism in Vietnam. The movement led the steel company to accept full responsibility for the fish kill. It also pledged to pay $500 million in damages for dumping toxic wastewater into the South China Sea. Im Caty Weaver . Bryan Lynn adapted this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports by VOA Vietnamese, the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story blogger n. person who writes on the internet about experiences or issues conduct v. to carry out conviction n. a finding of guilt by a court of law interview n. a meeting between a reporter and another person in order to get information for a news story expose adj. cause to be known, especially something secret or dishonest awareness n. the state of knowing about something plant n. a factory embarrass v. make someone look foolish toxic adj. containing something poisonous Good morning, everyone, and welcome back after the holiday. Hope it was good for you all. Where to start? How about Meghan's column this week, where a single mom's father offered to watch her baby when she goes back to work. She has reservations. For parents of older kids, there's this piece about health insurance and college students. You may be paying too much. Check out our many other pieces at On Parenting, or on our Facebook page. I particularly liked this touching essay about learning how important fathers are, after becoming one. Okay, lots to get to here, so let's have at it. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani widely opened Irans hands for Qatar, calling for stronger economic ties between the two countries, following the harsh conditions set by Saudi Arabia and its allies to lift the blockades they imposed on their neighbor. The Iranian President, according to state news agencies, held a telephone conversation with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt conveyed to Qatar, through Kuwait, a list of conditions for the normalization of ties. Irans policy is to develop more and more its relations with Doha, Rouhani said. Tehran stands alongside the people and government of Qatar and we believe that pressure, threats and sanctions are not a good solution to solve problems between countries of the region, Rouhani added. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and several Arab-Muslim countries have since June 5 severed ties with Qatar, which they accuse of funding terrorism. The Qatari government has rejected the accusation. The Saudiled bloc has also imposed sea, air and land blockades, hampering trade and business flow between them and the tiny gas-rich Emirate. Under American pressure, the bloc Friday issued a 13-demand list ordaining Qatar, among others, to reduce its diplomatic ties with its neighbor Iran and to expel members of Irans Revolutionary Guards in Qatar. Iran took advantage of the crisis to step up its relations with Doha and sent tons of food stocks to Qatar, to help the country address the food shortage that ensued the blockades. Micrograph showing a lymph node invaded by ductal breast carcinoma, with extension of the tumour beyond the lymph node. Credit: Nephron/Wikipedia A molecular test can pinpoint which patients will have a very low risk of death from breast cancer even 20 years after diagnosis and tumor removal, according to a new clinical study led by UC San Francisco in collaboration with colleagues in Sweden. As a result, "ultralow" risk patients could be treated less aggressively and overtreatment avoided, leading to fewer toxic effects. "This is an important step forward for personalizing care for women with breast cancer," said lead author Laura J. Esserman, MD, MBA, a breast cancer specialist and surgeon with UC Health. "We can now test small node-negative breast cancers, and if they are in the ultralow risk category, we can tell women that they are highly unlikely to die of their cancers and do not need aggressive treatment, including radiation after lumpectomy. "Oncologist have discussed the existence of ultralow risk tumors and expressed concern that they might be exacerbated by screening. But, Esserman said, this is the first evidence that it is possible to run a diagnostic test at the time of diagnosis and identify them. The study appears June 29, 2017 in JAMA Oncology. "This is an exciting advance because approximately 20-25 percent of tumors diagnosed today may be ultralow risk," said Esserman, a UCSF professor and director of the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center who also co-leads the breast oncology program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC). The medical community for many years has focused on identifying cancer early so that it can be cured or more easily treated. While this can benefit some patients, screening also can detect cancers that are extremely low risk and not life-threatening, which could lead to patients being overtreated. The issue is compounded because breast cancer can recur many years after diagnosis - for low-grade tumors, the majority of the risk occurs after five years. Until now, tools that could reliably identify ultralow risk tumors at the time of diagnosis have not been available because physicians lacked the assurance that late recurrence could truly be avoided. In the new study, researchers sought to determine whether a 70-gene test could accurately and reliably identify tumors with indolent, or slow-growing, behavior to assess the risk of cancer recurrence up to 20 years after diagnosis. The same test had shown last year that nearly half of early-stage breast cancer patients, who met traditional criteria for high risk, could safely skip chemotherapy based on the biological makeup of their tumors. The authors disclosed that the test, called MammaPrint, was devised by UCSF cancer researcher Laura van 't Veer, a co-author on the new study. Produced by Agendia, a company co-founded by van 't Veer, MammaPrint tests for a 70-gene signature that can predict whether cancer will recur in early-stage breast cancer patients. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007. In the new analysis, the investigators sought to assess breast cancer patients over 20 years, and to find cancers with no- or almost no-risk for metastatic progression. As such, they collaborated with the Stockholm breast cancer study group (STO), to evaluate patients who have been tracked for decades and were part of a randomized clinical trial of tamoxifen vs no systemic therapy. The STO-3 low-risk trial included 1,780 lymph-node-negative patients with tumors less than or equal to 3 centimeters in diameter, randomized to two years of adjuvant tamoxifen (40 mg. daily) versus no adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant therapy is a treatment provided after the initial surgery or treatment, with the intent to suppress recurrent tumor formation. All the women had their tumors surgically removed. The researchers used these tissues to profile a total of 652 women, of whom 311 had received tamoxifen, and 339 had not received adjuvant systemic therapy. The majority of the women (79 percent) had received mastectomies and lymph node removalthe data did not include cases with less aggressive local therapy. All women had tumors detected in the era prior to the use of screening mammography, so none were detected via mammograph. The multigene test classified 42 percent of the patients as high-risk, and 58 percent as low-risk. The investigators found that low-risk patients had a 95 percent survival rate at 5 years, but many later died from their disease. The test classified 15 percent (98) of the cases as ultralow risk, showing that such tumors are an inherent part of the spectrum of breast cancers, even in the era before screening. Not all low-risk tumors were ultralow risk - in fact, only a quarter met the molecular definition. The women with ultralow risk tumors had an excellent prognosis, whether or not they used tamoxifen for two years, said the authors. "This emphasizes the role that early detection can play, and how we can improve the impact of screening by focusing on those most likely to benefit," said Esserman. The results suggest that the 70-gene test can be used to help physicians and patients determine their treatment course, and to inform choice of systemic therapy as well as local therapy. In an unscreened population, 15 percent of women will have ultralow risk tumors, said the authors. With widespread screening, approximately 25 percent of postmenopausal women could have ultralow risk breast cancer that would rarely be associated with recurrence or death, they wrote. For ultralow risk elderly women over age 75 who have other conditions and face a life expectancy of less than a decade, simple excision may be sufficient, they said. "There are breast cancers that pose little or no systemic risk," said Esserman. "Women who have a tumor that is classified as ultralow risk by 70-gene signature can be reassured that their long-term outcome is expected to be excellent, with or without endocrine therapy. Having a test that accurately identifies a population of women, who have very little risk to begin with, should be welcomed by patients and clinicians alike. These tools will enable doctors to better personalize therapy to safely minimize treatment and reassure women if a cancer is ultralow risk." Agendia performed the analysis of the tumor samples used in the trial at no charge. Van 't Veer is one of the inventors of the MammaPrint70-gene risk signature, which is licensed to Agendia NV. A co-founder, part-time employee, member of the management board, and stockholder in Agendia NV, she has previously disclosed that she has received "personal fees and other support from Agendia NV outside the submitted work." The Netherlands Cancer Institute holds a patent related to MammaPrint; UCSF has no financial interest in the MammaPrint patent. Laws that require increasingly older kids to sit in car safety seats appear to have limited impact, new research has found. The same parents who already were buckling up kids appear most likely to switch to safety seats, leaving the same number of kids unrestrained, found a study published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. "These laws can be very appealing for legislators to pass, but our research calls into question their value," said Lauren Jones, lead researcher and assistant professor of consumer sciences at The Ohio State University. "Our study suggests that safety-conscious parents are likely to do what makes their child the safest but these laws don't have much effect on other parents." Furthermore, higher fines (which reached as much as $500 as of 2016) didn't appear to make much difference in raising the likelihood parents and other drivers complied with the laws, the study found. In the last four decades, laws throughout the United States have steadily increased mandatory safety seat restraint ages. In the 1980s and 1990s, safety seat laws were the norm for kids up to age 2 orat most3. By 2012, the average upper age requirement was 6 years old. About 17 percent of children 7 years old and younger were in car safety seats before new laws expanded age requirements. That percentage jumped from 27 percent to almost half after stricter laws took effect, the researchers found. But the percentage of unrestrained children - those with neither a seatbelt on nor strapped into a car seat - barely moved. The new study found evidence that the laws saved lives, but that data was limited, Jones said. A best-case estimate showed that between one and 39 children may have survived annually because of safety seats. "I think the laws have probably reduced fatalities, but probably not as much as most parents would assume," Jones said. "Thank goodness childhood car crash deaths are something that happens relatively infrequently, but that also makes it harder to evaluate." Importantly, this study did not examine injuries or severity of injuries before and after passage of stricter laws. It's possible that children's injuries have declined because of more widespread use of safety seats, Jones said. Jones and Nicolas Ziebarth of Cornell University used a national database of fatal crashes from 1975 to 2011 to examine "before" and "after" restraint use and fatalities. To improve the quality of their evaluation, they analyzed law-mandated child safety seat use against use in three other groups: children in different states in the same year, children in the same state in different years and older children in the same state during the same year. Regardless of the analysis, there was no evidence that safety seat laws significantly changed the percentage of children who go unrestrained, prompting Jones to conclude that resources might be better spent elsewhere. The research estimates the net annual cost of the safety seat laws at $377 million. The researchers factored in 39 saved lives at an estimated value of $390 million per year and a cost of $200 per safety seat, or $767 million a year. Their rough estimate does not include other potential safety benefits, including reduced injury rates. "It's not a costless piece of legislation, especially for low-income families," Jones said. "Education, particularly of young parents, and resources to help them afford seats could be more impactful policy tools." The study calls for stronger government intervention in China to implement food safety rules, regulations and support. Credit: University of Portsmouth An international team of researchers, including the University of Portsmouth, has called for stronger government intervention in China to implement food safety rules, regulations and support. In recent years, China has seen a number of food safety scandals, such as fake powdered baby milk, vinegar contaminated with antifreeze and watermelons juiced up with growth-stimulating chemicals. While the Chinese government has brought in a series of food safety laws and regulations, identifying the origin and tracking the history of products including the processing, packaging, storage and transportation continues to be difficult. Current traceability systems face many challenges due to the scale, diversity and complexity of China's food chain. They don't capture, link and share data effectively and accurately and are often perceived as barriers by food companies because of their high costs and a lack of skilled persons to implement them. The research team has identified six dimensions as an implementation framework that the Chinese government and food companies can use to help in the successful implementation of food traceability systems. This includes laws, regulations and standards; government support; consumer knowledge and support; effective management and communication; top management and vendor support; and information and system quality. Professor Mark Xu from the University of Portsmouth and co-author of the study, said: "Traceability in the food sector is particularly important as an effective traceability system can promptly identify, single out and remove unsafe food products from the market. "We call for stronger government intervention, in particular attention should be paid to harmonizing laws and standards with international laws and standards for food safety and traceability, effective coordinating for global food risk alerts and recalls, through effective food safety monitoring and quality control systems. "Information quality is particularly important due to the chain-based nature of traceability systems. Measures need to be taken to ensure information authenticity and accuracy. This could include traceability systems users' training, skills development, compatibility in data collection and communication technologies, and integration of systems at different levels and regions. "Food companies are also obliged to take social responsibility by fully complying with food safety standards, food safety policies, and implementing procedures and traceability systems. "The government and food companies at all levels of the supply chain should proactively promote and publicise the benefits of using traceability systems and traceable food products. Willingness to pay for traceable products by consumers will ultimately drive the proliferation and implementation of successful traceability systems." The research team compiled a list of 27 critical success factors that were relevant to information systems. Following pre-study interviews with managers at four food companies, a further five factors were added. These 32 factors were then tested through factor analysis method using survey data collected from 83 food companies in China. Professor Xu said: "It's interesting that three dimensions of the framework (laws, regulations and standards; government support; consumer knowledge and support) were related to the environment aspect, which reflects a strong external driving force from government, industry, customers and competitors. Two dimensions (effective management and communication; top management and vendor support) are related to organisational factors but only one is related to a technological factor (information and system quality). "This shows that the main obstacle for successful and efficient implementation of traceability in food product chains is organisational, not technical. "Our findings show the complexity in measuring traceability system success. Food companies are profit driven, whereas the government is mainly concerned with food safety and stability." Researchers from the University of Portsmouth, the University of Bedfordshire and the China Agricultural University conducted the study, which is published in the journal The Information Society. More information: Yanqing Duan et al. A framework for the successful implementation of food traceability systems in China, The Information Society (2017). Yanqing Duan et al. A framework for the successful implementation of food traceability systems in China,(2017). DOI: 10.1080/01972243.2017.1318325 A University of Delaware research team in the College of Health Sciences is combating chronic kidney disease (CKD) with exercise. Dave Edwards, professor in UD's Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, received a National Institutes of Health grant to investigate whether exercise training could improve the health of the blood vessels. Edwards and postdoctoral researcher Danielle Kirkman invited early stage CKD patients to take part in a specially designed exercise program, all completed under the expert supervision of UD researchers. The study showed the exercise program improved blood vessel health and exercise capacity. Equally as important, patients reported improvements in their everyday quality of life as a result of becoming more active. More than 26 million American adults have CKD and, because of difficult-to-see warning signs, late detection is common. The leading cause of death in patients with CKD is cardiovascular disease. The end of the study turned out to be just the beginning for participants. They wanted to continue exercising, but lacked a safe, supervised environment. To meet the demand, Edwards' lab started a renal rehab exercise program for CKD patients in the community. The program is open to non-dialysis CKD, dialysis patients and those that have received a kidney transplant. A University of Delaware research team in the College of Health Sciences is combating chronic kidney disease (CKD) with exercise. Credit: Ashley Barnas/ University of Delaware "There are two groups of patients that fall through the cracksthose who have exercised with us and want to continue and those who didn't qualify for our studies, but wanted to start exercising," Edwards said. The team works individually with each patient to reach their goals, whether it's controlling blood pressure or losing weight for a transplant. "If you look at other areas like cardiac or pulmonary rehab, exercise training is well-integrated as part of routine care; that's not the case with kidney disease," Kirkman said. "Exercise may have an array of health benefits to these patients ranging from keeping their diabetes under control, maintaining healthy muscles and blood vessels to controlling weight gains after a transplant that are associated with prescribed medications." Once word got out that UD was offering the program, the research team fielded a mini-explosion of interest. Transplant doctors and dialysis clinics began sending patients to the renal rehab program to work on their health and fitness. Soon groups of kidney disease patients were exercising togethersometimes eight people per session in the friendly confines of the Kinesiology and Applied Physiology (KAAP) Exercise Intervention Lab. A new report finds cancer caregivers suffer a steady decline in physical health compared to controls, and that symptoms of depression were the only significant predictor of caregivers' physical health decline. Writing in Cancer, the authors say assessing and addressing depressive symptoms among caregivers early in the cancer survivorship trajectory may help to prevent premature health decline among this important, yet vulnerable population. The study is the longest follow-up to date of caregivers' physical health following providing care to a loved one with cancer. It was funded by the American Cancer Society. Cancer caregiving has been associated with worsening health among caregivers. To explore possible predictors of this decline, researchers led by Kelly M. Shaffer, Ph.D., of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, analyzed survey data from 664 cancer caregivers in the American Cancer Society's National Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers. They examined changes in caregivers' physical health from year two to year eight following a family member's cancer diagnosis to find predictors of declining health. At two years after diagnosis, caregivers' health was slightly higher than the national mean. But over the following six years that advantage dissipated, as caregivers experienced a small yet notable decline in health. Investigators found having elevated depressive symptoms was the only predictor of the physical health decline; caregivers with high depressive symptoms showed twice the rate of physical health decline of caregivers with an average level of depressive symptoms. "Adverse effects of depression on physical health have been well-documented in the general population," write the authors. "These findings extend evidence to the cancer caregiving context, known to have many psychosocial stressors and challenges, and highlight the importance of depression specifically to caregivers' premature physical health decline." The authors say caregiver distress screening could be more widely adopted hand-in-hand with efforts to implement similar screening for patients, including technology-based assessment using brief and straightforward questions to assess whether a caregiver has been experiencing depression. "Identifying caregivers in need, and connecting these caregivers to effective and accessible psychosocial services, are imperative next steps to improve comprehensive care for families facing cancer," said Dr. Shaffer. More information: Depressive Symptoms Predict Cancer Caregivers' Physical Health Decline; KM Shaffer, Y Kim, CS Carver, RS Cannady; Cancer; DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30835 Journal information: Cancer Depressive Symptoms Predict Cancer Caregivers' Physical Health Decline; KM Shaffer, Y Kim, CS Carver, RS Cannady; Researchers from the University of Liverpool with colleagues from Gynuity Health Care in New York and the Government Medial College, Nagpur, India, have published a major study of two different types of labour induction methods in The Lancet. Between 62,000 and 77,000 women die annually from pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Eclampsia is the onset of seizures (convulsions) in a woman with pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy in which there is high blood pressure and either large amounts of protein in the urine or other organ dysfunction. Onset may be before, during, or after delivery. Prompt delivery, preferably naturally, is vital for good maternal and neonatal outcomes. As the number of women facing induction increases, and as new evidence from trials emerges, it has become urgent to address questions about which methods for inducing labour are the most effective, safe and acceptable to women. Acceptability Two low cost interventions - misoprostol tablets and transcervical Foley catheterisation - are already used in low resource settings. Professor of International Maternal Health Andrew Weeks, from the University's Institute of Translational Medicine (ITM), is a world renowned expert on the use of misoprostol, and runs the widely used http://www.misoprostol.org website as a way of disseminating good practice. Working with Professor Zarko Alfirevic, also in ITM, his research group have been exploring the use of oral misoprostol tablets for many years as a way to reduce the need for repeated vaginal examinations and thus reduce infection rates and increase acceptability for women. In the INFORM study, 602 women were allocated to either oral misoprostol tablets or Foley catheter induction in a government hospital in India. The results showed that women in the misoprostol arm had a 10% higher rate of vaginal birth within 24 hours and less need for caesarean section. Rates of uterine hyperstimulation were very low in both groups and no differences were seen in neonatal morbidity. Women in the misoprostol group were also more satisfied with the outcome than those induced with the catheter method. More effective Professor Weeks, who is also a consultant obstetrician at the Liverpool Women's Hospital, said: "In our analysis, the use of low dose oral misoprostol was found to be more effective and more acceptable to women than a transcervical Foley catheter for induction of labour in women requiring delivery because of pre-eclampsia or hypertension." In a commentary accompanying Lancet paper, Professors Suri and Sikka of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India state that "The results of the INFORM study are encouraging for the use of low dose misoprostol (25 g) for induction of labour in patients with mild hypertensive disease in low resource settings." However they go on to point out that "further studies are needed in women with severe, early onset hypertensive disease and intrauterine growth restriction." More information: Shuchita Mundle et al, Foley catheterisation versus oral misoprostol for induction of labour in hypertensive women in India (INFORM): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial, The Lancet (2017). Journal information: The Lancet Shuchita Mundle et al, Foley catheterisation versus oral misoprostol for induction of labour in hypertensive women in India (INFORM): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31367-3 A microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti from a patient. Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wikimedia Commons Lymphatic filariasisa parasitic infection commonly known as elephantiasisis among the 10 neglected tropical diseases that the World Health Organization (WHO) is aiming to eliminate by 2020. In Cameroon, large-scale annual mass drug administration efforts are successfully curbing rates of LF, researchers now report in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. In 2000, more than 120 million people were infected with LF, and 40 million were disfigured and incapacitated by the disease. The WHO has proposed a strategy to eliminate LF which includes mass drug administrations and disability prevention programs. In Cameroon, annual drug administrations of ivermectin and albendazole began in 2008. In the new work, Joseph Kamgno, of the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, and colleagues studied 5,292 children aged 5-8 from 97 communities in five health districts in Cameroon that achieved at least 65% drug coverage in six annual mass drug campaigns. The communities were assigned into three evaluation units based on WHO criteria. A blood sample from each child was tested for LF. In the three evaluation units, 2, 8, and 11 cases of LF were detected, giving rates of 0.13%, 0.57%, and 0.45%. These rates were below WHO critical cut-off thresholdswhich would be 18 cases in each evaluation unitfor stopping treatment. "These results support the cessation of mass drug administration in these implementation units, but this decision needs further thinking," the researchers say. It is possible for disease transmission to continue even when prevalence is very low, they add. "Post-mass drug administration surveillance activities should be organized to evaluate whether recrudescence can occur." More information: Nana-Djeunga HC, Tchouakui M, Njitchouang GR, Tchatchueng-Mbougua JB, Nwane P, Domche A, et al. (2017) First evidence of lymphatic filariasis transmission interruption in Cameroon: Progress towards elimination. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11(6): e0005633. Journal information: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Nana-Djeunga HC, Tchouakui M, Njitchouang GR, Tchatchueng-Mbougua JB, Nwane P, Domche A, et al. (2017) First evidence of lymphatic filariasis transmission interruption in Cameroon: Progress towards elimination.11(6): e0005633. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005633 Researchers have seen improvements in tackling common but difficult to treat bugs such as MRSA. Credit: Human neutrophil ingesting MRSA by National Institutes of Health is in the public domain As the European Commission publishes a new plan to fight the threat from drug-resistant superbugs, Professor Herman Goossens, the initiator of the first European Antibiotic Awareness Day, says he is optimistic that scientists and industry can work together to solve perhaps the biggest challenge of our time. What is the worst-case scenario if the problem of drug-resistant bacteria, known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is not solved? 'Think of a man with acute prostatitis a benign infection that we currently treat with oral antibiotics. Normally they are treated at home but if the bugs that cause the infection are resistant to antibiotics, we need to keep these patients in hospital for weeks where they have intravenous antibiotics. If the bugs then become resistant to the heavy-duty drugs that we use in hospitals, we would go back to the era where people were at risk of dying from minor infections. 'Similarly, cancer patients are frequently admitted to hospital due to infections but can usually be treated successfully. If the antibiotics no longer work, they may die not of their cancer but of an infection.' It's almost a decade since you initiated the first annual European Antibiotic Awareness Day in 2008. What prompted you to take this initiative? 'A Eurobarometer study in 2005 asked Europeans whether antibiotics can kill viruses as well as bacteria. The answer, of course, is no. But large numbers of people got it wrong. There were a couple of interesting things about this. 'For a start, the results were worst in southern and eastern EU countries. In other countries, including Belgium and France, levels of knowledge were much better. It turned out that Belgium and France had run annual awareness campaigns since 2000 and 2002, respectively. And we also saw from some collaborative EU projects such as GRACE that awareness campaigns successfully feed into attitudes. 'The other interesting thing was that countries that did poorly in the Eurobarometer survey had higher antibiotic consumption. In Europe, we have great data on antibiotic use which enables us to understand the problem, devise interventions and measure the impact.' From your work at the University Hospital of Antwerp, in Belgium, have you seen any improvements? 'In some areas, yes, but it's not a universal success story. Antibiotic use in humans and animals has changed. This is thanks in part to European initiatives to tackle a common hospital bug, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Patients have benefited from EU-wide research and policy initiatives that ultimately made hospitals safer. Prof. Herman Goossens started European Antibiotic Awareness Day in 2008 after a study showed large numbers of Europeans thought antibiotics can kill viruses. Credit: Prof. Goosens 'However, with bacteria such as those that live in the gut, the situation has gotten worse and worse.' AMR has risen up the political agenda at European and global level. What material impact, if any, has this had? 'Last year was the most significant ever in terms of attention from senior global leadership and this will be carried forward into the G20 meeting in Hamburg on 7 to 8 July where the German government has put it on the agenda. Last September, the UN General Assembly recognised the One Health approach to addressing AMR (where medical doctors, veterinarians and policymakers collaborate). Countries have until September 2017 to produce their national action plans on AMR and I know that some China and India, for example are already significantly increasing their activities. 'The impact is huge and the EU has taken the lead for many years not only by publishing reports and making strong statements, but also by significantly funding research and public health initiatives. For example, in the countries participating in the Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (where EU Member States coordinate their research to avoid duplication), we found that 33 % of the total investment in research on solving AMR came from the EU. The data also suggests significant underfunding of research on antibiotic resistance by the (EU) Member States.' Do you think the European Commission's new AMR action plan frames the problem in the right way? What is your response to the concrete proposals it contains? 'Yes, it has a number of new proposals and strengths, including a lot more attention on One Health, which is exactly what we need. The plan makes several recommendations on how the public and private sector could collaborate more closely, such as by building networks for clinical trials on new antibiotics and diagnostics. It also commits to a stronger EU presence at global level, which I welcome. Indeed, it is crystal clear that for tackling antibiotic resistance, as well as so many of our current problems, the solution can only ever be at a European, or even a global level, despite the current populist view that we are better off attempting to address problems at national level.' Is there anything missing that you think deserved more attention? 'I was disappointed with the last chapter on measuring success. Millions of Europeans are wondering what the EU is doing for them, and believe that the EU spends its money on fanciful projects that don't benefit ordinary citizens. Therefore, strategies to measure the impact of the action plan and communicate this more effectively with European citizens should have been addressed. The gains made in reducing their risks from antibiotic resistance through the action plan could be a nice example of how great the EU project is and what it means to each individual personally.' Finally, how optimistic are you that we will win the battle against AMR? 'I'm optimistic about what's happening in Europe and about the AMR action plan, but (we) need to work out how to get academia, government and industry together. If we can figure that out, I think we can control AMR.' (HealthDay)As you age, the friends you keep wield an ever-greater impact on your health and sense of happiness, new research reveals. They may even outstrip family in terms of the sway they have over you, according to the pair of new studies. Lead investigator William Chopik cited several reasons why friendships might pack a bigger punch than blood relationships when it comes to influencing health and well-being. "We spend leisure time with friends. We freely choose to continue relationships with friends," said Chopik, an assistant professor of psychology at Michigan State University. If the friendships last until older adulthood, "clearly these are good friendships," he added. "As we age, we prune away at some of the friendships that are more superficial and acquaintance-like," he said. That means that as older adults, "we're left with the ones that are deeper and make us happy," Chopik explained. In contrast, he said, family interactions can be very serious or monotonous, and those relationships are harder to leave. The study findings stem from two surveys that, in total, asked almost 280,000 people about their relationships, their happiness and their health. First, Chopik reviewed responses regarding thoughts on friendship, family, health, happiness and satisfaction that were collected by the World Values Survey. More than 271,000 males and females across almost 100 countries participated, ranging in age from 15 to 99. Chopik found that people who placed more importance on friendship and family tended to say they were happier, more satisfied and healthier than those who didn't. But older participants indicated that only their friendships loomed large as reliably strong predictors of how happy and healthy they felt. This rising impact of friendship occurs gradually, Chopik said. "I would say the changes begin around age 30 (or) 40, and then peak for ages 50 to 60, and remain large throughout the rest of life," he said. A second smaller survey involved roughly 7,500 American seniors, average age 68, enrolled in the Health And Retirement Study. The participants were asked about the support and/or strain they experienced with their friends and family members, including spouses, children and other immediate family. All were also asked to indicate how "satisfied" they felt, as an indicator of overall well-being. The onset of eight chronic health issues was also noted. Those included high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, mental health concerns, arthritis/rheumatism and stroke. Chopik found that friendships had a clear impactboth positive and negativeon a senior's health and satisfaction levels. Among family members, only a spouse or child exerted a similar influence. However, only friendshipsspecifically, strained friendshipsappeared to be associated with an increased risk for chronic illness, the study found. While the findings aren't conclusive, they suggest that good friendships are a worthwhile investment, the researchers said. Jamila Bookwala, a professor of psychology at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., expressed little surprise with the findings. "Increasingly, researchers have found that friendships are key to health and well-being in general and especially as we age," she said. "My research has shown, for example, that having a friend as a confidant is key to better well-being at a time of the death of a spouse," Bookwala said. "Family members as confidants did not have the same protective effect." Why? Friendship is a choice, Bookwala agreed, while family is not. And that choice conveys a sense of "personal control," which is important for health, she said. In addition, friends tend to be of a similar age. "Thus, friends are more likely to share experiences and similar life challenges," said Bookwala. "This can mean receiving more acceptance and understanding from friends, and also advice that is more relatable, meaningful, and effective," she said. This is especially true for older adults whose relatives are likely younger, she added. The findings were published in the June issue of Personal Relationships. More information: William Chopik, Ph.D., assistant professor, psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.; Jamila Bookwala, Ph.D., professor, psychology, dean of curriculum and research, Lafayette College, Easton, Pa.; June 2017 Personal Relationships William Chopik, Ph.D., assistant professor, psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.; Jamila Bookwala, Ph.D., professor, psychology, dean of curriculum and research, Lafayette College, Easton, Pa.; June 2017 There's more on relationships and health at the American Society on Aging. Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A quarter of countries in sub-Saharan Africa receive very little funding for research into malaria despite having high malaria-related death rates. In a new study, led by the University of Southampton and published in The Lancet Global Health, countries have been ranked according to how much research and non-research funding they receive from major public and philanthropic global health funders to combat the disease. The study examined the portfolios of several of the major global health research funders and compared funding levels to national malaria-related burden of disease. They could not find any investment for malaria research in countries such as Sierra Leone, Mauritania, Chad, Congo and Central African Republic. Chad, Congo and Central African Republic are among the countries with the highest malaria death rates in the world at 71.9, 64.84 and 128.34 per 100,000 of the population respectively. All countries received non-research funding, otherwise known as funding for malaria control, which includes investment for bednets, public health schemes and anti-malarial drugs. Dr Michael Head, who led the study from the University of Southampton, said: "We have been able to provide a comprehensive overview of the landscape of funding for malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, a massive area where around 90 per cent of worldwide malaria cases occur. We've shown that there are countries that are being neglected and the global health community should reconsider strategies around resource allocation to reduce inequities and improve equality." The review analysed funding data from 1997 to 2013 from 13 major public and philanthropic global health funders. It is the first study to systematically describe the geography of public and philanthropic research funding for malaria. Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi ranked highest when research investment and funding for malaria control were combined. Tanzania ($107.8m), Kenya ($92.9m), Uganda ($97.9m), Malawi ($71.7m) and Ghana ($62.7m) received the most research funding while Nigeria ($786.2m), Tanzania ($750m), Kenya ($621.9m), Ethiopia ($578m) and Malawi ($424.6m) all received the most non-research funding. Two funders, the US National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided almost 60 per cent of the research funding. The research team suggests the reason for the disparity in funding allocation could be in part due to the presence of established high-quality research infrastructure in countries such as Tanzania and Kenya, and political instability and poor healthcare infrastructures in lower-ranked nations such as Chad, Central African Republic or Sierra Leone. "However, new investment in malaria research and development in these areas can encourage the development of improved health systems," Dr Head said. "Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa simply do not have an established research infrastructure and it is difficult for research funders to make investments in these settings. Ultimately, however, there are neglected populations in these countries who suffer greatly from malaria and other diseases. Investments in health improve the wealth of a nation and we need to be smarter with allocating limited resources to best help to reduce clear health inequalities." Co-author Professor Andy Tatem, of the University of Southampton, said: "Our understanding of the geography of malaria transmission and populations at risk has improved substantially in recent years through research conducted in Southampton. Great variations and inequalities in malaria risks exist across Africa, and this study adds a new dimension in highlighting surprising and significant inequalities in malaria research funding too." The study was funded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). RSTMH chief executive Tamar Ghosh said: "RSTMH is delighted to have been able to fund this important and interesting study through our small grants programme. We look forward to hearing more from Dr Head on this." More information: Global funding trends for malaria research in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic analysis, is available upon request. The Lancet Global Health, DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30245-0 Global funding trends for malaria research in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic analysis, is available upon request. Credit: Drexel University Even if hospital workers practice perfect hand hygiene, MRSA can still spread among babies in the NICU, according to new research led by a Drexel University researcher. Neal D. Goldstein, PhD, assistant research professor in the Dornsife School of Public Health, and his team of researchers decided to look at how the complex patient care environment of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may lead to MRSA transmission. Focusing on hand hygienea top indicator of whether infections might spread in hospitalsthe researchers examined transmission from baby to baby, with the hospital workers that come into contact with newborns standing as the link. And as it turns out, even theoretically perfect compliance with hand hygiene won't completely eliminate the chance for MRSA to spread: the averaged risk reduction was 86 percent. "The biggest implication is that hospitals should not just rely upon hand hygiene alone for protecting patients from becoming colonized and possibility infected with a difficult-to-treat organism," Goldstein said. "Rather, infection control is a multi-pronged strategy. It can incorporate early detection and measures to mitigate spread that include possible decolonization or using an antibiotic to treat a patient even before infection." The study, which was published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, used Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a difficult to treat pathogen that can be deadly for people with weak or underdeveloped immune systems, as its subject. "We wanted to focus on an organism that is frequently encountered in hospital environments," Goldstein said. "In our vulnerable population of babies in the ICU, MRSA is of particular importance because about one third of babies that are colonized will go on to develop an invasive infection." In his simulation study, based out of Christiana Care's NICU (in Newark, Delaware), Goldstein discovered that even if health workers had absolutely perfect hand hygiene, just under one in every 100 contacts between a baby and a hospital worker could still result in a MRSA transmission. During the average nine day stay, an infant is likely to have about 250 contacts with NICU workers that carry risk for MRSA transmission. While each contact is an opportunity for hygiene compliance, it is also potential for hygienic practices to break down. "This sheds light on just how complex the patient care environment of a NICU is," Goldstein said. "There are so many opportunities to potentially pass an organism between healthcare workers and their patients." Although it seemed that MRSA could not be completely wiped out through perfect hand hygiene, the study did show that the better hand hygiene was, the more it cut down on the spread of MRSA. The effect never quite leveled off, but continued to get better as hygiene levels improved. When the team divided levels of hand hygiene into quartiles, the lowest level of cleanliness was associated with an averaged 29 percent decrease in MRSA prevalence when compared to no hand washing. And when the team looked at the two quartiles considered within the average range for hand hygiene of hospital workers, they found it correlated with a decrease in MRSA ranging between 51 and 67 percent. However, having multiple lines of defense remains important. "I think the reality is that infection control is not, nor can ever be, perfect," Goldstein said. "You may follow all guidelines and suggested procedures, have 100 percent adherence to these interventions, and patients can still become colonized and possibly infected." So beyond hospitals practicing good hand hygiene and antimicrobial management, Goldstein suggests that efforts by people beyond hospital workers, including parents, visitors and the patients themselves (the non-infant patients, of course) can make a difference. "We can follow hygiene procedures, use gowns or gloves as needed, keep a clean environment, not bring in possible fomites such as cell phones, watches, or jewelry, and be a watchdog for the hospital, requesting that healthcare workers do hand hygiene if we don't see it being done," Goldstein said. "Outside the hospital, patients and parents can be more vigilant in requesting and using antibiotics appropriately so as not to give rise to antimicrobial resistant organisms. We're all participants in infection control, not just the clinicians." More information: Neal D. Goldstein et al, A Network Model of Hand Hygiene: How Good Is Good Enough to Stop the Spread of MRSA?, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (2017). Neal D. Goldstein et al, A Network Model of Hand Hygiene: How Good Is Good Enough to Stop the Spread of MRSA?,(2017). DOI: 10.1017/ice.2017.116 An infection with the Leishmania parasite dramatically altered the skin microbiome in mice, according to a new study. Credit: University of Pennsylvania Even in healthy individuals, the skin plays host to a menagerie of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Growing scientific evidence suggests that this lively community, collectively known as the skin microbiome, serves an important role in healing, allergies, inflammatory responses and protection from infection. In a new study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have shown for the first time that, not only can infection with the Leishmania parasite alter the skin microbiome of affected mice, but this altered microbial community can be passed to uninfected mice that share a cage with the infected animals. Mice with the perturbed microbiome, or dysbiosis, had heightened inflammatory responses and more severe disease when they were subsequently infected with Leishmania. The findings are published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe. "To my knowledge, this is the first case where anyone has shown that a pre-existing skin microbiome can influence the outcome of an infection or a disease," said Elizabeth Grice, co-senior author and assistant professor in the departments of Dermatology and Microbiology in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. "This opens the door to many other avenues of research." In addition, when the researchers examined samples from human Leishmania patients, they found similar patterns of dysbiosis as in the infected mice, a hint that the findings may extend to people. "The transmission of dysbiosis in the skin from one animal to another is a key finding," said Phillip Scott, professor of immunology in the Department of Pathobiology in Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine and co-senior author on the study. "And the fact that we saw similar patterns of dysbiosis in humans suggests there could be some very practical implications of our work when it comes to treating people with leishmaniasis." Grice and Scott collaborated with researchers from Penn Medicine and Penn Vet, including lead author Ciara Gimblet, a Ph.D. student in Scott's lab, and colleagues from Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by a parasite and transmitted by the bite of a sand fly. The disease results in sores on the skin, which can sometimes become severe and disfiguring. There is no vaccine for the disease and the limited drugs available often fail to provide a complete cure. Curious about the influence of the skin microbiome on the disease, the Penn-led team swabbed the skin of 44 Leishmania patients, analyzing the microbiota not only of their lesions but also the area around them and a portion of skin on the opposite side of the bodies as the lesion. They noticed that the lesion samples contained less bacterial diversity than the samples of other skin sites. But not all of them were the same; they found three distinct community types: one dominated by Staphylococcus, one by Streptococcus and one that was mixed. To get a clearer picture of how these microbiome shifts were connected to the disease, the researchers turned to a mouse model of Leishmania infection. Mirroring the findings in humans, the team found that infection with the Leishmania parasite induced a change in the skin microbiota in mice. They also found an association between the microbiota community type and disease severity. In mice that eventually resolved their infections, Staphylococcus dominated in the lesions, while Streptococcus was the dominant species in lesions on mice with a persistent, severe form of the disease. A major discovery was that these shifts in microbiota were transmissible not only to other parts of the same mouse but to cage mates. When they kept mice infected with Leishmania in the same cage as uninfected mice for six weeks, the uninfected mice acquired a perturbed skin microbiome "profile" that resembled the infected mice. The researchers hope to see whether the sharing of perturbed microbiota happens not just in mouse cages but also in households. "I think an important next step will be to see if this sharing of microbiota occurs in people, and whether that could be a factor in affecting the severity of infections in humans," Grice said. A final question was to determine whether this naturally transmitted dysbiosis would predispose the uninfected animals' response to an enhanced inflammatory response. And indeed, when infected with Leishmania, these mice had more severe inflammation and skin ulcers than mice with unperturbed skin microbiota. In a more general assay, the researchers used a contact hypersensitivity assay, which uses a skin irritant to elicit an immune response, on the mice that had been housed with Leishmania-infected mice. These dysbiotic mice, too, had a heightened inflammatory response. To follow up on their findings, the researchers hope to examine whether sharing of a dysbiosis occurs in other infections and whether the resulting alteration in skin microbiota affect processes such as wound healing. In addition, the Penn researchers will be working with their colleagues in Brazil to further examine the connections between the microbiome and leishmaniasis. Specifically, they hope to determine whether there is a connection between the type of skin microbiome present in Leishmania lesions and the severity of disease, or the responsiveness to treatment. If true, "this may make us rethink the role of antibiotics in treating leishmaniasis," Scott said. Though previous studies are mixed about the effectiveness of antibiotics in alleviating the disease, additional information about the microbes that exacerbate inflammation could lead to more tailored therapies to tame skin lesions. More information: Ciara Gimblet et al, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Induces a Transmissible Dysbiotic Skin Microbiota that Promotes Skin Inflammation, Cell Host & Microbe (2017). Journal information: Cell Host & Microbe Ciara Gimblet et al, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Induces a Transmissible Dysbiotic Skin Microbiota that Promotes Skin Inflammation,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2017.06.006 We need to change the way we monitor the pregnancies of women born in South Asia to reduce their chance of a stillbirth. Credit: www.shutterstock.com Australian women born in South Asia are more likely to have a stillbirth than other women, perhaps due to a rapidly ageing placenta that cannot support the pregnancy, new research suggests. Our study looked at 700,000 births in Victoria over more than a decade. We found women born in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh had a 1.5 increased chance of a stillbirth at the end of their pregnancy (known as a "term stillbirth") compared with women born in Australia or New Zealand. That's equivalent to 2.6 term stillbirths per 1,000 births for South Asian-born women compared with 1.5 per 1,000 births to women born in Australia and New Zealand. This is an increased risk equivalent to smoking, advanced maternal age or obesity. The risk of a term stillbirth increased earlier in pregnancy and rose more rapidly in women born in South Asia. Alarmingly, for South Asian-born women, the rate of stillbirths at 39 weeks' gestation was almost equivalent to the rate in Australian- and New Zealand-born women at 41 weeks (when the chance of stillbirth would be higher than earlier in the pregnancy). While other research has found the mother's ethnicity places a role in the risk of a stillbirth, this has largely been put down to factors related to migration and social disadvantage. What our research shows is women born in South Asia and giving birth in Australia are at increased risk even when other factors are taken into account. This means we need to rethink how we monitor and manage the pregnancies of women born in South Asia, including redefining when some babies reach "term". Why this matters About seven per 1,000 babies born each year in Australia are stillborn when the fetus dies at or after 20 weeks' gestation a figure that has remained unchanged over the past two decades. Advanced maternal age, maternal infections, non-communicable diseases (like pre-existing diabetes and high blood pressure), obesity and a prolonged pregnancy are known risk factors for stillbirth globally. Not only can a woman's country of birth now be added to the list, our research suggests how we look after pregnant women of South Asian origin needs to change. In another recent study, we found that at 41 weeks' pregnancy, South Asian-born women experienced rates of fetal distress at almost four times the rate of Australian- and New Zealand-born mothers. Current national and international guidelines recommend additional fetal monitoring and/or induction of labour for pregnancies that progress beyond 41 weeks due to the increased risks of stillbirth. But for South Asian-born women this may be too late. Why might this be happening? There is growing evidence to suggest a mother's ethnicity influences how fast her placenta ages as her pregnancy progresses. For some women, they can go into spontaneous labour sooner. In our study, we found South Asian-born women went into labour a median one week earlier than Australian- or New Zealand-born women. However, for others, an ageing placenta cannot meet the fetus' increasing metabolic needs at term and beyond. And this increases the risk of stillbirth. We still don't know which individual woman will go down which path. Can we spot ageing placentas? Biological markers caps on the ends of chromosomes or "telomeres" can help us assess ageing. Each time a cell replicates, the caps on the chromosomes get shorter. So shorter telomeres are a sign of more rapid cellular ageing. And the length of telomeres in placentas from pregnancies ending in stillbirth are two times shorter than those from live births. In other words, the placental cells had aged faster. Some researchers have also studied ethnic differences in placental telomere length. In an American study, placental telomeres from pregnancies in black women were significantly shorter than from pregnancies in white women (the ethnic backgrounds of the women were not further defined in the study). Whether telomeres are shorter in placentas from pregnancies in South Asian-born women is unknown. Does this matter? We don't know the cause for up to one-quarter of all stillbirths in Australia. So, better understanding the role of placental ageing may help. Our research is also relevant as migration from South Asian countries to Australia is growing. Almost one-third of people migrating to Australia are from South Asian countries. So, the number of women giving birth in Australia from these countries is also increasing. Now, Indian mothers make up almost 4% (roughly 12,000) of all women giving birth in Australia a year. It's time this was reflected in how we manage the pregnancies of women born in South Asia, particularly at the end of their pregnancies. We may have to more closely monitor their pregnancies and, if needed, recommend their labour be induced sooner than other women to reduce their chance of a stillbirth. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Almost everything people do walking, talking, or drinking coffee is completely dependent on accurate timing when activating many muscles at once. The prevailing theory has been that the exact timing of this type of movement is not voluntarily controlled, and the timing has therefore been assumed to be fully automated when learning movements. However, researchers at Lund University in Sweden now argue that this may be wrong. A new study shows that people are fully capable of controlling their blinking with a time precision that was previously believed not to be possible. It has long been known that both animals and humans, through a type of learning known as eyeblink conditioning, can learn to blink in response to a tone with a precision of some tens of milliseconds. Previous studies have shown that eyeblink conditioning is dependent on the cerebellum and, so far, it has been assumed that the precise timing is completely automatic. When researchers Anders Rasmussen and Dan-Anders Jirenhed performed laboratory studies as part of their teaching at the medical programme at Lund University, they discovered that the theory was incorrect in practice. Rasmussen and Jirenhed tested 21 medical students at Lund University and could see that the students were able to control the exact timing of their blinking with unexpected accuracy. The researchers' results, now published in Scientific Reports, question whether previous studies on human eyeblink conditioning have, in fact, studied purely automated learning or if the test subjects also voluntarily controlled their their blinking. "Our results are an important step in understanding how the human brain can control the timing of our movements and to what extent we can influence them at will," says Anders Rasmussen. The fact that the movements can be controlled at will also shows that the cerebral cortex, perhaps through cooperation with the cerebellum, can play an important role in terms of timing. "This type of study can help us understand how different parts of the brain work together to generate precisely timed movements. This, in turn, can lead to a better understanding of diagnoses which are believed to be related to the brain's timing mechanisms, such as ADHD. Studies like this can also lead to insights on how to train to become even better at timing our movements," says Dan-Anders Jirenhed. More information: Anders Rasmussen et al. Learning and Timing of Voluntary Blink Responses Match Eyeblink Conditioning, Scientific Reports (2017). Journal information: Scientific Reports Anders Rasmussen et al. Learning and Timing of Voluntary Blink Responses Match Eyeblink Conditioning,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03343-2 Apples iPhone turns 10 today, marking a decade of advancements in the smartphone industry. But while the iPhone 6, 6s, and 7 offer many improvements over older models, the iPhone 5 remains extremely popular in South Africa. Gumtree SAs Head of Core Claire Cobbledick said the iPhone 5 released in 2012 is one of the most commonly searched for and purchased items on Gumtree Its not surprising that it was one of the most popular phones ever released by Apple, said Cobbledick. She said eBay.co.uk, the British branch of Gumtrees parent company, sees 22 searches for the iPhone 5C every minute. The average iPhone 5 sells for R3,300 on Gumtree and there are more than 4,000 available at any given time. Used iPhone 6s models are currently selling at an average of R8,200, said Gumtree. This is an iconic brand and iconic piece of technology, and demand will remain high for some years, said Cobbledick. 19 countries that use the euro currency will slide into recession over the winter Pashinyan: If the Karabakh issue is solved, why is Azerbaijani Armed Forces shooting at Karabakh residents? Pashinyan: Azerbaijan must withdraw its troops from Armenia Pashinyan: My yesterday's speech served its purpose, Azerbaijani MFA no longer uses 'corridor' term Microsoft founder Paul Allen's collection of world masterpieces sold for $1.6 billion Public TV of Armenia hosts Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan China shows drone killer Armenian FM meets his French counterpart Rishi Sunak decides to close hole in British budget through austerity Delegation of Russian MPs visits Jermuk resort town Lavrov and Mirzoyan discuss regional agenda Harut Sasunyan: The best way to achieve peace is to be prepared for war Turkish prosecutor demands court to ban Istanbul mayor from political activities German business leaders warn against leaving China Sasunyan: Russia and US pursue their own interests in South Caucasus British economy shrinks in three months, foretelling prolonged recession Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan summoned to Foreign Ministry Euro rises above dollar for first time in long time Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister calls Council of Turkic States 'forum of peace' and praises Turkey EU embargo on Russian oil will be a boon for OPEC Armenia defense minister receives China ambassador, military attache Lemkin Institute condemns Azerbaijan president's genocidal rhetoric Dollar goes up, euro rises sharply in Armenia U.S. warns Europe that conflict over Taiwan will cause massive global economic shock EU calls on Armenia, Azerbaijan to moderate their rhetoric Erdogan says Turkey has been waiting at door of EU for 52 years and will give answer when time comes U.S. fears that European support for Ukrainian strategy will begin to weaken Armenia, Iran emphasize need to quickly implement agreements reached (PHOTOS) Armenia soldier wounded by Azerbaijan shooting undergoes surgery Gas over morality: Hungary guards Azerbaijan's interests U.S. quietly seeks concessions from Saudi Arabia after Mohammed bin Salman humiliated Biden Italy's Ambassador to Armenia visits Gyumri Russian Armed Forces complete redeployment of grouping from right bank of Dnieper IRGC: Adversaries are frightened and on alert Armenia appoints ambassador to Sri Lanka Kremlin doesn't consider leaving Kherson 'humiliating' Israeli president thinks the world is concerned about Netanyahu's far-right coalition partner Chinese MFA: China is not distancing itself from Russia, as Biden believes Ukraine will seek help from its foreign partners in financing Starlink satellite internet systems Erdogan: Situation in South Caucasus remains fragile Marukyan: Azerbaijans Aliyev admitted that his country started 2nd Karabakh war, despite previously insisting opposite Azerbaijan blackmailing Armenia through Lachin corridor Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus becomes observer in Organization of Turkic States Armenia PM: In his latest speech Aliyev flagrantly violated agreement on refraining from threat or use of force World Bank official: Armenia is one of best countries in terms of credit portfolio performance Azerbaijan president makes repeated accusations, threats against Armenia Iran citizens injured in Armenia road accident China reveals new giant drone that could point to the future of air warfare US embassy in Armenia closed today Karabakh MOD: Defense Army did not fire at Azerbaijan positions located in occupied territories Israel and U.S. counter threat of hypersonic missiles together U.S. and EU plan to publish new roadmap on artificial intelligence Armenia ombudsperson meets with Belgium colleagues Newspaper: Armenia parliament opposition seats to no longer be empty Newspaper: Armenia parliament committee of inquiry into 2020 war circumstances is inactive U.S. will no longer consider Russia a country with a market economy US intends to protect Azerbaijan from threats of Iran Aliyev, Erdogan discuss results of tripartite meeting in Russias Sochi Azerbaijan army fires at Armenia positions, uses mortars as well UAE is going to launch flying cabs from airports Volvo Cars expects to introduce electric SUV by 2024 Amazon becomes world's first public company to lose $1 trillion in market value EU's odd couple: Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel can't stand each other US, China set first benchmarks ahead of presidents' meeting Iranian MFA summons Azerbaijani ambassador to carpet in connection with anti-Iranian propaganda Washington to resist any attempt by new Israeli government to annex West Bank Biden thinks Elon Musk's relations with other countries are worthy of being looked at Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister tells Polish senator about consequences of Azerbaijani aggression Armenian deputy in Vilnius talks about goals of Azerbaijan's aggressive policy Taliban bans women from gyms U.S. to send Ukraine another $400 million in military aid Ursula von der Leyen announces EUR 250 million support package for Moldova Biden and Jinping meet on sidelines of G20 summit in Bali to be held on November 14 Riches of world get poorer suddenly State Duma deputy: Interparliamentary format Yerevan-Baku-Moscow will be included soon to solve issues IMF sees growing risk of economic fragmentation Armen Gevorgyan to visit Strasbourg, Brussels and Paris State Duma deputy: Upper Lars border crossing capacity has increased fivefold UK government freezes over 18 billion pounds worth of Russian assets State Duma deputy on Zatulin's ban on entering Armenia: These issues must be resolved Borrell calls for retooling EU infrastructure for rapid transport of military equipment to East European Parliament clears way for Croatia's admission to Schengen Area European Council President Michel calls on EU member states to jointly purchase gas to reduce fuel prices Alen Simonyan congratulates scientists on their professional holiday Armenian President meets with leaders of several countries in Egypt Greece accuses Turkey of profiting from the suffering of other countries under sanctions USAID official says she personally saw how democracy, economic development are progressing in Armenia (VIDEO) Spain court sentences civilian to prison for spreading fakes Armenian Embassy in Russia issues statement on Azerbaijan's actions Indian company to supply 155mm self-propelled artillery guns worth $155mln to Armenia Japanese minister caught in scandal for talking about death penalty France changes its ambassador to Azerbaijan UN General Assembly draft resolution requires Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine Belarusian State Border Committee: Poland creates tense situation on border Joint meeting of Armenian National Assembly and Russian State Duma Committee takes place Iranian President says attempt to destabilize country fails Deputy: Russian side is informed about importance of withdrawal of Azerbaijani units from the territory of Armenia State Duma deputy: We can't imagine Russia without Armenia Georgian PM and Armenian Ambassador discuss cooperation issues Bali is short of armored limousines for G20 summit participants Azerbaijan is more distant than ever from a policy of respect and promotion of human life and dignity, which is alarming and we have all bases to be afraid for the fate of the Armenian national. The Civil Society Institute has issued a statement in this regard, and it reads as follows: On June 20, 2017, a 43-year-old Armenian national Zaven Karapetyan entered the territory of Azerbaijan in unclear circumstances. On June 21 the Azerbaijani media blamed Armenian Armed Forces on attempted sabotage and reported the capture of a saboteur. Later, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan released a video with saboteur, who identified himself as Zaven Karapetyan, resident of the Armenian village of Dovegh (Tavush province), born in 1974. Following that the spokesman of the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan denied any act of sabotage and loss of an Armenian soldier. The head of Tavoush community Samvel Gorginyan told that there is no missing residents of Tavoush matching the man in the video and registered under the name Zaven Karapetyan . Meanwhile, the mayor of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan confirmed that Karapetyan is registered in Vanadzor . Civil Society Institute reminds that in 2014 another Armenian national, 31-year-old resident of Armenian Chinari village Karen Petrosyan, was found in the territory of Azerbaijan. He also was presented as a saboteur. Karen Petrosyan was captured on August 7, 2014 and next day, on August 8, he was reported dead in custody. His body was returned with the signs of torture. Earlier in the same year, a 77-year-old Armenian national Mamikon Khojoyan crossed the border into Azerbaijan. He was held by Azerbaijani authorities for over a month, and subjected to torture and ill-treatment, too. He died on May 20, two months after he was handed back to Armenian authorities. In view of the above, the Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights Artak Kirakosyan stated that in recent years the tendency of dehumanization of the Azerbaijani leadership and society as a whole has noticeably increased. Azerbaijan is more distant than ever from a policy of respect and promotion of human life and dignity, which is alarming and we have all bases to be afraid for the fate of the Armenian national, A. Kirakosyan has mentioned. In the light of such concerns, Civil Society Institute calls upon - all relevant international institutions, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN and Council of Europe, to take immediate action for the return of Zaven Karapetyan and guarantee his safety. - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia to raise the case of an Armenian national in all relevant international institutions and demand to take immediate action to protect the life and physical safety of Zaven Karapetyan and his transfer to Armenia. - the authorities of Armenia to take necessary measures to ensure the security of the civilians by properly managing the border regime to prevent civilians from crossing into the territory of Azerbaijan. - the authorities of Azerbaijan to comply with their obligations under international human rights instruments and 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols and to adopt such measures as may be necessary to protect the life and physical safety of Zaven Karapetyan until his return to Armenia. YEREVAN. - Be serious about revolutions, they are very dangerous, head of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) faction, Vahram Baghdasaryan, told Armenian News NEWS.am, referring to the statement made by Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian. Earlier, at the party congress on Sunday, Hovannisian stated that if Serzh Sargsyan continues to rule the country after 2018, they will make a velvet revolution. The Heritage leader also noted that in the future they will create an extra-parliamentary front, uniting the political forces. ''Please be serious about revolution: It is a very dangerous thing, there being no ground for this in our country,'' Baghdasaryan said. Asked whether he rules out that at some point former FM Vartan Oskanian, former defense minister Seyran Ohanyan and Raffi Hovannisian will make steps in this direction, he noted: ''That is their will. I don't know whether these three political figures will remain in the political field or not, since I doubt that they can continue the path together. I have repeatedly mentioned that the blocs created without ideological basis have short life.'' The MP claimed that the people, who are in power but are dissatisfied with it, won't join the extra-parliamentary opposition front, since they manage to solve the issues within the authorities. ''When having such concerns, we are able to smooth them inside. After all, the public responded to that dissatisfaction during the election,'' he said. Vahram Baghdasaryan also stressed that they treat the extra-judicial forces seriously. ''We take all the political forcesextra-parliamentary and parliamentaryseriously, but treat their statements and opinions with reservations, since ungrounded statements can result in the lowering of reputation. They do not form the force, which will be able to create a consolidation,'' the MP added. To our observation that the authorities also had reservations about the statements of Sasna Tsrer armed group, who were preparing for an armed riot, which did take place in the future, the RPA representative responded: ''They were directed people and are serving their respective punishment. We reiterate that we are not guaranteed...but some zealot may wish to take such actions.'' A brand ''Samast'' named after Ogun Samast, who shot dead Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, has been created in Turkey. Member of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said the aforementioned at the discussion of the report on freeing the press from political influence and ensuring the security of journalists and media. In her speech, Naira Zohrabyan noted, in particular: ''An article on ''offending the president'' has been introduced in the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, which is also in force in Turkey. It was also informed that the family of Ogun Samast has requested the trademark registration agency of Turkey and received a permission to register the brand ''Samast.'' This serious issue presented by our colleague Stefan Schennach cannot be a topic of merely one or two reports or one or two discussions. Freeing media from political influence, as well as the issue of all kinds of pressure on media is number one challenge in some of the Council of Europe countries. Yes, Mr Schennach, you are quite right when recording that the EU member states should not only guarantee the security and media freedom of journalists but should also struggle against all the obstacles, which can emerge when providing free and unbiased information to the public.'' She asked Mr Schennach to refer in his concluding speech to the aforementioned amendment to the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, which makes the Azerbaijani media work under the Damocles' sword of daily censorship. ''The same notorious article is also effective in Turkey, where an open witch hunt for media outlets and journalists has been launched. Currently, investigation has been launched against the administration of CNN Turk simply for citing certain expressions regarding Erdogan. At a special discussion regarding the freedom of press in the Council of Europe recently, ECHR Vice President also noted that the worst situation of freedom of speech is in Turkey and Azerbaijan, recording that the CoE cannot watch calmly the actions of the Turkish and Azerbaijani authorities. But, frankly speaking, I have so far seen the CoE watch calmly Turkey and Azerbaijan prosecute, intimidate, threaten and kill journalists when fulfilling their professional duties. In fact, according to Reporters without Borders, Azerbaijan ranks 162nd among 180 countries in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index and as a non-free country. Moreover, considering the deepening intimidation and obstacles against media and journalists, Reporters without Borders demands creating the office of Special Representative of reporter security, who will operate adjunct to the UN Secretary General. I would also like to inform the parliament that Turkey, where the freedom of press is in a mournful state, seems to have decided to heroize killers of journalists: according to Radical daily, the relatives of Ogun Samast, who shot dead Armenian editor Hrant Dinl, applied to the Turkish trademark registration agency and received a permission to register the brand 'Samast.' Thus, I propose setting up a special working group in our committee of Assembly dealing with press issues in order to study the alarming situation and violence against journalists in Azerbaijan and Turkey. I would like to conclude my speech with the words of Mehman Aliyev, Director of Azerbaijan's Turan Information Agency: ''The key journalism principle of serving the truth has been deformed in Azerbaijan.'' I think our next step should be to seriously study the concerns raised in Stefan Schennach's report and take very specific countersteps.'' Head of the Armenian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Arpine Hovhannisyan on Thursday delivered a speech on behalf of European People's Party (EPP) at the debate on the political influence on independent media and journalists. In her speech, she noted, in particular: ''We have yet much to do in this sphere. There are also issues which need attention and solution. I especially mean the online media. If in case of press and TV and radio companies the procedures for the publication of the data ensuring the transparency of the real owners of media and media activity are relatively certain [...], I think this situation is different with online media. The report justly refers to the research conducted by Access Info. I would like to stress that the research carried out in 20 countries, including EU countries, show that only four countries have legislative regulations on the transparency of online media. In fact, the research shows that despite the existence of legislative regulations, the proposed procedures are not effective and do not ensure the real transparency of online media. This means that regardless of how progressive our ideas are, we will have no framework to implement them.'' Referring to the methods of revealing the real owners of online media, Hovhannisyan pointed out to special regulations, direct disclosure of information to public, and a law on companies. ''But it should be noted that the selection of one of these methis gets quite complicated in case of online media. ''The experience in both Armenia and other countries shows that in case of online media it is very often impossible to find out who is behind the website. I think we should use this platform to find such balanced mechanisms, which will allow each reader to understand who the source of the given news feed is. Otherwise, media diversity will be out of the question, and the rights, for the insurance whereof the CoE member states and CoE have been exerting efforts for already several decades, can immediately turn into seeming rights,'' Hovhannisyan said. Slurp up these festival stories packed with vitamins, minerals and everything you need to spike your summer fun. The Summer Festivals Guide is brought to you by Punch Bowl Social. Come on in it's time we all win at adulting. Craft beer lovers have a number reasons to be stoked for their next trip to Summerfest. First, there are a host of new brews to enjoy, including a number of new selections from Terrapin including Hoppin' Bubbly Brut IPA, Luau Krunkles Passionfruit Orange Guava IPA, Up-Hi Citra-hopped California style IPA and Watermelon Gose. Lakefront Brewing Co. will also roll out a number of new (to Summerfest) brews, including Citrica Mexican Ale, Hazy Rabbit New England style IPA, Lakefront Lager and New Grist Gose, a gluten-free brew with a hint of lime and sea salt. But that's not all. Every day at 4 p.m., Lakefront staff will be on the Summerfest grounds tapping a firkin of specially brewed beer just for the festival. Take, for instance, the Double Dry Hopped Simcoe IPA firkin that's slated for opening day. Simcoe hops are known for both exhibiting both fruity (from berries to citrus) and earthy notes that veer in the woodsy direction. It's also been known to produce subtle, sometimes spicy onion and garlic notes. When dry-hopped, it can produce bright orange aromatic notes. So this should be an interesting brew for hops lovers. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are 10 more flavors scheduled (and we have a list of every last one). But first, what the firk is a firkin? If youre a beer geek, you can probably skip this section. But for those of you whove always wondered about the mysterious draw of firkin tappings, here's a quick run-down. Interestingly enough, the word "firkin" is not a term thats isolated to beer. In fact, a firkin is actually a small cask that can be used to store a variety of liquids even salt, butter or fish. However, in the case of beer, its a reference to an English unit of volume. More specifically, its a small barrel that is one-fourth the size of a regular barrel of beer. But it gets better. The beer inside that firkin isnt usually just any old brew. The casks are actually proving grounds, which are often used to experiment with various flavors. Sometimes, as is the case with the Lakefront firkins, the casks are used for secondary fermentation, during which flavors are added to a core brew to create an interesting variation. Firkins have been used for hundreds of years to produce cask-conditioned beer (sometimes called "real ale"). It's beer that has not been cold-filtered, pasteurized or carbonated through outside means; rather, the beer is naturally carbonated by the fermentation of yeast inside the cask. The presence of active yeast also allows for the development of complex flavors that cant be present in a pasteurized brew. Of course, as brewing practices changed, forced carbonation via CO2 in kegs became the new norm, making cask-conditioned beer less common. But, thanks to a resurgence of interest in cask conditioning, firkins are popping up across the nation in larger quantity. And, if youre a lover of craft beer, youll appreciate that beer poured from a firkin often exhibits a deeper, richer color than its non-cask-conditioned brethren. It will also offer up rich notes of hops and malt, since the carbonation levels are lower and dont interfere with the flavors of the beer. Taste em Curious about the flavors coming down the pike? We've got the complete list of all the firkins being tapped for the duration of the Fest. June 26 Double dry-hopped Simcoe IPA June 27 Milkshake IPA June 28 Oak-aged French Farmhouse Ale June 29 Dark Lager aged in Irish Whiskey Barrels June 30 British Strong Ale with Cranberries July 2 Cherry and Lime Gose July 3 Kettle Sour Wheat Ale with Plum July 4 Mexican Ale with Pineapple and Raspberry July 5 Pale Ale with Lemongrass July 6 Kettle Sour with Cherries and Sakura Tea July 7 Wheat Ale with Nectarine & Apricot Tapped beer will be available daily at 4 p.m., and the beer will be first come, first served. So get there early and, of course, enjoy. I should disclose that, walking into Summerfest's first night, I went in with a love-not-hate-but-ambivalence relationship with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. While they were easily one of my favorite bands in the 90s, I already felt a little cynical heading into the last time I saw them at Summerfest on July 2, 2000. I remember that night very well. Torrential rains and lightning, people huddled under the Hoan Bridge (Get it? Under the bridge!) before sprinting over to the then Marcus Amphitheater for the show. In other words, exactly like tonight. Maybe tonights weather was worse, actually. In 2000, The Chili Peppers were pretty good, even though the general consensus was that they were jumping the shark which was a very popular phrase then, you damned millennials at that very moment. In fact, the best part of the night was watching the Foo Fighters open for RHCP it felt like a passing of the torch. In retrospect, I know now this band never passed off any such torch, and this was one of the best Summerfest shows Ive ever seen. No offense, Foo, you still have a long way to go. (PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff) (PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff) Somehow, this never-aging band has managed to stay relevant 17 years later since the last time I saw them, even though the hits are fewer and farther between. Understand that I listened to 1989s "Mothers Milk" in my bedroom until, and at a volume at which, the picture frames went crooked (just ask my parents and my little sister what 15-year-old Andy was listening to while playing Tetris). Even though the band has gone through guitar players like Spinal Tap and the Violent Femmes have gone through drummers, the Chili Peppers have been nominated for 16 Grammys and have steadily put out 11 studio albums since 1983. Let that sink in for a moment: 1983. Tonight, though, Flea and Anthony Keidis, in his Raiders shirt and his black spandex pants, flew around the stage like they did almost 35 years ago, even though he looked a lot like Uncle Rico from "Napoleon Dynamite." Buffeted by longtime drummer and Will Ferrell doppelganger Chad Smith, plus former touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, these men looked like the crazy, ripped, tattooed, surprisingly-not-shirtless formerly drunk uncles you always wish you had (or at least I wish I had). And they played most of what we expected they would. And it was pretty great, albeit borderline eerie. Literally under the (Hoan) bridge. A post shared by Andy Tarnoff (@andytarnoff) on Jun 28, 2017 at 8:27pm PDT The night really did feel like a equally apocalyptic version of the Summerfest show 17 years ago; I have no idea if the Big Bang happened in the background (editor's note: it didn't). I just felt mist and smelled Milorginite. It started at 9:15 p.m. and went full-bore with little chatter until 10:45 p.m. The Amphitheater was filled, and us soggy people were all in for the full 90 minutes. The funny thing to me is that a bunch of these songs came out well after I declared the RHCP was jumping that big, freaky, bass-slapping Los Angeles shark. I mean, for a band that struggled so much with booze and drugs, they have just kept going. So I was wrong. It didnt take long for my ambivalence to turn back into blood, sugar, sex and magic. To put it another way: The Chili Peppers sounded amazing on this crazy-ass night. Tonight we heard "Scar Tissue," "Around The World" and a handful of "newer" songs. Fortunately, they also played some of the amazing old songs in their expansive catalog, like "Under the Bridge," "Give It Away," "Suck My Kiss" and some of their older but not too old hits like "Californication," which they slowed down beautifully, and "Around the World" (1999). They kind of mangled "Breaking The Girl," unfortunately. They brought in another guitar player for "Go Robot." No idea who he is, but I liked his old-school Lakers hat. Sadly, they didnt play "Dani California" or "Higher Ground," the first RHCP song I ever heard. Bummer. Tenth grade me wanted to hear "Magic Johnson," and that didnt happen, but Flea was rocking a purple Lakers bass. Californication slowed down and made even more beautiful. #summerfest A post shared by Andy Tarnoff (@andytarnoff) on Jun 28, 2017 at 8:07pm PDT They ended on a high note that I wont soon forget, starting their encore with ... wait for it ... "Add It Up," unbelievably paying homage to Milwaukee's Violent Femmes. With Klinghoffer taking the vocals, I was astounded that they presumably learned a Femmes song just for this one show. "Goodbye Angels" was proof that the Peppers can still somehow write new and good songs. I loved this line: "Bonafide ride step aside my Johnson; Yes I could in the woods of Wisconsin." They closed with the legendary "Give It Away Now," which propelled RHCP into the spotlight for good. (PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff) So, look, say you what you want about this band. Smith is 55 (and his 90-year-old mom was side stage; see the photo at the bottom). Kiedis and Flea are 54, and even with Anthonys creepy mustache, they could still kick your ass. Oddly, no one took their shirts off, and thankfully, nobody got naked on stage, but the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best rock bands of all time they dont need any additional gimmicks. Should they have hung it up a few years ago? Before tonight, I wouldve said yes. Now I say no. With 80 million record sales, the Chili Peppers changed the face of alternative rock. They have earned the right to do whatever they want, and I love that they played a totally different set list than they did even last week. Stormy weather or otherwise, Im just happy I could see them again, and in such a perfectly weird setting. What a great way to kick off the Big Gig. Jack Irons, the founding drummer for RHCP, opened for the Peppers. Introduced by Flea, he was a one-man percussion inferno. The second opener was Deerhoof (which includes Waukesha's Eddie Rodriguez) and they rocked pretty hard. Setlist Intro Jam Around the World Snow (Hey Oh) Scar Tissue Dark Necessities Mommy, Where's Daddy? Me And My Friends Breaking the Girl Go Robot Californication Tell Me Baby Sick Love Suck My Kiss Under the Bridge By The Way Encore: Add It Up Goodbye Angels Give It Away To date, the exact purpose of Paleolithic cave paintings is unknown. Evidence suggests, however, that these ancient works of art are more than mere decorations. Cave paintings may have played a role in Paleolithic man's religious rituals. Alternatively, some suggest that caves with many detailed paintings of animals might have served as spaces for hunting groups to bond and prepare for their hunts. One popular theory proposes that the would-be painters of the Paleolithic era chose the places where they painted based on the acoustics of those locations in the caves. The originators of that theory reported a causal connection between the "points of resonance" in three French caves and the position of Paleolithic cave paintings. It was further hypothesized that music or chants played an integral role in cave rituals 20,000 years ago. David Lubman, an acoustic scientist and fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, became interested in the subject due to his published expertise in sound reverberation. Lubman will share some of the insights from his research during Acoustics '17 Boston, the third joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the European Acoustics Association being held June 25-29, in Boston, Massachusetts. "Many structures throughout history featured reverberant spaces because reverberant sound can be awe-inspiring. With that said, there is currently not enough evidence to suggest that these Paleolithic artists deliberately chose reverberant spaces for their paintings," Lubman said. "The main problem is that paintings on porous stone do not last, so we don't know if such paintings existed and were lost over time or were never painted in the first place," Lubman said. "Conversely, paintings on non-porous stone do persist and coincidentally spaces composed of non-porous stone walls are good spaces for sound reverberation. It's important to note, however, that this does not mean that that these spaces were deliberately chosen for paintings because sound reverberates well in them. Correlation, after all, does not imply causality. As the old saying goes, crowing roosters do not cause the sun to rise." To answer the question, Lubman proposes a more systematic acoustic study of the reverberation in these caves. "It can be challenging to use the human ear alone to identify the difference between reflection, which occurs when sound bounces back off a surface like a non-porous stone wall, and reverberance, which occurs when sound lingers long after an initiating action has been completed. That's why it would be so helpful to have trained technicians with modern acoustical equipment testing these spaces," Lubman said. "If a significant degree of correlation between the location of the reverberant spaces and the presence of paintings were to be found, this alone would be an important discovery and opens up the possibility for new explanations," Lubman said. "It could, for example, be entirely possible that Paleolithic cave artists initially chose spaces with non-porous stone because they were good canvasses for paintingsand then subsequently discovered that they were also great locations to generate reverberant sound." "If the expected correlation is not found, however, this would also be a vital step in helping clarify our understanding of what actually transpired in these caves," Lubman said. "Either way, the benefits of acoustical scientists and archaeologists collaborating on such studies are clear," Lubman said. "Together, we can work towards developing a deeper understanding of our past." More information: Main meeting website: acousticalsociety.org/content/acoustics-17-boston Goodbye, Kroger? Safeway? Albertsons? Costco? Even Walmart and Target? Considering the reaction to Amazon's announcement of its plans to buy high-end grocer Whole Foods, you might think the online shopping giant instantly won the highly competitive supermarket wars. Yes, Amazon has helped change how we all shop. Yes, its technological genius at online shopping and perhaps more importantly, its logistics and shipping - has sent shudders through every executive suite in almost every retailing niche. But I don't expect the likes of giant grocery sellers - and the non-traditional competitors, big and small - to fold easily under Amazon's latest challenge. Especially in a region like Southern California where the home-cooked cuisine and the style of a store selling the food seem to change every few freeway exits. Grocery buying may sound simple. Selling them is another story. It's not easy to explain how in a retailing era dominated by national brands, global logistics and online merchandising, odd grocers like Stater Bros. and Trader Joe's - not to mention mom-and-pop stores - thrive in Southern California. Plus, corporate mergers are a tough way to enter any business arena. Yes, Amazon has already been playing in the grocery space - shipping packaged goods and household staples as well as experimenting with its own delivery services that handle perishables, too. But the planned $13 billion Whole Foods acquisition strongly suggests Amazon isn't satisfied with just taking a minor chunk of the grocery business. Yet, I don't think that Amazon's success in this crowded and competitive field is anywhere guaranteed. Here are five reasons Amazon has plenty of work to do ... 1. MOST MERGERS FLOP Numerous academic studies tell you most corporate mergers never reach their financial potential. Depending on who's counting, the success rate is as low as 1-in-3, or at best, 50 percent - meaning that on average, a buyer like Amazon has a coin-toss' chance of having this deal work to plan. Why do many mergers fail? The inability of the acquirer to properly assimilate the new team into its corporate culture. If you've ever been through a corporate marriage, you know how the new owners want to tell you how smart they are. More importantly, customers see the operational disconnects. To be fair to Amazon, they're initially doing the right thing by keeping Whole Foods management intact. 2. THE HAGGEN DEBACLE Two years ago, Haggen, a small grocer from the Pacific Northwest with 18 stores, bought 146 Albertsons and Vons stores in and around Southern California. It did not go well. Like, really badly. After spending $300 million-plus to get the stores, Haggen went upscale with its new stores with seemingly few plans other than thinking higher prices for the same stuff would somehow sell better. And regardless if many of those neighborhoods could not support such shopping habits. In less than a year, Haggen went from grand openings to bankruptcy court. The chain was shuttered and sold off in pieces. Just a reminder to the Amazon acquisition team. 3. FRESH & EASY'S FLOP Starting from scratch isn't easy either. European grocery giant Tesco thought in 2006 it could enter the U.S. supermarket business with a small-store concept that looked and felt a bit like Trader Joe's. Starting in three Western states, including a heavy bet on Southern California, Tesco learned a painful billion-dollar lesson: Imitation may be flattering, but it's often a recipe for financial failure. Because, much like Haggen's steep learning curve, grocery customers are creatures of habit. Even grocery industry legend Ron Burkle whose investor group Yucaipa Companies bought Fresh & Easy out of bankruptcy in 2013 - couldn't fix this concept. After two years, he gave up and closed the chain in 2015. Basically, change doesn't sit well in the supermarket aisles. 4. GROCERIES AREN'T BOOKS Amazon's roots are as an online book merchant. The company, with relative ease, gained a foothold in that business because books are a commodity product (as were CDs and videos that Amazon peddled, too). So, despite the charms of visiting a bookstore or music shop, when price matters, online selling often wins due to the lower overhead costs. While groceries may be as competitive an industry as there is serving many penny-pinching customers shoppers still want to touch, see and smell the products. You squeeze and sniff the fruit for ripeness, no? This is what Whole Foods gives Amazon. But that doesn't mean any huge, quick revolution in grocery shopping is assured by this deal. 5. WHOLE FOODS ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY Whole Foods helped revolutionize American grocery shopping with its emphasis on pricey, high-quality and organic offerings. That niche isn't for every consumer, limiting the chain's growth potential with its current format. Plus, many competitors have upped their own games and now offer somewhat competitive fresher, healthier product lines, often at lower prices. In fact, Whole Foods has faced some financial challenges in recent times. It closed nine stores and is launching a "365" brand, featuring smaller stores with more affordable offerings. So Amazon looks to be buying into Whole Foods at a time when it is struggling. And Amazon's deep financial muscle should help right Whole Foods' direction. To me, the merger sounds more like an experiment in brick-and-mortar retailing for Amazon. Maybe Whole Foods stores can serve as a delivery center or pick-up point for various Amazon goods. Or perhaps Amazon will use Whole Foods' liquor-selling licenses to gain a hold of the highly profitable booze business. But I'm not buying the widespread conclusion that this is a grocery business game changer in an industry that's always in flux. At least, for now. 2017 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In this reconstruction, the two main whales in the center are Coronodon havensteini, the lower two in the background are Echovenator sandersi), and the birds in the sky are Pelagornis sandersi (false toothed birds with a wingspan near 6.5 m). Credit: Alberto Gennari The blue whale is the largest animal that has ever lived. And yet they feed almost exclusively on tiny crustaceans known as krill. The secret is in the baleen, a complex filter-feeding system that allows the enormous whales to strain huge volumes of saltwater, leaving only krill and other small organisms behind. Now, researchers who have described an extinct relative of baleen whales in Current Biology on June 29 offer new insight into how baleen first evolved. The findings shed light on a long-standing debate about whether the first baleen whales were toothless suction feeders or toothed whales that used their teeth like a sieve to filter prey out of water, the researchers say. The teeth of the newly discovered species of mysticete, called Coronodon havensteini, lend support to the latter view. "We know from the fossil record that the ancestors of baleen whales had teeth," says Jonathan Geisler of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. "However, the transition from teeth to baleen is controversial. Our study indicates that early toothed whales used spaces between their large complex teeth for filtering and that baleen gradually replaced teeth over millions of years." The new whale species was found in the early 2000s by a scuba diver in South Carolina's Wando River. He was looking for shark teeth and found the fossilized whale instead. The whale, which lived some 30 million years ago, was later recognized as a representative of a new transitional species. Restored Coronodon havensteini skull. Credit: Geisler et al. "The skull of this species indicates that it split off very early in mysticete whale evolution, and our analyses confirm that evolutionary position," Geisler says. Geisler and his colleagues realized that meant the whale could offer important clues about the teeth to baleen transition. The whale under study also had other interesting features. It was larger than other toothed mysticetes, with a skull nearly one meter long. Its large molars in comparison to other whales further suggested an unusual feeding behavior. Closer examination of the shape and wear on the whale's teeth led the researchers to conclude that the whale used its front teeth to snag prey. But the whale's large, back molars were used in filter feeding, by expelling water through open slots between the closed teeth. Coronodon havensteini teeth. Credit: Geisler et al. "The wear on the molars of this specimen indicates they were not used for shearing food or for biting off chunks of prey," he says. "It took us quite some time to come to the realization that these large teeth were framing narrow slots for filter feeding." As confirmation, the researchers found wear on the hidden cusps bordering those slots between the teeth. The findings offer another example of a broader evolutionary pattern in which body parts (in this case teeth) that evolved for one function are later co-opted for another function. The researchers say they are now examining closely related species from the Charleston, SC, area in search of additional evidence. Image received from the American Museum of Natural History shows an artist's impression of Macrauchenia patachonica, the creature Charles Darwin called the 'strangest animal ever discovered' Charles Darwin, Mr. Evolution himself, didn't know what to make of the fossils he saw in Patagonia so he sent them to his friend, the renowned paleontologist Richard Owen. Owen was stumped too. Little wonder. "The bones looked different from anything he knew," said Michael Hofreiter, senior author of a study published Tuesday in Nature Communications that finally situates in the tree of life what Darwin called the "strangest animal ever discovered". "Imagine a camel without a hump, with feet like a slender rhino, and a head shaped like a saiga antelope," Hofreiter, a professor at the University of Potsdam, told AFP. Macrauchenia patachonicaliterally, "long-necked llama"also had a long rubbery snout and with its nostrils high on the skull just above its eyes. For nearly two centuries, biologists and taxonomists argued over the pedigree of this bizarre beast, which weighed 400 to 500 kilos (850 to 1100 pounds), lived in open landscapes, and snacked on grass and leaves. But its mixed bag of body features, and a paucity of DNA evidence, made it nearly impossible to determine whether M. patachonica was truly related the llama after which it was named. As it turns out, not really. Evolutionary dead end A new kind of genetic analysis revealed that Macrauchenia was more akin to an ancient placental order known as Perissodactyla that includes horses, rhinos and tapirs. Factfile on Macrauchenia patachonica - literally the "long-necked llama" - which a new study finally places in the evolutionary tree after centuries of debate "We had a difficult problem to solve here," said lead author of the new study Michael Westbury, also at the University of Potsdam. "When ancient DNA is so degraded and full of unwanted environmental DNA, we rely on being able to use the genomes of close relatives as a kind of scaffold to reconstruct fossil sequences," he said in a statement. But Macraucheniaitself an evolutionary dead enddidn't have any close cousins that we know of. To solve the puzzle, Westbury and a 20-strong team of scientists used mitochondrial DNA extracted from a fossil found in southern Chile to decode the extinct mammal's origins. Inherited from the mother alone, the mitochondrial genome is smaller and has more copies in the celland thus in fossilsthan DNA from the more complex nuclear genome, Hofreiter explained. "Mitochondrial DNA is very useful for evaluating the degree of relatedness among species," he said. The team eventually pieced together almost 80 percent of the total genome, making it possible to situate Macrauchenia in an evolutionary timeline. The creature's lineage, they concluded, split with that of modern perissodactyls some 66 million years ago, about the same time a massive asteroid slammed into Earth and wiped out non-avian dinosaurs. Macrauchenia survived until the late Pleistocene, 20,000 to 11,000 years ago. "Why it disappeared we really don't knowit is still an open question whether it was humans, climate change, or a combination of the two," said Hofreiter. 2017 AFP PSI researcher Patrick Hemberger at the VUV beamline of the Swiss Light Source SLS. Here he and colleagues investigated the details of the breakdown of lignin into other substances. The results could contribute to enabling the future use of lignin as a precursor for production of fuels and chemicals. Credit: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography From the inexhaustible raw material lignin, which as a constituent of many plants accumulates in great quantities, fuels and other important substances could in theory be extracted for industry so far, though, it can't be done efficiently enough. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and ETH Zurich have now found a method for identifying heretofore unseen intermediate products of the catalytic reactions used for this conversion. This could enable more targeted improvement of production methods in the future. The study appears in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications. How practical and environmentally friendly it would be if fuel could simply be manufactured from plant waste. Or phenols, which are urgently needed in the plastics industry. What if we could simply obtain fundamental raw materials of our civilisation from something nature produces in abundance year after year, which we otherwise leave to rot? Lignin for example occurs in all woody plants and is, with around 20 billion tons produced each year, the most common organic substance on Earth besides cellulose and chitin. It consists mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a large and very complex molecule, which is composed of smaller compounds such as those needed for the production of fuel and phenols. A major step towards understanding the mechanism Theoretically, these compounds can be obtained from lignin through cracking. Chemically, however, this is extremely complicated and costly. The bottom line: Up to now, it just doesn't pay. Yet this could change, thanks to more sophisticated methods. And researchers in Switzerland, at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI in Villigen and at ETH Zurich, have taken a major step towards understanding the mechanism behind reactions that can lead to the desired chemicals. In this method, the large lignin molecule as a model, the researchers used the lignin building block guaiacol (one part of the larger molecule) is split into still smaller molecules at around 400 degrees in an oxygen-free environment. To do this, a catalyst is employed a material that speeds up the reaction without being consumed. In this case, the researchers use a zeolite, a material with many pores and thus a large surface area where the reaction can occur. First, so-called intermediates arise for just fractions of a second gaseous reactive species that immediately react with water and oxygen to form phenols and other stable end-products. These intermediates can't be observed with conventional methods, says Patrick Hemberger, beamline scientist at PSI's Swiss Light Source SLS. First of all, you can hardly tell them apart, because their molecules often consist of the same atoms, just arranged differently. But if we could determine these intermediate products and their concentrations, then it would also be possible to change the process in such a way that particular intermediates are preferentially generated and, in the end, the yield of the desired product is increased. Synchrotron light makes the unseen visible Since the molecules weigh the same, they cannot be distinguished by a mass spectrometer, which sorts substances on the basis of their weight. By means of so-called vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation and a combination of mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy, which is available to us at the SLS, we were able to do it, Hemberger reports. This means: The special beams of light that the SLS generates knock electrons out of the molecules, and these are then observed with special methods. The observed properties of these electrons are like a fingerprint, and they are unique to each substance. Until now, such catalytic processes have been run on what the chemist calls a cook and look approach: a trial and error search with variations for example in temperature, catalyst, and concentration of the molecules to find which experimental set-up yields most of the desired product. With the approach developed by Patrick Hemberger, we can now for the first time unravel the complex reaction mechanisms, says co-author Jeroen van Bokhoven, head of the Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry at PSI and professor of heterogeneous catalysis at ETH Zurich. And thus we can now develop new, better, and more environmentally friendly production processes in a more targeted way, adds Victoria Custodis, the second co-author. On top of that, they also expect the approach to be transferable to numerous other catalytic processes. More information: Patrick Hemberger et al. Understanding the mechanism of catalytic fast pyrolysis by unveiling reactive intermediates in heterogeneous catalysis, Nature Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1038/NCOMMS15946 Journal information: Nature Communications In the life sciences, if individual communities think about identifiers at all, it is usually in the context of a single database 'hub' and a variety of cross-referenced 'spokes', or an aggregation of these; however, the real complexity of the inter-relationships is often overlooked -- and with it, the importance of persistent identifiers to hold everything together. Identifier issues such as broken links undermine the flow and integrity of data for data providers and consumers alike. Credit: Julie McMurry and Lilly Winfree from the Monarch Initiative. "Big data" research runs the risk of being undermined by the poor design of the digital identifiers that tag data. A group of worldwide researchers, led by Julie McMurry, at Oregon Health & Science University, has assembled a set of pragmatic guidelines to create, reference and maintain web-based identifiers to improve reproducibility, attribution, and scientific discovery. The guidance, publishing June 29 in the open access journal PLOS Biology helps address the frequent problems associated with persistent identifiers linked to scientific data. Over the past decade, the life sciences have drastically changed as data continues to evolve to be larger, more interdependent and natively web-based. In this landscape, the broader scientific research community has struggled to engineer this data for the web so that it is persistently accessible, reusable and attributable. Depending on the individual database involved, identifiers can signify a gene, a genome, a chemical, an organism, a set of experimental data, or even a published article. The usefulness of all these items depends on the robustness and uniqueness of their respective identifiers, enabling them to be linked and discovered in perpetuity. The authors point out that the organic way in which most identifiers have arisen threatens that usefulness, and recognise that it is difficult to create and sustain persistent identifiers or web addresses that won't break and that are used consistently. This work calls on professionals to do a better job of identifier engineering - according to emerging community-developed conventions - so that data can be utilized more effectively for scientific discovery. It also calls on users to be aware enough of these conventions, and of available tooling, to not get burned by broken links and missed connections. "As with plumbing fixtures, the question of how identifiers work should only need to be understood by those that build and maintain them. However, everyone needs to know how identifiers should be used, and this is where convention is important," said McMurry. "Through this work, we hope to encourage all participants in the scholarly ecosystem - including authors, data creators, data integrators, publishers, software developers, and resolvers - to adhere to best practice in order to maximize the utility and impact of life science data." More information: McMurry JA, Juty N, Blomberg N, Burdett T, Conlin T, Conte N, et al. (2017) Identifiers for the 21st century: How to design, provision, and reuse persistent identifiers to maximize utility and impact of life science data. PLoS Biol 15(6): e2001414. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2001414 Journal information: PLoS Biology Human remains, excavated in Armenia, that were used for ancient DNA analyses. The remains are from an Early Iron Age (9th century BC) individual excavated in Kapan, burial 6, skeleton 1. Credit: Pavel Avetisyan The South Caucasushome to the countries of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijangeographically links Europe and the Near East. The area has served for millennia as a major crossroads for human migration, with strong archaeological evidence for big cultural shifts over time. And yet, surprisingly, ancient mitochondrial DNA evidence reported in Current Biology on June 29 finds no evidence of any upheaval over the last 8,000 years. Mitochondria are passed from mothers to their children. Therefore, the study of mitochondrial genomes enables scientists to trace the unique history of females over time. "We analyzed many ancient and modern mitochondrial genomes in parts of the South Caucasus and found genetic continuity for at least 8,000 years," said Ashot Margaryan and Morten E. Allentoft from Centre for GeoGenetics at the Natural History Museum of Denmark. "In other words, we could not detect any changes to the female gene pool over this very long time frame. This is highly interesting because this region has experienced multiple cultural shifts over the same time period, but these changes do not appear to have had a genetic impactat least not on the female population." The researchers were interested to study this part of the world because of its position as a cultural crossroads since ancient times. It's also known as an important area for the potential origin and spread of Indo-European languages. To shed light on the maternal genetic history of the region, the researchers analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 52 ancient skeletons from present-day Armenia and Artsakh, an unrecognized republic bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan. Those specimens span 7,800 years of history. Allentoft's team combined this new data with 206 mitochondrial genomes of modern Armenians and previously published data representing more than 480 individuals from seven neighboring populations. Human remains, excavated in Armenia, that were used for ancient DNA analyses. The remains are of a Middle Bronze Age (17th century BC) individual excavated in Karashamb, burial 462. Credit: Pavel Avetisyan Their analyses suggest that the population size in the region rapidly increased after the last glacial maximum, about 18,000 years ago. The researchers also used several sophisticated analyses to test five different demographic scenarios that could explain the formation of the modern Armenian gene pool. Despite well-documented cultural shifts in the South Caucasus across the time period in question, their results strongly favor genetic continuity in the maternal gene pool, the researchers report. The findings imply that the female population in at least some parts of the South Caucasus has been highly stable through many cultural shifts that have occurred over thousands of years. They also suggest that documented migrations into this region during the last 2,000 to 3,000 years have had little genetic impact on the local female population. Margaryan says the findings suggest either that cultural shifts occurred primarily through the exchange of ideas or that it was primarily men who moved into new territories, bringing new cultural ideas along with them. The researchers say the next step is to explore these questions in whole-genome data to see if it tells the same story. They also hope to expand the study by including both modern and ancient samples from neighboring countries, which could involve collaborations with researchers in Georgia and Azerbaijan. The US is the world's second biggest polluter after China Multinationals worth $3.5 trillion and financial institutions managing $25 trillion in assets pledged on Thursday to follow new guidelines for disclosing exposure to climate change risk in both operations and investments. Spearheaded by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, recommendations by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures should help shareholders determine if businesses are aligned with the global shift toward a low-carbon economy, and not unduly burdened with assets that could be stranded during that transition. "Climate change present global markets with risks and opportunities that cannot be ignored, which is why a framework around climate-related disclosures is so important," Bloomberg said in a statement. "The Task Force brings that framework to the table." Financial and insurance companies whose CEOs have endorsed the recommendations, laid out in a 75-page report, include Bank of America, Barclays, AXA Group, Allianz SE, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Industrial powerhouses such as Unilever, Dow Chemical Company, Tata Steel and PepsiCo have also backed the move towards climate transparency, along with the "Big Four" professional services giants, and ratings agencies Moody's and S&P Global. Royal Dutch Shell is, so far, the only oil and gas company to tender its support. The fossil fuel industry is especially vulnerable to questions about climate risk as the race to decarbonise the world economy gathers pace. A report released earlier this week found that, on average, 30 percent of investments planned by 69 oil and gas majors over the next decadeworth more than $2 trillion (two trillion euros)could be wasted if the world economy retools to cap global warming at two degrees Celsius, researchers warned Wednesday. The 2C (3.6 degree Fahrenheit) target is the cornerstone of the 196-nation Paris Agreement, inked in 2015. G20 endorsement in doubt Major energy companies are already under growing pressure from investors to explain how global warmingand the shift to a low-carbon economywill affect their bottom lines. Last month, three-fifths of ExxonMobil shareholders defied the board and voted for the company to report annually on how new technology and 2C policies will affect business and investment plans. Weeks earlier, a majority of Occidental Petroleum shareholders called for similar measures. The climate Task Force was set up in December 2015 by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), itself an advisory body established after the 2009 G20 summit to oversee the global financial system. "The Task Force's recommendations have been developed by the market for the market," said FSB Chair and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, whose September 2015 speech outlining the risks posed by climate change rattled the financial industry. The 32-member climate task force spent 18 months consulting, looking at both how climate-relevant data could be gathered and used by business. Homogenising existing standards was a challenge, said Christian Thimann, Group Head of Regulation, Sustainability and Insurance Foresight at AXA Group, and one of four vice chairs of the Task Force. "We counted up to 400 different reporting frameworks" already in existence, he told AFP. "If we are successful, in a few years you will see that every large corporation in G20 countriesin its annual financial reportwill have a section that say, 'This is how we deal with climate risks and opportunities'." The Task Force recommendations were on track to be adopted by the July 7-8 G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany until real estate mogul Donald Trump was elected president of the United States. But after Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and his refusal to join a climate consensus at a G7 summit in late May, such an outcome seems doubtful. 2017 AFP Credit: Okayama University Researchers at Okayama University describe in Acta Biomaterialia a new type of biocompatible adhesive material. The adhesive, made from nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite, glues both synthetic hydrogels and mouse soft tissue, providing a promising alternative to organic materials currently in use for clinical applications. As an alternative to surgical stitching with suture, the practice of using adhesive organic materials for joining soft tissue has been around for decades. However, the currently used clinical adhesives often suffer from limited biocompatibility and/or sub-optimal adhesive strength. A team of researchers led by Takuya Matsumoto from Okayama University and colleagues has now identified a class of biocompatiblebiodegradable compounds showing promising adhesion properties when applied to mouse soft tissues. The scientists relied on the recent discovery that certain nanostructured materials display remarkable adhesiveness. For example, introducing a dispersion of silicon oxide nanoparticles between two hydrogels results in rapid adhesion of the hydrogelsan effect now developed further for industrial, non-clinical applications. In order to achieve the level of biocompatibility required for clinical usage, Matsumoto and colleagues experimented with nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite (HAp), an inorganic material found in human hard tissues such as bones and teeth. HAp-composites are routinely used for orthopedic and dental implants, as well as in tissue engineering. The researchers reckoned that dispersions of nanoparticulate HAp should behave as biocompatible adhesivesan idea they were able to confirm experimentally. Matsumoto and colleagues first examined the effect of HAp-nanoparticle dispersions on the adhesion of synthetic hydrogels; the presence of HAp clearly enhanced the level of adhesion. Drying the dispersionsresulting in solid HAp 'plates'increased the cohesion between the HAp nanoparticles, and using the plates as the adhesive agent then led to even better inter-hydrogel adhesion. The scientists then tested the HAp plates on different mouse soft tissues: muscle, lung, kidney and other tissues could be successfully glued together. An adhesion strength at least twice as large as obtained with a commercial organic glue was observed for mouse skin tissues. The findings of Matsumoto and colleagues are not only relevant for developing new procedures for surgical-wound healing, but also for drug-delivery technologiesthe potential of hydrogels as drug containers has long been recognized. In the words of the researchers: "our results will help not only in developing an efficient approach to close incised soft tissues, but also in finding novel ways to integrate soft tissues with synthetic hydrogels (such as drug reservoirs)." Hydroxyapatite Hydroxyapatite (HAp), also known as hydroxylapatite, is a calcium-containing mineral occurring in human bones and teeth. Synthetic HAp is often used as a coating for prostethic implants, such as hip, bone or teeth replacements, as it is believed to stimulate osseointegration. The experiments of Takuya Matsumato from Okayama University and colleagues have now demonstrated the potential of dispersions of HAp nanoparticles as biocompatible, inorganic adhesive materials. Hydrogels A hydrogel is a material consisting of a three-dimensional network of hydrophylic (i.e. not water-repellent) polymeric chains with water molecules in between. Hydrogels can contain up to 90% water, and are used in various biotechnological and medical applications. They are also used to test the adhesive properties of biomaterials and drug-delivery systems, as in the study of Matsumato and colleagues: tests of the adhesiveness of HAp nanoparticle dispersions led to the identification of a promising biocompatible adhesive capable of gluing mouse soft tissues together. The Kepler Space Telescope, operational since 2009, is now on its extended K2 mission and will keep going until it runs out of fuel or something else goes wrong. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Rocky planets are probably a whole lot more common in our galaxy than astronomers previously believedaccording to the latest release of Kepler Space Telescope data last weeka scenario that enhances the prospects for extraterrestrial life in nearby solar systems. Kepler's final tally of exoplanets in the Cygnus constellationthe most comprehensive and detailed catalogue of exoplanets to dateindicates 4,034 possible planets, of which 50 are Earth-sized and reside in the habitable zone of their stars. The set includes KOI 7711 (short for Kepler 'object of interest'), which is just 30 percent larger than Earth and roughly the same distance from its star as the Earth is to the Sun, meaning it receives a similar amount of energy. "Kepler has really and truly opened our eyes to these small terrestrial-sized worlds," said Susan Thompson, Kepler research scientist at the SETI Institute, at the announcement of the new catalogue of planet candidates at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. Scientists gathered at NASA Ames June 19-23 for the Kepler Science Conference to present their findings from the original mission as well as update their progress on K2, an extended, "second life" mission that will continue until the spacecraft runs out of fuel or something else goes wrong. New planet candidates from the eighth Kepler planet candidate catalog show numerous terrestrial worlds that are near the size of Earth and within the habitable zone of their stars. The dark green span represents an optimistic estimate for habitable zone, while the brighter green a more conservative estimate. Blue circles are confirmed exoplanets, while yellow circles are new planet candidates that require follow-up observations. Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/Wendy Stenzel Prior to Kepler's launch in 2009, astronomers mainly knew about Jupiter and Neptune-sized planets orbiting at various periods around their stars. It took the continuous gaze of Kepler's image sensor array at a patch of sky loaded with 200,000 stars to discover this sizable population of rocky-sized worlds, most of them three times the size of Earth or smaller. Many hover close to their stars, but some appear with long orbital periods putting their distance outside a habitable zone. About a half-dozen confirmed exoplanets, though, are circling within the habitable zone of G-dwarf starsthe same type of star as the Sun. "Are we alone?" said Mario Perez, Kepler program scientist in the Astrophysics Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "Kepler says we are probably not alone." Yet, the prospects for life on any single one of these planets remains vastly uncertain. We know virtually nothing about the size and composition of their atmospheres, or whether water is present. For example, at 1,700 light years away, KOI 7711, dubbed 'Earth's Twin,' seems one of the most promising exoplanets for life that we know of to date, given its similar orbital period (it circles its star in 303 days) and size. But Thompson urged caution in drawing hasty conclusions. "There's a lot we don't know," she said. " I like to remind people that it looks like there are three planets in our habitable zoneVenus, Earth and Marsand I only want to live on one of them." The recently discovered TRAPPIST-1 star system, a mere 40 light years away from us, has a record-breaking seven rocky planets, raising all kinds of excitement at the possibility of panspermia, the seeding of life from one planet to a neighboring one. But given that they huddle close to their ultra-cool dwarf star, these planets are likely to be tidally locked, like Mercury. One side would be scorching and the other side frigid. Stellar flares could blast away the atmospheres of these planets or subject them to surges of UV radiation, a known detriment to earthly existence. Keplers eighth release of planet candidates show the number of newly discovered planet candidates (yellow dots) that cluster around Earth-size. Though they represent a span of orbitable periods, notably 10 of them have longer periods similar to Earth, where they have a chance of being rocky with liquid water on their surface. Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/Wendy Stenzel But Courtney Dressing, a CalTech astronomer, offered some signs of hope, even for planets that look doomed. She pointed out that new research using sophisticated 3-D models is showing that if tidally-locked planets manage to hang onto their atmospheres, strong air currents could be evening out temperatures. "There's a chance you could have a bunch of civilizations where maybe all the astronomers live on one side of the planet and everyone else enjoys the sunny, beach-y side close to the star," she said. And UV radiation, which may have sparked life the formation of RNA on early Earth, may not be the end-all even in the form of sudden surges. For example, one study found that haloarchaea, an extremophile microorganism found in highly saline water, could withstand heavy blasts of UV radiation. "Even if the surface is a dangerous place, life could be thriving underground or underwater," Dressing said. Stellar flaring and its impact on life is an area of active research in astrobiology, given that M dwarf stars, many of which are prone to flaring, are numerous in our galaxy and host rocky planets that are astronomers' most accessible prospects for near-term bio-signature research. "Regardless of whether any of these newly detected planet candidates are inhabited, the fact that Kepler has discovered 50 potentially habitable planets and planet candidates implies that such worlds are frequent," wrote Dressing in an email. Kepler has discovered a remarkable quantity of exoplanets (yellow dots) and significantly advanced the edge of the unexplored frontier. Rocky planets now account for a significant number of exoplanet discoveries. Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/Natalie Batalha/Wendy Stenzel Future instruments are what's needed to move the science forward. Late next year, NASA (alongside the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency) is scheduled to launch the James Webb Space Telescope, a next generation space observatory that will be the best observation tool we have to measure the atmospheres of exoplanets close to usa key to understanding other aspects of habitability. And also in development is the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), which will expand the range of exoplanet exploration and build on Kepler's foundation. "It feels a bit like the end of an era," said Thompson, "but actually it feels like a new beginning." This story is republished courtesy of NASA's Astrobiology Magazine. Explore the Earth and beyond at www.astrobio.net . Free-ranging "backyard pigs" in the republic of Georgia. Understanding how these animals are traded could help in preventing spread of African swine fever. Credit: FAO Understanding how live pigs are traded between villages and backyard farmers can help health agencies better understand how devastating swine diseases spread, according to a study published recently in the journal PLOS ONE. Researchers at the University of California, Davis' Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance and the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization examined patterns of live-pig trade in the republic of Georgia. The country was the first in Europe to be affected by African swine fever in 2007, and from there the disease spread to the Caucasus region, Russian Federation and Eastern Europe, where it is still actively spreading today. African swine fever has a mortality rate of over 90 percent in pigs, often killing within seven to 14 days. Endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, the virus is re-emerging in new areas and is a major threat to pork production worldwide, both through direct losses and the effects of culling, trade sanctions and export restrictions imposed by countries to stop its spread. There is currently no treatment or vaccine for the disease. Studying Pig Trade to Understand How Virus Spreads Esther Kukielka, graduate student at CADMS, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and first author of the study said that mathematical modeling and social-network analysis could shed light on how the virus might move through pig populations in Georgia and other countries where backyard pigs are predominant. These farmers typically raise a few animals for their own consumption and the economic impact for them is huge. A Georgian pig owner with her animal. Backyard pigs are usually raised for home consumption, and loss of one to disease is a significant blow. Photo credit: FAO "We're still investigating how African swine fever is moving in these regions, but pig trade and pig markets, in combination with wild boar movements, seem to play an important role," said Kukielka. "The disease is likely also spreading through the trade of contaminated pork products and the use of uncooked pork leftovers to feed pigs," she said. "Results of our study can help to identify high-risk villages where target education and outreach activities should be conducted, mainly for pig producers and middlemen. We hope it will also help to inform the design of more cost-effective surveillance, prevention and control programs." Kukielka said that preventive and control measures could include improving management, biosecurity and husbandry practices, conducting community workshops, providing better access to veterinarians, or encouraging governments to mitigate farmers' losses by compensation or replacement of the dead or slaughtered pigs. Kukielka began working on African swine fever in Uganda before coming to UC Davis. In Africa, the virus often spreads among domestic pigs mainly through trade of infected animals or the use of contaminated leftovers to feed pigs. Pig-to-pig transmission occurs mainly by contact with contaminated blood, although the virus can also spread through urine or feces from infected pigs. The virus also can be spread from wild warthogs to domestic pigs by ticks. More information: Esther Andrea Kukielka et al, Modeling the live-pig trade network in Georgia: Implications for disease prevention and control, PLOS ONE (2017). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178904 Journal information: PLoS ONE Cotyledons of young seedling at Los Amigos Biological Station in Peru. Credit: Jonathan Myers If aliens sent an exploratory mission to Earth, one of the first things they'd noticeafter the fluffy white clouds and blue oceans of our water worldwould be the way vegetation grades from exuberance at the equator through moderation at mid-latitudes toward monotony at higher ones. We all learn about this biodiversity gradient in school, but why does it exist? Even Charles Darwin wondered. Though the pattern is striking, it is difficult to explain. Since it is global in scale, the initial tendency was to suspect long-term or large-scale mechanisms, such as climate stability (no glaciers in the tropics), rates of speciation (higher in the tropics) or rates of extinction (lower in the tropics according to the fossil record). In 1970 and 1971, two ecologists independently proposed a radically different mechanism, one that operates at scales not of kilometers but of meters. Daniel Janzen and Joseph Connell suggested that host-specific natural enemies which kill seeds and seedlings clumped near parent trees might keep locally common species from dominating a forest and give locally rare species space to flourish. The Janzen-Connell hypothesis is now nearly 50 years old, but it has been hard to evaluate, especially at the global scale. Few studies have explicitly looked at the connection between self suppression and species diversity, and no study has looked at this relationship across temperate and tropical latitudes. A year ago, however, Jonathan Myers, an assistant professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, and Joe LaManna, a postdoctoral research associate at Washington University's Tyson Research Center, proposed a test of the Janzen-Connell hypothesis to the principal investigators of an international network of long-term forest dynamics research sites called the Smithsonian Center for Tropical Forest Science-Forest Global Earth Observatory (CTFS-ForestGEO). Over the next year, LaManna analyzed the data from 24 research plots, including one at Washington University's Tyson Research Center. Together these plots are home to more than 3,000 tree species and roughly 2.4 million trees. The analysis provided the first evidence that the Janzen-Connell effect contributes to the biodiversity gradient across tropical and temperate latitudes. The paper, which has 50 authors from 12 countries, was published in the June 30, 2017, issue of the journal Science "This is the first time we've had the data to do this kind of in-depth analysis and to look across temperate and tropical latitudes," said LaManna, who is the corresponding author on the paper. The analysis also provided a delicious twist on the hypothesis, namely that the plant predators that kill rare species may also keep them from going extinct. "When species get too rare, their enemies also thin out, and they have what is known as a rare species advantage," Myers said. So the specialized predators ultimately stabilize rare species instead of wiping them out. "We were able to show for the first time that this stabilizing effect may be stronger for rare species in the tropics; this may explain why rainforests harbor so many rare trees," LaManna said. The diverse life forms found in the tropics like this immature fruit of the passion fruit species, Passiflora feotida, may be explained by a relatively simple concept: that voracious pathogens and predators thin out trees of the same species, leaving room for others. Credit: Steve Paton, STRI What's eating you? The scientists emphasize that what they see in the data is the signature of the Janzen-Connell mechanism but that the data are agnostic about the mechanism itself. In other words, it doesn't point a finger at particular plant enemies. The mechanism requires that the enemies be host specific rather than generalists, however. "That means the FBI (fungus, bacteria and invertebrates)," LaManna said, "the very tiny organisms that are evolving rapidly and are more likely to be host-specific." These pathogens are everywhere even though they usually escape our notice. Scientists at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis who worked at the Tyson Research Center discovered more than 100 different species of insect herbivores that feed just on the adults of white oak, Myers said. Both scientists mention the work of Scott Mangan, an assistant professor in the department of biology at Washington University and a co-author on the paper. Mangan has done both greenhouse and field experiments (on Panama's Barro Colorado Island) showing that soil pathogens alonedisregarding nutrients, insects, mammals or above-ground diseasessuppress the growth of seedlings strongly enough to explain the maintenance of biodiversity. An exit hole drilled in a black oak acorn by an insect that lays its egg on the developing flowers and hatches inside the acorn. Shot at the Tyson ForestGEO plot in Eureka, Missouri. Credit: Photo: Jonathan Myers But other studies have documented suppression by other enemies, so the question of mechanism remains open. Close relatives make bad neighbors The key observation on which the Janzen-Connell hypothesis is based is that seedfall is heaviest under a parent tree but the young tend to do better away from their parent. The effect of pathogens on trees is similar to the effect of pathogens on people. We're more likely to catch and die from a disease such as scarlet fever or typhus if we're packed in tenements than if we're living in rural isolation. So, at least without the benefits of modern medicine, we are also self suppressing. The new study exposed two key aspects of self suppression. "We find that self suppression is on average stronger in a tropical forest than a temperate one," Myers said, "and that it changes systematically with latitude. This is big result number one." Analysis of data from an international network of long-term forest dynamics research sites supports the idea that plant enemies acting locally paradoxically establish the global biodiversity gradient. This is the first time data of sufficient scope and quality have been available to test this hypothesis. Credit: Tom Malkowicz/WUSTL Videos Two aspects of the CTFS-ForestGEO network gave the data the necessary power, Myers said. One is that the forest plots are large enough that they contain decent numbers of rare species, the other is that all of the trees in the plots have been tagged, mapped, measured and identified down to a small size class. "No other globally coordinated forest plot network combines large plots with censuses that go down to 1-centimeter in diameter," he said. The second result is that, in the tropics, self suppression is stronger for rare species than for common ones. In the temperate zone rare and common species are equally affected, Myers said, or in some cases self suppression actually flips and is stronger for the common species than the rare ones. The scientists find this result exciting because it may explain a puzzling characteristic of tropical forests: Their diversity is due not to large numbers of species in general but rather to large numbers of rare species. "How can you pack more than a thousand species in a 50-hectare plot in the tropics if the rare species are being negatively impacted by these specialized enemies?" Myers asks. "You'd think that if these species are rare they'd be more likely to go extinct, so what maintains them in the system?" The answer is their enemies. "Paradoxically, enemies can be beneficial," LaManna said. "Yes, they kill, but by killing they prevent population booms and busts. If you have no enemies, you're going to have exponential population growth followed by a crash. If you add an enemy that tracks abundance, over time the population stabilizes. It's never going to become large, but the flip side is it's never going to crash. And so these enemies are a stabilizing force." Darwin might have savored the ironies here. Tiny organisms that live and die within a few square meters establish patterns that cover ten thousand kilometers. And organisms that kill trees also are their benefactors and prevent them from blinking out entirely. More information: LaManna, J.A., Mangan, et al. 2017. Plant diversity increases with the strength of negative density dependence at the global scale. Science. science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi 1126/science.aam5678 Journal information: Science Provided by Washington University in St. Louis FIU biology Ph.D. student Valeria Paz helps conduct research on coral reef restoration. Credit: Florida International University Nestled in the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary, 10 tree-like structures made of PVC pipes rise up from the ocean floor. They are adorned with plastic cards that hang from fiberglass branches. The cards house growing pieces of endangered coral. An odd sight to see, this group of makeshift trees could help solve one of the greatest environmental problems facing the world's oceans todaythe loss of coral reefs. The structures are divided into two groups not far from FIU's Aquarius Reef Base. Scientists call them nurseries, a place where they grow new corals. One resides at 90 feet below the ocean surface, the deepest coral nursery in the world. "People haven't tried to grow coral reef nurseries at these depths before, so there are new questions we'll be able to address with science," said Anthony Bellantuono, a post-doctoral research associate at Florida International University. The world's coral reefs are threatened by fishing, pollution, global warming and even sunscreen. Because these disturbances affect shallow reefs more than deep reefs, marine scientist Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty is studying whether corals in deep waters can be used to repopulate imperiled reefs in shallow waters. He and the members of his lab have partnered with the Coral Restoration Foundation to create the nurseries. When it came to the actual labor of "planting" the trees, the team sought the help of astronauts. Establishing a nursery at those depths would be difficult to accomplish on routine dives because of time limits designed to avoid decompression sickness. But because of FIU's Medina Aquarius Program, which houses the world's only underwater research laboratory, people can live and work underwater for days and weeks at a time. "Saturation diving allows us to conduct research that can't be done anywhere else in the world," Rodriguez-Lannetty said. "We wouldn't be able to study deep coral reefs without the support of Aquarius. It would be impossible." When astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency descended on Aquarius for a training mission in 2015, they took the trees with them. The scientific project was a perfect exercise for the astronauts to test communications equipment in an isolated and extreme environment. They deployed the trees under the direction of Rodriguez-Lanetty and named the nurseries Mercury and Atlas. In subsequent training missions during the past two years, NASA astronauts continued to work on the nurseries and students and researchers from Rodriguez-Lanetty's lab make regular visits to monitor the progress, test new theories and maintain the health of the growing corals. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coral reefs provide economic services, including jobs, food and tourism estimated to be worth $375 billion each year. They also help protect coastal communities against erosion and flooding. Yet, 20 percent of the world's coral reefs have been effectively destroyed and show no immediate prospects of recovery according to the World Wildlife Fund. The research being conducted at Aquarius could be a first step in finding solutions to one of the oceans' greatest environmental threats. More information: JoAnn Adkins contributed to this story. A monarch butterfly rests on a flower petal. Credit: Karen Oberhauser, University of MinnesotaImage provided by Fred Ormand and Joyce Pearsall. Adding milkweeds and other native flowering plants into midwestern agricultural lands is key to restoring monarch butterflies, with milkweed sowers from all sectors of society being critically needed for success. In a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Arizona and partners, scientists developed potential scenarios for incorporating milkweed into the midwestern United States landscape. They found converting marginal cropland to monarch-friendly habitat provides the best opportunity for adding milkweed to help restore the eastern migratory monarch population. However, in addition to agricultural lands, the authors emphasized that planting milkweeds into other kinds of lands, including protected areas and urban and suburban locations, may be necessary. With quintessential bright orange and black markings punctuated by white dots, monarch butterflies are an iconic species. North American migratory monarch populations east of the Rocky Mountains declined by more than 80 percent over the last two decades, due, in part, to the loss of millions of milkweed stems in the northern U.S. Milkweed is the only plant that provides breeding habitat and food for monarch young, but because adult monarchs feed on the nectar from a range of flowering plants, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends planting both milkweeds and nectar plants that are native to specific areas. In addition to breeding habitat loss, factors contributing to monarch declines include adverse weather conditions in recent years, loss of overwintering habitat, disease and exposure to contaminants. "The main finding of our study is that an all-hands on deck approach could be essential to restoring the massive amounts of milkweeds needed to make the monarch population healthy again," said Wayne Thogmartin, a USGS scientist and the lead author of the report. "These findings offer great hope for citizens from all sectors working together to reverse the substantial decline of these iconic butterflies." Milkweed plants, like this Mead's milkweed, are the only plant species that provides breeding habitat and food for monarch young. Credit: Mike Remer, US Fish and Wildlife Service A recent USGS-led reports found that more than 1.6 billion additional milkweed stems may be needed in North America to return eastern migratory monarchs to a sustainable population size. To determine where these additional milkweed plants would be most effective, researchers for the new study evaluated five land-cover sectors for their current and potential future ability to support milkweed: protected lands, Conservation Reserve Program lands, and transportation rights-of-way land, agricultural lands and urban/suburban areas. Thogmartin said that converting at least half of marginal agricultural land in the Midwest to monarch-friendly habitat could result in a full population recovery. However, he said, an approach that doesn't just rely on agricultural lands would be more robust. The research demonstrated that the non-agricultural sectors combined could provide as much as 800 million stems of milkweed, leaving agricultural lands to provide the other 800 million stems. "Encouraging urban and suburban areas to participate along with the agricultural sector could create a crucial spark of public support and momentum for monarch conservation across the board," said said Laura Lopez-Hoffman, a conservation biologist at the University of Arizona who co-authored the study. The eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies, which spends the winter in Mexico but migrates to the eastern U.S. and Canada to reproduce during warmer months, is at risk of extinction unless its numbers increase significantly. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a petition to list monarchs under the Endangered Species Act. Because counting individual monarchs is challenging, scientists measure population size based on the geographic area that their colonies cover while spending the winter in Mexico. The population size of Eastern monarchs was 2.91 hectares, or 7.19 acres, in the winter of 2016-2017, which is a decrease from about four hectares during the 2015-2016 season. The U.S., Mexico and Canada aim to increase the number of Eastern monarchs wintering in Mexico so that they occupy about six hectares, or about 15 acres, by 2020. More information: Wayne E Thogmartin et al. Restoring monarch butterfly habitat in the Midwestern US: 'all hands on deck', Environmental Research Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/aa7637 Journal information: Environmental Research Letters Researchers from Universidad Politecnica de Madrid suggest a new methodology to assess the environmental impact of the containers used for the collection of urban waste. An inappropriate design of a container system might unnecessarily aggravate the impact on the environment when collecting and transporting urban waste. This is the major conclusion of a team of researchers from Universidad Politecnica de Madrid after carrying out a systematic evaluation of the urban containerization system. The procedure, which is applicable to other cities and areas, allows researchers to assess the existing differences among the administrative units in which a territory is divided, to detect anomalies and suggest corrective measures to minimize the impact on environment when collecting urban waste. Municipal solid waste (MSW) management includes the following stages: collection, transport and treatment. They involve various technical operations that depend on the existence of selective collection systems for the refuse constituents, which are usually packaging, organic waste, glass, paper/cardboard and mixed waste. Each of these stages has environmental impacts stemming from the use of bags to hold the waste generated by residents in their homes, including the containers placed in public roads for drop-off, the use of lorries or systems to transport the waste to the processing point, and the construction and operation of plants to treat each waste fraction. The environmental impact assessment associated with each stage is carried out through the life cycle assessment which allows an objective, systemic and scientific evaluation of its impact on the environment and human health. While the transport and final treatment of MSW have been extensively studied, there are few works that apply the life cycle to the collection either as a part of analysis of the integrated management system. Besides, the few existing studies fail to take into account aspects regarding endowment, contribution or effectiveness of the containerization system that determines the environmental impact. This work, developed by the research group of Environmental Technologies and Industrial Resources at UPM, addresses this gap by focusing on collection, the stage in which containers are at the disposal of citizens. The methodology determines the environmental impact associated with the total containerization of a city, as well as for each district. This methodology consists of three phases: the first phase is focused on detailed data collection of the city. The second phase assesses the life cycle of each container, and the third phase adds the results for the geographic scope of the study, which is based on the results obtained during the second phase and drawing the conclusions according to the estimated indicators during the first phase. This methodology has been applied to the city of Madrid (Spain) and has allowed researchers to determine the environmental impact associated with the set of containers of the whole municipality and each districts, assessing their differences and establishing a correlation among such impact, the provision of containers (liter of container per capita) and the effectiveness of the collection (MSW mass collected per volume unit of containerization). According to Javier Perez, a researcher involved in this study, "the results suggest that the installed containers in Madrid (Spain) cause a climate change impact of 3,907 tons per year of CO2 equivalent, which is 1.22 kg per inhabitant per year ." The contribution of the containerization systems to the environmental impact caused by the MSW management is lower than the phase of transport or treatment (1.9 percent, compared with 9.9 and 88.7 percent, respectively). However, an inadequate container capacity, a bad distribution or an improper use at the urban level, can needlessly worsen environmental impact. In addition, the associated inefficiency also affects the transport stage through unnecessary routes, higher number of vehicles, lower average driving speeds, or increased number of stops, leading to higher emissions. Climate change impact associated to the containerization system for municipal solid waste collection in the city of Madrid: total and per ton of collected waste (Perez et al., 2017). This work, says Javier Perez, is part of a wider research project that we are carrying out in our research group and aims to evaluate the environmental impact of the MSW management in the city of Madrid. Results regarding the transport stage were also previously published. An inappropriate design of a container system might unnecessarily aggravate the impact on environment when collecting and transporting the urban waste. This is the major conclusion of a team of researchers from Universidad Politecnica de Madrid after carrying out a systematic evaluation process of the urban containerization system. The developed procedure, which can be extrapolated to other cities and areas, allows us to assess the existing differences among the administrative units in which a territory is divided, to detect anomalies and suggest corrective measures to minimize the impact on environment when collecting urban waste. Municipal solid waste (MSW) management includes the following stages: collection, transport and treatment. They involve various technical operations that depend on the existence of selective collection systems for the different fractions, which are usually packaging, organic waste, glass, paper/cardboard and mixed waste. Each of these stages has environmental impacts stemming from the use of bags to hold the waste generated by residents in their homes, from the containers placed in public roads for drop-off, from the use of lorries or systems to transport the waste to the processing point, and from the construction and operation of plants to treat each waste fraction. The environmental impact assessment associated with each stage is carried out through the life cycle assessment which allows an objective, systemic and scientific evaluation of its impact on the environment and human health. While the transport and final treatment of MSW have been extensively studied, there are few works that apply the life cycle to the collection either as a part of analysis of the integrated management system. Besides, the scarce studies fail to take into account aspects regarding endowment, contribution or effectiveness of the containerization system that determines the environmental impact. This work, developed by the research group of Environmental Technologies and Industrial Resources at UPM, addresses this gap by focusing on the collection, the stage in which containers are at disposal of citizens. The methodology determines the environmental impact associated with the total containerization of a city, as well as for each district. It consists of three phases: The first phase is focused on detailed data collection of the city. The second phase assesses the life cycle of each container, and finally the third phase adds the results for the geographic scope of the study which is based on the results obtained during the second phase and drawing the conclusions according to the estimated indicators during the first phase. This methodology has been applied to the city of Madrid (Spain) and has allowed researchers to determine the environmental impact associated with the set of containers of the whole municipality and each district, assessing their differences and establishing a correlation among such impact, the provision of containers (liter of container per capita) and the effectiveness of the collection (MSW mass collected per volume unit of containerization). According to Javier Perez, a researcher involved in this study, "The results suggest that the installed containers in Madrid cause a climate change impact of 3,907 tons per year of CO2 equivalent, which is 1.22 kg per inhabitant per year." The contribution of the containerization systems to the environmental impact caused by the MSW management is lower than the phase of transport or treatment (1.9 percent, compared with 9.9 and 88.7 percent, respectively). However, an inadequate container capacity, a bad distribution or an improper use at the urban level, can needlessly worsen the environmental impact. In addition, the associated inefficiency also affects the transport stage through unnecessary routes, higher number of vehicles, lower average driving speeds, or increased number of stops, leading to higher emissions. More information: Javier Perez et al. Methodology to evaluate the environmental impact of urban solid waste containerization system: A case study, Journal of Cleaner Production (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.03.003 Javier Perez et al. A methodology for estimating the carbon footprint of waste collection vehicles under different scenarios: Application to Madrid, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2017.03.007 Journal information: Journal of Cleaner Production Samsung will spend $380 million on a facility in South Carolina, creating 950 jobs over the next three years, company officials announced Wednesday. The Japanese company will produce home appliances at a former Caterpillar plant in Newberry County, which is outside the city of Columbia. The facility is expected to be in operation in early 2018. "Samsung's decision to invest in South Carolina and create nearly 1,000 new jobs here is one that will change the very fabric of the Newberry community," Gov. Henry McMaster said in a news release. "We are excited to know that Samsung will now be an important partner in ushering in an unprecedented period of economic growth and prosperity in our state." Established in 1969 and employing nearly half a million people globally, Samsung is one of the world's leading builders of televisions, smartphones, wearable devices, cameras, appliances and network systems. "For nearly 40 years, Samsung has steadily expanded our operations in the United States, creating thousands of jobs and investing billions of dollars in cutting-edge manufacturing facilities, research and development," Tim Baxter, chief executive of Samsung Electronics America, said. "With this investment, Samsung is reaffirming its commitment to expanding its U.S. operations and deepening our connection to its American consumers, engineers and innovators who are driving global trends in consumer electronics." The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development, a state economic development arm, has approved job development credits for the project. Samsung began contemplating an expansion of its U.S. production base nearly three years ago and initiated discussions with South Carolina in the fall of 2016, company officials said. Newberry County was selected, company officials said, because of its skilled workforce, robust supply chain, commitment to public-private partnerships, and its location near Interstate 25, providing access to manufacturers to the north and ports to the south. 2017 The State (Columbia, S.C.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Station F will help make Paris the technology capital of Europe, according to President Emmanuel Macron whose own rise in politics has been likened to a start-up operation French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the world's largest start-up incubator in central Paris on Thursday, taking the city a step closer to fulfilling its ambition of becoming Europe's technology capital. The 34,000 square-metre (366,000 square-foot) facility named Station F occupies a 1920s railway depot on the banks of the Seine river. It is designed to provide a home for 1,000 fledgling companies, who will be mentored by digital giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook and French gaming company Ubisoft. Addressing around 2,000 investors, entrepreneurs, IT students and partners gathered in one of three giant halls that make up the business incubator, Macron compared his stunning three-year journey from political outsider to president to that of a start-up founder. "Many said it would never work. Others said the guy is on his own. Still others said there was no business model, no investors and no clients. And in the end we got there." "What unites those gathered here...is that you do not want others to write your story and that of your country in your place. That's what it means to be an entrepreneur," he said to loud cheers. The hub is being bankrolled by billionaire Xavier Niel, who revolutionised the French internet and mobile market with his low-cost Free service and is now on a crusade to get young French people into employment through technology. The concrete-and-glass complex situated next to the national library in the 13th district will be a "very visible place that creates a strong image for Paris", Niel told AFP ahead of the launch. "The idea is to create a place that acts like a beacon and helps others," he added. The space has been designed to create the feel of an American college campus, with entrepreneurs paying 195 euros ($221) a month for one of 3,000 workstations in a venue that also includes three bars, an auditorium, a restaurant and meeting spaces. Several leading French universities and venture capital funds will also provide on-site advice. Station F is the biggest of around 40 incubators that have sprung up in Paris, which is competing with London and Berlin for the title of Europe's technology leader. "This is our Silicon Valley," said Gaelle Madelin-Girardeau, co-founder of an e-learning platform for children, Cood, whose company won one of the coveted spots in Station F. "It's really good in France to see this energy. We've haven't had that in a long time," the 35-year-old former Google executive told AFP. 'Start-up nation' France has long battled a perception of being unfriendly to business, held back by high labour costs and red tape. Macron, who has announced a 10-billion-euro ($11.3-billion) fund for innovation, has said he wants France "to be a nation that thinks and moves like a start-up." Addressing the launch, Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the hub showed Paris was not a "museum-like city", stuck in time. Niel, who launched a no-fees school for computer coders in Paris in 2013 that broke the educational mould, has invested 250 million euros in Station F. He envisages a day when "people from the world over will come to create their startup in Paris." Currently, London has the lead in luring international talent. The French are hoping the pendulum will swing across the Channel when Britain leaves the EU. French bashing no more Among the French start-ups that have received huge capital injections from US investors are the car-sharing BlaBlaCarvalued at over 1.0 billion euros, making it what is known in the tech sector as a "unicorn"and online advertising firm Criteo. "The dinner table conversation has gone from French bashing to French tech," according to 29-year-old Remy Rousset, another future Station F occupant, who heads a start-up that advises consumers on managing their electricity bills. An engineer by training, Rousset said the business climate for entrepreneurs in France had changed "enormously" since he graduated in 2009. "Back then many dreamed of one thing: going abroad and working for a big group. Now, when you talk to students they want to stay in France and join a startup." 2017 AFP Scanning electron microscope image of a cluster of biomineralized ASM fossils from Mount Slipper. Fossils were found by dissolving carbonate rocks from Mount Slipper in weak acid. These structures likely acted as armor, with many plates of the same type surrounding a single cell. Credit: Phoebe A. Cohen (Phys.org)A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has found an example of a single-celled eukaryote fossil with evidence of mineralizing in Yukon territory, Canada. In their paper published on the open access site Science Advances, the group describes how they found the sample and what was revealed by studying it using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Eukaryotic cells are considered by scientists to be the first complex organismsthey have a nucleus and organelles and exist in all living things today except for archaea and bacteria. Prior research has suggested they first appeared on Earth over 2.5 billion years ago. In this new effort, the researchers report finding a eukaryote fossil dating back approximately 810 million yearsone that had evidence of mineralizing. Mineralizing in organisms is a process by which minerals are incorporated into the body in a useful waysuch as to make tissue harder or more resilient, or to create extremely hard parts such as teeth or bone. But as the researchers note, despite its importance as an advancement in organisms, few early examples have been foundthat is what makes this new discovery in the Yukon so important. The eukaryote fossil was found in a rock formation in the Ogilvie Mountains in the Yukon and was part of a group of rocks, mud, slate and limestone the team brought back to the lab for study. After it was identified, the tiny fossil was examined under a microscope. The researchers report being able to clearly identify long and thin mineralized fibers. Such shapes, the team reports, rule out a geological origin. Scanning electron microscope image of a cluster of biomineralized ASM fossils from Mount Slipper. Fossils are found by dissolving carbonate rocks from Mount Slipper in weak acid. These structures likely acted as armor, with many plates of the same type surrounding a single cell. Credit: Phoebe A. Cohen The eukaryote was from the Neoproterozoic Era, when what is now the Yukon would have been covered by an ocean. The researchers believe that seawater in the area likely contained dissolved calcium phosphate (due to ongoing geographical changes), which the tiny organisms absorbed and used to create hardened body partsone of the first organisms to exhibit biomineralization. The find should help in better understanding the evolution of mineralization in organisms by offering the earliest example of it ever found. Scanning electron microscope image of a biomineralized ASM fossil from Mount Slipper. Fossils are found by dissolving carbonate rocks from Mount Slipper in weak acid. These structures likely acted as armor, with many plates of the same type surrounding a single cell. Credit: Phoebe A. Cohen Close up of carbonate rocks from Mount Slipper that contain biomineralized ASM fossils. Credit: Phoebe A. Cohen Individual ASM fossil picked from dissolved rock material and placed onto a tiny copper grid to be analyzed under a transmitting electron microscope (TEM). Lead author Cohen picked this fossil at Williams College using a thin needle and then traveled with it in her hand luggage to Oxford University for analysis. Results from the TEM shows that it is made of an unaltered calcium phosphate mineral. Credit: Nicholas Tosca 2017 Phys.org A pillar from Building D at Gobekli Tepe seen from the southeast. Credit: German Archaeological Institute (DAI) (Phys.org)A team of researchers with the German Archaeological Institute has found long, deliberate marks carved into ancient skulls found at the Gobekli Tepe dig site. In their paper published on the open access site Science Advances, the group describes the skull fragments they have been studying and offer some possible explanations for the markings they found. Gobekli Tepe is the name given to an ancient temple in what is now southern Turkeyit was built approximately 11,000 years ago, during the Stone Age. Workers have been at the site for the past 20 years removing the soil covering the tall pieces of T-shaped limestone, some of which rise up to 18 feet from the ground. Thus far, researchers at the site report that it does not appear that the temple was used as living quarters, but was instead a temple where the locals gathered to perform rituals. One such ritual appears to have involved using human skullshundreds of them, broken into pieces, litter the areas between the limestone columns. These findings have caused researchers to label the site as evidence of one of the earliest skull cults. In this new effort, the researchers report that some of the skull pieces have been found to have lines cut into them. The team determined that the skull fragments they found with the unique marks on them belonged to just three individualseach had deep straight-line grooves carved into the bone and one of them also had a hole drilled through its top. The grooves were found to measure between 0.2 and 4 millimeters deep and were clearly made by a person using stone tools, rather than by another animal or other natural process. Also, it was determined that the grooves were made after the person had diedthere was no bone growth suggesting natural repair. Also, it appeared likely that the grooves had been made shortly after the person had died, while the bone was still relatively elastic. Anthropomorphic depictions from Gobekli Tepe. (A) Intentionally decapitated human statue (height, 60 cm). Credit: Nico Becker, Gobekli Tepe Archive, DAI. (B) The gift bearer holds in his hands a human head (height, 26 cm). (C) Pillar 43 (building D) with low relief of an ithyphallic headless individual, one arm raised (bottom right). Credit: Dieter Johannes and Klaus Schmidt, Gobekli Tepe Archive, DAI Because it is not clear why the grooves appeared only on three skulls, the researchers were left to generate theoriesthey believe one of the likeliest possibilities is that the grooves were made to hold cords in place while the skull was hoisted onto a pole using the drilled holepossibly as a way to scare off enemies. Aerial view of Gobekli Tepe. Credit: German Archaeological Institute (DAI) Details of artificial skull modifications. A, C, D: carvings, B: drilled perforation. Credit:Julia Gresky, DAI Frontal bone fragment of skull 3 with carvings (1) and cut marks (2,3). Credit: Julia Gresky, Juliane Haelm, DAI. Skull fragments with cut marks. Credit: German Archaeological Institute Schematic drawings of Gobekli Tepe skulls. Gray, preserved elements; red, modifications. Credit: Julia Gresky, Juliane Haelm, DAI. More information: Modified human crania from Gobekli Tepe provide evidence for a new form of Neolithic skull cult Science Advances 28 Jun 2017: Vol. 3, no. 6, e1700564, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1700564 Abstract Archaeological excavations at Gobekli Tepe, a transitional Neolithic site in southeast Turkey, have revealed the earliest megalithic ritual architecture with characteristic T-shaped pillars. Although human burials are still absent from the site, a number of fragmented human bones have been recovered from fill deposits of buildings and from adjacent areas. We focus on three partially preserved human skulls, all of which carry artificial modifications of a type so far unknown from contemporaneous sites and the ethnographic record. As such, modified skull fragments from Gobekli Tepe could indicate a new, previously undocumented variation of skull cult in the Early Neolithic of Anatolia and the Levant. Journal information: Science Advances 2017 Phys.org Leislers bat. Credit: Hugh Clark The activity of urban bats in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) in London is being monitored in real time using new, automated smart detectors. The monitoring program is designed to monitor the populations of different bat species in the Park as a way to gauge the health of the local environment. Bats are a good indicator species, so are often used to measure how healthy our environment is. By detecting bat ultrasonic calls, the monitors will track species present and their activity levels and display the information to the public. This will provide an insight into the wildlife health of the park over the next year, and help to inform its management. The detectors for monitoring calls have been developed and installed by UCL and Intel scientists in collaboration with Arup, the Bat Conservation Trust, and the London Wildlife Trust. Scientists from Imperial College London helped to design some of the underlying artificial intelligence that recognises different bat species' calls. "We are trialling a network of smart bat monitors that listen to the environment, and figure out what species are present, all in real time. It's a 'Shazam' for bats! "It's a huge step forward for detection technology - an Internet of Wild Things, and we hope it will help understand how wildlife is being impacted by rapid environmental change," said Professor Kate Jones, project lead and Chair of Ecology and Biodiversity at UCL. The noctule is the UK's biggest bat, but it's still smaller than the palm of your hand. Photo: Martin Celuch Hearing beyond human range Most bats fly and hunt insects at night, when they rely on sound rather than sight. They emit high-pitched sounds that are normally above the range of human hearing, using the reflected sounds that bounce off objects to navigate. This works in a similar way to sonar, and is called echolocation. Each bat monitor uses an ultrasonic microphone to capture audio in its surroundings up to the high frequencies of common British bat species. The captured sound is then analysed by an artificial intelligence program that has been trained to recognise bat calls by their distinctive signature and assign each call to a particular bat species. The program, developed by scientists from Imperial, UCL and the University of Warwick, was built using a large database of bat calls and species identifications from Mexico. Mexico has a large and diverse bat population, with many of the same species as Europe. The team used a form of artificial intelligence called machine learning, which used the database to recognise patterns in bat calls that were distinctive for each species. Professor Mark Girolami, from the Department of Mathematics at Imperial, said: "This is the first wild sound-recognition project run on this scale. The technology allows rapid results, which hopefully will provide useful insights into the bat population of the park. Pipistrelles are the commonest British bats, weighing around 5 grams (same as a 20p piece). A single pipistrelle can eat 3,000 tiny insects in just one night. Credit: Hugh Clark "It's been an enormous undertaking, from the initial idea of using bat calls as a way to monitor species, through the collection of data and machine learning process, to creating the sensors and working with the park to install them." Live bat data The installation of detectors at 15 sites across QEOP began in late May, once the bats came out of hibernation. The detectors are connected to Wi-Fi and a power supply to enable them to record data and give reliable results quickly. They will be covering a large area and will be constantly recording over a long period of time. The team hope to tackle questions about those bats that call only quietly, are very difficult to tell apart acoustically or that are not likely to be encountered on a site with artificial light, of which many species are shy. At least eight species of bats live in London, from Britain's smallest bat, the common pipistrelle, to the country's largest, the noctule. Live data from the bat sensors can be viewed on the project website. The bat sensor trial will run on QEOP until the end of the year when the bats go back into hibernation, and findings on what has been learned about bat biodiversity at the park will be available towards the end of 2017. Simplified scheme of the sensing technique published in Optics Express. Credit: University of Portsmouth New research has made it possible for the first time to compare the spatial structures and positions of two distant objects, which may be very far away from each other, just by using a simple thermal light source, much like a star in the sky. This sensing technique, introduced by Dr Vincenzo Tamma at the University of Portsmouth in collaboration with the University of Bari in Italy and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the US in the recent publication in Optics Express, enables the comparison of the spatial structure of a remote object with a reference object, paving the way for important remote sensing applications. The technique builds on the famous Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect, originally employed to measure the angular size of a distant star, which gave birth to the novel field of quantum optics. The reported new research has now taken the physics behind this effect an important step further. Dr Tamma said: "These results not only deepen our understanding of the interesting physics behind multiphoton interference but are also of interest in the development of quantum technologies for remote sensing, biomedical imaging and information processing." The multiphoton interference phenomenon at the heart of this novel sensing technique was first predicted by Dr Tamma and his student Johannes Seiler in 2014 and reported as a Fast Track Communication in the journal New Journal of Physics. The counterintuitive nature of this phenomenon made it difficult to accept by part of the scientific community. Nonetheless, it has already led to three independent verifications (here,here and here) in three different experimental scenarios in US, Italy and South Korea. In the recent publication in Scientific Reports in collaboration with the University of Bari, this technique has been experimentally employed for the spatial characterization of two remote objects, namely two double-pinhole masks, at distances that, in principle, could be arbitrarily large. In the experimental setup, thermal light impinges on a balanced beam splitter and then reaches the two remote double-pinhole masks through the two beam splitter output channels. Dr Tamma said: "In the experiment reported here, the distance between the two pinholes is large enough that there is no coherence between the light passing through them. The classic Young's double-slit experiment teaches us that in this case no single-photon interference can be measured behind each mask separately. Nonetheless, multiphoton interference is observed by performing correlation measurements with two detectors, one placed behind each of the two masks. Even more interesting, the measured interference pattern allows us to retrieve information about the position and spatial structure of both masks. "Remarkably, this sensing technique allows the measurement, via multiphoton interference, of the relative shrinking/stretching of one object with respect to the other. Furthermore, if both detectors are moved, symmetrically, farther away from the optical axis it is even possible to increase the measurement sensitivity to the changes in the object spatial structures. Similar analysis can be performed to determine the relative position of the two different objects." The application of this technique to sensing of arbitrary remote objects could pave the way to a broad spectrum of applications in remote sensing. Furthermore, the extension of this scheme to the use of entangled photons may lead to applications in high-precision metrology beyond any classical capability. The physics of multipath correlations at the heart of this effect has been already demonstrated to be crucial in the simulation of quantum logic gates with a thermal source. This has potentially important applications in information processing and the development of novel optical algorithms. The DRILL device is connected to a mass spectrometer to sort charged droplets and improve desolvation of ionized biomolecules for analysis. The device requires no modification of the mass spectrometer, and can be accommodated within the standard work flow now used by researchers. Credit: Rob Felt, Georgia Tech Adding the equivalent of a miniature tornado to the interface between electrospray ionization (ESI) and a mass spectrometer (MS) has allowed researchers to improve the sensitivity and detection capability of the widely-used ESI-MS analytical technique. Among the scientific fields that could benefit from the new technique are proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics which serve biomedical and health applications ranging from biomarker detection and diagnostics to drug discovery and molecular medicine. Known as Dry Ion Localization and Locomotion (DRILL), the new device creates a swirling flow that can separate electrospray droplets depending on their size. In this application, one of many potential uses for DRILL, the smaller droplets are directed to enter the mass spectrometer, while the larger ones which still contain solvent remain in the vortex flow until the solvent evaporates. Removing the solvent allows analysis of additional ions that may be lost in current techniques and reduces the chemical "noise" that inhibits selectivity of the mass spectrometer. "A major challenge for detecting small quantities of biomolecules using mass spectrometry technology is that we can't see everything that is actually in the sample," said Matthew Torres, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech's School of Biological Sciences. "The DRILL device provides a new way to solve that problem by increasing the number of ions we can get into the mass spec instrument so we can productively detect them. The ions are there now, but not necessarily in a form that the mass spec can handle." Developed by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology with support from North Carolina State University, DRILL can be added to existing electrospray ionization mass spectrometers without modifying them. "The principle is to make the droplets rotate and use inertia to separate them out by size," explained Andrei Fedorov, a professor in Georgia Tech's Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. "We want the droplets to stay in the flow long enough to remove the solvent. In practice, smaller droplets remain in the center, where they are can be removed first for analysis, while the larger ones remain on the edge of the flow until they are dried." This schematic represents how the DRILL device operates as it transmits ions to the mass spectrometer using a carefully-designed vortex flow. Credit: Peter Kottke, Georgia Tech The key idea of DRILL is based on Fedorov's 2007 invention "Confining/Focusing Vortex Flow Transmission Structure, Mass Spectrometry Systems, and Methods of Transmitting Particles, Droplets, and Ions." (US Patent No. 7,595,487). In the past three years, the DRILL device has been developed with support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, and its latest version was described June 14 in the American Chemical Society journal Analytical Chemistry. In electrospray ionization (ESI), an electric potential is applied to a solution inside a capillary, producing a strong electric field at the spray capillary tip. That leads to the expulsion of an aerosol containing charged droplets that carry the molecules to be analyzed. The ejected droplets then break up into smaller droplets, creating a plume that expands spatially beyond the inlet intake capacity of the mass spectrometer, resulting in sample loss. The DRILL device provides an effective interface for collection and transmission of charged analytes from ionization sources, such as ESI, to detection devices, such as mass spectrometers, resulting in significantly improved detection capability. As much as 80 to 90 percent of large biopolymers (proteins, peptides, and DNA) are currently lost to analysis using existing ESI-MS techniques, which have grown in importance to the life sciences community. Capturing all of the biopolymers could lead to new discoveries, said Torres, whose lab studies post-translational changes in proteins. By allowing analysis of large biomolecules, DRILL could facilitate top-down proteomics in which complete protein molecules could be studied without the need to enzymatically break them up into smaller pieces before MS analysis. "This could allow us to see combinatorial modifications that exist on a single protein molecule," said Torres. "It's very important for us to understand how proteins communicate with one another, and DRILL may allow us to do that by more effectively removing the solvent from these types of samples." The Georgia Tech researchers are using DRILL in their lab to interface between liquid chromatography and the ESI-MS instrument. Multiple electrodes and inlet/outlet ports enable precise control over the flow generation and guiding electric field inside the DRILL, so the device can be configured for a variety of uses, Fedorov noted. In a general sense, DRILL adds a new approach for manipulating the trajectory of charged droplets, which, when combined with hydrodynamic drag forces and electric field forces, provides a rich range of possible operational modes. Research Scientist Alex Jonke (left) connects DRILL to a mass spectrometer in the Torres laboratory at Georgia Tech, while Graduate Research Assistant Jung Lee prepares to collect mass spectra resulting from the analysis. Credit: Rob Felt, Georgia Tech DRILL can improve the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of 10 in the detection of angiotensin I, a peptide hormone, and boost the sensitivity for angiotensin II ten-fold to picomole levels. DRILL demonstrated improved signal strength up to 700-fold for eight of nine peptides included in a test extract of biological tissue. DRILL could potentially allow the study of entire cell contents, analyzing thousands of different molecule types simultaneously. That could allow researchers to see how these molecules change over time to detect problems in chemical pathways and to determine why drugs work in some people and not others. "This could be a huge advance for biologists and others who are interested in protein biochemistry and cell biology because it enhances the sensitivity of the analytical technical and overcomes a major hurdle in studying large biological molecules," Torres added. "We expect to be able to see things we haven't been able to see before." The Georgia Tech researchers have been collaborating with David Muddiman, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University, on developing DRILL and its analytical characterization using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry experiments. A unique contribution of the North Carolina State University researchers is in using a powerful statistical method called "design of experiments" to guide the multi-parameter optimization of the DRILL device, resulting in identification of a sweet spot for optimal operation. Fedorov and Torres hope to expand use of the DRILL device beyond Georgia Tech laboratories and further enhance its design. Among the near-term improvements planned is the addition of internal heating to accelerate the removal of solvent. "We see many additional improvements that will allow DRILL to further enhance the ESI-MS process," said Fedorov. "We plan to continue evolving it as more labs start to use the device." More information: Peter A. Kottke et al. DRILL: An ESI-MS interface for improved sensitivity via inertial droplet sorting and electrohydrodynamic focusing in a swirling flow, Analytical Chemistry (2017). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01555 Journal information: Analytical Chemistry - The process to recall Senator Dino Melaye is still generating buzz - The senator representing Kogi West senatorial district is at loggerheads with political leaders in Kogi state - He also seem to have lost the support of some prominent people in the Okun nation Okun indigenous groups and township associations in Lagos on Wednesday, June 28 said they are in support of the electoral processes to recall Senator Dino Melaye. Melaye represents Kogi West Senatorial District, an ancestral domain of the Okun people. The group in a statement signed by Rotimi Ajibulu and Adebukola Ebenezer said Okun residents in Lagos are very happy with the process, insisting that Senator Melaye had been a bad ambassador of the Okun people. Senator Dino Melaye is battling to save his political career Ajibulu is a former executive member of the Federation of Okun Students, while Adebukola is the President of Okun Progressive Association in Lagos state. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The duo said they had rallied Okun residents in Lagos to campaign and work for Dino emergence as a senator in 2015 but were left disappointed in the manner Dino had portrayed the Okun nation and its humble people. Prequel to the election, Senator Dino met with various groups and associations from Okun nation and other towns within the Kogi West Senatorial District in Lagos seeking for our support. We in turn formed a think-tank team that spoke to our people at home to support Dino. "However, today we acknowledge that it was our greatest mistake. In fact, supporting Dino was a tragedy. He has proven us wrong, he has brought lot of disgrace and shame to the Okun people. We totally support his recall from the Senate and urge all our people back home to follow suit, the groups said. The group also warned the embattled senator to stop dragging names of respected Okun indigenes and elders into his woes and wait for the verification of signatures by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Kogi West residents queue to sign the recall register of Senator Dino Melaye in Lokoja The group while commending the turn out of Okun people to sign the recall petition, urged them not to succumb to harassment and intimidation to back out from the lofty and legendary process. We understand the pressure on Okun people to back out of this recall process. We must not bow to misrepresentation, dishonesty and thuggery. "The Okun nation has a long list of notable and responsible people it can put forward to represent them. Senator Dino is just a mistake of selection, they concluded. READ ALSO: Those calling for restructuring are opportunists - Governor El-Rufai Legit.ng's visit to the Lokoja and Koton Karfe local government areas on Saturday, June 10 indicates that the people are keen on recalling the controversial senator. Watch the Legit.ng TV video report on the visit below: Source: Legit.ng News Microsoft Buying Cloud Optimization Startup Cloudyn Microsoft today announced an agreement to acquire Cloudyn, a provider of public cloud monitoring services for enterprises, managed service providers and cloud solution providers. Cloudyn claims that its services monitor "over 15 percent of total global cloud spend," generating information about public clouds in terms of use, cost and performance, according to its datasheet publications. Users get dashboard views of various cloud services, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, OpenStack and Microsoft Azure. Cloudyn also offers a service for monitoring Docker Container use. Cloudyn has its headquarters in Acton, Mass. with offices in New York and Israel. The privately held company was founded in 2011. Investors include Carmel Ventures, Infosys, RDSeed and Titanium Investments. Microsoft's plans for the Cloudyn acquisition aren't wholly clear, but completion of the deal still requires getting regulatory approvals. A report by Seeking Alpha suggested that the deal is rumored to be valued between $50 million and $70 million, although price details weren't announced. Microsoft plans to add Cloudyn's services to its products, but those details weren't explained. "Cloudyn capabilities will be incorporated into our product portfolio that offers customers the industry's broadest set of cloud management, security and governance solutions," stated Jeremy Winter, director of program management for Microsoft Azure security and operations management, in Microsoft's announcement. The Microsoft Operations Management Suite, a multicloud management solution, possibly could be a candidate. However, a spokesperson for Microsoft refused to confirm which product portfolio would get Cloudyn technology. It's also not clear what will happen to Cloudyn's current customers. A blog post today by Sharon Wagner, Cloudyn's CEO, simply thanked those customers without describing how they might be affected by the transition. A Microsoft spokesperson, though, indicated that the integrated services would continue to support multiple clouds, "including AWS." Cloudyn's main product CloudynDex is used by enterprises as benchmark for tracking public cloud use. Users get a performance index that compares their use of cloud services with the stats of other companies. CloudynDex also provides recommendations to organizations on how they can improve their cloud services use. News Researchers Claim Petya Outbreak Was Disguised Wiper Attack The June 27 Petya outbreak may have been instigated by "wiper" malware that was disguised as ransomware, and possibly it was unleashed by a state actor. At least that's the assessment coming from Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Matt Suiche of Comae Technologies and Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade of Kaspersky Lab. The two presented their findings in a Web presentation today that was described as being available on demand. A wiper is different from ransomware in that the intent is to destroy the data on the disk. It's not typically used to extract money from victims because ransomware attackers typically want to maintain a certain level of trust with their victims that the data can be decrypted, the researchers argued. Their analysis focused on the key that gets presented on screen to the victim. It's randomly generated, unlike the key in a Readme.txt file dropped by the malware, meaning that there is no way for the perpetrators to decrypt the victim's files, even if the victim pays the $300 Bitcoin ransom. Suiche said that "the delta" between the "installation" key from the Readme.txt and the boot screen showed there was no intent from the attacker to provide decryption keys. The Petya variant encrypts files (AES128) up to the first megabyte. It replaces the Master Boot Record and displays a fake identifier or "installation" key, the researchers said. Suiche compared the modified Petya ransomware in this attack with the Petya ransomware used in 2016. The earlier version of the malware had correctly generated a key that could decrypt data. However, the method of generating the key in this instance of the Petya malware appears to contain "a logic bug," he said. The two researchers questioned the notion that the perpetrators were just incompetent or "script kiddies," even though they made some fundamental ransomware mistakes, such as using a single e-mail address for their victims to use, which got shut down in hours' time, and using a single Bitcoin wallet. The attackers had used a mimikatz variant to steal administrator credentials, so they weren't unsophisticated, Suiche argued. At this point, no viable solution has been found to decrypt the encrypted files. Paying a ransom won't work, since there's no workable decryption key and the mailbox for communication with the attackers has been shut down. For those who did pay, Bitcoin won't refund their money, the researchers explained. The researchers suggested that state actors may be involved because of the concentration of attacks in the Ukraine, noting that Microsoft confirmed that the MEDoc tax accounting software was used as part of the initial infection. The use of MEDoc as a vector also was confirmed by Cisco and Kaspersky Lab. Guerrero-Saade said that upwards of 60 percent of the distribution happened in the Ukraine, and it was seen concentrated next in Russia. He added that a "watering hole attack" had occurred at a Ukrainian news agency site, but it had served up 30-KB variant of the malware with no spreading capabilities. Guerrero-Saade said the malware's spread using the MEDoc software is an important detail to note because there's been "mistaken reporting" about this exploit spreading through Word documents and that people shouldn't opened attached files. He said that he didn't think that was the case. The main vector was the watering hole, he added. Microsoft, when asked today about this technical analysis that the Petya variant was a disguised wiper, indicated via e-mail that it had "nothing to share on the matter." Suiche provided his technical analysis in this Comae Technologies post, where he stated that the Petya variant as ransomware was just "a lure for the media." Kaspersky Lab provided its technical analysis here, calling the Petya variant a "wiper pretending to be ransomware." Microsoft did release patches for the SMB 1 exploit used by the attackers, namely MS17-010 in March and KB4012598 on May 14 (for older Windows systems), addressing EternalBlue and EternalRomance attack flaws. However, generally speaking, this attack opened up questions about how Active Directory is used in organizations. In particular, segmentation should be up for broad discussion in the security space to limit the spread of stolen credentials, Guerrero-Saade explained. Enterprises shouldn't be blamed for not having patches up to date because of the complexity of patching, Guerrero-Saade said. In this case, one vulnerable machine was enough to spread the malware across a domain. He advised having backup capabilities in place to address both ransomware and wipers, and these backup systems shouldn't be connected to a network's machines. If they do get connected to infected machines, they also will be wiped, he said. Guerrero-Saade recommended blocking incoming traffic to TCP Port 445 if that's possible. Organizations should use a modern antimalware solution with strong heuristics in order to understand what the malware is doing to machines. He added that Kaspersky Lab offers a free anti-ransomware tool for use by organizations. (PHOTO: Getty Images) Indonesian police have confirmed that the maid arrested over the double murder in Bedok last week will not be extradited to Singapore. An Indonesian police spokesman told The Straits Times that, according to their legal principle of personaliteit, an Indonesian arrested in the country for a crime committed in another country must be dealt with in Indonesia. The domestic worker Khasanah, 41, was caught at a hotel in the Jambi province on Tuesday (27 June) night, according to a report on Indonesian police news site Tribata News. She is believed to have left Singapore by ferry from the HarbourFront Centre. Following her arrest, Khasanah confessed to killing Chia Ngim Fong, 79, and his wife Chin Sek Fah, 78, at their Bedok Reservoir Road flat last Wednesday. The elderly couple were found motionless in their Bedok Reservoir Road flat last Wednesday, and were pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene. According to media reports, Khasanah had been working for the couple for a month. Three knives were found by the police in the rubbish chute at the foot of the block. Various valuables were found Khasanahs possession, including three mobile phones, gold and jade jewellery, five watches, a laptop, a computer keyboard and banknotes in various currencies. More Singapore stories: Man arrested for allegedly posing as journalist to cheat hawker of $500 Woman who abused maid and ripped off her tudung jailed 16 weeks Thais jail Singapore bank note robber for 14 months International judges on Thursday awarded Slovenia key access to international waters off the Croatian coast, sparking a furious reaction from Zagreb which said it would refuse to implement the ruling. In a complex 300-page judgement, the judges ruled Slovenia should have "a junction area" with international waters, allowing "freedom of communication" to all ships, civilian and military, seeking access to Slovenia. They determined that the "junction between the Slovenian territorial sea and the 'High Sea' is an area in which ships and aircraft enjoy essentially the same rights of access to and from Slovenia as they enjoy on the high seas," presiding judge Gilbert Guillaume said, in a two-hour long judgement. In Ljubljana, Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar hailed the ruling as a "historic moment for Slovenia," saying the judgement "is definitive and must be applied on both countries, Slovenia and Croatia". The Slovenian leader said he would call his Croatian counterpart during the day to "begin dialogue on implementing the decision". "Slovenia will do nothing to harm relations between our countries or our citizens," he said. But Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said his country will refuse to implement the ruling, saying it was "not obliging us in any way". - Poisoned relations - The sea corridor will be about 2.5 nautical miles wide, and lies about 12 nautical miles beyond the territorial limits of both Croatia and Italy. But in the case which was first lodged with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2009, the court rejected Ljubljana's claim that the whole of the southwestern Piran bay was Slovenian territory. Instead they determined the maritime border "shall be a straight line joining a point in the middle of the channel of the St Odoric Canal" heading straight into the bay from the mouth of the Dragonja River. The area under dispute is a tranquil bay on the northern Adriatic Sea, where the medieval buildings of the southwestern Slovenian town of Piran tumble down to a sleepy port. But the bay is also shared by Croatia, and the dispute over where the sea borders should be drawn has poisoned relations between the neighbours since they both declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. In 2009, the two countries signed an EU-backed deal to allow the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to solve the long-standing dispute over the 13 square kilometres (five square miles) of largely uninhabited land and Piran Bay. Slovenia, which has just 46 kilometres (29 miles) of coastline, had argued its access to international waters was at stake because Croatia, whose coast stretches for 1,700 kilometres, wanted the border to be drawn down the middle of the disputed bay. - 'Freedom of the seas' - The judges stressed that the aim of the corridor was to "guarantee both the integrity of Croatia's territorial sea and Slovenia's freedoms of communication between its territory and the high seas." Zagreb had only agreed to join the proceedings after Ljubljana lifted its veto in 2009 to Croatia's accession to the European Union. But it pulled out again in 2014 following a phone tapping scandal. A Slovenian judge from the tribunal and a Ljubljana official were recorded discussing tactics for a ruling favourable to Slovenia. Observers have warned that if Zagreb does not comply with the ruling it could further strain already tense relations with Slovenia, which is Croatia's key entry point into the passport-free Schengen zone. By Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European allies pledged more troops to support Afghanistan's hard-pressed military on Thursday but left details on numbers vague until the United States clarifies its new strategy to break a stalemate with the Taliban. Despite public fatigue, Europe's latest offer for reinforcements underscores the West's determination to defeat Taliban fighters who harboured al Qaeda militants behind the September 2001 attacks on New York and Washington. It also reflects a growing realisation that the United States and its allies were too hasty in pulling down their large troop presence in 2011, which allowed militants to regain ground and weaken efforts to build Afghanistan's democracy. "Looking back on it, it's pretty much a consensus that we may have ...reduced the numbers a little too rapidly," U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told a news conference following a meeting of NATO defence ministers. Since drastically drawing down from a peak of more than 130,000 NATO troops in 2011, allies have scrapped an earlier plan to pull out of the country despite the high costs of the United States' longest-running war. In a closed-door meeting, Mattis pressed NATO allies and non-member partners to provide more personnel to help train the Afghan armed forces. That would add to the 13,450 U.S. and multinational troops involved in training in the country. NATO commanders are working on the basis of around 1,200 additional troops for next year, diplomats said, but Mattis declined to go into numbers. He said so far he filled 70 percent of the gaps identified by NATO and voiced confidence following his talks in Brussels that "we'll be filling the rest." "We still have a few gaps and nations are stepping up," Mattis said. The United States is considering sending up to 5,000 more troops beyond what NATO allies offer, officials say. "NO TIMELINE" Britain, Norway and Lithuania were among countries to publicly commit to more personnel. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said London would add just under 100 troops, taking its contribution to 585. Spain said it had not made a decision but was ready to help where it could. "We are in it for the long haul, it's a democracy that has asked for our help and it is important that Europe responds," Fallon said, noting the widening Taliban insurgency across the country and frequent suicide attacks that have hit Kabul. Some governments declined to offer more, including Canada, which withdrew the last of its troops in 2014. Progress hung on a new U.S. strategy still being devised and which Mattis is expected to present in mid-July to Donald Trump, after the U.S. president sharply criticised U.S. policy in Afghanistan during his election campaign. After almost 40 years of conflict in Afghanistan, NATO's will be the latest effort to break what its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called a stalemate, stressing the need for a peace deal involving regional powers. Several attempts in recent years to broker a settlement between the Western-backed government in Kabul and the Taliban, have all failed. Without the militants at the table, experts say it is hard to envisage a meaningful solution. The U.S. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has also warned the outlook for the country is bleak even with more NATO and U.S. troops. Mattis did not comment on that intelligence assessment but signalled his long-term support for Afghanistan, declining to say when it might end. "I don't put timelines on wars," he said, adding the West had learned the consequences of allowing its enemies to plot against it from ungoverned spaces. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott,; editing by Ed Osmond and John Stonestreet) Three non-governmental associations said Thursday that they had filed a lawsuit against BNP Paribas accusing the bank of "complicity" in the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi minority in Rwanda. The groups accuse the French bank of financing the purchase of "80 tonnes of arms used to carry out genocide" by the Hutu regime, even though "the bank had to have known the genocidal intentions of the country's authorities." BNP authorised the transfer of $1.3 million (1.1 million euros at current rates) to the regime in June 1994, one month after the United Nations had placed an embargo on weapons deliveries to Rwanda, the groups said in a statement. They accuse the bank of "complicity in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity". A spokesman for the bank told AFP it could not comment on the claims, saying it did not yet have "sufficient details". The groups allege that BNP authorised the transfer of the money that was held by Rwanda's national bank (BNR) to an account held at Swiss bank UBP by Willem Tertius Ehlers, a South African intermediary who owned an arms-dealing brokerage called Delta Aero. The four-month genocide led to the massacre of about 800,000 people, mostly from Rwanda's Tutsi minority. The lawsuit was filed in France by Sherpa, which defends victims of economic crimes; Ibuka France, a Rwanda victims' association; and the France-based Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda, which pursues claims against genocide suspects. Kigali has repeatedly accused Paris of having a hand in the genocide and of being slow to prosecute some of its kingpins living in France. NATO allies will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan to help the government battle a resurgent Taliban but there is no question of returning to a combat role, the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday. NATO ended its longest-ever military operation in 2014 when it handed over frontline duties to the Afghan military and took on an advice and training mission, but recent Taliban gains have dented hopes of a quick end to the war. As he arrived for a defence ministers meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue, Stoltenberg said the 29 NATO allies were considering an increase of several thousand soldiers. "I can confirm we will increase our presence in Afghanistan," he said. "We have to understand this is about training, assistance, advice... It is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight." Additional troops now could help bolster Afghan special forces, improve Kabul's air force to provide ground support and evacuations, and step up officer training, he added. Stoltenberg did not give exact figures but diplomatic sources say an increase of up to 3,000 troops is under consideration. The alliance currently has about 13,500 soldiers in what is known as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, of which half are from the US. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is due to brief the allies later Thursday but Stoltenberg said he did not expect him to give specific troop numbers. "We will look into how we together can... have enough troops to help the government and break the stalemate and so lay the ground for a political solution," Stoltenberg said. Separately, British Defence Minister Michael Fallon said London would provide just under 100 troops, on top of 500 already in Afghanistan. Like Stoltenberg, Fallon emphasised that the troops would have no combat role and that the deployment was needed to help Afghanistan combat terrorism which threatened regions across the globe, including Europe. "There is every incentive to stay the course," he said. International Relations June 29, 2017 Stefan Kipfer Putain, nous sommes en marche arriere Slogan on a wall in the 20th district of Paris. I really hope Macron can reform France, which is not doing well, you know. These were the words of a young and stylish corporate lawyer, who started chatting with me during lunch in the cafeteria of the French national library. Emmanuel Macrons La Republique En Marche had just won the Parliamentary elections. The lawyer tried to convince me of the benefits of liberalism but also expressed anxiety about whether Macron would manage to do what previous Presidents have not: overcome all the various social and institutional obstacles in the way of a full-fledged neoliberalism. His ambivalence captured the tone of those capitalists and financial journalists who voice cautious optimism about Macrons capacity to restore the confidence of global investors and the European Troika in France. But, in their tunnel vision of an impossible liberal utopia, these commentators typically gloss over the thorny problem of political rule. Macron is both a symptom and cause of the current political crisis in France: a decomposition of the party system alternating between the right and the (nominally) left, reinforced by systemic uncertainty about the future of the European Union and Euro-American imperialism. This crisis is expressed most clearly by the angst-driven willingness of most French politicians to normalize rules of exception in order to bypass parliament and perpetuate the state of emergency in place since 2015. The 2017 Legislative Elections In the second round of the French legislative election, newly-elected President Macrons ad hoc political formation En Marche managed to win 308 seats in the French National Assembly. While less than the predictions made after the first round, this is an absolute majority of the 577 seats in the Assembly. Given the comparatively low percentage of the vote En Marche managed to gather in the first round of the legislative elections (32.2%), this result was made possible by Frances two-stage majoritarian electoral system. Macrons majority increases further (to 350) if one counts the 42 seats won by Francois Bayrous centrist MoDem (Mouvement Democratique), with whom Macron struck an electoral agreement. Compared to Macrons and Bayrous success, Frances other political formations suffered major setbacks. While the bourgeois right Les Republicains (LR) and Union des Democrates et Independents (UDI) was not decimated, its combined seat total shrank to 136, compared to 196 in 2012 when they lost their parliamentary majority to Parti Socialiste (PS). This defeat has already prompted a formal split. 38 centre-right politicians from the LR and the UDI have formed a separate, Macron-compatible parliamentary group willing to work with the new majority. The Front National failed, once again, to translate promising results in the Presidential election into real parliamentary weight. While they increased their presence in the Assembly to 8 seats, this is still not enough to form a parliamentary group. As a result, internal struggles over the direction of the party, which resurfaced after Marine Le Pens defeat by Macron in the Presidential election, are sure to intensify in the near future. Will Le Pen and chief strategist Florian Philippots already weakened line (a critique of the EU, the old fascist slogan neither left nor right) hold against those who want to re-situate the FN more decisively on the extreme right, with even fewer ideological concessions to economic sovereignty and social questions, and forge a strategy to begin collaborating formally with the populist wing of the LR? The left, meanwhile, was reduced to a strikingly low overall proportion of the Assembly 12.6% of all seats. Since 1981, when the PS and the PCF won the elections, the left dipped this low only once, in 1993 (16.1%). Otherwise, the total proportion of the left fluctuated between 30.9% and 67.8% in that time period. So what explains their recent performance? Simply speaking, the Socialist Party (PS) and the Greens (Europe Ecologie/Les Verts) received the bill for the disastrous Francois Hollande years. The PS lost 250 of its 295 seats in the pre-election Assembly. The Greens, which won 18 seats and formed a parliamentary group for the first time in 2012, were shut out entirely. The two left formations that did not participate in the Hollande government the Parti Communiste Francais (PCF) and Jean-Luc Melenchons France Insoumise (FI) fared better, with 10 and 17 seats respectively. The PCF and the FI (which ran under the common banner of the Front de Gauche in 2012) failed to reach an electoral agreement prior to the first round, after which many of their candidates were eliminated and thus could not capitalize on Melenchons promising result. Despite this failure, which many grassroots organizers deplored bitterly, the PCF and the FI managed to increase their total number of seats from 15 to 27, the total of the Front de Gauche in 2012. The weight within the (now much diminished) parliamentary left has shifted to the left of the Socialists in ways unseen since the 1970s. This puts the Melenchons FI in an enviable position when it comes to discussions about a potential recomposition of the parliamentary left in France. A New Ruling Bloc? Bruno Amable and Stefano Palmobarini have pointed to a persistent feature of French politics since the late 1970s the difficulty of forging a neoliberal social bloc with relatively predictable electoral capacities. They argue that the social components of a potential bourgeois bloc (factions of the bourgeoisie and its upper-middle class allies) have been torn between the major forces of left and right, the Socialist Party, and its right-wing equivalent (which changed its name a few times, from the RPR to the UMP and now the LR). In this context, Macrons En Marche, built as it was upon the marginalization of the PS left under the Hollande-Valls-Macron leadership and the subsequent implosion of the PS as a whole, promises to liberate neoliberals in various camps from what remains of the already greatly weakened left-right social and ideological cleavage. These shackles have stood in the way of a French version of British Blairism or a German-style Grand Coalition. Amable and Palombarinis neopluralist (and neo-institutionalist) analysis is too mechanical (treating alliances as static aggregates of pre-existing social interests) and too idealist (abstracting from the contradictions and struggles which, in a capitalist context, corrode ruling blocs). It is also one-sided in neglecting other political forces central to French politics. For example, they ignore what Sadri Khiari has called the colonial counter-revolution: Frances response to decolonization, Third World aspirations, and migrant mobilizations since the late postwar period. Still, Amable and Palombarini provide a welcome, longer-term context for all those who have written about the crisis of rule in the current conjuncture. They show that hegemonic instability in France (as posited by Stathis Kouvelakis), which has indeed intensified under Sarkozy and Hollande, builds upon deeper cracks in the foundation of bourgeois rule in France. Amable and Palombarini also provide proper context to what Gramsci would call Macrons transformism his capacity to absorb or neutralize elements of existing parties (Socialists, centrists and liberals) while also recruiting people without strong ties to these political formations. Some of this capacity results from painstaking labour (undertaken by many, including Macrons wife Brigitte Macron) building social ties between their own provincial worlds and Parisian bourgeois circles. Thus embedded, Macrons government and the newly elected parliamentary group En Marche could become a key component of a new ruling bloc, one that links a new cross-partisan mix of politicians and operators to new political recruits. It would be a bloc, therefore, that is younger, more entrepreneurial, a bit more female, and less beholden to the interpersonal feuds and sectarian allegiances that have immobilized existing political apparatuses. A Thin Majority Macrons rapid rise from the senior state bureaucracy to President (via banking and the Hollande government) may turn out to be too good to be true. Three days after the Parliamentary election, Macron already had to regroup his government. Four ministers and state secretaries, including MoDem chief Bayrou, had resigned from cabinet. They had run afoul, individually or through their party MoDem, of a top Macronite electoral promise: to bring moral integrity to public office, a promise which Bayrou himself was charged with implementing. Like the Front National, MoDem is being investigated for using the labour of EU Parliamentary assistants paid by Brussels to support their national party apparatus instead of the work of their European deputies. Clearly, Macrons image of political renewal is already tarnished by old practices. Given that links between business and government are particularly systemic in Macrons regime, these resignations are unlikely to remain the only ones in his term. Macron himself is split between two contradictory orientations. While declaring the renewal and broadening of the French ruling class, he enthusiastically supports the deeply undemocratic features of the Fifth Republic the heavy bias toward the office of the President, which lends itself to personalized rule and curtails Parliament in several acute ways. Macron has admitted to his (quasi-)royalist, or, perhaps more accurately put, Bonapartist leanings. These leanings are now infused with the business-oriented managerial practices that permeate Macrons government and the enthusiasm by which Macron extends Frances imperial foreign policy, pushing for a proper EU security and military apparatus while sustaining Frances military missions in Africa. Authoritarianism is indeed second nature to Macron. After prolonging the state of emergency for a sixth term, he has already embarked on a project to enshrine in regular legislation key provisions of the state of emergency law, including pre-emptive house arrest, house searches, the closure of places of worship (i.e. mosques) and a newly added provision to define zones where police have special powers to search people and property. He thus proposes to make permanent the very rules of exception that undermine basic principles of the separation of powers and habeas corpus. These have been used during the Hollande years not primarily to pursue perpetrators of terrorist attacks but more frequently to criminalize Muslims, residents of segregated neighbourhoods, and protestors of police violence, climate change and labour laws. Macrons strategy to radicalize Hollandes record (which he himself carried to a significant extent) has a second, closely related plank: his promise to accelerate the deconstruction of Frances social security system, shrink the public sector, and deepen labour law reforms to further buttress the power of employers in various ways. One such way is to decentralize collective bargaining to the enterprise level, thereby undercutting the capacity of French labour unions to compensate for very low unionization rates with sector-wide strategies or national political action. As Amable and Palmobarini have pointed out, there is no social majority for such reforms in France. The modernizing, so-called social-liberal wing of the Socialist Party, and the neoliberal currents in the French centre and right (both of which Macron draws upon), have faced this resistance repeatedly since the 1980s. Under Hollande, this lack of solid social and parliamentary support for economic liberalism explained the recourse to constitutional mechanisms to bypass Parliament and new levels of repression to curtail and divide mass protests. The project of building a more integrated socio-political bloc to sustain Macrons liberal political synthesis is thus fraught with deep obstacles. Everyday entrepreneurialism has made headway among the French population, including in segregated neighbourhoods with non-white majority populations. Yet this daily entrepreneurialism, which is sometimes a matter of survival and an obvious feature of social media dynamics and mass-produced pop culture, does not in itself indicate a widely shared, deeply held and unequivocal commitment to neoliberalism. Many indications, including surveys and exit polls, suggest that Macrons Presidential and Parliamentary majorities do not reflect a profound appeal of his ideas or programme. Macron won the elections to a large extent because French voters rejected his opponents (the PS, the right, and the Front National) and withdrew from elections on a mass basis. In the second round, 57.4% of registered voters refused to cast a ballot, a rate that exceeds the record set in 2012 by a whopping 13.7%. 440 of 577 deputies were elected by fewer than 25% of registered voters. If one takes into account rates of non-registration, Macrons support drops even further. In the first round, when people could choose from the full range of parties, less than 11% of eligible voters cast a ballot for En Marche. The party of abstention, not Macron, was the winner of the 2017 vote. In contrast to the UK, where Jeremy Corbyns campaign was carried by a remarkable surge in participation by young people, the electoral behaviour of French citizens, particularly the young and members of the working class, is more volatile than ever. Macron 2017 = Le Pen 2022? As Emmanuel Macron faced Marine Le Pen in the second round of the Presidential election, a slogan started appearing on the walls of central Paris: Macron 2017 = Le Pen 2022. This equation underestimated the dangers of the Front National. Yet it still has the great propagandistic merit of establishing a relationship between neo-fascism or authoritarian populism and less openly nationalist and socially conservative forms of neoliberalism. This relationship has been endemic to Euro-American politics since the 1980s. The ongoing instability of political rule, widespread social precarity, and an embrace of imperial war and anti-Muslim racism by liberals, centrists and Socialists suggest Macronism will indeed further fertilize the ground for the Front National and its potential future allies on the populist Sarkozyist or Catholic right. It is important not to forget another key fact from the 2017 French elections: the Front National established itself for the first time as a party that could win the Presidential election. Within a week of the run-off vote, Marine Le Pen polled within 18% of Macron. At the end, she garnered 34%, not 41% of the vote. Still, a record 10.6 million French voters cast their ballots for Marine Le Pen, almost twice as many as the 5.5 million (17.8%) who voted for her father in 2002. Marine Le Pens result builds upon the FNs record-breaking results in the European and municipal elections of 2014 and 2015. The FNs relatively weak performance in the two rounds of the Legislative election (13.2% and 8.8% respectively) thus does not mean that the FN is on its way out. In fact, the election has shown that it is more difficult now than at any other time since the FN emerged on the electoral scene in the early 1980s to contain the spread of the party. In the end, left and popular-democratic forces are the only ones with the potential to break the link between Macron and Le Pen. Crucial questions impose themselves in this context. Will the organized, parliamentary or non-parliamentary left undergo a process of recomposition to avoid further marginalization and fragmentation? Will the forces who have confronted Hollande and Macrons labour law reforms in the street (for example the union activists and autonomists in the newly formed Front Social) muster the energy to defeat Macron on this point and the broader austerity agenda, the divisions in the labour movement notwithstanding? Will the coalition that managed to pull off an impressive mass march against racism and police violence on March 19 build on its efforts? Will it be feasible to mount a significant resistance against the normalization of the state of emergency proposed by Macron, a normalization that is keeping far-right demands to permanently and pre-emptively intern the radicalized alive? Finally, will it be possible, in this broader context, to focus anti-fascist energies (yes, on the FN and the galaxy of fascist groups surrounding it, but also), as Said Bouamama has urged repeatedly, against the acts of everyday violence (against burkini-wearing Muslim women, Roma campers, or refugees) which have helped implement, as it were, racist and Islamophobic policies while legitimizing the FN? Stefan Kipfer was on sabbatical leave in France at time of writing. The position of head of the URSO, which caused uproar in the ruling coalition and chaos and criticism of Jozef Holjencik, will be filled by ex-minister of economy. Font size: A - | A + Lubomir Jahnatek, who was elected to the parliament on the slate of the ruling Smer party and in the past held ministerial posts in two governments involving Smer (economy minister in years 2006-2010 and agriculture minister in years 2012-2016), may become the new chair of the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO). Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement A selection committee has recommended that Economy Minister Peter Ziga (Smer) should appoint him, the ministrys State Secretary Vojtech Ferencz told the TASR newswire. The committee evaluated the bids of four hopefuls: Jahnatek, the incumbent URSO vice-chair Miroslav Celinsky, Jozef Legeny and Lubomir Blasko, at a closed session. Read also: Read also: Energy prices hike tensions in coalition Read more My vision is to make the URSO more transparent, Jahnatek said, as cited by TASR. The URSO cannot be like a Pandoras box ... with some data just getting inside the office and some just coming out of it. Energy prices must be predictable, especially when it comes to the business sector, he added. Entrepreneurs usually plan their investments several years ahead, Jahnatek noted, as quoted by TASR. If they cannot calculate developments [in energy prices] for a five-year period, its very difficult for them to plan their investments. This creates an enormous risk for them. Impartial head of regulatory office or...? Jahnateks nomination was proposed by the Federation of Employers Associations (AZZZ). The former economy minister wants the URSO to be an independent body despite his long-term affiliation with the ruling Smer party. Im in the parliamentary economy committee for Smer, as the party nominee, Jahnatek said. I have been in the top state and legislative posts for the Smer party so it would be impolite towards the party and unfair towards citizens to pretend I have nothing to do with Smer. However, this time I havent been nominated either by the Smer presidium, or by the cabinet, Ive been nominated by the AZZZ. The head of the regulatory office should be impartial and that is why, Jahnatek claims, his nomination by employers and his non-partisan attitude have placed him in the position of nominee. The AZZZ is led by former economy minister Tomas Malatinsky, who was nominated by Smer. Read also: Read also: New law would reform utility regulator Read more The ex-minister also claims he had not discussed the nomination with Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) or the chair of the coalition partner Slovak National Party (SNS) and Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko, reported the Sme daily. Minister Ziga recently announced that the nomination of the new URSO chair is slated to be approved by the government at its session on July 4, 2017. He also noted that Jahnatek is the best candidate. Jahnatek, if appointed, will replace Jozef Holjencik who left the position after higher energy bills started to burden households, according to Sme. Legislation on the regulation of network industries that invests the government with powers to appoint the URSO head was passed in parliament on June 13, overriding President Andrej Kiskas veto. Brand new bus station Nivy to be complete in 2020. Font size: A - | A + The developer HB Reavis will start construction of a brand-new bus station in Bratislava later than originally planned. This is because they have not yet completed the temporary bus station at Bottova Street which will replace the current station until the new one can be built. The developer still does not have all the construction permits needed to complete the external part of the temporary station. It expects that it should manage to do so by the end of this summer. The original date was April. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The temporary station will be located at Bottova Centrum, just opposite the current bus station. The developer is promising better services than those previously available. The temporary bus station will fully replace the current bus station in terms of the number of departure and arrival platforms, said Jakub Gossanyi of HB Reavis, adding that the developer will invest between 4.5-5 million into the project. Immediately after the bus station moves to the temporary premises, the construction of the brand new station with a price tag of 345 million will start. It will have three over ground and two underground floors, with bus platforms located on the first underground storey. It will be accessible to both public and private transport, and the project involves the creation of 2,150 parking spaces and making the area accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. In spite of the delay the developer has not changed the deadline for the completion of the new bus station in the year 2020. Part of premises will be a 125-metre high office building called the Nivy Tower. Its construction was started already in mid-May. Read also: Read also: The construction of new Bratislava bus station kicks off Read more In the meantime, HB Reavis will also rebuild Mlynske Nivy Street into a modern boulevard for 24 million. They plan to complete this by the time the new bus station is constructed. The rebuild of Mlynske Nivy Street, one of the busiest streets in the city, will mean traffic restrictions for public transport as well as general traffic. The developer has prepared two options for its reconstruction. The first one is to close the street completely for 14 months while the second one is to carry out the works gradually with limited traffic on the street over 36 months. The decision will ultimately be up to the Bratislava City Council but the developer has expressed a preference for a complete stoppage of traffic for 14 months. They will ask the city council for a final decision only after they obtain all the construction permits for the rebuilding of Mlynske Nivy Street. Since Wednesday afternoon, a forest fire has been localised but not extinguished, despite the aid of a police helicopter. Forest fire at Zahorie is being tamed also by helicopter. (Source: TASR) Font size: A - | A + A fire in the forest between the villages of Jakubov and Lab in the western-Slovak region of Zahorie was localised on the morning of June 28 . However, the situation was made more difficult by the strong winds, the operations officer of the Regional Presidium of Fire and Rescue Corps in Bratislava told the Sme daily. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Approximately 70 vehicles and devices and 150 members of the corps were on-site, the operations headquarters informed. The damaged area covers about 30 hectares, the mayor of Lab, Marian Moravcik, said according to the daily. Professional fire-fighters from Malacky, Pezinok and Bratislava, as well as volunteer fire-fighters from the nearby municipalities of Lozorno, Velke Levare, Male Levare, Gajary, Plavecky Stvrtok, Zohor and many other towns have helped to curb the fire, said Zuzana Farkasova of the Presidium of Fire and Rescue Corps. The Interior Ministry also sent a helicopter to help extinguish the flames. On June 29, professionals from 30 fire stations in Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra and Trencin regions and volunteers from Trnava Region offered their assistance, the TASR newswire wrote. The government is ineffective as a dam against extremism, President Andrej Kiska says in an interview. Font size: A - | A + President Andrej Kiska says that it is a very bad signal when people who want to be engaged and help to make life in the country better are defamed or humiliated. Why do politicians lack the ability to focus on the important things and the will to take responsibility for their mistakes, as you said in your state of the republic address? Andrej Kiska (AK): We can say our problems comprise education, health care, regions that are lagging behind, and some of us even find the courage to mention the situation of the Roma. We can also say what the solutions should be like, that in education, for example, we should focus on socially disadvantaged families, on critical thinking or on building values in the pupils. But the fundamental mistake that I perceive is that we cannot set concrete, measurable targets or time plans and achieve them. If you are a manager in a company and you want to build a factory, you know your deadline and your budget. But we react by saying, well, it did not work now, but another government will come, and we have only been here for a relatively short time. That is one of the main failures of our state. And when people do not see concrete, tangible results in the most pressing issues, then it translates into resistance and extremism. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Another strong moment in the address was the focus on corruption as the main problem. But how can we effectively fight corruption in a country where the interior minister says he does not see corruption? AK: Sometimes, it seems like we live in two different worlds within one country. Surveys show we have the lowest trust in judiciary within the EU, that we have the second lowest trust in the police, and people see corruption as one of the worst problems. On the other hand, we have politicians who claim there is no corruption and nothing to deal with. It is one of the main failures, and it is also a problem of our mentality. People often need to defend their failures. And if they do it ten, twenty, a hundred times, then they end up believing their own lie. They convince themselves that they are right, and that is the worst part. Because if someone is convinced there is no corruption, we cannot convince them to deal with the situation. Such a person should not remain in his post. If the government does not have enough determination to move the fight against corruption forward, what can the public do? AK: Those who are discontent with the state of society should show it, conscientiously and decently, as the students are doing. The power of real politicians is in their ability to listen to those who have a different opinion, and together we should consider how to move the country forward. Anyones decent critical voice should be welcome here. It is logical that each of us makes mistakes, and as president, I surely make mistakes too. But when someone tells me that I have done something wrong, it should motivate me to correct my mistake, or at least prevent me from repeating it in the future. What is the signal that comes from politicians who belittle the student marches? AK: It is a very bad signal to try to defame or humiliate people who want to be engaged and helping to make life in the country better. One of the fundamental long-term problems of our country is that people who are young and capable want to leave. If these people show us what the problem is and beg us to deal with it and talk with us about it, we need to respect them. They are the ones who can help us build the country. When I visit secondary schools and universities, I call on young people to share their opinions if there is anything they do not like. Read also: Read also: This is not a game, and these are not children Read more You said it is essential that people who have the power to decide hear the critical voices. What was the governments reaction to the criticism you voiced in your address? AK: I have very actively joined the pre-election fight ahead of the parliamentary election, stressing that health care and education should be the priorities of the new government. I was very glad that the government did, in fact, make them a priority. I often meet the health minister and the education minister to discuss how things are moving forward, and the health minister has shown sincere efforts to improve the quality of care during his term. Did the government give you any reason to believe it is able to handle the critical state of the countrys health care? AK: It is immensely hard work to make systemic and fundamental changes in health care. We must be clear with doctors, citizens and nurses on what our aim is and what we want to achieve. Often, it means unpopular measures. I can see that the minister works hard. He comes up with proposals and is trying to promote changes, but he is missing the political support of the whole coalition. There is no discussion about health care in parliament, and I do not hear it in the professional circles either. You say you meet with Drucker. Have you also met Interior Minister Robert Kalinak on the Basternak case? AK: I spoke with him on the phone, but we have not met to discuss it. I expressed my opinion about the whole case very clearly one year ago, in the state of republic address, when I said that nobody in this country could possibly believe that a person carries 12 million euros in cash in a briefcase. The recent discussion about the police intervention in the car chase that claimed the life of a young man suggests there is a schism in societys perception of the police. What do you think of this discussion? AK: It was a huge tragedy. A young man died who did absolutely nothing wrong. I have children who too might do silly things out of youthful recklessness, and I cannot imagine my child would be shot dead like that one day. It was outrageous to me that the interior minister and the police corps president supported the polices actions even before a commission looked into it. I think that the majority of our citizens remain absolutely shocked. It is a tragedy that shows one of the things that I have stressed repeatedly. We need an independent inspection of the police. It is not right that the only checks on the police are themselves. We need to act quickly to change the rules for how police should proceed in similar cases. There is an absolute difference between chasing a car driven by suspected murderers and chasing a car driven by reckless teenagers. It is not right to treat such cases with equal measure. Read also: Read also: 10 things President Kiska thinks about Slovakia Read more The ruling coalition justified its emergence last year with the argument that they want to be a dam against extremism. Have they managed to do this? AK: Not yet, but I am optimistic about the statements of the prime minister against extremism and the steps of the prosecutors, the police, and some ministries who deal with extremism. But the most important thing is to understand that democratic political parties must show the voters that they are the ones who can defeat extremist parties. Another thing is that extremism is growing because cases of corruption go unresolved. There is perhaps no greater mistrust in the state than that which voters hold toward the justice system. When we lose the trust in the state, come election day we vote for someone who says that this is a bad state - that politicians are failing, democracy is failing and the EU and NATO are failing. You can look at the Roma issues as an example. Kotleba and his party seem competent to many and create the image that they are the ones who can address it. But we all know that they have no idea what to do. They only have strong words. We have not dealt with the problems facing Roma and often act like an ostrich, with our heads in the sand. But people in the regions see it as a problem and see that the state is not fulfilling its role. Then someone like Kotleba comes along offering quasi-solutions. The government has unfortunately failed to build a dam against extremism, and it has not won back the countrys trust. The government prefers repression with regard to the Roma community, stressing Roma criminality. How does this attitude influence the Roma community and the majority? What could help to make the community a part of the success story of this country, as you said in your address? AK: Some politicians see that the group of people willing to vote for extremists is growing and feel that if they want to win their votes, they must use the same rhetoric. This is immensely dangerous for the whole country. We saw it ahead of the most recent parliamentary election, when some politicians provoked a fear of refugees in an attempt to win votes. Today it is clear they were only fear-mongering, but this is risky in connection to Roma too. There are more than 400,000 Roma living in Slovakia, which is almost 10 percent of the population. Obviously, there needs to be order, and laws must be observed by everyone. But we need a vision, a plan, and we need to focus on education, on preschool and school. The school is not only about education as such, as it also gives people dreams. It is hard to raise children in shanties without running water or electricity. This is a challenge for our society to overcome, and I think it is a realistic goal for us to accomplish within ten years. We see so many successful projects that work because of the willingness of some people to help. Many Roma live in Spissky Hrhov, and the town has an unemployment rate of nearly zero. The town also has schools that focus on Roma children and vocational schools that have been effective, but we have so far been unable to use examples like Spissky Hrhov to create systematic solutions for the entire country. We even have the resources to do this - there will be 450 million allotted by the end of 2020. Obviously, we will not be giving hand-outs, and changes will require clear involvement of Roma themselves. This problem is so deep that we should assign it its own minister or even create an entire ministry to help fix it. If we do nothing, we will only play into the hands of the extremists. Some of the political statements also regard Slovakias sense of belonging to a certain European identity, like when we talk about two-speed Europe and Richard Suliks opinion. Where do you see the place of Slovakia in Europe? AK: The EU faces two enemies today. First, the outer enemies: countries like Russia would gladly see the EU divided. Outer enemies are trying to crush us when they question the EU and dissolve us from within using their hybrid war. But we also have internal enemies, who are often motivated by political ambition. Sometimes it is very easy to win political votes when you shout loudly against someone from outside. In the times of Czechoslovakia, it was in fashion in Slovakia to shout that Prague was to be blamed for everything. Now, when things are not going as desired, it is in fashion to blame Brussels. On the other hand, there is a discussion within the EU about its future. I am glad that also the prime minister says it is our duty to be in the core of the EU. What the core of the EU will be and the debate about a two-speed Europe are really philosophical questions. The two-speed Europe is already here. Some countries are in the eurozone, others are not; some are in Schengen, others are not. I am very cautious when I hear these discussions, and I tell people that we should talk about how we see this project and look for the things that unite us. In the atmosphere of the hybrid war and conspiracy websites, trustworthy public-service media play an important role. After the election of the RTVS director, do you have think that politicians are aware of that? AK: The public-service television is immensely important in a space often filled with hoaxes and lies. I have a lot of respect for how the RTVS news service has acquired high standards of trust in recent years. My family often takes information from RTVS as well. That was also why I called on the MPs to do everything to keep building that trust. I will keep a close eye on how the new director continues the trend that his predecessor set. You are expecting new candidates to be elected by the parliament, from whom you will appoint Constitutional Court judges. Parliaments Speaker Andrej Danko said they will not elect more candidates. How can this situation be resolved? AK: I want to help solve this situation. I am still convinced that the best people should become constitutional judges. I have never had my own candidates, nor any political ambition. The only thing I asked the coalition was to give me names of people who I could sign without problems and who would make responsible decisions about the fate of our state. I am now expecting the verdict of the Constitutional Court senate, to know how many candidates I need to appoint as judges. I am disappointed that the government is not sticking to its own programme statement goal of changing the law that dictates who can become a candidate for the constitutional judge position. There are some among the candidates who have no clue about constitutional law. What are your relations with PM Robert Fico? Do you meet regularly? AK: The last time we met was after I presented the state of the republic address, when, together with the parliaments speaker, we discussed current issues in domestic and foreign politics. Do you have a reason to believe that the crimes linked with the abduction of the presidents son to Austria will be punished now that the amnesties have been revoked? AK: I was really glad that even after many years, there was so much pressure to cancel the amnesties. I have great respect for the decision of the parliament. When I embraced Mrs Remiasova after the movie Unos, I told her I would do everything to have the amnesties cancelled, so that those who committed the crime would finally be punished. We have said A, so it follows that now we must do B, so that our citizens are not left feeling that those who committed the crime or violated the law go unpunished. I will watch what happens very carefully, and I expect clear results. Now that we as a society have raised this issue, we need to help bring it to its end, because that is the way to build trust in the state. What do you want to stress during the regional elections, regarding the possible victory of fascists? Because it is apparent that the Banska Bystrica region might not be the only case of this. AK: I vetoed the law changing the format of regional elections, but the parliament passed it anyway. I have a serious concern that the two-round election was condensed into one round to secure the victory of some partisan candidates in some regions. The coalition chose to sacrifice Banska Bystrica region for its own partisan, egoistic interests. If the election had two rounds in Banska Bystrica, people would be sure to join to prevent Kotleba from winning. But I believe the candidates have a civic responsibility and are willing to unite for the benefit of one candidate. As president, I will do everything I can to prevent extremists from winning in any region. You had an unplanned meeting with some of the extremists. How did you feel after the talk? AK: They came by bus to Brezno, and when I saw them gathering there, I felt the need to stop by. When you are convinced of what is good for this country, you are not afraid to say it to them, to explain what type of country I want our children to have one day. I may have even heard a cry for help in their questions. They do not see a way out, so they resort to extremism. Our role is to show them what the solutions are. We can work with them, but we just cannot give up. Sme Economy Ministry wants to see the shared economy taxed, while the city of Bratislava asks Airbnb to include accommodation tax in its prices. Font size: A - | A + The platform that enables people to accommodate guests in their private homes or apartments for a fee is becoming more attractive to Slovaks. While last year there were 1,400 active ads offering accommodation in Slovakia, this year there are 2,500, according to the Sme daily. Most of the ads are for stays in Bratislava last year the capital had 500 ads, and this year it has already seen 930, Sme wrote on June 28. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Bratislava Mayor Ivo Nesrovnal praises Airbnb for increasing tourism but criticises it for stripping the city of money, as visitors who stay in the citys hotels and hostels must pay a 1.70 tax per person per night. Bratislava management recently tipped some Airbnb offers and checked whether they pay this tax. Of the 93 checked, only two paid the tax. However, more precise data are not available, as the mediator is a foreign company, and accommodators often operate under various nicknames, making the tax difficult to collect, Marek Papajcik, spokesperson of the Bratislava Office, told the daily. The office already wrote to the Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco, warning that they have to observe local laws and pay taxes. Read also: Read also: Shared economy impacts housing offer Read more Problem with taxes in shared economy Alica Orda Oravcova, president of the Tax Forum of Slovakia, points out that the core issue is the unclear wording of the law on local taxes, which is ambiguous in the details on how the accommodation tax shall be paid. The law will have to be amended to specify the duties of the flats owner, she added. The short-term rental of a house or flat, however, needs not be taxed. Airbnb, as well as Uber , should also be taxed, Finance Ministry said, and it is trying to amend the law on income tax on how firms which operate in Slovakia, as well as in the shared economy, should pay taxes for their profits. The OECD also recommends introducing such measures, but Orda Oravcova points to the potential problems stemming from the different rates at which changes would be introduced in individual countries, which creates the risk of possible double taxation. The shared economy has been used minimally as a source of income, with its share remaining less than 0.01 percent of GDP, Sme wrote, citing former analyst of the Finance Policy Institute Libor Melioris, who specified that this is less than ten million euros. ISTE 2017 Coverage ISTE Participants Respond to Spike in Fake News Websites In todays Wild West media environment of falsehoods and competing claims, how can students separate fact from fiction and judge the credibility of online information for themselves? That was one of the key questions addressed during the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in San Antonio this week. And while there were no simple answers, participants agreed that now more than ever schools must teach students to become critical consumers of the information they find online. Fake news websites are proliferating, and they might have played a role in influencing the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. At the same time, many pundits and politicians including President Donald Trump have labeled articles they dont agree with as fake news, even if the stories were published by legitimate news organizations. At the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., head librarian Angela Smith takes a very deliberate approach in teaching students how to be informed readers of online information, just as she does with traditional nonfiction sources. When teaching students how to read a nonfiction book, Smith who co-presented a session on digital literacy at the conference talks about the different aspects of a book and where to find certain information, such as the table of contents or the index. Similarly, when teaching students how to be effective online readers, she shows students where to find the copyright date, the source and other relevant information on a website. In both cases, Smith stresses that students must critically evaluate the information that is presented by asking questions such as: Whose voice is this? What credibility do they have? What information might they be omitting in making their point? She also takes students to hoax websites such as DHMO.org, which warns of the dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide (water) to show them they cant believe everything they read online. They have that aha moment, where they realize that not everything they see online is real, she noted. Jean Pfluger, upper school librarian for the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston, teaches students how to use the American Library Associations CRAAP Test to evaluate online information according to five key criteria: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose. Pfluger believes the growing influence of fake news websites is proof that the role of school librarians and media specialists is more important than ever. I spend hours finding resources and teaching students how to evaluate online information, she said. I dont see teachers having the time to do that for themselves. The best thing K12 leaders can do is get librarians back in their schools. Michael Morrow, a doctoral student in instructional technology at Sam Houston State University, said students must learn to corroborate the information they find online. Just like journalists do, students should look for multiple sources to confirm a story, he said. Many ISTE participants agreed that the current political climate, in which elected leaders and senior government officials seem to lie with impunity, makes the teaching of digital and media literacy even more challenging. Lying is becoming normalized, Smith said. Its a big issue. In response to this trend, the American Library Association is reevaluating what authority means when applying the CRAAP test, ALA President Julie Todaro recently told the Huffington Post. We talk about credentials in a different way. We talk about going beyond a title that someone has, Todaro explained. ISTE participants also agreed that its impossible to keep up with the number of fake news websites that are cropping up online. Its a moving target, said Joseph Wilson, an English teacher at the Science Academy of South Texas. Dierdre Shetler, an instructional technology teacher for the Cartwright School District in Arizona, said there is no way teachers can show students all of the disreputable sources of news and information available online. But exposing students to some of these sites and discussing what to look for in judging the credibility of online information can help, she said. Shetler recommends a resource from the nonprofit News Literacy Project to help teachers in her district address digital and media literacy. The resource, called Checkology, is a set of online lessons for students in grades 8-12. By working through these online lessons, students learn how to effectively interpret news and information so they can make informed decisions about what to believe, share and act on and ultimately become active members of civic society, the website says. During the ISTE conference, Common Sense Media also announced a new resource to help combat fake news. The organizations News and Media Literacy Toolkit assembles lessons, articles and other information geared toward students of all grade levels. The materials, which cover everything from fact checking to clickbait headlines, give students the essential skills to be smart, savvy media consumers and creators, Common Sense Media says. By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia and the United States began their biggest ever joint military exercises on Thursday, a show of force, largely at sea, aimed at sending a message both to allies and potential foes, including China. The exercises involving 33,000 U.S. and Australian troops on board battleships equipped with strike jets, comes as tension over China's more assertive activity, particularly in the disputed South China Sea, has raised fears of confrontation. Admiral Harry Harris, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, asked how he thought China would view the exercises, said the size of the deployment was intended as a signal. "I'm pleased about that message it sends our friends, allies, partners and potential adversaries," Harris told reporters on board the USS Bonhomme Richard. Relations between the United States and China have soured in recent months as the United States seeks to counter what it perceives as Chinese assertiveness in the Pacific, encapsulated by Beijing's artificial island building in the South China Sea. China claims most of the resource-rich South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims on the waterway. The United States estimates China has added more than 3,200 acres (1,300 hectares) of land on seven reefs and tiny isles in the South China Sea over the past three years, installing runways, ports, aircraft hangars and communications equipment. James Curran, professor of politics and foreign policy at the University of Sydney, said the exercise illustrated the close military ties between the United States and Australia but could raise worry in China about being surrounded. "When there are concerns about China's activities in the South China Sea, this military exercise will send a signal and take on greater significance," Curran said. "China will be concerned if it looks like containment, when you have Australia, the United States and others trying to gang-up on China." The exercise will go on for a month in Australian territorial waters and will include training in land and air operations. (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Robert Birsel) HELSINKI (Reuters) - The Finnish government said on Wednesday it would press ahead with its planned health care reform but would address objections raised by a key parliamentary committee which said parts of the proposal were in breach of Finland's constitution. The reform is a cornerstone in Prime Minister Juha Sipila's plan to balance Finland's public finances and boost the Finnish economy after a decade of stagnation. The health care reform would include spending cuts of 3 billion euros (2.64 billion pounds). The health care system currently runs on a mix of public and private providers. The government has said it wants to boost competition between the two by opening up more opportunities to the private sector while still incorporating public service providers. "The committee found that privatisation would endanger citizens equal access to social and health services", Annika Lapintie, committee chairman and lawmaker in the opposition party Left Alliance, said at a news conference. To pass the reform in parliament Sipila's government needs approval from the committee, which oversees constitutional law. Finland does not have a constitutional court as found in many other countries. The government responded by saying it would implement the reform as planned but that it would "study the committee's statement ... and make a supplementary proposal without delay." It did not elaborate on what the extra proposal would entail. Finland's centre-right coalition agreed on the complex set of reforms spanning health care and regional administration in December, after years of negotiations. The issue nearly toppled the government in 2015. On a state visit to China, Sipila did also not give any details on possible changes. "Amending the proposal will take weeks. The process moves to early autumn", Sipila was cited as saying by Finnish media. The committed had said the planned implementation of the reform in January 2019 was unrealistic and called on the government to bring a new or amended bill to the parliament. Overall, the government plans to find savings worth 10 billion euros to balance public finances over the long term. (Reporting by Tuomas Forsell; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) Of all the species that have ever lived, more than 99% are now extinct. Most of them quietly disappeared during periods of background extinction, whereby a handful of species become extinct every 100,000 years or so. But there were also occasions when extinction rates increased rapidly in short periods of time and wiped out a significant proportion of all life on Earth. These are known as mass extinctions. They have profoundly influenced the history of life and many scientists now argue that we are in the midst of another one. To see if theyre right, we can look at previous occasions when large numbers of species went extinct. Traditionally, scientists have referred to the Big Five mass extinctions, including perhaps the most famous mass extinction that brought about the end of the dinosaurs. This was triggered by a meteorite impact at the end of the Cretaceous period, but the other major mass extinctions were caused by phenomena originating entirely on Earth. While they are less well known, we may learn something from exploring them that could shed light on our current environmental crises. 1. The Late Ordovician This ancient crisis around 445m years ago saw two major waves of extinction, both caused by climate change associated with the advance and retreat of ice sheets in the southern hemisphere. This makes it the only major extinction to be linked to global cooling. This extinction caused the demise of around 57% of marine genera (the taxonomic rank above the species level), including many trilobites, shelled brachiopods, and eel-like conodonts. 2. The Late Devonian This period is now regarded as a number of pulses of extinction spread over 20m years, beginning 380m years ago. It saw the extinction of around 50% of marine genera; among the species killed off were many corals, trilobites, sponges and the heavily armoured fish known as placoderms. This extinction has been linked to major climate change, possibly caused by an eruption of the volcanic Viluy Traps area in modern-day Siberia. A major eruption might have caused rapid fluctations in sea levels and reduced oxygen levels in the oceans. Story continues 3. The Middle Permian Scientists have recently discovered another event 262m years ago that rivals the Big Five in size. This event coincided with the Emeishan eruption in whats now China, and is known to have caused simultaneous extinctions in the tropics and higher latitudes. In particular, there were exceptionally high extinction rates: more than 80% of species were wiped out, among them brachiopods and single-celled benthic foraminifera. 4. The Late Permian The Late Permian mass extinction around 252m years ago dwarfs all the other events, with about 96% of species becoming extinct. This included more trilobites, corals, and whole branches of species of terrestrial animals. The extinction was triggered by a vast eruption of the Siberian Traps, a gigantic and prolonged volcanic event that covered much of modern day Siberia, which led to a cascade of environmental effects. A greenhouse effect rapidly took hold in the atmosphere, while the oceans suffered acidification and oxygen depletion. The ozone layer was partially destroyed, meaning lethal levels of UV radiation reached the Earths surface. The recovery took almost 10m years and even then, the unstable environment this catastrophic crisis created meant the subsequent Triassic period saw intermittent bursts of heightened extinction. 5. The Late Triassic The Late Triassic event, 201m years ago, shares a number of similarities with the Late Permian event. It was caused by another large-scale eruption, this time of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, which heralded the splitting of the supercontinent Pangaea and the initial opening of what would later become the Atlantic Ocean. A similar cascade of environmental effects, as seen during the Late Permian, led to the extinction of around 47% of all genera. The extinction led to the final demise of the eel-like conodonts, as well as the largest known extinction of scleractinian corals. It also wiped out a significant proportion of terrestrial reptiles and amphibians, paving the way for the diversification of the dinosaurs in the Jurassic period. A mass extinction in slow motion So, are we currently in the middle of a mass extinction? If we really are, this time the cause is not a meteorite impact or volcanic eruptions. It is the work of a single species: Homo sapiens. Habitat destruction and climate change from rising carbon dioxide levels has driven extinction rates to levels reminiscent of the mass extinctions of the ancient past. The similarities between today and the past are uncanny. The majority of past extinctions are associated with carbon dioxide from volcanoes causing rapid global warming, which led to a number of environmental cascade effects. The cause may be different, but the results will be the same. However, it is now 66m years since the last mass extinction. Earths ecosystems are very different, and perhaps more stable given the length of time elapsed since the last major biotic crisis. The position of the continents has changed, meaning atmospheric and ocean circulation are different; that makes it very difficult to use past data to predict the outcomes of any future mass extinctions. Current extinction rates are 50 times higher than expected background rates, suggesting that another mass extinction event is underway. But mass extinctions are also about magnitude: if we could travel millions of years into the future and examine rocks preserving todays ecosystems, Id wager wed see little evidence of a major extinction event. If we can stop the biodiversity decline in the near future, we may yet escape mass extinction. But 100 or 1,000 years more of human-caused stress on the biosphere will likely tip us over the edge into oblivion. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Alex Dunhill receives funding from the Leverhulme Trust and the Natural Environment Research Council. France 24 Videos In 2014, Nadia Murad was captured, alongside many other Yazidi women, by the so-called Islamic State (IS) group in the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar. She was held hostage, enslaved, tortured and raped before escaping to Mosul and then making her way to Germany. After sharing the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize with Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, she is now a leading global advocate for survivors of genocide and sexual violence. In an interview with FRANCE 24 from the Paris Peace Forum, Murad discussed what more needs to be done to prevent sexual violence in conflict. "Progress has been made on recognising survivors' right to reparations (...) but I think it's time to put political weight and resources behind the words," Murad told FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris Trent."Not much has been done to prevent what happened to the Yazidi women and girls," Murad said. More than eight years later, "we still have 2,800 women and children who are missing in ISIS [another name for the IS group] captivity in Syria, Turkey and some parts of Iraq. No effort has been made by the international community or our own government or any international organisations to look for the missing Yazidi women and children and bring them back"."Sexual violence does not go away when war is over (...) Ukraine is sadly another example of a failure to follow through on commitments to preventing sexual violence in war," Murad continued."Women's rights were never a priority for the international community to prevent the use of sexual violence," Murad said.Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:Amnesty International demands urgent help for survivors of sexual violence in TigrayAllegations of mass rape by Russian troops in UkraineIraqs Yazidi community: Nadia Murads ongoing fight for justice PARIS (Reuters) - Three non-government organisations (NGOs) have filed a lawsuit in Paris against the French bank BNP Paribas, alleging that it knowingly approved a transfer of $1.3 million from the Rwandan central bank to an arms dealer during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. More than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered during a three-month killing spree by Hutu extremists after a plane carrying the president, Juvenal Habyarimana, was shot down. The three groups - Sherpa, CPCR (Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda) and Ibuka France - said on Thursday that their suit accused BNP Paribas of complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. They said a U.N. arms embargo on Rwanda had been in effect at the time of the transfer. In an emailed statement to Reuters, BNP Paribas said: "We have learned about the suit through the media. At the moment, we do not have sufficient information on the subject to be able to comment on it." Rwandan central bank governor John Rwangombwa told Reuters in a Whatsapp message that he had no comment on the matter. The statement from the NGOs said that Hutu colonel Theoneste Bagosora had agreed the purchase of 80 tonnes of arms with a dealer on June 17, 1994, and that these were delivered to Gisenyi in Rwanda via Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.N. Security Council had put an arms embargo in place the previous month. Bagosora, 70, is serving a 35-year sentence for crimes against humanity in connection with the Rwandan genocide. The NGOs said that BNP's predecessor, Banque Nationale de Paris, which merged with Paribas in 2000 to create BNP Paribas, had knowingly accepted the transfer of $1.3 million from its client, the Rwandan central bank, to the arms dealer's Swiss account. "According to the numerous testimonies and investigative reports attached to the complaint, BNP would have certainly known the destination of the funds," the NGOs said. Rwanda opened an inquiry in November into the possible role of at least 20 French military and other officials in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda, a former German and Belgian colony, had strong ties with France until 1994. Under its current president, Paul Kagame, it has forged close links with the United States and Britain. (Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry, Simon Caraud and Gilles Guillaume in Paris; Clement Uwiringiyimana in Nairobi; Writing by Maya Nikolaeva; Editing by Kevin Liffey) The post-lunch nap is one of the greatest things in life, but not always possible if youre working or out and about. However, residents and tourists in Madrid, Spain, are now able to pop in to the Siesta and Go nap bar to catch some shuteye in peace and quiet. Savvy businesswoman Maria Estrella Jorra de Inza came up with the genius idea the first of its kind in Spain after first discovering it on a recent trip to Japan. Nappers can take an afternoon break in the Siesta and Go (CEN) Guests can choose beds or sofas to have a cheeky nap on (CEN) She said: On a trip to Japan we realised that they offered a lot of options, relaxing spaces for women, for men, mixed spaces. Those taking advantage of the bar have to pay 20 Euros (around 18) for three hours for a private space to sleep. Spaces can be rented for shorter amounts of time, with prices dependent on whether it is on a sofa or bed. MORE: The secret of happiness? Its having a 30-minute nap in the afternoon MORE: Little Boy Tries to Have Nap on Fluffy Dog Nappers are even offered home comforts like slippers and sleeping shirts and given five minutes to change before the clock starts. A worker will wake the napper at the time they have requested. Nappers are also able to have a quiet read away from the noisy city (CEN) The nap bar also has a special room in which people can enjoy coffee, read newspapers and go online. Every city needs one. Top pic: CEN By Justyna Pawlak WARSAW (Reuters) - A trip to Poland by U.S. President Donald Trump next week may feel like a diplomatic coup for the right-wing government, but western European nations are uneasy it will encourage Warsaw's defiance towards Brussels. Trump visits Poland for one day - en route to a G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany - to take part in a gathering of leaders from central Europe, Baltic states and the Balkans, an event convened by Poland to bolster regional trade and infrastructure. Brussels diplomats view the July 6 gathering, dubbed the Three Seas summit because the countries involved border the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas, as a Polish bid to carve out influence outside the European Union with which the nationalist government has repeatedly clashed. Trump plans to promote U.S. natural gas exports to the leaders from central and eastern Europe, a region heavily reliant on Russian supplies, his top economic adviser said. Poland received its first shipment of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) this month. Most diplomats in Brussels dismiss the importance of the Three Seas project, co-hosted by Croatia, but are wary over Trump's high-profile visit to participate in a project one senior EU official called Poland's push towards "self-ghettoisation". "One cannot but feel a bit suspicious if it isn't an attempt to break up European unity," another EU diplomat said about the Three Seas project. Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has played a major role in fuelling a deepening rift between ex-communist and Western members of the European Union, at a time when the bloc is struggling with the aftermath of Britain's decision to leave. Since winning a parliamentary election in 2015, the PiS has angered France over a cancelled army procurement deal, brought relations with Germany to their worst in nearly a decade, and is facing EU action over what critics call its authoritarian tilt. Poland is one of the leading voices in the region against migration, a view it shares with Trump alongside a disregard for climate change and suspicion of international bodies. "A MADNESS OF ELITES" Underscoring Warsaw's mistrust towards the EU, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo recently called an EU quotas policy for relocation of refugees from the Middle East "a madness of Brussels elites", in a speech in parliament. In turn, EU leaders delivered a snub to Poland's government by steamrolling its objections and reappointing former Polish premier Donald Tusk to chair summits. Szydlo, acting on orders from party boss and long-time Tusk adversary Jaroslaw Kaczynski, had vowed to stop him securing a second 30-month term. Warsaw portrayed the issue as one of fundamental principle, in which vital national interests had been ignored by a Brussels machine dominated by "German diktat". Its crushing defeat showed how far the biggest of the ex-communist states that joined the EU after the Cold War appears isolated, even in Eastern Europe. Deeply distrustful of Moscow, Poland hopes Trump, who once called NATO "obsolete", will reconfirm his commitment to the alliance's military build-up in eastern Europe, a deterrence policy against Russia, and possibly promise more. The United States has about 900 troops on Polish soil as part of a rotating NATO contingent in eastern Europe. NATO AND TRUMP But Western diplomats are wary that Trump could use his trip to Warsaw to repeat criticism of Europe's low defence spending, which has irritated many Western leaders. Trump denounced some NATO members' failure to meet a joint target of two percent of economic output, at a meeting of alliance leaders in Brussels last month. Poland, alongside the United States, is one of the few members who meet the goal. "We are not sure what Trump's message is going to be ... If he is here to reinforce Washington's commitment to (NATO's mutual defence principle)? Great!," one EU diplomat said. "What if he makes it conditional, to be based on meeting the ... spending goal? This would cause a lot of damage." Diplomatic observers who watch Washington say Trump may want to use the trip to deliver a message that he is serious about countering threats from Russia. "Most of the countries (at the Warsaw summit) see Russia as their main security threat and most strongly support NATO and would like a stronger U.S. force presence in their countries," said Heather Conley, who was a State Department official in the George W. Bush administration. "GET OUT AND TRAVEL" Some western European officials view Trump's nod to the Warsaw government as counter-productive at a time when European unity is wavering. "We encourage Mr Trump to get out and travel as much as he can. He needs to understand Europe and he can do that by getting out and speaking to people, to European leaders," said one European official, who declined to be named. "(But) he can't do deals with individual countries over the head of the European Union," he said. "In Hamburg, he will hear different arguments, we can clear up anything that has been misconstrued." Poland has expressed hopes Trump can persuade U.S. business to invest in a network of north-south rail and road links central to the regional initiative, something U.S. diplomats and many economists dismiss as unrealistic. Much commerce in eastern Europe is done along east-west trade routes rather than between north and south, to a large degree a reflection of German economic dominance. Some governments in the east may also view Poland's ambitions of regional leadership with suspicion, cautious not to damage relations with trade partners in Berlin. "We are monitoring it," said a Czech government source. "But we don't put much weight on it at the moment." (Additional reporting by Pawel Sobczak in Warsaw, Alastair Macdonald and Robin Emmott in Brussels, Michel Rose in Paris, and Roberta Rampton in Washington, editing by Peter Millership) University of North Georgia President Bonita Jacobs is presenting at the International Association of Presidents (IUAP) triennial conference in Vienna, Austria July 5-8, as a member of a panel addressing new trends in education. The five university presidents on the panel, representing four nations, will discuss how innovation in education has kept their respective institutions invigorated and moving forward. In addition to Dr. Jacobs, the panel will include university presidents from Australia, China, Mexico, and California. The conference will also highlight innovations in industry and university collaborations, 21st century challenges for higher education, new university models and approaches to education, and modern technologies. IAUP is an association of university chief executives from higher education institutions around the world that continues to contribute to a worldwide vision of higher education, promote peace and international understanding through education, and strengthen the international mission of institutions throughout the world. PORTLAND, Ore. An FBI agent pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges that he lied about shooting at a key figure in last years armed occupation of a national wildlife refuge just before the man was killed by Oregon police. W. Joseph Astarita was indicted on five felony charges after the inspector general of the U.S. Justice Department last year began investigating possible FBI misconduct and whether there was a cover-up. He said nothing during a brief court hearing and was released on his own recognizance, declining to comment as he left. Robert LaVoy Finicum, a spokesman for the group that took over the remote bird sanctuary to oppose federal control of land in the Western U.S., was fatally shot Jan. 26, 2016. Oregon State Police opened fire after he got out of a vehicle at a police roadblock and reached toward a handgun in an inner jacket pocket. Investigators determined the troopers were justified in shooting Finicum but also found members of an FBI hostage rescue team at the scene failed to disclose that they fired two rounds that missed the Arizona rancher. The actions of the FBI HRT team in this case damage the integrity of the entire law enforcement profession, which makes me both disappointed and angry, said Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson, whose department investigated Finicums shooting. Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy Williams would neither confirm nor deny that up to four additional members of the FBI team are under investigation for making false statements. Asked why Astarita may have lied, Williams said: I suspect that question will be answered in court. The FBI spokeswoman in Portland, Jennifer Adams, referred questions to headquarters in Washington, D.C., which did not return messages seeking comment. A grand jury indicted Astarita on making false statements to his FBI supervisors just after the shooting and obstruction of justice for misleading the Oregon State Police. A one-week jury trial is set for Aug. 29. The obstruction charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while making a false statement could bring five years. Finicums widow, Jeanette Finicum, has said she plans to sue state police and the FBI, alleging the use of excessive force in her husbands death. Nobody answered a call to her number Wednesday, and her lawyer, Brian Claypool, did not return a message seeking comment. Dozens of people, including leader Ammon Bundy, occupied the remote Malheur National Wildlife Refuge from Jan. 2 to Feb. 11, 2016. They were allowed to come and go for several weeks as authorities tried to avoid bloodshed seen in past standoffs at Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho. But authorities moved in Jan. 26 when key standoff leaders left for a community meeting, pulling over two vehicles and arresting the occupiers inside. Finicum, 54, was driving one vehicle. Video taken by a passenger showed the occupants panicking after authorities stopped the truck. With his window rolled down, Finicum shouted at officers: Shoot me, just shoot me! Put the bullet through me. Finicum then sped off, coming to a roadblock and plowing into a snowbank. Authorities say the FBI agent fired two errant shots as Finicum left the truck. As Finicum stood in the snow, authorities told him to lie on the ground. Instead, he reached toward his jacket, and state troopers fired three rounds that hit him. Williams, the U.S. attorney, said the shooting was necessary to protect officer safety. Most occupiers left the refuge after Finicums death, though four holdouts stayed an additional 16 days. Federal prosecutors tried to convict occupation leaders Ammon and Ryan Bundy and five others in a trial last fall but jurors acquitted them of charges of conspiring to impede federal workers from their jobs. Several others pleaded guilty without going to trial or were convicted. The Bundys and others are now facing conspiracy charges in Nevada over a 2014 armed standoff with federal agents. ____ Follow Steven DuBois at twitter.com/pdxdub SAN ANTONIO A South Texas man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for what prosecutors say was his 11th drunken driving conviction. Jurors in San Antonio convicted 57-year-old San Juan Garcia of felony DWI in a January 2014 traffic accident. A statement from the Bexar (bayr) County District Attorneys Office says Garcia was driving drunk when his vehicle struck a motorcyclist. Toxicology tests indicated Garcia had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit for driving in Texas. Records show Garcias first DWI arrest was in March 1982 and that he served time in prison for several of his later convictions. He was sentenced last week as a habitual offender. At least 14 Albuquerque City Council candidates have gathered the number of signatures they need to qualify for the Oct. 3 ballot in five council races, according to tallies released late Wednesday by the city clerks office. Candidates were required to gather at least 500 signatures by 5 p.m. from registered voters residing in the district each seeks to represent. The candidates listed below are based on the information reported on the clerks website as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. Additional candidates may qualify as the city clerks office continues to verify signatures delivered Wednesday, a clerks official said. Seeking re-election are: District 1, Councilor Ken Sanchez; District 3, Councilor Klarissa Pena; District 7, Councilor Diane Gibson; and District 9, Councilor Don Harris. In District 5, City Councilor Dan Lewis is running for mayor this year, leaving an open seat in that district. District 1 Sanchez, the incumbent, will face off against three challengers in District 1, which covers Albuquerques central West Side. A Democrat, Sanchez operates an accounting firm and is president of Ken Sanchez & Associates Realty. He has represented the district since 2005. Javier Benavidez, a self-described progressive Democrat, is co-director of the SouthWest Organizing Project, a social and environmental justice advocacy organization. He previously worked as a policy analyst for the City Council. Sandra Mills is an independent who grew up in Albuquerque and retired from IBM Corp. Mills volunteers as an AARP tax aide and cites her father, Louis Ulibarri, as her biggest influence. Johnny F. Luevano Jr., is an independent who now works for Presbyterian Health Plan. Luevano served in the Marines and retired with the rank of captain. District 3 Pena, a Democrat, is running for a second term on the council. Her lone opponent is Christopher Sedillo, a Democrat who served as a paratrooper in the Navy in sites that include Iraq, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf, and in Vietnam, where he worked on repatriation of remains. The Albuquerque native retired from the Navy after 26 years. He then worked as a commercial truck driver for a year and a half, but quit in March to focus on the council race. District 5 A three-person race has emerged in District 5 the only council race in which no incumbent is running. City Councilor Dan Lewis is running for mayor this year, leaving an open seat in the northwest Albuquerque district. The three candidates are: Robert Aragon, an attorney who was a state representative for six years. He serves on the state Board of Finance and said he has served on transition teams for both Republican and Democratic governors. Aragon said he was a registered Democrat until 2012, when he switched to the Republican Party. Cynthia Borrego, a retired city planner who currently serves on the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority Board. Borrego, a self-described conservative Democrat, was a planner for the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County for 28 years. She has since opened her own business, Cybas & Associates LLC, a land development consulting company. Catherine Trujillo, who is running as an independent, works with people to help get them back into the workforce. She is vice president of the Taylor Ranch Neighborhood Association. Three other candidates in the district appeared short of the required 500 signatures as of late Wednesday. They are Jose Orazco, Phillip Ramirez and Robert Watson. District 7 A two-person race has shaped up in District 7 between incumbent Gibson and challenger Eric L. Lucero. This district covers Albuquerques mid-heights, including Uptown and parts of the near Northeast Heights. Gibson, a Democrat, is wrapping up her first term on the council. The Detroit native has lived in New Mexico since 1975 and retired from Sandia National Laboratories in 2008. Lucero is a registered Republican and retired from the New Mexico Army National Guard in 2012 after 23 years of service. Prior to that, he served in the Air Force. He said he has been deployed five times. A third candidate, Timothy Carlton-McQueen, remained short of the required signatures late Wednesday. District 9 The incumbent, Harris, will face two challengers in District 9, which includes the far Southeast Heights and Foothills. Harris, a Republican, is an attorney seeking his fourth term on the council. Paul Ryan McKenney, a Libertarian, was in the Air Force and served one tour in Iraq. He identifies himself as a stay-at-home dad and is pursuing a bachelors degree in business through Eastern New Mexico Universitys online program. Byron K. Powdrell, a Democrat, is general manager of a home-based low-power radio station he operates under Future Broadcasters Inc., a nonprofit he started to mentor children in the art of radio. A District Court judge has ruled that the civil case centered around Mary Hawkes shooting death will go to trial twice, according to court documents. One trial will center on the civil rights claims against Jeremy Dear, the Albuquerque police officer who shot and killed 19-year-old Hawkes in April 2014. The second will focus on the Hawkes familys claims against Dears then-employer, the city of Albuquerque. Dears trial is set for March, and the citys will follow in July. Judge Nan Nash wrote in an order last week that dividing the case into two trials is conducive to the expeditious and economical resolution of this matter. She said separate trials would streamline and simplify the evidence presented in the trial against Dear, and would promote fairness to all parties. The city, which requested two trials, said in a statement Wednesday that it is often more efficient to separate trials because the outcome of the first determines which claims require a second. Dears attorney David Roman could not be reached for comment, although he said at a hearing last week that his client would be grossly prejudiced if the claims against him and the city were tried together. The Hawkes familys attorney Shannon Kennedy argued against the citys motion seeking two trials. She wrote in a response that Dears unconstitutional actions resulting in the death of Ms. Hawkes are intertwined with the allegations the lawsuit raises against the city. Former officer Dear embodied the myriad failings of the City of Albuquerque Police Department, they wrote. He did not operate in a vacuum. Kennedy could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Police say that Hawkes was suspected of stealing a car, and pointed a gun at Dear. The lawsuit disputes that account of the shooting, arguing that Hawkes DNA was not on the gun found at the scene. They also allege that lapel camera footage of the shooting was altered or deleted. SANTA FE Two top legislative staffers have asked the state Public Education Department to consider boosting the funding available for a summer program that helps students at high-poverty or low-performing elementary schools. The state appears to be holding back more money than it needs for next summers programs, they said, while the money could help offset the cuts imposed this year. The Public Education Department, in turn, quickly shot down the criticism and says its simply operating within the budget approved by state lawmakers. This so-called proposal kicks the can down the road, PED spokeswoman Lida Alikhani said. Were not willing to gamble at the expense of our students. The back-and-forth came after David Abbey, director of the Legislative Finance Committee, and Rachel Gudgel, director of the Legislative Education Study Committee, sent a letter to the PED this week. Abbey and Gudgel lead teams of employees charged with providing objective analysis for the Legislature. Their letter focuses on K-3 Plus a program that adds five weeks to the school year to help students in kindergarten through third grade boost their math and reading skills. Abbey and Gudgel said the state is holding back about $10 million to help pay for next summers K-3 Plus program more than necessary, they argue, especially when cuts are being imposed now. The cut is particularly acute, they said, at Columbus Elementary School in the Deming district. We find it disconcerting that one of the poorest communities in the state has received the largest percentage reduction in its K-3 Plus budget, despite measurable achievements and strong program execution, Abbey and Gudgel wrote. Alikhani, in turn, said the PED will continue to do everything we can to make the program available to as many students as possible as our Legislature-determined budget and budget flexibility allows. WASHINGTON Senate Intelligence Committee leaders have received assurances they will soon be able to review the memos former FBI Director James Comey kept of his conversations with President Donald Trump, according to the panels top Democrat. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., told reporters Wednesday that he and panel chairman Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., have a commitment from a person they would not name to turn over Comeys memos as part of the committees investigation into Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Warner said the memos are critical information we have to have as part of our review process, though he acknowledged that senators have already been briefed on most if not all of the memos details by Comey himself. The commitment comes as Burr stated Wednesday that his goal is to wrap up the panels investigation by the end of the year a target that though aspirational right now, it can be done, he said. Warner would not speculate about the timeline, but noted the panel is moving into a new phrase of their probe. Its going to be more, some of the names of people who are affiliated with the Trump campaign who have been basically mentioned in the process have possible ties to Russia, he said. The committee is expected to interview Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, but has not yet set a date. Kushner recently retained new counsel. Warner said that the committee is expecting Mr. Kushner, who volunteered, that that commitment will be kept. But the committee has not set a date for interviewing other campaign advisers, such as Carter Page and Roger Stone, and Burr said Wednesday that he hadnt decided whether the committee would interview them at all. They havent necessarily been high on our list because we havent identified high value to em, Burr said. Were still having a very difficult time understanding whether [Stone] has anything to contribute to our investigation, Burr said, stressing the importance of trying to separate what people say from what we find people do or did. Stone became a source of interest after he tweeted last year that Hillary Clintons campaign chief John Podesta would soon have his time in the barrel shortly before his private emails were published by WikiLeaks. The House Intelligence Committee spoke to Podesta behind closed doors Tuesday, and according to a report in Politico, is expected to interview Stone next month. Stones lawyer did not immediately return a request for comment. Burr has previously refrained from setting any sort of timeline for his panels probe, a process that involves digging through reams of documents, interviewing dozens of witnesses and producing a report. Finishing the investigation by the end of 2017 would be far sooner than many outside observers predicted. The Senate Intelligence Committees investigation is largely seen as the leading Russia probe in Congress, due to the panels broad authority to conduct oversight across the government and the ability of its leaders, Burr and Warner, to avoid the sort of politically-fueled squabbling that has consumed several other committees trying to investigate the matter. Burr said at a hearing Wednesday that his committees final assessment of why and how Russia allegedly meddled in the 2016 election likely would not differ much from the initial assessment of the intelligence community, which found in January that Moscow interfered through a series of hacks and a coordinated disinformation campaign to aid Donald Trumps chances of becoming president. He chided the administration for not showing more initiative in responding, through sanctions or some other means, to the threat Russian cyber aggression poses to many Western nations, saying that what the worlds crying for right now is for leadership. Burr stressed that the committees responsibility was chiefly to make sure that every American and every person globally that cares about the integrity of elections reviews what we find . . . to ensure that elections are fair and that theres no interference in the future. But lawmakers are having difficulty getting administration officials to publicize information that may be relevant to increasing such awareness. Warner said Wednesday that he and Burr have asked the Department of Homeland Security to publicly release a list of the 21 states it has identified as having been the targets of Russian hacking attempts aimed at election infrastructure. Also on Wednesday, Republican Senate Judiciary Committee leaders announced they had sent a letter to deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein and acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, requesting copies of all available applications for foreign surveillance warrants that were submitted in relation to the investigations into Russian election meddling and potential collusion between the presidents campaign and Kremlin officials. The committee needs all of these documents to evaluate fully the FBIs and the Justice Departments actions in this situation, committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and crime and terrorism subcommittee chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote in their letter. The Senate Judiciary Committee recently announced it had also sent a letter to former Attorney General Loretta Lynch seeking information about assurances she allegedly gave the Clinton campaign that little would come of an investigation into Clintons use of a private email server while secretary of state. The Washington Post has reported that the source of this allegation is a Russian intelligence document that describes an email between political operatives that the FBI consider dubious. Well, the timing seems a bit ironic. Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry is scheduled to receive the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerces award for Excellence in Public Safety tonight for several initiatives he launched to help fight crime. The award will be presented at a time when violent crime in Albuquerque is escalating and efforts to address it are at the forefront of many public policy discussions, including the mayors race. Many of the candidates have blasted Berry, who is not seeking re-election, saying he is not doing enough to address the issue. Chamber CEO Terri Cole said the award the first of its kind was created because business leaders have identified education, public safety and Downtown transformation as the three greatest challenges facing the city, and the chamber wants to recognize individuals who have tried to address those issues. She said Berry was chosen because of his efforts to fight crime, citing the citys new ALeRT program, which aims to help keep repeat offenders off the streets by increasing communication among Albuquerque police, the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, the FBI and the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office, and a grant Berry secured that created ABQ i-team, which researches issues facing the community. She added that Berry is one of many who will be recognized during the 2017 Chamber Awards and Legislative Reception. Rhiannon Samuel, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said that in January the i-team started looking specifically into crime in the city. Crime is a serious issue in Albuquerque. There are many people, including the mayor and our district attorney and our chamber, who are working on the problem, Cole said. We believe Mayor Berry has done some very good work to make some progress for the long term with these two programs. Regardless of the timing of the issue, we believe they should be recognized. FBI statistics show that violent and property crime in Albuquerque have increased in recent years. Just last week, Lavu, a local business, met with city officials to talk about crime in the Downtown area. The business said it may relocate if the city cant address the problem. District Attorney Raul Torrez, citing a recent increase in crime, is trying to get the state Supreme Court to change rules in Bernalillo County criminal courts so his office can more efficiently prosecute cases. Crime is also front and center in the mayors race, which has a crowded field of eight candidates. One issued a statement Wednesday that called Berrys award laughable. The chamber doesnt give awards by first putting the idea through some political horizon. We try to recognize good work, especially by elected officials, whenever and wherever it occurs and that is what we have done here, Cole said.We dont do a political horizon scanning, scan to see whats popular or not. We give it on the merits. And these two programs for the mayor, we believe, will have needed and long-lasting results. Samuel said the mayor is pleased to accept the award and thanked the chamber for being a voice on local criminal justice issues. There is always work to do to keep our (communities) safe, and the mayor is thankful for all of the multi-jurisdictional partners, she said. Copyright 2017 Albuquerque Journal Leonardo da Vinci was a genius, a virtuoso and a visionary. His studies, inventions and works of art created during his life from 1452 to 1519 make him the consummate Renaissance man. He drew early concepts for the car, bicycle, helicopter, glider, parachute and much more, but his legacy is best seen today in such works as the Mona Lisa, The Vitruvian Man and The Last Supper. Beginning Feb. 10, New Mexicans will be able to get an up-close view of life-size, interactive representations of his designs when Da Vinci The Genius opens for a five-month exhibition at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. It will run through July 29, 2018. This exhibit is going to be bigger than the Titanic exhibit we had a few years ago, said museum Director Margie Marino. Its going to be something that I think all museum visitors will enjoy. The exhibit was created by Grande Exhibitions of Australia, in collaboration with the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, as well as French scientific engineer Pascal Cotte, and a number of experts in Italy and France. The 15,000-square-foot exhibition comprises two parts. The Secrets of Mona Lisa describes how forensic studies of this famous painting uncovered over 25 secrets hidden beneath varnish, and how recent studies produced exciting and unprecedented revelations about her true identity. The Inventions features 75 large-scale models of da Vincis machine concepts, many of them interactive, brought to life for the first time by modern-day artisans. Leonardo da Vinci was ahead of his time, Marino said. Its amazing to see what he had ideas for centuries before they became part of the world. According to Grande Exhibitions, a recent addition to the show is the high definition re-creation of The Last Supper in actual size 29 feet by 14 feet an impressive display that complements high-definition video animations explaining the Sforza Horse and The Vitruvian Man. There are more than 200 pieces in the exhibit. Of those, 75 are large-scale and many are interactive. This is the most comprehensive traveling exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci ever assembled, Grande Exhibitions said in a press release. Marino said the exhibit will be located on the top floor of the museum, as well as part of the bottom floor. Because the exhibition is so large, the museum will close for a few weeks in January for installation. At the May 19 Natural History Museum board of directors meeting, the admission price was set for this special show. There will be a $20-$22 up-charge per adult for the exhibit, though admission prices for members and seniors will be reduced. The museums priority is to keep childrens school tour admissions as low as possible so that every young student in New Mexico will have an opportunity to experience this amazing exhibition, Marino said. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Its fun, interactive, immersive and exciting. Grande Exhibitions video: Da Vinci Alive Albuquerque state District Judge Alan Malott this week shot down a recusal attempt by a woman seeking a new judge in her 4-year-old lawsuit against her mothers former corporate guardian and conservator. Malott ruled that attorneys for Leonie Rosenstiel presented no evidence to show that he couldnt act impartially in the case and should recuse himself. Rosenstiel is suing the firm Decades LLC on behalf of her mother, Annette Rosenstiel, who was deemed mentally incapacitated and placed under a court-approved guardianship and conservatorship beginning in 2003. Rosenstiels attorneys contended the judges participation earlier this year on two discussion panels about guardianship issues would cause a reasonable person to believe he was biased and unable to fairly and appropriately rule on Rosenstiels lawsuit. Rosenstiel, whose mother died in 2012, alleges that the company mismanaged her now-deceased mothers finances and property, failed to protect her interests, and negligently and improperly handled her mothers affairs. The case is set for trial in October. Rosenstiels attorneys had questioned, in part, the propriety of Malotts appearance April 5 on a panel that included members of the guardianship industry. The panel included Greg MacKenzie, an attorney who has represented Decades in Rosenstiels case. The luncheon discussion was sponsored by the Albuquerque Lawyers Club. The panel topic was titled The Truth Underlying the Reporting on Guardianships/Conservatorships in New Mexico, and Rosenstiels attorneys contended that the explicit purpose of the discussion was to address articles in the Albuquerque Journal about matters that included Defendants (Decades LLC) performance as a guardian or conservator. The recusal motion also cited Malotts March 22 appearance at a public Town Hall on guardianship issues sponsored by the Journal and KANW-FM. Malott was the courts representative on the panel. Decades, in its response, stated that Rosenstiels lawsuit was never discussed during the Albuquerque Lawyers Club presentation and MacKenzie didnt organize the event. Rosenstiels motion is filled with suggestion and innuendo, yet fails to present sufficient evidence that would require Judge Malotts disqualification, stated Decades response. Malott in his ruling also stated that there was no evidence presented by Rosenstiels attorneys to support the conclusions that he was biased. He pointed to counsels self-serving conjectures that merely participating in these unrestricted and multi-partisan public events establishes improper ex parte communications and requires recusal. Holding otherwise would discourage a judge from participating in both law-related educational activities and extra-judicial community activities, he wrote. It would also discourage the development of a better public understanding of the way courts function and the courts role in our society. Malott added that the parties and their attorneys are reminded the appropriate place for the trial is in the Bernalillo County Courthouse, not the Court of Public Opinion. Copyright 2017 Albuquerque Journal A Santa Fe swindlers appetite for luxury has once again caught the attention of federal prosecutors, who are now trying to force him to make several lifestyle changes such as moving away from one of the coolest streets in America so he can pay more restitution to his victims. Matthew Sample, who pleaded guilty to fraud charges and was ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution, missed one of his first two restitution payments, is living in an apartment two blocks from the epicenter of San Diegos coolest place, and is funneling significant portions of his income into a 401K account and life insurance policies, Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Federici said in a court filing last week. Ray Twohig, Samples attorney, said his client hasnt missed restitution payments and is following the judges orders. I filed a motion for Mr. Sample to be allowed to take out a loan to pay legal fees for the appeal filed by Mr. Federici and clarify other issues. Mr. Federici opposed that. He argued that nothing should interfere with Mr. Samples ability to make restitution except for incarceration, which he seeks in the appeal, Twohig said in an email. Mr. Sample has missed no restitution payments, and made payments of $70,000 when he was not required to do so by a court order. His rent is modest and his lifestyle is frugal, as the judge ordered. U.S. District Judge Judith Herrera in March sentenced Sample to five years of probation and ordered him to pay more than $1 million in restitution to six sets of victims after he entered guilty pleas to federal fraud and wire fraud charges. At the time, Sample said he had learned his lesson and promised to live frugally so he could pay the money back more quickly. Prosecutors, who asked for a six-year prison sentence, have appealed the judgment and sentence to the Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. In the meantime, they filed a document last week seeking, among other things, to get the court to direct the probation office to scrutinize Samples monthly expenses and require him to make changes. For example, prosecutors said that Sample should not be permitted to put large chunks of his income into his life insurance policies and retirement accounts and instead liquidate them and give the money to his victims. Prosecutors also want Sample to move out of San Diegos North Park neighborhood, reduce his monthly expenses and make other changes so he can more quickly pay back his victims. Its not the first time prosecutors have raised concerns about Samples lavish lifestyle. A description of his Santa Fe home and Facebook photos that showed him living it up at ballparks, arenas, bars, cruises and at a beach were included in a sentencing memorandum filed in court earlier in the case. The court may recall that defendant Sample very much seems to enjoy living in cool places, Federici said in the recent filing, while referring to an exhibit that showed Sample had real gold woven into the wallpaper of his former Santa Fe home. Much of the victims stolen money went into that house. It would undoubtedly surprise the victims to know that, despite the May 5, 2017 judgment, defendant Sample can still afford to pay the apparent high rents in such a cool neighborhood. Sample from 2008 to 2014 fleeced six sets of victims out of more than $1 million, which they had put aside in some cases for college or retirement. His victims thought they were investing in The Lobo Volatility Fund LLC. But it was really a scheme, and to cover his tracks Sample moved money around between clients, mixed it with his own, held weekly phone and quarterly meetings with his clients and sent them false statements that appeared to show the accounts were profitable, according to documents filed in the case. Some of Samples victims were elderly, including a 95-year-old widow who uses a wheelchair to get around and requires 24-hour care. The judge handed down the lighter sentence, in part, because Sample had been hired at SettlementOne, a San Diego-based company where he is expected to earn more than $200,000 a year. Sample had said in court that he could better repay his victims if he were allowed to remain out of prison and continue his high-paying job. While awaiting sentencing, he paid more than $70,000 in restitution, according to court documents. But Herrera said during the sentencing hearing that she didnt want Sample to have any fun while on probation. I dont want you going on vacations, Herrera told Sample while handing down his sentence. This is not intended to be a fun five-year probationary period. This is not. Youre not free to do as you please. I dont want to ever hear about you going to some nice restaurant. I mean, I really dont. Federal prosecutors said in last weeks court filing that Samples living expenses have inexplicably increased recently. The prosecutions motion said that in October 2016, the probation office set Samples monthly living expenses at $2,894. But on June 15, Sample, in a motion to modify the judgment against him, set his monthly living expenses at $5,000. Herrera, in the judgment against Sample, authorized his monthly living expenses at between $4,500 and $5,000. Prosecutors said Sample made only one restitution payment in April and May and that it was less than the $5,675 minimum amount he is required to pay each month. They said he shorted the victims by subtracting his required drug treatment costs and a special penalty assessment from the restitution payment, according to court filings. For those reasons, prosecutors have asked Herrera to direct the probation office to conduct a thorough investigation into Samples finances and eliminate all unnecessary monthly living expenses, which would include moving to a less expensive location, according to the court filing. A quick Google search confirms that there are several mobile home parks within the city of San Diego where defendant Sample could presumably live, the prosecutions court filing states. The victims simply should not be required to continue to pay a premium for defendant Sample and his fiance to enjoy living in San Diegos trendiest neighborhood. The prosecutors motion was filed in response to a motion from the defense to modify the judgment against Sample. Sample was trying to get court permission to take out a loan from his friend to pay for his civil and criminal attorney fees. Sample has previously declined to comment on the case. There is no compelling reason why defendant Sample should be allowed to accumulate more debt so that he can immediately pay back both his civil and criminal attorneys in full, the prosecutions response states. The proposal would obviously again push his victims to the back of the line in favor of others by forcing them to patiently wait behind his attorneys. SANTA FE The sentencing hearing for Nicholas Ortiz, 22, found guilty last year of bludgeoning to death three people in northern Santa Fe County with a pickax-like tool, has been delayed for more than a month to allow for consideration of a defense attorneys last-ditch effort on Ortizs behalf. Ortizs sentencing, where he faced three life sentences for the killings and additional time on lesser counts, had been scheduled for Thursday, Jun 29. District Judge Francis Mathew held a hearing with attorneys in the case Wednesday morning, online court records show. A memorandum filed Tuesday by defense attorney Dan Marlowe asked for leniency at sentencing and requests a new trial for Ortiz, based on arguments similar to those Marlowe made in court before Ortizs conviction. The judge wanted us to brief some issues in relation to that, chief deputy district attorney Susan Stinson said Wednesday afternoon, after the sentencing hearings postponement was posted online. There have already been two trials in the case. An initial trial in May 2016 ended in a hung jury. Ortiz, who was 16 at the time of the 2011 killings of three family members in El Rancho, was retried beginning Nov. 29. He was convicted in December of three counts of first-degree murder and other counts in the deaths of 55-year-old Lloyd Ortiz; 53-year-old Dixie Ortiz; and their son, 21-year-old Steven Ortiz, using a mattock, similar to a pickax, in what apparently started as a robbery attempt. Nicholas Ortiz was not related to the El Rancho family, but he did know them and had been a guest in their home. Marlowes memo says that because Ortiz was a juvenile when the murders took place, Judge Mathew can grant a waiver from the standard New Mexico life sentence requirements, which allow parole only after 30 years in prison. Marlowe asks that Ortiz be eligible for parole in 10 years, and then also requests that Judge Mathew grant a new trial. He cites a lack of physical evidence like fingerprints or DNA and the conflicting testimony of cousins Ashley and Jose Roybal, the prosecutions main witnesses who were with Ortiz the night of the murders and admitted to conspiring with him in a plan to rob the family of money and marijuana. Jose Roybal maintains he fled before Ortiz went into the El Rancho house by himself. Marlowe maintains that Jose Roybal has admitted to relatives to killing the entire family or at least the son Steven. Marlowe also said that Roybal failed a polygraph test when asked if he was at the scene the night of the murders. The real killer or killers are not paying for their crimes, Marlowe wrote in his Tuesday filing. The lies have started. Over the next three months, we can expect to hear an endless string of lies about the earned-sick-leave ordinance that will go to voters in October. But small business owners like me dont want to listen to the lies of folks who put hard-line ideology before family and fairness. I support the Healthy Workforce earned sick days act because Ive always believed that business cant thrive if you dont put family first. Im not just talking about my family. I mean my employees families, too. I own Conchitas Cafe, and earned sick leave is invaluable for my employees health and well-being, as well as their peace of mind whenever they had to care for a sick child or elderly parent. Its also essential that I dont make my own customers sick by letting sick employees handle food. An outspoken minority is fighting the earned-sick-days measure with lies because thats the only way they can win in October. Half of the people who work in Albuquerque can get fired for using a sick day or lose a days pay. Many choose to work sick, instead, at restaurants and retail establishments throughout the city. Thats why voters support this proposal. Why should you believe me and not the people peddling lies? Look at their record: The same folks said the Albuquerque minimum wage increase that voters approved in 2012 would kill local businesses. It didnt. But they are still fighting this fight. The same groups filed suit this year to overturn the increase even though it was passed with 66 percent of voters approval. These groups actually believe that hard-working folks who earn only $352 per week should be make $300 instead. These folks believe more in their hard-core ideology than the reality that regular New Mexicans face every day, struggling to get by, earning $8.80 an hour. The reality is that Albuquerques a better place if people earn a decent wage and can care for themselves and their loved ones when theyre sick. Women who experience domestic violence should be able to file a police report, secure housing or seek medical help, using the sick days that theyve earned. This is why the Healthy Workforce campaign needed to happen. No ones trying to trick anyone. The ordinance uses the same standards, definitions and enforcement language as most earned-sick-leave ordinances in San Diego, Philadelphia and dozens of other cities. Arizonas earned-sick-days law, approved overwhelmingly by voters, will take effect in just a couple of weeks, and it, too, shares much of the language that Albuquerques proposed ordinance uses. Does the ordinance stop an employer from firing an employee? Of course not. It has language to ensure that an employer has a reason for termination other than the use of earned sick days. Does the ordinance prevent the city from making changes? No. The City Council can make minor adjustments, but if politicians want to undermine the will of the voters and water down the ordinances modest standards of earning one hour of sick time for every 30 worked, and using up to seven days of earned sick time per year up to 5 days if you work for a small employer they have to propose changes to the voters for their approval. Albuquerque is tired of the race to the bottom that has left our state in tatters. Its time to see if treating our employees well and respecting our families makes Albuquerque a stronger community. It has certainly made my business strong. The Senate Republicans health-care plan, like the House Republicans health-care plan, is objectively terrible. It would result in 22 million Americans losing insurance. It would dramatically raise premiums for the poor and old. Its Medicaid cuts would harm people with disabilities, nursing home residents and even babies. But we knew all that was coming. The surprising thing about this bill is not that it forsakes the indigent, elderly and vulnerable. Its that it forsakes so many of the Republicans own vaunted values. As cases in point, here are three Republican health-care principles violated by the Republicans own health-care plan. Principle No. 1: Return power to the states. For years Republicans complained that Obamacare crimps states style. Federalism must reign supreme, they argued, and so they promised to enhance state sovereignty. And its true that the Senate bill makes it easier for states to opt out of some Obamacare rules designed to protect consumers (e.g., capping out-of-pocket spending). But in some critical ways, it also severely undermines state sovereignty. The most important of these has to do with insurance plans that can be purchased by small businesses. Under current law, an association of small businesses e.g., a bunch of dental practices can market insurance to its members. The coverage must be regulated by the state insurance department under the rules of the state in which its sold. Not so under the Senate bill, which allows this same association to choose any state it wishes to be its insurance regulator. It can choose, for example, to be regulated by states that no longer require coverage of prescription drugs. This would create a race to the bottom. It would also mean states would no longer have a say over what plans were sold within their borders. State officials might not even be able to block the sale of an insurance plan in their state if the insurer were insolvent, explains Timothy Jost, professor emeritus at Washington and Lee University School of Law. This is hardly the only way in which the Senate bill would take power away from states. For instance, it would also place new restrictions on how states can finance their own Medicaid programs. Principle No. 2: Emphasize access to health care, not health insurance coverage. Republicans have long bellyached that rising insured rates are misleading. Their argument: Having insurance coverage is meaningless if your deductible is so enormous that you cant afford to see the doctor! Its a fair point. But the Senate bill does nothing to improve access to care. In fact, it places care further out of reach. It does this not only by causing people to lose insurance coverage and raising after-tax premium prices, but also by making insurance coverage an even less useful gauge of whether a person can afford to see a doctor. Thats because the bill pegs subsidies available on the individual market to plans that cover a much smaller fraction of expected health costs 58 percent, rather than 70 percent under Obamacare. In more practical terms: Out-of-pocket costs for people with insurance are going to go way, way up. For example, for those near the poverty line buying plans on the individual exchanges, deductibles would rise more than 2,000 percent, from $255 to over $6,000, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. Some health experts have wondered aloud whether this means doctors, fearing bad debt from people in these ultra-high-deductible plans, would refuse to even see such patients. Such a problem would be made worse by the fact that Republicans plan to blacklist the countrys largest provider of reproductive health services. Which brings me to the last major principle theyve violated: Principle No. 3: Give consumers more choices. Forget making sure plans offer an adequate number of choices of doctors. This bill would lock millions of people out of the choice of Medicaid. It would make individual market premiums, even after including subsidies, prohibitively expensive, effectively locking millions out of the choice of individual insurance, too. In fact, for some unlucky people, subsidized individual plans would disappear entirely. Thats because the Senate bill says that people offered any employer coverage would become ineligible for subsidized insurance on the exchanges even if they cant actually afford the plan their employer offers. I suppose lots of sick people will newly have the choice of buying an expensive plan that covers none of the services they need. So theres that. When alls said and done, theres just one major Republican health-care principle this bill remains loyal to: tax cuts for the rich. Thats not actually a health-care principle, you say? Could have fooled me. Catherine Rampells email address is crampell@washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter, @crampell. Its a courthouse hot potato all over again. Recently filed public corruption charges against former state Sen. Phil Griego have been assigned to a fourth judge in the Santa Fe-based 1st Judicial District after three other judges recused themselves from hearing the case in the past week or so. A similar thing happened last year when Griego, a Democrat from rural San Miguel County, was first charged by Attorney General Hector Balderas with crimes that hinge on the allegation he used his position as a legislator to make money in a real estate deal involving a historic state-owned building. After all nine judges in the District Court had either recused themselves or been bumped off the case, it was eventually assigned in April 2016 to a judge in Albuquerque by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the newer charges allege that Griego, who resigned from the Senate in March 2015, illegally pocketed money from his campaign account and lied about it on required reports. The case is now assigned to District Judge Jennifer Attrep, but could be reassigned again if she were to recuse herself. Griegos attorney has said he plans to ask a judge when one takes the case to try the new charges separately from the previous ones. His trial on the previous charges is scheduled to begin in October. ENDORSEMENT: Once a potential adversary, Hector Balderas is now officially supporting Michelle Lujan Grishams 2018 gubernatorial bid. Balderas, the states Democratic attorney general, announced his endorsement of Lujan Grisham earlier this week, saying the two-term congresswoman and former state Cabinet secretary has a record of fierce advocacy for vulnerable New Mexicans. Balderas had also pondered running for governor next year, but he said last month that he would not run for the office and, instead, will seek re-election to a second term as the states top attorney. His early endorsement almost a year before next years primary election marks the first such public backing from a current statewide official in the 2018 gubernatorial contest. Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, is barred from seeking a third consecutive term as governor and several candidates have already set their sights on the race. Lujan Grisham is the highest-profile candidate to announce on the Democratic side and she has received endorsements from several prominent state labor unions. The other Democrats in the race are Jeff Apodaca, a former television executive from Albuquerque, and Peter DeBenedittis, a Santa Fe advocate for prevention of alcohol abuse. Dan Boyd: dboyd@abqjournal.com If youve ever wondered how much grief $215 can buy, just ask Allan and Sherry Snyder. Thats the price they paid at a state tax auction in 2011 for a nearly 4-acre tract of sand and sagebrush southeast of Portales where the Illinois couple had hoped to put down retirement roots. It seemed like such a sweet deal then. Six years later, its become more bane than bargain, a terrible reminder that if things seem too good to be true, theyre likely very bad. You met the Snyders in an August 2014 column about how their real estate windfall blew up when the former landowners filed a complaint against them. Rachel and Francisco Valenzuela had lost the land and the mobile home on the property in the aptly named Sandhill subdivision after failing to pay property taxes for four years. The $215 price tag was based on the taxes owed. In their complaint, the Valenzuelas alleged that the property was worth at least $25,000 and that it was unconscionable to allow the sale to stand. In November 2012, a trial judge ruled in the Valenzuelas favor. But the word unconscionable stuck in Allan Snyders craw. It was an attack on his honor, he said. With only rudimentary knowledge of the law and a righteous desire to restore his good name, Snyder appealed the ruling and won in March 2014. The state Supreme Court agreed to hear the Valenzuelas appeal and then changed its mind, leaving the lower courts ruling in place and the property in the hands of the Snyders. That, though, was not the end of the matter. We revisited the Snyders case in an October 2015 column. By then, the couple had given up on retiring to Portales and moved instead to Greeley, Colo. But the Valenzuelas had not given up on the property. Eric Dixon, the Portales attorney representing the Valenzuelas, filed more motions in the case, arguing that the state Property Tax Division had not sufficiently attempted to notify them about the impending auction over delinquent taxes this despite the Valenzuelas being served notice in person. State District Judge Fred Van Soelen of Clovis agreed, invalidating the deed and the sale to the Snyders and handing back the property to the Valenzuelas. The judgment was entered in December 2015. But it still wasnt over. The Snyders continued to fight, still on their own, because they could find no lawyer willing to go against Dixon, well-known in the 9th Judicial District on the eastern rim of the state for his aggressive defense tactics and for being censured by the state Supreme Court over trying to run over a judge with his SUV in 2011. If ever there has been a deliberate malicious abuse of process in New Mexico courts, Dixon has provided a crystal-clear example in this case, Snyder said. Dixon, though, said hes just defending his clients right to raise their four children in the only house they have ever known. In 2016, the state Court of Appeals rejected the Snyders appeal of the Van Soelen order, opining that the Snyders had no standing but were necessary parties to the litigation. This May, Dixon filed a quiet title complaint against the Snyders asking a judge to order them to sign away the land once and for all literally an effort to quiet any challenges or claims to the title. We filed so there is no misunderstanding, Dixon said. As far as Im concerned, were just cleaning up loose ends. But Snyder would not be quiet. On June 19, he filed a response in the 9th Judicial District, arguing that the Valenzuelas had no right to litigate to reacquire properties they justifiably lost for nonpayment of taxes. So on it goes. Meanwhile, the Valenzuelas have returned to the mobile home on the contested Sandhill property, while the Snyders continue to enjoy retirement life in Greeley with no expectation of moving to Portales regardless of the outcome of their latest legal salvo. Its truly a place we dont want to live, Snyder said. So why keep fighting? I cant imagine getting into a fight and backing out of it, Snyder said. I have to win in court for this to end. Even if he loses, Snyder said, he has gained a lot of insight into how New Mexico justice works, and that, he said, isnt so good. Ive run successful businesses, dealt with Fortune 500 companies, but never in my wildest dream did I imagine the courts worked this way, he said. I was expecting to make a well-reasoned argument in court. Well, guess what. That never gets heard. Unless you have a lot of money or a lot of time like I do, you simply dont have access to the courts. Its like a club formed not for the benefit of the public. The system should work for the people, not just the attorneys, not just the judges. UpFront is a news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor. A man accused of kidnapping and killing an 11-year-old girl whose death stunned the nations largest American Indian reservation and prompted new federal legislation is scheduled to change his plea in court. Tom Begayes change of plea hearing in federal court is scheduled for Aug. 1 in Albuquerque. His attorneys said in court that he was looking to strike a plea deal, but its unclear what hell change the plea to. His federal defender did not return a call and email seeking comment. Begaye previously pleaded not guilty. Begaye is facing murder, sexual abuse and other charges in the killing of Ashlynne Mike in May 2016. The case prompted federal legislation that would expand the Amber Alert system to tribal communities after it was learned that an alert of Mikes kidnapping didnt go out until the next day. Begaye is accused of luring Mike and her brother into his van. He told investigators he sexually assaulted the girl and struck her twice in the head with a crowbar, and that she was still moving when he left her in the desert, according to court documents. The younger brother was able to escape. Mikes father filed a lawsuit against the Navajo Nation for failing to have an emergency notification system that he says would have saved his daughters life. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona introduced legislation in April expanding the notification system to tribal lands. McCain said there are over 7,700 American Indian children listed as missing in the U.S. We must give Indian tribes the tools they need to help our children and put an end to this tragedy, McCain said in a written statement. An Amber Alert system for the 27,000-square-mile reservation had been proposed years ago, but was never implemented, despite the tribe having been awarded $330,000 in federal funding as part of a U.S. Justice Department pilot project. Half the money was used to buy equipment such as megaphones and pop-up tents, but the rest went unspent. The Navajo Nation covers parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. HONG KONG Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Hong Kong Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing taking control of the former British colony, accompanied by a formidable layer of security as authorities showed little patience for pro-democracy protests. After stepping off his Air China plane, Xi said he envisioned stable development of Hong Kongs one country, two systems framework. Pro-democracy activists fear Beijing is undermining the principle agreed upon when Britain handed over the city back to China which guarantees Hong Kong can mostly run its own affairs and keep civil liberties including free speech until 2047. Xis three-day visit culminates Saturday when he will oversee an inauguration ceremony for the Asian financial hubs new leader, Carrie Lam. Pro-democracy activists staged protests ahead of his visit and more were expected, including an annual march through the streets on Saturday that has drawn big crowds in the past. Hong Kong authorities were taking no chances with disruptions and deployed heavy security across the city. Helicopters hovered overhead and police and barricades lined the streets around a downtown convention center and hotel complex where Xi was expected to spend most of his time. Officers questioned passers-by taking photos of the few protests allowed near the area. Authorities even glued the gaps between sidewalk paving stones in an effort to prevent them from being torn up and thrown by protesters. Three pro-democracy groups said 26 of their members were arrested Wednesday evening on public nuisance charges for staging a sit-in at a giant flower sculpture near the complex. They were still detained hours after Xi arrived. Police have the power to hold them up to 48 hours. Those arrested included Joshua Wong, the young activist who helped lead 2014s Umbrella Movement protests, and Nathan Law, another student protest leader who was elected to the legislature last year. Xi is visiting to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs handover, when Britain ceded control of its colony to China at the stroke of midnight on June 30, 1997. Its been nine years since I last set foot in this place. Im thrilled, Xi said on the airport tarmac. Hong Kong has been tugging away at my heart, he said, adding that the anniversary of Hong Kongs return to the motherland on Saturday is a big deal, a joyous occasion for the country and for Hong Kong. He said one of the purposes of his trip is to plan for Hong Kongs future. We would like to look back at Hong Kongs extraordinary journey over the past 20 years, to learn from our experience, and look forward to the future to ensure the stable development of one country, two systems,' he said in brief remarks before speeding off in a motorcade without answering questions. Hong Kongers have grown concerned Beijing is backtracking on one country, two systems following a string of recent incidents, most notably the secret detention of five Hong Kong booksellers on the mainland. Xi later visited the site of an arts hub under construction in West Kowloon district and was due to attend a banquet with government officials. On Friday, hes expected to inspect Chinese troops at a Peoples Liberation Army base. Chinas only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, will pay its first Hong Kong port call to mark the PLAs 20 year-presence in the city, the Defense Ministry said. The ship, commissioned in 2012, and its battle group departed northern China on a training mission earlier this week and will likely pass through the Taiwan Strait along its voyage to Hong Kong. Speaking at a monthly news briefing, ministry spokesman Col. Wu Qian said the ship would take part in celebratory activities, but gave no details. Media reports said the ship would arrive in Hong Kong on July 7 for a two-day visit. ___ Associated Press writer Christopher Bodeen in Beijing contributed to this report. WASHINGTON Congressional Republicans are stymied over health care. But after seven years of promising to repeal and replace former President Barack Obamas law, they risk political disaster if they dont deliver. Republicans anticipate a major backlash from GOP voters if they dont make good on the promises that swept them to control of the House and Senate and helped propel Donald Trump to the White House in last years elections. Trump himself could turn on his congressional allies if they fail, some Republicans fear, and take his supporters with him just as the 2018 midterm elections loom. And, passage of health care legislation would set the stage for the next major item on Trumps to-do list: rewriting the loophole-ridden U.S. tax code. Republicans are counting on the nearly $1 trillion in tax cuts in the health care bill to allow them to write a new tax code that raises less money. Perhaps most importantly, after making it through six months without a single marquee legislative achievement, health legislation now looms as a make-or-break test of the GOPs ability to govern now that it controls the levers of power in Washington. I think it is an absolute imperative that they get health care done, said Josh Holmes, former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. After making Obamacare repeal a core campaign promise, it is deeply ingrained in the primary electorate, and failure to address it will be extremely difficult to justify, Holmes said. I also think that governing is going to be on the ballot, and even beyond the specifics of the health care issue, the ability to get difficult things done is something that Republicans have taken pride in. GOP senators are keenly aware of such considerations following McConnells decision to cancel votes planned for this week on his bill to repeal core elements of Obamas Affordable Care Act. Yet even with a need to act, the gap between moderates and conservatives in McConnells caucus looks extremely difficult to bridge. Moderates like Sen. Susan Collins of Maine view McConnells bill as overly harsh in stripping health insurance from millions, while conservatives like Sen. Mike Lee of Utah think it doesnt go far enough in repealing Obamas law in full. Navigating between those two poles requires a delicate balance that looks elusive for now. And with a narrow 52-48 majority in the Senate, McConnell can lose only two Republican senators and still pass the bill, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote. Democrats are unanimously opposed. McConnell and Pence were negotiating with individual senators Thursday in search of a deal, including adding money for opioid treatment aimed at luring Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. McConnell hopes to bring reworked legislation up for a vote after the July 4 recess. We know that we cannot afford to delay on this issue, he said. The House passed its version of the health bill in May, after its own near-death experience when the bill was pulled from the floor short of votes, but subsequently revived. Leaders in both chambers hope to send a final compromise bill to Trump before Congress annual August recess, then move on to other issues. House Speaker Paul Ryan, speaking Thursday to WISN radio in home-state Wisconsin, called the Senate process deja vu all over again, adding: We just want them to get it right, and I have confidence that they can. In addition to tax legislation, lawmakers face looming deadlines on must-pass budget bills and will have to raise the governments debt limit or face an unprecedented default. Theres a sense of urgency to get this done, said Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga. Youve got the debt ceiling, youve got a budget, youve got to appropriate for FY18, and then youve got the tax deal and all that has to happen this year. But even as they face powerful incentives to act on the health legislation, for some GOP lawmakers the disincentives are just as strong. The GOP bill, which would eject 22 million people from the insurance rolls over a decade, polls poorly, while Obamas law has grown steadily more popular. Democrats are convinced that the health care issue will be a political winner, and theyre practically salivating at the prospect of using it against Republicans in the midterms. Most medical groups are lined up against the GOP legislation, including hospitals, which are major employers in many districts. The AARP opposes the bill, as do a number of GOP governors, including Nevadas popular Brian Sandoval, John Kasich of Ohio and Maines Paul LePage. The cuts in Medicaid funding contained in the bill coincide with the opioid epidemic ravaging some areas of the country, including in states like West Virginia and Ohio, where vulnerable residents rely on government health coverage. These factors and others have pushed senators like Portman and Dean Heller of Nevada, who faces a tough re-election campaign, into opposing the bill. It remains to be seen whether those lawmakers and others will get to yes, and allow the GOP to make good on seven years of campaign promises, with all the risks and rewards that might bring. I dont know what happens next. I just think it can be improved, and I hope it will be. Ive made my points clear for several months now, Portman said, adding: Its tough to get 52 of us moving in the same direction. ___ Associated Press writers Stephen Ohlemacher and Matthew Daly contributed to this report. ___ EDITORS NOTE: Erica Werner has covered Congress since 2009. An AP News Analysis PHOENIX Public universities in Arizona said Thursday they will keep providing in-state tuition for young immigrants who came to the U.S. at an early age despite a recent court decision that threw it in doubt. Young immigrants clad in bright yellow shirts emblazoned with Protect In-State Tuition for DACA Students stood closely together holding hands as the Arizona Board of Regents voted to retain the policy during a special meeting. The decision garnered applause from students who would be directly affected and could now confidently stay in school for the time being. The boards vote came after the Court of Appeals said last week those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program do not qualify for lower in-state college tuition. Arizona State University student and DACA recipient Diana Aguilera said if the decision stands, it would take her years to finish her senior year of college. Aguilera, 25, said she currently works full-time at an interpreter call center from 3 a.m. until just before she starts the school day at 10 a.m. to cover her in-state tuition costs. Ive been in this a little longer and it would suck for me as well but I feel for those that are barely getting their dreams started, Aguilera said. That are barely getting their professional careers started and would not be able to continue because of this. The courts decision sets Arizona apart from other states around the country that are granting in-state tuition to immigrants in the country illegally. That push includes Republican-dominant states like Oklahoma, Tennessee and Nebraska. The Maricopa County Community College District board decided Tuesday it will ask the Arizona Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. The appeals court ruling leaves a 2006 voter-enacted law known as Proposition 300 in control. It prohibits public benefits for anyone living in Arizona without legal immigration status. There are nearly 28,000 DACA recipients in Arizona, and the ruling affects at least several hundred current state university students and an unknown number attending community colleges across the state. I think until we have the Arizona Supreme Court, which is the final authority, rule on that we feel very comfortable offering in-state tuition, Board of Regents Vice Chair Bill Ridenour said. The regents board also has a 2015 fallback tuition policy that gives eligible DACA students a chance to apply for the Non-Resident Tuition Rate for Arizona High School Graduates, which allows them to pay 150 percent of undergraduate resident tuition. ASU senior and DACA recipient Oscar Hernandez said the student advocacy group fighting for young immigrant education rights he takes part in has recently been receiving letters from upcoming high school graduates planning to go to college who are now feeling desperate. Theres nothing we can really tell them to relax their emotions and its really painful because thats exactly how we were back when we still didnt pay in-state tuition, Hernandez said. ___ Associated Press writer Bob Christie contributed to this report. LAS CRUCES A Las Cruces man suspected of stealing an estimated $10,000 in cash during an alleged burglary at a local hotel has been arrested, police said. Robert S. Alarcon, 46, of the 1000 block of Third Street, has been charged with residential burglary, attempted residential burglary, larceny over $2,500 and possession of marijuana, according to the Las Cruces Police Department. Police said the alleged burglary occurred around 1:15 a.m. Monday at the EconoLodge hotel, 2585 S. Valley Drive. Alarcon had checked into the hotel on Sunday evening, police said. Several hours later, police said, surveillance video from the hotel shows Alarcon entering the hotel room next to his and leaving with several backpacks that belonged to the guest who had rented that room. Police said the guest had temporarily left his hotel room door ajar, giving Alarcon easy access to the room. The items reported stolen included the victims passport, credit cards, a cellphone, an unknown amount of Egyptian money and an estimated $10,000 in U.S. currency. Alarcon left the hotel shortly after the alleged burglary but returned about noon Monday and was detained by police. Police later determined that Alarcon had also violated terms of his probation. He was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. 2017 the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) Visit the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) at www.lcsun-news.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. _____ CHANDLER, Ariz. Police in Chandler say a man standing on a roof and outfitted in a bulletproof vest fired an arrow at an officer late Wednesday night. Police say 32-year-old Thomas Leeper struck the officer in the arm with his bow and arrow. Police were responding to the home after family members called saying they were concerned about Leeper. Leeper has an extensive criminal history and is going on trial later this year for his alleged involvement in a string of arson fires. The officer was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Leeper faces charges of aggravated assault. PHILADELPHIA A few years ago, Mike Maher, co-founder of the Philadelphia co-working space Benjamins Desk, was itching to get into real estate. After building Benjamins Desk into a sought-after place that at one point would house companies such as Uber and Curalate, Maher and his wife started flipping houses. They bought and sold about a half-dozen in the city, growing frustrated by how much profit they were losing to fees. Between Realtor commissions and (Philadelphia and the states) real estate transfer tax, we were paying nearly 8 percent out of the homes sales price, Maher said. I started asking, Why are we paying all these fees? You cant make any profit that way if you dont have significant year-over-year appreciation. He had an idea: What if there were a way to get rid of most of the commission on the sell side? Advances in technology including the prominence of websites such as Zillow made it easier than ever to find homes, minimizing the work listing agents once had to do to market properties. It shouldnt cost more than $500 to market a home today, Maher calculated a fee he thought buyers would be willing to pay. So along with former developer Kevin Baird, Maher created Houwzer, a Philadelphia-based brokerage. Mahers idea wasnt entirely new discount brokers have been around for a while, offering such deals as a 1 percent commission compared with the usual 3 percent. (In most transactions, a commission of between 5 percent and 6 percent is deducted from a homes sale price and typically split between the buyers and sellers agents.) But by charging sellers a flat $495 for the closing administrative fee (technically, Houwzers commission is zero percent) a payment made only if a sale closes Maher believed he could still offer a full-service experience, and do it for thousands of dollars less. The Philadelphia Inquirer chatted with Maher to talk about his service, which is now two years old. Answers have been edited for clarity and length. Question: What made you believe the traditional model needed to change? Answer: Research shows that 90 percent of people start their home search online. And the minute someone posts a home on the Multiple Listing Service, it is syndicated to other sites. Agents immediately know, and the buyer immediately knows a property is listed. We believed that it no longer costs 6 percent (of a propertys price) to sell a home, and that the fixed costs the sign, the lockbox, the virtual tour, the video, the open houses, the technology do not cost more than $500. Q: Ive written before about new photo and video technology that can get pricey. How can you ensure costs will be less than $500? A: Houwzer works with a local partner called HomeJab who gives us good pricing. And we always get 25 exterior shots, interior shots, and the virtual tour. And we mandate that for all of our listings. The consistency (among our listings) is unparalleled. Q: So a $495 flat fee. How do you make money with rates that low? A: We ask our sellers that, if they had such an amazing experience, if they would considering buying with us not necessarily today, but in the future. If they would tell their friends and family. We have a team of salaried buyer agents. With our model, a seller pays us the $495 fee. But the buyers broker in the deal still gets a 3 percent fee, too. And many times, the sellers are also buyers, so we see it as an opportunity to work with them and make money there. Q: But theres no guarantee they will work with you, right? A: We made a big bet that people will say, We had a great experience, we now want to buy with you. Were getting more buyer deals than we have listing deals. People are referring their friends. Look at the power of Yelp in how people make their decisions. And its not just our listings that they are buying theyre buying any home, so Houwzer as a brokerage makes that commission on the buy side. Q: Are your employees licensed agents? A: Not only are they fully licensed by each state in which they operate, they are also members of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and more. We also pay for them to become certified in things like a negotiation expert. All agents are salaried. Q: How much have you grown? A: By the end of 2017, well have done 1,000 sales in two years. We have 35 full-time employees. Well be at 50 by the end of the year. We have offices in Philadelphia and Haddonfield, N.J. Were opening up a suburban office and expanding into another major market in the next six to 12 months. 2017 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.philly.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This award might not end up in a trophy case. The Albuquerque Police Officers Association announced Thursday it is giving the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce the Most Out of Touch with Their Community award. The police unions award is response to an award the chamber was presenting to Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry Thursday night for Excellence in Public Safety. The chamber said that despite the citys rising crime rates, they are giving the award to Berry for crime-fighting initiatives he has launched as a mayor. Its laughable, said police union President Shaun Willoughby. It basically proves that everybody gets a trophy. Willoughby said Berry is responsible for the citys rising crime by not keeping police officers pay competitive with major-city police departments in surrounding states. The union and mayor have for years clashed with each other on a variety issues, from officer pay to how to grow the size of the police department. What does the chamber think of the unions reaction to the award? My first reaction was Oh, give me a break,' said Terri Cole, the CEO of the chamber. The mayor and the police union have been fighting for years. Cole added that the union helped kill one of the mayors attempts to grow the size of the police force by lobbying against return-to-work legislation at the Roundhouse, where lawmakers were considering a bill that would have allowed retired police officers to come back to work while collecting their pensions. She said the mayors proposal could have helped fight crime in the city. Willoughby said the department is understaffed because of Berrys policies concerning pay for senior officers and retention bonuses. The city had about 860 officers, but it is authorized for 1,000. Willoughby said thats led to the citys rising crime rates. Were understaffed in every attribute in this community, he said. We got people getting crucified on trees in the open space. There are four (open space officers.) Willoughby was referring to a May case where a man was found nailed to a tree in the bosque, which is patrolled by open space officers. The man survived. To add insult to the unions award, which Willoughby had printed and framed to look official, the police union also is launching a social media campaign to showcase crime in the city. Willoughby invited people and businesses to share stories about being a victim of a crime using the hashtags: #shameberofcommerce and #berrybadoncrime. They are out of touch. Theyre supposed to be supporting the business community and they are not, Willoughby said of the chamber. Businesses dont feel safe. Businesses dont think crime is down. I dont think (the chamber is) thinking at all, to be frank, he said. I think this makes them lose credibility as an organization. And I believe the business community that they represent should be furious. Because your police officers are laughing. FORT COLLINS, Colo. A 27-year-old man has been arrested in the death of a woman whose body was found last week in a lake in northern Colorado. Fort Collins Police say they arrested Jeffrey Scott Etheridge on Wednesday. Etheridge is being held in the Larimer County Jail on a first-degree murder charge. It wasnt immediately known if he had an attorney. The body of 23-year-old Heather Helena Hoffmann was found in Sheldon Lake at Fort Collins City Park on June 21. The Larimer County Coroner determined that some injuries to Hoffmann may have been caused by foul play. SHANGHAI, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore branch to help EDC representations in China diversify its loan bookings with Chinese companies New Chief Representative to target clean technology, transportation, and healthcare sectors Potential to partner with commercial banks in syndicated financing facilities for Chinese companies to support their trade-focused businesses New branch office to support and augment current representations in Shanghai and Beijing Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada's dynamic export credit agency, recently opened its first global branch outside of Canada in Singapore to help grow its business in China. "EDC's new branch can process transactions in real time for Chinese companies, eliminating the previous 12-hour delay to connect back to our financing team in Canada," said Chia Wan LIEW, EDC's Chief Representative for the Greater China region. "EDC's financial services are now offered more quickly and effectively, which will significantly benefit Chinese companies looking for growth capital or working capital support." EDC's new branch in Singapore will bring its global-scale financing business closer to projects and companies in China by negotiating and executing financing transactions in their preferred time zone, reflecting the growing importance of the Chinese market to Canada. EDC's foreign representations in Shanghai and Beijing will continue to operate and build relationships in China. EDC's focus will be developing financing relationships with corporations and project owners in China that may already have Canadian suppliers, or where there is potential for future Canadian supply. EDC can also support Chinese foreign investment into Canada where there is a direct link to Canadian exports. In addition, EDC will actively pursue opportunities to partner with commercial banks within club and syndicated financing facilities of select corporations in China. Key facts: In 2016, EDC supported over 600 companies in China and helped facilitate CAD 5.6 billion in business between Chinese and Canadian companies through the entire range of its financial solutions. and helped facilitate in business between Chinese and Canadian companies through the entire range of its financial solutions. EDC currently has a strong aerospace portfolio in China with over CAD 650 million of direct financing closed in 2016. with over of direct financing closed in 2016. China is an active destination for Canadian Direct Investment Abroad. In 2016, EDC delivered a combination of insurance and financing solutions to help 39 Canadian companies expand into China . Mr. Liew was appointed as the new Chief Representative in China on June 1st, 2017, following four years as Chief Representative for Southeast Asia in Singapore. While in Shanghai, he will be responsible for all of EDC's activities in the market. "China's economy keeps expanding at a phenomenal rate, and growing Chinese companies need capital to support their growth aspirations and trade focused business," added Mr. Liew. "EDC offers corporates in Asia a stable, global-scale financier with a long-term partnership horizon. Not only do we provide financing, but we can help your company reduce costs, be more productive, and more innovative by introducing relevant Canadian technology and expertise." Key sectors of interest for EDC in China are clean technology, aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. "Both EDC and the Government of Canada recognize the importance of the Chinese market and has made it a priority to enhance bilateral trade and investment in the country," said Mr. Liew. "Our new Singapore branch reflects this priority and I am thrilled to be playing a leading role in the growth of this mutually beneficial relationship." Mr. Liew joined EDC in 2008 and has extensive experience in business development, risk assessment, credit underwriting and international trade financing. He was appointed as Chief Representative for Southeast Asia in March 2013, where he has been responsible for the overall market coverage strategy for EDC in the ASEAN region. Before joining EDC, Chia Wan spent 15 years serving a wide variety of roles with increasing responsibilities in international financial institutions in Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. EDC has been active in China since 1979, making it the first export credit agency to establish business ties in China. EDC has permanent representations within Canadian foreign missions in Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Mumbai, Delhi, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Lima, Mexico City, Monterrey, Santiago, Moscow, Johannesburg, Dubai, Istanbul, London, and Dusseldorf. About EDC EDC is Canada's export credit agency, providing financial services for companies that buy from Canadian companies, or those that have Canadian supply and services in their corporate value chains. EDC's financing can be used for capex and/or project finance requirements, either through bilateral or syndicated corporate facilities. Operating on commercial principles, EDC has a partnership-preferred philosophy to collaborate with private-sector financial institutions to share risk and create greater capacity for Canadian trade transactions. EDC is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility, and it takes into account the environmental and social impacts of its transactions. For media enquiries, please contact: Elise Dedekam Export Development Canada (EDC) ededekam@edc.ca +1 (613) 598-3076 Peter Guo Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Shanghai We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain. Certifications have leaked for two unannounced Nokia phones labeled as the TA-1017 and the TA-1034, showing up in what is said to be an Indonesian regulatory database. Both of these devices are suspected to be the Nokia 9 device which Nokia and HMD Global are preparing to launch in the future, though at the moment there is nothing to actually suggest that these phones are variant models of the Nokia 9. That said, there are various other versions of the Nokia 9 that have reportedly shown up in other certification databases at this point with different model numbers, so its entirely possible that these could be the Nokia 9 variants for this particular region and the surrounding regions. One of those previous versions of the suspected device is the Nokia TA-1004, which was reportedly certified by the FCC just earlier this month on June 10th. On top of that the Nokia TA-1004 also received Bluetooth certification only one day prior to its certification at the FCC. That said June 9th for the Bluetooth certification was only the Listing Date for the certification as the Qualification Assessment Date was actually on May 4th. Nothing has been confirmed about the Nokia 9 just yet as Nokia and HMD Global havent officially announced the phone, but there have been more than a few leaks regarding new Nokia smartphones, the Nokia 9 included. The Nokia 9 is suspected to come with Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 processor and come with dual rear-facing cameras, following a trend in smartphones that many of the top flagships are implementing these days. In addition to the CPU and camera setup, the Nokia 9 is also though to have models with different amounts of RAM, potentially one with 4GB and one with 6GB. Its also been suspected to come running on Android 7.1.1 Nougat and given Nokias previous Android smartphones that have already launched with Android Nougat onboard, as well as its commitment to updating the Android OS on its family of smartphones as quickly as possible, it seems pretty likely that Android 7.1.1 Nougat is to be the version that launches with Nokia 9 when it hits the market. When exactly that will be is not clear but if these certifications and the certifications from earlier this month are of the Nokia 9 then an official announcement and a launch are not likely to be too far down the road. Future Chromebooks may be equipped with a physical Google Assistant button, as suggested by a recent teardown of the Google app performed by Android Police. The code pertaining to a system message that clearly references the Assistant button was found in the latest beta build of the app, version 7.6, giving more credence to a recent report based on relevant commits that pointed to the same conclusion. Just like its name suggests, it seems that the Assistant button is meant to launch Googles artificial intelligence (AI) companion and has no additional functionalities, thus being meant to operate in a manner thats similar to the Bixby button found on the Galaxy S8-series smartphones. Theres no indication on where exactly would the button be located on the layout of any Chromebook, though the aforementioned inspection of certain commits does indicate that one Chrome OS-powered laptop thats likely to feature such a key is codenamed Eve. The message referencing the Assistant button also indicates that the Chromebook version of the Google Assistant will be constantly listening once its fully operational, while the code of the Google app also contains references to a Whats My Song feature thats likely the same one that the digital helper was missing when it succeeded Google Now. The Google app may also be updated with a section for daily highlights and podcast shortcuts in the near future, as suggested by the latest experimental version of the app. Being just a beta build, theres no guarantee that all of the aforementioned features will eventually hit the stable channel and some may be radically changed by the time they are implemented. The Google Assistant button is possibly the biggest unknown revealed by the teardown, though it seemingly falls in line with Googles recent strategy of pairing its AI technologies with the rest of its hardware and software endeavors as efficiently as possible. The Mountain View, California-based tech giant spent a major portion of this years Google I/O developer conference talking about deep learning and AI in general, indicating that its ready to lead another major push in this emerging field. More details on its efforts to do so will likely follow shortly. Ubers CEO and one of its co-founders, Travis Kalanick stepped down earlier this month. Kalanick has been accused of fostering a bro culture at the ride sharing company, and there has also been countless sexual harassment claims at the company during his tenure. But a close friend of Kalanick, Yahoo and HPs former CEO, Marissa Mayer, doesnt believe that the issues at Uber are Kalanicks fault. Mayer stated that Kalanick may not have known any better, and added that Uber grew very quickly, faster than just about any other company in history, and scaling at that rate is definitely hard to do. Mayer is said to be in the list of names to replace Kalanick as CEO of Uber. Kalanick only stepped down earlier this month after more than 50 recommendations calling for him to resign, that was when the companys board swung into action and had Kalanick step down, although he is still on the board for Uber. At first, Kalanick had stated he would be taking some time off from Uber, but that later turned into him leaving the CEO position at the company. Mayer is on the shortlist for the new Uber CEO, as well as Sheryl Sandberg from Facebook and CVS executive Helena Foulkes. Mayer recently left Yahoo as its CEO, after successfully selling it to Verizon. When leaving Yahoo, Mayer got a pretty big bonus, of about $260 million. Marissa Mayer is not a newbie in the tech scene, she actually worked for Google and was the CEO at HP before taking the reigns at Yahoo a few years ago. Yahoo fell into turmoil and ultimately sold for much less than it was originally supposed to, because of two major data hacks that came to light recently. These hacks were done before Mayer was CEO of Yahoo, but it did cost the company quite a bit of money in its Verizon deal, and it also lost a big number of users, and for good reason. Mayer appears to be a good fit for the Uber CEO role, but then again, so does Facebook and CVS execs Sandberg and Foulkes. Back at the end of March, Samsung announced that its S Health app was getting a makeover. So much so that the S Health moniker was dropped in favor of the new Samsung Health label. Shortly after the announcement the updated version started rolling out and is now available on the Google Play Store as a free download. This is an app which works with a number of phones, including non-Samsung devices, although if you want the fullest and richest experience, then you will need to pair the app with a Samsung device. Arguable, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are the best devices to make use of the service with. Before you get started Before considering Samsung Health, the one key thing to understand is that this is a very feature-rich app. When used to its potential, it is designed to be much more than a simple calorie or step counting app. Instead, Samsung is looking to help its users have a more integrated and interactive health experience essentially, the app has now become a one-stop solution. Although, in spite of its greater number of features, the app itself is also designed to work with a number of popular third-party fitness and tracking apps. So if you have a fitness app that you prefer the interface of, there is nothing stopping you from using that app and having the data pulled over to Samsung Health. Likewise, the app is also able to pair with a number of third-party products that are outside of your smartphone. Like for instance, connected scales or glucose monitors. Once again, this is a highly feature-rich app and one which can track as much of your health and vital signs, as you want it to. Advertisement Samsung vs Non-Samsung devices With this being a Samsung core app it is not that surprising that it is designed to work better with Samsung phones. Yes, it can be downloaded on a number of non-Samsung smartphones, but you will be exposed to a limited version of the app. Think of it as a lite version, although one which still does offer full functionality for the features that are available. So this is not like a download now and pay later to use the same features sort of app. In contrast, where the lite bit comes in, is that not all of the features are available. You will however, be able to make full use of the various integrations, the general tracking abilities, and data feedback. Below is a quick overview of how the main screen looks on a non-Galaxy device (Pixel XL) compared to a Galaxy device (Galaxy S8). Advertisement Getting Started The app is fairly simple to set up. Once installed, it is just a matter of signing in or creating a Samsung account with an email address. Once done, the app will prompt for various permissions and then ask you to set some goals. These goals are not necessary for the general functioning of the app, but as many will already be aware goals help to keep you motivated and the more information and goals you set through the app, the richer the feedback and the overall experience will be. What it can do Advertisement Once the app is ready to go, the interface is fairly simple. The main screen is the overview screen and provides a quick summary of what is being monitored. Depending on how many aspects you opt in to, will determine how much of a summary it can provide. When all in, you will see a quick view of how close you are to your exercise goal for that day, as well as your food intake goal, and your sleeping goal. Advertisement Any of these goals can be clicked on to provide greater insight into the data. Like for instance, exactly when you were active, how many calories you burned, distance traveled, as well as comparisons against the previous days. So if you are the type of user who just plans to monitor walks taken and/or steps made, then there is very little for you to do. The app will monitor these aspects, in the background, and provide feedback whenever you open the app. In contrast, for those who are focused on more rigorous activities, then the app also comes with the ability to monitor activities beyond walking. An example being running. This mode can be initiated by simply hitting the start running icon and telling the app that you are now entering an exercise phase. The app then uses GPS to track your running and differentiates the data from that collected for walking. Advertisement Interestingly, you dont actually need to hit the start icon to tell the smartphone that you are entering this mode. As the smartphone is able to automatically detect when you start running and will collect the data for you. As well as sending a notification noting that the app has detected a period of exercise that it was not informed of. Generally speaking, the other aspects (eating and sleep) are a little less intuitive and do require some feedback from the user. For instance, with the calories section, users are expected to manually input the details of what has been eaten. However, the interface works really well. The user simply starts typing what they have eaten (or where they have eaten, if out) and search results will start to show up. Allowing for an easier (and more accurate) way to integrate and include the relevant data. In particular when eating out, as once the app knows where you have eaten, it will provide the menu allowing you to click the exact items you ordered. At which point the app then uses the nutritional information provided by the eating establishment, including the calorie intake. Advertisement With sleeping, as this is not actually a device that you wear while sleeping, this is more of a guessing game feature. When setting sleep goals, the app will ask you which times you typically go to bed and wake up. From then on, and on a daily basis, the app will prompt you each day to confirm that these were the same sleeping times for the night before. With the option to adjust as and when needed. So think of this are more of a self-determined and less accurate feature, but an additional feature nonetheless. With any of the tracking features, the user is constantly provided feedback (by way of notifications) on how they are doing each day. So each time you reach your step goal for instance, you will be notified that you have. Same with general exercise goals, calorie intake, and so on. Likewise, if the app notes that you have been less active than your goals suggest you should be, you can expect more notifications to come through letting you know (in a positive tone) that it might be time to go for a run. Advertisement Overall, this portion of the app works pretty well. It is very user-friendly and does look to remove much of the annoyances often found with tracking apps, as most of what it does, it does in the background. While some aspects do require you to input details, even for those instances, the details which need to be inputted are minimal, with the app still doing most of the heavy lifting. So for those looking for a nicely put-together tracking app, on a non-Samsung device or otherwise, then this is one worth considering. Samsung Only Features As mentioned once you pair the app with a Samsung Galaxy device, you really do start to open the app up to its full potential. One of the most obvious and immediately noticeable changes is that the app is now able to track even more health-related data. For instance, Galaxy device owners can also use the app to measure their heart rate, their stress levels, and their oxygen levels. All of these measurements are taken using the rear-positioned sensor and all three readings can be measured at the same time, or individually. Once read, data is presented in a consistent manner for all aspects including clear feedback on the reading, and the ability to track and monitor readings over a period of time. In fact, what the app does do quite well is provide a substantial amount of background data on each reading by way of easy to reference reading material. This material provides a good breakdown of what the numbers shown actually mean and how they relate to the general population based on aspects like age. So Samsung Health really does look to offer a more informative health-monitoring experience. It is not just about the numbers. Experts is another feature that is included specifically for Galaxy device owners and the best way to sum this one up, is that it looks to offer a very quick way to engage with a medical professional and get feedback on any issues, concerns, or symptoms that you might be encountering or worried about. The service is provided by American Well (telehealth company) and Samsung states that there is as many as 1,200 certified experts available through the app. It is clear that this is not meant for anything that is too serious (as you should be calling 911 or visiting the hospital for that), and instead is designed to provide an easy way to engage with someone or find out information, on more common issues or ones which do not require immediate medical attention. In addition to being able to find a general wealth of information and directly from the health community, the service also provides direct video chat with live physicians, as well as some additional features like the ability to refill prescriptions. Obviously this service does need to be tied in to your medical data to really maximize its effectiveness, which includes signing up with American Well. As well as using the service in conjunction with your insurance. So this will be a consideration for some, as they will want to make sure that any related-charges are covered by their insurance. Something which will likely come to light during the American Well enrollment process anyway. In either case, this could be a useful feature for some, and if all-in, there are some additional benefits to using this service. One example that Samsung offers up not having to make any co-payments for consultations. Additional Perks If all that was not enough, there are even more features included in this app. Like a Together feature which lets the user effectively set up their own in-app health community. Once live, the user is able to compare their data with that of their friends and family. Not only might this lead to a more social and fun way to monitor your health, but it could also lead to more of a competitive and motivating approach. This is in addition to the Discover tab which offers even more health-related information and general news articles. Wrap up So all in all, it is clear that this app is designed to be an app which caters to a wide selection of health-related needs and does offer a substantial amount of features for those who are all-in. However, one of its biggest strengths is that it does not look to highlight the importance of using all of the features, and largely leaves the choice to the user. So you can simply opt-in for just the features you want to use. If you just want to only track your basic exercise routine, then you can and ignore the rest. While those looking for a more comprehensive app and a way to centralize all of their health-related data, this app will just about cover every angle you can think of. Yes, the non-Galaxy version is largely trimmed down in comparison, but even that trimming down does result in more than enough features and to be honest, the features that most users will actually want to use. Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom have succeeded in delivering a 5G end-to-end connection through virtualized core, radio and device using the 3.5GHz spectrum. The trial was based on the 5G New Radio technology and comprised of Samsungs 5G virtualized core, virtualized RAN, Distributed Unit, and 3GPP NR-based test equipment. Conducted at Samsungs R&D center in Suwon, the trial produced results with speeds of more than 1Gbps and a latency of 1.2 milliseconds. The team successfully reduced the latency by lowering the Transmission Time Interval to 0.25 millisecond, which is equivalent to one-fourth the time of the current 4G LTE network. The trial also used a wide channel bandwidth of up to 80MHz to ensure a consistent gigabit performance, instead of 20MHz, which is usually the maximum channel bandwidth for LTE. The trial proves that the 3.5GHz spectrum can be sufficient to provide a wider and more stable coverage. Both Samsung and SK Telecom have been working together to evaluate the various frequencies needed for a 5G network. One of the ultra-high frequencies required to facilitate a 5G network is 28GHz, which can already transmit large volume of data at a high speed, including high definition videos, courtesy of the 3GHz wide bandwidth. That means at 3.5GHz, the transmission can be faster and the coverage wider than expected, never mind that it is only a sub-6GHz spectrum. Dongsoo Park, executive vice president and chief of global sales and marketing team in networks business at Samsung Electronics, says taking 5G in to the sub-6GHz spectrum for use cases and applications requiring wider area network coverage is another milestone in the companys 5G-related endeavors. Park notes that the industry also acknowledges the sub-6GHz spectrum as ideal for supporting 5G services. Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom plan to continue developing services optimized according to the characteristics of the 28GHz and 3.5GHz frequencies. Among the major contributors to the success of the 5G end-to-end connection trial are Samsungs virtualized solutions, which shows how flexible the next generation networks can become. The Korean tech giant says network virtualization serves up ultra-low latency platform for fresh communication services on top of efficiency and cost-savings. Sprint, the nations fourth largest carrier, has been looking for ways to get out of debt. One way was to merge with T-Mobile, which Sprints new owner, SoftBank, tried a few years ago, only for regulators to tell them the deal would not be approved. Now, with a new administration in office, Sprint and SoftBank are looking to cut a deal with T-Mobile, even though it may not be a good idea for either side at this point. Sprint is also talking with cable companies like Charter and Comcast, to either cut a deal or sell the company to one of the larger cable companies in the US. Both of these cable companies have announced that they would launch a MVNO service this year Comcasts is already live, but exclusive to its customers for now. So both companies are definitely interested in wireless. Now if this deal were to happen, it would give a serious boost to Sprint. After all, both Charter and Comcast have deep pockets. But they also have a large customer-base. And putting Sprint in its pocket would mean it could bundle wireless with internet, TV and even home phone. Something that AT&T is doing now after its purchase of DIRECTV. But, that could be a bit too late for Sprint. You see, Sprint has a huge amount of debt, about $37 billion, with $9 billion of that coming due in the next couple of years. Meaning that Sprint needs to cut costs but also find a way to bring in more cash so it can take care of that debt. And thats likely something that is scaring potential buyers away. As a potential buyer would need to handle all of that debt. Sprint is in a good position for the future, as far as spectrum goes. As it holds the holy grail of spectrum for 5G, which many carriers (including Sprint) are already working on. But its debt is what is really holding it back. Now if Comcast or Charter did come in, and either purchase part of the company, or the entire company from SoftBank, it would still put them in a good position. Both companies have a large buildout of fiber across the US which is going to be great for building out 5G in the next few years. It also means that it could expand coverage from what Sprint already has, by using its existing WiFi Hotspots, something that Comcast is already doing with its Xfinity Mobile service which runs on the Verizon network. Advertisement Comcast or Charter (or even another cable company) would be a perfect fit for Sprint, even if they dont buy out SoftBanks stake in the company (which is now over 80%). But the tough thing here for Sprints CEO and Chairman, Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son, respectively, is selling Sprint to another company. While both cable companies have expressed vast interest in wireless so has Dish Network and it has been picking up spectrum at auctions for the past few years it doesnt necessarily mean this would be a done deal. The better deal is still with T-Mobile, as that would give Sprint a big boost in customers and revenue, to better compete with Verizon and AT&T. But with T-Mobiles recent growth, it doesnt make much sense for Sprint to add even more debt to purchase the Un-Carrier, nor does it make much sense for T-Mobile to buy a carrier with that much debt. If Sprint wants to make this work, theyll have to hurry up and get something going, since a deal would take at least 9 months to be approved by regulators anyways. Samsung Mobile began promoting some of its official protective cases for the Galaxy S8 series in a new YouTube video. The ad pushes three cases to the forefront, specifically the Clear View Standing Cover, the 2Piece Cover, and the Alcantara Cover, all of which are currently available for purchase in the U.S. through Amazon. The cases are also generally available through the companys online store but their availability differs depending on each region. The Samsung Galaxy S8 series stands out thanks to one of the most uniquely designed exteriors created for the mobile market. It features an Infinity Display that stretches around the left and right edges of the device, and the smartphone is nearly entirely covered in glass. Having said that, Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus owners who may want to ensure that their flagship phones survive without cracks and scratches can turn their attention to one of Samsungs official protective covers and choose one according to their needs. The three cases presented in the official video are very different from one another, increasing the chances for buyers to find exactly the type of protection they require. Starting off with the Clear View Standing Cover, it provides protection to the Infinity Display all the while allowing users to control aspects of the phone without having to flip the cover open, and furthermore, it can also double as a kickstand. Next in line is the Alcantara Cover manufactured from premium Alcantara material, which has been treated in a variety of colors including black, blue, mint, and pink. And lastly, there is the 2Piece Cover which, unsurprisingly, comes in two pieces designed to protect the smartphones corners first and foremost. The 2Piece Cover can be bought in black, purple, and combinations of blue/pink, mint/brown, and violet/green. As far as Amazon prices are concerned, the 2Piece Cover starts at $16.90 and can go as high as 19.99 depending on the color choices. The Clear View Standing Cover has a price of $24.99; however, the violet variant carries a higher price tag of $39.98. Finally, there is the Alcantara Cover which is available for $36.99 in mint, $39.99 in pink, $43.99 in blue, and $46.99 in black. Advertisement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1gr-c-XKmo Three of the worlds top law firms are involved in the controversial European Commission antitrust case against Google.Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Clifford Chance , and Covington & Burling have been identified as the law firms involved in the case by a report from Legal Business.On 27 June, the European Commission slapped Google with a 2.4bn ($3.6bn) fine for breaching antitrust rules of the bloc, particularly for abusing its dominance in the internet search market to benefit its comparison-shopping service. It is the largest fine the commission has imposed on any company.The internet giant has 90 days to comply with the commission, or Alphabet, Googles parent, faces penalties amounting to up to 5% of its average daily worldwide revenues.According to Legal Business, Cleary fielded a team led by competition partner Maurits Dolmans and Brussels partners Thomas Graf and Robbert Snelders for Google, with Julia Holz coordinating with the search giants in-house team. For the Fairsearch consortium, which was party to the case, Clifford Chance fielded a team led by partner Thomas Vinje. Miranda Cole of Covington & Burling acted for Expedia, TripAdvisor, and Trivago.Google has come up with many innovative products and services that have made a difference to our lives. That's a good thing. But Google's strategy for its comparison-shopping service wasn't just about attracting customers by making its product better than those of its rivals. Instead, Google abused its market dominance as a search engine by promoting its own comparison-shopping service in its search results, and demoting those of competitors, said Margrethe Vestager, the EUs antitrust chief.What Google has done is illegal under EU antitrust rules. It denied other companies the chance to compete on the merits and to innovate. And most importantly, it denied European consumers a genuine choice of services and the full benefits of innovation, she said. Slater and Gordon chief quits as lenders take control Slater and Gordons group managing director Andrew Grech is stepping down from his role after 17 years as a group of lenders takes control of the firm. The announcement comes as the Australian-listed law firm enters a recapitalisation agreement which will see existing shareholders hold just 5 per cent of the equity as lenders including banks add millions of dollars in working capital. Existing debt will also be restructured. Grech will stay on as a non-executive director until an suitable replacement can be found in line with the Legal Professions Act 2007 (Victoria). In a statement to the ASX, Slater and Gordon says: Under the RSD, the Board has agreed to undertake a board renewal process which will enable the New Lending Group, who will own approximately 95% of the Companys equity on implementation of the recapitalisation, to elect new directors. All existing directors will resign in due course as new directors are appointed. Hayden Stephens CEO, Australia and Ken Fowlie CEO, UK will continue to lead the businesses in Australia and the UK respectively. All SGH group functions will now report through to the CEO, Australia. The full statement can be viewed here. Australia, China highlighted for Ashurst growth Australia and China have been key factors in a growth in revenue at Ashursts. Its financial report shows that revenue grew by around 7 per cent for the year ended 30th April 2017 compared to the previous financial year to 541 million (approx. AU$915 million) while average profit per equity partner was up 11.5 per cent to 672,000 (AU$1.13 million). Managing partner Paul Jenkins said that the firm has been focusing on increasing revenue and profitability with growth in projects and disputes especially strong. M&A has been especially strong in APAC and the firm has also benefited from the resurgence in the structured finance markets. Overall, APAC delivered impressive results, in particular in Australia and China, Jenkins said. The Middle East has also delivered strong results for the firm while the UK activity has been encouraging despite the impact of Brexit. Canadian court orders Google to delete global search results In a case which could have widespread repercussions, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Google must delete search results relating to an intellectual property case, worldwide. The IP case involves a company ordered by the court to stop selling pirated goods and infringing intellectual property of a Canadian firm. A judge in British Columbia issued an injunction ordering Google to remove search results. While the search engine removed links to webpages containing the goods, it did not delete other links to websites used to list the products. The removal was also only on the Canadian version of the search engine. The new ruling, which Google is likely to appeal, could theoretically mean that a court in one country could effectively censor global search results, which has caused concern among free-speech and open-internet advocates. The court says the injunction is temporary and intended to be lifted once the underlying IP case is concluded. AVMA member AVMA honor roll member Nonmember Russell H. Anthony Dr. Anthony (Iowa State 53), 93, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Jan. 4, 2017. A small animal veterinarian, he began his career in Mount Carroll, Illinois. In 1954, Dr. Anthony moved to Cedar Rapids, where he established Anthony Animal Hospital, also working as veterinarian for the citys Bever Park Zoo in the early years of his practice. Following retirement in 1982, he was appointed city veterinarian for Cedar Rapids, later serving as a consultant for Avid Microchip Company in the Midwest. Dr. Anthony was a past secretary-treasurer of the AVMA Political Action Committee Board, a past chair of the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine, and a past president of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, the (now dissolved) American Association of Retired Veterinarians, and the Iowa and Eastern Iowa VMAs. He received the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Stange Award in 1980. In 1986, Dr. Anthony was the first veterinarian to be elected to the designation of imperial potentate of the Shrine of North America, a Masonic International fraternity. He was also active with Rotary International. Dr. Anthony served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, receiving the Good Conduct Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Citation, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, ETO Ribbon with 4 Battle Stars, ATO Ribbon, and Croix de Guerre Ribbon. He was a charter member of the World War II National Memorial and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Dr. Anthony is survived by his wife, Shirley; two sons and a daughter; and eight grandchildren. Memorials may be made to St. Marks Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave. NE, Marion, IA 52302, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 3360. James H. Bailey Dr. Bailey (Iowa State 46), 93, Brookings, South Dakota, died May 12, 2017. He was executive director of the South Dakota VMA from 1985-1996 and a noted extension veterinarian. Following graduation, Dr. Bailey practiced 10 years with his father, Dr. R.C. Bailey (Iowa State 18), in Atlantic, Iowa. In 1956, he joined Iowa State University as an assistant professor of veterinary medicine and surgery, working in the Veterinary Ambulatory Clinic. From 1958-1968, Dr. Bailey served as an industrial and field veterinarian with Walnut Grove Feed Company in Atlantic. He then joined South Dakota State University as extension veterinarian, serving in that capacity until 1985. Dr. Bailey was one of the extension veterinarians who compiled the fact sheets that became the present Pork Industry Handbook. Active in organized veterinary medicine, he was a past president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, a past member of the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, a past secretary-treasurer of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, and a member of the American Feed Manufacturers Association. He was the American Association of Extension Veterinarians Extension Veterinarian of the Year in 1975, South Dakotas Honorary Master Pork Producer and recipient of the South Dakota Pork Producers Councils Distinguished Service Award in 1976, and South Dakota Veterinarian of the Year in 1977. Dr. Bailey was also honored with the ISU CVM Stange Award in 1984 and the AASV Howard Dunne Memorial Award in 1986. In 1997, the SDVMAs annual herd health conference was renamed the James Bailey Herd Health Conference and, in 2014, he received the SDVMA Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Bailey was a veteran of the Army and a member of the American Legion. An avid pilot, he served on the Brookings Airport board and was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was also a member of the Elks Club. Dr. Bailey is survived by four daughters, a son, eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the South Dakota VMA Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 2175, Brookings, SD 57007. John P. Davis Jr. Dr. Davis (Texas A&M 53). 89, Shreveport, Louisiana, died Feb. 2, 2017. He practiced in Shreveport for 60 years prior to retirement. Earlier in his career, Dr. Davis owned a practice in Jacksonville, Florida, and taught at Texas A&M University. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. Dr. Davis son, daughter, and five grandchildren survive him. Stanley L. Diesch Dr. Diesch (Minnesota 56), 91, St. Paul, Minnesota, died May 10, 2017. He was professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Public Health. Following graduation, Dr. Diesch briefly practiced mixed animal medicine in Freeport, Illinois, before moving to Winthrop, Iowa, where he owned a large animal practice for five years. After earning a masters in public health from the University of Minnesota in 1963, he served three years as an assistant professor and chief epidemiologist at the Institute of Agricultural Medicine at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. In 1966, Dr. Diesch joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota. During his more than 30-year tenure at the university, he was a professor in the Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, with a joint appointment in the Division of Epidemiology at the universitys School of Public Health, and served as director of the international veterinary medicine programs. Dr. Diesch also co-founded a small animal practice in Minneapolis. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, he was instrumental in establishing the Minnesota Food Animal Disease Reporting System. Dr. Diesch was a past president of the International Society for Animal Hygiene, was a past member of the AVMA Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine, and served as a consultant to the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization. A past president of the Minnesota-Uruguay chapter of Partners of the Americas, he established the university linkage program between the University of Minnesota and the University of the Republic in Montevideo, Uruguay, and was named honorary consul for Uruguay in Minnesota from 1990-1996. Dr. Diesch received the AVMA Public Service Award in 1987, Minnesota VMA Distinguished Service Award in 1996, AVMA XIIth International Veterinary Congress Prize in 1998, ISAH Honorary Award in 2000, and Partners of the Americas 2002 Dumond Peck Hill Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2012, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine named him a Pioneer in One Health and, in 2015, the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences gave him the Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture. Dr. Diesch is survived by his wife, Darlene; two daughters; four grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials toward veterinary public health programs may be made to the University of Minnesota Foundation, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455; toward scholarships to Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation, 101 Bridgepoint Way, Suite 100, South St. Paul, MN 55075; or to Roseville Lutheran Church Foundation, 1215 Roselawn Ave. W., Roseville, MN 55113. Larry W. Laudig Dr. Laudig (Michigan State 60), 80, Pendleton, Indiana, died Jan. 29, 2017. From 1965 until retirement in 1997, he owned a practice in McCordsville, Indiana, where he initially practiced mixed animal medicine, later focusing on small animals. Earlier in his career, Dr. Laudig owned a practice in Lapel, Indiana. He was a veteran of the Army. Dr. Laudig is survived by his wife, Sondra; four children; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Richard R. Lawton Dr. Lawton (Cornell 61), 81, Mililani, Hawaii, died Dec. 27, 2016. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Wahiawa Animal Hospital in Wahiawa, Hawaii, for 45 years. During that time, Dr. Lawton also worked as a meat inspector for the state of Hawaii from 1985-1995 and for the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service from 1995-2005. He was a past president of the Hawaii VMA. A veteran of the Army, Dr. Lawton attained the rank of captain. He is survived by his wife, Jane; three sons and two daughters; and seven grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 39, Ithaca, NY 14853. Donald J. Smylie Dr. Smylie (Colorado State 54), 86, Douglas, Wyoming, died May 11, 2017. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Douglas until his death. Dr. Smylie began his career in Leola, South Dakota, and served with the Army in Chicago. In 1958, he moved to Torrington, Wyoming, where he practiced until he moved to Douglas in 1962. Dr. Smylie was a past president of the Wyoming VMA and served on the board of directors of the Society for Theriogenology. He was active with the 4-H Club and the National FFA Organization. Dr. Smylie is survived by his wife, Susan; three sons and three stepchildren; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 136 South Fifth St., Douglas, WY 82633. Additional screening will soon be required before personal electronic devices (PEDs) larger than cell phones can be carried on to U.S.-bound flights, senior Department of Homeland Security officials announced Wednesday. The TSA and the State Department will also be involved in implementation. The need for more security comes from the fact that terrorists continue to look at attacking commercial airlines as the "crown jewel," and are exploring new ways to conceal devices, DHS Secretary John Kelly said at the CNAS conference. Why it matters: This move could have major commercial implications, but Kelly is pressing ahead because he places aviation in general, and the ability of terrorists to turn laptops into explosive devices in particular, at the top of his list of security concerns. What to expect: As one senior DHS official put it, "if the PEDs [larger than a cellphone] are screened, they can fly. If they are not screened, they cannot fly." The officials would not discuss what the enhanced screenings will look like exactly, but added that DHS is calling for the use of next generation screening methods as well as K-9 assets. DHS is encouraging more airports to become pre-screening locations, which allows passengers to go through Customs and border security before boarding flights to the U.S., Kelly said. If airline carriers choose to not implement these changes, the U.S. could suspend their flights to the U.S. and could not allow PEDs larger than cell phones on board at all. One DHS official said he believes every airport in the world would be able to implement these changes, however. The changes will affect 238 airports, 105 countries, and, on average, 2,000 flights per day. Timeline: The DHS officials briefing reporters were vague about the implementation due to security reasons, noting the changes "could roll out this summer, absolutely." They ultimately claimed it was up to the airline carriers to get the changes implemented and that TSA and DHS officials stand ready to inspect the changes to approve the airlines' protocols. The existing ban: The 10 airports in the Middle East that are already subject to a laptop ban can have those restrictions lifted if they comply with these new security measures. One DHS official clarified, "we're not rolling back those measures," but this gives those airports the opportunity to increase their security. (Those airports affected: Amman, Kuwait City, Cairo, Istanbul, Jeddah, Riyadh, Casablanca, Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.) President Trump won't admit it, but he's taking credit for something former President Obama did. Expected today: In a speech at the Energy Department, Trump is likely to tout America's oil and natural gas boom and in particular how his administration is greenlighting exports of liquified natural gas, which has been a recurring presidential talking point of the last few months. But it was actually the Obama administration that approved nearly all of the LNG poised to be exported, and Trump is, so far, just reiterating what his predecessor did. Why it matters: The Trump administration has displayed a lot of positive rhetoric about LNG exports, but as yet it hasn't made any explicit policy changes to how the federal government reviews applications for LNG. An Energy Department spokeswoman declined on Wednesday to say whether Trump will make any related policy announcements in his speech today. To be sure: Obama took credit for things his predecessor did, too. In 2011, he was touting increased offshore oil and natural gas production, even though a top official in his administration at the time said such increases were due to policies his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, put in place that increased access to federal waters. Read more of my analysis here. Trump's National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster laid out the way the U.S. is thinking about the North Korea problem Wednesday in three main points: "The North Korea problem is not a problem between North Korea and the United States. It's a problem between North Korea and China and the world." A positive gain in the last few months has been "Chinese leadership's recognition that China does have a great deal of control over that situation mainly through the powers of the economicrelationship" with North Korea. This seems to diverge from Trump's stance that China has tried to exert influence but fallen short. "Denuclearization of the peninsula is the only appropriate and acceptable" solution. Read more from Axios' Expert Voices on what the U.S. can do about North Korea, here. On NATO: McMaster affirmed Trump is "absolutely committed to" the mutual defense protocol, known as Article Five. On Afghanistan: McMaster said the Taliban is taking advantage of the disconnect between military action and political action in Afghanistan. He noted the previous approach of saying "let's talk to you about a political solutionbut we're leaving" made little sense to him. "How does that work?" On Russia: McMaster said the U.S. needs more tools to confront Russia's destabilizing behavior towards the U.S., including in cyberspace. On budget: McMaster dodged a question about USAID and State Department budget cuts. Venezuela's Supreme Court was attacked yesterday by a circling helicopter that apparently dropped hand grenades and fired shots. It was allegedly piloted by a rogue policeman who called for Venezuelans to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro, claiming he had the backing of other police and military members, per the BBC. Venezuela is in the midst of months of protests which have resulted in at least 70 deaths against Maduro's government as the country has faced hyperinflation and food shortages following an economic collapse caused by slumping oil prices. which have resulted in at least 70 deaths against Maduro's government as the country has faced hyperinflation and food shortages following an economic collapse caused by slumping oil prices. Oscar Perez, the man reportedly piloting the helicopter , is a highly-trained member of the special forces division of Venezuela's police, who posted a video statement on Instagram calling for an uprising. , is a highly-trained member of the special forces division of Venezuela's police, who posted a video statement on Instagram calling for an uprising. One big question: Is it real? Perez certainly has a long Instagram presence showing him in combat situations, but he has had roles as a professional actor. Haykakan Zhamanak criticizes unusually tight security in and around a court building Yerevan where 14 men are standing on trial for the July 2016 on a police station in the citys Erebuni district. In particular, the paper points to the deployment of masked police officers armed with assault rifles. One is getting the impression that law-enforcement bodies feel some threat, it says. Interviewed by Aravot, Lydumila Sargsian, a former opposition parliamentarian, dismisses opposition leader Raffi Hovannisians calls for an anti-government velvet revolution in Armenia. In countries like Armenia, extraparliamentary opposition forces can never carry out a velvet revolution, she says. Furthermore, such revolutions are a government tool. She claims that such statements can only lead to more popular disillusionment and undermine public trust in the opposition. A Russian political analyst, Konstantin Kalachev, is asked by 168 Zham to comment on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs claim that some forces are keen to turn the European Unions Eastern Partnership program into an anti-Russian project. Kalachev claims that Lavrovs statement is a warning to Armenia which he says continues to be torn between Russia and Europe. He also points to the planned signing of a new accord between Armenia and the EU. Serzh Sarkisian is faced with a dilemma: to sign or not to sign the framework agreement with the EU? he claims. Hraparak says that there are many people in Armenia who do nothing but have very high incomes. The paper says that opposition lawmakers are therefore right to question the wisdom of paying Armenian judges much high salaries than are earned by schoolteachers, doctors and other public sector employees. After all, we need not only justice but also a good system of education and healthcare, it says. Such a wage disparity creates an atmosphere of social injustice. (Tigran Avetisian) 29 June 2017 10:00 (UTC+04:00) By Sara Israfilbayova Roughly 445 companies in non-oil sector carried out export operations in the amount of $149 million in May, reads a report by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications. The report on products exported by Azerbaijan in June, shows that the companies basically exported tomatoes, potatoes, polyethylene, methanol, other mixtures, rectangular plates, gold, hazelnut, cotton, onions, apples, etc. During the first 5 months of 2017, the total volume of non-oil export operations with the participation of 1,021 companies amounted to $557 million. The top five countries importing non-oil products of Azerbaijan include Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Switzerland and Turkmenistan. For May, through the AzExport portal, non-oil products worth $19 million were ordered. The geography of export orders through the AzExport portal expanded, as for the first time orders were received from Slovakia, Taiwan and Suriname. Among the orders received during the month are powdered milk, sunflower oil, chicken meat, carrot, wine, butter, apple, pomegranate, pomegranate juice, tea, cosmetics, fuel, paint, silk carpet, bed linen, etc. In January-May, through the AzExport portal, Azerbaijani products were ordered for an amount exceeding $130 million from 45 countries. Russia leads the list of countries that have made orders from Azerbaijan, according to the report. Some 15 percent of export orders fall to Russia's share. Among the orders were nuts, cognac, carrots, yellow onions, wine, apples, tea, cottonseed oil, cosmetics, cherry concentrate, medical gauze, mushrooms and others. About 10 percent of orders fall to Ukraines share. Ukrainians basically order from Azerbaijan pomegranate juice, cognac, facade paints, wine, tobacco, chicken meat, butter, medical gauze, bed linen, milk powder, etc. As for Turkey, it accounted for 7 percent of the total volume of orders. During this period, Turkey mainly imported tobacco, motor oil, wine, pomegranate wine, chicken meat, cottonseed oil, peas, buckwheat, sunflower oil, milk powder and so on. The volume of export orders received in January amounted to $48 million, in February - $6.5 million, in March - $27 million, in April - $29.9 million and in May- $19 million. Azexport.az was created according to the order "On creation of a unified database of goods produced in Azerbaijan Republic", signed on 21 September 2016 by President Ilham Aliyev. Mission of Azexport.az, managed by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication is to provide information about products of Azerbaijani origin and becoming the beneficial platform for their sales in foreign and domestic markets. Azexport.az, integrated with the most popular electronic trading platforms makes the products available to potential buyers from anywhere in the world. Being available in the Azerbaijani, Russian and English languages, it acts as a single digital destination for trade, bringing together and connecting local entrepreneurs, international buyers and international investors. The portal offers fast and secure payment to VISA, Master Card and American Express cards owners. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 12:18 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The Latvian-Azerbaijani business forum is planned to be held in Riga on July 17, the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) reported on June 29. The forum stipulates organisation of bilateral meetings with Latvian businessmen. Entrepreneurs interested in participating in the forum can apply to AZPROMO until July 7. Azerbaijans trade turnover with Latvia in January-May 2017 reached almost $3.72 million, of which $3.4 million accounted for imports from this country, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan. During the year, the trade turnover between the two countries grew 11.5 percent. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 16:53 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov No complaints were received from the Azerbaijani government structures in connection with Petya ransomware, a new wave of cyber attacks that hit computers and enterprise servers worldwide, CERT reported. The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) under the State Agency for Special Communication and Information Security of Azerbaijani Special State Guard Service told Trend on that the Petya ransomware is being distributed the same way that WannaCry, by using vulnerability of SMB (Server Message Block) network protocol. The difference between the cryptographer Petya and WannaCry is that Petya encrypts not files but the hard disk. The virus spreads by e-mail as phishing," CERT said. "So far, we haven't recorded any incidents of infections by this cryptographer from the Azerbaijani government structures. The major ransomware cyberattack has spread through the U.S. and Europe. The attack was first reported in Ukraine, where the government, banks, state power utility and Kievs airport and metro system were all affected. The Petya ransomware has caused serious disruption at large firms including the advertising giant WPP, French construction materials company Saint-Gobain and Russian steel and oil firms Evraz and Rosneft. Infected computers display a message demanding a Bitcoin ransom worth $300. The WannaCry or WannaCrypt ransomware attack affected more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries, with the NHS, Spanish phone company Telefonica and German state railways among those hardest hit. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 17:45 (UTC+04:00) By Sara Israfilbayova The state-owned company AzerGold, which is engaged in exploration, development and management of deposits of precious and base metals, sold the second batch of gold and silver on the world stock exchange, gaining $20.9 million of profit. "Some 72 gold-silver alloys produced by AzerGold CJSC at the Chovdar mining complex were sent for cleaning of the world famous refining company in Switzerland Argor-Heraeus," AzerGold reported on June 29. The fine gold and silver, sold as a result on the international exchange, brought millions of profit to the company. The total weight of exported gold-silver alloys was 1,283 kilograms, 16,300 ounces of total volume fell to gold, 22,200 ounces - silver. The first gold and silver export of AzerGold CJSC was carried out in May of this year, selling 66 gold alloys, 16,000 of which were gold, 24,000 ounces - silver. The first export batch brought the country's income in the amount of $20.1 million. By late 2017, the company plans to increase the volume of gold and silver mined for export to 160,000 ounces (70,000 ounces of gold, 90,000 ounces of silver). Taking into account the current prices for precious metals, the profit from the sale of this volume of gold and silver will be $85 million, according to the estimates. In the following years the company plans to start production at other fields - Filizchay and Mazimchay in Balakan region, as well as at the Goydag site in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The AzerGold company plans to produce almost 1.3 tons of gold and 2 tons of silver at the Chovdar mine in 2017. The country started industrial production of gold in July 2009. About 900 fields were registered in Azerbaijan's state and territorial balance of reserves of mineral resources. The Ministry for Ecology and Natural Recourses estimates that the country is able to produce about 10-15 tons of gold per year. AzerGold CJSC was established on February 11, 2015. The company uses new technologies in exploration, development and management of non-ferrous metal deposits, modernization of the material and technical sources and their effective use, as well as other work for developing this sphere. Also, Anglo Asian Mining PLC has the right to develop 6 fields in south-west of Azerbaijan: Gadabay, Ordubad, Gosha Bulag, Gizil Bulag, Vejnali and Soyutlu. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 17:17 (UTC+04:00) By Sara Israfilbayova Azerbaijan and Hungary intend to raise cooperation to a higher level in all spheres. The prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and other spheres will be discussed by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov during his official visit to Hungary, scheduled for late July, a diplomatic source told Trend on June 29. During the meetings with officials of Hungary, Mammadyarov plans to discuss the organization of visits at a high level in the autumn of this year. The main directions of economic cooperation between the two countries and the most promising sectors were identified during the visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Mihaly Orban to Baku in March 2016. Among such areas are the development of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, water management, ICT and tourism. Hungary offers Azerbaijan new technology for electronic fare collection in transport, the introduction of electronic systems in the areas of urban planning, power supply and water industry. Hungary also offers new technologies in the field of agricultural processing and for the food industry. In these areas, Hungary possesses high-level technical solutions. Both countries are interested in creation of the joint enterprises, including those in the sphere of high technology. The Hungarian Export-Import Bank Plc. (Eximbank) has a preferential framework credit line of $201.8 million to finance joint Hungarian-Azerbaijani projects, and the Eximbank is also ready to finance export deals on the Hungarian goods export to Azerbaijan. In the South Caucasus region, Hungary has the highest trade turnover with Azerbaijan, to be more exact, over 50 percent of the Hungarian trade with the South Caucasus region accounts for Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Hungary amounted to more than $50 million in 2016. Hungary recognized independence of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991 and the diplomatic relations between the countries were established on November 27, 1992. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 16:48 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova ASAN Volunteers, ADA University, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ADA MUN club will launch new project on July 14-16. AVO MUN project aims to increase knowledge in the political, social and environmental areas, developing leadership and public speaking qualities. Based on UNDP`s simulation program, it will bring together 17 young people, aged between 16 and 25. The simulation will be held in a team format in two committees - Bas Sura in Azerbaijani and Security Council in English with representatives from 30 countries. Participation is free. The registration is open from June 29 to July 7. You can register at the following link: https://goo.gl/bZmFuV Media partners of the event are Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az, Azernews.az --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 12:40 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Settlement of conflicts in the OSCE area, including the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, within the existing formats will be discussed at the OSCE Informal Ministerial Meeting scheduled for July 11 in Austrias Mauerbach town. Russian Foreign Ministrys Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced about this at a briefing on June 29. She added that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also take part in this meeting organized by OSCE chairperson-in-office, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 14:00 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Russia should remain as a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan and continue efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, says the report of the Russian Center for Strategic Research (CSR) published on June 29. Other frozen conflicts also remain in the post-Soviet space, the report says. Russia should remain a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan, continue efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and return to discussion of the draft solution of the Transnistrian issue. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign state with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years. Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region. Russia along with the U.S. and France is a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group established to broker a peace to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 15:07 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova The Czech Foreign Ministry has refuted Armenian media reports regarding anti-Azerbaijan statements allegedly made by Czech Republics ambassador to Armenia Petr Mikyska. Deputy Spokeswoman of the Czech Foreign Ministry Irena Valentova told Trend that Mikyska had participated in a press conference organized by The National Press Club in Yerevan. The press conference output was not authorized by the ambassador and it contains messages that were not delivered by Ambassador Mikyska, she said. the deputy spokeswoman went on to add that following this event, Azerbaijans Ambassador in Prague was received at the Czech Foreign Ministry. With the above stated clarification, both sides consider this issue as resolved, she said. Earlier, Armenian media reported that the Czech Republics ambassador to Yerevan allegedly made anti-Azerbaijan statements in connection with Azerbaijans declaring several MEPs, including a Czech politician, internationally wanted for their illegal visits to the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministrys spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend that if the Czech ambassador had made such statements, this contradicts the law, the norms and principles of international law. For about three decades Armenia and Azerbaijan are in a state of war following Yerevans aggression, ethnic cleansing policy and illegal territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenia keeps under control over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions in a brutal war in the early 1990s. Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement signed in 1994, Armenia keeps violating armistice with Azerbaijan. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 10:50 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans Ambassador to Brazil Elkan Polukho presented his credentials to the country`s President Michel Temer. They held a brief meeting, and the ambassador extended President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev`s greetings to the Brazilian leader. They discussed Azerbaijan-Brazil relations and their further expansion, Azertac reported. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on October 23, 1993. In addition to embassies, each country created Brazil-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group in 2012 and 2013. The trade turnover between the countries amounted to $120 million in 2015. Azerbaijan and Brazil share common commitments to universal values, the rule of international law, the principles of the United Nations, including respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of borders. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 12:27 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijan makes significant efforts in the direction of combating trafficking. This is stated in the U.S. Department of State's report on combating trafficking in human beings for 2017, which assesses the situation in 188 countries around the world. Azerbaijan remains in the general second category (Tier 2), which means that the country is making significant efforts in the direction of combating trafficking. The government of Azerbaijan demonstrated increasing efforts by prosecuting and convicting more traffickers and identifying more victims. The government increased funds for victim protection and the state-run shelter, according to the report. Human trafficking is one of the most immoral crimes, turning men, women and children from all around the world into victims each day, destroying their lives, dreams, and futures. Azerbaijan actively combats the trafficking in persons for sexual slavery, forced labor, or commercial sexual exploitation. The Government implements a range of measures to combat against all spheres of human trafficking inside the country. Earlier, the EU and Azerbaijan joined their efforts on combating human trafficking. As many as 486 traffickers were brought to justice in Azerbaijan over the past 12 years. In Azerbaijan, less than one percent of crimes committed during the year are crimes related to trafficking in human beings. Out of 26,916 criminal cases in 2015, only 128 crimes were related to human trafficking. For more than 12 years 1,078 criminal cases on human trafficking were investigated, 486 persons were brought to responsibility, 761 victims of this crime were identified. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 11:06 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Iranian carrier Qeshm Air has announced about signing of a new pact to buy advanced aircraft from Boeing. Qeshm Air President Mahmoud Shekarabi said that the company had placed an order for 10 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, Trend reported citing the Iranian Transport Ministrys website. Shekarabi further said that the purchase of additional five planes from Boeing 737-800 family was also on agenda, noting the related deal with the American aviation major would be signed within the next two months. He added that under arrangements made, Boeing is to obtain the required licenses from the US Treasury, adding that deliveries are expected to be made after 2022. This is the third Iranian airliner announcing deals with plane makers this week. Zagros Airlines and Iran Airtour two private Iranian airlines announced on June 22 that they had signed agreements with Airbus to purchase a total of 73 passenger jets from the European plane-maker. Zagros Airlines said it would buy 20 aircraft from the single-aisle Airbus A320neo family and eight A330neo planes. Iran Airtours order would comprise 45 planes of the A320neo type. The countrys national flag carrier airline Iran Air has already signed deals to buy 100 planes from Airbus, 80 from Boeing and 20 from ATR. Irans Aseman Airlines has also signed an agreement to purchase 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 10:32 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Seven terrorists have surrendered in Turkeys southeastern Sirnak province, the governor's office said on Wednesday, Anadolu reported. The office's statement said that six PKK terrorists, including a minor, surrendered to security forces at the Turkish-Iraqi Habur border gate after fleeing their shelters in northern Iraq. Another terrorist surrendered to security forces at the Koycegiz Border Command in the province's Idil district. In an operation near the Serin Valley in the village of Andac in Sirnaks Ulusdere district, 620 rocket cartridge, 320 anti-personnel mines, and 300 articles of tank ammunition were seized by security forces, said a separate statement by the governors office. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU. It has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years, during which more than 40,000 people have been killed. The PKK is also involved in illicit drug production, manufacture, and trafficking. Since the group resumed its armed campaign in July 2015, more than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 17:37 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva The conflict in the Persian Gulf escalates further as the blockade of Qatar by its Arab neighbours remains in place, diplomatic isolation increases and neither side wants to back away from its position. Saudi Arabia and its close allies have previously sent a list of harsh demands to Qatar for ending blockade which resulted in cutting off vital imports to this country. However, Qatar rejected these demands expressed in such a manner (one of the points of the ultimatum was the 10-day deadline for its adoption) describing them as humiliating and unacceptable. The list was regarded as an illegal attempt to limit Qatar's sovereignty and control its foreign policy. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's foreign minister, has already said that any negotiations will begin only after the blockade regime is softened, that is, without ultimatums and pressure, but as partners. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE tried to strike at the financial system of Qatar so it could face a severe liquidity crisis. They demanded Doha to return the funds, $16 billion, which were placed by state companies of these countries as term deposits in Qatari banks. The sum is not so large, but considering the hard currency deficit in the banking system of the country, such requirement can drain the financial system and provoke a collapse of the national currency. Against this background, investors have more fears that Qatar will not be able to survive the current crisis without currency devaluation. The Qatari riyal stood at the level of 3.64 riyal for the U.S. dollar since 2001, but after other Arab countries reduced diplomatic relations with Doha, accusing it of terrorism, the rate descended making up 3.68 riyals per dollar. Although in absolute terms this fall is very small, it is still the most serious decline since 2005. At the same time, Qatar stated that it can suspend all projects with the Council of Cooperation of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC), despite Dohas previous claims about its intention not to take any counter-action measures against its Arab neighbours. Qatar showed large interest in joint projects with Turkey in such sectors as construction, medicine and pharmaceuticals can attract Turkish investors. It is also expected to create a free economic zone between Turkey and Qatar, Qatar media reported. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, along with Egypt, cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar in early June, accusing the country of supporting "extremism" and their regional ally, Iran - charges that Qatar has repeatedly denied. The blockade has disrupted imports of food and other materials into Qatar and caused many foreign banks to scale back their business with the country. Arab countries demanded from Qatar to comply with 13 points in return for an end to a three-week-old diplomatic and trade boycott of the country. They required Qatar to cut diplomatic relations with Iran, close the Turkish military base, eliminate Al-Jazeera TV channel, extradite all persons wanted in four countries on charges of terrorism and pay compensation. The U.S., which urges a diplomatic solution to the crisis, has been pushing for a list of grievances that are "reasonable and actionable." --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 12:48 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Fifteen NATO countries announced that they will send additional troops to Afghanistan. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before the meeting of defense ministers of the alliance in Brussels, TASS reported. Our military authorities have requested a few thousand more troops for the Mission in Afghanistan and today, I can confirm that we will increase our presence in Afghanistan. Fifteen nations have already pledged additional contributions to Resolute Support Mission. And I look forward to further announcements from other nations, he said. NATO has completed the withdrawal of its fighting forces from Afghanistan in 2014. Since then, the mission of the Alliance "Resolute Support" numbering 13,500 people is acting in the country. Despite all these measures, in recent years, the Taliban, which opposes the government, has made significant progress in Afghanistan, regaining control of up to 40 percent of the country's territory. Stoltenberg stressed that the focus will be on the development of Afghan Special Forces and aviation, as well as logistics and command and control capabilities. "What we do is not to conduct combat operations but to help the Afghans fight, and to help the Afghans take full responsibility for the security in their own country," he said. We have seen that the Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan have been very professional and very important in the fight against the Taliban and we are now working on how we can further strengthen the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Army, he said. He added that the air force was important in the fight against terrorist groups and the Taliban; and for medical evacuations and providing support to the armed forces on the ground. But Stoltenberg reiterated this was not about returning to a combat role. Earlier, the Pentagon announced that it will send nearly 4,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in an effort to turn around a war that commanders have described as a stalemate. President Trump provided his defense secretary, Jim Mattis, with the authority to determine troop levels in Afghanistan. The AP cited a Trump administration source who was not authorized to discuss the decision publicly and said the decision could be announced as early as next week. There are about 8,400 U.S. troops in Afghanistan now. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 13:48 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and CEO of PJSC LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov, who arrived in Tashkent for a working visit, discussed the implementation of current projects and preparation for prospective projects in the oil and gas sector, the Uzbek national news agency (UzA) reported. Particular attention was paid to new projects aimed at deep processing of produced natural gas, as well as cooperation in the field of training highly qualified personnel for the industry. Uzbekistans president noted the dynamically developing cooperation with LUKOIL in the oil and gas sphere. Currently, the geological study of the Ustyurt block and the development of oil and gas condensate fields of the South-West Gissar are being carried out jointly. Work is underway to develop the fields of the Kandym group with the construction of a modern gas processing complex, which will allow processing more than 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year in the near future. To date, more than 90 percent of delivery of the equipment has been completed, about 8,000 people are employed in the construction of the GPP and most of them are local specialists. The first stage of the plant is planned to be commissioned in late 2017. Total volume of investments in this project is estimated to be $3.3 billion in the first phase. Vagit Alekperov, for his part, expressed readiness for further development of full-scale bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Uzbekistan is rich in hydrocarbon resources, and about 60 percent of its territory possesses potential oil and gas reserves. The projected reserves of hydrocarbons stand at about 10 billion tons of standard fuel, while prospective ones amount to about 2 billion tons. There are five oil and gas regions - Ustyurt, Bukhara-Khiva, Surkhandarya, Hissar, and Fergana - and three promising ones -Khorezm, Middle Syr Darya and Zarafshan- in Uzbekistan. Russia's LUKOIL and Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are among the most heavily invested companies in Uzbekistan's oil and natural gas industries. LUKOIL is operating in Uzbekistan on the implementation of two projects on the basis of production sharing agreements (PSA) Kandym-Hauzak-Shady and developing fields of the South-West Gissar. The total volume of gas produced by the company in Uzbekistan exceeded 40 billion cubic meters. As part of the first two projects, LUKOIL plans to produce up to 18 billion cubic meters of gas by 2020, and raise the volume of investments up to $8 billion. As of today, total volume of LUKOIL investments in joint projects in Uzbekistans oil and gas sector amounts to $6.3 billion. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 14:21 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Despite that membership in the EU is beneficial for Turkey, this doesnt mean that Ankara has no other way, former Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis said in an exclusive interview with Trend. Today, the EU needs Turkey much more than Turkey needs the EU, he said. The EU must understand that abolishing the visa regime for Turkish citizens will foster positive attitude of the Turkish citizens towards the EU, which has lost their trust. In the EU statement, strict laws of Turkey in the fight against terrorism and allegedly the lack of democracy in the country are indicated as the main reason for not abolishing the visa regime with Ankara, Bagis noted. No one can say that democracy and freedom of speech in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are at a higher level than in Turkey, he said. But at the same time, the UAE citizens were granted permission last year for visa-free travel to the Schengen countries. He also stressed that Turkey has been a member of the Customs Union since 1996, and while the Turkish goods freely enter the EU market, producers of these goods are waiting for visas to travel to these countries, which is not fair and has no logical explanation. Before the Turkish coup detat of 1980, the citizens of the country could travel without visas to most of the countries that are now members of the EU, he added. After the coup, a military junta, fearing that a number of citizens can leave the country and find political asylum in Europe, abolished the visa-free travel, which was in power within the framework of the 1963 Association Agreement between the European Economic Community (the EUs former name) and Turkey, he said. Bagis added that the principles of the EU should be priority for the Turkish state. In fact, the Turkish population will never accept some of the foundations and principles of the EU, he said. But in general, the implementation of the foundations and principles of the EU could raise democratic standards and human rights to a higher level, which would contribute to improving life in Turkey. When it comes to the refugee crisis, Bagis noted that this crisis has brought Turkey and the EU closer together. Despite that there are a number of problems in this sphere, significant progress has been made, he said. Combating the illegal flow of refugees has proved that both sides need each other and together can effectively work in this direction. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 16:25 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Russian President Vladimir Putin called his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov over and congratulated him on the 60th birthday anniversary, the Kremlins press-service reported. Within the phone talks on June 29 the presidents of two countries discussed the key issues of further development of bilateral relations in the political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Putin and Berdimuhamedov also discussed the issues of strengthening security and stability in Central Asia and the Caspian region and touched upon the schedule of contacts at the highest level. Earlier Putin sent a birthday letter to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and wished him good health, happiness, prosperity and success in public activity. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 June 2017 18:05 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Turkey has informed Russia on the possibility of a new military operation in Syria. Nine phone conversations have been conducted between the General Staffs of Turkey and Russia over the past 10 days regarding the start of a new military operation in Syria, Turkish media outlets reported on June 29. The Turkish and Russian sides agreed that if a new military operation of the Turkish Armed Forces begins in the Syrian city of Afrin, the Russian military contingent will have to relocate to another city. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara is ready to conduct another military operation in the north of Syria, against YPG and PYD if there is a threat to the Turkish borders. Starting from June 21, Turkey began to pull military equipment to the border with Syria. Military equipment is concentrated in the Turkish province of Kilis, bordering the Syrian territory controlled by the YPG (Kurdish Peoples Protection Units) and PYD (Kurdish Democratic Union Party) forces. The Turkish Armed Force launched an operation to liberate the city of Jarabulus from the IS militants in northern Syria, near Aleppo on August 24 2016. The operation was dubbed the Euphrates Shield. The Turkish-led Euphrates Shield is aimed to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along the Turkish border using Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets. The civil war in Syria between government and opposition with various terrorist groups involved, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), began back in March 2011. According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the countrys pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Modified On Jan 09, 2019 02:22 PM By Jagdev for MG Hector 2019-2021 Update: The upcoming MG SUV has been christened Hector. Read more about it here. Chinese car manufacturer SAIC has announced its plans of starting operations in India by 2019. While the company is yet to finalise products for the Indian market, it has already announced that it will bring its British car marque, MG Motor, to India. Lets take a look at three of the most suitable MG cars that can work for the Indian market. 1. MG 3 The MG 3 hatchback (second generation) was launched in China in 2011. It is a part of MGs UK and Australia fleet as well. It measures 4,018mm in length in the UK and other markets, and trimming it down to less than 4 metres shouldnt be a tough task. A 1.5-litre petrol engine powers the MG 3 in the UK, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The MG 3 is powerful, and it takes it around 10.4s to do the 0-100kmph sprint. The engine is a 106PS naturally aspirated unit which puts it in Polo GT TSI and Baleno RS territory. However, if MG plans to bring the hatchback to India, expect a smaller and more fuel efficient unit to find space under its hood. It is almost of the same size as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and should compete in the premium hatchback space. By the time MG starts India operations, the MG 3 second generation should be nearing the end of its lifecycle. As a result, we may get to see a new generation MG 3 coming to India. The most affordable variant of the MG 3 costs around Rs 7.20 lakh in the UK. It gets features like hill hold control, stability control system, multiple airbags, front and rear disc brakes and tyre pressure monitoring system. If launched, the base variant of the MG 3 will skip a few features, and with it being manufactured in India, MG should be able to price it competitively. 2. MG GS The MG GS SUV is as big as the Hyundai Tucson. It is a relatively new model and was launched in China in 2015. In the UK, where it was launched in 2016, it draws power from a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. The GS is available with a manual as well as a dual-clutch automatic transmission. If launched in India, the GS should get a diesel engine as well. However, since the model is a couple of years old, it should be in the last stages of its first generation in 2019-20. The MG GS starts from Rs 12.50 lakh in the UK market and goes up to Rs 17.50 lakh. 3. Upcoming MG XS/ZS The MG XS (as known in the UK) is a compact SUV that will be positioned under the GS. It is expected to go on sale later in 2017 with two petrol engine options. MG says that the XS will continue to have an affordable pricing structure, like other MG vehicles. In the UK, the XS will go after the Ford EcoSport, and if it is launched in India, it should compete in the compact SUV space. MGs India portfolio could see a lot of similarity with the UK offerings. MGs China facility currently exports cars to the UK market, and with RHD MG cars made in India, SAIC might plan UK exports from here. In the companys most recent release, they have mentioned that their vision is to deliver environment-friendly mobility solutions in India under the MG brand. Roewe, another car marque in the SAIC umbrella, already has an electric compact car in the E50 that is sold in China. With a lot of options to choose from, it will be interesting to see what direction SAIC gives MG in India. Whether it will rebadge an electric vehicle from Roewe as MG or will it be an SUV in the hot-selling compact SUV segment remains to be seen. However, a British car marque priced competitively is bound add a new flavour to the otherwise Japanese and South Korean dominated mass car market. Delays in offloading clinker at Chittagong following marine incident 29 June 2017 Delays in the offloading of clinker have been experienced at Bangladesh's Chittagong Port after bulk carrier Ocean Phoenix, laden with 45,000t of clinker on board, started to drift on the outer anchorage, after her anchor dragged. The vessel then made contact with the anchored stern of bulk carrier Green Phoenix, which was also loaded with 54,500t of clinker. Both vessels sustained damages, and are being surveyed and repaired followed by complete offloading, according to industry sources and local media. Chittagong Port says these clinker-laden vessels arrived from Thailand and Singapore, respectively. With its limited limestone reserves, clinker imports into Bangladesh have been rising. According to industry source, the delay in offloading cargo from the two vessels would not affect cement production in Bangladesh as over 27 vessels are waiting at the outer anchorage point to offload cargo. Published under Children suffer and Britain faces perilous future as poverty deepens across the nation Too many children in the UK are trapped in poverty with no hope of change, a Church of England bishop says today. Bishop of Durham Paul Butler called on the government to put ending child poverty at the top of its agenda. Referring to a report from the Social Mobility Commission that shows failure to narrow the gap between the rich and poor, he said, 'This report highlights the need for all of us to refocus our efforts on ensuring that every child is able to reach their full potential regardless of their background.' 'While there have been some positive changes over the last two decades, too many children are still being held back through no fault of their own. 'Most worrying is the conclusion that child poverty has been deprioritised in recent years and that there is currently no prospect of ending child poverty in the foreseeable future. We simply must not allow child poverty to be side-lined in this parliament.' The report follows years of austerity measures by government and outlines how social mobility has stalled in the last two decades. It warns that without deep-seated reform, social and economic divisions in British society are set to widen with consequences for community cohesion and economic prosperity. The report gives 'red', 'amber' and 'green' ratings for how well governments have done in helping people overcome poverty at different stages of their lives. Damningly, it cannot give a 'green' rating to any of the life stages. Both early years and schools are given an 'amber' rating, while young people and working lives receives a 'red'. Overall, only 7 policies score a green while 14 score 'amber' and 16 'red'. While the report says that some policies such as increasing employment and getting more working-class young people into university have had a positive impact, overall the report concludes that 'too little' has been done to break the link between socio-economic background and social progress. It says that over 20 years new divides have opened up in Britain, across geographies, income groups and generations and that many policies of the past are no longer 'fit for purpose'. Former Labour MP Alan Milburn, chair of commission, said, 'As the general election seems to demonstrate, the public mood is sour and whole tracts of Britain feel left behind. There is a mood for change in Britain. 'When more and more people feel like they are losing out, social mobility matters more than ever before. Higher social mobility can be a rallying point to prove that modern capitalist economies like our own are capable of creating better, fairer and more inclusive societies. It is the best antidote to the growth of political populism, both right and left, that we have witnessed around the world. 'For two decades, successive governments have made the pursuit of higher levels of social mobility one of the holy grails of public policy. While there has been some progress, it has not gone far enough towards translating welcome political sentiments into positive social outcomes. 'In fact, what is so striking about this new analysis is how divided we have become as a nation. A new geographical divide has open opened up, a new income divide has opened up and a new generational divide has opened up. 'If we go on like this, these divisions are set to widen, not narrow. There is a growing sense in the nation that these divisions are not sustainable, socially, economically or politically. There is hunger for change. The policies of the past have brought some progress, but many are no longer fit for purpose in our changing world. New approaches are needed if Britain is to become a fairer and more equal country.' Leader of Islamist terror group in Nigeria makes chilling proclamation: There is no room for Christians Abubakar Shekau, leader of Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram, has resurfaced in a new video, claiming responsibility for attacks on the army and declaring that there is no room for Christians to live with Muslims in the country as equals. The terrorist group has been responsible for the deaths of over 20,000 people, including Muslims and Christians, since 2009 and has said in the past that it will seek to kill all Christians and blow up every church. "My message is to Islamic clerics in Nigeria who despite their position are giving wrong interpretation to the Holy Koran; you are playing with hell fire. You have to be careful because Koran has divided mankind into three; some are believers, some are hypocrites and some are nonbelievers. There is no way we Muslims in mosques and Christians in churches and you think we can work together," Shekau says in his latest message, as reported by the Premium Times on Wednesday. "This has never happened before even during the lifetime of all apostles of the prophet." The jihadist leader further explains that non-Muslims could be allowed to exist if they "remain by the side without interference" while Muslims are "ruling with Sharia," which is a position that the democratic government of Nigeria rejects. Rumors have swirled in the past of Shekau's death and of Boko Haram's leadership splintering in two, but the head of the terrorist group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, has insisted he is still in charge. Shekau said that his fighters were responsible for an ambush of a military-escorted convoy of travelers last week, which ended with the abduction of 16 women. The police separately said that at least two people, including a police officer, were killed in the attack along Maiduguri-Damboa road. As Al Jazeera reported in May, Boko Haram's war with the Nigerian military since 2009 has led to 20,000 casualties, with thousands of people, including many Christians, abducted and forced to marry Islamic radicals. The terrorist group has bombed churches and government buildings, vowing to drive out all followers of Christ from the country. In August 2016, reports emerged that Boko Haram elected spokesman Abu Musab al-Barnawi as its new leader, with new threats made against Christians. "They strongly seek to Christianize the society," al-Barnawi said at the time, airing his grievances. "They exploit the condition of those who are displaced under the raging war, providing them with food and shelter and then Christianizing their children." Al-Barnawi vowed that the jihadists will respond to the threat of evangelism by "booby-trapping and blowing up every church that we are able to reach, and killing all of those who we find from the citizens of the cross." In 2015, the Global Terrorism Index found that Boko Haram was the deadliest terror group in the world, responsible for 6,644 deaths that year, more so than IS and its 6,073 death count. The Nigerian army has said it has made significant advances against the Islamists this past year, however, and that it is advancing in its mission to eradicate them from the country. This article was originally published in The Christian Post. Ten Commandments tablet in Arkansas stokes controversy then driver smashes it to pieces A much-contested stone monument inscribed with the Bible's Ten Commandments at the Arkansas state capitol was smashed to pieces after a vehicle drove into it this morning, less than 24 hours after it was erected. Michael Reed, 32, was arrested by police after livestreaming his destruction online, filming himself shouting 'freedom' before crashing his vehicle into the controversial tablet, according to the Daily Mail. The now-shattered 6-foot monument was erected on Tuesday morning. However, the move had provoked a backlash from groups who say the monument contradicts the constitution implying state endorsement of a particular religion. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas was among the voices in opposition. 'If they put it up, they're going to signal to people who don't subscribe to that particular version of the commandments and nonbelievers they are second-class citizens and we will file suit,' said Holly Dickson, the ACLU's legal director in May, according to US News and World Report. Others were more positive. Supporters, such as Republican Senator for Arkansas Jason Rapert praise the tablet as a celebration of the role the ten commandments has played in American legal history. Rapert signed the law, Act S1231, that required the stone be built somewhere on the state capitol. He supported the fundraising for the privately funded tablet, alongside the American Heritage and History Foundation, according to USA Today. 'We're very happy today to see Act S1231 of 2015 fulfilled with the installation of the Ten Commandments monument today, and we're very grateful to all of those who donated to the American Heritage and History Foundation,' he said. An identical monument caused controversy when it was established at the Texas state capitol, where it remains after the Supreme Court Ruling Van Orden v Perry in 2005. The walls of the Supreme Court itself also display the Ten Commandments. 'If the Ten Commandments is good enough for the United States Supreme Court, it's good enough for the people of Arkansas,' Rapert said. Reed has been charged with defacing objects of public interest, criminal trespass and first degree criminal mischief. He had posted on his Facebook page last night: 'Our constitutional rights have been violated and since no one will do anything about it, I will.' The Fundraising Regulator has made amendments to the Code of Fundraising Practice in relation to general principles and working with third parties ahead of the launch of the Fundraising Preference Service in July. The Fundraising Regulator has announced today that it has introduced new rules to the Code of Fundraising Practice which deal with the length of time charities will have to communicate with supporters who sign up to the FPS. According to the new sub-section of Code 5.2 organisations: Must either cease within a reasonable period (meaning as soon as is practicable, but in any event no exceeding 28 days) or not begin to process an individuals personal data for the purpose of direct marketing where they receive notice from or on behalf of an individual to do so. This may include: notice in writing from (or on behalf of) an individual, whether or not described as a formal section 11 request (under the Data Protection Act 1998) notice from (or on behalf of) an individual submitted through the Fundraising Preference Service or notice from the Fundraising Preference Service that such a request has been made. Any other indication of wishes from an individual (or made on their behalf) that that they do not wish to be contacted for direct marketing purposes, such as via preferences and unsubscribe mechanisms. The change above is listed as being a legal requirement for all charities. The regulator has also made changes to the Code in relation to charities working with third parties. As of today, organisations must require any agency or third party to inform them of any notice they have received to cease or not commence direct marketing from an individual. It also says that charities must require third party clients to comply with any of the notices made above and cease communicating with an individual within 28 days of being notified. The changes to third party rules are not a legal requirement, but are still a requirement of the Code of Fundraising Practice. The Fundraising Regulator first announced this 28-day deadline at an event earlier this month. At the time, Daisy Houghton from the regulator said 28 days represented the minimum amount of time we can expect charities to action a suppression request. She also said however, at the point of suppressing a charity using the FPS, the individual would be warned that that timeframe maybe not be practical for some charities, particularly on large-scale, direct marketing campaigns. Only large charities need to register at this stage, says Dunmore Stephen Dunmore, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said in a statement that his organisation had written to those charities that do the most fundraising to ensure they are ready to receive FPS requests. He said only the largest fundraising charities in the UK need to register at this stage, but said all other fundraising charities need to know what the FPS is and be ready in the event a supporter signs up. We have written to those charities that do the most fundraising to ensure they are ready to receive FPS requests. While only these largest charities need to register at this stage, all charities need to make sure that they know what the FPS is and are ready in the event that they receive a stop notification. Suzanne McCarthy, chair of the Fundraising Regulators standards committee, said: It is important that members of the public have confidence that charities will respect their communication preferences. The changes made to the Code today support the introduction of the new FPS and require all charities to stop sending direct marketing communications on receipt of a request made through the service. The FPS is scheduled to go live on 6 July 2017. Can I control this with Script?? "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer Hi I am newbie programmer and learning how to code using ASP.Net MVC. I have a simple project for clinic management. Im having trouble how to start doing invoice or something on how to print something like a certificate, receipt or doctor's prescription. I have this idea where you print a page but I think it's not the best way or practice. Sorry for the lousy problem. How can I achieve this in the best way? The user / client then typically "downloads" the "type" of document they want; with you optionally emailing the stuff (reminders; tracking notices; receipts). An actual "print" button (usually only found on bank sites, etc) would involve client side code; e.g. Javascript. (Something I would leave last / choose to ignore ... ugh). "(I) am amazed to see myself here rather than there ... now rather than then". Blaise Pascal Hi, I am calling SSIS package from a Console Application, it was working fine until I need to change my Laptop, after I changed it, it started giving me these errors: Error loading from XML. No further detailed error information can be specified for this problem because no Events object was passed where detailed error information can be stored. This problem is happening when I am loading the package using Application object _Pkg = _app.LoadFromSqlServer(PkgLocation, TargetServer=""server name", User Name=String.Empty (because Windows Auth), Password=String.Empty (because Windows Auth), null); And this was working fine up until I had new laptop, but there could be Softwares mismatch between two Laptops but I have make it working. Note: and these all Packages are upgraded from SSIS 2008 to Data tools 2012. I needed to remov and add back the Microsoft.SqlServer.DTSRuntimeWrap.DLL and Microsoft.SqlServer.ManagedDTS.DLL both the dlls to my machine, I have added them from GAC and as well as from the local folder after copying it to test different times but didn't help me much, in both the cases it was not running, throwing me the same error. The only difference I could think of is I was having the SQL Server 2008 Integration Services installed on my previous machine but in the new machine I installed later but the evaluation version as it is difficult for me to get permission from our IT to install the Software in my Company, could it be the problem? I am very much disappointed because this was working and has stopped sudden and I need to fix this issue urgently as I need to make changes to this app. Any help a good suggestion, a link or Code snippet any thing would be very helpful - thanks in advance my friends. Thanks, Abdul Aleem "There is already enough hatred in the world lets spread love, compassion and affection." -- modified 29-Jun-17 20:19pm. The package location either does not exist or the default user does not have access to it. Hi folks, I am using VB.net for my project . I have to implement calendar part using radscheduler but I am struggle with it , in day view of radscheduler always showing 24 slots per day even using group by option and used minutesperrow as 1440(24hrs) but still it showing 2 time slots per day 1st is today and 2nd is next day , I want to show only 1 slot in day view please help me to find a right way, thanks in advance. If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] Bastard Programmer from Hell If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] Bastard Programmer from Hell If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] Bastard Programmer from Hell hi, i am trying to download data from fingerprint device. below is the code provided by them in their demo application(vb). with the code provided by them i can connect to device successfully but i am not getting correct data. VB 
Private Sub btnGetGeneralLogData_Click( ByVal sender As System. Object , ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnGetGeneralLogData.Click If bIsConnected = False Then MsgBox( " Please connect the device first" , MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, " Error" ) Return End If Dim idwTMachineNumber As Integer Dim idwEnrollNumber As Integer Dim idwEMachineNumber As Integer Dim idwVerifyMode As Integer Dim idwInOutMode As Integer Dim idwYear As Integer Dim idwMonth As Integer Dim idwDay As Integer Dim idwHour As Integer Dim idwMinute As Integer Dim idwErrorCode As Integer Dim iGLCount = 0 Dim lvItem As New ListViewItem( " Items" , 0 ) Cursor = Cursors.WaitCursor lvLogs.Items.Clear() AxCZKEM1.EnableDevice(iMachineNumber, False ) If AxCZKEM1.ReadGeneralLogData(iMachineNumber) Then While AxCZKEM1.GetGeneralLogData(iMachineNumber, idwTMachineNumber, idwEnrollNumber, idwEMachineNumber, idwVerifyMode, idwInOutMode, idwYear, idwMonth, idwDay, idwHour, idwMinute) iGLCount += 1 lvItem = lvLogs.Items.Add(iGLCount.ToString()) lvItem.SubItems.Add(idwEnrollNumber.ToString()) lvItem.SubItems.Add(idwVerifyMode.ToString()) lvItem.SubItems.Add(idwInOutMode.ToString()) lvItem.SubItems.Add(idwYear.ToString() & " -" + idwMonth.ToString() & " -" & idwDay.ToString() & " " & idwHour.ToString() & " :" & idwMinute.ToString()) End While Else Cursor = Cursors. Default AxCZKEM1.GetLastError(idwErrorCode) If idwErrorCode <> 0 Then MsgBox( " Reading data from terminal failed,ErrorCode: " & idwErrorCode, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, " Error" ) Else MsgBox( " No data from terminal returns!" , MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, " Error" ) End If End If AxCZKEM1.EnableDevice(iMachineNumber, True ) Cursor = Cursors. Default End Sub







Why don't you ask them ?



Note that you sis not even gave the brand and model.

Patrice



Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Albert Einstein



Meax wrote: but i am not getting correct data.



How did you determine that is not correct? Why is it not correct?



I am developing a mvc app using email confirmation using this line



await UserManager.SendEmailAsync(user.Id, " Confirm your account" , " Please confirm your account by clicking here" );

is part of

public class UserManager : IDisposable

I want to be able to send an additional parameter and get that parameter back when email is confirmed



any idea?





Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012



This is the program: dim data as boolean= true ' dim dt as system.data.datarow if CType(mainformdataset.tables("BO3").rows(0).item("TAXPOINTDT"),system.date)=01.01.1900 Return False ELSE Return True end if So the error is on the line 3 This is the program: dim data as boolean=true ' dim dt as system.data.datarow if CType(mainformdataset.tables( " BO3" ).rows( 0 ).item( " TAXPOINTDT" ),system.date)= 01 . 01 . 1900 Return False ELSE Return True end if So the error is on the line 3 with the line 4 This is a PHC program and is on the web Ty for your collab!


Two weeks of unlimited talk and text and 3gb of data for those who want to try it out

At a time when mobile phone plans can be a concern for consumers who are trying to save money, Cricket Wireless is giving consumers an opportunity to try its network for free with the launch of the tryCricket app in the Apple App store.

Being a low-cost carrier, Cricket doesnt always get the same ink that the wireless big boys like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile do, but it has 13 million subscribers who apparently like the service. As an example of that, earlier this year ...
There was big cruise news in Barbados as the Disney Fantasy made its first call to Bridgetown on June 22 during a 11-night itinerary.

To commemorate the visit, shipboard officials, led by Captain Fabien Dib, hosted local tourism executives onboard the the ship for traditional maritime plaque exchange ceremony, according to a prepared statement.

The local contingent included Chairman, CEO and Cruise Director of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Alvin Jemmott, William Billy Griffith, and Cheryl Franklin respectively; CEO of the Barbados Port Inc. (BPI), David Jean-Marie, along with Chairman of The Foster and Ince Group, Martin Ince and other members of the public and private sector.

Barbados had previously hosted both the Magic and Wonder from Disney Cruise Line, but is not part of the regular deployment pattern.

Franklin added she hopes that a closer relationship with Disney will raise the profile of Barbados as a premiere stop in the Caribbean.

One of the crucial take-homes from the town hall was the need for Barbados to energize its cruise tourism product ; we also see closer, more collaborative relationships, as an opportunity to continually showcase our new and developing island treasures. A partnership approach also helps to keep Barbados top-of-mind for the planning of upcoming itineraries. Having the wonderful Disney Fantasy grace our shores is a giant step forward in building these bonds. I believe that it speaks to our commitment to excel and their confidence in what Barbados has to offer, Franklin said.
NAFCU, CUNA and CUNA Mutual Group lodged support jointly for the NCUAs field of membership rule in an amicus brief filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The brief supports the NCUAs cross-motion for summary judgment against the lawsuit filed by the American Bankers Association last December.

The ABA is challenging the NCUAs interpretation of Federal Credit Union Act requirements for community-based credit unions as amended by the 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act. In their brief, the credit union groups argue that the NCUAs rule is entitled to deference under Chevron and that it furthers Congress purpose in enacting CUMAA to grow and strengthen the credit union industry.

NAFCU believes that all credit unions, as not-for-profit, cooperative financial institutions, should be able to grow and adapt to the needs of their member-owners, said Dan Berger, president and CEO of NAFCU. The National Credit Union Administrations interpretation of the Federal Credit Union Act is a reasonable one, and we will remain steadfast in supporting it.
TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, afterpaint products, fireproofing products, garage doors, fireplaces, closet shelving, roofing materials, and other products; and insulation installation services. The company also offers various services and tools to assist builders in applying the principles of building science to new home construction, which include pre-construction plan reviews, diagnostic testing, and various inspection services; and home energy rating services. In addition, it distributes building and mechanical insulation, insulation accessories, and other building product materials for the residential, commercial, and industrial end markets. The company serves single-family homebuilders, single-family custom builders, multi-family builders, commercial general contractors, remodelers, and individual homeowners, as well as insulation contractors, gutter contractors, weatherization contractors, other contractors, dealers, metal building erectors, and modular home builders. It operates approximately 235 installation branches and 175 distribution centers in the United States and Canada. The company was formerly known as Masco SpinCo Corp. and changed its name to TopBuild Corp. in March 2015. TopBuild Corp. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Messaging app Telegram has conceded to demands by the Russian regulator to register details about its controlling firm with the Russian government.

However, since the apps selling point is the security of its encrypted messages, Telegram founder Pavel Durov underlined that the company would not share any private user data with Russian authorities. The regulator Roskomnadzor had threatened to block the app if it did not disclose the requested information about its parent company.

Roskomnadzor chief Aleksandr Zharov had previously stated that we have run out of all possible ways of official negotiations with the Telegram team. He noted that the regulator had made frequent written requests to all of Telegrams known office addresses demanding that it register its details, but had receive no reply.

Zharov had stated that inclusion of the messenger into the register means that Telegram is willing to work under Russian law, and that registering would not affect its legal status.

However, now that Telegram has complied, the regulator issued a further statement, saying that Telegram provided all legally required information for entry in the register of information dissemination organisers. In the near future the messenger will be included in the register.

Russias state-owned news outlet RT (Russia Today) reported that Telegrams registration could result in it having to retain and possibly even share user content with Russian law enforcement. However, in a tweet, Durov claimed: Weve no issue with formalities, but not a single byte of private data will ever be shared with any government.

In a statement published on Russian social network VKontakte - which was also founded by Durov  he noted that Roskomnadzor had denied that it had any interest in viewing or accessing users personal messages. He added that he would make no concessions to Telegrams policies of confidentiality and privacy protection, even if this meant noncompliance with the law.

Durov went on to say that only situation he said he would accept was the level of cooperation demonstrated in all other countries, namely, to continue to work together to remove public materials related to the promotion of terrorism, drugs, incitement to violence and pornography, as well as to continue to work to curb spamming.

He finished by saying: I am sure of one thing: if you really think Telegram will be blocked in Russia, it will not happen because we have refused to provide information about our company.

Telegram has courted controversy in the past due to its focus on user privacy, with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claiming that the app provided terrorists with the opportunity to create secret chat rooms with a high degree of encryption. The FSB alleged that a suicide bomber who struck Saint Petersburg in April had liaised with accomplices via Telegram.

However, Durov was defiant on the matter. Claiming that Roskomnadzor had in the past asked Telegram to enable message decryption for security services, he noted that this was not only a violation of users constitutional rights, but also impossible for technical reasons.

He noted that other messaging apps, including WhatsApp, provided end-to-end encryption, and theorised that terrorists would simply adopt these if Telegram was blocked. If you want to defeat terrorism by blocking stuff, youll have to block the internet, said Durov.
Mayan Energy reported increased full-year losses as a result of impairments against the value of its US-based and its investment at Shoats Creek, Mexico.

Gross losses for the full-year to 31 December increased to $7.15m from $6.14m in the prior year.

During the reporting period the company raised $3.54m in fresh capital, before costs, via the issue of 14bn shares.

Over the course of 2016, the outfit lowered its operational cash costs from $360,000 per month to $150,000 and management had identified further reductions for the future.

It also invested 300,000 in Block Energy, the NEX-listed oil and gas company whose main focus was Georgia.

In parallel, the firm's non-core asset portfolio was rationalised, generating $90,000 in net cash.

Group debt load was lightened by approximately $750,000 as a result of cash settlements at a discount.

The AIM-listed oil and gas energy company also said that just prior to Thursday's results it had negotiated the settlement of $300,000 in debt owed to the operator of its Zink Ranch assets in Oklahoma, USA, obtaining a 100% working interest and 81% revenue interest in exchange.

Significantly, the company also announced that Ross Warner, the non-executive chairman, would be stepping down with non-executive chairman Charlie Wood set to take his place.

Mayan chief Eddie Gonzalez said: "I look forward to progress with the investment in Block Energy and Zink Ranch operations over the remainder of the year whist we work to better monetise Shoats Creek and introduce new opportunities to the Company."

At period end, the company's cash stood at $155,000, versus $90,000 at the end of 2015.
German chancellor Angela Merkel has set up a tense G20 meeting in Hamburg next week after pledging to focus on climate issues - after Donald Trump pulled the US from the Paris accord earlier this month.

Trump claimed that the agreement was disadvantageous to the country when pulling out of the landmark agreement on 1 June, but Merkel told the German parliament she was adamant about maintaining the deal.

The worlds 20 largest economies will gather in Hamburg next week, in what will be Trumps first attendance at the summit.

"The differences are obvious and it would be dishonest to try to cover that up. That I won't do," Merkel said.

"The European Union unconditionally stands by its agreement in Paris and will implement it speedily and with determination."

The worlds 20 largest economies will gather in Hamburg next week

The German chancellor added that her country was more determined than ever to fulfill the provisions of the Paris accord after it was dumped by Washington.

"More than that: since the decision of the United States to leave the Paris climate agreement, we are more determined than ever to make it a success."

"Those who think that the problems of this world can be solved with isolationism or protectionism are terribly wrong."

The US joins only two other countries that have not signed up to the Paris agreement - Syria and Nicaragua.
Donald Trumps controversial travel ban for citizens from six majority-Muslim countries and refugees is set to take effect on Thursday night.

The ban will come into place after the US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the watered-down ban was not illegal, following months of legal wranglings.

Restrictions on citizens from the countries will begin as of 20:00 ET in the US.

The new order will require any incoming travelers from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen to have immediate family members or some other clear connection with the US.

Trumps executive order intended to block travel for visa applicants from six majority Muslim countries, but faced opposition from federal courts in several states.

The court also granted an emergency request from Trumps administration to allow another 120-day ban on refugees to come into effect.

While during his presidential campaign Trump called for a total ban on Muslims entering the US, the executive order said that additional scrutiny would be placed on travelers from the countries.

Each of these countries is a state sponsor of terrorism, has been significantly compromised by terrorist organizations, or contains active conflict zones, the order from earlier this year stated.

There was chaos across the country in January as confusion reigned following the original executive order from the White House, with protests in airports throughout the US.
The advance in European equities buckled as investors continued to push government bond yields higher on the back of recent more hawkish comments from top officials at various central banks around the world.

At the closing bell, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was down by 1.34% or 5.16 points to 380.66, alongside a drop of 1.76% for the Dax to 12,424.54, a decline for the Cac-40 of 1.88% or 98.55 points to 5,154.35.

In parallel, the yield on the benchmark 10-year German government bond was higher by eight basis points to 0.45% and near its 2016 highs, while those on two-year German notes gained two basis points to close at -0.56%.

Only two sector indices from the Stoxx 600 ended on the up, goosed by that central bank talk, Banks (0.56%) and Basic Resources (0.28%).

At the bottom of the pile were: Food and Beverages (-1.91%), Healthcare (-2.05%), Construction (-2.11%), Personal and Household goods (-2.45%) and Technology (-2.87%).

Somewhat ironically, in the background separate gauges of economic confidence within the single currency bloc published on Thursday revealed sentiment was at its strongest since at least a decade ago.

German consumers were in a slightly more buoyant mood in July, according to consultancy GfK. Its consumer confidence index rose by 0.2 points to 10.6 (consensus: 10.4).

Nonetheless, a subindex of Germans' income expectations contained in that same report was at its loftiest since Reunification in 1991.

In parallel, the European Commission's economic sentiment index jumped from a reading of 109.2 for May to 111.1 in June - its best print since August 2007 - just before the last financial crisis.

"All countries, sectors and pillars of demand are driving the upswing. That makes the upswing all the more resilient. It would probably even weather a hasty withdrawal of monetary accommodation. But this is not to come anyway since the ECB is simply in no hurry to do that despite all the noise in recent days," said Florian Hense at Berenberg.

Harmonised Spanish consumer prices advanced at a 1.6% year-on-year (consensus: 1.5%) pace in June, down four tenths of a percentage point from the prior month.

On the corporate front, on Thursday UBS downgraded its cuts its recommendation for utility stocks from 'overweight' to 'neutral', telling clients that valuations - particularly companies' relative dividend yields - no longer looked attractive and that those shares needed a pause.

Shares in Deutsche Bank were higher, in part after a US federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that accused it of failing in its ant-money laundering controls.

Stock in Hennes & Mauritz advanced 2.74% after the fashion retailer beat analysts' forecasts.

The Brazilian unit of Carrefour filed for an initial public offering that could see it raise between $1.4bn and $1.7bn.
A successful round of US bank stress tests results lifted their European peers at the start of trading, but a weaker US dollar meant many other sectors on the Continent, especially export-facing ones, were left holding the tab.

As of 0845 BST, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was higher by 0.04% to 385.98, alongside gains of 0.17% for the Dax to 12,670.76, although the Cac-40 was drifting lower 0.08% to 5,250.18 and the FTSE Mibtel by 0.15% to 21,022.68.

In parallel, the Stoxx 600 gauge of lenders' shares was advancing 1.47% to 185.76 while euro-dollar was higher by 0.38% to 1.1421.

"A positive opening call comes after US bourses closed higher (Tech outperforming) and Asian equities took the baton overnight as financials welcome news of US banks having pay-out plans (dividends, buybacks; +50% YoY) approved by the US Federal Reserve. Further gains for Oil, taking the rebound to 7%, and metals fuelled by USD weakness is also helping sentiment towards index heavyweights," said Mike van Dulken and Henry Croft at Accendo Markets.

Hawkish-sounding remarks from BoE governor Mark Carney the day before and ECB chief Mario Draghi, on Tuesday, together with downward forecast revisions for US growth, courtesy of the International Monetary Fund, combined to send the Greenback lower.

Thus, come Thursday morning the US dollar index was adding 0.27% to its losses from the previous session, retreating by 0.27% to 95.75.

German consumers were in a slightly more buoyant mood in July, according to consultancy GfK. Its consumer confidence index rose by 0.2 points to 10.6 (consensus: 10.4).

Harmonised Spanish consumer prices advanced at a 1.6% year-on-year (consensus: 1.5%) pace in June, down four tenths of a percentage point from the prior month.

Still on the economic calendar for later in the session were euro area industrial confidence figures for the month of June at 100 BST, followed by German CPI figures for the same month at 1300 BST.

In the States, the spotlight would be on the latest set of initial weekly US jobless claims and revised first quarter GDP data.

On the corporate front, stock in Deutsche Bank was higher in part after a US federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that accused it of failing in its ant-money laundering controls.

The Brazilian unit of Carrefour filed for an initial public offering that could see it raise between $1.4bn and $1.7bn.
Engineering services company Babcock announced it had been awarded a new contract by the Norwegian Government on Thursday, to provide communities across Norway with vital air ambulance support.

The FTSE 100 firm said the contract - initially for six years with options to extend by a further five years - was worth around 500m for the full 11 years.

It would see Babcock operate 11 specialist fixed-wing aircraft from summer 2019, providing thousands of patients with access to specialist healthcare centres across Norway.

The aircraft would be secured on leases which match the contract period, including option years.

Operating from seven bases, the aircraft would be fitted out with custom-designed medical interiors, featuring hospital-standard equipment.

Babcock said they would form a key part of Norway's overall healthcare infrastructure, where hospitals were increasingly developing specialist skills and capabilities for particular areas of treatment, the board explained.

I am delighted that Babcock has been selected to deliver this critical aspect of Norway's healthcare infrastructure, said chief executive Archie Bethel.

This will be the first time we have worked in Norway, but the contract will draw on our experience of delivering air ambulance care across Scandinavia and around the world.

Bethel said Babcocks emergency medical services aviation business had grown strongly in recent years, and the latest win in a new country underlined the increasing demand for the firms air ambulance services.

As hospitals become specialised centres of medical excellence, it is more important than ever to have a trusted system in place to transport patients swiftly and safely, with expert care, to where they can receive the best possible medical attention.

Babcock said it has extensive experience of running helicopter emergency services (HEMS) across countries including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Australia, and the UK.
Retail and leisure property investor NewRiver REIT announced on Thursday that it had exchanged conditional contracts to acquire the remaining 50% share in its BRAVO joint ventures from subsidiaries of BRAVO II, for a cash consideration of 59.4 million.

The FTSE 250 firm said the transaction would allow it to gain control over four convenience-led shopping centre assets in Belfast, Glasgow, Hastings and Middlesbrough with a total gross asset value of 240m, representing a topped-up net initial yield of 7.3%.

It was able to go ahead with the transaction after raising 225m in a placing and open offer on 15 June.

The BRAVO joint ventures generated net rental income of about 16.5m for the financial year to 31 December 2016, and had net assets of approximately 120.8m, of which the group's share was 60.4m, as at that date.

They have indebtedness of 120m outstanding, which NewRiver said it intended to remain in place and bring onto its own balance sheet following completion of the acquisition.

The acquisition was conditional on obtaining funding, which the company said would be satisfied by 59.4m of the net proceeds of the capital raising, as well as obtaining consent from the BRAVO joint ventures' secured lenders to the acquisition by no later than 31 July.

Following the recent announcement of our over-subscribed equity raise, I am pleased to report that we have now exchanged contracts to acquire the remaining units in our BRAVO JV, meaning that post completion we will own the four convenience-led shopping centre assets in full, said NewRiver CEO David Lockhart.

We are very familiar with the BRAVO assets with a clear understanding of their growth potential, having been responsible for their day to day asset management since the joint venture was established in 2013.

Given the investment made into the BRAVO assets to date, we are confident that this acquisition will produce attractive long term returns for our shareholders.

The board said the transaction was expected to increase funds from operations (FFO) in the year to March 2018 by 4.2m, with a 5.4m increase in net rental income and a 1.2m increase in net finance costs.

It was also expected to generate additional annualised accounting net rental income of 8.3m.

On a proforma basis, NewRiver's proportionally consolidated loan-to-value ratio would remain in line with March 2017 at 37%, the board claimed, and the proportionally consolidated cost of debt would reduce by 9 bps.

The assets being acquired included the Abbey Centre, Newtownabbey, Belfast, described as a 320,000 square foot shopping centre located six miles north of Belfast, as well as the Avenue Shopping Centre, Newton Mearns, Glasgow - a 202,000 square foot shopping centre located in an affluent suburb of Glasgow.

In Hastings, the acquisition included the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, a 290,000 square foot shopping centre in close proximity to Hastings train station with a 1,000 space car park, and in Middlesborough it was purchasing the Hillstreet Shopping Centre - a 240,000 square foot shopping centre in the town centre.
By Tim Radford

Whats considered by some to be clean energy could devastate the Amazon, according to new research. A massive increase in hydropower from a series of planned Amazon dams could harm the worlds most important rainforest all the way from the slopes of the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Altogether, 428 dams are being built or are under consideration along the network of rivers that drainand nourish6 million square kilometers of forest spanning nine countries. Of these, around 140 are already finished or under construction.

The Amazon is home to four of the worlds 10 largest rivers. Of the 34 largest tropical rivers, 20 are in the Amazon region, and these rivers are the source of one fifth of the planets fresh water.

That same flow delivers the nutrient-rich sediments to habitats downstream to support the teeming life of the region, including the canopy that shelters its shrubs, plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds.

Widespread Benefits

Those rivers exchange sediments and nourish a mosaic of wetlands, said Edgardo Latrubesse, a geographer at the University of Texas at Austin, who led a collaboration from 10 universities to assess the potential environmental damage, and report in the journal Nature.

People say: Oh another dam, another river. Its not. Its the Amazon, Prof. Latrubesse said. We have to put the risks on the table and change the way people are looking at the problem. We are massively destroying our natural resources, and time urges us to find some rational alternatives for preservation and sustainable development.

Dams conserve water, deliver irrigation in the dry season, reduce the threat of flooding and of course provide energy for hydropower. On the other hand, they impose an environmental cost: Sediments vital downstream are trapped upriver and the floods they might prevent are an integral part of the forests long-term stability.

So dams come at a price not normally measured in economic cost-benefit analyses, but they can change a river system and damage an economy all the same.

The researchers first devised what they called a Dam Environmental Vulnerability Index, assessing the vulnerability to land use change, erosion, run-off pollution, trapped sediment and other changes to river systems, to test the real value of the 140 dams already happening and the ones still under consideration.

Many of the dams are in areas that yield heavy loads of sediment: the Andean Cordillera, for instance, provides more than 90 percent of the silt to the entire river system. The Maranon and Ucayali rivers are or will be home to 104 and 47 dams respectively.

Up to 80 percent of the area upstream of the lowest-planned dam will be vulnerable: dams will change river dynamics, to alter the pattern of creation of oxbow lakes and floodplain sediment storage, putting thousands of species at risk.

The Madeira River drains waters rich in sediments from Bolivia and Peru and has the most diverse fish population. Two huge dams have already led to a 20 percent fall in sediment concentration in the Madeira, and 25 dams are planned further upstream.

Indivisible

The Amazon is the most important river basin on the planet. Its a microcosm of our issues of today involving environment, energy and health of the planet, said Victor Baker, a hydrologist at the University of Arizona, and one of the authors.

The river and its individual pieces cannot be separated out. That an individual dam assessment can be separated from the rest of the system isnt scientifically valid.

And collectively, the authors close their study with a warning: Citizens of the Amazon Basin countries will ultimately have to decide whether hydropower generation is worth the price of causing profound damage to the most diverse and productive river system in the world.

If those decisions are made within the context of a comprehensive understanding of the fluvial system as a whole, the many benefits the rivers provide to humans and the environment could be retained.

Reposted with permission from our media associate Climate News Network.
The last week has seen a flood of stories on clean energys prospectsstories that make your head spin with their conflicting tales of renewable energys prospects of ending our dangerous addiction to fossil fuel power from coal and gas.

A renewables transition will happen without Trump because of market forcesor cant do the job and is shaping up as likely very costly. (Both from the same days New York Times). Cities, states and businesses are filling in the leadership vacuum created by the Trump administrationor they are falling far short. Wind is making it impossible for fossil fuels to compete in Texas power marketsor Texas will continue to be the biggest carbon emitting state of all because wind is too unreliable. (Both from Bloomberg).

And all of these perspectives are coming from scientists and analysts who are pro-clean energy and favor strong action to protect the climatethis is not a fight ginned up by ExxonMobil, Peabody Coal or climate denialists from the Heartland Institute.

So whats the argument? Where do we stand on the ability of clean, renewable energy sources to eliminate the risk to the climate posed by continuing reliance on coal, oil and natural gas?

That depends on the question you ask. If you look at where we are today, our current emission rates are far too high. If continued unchecked, they will rapidly destabilize the weather and increase climate risks to catastrophic levels. (Mathematicians call this the function). If you look at the progress we are making, the future looks brighter, but still quite scary. The commitments governments made at the Paris climate agreement, and the trends for deployment of clean energy vs. fossil fuels, all show future emissions declining, but not declining enough to stabilize the atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. (This question, How fast are we progressing? is what mathematicians call the first derivative). But if you compare the pace of progress this year with that pace five years ago, you can see that decarbonization is accelerating. Not only are we cutting emissions, we are cutting them faster with each passing year. If we continue to accelerate that progress long enough, then we can look forward to eliminating fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions and stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. (Mathematicians call this measure of acceleration the second derivative).

Lets apply these three measurements to the most heated of this weeks controversies, the attack by a group of prominent climate and energy scientists on journal articles by Stanford scientist Mark Jacobson which argued that wind, solar and hydro could enable the U.S. to eliminate all fossil fuels and nuclear energy from its electricity mix, without any significant increase in costs.

4 Reasons Nuclear and Fossil Fuel Supporters Criticizing 100% Renewable Energy Plan Are Wrong https://t.co/jVtcT9OsCm  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 22, 2017

Im not going to get into the debate about whether Jacobsons article met scientific standards or was too speculativeIm not qualified. But the media coverage of the debate has missed the point. Jacobson described a scenario in which we get 100 percent of our power from renewables by 2055 with technologies he thinks will be available by that date. Jacobsons critics disagreebut the lead contributor to their article, Christopher Clack previously published his own trail-breaking journal article saying that we can cut carbon emissions by 80 percent with renewables by 2030. Clacks article argued that this would require connecting different regions of the U.S. with transmission linesa technology clearly available today. We would need 60 percent wind and solar to do thishydro, nuclear and natural gas would make up the rest.

So both sides of this media-hyped debate agree that, using todays renewable technology plus transmission, we can cut utility sector carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2030. (President Obamas much criticized Clean Power Plan, now suspended by the Trump Administration, by comparison, envisaged cutting utility emissions by only 32 percent by 2030).

So what Clack and Jacobson disagree about is what happens between 2030 and 2055. How likely is it that new storage technologies will enable us, at no cost, to get rid of the last 20 percent of those emissions25 or 40 years from now! Even with all of my respect for the scientists on both sides, they cant possibly know the answer to that question. Only 15 years ago, solar power cost about $0.37 kwh. No one anticipated the precipitous drop in costs that followed. Today that same solar power costs a tenth as much so predicting how much electricity storage will cost in 2055 (and storage, plus long distance transmission, is the key to enabling renewable power to meet 100 percent of our needs) is simply not possible.

If, in the next 15 years, battery or other storage costs drop as fast as solar did for the last 15, Jacobsons vision is clearly viable. The second derivative can get us therebut today we are only at 10 percent wind and solar. We have a long way to go.

And we know is that racing ahead to install as much solar and wind as the grid can handle will drive the costs of renewables down even furtherand lower utility bills. Both Clack and Jacobson agree that getting 60 percent renewable reliance is feasible and cheaper. So its premature to ask will we need some remaining natural gas or nuclear or can we go 100 percent renewable? And we are making moneyas well as cutting carbonevery step of the way.

How much of a difference would such an acceleration of renewable energy in the utility sector make to the climate? Well, cutting utility sector emissions by 80 percent would fulfill the entire Obama Administration Paris pledge (the first derivative). But it would also require doubling the speed at which we have cut utility emissions in the past decade (the second derivative).

How do we make sure that happens? Thats the important questionnot what do we do about the last 20 percent of those emissions when we get to 2030. We can be reasonably certain every guess we make about that today will prove wronghowever carefully peer reviewed.

So this is the wrong argument to be having. Fortunately, the stakeholders who are the target of the fightpolicy makersare asking the right question and coming up with the right answer. At its Miami convention this week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously agreed to a resolution, initiated by the Sierra Club, calling for 100 percent renewable power not by 2055but by 2035. All of Americas largest cities just got on board the renewables expressits second derivative just got a boost.

Thats leadership.
By Andy Rowell

Never has the paradox been greater. While the most powerful politician in the world is a climate denier, scientists are now warning that we have just three years to start making radical reductions to greenhouse gases.

Put it another way: that is the term of the Trump presidency. We have three and a bit years left of Trump (if he does not get impeached in the meantime) and we have three years left to save the climate, and begin to bring emissions down by 2020.

Writing in the scientific journal Nature, leading climate scientists have issued their sternest warning yet that time is seriously running out to prevent runaway climate change.

Should emissions continue to rise beyond 2020, or even remain level, the temperature goals set in Paris become almost unattainable, they warn. Lowering emissions globally is a monumental task, but research tells us that it is necessary, desirable and achievable.

Indeed, if action is not taken by 2020, we could see that Paris agreed limit of 1.5 to 2 degrees being surpassed quite quickly.

They tell world leaders to be driven by the science rather than hide their heads in the sand. Entire ecosystems were already collapsing, they warn.

The article was signed by more than 60 scientists, including professor Michael Mann of Pennsylvania State University as well as politicians such as former Mexican President Felipe Calderon and ex-Irish President Mary Robinson, and former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres.

We stand at the doorway of being able to bend the emissions curve downwards by 2020, as science demands, in protection of the UN sustainable development goals, and in particular the eradication of extreme poverty, said Figueres, also the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, under whom the Paris agreement was signed.

Hans Joachim Schellnhuber of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, another signatory, added, The math is brutally clear: while the world cant be healed within the next few years, it may be fatally wounded by negligence [before] 2020.

The article outlined six goals for 2020 which could be adopted at the upcoming G20 meeting in Hamburg July 7-8, including increasing renewable energy to 30 percent of electricity use; plans from leading cities and states to decarbonize by 2050; increasing the percentage of new electric vehicles to 15 percent as well as reforms to agriculture, finance and industry.

The good news is that, despite Trump in the White House, climate action is carrying on at a local level. So far, the mayors of more than 7,400 cities worldwide across the world have vowed that Trumps withdrawal from the Paris agreement will do the opposite of what Trump intended: encourage much greater efforts at the local level to combat climate change.

At the first meeting of a global covenant of mayors, city leaders representing just less than 10 percent of the worlds population come together this week to commit to the carbon reductions pledged by Obama, not Trump.

The Trump administration better watch out for U.S. cities, said Gregor Robertson, mayor of Vancouver. They are on the rise, and I think will prevail in the end, turning the tide, and making sure the U.S. is a climate leader rather than what is happening currently.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, added, We are creating a groundswell of climate leadership by the mayors because cities large and small, rural and urban, in blue and red states, experience the effects of climate change every single day. Climate change touches us all and unites us.

Kassim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta, told reporters bluntly, Right now you have a level of collaboration and focus and sharing of best practices that I havent seen  My firm belief is that President Trumps disappointing decision to withdraw from the agreement will actually have the opposite effect in terms of execution.
Ireland is set to ban onshore fracking after its Senate passed legislation on Wednesday that outlawed the controversial drilling technique.

The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016 now awaits Irish President Michael D. Higgins signature. The president is expected to sign it into law in the coming days.

The Emerald Isle will join three other European Union member states, France, Germany and Bulgaria that have banned the practice on land.

Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin introduced the private members billmeaning it was not introduced by the governmentlast year. The bill passed Irelands Parliament in May.

Weve made history, McLoughlin tweeted after the vote and called it one of the proudest moments in my political career.

Its done! Weve made history & become the 3rd state in the EU to ban #Fracking. One of proudest moments in my political career. Thanks to all pic.twitter.com/amTmuQAdRl  Tony McLoughlin (@TonyMcLTD) June 28, 2017

McLoughlin also issued a statement that mentioned the impact of fracking in the U.S.:

This law will mean communities in the West and North West of Ireland will be safeguarded from the negative effects of hydraulic fracking. Counties such as Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Clare will no longer face negative effects like those seen in cities and towns in the United States, where many areas have now decided to implement similar bans to the one before us.

If fracking was allowed to take place in Ireland and Northern Ireland it would pose significant threats to the air, water and the health and safety of individuals and communities here.

Fracking must be seen as a serious public health and environmental concern for Ireland.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth Ireland celebrated the bills passage.

A day to celebrate. A day for #ClimatePride. The Irish parliament has passed a law to #BanFracking. Heres to a #FossilFree future, the group tweeted:
U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Coffin issued an order Thursday in the climate lawsuit brought by 21 youth, Juliana v. United States, setting a trial date for Feb. 5, 2018 before U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken 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.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/873688754799640576 workers.

Over 18 months ago, these fossil fuel associations went to incredible lengths to become defendants so that they could shut down this case, said Julia Olson, co-lead counsel for plaintiffs and executive director of Our Childrens Trust. They failed, and youth prevailed. Now these youth and the top climate experts on the planet can go to trial against the Trump administration.

On June 9, the Trump administration filed a petition for writ of mandamus with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 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 the case. The Ninth Circuit has not requested the parties to submit briefs on the governments petition, and could deny it without doing so.
BEER-SHEVA, Israel...June 29, 2017 - Cyber security researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) developed an innovative firewall program that adds a missing layer of security in Android cellphones and monitors for malicious code.

Earlier this year, Dr. Yossi Oren and his team of researchers in the BGU Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering (SISE), discovered a security vulnerability in the internal communications between Android cellphone components and a phone's central processing unit (CPU). They alerted Android developer Google and helped the global company address the problem.

"Our technology doesn't require device manufacturers to understand or modify any new code," says Dr. Oren. "It's a firewall that can be implemented as a tiny chip, or as an independent software module running on the CPU."

Some 400 million people change their phone's components, such as touchscreens, chargers, and battery or sensor assemblies, which are all susceptible to significant security breaches and attacks. These components, referred to as "field replaceable units (FRUs)," communicate with the phone CPU over simple interfaces with no authentication mechanisms or error detection capabilities. A malicious vendor could add a compromised FRU to a phone, leaving it vulnerable to password and financial theft, fraud, malicious photo or video distribution, and unauthorized app downloads.

"This problem is especially acute in the Android market with many manufacturers that operate independently," the researchers say. "An attack of this type occurs outside the phone's storage area; it can survive phone factory resets, remote wipes and firmware updates. Existing security solutions cannot prevent this specific security issue."

Researcher Omer Schwartz adds, "There is no way for the phone itself to discover that it's under this type of an attack. Our solution prevents a malicious or misconfigured FRU from compromising the code running on the CPU by checking all the incoming and outgoing communication."

The research team used machine learning algorithms to monitor the phones' internal communications for anomalies that may indicate malicious code. Their software allowed them to identify and prevent hardware-generated data leaks and hacks.

A paper on the discovery and the new software will be presented at the prestigious Workshop on Offensive Technologies in Vancouver, Canada this August. Dr. Oren and Dr. Asaf Shabtai collaborated on the paper along with research students Omer Shwartz and Amir Cohen.

"The work of Dr. Oren's team is the latest invention from SISE at BGU," says Zafrir Levi, senior vice president of business development at BGN Technologies, the University's commercialization and technology transfer company. "In the last decade, ISE has spawned many inventions that have been used worldwide through patents sold to international corporations and by start-up companies."

The researchers are seeking to further test the patent-pending technology with phone manufacturers.

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About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more.

AABGU, headquartered in Manhattan, has nine regional offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.aabgu.org.
In two of the first large-scale, field-realistic studies to date, researchers in Europe and Canada have affirmed what's been hypothesized about neonicotinoids -- that prolonged exposure to these insecticides negatively affects bees. Their results reveal that local environment and species influence the impact of these widely used insecticides, but ultimately, their effects are largely negative -- including reducing reproductive success and survival. In the 1990s, research into bee population health began suggesting neonicotinoids -- applied broadly to major crops -- were harming these pollinator species. However, determining just how, and by how much, has yielded mixed results -- in part because evaluating the contributing impacts of other real-world threats to bees, such as climate change, has been difficult. Also, some have suggested that bees in previous studies have been exposed to higher doses of pesticides than realistically found in the field. Ultimately, notes Jeremy Kerr in a related Perspective, this has resulted in "uncertainties in the timing, magnitude, and species-specificity of neonicotinoid impacts on bees ... [which has] forced policymakers to rely substantially on the precautionary principle in the regulatory process."

Here, in the first of two studies designed to provide a clearer picture of neonicotinoid-specific effects, Ben Woodcock and colleagues performed "perhaps the most ambitious field experiment of neonicotinoid effects yet conducted," says Kerr. Working near oilseed rape crops treated with neonicotinoids in Germany, Hungary, and the U.K., they gathered data on impacts to three bee species, finding the chemicals contributed negatively to local declines in each case -- though uniquely, depending on environmental context. For example, exposure to treated crops reduced overwintering success of honeybee colonies in Hungary and the U.K., but not in Germany. In all three countries, however, increasing neonicotinoid residue in the bee nests was associated with lower reproductive success. In a second study, Nadejda Tsvetkov and team, working in a commercial corn-growing area of Canada, sought to isolate neonicotinoid-specific impacts from other high-intensity agriculture threats. They found that worker bees exposed to neonicotinoids (which often came from neonicotinoid-contaminated pollen from nearby plants, not the treated crop) exhibited lower life expectancies, and their colonies were more likely to permanently lose queens. Tsvetkov et al. also observed that neonicotinoids were particularly potent when mixed with a common fungicide -- suggesting honey bees near cornfields treated with both neonicotinoids and other agrochemicals face greater risks. Taken together, the two studies show that "neonicotinoid impacts on bee species include complex combinations of lethal, sublethal, and interactive effects..."Kerr said. "[They] add important new evidence to the neonicotinoid debate that policymakers will need to consider."

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Researchers have identified a key protein that helps release the flowery essence of petunias. While the compounds that flowers release often smell wonderful to us, for the plants from which they emanate, they are responsible for much more than a pleasant scent; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play essential roles in pollinator and seed-disperser attraction, above- and below-ground defense against herbivores and pathogens, and plant-to-plant signaling, for example, in some cases even interfering with the growth and success of competing plants. However, whether VOCs are actively transported across the plant cell membrane, or simply diffused, remains unknown. Here, Funmilayo Adebesin used RNA sequencing data of the flower Petunia hybrida to identify shifts in gene expression between petunia developmental stages with the lowest and highest VOC emissions, respectively -- the plant's budding stage on one day and its opening stage the next. As the flowers transitioned to a high VOC emitting state, the researchers identified the protein PhABCG1, which is predicted to help transport compounds across cell membranes and is expressed almost exclusively in petals of open flowers. The researchers found that when they reduced expression levels of PhABCG1 by 70 to 80%, it resulted in a 52 to 62% decreases in total VOC emission. This finding suggests that PhABCG1 acts as a key transporter of VOCs across the cell membrane, although other transporters have yet to be identified. Franziska Eberl and Jonathan Gershenzon discuss this finding in greater detail in a related Perspective.

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WASHINGTON, DC/ SAN FRANCISCO -- Scientific research in Earth and space sciences advances our understanding of our world and contributes to strong global economies, security, and public health and safety. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and Seismological Society of America (SSA) today announced a revision of their position statement, "The Capability to Monitor the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Should be Expanded, Completed, and Sustained."

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is an international agreement to ban all nuclear explosions, and is intended to impede the development of nuclear weapons as part of the international nonproliferation regime. The treaty is not yet in effect because it has not been ratified by all the requisite countries -- including the United States.

The AGU-SSA statement was updated to reflect changes over the past five years, including that 183 nations are now signatories and the continued development of the International Monitoring System (IMS) is now more than 85% complete and currently detecting and locating seismic events of at least a magnitude 4 anywhere in the world.

"The IMS and International Data Centre of the CTBT Organization Preparatory Commission are playing an important role in providing nations with data and expertise to monitor the world for nuclear explosions," said Bill Walter, Ph.D., chair of the CTBT Review Task Force for AGU and SSA. "Data from IMS not only contribute to critical national security efforts but also to public safety by enhancing our global scientific understanding of the Earth and informing natural hazard mitigation efforts. "Maintaining a high-quality global network of seismometers is vital for detecting and characterizing both open and clandestine nuclear explosions, as well as earthquakes and other natural hazards," said SSA President-elect Peter Shearer, a professor of geophysics at U.C. San Diego.

The seven-person panel that reviewed and revised the position statement included:

Bill Walter, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (chair)

Stephen Myers, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Paul Richards, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University

Brian Stump, Southern Methodist University

Raymond Jeanloz, University of California, Berkeley

Keith Koper, University of Utah

Thorne Lay, University of California, Santa Cruz

AGU and SSA maintain position statements to provide scientific expertise on significant policy issues related to the understanding and application of their members' scientific disciplines.

The revised position statement was adopted by AGU's Board and Council on June 29, 2017, and by SSA's Board on April 17, 2017. The Seismological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union originally issued the joint position statement on the seismic verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1999. The statement was reviewed and reaffirmed by both organizations in 2003, 2007, 2012 and was endorsed by the Geological Society of America in 2009.

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Learn more about AGU position statements.

Learn more about SSA position statements.

The American Geophysical Union is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing 60,000 members in 137 countries. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and our other social media channels.

The Seismological Society of America is a scientific society devoted to the advancement of earthquake science. Founded in 1906 in San Francisco, the Society now has members throughout the world representing a variety of technical interests: seismologists and other geophysicists, geologists, engineers, insurers, and policy-makers in preparedness and safety.

Notes for Journalists:

A subject matter expert will be available for comment. Members of the press should contact AGU's Strategic Communications team or Becky Ham at SSA to schedule an interview.

Please note that panel members' affiliations are provided for identification purposes only. The position statement reflects a consensus view of the scientific societies and not necessarily any of the panel members' employers.
Cancer hides in plain sight of the immune system. The body's natural tumor surveillance programs should be able to detect and attack rogue cancer cells when they arise, and yet when cancer thrives, it does so because these defense systems have failed. A team of investigators led by Niroshana Anandasabapathy, MD, PhD, at Brigham and Women's Hospital have uncovered a critical strategy that some cancers may be using to cloak themselves - they find evidence of this genetic program across 30 human cancers of the peripheral tissue, including melanoma skin cancer. Their results are published June 29 in Cell.

"Our study reveals a new immunotherapy target and provides an evolutionary basis for why the immune system may fail to detect cancers arising in tissues," said corresponding author Anandasabapathy, of BWH's Department of Dermatology. "The genetic program we report on helps the immune system balance itself. Parts of this program prevent the immune system from destroying healthy organs or tissues, but might also leave a blind spot for detecting and fighting cancer."

The authors studied immune mononuclear phagocytes - a group of disparate cells that act as the "Pac man" of the immune system. When these cells detect foreign invaders and dying normal tissues, they devour or engulf their components. These cells then present these components on their surface teach T cells to maintain tolerance to healthy tissues, or to fight infections and pathogens. Despite differences in function, all immune mononuclear phagocytes found in the skin- (a peripheral tissue like lung and gut) share a common set of genetic programming, which is further enhanced when they enter the tissue. This program is conserved in fetal and adult development, and across species. And, the research team reports, is co-opted by multiple human cancers of tissue.

The team finds that this program is prompted by an "instructive cue" from interferon gamma - a molecule that plays a critical role in regulating immunity. The authors find IFN-gamma for mononuclear phagocytes in development but that IFN-gamma and tissue immune signatures are much higher in skin cancer than in healthy skin. Having an immune response measured by IFN-gamma and tissue signatures correlated with improved metastatic melanoma survival outcomes, making these signatures potential biomarkers for cancer survival.

The authors reasoned such a program might contain key molecules that help the immune system reduce inflammation, but that might also leave a blind spot to cancer detection. One of the key genes the researchers detected is suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2). When this gene was turned off in a mouse model, the immune system was able to robustly detect and reject cancer in models of melanoma and thymoma (cancer of the thymus). They also observed improved vaccination responses, and heightened auto-inflammation suggesting this gene normally dampens auto-inflammatory responses and contracts protective immunity.

"Our research suggests that these cancers are co-opting tissue-specific immune development to escape detection, but we see that turning off SOCS2 unmasks them," said Anandasabapathy. "This sheds new light on our understanding of how the immune system is programed to see cancers and also points the way toward new therapeutic targets for treating cancers that have these signatures."

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This project was made possible through open collaborations between researchers from BWH, Princeton University, Rockefeller University, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

This work was supported by a 5T32AR007098, Dermatology Training Grant; the DFCI Wong Family Award for Translational Cancer Research; a T32GM07739 MSTP Grant; the Searle Scholars Program; the Beckman Young Investigator Program;the NIH New Innovator Award DP2OD020839; the Melanoma Research Alliance- BWH Department of Dermatology combined grant; the Cancer Research Institute; the Klarman Family Foundation; the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease R01AR070234 and K23 AR063461. Aviv Regev is on the SAB for ThermoFisher Scientific, Syros Pharmaceuticals and Driver Group. James Krueger is a consultant for Biogen. Levi Garraway was a consultant for Foundation Medicine, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly; an equity holder in Foundation Medicine; and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at Warp Drive. Garraway also received grant support from Novartis. He is now an employee of Eli Lilly and Company.

Paper cited: Nirschl CJ et al. "IFN-gamma-dependent tissue immune homeostasis is co-opted in the tumor microenvironment" Cell DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.06.016

Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) is a 793-bed nonprofit teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a founding member of Partners HealthCare. BWH has more than 4.2 million annual patient visits and nearly 46,000 inpatient stays, is the largest birthing center in Massachusetts and employs nearly 16,000 people. The Brigham's medical preeminence dates back to 1832, and today that rich history in clinical care is coupled with its national leadership in patient care, quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, and its dedication to research, innovation, community engagement and educating and training the next generation of health care professionals. Through investigation and discovery conducted at its Brigham Research Institute (BRI), BWH is an international leader in basic, clinical and translational research on human diseases, more than 3,000 researchers, including physician-investigators and renowned biomedical scientists and faculty supported by nearly $666 million in funding. For the last 25 years, BWH ranked second in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) among independent hospitals. BWH is also home to major landmark epidemiologic population studies, including the Nurses' and Physicians' Health Studies and the Women's Health Initiative as well as the TIMI Study Group, one of the premier cardiovascular clinical trials groups. For more information, resources and to follow us on social media, please visit BWH's online newsroom.
Chinese researchers have developed an emulsion interfacial polymerization method to fabricate Janus particles exhibiting chemical and topological anisotropy.

Results were published in the journal Science Advances, in an article entitled "A general strategy to synthesize chemically and topologically anisotropic Janus particles."

Polymer particle materials have a giant effect on daily human life, largely due to the topology and surface chemistry of polymer particles. Emulsion polymerization is a traditionally leading synthesis technique for particles. However, it usually produces spherical particles due to surface tension, posing a challenge for fine-tuning the topology and chemistry of particles.

To overcome the limitation of surface tension, researchers from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently developed a general emulsion interfacial polymerization approach to synthesizing a large variety of Janus particles with controllable topological and chemical anisotropy.

In the study, they chose to use a typical oil-in-water emulsion system - styrene (St) and divinyl benzene (DVB) in water emulsion - into which hydrophilic monomers (e.g., acrylic acid (AA) or acrylamide (AM), etc.) were introduced as anchoring molecules. The polymerization was initially designed to occur inside an oil droplet.

The researchers found that a particle nucleus could be produced inside oil droplets and the particle nucleus would move toward the oil/water interface. The hydrophilic anchoring monomers in the external water phase could then contact the particle nucleus and be initiated to polymerize, triggering interfacial anchoring polymerization.

On the interface, based on the principle of equal chemical potential at equilibrium, preferential copolymerization of AA, St and DVB occurred along the interface in two directions, resulting in the formation of crescent-moon shaped Janus particles.

The researchers' theoretical simulation consistently suggested preferential growth, similar to what they obtained in the experiment.

This novel method will significantly expand the utility of Janus particles, creating new opportunities in a wide variety of applications, ranging from the environment to health, especially in those involving oil-water separation and biological detection.

The approach can produce Janus particles with anisotropic topologies and amphiphilicity (Fig.2). The researchers' emulsion polymerization approach produced approximately 5 g of uniform Janus particles in one batch, providing an effective way to synthesize Janus particles on a large scale.

Their emulsion interfacial polymerization strategy can be used for polymerizing various vinyl monomers, including positively charged, neutrally charged and negatively charged ones, greatly enriching the community of Janus particles. This method can also be expanded to large-area fabricate two-dimensional Janus film actuators (Wang, et al. NPG Asia Mater. 2017, 9, e380; Mater. Chem. Front., 2017, 1, 1028).

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This work was financially supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, among others.
Researchers who have analyzed the Y chromosomes of more than 50 horses representing 21 breeds have found that the paternal lines of nearly all modern horses trace to stallions brought to Europe from the Orient over the last 700 years. The findings reported in Current Biology on June 29 reveal the overwhelming influence of breeding schemes driven by strong selection on males.

With the genetic genealogies in hand, it's now possible to elucidate the origin and relationship of any stallion line in detail, the researchers say.

"Apart from stallion lines in Northern European breeds, all stallion lines detected in other modern breeds derive from more recently introduced Oriental ancestors," says Barbara Wallner at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna. "Our data therefore illuminate the enormous impact modern horse breeding strategies -- characterized by strong selection of males and the import of Oriental stallions--during the past few hundred years had on Y chromosome diversity."

Y chromosomes are passed down from fathers to their sons. This inheritance pattern makes the Y chromosome a good place to look for clues about the unique history of males of a species. In the new study, the researchers focused on a portion of the Y chromosome that is passed down from one generation to another faithfully. Any changes to that portion of the Y chromosome are the result of new mutations.

"Since random mutations accumulate over time, males who originate from a common patrilineal ancestor will share a particular collection of Y chromosome mutations," Wallner explains, forming what's known as a haplogroup.

It had been difficult to reconstruct the history of stallions before because there is extremely low diversity in the Y chromosomes of modern horses to start. The researchers got around that problem by using deep, next-generation DNA sequencing, allowing them to pick up on even the smallest changes.

Their analysis of the 52 Y chromosomes showed that the paternal lineages of various modern horses split much more recently than the domestication of the species, which goes back more than 5,000 years. Apart from a few private Northern European haplotypes, all modern horse breeds included in the study clustered into a roughly 700-year-old haplogroup, transmitted to Europe by the import of Oriental stallions, they report. The haplogroup includes two major subgroups (or clades): the Original Arabian lineage from the Arabian Peninsula and the Turkoman horse lineage from the steppes of Central Asia.

By linking the Y chromosome lineages with genealogical information derived from written records, the researchers say it's now possible to define Y haplotypes for certain founder stallions. Using this approach, they unraveled the origin of English Thoroughbreds, tracing them to Turkoman founder stallions.

"Our results pave the way for a fine-scaled genetic characterization of stallion lines, which should become routine in the near future," Wallner says.

The researchers say they now plan to create a global Y chromosome phylogeny to include stallion lineages from more rural horses, which most likely lack any recent Oriental influence.

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Funding was provided by the Innovation Fund of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management. Additional support was provided by the European Research Council and the Austrian Science Fund.

Current Biology, Wallner et al.: "Y Chromosome Uncovers the Recent Oriental Origin of Modern Stallions" http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(17)30694-2

Current Biology (@CurrentBiology), published by Cell Press, is a bimonthly journal that features papers across all areas of biology. Current Biology strives to foster communication across fields of biology, both by publishing important findings of general interest and through highly accessible front matter for non-specialists. Visit: http://www.cell.com/current-biology. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com.
Researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have discovered a new method to measure tiny amounts of antibodies in foals, a finding described in the May 16 issue of PLOS ONE.

The methodology will help understand how fast a foal starts producing its own antibodies, which in turn will help optimize recommendations for young horse vaccination schedules, said Dr. Julia Felippe, associate professor of large animal medicine, and research associate Rebecca Tallmadge.

Newborn horses are initially protected against diseases by antibodies they receive after birth through the colostrum produced by their dam. Vaccination is an important strategy to protect neonates against diseases. However, administrating vaccines too early in life may have negative effects. Vaccines work by presenting the immune system with a killed pathogen (or a protein from it) that will "train" the body to recognize it as an intruder. If the immune system of the young animal is not ready, instead of recognizing the pathogen's protein in the vaccine as foreign, it may identify it as "self" and impair the production of an immune response against this particular pathogen. Additionally, the mother's antibodies may interfere with the neonate's antibody production, making the vaccine ineffective. To develop a protective vaccination strategy, it is crucial to understand how young animals become immunocompetent.

Monitoring the development of the neonatal immune system using traditional methods, such as an antibody count in the foal's blood, is hampered by the abundance of maternal antibodies relative to the young's own. The maternal antibodies wear off progressively as the young animal ages, but this may take a few months depending on the half-life of the different antibodies. Current guidelines recommend vaccination of foals to start at 3 months or at 6 months of age if the dam was vaccinated in late gestation.

"We presume that if the mother is vaccinated in her last month of pregnancy, her antibodies will transfer to the foal, but in reality we don't measure the efficiency of this process," said Felippe. Previous work led Felippe and Tallmadge to believe that the foal immune system could respond to vaccines very early in life, and the team decided to test this hypothesis. They vaccinated 3-day-old foals, gave them boosters at 21 and 35 days, and followed the foals' immune response up to 42 days after birth.

To overcome the challenge of counting antibodies in such young foals, Felippe and Tallmadge examined the foals' B cells, the cells that create antibodies. This allowed them to examine the foal's immune response alone, independent of maternal circulating antibodies. Additionally, B cells take up to 10 days before releasing the antibodies they created. "After they find a match for the antibody, B cells adjust and tweak their antibody to make a perfect fit for the pathogen," says Felippe. "They are amazing, they are like little factories." The DNA changes that occur in the B cells' maturation process can thus be tracked through time by sequencing their DNA. As the researchers gave boosters to the foals, they observed an increase in the diversity of mutations in the B cell DNA as those immune cells kept looking for a better fit to the antigen. "Testing antigen-specific B cells gave us beautiful responses," said Tallmadge. This suggests that foals start producing antibodies in the first days when vaccinated. Yet results were different depending on the type of vaccine.

"Our results suggested that some vaccines may induce higher production of antibodies than others," said Felippe. "However, our experiment was not designed to measure efficacy of certain vaccines." Rather, its aim was to explore the neonate's immune response almost in real time, and with more sensitivity, without confounding circulating maternal antibodies.

"Our approach can be applied to any vaccine or pathogen in any host species," said Tallmadge. After showing that neonates are capable of an immune response, the researchers now want to see if there are neonate-specific mechanisms designed to prevent this response.

"The reason why such a mechanism would exist is, imagine you live in the womb, very protected, and now you are out in the environment with billions of pathogens poking you for an immune response. If you respond to every stimulus with the same intensity at the same time, something might happen with you," said Felippe. "So, there may be something out there that prevents you from damaging yourself in this process and prioritizes a response to a stimulus that is relevant."

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The actions of a protein used for DNA replication and repair are guided by electrostatic forces known as phosphate steering, a finding that not only reveals key details about a vital process in healthy cells, but provides new directions for cancer treatment research.

The findings, published this week in the journal Nature Communications, focus on an enzyme called flap endonuclease 1, or FEN1. Using a combination of crystallographic, biochemical, and genetic analyses, researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) showed that phosphate steering kept FEN1 in line and working properly.

"FEN1, like many DNA replication and repair proteins, have paradoxical roles relevant to cancer," said study lead author Susan Tsutakawa, a biochemist at Berkeley Lab's Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division. "A mistake by FEN1 could damage the DNA, leading to the development of cancer. On the other side, many cancers need replication and repair proteins to survive and to repair DNA damaged from cancer treatments. New evidence shows that phosphate steering helps ensure that FEN1 behaves as it should to prevent genome instability."

During the process of replication, double-stranded DNA unzips to expose the nucleotides along its two separate strands. In that process, flaps of single-stranded DNA are created. The job of FEN1 is to remove those flaps by positioning metal catalysts so that they can break down the phosphodiester bonds that make up the backbone of nucleic acid strands. This cleavage action occurs in the duplex DNA near the junction with the single-stranded flap.

Flaps that remain uncleaved can lead to toxic DNA damage that either kill the cell or cause extensive mutations. For example, trinucleotide repeat expansions, a mutation associated with disorders such as Huntington's disease and fragile X syndrome, are characterized by the failure of FEN1 to cut off the excess strand.

"What had been unclear before our study was how FEN1 was able to identify its exact target while preventing the indiscriminate cutting of single-stranded flaps," said Tsutakawa. "There must be a way for this protein to not shred similar targets, such as single-stranded RNA or DNA. Getting that right is critical."

Tsutakawa worked with corresponding author John Tainer, Berkeley Lab research scientist and a professor at the University of Texas, at the Advanced Light Source, a DOE Office of Science User Facility that produces extremely bright X-ray beams suitable for solving the atomic structure of protein and DNA complexes. Using X-ray crystallography, they were able to get a molecular-level view of the FEN1 protein structure.

They determined that the single-stranded flap threaded through a small hole formed by the FEN1 protein. The size of the hole serves as an extra check that FEN1 is binding the correct target. However, they surprisingly found that the single-stranded flap is inverted such that the more vulnerable part of the DNA, the phosphodiester backbone, faces away from the metal catalysts, thereby reducing the chance of inadvertent incision.

The inversion is guided by a positively charged region in FEN1 that stabilizes the upside-down position and steers the negatively charged phosphodiester of the single-stranded DNA through the FEN1 tunnel.

"These metals are like scissors and will cut any DNA near them," said Tsutakawa. "The positively charged region in FEN1 acts like a magnet, pulling the flap away from these metals and protecting the flap from being cut. This is how FEN1 avoids cutting single-stranded DNA or RNA."

"This phosphate steering is a previously unknown mechanism for controlling the specificity of FEN1," she added. "Cancer cells need FEN proteins to replicate, so understanding how FEN1 works could help provide targets for research into treatments down the line."

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In addition to Tainer, other corresponding authors of the study are Sergei Mirkin at Tufts University and Jane Grasby at the University of Sheffield. Other co-lead authors of the study are Mark Thompson at the University of Sheffield, Andrew Arvai at The Scripps Research Institute, and Alexander Neil at Tufts University.

The National Cancer Institute, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in the United Kingdom, and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia provided primary support for this work.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. For more, visit http://www.lbl.gov.

DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.
LIVERMORE, Calif. -- Taking inspiration from an unusual source, a Sandia National Laboratories team has dramatically improved the science of scintillators -- objects that detect nuclear threats. According to the team, using organic glass scintillators could soon make it even harder to smuggle nuclear materials through America's ports and borders.

The Sandia Labs team has developed a scintillator made of an organic glass which is more effective than the best-known nuclear threat detection material while being much easier and cheaper to produce.

Organic glass is a carbon-based material that can be melted and does not become cloudy or crystallize upon cooling. Successful results of the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation project team's tests on organic glass scintillators are described in a paper published this week in The Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Sandia Labs material scientist and principal investigator Patrick Feng started developing alternative classes of organic scintillators in 2010. Feng explained he and his team set out to "strengthen national security by improving the cost-to-performance ratio of radiation detectors at the front lines of all material moving into the country." To improve that ratio, the team needed to bridge the gap between the best, brightest, most sensitive scintillator material and the lower costs of less sensitive materials.

Inspiration from light-emitting diodes lead to performance boost

The team designed, synthesized and assessed new scintillator molecules for this project with the goal of understanding the relationship between the molecular structures and the resulting radiation detection properties. They made progress finding scintillators able to indicate the difference between nuclear materials that could be potential threats and normal, non-threatening sources of radiation, like those used for medical treatments or the radiation naturally present in our atmosphere.

The team first reported on the benefits of using organic glass as a scintillator material in June 2016. Organic chemist Joey Carlson said further breakthroughs really became possible when he realized scintillators behave a lot like light-emitting diodes.

With LEDs, a known source and amount of electrical energy is applied to a device to produce a desired amount of light. In contrast, scintillators produce light in response to the presence of an unknown radiation source material. Depending on the amount of light produced and the speed with which the light appears, the source can be identified.

Despite these differences in the ways that they operate, both LEDs and scintillators harness electrical energy to produce light. Fluorene is a light-emitting molecule used in some types of LEDs. The team found it was possible to achieve the most desirable qualities -- stability, transparency and brightness -- by incorporating fluorene into their scintillator compounds.

Pushing past crystals and plastics

The gold standard scintillator material for the past 40 years has been the crystalline form of a molecule called trans-stilbene, despite intense research to develop a replacement. Trans-stilbene is highly effective at differentiating between two types of radiation: gamma rays, which are ubiquitous in the environment, and neutrons, which emanate almost exclusively from controlled threat materials such as plutonium or uranium. Trans-stilbene is very sensitive to these materials, producing a bright light in response to their presence.

But it takes a lot of energy and several months to produce a trans-stilbene crystal only a few inches long. The crystals are incredibly expensive, around $1,000 per cubic inch, and they're fragile, so they aren't commonly used in the field.

Instead, the most commonly used scintillators at borders and ports of entry are plastics. They're comparatively inexpensive at less than a dollar per cubic inch, and they can be molded into very large shapes, which is essential for scintillator sensitivity. As Feng explained, "The bigger your detector, the more sensitive it's going to be, because there's a higher chance that radiation will hit it."

Despite these positives, plastics aren't able to efficiently differentiate between types of radiation -- a separate helium tube is required for that. The type of helium used in these tubes is rare, non-renewable and significantly adds to the cost and complexity of a plastic scintillator system. And plastics aren't particularly bright, at only two-thirds the intensity of trans-stilbene, which means they do not do well detecting weak sources of radiation.

For these reasons, Sandia Labs' team began experimenting with organic glasses, which are able to discriminate between types of radiation. In fact, Feng's team found the glass scintillators surpass even the trans-stilbene in radiation detection tests -- they are brighter and better at discriminating between types of radiation.

Another challenge: The initial glass compounds the team made weren't stable. If the glasses got too hot for too long, they would crystallize, which affected their performance. Feng's team found that blending compounds containing fluorene to the organic glass molecules made them indefinitely stable. The stable glasses could then also be melted and cast into large blocks, which is an easier and less expensive process than making plastics or trans-stilbene.

From the lab to the ports

The work thus far shows indefinite stability in a laboratory, meaning the material does not degrade over time. Now, the next step toward commercialization is casting a very large prototype organic glass scintillator for field testing. Feng and his team want to show that organic glass scintillators can withstand the humidity and other environmental conditions found at ports.

The National Nuclear Security Administration has funded the project for an additional two years. This gives the team time to see if they can use organic glass scintillators to meet additional national security needs.

Going forward, Feng and his team also plan to experiment with the organic glass until it can distinguish between sources of gamma rays that are non-threatening and those that can be used to make dirty bombs.

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Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Sandia Labs has major research and development responsibilities in nuclear deterrence, global security, defense, energy technologies and economic competitiveness, with main facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California.

Sandia news media contact: Jules Bernstein, jberns@sandia.gov, (925) 294-2612
Follicular lymphoma is an incurable cancer that affects over 200,000 people worldwide every year. A form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma develops when the body starts making abnormal B-cells, which are white blood cells that in normal conditions fight infections. This cancer is associated with several alterations of the cell's DNA, but it has been unclear which gene or genes are involved in its development. EPFL scientists have now analyzed the genomes of more than 200 patients with follicular lymphoma, and they discover that a gene, Sestrin1, is frequently missing or malfunctioning in FL patients. The discovery opens to new treatment options and it is now published in Science Translational Medicine.

One of the common features of follicular lymphoma is a genetic abnormality between two chromosomes (14 and 18). In an event known as "chromosomal translocation" the two chromosomes "swap" certain parts with each other. This triggers the activation of a gene that protects cells from dying, making cells virtually immortal -- the hallmark of a tumor.

Moreover, approximately 30% of follicular lymphoma patients lose also a portion of chromosome 6, affecting multiple genes involved in suppressing the emergence of a tumor. These patients typically have poor prognosis. Another 20 % of patients have alterations causing chromosomal disorganization and the consequent malfunctioning of several genes and proteins. The bottom line is that for both group of patients it is very difficult to pinpoint which of all the affected genes are actually causing the disease.

The lab of Elisa Oricchio at EPFL, with colleagues from the US and Canada, analyzed the genomes of over 200 follicular lymphoma patients. Their analyses revealed that a specific gene, Sestrin1, can be harmed by both loss of chromosome 6 and silenced in patients.

Sestrin1 helps the cell defending itself against DNA damage -- for example after exposure to radiation -- and oxidative stress. In fact, Sestrin1 is part of the cell's anti-tumor mechanism that stops potentially cancerous cells from growing.

Disruption of a region in chromosome 6 or epigenetic modifications of the DNA block Sestrin1 expression and these contribute to the development of Follicular Lymphoma.

Beyond identifying the Sestrin1 gene as frequently altered in FL patients, the scientists demonstrated that Sestrin1 is able to suppress tumors in vivo. They showed that Sestrin1 exerts its anti-tumor effects by blocking the activity of a protein complex called mTORC1, which is well known for controlling protein synthesis as well as acting as a sensor for nutrient or energy changes in the cell.

Finally, the identification of loss of Sestrin1 as a key event behind the development of follicular lymphoma is particular important because it helps identifying patients that will benefit from new therapies. Indeed, this study shows that the therapeutic efficacy of a new drug that is currently in clinical trial depends on Sestrin1. Importantly, this dependency can be extended beyond follicular lymphoma to other tumor types.

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This work was carried out in collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York), Cornell University, the University of Lausanne, Goodwin Research Laboratories, Trinity College Dublin, the BC Cancer Agency, the University of British Columbia, and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto).

Funding

Swiss National Science Foundation, EPFL's Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), the Giorgi-Cavaglieri Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, the Lymphoma Research Foundation, Mr. William H. Goodwin and Mrs. Alice Goodwin and the Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the National Institutes of Health, the Starr Cancer Consortium, the Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Reference

E. Oricchio, N. Katanayeva, M. C. Donaldson, S. Sungalee, P. P. Joyce, W. Beguelin, E. Battistello, V. R. Sanghvi, M. Jiang, Y. Jiang, M. Teater, A. Parmigiani, A. V. Budanov, F. C. Chan, S. P. Shah, R. Kridel, A. M. Melnick, G. Ciriello, H-G. Wendel. Genetic and epigenetic inactivation of SESTRIN1 controls mTORC1 and response to EZH2 inhibition in follicular lymphoma. Science Translational Medicine 9, eaak9969 (2017). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aak9969
Friday 30 June, 2017: An Australian-led research team has demonstrated a new therapeutic approach that can re-build and strengthen bone, offering hope for individuals with the debilitating bone cancer, multiple myeloma.

The findings were published today in the medical journal Blood, and were presented at an international meeting of bone biology experts in Brisbane earlier this month.

The researchers tested a new type of treatment that specifically targets a protein called sclerostin, which in healthy bones is an important regulator of bone formation. Sclerostin halts bone formation, and the researchers speculated that if they could inhibit the action of sclerostin, they could reverse the devastating bone disease that occurs with multiple myeloma.

Dr Michelle McDonald and Professor Peter Croucher, of the Bone Biology Division of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, led the study.

"Multiple myeloma is a cancer that grows in bone, and in most patients it is associated with widespread bone loss, and recurrent bone fractures, which can be extremely painful and debilitating," says Dr McDonald.

"The current treatment for myeloma-associated bone disease with bisphosphonate drugs prevents further bone loss, but it doesn't fix damaged bones, so patients continue to fracture. We wanted to re-stimulate bone formation, and increase bone strength and resistance to fracture."

The new therapeutic approach is an antibody that targets and neutralises sclerostin, and in previous clinical studies of osteoporosis, such antibodies have been shown to increase bone mass and reduce fracture incidence in patients.

The researchers tested the anti-sclerostin antibody in mouse models of multiple myeloma, and found that not only did it prevent further bone loss, it doubled bone volume in some of the mice.

Dr McDonald says, "When we looked at the bones before and after treatment, the difference was remarkable - we saw less lesions or 'holes' in the bones after anti-sclerostin treatment.

"These lesions are the primary cause of bone pain, so this is an extremely important result."

The researchers have a biomechanical method to test bone strength and resistance to fracture, and found that the treatment also made the bones substantially stronger, with more than double the resistance to fracture observed in many of the tests.

They then combined the new antibody with zoledronic acid, a type of bisphosphonate drug, the current standard therapy for myeloma bone disease.

"Bisphosphonates work by preventing bone breakdown, so we combined zoledronic acid with the new anti-sclerostin antibody, that re-builds bone. Together, the impact on bone thickness, strength and resistance to fracture was greater than either treatment alone," says Dr McDonald.

The findings provide a potential new clinical strategy for myeloma. While this disease is relatively rare, with approximately 1700 Australians diagnosed every year, the prognosis is extremely poor, with less than half of those diagnosed expected to survive for more than five years.

Prof Croucher, Head of the Bone Biology Division at Garvan, says that preventing the devastating bone disease of myeloma is critical to improve the prognosis for these people.

"Importantly, myelomas, like other cancers, vary from individual to individual and can therefore be difficult to target. By targeting sclerostin, we are blocking a protein that is active in every person's bones, and not something unique to a person's cancer. Therefore, in the future, when we test this antibody in humans, we are hopeful to see a response in most, if not all, patients," Prof Croucher says.

"We are now looking towards clinical trials for this antibody, and in the future, development of this type of therapy for the clinical treatment of multiple myeloma.

"This therapeutic approach has the potential to transform the prognosis for myeloma patients, enhancing quality of life, and ultimately reducing mortality.

"It also has clinical implications for the treatment of other cancers that develop in the skeleton."

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Dr McDonald was invited to speak at a prestigious conference earlier this month, in Brisbane, where she presented these findings to an international audience of bone biology experts. The conference was the inaugural combined meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS), the International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies (IFMRS), and the Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research (JSBMR). Dr McDonald was also awarded an Outstanding Abstract Award at the conference for this work.
Could cellulosic biofuels - or liquid energy derived from grasses and wood - become a green fuel of the future, providing an environmentally sustainable way of meeting energy needs? In Science, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center say yes, but with a few important caveats.

"The climate benefit of cellulosic biofuels is actually much greater than was originally thought," said Phil Robertson, University Distinguished Professor of Ecosystem Science at Michigan State University and lead author on the study. "But that benefit depends crucially on several different factors, all of which we need to understand to get right."

Although not yet a market force, cellulosic biofuels are routinely factored into future climate mitigation scenarios because of their potential to both displace petroleum use and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Those benefits, however, are complicated by the need for vast amounts of land to produce cellulosic biofuels on a large scale.

"The sustainability question is largely about the impact of using millions of acres of U.S. land to grow biofuel crops," Robertson said. "Can we do that without threatening global food security, diminishing biodiversity, or reducing groundwater supplies? How much more fertilizer would we use? What are the tradeoffs for real climate benefit, and are there synergies we can promote?"

Drawing from ten years of empirical research, Robertson and GLBRC colleagues from MSU, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Maryland identify several emerging principles for managing the complex environmental tradeoffs of cellulosic biofuel.

First, the researchers show how growing native perennial species on marginal lands -land not used for food production because of low fertility or other reasons - avoids competition with food security, and provides the greatest potential for climate mitigation and biodiversity benefits.

Second, crop choice is key. Native perennial species offer superior environmental outcomes to annual crops, but no single crop appears to be ideal for all locations. In fact, in some cases mixed species crops provide superior benefits. Third, nitrogen fertilizer use should be avoided or minimized because of its global warming and other environmental impacts.

According to the researchers, these principles (as well as four more outlined in the paper) are enough to begin guiding sound policy decisions for producing sustainable biofuels. Looking forward, however, the team calls for more research on designing landscapes to provide the optimal suite of energy, climate and environmental benefits. They say that understanding how best to integrate benefits and tradeoffs will be key to the future success of cellulosic biofuels.

"With biofuels, the stakes are high," Robertson said. "But the returns are also high, and if we take key principles into account we can begin shaping the policies and practices that could help make cellulosic biofuels a triple win for the economy, the climate and for environmental sustainability in general."

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Additional GLBRC scientists contributing to this paper include Bradford Barham, Bruce Dale, Stephen Hamilton, Cesar Izaurralde, Randall Jackson, Douglas Landis, Scott Swinton, Kurt Thelen and James Tiedje.
Cancer scientists overestimate the extent to which high-profile preclinical studies can be successfully replicated, new research from McGill University suggests.

Thes findings, published in PLOS Biology by Jonathan Kimmelman and colleagues from McGill, are based on a survey in which both experts and novices were asked to predict whether mouse experiments in six prominent preclinical cancer studies conducted by the Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology (RP:CB) would reproduce the effects observed in original studies.

On average, the researchers forecasted a 75% probability of replicating statistical significance, and a 50% probability of reproducing the same size effect as in the original study. Yet according to these criteria, none of the six studies already completed by the Reproducibility Project showed the same results previously reported.

One possible explanation for the optimism is that cancer scientists overestimate the replicability of major reports in their field. Another is that they underestimate the logistical and methodological complexity of independent laboratories repeating these techniques.

Reproducibility crisis

The work follows on numerous reports exploring biomedicine's so-called reproducibility crisis. In the last 10 or 15 years, there have been mounting concerns that some of the techniques and practices used in biomedical research lead to inaccurate assessments of a drug's clinical promise.

Given that not all studies reproduce, Kimmelman and his team wondered if cancer experts could at least sniff out which studies would not easily replicate. The finding that cancer researchers' ability to do so "was really limited" suggests that there may be inefficiencies in the process by which science "self-corrects."

There is however strong community concern that, due to process-related issues and potential methodological differences, the replication studies themselves may not be an entirely reliable measure of replication outcome. Kimmelman emphasizes that the findings don't indicate that scientists who participated in the study don't understand what's going on their field -- nor does it diminish the importance of funding research and making policy on the basis of scientific consensus. Some scientists were highly accurate in their predictions, and participants were new to forecasting, which is difficult.

Training could be part of the solution

The results do, however, raise the possibility that training might help many scientists overcome certain cognitive biases that affect their interpretation of scientific reports.

"If the research community believes a finding to be reliable, it might start building on that finding only to later discover the foundations are rotten. If scientists suspect a claim to be spurious, they are more likely to test that claim directly before building on it."

"This is the first study of its type, but it warrants further investigation to understand how scientists interpret major reports," Kimmelman says. "I think there is probably good reason to think that some of the problems we have in science are not because people are sloppy at the bench, but because there is room for improvement in the way they interpret findings."

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Columbus, Ohio (Jun 27, 2017) -- In 2017, 44.2 million Americans held student loan debt, totaling more than $1.4 trillion, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. With the cost of tuition rising at most higher education institutions and enrollment increasing, these numbers are expected to keep climbing.

To evaluate the wide-reaching effects student loan policy change could have on borrowers' lives, researchers from the Department of Economics at The Ohio State University ran thousands of situational simulations using the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

To reduce the weight of student loan debt on borrowers, Congress passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act in 2007. This major change in loan repayment plans can relieve debt for many Americans sooner than expected. This legislation created two programs: one that would forgive student loans after 10 years of service in the public sector, and another that would allow borrowers at a certain income to make reduced payments and, after 20 years, have the outstanding loan balance forgiven.

Working under the guidance of Lucia Dunn, Ph.D., professor of economics at Ohio State, Graduate Assistant Hongyu Chen used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to model individuals' education, career, borrowing, and spending decisions based on whether or not they were part of a loan forgiveness program. Chen wrote a program that ran simulations of over 151 parameters on a population of approximately 2,500 individuals between the ages of 18 to 65 during different periods of their lives.

"The estimation takes around 10 years if I'm running just one single computer," Chen said. "That's why I have to use the cluster of computers, like the supercomputer, that use multiple cores at the same time, so that saves me a lot of time."

Still, the model took Chen around six months to complete on OSC's Oakley Cluster using a program he wrote specifically for this project.

Chen found that the population affected by the change in student loan repayment plans increased the average total years of postsecondary education by 9 percent. Individuals were also more likely to take on more debt, holding 12 percent more before age 30 under the new plan, when knowing their loans would be forgiven. Chen said this data could be useful in informing federal government policies.

"(Student loans) are very expensive for the government. So, this directly provides the evidence (for determining) the best policies for the government to improve college enrollment or social welfare," Chen said. "It has very important direct policy implications."

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Laws that require increasingly older kids to sit in car safety seats appear to have limited impact, new research has found.

The same parents who already were buckling up kids appear most likely to switch to safety seats, leaving the same number of kids unrestrained, found a study published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.

"These laws can be very appealing for legislators to pass, but our research calls into question their value," said Lauren Jones, lead researcher and assistant professor of consumer sciences at The Ohio State University.

"Our study suggests that safety-conscious parents are likely to do what makes their child the safest but these laws don't have much effect on other parents."

Furthermore, higher fines (which reached as much as $500 as of 2016) didn't appear to make much difference in raising the likelihood parents and other drivers complied with the laws, the study found.

In the last four decades, laws throughout the United States have steadily increased mandatory safety seat restraint ages. In the 1980s and 1990s, safety seat laws were the norm for kids up to age 2 or -- at most -- 3. By 2012, the average upper age requirement was 6 years old.

About 17 percent of children 7 years old and younger were in car safety seats before new laws expanded age requirements. That percentage jumped from 27 percent to almost half after stricter laws took effect, the researchers found.

But the percentage of unrestrained children - those with neither a seatbelt on nor strapped into a car seat - barely moved.

The new study found evidence that the laws saved lives, but that data was limited, Jones said. A best-case estimate showed that between one and 39 children may have survived annually because of safety seats.

"I think the laws have probably reduced fatalities, but probably not as much as most parents would assume," Jones said. "Thank goodness childhood car crash deaths are something that happens relatively infrequently, but that also makes it harder to evaluate."

Importantly, this study did not examine injuries or severity of injuries before and after passage of stricter laws. It's possible that children's injuries have declined because of more widespread use of safety seats, Jones said.

Jones and Nicolas Ziebarth of Cornell University used a national database of fatal crashes from 1975 to 2011 to examine "before" and "after" restraint use and fatalities.

To improve the quality of their evaluation, they analyzed law-mandated child safety seat use against use in three other groups: children in different states in the same year, children in the same state in different years and older children in the same state during the same year.

Regardless of the analysis, there was no evidence that safety seat laws significantly changed the percentage of children who go unrestrained, prompting Jones to conclude that resources might be better spent elsewhere.

The research estimates the net annual cost of the safety seat laws at $377 million. The researchers factored in 39 saved lives at an estimated value of $390 million per year and a cost of $200 per safety seat, or $767 million a year. Their rough estimate does not include other potential safety benefits, including reduced injury rates.

"It's not a costless piece of legislation, especially for low-income families," Jones said. "Education, particularly of young parents, and resources to help them afford seats could be more impactful policy tools."

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CONTACT: Lauren Jones, 614-688-1374; Jones.2846@osu.edu
Within host cells, partner viruses may exchange genetic material and evolve together over time

Defective viruses incorporated into grass genomes may adapt to form partnerships with other genome-incorporated viruses in order to complete their life cycle, according to a new PLOS Pathogens study. The findings suggest that partner viruses evolve in concert, enabling them to maintain their relationship over time.

The genomes of animals, plants, and fungi contain stretches of DNA that originated in viruses, integrated into ancient host genomes after infection, and were passed down to host offspring. These viral "fossils" provide an opportunity to study interactions between viruses within host cells on an evolutionary scale.

To better understand viral interactions, Sunlu Chen and colleagues at Hokkaido University, Japan, focused on viral fossils passed down from ancient grasses in the Poaceae grass family. Specifically, they were interested in fossils of viruses known as pararetroviruses (PRVs), which don't integrate into host DNA as part of their normal life cycle, but may incidentally leave viral "fossil" in host genomes while retaining the ability to complete their life cycle."

The researchers sequenced and analyzed PRV fossils integrated into modern grass genomes and identified several different PRV species, three of which were found to be defective. These defective species lacked DNA that codes for proteins needed by PRVs to co-opt host cellular machinery and make new copies of the virus, completing the viral life cycle.

To investigate how defective PRVs might still be able to complete their life cycle, the scientists analyzed genetic relationships between the fossil PRV sequences. They found that one defective PRV species may have evolved to form a commensal relationship with a non-defective species, allowing it to use the non-defective protein machinery to complete its life cycle.

Evidence suggests that the other two defective PRVs may have developed a mutualistic partnership, with each species providing complementary protein machinery lacked by the other species.

The research team found that the two species in each partnership have frequently exchanged DNA stretches called noncoding regulatory sequences (NRSs) with each other over time. This concerted evolution has resulted in the partnered species sharing highly similar NRSs, and it appears to have enabled development and maintenance of the partnerships over time.

"Virus fossils in grass genomes revealed that defective pararetrovirus species were prosperous due to compensations of functional deficiencies by partnerships with intact viruses, or with complementary defective viruses."

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In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS Pathogens: http://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1006413

Citation: Chen S, Zheng H, Kishima Y (2017) Genomic fossils reveal adaptation of non-autonomous pararetroviruses driven by concerted evolution of noncoding regulatory sequences. PLoS Pathog 13(6): e1006413. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006413

Funding: SC was supported by a fellowship from the China Scholarship Council and a doctoral student research grant from the Clark Memorial Foundation, Hokkaido University. YK received financial support from the Sekisui Chemical Grant Program (Tokyo, Japan). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
HOUSTON - (June 29, 2017) - State spending cuts during economic downturns fall more heavily on children than the elderly, according to new research by experts at Rice University. Their findings are published in the National Tax Journal and analyze implications for policymakers.

"The Most Unkindest Cut of All? State Spending on Health, Education and Welfare During Recessions" was co-authored by Richard Boylan, professor of economics, and Vivian Ho, the chair in health economics at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy and director of the institute's Center for Health and Biosciences.

"We became interested in studying the effects of economic downturns on public spending during the Great Recession of the late 2000s, when media outlets were filled with stories about states cutting optional Medicaid benefits, increasing school class sizes and reducing course offerings," said Ho, who is also a professor of economics at Rice and a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. "More broadly, there is growing political sentiment that government spending should be slashed in order to reduce waste in the system."

To conduct the study, the authors gathered data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Association of State Budget Officers, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Governors Association, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and several other sources from 1989 to 2012.

They measured the effects of state revenue swings (positive and negative) on multiple categories of state spending. Revenue swings are year-to-year changes in state revenue (primarily tax revenue), minus legislated changes in taxes and fees.

The authors were particularly interested in education and health care, because education comprises 33.3 percent of state expenditures and Medicaid accounts for 17.2 percent.

State spending can be particularly vulnerable during recessions, because states have balanced-budget rules, which prevent them from running temporary deficits during downturns to compensate for revenue shortfalls.

The researchers' analysis indicates that on average, states suffered a $222 per capita negative revenue swing in 2009, which in the long term led to a $64 cut in Medicaid spending per child beneficiary, a 1 percent reduction in the fraction of elderly enrolled in Medicaid and an $82 per capita cut in long-run state education spending.

"The combined cuts to Medicaid and education measured in our study suggest that spending cuts during economic downturns fall more heavily on children than the elderly," Boylan said. "The Medicaid cuts are sobering, given that other economists have found that Medicaid coverage is effective in reducing infant and child mortality."

In contrast, the authors found that states do not cut spending on capital, interest and transportation in response to negative revenue swings. The disproportionate cuts to education and Medicaid may be because these programs garner relatively less voter support in times of tight budgets, they said. Capital and transportation outlays are often viewed as infrastructure spending that are essential for growth. Moreover, states often specify spending amounts for capital and transportation projects that can't be cut when tax revenues fall.

"State policymakers may not realize that the spending cuts they make in response to economic downturns are falling disproportionately on children," Boylan said. "While they view spending on capital and transportation spending as important for economic growth, spending on education and health care for children may also be vital for a state's long-term economic prosperity. Critics of government spending who think that expenditure cuts help to reduce waste should recognize that state spending reductions during economic downturns are cutting programs that are highly beneficial."

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For more information, to receive a copy of the study or to schedule an interview with Boylan or Ho, contact Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

Related materials:

Study: http://www.ntanet.org/NTJ/70/2/ntj-v70n02p329-366-state-spending-health-education-welfare.html.

Boylan bio: https://economics.rice.edu/faculty/richard-boylan.

Ho bio: http://www.bakerinstitute.org/experts/vivian-ho.

Follow the Baker Institute via Twitter @BakerInstitute.

Follow the Center for Health and Biosciences via Twitter @BakerCHB.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Founded in 1993, Rice University's Baker Institute ranks among the top five university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute's strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes -- including a public policy course -- and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at http://www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute's blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.
Bumble bees create foraging routes by using their experience to select nectar-rich, high-rewarding flowers. A study by Shohei Tsujimoto and Hiroshi Ishii of the University of Toyama in Japan now suggests that bees actually forage more efficiently when flower sizes are large rather than small. This indicates that for these insect pollinators foraging quickly is more efficient than foraging accurately. The research is published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology and uses a laboratory-based experiment to investigate how aspects of associative learning influence how bumble bees find food among different-sized flowers.

The researchers examined the trade-off between speed and accuracy that occurs when bumble bees (Bombus ignites) are presented with new foraging areas. To do so, they introduced the insects to different-sized artificial flowers that were set out in a flight cage. The flowers had styrene foam centres which were embedded with nectar providers. These allowed for a sucrose solution to be automatically replenished. When an array of flowers which was two centimetres in diameter was used, the bees could not easily detect the next nearest flower. However, when large flowers (six centimetres in diameter) were presented, the bees could easily recognize the next available artificial bloom.

Previous studies focusing on spatial-reward associative learning in foraging animals have assumed that foraging efficiency increases as the forager learns the locations of greater rewards. Tsujimoto and Ishii found that when the flowers were small, the bees created foraging routes by selectively incorporating the locations of high-rewarding flowers with their experience. But when the flowers were large and, therefore, more easily detectable, the bees no longer needed to consider the location of high rewarding flowers and simply flew between flowers more quickly.

"The bumble bees created a foraging route without accounting for the location of high-rewarding flowers when they could find flowers easily, but incorporated the locations of high-rewarding flowers when they could not easily find the next nearest flowers," explains Tsujimoto. "These results, together with those of other studies, show that learning could be a choice that foragers apply according to the cost-benefit balance of learning, and this is dependent on the circumstances."

"A forager that creates a route without accounting for the location of high-rewarding flowers will therefore not always be a short-sighted loser," adds Ishii.

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Reference: Tsujimoto, S.G. & Ishii, H.S. (2017). Effect of flower perceptibility on spatial-reward associative learning by bumble bees, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology DOI 10.1007/s00265-017-2328-y
Cancer is one of leading causes of human mortality around the world. The current mainstream cancer treatment modalities (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) only show limited treatment outcomes, partly owing to the complexities and heterogeneity of tumor biology. In the recent several decades, with the rapid advance of nanotechnology, nanomedicine has attracted more and more attentions and been exploited as a promising candidate for personalized medicine to enable more efficient and reliable cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Unlike normal cells energized via the oxidative phosphorylation, tumor cells utilize the energy produced from the oxygen independent glycolysis for survival by adapting to insufficient tumor oxygen supply resulted from the heterogeneously distributed tumor vasculatures (also known as the Warburg effect). Via such oncogenic metabolism, tumor cells would produce a large amount of lactate along with excess protons and carbon dioxide, which collectively contribute to enhanced acidification of the extracellular TME with pH often in the range of 6.5-6.8, leading to increased tumor metastasis and treatment resistance.

To date, with the fast advance of nanotechnology, several different catalogs of nanomaterials including both organic polymers and inorganic nanomaterials with excellent tumor acidic pH responsive transition in their physicochemical properties (e.g. surface charge, sizes, etc.), acid-triggered cleavage of covalent bonds, as well as acid-triggered decomposition behaviors, have been widely explored for design of various different types of cancer-targeted nano-theranostics.

In a new overview published in the Beijing-based National Science Review, co-authors Liangzhu Feng, Ziliang Dong, Danlei Tao, Yicheng Zhang and Zhuang Liu at the Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University in Suzhou, China present the up-to-date progresses in the design of novel multifunctional nano-theranostics for precision cancer nanomedicine by targeting the unique acidic TME.

These scientists likewise outline the potential development directions of future acidic tumor microenvironments responsive nano-theranostics.

"Various types of pH-responsive nanoprobes have been developed to enable great signal amplification under slightly reduced pH within solid tumors. By taking the acidic TME as the target, smart imaging nanoprobes with excellent pH responsive signal amplification would be promising to enable more sensitive and accurate tumor diagnosis." they state in an article titled "The Acidic Tumor Microenvironment: A Target for Smart Cancer Nano-theranostics"

"As far as nano-therapeutics are concerned, it has been found that the acidic TME responsive surface charge reverse, PEG corona detachment and size shrinkage (or decomposition) of nanoparticles would facilitate the efficient tumor accumulation, intra-tumoral diffusion and tumor cellular uptake of therapeutics, leading to significantly improved cancer treatment. Therefore, the rational development of novel cancer targeted nano-theranostics with sequential patterns of size switch from large to small, and surface charge reverse from neutral or slightly negative to positive within the tumor, would be more preferred for efficient tumor-targeted drug delivery."

Apart from the illustration of those state-of-the-art fundamental researches, the scientists also indicated that "for the translation of those interesting smart pH-responsive nano-therapeutics from bench to bedside, the formulation of those nanoscale systems should be relatively simple, reliable and with great biocompatibility since many of those currently developed nano-theranostics were may be too complicated for clinical translation."

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This research received funding from the National Research Programs from Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, and the Priority Academic Program Development (PAPD) of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

See the article:

Liangzhu Feng, Ziliang Dong, Danlei Tao, Yicheng Zhang, Zhuang Liu

The Acidic Tumor Microenvironment: A Target for Smart Cancer Nano-theranostics

Natl Sci Rev, 2017, doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwx062

https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwx062

The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China. All articles are currently free to read.
Visitors to the tropics are amazed by the huge variety of colorful, complex and sometimes ferocious creatures living near the equator. Smithsonian scientists and colleagues in 24 countries studying more than 2 million trees observed a simple phenomenon that may explain why tropical forests are so much richer than are forests located nearer the poles. Their explanation, published in the June 30 issue of Science magazine, is a significant step toward answering a question that has been asked by natural historians for centuries: "Why is there so much biodiversity in tropical forests?"

"The 50 authors from 12 countries who contributed to this finding asked an enormously important question that has been on the minds of scientists since Darwin," said David J. Skorton, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. "Until now, there was no satisfying answer to the question of why there are so many species of trees in tropical forests. The Smithsonian Forest Global Earth Observatory network convened experts from around the world and provided the data to address this question at a global scale. The answer may be simply that voracious predators and pathogens specializing on particular tropical tree species thin them out, making them less vulnerable to more common enemies, resulting in forests with many more species than we have here."

At the 2016 ForestGEO workshop in Hainan, China, ecologists from long-term forest monitoring sites ranging from Gabon to Borneo addressed a question posed by Jonathan Myers, assistant professor, and Joe LaManna, postdoctoral research associate at Washington University, lead authors of the study published in Science.

"They analyzed data from 3,000 tree species and discovered that a phenomenon called Conspecific Negative Density Dependence, or CNDD, a process where population growth rates decline when individual species are at high local density, is much stronger in the tropics," said Stuart Davies, director of the Center for Tropical Forest Science-Forest Global Earth Observatory of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

"Many studies have observed that there are lots more rare species in tropical than in temperate forests," Davies said. "The finding that CNDD is stronger for rare species in the tropics is an important contribution to explaining this pattern."

When a lot of individuals of the same tree species grow in the same area, their numbers decline or increase more slowly than the numbers of rare species because they are both easier for pathogens and predators to find and because they may compete with each other for space and resources.

If it is less likely that tree seedlings will grow near other individuals of the same species in the tropics than in temperate forests, there should be more space for other species to grow in the same areas. Knowing that this phenomenon, CNDD, is stronger in the tropics helps to explain why there are more species in the tropical forests than in temperate forests.

Researchers are not yet sure why this is true. Perhaps the diseases that affect tropical trees and their seedlings are more contagious or severe than seeding and tree diseases in temperate regions.

"The Smithsonian's ForestGEO network is an international group of scientists and research sites that grew out of a project to understand tropical biodiversity in Panama nearly 40 years ago," said Matthew C. Larsen, director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. "It is wonderful to see how this network has grown. We facilitate research and build scientific capacity through training, grants and partnerships with universities and research organizations in 25 countries around the world and welcome new ideas that can be tested at this scale."

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LaManna, J.A., Mangan, et al. 2017. Plant diversity increases with the strength of negative density dependence at the global scale. Science.
Adding milkweeds and other native flowering plants into midwestern agricultural lands is key to restoring monarch butterflies, with milkweed sowers from all sectors of society being critically needed for success.

In a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Arizona and partners, scientists developed potential scenarios for incorporating milkweed into the midwestern United States landscape. They found converting marginal cropland to monarch-friendly habitat provides the best opportunity for adding milkweed to help restore the eastern migratory monarch population. However, in addition to agricultural lands, the authors emphasized that planting milkweeds into other kinds of lands, including protected areas and urban and suburban locations, may be necessary.

With quintessential bright orange and black markings punctuated by white dots, monarch butterflies are an iconic species. North American migratory monarch populations east of the Rocky Mountains declined by more than 80 percent over the last two decades, due, in part, to the loss of millions of milkweed stems in the northern U.S.

Milkweed is the only plant that provides breeding habitat and food for monarch young, but because adult monarchs feed on the nectar from a range of flowering plants, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends planting both milkweeds and nectar plants that are native to specific areas. In addition to breeding habitat loss, factors contributing to monarch declines include adverse weather conditions in recent years, loss of overwintering habitat, disease and exposure to contaminants.

"The main finding of our study is that an all-hands on deck approach could be essential to restoring the massive amounts of milkweeds needed to make the monarch population healthy again," said Wayne Thogmartin, a USGS scientist and the lead author of the report. "These findings offer great hope for citizens from all sectors working together to reverse the substantial decline of these iconic butterflies."

A recent USGS-led reports found that more than 1.6 billion additional milkweed stems may be needed in North America to return eastern migratory monarchs to a sustainable population size. To determine where these additional milkweed plants would be most effective, researchers for the new study evaluated five land-cover sectors for their current and potential future ability to support milkweed: protected lands, Conservation Reserve Program lands, and transportation rights-of-way land, agricultural lands and urban/suburban areas.

Thogmartin said that converting at least half of marginal agricultural land in the Midwest to monarch-friendly habitat could result in a full population recovery. However, he said, an approach that doesn't just rely on agricultural lands would be more robust. The research demonstrated that the non-agricultural sectors combined could provide as much as 800 million stems of milkweed, leaving agricultural lands to provide the other 800 million stems.

"Encouraging urban and suburban areas to participate along with the agricultural sector could create a crucial spark of public support and momentum for monarch conservation across the board," said said Laura Lopez-Hoffman, a conservation biologist at the University of Arizona who co-authored the study.

The eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies, which spends the winter in Mexico but migrates to the eastern U.S. and Canada to reproduce during warmer months, is at risk of extinction unless its numbers increase significantly. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a petition to list monarchs under the Endangered Species Act.

Because counting individual monarchs is challenging, scientists measure population size based on the geographic area that their colonies cover while spending the winter in Mexico. The population size of Eastern monarchs was 2.91 hectares, or 7.19 acres, in the winter of 2016-2017, which is a decrease from about four hectares during the 2015-2016 season. The U.S., Mexico and Canada aim to increase the number of Eastern monarchs wintering in Mexico so that they occupy about six hectares, or about 15 acres, by 2020.

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For more information about monarch butterfly research, please visit the USGS Monarch Conservation Science Partnership website, the Monarch Joint Venture website or the FWS monarch website.

The study, "Restoring monarch butterfly habitat in the Midwestern U.S.: all hands on deck," was published in Environmental Research Letters, and is authored by Wayne Thogmartin, USGS; Laura Lopez-Hoffman, University of Arizona; Jason Rohweder, and Jay Diffendorfer, USGS; and Ryan Drum, USFWS, and others.

The USGS provides science for a changing world. Visit USGS.gov, and follow us on Twitter @USGS and our other social media channels.

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Understanding how live pigs are traded between villages and backyard farmers can help health agencies better understand how devastating swine diseases spread, according to a study published recently in the journal PLOS ONE.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis' Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance and the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization examined patterns of live-pig trade in the republic of Georgia. The country was the first in Europe to be affected by African swine fever in 2007, and from there the disease spread to the Caucasus region, Russian Federation and Eastern Europe, where it is still actively spreading today.

African swine fever has a mortality rate of over 90 percent in pigs, often killing within seven to 14 days. Endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, the virus is re-emerging in new areas and is a major threat to pork production worldwide, both through direct losses and the effects of culling, trade sanctions and export restrictions imposed by countries to stop its spread. There is currently no treatment or vaccine for the disease.

Studying Pig Trade to Understand How Virus Spreads

Esther Kukielka, graduate student at CADMS, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and first author of the study said that mathematical modeling and social-network analysis could shed light on how the virus might move through pig populations in Georgia and other countries where backyard pigs are predominant. These farmers typically raise a few animals for their own consumption and the economic impact for them is huge.

"We're still investigating how African swine fever is moving in these regions, but pig trade and pig markets, in combination with wild boar movements, seem to play an important role," said Kukielka.

"The disease is likely also spreading through the trade of contaminated pork products and the use of uncooked pork leftovers to feed pigs," she said. "Results of our study can help to identify high-risk villages where target education and outreach activities should be conducted, mainly for pig producers and middlemen. We hope it will also help to inform the design of more cost-effective surveillance, prevention and control programs."

Kukielka said that preventive and control measures could include improving management, biosecurity and husbandry practices, conducting community workshops, providing better access to veterinarians, or encouraging governments to mitigate farmers' losses by compensation or replacement of the dead or slaughtered pigs.

Kukielka began working on African swine fever in Uganda before coming to UC Davis. In Africa, the virus often spreads among domestic pigs mainly through trade of infected animals or the use of contaminated leftovers to feed pigs. Pig-to-pig transmission occurs mainly by contact with contaminated blood, although the virus can also spread through urine or feces from infected pigs. The virus also can be spread from wild warthogs to domestic pigs by ticks.

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Funding for the study was provided by FAO, CADMS and the Loreto Godoy Memorial Fellowship at UC Davis.
A summer hike at 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) is challenging given the lack of oxygen, frigid temperatures, and exposure to elements. Now imagine living year-round at high elevation without your high-tech gear or modern foods.

Scientists debate whether early human populations could have done so, but a new UC Davis study confirms that intrepid hunter-gatherers -- women, men, and children -- called the Andean highlands home over 7,000 years ago.

The team of archaeologists and geochemists marshaled five lines of scientific evidence to arrive at this conclusion. Perhaps most striking, the isotope chemistry of ancient human bone reveals a distinct signature of permanent high-elevation occupation.

The paper, published this week in June in the Royal Society Journal, Open Science, is co-authored by Randall Haas, a University of California, Davis, assistant professor. The study is available at http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/4/6/170331

"High-elevation environments are challenging for human survival, which is why the Andean and Tibetan highlands were among the last places on the planet settled by humans," Haas explained. Also challenging is figuring out precisely how and when that happened. We were surprised when all five of our tests pointed to the same basic conclusion. Archaeological data rarely behave so well."

Researchers looked at 539 artifacts and the bones from 16 individual men, women and children to determine that the Soro Mik' aya Patjxa hunter-gatherers occupied the highlands of Peru on a permanent basis. The study showed that the path between the site and lowlands would have entailed more than 80 hours of foot travel across over 150 miles of rugged mountain terrain. The authors argue that such a journey is highly unlikely for short-term trips with children and elders.

"It seems clear that this population of hunter-gatherers solved the problems of high-elevation living more than 7,000 years ago," Haas said. "The next steps are to reliably determine how much earlier and how they did it."

The region they occupied is known for the domestication of alpaca, the crops of potatoes and quinoa and rapid genetic evolution in relation to high elevation stressors, according to the report.

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The research received financial support from the National Science Foundation, the American Philosophical Society, the University of Arizona and the Stable Isotope Facility at the University of Wyoming.
FINDINGS

Researchers have identified gut microbiota that interact with brain regions associated with mood and behavior. This may be the first time that behavioral and neurobiological differences associated with microbial composition in healthy humans have been identified. BACKGROUND

Brain-gut-microbiota interactions may play an important role in human health and behavior. Previous research suggests that microbiota, a community of microorganisms in the gut, can influence behavior and emotion. Rodent models have demonstrated the effects of gut microbiota on emotional and social behaviors, such as anxiety and depression. There is, however, little evidence of this in humans.

For this study the researchers sought to identify brain and behavioral characteristics of healthy women clustered by gut microbiota profiles. METHOD

Forty women supplied fecal samples for profiling, and magnetic resonance images were taken of their brains as they viewed images of individuals, activities or things that evoked emotional responses. The women were divided by their gut bacteria composition into two groups: 33 had more of a bacterium called Bacteroides; the remaining seven had more of the Prevotella bacteria. The Bacteroides group showed greater thickness of the gray matter in the frontal cortex and insula, brain regions involved with complex processing of information. They also had larger volumes of the hippocampus, a region involved in memory processing. The Prevotella group, by contrast, showed more connections between emotional, attentional and sensory brain regions and lower brain volumes in several regions, such as the hippocampus. This group's hippocampus was less active while the women were viewing negative images. They also rated higher levels of negative feelings such as anxiety, distress and irritability after looking at photos with negative images than did the Bacteroides group. IMPACT

These results support the concept of brain-gut-microbiota interactions in healthy humans. Researchers do not yet know whether bacteria in the gut influence the development of the brain and its activity when unpleasant emotional content is encountered, or if existing differences in the brain influence the type of bacteria that reside in the gut. Both possibilities, however, could lead to important changes in how one thinks about human emotions.

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AUTHORS

The authors of the study are Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, Dr. Emeran Mayer, Arpana Gupta, Zafar Gill and Jennifer Labus of UCLA; Remi Brazeilles, Boris Le Neve and Muriel Derrien of Danone Research in France; Johan E.T. van Hylckama Vlieg of Microbiome and Human Health Innovation in Denmark; and Denis Guyonnet of Symrise Group in France. Tillisch is also associated with the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. JOURNAL

This study was published by the peer-reviewed journal Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Behavioral Medicine. FUNDING

This research was supported by grants from Danone Research and from the National Institutes of Health, including R01 DK048351, P50 DK64539, P30 DK041301 and R01 HD076756. In addition, pilot funds were provided for brain scanning by the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center. DISCLOSURE

Tillisch received funding from Danone Research. Mayer is on the advisory boards for yogurt product company Dannon and its parent company Danone. Derrien, Le Neve, Guyonnet and Brazeilles are or were employed by Danone Research at the time of the study. The remaining authors disclose no conflicts.
A molecular test can pinpoint which patients will have a very low risk of death from breast cancer even 20 years after diagnosis and tumor removal, according to a new clinical study led by UC San Francisco in collaboration with colleagues in Sweden. As a result, "ultralow" risk patients could be treated less aggressively and overtreatment avoided, leading to fewer toxic effects.

"This is an important step forward for personalizing care for women with breast cancer," said lead author Laura J. Esserman, MD, MBA, a breast cancer specialist and surgeon with UC Health. "We can now test small node-negative breast cancers, and if they are in the ultralow risk category, we can tell women that they are highly unlikely to die of their cancers and do not need aggressive treatment, including radiation after lumpectomy.

"Oncologist have discussed the existence of ultralow risk tumors and expressed concern that they might be exacerbated by screening. But, Esserman said, this is the first evidence that it is possible to run a diagnostic test at the time of diagnosis and identify them. The study appears June 29, 2017 in JAMA Oncology.

"This is an exciting advance because approximately 20-25 percent of tumors diagnosed today may be ultralow risk," said Esserman, a UCSF professor and director of the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center who also co-leads the breast oncology program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC).

The medical community for many years has focused on identifying cancer early so that it can be cured or more easily treated. While this can benefit some patients, screening also can detect cancers that are extremely low risk and not life-threatening, which could lead to patients being overtreated. The issue is compounded because breast cancer can recur many years after diagnosis - for low-grade tumors, the majority of the risk occurs after five years. Until now, tools that could reliably identify ultralow risk tumors at the time of diagnosis have not been available because physicians lacked the assurance that late recurrence could truly be avoided.

In the new study, researchers sought to determine whether a 70-gene test could accurately and reliably identify tumors with indolent, or slow-growing, behavior to assess the risk of cancer recurrence up to 20 years after diagnosis. The same test had shown last year that nearly half of early-stage breast cancer patients, who met traditional criteria for high risk, could safely skip chemotherapy based on the biological makeup of their tumors.

The authors disclosed that the test, called MammaPrint, was devised by UCSF cancer researcher Laura van 't Veer, a co-author on the new study. Produced by Agendia, a company co-founded by van 't Veer, MammaPrint tests for a 70-gene signature that can predict whether cancer will recur in early-stage breast cancer patients. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007.

In the new analysis, the investigators sought to assess breast cancer patients over 20 years, and to find cancers with no- or almost no-risk for metastatic progression. As such, they collaborated with the Stockholm breast cancer study group (STO), to evaluate patients who have been tracked for decades and were part of a randomized clinical trial of tamoxifen vs no systemic therapy.

The STO-3 low-risk trial included 1,780 lymph-node-negative patients with tumors less than or equal to 3 centimeters in diameter, randomized to two years of adjuvant tamoxifen (40 mg. daily) versus no adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant therapy is a treatment provided after the initial surgery or treatment, with the intent to suppress recurrent tumor formation.

All the women had their tumors surgically removed. The researchers used these tissues to profile a total of 652 women, of whom 311 had received tamoxifen, and 339 had not received adjuvant systemic therapy. The majority of the women (79 percent) had received mastectomies and lymph node removal -- the data did not include cases with less aggressive local therapy. All women had tumors detected in the era prior to the use of screening mammography, so none were detected via mammograph.

The multigene test classified 42 percent of the patients as high-risk, and 58 percent as low-risk. The investigators found that low-risk patients had a 95 percent survival rate at 5 years, but many later died from their disease.

The test classified 15 percent (98) of the cases as ultralow risk, showing that such tumors are an inherent part of the spectrum of breast cancers, even in the era before screening. Not all low-risk tumors were ultralow risk - in fact, only a quarter met the molecular definition. The women with ultralow risk tumors had an excellent prognosis, whether or not they used tamoxifen for two years, said the authors.

"This emphasizes the role that early detection can play, and how we can improve the impact of screening by focusing on those most likely to benefit," said Esserman.

The results suggest that the 70-gene test can be used to help physicians and patients determine their treatment course, and to inform choice of systemic therapy as well as local therapy. In an unscreened population, 15 percent of women will have ultralow risk tumors, said the authors. With widespread screening, approximately 25 percent of postmenopausal women could have ultralow risk breast cancer that would rarely be associated with recurrence or death, they wrote. For ultralow risk elderly women over age 75 who have other conditions and face a life expectancy of less than a decade, simple excision may be sufficient, they said.

"There are breast cancers that pose little or no systemic risk," said Esserman. "Women who have a tumor that is classified as ultralow risk by 70-gene signature can be reassured that their long-term outcome is expected to be excellent, with or without endocrine therapy. Having a test that accurately identifies a population of women, who have very little risk to begin with, should be welcomed by patients and clinicians alike. These tools will enable doctors to better personalize therapy to safely minimize treatment and reassure women if a cancer is ultralow risk."

Agendia performed the analysis of the tumor samples used in the trial at no charge. Van 't Veer is one of the inventors of the MammaPrint70-gene risk signature, which is licensed to Agendia NV. A co-founder, part-time employee, member of the management board, and stockholder in Agendia NV, she has previously disclosed that she has received "personal fees and other support from Agendia NV outside the submitted work." The Netherlands Cancer Institute holds a patent related to MammaPrint; UCSF has no financial interest in the MammaPrint patent.

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UCSF co-authors are Christina Yau, PhD, Carlie K. Thompson, MD, and Laura J. van 't Veer, PhD, co-leader of the breast oncology program at the UCSF HDFCCC. Senior author Linda S. Lindstrom, PhD, of the Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital in Stockholm, worked closely with the UCSF team. STO investigators included Nicholas P. Tobin, PhD, and Tommy Fornander, MD, PhD, of the Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital in Stockholm; and Bo Nordenskjold, MD, PhD, and Olle Stal, PhD, of Linkoping University in Linkoping, Sweden. Christopher C. Benz, MD, director of the Cancer and Developmental Therapeutics Program at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, was involved in the original design of the study. Other co-authors are Alexander D. Borowsky, MD, of the Center for Comparative Medicine at UC Davis; and Katherine A. Hoadley, PhD, of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Rick Baehner, MD, in the UCSF Department of Pathology, helped lead the pathology review.

The research was initiated by the California Breast Cancer Research Program award no. 180B-0065 and continued with support from UO1CA187945 and U01CA196404; the Swedish Research Council grant no. 521-2014-2057 and no. 2014-1962; and the Gosta Miltons Donation Fund. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation also supported the work.

About UCSF: UC San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It includes top-ranked graduate schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy; a graduate division with nationally renowned programs in basic, biomedical, translational and population sciences; and a preeminent biomedical research enterprise. It also includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals, UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Franciscoand Oakland, and other partner and affiliated hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the Bay Area. Please visit http://www.ucsf.edu/news.
Irvine, Calif. - The world's open grasslands and the beneficial fires that sustain them have shrunk rapidly over the past two decades, thanks to a massive increase in agriculture, according to a new study led by University of California, Irvine and NASA researchers published today in Science.

Analyzing 1998 to 2015 data from NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, the international team found that the total area of Earth's surface torched by flames had fallen by nearly 25 percent, or 452,000 square miles (1.2 million square kilometers). Decreases were greatest in Central America and South America, across the Eurasian steppe and in northern Africa, home to fast-disappearing lions, rhinoceroses and other iconic species that live on these fire-forged savannas.

"A billion and a half more people have been added to the planet over the past 20 years, livestock has doubled in many places, and wide-open areas once kept open by fire are now being farmed," said James Randerson, Chancellor's Professor of Earth system science at UCI. "Our fire data are a sensitive indicator of the intense pressure humans are placing on these important ecosystems."

Modelers had forecast that as global temperatures rose, fire risk would soar. But the researchers learned that widely used prediction tools didn't account for surging population growth or the conversion of grasslands and subsistence farming to industrial agriculture in some of the world's poorest regions.

Fire has been an important factor for millennia in the maintenance of healthy grasslands, which support many large mammals. Without occasional blazes, trees and shrubs encroach on this habitat, which covers about a fifth of the planet's terrain. The researchers discovered a profound transformation over the past two decades.

"Satellite images revealed clear relationships among the rapid disappearance of fires from grassland ecosystems across the world, human activity and changes in plant cover," said lead author Niels Andela, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and UCI.

Sharp increases in the number of livestock, the expansion of croplands, and new buildings and roads have fragmented the savannas and reduced highly flammable dried grasses. The expanses have become prized assets for private landowners who want to prevent brush fires. Unlike international efforts to combat tropical deforestation, there's been less focus on protecting these vast semiarid stretches.

"Humans are interrupting the ancient, natural cycle of burning and recovery in these areas," Randerson said.

Losing a fourth of the planet's fires has benefits, increasing storage of dangerous carbon emissions and reducing lung-damaging smoke. But the drop-off in smoke in the atmosphere also allows more sunlight to reach the Earth's surface, causing more global warming.

The change is not uniform. Consistent with previous reports, more wildfires have occurred in the western U.S. and across North American boreal forests, where climate change is lengthening the fire season and drying out flammable vegetation faster.

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Researchers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Maryland, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Duke University, Columbia University, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Oregon State University, the Senckenberg Biodiversity & Climate Research Centre, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Imperial College London, Environment Canada's Climate Research Division and the Universite Paris-Saclay also participated in this study, which was funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, NASA, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, the National Science Foundation of China and the European Space Agency.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit http://www.uci.edu.

Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UCI faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UCI news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists.
Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin took an important step toward safer gene-editing cures for life-threatening disorders, from cancer to HIV to Huntington's disease, by developing a technique that can spot editing mistakes a popular tool known as CRISPR makes to an individual's genome. The research appears today in the journal Cell.

Scientists already use the gene-editing tool called CRISPR to edit the genetic code of nearly any organism. CRISPR-based gene editing will have an enormous impact on human health. More than a dozen clinical trials employing CRISPR on human cells are reportedly already underway, but the approach is imperfect. In theory, gene-editing should work much like fixing a recurring typo in a document with an auto-correct feature, but CRISPR molecules -- proteins that find and edit genes -- sometimes target the wrong genes, acting more like an auto-correct feature that turns correctly spelled words into typos. Editing the wrong gene could create new problems, such as causing healthy cells to become cancerous.

The UT Austin team developed a way to rapidly test a CRISPR molecule across a person's entire genome to foresee other DNA segments it might interact with besides its target. This new method, they say, represents a significant step toward helping doctors tailor gene therapies to individual patients, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

"You and I differ in about 1 million spots in our genetic code," says Ilya Finkelstein, an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at UT Austin and the project's principal investigator. "Because of this genetic diversity, human gene editing will always be a custom-tailored therapy."

The researchers took a DIY approach to developing the equipment and software for their technique, using existing laboratory technology to develop CHAMP, or Chip Hybridized Affinity Mapping Platform. The heart of the test is a standard next generation genome sequencing chip already widely used in research and medicine. Two other key elements -- designs for a 3-D printed mount that holds the chip under a microscope and software the team developed for analyzing the results -- are open source. As a result, other researchers can easily replicate the technique in experiments involving CRISPR.

"If we're going to use CRISPR to improve peoples' health, we need to make sure we minimize collateral damage, and this work shows a way to do that," says Stephen Jones, a postdoctoral researcher at UT Austin and one of three co-lead authors of the paper.

Andy Ellington, a professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and vice president for research of the Applied Research Laboratories at UT Austin, is a co-author of the paper. He says this method also illustrates the unpredictable side benefits of new technologies.

"Next generation genome sequencing was invented to read genomes, but here we've turned the technology on its head to allow us to characterize how CRISPR interacts with genomes," says Ellington. "Inventive folks like Ilya take new technologies and extend them into new realms."

This work can also help researchers predict which DNA segments a certain CRISPR molecule will interact with even before testing it on an actual genome. That's because they're uncovering the underlying rules that CRISPR molecules use to choose their targets. For example, they found that the CRISPR molecule they tested, called Cascade, pays less attention to every third letter in a DNA sequence than to the others.

"So if it were looking for the word 'shirt' and instead found the word 'short,' it might be fine with that," says Jones.

That sounds counterintuitive, but can be really useful. CRISPR originated from a natural defense in bacteria used to guard against invading viruses that evolve rapidly. A good defense sees through slight changes in the viral genetic code.

Knowing these rules will lead to better computer models for predicting which DNA segments a specific CRISPR molecule is likely to interact with. And that can save time and money in developing personalized gene therapies.

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The paper's co-lead authors are Cheulhee Jung, John Hawkins and Stephen Jones at UT Austin. Other authors are James Rybarski, Kaylee Dillard, Jeffrey Hussmann, Fatema Saifuddin and William Press at UT Austin; Yibei Xiao and Ailong Ke at Cornell University; and Cagri Savran at Purdue University.

This work was supported by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the Welch Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the John Templeton Foundation.
HawkWatch International and the University of Utah are partnering on two studies in the Horn of Africa: a new effort studying raptor migration over the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in Djibouti, and a continuation of vulture extinction studies based in Ethiopia.

Evan Buechley, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Utah, will manage the two projects in conjunction with HawkWatch International scientists and University of Utah Biology Professor Cagan Sekercioglu.

"Vultures are the world's most threatened group of birds and yet they provide critical ecological functions and benefit humans by consuming carrion and reducing disease," said Buechley. "There is growing evidence around the world that when vultures decline, populations of disease vectors like feral dogs, rats, and flies increase, leading to more human disease burden, particularly in developing countries. Ethiopia has the most diverse and abundant vulture community in the world--with seven species, all of which are threatened with extinction--and is a critically important location to target conservation actions and study how vulture declines impact ecosystems and human health."

Buechley is surveying vultures throughout Ethiopia to estimate populations and distributions, track movements and key foraging and breeding sites, and to evaluate the human repercussions of vulture declines. More information can be found at http://www.hawkwatch.org/vultures.

One of the critical sites to target conservation for vultures and other soaring birds is the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which is located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. An estimated 1.5 million diurnal raptors of at least 31 species, including eight species at risk of extinction, migrate each year between Eurasia and Africa. The geographic bottleneck is considered one of the largest, if not the largest, concentration of migrating birds in the world. However, very limited and no full-season data exist for this site to fully illustrate the ecological importance of the area.

In order to better understand the diversity and magnitude of bird migrations over the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in Africa, the group will conduct the first full-season bird migration count this fall (2017).

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HawkWatch International coordinates the largest raptor migration network in North America and helped launch the Veracruz, Mexico River of Raptors Project in 1991, which is now regarded as a world-renowned raptor monitoring, education, and conservation initiative. More information can be found at http://www.hawkwatch.org/migration.

"HawkWatch International has over 30 years of experience conducting raptor migration research and we are excited to be the first group to fully study the fall raptor flight at Bab-el-Mandeb and see how it compares to other major flyways around the globe," said Dave Oleyar, Ph.D., HawkWatch International Senior Scientist.

Publications on these projects are anticipated for 2018-2019.

About HawkWatch International

HawkWatch International (HWI) has been in operation for more than 30 years and was the first organization to start long-term raptor migration monitoring in western North America. The data collected through their various research projects helps guide raptor conservation plans. HWI conducts public outreach and school education programs with live birds that reach more than 40,000 people annually, and coordinate more than 50 volunteers who help participate in citizen science research and education programs. More information can be found on their website at http://www.hawkwatch.org.
DALLAS  June 29, 2017  Measuring a set of proteins in the blood may enable earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study from the Peter ODonnell Jr. Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

The research found that the levels of two proteins previously identified as potential markers for ASD could help scientists accurately diagnose the disorder in approximately 75 percent of the children studied. When the two proteins are measured together, the diagnostic accuracy increased to 82 percent.

The study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation is among several recent and ongoing efforts to improve early diagnosis of ASD by shifting focus to biological measurements instead of behavioral symptoms.

Progress in this area could lead to earlier intervention and help limit the effects of the disorder, said Dr. Dwight German, study senior author and Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern.

ASD is a very heterogeneous disorder, and if we can identify biomarkers for even a subgroup of ASD patients, then that would be extremely helpful not only for early diagnosis but also for the development of therapeutics, said Dr. German, whose latest research builds upon an ASD finding published last year in Scientific Reports.

ASD affects approximately 1 in 68 children in the U.S. The neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by social interaction and communication challenges, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.

Most cases are not diagnosed until about age 4, when communication and social disabilities become apparent. However, recent research offers hope that detection may be possible by age 1 by measuring brain growth.

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Dr. Germans study was supported with funding from the Ted Lindsay Foundation in collaboration with Dr. Laura Hewitson at the Johnson Center for Child Health and Development in Austin, Texas.

About UT Southwestern Medical Center

UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institutions faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, and includes 22 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 18 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 14 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The faculty of more than 2,700 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in about 80 specialties to more than 100,000 hospitalized patients, 600,000 emergency room cases, and oversee approximately 2.2 million outpatient visits a year.

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This news release is available on our website at http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom

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The first aerial assessment of the impact of Central African Republic's recent conflict on wildlife and other natural resources in the northern part of the country shows that wildlife populations have been depleted in large areas of their former range, yet there is hope as some populations of Kordofan giraffe, giant eland, buffalo, roan, and other key species that still survive in low numbers. No elephants or signs of elephant were observed during the survey. Commercial poaching and wildlife trafficking, committed by heavily armed groups moving across borders as well as local actors, has greatly impacted the area. Significant pressures from transboundary pastoralism and local mining were documented. The vast magnificent savanna, forests, wooded savannas, and deep rivers habitats remain largely intact with potential for recovery of wildlife populations if urgent and robust conservation security measures are taken in this strategic area, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), ECOFAUNE+/AGRECO, and the Ministry of Environment of Central African Republic said in a report issued today.

Northern Central African Republic historically supported some the most pristine wilderness and intact and abundant wildlife assemblages in Africa, including species of global importance such as elephant, Kordofan giraffe, hippopotamus, lion, giant eland, and more. The wildlife populations of this spectacular landscape have been subject to heavy poaching during various periods over the past decades, and conservation efforts in the area, carried out thanks to longstanding EU financial support through PDRN, ECOFAC and ECOFAUNE projects, have been negatively impacted by the past three years of armed conflict. In addition to the armed conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis currently impacting the country, widespread natural resource pillaging (specifically mining, wildlife poaching and trafficking, and pastoralist pressures) involving armed groups has been widely reported.

The WCS and ECOFAUNE+ project (implemented by AGRECO) conducted the aerial survey in March-April 2017 (the late dry season) with funding from the Great Elephant Census, a Paul G. Allen Project, the European Union (through Fonds Bekou), and WCS. The aerial survey covered the areas of Bamingui-Bangoran National Park, Manovo Gounda St. Floris National Park, Vassako-Bollo, Gribingui-Bamingui, l'Aouk Aoukale, Yata Ngaya Reserves, Presidential Park Awakaba, and surrounding zones. In addition, the Nana-Barya Reserve and Mbitoye and Moyen-Sido areas were also covered. A combination of aerial survey methods (systematic surveys and recce surveys) were employed with a total of 16,778 km flown (45 hours 44 minutes of flight time) and an estimated 63,657 sq. km surveyed systematically. Two teams of WCS, ECOFAUNE+, and Ministry staff undertook the field work using two WCS Cessna aircraft.

The survey documented the presence of the highly endangered northern giraffe Kordofan subspecies, likely to be the last remaining population in CAR and in danger throughout much of its range in Africa. Giant eland and buffalo were encountered in some limited areas butwere absent from large areas where they have been historically abundant. All large mammal species were found to have experienced dramatic declines compared to the populations levels observed in 2005 and 2010, with the exception of roan antelope and bushbuck which were observed to have remained stable since the last aerial survey. Grimm's and red-flanked duiker were common throughout the landscape while warthog declines were registered in some areas.

No elephants were observed during the survey nor was any sign of elephants (tracks, broken branches, skeletons). Surveys of the area in 1977 estimated 35,093 elephant. By 1985 the elephants had gone through a massive decline due, down to an estimated 4,803, during the massive ivory poaching crisis sweeping Africa. The population continued to be stable at around 4,025 through 1998, and then declined with surveys in 2005 estimating 929 elephants. By 2010 surveys indicated only an estimated 68 elephants remained in the landscape. Heavily armed ivory poachers, mostly from neighbouring Sudan and Chad but with local involvement as well, perpetrated this systematic poaching, and periods of instability further impacted the crisis. These threats continue to plague the region, though poachers have turned to commercial bush meat trade now that elephant populations are very low. Further surveys will be needed to investigate if any elephants remain in this zone or use it seasonally at all.

Human activity was quantified and mapped throughout the landscape. Livestock and pastoralist pressures were documented predominantly in the north of Manovo Gounda St. Floris National Park but with pastoralists and their livestock using nearly all areas of the landscape during the dry season. Local hunting camps were common and a network of motorcycle trails is used for commercial bushmeat transport as well as accessing small scale mining areas. It was also reported that within the past three years some armed groups had undertaken systematic bushmeat hunting and export to the north as well as to Bangui to generate revenue. Illegal natural resource exploitation by armed groups (local and transboundary) continues to plague CAR including the northern area surveyed. Important transboundary natural resource and security linkages between CAR and neighbouring Chad and Sudan were documented including transboundary pastoralists and heavily armed groups. Local communities of the area have suffered greatly from this insecurity, armed group threats and abuse, and nomadic pastoralist incursions and pressures on their lands. Actions to improve security for wildlife will also directly improve security for local communities.

The survey findings and analyses generated a series of critical recommendations for action, reinforcing activities already implemented by ECOFAUNE+. Recommendations include:

Integrated Security, Park Management, and Law Enforcement

Establishment of conservation-security partnerships for protected areas and natural resource management (including NGOs, UN, other international entities) directly improving security for both local communities and wildlife

Design and operation of a security mechanism with mobile rapid intervention capacity to detect, deter, disrupt, and stop armed groups involved in poaching and other illegal natural resource exploitation

Fully operationalize the UN mandate to prevent illegal natural resource exploitation and trafficking

Completely ban commercial bushmeat trade and export from the area

Secure remaining core areas and wildlife hotspots (core priority areas of Bamingui-Bangoran Park, Sangba, MGSF Park, hunting zones)

Establish long term management partnerships for National Park management as core governance centers in integrated landscape initiative

Expand anti-poaching and anti-trafficking (core areas, transport routes) in concert with local authorities.

Develop transboundary cooperations and alert systems with conservation and security actors of neighboring Chad, Cameroon, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Land Management and Community Based Sustainable Natural Resource Management (NRM)

Develop rangeland management and transboundary agreements and local agreements on transhumance - spatial management, reinforce corridors and develop zoning of grazing

Enforce a moratorium of 5 years on all hunting of large mammals and reassess after 5 years

Complete land-use planning process underway and maintain Parks as core areas of stability

Develop road network and settlements planning minimize impact on core biodiversity areas

Develop sustainable livelihoods and NRM programs with local communities (Lulu, Gum, Karite, Maringe, fishing)

Evaluate possibility of local subsistence hunting of selected small game species in villages zones for local communities, with absolutely no export, and strictly only where demonstrated sustainable

Peace Building and Multi-sector Coordination

Include wildlife conservation and natural resource management and transparency explicitly as part of CAR peace process and security and stabilization strategy

Coordinate and spatially target security, conflict mitigation, development, and conservation funding support to conservation and NRM programs in Northern CAR to enhance conservation security and protected area management for people and wildlife.

Her Excellency Minister, Arlette SOMBO DIBELE, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, Water, Forests, Hunting, Fishing of the Government of Central African Republic stated: "I congratulate ECOFAUNE+/AGRECO and WCS for their efforts to undertake the recent aerial survey of wildlife populations, natural habitats, and human activity in the northern region of our country. This assessment comes at a crucial time to guide both our anti-poaching and land-use planning programs and actions. I would like to reiterate the firm engagement of the Government of the Central African Republic, and my Ministry in particular, to work together in synergy with our partners for the protection and development of the wildlife resources in the northern region such that it becomes again a source of pride for our country and foundation for local development, as it was in the past."

Dr. Paul Elkan, WCS Sudano-Sahel Region Director, who led the aerial survey team, said: "The global community must mobilize to secure the spectacular natural ecosystems of Northern CAR and its remaining critical wildlife populations. Combining international and local security approaches with protected area management, conservation, and natural resource law enforcement are critical to improving governance and security for local communities and wildlife and stabilizing the region."

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If aliens sent an exploratory mission to Earth, one of the first things they'd notice -- after the fluffy white clouds and blue oceans of our water world -- would be the way vegetation grades from exuberance at the equator through moderation at mid-latitudes toward monotony at higher ones. We all learn about this biodiversity gradient in school, but why does it exist?

Even Charles Darwin wondered. Though the pattern is striking, it is difficult to explain. Since it is global in scale, the initial tendency was to suspect long-term or large-scale mechanisms, such as climate stability (no glaciers in the tropics), rates of speciation (higher in the tropics) or rates of extinction (lower in the tropics according to the fossil record).

In 1970 and 1971, two ecologists independently proposed a radically different mechanism, one that operates at scales not of kilometers but of meters. Daniel Janzen and Joseph Connell suggested that host-specific natural enemies which kill seeds and seedlings clumped near parent trees might keep locally common species from dominating a forest and give locally rare species space to flourish.

The Janzen-Connell hypothesis is now nearly 50 years old, but it has been hard to evaluate, especially at the global scale. Few studies have explicitly looked at the connection between self suppression and species diversity, and no study has looked at this relationship across temperate and tropical latitudes.

A year ago, however, Jonathan Myers, an assistant professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, and Joe LaManna, a postdoctoral research associate at Washington University's Tyson Research Center, proposed a test of the Janzen-Connell hypothesis to the principal investigators of an international network of long-term forest dynamics research sites called the Smithsonian Center for Tropical Forest Science-Forest Global Earth Observatory (CTFS-ForestGEO).

Over the next year, LaManna analyzed the data from 24 research plots, including one at Washington University's Tyson Research Center. Together these plots are home to more than 3,000 tree species and roughly 2.4 million trees. The analysis provided the first evidence that the Janzen-Connell effect contributes to the biodiversity gradient across tropical and temperate latitudes. The paper, which has 50 authors from 12 countries, was published in the June 30, 2017, issue of the journal Science

"This is the first time we've had the data to do this kind of in-depth analysis and to look across temperate and tropical latitudes," said LaManna, who is the corresponding author on the paper.

The analysis also provided a delicious twist on the hypothesis, namely that the plant predators that kill rare species may also keep them from going extinct. "When species get too rare, their enemies also thin out, and they have what is known as a rare species advantage," Myers said. So the specialized predators ultimately stabilize rare species instead of wiping them out.

"We were able to show for the first time that this stabilizing effect may be stronger for rare species in the tropics; this may explain why rainforests harbor so many rare trees," LaManna said.

What's eating you?

The scientists emphasize that what they see in the data is the signature of the Janzen-Connell mechanism but that the data are agnostic about the mechanism itself. In other words, it doesn't point a finger at particular plant enemies.

The mechanism requires that the enemies be host specific rather than generalists, however. "That means the FBI (fungus, bacteria and invertebrates)," LaManna said, "the very tiny organisms that are evolving rapidly and are more likely to be host-specific."

These pathogens are everywhere even though they usually escape our notice. Scientists at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis who worked at the Tyson Research Center discovered more than 100 different species of insect herbivores that feed just on the adults of white oak, Myers said.

Both scientists mention the work of Scott Mangan, an assistant professor in the department of biology at Washington University and a co-author on the paper. Mangan has done both greenhouse and field experiments (on Panama's Barro Colorado Island) showing that soil pathogens alone -- disregarding nutrients, insects, mammals or above-ground diseases -- suppress the growth of seedlings strongly enough to explain the maintenance of biodiversity.

But other studies have documented suppression by other enemies, so the question of mechanism remains open.

Close relatives make bad neighbors

The key observation on which the Janzen-Connell hypothesis is based is that seedfall is heaviest under a parent tree but the young tend to do better away from their parent.

The effect of pathogens on trees is similar to the effect of pathogens on people. We're more likely to catch and die from a disease such as scarlet fever or typhus if we're packed in tenements than if we're living in rural isolation. So, at least without the benefits of modern medicine, we are also self suppressing.

The new study exposed two key aspects of self suppression. "We find that self suppression is on average stronger in a tropical forest than a temperate one," Myers said, "and that it changes systematically with latitude. This is big result number one."

Two aspects of the CTFS-ForestGEO network gave the data the necessary power, Myers said. One is that the forest plots are large enough that they contain decent numbers of rare species, the other is that all of the trees in the plots have been tagged, mapped, measured and identified down to a small size class. "No other globally coordinated forest plot network combines large plots with censuses that go down to 1-centimeter in diameter," he said.

The second result is that, in the tropics, self suppression is stronger for rare species than for common ones. In the temperate zone rare and common species are equally affected, Myers said, or in some cases self suppression actually flips and is stronger for the common species than the rare ones.

The scientists find this result exciting because it may explain a puzzling characteristic of tropical forests: Their diversity is due not to large numbers of species in general but rather to large numbers of rare species.

"How can you pack more than a thousand species in a 50-hectare plot in the tropics if the rare species are being negatively impacted by these specialized enemies?" Myers asks. "You'd think that if these species are rare they'd be more likely to go extinct, so what maintains them in the system?"

The answer is their enemies. "Paradoxically, enemies can be beneficial," LaManna said. "Yes, they kill, but by killing they prevent population booms and busts. If you have no enemies, you're going to have exponential population growth followed by a crash. If you add an enemy that tracks abundance, over time the population stabilizes. It's never going to become large, but the flip side is it's never going to crash. And so these enemies are a stabilizing force."

Darwin might have savored the ironies here. Tiny organisms that live and die within a few square meters establish patterns that cover ten thousand kilometers. And organisms that kill trees also are their benefactors and prevent them from blinking out entirely.

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This work was carried out during the 2016 CTFS-ForestGEO Workshop in Hainan, China, supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) grant DEB-1545761. It was also supported by NSF grants DEB 1256788, 1557094, and DEB 1257989.The data used in the primary analyses will be available at the Smithsonian Institution's CTFS-ForestGEO database portal: http://www.forestgeo.si.edu/group/Data/Access+the+data.
Thursday, June 29, 2017

The world of those who start positive conversations about mortality issues was shaken this week with news of the death of Jon Underwood, 44, founder of the international Death Cafe movement. The objective of the Death Cafe is To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.

When announcing the news at the DeathCafe.com website, his wife Donna Molloy wrote, Through his work helping people come to terms with the idea of death, Jon was uniquely and unusually aware that life is short and appreciated his life fully. Read more here.

We will think fondly of Jon at the next Albuquerque Death Cafe, to be held on Saturday, July 15 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at my home. More information here.

Announcing the inaugural Before I Die Albuquerque festival, a series of events being held October 20-24, 2017. Before I Die festivals are part of a growing social movement to foster reflection about how we as individuals and as a society manage death and dying. By providing space and opportunities to openly discuss end-of-life issues, we can improve the percentage of those who plan ahead and take actions to address our mortality. More information here.

Before I Die Albuquerque festival sponsors include French Funerals & Cremations, Albuquerques largest and oldest family-owned funeral service company, and Zia Trust, Inc., The Advisors Trust Company.

Links to recent posts at The Family Plot Blog, other upcoming events and an interesting quote follow. Please call 505.265.7215 if I can be of assistance!

Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death

The Family Plot Blog Highlights

Click on the titles to read the blog post and see the associated videos. Review all posts on The Family Plot Blog or view just the Death Cartoons posted on the blog!

Newsflash: Funeral Planning Not a Priority for Americans  For the fifth consecutive year, the National Funeral Directors Associations (NFDA) annual Consumer Awareness and Preferences Study indicates that consumers acknowledge the importance of preplanning their own funeral, but fail to do so in practice. Its even worse than I thought.

Funeral Directors: What Are Your Biggest Changes and Challenges?  A lot has changed in seven years since A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die was published.

Home Funerals Explained on Redfin Real Estate Site  You dont expect to find an article about home funerals on a real estate website. But, homes are where you would hold a home funeral, and the real estate website Redfin recently posted a story about how to plan a home memorial service.

SouthWest Writers Interview with Gail Rubin  The respected writers organization SouthWest Writers recently posted an interview with Gail Rubin about her latest book, KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die.

Upcoming Events and a Quote

See the Calendar page for a full listing of events.

Wednesday, July 12, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Jewish Funeral Traditions on Film presented through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. This talk illuminates the differences and similarities of Christian and Jewish funeral traditions  highly beneficial for interfaith families. Register for class 81396, $20 at Oshers website.

Wednesday, July 19, noon to 1:00 p.m.  Kicking the Bucket List: Downsizing Things to Do Before You Die presented at Albuquerque Habitat for Humanitys administrative offices next to the ReStore, 4900 Menaul Blvd. NE. Free, register at the Events & Classes page at www.HabitatABQ.org.

Friday, July 21, noon to 1:00 p.m.  A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die presented at Albuquerque Habitat for Humanitys administrative offices next to the ReStore, 4900 Menaul Blvd. NE. Free, register at the Events & Classes page at www.HabitatABQ.org.

Friday, July 28, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute class Laughing and Learning will give you the tools and the inspiration to take practical steps for planning a good goodbye. Register for class 81387, $20 at Oshers website.

Wednesday, August 16, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.  New Mexico Conference on Aging presentation, Downsize and Organize for a Better Life (and Death). You dont have to be old or dying to downsize. When living in the same place for decades, stuff accumulates. Attachment to objects which no longer serve us become energy-draining clutter. Learn how to let go, pare down, and prepare your vital end-of-life information. Youll feel lighter, energized and liberated! Register for the conference through this webpage.

All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity.  William Shakespeare, Hamlet

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Sheep and goat experts from China have made a special visit to see lamb production in the UK as part of a 12-day visit.

The 23 delegates visited farms, auction markets, the National Sheep Association's Sheep South West event near Tiverton and a visit to see AHDB officials in Stoneleigh.

AHDB's head of livestock export Jean-Pierre Garnier said the UK has a sheep population of around 33 million, made up of more than 100 breeds over 70,000 farms.

He said the UK produces in the region of 300,000 tonnes of sheep meat, with around 110,000 tonnes exporter every year.

40% of sheep meat consumed in Europe comes from the UK.

The delegation was also told about the importance of innovation such as the ongoing research into grass genetics and grazing systems, ovine genetics, nutrition and the importance of sustainability.

A presentation by Emma Steele, a senior breeding advisor to Signet, talked about helping identify animals with superior breeding potential and helping the industry to capitalise on genetic improvement.

'Cutting edge'

Mr Garnier said: "We certainly are at the cutting edge of scientific and technical developments for this vital British agricultural sector and had a lot to present.

"We are also pleased with the caliber of the participants and large size of the group which amounted to 23 people  among them some of the most influential in the Chinese sheep sector.

"They have visited some of the leading breeding farms in the UK and have seen some of the best sheep genetics in the world today.

"Importantly, although we already have strong relations with the CAAA particularly in the pig breeding sector, this visit will allow us to build further bridges with our Chinese counterparts on the sheep side.

"It will also help to showcase our industry at a crucial time when we aim to get market access for sheep meet products to China."

Last year, a group of three UK businesses in the agricultural industry travelled with other EU nations to help bolster exports in China.
From next month, all of Sainsbury's lamb products will be 100% sourced from British farms, after making the announcement last May.

The retailer said it will provide customers with 'quality tender lamb' throughout the 2017 season as well as bolstering their support for the British lamb industry.

The supermarket have been working closely with their own Lamb Development Group, a network of nearly one thousand British farmers.

"It's reassuring to British lamb farmers to have the commitment and support of such a big player in the industry," Hugh Darbishire, farmer and member of the group.

An early spring with plentiful sunshine has been a welcome start to the 2017 British lambing season.

The warmer and drier conditions have meant strong grass growth, which in turn brings forward the supply and availability of new season lamb.

'Supporting British farmers'

Beth Hart, head of agriculture for Sainsbury's, said the switch to sourcing 100% of their lamb products from British farms means they are 'supporting our British farmers.'

However, around Easter time, farmers were angry at the level of imported lamb products on British supermarket shelves.

Sainsbury's, Waitrose and the Co-op were found to have the largest percentage volumes of imported lamb by an NFU Scotland survey.

This led to the leader of Britain's sheep farmers calling on retailers to back the British economy by supporting home-grown lamb.

Co-op Food first announced last September that it will source only fresh British lamb, having come into effect from 2 May this year.
New research has validated claims of traditional healers in Ethiopia that indigenous plants have strong anti-parasitic properties.

The Scotland Rural College (SRUC) findings could lead to benefits to Ethiopian farmers.

They farm the countrys 24 million sheep and 19 million goats - with local plants being used to fight damaging livestock infections such as worms.

Many small-holder farmers and nomadic livestock keepers in developing countries continue to rely on their indigenous knowledge, practices and locally available plants to control both human and livestock parasitic infections.

However, this valuable source of knowledge is not adequately documented, which impedes their widespread use, evaluation and validation.

Prof Jos Houdijk of SRUCs Monogastric Science Research Centre said: Livestock accounts for 40% of Ethiopias agro-economy so our research has the potential to have a far reaching impact.

Whilst further study is needed to verify the structure of the active compounds found, and to establish field efficacy in livestock, our research has validated traditional healers claims - that these plants do indeed have strong anti-parasitic properties.

Ethno-medicinal knowledge

The college has a long standing interest in plant-based parasite control.

For a number of years, it has been collaborating with researchers from Hawassa University in Ethiopia to underpin ethno-medicinal knowledge on anti-parasitic plants with scientific evidence under the Combating Infectious Diseases of Livestock for International Development initiative.

Ketema Tolossa, an MSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry graduate from Addis Ababa University, undertook a successful PhD study on the anti-parasitic claims for two specific indigenous plants.

Ketema undertook a series of lab-based and animal studies with extracts from the two plants he had collected during field trips to Ethiopias remote Hamer and Sololo Districts.

The names of the two plants are Adenia sp. and Cissus ruspolii.

Prevent worm eggs

Ketema observed through a large series of laboratory tests that depending on the extract type and concentration used, plant extracts may completely prevent worm eggs from hatching.

He was also able to demonstrate active compounds in these extracts, and that in initial animal trials such extracts reduced worm burdens by around 60%.

Prof Houdijk added: Feeding back such information to traditional healers through local agencies will assist to conserve such plants and promote their use in non-chemical parasite control strategies, so that small holder farmers can keep ailments and infections under control and get the best out of their livestock.
COP27: Energy and food security must be addressed, farm leaders say
This article was updated on June 24, 2018.

Do you bank with Wells Fargo? All other things being equal, it can be rather convenient to have a credit card that's issued by your own bank. You can generally link a bank's credit cards to your checking and savings accounts, which can help simplify payments and other transactions. In addition, you can often use a bank's credit card as overdraft protection on your accounts.

Even if you're not a Wells Fargo customer yet, one of the bank's credit card products could be a good fit for you, depending on what perks and rewards you're looking for. Here's some information on the bonuses, benefits, and costs of five of Wells Fargo's most appealing Visa and American Express credit cards, and how to determine the best choice for you.

1. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Card

This is Wells Fargo's newest credit card product, and offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The card has no annual fee, and a variable APR as low as 13.99% after the introductory period is over. It also provides cellphone insurance if you pay your bill with the card.

As of this writing, Wells Fargo offers an introductory bonus (available online only) of $200 after $1,000 in net purchases in the first three months, in addition to a 0% intro APR for the first 12 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers. This may be one of the best sign-up bonuses available for a cash-back credit card.

2. Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card

Wells Fargo offers two American Express co-branded cards, and Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card is the no-annual-fee version. The card earns reward points which can be redeemed for cash, travel, gift cards, and more. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar at gas stations, 2 points per dollar at restaurants, and 1 point per dollar everywhere else. You'll also get a 10% annual bonus on non-bonus reward points if you maintain a checking or savings account with Wells Fargo. Cardholders pay no foreign currency fees and get free access to their FICO credit score.

The current introductory bonus offer (available online only) is 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 in net purchases in the first three months, and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles.

3. Wells Fargo Visa Signature Card

A rewards credit card with no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Visa Signature Card offers a relatively low 1 point per dollar rewards rate, although it offers 5 points per dollar on gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases for the first six months. However, the card does offer 50% extra value when redeeming points for airfare. For example, the current online-only promotional offer of 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 in net purchases within the first three months is worth $200 if redeemed for cash, or is worth $300 toward airfare -- a remarkably valuable sign-up bonus considering the $1,000 spending requirement and the lack of an annual fee. New cardholders also get a 0% intro APR for the first 12 billing cycles, and the card has additional perks such as FICO Credit Score access. A potential downside of the card worth mentioning is a five-year timeframe to use the points you've earned  with many rewards cards, points never expire.

4. Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card

This card is specifically designed for college students to start building credit history. Because it doesn't necessarily have the high credit standards of the first three cards I mentioned, the perks and rewards aren't quite as generous. The card has no annual fee, and earns cash back rewards at a 1% rate on net purchases, with a 3% rewards rate on gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases for the first six months, and also has a 0% intro APR for the first six billing cycles. An existing Wells Fargo relationship is required to apply.

5. Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card

If you have no credit, or need to rebuild your credit, the Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card may be a good option for you. In a nutshell, a secured credit card works just like a standard credit card with one major difference. You need to give the bank a security deposit before you can get the card.

In the case of the Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card, as well as with most others, your required security deposit is equal to your card's credit limit. You can deposit as little as $300, and as much as $10,000, in $100 increments. The card has a $25 annual fee and a 19.99% APR, it can be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, and your card activity is reported to the three major credit bureaus to help build a positive credit history. And while there's no set time frame, you can become eligible for an upgrade to an unsecured credit card after you've established a record of responsible card behavior.

Is one of these the right credit card for you?

The right credit card for you depends on the features that matter to you most. For example, some of these Wells Fargo credit cards have generous sign-up bonuses, and other than the secured card, none of the cards I discussed here has an annual fee. Plus, there's the convenience of being able to directly link your credit card with a Wells Fargo checking or savings account, and in the case of the Propel card, you can even get a relationship discount. In a nutshell, each of these cards offers features that could certainly appeal to consumers.

Having said that, it's important to comparison shop. For example, if the 0% intro APR is the feature that appeals to you most, you can find other offers that are significantly longer than 12 billing cycles. If you have borderline credit, you might be able to find a secured credit card elsewhere with a lower minimum deposit requirement. And if travel perks appeal to you most, and you're willing to pay an annual fee, you can find travel credit cards with perks such as airport lounge access, incidental fee reimbursement, and lucrative sign-up bonuses.

The bottom line is that Wells Fargo does have some excellent credit card products, but they may or may not be the best choice for you, so it's important to shop around before deciding.
Once again Farmers Weekly is gearing up for its prestigious annual awards, with the contenders being showcased weekly in the magazine.

I have a suggestion for a new category for the 2018 awards: Joint Venture of the Year.

You might accuse me of bias, but I dont think I would have a very good chance of winning, as I have made every mistake in the book in the three-and-a-half years since starting a contract farming arrangement with my husband.

Joint ventures are becoming more common, but there isnt really a template or standard operating procedure in this country as there is in New Zealand, where share farming is protected by law.

Liz Haines and her husband Nick milk 320 spring-calving cows in north Shropshire and her husband Nick milk 320 spring-calving cows in north Shropshire

It is important we recognise and promote good practice. An award would help to publicise the great things people are doing through these kinds of arrangement, which would in turn push more people to consider them.

See also: Concentrating on calving amid the bad news

What might the winning venture look like?

A pair of individuals or parties who have come together to develop a business using shared expertise and resources for mutual benefit, creating a virtuous cycle that enables both to achieve more than they could have alone.

A shared initiative that has given an existing business a new lease of life, while creating a new opportunity for someone at an earlier stage of their farming career.

A relationship built on trust and respect, where each party contributes differently but equally, and is appropriately rewarded.

Excellent governance founded on a clear, simple contract.

Too often land agents and consultants with pound signs flashing in their eyes sell joint ventures to landowners as a miracle cure for flagging businesses, a way to resolve tax issues without giving anything up, or a low-risk way to guarantee high incomes without the hassle of actual farming.

Making a profit

This doesnt serve the landlord, and it certainly doesnt serve the person being brought in on the working side of the venture, who may be denied a realistic chance of making profit for themselves, particularly if the venture is not appropriately capitalised.

I have learned several lessons as a contract farmer, the most important being to think about the worst-case scenario and ensure it is appropriately dealt with in the contract.

Dont allow enthusiasm to cloud your business judgement  scrutinise everything and seek your own independent advice.

Get everything agreed and in writing before you start the contract tenure.

Dont automatically assume others are acting in your best interest.

If people follow this advice and the proposition stacks up, they will find that joint ventures can be a rewarding way forward.

Finding a suitable venture

Often the hardest thing can be finding a suitable venture in the first place. How do you go about finding one? They arent commonplace on the jobs pages of agricultural magazines yet.

Someone suggested I mark all the farms within a five-mile radius on an Ordnance Survey Map and call in to suss out whether there could be an opportunity. A good idea in principle, but I have visions of being chased off the drive by a farmer who wasnt so keen.

Formal scheme

It comes back to a lack of formality that apprenticeships have, for example, with their own government website and funding for employers.

In Wales, Farming Connect runs a Venture Scheme that acts like a matchmaking service for people looking for a route into or out of the industry. So far 140 people have signed up. It would be excellent to see a similar scheme set up across the whole UK.

I would love to see more examples of other people making joint ventures work on the ground, so that people trying to progress in farming could learn from them. Perhaps a Farmers Weekly Award could be the showcase joint ventures need.




Haiti - Politics : Minimum wage, call for calm and serenity





Tuesday in a press conference, the day after a demonstration of workers of subcontracting https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21354-haiti-flash-textile-workers-and-moise-jean-charles-take-the-street.html Rudy Heriveaux, the Director General of the Ministry of Social Affairs and President f the Superior Council of Wages (CSS) followed up on the progress of the CSS's work on the "burning record" of the minimum wage.



Recalling that the CSS was the only state entity to have the prerogative to foster consensus among the different protagonists, he welcomed the work that the members of the Council are carrying out. He promised that the Council's report (late), with minimum wage proposals for the different sectors of activity, will be submitted to the Executive in early July. He assured that there will be a balanced arbitration by the Executive and the Prime Minister, for a satisfactory decision by all parties, stressing that macroeconomic index experts, entrepreneurs and economists have been and are still being consulted, to document the arguments of these proposals.



In the meantime, he called for calm, serenity and dialogue "to those who in the shadows manipulate the most radical fringe of the trade union sector for high-risk events that can seriously affect employment in Haiti "Recalling a letter from companies from the textile sectors to the Prime Minister, which mention their major losses and which do not exclude to leave Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21344-haiti-flash-several-textile-companies-do-not-exclude-leaving-haiti-if.html . Affirming "these professionals of destabilization" do not have "the monopoly of solidarity and empathy", a reference to a replica of Valery Giscard d'Estaing to Francois Mitterand in May 1974, who had said during a Debate TV, "you do not have the monopoly of the heart."



To conclude, he said that these manipulative individuals "would do better to encourage dialogue for a consensual solution, between the protagonists of the issue of minimum wage, instead of throwing oil on the fire".



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21354-haiti-flash-textile-workers-and-moise-jean-charles-take-the-street.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21344-haiti-flash-several-textile-companies-do-not-exclude-leaving-haiti-if.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21272-haiti-economy-dismissal-of-workers-interamerican-wovens-sa-explains.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21167-haiti-flash-installation-of-members-of-the-commission-of-the-superior-council-of-wages.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21159-haiti-politics-minimum-wage-trade-unions-observe-a-6-day-truce.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21054-haiti-political-the-economic-forum-worried-about-the-negative-effect-of-the-demonstrations.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20989-haiti-flash-workers-forced-to-take-the-street-companies-close.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20586-haiti-politics-trade-unions-call-for-a-228-increase-in-the-minimum-wage.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17434-haiti-economy-adih-scandalized-by-the-blockage-of-the-textile-sector.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17424-haiti-economy-thousands-of-textile-workers-took-to-the-streets.html



HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Funeral of the poet Claude C. Pierre

"The funeral of the poet and Academician Claude C. Pierre, who died last Saturday https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21338-haiti-culture-the-literary-world-loses-a-major-poet.html will be sung on July 2 in Montreal "according to a note from the Haitian Creole Academy.



Passport in 5 days ?

The capacity to produce passports in Haiti will soon be doubled and delivery will be made within five working days as promised by the Minister of the Interior Max Rudolph Saint-Albin, during a visit earlier this week to the Immigration Service.



The 814 a # for tourists

"814" is the telephone number made available to tourists who need information and support.



Conference on human trafficking

Past week, Brian C. Shukan, Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Haiti participated in the first National Conference on Human Trafficking https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-21281-icihaiti-politics-first-national-conference-on-human-trafficking-in-haiti.html thighlight the United States' commitment to this scourge. The United States encourages constructive partnerships to prevent vulnerable populations from becoming victims https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21358-haiti-flash-good-news-haiti-removed-from-the-black-list-of-shame.html



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21358-haiti-flash-good-news-haiti-removed-from-the-black-list-of-shame.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-21281-icihaiti-politics-first-national-conference-on-human-trafficking-in-haiti.html



Vocational integration of the disabled

As part of the celebration of World Public Service Day, the Office of the Secretary of State (Gerald Oriol Jr.) for the Integration of People with Disabilities (BSEIPH) called for the professional integration of qualified people living with a handicap, the team of BSEIPH advocated, among other things, for the respect of quota required by the law of 13 March 2012 and for the accessibility of public spaces.



Health : strengthening of academic capacities

Tuesday, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant met with Dr. Madsen Beau of "Rochars" and Arch Mainous of the University of Florida. Discussions focused on research strategies and academic capacity building in the field of health in Haiti.



Martine Moise celebrates

Tuesday, the day of the Blessed Virgin, consoler of the afflicted, First Lady Martine Moise, accompanied by Stephanie Auguste, Minister of Haitians Alive Abroad and Deputy of Delamas Gary Bodeau, attended the celebration of the Solemn Mass in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the Parish of Fragneau-Ville.



See alos :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-21361-icihaiti-diaspora-message-from-the-chicago-consul.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Journal Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Don A. Jacinto to Managing Director. In this role, Jacinto will be responsible for the continued success of The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and the historic, boutique Hotel G in San Franciscos Union Square. With over 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, Jacinto joins Journal Hotels with an extensive and knowledgeable background of the industry. Familiar with the brand, Jacinto served as General Manager of The Hollywood Roosevelt for three years starting in 2008. Most recently, Jacinto was the General Manager at The New York EDITION and the Managing Director at Row NYC. Prior to that, he worked as the General Manager at Commune Hotels & Resorts Dream Inn and was the Regional Vice President for King & Grove Hotels. Jacinto also grew in various management roles with Morgans Hotel Group. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and English Literature.
Join us in July 2017 for four unique networking receptions across the US. Each reception will feature its own unique program, with special extended programs in Atlanta and Boston. These fantastic networking events each feature their own unique live program focusing on a very timely topic. ALIS Summer Update provides another opportunity to network with the hotel investment community across America. Nearly 600 registered delegates helped us celebrate ALIS Summer Update in 2016.

For more information please contact [email protected]

+1.714.540.9300
Madrid  Indra, one of the world's leading global consulting and technology companies, has replatformed its Travel Management Suite (TMS) onto SAP's leading-edge cloud platform S/4HANA. It allows operating as a real-time enterprise with a single view of each guest. TMS will provide global, multi-property enterprises a single source of truth and visibility. SAP S/4HANA is an in-memory, fast relational database management system and it provides a platform that enables accelerated innovation and predictive experiences for hospitality.

SAP S/4HANA is an intelligent ERP suite designed specifically for in-memory computing. It is the digital core that connects a hotel enterprise with customers, business networks, the Internet of things, big data, and more. Through this migration, Indra is capable of enabling the world's largest and most complex hotel enterprises to take control and run a live business with Indra's TMS solutions on SAP S/4HANA.

Source: Indra USA, Inc

With SAP S/4Hana, Indra will offer hotel enterprises the ability to:

Make data driven decisions that will drive revenue and profitability growth

Receive real-time enterprise data about each hotel

Rethink their entire business

Rethink their common operation processes

Obtain a full view of the customer from campaigns, shopping, booking, on-property, invoicing etc.

Change operations and accounting processes to gain new efficiencies

Act on real time data and provide new personalized guest experiences

"For the last three years we have been introducing Indra as an enterprise platform to support the global technology needs of hotel companies from property and back office to corporate solutions," said Bernardette Orallo, Global Head of Travel & Tourism at Indra: "With a single platform on which to run all PMS, CRS-Reservations, Events, Loyalty, SPA, Connectivity to OTA's and GDSs, Business Intelligence, CRM and other core property solutions, hotel enterprises have been able to attain a 'single view of the guest".

"Until now, hoteliers have never truly experienced the power of operating with a digital core," Orallo said, stressing that "think of SAP S/4HANA as the nerve center of your entire business. It consolidates internal and external elements into a single, living structure that goes beyond traditional ERP software. By connecting all your processes, you gain live information and insights, and seamlessly integrates your enterprise with the digital world at large".

In addition, "this is not just a technology upgrade. We are delivering all of our applications on top of a digital platform. Data is at the center of this platform and all applications  ours or those from a third party. With Indra now running on S/4HANA, we will help transform hotel enterprises become data-driven businesses while giving them one of the fastest databases in the world", concluded Travel &Tourism division's Head.

Paul Pessutti, Global Head of Travel & Transportation @SAP, said: "We continue to partner very closely with Indra to bring world-class solutions to the hospitality industry. Our technology roadmaps are closely aligned and it is our mutual goal to help hoteliers reduce the complexity, and deliver a superior customer experience that meets the unique needs of the hospitality industry".

About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device  SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 291,000 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com. - See more by clicking here.

Barb Worcester

PR Pro
Miami, FL -- Since mid-January 2017, RG HOTELS, the industry-leading hotel management company, has boosted revenue at the Magnuson Grand Memphis Airport Hotel, one of the 1000 Magnuson Hotels properties around the world, by 400%. RG HOTELS was chosen to manage the hotel because of the company's dedication to revamping hotels' revenue and profitability, two key performance-related factors that has made Magnuson Hotels one of the largest hotel groups in the world.

Like in the case of the Magnuson Grand Memphis Airport Hotel, many hotel managers miss valuable opportunities in their day-to-day operations, which eventually results in millions of dollars of lost revenue. Using RG HOTELS' more than nine years combined experience in boosting bookings, optimizing operational processes and increasing revenue for their hundreds of hotel clients worldwide, the company is able to correct these small mistakes (including eliminating costly human error!), update the property's management processes to better suit the preferences of today's travelers and automate and integrate all internal solutions using algorithmic technology; as a result, RG HOTELS' clients go from significant deficits of money every month, to making huge profits  even upwards of 400% improvements on previous all-time best metrics.

"Because of our recent alliance with our new global partners (Louvre Hotels Group and Jin Jiang hotels), our company has become even more focused on providing the best possible stay to guests, while maintaining optimal profitability across all of our 1,000 hotels across three continents," said Thomas Magnuson, CEO of Magnuson Hotels. "With this property, we needed a hotel management company with a very innovative approach and that was focused specifically on driving revenue. RG HOTELS has definitely come through on their promises, with an overall boost of more than 400% in the property's revenue in six months."

"We are very proud to be working with one of the largest hotel groups in the world, as they are well-known for commitment to providing guests with the best possible stay and, as such, they have strong brand awareness with consumers both domestically and internationally," said Jean Francois Mourier, CEO of RG HOTELS. "We know that both Magnuson Hotels' executives and the Memphis property's management team are very pleased with the results that the hotel has experienced to date and, eventually, RG HOTELS looks forward to working with Magnuson's other properties all around the world."

To find out more about the impressive results that RG HOTELS' innovative hotel management practices and technology have achieved for the Magnuson Grand Memphis Airport Hotel or to arrange an interview, please contact Jennifer Nagy at [email protected] or +1.786.420.1160.

About Magnuson Hotels

Since its launch thirteen years ago, Magnuson Hotels has become America's fastest growing hotel brand and a top 15 global chain, marketing over 1,000 hotels across six countries and three continents. Magnuson Hotels' newly formed distribution partnership with Chinese operator Jin Jiang Hotels and Europe's Louvre Hotels is the world's largest hotel alliance, forming a consortium of over 8,000 hotels and 800,000 rooms worldwide, equal to the size of a top 2 global hotel chain. For more information, visit magnusonworldwide.com or email [email protected].

About the Magnuson Grand Memphis Airport Hotel

The Magnuson Grand Memphis Airport is conveniently located two miles from the airport, eight miles to downtown Memphis and minutes from other local attractions. Graceland Mansion, Memphis Zoo, and the Historic Beale Street District are all near the Magnuson Grand. Along with a great location, the pet-friendly Magnuson Grand offers spacious rooms and amenities that offer comfort and convenience at an affordable price. All 240 newly redecorated rooms provide guests with the comforts of home. Standard amenities in all rooms include free high-speed internet access, free local calls, in-room microwaves and mini fridges. For more information, visit the hotel's website.

About RG HOTELS

From luxury, urban landmarks to upscale, boutique resorts and branded properties, RG HOTELS is a full-service hotel management company, offering unparalleled services to some of the most distinguished hotel and resort properties around the world. For more information, visit www.rghotels.com or email [email protected].

Jennifer Nagy

+1.786.420.1160

RG Hotels
Successful business strategies require two critical and complementary functions: exploitation and exploration. Businesses that successfully deploy both of these functions are said to be 'ambidextrous', since they make the best of their existing situation (that is, exploiting their opportunities), while simultaneously developing their future prospects (through exploration).

We and our co-author Emmanuel Josserand from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia recently studied how a successful multinational company approaches these two essential but diverse activities. We found that they are supported by a network of clients and suppliers, and that this networking involves a combination of what are known as strong and weak networking activities.

Strong network connections are those that are frequent and intentional, while weak network activities involve more occasional but purpose-driven contacts. Despite the terminology of strong and weak, both types of network connections are essential.

We studied three business units at Gamma Chemicals, a large, global supplier of industrial gases. Through a series of 33 intensive personal interviews, we explored how this firm uses both strong and weak network connections to exploit its current position through first-rate customer service, as well as to explore possibilities for serving new clients.

The firm maintains strong ties with key clients at several organizational levels, including sales (as one might expect), but also for technical functions and accounting (which is less common). This is an intentional strategy, as a team comprising an accountant, a technician, and a salesperson is assigned to each key account. These team members are in constant touch with clients to ensure their current needs are met and future needs are anticipated. Study participants explained to us that these daily contacts occur, even when Gamma and its clients have no particular issue to examine. The conversations allow Gamma's staff to build trust and confidence in their ability to support those clients.

Almost all of Gamma's employees maintain infrequent, "weak" network connections which supplement the frequent, "strong" ties as needed. In contrast to the strong connections, the weak connections are activated when specific issues are involved, such as when technical expertise is needed or a problem arises. These infrequent contacts can help cement an already strong connection, and they also can help turn a weak network into a strong network, if the interaction with a particular client becomes regular rather than sporadic. The fact that additional staff are brought in as needed underscores Gamma's commitment to its clients. Overall, the existence of both types of network connections encourage employees to view themselves and their firm as a client-centered enterprise.

xxx

Let's return now to the issue of ambidexterity, and look at how both strong and weak network connections support Gamma's exploitation of existing markets and exploration of new markets. The key finding here is that the two types of network connections work together to build Gamma's ambidextrous approach to operations.

It's important to keep in mind that Gamma's core products could be considered to be a commodity. For this reason, the firm is constantly innovating with regard to client services to add value. Gamma also uses its network connections to ensure repeat business and identify new customers  thereby activating the two aspects of an ambidextrous business, exploiting existing opportunities and exploring new opportunities.

Here's just one way that strong network ties build value-added service, when combined with weak ties. One of Gamma's technicians and a client were discussing how to monitor existing stock, and they hit on the idea of remote monitoring. At this point, the technician brought in the firm's engineers, who developed a system that worked for the key account so well, that it eventually spread to many other accounts. This is a classic example of how weak ties supplement strong network ties to allow a firm to make the most of its existing opportunities, but also expand its reach. This strong client orientation moves the firm far beyond being a commodity purveyor.

Gamma makes this approach work by granting its employees considerable autonomy at all levels to respond to clients' needs. We found that autonomy of this type allows the employees to form ad-hoc teams, as in the case of the remote bottle monitoring. The company's culture of open communication also contributes to the success of its twin efforts to exploit existing markets and explore new opportunities.

The constant flow of information  from the company to its clients, from the clients to the company, and within the company itself  is key to a customer-oriented approach. One final note: we also found that the numerous network links allowed problems to be solved quickly in the rare situations when something went wrong. Management could quickly step in as needed, both to address any problems and enhance existing solid connections.

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The Japanese have a term called "Omotenashi," which signifies the traditionally correct and proper way to treat a guest, and it is this term that has become somewhat of a guiding principle for much of the island nation's hospitality industry.

Perhaps it is this long-standing commitment to hospitality that has driven steadily increasing interest in Japanese tourism in recent years from both domestic and international investors. It's difficult to pinpoint an exact cause, but what is certain is that the investments are increasing and new hotel developments are accelerating in kind to accommodate growing numbers of inbound tourists, according to a 2016 report by the real estate firm CBRE.

A great example of the Omotenashi ethic that is still driving daily services for many hotel operators can be found at Hoshino Resorts, which has been a family business for more than 100 years and is comprised of 35 resorts throughout Japan, including the brands Hoshinoya, Kai and Risonaire. One of the things that has distinguished Hoshino's commitment to Omotenashi is how the company requires all of its employees to be well verse in the many facets of hospitality, not just their specific jobs.

Which is to say that the employees of Hoshino Resorts are specialists in more than just one rolefor example, reception, housekeeping, or kitchen dutybecoming well-versed instead in all duties, a practice that allows the Hoshino Resorts' staff to deliver the ultimate experience to each guest.

In addition to the commitment that his inherent to Omotenashi, general interest in Japan has helped fuel this steady increase, Hoshino Resorts CEO Yoshiharu Hoshino has said in interviews. Basically, international interest and curiosity in Japanese culture has driven demand for luxury resorts on the island. This assertion was backed by the CBRE report, which found that foreign visitors are flocking to Japan, especially to gateway cities that have well-known reputations overseas. Of these cities, Tokyo topped all other regions in terms of foreign visitors, with Osaka coming in second.

Stakeholders in the Japanese market, of course, hope to build upon this success, and they've set a goal of welcoming 40 million international travelers each year by 2020, when Tokyo is scheduled to host the Olympics and the Paralympics. To help the country reach this goal, Japanese leadership has recently cleared the way for a full legalization of Airbnb-style short-term accommodations, which have helped to make locations across the world more accessible for would-be guests.

While these sorts of businesses have at times caused chaos within traditional hospitality models, Hoshino has said that for a destination to thrive, it is important for it to offer both short-term Airbnb-style rentals as well as resorts like his, as the two markets don't necessarily accommodate the same types of travelers. Travelers, he noted, are a diverse group that have many different needs.

Lets take a look at some hotel projects taking place in Japan

Skye Niseko Condominium Hotel Ski Resort

The Skye Niseko Condominium Hotel Ski Resort, a collection of apartments and penthouses. It is the first privately owned condominium-hotel located within the breathtaking Hokkaido National Park.

Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono

Located in one of Asia's foremost ski resort destinations, Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono will provide convenient access to New Chitose Airport, allowing guests to stay connected to the main hubs of Japan and international destinations.

Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

Following completion of the transaction, expected in May, the hotel will reopen on July 1 as Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba, the first Grand Nikko-branded hotel in Japan

More information on Hotel Constructions in Japan can be found on TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the specialized service provider in the exchange of cutting-edge information of hotel construction in the international hospitality industry

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Aflac Veteran of 43 Years Phillip "Jack" Friou to Step Down

Posted by Press Releases on Thursday, 06-29-2017 10:12 am

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Company Taps J. Brian Angel to Lead Government Relations DivisionAflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States, announced today that J. Brian Angel; vice president of State Government Relations, will replace long-time Aflac veteran Jack Friou, who will step down as the head of the Government Relations team effective July 1. Mr. Friou will remain with the company through the end of the year as a senior advisor."Jack has been a fixture at Aflac for more than four decades. In that time he has worked in a variety of positions and with regulators across the country to ensure that the company's interests were represented honestly and fairly. Jack knows Aflac inside and out and his contributions will be sorely missed," Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos said.About Mr. Angel, Amos said, "Brian has been with Aflac for 25 years and we are confident that he will step into this new role and continue to represent Aflac's interests with state legisla...

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As a formerly staunch proponent of the remote workforce  once boasting that over 40 percent of its employees worked remotely  IBM shocked the business world with its recent decision to dismantle its much-loved (and decades-old) remote work program. Like Yahoo before them (and to a certain extent Bank of America Corp and Aetna Inc. as well), IBM gave its employees a choice: return to one of their traditional regional offices, or leave the company. While they are certainly not the first business to shutter a previously-lauded remote work program, IBM may be the first one to do so that also actively sells telework software. Indeed, in May 2017, their Smarter Workforce blog published such titles as Marking Telework, Work, which was by no means a departure from their former advocacy of the remote workforce over the years. In effect, theyre selling the Kool-Aid, but maybe not drinking it anymore. So, if IBMs smarter workforce no longer includes those that telecommute, the big question is: should yours? First, a Little Background These recent changes coincide with 20 consecutive quarters of decreasing revenue for IBM, in addition to increasing shareholder indignation at the $33 million pay package for IBM CEO Ginni Rometty (a figure which some say is actually underestimated). According to Jim Re...
We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector
Toronto, June 29 (IBNS): Baba Ramdev, the founder of Patanjali Yogapeeth and Sister Shivani, a spiritual leader from the Brahma Kumari World Spiritual University took the centre stage at the third edition of the International Day of Yoga organized by International Yoga Day Canada (IYDC) recently at Mississaugaas International Centre.

IYDC, in association with the Consulate General of India in Toronto, organized the celebration.

Indias Consul General Dinesh Bhatia, Canadas Minister of Science Kristy Duncan, Ontaios

Minister of Senior Affairs Dipika Damerla, and leader of the opposition Conservative Party Patrick Brown were among the dignitaries present.

IYDC, a Canadian not-for-profit organization, formed in 2015 with the aim of teaching the benefits of yoga to Canadians had been successful, for the first time in three years, in bringing together all organizations promoting yoga, under one banner.

The event was partnered by cities of Brampton, Markham and Richmond Hill.

Minister Kristy Duncan lauded the IYDCs efforts to organize the program.

Indian Consul General, Bhatia began his remarks said,I dedicate todays yoga festival to the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj.

Consul General Bhatia also thanked Patanjali Yogapeeth, Brahma Kumaris, Art of Living, BKS Iyenger Yoga, and other yoga institutions in Toronto who helped IYDC to organize the yoga festival.

Satish Thakkar, Chair of the IYDC organizing committee, emphasized that the purpose of the celebrations was to celebrate UNs 3rd International Day of Yoga and to raise awareness about the benefits of Yoga in Canada.

He said that yoga is widely acknowledged for positive impact on health. It can also directly contribute to the nations happiness and creativity.

Thakkar said, With Canadian demographics transforming rapidly and radically, and seniors outnumbering all other age groups, Canadian health care budgets may spiral unimaginably. Yoga can alleviate health care costs."

International Centre in Mississauga, where the yoga sessions were held, attracted a large number of yoga enthusiasts from across the Greater Toronto Area and was the largest assembly of yoga practitioners at a single venue in North America, according to media reports.

Diplomatic corps from several countries, Canadian federal and provincial leaders, several mayors of Greater Toronto Area (GTA cities) were among the yoga enthusiasts who attended the session.

Baba Ramdev, while taking the three-hour yoga session, demonstrated the yoga exercises and proper techniques while his commentaries were peppered with witty remarks.

Said the popular Yoga guru, Indias ideology and principle is yoga and spirituality. India is doing yoga today and the world will follow it tomorrow."

He further added that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not only the biggest patron of yoga but practices yoga every day.

Baba Ramdev is also the founder of the Patanjali Group is also well known for his work in Ayurveda.

He has about 800 million followers, including celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty.

In 2016, popular American business magazine Fast Company featured him in their Top 100 Most Creative People in Business.

Sister Shivani conducted Raj yoga meditation sessions in the evening and approximately 5,000 yoga enthusiasts attended the program.

Raj yoga is more than merely physical exercise, it is the yoga of mind that lays emphasis on being aware of ones state of mind. Through the practice of awakening and sustaining a spiritual awareness, one learns to calm the mind and increase ones inner resources and overall sense of wellbeing, she said.

Sister Shivani who is associated with the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University since 1995 is an Indian spiritual teacher as well as an inspirational speaker. Her television series like Awakening with Brahma Kumaris Rajayoga Meditation, Emotional Intelligence and Practical Spirituality had won her popularity.

Reporting by Suman Das
In Person UWSA Politician: Wa to Continue Asking for Autonomous State

Nyi Kep, deputy head of UWSA Military Region 171s political department. / Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint / The Irrawaddy

For the first time since the United Wa State Army (UWSA) began its anti-drug campaign in 1996, journalists were invited to witness the ethnic armed group destroying seized drugs on June 26.

The event took place in UWSAs Military Region 171 in the southern area of the Wa Self-Administered Division bordering Thailand to mark the UNs International Day Against Drug Abuse.

On the day, UWSA commander Yang Guozhong said opium poppy fields have now been completely eradicated from the southern part of the Wa Self-Administered Division after almost 30 years of UWSAs efforts to distance itself from the reputation of being a drug producer.

Nyi Kep, deputy head of UWSA Military Region 171s political department, recently talked with Irrawaddy reporter Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint about UWSAs demand for autonomy and efforts for the eradication of drugs and arms smuggling in the area.

The UWSA is trying to negotiate with the government to achieve the standing of an autonomous state instead of a self-administered division. What compromises does the UWSA have to make to achieve this?

We are not prepared to make compromises. But we want an autonomous state. We need it. Well continue asking for it. We can do nothing if [the government] doesnt give it, but we are not prepared to give and take.

We dont have such an attitude that we would fight if we were not given an autonomous state. Whether we ask for an autonomous state or not, it will be fulfilled one day if there is peace and development. But we wish the government treated ethnicities with magnanimity. We dont want it to shoot this or that ethnicity.

The UWSA has presented detailed policies about the type of state it wants to get. How confident is the UWSA of entering political dialogue with the government?

We have trust in the government. Thats why we have lived [with the government] here for ages. We have trust in them.

Unlike other areas controlled by ethnic armed groups, Military Region 171 is near military outposts of the Tatmadaw. How are the relations between the two sides?

There are many difficulties because of the proximity. But we can do nothing, at least for the time being. When this area was controlled by [drug warlord] Khun Sa, we assisted [the military] in attacking him. As we defeated Khun Sa, the government gave us this place. And now government troops are stationed here, with our troops stationed alongside. We can do nothing. We Wa attacked Khun Sa and [Shan ethnic and political leader] Yawd Serk when they were powerful.

Much of the international community, including Thailand, which borders the Wa Self-Administered Division, claim drugs are smuggled into Thailand from the UWSA. What do you say to this?

We are dedicated to fighting against drugs in our special region. We go to villages and inspect every house to fight drugs. But whenever drugs are seized, Thailand keeps saying those drugs come from Wa State. They are giving us a bad name. They lay the blame at our door and only care for their interests. The Thai government always asks us to back off our outposts at the Thai border, but it is not our government. We will never back off the posts, which were given to us by our government.

The Thai government also links arms smuggling in its territory to the UWSA.

Yes, we know there are such allegations. But we are not the only ethnic armed group in the region. There is the Lahu [group] as well as other ethnic armed groups. I just dont want to name their names. We know which groups are involved. Yes, Thai authorities have reported seizures of smuggled arms, and we know who they are. But it is not us. We dont smuggle arms to Thailand and we dont receive arms smuggled from Thailand.

We also arrest those who are responsible, and could arrest some armed men involved in arms deals.

Does the UWSA plan to establish ties with Thai authorities?

No. Previously, we did have a plan, but the Thai authorities drove us away. They didnt let us stay. They are scheming and just take advantage of our name.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
Burma Culture Ministry to Nominate Bagan, Mrauk U, Shwedagon for UNESCO Recognition

The culture ministry plans to nominate Mrauk U and Shwedagon Pagoda for UNESCOs list of culturally significant sites after Bagan. / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYITAW  The Union minister of religious affairs and culture U Aung Ko said his ministry plans to nominate Arakan States Mrauk U and Shwedagon Pagoda for UNESCOs list of culturally significant sites after Bagan.

Since 2016, countries have been limited to one UNESCO nomination per year so the ministry chose Bagan first, said the minister.

The draft report and draft management plan needed for Bagans nomination will be submitted in September and UNESCO officials will visit the site in 2018.

Bagans nomination will then be brought up for deliberation at UNESCOs 2019 World Heritage Site convention, according to the minister.

We have invited international experts. We plan to nominate Rakhine States Mrauk U in 2018 and Shwedagon Pagoda in 2019. Well later nominate Khakaborazi [in Kachin State], Inle Lake [in Shan State], Indawgyi Lake [in Kachin State], Inwa [Ava], Mandalay and Sagaing, the minister told reporters in Naypyitaw on Wednesday.

The ministry will no longer allow climbing on all of Bagans pagodas and is currently building platforms from which visitors will be able to watch sunrise and sunset.

Myanmars initial application for UNESCO recognition of Bagan came in 1996, but it was rejected due to poor management plans and legal frameworks.

After UNESCO inscribed the ancient Pyu cities as the first Burmese World Heritage Site in June 2014, the culture ministry decided to continue campaigning for the addition of Bagan.

UNESCO has accepted Bagan as a mixed cultural heritage zone following negotiations with the culture ministry and Mandalay divisional government which means that there is no need to relocate villages, hotels or guesthouses, said the minister.

The minister said the government would design plans for towns, industrial zones and hotel zones outside of Bagan in order to accommodate the increasing population.

U Oo Hla Saw, a Lower House lawmaker representing Mrauk U Township, said he welcomed the nomination of Mrauk U, but that there were no clear guidelines at this time for how to handle the government offices and residential wards located within the designated Mrauk U archaeological zone.

While Rakhine people are happy about the nomination, they are also concerned that the whole town will be relocated, he told The Irrawaddy.

In February, UNESCO officials and the culture ministry discussed technical matters related to the management of Shwedagon Pagoda for its future nomination.
Burma Four Letpadaung Protesters Charged Under Peaceful Assembly Law

Local farmers staged a protest against Wanbao Co on June 26. / Soe Lwin Oo / Facebook

YANGON  Police have opened a case under Article 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law against four local farmers who staged a protest against the China-backed Letpadaung Copper Mine on the Pathein-Monywa Road, confirmed the Salingyi Township police station.

Dozens of local farmers protested on Monday in front of Chinas Wanbao Co, stating that the companys mine was causing air pollution and environmental degradation. Then, police intervened.

Weve opened a case against four villagers under Article 19. We did not inform them that weve filed a complaint. We will just bring the case to court in line with the law, police officer Htay Win of the Salingyi Township police station told The Irrawaddy.

Police have charged locals Daw Yi Win, U Khin Nyein, Daw Sandar and Daw Mar Cho.

We read in the newspapers that we had been charged. Police never informed us, Daw Yi Win told The Irrawaddy.

Demonstrators said Wanbao Co had failed to implement the recommendations made in a report by an investigation commission led by then-lawmaker Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in 2013.

Among the recommendations made by the commission were increasing land compensation, creating job opportunities for small- and medium-scale businesses in the region, and implementing environmental and social management systems for the mine.

Protesters claimed the Chinese company also failed to carry out a recommendation to reclaim 1,900 acres of land to replace their confiscated farmlands. As a result, they lost their livelihoods and face hardship. Protesters explained that this was the reason behind the demonstration.

If actions are to be taken against local farmers for breaching the law, justice should also be served for Daw Khin Win, who was fatally shot by police, said Daw San Nwe.

Daw Khin Win, 56, was killed in a clash between police and locals demonstrating against the mine in Dec. 2014.

If we are to be charged under the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, I would ask where is the justice for monks who were injured in a police crackdown during previous demonstrations or for the killing of Daw Khin Win, said Daw San Nwe.

We deliberately did not seek permission for the protest in order to highlight the companys own breach of the investigation report, she added.

Wanbao Co has operated the controversial mine in partnership with the military-owned Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Company (UMEHL) since 2010.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Burma Just Doing Their Jobs: Families Decry Case Against Reporters

An undated photo of Irrawaddy reporter Lawi Weng / Facebook

Family and colleagues of three Myanmar journalists who face up to three years in prison on charges of contacting ethnic rebels appealed for their release on Thursday.

The men have been accused of breaching the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act after covering an event on Monday where the rebel Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) burned piles of narcotics to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse.

We dont really think our journalists have working relations with the TNLA group, which [the government] calls terrorists, said Than Win Htut, planning editor at the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), the employer of two of the journalists. They are just doing a journalists job.

Broadcaster DVBs Aye Nai and Pyae Phone Naing, and Lawi Weng of The Irrawaddy magazine, were remanded along with three others in Hsipaw prison, in northern Shan State, on Wednesday.

They will be brought before a court on July 11, said Thein Zaw, head of the police station handling the case in the town of Hsipaw.

But Phil Robertson, deputy director for New York-based Human Rights Watchs Asia division, said Daw Aung Suu Kyi should use her majority in Parliament to rein in the military.

Its hard to tell what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi thinks, but if she believes she can convince the army to somehow reform or moderate their behavior, this is more evidence to show that shes profoundly mistaken, he said.

The case has sparked outrage among the boisterous media that emerged in the commercial hub Yangon after the government lifted pre-publication censorship in 2012.

Journalists will gather signatures on Friday calling for the release of the three menand of an editor charged in a separate case with defamation over a satirical article mocking the army.

Both DVB and The Irrawaddy were set up in exile in Thailand, receiving funding from Western governments and NGOs, and have opened bureaus in Yangon since 2012.

Aye Nai, 53, and Lawi Weng, 38, returned to Myanmar to cover the conflicts between the army and ethnic rebels.

Lawi Weng, a member of southern Myanmars Mon ethnic minority, is a practicing Buddhist who meditates each morning and night. He had planned to marry this year.

Loa Htaw, his fiancee, said Lawi Weng knew the risks his repeated trips to conflict areas entailed.

Both he and I [were] aware that he might face prison if he keeps writing about our ethnic armed groups and criticizes the military and government, she wrote in a message to Reuters.

However, he needs to report for the voiceless and the powerless, Loa Htaw said.

Part of the new generation of Myanmar journalists to emerge since the reforms, 24-year-old Pyae Phone Naing worked for several media organizations before joining DVB about four months ago, his father, Kyaw Soe Oo, told Reuters.

On Monday evening, Pyae Phone Naing called his mother. He informed her that he was in a military camp, but not to worry, his father said.

The parents did not realize the gravity of the situation until later, when relatives started calling having seen news reports of their sons detention.

It gives me pain in my heart. I always worry about him, even when he comes home late on usual days, Kyaw Soe Oo told Reuters. I want my son to be released.
Guest Column Daw Aung San Suu Kyis Lackluster Visit to Canada

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R) meets with Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 7, 2017. / Chris Wattie / Reuters

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars State Counselor and de facto leader of the government, made a five-day visit to Canada earlier this monthlong overdue after already visiting the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.

The question is: What has been achieved, other than a photo-op with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? Some might say that the announcement of US$8.8 million of aid will boost humanitarian assistance and peace building efforts in Myanmar. This financial assistance, however, doesnt appear to be anything new, and may actually be part of a $44 million aid package announced when the previous Foreign Minister Stephane Dion met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar in early April 2016.

Others might add that she brought with her a team (independent from her entourage) to learn from Canadian Federalism. Is there any point, however, of drawing comparisons between the two countries when it comes to federalism? The Canadian Confederation is straightforward, whereas Myanmars federalism is complicated by a number of ethnic armed organizations at war with the central governmentthere is nothing to be adopted from Canada.

Interestingly, major Canadian media had no clue about her visit. Canadian media requestsincluding from Canada Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), CTV, the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Starfor interviews and official requests for public meetings went unanswered. Global Affairs Canada and the Myanmar Embassy threw the ball into each others court when inquiries were made. The Canadian public barely noticed her visit or talked about the lack of media coverage in Canada.

Why did such a high-profile figure visit in such a low-profile way? And why only in Canada? The State Counselor held a press conference with the Swedish Prime Minister when she visited Sweden directly after her Canada visit.

She also wasnt able to meet with key Myanmar supporters, including former politicians and ministers who played important roles in Myanmar affairs, as well as representatives of Canadian civil society organizations that pioneered campaigns for her freedom. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi once said: I look forward very much to the day that conditions in Myanmar will allow me to be free to visit Canada myself and thank the Canadian people in person. She apparently failed to realize her stated goal.

She was, however, able to meet with members of the Myanmar community in Toronto and Ottawa. The Myanmar Embassy planned a community meeting in Toronto with only 250 people, when there are thousands of Bamar, Karen, Chin, and Kachin living in the city.

Originally, there was no community meeting planned for Ottawa. It was only when she was challenged in person that she immediately instructed her staff to arrange a meeting. She admitted in the Ottawa meeting attended by more than 100 community members that she wasnt aware how many people from Myanmar lived in Ottawa, and also apologized for not being able to meet with Canadian supporters.

It is quite clear that she wasnt fully aware of or well informed on the conditions of the country she visited. The State Counselor received a special invitation from the previous Conservative government to visit. However, she revealed in the community meeting in Ottawa that she was visiting Canada under the arrangements and invitation of the Forum of Federations, a group I have not come across in the last 25 years of campaigning for Myanmar in Canada. It appears the Canadian government hastily tried to arrange some appropriate meetings with her including a photo-op with Prime Minister Trudeau and a brief meeting with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.

The failure on the part of Canada is that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wasnt invited to address the joint-chambers of the Parliament, although she is a recipient of Honorary Canadian Citizenship and an inspirational leader of the democracy movement. All major western democracies that supported Myanmar invited her to address their Chambers of ParliamentBritain even opened its historic Westminster Hall so she could address both houses of Parliament, a rare occasion for a non-head of state. The Swedish Parliament also welcomed her immediately after she left Canada.

It was only the respective speakers of the two houses that met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. When an inquiry was made, a key adviser on international relations to the Canadian Parliament responded it was the job of the government of Canada, in this case the Prime Ministers Office, to take the initiative.

Obviously, the Liberal governments welcoming gesture has been less than enthusiasticin some cases it even appeared casual. The previous Conservative government went to an enormous effort to bring her to Canada but to no avail. In fact, the previous government was more proactive and receptive to calls and approaches from the Myanmar activist community when it was in power.

Currently, the pressing issue among Myanmar communities across Canada is a deportation order issued to Ye Yint (also known as Than Soe), who braved his life to draw the worlds attention to Daw Aung San Suu Kyis arrest in the late 1980s by redirecting a Myanmar airplane to Thailand. He served a jail sentence for his action, and was hailed a hero. When released, he decided to pursue education in the US. However, the political weather changed after World Trade Center attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and he sought political asylum in Canada in 2006. It was, however, denied due to his previous conviction.

In light of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) assumed it was safe to send the asylum seeker Ye Yint back to Myanmar and a deportation order was issued on June 19coincidentally Daw Aung San Suu Kyis birthday.

It would have been interesting to see if Canadas immigration minister could have used his ministerial power to overrule CBSAs deportation orderthe previous immigration minister Jason Kenny used this power to save two people from Myanmar from the same fate. The community are currently circulating a petition asking the Liberal government to intervene.

This, of course, makes the timing unfortunatethere is no happy ending to her visit. The smiling photos are taken in a moment, and only exist for a moment. There will be everlasting damage if we take the missed opportunities of her visit lightly, with Ye Yints case just the latest episode.

Tin Maung Htoo is on the board of directors of the Canadian Friends of Burma and served as executive director from 2005-2013.
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By James Williams | (The Conversation) |  

In the US there have been many attempts to expunge evolution from the school curriculm or demand that creationism  the idea that all life was uniquely created by God  is given equal treatment in science textbooks. While all these have failed, the government in Turkey has now banned evolution from its national curriculum.

US creationists want both views to be presented, to let children decide what to believe. Bids to reject this are wrongly characterised as attempts to shut down debate or free speech  to promote a scientific, atheistic, secular, ideology over a more moral, ethical, commonsense religious worldview.

Turkeys decision goes much further. This isnt about claiming equal treatment, its an outright ban. The government justifies it by claiming evolution is difficult to understand and controversial. Any controversy however is one manufactured by ultra-religious communities seeking to undermine science. Many concepts in science are more difficult than evolution, yet they still get taught.

Creationist arguments

Evolution, creationists argue, is just a theory  its not proven and so up for debate. Evolutionary trees (especially for humans) are regularly re-drawn after new fossil discoveries, showing how poor the theory is. After all, if the theory was correct, this wouldnt keep changing. Often, creationists will pose a challenge for science to prove how life started, knowing that there is not yet a firm, accepted theory. Finally, theres the king of all arguments: if we all evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?

These arguments are packed with factual inaccuracies and logical fallacies. Evolution doesnt need an explanation of how life started. It simply describes how life develops and diversifies. Humans did not evolve from monkeys  were great apes. Modern apes, including humans, evolved from now extinct pre-existing ape species. Were related to, not descended from, modern apes.

Key creationist misconceptions

Creationists fail to understand that evolution itself is not a theory. Evolution happens. Life develops and diversifies, new species come into existence. We can see intermediate life forms right now, such as fish that are transitioning to living on land and land mammals that recently transitioned into aquatic life. The theory of evolution explains how evolution takes place. Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace first described the mechanism that drives the change  natural selection  in 1858.

Creationists also fail to understand the difference between a theory and a law in science. This is something that even science graduates suffer from, as Ive noted in my own research. Theories explain scientific concepts. They are evidenced and accepted by the scientific community. Theories are the pinnacle of scientific explanation, not just a hunch or a guess. Laws however have a different role, they describe natural phenomena. For example, Newtons laws of gravity do not explain how gravity happens, they describe the effects gravity has on objects. There are laws and theories for gravity. In biology however, there are few laws, so there is no law of evolution. Theories do not, given sufficient proof, become laws. They are not hierarchical.

A third issue is the lack of understanding of the nature of science. Science aims not to find some objective truth, but to elicit an explanation of natural phenomena. All scientific explanations are provisional. When new evidence is found that contradicts what we think we know, we change our explanations, sometimes rejecting theories that were once thought to be correct. Science is always working to try and falsify ideas. The more those ideas pass our tests, the more robust they are and the greater our confidence is that they are correct. Evolution has been tested for nearly 160 years. Its never been falsified. Science only deals with natural phenomena, it doesnt deal with or seek to explain the supernatural.

Why the ban is dangerous

Banning good science undermines all science, especially considering evolutions place underpinning modern biology, with plenty of evidence to support it. For mainstream scientists, the fact that evolution happens is neither seriously questioned nor controversial. Any controversy in discussions of evolution resides in the role natural selection has in driving diversity and change, or the pace of that change.

This ban on teaching evolution in Turkish schools opens up the possibility that alternative, unscientific ideas may enter science teaching, from those who believe in a flat earth to deniers of gravity.

How do we deal with the apparent schism between religious belief and scientific evidence?

My research and approach has been to distinguish between religion, a belief system, and science, which works on the acceptance of evidence. Beliefs, including but not limited to religious beliefs, are often held irrationally, without evidence, and are resistant to change. Science is rational, based on evidence and is open to change when faced with new evidence. In science, we accept the evidence, rather than choose to believe.

Turkeys move to ban the teaching of evolution contradicts scientific thinking, and tries to turn the scientific method into a belief system  as if it were a religion. It seeks to introduce supernatural explanations for natural phenomena, and to assert that some form of truth or explanation for nature exists beyond nature. The ban is unscientific, undemocratic and should be resisted.

James Williams, Lecturer in Science Education, Sussex School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

Wochit News: Turkey Will No Longer Teach Evolution In High Schools
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By Jim Lobe & Giulia McDonnell Nieto Del Rio | ( FPIF) | First published in Lobelog |  

The possibilities for catastrophic miscalculation are skyrocketing in the Middle East, and this administration is proving singularly prone to miscalculation.

The Washington elite is waking up to the increasingly real possibility that the Trump administration may be moving the country into yet another Middle East war. And much more quickly than anyone had anticipated. And through sheer incompetence and incoherence rather than by design.

At the moment, attention is focused on the situation in eastern Syrian, the details of which are spelled out well in a growing number of accounts such as Mohamad Bazzis piece in the Atlantic as well as a recent action alert by the National Iranian American Council. In addition, the New Republics Jeet Heer posted an excellent piece that quotes former key Obama policymakers (Colin Kahl and Ilan Goldenberg), as well as Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who have been well ahead of other national-security analysts in warning about the gathering storm clouds.

Eastern Syria is indeed the focus of the moment, particularly since a U.S. fighter jet shot down a Syrian warplane in Syrian territory and Iran launched a mid-range missile attack on an Islamic State (ISIS or IS) target. Russia subsequently warned that it will target U.S.-led coalition aircraft flying in Syrian territory west of the Euphrates. Then, on June 20, an Iranian-made drone was shot down close to the border with Iraq and Jordan where the various rival proxy forces are all converging to fill the vacuum in anticipation of the IS collapse.

No doubt the Pentagon is gaming out the various scenarios in which a wider war could soon break out, but it certainly sees Iran and its allies in the area as the main post-ISIS threat to Washingtons interests in and around Syria. See, for example, this little memo published recently by a senior policy adviser to the U.S. Central Command and, remarkably, a visiting fellow at the staunchly pro-Israel Washington Institute for Near East Policy (hat tip to Barbara Slavin). Or this helpful new contribution by WINEPs long-time counselor and Israels lawyer, Dennis Ross.

Although the fireworks in eastern Syrian have rightfully captured our immediate concern, they shouldnt distract too much from the highly volatile situation in the Persian Gulf following both the stunning ISIS terrorist attack in Tehran on June 7  which senior Iranian officials blamed on Saudi Arabia  and the weeks-old crisis in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain on the one hand and Qatar (backed by Turkey and Iran) on the other. Although Tehran justified its unprecedented missile strike by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in eastern Syria as retaliation for the terrorist attacks, it was also widely interpreted as a shot across the bow of the most anti-Iranian GCC states to remind them of their own vulnerability if war breaks out either in the Gulf or elsewhere.

In this context, the recent announcement by Riyadh that its navy had seized an explosives-laden boat and three members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly planning to blow up a Saudi offshore oil drilling rig does not bode well. According to The New York Times, the incident occurred when Irans state media reported that Saudi border guards fired on boats belonging to simple fishermen, killing one of the occupants. The Saudis reported some details of the incident over that weekend, but only on the following Monday did it come out with its new and far more sensational account.

That incident may of course be relegated to less than a footnote in the regions history. But it nonetheless suggests that things are not moving in a favorable direction and that whatever behind-the-scenes attempts at defusing tensions  whether between Saudi Arabia and Iran or, for that matter, Qatar  are not bearing much fruit. Of course, charges by Bahrain and the Saudis that Iran is constantly shipping weapons and terrorists to Yemen and other Gulf Arab destinations are nothing new. But, in the current atmosphere, the risks of an incident escalating out of control seem higher than ever.

Moreover  and this is the main point  the possibilities for catastrophic miscalculation are skyrocketing. Its not just the proximity of rival armed forces in both eastern Syria and the Gulf. Its also the lack of direct communication among key parties and the lack of clarity as to their actual policies.

That applies in spades to what passes for the Trump administration.

The Blockade

Take, for example, the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar, which came just two weeks after the presidents visit to Riyadh  and which Trump not only applauded but initially appeared to claim credit for in his tweets.

Clearly, the Saudis, the Emiratis, and the Bahrainis had come to believe that Trump  even if he had not explicitly greenlighted such a drastic action during or after Riyadh summit  would support them against Doha. How shocked they must have been when the Pentagon and the State Department immediately voiced their reservations (not to say, their opposition)!

Almost as shocked as Secretaries Mattis and Tillerson and National Security Adviser McMaster must have been when they first heard about Trumps tweets. Heres what the State Department spokesperson  to the extent you believe she speaks for the administration  said about Riyadhs and Abu Dhabis action:

Now that it has been more than two weeks since the embargo started, we are mystified that the Gulf States have not released to the public, nor to the Qataris, the details about the claims that they are making toward Qatar. The more that time goes by the more doubt is raised about the actions taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. At this point we are left with one simple question: were the actions really about their concerns regarding Qatars alleged support for terrorism or were they about the long, simmering grievances between and among the GCC countries?

(Oh, snap.)

Assuming the State Department really speaks for the US government, this rather stunning statement begs a host of rather critical questions. How exactly did the Saudis and their allies come to think that Washington would support them? Who exactly gave them that impression and under what circumstances? Or are Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) and UAE Crown Prince (and apparent MbS mentor) Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan (MbZ) so deluded or hubristic that they just assumed that Washington, including the Pentagon, was on board with this?

And, if so, how prone to miscalculation are they in this moment of sky-high regional tensions?

After all, MbS has risen in influence in Saudi Arabia largely because of his pet foreign policy project, the war in Yemen, which, according to the latest reports, hasnt been going particularly well (unless his original idea was to completely destroy the Arab worlds poorest country). He now finds himself in a very difficult spot.

Moreover, the Saudi king just elevated the hyper-ambitious MbS to crown prince overnight, placing him next in line in the royal succession. Like Trump, the 31-year-old is falling upward more through sheer audacity than palpable successes. Unless in his new exalted position he can somehow still impose his will on Qatar  an increasingly doubtful prospect in the absence of U.S. and Western diplomatic support  MbS looks ever more like a two-time loser (in Trumpspeak), and an extremely reckless one at that. And that perception makes him even more dangerous under the circumstances.

Meanwhile in Iran

How is all this perceived in Tehran, where various competing factions may also be prone to miscalculation? What do they think U.S. policy is?

They know the Trump administration is united in its conviction that the Islamic Republic is irredeemably hostile to the U.S., but they also know there are degrees of difference among senior officials. Some White House officials reportedly favor regime change via covert action, and it was just a few days before the ISIS attack in Iran that it was disclosed that the CIA had picked Michael DAndrea (aka The Dark Prince or Ayatollah Mike), a particularly aggressive covert operator, to run the agencys Iran program.

Tehran was also deeply offended by Trumps shocking reaction to the June 7 terrorist attack and further taken aback by Tillersons statement of support for a peaceful transition of government in Iran one week later. These statements no doubt served to strengthen hardliners in Tehran who already believe the worst about U.S. intentions as well as those of its regional allies.

At the same time, Tehran knows that top officials  notably Mattis (who appears to have been granted virtually unprecedented discretion in military decision-making) and McMaster  are keenly aware of the risks of getting dragged into a war with Iran (or becoming bogged down in Syria) even as they believe Washington should push back against Tehrans malign behavior in the region.

And then theres the commander-in-chiefs own impulsiveness, ignorance, and macho pose. At a moment of crisis a half a world away, Trump may actually welcome some serious fireworks as a useful diversion from his deepening political and legal problems at home. After all, those missiles strikes in Syria back in April gave him something of a reprieve, at least for a few days.

Given the latest head-spinning twist in Washingtons reaction to the KSA/UAE-led Qatar quarantine, it seems quite reasonable to ask how key Iranian policymakers will know whos running policy in the White House when its faced with an incident that escalates quickly, and the Saudis, Emiratis, and Sheldon Adelson are on the phone insisting that Trumps manhood is on the line? The likelihood of miscalculation by one or more of the major players is virtually certain.

Its a very scary  but increasingly imaginable  prospect.

Jim Lobe served for some 30 years as the Washington, D.C. bureau chief for Inter Press Service and is best known for his coverage of U.S. foreign policy and the influence of the neoconservative movement. Giulia McDonnell Nieto Del Rio is a rising senior at Williams College in Massachusetts. She has written and worked for the human rights NGO Cultural Survival in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is currently an intern for LobeLog at the Institute for Policy Studies.

Via Foreign Policy in Focus) | First published in Lobelog

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

David Pakman: Pentagon Confused by Trumps Syria Threats
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The unusual statement from the White House on Monday saying that there were indications that the Syrian regime was preparing to use poison gas has provoked much head-scratching both inside the Trump administration and around the world. Why would the White House say this? Is it preparing the way for another missile strike on a Syrian military target? Why? Who? It is sort of like a sordid murder in a pulp mystery novel. Who had means, motive and opportunity?

It should be said that the Russian pundits can be forgiven for being confused. Trumps statement apparently came as a huge shock to the Department of Defense and senior officers in the military and also to the State Department.

Although the top, more political levels of the Department of Defense swung into action to support the White House charge, apparently the officers who would have known if the allegation had been true were taken by surprise.

Who at the White House put this meme out? It wasnt Trump, since he would have tweeted, and he hasnt said anything about it. Apparently Jared Kushner is in actual charge of foreign policy, so maybe it is he. Kushner is alleged to be behind Trumps support for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in their kerfuffle with Qatar, to the extreme annoyance of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. Tillerson has about had it with the White House insiders who keep over-ruling him and frankly humiliating him, and is said to have exploded at them on Friday, with Reince Priebus and Jared Kushner in the room.

Then it was alleged yesterday that the late-Monday White House announcement had already deterred Syria from use of poison gas. . The ghost ended up haunting itself.

As for the Russian press, BBC Monitoring has a round up.

The popular Moskovsky Komsomolets suspects that Trump is gearing up for another missile strike on the al-Assad regime. It says that such interference by the US will just prolong the civil war in Syria. Hitting the regime, the paper says, would show that the US doesnt actually care about terrorism, but is committed to regime change. Boris Dolgov is quoted with some further speculation. The US, he says, wants to get rid of al-Assad and thus deprive Russia of a key ally in the Middle East. The added bonus for Washington, he alleged, was that once the Syrian regime collapses, radical Muslim fundamentalists will sweep into power in Damascus and then pursue terrorism against Russia in the Caucasus, as among the Chechens.

The centrist Nezavisimaya Gazeta said that Russian experts doubt that Trump is planning another strike on Syria. It worries, though, that Iran may encourage the al-Assad forces to use gas. This action would in turn result in a US strike, which would sour relations between Russia and Trump and so forestall a US-Russia rapprochement. Tehran, it implies, prefers that the superpowers be at odds with one another and is conniving at that outcome.

So there you have it. The whole thing is an American plot to hand Syria to al-Qaeda, expel Russia from the Middle East, and embroil the Russian Federation in massive and debilitating terrorist attacks by Muslim radicals encouraged behind the scenes by the USA. Thats dark.

Or, Trump is being successfully trolled by a Machiavellian Iran conniving to keep tensions high between Washington and Moscow, so that Iran remains a valuable asset to Russia.

Needless to say, none of these allegations is true. The main force backed by the US in Syria at the moment is leftist Kurds, not al-Qaeda in Syria (The Syrian Conquest Front). There is no reason to think the US wants radical extremists to take over Syria or wants them to destabilize Russia. Well, the Neocons might want that, but they are to say the least not in power.

Iran has a moral objection to the use of gas and is certainly not encouraging al-Assad in that direction (Iranian troops suffered from Saddam Husseins gas attacks in the 1980s). Indeed, the Iranian opposition blames the ruling ayatollahs for their shameful support of the secular, dictatorial Baath regime in Syria, in general, and many Iranians consider it a national humiliation, given the ideals of the 1979 revolution. On the other hand, it is true that Iran is afraid that Trump will steal Putin from them.

So, I conclude that nobody has the slightest idea what is going on here, but a lot of people are afraid it could lead to dire consequences.

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

CBS This Morning: White House warns Syria will pay a heavy price for any new chemical attack
George Town & St Peter Port, June 28, 2017 - Endeavour Mining Corporation (TSX:EDV OTCQX: EDVMF) ("Endeavour") and Avnel Gold Mining Limited (TSX:AVK) ("Avnel") are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement under which Endeavour will acquire Avnel in an all-share transaction for a total consideration of approximately US$ 122 million (CAD$ 159 million). The terms of the transaction have been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.

Avnel holds an 80% interest in the Kalana Gold project ("Kalana") in Mali and holds significant exploration permits in the surrounding area. Kalana is a fully permitted feasibility-stage project based on a 1.2Mtpa carbon-in-leach ("CIL") plant and a single open-pit constrained reserve of approximately 2.0Moz grading 2.8 g/t. According to the feasibility study, it has an 18-year mine life and an expected production of 101,000 ounces per year at an average All-in Sustaining Cost ("AISC") of $784/oz (with 148,000 ounces on average during the first 5 years at an average AISC of $589/oz). The initial capital cost is forecast at $196.3 million and Kalana demonstrates robust economics with an after-tax NPV 5% of $257 million, an after-tax IRR of 38% and a payback of 1.2 years based on a gold price of $1,200/oz[1].

Avnel has pursued optimization scenarios that, if adopted, could provide Kalana with an after-tax NPV 5% of US$321 million and an after-tax IRR of 50%. In addition, such optimization scenarios could reduce average AISC to US$730/oz over the 18-year mine life and to US$561/oz over the first five years. Endeavour expects to take advantage of its construction expertise, operating synergies and exploration experience to re-design and optimize the current feasibility study, which is expected to increase the annual production profile and improve the project economics.

Sebastien de Montessus, President & CEO, said: "We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Avnel. We believe that Kalana fits well within our strategy of building a high quality portfolio of long-life, low AISC assets with exploration upside. Furthermore, this acquisition expands our footprint in Mali and reinforces our project pipeline, which will allow us to continue to leverage our in-house construction expertise.

Kalana adds a third high-quality project to our portfolio, which we intend to develop following the completion of our Hounde and Ity CIL projects. In the interim, we look forward to optimizing the current feasibility study which should unlock further value for both Endeavour and Avnel shareholders, as well as benefiting our partners, the State of Mali and the local communities around Kalana."

Howard Miller, Chairman and CEO of Avnel, said: "This transaction with Endeavour will deliver many benefits to all our stakeholders. Avnel's shareholders will receive an immediate premium and benefit from the Kalana project being part of a diversified West African gold producer with significant growth potential and an experienced operational team. With a strong track record of successfully building mines on time and on budget in West Africa, we are confident that Endeavour is the ideal partner to develop Kalana. As such, this transaction will benefit our shareholders, the local community and our partners in the Malian government."

A compelling Transaction for all shareholders

Benefits For Endeavour Shareholders

Kalana is a high-quality project that fits Endeavour's strategic portfolio criteria of having assets with the potential to:

produce more than 150,000 ounces per year;

produce at an AISC of below $850/oz; and

have a mine life of above 10 years with significant further exploration potential.

Following the completion of the Hounde and Ity CIL projects, Kalana will become the next priority in Endeavour's development pipeline and will benefit from Endeavour's proven construction expertise.

Potential to unlock further value at Kalana as the project is successfully advanced.

Endeavour's West African presence will benefit Kalana and provide opportunities to draw on operating synergies in a country where Endeavour already has a producing mine, in addition to leveraging corporate synergies.

With already robust economics, the transaction is value accretive on a Net Asset Value basis to Endeavour shareholders.

Benefits For Avnel Shareholders

Delivers a significant premium for their current investment in Avnel.

Provides Avnel shareholders with continued exposure to Kalana through their interest in Endeavour, providing access to an experienced management team with a proven track record of building and operating mines in West Africa.

Gives Avnel shareholders exposure to Endeavour's financial strength and flexibility to develop Kalana.

Avnel shareholders will benefit from diversifying their exposure from a single pre-construction asset in a single geography to a multi-asset, multijurisdictional portfolio of high quality assets.

Avnel shareholders will also gain exposure to the value upside in Endeavour's growth portfolio, with material near term development growth and exploration potential.

Summary of transaction

Endeavour will acquire 100% of Avnel's issued and outstanding common shares under a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (the "Scheme").

Under the terms of the Scheme, Avnel shareholders will receive 0.0187 of an Endeavour share for each Avnel share held, which represents a value of C$0.42 per share based on Endeavour's 5 days VWAP (C$ 22.58 per share) on the TSX on 28 June 2017 and a total transaction consideration of approximately C$159 million (US$122 million). This represents a premium of 48% to the closing price of Avnel's ordinary shares on the TSX on 28 June 2017, and a 52% premium based on Avnel's 20-day trailing VWAP on the TSX for the period ending on 28 June 2017.

The number of Endeavour shares to be issued under the Scheme will be approximately 7 million based on the issued and outstanding shares of Avnel as of the date of this announcement. Following the completion of the transaction, Endeavour will have approximately 103.6 million ordinary shares in issue, with former Avnel shareholders holding approximately 6.8% of Endeavour's pro forma share capital.

BMO Capital Markets and Cormark Securities Inc. have provided opinions to the Avnel Board of Directors that as of the date of such opinions and subject to the assumptions, limitations, and qualifications stated in such opinions, the consideration to be received by the Avnel shareholders under the transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Avnel shareholders (other than affiliates of Elliott Management Corporation (the "Elliott Group")).

The Scheme has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of Avnel and Endeavour and will be subject to, among other things, the favourable vote by a majority in number of the Avnel shareholders voting at the Guernsey Court Meeting, either in person or by proxy, representing at least 75% in value of the Avnel shares voted.

Avnel's Directors intend to recommend that Avnel shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme, and directors holding shares have irrevocably undertaken to Endeavour to do so in respect of their holdings of, in aggregate, 1,000 Avnel shares. Fern Trust has irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the Scheme in respect of its holdings of, in aggregate, 33,602,022 Avnel shares, representing 8.91% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Avnel as at the date of this announcement.

In addition to the irrevocable undertakings from the Avnel Directors and Fern Trust, Endeavour has also received irrevocable undertakings from members of the Elliott Group (and their nominees), subject to certain exceptions, to vote in favour of the Scheme in respect of their holdings of, in aggregate 238,839,089 Avnel shares, representing 63.35% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Avnel.

The total irrevocable undertakings represent 72.27% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Avnel as at the date of this announcement.

A copy of the Arrangement Agreement, the Scheme circular (once published) and ancillary documents required to be filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities will be so filed and made available for viewing on the System for Electronic Documents Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") website at www.sedar.com.

Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including shareholder approval, as well as sanction of the Scheme by the Guernsey Royal Court.

Subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, including the receipt of the requisite approval of Avnel shareholders and sanction by the Guernsey Royal Court, the transaction is expected to close in September 2017. Details concerning the review and approval process carried out by the Special Committee and the Board of Avnel, together with a copy of the fairness opinions prepared by BMO Capital Markets and Cormark Securities Inc., will be contained in a management information circular to be provided for the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Avnel. The Avnel management information circular is expected to be filed and mailed to Avnel shareholders in late July 2017 and will be available on Avnel's website and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

QUALIFIED PERSONS

Adriaan "Attie" Roux, Pr.Sci.Nat, Endeavour's Chief Operating Officer, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release relating to Endeavour and Roy Meade, Avnel's President, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release relating to Avnel, except where noted otherwise. Both are Qualified Persons under NI 43-101.

ADVISERS

Endeavour's financial adviser is Gleacher Shacklock LLP and its legal advisers are Linklaters LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Mourant Ozannes LP.

Avnel's financial advisors are BMO Capital Markets and Cormark Securities Inc. and its legal advisors are Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP and Carey Olsen.

ABOUT ENDEAVOUR

Endeavour Mining is a TSX-listed intermediate gold producer, focused on developing a portfolio of high quality mines in the prolific West-African region, where it has established a solid operational and construction track record.

Endeavour is ideally positioned as the major pure West-African multi-operation gold mining company, operating 5 mines across Cote d'Ivoire (Agbaou and Ity), Burkina Faso (Karma), Mali (Tabakoto), and Ghana (Nzema). In 2017, it expects to produce between 600koz and 640koz at an AISC of US$860 to US$905/oz. Endeavour is currently building its Hounde project in Burkina Faso, which is expected to commence production in Q4-2017 and to become its flagship low-cost mine with an average annual production of 190koz at an AISC of US$709/oz over an initial 10-year mine life, based on reserves. The development of the Hounde and Ity CIL projects are expected to lift Endeavour's group production to +900kozpa and decrease its average AISC to circa $800/oz by 2019, while exploration aims to extend all mine lives to +10 years.

Corporate Office: 5 Young St, Kensington, London W8 5EH, UK

ABOUT AVNEL

Avnel Gold is a TSX-listed gold mining, exploration and development company with operations in southwestern Mali in West Africa. The Company's focus is to develop its 80%-owned Kalana Main Project from a small underground mine into a low-cost, high-grade, open pit mining operation. The Company is also advancing exploration on several nearby satellite deposits on the 387 km 30-year Kalana Exploitation Permit.

On January 9, 2017, the Company reported the results of an Optimized Feasibility Study ("OFS") prepared by Snowden Mining Industry Consultants. The OFS outlines an 18-year open-pit mine life at the Kalana Main Project recovering 1.82 million ozs of gold at an average "all-in sustaining cost" of $561/oz over the first five years of steady state production and $730/oz over the life of mine with an initial capital cost of $171 million. Utilising a gold price of $1,200/oz and a 5% discount rate, the OFS reported a net present value ("NPV") of $321 million after-tax and imputed interest, and an internal rate of return ("IRR") of 50% on a 100% project basis.
London, England (FSCwire) - Gabriel Resources Ltd. (Gabriel or the Company)[1] plans to file a statement of claim (the Memorial) tomorrow in its arbitration case against Romania seeking an amount equivalent to $5.7 billion[2] as compensation for the losses it incurred as a result of Romanias investment treaty violations.

By licensing and then blocking the implementation of the Projects[3], without due process and without compensation, Romania has deprived Gabriel entirely of the use, benefit and value of its investments in Romania, including its rights to develop the Projects. Gabriels claim is based on violations by Romania of several provisions of the Treaties, including due to:

the expropriation of its investments in Romania without compensation;

the failure to accord to its investments fair and equitable treatment and full protection and security; and

the impairment of its investments by discriminatory and unreasonable measures.

The Memorial will detail factual and legal arguments supporting Gabriels claim against Romania and the quantum of the damages sustained due to Romanias violation of the Treaties. It will be submitted to the arbitral tribunal constituted under the auspices of the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID"). The next steps in the current schedule of the ICSID proceedings include:

Romania to file its response to the Memorial (Counter-Memorial) by February 15, 2018.

Gabriel to file a reply to the Counter-Memorial (Reply) by September 5, 2018.

Romania to file its response to the Reply (Rejoinder) by February 19, 2019.

A hearing on the merits of the claim before the Tribunal, scheduled to occur from September 9 to 20, 2019.

Jonathan Henry, Gabriels President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:

For over two decades, Gabriel has operated in good faith and has complied with all applicable Romanian and European Union legal and regulatory requirements to obtain the requisite permits for the Projects. The Company has developed and committed to a comprehensive plan of investment for the sustainable development of the Rosia Montana region and all stakeholders, including protections for cultural heritage and cleaning up the widespread environmental damage caused by historic State mining activities. Gabriels plan for Rosia Montana has always had the support of the majority of local residents.

The Romanian Government unlawfully blocked the permitting of the Rosia Montana Project and then acted in manifest disregard of Gabriels agreement with the State and existing license rights. The actions of the Romanian Government are tantamount to expropriation of Gabriels investments in Romania. As Gabriels requests for conciliation and negotiation have been completely ignored by the Romanian Government, the only recourse left to the Company is to vigorously pursue this arbitration to its conclusion. Tomorrow we plan to file a robust, detailed statement of claim and seek compensation in the amount of $5.7 billion.

[1] The Company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gabriel Resources (Jersey) Ltd. (Gabriel Jersey) are claimants in an arbitration claim against Romania before the World Bank's ICSID, in accordance with the provisions of the Canada-Romania and UK-Romania bilateral investment treaties (together the Treaties). For the purposes of this release both the Company and Gabriel Jersey are designated as Gabriel or the Company.

[2] The claim, based on a damages assessment performed by an independent expert, will be filed in US dollars for the amount of US$4.4 billion, the Canadian dollar equivalent uses the closing foreign exchange rate on June 27.

[3] For the purposes of this release the Rosia Montana gold and silver project (the Rosia Montana Project) and the prospective gold, silver and porphyry copper deposits in the neighbouring Bucium concession area are referred to collectively as the Projects.

About Gabriel

Gabriel is a Toronto Stock Exchange listed Canadian resource company. The Companys principal focus has been the exploration and development of the Rosia Montana Project. The Rosia Montana Project, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Europe, is situated in the South Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania, Romania, an historic and prolific mining district that since pre-Roman times has been mined intermittently for over 2,000 years. The exploitation license (License) for the Rosia Montana Project is held by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation S.A., a Romanian company in which Gabriel owns an 80.69% equity interest, with the 19.31% balance held by Minvest Rosia Montana S.A., a Romanian state-owned mining company. It was anticipated that the Rosia Montana Project could bring over US$24 billion (at US$1,200/oz gold) to Romania as potential direct and indirect contribution to GDP and have generated thousands of employment opportunities.

Since the grant of the License in June 1999, the Company has focused substantially all of its management and financial resources on the exploration, feasibility and subsequent development of the Rosia Montana Project. Despite the Companys fulfilment of its legal obligations and its development of the Rosia Montana Project as a high-quality, sustainable and environmentally-responsible mining project, using best available techniques, Romania has blocked and prevented implementation of the Projects without due process and without compensation. Accordingly, the Companys current core focus is the ICSID Arbitration Claim.

For more information please visit the Companys website at www.gabrielresources.com.
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - June 29, 2017) - Almadex Minerals Limited ("Almadex" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: AMZ) ( OTCQB : AXDDF) is pleased to announce it has received assay results from the top of hole EC-17-025, which was collared into newly recognised area of exposed stockwork quartz veining and gold mineralisation in the Encinal Zone of the project. The Encinal Zone is located roughly 3.5 kilometres to the south-southeast of the Norte Zone drilling and 2.5 kilometers southeast of the recently identified Raya Tembrillo Zone of stockwork veining. To date assays have been received to a depth 300.36 meters with assays pending for the remainder of the hole. Significant mineralisation was intersected from the collar. Highlights from the assays received to date include the following intercepts which are also shown on the attached plan and section:

Hole EC-17-025 ENCINAL ZONE, 280 Az, -40 dip From 3.65 to 300.36, 296.71 meters @ 0.32 g/t gold and 0.13% copper Including 3.65 to 55.38, 51.73 meters @ 0.42 g/t gold and 0.17% copper And 3.65 to 9.65, 6.00 meters @ 1.14 g/t gold and 0.20% copper Including 165.89 to 266.36, 100.47 meters @ 0.44 g/t gold and 0.15% copper And 171.89 to 234.36, 62.47 meters @ 0.57 g/t gold and 0.17% copper And 171.89 to 206.36, 34.47 meters @ 0.73 g/t gold and 0.20% copper

J. Duane Poliquin, Chairman of Almadex commented, "While we are carrying out a systematic drill campaign to follow-up results in the Norte zone, there are other significant porphyry occurrences on the project that require drill testing most notably the newly identified Raya Tembrillo target. The hole reported today is from the Encinal zone where past drilling intercepted alteration and mineralisation peripheral to a porphyry system. Hole EC-17-025 has intercepted significant mineralisation that is proximal to a porphyry core. We look forward to reporting further results in the coming weeks and months as the programs progress."

The Company has now established trails which can support drill mobilization into the newly discovered Raya Tembrillo target, which is located in the Villa Rica Zone, roughly two kilometres to the south of the Norte Zone. The drill at the Encinal zone will be moved to Raya Tembrillo once some additional holes are completed to follow-up EC-17-025.

About the El Cobre Project

The El Cobre Project has a total area of 7,456 hectares and is located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, about 75 kilometres northwest of the major port city of Veracruz, Mexico and has uniquely excellent infrastructure. The project area is situated 200 meters above sea level with extensive road access and is located less than 10 kilometers from a power plant, highway, gas line and other major infrastructure. Major power lines cross the property area. Almadex has its full drill permits from SEMARNAT and has land access agreements in place. The land ownership is private over most of the project area, has previously been cleared and is used for local agricultural purposes.

The four copper-gold porphyry targets currently known within the El Cobre Project, Encinal, El Porvenir, Norte and Villa Rica are defined by distinct Cu-Au soil anomalies, discrete, positive magnetic features and a large IP chargeability anomaly. The largest target area is the Villa Rica zone which has not been drill tested. Limited past RC and diamond drill testing at Encinal, El Porvenir, and Norte has returned wide intercepts of porphyry copper-gold and narrow zones of intermediate sulphidation epithermal gold-silver vein mineralization, with selected intercepts as follows:

El Porvenir Zone: Drilling has demonstrated that the system persists at least to 400 m depth. Significant copper and gold grades were intersected such as 0.16% Cu and 0.39 g/t Au over 290 m in hole DDH04CB1. In addition, hole EC-13-004 intersected 0.23% Cu and 0.36 g/t Au over 106 m, to a depth of 504 m, again indicating potentially significant mineralization at depth. Encinal Zone: Past drilling in the area includes the 1998 RC hole CB5 which intersected a highly altered breccia pipe containing fragments of stockwork veining and porphyry mineralisation across which 18.28 meters returned 1.42 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu. The breccia pipe occurs in a large alteration zone, IP chargeability high and magnetics low which has not been tested to depth. On July 1, 2016, Almadex reported results of drilling at Encinal, which were consistent with the interpretation that the drilling was located in a zone marginal to a potential copper-rich portion of the porphyry system. Hole EC-17-025 is to the north of this past drilling. Norte Zone: All five holes drilled in the Norte Zone prior to 2016 intersected porphyry-style mineralization. Hole 08-CBCN-022, one of the deepest holes drilled at Norte in 2008, returned values of 0.14% Cu with 0.19 g/t Au over 259 m and 08-CBCN-19 intersected 41.15 meters averaging 0.42 g/t gold and 0.27% copper to the end of the hole at 187.45 meters. Drilling in 2016 and 2017 has been designed to test this zone to the south and at depth.

In addition to the above, several anomalous areas remain untested by drilling, including the Villa Rica Zone, a roughly 2.5 kilometre by 1 kilometre area defined by a strong north-northwest trending magnetic-chargeability high and associated copper-gold soil geochemical anomaly. Recently (see Almadex news releases of March 19th, 2017 and April 10th, 2017) significant new gold porphyry mineralisation was identified in outcrop at the Raya Tembrillo target within the Villa Rica zone.

More information on El Cobre is available on the Almadex website at http://www.almadexminerals.com/ASSETS/PROJECTS/Cobre.html.

Larry Segerstrom, M.Sc. (Geology), P.Geo., A Director of the Company, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. The porphyry mineralisation reported in this news release is associated with broad areas of alteration and stockwork veining. True widths cannot be determined at this time. The analyses reported were carried out at ALS Chemex Laboratories of North Vancouver using industry standard analytical techniques. For gold, samples are first analysed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS"). Samples that return values greater than 10 g/t gold using this technique are then re-analysed by fire assay but with a gravimetric finish. Blanks, field duplicates and certified standards were inserted into the sample stream as part of Almadex's quality assurance and control program which complies with National Instrument 43-101 requirements. A NI 43-101 compliant technical report on the El Cobre project entitled, "Technical Report on the El Cobre Property" was filed in May 2015 and can be obtained from www.sedar.com.

About Almadex

Almadex Minerals Limited is an exploration company that holds a large mineral portfolio consisting of projects and NSR royalties in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. This portfolio is the direct result of over 35 years of prospecting and deal-making by Almadex's predecessor company, Almaden Minerals Ltd. Almadex is currently focused on exploration at its El Cobre gold/copper porphyry project in Veracruz, Mexico, in which it holds a 100% interest, subject to a sliding-scale net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") equivalent to 0.5% in the event that production from the property exceeds 10,001 tonnes per day of ore. This NSR can be reduced to 0.25% at this production rate through the payment of US$3.0 million.
LIMA, Peru--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (Buenaventura or the Company) (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Perus largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, today announced the appointment of Mr. Gonzalo Eyzaguirre as Vice President of Operations, effective on July 1, 2017 and approved at the Companys Board meeting held on June 28, 2017. In his new role, Mr. Eyzaguirre will be responsible for Buenaventuras wholly owned operating units as well as the operating units of Buenaventuras subsidiaries.

Victor Gobitz, Chief Executive Officer of Buenaventura, commented, We are glad to have Gonzalo joining Buenaventuras management team. His extensive experience in mine operations management as General Manager at Sociedad Minera El Brocal, combined with his outstanding business acumen and demonstrated leadership skills, will prove invaluable in the years to come. We look forward to leveraging Gonzalos considerable energy and expertise as we continue to optimize Buenaventuras and subsidiaries operations.

Mr. Eyzaguirre has more than 20 years of experience in the mining industry with a deep understanding of both underground and open pit mines. Prior to assuming his new role at Buenaventura, Mr. Eyzaguirre was the General Manager of Sociedad Minera el Brocal since October 2014. He also held positions of increasing responsibility including Mine Superintendent, Operations Manager and ultimately as General Manager at Gold Fields Cerro Corona operation located in Cajamarca, northern Peru. Mr. Eyzaguirre began his career with Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. in Cajamarca, where he held various positions over a period of more than seven years.

Mr. Eyzaguirre received an undergraduate degree in Mining Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru in 1995. He holds an MBA from York Universitys Schulich School of Business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and completed Harvard Business Schools General Management Program.

Company Description

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Perus largest, publicly traded precious metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the mining, processing, development and exploration of gold and silver and other metals via wholly owned mines, as well as through its participation in joint exploration projects.

Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Mallay*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, El Brocal, La Zanja and Coimolache) and is developing the San Gabriel Project.

The Company owns 43.65% of Minera Yanacocha S.R.L (a partnership with Newmont Mining Corporation), an important precious metal producer and 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer.

For a printed version of the Companys 2016 Form 20-F, please contact the persons indicated above, or download a PDF format file from the Companys web site.
OTTAWA, Ontario, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (Cornerstone or the Company) (TSXV:CGP) (Frankfurt:GWN) (Berlin:GWN) (OTC:CTNXF) announces the following project update for the Cascabel copper-gold porphyry joint venture exploration project in northern Ecuador.

Figures referred to in this news release can be seen in PDF format by accessing the version of this release on the Companys website (www.cornerstoneresources.com) or by clicking on the link below:

HIGHLIGHTS:

 Hole 23R (Rig 1) assay results:

1030m @ 1.16 % copper equivalent (CuEQ)  (0.59 % Cu, 0.90 g/t Au) from 490m, including:

- 770m @ 1.44 % CuEq (0.71 % Cu, 1.16 g/t Au) from 540m;

- 474m @ 1.88 % CuEq (0.89 % Cu, 1.57 g/t Au) from 830m; and

- 216m @ 3.08 % CuEq (1.29 % Cu, 2.84 g/t Au) from 970m.

 Mineralization occurs in a strongly veined quartz diorite intrusive phase, believed to represent the causative mineralized porphyry at Alpala.

 Strong mineralized veining cuts the drill core axis at a high angle (Figure 2) suggesting potential for lateral extensions and true thickness of approximately 80%.

 Current drill holes 23R-D1 (Rig 1), 24-D1 (Rig 3), 26 (Rig 4), and 27 (Rig 2) are in progress with all holes intersecting increasingly mineralized diorite porphyry.

 Hole 23R-D1 is testing the mineralization in Hole 23R (this report) to the north-east, and at depth.

Note : Gold Conversion Factor of 0.63 calculated from a copper price of US$3.00/lb and a gold price US$1300/oz.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Alpala deposit continues to grow with each new drill hole. Over 39,000m of drilling have been completed to date along the greater Alpala trend. Current drilling focuses on defining the geometry of the growing porphyry copper-gold deposit at Alpala, which is open in virtually all directions, as drill testing to date has not yet defined the extents of the Alpala deposit (Figure 1).

Hole 23R (Rig 1) assay results returned 1030m grading 1.16 % copper equivalent (0.59 % copper and 0.90 g/t gold) from 492.0m depth.

Hole 23R tested the eastern and depth extensions of the Alpala deposit to the east and northeast of drill hole 16, which returned 856m grading 0.80% Cu, 1.04 g/t Au (1.41 % CuEq at that time) (see Cornerstone news release 16-09 dated April 29, 2016) and leaves a large portion of the high-grade core at Alpala open to the east.

Selected examples of mineralization and copper and gold grades encountered in Hole 23R are shown in Figure 2. Intersections achieved in drill hole 23R are detailed at selected cut-off grades in Table 1.

Hole ID Depth

From Depth

To Interval

(m) Cu_% Au_g/t Cu.Eq_% True Width

(m) CSD-17-023R 490 1520 1030 0.59 0.90 1.16 824 522 1474 952 0.63 0.97 1.24 762 540 1310 770 0.71 1.16 1.44 616 830 1304 474 0.89 1.57 1.88 379 924 1300 376 0.99 1.89 2.18 300 926 1194 268 1.16 2.42 2.68 214 970 1186 216 1.29 2.84 3.08 173

* Data Aggregation Method

- Intercepts reported with up to 10m internal dilution. (Excluding bridging to a single sample)

- Intercepts selected using Cu equivalent cutoff grades of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.50, 0.70, 1.0 and 1.50

*** Gold Conversion factor of 0.63 calculated from copper price US$3.00/lb and gold price US$1300/oz.

Table 1: Drill Hole 23R copper and gold intersections.

The high-grade intervals within Hole 23R are typified by high gold grades up to 5.68 g/t gold. The occurrence of Unidirectional Solidification Texture (UST) crystals, rimmed by magnetite, at the inner margins of the early quartz-diorite porphyry source intrusion at Alpala, indicate the oxidized nature of the fluids, and have facilitated the very high gold (and copper) grades. Selected examples of high grade mineralization encountered in the source intrusion along Hole 23R are shown in Figure 3.

SolGold geologists believe a number of the targets at Alpala may coalesce. The long high grade intersection achieved in Hole 23R lies open to the east and northeast. This may coalesce deeper extensions associated with the high grade panel of intense bornite mineralization intersected last month in Hole 25, which is interpreted to represent the cupola of a previously unknown high-grade quartz diorite apophysis that lies immediately east of the Alpala deposit (Figure 4).

Current drill holes 23R-D1 (Rig 1), 24-D1 (Rig 3), 26 (Rig 4), and 27 (Rig 2) are in progress with all holes intersecting mineralized diorite porphyry. The locations and progress of current drill holes are shown in Figure 1.

About Cascabel:

Exploraciones Novomining S.A. (ENSA), an Ecuadorean company owned by SolGold Plc and Cornerstone, holds 100% of the Cascabel concession. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including SolGolds fully funding the project through to feasibility, SolGold Plc will own 85% of the equity of ENSA and Cornerstone will own the remaining 15% of ENSA. SolGold Plc is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project.

Cascabel is in northwestern Ecuador in an under-explored northern section of the Andean Copper Belt, 60 km northeast of the undeveloped inferred resource of 982 million tons at 0.89% Cu Llurimaga (formerly Junin) copper project (0.4% Cu cut-off grade; Micon International Co. Ltd. Technical Report for Ascendant Exploration SA, August 20, 2004, pages 28 & 29). Mineralization identified at the Llurimaga copper project is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Cascabel Property.

Qualified Person:

Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstones Vice President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Cascabel project for Cornerstone and has reviewed and approved the information contained in this news release.

Logging, sampling, assaying and reporting

Holes referred to in this release were or are being drilled using HTW, NTW, NQ and BQ core sizes (respectively 7.1, 5.6, 4.8 and 3.7 cm diameter). Geotechnical measurements such as core recovery, fracturing, rock quality designations (RQDs), specific density and photographic logging are performed systematically prior to assaying. The core is logged, magnetic susceptibility measured and key alteration minerals identified using an on-site portable spectrometer. Core is then sawed in half at the ENSA core logging facility, and half of the core is delivered by ENSA employees for preparation at ALS Minerals Laboratories (ALS) sample preparation facility in Quito. Core samples are prepared crushing to 70% passing 2 mm (10 mesh), splitting 250 g and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) (ALS code CRU-31, SPL21 and PUL-32). Prepared samples are then shipped to ALS in Lima, Peru where samples are assayed for a multi-element suite (ALS code ME-MSP61, 1g split, 4-acid digestion, ICP-MS finish). Over limit results for Ag (> 100 g/t) and Cu, (> 1%) are systematically re-assayed (ALS code Ag-AA62, 4-acid digestion, AAS finish). Gold is assayed using a 30 g split, Fire Assay (FA) and AA finish (ALS code Au-AA23).

Drill hole intercepts are calculated using a data aggregation method, defined by copper equivalent cut-off grades and reported with up to 10m internal dilution, excluding bridging to a single sample. Copper equivalent grades are calculated using a gold conversion factor of 0.63, determined using an updated copper price of USD3.00/pound and an updated gold price of USD1300/ounce. Copper equivalent calculation assumes 100% recoveries of copper and gold.

All reported drill core intervals from the Cascabel Property are core lengths, unless otherwise indicated. At present the true thicknesses of all the holes has not been calculated by SolGold. True width of down hole intersections are variable, estimated by SolGold to be approximately 25-50% of the core length in general and to be 80% in this part of the deposit.

Quality assurance / Quality control (QA/QC)

The ALS Laboratory is a qualified assayer that performs and makes available internal assaying controls. Duplicates, certified blanks and standards are systematically used (1 control sample every 15-20 samples). Rejects, a 100 g pulp for each core sample and the remaining half-core are stored for future use and controls.

About Cornerstone:

Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a well-funded mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, and a proven ability to identify, acquire and advance properties of merit.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 29, 2017) - Probe Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:PRB)(OTCQB:PROBF) ("Probe" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has executed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Aurbel East property ("Aurbel East" or the "Property"), from QMX Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE:QMX).The Property is situated immediately adjacent to the Company's Val-d'Or East ("Val-d'Or East") Project near Val-d'Or, Quebec, strategically located west of our 100% owned Resenor gold deposit (see additional information below) and Richmont Mines' producing Beaufor Mine. Aurbel East is comprised of 22 mining claims and increases Probe's landholdings in Val-d'Or to 316 square kilometres, making it one of the largest consolidated land packages in the Val-d'Or Mining Camp. The property will be acquired for an aggregate cash payment of $1,000,000. The acquisition of Aurbel East is conditional on regulatory approval and closing.

Figure 1 - Val-d'Or East Project





The Company is also pleased to announce that it has acquired a 100% undivided interest in 6 mining claims in and adjacent to the Val-d'Or East project from private landowners for a cash payment of $25,000.

Work is continuing on the Company's 75,000 metre drill program at Val-d'Or East, with four rigs currently testing resource expansion potential, including follow-up drilling on three new discovery areas. As of today, and before the acquisition of Aurbel East, the Company has approximately $35 million in cash and marketable securities.

The Resenor deposit has a historical resource of 181,000 metric tonnes at 8.6 g/t Au in the inferred category. This historical resource was estimated by EI Coco Explorations Ltd. in 1978. There is no formal technical report in support of the estimate and it is not consistent with current NI 43-101 disclosure standards. The assumptions, parameters and methods used to calculate this historical resource estimate are not known to the Company. There are no more recent estimates or data available on the Resenor deposit. A Qualified Person from Probe Metals has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources as defined by NI 43-101, and as such the Company is not treating this historical estimate as a current mineral resource. While the historical resource estimate may not be reliable, the Company believes the historical estimate provides an indication of the potential of the property and is relevant to any future exploration. In order for these resources to be current, the Company will need to conduct additional drilling on the property.

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed, prepared and approved by Mr. Marco Gagnon, P.Geo, Executive Vice President of the Company, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About Probe Metals:

Probe Metals Inc. is a leading Canadian gold exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is well-funded and controls a strategic land package of over 1,000-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Ontario and Quebec: Val d'Or, West Timmins, Casa-Berardi and Detour Quebec. The Company is committed to discovering and developing high-quality gold projects, including its key asset the Val-d'Or East Gold Project. The Company was formed as a result of the sale of Probe Mines Limited to Goldcorp Inc. in 2015. Goldcorp currently owns a 13.8% stake in the Company.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 29, 2017) - Cordoba Minerals Corp. (TSX VENTURE:CDB) (OTCQX:CDBMF) ("Cordoba" or the "Company") announced today that it has received the conditional approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") of the previously announced proposed transaction with its joint venture partner, High Power Exploration Inc. ("HPX"), whereby Cordoba will acquire (the "Transaction") HPX's 51% interest in the San Matias Joint Venture through the acquisition of HPX Colombia Ventures Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HPX, for consideration of 92,681,290 Cordoba common shares. Details of the Transaction can be found in the June 13, 2017 news release.

The Transaction is scheduled to close shortly after the annual and special meeting of Cordoba shareholders in July, where the Company will seek minority shareholder approval of the Transaction, including the issuance of the Cordoba common shares and units in connection with the Transaction. The Transaction also remains subject to final TSXV approval.

The temporary trading halt in connection with the Transaction is expected to be lifted at the start of trading on June 30, 2017.

About High Power Exploration (HPX):

HPX is a privately owned, metals-focused exploration company deploying proprietary in-house geophysical technologies to rapidly evaluate buried geophysical targets. The HPX technology cluster comprises geological and geophysical systems for targeting, modelling, survey optimization, acquisition, processing and interpretation. HPX has a highly experienced board and management team led by Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Friedland, President Eric Finlayson, a former head of exploration at Rio Tinto, and co-chaired by Ian Cockerill, a former Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields Ltd. For further information, please visit www.hpxploration.com.
Six victims of abuse at the Brothers Home give testimony, Tuesday, during a conference at the National Assembly. Han Jong-sun, left, led the calls for an investigation into abuses at the former government-funded juvenile detention center. / Korea Times photo by You Soo-sun



In pursuit of truth, child victims demand government investigation

By You Soo-sun

Thirty years after the atrocities of the Brothers Home were brought to light, much still remains in the dark, its former inmates said during a conference, Tuesday, at the National Assembly. Six survivors from the detention center spoke of the horrors  forced labor, beatings, rapes and killings  that continue to haunt them, as they pleaded for justice.

The victims urged the Moon Jae-in administration to help enact a special act, proposed by 73 lawmakers including Rep. Jin Sun-mi of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), to identify and punish those accountable, including those still in the government, and compensate the victims. Brothers Home was a government-funded detention center that trafficked in people for hard labor between 1975 and 1987. Often referred to as a concentration camp, the Brothers Home was found responsible for at least 500 deaths. Yet, no one has been held accountable.

Who were the inmates at the Brothers Home?

The so-called brothers were mostly children, and many had been homeless or disabled  but others were detained for little reason, often just for being unaccompanied in public. Following then-President Park Chung-hee's order in 1975 to "clean up" the streets, police officers and local officials picked up people from the streets to put them in 36 detention centers nationwide. They took in over 16,000 people, and two previous investigation attempts were suppressed by senior government officials according to a 2016 AP article.

The Brothers Home, which was located in Busan, was the largest such facility. It reportedly received government funding of an annual 2 billion won at the time, estimated at over 20 billion won ($17.5 billion) in current value. The funding depended on the number of inmates, incentivizing the institutions to maximize their number of inmates.

At age 10, Kim Sang-soo, now 52, was abducted at a train station while on his way to meet his eldest sister. After three years in a Seoul juvenile center, Kim was taken to the Brothers Home where he would stay another seven years.

He now drives a taxi for a living  ironically, driving was a skill he acquired at the facility. "If it still existed, I'm afraid my driving skills would have been used for kidnapping others like me," Kim said.

The victims believe many surviving victims still hide behind closed doors, keeping their lives as "brothers" a secret.

Kim was also one of them until few years ago when he told his family. "It took a lot of courage for me to come out to my family," he said.

Park Soon-yi, the only female victim at the conference, was also taken there while she was out searching for her brother in 1980. Then 10 years old, Park was forced into the facility after she followed a police officer who offered her help. She followed him to a police station, where throngs of people waited until a car picked them up and dropped them at the Brothers Home. It took her six years to escape.

Also like Kim, she had tried to keep this to herself. "At first I was angry it had gotten out," Park said, referring to a renowned television show that covered the mass detainment in 2014. She cursed and fought the man who brought this to light: Han Jong-sun, who held a months-long protest in front of the National Assembly in 2012 to make their stories known.

"I cursed him for revealing this  for searing into my memory, but later I realized someone needed to take action," Park said.

Park, who drinks every night to sleep  as many other victims do to escape the bleak memories of beatings, rapes, and murders of fellow inmates  continued to sob throughout her testimony. "Nothing will alleviate our pain," Park said. "But it will help us to die in peace to know some justice will be restored."

Victims continue their pursuit of truth

This practice was first revealed in 1987, when one of the detainees' deaths was reported in the media, followed by a mass escape of 35 inmates from the Brothers Home. The owner, Park In-kun, was indicted for forced labor of 180 inmates as well as physical assault, but attention subdued and he was never tried in court on those charges. Eventually, he got off with a two-and-a-half-year sentence for embezzlement and other minor charges.

"Five hundred fifty-one deaths, with evidence, have been revealed," said Lee Hyang-jik, 45. "In actuality, there are probably thousands who died."

Lee, abused from childhood by his father who later sent him to the Brothers Home, further asked President Moon for an investigation and a formal apology from the country.

"The incident wasn't Park In-kun's individual wrongdoing, but a nation-led crusade involving public officials, the police, even local residents."

He also pleaded with his fellow citizens: "Please remember what happened until the truth is fully revealed. Anyone can become a victim of state violence."
Dr. Frankenstein, eat your heart out: Scientists have grown the pebbly green skin of sea turtles in the lab for the first time ever.

In fact, it's the first time anyone has ever grown reptile skin in a laboratory, period. The reason? Researchers are trying to understand the behavior of a bizarre and mysterious virus that afflicts green sea turtles with huge, warty tumors.

These "gnarly" tumors are the main symptom of a disease called fibropapillomatosis, said study leader Thierry Work, a wildlife disease specialist with the U.S. Geologic Survey in Honolulu. It's found in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) worldwide. The tumors grow all over the turtles' bodies  including around the eyes and mouth, and on internal organs  so many turtles with fibropapillomatosis die of malnutrition and immune system complications, Work told Live Science. [11 Body Parts Grown in the Lab]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and the U.S. Endangered Species Act list green sea turtles as threatened or endangered throughout their ranges worldwide.

A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). The species is endangered or threatened throughout the world, and is facing a dangerous tumor-causing disease called fibropapillomatosis. (Image credit: Thierry Work/USGS)

For at least 20 years, researchers have known that a virus called chelonid herpesvirus 5, or ChHV5, is often associated with fibropapillomatosis tumors. But the herpesvirus doesn't reproduce under laboratory conditions, so scientists haven't been able to study it, or even prove that it's the cause of the disease.

Growing skin

The new lab-grown turtle skin could change all that. Through lots of trial and error, Work and his colleagues were able to take skin cells from sea turtles with fibropapillomatosis that had been euthanized and use them to grow actual skin tissue in the lab. This was a challenge, Work said, because the team had to reproduce the three-dimensional structure of turtle skin using two cell types: fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Getting it to work required lots of adaptations to techniques that have been used to grow human and other mammal skin tissue under lab conditions, Work said.

Once the researchers managed to sustain the skin in the lab, they were able to reproduce the virus within the three-dimensional skin structure.

"It really did allow us to see the complete development of the virus," Work said.

3D structure

The viral reproduction was exciting because it was the first time anyone had grown ChHV5 in the lab. But it was also significant because the researchers found that the virus replicates differently in three-dimensional skin tissue than other herpesviruses do on single layers of cells in a petri dish. For example, they found bizarre sun-shaped replication centers, around which viruses encased in protein shells called capsids arranged themselves.

Lab-grown sea turtle skin was infected with a herpesvirus. (Image credit: Julie Dagenais/USGS)

"The idea [we have] of how herpesviruses replicate might be really skewed," Work said.

Now that the ChHV5 virus can be grown in the lab, researchers will be able to extract and purify it to confirm whether this is the virus that causes fibropapillomatosis, he said. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a blood test for the virus so that turtles that aren't showing symptoms can be tested. Those kinds of blood tests can reveal the virus's presence in an environment, Work said.

"If you can trace the virus, you can start looking at the environmental variables that are conducive to disease occurrence," he said. "And then you can work to modify the environment to decrease the incidence of disease."

The research appeared June 14 in the Journal of Virology.

Original article on Live Science.
Pyrosomes fished out of the water along the Oregon coast range in size from a few inches to more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) long.

The waters off the Oregon coast are mysteriously awash with strange, jelly-like creatures that look like translucent slugs, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

These bizarre organisms, called pyrosomes (Pyrosoma atlanticum), began appearing off Oregon's coast in 2015, but in recent months, their numbers have multiplied into the millions, NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Newport, Oregon, reported.

P. atlanticumusually live in tropical waters. Even so, they are thriving in the Northwest's typically chilly Pacific Ocean, multiplying to the point of clogging local waters and fishing gear. [Dangers in the Deep: 10 Scariest Sea Creatures]

For instance, a 5-minute midwater tow with a research net off Oregon's Columbia River in late May captured roughly 60,000 pyrosomes. The scientists who caught them had been looking for a rare fish, and had to spend hours sorting through the pyrosomes until they found their target, they said.

"We have a lot of questions and not many answers," Ric Brodeur, a research biologist at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, said in a statement. "We're trying to collect as much information as we can to try to understand what is happening and why."

Thousands of pyrosomes were found in the waters near the Oregon Coast. (Image credit: Hilarie Sorensen/University of Oregon)

Strange colony

Each pickle-like creature is, in fact, a colony made up of individual zooids that join to create a hollow, tube-like structure that has one closed end and one open end. (A zooid is a small, multicellular organism that makes up part of a colonial animal, and can arise from another zooid by budding or dividing.)

These plankton-eating filter feeders hang out hundreds of feet below the water's surface during the day, and migrate vertically to the surface at nighttime. But little is known about their eating behavior and how that impacts food chains, especially when they show up in large numbers, NOAA officials said.

P. atlanticum are pelagic, meaning they live far from land, in the open ocean. In this case, the pyrosomes are found in high densities from about 40 miles to 200 miles (60 to 320 kilometers) off the Oregon coast, NOAA officials said.

Oregon's pyrosomes range from about 1.5 inches to 2.5 feet (4 to 78 centimeters) long, and researchers have found even larger pyrosomes farther off the coast, NOAA reported.

"At first, we didn't know what to make of these odd creatures coming up in our nets, but as we headed north and farther off shore, we started to get more and more," Hilarie Sorensen, a University of Oregon graduate student, said in the statement. "We began counting and measuring them to try to get a better understanding of their size and distribution related to the local environmental conditions."

Pyrosome predators include certain fish, dolphins and whales, the agency added.

It would take quite a few of these predators to make a dent in this pyrosome boom. The creatures' population expansion is also taking over waters off northern California, Washington and southeast Alaska. Researchers plan to study them further to see what factors led to the creatures' sudden rise, NOAA officials said.

Original article on Live Science.
by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, June 29, 2017

A regional power company in Tennessee has emerged as Consumer Reports top-rated TV provider, edging out Google Fiber by one point.

The company, identified as EPB Fiber in the August issue of Consumer Reports out this week, is the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga (Tennessee), owned by that city.

In terms of the homes to which it provides TV, EPB Fiber is tiny compared to cable TV giants such as Comcast, which has an estimated 30 million subscriber households.

According to Wikipedia, the power company serves 170,000 homes and businesses in its 600-square mile service area.

In the August Consumer Reports, EPB's Internet service was ranked fourth, behind Google Fiber (No. 1), Consolidated Fiber (No. 2) and Armstrong Cable (No. 3).

The rankings were derived from a CR reader survey (a questionnaire sent out last fall) -- not any testing conducted by CR. The magazine says the TV service provider results are based on 114,107 respondents and the Internet provider results are based on 90,838 respondents.

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EPB apparently scored highest in the survey in the categories of reliability and equipment. It also scored well under value and channel selection.

Google Fiber is also a smallish regional player at present with an estimated 68,715 TV subscribers and about 453,000 broadband customers, according to Wikipedia.

Google Fiber was first set up in Kansas City, Missouri, and its suburbs. It has now expanded to markets including Austin, Provo, Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Salt Lake City, San Antonio and Raleigh-Durham/Chapel Hill.

Google Fiber also received the survey's highest ranking in reliability and equipment plus channel selection and technical support. It also tied EPB in value. EPB's reader score was 86, compared to Googles 85.

Meanwhile, the cable company that serves many of us who live here in Manhattan -- Spectrum (formerly Time Warner) -- was ranked 15th in the TV provider rankings. It scored poorly in every category, especially value. The quality of Spectrums free VOD offerings scored poorly too.

Comcast was ranked 18th, with poor results in value and customer service. These results are not surprising, particularly when it comes to cable customers filling out customer-satisfaction surveys about their cable services.

If the results in these two categories had been somewhere in the vicinity of excellent, then that would have been headline news.

In the Internet provider rankings, Google Fiber received the survey's highest scores in value and reliability. Spectrum (Time Warner) was ranked 23rd. Comcast was 26th.

Cable companies including Armstrong, RCN, Midco, Wave and WOW made the top 10 in this list. So did Verizon Fiber, which ranked seventh in the Internet provider rankings. Cincinnati Bell Fiber was ranked eighth.

The rankings are part of this CR issue's cover package headlined on the front of the magazine: Cable or Streaming? How to cut the cord, get the best deals, and pick the ideal combo for you.

The stories inside the magazine provide primers on a number of current issues in the TV realm that affect consumers such as net neutrality, for example.

On this subject, CR's parent, Consumers Union, is against efforts now underway in the Trump administration FCC (under new chairman Ajit Pai) to overturn net neutrality rules put in place under the Obama administration in 2015.

Consumers Union  thinks that rolling back the rules could diminish competition, harming consumers, CR says.

The magazine also weighs in on the subject of city-owned networks, which would include the mags highest-rated TV provider, EPB of Chattanooga. Citing another source -- MuniNetworks.org -- the magazine reports that there are 500 such networks in the U.S. run directly by a local government or in cooperation with a private company.

One concern about so-called municipal broadband service providers, CR says, is that the systems put taxpayers at financial risk. Consumers Union has an opinion on this subject too. Consumers Union opposes restrictions on municipal broadband, the magazine reports.

A senior policy counsel for CU -- Jonathan Schwantes -- is then quoted: Local governments should have the freedom to provide their residents with alternatives that hopefully spur additional competition.

And, he might have added, cities or other local governments should have the right to promote policies, investments and technologies that help make their regions attractive places for people to live and work in.

After all, promoting local economies and lifestyles is part of how municipalities compete with other ones for businesses and residents.
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Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, together its subsidiaries, operates as a life science company worldwide. It operates through Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, and Crop Science segments. The Pharmaceuticals segment offers prescription products primarily for cardiology and women's health care; specialty therapeutics in the areas of oncology, hematology, and ophthalmology; and diagnostic imaging equipment and contrast agents, as well as cell and gene therapy. The Consumer Health segment markets nonprescription over-the-counter medicines, medical products, medicated skincare products, nutritional supplements, and self-care solutions in dermatology, nutritional supplements, pain and cardiovascular risk prevention, digestive health, allergy, and cold and cough. The Crop Science segment offers chemical and biological crop protection products, improved plant traits, seeds, digital solution, and pest and weed control products, as well as customer service for agriculture. This segment also provides breeding, propagation, and production/processing of seeds, including seed dressing. The company has a collaboration agreement with MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop oncology drugs; research and license agreement with Dewpoint Therapeutics, Inc. for the development of new treatments for cardiovascular and gynecological diseases; collaboration agreement with Exscientia Ltd, Foundation Medicine Inc., and Evotec AG; research collaboration with Arvinas Inc.; strategic research partnership with University of Oxford to develop novel gynecological therapies; and Kyoto University to identify new drugs candidates for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. It distributes its products through wholesalers, pharmacies and pharmacy chains, supermarkets, online and other retailers, and hospitals, as well as directly to farmers. Bayer Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany.
ResMed Inc. develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets medical devices and cloud-based software applications for the healthcare markets. The company operates in two segments, Sleep and Respiratory Care, and Software as a Service. It offers various products and solutions for a range of respiratory disorders, including technologies to be applied in medical and consumer products, ventilation devices, diagnostic products, mask systems for use in the hospital and home, headgear and other accessories, dental devices, and cloud-based software informatics solutions to manage patient outcomes, as well as provides customer and business processes. The company also provides AirView, a cloud-based system that enables remote monitoring and changing of patients' device settings; myAir, a personalized therapy management application for patients with sleep apnea that provides support, education, and troubleshooting tools for increased patient engagement and improved compliance; U-Sleep, a compliance monitoring solution that enables home medical equipment (HME)to streamline their sleep programs; connectivity module and propeller solutions; and Propeller portal. It offers out-of-hospital software solution, such as Brightree business management software and service solutions to providers of HME, pharmacy, home infusion, orthotics, and prosthetics services; MatrixCare care management and related ancillary solutions to senior living, skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, home care, and hospice organizations, as well as related accountable care organizations; and HEALTHCAREfirst that offers electronic health record, software, billing and coding services, and analytics for home health and hospice agencies. The company markets its products primarily to sleep clinics, home healthcare dealers, and hospitals through a network of distributors and direct sales force in approximately 140 countries. ResMed Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
29.06.2017 LISTEN

In an era where boundaries do not cut businesses, organizations and firms are taking advantage of global connections to make their products and businesses useful and relevant in all spheres. It`s in the wake of this business opportunities that MenzGold, a Gold dealership entity in Ghana partnered with BET in a way that added color to this year`s awards.

MenzGold, a sister company of Zylofon Media- a record label in Ghana with their interest in the creative arts industry the world over sponsored a 24-carat gold coins which had images of all the nominees of the international category (Africa) in this year`s event. The presentation of the 24 carat gold coins with embossed images of the nominees were presented by Rebecca Acheampong aka Becca who is the communications director of MenzGold and doubles as a signed artiste for Zylofon Media.

In an interview with the CEO of MenzGold who also doubles as the CEO of Zylofon Media and other businesses, he revealed that the creative arts industry is the future of the world therefore his interest to support this year`s BET with pure gold coins with images of the International category (African) nominees. We hope to do more in subsequent years Nana Appiah Mensah who was honored with a Special Recognition Award at the just ended Exclusive Men of the Year (EMYs awards) at Kemspinki added.

It`s now time for us in Africa and the world at large to work harder in the creative arts industry since the land of Gold, Ghana with the help of MenzGold and Zylofon Media are looking forward to honor more nominees in the creative arts industry in subsequent years.
Inna Patty & Afua Asieduwaa Akrofi Miss Ghana ambassador at the ceremony

The Miss Ghana Foundation has been applauded by Deputy Minister of Health, Tina Mensah, for its advocacy role to increase the number of regular and voluntary blood donors across the country to support the National Blood Service.

According to her, she is impressed with the impact of the Miss Ghana brand, the first ambassadors for the National Blood Drive.

Tina Mensah, who was speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 2017 World Blood Donor Day under the theme: 'Focus On Blood Donation In Emergencies', at the forecourt of the National Blood Service Centre, Korle-Bu, last week was grateful to the Miss Ghana Foundation.

She was also thankful to all donors for their support over the years and further encouraged them not to relent in their patriotism.

Tina Mensah also disclosed that two new volunteers will be outdoored very soon to complement the advocacy role being played by the Miss Ghana brand.

She went on to pledge her personal and ministry's support to ensure that proper regulations and safety of all stakeholders are upheld.

Dr Owen Kaluwa, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the ceremony, tasked Ghanaians not to wait for an emergency before donating blood.

He advised Ghanaians to donate as often as possible.

Dr Kaluwa mentioned that a lot of lives could have been saved during the June 3 disaster if there was enough blood at the National Blood Bank.

The President of Miss Ghana Foundation, Inna Patty, revealed that each year's Miss Ghana titleholders and her two runner-ups become ambassadors of the National Blood Service during their time with Miss Ghana brand and Miss Ghana Foundation; to help create awareness on the need to increase the number of regular and voluntary blood donors. Our mission is to help save lives.

Ms Patty reiterated that in a few weeks time, the contestants of this year's special edition, Miss Ghana 60 years on event and the eventual newly crowned Miss Ghana 60 years on queen, and her two runner-ups shall add their voice to this noble cause.''

The World Blood Donor Day in Accra was also attended by officials from National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Director of National Blood Service, Dr Justina Kordai Ansah, members of the trustees for the Ghana Blood Committee, Miss Ghana ambassadors, Mr Ghana ambassador, among others.

The event ended with plaques given to honorary blood donors from all walks of life and institutions that have contributed immensely to the cause  blood saves lives.

By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: [email protected] )




This year's edition of Sallafest 2017 was held on Monday, June 26 on the Chapter O Street at Nima in Accra.

The annual event which was organised by EXP, in collaboration with VVIP and Chapter O, is largely credited for bringing together thousands of Muslims across the Muslim communities in Accra on one platform to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr.

The event witnessed performances from top stars like VVIP, Kwaw Kese, Samini, Tinny and Kofi Kinaata, who thrilled fans with some of their hit tracks.

The show also witnessed the return of 5Five with an exhilarating performance which kept fans dancing and singing to some of their old hits.

Other artiste such as Jupitar, Praye, Atom, D-Black, Ebony, Guru and others also dished out their various hit songs one after the other.

Sallahfest 2017 was sponsored by Kasapa FM.

By George Clifford Owusu
Award winning Media queen and Women's advocate, Anita Erskine, has been added an influential list of leaders, and innovators in the public and private sectors, at a High Level conference on Womens Empowerment and Leadership being held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France on June 30th, 2017.

The one - day conference, serves as the official launch of a series thematic conferences, on the theme UNESCOs Soft Power Today.

Along the years, UNESCO has provided women and girls with role models for their participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Design, Mathematics (STEAM fields), it has developed gender-sensitive media indicators, it has promoted young womens leadership in culture, and it has worked to ensure equal opportunities for boys and girls in education, among many other fields. One of the expected outcomes of the Conference is a set of specific recommendations for policies and actions that UNESCO can take forward to promote gender equality and girls / womens empowerment. Says, Ms. S. Gulser Corat, Director, Division of Gender Equality, UNESCO.

Erskine joins the likes of Ms Irina Bokova - Director General of UNESCO, Ms, Saniye Gulser Corat - Director, Division of Gender Equality, H.E. Ms Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta, H.R.H. Princess Petra Laurentien of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, UNESCO Special Envoy for Literacy for Development, H.E. Ms Tarja Halonen, Former President of the Republic of Finland, Ms Annie Black, Deputy Executive Director, LOreal Foundation, Ms Aicha Bah Diallo, Founder, Forum for African Women Educationalists, The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada (1999-2005) and Co-Chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and a host of other great female change makers and leaders.

Anita Erskine's advocacy for Women and Girls is charged by her desire to help more Women source funding and capital for their start ups, and for more Girls to access education across Africa. She is the face of the Starr Woman project 2017, the co host of the StarrDrive and the Managing Director of Anita Erskine Media.
The heavy downpour on Monday afternoon in parts of the country did not deter hundreds of Ghanaians from trooping to the West Hills Mall on the Accra-Kasoa road, to participate in the maiden edition of the HOW WELL ARE YOU free health screening campaign by the Philipa Baafi Foundation.

The event begun by 12noon but by 10am, several people including the aged were seated awaiting the officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ga South Municipal Hospital to embark on the screening exercise.

The people were screened on Blood Pressure, Glucose or Sugar level, Malaria and Body Mass Index (BMI) which are noted to be common ailments among Ghanaians.

The maiden edition was sponsored by the MTN Foundation, GOIL Ghana Limited, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals.

The ace sensational Ghanaian Musician and Occupational Therapist, Philipa Baafi also entertained the participants with several renditions of her hit songs and the participants had no option than to stand on their toes to dance to the tune while being screened.

The Minister of State in charge of Procurement at the Presidency, Sarah Adwoa Safo who is also the Member of Parliament for Dome/Kwabenya and Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament launching the programme entreated all to patronize these screening programmes at our markets and shopping malls.

We should also take time of our busy schedules to go for regular check-ups because it is a known fact that Non-Communicable Diseases are rapidly taking over as major causes of ill-health and death in Ghana.

She said in order to achieve the desired health outcomes, substantial investment is needed in the health sector, including screening for pre-existing health conditions.

The Executive Director of Philipa Baafi Foundation, Kwame Karikari explained that Philipa Baafi is not shifting from music to health. She is combining Music with Occupational Therapy.

He said the average Ghanaian does not make time to go for health check up. We are busy running all over the place. We make time for everything and anything except what is very basic to life, our health. Our women are the worst offenders.

They mostly wake up early, storm the markets and return home late, all with the aim of ensuring that their families are well fed. Even those of us who are in the formal sector finds little time to visit hospitals for regular check-up and let alone our mothers and sisters whose daily lives depend on what someone will buy from her in the market.

Mr. Karikari explained that it is in line with these and many that the Philipa Baafi Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is bringing the health screening to the door steps of these vulnerable in our markets across the country and to also create the awareness on the need for the average Ghanaian to embark on regular check-ups to stay healthy.

He appealed to the government institutions, corporate bodies, individuals and institutions to come on board to ensure that we deliver health care in the country.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
It's simply free. You don't need wads of cedis to visit the Joy FM Beauty and Bridal Fair 2017, which opened on Thursday and will last until Sunday, July 2, 2017.

The mega-forum has for years been the best ground for couples and would-be to buy all that they will need to make their home complete.

If you are under the impression that you need more money before you could visit the ongoing Joy FM Beauty and Bridal Fair 2017, you will need to rethink, because most of the items on display have discounts close to 50 percent. Yes 50 percent!

Are you ready for the tour? Sit back and let's cruise...

Cazabella brings you quality jewellery which will complement your beauty. Why not visit the store of the company here at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to speak to them?

More of Cazabella Jewellery



It was last year that Joy FM spiced its signature event with the introduction of the Baby and Toddler Fair where everything your newborn baby needs. This is the shop of Sprogstore Limited here at AICC.

There are a lot of items on display at the booth of Sprogstore Limited. Why not try them?

On special occasions as the wedding or engagement of someone we're close to, the best and noble thing to do is to surprise the person. If you're in that spirit join us at the AICC.

Angels Beauty Supplies also supply all your needs when it comes to beauty products.

Brand Elegant also has all that you will need on that special day. Talk of flowers and lighting among others. Everything you will need they've got it covered.

This is the booth of Nkeli Cards. If you're ready for surprises do visit them.

Patrons are trooping to the venue to shop...and shop.

Photo taking is reserved for people who have been awe-stricken by something on display at the venue. If you find yourself doing that during a visit to the Joy FM Beauty and Bridal Fair 2017, know that you were simply attracted by the items.

Do you have any plan for vacation? Well you can have your Honeymoon at Alisa Hotel. The booth has been decorated attractively as it has been done in one of the Hotel rooms.

GH Beauty Artistry also has several items to sell to you.

Team GH Beauty Artistry will not disappoint as team members will take your through digestible things you need to know before that special day.

How does a purple colour look on you? Well, at PurpleQak the items are many and affordable.

Heard of PurpleQuak before? And what for?



If you're truly interested in how your skin turns out, you need to pay attention to the creams you apply on your body

Okay now let's focus on the D-day and the things you will need.

Pinkette Bridal has got you covered on that special day.

Hatics has all your accessory needs for the bride.



You should not lack anything unless you disregard the opportunity given to you by the Joy FM Beauty and Bridal Fair 2017.

Visit us and let's change your style for that day.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | [email protected] | Instagram: @realbrakopowers
Tripoli (AFP) - Gunmen attacked a UN convoy near Libya's capital and abducted seven staff members on Wednesday before releasing them unharmed, a top security official in the conflict-wracked country said.

General Najmi al-Nakoua of the presidential guard service said the attack on the convoy took place near Zawiyah, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli.

"They have been released, they are all safe," after an ordeal lasting only a few hours, he told AFP.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) confirmed the incident, saying "a UN convoy was hit today travelling between Surman and Tripoli" and added that it was later able to contact them and find out they were safe.

Lawmaker Abdallah al-Lafi, who was involved in the negotiations leading to the release of the UN personnel, said they were all "in good health".

But he said they were still with him at a police station in Surman, about 70 kilometres west of Tripoli, awaiting their transfer to the capital.

Lafi said the UN convoy was made up of five men -- including one from Malaysia, another from Romania and three Libyans -- and two women, an Egyptian and a Palestinian.

The assailants, he said, had abducted them in order to negotiate the release of relatives detained in Tripoli.

But "we were able to convince them to release the UN staff before any negotiations," he added.

Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias battling for control of the oil-rich country.

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.

Diplomats targeted

In its statement, the UN mission to Libya said it had "made contact with the staff concerned. There are no reports of casualties among UN staff".

"UNSMIL thanks the Government of National Accord, House of Representative Members from Zawiyah and local authorities for their help in ensuring the safety of UN staff and is looking forward to their safe return to Tripoli.

"The UN remains committed to Libya and to supporting Libyans on their path to peace and stability," it added.

The British ambassador to Libya, Peter Millett, had expressed concern for the UN staffers on his Twitter account.

"Disturbed by attack on @UNSMILibya convoy. Hope all safe. UN staff represent international community's commitment to help #Libya-n people," he tweeted before the news of their release.

Diplomats in Libya have been targeted regularly by assailants and kidnappers since the uprising that ousted and killed Kadhafi.

On September 11, 2012, suspected jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda attacked the US consulate in Benghazi, in eastern Libya, killing ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

By 2014, most diplomatic missions had left the North African country, including that of the United Nations.

UNSMIL is based in Tunis, the capital of neighbouring Tunisia, but its members regularly carry out missions inside Libya.
Gomoa Ekwamkrom, (C\R), June 28, GNA - Mr Ekow Ewusie, a leading Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has exhorted the grassroot supporters of the Party that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is committed to implement policies and programmes to reduce economic hardship.

He said the President would never turn his back to the masses in the area of job and wealth creation to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.

Mr Ewusie gave the advice when he addressed a delegates' conference of Gomoa Central Constituency of the NPP at Ekwamkrom, near Agona Swedru in the Central Region

He stated that the one district one factory and planting for food and jobs policies captured in the NPP manifesto would be accomplished.

He said President Akufo-Addo had appointed competent economic management team to ensure that the promises he gave to Ghanaians were fulfilled.

He urged the top hierarchy of the Party to endeavour to create income generating ventures for the 275 constituencies.

Mr Ewusie who is also a business consultant said the NPP must be adequately resourceful in order not to dip its hands into state funds to run its activities.

Mr Kumi Bruce, Regional Chairman of Council of Elders of the NPP urged the supporters to restraint themselves from acts of violence, which could affect the image of the Presidency and Party as a whole.

He said government would ensure that Ghana became a better place to live.

He said the NPP inherited huge indebtedness created by the National Democratic Congress and the Party could not use few months to reverse the rot.

GNA
Ada, (GAR), June 28, GNA - The Ministry of Energy is in the process of setting up an eight-member investigative committee to look into the issue of the release of five million litres of off-sec fuel from the Accra Plains Depot of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST).

Mr Boakye Agyarko, the Minister of Energy, said the Ministry's attention had been drawn to the various media reports on the issue of the release of five million litres of off-sec fuel from the Accra Plains Depot of BOST.

"We have also received a report of the preliminary investigations conducted by the National Petroleum Authority on the issues.

"We wish to assure the public, that the Ministry is determined to ensure that the integrity of the quality of petroleum products supplied in the country is protected,' Mr Boakye Agyarko stated on Wednesday at an ongoing three-day Mid-year Performance Review Workshop of the Ministry at Ada.

"In view of this, the Ministry is in the process of setting up an eight-member investigative committee into the matter," he added.

The terms of reference of the Ministerial Committee would include but not be limited to the following; determine the circumstances that created the off-sec product and to review the procedures undertaken by BOST to evaluate the product.

The rest are ascertain the quality and remaining quantity of the product, to determine if the product could be corrected, if not determine the alternative use for the product and review the transaction.

The composition of the eight-member ministerial investigative committee shall include representatives of the National Petroleum Authority, Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana Standards Authority and the Bureau of National Investigation.

Others are the Chamber Of Bulk Oil Distributors, Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Energy Commission and representative from the relevant civil society organisations.

The committee, which would have a month to submit its report, would also advise the Ministry on the necessary technical, administrative and legal actions to be taken.

The Minister said the Committee would decide on whether the Acting Managing Director of BOST should step aside or not.

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
28.06.2017 LISTEN

Accra, June 28, GNA - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) study on the impact of trade-related fees and charges in Ghana shows a lack of transparency as traders are usually unclear about the fees and charges.

The study, which examined Ghana's compliance with the World Trade Organisation Trade Facilitation Agreement's Fees and Charges, found out that a consolidated list of trade-related fees and charges was not easily accessible.

'Traders are unclear of what ends up being paid to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, what is paid in unofficial fees and how much goes directly to the freight forwarder,' the report stated.

Mr Robert Jackson, the US Ambassador to Ghana, launched the study dubbed 'the Cost of Trading in Ghana' at the monthly luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce.

High-level Ghanaian government officials and members of the private sector attended the event.

The study detailed how official and unofficial fees and charges associated with trade impacted Ghana's trade volume, government revenues, and private sector viability.

Ghana undertook the study as part of its efforts to comply with benchmark guidelines in the World Trade Organisation's Trade Facilitation Agreement.

He said the Trade Facilitation Agreement, which went into effect on February 22, contained provisions for expediting the movement, release, and clearance of goods.

He also set out measure for Effective Corporation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and custom compliance issues.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development estimate that implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement could reduce worldwide trade costs by as much as 17.5 per cent, with the greatest benefits accruing to African and developing countries.

At the event, Ambassador Jackson stressed that adoption of the study's recommendations and implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement would foster increased economic growth in Ghana.

'Ghana has tremendous potential to be 'the trade gateway of Africa',' he said.

'The United States will work with you to create an enabling business environment that builds on your economic and political stability and creates jobs for the citizens of both countries,' he added.

Ghana became a member of the World Trade Organisation more than 20 years ago, in 1995 and became the 95th country to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the first multilateral deal concluded in the WTO's 22-year history.

'We applauded Ghana for the role it played in advancing what many refer to as 'the greatest trade reform for a generation.'

He explained that rationalising and reducing port and custom fees and charges does not necessarily mean lost revenue.

'There are benefits to eliminating 'nuisance fees and charges,' and to ensuring that when fees and charges are paid out, they are commensurate with service provision, adding that such actions are attractive to business and facilitate increased trade.'

USAID works with the Ghanaian government and private sector to target keys barriers to trade and investment, and promote regional integration and trade competitiveness.

It aims to increase intra-regional Africa trade and exports to the U.S. and reduce the time it takes to import or export from ports to land locked interiors on the continent.

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realise their potential.

It supports Ghana to increase food security, improving basic health care, enhancing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaian people.

GNA
By Belinda Ayamgha/Rose Darko Kwakye

Accra, June 28, GNA - Dr Ernest Kwamina Yedu Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, says a monetary Union is a critical component of regional integration and urged central banks and finance officials across West Africa to build a critical mass of experts in this area.

He said building a critical mass of experts was needed to enable the sub-region pick up its pace in its regional integration efforts.

He made the statements in a speech delivered on his behalf by Ms. Catherine Ashley, Advisor to the Bank of Ghana, at the opening of a regional course on financial and economic issues in regional integration in Accra on Wednesday.

The training was organised by the West African Institution for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in collaboration and with funding from the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).

Dr Addison said in order to remain relevant in the global environment; the African continent must embrace regional economic integration in Africa, and to promote competitive and sustainable economic growth and development.

He noted that progressive integration followed successive stages; including the establishment of a free trade area, a custom union, and a common a market, which them mature into an economic and monetary union and finally, a political union.

African countries in recent years, have taken giant steps towards regional and economic integration, with the establishment of regional blocs like the East Africa Community, Economic Community of Central African States, ECOWAS, COMESA, and SADC among others, in a bid to harmonise and harness Africa's economic potential.

A major challenge to economic integration, he said, was the relinquishment of nationalistic controls exercised by a sovereign economy but stressed that gains of economic integration from both internal and external economies of scale as well as increased competition and growth, far outweighed the loss of sovereignty.

Dr Addison bemoaned the lagging behind of Anglo West Africa in establishing a monetary union with a single currency as seen in francophone West African countries with the CFA zone, despite numerous efforts.

'There have been several challenges ranging from lack of political commitment to more substantial issues of meeting the convergence criteria and harmonisation of policies and regulatory frameworks, which all are fundamental to successful integration,' he stated

He noted that the pending issues that will cement the already existing close ties and firm up the regional integration process across West Africa include; harmonisation of monetary policy frameworks and establishment of a common currency, adoption of the principles of a free trading bloc among member states, linkage of electronic payment systems and linkage of financial markets across the sub-regions.

Professor Akpan H. Ekpo, Director General for West African Institution for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), said the course was to broaden participants' understanding of various aspects of economic, monetary and financial integration.

Themes to be discussed during the one-week course include an overview of financial and economic integration with case studies from other regions, requirements for economic and monetary integration, the convergence process in the sub-region, trade, financial and monetary integration, political economy aspects of integration and challenges of integration of capital markets among others.

He noted that the challenging themes selected for the group work exercise will give participants the opportunity to explore the issues, particularly those which have been illusive over the years.

The course will be facilitated by a team of experts and practitioners from the region, as well as WAIFEM faculty.

GNA
Accra, June 28, GNA - Twenty-three Members of Parliament in the current parliament do not have offices for themselves and their auxiliary staff.

The situation has prompted Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi to file a question that asked the 'Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs when offices shall be provided for the 23 other Members of Parliament who are without offices.'

Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey, MP for Yilo Krobo asked the question on behalf on his colleague.

Answering, Mr Osei Kyei- Mensa Bonsu, the Majority Leader, said the Parliament House Physical Infrastructure Enhancement Project approved by Parliamentary Service Board of the Sixth Parliament at its 21st Regular Meeting held in July 2016, has engaged the attention of the new Board of the Seventh Parliament.

He said even though all the pre-contract works were duly undertaken, the Parliamentary Service Board of the Sixth Parliament could not award a contract to the project for execution as its mandate expired after the general elections.

The Majority Leader assured the House: 'As you are aware, the Board of the Seventh Parliament has been constituted and the project under reference has engaged the attention of the new Board.

'Discussions are going on the need to increase the number beyond 23.

'As soon as a determination is made, processes leading to the award of contract in respect of the project would be triggered and I want to assure the House that the contract will be awarded in accordance with due process for construction works to commence in earnest.'

Mr Kyei-Mensa Bonsu said the Job 600 Office Complex, which was refurbished into offices for MPs took into consideration the total membership of Parliament increased to 230, the then Board ensured an increase in the number of offices to 252.

This was to make for the 24 additional offices for purposed as may be determined by the Board.

'Mr Speaker, the coming into force of the Representation of the People's (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2012 (C.I. 78) eventually led to an increase in the number of Members of Parliament from 230 to 275, an addition of 45 new constituencies.

'At the time the Membership of Parliament increased to 275, the civil works for the refurbishment of the Block had been completed and further tempering with the structure would have involved a lot of demolition with attendant huge financial implications,' the Majority Leader said.

He said apart from the huge financial outlay as a result of any demolition, the structural integrity of the building would have been compromised and hence necessitated relevant adjustments and reinforcement.

'It is these considerations and the effect of huge additional loads to a structure that itself was over 50 years that resulted in maintaining the original facility. This therefore resulted in a shortfall of office accommodation for 23 out of the additional 45 Members that joined Parliament 2012.'

Mr Kyei-Mensa Bonsu explained that the Parliament House Physical Infrastructure Enhancement project has three sub-projects components, namely Sub-project I- Supplementary MP Offices (Job 600 Annex); Sub-project II- Facelift of the Chamber Block Basement and Related Works; and Sub project III- Re-modelling of Speaker's Block.

Despite the Parliament House Physical Infrastructure Enhancement Project, being a three-part component project, the Majority Leader threw the searchlight on the Supplementary MPs Offices (Job 600 Annex), and said the project involved the construction of a seven-storey building which was intended to provide office accommodation for 23 Members and their support staff as well as provide office accommodation for staff of Parliamentary Service.

He announced that the total cost estimated for the Supplementary MPs Office Complex at the time was $ 23, 074, 249.84 or its cedi equivalent of GHE92, 296, 99.36.

'Mr Speaker, I wish to indicate that prior to approving this project, the PSB of the Six Parliament accepted a financial proposal from the contractor that refurbished the Job 600 Tower Block, Messrs China Stat Hualong Construction Limited of its willingness to raise the required funds to pre-finance the project on design-and-build arrangement,' the Majority Leader said.

GNA

By Benjamin Mensah, GNA
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) says a total of 4.9 million liters out of the five million liters of the contaminated fuel disposed by BOST has been accounted for.

The Petroleum regulator said when its investigators visited the Accra Plains Depot of BOST, Wednesday, they found over 4,197,078 million liters of the contaminated product in Tank 121 intact.

The investigators have also retrieved 803,000 out of the 850, 000 liters that left the premises of BOST to the oil company, ZupOil last week, the NPA has said.

Acting NPA Chief Executive, Alhassan Tampuli told Evans Mensah on Joy FMs Top Story the quantity of the volume found at the premises of ZupOil accounts for nine out of the ten trucks sent to the company.

M.D of BOST, Alfred Obeng

The whereabout of the last truck with the total of 47,000 liters of the contaminated fuel has not been established, but the NPA boss said the Authority has been informed there is a product in a facility at a location near ZupOil.

He was quick to add the Authority will send its men to the location for a sample of the product to the laboratory so that we are consistent to account for everything.

"I want to give the general public the assurance that we have everything," Mr Tampuli assured.

The Minority in Parliament is calling for the resignation of BOST MD, Alfred Obeng over thedecision to sell off five million liters of contaminated fuel at GHS1 a liter to two new companies.

A section of Minority lawmakers

The opposition lawmakers said they have information that the two companies  Movenpiina and ZupeOil  have links to the BOST MD, an allegation both companies have been quick to deny.

About three trucks loaded with the contaminated product left BOST premises on June 20 -21st to Movenpiina and ZupeOil premises.

The Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors and Chamber of Petroleum Consumers said they suspect the rejected product has found its way into the market.

But the NPA has cautioned such an overriding conclusion is misplaced especially when they have not given any facts to back their claims.

We do not want to say conclusively that the product is in the market [but] whatever we are telling Ghanaians is hardcore fact. We do not want to engage in mere conjecture, Mr Tampuli said.

He said the NPA has seen the missing product in a storage facility at the premises of ZupOil but we want to confirm. The storage facility, the NPA boss said contains 65,000 liters of product.

But Mr Tampulis revelation means there is an overrun in the region of more 5,000, a situation the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (CPC) has described as alarming.

CPC Executive Director, Duncan Amoah said per the NPA boss figures, the product he claimed the Authority has accounted for, is more than the quantity BOST actually sold to ZupOil.

This doesnt add up, he said of the figures, adding in the petroleum industry, when you lose products and you get overages it becomes alarming.

Mr Amoah also said his outfit has taken samples of the product in the market and has given it to an independent investigator to ascertain if its part of the contaminated fuel that left BOST premises.

There is the need to be absolutely sure, he said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | [email protected] | Instagram: @realbrakopowers
29.06.2017 LISTEN

Ghanas Supreme Court was recently called upon to interpret and enforce the Constitution in a matter involving the constitutionality of the process for admission to the Ghana School of Law in the case of Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare v Attorney-General and General Legal Council.

The plaintiff challenged the constitutionality of the requirements that a student passes an entrance exam and interview to gain admission to the Ghana School of Law. He argued, inter alia, that those requirements should have been contained in a legislative instrument and subsequently laid before Parliament pursuant to article 11(7) of the 1992 Constitutions. The Supreme Court agreed with the plaintiffs argument and declared the requirement unconstitutional. It, however, decided in effect that the judgement would not apply retrospectively and will not affect those who student who shall write the exam in July. Consequently, some students may have to undergo this unconstitutional process. This order was given with the consequences of invalidation of the admission process in mind.Students of constitutional law have however debated this judgement with critics arguing that the Supreme Court which has the duty to enforce the constitution is allowing the violation of the Constitution.

The relevant legal question, however, is whether or not the Supreme Court is under a constitutional or other legal obligation to invalidate acts or enactments that it declares unconstitutional?

We must be clear that the question is purely legal. The question may be answered in the negative, whilst maintaining that it is not prudent, moral, or just for the Supreme Court to

THE UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF A LAW AND AN ACT

It is necessary to distinguish between the effect of the unconstitutionality of a law and the unconstitutionality of an act. Article 1(2) of the 1992 Constitution provides: The Constitution shall be the supreme law of Ghana and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution should, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

So it is clear that any law that is inconsistent with the constitution is void. The Supreme Court thus has no choice than to invalidate the law, even if it just gave a mere declaration the constitution has already determined the effect. Thus, in the 2012 case of Ransford France (No3) v Electoral Commision& Anor, Date-Bah JSC said, Invalidity of an enactment flows as an inevitable consequence of its non-compliance with a provision of the Constitution. This is what article 1(2) of the 1992 Constitution demands.

Also, article 1(2) has been extended to international business agreements by analogical reasoning though, strictly speaking, they are not laws. Date-Bah JSC in Faroe Atlantic v Attorney-General stated: Thus, if even statute law is void, if in conflict with the Constitution, a fortiori, contracts breaching the Constitution should not be enforced. Also, it is noteworthy that in any case article 181(2) makes contracts not complying with 181 unenforceable.

Thus it is clear that automatic invalidity will be applied either where an enactment is unconstitutional or the courts are inclined to draw an analogy between the unconstitutional act and an enactment. But what if the courts are not so inclined? Does the court have any legal obligation to invalidate acts it declares unconstitutional? The relevant constitutional provision is article 2. It provides:

2(1) A person who alleges that 

(a) an enactment or anything contained in or done under the authority of that or any other enactment; or

(b) any act or omission of any person;

is inconsistent with, or is in contravention of a provision of this Constitution, may bring an action in the Supreme Court for a declaration to that effect.

2(2) The Supreme Court shall, for the purposes of a declaration under clause (1) of this article, make such orders and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for giving effect, or enabling effect to be given, to the declaration so made.

The implications of article 2(2) are that:

1. That the declaration in itself does not have any invalidating effect

2. The Supreme Court can choose to either make an order to give effect to its declaration or to make an order that will enable effect to be given or both. Thus it is clear that there is no obligation to invalidate which is necessarily an order to give effect to the constitution.

3. The Supreme Court is not bound to give any order, but only such orders as it deems appropriate. Thus there is no obligation to invalidate where the Supreme Court does not consider it appropriate.

It is noteworthy that article 1(2) is not the only provision that determines the effect of unconstitutionality. Article 266(2) provides that, An agreement, deed or conveyance of whatever nature, which seeks, contrary to clause (1) of this article, to confer on a person who is not a citizen of Ghana any freehold interest in, or rights over, any land is void. Article 3(6) is also clear that the punishment given to persons who resist the overthrow of the constitution is void. It thus appears that in the cases where the Constitution does not determine the effect of unconstitutionality article 2(2) is applicable.

JURISPRUDENCE OF OUR COURTS

In Tuffour v Attorney-General Sowah JSC stated:

No person can make lawful what the Constitution says is unlawful. No person can make unlawful what the Constitution says is lawful. The conduct must conform to due process of law as laid down in the fundamental law of the land or it is unlawful and invalid. The position of Justice Sowah will thus suggest that every unconstitutional act and not just an enactment should result in invalidation.

This view was supported by the minority in the 2012 Election Petition Case. Yeboah, Ansah, Rose and Owusu JJSC took the view that the act of failing to sign pink sheets contrary to article 49(3) of the Constitution imposes a constitutional obligation to annul the votes. Rose Owusu JSC states: If the presiding officers failed to sign the pink sheets, that constituted infringement of Article 49 (3) of the Constitution and to me that is fatal. It renders the result declared null and void

However, the majority comprising Atuguba, Adinyira, Baffoe-Bonnie, Gbadegbe, Akoto-Bamfo JJSC did not agree. They considered the possible effect of the invalidation of the votes on the enjoyment of the right to vote and thus did not consider it an appropriate remedy.

In the very recent case of Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare v Attorney-General and General Legal Council, the Supreme Court unanimously appeared to take the approach of the majority in the Election Petition case. It is interesting to note that Dotse, Yeboah, Gbadegbe, Bamfo, and Baffoe-Bonnie JJSC who decided this had different views in the Election Petition Case.

THE WAY FORWARD

In the long run, the Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare v Attorney-General and General Legal Council is not necessarily beneficial to students. Contrary to public opinion the Supreme Court never said it will be unconstitutional to require students to pass an entrance exam and interview. They were of the view that such requirement must come by way of legislative instrument. Since Article 11(7) requires legislative instruments to be approved by parliament failure to do so made the imposition of those requirements unconstitutional. The court left it to the General Legal Council to decide if it will specify alternative places of instruction or not. That relief in my view was most important to students since it would have created more space for qualified students.

The fate of students appears to be in the hands of students. It requires a coordinated effort from law student associations and other student bodies. This way, we may petition Parliament to reject any LI that does not cater adequately for students. Secondly, Parliament may amend the Legal Profession Act, (Act 32) to create more space. This may be done by mandating the GLC to grant licenses to educational institutions which meet certain requirements, or by directly empowering those institutions to teach the courses. The General Legal Council, on the other hand, may be quick to specify other places of instruction.
The Hague (AFP) - Four Nigerian women are taking legal action in the Dutch courts against Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell accusing it of complicity in the 1990s executions of their husbands by the Nigerian military, Amnesty International said Thursday.

The civil case has been brought by Esther Kiobel, the widow of Barinem Kiobel, who was hanged in 1995 along with writer and campaigner Ken Saro-Wiwa and seven others. Three other widows are also joining the action in The Hague.

A writ was set to be placed before a civil court in The Hague on Thursday alleging that Shell was complicit "in the unlawful arrest, detention and execution of nine men who were hanged by Nigeria's military government in the 1990s," Amnesty said in a statement.

Saro-Wiwa, president and founder of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), and eight fellow activists were executed on November 10, 1995 after a military tribunal convicted them of the murder of four traditional Ogoni chiefs.

The executions provoked a global outcry and led to the suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth. The west African country was re-admitted with the return of civil rule in 1999.

Shell was alleged to have helped in the arrest of the men, who had sought to peacefully disrupt oil development in the region because of health and environmental impacts.

"Shell has been dodging accountability for its complicity in these deaths for more than 20 years but now, thanks to Esther Kiobel's determination and bravery in taking on this corporate Goliath, the past is finally catching up with it," said Audrey Gaughran, senior director of research at Amnesty.

After her husband's death, Kiobel fled to Benin in 1998 and then moved to the United States where she still lives.

She had sought with others to pursue her case through the American courts, but in 2013 the US Supreme Court ruled that the American justice system did not have jurisdiction over the case.

Amnesty is now hoping the court in The Hague will agree to hear the case, although a decision on whether it will go ahead could still be some months off.

The Ogoni movement was set up in 1990 to fight against pollution and the destruction of the ecosystem of the 500,000-strong Ogoni community, which lives on an oil-rich parcel of land on the northern edge of the Niger Delta.

In 2015 a Dutch appeals court ruled that four Nigerian farmers demanding compensation and a clean-up in four heavily-polluted Niger Delta villages can bring a case against the energy giant in the Netherlands.

A 2011 report by the United Nations Environment Programme found that decades of oil pollution in Ogoniland region may require the world's biggest ever clean-up.
29.06.2017 LISTEN

Convener of Deltans for Continuity (DFC), Mr. Henry Ebireri, on Wednesday took a critical appraisal of the 36 state governors in the country and the impact of their programmes on the citizenry, describing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as one of the best governors in the country and praised him for his commitment, honesty and managerial competence.

In a statement in Asaba, Ebireri said, The accomplishments of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa since he came to power have given succor to the ordinary people and hope to millions he said.

He commended Okowa for reciprocating the love of the people by giving them the best and transforming the state without destroying or de-emphasizing the basic cultural traditions which set them apart from other people.

His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is a gifted manager of men and resources.

His roles in the development of Delta State, particularly the impressive achievements of the Government in the area of educational development, sound infrastructure, equitable distribution of amenities to all the senatorial zones of the state, urban and rural development, agriculture, welfare and health services, commerce and tourism, empowerment schemes, peace and unity in the state according to Ebireri, have separated the governor from his contemporaries.

He applauded the governor for defending the interests of the people, harnessing the energies of the youths to productive activities, pursuing with vigour his policies of massive road, industrial development and employment opportunities for the people, upgrading Asaba International Airport and giving the flood menace a good fight.

Within two years in office, outstanding projects were completed and numerous new ones were initiated and completed.

Ebireri appealed to the opponents of the administration to tread softly by not giving the outside world the impression that things are bad, whereas the opposite is the case.

He also disclosed that some of the most intelligent minds in the country would gather in Asaba on Sunday, October 1, 2017 to analyze Nigerias past and make projections about her future.

The Independence lecture will re-examine the Nigerian dream as envisioned by the founding fathers, review the countrys constitution and assist those interested in understanding contemporary Nigeria to appreciate the individuals and institutions that affect the dynamics of power and public policies.

Also, recipients of the Delta Prize in Leadership and Good governance will be announced.

The Delta Leadership and Good Governance Prize is aimed at promoting good governance, deepening democracy in the country, encouraging the development of patriotic leadership in the country, particularly Delta State, recognizing outstanding individuals that have affected the nation positively more than anyone else in the preceding year, identifying outstanding leaders at the local level, holding them up as models who can be supported to national leadership and honouring outstanding Nigerians who have excelled in various fields of endeavour internationally.

On Sunday, August 27, 2017, Delta State will be 26. The state was carved out of the defunct Bendel State on August 27, 1991. Deltans will also use the opportunity of the countrys independence anniversary to examine the road to the future.

The programme is designed to bring together eminent Nigerians especially thought leaders to identify timely issues in Nigerias development and how good governance may address these issues.

To create a forum for creative interaction among Deltans in various strata of leadership.

To provide a platform for intellectual discussions on the various issues impacting on the socio-economic, cultural and even political development of the state.

To create public awareness on the problems of insecurity in the Niger Delta region and the devastating socio-economic consequences it is wrecking.
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's order to block arrivals from six mainly Muslim countries takes partial effect Thursday after he won a Supreme Court victory over rights groups.

But implementation of the order after five months of legal challenges could be chaotic, in part due to the meaning of a key term used in the court's ruling Monday: "bona fide."

The court said that Trump could only ban travelers from the targeted countries "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States."

With a 72-hour preparation period set before implementing the ban, the ruling has sent lawyers diving into legal texts to define that.

Previous attempts to impose a travel ban on six mostly Muslim countries have seen lawyers volunteer their serivs at international airports in the US

They need to set standards for US immigration officials and diplomats in Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and also at US arrival points, who will decide who from those countries can still enter the United States.

Lawyers and advocates both for and against the travel ban say the result could be a flood of legal challenges by travelers, immigrants and their supporters -- further slowing arrivals from the six countries.

Immigrant advocates were preparing for the onset of the ban, saying they would be at airports to aid any arriving travelers that immigration officers seeks to send back.

The New York Immigration Coalition said Thursday it plans to be at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, "monitoring the effects of Trump's revised Muslim and refugee ban."

Waiting for a definition

The ruling Monday capped five months of heavily politicized legal scrapping. The highest US court partially reversed lower courts' freezes of Trump's 90 day ban on travelers from the six countries, which he said was necessary to screen out potential terror threats.

It also allowed Trump to implement a 120 day ban on all refugees.

The court said it will review the overall case in October, meaning both bans will largely have run their course by then, though they could be extended if immigrant vetting processes are still judged to be too weak.

The refugee ban could be moot much sooner: the Trump administration has cut the number of refugees it will accept annually to 50,000. The State Department said Tuesday that that threshold will be reached within the coming two weeks.

But many hopeful non-refugee travelers from the six countries could be affected. The court said only those with a significant or genuine -- bona fide -- relationship with an American person or group can be admitted during the period of the ban.

That will include, in the court's example, those with close relatives, those admitted to universities, or accepted to a job, to gain entry.

But does it extend to someone with distant family, or who has only applied to a university or a job but has not yet received an answer?

Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who wanted the ban implemented for anyone for the six countries, wrote Monday that he fears the court decision "will prove unworkable."

It "will invite a flood of litigation until this case is finally resolved on the merits, as parties and courts struggle to determine what exactly constitutes a 'bona fide relationship'."

Heather Nauert, spokeswoman for the State Department, said they were waiting for Justice Department lawyers to provide guidance on "bona fide".

"We don't have a definition here at the State Department for that yet," she said.

"Everybody wants to get this right. They want to see this implemented in an orderly fashion."

Homeland Security Department spokesman David Lapan said all three departments were conferring. "Guidance will be provided in time for implementation tomorrow," he said this week.

Even with the ban being blocked for five months, arrivals from the six countries have plunged due to more rigorous vetting. Arrivals were down by about half in March and April, just 6,372, compared to 12,100 for the two months in 2016.
Washington (AFP) - The US Supreme Court's partial reinstatement of President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban has immigration lawyers and travelers trying to unpack how exactly the ban will be implemented when it takes effect Thursday.

The court ruled that the president's executive order targeting citizens from six mainly Muslim countries could go into partial effect.

But the court eased its punch by saying the measure could only be applied to travelers from those targeted countries "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States."

Though Trump has claimed the Supreme Court's decision a national security win, the partial ban is narrower in scope than the president's first two versions. Here's what we know about what the ruling means:

Who is allowed entry?

The restrictions target visitors from six countries: Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen.

Of travelers from those countries, the nation's highest court said those "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States" cannot enter -- meaning US citizens and people with familial ties to the US can.

The court also said students accepted to attend university stateside or who had been hired by a US employer would be able to come -- but emphasized that establishing such a connection just to gain entry would not be allowed.

But the Supreme Court justices did not clarify how distant the family member can be, or what happens to those who have applied to school or jobs and are awaiting a response.

And decisions over whose claims are tangible turn even murkier when it comes to short-term visitors. It is unclear how enforcement will differ for travelers coming specifically to see family and those traveling for tourism or medical treatment, for example.

The ruling permits Trump to reinstate a 120 day ban on refugees -- though the Trump administration has already slashed the number of refugees it will admit annually to 50,000, a threshold the State Department anticipates hitting in a couple of weeks.

When will it take effect, and for how long?

Earlier this month Trump signed a memorandum informing agencies to begin enforcing the measure 72 hours after lower court freezes were lifted, and it is set to take effect Thursday.

Bloomberg News reported that implementation would begin at 8 p.m. EST (1200 GMT), in order to provide embassies and consulates around the globe prior guidance on how to enforce the ban.

Both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security said they were waiting for clarification from the Justice Department on the meaning of "bona fide," to make sure authorities are clear on how to carry out the order.

Officials in the administration as well as in airports are hoping to avoid the chaos sparked by Trump's original executive order, which was unveiled in January to massive protests and confusion at border control points as well as a flurry of legal challenges.

Immigrant advocates said they would be at airports to aid any arrivals that immigration officers sought to turn away.

The ban on travelers from the six countries will last 90 days, and the refugee ban for 120, as defined by the executive order.

What are the next legal steps?

The decision closed five months of legal wrangling, and the Supreme Court will take up the case when it returns in October from its summer recess.

But as agencies await clarification on the partial ban's implementation, some anticipate legal battles will persist.

Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who wanted the ban implemented for anyone from the six countries, wrote Monday he fears the court decision "will prove unworkable."

It "will invite a flood of litigation until this case is finally resolved on the merits, as parties and courts struggle to determine what exactly constitutes a 'bona fide relationship'."
29.06.2017 LISTEN

Biafra is not the only one crying out for space, respect, equity and fair play in this Market where familiarity breed contempt. Delta market, Arewa market and Odua market, also want a form of confederation. Even conjoined twins require skillful and delicate separations. Unfortunately we lack ingenious surgeons to perform this life threatening operation. Our country is sick but the institutions required to balance separation of powers are weak, motivated and united by greed.

Chinua Achebe could have declared that in this situation, the center cannot hold. As the world and us benefit from Africa biggest Market: greed, insecurity and marginalization blind ethnics. Unfortunately the same politicians will rule separate nations; not based on what they promised new nations. There is no reason to believe that they will be more united by greed in separate markets than they are in Nigeria. They would rather create inter-ethnic tribal wars than market.

While other nations create economic cooperation and foreign markets, Africans create ethnic wars for individual powers to loot. Despite all the cry against the North or Hausa/Fulani, their talikawa are the most marginalized people in the Nigerian market. They have leaders that have ruled Nigeria after Independence more than the Southern leaders, yet most of the poor in the country exist among them. Their leaders remain stubbornly selfish but are firmly in control of the majority of the folks by force of the Armed Forces and more important  Religious drug.

Institution of the Sharia law was nothing more than control in disguise. The drug does not apply to their leaders. It only applies to the poor that convert whatever does not belong to them. He could lose his hand for stealing food or cow. In that case, you can imagine the proportion of the punishment for their leaders stealing billions in disguise of distributing crumbs into poor bowls. Sharia works by keeping the most marginalize in trance. Boko Haram cannot deliver prosperity.

North has arable land and food for market survival not Islam; known to Africans before Usman Dafodio introduced his radical form to conquer the Hausa Ruling Houses. Hausa that had ruled the Great African Empires became Fulani slaves with no right to their kingdoms unless they can prove a relationship with Fulani. So religion is a scam to subjugate and tranquilize human minds like drugs or opium. Otherwise, there is no rational reason Hausa would be ready to slaughter his own brothers as non-believers for a faith that is not his, that displaced his indigenous belief.

There is nothing wrong with agriculture, indeed there is everything right with agriculture when turned to finished products locally for export. Every raw material deserve a finished product by manufacturing them into finished goods for local and foreign consumption. Otherwise, we will exhaust our raw materials to import their finished products like sardines taken from our shores.

Ijaw, the children of Earnest Ikoli (Awo supported as his leader), Issac Boro that declared Niger Delta before Biafra and many greats are not the only ethnic group in Niger Delta that includes Ogonis Kenny Saro-wa, Urhobo, Itsekiri etc.; and one of mans ancient Ekoi writers of Nsibidi now embraced by neighbors as far as Kanuri! They only demanded a clean environment and fair compensation for resources derived from their land. They just want to fish and farm as usual in order to feed their families. Anyone would demand the same equity as fair play in any market.

What they got was the worst environmental degradation and polluted land than anywhere in the world. These are crimes against humanity perpetrated by the big corporate companies that took advantage of both local and Federal Government to ship as much oil as they desired but flared gas that could be harnessed for economic development unchallenged. We dont know what they make or take from the market but left crumbs for locals and Federal to fight over.

When Niger Delta finally got control of Government, they amassed wealth with impunity since oil income is derived from their farms. The way their leaders were looting, one would think they were building paradise in Europe and America in case the oil runs dry. Unfortunately, paradise only belongs to individual ministers and leaders that bundled out fortunes. Neglected areas remain environmental disaster that is useless to their people before and after their own rulers.

This is the infectious disease that fouls everyone in the center. Avarice creates indifference to humans. Nigerians rule nation as Federal leaders opening Market for the world but ethnic wars for us. So Odua nation also complain of marginalization since they felt that they were excluded from the center of Government. The irony in this case is that the Western Region made gains, progressed and were better off when left out of the center government than when included.

Instead of insisting on regional powers, Yoruba sold their birthrights to the Federal Government in return for laziness, complacency and immoral character as individuals than as a people. Their collective culture for mass education, industrial areas, free healthcare to be productive, pursuit of knowledge, novelties as Firsts in black Africa, in Medicine, law etc. As educated consumers, Yoruba created the major market in the country. Who abandons such market for national cake?

Ajayi Crowther as the Bishop of Onitsha, translated the bible into first written Igbo and Yoruba. The religious opium has never gripped the Yoruba as they remain the most tolerant of all world religions demonstrated in each family; while ingrained steadfastly in the indigenous belief. The advantage of this is that religion has never driven them to charlatanry controlled by Rome or Mecca. At the height of world religious riots, Yoruba were reminded of their cultural tolerance.

Olaudah Equiano, excel as an abolitionist of slave trade and master of English literature in his days in U.S.A and England; less than a century before Ajayi Crowther who was rescued in a slave ship. Equiano could have been the translator of Bible into Igbo but left home as a child. His Igbo native intelligence for hard work and survival never left him. Ndi-Igbo were not only the hardest working folks on earth but for the record: they were trusted by most Nigerians in those days.

Indeed, a Yoruba business man would rather employ an Igbo man than his own in those days because he knew he could trust an Igbo man. He would not steal a kobo and would do his task without grudge. It got to a stage in Lagos at least, but common in the West: Igbo were the preferred neighbors and tenants. Even when their Yoruba Landlord got so greedy, Igbo would pay for all years rent as demanded!

They were so amicable that they assimilated easily within their hosts. Actually, there are Igbo today nobody would trace to the East except they tell you about their mother father brothers sister. These are apart from god-fathers, sisters and half-brothers. Though they came to Lagos after the Edo, Ibibio, Togolese, Dahomey (Beniose), Ghanaians; they quickly gained political power. Azikiwe that succeeded Herbert Macauley as NCNC leader, represented Lagos in Ibadan.

There is a reason most Igbo billionaires that made it through Lagos in particular got it right. It is called Market Demand. The biggest market that exist in the West made it easier for all Africans to excel and the Igbo took that opportunity. One can only make it where free market regardless of ethnicity exists. The market in the North or the East are not as cognizant as those in the West where people buy and sell without hindrance or being dictated to on what to sell.

Those asking Igbo to come back home must provide the same market where they can flourish as they do in the West, North and the world. Many people cannot become billionaires when all of us are sellers. With the amount of vigor and zeal Igbo pursue small businesses, did displace many locals leading to jealousy, even outside Nigeria. So, as long as there is market for selling, Igbo would find the products that may not move or lack demands as well at home.

Sir Ojukwu was one of the first Igbo Millionaire in Lagos. He found his market by transporting people from and to Lagos, for goods and services. Those asking Igbo to invest at home are right but they must create a market to create Igbo billionaires as in other places like Lagos. A good example is the Innosson automobiles. What that company needs is a market that will demand more of its products. It may not survive in Biafra unless it reaches out for broader markets.

This article only picked some ethnic groups in Nigeria while there are many more. The point is they all have qualities that can be transformed into a great African Market collectively as when allowed to trade with one another in a common market instead of daring one another. Trade leads to peaceful coexistence, isolation only lead to war sooner or later. Everyone follows the fallacy that the crumbs left after superpowers take your raw materials is worth fighting for.
A US Department of State report suggests Ghana is failing to successfully combat sex and labour trafficking of its citizens.

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2017, launched in Washington on June 27, placed Ghana in the Tier 2 Watch List, for countries where the number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is very significant and whose government do no fully comply with the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act passed by the US congress in 2000.

This is the third consecutive year that Ghana has ranked in the Tier 2 Watch List, narrowly avoiding a downgrade to Tier 3 this year due to a waiver granted in recognition of the governments devotion to implement a national plan.

The Trafficking in Persons Report measures government efforts at prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims and preventing the crime.

The report is launched annually to highlight the successes achieved and the remaining challenges on human trafficking.

The report also focuses on the responsibility of governments to crimininalise human trafficking and hold offenders accountable.

According to the report, Ghana is making significant efforts to fight trafficking by providing protection services to more child trafficking victims, raising awareness and developing agreements with other governments to prevent cross-border sex and labour trafficking of Ghanaian citizens.

It said that government is also working with NGOs to develop and begin implementation of victim identification and referral procedures, as well as a national action plan.

Despite these efforts, according to the report, the government has not demonstrated increasing effort to combat trafficking.

It said that government failed to report comprehensive statistics on its anti-trafficking law enforcement effort during the reporting period of January 1- December 31, 2016.

The government also does not have accurate figures on the number of trafficking victims it identified or assisted.

The report noted that only 7 traffickers were convicted out of more than 248 cases investigated by anti-human trafficking unit (AHTU) of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service in 2016.

It said many of these cases were either stalled or dismissed due to lack of evidence.

In addition, government did not convict any traffickers under anti-trafficking law, but instead offenders were convicted under less stringent statutes that resulted in lesser punishment.

On the protection of victims of trafficking, the human trafficking fund, established by the 2005 Human Trafficking Act to finance protection efforts, according to the report, has not received funds for 5 consecutive years.

The report also said government has made no efforts to decrease the demand for forced labour or for commercial sex acts.

Ghana ranked alongside 18 other African countries including Nigeria and Burkina Faso, in Tier 2 Watch List, the highest from any continent.

No African country made Tier 1, for countries whose government are fully committed to fight human trafficking.
The Ministry of Energy wishes to inform the general public that the Ministry has inaugurated a Ministerial Advisory Board today in Ada.

This is in line with the Civil Service Act 1993 (PNDCL 327) section 39 which stipulates that a Ministerial Advisory Board shall be established in every Ministry.

The functions of the board as stated in Section 40 of the Act are as follows:

To promote constant interaction between the Ministry and the users of its services; and To advise the Minister on adjustments in policy directions, planning objectives and operational strategies.

In line with this provision, the Ministerial Advisory Board of the Ministry of Energy has been constituted as follows:

Hon. Boakye Agyarko Energy Minister - Chairman Hon. Joseph Cudjoe Deputy Energy Minister in charge of finance and infrastructure - Member Prof. Thomas Akabzaa Chief Director, Ministry of Energy - Member Dr. K. K. Sarpong CEO, GNPC - Member Ing. William Amuna CEO, GRIDCo - Member Mr. Theophilus Ahwireng CEO, Petroleum Commission - Member Mr. Kwaku Agyeman- Duah CEO, Association of Oil Marketing Companies - Member Nana Addo Tetedo President, Electrical Contractors Association - Member Mr. Senyo Hosi CEO, Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors - Member Mr. Seth Osei-Agyen Director Finance & Admin, Ministry of Energy - Member

Signed:

King A. Wellington

Communication Officer
It takes two to tango so the adage goes. But it takes a visionary to develop Zongo. Zongo is a Hausa name or word for a slum or ghetto. Over the years Zongos have been left and forgotten. Viewed by many as a no go area, gem-infested, dirty and filthy, unsanitary and unhygienic. Its crime prone and overpopulated.

Ghana like many countries in the world has its slums too that spread across most of its big cities. Popular amongst them are, Nima, Sodom and Gomorrah, Maamobi, Agbobloshie, Suame Magazine, New Takoradi, Ashaiman, Fadama and Kojokrom.

Rising population begets slum dwellers. Its estimated that 1 billion people worldwide live in slums and the figure is projected to grow to two billion by 2030, according to the United Nations.

The United Nations agency for habitation UN-HABIATAT defines slum as a rundown area of a city characterised by standard housing, squalor, and lacking in tenure security. The UN said, the percentage of urban dwellers living in slums decreased from 47 percent to 37 percent in the developing world between 1990 and 2004

But rising population, the UN notes has caused the number of slum dwellers to rise significantly. The UN further said that the number of slum dwellers in developing countries statistically increased from 689 million in 1990 to 880 million in 2014.

Perhaps its this rising populations coupled with other factors that informed Ghanas President Akufo-Addo to create the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development. The new ministry, first of its kind is to handle Zongo affairs. It also intends to give slums across the country face -lifts, according to the sector minister Boniface Abubakar Saddique.

Mr. Saddique told a journalist in an interview that the ministry is mandated to undertake some special programmes including; infrastructure and sanitation enhancement; economic empowerment, social development, cultural promotion and security and crime control.

One of the critical areas of concern for the social cohesion in the country is the developments taking place in the inner cities and the zongos, hence the need for its establishment, Mr. Saddique noted. Another area he spoke about was infrastructure.

He said infrastructure in these communities is poor and government would take steps to improve upon them through the Ministry, adding the money that would be allocated for the Ministry will not be used for on social and traditional engagements.

Development over years had been discriminatory with residents in the Zongo communities neglected. And I think in my view the president has to be commended for establishing the ministry.

How would this work without resistance from the dwellers.

Over the years, attempts by many governments to develop slum areas across the world have faced resistance from slum dwellers. A classic example is the Kibera slum in Kenya. Residents have gone to court to stop the government for building road through the community, bulldozing schools and clinics and thousands of homes. Kibera, which is home for 700, 000 people, is Africas biggest slum.

Governments in India have also faced resistance from residents of the Dharavi slum time and again. Residents have opposed attempts to develop the area. According to reports business in Dharavi thrives like an oil town. The community has an informal economy with an estimated $1 billion annual turnover.

In the 1960s Ghanas first president Kwame Nkrumah attempted to develop Nima but that dream got botched even though the residents had been paid off. Im told Nkrumah even adopted Nima as his constituency all aimed at developing and beautifying the place. Its believed residents in the community refused to be resettled in Madina --an area close to Ghanas premier university- University of Ghana, not too far from the Airport City and also close to East Legon-- Ghanas most affluent community and not absolutely not too far from famous Tetteh Quarshie Roundaboutthe biggest in West Africa.

Nima, for example, until about mid 90s had no clinic, no streets, no playgrounds, and lacked other basic social amenities. The Kanda Highway built by President Rawlings grazed down a number of Homes. Back then we used to joke that when in Nima tread cautiously else you might end up walking straight into ones room. And I almost did that one hush afternoon when the path I was on led me to someones door. Its my hope that the new wind of change will affect the communities in a more positive way.

But unlike Nima and Kibera in Kenya where residents resisted governments infrastructure development, residents of Orang Town in Pakistan wanted it but their governments neglected them. This is how a journalist put it in one of UN reports. Fed up with living without proper sanitation, residents of Orang Town gave up waiting for government to install sewer and built them by hand themselves.

Orang Town now has nearly 8, 000 streets and lanes have sewage pipesall put in by residents.

Ciudad Neza in Mexico City (with a population1.2 million,) was rated as the worlds largest mega-slum in 2006. I dont know her current status in terms of ratings. But the story in that community is also a positive one. Today, Cuidad has become more like suburb courtesy of the great efforts by the residents to build a community and deliver public services.

The world has five biggest slums. They are Khayelitsha, Cape Town in South Africa, with 400, 000 population, Dharavi Mumbai India with 1 million people, Cuidad Neza Mexico city populated by 1.2 million people and Orang Town in Pakistan, Asias largest slum has a population of 2.4 million.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), for the Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mrs. Evenly Ama Kumi Richardson, has asked members of the Ghana Union of Professional Photographers to come out of their darkness, because as she puts it, they have been kept in the darkness for far too long.

Mrs. Ama Kumi Richardson gave this advice when National Executives of the Union led by their National Chairman, Mr. Selassie James Daniel paid a courtesy call on her at her office in Sunyani on Wednesday.

They were at the Sunyani MCE office to inform her about the Unions 30th anniversary celebrations.

The MCE said the government is ever ready to support and assist them if they come out of their shelves.

She also encouraged the union executives to work assiduously to get all those who are not active members of the union together and give them some form of education concerning their vision and mission.

Mrs. Ama Kumi Richardson said, photographers are the people who project historical events and persons through images, but they have kept their selves in the dark.

She said photographers are the people who give us memories of the things we do and if they are not united, it is not a good sign

She therefore urged them to make the union attractive for the disintegrated members to join, and transform into a formidable body of professionals.

The Sunyani MCE assured them that her administration will assist anybody or institution that shows up for assistance, and once the photographers have shown up that they are in the system, her administration will do everything possible to project them for them to also to project others.

The National Chairman of the Union, Mr. Selassie James, noted that the Unions anniversary is a year long event and comes with a photo exhibition to market all the regions in Ghana in terms of their socio political and economic developments and achievements.

Mr. Selassie James said they will be embarking on photo shoot session and collection as well as visit all the traditional authorities.

He pointed out that the union aims to portray Ghana in the proper context with relevant images.

He added that they will use their anniversary to partner government and to promote the Ghana brand. The Photographers chairman said, if we say we are rebranding the nation, the photographers must play a major role.

He said revealed that there would be one month dedicated for the Brong Ahafo region during which period they would tour the entire region to shoot and collect photographs for historical documentation

He, therefore, asked the MCE to open her doors for the members of the union in the region anytime they knock for any assistance.
Three non-governmental associations accuse the French bank BNP Paribas of financing the purchase of "80 tonnes of arms used to carry out genocide" by Rwanda's Hutu regime in 1994. By ERIC PIERMONT (AFP/File)

29.06.2017 LISTEN

Paris (AFP) - Three non-governmental associations said Thursday that they had filed a lawsuit against BNP Paribas accusing the bank of "complicity" in the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi minority in Rwanda.

The groups accuse the French bank of financing the purchase of "80 tonnes of arms used to carry out genocide" by the Hutu regime, even though "the bank had to have known the genocidal intentions of the country's authorities."

BNP authorised the transfer of $1.3 million (1.1 million euros at current rates) to the regime in June 1994, one month after the United Nations had placed an embargo on weapons deliveries to Rwanda, the groups said in a statement.

They accuse the bank of "complicity in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity".

A spokesman for the bank told AFP it could not comment on the claims, saying it did not yet have "sufficient details".

The groups allege that BNP authorised the transfer of the money that was held by Rwanda's national bank (BNR) to an account held at Swiss bank UBP by Willem Tertius Ehlers, a South African intermediary who owned an arms-dealing brokerage called Delta Aero.

The four-month genocide led to the massacre of about 800,000 people, mostly from Rwanda's Tutsi minority.

The lawsuit was filed in France by Sherpa, which defends victims of economic crimes; Ibuka France, a Rwanda victims' association; and the France-based Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda, which pursues claims against genocide suspects.

Kigali has repeatedly accused Paris of having a hand in the genocide and of being slow to prosecute some of its kingpins living in France.
A former CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Sylvester Mensah has revealed he hopes to occupy the Flagstaff House one day, but for now he is considering numerous calls on him to contest the flagbearer position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2020 elections.

Do you want to occupy the Flagstaff House (seat of government) one day? host of Starr Chat Bola Ray asked him on Wednesday.

Of course! Mr. Mensah retorted.

Several names have popped up as possible candidates for the NDC after President John Mahama lost the 2016 elections glumly to his rival Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. Political watchers believe it was the heaviest defeat of the party since the inception of the Fourth Republic.

Mr Mensah, a one-term MP of La Dadekotopon, said he is still consulting and will make the right decision at the right time.

He told Bola Ray on personality profile show Starr Chat Wednesday that if the party finds me worthy of that high office and finds me with that honour I will grab it.

Pressed further on the flagbearer subject, Mr. Mensah opined: It is not a yes or no answer. There have been a number of calls on me to consider the high office. I have been involved in a number of consultations. I guess that if the appeal crystalizes with the general demands and expectations I will go for it. The focus is to reorganize the party and ensure that the grassroots are firmly organized.

The international consultant on health insurance emphasised once the NDC is in good shape success becomes easier. According to him, we have a party that is above all. I guess that the mistake we do as individuals is that we think we can carry the party into power. It is the party which carries one into power. It is too early to talk about that. Its a long process there are calls and consultation. Im considering it.

Granted he gets the nod to lead the NDC in the 2020 elections, Mr. Mensah said he brings on board long years of experience. Managerial expertise and dimension to problem-solving and deep understanding of our Ghanaian culture, aspiration and expectations and above all I bring vision and competence and capacity.
You do not have to be a celebrity before tantrums are thrown at you on social media. Very few people care whether you are right or wrong, they just criticise. Before you know it, you are at the top of the trends on Twitter. Ironically, what you said may not be as a result of a tweet or Instagram post but an interview. A good example of this is the backlash Falz faced after he chastised some musicians for glorifying Yahoo Yahoo (Internet Fraud) in their songs.

Another example is the case of Kemen in Big Brother Nigeria who trended for days because of the encounter he had with Tboss. The impact of these backlashes can be between mild or severe depending on the individual. Hence, if poorly handled, it can escalate into something you never imagined. In line with this, Jumia Travel , the leading online travel agency shares ways to deal with social media backlash.

Delete offending materials

If you tweeted or shared a post that is causing quite a controversy, you should delete it immediately. Do not try to be defensive or justify it unless you want it to spiral out of control. Even when it does, you should still delete it. Regardless, trust social media trolls, they would screen grabbed it. Do not mind this. The important thing is that the post should not be found on your handle or page.

Have friends around you

For individuals who face social media criticisms, they should have their friends and family members around them. The fact is they cannot go through this on their own. When the backlash gets to them, all sorts of thoughts begin to get into their head including committing suicide. That is the extent it can push some people. With trusted friends around, you will feel loved despite the shots you are getting on social media.

Leave social media for a few days

There are uncountable trolls on social media who just want to make you feel bad. They reign abuses and curses on you. If you are still with your phone, you may be tempted to reply. You do not need to. Just abandon your social media for a few days and return when everything has died down.

Apologise if you are wrong

To err is human to forgive is divine. In this case, you should not concern yourself about whether you will be forgiven or not, just apologise and move on. Some will even come at you for your apologising.

Ignore

You can give it the silent treatment and continue with your life. You are getting attention notwithstanding if it is negative or positive. This is easier for celebrities.

See a psychologist

You can also see a psychologist especially if the person's self-esteem has been battered and shattered.
Sylvester Mensah, one of the front runners for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2020 flagbearer race has said the selection of the partys presidential candidate for the next polls must not be by consensus.

I believe that leadership [2020 flagbearer] must emerge through competitive elections, he pointed out Wednesday on Starr Chat with Bola Ray.

And I guess that every member of the party must work towards ensuring that the party moves towards competitive level and that leadership [the flag bearer] emerges through competition, he added.

He said whoever wants to be the flagbearer of the party must go to the trenches to campaign and lobby for the support of the grassroots, it should not be on a silver platter.

By so doing you tend to understand the aspirations, the expectations, you get to engage and to know the talents that abound in our party and it makes you a stronger and better person. Im not saying that that has not happened in the past. But what Im saying is that we need to deepen that arrangement, he lucidly stated.

Moving forward, the former NHIA CEO revealed he hopes to occupy the Flagstaff House one day, but for now he is considering numerous calls on him to contest the flagbearer position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2020 elections.

Do you want to occupy the Flagstaff House (seat of government) one day? the host asked him on Wednesday.

Of course! Mr. Mensah retorted.

Several names have popped up as possible candidates for the NDC after President John Mahama lost the 2016 elections glumly to his rival Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. Political watchers believe it was the heaviest defeat of the party since the inception of the Fourth Republic.
The widows of men who were hanged by Nigerias military government in the 1990s have launched a civil case against Shell, accusing it of complicity in their husbands executions.

Esther Kiobel, the widow of Dr Barinem Kiobel, and three other women whose husbands were hanged in 1995, served a writ in a Dutch court this week, following a 20-year battle with the oil giant.

Kiobels husband was executed along with the writer and human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa , and seven other men, who became collectively known as the Ogoni nine. They were hanged in a military court following a peaceful uprising by 300,000 Ogonis against Shells widespread pollution in Ogoniland.

The men had been convicted of the murder of four leaders in the Ogoni community, who were opponents of the uprisings against Shell. The trial, which was widely discredited, sparked international outrage and led to Nigerias suspension from the Commonwealth .

Amnesty International, which has supported Kiobels legal team, has accused Shell of complicity in the state executions.

Shell has branded the allegations false and without merit.

In a briefing published on Thursday, Amnesty alleges that Shell encouraged security forces and military authorities to stop the protests, even though the company knew this would lead to human rights violations. Amnesty also claims to have seen internal Shell documents proving that the company knew the trial of the Ogoni nine was unfair, and demonstrating that the firm was informed in advance that Saro-Wiwa was highly likely be found guilty.

Shell is alleged to have offered Saro-Wiwa a deal if he softened his stance on the company. His brother claims Shell offered to help get his brother freed in August 1995, but that he rejected the offer.

Audrey Gaughran, senior director of research at Amnesty International, said: Shell had plenty of evidence that the Nigerian military was responding to the Ogoniland protests with abuse.

Kiobel is bringing the case along with Victoria Bera, Blessing Eawo and Charity Levula, whose husbands were also executed. The women are seeking damages and a public apology for the role they allege Shell played in their husbands deaths.

Gaughran said the action was a watershed moment in their fight for justice. The executions of the Ogoni nine shocked the world. Shell has been dodging accountability for its complicity in these deaths for more than 20 years but now, thanks to Esther Kiobels determination and bravery in taking on this corporate Goliath, the past is finally catching up with it.

Channa Samkalden, Esther Kiobels lawyer, said: The stakes in this case could not be higher  for Shell.

In a statement, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said: We have always denied, in the strongest possible terms, the allegations made by the plaintiffs in this tragic case. The executions of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogonis in 1995 were tragic events that were carried out by the military government in power at the time. We were shocked and saddened when we heard the news of the executions.

The statement added that SPDC appealed to the Nigerian government to grant clemency. Support for human rights in line with the legitimate role of business is fundamental to Shells core values of honesty, integrity and respect for people. We believe that the evidence will show clearly that Shell was not responsible for these tragic events, it said.

SPDC has not had an opportunity to review the full report produced by Amnesty International but, based on a summary of its findings made available to us, the Amnesty allegations against Royal Dutch Shell and SPDC are false and without merit. SPDC did not collude with the authorities to suppress community unrest and in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence in Nigeria. In fact, the company believes that dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes.
President Akufo-Addo has admonished Zambians to close their ranks in the interest of nation building.

He observed that developments in that country and the political tension that characterized the last elections where the margin of victory for the winner was some 100,000 votes, had left many worried, because Zambia is one of democracy's success stories on the continent.

Speaking at a state banquet held in his honour by the president of the Republic of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, during his 3-day official visit to that country on Tuesday, he noted, I have not come here to pass judgement, neither have I come here to find out who is right or who is wrong.

Appeal

Instead, he indicated, I have come here to say that as political actors, whether in government or in opposition, we should prove to the world that we respect the rule of law and are willing and able to submerge our individual and partisan preferences for the common good in the development of our countries.

He charged, We should demonstrate that it is not the ambitions of Mr. A or Mr. B, neither is it the fortunes of party X or party Y, which we seek to advance. The stability and progress of Zambia, and indeed, of all our countries, and the enhancement of our democracies should be the paramount consideration that must guide every action of Zambians and all of us Africans in our respective countries.

Concerns

Whilst thanking the people and successive governments of Zambia for the hospitality extended to Ghanaians resident there over the years, President Akufo-Addo raised for the consideration of the relevant authorities a matter which has been outstanding for some time.

This involves the longstanding issue of the non-payment of pension monies due a group of retired Ghanaian teachers who have contributed towards educating a large segment of the Zambian society.

It is time this issue was satisfactorily resolved, and my information is that, happily, positive efforts are now being made towards that end. Let the end come soon, he appealed.

Ghana-Zambia Relations

It was the hope of President Akufo-Addo that Ghana and Zambia continually search for ways to co-operate during the tenures of office of the two leaders.

I have no doubt that together, we can forge a new, strong partnership for cooperation between our two nations for the mutual benefit of our two peoples, he added.

The New Africa

President Akufo-Addo reiterated his persuasion that Africa is breeding a new generation of leaders who are committed to governing their peoples according to the rule of law, respect for individual liberties and human rights, and the principles of democratic accountability.

These leaders, he stressed, are looking past commodities to position their countries in the global marketplace at the high end of the value chain; leaders who are determined to free their peoples from a mindset of dependence, aid, charity and hand-outs; leaders who are bent on mobilizing Africa's own immeasurable resources to resolve Africa's problems; leaders who recognise the connectedness of their peoples and economies to those of their neighbours.

This generation of African leaders, according to President Akufo-Addo, must not fail the longsuffering African masses, stressing, They must help bring dignity and prosperity to our continent and its peoples.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent
The police in Accra have arrested two Nigerians who allegedly attempted to rob their compatriot of an amount of GH30,000 at Tudu, a suburb of Accra.

The suspects, reportedly using a motorbike with a half number plate, purportedly snatched the victims bag containing the money and attempted to escape but luck eluded them when other traders crossed them and caused their arrest.

The suspects are Festus Ngozi, 27 years of age and Charles Njo, 25, both unemployed.

Confirming the incident to DAILY GUIDE, ASP Efia Tenge, Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, said the incident occurred on June 25, 2017 at about 11:30 am.

The suspects, she said, who were said to have returned from Nigeria barely a week ago and were lodging in a hotel at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, approached the complainant who trades at Tudu to exchange their money from Naira to Ghana cedis.

According to the complainant, the suspects brought 800 Naira to be converted into cedis but its cedi equivalent was rather low.

Looking at their demeanor, the complainant said, he suspected them to be thieves and became alert.

The ignition of the motor bike was on while the two suspects sat on it ready to move.

ASP Efia Tenge said while exchanging the money for them, the pillion instantly snatched the bag containing the money from the victim and both sped off.

The victim narrated that he also clinched on the motorbike while it was in motion in an attempt to pull the man holding the bag down.

Some other traders who saw the action crossed the motorbike in an attempt to get them arrested.

The motorbike then ran into a ditch at the Tudu traffic light area, making them fall off it.

They were immediately arrested by the traders and later handed over to the police.

The bag containing the money was also recovered from the suspects.

In their caution statement, the suspects admitted the offence and would be put before court soon.

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey

([email protected])


Ghana has historically been vital to the industrialisation of Europe and other western nations as a source of natural resources and human something we downplay when assessing our strength and weaknesses and why we continue to experience economic ebb and flow. I heard the spokesperson of the current Vice-President Dr Boako and others who have been defending the $19b China loan, say China benefited from same leveraging system from its dealing with Japan in the past.

That assertion or information is inaccurate. On the contrary, apart from pushing for the enactment of the right of extra territoriality, the treaty port system etc to support its dealings with her European partners,China adopted a special settlements and concession arrangements and at some of her larger ports,notably Shanghai,Tientsin,Hankow and Canton, local arrangements were made,after the treaty had been signed by which certain areas known as settlements and concessions,were set aside,within which all arrangements relating to roads,lightning, cleansing public utilities etc were placed under the control of municipal councils. On Japan, there was vast migration of and about 50 million people from the coastal and Yangtze province to the far west and south west,where the Government had established,and great efforts had been made to establish new industries in those regions in place of those the Japanese destroyed.

I have put put these facts to show the spirit of consciousness the Chinese attached to its economic evolution and reconstruction.China has huge deposits of coal,iron,copper,tin, antimony and tungsten and some petroleum,all important or vital its modern industry or industrialisation drive. It has huge deposits of these minerals still untapped but here we are Dr Bawumia is telling us Ghana is going to leverage our natural resources for a token $19b and confidently told us that Ghana is going to get $400b from dashing out 2.8bn metric tonnes of iron ore, 960 million. metric tonnes of bauxite,430 million metric tonnes of manganese and 413 million metric tonnes of limestone.

Many years after colonialism, our colonial master, Britain, America, Japan,Turkey,China,Israel and even Korea are competing fiercely among themselves for our resources. These nations use state supported corporations,transitional corporations,world organizations,foreign aid,loans, diplomacy and other juicy deals to further their national agendas. This is the reason why I had issues with what Former President Kufour said about Nkrumah claiming,the latter's policies contributed to our presented predicament. Mr Kufour should tell us what happened to the many factories Nkrumah established,the Gihoc corporations including steel works, metal works etc.

These were factories eatablished to make sure we added value to our raw materials,Kade matches produced matches from our woods, Nsawan cannery produced first class fruit juice from our fruits and vegetables, Gihoc pharmaceuticals produced drugs from our plants etc, Gihoc distillaries produced first class alcoholic beverages from our plants and fruits etc. Where are the factories and the lands the first president through executive instrument,acquired for the state for its future industrialisation drive.

Britain made judicious use of her coal and other few mineral resources through good bargaining arrangements and rushed here to deplete our lands of its natural resources.We have manganiferous rock and low grade manganese ores but the Insuta deposit is the one we know which was discovered by the geological department in 1915. Production commenced in 1916 and to the end of 1935 some 4,003,000 tons valued at approximately 6,936,000 pounds had been exported to Britain.

Several deposit of bauxite of good quality have been discovered at Yenahin, Kyerekyerewere,Mpraseso,Sehwi Bekwai, inside the Ojuanoma mountain ,Atiwa etc. But before I touch on the next issue, can the politicians tell us some of the benefits communities where these minerals are deposited, have gained from the decades of exploration and exploitation.The original discoveries of alluvial diamonds were made by the Geological Survey at and near Abomoso my hometown in 1919 and around Oda, Kade and Manso in 1930.Subsequently,more detailed work by prospectors led to the discovery of deposits near Akwatia and Atiankama. Other deposits were found in the basins of the lower Birim.Pra and Offin River.

After years of diamond mining in some of these areas notably, Akwatia, Kade, Wenchi etc, what is the socio-economic situation of the people in these areas and their infrastructure. We have quartzite,shales,limestone,Phyllites and schists deposits in the Akwapin mountain or range and stretches to Akwamu at the Volta range. Buem has quartzite, Sandstone,conglomerates,limestone,shales etc. All these are mineral resources freely deposied here for our use by our maker.

Go to Obuasi and will understand why some of us think we must thread carefully with this penchant to dash out our mineral resources for few dollars. South Africa is what it is today because of its proper mining systems and has made tremendous gains from its gold,Uranium etc. in Ghana the story is the opposite of what happened and happening in South Africa we didn't get anything substantial from Ashanti Gold's decades of mining of lodes, auriferous conglomerates in Tarkwanian. rocks and the alluvial deposits by Obusi Goldfields and the indigenes are today wallowing in abject poverty leading to the galamsey mining bedeviling the country.

Until we draft a comprehensive mining policy which will be binding on all regimes, our politicians must end this,piecemeal arrangements with their foreign partners. We must go the South African. Our mining laws are too porous and get weakened every other day by the politicians and their allies in the mining business.

How sustainable is our one district one factory policy going to be looking at how we carelessly watched our factories built under Nkrumah to collapse. This is not a policy we must sell all our mineral resources to support or, sell the resources to support one constituency,one million dollar policies. What are the practical benefit we will accrue from investing into these ventures, loans from these deals. India is today exporting brains ( human resource), Uganda and Rwanda are feverishly working on improving its technology poltential by investing hugely in the training of people in ICT etc. We are killing the cocoa industry which has been the mainstay of our economy for decades, the aging farmers are not getting replacements and we politicising the industry. We have moved from the cocoa sector to wanton tapping of our mineral resources in collaboration with our foreign agents.

Africa is one of the few place in the world where venadium which gives steel more strength and flexibility, is found. Vanadium is used in automobile,aeroplanes,electronics, medical equipments etc. A research done by a Swedish group confirmed deposits of it in the country unknown to many including our geological department. Margaret Thatcher for years stood in the way of ANC in their struggle because of her husband's uranium business in South Africa, his son sponsored two major coups on the continent to oust unfriendly governments who hindered his businesses on the continent. Ghana must rise above the pettiness we witnessing....
Gyamfi Ameyaw (right), Frederick Addai, Treasurer (middle) and other party executive, displaying their certificates

THE NEW Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Manhyia North Constituency in Kumasi is not happy about the constant loss of votes during national elections in the area.

The party has therefore implemented new policies with the hope that the missing votes would be recovered when Ghana goes to the polls again in 2020.

Manhyia North Constituency Secretary, Anthony Gyamfi Ameyaw, disclosed that the party lost a staggering 10,000 votes during the 2012 national polls.

He stated that the figure then shot up to 20,000 during the 2016 presidential elections, noting that the trend is alarming.

During the 2012 polls, Nana Akufo-Addo secured 38,000 votes and we realized later on that as many as 10,000 registered voters did not vote.

Then in 2016, Nana Akufo-Addo's votes still stood at 38,000, with no improvement. We also realized that 20,000 people did not vote.

Cause

Gyamfi Ameyaw, without mincing words, stated categorically that lack of peace in the constituency is the prime cause of the continual vote loss.

He said the party's constituency executives, on one side and the Member of Parliament (MP) Collins Owusu Amankwa, on the other side, are sharply divided.

According to him, during the 2016 elections, the constituency executives were in charge of appointing people as polling agents for Nana Akufo-Addo.

He added that the MP also picked his different agents, who monitored the elections on his behalf, saying this is not helping the party.

The NPP scribe pointed out that the continual rift between the party executives and the MP was having adverse effects on the NPP so it should stop now.

Salutes Nana

In a related development, Gyamfi Ameyaw has commended President Akufo-Addo for honouring the party executives in the area with certificates.

He stated that the party executives worked tirelessly to help President Akufo-Addo to win the polls and we are happy that Nana and the party had rewarded us.

The certificates were signed by President Akufo-Addo and Mr. Freddie Blay, the National Chairman, and this shows that they hold us in high esteem.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi


Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications signing the agreement with Mr Li Dafeng while Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, his wife and other government officials look on.

Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has indicated that government will leverage on the world-class expertise of Huawei in the areas of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to collaboratively build a better connected Ghana.

The Vice President disclosed this during a visit to Huaweis Executive Briefing Center in Beijing as part of his recent trip to that country.

Dr Bawumia and Li Dafeng, Senior Vice President of Huawei, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic ICT cooperation between Huawei and Ministry of Communications of the Republic of Ghana.

Huawei will serve as the strategic ICT partner of the Ghanaian government and leverage on the company's rich global ICT experience to boost ICT development, transfer ICT knowledge and skills, and accelerate the development of the national ICT infrastructure for Ghana.

Mr. Li Dafeng expressed gratitude to the Vice President for his commendation of Huawei and said Huawei would continue the relationship with the government of Ghana.

He further noted that Huawei would continue the implementation of existing projects, as well as collaborate with the key government ministries and agencies to effectively plan and design solutions needed for the development for ICT in Ghana.

Huawei will through the Seeds for the Future programme continue to transfer ICT knowledge among the Ghanaian youth, nurture skills and make more contributions to the socio-economic development of Ghana.

Present at the signing were Hajia Samira Bawumia, Second Lady of Ghana; Sun Baohong, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana; Freddie Blay; Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications; Mohammed Amin Adam; Deputy Minister of Energy, Mohammed Habib Tijani; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Charles Dwamena, Deputy Ambassador to China.

Huawei entered the Ghanaian market in 2001, and its products and services cover the vast majority of the local population.

Presently, Huawei is a major player in the construction of a national backbone network, national data center and e-government platform, and other large-scale ICT infrastructure projects in Ghana.

In addition, Huawei collaborated with mobile network operators in Ghana to lay more than 6,000 km backbone network and build more than 3,000 mobile communication base stations to effectively enhance the countrys communications coverage and service.

A business desk report


Adams Fusheini

29.06.2017 LISTEN

Ghana's oil and gas sector has scored a satisfactory 67 out of 100 points in the global Resource Governance Index, and is said to be best governed in the sub-Saharan Africa.

However, according to the global index compiled by Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), there are still challenges needed to be addressed without any further delays.

Challenges in relation to national budgeting, including rules specific to petroleum revenues,

did not provide for adequate safeguards against budget deficits and debt accumulation.

The Ghana Stabilization Fund is the index's second-best-governed sovereign wealth fund.

Ghana's state-owned oil company is well governed but said it should aim even higher to achieve global best practices.

Index also showed significant gap in governance quality between Ghana's oil and gas and mineral sectors while Ghana's mining sector scored 56 of 100 points and ranked 24th among 89 assessments made worldwide.

Ghana is one of eight countries in the index for which both mining and oil and gas sectors were assessed, and researchers reported significant variations in governance between the two sectors.

Adams Fusheini, NRGI Africa Parliamentary Capacity Development Officer, admitted at the launch in Accra yesterday that resource governance in Ghana is improving, and the media and civil society are well positioned to hold governments and companies to account here. The country has performed well as an oil producer, but macroeconomic concerns threaten the chances of benefits reaching citizens.

He said that the Ghana Stabilization Fund is the index's second-best governed, behind only Colombia's Savings and Stabilization Fund, adding that Ghana's fund was found to be better governed than many with much greater assets, including those of many oil-rich states in the Persian Gulf.

Ghana's good performance is a result of clearly defined rules for deposits, withdrawals and investments, audit and parliamentary oversight mechanisms and adherence to these requirements.

He said that in spite of the positive findings, governance of revenue management in Ghana falls behind that of some other states with emerging hydrocarbons sectors, adding Uganda, for instance, scores more than 10 points higher than Ghana in the national budgeting category.

According to Mr. Adams, the mining sector performed better than equivalents in many of its African neighbours.

It is older and longer established than Ghana's hydrocarbons industry.

The latter has evolved during an era of more stringent governance and of more modern institutional structures. This has led to an 11-point performance gap between the two sectors' governance scores. Indeed, Ghana's gold mining company, Sankofa Prestea, scores far below its petroleum sector peer and parent company, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

He said that Ghana performed well in taxation in both sectors, saying disclosures are better and more timely for oil and gas, as compared to mining, though contracts with extractive companies are not disclosed.

It is good news that Ghana is performing better than many other African countries  particularly in terms of the governance of its sovereign wealth fund, Mr. Adams said, adding but there should be no complacency in Ghana  there is still plenty of room for improvement to bring the nation up to international best standards.

The Resource Governance Index is the sum total of 89 sector-specific assessments in 81 countries (in eight countries NRGI assessed both oil and gas and mining sectors), formulated using a framework of 149 critical questions answered by 150 researchers, drawing upon almost 10,000 supporting documents.

For each assessment, NRGI has calculated the composite score using the scores of three index components.

Two of the components comprise new research based on expert answers to the questionnaire, and directly measure governance of countries' extractive resources.

By William Yaw Owusu


It has emerged that some Members of Parliament (MPs) collected money from the National Lottery Authority (NLA) in order to facilitate the amendment of the National Lottery Act 2006 (Act 722).

There is currently confusion over how much was given to the MPs by NLA, as well as the purpose for which the monies were paid.

While James Klutse Avedzi, National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ketu North, who was then chairman of parliament's Finance Committee, has indicated that the MPs collected a total of GH100,000 from the NLA, the legal advisor to the Authority, David Lamptey, is reported to have sent email to the Director-General of the NLA, Brigadier General (Rtd) Martin Ahiaglo, in August 2016 requesting for the approval of GH150,000.

The issues played out on Joy FM yesterday when Mr. Avedzi admitted that the committee's members indeed took GH100,000 but not GH150,000 from the NLA.

He said the money was given to the committee members as per diem/sitting allowance; and it contradicted claim by the NLA that it was used to pay for accommodation for the MPs.

Mr Avedzi said the NLA first presented GH50,000 to the committee but when we looked at the provisions, we realised that the amount was not sufficient so they promised to bring another GH50,000.

According to Joy FM, the NLA legal advisor sent separate emails to the then Director-General in August 2016, requesting the approval of a total sum GH150,000 presumably to push the bill for consideration by parliamentarians.

According to Mr. Lamptey, the money was spent on accommodation and other resources when the NLA organized a workshop on amendments to the new lottery bill at the Royal Senchi Hotel before it was passed into law.

We had to pay for the members of parliament to be accommodated, he told Joy FM, adding, Any payment made was to provide the committee the necessary resources they needed to be able to travel to the venue.

More Pressure

Parliament is currently under pressure to investigate the issue without any delay. According to Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the payment was done to influence the work of the MPs on the amendment.

Governance and Legal Policy Officer of CDD-Ghana, Kwadwo Pumpuni Asante, told Joy FM that the scandal justifies earlier calls for defining and wide investigations into parliaments conduct and shaky ethics, noting, A whole lot is wrong with it.

He said investigations into the Ayariga bribery saga last January was very narrow and failed to address bigger concerns about the integrity of parliament.

Mr Pumpuni Asante noted that the GH100,000 is basically payment to influence parliamentarian to perform tasks they are already established under law to do.

He expressed disappointment in the NLA for showing 'scant' regard for corporate governance, saying, The fact that a board can approve this kind of payment is worrying for public financial management. It seems like there is no respect for corporate governance.

Head of Public Affairs at Parliament, Kate Addo, explained that parliamentarians are not supposed to take money from any institution to facilitate the passage of a law.

By William Yaw Owusu
Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday faced a fresh call to quit, nearly two months after he left the country on indefinite sick leave.

"I want to say that it's time that the president throws in the towel and resigns and allows his country to move forward," Ekiti state governor Ayo Fayose told reporters.

Buhari, 74, has not been seen since May 7, when he left Abuja for London to undergo treatment for an undisclosed medical condition.

He had previously spent nearly two months in the British capital in January and February, returning to Abuja looking gaunt and frail, and saying he had "never been so ill".

On Sunday, a recorded message purportedly from Buhari was issued to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in which he sounded tired and weak.

Fayose, an outspoken member of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took out newspaper advertisements before the 2015 election claiming Buhari would die in office.

He also said the former military ruler was too old to be president.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Fayose repeated unconfirmed claims that Buhari was terminally ill. The presidency has dismissed reports he was dying and even dead.

Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) have challenged Fayose to provide proof to back up his claims.

Nigeria's Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has officially been handed the role of acting president, in accordance with the constitution.

But Buhari's absence has brought forward behind-the-scenes jostling for position for the 2019 presidential election at which the president is unlikely to stand.

In 2010, Nigeria was plunged into months of political turmoil after president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua died in office following months of treatment abroad.
It seems an apology rendered by some private companies busted for constructing illegal mini ports in the country would not save them as the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) is bent on prosecuting them.

GPHA last week shut down three illegal mini ports and jetties being undertaken by some private companies.

They included LIB Limited, which is putting up a facility at Tema and expected to receive Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imports. Also, a fishing company, Omanye Oceans Fisheries Limited, is alleged to be constructing a boat yard along the shores of the Volta River at Anyanui in the Volta Region, while cement manufacturer, Diamond Cement Limited, is also reported to be developing a jetty at Keta in the same region, to receive clinker imports for the production of cement at its factory in Aflao.

The acting Director-General of the GPHA, Paul Ansah Asare who prevented the companies from continuing with the projects explained that the act breaches the PNDC Law 160 of 1986, which makes the GPHA the sole state entity authorized to plan, build, develop, manage, operate and control port facilities in Ghana.

He subsequently invited head of the indicted firms for a meeting in Accra, after which the companies apologized for their acts.

But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, Mr. Asare who described the acts as a criminal offence said when you realize that you have done wrong, the first to do is to apologize so I was not surprised when they began to apologize but that does not mean that the law will not take its course.

He added that GPHA is in the process of ensuring that the law takes its course. You would agree with me that we have to consult, we need to do consultations as to what offense they have committed, Mr. Asare added.

Illegal port builders disregarded stop work directive

The GPHA boss further disclosed to Bernard Avle, host of the Citi Breakfast Show, that the said companies had applied to the GPHA for permit to undertake such project in 2016 but the permits were not given.

He added that when they picked up information that the companies were constructing the projects without permit, the GPHA wrote a letter ordering them to stop work but the directive was ignored by the companies.

When I came to office, my intelligence picked up this development so I sent a team comprising port security, national security, police, marine police and the navy to go and ascertain what was happening there and lo and behold, we discovered that 650 meter long brick water had been developed and it was ongoing. So immediately we took steps to stop them.

And in subsequent investigations, I realized that these people wrote to us [GPHA] somewhere in August [2016], looking for permit to develop. That had not been concluded yet but in line with culture of impunity, they decided to proceed.

And in September [2016] when information got to us that they were developing the facility, they were written to, to stop work and in March [2017] we wrote to them again asking them to stop work because we realized that they were still proceeding with the project.

So we are yet to find out where they drill that impunity from. When these things are happening, you can be sure that there are more powerful people behind them, he lamented.

-Citifmonline
Manfred Barton Oduro with Samuel Ansak Kissadu cutting the tape to commission the infirmary

The 2004 year group of Mfantsipim School has renovated the school's old infirmary which served the students and the near community.

The infirmary was in a deplorable state.

The facility now boasts of 26 beds, consulting rooms, a clinic manager's room, a dispensary and a washroom. The year group also donated some equipment such as digital weighing scales, digital thermometers and glucometers trips to the school.

Samuel Ansak Kissadu, who led the 2004 year group to undertake the exercise, said the renovation is geared towards improving healthcare in the school. Funds, he said, was mobilised initially through members of the year group.

He appealed to the school's authority to adopt a good maintenance culture in preserving and prolonging the lifespan of the facility.

The Headmaster of Mfantsipim School, Manfred Barton Oduro, in his remarks, commended the MOBA 2004 year group for the assistance, explaining that the infirmary before the renovation was in bad state.

He assured the year group that the facility would be kept in a good state.

Mr Oduro indicated that the school with effect from September this year will not admit more than 600 fresh students, explaining the decision was taken in view of the current inadequate infrastructure to accommodate the student population.

He stated that the number of students will be reduced despite government's decision to roll out its flagship educational programme.

With the implementation of the free senior high school education, he mentioned that the school has informed authorities, including the Ghana Education Service (GES), about the decision.

[email protected]

From Joseph Annan, Cape Coast


Sheikh I.C. Quaye

29.06.2017 LISTEN

The Ghana Hajj Board, as part of its efforts to ensure transparency in the management of the annual religious exercise, plans to release a full list of paid-up prospective pilgrims next week in the form of a pullout in DAILY GUIDE.

The deadline for the receipt of payment of the Hajj package of $3450 or GH15,000 is tomorrow.

The Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board Sheikh I.C. Quaye has enjoined all those that want to perform the Hajj this year to meet the deadline tomorrow and pay before the curtains are drawn over payments.

Some names of paid-up prospective pilgrims have already been published in DAILY GUIDE and the latest updated and complete one would be contained in the pullout next week.

Prospective pilgrims are kindly asked to pay into the Hajj accounts at any UnibBank branch or through accredited agents across the country.

Those who pay directly into the Hajj accounts should take the receipts thereof to the Hajj Village with their passports or completed passport application forms for processing.

Six flights are scheduled to fly from Tamale and seven from Accra.

Various infrastructural activities are taking place at the Hajj Village just so prospective pilgrims will be comfortable prior to their airlift from the place.

The Head of IT at the Ghana Hajj Board, Dr. Sani Abdulai, is working around the clock to ensure that the appropriate software is acquired to boost management of the Hajj.

The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had earlier charged the IT Chief to ensure that prospective pilgrims know the dates of their departures to avoid the inconvenience of sleeping at the Hajj Village not sure of whether they would fly or not.

In the modern world of advanced IT, such hassles are avoidable when the appropriate measures are applied, he said during an engagement of the Hajj managers.

Last Friday, state agencies such as the Ghana Airports Company Limited, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Police Service and others conferred with the Hajj Board over modalities for this year's exercise.

Management of vehicular traffic, security management and others, which hinge upon the smooth operation of Hajj 2017, were discussed, among others.

Such conferences precede every Hajj exercises over the years.

According to the Head, Medical, Dr. Zakariah Seidu, the screening of prospective pilgrims, the flagship programme of the board's medical unit, was on course.

The Tamale/Bolga screening date is 8th July 2017, while Accra would be on 11th July 2017 and Kumasi, 16th July 2017.
29.06.2017 LISTEN

The president of Foundation for Generational Thinkers (FOGET), Mr Prosper Afetsi, says the falling standard of education in the country can only be addressed if government extends a helping hand to private schools.

According to him, government must pay equal attention to every educational institution in the country, because if standards in private schools drop, it will affect the national performance as well.

Government, he continued, must also endeavour to monitor all activities of private schools to ensure that they adhere to strict rules and regulations of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and also hire qualified teachers to instruct the children.

Government must pay attention to private schools because they are often neglected, he noted. Prosper Afetsi made the appeal when he addressed the finals of the FOGET 2017 Inter-Schools Quiz Competition held yesterday at Evangelical Presbyterian Church at Mamprobi, a suburb of Accra.

To him, education is the bedrock of the country and that it is important for the government to allocate more resources to the sector.

The quiz competition had more than ninety (90) private schools, mainly from National Association of Private School (GNAPS), Greater Accra Region 'Zone 5' competing. Favour Complex School emerged as the winner, after a keenly contested event.

He said organising the quiz competition was not easy because they did not get corporate bodies to sponsor the event.

Mr. Afetsi used the occasion to call on corporate organisations to support FOGET to expand the scope of the quiz to cover the entire country, saying: It is our expectation to cover the entire country. The focus of the quiz is to test the children about how they can apply what they learn in school to solve problems in their lives and in the society.

He also advised private school owners not to use their schools as money making ventures, but as an opportunity to facilitate the development of the future generation.

Favour Complex School won with a slim margin of 35 points, with Josephus Memorial School taking the second spot with 34 points. They were followed by Debest Academy with 31 points and Sowah Boye Memorial with 18 points.

The organisers, FOGET, awarded Favour Complex School with a trophy, desktop computer and stationeries, whilst Josephus Memorial School received HP Laser jet printer and stationeries. Debest Academy also got HP Deskjet printer & stationeries.

Nii Yartey Tackie Yarboi and Rosalinda Adjei Antwi, both JHS '2' students from Favour Complex School told The Chronicle that, they would work much harder next year to retain the crown.

At the primary level, Rev. Mintah Educational Complex emerged as the winners and received a 24 inches flat screen television, a trophy and stationeries. Astonishing International School was second and received a printer and stationeries, whilst Glorious Grace came 3and got a standing fan and stationeries.

Mr. Fredrick G. Mensah, GES Circuit Supervisor congratulated the contestants and thanked the organisers for coming out with such an impressive event to help the students improve on their knowledge and confidence level.

Mr. Joseph Neequaye, Chairman of GNAPS-GAR 'Zone 5' thanked FOGET for initiating the contest to test the ability of the schools and the students as well.

By Bernice Bessey
Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa's ruling ANC party will look to "self-correct" at a six-day meeting starting Friday, a senior official said after a series of bruising scandals and fierce criticism of President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma has been engulfed by graft allegations and humiliating court rulings while grappling with record unemployment and an economy that has dipped into recession.

The African National Congress, which led the fight against apartheid, has ruled South Africa since Nelson Mandela won the first multi-racial elections in 1994.

But the party faces tricky elections in 2019, and could lose its grip on power as many South Africans grow increasingly frustrated at lack of progress since the end of white-minority rule.

"Economic growth, radical social transformation, land reform, education, fighting crime... have been identified as our priorities for the meeting," ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told reporters Thursday.

"But most importantly it will be an opportunity to self-correct."

Zuma, who is due to step down as ANC head in December and as president ahead of the 2019 election, has faced outspoken criticism from senior party figures, including Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zuma is seen as favouring his ex-wife, former African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to succeed him -- rather than Ramaphosa.

The battle for the party leadership is likely to dominate policy discussions at the venue in south Johannesburg.

The meeting "takes place against the backdrop of unprecedented factionalism, infighting and political fracturing in the century-old liberation movement," said analyst Marius Oosthuizen, writing in the Business Day newspaper.

Zuma is due to give the opening address on Friday morning.

He has been accused of being in the sway of the wealthy Gupta business family, allegedly granting them influence over government appointments, contracts and state-owned businesses.

He is also fighting a court order that could reinstate almost 800 corruption charges against him over a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.

The Constitutional Court last year found the president guilty of violating the constitution after he refused to repay taxpayers' money used to refurbish his private rural house.

Zuma's sacking of respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan in March fuelled public anger over his time in office.

The dismissal of Gordhan saw the Fitch ratings agency as well as Standard and Poor's cut South Africa's sovereign credit rating to junk status due to fears of political instability and growing corruption.

The ANC won just 55 percent in last year's local elections, its worst-ever result.
Gaborone (Botswana) (AFP) - Botswana's government has moved to crack down on the multi-billion dollar trade in donkey skins following a spate of killings of the animals across the country fuelled by soaring demand from China.

Export licences for donkeys and their products have been suspended indefinitely, the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Many thousands of donkeys have been slaughtered in Botswana and in other developing countries in recent years and their skins sold to China for use in traditional medicine.

Donkeys are being killed in growing numbers to feed demand from China where the skins are used to make a natural medicine believed to be a sexual stimulant with anti-ageing properties.

Hooves also contain the supposedly medicinal gelatin, while the meat, consumed in parts of China, is believed to be more nutritious than beef and is enjoyed in burgers and stews.

Botswana is the sixth African country to impose restrictions on donkey exports, following Niger, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gambia.

Zimbabwe turned down an application to build a donkey slaughterhouse, while Ethiopia closed its only functioning donkey abattoir after residents complained about the smell.

But the bans have led to a flourishing illegal trade in donkey skins and caused prices to soar.

Farmers in Botswana have been urged to closely monitor their donkeys to prevent thefts as well as to report suspicious exchanges of live animals.

Animal rights groups say the docile beasts of burden are often cruelly bludgeoned to death before being skinned in backyards and clandestine slaughterhouses.

The industry is said to be worth billions of dollars and China is increasingly looking to Africa to satisfy demand after its own donkey population dropped sharply.

Donkey numbers in China have nearly halved from 11 million in the 1990s to six million in 2013, according to official statistics.
The Police in Akyem Old Tafo in the Eastern region is hunting for a woman who allegedly poisoned her husband to death.

The woman, after the heinous crime locked up the body of the deceased for three days and escaped.

The decomposing body of the deceased has been conveyed to the Police Hospital in Accra by the Akyem Tafo District police command.

According to reports, the deceased is a farmer and a palmwine tapper.

A resident in the area, told Starr News that the incident was noticed after the landlord sensed a pungent smell emitting from the room of the deceased.

Curiously, the landlord peeped into the room and realized the deceased was lying on a bed with the body decomposing.

The Akyem Tafo Police was informed about the incident and swiftly went for the body to be sent to Akyem Tafo government hospital morgue and subsequently to the Police Hospital in Accra.

According to the witness, the woman after the heinous crime, wrapped the body in a sack and lighted Joss sticks (incense) to presumably control the bad odour emitting from the room.

The witness added that, the woman allegedly sold almost all valuable home appliances before she escaped.

The woman also left her three children at her mothers house before she went into hiding.

The Akyem Tafo Police Command have commenced investigations into the matter.
Paris (AFP) - Spanish plane leasing company Swiftair was charged Thursday in a French probe into the crash of an Air Algerie plane in Mali in 2014 in which 116 people died, a judicial source said.

Investigating magistrates believe there were serious lapses in the training of the pilots, the source told AFP.

The leasing company faces a number of charges including manslaughter and negligence or failure to ensure safety.

On July 24, 2014, the McDonnell Douglas that was leased by Swiftair to Air Algerie crashed in northern Mali with 110 passengers on board, including 54 French citizens, 23 Burkina Faso nationals, and six Spanish crew.

An expert opinion prepared for the investigation found the crash of Flight AH5017 was caused by the pilots' failure to activate a system to prevent icing of the engine probes.

That led the plane to lose speed and plummet downwards in a movement that could not be reversed.

The expert findings, seen by AFP, say the training of the two pilots was "insufficient and incomplete" and they "failed to detect, or realised very late" that the plane was losing speed.

The report also found that the two pilots only flew a few months a year with long gaps between flights, contributing to "a lowering of their level of performance when confronted with unusual situations".
29.06.2017 LISTEN

Ho, June 29, GNA - Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister has affirmed a December 2018 deadline for settlers on the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in the Volta Region, to relocate to resettlement sites.

A total of 28 communities with a population of about 2,000, from the four districts hosting the reserve; Adaklu, Ho West, North, and Central Tongu, were inhabiting the Reserve illegally and the Regional Minister said force would have to be considered.

He said chiefs had voluntarily donated lands for resettlement, and that the huge potential of the 320 square kilometre guinea savannah game park should not be lost to encroachers.

Dr. Letsa was interacting with Chiefs, District Chief Executives and other stakeholders in Ho, on the management of the Reserve.

The meeting was organised by the Development Institute, a Non-Governmental Organisation which had since 2010, been collaborating with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.

The Minister said the encroachers would by September 2018, have had enough grace period, after which a court order would be sought to carry out forced ejections.

Dr. Letsa said the Regional Coordinating Council would engage the Lands and Natural Resources, Local Government, and the Tourism Ministries among other stakeholders to chart a roadmap for the evictions.

Health, sanitation, education and other basic facilities would be provided at the resettled areas, and he assured that they would be given the necessary priorities.

Dr. Letsa said the Resource Reserve provided investment opportunities, and appealed to investors to tap into its potentials.

The Reserve, designated by a Legislative Instrument in 1975, is home to over 270 species of birds as well as buffaloes, river-hogs, and monkeys, and attracts thousands of tourists annually.

Mr. Alex Adjei, the Park Manager, said the wildlife populations had been growing significantly since the park's establishment, although cattle grazing, fuel wood harvesting, and other human activities threatened its development.

He said the Park was being managed by a 36 member staff, whose work was not without mob attacks, kidnappings and other forms of violence by illegal settlers.

He appealed for the construction of roads, eco-lodges, and camping sites to make the place more attractive and called on the district assemblies to help preserve the Reserve.

Government is acquiring a fourth resettlement site at Kpetoe in the Adaklu-Ayingbe District to augment the existing ones, and stakeholders called for a 'human face' to the evictions.

GNA

By Samuel Akumatey, GNA
29.06.2017 LISTEN

By Gifty Amofa/Jefferson Olarbi

Kumasi, June 29, GNA - A man accused of stealing a Toyota Corolla taxi from its driver, has been remanded in prison by a Kumasi Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Ekow Mensah.

Bernard Agyemang, alias 'Benghazi' is facing additional charge of stealing cash of GH480.00 and a mobile phone belonging to the victim.

He pleaded not guilty and was ordered to make his next appearance on Wednesday, July 05.

Police Chief Inspector Timothy Amoako told the court that the offence was committed on March 12.

The accused had engaged the services of the driver, Charles Oppong, to carry him in his taxi to the Kumasi Airport from Trede in the Atwima-Kwanwoma District.

On reaching Ahenema-Kokoben, Agyemang asked that they stopped at a pub, where he ordered a drink for himself and the victim.

The prosecution said moments after taking the drink, the driver lost consciousness and the accused fled with the car leaving him behind.

A colleague taxi driver, who chanced upon the victim, sent him to the Suntreso Government Hospital, where he was revived and a formal report was made to the police.

Police Chief Inspector Amoako said the driver identified Agyemang, when he was paraded alongside other suspected car snatchers, seized by the police.

GNA
Anyanzinli (W/R), June 28, GNA - The Director of Coastal Sustainable Landscape Project (CSLP), Dr Steve Dennison has underscored the socio-economic values of wetland resources in the country.

He in this regard advised that depleted mangrove trees in wetland areas should consciously be restored to preserve their biological diversity.

Dr Dennison was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines during a visit to the mangrove restoration site of the wetland at Anyanzinli in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.

The project, which is being funded by USAID, and US Forest Service-Managed Intervention, is being implemented in the six coastal Districts of Western Region.

The communities are Ellembelle, Jomoro, Nzema-East, Ahanta-West, Shama and the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA).

The project aims at promoting low emissions development in the Region by strengthening community-based natural resource management and monitoring.

Mr Dennison said the USAID had signed a-three-year contract with the communities but based on successes achieved in the initial phase, it had been extended to 2019.

He said the phase two of the project under the US government's Feed the Future initiative was aimed at poverty reduction and increased resilience in the target communities through improved, natural resource management, livelihood diversification, value chain development and ecosystem restoration.

Dr Dennison commended the Greater Amanzule Community Conservation Committee for the zeal to nurse and nurture seeds for transplanting.

He realized the difficulty in restoring mangrove trees and appealed to them to make the project sustainable in the wetland zones.

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Communication Specialist of CSLP, Mr Richard Adupong said more than 2,000 hectares of wetlands have been covered in the six Districts of the Western Region.

Mr Adupong said as part of wetland conservation, more mangrove trees would be planted and entreated fish mongers to undertake re-planting exercise after felling down trees for firewood to smoke their fish.

To this end, "fishing communities must not forget the link between the wetland and the sea since wetland produces fish for the sea so when it is depleted it would lead to a low catch in the sea".

He pointed out that wetland conservation served as a breeding ground for fish species, and also helps to sequester a lot of carbon more than the normal trees.

"Wetlands also have the potential to check flooding as the rain water percolates and absorbed underground," he added.

Mr Adupong explained that wetlands served as nursery and spongy areas for commercially important coastal fishes and pelagic fish species and shell fish.

The Chairman of Greater Amanzule Community Conservation Committee, Mr Mac Kwofie Donald bemoaned the indiscriminate felling of trees in the wetlands, which resulted in the shortage of fish in the wetlands and by extension, the sea.

He said about 45 communities under his jurisdiction started the transplanting of seedlings in degraded areas in the wetlands some four to five months ago with 303 seedlings.

He said members of the Committee needed life jackets to swim in the river to pick the seeds for nursery and also appealed for tricycles to help convey the seeds from the river to the nursery site.

GNA
A former boss of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for immediate investigations into the circumstances under which National Lotteries Authority (NLA) paid monies to some parliamentarians.

Justice Francis Emile Short described the payment as a very serious allegation, which has implications on the image and reputation of Parliament.

Former Chairman of Parliaments Finance Committee, James Klutse Avedzi, admitted his committee received GHC100,000 from officials of the NLA prior to consideration of amendments of the National Lottery Act, 2006 (Act 722).

Legal Advisor to the NLA, David Lamptey in separate e-mails - addressed to the then Director-General of the NLA, Brigadier General Martin Ahiaglo (Retired) in August 2016, requested the approval of a total sum of GHC150,000 to push the bill for the consideration by parliamentarians.

Related: NLA in GH150,000 bribery scandal; Lawyer admits sharing money to MPs

Commenting on the issue, the Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, explained that members of the committee that benefited from the act belonged to the 6th parliament which ceased to function immediately the 7th parliament came into being on January 7, 2017.

Kate Addo

The present Parliament is an entirely new parliament and cant go back to old parliament because their activities are not binding on the subsequent ones, she stated.

Related: NLA, MPs 'bribery' scandal: We are opposed to pipers calling tunes- Parliament

She added, When you have a new parliament, you have a clean slate.

Many of the MPs who took the money are, however, still in the so-called new Parliament.

Related: MPs who took NLA cash cant be punished  Parliament

Parliament she said cannot sanction the MPs.



Justice Emile Short

But speaking on the Super Morning Show Thursday, Justice Short said it is inconsequential when it happened since Parliaments image is at stake.

There should be a thorough investigation by an independent body to look at the circumstance under which the payment and for what reason it was made.

If payment vouchers were signed, for example, we need to know what was indicated on it. Also, there is the need to establish whether the funds were paid directly from NLA resources to Parliament, Justice Short questioned.

Earlier this year, the Ghartey Committee was tasked to investigate a bribery claim made by Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga against the leadership of the Appointments Committee.

However, in its 56-page report, the committee said it came to the firm conclusion that Mr Mahama Ayariga is in contempt of parliament on the strength of Article 122 of the 1992 Constitution, section 32 of the Parliament Act, 1965 (Act 300) and Orders 28 and 30 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

The Committee said it came to this conclusion because Mr Mahama Ayariga failed to prove that indeed Hon. Boakye Agyarko [Energy Minister] gave money to Hon Joseph Osei-Owusu [Chairman of the Appointments Committee] to be distributed to the members of the Appointments Committee with a view to bribe them, as alleged by Mr Ayariga in an interview he granted Radio Gold.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim |[email protected]
N'Djamena (AFP) - Teodorin Obiang, Equatorial Guinea's vice president and son of its leader, denounced a French legal case against him Thursday as a fabricated vendetta designed to damage the country's government.

The 47-year-old, known for his taste for fast cars, luxury homes and bespoke suits, is charged with plundering Equatorial Guinea's coffers to fund a jetset lifestyle in France.

In his first comments since the prosecution opened on June 19, Obiang, who is being tried in absentia, rubbished the case, calling it a "farce without any legal basis".

"It is a fabrication against the legal government of Equatorial Guinea and against Africa," he said at a Pan-African Youth Forum in the Chadian capital N'Djamena.

Obiang is accused of using more than 100 million euros ($112 million) of state money -- proceeds of corruption and embezzlement, prosecutors allege -- to buy a six-storey mansion on Avenue Foch, one of Paris's swankiest streets, as well as a collection of Italian supercars.

He denies the charges, says the money came from legitimate sources and has countered that the property purchase was not prohibited under French law in any case.

The charges, which include embezzlement of public funds, abuse of trust and corruption, carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 50 million euros.

In 2012, French authorities swooped on the Avenue Foch mansion, seizing it along with a fleet of luxury cars including two Bugatti Veyrons and a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

But in December, the ICJ -- the UN's top court -- ordered France to "take all measures at its disposal" to ensure the mansion, which Equatorial Guinea calls a diplomatic mission, be treated the same as all other diplomatic locations under the Geneva Convention.

France disputes that claim.

The trial, scheduled to close July 6, is the first arising from an unprecedented investigation into the French assets of a trio of African leaders accused of leading a life of luxury abroad while their citizens live in poverty.

It sets a precedent for France which has long turned a blind eye to African dictators parking ill-gotten gains in Parisian real estate and luxury products.

On Tuesday the case attracted attention when former British mercenary Simon Mann said US billionaire George Soros had plotted to overthrow Obiang's father, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

Mann was testifying on behalf of the younger Obiang.

A former British special forces officer who was educated at the elite Eton College, Mann led a 2004 coup plot to overthrow the elder Obiang but was arrested in Zimbabwe before and jailed.

In 2008, he was extradited to Equatorial Guinea, but released a year later after being pardoned by Obiang.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) has threatened legal action against Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong for claiming that he (Mr Hosi) attempted bribing the Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) Alfred Obeng Boateng with $1million so that a consignment of off-spec fuel sold to Movenpiina Company Limited by BOST would have been abrogated and rather sold to him (Mr Hosi).

According to Mr Agyapong, Mr Obeng Boateng rejected the bribe.

He alleged on Accra-based Oman FM and subsequently on Accra-based Asempa FMs Ekosii sen political talk show that Mr Hosi is part of a cartel that is deliberately going after the BOST MD because he rejected to sell the fuel to them.

However, Mr Hosi denied the allegation. He told Kwadwo Asare-Baffour Acheampong on Thursday 29 June that he had no incentive whatsoever to have bribed Mr Obeng Boateng.

This is just not true. I will look for his number and speak to him, he is an MP and so I will need to accord him the respect and so I will call him and speak to him. But I will take a proper legal action against him to restore my image because it is libelous, Mr Hosi said.

Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko on Wednesday put together an eight-member committee to probe the sale of the contaminated fuel to Movenpiina, which in turn sold the consignment to Zup Oil for distribution to the pumps.

The committee is made up of representatives from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Ghana Standards Authority, Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Energy Commission, and relevant civil society organisations.

They are to determine the circumstances that created the off-spec product, review procedures used by BOST to evacuate oil products, ascertain the quality of the product and the remaining quantity, determine if the product can be corrected, and if not determine what to use it for and finally to review the transaction between BOST and Movenpiina.

However, Mr Agyepong said he found it strange that Mr Hosis firm is part of the probe.
Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya has delayed plans to export its first oil in June by three months to better negotiate revenue sharing with the local community, the country's energy minister said Thursday.

The announcement comes after reports in local media of security challenges in the arid northwestern Turkana region with a wave of attacks on workers upgrading the road on which oil is to be trucked to the coast.

Government and the local community have been at loggerheads over the sharing of oil profits, and government wants to wait until after August polls to introduce legislation on revenue sharing.

"We do not want to start the export without having a clear picture of revenue sharing, we have to wait for the Senate to be formed, hopefully we will start the export after the election and when we have a Senate to approve the bill," said Energy Minister Charles Keter.

Originally the local community was to get five percent of revenues, the county government 20 percent and national government 75 percent.

However locals have demanded their share increase to 10 percent.

British company Tullow announced the discovery of oil in Kenya in March 2012. Since then reserves totalling 750 million barrels have been found.

A pilot programme trucking 2,000 barrels a day by road from Turkana to Mombasa, more than 1,000 kilometres, was planned from June. Upgrades on the congested and badly maintained roads are also behind schedule.

The oil will be trucked until the construction of a 900 kilometre (560 mile) pipeline to a new port to be constructed at Lamu on the Indian Ocean coast, only due to start next year and be completed in 2020.

The early oil export is seen as a way to test the market before rolling out the expected 100,000 barrels a day when the pipeline has been built.

While government insists the pilot programme will be profitable, observers told AFP in March it would actually lose money due to the small volumes exported and low oil prices, and predicted the scheme would be delayed.

The delay is a blow to Kenya's ruling party ahead of the election, with the first export of oil having been seen as a major boon to their campaign for re-election.
Cotonou (AFP) - Benin President Patrice Talon has returned to Paris for a "routine" health check after having two operations in France earlier this month, the presidency said on Thursday.

The 59-year-old head of state left Wednesday evening from Cotonou after chairing a cabinet meeting.

"He announced at the cabinet meeting that he was returning to France because he had an appointment with doctors for a routine check following his operation," presidency spokesman Wilfried Houngbedji told AFP.

A source at the airport in Cotonou confirmed Talon's departure.

Houngbedji did not specify when Talon is expected to return, but did say the president would be on hand for a cabinet meeting scheduled for next Wednesday, he added.

On June 19, the presidency announced in a statement that Talon had undergone two operations on his prostate and digestive system during his almost month-long stay in Paris.

The statement referred to, among other things, a "lesion... discovered at an early stage" in his prostate.

It said the surgery allowed treatment "without need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy" but made no mention of cancer.

A "digestive complication" required a second operation a few days later, the presidency said, adding that Talon was "totally recovered" upon his return to Benin on June 18.

Talon's prolonged absence sparked controversy in Benin, forcing the government to deny rumours about his health.

Talon's transparency about his health is rare among African presidents, who are often treated abroad and do not usually disclose details of their illnesses.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, for example, has been receiving treatment in London for almost two months but his administration has refused to disclose any information about his illness.
Lagos (AFP) - An upsurge in Boko Haram attacks and returnees from Cameroon are stretching camps for those made homeless by the conflict to breaking point, as the UN warned against forcing people back to northeast Nigeria.

Obinna Orjingene is a doctor for UNICEF in the town of Banki, near the border with Cameroon, where the population has jumped from 32,000 to 45,000 in the last few months alone.

He is part of a small, overworked medical team treating everything from malaria and trauma to malnutrition in the overcrowded camp for the displaced.

"A population of over 40,000 people with just one medical doctor is crazy," he told AFP from Banki by telephone. "It's overwhelming."

But he said the situation is replicated across the remote region.

"I'm quite aware that some camps don't have doctors. There are a lot of challenges."

Rounded up

A total of 889 Nigerian refugees arrived in Banki from the Minawao camp in Cameroon on June 17, prompting the UN high commissioner for refugees to speak out.

Filippo Grandi said he was "extremely worried" by the returns and called them "unsustainable".

Attacks and kidnappings by Boko Haram insurgents have prompted the UN to warn against forcing people back over the border from Cameroon to camps "dangerously unprepared to receive them"

The UN refugee agency on Thursday said 887 Nigerians were "rounded up" into six trucks and forcibly returned by Cameroon to camps "dangerously unprepared to receive them".

Like other camps, Banki remains vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks and has been targeted by suicide bombers.

The camp lies inside the old walls of the destroyed city and people, unable to leave because of the militants nearby, depend on handouts for food.

Water and shelter are scarce and children are not in school.

Boko Haram fighters are said to be responsible for the gunfire heard at night.

Forced movement

"In the last month we've had a precipitous return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon that wasn't necessarily expected," said UNHCR Representative to Nigeria Jose Antonio Canhandula.

"They apparently were informed that the situation was good in Nigeria and they could return.

"We immediately started a campaign to inform them of the real situation. This is not the time to return, because when you return you end up in a camp with much less services."

Cameroon and Nigeria have been battling over refugees for the past year, said Yan St-Pierre, of the Modern Security Consulting Group in Berlin.

In March, the UN said that more than 2,600 Nigerians of an estimated 85,000 who fled into northern Cameroon to escape Boko Haram jihadists had been forced to go home.

In a way, Cameroon is calling Nigeria's bluff, St-Pierre said.

Since December 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has claimed Boko Haram is "technically defeated" and the government has insisted the group is on the back foot despite attacks.

In the first six months of 2017, Boko Haram has attacked soldiers, staged assaults on military bases, killed scores in suicide bombings and earlier in June launched a major assault on Maiduguri, the capital of northeast Borno state.

"It's a political way of taking them to the word, saying, 'Well, if you've secured the area, then take your population back'," said St-Pierre.

Resurgence in attacks

In March, the UNHCR, Nigeria and Cameroon signed an agreement that outlined a procedure for voluntary returns of refugees.

Yet critics suspect Cameroon is trying to minimise its humanitarian responsibilities to focus on security because of an increase in attacks.

Last week six people were killed in a double suicide attack in Kolofata, a town near the Nigerian border that has been repeatedly targeted.

Cameroon for its part suspects the increase in attacks is down to the infiltration of insurgents among Nigerian refugees and blames Nigeria for not securing the border.

Whatever the reason, for Orjingene, the deteriorating security situation in Cameroon means more people are coming to Banki whether he is ready or not.

"From the look of things, they want all Nigerian refugees back home," he said. "I'm doing my best to save as many lives as I can."
29.06.2017 LISTEN

The Quiz Mistress for the 2017 National Maths and Science Quiz (NSMQ 2017) Dr Elsie Effah Kaufmann had the shocklife of her after the finals of the contest when her handbag was stolen.

The bewildered senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon lost her valuables moments when the winners Prempeh College mounted the stage to receive their prize.

Dr Kaufmann told the media her bag contains her valuables such as mobile phone, ID Cards and car and home keys.

At the time of filing the report her bag had still not been found.

Winners

Prempeh College in the Ashanti region were crowned winners of the 2017 edition of the National Science and Maths Quiz.

They beat closest rivals St Thomas Aquinas Senior High School with a two-point difference win in the competition to grab the bragging rights for the fourth time.

At the end of the competition, Prempeh College had 53 points while Aquinas had 51 points and Adisadel College with 31 points.

One hundred and thirty-five schools began the chase for the trophy and only three remained as a triangle of schools from the Ashanti, Central and Greater Accra regions square it off at the National Theatre.
Unionised workers of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) have given their full support to their Managing Director, Alfred Obeng Boateng, amidst growing calls for his interdiction.

The workers said the recent brouhaha over some contaminated fuel allegedly on the Ghanaian market is only a plot to discredit the MD and tarnish his hard-earned reputation.

The workers said the phenomenon of off-spec contaminated fuel is nothing new to BOST and in this particular deal, the relevant stakeholders such as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) were consulted.

According to them, the price per litre of the fuel sold is one of the best in the pricing history of the company.

Addressing the media in Accra on Thursday 29 June, the secretary of the unionised workers, Godfred Newton Amo, said the staff of BOST are solidly behind their MD as he has proven to have the best interest of BOST at heart.

He said: We wish to state that the sale of off-spec products is not new to the operations of BOST. BOST receives requests from dealers of off-spec products and this dates back to 2014, 2015 and 2016, but in all situations we saw nothing untoward. The same processes were followed in this particular one that we believe has been blown out of proportion.

The unionised staff of BOST are solidly behind the MD because we believe the agreed selling price, GHS1.30, is very competitive. We wish to establish that the stakeholders were consulted in the processes leading to the sale of this product...

We believe that this misinformation is a deliberate attempt to destroy the integrity of the MD and most importantly stop the MD from going ahead with the ongoing probe in the numerous malfeasances in the past contracts.

Reacting to the minority's call for the interdiction of the MD, the unionised workers described the call as misguided.

We wish to, therefore, entreat the general public to disregard the call by the minority in parliament for the interdiction of the MD of BOST but we rather request of the honourable members to support the MDs quest to ensure that all those who have aided in looting the company are duly punished, they said.

The Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate interdiction of the MD over a bizarre and dubious contract awarded to Movenpiina Company Limited to distribute the five million litres of contaminated oil onto the market.

At a press conference, the Minority called for a full-scale investigation by the regulatory authorities into the corrupt deal.

The Minority also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the contaminated product from the market to protect consumers and assurances that this will not recur.

The Minority also said the financial loss from the deal, which they estimated at GHS14.25million, must be retrieved by surcharging the offending officials at BOST in line with a recent Supreme Court decision.

Meanwhile, BOST has denied that there is contaminated fuel on the market.
29.06.2017 LISTEN

The current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should not waste time in arresting and jailing officials of the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government found to be corrupt, a former deputy minister of Employment and Labour Relations has dared them.

Mr Baba Jamal responded to claims by Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Stephen Amoah that members of the former party are corrupt, want it tied to specific individuals and names rather than the generalization.

If you say NDC is corrupt, I disagree with you. You claim some individuals overpriced certain equipment. If this is characterized by corrupt practices, go after those people; arrest and jail them rather coming on radio and ranting. This your extremist behavior will not help. You claim some persons are corrupt, you have every opportunity to arrest them, yet you are on radio making all the noise, he observed.

Stephen Amoah claims tricycles procured by the then administration of MASLOC was characterized by corruption because they purchased one of them in the open market for GH 8,500 instead of GH4,500 describing it as a rip off.

They refused to adhere to the economies of scale and you can see that this was just pure corruption yet they have the nerves to keep talking, he explained.

But Baba Jamal in a sharp rebuttal, asked Stephen Amoah and his government to go after such persons if indeed they have strong evidence that wrong doing was done under the previous administration and stop the radio commentary.
Parliamentarians are urging the Speaker of Parliament to institute an independent probe into allegations that National Lottery Authority (NLA) gave Parliaments Finance Committee GHC100,000 to push the New Lottery Bill.

They say this is the only way the Prof Mike Ocquaye led Parliament can convince Ghanaians whether or not something untoward happened.

Whilst an intercepted email from National Lottery Authority says the amount was meant to push MPs to pass the NLA bill, some members of the committee have insisted it was a deserved allowance.

Head of Public Affairs in Parliament Kate Addo said on the Super Morning Show today it will be difficult for the matter to be investigated.

Commenting on the issue, the Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, explained that members of the committee who received the cash were part of the 6th parliament which ceased to function immediately the 7th parliament came into being on January 7, 2017.

The present Parliament is an entirely new parliament and cant go back to the old parliament because their activities are not binding on the subsequent ones, she stated.

She added, When you have a new parliament, you have a clean slate.

Kate Addo

Many of the MPs who took the money are, however, still in the new Parliament.

Kate Addo said Parliament cannot sanction the MPs but since the actors are still around with some still in parliament, they can be asked to provide further and better particulars.

She said it needs to be looked into so a lasting solution is sought for such issues.

But some parliamentarians disagree with her view. The Ranking Member on Parliament's Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee, Inusah Fuseini, said the only way for the house to clear its name is an independent probe.

He said he was so disturbed when he heard the news that he contacted the Finance Committee Chairman, because MPs are paid to pass laws so taking financial inducement is unfair to Ghanaians.

Inusah Fuseini

The Tamale Central MP said he is still waiting for explanations from the Chairman on the circumstances under which the NLA gave the money and the motive for doing so.

"I want to know where the consideration of the bill took place, was it in parliament or outside parliament? And was the money for securing a venue considering the circumstance? Or was it to fuel MP to move about?

What we need to do as parliament is to set up an independent body, an Adhoc committee to look into the matter and advice...if the Speaker is minded to look into it, the best way is to constitute an outside body, he said.

The former CHRAJ Boss Justice Emile Short also supports the call for investigation, at least by an outside body. Speaking on the Super Morning Show Thursday, Justice Short said it is inconsequential when it happened since Parliaments image is at stake.

There should be a thorough investigation by an independent body to look at the circumstance under which the payment was made and for what reason it was made.

If payment vouchers were signed, for example, we need to know what was indicated on it. Also, there is the need to establish whether the funds were paid directly from NLA resources to Parliament, Justice Short questioned.

Justice Emile Short

.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim |[email protected]
Niamey (AFP) - Some 600 West African migrants heading for Europe have been saved since April from the Niger desert after being abandoned by smugglers, the International Organization for Migration said Thursday.

The announcement came after the presumed deaths of dozens in the same area last week alone and hundreds more fatalities off the coast of Libya.

"IOM's search and rescue operation saved 600 migrants stranded in the Sahara desert since April," the group said on its website.

The last part of the operation saw 24 migrants lifted -- one died later -- last week and transferred to an IOM transit centre, but almost three times as many are presumed dead.

IOM said the survivors had been in a group of 75 migrants in three different vehicles which were abandoned by the smugglers as they headed north of Agadez in Niger for Libya.

"The authorities went back to where they had found the survivors to look for the other 51 who had been in the group, but they could not be found due to a sand storm," the IOM said.

"The migrants were presumed dead and search missions resumed once the sand storm ended -- the bodies have yet to be found."
30.06.2017 LISTEN

Accra, June 29, GNA - Mr Christoph Retzlaff, the German Ambassador says the G20 Africa Partnership Compact is an avenue for renewing cooperation and enhancing sustainable economic development in Africa.

Launched under Germany's Presidency of the G20, the Ambassador explained that the Partnership would support reliable financial frameworks in order to increase investment opportunities, push for a more sustainable infrastructure as well as create jobs and employment.

Addressing a media conference, on Thursday, Mr Retzlaff stated that it would contribute to the realisation of the African Union's Agenda 2063.

AU's Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework, which seeks to build on past and existing continental initiatives for accelerated growth and sustainable development over the next 50 years.

The German Government, therefore, aims to boost political and economic stability in Africa through the G20 Africa Partnership.

Ghana, Tunisia, CAte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Rwanda, Morocco and Ethiopia are partnering the Group of 20, an international forum for the governments of 20 major economies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the African Development Bank are the other partners of the G20 Africa Compact.

Africa is deemed as a key player in the 21st Century with its economic development and population growth having a huge global impact.

'This is why the German Government made Africa one of the priorities of its G20 Presidency' Mr Retzlaff said.

Mr Retzlaff explained that, the partnership intended to support related political initiatives of the G20 and facilitate joint commitments in the form of investment compacts between Africa, G20 Partners and the International financial institutions.

The media conference was held by the Ambassador to explain the frameworks of the G20 Africa Partnership and the opportunities presented by the Compact.

Mr Retzlaff said the compacts would be designed to be demand-driven and form the basis for long-term cooperation, with the aim of creating a sound investment climate in the relevant sectors of the selected African economies.

He explained that three out of the seven compact countries - Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia - would additionally enter into a reform partnership with Germany, which also promised additional support capital to them.

He said these countries were selected under the partnership as they stood out with regard to their reform-oriented policies that had a strong focus on transparent budgets, fighting corruption, promoting democracy and realising economic reforms.

He said furtherance to that reform partnership, Ghana signed a declaration of intents with Germany on the sideline of the just-ended Berlin Conference that would attract an additional 100 million Euros each year, to be used mainly for projects in the renewable energy sector; vocational and technical training; as well as the financial sector, this year.

The Ambassador explained that the G20 acknowledged its special responsibility to join forces in tackling the challenges facing the poorest countries, especially in Africa, and so the Compact would boost private investments and investment in infrastructure as these were essential precondition for attaining strong, balanced and sustainable growth.

The G20 would provide political support for comprehensive, country-specific packages of measures and would give African countries a platform to showcase opportunities and conditions for investment.

It is open to all African countries that are interested in improving their frameworks for private investment on a durable, sustainable basis.

Mr Retzlaff said Germany had decided to reduce from 10 per cent to five per cent the deductible guarantees for German companies that would invest in the Compact countries.

Mr Henry G. R. Kerali, the Country Director of the World Bank, emphasised the need for Ghana to create conducive investment environment for foreign investors.

He said the World Bank, the IMF and the African Development Bank would provide guarantees that would encourage investors to put their money in Ghana.

'The objective is not to create unfair competition for local firms but to create a level playing field,' he stated.

Mrs Natalia Koliadina, Country Representative for IMF, said the role of the IMF was to help Ghana improve its macroeconomic structures.

The Berlin conference, dubbed "G20 Africa Partnership-Investing in a Common Future", which was held on 12th and 13th June, brought together the President of the African Union, Heads of States of African countries, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Presidents of IMF, World Bank, Africa Development Bank and the German Government.

Participants at the G20-Africa-Conference explored new investment opportunities in Africa and discussed how new incentives for more private-sector investments, sustainable investments in public infrastructure and economic participation could be created.

GNA

By Lydia Asamoah, GNA
30.06.2017 LISTEN

Accra, June 29, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday remanded One Adam Fuseini Walla, allegedly for unlawfully discharging firearms, attempting to commit crime, cruelty to animals and escaping from lawful custody.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges before the court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh is to reappear on July 4.

Presenting the facts of the case, Prosecuting Police Chief Inspector Kwabena Adu told the court that the complainant, Mohammed Waziri, the Chief of A-Lang Muslim Community, while the accused person is a rival chief of the complainant in the same community.

He said on June 26, the complainant who is a practicing Muslim rode his male horse to the Odorgonno Senior High School in the company of his entourage to pray.

Immediately he alighted from the horse and was about to take his seat, the accused person also came to the venue with his entourage and without any provocation, Adam pulled out his pump action gun hidden in his smock and fired twice towards the direction of the complainant but missed him.

The prosecution said, not satisfied the accused person further shot the complainant's male horse which was tied to an electric pole wounding it fatally.

He told the court that, this action of the accused person disrupted the entire prayer session as people ran to safety.

Police Chief Inspector Adu said the police who were on duty managed to arrest Adam, to the Odorkor Police Station for questioning.

He told the court that within an hour of the accused person's arrest, his followers numbering about 50 heavily built bodied men, all on board their motorbikes stormed the police station and forcibly whisked accused person from the police custody and bolted with him.

He said the police after some few hours managed to re-arrest Adam back into police custody, and also retrieved the pump action gun.

GNA

By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, June 29, GNA - Participants at a Stakeholders' Dialogue on Cyber Security Issues, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on Thursday, have urged government to fast truck the implementation of the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy (NCSPS).

The NCSPS seeks to protect the sovereignty and interest of the State and the rights of individuals in the cyberspace.

Cabinet in November 2016, approved the implementation of the NCSPS to empower the National Computer Emergency response team (CERT-GH) to continue the fight against cybercrime.

However, seven months down history lane, government is yet to hit the ground running with the NCSPS implementation.

The participants also urged government to involve all stakeholders such as the civil society organisations (CSOs), the media, academia and the private sector in the implementation of the NCSPS.

The stakeholders were of the view that issues of cyber security was of interest to all Ghanaians since majority used the internet.

They, therefore, called on government to build a resilient cyberspace and ensure that the rights of the individual is respected and protected online.

They recommended that both the private sector and the government should pursue proactive information disclosure to the citizenry.

The workshop, on the theme: 'Ghana's Cyber Security Environment: Challenges and the Way Forward,' was attended by members of the national security agencies, experts in the digital space, academia, the media and the CSOs.

It was designed to build knowledge on cyber security and to allow agencies involved in fighting cybercrime to share cutting-edge knowledge on their cyber security initiatives as well as status of their activities and efforts towards implementing the NCSPS.

Among the discussants at the workshop were Mr Vincent Sowah Odotei, a Deputy Minister of Communications; Mr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the Principal Consultant of e-Crime Bureau; Mr Adu Boahene, the Director of Communications, Ministry of National Security, and Mr Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the MFWA.

Mr Odotei said government was trying to put things in place to facilitate the implementation of the NCSPS to make it more relevant to society.

He said government was taking the issue of cyber security very seriously adding that the capacity of the security agencies would be built to help equip them to fight cybercrime.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako said government and stakeholders had taken actions to address cyber security challenges, however, there remained significant gaps in tackling the nation's cyber security vulnerabilities.

He said cybercrime was like an octopus, which could engulf anyone or organisation and, therefore, called for proactive measures to address the challenges of cyber security.

Mr Adu Boahene, on his part, urged CSOs to be responsive on cyber security issues and to put up constructive criticisms adding that government was taking cyber security issues very seriously.

He called for a multi-stakeholder approach in tackling cyber security and cybercrime in the country.

Mr Sulemana Braimah said as the country grew in terms of the digital space, cyber security issues also become a threat.

'It is something that we cannot say government alone should do or a ministry or a department alone should do. Because the use of the internet predominantly involves we the ordinary citizens and, therefore, it is important that from a civil society perspective, from an ordinary person's perspective we have this kinds of conversations.

'So that we can have the key stakeholders telling us what the issues are and what the status is and how we plan to confront challenges such as cyber security,' he said.

On the way forward, Mr Braimah said there was the need for all stakeholders to collaborate on cyber security so that the citizenry would enjoy the fruit of the cyberspace.

GNA

By Iddi Yire/Linda Baah, GNA
Five Star record label boss, E-Money, has set social media on fire after he shared pictures of his golden room just as a sign of motivation to his fans.

E-money has always maintained that trend of using the best furniture in his home that will last for so many years and they are very eye-catching.

Like his brother, Kcee did say that showing off has always been their weakness that they have kept proving as his apartment is a heaven on earth.

Read the comments from his fans appreciating God on his behalf;

Ahamezii: Hmm @sammyglobaz who e help..abeggy...Vanity upon Vanity equals Vanity...get that..go make ur money ..peace..

uwalaka.oluchi: I always like the way you bless and uplift your followers..God bless you emoney

davidold: Senior man I heart you so much #keepgrowing#

saintfrancis26: Amen overall Boss! Failure is not our portion

eddyuko2014: More blessings fall on u

itzdaymix: U are d best boss

j_boogie_boogie: Yes boss Na so d thing go

vandavals: Ego amaka dedem... ututu oma boss money himself

thegreatsavi: Oga boss.... A little help pls @emony1

tracozofficial: Amen i belive

iam.tmost: More blessings

samsotie: When you are rich you are rich abeg


Are you interested in the topic: what is indirect rule in Nigeria? If yes, read the article below. This will help you to overcome ignorance when it comes to indirect rule and find out more facts about this management system, pre-colonial administration in Nigeria, and its leader.

The era of colonialism is one of the most important stages in the history of mankind. It was colonialism that initiated the process of the subsequent globalization of the world, its transformation to a single economic, technological, and information space.

Pre-colonial administration in Nigeria

We must not forget that colonialism was the first "programme" for the comprehensive and radical transformation of African and Nigerian societies with their subsequent integration into the world system of relations.

Indirect control, whether it be bad or good, laid the foundation for the creation of modern institutions of local government. Indirect rule played an especially important role in the early years. Without indirect rule, it would not have been possible to achieve such great success in the development of the country. The pace of the development would have been much lower if French or even German methods of direct colonial administration have been applied. Then, when the indirect control became obsolete, it ceased to show the necessary flexibility and was eliminated. However, its merits must be taken into account and remembered.

Frederick John Dealtry Lugard

What is indirect rule in Nigeria in particular?

It can be regarded as a form of showing and proclaiming power in Nigeria. Such method was mainly used by the British and the French. The initial aim of such ruling form was the establishment of control of their colonies.

What are 3 main stages of indirect rule and pre-colonial administration in Nigeria?

The process of formation and development of the indirect management system in Nigeria can be divided into three periods.

First stage (1900 - 1906)

It was the time when Lugard performed the functions of the High Commissioner of the protectorate of Northern Nigeria. At this stage, only the initial steps were taken to establish and organize British rule. The colonial policy was based on a common conviction of the need to manage dependent peoples through their own traditional institutions of power. This principle of organization of the native administration corresponded to the views of the initiator of the creation of a protectorate - High Commissioner F. Lugard.

However, there was a strong divergence in the implementation of the overall plan. The real colonial practice in Northern Nigeria was a kind of compromise between the directives of London and individual decisions of Lugard. One of the victories of the High Commissioner was legal justification for British domination in the region by right of conquest, as opposed to the ministerial plans for gradual and peaceful entry.

READ ALSO: List of Nigerian presidents and head of states

At this time, a dependent position of northern Nigerian emirs from the central government was established. In accordance with general ideas of indirect rule, local government structure and taxation were also established. At the same time, there was relative social and political stability.

Second stage (1906 - 1912)

The beginning of the second stage of the development of indirect rule structure was marked by the resignation of Lugard. A new type of relationship between the governor and residents began. The governor could fully devote himself to the problems of the central administration and the development of the people. The residents enjoy the freedom of action and significant administrative autonomy.

The expansion of the administrative powers of residents was accompanied by the institutional consolidation of their financial independence - the creation of a new local financial body - "native" treasuries. The real management of funds of local administrations has almost completely shifted to residents. This made them the most important and powerful officials in the structure of indirect rule and significantly consolidated their administrative independence.

Third stage (1912 - 1929)

The third stage of the development of the system of indirect rule was the time of final ideological creation of the doctrine. By 1912, the process of North Nigerian colonial administration formation was actually completed. However, the system still remained a purely regional phenomenon.

The first step towards its turning into the dominant form of colonial administration in Tropical Africa was the union of the northern and southern territories of Nigeria. The Nigerian Union itself was not directly related to the need to subordinate administrative system of Southern Nigeria to the northern Nigerian methods of indirect control. The main and most important task was financial and transport association of the region.

The first important point was that indirect rule was recognized as a model, which could become the benchmark for all other administrations of British Africa. The experiment for its introduction in Southern Nigeria was to show its universality. In addition, the organization of the association was entrusted to F. Lugard.

His name was so closely associated with the successes of indirect rule in northern Nigeria that it ignored the true aim of this kind of rule and all attention is focused on the forms of organization of the government. His popularity and propaganda abilities guaranteed that the system assumed success regardless of its real results.

What is Lord Lugard personal contribution to Nigeria ruling?

The main role was assigned to F. Lugard. However, his personal role in the creation of the system cant be exaggerated. The development of the principles for the organization of the colonial administration in Nigeria was a matter of national importance, with a great deal of attention paid to the British government.

The result was in the projects approved by the British Parliament for the organization of the local colonial administration. This was based on certain theoretical concepts and principles, voiced not only by F. Lugard but also by members of the specially created Niger Committee and leading figures of the Ministry of Colonies. His name was always in the center of attention - he was a leader, conqueror, and builder of the Empire.

So, now you know what indirect rule really means, its main stages of changes, and pre-colonial administration in Nigeria with its leader.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Government structure

Source: Legit.ng
Nigeria was ruled by military heads of state at different points in its history. The first military regime started at the fall of the first republic in 1966. This article contains details about the first military head of state of Nigeria.

Who was the first military head of state in Nigeria?

The first military head of state in Nigeria was Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.

He was born on the 3rd of March 1924 in Umuahia, Abia State. He went to live with his sister when he was eight years old. She was married to Theophilus Johnson, a diplomat from Sierra Leone. Theophilus Johnson became a father figure to him. Aguiyi-Ironsi later took up his brother-in-laws last name to be his first name. Aguiyi-Ironsi went to primary school and secondary school in Umuahia and Kano. He went against his biological fathers wishes and joined the Nigerian army when he turned 18.

READ ALSO: First political party in Nigeria

Military career

Aguiyi-Ironsi enlisted in the Nigerian Army in the year 1942. He started as a private in the seventh battalion. He was promoted to company sergeant major in 1946. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was sent to Staff College, Camberley in 1946 to study an officer training course. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Royal West African Frontier Force at the completion his course. Aguiyi-Ironsi became a captain in 1953. In 1995, he received a promotion to the rank of Major. He was among the officers who served as an equerry of Queen Elizabeth the second on her visit to Nigeria in 1956. He became commandant of the fifth battalion in Kano in 1960 as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1960, he also became the head of the Nigerian troops of the UN peacekeeping force in Congo. He became a brigadier general while serving as an attache to the Nigerian High Commission in London from 1960 till 1962. While serving as an attache, he enrolled in some courses at the Royal College of Defence Studies (formerly Imperial Defence College). He was appointed to be the commandant of the whole UN peacekeeping force in Congo (previously known as Zaire at the time).

Aguiyi-Ironsi was given promoted to major general in 1965. The same year, he was made the general officer commanding the entire Nigeria Army. He was the first Nigerian to head the whole Nigerian Army.

How he became head of state

On the 15th of January, 1966, a group of soldiers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu killed most of the top Northern politicians and senior military officers and their wives including the then Nigerian Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa. Aguiyi-Ironsi was also targeted to be killed, but he was able to take control of Lagos which was the Federal Capital Territory at the time. The president of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe at that time was outside the country. With nobody to intervene for the continuity of civilian rule, Aguiyi-Ironsi forced the remaining members of the government to resign. The acting President, Nwafor Orizu (the president was outside Nigeria then) officially surrendered power to Aguiyi-Ironsi. This resulted in the fall of the first republic and the start of the military regime in Nigeria.

Aguiyi-Ironsi became head of state at a very delicate time when there was ethnic tension as a result of the coup. It was believed that the coup plotters targeted mostly Northern and Western officials. Also, most of the plotters were Igbos. He tried to persuade Nigerians otherwise by giving political appointments to people from those regions. But he did not punish the coup plotters and this aggrieved a lot of Nigerians especially the Northerners. This was part of what led to the Nigerian civil war.

Counter Coup and death

On the 29th of July 1966, Aguiyi-Ironsi was on a nationwide tour, and he was spending the night at the Government House at Ibadan. While he was there, the military governor of Western Nigeria Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi informed him about a possible conspiracy within the army. Immediately, he tried to reach out to his Army chief of staff in person of General Yakubu Gowon, but he was unable to contact him. The following morning, the Government House at Ibadan was surrounded, and Aguiyi-Ironsi was arrested by Theophilus Danjuma the man who led the soldiers. He was interrogated for being allegedly complicit in the events of the January coup that resulted in the death of Ahmadu Bello. Aguiyi-Ironsi's body as well as the body of Fajuyi were found in a nearby forest. Circumstances leading to their death are a mystery till today. Aguiyi-Ironsi spent 194 days in office as head of state.

He was married to Victoria. His son Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi was appointed as the Nigerias defense minister in 2006.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about the first military head of state in Nigeria. Keep learning the history of Nigeria with Legit.ng.

READ ALSO: Who was the first Executive President of Nigeria?

Source: Legit.ng
Legit.ng came across the heartbreaking story of yet another little boy who was being maltreated by the man under whom he is learning to read the Quran.

Months after a little boy was rescued after his own father, a 'pastor' chained him for weeks, yet another boy was found chained by a man who was supposed to be teaching him how to read the Quran.

According to a post shared on Facebook, the little boy identified as Hassan said he was sent to the man by his father who is now late.

The Mallam in charge of the little boy has however been arrested by men of the Gombe state police.

6-year-old Hassan was chained by his Malam

READ ALSO: NSCDC officials rescue chained boy from Cele church

The post was shared on Facebook by one Sheriff Almuhajir, and has been translated from Hausa into English. Read what he wrote below:

"From Gombe, an officer friend of mine called my phone seemingly in perplexed, about a sad story of a boy, an Almajiri boy, in squalor in the name of studying the Quran.

The poor boy, Hassan by name not more than 6 years of age, narrated that his father brought him into this system, and now the father is late, and that he is clueless on the whereabouts of his mom, who must have married elsewhere.

Under the care of this alaramma, abuse if you can observe, pictures below. The Malam is now in police custody, who denies being his initial tutor.

Northerners beware, this is what leads our children into Boko Haram, takes a weapon to kill others, and they then blame Jonathan or any other perceived enemy. May Allah help us."

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See more pictures below:

The Malam who denied being Hassan's tutor was arrested by the police

Hassan's father never came back after dropping him off to learn how to read the Quran

Na wa o!

Meanwhile, Legit.ng TV was there when Allah's name allegedly appeared on a Moringa tree. See video below:

Source: Legit.ng
Meet one of the most versatile women in Nigeria. She is not just an actress. She is a very important person! Read the Ibinabo Fiberesima biography and find out how she finds enough time to do everything!

Biography of Ibinabo Fiberesima

She is a famous Nollywood actress. But she is also a corporate events manager. Ibinabo Fiberesima is 44-years-old. She was born on January 13, 1973. Her mother is Irish, and her father is Nigerian.

Ibinabo Fiberesima education began when she was admitted into the Y.M.C.A. in Port Harcourt. Then she continued her development of knowledge at Federal Government Girls College in New Bussa, Niger State.

Ibinabo received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature. The diploma was received at the University of Ibadan.

READ ALSO: Ibinabo Fiberesima children

In 1991 Ibinabo Fiberesima took part in the beauty contest Miss Nigeria. She came second in the pageant. Before that, she won another contest in 1990. It was Miss Wonderland where Ibinabo took first place.

But this is not the end of her victory. In the same year, the woman won the beauty contest Miss NUGA in the University of Calabar.

Ibinabo Fiberesima first debut as an actress was in the movie, Most Wanted . This film brought her nationwide fame. After that, she became one of the big stars of Nigerian movies.

Ibinabo Fiberesima marriage

In 2014 the Nigerian actress got married to Uche Egbuka. A lot of media resources wrote about the wedding. It was so beautiful. First, the couple had a traditional wedding. Then they had a white wedding ceremony. But she recently stated that their two-year marriage had broken up.

For the years Ibinabo Fiberesima starred in a lot of Nigerian films which a lot of Nigerians have loved. The actress leads a very versatile life. Today you have read the biography of the successful Nigerian actress Ibinabo Fiberesima. Now you know a lot of interesting things about her life!

READ ALSO: Stunning new photos of actress Ibinabo Fiberesima

Source: Legit.ng
- The suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans, has dragged IGP to court

- The police had two weeks ago arrested Evans at his Magodo house in Lagos

- Evans lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, asked the court for an order compelling the respondents to immediately release him unconditionally

The suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans has dragged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and three others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged illegal detention.

Vanguard reports that joined as respondents in the motion he filed by his lawyers are the Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Lagos state and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.

Billionaire kidnapper Evans drags IGP, 3 others to court over detention

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanus IPOB drops another bombshell, insists no elections will hold in Igbo land

Legit.ng gathered that in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed on his behalf by a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, the suspected kidnapper is praying for the order of court to direct the respondents to immediately charge him to court if there is any case against him in accordance with Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Evans' lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje

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In the alternative, he prayed the court for an order compelling the respondents to immediately release him unconditionally, in the absence of any offence that will warrant his being charged to court.

Legit.ng had previously reported that the notorious kidnapper Evans insisted that he was fair to all his victims despite the public perception of him. According to him, he was unfair to only one of his victims. He also insisted that he does not collect ransome using banks because he could be traced easily.

Watch this Legit.ng TV Video of the house of the Billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike popularly knows as Evans after he was recently nabbed by men of the Nigeria Police Force:

Source: Legit.ng
- Nigerian Army's operation Lafiya Dole is still making progress in the north-east

- The troops arrested a Boko Haram member in Buni Gari

- They also recovered and destroyed IED planted by the terrorists

Nigerian Army troops of 27 Task Force Brigade deployed at Buni Gari have arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Isah Garba aged 20 years while on perimeter patrol on Sunday, June 25.

Also, troops of 29 Task Force Brigade while on patrol on Wednesday, June 28, along Wajiro-Mallam Kuramti cattle route discovered an IED planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Troops combing one of the forests around the route in search of Boko Haram members and planted explosives

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The EOD team safely removed and detonated it, a statement by the director of Army relations, Brigadier-General SK Usman stated.

Also on the same day, troops of 151 Battalion of 21 Brigade on patrol to Mayanti village were ambushed by suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists.

A soldier scans the area to check for any planted IED

The troops successfully cleared the ambush by neutralizing some of the terrorists, while a reinforcement was immediately dispatched to mop up the general area.

The team recovered a 60mm Commando Mortar Bomb, 13 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 51 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.

A soldier uses his equipment to test for possible planted IED

On a sad note, the remains of two gallant soldiers that paid the supreme price on Saturday, June 17, along Damboa-Biu road in Borno state, 11NA/66/10788 Lance Corporal Auwal Halliru and 15NA/73/0188 Private Halilu Aliyu of 254 Task Force Battalion were buried according to Islamic religious rites at the Gombe military ceremony.

The soldiers died at last weeks ambush of a military-escorted convoy of travelers along Maiduguri-Damboa road.

Left: IEDs recovered, Right: The remains of the two fallen soldiers

READ ALSO: Joint security agents raid Kaduna home of former vice president Namadi Sambo

Watch a video report of the recently released Chibok girls by Boko Haram on Legit.ng TV below:

Source: Legit.ng
- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that that Biafra can only be actualized through a referendum and not by quit notice or violence

- The chairman of the Board of Trustees said the party will not support any agitation for the break up of Nigeria

- The party also urged Nigerians to continue to embrace peace for the unity of Nigeria

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, June 28, said that Biafra can only be actualized through a referendum and not by quit notice or violence.

The party's Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman Walid Jibrin said the party is not in support of any group that focus on bringing disunity and division among Nigerians.

Walid while speaking to journalists in Nasarawa state said peace and unity are key to the development of nation.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army buries two soldiers killed by Boko Haram, recovers IED

He said if the Igbos truly want their own country, all they ought to do is root for a referendum which will grant them an independence.

Citing the Brexit as an example, Walid said, Britain conducted a referendum for its exit from the European Union membership.

He said due process must be followed for a group to achieve its independence.

The chairman of the Board of Trustees said the party will not support any agitation for the break up of Nigeria

Walid also cautioned all agitators from all regions to desist from heating up the Nigerian polity.

If Igbos want their own independence as Biafra, is it enough for the Northern youths to give them quit notice to leave the north to their states?" Walid asked.

READ ALSO: Let Nigerian politicians learn from Suntai's death - Nigerians react to ex-governor's demise

The answer is no. I will not instigate any youth to do that, and `quit notice is not a good word. This quit notice will not bring peace.

We must live together, live in unity, unite ourselves and we should not threaten anybody as everybody has the right to live in Nigeria and we dont have to call for war, Walid said.

The PDP BoT chairman also admonished Muslims and Nigerians in general to continue to preach peace, unity, love and respect for one another.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that the Arewa groups had cautioned a senior advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana and a former governor of Kaduna state Balarabe Musa over their remarks on the quit notice issued to Igbos living in the north by the group.

The spokesperson of the group, Abdulazeez Suleiman in a statement said the two elders have managed to rip themselves of their respect by being biased and taken side on matter the affects Nigeria.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Nnamdi Kanu addressing IPOB members in his hometown.

Source: Legit.ng
- The report that President Buhari's plane was parked in London airport has been refuted by APC United Kingdom

- The report had earlier alleged that the president's plane was parked idly at the airport at the cost of 4000 a day

- The APC said the news was from a fake news site

The All Progressives Party (APC) has reacted to the reports making the rounds that President Buhari's aircraft was sighted in a parking space in London.

The costs of using the parking lot where the plane was sighted every 24 hours was pegged at a whooping 4000.

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In a response to Honourable AB Faj who asked for the authenticity of the story as reported by BBC Africa News, APC asked for the news to be disregarded while labeling the news outlet a fake news blog.

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Legit.ng had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari's aircraft has allegedly been spotted in a parking space in London.

According to viral reports online, it costs a whooping 4000 every 24 hours to use a parking lot. This has raised concerned in the minds of Nigerians as to why the aircraft is 'waiting' for the president to get well. Some also concluded that if the aircraft is in a parking lot, waiting for the president to be fine, it means the crew members are also in London, living large on Nigeria's money.

To calculate the cost, the president has spent 50 days in London and calculating how much spent already based on N400/1 pound, President Buhari has spent a whooping N80,000,000.00 on aircraft alone.

In the video below, Legit.ng TV asked some Nigerians if they still think Nigeria is the giant of Africa. Watch their responses below:

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- The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the appointment of executive officers for various tertiary institutions

- The appointees will serve as chief medical directors and medical directors of different Federal Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and Specialists Hospitals in Nigeria

- The minister of health Isaac Adewole, the five of the appointees will be serving their second and final terms

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the appointment of 14 chief medical directors and medical directors of different Federal Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and Specialists Hospitals in Nigeria, Premium Times reports.

In an approval letter signed by the deputy chief of staff to the Acting President which was addressed to the minister of health Isaac Adewole, the five of the appointees will be serving their second and final terms.

The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the appointment of executive officers for various tertiary institutions

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It was gathered that about 20 out of 52 tertiary institutions in Nigeria were operating without CMDs or MDs.

The institutions were then run by interim head for about six month to two years against the provision of the Acts upon which they were established.

Congratulating the appointee, the minister of health urged them to ensure that theu operate and all-inclusive administration during their tenure.

Adewole said the appointees are expected to support the health agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration which is focused on achieving a universal health coverage.

READ ALSO: Fayose reveals shocking things about Buhari's health, where he is being kept (Video)

Below is a list of the chief executive officers of the tertiary health institutions:

1.University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada - Bisala Ekele

2. Federal Medical Centre, Asaba - V.A. Osiatuma

3. Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu - Idris Suleiman

4. Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta - Abdus Musa

5. Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja - O.O. Alabi

6. Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos - Adejuwon Dada

READ ALSO: Settle down and work for dialogue - PFN to Nnamdi Kanu

7. Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri - Ibrahim Wakawa

8. Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Lagos - O.C. Ogun

9. Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Sokoto - Shehu Sale

While the five appointee who will be serving their final tenure are:

1. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano - A.Z. Mohammed

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2. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi - Anthony Igwegbe

3. Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo - Wiza Inusa

4. Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar - Joseph Okegbe

5. Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin-City - Sunday Olotu

Legit.ng earlier reported that Osinbajo approved the purchase of the popular Metro Plaza building to serve as the headquarters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The purchase was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the leadership of the acting president.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Nigerians discussing the unity of Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng
- The Kaduna state governor has said that all those calling for restructuring of Nigeria are opportunists

- Nasir El-Rufai said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has done more restructuring in the country

- He also said those agitating for restructuring are irresponsible

The governor of Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai has said that those calling for the restructuring of Nigeria are political opportunists and irresponsible.

While speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, El-Rufai said the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration in two years have done better than the past administration.

He said the Buhari-led administration has taken some practical steps towards restructuring the country through various means.

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El-Rufai said governors of all the 36 states in Nigeria are currently more involved in policy making at the national level in the present administration.

The governor also said that before now, issues at the federal level were been hidden from state governor but the Buhari-led administration has made transparency one of its key mandate.

We meet every month under the auspice of the National Economic Council and working together with the Federal Government we chart directions of economic policy and that is part of shifting the federal-state balance.

Nasir El-Rufai said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has done more restructuring the country

READ ALSO: Igbo quit notice: Governor Ganduje reveals what will happen to Igbos in Kano stateIgbo quit notice: Governor Ganduje reveals what will happen to Igbos in Kano state

A lot of the talk about political restructuring is political opportunism and irresponsibility in my opinion

It is popular and people that have presidential aspirations think there is a platform upon which they will exploit this. As I said, if you look at the APC manifesto, all the elements to divulge power to the state to change the balance in the federation are there and we are committed to that as a party.

The National Chairman of our party will restate that commitment and we are discussing it and as I said President Buhari and Osinbajos government has taken very concrete steps rather than rhetoric to actually move in that direction and we are going to move in that direction but we do not believe that the basis for it is rhetoric and opportunism, we do not believe that the 2014 CONFAB report is a sensible basis to even begin.

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We all know the circumstances in which the so-called CONFAB was put together, we all know the composition, how lopsided it was, how important stakeholders were not taken to account, how even the composition and numbers do not reflect the demographics and the diversity of this country and we took a position as a party not to participate but to encourage our state governors to be there at the table.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bolaji Abdullahi rejected claims that the party is playing politics with the issue of restructuring Nigeria.

Abdullahi said restructuring Nigeria was one of the major things listed on the APC's manifesto.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Nigerian man calling for mass burial for all leaders

Source: Legit.ng
- Recent comments from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, have caused confusion among Igbo people

- The president-general of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, John Nwodo, says Kanu is endangering the lives of Igbo people

The Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop arrogating to itself the supreme leadership of Igbo land.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president-general of the organisation, John Nwodo, issued the warning in Awka on Thursday, June 29 while addressing members of the Anambra House of Assembly.

Legit.ng reports that IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, had urged Anambra people to boycott the governorship election slated for November.

Nwodo slammed Nnamdi Kanu' over his recent comments

IPOB warned the people of the state to stay off the election except its demands are met before the date of the exercise.

According to Nwodo, Kanus call is not only provocative and misleading but also unproductive.

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Why should Anambra people be denied the opportunity to choose their own leader; Nobody, no matter how highly placed, can dictate to Anambra people when to vote, whether to vote or who to vote for.

Anambra, nay Igbos, are still part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Yes, we are not happy with our treatment in Nigeria; some of us want Biafra.

Yes, some of us prefer a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria, but the fact remains that we are still part and parcel of the present Federal Republic of Nigeria, bound by its laws, no matter how repressive or unjust.

Our approach to the reforms of our laws even if it leads to self-determination or restructuring, must be lawful.

We must convince other Nigerians of our point of view; we must strive to make others share our convictions.

Our language must be civil, respectful and lead to consensus building.

We must resist any attempt to allow division among us, as to which way we must go; It must not become a source of altercations between us.

As we speak, very many of our people living in the North are in complete awe and consternation regarding how safe they will be after October 1st.

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Other Northerners living among us are also worried.

The Inspector-General of Police has taken public notice of Nnamdi Kanus comments, inviting a possible invasion of Anambra by the Nigerian Police, thereby increasing the already existing siege of our people, which leads to daily extortion on our highways.

All these developments have arisen out of unguarded utterances.

I find no venue more suited for the statements I make here; every constituent part of Anambra is represented here and I believe that the honourable members here are competent enough to carry the Ohaneze message to every nook and cranny of Anambra state, he said.

Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again reiterated its call for referendum, stressing that until the Nigerian government meets its demands, there will be no election in the South East starting from the upcoming Anambra state governorship election.

It was gathered that IPOB said should its call for referendum is not met, it will use the November 2017 governorship election in Anambra state, to set example for what is to come in the future.

Watch this video concerning Biafra and late Ojukwu:

Source: Legit.ng